cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sentiment hedging: How hedge funds adjust their exposure to market sentiment

Abstract We investigate a new facet of hedging ability among hedge fund managers. Using a sentiment exposure model, we find evidence that fund managers adjust the market exposure of their portfolios to changes in market sentiment. Out-of-sample evidence indicates that hedge funds having the highest negative sentiment exposure outperform funds having the highest positive sentiment exposure by 1.7%–2.4% per year. The results remain persistent for both the sub-period analysis and the analysis excluding crisis periods. We also find that a hedge fund's willingness to take on sentiment exposure decreases with fund age and fund size and increases with incentive fees. Our findings remain robust even after controlling for hedge fund data biases, as well as using alternative sentiment measures.
Taming Asthma in School-Aged Children: A Comprehensive Review

Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood and the leading cause of childhood morbidity as measured by school absences, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. Multiple factors play a role in the development, treatment and prevention of childhood asthma including racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities, both the home and school environments, and medication use. The goals of this review are to summarize these aspects of asthma in school-aged children and to present an updated review of medications as it relates to treatment strategies that will help in the care of these children. We conclude that phenotypic heterogeneity and appropriate environmental assessments and interventions are important considerations in the management of childhood asthma.
Novel phases and superconductivity of tin sulfide compounds.

Tin sulfides, SnxSy, are an important class of materials that are actively investigated as novel photovoltaic and water splitting materials. A first-principles evolutionary crystal structure search is performed with the goal of constructing the complete phase diagram of SnxSy and discovering new phases as well as new compounds of varying stoichiometry at ambient conditions and pressures up to 100 GPa. The ambient phase of SnS2 with P3¯m1 symmetry remains stable up to 28 GPa. Another ambient phase, SnS, experiences a series of phase transformations including α-SnS to β-SnS at 9 GPa, followed by β-SnS to γ-SnS at 40 GPa. γ-SnS is a new high-pressure metallic phase with Pm3¯m space group symmetry stable up to 100 GPa, which becomes a superconductor with a maximum Tc = 9.74 K at 40 GPa. Another new metallic compound, Sn3S4 with I4¯3d space group symmetry, is predicted to be stable at pressures above 15 GPa, which also becomes a superconductor with relatively high Tc = 21.9 K at 30 GPa.
Utility of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation in a burn center

Abstract Introduction Current standard of care for complicated and deep burn wounds includes removal of devitalized tissue, infection treatment/prevention, temporary coverage, and pain management before and during wound closure. Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) utilizes both negative pressure and instillation of topical wound solutions for wound cleansing and removal of infectious materials. We describe our experience using NPWTi-d for complicated wound management in a burn center. Methods Twenty-one patients were included in a retrospective analysis of burn wounds (n = 15) or wounds resulting from necrotizing fasciitis (n = 6). Patients received systemic antibiotics and underwent wound debridement as indicated. NPWTi-d was initiated by instilling Dakin’s solution (quarter strength), mafenide solution, or normal saline with a dwell time of 5–10 min followed by 4–6 h of NPWT at −75, −100, or −125 mmHg. Results Mean percent total body surface area (TBSA) was 11.6% for the burn wounds and 10.0% for the necrotizing fasciitis wounds. Mean duration of NPWTi-d therapy was 10.0 days prior to wound closure by split-thickness skin graft (n = 13), graft and flap (n = 3), primary intention and graft (n = 1), secondary intention (n = 1), or amputation (n = 3). All wounds were successfully closed and no complications occurred during NPWTi-d treatment. Conclusions In these patients, NPWTi-d provided safe and effective adjunctive therapy for complicated wounds resulting from burns or necrotizing fasciitis.
Game theory of vaccination and depopulation for managing avian influenza on poultry farms

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is endemic in domestic poultry populations in East and South Asia and is a major threat to human health, animal health, and the poultry production industry. The behavioral response of farmers to the disease and its epidemiological effects are still poorly understood. We considered a symmetric game in a region with widespread smallholder poultry production, where the players are broiler poultry farmers and between-farm disease transmission is both environmental (local) and mediated by the trade of infected birds. Three types of farmer behaviors were modelled: vaccination, depopulation, and cessation of poultry farming. We found that the transmission level of avian influenza through trade networks had strong qualitative effects on the system9s epidemiological-economic equilibria. In the case of low trade-based transmission, when the monetary cost of infection is sufficiently high, depopulation behavior persists and maintains a disease-free equilibrium. In the case of high trade-based transmission, depopulation behavior has perverse epidemiological effects - as it accelerates the spread of disease via poultry traders - but has a high enough payoff to farmers that it persists at the system9s game-theoretic equilibrium. In this situation, state interventions should focus on making effective vaccination technologies available at a low price rather than penalizing infected farms. Our results emphasize the need in endemic countries to further investigate the commercial circuits through which birds from infected farms are traded.
AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF THE ANTECEDENTS OF CONTRIBUTION PATTERNS IN CROWDFUNDED MARKETS

