cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation studies for cylindrical positron tomography

A VMEbus-based microcomputer system has been used to implement a model for simulation of the flux of gamma rays to cylindrical PET (positron-emission-tomography) detector systems. The model is capable of tracing over one million photons per hour, and has been used to explore some of the effects of 'opening up' planar detector geometries into volumetric imagers. Gross single-channel and coincidence rates can be estimated using the model, as well as the distribution patterns of both true and scattered coincidence events in the radial and axial directions. The model demonstrates the increases in scattered coincidences that are encountered in true (i.e. no collimation) three-dimensional PET imaging and underscores the importance of detector energy resolution in managing scattered events. The projection plane view of scattered coincidence events suggests that scatter compensation can be attempted by filtering the projection data by two-dimensional techniques. Combining this model with models of detector properties and reconstruction processes will permit a full simulation of the entire PET imaging session. >
Impacts of differences in epidemiological case definitions on prevalence for upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders

Objective:The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate prevalence based on variations in case definitions used for epidemiological studies of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).Background:Pri...
Cilio-inhibitory effects of branchial nerve stimulation, dopamine, pentylenetetrazole and visible light in the mussel, Mytilus edulis

Abstract 1. Lateral ciliary activity was observed in intact and isolated cell preparations. 2. High frequency electrical stimulation, dopamine, pentylenetetrazole and visible light are cilio-inhibitory. 3. Cilio-inhibition produced by high frequency stimulation and photoactivation are blocked by ethylene glycol-bio[amino-ethyl ether]-N1,N2-tetraacetic acid and lanthanum. 4. Dopamine and pentylenetetrazole produce a similar gradual cilio-inhibition as observed with high frequency electrical stimulation and photoactivation. However, the former agents are not blocked by ethylene glycol-bio[amino-ethyl ether]-N1,N2-tetraacetic acid and lanthanum. 5. All of the cilio-inhibitory agenst investigated seem to increase the intracellular [Ca2+] by causing normal dense granules containing Ca to alter into membranous granules with subsequent release of Ca.
The role of macrophages in promoting the antibody response mediated by liposome-associated protein antigens

The effect of the in vivo depletion of macrophage function on the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to liposome-associated bovine serum albumin (LSM-BSA) in mice was investigated. Suppression of macrophage activities was accomplished by the intraperitoneal administration of carrageenan (CGN), a sulphated polygalactose which selectively inhibits macrophage function without interfering with the reactivity of T- and B-lymphocytes. Thus, control animals injected with CGN were found to give a significantly suppressed PFC response to sheep red blood cells, a macrophage-dependent antigen, but not to E. coli lipopolysaccharide, a macrophage-independent antigen. The pretreatment of experimental animals with CGN virtually abolished their antibody response to LSM-BSA in terms of the circulating anti-BSA antibody titers and the BSA-specific PFC response. These results provide evidence to substantiate an obligatory role of macrophages in inducing the humoral response to liposome-associated protein antigens.
Marine magnetic anomalies, geomagnetic field reversals, and motions of the ocean floor and continents

This paper summarizes the results of the three previous papers in this series, which have shown the presence of a pattern of magnetic anomalies, bilaterally symmetric about the crest of the ridge in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. By assuming that the pattern is caused by a sequence of normally and reversely magnetized blocks that have been produced by sea floor spreading at the axes of the ridges, it is shown that the sequences of blocks correspond to the same geomagnetic time scale. An attempt is made to determine the absolute ages of this time scale using paleomagnetic and paleontological data. The pattern of opening of the oceans is discussed and the implications on continental drift are considered. This pattern is in good agreement with continental drift, in particular with the history of the break up of Gondwanaland.
Ultra-Violet Bands of Oxide of Phosphorus

THE Phosphorus arc in air gives out a band spectrum in the ultra-violet, which is attributed to the PO molecule. The vibrational quantum analysis of these bands has been previously done by one of the authors1. The rotational structure analysis of the (0,0) band at λ2477.80 shows that it consists of six main branches, namely, P1 Q1 R1 and P2 Q2 R2 and two other faint satellite branches. For low quantum numbers, the satellite branches RQ21, QP21, PQ12 and QR12 are superposed on the main branches. The intensity of the lines of the different branches satisfy the criterion of a 2 2 transition. The band structure is analogous to the bands of NO1 as is anticipated from theoretical considerations. The following molecular constants (cm1 units) have been obtained.
Study of Rolling Force Calculation Models for Cold Rolling Process

For cold rolling process, the theoretical Bland-Ford-Hill model and Hitchcock model are used for the rolling force and roll flatten radius calculation. Friction coefficient and deformation resistance are calculated with empirical regression models. From rolling force model, the recalculation model for the friction coefficient and deformation resistance can be derived. After rolling, with actual measured data, friction coefficient and deformation resistance can be recalculated, and model parameter can be got by regression method. The practical application verifies that the accuracy of rolling force calculation model is good.
Hyaluronate turnover during chondrogenesis in the developing chick limb and axial skeleton.

