cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pancreatic cancer: Correlation of MR findings, clinical features, and tumor grade

Purpose To assess the frequency of occurrence of poorly-marginated and focally-defined pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by MRI and to determine whether these appearances correlate with clinical features and histopathological grade. Materials and Methods Institutional review board with waiver of informed consent was obtained for this HIPAA compliant study. A total of 33 patients (16 female, 17 male, mean age = 63.5 ± 12.8, ranging from 41 to 80 years) with histopathologically-proven pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent MR examination between August 2000 and February 2005 were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical data and histopathological tumoral grade were obtained from clinical charts; nine of 33 patients were excluded of the histopathological evaluation since their diagnosis was performed by fine needle aspiration biopsy and it was not possible to obtain the histopathological grade. Two radiologists reviewed all cases independently to identify whether cancers were poorly-marginated or focally-defined. Agreement between radiologists was assessed using the kappa coefficient. The overall correlation between imaging findings, clinical features, and histopathological grade was assessed with contingency tables using the Fisher's exact test. Results Of the 33 patients, nine (27.2%) were classified as poorly-marginated and 24 (72.8%) as focally-defined. Agreement between the two reviewers was excellent (k = 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.78–1.0). Poorly-marginated cancers exhibited well- to moderately-differentiated histopathology in 71.4% of cases, while focally-defined cancers had well- to moderately-differentiated histopathology in 17.6% of cases, P = 0.02. Conclusion A poorly-marginated appearance of pancreatic ductal carcinoma on MRI is not uncommon. These cancers exhibited statistically significant moderate- to well-differentiated histopathology compared to focally-defined cancers. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Thermal structure of the Martian atmosphere during the dissipation of the dust storm of 1971

The secular variation of the thermal structure of the Martian atmosphere during the dissipation phase of the 1971 dust storm is examined, using temperatures obtained by the infrared spectroscopy investigation on Mariner 9. For the latitude range -20 to -30, the mean temperature at the 2mb level is found to decrease from approximately 220K in mid-December 1971 to about 190K by June 1972 while for the 0.3mb level a decrease from 203K to 160K is observed. Over the same period, the amplitude of the diurnal temperature wave also decreased. Assuming a simplified radiative heating model, the dust optical depth is found to decrease approximately exponentially with an e-folding time of about 60 days at both the 0.3 and 2mb levels. Stokes-Cunningham settling alone cannot account for this behavior. Sedimentation models which include both gravitational settling and vertical mixing are developed in an effort to explain the time evolution of the dust.
Complete genomic sequence of a new Human polyomavirus 9 strain with an altered noncoding control region

A complete Human polyomavirus 9 (HPyV9) genome, designated HPyV9 UF-1, was amplified by rolling circle DNA amplification from DNA extracted from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of an AIDS patient. The noncoding control (enhancer/promoter) region (NCCR) of HPyV9 UF-1 has one less AML-1a binding site and three more potential Sp1/GC box binding sites than the NCCRs of two previously described HPyV9 genomes. Nucleotide polymorphisms within the coding regions result in two amino acid differences in the deduced VP2 and VP3 proteins of HPyV9 UF-1 relative to those of the two previously described HPyV9 genomes. Exhaustive attempts to detect HPyV9 in DNA samples extracted from the PBMC of 40 healthy humans and 9 other AIDS patients were unsuccessful, highlighting the need for improved search strategies and optimal specimens for the detection of HPyV9 in humans.
Symptoms of anxiety and depression and mother's marital status: an exploratory analysis of polygyny and psychosocial stress.

Many biocultural studies have examined the fitness consequences of polygynous marriage for women in Africa. Few studies have examined the mental health correlates of polygynous marriage despite the emerging interest by human biologists in mental health outcomes. In this study, we tested for an association between measures of psychosocial stress and marital status in a representative sample of 408 mothers in two Tanzania communities. Results showed no association between measures of psychological distress and marital status. Our results suggest that despite the widely cited reproductive costs to polygynously married women, there do not appear to be accompanying costs to mental health. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Observation of Two-Step Thermochromism in Poly(3-docosylthiophene): DSC and Reflection Spectroscopy

Poly(3-docosylthiophene) was found to have a two-step thermochromic process for samples that are rapidly cooled from the melt. The melt-quenched samples are a red-orange color that changes first to purple and then to yellow upon heating. In contrast, slowly cooled materials are purple and have a single thermochromic transition to yellow, typical of most poly(3-alkylthiophene)s. This phase behavior is found in both regioregular and regioirregular samples. The thermal behavior of the polymers was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and visible reflection spectroscopy. The DSC thermograms of slowly cooled samples show two endotherms upon heating and three exotherms upon cooling. In contrast, rapidly cooled samples exhibit three endotherms upon heating and three exotherms upon cooling. Reflection spectra show color changes that correlate with the DSC features. A model is proposed to explain the data that involves trapping of a high-temperature mesophase under the rapid cooling conditions.
High-throughput platform for the discovery of elicitors of silent bacterial gene clusters

