cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-Esteem and Social Interaction Anxiety in Cyberbullied Adolescents

The objective of the present study was to determine whether there is any relationship between self-esteem and social interaction anxiety in cyberbullied and non-cyberbullied adolescent boys and girls. This study also aimed to determine whether there is any effect of cyberbullying and gender on self-esteem and social interaction anxiety of the adolescents. Furthermore, the present research went on to explore whether there is any difference between the cyberbullied boys and girls with respect to self-esteem and social interaction anxiety. A randomly selected sample of 480 adolescents, between the age range of 16 19 years, were administered the Cyberbullying and Aggression Survey Instrument (Hinduja & Patchin, 2014) to screen those who were cyberbullied. Based on their responses, 60 cyberbullied (30 boys and 30 girls) and 60 non-cyberbullied (30 boys and 30 girls) were selected for the present study. Thereafter, the Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1963) and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (Mattick, & Clarke, 1998) was administered to them. Results indicated that there is a significant negative correlation between self-esteem and social interaction anxiety in the cyberbullied girls. Moreover, the findings revealed that the non-cyberbullied adolescents had significantly higher self-esteem than the cyberbullied adolescents, and the cyberbullied adolescents had significantly higher levels of social interaction anxiety than the non-cyberbullied adolescents. Furthermore, the study reported that the cyberbullied boys had significantly higher self-esteem than the cyberbullied girls. Thus, the outcomes of studies such as this are surely indicative of the need for some degree of adult guidance and supervision with regard to adolescents' online activities and engagements, as that may prove to be helpful in channelizing their interests in more constructive than destructive ways.
The Effect of Sleeping Environment and Sleeping Location Change on Positive Airway Pressure Adherence.

Study Objectives:Poor adherence undermines the effectiveness of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy for sleep apnea. Disparities exist in PAP adherence by race/ethnicity and neighborhood socioec...
Intravenous administration of multipotent stromal cells and bone allograft modification to enhance allograft healing

Aim: This study investigated a coordinated strategy of revitalizing bone allograft with circulating multipotent stromal cells (MSCs). Materials & methods: After chemotactic and releasing assessments, stromal cell-derived factor 1 and platelet-derived growth factor BB in copolymers were coated on the bone allograft (AlloS-P). Allograft coated with copolymers alone (Allo), as controls, or AlloS-P was implanted into the femur of athymic mice, which received intravenous injections of human MSCs or saline at weeks 1, 2 and 3. Results: At week 8, the total callus volume (both cartilaginous and bony callus) around the allograft was the largest in the AlloS-P + MSC group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Coating bone allograft with stromal cell-derived factor 1 and platelet-derived growth factor BB and intravenous injections of MSCs improved allograft incorporation.
PREDICTORS OF LOW CARDIAC INDEX IN SUBMASSIVE PULMONARY EMBOLISM

Despite normal blood pressure (BP), patients with submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) are at significant risk of morbidity and mortality. We sought to evaluate echocardiographic and invasive hemodynamic parameters to aid in risk stratification of patients with submassive PE. We retrospectively
Beyond Depression: Estimating 12-Months Prevalence of Passive Suicidal Ideation in Mid- and Late-Life in the Health and Retirement Study.

ABSTRACT Objectives To provide valid estimates of the 12-month prevalence of passive suicidal ideation among older adults, without conditioning on depression status, using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Methods Data come from the 2012 HRS (n = 17,434) and 2004/5 Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) Study (n = 755). In the HRS, passive suicidal ideation (i.e., thought a lot about death—your own, someone else's, or death in general) is only assessed on respondents who reported dysphoria/anhedonia; in the ECA, ideation is assessed on all respondents, regardless of depression. We compare two approaches to estimating the 12-month prevalence of passive suicidal ideation in the HRS without conditioning on depression symptoms: 1) a probit selection model within the HRS, and 2) a prediction model developed using appended ECA data applied to the HRS. Results Using observed data alone on those who screened positive for depression, 6% of older adults reported passive suicidal ideation in the past year. Depending on the approach used, between 5.4% and 9.2% of HRS respondents who screened negative for depression would have reported passive suicidal ideation had they been assessed. Correcting for this selection bias, between 10.9% and 13.4% of U.S. adults over age 50 experienced passive suicidal ideation in 2012. Conclusions Population surveillance of suicidal ideation among older adults is biased by survey approaches that only assess ideation in the context of depression.
The impact of preoperative anxiety, depression, and chronic pain on outcomes in abdominal wall reconstruction

