cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevention of the ingress of a known virulent bacterium into the root canal system by intracanal medications

Contamination of the root canal system by persistent, enteric bacteria via leakage through interim restorations has been well documented. This in vitro study evaluated the ability of interappointment medications to prevent contamination of the root canal system by Enterococcus faecalis. Coronally unsealed, medicated tooth roots fixed in a closed system were contaminated daily with a standardized, aerobic, broth culture of E. faecalis. Four medications were evaluated (n = 15): group A, calcium hydroxide/methylcellulose paste; group B, camphorated parachlorophenol/calcium hydroxide paste; group C, 1% chlorhexidine/methylcellulose gel; and group D, calcium hydroxide points. The mean number of days to contamination as indicated by turbidity in the closed system was the following: group A, 37; group B, 46; group C, 16; group D, 5; and a positive control (no medication), 3. A one-way analysis of variance with a Scheffe post hoc test (p = 0.05) detected significant differences in effectiveness with A and B superior to C and D, and C superior to D.
The EPN and ESN notations

Two specification notations are introduced:(1) An Executable Program Notation (EPN) that can be used either for specifying procedural coding or can serve as an intermediate language produced from a higher-order language. The notation is configured such that it can either be executed interpretivelly, or be easily converted into executable coding.(2) An Executable Syntax Notation (ESN) for specifying the syntax of a higher-order language; the notation is configured such that it can either be executed interpretivelly as the parser of a compiler for the specified programming language, or be easily converted into EPN or other executable coding.Examples of EPN and ESN are given, as well as examples of the conversions of Boolean expressions into EPN procedures for the evaluation of the expressions and the conversion of ESN into EPN procedures to perform parsing.
THE MYTH OF CORPORATE CAPTURE: REGULATORY COMMISSIONS IN THE UNITED STATES*

Popular wisdom has it that representatives of big business have “captured” the U.S. federal government, and social scientists have gathered much data to support this theory of “corporate dictatorship.” While it has been widely assumed that federal regulatory commissions are no exception, this is the first study of the links between the corporate world and the seven biggest U.S. regulatory agencies. I analyze the careers of 341 commissioners to determine how many were recruited from business and how many returned to it after government service. I find that corporate domination of the commissions has been overestimated and that the agencies appear to be staffed by the representatives of smaller capitalist interests when they are staffed by members of the corporate community at all. The results cast new light on the thesis of “corporate dictatorship” and suggest that the cooptation of the commissions by business, if a reality, is accomplished through means other than the “capture” of agency personnel.
Benign symmetrical lipomatosis (Madelung's disease).

Two patients with benign symmetrical lipomatosis (Madelung's disease) have been followed for 7 and 9 years. Despite extensive surgical procedures, both patients have developed multiple recurrences. Lipomas and normal adipose tissue from the same patients were compared using chromatographic techniques. The lipomas contained significantly increased triglyceride fractions. Conservative surgical debulking is the recommended treatment.
Cochrane systematic reviews of IUD trials : Lessons learned

Abstract Background Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are the most widely used reversible contraceptives in the world today, and decisions about their use should reflect the best available evidence. Study Design We performed a computer search of the Cochrane Library for all IUD-related reviews. Results Eleven reviews related to IUDs have been registered in The Cochrane Library; 10 have been completed, and one is in progress. Topics include type of IUD, timing of insertion, clinical management, emergency contraception and use as gynecological treatment. The copper T380A is the most effective copper IUD; the levonorgestrel intrauterine system has efficacy comparable to that of IUDs with >250 mm 2 of copper. The frameless device may be comparable in efficacy to the copper T380A, although whether problems with the initial inserter are resolved is unclear. Immediate postpartum and postabortal insertion appears safe and effective, although trials comparing immediate to delayed insertions are scarce. Prophylactic antibiotics at the time of insertion appear unwarranted except in populations with a high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases. Many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce pain and bleeding associated with IUDs, although prophylactic use of ibuprofen does not improve continuation rates. The levonorgestrel system is superior to oral progestins in treating heavy uterine bleeding. This IUD compares favorably with endometrial ablation techniques and presents an alternative to hysterectomy for many women. Discussion Trials are needed to evaluate immediate vs. delayed insertion after delivery or abortion and to explore emerging therapeutic uses of the levonorgestrel system, such as treatment of endometrial hyperplasia.
Atomic layer deposition of yttria-stabilized zirconia for solid oxide fuel cells

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) films were synthesized by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Tetrakis(dimethylamido)zirconium and tris(methylcyclopentadienyl)yttrium were used as ALD precursors with d...
Fusion energy balance in mirror machines

