cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scaling and Testing Multiplicative Combinations in the Expectancy-Value Model of Attitudes

This article examines the multiplicative combination of belief strength by outcome evaluation in the expectancy–value model of attitudes. Because linear transformation of a belief strength measure results in a nonlinear transformation of its product with outcome evaluation, use of unipolar or bipolar scoring must be empirically justified. Also, the claim that the Belief ¥ Evaluation product fails to explain significant variance in attitudes is found to be baseless. In regression analyses, the main effect of belief strength takes account of the outcome’s valence, and the main effect of outcome evaluation incorporates the outcome’s perceived likelihood. Simulated data showed that multiplication adds substantially to the prediction of attitudes only when belief and evaluation measures cover the full range of potential scores. Decisions under uncertainty involve two interdependent considerations: the likelihood that a contemplated action will result in certain outcomes, and the desirability or valence of these outcomes. Theoretically, knowing one or the other is not sufficient. Consider a woman who believes that using oral contraceptives will prevent pregnancy. By itself, this belief has no obvious implication for behavior. We also need to know how she values this possible outcome of using the birth-control pill. All else equal, women who regard preventing pregnancy to be desirable should be more likely to use the pill than women who consider pregnancy prevention to be undesirable. This analysis implies that the subjective values of a behavior’s outcomes are weighted or multiplied by the perceived likelihood that the behavior will produce the outcomes in question. Although the multiplicative combination of subjective probabilities and values is basic to many models of human judgment and decision making, its implications are often poorly understood. In this article, we deal with two related issues: the scaling of measures that enter into a multiplicative index; and empirical tests of multiplicative models, with special focus on the expectancy–value model of attitudes (Fishbein, 1963; Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975). We will try to show that multiplicative
Inverse estimation of front surface temperature of a locally heated plate with temperature-dependent conductivity via Kirchhoff transformation

Abstract In this paper, by Kirchhoff transformation of the temperature variable, the temperature dependence of thermal conductivity is eliminated, thereby simplifying the 3-dimensional heat conduction equation. Through Hadamard Factorization Theorem, transfer function relating the front and back surface temperature as infinite product of polynomial is established. The inverse Laplace transform of the polynomial provide the relationship for every mode in the time domain. The front surface temperature is revealed through iterative time domain operations from the data on the back surface. Seven points for smoothing and third order polynomial in derivative calculation were used in Savitzky–Golay (S–G) method. The comparison between direct solution, Conjugate Gradient Method (CGM) and DCT/Laplace transform solutions are given. Root Mean Square (RMS) of the errors at different time steps for DCT/Laplace solution and CGM method are also presented.
Electrocatalytic synthesis of methane on stabilized zirconia from H2/CO2 mixtures

Abstract The feasibility of synthesizing methane from H 2 /CO 2 mixtures in a solid state ionic device featuring stabilized zirconia has been demonstrated. The gas/catalyst interface was driven to a very reactive state by electrochemically controlling the activity of oxygen. The synthesis gas, with H 2 /CO 2 ratios of 0.5 and 2, was streamed past Pt and Ni electrodes between 500° and 1090°C. The device was operated as a differential flow reactor under atmospheric pressure. The use of this novel approach resulted in substantial enhancement in the reaction rates for the synthesis of methane from these gases. For example, nearly a hundredfold increase in the specific rate of methanation was obtained on Ni electrodes.
Intermediate neurodevelopmental outcome after repair of ventricular septal defect.

Background Children with congenital heart disease are at risk for impaired neurodevelopmental outcome. Despite the high prevalence of ventricular septal defects relative to other cardiac defects, few studies have specifically examined this population. The purpose of this study was to provide data on the intermediate neurodevelopmental outcome for children after repair of a ventricular septal defect. Methods Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed for 31 children using standardized tests of IQ, memory, visual-motor ability, and academic achievement. Standardized parent and teacher reports of behavioral and psychosocial functioning were also examined. Patients were grouped into younger (less than 6 years old; n=18) and older (6 years and older; n=13) cohorts. Results Full-scale IQ scores were within the normal range. Although most other domains of neurodevelopmental and behavioral functioning were comparable to normative data, patient functioning was lower than population norms in the areas of performance IQ for the younger cohort (90.6 ± 16.1; p = 0.023), visual memory for the older cohort (84.5 ± 15.3; p = 0.003), and visual-motor ability (87.9 ± 14.2; p p = 0.050) for the entire cohort. Conclusions After repair of ventricular septal defects, children function within the normal range in most areas. Three of the four domains in which lower functioning was observed tap into visual cognitive abilities rather than verbal abilities. Lower mean scores in these areas were, however, generally within one standard deviation of the population mean, suggesting mild weaknesses rather than significant impairments.
Test-retest of self-reported exposure to artificial tanning devices, self-tanning creams, and sun sensitivity showed consistency

