cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of low-level microwave irradiation on hippocampal and frontal cortical choline uptake are classically conditionable

In previous research, we found that sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of the rat was lowered after acute (45 min) exposure to low-level 2450-MHz pulsed microwaves (power density 1 mW/cm2; average whole body specific absorption rate, 0.6 W/kg; 2 mu sec pulses, 500 pps). In the present experiment, we investigated developments of tolerance and classical conditioning to these effects of microwaves. Rats were exposed to microwaves in cylindrical waveguides in 10 daily sessions (45 min per session). In an 11th session, we subjected the rats to either microwave (study of tolerance) or sham exposure (study of conditioned effect) for 45 min, and immediately measured choline uptake in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. We found that tolerance, a decrease in response to microwaves, developed to the effect of microwaves on choline uptake in the hippocampus, but not in the frontal cortex. Conditioned effects were also observed: an increase in choline uptake in the hippocampus and a decrease in uptake in the frontal cortex. These data suggest that the effects of microwaves on choline uptake in the hippocampus and frontal cortex are classically conditionable, probably to cues in the exposure environment.
Therapeutic potential of klotho–FGF23 fusion polypeptides: WO2009095372

The molecular interaction of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and klotho is essential for physiologic regulation of phosphate balance. In the absence of klotho, the FGF23 protein cannot exert its physiologic functions, as demonstrated by in vivo mouse genetic studies. Bioactive FGF23 protein loses its phosphate lowering effects in genetically modified mice with no klotho activity. The FGF23–klotho system not only affects phosphate homeostasis but can also influence parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D activities. Dysregulation of the FGF23–klotho system is noted in a number of human acquired and genetic diseases, including chronic kidney disease. Vitamin D is a strong inducer of both FGF23 and klotho expression, while FGF23 can suppress the renal expression of 1α(OH)ase to reduce 1,25(OH)2D activity. An understanding of the complex interactions of phosphate, vitamin D and PTH with the FGF23–klotho system has paved the way to explore the therapeutic benefits of modulating the FGF23–klotho system in d...
Examining the financial impacts of downsizing of information technology workers

The beginning of the new millennium has been characterized by massive layoffs of IT workers - primarily triggered by economic downturns, declining corporate profitability and increased off-shoring of IT work. In this study, we explore the economic impacts of IT worker layoffs. We propose a conceptual model for linking layoff rationale and layoff size to post-layoff financial performance and we examine the financial performance of firms following IT personnel layoffs. We discuss our data collection strategies and describe our plans for future research.
TU-E-BRB-05: Impact of Interfractional Tumor Motion on Respiratory Gated Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Lung Tumors

Purpose: To investigate the impact of interfractional tumor motion on dosedelivery of gated lungSBRT.Methods: 4DCT scan for five lung patient was performed without breathing control at simulation and prior to each treatment. Gated treatment plans were performed on the end‐exhale (50% phase) simulation CT with a 30% duty cycle. ITV was created by combining the GTVs at 40%, 50% and 60% phases. PTV was created by adding a 5 mm uniform margin to the ITV. All plans were normalized such that 60 Gy (3 fractions) was prescribed to the 85% isodose line. To calculate the accumulated dose over the treatment course, the original plan parameters were copied to the 40%, 50% and 60% CTs obtained prior to each treatment. In order to eliminate the effect of setup error to dosedelivery,treatment isocenters at each fraction were determined by aligning the tumors on the slow CTs obtained prior to each treatment to that on the slow simulation CT.Doses recalculated on the 40% and 60% CTs at each fraction were warped through deformable CTimage registration to their corresponding 50% CT to compose the 4D dose at that fraction. Those fractional 4D doses were warped to the 50% simulation CT to compose the accumulated 4D dose over the treatment course. Results: The minimum tumordoses over the treatment course were 59.9, 45.1, 68.9, 41.9 and 47.8 Gy respectively. Tumor V60s were 99.7, 92.2, 100, 97.2 and 93.0% respectively. The corresponding mean lungdoses were 3.8, 6.4, 3.7, 4.4 and 3.7 Gy respectively. Conclusions: Change in tumor motion pattern over the treatment course results in tumor underdosing. Tight margins are normally used in lungSBRT. Therefore monitoring of the reproducibility of interfractional tumor motion is critical to the success of dosedelivery.
Algorithms for constrained linear unmixing with application to the hyperspectral analysis of fluorophore mixtures