Motivated by the encouraging outlook for stable confinement of fusion plasmas by `minimum-B' magnetic mirrors, we have recalculated Q, the ratio of total fusion energy released to the injection energy required to replenish mirror losses by collisions. We solve numerically Fokker-Planck equations for ion and electron energy distributions with special attention toward ion cooling by electrons and the effect of the ambipolar potential on the velocity loss cone. We find that both these effects enhance mirror losses much more than was supposed previously. Consequently, for a D-T plasma our Q is a factor 4 or more smaller than previous estimates, and Q is maximum at a higher energy, 200-300 keV. For a mirror ratio R = 3, the maximum is Q = 1.5, and, for larger R, Q scales approximately as log10R. We find a negligible benefit from ion heating by collisions with trapped α-particles from fusion reactions.
The case for polyvalent cancer vaccines that induce antibodies

Antibodies are ideally suited for eradicating pathogens from the bloodstream and early tissue invasion. With regard to cancer cells, passively administered and vaccine induced antibodies have accomplished this, eliminating circulating tumor cells and systemic or intraperitoneal micrometastases in a variety of preclinical models. A series of cancer cell-surface differentiation antigens have now been identified and synthesized. Antibodies against each can be induced in most vaccinated patients using keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate vaccines with a potent immunological adjuvant. Polyvalent vaccines may be required due to tumor cell heterogenely, heterogeneity of the human immune response and the correlation between overall antibody titer against tumor cells and antibody effector mechanisms. Trials testing the clinical impact of these polyvalent vaccines in the adjuvant setting are planned for the near future.
Interaction between Na+-dependent transport systems for sugars and amino acids. Evidence against a role for the sodium gradient.

The concept that interaction between sodium-dependent transport systems represents competition for energy inherent in the transmembrane sodium gradient was examined with the use of isolated intestinal epithelial cells. The isolated cells exhibit transport interactions which are more significant in magnitude than those which have been described for intact tissue preparations. Accumulation of 1mm valine is inhibited 60% by 10mm 3-OMG. Conversely, uptake of 1mm 3-OMG is inhibited only 20% by 10mm valine. These data suggest that 3-OMG must discharge the cellular Na+ gradient more effectively than valine, if Na+ gradient dissipation can be taken as a basis for the inhibitory interaction. However, entry of 10mm 3-OMG is significantly slower than the entry of 10mm valine. Even if appropriate corrections are made for passive substrate entry and for differences in Na/substrate entry stoichiometry, it appears that valine should be somewhat more effective than 3-OMG in discharging the Na+ gradient. In light of these facts, it seems unlikely that the mechanistic basis for interaction between sugar and amino acid transport systems can be related to concomitant co-entry of Na+. It is suggested that the interaction results instead from competition for energized intermediates generated at limited rates by basic energy transduction events associated with the cell membrane which serve in support of a variety of active transport systems.
Normalizing and scaling of data to derive human response corridors from impact tests

It is well known that variability is inherent in any biological experiment. Human cadavers (Post-Mortem Human Subjects, PMHS) are routinely used to determine responses to impact loading for crashworthiness applications including civilian (motor vehicle) and military environments. It is important to transform measured variables from PMHS tests (accelerations, forces and deflections) to a standard or reference population, termed normalization. The transformation process should account for inter-specimen variations with some underlying assumptions used during normalization. Scaling is a process by which normalized responses are converted from one standard to another (example, mid-size adult male to large-male and small-size female adults, and to pediatric populations). These responses are used to derive corridors to assess the biofidelity of anthropomorphic test devices (crash dummies) used to predict injury in impact environments and design injury mitigating devices. This survey examines the pros and cons of different approaches for obtaining normalized and scaled responses and corridors used in biomechanical studies for over four decades. Specifically, the equal-stress equal-velocity and impulse-momentum methods along with their variations are discussed in this review. Methods ranging from subjective to quasi-static loading to different approaches are discussed for deriving temporal mean and plus minus one standard deviation human corridors of time-varying fundamental responses and cross variables (e.g., force-deflection). The survey offers some insights into the potential efficacy of these approaches with examples from recent impact tests and concludes with recommendations for future studies. The importance of considering various parameters during the experimental design of human impact tests is stressed.
A comparison of scent marking between a monogamous and promiscuous species of Peromyscus: pair bonded males do not advertise to novel females.

Scent marking can provide behavioral and physiological information including territory ownership and mate advertisement. It is unknown how mating status and pair cohabitation influence marking by males from different social systems. We compared the highly territorial and monogamous California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) to the less territorial and promiscuous white-footed mouse (P. leucopus). Single and mated males of both species were assigned to one of the following arenas lined with filter paper: control (unscented arena), male scented (previously scent-marked by a male conspecific), or females present (containing females in small cages). As expected, the territorial P. californicus scent marked and overmarked an unfamiliar male conspecific's scent marks more frequently than P. leucopus. Species differences in responses to novel females were also found based on mating status. The presence of unfamiliar females failed to induce changes in scent marking in pair bonded P. californicus even though virgin males increased marking behavior. Pair bonding appears to reduce male advertisement for novel females. This is in contrast to P. leucopus males that continue to advertise regardless of mating status. Our data suggest that communication through scent-marking can diverge significantly between species based on mating system and that there are physiological mechanisms that can inhibit responsiveness of males to female cues.
A Beginning Teacher's View of Problem Solving.

