cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of parasitic capacitance on the noise figure of MESFETs

The parasitic capacitance due to the gate pad and the gate feed area of a MESFET plays an important role in the low-noise performance of the device. Its effects on the noise figure have been measured and analyzed for pi -FET device geometries. It is shown that there is an optimum unit gate width for the minimum noise figure. This optimum unit gate width depends on the device structure and the processing parameters. When the effects of parasitic capacitances are included, H. Fukui's (1979) equation predicts noise figures that are in good agreement with the experimental data. >
Associations between concentrations of uric acid with concentrations of vitamin A and beta-carotene among adults in the United States

Our objective was to examine the cross-sectional associations between concentrations of vitamin A and beta-carotene, a major source of vitamin A, with concentrations of uric acid in a nationally representative sample of adults from the United States. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from up to 10893 participants aged ≥ 20 years of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001 to 2006. Concentrations of uric acid adjusted for numerous covariates increased from 305.8 μmol/L in the lowest quintile of vitamin A to 335.3 μmol/L in the highest quintile (p for linear trend <0.001). The prevalence ratio for hyperuricemia also increased progressively across quintiles of serum vitamin A reaching 1.82 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52, 2.16; p for linear trend <0.001) in the top quintile in the maximally adjusted model. Adjusted mean concentrations of uric acid decreased progressively from quintile 1 (333.8 μmol/L) through quintile 4 of concentrations of beta-carotene and were similar for quintiles 4 (313.5 μmol/L) and 5 (313.8 μmol/L). Concentrations of beta-carotene were inversely associated with hyperuricemia (adjusted prevalence ratio comparing highest with lowest quintile = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.72; p for linear trend <0.001). Concentrations of uric acid were significantly and positively associated with concentrations of vitamin A and inversely with concentrations of beta-carotene. These cross-sectional findings require confirmation with experimental studies of vitamin A and beta-carotene supplementation.
Complete characterization of quantum-limited timing jitter in passively mode-locked fiber lasers

We characterize the timing jitter of passively mode-locked, femtosecond, erbium fiber lasers with unprecedented resolution, enabling the observation of quantum-origin timing jitter up to the Nyquist frequency. For a pair of nearly identical 79.4MHz dispersion-managed lasers with an output pulse energy of 450pJ, the high-frequency jitter was found to be 2.6fs [10kHz, 39.7MHz]. The results agree well with theoretical noise models over more than three decades, extending to the Nyquist frequency. It is also found that unexpected noise may occur if care is not taken in optimizing the mode-locked state.
The effect of pack supply on oral contraceptive pill continuation: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE:The often small number of oral contraceptive pill (OCP) cycles provided may contribute to high rates of discontinuation. We examined the effect of an increased OCP supply on 6-month continuation rates.METHODS:This was a randomized trial of women initiating OCP use at an urban family-planni
Effects of surface topography and wind on reflection horizons in ice sheets

Radar horizons within the great ice sheets of Antarctica are distorted by greater snow deposition on windward than on leeward slopes. In West Antarctica, this effect can change horizon depth by tens of meters but still leave the horizons surface-conformable and continuous for hundreds of kilometers. When viewed on a scale of tens of kilometers, the additional effect of ice speed makes horizons appear falsely recumbent and suggests false historical changes in ice speed. In large regions of the high East Antarctica plateau, deposition occurs only on windward slopes to form prograding bedding sequences up to tens of kilometers long and hundreds of meters thick. Beneath the leeward slopes, long-term metamorphism transforms the bedded strata into unconformable and unstratified pseudolayers that grow with burial, merge with others, form concatenated layers more than 70 km long and over 100 m thick, and generally account for all major englacial horizons. For the largest sequences, the bed topography controls the surface topography and in large part, the way accumulation is distributed on the high plateaus.
Switched-capacitor digital multiplier

A novel switched-capacitor circuit is proposed for digital multiplication. The principle of operation is based on digital-to-analogue conversion followed by successive-approximation analogue-to-digital conversion by means of binary-weighted capacitor arrays. An experimental circuit, implemented using discrete components, has confirmed the principle.
Growth and Skeletal Maturation in Asthmatic Children: Effect of Corticosteroid Treatment

Extract: The effects of corticosteroid treatment on growth and skeletal maturation were evaluated in 189 children with severe asthma who were referred for care at a residential treatment center. Height age on admission was significantly retarded in 8–10% of patients who had received little corticosteroid treatment previously and in 35% of patients who had taken steroids daily for more than 2 years. Children who had been treated with steroids intermittently or on alternate days were comparable to those who had taken steroids rarely. During an average residential period of 17 months, patients whose daily steroid treatment was discontinued had a relative gain in height age of 5 months; children who were started on daily steroids had a 5-month delay in growth. Evaluation of skeletal maturation at the time of admission revealed that skeletal age was more retarded than height age in the boys and less retarded than height age in the girls. During the period of residence, the changes in bone age paralleled the changes in height age.
Phosphorus in foraminiferal sediments from North Atlantic Ridge cores and in pure limestones

