cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tumor size predicts synchronous metastatic renal cell carcinoma: implications for surveillance of small renal masses.

Purpose: Active surveillance of small incidental renal masses is associated with slow radiographic growth and a low risk of metastatic progression. Radiographic tumor size, in the absence of histological data, is the only prognostic indicator available when considering active surveillance. To better define the relationship between tumor size and the metastatic potential of small renal masses, we investigated whether radiographic tumor size predicts for the presence of synchronous metastases in renal cell carcinoma.Materials and Methods: We reviewed our institutional tumor registry to identify sporadic pathologically verified renal cell carcinoma treated during an 8-year period. We analyzed data regarding primary tumor size and the presence of biopsy proven synchronous metastatic disease at presentation. All N+M0 and nonpathologically confirmed M+ disease was excluded from analysis.Results: We compared 110 cases of renal cell carcinoma with biopsy proven synchronous metastatic disease at presentation to 25...
Achievement of well conducting wide band-gap semiconductors: Role of solubility and of nonequilibrium impurity incorporation.

A long-standing problem for wide band-gap semiconductors is that of achieving good bipolar conductivity. I here show that this difficulty can be understood via solubility considerations of dopant incorporation. Reports of good conductivity in such materials are likely due to nonequilibrium impurity incorporation, and prior literature is reinterpreted to provide examples of this view.
Irrigation requirement estimation using vegetation indices and inverse biophysical modeling

We explore an inverse biophysical modeling process forced by satellite and climatological data to quantify irrigation requirements in semi-arid agricultural areas. We constrain the carbon and water cycles modeled under both equilibrium, balance between vegetation and climate, and non-equilibrium, water added through irrigation. We postulate that the degree to which irrigated dry lands vary from equilibrium climate conditions is related to the amount of irrigation. The amount of water required over and above precipitation is considered as an irrigation requirement. For July, results show that spray irrigation resulted in an additional amount of water of 1.3 mm per occurrence with a frequency of 24.6 hours. In contrast, the drip irrigation required only 0.6 mm every 45.6 hours or 46% of that simulated by the spray irrigation. The modeled estimates account for 87% of the total reported irrigation water use, when soil salinity is not important and 66% in saline lands.
Computational Study of Gas Turbine Blade Cooling Channel

It has been a common practice to use cooling passages in gas turbine blade in order to keep the blade temperatures within the operating range. Insufficiently cooled blades are subject to oxidation, to cause creep rupture, and even to cause melting of the material. To design better cooling passages, better understanding of the flow patterns within the complicated flow channels is essential. The interactions between secondary flows and separation lead to very complex flow patterns. To accurately simulate these flows and heat transfer, both refined turbulence models and higher-order numerical schemes are indispensable for turbine designers to improve the cooling performance. Power output and the efficiency of turbine are completely related to gas firing temperature from chamber. The increment of gas firing temperature is limited by the blade material properties. Advancements in the cooling technology resulted in high firing temperatures with acceptable material temperatures. To better design the cooling channels and to improve the heat transfer, many researchers are studying the flow patterns inside the cooling channels both experimentally and computationally. In this paper, the authors present the performance of three turbulence models using TEACH software code in comparison with the experimental values. To test the performance, a square duct with rectangular ribs oriented at 90° and 45° degree and placed at regular intervals. The channel also has bleed holes. The normalized Nusselt number obtained from simulation are validated with that of experiment. The Reynolds number is set at 10,000 for both the simulation and experiment. The interactions between secondary flows and separation lead to very complex flow patterns. To accurately simulate these flows and heat transfer, both refined turbulence models and higher-order numerical schemes are indispensable for turbine designers to improve the cooling performance. The three-dimensional turbulent flows and heat transfer are numerically studied by using several different turbulence models, such as non-linear low-Reynolds number k-omega and Reynolds Stress (RSM) models. In k-omega model the cubic terms are included to represent the effects of extra strain-rates such as streamline curvature and three-dimensionality on both turbulence normal and shear stresses. The finite volume difference method incorporated with the higher-order bounded interpolation scheme has been employed in the present study. The outcome of this study will help determine the best suitable turbulence model for future studies.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Architecture of Mughal India

List of plates General editor's preface Preface List of abbreviations Glossary Map of major pre-Mughal and Mughal sites 1. Precedents for Mughal architecture 2. The beginnings of Mughal architecture 3. The age of Akbar 4. Jahangir: an age of transition 5. Shah Jahan and the crystallization of Mughal style 6. Aurangzeb and the Islamization of the Mughal style 7. Architecture and the struggle for authority under the later Mughals and their successor states Bibliographical essays Index.
Of Cabbages and Kings: Some Considerations on Classifications, Diagnostic Schemes, Semiology, and Concepts

Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made. Otto von Bismark To the extent to which a new classification of seizures resembles a law or a sausage, it might be preferable to ignore how the classification is made. In the special ar- ticles that follow, we choose to take the opposite ap- proach. These articles will expose to public scrutiny some of the deliberations and debate in this controversial area. Peter Wolf submitted the lead article. I asked Drs. Engel, Luders, Avanzini, and Berg to provide responses. All articles were subject to peer-review and revision. These authors have debated their points of view for years. The thought underlying their positions has educa- tional value, even in the absence of a full consensus. The articles in this section occasionally refer to per- sonalities or processes internal to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), the owner of this Jour- nal. I chose not to edit out such references, so the readers could see the sausage being made, but the primary pur- pose clearly is not criticism of persons or processes, but of ideas. Contrary to widespread opinion, the ILAE has not yet issued a suggested revised classification of sei- zures or syndromes. Discussion remains at the level of what such a classification should accomplish and com- prise. As we proceed, we might keep in mind the advice of Albert Einstein that "Things should be made as simple as possible—but no simpler." Few areas in epileptology will have such a great need for wise simplicity.
Effect of Band or Line Shape on the Radiative Transfer in a Nongray Planar Medium

Radiative transfer through an absorbing, emitting and heat generating nongray medium confined between two parallel walls is studied. Specific attention is directed toward the evaluation of the effect of band or line shape on the temperature distribution and radiative flux. The analysis is restricted to a medium in local thermodynamic equilibrium and an absorption coefficient Kv of the Milne-Eddington type, i.e. Kv(T) = α(v)β(T). The absorption coefficient consists of an array of equal-intensity, nonoverlapping narrow bands or lines. The results for the dimensionless emissive power at the wall and the radiative flux are expressed in terms of the moments of Chandrasekhar's X and Y functions for the rectangular, triangular, exponential, Doppler and Lorentz profiles. For the case of radiative equilibrium, the dimensionless emissive power distribution is present in graphical and tabular form.
Photothermal Initiation of Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Metastable Interstitial Composites: Synergistic Effects on the Dynamics of Energy Release

The organic high-energy material pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) was incorporated at low concentrations into Al (100 nm)/Fe2O3 metastable intersitital composites (MIC) to form a hybrid organic/inorganic high-energy material. Studies of the dynamics of energy release were carried out by initiating the reaction photothermally with a single 8 ns pulse of the 1064 nm fundamental of a Nd:YAG laser. The reaction dynamics were measured using time-resolved spectroscopy of the light emitted from the deflagrating material. Two parameters were measured: the time to initiation and the duration of the deflagration. The presence of small amounts of PETN (16 mg/g of MIC) results in a dramatic decrease in the initiation time. This is attributed to a contribution to the temperature of the reacting system from the combustion of the PETN that, at lower loadings, appears to follow an Arrhenius dependence. The presence of PETN was also found to reduce the energy density required for single-pulse photothermal initiation by...
Comment composition of the polar wind ‐ not just H+ and He+

In their paper "First measurements of the supersonic polar wind", Nagai et al. (1984) make the point that, because the ion measurements presented in our earlier publication on the polar wind (Gurgiolo and Burch, 1982) were probably of oxygen, the observations were not of the polar wind but of an unspecified alternate ion upflow. The impression is given that oxygen is not considered a polar wind constituent. Allusions are also made to the energy range of our measurements indicating that it is too high to measure the polar wind. Such arguments are not consistent with the current work being done on the supersonic polar wind.
Diagnostic Usefulness of Sustentacular Cells in Paragangliomas: Immunocytochemical and Ultrastructural Investigation

Neuroendocrine tumors may derive either from neuroectoderm or endoderm. Both may present with a similar histologic pattern known as "Zellballen" regardless of their histogenetic origin, making it difficult to separate the two different histogenetic entities in certain cases. To evaluate the usefulness of sustentacular cells in the recognition of tumors of paraganglionic origin, the authors analyzed immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of 25 paragangliomas and 19 pulmonary and 10 small intestinal carcinoids. Sustentacular cells with characteristic dendritic features, strong immunoreactivity for S-100 protein, and agranular cytoplasm by electron microscopy were found consistently in the paragangliomas and not found in typical carcinoid tumors, except for four examples of spindle cell carcinoid of the lung. The presence of sustentacular cells in tumors with "Zellballen" pattern therefore denotes paraganglionic origin.
The role of cytokine networks in the local liver injury following hepatic ischemia/reperfusion in the rat

