cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Average stability and decay properties of forced solutions of the wave propagation problems of classical physics in energy and mean norms

Abstract This paper seeks conditions under which the solutions of the wave equations of classical physics with time-dependent coefficients and source terms have solutions which are stable in an average sense. Stability is sought in what in practice are the two senses of “energy” and “mean.” The equations for energy are taken as generalizations of the symmetric hyperbolic systems and for the mean sense as generalizations of the d'Alembert equation. It is seen, for example, that solutions have somewhat more stability in the mean for the most general type of system. A fact which makes our approach somewhat unique is that no space or time smoothness of coefficients is required for most of our results and the results are easily extended to domains with boundary with no particular conditions on the shape or boundedness of the domain.
Comparison of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms as a predictor of surgical outcomes in benign prostatic hyperlasia cases (BPH)

Predicting the clinical outcome prior to minimally invasive treatments for Benign Prostatic Hperlasia (BPH) cases would be very useful. However, clinical prediction has not been reliable in spite of multiple assessment parameters such as symptom indices and flow rates. In this study, Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms are used to train computers to predict the surgical outcome in BPH patients treated by TURP or VLAP. Our aim is to investigate whether AI can reproduce the clinical outcome of known cases and assist the urologist in predicting surgical outcomes. Four different AI algorithms are used.
Influence of cyclic GMP on rodent aggressive behavior.

Abstract Dibutyryl cGMP (0 to 100 μg), infused intraventricularly in rats and mice, produced dose-dependent increases in brain cGMP, facilitation of shock-induced rat fighting and predatory cricket-killing, and inhibition of isolation-induced mouse fighting. The changes in rat aggression with 25 μg and in mouse aggression with 50 μg were not related to sedation or motor disturbance, since locomotor activity counts were normal as were brain levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, serotonin, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. These changes seem to be related to an intracellular action of cGMP and appear to be specific for the guanine cyclic nucleotide.
Tanzania's Endangered Heritage: A Call for a Protection Program

There is no doubt that heritage resource loss in Tanzania is proceeding at an alarming rate. Natural and human agencies, adverse storage infrastructures and techniques, and lack of trained conservators and curators and of a proper protection program are the major threats that endanger the heritage resources of Tanzania. As our natural and cultural environments bring irreparable damage to the resources that document our human history, we need to preserve and protect them before they vanish. A preservation and protection program for Tanzania should include public education, the establishment of heritage preservation laws, more progress in the inventory and protection of in situ heritage resources, research into preservation and conservation methods, training of staff, and improvements in the curation of collected heritage resources and records. Preservation and protection of heritage resources are collaborative exercises. The scientific and world community need to support and engage in this proposed program both technically and financially, if the preservation and protection of heritage resources in Tanzania are to succeed.
Rotary Regenerator for Gas Turbines

Test performance of a rotary regenerator comprising the experimental evaluation of three lengths of flame-trap -type matrices is presented. Design parameters based on the experimental results are given. A compact structural design of a rotary regenerator is illustrated along with a configuration for a proposed application to small turbines. A seal design is suggested and the problem of matrix fouling is discussed.Copyright © 1956 by ASME
Dissolution of Macromolecules II: Dissolution of an Ethylene-Maleic Acid Copolymer

Factors influencing the dissolution of an ethylene-maleic acid copolymer have been studied. Polymer swelling, hydrated layer thickness, and solvent pH were shown to influence the dissolution of the polymer. Linear dissolution rates were observed following an initial induction period. Hydrated layer thickness was found to be a controlling factor in the dissolution process. An immersion refractometry mehtod was employed to measure aqueous polymer concentrations during dissolution.
Development of transalveolar fibres in alveolar bone of the mouse

Abstract Transalveolar fibre development in the mandibles of albino mice aged 12–32 days postnatal was studied. Silver impregnation techniques revealed transalveolar fibres in the alveolar crest bone at day 14 and throughout the interdental septum at day 17. Collagen stains revealed transalveolar fibres in alveolar crest bone at day 19 and throughout the interdental bone by day 25. Changes in orientation occurred in transalveolar fibres of the alveolar crest at day 19 and in oblique transalveolar fibres at day 25. These changes were coincident with the eruption of the teeth and the development of functional occlusion.
Cyber security for service oriented architectures in a Web 2.0 world: An overview of SOA vulnerabilities in financial services

Service oriented architecture is fast becoming ubiquitous enterprise software architecture standard in public and private sector alike. Study of literature and current attacks suggests that with the proliferation of Web API and RESTFul services, the attack vectors prioritized by OWASP top 10, including but not limited to cross site scripting (XSS), cross site request forgery (CSRF), injection, direct object reference, broken authentication and session management now equally apply to web services. In addition service oriented architecture relies heavily on XML/RESTFul web services which are vulnerable to XML Signature Wrapping Attack, Oversize Payload, Coercive parsing, SOAP Action Spoofing, XML Injection, WSDL Scanning, Metadata Spoofing, Oversized Cryptography, BPEL State Deviation, Instantiation Flooding, Indirect Flooding, WS-Addressing spoofing and Middleware Hijacking to name a few. In this paper, we review various such security issues pertaining to service oriented architecture. These and similar techniques, have been employed by Anonymous and other hacktivists, resulting in denial of service attacks on financial applications. While discussing the national security perils of hacktivism, there is an excessive focus on network layer security, and the application layer perspective is not always part of the discussion. In this research, we provide background information and rationale for securing application layer vulnerabilities to facilitate true defense in depth approach for cyber security.
Epidemiologic determinants of clinically relevant prostate cancer.

