cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examining somatosensory function by age, testing site, and modality

The purpose of this study was to systematically examine somatosensory function by age and testing site across a variety of quantitative sensory testing (QST) modalities and determine if age differences were associated with brain gray matter volume and cortical thickness. Healthy younger (n=22; mean (SD) age = 21.31 (1.54) years) and older adults (n=62; mean (SD) age= 72.11 (6.69) years) were recruited as part of the Neuromodulatory Examination of Pain and Mobility Across the Lifespan study. Participants underwent mechanical and thermal detection as well as pain perception applied to two different anatomical sites (metatarsal and thenar). MRI data was collected on a 3-Tesla scanner with a 32-channel radiofrequency coil. A repeated measures ANOVA examined differences in QST by age and test site. Freesurfer examined associations between QST modalities and brain structure in older adults. Significant test site by age interaction effects were observed for warm detection threshold (p=0.018, partial eta2=0.10) and heat pain threshold (p=0.014, partial eta2=0.12). Main effects of age were observed for mechanical detection threshold, vibratory detection threshold, cold detection threshold, warm detection threshold, heat pain threshold, heat pain rating (p's
Mate Availability and Sexual Disgust.

Objective One of the factors that sexual disgust should be calibrated to is the size of the mating pool. This study tested this hypothesis by examining whether perceptions of mate availability explain variance in levels of sexual disgust towards potential mates. Methods Participants (N = 853; 373 women) rated how sexually disgusting they found 60 potential mates that have previously been rated on attractiveness by a separate group of raters. We also measured participants' perceptions of mate availability in their local environment, self-perceived attractiveness and mate value, and relevant control variables. Results Multilevel models revealed a negative association between sexual disgust towards potential mates and perceived mate availability-the opposite of what we predicted. We found support for our prediction that women had higher levels of sexual disgust than men, but only after addressing the confounding sex difference in target attractiveness. We also found the predicted negative association between target attractiveness and sexual disgust. Finally, as predicted, sexual disgust levels were more strongly related to potential mates' attractiveness in individuals who perceived there to be many available mates in their local environment. Conclusions These findings generally bolster functional accounts of sexual disgust while highlighting the need for more evidence to ascertain the role of mate availability in the calibration of sexual disgust. Specifically, future research should examine the extent to which disgust levels may truncate mental representations of the mating pool instead of being calibrated by them.
Desigualdades virulentas en, comunicación, educación y tecnologías: ¿qué producimos cuando el mundo está en confinamiento?

The third edition of "The adventure of innovating in ICT" has a particularity: it is made in the heat of the complexities in the virtual pedagogical continuity in the framework of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this sense, educational institutions in general and the public university in particular, had to reconfigure teaching and learning strategies that was not only to transfer the relationship with students and content to the web, but also involves a myriad of cultural and cultural complexities. technological so the challenges were incalculable. As the authors warn, the publication of this book highlights socio-technological inequalities that raise concerns and new questions in relation to discontinuities of public policies, disinvestment in education in the years of the Alianza Cambiemos government, the socio-economic situation in the Argentine homes, the accompaniment of educational institutions, the place of students in this context, among others. However, it is important to anticipate that the problem is not the technological devices but the more general frameworks that involve the educational fact.
The Mediated Portrayal of Intimate Partner Violence in True Crime Podcasts: Strangulation, Isolation, Threats of Violence, and Coercive Control.

In this directed qualitative content analysis of four season-long true crime podcasts, the researcher examined how different types of intimate partner violence (IPV) were portrayed. Across the podc...
Mathematical problems in color visualization

A common problem in scientific visualization is that of displaying data using color in a way that matches the characteristics of the display medium. The data may be linear, two-dimensional, or spatial; it may be false-colored data from a sensor or data for which we have preconceived assumptions about its color. The medium may be a TV monitor, photographic film, print, or the newer thermal media. On January 10, 1992 Donald H. Singley from 3M discussed briefly theories of color perception and the capacity of the eye to distinguish color “volumes,” and then turned to the problems of matching the data to the medium, especially in the case of photographic film.
Burying Best Interests of the Resulting Child: A Response to Professors Crawford, Alvare, and Mutcherson