In this paper, we describe the use of linear unmixing algorithms to spatially and spectrally separate fluorescence emission signals from fluorophores having highly overlapping emission spectra. Hyperspectral image data for mixtures of Nile Blue and HIDC Iodide in a methanol/polymer matrix were obtained using the Information-efficient Spectral Imaging sensor (ISIS) operated in its Hadamard Transform mode. The data were analyzed with a combination of Principal Components Analysis (PCA), orthogonal rotation, and equality and non-negativity constrained least squares methods. The analysis provided estimates of the pure-component fluorescence emission spectra and the spatial distributions of the fluorophores. In addition, spatially varying interferences from the background and laser excitation were identified and separated. A major finding resulting from this work is that the pure-component spectral estimates are very insensitive to the initial estimates supplied to the alternating least squares procedures. In fact, random number starting points reliably gave solutions that were effectively equivalent to those obtained when measured pure-component spectra were used as the initial estimates. While our proximate application is evaluating the possibility of multivariate quantitation of DNA microarrays, the results of this study should be generally applicable to hyperspectral imagery typical of remote sensing spectrometers.
Theory of Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation by Spin-Rotational Interactions in Liquids

The contribution of spin-rotational interactions to the nuclear magnetic relaxation of identical spin-\textonehalf{} nuclei at equivalent positions in spherical liquid molecules is calculated by use of the semiclassical form of the density-operator theory of relaxation, and the result is compared with the contributions of intra- and intermolecular dipole-dipole interactions. The angular velocity of a molecule is treated classically by assuming that it obeys an equation analogous to the Langevin equation that is postulated in treatments of translational Brownian motion. The change in orientation of a molecule is assumed to be due to isotropic rotational Brownian motion. By use of this model the correlation functions of components of the angular velocity of a molecule are calculated, and are found to have an exponentially decaying time dependence with a time constant (correlation time) ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{1}$ that is quite different in its temperature dependence than the correlation time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{2}$ of the dipole-dipole interactions. In typical situations ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{1}$ is much smaller than ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{2}$. Use is made of this fact to evaluate the correlation functions of the functions of the orientation and angular velocity that occur in the tensor spin-rotational interactions. The result that ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{1}\ensuremath{\ll}{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{2}$ explains the experimentally observed "quenching" of the relaxation effect of spin-rotational interactions in liquids, and the result that ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{1}T$ increases as the temperature increases explains the experimentally observed temperature dependence of the relaxation effect of spin-rotational interactions in liquids.
Fully-Coupled Modeling of Composite Piezoelectric Plates

A fully coupled model considering both sensing and actuation for composite plates with embedded piezoelectrics is constructed using the variational asymptotic method. Without invoking any ad hoc kinematic assumptions, we take advantage of the geometric small parameter inherent in the structure to mathematically split the original three-dimensional, geometrically nonlinear, piezoelectricity problem into: a coupled, linear, one-dimensional piezoelectric through-the-thickness analysis and a coupled, geometrically nonlinear, two-dimensional piezoelectric plate analysis. Two asymptotically correct models of multi-layer plates are developed for two different types of electrode arrangements. The constructed models are of the form of classical plate theory having a layerwise displacement and electric potential distribution. The present theory is implemented using the finite element method into the computer program VAPAS (variational-asymptotic plate and shell analysis). Simple examples are used to demonstrate the application of the present theory.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Reliability, Responsiveness, and Validity of Timed, Large Amplitude, Rapid Alternating Movement Patterns among Patients with Stroke

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the adequacy of timed large amplitude rapid alternating movement patterns (RAMPs) as a measure of motor status following stroke. We were specifically interested in the reliability (internal consistency), responsiveness, and validity of timed large amplitude RAMPs. Design: A retrospective, descriptive, and correlational study. Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation unit of a university hospital. Subjects: The records of 91 patients with a primary diagnosis of stroke were retrieved for this study. Of these records, 32 were complete enough upon admission and discharge for use in this study. Main Outcome Measures: Large amplitude RAMP measures were obtained for each upper and lower extremity using a digital stopwatch. Additionally, the strength of eight muscle actions was assessed bilaterally using hand-held dynamometry. Functional independence of three activities (transfers, gait, and stair climbing) was graded using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). A sum FIM score was then obtained by adding the score of the three activities together. Results: The timed large amplitude RAMPs were found to have good reliability (alpha>.80) at both admission and discharge. There was a significant difference in RAMP scores between admission and discharge (F=41.824, p<.001), demonstrating that the RAMPs were responsive. Discriminant and convergent construct validity were good. Predictive validity varied depending on the RAMP and outcome measures correlated. Conclusions: Use of large amplitude RAMPs in the examination of patients with stroke is supported by their reliability, responsiveness, and validity.
More Questions than Answers: Dilemmas of Humanitarian Action

The world has largely internalized the moral imperative to provide relief to the victims of humanitarian emergencies. Due to the increasing and diversified efforts by nongovernmental organizations and governmental agencies, the international capacity to deliver humanitarian aid is mostly in place. Obviously, the political will of governments and the capacity of the fragmented nongovernmental organization field to provide assistance is sometimes in doubt. However, the main humanitarian dilemma concerns the political repercussions of assistance which has become a resource in and a part of the dynamics of local conflicts. As the cases of Bosnia, Rwanda, and Somalia indicate, military faction leaders have learned to take advantage of the relief operations, which has resulted in their misuse and even prolonged the crisis (of which Sudan is a good example). To alleviate this problem, one can pursue two avenues: either reform the aid process or use military force more systematically to protect the deliveries and people involved. The emphasis should be on the reform of humanitarian relief.
Prevalence of depression and somatic symptoms among Korean elderly immigrants

