cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teachers' Special Education Decisions: Does Test Information Make a Difference?.

ABSTRACTForty-five classroom teachers participated in a study designed to investigate the influence of a student’s individual psychological test performance (learning disabled [LD] vs. normal) and the achievement level of the child’s school (below average, average, above average) on their special education classification decisions. The achievement level of the school did not influence the teachers’ decisions to identify a child as handicapped. The student’s psychological test information did. For the LD case study, the teachers were more likely to have lower academic expectations and to diagnose the child as LD. In contrast to the findings of other studies, teachers were not likely to diagnose the normal case study child as handicapped. In short, these teachers did not ignore individual psychological information but rather utilized the information appropriately in their decision making.
Feasibility study of Monte Carlo modelling techniques for distributed-parameter systems. Part 2: Search problem involving a distributed-parameter system solved by Monte Carlo methods

The theory given in Pt. 1 of the paper is illustrated. The paper takes, as an example of the use of Monte Carlo solutions of partial differential equations, a linear model for the heating of steel billets, and solves an optimal-control problem of achieving uniform temperature in minimum time.
Geologic structure between the Murray fracture zone and the Transverse Ranges

Abstract The Murray fracture has been thought to extend ashore into the Transverse Ranges of California, but a geophysical study shows no evidence of structural continuity between these features. Instead, basement morphology typical of the Murray fracture zone ends where its known magnetic and bathymetric expression dies out. Similarly, east-west Transverse Range structures change direction so that they are parallel to the northwest trend of the coast rather than crossing the continental shelf and slope. The lack of continuity suggests an independent development of the Transverse Ranges since at least mid-Tertiary time along an older structural trend continuous with the Murray fracture zone. Possibly a fundamental lineament in the crust, an extension of the Murray, inactive since at least the mid-Tertiary, provided a convenient trend for development of the Transverse Ranges in response to deformation along the San Andreas fault system. The Murray fracture zone is thought by some authors to be a transform-fault. The transform-fault hypothesis alleviates some difficulties that arise in explaining the origin of the zone by transcurrent faulting but equivalent uncertainties seem to accompany the newer explanation.
Radioisotope yields from 1.85-GeV protons on Mo and 1.85- and 5.0-GeV protons on Te

Radioisotope yields from 1.85-GeV proton interactions in a natural isotopic composition Mo target and those from 1.85- and 5.0-GeV protons in natural Te targets were measured at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory{close_quote}s Bevatron. The radioisotope yields were determined by {gamma}-counting the targets using 100-cm{sup 3} coaxial Ge detectors following the irradiations. Cross sections were determined for the production of 36 radioactive nuclides, ranging from Z=35, A=74 to Z=43, A=97, from the Mo target and for 43 radioactive nuclides, ranging from Z=35, A=75 to Z=53, A=130 from the Te targets. The average deviations of the experimental cross sections from those predicted by the semiempirical isotopic cross sections of Silberberg and Tsao were 53{percent} for p+Mo at 1.85 GeV, 66{percent} for p+Te at 1.85 GeV, and 35{percent} for p+Te at 5.0 GeV. These deviations are higher than those found previously for medium and heavy targets and for elemental cross sections. The minimum production cross section of {sup 91}Nb, which may be of interest as a cosmic-ray chronometer, was found to be 18{plus_minus}3 mb for the p+Mo reaction. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic detection of hepatitis B surface and core antigens.

Abstract Light, immunofluorescent, and electron microscopic examination of biopsied and of paraffin-embedded hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected liver was undertaken. Electron microscopy allowed for the specific identification of HBs and HBc particles within hepatocyte cytoplasm and nuclei, respectively. Direct and indirect immunofluorescence proved to be simple, reliable, and specific for detecting HBsAg and HBcAg in biopsy material, but less sensitive in elucidating these antigens in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Immunoperoxidase procedures, employing either conjugated antibody or Fab', on the other hand, proved extremely sensitive in detecting HBV-associated antigens both in biopsied liver and in formalin-preserved, paraffin-embedded liver which had been stored at room temperature for 10 years.
Surface finish prediction models for fine turning

Surface finish data were generated for aluminium alloy 390, ductile cast iron, medium carbon leaded steel 10L45, medium carbon alloy steel 4130, and inconel 718 for a wide range of machining conditions defined by cutting speed, feed and tool nose radius. These data were used to develop surface finish prediction models, as a function of cutting speed, feed, and tool nose radius, for each individual metal. A general purpose surface finish prediction model is also proposed for ductile cast iron, medium carbon leaded steel, and alloy steel. Statistical analysis of experimental data indicated that surface finish is strongly influenced by the type of metal, speed and feed of cut, and tool nose radius. While the effects of feed and tool nose radius on surface finish were generally consistent for all materials, the effect of cutting speed was not. The surface finish improved with speed for ductile cast iron, medium carbon leaded steel, medium carbon alloy steel, and aluminium alloy, but it deteriorated with speed...
A computational model for shape memory alloys