An association of anxiety with surgical outcomes has been suggested, including with open ventral hernia repair (OVHR). This study examines the interaction of multiple comorbidities, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and hernia characteristics with outcomes after OVHR. Patients with anxiety were identified in an existing, prospectively collected, data set of OVHR with preoperative work-up including CT scans (2007–2018). A patient with a diagnosis or prescription for anxiolytics, anti-depressants, or narcotics was considered to have anxiety, depression, or chronic pain, respectively. Hernia characteristics were analyzed using 3D volumetric software. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess for the impact of anxiety on surgical outcomes. A total of 1178 OVHRs were identified. The diagnosis of anxiety (23.9%) was associated with female gender (29.1% females vs. 16.9% males, p = 0.002), depression (56.7 vs. 18.8%, p < 0.0001), preoperative chronic pain (43.6 vs. 26.9%, p < 0.0001), COPD, arrhythmia, history of MRSA, and sleep apnea (p ≤ 0.05 all values). Patients with anxiety had larger hernia volume and defect size, and were more likely to undergo component separation, with higher rates of wound complication and intervention for pain (p ≤ 0.05 all values). After multivariate analysis controlling for multiple potentially confounding factors, the comorbidities of anxiety, depression, and preoperative chronic pain were not found to be significantly associated with adverse outcomes. The diagnosis of anxiety is associated with preoperative comorbidity, surgical complexity, and adverse outcomes after OVHR. However, when comorbidities are controlled for, the diagnosis of anxiety, depression or preoperative pain does not independently predict adverse outcomes. In this context, anxiety may be considered a marker of patient comorbidity in a complex patient population.
Left ventricular mass and myocardial scarring in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Aims Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) predict future cardiovascular events. We aim to investigate relations between HDP history and subsequent hypertension (HTN), myocardial structure and function, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) scar. Methods and results We evaluated a prospective cohort of women with suspected ischaemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) who underwent stress/rest cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) with LGE in the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction study. Self-reported history of pregnancy and HDP (gestational HTN, pre-eclampsia, toxaemia and eclampsia) were collected at enrollment. In our cohort of 346, 20% of women report a history of HDP. HDP history was associated with 3.2-fold increased odds of HTN. Women with a history of both HDP and HTN had higher cMRI measured left ventricular (LV) mass compared with women with HDP only (99.4±2.6 g vs 87.7±3.2 g, p=0.02). While we found a similar frequency of LGE scar, we observed a trend towards increased LGE scar size (5.1±3.4 g vs 8.0±3.4 g, p=0.09) among the women with HDP history compared to women without. Conclusion In a high-risk cohort of women with suspected INOCA, 20% had a history of HDP. Women with HDP history were more likely to develop HTN. Our study demonstrates higher LV mass in women with HDP and concomitant HTN. Although the presence of LGE scar was not different in women with and without HDP history, we observed a trend towards larger scar size in women with HDP. Future studies are needed to better assess the relationship of HDP and cardiac morphology and LGE scarring in a larger cohort of women.
Wideband Microstrip Patch Antennas with Transverse Electric Modes

A wideband microstrip patch antenna, exciting the fundamental transverse electric (TE) mode, is investigated. The excitation of the TE mode is facilitated through replacing both of the patch and ground plane of a conventional microstrip antenna with artificial magnetic conductors (AMC), consisting of unipolar compact photonic bandgap (UC-PBG) unit cells. The AMC patch and the ground plane of this antenna behave as magnetic conductors within the bandgap region of the unit cells. Similar to conventional patch antennas, it is shown that by cutting a U-shaped slot in the AMC patch, wideband characteristics are realized. The antenna shows a 40% impedance bandwidth and operates at the TE10 mode. Moreover, the width of the patch is 1.75 times smaller than its length, reducing the overall size of the antenna by about 60%, compared with the conventional U-slot PEC antenna supporting the transverse magnetic (TM) mode.
Elastic and fracture behavior of three-dimensional ply-to-ply angle interlock woven composites: Through-thickness, size effect, and multiaxial tests

Abstract This work presents a comprehensive investigation of the elastic and fracture behavior of ply-to-ply angle interlock three-dimensional woven composites. The research investigated novel splitting and wedge-driven out-of-plane fracture tests to shed light on the tensile fracture behavior in the thickness direction and to provide estimates of the out-of-plane tensile strength and fracture energy. In addition, size effect tests on geometrically-scaled Single Edge Notch Tension (SENT) specimens were performed to fully characterize the intra-laminar fracture energy of the material and to study the scaling of structural strength in this type of three-dimensional composites. The results confirmed that size effect in the structural strength of these materials is significant. In fact, even if the range of sizes investigated was broader than in any previous size effect study on traditional laminated composites and two-dimensional textile composites, all the experimental data fell in the transition zone between quasi-ductile and brittle behavior. This implies strong damage tolerance of the investigated three-dimensional composites. The analysis of the data via Bažant’s Type II Size Effect Law (SEL) enabled the objective characterization of the intra-laminar fracture energy of three-dimensional composites for the first time. Finally, Arcan rig tests combined with X-ray micro-computed tomography allowed unprecedented insights on the different damage mechanisms under multi-axial nominal loading conditions, particularly tension-dominated and shear-dominated conditions.
Effects of exercise training on redox stress resilience in young and older adults