This study focused on a mathematics teacher and examined his beliefs about problem solving while he was finishing his preservice training and during his first 3 months of teaching. His beliefs were revealed through interviews in which he responded to various types of open-ended situations, through his reaction to a report written about his beliefs, and through observations of his teaching and subsequent interviews. Analyses revealed conflicts between his idealism and the reality of classroom practice, as his students were not always receptive to his problem-solving teaching strategy.
Situational Intimacy as a Predictor of Compliance-Gaining Tactic Selection.

This investigation examines the impact of variations in perceived intimacy on subjects’ responses to a reasonably comprehensive list of compliance‐gaining tactics. A questionnaire using an experimental recall method was completed by 544 students. Cross‐situational variation was produced by varying the intimacy level of the target assigned in each of two situations. The results showed that situational variation in intimacy is associated with significant, nontrivial cross‐situational differences in tactic selections. Further, individuals consistently reported using more positive tactics and fewer negative tactics in intimate situations. These effects were replicated in a second situation, and held when controlling an extraneous variable, situational salience. The results are discussed in reference to a methodological controversy.
Axiomatizability by a schema

A theory T is axiomatizable by a schema if there is a formula Γ, involving symbols of T plus a new relation symbol R, such that the set of all (universal closures of) instances of Γ in T is a set of axioms for T. (It is understood that, if R has n places, an instance of Γ in T is obtained by properly substituting for R in Γ a formula of T which has n selected free variables and is allowed to have any number of other free variables as parameters.) Obviously, the notion is unchanged if finitely many Γ's, each involving several new R's, are allowed instead. All theories we consider are assumed to be theories in the first-order logic with equality (as in [8]), to have finitely many nonlogical symbols, and to be recursively axiomatizable.
Childhood lymphoma: Diagnostic accuracy of chest radiography for severe pulmonary complications

Introduction : We sought to determine whether chest radiography can be reliably used to distinguish persistent or relapsing pulmonary lymphoma from a variety of infectious and noninfectious pulmonary conditions that can occur in children receiving treatment for lymphoma. Methods : We studied chest radiographs of 37 patients (30 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and seven with Hodgkin's disease) who died of paediatric lymphoma or of treatment complications. Pulmonary findings at autopsy comprised lung tumour ( n =14), pleural tumour ( n =12), pneumonia ( n =22), adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS; n =16), haemorrhage ( n =27), and infarction ( n =13). Using a 4-point scale and without knowledge of autopsy findings, three radiologists independently rated antemortem radiographs for the presence of pulmonary tumour, pleural tumour, pneumonia in general, pneumonia caused by viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan pathogens, ARDS, pulmonary haemorrhage, and pulmonary infarction. Diagnostic accuracy was defined by the area under the receiveroperating-characteristic curve (A z ). Results : Diagnostic accuracy was good for pulmonary tumour (A z , 0.71±0.6), protozoan pneumonia (A z , 0.77±0.06), and ARDS (A z , 0.86±0.07) but poor for all other conditions. The absence of both pleural effusions and mediastinal/right hilar lymphadenopathy was significantly associated ( P ≤0.04) with the absence of lung tumour. Discussion : The pulmonary processes in these patients can all demonstrate diffuse airspace opacification, and many patients had multiple lung abnormalities at autopsy. The radiologist-readers were unable to identify which pulmonary conditions were responsible for radiographic findings in most patients. The readers were able to identify patients who did not have pulmonary lymphoma. If pulmonary involvement with lymphoma is unlikely, bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage may be sufficient to establish a diagnosis. When pulmonary lymphoma is a clinical consideration, open lung biopsy is usually required for diagnosis.
Effects on sleep of acetylcholine perfusion of the locus coeruleus of cats

The loci coeruleus of freely moving cats were perfused bilaterally with acetylcholine at a dose of 0.001 microgram/microliter per min, while the animals were recorded polygraphically. The controls consisted of experiments in which no perfusions were done, and experiments in which the loci coeruleus were perfused bilaterally with saline, 1 microliter/min. The acetylcholine produced a sharp inhibition of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, prolonged the sleep cycle and the REM interval and decreased the number of REM periods and the mean duration of the REM episodes. Total sleep time was increased. This was entirely due to a specific elevation by acetylcholine of deep slow-wave sleep; light slow-wave sleep was not affected. The data support the Hobson-McCarley hypothesis of how the brain controls the REM state, and also suggest that cholinergic stimulation of the locus coeruleus may be important for the shift from REM sleep into slow-wave sleep.
New method for detection and quantitation of circulating platelet aggregates