Forty-one Korean immigrants in Washington, D.C. (of the United States) metropolitan area over age 60 were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (Korean version) with additional questions about culture-specific somatic symptoms identified in previous research with Korean populations. The lifetime and current prevalence were 29.27 percent and 14.63 percent, respectively, for major depression; 9.76 percent and 2.44 percent for generalized anxiety disorder; and 9.76 percent and 7.32 percent for somatization disorder. The lifetime and current rates of co-occurrence of major depression and somatization disorder were 25 percent and 33.33 percent. Subjects who met criteria for depression were more likely to experience culture-specific Korean somatic symptoms than subjects who did not meet those criteria.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Structure of Novel Borane- and Borate-Containing Ruthenocenes

The addition of (p-bromo- or (p-iodophenyl)lithium to 6,6-dimethylfulvene results in the formation of the anionic cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligands LiCpC(CH3)2C6H4Br (1) and LiCpC(CH3)2C6H4I (2), respe...
Bread & Roses: Mills, Migrants, and the Struggle for the American Dream – Bruce Watson

The author of this study argues that the Lawrence Strike of 1912, which has been too often relegated to “history's ghetto,” is a “quintessentially American event, one of which the entire nation can...
Mixing Mechanism and Structure of an Axisymmetric Turbulent Mixing Layer

The mixing mechanism and structure of an axisymmetric mixing layer are studied by a light-scattering technique which provides information on the degree of mixing at 10 points in a plane at the same instant. Both qualitative and quantitative results are presented for the range of Reynolds numbers between 10 and 10. The shear layer leaving the nozzle undergoes a two-stage instability. First, it rolls up into axisymmetric vortices and second, these vortices become unstable to azimuthal disturbances, forming lobe-shaped structures. The enhanced mixing following the second-stage instability is noted and discussed.
All-trans retinoic acid followed by chemotherapy for salvage of refractory or relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Background. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is effective in the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), but relapse is the rule if response is unmaintained. Methods. Seventeen patients with APL were salvaged with ATRA at a dosage of 50 mg/m2/day for 3 months or until complete remission (CR) was achieved; idarubicin (12 mg/m2/day for 4 days) was added if blast plus promyelocyte count either was or reached ≥10 × 103/μl. After CR was achieved, patients received three courses of idarubicin (12 mg/m2 daily for 3 days) followed by three courses of mitoxantrone (5 mg/m2 daily for 3 days) and etoposide (250 mg/m2 daily for 3 days). Maintenance was with 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate. Results. A CR was achieved in 14 patients (82%), the disease was refractory in 2 patients, and one patient died during induction. Three patients underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplant during CR. After a median follow-up of 26 weeks, six patients remain in CR. Median CR duration is 40 weeks (range 8–56+). Patients treated with ATRA plus chemotherapy in first salvage, when compared to a historic control group treated with chemotherapy alone, had a significantly better CR rate (87% vs. 57%; P = 0.04) and a lower induction death rate (7% vs. 29%; P = 0.08), resulting in longer median survival (26 vs. 17 weeks; P = 0.13). Four patients developed the „retinoic acid syndrome”, which was fatal in one case. Three patients developed thrombotic events. Conclusions. ATRA followed by chemotherapy is effective treatment for patients with APL who relapse after conventional therapy, and it may be superior to chemotherapy alone. Cancer 1994; 73:2946–52.
Functional coupling between sarcoplasmic‐reticulum‐bound creatine kinase and Ca2+‐ATPase

We investigated the role of creatine kinase bound to sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes of fast skeletal muscle in the local regeneration of ATP and the possible physiological significance of this regeneration for calcium pump function. Our results indicate that ADP produced by sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase is effectively phosphorylated by creatine kinase in the presence of creatine phosphate. This phosphorylation is an important function of the membrane-bound creatine kinase because accumulation of ADP has a depressive effect on Ca(2+)-uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. The concentration-dependent depression of Ca(2+)-uptake by ADP was especially pronounced when there was strong back inhibition by high intravesicular [Ca2+]. ATP regenerated by endogenous creatine kinase was not in free equilibrium with the ATP in the surrounding medium, but was used preferentially by Ca(2+)-ATPase for Ca(2+)-uptake. Efficient translocation of ATP from creatine kinase to Ca(2+)-ATPase, despite the presence of an ATP trap in the surrounding medium, can be explained by close localization of creatine kinase and Ca(2+)-ATPase on the sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. These results suggest the existence of functional coupling between creatine kinase and Ca(2+)-ATPase on skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. Several factors (amount of membrane-bound creatine kinase, oxidation of SH groups of creatine kinase, decrease in [phosphocreatine]) can influence the ability of creatine kinase/phosphocreatine system to support a low ADP/ATP ratio and fuel the Ca(2+)-pump with ATP. These factors may become operative in the living cells, influencing functional coupling between creatine kinase and Ca(2+)-ATPase and may have an indirect effect on Ca(2+)-pump function before Ca(2+)-ATPase itself is affected.
Effects of lung distension and spontaneous fetal breathing on hemodynamics in sheep.

