cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Motility and Biofilm Formation by Salicylate and Decanoate: MarA/SoxS/Rob and pchE Interactions.

Prophage-encoded Escherichia coli O157:H7 transcription factor (TF), PchE, inhibits biofilm formation and attachment to cultured epithelial cells by reducing curli fimbriae expression and increasing flagella expression. To identify pchE regulators that might be used in intervention strategies to reduce environmental persistence or host infections, we performed a computational search of O157:H7 strain PA20 pchE promoter sequences for binding sites used by known TFs. A common site shared by MarA/SoxS/Rob TFs was identified and the typical MarA/Rob inducers, salicylate and decanoate, were tested for biofilm and motility effects. Sodium salicylate, a proven biofilm inhibitor, but not sodium decanoate, strongly reduced O157:H7 biofilms by a pchE-independent mechanism. Both salicylate and decanoate enhanced O157:H7 motility dependent on pchE using media and incubation temperatures optimum for culturing human epithelial cells. However, induction of pchE by salicylate did not activate the SOS response. MarA/SoxS/Rob inducers provide new potential agents for controlling O157:H7 interactions with the host and its persistence in the environment. IMPORTANCE There is a need to develop E. coli serotype O157:H7 non-antibiotic interventions that do not precipitate the release and activation of virulence factor-encoded prophage and transferrable genetic elements. One method is to stimulate existing regulatory pathways that repress bacterial persistence and virulence genes. Here we show that certain inducers of MarA and Rob have that ability, working through both pchE-dependent and -independent pathways.
Inflation and Intramarket Price Variability: Empirical Evidence from U.S. Food Products

The objective of this paper is to examine the response of relative price variability on U.S. food markets to food price inflation to identify whether such inflation influences the structure of relative prices between different food products. Results show that changes in food price inflation rate have a strong positive effect on the structure of relative prices across food products. In addition, the expected rate of inflation is found to be more important than the unexpected components as a determinant of relative price variability.
The "companion bottle": a useful predictor of children at risk for the development of nursing bottle caries.

To the Editor.— In "A Controlled Clinical Trial of Local Anesthesia for Lumbar Punctures in Newborns"1 Porter et al reported on their attempt to decrease lumbar puncture-induced physiologic instability by using lidocaine. While the cardiorespiratory measures of physiologic instability were not affected by local anesthesia, they were influenced significantly and adversely by the preparatory procedure (ie, being held flexed in the fetal position). As pointed out by the authors, the position chosen for the procedure, which included knees to chest plus flexion of head and neck has been shown to induce more adverse physiologic responses than either the sitting or the modified lateral (neck not flexed) position.2,3
Latin American Labour History in Comparative Perspective: Notes on the Insidiousness of Cultural Imperialism

This essay explores three broad issues involved in viewing Latin American labour history in comparative perspective (that is, in the context of world labour historiography, especially that of Western developed societies). The first issue is the appropriateness to Latin American labour history of conceptual paradigms, particularly liberal and Marxist, constructed in Western Europe in the course of that region's 19th-century industrialization. The second is the application to Latin American studies of the so-called "new labour history," which has flowered in the historiography of North Atlantic developed capitalist societies, especially in the Anglo-American context, during the last 25 years. The third issue concerns the comparative advantages of First and Third World labour history in the context of the logic, as well as the special strengths and weaknesses, of the discipline of history itself. Each of these themes, I believe, illustrates an aspect of comparative labour history seldom appreciated or addressed by students of labour in Latin America and abroad: the pervasive, distorting influence of cultural forms emanating from the First (and later Second) World on the scholarship of the Third. I consider this influence an insidious form of cultural imperialism because I believe it is fun damentally negative, and because it is generally unacknowledged and thus unex amined.
Non‐Continuum Phenomena in Hypersonic Flow

At high altitude in the trajectory of a hypersonic entry vehicle, the atmospheric density is low, leading to relatively infrequent intermolecular collisions. The low collision rate produces physical flow phenomena which cannot be predicted accurately using a continuum description. This chapter describes the most important of these non-continuum phenomena for hypersonic flow analysis and the conditions under which they occur. A numerical technique for analysis of non-continuum flows is described and its success demonstrated through comparison with measurements collected in laboratory and flight experiments, and with results generated using the continuum approach. Keywords: non-continuum flow; hypersonic flow; Monte Carlo simulation; gas-surface interaction; aerothermodynamics
COPLINK center: information and knowledge management for law enforcement