Abstract A new method for detecting and quantitating circulating platelet aggregates (CPA) is described and data obtained with this technique are presented. CPA were induced in rabbits by intravenous injections of thrombin or endotoxin. Arterial blood samples were drawn into a buffered EDTA-formalin fixative which prevented the dissociation of the CPA into singly dispersed platelets. The erythrocytes were lysed and the platelet aggregates were counted with phase-contrast microscopy. Both thrombin and endotoxin induced many CPA as compared with saline controls. This technique has potential for the detection of those patients who are prone to develop thromboembolic complications and in the differential diagnosis of consumption coagulopathy.
MOTHER TO CHILD SPEECH AT TWO YEARS: THE EFFECTS OF INCREASED EARLY POST-NATAL CONTACT

Can obstetric practices influence a mother's speech to her child two years later? This is the third follow-up of a continuing study designed to determine if mother-infant separation during the early post-partum hours results in altered mothering behavior for a prolonged period. 28 primiparous mothers of normal, full-term infants were assigned randomly to one of 2 study groups. The control mothers had routine physical contact with their babies (a glimpse at birth, a brief visit for identification at 6-12 hours and visits for feeding every 4 hours). The extended-contact mothers in addition, had one hour of physical contact with their nude infants in the first 3 hours after birth and then 15 additional hours in the first 3 days. The speech patterns of 10 of the mothers selected at random from these 2 groups were compared, without knowledge of study groups, as they spoke to their children during a 15 minute unstructured play period at a two-year follow-up visit. Significant differences in mother-to-child speech were noted. Mothers in the extended-contact group used twice as many questions (p<.05), more adjectives (p<.02), more words per proposition (p<.05), fewer commands (p<.05) and content words (p<.02) than the controls. No differences were noted when the mothers spoke to adults. These results suggest that the linguistic environment of the young child may be indelibly shaped by early mother-infant care practices.
TCT-728 The Impact of FDA Approval of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement on the Treatment Assignment of Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis

The number of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) programs has increase in the US. However, the number of referrals to TAVR centers for evaluation remains uncertain. We sought to describe the temporal changes of treatment allocation after FDA approval of currently available transcatheter
Internally Perfused Axons: Effects of Two Different Anions on Ionic Conductance

Voltage-clamizped giant axons of squid, internally perfused with potassiumt chloride solutions, showed reduced initial transient memnbrane conductance to voltage and increased overall (leakage) conductance. Unclamtped axons showed reduced action and resting potentials. Ionic conductances and memtbrane potentials were maintained or restored by perfusion with potassiuwn fluoride solutions. As much as 90 percent of internal fluoride could be replaced with chloride without alterationt of normal properties of membrane.
Properties of surface acetylated microfibrillated cellulose relative to intra- and inter-fibril bonding

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) created via the micro-grinding method was heterogeneously acetylated to different substitution levels using acetic anhydride and heat rather than strong acid catalysis. The acetylated MFC was formed into thin films and characterized by infrared spectroscopy and mechanical testing. Spectral and chemical analysis confirmed controlled acetylation with increased reaction time. Due to microfibrils forming more inter-fibril bonds than whole fibers, it is generally accepted that there are more hydrogen bonds to carry the applied load. However, with increased acetylation, the initial number of possible hydrogen bonds was decreased which led to a lower tensile strength and rupture energy. At 28 % degree of substitution, the tensile index decreased to 50 % of the initial value, whereas the rupture energy was nearly completely eliminated. The acetylated fibrils, thus, created a structure that resembled the energy absorption behavior of whole fiber sheets, but behaved differently when compared in terms of tensile index.
Prolongation of cardiac xenograft survival by depletion of complement

Complement (C) activation is thought to be critical for the hyperacute rejection of xenografts. We investigated the role of C in the rejection of discordant cardiac xenografts by studying outcome in recipients depleted of C, using a highly purified form of cobra venom factor (CVF) in both a small (guinea pig [GP]-to-rat) and large (pig-to-baboon) animal model. A single dose of 30 or 60 units CVF given i.v. to rats completely abrogated hemolytic C activity for up to 72 hr. The lack of hemolytic C activity correlated with nearly undetectable serum levels of C3. Doses of 30 U/kg daily or 60 U/kg every other day over a 7-day period sustained C depletion without morbidity or mortality
Lower bounds based on linear programming for the quadratic assignment problem

In this paper we prove that the Classical Gilmore-Lawler lower bound for the quadratic assignment problem is equivalent to a solution of a certain linear programming problem. By adding additional constraints to this linear programming problem we derive a lower bound which is at least as good as the Gilmore-Lawler lower bound.
Jenny Jan's dilemma: applying the principles of resource dependence theory to vendor selection negotiations