Crowd-funding markets have recently emerged as a new source of capital supporting entrepreneurial ideas and ventures. In these markets, any individual is capable of proposing an idea, and interested others can then contribute funds in support of it. Given the recency of crowd-funding’s emergence, participants’ behavior in these markets is not yet well understood. From a social influence standpoint, these markets are unique because the timing and amount of others’ prior contribution decisions are publicly observable. This observable information about prior contributions is therefore likely to have an influence on later contribution decisions. We empirically examine this notion in a crowd-funded market for online journalism. Bearing in mind that prior literature has identified online journalism as a form of public good, we find that funders in this marketplace treat one another’s contributions as substitutable, a behavior that may be indicative of free riding. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Applying semantic links for classifying web pages

Automatic hypertext classification is an essential technique for organizing vast amount of Internet Web pages or HTML documents. One the of problems in classifying Web pages is that Web pages are usually short and contain insufficient text to clearly identify its category. Text classification mechanisms, by analyzing only the contents of the document itself, are relatively ineffective in classifying short Web pages. This paper proposes a new hypertext classification mechanism to address the problem by analyzing not only the Web page itself but also its linked Web pages referred by the URLs contained within the page. The URLs are treated as semantic links. The hypothesis is that the linked Web pages contain related information to help identifying the category of the Web page. Experimental results show that the proposed approach could increase the accuracy by 35% over the approach of analyzing only the Web page itself.
Boston kpro type 1: The role of the contact lens

After Boston KPro Type 1 surgery, a soft bandage contact lens has an important role in protecting the ocular surface. The initial contact lens placed after surgery is a Kontur© Precision Sphere with a 16.0 mm diameter, 9.8 mm base curve, and plano power. Proper centration of the lens and complete corneal coverage are essential for a proper fit, lens retention, and ocular protection. Over-refraction should be measured at each visit and power changes may be incorporated in the bandage lens. Lenses should be worn on an extended wear basis with frequent follow-up visits for lens disinfection or replacement. In some situations, patients benefit from refitting to prosthetic contact lenses, large-diameter gas-permeable lenses, or hybrid contact lenses.
Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Types of Projects Implemented by Volunteer Lay Health Educators in Their Congregations

This study focused on the association between type of community health interventions and lay health educator variables. Lay health educators are volunteers from local faith communities who complete a healthcare training program, taught by physicians in-training. Lay health educators are instructed to implement health-related initiatives in their respective communities after graduation. Of the 72 graduates since 2011, we surveyed 55 lay health educators to gain insight into their involvement with their congregation and the type of health projects they have implemented. We dichotomized the health projects into "raising awareness" and "teaching new health skills." Using adjusted logistic regression models, variables associated with implementing health projects aimed at teaching health skills included length of time as a member of their congregation, current employment, and age. These results may help future programs prepare lay health community educators for the type of health interventions they intend to implement in their respective communities.
Homology 3-Spheres

Let R be a commutative ring with an identity element. By an R-homology 3-sphere we will mean a closed oriented 3-manifold M such that H * (M, R) = H * (S 3 , R). In dimension three, the concepts of topological, smooth, and PL manifolds coincide, as do the concepts of diffeomorphism, homeomorphism and PL-homeomorphism, see [26] and [222]. Therefore, we can work in all three categories interchangeably. Usually, ℤ-homology spheres are referred to as integral homology spheres, and ℚ-homology spheres as rational homology spheres. Homology 3-spheres exist in abundance. We begin with some examples and constructions.
Gasoline direct injected particulate emissions control at stage 6

ABSTRACT This work presents an overview of the new challenge to vehicle manufacturers (VMs) represented by stage 6 European particulate emissions compliance for direct injected spark ignition (DISI) engines. Stage 6 emissions legislation will see the introduction of new particulate number (PN) based legislation S6(b) 2014 and S6(c) 2017 applied to all DISI. Concepts and strategies to avoid particulate formation and add-on removal of particulate are outlined. Stage 6 particulate emissions compliance is complex and difficult, it will come at cost, penalty and attribute tradeoff, most importantly CO 2 ; as actions to reduce particulate emissions can result in increased CO 2 . The authors believe that it is unlikely that only one route will be chosen by all VMs to achieve stage 6 particulate emissions.
Frictions and Mortgage Options