In Regulating Reproduction: The Problem with Best Interests, 96 Minn. L. Rev. 423 (2011), http://ssrn.com/abstract=1955292, and its companion paper Beyond Best Interests, 96 Minn. L. Rev. 1187 (2012), http://ssrn.com/abstract=2014069, I argue that a large swath of reproductive regulation in place across the world -- forbidding anonymous sperm donation, funding abstinence education, criminalizing brother-sister incest, preventing the sale of sperm or eggs or surrogacy services, and forbidding single individuals from accessing reproductive technologies, and others -- cannot be justified in the way legislatures, courts, and commentators have tried to do so. They have repeatedly appealed to a justificatory idiom I call Best Interests of the Resulting Child (BIRC) as a justification, which focuses on the best interests of the child who will (absent state intervention) result from these forms of reproduction. Not only does BIRC fail, I argue, but a series of attempts at reformulating the justification or substituting other justifications for it (e.g., non-person-affecting principles, lives not worth living, wronging while overall benefiting, virtue ethics, etc) run into serious difficulties as well.Three of my colleagues have graciously responded to these articles as part of the Minnesota Law Review Headnotes Online Forum: Bridget J. Crawford, "Authentic Reproductive Regulation," http://ssrn.com/abstract=1960590, Helen M. Alvare, "A Response to Professor I. Glenn Cohen’s 'Regulating Reproduction: The Problem with Best Interests," http://ssrn.com/abstract=2141406, and Kimberly Mutcherson, "In Defense of Future Children: A Response to Cohen’s Beyond Best Interests" http://ssrn.com/abstract=2115756.In this article, "Burying Best Interests of the Resulting Child: A Response to Professors Crawford, Alvare, and Mutcherson," I reply to them, mapping where we agree, expressing what I admire in their work, and explaining why in the areas where we disagree I am not persuaded by the arguments and think I am right (but of course I WOULD think that....).
Dynamic cluster reconfiguration for power and performance

In this chapter we address power conservation for clusters of workstations or PCs. Our approach is to develop systems that dynamically turn cluster nodes on - to be able to handle the load imposed on the system efficiently - and off - to save power under lighter load. The key component of our systems is an algorithm that makes cluster reconfiguration decisions by considering the total load imposed on the system and the power and performance implications of changing the current configuration. The algorithm is implemented in two common cluster-based systems: a network server and an operating system for clustered cycle servers. Our experimental results are very favorable, showing that our systems conserve both power and energy in comparison to traditional systems.
Japanese consumers’ valuation of U.S. beef and pork products after the beef trade ban

Analysis of survey data indicates that Japanese consumers discount their willingness to pay for U.S. beef and pork relative to that of domestic products, but that the discounts have declined from 2006 to 2009. The discounts for U.S. products were greater than those imported from other countries in 2006, but the 2009 discounts were statistically indistinguishable across origins. Our findings also suggest than Japan is a receptive market for meat produced with GM-free feed and for meat products meeting full organic standards.
Jewish languages in the age of the Internet: An introduction

Abstract This introductory essay explains how the papers in this issue increase our understanding of Jewish languages, as well as diaspora and minority languages more broadly. Using a new approach to Jewish languages that focuses on the repertoires of distinctive linguistic features Jews have used in conjunction with local languages, this paper shows how analyzing old and new languages together can be theoretically fruitful. It also highlights the role of the Internet in the maintenance of endangered languages, in the negotiation of language ideologies and practices, and in sociolinguistic analysis.
Impact of lawyer advertising on the image of lawyers in the United States

The US Supreme Court in 1977 declared that most bans on lawyer advertising were unconstitutional. Since that decision, the volume of lawyer advertising has grown very rapidly. In addition, since the mid-1980s, Gallup polls indicate that the public's image of the law profession has declined substantially. Many members of the law profession casually conjecture that this decline is due to lawyer advertising. By contrast, this study offers a hypothesis that lawyer advertising should enhance the image of lawyers. In an effort to test this hypothesis, this study empirically investigates the impact of lawyer advertising on the image of the law profession. OLS results reveal that lawyer advertising may in fact elevate the image of lawyers in the USA.
Blood-derived small dot cells reduce scar in wound healing

Wounds in fetal skin heal without scar, however the mechanism is unknown. We identified a novel group of E-cadherin positive cells in the blood of fetal and adult mice and named them "Dot cells". The percentage of Dot cells in E16.5 fetal mice blood is more than twenty times higher compared to adult blood. Dot cells also express integrin beta1, CD184, CD34, CD13low and Sca1low, but not CD45, CD44, and CD117. Dot cells have a tiny dot shape between 1 and 7 microm diameters with fast proliferation in vitro. Most of the Dot cells remain positive for E-cadherin and integrin beta1 after one month in culture. Transplantation of Dot cells to adult mice heals skin wounds with less scar due to reduced smooth muscle actin and collagen expression in the repair tissue. Tracking GFP-positive Dot cells demonstrates that Dot cells migrate to wounds and differentiate into dermal cells, which also express strongly to FGF-2, and later lose their GFP expression. Our results indicate that Dot cells are a group of previously unidentified cells that have strong wound healing effect. The mechanism of scarless wound healing in fetal skin is due to the presence of a large number of Dot cells.
A COMPETITIVE PROGRESSION PERSPECTIVE OF JIT SYSTEMS: EVIDENCE FROM EARLY US IMPLEMENTATIONS