Abstract Objective Exposure to ultraviolet radiation has consistently been linked to an increased risk of melanoma. Epidemiologic studies are susceptible to measurement error, which can distort the magnitude of observed effects. Although the reliability of self-report of many sun exposure factors has been previously described in several studies, self-report of use of artificial tanning devices and self-tanning creams has been less well characterized. Study Design and Methods A mailed survey was re-administered 2–4 weeks after completion of the initial survey to 76 randomly selected participants in a case-control study of melanoma. Cases and controls were individuals diagnosed in 1999 and 2000 who were ascertained from the Iowa Cancer Registry in 2002. We assessed the consistency of self-reported use of sunlamps and self-tanning creams, sun sensitivity, and history of sunburns. Results There was substantial reliability in reporting the use of sunlamps or self-tanning creams (cases: Kappa (κ) = 1.0 for both exposures; controls: κ = 0.71 and 0.87, respectively). κ estimates of 0.62–0.78 were found for overall reliability of several sun sensitivity factors. Conclusion Overall, the survey instrument demonstrated substantial reproducibility for factors related to the use of sunlamps or tanning beds, self-tanning creams, and sun sensitivity factors.
Normal total emittance of quartz

The emittance of quartz (99.6 percent Sio2, 0.3 percent CaSo4, < 0.1 percent iron), was experimentally measured by using a blackbody comparison method. A hollow, cylindrical, electrically heated silicon carbide furnace was used to heat the quartz sample. The quartz sample was embedded in a precisely drilled cavity in the wall of the furnace. Furthermore, a small rectangular hole, whose size was equal to the quartz sample, was used as the source of blackbody radiation. Radiation was detected by a pyroelectric detector. The normal total emittance at a given temperature was obtained from the ratio of the quartz sample and the blackbody radiation. The values of the normal total emittance were found to decrease from 0.93 to 0.88 as the temperature increased from 990 to 1190K.
A proposed high-frequency high-power silicon-silicide multilayered device

A new, integrated device, comprised of a series of metal and semiconductor films, is proposed for use as a high-frequency high-power source. The new metal-semiconductor device provides the excess carrier generation and the drift phase angle delay required to accomplish the negative resistance. The metal acts as a reservoir to collect the excess generated carriers from both sides of the semiconductor and to isolate the performance of each element of the integrated device. Following simple scaling rules, the area of an integrated device having n elements is n times larger than the area of each element; and the power output is about n2times the output of a single element at the same operation frequency, if the heat dissipation is not a limiting factor. The device can be fabricated-by using the silicon-silicide epitaxial process with MBE.
Solubility in Binary Solvent Systems III: Predictive Expressions Based on Molecular Surface Areas

The nearly ideal binary solvent model, which has led to successful predictive equations for the partial molar Gibbs free energy of the solute in binary solvent mixtures, was extended to include molecular surface areas as weighting factors. Two additional expressions were derived and compared to previously developed equations (based on molar volumes as weighting factors) for their ability to predict anthracene and naphthalene solubilities in mixed solvents from measurements in the pure solvents. The most successful equation in terms of goodness of fit involved a surface fraction average of the excess Gibbs free energy relative to Raoult's law and predicted experimental solubilities in 25 systems with an average deviation of 1.7% and a maximum deviation of 7.5%. Two expressions approximating weighting factors with molar volumes provided accurate predictions in many of the systems studied but failed in their ability to predict anthracene solubilities in solvent mixtures containing benzene.
Finishing Infrared materials with MRF® and SSI®

Optical fabrication and specifically, the metrology and final finishing of components for infrared (IR) systems have been a challenge for a number of key material types. Recent developments, examples and supporting data will be presented.
Comparison of two dosing schedules of palonosetron for the prevention of nausea and vomiting due to interleukin-2-based biochemotherapy

Background Treatment of metastatic melanoma with interleukin-2-based biochemotherapy involves administration of a combination of moderately and highly emetogenic chemotherapies over 5 days. Corticosteroids for the prevention of biochemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are contraindicated because they cause lysis of LAK cells produced in response to interleukin-2. Palonosetron is a long-acting, highly potent, second-generation serotonin receptor antagonist. The recommended dosing schedule of palonosetron for the control of CINV due to biochemotherapy is not known.
PCR‐Based detection of minority point mutations

The need for detection of minority mutations (i.e., a few mutants within a high excess of wild-type alleles) arises frequently in the field of cancer and molecular genetics. Current mutation detection technologies are limited by several technical factors when it comes to the detection of minority point mutations, including generation of misincorporations by the DNA polymerase during PCR amplification. Primer ligation-mediated PCR methodologies for detection of mutations in an excess wild-type sequences are described, that can be applied for detection of both known and unknown minority point mutations. Furthermore, a new methodology is described, hairpin-PCR, which has the potential to completely eliminate PCR errors from amplified sequences, prior to minority mutation detection. Combination of these technologies can effectively tackle the problem of minority mutation detection, in order to pursue demanding applications such as identification of cancer cells at an early stage, detection of mutations in single cells, identification of minimal residual disease, or investigation of mechanisms of spontaneous mutagenesis.
Lymphadenopathy in a hemophiliac patient and his sexual partner.