Mortgage researchers developing numerous hypotheses concerning the most relevant factors for mortgage valuation, have generated a wealth of recent ideas. Each new hypothesis generates an additional separate empirical test. This paper combines many features of recent mortgage models into a single options theoretic model for valuing the mortgage liability to the borrower and the mortgage asset to the investor. The two values are the same in a frictionless world. However, the values differ with the addition of frictions such as transaction costs, suboptimal termination, and decision probabilities (a likelihood that the borrower will make a decision). The model in this paper is used to evaluate numerous frictions, either individually or simultaneously. The mortgage pricing model in this paper is useful for exploring the separate or simultaneous effects on mortgage values of both fixed and variable transaction costs associated with borrower prepayment and default, all within an options theoretic framework. For example, transaction costs of defaulting may be hypothesized as higher for larger families (higher moving costs) than smaller families. Additionally, there may be fixed transaction costs of defaulting that are associated with credit rating, regardless of the family size.
The Junctional Pore Complex: Molecular Motor of Microbial Motility

Many diverse bacteria move in the absence of any visible locomotory organelle by a mechanismtermed gliding. Gliding motility requires contact with a solid substrate and occurs in the directionparallel to the long axis of the bacterial cell. Recent research indicates that bacteria use at least twodifferent mechanisms to glide. One mechanism, termed social motility, is based on the extension and retractionof pili. The other mechanism, termed adventurous motility, involves the secretion of slime from a specializedorganelle called the junctional pore complex. This work discusses the possible role of the junctional porecomplex in gliding motility of cyanobacteria, myxobacteria, and the alphaproteobacterium Gluconacetobacter.
Creating Safe Schools: The Importance of Peers in Bully Prevention Programs

The purpose of this study was to review the existing literature on bullying and investigate prevention programs currently in existence. Furthermore, this research examined the Creating a Safe School (CASS) program used within a middle school in Central Pennsylvania. Because CASS utilizes peer mentors and educators, this study also examined the importance of peers in adolescent’s lives and the importance of using peers as a way to create safe schools. Methods for constructing effective and efficient bullying prevention programs are discussed using the data analysis, as well as current research in the field. The overall aim of this research study is to lead educators, administrators, parents, and other individuals working with children and adolescents toward a better understanding of the various types of bullying, how and why bullying occurs, as well as how bullying can be addressed and prevented.
Pareto cascade modeling of diffusion networks

Time plays an essential role in the diffusion of information, influence and disease over networks. Usually we are only able to collect cascade data in which an infection (receiving) time of each node is recorded but without any transmission information over the network. In this paper, we infer the transmission rates among nodes by Pareto distributions. Pareto modeling has several advantages. It is naturally motivated and has a nice interpretation. The scale parameter of a Pareto distribution naturally fits into the starting time of a transition, i.e., the infection time of a parent node in the cascade data is the starting point for a transition from the parent to its receiver. The shape parameter (alpha) serves as the transition rate. The larger the alpha is, the faster the transition is and there is a higher probability for disease or information to spread in a short time period. Pareto modeling is mathematically simple and computationally easy. It has explicit solutions for the optimization problem that maximizes time-dependent pairwise transmission likelihoods between all pairs of nodes. We present three modelings with a common transmission rate, with different transmission rates and with different infection rates. Experiments on real and synthetic data show that our models accurately estimate the transmission rates and perform better than the existing method.
On the interpretation and processing of exhaustivity: Evidence of variation in English and French clefts

Abstract One outstanding issue in the analysis of the meaning of clefts concerns the source of the exhaustive inference they convey. Conventionally-coded semantic accounts predict that this inference is robust and will arise regardless of contextual variation while allowing for cross-linguistic variation. On the contrary, non-conventionally-coded pragmatic accounts predict exhaustivity to be more variable within a language, including cases where it can be cancelled, although (potentially) the inference will be more stable across languages. This article presents an original empirical perspective on the debate by looking both at the interpretative and the processing properties of English compared to French clefts. The combination of offline and online measures reported here show crucial and surprising differences within and across the two languages, findings which are unexpected under all current theories of clefts' meaning. We discuss a preliminary sketch for an analysis, which proposes that the differences between French and English are due to the way the existential presupposition derived from the cleft structure interacts with context (cf. Pollard and Yasavul, in press; De Veaugh-Geiss et al., 2018).
The success rate of first metatarsophalangeal joint lateral soft tissue release through a medial transarticular approach: A cadaveric study

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to evaluate the success rate of first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) lateral soft tissue release through a medial transarticular approach. Methods Ten cadaveric specimens were used (6 females/4 males, mean age, 73.4 years). Lateral release was performed through a 4 cm medial approach using a number 15 blade. Surgical aim was to release four specific structures: lateral capsule, lateral collateral ligament (LCL), adductor hallucis tendon (AHT) and lateral metatarsosesamoid suspensory ligament (LMSL). Once completed, a dissection of the first intermetatarsal space was performed. Success rate was graded in accordance to the number of structures successfully released: 0% (no structures), 25% (1/4), 50% (2/4), 75% (3/4) and 100% (4/4). Inadvertent injuries to other soft tissue structures were recorded. Results The success rate for lateral soft tissue release was 100% in 7 cadaveric specimens, and respectively 75%, 50% and 25% in the other 3 specimens. The LCL was successfully released in all specimens. The lateral joint capsule, AHT and LMSL were released in 80% of the specimens. Chondral damage to the first metatarsal head, unintended release of the conjoined tendon and lateral head of the flexor hallucis brevis (FHB) occurred respectively in 40%, 50% and 20% of the specimens. Conclusions Our cadaveric study demonstrated high success rate in the release of specific lateral soft tissue structures of the first MTPJ through a medial transarticular approach. Inadvertent release of the lateral head of the FHB, conjoined tendon and iatrogenic chondral damage of the first metatarsal head are complications to be considered. Level of evidence Cadaveric study — Level V.
Genetic Circuit-Host Ribosome Transactions: Diffusion-Reaction Model