This study investigates the holistic implementation of just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing. We contend that the most important elements of holistic JIT systems – focused factory, reduced setup times, group technology, total productive maintenance, multifunction employees, uniform workload, just-in-time purchasing, Kanban, total quality control and quality circles – should be implemented in a sequential manner for a firm to reap sustainable operational gains. The right sequence of implementation of JIT practices is derived using the theory of competitive progression and based on four JIT practice bundles – conformance quality related practices, delivery reliability related practices, volume flexibility related practices and low cost related practices. Data collected in a cross-sectional field study of US manufacturers are used to test the suggested implementation sequence of JIT practices and the impact of the JIT practice bundles on improvement in non-value added performance. The results indicate that implem...
On minimal interpolating projections and trace duality

Abstract We construct a two-dimensional subspace V ⊂ C ( K ) such that an interpolating projection on V is a minimal projection with the norm >1. That answers a question posed by B. L. Chalmers. It also answers a question posed implicitly by a theorem of P. Morris and E. W. Cheney. We also give a quantitative generalization of the above mentioned theorem. As is suggested by the title, we use trace duality to obtain these results.
The Earliest Primates

The known range of the Primates is extended down from the middle Paleocene to the early Paleocene and late Cretaceous by a new genus and two new species from Montana, Purgatorius unio and P. ceratops. These species approach condylarths and leptictid and erinaceoid insectivores in structure. Purgatorius is referred to a new subfamily, Purgatoriinae, of the Paromomyidae, but is probably not the stem primate. The fauna of Purgatory Hill indicates a late early Paleocene age.
Future trends in reading assessment and instruction in the middle grades

Abstract This article examines the potential impact of recent developments in two very different fields, neuroscience and electronic media, on reading assessment and instruction at the middle school level. Implications of the brain growth periodization phenomenon for early adolescents (ages 10–14) cognitive and affective growth are discussed. Arguments for restructuring developmental and remedial reading practices in the middle grades are presented based on current research findings. Finally, alternatives to traditional schooling are suggested in light of the technological advances in electronics that may make it feasible to extend reading assessment and instruction beyond the four walls of the school for large segments of the population by the year 2000.
Acyclovir in human breast milk

Acyclovir concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay in the serum and milk of a lactating woman who was treated with oral acyclovir for herpes zoster. Daily serum and milk samples showing milk concentrations that averaged being 3.24-fold higher than serum levels suggest a low infant dose. The elimination phase demonstrated a half-life of 2.8 hours in milk.
A Compartmentalized Mathematical Model of the β1-Adrenergic Signaling System in Mouse Ventricular Myocytes

The β1-adrenergic signaling system plays an important role in the functioning of cardiac cells. Experimental data shows that the activation of this system produces inotropy, lusitropy, and chronotropy in the heart, such as increased magnitude and relaxation rates of [Ca2+]i transients and contraction force, and increased heart rhythm. However, excessive stimulation of β1-adrenergic receptors leads to heart dysfunction and heart failure. In this paper, a comprehensive, experimentally based mathematical model of the β1-adrenergic signaling system for mouse ventricular myocytes is developed, which includes major subcellular functional compartments (caveolae, extracaveolae, and cytosol). The model describes biochemical reactions that occur during stimulation of β1-adrenoceptors, changes in ionic currents, and modifications of Ca2+ handling system. Simulations describe the dynamics of major signaling molecules, such as cyclic AMP and protein kinase A, in different subcellular compartments; the effects of inhibition of phosphodiesterases on cAMP production; kinetics and magnitudes of phosphorylation of ion channels, transporters, and Ca2+ handling proteins; modifications of action potential shape and duration; magnitudes and relaxation rates of [Ca2+]i transients; changes in intracellular and transmembrane Ca2+ fluxes; and [Na+]i fluxes and dynamics. The model elucidates complex interactions of ionic currents upon activation of β1-adrenoceptors at different stimulation frequencies, which ultimately lead to a relatively modest increase in action potential duration and significant increase in [Ca2+]i transients. In particular, the model includes two subpopulations of the L-type Ca2+ channels, in caveolae and extracaveolae compartments, and their effects on the action potential and [Ca2+]i transients are investigated. The presented model can be used by researchers for the interpretation of experimental data and for the developments of mathematical models for other species or for pathological conditions.
A Paradigm Shift: Healing, Quality of Life, and a Professional Choice

In his most recent publication, Dr. Balfour Mount, the father of palliative care in North America, highlights the necessity of a paradigm shift in health care from the diagnostic and therapeutic models to a model of care that also embraces whole person care, a model in which attention to quality of life, healing, and attention to the lived experience of the whole person and their family are foundational. Dr. Mount challenges each of us to consider this paradigm shift as a personal and a professional choice. In this article, I take the next step in sketching a picture of what Dr. Mount is possibly challenging us all to choose.
Comparative RFLP mapping of Hordeum vulgare and Triticum tauschii.

