cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sleep Disturbance, Activities of Daily Living, and Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults.

Objective: Research suggests sleep disturbance plays a role in depression and risk for suicidal behavior (i.e., ideation, attempts, death by suicide). How sleep disturbance affects suicide risk is unclear and one’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) may help explain this relation. This study examined associations between sleep problems, ADLs, and either depressive symptoms or suicide risk among older adults. We hypothesized that ADLs would mediate relations between sleep problems and depressive symptoms and suicide risk.Method: Participants (N = 134; age ≥65) were recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed insomnia symptoms, nightmares, ADLs, depressive symptoms, and suicidal behaviors.Results: Nightmares were associated with depressive symptoms and suicide risk but not independently associated with ADLs. Insomnia symptoms were associated with depressive symptoms, suicide risk, and ADLs. ADLs mediated the relation between insom...
Capsule Shimming Developments for National Ignition Facility (NIF) Hohlraum Asymmetry Experiments

Capsule drive in National Ignition Facility indirect-drive implosions is generated by X-ray illumination from cylindrical hohlraums. The cylindrical hohlraum geometry is axially symmetric but not s...
Anesthetic Management of Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma are rare endocrine tumors that pose significant challenge to anesthesiologists. Increased sympathetic activation during induction of anesthesia, tracheal intubation, and surgical incision, and surges of catecholamine release during manipulation of the tumor can precipitate severe hemodynamic instability. Intraoperative complications include malignant hypertension, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, acute cardiac decompensation, pulmonary edema, and stroke. Careful preoperative preparation with α- and β-blockers and oral intravascular fluid expansion have been shown to decrease the incidence and severity of perioperative hemodynamic instability. Preoperative tests should include 24-h urine catecholamine levels and cardiac evaluation with an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram. In addition to standard intraoperative monitors, all patients should have an arterial line placed prior to induction of anesthesia. Most patients receive general anesthesia for these surgeries. During the induction of anesthesia, a deep plain of anesthesia and paralysis should be achieved prior to tracheal intubation, to avoid excessive sympathetic stimulation. Potent arterial and venous vasodilators should be readily available to treat hypertensive crises during anesthesia. Arrhythmias should be treated promptly with β-blockers and antiarrhythmic agents. Vasopressors are usually needed to treat hypotension after tumor resection. All vasodilators and vasopressors should be infused via central venous access. Maintenance of general anesthesia is achieved with a volatile anesthetic, with the careful titration of narcotics. The goal of fluid management is to achieve euvolemia. Fluid management should be guided by dynamic parameters of fluid responsiveness. All patients should be recovered in an intensive care unit. Elderly patients are at higher risk for postoperative complications and prolonged hypotension after tumor resection. Care of pheochromocytoma in pregnancy requires a multidisciplinary approach with an endocrinologist, obstetrician, surgeon, and anesthesiologist to best prepare for the timing of surgical resection.
Clinical Requirements for Computed Radiography Imagery Analysis

Our pilot investigations indicate that computer-assisted analysis of plain films is clinically valuable, clinically desireable, and technically feasible. Interactive analysis is achievable in the near future, but automated analysis is a longer-term goal. For some applications, such as osteoporosis evaluation, automatic analysis is not quantitative in an absolute sense. It is, however, likely to be valuable for assessing change in an individual patient and may provide an alternative to sequential CT scans for this purpose.
Effects of inoculation level, material hydration, and stainless steel surface roughness on the transfer of listeria monocytogenes from inoculated bologna to stainless steel and high-density polyethylene.