Deterministic models of bacterial genetic circuits commonly assume a well-mixed ensemble of species. This assumption results in ordinary differential equations (ODEs) describing the rate of change of the mean species concentration. It is however well known that species are non-homogenously distributed within a bacterial cell, where genes on the chromosome are found mostly at the center of the cell while synthetic genes residing on plasmids are often found at the poles. Most importantly, ribosomes, the key gene expression resource, are also arranged according to a non-homogenous profile. Therefore, when analyzing the effects of sharing gene expression resources, such as ribosomes, among synthetic genetic circuits and chromosomal genes, it may be important to consider the effects of spatial heterogeneity of the relevant species. In this paper, we use a partial differential equation (PDE) model to capture the spatial heterogeneity of species concentration. Solutions to the model are gathered numerically and approximations are derived via perturbation analysis in the limit of fast diffusion. The solutions are compared to those of the conventional “well-mixed” ODE model. The fast-diffusion approximation predicts higher protein production rates for all mRNAs in the cell and in some cases, these rates are more sensitive to the activation of synthetic genes relative to the well-mixed model. This trend is confirmed numerically using common biological parameters to simulate the full PDE system.
The Challenges of Approaching and Managing Gout

Despite many effective treatments for gout, its management remains a challenge internationally. Options for optimizing gout management may differ in different practice sizes and settings. Gout incidence is rising and it continues to be associated with increased mortality. Education of patients and medical providers is essential, and newer gout medications need to be used in the most appropriate ways for cost-effective therapy. Special consideration needs to be given to such populations as the elderly and those with renal and cardiovascular disease in gout management. New agents are in development, which may add to the armamentarium for gout management.
Combining cognitive and noncognitive predictors and impact on selected individual demographics: An illustration

Research presented illustrates the impact on the demographic makeup of selected applicants when using a composite of cognitive predictors for selection compared to a composite of cognitive and noncognitive predictors. A large sample of American college applicants was used to simulate selection across a wide range of selection ratios using the two composites. Selection rates for Black individuals generally increased and Asian American selection rates generally decreased when the cognitive and noncognitive composite was used compared to the use of the cognitive composite. Results demonstrate that adding noncognitive predictors to a selection process utilizing cognitive predictors can have some beneficial impact on selection rates for some demographic groups, but does not eliminate the detrimental impact resulting from using cognitive predictors for some minority groups.
Quasistatic evolution models for thin plates arising as low energy Γ-limits of finite plasticity

In this paper we deduce by Γ-convergence some partially and fully linearized quasistatic evolution models for thin plates, in the framework of finite plasticity. Denoting by e the thickness of the plate, we study the case where the scaling factor of the elasto-plastic energy is of order e2α-2, with α ≥ 3. These scalings of the energy lead, in the absence of plastic dissipation, to the Von Karman and linearized Von Karman functionals for thin plates. We show that solutions to the three-dimensional quasistatic evolution problems converge, as the thickness of the plate tends to zero, to a quasistatic evolution associated to a suitable reduced model depending on α.
Does Statecraft Improve Student Learning Outcomes? A Controlled Comparison

This paper presents results from a comparative analysis of two sections of Introduction to International Politics, one of which used a traditional research paper as a supplemental assignment and on...
Enhanced catalytic performance of Zr modified CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst for methanol and DME synthesis via CO2 hydrogenation

Abstract Zirconium (Zr) modified CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 (CZA) catalysts with different aluminum (Al) and Zr contents were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The synthesized CuO/ZnO/ZrO2/Al2O3 (CZZA) catalysts were comprehensively characterized and studied for methanol synthesis via CO2 hydrogenation. The CZZA catalyst showed the highest methanol yield of 12.4 % at 220 °C and 2.76 MPa with an optimized catalyst composition of Cu/Zn/Zr/Al (atomic ratio) at 4:2:1:0.5. The CZZA catalyst showed better activity than that of the CZA catalyst and a superior stability for methanol synthesis. There was no decrease in the BET surface area and very little coke formation for the spent CZZA catalyst, after 300 h of methanol synthesis. Bifunctional catalysts, composed of CZZA and HZSM-5, were investigated for dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis directly from CO2 hydrogenation, and a maximum DME yield of 18.3 % was obtained at a reaction temperature of 240 °C and a pressure of 2.76 MPa. The stability of the bifunctional CZZA and HZSM-5 catalyst during the DME synthesis also significantly improved, as compared to that of the CZA and HZSM-5. A significant decrease in the BET surface area and an increase in coking on the spent CZZA catalyst were observed after 100 h of DME synthesis, indicating a detrimental effect on CZZA stability when a HZSM-5 catalyst was present. The changes in structural properties (e.g., BET surface area and crystallinity) and coking for HZSM-5 could be responsible for the deactivation of the bifunctional catalyst.
Analysis on national external quality control results for Sichuan salt in Guizhou Province in 2012-2016