Abstract Purpose Perturbations in redox homeostasis can lead to physiological dysfunction and impaired stress resilience. This randomized controlled trial investigated whether aerobic exercise training could improve redox stress resilience measured by the response to a non-exercise redox stressor (forearm ischemia/reperfusion; I/R trial) in young and older men and women. We hypothesized that older adults would have impaired responses to redox perturbations, but that exercise training would reverse the dysfunction. Methods Young (18-28yo, n=21) and older (60-77yo, n=19) men and women were randomized to 8-week exercise training (ET; 3 d/wk, 45 min/day) or a non-exercise control group (CON). Aerobic capacity was measured by VO2 peak test on a cycle ergometer. Plasma F2-isoprostane responses to the I/R trial were measured across 7 time points: pre-trial, and 15-, 30-, 60-, 120-, 180-, and 240-minutes post-trial. The I/R trial was completed before and after the 8-week exercise intervention or control arm. Results There were no significant differences in I/R trial responses across age, sex, or groups randomized to training or control. Exercise training significantly improved I/R trial response compared to controls (p Conclusions These data demonstrate that the beneficial effects of moderate exercise in previously inactive adults elicit increased redox capacity that translates to an improved response to a non-exercise redox stressor regardless of age or sex. Furthermore, greater improvements in aerobic fitness resulted in greater resilience to the I/R-induced redox stress. ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03419988
Restrictions and Extensions

We consider a number of statements involving re s triction s and extension s of algebras, and derive connections with large cardinal axioms.
Melanopsin phototransduction: beyond canonical cascades.

Melanopsin is a visual pigment that is expressed in a small subset of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). It is involved in regulating non-image forming visual behaviors, such as circadian photoentrainment and the pupillary light reflex, while also playing a role in many aspects of image-forming vision, such as contrast sensitivity. Melanopsin was initially discovered in the melanophores of the skin of the frog Xenopus, and subsequently found in a subset of ganglion cells in rat, mouse and primate retinas. ipRGCs were initially thought to be a single retinal ganglion cell population, and melanopsin was thought to activate a single, invertebrate-like Gq/transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC)-based phototransduction cascade within these cells. However, in the 20 years since the discovery of melanopsin, our knowledge of this visual pigment and ipRGCs has expanded dramatically. Six ipRGC subtypes have now been identified in the mouse, each with unique morphological, physiological and functional properties. Multiple subtypes have also been identified in other species, suggesting that this cell type diversity is a general feature of the ipRGC system. This diversity has led to a renewed interest in melanopsin phototransduction that may not follow the canonical Gq/TRPC cascade in the mouse or in the plethora of other organisms that express the melanopsin photopigment. In this Review, we discuss recent findings and discoveries that have challenged the prevailing view of melanopsin phototransduction as a single pathway that influences solely non-image forming functions.
The Effects of Neutral Salts and Nucleotides on the Stability of Beef Heart Mitochondrial F1-ATPase

Analysis of upwards of 30 preparations of beef heart mitochondrial F1-ATPase by size exclusion HPLC revealed that these highly purified enzyme preparations contain, on the average, 10 to 15% dissociated enzyme, or inactive polymers. In a few preparations, most notably several chloroform extracts (Spitsberg and Blair, 1977), as much as 50% of the total protein consists of subunits and high molecular weight aggregates. Despite the well known propensity of the major beef heart F1 subunitsa to form a white insoluble precipitate (e.g. Knowles and Penefsky, 1972), crystal clear solutions containing upwards of 2 mg/ml disaggregated subunits, as well as native F1, may be obtained at room temperature. The cold lability of the enzyme is well known, and it might be surmised that dissociation occurs during long term storage at reduced temperatures. However no obvious correlation was found between the age of a particular F1 preparation and the extent of dissociation.
How Languages Work: An Introduction to Language and Linguistics

Language is a sophisticated tool which we use to communicate in a multitude of ways. Updated and expanded in its second edition, this book introduces language and linguistics - presenting language in all its amazing complexity while systematically guiding you through the basics. The reader will emerge with an appreciation of the diversity of the world's languages, as well as a deeper understanding of the structure of human language, the ways it is used, and its broader social and cultural context. Part I is devoted to the nuts and bolts of language study - speech sounds, sound patterns, sentence structure, and meaning - and includes chapters dedicated to the functional aspects of language: discourse, prosody, pragmatics, and language contact. The fourteen language profiles included in Part II reveal the world's linguistic variety while expanding on the similarities and differences between languages. Using knowledge gained from Part I, the reader can explore how language functions when speakers use it in daily interaction. With a step-by-step approach that is reinforced with well-chosen illustrations, case studies, and study questions, readers will gain understanding and analytical skills that will only enrich their ongoing study of language and linguistics.
Finding Partisanship Where We Least Expect it: Evidence of Partisan Bias in a New African Democracy