Samples of foraminiferal ooze from two North Atlantic cores were cleaned and progressively dissolved. Most of the P, Fe, and Mn was released during the first of two reductive cleaning steps. Most of the remainder of these elements and most of the Ca were released during the final acid dissolution step. The P in these samples is present largely in Fe- and Mn-rich coatings, not as a constituent of the foraminiferal shells themselves. Our results are consistent with those of earlier studies. The concentration of P in carbonate oozes in which it is clearly associated with coatings is similar to that of modern calcareous sediments in general, and with that of reasonably pure limestones of all ages. Phosphorus is apparently associated with (Fe, Mn)-oxide coatings in many carbonate sediments. The rate of removal of P from the oceans as a constituent of such sediments depends on the rate of formation of (Fe, Mn) coatings, not on the rate of incorporation of P into calcium carbonate.
Spectral theory for one-parameter groups of isometries☆

Abstract If {U(t)}t∈ R is a given unitary one-parameter group of operators in Hilbert space, there are well-known L p-integrability conditions (P ⩾ 1) on the imaginary part of the resolvent operators which imply absolute continuity of the spectral resolution for {U(t)}. Although one-parameter groups of isometrics in Banach space do not in general have spectral resolutions, they still have an attractive spectral theory. We shall display resolvent type conditions which imply spectral continuity for such one-parameter groups, thus generalizing the Hilbert space results. The results are applied to the case of one-parameter groups of automorphisms of C∗-algebras in the last section.
Pediatric invasive fungal rhinosinusitis in immunocompromised children with cancer.

Objectives 1) To determine the factors that predispose towards invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (FS) in immunocompromised children with cancer, and 2) to propose practice guidelines for management of pediatric FS in immunocompromised patients. Methods Retrospective chart review of 9 patients who developed invasive FS compared to 8 patients who did not develop invasive FS during the study period. Presenting signs and symptoms, nasal endoscopic findings, radiographs, laboratory studies, histologic and microscopic samples, and outcomes were compared. Results Seventeen consecutive pediatric immunocompromised patients with hematologic and lymphoid neoplasms underwent nasal endoscopy and biopsy for possible FS. Nine patients were diagnosed with 10 episodes of FS; 1 patient developed FS with different organisms on 2 separate occasions separated by 6 months; 8 patients were not diagnosed with FS. Eight patients had acute myelogenous leukemia (AML); 6 patients had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); 1 patient had Burkitt’s lymphoma, 1 patient had undifferentiated leukemia; and 1 patient had biphenotypic acute leukemia. All patients with FS had an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) 600 or less (range 0-600). All patients with FS had either persistent fevers or sinus symptoms (facial pain, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea). Sinus CT scans were abnormal in all patients with FS and without FS. Two patients with FS had maxillary sinus retention cysts. Operative endoscopic findings were helpful diagnostically when necrosis or ulceration was found. All patients in the non-FS group normalized their ANCs; 2 of the 9 patients in the FS group did not normalize their ANC. These 2 patients died from disseminated FS or from complications due to their immunosuppression. Conclusion/significance All patients with FS had either persistent fevers or symptoms localized to the sinuses (facial pain, nasal congestion, or rhinorrhea). Endoscopic examination was helpful when necrosis was detected. We recommend directed biopsies of suspicious lesions, the middle and inferior turbinate, in immunocompromised, neutropenic pediatric patients with cancer who present with either persistent fevers or localizing symptoms to the sinuses. We favor the use of “rush” biopsies over frozen sections because of the better-quality sections and ability to perform appropriate stains.
The role of superoxide dismutase and gene amplification in carcinogenesis

Chemical carcinogenesis is hypothesized to involve manganese superoxide dismutase and gene amplification. Initiation is hypothesized to be caused by destruction of the DNA that enables the cell to induce manganese superoxide dismutase. Tumor promotion then causes amplification of the manganese superoxide dismutase gene and the cell proliferation gene (oncogene) because of selective pressure exerted by the promoter. Because the promoter causes cell division and chromosomal rearrangements, unequal segregation of the amplified genes results. Because cells which have high amounts of the cell proliferation gene and low amounts of the manganese superoxide dismutase gene grow faster, these cells become dominant and a tumor forms.
CIPRA: Coherence-aware channel indication and prediction for rate adaptation

A number of rate adaptation protocols have proposed using instantaneous channel quality to select the physical layer data rate. However, due to fast channel variations, even aggressive probing of the channel before each data packet is often unable to offer an up-to-date notion of channel quality. In this paper, we propose a coherence-aware channel indication and prediction algorithm for rate adaptation (CIPRA) and evaluate it analytically and experimentally, considering both the measurement errors and the staleness of the channel quality indicator. CIPRA uses Minimum-Mean-Square-Error (MMSE), first-order prediction and jointly considers the time interval over which the prediction will occur and the coherence time of the channel to determine the optimal window size for previous channel quality indicator measurements. We also implement a Doppler shift estimation method in hardware to assist the proposed channel prediction algorithm. We show that CIPRA outperforms existing methods in terms of prediction fidelity and throughput via experimental results from an FPGA-based platform on emulated and in-field wireless channels. In our experiments in the field, CIPRA achieves up to 1.66 times the throughput achieved by the indication and prediction method currently used by off-the-shelf cards. CIPRA could be easily applied to other channel indicators, although we only evaluated RSSI-based rate adaptation in our experiments to isolate our gains.
Desmethoxymajusculamide C, a cyanobacterial depsipeptide with potent cytotoxicity in both cyclic and ring-opened forms.

