Network Design Using SMDS and Leased Lines

In this paper we consider designing a high-speed virtual private network using a combination of heterogeneous telecommunication services. In particular, we consider mixing SMDS access lines and point-to-point digital leased lines to construct a virtual private network at minimum cost. We develop a nonlinear combinatorial optimization model and a simulated annealing algorithm to find a high-performance, low-cost network design. We compute lower bounds on cost savings from using mixed services as opposed to pure SMDS based on actual tariffs and realistic traffic.     

p53 immunohistochemical staining predicts residual disease after chemoradiation in patients with high-risk rectal cancer

This study was conducted to investigate the value of p53 immunohistochemical staining of pretreatment biopsy specimens in predicting the response of rectal cancer to chemoradiation. The study group comprised 42 patients with high-risk rectal cancer treated between July 1990 and July 1995 with a preoperative chemoradiation regimen of 45 Gy of external-beam irradiation and continuous-infusion 5-fluorouracil followed by surgical resection. p53 immunohistochemical staining was performed on pretreatment biopsy specimens. p53 immunohistochemical staining pattern and standard clinical and pathological parameters were correlated with extent of residual cancer in the surgical specimen. Twenty tumors were positive for p53 on immunohistochemical staining, 19 were negative, and 3 were focally positive. Thirteen patients experienced a complete response to chemoradiation. Aberrant p53 protein accumulation, as measured by immunohistochemical staining, correlated inversely with a complete pathological response to chemoradiation (P = 0.005; correlation coefficient = -0.43) and directly with an increased likelihood of residual cancer in the lymph nodes of surgical specimens (P = 0.02; correlation coefficient = 0.39). p53 immunohistochemical staining of pretreatment biopsy specimens correlates with the extent of residual disease after chemoradiation in patients with high-risk rectal cancer.     

Sexual self-schema and sexual morbidity among gynecologic cancer survivors.

Longitudinal research indicates that approximately 50% of women treated for gynecologic cancer have sexual dysfunctions as they recover and become cancer survivors. This outcome occurs in the context of satisfactory quality of life in other domains. This study, comparing gynecologic cancer survivors (n?=?61) and gynecologically healthy women (n?=?74), documents the reliability of the latter observations with measures of quality of life (general, depressive symptoms, social contacts, and stress), sexual functioning, and health. Of added importance are analyses focused on variables that may predict risk for sexual morbidity. Specifically, sexual self-schema is tested as an important, sexually relevant individual difference. In regression analyses that controlled for estimates of precancer sexual behavior (intercourse frequency), extent of disease–treatment, and menopausal symptoms, sexual self-schema accounted for significant variance in predicting current sexual behavior and responsiveness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Response bias and the process-dissociation procedure": Correction to Yonelinas and Jacoby (1996).

Reports an error in the original article by A. P. Yonelinas and L. L. Jacoby (Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 1996, Vol 125[4], 422–434). On page 433, Appendix A, the equations were presented incorrectly. The correct reading of the equations is provided. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 84-06353.) Two different approaches for treating response bias in the process-dissociation procedure were assessed: a multinomial approach proposed by A. Buchner et al (see record 1995-31816-001) and a dual-process, signal-detection approach proposed by A. P. Yonelinas et al (see record 1996-29360-001). The authors examined data presented by Buchner et al and found that, although the signal-detection-based model worked slightly better than the multinomial model, the data did not provide a strong test of either model. However, an examination of other recognition data showed that the multinomial model produced distorted estimates of recollection and familiarity, and it was unable to account for observed receiver operating characteristics (ROCs). In contrast, the dual-process, signal detection model produced unbiased estimates and was able to account for the observed ROCs.… (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interpersonal, job, and individual factors related to helping processes at work.

Nurses and support staff (N?=?465; mostly women) participated in a survey study examining the relationships among helping, help seeking, quality of work relationships, and job and individual factors. The results were consistent with a model that linked relationship quality and helping behavior and linked 1 person's help seeking and the other's helping. The results were also consistent with a model that linked relationship quality and an individual's judgments about the costs of seeking help. Finally, there was support for relationships between help seeking and job demands and task interdependence, suggesting indirect relationships with helping. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An Assessment of the Double-Notch Shear Test for Interlaminar Shear Characterization of a Unidirectional Graphite/Epoxy under Static and Fatigue Loading

This research explores a modified testing technique for measuring interlaminar shear properties of orthotropic composite materials. An existing test method (double-notched test method) is examined here to characterize the interlaminar shear properties (strength and fatigue life) of a unidirectional ply under both static and fatigue loading conditions. No complicated fixture is required for the testing method which is beneficial for fatigue testing of the materials. The testing method is verified by a finite element technique where an optimized geometry for the specimen is found. AS4/3501-6 graphite/epoxy material is used in this study. The experimental results show that final failure occurs in the gage area for both static and fatigue loading conditions. Moreover, a reasonable amount of scatter for both the static strength and fatigue life is achieved.     

Process and outcome research in the treatment of adult victims of childhood sexual abuse: Methodological issues.

Distinguishes between process and outcome research, describes areas within process and outcome research that would be applicable to studying adult survivors of sexual abuse, and identifies methodological issues in these research areas. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Situations and moods associated with smoking in everyday life.

On 4 days, in everyday situations, 21 female and 26 male smokers used an electronic diary to record situations and moods at times of smoking and at control nonsmoking occasions. Self-reports of particular locations, activities, posture, consumption, social context, moods, and internal states were specifically associated with smoking. Real-time assessments in everyday situations provide useful information about the interplay of environmental factors and internal states in smoking. The findings suggest that conditioning and learning processes play a role in smoking and should be considered in smoking cessation programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Feedback Method of Control for Estuary Management

A feedback method of control has been used to develop a model for optimal determination of freshwater inflow to bays and estuaries. A modification of the feedback method of control was implemented which makes the technique applicable to certain constrained optimal control problems. The modified feedback model for estuary management consists of a hydrodynamic-transport salinity model, HYD-SAL, coupled to a dynamic programming optimization model. The constraints of the model are the monthly freshwater inflows and the salinities. A quadratic criterion representing a weighted sum of squared deviations from target salinity and freshwater level is chosen as the objective function. The constrained optimal control algorithm employs a penalty function that uses a similar quadratic criterion as the objective function. This algorithm has performed efficiently for computing the optimal freshwater inflows into the Lavaca-Tres Palacios Estuary in Texas while satisfying the freshwater requirements for other components in the system.     

Group decision making: How you frame the question determines what you find.

Though not arguing against the practical value of group decision making per se, R. S. Tindale and J. R. Larson (see record 1992-19783-001) used data from computer simulations and an 8-group replication study as a basis for questioning the validity of the findings reported by the present authors (see record 1990-04483-001). The authors show that Tindale and Larson's application of computer simulations is suspect, that the replication-study data is so limited that its significance is questionable, that its operational definition of an assembly bonus effect is restrictive to the point that it has little meaning in real-world settings, and that claims with respect to the performance of ad hoc laboratory groups are inflated and misleading. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)