The liver is highly susceptible to a number of pathological insults, including ischemia/reperfusion injury. We the liver is an important clinical problem that often have previously employed an animal model of hepatic follows circulatory shock with resuscitation, as well as ischemia/reperfusion injury, and have shown that this many types of liver surgery, including transplantation injury induces the production and release of hepatic-de- and resection for tumor. Possible consequences include rived tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a), which mediates, liver failure and/or multi-organ system failure, both of in part, local liver injury following hepatic reperfusion. which have high rates of morbidity and mortality. 1,2 In the present study, we have extended these previous Neutrophils have been shown to be responsible, in part, observations to assess whether an interrelationship ex- for the pathophysiological changes that follow ischists between TNF-a and the neutrophil chemoattractant/ emia/reperfusion injury in many organs, including the activating factor, epithelial neutrophil activating protein, gut, 3-5 heart, 6,7 and soft tissues. 8,9 In addition, Jaeschke that may account for some of the pathology of neutrophilet al have recently shown that the neutrophil plays mediated ischemia/reperfusion-induced liver injury. We a central role in the development of the pathological observed that hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury leads to: (1) a coincident increase in hepatic neutrophil seques- hepatic changes following hepatic ischemia/reperfusion tration, elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) injury. 10 These investigators showed a substantial delevels, and hepatic production of epithelial neutrophil ac- crease in the severity of hepatic injury in animals rentivating protein; (2) passive immunization with neutraliz- dered neutropenic before the initiation of hepatic isching antibodies to TNF-a resulted in significant suppres- emia/reperfusion. These neutropenic animals also sion of hepatic-derived epithelial neutrophil activating showed an increase in hepatic adenosine triphosphate protein; and (3) neutralization of epithelial neutrophil ac- levels and improved overall survival rate. 10 Interesttivating protein by passive immunization significantly at- ingly, the actual mechanisms responsible for neutrotenuated neutrophil sequestration in the liver and serum phil recruitment into the liver following hepatic ischALT levels. These findings support the notion that local emia/reperfusion injury remain to be defined. expression of hepatic epithelial neutrophil activating Using an animal model of hepatic ischemia/reperfuprotein produced in response to TNF-a is an important sion injury, our laboratory has previously shown that mediator of the local neutrophil-dependent hepatic inhepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury causes the produc
A revised thermospheric model based on mass spectrometer and incoherent scatter data - MSIS-83

It is noted that the model presented here extends the previous description of neutral parameters to the base of the thermosphere in a continuous manner while maintaining the basic structure of the MSIS model at higher altitudes. As the altitude decreases, the composition approaches lower atmosphere values, whereas yearly, and to a lesser extent daily, variations in temperature and density are in reasonable agreement with earlier results for the lower thermosphere. An alternate description is given of magnetic storm variations on the basis of the three hour ap indices and an 8- to 10-hour exponential decay in thermospheric density and temperature response after a heating event. Additional coefficients are included for the time independent and magnetic activity terms, among them a longitudinally dependent seasonal magnetic activity effect. The description of molecular oxygen derives from mass spectrometer and EUV absorption measurements rather than ion chemistry.
Long-term serum creatinine valuesafter radical nephrectomy

Both pre- and postnephrectomy levels of serum creatinine were measured in 52 consecutive patients who underwent radical nephrectomy for localized renal cell carcinoma between 1971 and 1976. At the time of follow-up, 17 patients were alive and 35 had died, 14 of renal cell carcinoma and 21 of other causes. Follow-up lasted a minimum of 115.5 months (mean 151.1 months, median 141.1, range 115.5-211.3 months) for 16 of the 17 patients who were alive. In this group only 2 patients had elevations in the serum creatinine level above 1.6 mg/dL-1.9 mg/dL and 2.4 mg/dL, respectively. The patient whose value was 2.4 mg/dL was a diabetic who required insulin. No serious renal failure, renal disease, or tumors in the contralateral kidney occurred among the total group of 52 patients. These data indicate that renal function remains adequate in patients who have a normal contralateral kidney and are treated by radical nephrectomy.
Reproducibility of transcutaneous continuous-wave Doppler testing of the carotid arteries.

Hand-held, continuous-wave Doppler probes, coupled with sound spectral analysis, can successfully predict carotid artery stenosis. Changing either the emitting frequency of the probe, the beam/artery angle of the carotid flow velocity (e.g. cardiac output) may alter the recorded frequency shifts. These effects raise questions as to the efficacy of this technique to serially follow carotid atheroma for progressive stenosis. To test the Inherent problems with this methodology, a study of reproducibility was conducted. Two Doppler probes (5 MHz and 8 MHz) were compared at the same sitting in 24 patients; 12 were restudied on two subsequent occasions. Peak systolic frequency was 135% higher with the 8 MHz probe; this was lower than the 160% calculated by substitution for emitting frequency in the Doppler formula. The linear correlation coefficient of the two probes was 0.88. In relationship to established laboratory criteria of a > 75% area stenosis, no errors were noted with the 5 MHz probe while four errors were noted with the 8 MHz probe. A serial study variation of peak systolic frequency was noted for both probes; these variations did not cross established criteria levels of a severe stenosis when the 5 MHz probe was used, but did with the 8 MHz probe for two carotids. A standard examining probe is recommended. Angle and cardiac output changes do result in peak systolic frequency variation from test to test, but these were not clinically significant with the 5 MHz probe. Thus, significant changes during follow-up testing should provide an index of evolving carotid stenosis.
ATP-dependent proton-pumping activities of zucchini fruit microsomes. A study of tonoplast and plasma membrane activities

