cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some unusual elastomers and experiments on rubberlike elasticity

Abstract The most common elasticity experiment for many decades involved mechanically blending a reinforcing filler such as carbon black into natural rubber, cross-linking the elastomer with sulfur, and then characterizing its network structure by stress–strain measurements in simple extension, or by extents of equilibrium swelling. The present review describes interesting and important elaborations of this simple picture. It mentions some unusual features with regard to polymers exhibiting rubberlike elasticity, network structures, types of deformations, fillers and characterization techniques. The goals are to provide an update on recent directions in this area of polymer science, and to encourage more research on some aspects that have been less well explored.
Membrane transport properties of bovine articular cartilage

Abstract The thermodynamic parameters which define transport of nonelectrolytes through bovine articular cartilage membranes were evaluated. H 3 HO, glucose and sucrose were used as permeants. These solutes permeate more readily through the upper layers (near the articular surface) than through the denser deeper layers approaching bone. Cartilage is similar in many respects to a swollen cellulose gel. Viscous-flow contributes importantly to transprot within cartilage thus greatly enhancing the movement of nutrients.
Cost and unit-sizing analysis of a hybrid SOFC/microturbine generation system for residential applications

Although capital cost trends for fuel cell and microturbine technologies continue toward better affordability, the combination of systems may yield accelerated market viability. To this end, a cost and unit-sizing analysis is conducted using a solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and microturbine (MT) hybrid system to supply electricity to a residential community of 500 representative homes in the Pacific Northwest. The hybrid SOFC/MT system explored supplies 1.0 MW of nameplate electrical power by employing a cascaded configuration that internally reforms natural gas as fuel, preheats fuel streams, and recycles exhaust products to increase overall system efficiency. A system cost and a cost of electricity (COE) analysis are performed for a series of system combinations. The results from this analysis show that while SOFC and MT technologies still have major cost hurdles to surmount, their hybrid combination may be more viable in select distributed generation applications.
Anxiety in Acutely Bereaved Prepubertal Children

Anxiety symptoms present immediately following parental death and approximately 8 weeks following the death were evaluated in 38 prepubertal children. Comparison groups included 38 hospitalized depressed children and 19 normal children. Bereaved children and parents were administered the Grief Interview and all were administered standard diagnostic interviews (DICA-C/P). While no bereaved children met DSM-III-R criteria for any anxiety disorder, anxiety regarding other family members dying was reported in 55% of bereaved children immediately after death and in 63% approximately 8 weeks later. When DSM-III-R anxiety symptoms were assessed, bereaved children did not report significantly more anxiety symptoms in the approximate 8-week interval post-parental death than normal comparison children, and had significantly fewer anxiety symptoms than depressed children (p < 0.0001). Bereaved children who had the most anxiety symptoms were also likely to have a depressive disorder (p < 0.002). Age and sex of child, sex of surviving parent, anticipation of death, and family history of anxiety or depressive disorders were not significantly associated with increased anxiety.
The relationship between corpora allata and reproductive organs in adult Leucophaea maderae (Orthoptera).

THE INFLUENCE of the corpora allata on the activity of the reproductive organs has been studied in several insect species. Most authors agree that the corpora allata are necessary for the normal function of the ovary, but not of the testis (Wigglesworth, 1936; Thomsen, 1940, 1942; Vogt, 1940, 1942; Day, 1943; but see Bounhiol, 1939). Among the Orthoptera only two species have been studied so far. In Melanoplus differentialis Pfeiffer (1939, 1945) demonstrated that removal of the corpora allata prevents the development of the ova and the secretory activity of the oviduct. On the other hand, according to Pflugfelder (1937, 1939) egg maturation proceeds in allatectomized females of Dixippus morosus, unless the corpora allata are removed during an early nymphal stage. Because of this discrepancy the problem of the relationship between corpora allata and reproductive organs has been studied in another Orthopteran, Leucophaea maderae.
Discourse Comprehension in Huntington’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

This study compared the discourse comprehension abilities of patients with Huntington’s disease (HD) or Parkinson’s disease (PD) to those of age-matched control participants with no brain damage. R...
Evidence for Nonpolar Alignment of [NbOF5]2- Anions in Cd(pyridine)4NbOF5 Chains

A new phase of Cd(py)4NbOF5 (py = pyridine) (A) is a rare example of a mixed metal oxide fluoride in an ordered linear chain structure. This phase is of particular interest because it is a polymorph of a previously reported Cd(py)4NbOF5 phase (B) that crystallizes in disordered linear chains. The ordered polymorph A contains two distinct Cd2+ sites: one which is coordinated to the oxide ligands from two [NbOF5]2- units, and another that is coordinated to two trans fluoride ligands. As a result, the structure of polymorph A features nonpolar linear chains with locally ordered [NbOF5]2- anions. This ordering is explained in terms of the inherent electronic differences between oxide and fluoride ligands. The stabilization provided by π-stacking interactions between pyridine ligands on neighboring chains, as well as the effects of reactant stoichiometry on the general structure of the products in the CdO·1/2Nb2O5/(HF)x·py/H2O system, is also discussed. Crystal data for the ordered Cd(py)4NbOF5 polymorph: mo...
Services culture: A matrix to measure diversity