Objective To analyze the Sichuan salt detection ability and the network running situation in different centers for disease control (CDC) laboratories of Guizhou Province, and to provide reliable laboratory quality assurance for iodine deficiency disorders prevention. Methods The examination results of external quality assessment (EQA) were collected in 2012-2016, and the relative error between Sichuan salt and the given reference value was analyzed. The results of Sichuan salt from all laboratories were evaluated in Guizhou Province. Results In 2012-2016, the feedback rate and qualified rate were all 100.00% of the provincial and 7 municipal laboratories. The range was 0-4.53% of relative error at provincial level, and the average relative error was 1.46%-5.28% at prefecture level. At the county level, the feedback rate was 100.00%, and the qualified rate went from 63.64% in 2012 up to 100.00% in 2016, the average relative error was 1.65%-12.12%. Conclusions The testing ability at provincial and prefecture level laboratories is relatively stable. The testing ability at the county level laboratories has been significantly improved through national laboratory network operation and sustained technical training, and they could provide reliable laboratory quality in prevention of iodine deficiency disorders. Key words: Iodine; Salts; Quality control
The Natural Evolution of Facial Surgical Scars: A Retrospective Study of Physician-Assessed Scars Using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale Over Two Time Points.

Background: The natural evolution of facial scars has not been well described. Identifying factors that correlate with optimal scar healing may help patients and physicians during the perioperative...
QM abelian surfaces

In this final chapter, we consider quotients of the upper half-plane by quaternionic unit groups as generalizations of such quotients from the matrix group (Chapter 40), realizing them as moduli spaces for abelian surfaces with quaternionic multiplication. This chapter can be seen as a culminating application of all of the parts of this book, and for that reason, is necessarily more advanced. Concepts are reviewed in the attempt to be self-contained, but additional background in algebraic and arithmetic geometry is suggested.
Student Debt Cancellation IS Progressive: Correcting Empirical and Conceptual Errors

We examine the argument that student loan cancellation would be a regressive policy and show how it arises from several empirical and conceptual errors. The authors conclude that student cancellation can, in fact, be progressive and that more substantial cancellation policies would be more progressive. The reason for this progressivity is simple: people from wealthy backgrounds (and their parents) rarely use student loans to pay for college. Through examination of five common mistakes that have led some to conclude that student debt cancellation is regressive, the authors show that student debt cancellation would provide more benefits to those with fewer economic resources and could play a critical role in addressing the racial wealth gap and building the Black middle class.
Microprocessor Architecture and Microprogramming: A State Machine Approach

Microprogrammed Control. A Simple Processor (Implemented as CISC01). Microprogramming Primer. The Computer Control Unit (Implemented as CISC02). The Arithmetic Logic Unit (Am2903/Am2904 Implemented as CISC03). The Program Control Unit (Am2930/Am2914 Implemented as CISCO4). A Simple RISC Processor (Implemented as RISCO5). Appendix: CISC/RISC Simulators Background Review.
Disasters and Emergency Planning

Disasters have been part of human experience since the beginning of time. For centuries, people at risk of drought and famine or flood and heavy winds have made individual or small group preparations to try to ward off the worst effects. Agencies and systems dedicated to disaster response have relatively recent origins, however, and can be traced, for most countries, to developments during the nineteenth century and early twentieth centuries. These years saw governments deploy military units to help people affected by major natural disasters, urban authorities draw on fire departments to assist with emergencies other than fires, and civic organizations founded with the express purpose of taking care of the injured in war (the International Committee of the Red Cross) or the distressed at home (the national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies). Private or religious groups attended to people affected by emergencies or disaster, within their domestic jurisdictions or internationally.
Inmunoterapias para las adicciones a las drogas