While tumor volume and Gleason scores are the best available prognostic indicators for prostate cancer, contemporary predictive methods are unable to identify which men with Gleason scores of 7 have clinically insignificant tumors that will not progress and which men will develop highly aggressive prostate cancer. Our objective was to evaluate potential environmental determinants of significant prostate cancer. Subjects were patients identified from a universitybased hospital and tertiary cancer center who had undergone radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Cases were 103 patients whose tumor volumes were <0.5 ml. The comparison group was comprised of 225 men with larger-volume disease or with histologic evidence of extracapsular extension but without lymph node involvement. The matching criteria were ethnicity, age at diagnosis (65 years), and date of diagnosis (61 year). Epidemiologic data, current weight, and height were obtained. The comparison group was significantly more likely than cases to be current smokers (7.6% vs. 3.9%) and to report more pack-years smoked (30.1 vs. 23.0 years, p 5 0.06). Cases tended to weigh less (85.2 vs. 87.1 kg, p 5 0.1) and have lower body mass indices (26.8 vs. 27.6, p 5 0.07). A similar trend was evident for weight at age 40 (79 vs. 81 kg). Cases reported a mean weight gain of 4.9 kg compared with 6.6 kg in the comparison subjects (p 5 0.05) between the ages of 25 and 40. There was no significant difference in weight gain from age 40 to current age. Cases were more likely to report having prostate cancer screening (90% vs. 80%, p 5 0.02). Cases with Gleason scores < 7( 31 4, with 3 being the dominant grade) were younger at diagnosis than those with scores of 7 (4 1 3, with 4 being the dominant grade), were more likely (93%) to have had prostate screening, were less likely to be current smokers (4%), reported the fewest pack-years smoked (21.5 vs. 28.6 years for high-score cases and 30.1 for comparison subjects), and had the lowest average weight gain from ages 25 to 40 (4.62 vs. 6.31 kg for high-score cases). Weight gain in early adulthood and smoking thus appear to be important predictors of virulent prostate cancer. Our data also suggest that prior screening is associated with diagnosis of lower-volume and lower-score disease. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.) 89:259 ‐264, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The family context of marital rape

Marital rape is a type of family violence which largely has been ignored. Definitions of marital rape and information on the incidence of the problem are summarized. Based on a review of the research available, the family context of marital rape is described. Salient characteristics of the husband and wife as well as the children in families where marital rape occurs are identified to the extent to which they have been currently examined by researchers and clinicians working in the area. Implications of this description of the family context of marital rape are drawn in terms of research, family intervention, and education.
Low-Temperature Electrochemical Synthesis of ZrO2 Films on Zirconium Substrates: Deposition of Thick Amorphous Films and in situ Crystallization on Zirconium Anode

The feasibility of synthesizing crystalline ZrO2 films at low temperatures was evaluated using an electrochemical method. Anodization of zirconium-metal substrates in tetraethyl ammonium hydroxide (TEAOH) solutions under constant applied voltage conditions at ∼25° and ∼100°C was investigated. The chemistry and microstructure of the anodic oxide films deposited on the zirconium-metal substrates under the above conditions were characterized using X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that, with sufficiently high applied voltages (in the range of 300 V) at pH ∼9.5, the initial dissolution of the zirconium anode resulted in the local saturation of the electrolyte solution with Zr4+, forming Zr(OH)−5, which deposited electrophoretically on the anode as a thick, gelatinous film at 25°C. Similar treatments at 100°C resulted in an in situ crystallization of Zr(OH)4 gel to monoclinic ZrO2.
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN

The battering of female partners and the concomitant emotional abuse that is almost always part of the coercive control have significant mental and physical health consequences for the women who experience this type of violence. Children who live in households fraught with the conflict, violence, and unpredictable danger of domestic violence often witness the battering of their mothers and may also be victims of child abuse themselves. This article highlights current knowledge regarding the mental and physical health effects of intimate partner violence on women and their children, and discusses needed directions for screening, intervention, research, and changes in the health care system.
Chronic allograft rejection. Do the Th2 cells preferentially induced by indirect alloantigen recognition play a dominant role

Chronic rejection has been the major obstacle to the long-term allograft survival in the clinic. Although the etiology of this rejection reaction is multifactorial, alloantigen-specific immune activation plays the most critical role. We herein hypothesize that CD4 + Th2 cells that are preferentially induced by the indirect recognition of allogeneic histocompatibility antigens late in transplantation may play the most critical role in the initiation and/or maintenance of chronic allograft rejection. Immunosuppression used to prevent acute rejection and the nature of antigen-presenting cells and alloligands in the graft may all contribute to immune deviation to the Th2 response. This response may be further perpetuated by type 2 cytokines conceivably produced by activated macrophages, NK cells, and CD8 + T cells in the graft. Cytokines and growth factors induced by this type 2 response, in turn, allow for activation of B, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells that collectively contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic allograft rejection by producing alloantibodies and growth hormones required for interstitial fibrosis, extracellular matrix deposition, and vascular neointimal hyperplasia.
A framework for ecosystem services valuation.