Services culture differs from goods manufacturing in that customer and employee subcultures are more relevant inputs. The cultural model appears to be structurationist and bottoms-up rather than monolithic and corporate. Analogies with international business suggest adaptation of the Farmer-Richman matrix as a “culture scale” for services. The paper discusses organizational culture, services “differentness,” and the matrix. A hypothetical example drawn from the Citibank case illustrates application of the matrix to a services firm.
A computerized postcoital test sperm motility: comparison with clinical postcoital test and correlations with sperm antibodies.

Sixty-five infertile women had a conventional postcoital test (PCT), a computerized postcoital test (cPCT), and sperm antibody testing. Twenty-four women had good cervical mucus and good PCT sperm motility (group 1), 23 had poor cervical mucus and poor PCT sperm motility (group 2), and 18 had good cervical mucus but poor PCT sperm motility (group 3). The percentage of motile sperm, mean linearity, and the motility index of sperm by cPCT also were decreased in groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.001) in contrast to group 1. A reduced PCT sperm count was significantly associated with positive titers of antibodies to autologous sperm in the husbands' serum, whereas a reduced PCT motility correlated with high titers of cytotoxic antibodies to husbands' sperm in the wives' serum and cervical mucus. An increased percentage of vibratory sperm at PCT correlated with elevated titers of cytotoxic antibodies to husbands' sperm in the wives' serum and cervical mucus, and hemagglutinating (r — 0.44; p < 0.001) and immunofluorescent...
Estimates, renormalized currents, and field equations for the Yukawa2 field theory☆

Abstract We obtain mathematically rigorous field equations for the Yukawa quantum field theory in two-dimensional space-time. The renormalized boson current j = −λ: ψ ψ: + δm 2 ϕ and the fermion current J = λψϕ are defined as bilinear forms continuous in space and time. As bilinear forms the boson field is shown to be twice continuously differentiable and the fermion field once continuously differentiable. The identities (□ + m 2 ) ϕ = j and [γ 0 ( ∂ ∂t ) + γ 1 ( ∂ ∂x ) + M]ψ = J are shown to hold. As distributions the terms in these equations define operators independent of all cutoffs. The results depend on detailed estimates of the renormalization cancellations in the theory. These estimates have other applications, one of which is a proof of the quadratic estimate dominating the fractional energy operator by the Hamiltonian.
Cumulative violence exposure, emotional nonacceptance, and mental health symptoms in a community sample of women.

Women exposed to more types of violence (e.g., emotional, physical, or sexual violence)--referred to here as cumulative violence exposure--are at risk for more severe mental health symptoms compared to women who are exposed to a single type of violence or no violence. Women exposed to violence may also experience greater emotional nonacceptance compared to women with no exposure to violence. Emotional nonacceptance refers to an unwillingness to experience emotional states, including cognitive and behavioral attempts to avoid experiences of emotion. Given the links between cumulative violence exposure, emotional nonacceptance, and mental health symptoms among female victims of violence, the current study tested victims' emotional nonacceptance as a partial mediator between cumulative violence exposure and the severity of 3 types of symptoms central to complex trauma responses: depression, dissociation, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. A non-treatment-seeking community sample of women (N = 89; M age = 30.70 years) completed self-report questionnaires and interviews. Bootstrap procedures were then used to test 3 mediation models for the separate predictions of depression, dissociation, and PTSD symptoms. Results supported our hypotheses that emotional nonacceptance would mediate the relationship between women's cumulative violence exposure and severity for all symptom types. The current findings highlight the role that emotional nonacceptance may play in the development of mental health symptoms for chronically victimized women and point to the need for longitudinal research in such populations.
Voices in the dark: predation risk by owls influences dusk singing in a diurnal passerine

Predation is an important cost of communication in animals and thus a potent selection pressure on the evolution of signaling behavior. Heterospecific eavesdropping by predators may increase the vulnerability of vocalizing prey, particularly during low light, such as at dusk when nocturnal predators are actively hunting. Despite the risk it entails, dawn and dusk chorusing is common in passerines. However, the dusk chorus has not been studied much, neglecting the opportunity for understanding how eavesdropping between predators and prey may shape communication in birds. Here, we report the first demonstration of simulated predation risk (playback of owl vocalizations) altering the dusk chorus of a diurnal passerine, the veery (Catharus fuscescens). Veeries have a pronounced dusk chorus, singing well after sunset and potentially exposing themselves to predation by owls. In response to brief playbacks of owl calls (~30 s of calls presented three times over 25 min), veeries sang fewer songs post-sunset and stopped singing earlier relative to control trials. These changes in singing remained evident 30 min after the last owl stimulus. Although the avian dusk chorus has received relatively little attention to date, our results suggest that the dusk chorus may pose a higher predation risk to singing males that may influence the evolution of singing behavior in diurnal birds.
Dividing the posterior communicating artery in approaches to the interpeduncular fossa: technical aspects and safety.