ABSTRACT: In previous studies, we determined that pulmonary ventilation and oxygenation were largely responsible for increasing pulmonary blood flow and for altering central blood flow patterns but could not account for the increase in combined ventricular output (the sum of left and right ventricular outputs) that usually occurs after birth. We had ventilated fetuses with oscillating positive pressures; the possibility that high intrathoracic pressures adversely affected cardiac output could not be ruled out. To determine the effects of negative intrathoracic pressure ventilation, we occluded the umbilical cord of nine long-term instrumented fetal sheep at 135 ± 1.2 d gestation while introducing humidified oxygen gas intratracheally. This stimulated continuous fetal respiratory activity, which resulted in negative intrathoracic pressures and increased fetal oxygenation. Pulmonary blood flow increased from 121 ± 60 to 901 ± 139 mL · min−1 · 100 g−1 (mean ± SD) and descending aortic blood pressure increased from 7.0 ± 1.2 to 9.6 ± 2.0 kPa. Central blood flow patterns were altered so that right to left shunting of blood through the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus was abolished and a left to right shunt developed across the ductus arteriosus. However, cardiac output did not increase significantly. This may be related, in part, to the increase in afterload. It is clear that pulmonary ventilation and oxygenation are the major factors responsible for changing pulmonary blood flow and central blood flow patterns at birth. Other birth-related events, such as a decrease in environmental temperature and an increase in metabolic rate, are likely to induce cardiac output to increase.
Electron-electron interaction strength in tetrathiafulvalenium-tetracyanoquinodimethanide (TTF-TCNQ)

The experimental information on the relative strength of the repulsive electron-electron interaction in tetrathiafulvalenium-tetracyanoquinodimethanide (TTF-TCNQ) is summarized. From inelastic-electron-scattering data and analysis of the nuclear-spin-lattice relaxation measurements, we conclude that the effective Coulomb interaction is not dominant, and that the relative strengths on the TTF and TCNQ chains are similar.
Microteaching: An integral part of a science methods class

The peer teaching experience can be an informative and most rewarding experience for the science methods student but only if it is well organized and carried out in a conscientious manner. The students can gain valuable insights into the planning, teaching, and evaluation of different science teaching strategies, which could serve them well in their future teaching profession.
Manifesting carrier of Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD): clinical and recombinant DNA studies

We studied a Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) family with a manifesting carrier. Proximal muscle weakness, pseudohypertrophy of the calves, significantly elevated serum creatine kinase and dystrophic alterations in the muscle biopsy were the characteristic phenotypical features of this manifesting carrier. The recombinant DNA study showed a recombinant chromosome with a crossover between pERT 87-8 and pERT J-Bir in the manifesting carrier. However, the proximal part of the short arm of her X chromosome was identical to a non-manifesting carrier (her sister) and to her affected brother. For this reason, we assumed the BMD mutation was proximal to the crossover. The dystrophin cDNA probes showed no deletion of DMD/BMD gene.
Analysis of a Charge Cluster Mutation of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 UL34 and Its Extragenic Suppressor Suggests a Novel Interaction between pUL34 and pUL31 That Is Necessary for Membrane Curvature around Capsids

Interaction between pUL34 and pUL31 is essential for targeting both proteins to the inner nuclear membrane (INM). Sequences mediating the targeting interaction have been mapped by others with both proteins. We have previously reported identification of charge cluster mutants of herpes simplex virus type 1 UL34 that localize properly to the inner nuclear membrane, indicating interaction with UL31, but fail to complement a UL34 deletion. We have characterized one mutation (CL04) that alters a charge cluster near the N terminus of pUL34 and observed the following. (i) The CL04 mutant has a dominant-negative effect on pUL34 function, indicating disruption of some critical interaction. (ii) In infections with CL04 pUL34, capsids accumulate in close association with the INM, but no perinuclear enveloped viruses, cytoplasmic capsids, or virions or cell surface virions were observed, suggesting that CL04 UL34 does not support INM curvature around the capsid. (iii) Passage of UL34-null virus on a stable cell line that expresses CL04 resulted in selection of extragenic suppressor mutants that grew efficiently using the mutant pUL34. (iv) All extragenic suppressors contained an R229-->L mutation in pUL31 that was sufficient to suppress the CL04 phenotype. (v) Immunolocalization and coimmunoprecipitation experiments with truncated forms of pUL34 and pUL31 confirm that N-terminal sequences of pUL34 and a C-terminal domain of pUL31 mediate interaction but not nuclear membrane targeting. pUL34 and pUL31 may make two essential interactions-one for the targeting of the complex to the nuclear envelope and another for nuclear membrane curvature around capsids.
Adherences of D0L languages