An investigation into the computational aspects of a multi-well mixture approach to shape memory modeling is undertaken with the goals of determining its qualitative behavior as well as its efficiency in a numerical setting. A basic rate dependent model for the transformation is first introduced, followed by a discussion of the steps taken to implement the constitution in discrete form. Numerical simulations demonstrate the quantitative and qualitative response of shape memory alloy structural systems to various thermal and mechanical cycles.
theory and method in social anthropology: on the structures of systems of kin classification

This essay exposes the “logic” underlying six rules formulated by Sol Tax as characteristic of the structures of systems of kin classification in general, and it clarifies the domain of relevance of the rules. The rules follow logically from more fundamental structural features of systems of kin classification, especially from the symmetry of genealogical relationship; they may not properly be used to “predict” much of anything about “kinterm applications.” Many apparent exceptions to Tax's rules are not genuine exceptions and are readily understandable as products of structural features, especially covert categories and rules of subclassification, often left undetected in analyses of the structures of systems of kin classification. In other cases, data that fail to conform to Tax's rules have been produced by inappropriate and inadequate methods, and therefore those data cannot reasonably be used to challenge any of Tax's rules. [systems of kin classification, structural semantic analysis, theory, method]
Quantitation of secretory protein levels by radioimmunoassay.

A radioimmunoassay was designed for the detection of secretory protein, a component of secretory immunoglobulin A, in human serum. The assay uses free secretory protein isolated from human colostrum, and antisera raised in rabbits to the purified antigen. The mean level of secretory protein in the control group was 2.34 +/- 0.41 microgram/ml (mean +/- S.E.M.). The level in cord blood was slightly lower (0.74 +/- 0.26 microgram/ml), while the level in patients with ovarian carcinoma was significantly increased (12.67 +/- 1.43 microgram/ml). Pregnant women have increasing secretory protein levels with increasing length of gestation (5.86 +/- 2.02, 11.55 +/- 1.30 and 17.00 +/- 1.16 microgram/ml for the first, second and third trimesters, respectively.
On the Anomalous Activity of Thyroxin Analogs in Tadpoles

The abnormally high thyroxin-like activity of certain thyroxin analogs is due to the use of the unique test route of immersion. When thyroxin, triiodothyronine, and their propionic and acetic acid analogs are tested by injection into the tadpole, their activities are more comparable to activity levels established in rat and man.
Increased accommodation following adaptation to image blur in myopes

Prolonged exposure to blurred images produces perceptual adaptation (M. A. Webster, M. A., Georgeson, & S. M. Webster, 2002). The purpose of this study is to test whether in addition to the reported change in perceived blur there is also a change in accommodation. Young adult (aged 18 to 31 years) myopic (n = 23) and emmetropic (n = 17) subjects participated in the study. Myopes were tested with contact lenses and had corrected monocular visual acuity of 20/20 or better. Accommodation was measured binocularly with a PowerRefractor, an eccentric infrared photorefractor. Accommodation for a near target (high-contrast text at 0.33 m) was measured for 2 min before and immediately after 3 min of blur exposure. Blur was induced using 0.2 Bangerter diffusing filters in front of both eyes. In addition, accommodation was measured for a far target (high-contrast letters at 4.0 m) before and after the near measurements, with each subject's initial far readings used as a baseline for calculating the accommodative responses at near. Compared to the pre-adaptation level, myopes showed a significant (p < .01) increase in the near accommodative response after 3 min of blur adaptation, while accommodation to the near target in emmetropes did not change. In a second experiment using monocular viewing, the increase of accommodation found in myopes was shown to occur during the period of blur exposure. The refractive group differences in the accommodative response may be related to differences in the habitual response to image clarity between myopes and emmetropes under normal viewing conditions.
Estimating surface oil extent from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill using ASCAT backscatter

The damping effects of oil on capillary ocean waves alter the backscattered power of radar measurements made by remote-sensing instruments such as scatterometers. Numerically computed vector winds are input to a wind geophysical model function (GMF) to determine the expected backscatter from the ocean surface uncontaminated by surface oil. Large differences between expected backscatter and observed backscatter indicate areas of the ocean surface affected by oil. The recent oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico provides a spatial extent large enough to be tracked by the ASCAT scatterometer. In this paper we use ASCAT data and numerically predicted winds to estimate the spatial extent of surface oil.
Automated Recognition of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Using Support Vector Machine Classifier