OBJECTIVE: Cutting the posterior communicating artery (PComA) can improve the neurosurgeon's view and maneuverability while performing surgery within the interpeduncular fossa. Although mentioned in some reports, its technique and safety have not been studied in detail thus far. METHODS: Patients undergoing surgery for vascular and neoplastic lesions in the interpeduncular fossa in which the PComA was cut were retrospectively analyzed regarding the location where the PComA was divided, the size of the PComA in relation to the posterior cerebral artery, and the vascular risk factors. Clinical and radiological outcomes and the related complications were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The PComA was divided in 25 patients, and was operated on for vascular (in 23 patients) and neoplastic (in 2 patients) lesions. The PComA was divided at a perforator-free-zone. This zone was most commonly located at the junction of the PComA and the posterior cerebral artery (88% of patients). One patient had delayed postoperative bleeding from the divided PComA stump. There were no ischemic complications either in the territory of the PComA perforator or in the posterior cerebral artery. CONCLUSION: This is the largest reported experience with dividing the PComA. It shows that this surgical step is safe and that it constitutes an important option to help improve the exposure, maneuverability, and safety of surgery in the region of the interpeduncular fossa.
Effects of oral THC maintenance on smoked marijuana self-administration.

Studies have shown that the Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) concentration in marijuana cigarettes is an important factor for the maintenance of marijuana self-administration. Yet, the impact of oral Delta(9)-THC treatment on marijuana self-administration is unknown. Because other agonist therapies have been demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of substance use disorders, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of oral Delta(9)-THC maintenance on choice to self-administer smoked marijuana. During this 18-day residential study, 12 healthy research volunteers received one of three doses of oral Delta(9)-THC capsules (0, 10, 20 mg q.i.d.) for 3 consecutive days, followed by 3 consecutive days of matching placebo. The order of active Delta(9)-THC administration was counterbalanced. Each morning, except on days 6, 12, and 18, participants smoked the 'sample' marijuana cigarette (1.8% Delta(9)-THC w/w) and received a $2 voucher (redeemable for cash at study's end). Following the sample, volunteers participated in a four-trial choice procedure during which they had the opportunity to self-administer either the dose of marijuana they sampled that morning or to receive the $2 voucher. Relative to placebo Delta(9)-THC maintenance, participants' choice to self-administer marijuana was not significantly altered by either of the two active Delta(9)-THC maintenance conditions. Some 'positive' subjective drug-effect ratings following the sample marijuana cigarette were reduced: by day 3 of active oral Delta(9)-THC maintenance, participants' rating of 'Good Drug Effect' and 'High' were significantly decreased. Smoked marijuana-related total daily caloric intake was not significantly altered under any maintenance conditions. Finally, the effects of smoked marijuana on psychomotor task performance were only minimally affected by oral Delta(9)-THC maintenance. These data indicate that participants' choice to self-administer marijuana was unaltered by the oral Delta(9)-THC dosing regimen used in the present investigation.
Critical Conditions: Postmodernity and the Question of Foundations

The postmodern debate has been heavily influenced by often contradictory conclusions about the foundations of knowledge: hermeneutics challenges epistemology, politics challenges science, identity theory challenges critical theory, pragmatism challenges formalism, and so on. Horace Fairlamb contends that philosophy's foundationist quest has usually been misconceived as a choice between a 'super-science' and theoretical anarchy. Through an examination of the history of foundationism, and detailed analysis of the work of leading theorists including Fish, Foucault, Derrida, Gadamer and Habermas, Dr Fairlamb argues for a less reductive and less arbitrary conception of knowledge and meaning. The result in this 1994 book is a sophisticated critique of contemporary theory with implications for philosophers as well as literary theorists, and an important contribution to the re-evaluation of theoretical discourse.
The first hour experience: how the initial play can engage (or lose) new players

The first time a player sits down with a game is critical for their engagement. Games are a voluntary activity and easy to abandon. If the game cannot hold player attention, it will not matter how much fun the game is later on if the player quits early. Worse, if the initial experience was odious enough, the player will dissuade others from playing. Industry advice is to make the game fun from the start to hook the player. In our analysis of over 200 game reviews and interviews with industry professionals, we advance an alternative, complementary solution. New design terminology is introduced such as "holdouts" (what keeps players playing despite poor game design) and the contrast between momentary fun vs. intriguing experiences. Instead of prioritizing fun, we assert that intrigue and information should be seen as equally valuable for helping players determine if they want to continue playing. The first sustained play session (coined "first hour"), when inspected closely, offers lessons for game development and our understanding of how players evaluate games as consumable products.
Lesions of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway alter preprosomatostatin messenger rna levels in the striatum, the entopeduncular nucleus and the lateral hypothalamus of the rat

