cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical demand for chest/abdomen/pelvis anatomy following thoracic or lumbar spine CT.

The purpose of this study is to determine how often CT is repeated to obtain chest/abdomen/pelvis data outside the reconstructed field of view (FOV) on a prior spine CT. Radiology records of 1,239 consecutive thoracic and lumbar spine CT exams of 1,025 patients from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008 were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who subsequently had CT studies of the chest, abdomen, and/or pelvis. The CT data were also evaluated for contrast enhancement, slice thickness, radiation dose, and reason for subsequent CT exam. Over 3 years, 290 of the 1,239 (24%) spine CT exams were followed by CT of the same anatomic region to evaluate extraspinal anatomy. The use or nonuse of contrast in these follow-up studies was the same as the preceding spine study in 91 cases, which were repeated on the same day (n = 37), within 7 days (n = 19), within 8–30 days (n = 15), or after 30 days (n = 20). Fourteen of 25 (56%) T spine CTs and 34 of 52 (65%) L spine CTs without contrast were followed by a chest CT or abdomen/pelvis CT without contrast within 7 days, respectively. Among 31 pediatric exams, 6 of 31 (19%) spine CTs were followed by a CT of the same anatomic region, all within 7 days. Reconstructing full FOV images of spine CT scans in addition to the standard coned down spine FOV may reduce redundant CT imaging and radiation dose.
Generational Differences in Serious Physical Violence Among Hispanic Adolescents: Results From a Nationally Representative, Longitudinal Study

Objective: The purpose of this study is (a) to evaluate the predictors of serious physical violence among Hispanics using a longitudinal, nationally representative sample of adolescents, and (b) to...
Pamamycin inhibits nucleoside and inorganic phosphate transport in Staphylococcus aureus.

Summary Pamamycin is a stimulator of aerial mycelia formation in Streptomyces alboniger and a new antibiotic active against many microorganisms. Studies in Staphylococcus aureus showed that pamamycin inhibited the uptake of nucleosides and inorganic phosphate, as well as purine and pyrimidine bases. Under the same conditions, other cellular functions including protein and cell wall synthesis, amino acid uptake, glucose utilization and DNA and RNA polymerase activities were not affected. The existence of respiration-dependent transport systems for nucleosides in membrane vesicles of S. aureus also was demonstrated. Pamamycin inhibited membrane transport of all the nucleosides tested. The inhibition of the above membrane-associated functions was probably due to the membrane-binding property of this antibiotic.
Does increasing stress change the behavioral action of mescaline from disruption to facilitation

This experiment is related to the hypothesis of Bridger and of Wray that hallucinogens have facilitatory effects on animal behavior when stress is part of the experiment and have disruptive effects otherwise. Male Long-Evans rats were trained to high (above 89%), stable base line rates of shuttlebox avoidance, then given each of four treatments at 6-day intervals after returning to base line avoidance rates: 1. saline (1 ml i.p.), 2. saline+stressor, 3. mescaline hydrochloride (36.6 mg/kg i.p.), 4. mescaline (39.6 mg/kg i.p.)+stressor. Stress treatment was 1.0 mA footshock (1 sec duration) every 20-30 sec for 15 min between injection and session. Sessions (100 trials) began 20 min after injection. Treatments 1 and 2 had no effect on avoidance rate. Treatments 3 and 4 significantly decreased avoidance rate, with the latter causing significantly more decrease than the former. None of the treatments affected presession (5 min adaptation period) or intertrial crossings of the shuttlebox or latency on escape trials. These results suggest that exposure to a stressor, per se, is not the crucial factor causing hallucinogens to have facilitatory effects on animal behavior.
The Catalytic Purification of CO-Rich Air.

Stable heterogeneous catalysts for the oxidative removal of CO from air at ambient temperatures have been developed. An alumina support impregnated with PdCl2, CuCl2, and CuSO4 is described. Optimal activity was obtained with Pd 0.020 mol/kg, Cu 0.50 mol/kg, CuCl2 20-30% of total Cu, a 2- to 24-hr soak, filtration of surplus raffinate, and a 2- to 4-hr firing in air at 200-350 °C. The catalysts are effective at 20-26 °C and relative humidities in the 15-90% range. They are reversibly deactivated by completely dry or water-saturated air streams. These catalysts have been tested at space velocities up to 30,000 hr-1. In contact with 25 sec-1). At much higher CO concentrations, the maximum CO loading rate-limited by the Cu(I) reoxidation rate-is approximately 17 m mol CO per Limol Pd per hour.
Calmodulin Stabilizes an Amphiphilic α-Helix within RC3/Neurogranin and GAP-43/Neuromodulin Only When Ca2+ Is Absent (∗)