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that causes pauses of breathing due to repetitive obstruction of the upper airways of the respiratory system. The effect of this phenomenon can be observed in other physiological signals like the heart rate variability, oxygen saturation, and the respiratory effort signals. In this study, features from these signals were extracted from 50 control and 50 OSA patients from the Sleep Heart Health Study database and implemented for minute and subject classifications. A support vector machine (SVM) classifier was used with linear and second-order polynomial kernels. For the minute classification, the respiratory features had the highest sensitivity while the oxygen saturation gave the highest specificity. The polynomial kernel always had better performance and the highest accuracy of 82.4% (Sen: 69.9%, Spec: 91.4%) was achieved using the combined-feature classifier. For subject classification, the polynomial kernel had a clear improvement in the oxygen saturation accuracy as the highest accuracy of 95% was achieved by both the oxygen saturation (Sen: 100%, Spec: 90.2%) and the combined-feature (Sen: 91.8%, Spec: 98.0%). Further analysis of the SVM with other kernel types might be useful for optimizing the classifier with the appropriate features for an OSA automated detection algorithm.
Does a cuffed endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube preclude malposition of nasoenteric tubes in the airways

(1998). Does a cuffed endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube preclude malposition of nasoenteric tubes in the airways? Clinical Intensive Care: Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 7-8.
A genome-wide view of Caenorhabditis elegans base-substitution mutation processes

Knowledge of mutation processes is central to understanding virtually all evolutionary phenomena and the underlying nature of genetic disorders and cancers. However, the limitations of standard molecular mutation detection methods have historically precluded a genome-wide understanding of mutation rates and spectra in the nuclear genomes of multicellular organisms. We applied two high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies to identify and characterize hundreds of spontaneously arising base-substitution mutations in 10 Caenorhabditis elegans mutation-accumulation (MA)-line nuclear genomes. C. elegans mutation rate estimates were similar to previous calculations based on smaller numbers of mutations. Mutations were distributed uniformly within and among chromosomes and were not associated with recombination rate variation in the MA lines, suggesting that intragenomic variation in genetic hitchhiking and/or background selection are primarily responsible for the chromosomal distribution patterns of polymorphic nucleotides in C. elegans natural populations. A strong mutational bias from G/C to A/T nucleotides was detected in the MA lines, implicating oxidative DNA damage as a major endogenous mutagenic force in C. elegans. The observed mutational bias also suggests that the C. elegans nuclear genome cannot be at equilibrium because of mutation alone. Transversions dominate the spectrum of spontaneous mutations observed here, whereas transitions dominate patterns of allegedly neutral polymorphism in natural populations of C. elegans and many other animal species; this observation challenges the assumption that natural patterns of molecular variation in noncoding regions of the nuclear genome accurately reflect underlying mutation processes.
Virtually calibrated projection moire interferometry

Projection moire interferometry (PMI) is an out-of-plane displacement measurement technique that consists of differencing reference and deformed images of a grid pattern projected onto the test object. In conventional PMI, a tedious process of computing the fringe sensitivity coefficient (FSC), which requires moving the test object or the reference plane to known displacements, is used. We present a new technique for computing the FSC values that is called virtually calibrated projection moire interferometry (VCPMI). VCPMI is based on computer simulations of the conventional PMI process and does not require moving the actual test object or reference plane. We validate the VCPMI approach by comparing results for a flat plate and an airfoil with those made by use of other measurement methods.
Aldosterone-induced glycoproteins: further characterization

Aldosterone induces the synthesis of a group of glycoproteins (GP65,70) in toad urinary bladders which are potential effectors of the natriferic action of this hormone. The GP65,70 complex is composed of two molecular weight classes of proteins (Mr 65 and 70 kDa), each class being composed of several discrete proteins of varying isoelectric points (5.8–6.2). These proteins can be partially enriched (approximately 20-fold) using wheat germ agglutinin-sepharose affinity chromatography, are neuraminidase-resistant, and can be N-deglycosylated by endoglycosidase-H and N-glycanase. Treatment with N-glycanase leads to the appearance of a microheterogeneous group of proteins, all having the same Mr (~ 40 kDa). From these studies it can be concluded that these particular aldosterone-induced proteins: (1) are heavily glycosylated, (2) contain multiple high mannose and hybrid oligosaccharides side chains, and (3) contain similar (if not identical) peptide backbones. Post-translational N-glycosylation accounts, at least in part, for their electgrophoretic polymorphism (variation in Mr) but not for their electrophoretic microheterogeneity (variation in pI). The latter may reflect other types of post-translational modification (e.g. O-glycosylation, phosphorylation) or may be due to subtle differences in amino acid composition. The partial purification and biochemical characterization of GP65,70 should ultimately lead to a better understanding of the function of these putative “effectors” of aldosterone-stimulated Na+ transport.
Student incivility: Nursing faculty lived experience