Excerpt To the editor: Palpable axillary or epitrochlear lymph nodes or splenic enlargement has been reported in patients with classic hemophilia treated with lyophilized concentrates of antihemoph...
Computationally-efficient Approaches to Integrating the MOVES Emissions Model with Traffic Simulators

Abstract This paper investigates different approaches to integrating the MOtor Vehicle Emission Simulator model (MOVES) with microscopic traffic simulators to allow for project-level emissions analysis. The integration methodology is based on using the second-by-second vehicle trajectory output from the traffic simulator to define the link drive schedule required to run MOVES. This raises the question of how to define a representative vehicle trajectory for each link, because tracking the emissions for individual vehicles is computationally intractable. In this study, the accuracy of two aggregation methods and one sampling method, for defining the representative trajectory, are compared for both freeway and arterial links. The results indicate that the sampling method outperforms either one of the aggregation methods, and that using as few as five probes can achieve over 95% accuracy in a timely manner.
Nasalization of Vowels in Nasal Environments in Babbling: Evidence for Frame Dominance

An emerging concept for the characterization of the form of babbling and early speech is ‘frame dominance’: most of the variance arises from a frame provided by open-close mandibular oscillation. In c
Succeeding in transportation infrastructure public-private partnerships: examining a theory using the case of the Port of Miami tunnel

This paper examines the role of success in public-private partnerships (PPPs or P3s) through the case of the Port of Miami Tunnel. Trends in infrastructure procurements within the USA have begun shifting with public-private partnerships becoming a more popular option for public agencies. These partnerships create a direct line for private sector investment into public asset-based projects while providing the public agency with an alternative means to finance projects which were once thought too costly for the agency or traditional contracting out models of procurement. The case study is analysed through the scope of a previously established model of success in P3 contracts with future implications of this contract discussed.
A rapid quantitative staphylococcal co-agglutination assay. Utilization for the assay of bovine factor VIII-related antigen.

Abstract A simple and rapid technique to measure bovine factor VIII-related antigen has been developed which utilizes protein A-bearing staphylococci and monospecific rabbit antiserum to bovine factor VIII. Staphylococci coated with a specific antibody agglutinate when they are mixed with the specific antigen. We have used an aggregometer to detect and quantitate the agglutination of the antibody-coated staphylococci. The assay has been optimized with respect to amount of antiserum needed for coating staphylococci, concentration of antibody-coated staphylococci, pH and ionic strength of the assay system, and stirring speed of the aggregometer. The staphylococcal co-agglutination assay as monitored by an aggregometer is at least 10 times more sensitive than the conventional slide agglutination method, and can detect as little as 0.1 μg/ml of factor VIII antigen. It is as sensitive as rocket immunoelectrophoresis and is much more convenient. The assay, however, cannot be used to quantitate factor VIII-related antigen in plasma, since plasma contains some components which can non-specifically agglutinate staphylococci.
Chemical composition of Earth's primitive mantle and its variance: 2. Implications for global geodynamics

[1] The global budgets of argon and heat-producing elements have traditionally been used to argue for layered-mantle convection because they require a large fraction of Earth's mantle to remain isolated from mantle convection. We revise these mass balance arguments using our new composition model of the primitive mantle and show that the global budgets of argon, heat-producing elements, and rare earth elements are consistent with Earth's mantle almost entirely composed of the mid-ocean ridge basalt source mantle, supporting the notion of whole mantle convection. Combined with a recent theory on the thermal evolution of Earth, our revised thermal budget implies inefficient mixing and processing in the past, explaining the survival of long-lived geochemical heterogeneities in convecting mantle.
Tissue variation in hydrocarbon composition in the rabbit

This study, which deals with the distribution of hydrocarbons in seven types of rabbit tissues, was done for the purpose of providing information that might help shed light on the biological relevance of the hydrocarbons in mammalian metabolism. Liver, kidneys, brain, spleen, skeletal muscle, perinephric adipose, and a sample of blood serum were collected from a single animal for analysis of their hydrocarbon composition. The analytical methodology consisted of solvent extraction, saponification (adipose), elution chromatography on hydrated alumina, and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Hydrocarbons were detected in all of the tissues examined at concentrations estimated to range from 0.1 to 0.01% of the total lipid extracted. Three quite distinct distribution modes were recognized. The bulk of the identified components consisted of normal, saturated, nonterpenoid hydrocarbons in the C16 to C33 range. Squalene, phytene, phytadiene, and pristane were the only terpenoids detected. Nonterepenoid branched (iso andanteiso) hydrocarbons were identified unequivocally and in significant amounts in the muscle only. The adipose was the only tissue which was relatively rich in monoalkenes, and its overall hydrocarbon composition closely resembled that of the feed. The results of the study are not consistent with metabolic inertness. The observed qualitative and quantitative differences might reflect function and metabolic activities of the individual organs in a way yet to be elucidated.
Techniques for Efficient Processing in Runahead Execution Engines