The mesocarp tissue of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Black Beauty, zucchini) fruit exhibits ATP-dependent H+-pumping activities associated with tonoplast (nitrate-sensitive) and plasma membrane (vanadate-sensitive) vesicles. The two activities are easily separated on step gradients with isopycnic densities lower than usually reported (< 20% (w/w) sucrose for tonoplast; 25–35% (w/w) sucrose for plasma membrane). The tonoplast is relatively impermeable to H+ (the half-time for equilibration of a pH gradient is 23–36 min) compared to plasma membrane (half-time of 4–6 min). Anion permeability was measured by adding ATP in the absence of an accompanying K+ salt, then measuring the increase in the pH gradient caused by the addition of a K+ salt. The increase in the pH gradient is presumably due to alleviation of the Δψ component (positive inside) and consequent increase in the Δ pH component (acid inside) of the electrochemical gradient by movement of the anion into the vesicle interior. Cl− and NO3− are permeable, SO42− is not. The anion permeabilities of the tonoplast and plasma membrane were similar. This is inconsistent with the marked difference in the H+ permeabilities, but might be explained by the presence of anion channel(s) associated with tonoplast-derived vesicles.
Sluicing, Idioms, and Island Repair

In this article, we investigate idiom reconstruction in the context of sluicing constructions. We demonstrate that some idioms in English are not compatible with resumptive pronouns. On the basis of this observation, we argue that sluicing involves wh-gap dependencies rather than wh-resumptive pronoun dependencies, and that the island amelioration effect of sluicing does not result primarily from the island amelioration effect of resumptive pronouns.
Fatty acid composition and microbial activity of benthic marine sediment from McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

Signature lipids from the phospholipid esterlinked fatty acids (PELFA) of cell membranes were used to describe benthic microbial communities of 4 Antarctic sediments. Metabolic activities of the communities were determined by incorporation of [3H]thymidine into bacterial DNA and sodium [14C]acetate into membrane lipids. Biomass measurements from extractable phospholipid fatty acids per g dry wt. ranged between 6 to 76 nmol, or when converted to number of bacteria, 3.7 × 108 to 4.5 × 109 cells per g dry wt. The West Sound site at New Harbor contained the lowest biomass, while Cape Evans on the East Sound contained the greatest. A marked difference was also noted between sites in their sediment microbial community structure. The East Sound sites at Cape Armitage and Cape Evans contained a greater abundance of diatom marker lipids, whilst both sides of the Sound contained approximately the same relative amounts of bacterial groups distinguished using PELFA. Activity of sediment microorganisms measured by radiolabel incorporation under ambient conditions followed the trends of the biomass measurements. The East Sound sites were more active by an average of 45–73% for [3H]thymidine and possibly also for sodium [14C]acetate.
Effects of Alpha and Beta Interferons on Cultured Human Keratinocytes

Interferons (IF) are a family of glycoproteins known for their antiviral activity and the ability to inhibit growth and alter behavior of various normal and transformed cell types, both in vivo and in vitro. Because cultured human keratinocytes (HK) produce IF in response to viral infection, we undertook studies of alpha-IF and beta-IF effects on HK. Cloned human IF were added at time of seeding and at each feeding to paired dishes of keratinocytes maintained in serum-free hormone-supplemented medium. At 7 days significant inhibition of growth was observed for both alpha-IF and beta-IF, as determined by cell counts, total protein, and appearance of stained colonies, and was sustained for at least two weeks during continuous IF exposure. The inhibition was substantially blocked by prior addition of cholera toxin to the medium, consistent with competition for a common cell surface receptor. Growth of a single human epidermal carcinoma cell line was much less affected by IF than was growth of the normal keratinocytes. IF also promoted terminal differentiation of keratinocytes as assessed by desquamation rate of cells from the colony surface and by proportion of total cells having cornified envelopes. IF effect on both growth and differentiation was completely reversible within days of its removal from medium. These findings suggest that IF may function as a physiologic regulator of epidermal growth in vivo with properties of a negative growth factor or chalone.
Optimum Generator Characteristics of RF Amplifiers for Heavily Beam-Loaded Acceterators

As the beam loading is increased in a proton linear accelerator, it becomes increasingly more difficult to maintain the design gradient. To avoid excessive beam spill, this gradient must be controlled to a tolerance of ~ ± 1% during the initial transient of beam turn-on and during any subsequent fluctuation in beam loading due to uncontrolled or programmed variations in the amount of beam injected. Since the beam obtains its energy from the field, more power must be supplied by the rf generator when the beam is on. High-power microwave triodes, klystrons, and crossed-field amplifiers are being evaluated as generators to drive the accelerator structure of the LAMPF proton linac. The delivery of power from these tubes to the time-varying load impedance presented by the linac is a complicated interplay among such factors as the internal design of the tube's active region and output coupling section, the length of line between the generator and the load, and the coupling to the load. An optimum system design can enable the generator to provide a degree of self-compensation providing a programmed amount of power to match the changing load impedance. This eases the problem of providing fine control to the 1% tolerance by a closed-loop system. Experimental studies have been conducted on each tube type.
Sample support in a single fracture: Considering the definition and control of the support of a water sample