The influence of inoculation level, material hydration, and stainless steel surface roughness on the transfer of Listeria monocytogenes from inoculated bologna to processing surfaces (stainless steel and polyethylene) was assessed. Slices of bologna (14 g) were inoculated with Listeria at different levels, from 10(5) to 10(9) CFU/cm2. Transfer experiments were done at a constant contact time (30 s) and pressure (45 kPa) with a universal testing machine. After transfer, cells that had been transferred to sterile stainless steel and polyethylene were removed and counted, and the efficiency of transfer (EOT) was calculated. As the inoculation level increased from 10(5) to 10(9) CFU/cm(2), the absolute level of transfer increased in a similar fashion. By calculating EOTs, the data were normalized, and the initial inoculation level had no effect on the transfer (P > 0.05). The influence of hydration level on stainless steel, high-density polyethylene, and material type was investigated, and the EOTs ranged from 0.1 to 1 under all the conditions tested. Our results show that transfers to wetted processing surfaces (mean EOT = 0.43) were no different from dried processing surfaces (mean EOT = 0.35) (P > 0.05). Material type was shown to be a significant factor, with greater numbers of Listeria transferring from bologna to stainless steel (mean EOT = 0.49) than from bologna to polyethylene (mean EOT = 0.28) (P 0.05). Our results showed that when evaluating the transfer of Listeria, the use of EOTs rather than the absolute transfer values is essential to allow comparisons of transfer conditions or comparisons between research groups.
Bayesian Statistical Computations of Nonlinear Financial Time Series Models: A Survey with Illustrations

A survey of Bayesian statistical computations of quadratureformula, Laplace approximation, and Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithms ispresentedand their applications to nonlinear financial time series models arediscussed.
New frontiers in understanding the benefits of self-compassion

There has recently been an exponential increase in research into the psychological health benefits of self-compassion. Since the first two studies on the topic were published by Neff (2003a, 2003b)...
Deviant Christians: Romanization and Esoterization as Social Strategies for Survival Among Early Christians

This paper explores the relationship between deviance and esotericism, particularly as this relationship relates to the emergence of new religious movements and the processes of social accommodation and resistance. Applying sociological models for the study of deviance, I show how emergent Catholics use a variety of accommodation strategies to better fit into Roman religious expectations, constructing a public face to their worship along with ancestral ties. As they do this, the emergent Catholics dissociate themselves from other Christians, like groups with gnostic orientations, whom they have marked as different from themselves and a liability for the survival of Christianity. They begin to argue that these “other” Christians are the deviant ones, not themselves. Their willingness to Romanize certain aspects of their religion reduces the tensile relationship between their new religion and the surrounding society, increasing their ability to attract and maintain new recruits. To make matters more complicated, gnostic groups largely resist accommodation to Roman religious expectations, a strategy that powers their countercultural critique of the hegemony of Rome. They esoterize their groups by privatizing and converting their deviance into secret social capital. The choice to maintain their deviance by limiting access to their internal social networks affects their ability to recruit, grow, and sustain their communities in the long term. The social politics of deviance goes a long way to explain the rise of Catholicism and its domination over other forms of Christianity.
Surgically relevant anatomy of the axillary and radial nerves in relation to the latissimus dorsi tendon in variable shoulder positions: A cadaveric study.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to define the relationship of the axillary and radial nerves, particularly how these are affected with changing arm position.MethodsTwenty cadaveric shoulder...
A convenient synthesis of functionalized N-(ethynyl)benzotriazoles

Abstract 1-(2,2-Dichlorovinyl)benzotriazole ( 7 ) was prepared by the reaction of 1-formylbenzotriazole with PPh3/CCl4. Lithiation–substitution of 7 with electrophiles gave a variety of functionalized N-(ethynyl)benzotriazoles 8a–h in 32–84% yields.
Women technology librarians as good citizens

Abstract Purpose This practitioner-focused study explores the issues of organizational justice for women technology librarians who experience the gendered-nature of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Design/methodology/approach This study uses interviews (qualitative) to collect data from women technology librarians who work in an academic library within the United States. Research limitations/implications The generalizability of the findings is due to the sample consisting of only academic librarians within the United States. The methodology also has limitations since interviews are not a perfect methodology and rely on self-reported descriptions and experiences; thus, may be susceptible to perceptional biases. The findings from the research also rely only on the gender variable while ignoring other variables that affect an individual's experiences. Practical implications Organizations need to reevaluate perceptions of women's OCB and the structural barriers they encounter. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on gender and organizational citizenship behavior and gender and librarianship. Yet, in this first study that looks at gender, organizational citizenship behavior in librarianship.
Excessive daytime sleepiness and topographic expansion of Lewy pathology.