Two neuronal protein kinase C substrates, RC3/neurogranin and GAP-43/neuromodulin, preferentially bind to calmodulin (CaM) when Ca2+ is absent. We examine RC3•CaM and GAP-43•CaM interactions by circular dichroism spectroscopy using purified, recombinant RC3 and GAP-43, sequence variants of RC3 displaying qualitative and quantitative differences in CaM binding affinities, and overlapping peptides that cumulatively span the entire amino acid sequence of RC3. We conclude that CaM stabilizes a basic, amphiphilic α-helix within RC3 and GAP-43 under physiological salt concentrations only when Ca2+ is absent. This provides structural confirmation for two binding modes and suggests that CaM regulates the biological activities of RC3 and GAP-43 through an allosteric, Ca2+-sensitive mechanism that can be uncoupled by protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation. More generally, our observations imply an alternative allosteric regulatory role for the Ca2+-free form of CaM.
Building statistical models and scoring with UDFs

Multidimensional statistical models are generally computed outside a relational DBMS, exporting data sets. This article explains how fundamental multidimensional statistical models are computed inside the DBMS in a single table scan exploiting SQL and User-Defined Functions (UDFs). The techniques described herein are used in a commercial data mining tool, called Teradata Warehouse Miner. Specifically, we explain how correlation, linear regression, PCA and clustering, are integrated into the Teradata DBMS. Two major database processing tasks are discussed: building a model and scoring a data set based on a model. To build a model two summary matrices are shown to be common and essential for all linear models: the linear sum of points and the quadratic sum of cross-products of points. Since such matrices are generally significantly smaller than the data set, we explain how the remaining matrix operations to build the model can be quickly performed outside the DBMS. We first explain how to efficiently compute summary matrices with plain SQL queries. Then we present two sets of UDFs that work in a single table scan: an aggregate UDF to compute summary matrices and a set of scalar UDFs to score data sets. Experiments compare UDFs and SQL queries (running inside the DBMS) with C++ (running outside on exported files). In general, UDFs are faster than SQL queries and UDFs are more efficient than C++, due to long export times. Statistical models based on the summary matrices can be built outside the DBMS in just a few seconds. Aggregate and scalar UDFs scale linearly and require only one table scan, making them ideal to process large data sets.
Déjà vu: a database of highly similar citations in the scientific literature

In the scientific research community, plagiarism and covert multiple publications of the same data are considered unacceptable because they undermine the public confidence in the scientific integrity. Yet, little has been done to help authors and editors to identify highly similar citations, which sometimes may represent cases of unethical duplication. For this reason, we have made available Deja vu, a publicly available database of highly similar Medline citations identified by the text similarity search engine eTBLAST. Following manual verification, highly similar citation pairs are classified into various categories ranging from duplicates with different authors to sanctioned duplicates. Deja vu records also contain user-provided commentary and supporting information to substantiate each document's categorization. Deja vu and eTBLAST are available to authors, editors, reviewers, ethicists and sociologists to study, intercept, annotate and deter questionable publication practices. These tools are part of a sustained effort to enhance the quality of Medline as 'the' biomedical corpus. The Deja vu database is freely accessible at http://spore.swmed.edu/dejavu. The tool eTBLAST is also freely available at http://etblast.org.
Lepton assignment in E7 model and multilepton production by neutrinos

Abstract We propose a lepton assignment within the frame work of E7 gauge model and show that observed multilepton events by neutrinos can be explained, within this assignment, by the production of a heavy lepton.
Log linear models for multivariate paired comparison experiments with ties

Abstract A log linear multivariate paired comparison model for ties is proposed in which the cell probabilities under independence are those given by Davidson (1970). Altham's (1970) generalized measure of association (iv) is used to compare the association structure between two models, one having full, the other having reduced association structure. Based on the model with reduced association structure, the analysis of data from a consumer preference experiment is presented.
FORANE* (COMPOUND 469): 2. BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF REPEATED ADMINISTRATION TO ANIMALS, RESPONSE TO BLEEDING, AND COMPATIBILITY WITH EPINEPHRINE)-

Biochemical Effects in Dogs Two groups of five mature, pedigreed, female beagles were used, having a mean body weight of 10.6 kg. Each of the dogs in one of these groups had an open liver biopsy taken, under thiopentone anaesthesia, a month before the experiment. These received 3 hours of anaesthesia a day on five consecutive days. The other group of beagles was anaesthetized for 4 hours a day on alternate days, up to a total of 16 hours. After food had been withheld for 12 hours, anaesthesia was induced by mask inhalation of <4 per eent Forane in oxygen, and the dogs were intubated. No premedication or muscle relaxant drugs were used. The animals were then eonneeted to a non-rebreathing system, using Fink valves, and maintained under surgical anaesthesia with spontaneous respiration for the appropriate periods by the administration of between 1.0 and 1.5 per cent Forane in oxygen. Fluotec vapourisers were used which had been recalibrated by gas chromatography. Arterial and venous blood samples were drawn immediately after induction and just before termination of anaesthesia, and these were analysed by standard techniques for the variables listed in Tables I and II. No intravenous fluids were given. The blood chemistry results were studied for evidence of changes occurring during a single day's anaesthesia, those seen between the 'start' samples on the first day and the 'start' samples on the last day, and the effects of serial removal of blood. 1,2 After the last anaesthetic, those dogs that received 3 hours of anaesthesia on five successive days were sacrificed by intravenous injection of a barbiturate, and tissue specimens of liver, kidney, pancreas, small bowel, spleen, lungs, and heart were taken for gross and microscopic examination.
Electron-transfer ion/ion reactions of doubly protonated peptides: effect of elevated bath gas temperature.

