cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Congruous and incongruous sectoral visual field defects with lesions of the lateral geniculate nucleus

Quantitative perimetric studies in two women, each 52 years of age, with involvement of the lateral geniculate nucleus (caused by a small arteriovenous malformation in one and by an astrocytoma in the other) disclosed a striking wedge-shaped horizontal sectoranopia that was perfectly congruous in one case and incongruous in the other. Selective interruption of the dual blood supply to the lateral geniculate nucleus (with the anterior choroidal artery supplying the anterior hilus, together with the anterior and lateral nucleus and the lateral choroidal artery supplying the remainder of the nucleus) may result in a congruous visual field defect with steeply sloping borders because such a lesion must respect the anatomic boundaries produced by this vascular supply. Partial infiltration or involvement of the lateral geniculate nucleus (where uncrossed retinal projections terminate in one group of laminae, while crossed retinal projections terminate in another) provides a logical explanation for the occurrence of incongruous visual field defects. This unusual horizontal wedge-shaped defect should suggest lateral geniculate nucleus involvement, especially in the absence of trauma.
Ammonia Desorption in Microscale Fractal-Like Branching Flow Networks

An experimental study is presented in which ammonia is desorbed from a binary mixture of ammonia and water using a network of microscale fractal-like branching channels. The objectives of the study are (1) to determine feasibility of desorption by boiling the fluid mixture inside a microchannel array, and (2) to quantify the rate of desorption as a function of applied heat flux and strong solution flow rate. The desorber is disk-shaped with an inlet plenum at the center and the flow network branching radially outward toward the edge of the disk. The flow network was chemically etched in a stainless steel disk with a nominal terminal branch hydraulic diameter of 88 μm. Inlet and exit mass flow rates, temperatures, pressures and mass fractions were measured along with the heat flux applied to the surface of the desorber disk. Results indicate that desorption rates and water vapor content in the refrigerant vapor stream increase with increases in heat flux and decrease with strong solution mass flow rate.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
The effect of the crystal structure of the field emitter on field ion energy distributions

Abstract The field ionization probability of an atom as a function of distance from the field emitter is discussed in terms of the atomic arrangement and the electron scattering properties of the ion cores of the emitter in the immediate neighborhood of the atom to be ionized, and the electron transmission properties of the potential barrier between the emitter and that atom. This approach to field ionization calculations is somewhat similar to field ionization calculations based on low energy electron diffraction (LEED) procedure in that it takes into account electron scattering from the first few atomic layers of the emitter. It differs from LEED type calculations, because it considers the highly localized nature of the ionization near a surface atom. This localization makes the ionization probability relatively insensitive to the two-dimensional periodicity of the emitter surface. A one-dimensional calculation, in which only the potential barrier and three ion core scatterers in line with the field are considered, shows secondary structure in the predicted field ion energy distributions near the critical energy deficit, as well as the well known, primary field induced resonance peaks. The surface orientation dependence of these distributions arises naturally from this model because the secondary structure depends strongly upon the crystal parameter along a line parallel to the field. This one-dimensional calculation can be no more than an approximation to a complete calculation. It is interesting, however, that such a simple physical model, in which scattering from the image potential and only two or three ion cores is considered, rather than scattering from a complete crystal, can give prodicted field ion onergy distributions which are similar to those experimentally observed.
Increasing Braille Practice and Reading Comprehension in a Student with Visual Impairment and Moderate Mental Retardation: An Initial Study and Follow-Up

The purpose of this study was to increase Braille practice in a female high school student who has been legally blind since birth, and is diagnosed with moderate mental retardation. A changing criterion design was used, with three criteria that were set according to baseline data. The research was designed to test whether or not tokens that could be exchanged for a desired reward, along with introducing Braille material in which the child was interested, would increase percent of words that she practiced typing on her Brailler. The initial intervention was successful as indicated by the steady increase in words completed according to criteria. The follow-up study examined effectiveness of the same intervention on increasing reading comprehension. This was successful because percent of questions correctly answered about the material increased also in accordance with criteria.
Accessible proteomics space and its implications for peak capacity for zero-, one- and two-dimensional separations coupled with FT-ICR and TOF mass spectrometry