Hordeum vulgare (barley) and Triticum tauschii are related, but sexually incompatible, species. This study was conducted to determine the extent of homology between the genomes of barley and T. tauschii using a common set of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. Results showed that >95% of low-copy sequences are shared, but 42% of the conserved sequences showed copy-number differences. Sixty-three loci were mapped in T. tauschii using RFLP markers previously mapped in barley. A comparison of RFLP marker order showed that, in general, barley and T. tauschii have conserved linkage groups, with markers in the same linear orders. However, six of the seven linkage groups of T. tauschii contained markers which mapped to unrelated (i.e., non-homoeologous) barley chromosomes. Additionally, four of the T. tauschii linkage groups contained markers that were switched in order with respect to barley. All the chromosome segments differing between T. tauschii and barley contained markers that were detected by multi-copy probes. The results suggest that the observed differences between the T. tauschii and barley genomes were brought about by duplications or deletions of segments in one or both species. The implications of these findings for genetic mapping, breeding, and plant genome evolution are discussed.
Relationship Between Changes in Serum Thyrotropin and Total and Lipoprotein Cholesterol with Prolonged Antarctic Residence

Antarctic residence (AR) is associated with a 50% increase in the thyrotropin (TSH) response to TSH-releasing hormone (TRH) and an expanded triiodothyronine (T3) distribution volume and extravascular hormone pool, collectively called the polar T3 syndrome. To investigate the possible biologic significance of this syndrome, we studied the relationship between nonstimulated TSH and serum lipid profiles in nine subjects, once while in California and monthly during 9 months of AR. We measured serum levels of TSH, total thyroxine (TT4), free T4 (FT4), total T3 (TT3), free T3 (FT3), thyroid-binding globulin (TBG), total cholesterol (T-CHOL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), dietary cholesterol (D-CHOL), dietary fat (D-FAT), and dietary kilocalories at each month. The paired mean monthly change from baseline was used to determine significance. The group's mean levels of TSH (approximately 30%), TBG (approximately 16%), T-CHOL (approximately 4%), HDL-C (approximately 10%), and D-CHOL (approximately 19%) increased with AR (P < .05). Small but significant decreases (P < .05) were observed in the mean changes of TT4 (approximately 8%), FT4 (approximately 6%), and TT3 (approximately 6%). FT3, D-FAT, dietary kilocalories, body weight, TG, and the calculated low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) were unchanged with AR. A significant rate of change (P < .05) during AR was also calculated from the slope of a fitted logarithmic function for TSH (0.96 +/- 0.31 mU.L-1 x mo-1), TBG (61.19 +/- 12.29 nmol.L-1 x mo-1), TT3 (0.09 +/- 0.04 nmol.L-1 x mo-1), TT4/TBG (-0.06 +/- 0.01/mo), TT3/TBG (-8.49 +/- 1.98 x 10(-4)/mo), and TG (-0.33 +/- 0.15 mmol.L-1 x mo-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Can local avatars satisfy a global audience? A case study of high-fidelity 3D facial avatar animation in subject identification and emotion perception by US and international groups

This study investigates effectiveness of a local high-fidelity 3D facial avatar for a global audience by observing how US and International student groups differed in identifying subjects and perceiving emotions while viewing nonverbal high-fidelity 3D facial avatar animations embedded with the motion data of three US individuals. To synthesize the animated 3D avatars to convey highly believable facial expressions, a 3D scanned facial model was mapped with high-fidelity motion-capture data of three native US subjects as they spoke designated English sentences with specified emotions. Simple animations in conjunction with actual footage of the subjects speaking during the facial motion-capture sessions were shown several times to both native US and international students in similar settings. After a familiarization process, we showed the students randomly arranged talking avatars without voices and asked them to identify the corresponding identities and emotional types of the subjects whose facial expressions were utilized in the creation of the avatars, and to rate their confidence in their selections. We found that the US group had higher success rates in subject identification, although the related difference in confidence ratings between two groups was not significant. The differences in the success rates and confidence ratings on the perception of emotion between the two groups were not significant either. The results of our study provide interesting insights into avatar-based interaction where the national and/or cultural background of a person impacts the perception of identity while having little effect on the perception of emotion. However, we observed that dynamics (e.g., head motion) could offset the disadvantage of cultural unfamiliarity in subject identification. We observed that both groups performed at a nearly identical level in subject identification and emotion perception when they were shown the avatar animation with heightened expression and dynamic intensities. In addition, we observed that the confidence ratings were correlated to accuracy in identifying the subject but not to accuracy in perceiving emotion.
Does racial bias influence psychiatric diagnoses assigned at first hospitalization