Runahead execution is a technique that improves processor performance by pre-executing the running application instead of stalling the processor when a long-latency cache miss occurs. Previous research has shown that this technique significantly improves processor performance. However, the efficiency of runahead execution, which directly affects the dynamic energy consumed by a runahead processor, has not been explored. A runahead processor executes significantly more instructions than a traditionalout-of-order processor, sometimes without providing any performance benefit, which makes it inefficient. In this paper, we describe the causes of inefficiency in runahead execution and propose techniques to make a runahead processor more efficient, thereby reducing its energy consumption and possibly increasing its performance. Our analyses and results provide two major insights: (1) the efficiency of runahead execution can be greatly improved with simple techniques that reduce the number of short, overlapping, and useless runahead periods, which we identify as the three major causes of inefficiency, (2) simple optimizations targeting the increase of useful prefetches generated in runahead mode can increase both the performance and efficiency of a runahead processor. The techniques we propose reduce the increase in the number of instructions executed due to runahead execution from 26.5% to 6.2%, on average, without significantly affecting the performance improvement provided by runahead execution.
Reinfection with Influenza A (H3N2) Virus in Young Children and Their Families

The frequency and consequences of reinfection with influenza A virus were studied by longitudinal observation of families for a three-year period in which two epidemics of influenza A (H3N2) occurred. Seven children followed from birth were reinfected 10-25 months after their first infection. Two children were reinfected by the same H3N2 virus while the others were reinfected with a closely related variant. At least five of these reinfections were accompanied by respiratory illness. Reinfection illness was similar to that accompanying primary infection. For children in the second and third year of life during the 1978 epidemic, the rate of infection was the same for those who had been previously infected (seven of 12) as for those who had not been previously infected (22 of 40). Reinfection was detected in 26% of older siblings and 6% of parents. The occurrence of reinfection may have important implications for elucidation of the protective immune response and for development of prophylaxis for influenzal infections.
Relationship Satisfaction and Communication Among Urban Minority HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Mothers: The Influence on Daughter’s Alcohol Use

Family relationships influence children’s beliefs and behaviors. This work examined qualities associated with communication about alcohol among 176 mothers and the influence of this communication on daughters’ alcohol use. Path analyses by maternal HIV status indicated significant differences. Relationship satisfaction was associated with self-efficacy for both HIV-positive (β = 0.545, p < .001) and HIV-negative (β = 0.557, p < .001) mothers. Maternal self-efficacy was associated with communication for both HIV-positive (β = 0.364, p < .01) and HIV-negative (β = 0.310, p < .05) mothers; maternal attitudes toward alcohol use were associated with communication among HIV-negative mothers (β = 0.20, p < .05). Relationship satisfaction was indirectly related to daughter’s alcohol use in HIV-positive dyads (β = 0.153, p < .05). In families with interfamilial and environmental stressors, investing in the mother–daughter relationship, in part by discussing issues related to alcohol use, is protective in nature.
Synthetic marijuana and acute kidney injury: an unforeseen association

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) have emerged as drugs of abuse with increasing popularity among young adults. The potential renal complication related to the abuse of SC was not recognized until recently. Here, we present a case of severe acute kidney injury (AKI) that developed after inhalation of SC in an otherwise healthy young patient. A kidney biopsy revealed severe acute tubular necrosis, and supportive management resulted in the recovery of the kidney function. Herein, we briefly summarize the only two previous reports (a total of 21 cases) on the association between SC abuse and renal dysfunction and identify the common aspects in all observations.
Biochemical sensing of charged polyelectrolytes with a novel CMOS floating-gate device architecture

Novel CMOS device is proposed as a biochemical sensor. We modified the basic architecture of an extended floating-gate field-effect transistor (FET) to be suited for VLSI applications. The FET has a floating-gate that is umbrella-shaped (UGFET), maximizing its charge sensing area in a much reduced transistor area. Compared to previous extended floating-gate structures, the UGFET shows improved scalability and sensitivity. 3-D device simulations validate the UGFET model. The design is fabricated in a standard CMOS process and characterized. Experimental results are presented employing transconductance and subthreshold measurement schemes which confirm its high sensitivity and workability.
Two-photon absorption in potassium niobate

We report measurements of thermal self-locking of a Fabry–Perot cavity containing a potassium niobate (KNbO3) crystal. We develop a method to determine linear and nonlinear optical absorption coefficients in intracavity crystals by detailed analysis of the transmission line shapes. These line shapes are typical of optical bistability in thermally loaded cavities. For our crystal we determine the one-photon absorption coefficient at 846 nm to be α=(0.0034±0.0022) m-1, the two-photon absorption coefficient at 846 nm to be β=(3.2±0.5)×10-11 m/W, and the one-photon absorption coefficient at 423 nm to be (13±2) m-1. We also address the issue of blue-light-induced infrared-absorption and determine a coefficient for this excited-state absorption process. Our method is particularly well suited to bulk absorption measurements where absorption is small compared with scattering. We also report new measurements of the temperature dependence of the index of refraction at 846 nm and compare with values in the literature.
A review of the Behavioral Evaluation Strategy and Taxonomy (BEST®) software application