In the recent article, “Managing Invasive Aquatic Plants in a Changing System: Strategic Consideration of Ecosystem Services,” Hershner and Havens (2008) reject the need to manage certain aquatic plant invaders. The authors claim that Phragmites australis invasion is acceptable because it provides three ecosystem services: habitat, soil stabilization, and nutrient uptake and retention. We strongly disagree with this conclusion. Without a comprehensive valuation framework, the concept of ecosystem services is of little use to decision makers. The services referenced by Hersher and Havens may be of lesser value than the services lost as a result of P. australis invasion. Using P. australis invasion as an example, we suggest a framework for ecosystem services valuation that incorporates three important considerations: quality of service, weighting of services, and time frame.
Detection of DNA Damage in Response to Cooling Injury in Equine Spermatozoa Using Single-Cell Gel Electrophoresis

Single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), or comet as- say, has the ability to detect damage at the single cell level and has not been reported for equine sperm. The ability to detect nuclear damage at the single cell level could aid in the advancement of protocols for optimal semen preservation. The goals of these ex- periments were to adapt this assay for use with equine sperm and to utilize the assay for determining the integrity of equine sperm DNA following treatments with storage at various decreased temperatures (20C and 5C). Results from experiments in which sperm were frozen (20C) in the absence of cryoprotectants revealed that sig- nificantly more cells with fragmented tails of DNA, or comets, oc- curred among those exposed to 1, 3, and 5 freeze-thaw cycles (65% 6%, 76% 11%, 92% 6%, respectively) compared with fresh, untreated sperm (19% 16%, P.05). In addition, DNA damage was different (P.05) between the three freeze-thaw treatments. Sensitivity of SCGE on equine sperm was further tested with known ratios of frozen-thawed and fresh cells. The amount of detectable DNA damage was positively correlated with the percentage of cryo- damaged cells in each treatment (r 2 0.92, P.05). Potential damage as a result of cooled storage was also investigated and results revealed that sperm stored for 48 hours (at 5C) had a higher percentage of comets than that of fresh sperm (63% 13.9% and 28% 15.6%, respectively, P.05). The percentage of viable sperm also decreased linearly over time and was inversely corre- lated with percent of comets (r 2 0.805, P.001). Detection of sublethal and/or uncompensable fertility factors in semen, such as DNA fragmentation, could be useful for detecting male differences in semen for cooling or cryopreservation potential and could provide a tool for monitoring and preserving fertility for individual stallions.
Optimal transform coders for classification/reconstruction with joint decoding at the receiver

This paper describes the optimal transform coders for classification/reconstruction with joint decoding at the receiver. The receiver acquire a probability of error and reconstructs the signal incurring a weighted mean squared error (WMSE).
Experimental Investigation of Thermally Induced Nonlinearities in Aluminum Nitride Contour-Mode MEMS Resonators

The aim of this letter is to experimentally demonstrate that the source of amplitude-frequency (A-f) nonlinearities in aluminum nitride contour-mode MEMS resonators is to be attributed to the softening of the equivalent device Young's modulus due to self-heating effects. Resonators with a center frequency of about 1.16 GHz are here investigated as a case study. The resonator self-heating was evaluated by integrating a platinum serpentine in the resonator body and using it as an efficient temperature sensor. The observations of this work are supported by the comparison of the shift of the A-f plots measured at different ambient temperatures with the direct recording of the resonator-temperature increase during VNA frequency sweeps.
Poly(styrene-b-isobutylene multiarm star-block copolymers