Cytotoxicity-guided fractionation of the organic extract from a Fijian Lyngbya majuscula led to the discovery of desmethoxymajusculamide C (DMMC) as the active metabolite. Spectroscopic analysis in...
Scheduling of Jobs in a Hypercube Processing System

When a job is processed in a hypercube multi-processor, it is allocated a cube of processing elements of the requisite size. There are three distinct costs involved in the hypercube scheduling problem: the cost of detecting a free cube (allocation), the cost of migrating jobs and merging the free spaces to accommodate a larger cube request (relocation) and the cost of not meeting the due date (tardiness). Traditionally, research in this area has focused on finding efficient algorithms for allocating a free cube (if any) in the hypercube system. The relocation cost has been treated as an independent cost metric. The role of scheduling has not received much attention and present subcube allocation methods assume a first-come-first-serve (FCFS) approach over the input job set.
Hurdles to International Terrorist Alliances: Lessons From Al Qaeda's Experience

Despite the threat posed by international terrorist alliances, the conditions that foster and inhibit these relationships remain poorly understood. When seeking allies outside of their primary conflict and political market, groups struggle to forge credible commitments, particularly the requisite ‘shadows of the future’ and reputations conducive to cooperation, without third-party enforcers. Given their suspicious nature and strong in-group identities, terrorist groups sometimes balk at relinquishing independence for security. Alliances risk precipitating counterterrorism pressure, alienating constituents, and increasing the risk of betrayal. Even groups that enjoy alliance success, like Al Qaeda, experience these hurdles in their alliance. What helped to set Al Qaeda apart from most groups was its ability to navigate these obstacles, though some bedeviled its alliances efforts. This offers under-utilized opportunities for alliance disruption.
TMPRSS9 and GRIN2B Are Associated with Neuroticism: a Genome-Wide Association Study in a European Sample

Major depression disorder (MDD) is a complex and chronic disease that ranks fourth as cause of disability worldwide. About 14 million adults in the USA are believed to have MDD, and an estimated 75 % attempt suicide making MDD a major public health problem. Neuroticism has been recognized as an endophenotype of MDD; however, few genome-wide association (GWA) analyses of neuroticism as a quantitative trait have been reported to date. The aim of this study is to identify genome-wide genetic variants affecting neuroticism using a European sample. A linear regression model was used to analyze the association with neuroticism as a continuous trait in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety and Netherlands Twin Registry population-based sample of 2,748 individuals with Perlegen 600K single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In addition, the neuroticism-associated genes/loci of the top 20 SNPs (p < 10−4) were examined with anti-social personality disorder (ASPD) in an Australian twin family study. Through GWA analysis, 32 neuroticism-associated SNPs (p < 10−4) were identified. The most significant association was observed with SNP rs4806846 within the TMPRSS9 gene (p = 7.79 × 10−6) at 19p13.3. The next best signal was in GRIN2B gene (rs220549, p = 1.05 × 10−5) at 12p12. In addition, several SNPs within GRIN2B showed borderline associations with ASPD in the Australian sample. In conclusion, these results provide a possible genetic basis for the association with neuroticism. Our findings provide a basis for replication in other populations to elucidate the potential role of these genetic variants in neuroticism and MDD along with a possible relationship between ASPD and neuroticism.
Interaction of [d-Pen2, d-Pen5]enkephalin and [d-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin with δ-opioid receptor subtypes in vivo

The interaction of [d-Pen2, d-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE) and [d-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin with δ-opioid receptor subtypes was investigated. Pretreatment of mice with the δ1-opioid receptor antagonists, [d-Ala2, Leu5, Cys6]enkephalin (DALCE), produced a virtually complete antagonism of the antinociceptive actions of DPDPE, but had no effect on those of [d-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin. In DALCE pretreated mice (i.e., δ1-opioid receptors blocked), DPDPE was able to significantly antagonize the antinociceptive effects of [d-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin. Pretreatment of mice with the δ2-opioid receptor antagonist, na naltrindole-5′-isothiocynate (5′-NTII) produced a virtually complete antagonism of the antinociceptive effects of [d-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin, but had no effect on the antinociception produced by DPDPE. In 5′-NTII pretreated mice (i.e., δ2-opioid receptors blocked), [d-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin had no effect on the antinociception produced by DPDPE. These data suggest that [d-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin is highly selective for the δ2-opioid receptor in vivo, and that neither agonist nor antagonist actions can be demonstrated at δ1-opioid receptors for this peptide. In contrast, under appropriate conditions, DPDPE can be shown to interact with both δ1− and δ2-opioid receptor subtypes; DPDPE may have limited efficacy (i.e., is a partial agonist) at the δ2-opioid receptor.
A bridging law for creeping fibres