This paper describes an original exercise developed to apply resource dependence theory (RDT) in an interesting and educational series of role plays. The exercise creates simulated negotiations between a fast-food sandwich shop and various supply vendors, where student actors representing these entities experience the dynamics between dependence and power. Complete theoretical background on RDT is followed by step-by-step instructions and processing information. Pre- and post-assessments, student reactions, and a photo-ready hand-out of the activity are also provided.
Headaches of recent onset and long-term learning disability

In the evaluation of headaches, history is everything! Usually. However, sometimes the headaches are associated with unrelated conditions simply because of their frequency. The evaluation of a child with a learning disability is also a common exercise and the trick, with both conditions, is to recognize the occasional patient who warrants further evaluation.
A Wearable Remote Brain Machine Interface Using Smartphones and the Mobile Network

A Remote Brain Machine Interface (RBMI) can be defined as a means to control a machine that is in a different geographical location than the user. Thus far, simulations for such interfaces using multiple channels of non-invasive EEG signals acquired through tethered systems have been used for control of vehicles in military and exploratory applications, and for ongoing research on RBMI controlled robotic surgery. However, simple applications of RBMI in home automation for the elderly, low cost assistive devices for the disabled, home security etc can be built using fewer and more portable sensor systems. As a case study, we have implemented such an interface using a smartphone for the RBMI. The system consists of a wearable Bluetooth-enabled head band with dry electrodes for EEG and EOG signals, a smartphone to collect and relay the data, a laptop with internet connectivity at a remote location to retrieve the data and generate control commands. In this paper, we describe the information architecture, the design of the wearable nanosensors and algorithms for control command generation based on EEG and EOG. A selected demonstration will be shown.
FACULTY ATTITUDES TOWARD STUDENT EVALUATION OF TEACHING

This study dealt with university faculty attitudes toward the validity of and varying uses for student evaluations of teaching. It was hypothesized that faculty attitudes toward the potential uses of student evaluations would be systematically related to a professor's a priori frame of reference regarding the validity of these instruments. On the basis of responses to selected questionnaire items, faculty were divided into those whose frame of reference (1) opposed the idea that student evaluations could be made valid, (2) supported the idea that existing evaluation forms were valid, and (3) were uncommitted regarding this validity question. A fourth group, administrators at the university, were also surveyed. Large and consistent differences among these groups were found on policy matters such as the use of student evaluations in tenure and promotion decisions, in providing information to students to help them choose courses, and on a variety of other issues. In each case the results supported the hypothesis.
PHLOEM BORON MOBILITY IN DIVERSE PLANT SPECIES

: Recent evidence suggests that the production and translocation of polyols will influence the phloem mobility of B in higher plants. The patterns of B distribution in plants, the procedures used to determine plant B status and the approaches used to manage B fertilization are all fundamentally affected by phloem B mobility. Detailed information on the occurrence of polyols in various species is unavailable and hence the extent of B mobility cannot be adequately predicted. Here, the phloem mobility of B has been tested in a number of plants producing polyols. Two approaches have been used, the B concentration gradient along a shoot and foliar 10B labelling. Results indicate that B exhibits significant phloem mobility in the species that produce polyols, but the extent of B retranslocation varies between species even within genera.
Pitirim A. Sorokin's early contributions to the development of anthropometric history

The genealogy of the field of anthropometric history has received relatively little scholarly attention over the years. This paper discusses the contributions to the development of the field made by sociologist Pitirim A. Sorokin and colleagues in the 1920s and early 1930s. In so doing, attention is also called to a number of important, but little-utilized anthropometric sources employed by Sorokin.
Preliminary Design Aid for Bioretention Filters

AbstractA physically based mathematical model is developed in this study for the hydrologic process taking place in a bioretention filter. The hydrologic storage equation is adopted to determine the variation of water depth in the ponding area. The Green and Ampt equations are used to model the movement of water in the underlying storage zone, or soil filter, taking into account the finite depth of the filter. The perforated drain pipes placed at the bottom of a soil filter are represented by atmospheric pressure at this location. The ponding area and the soil filter equations are coupled through the infiltration term. The governing equations are written in terms of a set of dimensionless parameters and are solved numerically by using an explicit finite-difference scheme. The solutions to the dimensionless governing equations are also in terms of dimensionless parameters, and they can be generalized on the basis of the principle of hydrologic similarity. A series of solutions is obtained for numerous and ...
Cytochrome P450 2B6*5 Increases Relapse after Cyclophosphamide-Containing Conditioning and Autologous Transplantation for Lymphoma

