cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Work disability in rheumatic diseases.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review developments in the literature concerning work disability in the rheumatic diseases. RECENT FINDINGS There have been three sets of studies to emerge in the last year. In the first, several studies analyze alternative research methods to document work disability. The second set uses qualitative methods to identify the specific factors that affect the decision to leave work. The third set analyzes interventions to reduce work disability. SUMMARY The quantitative and qualitative studies concur on the importance of flexible working conditions as an important, if not the most important risk factor for work disability in a diverse array of rheumatic diseases.
A three-sector model for real property tax incedence

Abstract This article presents a new three-sector general-equilibrium model for tax incidence analysis. The model differs from the usual two-sector model not only in the addition of an extra sector but also in abandoning the classical tradition of specifying with capital and labor arguments. The property tax in the model is specified as a partial tax applying to real — but not to personal — property used in the production of housing services and other goods. The model is quantified by selecting numerical values for its parameters in order to estimate percentage changes in the endogenous variables caused by the introduction of an exogenous property tax. The major effect of the tax is to make real property relatively more expensive and to cause less real property to be produced.
Thermally modulated insulin release from microgel thin films.

We describe investigations of thermally triggered insulin release from poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) microgel thin films prepared by layer-by-layer (LbL) polyelectrolyte assembly. The thermoresponsivity of these films was confirmed using light scattering techniques. Simultaneous monitoring of film collapse and insulin release kinetics shows that deswelling of the films is partially decoupled from macromolecule release and that release is mainly governed by partitioning effects. We hypothesize, however, that film thermoresponsivity plays an important role in that subjection to many thermal cycles enables the embedded peptide to solubilize and subsequently partition through film layers. Direct pulsatile and extended release studies confirm the capability of these films to release bursts of insulin over many cycles, and confirm that the magnitude of the release can be controlled based on film thickness. These insulin-impregnated films are extremely stable with the potential to release constant ...
Coal metamorphism in the upper portion of the Pennsylvanian Sturgis Formation in western Kentucky

Coals from the Pennsylvanian upper Sturgis Formation (Missourian and Virgilian) were sampled from a borehole in Union County, western Kentucky. The coals exhibited two discrete levels of metamorphism. The lower-rank coals with vitrinite reflectances indicative of high volatile C bituminous were assumed to represent the normal level of metamorphism. A second set of coals with vitrinite reflectances indicative of high volatile A bituminous was found to be associated with sphalerite, chlorite, and twinned calcite. The latter mineral assemblages indicate that hydrothermal metamorphism was responsible for the anomalous high rank. Consideration of the sphalerite fluid-inclusion temperatures from nearby ores and coals and the time-temperature aspects of the coal metamorphism suggests that the hydrothermal metamorphic event was in the 150 to 200 °C range for a brief time (10 5 –10 6 yr), as opposed to the longer term (25–50 m.y.) 60 to 75 °C ambient metamorphism.
Postoperative management of epikeratoplasty

Epikeratoplasty is the surface implantation of devitalized human corneal tissue onto a recipient cornea for optical rehabilitation. Its postoperative management can be divided into three stages: (1) epithelialization, (2) suture management, and (3) restoration of visual function. Careful attention to each of the healing phases and the multiple potential complications that commonly arise is required for a satisfactory level of visual performance to be achieved in a high proportion of cases.
Chance Constrained Programming Approach to Empirical Analyses of Mutual Fund Investment Strategies

Chance constrained programming concepts are used to formalize risk and return relations which are then modeled for use in an empirical study of mutual fund behavior during the period 1984 through 1988. The publicly announced strategies of individual funds are used to form ex ante risk classifications which are employed in examining ex post performance. Negative relations between risk and return held in every year of the period studied. The bearing of these negative risk-return findings for the Bowman paradox, as studied in the strategic management literature, are thus extended from the industrial firms studied by Bowman (and others) and shown to be present even in these investment oriented mutual funds in each of the years of the great bull market from 1984 through 1988. Finally, our use of chance constrained programming enables us to separate risk from return behavior and evaluate their relative strengths as sources of these negative relations, which are found to be more in the returns than the risks.
Radiocarbon dating of American pika fecal pellets provides insights into population extirpations and climate refugia