Over the past decade, bacterial genome sequences have revealed an immense reservoir of biosynthetic gene clusters, sets of contiguous genes that have the potential to produce drugs or drug-like molecules. However, the majority of these gene clusters appear to be inactive for unknown reasons prompting terms such as “cryptic” or “silent” to describe them. Because natural products have been a major source of therapeutic molecules, methods that rationally activate these silent clusters would have a profound impact on drug discovery. Herein, a new strategy is outlined for awakening silent gene clusters using small molecule elicitors. In this method, a genetic reporter construct affords a facile read-out for activation of the silent cluster of interest, while high-throughput screening of small molecule libraries provides potential inducers. This approach was applied to two cryptic gene clusters in the pathogenic model Burkholderia thailandensis. The results not only demonstrate a prominent activation of these two clusters, but also reveal that the majority of elicitors are themselves antibiotics, most in common clinical use. Antibiotics, which kill B. thailandensis at high concentrations, act as inducers of secondary metabolism at low concentrations. One of these antibiotics, trimethoprim, served as a global activator of secondary metabolism by inducing at least five biosynthetic pathways. Further application of this strategy promises to uncover the regulatory networks that activate silent gene clusters while at the same time providing access to the vast array of cryptic molecules found in bacteria.
Far infrared studies of lattice and free carrier effects in Hg1-xMnxTe

Abstract The far infrared reflectivity of Hg 1- x Mn x Te samples with x = 0.01, 0.06, and 0.11 has been measured between 5.5 and 295 K. For x = 0.06 and T = 5.5 K , fits to a dielectric function including an approximate interband term gave the first determination of m ∗ /m 0 = 0.0059 , and band gap value, -39±10 meV, in good agreement with the result of Bastard et al . The temperature and alloy dependence of the coupled plasmon-phonon modes has also been determined.
Black-box specification in Spec

Abstract This paper presents a language for giving black-box specifications in the early stages of software design. The underlying computational model combines message passing with temporal events in a precisely defined way. The features of the language, especially those important for large scale design are presented by means of examples.
Heroic Striving and Don Quixote's Emblematic Prudence

‘Prudente, el hombre sabio y reportado, que pesa todas las cosas con mucho acuerdo, prudens.’ It hardly seems possible that Covarrubias Horozco's definition of one of the cardinal virtues could be applicable to Don Quixote.1 For our knight errant goes to incredible extremes in his attempts to imitate heroes. Initially, the protagonist is culpable of excessive self-indulgence. All others constitute mere players on the stage of his fantasies. When Sancho derisively mocks this excess by holding up a kind of auditory mirror in which his master is chided with his own words ('Has de saber, ioh Sancho amigo!, que yo naci, por querer del cielo, en esta nuestra edad de hierro, para resucitar en ella la dorada, o de oro. Yo soy aquel para quien estan guardados los peligros, las hazanas grandes, los valerosos fechos …'),2 in the pivotal episode of the fulling hammers (I.20), Don Quixote undergoes a metamorphosis. Just a few chapters later, our protagonist elects to mimic heroes by practising a new extreme: the mock ...
Growth of Cr4+-rich, chromium-doped forsterite single crystals by the floating zone method

Abstract Chromium-doped forsterite (Cr:Mg 2 SiO 4 ) single crystals were successfully grown by a floating zone method in an oxygen stream. Bubble formation in the melt zone was effectively avoided by using a premelted feed rod, so that a steady growth was possible to obtain single crystals with a uniform diameter. An after-heater placed just below the melt zone rendered the liquid-solid interface convex toward the melt to prevent the crystals from cracking. The chromium concentration of the grown crystal was almost uniform along the growth direction. Cr:Mg 2 SiO 4 crystals cut perpendicularly to each crystallographic axis show typical pleochroism, i.e., blue, purple and green along the a -, b - and c -axis, respectively. The emission spectra proved that the Cr 4+ to Cr 3+ ratio in the FZ-grown Cr:Mg 2 SiO 4 single crystal was higher than that in a Czochralski-grown crystal.
Efficient discretization of the continuum through complex contour deformation

Instances of discrete states coupled to continua are physically ubiquitous. Numerical simulations of such systems often rely on a discrete representation of the continuum by a large but finite set of discrete levels, or ``pseudostates.'' In this paper, we develop a method based on the prior work of Kazansky to derive an efficient discrete representation of an arbitrary continuum. For several test cases, our method allows the simulation of non-Markovian decay dynamics with a far smaller set of pseudostates than previously required. We also discuss how this approach can be viewed as a ``complex scaling'' of the band energy coordinate.
Real and Ideal Characteristics of the Teacher-Student Relationship

A teacher-student questionnaire was administered to a group of 144 basic psychology students. Students felt that improvements could be made by teachers in the areas of: inspiring students, allowing greater freedom of both teacher and student opinion in the class, being more “available” to the students, being more affected by the background and interests of the students in their courses, and providing more than just “book knowledge.” On the other hand, students felt that teachers were justly strict with respect to deadlines, agreed that more student participation in class was needed, admitted that students tend to take unfair advantage of permissive professors, and agreed that most students unfortunately tend to get by the easiest way possible.
Characterization of optical fibers by a differential excitation technique.