Much of the literature on political behavior in Africa’s new semi-democracies has treated partisan affiliation as weak, purely pragmatic, or a proxy for other, more meaningful identities such as ethnicity. In this article, I dispute these conceptions by demonstrating that partisanship in an African context, like partisanship in established democracies, is a psychologically meaningful identity that can inspire voters to engage in motivated reasoning. By combining survey data with an original dataset of objective indicators of local public goods quality in Uganda, I show that supporters of the incumbent president systematically overestimate what they have received from government, while opposition supporters systematically underestimate. Partisan support precedes, rather than results from, this mis-estimation. I also show that partisans of the incumbent (opposition) are significantly more (less) likely to attribute any bad outcomes they observe to private actors rather than the government. I argue that these findings are consistent with the predictions of social identity theory: the conflict that marked many African political transitions, and the mapping of African parties onto existing social cleavages, are sufficient conditions for the creation of strong political-social identities like those that characterize partisanship in the West. My findings indicate that Africanists should take partisanship seriously as a predictor of political behavior and attitudes.
Governance and Technology Systems: The Challenge of Emerging Technologies

Technological change at current scale is not a series of isolated events, but a movement towards new, locally stable, earth systems states. These states integrate natural, environmental, cultural, theological, institutional, financial, managerial, technological, built and human dimensions, and change worldviews, and cultural and moral values. While technologies do not define these integrated earth system states, except by convenience, they are an important destabilizing force across society, generating not just new opportunities but also continuing transition costs. Moreover, because technologies create such powerful comparative advantages as between cultures, those cultures that attempt to block technology will, all things equal, eventually be dominated by those that embrace it. The implications of these dynamics, taken together, is that technological evolution will be difficult, if not impossible, to stop or even manage effectively. How to respond ethically, rationally, and responsibly to technological change is, therefore, both a difficult research question and a serious practical challenge to our existing legal and governance institutions.
Cefotaxime pharmacokinetics and treatment of meningitis in neonates.

Pharmacokinetic studies on cefotaxime/desacetylcefotaxime were carried out in very low birth weight newborns (n=18; 500–1500 g; 28.4±2.4 weeks gestational age) during the first week of life. We have previously reported that the elimination t 1/2 of cefotaxime (3.4–6.4 h) and desacetylcefotaxime (9.4 h) was longer than previously described in term infants and children. In very low birth weight neonates, a single 50 mg/kg daily dose of cefotaxime may produce accumulation of the metabolite desacetylcefotaxime in serum. In a non-comparative prospective clinical trail, 22 infants (one week — three months) were treated for gram-negative enteric bacillary meningitis with cefotaxime at a dosage of 50 mg/kg/day. The predominant pathogen wasEscherichia coli in 14 cases andEnterobacter cloacae in four cases. Cultures of the cerebrospinal fluid obtained 24–48 h after the initiation of treatment were sterile in all subjects. Survival and complication rates of 95% and 19%, respectively, were observed. This compared favorably to previously published experiences with alternative treatment regimens for neonatal gram-negative enteric meningitis. In both the pharmacokinetic and meningitis studies, the safety profile for cefotaxime was excellent with no adverse reactions.
Ab initio study of long-range electron transfer between biphenyl anion radical and naphthalene

After the separation of the donor, the acceptor, and the σ-type bridge from the π-σ-π system, the geometries of biphenyl, biphenyl anion radical, naphthalene, and naphthalene anion radical are optimized, and then the reorganization energy for the intermolecular electron transfer (ET) at the levels of HF/4-31G and HF/DZP is calculated. The ET matrix elements of the self-exchange reactions of theπ-σ-π systems have been calculated by means of both the direct calculation based on the variational principle, and the transition energy between the molecular orbitals at the linear coordinateR = 0.5. For the cross reactions, the ET matrix element and the geometry of the transition state are determined by searching the minimum energy splitting Δmin along the reaction coordinate. In the evaluation of the solvent reorganization energy of the ET in solution, the Marcus’ two- sphere model has been invoked. A few of ET rate constants for the intramolecular ET reactions for the π-σ-π systems, which contain the biphenylyl as the donor and both biphenylyl and naphthyl as the acceptor, have been obtained.
Rules and Institutions in Developing a Law Market: Views from the U.S. and Europe

Developments in European choice of law seem to offer the US a tantalizing opportunity for escape from the chaos of state-by-state choice-of-law rules. Specifically, the Rome Regulations provide the sort of uniform choice-of-law rules that have eluded the US. Also, decisions of the European Court of Justice that permit firms to adopt home-country rules in some situations seem to facilitate jurisdictional choice by private parties. This top-down ordering of choice-of-law rules contrasts with the seemingly chaotic and decentralized system that prevails in the US. However, decentralized US-style federalism might have something to offer Europe because choice of law in the U.S. has sparked a type of law market that helps constrain inefficient State regulatory efforts. Viewed from the perspective of which system best fosters a market for law, both the US and Europe have advantages that each could learn from the other.
A hybrid approach to characterize adhesion strength of interfaces in an organic substrate