The American pika (Ochotona princeps) has become a species of concern for its sensitivity to warm temperatures and potential vulnerability to global warming. We explored the value of radiocarbon dating of fecal pellets to address questions of population persistence and timing of site extirpation. Carbon was extracted from pellets collected at 43 locations in the western Great Basin, USA, including three known occupied sites and 40 sites of uncertain status at range margins or where previous studies indicated the species is vulnerable. We resolved calibrated dates with high precision (within several years), most of which fell in the period of the mid-late 20th century bomb curve. The two-sided nature of the bomb curve renders far- and near-side dates of equal probability, which are separated by one to four decades. We document methods for narrowing resolution to one age range, including stratigraphic analysis of vegetation collected from pika haypiles. No evidence was found for biases in atmospheric 14C levels due to fossil-derived or industrial CO2 contamination. Radiocarbon dating indicated that pellets can persist for >59 years; known occupied sites resolved contemporary dates. Using combined evidence from field observations and radiocarbon dating, and the Bodie Mountains as an example, we propose a historical biogeographic scenario for pikas in minor Great Basin mountain ranges adjacent to major cordillera, wherein historical climate variability led to cycles of extirpation and recolonization during alternating cool and warm centuries. Using this model to inform future dynamics for small ranges in biogeographic settings similar to the Bodie Mountains in California, extirpation of pikas appears highly likely under directional warming trends projected for the next century, even while populations in extensive cordillera (e.g., Sierra Nevada, Rocky Mountains, Cascade Range) are likely to remain viable due to extensive, diverse habitat and high connectivity.
The effects of subfloor and insulation type and thickness on the fire resistance of small‐scale floor assemblies

This paper discusses the results of 28 fire resistance tests conducted on unloaded insulated and non-insulated, small-scale frame floor assemblies using the ULC/ASTM fire exposure time-temperature curve. The frames used include either solid wood joist, wood I-joist, parallel-chord wood truss or steel C-joists. Temperatures were measured throughout the assemblies. All frames were protected on the fire-exposed side by Type X gypsum board, 16 mm thick. Parameters investigated in this study include the effects of subfloor type (plywood and oriented strand board), insulation type (glass, rock and cellulose) and insulation thickness (90 mm, 180 mm and full cavity). The impact of these parameters on the fire resistance performance of small-scale floor assemblies is discussed.
NMDA receptor blockade prevents kainate induction of protein F1/GAP-43 mRNA in hippocampal granule cells and subsequent mossy fiber sprouting in the rat.

Abstract Granule cells in the adult rat hippocampus do not constitutively express the growth-related axonal protein F1 (a.k.a. B-50, GAP-43, neuromodulin, pp46), yet kainic acid (KA) can induce extensive growth of granule cell axons, the mossy fibers, into the supragranular layer. Does this KA-induced growth occur in the absence of protein Fl/GAP-43? Using quantitative in situ hybridization, we found that 16–24 h after KA (10 mg/kg, s.c.) Fl/GAP-43 mRNA was in fact induced in granule cells and remained elevated above control levels for at least 20 days. The induction of Fl/GAP-43 mRNA in granule cells was blocked either by MK-801 or pentobarbital pretreatment. If pentobarbitol was given 55 min, but not 90 min, after KA, Fl/GAP-43 mRNA was also blocked. Since induction of Fl/GAP-43 occurred when pentobarbitol was given 90 min after KA, a 35 min window of activation is required, beyond the initial 55 min, for F1/GAP-43 mRNA induction. As both MK-801 and pentobarbital blocked behavioral seizures their anti-convulsant action may be important for blocking Fl/GAP-43 mRNA induction. Mossy fiber sprouting observed 30 days after KA was also blocked when either MK-801 or pentobarbital was given prior to KA. These results are consistent with the proposal that protein Fl/GAP-43 promotes axonal growth in the adult brain in an input-dependent manner, and may also be of clinical relevance to the molecular mechanisms underlying structural remodeling in epilepsy.
Toward an understanding of the influence of affective states on attentional tuning: Comment on Friedman and Förster (2010).

Friedman and Forster (2010) reviewed an extensive program of research that was consistent with the view that positive affective states broaden, whereas negative affective states narrow, the scope of attention. We applaud their creative investigations into these important psychological questions and appreciate their thorough review. However, recent evidence strongly suggests that the conclusions drawn by Friedman and Forster need to be tempered, for the recent evidence suggests that motivational intensity rather than affective valence causes the modulations of attentional tuning. That is, affective states of low motivational intensity (e.g., sadness, postgoal positive affect) broaden attention, whereas affective states of high motivational intensity (e.g., disgust, pregoal positive affect) narrow attention. Our viewpoint is that attentional narrowing occurs during affective states of high motivational intensity to aid organisms in acquiring desirable objects and avoiding aversive ones. Attentional broadening occurs during affective states of low motivational intensity to open organisms to new opportunities.
Pursuit and Saccadic Eye Movement Subregions in Human Frontal Eye Field: A High-resolution fMRI Investigation