Abstract Hyaluronidase activity is first detected in leg and wing buds and the axial trunk region of chick embryos at the onset of cartilage differentiation and continues during subsequent chondrogenesis. Incorporation of isotopic precursors into hyaluronate is demonstrated in early stages of development of both limb bud and axial skeleton. The ratios of incorporation of acetate-3H into hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfate in both regions is higher prior to the appearance of cartilage than subsequently and is greater at all the stages of axial chondrogenesis studied than at corresponding stages in the limb bud. A hypothesis is further discussed in which hyaluronate production accompanies mesenchymal cell movements and its removal is necessary for differentiation of these cells.
Low Energy Experiments on pi-pi Scattering

General interest in a precise determination of the threshold pi-pi amplitudes has recently increased markedly due to a controversy regarding the size of , the scalar quark condensate. This paper examines the current experimental information on the pi-pi scattering lengths, in particular the recent low energy pi N -> pi pi N data from several laboratories and the related application of the Chew-Low-Goebel technique well below 1 GeV/c momentum. It appears that uncertainties related to the treatment of non-pion-exchange backgrounds in these studies do not yet allow an unambiguous resolution of the size. However, near-term prospects for new model-independent results of improved precision are very good.
An Elusive Factor Affecting Mutation Frequency in Tradescantia Stamen Hairs: Its Influence on R.B.E.

SummaryA comparison of data from several experiments designed to determine either relative biological effectiveness (r.b.e.) or oxygen-enhancement ratios (o.e.r.) as a function of neutron energy revealed a puzzling variability in mutational response for pink mutations in Tradescantia stamen hairs. For some reason that we cannot determine, when the exposure fixtures and accompanying experimental procedures were changed as necessitated by the two studies, the expected mutation frequencies changed for X-rays and for four neutron energies. The other four neutron energies gave the expected results. As a consequence of these changes in mutation frequencies, the magnitude of r.b.e. values changed as well as the relationship of r.b.e. to neutron energy. Consequently, when r.b.e. values were determined using a closed but aerated exposure fixture instead of exposures made in free air, the resulting r.b.e. versus neutron-energy curve more closely paralleled that found by others for the inhibition of root growth in V...
Meta-analytic examination of the strong and weak principles across 48 health behaviors.

Abstract Objective. The strong and weak principles of change state that progress from the precontemplation to the action stage of change is associated with a one standard deviation increase in the pros and a one-half standard deviation decrease in the cons of change. In this study these relationships, originally developed by Prochaska [Prochaska, J.O., 1994. Strong and weak principles for progressing from precontemplation to action on the basis of 12 problem behaviors. Health Psychology, 13, 47–51] based on an examination of 12 studies of 12 different behaviors, were re-examined using many more datasets and much more rigorous statistical methods. Methods. The current study analyzes 120 datasets from studies conducted between 1984 and 2003 across and within 48 health behaviors, including nearly 50,000 participants from 10 countries. The datasets were primarily analyzed utilizing meta-analytic techniques. Results. Despite the range of behaviors and populations, the results were remarkably consistent with the original results (pros = 1.00 standard deviation, cons = 0.56 standard deviation). Few potential moderators showed any impact on effect size distributions. Conclusions. This updated and enhanced examination of two important principles of behavior change is a significant contribution to the field of multiple health risk behaviors, as it clearly demonstrates the consistency of the theoretical principles across multiple behaviors, which has implications for developing multiple health risk behavior interventions.
Inpatient management of diabetes and hyperglycemia among general medicine patients at a large teaching hospital

BACKGROUND Because of the relationship between inpatient hyperglycemia and adverse patient outcomes, current guidelines recommend glucose levels less than 180 mg/dL in the non-ICU inpatient setting and the use of effective insulin protocols for appropriate patients. OBJECTIVE To determine the current state of glucose management on an academic hospitalist service and the relationship between insulin-ordering practices and glycemic control. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Hospitalist-run general medicine service of an academic teaching hospital. PATIENTS 107 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus or inpatient hyperglycemia. MEASUREMENTS We collected data on up to 4 bedside glucose measurements per day, detailed clinical information, and all orders related to glucose management. The primary outcomes were rate of hyperglycemia (glucose > 180 mg/dL) per patient and mean glucose level per patient-day. RESULTS The mean rate of hyperglycemia was 31% of measurements per patient. Basal insulin was ordered for 43% of patients, and scheduled rapid- or short-acting insulin was ordered for 4% of patients. Sixty-five percent of patients who had at least 1 episode of hyper- or hypoglycemia had no change made to any insulin order during the first 5 days of the hospitalization. When adjusted for clinical factors, the use of sliding-scale insulin by itself was associated with a 20 mg/dL higher mean glucose level per patient-day. CONCLUSIONS Management of diabetes and hyperglycemia on a general medicine service showed several deficiencies in process and outcome. Possible targets for improvement include increased use of basal and nutritional insulin and daily insulin adjustment in response to hyperglycemia. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2006;3:145–150. © 2006 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Relationship of early programming language to novice generated design