The distribution and level of labeling for the messenger RNA encoding preprosomatostatin was studied in the striatum and entopeduncular nucleus of rats with and without a selective destruction of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway. 6-Hydroxydopamine was injected unilaterally in the substantia nigra and the animals were killed 2 or 3 weeks after the lesion. Preprosomatostatin messenger RNA was visualized with a 35S-labeled RNA or DNA probe in frontal cryostat-cut sections by in situ hybridization histochemistry. The number of labeled cells as well as the intensity of labeling overlying each cell were measured on radioautograms developed before saturation of the emulsion. In rats with a 6-hydroxydopamine lesion, the number of labeled cells and the intensity of labeling over each cell were decreased in the striatum ipsilateral to the lesion compared to the contralateral side and to both striata of control rats. In the same sections, the number of cells in the cerebral cortex was lower in the ipsilateral side of the lesion but the difference was only significant in the frontoparietal cortex. In contrast, a massive increase (+300%) in the number of labeled cells and in the intensity of labeling per cell was observed in the entopeduncular nucleus and the adjacent lateral hypothalamus on the side ipsilateral to the lesion when compared to the contralateral side and to control rats. The results suggest that dopamine exerts opposite effects on somatostatin gene expression in neurons of the striatum and the entopeduncular nucleus/lateral hypothalamus, effects which are likely to be of importance for the control of basal ganglia output activity. In addition, the dramatic changes observed in the somatostatinergic neurons of the lateral hypothalamus, an area involved in the control of food and water intake, may be related to some aspects of the symptomatology of Parkinson's disease.
Origin of Maxillopoda

The Maxillopoda Dahl (1956) was defined primarily by a 5–6–5 body plan; that is, a head supporting five pairs and a thorax six pairs of appendages, and an abdomen of five segments, the first of which may bear a pair of genital limbs and the last of which, the telson, bears caudal rami. Representatives as diverse as ostracods, cirripeds, orstenocarids and skaracarids appear in the Cambrian, so we are dealing with a radiation that in the most part took place over 500 million years ago. A progenetic origin of the maxillopodans, from an ur-malacostracan stock, has been proposed (Newman, W. A. 1983. Crustacean phylogeny—Crustacean Issues, Vol. 1, pp. 105–119). However, new information, including the recently discovered Cambrian forms Skaracarida and Orstenocarida, the structure of spermatozoa, and preliminary results from the sequencing of ribosomal RNA, suggests that the Maxillopoda are more deeply rooted in the crustaceans than previously supposed, likely closer to the ur-crustacean than to the ur-malacostracan.
Abatement of cockroach allergen (Bla g 1) in low-income, urban housing: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Background: Clinically relevant reductions in exposure to cockroach allergen, an important risk factor for asthma in inner-city households, have proven difficult to achieve in intervention trials. Objective: This study investigated a method for the abatement of cockroach allergen in low-income, urban homes. The goal was to reduce mean Bla g 1 concentrations below the previously proposed thresholds for allergic sensitization and asthma morbidity. Methods: A prerandomized, nonmasked trial with 16 intervention and 15 control homes was conducted. Study inclusion was based on 50 to 500 cockroaches trapped in a 3-day period. The interventions consisted of occupant education, placement of insecticide bait, and professional cleaning. Vacuumed dust and multiple swab samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 months in intervention homes and at 0 and 6 months in control homes. Room maps containing cockroach and allergen data were used to guide and monitor the interventions. Results: From 0 to 6 months among intervention homes, geometric mean Bla g 1 concentrations (U/g dust) decreased from 633 to 24 on kitchen floors (96% reduction), from 25 to 4.3 on living room floors/sofas (83% reduction), from 46 to 7.3 on bedroom floors (84% reduction), and from 6.1 to 1.0 in bedroom beds (84% reduction). These reductions, with the exception of that on the bedroom floor ( P = .06), were statistically significant relative to changes in control homes. Conclusions: Substantial reductions in cockroach allergen levels can be achieved in inner-city homes. In this study, allergen levels were reduced below the sensitization threshold (2 U/g) in beds, arguably the most relevant site for exposure, and below the asthma morbidity threshold (8 U/g) on bedroom floors and living room floors/sofas. The level on kitchen floors, although reduced 96%, remained above the asthma morbidity threshold. Future studies will test the intervention's effectiveness in asthma prevention trials. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;112:339-45.)
Insect allelochemic effects of sesquiterpene lactones from Melampodium

The crude syrups of Melampodium americanum L. and Melampodium leucanthum Torr. and Gray and their principal sesquiterpene lactones, melampodin A and melampodinin A, significantly inhibit growth and deter feeding of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Melampodin A and melampodinin A caused 2.3 × and 5.5 × greater S. frugiperda larval mortality, respectively, than glaucolide A, a sesquiterpene lactone with previously demonstrated insect allelochemic effects.
Photodegradation of rigid PVC formulations. III. Wavelength sensitivity of the photo‐yellowing reaction in processed PVC formulations