Las inmunoterapias en forma de vacunas (inmunizacion activa) o anticuerpos monoclonales (inmunizacion pasiva) son propuestas seguras y prometedoras para el tratamiento de ciertos trastornos relacionados con el consumo de sustancias. El mecanismo de accion de la terapia del anticuerpo se realiza por medio de la prevencion de la rapida entrada de drogas de abuso en el sistema nervioso central. En teoria, las inmunoterapias pueden tener varias aplicaciones clinicas. Los anticuerpos monoclonales sirven para tratar las sobredosis de drogas y para prevenir los efectos neurotoxicos de las drogas al bloquear el acceso de las drogas al cerebro. Las vacunas ayudan a prevenir el desarrollo de la adiccion, a iniciar la abstinencia de drogas en los adictos o a evitar la recaida en el consumo de drogas al reducir los efectos farmacologicos y las propiedades gratificantes de las drogas de abuso en el cerebro. Se ha investigado la inmunizacion pasiva con anticuerpos monoclonales en la cocaina, la metanfetamina, la nicotina y la penciclidina (PCP). Igualmente, se ha estudiado la inmunizacion activa con vacunas en la cocaina, la heroina, la metanfetamina y la nicotina. Estas inmunoterapias son prometedoras herramientas terapeuticas y se encuentran en diferentes niveles de desarrollo, a la espera de que las agencias reguladoras las aprueben para el tratamiento de trastornos por consumo de sustancias. El objetivo de este articulo es revisar las propuestas de inmunoterapia existentes, poniendo especial enfasis en los riesgos y beneficios que tienen para el tratamiento de estos trastornos.
Modeling and Composing Service-Based nd Reference Process-Based Multi-enterprise Processes

Multi-enterprise processes (MEPs) are workflows consisting of a set of activities that are implemented by different enterprises. Tightly coupled Virtual Enterprises (VEs) typically agree on abstract MEPs (reference MEPs), to which each enterprise contributes single-enterprise processes (SEPs) that implement and refine the activities in the reference MEP. On the other end of the spectrum, loosely coupled VEs use service-based MEPs that fuse together heterogeneous services implemented and provided by different enterprises. Existing process models usually couple activities with their implementation. Therefore, they cannot effectively support such MEPs. In this paper, we introduce a Polymorphic Process Model (PPM) that supports both reference process- and service-based MEPs. To accomplish this, PPM decouples activity interface from activity implementation, and provides process polymorphism to support their mapping. In particular, PPM determines activity types from the activity interfaces, permits activity interface subtyping, and provides for the mapping of MEP activity types to concrete implementations via interface matching. We illustrate that these key PPM capabilities permit the late binding and use of multiple activity implementations within a MEP without modifying the MEP at run time or enumerating the alternative implementation at specification time.
Flavor Oscillations in Field Theory

Neutrino flavor oscillations are discussed in terms of two coupled Dirac fields. The interacting Lagrangian is diagonalized to obtain the exact eigenvalues and eigenfunctions. Flavor wave functions are then derived directly from the quantized neutrino fields. Probability density obtained by squaring these wave functions upon taking into account the neutrino chirality are in agreement with the standard neutrino oscillation probabilities.
Family Structure in African Fertility Studies: Some Conceptual and Methodological Issues

In this article an attempt is made to define the African family as it relates to reproduction. A review of the theoretical discussions and empirical studies indicates that none of the earlier conceptualizations of family structure is adequate enough for analyzing the relationship between family structure and fertility. It is suggested that three major dimensions social structure social-psychology and economics underlie the African family structure and that their full understanding is essential to a meaningful analysis of the role of kinship networks in Africas population growth. Indeed the issues involved in the study of the fertility of African especially rural women may not be fully understood until the ramifications of the African family and kinship networks are fully understood and adequately conceptualized. (EXCERPT)
Quantitative physiological characterization of a quinoxalinedione non- NMDA receptor antagonist

The effects of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, or FG 9065) on excitatory amino acid responses in cultured neurons from rat hippocampus were studied using tight-seal whole-cell recording techniques. CNQX reduced the magnitude of peak inward currents produced by exogenously applied kainate, quisqualate, and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) with Ki's of 2.5, 3.5, and 96 microM, respectively. The antagonism was competitive against kainate and quisqualate, but noncompetitive against NMDA. Glycine markedly reduced CNQX antagonism of NMDA responses. The same recording technique using pairs of monosynaptically connected neurons demonstrated reversible diminution of excitatory postsynaptic potentials in 7 of 7 pairs, using CNQX at concentrations as low as 10 microM. CNQX applied alone did not evoke inward or outward currents at membrane potentials near the resting membrane potential and did not affect the current-voltage relationship at membrane potentials between -90 and -30 mV. These observations represent the first quantitative characterization of glutamate receptor antagonism by CNQX with respect to physiological rather than biochemical parameters and demonstrate that CNQX is far more potent and more selective than currently available non-NMDA antagonists. The results suggest that CNQX will be a useful pharmacologic tool for the study of synaptic transmission in a variety of systems in which glutamate or related excitatory amino acids are involved.
Genetic Disability and Legal Action: Wrongful Birth, Wrongful Life

Parents of children born with birth defects can successfully sue health professionals for the tort of wrongful birth if they can claim that the child's birth was due to the negligence of the professional. The tort of wrongful life stems from the same series of events, but is brought by the child rather than the parent. Keywords: wrongful birth; wrongful life; birth defects; genetic counseling
Crop strength through diversity.

