cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brain tumor and exposure to pesticides in humans : a review of the epidemiologic data

We examined the relationship between exposure to pesticides and the subsequent development of brain tumors in adults through a critical review of the literature. The results of retrospective case-control studies are conflicting, in part because of biases in the selection of patients and controls, poor definition and ascertainment of the nature and extent of the exposure to pesticides, and a non-uniform approach to the collection of antecedent information. A number of the studies evaluated farmers as a group exposed to pesticides; however, inference about cancer incidence in farmers may reflect not only their possible exposure to pesticides, but also exposure to petrochemical products, exhaust fumes, mineral and organic dusts, and biological exposure to animals and microbes. The great majority of the cohort studies of chemical workers employed in the manufacture of pesticides did not indicate an excess of brain cancer mortality. There have been few cohort studies of pesticide applicators and these revealed elevated but non-significant relative risks for excess mortality due to brain cancer. Existing data are insufficient to conclude that exposure to pesticides is a clear risk factor for brain tumors. Given the conflicting results reported for farmers and pesticide applicators and their contrast to chemical workers, it seems more plausible that exposure to multiple agents and/or other factors, such as genetic predisposition, are most relevant with respect to brain tumor pathogenesis.
Acylaminoacid esterase mutants of Salmonella typhimurium.

Salmonella typhimurium contains three electrophoretically separable enzyme activities that hydrolyze N-acetyl phenylalanine β-naphthyl ester (NAPNE). One of these enzymes is an endoprotease, protease I. Mutations at a locus apeA near purE lead to loss of this enzyme. We have found that N-acetyl leucine α-naphthyl ester (NALNE) is not hydrolyzed by protease I but is a good substrate for the other two activities. Using NALNE as a chromogenic substrate to screen colonies growing on agar, we have isolated mutants (apeB) that simultaneously lose both of the two other esterase activities. The chromosomal positions of apeB and nearby markers in the proC-purE region have been determined using both phage P1 and phage P22 mediated transduction. The observed order is proC thiC apeB apt apeA purE. Strains lacking all three activities (apeA apeB double mutants) have been constructed and have growth rates similar to wild-type strains.
Oscillatory light loss within the cladding of a straight optical fiber:?comparison with whispering-gallery modes

Light propagating within the cladding of a straight optical fiber exhibits wavelength-dependent oscillatory loss that resembles the whispering-gallery modes of a bent fiber. This novel observation can be explained by interference of light only within the cladding and the buffer without any influence of the fiber core. The technique promises applications similar to those that are due to whispering-gallery modes but without the additional requirement of having a bent fiber.
Background suppression in frequency-domain fluorometry.

Gated detection is often used in time-domain measurements of long-lived fluorophores for suppression of interfering short-lived autofluorescence. However, no direct method has been available for gated detection and background suppression when using frequency-domain fluorometry. We describe a direct method for real-time suppression of autofluorescence in frequency-domain fluorometry. The method uses a gated detector and the sample is excited by a pulsed train. The detector is gated on following each excitation pulse after a suitable time delay for decay of the prompt autofluorescence. Under the same experimental conditions a detectable reference signal is obtained by using a long lifetime standard with a known decay time. Because the sample and reference signals are measured under identical excitation, gating and instrumental conditions, the data can be analyzed as usual for frequency-domain data without further processing. We show by simulations that this method can be used to resolve single and multiexponential decays in the presence of short lifetime autofluorescence.
Structural and functional brain changes in bipolar disorder: a selective review

The purpose of this paper is to provide a concise, selective review of the major issues and findings germane to structural and functional neuroimaging studies of bipolar affective disorder (BPD). In attempting to identify the brain changes associated with BPD, investigators have used neuroimaging techniques to focus on several interrelated questions. These are: What are the changes and where do they occur? Do their nature and location suggest a particular etiopathologic basis or have notable clinical correlates? With regard to specificity, are the changes unique to BPD, or do they overlap with those reported in other neuropsychiatric illnesses, especially schizophrenia? Do they occur in brain systems that normally play a role in modulating mood? Finally, how do the brain changes integrate with neurocognitive, neurogenetic, and neuropathologic data in the same patients? To date, these questions have been addressed only preliminarily. We outline some of the strategies used to pursue answers to these questions and review conclusions to date.
TagSense: Leveraging Smartphones for Automatic Image Tagging