120 Student incivility against nursing faculty is recognized as an area of increased concern in nursing education. The negative experience that this may potentially have on nursing faculty is disturbing. The purpose of this study was to elicit an understanding of the experiences and impact nursing faculty encountered with nursing student incivility using a phenomenological research design. Twelve nursing faculty members from seven mid-western universities provided rich descriptions of their experiences with student incivility. Colaizzi’s analysis method was used to create clusters that resulted in six identified themes, including: (a) Faculty are subjected to a variety of unacceptable student behaviors; (b) Dealing with incivility is time consuming; (c) An aftermath of incivility can tarnished one’s reputation; (d) Support from others is beneficial; (e) Can cause harm to one’s health and well-being; and (f) May result in questioning the future. Findings support the view that nursing student incivility is becoming more widespread on college campuses and can have devastating effects on nursing faculty members. This information strongly suggests the importance of identifying contributing factors of incivility present in nursing students and implementing new and more effective policies and strategies to address and prevent this increasingly prevalent problem. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
The Biomechanical Properties of the Skin

BACKGROUNDThe skin possesses unique biochemical properties that allow it to protect and conform to the body that it covers. Elements constituting the dermis—collagen and elastin—primarily afford these properties.OBJECTIVESTo define these properties and explore their relevance with regard to aging sk
Generation of consensus in the application of a rating scale to nasendoscopic assessment of velopharyngeal function.

Objective To generate consensus ratings of velopharyngeal function on nasendoscopy (NE) with the goal of creating a video instruction tool. Methods The American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Study Group convened to identify NE segments to be included in an instructional video. Of 24 segments reviewed, 11 were selected based on the quality of the examinations and spectrum of closure patterns. Participating otolaryngologists independently rated NE segments using the Golding-Kushner scale. The participants then convened and rated each of the NE segments as a group. Thirty-nine members of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology met and agreed with the group ratings, creating a consensus standard. Results Individual scores for palate and lateral wall motion showed high variability, ranging from 0 to 6 points difference from the consensus. Variability was also seen for the following qualitative findings: the Passavant ridge, aberrant pulsations, and dorsal palatal notch. The individual ratings are presented graphically to demonstrate the range of individual responses as well as to compare responses to the consensus ratings. No further changes were made to the proposed consensus ratings when reviewed by the larger group. Conclusions Rating of NE evaluations of velopharyngeal function was variable among a group of pediatric otolaryngologists experienced in treating velopharyngeal insufficiency. These results highlight the need to develop a standardized method of reporting NE findings for velopharyngeal insufficiency. Despite this, consensus ratings were achieved that will facilitate development of a video instruction tool.
Interleukin-6 stimulates anterior pituitary hormone release in vitro.

Abstract Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine produced by inflammatory reactions, was found to stimulate PRL, GH and LH release from anterior pituitary cells at concentrations similar to those which affected lymphocyte mitogenesis. Perifused pituitary cells responded to IL-6 with prompt increases in hormone release that declined rapidly following cessation of exposure. Dopamine (DA) attenuated IL6-induced PRL release. In addition, IL-6 potentiated both GHRF- and TRH-induced hormone release without an affect on intracellular cAMP. These data demonstrate a new biological activity for IL-6 and provide evidence for immune system regulation of anterior pituitary hormone release.
Patterns of coherent decadal and interdecadal climate signals in the Pacific Basin during the 20th century

Two distinct low-frequency fluctuations are suggested from a joint frequency domain analysis of the Pacific Ocean (30°S-60°N) sea surface temperature (SST) and sea level pressure (SLP). The lowest frequency signal reveals a spatially coherent interdecadal evolution, In-phase SST and SLP anomalies are found along the subarctic frontal zone (SAFZ). It is symmetric about the equator, with tropical SST anomalies peaking near 15° latitudes in the eastern Pacific. The other low-frequency signal reveals a spatially coherent decadal evolution. It is primarily a low-latitude phenomenon. Tropical SST anomalies peak in the central equatorial ocean with evidence of atmospheric teleconnections. These interdecadal and decadal signals join the ENSO and quasi-biennial signals in determining dominant patterns of Pacific Ocean natural climate variability. Relative phasing and location of the SST and SLP anomalies for the decadal, ENSO, and the quasi-biennial signals, are similar to one another but significantly different from that of the interdecadal signal.
The use of electron spin resonance linewidths to obtain anisotropic g factors

Electron spin resonance linewidths have been used to obtain a considerable body of information concerning the reorientational motion of radicals with electron spin S = f; the investigations have been carried out in a wide variety of solvents (1, 2). The linewidths are also potential sources of structural data; linewidth analyses have been used to determine the sign or relative sign of the isotropic hyperfine splitting constants, ai, for magnetic nuclei in a number of different radicals (3). Another possibility is the use of ESR linewidths to estimate the three principal g factors (gX, g,,, gz) that characterize the Zeeman interaction between the electron spin and the bulk magnetic field (3). A generalization of the method that has previously been used to calculate the g factors (4, 5) from linewidth parameters is the purpose of this Note. We will consider a radical with S = f and hyperline splittings from two nuclei (i and j) with unequal isotropic hyperhne splitting constants (]ai] # ]Uj], i.e., no degenerate transitions). In the fast-motion (Redfield) limit, the ESR linewidths for this type of radical are given by (6, 7)
Synthetic and Natural Polycationic Polymer Nanoparticles Interact Selectively with Fluid-Phase Domains of DMPC Lipid Bilayers