Abstract Cyclophosphamide (Cy) is a prodrug that depends on bioactivation by hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes for its cytotoxicity. We evaluated the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CYP enzymes on the efficacy of autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for lymphoma. SNPs of 22 genes were analyzed in 93 patients with Hodgkin (n = 52) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 41) treated with high-dose Cy followed by autologous HCT between 2004 and 2012. Preparative regimens contained Cy (120 mg/kg) combined with carmustine/etoposide (n = 61) or Cy (6000 mg/m2) with total body irradiation (n = 32). Lack of complete remission as measured by pretransplant positron emission tomography was the sole clinical factor associated with increased risk of relapse (HR, 2.1). In genomic analysis, we identified a single SNP (rs3211371) in exon 9 (C > T) of the CYP2B6 gene (allele designation 2B6*5) that significantly impacted patient outcomes. After adjusting for disease status and conditioning regimen, patients with the CYP2B6*1/*5 genotype had a higher 2-year relapse rate (HR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.6 to 6.5; P = .041) and decreased overall survival (HR, 13.5; 95% CI, 3.5 to 51.9; P = .008) than patients with the wild-type allele. Two-year progression-free survival for patients with 2 hypofunctional CYP2B6 variant genotypes (*5 and *6) was only 11% (95% CI, 1% to 39%) compared with 67% (95% CI, 55% to 77%) for patients with the wild-type CYP2B6*1 allele in exon 9. Our results suggest that CYP2B6 SNPs influence the efficacy of high-dose Cy and significantly reduce the success of autologous HCT for lymphoma patients with the CYP2B6*5 variant.
The fatty acid amide hydrolase 385 A/A (P129T) variant: haplotype analysis of an ancient missense mutation and validation of risk for drug addiction.

The human fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) missense mutation c.385 C→A, which results in conversion of a conserved proline residue to threonine (P129T), has been associated with street drug use and problem drug abuse. Although a link between the FAAH P129T variant and human drug abuse has been reported, the extent of risk and specific types of substance addiction vulnerability remain to be determined. Here, we investigated the relationship of the FAAH P129T variant to a number of linked single nucleotide polymorphisms to establish a haplotyping system, calculate the estimated age and origin of the FAAH 385 C→A mutation and evaluate its association with clinically significant drug addiction in a case control study. The results showed a significant over-representation of the FAAH P129T homozygotes in 249 subjects with documented multiple different drug addictions compared to drug free individuals of the same ethnic backgrounds (P = 0.05) using logistic regression analysis controlling for ethnicity. To increase the logistic regression analysis power by increasing the sample size, the data from our previous study (Sipe et al. in Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99:8394–8399, 2002) were pooled with the present cohort which increased the significance to P = 0.00003. Investigation of the FAAH chromosomal backgrounds of the P129T variant in both multiple different drug addicted and control subjects revealed a common ancestral haplotype, marked population differences in haplotype genetic diversity and an estimated P129T mutation age of 114,425–177,525 years. Collectively, these results show that the P129T mutation is the only common mutation in the FAAH gene and is significantly associated with addictive traits. Moreover, this mutation appears to have arisen early in human evolution and this study validates the previous link between the FAAH P129T variant and vulnerability to addiction of multiple different drugs.
Removing erosion control projects increases bank swallow (Riparia riparia) population viability modeled along the Sacramento River, California, USA.

Spatially-explicit population viability analysis (PVA) is a powerful method for modeling the extinction risk of populations that show variation over space and time. It is especially effective for comparing relative effect of different management scenarios on population dynamics. Here, I present a habitat patch-based PVA for a population of the California state-listed threatened bank swallow (Riparia riparia) nesting along the Sacramento River. This model incorporates the effects of habitat availability and location, density dependence, site fidelity, and stochasticity in survival and fecundity. River bank habitat patches suitable for this species were delineated using a geographic information systems (GIS) model of river bank height and were used in a PVA scenario analysis to assess the effects of habitat restoration—that could occur by removing bank erosion control projects (bank revetment)—on population viability. Sensitivity analysis showed that the model estimated probability of quasi-extinction (dropping below 2000 breeding pairs) ranged from 0 to 0.8 depending on the input parameters, with juvenile survival causing the greatest variability. However, comparing changes to the probability of quasi-extinction between the restored habitat scenario and current conditions showed a consistent 40-60% decrease in probability of quasi-extinction across all parameter combinations. The results of this research reaffirm the need for continued protection of the bank swallow as a listed species indicate that the removal of bank erosion control projects would increase viability of this population.
I/O for Virtual Machine Monitors: Security and Performance Issues

Modern I/O architectures are quite complex, so keeping a virtual machine monitor (VMM), or hypervisor, small is difficult. Many current hypervisors move the large, complex, and sometimes proprietary device drivers out of the VMM into one or more partitions, leading to inherent problems in complexity, security, and performance.
An experiment proving that dilatancy is a pervasive volumetric property of brittle rock loaded to failure