The problem of a creeping fibre being pulled out of a semi-infinite elastic matrix to which it is coupled by Coulomb friction is considered. Analytical approximations based on shear lag theory and the assumption of Lame-like elastic fields lead to simple relations between the relative displacement of the end of the fibre and the surface of the matrix. The existence of a steady state configuration for the frictional contact zone between the fibre and the matrix is demonstrated, which propagates invariantly away from the surface of the matrix under constant applied loads. With trivial extensions, this relation yields a bridging traction law that would describe the relation between the crack opening displacement and the bridging tractions supplied by the fibres in the wake of a matrix crack in a composite. A useful, general result applicable to any traction history is obtained from the steady state results via a quasi-static approximation, which is valid if the tractions do not change too rapidly.
Coral Reefs and Islands

IN my letter on “Coral Reefs and Islands,” published in NATURE, vol. xxii. p. 558, I have just noticed an important slip in writing which demands correction.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and renal disease: report of the National Kidney Foundation-National Institutes of Health Task Force on AIDS and Kidney Disease.

ATIENTS WITH the acquired immunodefi­ ciency syndrome (AIDS) can develop a va­ riety of renal manifestations ranging from mild fluid and electrolyte abnormalities to progressive renal impairment resulting in end-stage renal dis­ ease (ESRD). In 1984, Rao et al initially described the characteristic clinical presentation and course of the most severe form of renal disease in the AIDS patient. 1 Since that time, reports from several centers with large numbers of AIDS pa­ tients have expanded our knowledge of the spec­ trum of renal abnormalities in this patient popula­ tion, but have also raised many puzzling questions regarding the pathophysiology and epidemiology of AIDS-associated renal disease.2·7 This lack of knowledge, in conjunction with the continued growth of the AIDS epidemic, raises concerns in the nephrology community regarding the potential number of AIDS patients with renal disease, par­ ticularly ESRD, that can be expected over the next few years. In addition, the rapid expansion of AIDS knowledge raises new important issues con­ cerning management of patients with human im­ munodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, specific AIDS therapy, and prognosis with renal replace­ ment therapy that must be addressed.
Cardiomegaly—What does it mean?: A comparison of echocardiographic to radiological cardiac dimensions in children

Several cardiac dimensions were estimated by echocardiography and plain chest films in 36 healthy children and 85 children with heart disease. Left and right ventricular volumes and left ventricular mass were estimated by echocardiography, and compared with the cardiothoracic ratio, cardiac frontal area, and total cardiac volume, estimated from x-rays films. In healthy children there was poor correlation between the radiological and echocardiographic estimates. In children with heart disease, there was a close correlation of radiographic total cardiac volume with echocardiographic left ventricular volume and mass, and combined ventricular volumes. Cardiothoracic ratio and cardiac frontal area did not correlate with echocardiographic data. For a more reliable evaluation of the heart size, in children as in adults, the total cardiac volume has to be calculated from both the frontal and lateral films, as estimates obtained from only a frontal film are unreliable.
Adjunctive mitomycin C in primary trabeculectomy in phakic eyes

Purpose The addition of antiproliferative agents, most recently mitomycin C, has improved the outcome of glaucoma filtering surgery in eyes with a high risk of surgical failure. We conducted the present study to determine whether adjunctive mitomycin C would increase the success rate of primary trabeculectomies in phakic eyes. Methods Thirty-three eyes of 33 consecutive patients with phakic primary open-angle glaucoma, who were predominantly black (24 black and nine white), who underwent primary trabeculectomy with adjunctive subconjunctival mitomycin C (0.5 mg/ml for three minutes) were compared with a demographically similar historical control group of 30 eyes of 30 consecutive patients (20 black and ten white) with phakic primary open-angle glaucoma, who had undergone primary trabeculectomy without an adjunctive antifibrotic agent. Results Although the mean preoperative intraocular pressures were similar in both groups (29.0 ± 6.4 mm Hg in the mitomycin C group and 29.5 ± 10.0 mm Hg in the control group, P = .61), the mean postoperative intraocular pressure at each follow-up period was significantly lower in the mitomycin C group than in the control group (10.3 ± 7.1 vs 14.5 ± 5.1 mm Hg at six months, P = .02; 10.5 ± 4.9 vs 14.5 ± 4.4 mm Hg at 12 months, P = .01; and 10.0 ± 3.1 vs 17.2 ± 3.0 mm Hg at 18 months, P = .004, respectively). The mean number of postoperative medications was also significantly lower in the mitomycin C group (0.2 ± 0.4 vs 1.1 ± 1.4 medications at six months, P = .007; 0.3 ± 0.4 vs 0.9 ± 1.1 medications at 12 months, P = .04; and 0.3 ± 0.5 vs 1.7 ± 1.2 medications at 18 months, P = .01, respectively). However, the mitomycin C group had a significantly higher incidence of prolonged hypotony (intraocular pressure less than 6 mm Hg) compared with the control group (15% vs 0% at nine months, P = .05). Younger age was associated with a higher incidence of persistent hypotony. Conclusions Adjunctive subconjunctival mitomycin C (0.5 mg/ml for a three-minute exposure) in primary trabeculectomies of phakic eyes, while increasing the success rate by decreasing intraocular pressure and postoperative medications, is associated with a higher incidence of prolonged hypotony.
Experimental Study of a Constant-Area Ejector With Two-Phase Fluids