Objective While excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) can predate the clinical diagnosis of Parkinson disease (PD), associations with underlying PD pathogenesis are unknown. Our objective is to determine if EDS is related to brain Lewy pathology (LP), a marker of PD pathogenesis, using clinical assessments of EDS with postmortem follow-up. Methods Identification of LP was based on staining for α-synuclein in multiple brain regions in a sample of 211 men. Data on EDS were collected at clinical examinations from 1991 to 1999 when participants were aged 72–97 years. Results Although EDS was more common in the presence vs absence of LP (p = 0.034), the association became stronger in neocortical regions. When LP was limited to the olfactory bulb, brainstem, and basal forebrain (Braak stages 1–4), frequency of EDS was 10% (4/40) vs 17.5% (20/114) in decedents without LP (p = 0.258). In contrast, compared to the absence of LP, EDS frequency doubled (36.7% [11/30], p = 0.023) when LP reached the anterior cingulate gyrus, insula mesocortex, and midfrontal, midtemporal, and inferior parietal neocortex (Braak stage 5). With further infiltration into the primary motor and sensory neocortices (Braak stage 6), EDS frequency increased threefold (51.9% [14/27], p Conclusions The association between EDS and PD includes relationships with extensive topographic LP expansion. The neocortex could be especially vulnerable to adverse relationships between sleep disorders and aggregation of misfolded α-synuclein and LP formation.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Utilizing Reduced Intensity Conditioning without Radiation Is an Effective Treatment for Children with Sickle Cell Disease Using Alternative Donors

Sickle cell disease can be cured with allogeneic HSCT. However, graft rejection and treatment related morbidity remains an obstacle in treating these patients with HSCT. Consequently, the intensity of the preparative regimen is crucial in establishing a balance between low treatment related morbidity and durable engraftment. Methods and Materials: This is a single center retrospective analysis of pediatric HSCT recipients that received non-radiation containing reduced intensity conditioning from September, 2016, to present. The patients were all conditioned with distal alemtuzumab (d-23 thru d-20), fludarabine (d-7 thru d-2), thiotepa (d-3) and melphalan (d-2). GvHD prophylaxis consisted of MMF and tacrolimus for all patients. Haploidentical transplants received posttransplant cyclophosphamide, and mismatched sibling donors received prednisone. Bone marrow was the preferred graft source. G-CSF was given to donors with a significant weight discrepancy to recipient. Results: Three patients with sickle cell disease received this non-radiation containing reduced intensity regimen utilizing distal alemtuzumab. Neutrophil and platelet engraftment were timely. No life threatening complications were incurred posttransplant. Acute GvHD (grade I skin) occurred in one patient, and there has been no chronic GvHD in 2 evaluable patients. Donor engraftment has been 100% in whole blood and CD3+ compartments in all 3 patients. All 3 patients remain transfusion free with serum hemoglobin near normal range. Conclusion: Reduced intensity conditioning utilizing distal alemtuzumab and no radiation results in durable engraftment with no significant GvHD in this small number of patients with sickle cell disease with complications. Risk of viral reactivation, especially CMV, remains high in patients receiving alemtuzumab containing conditioning.
Picosecond Transient Thermoreflectance: Time-Resolved Studies of Thin Film Thermal Transport

The advent of new and sophisticated material growth processes (molecular beam epitaxy, chemical vapor deposition and ion sputter deposition) has produced new exotic materials such as amorphous alloys and compositionally modulated structures [1]. The atomic level structure of these materials can be proved by techniques such as x-ray diffraction. The electrical and thermal transport properties are also used to characterize these materials, which are usually deposited as thin films onto supporting substrates. Although the substrate may be electrically isolated from the film, complete thermal isolation is more difficult to achieve and thermal transport measurements are complicated.
Modularization of electrical systems in the oil and gas industry in the North Slope of Alaska

Oil and Gas production facility installations in the North Slope of Alaska require a high degree of modularization. This paper will present a modularization concept for a large Gas Treatment Plant intended for installation on the North Slope. The paper discusses design trends and techniques used in the optimization and integration of the electrical design, and the use of 3D modeling to expedite the design, coordination and assembly at the fabrication yard and at site.
Management of Hyperosmotic Hyperglycemia