What measurable effect do the language and paradigm used in early programming classes have on novice programmers' ability to do design? This work investigates the question by using data collected from 136 "first competency" students as part of a multi-national, multi-institutional study of students' approach to and attitudes toward design. Analysis of a number of surface characteristics of their designs found strikingly few differences between designs produced by students at schools that teach using objects-early, imperative-early, and functional-early paradigms. A similar lack of difference was found between students at C++-first and Java-first schools. While statistically significant differences are found for three characteristic comparisons across language and paradigm, these results seem to have little meaning for teaching given the complexity of the null hypotheses tested in those three cases. In particular, for the following design characteristics no statistically significant differences across language or paradigm of early instruction were found: attempt to address requirements, type of design produced, number of parts in design, recognition of ambiguity in design, and connectedness of design.
Psychosis induced by phencyclidine

Phencyclidine-induced psychosis should be suspected in young adults with a history of poor social and academic performance, who present with marked anxiety, psychotic ideation, and physical signs such as nytagmus and ataxia. Phencyclidine ingestion should be suspected when the patient fails to respond to the usual reassurance and "talk-down" for other "bad trips." A variety of drugs, as well as encephalitis or primary psychosis, can present a similar picture. Phenothiazines should be avoided in early management of any drug-induced psychosis, especially when the drug ingested is not positively identified. Phencyclidine may produce long-lasting pasychosis by unmasking psychopathology. Continued outpatient therapy including prolonged use of major tranquilizers may be necessary.
Spectral study of promethium and samarium by resonance ionization mass spectrometry.

A spectral study of promethium and samarium in the wavelength ranges of 530 to 560 and 580 to 615 nm has been made by resonance ionization mass spectrometry. A total of 54 promethium and 35 samarium ionization wavelengths were found. These optical routes are thought to involve a single-color, three-photon process. On the basis of this premise, new qualitative spectral information for both these elements is obtained from these data, and directions for more definitive studies result.
An SD Method Utilizing Null Dependency on Transmission Distance Due to Two-Ray Fading

A spatial division (SD) transmission method utilizing the characteristics of two-ray fading due to ground reflection with linear antenna arrays horizontal to the ground is proposed. Formulations of the optimum array arrangements as functions of the transmission distance and achievable channel capacity are clarified. For two- and three-element arrays, channel capacity is respectively doubled and tripled over that of free-space propagation. The proposed method provides increased capacity without the extra signal processing cost incurred when using conventional multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) transmission.
Performance analysis and electronics packaging of the optical communications demonstrator

The Optical Communications Demonstrator (OCD), under development at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), is a laboratory-based lasercomm terminal designed to validate several key technologies, primarily precision beam pointing, high bandwidth tracking, and beacon acquisition. The novelty of the instrument is that it uses a single CCD array detector for both beacon acquisition and tracking, and a fiber-coupled laser transmitter. The resulting reduction in design complexity can lead to a reduced system cost and an improved system reliability. In this paper, we describe recent progress on the development of the OCD terminal, particularly the electronics packaging and optical characterization with the Lasercom Test and Evaluation Station (LTES).
Vomeronasal system, LHRH, and sex behaviour

Vomeronasal chemosensory input is important for male hamster mating behavior, especially in inexperienced animals. Experiments reviewed here showed that intracerebroventricular injection of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) substantially restores mating behavior impaired by removal of vomeronasal organs in inexperienced hamsters. An analogue molecule Ac5–10LHRH, which fails to release luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary, has similar behavioural effects. These findings are consistent with the idea that vomeronasal sensory input may trigger intracerebral release of LHRH which then facilitates mating behaviour. Immunocytochemistry for the immediate-early gene-product Fos, used as an indicator of regional brain activation, indicates a selective activation of central vomeronasal pathways during mating behaviour. Chemosensory and other sensory inputs contribute to activation in medial amygdala and bed-nucleus of stria terminalis, but medial preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area activation appears more closely tied to mating behavior itself. Any of these areas may be sites of interaction between vomeronasal chemosensory input and LHRH-containing cells and fibers.
The Role of Mother's Citizenship Status on the Use of Licensed Child Care Among California's Asian Children