As part of nationwide, ongoing digital government initiatives, COPLINK [Chen et al. 2002, Chen et al. 2003, Hauck et al. 2002] is an integrated information and knowledge management environment aimed at meeting some of the challenges faced by the law enforcement community. Funded by the National Institute of Justice and the National Science Foundation, a prototype for COPLINK was initially developed at the University of Arizona's Artificial Intelligence Lab in collaboration with the Tucson Police Department (TPD) and Phoenix Police Department (PPD). COPLINK was developed into a product by Knowledge Computing Corporation (KCC) and deployed in approximately one hundred law enforcement agencies nationwide [see for example The Los Angeles Daily News Dec. 6, 2003 and Anchorage Daily News Nov. 23, 2003].
Multi-organ segmentation from multi-phase abdominal CT via 4D graphs using enhancement, shape and location optimization

The interpretation of medical images benefits from anatomical and physiological priors to optimize computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) applications. Diagnosis also relies on the comprehensive analysis of multiple organs and quantitative measures of soft tissue. An automated method optimized for medical image data is presented for the simultaneous segmentation of four abdominal organs from 4D CT data using graph cuts. Contrast-enhanced CT scans were obtained at two phases: non-contrast and portal venous. Intra-patient data were spatially normalized by non-linear registration. Then 4D erosion using population historic information of contrast-enhanced liver, spleen, and kidneys was applied to multi-phase data to initialize the 4D graph and adapt to patient specific data. CT enhancement information and constraints on shape, from Parzen windows, and location, from a probabilistic atlas, were input into a new formulation of a 4D graph. Comparative results demonstrate the effects of appearance and enhancement, and shape and location on organ segmentation.
Mass Communication: Normative Frameworks

From ancient times, mass communication has always raised normative questions. Most ancient views distrusted mass communication for misleading people from God or truth. Modern views, especially liberalism, endorse mass communication as a means of discovering truth and reaching consensus, but there are many dissents as well. The article examines the ancient and modern frameworks on the ethics and politics of the mass media. Mass communication, the public dissemination of symbols that are in principle addressed to everyone, has always aroused controversy, not only about specific policies and practices, but about larger philosophical questions concerning morality, politics, and art.
Optimum detection of robust perceptual-model-based image-adaptive watermarks

Image-adaptive watermarking based on sophisticated human perceptual models is capable of embedding watermarks with maximum strengths while incurring no perceptual loss. Very strong robustness as well as high information capacity can be achieved using these schemes. In this paper, the optimum detector for the perceptual-model-based robust watermarking is constructed, and the performance analysis is investigated. The new detector asymptotically is most efficient for weak signals, and particularly it is the most powerful for the perceptual-model-constrained watermarks. The experiments results validate our theoretical analysis.
Faddeev Equations for Bound and Scattering States

The numerical solution of the Faddeev equations to obtain accurate binding energies and wave functions for the trinucleon system is reviewed. The methods used to include the effects of a three-body force are discussed.
The Institutional Nature of Price Bubbles

Price bubbles remain a puzzle for economic theory, particularly given their appearance in experimental markets with high efficiency and minimized uncertainty and noise. We propose that bubbles are caused by the institutionalization of social norms, when individuals observe and adopt the behavior of others. Explanations of bounded rationality or individual bias appear insufficient as we show experimentally that (1) participants' pricing skills are better ex-ante than ex-post and (2) that individual discrepancies between intrinsic values and market prices become increasingly serially correlated during trading. We also find no support for the Greater Fool explanation.
Assessing hybrid incremental processes for SISOS development: Research Sections

New processes are being assessed to address modern challenges for Software-Intensive Systems of Systems (SISOS), such as coping with rapid change while simultaneously assuring high dependability. A hybrid agile and plan-driven process based on the spiral lifecycle has been outlined to address these conflicting challenges with the need to rapidly field incremental capabilities in a value-based framework. A system dynamics model has been developed to assess the incremental hybrid process and support project decision making. It estimates cost and schedule for multiple increments of a hybrid process that uses three specialized teams, and also considers the mission value of software capabilities. It considers changes due to external volatility and feedback from user-driven change requests, and dynamically reestimates and allocates resources in response to the volatility. Deferral policies and team sizes can be experimented with, and it includes trade off functions between cost and the timing of changes within and across increments, length of deferral delays, and others. We illustrate how the model can be used to determine optimal agile team size to handle changes. Both the hybrid process and simulation model are being evolved on a very large scale incremental SISOS project and other potential pilots. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastatic to the Pancreas: Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects

Metastatic RCC involving the pancreas is uncommon. In selected patients however, it can produce with a variety of findings and symptoms, including diabetes mellitus and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. CT scan remains the most common modality used for diagnosis of this complication. Surgical resection of isolated pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma may result in prolonged survival for highly selected patients. Even in patients with unresectable pancreatic metastases, the median survival may be prolonged with indolent disease present. Although the patient numbers are relatively small, data suggest that development of pancreatic metastases occurs only in clear cell RCC, may not impact negatively on survival, and is associated with an indolent disease growth pattern and widespread metastatic disease. These factors may influence the ultimate choice of therapy, suggesting that systemic approach should be considered in most instances.
Sediment–air equilibrium partitioning of semi-volatile hydrophobic organic compounds. Part 1. Method development and water vapor sorption isotherm