Polycationic polymers are known to disrupt lipid bilayers. In this letter, we report the dependence of this disruption on the lipid structural phase. DMPC bilayers are exposed to two polycationic polymeric nanoparticles, PAMAM dendrimers and MSI-78. We find that regions of the bilayer that are in the gel phase are unaffected by the presence of polymers, whereas the liquid phase is disrupted.
Baker Hughes: Greasing the wheels in Kazakhstan (FCPA violations and implementation of a corporate ethics and anti-corruption compliance program)

Abstract This case discusses the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations of Texas-based Baker Hughes, in connection with its oil service operations in Kazakhstan. You will assume the position of a newly assigned audit committee member who is trying to understand Baker Hughes’ FCPA violations related to its Kazakhstan operations. Your investigation will involve the examination of the SEC court complaint, press releases, government and company publications and 10-K annual reports. Baker Hughes’ FCPA experiences illustrate the corruption risks and difficulties that multinational corporations encounter in conducting international business. The subsequent creation of a new Baker Hughes Code of Conduct, FCPA Compliance Guide, and Anti-Corruption Compliance Program provide you with a view of the corporate governance policies that companies can implement to help avoid costly penalties and investigations. Case questions address FCPA bribery, accounting and internal control provisions, 10-K filings, red flags indicating bribery (warning signs), and auditor’s responsibilities in uncovering illegal acts.
Approaches to bi- and trimetallic platinum and palladium complexes using the DPPEPM ligand

Abstract Bis{(diphenylphosphinoethyl)phenylphosphino}methane (DPPEPM) reacts with [PtR2(cod)] in 1:1 ratio to give [PtR2(DPPEPM-PP)] (2a, R=Me; 2b, R=Ph), whereas with [PtCl2(cod)] or [PdCl2(cod)] it yields the ionic species [M(DPPEPM-PP)2]2+ (3 and 4). With [MClMe(cod)], the product is [MMe(DPPEPM-PPP)]+ (5, M=Pt; 6, M=Pd), in which one of the internal P atoms of the ligand is uncoordinated. These complexes undergo oxidation of the free P atom to give 7 and 8 on standing in solution. Complexes 2–4 may be used to construct bimetallic and trimetallic mixed metal complexes. The molecular structures of 7 and [PtMe2(μ-DPPEPM)PdCl2] (11) are reported.
Experimental paraprotein neuropathy, demyelination by passive transfer of human IgM anti‐myelin‐associated glycoprotein

Circulating monoclonal IgM antibodies that react with myelin-associated glycoprotein are strongly associated with a specific type of human peripheral nerve demyelination. There has been great interest in this syndrome because, if the paraprotein could be shown to cause the demyelination, then it would be the first proven example of antibody-mediated demyelination in humans. Systemic transfusion of chickens with monoclonal IgM antibody isolated from one of these patients produced peripheral demyelination highly characteristic of the human syndrome. The experimental lesion consists of segmental demyelination and remyelination with minimal inflammation, specific antibody bound to myelin, and widening of the myelin lamellae. In the experimental model, antibody is concentrated in specialized myelin structures, the nodes of Ranvier, and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, suggesting that myelin-associated glycoprotein may be the antigenic target in vivo. This demonstration that human myelin-associated glycoprotein antibodies cause demyelination in vivo is the final information needed to prove that this type of human demyelination is antibody mediated. This strengthens the proposition that nerve antibodies, present in other human neurological syndromes, may also cause disease.
013 A brief overview of low temperature light microscopy

Low temperature light microscopy evolved into the current form of cryomicroscopy over the course of approximately 150 years. During this period the technological capabilities of such systems have advanced a great deal. The breadth of applications has also expanded tremendously. While the spatial resolution of light microscopy is limited relative to electron microscopy, its advantage is that real-time, continuous optical interrogation of biomaterials and the solutions they are in is possible during cooling and warming, freezing and thawing. This has proven to be a powerful approach to understanding the response of biomaterials exposed to low temperatures, including cryogenic temperatures. In this talk a brief historical development is presented, along with some examples of the types of devices and applications that have helped improve our understanding of cryobiology. Source of funding: None declared. Conflict of interest: None declared. mcgra2jj@cmich.edu
Carbohydrate utilization by trypanosomids from insects.