The number and wide dynamic range of components found in biological matrixes present several challenges for global proteomics. In this perspective, we will examine the potential of zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), and two-dimensional (2D) separations coupled with Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) and time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) for the analysis of complex mixtures. We describe and further develop previous reports on the space occupied by peptides, to calculate the theoretical peak capacity available to each separations-mass spectrometry method examined. Briefly, the peak capacity attainable by each of the mass analyzers was determined from the mass resolving power (RP) and the m/z space occupied by peptides considered from the mass distribution of tryptic peptides from National Center for Biotechnology Information's (NCBI's) nonredundant database. Our results indicate that reverse-phase-nanoHPLC (RP-nHPLC) separation coupled with FT-ICR MS offers an order of magnitude improvement in peak capacity over RP-nHPLC separation coupled with TOF MS. The addition of an orthogonal separation method, strong cation exchange (SCX), for 2D LC-MS demonstrates an additional 10-fold improvement in peak capacity over 1D LC-MS methods. Peak capacity calculations for 0D LC, two different 1D RP-HPLC methods, and 2D LC (with various numbers of SCX fractions) for both RP-HPLC methods coupled to FT-ICR and TOF MS are examined in detail. Peak capacity production rates, which take into account the total analysis time, are also considered for each of the methods. Furthermore, the significance of the space occupied by peptides is discussed.
Ethanol—the primary renewable liquid fuel

This perspective paper establishes that ethanol has a long history of very good performance as a renewable liquid fuel blended with gasoline and can be used in over 80% of the automobile and other light duty transportation vehicles. It fits very well into the future of the combination of electricity and renewable liquid fuel for such transportation. It has also been established that renewable biomass feedstock is highly oxygenated and ethanol can be produced with high yields and efficiency with some conversion technologies—particularly the ‘Hybrid’ of gasification with bioconversion—that have been developed to the commercial implementation stage. Recent major studies conducted by the USDA, DOE and major National Laboratories have projected that large and sustainable biomass feedstock supplies are available and are going to be available to efficiently produce this ethanol in very large quantities of around 340 billion liters per year in the USA. The experience gained over the past 70 years in the south-eastern USA has been summarized to further support the fact that efficient and sustainable biomass supply can be developed and maintained to support much increased usage. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Trapped flux reduction in a spherical niobium shell at 1 mG

Abstract We have developed a method to reduce flux trapped in a superconducting spherical shell. A normal spot on the shell sweeps flux lines until they close in on themselves. Using this technique the dipole moment corresponding to a trapped field of 1 mG has been reduced to about 6% of its original level.
Antecedent exercise as a treatment for disruptive behavior: Testing hypothesized mechanisms of action

This study evaluated the effects of antecedent physical exercise (AE) and a mastery task on behaviorally disturbed children's self-concepts and rates of disruptive behaviors. In addition, we evaluated whether changes in self-concept mediated any exercise induced changes in rates of disruptive behavior. Fifty-eight children were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) antecedent exercise (jog/walk), (b) “mastery” task (a successive improvement miniaturebasketball shooting task), and (c) no treatment control group. A week of baseline was followed by 4 weeks of treatment and, finally another week of return to baseline. Results indicated that: (a) AE produced significantly less disruptive behavior than no treatment, (b) the “Mastery” task did not produce significantly less disruptive behavior than no treatment, (c) neither treatment produced increases in self-concept relative to no treatment, and (d) changes in self-concept did not mediate AE induced reductions in disruptive behaviors.
A validation study of quantum dot multispectral imaging to evaluate hormone receptor status in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

The assessment of hormone receptors, including estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor, has become a standard practice in breast cancer management. However, the need for multiple sections to evaluate each receptor individually by conventional immunohistochemistry may preclude the analysis on some core biopsies with a limited amount of tumors. The aim of the study was to validate the quantitative analysis of nuclear markers estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor by quantum dot-based immunohistochemistry using a multispectral imaging system in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Consecutive sections from a total of 17 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ with excisional biopsies or mastectomies were stained with conventional immunohistochemistry and quantum dot-based, single- and double-labeled immunohistochemistry for estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor. The semiquantitative results from double-labeled, quantum dot-based immunohistochemistry were compared with those from single-labeled, quantum dot-based immunohistochemistry as well as from conventional immunohistochemistry. There was good concordance between double- and single-labeled quantum dot-based immunohistochemistry, and quantum dot-based immunohistochemistry correlated well with conventional immunohistochemistry (Spearman correlation coefficient range from 0.884 to 0.958, P < .001). The findings proved the validity and accuracy of quantum dot-based multiplex, multispectral technique in detecting 2 tumor markers in the same cellular compartment simultaneously on a single slide. This technique may enhance our ability to assess multiple breast tumor markers in specimens with limited available tissue. However, several technical and logistic issues await significant improvement before this novel technique can be justified for routine clinical application.
Oxidation of plasma surface modified zirconium alloy in pressurized high temperature water