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) is an uncommon and often fatal complication of a common chronic illness, type 2 diabetes. This teaching script leads the reader through the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of HHS. The distinction between diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and HHS is introduced prior to management specifically of HHS. We emphasize the importance of quick volume resuscitation in addition to finding the underlying cause, which is often the cause of mortality.
Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Taxa Increase Demersal Fish Diversity and the Probability of Fish Presence

Fishes are known to use deep-sea coral and sponge (DSCS) species as habitat, but it is uncertain whether this relationship is facultative (circumstantial and not restricted to a particular function) or obligate (necessary to sustain fish populations). To explore whether DSCS provide essential habitats for demersal fishes, we analyzed 10-years of submersible survey video transect data, documenting the locations and abundance of DSCS and demersal fishes in the Southern California Bight (SCB). We first classified the different habitats in which fishes and DSCS taxa occurred using cluster analysis, which revealed four distinct DSCS assemblages based on depth and substratum. We then used logistic regression and gradient forest analysis to identify the ecological correlates most associated with the presence of rockfish taxa (Sebastes spp.) and biodiversity. After accounting for spatial autocorrelation, the factors most related to the presence of rockfishes were depth, coral height, and the abundance of a few key DSCS taxa. Of particular interest, we found that young-of-the-year rockfishes were more likely to be present in locations with taller coral and increased densities of Plumarella longispina, Lophelia pertusa, and two sponge taxa. This suggests these DSCS taxa may serve as important rearing habitat for rockfishes. Similarly, the gradient forest analysis found the most important ecological correlates for fish biodiversity were depth, coral cover, coral height, and a subset of DSCS taxa. Of the 10 top-ranked DSCS taxa in the gradient forest (out of 39 potential DSCS taxa), 6 also were associated with increased probability of fish presence in the logistic regression. The weight of evidence from these multiple analytical methods suggests that this subset of DSCS taxa are important fish habitats. In this paper we describe methods to characterize demersal communities and highlight which DSCS taxa provide habitat to demersal fishes, which is valuable information to fisheries agencies tasked to manage these fishes and their essential habitats.
EPA and DHA differentially modulate membrane elasticity in the presence of cholesterol

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) modify the activity of a wide range of membrane proteins and are increasingly hypothesized to modulate protein activity by indirectly altering membrane physical properties. Among the various physical properties affected by PUFAs, the membrane area expansion modulus (Ka), which measures membrane strain in response to applied force, is expected to be a significant controller of channel activity. Yet, the impact of PUFAs on membrane Ka has not been measured previously. Through a series of micropipette aspiration studies, we measured the apparent Ka (Kapp) of phospholipid model membranes containing nonesterified fatty acids. First, we measured membrane Kapp as a function of the location of the unsaturated bonds and degree of unsaturation in the incorporated fatty acids and found that Kapp generally decreases in the presence of fatty acids with three or more unsaturated bonds. Next, we assessed how select ω-3 PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), affect the Kapp of membranes containing cholesterol. In vesicles prepared with high amounts of cholesterol, which should increase the propensity of the membrane to phase segregate, we found that inclusion of DHA decreases the Kapp in comparison to EPA. We also measured how these ω-3 PUFAs affect membrane fluidity and bending rigidity to determine how membrane Kapp changes in relation to these other physical properties. Our study shows that PUFAs generally decrease the Kapp of membranes and that EPA and DHA have differential effects on Kapp when membranes contain higher levels of cholesterol. Our results suggest membrane phase behavior and the distribution of membrane-elasticizing amphiphiles impact the ability of a membrane to stretch.
Picomets: Assessing single and few cell metastases in melanoma sentinel lymph node biopsies