Defining and controlling the support of a field measurement (the volume or area over which the measurement is averaged) are critical components of statistical and/or geostatistical analysis of a data base. For the present study, the seemingly simple task of collecting a water sample from a single fracture is used to illustrate potential difficulties in defining and controlling the support of that sample. Two definitions of sample support are considered for this problem. First, one could argue that the support is equal to the volume of water collected. Second, one could argue for a support defined in terms of the area of the fracture surface contacted by the water collected. Collection of water samples with constant volume is relatively straight forward in a field situation. Collection of a water sample which involves contact with a specified area of the fracture, however, is not as straight forward. In the case of negligible regional flow, a constant sample area can be approximated by requiring that the sample volume collected be linearly proportional to the locally averaged aperture (thus requiring an independent measure of the local aperture). In the case of regional flow with continuous sampling, a constant area within each sample can be approximated by matching the up gradient width of the capture zone of the sampler (thus requiring knowledge of the local aperture and hydraulic gradient). These examples illustrate how difficult it may be to define and control the support for even these simple measurements. Further, they illustrate that the choice of support may be closely related to the purpose for which the measurement is collected. Additional attention to the problem of defining / controlling sample supports has the potential to pay substantial dividends in the areas of scaling and field design / analysis.
Cognitive Deficits in Alcoholic Women

A group of alcoholic women was compared to a matched group of nonalcoholic women on several cognitive tasks. Alcoholic women were impaired on both a spatial and a verbal abstracting test and were significantly more neurotic than the control women. The menstrual status of the women proved to be important when comparing the two groups.
Ambulatory velocity in crowded and uncrowded conditions.

-The umc individuals spent walking a standard distance on a sidewalk was unobtrusively observed under 2 conditions. In a crowded condition the distribution of walking speeds ( n = 20) was skewed towards fast speeds. This was interpreted as being due to physical constraints against walking slower than the pace of the crowd and freedom to move faster. In an uncrowded condition the distribution of walking speeds ( n = 20) was skewed towards slow speeds. This was interpreted as being due to norms which limit walking speed and the lack of normative or physical constraints against moving slower than the "normal" speed. The findings were generalized to other settings where user density and environment capacity interact to determine the pace at which people move through behavior sequences.
Use of passive and active ground and satellite remote sensing to monitor fine particulate pollutants on regional scales

This paper explores the performance of current remote sensing methods for estimation of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 , diameter < 2.5μm) in the New York City area (40.821°N, 73.949°W) during 2010. We analyze the relationship between surface PM2.5 mass concentration and column aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 500-nm by using the synergy measurements of surface in-situ, AERONET-sunphotometer, lidar and NOAA-GOES satellite. The regression slopes and correlation coefficients between PM 2.5 and AOD show the good performance in summer and indicate dramatic monthly variation which are associated with the seasonal differences of PBL-heights, fine-mode contribution to the total AOD and aerosol volume-to-extinction ratio. Additionally, the relationship of PM 2.5 and fine-mode AOD shows higher correlations than the PM 2.5 and total AOD (R 2 total = 0.5011, R 2 fine = 0.6132, R 2 coarse = -0.0235). Also, when considering the lidar-derived PBL-heights in the different months and removing aloft layer and cloudy cases, the PM 2.5 estimations using AOD show improvements during the cold months; furthermore, the correction on aerosol volume-to-extinction ratio results in better estimations of fine particulate matter concentrations and therefore confirms the importance of including these parameters into air quality models. Moreover, the AOD data from NOAA-Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) are initially evaluated by comparing with AERONET-AOD, and further illustrate the good correlation with PM 2.5 concentration.
Hypodermic cathode follower for drug administration and concurrent EEG recording.

The development of a stable hypodermic cathode follower has been accomplished for drug administration and concurrent EEG recording. The cathode follower is characterized by grid currents well below 10-11 and an input impedance of approximately 100 meg. ohms. The hypodermic cathode follower is designed to be used in conjunction with a stereotaxic apparatus, thus making it possible to apply drugs to highly localized areas in the vertebrate brain. Simultaneous drug administration and EEG recording are the main features of the instrument and as such offer wide application for neuropharmacology investigations.
How Do Information Ambiguity and Timing of Contextual Information Affect Managers' Goal Congruence in Making Investment Decisions in Good Times vs. Bad Times?