Abstract The ability of 13 trypanosomids, representing the genera Leptomonas, Crithidia and Blastocrithidia , from insects to use various carbohydrates has been determined by direct chemical analysis of incubation mixtures. No differences which could be correlated with morphology or host were found. Some species of Crithidia were able to use maltose, while others could not. Inability to use oligosaccharides paralleled absence of the requisite hydrolases; no evidence for the occurrence of phosphorylases or trans-glycosidases was found. Ability to use sucrose and raffinose was always found to occur together and to be dependent upon the presence of a β-fructosidase. A detailed study of sucrose and raffinose utilization by Crithidia luciliae showed that hydrolysis occurs more rapidly than the hydrolysis products can be metabolized and that glucose is used preferentially when both glucose and fructose are present. The evidence strongly favors occurrence of the fructosidase in the cell membrane. The results are discussed in terms of morphological and physiological implications.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Historically, the diagnosis has been made via fine-needle aspiration cytology; however, molecular marker analysis, particularly in indeterminate specimens, is beginning to play a more prominent role. Once the diagnosis of thyroid cancer is established, patients should undergo preoperative ultrasound evaluation followed by appropriate surgical resection, radioiodine ablation, and thyrotropin suppression. After the initial treatment, patients must be monitored regularly for recurrent disease utilizing clinical examination, thyroglobulin measurement, and radiological imaging.
Approximating Newton-like procedures

Abstract We provide sufficient conditions for the convergence of general iterative procedures to a solution of a nonlinear operator equation in Banach space. The approximate inverses of the Frechet-derivatives involved are obtained recursively. Some special cases are studied in detail.
Human cytomegalovirus pUL37x1-induced calcium flux activates PKCα, inducing altered cell shape and accumulation of cytoplasmic vesicles

The human cytomegalovirus immediate-early protein pUL37x1 induces the release of Ca2+ stores from the endoplasmic reticulum into the cytosol. This release causes reorganization of the cellular actin cytoskeleton with concomitant cell rounding. Here we demonstrate that pUL37x1 activates Ca2+-dependent protein kinase Cα (PKCα). Both PKCα and Rho-associated protein kinases are required for actin reorganization and cell rounding; however, only PKCα is required for the efficient production of virus progeny, arguing that HCMV depends on the kinase for a second function. PKCα activation is also needed for the production of large (1–5 μm) cytoplasmic vesicles late after infection. The production of these vesicles is blocked by inhibition of fatty acid or phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate biosynthesis, and the failure to produce vesicles is correlated with substantially reduced production of enveloped virus capsids. These results connect earlier work identifying a requirement for lipid synthesis with specific morphological changes, and support the argument that the PKCα-induced large vesicles are either required for the efficient production of mature virus particles or serve as a marker for the process.
An optimal test compression procedure for combinational circuits

The problem of optimal test compression is to derive, from a given set of test vectors, a smallest possible subset of test vectors that still test for the same collection of faults. This achieves optimal compression and largest reduction possible in test time relative to the original set of test vectors. We present a new approach based on the modeling of the problem as the Set Cover problem. Additionally, the approach implies an ordering of the faults according to the difficulty of covering them with the given set of test vectors. As such it can be used to facilitate the finding of a solution to the ultimate smallest test-set-the compression of the set of all possible test vectors. Our approach highlights the potential usefulness of integer programming techniques in testing and design.
Potential School Violence: Relationship between Teacher Anxiety and Warning-Sign Identification.

This study examined the relationship between teacher anxiety and their identification of warning signs of student violence. Fifty-six public school teachers, 22 male and 34 female, between the ages of 23 and 60 participated. Participants identified warning signs in five fictional student case files created for this study and completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and a demographic survey. The case files included positive and negative information, and high- and low-severity warning signs. Neither state (r = .02) nor trait (r = .04) anxiety was significantly correlated with high-severity warning-signs identification. Low-severity warning-signs identification was positively correlated with state anxiety (r = .28, p .05). False positive identification was not significantly related to state anxiety (r =.07) or trait anxiety (r =.06). The findings indicate that teachers who experience higher levels of state anxiety when confronted with warning signs of potential violence are better able to identify low-severity warning signs than do their less anxious counterparts, without over-identifying nonthreatening information as potential warning signs.
Fast Multi-Objective Algorithmic Design Co-Exploration for FPGA-based Accelerators