Etude de formulations moulees par extrusion soumises a des rayonnements monochromatiques de 280, 300, 320, 340, 400 et 500 nm a des intensites et pendant des durees variables. Les resultats donnent des indices de jaunissement par photon recu par unite de surface
Transcriptomic profiling of bovine IVF embryos revealed candidate genes and pathways involved in early embryonic development

Early embryonic loss is a large contributor to infertility in cattle. Although genetic factors are known to affect early embryonic development, the discovery of such factors has been a serious challenge. The objective of this study was to identify genes differentially expressed between blastocysts and degenerative embryos at early stages of development. Using microarrays, genome-wide RNA expression was profiled and compared for in vitro fertilization (IVF) - derived blastocysts and embryos undergoing degenerative development up to the same time point. Surprisingly similar transcriptomic profiles were found in degenerative embryos and blastocysts. Nonetheless, we identified 67 transcripts that significantly differed between these two groups of embryos at a 15% false discovery rate, including 33 transcripts showing at least a two-fold difference. Several signaling and metabolic pathways were found to be associated with the developmental status of embryos, among which were previously known important steroid biosynthesis and cell communication pathways in early embryonic development. This study presents the first direct and comprehensive comparison of transcriptomes between IVF blastocysts and degenerative embryos, providing important information for potential genes and pathways associated with early embryonic development.
Computer simulation of the role of groundwater seepage in forming Martian valley networks

[1] The role of groundwater in forming Martian valley networks is simulated in a computer model as seepage erosion by contributing to surface runoff and as seepage weathering by causing accelerated weathering of bedrock, which makes its subsequent erosion and removal easier. Simulation results show that seepage erosion cannot mobilize large grain size sediment and is marginally effective at generating integrated valley networks with realistic rates of aquifer recharge. On the other hand, seepage weathering may play a major role in forming Martian valley networks. Seepage weathering combined with fluvial runoff creates stubby deep canyons with abrupt headwalls that are similar in morphology to terrestrial and Martian valley systems attributed to erosion by groundwater. Depending on the relative contribution of groundwater weathering to surface runoff erosion, a continuum of valley network morphology can be generated. Eolian modification masks the original differences in fluvial landforms, making different scenarios visually more similar. Martian valley networks may have developed through a range of combinations of runoff erosion and seepage weathering, which can complicate the interpretation of the processes based on final landform morphology. Unequivocal identification of seepage involvement of valley incision on Mars may not be possible without knowledge of subsurface properties (hydraulic conductivity, layering, degree of cementation, etc.) and the grain sizes of sediment transported through the valley systems.
Allosteric Binding of Nucleoside Triphosphates to RNA Polymerase Regulates Transcription Elongation

The regulation of transcription elongation and termination appears to be governed by the ability of RNA polymerase elongation complexes to adopt multiple conformational states; however, the factors controlling the distribution between these states remain elusive. We used transient-state kinetics to investigate the incorporation of single nucleotides. We demonstrate that E. coli RNA polymerase contains an allosteric binding site in addition to the catalytic site. Binding of the templated nucleoside triphosphate (NTP), but not nontemplated NTPs, to this site increases the rate of nucleotide incorporation. The data suggest that RNA polymerase can exist in a state that catalyzes synthesis slowly (unactivated) and one that catalyzes synthesis rapidly (activated), with the transition from the slow to the fast state being induced by binding of the templated NTP to the allosteric site.
Immunity, inflammation and infection in post-partum breast and formula feeders.

Problem Little is known about immunological recovery in post-partum women and if lactational status affects immunocompetence. Many physiological changes occur, such as uterine involution and recovery of non-pregnant immune status. These changes may also affect susceptibility to disease. Method The study compared immune and inflammatory activation markers (serum cytokines, Epstein Barr viral antibody titer, neopterin, c-reactive protein (CRP), lymphocyte subset percentages, ex vivo cytokine production, lymphocyte proliferation, salivary Immunoglubulin A (sIgA) in exclusively breastfeeding (EB) and exclusively formula feeding (EF) women at 4–6 weeks post-partum, and control (C) women. Results EBs had higher ratios of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)/interleukin-10 (IL-10) than EFs, and post-partums were higher than Cs. Both IFN-γ and IL-10 were significantly higher in post-partums compared to controls. Post-partums also had higher proinflammatory cytokines, CRP and neopterin, salivary IgA and fewer infection symptoms. There were also differences in lymphocyte subsets. Conclusions The post-partum period is oriented towards heightened and activated innate and specific immune defenses, with breastfeeding providing a boost in these phenomena.
A 13.2 mW 1.9 GHz interpolative BAW-based VCO for miniaturized RF frequency synthesis

This paper presents a continuous frequency tuned Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) resonator based oscillator without varactors. The frequency of oscillation is derived by interpolating between the resonant frequencies of two different resonators. Changing the interpolation factors allows a continuous tuning of the oscillation frequency between these two resonant frequencies. A proof of concept circuit was implemented in 0.4 µm CMOS and achieved a measured tuning range of more than 3 MHz with a phase noise between −134 and −109.5 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset while running at 3.3 V and consuming 4 mA of current. Additionally, an extended version of this circuit utilizing a bank of resonators to enhance the tuning range while keeping the power constant is introduced.
Carboplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and a poor performance status.