Recent computer technology has led to the development of a number of software applications that have been specifically designed for collecting and analyzing observational data in real time. Behavioral Evaluation Strategy and Taxonomy (BEST®) is an innovative software program that provides users with an effective way to collect, store, and analyze real-time observational data. The program is comprised of two distinct applications: BEST Collection® and BEST Analysis®. The purpose of the current article was to provide a critical review of BEST Version 4.1.6 for the Windows® (95/98/NT) operating system. The basis of this review was our use of BEST to collect and analyze data for several studies over a 2 year period. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS FOR ARTHRITIS AND OTHER INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS: KEY ROLE OF MAST CELLS AND BENEFIT OF COMBINING ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND PROTEOGLYCAN PRODUCTS *

Arthritis is estimated to affect over 30% of all adults and all the available drugs add considerable morbidity and mortality of their own. A recent therapeutic approach targets the mast cells that ...
Point-to-point control near heteroclinic orbits: Plant and controller optimality conditions

In this paper we consider the simultaneous optimization of the controller and plant in a one degree-of-freedom system. In particular we are interested in optimal trajectories between fixed points connected by heteroclinic orbits. We find that designing the plant dynamics to have a heteroclinic connection between target states enables a low energy transfer between the states. We use a nested optimization strategy to find the optimal plant dynamics and control effort for the transition. Additionally, we uncover plant optimality conditions which reduce the complexity of the optimization.
Measurement of the oxygen (1-0) band at 690 nm using continuous-wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy

We have measured the (1-0) band of the b1Σ g +-X3Σ g − system in molecular oxygen at pressures ranging from 25 torr to 500 torr using continuous-wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CW-CRDS).
Using a Culturally Relevant Theory to Recruit African American Men for Prostate Cancer Screening

The article by Abernethy et al. (2005) presented a successful strategy to recruit African American men for prostate cancer screening (PCS). The authors applied the PEN-3 model (Airhihenbuwa, 1995) of health education, an educational diagnosis of behavior, and cultural appropriateness to recruit African American men for PCS. This application of the PEN-3 model provided a rich context in which to explore ways to recruit African American men not only for prostate cancer but for other health screenings as well. The article describes how the researchers were able to successfully recruit 655 men—more than the proposed number of 450—to participate in PCS. The authors, however, were not specific about the process of recruiting. The article does not describe the length of time it took to approach the churches and the time it took for them to respond favorably to the collaboration. It is important for researchers to describe in detail time frames, because often we believe that gaining entry into a community can be done in a relatively short period of time when in fact it may take 6 months or longer. Researchers must understand this challenge and act accordingly. Recruiting African American men to participate in their study is a remarkable feat and an important story to share with other health professionals. It is widely known that African Americans, in general, do not participate in research studies, and it is especially difficult to recruit African American men. Although African American men have the highest incidence and mortality rates for prostate cancer (American Cancer Society, 2003), they do not participate in health screenings or research studies because of intrusive procedures such as rectal exams, distrust of health care providers, and issues related to masculinity. The article discusses several key issues that interfere with recruitment, but the article was able to outline strategies used to overcome these challenges that might be applied to other populations. First, the authors outline various theories that have been used to under
Therapy naivete in the era of potent antiretroviral therapy.

Abstract Antiretroviral therapy (ART) use was examined in a cohort of homosexual men infected with HIV-1 for long periods. Multivariate logistic regression models, stratified by clinical indication (below and above 500 CD4 cells/μl or prior AIDS), were used to determine predictors of ART naivete. Of the 673 men seen at visit 28 (10/97–4/98), 89 (13.2%) never used ART and 548 (81.4%) were current users; 55% of the therapy-naive were ART eligible. Lower CD4 cell counts predicted ( P P
Comparison of clinical characteristics at diagnosis and during follow-up in 118 patients with Hurthle cell or follicular thyroid cancer