The authors are presently involved in developing a design code to optimize an active space thermal management system that includes as a key component an ejector, which operates with fluids in the two-phase regime. In order to validate this code, and for other applications of two-phase ejectors, a comprehensive experimental data set is needed for this device. This paper deals with the conceptual design and implementation of a constant-area ejector experimental rig intended to provide the required data set. The system has been designed to implement the same thermodynamic cycle as the proposed thermal management system, allowing a preliminary performance database to be developed upon testing, in addition to the ejector data. The ejector itself will be an interchangeable part in this system, allowing geometrical variables to be manipulated.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Type II Technology Applications in Teacher Education

Abstract The use of the Instant Messenger (IM) environment to carry out structured online class discussions in graduate teacher education courses is described. Properties of IM are delineated, and specific procedures in using IM as a vehicle for class discussions are discussed. Attributes of Type II technology applications are addressed directly, and the characteristics of these class activities that correspond with such attributes are discussed in detail. In closing, the authors draw a clear distinction between casual IM use in a class setting and planned, structured implementation of IM as an example of a Type II technology application.
Calibration of response and remission cut-points on the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition for monitoring seasonal affective disorder treatment outcomes

Abstract Background The purpose of this study is to define treatment response and remission cut-point scores for the Beck Depression Inventory—Second Edition (BDI-II) when used to monitor seasonal affective disorder (SAD) treatment. Methods Data from two published randomized clinical trials for SAD were utilized to complete a ROC analysis to define response and remission thresholds for the BDI-II. The Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression—Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH-SAD) was used as a reference standard. Data from the two trials included BDI-II and SIGH-SAD scores for patients at baseline, 6 weeks (post-treatment), and 1 year (next winter). Results BDI-II score of ≤ 9 was the derived criterion for remission of SAD, and BDI-II score decrease of 50% from baseline was the criterion for treatment response. Limitations Study participants were primarily female (94%) and Caucasian (80%) so demographic diversity of the sample was limited. Conclusion This study validated BDI-II scores compared to the SIGH-SAD reference standard. The BDI-II has greater potential for widespread use by clinicians than the SIGH-SAD to monitor SAD patients because it is a brief self-report instrument that can be conveniently administered in the waiting room.
A technique for measuring the effective propagation constant of dense random media

The measurement technique considered in this paper has a significant impact on the modelling of electromagnetic scattering from dense random media. A method for measuring the effective propagation constant, K, directly is presented which is not restricted by the particle size, shape and density. The effective dielectric constant of the medium is evaluated from the mean bistatic scattered fields of a cluster of the random medium confined in a geometrical boundary. In this approach, the mean scattered fields are fitted to the bistatic scattered fields of a homogeneous lossy material having the same geometrical boundary. The bistatic measurement technique is based on a novel technique where only a monostatic radar and a rotatable ground plane are needed.
Dietetics and Foodservice Personnel are Ready for Team Problem Solving

Abstract Objective To determine the readiness of dietetics and foodservice personnel for contributing to team problem solving. Design A descriptive, correlation study in which a five-part questionnaire was designed to collect data. Subjects Dietetics and foodservice personnel (n=632) in eight hospital settings; 321 subjects (51%) volunteered to participate. S tatistical analyses performed Statistical data to summarize demographic information and two-way analysis of variance with a Scheffe post hoc analysis was used to investigate differences between dietetics and foodservice personnel on each of the subscales. Results In general, all respondents were somewhat oriented toward group problem solving and were confident in their problem-solving skills. Problem-solving expertise within the organization decreased for the respondents as the problem moved from their direct work areas to the organization level. Dietitians displayed higher self-efficacy in contributing to problem-solving teams than did foodservice personnel, indicating a 75% chance that they would contribute whereas all other respondents indicated a 50% chance of contributing. Applications The results of this study generate optimism for involving all dietetics and foodservice personnel in team problem solving. However, training activities are needed for both foodservice personnel and dietetics professionals.
Statistics, Sound Bites, and School Uniforms: A Reply to Bodine