Abstract Background Lymph node involvement is a significant prognostic factor for melanoma. Both number of positive nodes and disease burden within a lymph node affects survival. However, the significance of few tumor cells within a single node and subsequent optimal management remains without consensus. We investigated the implications of minimal nodal disease on clinical outcomes. Methods We reviewed 752 patients who underwent lymph node sampling at time of primary melanoma resection at our institution over 15 years. We deemed patients who had 1 node with 1 to 4 atypical cells staining positive for either Melan-A or Sox-10 as having “picomets.” We examined the initial clinicopathological features, subsequent management, and outcomes. Results Thirty-three patients (4%) met criteria for having picomets. The most common number of positively staining atypical cells was 1 (n = 13). Nodal staging at initial pathology review varied, and overall stage ranged from IA to IIIC. Four patients underwent further therapy, none of whom had recurrent disease. Of the 29 patients undergoing observation/surveillance only, 5 had disease recurrence (17%). Conclusion Although patients with picomets had better outcomes than historical stage matched cohorts, a small subset had recurrent disease. Staging patients with picomets as “N0” may not reflect the true negative prognostic significance of picomets. A larger population of patients meeting picomets criteria is needed to draw further conclusions.
Theory of structural relaxation in glass from the thermodynamics of irreversible processes.

This work proposes a fundamental thermodynamic description of structural relaxation in glasses by establishing a link between the Prony series solution to volume relaxation derived from the principles of irreversible thermodynamics and asymmetric L\'evy stable distribution of relaxation rates. Additionally, it is shown that the bulk viscosity of glass, and not the shear viscosity, is the transport coefficient governing structural relaxation. We also report the distribution of relaxation times and energy barrier heights underpinning stretched exponential relaxation. It is proposed that this framework may be used for qualitative and quantitative descriptions of the relaxation kinetics in glass.
Thickness dependence of magnetotransport properties of tungsten ditelluride

We investigate the electronic structure of tungsten ditelluride (${\mathrm{WTe}}_{2}$) flakes with different thicknesses in magnetotransport studies. The temperature-dependent resistance and magnetoresistance (MR) measurements both confirm the breaking of carrier balance induced by thickness reduction, which suppresses the ``turn-on'' behavior and large positive MR. The Shubnikov-de-Haas oscillation studies further confirm the thickness-dependent change of electronic structure of ${\mathrm{WTe}}_{2}$ and reveal a possible temperature-sensitive electronic structure change. Finally, we report the thickness-dependent anisotropy of the Fermi surface, which reveals that multilayer ${\mathrm{WTe}}_{2}$ is an electronic 3D material and the anisotropy decreases as thickness decreases.
Quality vs. variety: Trading larger screens for more shows in the era of digital cinema

Movie exhibitors currently face two forces vying for the limited footprint of their properties. Recent advances have enabled exhibitors to satisfy consumers' long-standing desire for increasingly larger screens. On the other hand, digital tech- nology has reduced the cost of playing the same movie on multiple screens, thereby creating an incentive for screen proliferation to increase the number of show times for a given movie. Increasing the screens also has the added benefit of allowing the exhibitor to expand the number of unique movies screened at a given time. This is fundamentally a tradeoff between quality (larger screen size) and variety (more movies or showings). The goal of this paper is to evaluate consumers' relative valu- ations of the large screens vs. more shows tradeoff. We use a new data set on movie showings in India at the movie-chain-market-week level to estimate an aggregate discrete-choice demand model providing measures of customer preferences for the number of movie showings and screen size. India provides a valuable setting to study this question because the densely populated cities face substantial space constraints and regional heterogeneity in tastes and languages suggest the option of more shows may be more important in some cities than others. Our findings suggest that regions which are more urban and have a greater share of people with higher education prefer larger screens (quality) while most other regions prefer more showings (variety).
Physicochemical Aspects of Insecticidal Action

Enormous advances have been made during the past three decades in the development of organic chemicals as insect control agents. During this period, beginning approximately after the discovery of the insecticidal properties of DDT, countless numbers of new compounds of widely varying structures have been synthesized and evaluated for insecticidal activity. For the large part, the approaches taken to discover new insecticides have been empirical, i.e., through systematic analogue synthesis and screening. While such an approach has resulted in the unveiling of many useful compounds for insect control, it has been less than satisfying to individuals having the propensity to rationalize biological activity in terms of fundamental chemical and biochemical concepts. This is not meant to minimize the value of the empirical approach, for without it the establishment of meaningful relationships between chemical structure and biological activity would not be possible.
Enhancing ditized images by controlled transducer tremor