Organic substrates used in flip-chip packaging consist of multiple layers of alternating dielectric and copper layers built around a glass-fiber Core material. These materials have widely different mechanical properties which makes the interfaces between these layers susceptible to delamination. As a result, adhesion between them is a critical mechanical property governing the reliability performance of substrate packages. Developing metrologies which can quantify the adhesive properties of an interface is an essential component of substrate process development. Peel-test is a popular metrology used to characterize adhesion of a film deposited over an underlying material. When inelastic materials are involved (like copper in this case) the peel-force measured is a convoluted function of thickness of the film, mechanical properties of the materials involved, test speed, and the true interfacial properties. Due to this, a clear understanding of the true adhesion strength based solely on experimentation is not possible. Focus of this publication is to utilize mechanical modeling (Finite element analysis) coupled with experimentation to extract the key adhesion metric - the interface fracture energy (Gc). We present our analysis in the case of copper films electroplated on a desmeared dielectric layer. We discuss in detail our findings on the effect of various parameters - peel film thickness, peel velocity, film width on the peel force, from experiments, sample fractography and modeling.
Microwave multiphoton excitation and ionization

Using Rydberg atoms and microwave fields it has been possible to observe virtually all one electron strong field phenomena. The attraction of these experiments is that they can be more controlled than most laser experiments, with the result that more quantitative information can be extracted. The insights gained from these experiments can be profitably transferred to optical experiments. To demonstrate the latter point we demonstrate that apparently non-resonant microwave ionization, in fact, occurs by resonant transitions through intermediate states. These experiments demonstrated clearly the power of Floquet analysis of such processes, and the ideas were subsequently applied to the analogous problem of laser multiphoton ionization.
Design flow of motion based single camera 3D mapping

With the improvements in sensor technologies and image processing algorithms, computer vision has become a major tool for robots to recognize and gauge their surroundings. For instance, the Kinect sensor can be used as an excellent depth camera for indoor navigation. However, there exist situations that need recognition and spatial interpretation of the environment using limited hardware resources. The Kinect is not suitable for outdoor use while LIDAR is too large and expensive to be installed on an autonomous miniature surveillance drone. Therefore, the use of a single camera is the only feasible option for many embedded applications. Hence, this paper examines different Structure from Motion (SfM) implementations, and focus on methods that require only one camera to perform an efficient 3D mapping of a scene.
Sex determination from hand and foot bone lengths.

ABSTRACT: Numerous studies have addressed sex estimation from the hands and feet with varying results. These studies have utilized multiple measurements to determine sex from the hands and feet, including measures of robusticity (e.g., base width and midshaft diameter). However, robusticity measurements are affected by activity, which can disguise underlying patterns of sexual dimorphism. The purpose of this study is to investigate the utility of length measurements of the hands and feet to estimate sex. The sample consists of white females (n=123) and males (n=136) from the Terry Collection. Discriminant function analysis was used to classify individuals by sex. The left hand outperformed both the right hand and foot producing correct classification rates exceeding 80%. Surprisingly, the phalanges were better sex discriminators than either the metacarpals or metatarsals. This study suggests that length measures are more appropriate than robusticity measures for sex estimation.
The logic of modulo 2 k + 1 adders

The design of modulo 2k + 1 adders for arbitrary k is considered, with the objective of achieving a logic structure as regular as possible so as to allow a convenient implementation in large-scale integration technology (LSI). It is shown how the design problem can be reduced to the recursive generation of a subtract signal and to the merging, in various degrees, of the corresponding logic with the logic of an ordinary adder or, alternately, of a so-called signed-carry adder which is defined and designed itself in general, with both recursive and explicit carry schemes. Modulo 2k + 1 adder designs are given, one with conventional adder, another based on signed-carry adder and a third, derived from the signed-carry scheme, where subtract signal generation and carry logic are merged. This last scheme can be set up with two backward recursion chains and five or six forward ones. Two more basic variants are finally indicated for this integrated scheme, aiming at reducing as much as possible the residual logic structure irregularity presented by the most significant position in the word
Simultaneous atrial and nodal tachycardia.

Abstract A case of simultaneous atrial and nodal tachycardia, probably due to digitalis intoxication, is reported. Recovery occurred following the intravenous infusion of potassium chloride. The evolution of the atrial rhythm was similar to that which occurs in digitalis-induced atrial tachycardia with block. Although potassium administration has proved to be valuable in the treatment of arrhythmias due to digitalis toxicity, the mechanisms involved remain obscure.
The electrical changes accompanying fertilization and cortical vesicle secretion in the medaka egg.