The underutilization of licensed child care is a problem among minority groups. This study examines the licensed child care access and utilization characteristics of Asian Americans by using statewide representative data from California. The study analyzed an aggregated child data file from CHIS (California Health Interview Survey). In the multivariate logistic regression, Asian children who had noncitizen mothers were more than three times more likely to use licensed child care than were Asian children who had mothers that were U. S. born and naturalized citizens. However, none of the Asian subgroups was the predictor of the utilization of licensed child care. The study has implications to child care policy.
Shaping with Deformations

AbstractParametric modeling changed the way we design and reason about mechanical artifacts due to the ability to handle (mainly 2-dimensional) constraints imposed on geometric entities. However, the inherent history dependence of parametric models limits the changes that can be achieved with a given parameterization.We propose a new history-independent approach to edit geometric models via a geometric deformation procedure that relies on motion interpolation to define and control local geometric modifications. Our approach generates useful geometric deformations such as stretching, bending, and twisting of existing point sets without relying on pre-existing parameterizations or on specific representations of the geometry. The proposed approach provides a small set of parameters that allow direct control and editing of the geometric modifications, and can preserve important geometric invariants such as constant cross-sectional properties of the deformed models. Furthermore, our shape deformation paradigm ...
Time course for development of anticonvulsant tolerance and GABAergic subsensitivity after chronic diazepam.

Abstract The time courses for development of neuronal and behavioral tolerance to diazepam (DZ) were estimated in rats continuously exposed to low levels of DZ for 3, 7, 14 or 21 days. Microiontophoretic sensitivity of dorsal raphe neurons to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was initially facilitated after short-term exposure to DZ released from implanted capsules for up to 3 days but returned to control levels by 7 days postimplantation and continued to decrease thereafter. GABAergic sensitivity remained depressed for a minimum of 5 days following removal of DZ capsules. To obtain a behavioral measure of tolerance, the anticonvulsant activity of DZ against bicuculline-induced seizures was also assessed. Rats studied 3 days after capsule implantation showed a significant elevation in seizure threshold. Seizure liability returned to control levels ca. 7 days after chronic treatment was initiated. These results indicate that tolerance to anticonvulsant efficacy against bicuculline seizures are temporally related to the onset of reduced GABA sensitivity on dorsal raphe neurons during prolonged exposure to DZ.
Conic Representations for Shape Description

The question of what is the "best" form of geometry for use in CAD systems and for data exchange between systems has often been argued with much intuition but few facts. I will present here some numerical stability results for several formulations of conic curves with the conclusion that the point/vector/scalar representation performs best. This also leads to a form of referential geometry that has significant advantages for use in geometric modeling systems.
Confirmation of autosomal dominant transmission of the DiGeorge malformation complex

L'observation d'une famille avec transmission autosomique dominante apparente du complexe malformatif en l'absence de deletion visible sur le bras long du chromosome 22 malgre l'analyse chromosomique a haute resolution, montre que cet examen ne peut exclure une forme familiale et que l'examen soigneux des membres de la famille demeure necesaire pour determiner le mecanisme et le risque de recurrence
Transoral Robotic Surgery for Oropharyngeal Cancer: Long Term Quality of Life and Functional Outcomes

Importance Because treatment for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), especially in patients of older age, is associated with decreased patient quality of life (QOL) after surgery, demonstration of a less QOL-impairing treatment technique would improve patient satisfaction substantially. Objective To determine swallowing, speech, and QOL outcomes following transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for OPSCC. Design, Participants, and Setting This prospective cohort study of 81 patients with previously untreated OPSCC was conducted at a tertiary care academic comprehensive cancer center. Interventions Primary surgical resection via TORS and neck dissection as indicated. Main Outcomes and Measures Patients were asked to complete the Head and Neck Cancer Inventory (HNCI) preoperatively and at 3 weeks as well as 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Swallowing ability was assessed by independence from a gastrostomy tube (G-tube). Clinicopathologic and follow-up data were also collected. Results Mean follow-up time was 22.7 months. The HNCI response rates at 3 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months were 79%, 60%, 63%, and 67% respectively. There were overall declines in speech, eating, aesthetic, social, and overall QOL domains in the early postoperative periods. However, at 1 year post TORS, scores for aesthetic, social, and overall QOL remained high. Radiation therapy was negatively correlated with multiple QOL domains (P 1 oropharyngeal site resected) and age older than 55 years predicted the need for a G-tube at any point after TORS (P Conclusions and Relevance Patients with OPSCC treated with TORS maintain a high QOL at 1 year after surgery. Adjuvant treatment and older age tend to decrease QOL. Patients meeting these criteria should be counseled appropriately.
Isoflurane abolishes spontaneous firing of serotonin neurons and masks their pH/CO2 chemosensitivity