Multiarm star-branched polymers based on poly(styrene-b-isobutylene) (PS-PIB) block copolymer arms were synthesized under controlled/living cationic polymerization conditions using the 2-chloro-2-propylbenzene (CCl)/TiCl4/pyridine (Py) initiating system and divinylbenzene (DVB) as gel-core-forming comonomer. To optimize the timing of isobutylene (IB) addition to living PS⊕, the kinetics of styrene (St) polymerization at −80°C were measured in both 60 : 40 (v : v) methyl cyclohexane (MCHx) : MeCl and 60 : 40 hexane : MeCl cosolvents. For either cosolvent system, it was found that the polymerizations followed first-order kinetics with respect to the monomer and the number of actively growing chains remained invariant. The rate of polymerization was slower in MCHx : MeCl (kapp = 2.5 × 10−3 s−1) compared with hexane : MeCl (kapp = 5.6 × 10−3 s−1) ([CCl]o = [TiCl4]/15 = 3.64 × 10−3M; [Py] = 4 × 10−3M; [St]o = 0.35M). Intermolecular alkylation reactions were observed at [St]o = 0.93M but could be suppressed by avoiding very high St conversion and by setting [St]o ≤ 0.35M. For St polymerization, kapp = 1.1 × 10−3 s−1 ([CCl]o = [TiCl4]/15 = 1.82 × 10−3M; [Py] = 4 × 10−3M; [St]o = 0.35M); this was significantly higher than that observed for IB polymerization (kapp = 3.0 × 10−4 s−1; [CCl]o = [Py] = [TiCl4]/15 = 1.86 × 10−3M; [IB]o = 1.0M). Blocking efficiencies were higher in hexane : MeCl compared with MCHx : MeCl cosolvent system. Star formation was faster with PS-PIB arms compared with PIB homopolymer arms under similar conditions. Using [DVB] = 5.6 × 10−2M = 10 times chain end concentration, 92% of PS-PIB arms (Mn,PS = 2600 and Mn,PIB = 13,400 g/mol) were linked within 1 h at −80°C with negligible star–star coupling. It was difficult to achieve complete linking of all the arms prior to the onset of star–star coupling. Apparently, the presence of the St block allows the PS-PIB block copolymer arms to be incorporated into growing star polymers by an additional mechanism, namely, electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS), which leads to increased rates of star formation and greater tendency toward star–star coupling. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1629–1641, 1999
The development of a sexual harassment proclivity scale: Construct validation and relationship to communication competence

This study focuses on developing, validating, and applying a self‐report measure of the proclivity to engage in sexually harassing behavior. The validity of the scale is demonstrated by its moderate correlations with attitude measures relevant to sexual harassment, its nonsignificant correlation with the need to provide socially desirable responses, and by showing that potential victims of sexual harassment view the included behaviors as harassing. Further, it was shown that college males indicating a higher proclivity to engage in sexual harassment were more suspicious of and apprehensive about dating, less satisfied with their dating activities, more anxious about communication, and found communication less rewarding.
Sensitive Voltammetric Sensing of the 2,3-Dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (Dmnb) Explosive Taggant

The highly sensitive voltammetric detection of the 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB), a required additive to commercial plastic explosives, is described. The protocol relies on a fast square-wave voltammetric measurement of the DMNB explosive taggant at an unmodified carbon fiber electrode using a phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) solution. Different solutions and working electrodes were evaluated. Under the optimal conditions, a linear response is observed over the 300–3000 μg/L DMNB concentration range examined, with a detection limit of 60 μg/L. A highly stable response, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.6%, is observed for 30 repetitive measurements. Such electrochemical approach offers great promise for a simple, rapid, sensitive and inexpensive field screening of plastic explosives. Preliminary data illustrate the utility of electrochemical detection for electrophoretic microchips for the simultaneous measurements of DMNB, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) and pentaerythritoltetranitrate (PETN).
Who Sees Trees Before Forest? The Obsessive-Compulsive Style of Visual Attention

It has been suggested that individuals with obsessive-compulsive personalities tend to focus on small local details in their surroundings, whereas histrionic individuals are characterized by more global information processing. Using the global-local hierarchical-letters paradigm, we were able to provide support for the first but not the second hypothesis. Measures related to obsessive-compulsive personality disorder were associated with excessive visual attention to small details of the hierarchical letters. Specifically, the obsessive-compulsive cognitive style was associated with local interference, which reflects the effects of distraction by to-be-ignored small details on identification of global information.
CheY-dependent Methylation of the Asparagine Receptor, McpB, during Chemotaxis in Bacillus subtilis*

For the Gram-positive organism Bacillus subtilis, chemotaxis to the attractant asparagine is mediated by the chemoreceptor McpB. In this study, we show that rapid net demethylation of B. subtilis McpB results in the immediate production of methanol, presumably due to the action of CheB. We also show that net demethylation of McpB occurs upon both addition and removal of asparagine. After each demethylation event, McpB is remethylated to nearly prestimulus levels. Both remethylation events are attributable to CheR using S-adenosylmethionine as a substrate. Therefore, no methyl transfer to an intermediate carrier need be postulated to occur during chemotaxis in B. subtilis as was previously suggested. Furthermore, we show that the remethylation of asparagine-bound McpB requires the response regulator, CheY-P, suggesting that CheY-P acts in a feedback mechanism to facilitate adaptation to positive stimuli during chemotaxis in B. subtilis. This hypothesis is supported by two observations: a cheRBCD mutant is capable of transient excitation and subsequent oscillations that bring the flagellar rotational bias below the prestimulus value in the tethered cell assay, and the cheRBCD mutant is capable of swarming in a Tryptone swarm plate.
Robust internal-force based impedance control for coordinating manipulators-theory and experiments