Abstract It is refreshing to observe another scholar engaging the important and timely question of the effects of school uniforms on academic achievement. The extant literature is largely anecdotal, often methodologically flawed, unpublished, or published without peer review, and sometimes funded by uniform supply companies.1 A. Bodine's (2003) “School Uniforms, Academic Achievement, and Uses of Research,” however, adds little information to increase empirical and substantive knowledge of the effectiveness of uniforms in U.S. schools. In response, the authors (a) clarified the intent and contribution of their original study (D. L. Brunsma & K. A. Rockquemore, 1998), (b) responded to the methodological issues raised by A. Bodine, and (c) reflected on the policy implications of the related studies published in The Journal of Educational Research and the Educational Testing Service. By doing so, they hoped to increase academic interest in the school uniform debate and to encourage further empirical analyses ...
WOULD WE BE ABLE TO VAILDATE DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA AND PAVE THE WAY FOR DISCERNING CAUSALITY IN TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Dear Editor, Trigeminal neuralgia, a disabling painful disease affects approximately 4-5 per 100,000 individuals per year (1). More recent studies report a much higher incidence of 26 -29 per 100,000 (2, 3). It affects mainly those in the 40-80 years range and when occurring in those younger, secondary causes for trigeminal neuralgia are sought. The American census bureau reported a 15% increase in those 65 years and older between the years 2000-2010 (www.census.gov; last accessed 11/17/11, 7:55pm). With its predilection for the elderly, the incidence of this disease may be expected to rise. Validity of any research is based on establishing consistent diagnostic criteria. Presently the diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia, classical versus symptomatic (when a structural abnormality, like multiple sclerosis or tumors, other than vascular compression is identified), is based on the international classification of headache disorder, second edition, diagnostic criteria for classical and symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia (4). As there are no objective tests, the diagnostic criteria have not yet been validated. Neurophysiological tests may help identify the symptomatic from classical trigeminal neuralgia. In this issue of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Bangash set out to study the laterality and the common branches of the trigeminal nerve involved in trigeminal neuralgia (1). The diagnosis was established in 100 patients, based on history, clinical examination and therapeutic response to carbamazepine. Subsequent confirmation with imaging and local anesthetic injections, despite limited utility, provided data for analysis. The results, consistent with prior studies with regards to laterality and the commonly affected nerves in trigeminal neuralgia, reiterates the established (5, 6). The author’s novel utilisation of nerve blocks for establishing the involved nerves has certain merits, if localisation can be achieved with certainty. The conclusion of right sided laterality and the mandibular distribution being the commonest for trigeminal neuralgia points to a feature, not yet determined, which may provide a clue to establishing the diagnostic criteria for trigeminal neuralgia. Neurophysiologic testing may reveal trigeminal pathology when not present on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neurophysiologic testing of blink, corneal, and jaw reflexes along with somatosensory evoked potentials, with near nerve stimulation, have shown to be sensitive and reliable indicators of both peripheral and central dysfunction with regards to the trigeminal nerve. Thermal quantitative sensory testing can also be used for detection of trigeminal small fiber dysfunction (7). Improving specificity of diagnostic interventions and the use of right tools i.e. magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and/or neurophysiological tests, for establishing the diagnostic criteria for trigeminal neuralgia may provide further insight into the reasons behind laterality.
Jamming interference suppression in ultra-wideband communications

In this paper we analyze the performance of an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication system in the presence of pulsed Gaussian jamming. We derive the optimum and suboptimum receivers for such a system and evaluate the system performance. Two low complexity suboptimum receivers are designed using a Gaussian approximation (linear) and the locally optimum Bayes detection (LOBD) algorithm (nonlinear). Numerical results show that the nonlinear receiver outperforms the linear receiver when the jamming interference is strong. However, when the background noise is weak (high SNR), due to the Gaussian nature of impulsive interference, the nonlinear receiver performance converges to that of the linear receiver.
New thrombolytics, adjunctive therapies, and mechanical interventions for acute ischemic syndromes: A current perspective

Significant advances occurred in the management of acute coronary syndromes over the past two decades that have resulted in > 25% reduction in mortality from myocardial infarction (MI).1 The incorporation of early thrombolysis and promptly recanalizing the occluded coronary artery receive the major credit along with improvements in intensive coronary care units (CCUs), chest pain centers, and activation of advanced emergency medical services (EMS) for prehospital treatment and resuscitation. However, acute MI (AMI) and its complications remain the leading causes of death and disability in the western world. In the past few years, aggressive interventions such as angioplasty, stents, and intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP)for managing acute coronary syndromes have received significant attention. However, controversy regarding their usefulness in this setting remains. In this review article, we will address some of the pros and cons of such interventions, as well as potential roles of newer thrombolytics and adjunctive therapies.
Effects of lofexidine on stress-induced and cue-induced opioid craving and opioid abstinence rates: preliminary findings

Objective A preliminary study examined whether lofexidine decreases stress-induced and cue-induced opioid craving and improves opioid abstinence in naltrexone-treated opioid-dependent individuals.
Combination Subsurface Irrigation and Drainage Systems in North-Central South Dakota