An Experiment Proving that Dilatancy is a Pervasive Volumetric Property of Brittle Rock Loaded to Failure. Dilatancy, that is, volumetric expansion relative to the compression resulting from elastic deformation is often observed in the compression of rock specimens to failure. This phenomenon is of considerable importance to the understanding of the processes of rock failure and in their application to geological and engineering problems. Most of the observations to date have been made on small cylindrical specimens of rock, with a high surface area to volume ratio; frequently by means of resistance strain gauges cemented to the surface of the specimen. The possibility of the measured dilatancy being a superficial phenomenon due to anomalous surface deformations cannot be excluded. Measurements of dilatant deformation on the inside and outside of hollow cylindrical specimens during compression under homogeneous stresses provide a means of resolving this uncertainty. Superficial dilatancy would result in a relative diminution of the cross-section of the hole as that of the outside of the specimen increases with deformation; whereas pervasive volumetric dilatancy would result in similar relative increases in the cross-section of both the hole and the specimen. Experiments on hollow cyclindrical specimens of quartzite show that dilatancy is a pervasive volumetric phenomenon.
On the calibration and verification of two-dimensional, distributed, Hortonian, continuous watershed models

Physically based, two-dimensional, distributed parameter Hortonian hydrologic models are sensitive to a number of spatially varied parameters and inputs and are particularly sensitive to the initial soil moisture field. However, soil moisture data are generally unavailable for most catchments. Given an erroneous initial soil moisture field, single-event calibrations are easily achieved using different combinations of model parameters, including physically unrealistic values. Verification of single-event calibrations is very difficult for models of this type because of parameter estimation errors that arise from initial soil moisture field uncertainty. The purpose of this study is to determine if the likelihood of obtaining a verifiable calibration increases when a continuous flow record, consisting of multiple runoff producing events is used for model calibration. The physically based, two-dimensional, distributed, Hortonian hydrologic model CASC2D [Julien et al., 1995] is converted to a continuous formulation that simulates the temporal evolution of soil moisture between rainfall events. Calibration is performed using 6 weeks of record from the 21.3 km 2 Goodwin Creek Experimental Watershed, located in northern Mississippi. Model parameters are assigned based on soil textures, land use/land cover maps, and a combination of both. The sensitivity of the new model formulation to parameter variation is evaluated. Calibration is performed using the shuffled complex evolution method [Duan et al., 1991]. Three different tests are conducted to evaluate model performance based on continuous calibration. Results show that calibration on a continuous basis significantly improves model performance for periods, or subcatchments, not used in calibration and the likelihood of obtaining realistic simulations of spatially varied catchment dynamics. The automated calibration reveals that the parameter assignment methodology used in this study results in overparameterization. Additional research is needed in spatially distributed hydrologic model parameter assignment methodologies for hydrologic forecasting.
Does microwaving enhance the Golgi methods? A quantitative analysis of disparate staining patterns in the cerebral cortex

As a family of techniques, the Golgi methods have long been used for studying the morphology and structure of the central nervous system. Due to their capricious nature, many modifications have been employed to improve the reliability and quality of the technique, including the recent addition of microwave energy. In the present study, we evaluated the effectiveness of adding microwave energy to two Golgi methods: the Golgi-Cox method and the rapid Golgi method. These methods were selected for their widespread use in animal research and human postmortem studies. Control tissue was compared to tissue exposed to microwave energy for varying lengths of time during the chromating step of both methods. As assessed by stereological cell counts and qualitative observation, the addition of microwave energy improved the quality of the impregnations and the number of labeled profiles in both methods up to a specific limit of exposure. Surprisingly, increases in the number of profiles were often the result of increased non-neuronal staining at the expense of neuronal staining. This result appears to be due to the fact that different classes of labeled profiles displayed distinct staining time courses.
MR of optic papilla protrusion in patients with high intracranial pressure.

PURPOSE To evaluate the signal characteristics of the optic papilla (optic nerve head) on routine cranial MR images in patients with clinical evidence of optic papilla elevation caused by high intracranial pressure, and to compare these findings with findings in healthy adult volunteers. METHODS We reviewed retropectively the MR imaging examinations of 15 patients who were referred with objectively decreased visual acuity and funduscopic findings of optic papilla elevation. T1-weighted and T2-weighted axial MR images were obtained by using conventional spinecho acquisitions on 1.5-T MR imagers. In addition, the MR imaging studies in 10 healthy adult volunteers without visual impairment were reviewed as controls. RESULTS In 10 (67%) of the 15 patients, visual elevation of the optic papilla was shown by MR imaging. In all 15 patients, the MR signal intensity of the optic papilla was hypointense relative to the vitreous of the globe on T2-weighted images. In the healthy volunteer group, the optic papillae were all similarly hypointense relative to the vitreous of the globe on T2-weighted images; however, these optic papillae were flat. CONCLUSION Clinical examination and MR imaging may show elevation of the optic papilla in patients with high intracranial pressure. When chronic, optic papilla elevation has been shown to correlate well with severe loss of vision. Actual edema of the optic papilla seems to play little role in the physical elevation observed clinically in the chronic stages of this pathologic process.
Multiple scattering effects in electromagnetic wave interactions with sea spray