Abstract Background Hurthle cell cancer (HCC) is considered by some to be a variant of follicular cancer (FC), but many think it is a distinct histologic tumor with a more aggressive behavior. Methods The influence of age at diagnosis, tumor stage, gender, and extent of operation on disease-free interval and cause-specific mortality at 5 and 10 years after initial thyroidectomy was analyzed. Results The 10-year disease-free interval was 75% for FC and 40.5% for HCC (P = .08). The 10-year cause-specific mortality was 20% for FC patients and 51% for HCC (P = .2). The risk factors for HCC progression and survival were extrathyroidal invasion, presence of metastases at diagnosis, male gender, and extent of thyroidectomy, whereas for FC, the only significant risk factors were extrathyroidal invasion and presence of metastases at diagnosis. Conclusion Patients with HCC have more aggressive tumors than patients with FC. Our data suggest that FC and HCC should be classified as distinct tumors.
A Phase I/II Study of Dose-Intense Paclitaxel with Cisplatin and Cyclophosphamide as Initial Therapy of Poor-Prognosis Advanced-Stage Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Abstract Epithelial ovarian cancer patients with bulky residual tumor have a poor response to therapy and limited survival. We investigated the addition of dose-intense paclitaxel to cisplatin and cyclophosphamide for patients with FIGO III/IV epithelial ovarian cancer. Paclitaxel dose was intensified from 135 to 250 mg/m 2 and administered in combination with cisplatin at ≥75 mg/m 2 and cyclophosphamide at 750 mg/m 2 . Thirty-one of 36 patients (86%) and 25 (70%) had ≥2 and ≥3 cm residual disease after surgery, respectively. One-third had stage IV disease, and 80% had grade 3 tumors. The maximally tolerated doses (MTD) were paclitaxel at 250 mg/m 2 , cisplatin at 75 mg/m 2 , and cyclophosphamide at 750 mg/m 2 on a 21-day cycle with G-CSF, 10 μg/kg/day. Administered dose intensity at the MTD was ≥86%. Reversible grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 28% of patients and fever during neutropenia in 2/352 cycles (0.5%). The pathologic response rate is 36% with an additional 25% having minimal microscopic disease. Median progression-free and overall survivals for patients receiving paclitaxel at 250 mg/m 2 at a median potential follow-up of 22 months have not been reached for the cohort nor for the ≥3-cm subgroup. This regimen should be evaluated in a prospective, randomized clinical trial.
Reading-Level-Match Designs: Myths and Realities.

Investigators of individual differences in reading acquisition sometimes compare groups of different ages matched on some aspect of reading performance level. These reading-level-match (RL-match) designs can provide a convenient, powerful, and appropriate way to study atypical performance. However, their usefulness has been diminished by researchers' acceptance of myths about the designs' characteristics. RL-match designs have been used as if they (a) were more similar to true experiments than other correlational designs, (b) required only informal sampling procedures, (c) were improved by case-by-case matching, (d) made unequal groups equal, (e) served unique theoretical purposes, (f) created equality between groups in underlying processes whenever a performance-level match existed, (g) yielded some patterns of results that always were interpretable and others that never were interpretable, and (h) were equally valid across all possible matching criteria. Examples from the reading literature are given to illustrate the hazards of accepting these myths and to suggest more realistic alternatives. Relevant statistical and design principles are summarized. In a reading-level-match (RL-match) design, groups of younger and older children are matched, case by case or as groups, on some aspect of their current reading performance and are compared with respect to their performances on other reading or cognitive tasks. The general purpose of these designs is to compare readers who took more or fewer years to reach the same level of skill: "good" and "poor" readers are denned in terms of rate of progress rather than current performance level.
Tubal Pregnancy Following Late Luteal Vaginal Hysterectomy

Summary: A patient who had a vaginal hysterectomy performed on day 24–25 of her cycle by histological dating was found to have a ruptured left tubal pregnancy 55 days later. The patient used barrier contraception up to the time of hysterectomy, and an undetectable level of β-HCG was noted the week prior to hysterectomy. The likelihood of delayed tubal implantation having occurred in the same luteal phase as the hysterectomy distinguishes this case from the 27 others previously reported, which are briefly reviewed.
Prediction of carcass fat from body measurements made on live rats differing in age, sex and strain

1. Individual body fat and body measurements such as lengths, girths and selected skinfold thicknesses were determined in our laboratory strain (BHE), a highly inbred strain (IN) of BHE rats and in a strain of Wistar rats. Measurements were made on unconscious rats in less than 5 min per rat just before autopsy; body fat content was determined in individual rats of both sexes at 50, 100 and 300 days of age.2. Among the strains, mean total body fat was highest in BHE rats at each age; IN rats of similar average body size were leanest. Statistically significant differences in body fat among the strains were due primarily to differences among the male rats at 300 days. Total protein and skeletal mass increased with increases in age and body size, as did body fat in rats after maturity. IN rats had the largest fat-free weights. Although significant age differences in body fat and body measurements occurred, they were in part dependent upon changes in body- weight, sex and strain of the animals. Female rats had more fat per unit body-weight than males at each age studied. Females, though fatter than males, had smaller skinfold thicknesses, indi- cating that female fat increases are primarily in visceral fat.3. Large variation in fat among individuals within strains of the same body-weight and age suggests a genetic influence in fat potential in rats not associated with age or body-weight.4. Results from multiple regression analyses showed differences among adjusted means and partial regression coefficients due to strain and sex of the animals. Although final body-weight was the predictor common to all equations, body length, abdominal girth and subscapular skinfold were common to all but one set of equations. Chest girth, tibia length, triceps and abdominal skinfolds decreased in frequency of appearance in that order. Some of the measurements were more effective predictors at one age than at another. It was clearly necessary to take into account body dimensions other than weight to obtain an optimal prediction of body fat.5. Differences in characteristics of the rats support the concept of genetic influences in fat deposition in individuals and indicate the complex nature of these influences.
An update for the cerebrovascular community.