Oxidation of a zirconium-alloy, zircaloy-2 in the untreated (non-surface treated) condition and after ion implantation with nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen has been examined after exposure for 168 h to an environment of pressurized water at 25 MPa at temperatures of 300 and 500 °C. At this pressure, water is in subcritical state at 300 °C and supercritical state at 500 °C. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy showed that oxidation occurred in the form of mainly an oxygen diffusion layer for the 300 °C exposure, but for the 500 °C exposure a uniform stoichiometric oxide layer and a sub-surface oxide diffusion layer were observed. For the 300 °C exposure, carbon and nitrogen ion implantation resulted in a thinner oxygen affected layer compared to the untreated alloy. The oxygen ion implanted samples showed a thicker oxygen affected layer, but this included the thickness contributions from both thermal oxidation and prior oxygen ion implantation. After exposure at 500 °C, the carbon and nitrogen ion implanted samples exhibited a thicker, and the oxygen ion implanted samples a thinner oxygen affected layer compared to the untreated alloy. A separate experiment involving exposure to supercritical water at 400 °C for 168 h showed lower levels of oxidation in zircaloy-2 samples that were sputter coated with an yttrium film and subsequently bombarded with xenon ions prior to exposure.
Referential and causal coherence in the story comprehension of children and adults

Abstract The purpose of this study is to determine the relation between referential and causal coherence in discourse comprehension and some of the factors that affect children's ability to establish both. In five experiments, the ability of first graders, fourth graders, and adults to make causal inferences that explain how an unexpected and inconsistent “outcome” follows from an initial premise event in a story was examined. Textual factors that help establish referential continuity and link the inconsistent premise and outcome sentences were distinguished from propositional factors that help “invite” a particular causal inference that resolves the inconsistency. The results suggest that referential and causal coherence represent different and empirically dissociable aspects of comprehension, and that establishing referential coherence may be necessary to establish the “need” for a causal inference, but otherwise contributes minimally to that inference. In addition, the results show that children are less likely than adults to establish both kinds of coherence, depending on the difficulty of the process. Developmental investigators should distinguish between referential and causal coherence in order to locate the precise source of inference deficits.
A comparison of the Hopkins Pain Rating Instrument with standard visual analogue and verbal descriptor scales in patients with cancer pain

A self-contained, portable, pain rating instrument that provides an immediate result for documentation purposes was developed to improve pain assessment in cancer patients. The Hopkins Pain Rating Instrument (HPRI) is a 5 x 20 cm plastic visual analogue scale (VAS) with a sliding marker that moves within a groove that measures 10 cm. The side facing the patient resembles a traditional VAS while the opposite side is marked in cm to quantify pain intensity. This psychometric study, which employed a descriptive correlational design, evaluated the reliability and validity of the HPRI by comparing it with a traditional VAS and verbal descriptor scale (VDS). Outpatients with and without pain and inpatients with pain rated their major pain site with the three instruments, which were presented in random order. This was followed by a mental status exam and re-rating of pain with the same instruments to assess test--retest reliability. Completing the study were 71 patients with a variety of cancers and a mean age of 52.8 years. Of these patients, 68% had pain and 54% were receiving opioid analgesics. The most common pain sites were the back, leg, and epigastric areas. On initial and repeat testing, there were high correlations between the HPRI and the VAS (r = 0.99, P less than 0.0001) and the VDS (r = 0.85, P less than 0.0001). The correlation coefficients for test--retest reliability for the HPRI, VAS, and VDS were 0.97, 0.97, and 0.94 (P less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The midgut transcriptome of Lutzomyia longipalpis: comparative analysis of cDNA libraries from sugar-fed, blood-fed, post-digested and Leishmania infantum chagasi-infected sand flies

In the life cycle of Leishmania within the alimentary canal of sand flies the parasites have to survive the hostile environment of blood meal digestion, escape the blood bolus and attach to the midgut epithelium before differentiating into the infective metacyclic stages. The molecular interactions between the Leishmania parasites and the gut of the sand fly are poorly understood. In the present work we sequenced five cDNA libraries constructed from midgut tissue from the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis and analyzed the transcripts present following sugar feeding, blood feeding and after the blood meal has been processed and excreted, both in the presence and absence of Leishmania infantum chagasi. Comparative analysis of the transcripts from sugar-fed and blood-fed cDNA libraries resulted in the identification of transcripts differentially expressed during blood feeding. This included upregulated transcripts such as four distinct microvillar-like proteins (LuloMVP1, 2, 4 and 5), two peritrophin like proteins, a trypsin like protein (Lltryp1), two chymotrypsin like proteins (LuloChym1A and 2) and an unknown protein. Downregulated transcripts by blood feeding were a microvillar-like protein (LuloMVP3), a trypsin like protein (Lltryp2) and an astacin-like metalloprotease (LuloAstacin). Furthermore, a comparative analysis between blood-fed and Leishmania infected midgut cDNA libraries resulted in the identification of the transcripts that were differentially expressed due to the presence of Leishmania in the gut of the sand fly. This included down regulated transcripts such as four microvillar-like proteins (LuloMVP1,2, 4 and 5), a Chymotrypsin (LuloChym1A) and a carboxypeptidase (LuloCpepA1), among others. Upregulated midgut transcripts in the presence of Leishmania were a peritrophin like protein (LuloPer1), a trypsin-like protein (Lltryp2) and an unknown protein. This transcriptome analysis represents the largest set of sequence data reported from a specific sand fly tissue and provides further information of the transcripts present in the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis. This analysis provides the detailed information of molecules present in the midgut of this sand fly and the transcripts potentially modulated by blood feeding and by the presence of the Leishmania parasite. More importantly, this analysis suggests that Leishmania infantum chagasi alters the expression profile of certain midgut transcripts in the sand fly during blood meal digestion and that this modulation may be relevant for the survival and establishment of the parasite in the gut of the fly. Moreover, this analysis suggests that these changes may be occurring during the digestion of the blood meal and not afterwards.
Meta-analysis of Coffee Consumption and Risk of Colorectal Cancer