Recent positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies in humans have localized the frontal eye field (FEF) to the precentral sulcus (PCS). In macaque monkeys, low-threshold microstimulation and single unit recording studies have located a saccadic subregion of FEF in a restricted area along the anterior wall of the arcuate sulcus and a pursuit subregion located deeper in the sulcus close to the fundus. The functional organization and anatomical location of these two FEF subregions are still to be defined in humans. In the present study, we used fMRI with high spatial resolution image acquisition at 3.0 Tesla to map the saccade- and pursuit-related areas of FEF within the two walls of the PCS in 11 subjects. We localized the saccade-related area to the upper portion of the anterior wall of the precentral sulcus and the pursuit-related area to a deeper region along the anterior wall, extending in some subjects to the fundus or deep posterior wall. These findings localize distinct pursuit and saccadic subregions of FEF in humans and demonstrate a high degree of homology in the organization of these FEF subregions in the human and the macaque monkey.
Performance in rate of decline of adult mortality in the OECD, 1970-2010.

Abstract Objective To demonstrate the utility of rates of change in measuring country performance in health using the rate of decline of adult mortality for 22 countries in the OECD as an illustration. Methods We used adult mortality (the probability of dying between ages 15 and 60) for 1970–2010 by country as our outcome measure. We assessed and ranked country performance in rates of decline of adult mortality for four decades, and compared this to performance in levels of adult mortality. Principal findings We identified best and worst performers, and identified changes in performance. For example, for female adult mortality (FAM): in the 1970s, the top performer in the rate of decline was Japan and the worst performer was Denmark; in the 2000s, the top performer was Portugal and the worst performer was the United States. The Netherlands saw the largest improvement in the rate of decline of FAM, from 1991–00 to 2001–10. Finland showed the greatest decrease, from 1971–80 to 1981–90. We found little correlation between performance in rates of decline and performance in levels of FAM. Conclusions Examining the rates of change of health indicators at the country level enables finding transition times in performance, and provides a more time-sensitive measure of country performance than does assessing performances in levels of health. The effects of changes in potential determinants of health can then be assessed in terms of their relation to transition times in performance.
Short-lag spatial coherence imaging on matrix arrays, part II: Phantom and in vivo experiments.

In Part I of the paper, we demonstrated through simulation the potential of volumetric short-lag spatial coherence (SLSC) imaging to improve visualization of hypoechoic targets in three dimensions. Here, we demonstrate the application of volumetric SLSC imaging in phantom and in vivo experiments using a clinical 3-D ultrasound scanner and matrix array. Using a custom single-channel acquisition tool, we collected partially beamformed channel data from the fully sampled matrix array at high speeds and created matched B-mode and SLSC volumes of a vessel phantom and in vivo liver vasculature. 2-D and 3-D images rendered from the SLSC volumes display reduced clutter and improved visibility of the vessels when compared with their B-mode counterparts. We use concurrently acquired color Doppler volumes to confirm the presence of the vessels of interest and to define the regions inside the vessels used in contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) calculations. SLSC volumes show higher CNR values than their matched B-mode volumes, while the contrast values appear to be similar between the two imaging methods.
Incorporation of Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Granulocyte- Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor or CD40 Ligand Enhances Immunogenicity of Chimeric Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Like Particles

The rapid worldwide spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mandates the development of successful vaccination strategies. Since live attenuated HIV is not accepted as a vaccine due to safety concerns, virus-like particles (VLPs) offer an attractive safe alternative because they lack the viral genome yet they are perceived by the immune system as a virus particle. We hypothesized that adding immunostimulatory signals to VLPs would enhance their efficacy. To accomplish this we generated chimeric simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) VLPs containing either glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or CD40 ligand (CD40L) and investigated their biological activity and ability to enhance immune responses in vivo. Immunization of mice with chimeric SIV VLPs containing GM-CSF induced SIV Env-specific antibodies as well as neutralizing activity at significantly higher levels than those induced by standard SIV VLPs, SIV VLPs containing CD40L, or standard VLPs mixed with soluble GM-CSF. In addition, mice immunized with chimeric SIV VLPs containing either GM-CSF or CD40L showed significantly increased CD4+- and CD8+-T-cell responses to SIV Env, compared to standard SIV VLPs. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the incorporation of immunostimulatory molecules enhances humoral and cellular immune responses. We propose that anchoring immunostimulatory molecules into SIV VLPs can be a promising approach to augmenting the efficacy of VLP antigens.
Building a school leadership programme: an American paradox of autonomy and accountability

School districts within the USA face ever-decreasing autonomy in rendering decisions regarding instruction, curriculum and the leading and managing of schools at the local level due to the ever-increasing accountability measures implemented by district, state and federal governments. This study investigates a joint university–school district partnership designed to develop turnaround administrators by exploring the tensions between autonomy and accountability. The findings indicate that mandates force educators to find new spaces that are contextually appropriate and effective in exercising their autonomy and accountability within a conceptual model for partnerships between schools, districts, universities and the governing bodies that regulate them.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF AERATED CONFECTIONERY