Mobile phones are becoming the convergent platform for personal sensing, computing, and communication. This paper attempts to exploit this convergence toward the problem of automatic image tagging. We envision TagSense, a mobile phone-based collaborative system that senses the people, activity, and context in a picture, and merges them carefully to create tags on-the-fly. The main challenge pertains to discriminating phone users that are in the picture from those that are not. We deploy a prototype of TagSense on eight Android phones, and demonstrate its effectiveness through 200 pictures, taken in various social settings. While research in face recognition continues to improve image tagging, TagSense is an attempt to embrace additional dimensions of sensing toward this end goal. Performance comparison with Apple iPhoto and Google Picasa shows that such an out-of-band approach is valuable, especially with increasing device density and greater sophistication in sensing and learning algorithms.
Cytochalasin binding in lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Abstract The binding of [3H]cytochalasin B (CB) to intact cells was compared in lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) and erythrocytes over a broad range of cytochalasin concentrations. Binding curves consistent with the presence of high and low affinity binding sites were demonstrated in all three cell types. However, in contrast to observations in erythrocytes, in lymphocytes and PMNLs CB binding was unaffected by d -glucose. p-Hydroxymercuribenzoate and p-hydroxymercurisulfonate were only partially inhibitory and unlabeled cytochalasins E, D and A (CE, CD, CA) inhibited [3H]CB binding more effectively than unlabeled CB. While attempts to demonstrate that plasma membrane-rich subcellular fractions from lymphocytes selectively bind [3H]CB were inconclusive, radioautographic studies on unbroken cells indicated that most or all of the high affinity CB-binding sites in lymphocytes and PMNLs were in close proximity to the cell surface.
Pregnancy-induced changes in immune protection of the genital tract: defining normal

Objective Both the state of pregnancy as well as disruption of vaginal flora and immune mediators may increase the risk of human immunodeficiency virus-1 acquisition. The objective of this study was to define immune changes in lower genital and systemic immunity associated with normal pregnancy. Study Design This prospective cohort enrolled low-risk pregnant and nonpregnant women ages 18-35 years. Pregnant women at Lactobacillus species, Gardnerella vaginalis, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus species, anaerobic gram-negative rods, Candida, Staphylococcus aureus, Ureaplasma species, and Mycoplasma hominis . Concentrations of immune mediators and vaginal colonization frequencies were compared between the pregnant and nonpregnant groups. Results Genital tract concentration of interleukin-1β was higher during pregnancy compared to nonpregnant participants. Serum C-reactive protein concentrations were higher in all trimesters of pregnancy. Concentrations of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor did not differ between groups. Lactobacillus was more commonly isolated from vaginal cultures of nonpregnant participants (100% vs 70.2%, P = .02). Identification of Candida, G vaginalis, M hominis, and S aureus was common and not different between groups. Ureaplasma species was isolated from >60% pregnant participants. Conclusion The proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1β, as well as the systemic marker of inflammation, C-reactive protein, are increased during pregnancy. The impact of these proinflammatory changes during pregnancy deserves further study.
Gender Differences in Children's Normative Beliefs about Aggression: How Do I Hurt Thee? Let Me Count the Ways

This research was designed to assess whether children view relationally manipulative behaviors (i.e., those behaviors labeled relational aggression in past research) as "aggressive." 2 studies were conducted to evaluate whether children view relationally manipulative behaviors as associated with 2 defining features of aggression, anger (Study 1) and intent to harm (Study 2). Results of Study 1 (n = 459, 9-12-year-olds) indicated that relational aggression was the most frequently cited angry behavior for girls' interactions whereas physical aggression was the most frequently cited angry behavior for boys' interactions. Results of Study 2 (n = 60, 9-11-year-olds) demonstrated that relational aggression and verbal insults were the most frequently cited harmful behaviors for girls whereas physical aggression and verbal insults were the most frequently cited harmful behaviors for boys. These studies provide the first evidence that children view relationally manipulative acts (relational aggression) as angry, harmful behaviors (i.e., as "aggressive").
Comparison of the 2007 and 2011 appropriate use criteria for transesophageal echocardiography.

Background The 2007 appropriate use criteria (AUC) for echocardiography were revised in 2011 to cover a wider range of scenarios of use. The aim of this study was to compare the 2011 AUC with the 2007 AUC to determine if the 2011 AUC better classify transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and to determine the impact of the 2011 AUC on the rates of appropriate and inappropriate TEE at an academic medical center. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted to examine inpatient and outpatient TEE utilization. TEE ordering behavior was compared using both the 2007 and 2011 AUC, and studies were classified as appropriate, uncertain, inappropriate, or not classifiable. Results We reviewed 202 consecutive transesophageal echocardiographic studies (154 inpatient, 48 outpatient) performed in 2011. Using the 2007 AUC, 166 studies (82%) were classifiable, and using the 2011 AUC, 199 (99%) were classifiable ( P P = .68). Using 2007 and 2011 AUC, the percentages of inappropriate studies were 0% and 4% ( P = .02), and the percentages of uncertain studies were 6% and 1% ( P = .006), respectively. Conclusions The 2011 AUC classify a significantly greater proportion of transesophageal echocardiographic studies than the 2007 AUC. The rate of inappropriate studies using the 2011 AUC is higher than when using the 2007 AUC. These findings suggest that the expanded AUC offer an opportunity for improvement in the utilization of TEE.
First-Grade Teachers Reading Aloud Caldecott Award-Winning Books to Diverse 1st-Graders in Urban Classrooms