The 340,000 ha Lake Dakota Plain area in north-central South Dakota has the topographical and soil characteristics required for the use of combination subsurface drainage and irrigation systems. Corn yield data from a research site and a county-wide reporting service were used to determine that DRAINMOD, a water balance and corn yield estimation computer model, could be employed to assess the feasibility of using a combination system for the area. Three soils ranging in texture from a sandy loam to a silt loam and 19 years of climatic data were used in the feasibility analysis. Drain line spacings were determined for average yield goals of 90, 95, and 100% of estimated maximum corn yields for each soil. There are possibilities for the economical use of combination subsurface irrigation and drainage systems in the Lake Dakota Plain area.
p53 Pathway Alterations in Brain Tumors

Mutations in the TP53 gene or the p53 pathway are required for the formation of many human cancers, including brain tumors. The p53 protein is a multi-modal tumor suppressor that controls many processes that are disrupted during tumor formation, in large part by functioning as a transcription factor. p53 regulates the expression of many target genes, including those encoding anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic proteins that mediate many of its intracellular tumor-suppressive activities. The p53 protein can also directly induce apoptosis by associating with mitochondrial proteins in a transcription-independent fashion. Furthermore, p53 exerts oncosuppressive effects through cell-extrinsic mechanisms that rely heavily on its ability to control exosome-mediated protein secretion. Here we provide an overview of p53 functions in tumor suppression and review its involvement in the formation of brain tumors.
Death Without God Religious Struggle, Death Concerns, and Depression in the Terminally III

Religious worldviews often provide comfort near the end of life, but they can cause distress if life circumstances are perceived as evidence of God's disfavor. This study, the first to test terror management theory (TMT) with terminally ill participants, examined the hypothesis that concerns about death mediate the relationship between religious struggle (and religious comfort) and depression in the terminally ill. Ninety-eight patients with end-stage congestive heart failure (CHF) completed measures of religious comfort, religious struggle, belief in an afterlife, concerns about death, and depression. In separate hierarchical linear regression models that controlled for degree of belief in an afterlife, death concerns fully mediated the relationships between religious struggle and depression and between religious comfort and depression. These findings suggest that religious struggle is a breakdown in the terror management system that leaves the individual vulnerable to the terror of death, and that properly functioning religious worldviews offer comfort by buffering the individual against death concerns.
Molecular imaging by Mid-IR laser ablation mass spectrometry

Mid-IR laser ablation at atmospheric pressure (AP) produces a mixture of ions, neutrals, clusters, and particles with a size distribution extending into the nanoparticle range. Using external electric fields the ions can be extracted and sampled by a mass spectrometer. In AP infrared (IR) matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) experiments, the plume was shown to contain an appreciable proportion of ionic components that reflected the composition of the ablated target and enabled mass spectrometric analysis. The detected ion intensities rapidly declined with increasing distance of sampling from the ablated surface to ∼4 mm. This was rationalized in terms of ion recombination and the stopping of the plume expansion by the background gas. In laser ablation electrospray ionization (LAESI) experiments, the ablation plume was intercepted by an electrospray. The neutral particles in the plume were ionized by the charged droplets in the spray and enabled the detection of large molecules (up to 66 kDa). Maximum ion production in LAESI was observed at large (∼15 mm) spray axis to ablated surface distance indicating a radically different ion formation mechanism compared to AP IR-MALDI. The feasibility of molecular imaging by both AP IR-MALDI and LAESI was demonstrated on targets with mock patterns.
Remembering to Forget: The Amnesic Effect of Daydreaming

Daydreaming mentally transports people to another place or time. Many daydreams are similar in content to the thoughts that people generate when they intentionally try to forget. Thus, thoughts like those generated during daydreaming can cause forgetting of previously encoded events. We conducted two experiments to test the hypothesis that daydreams that are more different from the current moment (e.g., in distance, time, or circumstance) will result in more forgetting than daydreams that are less different from the current moment, because they result in a greater contextual shift. Daydreaming was simulated in the laboratory via instructions to engage in a diversionary thought. Participants learned a list of words, were asked to think about autobiographical memories, and then learned a second list of words. They tended to forget more words from the first list when they thought about their parents' home than when they thought about their current home (Experiment 1). They also tended to forget more when they thought about an international vacation than when they thought about a domestic vacation (Experiment 2). These results support a context-change account of the amnesic effects of daydreaming.
Parental Religiosity, Parenting Style, and Adolescent Social Responsibility