As I begin my fourth year as editor-in-chief of Stroke , I look back over what has been accomplished during the past 3 years and forward to what can be done to improve the quality and impact of the journal for all the constituents of the cerebrovascular community. Stroke has led the way among journals in the vascular/neuroscience disciplines in striving to improve the quality and reproducibility of preclinical research, as detailed in the recent special report by Howells and Macleod.1 Several new features have been added to the journal during the past 3 years, including, most recently, a monthly synopsis of important preclinical and clinical papers related to …
Survivin inhibition is critical for Bcl-2 inhibitor-induced apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Our study aims to study the therapeutic effects of a novel Bcl-2 inhibitor, ABT-263, on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to provide primary preclinical data for future clinical trial with ABT-263. In this study we showed that Bcl-xL and survivin were up-regulated in HCC cell lines and human liver cancer tissues. Clinic used ABT-263 single treatment had no apoptotic effects on HCC cells whereas higher doses of ABT-263 did. Interestingly, the combination treatment of ABT-263 with survivin inhibitor YM-155 could result in significant apoptosis in HCC cells. Survivin inhibition through gene silencing significantly enhanced ABT-263 to induce apoptosis in HCC cells. We found that low dose of ABT-263 single treatment resulted in ERK activation and survivin up-regulation, which might be involved in the resistance of HCC cells to ABT-263 since blockade of ERK activation sensitized ABT-263-induced apoptosis. Importantly, ABT-263 and YM-155 combination treatment had no apoptotic effects on normal human hepatocytes. Taken together, these data suggest the combination treatment of Bcl-2 inhibitor and survivin inhibition may have a great potential for liver cancer therapy.
Does gender bias against female leaders persist? Quantitative and qualitative data from a large-scale survey:

The present study of 60,470 women and men examined evaluations of participants’ current managers as well as their preferences for male and female managers, in general. A cross-sex bias emerged in the ratings of one’s current boss, where men judged their female bosses more favorably and women judged male bosses more favorably. The quality of relationships between subordinates and managers were the same for competent male and female managers. A small majority (54%) of participants claimed to have no preference for the gender of their boss, but the remaining participants reported preferring male over female bosses by more than a 2:1 ratio. Qualitative analysis of the participants’ justifications for this preference are presented, and results are discussed within the framework of role congruity theory.
The evaluation of integrals of Bessel functions via G -function identities

A few transformations are presented for reducing certain cases of Meijer's G-function to a G-function of lower order. Their applications to the integration of a product of Bessel functions are given. The algorithm has been implemented within Mathematica 3.0.
Local Labor Markets and the Evolution of Inequality

US labor markets have experienced rising inequality over the past 30 years—as evidenced by an increased gap in wages earned by high-skill workers (e.g., college graduates) and low-skill workers (e.g., high school graduates). Empirical evidence documenting this evolution of inequality comes from studies that assess wage-education gradients at the national level. But of course people work in local labor markets that differ in important ways. We provide a theoretical framework for evaluating inequality changes when individuals work in local labor markets, and we give an empirical reassessment of inequality changes in light of the insights that emerge from our framework.
Establishing the prognostic value of Rb-82 PET myocardial perfusion imaging: a step in the right direction.

In the last decade, positron emission tomography (PET) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) has emerged as a valuable clinical tool for the management of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Compared with single-photon emission computed-tomography (SPECT), PET provides
Evasion and Avoidance of Florida Usury Laws

is brought to date and the transaction made ready for closing, the picture changes-the borrower offers the lender compensation for a release 51. See note 49 supra at 617, 150 So. at 610. 52. Nelson v. Scarritt Motors, 48 So.2d 168 (Fla. 1950); Davidson v. Davis, 59 Fla. 476, 52 So. 139 (1910). 53. Stubblefield v. Dunlap, 148 Ma. 401, 4 So.2d 519 (1941). 54. Hawley v. Kendall, 139 Fla. 850, 191 So. 10 (1939). 55. Chandler v. Kendrick, 108 Fla. 450, 146 So. 551 (1933). 56. Belden v. Gray, supra note 47. 57. Maxwell v. Smith, 119 Fla. 389, 161 So. 566 (1935). 58. Crompton v. Smith, 140 Fla. 511, 192 So. 186 (1939); McGillick v. Chapman, 134 Fla. 220, 184 So. 26 (1938); Pushee v. Johnson, 123 Fla 305, 166 So. 847 (1936). 59. Stubblefield v. Dunlap, 143 Fla. 401, 4 So.2d 519 (1941). 60. Richter Jewelry Co. v. Schweinert, 125 Fa. 199, 169 So. 750 (1936).
Biomechanical and Remodeling Factors in the Interpretation of Fractures in Juveniles