Mechanical properties, including an extensional modulus, penetration modulus and cut force, of an aerated confectionery nougat were measured instrumentally as a function of nougat density in the range 0.66-1.12 g/mL. Despite the fact that the material was not a true cellular solid, the properties were adequately modeled by the expression C 1 (ρ-ρ c ) n , with n = 3 as befits a closed-cell foam. The critical density, ρ c , appeared to correspond to the density at random close packing for spherical air cells, i.e., an air cell fraction of 0.6.
A Usage-Based Approach to Recursion in Sentence Processing

Most current approaches to linguistic structure suggest that language is recursive, that recursion is a fundamental property of grammar, and that independent performance constraints limit recursive abilities that would otherwise be infinite. This article presents a usage-based perspective on recursive sentence processing, in which recursion is construed as an acquired skill and in which limitations on the processing of recursive constructions stem from interactions between linguistic experience and intrinsic constraints on learning and processing. A connectionist model embodying this alternative theory is outlined, along with simulation results showing that the model is capable of constituent-like generalizations and that it can fit human data regarding the differential processing difficulty associated with center-embeddings in German and cross-dependencies in Dutch. Novel predictions are furthermore derived from the model and corroborated by the results of four behavioral experiments, suggesting that acquired recursive abilities are intrinsically bounded not only when processing complex recursive constructions, such as center-embedding and cross-dependency, but also during processing of the simpler, right- and left-recursive structures.
Intermediate-term follow-up results of balloon aortic valvuloplasty in infants and children with special reference to causes of restenosis

Sixteen infants and children with valvular aortic stenosis underwent percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty over a 36-month period ending August 1988. The mean systolic pressure gradient across the aortic valve decreased from 72 +/- 21 (mean +/- standard deviation) to 28 +/- 13 mm Hg (p less than 0.001) immediately after valvuloplasty; the degree of aortic insufficiency did not significantly increase. Follow-up catheterization (in 10 patients) and Doppler data (in all 16 patients) were available 3 to 32 months (mean 12 months) after valvuloplasty and revealed a residual aortic valvular gradient of 37 +/- 23 mm Hg, which continues to be significantly lower (p less than 0.001) than that before valvuloplasty. There was no increase in aortic insufficiency. On the basis of follow-up data, the 16 children were divided into 2 groups: group I with good results (gradients less than or equal to 49 mm Hg), 12 patients; and group II with poor results (gradients greater than or equal to 50 mm Hg), 4 patients. All 4 patients in group II required repeat balloon valvuloplasty or surgical valvotomy; none from group I required these procedures. Seventeen general, anatomic, physiologic and technical variables were examined by a multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with restenosis; these risk factors were: age less than or equal to 3 years; and immediate aortic valvular gradient after valvuloplasty greater than or equal to 30 mm Hg. The immediate and intermediate-term follow-up results of balloon aortic valvuloplasty are encouraging. Recognition of the risk factors may help identify potential candidates for recurrence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Search the audio, browse the video: a generic paradigm for video collections

The amount of digital video being shot, captured, and stored is growing at a rate faster than ever before. The large amount of stored video is not penetrable without efficient video indexing, retrieval, and browsing technology. Most prior work in the field can be roughly categorized into two classes. One class is based on image processing techniques, often called content-based image and video retrieval, in which video frames are indexed and searched for visual content. The other class is based on spoken document retrieval, which relies on automatic speech recognition and text queries. Both approaches have major limitations. In the first approach, semantic queries pose a great challenge, while the second, speech-based approach, does not support efficient video browsing. This paper describes a system where speech is used for efficient searching and visual data for efficient browsing, a combination that takes advantage of both approaches. A fully automatic indexing and retrieval system has been developed and tested. Automated speech recognition and phonetic speech indexing support text-to-speech queries. New browsable views are generated from the original video. A special synchronized browser allows instantaneous, context-preserving switching from one view to another. The system was successfully used to produce searchable-browsable video proceedings for three local conferences.
Analysis of Specified Bit Handling Capability of Combinational Expander Networks

Test compression schemes based on combinational expander networks have become very popular in recent times. The idea behind these schemes is to use m bits from the tester to produce N(m < N) bits for the internal scan chains of the circuit under test. In this paper we address the general problem of designing combinational expander networks with N outputs which guarantee that any S specified bits can be justified at the expander output. By analyzing the constraints imposed on the output space of such a network we derive formulae that provide the minimum value of m (and consequently a maximum value of the amount of compression that can be achieved). We then show that a subclass of one of the state-of-the-art combinational expander designs (XPAND) being currently used in several industrial designs achieves the maximum amount of compression possible.
Permeation of hairless mouse skin I: Experimental methods and comparison with human epidermal permeation by alkanols