The relations between the far-field intensity distribution and the corresponding modal power distribution resulting from differential excitation are employed to determine the index profile of a multimode fiber. The modal propagation constant and the modal time delay are determined from the far-field distribution, eliminating the need for ultrafast sources and detectors, required in the direct time-delay measurements. The temporal impulse response is reconstructed numerically from the modal time-delay distribution for specific excitation conditions.
The feasibility of 12-gauge intravenous catheter use in the prehospital setting

Abstract Intravenous fluid therapy is a mainstay in the treatment of trauma and hypovolemia. However, controversy exists as to its effective use by prehospital personnel. We reasoned that 12-gauge catheters, shown to have significantly greater fluid flow than 14- or 16-gauge catheters, might allow prehospital care providers to have a more significant role in patient resuscitation. This study was designed to see if 12-gauge intravenous catheters can successfully be placed and used in the prehospital care arena. During a six-month period, commercial peripheral 12-gauge catheter-over-needle intravenous units were placed in any hypovolemic or potentially hypovolemic patient in whom paramedics thought that rapid fluid therapy was, or might become, necessary. They experienced an overall success rate of 84 % and a success-per-attempt rate of 74 %. The catheters were placed under normal field conditions. Per preexisting protocols, departure from the scene and transport to the hospital were not delayed for any paramedic interventions, including starting intravenous lines. The 12-gauge catheters can be successfully used by paramedics, both to establish large bore intravenous access prior to arrival at the emergency department and to institute effective fluid therapy where time and circumstances allow.
Nonlinear signal model for magnetic-tape recording channels utilizing magneto-resistive heads

As bit and track densities increase, more complex detection schemes must be devised to combat the nonlinearities inherent in high-density magnetic-recording channels. With an accurate model we can quantify the departure of the channel from linear superposition, leading to optimized detectors providing improved system performance. Two distinct models have been developed. The first attempts to account for many nonlinear effects created by the physical properties of the medium; the other tries to combine all of these effects into a simple nonlinear function. Both models show excellent agreement using parameters derived from experimental signals. Simpler detection schemes result from the second model, while the first, more complex, model ensures preservation of generality. Apart from devising nonlinear detectors, we can also generate pseudo-random signals with enhanced nonlinear distortions, which may be used to test the robustness of various detection schemes. In this paper we present the results of parameter extraction and nonlinear distortion for several magneto- resistive tape-recording channels at a wide range of densities.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy for Multiple-DUI Offenders

Marlatt's (1978) Cognitive-Behavioral Model of relapse and Ellis' (1977) Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET) were used as bases to develop group therapy programs for multiple DUI offenders. The common elements and specific contents of the groups are described. A program evaluation battery administered pre and post treatment found no differences among the two specific treatment programs and an unstructured therapy group on both drinking and non-drinking measures except assertiveness. The implications and alternative explanations of these results are discussed.
Hair Metal Redux: Gendering Nostalgia and Revising History on VH1

Abstract:The cable television network VH1 uses 1980s popular music—heavy metal music, specifically—to target audiences from across generations. Whereas older viewers who are familiar with heavy metal music are courted with the many music videos, interviews, and documentary programs that chronicle the genre's performers across VH1's content, younger viewers are courted with tongue-in-cheek modes of address that play on the stylistic and gendered excesses of heavy metal. Moreover, VH1 rearticulates for largely female audiences a genre most closely identified with young men, unsettling some of the subject–object dynamics at work in their repackaging of 1980s popular music. Reading the reality program Rock of Love amidst other elements of VH1's 1980s-themed programming, the author demonstrates how television recalls its own history to court ever-more viewers. In doing this, the network reifies some “old” gender politics in “new” texts. At the same time, the network issues some rejoinders and revisions to thes...
Alteration of NMDA NR1 Receptors Within the Paraventricular Nucleus of Hypothalamus in Rats With Heart Failure