Several studies have found that coffee consumption is related to a lower risk of colorectal cancer, but results have not been consistent. Thus, a meta-analysis of the published articles was conducted to examine this relation. Because of the various ways data were collected and analyzed, a "semiquantitative" approach that compared the high versus the low category of intake for each study was used. The combined results from 12 case-control studies showed an inverse association between coffee consumption and risk of colorectal cancer (pooled relative risk (estimated by odds ratio) for high vs. low category of coffee consumption (RR) = 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61-0.84); the findings were similar in population-based and hospital-based case-control studies. Five cohort studies did not support an association (pooled RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.73-1.29). The combined results of all studies were driven largely by the case-control studies, which comprised 85 percent of the cases (RR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.66-0.89). The lower risk of colorectal cancer among substantial coffee drinkers was observed in studies from Asia, Northern and Southern Europe, and North America. The results of this meta-analysis indicate a lower risk of colorectal cancer associated with substantial consumption of coffee, but they are inconclusive because of inconsistencies between case-control and prospective studies, the lack of control for important covariates in many of the studies, and the possibility that individuals at high risk of colorectal cancer avoid coffee consumption. Several ongoing prospective cohort studies, based on extensive dietary questionnaires, may provide important new data to evaluate this hypothesis.
The pro-apoptotic protein Par-4 facilitates vascular contractility by cytoskeletal targeting of ZIPK.

Par-4 (prostate apoptosis response 4) is a pro-apoptotic protein and tumour suppressor that was originally identified as a gene product up-regulated during apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Here, we show, for the first time, that Par-4 is expressed and co-localizes with the actin filament bundles in vascular smooth muscle. Furthermore, we demonstrate that targeting of ZIPK to the actin filaments, as observed upon PGF-2α stimulation, is inhibited by the presence of a cell permeant Par-4 decoy peptide. The same decoy peptide also significantly inhibits PGF-2α induced contractions of smooth muscle tissue. Moreover, knockdown of Par-4 using antisense morpholino nucleotides results in significantly reduced contractility, and myosin light chain and myosin phosphatase target subunit phosphorylation. These results indicate that Par-4 facilitates contraction by targeting ZIPK to the vicinity of its substrates, myosin light chain and MYPT, which are located on the actin filaments. These results identify Par-4 as a novel regulator of myosin light chain phosphorylation in differentiated, contractile vascular smooth muscle.
Adaptive search for sparse targets with informative priors

This works considers the problem of energy constrained adaptive search for sparse targets given probabilistic prior knowledge of target locations. An Adaptive Resource Allocation Policy (ARAP) was introduced by Bashan (2008), showing significant gains over standard methods can be achieved without prior knowledge on the targets' locations. This work extends ARAP to account for nonuniform prior knowledge. It is shown that potential gains exist as compared to ARAP. Moreover, we show that by overestimating the true region of interest, the proposed search policy can always outperform ARAP in terms of worst-case gain. Lastly, results from an application involving estimating the approach of airplanes at an airport suggest that bi-level piecewise uniform priors are adequate approximations.
Quantitative assessment of effects on fetal rat eyes of fixative and of time postmortem at fixation

Numbers of mitotic figures present in parasagittal sections of lens capsules of day-20 fetal rat eyes and comparison of relative lens volume provided a quantitative basis for comparing tissues fixed in neutral buffered formalin and Bouin's and Lillie's fluids. The number of mitotic figures at 1 or 6 h postmortem was significantly higher in Bouin's and Lillie's-fixed material than in that fixed in formalin. The estimated volume of the tissue fixed in Bouin's was significantly greater than that of lenses in the other 2 fixatives. In addition the overall appearance of the sectioned lens was examined in an effort to evaluate possible artifacts, especially those that might be interpreted as cataracts. Excessive shrinkage and fragmentation of formalin-fixed lenses was observed.
Influence of ZrO2 Grain Size and Content on the Transformation Response in the Al2O3─ZrO2 (12 mol% CeO2) System