The permeation of intact hairless mouse skin by alkanols was studied. The method is described, and data for the quasi-steady-state and nonstationary-state aspects of mass transfer are given. Partitioning data also are presented. The permeability coefficients increased exponentially up to a carbon chain length of about eight (octanol). There was a marked temperature dependency (Ea ≈ 19 kcal for the series), and the partitioning was biphasic, increasing exponentially for alkanols larger than butanol. These data are compared with literature data on human skin tissues, and great similarity in all facets of behavior is noted.
Outdoor-Indoor Propagation Measurements and Link Performance in the VHF/UHF Bands

Measurements for building penetration are performed in the VHF/ UHF bands using low antenna height (< 3 meters). Data analysis results such as transmission loss and rms delay spreads are reported for the measured channels. Link performance on the measured channels is predicted for a scenario in which emergency vehicles are parked outside a building and communicate with public safety personnel located inside the building.
Effect of temperature on sporulation of Botryosphaeria dothidea, B. obtusa, and B. rhodina

Copes, W. E., and Hendrix, F. F., Jr. 2004. Effect of temperature on sporulation of Botryosphaeria dothidea, B. obtusa, and B. rhodina. Plant Dis. 88:292-296. Three Botryosphaeria spp. were grown on autoclaved apple and peach stems in cotton-plugged tubes with constant moisture at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30°C to determine the effect of temperature on sporulation. Number of conidia per pycnidium was determined weekly from 4 to 10 weeks after inoculation. The experiment was repeated three times. Maximum sporulation occurred at 24°C with B. dothidea and at 18 and 24°C with B. obtusa. Spore production of both fungi showed a quadratic curvilinear response to temperature. Pycnidia were erumpent, typical of their habit in nature. Maximum sporulation of B. rhodina occurred at 12, 24, and 30°C instead of at a distinctive peak. Of the three fungi, B. rhodina produced the greatest number of conidia per pycnidium at all temperatures. Mycelia and pycnidia of B. rhodina grew on top of the bark, which is atypical of their habit in nature. For spore production by B. dothidea, there was a significant interaction between temperature and time. Maximum sporulation over the 10-week period occurred in week 4 and/or 6 for B. dothidea at 12, 18, and 24°C, with a linear response at 12 and 24°C (P ≤ 0.05). Conidial maturation of B. obtusa and B. rhodina had a quadratic curvilinear response due to temperature, with a maximum maturation at 12, 18, and 24°C with B. obtusa and at 24°C with B. rhodina. Spore maturation would affect longevity of conidial viability. Maximum spore production over time and percent pigmented spores over time by B. obtusa, and spore maturation over time by B. rhodina occurred in weeks 8, 9, and 10 with a significant linear response (P ≤ 0.05). All three Botryosphaeria spp. produced conidia over the 6 to 30°C range and over the 7week period (weeks 4 to 10), with maximum sporulation or spore maturation at 18 to 24°C.
Low power FSM design using Huffman-style encoding

This paper presents a novel approach to synthesize low power FSMs using non-uniform code length. Switching activity is reduced by decreasing the expected number of state bits switched less than [log |S|] The state set S of the FSM is decomposed into two sets based on the limit state probabilities. The state set with very high probability is encoded with less than [log|S|] bits. The other state set, being less probable, is encoded using more than [log|S|] bits. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time two code lengths ore used for one state machine. This encoding is realized by using flip-flops with gated clock. The logic generating the enable signal of the clock uses only a single minterm. The state sets can be encoded using any uniform-length encoding algorithm with objectives of low power and low area. The experiments show an average of 13% and 18% reduction in power for two encoding algorithms respectively.
Human Subject Testing in Support of ASPECT

The ASPECT program, conducted to develop new Automotive Seat and Package Evaluation and Comparison Tools, used posture and position data from hundreds of vehicle occupants to develop a new physical manikin and related tools. Analysis of the relationships between anthropometric measures established the criteria for subject selection. The study goals and the characteristics of the data collected determined the sampling approach and number of subjects tested in each study. Testing was conducted in both vehicle and laboratory vehicle mockups. This paper describes the subject sampling strategies, anthropometric issues, and general data collection methods used for the program’s eight posture studies.
Assimilation of Surface Pressure Observations Using an Ensemble Filter in an Idealized Global Atmospheric Prediction System

Abstract An ensemble filter data assimilation system is tested in a perfect model setting using a low resolution Held–Suarez configuration of an atmospheric GCM. The assimilation system is able to reconstruct details of the model’s state at all levels when only observations of surface pressure (PS) are available. The impacts of varying the spatial density and temporal frequency of PS observations are examined. The error of the ensemble mean assimilation prior estimate appears to saturate at some point as the number of PS observations available once every 24 h is increased. However, increasing the frequency with which PS observations are available from a fixed network of 1800 randomly located stations results in an apparently unbounded decrease in the assimilation’s prior error for both PS and all other model state variables. The error reduces smoothly as a function of observation frequency except for a band with observation periods around 4 h. Assimilated states are found to display enhanced amplitude hig...
Industrial strength design automation tools in an introductory computer engineering laboratory