In conventional farming, single varieties of crop plants are grown alone. But mixing varieties may be a better option: several rice strains, planted together on a large scale, are more resistant to a major fungal disease.
Novel Tunneling System for Implantation of Percutaneous Nerve Field Stimulator Electrodes: A Technical Note

Introduction The field of neuromodulation continues to grow, especially in the area of pain management. Percutaneous nerve field stimulation continues to gain significant popularity for chronic, focal, and intractable neuropathic pain. Materials and Methods Tuohy needles have been traditionally used as the instrument of choice for subcutaneous implantation of peripheral field stimulators. The ON-Q® Tunneling System (Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany) provides an adaptable option for subcutaneous implantation of electrodes, with a variety of lengths and gauges available. This system uses a disposable blunt needle and a peel-away sheath and is firm but malleable. Gentle curves can be applied to the stylet prior to implantation. The blunt, malleable nature of the needle and the soft Silastic sheath allow for applications in areas with greater curvature, such as the face, and ensure a subcutaneous placement. Conclusions The great adaptability of this system allows for implantation of electrodes subcutaneously with efficacy and ease. Here we present a technical note on the use of this system for subcutaneous implantation of peripheral nerve field stimulators.
Evaluation of nanoparticle delivered cisplatin in beagles.

Intracranial neoplasia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in both human and veterinary patients, and is difficult to treat with traditional therapeutic methods. Cisplatin is a platinum (Pt)-containing chemotherapeutic agent approved by the Food and Drug Administration; however, substantial limitations exist for its application in canine brain tumor treatment due to the difficulty in crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), development of resistance, and toxicity. A modified Pt(IV)-prodrug of cisplatin, Platin-M, was recently shown to be deliverable to the brain via a biocompatible mitochondria-targeted lipophilic polymeric nanoparticle (NP) that carries the drug across the BBB and to the mitochondria. NP mediated controlled release of Platin-M and subsequent reduction of this prodrug to cisplatin allowed cross-links to be formed with the mitochondrial DNA, which have no nucleotide excision repair system, forcing the overactive cancer cells to undergo apoptosis. Here, we report in vitro effects of targeted Platin-M NPs (T-Platin-M-NPs) in canine glioma and glioblastoma cell lines with results indicating that this targeted NP formulation is more effective than cisplatin. In both the cell lines, T-Platin-M-NP was significantly more efficacious compared to carboplatin, another Pt-based chemotherapy, which is used in the settings of recurrent high-grade glioblastoma. Mitochondrial stress analysis indicated that T-Platin-M-NP is more effective in disrupting the mitochondrial bioenergetics in both the cell types. A 14-day distribution study in healthy adult beagles using a single intravenous injection at 0.5 mg kg−1 (with respect to Platin-M) of T-Platin-M-NPs showed high levels of Pt accumulation in the brain, with negligible amounts in the other analyzed organs. Safety studies in the beagles monitoring physical, hematological, and serum chemistry evaluations were within the normal limits on days 1, 7, and 14 after injection of either 0.5 mg kg−1 or 2 mg kg−1 or 2.2 mg kg−1 (with respect to Platin-M) of T-Platin-M-NPs. At all doses over the 14-day period, no neurotoxicity was observed based upon periodic neurological examinations and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. These studies demonstrated the translational nature of T-Platin-M-NPs for applications in the treatment of brain tumors.
Working with Friends of the Library to Augment Staff Resources: A Case History

At the program session of ACRL’s Rare Books and Manuscripts Section during ALA’s 1993 Annual Conference in New Orleans, special collections librarians and library development officers discussed the ways in which special collections could play an important role in library development efforts. During the question-and-answer period, Professor Terry Belanger (University of Virginia) took the floor, briefly commented on the understaffing prevalent in most special collections departments, and then asked, “When you spend time and effort on development, what is it you’re not doing?” The implication that development is not a part of the “real work” of special collections librarianship raised . . .
Rethinking the Secular in Feminist Marriage Debates

The religious right often aligns its patriarchal opposition to same-sex marriage with the defence of religious freedom. In this article, I identify resources for confronting such prejudicial religiosity by surveying two predominant feminist approaches to same-sex marriage that are often assumed to be at odds: discourse ethics and queer critical theory. This comparative analysis opens to view commitments that may not be fully recognizable from within either feminist framework: commitments to ideals of selfhood, to specific conceptions of justice, and to particular definitions of secularism. I conclude by examining the "postsecular" turn in feminism, suggesting that we can see the same-sex marriage debate not in terms of an impasse between differing feminist approaches, but in terms of shared existential and ethical affinities.
Consequences of habitat disturbance and recovery to recruitment and the abundance of kelp forest fishes