Abstract Procedures for constructing representations of each of the finite number of sequences, i.e., ω-words, that belong to the adherence of an arbitrary D0L language are given. A procedure is then given for deciding whether or not the languages generated by an arbitrary pair of D0L systems have the same adherence. From an arbitrary D0L system simpler systems are constructed which have the same adherence as the original system. Representations of the sequences in the adherence of these simpler systems are then constructed. Such sequences either have the form uv ω for finite strings u and v or they have a form widely discussed by Salomaa: wsh ( s ) h 2 ( s )… h n ( s )… where h ( w ) = ws . The problem of deciding equality of two sequences of the latter type was recently solved by Culik and Harju (1981) and their algorithm is a major tool used here for deciding the adherence equivalence of D0L languages.
Como Lake, Minnesota: The Long-Term Response of a Shallow Urban Lake to Biomanipulation

ABSTRACT Como Lake, a shallow hypereutrophic 29-ha lake, located in St. Paul, MN, was biomanipulated by fisheries renovation using rotenone in September 1985, to reduce algal standing crop, improve aesthetics, and increase recreational use. Long-term monitoring (1982–97) indicates a cyclic water quality and biologic response following the initial biomanipulation. Algal standing crop, as measured by chlorophyll a (CHLA), varied positively with total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) for the post-biomanipulation years (1986–97), with marked changes in phytoplankton community composition and population abundance. Nutrient-phytoplankton (“bottom-up”) interactions are a strong and consistent force in Como Lake following biomanipulation due to continued high normalized areal phosphorus loading (~735 mg m−2 yr−1). “Top-down” influences have not yet stabilized, but appear to have dampened with time due to decreased effectiveness of sportfishing regulations and fish stocking, along with partial winterkill du...
A Content Analysis Technique for Evaluating Outcomes in Counseling

This study involved the content analysis of tape-recorded interviews in an attempt to validate criteria used for evaluating outcomes of counseling. A reputation (sociometric) inventory was used to select three types of students: socially effective, aggressive, and withdrawn. Each student was interviewed by a trained interviewer, and the content of interviews was analyzed according to topics discussed and affect associated with the topics. In general, socially effective students discussed a significantly greater number of topics than either the aggressive or withdrawn students. Few significant differences were found in positive- to negative-affect ratios but the socially effective did generally display more positive affect than the other groups. Though this study failed to validate this technique for appraising outcomes of counseling, the investigators believe that it has promise sufficient for further research.
Narcosis and emulsion reversal by inert gases.

Investigations of the effect of high pressures of Na (100 to 130 atmospheres) and of Ar (60 to 80 atmospheres) showed that these gases are effective in reversing the phases of an oil in water emulsion. Nitrous oxide did not cause reversal at pressures as high as 53 atmospheres nor did helium as high as 107 atmospheres. We found CO2 most effective in reversing the emulsions and attributed this to its chemical properties. It is suggested that these observations may help to explain the narcotic effects of inert gases.
Spending Rates as Evaluative Tools

Spending rates are used in program evaluation both explicitly and implicitly. This article presents an assessment of their use. It also shows that spending rates can be usefulproblem locators although they should be used in conjunction with other data and program analysis. The first section defines the basic spending rate. The second section discusses what spending rates show and describes their limitations. Alternative ways of analyzing spending rates and the advantages of each are discussed in the third section.
Inductively-Coupled Plasma Nitriding of Fused Silica

Plasma nitriding of fused silica has been performed over a temperature range of 750°C to 1300°C in a nitrogen-hydrogen plasma generated by an inductively coupled RF discharge. The plasma is used as both thermal and chemical source. The effects of various process parameters such as surface temperature, gas pressure and treatment time on total nitrogen content have been studied. The advantages and the drawbacks of this direct plasma nitriding technique are briefly discussed.
Relative Permeability Functions for High- and Low-Tension Systems at Elevated Temperatures