One of the pathophysiological characteristics of chronic heart failure (HF) is elevated sympathetic drive, which is a major factor contributing to the morbidity and mortality of HF. Resent evidence points to a central mechanism that contributes to the sympathetic abnormality in HF. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus is an important site that integrates sympathetic nerve activity. Studies have shown that glutamate elicits excitatory effects on neurons in the PVN through the NMDA receptor. The goal of the present study was to examine the role of NMDA receptors in the altered sympathetic nerve activation during HF. The left coronary ligation-induced heart failure model in the rat was used. In α-chloralose and urethane anesthetized rats, microinjection of NMDA into the PVN (50 to 200 pmol) produced dose-dependent increases in renal sympathetic nerve discharge (RSND), arterial blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR). This response to NMDA was significantly potentiated (27±7%) in HF compared with sham rats. On the other hand, microinjection of the NMDA receptor antagonist AP-5 (4 to 16 nmol) into the PVN caused significant decreases in RSND, BP, and HR only in rats with HF but very slight changes in sham rats. Furthermore, using microdialysis and HPLC in combination with electrochemical detection techniques, we found that the glutamate level in the PVN was not increased significantly in HF compared with sham rats. However, using RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence techniques, it was found that NMDA NR 1 subunit mRNA expression and protein level in the PVN were significantly increased in HF compared with sham rats. These data suggest that the increased glutamatergic activity on sympathetic regulation, due to the upregulation of NMDA NR 1 receptor subunits within the PVN may contribute to the elevated sympathoexcitation during HF.
Feasibility Study of Global-Positioning-System-Based Aircraft-Carrier Flight-Deck Persistent Monitoring System

This research analyzes the use of modern guidance, navigation, and control concepts, such as the Global Positioning System, with the potential for improvements in the safety of aircraft, equipment, and personnel onboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. The results of a detailed analysis of U.S. Navy safety records since 1980 show that mishaps that could potentially be prevented by a persistent monitoring system have resulted in the deaths of 13 sailors and account for over $90 million in damages, or 5% of the total cost of all flight-deck- and hangar-bay-related mishaps. Research efforts included a study of the movements of U.S. Navy personnel and an FA-18C aircraft being towed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. Pseudospectral motion planning techniques are explored to provide route prediction for aircraft, support equipment, and personnel. A system to continually monitor Hight-deck operations is proposed, with four successive levels of increasing capability. The research shows that radio navigation can provide the necessary accuracy to improve flight-deck safety, but that substantial computing power and augmentation of the Global Positioning System are necessary.
Commentary: Healthcare Reform and Psychology's Workforce: Preparing for the Future of Pediatric Psychology

Upcoming changes to the healthcare delivery system, detailed in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; Public Law No: 111–148, March 23, 2010), focus on the growing expectation that interprofessional organizations (institutional practices such as accountable care organizations (ACOs) and patient center healthcare homes) will become the nexus of the delivery of efficient, cost effective, and quality healthcare services (Orszag & Emanuel, 2010; Rozensky, 2011). If the legislation survives the legal battles currently being waged, the healthcare delivery system will look very different by the end of this decade (Clay, 2011). The healthcare workforce of the future must be prepared to enhance quality of patient care utilizing defined, interprofessional competencies as they practice within an increasingly evidence-based, team-based, integrated care system—from prevention to primary to tertiary care—and for patients and families across the lifespan (Institute of Medicine, 2001; Wilson, Rozensky, & Weiss, 2010). This article describes several challenges and opportunities facing professional psychology given the upcoming demands of the ACA and evolving healthcare system. We argue that preparation for increased institutional practice is required and that several philosophical and practical changes will be necessary as our profession adapts to this new healthcare system. The interprofessional strengths of pediatric psychology are discussed in particular and specific opportunities and recommendations are offered to enhance the future of pediatric psychology in (the new) healthcare. Some Questions Professional Psychology Might Answer to Prepare to Successfully Participate in Upcoming Changes to the Healthcare System
Constructing the structure underlying open access practices

This article applies a structuralist perspective to examine open access (OA) practices. Anthropologist LA©vi-Straussâs culinary triangle model is adopted to streamline a whole OA process from repository content accumulation to OA article consumption. By constructing the conceptual relationship of three OA activities, namely archiving, searching and citation, the article argues that content accumulation constitutes the success of the OA movement. The OA process is perceived as a continuum along which each type of scholarâs activity has an impact on, and is also influenced by, other activities. Constructing the structure underlying OA practices will help better recognize the history, present status and future direction of the open access movement.
Is routine ultrasound guidance for central line placement beneficial? A prospective analysis.