A robust internal force-based impedance control scheme for coordinating manipulators is introduced. Internal force-based impedance control enforces a relationship between the velocity of each manipulator and the internal force on the manipulated objects and requires no knowledge of the object dynamic model. Each manipulator's nonlinear dynamics is compensated by a robust auxiliary controller which is insensitive to robot-model uncertainty and payload variation. The controller is only weakly-dependent on each manipulator's inertia matrix. Stability of the system is analyzed. The scheme is computationally inexpensive and suitable for general-purpose microcomputer implementation. Rigorous experimental investigations are performed and the results presented which validate the proposed concepts.
Video Analysis Using Region Validation

Segmenting videos into meaningful real-world objects remains one of the most challenging image processing research topics. Frame-by-frame object tracking is especially challenging due to the limitations of existing image segmentation algorithms often resulting in inconsistent regions occurring between adjacent frames. This work addresses this problem by introducing an innovative region matching and validation algorithm of segmented objects extracted from adjacent frames. Motion vectors extracted from the MPEG-1/2 bit-stream are integrated into the validation process thus providing a key source of information used in matching corresponding objects between frames. Intra-macroblock data are also extracted from the MPEG-1/2 bit-stream and is utilized in identifying new objects upon their entry into the scene. The algorithm is tested on a wide range of video sequences with results provided.
Finite element analysis of an atomistically derived cohesive model for brittle fracture

In order to apply information from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in problems governed by engineering length and time scales, a coarse graining methodology must be used. In previous work by Zhou et al (2009 Acta Mater. 57 4671–86), a traction-separation cohesive model was developed using results from MD simulations with atomistic-to-continuum measures of stress and displacement. Here, we implement this cohesive model within a combined finite element/cohesive surface element framework (referred to as a finite element approach or FEA), and examine the ability for the atomistically informed FEA to directly reproduce results from MD. We find that FEA shows close agreement of both stress and crack opening displacement profiles at the cohesive interface, although some differences do exist that can be attributed to the stochastic nature of finite temperature MD. The FEA methodology is then used to study slower loading rates that are computationally expensive for MD. We find that the crack growth process initially exhibits a rate-independent relationship between crack length and boundary displacement, followed by a rate-dependent regime where, at a given amount of boundary displacement, a lower applied strain rate produces a longer crack length. Our method is also extended to larger length scales by simulating a compact tension fracture-mechanics specimen with sub-micrometer dimensions. Such a simulation shows a computational speedup of approximately four orders of magnitude over conventional atomistic simulation, while exhibiting the expected fracture-mechanics response. Finally, differences between FEA and MD are explored with respect to ensemble and temperature effects in MD, and their impact on the cohesive model and crack growth behavior. These results enable us to make several recommendations to improve the methodology used to derive cohesive laws from MD simulations. In light of this work, which has critical implications for efforts to derive continuum laws from MD simulations, it is shown care must be taken when using a similar approach, and effects of ensemble, temperature and strain rate must be considered.
Nonlinear analysis of phase relationships in quasi-optical oscillator arrays

A dynamic theory of coupled oscillators is developed and applied to the class of loosely coupled quasi-optical oscillator arrays. This theory permits the calculation of stable, steady-state phase relationships between the oscillators. The distribution of free-running frequencies and the coupling parameters are most important in determining the behavior of the arrays. It is found that free-running frequencies of the peripheral elements have the strongest influence on the steady-state phase relationships. The influence of randomness in the frequency distribution is considered for the case of broadside beamforming, establishing a critical value for the coupling strength in order to maintain mutual synchronization with a specified maximum beam deviation. Techniques for simplifying the calculation of phase relationships for some common coupling parameters are also developed. >
Experiments of Vortex-Induced Torsional Oscillation of a Flat Plate in Cross Flow

c = chord, m fvac = frequency of structural system in vacuo, Hz fair = frequency of structural system in air, Hz fvib = vibration frequency of the body, frequency response of structural system, Hz fst = vortex-shedding frequency (Strouhal frequency) from the stationary body, Hz fvs = vortex-shedding frequency from a body in motion, Hz I = mass moment of inertia, kg · m kθ = torsional stiffness of the system, N · m∕rad m = mass per span, kg∕m St = fstc V∞ , Strouhal number Vr = V∞ 2πfvacC , reduced velocity V∞ = freestream velocity, m∕s ζ = damping ratio μ = m∕ρc, mass ratio ρ = density of air, kg∕m
A high frequency tunable differential active inductor and its application to power dividers

A CMOS high-Q differential active inductor is proposed in this paper. Simulation results show that the inductance is tunable from ~ 1 nH to 100 nH with operating frequency tunable from 300 MHz to 10 GHz. The inductor occupies 40 times 70 mu2 in IBM CMOS8RF 0.13 mum process. It is used to design a 9.5 GHz Wilkinson power divider. The post layout simulation using Spectre shows that, with all ports matched to 50 Omega, the return loss and the output ports isolation are better than 20 dB with an insertion loss of ~ 3 dB. The active area of the miniaturized Wilkinson power divider is 160times170 mum2, which is suitable for system integration.
Appraisal, Coping, Task Performance, and Cardiovascular Responses During the Evaluated Speaking Task