Abstract Contaminated sediments that become exposed to air as a result of dredging and disposal in confined disposal facilities are potential sources of air pollution. A critical parameter to develop emission estimation models is the equilibrium partition coefficient of contaminants, between sediment and air. In this first of two articles, we present a method, based on gas saturation in a flowing stream, to study both the adsorption of water and semi-volatile organic compounds on a sediment from the Campus Lake, Baton Rouge, LA, USA. The experimental set-up was used to determine the adsorption isotherm for water partitioning between sediment and pore-air. A detailed characterization of the sediment surface area and pore volume was used to develop an adsorption–condensation model for predicting water sorption on sediment. The model was used to estimate the importance of water adsorption on mineral surfaces and condensation in pores. This information serves, in the accompanying second article in the series, as the basis for the modeling of the partitioning of phenanthrene, and dibenzofuran.
Thrombosis in VonWillebrand disease

Abstract Objective To date, only a few case studies have reported occurrence of thrombosis in patients with VonWillebrand disease (VWD). No studies have looked at its incidence in this patient population. The aim of this study was to test our hypothesis that decreased VonWillebrand factor (VWF) levels confer a protective effect on arterial and venous thrombosis. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study including patients (n = 350) with the ICD-9 code of VWD who were identified from our hospital database over a period of 25 years, out of which 198 patients were included in the final sample. A parallel control sample without VWD matched for age, sex, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus was also obtained from the hospital database. The primary outcomes were incidence of diagnosis of symptomatic arterial and venous thrombosis. The results were computed using multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis and proportions were compared using McNemer's Chi – square test. Results Out of 198 patients (mean age 44.2 ± 17.5, women 72%) with VWD, 170 (86%) were VWD type 1, 21 (10%) were type 2 and 7 (3%) were type 3. VWD was found to be an independent protective predictor from arterial thrombosis (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.14–0.54, p Conclusion In a population of relatively younger individuals with VWD, our study suggests a reduced incidence of arterial thrombosis but not of venous thrombosis. This brings up the possibility that there could be other pathways or factors involved in arterial and venous thrombosis. To our knowledge, this is the first large observational study that has provided insight into the thrombotic disease in this group of patients.
A qualitative study of animation programming in the wild

Scratch is the latest iteration in a series of animation tools aimed at teaching programming skills. Scratch, in particular, aims not only to teach technical skills, but also skills related to collaboration and code reuse. In order to assess the strengths and weaknesses of Scratch relative to these goals, we have performed an empirical field study of Scratch animations and associated user comments from the online animation repository. Overall, we found that Scratch represents substantial progress toward its designers' goals, though we also identified several opportunities for significant improvement. In particular, many Scratch programs revealed significant technical mastery of the programming environment by programmers, and some animations even demonstrated design patterns. On the other hand, while the Scratch repository has successfully served as a supportive environment for generating constructive feedback among users, we did not find any occasions within our sample where this interaction led to online collaboration. In addition, we found low levels of code reuse, in terms of both frequency and success. Based on these results, we identify implications for improving the design of animation tools, for using these tools to teach programming skills, and for fostering successful collaboration and code reuse among end-user programmers.
SU-FF-I-12: Clinical Impact of Four-Dimensional (4D) Imaging On Radiation Therapy

Purpose: 4D imaging is becoming increasingly available for treatment planning. Generally, the information are used in (1) determining the range of tumor motion so that the tumor margin can be determined on a patient specific basis (3.5D‐RT); and (2) helping to choose a gating phase and window for respiration‐gated radiotherapy planning (gated‐RT). The purpose of this work is to assess the clinical impact of these treatment strategies by retrospectively studying 12 lungcancer patients. Methods and Materials: 12 lung patients who had underwent 4D‐CT and received gated‐RT were selected. For each of these patients, two additional treatment plans were generated, including 3.5D‐RT plan and conventional 3D‐RT plan (in which a population based margin of 2.5cm is used). The V20, V40, TCP and NTCP are evaluated for the three plans. Additionally, the potential of dose escalation to the target is evaluated for 3.5‐RT and gated‐RT by keeping the lung toxicity at the level of 3D‐RT. Results: 9 out of 12 patients have tumor motion range less than 2.5cm. For these patients, 4D‐CT derived patient specific margin leads to a reduction of tumor margin in 3.5D‐RT plan and thus significantly reduces the ipsilateral lung toxicity. For the other 4 patients, the motion is comparable or greater than 2.5cm and the use of 4D imaging makes it possible to avoid potential underdosing in the peripheral region of the tumor. In all cases, the gated RT plans lead to significantly reductions of V20, V40, and NTCP. A dose escalation in the range of 3∼15% is feasible for all these patients when gated‐RT is employed while keeping the lung toxicity at the level of 3D‐RT. Conclusions: The use of 4D‐CT individualize the definition of tumor margin in 3.5D‐ and gated‐RTs. With reduced margin size, a clinically significant escalation of dose becomes easily achievable.
Effect of plastocyanin and phycocyanin on the photosensitivity of chlorophyll-containing bilayer membranes.