In this study, the electron-transfer dissociation (ETD) behavior of cations derived from 27 different peptides (22 of which are tryptic peptides) has been studied in a 3D quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. Ion/ion reactions between peptide cations and nitrobenzene anions have been examined at both room temperature and in an elevated temperature bath gas environment to form ETD product ions. From the peptides studied, the ETD sequence coverage tends to be inversely related to peptide size. At room temperature, very high sequence coverage (∼100%) was observed for small peptides (≤7 amino acids). For medium-sized peptides composed of 8−11 amino acids, the average sequence coverage was 46%. Larger peptides with 14 or more amino acids yielded an average sequence coverage of 23%. Elevated-temperature ETD provided increased sequence coverage over room-temperature experiments for the peptides of greater than 7 residues, giving an average of 67% for medium-sized peptides and 63% for larger peptides. Percent ET...
Follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma: a comparative study of histopathologic features and cytology results in 141 patients.

Objective: To characterize the histopathologic features of follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPC) and its cytology results on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy and compare them with those of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PC). Methods: We searched the University of Massachusetts Medical Center pathology database for all surgical specimens associated with a diagnosis of FVPC or PC between January 1992 and February 1998 and reviewed the related pathology reports. In addition, the associated preoperative FNA results were analyzed. Results: On initial assessment, FVPC was associated with a significantly lower incidence of cervical lymph node metastatic involvement in comparison with PC (5.6% versus 35.7%; P<0.001). Even though the mean size of FVPC was larger than that of PC (2.57 cm versus 1.75 cm; P<0.05), FVPC showed a lower incidence of thyroid capsule invasion (5.6% versus 11.4%), infiltrative resection margins (2.8% versus 20.0%; P = 0.01), local soft tissue invasion (7.0% versus 25.7%; P<0.005), and multicentricity (25.4% versus 47.1%; P<0.01). Lymphocytic thyroiditis was a common feature of both FVPC (36.6%) and PC (35.7%). FNA biopsy revealed the presence of malignant cells in 9.8% of patients with FVPC in comparison with 67.5% of patients with PC. Most cytology specimens of FVPC (58.8%) were interpreted as suspicious for a malignant lesion or as a follicular neoplasm. Conclusion: FVPC is associated with a significantly lower incidence of cervical lymph node metastatic lesions and invasive histologic features than is PC. Long-term prospective clinical studies are needed to determine whether these findings translate into a more benign natural history for this variant of PC. Results of FNA biopsy in FVPC are more commonly interpreted as suspicious rather than malignant; this factor has major implications for preoperative planning. (Endocr Pract. 2001;7:79-84)
Evaluating impact of storage on smartphone energy efficiency

We present an experimental study of how storage techniques impact energy consumption in smartphones. We design and implement a system that tracks I/O activities of smartphones in real-time and dynamically changes storage configuration by matching I/O patterns in order to reduce energy consumption. Our system is evaluated on the 20 most popular applications from Android Market, and our results show that the optimal configurations save from 21% to 52% of battery life. We believe that they highlight a new and interesting direction in which the topic of smartphone energy consumption can be further evaluated and expanded upon.
GRACILIS MUSCLE SLING FOR SELECT INCONTINENT “BLADDER EXSTROPHY CRIPPLES”

Purpose: Functional reconstruction of children born with bladder exstrophy results in a successful outcome in the majority. However, failed bladder neck repair, especially after multiple surgical attempts, compromises the quality of the tissues and, thus, limits surgical options. In these cases conventional sphincteroplasty and other continence procedures, such as rectus sheath sling or artificial urinary sphincters, are ill-advised due to ischemia and fibrosis of the bladder neck.Materials and Methods: We transferred the gracilis muscle as a vascularized pedicle flap around the bladder neck in 5 children born with bladder exstrophy, of whom 3 were “exstrophy cripples” with multiple previous failed attempts at reconstruction, and 2 were older with failed prior attempts at bladder closure. In the latter 2 cases a 1-stage repair was performed, which included bladder augmentation, ureteroneocystotomy, epispadias repair and bladder neck wrap with gracilis muscle. The other 3 children underwent gracilis muscle...
Low-Temperature Specific Heat of Indium and Tin