This paper describes our experience with using Mentor Graphics electronic design automation software and Xilinx field programmable gate arrays at the introductory level. The Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla has been a member of Mentor's Higher Education Program for almost ten years. We have been successfully introducing students to the tools by using a series of tutorial exercises in classroom, laboratory, and workshop settings. Until recently however our experience has been mainly with either upper level students including graduate students or with one or two sections of selected classes. Our use of field programmable gate arrays has been limited to upper level design courses. Beginning with the winter 1997 semester we decided to expand our offering and use both industrial strength design automation tools and field programmable gate arrays in all sections of a required introductory computer engineering laboratory.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum: A multimodality approach

A 60-year-old homosexual male with a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum, arising 7 cm from the dentate line, was treated with a rectal perserving multimodality approach consisting of excisional biopsy and chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin-C with concomitant administration of radiation therapy to the tumor and pelvic nodal bearing areas. The patient has remained disease-free with full preservation of anorectal function on follow-up at 2 years. This approach to a difficult and unusual problem is recommended as a first line of therapy rather than surgical resection if 1) it is deemed that the patient can tolerate a combination of chemo and radiation therapy and 2) the patient will be able to participate in a long-term follow-up.
Sinus microbiota varies among chronic rhinosinusitis phenotypes and predicts surgical outcome

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent multifactorial disease process in which bacteria are believed to play a role in the propagation of inflammation. Multiple subtypes of CRS have been described based on clinical and pathologic features, but a detailed examination of the sinus microbiota in patients with CRS and its clinical subtypes has yet to be performed. Objective We sought to examine the resident microbiota of CRS subtypes and determine whether bacterial diversity is a predictor of disease outcomes. Methods Sinus swabs from patients with CRS and healthy subjects collected during endoscopic sinus surgery were analyzed by means of molecular phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA pyrosequences. Results Fifty-six patients with CRS and 26 control subjects were studied. Biodiversity was similar between the CRS and control groups. Among the CRS subtypes examined, only 2 conditions (presence of purulence and comorbid condition of asthma) were associated with significant alterations in microbial community composition. In 27 patients with CRS who were followed postoperatively, those with better outcomes had more diverse bacterial communities present at the time of surgery, along with higher relative abundances of Actinobacteria. Conclusion Analysis of microbiota in a large cohort reveals that particular CRS phenotypes (asthma and purulence) are characterized by distinct compositions of resident bacterial communities. We found that bacterial diversity and composition are predictors of surgical outcome, promoting the concept of community ecology in patients with CRS.
Diversity among Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners: Profiles of Early Literacy Skills in Kindergarten.

This study explored heterogeneity in literacy development among 2,300 Hispanic children receiving English as a Second Language (ESL) services at the start of kindergarten. Two research questions guided this work: (1) Do Spanish-speaking English language learners receiving ESL services in the fall of kindergarten demonstrate homogeneous early literacy skills, or are there distinct patterns of achievement across measures of phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and orthography? and (2) if there are distinct profiles, to what extent do they predict literacy achievement at the end of kindergarten and the beginning of first grade? Using cluster analysis, the authors identified four distinct literacy profiles derived from fall kindergarten measures of phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and phonetic spelling. These profiles were found to be associated with literacy outcomes in spring of kindergarten and fall of first grade. The two profiles that were associated with greater success on later measures of concept of word in text, letter sound knowledge, word reading, and spelling were the two that included stronger performance on orthographic skills (i.e., alphabet knowledge and phonetic spelling). These findings demonstrated that there is heterogeneity among Hispanic ESL students at kindergarten entry and suggested that literacy instruction must be differentiated from the very beginning in order to meet students’ individual needs. The findings also suggested that orthographic skills should be assessed and taught early on. While phonological awareness may be a necessary precursor to reading, phonological awareness in the absence of orthographic skills may not be sufficient.
My Better Half: Partner Enhancement as Self-Enhancement

People define themselves in terms of their relationship partners and they incorporate their partners into their self-concepts. Consequently, partner enhancement—viewing one’s partner in excessively...
Maximal output admissible sets for discrete-time systems with disturbance inputs