The reconfigurability of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) makes them an attractive platform for accelerating algorithms. Accelerating a particular algorithm is a challenging task as the large number of possible algorithmic and hardware design parameters lead to different accelerator variant implementations, each with its own metrics such as performance, area, power, and arithmetic accuracy characteristics. To identify these parameters that optimize the accelerator for certain metrics, we propose techniques for fast design space exploration and non-linear multi-objective optimization (e.g., minimize power under arithmetic inaccuracy bounds). Our methodology samples a small part of the design space and uses measurements from the sampled implementations to train mathematical models for the different metrics. To automate and improve the model generation process, we propose the use of L1-regularized least squares regression techniques. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, we implement a high-throughput real-time accelerator for image debluring. We demonstrate the accuracy (e.g., within 8% for power modeling) of our modeling techniques and their ability to identify the optimal accelerator designs with large speed-ups (340x) in comparison to brute-force enumeration.
Limits on neutron Lorentz violation from the stability of primary cosmic ray protons

Recent evidence appears to confirm that the ultra-high-energy primary cosmic ray spectrum consists mostly of protons. The fact that these protons can traverse large distances to reach Earth allows us to place bounds on Lorentz violations. The protons neither emit vacuum Cerenkov radiation nor {beta}-decay into neutrons, and this constrains six previously unmeasured coefficients in the neutron sector at the 5x10{sup -14} level. Among the coefficients bounded here for the first time are those that control spin-independent boost anisotropy for neutrons. This is a phenomenon which could have existed (in light of the preexisting bounds) without additional fine-tuning. There are also similar bounds for others species of hadrons. The bounds on Lorentz violation for neutral pions are particularly strong, at the 4x10{sup -21} level, eleven orders of magnitude better than previous constraints.
Regulation of polarized growth initiation and termination cycles by the polarisome and Cdc42 regulators

The dynamic regulation of polarized cell growth allows cells to form structures of defined size and shape. We have studied the regulation of polarized growth using mating yeast as a model. Haploid yeast cells treated with high concentration of pheromone form successive mating projections that initiate and terminate growth with regular periodicity. The mechanisms that control the frequency of growth initiation and termination under these conditions are not well understood. We found that the polarisome components Spa2, Pea2, and Bni1 and the Cdc42 regulators Cdc24 and Bem3 control the timing and frequency of projection formation. Loss of polarisome components and mutation of Cdc24 decrease the frequency of projection formation, while loss of Bem3 increases the frequency of projection formation. We found that polarisome components and the cell fusion proteins Fus1 and Fus2 are important for the termination of projection growth. Our results define the first molecular regulators that control the timing of growth initiation and termination during eukaryotic cell differentiation.
Fast Hough transform for multidimensional signal processing

The recently developed Fast Hough Transform algorithm [3,4] alleviated the traditional exponential growth in computing complexity and storage of the Hough transform at a factor of several orders of magnitude thus enlightened the possibility of serving as a fundamental algorithm for multidimensional signal processing. This paper investigates its implementation on SIMD architectures consisting of a large number of identical bit-serial processing elements.
Improvement of Servo-Flap Rotor Design Parameters For Helicopter Performance*

Recent UAV rotorcraft technology development on servo-flap rotor control may lead to different advanced servo-flap rotor systems for future helicopters. There are many areas where servo-flap rotor can be improved for future advanced rotor systems, but the most important area is performance. This paper addresses three key design parameter modifications to improve servo-flap rotor performance: the first modification is to use an optimally designed blade chord distribution along the radial direction to maximize the blade aerodynamic lift capability; the second is to adopt an integrated servo-flap rotor design to reduce servo-flap aerodynamic drag; and the third is to produce positive aerodynamic lift forces on the servo-flap during the flight and unload the required aerodynamics on the blade. The first blade design modification improves blade hover performance by approximately 4.2% and also helps the second and the third design parameter modifications. Analytical investigation indicates a servo-flap located at 75% of the blade radius generating 5.1% higher C T/σ value for flap with a positive 10 ° angular deflection and for a servo-flap located at 85%R, the blade has 6.5% higher CT/σ value. For a 4:1 tip chord taper ratio and a 30%R tip tapered blade, the % effective thrust weighted builtin-twist angle is reduced by approximately 8.1%. This is due to non-uniform blade chord effect. For a -12o linear built-in-twist blade, the effective blade twist angle has approximately 0.97o less than the actual design value.
The Pedigree of the International Biometric Society

Summary On the 60th anniversary of the International Biometric Society, a look back is taken to the view of biometry held by the first president, R. A. Fisher, as reflected in notes taken in a lecture course he gave in 1935–1936.
If Moynihan Had Only Known: Race, Class, and Family Change in the Late Twentieth Century