Abstract The electrical properties of the egg of the medaka, Oryzias latipes , were studied before, during, and after fertilization. The resting potential of the unfertilized egg averaged −39 ± 9 mV in Yamamoto's Ringers (Y. Ringers), but 20% of the values were between −50 and −60 mV. Fertilization triggers a small depolarization of 4 ± 3 mV in 10% Y. Ringers with an average duration of 20 ± 10 sec. The amplitude of this depolarization is independent of [Na + ] o , [Ca 2+ ] o , and [Cl − ] o , so it appears to be due to a nonspecific leak triggered by sperm-egg fusion. The depolarization is followed by a longer hyperpolarizing phase with an average amplitude of 31 ± 12 mV. Recovery from this hyperpolarization has a fast phase lasting 155 ± 18 sec, followed by a slower phase which reaches a steady average membrane potential of −19 ± 1 mV by 9 min after fertilization. The membrane resistance falls 10-fold during the first 2 min after fertilization, from 40 (1520 kΩ-cm 2 ) to 3 MΩ. This is largely due to an increase in the K + conductance. At the peak of the hyperpolarization, the membrane potential exhibits a 28 mV/decade [K + ] o dependence and a 6 mV/decade [Na + ] o dependence. The membrane resistance slowly recovers over the next 8 min to a value about 30% larger than before fertilization. The relation of current vs voltage was linear before, during, and after fertilization and indicated a reversal potential of −98 ± 20 mV for the hyperpolarization peak. The egg's capacitance averaged 0.04 ± 0.01 μF (0.9 μF/cm 2 ) before fertilization and approximately doubles within 90 sec after fertilization. It then decreases over a 9-min period, reaching a value 25% smaller than before fertilization.
Speckle reduction in OCT using massively-parallel detection and frequency-domain ranging

Speckle noise significantly limits the information content provided by coherent optical imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography and its recent derivative, optical frequency-domain imaging (OFDI). In this paper, we demonstrate a novel OFDI system that simultaneously acquires hundreds of angularly resolved images, which can be compounded to reduce speckle noise. The system comprises an InGaAs line-scan camera and an interferometer, configured so that the elements of the detector array simultaneously capture light spanning a backscattering angular range of 32 degrees. On successive read-outs of the array, the wavelength of the laser source was stepped through a range of 130 nm centered at 1295 nm to concurrently generate 400 angle-resolved OFDI images. A theory of angle-resolved OFDI and the design equations of the system are presented. Incoherent averaging of the angle-resolved data is shown to yield substantial speckle reduction (as high as an 8 dB SNR improvement) in images of a tissue phantom and esophageal tissue ex vivo.
Effect of Electrostatic Interactions on Crystallization in Binary Colloidal Films

Colloidal crystals are unique building blocks for materials displaying complex nanoscale structures. The realm of architectures obtained through colloidal assembly may potentially be greatly expand...
Race, gender, and age discrepancies in police motor vehicle stops in Knoxville, Tennessee: evidence of racially biased policing?

This paper examines 130,683 automobile stops made by officers of the Knoxville (Tennessee) Police Department (KPD) between January 2001 and December 2004 to determine whether KPD officers engage in racially biased policing. The motor vehicle stops, and what transpires during the stops, are analyzed in terms of the race, gender, and age of the stopped motorists. The authors conclude that these data do not provide clear evidence of racially biased policing.
Mass spectrometry of thermally unstable molecules. Evaluation of ionization techniques using glutamine as a reference compound

A limiting factor in the application of mass spectrometry to biochemically important molecules has been the inability to analyze compounds without inducing thermal decomposition. Glutamine, which readily cyclizes to 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid with loss of ammonia, is one of the more difficult of these non-volatile, thermolabile biomolecules to determine. Using a heated, direct probe, no molecular ion for glutamine was observed with electron impact ionization. A protonated molecular ion was detected with direct probe chemical ionization and thermospray. In both cases, the major ion formed was derived from the thermolysis product, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid. Analysis by fast atom bombardment and 252Cf plasma desorption mass spectrometry yielded a molecular ion as base peak with a small ion from the 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid. Ion evaporation produced only the molecular cations, and collisionally activated dissociation demonstrated that glutamine does not cyclize appreciably once protonated. These results suggest that glutamine can be used as a reference compound when analysis requires the optimization of conditions to produce a molecular ion. Furthermore, the relative intensity of the pyrolytic products, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid derived molecules, divided by the relative intensity of the molecular ions of glutamine provides a numerical evaluation of ionization conditions.
Excess molar volumes of (N, N′-dimethylformamide + an aliphatic alcohol) at 298.15 K

Abstract Excess molar volumes have been determined for N, N′-dimethylformamide + n-decanol, + n-nonanol, + n-octanol, and + n-heptanol at 298.15 K. The excess molar volumes are positive over the whole composition range for all mixtures. The results are discussed in terms of the interactions between the components and the geometrical effects in mixtures.
FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) Pediatric Plan and New Regulations

The lack of appropriate pediatric information in the drug label has long been a concern for pediatricians and other clinicians who serve children, pediatric advocacy groups, regulators, drug sponsors, and academicians dedicated to clinical care and research in children. Many approved drugs are used in the pediatric population without the proper information on dosage, dosing schedules, and potential toxicities. In 1979 FDA published the first pediatric labeling regulations in an attempt to correct this problem. These regulations required sponsors to conduct clinical trials in children before including pediatric information on a drug's label. Clearly, these regulations did not produce the expected results. The new pediatric regulation published in December 1994 eases requirements for sponsors to claim pediatric uses in their drug product labeling. The agency must conclude that the course of the disease and the effects of the drug are sufficiently similar in the pediatric and adult populations to permit extr...
On Strichartz and eigenfunction estimates for low regularity metrics