The paper considers discrete-time linear systems with constrained disturbance inputs, w(t)/spl isin/Y/spl sub/R/sup m/, t/spl isin/Z/sup +/, and constrained outputs, y(t)/spl isin/Y/spl sub/R/sup p/, t/spl isin/Z/sup +/. An initial state of the system, x(0)/spl isin/R/sup n/, is output admissible if the output constraint is satisfied for all inputs meeting the input constraint; the set of all such states is the maximal output admissible set, O/sub /spl infin//. It is shown that O/sub /spl infin// has basic properties that are similar to those which apply in the disturbance-free case. Procedures for computing O/sub /spl infin// when Y is a polyhedron are available. The set O/sub /spl infin// has important applications, including the determination of regions of attraction for linear closed-loop systems with actuator saturation.
Optimizing router locations for minimum-energy wireless networks

Energy conservation is a key issue in ad hoc wireless network operation. Placing relay nodes (routers) at appropriate locations can substantially lower the power requirements of communicating nodes, thereby reducing overall energy needs. We investigate router placement (RP) for energy-constrained wireless networks, and present RP algorithms that aim to minimize total energy consumption. We consider the RP problem for multi-hop wireless networks, and develop an efficient heuristic solution for them. We model multiple-router placement as a clustering optimization problem in which routers and nodes are treated as clusterheads and cluster members, respectively. We also devise a heuristic that discovers the central area of a multi-hop network, and solves the RP problem with multi-hop connectivity. Simulation results confirm that our RP methods reduce the energy consumption of wireless networks by up to 55% compared with grid networks.
The Mechanical Properties of Human Dentin: a Critical Review and Re-evaluation of the Dental Literature:

The past 50 years of research on the mechanical properties of human dentin are reviewed. Since the body of work in this field is highly inconsistent, it was often necessary to re-analyze prior studies, when possible, and to re-assess them within the framework of composite mechanics and dentin structure. A critical re-evaluation of the literature indicates that the magnitudes of the elastic constants of dentin must be revised considerably upward. The Young's and shear moduli lie between 20-25 GPa and 7-10 GPa, respectively. Viscoelastic behavior (time-dependent stress relaxation) measurably reduces these values at strain rates of physiological relevance; the reduced modulus (infinite relaxation time) is about 12 GPa. Furthermore, it appears as if the elastic properties are anisotropic (not the same in all directions); sonic methods detect hexagonal anisotropy, although its magnitude appears to be small. Strength data are re-interpreted within the framework of the Weibull distribution function. The large coefficients of variation cited in all strength studies can then be understood in terms of a distribution of flaws within the dentin specimens. The apparent size-effect in the tensile and shear strength data has its origins in this flaw distribution, and can be quantified by the Weibull analysis. Finally, the relatively few fracture mechanics and fatigue studies are discussed. Dentin has a fatigue limit. For stresses smaller than the normal stresses of mastication, approximately 30 MPa, a flaw-free dentin specimen apparently will not fail. However, a more conservative approach based on fatigue crack growth rates indicates that if there is a pre-existing flaw of sufficient size (approximately 0.3-1.0 mm), it can grow to catastrophic proportion with cyclic loading at stresses below 30 MPa.
Early events in yeast mitochondrial protein targeting.

Summary Protein import into mitochondria involves a number of complex steps occurring in the cytosol, on the mitochondrial surface, and inside the organelle. Once an initial interaction between mitochondrial proteins and their specific receptors occurs, the proteins are transported into the organelle in a series of reactions involving (in the case of a protein to be translocated into the mitochondrial matrix) the mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP hydrolysis and an undetermined number of membrane components. Inside the organelle, mitochondrial proteins are processed and sorted to their final intramitochondrial destinations. The earliest steps in the import process take place in the cytosol and include the synthesis of the mitochondrial proteins themselves, their interaction with cytosolic factors, and perhaps the establishment of cotranslational import complexes on the mitochondrial surface. These early events are important because it is during this phase that the system as a whole is most sensitive to cytosolic conditions that may exert control over the entire import process.
Noninvasive detection of macular pigments in the human eye

There is currently strong interest in developing noninvasive technologies for the detection of macular carotenoid pigments in the human eye. These pigments, consisting of lutein and zeaxanthin, are taken up from the diet and are thought to play an important role in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the elderly in the Western world. It may be possible to prevent or delay the onset of this debilitating disease with suitable dietary intervention strategies. We review the most commonly used detection techniques based on heterochromatic flicker photometry, fundus reflectometry, and autofluorescense techniques and put them in perspective with recently developed more molecule-specific Raman detection methods.
How important is exact balance in treatment and control sample sizes to evaluations