Photovoltaic effects were studied in bilayer membranes constructed from phosphatidyl choline, monogalactosyl diglyceride, chlorophyll α and β-carotene. It was demonstrated that the biliprotein C-phycocyanin enhanced the photosensitivity of these membranes. Plastocyanin, an important photosynthetic electron transfer protein, was also found to be effective in enhancing the membrane photovoltage. The C-phycocyanin and plastocyanin were effective on opposite sides of the membrane. Plastocyanin operates to transfer electrons into the membrane, while C-phycocyanin directs electron transfer from the membrane. Membranes containing monogalactosyl diglyceride were found to be extremely stable and were most susceptible to enhancement of photosensitivity by introduction of the proteins. The plastocyanin and C-phycocyanin when used together appeared to operate synergistically.
Importance of Quantum Effects for C−H Bond Activation Reactions

We calculate the reaction rate constant of the rearrangement of trans-Rh(PH3)2Cl(η2-CH4) to Rh(PH3)2ClH(CH3), in which the C−H bond of methane is activated, Rh(I) is oxidized to Rh(III), and methane is cleaved. Quantum zero point energy is included in 39 vibrational modes, excited vibrational states are also quantized, and quantum mechanical tunneling contributions are included by the multidimensional small-curvature tunneling approximation. Born−Oppenheimer potential energies, reaction-path geometries, and vibrational frequencies needed for the rate calculations are obtained from density functional theory using the direct dynamics approach. At 200 K the rate constant calculated with quantum effects is 194 times larger than the rate constant calculated using classical mechanics to describe the atomic motion. Including quantized vibrational energies but not tunneling reduces this discrepancy to a factor of 3.4. These factors are increased to 2770 and 11 at 150 K and decreased to 20 to 1.67 at 300 K. Thus t...
A search for gaseous emissions from the moon

A study of 19 months of data shows that relative variations in the dayside lunar ionosphere are predictable from solar-wind flux and solar extreme-ultraviolet variations. Discrepancies in the absolute magnitudes exist, however. One significant discrepancy in the predicted and observed ion-flux magnitudes probably arises from sputtered surface gases during and following an extended period of anomalously high solar-wind flux. A second minor enhancement of the observed flux over the predicted flux may be due to endogenous lunar gas associated with an interval of high lunar seismic activity. However, considerable restraint is necessary in this interpretation since the enhancement is not strong and the interval follows within a few months after the Apollo 17 mission.
A traffic density analysis of proposed ferry service expansion in San Francisco Bay using a maritime simulation model

Abstract A proposal has been made to the California legislature to dramatically increase the frequency and coverage of ferry service in the San Francisco Bay area. A major question in the approval process is the effect of this expansion on the level of congestion on the waterway and the effect this will have on the safety of vessels in the area. A simulation model was created to estimate the number of vessel interactions in the current system and their increases caused by three alternative expansion plans. The output of the simulation model is a geographic profile showing the frequency of vessel interactions across the study area, thus representing the level of congestion under each alternative. Comparing these geographic interaction profiles to a similar one generated for the current ferry service in the San Francisco Bay allows evaluation of the increase in exposure of ferries to adverse conditions, such as, for example, the interaction of high-speed ferries in restricted visibility conditions. This analysis has been submitted to the legislature as part of the overall assessment of the proposal and will be used in the expansion decision.
Pinhole defects in Ag sheath of PIT Bi-2212 tapes

Abstract Pinhole defects have been observed in the silver sheath of powder-in-tube (PIT) fabricated Bi-2212 tapes. Material from the oxide core exit through these pinholes. A relatively large area of (Sr, Ca) x oxide condensate was found to surround the pinholes on the outer surface of the conductor following partial-melt-growth (PMG) heat treatment. The formation of these pinholes is attributed to the PIT mechanical deformation of the precursor powders, which contain a few relatively large (> 30 μm) and hard (relative to silver) particles/aggregates. Results indicate that these pinholes, which are more pronounced in thin tapes ( I c . This paper attempts to quantify the effects of these pinhole defects.
Ethics, power, and advocacy