Information ambiguity is prevalent in organizations and may influence management decisions. This study draws upon research on information bias and ambiguity research to empirically test how information ambiguity and non-financial factors (e.g., interpersonal information) affect managers’ capital budgeting decisions when in good vs. bad times. Ninety-two managers completed two experiments. In Experiment One, the information was presented sequentially. Our results show that without the presence of non-financial factors, managers tend to maximize the firm value. After receiving non-financial factors, a significant number of managers switched to the self-serving option in good times (the gain condition) but stayed with firm-value maximization in bad times (the loss condition). In Experiment Two, the information was presented simultaneously in the presence and absence of ambiguity. We found that in the presence of ambiguity, the information presentation has no impact on managers’ self-serving bias in good times or their firm-value maximization tendency in bad times. Interestingly, we also observed managers’ use of interpersonal information even in the absence of ambiguity.
Quantum dynamics study of torsional excitation of glycine in collision with hydrogen atom on ab initio potential energy surface

Quantum mechanical study has been carried out to investigate C−C torsional excitation in glycine via collisional energy transfer with hydrogen atom. In this study, ab initio calculation is carried out to generate potential energies on a two-dimensional grid (torsional angle and radial coordinate) for given fixed orientational angle (θ, φ). These discrete energies are fitted with a local linear least-squares method to generate potential energies at any given point in two-dimensional space for dynamics calculation. Time-dependent quantum wave packet calculation is employed to study energy transfer to the C−C torsional mode of glycine, and state-to-state transition probabilities are obtained for different initial angles of collision. Strong angle-dependent energy transfer is observed from the calculation. Although the total energy transferred to the torsional mode is small, collision from certain angles can result in relatively large conformational change in torsion by as much as 30° degrees.
ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION OF THE THYROID GLAND OF HYPERTHYROID CATS: COMPARISON TO 99mTcO−4 SCINTIGRAPHY

High-resolution ultrasonography was evaluated as an alternative to 99mTcO-4 scintigraphy for examining size and appearance of thyroid glands in hyperthyroid cats. Thyroid ultrasound examinations were performed on 6 normal cats and 14 cats with hyperthyroidism. Thyroid lobe volume was estimated from ultrasound images using the equation for a prolate ellipsoid, π/6 (length * height * width). Total thyroid volume was estimated by adding the volume estimations of the left and right lobes. Thyroid lobes of hyperthyroid cats were considered abnormal if estimated volume exceeded the 99% confidence interval for normal thyroid volume determined from the control group. Scintigraphic examinations performed on hyperthyroid cats were evaluated for unilateral versus bilateral disease and for the presence of ectopic activity. Mean thyroid lobe volume and total thyroid volume for normal cats was 85 and 169 mm3, respectively. Mean thyroid lobe volume and total thyroid volume for hyperthyroid cats was 578 and 889 mm3. There was a significant difference in mean estimated total thyroid volume of normal and hyperthyroid cats. Thyroid lobes with greater than normal TcO-4 uptake on scintigraphy were larger and had variable homogeneity, echogenicity, and margination on ultrasound examination. There also was an 85.7% agreement of scintigraphy and ultrasonography in differentiating normal from abnormal thyroid lobes. A fair correlation between estimated total thyroid volume of hyperthyroid cats and most recent pretherapy serum thyroxine values were also found. This preliminary study indicates that thyroid ultrasound examination may provide information that is useful for diagnosis and treatment of feline hyperthyroidism. Although ultrasound provides accurate evaluation of the thyroid glands, it cannot replace 99mTcO-4 scintigraphy for screening of metastatic lesions and ectopic glands.
Comparison of Outcomes of Laparoscopic Versus Open Appendectomy in Adults: Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2006–2008

Background The benefits of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) remain undefined as compared to open appendectomy (OA) in children, particularly in cases of perforated appendicitis. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes of LA versus OA in perforated and nonperforated appendicitis in children.
STS to Enhance Total Curriculum

Many nonscientists hold incorrect views of science. These incorrect views of science are rooted in fundamental problems with science education in schools. These problems are discussed in the context of their causes, including a dysfunctional working definition of science. The Science/Technology/Society (STS) movement is described and illustrated as a potential means to correct these problems. Examples derived from statewide efforts in Iowa are used as evidence that STS initiatives are paradigms for curriculum and instructional reform.
IBD: Poor outcomes after Clostridium difficile infection in IBD.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a common complication of IBD and is associated with disease flare-ups and adverse outcomes. Low levels of serum albumin and haemoglobin alongside high concentrations of serum creatinine predict the need for surgery and risk of death associated with CDI in patients with IBD.
Unexpected immunoglobulin light chain gene rearrangements in myeloid antigen positive acute lymphoid leukemia.

Abstract Blast cells from 10 immunologically diagnosed adult acute lymphoid leukemias expressing myeloid antigens (M + ALL) were studied for immunoglobulin heavy (IgH) and light chain as well as T-cell receptor (TCR)-β chain gene rearrangements. All but one leukemic isolate met the FAB criteria for ALL. DNA from 2 patients with pre-pre-B-ALL (CD10 − ) and 1 patient with common ALL contained rearranged Ig light chain (κ in two, λ in one case) in addition to rearranged IgH genes. The TCR-β chain gene was germline in all pre-pre-B leukemias and rearranged in common ALLs (bigenotypic features). One patient with mature B-ALL showed IgH and light chain gene rearrangements. DNA from 2 pre-T-ALLs contained rearranged TCR-β chain genes plus rearranged IgH genes in one case. Ig light chain gene rearrangements in immature M + ALL were not associated with gross chromosomal abnormalities except for one Philadelphia chromosome positive case. The occurrence of Ig light chain gene rearrangements in M − ALL with immature lymphoid immunophenotype might represent an hitherto unrecognized aberrant differentiation potential of transformed multipotential stem cells with commitment towards the lymphoid lineage.
A dilatometer for measuring compressibilities of polymers in their melting range