Appraisal, coping task performance, and cardiovascular responses were examined among men high and low in speech anxiety who prepared and performed a speech under evaluative conditions. Task appraisals were made before and after the evaluated speaking task; subjects also reported on coping reactions during preparation and performance. Speech-anxious men saw the task as more threatening: They were more stressed, anxious, distracted, and aware of their emotions, and focused on the passage of time; they also reported fewer positive self-statements. In presenting, they made less eye contact and performed more poorly. Performance was related to several appraisal and coping variables-notably, positive self-statements. Cardiovascular arousal was elevated in both groups during preparation and presentation, but the groups did not differ in blood pressure and heart rate responses. Discussion centers on implications of the findings for literatures on reactivity, anxiety, and coping.
Physical Determinants of Solute and Water Clearance by the Perfused Dog Jejunum

We systematically compared the individual effects of infusion rate, solution osmolality, and temperature on plasma solute secretion during luminal perfusion of an isolated 90-cm jejunal segment in the conscious and otherwise normal dog. The control state was perfusion at a rate of 3 ml/min of a 25°C temperature solution containing (mM): NaCl, 40; NaHCO3, 10; and mannitol, 220 (320 mosm/kg). Increasing infusion rate from 3 to 9 ml/min increased secretion of Na+, K+, and urea (P< 0.05); further elevation of infusion rate to 18 ml/min increased only Cl−and urea secretion (P< 0.05). Thus, increasing infusion rate of the control solution had only a limited role in promoting solute secretion. In contrast, perfusion solutions elevated in osmolality to 600 and 1200 mosm/kg by mannitol progressively augmented the secretions of water, Na+, K+, Cl−,[formula]Ca2+, and urea (P< 0.05). Perfusion of the 1200 mosm/kg solution produced solute secretions either equivalent to or greater than secretions obtained during 18-ml/min perfusion with the control solution, despite the fact that 1200 mosm/kg perfusion yielded about one-third the effluent volume. Warming of the control solution to progressively increase infusion temperatures from 29 to 41.9°C increased (P< 0.05) water, Na+, K+, and Cl−secretion and[formula]absorption linearly. Urea secretion increased (P< 0.05) above a temperature threshold of 38–38.9°C. In conclusion, perfusion solution infusion rate, osmolality, and temperature are unique independent determinants of plasma solute secretion by jejunum. These data are the basis for optimizing the physical determinants of jejunal clearance for applying jejunal perfusion to treatment of renal failure.
Two weak Poincaré theorems

Theorem 1. Let M 3 be a compact 3- manifold and let M 3 = E 3 ∪ R be a standard decomposition where R is a subcomplex in a triangulation of M 3 ((2)). If M 3 is a homology 3- sphere while R contains no arc that is wild in M 3 then M 3 = S 3
cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) Nephrotoxicity: Tubular Function after Rescue with Sodium Diethyldithiocarbamate in Rats

Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) administered following cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (DDP) has been reported to attenuate structural renal damage and elevation of blood urea nitrogen in rats. Since DDP damages primarily proximal tubular epithelium in this species, we compared proximal tubular function, glomerular function, and histology in male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with DDP followed by either DDTC or 0.9% NaCl solution (NS) rescue. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received a single i.p. injection of DDP (7.5 mg/kg)-mannitol (75 mg/kg)-NaCl (67.5 mg/kg). Forty-five min later, rats were given i.p. injections of either DDTC (750 mg/kg) dissolved in 0.5 ml of NS (DDP + DDTC group; ten rats) or 0.5 ml NS (DDP + NS group; nine rats); additional rats received either DDTC only (DDTC group; six rats) or no treatment (untreated control group; six rats). All groups were sacrificed 5 days later by ether anesthesia and exsanguination. Compared to the untreated control group, the DDTC group had slightly lower mean blood urea nitrogen at sacrifice [12.5 +/- 0.5 (S.E.) versus 15.4 +/- 0.8 mg/dl; p less than 0.025 by unpaired Student's t test]; there was no difference in serum creatinine. The DDP + DDTC group had no diarrhea and no presacrifice deaths in contrast to diarrhea and three presacrifice deaths in the DDP + NS group. Blood urea nitrogen was also lower in the DDP + DDTC group at sacrifice (187 +/- 30 versus 383 +/- 39 mg/dl; p less than 0.005). However, weight loss and serum creatinine were not different. Structural acute tubular necrosis was marked in both DDP groups but was less severe in the DDP + DDTC group than in the DDP + NS group. Proximal tubular function was indexed by the uptake of the organic base N-[14C]methyl nicotinamide (NMN) and the organic acid p-aminohippurate in renal cortical slices incubated 90 min in Cross and Taggart medium. NMN uptake (expressed as slice to medium ratio) was slightly lower in the DDTC group than in untreated controls (4.1 +/- 0.2 versus 5.0 +/- 0.2; p less than 0.025). Marked depression of p-aminohippurate and NMN uptake occurred in both DDP + DDTC and DDP + NS groups. There was no difference in NMN uptake, but depression of p-aminohippurate uptake was slightly less severe in the DDP + DDTC group (5.3 +/- 0.7 versus 3.1 +/- 0.3; p less than 0.005). We conclude that DDTC rescue attenuates structural DDP injury in this animal model. DDP-mediated proximal tubular dysfunction was only marginally attenuated by DDTC; glomerular filtration rate, as indexed by serum creatinine, was not protected. DDTC attenuation of DDP toxicity may be mediated in part via reducing volume depletion due to DDP-associated diarrhea.
Pediatric Head and Neck Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common malignant soft-tissue tumor in the pediatric population, occurs most often in the head and neck region. Major advancements in the management of these aggressive tumors have been achieved in the last 20 years on three fronts: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Surgery, with the advent of skull-base, craniofacial, and free-tissue-transfer reconstructive techniques, has once again become part of the primary management of these tumors. Prior to 1960, RMS was uniformly fatal; now, with the introduction of multimodality treatment regimens, two thirds of patients can expect long-term survival.
Service Systems Integration and Outcomes for Mentally Ill Homeless Persons in the ACCESS Program

OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluated the second of the two core questions around which the ACCESS (Access to Community Care and Effective Services and Supports) evaluation was designed: Does better integration of service systems improve the treatment outcomes of homeless persons with severe mental illness? METHODS: The ACCESS program provided technical support and about $250,000 a year for four years to nine sites to implement strategies to promote systems integration. These sites, along with nine comparison sites, also received funds to support outreach and assertive community treatment programs to assist 100 clients a year at each site. Outcome data were obtained at baseline and three and 12 months later from 7,055 clients across four annual cohorts at all sites. RESULTS: Clients at all sites demonstrated improvement in outcome measures. However, the clients at the experimental sites showed no greater improvement on measures of mental health or housing outcomes across the four cohorts than those at the comp...
Hearing loss in children with brain tumors treated with cisplatin and carboplatin‐based high‐dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow rescue

Carboplatin is less ototoxic than cisplatin, but ototoxicity may occur with carboplatin at higher doses. We evaluated hearing in children with brain tumors treated with conventional dose cisplatin followed by high-dose carboplatin. Children under 6 years of age, newly diagnosed with brain tumors, were treated after surgery with cisplatin, Etoposide, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine, followed by consolidation with carboplatin, ThioTEPA, Etoposide, and autologous bone marrow rescue. Hearing was assessed before and after consolidation, utilizing standard audiometric techniques. Seven of the 11 evaluable patients developed high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss after induction therapy. Hearing deteriorated after consolidation in five patients, with pure tone threshold shifts of up to 65 dB between 2,000 and 8,000 Hz. Of these five patients, audiological abnormalities were documented in four prior to consolidation, one received cranial irradiation after consolidation, and all five received aminoglycoside antibiotics for at least 2 weeks, with toxic drug levels in four. Three patients have subsequently required hearing aids. Significant ototoxicity is common in these patients. Ototoxicity related to consolidation therapy is likely due to the high dose of carboplatin used, prior cisplatin therapy, aminoglycosides, and, in one patient, cranial irradiation. Audiological assessment is essential in children treated with dose-intensive chemotherapy regimens containing cisplatin and carboplatin for identification and rehabilitation of ototoxicity. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Weakness and fatigue in older ED patients in the United States.

Abstract Background The objectives of this study are to estimate the prevalence of weakness and fatigue visits in older emergency department (ED) patients, to compare demographics and resource use in these patients with those without these complaints, and to determine their ED diagnoses and disposition. Methods We performed a cross-sectional cohort analysis of ED visits in patients aged older than 65 years from the 2003 to 2007 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys. Weakness and fatigue visits had a reason for visit code of generalized weakness (1020.0) or tiredness and exhaustion (1015.0); the comparison cohort lacked these codes. Descriptive data are presented as totals, means, and proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Comparisons between cohorts used χ 2 for proportions and the adjusted Wald test for means. Results There were an estimated 575 million ED visits, those aged 65 years and older made 14.7% (95% CI, 14.2-15.3) of visits. Overall, 6.0% (95% CI, 5.6-6.4) of these visits had weakness and fatigue; this was the fifth most common primary reason for visit. Weakness and fatigue visits increased with age. Weakness and fatigue visits had longer ED lengths of stay (300 vs 249 minutes, P P P P Conclusion Weakness and fatigue are common in older ED patients. These patients undergo more tests and procedures, and most are admitted.
Alcohol Doesn't Always Compromise Cognitive Function: Exploring Moderate Doses in Young Adults.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify inconsistent findings regarding the acute cognitive effects of subintoxicating alcohol doses (i.e., METHOD: The current study examined the effects of sex/gender and alcohol concentration on select cognitive functions in 94 individuals (49 men) between 25 and 35 years of age. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three dose conditions: target peak breath alcohol concentration of 0 mg/dl (placebo), 40 mg/dl (low), or 65 mg/dl (moderate). After beverage consumption, they completed tasks assessing psychomotor, set-shifting, and working memory ability. RESULTS: Analyses revealed no significant effect of dose for any cognitive domain. A trend-level effect of dose on psychomotor performance was observed, with the low-dose group performing somewhat better than the moderate-dose and placebo groups. No sex main effects or interactions were revealed. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with our previous studies, these data suggest that low and moderate doses of alcohol may not compromise cognitive ability in non-problem drinkers under certain task conditions. Given the outcomes, sex differences cannot be meaningfully addressed. Future consideration of potentially influential variables and assessment of similarly well-defined cohorts might yield a clearer interpretation of alcohol's behavioral consequences. Language: en
Urinary-cutaneous Fistulae in Patients With Neurogenic Bladder.