Background: Research on racial bias in psychiatric diagnosis has largely been limited to studies of admission diagnoses assigned to chronically ill patients. This study tests whether racial bias influences diagnoses assigned to patients at discharge from their first psychiatric hospitalization. Methods: In a county-wide sample of patients with psychosis, hospital diagnoses were compared with research diagnoses formulated using structured interviews and strict adherence to DSM-III-R. Symptom patterns were also examined. Results: Racial differences were observed in the distribution of both hospital and research diagnoses. Using research diagnoses as the gold standard, the sensitivities and specificities of hospital diagnoses were similar by race (for blacks the sensitivity and specificity of schizophrenia was 0.33 and 0.91, and for whites, 0.43 and 0.89). The only suggestion of possible bias was that more blacks were discharged without a definitive diagnosis (38.7% of blacks vs. 26.3% of whites, χ2 = 5.80, df = 1, p = 0.02). Conclusions: We did not observe the expected racial bias in the assignment of diagnoses of schizophrenia and affective disorders. While there was evidence that hospital clinicians had more difficulty diagnosing black patients, the low concordance between hospital and research diagnoses for both black and white patients demonstrates the need to better understand the clinical diagnostic process for all patients with psychotic disorders at their first hospitalization.
Sample sizes for experiments with multivariate repeated measures

Procedures for determining sample size in multivariate repeated measures experiments are discussed. The focus is on designs with either one group or two independent groups of subjects, the point of departure being multivariate repeated measures. Determination of the minimum sample size required is based on power considerations associated with Hotelling's T 2 and the F-test. We first consider procedures for determining sample size assuming an arbitrary covariance matrix. The special case where we assume that the transformed data have a multivariate spherical covariance matrix is also considered. Tables of the minimum sample sizes required for several hypotheses from multivariate analysis are presented.
Processing maps for Reactive Atomization and Deposition processing

A relatively new processing technique, Reactive Atomization and Deposition (RAD), has been developed to combine atomization, reaction and consolidation into a single step process in order to synthesize oxide, carbide, nitride, and other dispersion strengthened materials. Moreover, RAD processed materials exhibit enhanced thermal stability, relative to that of materials processed using inert gas, and that the thermal stability is improved with increasing oxygen concentration in the atomization gas, up to a maximum 35 wt.%. In order to realize in-situ, continuous control over the chemical reaction between the atomized droplets and the reactive atomization gas, it is necessary to define an inherent relationship among the oxygen concentration in the atomization gas, the amount of oxide particles formed and the influence of the reaction temperature. Therefore, it is the primary aim of the present study to provide fundamental insight into the effects of the processing parameters on the formation of oxide particles during RAD processing. An analytical model is developed to establish a quantitative relationship between the oxide film thickness and the oxygen concentration, including the effect of reaction temperature.
The Sinorhizobium meliloti ExoR protein is required for the downregulation of lpsS transcription and succinoglycan biosynthesis in response to divalent cations

The Sinorhizobium meliloti lpsS gene encodes a sulfotransferase that modifies lipopolysaccharide. Mutants lacking lpsS display no defect in lipopolysaccharide sulfation when assayed under laboratory conditions, but exhibit an abnormal symbiosis with alfalfa. These results suggest that lpsS is transcriptionally repressed under laboratory conditions, but upregulated during symbiosis. Here, it is shown that lpsS, as well as exo genes required for the biosynthesis of succinoglycan, are transcriptionally repressed in laboratory media containing divalent cations. Furthermore, the divalent cation-dependent transcriptional downregulation of lpsS is dependent on the exoR gene, which encodes a global regulator of transcription.
Theoretical exploration of Tennessee community pharmacists' perceptions regarding opioid pain reliever abuse communication

Abstract Background Community pharmacists are a key intervention point in efforts to prevent and mitigate the impact of prescription drug abuse and misuse (PDA/M); yet pharmacists' perceptions regarding PDA/M have been explored only briefly in the literature. Objectives 1) To explore Tennessee community pharmacists' perceptions regarding opioid pain reliever (OPR) prescribing, dispensing and abuse; 2) to explore community pharmacists' self-efficacy beliefs regarding PDA/M-specific communication; and 3) to evaluate perceived barriers to engaging patients in PDA/M-specific communication. Methods A 55-item survey instrument was developed using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TpB) as a theoretical framework. Questionnaires were mailed to a stratified sample of 2000 licensed Tennessee pharmacists using the Tailored Design Method of survey administration during October and November, 2012. Results A response rate of 40% was obtained. A majority of pharmacists (87.5%) perceived OPR abuse to be a problem in their practice settings. On average, a little more than half (53%) of prescriptions issued for OPRs were estimated to be for patients with one or more legitimate medical reasons justifying the medication(s). A small fraction of pharmacists (13%) reported having addiction treatment facility information in their practice settings, and only a small percent reported strong self-efficacy beliefs regarding PDA/M patient communication. Job-related time constraints were perceived as the primary barrier to engaging in PDA/M communication. Conclusions Community pharmacists in Tennessee are aware of PDA/M by patients receiving opioid prescriptions and value their role in communicating with these patients but indicate their ability to do so effectively is hindered by a lack of confidence, training, and time. Further research to identify and test methods for facilitating PDA/M communication by pharmacists is indicated.
Governmental behavior in response to compensation requirements