A method is proposed for improving the resolution of visual images beyond the limits imposed by stationary transducers. This procedure consists of causing the transducer grid to shift with respect to the visual field, recording the components of the shift, and correlating the transducer element states over many such tremors to achieve a more accurate mapping of the image. The method is investigated in a formal manner by proving three theorems which characterize the refinement capabilities. Simulated mappings are illustrated by employing a computer model which embodies the specified refinement procedure.
Learning with rare cases and small disjuncts

Abstract Systems that learn from examples often create a disjunctive concept definition. Small disjuncts are those disjuncts which cover only a few training examples. The problem with small disjuncts is that they are more error prone than large disjuncts. This paper investigates the reasons why small disjuncts are more error prone than large disjuncts. It shows that when there are rare cases within a domain, then factors such as attribute noise, missing attributes, class noise and training set size can result in small disjuncts being more error prone than large disjuncts and in rare cases being more error prone than common cases. This paper also assesses the impact that these error prone small disjuncts and rare cases have on inductive learning (i.e., on error rate). One key conclusion is that when low levels of attribute noise are applied only to the training set (the ability to learn the correct concept is being evaluated), rare cases within a domain are primarily responsible for making learning difficult.
Noonan's Syndrome: A Historical Perspective

Pediatrics and fine art do not often cross paths, but such an example seems to have occurred with Noonan9s (pseudo-Turner9s) syndrome and a famous painting by Ivan Le Lorraine Albright. In 1968 Noonan first described the syndrome that bears her name.1 These patients have characteristic facies: ptosis, antimongoloid palpebral slant, broad flat nose, webbed neck, as well as a high arched palate and malformed ears. They are usually of short stature and frequently have congenital heart disease, most often pulmonic stenosis secondary to a dysplastic valve with or without an associated shunt at the atrial level. Pectus excavatum, cubitus valgus, undescended testes, and impaired mental development are commonly found.
Improving Reliability Understanding Through Estimation and Prediction with Usage Information

ABSTRACT Using information about the usage or exposure of a complex system in addition to its age can provide additional understanding about mechanisms driving change in reliability as well as potentially improve the prediction. Both the individual reliability of particular units as well as population reliability can be improved with the inclusion of additional explanatory factors. In this article we consider an example based on a complex munition system. Using age alone to predict reliability can provide some information, but differences between units of the same age cannot be discerned. Subpopulations of the stockpile can be identified to help improve estimation, but the largest gains in understanding of the mechanisms driving change in reliability and prediction of future performance come from incorporating usage information.
Probabilistic sensitivity analysis of dwell-fatigue crack initiation life for a two-grain microstructural model

Crack initiation in Ti-6242 has been observed to occur in a grain with a hard orientation for basal slip neighbouring a grain with a soft orientation. Because there is significant variability in microstructural features and crack initiation life, it is useful to explore the effects of the variability of the microstructural components through a probabilistic sensitivity analysis. In this paper, a probabilistic crystal plasticity finite element model of a hard−soft grain combination (2 grains) was exercised considering the Schmid factor of the soft grain, the misorientation angle between the two grains, and the soft grain size as random variables. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis of the time-to-crack initiation was then employed in order to ascertain the relative importance of the random variables. The results indicate that the variance in the Schmid factor accounts for the majority of the variance in the time-to-crack initiation. A local sensitivity analysis found that larger Schmid factors result in smaller mean life and larger variance. The neighbouring soft grain size was found to be less important than the Schmid factor and misorientation angle.
Variation of seizure frequency with ovulatory status of menstrual cycles