Objective To review our experience with neurogenic bladder (NGB) patients who developed urinary-cutaneous fistulae (UCF). Patients with NGB can form UCF of multiple etiologies; however, little is known about the characteristics or long-term outcomes of these defects. Materials and Methods We reviewed 21 patients with NGB who developed UCF between 1998 and 2013. The clinical end points of the study were development of UCF, fistula repair failure, and need for permanent urinary diversion. Possible risk factors associated with repair failures were examined. Results We evaluated 21 patients with a mean age of 39.5 years (23-76) and median follow-up of 67 months (1-179). Causes of UCF included decubitus ulcers (7), wound infections or abscess formation (5), condom catheter complications (4), traumatic catheterization (4), and pelvic trauma (1). Thirteen patients had their fistulae repaired surgically, with 9 patients eventually requiring urinary diversion with a suprapubic (SP) tube (7) or ileal conduit (2) (9 of 13, 69%). Eight patients had their urine diverted upon presentation, with ileal conduit (5 of 8, 63%), SP tube (2 of 8, 25%), or perineal urethrostomy (1 of 8, 12%). In total, 17 eventually required permanent surgical or SP tube urinary diversion (81%), of which 9 were with an SP tube (53%), 4 with an ileal conduit (23%), 3 with a conduit catheter (18%), and 1 with a perineal urethrostomy (6%). Conclusion UCF repairs in patients with NGB are a challenge to manage. Patients who undergo surgical repair of their fistula are likely to require repeat repairs with eventual need for a permanent urinary diversion.
Improving Problem-Solving Performance of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders

The effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention to improve the problem-solving performance of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) during vocational tasks was examined. A multiple-probe across-students design was used to illustrate the effectiveness of point-of-view video modeling paired with practice sessions and a self-operated cue sheet to solve problems encountered during vocational tasks. Following intervention, all students improved performance and generalized problem-solving skills to a second untrained setting. Three of four students maintained performance at a 6-week follow-up. Overall, evidence indicated that students with ASD could learn to engage in problem solving independently following the intervention.
Biological Models of Behavior and the Life Course

Many topics of interest to life course sociology are linked in significant ways to biological processes. These topics include, for example, trajectories of physical and mental health, the stress process, patterns of aggression and deviance, sexual behavior, fertility, parenting, and manifold dimensions of aging and mortality. Many other topics are also likely to be linked to biological processes, albeit less conspicuously, including educational and occupational careers, patterns of close interpersonal relationships both within and beyond the family, and one’s involvement and status in organizations. With few notable exceptions, relatively little interest has been expressed in these possibilities to date. Yet as George (this volume) notes, the future of the life course will hopefully be characterized by its intellectual exchanges with other subfields. Given their many plausible links to the life course, biological models of behavior are excellent candidates for interdisciplinary research.
RFLP Analysis of Preferential Transmission in Interspecific Hybrids of Phaseolus vulgaris and P. coccineus

The inheritance of RFLP markers in interspecific hybrids of Phaseolus vulgaris and P. coccineus was analyzed. Of 280 cDNA probes used, 70%-85% revealed polymorphism between species while intraspecific RFLP ranged from 8% to 37%. Segregation of 63 clearly scorable markers was examined in 177 P. vulgaris x P. coccineus F2's maintained as callus. Preferential transmission of the P. vulgaris alleles was observed for 24 of the 28 loci exhibiting non-Mendelian ratios. Although the segregation ratios at 17 loci fit gametic selection, also other factors such as nuclear-cytoplasmic or embryo-endosperm interactions may be involved. In the reciprocal F2, a relatively high frequency of maternal alleles was recovered for several loci, while the paternal allele was favored at others. The cDNA clone detecting the most extreme segregation, with no P. coccineus type detected among 165 P. vulgaris x P. coccineus F2 progeny, showed high homology to histone H2A genes. The markers were mapped to nine linkage groups. Aggregation of markers with preferential maternal transmission was observed, which could be due to selection of individual chromosomes, although false linkage detection cannot be excluded. The results obtained with RFLPs may explain the skewed distribution of phenotypic traits following interspecific hybridization.
Brain PET in the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Objectives The aim of this article was to review the current role of brain PET in the diagnosis of Alzheimer dementia. The characteristic patterns of glucose metabolism on brain FDG-PET can help in differentiating Alzheimer’s disease from other causes of dementia such as frontotemporal dementia and dementia of Lewy body. Amyloid brain PET may exclude significant amyloid deposition and thus Alzheimer’s disease in appropriate clinical setting.