Psychologists long defined their role essentially as that of scientist, engaged in research or in the applied work of psychometrist; later the role of therapist assumed prominence. In recent years, psychologists have increasingly assumed new professional roles in institutional settings. The criminal justice system is one of those new settings for psychological intervention, and the ethical questions generated there have sparked a debate within the psychology profession. A recent publication of the American Psychological Association, "Who is the Client?" (Monahan, 1980) surveys the ethical questions involved in psychologists' criminal justice work. This essay-review discusses both the new volume and the underlying topic. First, a brief summary of the study and survey which led to the book, and the task force report which is its heart will be set out. Background papers which accompany the task force report will not be discussed separately, but instead will be dealt with in connection with appropriate substantive topics. Second, two issues which cut across all the chapters of the book will be surveyed: the psychologist's divided loyalty, and the psychologist's limited competence to perform the tasks required. Finally, three concepts will be highlighted as a suggested focus for ongoing ethical debate-the psychologist's multiple roles, his or her relation to power, and the psychologist as advocate. Psychological research involving prisoners, although of considerable importance, will not be dis-
Short-interval SMS wind vector determinations for a severe local storms area

Short-interval SMS-2 visible digital image data are used to derive wind vectors from cloud tracking on time-lapsed sequences of geosynchronous satellite images. The cloud tracking areas are located in the Central Plains, where on May 6, 1975 hail-producing thunderstorms occurred ahead of a well defined dry line. Cloud tracking is performed on the Goddard Space Flight Center Atmospheric and Oceanographic Information Processing System. Lower tropospheric cumulus tracers are selected with the assistance of a cloud-top height algorithm. Divergence is derived from the cloud motions using a modified Cressman (1959) objective analysis technique which is designed to organize irregularly spaced wind vectors into uniformly gridded wind fields. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using satellite-derived wind vectors and their associated divergence fields in describing the conditions preceding severe local storm development. For this case, an area of convergence appeared ahead of the dry line and coincided with the developing area of severe weather. The magnitude of the maximum convergence varied between -10 to the -5th and -10 to the -14th per sec. The number of satellite-derived wind vectors which were required to describe conditions of the low-level atmosphere was adequate before numerous cumulonimbus cells formed. This technique is limited in areas of advanced convection.
A pervasive personal trainer, an electronic leash, a light canvas...

This installment covers several new devices, most of which are used during activities—a pervasive personal trainer, a Wi-Fi-enabled SD card for eases photo uploading, a new 99-quid laptop focused on the education market, an electronic leash for wandering children, and a new artist medium for reducing stress in a hospital waiting room.
The expression of P- and E-selectins in three models of middle cerebral artery occlusion

The expression and localization of P- and E-selectins in rat brain (n=126) were examined using immunohistochemical techniques at various time points after induction of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in the suture, thrombotic and embolic models of stroke. Expression of P- or E-selectin was not observed in brain tissue of sham operated control rats (n=9). P-selectin immunoreactivity was detected as early as 15 min and decreased to control level at 1 h after the onset of the MCA occlusion in all three models. P-selectin then slightly increased at 2 h and peaked at 6 h after MCA occlusion. E-selectin immunoreactivity was first observed at 2 h and peaked at 6 h and 12 h of after MCA occlusion in all three models. P- and E-selectin immunoreactivity was colocalized with von Willebrand factor immunoreactive microvessels. 90.4+/-2.0% of all vessels expressing P-selectin immunoreactivity were 7.5 to 30.0 micron in diameter; 3.6+/-1.4% were contained in vessels smaller than 7.5 micron, and 6.0+/-1.8% were localized in vessels greater than 30.0 micron in diameter. The percent distribution of E-selectin immunoreactive vessels were 75.9+/-2.1% in vessels 7.5 to 30.0 micron in diameter; 23.6+/-2.2% were in vessels smaller than 7.5 micron, and 0.6+/-0.4% were localized in vessels greater than 30.0 micron in diameter. These findings indicate that the temporal profiles of P- and E-selectin expression are independent of these models of MCA occlusion and are consistent with the time course of selectin mediated leukocyte infiltration after focal cerebral ischemia in the rat.
CT-Guided Biopsy of Bone and Soft-Tissue Lesions: Role of On-Site Immediate Cytologic Evaluation

Abstract Purpose To assess the impact of on-site immediate cytologic assessment (ICA) on the diagnostic success rate of computed tomography (CT)–guided percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB) of musculoskeletal lesions and the long-term outcome in inconclusive PNB findings. Materials and Methods A total of 299 CT-guided PNBs of musculoskeletal lesions performed between January 1997 and December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. The lesions were categorized by their morphology, location, and size, and by biopsy type. The diagnostic success rates, impact of ICA, and outcome in inconclusive PNBs were studied, with final histopathologic findings and/or clinical follow-up as a reference. Results The overall diagnostic success rate of PNBs was 72.9% (218 of 299). The success rate increased with larger lesions (> 2 cm to 4 cm; P = .009). Biopsies performed with ICA had a higher success rate (77.0% vs 63.3%; P = .015). PNBs had inconclusive results in 109 of 299 cases (36.5%). In 66 of these, repeat open biopsy or clinical follow-up demonstrated 19 malignant/aggressive lesions (28.8%) and 47 benign/nonaggressive lesions (71.2%). Conclusions CT-guided PNB had a satisfactory success rate, which significantly increased when performed with ICA. Inconclusive results in PNB were most frequently associated with benign findings during further workup.
Fluorescence response of selected tissues in the canine heart: an attempt to find the conduction system