Abstract The amount of compensation paid to those harmed by public activities is thought to influence mainly the distributional consequences of public programs. This paper uses a simple model of bureau behavior to examine the response of a public agency to changes in compensation requirements. Under some circumstances, changes in compensation requirements will induce agencies to change both the level and mix of public output. Tests of these predictions using data on U.S. highway construction suggest that the presence of compensation requirements can affect the real output decisions of public agencies and not simply the distributional consequences of their decisions.
Spatial and temporal variability in fire occurrence within the Las Bayas Forestry Reserve, Durango, Mexico

Patterns of fire occurrence within the Las Bayas Forestry Reserve, Mexico are analyzed in relation to variability in climate, topography, and human land-use. Significantly more fires with shorter fire return intervals occurred from 1900 to 1950 than from 1950 to 2001. However, the frequency of widespread fire years (25% filter) was unchanged over time, as widespread fires were synchronized by climatic extremes. Widespread fire years occurred during dry years that lagged wet years. Widespread fire years lagged the negative El Nino phase (wet winters) of the Southern Oscillation by 1 year, but were not synchronized by the positive, La Nina phase (dry winters) of the Southern Oscillation. The smaller, localized fires that occurred more frequently during the first half of the 20th century were attributed to changes in land tenure with the introduction of the ejido system in the early 1950s. Ejido management strategies lowered fire frequencies by suppressing fires and reducing anthropogenic fires. There were likely more ignitions prior to the arrival of the ejido system as fires were ignited by lightning and indigenous people. As the movement of indigenous peoples across the landscape has been restricted by changes in land tenure, numbers of human-ignited fires subsequently decreased post 1950. After 1950, fires occurred less frequently, were more synchronized, and more restricted to years of extreme climate.
London-van der Waals and EDL Effects in the Coalescence of Oil Drops

Coalescence of n-hexadecane oil drops (70--100 {micro}m in diameter) suspended inside an aqueous medium of varying pH and ionic strength is reported. The drops were produced in situ by micropipettes inside aqueous-phase-filled fine capillaries (100--160 {micro}m, i.d.) At constant pH values of 5.7 and 10.9 the ionic strength of the aqueous medium was changed with KCl so that the Debye length ({kappa}{sup {minus}1}) varied between 1.6 to 362 nm and 0.36 to 14 nm, respectively. Visual observations showed coalescence when {kappa}{sup {minus}1} was less than {approximately} 5.0 nm. The DLVO theory together with previously reported measurements of critical thickness of rupture of aqueous thin films also predicts coalescence under these conditions.The effect of change in pH at constant ionic strength ({kappa}{sup {minus}1} = 5.0 nm) was also studied. While theory predicts coalescence at all pH values with constant {kappa}{sup {minus}1}, coalescence time increases with pH. At similar conditions of high ionic strength, the coalescence times at very low pH are lower than at intermediate pH by two orders of magnitude, suggesting that pH is more important than ionic strength in controlling the coalescence of the oil drops.
Winning the Influence Game: What Every Business Leader Should Know About Government

The article reviews the book "Winning the Influence Game: What Every Business Leader Should Know About Government," by Michael Watkins, Mickey Edwards, and Usha Thakrar.
High-dose epinephrine improves outcome from pediatric cardiac arrest