Based on experimental and modeling studies, the rate of increase in the martensite start temperature M[sub s] for the tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformation with increase in zirconia grain size is found to rise with decrease in ZrO[sub 2] content in the zirconia-toughened alumina ZTA system. The observed grain size dependence of M[sub s] can be related to the thermal expansion mismatch tensile (internal) stresses which increase with decrease in zirconia content. The result is that finer zirconia grain sizes are required to retain the tetragonal phase as less zirconia is incorporated into the alumina, in agreement with the experimental observations. At the same time, both the predicted and observed applied stress required to induce the transformation are reduced with increase in the ZrO[sub 2] grain size. In addition, the transformation-toughening contribution at temperature T increases with increase in the M[sub s] grain size, when T>M[sub s]. In alumina containing 20 vol% ZrO[sub 2] (12 mol% CeO[sub 2]), a toughness of [approximately]10 MPa [center dot] [radical]m can be achieved for a ZrO[sub 2] grain size of [approximately]2 [mu]m (M[sub s] [approximately]225K). However, at a grain size of [approximately]2[mu]m, the alumina-40 vol% ZrO[sub 2] (12 mol% CeO[sub 2]) has a toughness of only 8.5more » MPa [center dot] [radical]m (M[sub s] [approximately] 150K) but reaches 12.3 MPa [center dot] [radical]m (M[sub s] [approximately] 260K) at a grain size of [approximately]3 [mu]m. These findings show that composition (and matrix properties) play critical roles in determining the ZrO[sub 2] grain size to optimize the transformation toughening in ZrO[sub 2]-toughened ceramics.« less
Three-Dimensional Polarimetric Imaging of Coronal Mass Ejections

We present three-dimensional reconstructions of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which were obtained through polarization analysis of single-view images recorded with the use of the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) C2 coronagraph on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft. Analysis of a loop-like CME shows a complex three-dimensional structure centered at 40° from the plane of the sky, moving radially at 250 kilometers/second. Reconstruction of two halo CMEs suggests that these events are expanding loop arcades.
Optimum number of embryos to transfer in women more than 40 years of age undergoing treatment with assisted reproductive technologies.

Objective To determine whether increasing the number of embryos transferred beyond five increases pregnancy rates in women aged >40 years. Design Retrospective analysis of cycles performed between January 1998 and July 2003. Setting University-affiliated teaching hospital. Patient(s) Women aged >40 years undergoing a fresh cycle with a day-3 ET (n = 863). Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, miscarriage rates, number of viable fetuses at 12 weeks' gestation, live birth rates, and number of babies delivered. Result(s) Compared with patients with fewer than five embryos transferred, those having five or more embryos transferred had significantly increased pregnancy rates and live birth rates, more viable fetuses at 12 weeks, and significantly decreased miscarriage rates. None of these outcome variables differed between the five-embryo and more-than-five-embryo groups. There were no differences in outcome when only five embryos were transferred, regardless of whether five or more than five embryos were available. The number of embryos transferred did not significantly influence multiple birth rates. Conclusion(s) The present study demonstrates that in women aged >40 years, five embryos is the optimum number to transfer, and transferring more than five does not confer any additional benefit to clinical outcome.
59 THE YALE CHILDRENS INVENTORY (YCI): A NEWLY O DEVELOPED INSTRUMENT TO ASSESS CHILDREN WITH ATTENTIONAL DEFICITS AND LEARNING PROBLEMS

The Yale Childrens Inventory (YCI), a parent questionnaire with DSM III criteria as its core, is designed for pediatricians to diagnose disorders characterized by academic difficulties, hyperactivity or attentional dysfunction. Scale construction resulted in 11 reliable narrow band scales (coefficient alpha internal consistency, x=.85. .72–.93; test-retest x=.79. .61–.89). Second order factor analysis yielded two broad bands: Behavior and Cognitive with Attention the only narrow band scale to load highly on both broad bands, providing empiric support to the notion that attentional problems are central to both behavioral and cognitive difficulties, and supporting DSM III nosology for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). A discriminant function based on the YCI scales classified normal and learning disabled children with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 96%. Differential relationships of the YCI scales with a series of external criterion measures provides evidence for concurrent and predictive validity (2 years later). Based on DSM III criteria and demonstrating reliability and validity, the YCI represents a significant advance in the diagnosis and classification of children with attentional and learning problems.
Endogenous Availability, Cartels, and Merger in an Equilibrium Price Dispersion

Abstract In a generalization of the Butters advertising model, the equilibrium involves one firm that advertises at least twice as much as the others, who all advertise equally. A cartel formation game is considered, and any equilibrium cartel involves at least two, but generally not all, firms. In one equilibrium, only the largest firms join the cartel. A merger game is considered, and, in equilibrium, the large firm buys the other firms in sequence, with discounting equalizing the expected utility of the targets and prices rising over time. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: D43, D83, L11, L13, L41.
Real-world implementation of an Auction Behavior-Based Robotic Architecture (ABBRA)