Abstract Objective Portable ultrasound devices have become more readily available in the intensive care unit setting, but their utility outside of controlled trials remains unproven. We sought to determine how the availability of ultrasound guidance affected the types and number of complications during central line placement. Design Review of a prospectively maintained database in a 20-bed combined intensive care unit. Procedure notes from all attempts at internal jugular vein access from 1996 to 2001 were recorded, and selected patient records were reviewed. Ultrasound guidance was available beginning in March 1998. Results From 1996 to 2001, there were 484 documented attempts at internal jugular central line placement. Most procedures (83%) were performed by first- or second-year residents. During this period, there were 47 complications for an overall complication rate of 10%. These included 1 pneumothorax (2%), 6 carotid punctures (13%), 2 hematomas (4%), and 34 unsuccessful attempts (72%). There was no significant difference in age, sex, body-mass index, or intubation status between those with and without complications or between the ultrasound and anatomic landmark groups. Ultrasound was used in 179 (37%) attempts. The overall complication rate with ultrasound was 11% versus 9% using anatomic landmarks (p = NS). The complication rate prior to the availability of ultrasound was 15 of 114 attempts (13%) versus 32 of 370 attempts (9%) after the introduction of ultrasound in our intensive care unit (p = NS). Analysis of the 370 procedures performed since ultrasound became available demonstrated a complication rate of 11% with ultrasound guidance versus 6% without (p = 0.09). There was no significant difference in complication rates by resident year group or department (surgery vs. other). However, procedures performed after-hours (1800 to 0800) were associated with a 15% complication rate versus 6% for procedures performed during the workday (p Conclusion The availability and use of ultrasound guidance for central line placement by junior residents has not resulted in an improvement in procedure-related complications. The complication profile was not affected by ultrasound use, patient factors, or resident year in training. There was a higher complication rate associated with procedures performed at night that may be caused by resident fatigue or unavailability of senior supervision.
Positive Solutions to a Fourth Order Boundary Value Problem

The authors consider a fourth order two-point boundary value problem. Some a priori estimates to positive solutions for the problem are obtained. Explicit sufficient conditions for existence and nonexistence of positive solutions to the problem are established. An example to illustrate the results is included.
HYBRID DYSGENESIS IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER: MORPHOLOGICAL AND CYTOLOGICAL STUDIES OF OVARIAN DYSGENESIS

A type of intraspecific hybrid sterility, between two strains of Drosophila melanogaster, referred to as GD (gonadal dysgenesis) sterility, is observed when females from a type of strain called M are crossed with males from a second type called P. Absence of egg-laying is characteristic of female GD sterility and its manifestation is conditional on high developmental temperatures. Morphological and cytological studies of GD sterile females are described. These individuals were normal in body size and external appearance. No defects in sperm storage were observed. Both adult and larval ovaries were drastically reduced in size in comparison with control ovaries. This ovarian dysgenesis was sometimes unilateral, but more frequently it was bilateral, particularly in females developing at the highest test temperature. The ovarioles of dysgenic ovaries contained no vitellaria; the germaria lacked any cells resembling the cystocyte clusters of normal ovaries. It is concluded that sterility results from an early blockage in ovarian development, rather than from atrophy of previously developed structures. Possible mechanisms for this developmental arrest are discussed.
Stu1p Is Physically Associated with β-Tubulin and Is Required for Structural Integrity of the Mitotic Spindle

Formation of the bipolar mitotic spindle relies on a balance of forces acting on the spindle poles. The primary outward force is generated by the kinesin-related proteins of the BimC family that cross-link antiparallel interpolar microtubules and slide them past each other. Here, we provide evidence that Stu1p is also required for the production of this outward force in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the temperature-sensitive stu1–5 mutant, spindle pole separation is inhibited, and preanaphase spindles collapse, with their previously separated poles being drawn together. The temperature sensitivity of stu1–5 can be suppressed by doubling the dosage of Cin8p, a yeast BimC kinesin–related protein. Stu1p was observed to be a component of the mitotic spindle localizing to the midregion of anaphase spindles. It also binds to microtubules in vitro, and we have examined the nature of this interaction. We show that Stu1p interacts specifically with β-tubulin and identify the domains required for this interaction on both Stu1p and β-tubulin. Taken together, these findings suggest that Stu1p binds to interpolar microtubules of the mitotic spindle and plays an essential role in their ability to provide an outward force on the spindle poles.
Thermal death of oriental fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) third instars in developing quarantine treatments for papayas.