Interpretation of juvenile trauma requires understanding of biomechanical and remodeling factors, as well as the dynamics of the growth process. Although terminology relating especially to biomechanical factors can be complex, use of proper terms is essential to avoid misunderstanding. Analysis can include direct observation, individual history documentation, radiography, microscopy, and bone scintigram study. In addition to the appearance of the trauma, relevant observations include the type and area of bone involved, age of the individual, and possible evidence of repair. Such analysis can elucidate the nature of juvenile trauma and facilitate interpretation of the timing of fracture events.
Ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness: roles of ROCK isoforms.

Acute ozone (O3) inhalation has been shown to cause airway and pulmonary epithelial injury with accompanying inflammation responses. Robust evidence exists that O3 induces airway hyperresponsivenes...
Monitoring longitudinal changes in irradiated head and neck cancer xenografts using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

Radiation therapy is often used as the preferred clinical treatment for control of localized head and neck cancer. However, during the course of treatment (6-8 weeks), feedback about functional and/or physiological changes within impacted tissue are not obtained, given the onerous financial and/or logistical burdens of scheduling MRI, PET or CT scans. Diffuse optical sensing is well suited to address this problem since the instrumentation can be made low-cost and portable while still being able to non-invasively provide information about vascular oxygenation in vivo. Here we report results from studies that employed an optical fiber-based portable diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) system to longitudinally monitor changes in tumor vasculature within two head and neck cancer cell lines (SCC-15 and FaDu) xenografted in the flanks of nude mice, in two separate experiments. Once the tumor volumes were 100mm3, 67% of animals received localized (electron beam) radiation therapy in five fractions (8Gy/day, for 5 days) while 33% of the animals served as controls. DRS measurements were obtained from each animal on each day of treatment and then for two weeks post-treatment. Reflectance spectra were parametrized to extract total hemoglobin concentration and blood oxygen-saturation and the resulting time-trends of optical parameters appear to be dissimilar for the two cell-lines. These findings are also compared to previous animal experiments (using the FaDu line) that were irradiated using a photon beam radiotherapy protocol. These results and implications for the use of fiber-based DRS measurements made at local (irradiated) tumor site as a basis for identifying early radiotherapy-response are presented and discussed.
Control of Helicopter Blade Tip Vortex

A study of the effects of discrete jets, at the blade tips, on tip vortex of a rotor blade has been carried out. Flow measurements and visualizations were conducted on a static rotor test stand. Hot-film measurements in the near wake of a 'hovering' rotor were used to quantitativel y compare velocities associated with tip vortices between a baseline and a modified blade incorporating tip blowing. Results show dramatic reductions in maximum velocities in the near field. Typical reductions are from 0.475Vtip (baseline) to 0.25 Vtip with blowing at Cu = 0.0033. Increased unsteadiness in the near field region of the vortex was observed. Visualization revealed tip blowing reduced the coherence of the modified blade's vortex core. Smoke-flow visualization revealed outward radial movement of the vortex core in the vicinity of the rotor tip, with tip blowing. I. INTRODUCTION The ability to control or modify most flows depends on our ability to control or modify flow vorticies. Much research has been performed to understand the nature of various vortical flows and to determine the relationships between generation, strength, structure, stability, and accelerated decay of vortices 1"4. One fluid problem that has benefited from such research is flow in concentrated vortices, such as flow over the wing tips. Tip vortices are undesirable by-product of lift generated on 3-D aerodynamic surfaces. These vortices are directly linked to the reduced aerodynamic efficiency of such lifting bodies. This reduction in efficiency is manifested in the induced drag force. Furthermore, interactions of these vortices with other structures result in undesirable noise and structural vibration. Examples of such interactions include noise and vibration from helicopter rotors known as Blade Vortex Interactions (BVI), and large unexpected rolling moments experienced by small aircraft that fly into the wakes of larger aircraft. Obviously, there are good reasons to seek ways to modify or to disperse, and to rapidly attenuate such vortices. In attempting to decrease the vortex strength or to change its stability, the most obvious place to start is to consider mechanisms of vortex decay which occur naturally. There are three known categories of vortex decay. The first is viscous diffusion. This involves the weak means of natural vortex decay which relies upon the effect of shear between fluid particles to slow the rotational velocities of the vortex to the point where they are no longer strong enough to overcome ambient disturbances. Viscous diffusion is generally very slow, due to small viscosity of air, and can take miles to dissipate tip vortices produced by large passenger aircraft assuming other flow instabilities do not accelerate the decay process. The strength and persistence of tip vortices means that this natural mechanism is generally far too slow to be much useful from an engineering standpoint.