Five 1st-grade teachers read aloud two Caldecott Award-winning picture books to their classrooms of diverse, urban students. In this two-phase study, researchers analyzed teachers' transcripts for common elements, interviewed 1st-graders and focused on one teacher's read-aloud events while comparing them with her students' responses. Findings included a list of common descriptors for the five teachers' read-aloud events. The students enjoyed the read-aloud events and were able to retell the stories, although the focus teacher used a number of strategies that raise questions regarding assumptions about accepted practices for read-alouds. The findings support that children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds who are considered at risk for reading difficulties can enjoy and comprehend sophisticated picture books in whole-class settings. More research is needed to determine how teachers reading aloud to their classes can best foster enjoyment and comprehension.
Mating-Induced Expression of c-fos in the Male Syrian Hamster Brain: Role of Experience, Pheromones, and Ejaculations

dial BNST, and the magnocellular medial preoptic nu- ABSTRACT: This study was designed to investi- cleus (MPNmag). Following one ejaculation, Fos-ir gate the effects of pheromonal cues and specific behav- increased within the caudal posterodorsal Me, the iors within the male copulatory sequence on c-fos ex- dorsolateral MPOA, and the paraventricular nucleus pression in the medial nucleus of the amygdala (Me), of the hypothalamus. After multiple ejaculations, ad- the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), and ditional labeling was observed within the posteroven- the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of the Syrian ham- tral part of the posteromedial BNST, the medial pre- ster brain. Sexually experienced male hamsters were optic nucleus (MPN), the central tegmental field, and placed into clean testing arenas and were either: 1) in cell clusters of the caudal posterodorsal Me and left alone as handled controls; 2) exposed to female rostral posteromedial BNST. Fos-ir also increased hamster vaginal secretion (FHVS) on cotton swabs; within the posterodorsal Me, MPN, and MPNmag in or mated to various end points of copulation with a sexually experienced control males exposed to the sexually receptive female: 3) five intromissions, 4) one empty test chamber compared to sexually naive males ejaculation, 5) five ejaculations, or 6) long intromis- exposed to an identical chamber. These results demon- sions. A seventh group of sexually naive control males strate that the mating-induced pattern of neuronal 7) was left alone in the arena. The brains of these activation in sexually experienced males is dependent males were compared to those of the sexually experi- upon multiple factors, including prior sexual experi- enced controls to determine whether exposure to cues ence in the testing environment, investigation of associated with prior sexual experience could alter c- FHVS, and the number of ejaculations achieved. fos expression. In males exposed only to FHVS, Fos q 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 32: 481-501, 1997 immunoreactivity (Fos-ir) increased within the post- Keywords: copulation; chemoinvestigation; experi- erodorsal Me, the anterodorsal part of the posterome- ence; c-fos; limbic
Utilization management in the core laboratory

The need for appropriate utilization management of diagnostic testing is increasingly important. The majority of laboratory tests are performed in highly automated core laboratories that combine chemistry, immunoassays, hematology, coagulation and esoteric assays. These core laboratories are designed for high throughput leveraging economies of scale to produce large numbers of test results relatively inexpensively. Most core laboratory tests can be categorized based on whether they should or should not be ordered at all and, if so, by the frequency with which test ordering is reasonably appropriate (e.g. unrestricted, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly or once in a lifetime). Classifying tests by this approach facilitates electronic rule-based logic to detect which tests are appropriate for a given clinical indication.
Intraamniotic Infection in Low-Birth-Weight Infants

Intraamniotic infection (IAI) complicating births of low-birth-weight infants (less than 2500 g) was compared with IAI in births of infants weighing greater than or equal to 2500 g for differences in neonatal and maternal infectious morbidity and mortality, as well as differences in microbiological isolates in amniotic fluid. Four hundred four cases of clinically diagnosed IAI were prospectively evaluated. Thirty-seven patients (9.2%) delivered neonates less than 2500 g, and 367 patients (90.8%) delivered neonates greater than or equal to 2500 g. The low-birth-weight group had a significant increase in the incidence of sepsis (16.2% vs. 4.1%, P = .005) and death from sepsis (10.8% vs. 0%, P less than .001). Additional intrapartum conditions that might further predispose the low-birth-weight group to an increased risk of sepsis were not evident. Evaluation of the amniotic fluid did not demonstrate any increase in prevalence of group B streptococci, Escherichia coli, or enterococci in the low-birth-weight group. The presence of gram-negative anaerobes was significantly increased, however, in low-birth-weight pregnancies with IAI (59.5% vs. 31.6%, P = .001).
Pathologic staging of prostate carcinoma: What are the issues?