Robots for real world applications face multiple challenges due to the dynamic nature of the environment. These challenges require that robotic architectures can handle multiple goals, some of which may be conflicting, and can also handle time-constraints for completion of those goals. In addition, the architectures need to be flexible enough to change their priorities should a change in the environment require it. The Auction Behavior-Based Robotic (ABBRA) architecture proposed in this paper meets these requirements by allowing the robot to handle dynamic changes in the environment while making the most suited decision for the robot at that moment. This paper details two new features of ABBRA and proves that the architecture can function in a real environment. ABBRA supports mapping and the use of clock (real) time for enforcement of time-constraints of goals while handling multiple conflicting goals simultaneously, as well as dynamically adding a new goal during run time. The paper presents the results of five real world experiments using the Segway Robotic Mobile Platform (RMP) in which the proposed auction behavior-based system is deployed in a real and dynamic environment, with dynamically changing constraints.
Vascularization of the Hypospadiac Prepuce and Its Impact On Hypospadias Repair

ABSTRACTPurpose: Only sparse data are available on the blood supply of the hypospadiac prepuce. We investigated the development and course of the preputial blood vessels, and applied the results of this study to surgery for hypospadias.Materials and Methods: In 157 patients who underwent hypospadias surgery from October 1996 to December 2000 the prepuce was illuminated by a front and back lighting technique using endoscopic cold light and then photographed. Its blood vessel course and development were schematically presented. In 65 patients in whom the prepuce was not used for urethroplasty or penile body skin reconstruction the specimen was removed and its blood vessels were identified after injection with gelatin and Indian ink. The results of the 2 methods were compared.Results: Based on the predominant blood vessels we classified preputial vascularization in hypospadias cases into groups, including 1—1 blood vessel predominant in 43%, 2—2 blood vessels predominant in 12%, 3—an H-like form with communi...
CONGENITAL PROTEIN HYPERSENSITIVENESS IN TWO GENERATIONS.

Hypersensitivity actively induced in utero is shown to persist for a longer period than passive sensitization. The degree of hypersensitivity, its duration, and its transmissibility appear to be influenced by the time elapsing between the original injection of the parent and parturition. A pregnant guinea pig receiving a parenteral injection of antigen 2 to 4 days prior to parturition transmits a state of hypersensitivity to two succeeding generations. The sensitization of the FI generation is due to the passage of antigen. The sensitization of the FII generation is due to the passage of antibodies formed in the FI generation. This prevents any further transfer of the hypersensitive state. Though hypersensitivity occurs in two successive generations, the phenomenon is congenital and not hereditary. We believe that this phenomenon demonstrated in the guinea pig is fundamentally related to the problem of congenital sensitization of the human being.
Value similarity about human resources, competitiveness and social responsibility: A study of organizational and suborganizational differences

This study explored the perception of value similarity between employees and top management. Three types of organizational values were identified including values concerning the use of human resources, the competitiveness of the firm, and the importance of social responsibility. Two organizations and two subpopulations within one organization were examined to determine if differences exist in the way different groups configure their values. The results revealed that the importance of value similarity on the use of human resources was “univocal” or common to both organizations and subpopulations. In contrast, similarity on competitiveness values and social responsibility values were found to vary and thus operate uniquely for different organizations and subgroups. The implications of these findings for the universality versus uniqueness debate within the culture literature and the future measurement of organizational value constructs are discussed.
Built upon sand: Theoretical ideas inspired by granular flows

Granulated materials, like sand and sugar and salt, are composed of many pieces that can move independently. The study of collisions and flow in these materials requires new theoretical ideas beyond those in the standard statistical mechanics or hydrodynamics or traditional solid mechanics. Granular materials differ from standard molecular materials in that frictional forces among grains can dissipate energy and drive the system toward frozen or glassy configurations. In experimental studies of these materials, one sees complex flow patterns similar to those of ordinary liquids, but also freezing, plasticity, and hysteresis. To explain these results, theorists have looked at models based upon inelastic collisions among particles. With the aid of computer simulations of these models they have tried to build a ``statistical dynamics'' of inelastic collisions. One effect seen, called inelastic collapse, is a freezing of some of the degrees of freedom induced by an infinity of inelastic collisions. More often some degrees of freedom are partially frozen, so that there can be a rather cold clump of material in correlated motion. Conversely, thin layers of material may be mobile, while all the material around them is frozen. In these and other ways, granular motion looks different from movement in other kinds of materials. Simulations in simple geometries may also be used to ask questions like When does the usual Boltzmann-Gibbs-Maxwell statistical mechanics arise?, What are the nature of the probability distributions for forces between the grains?, and Might the system possibly be described by uniform partial differential equations? One might even say that the study of granular materials gives one a chance to reinvent statistical mechanics in a new context.
A STOCHASTIC DOMINANCE ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE MARKETING STRATEGIES FOR MIXED CROP FARMS IN NORTH FLORIDA