Current quarantine treatments to disinfest papayas of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are often either detrimental to fruit quality or restricted to fruit less than one-quarter ripe. After phytotoxicity limits were established, thermal death studies were done on third-instar oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel, in artificially infested papayas. A hot-water immersion and two low-humidity, hot-air treatments were examined. Mature green to half-ripe papayas heated in 45.6°C. A two-term polynomial expression described the increase in measured fruit center temperatures with heating times at low humidity. Center temperatures of different size fruits reached the same level if heated >4 h.
Possible influence of anthropogenic aerosols on cirrus clouds and anthropogenic forcing

Abstract. Cirrus clouds have a net warming effect on the atmosphere and cover about 30% of the Earth's area. Aerosol particles initiate ice formation in the upper troposphere through modes of action that include homogeneous freezing of solution droplets, heterogeneous nucleation on solid particles immersed in a solution, and deposition nucleation of vapor onto solid particles. Here, we examine the possible change in ice number concentration from anthropogenic soot originating from surface sources of fossil fuel and biomass burning, from anthropogenic sulfate aerosols, and from aircraft that deposit their aerosols directly in the upper troposphere. We use a version of the aerosol model that predicts sulfate number and mass concentrations in 3-modes and includes the formation of sulfate aerosol through homogeneous binary nucleation as well as a version that only predicts sulfate mass. The 3-mode version best represents the Aitken aerosol nuclei number concentrations in the upper troposphere which dominated ice crystal residues in the upper troposphere. Fossil fuel and biomass burning soot aerosols with this version exert a radiative forcing of −0.3 to −0.4 Wm−2 while anthropogenic sulfate aerosols and aircraft aerosols exert a forcing of −0.01 to 0.04 Wm−2 and −0.16 to −0.12 Wm−2, respectively, where the range represents the forcing from two parameterizations for ice nucleation. The sign of the forcing in the mass-only version of the model depends on which ice nucleation parameterization is used and can be either positive or negative. The magnitude of the forcing in cirrus clouds can be comparable to the forcing exerted by anthropogenic aerosols on warm clouds, but this forcing has not been included in past assessments of the total anthropogenic radiative forcing of climate.
Iron Status and Neuropsychological Consequences in Women of Reproductive Age: What Do We Know and Where Are We Headed?

Iron deficiency disproportionately affects infants, children, and women of reproductive age. It is more prevalent in developing countries but continues to be a problem in developed countries. Included among the consequences of iron deficiency are changes in cognitive performance, emotions, and behavior. Although the behavioral and developmental sequelae of iron deficiency in young children have received much interest, data on the consequences of iron deficiency in women of reproductive age are just beginning to emerge. Interest in this area increased as a result of the findings that brain iron is much more fluid than previously thought and iron-deficient animals experience nondevelopment-dependent brain alterations. These findings, coupled with the symptoms often reported by iron-deficient women (lethargy, inability to concentrate, difficulty with memory, etc.), have led researchers to begin to explore the relation between iron and neuropsychological outcomes in this population. This paper reviews findings from studies that have examined the brain functional consequences of iron deficiency in women of reproductive age. Additional consideration is given to the fact that detriments to cognition and behavior in a woman of reproductive age may have negative implications beyond the woman's health; specifically, they may negatively influence her children. Therefore, the roles that cognitive and behavioral changes in these women have on their children's development is also reviewed. The paper concludes with a discussion on ways to use technological advances (especially in neuroimaging techniques) to help us elucidate the role of iron in the brains of women of reproductive age.
A geographic redirection service for on-line games

For many on-line games, user experience is impacted significantly by network latency. As on-line games and on-line game servers proliferate, the ability to discover and connect to nearby servers is essential for maintaining user satisfaction. In this paper, we present a redirection service for on-line games based on the geographic location of players relative to servers. As our results show, the service better meets client demand, saving each client and the Internet as a whole, thousands of miles of networking inefficiency.
Incomplete Democracy: Political Democratization in Chile and Latin America

Incomplete Democracy: Political Democratization in Chile and Latin America. By Manuel Antonio Garreton. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 2003. 224p. 24.95 paper.The Consortium in Latin American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University deserves gratitude for launching this series on “Latin America in Translation.” This translation clearly presents the complex analyses of a profound thinker, one who excels at elucidating the subtleties, contradictions, and paradoxes of today's democracies. Previously one of the pioneers of studying transitions from authoritarian rule, Garreton now focuses on the constraints on the successor regimes. His trenchant observations will interest political theorists as well as comparativists and Latin Americanists. He devotes the first half of the book to a broad treatment of current Latin American politics and the second half to a study of the crucial case of Chile. This powerful combination of the general and the particular renders this publication valuable for graduate courses, although it is too sophisticated for most undergraduates.
Some effects of correlation between response-contingent shock and reinforcement

Rats responded on a two-component chain schedule in which a response-contingent electric shock at the end of the first component was either positively correlated, negatively correlated, or uncorrelated with reinforcement availability in the second component. With 0.4-ma shocks, rate in the first component depended on the shock-reinforcement correlation: when shock and reinforcement availability were positively correlated, after extended exposure to the contingencies, rates exceeded those in the absence of shock; when shock and reinforcement availability were negatively correlated, responding was generally suppressed throughout. The discriminative control of shock over responding in the second component, in which reinforcement was available 50% of the time, also depended somewhat on correlation. However, rate change in the first component was not specifically related to discrimination in the second component. With 0.8-ma shocks, responding was substantially suppressed in the first component at all three values of shock-reinforcement correlations.
The Stroke Impact Scale Version 2.0 Evaluation of Reliability, Validity, and Sensitivity to Change