BACKGROUND. Stage is a significant predictor of outcome for patients with carcinoma of the prostate. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) TNM staging system has gained general favor as the clinical staging system of choice for prostate carcinoma. With an increasing number of publications assessing prognostic markers for patients with carcinoma of the prostate, there is a need for the development of uniform system of pathologic staging to support the clinical stage. METHODS. The literature related to pathologic prognostic markers for patients with carcinoma of the prostate, particularly with regard to staging, was reviewed. From this, issues important to the development of a pathologic correlate to the AJCC/UICC TNM system were identified. RESULTS. A number of issues were identified related to the development of a pathologic staging system. For radical prostatectomy specimens some of the more important are whether or not subcategorization is needed in the pathologic classification of T2 tumors, definition and quantification of extraprostatic extension, and the reporting of positive surgical margins. CONCLUSIONS. There is a need for the development of a pathologic equivalent to the AJCC/UICC TNM clinical staging system for prostate carcinoma. Consensus needs to be reached on several important issues prior to the adoption and testing of such a system.
Gastrostomy insertion in the 21st century: PEG or laparoscopic? Report from a large single-centre series.

Purpose To determine whether laparoscopic-assisted gastrostomy (LAG) has superseded percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) based on the clinical outcomes.
Configuring bodies: Self-identity in the works of Kaneshiro Kazuki and Yan Sogiru

Kaneshiro Kazuki and Yan Sogiru are zainichi writers of popular fiction. This paper discusses aspects of the body and masculinity in their stories. Physical prowess forms the core of their characters; a belief in violence as a form of self-expression and the nucleus of identity. In Kaneshiro's works, the body becomes a means by which the protagonists can connect themselves to other people and to society at large. The body of the protagonist of Yan's work, Chi to hone (Blood and Bone), is both a means of self-protection and of intimidation. Yan argues that the repressive aspects of Japanese society can be criticized by exposing bodies that have been damaged and neglected. The tropes of the body in these two writers serve as a counter-gesture against the hegemonic discourses that undermine the minorities living in Japan.
Exploratory studies towards a total synthesis of the unusual bridged tetracyclic Lycopodium alkaloid lycopladine H

A strategy for a total synthesis of the structurally novel Lycopodium alkaloid lycopladine H has been investigated. Key steps that have been tested include: 1.a regioselective Diels-Alder cycloaddition of nitroethylene with an o-quinone ketal to produce the bicyclo[2.2.2]octane moiety of the alkaloid; 2. a stereoselective Henry reaction to generate the requisite functionality and configuration at C-5; 3. a stereoselective catalytic hydrogenation of a trisubstituted alkene to set the C-15 methyl configuration.
Nonaminergic striatal neurons convert exogenous l‐dopa to dopamine in parkinsonism

In intact striatum, the enzyme dopa decarboxylase is localized predominantly in dopaminergic nerve terminals. In Parkinson disease, loss of dopaminergic neurons is associated with massive depletion of striatal decarboxylase activity. Nevertheless, efficacy of exogenous L-dopa in parkinsonism is generally believed to result from its enzymatic decarboxylation to dopamine in the corpus striatum. It has previously been suggested that, after degeneration of nigrostriatal pathways, decarboxylation of administered L-dopa may occur mainly at such striatal sites as surviving dopaminergic terminals, serotonergic neurons, or capillaries; but currently available data do not favor these hypotheses. Recent experimental studies indicate that a substantial amount of decarboxylase activity is localized in striatal interneurons or efferent neurons that may not normally synthesize monoamines. We propose that after depletion of dopaminergic terminals, these nonaminergic striatal neurons may contain a large fraction of residual dopa decarboxylase activity and may represent an important locus for conversion of administered dopa to functional dopamine in the parkinsonian corpus striatum.
Fiscal policy and the term structure

Abstract This paper investigates the empirical association between deficits in interest rates. It extends the results in Plosser (1982) to include the more recent experience. The association between a measure of ex ante real rates and deficits is also considered. The results largely corroborate the previous results. First, little or no association between real or nominal interest rates and deficits is found. Second, output and, to a lesser extent, military spending are found to have a significant association with interest rates.
Reassessing third world tourism: The case of Barbados

The tourist boom that has occurred since World War II has been fueled almost entirely by an expanding demand for travel in Western industrialized countries, where high and increasing levels of income and the convenience of rapid means of long‐distance transportation have made travel an increasingly wide‐spread habit. Because most Western tourists choose destinations in other Western countries, the boom has been largely a Western phenomenon, but some of the growing traffic has spilled over into other parts of the world. In the Third World, for example, such spillover flows have opened up new resorts in the Caribbean, as well as in Mexico, North Africa, East Africa and the islands of the Pacific.
Limited-Information Modeling of Loggerhead Turtle Population Size