Fluorescence response of canine heart tissue is studied in an attempt to localize the conduction system atrioventricular (AV) node. Data is collected for 364 nm and 308 nm illumination via a 750 micrometers diameter fiber placed against the tissue. This is done for sample locations in the right atrium, AV ring, and right ventricle, and for a rectilinear grid of sample locations in the AV node region. Sample locations are marked via tissue ablation with a 2.1 micrometers Ho:YAG laser and removed for histological analysis. Fluorescence responses are given for 364 nm and 308 nm illumination. No evidence of distinguishable fluorescence by the AV node is seen at either wavelength.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Measuring unnecessary delay in administrative proceedings: The actual versus the predicted

This article discusses various ways of systematically measuring the time one would expect various administrative proceedings to consume relative to the time they actually consume taking into consideration the diverse complexity of such proceedings. The article uses the problem of administrative delay to illustrate the broader problem of creating a dependent criterion variable that measures the gap between the actual, empirical, or real situation on the one hand and the predicted, normative, or ideal situation on the other.
Targeted intra-arterial chemoradiation for advanced tonsil cancer.

Objectives To determine the effects of combined radiation and targeted, intra-arterial (IA) cisplatin infusions (RADPLAT) in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tonsil. Study design and setting Prospective study of treatment outcomes and toxicity of patients enrolled on the RADPLAT protocol, with specific analysis of patients with advanced SCC of the tonsil. Results Thirty patients with advanced tonsil carcinoma (17 T 4 , 12 T 3 , 1 T 2 ) were enrolled, and 24 of 30 patients completed at least 3 IA cisplatin infusions and a minimum of 63 Gy or radiation therapy (minimum therapy). Two-year estimated overall and disease-specific survival was 42% and 50%, respectively, for all 30 patients (intent-to-treat group) and 49% and 58%, respectively, for the minimum therapy subgroup. The 2-year estimated local and regional disease control was 87% and 90%, respectively, for the intent-to-treat group, and 100% and 90% for the minimum therapy subgroup. Functional organ preservation was achieved in 92% of patients. Conclusions Locoregional disease control achieved with this regimen appears to be significantly improved over that described in the literature for similarly staged tonsil cancer. Survival, on the other hand, remains comparable. EBM rating C
How many factors are there on the PICTS

Introduction Several different factor models have been proposed for the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS), an 80-item self-report measure designed to assess thinking styles believed to maintain a criminal lifestyle. Aims To perform further tests on the factor structure with two new samples, and exploit their divergent characteristics to test for generalizability of the result. Method A series of factor analyses were performed on the PICTS, completed by two groups of offenders: 519 male prisoners and 227 female prisoners, to determine whether a one-factor, two-factor, four-factor or eight-factor model best fitted the data. Results The two-factor model was superior to the one-factor model, and the four- factor model was superior to both. An eight-factor model, the factors being identical to the original eight PICTS thinking style scales (Mollification, Cutoff, Entitlement, Power Orientation, Sentimentality, Superoptimism, Cognitive Indolence, Discontinuity), achieved a significantly better fit than any of the other models in the male sample; the four and eight factor models were not significantly different among the women. Discussion Modest to moderate fit was attained with the two-, four- and eight-factor models when the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was utilized but not when the goodness-of-fit index (GFI) was applied. It is concluded that the factor structure of the PICTS consists of two primary or major factors (problem avoidance, self-assertion/deception) and two secondary or minor factors (interpersonal hostility, denial of harm). The four-factor model seems likely to be generalizable across divergent offender samples. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Congruences for Frobenius Partitions

Abstract The partition functionp(n) has several celebrated congruence properties which reflect the action of the Hecke operators on certain holomorphic modular forms. In this article similar congruences are proved forc3(n), the number of generalized Frobenius partitions ofnwith 3 colors. We prove[formula]exept whenn=3TmandTm=m(m+1)/2 is themth triangular number, and[formula]Congruences (2) and (3) are analogous to Euler's pentagonal number theorem. These congruences are proved by constructing holomorphic modular forms which inherit related congruence properties which are verified computationally via Sturm's criterion.
Trigeminal neuralgia--a new treatment concept.