The heat capacities of indium and tin were measured between 0.4 and 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. In the normal state, the specific heat could be represented by $A{T}^{\ensuremath{-}2}+\ensuremath{\gamma}T+\ensuremath{\alpha}{T}^{3}+\ensuremath{\beta}{T}^{5}+\ensuremath{\mu}{T}^{7}$. For Sn, in molar millijoule units, $A=0$; $\ensuremath{\gamma}$, the coefficient in the electronic term, is 1.80; $\ensuremath{\alpha}=0.242$, corresponding to a Debye temperature, ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{0}$, of 200\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K; $\ensuremath{\beta}=0.004$; and $\ensuremath{\mu}=0.00014$. For In, $A$, the coefficient of a nuclear electric quadrupole term, is calculated to be 8.97\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ from resonance data; $\ensuremath{\gamma}=1.61$ for one ingot and 1.59 for another; ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{0}=109\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} \mathrm{and} 108\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K; and $\ensuremath{\beta}=0.008$. In the superconducting state, the specific heat of Sn could be expressed as the normal lattice term plus an electronic term of the form $a\ensuremath{\gamma}{T}_{c}\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}\frac{b{T}_{c}}{T})$, with ${T}_{c}=3.70\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K (0.02 deg lower than found in a magnetic measurement), $a=7.63$, and $b=1.41$ when $2l\frac{{T}_{c}}{T}l7$; the value of $b$ agrees with infrared measurements of the energy gap. This sort of analysis could not be applied to In, for below 0.8\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K the total superconducting specific heat was less than the normal lattice term. A possible interpretation is that ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{0}$ is 9% higher in the superconducting state than in the normal metal at 0.4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K; this is not supported, however, by the recent acoustic measurements of the elastic constants by Chandrasekhar and Rayne. The anomaly is not as yet understood, but a few plausible explanations are discussed.
Performance of English Language Learners as a Subgroup in Large-Scale Assessment: Interaction of Research and Policy

Factors that contribute to the performance gap between subgroups and mainstream students deserve special attention. Different subgroups are faced with different sets of challenges. To understand and control for factors leading to the performance gap between subgroups and mainstream students one must clearly understand the issues specific to each subgroup. This paper focuses on assessment and performance issues for English language learner (ELL) students as a subgroup. Identifying factors affecting the performance gap between ELL and non-ELL students may help gain insight into assessment issues for other subgroups of students as well as strengthen assessment of this group.
Evidence of Posterior Fossa Hypoplasia in the Familial Variant of Adult Chiari I Malformation: Case Report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE A case of familial Chiari I malformation and a review of the literature are presented. Recent posterior fossa morphological studies suggest that the sporadic variant of adult Chiari I malformation may be caused by occipital dysplasia and overcrowding of posterior fossa contents. This analysis was applied retrospectively for two of the three members of this familial variant. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A family is described in which symptomatic Chiari I malformation occurred in two generations: monozygotic twin sisters and the daughter of one sister. The monozygotic twins developed symptoms within 1 year of each other, and both had associated syringomyelia. The daughter of one of the twins presented with symptomatic tonsillar herniation alone at a young age. INTERVENTION All three family members underwent surgical decompression of the craniovertebral junction, with or without syringosubarachnoid shunting, with good results. CONCLUSION Cases of familial Chiari I malformation are rare, although they are probably under-reported. An evaluation of posterior fossa morphology in these patients suggests that occipital dysplasia and overcrowding of posterior fossa contents may be the substrate for both familial and sporadic cases of Chiari I malformation and suggests a unifying concept of origin.
Cryogen spray cooling efficiency: Improvement of port wine stain laser therapy through multiple‐intermittent cryogen spurts and laser pulses

Background and Objectives: Cryogen spray cooling (CSC) is used to minimize the risk of epidermal damage during laser treatment of port wine stain (PWS) birthmarks. Unfortunately, CSC may not provide the necessary protection for patients with high concentrations of epidermal melanin. The objectives of this study are to: (1) provide a definition of cooling efficiency (h) based on the amount of heat removed per unit area of skin for a given cooling time; (2) using this definition, establish the h of previously reported spray nozzles; (3) identify the maximum benefit expected in PWS laser therapy based solely on improvement of h; and (4) study the feasibility of using multipleintermittent cryogen spurts and laser pulses to improve PWS laser therapy. Study Design/Materials and Methods: A theoretical definition to quantify h is introduced. Subsequently, finite difference heat diffusion and Monte Carlo light distribution models are used to study the spatial and temporal temperature distributions in PWS skin considering: (1) the current approach to PWS laser therapy consisting of a single cryogen spurt followed by a single pulsed dye laser exposure (SCS-SLP approach); and (2) multiple cryogen spurts and laser pulses (MCS-MLP approach). At the same time, an Arrhenius-type kinetic model is used to compute the epidermal and PWS thermal damages (OE and OPWS, respectively) for a high epidermal melanin concentration (20%), corresponding to skin types V–VI. Results: The h corresponding to a wide range of heat transfer coefficients (h) is quantified. For reported CSC nozzle devices h varies from 40 to 98%. Using the SCS-SLP approach, it is shown that even h ¼ 100% cannot prevent excessiveOE for a skin types V–VI. In contrast, the MCS-MLP approach provides adequate epidermal protection while permitting PWS photocoagulation for the same skin types. Conclusions: The new proposed definition allows to compute the cooling efficiency of CSC nozzle devices. Computer models have been developed and used to show that the SCSSLP approach will not provide adequate epidermal protection for darker skin patients (skin types V–VI), even for h ¼ 100%. In contrast, the MCS-MLP approach may be a viable solution to improve PWS laser therapy for darker skin patients. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:27–35, 2002. 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Availability of acupuncture in the hospitals of a major academic medical center: a pilot study