Background and Purpose—To be useful for clinical research, an outcome measure must be feasible to administer and have sound psychometric attributes, including reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change. This study characterizes the psychometric properties of the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) Version 2.0. Methods—Version 2.0 of the SIS is a self-report measure that includes 64 items and assesses 8 domains (strength, hand function, ADL/IADL, mobility, communication, emotion, memory and thinking, and participation). Subjects with mild and moderate strokes completed the SIS at 1 month (n=91), at 3 months (n=80), and at 6 months after stroke (n=69). Twenty-five subjects had a replicate administration of the SIS 1 week after the 3-month or 6-month test. We evaluated internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The validity of the SIS domains was examined by comparing the SIS to existing stroke measures and by comparing differences in SIS scores across Rankin scale levels. The mixed model procedure was us...
Interstitial Pressure of the Lung

The effects of alveolar and pleural pressures on pulmonary interstitial pressure were studied in 36 anesthetized dogs by application of Starling's law of transcapillary exchange. Fluid accumulation in the lung was produced by increasing left atrial pressure to levels always higher than alveolar pressure and by hemodilution with saline. Using a lung divider, a difference in alveolar pressure of from 5 to 14 mm Hg was achieved between the two sides in 24 dogs. Increased alveolar pressure did not reduce the rate of fluid accumulation, indicating its lack of effect on interstitial pressure. A relationship between the rate of fluid accumulation and the forces in the Starling equation was demonstrated when pleural pressure was included as an index of interstitial pressure. The rate of fluid accumulation increased markedly when interstitial pressure exceeded atmospheric. Fluid accumulation was considerably less in lobes statically inflated with plasma than in contralateral lobes ventilated with air (6 dogs); thi...
Simulation of a stochastic model for a service system

In this paper we simulate a queueing model useful in a service system with the help of ARENA simulation software. The service calls (henceforth referred to as customers) arrive to a processing center according to a Markovian arrival process (MAP). There is a buffer of finite size to hold the customers. Any customer finding the buffer is considered lost. An arriving customer belongs to one of three types, and the admitted customer is served by one of many dedicated servers (exclusively set aside for each of the three types of customers) or by one of many flexible servers who are capable of servicing all types of customers. The flexible servers are used only when the respective dedicated servers are all busy. A priority scheme is used to select the type of customer from the buffer when a flexible server is called for servicing the waiting customers. The processing times are assumed to be of phase type. Simulated results are discussed.
3D Multimedia Protection Using Artificial Neural Network

Watermarking based DRM implementations insert imperceptible information or watermark in digital media to trace owner of the content and deter the illegal distribution of media. In geometry based 3D watermarking algorithms, a watermark is inserted by modifying the coordinates of vertices in the mesh. It is a requirement of watermarking algorithms that this change in vertex coordinates shouldn't cause perceptible distortion. It has always been a challenge to select vertices in the 3D model which would not cause perceptible distortion on addition of watermark. This paper proposes a novel approach to overcome this challenge using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Feature vectors representing the geometry of the vertex and its surrounding vertices are extracted and used to train and simulate ANN. ANN is used as a classifier to determine which vertices should be selected for watermarking. Experimental results simulate various attacks to test the robustness of the algorithm.
A comparison of radial dose functions for 103Pd, 125I, 145Sm, 241Am, 169Yb, 192Ir, and 137Cs brachytherapy sources.

Abstract Recently, encapsulated sources of 103 Pd (21 keV average), 145 Sm (41 keV average), 241 Am (60 keV), and 169 Yb (93 keV average) have been introduced as alternatives to conventional brachytherapy sources of 125 I Model 6711 (27 keV average), 125 I Model 6702 (28 keV average), 192 Ir (369 keV average), and 137 CS (662 keV). To illustrate the dependence of the penetrating ability of photons from brachytherapy sources as a function of photon energy, a comparison of their radial dose functions is presented. Using the ITS Monte Carlo simulation code for photonelectron transport, the radial dose functions were calculated for monoenergetic photon sources with energies in the range of 30 keV to 1 MeV. Also, similar calculations were performed using the photon spectra emitted by the encapsulated brachytherapy sources. To verify the accuracy of Monte Carlo calculations, comparisons are made with our new measured data for 241 Am and existing experimental and theoretical data from other investigators. A comparison of radial dose functions indicates that for 241 Am, 169 Yb, 192 Ir and 137 CS sources radial dose functions are close to unity for distances up to 10 cm, for 145 Sm the radial dose function drops to about 0.4 at 10 cm, and for 125 I and 103 Pd it drops precipitously to less than 0.20 at 7 cm. At 5 cm, the measured radial dose functions for 103 Pd, 125 I Model 6711, 125 I Model 6702, 145 Sm, 241 Am, and 192 Ir have values of 0.09, 0.34, 0.38, 0.86, 1;12, and 0.97, respectively. While all of these radioisotopes provide adequate penetrating power for interstitial brachytherapy, only the radioisotopes emitting photons with energies greater than about 40 keV can provide adequate depth dose (that is, small or no tissue attenuation) for intracavitary irradiation. Our criterion for choice of minimum) photon energy suitable for intracavitary irradiation is that the radial dose function at 5 cm should not be less than 0.90. Also, note that photons with energies around 80 keV exhibit maximum penetrating ability in solid water for distances up to 5 cm.
Some Applications of Statistics for Auditing