Many environmental and military remote sensing applications rely on a solid understanding of the electromagnetic interactions with sea spray. The water droplets over the ocean surface are a key factor in the energy transfer between the atmosphere and the ocean. This energy transfer helps define the boundary condition for atmospheric and oceanic models and is a key factor for the global and regional climate models. Being able to model these interactions can help the wind speed retrieval algorithms for the global climate models.Multiple scattering effects are modeled by incorporating full wave solutions for the scattering cross-section due to multiple spheres in close proximity to each other. The distorted Born approximation technique is used in conjunction with the analytical wave theory to compute the backscattering cross-section of the medium.
Principles of Substrate Crosstalk Generation in CMOS Circuits

Substrate noise injection is evaluated for a O.2S-??m CMOS technology, to determine the mechanisms that contribute to substrate crosstalk. At the transistor level, we find that impact ionization current and capacitive coupling from the junctions are the most significant contributors to substrate current injection. An investigation of substrate fluctuations at a circuit level included switching transients, capacitive damping, and separate substrate biasing. This investigation revealed that voltage transients on power-supply lines can be the dominant source of substrate fluctuations. Finally, a statistical analysis of signal cancellation in an integrated circuit was performed. The results indicate that more cancellation will take place for the high-frequency noise components than for the average and low-frequency components. As a consequence, the de and low-frequency components of the transient that results from an individual switching event can not be neglected even if they are a relatively small fraction of the single transient.
Platform and methodology for teaching design of hardware modules in Internet routers and firewalls

An instructional platform has been developed that allows rapid prototype of network packet processing functions in hardware. This platform, called the Field Programmable Port Extender (FPX), enables engineering students to rapidly prototype and implement components for use in an Internet router or firewall. Customized circuits allow networking equipment to increase the throughput and enhance functionality of packet processing operations. On the FPX, custom circuits are implemented as hardware modules. An infrastructure circuit on the FPX interconnects multiple modules and provides a common interface to shared resources. All logic on the FPX is implemented with Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). A teaching methodology has been developed which minimizes the learning curve for hardware engineering students that want to develop network modules but are relatively unfamiliar with Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and/or the Internet Protocol (IP) suite. Library functions have been developed to implement low-level details of the networking protocols. The use of these libraries and the infrastructure logic on the FPX allows the students to focus their effort on the design of their own module and to leverage the work of others.
Analysis of Multivariate Longitudinal Outcomes With Nonignorable Dropouts and Missing Covariates: Changes in Methadone Treatment Practices

This article analyzes changes in treatment practices in outpatient methadone treatment units from a national panel study. The analysis of this dataset is challenging due to several difficulties, including multiple longitudinal outcomes, nonignorable nonresponses, and missing covariates. Specifically, the data included several variables that measure the effectiveness of methadone treatment practices for each unit. A substantial percentage of units (33%%) did not respond during the follow-up. These dropout units tended to be units with less effective treatment practices; the dropout mechanism thus may be nonignorable. Finally, the time-varying covariates for the units that dropped out were missing at the time of dropout. A valid analysis hence needs to address these three issues simultaneously. Our approach assumes that the observed outcomes measure a latent variable (e.g., treatment practice effectiveness) with error. We model the relationship between this latent variable and covariates using a linear mixe...
Public Indigeneity, Language Revitalization, and Intercultural Planning in a Native Amazonian Beauty Pageant

According to its 2008 Constitution, Ecuador is a “plurinational” and “intercultural” state. In this article, I examine the creative expounding of constitutional plurinationality–interculturality by indigenous Kichwa activists in the city of Tena in the Amazonian province of Napo. Through a popular annual native beauty pageant, members of a rising, elite sector of professional indigenous intellectuals draw on the rhetoric of constitutional interculturality in order to establish a space for local Kichwa cultural and linguistic practices in the dominant sociocultural order. Meanwhile, these visionaries are working to inscribe new models of public Amazonian Indian identity and institute a controversial new code of cultural expression. Their intercultural code blends standardized Kichwa language and its inherent political ideologies with symbols of an essentialized gendered Amazonian Kichwa identity. This intercultural code is then presented to multiethnic audiences as the urban speaking mode of the new intercultural Indian. The popularizing of the intercultural code represents a profound reconfiguration of long-held ethnolinguistic categories and identities, challenging old dichotomies of “public” versus “private,” “power” versus “purity,” “dominant” versus “indigenous,” and even “Spanish” versus “Kichwa” that have long characterized coding principles in popular ideologies.