The literature is replete with theoretical Cumulative probability distributions of in- and empirical issues involved in the use of come for management scenarios involving strategies to reduce income variability four pre-harvest marketing strategies are sub- through minimizing production, price, and jected to stochastic dominance analysis to financial risks. Falatoonzadeh et al. recently determine risk-efficient sets of strategies for demonstrated the use of five common mandifferent groups of farmers in North Florida. agement tools to reduce price and production Results indicate that farmers should behave risks. They concluded that the use of futures differently in their choice of marketing strat- markets offers a viable tool to reduce price egies according to their risk attitudes. Highly risk using hedging. risk-averse farmers should prefer some for- A key factor influencing beneficial usage ward contracting while low risk-averse and of futures markets is the variation in the basis. risk-loving farmers should prefer cash sales The basis is the difference between the fuat harvest. Use of the futures markets leads tures price and the local cash price at a give to both higher income and greater risk than time. Garcia et al. analyzed basis fluctuations forward contracting but lower income and for selected livestock markets and deterrisk than cash sales. mined that long-term price levels and un
Deterministic capacity of MIMO relay networks

The deterministic capacity of a relay network is the capacity of a network when relays are restricted to transmitting reliable information, that is, (asymptotically) deterministic function of the source message. A key feature of the deterministic capacity is that it can be found for a number of networks, as opposed to the general Shannon capacity of networks, which is generally unknown, even for the relay channel. We consider in particular the low power limit when SNRrarr 0. This limit can sometimes be found even when capacity is not known for SNR > 0. We derive the deterministic capacity of some MIMO relay channels in the low power regime.
A Large Pelvic Mass in an Adolescent Patient with Granulomatous Nephritis: Case Report and Discussion of Treatment Challenges

Abstract Background An adolescent patient with granulomatous nephritis presents with a large, solid pelvic mass. Pertinent differential diagnosis for this solid ovarian mass as well as discussion regarding treatment challenges for this patient is delineated. Case A 15-year-old female presented to her primary care doctor with fatigue and syncope. Initial laboratory workup revealed a hemoglobin of 7.9 g/dL, an elevated creatinine of 3.5 mmol/L, and an elevated ionized calcium of 13.1 mg/dL. Renal biopsy revealed diffuse non-caseating granulomatous nephritis with rare acid-fast bacilli. Renal ultrasound first noted a pelvic mass. Pelvic ultrasound revealed a 15.0 × 8.4 × 12.2cm mass, characterized as mostly solid with diffuse spaces, in the location of the right ovary. CA-125 and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) tumor markers were elevated. The patient underwent a left salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic staging. Intra-operative frozen section revealed a dysgerminoma. Final pathology report revealed extensive non-caseating granulomatous inflammation within the ovarian tumor. Special stains showed no evidence of acid-fast organisms. Conclusion Dysgerminoma is the most likely solid ovarian tumor in a patient of this age. In light of her initial renal biopsy with acid-fast bacilli, pelvic tuberculosis needs to be considered. Due to its extreme rarity, sarcoidosis of her genital tract should be lower on the differential, yet this patient presented with pathology consistent with non-caseating granulomas suggesting this diagnosis. Once ovarian dysgerminoma was diagnosed, the possibility that this patient's renal findings may represent paraneoplastic syndrome also becomes important for her treatment.
Bank Organization and Screening Performance

This paper develops a simple model of organization design for a bank by modifying the model by Sah and Stiglitz (1986). Two alternative forms of bank organization are considered. In the "single-layered" organization, each loan candidate is screened only once. In the "double-layered" organization, loans are screened twice and have to be accepted by two independent decision units. It is shown that the single-layered organization originates more loans but its portfolio includes a higher proportion of bad loans compared with the double-layered organization. The profits for a bank with single-layered organization are higher than that with double-layered organization if (a) the quality of initial portfolio is high, (b) the problem of Type I error is serious, (c) the problem of Type II error is small, and/or (d) the screening cost is high. When the bank optimally chooses the intensity of screening, given the organizational structure, the bank with single-layered organization chooses a higher level of efforts to improve the screening skill. The preliminary empirical analysis suggests that the model is consistent with the recent experience in Japanese banking.
Darcy–Brinkman Flow over a Grooved Surface

Uniform Darcy–Brinkman flow over a surface with periodic rectangular grooves is studied by domain decomposition and matching. It is found that the effect of corrugations is equivalent to replacing the rough surface with a smooth surface with an apparent slip for the bulk flow. Such equivalence would greatly simplify the boundary conditions for porous flow bounded by a rough surface. The slip velocity is larger along the grooves than transverse to the grooves, and is increased by the porous media parameter k.
Individual Orientations To Prosocial Behavior