The hypotheses that parental religiosity would predict authoritative parenting and adolescent social responsibility were tested using data from fathers, mothers, and adolescents 10 through 18 years of age from 486 mostly Caucasian middle-class families participating in the Nonshared Environment (NSE) Study. Ratings of authoritative and authoritarian parenting were provided by trained observers using the Family Interaction Global Coding System. Survey instruments included measures of adolescent adjustment used previously by Hetherington and colleagues and a new index of religiosity that assesses the degree to which religious beliefs are manifested in parents’daily lives. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that religiosity was associated positively with authoritative parenting for both parents. Mothers’religiosity was associated negatively with authoritarian parenting; religiosity was unrelated to fathers’authoritarian parenting. Structural equation modeling indicated both direct effects and indirec...
The effect of food quality on feeding and respiration by Daphnia and Diaptomus1

measured in southern Green Bay water mixed with algal cultures to produce varying proportions of blue-green algae. These measurements along with observations of Daphnia mouthpart responses to these foods were used to assess the relative competitive potential of Duphniu and Calanoid copepods in lakes of varying trophy. Ratios of filtering and ingestion rate to respiration rate were used as a measure of energy input per unit of energy expended. Passive filtering and subsequent rejection of inedible algae by Duphniu result in higher ratios than those shown by Diuptomus in high quality foods, suggesting a competitive advantage in oligotrophic or mesotrophic lakes. Diuptomus selective feeding, on the other hand, results in higher ratios in the low quality food characteristic of eutrophic conditions. These results and data from the literature are used to propose a two-dimensional niche model to demonstrate the interaction between food quality and abundance on the competitive interaction between Calanoid copepods and Daphnia-like cladocerans.
Psycholinguistic studies on the syntactic behavior of idioms

Six experiments examined why some idioms can be syntactically changed and still retain their figurative meanings (e.g., John laid down the law can be passivized as The law was laid down by John), while other idioms cannot be syntactically altered without losing their figurative meanings (e.g., John kicked the bucket cannot be passivized into The bucket was kicked by John). Our thesis was that the syntactic behavior of idioms is determined, to a large extent, but speakers' assumptions about the way in which parts of idioms contribute to their figurative interpretations as a whole. The results of our studies indicated that idioms whose individual semantic components contribute to their overall figurative meanings (e.g., go out on a limb) were judged as more syntactically flexible or productive than nondecomposable phrases (e.g., kick the bucket). These findings suggested that idioms do not form a unique class of linguistic items (e.g., as "dead" metaphors), but can share many of the same compositional properties normally associated with more "literal" language. The implications of these data for theories of syntactic productivity of idioms and for models of idiom comprehension are discussed.
ACTIVATION AND APONEUROSIS MORPHOLOGY AFFECT IN VIVO MUSCLE TISSUE STRAINS NEAR THE MYOTENDINOUS JUNCTION

Hamstring strain injury is one of the most common injuries in athletes, particularly for sports that involve high speed running. The aims of this study were to determine whether muscle activation and internal morphology influence in vivo muscle behavior and strain injury susceptibility. We measured tissue displacement and strains in the hamstring muscle injured most often, the biceps femoris long head muscle (BFLH), using cine DENSE dynamic magnetic resonance imaging. Strain measurements were used to test whether strain magnitudes are (i) larger during active lengthening than during passive lengthening and (ii) larger for subjects with a relatively narrow proximal aponeurosis than a wide proximal aponeurosis. Displacement color maps showed higher tissue displacement with increasing lateral distance from the proximal aponeurosis for both active lengthening and passive lengthening, and higher tissue displacement for active lengthening than passive lengthening. First principal strain magnitudes were averaged in a 1 cm region near the myotendinous junction, where injury is most frequently observed. It was found that strains are significantly larger during active lengthening (0.19 SD 0.09) than passive lengthening (0.13 SD 0.06) (po 0.05), which suggests that elevated localized strains may be a mechanism for increased injury risk during active as opposed to passive lengthening. First principal strains were higher for subjects with a relatively narrow aponeurosis width (0.26 SD 0.15) than wide (0.14 SD 0.04) (po 0.05). This result suggests that athletes who have BFLH muscles with narrow proximal aponeuroses may have an increased risk for BFLH strain injuries.
RISK‐ADJUSTED DISCOUNT RATES‐EXTENSIONS FROM THE AVERAGE‐RISK CASE

This paper provides an approach for developing risk-adjusted discount rates that follows naturally from the standard presentation of the weighted average cost of capital. In addition to examining the implied assumptions about the valuation of corporate debt, the paper shows the pedagogic advantages of the proposed approach.
Telaprevir: An NS3/4A Protease Inhibitor for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C

Objective:To review the use of telaprevir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.Data Sources:Clinical studies were identified through MEDLINE (1966-January 2011), bibliographies of articles, clinicaltrials.gov, and fda.gov, using key words VX-950, telaprevir, and chronic hepatitis C.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Phase 1, 2, and 3 human and animal studies describing the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of telaprevir were identified. Additional articles were identified from the bibliographies of articles retrieved through MEDLINE.Data Synthesis:Telaprevir is an NS3/4A protease inhibitor under investigation for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Telaprevir competes with viral peptide substrates for the active site of NS3 and inhibits NS3-NS4A protease activity. Telaprevir has activity against HCV genotype 1 infection in vitro and in vivo, but monotherapy results in rapid viral resistance. In 3 Phase 2 and 3 Phase 3 randomized...