We attempt to estimate the size of a population of female loggerhead turtles. In traditional capture-recapture experiments to estimate the size of an animal population, individual animals are tagged and the information about which individuals are captured repeatedly is crucial. For these loggerhead turtle data, information about individual turtles is not available. Rather, we observe only the counts of successful and failed nestings at a location over a series of days (in our case, three). We view the turtles’ nesting behavior as an alternating renewal process, model it using parametric distributions, and then derive probability distributions that describe the behavior of the turtles during the three days via a 3-way contingency table. We adopt a Bayesian approach, formulating our model in terms of parameters about which strong prior information is available. We use a Gibbs sampling algorithm to sample from the posterior distribution of our random quantities, the most crucial of which is the number of turtles remaining offshore during the entire sampling period. We illustrate the method using data sets from loggerhead turtle sites along the South Carolina coast. We provide a simulation study which illustrates the quality and robustness of the method and investigates sensitivity to prior parameter specification.
Frequency domain stability criteria--Part II

The objective of this paper is to illustrate the limitations of the generalized Popov Theorem in establishing the stability of a loop containing a single nonlinearity, and to use the Liapunov Theory to give a new frequency domain stability criterion for such systems. The new criterion differs from Popov's in that less restrictive assumptions are made on the linear part, and stronger assumptions are made on the nonlinearity. In this paper, it is assumed that the nonlinearity is monotone increasing. The approach used here is quite general, however, and in a companion paper various other restrictions are considered.
Abundant and diverse early Paleozoic infauna indicated by the stratigraphic record

Marine benthic animals have lived within the sediment since the late Precambrian. An abundant early Paleozoic infauna is indicated by bioturbated zones and diversity of deposit-feeder and suspension-feeder trace-fossil genera. Burrow depths extended tens of centimetres below the sediment-water interface. Trace-fossil evidence of an abundant early Paleozoic infauna conflicts with evidence from the shelled fauna, which lacks infauna. This requires reinterpretation of early Paleozoic community structure and raises new questions about interactions between early Paleozoic soft-bodied and skeletonized animals.
3-D multiple description video coding for packet switched networks

Multiple description coding (MDC) schemes have become popular as robustness tools in packet switched networks where multiple paths with varying packet loss rates are available. In this paper we propose a new MDC scheme for video using 3D wavelet decomposition. The spatio-temporal coefficients are then grouped using either a random, uniform scheme or a hierarchical scheme. The descriptions are constructed by arranging a subset of these groups in two positions: primary and the secondary. The bit-allocation problem between the primary and secondary groups is formulated and solved using the generalized BFOS [E.A. Riskin, 1991] algorithm. The bits allocated to the secondary position may be zero, in which case, the description is said to be constructed with no redundancy. Experiments using bi-orthogonal wavelet for the spatial and Haar wavelet for the temporal decomposition, along with embedded block coding with optimal truncation for the different groups have shown significant performance for test video sequences. We expect that, for finite packet loss probability, the MDC scheme with redundancy does better than the scheme that does not have redundancy. In this paper, we also present a discussion of the differences between our work with the most recent 3D based video MDC scheme [Joohie Kim et al., 2002].
Revision of ring‐gentians (Symbolanthus, Gentianaceae) from Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, with a first assessment of conservation status

Abstract Symbolanthus (Gentianaceae; ring‐gentians) is a neotropical, montane plant genus with over 30 species, distinct in having large tubular flowers with an interior corona at the base of the stamens. The genus was previously thought to include only three species in the Andes, the widespread S. calygonus (with 20 morphotypes) and the narrow endemics S. microphyllus and S. pauciflorus. This revision documents a new total of 14 Symbolanthus species from Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia, and S. calygonus s. str. is shown to be a Central Peruvian endemic. Resurrected species include S. daturoides (Peru), S. mathewsii (Ecuador and N. Peru, including S. macranthus), and S. obscure‐rosaceus (Peru). Symbolanthus mathewsii is morphologically polymorphic and is subdivided into three subspecies, including two new subspecies (S. mathewsii subsp. cutervoensis subsp. nov. and S. mathewsii subsp. vaccinioides subsp. nov.). Six new species are described. Symbolanthus condorensis sp. nov. and S. jasonii sp. nov. are from Cor...
Comparison of Various Icing Times in Decreasing Bone Metabolism and Blood Flow in the Knee