Abstract A concept for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia is presented. On the basis of distinctive pain patterns, localized areas of pathosis within the jawbones are detected and obliterated. To date, we have treated eight patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. All patients have experienced total or near total abatement of pain.
Mechanical properties of blends of nylon 6 with a chemically modified polyolefin

Both tensile and impact properties were measured of a heterogeneous polymer blend system, consisting of nylon 6 and a chemically modified polyolefin, DuPont CXA3095, which is an ethylene-based multifunctional polymer. It was found, from the tensile testing, that the blends exhibited no signs of necking, and the addition of a soft resin (CXA3095) reduced the modulus and the tensile strength of nylon 6, whereas the percent elongation at break went through a minimum. When 20 wt % of CXA3095 was added to nylon 6, the impact strength was increased approximately three times. When the factors describing the interfacial adhesion were incorporated, the existing models for predicting the tensile modulus of blends were found to describe the experimental data rather well. In order to help explain the mechanical behavior observed, photomicrographs were taken of the fracture surfaces, using a scanning electron microscope.
A single dominant gene determines susceptibility to a leukaemogenic recombinant retrovirus

The production of recombinant retroviruses is an important episode in the natural history of thymic leukaemia in AKR and HRS/J (hr/hr) mice1,2. These viruses apparently originate from ecotropic and xenotropic precursors in the late preleukaemic stage of the disease. Analyses of their structural proteins3,4 and genomic oligonucleotides3,5 indicate that they arise by recombination of env genes of the precursor viruses. This event leads to a viral envelope glycoprotein (gp70) with some peptides that have features of the gp70 glycoproteins of ecotropic and xenotropic viruses, and others that are unique for each recombinant virus3,4,6. The former property explains the broad host range of recombinant viruses, and hence their designation as dual tropic1 or polytropic2 viruses. It has been postulated that the unique aspect of each recombinant's gp70 determines the phenotypes of leukaemic cells7. Polytropic viruses may be highly thymotropic. Their systemic administration results in an infection that confines itself virtually to the thymus3,8. Moreover, these viruses are leukaemogenic whereas their precursors are not, or only weakly so3,8,9. The leukaemogenicity of polytropic viruses is, however, restricted to certain inbred strains of mice3,8. The HRS/J isolate PTV-1 is leukaemogenic in HRS/J and CBA/J mice, but not in SWR/J or NIH/Swiss mice3. The experiments described here demonstrate that a single dominant gene permits infection of thymocytes by a leukaemogenic polytropic virus. CBA/J mice, which develop thymic leukaemia after infection by this virus, posesses this gene, whereas leukaemia-resistant NFS mice lack it.
Library materials budget justifications

No matter how the current crisis in materials costs is resolved, libraries will continue to need ways of making effective arguments for budget increases. This article presents the issues to be considered in formulating a library budget request and the most effective manner of presenting the information.
Contributions to the theory of organic form: The intestinal tract

By making some assumptions concerning the symmetry of certain “classes” of vertebrates and other assumptions concerning the mode of absorption of food by the small intestine, an equation is developed which gives a relation between the length of the small intestine and the total mass of an animal. The equation contains parameters which depend upon the category of vertebrates (carnivorous, omnivorous, etc.) with which the animal is to be associated. The paper also contains a brief discussion of the parameters of the equation and some of the implications which stem from assumptions about their relative magnitudes. In particular, it is noted that the constant of proportionality in the equation which relates intestine length to a power of the body mass is found to be inversely proportional to the square of the “energy content” of the food which makes up the animal's diet. Some suggestions are offered which may lead to an experimental evaluation of the parameters.
Slow Reductive Elimination from Arylpalladium Parent Amido Complexes

We report reductive eliminations of primary arylamines from a series of bisphosphine-ligated arylpalladium(II) parent amido complexes that counter several established trends. In contrast to arylamido and alkylamido complexes of the aromatic bisphosphines DPPF and BINAP, parent amido complexes of these ligands do not form or undergo reductive elimination of monoarylamines. However, arylpalladium parent amido complexes ligated by the alkylbisphosphine CyPF-t-Bu do form in good yield and undergo reductive elimination. Despite the basicity of the parent amido ligand and the typically faster reductive elimination from complexes containing more basic amido ligands, the CyPF-t-Bu-ligated arylpalladium parent amido complexes undergo reductive elimination much more slowly than the analogous complexes containing arylamido or alkylamido ligands. Moreover, the parent amido complexes form more rapidly and are more stable thermodynamically in a series of exchange processes than the arylamido complexes. Computational studies support the overriding influence of steric effects on the stability and reactivity of the parent amido complex. The slow rate of reductive elimination causes the arylpalladium amido complex to be the resting state of the coupling of aryl halides with ammonia catalyzed by CyPF-t-Bu-ligated palladium, and this resting state contrasts the Pd(0) or arylpalladium(II) resting states of reactions of aryl halides with amines catalyzed by most palladium complexes.
Clock gene expression in the rat retina: effects of lighting conditions and photoreceptor degeneration.