Abstract Background: Acupuncture is widely used by the American public, but little is known about its availability and use in academic medical settings. We performed a pilot study to compare acupuncture services provided by hospitals affiliated with a major academic teaching institution, and a parallel survey of services provided through an acupuncture school in one city in New England. Methods: Between December 2000 and July 2001, a telephone survey was conducted of the 13 hospitals affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and the clinics affiliated with the New England School of Acupuncture. Results: Acupuncture was available in 8 of the 13 hospitals. Acupuncture was provided in ambulatory clinics in all eight hospitals, but was available to inpatients in only one hospital. Six hospitals delivered acupuncture through an outpatient pain treatment service, one through a women’s health center, one through an HIV clinic, and one hospital delivered acupuncture through two services; a program in the anesthesia department and a multi-disciplinary holistic program in a primary care department. In contrast, the acupuncture school clinics provided services through an on-site clinic at the school, through acupuncture departments at two community-based hospitals, and through a network of 12 satellite acupuncture-dedicated clinics operating throughout the state. Conclusion: Acupuncture is available on a limited basis in a majority of the teaching hospitals in this city. At the acupuncture school clinics, there are few barriers to care. Future health care studies will need to examine the role of acupuncture in diverse geographic settings and to examine its impact on quality of care, teaching and its role in research in academic centers.
Cholinergic induction of oscillations in the hippocampal slice in the slow (0.5-2 Hz), theta (5-12 Hz), and gamma (35-70 Hz) bands.

Carbachol, a muscarinic receptor agonist, produced three distinct spontaneous oscillations in the CA3 region of rat hippocampal slices. Carbachol concentrations in the 4 -13 mM range produced regular synchronized CA3 discharges at 0.5-2 Hz (carbachol-delta). Higher con- centrations (13- 60 mM) produced short episodes of 5-10 Hz (carbachol- theta) oscillations separated by nonsynchronous activity. Concentrations of carbachol ranging from 8 -25 mM also produced irregular episodes of high-frequency discharges (carbachol-gamma, 35-70 Hz), in isolation or mixed with carbachol-theta and carbachol-delta. At carbachol concen- trations sufficient to induce carbachol-theta, low concentrations of APV reversibly transformed carbachol-theta into carbachol-delta. Higher con- centrations of D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (APV) reversibly and completely blocked carbachol-theta. A systematic study of the effects of carbachol shows that the frequency of spontaneous oscillations de- pended nonlinearly on the level of muscarinic activation. Field and intra- cellular recordings from CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cells and interneurons during carbachol-induced rhythms revealed that the hippocampal cir- cuitry preserved in the slice was capable of spontaneous activity over the range of frequencies observed in vivo and suggests that the presence of these rhythms could be under neuromodulatory control. Hippocampus 2000;10:187-197. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An analytical finite element model for predicting three-dimensional tool forces and chip flow

A model of three-dimensional cutting is developed for predicting tool forces and the chip flow angle. The approach consists of coupling an orthogonal finite element cutting model with an analytical model of three-dimensional cutting. The finite element model is based on an Eulerian approach, which gives excellent agreement with measured tool forces and chip geometries. The analytical model was developed by Usui et al. [ASME J. Engng Indust. 100(1978) 222; 229], in which a minimum energy approach was used to determine the chip flow direction. The model developed by Usui required orthogonal cutting test data to determine the tool forces and chip flow angle. In this paper, a finite element model is used to supply the orthogonal cutting data for Usui's model. With this approach, a predictive model of three-dimensional cutting can be developed that does not require measured data as input. Cutting experiments are described in which good agreement was found between measured and predicted tool forces and chip flow angles for machining of AISI 1020 steel.
Marital Happiness, Marital Duration, and the U-Shaped Curve: Evidence from a Five-Wave Panel Study

Previous research suggests a U-shaped pattern of marital happiness over the life course, with happiness declining in the early years of marriage and rising in the later years. Mostprior studies have been limited by the use of cross-sectional data or nonprobability samples. In contrast, the present study is based on data from a national, 1 7-year, 5wave panel sample. Using cross-sectional data from the first wave, we replicate the Ushaped relationship between marital happiness and marital duration. In an analysis based on a fixed-effects pooled time-series model with multiple-wave panel data, we find declines in marital happiness at all marital durations and no supportfor an upturn in marital happiness in the later years. The relationship between marital happiness and marital duration is slightly curvilinear, with the steepest declines in marital happiness occurring during the earliest and latest years of marriage. When other lifecourse variables are controlled, a significant negative effect of marital duration on marital happiness remains. For most marriage cohorts, marital happiness declined more in the 1980s than in the 1990s, suggesting a period effect. This study provides evidence that the U-shaped pattern of marital happiness over the life course is an artifact of cross-sectional research and is not typical of U.S. marriages.
Rb-Sr evidence for punctuated illite/smectite diagenesis in the Oligocene Frio Formation, Texas Gulf Coast