Mathematical simulation of thermal oil recovery processes require relative permeability data at elevated temperatures. High-temperature, low-interfacial tension relative permeability functions are needed to predict the performance and efficiency of enhanced oil recovery methods in which chemicals are considered for use with hot waterfloods or steamfloods. This paper presents empirical correlations based on experimental data that relate water-oil residual saturations and relative permeabilities to temperature, interfacial tension, and capillary number. A new model has been found for relating residual saturation to capillary number. A modified capillary number is defined that better represents the low-tension, hightemperature systems. End point relative permeabilities have been related to residual oil/water saturations and the mobile water saturation range. The predicted values of residual saturations and relative permeabilities by these correlations are in good agreement with experimental data. Two alternative approaches are presented for relating residual saturations to IFT reduction and temperature increase. The relationships are of necessity more involved than those discussed by earlier investigators who have studied only the individual effect of temperature or IFT reduction.
Density-functional theory study of polarization saturation in strained ferroelectrics

Using density-functional calculations and the modern theory of polarization, we study the structure and polarization responses of tetragonal ${\text{PbTiO}}_{3}$, ${\text{BaTiO}}_{3}$, and ${\text{SrTiO}}_{3}$ in a strain regime that is previously overlooked. We find that the ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{3}$ polarizations in all three substances saturate at large strains, revealing a phenomenon that is generally applicable. The saturation demonstrates the existence of a sophisticated collective behavior in the large-strain regime and is shown to originate possibly from electron-ion correlation that leads to a cancellation between electronic and ionic polarizations. Our results shed insight on the polarization properties and provide explanations for the puzzling results recently observed in experiments.
Two-Port Laparoscopic Appendectomy: Minimizing the Minimally Invasive Approach

Background Three laparoscopic ports are traditionally required to complete a laparoscopic appendectomy. We describe a novel, innovative 2-port laparoscopic technique, in which intracorporeal appendectomy can be completed safely with standard instrumentation. Materials and methods Eight consecutive patients were prospectively assigned to undergo 2-port laparoscopic appendectomies for presumed appendicitis. The technique involves the placement of one 12-mm infraumbilical port for the working instruments and one 5-mm left lower quadrant port for the camera. A suture is tied in a loop to the anterior abdominal wall in the right lower quadrant, which is subsequently used as an axle. A pretied suture placed on the appendix is passed through the loop suture and then through the port to the outside of the abdomen. This technique allows exposure of the base of the appendix and compensates for the lack of the third port usually required for the retraction of the appendix. The mesoappendix and appendix are stapled and removed from the abdomen in an extrication bag. Results All 8 laparoscopic procedures were completed without difficulty. The mean operative time was 64.1 min. Length of hospitalization was 1 d or less. No major complications were encountered. One minor postoperative complication occurred in which the patient developed periumbilical cellulitis, which was completely resolved at the 1-wk postoperative visit. Conclusion In times where surgeons are focusing on transluminal approaches to access the abdominal cavity, we favor laparoscopy for the enhanced exposure, instrument diversity, and overall patient safety. Two-port laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe, novel laparoscopic technique, which minimizes minimally invasive surgery even further to a new level of decreased invasiveness and improved cosmesis.
Foreseer: a novel, locality-aware peer-to-peer system architecture for keyword searches

Peer-to-peer (P2P) systems are becoming increasingly popular and complex, serving millions of users today. However, the design of current unstructured P2P systems does not take full advantage of rich locality properties present in P2P system workloads, thus possibly resulting in inefficient searches or poor system scalability. In this paper, we propose a novel locality-aware P2P system architecture called Foreseer, which explicitly exploits geographical locality and temporal locality by constructing a neighbor overlay and a friend overlay respectively. Each peer in Foreseer maintains a small number of neighbors and friends along with their content filters used as distributed indices. By combining the advantages of distributed indices and utilization of two-dimensional localities, the Foreseer search scheme satisfies more than 99% of keyword search queries and realizes very high search performance, with a low maintenance cost. In addition, query messages rarely touch free-riders, and therefore avoid most meaningless messages inherent in unstructured P2P systems. Our simulation results show that, compared with current unstructured P2P systems, Foreseer boosts search efficiency while adding only modest maintenance costs.
DETERMINANTS OF PARASITOID–HOST ASSOCIATIONS: INSIGHTS FROM A NATURAL TACHINID–LEPIDOPTERAN COMMUNITY

A major goal of insect community ecology is to understand how and why herbivorous insect species vary in the diversity of their parasitoid assemblages and the rates of parasitism that they experience. Most studies investigating these issues with Lep- idoptera as hosts have relied on literature records of parasitoid-host associations that are often of limited quality and that do not necessarily reflect local interactions between hosts and parasitoids. We sampled externally feeding Lepidoptera in mesquite-oak savanna hab- itats of southeastern Arizona (USA) to assess the ecological and evolutionary determinants of parasitoid community structure. We focused on parasitoids in the family Tachinidae (Diptera) due to their dominance as larval parasitoids of macrolepidoptera at our site. Host abundance, morphology, coloration, gregariousness, and diet breadth of the host were all significantly correlated with tachinid species richness among hosts. Tachinid species rich- ness also varied according to host taxonomy (family), but most of this variation appeared to be better explained by morphology and ecology than by phylogenetic position. Char- acteristics of host habitat and body size had no significant effect on tachinid species richness. Tachinid parasitism rates were higher for abundant, hairy, non-aposematic, and gregarious hosts. Hymenopteran parasitism rates were low and variable with only host family ex- plaining a significant amount of variation. In general, we found that a substantial amount of the variation in tachinid species richness and parasitism rates among hosts can be ex- plained by ecological attributes, and that interactions of host species with their host plants and predators may determine their suitability as hosts for parasitoids.
Contextualizing Violence in a Participatory Classroom: A Socially Defined Identities Approach.