In a previous study we used technetium-99m bone scans to show that cooling a knee for 20 minutes with a standard ice wrap will decrease soft tissue blood flow by a mean of 26%, and skeletal blood flow and me tabolism by 19%. The present study examined the ef fects of shorter and longer icing periods to determine minimum cooling time for a measurable and consistent decrease, and time to produce maximal decrease within a safe period of icing (<30 minutes). Thirty-eight sub jects were studied. An ice wrap was applied to one knee for an assigned time (5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 minutes). Triple-phase bone scans of knees were obtained; mean percentages of decrease in the iced knee for each of the five time groups at each of the three phases of the bone scan were calculated and compared. Mean decreases of 11.1 % in soft tissue blood flow, and 5.1% in skeletal metabolism and blood flow were measured at 5 min utes ; maximums of 29.5% and 20.9%, respectively, were obtained at 25 minutes. A small but consistent decrease ...
Surgical management of advanced degenerative arthritis of temporomandibular joint with metal fossa-eminence hemijoint replacement prosthesis: an 8-year retrospective pilot study.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was 2-fold: to evaluate the surgical outcome and surgical morbidity of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) metal fossa-eminence hemijoint prosthesis replacement, implanted in patients with degenerative arthritis, and to establish whether future, more rigorous clinical trial assessment of the hemijoint replacement is warranted. Materials and methods Eighty-four patients (79 females and 5 males) involving 108 joints (60 unilateral, 24 bilateral) were operated on, and 112 joint metal fossa-eminence prostheses were placed. Information was gathered from patient response questionnaires and clinicoradiographic medical chart review. Change in pain intensity (preoperative versus current) was measured by 2 methods: 1) pain experience (1 to 6) and 2) pain intensity (visual analog scale, 1 to 10). Chewing ability, jaw opening, and joint noise were evaluated (visual analog scales, 1 to 10). Surgical morbidity and implant survival were documented. Results The average period from initial TMJ symptoms to metal fossa-eminence implant surgery was 12.3 years. The average number of previous TMJ surgeries was 1.9. Pain was reduced 56% and 61.2% by 2 methods. Chewing ability, jaw opening, and joint noise were improved by 53.4%, 50.2%, and 64%, respectively. Nine of 112 implants were explanted during the study period. Patient satisfaction for the clinical outcome was 8.3 on a scale of 0 to 10. Conclusion The surgical placement of the Co-Cr-Mo metal fossa-eminence prosthesis (partial joint replacement) provides significant focal preauricular pain relief and reduces TMJ dysfunction secondary to advanced degenerative arthritis. The results of this case series supports further investigation of this form of surgical management in a rigorously controlled prospective fashion.
Moral Rationalization and the Integration of Situational Factors and Psychological Processes in Immoral Behavior

Moral rationalization is an individual’s ability to reinterpret his or her immoral actions as, in fact, moral. It arises out of a conflict of motivations and a need to see the self as moral. This article presents a model of evil behavior demonstrating how situational factors that obscure moral relevance can interact with moral rationalization and lead to a violation of moral principles. Concepts such as cognitive dissonance and selfaffirmation are used to explain the processes underlying moral rationalization, and different possible methods of moral rationalization are described. Also, research on moral rationalization and its prevention is reviewed. Religious scholars, philosophers, and laypeople alike have been puzzled for centuries over the problem of evil. When horrendous atrocities such as the Holocaust occur, people scramble for explanations, but they seem to raise more questions than answers. How could a group like the Nazis get away with such extreme immorality? Why did entire societies seem to close their eyes to the evil around them? How can we act to prevent such moral monstrosities in the future? To answer these questions, people often turn
Analyzing Properties of Dyads Determinants of Similarity of Marijuana Use in Adolescent Friendship Dyads

Similarit between members of dyads has been studied for a variety of attributes, but not much is known about how similarity varies as a function of dyad charac teristics One reason for this is the existence of methodological problems that have restricted the analy ses of similarity. In this article, a multinomial logistic regression method is presented which allows the examination of similarity as a function of multiple independent variables. As an applic ation of the method, data on similarity of marijuana use among 1,367 adolescent frienciship dyads are analyzed Intensity of friendship bond is the only significant predictor of variability on similarity.
A distributed transmission power control protocol for mobile ad hoc networks

In this paper, we propose a comprehensive solution for power control in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). Our solution emphasizes the interplay between the MAC and network layers, whereby the MAC layer indirectly influences the selection of the next-hop by properly adjusting the power of route request packets. This is done while maintaining network connectivity. Channel-gain information obtained mainly from overheard RTS and CTS packets is used to dynamically construct the network topology. Unlike the IEEE 802.11 approach and previously proposed schemes, ours does not use the RTS/CTS packets to silence the neighboring nodes. Instead, collision avoidance information is inserted in the CTS packets and sent over an out-of-band control channel. This information is used to dynamically bound the transmission power of potentially interfering nodes in the vicinity of a receiver. By properly estimating the required transmission power for data packets, our protocol allows for interference-limited simultaneous transmissions to take place in the neighborhood of a receiving node. Simulation results indicate that, compared to the IEEE 802.11 approach, the proposed protocol achieves a significant increase in the channel utilization and end-to-end network throughput and a significant decrease in the total energy consumption.
An investigation of heat and mass transfer between air and desiccant film in an inclined parallel and counter flow channels

Abstract Heat and mass transfer between air and falling desiccant film is investigated for inclined parallel and counter flow configurations. Two different configurations are proposed and parametrically analyzed. Effect of inclination angle is examined to study enhancements in dehumidification and cooling processes of the air and regeneration of liquid desiccant in terms of pertinent parameters. Cu-ultrafine particles are also added to the desiccant film to investigate the enhancement in heat and mass transfer between the air and the desiccant film. The pertinent parameters are air and desiccant Reynolds numbers, inlet conditions for both air and liquid desiccant, Cu-ultrafine particles volume fraction, and thermal dispersion. It is shown that inclination angle plays a significant role in enhancing the dehumidification, cooling, and regeneration processes.
Technical writing and computer programming