In this article, the author argues that while Daniel Patrick Moynihan's 1965 analysis of the black family was prescient in many respects, it also largely ignored social class variations among black families. This gave the erroneous impression that the changes occurring in the black family were related to distinctive cultural features rather than the economic position of most blacks. Over time, it has become evident that poor economic circumstances would produce comparable effects on whites just as they did for blacks when Moynihan published his findings.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for rapid detection of aneuploidy: experience in 911 prenatal cases.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed with probes specific for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y on 911 of 11123 (8.2%) amniotic fluid samples submitted to the present authors' laboratory for cytogenetic analysis over an 8-year period. Altogether 3516 hybridizations were performed with an interpretable FISH result on all chromosomes requested in 884/911 (97%) of cases. An uninformative FISH result occurred in 44 hybridizations among 27 cases (3%). Of a total of 89 karyotypically proven cases with aneuploidy that might have been detected by FISH, the overall detection rate was 84%. An inconclusive or incomplete FISH result occurred in 9/89 (10%) of these proven aneuploid cases. In the remaining 80 informative proven aneuploid cases, correct detection of aneuploidy was accomplished in 75/80 (94%) of samples. A false-negative result occurred in the remaining 5/80 (6%) of such informative cases. Eighteen cases had karyotypically proven abnormalities that could not have been detected by the targeted FISH. Aside from these 18 cases, FISH allowed correct detection of normal disomy in 785/804 (98%) of such cases. An incomplete FISH result occurred in 18 normal disomic cases. There was a single possible 'false-positive' FISH result for chromosome 21. Interphase FISH analysis of uncultured amniotic fluid cells has been shown to be a useful laboratory tool for rapid fetal aneuploidy screening during pregnancy. As with all clinical laboratory diagnostic tests, incomplete or inconclusive results (or even interpretive errors) occur in a small percentage of cases. Nevertheless, FISH results accompanied by other data and by appropriate counseling provide clinicians and patients with valuable information for clinical decision-making surrounding family planning and pregnancy management.
Correction of dark current in consumer cameras

A study of dark current in digital imagers in digital single- lens reflex (DSLR) and compact consumer-grade digital cameras is presented. Dark current is shown to vary with temperature, expo- sure time, and ISO setting. Further, dark current is shown to in- crease in successive images during a series of images. DSLR and compact consumer cameras are often designed such that they are contained within a densely packed camera body, and therefore the digital imagers within the camera frame are prone to heat generated by the sensor as well as nearby elements within the camera body. It is the scope of this work to characterize the dark current in such cameras and to show that the dark current, in part due to heat gen- erated by the camera itself, can be corrected by using hot pixels on the imager. This method generates computed dark frames based on the dark current indicator value of the hottest pixels on the chip. We compare this method to standard methods of dark current correction. © 2010 SPIE and IS&T. DOI: 10.1117/1.3358365 mation. However, there are problems associated with this method of correction. Foremost, this method is time con- suming, as it is required after every exposure. Furthermore, the camera will not be under identical conditions for the second frame due to the generation of the first image itself. As is shown in this work, the dark current is not consistent from frame to frame and shows increasing dark current with increasing number of frames taken in succession. This is likely due to an increase in the internal temperature of the camera. In addition, due to the statistical nature of the dark current, even dark frames taken under identical condi- tions will not necessarily have the same amount of dark noise. The very attributes that define the compact consumer class of camera, their affordability and compact size, are likely indicators that dark noise is a greater issue in this class of camera. Dark noise is caused by defects and impu- rities within the silicon of the pixel. 3-5 The price point of compact consumer cameras would seem to indicate that the best digital imagers, in terms of lowest impurities and therefore lowest dark noise, would be selectively chosen for more expensive, higher-end cameras. Consumer cam- eras are generally not cooled, and therefore heat will be
Menstrual reduction with extended use of combination oral contraceptive pills: randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare a traditional 28-day cycle to an extended 49-day cycle of the 30 μg ethinyl estradiol (E2)/300 μg norgestrel monophasic birth control pill regimen. METHODS: Ninety subjects randomized to either 28-day cycles with 21 active pills or 49-day cycles with 42 active pills for a prospective open label trial over four 84-day reference periods or trimesters. Bleeding, pill taking, and symptom diaries were completed. The sample size with 80% power to detect a 40% reduction in bleeding days required 24 subjects in each arm. RESULTS: Of the 90 women, 24 subjects (54.5%) on the 28-day cycle and 29 (63%) on the 49-day cycle completed the entire study (P = .41). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in demographics or continuation rates. There was a significant reduction in bleeding days in the experimental arm beginning in the first trimester (28-day = 10.9, 49-day = 6.4 mean days of bleeding, P < .001) and continuing to the fourth trimester (28-day = 11.3, 49-day = 5.8 mean days, P = .005). The number of spotting days was similar between both schedules in the first trimester (28-day = 4.8, 49-day = 3.7 mean days, P = .24) and continued into the fourth trimester (28-day = 3.4, 49-day = 2.9 mean days, P = .30). Annual expenditure for hygiene products was significantly less for extended use subjects (28-day = $41.45, 49-day = $17.54 spent, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Extension of the 28-day oral contraceptive (OC) cycle to a 49-day cycle resulted in fewer bleeding days and no increase in mean spotting days or bleeding episodes.