Abstract Previous studies have shown that, in the Royal College of Surgeon rat, circadian rhythms in the retinal dopaminergic and melatonergic systems are still present after the photoreceptors have degenerated, thus demonstrating that circadian rhythmicity in the mammalian retina can be generated independently from the photoreceptors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pattern of expression of the clock genes in the retina of the Royal College of Surgeons rat under different lighting conditions. Expression of clock genes was investigated in the retina of normal and dystrophic Royal College of Surgeons rats under 12 h of light/12 h of dark (LD), constant darkness (DD) and constant light (LL) using Real Time Quantitative RT-PCR. Our data indicate that, in control animals, Period1 , Period2 , Cryptochrome1 , Cryptochrome2 , Clock , Rora , Rev-Erbα and Npas2 mRNA levels showed a significant variation over the sampling period in LD cycles and in DD, whereas Bmal1 mRNA did not show any significant variation. In LL, the transcripts for Per1 , Per2 , Clock and Rev-Erbα showed significant temporal variations. In the dystrophic retina, only Per1 and Per2 mRNA levels showed a temporal variation over the 20-h period. Our work indicates that degeneration of the photoreceptor cells dramatically affected the expression levels and patterns of many clock genes. Finally, the present study suggests that investigating the expression pattern of clock genes using the whole retina or animals with photoreceptor degeneration may not provide any definitive answers about the working of the retinal circadian clock system.
Multivariable model-based shape control for the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX)

Abstract Plasma current, position and shape control is a challenging problem due to the strong coupling between the different parameters describing the shape of the plasma. By leveraging the availability of rtEFIT, this paper proposes a robust model-based multi-input–multi-output (MIMO) controller to provide real-time shaping, position stabilization and current regulation in NSTX. The proposed controller is composed of three loops: the first loop is devoted to plasma current regulation, the second loop is dedicated to plasma radial and vertical position stabilization, and the third loop is used to control the plasma shape. This control approach transforms the shape control problem into an output tracking problem. The goal is the minimization of a quadratic cost function that describes the tracking error in steady state. A singular value decomposition (SVD) of the nominal plasma model is carried out to decouple and identify the most relevant control channels. The H ∞ technique is used to minimize the tracking errors and optimize input efforts. Computer simulation results illustrate the performance of the robust model-based shape controller, showing potential for improving the performance of present non-model-based controllers.
Relative Cl 2p:P 2s photoionization intensities in transition metal complexes

Abstract X-ray photoelectron spectra of the Cl 2p 1 2 , 3 2 , P 2s region were obtained for nine transition metal complexes. The Cl:P atom ratios ranged from 1:3 to 3:2 and exhibited a linear relationship with the Cl 2p 1 2 , 3 2 : P 2s intensities. Using AlKα radiation, the ratio of the Cl 2p: P 2s photoionization intensities was found to be 2.5: 1.0 with the McPherson ESCA-36 Photoelectron Spectrometer operated in its standard configuration.
On the contributions of Paracelsus to nephrology

One of the most intriguing figures in the history of Renaissance medicine is Paracelsus. He lived through a transitional period of science when Europe, having sloughed most of its medieval sheath and nearly through the first half of Renaissance scholarship, characterized by revival of early classicism, was just beginning to formulate the rudiments of its modern form. Parallel to the changes then occurring in religion with its Reformation, and in the arts with its free Baroque style, science, in general, and medicine, in particular, also were embarking on something new and completely different. This was a decisive turning away from the doctrines of the ancients to the more direct investigative approach that was to define medicine by the end of the sixteenth century. It was a century of great reformers (Luther, Vesalius, Pare, Michelangelo, Erasmus, Copernicus) amongst whom Paracelsus pursued a meteoric rise and came to occupy a distinctive, albeit challenged, position.
Vascular classification for small intestinal duplications: Experience with 80 cases

Abstract The records of 80 patients with small intestinal duplication who presented to the department of pediatric surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital during a 25-year period were reviewed. According to the pattern in relation of the vascular supplies to the duplication and involved bowel, the duplications were classified into two types: parallel type (type I) and intramesenteric type (type II). In type I, the duplication was on the border of one leaf of mesentery and the straight artery to the duplication separated from the straight artery to the bowel. In type II, the duplication located in between the both leaves of the mesentery and the straight arteries passed over the both surfaces of the duplication to reach the bowel. It was found that of 83 duplications in 80 patients, 62 cases (75.4%) belonged to type I, and 21 (24.6%) belonged to type II. Surprisingly, 91.6% patients with type II associated with thorasic vertebral defects, whereas only 5.8% in type II had such defects. Results of this study suggest that the duplication of small intestines have relatively independent vascular supplies and could be resected without the adjacent bowel.