It is argued that technical writing and computer programming are based on similar principles, perhaps because both are mechanisms for efficiently organizing and communicating complex information. Both technical writing and programming are multistep processes involving planning, drafting, and revising. Moreover, six key aspects of computer programming (modularity, modifiability, user interface, failsafe presentation, style, and debugging) have analogs among such technical writing principles and practices as report sectioning, audience analysis and adaptation, and editing. These similarities are discussed and a course that builds on these likenesses to teach technical writing to programming students is described. >
How circuit size affects parallelism

The author addresses the issue of how well circuit parallelism scales with circuit size. Empirical studies using a single representation, switch-level, and two different timing models are presented. The results show that, in general, parallelism does not scale linearly with circuit size, and that the relationship between parallelism and circuit size is much more complex. The author first describes the simulators and methodology used to measure circuit parallelism. The circuit parallelism and percentage of parallelism of nine circuits, ranging in size from 200 to 61600 transistors, are described. Parallelism measurements from different instances of three circuit families are presented to show that, even within circuit families, relative parallelism is not constant for different instances. >
Design, implementation, and evaluation of duplicate transfer detection in HTTP

Organizations use Web caches to avoid transferring the same data twice over the same path. Numerous studies have shown that forward proxy caches, in practice, incur miss rates of at least 50%. Traditional Web caches rely on the reuse of responses for given URLs. Previous analyses of real-world traces have revealed a complex relationship between URLs and reply payloads, and have shown that this complexity frequently causes redundant transfers to caches. For example, redundant transfers may result if a payload is aliased (accessed via different URLs), or if a resource rotates (alternates between different values), or if HTTP's cache revalidation mechanisms are not fully exploited. We implement and evaluate a technique known in the literature as Duplicate Transfer Detection (DTD), with which a Web cache can use digests to detect and potentially eliminate all redundant payload transfers. We show how HTTP can support DTD with few or no protocol changes, and how a DTD-enabled proxy cache can interoperate with unmodified existing origin servers and browsers, thereby permitting incremental deployment. We present both simulated and experimental results that quantify the benefits of DTD.
Refinery Optimization Integrated with a Nonlinear Crude Distillation Unit Model

Abstract In this paper, the problem of optimal crude oil procurement combined with refinery operations is addressed to obtain an ɛ–global optimal solution. Rather than the traditional planning and scheduling methodologies relying on linear programming (LP), a nonlinear model using Geddes fractional index (FI) is employed to describe the behavior of the crude distillation unit (CDU) and integrated with the entire plant-wide model. Although this representation provides more accurate prediction of the real production of the refinery than the conventional fixed yield approach, its global optimization becomes more difficult owing to the existence of many nonlinear, non-convex terms. To overcome this challenge, advanced interval reduction techniques are developed and combined with state-of-the-art global optimization software to obtain an e–global optimal solution more efficiently. The optimization and comparison are conducted to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
4D subject-specific inverse modeling of the chick embryonic heart outflow tract hemodynamics

Blood flow plays a critical role in regulating embryonic cardiac growth and development, with altered flow leading to congenital heart disease. Progress in the field, however, is hindered by a lack of quantification of hemodynamic conditions in the developing heart. In this study, we present a methodology to quantify blood flow dynamics in the embryonic heart using subject-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. While the methodology is general, we focused on a model of the chick embryonic heart outflow tract (OFT), which distally connects the heart to the arterial system, and is the region of origin of many congenital cardiac defects. Using structural and Doppler velocity data collected from optical coherence tomography, we generated 4D ( $$\hbox {3D}\,+\,\hbox {time}$$ ) embryo-specific CFD models of the heart OFT. To replicate the blood flow dynamics over time during the cardiac cycle, we developed an iterative inverse-method optimization algorithm, which determines the CFD model boundary conditions such that differences between computed velocities and measured velocities at one point within the OFT lumen are minimized. Results from our developed CFD model agree with previously measured hemodynamics in the OFT. Further, computed velocities and measured velocities differ by $$<$$ 15 % at locations that were not used in the optimization, validating the model. The presented methodology can be used in quantifications of embryonic cardiac hemodynamics under normal and altered blood flow conditions, enabling an in-depth quantitative study of how blood flow influences cardiac development.
Nonlinear Optical Propagation in Zero Index Materials

Phase-matching is critical for coherent nonlinear optical processes, allowing nonlinear sources to combine constructively, resulting in more efficient emission. We experimentally demonstrate phase mismatch-free nonlinear propagation in a bulk zero index metamaterial.
Laboratory Approach to Secondary Teacher Professional Development: Impacting Teacher Behavior and Student Engagement