Summary Background Poor performance status patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have frequently been excluded from clinical trials due to the perception that they would have excessive treatment-related toxicity and a limited life expectancy. Methods A retrospective review of two multicenter trials centered at the University of North Carolina of patients who were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC was conducted. Patients were divided into two subgroups based on Karnofsky performance status (KPS). Patients with a KPS = 70 were considered to have poor performance status, while patients with a KPS ≥80 were considered to have good performance status. Results Of the 387 patients, 19% ( n = 73) had a poor performance status. The response rate (complete and partial responses) was similar between the two sub-groups (26% versus 28%); however, there was a difference in survival ( p = 0.0004, log-rank test) between the groups. The median survival and 1-year survival rate for the poor performance status patients was 4.9 months and 21%, while the good performance status patients had a median survival of 8.4 months and a 1-year survival rate of 31%. The rate of National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) toxicities was similar between the two groups ( p = 0.33). The percentage of patients receiving p = 0.012). Conclusions Patients with poor performance status treated with platinum based chemotherapy have a similar rate of toxicity compared to good performance status patients. Their overall survival was lower despite a similar response to chemotherapy.
Rethinking History and Anthropology in the City

The new urban history facilitated dialogue about objects, methods and interpretations that subsequently have shaped urban anthropology in important ways. Starting from personal reflections on those convergences, especially reference to European studies, the article also explores two other dialogues triangulation of theory and practice. It first suggests how urban anthropology has been informed by other intersections with studies of space and place and mass media (underscoring differences with regard to history). It also raises questions about ongoing distinctions between anthropological approaches historical understandings of the city and their implications for the future of fields. [Europe, history, space, mass media, anthropological theory]
An object recognition system using stochastic knowledge source and VLSI parallel architecture

The authors present a system for 2D shape recognition using hidden Markov model (HMM) knowledge sources. The shape is represented by a sequence of curvature values. A ring hidden Markov model (RHMM), which incorporates a ring structure and local connectivity, is proposed. The approach solves both the context sensitivity problem and the pattern instantiation problem. Simulation results on aircraft indicate that the proposed system can achieve almost 100% recognition accuracy at a very fast learning speed. It is shown that the RHMM system can be efficiently implemented in a systolic array, permitting real-time processing. >
BareBox: efficient malware analysis on bare-metal

Present-day malware analysis techniques use both virtualized and emulated environments to analyze malware. The reason is that such environments provide isolation and system restoring capabilities, which facilitate automated analysis of malware samples. However, there exists a class of malware, called VM-aware malware, which is capable of detecting such environments and then hide its malicious behavior to foil the analysis. Because of the artifacts introduced by virtualization or emulation layers, it has always been and will always be possible for malware to detect virtual environments. The definitive way to observe the actual behavior of VM-aware malware is to execute them in a system running on real hardware, which is called a "bare-metal" system. However, after each analysis, the system must be restored back to the previous clean state. This is because running a malware program can leave the system in an instable/insecure state and/or interfere with the results of a subsequent analysis run. Most of the available state-of-the-art system restore solutions are based on disk restoring and require a system reboot. This results in a significant downtime between each analysis. Because of this limitation, efficient automation of malware analysis in bare-metal systems has been a challenge. This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a malware analysis framework for bare-metal systems that is based on a fast and rebootless system restore technique. Live system restore is accomplished by restoring the entire physical memory of the analysis operating system from another, small operating system that runs outside of the target OS. By using this technique, we were able to perform a rebootless restore of a live Windows system, running on commodity hardware, within four seconds. We also analyzed 42 malware samples from seven different malware families, that are known to be "silent" in a virtualized or emulated environments, and all of them showed their true malicious behavior within our bare-metal analysis environment.
Thin-film acousto-optic interaction in LiNbO3

100% Bragg diffraction of guided optical waves by surface acoustic waves in metal-diffused layers in LiNbO3 substrates has been observed. The predicted efficiency, which compares favourably with experimental measurement, is shown to arise mainly from the electro-optic contribution of the electric field associated with the yz acoustic surface waves instead of the clasto-optic contribution due to the strain or from the surface ripple components.
13C cell wall enrichment and ionic liquid NMR analysis: progress towards a high-throughput detailed chemical analysis of the whole plant cell wall