Techniques for integrating race, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, and other categories of socially defined identity in a student-centered participatory classroom are outlined for a survey course on women and violence. Keeping categories of socially defined identity central to every course component changes not only the content of the course, but also the questions asked and the range of possible answers. Students were given two tools with which to analyze each topic: theoretical frameworks (psychology, sociology, feminism) and the categories of socially defined identity. Difficulties with the material are interpreted as signposts of the complexity of the theoretical issues involved rather than as intellectual failures of the students or the instructor. An open and participatory classroom climate facilitates dealing with the stresses of this topic as well as with the ambiguities faced by students exploring the multidimensional space of socially defined identities.
A Pictorial Visual Analog Scale for Rating Severity of Childhood Asthma Episodes

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of pictorial anchors improved a visual analog scale (VAS) designed to assess asthma episodes. The sample consisted of 77 children with moderate to severe asthma attending a summer camp. They rated one of two VASs, either nonpictorial (39 subjects in year 1) or pictorial (38 subjects in year 2), three times a day for 2 weeks to report the severity of their asthma symptoms. Immediately after the subjects rated the VAS, pulmonary function testing was obtained. The mean VAS scores increased 64% using the pictorial VAS while the mean PEFRs in the 2 years were almost identical, suggesting that changes on the VAS were not due to differences in pulmonary functioning. For boys, the increase in individual mean VAS score in year 2 using the pictorial VAS was 44%; for girls, the increase in individual mean VAS scores was 112%. Use of a pictorial VAS increases the range of severity of symptoms reported by children with asthma. The instrument may be a useful tool in the systematic quantifiable assessment of subjective symptomatology in pediatric asthma.
Prevalence of selected clinical problems in older adults with autism and intellectual disability

Originally described as a disorder of childhood, evidence now demonstrates the lifelong nature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Despite the increase of the population over age 65, older adults with ASD remain a scarcely explored subpopulation. This study set out to investigate the prevalence of clinically relevant behaviors and medical problems in a sample of US adults aged 30 to 59 with ASD and intellectual disability (ID), in comparison to those with ID only. A cross-sectional study, with both an exploratory and replication analysis, was conducted using National Core Indicators (NCI) multi-state surveys from 2009 to 2010 and 2010 to 2011. There were 4,989 and 4,261 adults aged 30–59 with ID examined from the 2009 to 2010 and 2010 to 2011 samples, respectively. The two consecutive annual samples consisted of 438 (9%) and 298 (7%) individuals with ASD and ID. Variables were chosen from the NCI data as outcomes, including medication use for behavior problems, severe or aggressive behavior problems and selected medical conditions. No age-associated disparities were observed between adults with ASD and ID versus adults with ID only in either sample. For the 2009 to 2010 sample, the prevalence of support needed to manage self-injurious, disruptive and destructive behavior in subjects with ASD and ID ranged from 40 to 60%. Similarly, the prevalence estimates of self-injurious, disruptive and destructive behavior were each almost double in adults with ASD and ID relative to those with ID only. These results were replicated in the 2010 to 2011 sample. The findings of this study highlight the urgent need for research on the nature and treatment of severe behavior problems in the rapidly increasing population of older adults with ASD. They also suggest the importance of developing policies that expand our capacity to care for these individuals.
Television's portrayals of minorities and women in drama and comedy drama 1971‐80

This study has demonstrated that the proportional representation of minorities has declined, while that of the women has increased over the past decade. Changes have also occurred relative to role significance.
A new three-terminal tunnel device

A Zener effect has been identified in the trench transistor cell (TTC) which is used in Texas Instruments' 4-Mbit DRAM. This paper discusses a closed-form analytical model for the tunneling current in the TTC. The effect is also verified in a novel planar MOS structure.
Hypolipidemic effects of high-carbohydrate, high-fiber diets

Abstract Serial measurements of serum cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) concentrations were performed in diabetic men fed high-carbohydrate, high-fiber (HCF) as well as high-carbohydrate, low-fiber (HCLF) diets. Fourteen lean men were first fed control diets for 1 wk and then fed weight-maintaining HCF diets (70% carbohydrate) that were restricted in fat and cholesterol. Average insulin doses dropped from 27 U/day on control diets to 12 U/day on HCF diets and fasting plasma glucose values were 26 mg/dl lower on HCF diets. On HCF diets, serum cholesterol values were lower by 32% (64 mg/dl, p p p p p
Full duplex radios