Abstract. Weproduce,fordimensions n ≥ 3,examplesofwaveoperatorsforwhichtheStrichartzestimatesfail.TheexamplesincludebothLipschitzand C 1 ,α metrics,foreach0 <α< 1,wherebythelatterwemeanthatthe gradient satisﬁes a H¨older condition of order α . We thus concludethat,onthescaleofH¨olderregularity,anassumptionofatleast2boundedderivativesforthemetric(i.e., C 1 , )isnecessaryinordertoassurethattheStrichartzestimateshold.Thesameconstructionalsoyields,fordimensions n ≥ 2, secondorderellipticoperatorswithLipschitzor C 1 ,α coeﬃcientsforwhichcertaineigenfunctionestimates,establishedbythesecondauthorforoperatorswith C ∞ coeﬃcients,failtohold. 1. StrichartzEstimatesWerecallheretheglobalversionoftheStrichartzestimatesonR 1+ n ,fortheEuclideanwaveoperator 2= ∂ t − nj =1 ∂ 2 j . Thesestate(see[St1,2])that,if u solvesthesystemofequations u = F ∈ L 2( n +1) n +3 (R 1+ n ) ,u (0 ,· )= f∈ H 12 (R n ) ,∂ t u (0 ,· )= g∈ H − 12 (R n ) , thenthefollowingestimateholds(1.1) u L 2( n +1) n− 1 (R 1+
Influence of Interfacial Properties of Lipophilic Surfactants on Water-in-Oil Emulsion Stability

The purpose of this study is to investigate interfacial properties of lipophilic nonionic surfactants of the sorbitan fatty acid ester type (Spans 20, 80, 83, and 85) with the aim of selecting appropriate emulsifiers for water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions under different conditions. Interfacial tension and rheology were investigated at a planar mineral oil/double distilled water interface using a Wilhelmy plate method and an oscillatory ring surface rheometer, respectively. The effects of bulk concentration, temperature and the presence of salt in the aqueous phase on the interfacial properties of surfactant films were determined. The relationship between interfacial film properties and W/O emulsion stability in the presence of salt was assessed by visual observation of phase separation on storage. All the surfactants exhibited viscoelastic properties with the exception of Span 85. Interfacial association of inverse micelles and/or surfactant multilayer formation are probably responsible for the observed viscoelasticity. Addition of sodium chloride to the aqueous phase and increase in temperature influenced the viscoelastic properties. Emulsion stability to phase separation decreased in the presence of salt. The interfacial rheology data were predictive of emulsion stability for the systems studied.
Calculations of NOx Formation Pathways in Propagating Laminar, High Pressure Premixed CH4/Air Flames

Nitric oxide formation in laminar, adiabatic, stoichiometric. premixed CH4-air flames wascalculated over a range of pressures from 0.1 to 20 atmospheres. The detailed kinetics model (46 speciesand 212 reversible reactions) included four chemical pathways to NO formation, and the relative importanceof these pathways was found to vary with pressure and with position in the flame. In the flamefront,the rates of the Zeldovich mechanism and the N20 intermediate mechanism were increased substantiallyby the presence of superequilibrium °atoms. The Fenimore mechanism also contributed substantialamounts of NO. In the postflame gases, the calculations suggested that most of the NO was formed fromthe Zeldovich mechanism, but the N20 intermediate mechanism became important at high pressures whereit contributed as much as 10% of the postflame NO. Experimental measurements of superequilibriumradical concentrations and ffamefront NO formation are clearly essential to confirm the suggested importanceof superequilibrium (...
Nonparametric Estimation of the Bivariate Survival Function with Truncated Data

Randomly left or right truncated observations occur when one is concerned with estimation of the distribution of time between two events and when one only observes the time if one of the two events falls in a fixed time-window, so that longer survivial times have higher probability to be part of the sample than short survival times. In important AIDS-applications the time between seroconversion and AIDS is only observed if the person did not die before the start of the time-window. Hence, here the time of interest is truncated if another related time-variable is truncated. This problem is a special case of estimation of the bivariate survival function based on truncation by a bivariate truncation time, the problem covered in this paper; in the AIDS-application one component of the bivariate truncation time- vector is alway zero. In this application the bivariate survival function is of interest itself in order to study the relation between time till AIDS and time between AIDS and death. We provide a quick algorithm for computation of the NPMLE. In particular, it is shown that the NPMLE is explicit for the special case when one of the truncation times is zero, as in the aids-application above. We prove that the NPMLE is consistent under the minimal condition that ?dF/G<∞. Moreover, we prove asymptotic normality under a tail assumption at the origin which is an empirical analoque of ?dF/G<∞. The condition holds in particular if the truncation distribution has an atom at zero. We provide an algorithm for estimation of its limiting variance. By simply plugging in one of the several proposals for estimation of the bivariate survival function based on right-censored data in the estimating equation we obtain an estimator based on right-censored randomly truncated data. Here, substitution of an estimator which handles the right-censoring efficiently leads to an efficient estimator.
Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities: Reinventing Federalism for Distressed Communities