Study objective: Animal studies suggest that the standard dose of epinephrine (SDE) for treatment of cardiac arrest in human beings may be too low. We compared the outcome after SDE with that after high-dose epinephrine (HDE) in children with refractory cardiac arrest. Design: Prospective intervention versus historic control groups. Type of participants: Two similar groups of 20 consecutive patients each (median ages, 2.5 and 3 years) with witnessed cardiac arrest who remained in arrest after at least two SDEs (0.01 mg/kg). Interventions: Treatment with an additional SDE versus HDE (0.2 mg/kg). Measurements and main results: The rates of return of spontaneous circulation and long-term survival were compared. Fourteen of the HDE group (70%) had return of spontaneous circulation, whereas none of the SDE group did ( P Conclusion: HDE provided a higher return of spontaneous circulation rate and a better long-term outcome than SDE in our series of pediatric cardiac arrest. HDE may warrant incorporation into standard resuscitation protocols at an early enough point to prevent irreversible brain injury.
Role of Growth Hormone in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Given recent in-vitro and in-vivo evidence that insulin and growth hormone may have gonadotropin-augmenting effects, the putative endocrine role of serum growth hormone levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been investigated in several studies since 1990. Obesity is a disease entity in its own right and, therefore, a confounding influence on investigations of PCOS. PCOS in the absence of obesity may be viewed as the "authentic syndrome". The use of IGF-1 as a marker of growth hormone secretion is not fully adequate as there is little to no correlation between this peptide and growth hormone in women with PCOS. The development of hyposomatotropinism in obese PCOS women appears to be an obesity-dependent event. The confirmed observation in both obese and lean women with and without PCOS of serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels requires further delineation. Preliminary evidence suggest that GH may play a role in the lean woman with PCOS and that the presence of obesity dampens its effect. Future investigations of the role of growth hormone in PCOS are dependent on first elucidating the role of GH in adult women and in the disease state of obesity.
Modeling annotation time to reduce workload in comparative effectiveness reviews

Comparative effectiveness reviews (CERs), a central methodology of comparative effectiveness research, are increasingly used to inform healthcare decisions. During these systematic reviews of the scientific literature, the reviewers (MD-methodologists) must screen several thousands of citations for eligibility according to a pre-specified protocol. While previous research has demonstrated the theoretical potential of machine learning to reduce the workload in CERs, practical obstacles to deploying such a system remain. In this article, we describe work on an end-to-end, interactive machine learning system for assisting reviewers with the tedious task of citation screening for CERs. Specifically, we present ABSTRACKR, our open-source annotation tool. In addition to allowing reviewers to designate citations as 'relevant' or 'irrelevant' to the review at hand, ABSTRACKR facilitates communicating other information useful to the classification model, such as terms that are suggestive of the relevance (or irrelevance) of a citation. The tool also records the time taken to screen citations, over which we conducted a time-series analysis to derive an annotator model. Using this model, we found that both the order in which the citations are screened and the length of each citation affect annotation time. We propose a strategy that integrates labeled terms and timing data into the Active Learning (AL) framework, in which an algorithm selects citations for the reviewer to label. We demonstrate empirically that this additional information can improve the performance of the semi-automated citation screening system.
Selection of a toroidal fusion reactor concept for a magnetic fusion production reactor

The basic fusion driver requirements of a toroidal materials production reactor are considered. The tokamak, stellarator, bumpy torus, and reversed-field pinch are compared with regard to their demonstrated performance, probable near-term development, and potential advantages and disadvantages if used as reactors for materials production. Of the candidate fusion drivers, the tokamak is determined to be the most viable for a near-term production reactor. Four tokamak reactor concepts (TORFA/FED-R, AFTR/ZEPHYR, Riggatron, and Superconducting Coil) of approximately 500-MW fusion power are compared with regard to their demands on plasma performance, required fusion technology development, and blanket configuration characteristics. Because of its relatively moderate requirements on fusion plasma physics and technology development, as well as its superior configuration of production blankets, the TORFA/FED-R type of reactor operating with a fusion power gain of about 3 is found to be the most suitable tokamak candidate for implementation as a near-term production reactor.
Pancreatic cancer: pathogenesis, prevention and treatment.

Abstract Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States with a very low survival rate of 5 years. To better design new preventive and/or therapeutic strategies for the fight against pancreatic cancer, the knowledge of the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer at the molecular level is very important. It has been known that the development and the progression of pancreatic cancer are caused by the activation of oncogenes, the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, and the deregulation of many signaling pathways among which the EGFR, Akt, and NF-κB pathways appear to be most relevant. Therefore, the strategies targeting EGFR, Akt, NF-κB, and their downstream signaling could be promising for the prevention and/or treatment of pancreatic cancer. In this brief review, we will summarize the current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Indirect methods for valuing changes in environmental risks with nonexpected utility preferences

Theoretical models for estimating individuals' values for sure improvements in environmental quality are well developed. These models can be classified as being based on averting behavior, hedonic prices, or weak complementarity. Some of these models have also been applied to the task of valuing changes in risk based on expected utility theory. This article provides a systematic development of these models for changes in either the probability or the magnitude of an uncertain event and shows that the derived expressions for individual marginal willingness to pay can be generalized to nonexpected utility preferences as long as the index of preferences is continuous, convex, and twice differentiable.
Assessing Prevalence and Awareness of Violent Behaviors in the Intimate Partner Relationships of College Students Using Internet Sampling.