This paper presents the design and implementation of the first in-band full duplex WiFi radios that can simultaneously transmit and receive on the same channel using standard WiFi 802.11ac PHYs and achieves close to the theoretical doubling of throughput in all practical deployment scenarios. Our design uses a single antenna for simultaneous TX/RX (i.e., the same resources as a standard half duplex system). We also propose novel analog and digital cancellation techniques that cancel the self interference to the receiver noise floor, and therefore ensure that there is no degradation to the received signal. We prototype our design by building our own analog circuit boards and integrating them with a fully WiFi-PHY compatible software radio implementation. We show experimentally that our design works robustly in noisy indoor environments, and provides close to the expected theoretical doubling of throughput in practice.
Rule refinement with recurrent neural networks

Recurrent neural networks can be trained to behave like deterministic finite-state automata (DFAs) and methods have been developed for extracting grammatical rules from trained networks. Using a simple method for inserting prior knowledge of a subset of the DFA state transitions into recurrent neural networks, it is shown that recurrent neural networks are able to perform rule refinement. The results from training a recurrent neural network to recognize a known nontrivial randomly generated regular grammar show that not only do the networks preserve correct prior knowledge, but they are able to correct through training inserted prior knowledge which was wrong. By wrong, it is meant that the inserted rules were not the ones in the randomly generated grammar. >
Power efficient voltage islanding for Systems-on-Chip from a floorplanning perspective

Power consumption can be significantly reduced in Systems-on-Chip (SoC) by scaling down the voltage levels of the Processing Elements (PEs). The power efficiency of this Voltage Islanding technique comes at the cost of energy and area overhead due to the level shifters between voltage islands. Moreover, from the physical design perspective it is not desirable to have an excessive number of voltage islands on the chip. Considering voltage islanding at an early phase of design as during floorplanning of the PEs can address various of these issues. In this paper, we propose a new cost function for the floorplanning objective different from the traditional floorplanning objective. The new cost function not only includes the overall area requirement, but also incorporates the overall power consumption and the design constraint imposed on the maximum number of voltage islands. We propose a greedy heuristic based on the proposed cost function for the floorplanning of the PEs with several voltage islands. Experimental results using benchmark data study the effect of several parameters on the outcome of the heuristic. It is evident from the results that power consumption can be significantly reduced using our algorithm without significant area overhead. The area obtained from the heuristic is also compared with the optimal, and found to be within 4% of the optimal on average, when area minimization is given the priority.
Peptide Mediators of Inflammation

Some of us who have been attempting to understand the mechanisms of inflammation have focused on the nature of the interactions among component cells in inflammatory lesions. The deleterious consequences of chronic inflammatory diseases result from the effects of these interactions on resident cells of the involved tissues (Krane et al., 1982). In most of these tissues, mesenchymal cells such as fibroblasts are the target cells, and monocytes and lymphocytes are the effector cells. It has become apparent, however, that the distinction between effector and target is blurred, since the so-called target cells can also profoundly influence functions of the effector cells. The interactions among these cells are mediated through direct cell contact or the release of soluble ligands that act by binding through specific cellular receptors.
Genetics of Human Astrocytic Tumors

One model for the malignant progression exhibited by human cancer invokes clonal evolution and selection of population subsets with increasing deviance from the norm [1]. Such a hypothesis predicts that tumor cells of the ultimate stage will carry each of the events, cells of the penultimate state will carry each of the events less that last one and so on. This requires extraordinary frequencies of “mutation” to achieve an end stage tumor or that each of the “mutations” has many effects on the features of the process.
Judicial Reform and Access to Justice: The Impact of Criminal Justice Reforms on Transitional Justice Efforts in Latin America

The criminal justice systems in Latin America have experienced profound transformations since the 1980s. But what has been the impact of criminal justice reforms in terms of access to justice and human rights adjudication? Although there are studies looking into the advances and failures of judicial reforms in general, systematic empirical research that helps us assess how new institutions and legal rights are actually working to improve individual criminal accountability for human rights violations is still scarce. In this paper, through a mixed-method approach, I explore the impact of reforms on access to justice for victims of human rights violations.
The New Penalty Regime: Proceed with Caution!

This article was originally published in The Tax Executive (Nov.-Dec. 2004) and is reprinted here with permission of the Tax Executives Institute. It reviews recently enacted penalties and related statutory provisions and administrative requirements designed to strengthen the government's hand in its battle against abusive tax shelter transactions, particularly when required disclosure of those transactions is not made. Beller demonstrates that the new rules directly affect both the taxpayers and their advisers, and could in some instances result in significant changes in the nature and scope of the professional relationship between tax practitioners and their clients.