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) neurons from the mouse and rat rostral medulla are stimulated by increased CO2 when studied in culture or brain slices. However, the response of 5-HT neurons h...
BROADBAND ACTIVE STRUCTURAL ACOUSTIC CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT CABIN NOISE - LABORATORY TESTS

This paper presents results of active structural acoustic control (ASAC) and active noise control (ANC) tests conducted to reduce broadband sound transmission in an aircraft fuselage, as an important step toward the design and development of a system for aircraft applications. The broadband active control tests were conducted in the furnished aft cabin of a DC-9 fuselage section housed in a large anechoic room in the Fuselage Acoustics Research Facility (FARF) at McDonnell Douglas, Long Beach, CA. Transfer functions between each actuator (on fuselage panels) and representative interior microphones were predicted using a finite element model of the fuselage, assuming that actuators can be placed on every panel of the fuselage. The analytical transfer function data were used to select actuator locations that provided the best simulated noise reduction at the interior microphone locations. Experiments were conducted to collect actual transfer functions between the eighteen microphone sensors and both the exterior disturbance (loudspeaker) source and sixty four control (PZT) sources. The experimental transfer function data were used to select optimum locations for the piezoelectric actuators, to optimize the multichannel controller, and to simulate broadband ASAC. Finally, broadband ASAC and ANC demonstration tests were conducted on the DC-9 fuselage.
Bioenergetic theory of prostate malignancy

Normal and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) prostate is characterized by the presence of extraordinarily high levels of citrate. Presumably, this results from the inability of the prostate epithelial cells to oxidize citrate due to a limiting mitochondrial (m-) aconitase. In contrast, prostate carcinoma (CA) is not characterized by high citrate levels. Malignant prostate epithelial cells apparently undergo a metabolic transformation from citrate-producing to citrate-oxidizing cells. A consequence of citrate production in normal and BPH cells is an inefficient and low level of ATP production. It is proposed that the process of malignancy necessitates an energy production that cannot be provided by citrate-producing cells. Consequently, the transformation of prostate epithelial cells to citrate-oxidizing cells which increases the energy production capability is essential to the process of malignancy and metastasis. The metabolic transformation likely occurs as a premalignant or early malignant stage. This bioenergetic theory of prostate malignancy, if correct, will provide new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of CA.
Of Maids' Uniforms and Blue Jeans : the Drama of Status Ambivalences in Clothing and Fashion

Culturally derived ambivalences of social identity lie at the heart of much that is communicated by clothing and fashion. In the West gender, age, sexual and social status identities are all subject to such vacillating clothing impulses and representations. In the instance of social status a culturally encoded tension generated by, at one end, a class based system of invidious distinctions and, at the other, a Judeo-Christian ethic of asceticism and modesty has for some seven hundred years now propelled an ongoing identity dialectic of status claims and status demurrals in clothing. Sartorial issues of ostentation vs. understatement, overdressing vs. underdressing, “conspicuous poverty” and the commission of disingenuous mistakes in dress reflect this underlying tension. In particular, the maid-inspired “little black dress” of the 1920s and 30s and, more recently, the fluctuating status symbolism attaching to blue jeans afford dramatic evidence of the play of status ambivalences in clothing. Identity ambivalence, in general, constitutes an important symbolic resource for fashion's constant forays upon established dress codes.
TIME‐SPENT RESPONSES AS TIME ALLOCATION STRATEGIES: RELATIONS WITH SALES PERFORMANCE IN A STOCKBROKER SAMPLE

Most research on job analysis treats within-job interrater disagreement on structured job analysis surveys as measurement error. The present research conceptualized time-spent responses as expressions of time allocation strategies for the relatively autonomous stockbroker job, and differences between responses as reflecting different strategies. Stockbrokers (n= 580) in a large financial services firm provided time-spent data on a job analysis survey, and results showed that for relatively inexperienced stockbrokers (with 1-4 years’job experience), and for more experienced stockbrokers with more than 4 years’experience, adjusted RS between sales performance and time spent on activity factors were both .49. Also, there was evidence suggesting that the relatively inexperienced and experienced stockbrokers spend significantly different amounts of time on some activities and that different patterns of relationships between time spent and sales performance exist for the two groups. Discussion focuses on difficulties with interpreting certain time-spent/performance relationships, and research approaches that might better separate differential time allocation strategies from measurement error.
Silica gel assisted reductive cyclization of 2‐nitro‐β‐piperidinostyrenes, derived from 2‐nitrotoluenes, to indoles