The µ -size fractions of a suite of upper Oligocene Frio Formation shale samples taken from below 10,500 ft in a well on the Texas Gulf Coast fall on a Rb-Sr isochron corresponding to an age of 23.6 ± 0.8 m.y. The isochron shows an initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio of 0.7088 ± 0.0004. This suggests that regularly interstratified illite/smectite simultaneously equilibrated soon after burial over a range of burial depths at 7,000–8,000 ft shallower than at present. Oxygen-isotope values for these clays are also consistent with equilibration under shallower burial conditions. Such a pattern conflicts with the prevailing idea of a gradual illitization of smectite with progressive burial. A new model of episodic or “punctuated” diagenesis is proposed, whereby sudden diagenesis is initiated by a change in pore-water chemistry. Clay reaction occurs over a range of temperature at this time, such that the deeper clays are transformed completely to 80% illite, and the shallow clays are transformed less completely. Subsequent pore-water chemical changes inhibit further clay reaction, and the mineralogic gradient and the isotopic signature formed at 23.6 m.y. B.P. are “frozen in.” Seven to eight thousand feet of additional post-Oligocene burial has not resulted in the creation of younger illite/smectite. Consequently, there is no evidence that illite/smectite diagenesis is currently taking place in the Frio Formation.
Integration of Study Abroad with Social Media Technologies and Decision-Making Applications

This article describes the design and delivery of a program, “Global Business in a Digital World.” The program integrates the use of social media technologies and business applications in a series of courses that include short-term study abroad components that focus on emerging markets. The objectives are to: (1) provide additional options for study abroad; (2) broaden the scope of the international business program to include more emphasis on emerging markets; (3) provide integration across business and liberal arts; and (4) integrate social media technologies into the study abroad experience. To achieve these objectives, students study business in the host country, interact with local company executives, and experiment with social media and related technologies. A conceptual framework describes the course structure and its relationship with the four categories of social media classified as 4Cs: Communication, Connection, Cooperation, and Collaboration (Cook, 2008; Enterprise 2.0. Burlington, VT: Gower Publishing Limited). Conclusions reveal improved student learning outcomes after exposure to the study abroad, but also suggest the study abroad experience requires specific skill development. A research framework gives direction for future work.
Results of two Levels of Adjunctive Treatment Used with the Nicotine Patch

The authors compared 9-, 16-, 26-, and 52-week outcomes for two randomly assigned groups of nicotine-dependent subjects: 1) nicotine patch plus four smoking cessation sessions with a nurse-practitioner giving advice and instruction (n = 36; moderate-intensity condition, MI); or 2) the foregoing treatments plus 16 weekly individual cognitive/ behavioral relapse-prevention therapy sessions (n = 33; high-intensity condition, HI). Patch completion rates were 69.7% in the HI group and 55.6% in the MI group (NS). Self-reported abstinence rates at the four follow-up points were comparable for the two treatment groups; HI: 39%, 36%, 36%, and 36%; MI: 44%, 28%, 25%, and 28%, respectively. There was some indication that MI patients with high nicotine dependence had lower abstinence rates than highly dependent HI patients.
A RISK MODEL INCLUDING NEW FACTORS FOR PREDICTION OF RENAL COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY

The aim of the study was to develop and validate a tool for predicting risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing contemporary coronary angiography. Random forest models were developed using 20 peri-procedural variables including new factors(NT-proBNP, uric acid, hydration
Food-Related Environmental, Behavioral, and Personal Factors Associated With Body Mass Index Among Urban, Low-Income African-American, American Indian, and Caucasian Women

Abstract Purpose To examine racial/ethnic differences in relationships between food-related environmental, behavioral and personal factors and low-income women's weight status using Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) as a framework. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Community sites and low-income housing developments in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Subjects Low-income African-American, American Indian, and Caucasian women ≥18 years old (n = 367). Measures Participants completed a survey including demographic, food security, and theoretically based questions. Heights and weights were measured to determine body mass index (BMI). Analysis Data were split by race/ethnicity and reduced by examining Pearson coefficients for SCT survey questions significantly correlated with BMI (p < .05). Separate environmental, behavioral, and personal multiple linear regression models for each racial/ethnic group were run to explore the proportion of variance in BMI explained by each SCT construct and which questions ...
Stress analysis of cushion supported tissues

Two types of two-dimensional physical models have been developed to simulate bone and the surrounding soft tissues and evaluate the effectiveness of various cushions in relieving stress concentrations in the soft tissue. The stresses were derived from deformation data obtained from photographs of grids etched on the models. Results indicate that the flat-edge bone core generated large sheer stress and lower compressive stress magnitudes when compared to a round-edge bone core. The enveloping property of the cushion played an important role in providing stress relief. >
Resection arthroplasty of the hip

Forty-four patients with 46 resection arthroplasties performed for various indications were followed an average of 8.0 years. Pain relief was good or excellent in 77% and eradication of infection was achieved in all but one. Completeness of cement removal at the time of resection arthroplasty did not affect the results or control of infection. Patients with a history of prior septic total hip arthroplasty had results similar to those for patients with other indications for resection arthroplasty. A comprehensive review of the literature supports these results.
The ICDD/PDF Coverage of the High Tc Superconductor and Related Compounds in the A-R-Cu-O Systems (A = Ba, Sr and Ca, and R = Lanthanides and Y)