The ability to accurately and rapidly measure plant cell wall composition, relative monolignol content and lignin–hemicellulose inter-unit linkage distributions has become essential to efforts centered on reducing the recalcitrance of biomass by genetic engineering. Growing 13C enriched transgenic plants is a viable route to achieve the high-throughput, detailed chemical analysis of whole plant cell wall before and after pretreatment and microbial or enzymatic utilization by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in a perdeuterated ionic liquid solvent system not requiring component isolation. 1D 13C whole cell wall ionic liquid NMR of natural abundant and 13C enriched corn stover stem samples suggest that a high level of uniform labeling (>97%) can significantly reduce the total NMR experiment times up to ∼220 times. Similarly, significant reduction in total NMR experiment time (∼39 times) of the 13C enriched corn stover stem samples for 2D 13C–1H heteronuclear single quantum coherence NMR was found.
M-1/M-2 macrophages and the Th1/Th2 paradigm.

Evidence is provided that macrophages can make M-1 or M-2 responses. The concept of M-1/M-2 fomented from observations that macrophages from prototypical Th1 strains (C57BL/6, B10D2) are more easily activated to produce NO with either IFN-g or LPS than macrophages from Th2 strains (BALB/c, DBA/2). In marked contrast, LPS stimulates Th2, but not Th1, macrophages to increase arginine metabolism to ornithine. Thus, M-1/M-2 does not simply describe activated or unactivated macrophages, but cells expressing distinct metabolic programs. Because NO inhibits cell division, while ornithine can stimulate cell division (via polyamines), these results also indicate that M-1 and M-2 responses can influence inflammatory reactions in opposite ways. Macrophage TGF-b1, which inhibits inducible NO synthase and stimulates arginase, appears to play an important role in regulating the balance between M-1 and M-2. M-1/M-2 phenotypes are independent of T or B lymphocytes because C57BL/6 and BALB/c NUDE or SCID macrophages also exhibit M-1/M-2. Indeed, M-1/M-2 proclivities are magnified in NUDE and SCID mice. Finally, C57BL/6 SCID macrophages cause CB6F1 lymphocytes to increase IFN-g production, while BALB/c SCID macrophages increase TGF-b production. Together, the results indicate that M-1- or M-2-dominant macrophage responses can influence whether Th1/Th2 or other types of inflammatory responses occur. The Journal of Immunology, 2000, 164: 6166 ‐ 6173.
Feasibility of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Measurements in a Near-Sooting C2H2/O2/N2 Flame using HPLC with Fluorescence Detection

Mole fraction profiles for phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, and pyrene have been determined for a premixed, flat C2H2/O2/N2 flame at a pressure of 140 torr and an equivalence ratio of 1.79. Gas samples from within the flame were pulled through a small diameter quartz probe and collected on an XAD-2 resin column. Following column extraction and sample preparation, the samples were analyzed using two high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)/fluorescence detection systems. The measured detection limits ranged from 10−10 to 10−9 mole fraction. One HPLC system employed a standard fluorometric detector which has an excitation wavelength of 254 nm and monitors fluorescence at wavelengths greater than 370 nm. The second detector consists of a N2 laser for excitation at 337.1 nm, an emission monochromator, and a 2-channel sampling oscilloscope to monitor the fluorescence at 416-424 nm. Two fluorescence measurements were taken 10 ns apart after each laser pulse to enable determination of the fluorescence l...
Ketorolac is Underutilized After Ureteral Reimplantation Despite Reduced Hospital Cost and Reduced Length of Stay

Objectives To examine patterns of ketorolac use and its association with hospital outcomes. Although ureteral reimplantation (UR) reliably corrects vesicoureteral reflux, postoperative pain and bladder spasm often occur. Multiple studies show that ketorolac markedly reduces postoperative pain after UR, but there is no information on whether ketorolac is routinely used. Methods The Pediatric Health Information System is a national database collected by over 40 US children's hospitals. We identified children with primary vesicoureteral reflux who underwent UR between 2003 and 2008. Billing data were reviewed to identify patients who received ketorolac during hospitalization. Multivariate models were used to examine ketorolac use and postoperative outcomes including complication rates, length of stay, and hospital costs. Results We identified 12 239 children undergoing UR, 6362 (52%) of whom received ketorolac postoperatively. Factors associated with ketorolac use include older age, female gender, and decreased disease severity (all P P P P = .01) and decreased costs ( P = .002), with no significant differences in complication rates ( P = .4). Conclusions In a contemporary nationwide sample, only half of children undergoing UR received ketorolac. Ketorolac use is independently associated with reduced procedure costs and reduced length of stay after UR, without increased complications. This suggests underutilization of ketorolac after UR.
Lexical Conflict: Theory and Practice