A dilatometer was developed for studying the compressibility of polymers in their melting range at pressures to 8500 atm and temperatures to 370°C. Temperature was controlled to ±0.01°C and pressures were maintained and controlled by means of a hydraulic deadweight gauge system. The device was sensitive to volume changes of 1 part in 30,000.
Maternal Communication Patterns, Advertising Attitudes and Mediation Behaviours in Urban India

This study examined the linkages between maternal communication patterns, advertising attitudes and television mediation behaviours among urban middle‐class mothers in India. An important concern in cross‐cultural research is the applicability and use of both frameworks and instruments developed primarily in Western contexts in non‐Western settings. The survey data from this study suggested that the family communications framework could be used for understanding Indian middle‐class mothers' advertising attitudes and mediation behaviours. As theorized, socio‐orientation was related to negative attitudes towards both advertising in general and towards children's advertising. Further, concept orientation was related to discussions about television advertising with children. The results of this study have important implications for advertising strategies, particularly the finding that urban middle‐class mothers in India have positive attitudes towards advertising, unlike their Western counterparts, whose atti...
A summary report on three seasons of field investigations into the Archaic period prehistory of lowland Belize

our data derive from highland areas. Poor organic preservation and the difficulties of locating small hunter-gatherer campsites in the tropical lowlands have hampered archeological recovery to such an extent that, as of 1980, only a handful of Archaic period sites outside the highlands had been reported (Brush 1969; Mountjoy, Taylor, and Feldman 1972; Voorhies 1976; Wilkerson 1975) What we do know is that sometime after 2000
Implementation of zero inventories and just-in-time production concepts in Chinese manufacturing organizations

Abstract This paper focuses on the attempt to implement Japanese manufacturing technology, viz. zero inventories (ZI) and just-in-time production (JIT) in Chinese manufacturing industries with the objective of raising productivity. In order to study the implications of JIT in Chinese manufacturing industries, a method of analysis is presented for the implementation of ZI and JIT with a view to identifying their suitability and reliability in that environment. In addition, suggestions are given for the successful implementation of ZI and JIT in China.
Have studies of urinary tract infection and preterm delivery used the most appropriate methods

Published investigations of the association between urinary tract infection (UTI) and preterm delivery used logistic regression or chi-squared tests. Because both exposure and outcome are time dependent, these methods were not optimal and did not account for person-time under observation, potentially an important feature given the variability of women's entry to prenatal care as well as of gestational lengths. Previous researchers probably classified as exposed some women whose UTI occurred after their pregnancies exceeded 37 weeks. We applied the previous analytical methods to 1990-93 births from two Durham, NC, USA, hospitals (n = 4053) and demonstrate survival methods as an alternative. Two logistic regression models were fitted with differing exposure definitions: model 1 in which exposed = UTI diagnosed after 20 weeks' gestation; and model 2 in which exposed = UTI diagnosed between 20 weeks' and 37 weeks' gestation. Model 3 used proportional hazards regression with person-time after 20 weeks and before UTI diagnosis as unexposed, and person-time after diagnosis as exposed. Models were fit with and without five time-constant potential confounders. Model 1 yielded an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5, 1.2], and model 2, which did not include UTI diagnoses after 37 weeks, an adjusted OR of 0.9 [95% CI 0.6, 1.4]. The Cox model hazard ratio (HR) for preterm delivery was 1.1 (adjusted) [95% CI 0.7, 1.7]. As these results indicated some bias, but not remarkable differences, we conducted a sensitivity analysis using 100 samples of 80% of the original data set, with replacement to determine how large the differences might be in other, similar data sets. The Cox method consistently produced higher effect estimates than either logistic model. The two samples with the greatest differences between the Cox and logistic model estimates yielded an OR of 1.47 [95% CI 0.95, 2.29] for model 1 vs. HR of 2.06 [95% CI 1.39, 3.06] for model 3, and an OR of 1.41 [95% CI 0.88, 2.25] for model 2 vs. HR of 1.79 [95% CI 1.17, 2.71] for model 3 respectively. Previous published results on UTI and preterm delivery require cautious interpretation. Data on UTI timing should be gathered to allow appropriate analyses; survival methods account for person-time under observation and ensure that studied exposures precede effects.
The Prevalence of Alcohol, Cigarette, and Marijuana Use Among Ghanaian Senior Secondary Students in an Urban Setting