A compilation has been made of the X-ray powder diffraction patterns of the high Tc superconductor and related phases in the systems of Ba-R-Cu-O, Sr-R-Cu-O and Ca-R-Cu-O, where R = yttrium and lanthanides. In addition to the patterns of compounds found in these systems, other related compounds included are cation substitution products of the high Tc phases of Ba2RCu2O6+x, potential reaction products with different types of sample containers, and selected thin-film substrates. The International Centre for Diffraction Data/Powder Diffraction file (ICDD/PDF) coverage includes Sets 1 to 41. A cross correlation of these phases with those reported in Phase Diagrams For Ceramists (PDFC), has also been completed. Results of these efforts are tabulated.
Flexing Work Boundaries: The Spillover and Crossover of Workplace Support

Using boundary theory and conservation of resources theory, we examined how job incumbents’ perceptions of supervisor instrumental support and organizational segmentation support influence outcomes for both the incumbent and the spouse. First, we examined how supervisor instrumental support and organizational segmentation support shape incumbents’ perceived ability to flex work boundaries and thus affect their experience of family functioning and their organizational commitment. Second, we examine the effects of supervisor instrumental support and organizational segmentation support on spousal martial satisfaction and the spouse's commitment to the incumbent's employing organization as mediated through boundary flexibility and the spouse's perception of successful boundary management by the incumbent. Using a matched set of 503 subordinates and their spouses, this study found that both supervisor instrumental support and organizational segmentation support contribute to work boundary flexibility. Further, for the incumbent, family functioning and organizational commitment were enhanced through work boundary flexibility, whereas for the spouse, marital satisfaction and commitment to the incumbent's organization were enhanced through both incumbent work boundary flexibility and the spouse's perception of successful boundary management by the incumbent. We discuss the study's implications for theory, research, and practice while suggesting new research directions
Incorporating Biological, Chemical, and Toxicological Knowledge Into Predictive Models of Toxicity

Complete List of Authors: Dix, David; US EPA, Nat'l Center for Computational Toxicology Houck, Keith; USEPA, NCCT Judson, Richard S.; US EPA, National Center for Computational Toxicology Knudsen, Thomas; US EPA, NCCT Martin, Matthew; US EPA, Reif, David; US EPA, National Center for Computational Toxicology Richard, Ann; USEPA, MD B143-06 Shah, Imran; USEPA, NCCT Kleinstreuer, Nicole; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Computational Toxicology Sipes, Nisha; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development/National Center for Computational Toxicology Kavlock, Robert; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Computational Toxicology; US EPA, NHEERL, MD-71
Analysis and Design Procedure for FRP-Strengthened Prestressed Concrete T-Girders Considering Strength and Fatigue

Controlling the prestressing strand-stress range in precracked prestressed concrete girders is critical in the FRP strengthening process to avoid long-term fatigue failures. This paper will address the details of a design procedure that was developed to satisfy target-strengthening requirements while imposing stress range serviceability limits. Two main CFRP flexural strengthening designs were established for use in the experimental program herein. In the first, the amount of CFRP was designed to limit the average strand-stress range to 125 MPa (18 ksi) , as per AASHTO requirements, under service live load while maintaining the service-ultimate moment relationship constant. The second design was intended to double the strand-stress range under service live load while keeping the same service-ultimate moment relationship. This was accomplished with iterative cycles of nonlinear sectional analysis to determine the amount of external CFRP reinforcement needed to yield both the targeted stress range and ultim...
Response to contrast of electrophysiologically defined cell classes in primary visual cortex.

Information processing in the visual cortex is critically dependent on the input-output relationships of its component neurons. The transformation of synaptic inputs into spike trains depends in turn on the host of intrinsic membrane properties expressed by neurons, which define established electrophysiological cell classes in the neocortex. Here we studied, with intracellular recordings in vivo , how the electrophysiological cell classes in the primary visual cortex transform an increasing input, represented by stimulus contrast, into membrane depolarization and trains of action potentials. We used contrast as input because, regardless of their stimulus selectivity, primary visual cortical cells increase their firing rates in response to increases in luminance contrast. We found that both the spike rate response and the membrane potential response are best described by the hyperbolic ratio function when compared with linear, power, and logarithmic functions. In addition, both responses show similar parameter values and similar residual variance from the fits to all four functions. We also found that changes in membrane potential are similar, but firing rates differ strongly, between the established electrophysiological cell classes: fast spiking neurons show the highest firing rates, followed by fast rhythmic bursting, and regular spiking (RS) cells. In addition, among complex cells, RS cells from supragranular layers fired at higher rates than RS cells from infragranular layers. Finally, we show that the differences in firing rates between cell classes arise from differences in the slope of the relationship between membrane potential and spike rate.
Atmospheric-pressure plasma deposition of indium tin oxide