Assisting communities to stimulate investment and to create jobs as part of a federal-state-local government and private-sector partnership is a key intergovernmental objective of the Clinton administration, consistent with its agenda of reinventing government. The Empowerment Zones/ Enterprise Cities (EZ/EC) Program, enacted by the Congress as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, reflects otherfederalism themes as well, themes that predate the Clinton administration. A shift in federal policy during the 1980s, awayfrom places and toward persons, set the stage for the long and difficult path of the EZ/EC program through the Congress. During that same decade, many states enacted their own enterprise-zone statutes; these initiatives were part of a second federalism trend-the general resurgence of states. The EZ/EC program also demonstrates the persistence of partisanship in intergovernmental programs; empowerment-zone and enterprisecommunity choices announced by the president in December 1994 reflected Clinton 's need to satisfy his traditional Democratic constituencies.
Low-voltage and ultra-low-voltage scanning electron microscopy of semiconductor surfaces and devices

Low-voltage scanning electron microscopy (LV-SEM) enables us to directly examine non-conducting materials with high spatial resolution. Although use of ultra-low-energy electrons can provide further advantages for characterizing delicate samples, lens aberrations rapidly deteriorates the image resolution. The combined use of a retarding field and the probe-forming lens system can improve the image resolution for electrons with very low energies. In commercially available FEG-SEMs, the retarding field can simply be constructed by applying a negative potential to the specimen. Interesting contrast variations have been observed in ultra-low-voltage SEM images. In this short communication, we discuss the application of LV-SEM to examining semiconductor devices and also the recent development of the ultra-low-voltage SEM technique.
The relationship between pain and functional disability in Black and White older adults.

In this study we examined pain and disability in 115 community-dwelling, urban, older adults (mean age = 74 years; 52% Black, 48% White). Participants completed a survey of pain (pain presence, intensity, locations, and duration) and disability (Sickness Impact Profile). Sixty percent of the sample reported pain; Black and White adults did not differ on any pain variable. In structural equation models controlling for socioeconomic factors and health, pain did not mediate the relationship between race and disability. Race moderated the pain–disability relationship; pain was more associated with disability among Whites than Blacks. This study highlights the need for greater understanding of health disparities between Black and White older adults as they relate to pain and disability.
The Effect of Gentle Ventilation on Survival in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

In the September 2003 issue of Pediatrics , Stege et al1 discuss the effect of new therapies for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) on survival. They point out that studies reporting improved survival using high-frequency ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, inhaled nitric oxide, and delayed surgery are flawed by selection … Address correspondence to Patricia R. Chess, MD, Departments of Pediatrics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Box 850, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642. E-mail: patricia_chess{at}urmc.rochester.edu
Media Storytelling, Curriculum, and the Next 100 Years:

Journalism as an academic field in the United States has frequently changed and grown through new professions and new industries coming under its umbrella (sometimes but not always driven by techno...
Relation of postvoid residual to urinary tract infection during stroke rehabilitation.

Abstract Dromerick AW, Edwards DF. Relation of postvoid residual to urinary tract infection during stroke rehabilitation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2003;84:1369–72. Objectives To examine (1) risk factors for urinary tract infection (UTI) during stroke rehabilitation and (2) the relation of postvoid residual (PVR) to the frequency of UTI. Design Prospective case series. Setting Academic specialty stroke rehabilitation service. Participants One hundred one consecutive admissions for stroke rehabilitation. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measure Presence or absence of UTI. Results Previously undiagnosed UTI was found in 28 of 101 subjects. Two or more PVR determinations of 150mL or more were an independent risk factor for UTI. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with increased risk of UTI included only use of β-blockers and 2 peak PVR determinations of 150mL or more. Single determinations were not significant. Conclusion The optimal PVR for initiating bladder catheterization during stroke rehabilitation remains unknown, but the risk of UTI increases only when 2 or more ultrasound PVR readings are more than 150mL.
Are we fostering opportunity entrepreneurship for women? Exploring policies and programmes in China and India

This paper critically explores a variety of female entrepreneurship policies and programmes in China and India (examples include incubator projects as well as training, education, credit, and other financial programmes), providing a much-needed overview of the current state of support for women entrepreneurs in these countries and which economic sectors and actors (governments, non-governmental organisations, and private firms) are most engaged in providing this support. The paper also evaluates which types and structures of programmes are more likely to promote upward mobility and opportunity entrepreneurship. Finally, the paper presents an exploratory framework for considering five key characteristics of female entrepreneurship programmes (provision of money, goods, or services; skills training; business development services; professional networking services; and/or professional mentoring) and their relationship to necessity and opportunity entrepreneurship. It also gauges the inclusivity of the programmes. Further research can build upon this framework and develop a more sophisticated classification system.