Findings relating personality and demographic variables to prosocial behavior are reviewed. Original research results are then presented. These results show that different personal dispositions are related to various forms of prosocial behavior in different ways. The traditional search for general correlates of prosocial behavior is viewed as shortsighted. Attention is drawn to the relation of situational payoffs to personal dispositions, interactions among predictors, assessment of independence among predictors, and to situational shifts in personality.
Reduction of Spontaneous Electrical Activity and Pain Perception of Trigger Points in the Upper Trapezius Muscle through Trigger Point Compression and Passive Stretching

Objectives: Investigate the effects of ischemic compression [IC] technique and passive stretching [PS] in isolation and in combination on the reduction of spontaneous electrical activity [SEA] and perceived pain in trigger points [TrPs] located in the upper trapezius muscle.Methods: Ninety participants with TrPs in the upper trapezius muscle were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: IC, PS, and IC + PS. TrP compression was applied on the TrP for three applications of 60 seconds each, followed by a 30-second rest period. PS was applied for three 45-second applications, with 30-second rest intervals. All patients received the same amount of therapy.Results: Significant decreases were found in pain perception and on SEA for all study participants. The IC + PS group evidenced greater declines in pain perception and SEA when compared to the IC and PS groups.Conclusion: Because of ethical considerations, a control group design was not possible, thereby limiting the robustness of the findings. Although e...
Recent Molecular Advances in Mammalian Glutamine Transport

Much has been learned about plasma membrane glutamine transporter activities in health and disease over the past 30 years, including their potential regulatory role in metabolism. Since the 1960s, discrimination among individual glutamine transporters was based on functional characteristics such as substrate specificity, ion dependence, and kinetic and regulatory properties. Within the past two years, several genes encoding for proteins with these defined activities (termed "systems") have been isolated from human and rodent cDNA libraries and found to be distributed among four distinct gene families. The Na(+)-dependent glutamine transporter genes isolated thus far are System N (SN1), System A (ATA1, ATA2), System ASC/B(0) (ASCT2 or ATB(0)), System B(0,+) (ATB(0,+)) and System y(+)L (y(+)LAT1, y(+)LAT2). Na(+)-independent glutamine transporter genes encoding for System L (LAT1, LAT2) and System b(0,+) (b(0,+)AT) have also been recently isolated, and similar to y(+)L, have been shown to function as disulfide-linked heterodimers with the 4F2 heavy chain (CD98) or rBAT (related to b(0,+) amino acid transporter). In this review, the molecular features, catalytic mechanisms and tissue distributions of each are addressed. Although most of these transporters mediate the transmembrane movement of several other amino acids, their potential roles in regulating interorgan glutamine flux are discussed. Most importantly, these newly isolated transporter genes provide the long awaited tools necessary to study their molecular regulation during the catabolic states in which glutamine is considered to be "conditionally essential."
All-digital oversampled front-end sensors

All digital signal processing (DSP) circuits use analog front-end anti-aliasing filters to process sensor inputs. These analog filters have a number of disadvantages with respect to cost, power, stability, and ease of integration in VLSI. This paper proposes the use of all-digital oversampling front-end sensors (based on adaptive filters), resulting in a performance/cost-effective DSP application. Simulations for modem and speech applications illustrate the design tradeoffs.
Anesthesia for the Patient with Tracheal Stenosis

The larynx ends at the inferior edge of the cricoid cartilage. The cervical trachea starts below the inferior border of the cricoid and extends to the sternal notch, and the thoracic trachea is located from the sternal notch down to the carina. In total, the trachea is composed of 18 to 22 cartilaginous rings, each being 0.5 cm wide in the adult. The trachea is approximately 12 cm long in men and 10 cm long in women. Normal diameter is about 1.8 to 2.5 cm. With hyperextension, up to 50% of the trachea can be above the sternal notch. Blood supply to the trachea is from the inferior thyroid, the internal thoracic, the supreme intercostal, and the bronchial arteries. Stenosis of the trachea signifies a functional impairment, with peak expiratory flow rates changing from 100% in a normal trachea with a diameter of 2 cm to 30% in a trachea with a diameter of 5 mm. 1 Tracheal stenosis has multiple causes. Pediatric tracheal stenosis can be divided into acquired versus congenital forms. Acquired forms of pediatric tracheal stenosis include trauma, mostly related to endotracheal intubation or from tracheostomy-induced formation of granulation tissue. Up to 8% of the neonates who undergo prolonged intubation can go on to develop tracheal stenosis. Congenital forms of tracheal stenosis are classified by Cantrell and Guild 2 as generalized hypoplasia, funnel-like stenosis, and segmental stenosis. They can also be categorized based on the length of the stenotic segment and associated anomalies. 3 Congenital tracheal stenoses include tracheal webs, tracheal agenesis/ atresia, tracheomalacia, and vascular malformations that extrinsically compress the trachea. 2,3