An efficient modification of the Leimgruber-Batcho method of indole synthesis has been devised that facilitates the synthesis of a variety of 2,3-unsubstituted indoles containing halogen, methoxy and benzyloxy groups, from 2-nitrotoluenes, in high yields. The modified method involves the condensation of 2-nitrotoluenes with tripiperidinomethane followed by the reductive cyclization of the intermediate 2-nitro-β-piperidinostyrenes with iron and acetic acid in refluxing toluene in the presence of silica gel (column chromatography grade, 60–200 mesh).
Different sensitivities of granulocyte-macrophage and erythroid progenitor cells of normal human bone marrow to S-phase-specific agents

The extraordinary sensitivity of early erythroid progenitor cells (BFU-e) of normal human bone marrow to tritiated thymidine ([3H]TdR) was studied. While exposure of bone-marrow cells to [3H]TdR for 1 hr resulted in the death of only 40% of the granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-c), 90% of BFU-e were killed. Experiments in which normal bone-marrow cells were mixed with bone-marrow cells which had been exposed to [3H]TdR demonstrated that the excessive killing of BFU-e by [3H]TdR reflected carry-over of the [3H]TdR by the exposed cells. A carry-over effect was not observed for CFU-c, suggesting the presence of a fundamental difference in the metabolism of TdR between CFU-c and BFU-e. There was a suggestion of a carry-over effect regarding two other S-phase-specific agents, hydroxyurea and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine.
The Language of Prognostication in Intensive Care Units

Rationale. Although misunderstandings about prognosis are common in intensive care units (ICUs), little is known about how physicians actually communicate prognostic information. Objectives. The authors sought to 1) develop a framework to describe the language physicians use to disclose prognosis, 2) determine whether physicians frame prognostic statements as estimates for populations or estimates for individual patients, and 3) determine whether physicians use the recommended ‘‘ask-tell-ask’’ approach when discussing prognosis. Methods. The authors conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study of 51 audiotaped physician-family conferences about life support decisions in ICUs. They identified each prognostic statement and used grounded theory methods to develop a framework to understand the language physicians use to communicate prognosis. Main Results. Physicians prognosticated in 50 of 51 conferences. When discussing prognosis, physicians used qualitative probability statements in 72% (36/50) of confer...
Understanding the Taiwan Indigenous Psychology Movement A Sociology of Science Approach

A five-part model of the development of indigenous psychology movements was proposed from a sociology of science perspective, two parts of which, the local relevance path and the conditions of work path, were examined in the context of the Taiwan Indigenous Psychology Movement (TIPM). The Local Relevance Path focuses on indigenous movements’ concerns with the cultural relevance of Western psychology, the validity of positivist epistemology and methodology, and the appropriateness of English-language communication. The Conditions of Work Path places the research activities and career strategies of non-Western psychologists in the context of their available resources and career contingencies. A study of 103 proponents and opponents of the TIPM provided support for both models, particularly in respondents’ dissatisfaction with positivist epistemology and their research resources. The TIPM is well known in Taiwan and garners moderate support, but strong divisions were found among subdisciplines and between lo...
Primitive C‐Command

Work in syntactic theory almost universally assumes that hierarchy in syntactic structure is characterized in terms of an abstract primitive relation of dominance. In this paper, we suggest that hierarchy should instead be determined via a primitive c-command relation. This perspective turns out to restrict the range of possible syntactic structures in a linguistically natural way, deriving restrictions on possible configurations that must otherwise be stipulated. Furthermore, we show that a primitive c-command view of syntactic structure provides the basis for a radically simplified conception of adjunction structure, one that not only allows us to understand why the adjunction operation exists alongside substitution, but also explains why these operations have their distinctive structural and derivational properties.
Early Social Responses in Gallus: A Functional Analysis

Early socialization leads to the establishment of species awareness, or imprinting, in many birds and mammals. Gallus chicks normally develop species-specific preferences prior to exposure to a parent, but early exposure is necessary to maintain these preferences. Descriptive rather than functional analyses have led to apparent disagreement about early socialization behavior; from an ecological viewpoint, such behavior is both adaptive and predictable.
Online Energy Efficient Packet Scheduling with Delay Constraints in Wireless Networks