Abstract The complete or partial removal of kelp forests due to disturbance can alter species composition and cause large reductions in the abundance of fishes in temperate zones. The effects of a gradient in disturbance that results in the thinning of kelp, however, have not been explored. We conducted manipulations corresponding to 0%, 33%, 66%, and 100% removal of Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Ag at three sites along Santa Catalina Island, California. Surveys of fishes conducted 1–3 months after the removal of M. pyrifera revealed differences in recruitment for Brachyistius frenatus (Gill). Additionally, a trend was seen for Oxyjulis californica (Gunther) showing an increase in recruit fish densities in treatments with higher amounts of M. pyrifera . For older life stages, there also were differences among treatments in the numerical densities of Chromis punctipinnis (Cooper) , Paralabrax clathratus (Girard), and B. frenatus and in the biomass densities of P. clathratus and B. frenatus . Algae surveys conducted annually in the 2 years following disturbance showed the stipe densities of M. pyrifera among all treatments were at least as high as at the initiation of the experiment, indicating that treatments of M. pyrifera removal had recovered quickly to pre-disturbance levels. With one exception, there were no differences in recruitment or in the numerical or biomass densities of older juvenile and adult fishes among treatments in either of the two years following the initial disturbance. M. pyrifera in mature vs. recovering forests differs in its distribution and morphology, which might influence recruitment of kelp-associated fishes. To investigate these differences we conducted an experiment manipulating the distribution of adult and juvenile fronds of M. pyrifera . Recruitment of fishes was significantly higher on adult M. pyrifera and bundled fronds of juvenile M. pyrifera than on a dispersed distribution of juvenile M. pyrifera , indicating that the distribution of fronds primarily influences recruitment of kelp-associated fishes. Our results indicate that a gradient in disturbance and variation in the density of fronds of M. pyrifera influences recruitment and the distribution of older life stages of fishes, revealing some patterns at intermediate levels of removal that would not be observed by the simple presence or absence of this habitat. Although recovery of M. pyrifera to pre-manipulation levels was achieved over a relatively short period time in this study, variation in recruitment and the abundance of kelp forest fishes as a result of disturbance will depend on the intensity of the disturbance, the conditions that promote or delay habitat recovery, and the life history characteristics of individual species.
Energy Policy and Research in Agriculture

Basic goals of the proposed National Energy Plan (NEP) are outlined in terms of agricultural policies, which are aimed at providing enough food and fiber at reasonable prices. To reconcile the two sets of goals, agricultural and rural patterns must be changed. ERDA policies are shown to be oriented toward industry and large-scale technology, while the Department of Agriculture policies are based on retaining the family farm. Major issues center on the competition between food and coal production for land, water, labor, and community development. The NEP emphasis on solar energy, biomass, and other renewable energy sources also competes with agriculture for land. Agricultural economists are urged to participate in a national multidisciplinary research and development effort to resolve these issues. 9 references.
Examination of the adolescent patient.

Adolescence is a time of significant change that can lead to emotional disorders and high-risk health behaviors. Many of these health behaviors lead to serious morbidity and mortality. The obstetrician-gynecologist is uniquely qualified to deal with adolescent sexuality issues but may be less aware of other health threats in this population. Interviewing and counseling strategies, physical examination techniques, and office preparedness tips are provided in this article to assist the practitioner in providing adolescent health care.
Developing an Instrument to Assess Student Readiness for Online Learning: A Validation Study.

Given the continued growth in online learning as well as reports of high attrition rates in it, understanding student readiness for online learning is necessary. Over the years several surveys have been developed to assess student readiness as a predictor of success in online programs; however, a review of the literature yielded limited results of their translation and criterion‐referenced validity. The researchers of this article sought to develop a more rigorous survey instrument for students to self‐assess readiness for online learning. The authors report on findings from a three‐phase study during which the instrument was developed, evaluated, and validated. Through the process of validation, the researchers systematically engaged in an iterative process to refine the instrument, which resulted in not only a more rigorous instrument but one that more clearly defines ready and situates it within the literature on learner characteristics, digital divide, and information and communications technology (IC...
Family history in recurrent depression

The authors report morbid risks found for depression, alcoholism, and bipolar disorder in first-degree relatives of 179 probands with recurrent depression. Comparisons were made for relatives' gender, probands' gender, and probands' age at onset. Results showed overall morbid risks of 20.7% for non-bipolar depression, 15.4% for alcoholism, and 1.1% for bipolar disorder. Female relatives were found to be at greater risk for depression than males, while the reverse was true for alcoholism. Sex of proband had no effect. Risk to relatives of early-onset probands was significantly elevated compared to late-onset probands. Various cutoffs for ages at onset were examined, and the effect became more marked as the cutoff age was decreased to 20.