Abstract Some applications of statistical techniques in controlling clerical accuracy, in sampling accounting records, and in sampling physical property are studied, with stress placed upon the lessons learned from these applications. Their relevance to the auditing profession as well as to business management in general is considered.
Evolving communities of practice: IBM global services experience

In 1995, IBM Global Services began implementing a business model that included support for the growth and development of communities of practice focused on the competencies of the organization. This paper describes our experience working with these communities over a five-year period, concentrating specifically on how the communities evolved. We present an evolution model based on observing over 60 communities, and we discuss the evolution in terms of people and organization behavior, supporting processes, and enabling technology factors. Also described are specific scenarios of communities within IBM Global Services at various stages of evolution.
A Novel Device Architecture for SEU Mitigation: The Inverse-Mode Cascode SiGe HBT

We investigate, for the first time, the potential for SEE mitigation of a newly-developed device architecture in a 3rd generation high-speed SiGe platform. This new device architecture is termed the ?inverse-mode cascode SiGe HBT? and is comprised of two standard devices sharing a buried subcollector and operated in a cascode configuration. Verification of the TID immunity is demonstrated using 10 keV X-rays, while an investigation of the SEE susceptibility is performed using a 36 MeV 16O ion. IBICC results show strong sensitivities to device bias with only marginal improvement when compared to a standard device; however, by providing a conductive path from the buried subcollector (C-Tap) to a voltage potential, almost all collected charge is induced on the C-Tap terminal instead of the collector terminal. These results are confirmed using full 3-D TCAD simulations which also provides insight into the physics of this new RHBD device architecture. The implications of biasing the C-Tap terminal in a circuit context are also addressed.
Double Trouble: Entropion Repair Complicated by a Conjunctival Neurofibroma

While ocular involvement is well documented in association with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1), conjunctival neurofibromas are very rare. We describe a challenging NF-1 case of a patient with a conjunctival neurofibroma in association with lower lid involutional entropion and severe conjunctival chemosis. A 65 year-old male presented with age-related left lower lid laxity, retractor dehiscence, inferior conjunctival chemosis and significant ocular discomfort. The patient underwent a left lower lid lateral tarsal strip procedure with retractor plication without much improvement in the chemosis and discomfort. However post-operatively it became evident that an injected mass was present in the left inferior fornix. Surgical debulking of this mass allowed for resolution of the patient’s signs and symptoms as well as proper lower lid alignment. Histopathologic diagnosis with S100 and CD34 positivity confirmed a conjunctival neurofibroma. Although uncommon, it is important to consider the possibility of a conjunctival mass in a patient with persistent chemosis and recurrent lower lid instability, particularly when confronted with a neurocutaneous syndrome.
The Role of Endometrial Biopsy in the Preoperative Detection of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma.

Abstract Study Objective To assess the sensitivity of preoperative endometrial biopsy in detection of uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS). Study Design Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database (Canadian Task Force III). Setting Two academic tertiary referral centers. Patients All cases of ULMS treated at participating institutions between January 2005 and August 2012 were identified following IRB approval. Interventions Abstracted data included demographics, preoperative evaluation, presenting symptom, surgical management, pathology and clinical outcomes. Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Measurements and Main Results 329 cases were identified, of which 152 cases had complete pathologic data available for review. Sixty-eight (45%) of 152 patients had endometrial sampling prior to surgery. Patients with postmenopausal bleeding were significantly more likely to be biopsied preoperatively (51.6% vs 9.5%, p = Conclusions The sensitivity of an endometrial biopsy to detect ULMS is low, illustrating the difficulty of diagnosing ULMS preoperatively. As expected, the probability that an endometrial biopsy will detect ULMS or a related worrisome pathological finding is higher for patients with post-menopausal bleeding. Thus, benign endometrial biopsy results, particularly in pre-menopausal patients, should be interpreted with caution if there is suspicion for leiomyosarcoma. However, a positive or suspicious result can play an important role in the subsequent management of patients with ULMS, even if the absolute numbers of affected patients are small.