Indium tin oxide (ITO) films were deposited via atmospheric-pressure plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (APPD) using indium acetylacetonate, indium trifluoroacetylacetonate and tin trifluoroacetylacetonate as metal-organic precursors. A film growth temperature of 300 °C gave highly-transparent films with modest conductivity. Post-deposition thermal treatments gave ITO films with resistivities one to two orders of magnitude higher than those available commercially. Compositional analysis revealed a high carbon content and annealing the films in oxygen at 400 C did not affect the C concentration. A decrease in the fluorine content in the films was observed after annealing with and the onset of crystallization was noted via XRD.
Supreme Court Dilemmas in Striking a Balance between the Right to Counsel and the Welfare of Society

The poor are often far removed from the legal system not only as a result of the lack of funds, but also because the law is complicated to the point that it is all but completely alien to them. Yet, in society the legal problems of these people are multitudinous, ranging from everyday relationships with landlords and welfare agencies to the area of criminal cases in which so many impoverished citizens find themselves embroiled.The Supreme Court, since the milestone case of Gideon v. Wainwright in 1963, focused upon the guarantee to counsel for indigents in the many stages of criminal proceedings from arrest to sentencing, and appeal. Judicial activism in the Escobedo (1964), Miranda (1966), Wade (1967), Coleman (1970), Argersinger (1972), and Mempa (1967) cases provided bridges of procedural precedents that ensure fairness for the poor defendant. The procedural criteria established in those six key cases are sweeping remedies for the vulnerable position in which the destitute accused finds himself upon be...
Natural Image Retrieval with Sketches

In this paper, we present a method to retrieve natural images by sketch query. To measure the similarity between the sketch and an image, relevant regions are first located in that image through a multi-resolution search, and a normalized local shape similarity is proposed for image retrieval. Efficiency and other implementation issues are discussed. Experimental results show that it is an effective approach for content-based image retrieval
A Decision-Support Model for Filtering RFID Read Data in Supply Chains

The introduction of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags in supply chains engenders the need for incorporating and utilizing the additional generated data. It is generally assumed that these data, once generated, are complete and rife with necessary information for making decisions. The reality is, however, that these data are not error free. Common errors observed in these data include false positives and false negatives. Given that these data are among the set of primary inputs for decision-making purposes, the read-rate accuracy is of paramount importance for effectively managing supply chains incorporating such data. Although there are means by which the RFID tag read rate could be improved to a certain extent, the errors in read rate cannot be completely eliminated, and decision makers are left to deal with such data while managing the supply chain. We present and illustrate few algorithms that can be used to reduce false read rates. We consider models for filtering data that are already being gathered in RFID systems and utilize it to improve read-rate accuracy. We implement the proposed models and illustrate their performance.
A Conceptual System Approach for the Relationship between Collaborative Knowledge Management (CKM) and Human Capital Management (HCM).

The linkage and integration of Collaborative Knowledge Management (CKM) and Human Capital Management (HCM) systems is becoming increasingly important. Both systems are currently very popular and based on the writing of various authors can lead to increased organizational effectiveness and innovation. The authors of this paper suggest a conceptual systems model to integrate CKM and HCM so an organization could potential share in the strengths of both systems.
Block-Based MAP Disparity Estimation Under Alpha-Channel Constraints

Disparity estimation belongs to the most important, but difficult, problems in image processing and computer vision. Its importance stems from a wide range of applications, while its difficulty is related to ill-posedness. To date, numerous disparity estimation algorithms have been developed. In this paper, we consider a particular case of disparity estimation based on two views and a known alpha channel partitioning each view into foreground and background. The main idea is to use this partitioning in order to enhance disparity estimation in the foreground object close to its boundary. We propose a block-based disparity model with two alpha-channel constraints: a photometric one, disabling invalid intensity/color matches, and a geometric one, preventing disparity smoothing between foreground and background. We incorporate these constraints into a Bayesian framework using the maximum a posteriori probability criterion. We experimentally demonstrate improvements in the estimated disparities at foreground object boundaries, and show examples of image relighting using these disparities
Characterization of the Schistosoma mansoni gene encoding the glycolytic enzyme, triosephosphate isomerase

The complete gene encoding Schistosoma mansoni triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) was isolated from a lambda phage genomic library on 2 overlapping clones. These genomic clones have been characterized by restriction mapping and DNA sequencing of the 5' flanking region, the exons, the intron boundaries and the polyadenylation addition site. S. mansoni TPI is encoded by 6 exons spanning a region of about 12 kb. The 5 introns are located at positions precisely analogous to those of mammalian TPI genes but one of the 6 mammalian TPI introns is missing in S. mansoni. We find no evidence of spliced leader involvement in TPI gene expression. The gene is preceded by at least 4 tandem copies of a 2.5-kb repetitive sequence. While the 12-kb size for the S. mansoni TPI gene is much larger than the 3-4 kb typical of mammalian TPI genes, the 42-bp first intron is unusually short. The transcription initiation site for the S. mansoni TPI gene is heterogeneous. Genomic Southern blot analysis suggests that TPI is expressed from a single copy gene.