We study online energy-efficient packet scheduling in a multi-user AWGN channel. The objective is to minimize the overall energy consumption in both transmission and circuit by adapting packet transmission rates with individual packet delay constraints. The scheduling is online in the sense that the transmission rates are determined without any assumption about future packet arrivals. We consider a transmitter with a general input and the transmitter communicates with multiple receivers with different distances, which means packets may have different power characteristics and delay constraints. We propose to conduct online rate assignment based on backlogged packets and derive the optimal algorithm in transmitting the packets. We compare the proposed scheduler with existing online algorithms via simulation in terms of energy consumption and algorithms efficiency. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the online algorithms in striking a better energy-delay trade-off.
A distributed framework for signal detection in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) may consist of hundreds or thousands of low-cost sensors, which makes it difficult for a central fusion center to oversee every sensor node. In this paper, we are interested in the problem of signal detection using WSNs. We propose a distributed framework for cross-layer design which is not only suitable to such application, but scalable with respect to the network size and able to greatly reduce the dependence on the central fusion center. This framework assumes a clustering infrastructure as the basis, and consists of a distributed scheduling protocol and a distributed routing protocol. These two protocols coordinate the intra-cluster and inter-cluster communications, respectively, while enabling the sensor nodes to make their own decisions about energy-efficient information transmissions, without requiring global network information. Thus, this framework can attain energy efficiency at different network layers in a distributed manner.
Arabidopsis HY8 locus encodes phytochrome A

hy8 long hypocotyl mutants of Arabidopsis defective in responsiveness to prolonged far-red light (the so-called "far-red high-irradiance response") are selectively deficient in functional phytochrome A. To define the molecular lesion in these mutants, we sequenced the phytochrome A gene (phyA) in lines carrying one or other of two classes of hy8 alleles. The hy8-1 and hy8-2 mutants that express no detectable phytochrome A each have a single nucleotide change that inserts a translational stop codon in the protein coding sequence. These results establish that phyA resides at the HY8 locus. The hy8-3 mutant that expresses wild-type levels of photochemically active phytochrome A has a glycine-to-glutamate missense mutation at residue 727 in the C-terminal domain of the phyA sequence. Quantitative fluence rate response analysis showed that the mutant phytochrome A molecule produced by hy8-3 exhibited no detectable regulatory activity above that of the phyA-protein-deficient hy8-2 mutant. This result indicates that glycine-727, which is invariant in all sequenced phytochromes, has a function important to the regulatory activity of phytochrome A but not to photoperception.
Sphingomyelin Synthase, a Potential Regulator of Intracellular Levels of Ceramide and Diacylglycerol during SV40 Transformation DOES SPHINGOMYELIN SYNTHASE ACCOUNT FOR THE PUTATIVE PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE-SPECIFIC PHOSPHOLIPASE C?

Sphingomyelin synthase (SMS), an enzyme involved in sphingomyelin (SM) and ceramide metabolism, can potentially regulate, in opposite directions, the levels of ceramide and diacylglycerol. In this study SMS activity was investigated in normal and SV40-transformed human lung fibroblasts (WI38). The addition of [3H]C2-ceramide to cells resulted in a time-dependent formation of [3H]C2-SM. At 24 h after treatment, normal WI38 cells cleared 17% of [3H]C2-ceramide producing [3H]C2-SM, which accounted for 13% of total radioactivity. On the other hand, SV40-transformed cells cleared 45% of [3H]C2-ceramide and produced C2-SM, which accounted for 24% of total radioactivity. This enhanced production of C2-SM was also supported by an increase in the total SMS activity of cells (measured in vitro), such that SV40-transformed cells had SMS activity of 222 pmol/mg of protein/h, whereas wild type cells had 78 pmol/mg of protein/h of activity. Additional studies aimed at examining the SMS activity directed at ceramide produced in the plasma membrane. Treatment of cells with exogenous bacterial sphingomyelinase (SMase) for 25 min resulted in cleavage of 90-95% of total SM and the concomitant generation of ceramide. After bacterial SMase treatment, wild type WI38 cells cleared ceramide very slowly (19.2 pmol of ceramide/nmol of phosholipid Pi after 6 h of incubation) and hardly regenerated any SM. On the other hand, SV40-transformed cells cleared ceramide much faster (41.1 pmol/nmol of Pi after 6 h of incubation) and regenerated approximately 80% of the original SM. These results show that the enhanced SMS activity of transformed cells is particularly pronounced when ceramide is produced in the plasma membrane. Finally, several observations led us to consider the relationship of SMS to the "putative" phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC). We, therefore, tested the effects of D609, a purported PC-PLC-specific inhibitor on the activity of SMS. D609 inhibited SMS activity in vitro. In addition, cellular studies showed that SMS activity was dramatically inhibited by concentrations of D609 used previously to study PC-PLC (10-50 microg/ml). These results suggest SMS as an important biochemical target for D609, and they raise the distinct possibility that many of the roles of PC-PLC, especially in cell transformation, may be attributable to SMS.
An investigation of coding for non-coherently demodulated binary FSK signals