Abstract This study assessed the prevalence of, and the association between alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use among senior secondary school students in Accra, Ghana. A sample of 894 students (56.9% girls, 43.1% boys; mean age = 17.4 years, SD = 1.40) completed a modified version of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire. Analytical techniques utilized included chi-square and logistic regression. Overall, lifetime alcohol use was 25.1%; lifetime cigarette use was 7.5%; and lifetime marijuana use was 2.6%. Among lifetime users, current alcohol use was 46.2%; current cigarette use was 44.6%; and current marijuana use was 58.3%. Boys were significantly more likely than girls to be lifetime users of all three drugs, but not as current users. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the lifetime use of both cigarette and marijuana appears to be strongly associated with lifetime alcohol use, which is more prevalent. The results of this study showed lower prevalence rates than those reported in other...
Studies on Skeleton formation in reptiles. IV. The homology of the reptilian (amniote) astragalus revisited

ABSTRACT In extant turtles and lepidosaurs, the astragalus forms from a single ossification center in a tarsale proximale resulting from fusion of originally separate chondrogenic condensations in the proximal tarsus. In crocodiles, the astragalus also ossifies from a single center although the cartilaginous precursors of astragalus and calcaneum do not fuse to form a tarsale proximale. Developmental stages of the parareptilian Mesosaurus document a similar ossification pattern, as do ontogenic series of a number of fossil diapsid reptiles. There is no consistent evidence of ontogenetic fusion of a “tibiale,” intermedium, and centrale to form the astragalus of Captorhinus. The development of the amniote astragalus contrasts with variable patterns of fusion of originally separate proximal tarsal ossifications in anthracosaurian amphibians and in Diadectes. It is concluded that the reptilian (and probably also the mammalian) astragalus is a neomorph, which resulted from ontogenetic repatterning and is diagn...
Implicit Motives, Leadership, and Follower Outcomes: An Empirical Test of CEOs

We examined implicit or subconscious antecedents of CEO behavior and the effects on their direct subordinates. Specifically, we explored the relationships between (a) power, achievement, and affili...
On the Chandra Detection of Diffuse X‐Ray Emission from Sgr A*

Kinematic studies of the stellar motions near Sgr A* have revealed the presence of several million solar masses of dark matter enclosed within 0.015 parsecs of the Galactic Center. However, it is not yet clear what fraction of this material is contained within a single point-like object, as opposed to an extended distribution of orbiting matter (e.g., in the form of neutron stars). Recent Chandra observations suggest that the X-ray emission from this source is partially diffuse. This result provides an important clue that can be used to set some constraints on the mass distribution surrounding the black hole. Here, we develop a simple model in which the diffuse emission is produced by a halo of neutron stars accreting from the gas falling toward the center. We discuss the various accretion mechanisms that are likely to contribute significantly to the X-ray flux, and show that a highly magnetized fraction of old neutron stars may account for the diffuse high-energy source. If this picture is correct, the upper bound to the mass of the central black hole is ≈2.2 × 106M⊙. The core radius of the dark cluster must then be ≈0.06 pc. We also discuss the sensitivity of our results to the various assumptions made in our calculations.
CZ: multiple inheritance without diamonds

Multiple inheritance has long been plagued with the "diamond" inheritance problem, leading to solutions that restrict expressiveness, such as mixins and traits. Instead, we address the diamond problem directly, considering two difficulties it causes: ensuring a correct semantics for object initializers, and typechecking multiple dispatch in a modular fashion-the latter problem arising even with multiple interface inheritance. We show that previous solutions to these problems are either unsatisfactory or cumbersome, and suggest a novel approach: supporting multiple inheritance but forbidding diamond inheritance. Expressiveness is retained through two features: a "requires" construct that provides a form of subtyping without inheritance (inspired by Scala), and a dynamically-dispatched "super" call similar to that found in traits. Through examples, we illustrate that inheritance diamonds can be eliminated via a combination of "requires" and ordinary inheritance. We provide a sound formal model for our language and demonstrate its modularity and expressiveness.
Accuracy trumps accent in children's endorsement of object labels.

Past research provides evidence that children use at least 2 potentially competing strategies when choosing informants: they attend to informants’ past accuracy and to their social identity (e.g., their status as native- vs. foreign-accented speakers). We explore how children reconcile these 2 strategies when they are put in conflict and whether children’s response changes across development. In Experiment 1 (N 61), 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children watched a native- and a foreign-accented English speaker label novel objects with novel names. All 3 age groups preferred the names provided by the native speaker. Next, 1 of the 2 speakers named familiar objects accurately, whereas the other speaker named them inaccurately. In a subsequent series of test trials, again with novel objects, 4- and 5-year-olds, but not 3-year-olds, were likely to endorse the names provided by the accurate speaker, regardless of her accent. In Experiment 2 (N 72) 4-year-olds first watched a native- and a foreign-accented speaker name familiar objects, but the relative accuracy of the 2 speakers varied across conditions (100% vs. 0% correct; 75% vs. 25% correct). Subsequently, the 2 speakers provided novel names for novel objects. In each condition, 4-year-olds endorsed the names provided by the more accurate speaker, regardless of her accent. We propose that during the preschool years, children increasingly rely on past reliability when selecting informants.