Because it is well known that the power to measure differences between two groups is typically best with an even distribution of any given fixed sample size, great emphasis is often placed on exactly equal treatment and control allocations in evaluations of substance abuse interventions. Independent randomization of individuals (e.g., a "coin flip") when study participants are enrolled in an ongoing fashion by multiple recruiters and assigned to treatment conditions does not guarantee exact balance, often prompting the use of schemes that are complex and burdensome to implement. Our results suggest that departures from simple randomization are only warranted for single-site trials involving fewer than 77 total subjects or for multisite trials with substantially fewer than 77 subjects per site. With such a rule, simple randomization will produce samples that are at least 95% as efficient as a fully balanced sample of equal size at least 95% of the time.
Multi-physics system simulation for wind turbines with permanent magnet generator and full conversion power electronics

A comprehensive model for a full-conversion wind turbine is presented in this paper. Multiple mathematical algorithms and software tools were developed and coupled together in a large electrical, mechanical, and controls cosimulation system in order to achieve an optimal balance between computational time and model accuracy. The paper introduces a building-block approach, which starts from the component level and achieves wind turbine system-level simulation integration through a collection of freeware and commercial software. The paper also introduces a unified dq control on the generator and grid side, a generator model and a DC link voltage control scheme that incorporates a resistor with chopping current control. Information for subsystem models, such as rotor blades, gearbox, electric generator and power electronics is included. Simulation results are provided for the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) baseline 750kW wind turbine for which substantial design and experimental data is publically available.
Cross-country pollution patterns

This study investigates the relationship between pollution emissions and levels of economic activity as countries move up the per capita income scale. Previous studies examine the relationships between pollution and per capita income. Pollution emissions are found to be highly concentrated among the lower income countries. Poorer countries account for much more pollution than would be expected from their levels of economic activity. Findings suggest that the proposed US legislation to curb carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will have a minor effect on global warming. The United States should not attempt costly emission reductions until there is a global agreement on CO2 emissions that includes lower- and middle-income countries.
Cellular responses in lungs of immunized mice to intranasal infection with Coccidioides immitis

The role of cells in immunity to pulmonary infection with Coccidioides immitis was studied in mice vaccinated with formalin-killed spherules and endospores and infected intranasally with arthrospores. Postinfection changes in lung and body wt., lung histology, and numbers of inflammatory cells obtained by tracheobronchial washing commenced more rapidly in vaccinated mice than in nonvaccinated controls. However, once begun, the changes were greater in the latter animals. In tracheobronchial washings made 12 hr. after infection, the percentage of alveolar macrophages with intracellular arthrospores was the same in both groups of animals. But after 24 hr. a much smaller percentage of macrophages had intracellular spherules in the washings from vaccinated mice than in those from controls. It is postulated that macrophages of vaccinated mice ingest arthrospores in vivo at the same rate as macrophages of control animals, but are better able to prevent the intracellular spores from developing into spherules.
Risk-aware scheduling throughout planning and execution

Scheduling is integral to many real-world logistics problems. It can be as simple as catching the bus in the morning, or as complex as assembling a commercial airliner. While simple applications render scheduling tools trivial, these tools have not been widely adopted for complex scenarios either. The larger the scenario, the greater the temporal uncertainty throughout the system, and many schedulers do not consider the probabilistic uncertainty in actions’ durations. This makes them brittle to temporal disturbances or poor modeling, which incurs high replanning costs and unacceptable risks for the mission-critical nature of large applications. Mitigating such risk is challenging because temporal reasoning is present at every level of planning and execution. Figure 1 diagrams the layers of reasoning for a planning executive to map logistical goals into real-world actions. First, the planner generates an grounded plan. The the scheduler produces a scheduling policy, which the dispatcher then follows to execute the plan’s actions at appropriate times. Although the scheduler is responsible for creating the scheduling policy, the planner and dispatcher still have to be aware of time: The dispatcher is responsible for keeping the plan on schedule. Hence, it needs to monitor actions’ durations to make sure they match what the policy predicts. Likewise, the planner needs to know when the scheduler cannot produce a valid policy for a given plan, and use that information to avoid unschedulable plans. When temporal uncertainty is factored into the scheduling algorithm, the planner and dispatcher must adapt to reason about the consequences of uncertainty as well. Thus, quantifying and managing scheduling risk requires one to apply probabilistic temporal reasoning across the entire planning and execution architecture. If this could be done efficiently, it would remove a significant obstacle to deploying largescale logistics scenarios with confidence.
Marketing Me: A Marketing Strategy Exercise When You are the Product

This is an exercise I give to my marketing students to help them market themselves in professional (or personal) situations.
The antibody response of scrapie-affected mice to immunisation with sheep red blood cells.

Summary Groups of scrapie-affected mice were immunised with sheep red blood cells at various stages of the disease, and the levels of serum haemolysin and haemagglutinin were measured. A similar antibody response was observed in these mice compared with a control group injected with normal mouse brain. It is suggested that the immunological competence of scrapie-affected animals is unaffected and that antibodies do not play a significant role in this disease.