ABSTRACT This study is an investigation of the occurrence and awareness of violence in intimate partner relationships as reported by college students recruited by e-mail from a small Midwestern university. Students responded to an online survey using a modified version of the Conflict Tactics Scale 2. Data were collected on the occurrences of violent behaviors in their intimate partner relationships as well as their awareness of victimization and perpetration behaviors. Over 22% of the students who have been perpetrators or victims of violent physical acts are still unaware that these violent behaviors constitute relational abuse. Descriptive statistics concerning the prevalence of physical, sexual, and psychological violence are also reported. Implications about Internet sampling and the prevalence and awareness of intimate partner violence are discussed.
Novel Targets in Pancreatic Cancer Research

The initiation and progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) occurs as a result of molecular alterations that typically result in fluctuations of transcription, protein expression, and ultimately dysregulated signaling pathways. For example, PDA is driven by key activating, gain-of-function mutations in proto-oncogenes (eg, K-Ras) along with loss of function of tumor suppressor genes (eg, p16, SMAD4). With the advent of whole-exome sequencing of PDA genomes, several key genetic alterations have been identified as drivers of PDA. While these findings have led to groundbreaking discoveries in the etiology of PDA, they have failed to provide feasible, targetable therapeutic approaches. Additionally, recent advances in PDA research have uncovered the role of the tumor microenvironment (the non-epithelial tumor cells) in PDA progression by promoting potent, acute changes in gene expression. Herein, this chapter is aimed at discussing the key genetic and non-genetic mechanisms responsible for PDA initiation and progression. Thus based on these mechanisms, we will put forth investigated and novel therapeutic targets in PDA.
Complete discontinuity of the distal fistula tract from the developing gut: direct histologic evidence for the mechanism of tracheoesophageal fistula formation.

The embryogenesis of tracheoesophageal anomalies remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to better define the embryogenesis of developing esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF), with specific attention to the controversial issue of whether a discontinuity exists in the foregut during its development of EA/TEF. Pregnant outbred rats were injected with adriamycin (2 mg/kg i.p.) on days 6–9 of gestation (E6–E9). At E12.5 and 13.5, microdissection of the entire foregut was performed. Foreguts were examined by phase microscopy, and serial, precisely transverse sections were created for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Gross microdissection of the developing foregut at E12.5 (n = 9) revealed a blind-ending, bulbous fistula tract arising from the middle branch of the tracheal trifurcation (as seen by direct and phase microscopy). No connection with the gut could be appreciated at E12.5, but by E13.5 (n = 10) there was an obvious connection between the fistula and the stomach. Serial H&E transverse sections also demonstrated a blind-ending fistula tract arising from the trachea at E12.5. This fistula tract was clearly discontinuous from the developing stomach, which appeared much further caudal to the end of the fistula tract. These results strongly support a model of experimental TEF wherein the fistula tract arises from a trifurcation of the trachea, and (only during a specific gestational window between days 12.5 and 13.5) there is discontinuity between the fistula tract and the stomach. By day 13.5, the fistula joins with the stomach anlage. These observations in the developing EA/TEF should help to resolve the controversy about the mechanism of EA/TEF formation. Anat Rec 267:220–224, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A sociolinguistic comparison between Québec's charter of the French language and the 1989 language laws of five soviet republics

This paper will compare the language laws of 5 Soviet Republics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia and Kazakhstan) with Quebec's Charter of the French Language mainly along the following lines: 1. proclamation of an official language 2. the common language question 3. language of communication with customers and citizens 4. language of education 5. linguistic aspects of immigration. The paper comments on bilingualism as viewed in Quebec's Charter of French Language and in the language laws of the aforementioned Soviet Republics.
Ranking hearing aid input-output functions for understanding low-, conversational-, and high-level speech in multitalker babble.

Purpose To determine the rankings of 6 input–output functions for understanding low-level, conversational, and high-level speech in multitalker babble without manipulating volume control for listen...
A triumphant decline?: Tetanus among slaves and freeborn in Brazil

Tetanus and other widespread endemic diseases of Brazil's early national period speak to intimate details of common life and give clues to big, vexing questions, such as why Brazil's population expanded dramatically at the turn of the twentieth century. Tetanus was for a long time one of Brazil's deadliest afflictions, especially among infants, but historians know very little about it. Using archival sources from across the Empire and early Republic, this article argues tetanus disproportionately killed the enslaved population, but gradually diminished in virulence for nearly all groups across the country by the second half of the 1800s. This decline should be attributed only partially to medical knowledge. Rather, indirect demographic and technological changes were more important factors in Brazil.
The decline of the religious in US Catholic schools: the effects of the changing religious ethos on high school seniors

Catholic schools in the United States have been in a serious state of decline, with the closing of a rising number of Catholic elementary and secondary schools, a major drop in student enrolments, and a real shortage of clergy and religious brothers and sisters to work in these schools. The purpose of this research article is to analyse how this overall decline in Catholic schools (numbers and enrolments) – with concomitant losses in religious leaders, teachers, and chaplains – may be affecting a cohort of students completing their secondary school education.