The first practical study of its kind, Lexical Conflict presents a taxonomy of cross-linguistic lexical differences, with thorough discussion of zero equivalence, multiple equivalence and partial equivalence across languages. Illustrated with numerous examples taken from over one hundred world languages, this work is an exhaustive exploration of cross-linguistic and cross-cultural differences, presenting guidelines and solutions for the lexicographic treatment of these differences. The text combines theoretical and applied linguistic perspectives to create an essential guide for students, researchers and practitioners in linguistics, anthropology, cross-cultural psychology, translation, interpretation and international marketing.
Substrate Flux into Biofilms of Any Thickness

A kinetic model is developed for determining substrate flux into biofilms with known thicknesses, even though the thickness may be of nonsteady state. The critical contribution of this model is that mass transport resistance is explicity included in order that the flux becomes a direct function of the bulk substrate concentration. Laboratory-scale, column reactors were utilized to culture steady-state biofilms of known thicknesses. Subsequently, the influent flow rate or substrate concentration was changed to determine the short-term kinetics of substrate utilization of biofilms of known thicknesses. The model successfully predicted the column performance, except for cases in which oxygen depletion caused dual-substrate limitation. Removal of substrate to very low levels was only possible during short-term experiments when the biofilm was in net decay.
Adult Blood Lead Reporting in New York State, 1994-2006

New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Occupational Health, Troy, NYAddress correspondence to: Kitty H. Gelberg, PhD, MPH, New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Occupational Health, 547 River St., Room 230, Troy, NY 12180-2216; tel. 518-402-7900; fax 518-402-7909; e-mail .©2010 Association of Schools of Public Health
Academic clinical research: Death by a thousand clicks

Select strategies can reduce the administrative burden on researchers and improve efficiency without impeding clinical and regulatory goals.
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) round robin benchmark for a pressurized water reactor (PWR) rod bundle

Abstract This study examined the capabilities and limitations of steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) approach for pressurized water reactor (PWR) rod bundle problems, based on the round robin benchmark of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes against the NESTOR experiment for a 5 × 5 rod bundle with typical split-type mixing vane grids (MVGs). The round robin exercise against the high-fidelity, broad-range (covering multi-spans and entire lateral domain) NESTOR experimental data for both the flow field and the rod temperatures enabled us to obtain important insights into CFD prediction and validation for the split-type MVG PWR rod bundle problem. It was found that the steady RANS turbulence models with wall function could reasonably predict two key variables for a rod bundle problem – grid span pressure loss and the rod surface temperature – once mesh (type, resolution, and configuration) was suitable and conjugate heat transfer was properly considered. However, they over-predicted the magnitude of the circumferential variation of the rod surface temperature and could not capture its peak azimuthal locations for a central rod in the wake of the MVG. These discrepancies in the rod surface temperature were probably because the steady RANS approach could not capture unsteady, large-scale cross-flow fluctuations and qualitative cross-flow pattern change due to the laterally confined test section. Based on this benchmarking study, lessons and recommendations about experimental methods as well as CFD methods were also provided for the future research.
Diverse Classes of Bitter Phytochemicals Modulate Carbohydrate Metabolism and Immune Responses through Gastrointestinal Bitter Taste Receptors

Plant foods are the primary source of both carbohydrates and bioactive phytochemicals in unprocessed diets, yet most of the latter compounds are bitter. Since bitter principles are often aversive t...
A Practical Overview of Managing Adolescent Gynecologic Conditions in the Pediatric Office

1. Alexa Kaskowitz, MD, MPH* 2. Elisabeth Quint, MD* 1. *Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI * Abbreviations: BV: : bacterial vaginosis CDC: : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HPV: : human papillomavirus HSV: : herpes simplex virus NAAT: : nucleic acid amplification test PID: : pelvic inflammatory disease STI: : sexually transmitted infections Pediatricians caring for adolescent girls should know how to screen for high-risk behaviors and sexually transmitted infections and how to diagnose and treat vaginal discharge, vulvar ulcers, pelvic pain, and simple ovarian cysts. After reading this article, readers should be able to: 1. Recognize the need for confidential discussions with teenagers as part of general health care. 2. Identify, evaluate, and manage some vulvovaginal disorders in teenagers, including vaginitis, vulvar ulcers, and condyloma. 3. Describe the screening and treatment methods of the most common sexually transmitted infections in adolescents. 4. Identify and evaluate the most common gynecologic causes of pelvic pain in a teenager, including ovarian cysts and masses. The pediatrician plays an important role in the transition of female patients through puberty and will frequently be the first health care professional an adolescent turns to for gynecologic care and guidance. This review focuses on the evaluation and management of gynecologic issues seen by pediatricians. It addresses the following common gynecologic symptoms: vulvovaginal concerns, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pelvic pain, and adnexal masses. Abnormal bleeding, a common reason for a teen to seek health care, and screening adolescent gynecology have been addressed in previous articles in Pediatrics in Review . (1)(2) Adolescence is a transition time from childhood to adulthood and can be relatively smooth for some teens and difficult for others. During this time, the pediatrician should be open to discussing topics of adolescent development, such as risk-taking behavior and sexual issues. Usually at approximately age 11 to 12 years, the teen should be able to talk …