Abstract The Literacy Lab Professional Development provided a laboratory approach to professional development for 42 high school teachers in two schools. Three main activities included: (1) planning and professional development days, (2) lab and professional development days, and (3) individual coaching. The targets of the Literacy Lab Professional Development and its associated guiding questions focused on student engagement and understanding, teaching students how to make meaning from text, teaching students to write, and the structures, systems, routines, and rituals needed to create a classroom culture of thinking and learning. Results from this study point to positive differences between participating and matched-nonparticipating teachers in their instruction, student grouping, nature of tasks, task demands, types of knowledge expectations, personalization, tone, and authority structures.
Green marketing and consumerism as social change in China: Analyzing the literature

Abstract China has faced environmental concerns due to its increased economic growth. Corporations are under various pressures to address environmental issues and may be critical to social change in China. Competitive advantage from building green markets and green consumers can occur as social mores and norms evolve. Sustainable consumption can also be managed through green marketing and green consumerism efforts. This paper reviews the emergent research on green marketing and consumerism in China. A total 52 peer reviewed journal publications are identified and reviewed from a variety of journals ranging from technological to marketing based journals. A conceptual framework has been used to identify gaps and future research directions based on marketing strategy, industrial sector, international comparisons, and green consumerism, all of which play a role in society and its sustainability. This work is the first to analyze green marketing and consumerism in China.
Diguanylate cyclase activity of the Mycobacterium leprae T cell antigen ML1419c.

The second messenger, bis-(3′,5′)-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (cyclic di-GMP), is involved in the control of multiple bacterial phenotypes, including those that impact host–pathogen interactions. Bioinformatics analyses predicted that Mycobacterium leprae, an obligate intracellular bacterium and the causative agent of leprosy, encodes three active diguanylate cyclases. In contrast, the related pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis encodes only a single diguanylate cyclase. One of the M. leprae unique diguanylate cyclases (ML1419c) was previously shown to be produced early during the course of leprosy. Thus, functional analysis of ML1419c was performed. The gene encoding ML1419c was cloned and expressed in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 to allow for assessment of cyclic di-GMP production and cyclic di-GMP-mediated phenotypes. Phenotypic studies revealed that ml1419c expression altered colony morphology, motility and biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa PAO1 in a manner consistent with increased cyclic di-GMP production. Direct measurement of cyclic di-GMP levels by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry confirmed that ml1419c expression increased cyclic di-GMP production in P. aeruginosa PAO1 cultures in comparison to the vector control. The observed phenotypes and increased levels of cyclic di-GMP detected in P. aeruginosa expressing ml1419c could be abrogated by mutation of the active site in ML1419c. These studies demonstrated that ML1419c of M. leprae functions as diguanylate cyclase to synthesize cyclic di-GMP. Thus, this protein was renamed DgcA (Diguanylate cyclase A). These results also demonstrated the ability to use P. aeruginosa as a heterologous host for characterizing the function of proteins involved in the cyclic di-GMP pathway of a pathogen refractory to in vitro growth, M. leprae.
Sensitivity of XCAL double difference approach to ocean surface emissivity and its impact on inter-calibration in GPM constellation

A robust XCAL double difference (DD) approach for radiometric calibration has been successfully applied between the TRMM Microwave Imager, TMI, (previous calibration transfer standard for NASA's Precipitation Measuring Mission) and a number of precipitation measuring radiometers in polar sun-synchronous orbits. Now that the TRMM Mission has ended (April 2015), the radiometric transfer standard was changed from TMI to the current GPM Microwave Imager (GMI). The use of an ocean radiative transfer model (RTM) is an integral part of our XCAL DD approach. Because the RTM physics is imperfect and because the environmental parameters are likewise only estimates of their true values, it is important to assess the sensitivity of the derived brightness temperature biases to these limitations. Therefore, in this paper, we conduct the inter-calibration between GMI and other constellation satellite microwave radiometers using the XCAL DD approach with two different ocean surface emissivity models. Results are presented that demonstrate the robustness of the XCAL DD approach for multiple instruments over a wide range of channel frequencies.
On the generation of large-scale eddy-driven patterns: the average eddy model

A theoretical model is developed which illustrates the dynamics of the spontaneous generation of large-scale structures in baroclinically unstable eddying flows. Techniques of asymptotic multiscale analysis are used to identify instabilities resulting from the positive feedback of the background eddies on large-scale perturbations. The novelty of the proposed approach lies in the choice of a dynamically consistent time-dependent background eddy field, which is taken from simulations of baroclinic instability in the Phillips two-layer system. The resulting solutions differ considerably from those of traditional multiscale models, in which the background eddy field is represented by steady analytical patterns. The present formulation makes it possible to (i) test the multiscale theory against the corresponding numerical simulations, (ii) unambiguously interpret the key physical processes at play and (iii) rationalize the emergence of large-scale patterns for certain background parameters. While the proposed approach to multiscale modelling is illustrated on a particular example of the Phillips baroclinic instability model, it is our belief that the presented technique is readily adaptable to a wide range of applications.