Data communications are susceptible to radio frequency interference (RFI) and other noise that may degrade the quality of reception. To minimize these detrimental effects caused by underlying, harsh environments, a radio must optimize its forward error correction (FEC) schemes with a constraint on system complexity to ensure accurate reception of data at an affordable cost. Because this is a critical and important system design issue, the paper reports an investigation of coding for a common demodulation scheme, non-coherently demodulated binary FSK signals. In the study, tradeoffs between different coding schemes are made in conjunction with the signal design and associated communication protocols. Results of the analysis are demonstrated to evaluate and compare performance attainable with various coding schemes. >
Threshold-based Exhaustive Round-Robin for the CICQ Switch with Virtual Crosspoint Queues

A multi-cabinet implementation of a combined input and crosspoint queued (CICQ) switch introduces a large RTT latency between the line cards and switch fabric, requiring a large crosspoint (CP) buffer. A virtual crosspoint queues (VCQs), proposed in literature are shared among a set of virtual output queues (VOQs) and CP buffers for the same input port, reducing minimal memory size required inside the switch fabric. In this paper, a threshold-based exhaustive round-robin (T-ERR) arbitration is employed to improve the throughput of the CICQ switch with VCQs. The T-ERR at VCQ and CP arbiters serves packets residing in a longer queue more frequently than packet residing in a shorter queue. The T-ERR is simple yet drastically increases the throughput of the CICQ switch with small CP buffers. Simulation evaluations with unbalanced traffic show that the throughput of the CICQ switch with VCQs improves from 80% to 94% for CP buffer size of 4 cells and 73% to 83% for CP buffer size of 2 cells for RTT = 64 cell time. Furthermore, its throughput is independent of switch size and RTT. Thus, the proposed scheme makes the scalable implementation of a distributed CICQ switch practical.
Dietary and Physical Activity Factors Related to Eating Disorder Symptoms Among Middle School Youth

BACKGROUND: Dietary and physical activity (PA) behaviors can predict disordered weight control behaviors (DWCB) among youth. This study examines dietary and PA correlates of DWCB and differences by race/ethnicity and weight status in a diverse sample of youth. METHODS: Self-reported data on dietary weight management behaviors, strengthening/toning exercises, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and DWCB (vomiting, taking laxatives, and/or taking diet pills without a prescription) were obtained from 15,260 sixth to eighth graders in 47 middle schools participating in the Massachusetts Healthy Choices Study at baseline (2005). Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate odds of DWCB associated with dietary and PA behaviors and to examine for differences by race/ethnicity and weight status, adjusting for covariates and clustering of individuals within schools. RESULTS: Disordered weight control behaviors were reported by 3.6% of girls and 3.1% of boys. Youth who engaged in strengthening/toning exercises 7 days per week versus 0-3 days per week had increased odds of DWCB (girls odds ratio [OR] = 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3-3.0; boys OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.0-2.2). Dietary weight management behaviors were associated with increased odds of DWCB (girls OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.1-1.3; boys OR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.2-1.4) for each additional behavior. These associations did not differ by race/ethnicity or weight status.
Studying invasion: have we missed the boat?

Invasive species, and the ensuing homogenization of the world’s biota, form a global problem with consequences ranging from the decline and extirpation of native species to threats to human health. The magnitude of this issue demands a thorough understanding of the invasion process, which consists of three main stages: initial dispersal, establishment of self-sustaining populations, and spread. To assess the relative distribution of research effort among these stages, we conducted a literature review using 873 articles published in 23 major journals over the past 10 years. Of the 873 papers, only 96 (11.0%) studied initial dispersal, and only half of these (6.2% of the total) were empirical. As the first stage in a contingent process, we argue that initial dispersal is the best stage during which to direct management efforts. In addition, initial dispersal has direct relevance for fundamental ecological questions regarding community assembly and metacommunity dynamics. In so far that answering these questions and preventing invasion are goals of ecologists, the disparity in research effort noted here suggests that ecologists need to expand their efforts to include more research on initial dispersal.
A Letter to Readers

I hope you will do this accused racist, classist, and essentialist one favor. Read my work for yourself before reaching your verdict. Then, whatever your verdict may be, ask yourself why a scholar who says she expects and hopes for challenges refuses to address the challenges contained in my commentary on her paper and instead changes the subject. With the fervent wish that a warmer feminist research climate is on its
Probability and the Validity of Induction

We have seen that probability in a logical or Laplacian sense is essential to, and in fact presupposed in, Peirce’s probabilistic justification of induction. In other places, when Peirce comes to discuss probability independently of his argument for the validity of induction in terms of probable inference, he no longer accepts probability in a logical sense, but instead interprets probability in an empirical sense, i.e., in the sense that probability is to be determined only in terms of empirical findings in the long run. On account of this, Peirce must virtually vitiate his own probabilistic justification of induction. This, I believe, should become clear in this chapter after my close examination of Peirce’s description of probability, and of its relation to inductive validity in important passages of his writings from 1878 to 1903.