Summary Purpose: To determine if seizure frequency differs between anovulatory and ovulatory cycles. Methods: The data came from the 3-month baseline phase of an investigation of progesterone therapy for intractable focal onset seizures. Of 462 women who enrolled, 281 completed the 3-month baseline phase and 92 had both anovulatory and ovulatory cycles during the baseline phase. Midluteal progesterone levels ≥5 ng/ml were used to designate cycles as ovulatory. Among the 92 women, average daily seizure frequency (ADSF) for all seizures combined and each type of seizure considered separately (secondary generalized tonic–clonic seizures – 2°GTCS, complex partial seizures – CPS, simple partial seizures – SPS) were compared between anovulatory and ovulatory cycles using paired t-tests. A relationship between the proportional differences in ADSF and estradiol/progesterone (EP) serum level ratios between anovulatory and ovulatory cycles was determined using bivariate correlational analysis. Key Findings: ADSF was 29.5% greater for 2°GTCS during anovulatory than during ovulatory cycles. ADSF did not differ significantly for CPS or SPS or for all seizures combined. Proportional differences in anovulatory/ovulatory 2°GTCS ADSF ratios correlated significantly with differences in anovulatory/ovulatory EP ratios. Among the 281 women, the three seizure types did not differ in ovulatory rates, but EP ratios were greater for cycles with 2°GTCS than partial seizures only. Significance: Seizure frequency is significantly greater for 2°GTCS, but not CPS or SPS, during anovulatory cycles than ovulatory cycles. Because the proportional increases in 2°GTCS frequency during anovulatory cycles correlate with the proportional increases in EP level ratios, these findings support a possible role for reproductive steroids in 2°GTCS occurrence.
Breaking the mirror: the construction of lesbianism and the anthropological discourse on homosexuality.

This essay reviews the anthropological discourse on homosexuality be examining the assumptions that have been used by anthropologists to explain homosexual behavior, and by identifying current theoretical approaches. This essay questions the emphasis on male homosexual behavior as the basis for theoretical analysis, and points to the importance of including female homosexual behavior in the study of homosexuality. Cross-cultural data on lesbian behavior in the study of homosexuality. Cross-cultural data on lesbian behavior are presented and the influence of gender division and social stratification on the development of patterns of lesbian behavior are broadly explored. The article outlines suggestions for examining the cultural context of lesbian behavior as well as the constraints exerted on women's sexual behavior in various cultures
An adaptive sensor network architecture for multi-scale communication

Sensor networking has emerged as a promising tool for monitoring and actuating the devices of the physical world, employing self-organizing networks of battery-powered wireless sensors that can sense, process, and communicate. Such networks can be rapidly deployed at low cost, enabling large-scale, on-demand monitoring and tracking over a wide area. Energy is the most crucial and scarce resource for such networks. However, since sensor network applications generally exhibit specific limited behaviors, there is both a need and an opportunity for adapting the network architecture to match the application in order to optimize resource utilization. Many applications-such as large-scale collaborative sensing, distributed signal processing, and distributed data assimilation-require sensor data to be available at multiple resolutions, or allow fidelity to be traded-off for energy efficiency. In this thesis, I develop an adaptive cross-layered sensor network architecture that enables multi-scale collaboration and communication. Analyzing the unique characteristics of sensor networks, I identify cross-layering and adaptability to applications as the primary design principles needed to build three closely coupled-protocols: (1) a self-organizing adaptive hierarchical data service for multi-scale communication, together with communication primitives to simplify application design; (2) a medium scheduling protocol tailored for this hierarchical data service, to take advantage of the communication and routing characteristics to achieve close to optimal latency and energy usage; and (3) an adaptive clock synchronization service, which provides an analytical framework for mapping clock synchronization requirements to actual protocol parameters, to provide required synchronization. I have analyzed as well as simulated the performance of these protocols to show optimized energy utilization.
Sensitivity analysis of hydraulic fracture in open and cased holes using numerical mode matching method

Hydraulic fracturing is a widely used well-stimulation technique to enhance the productivity of gas or petroleum in the wells of tight oil and tight gas since it was first introduced in 1947. In the earth formations of low porosity and low permeability, the fracture is commonly induced hydraulically to increase the exposed area of the producing formation, allowing more hydrocarbon to flow into the wellbore, and ultimately improving the production economics. Thus, it is important to obtain the information about fracture, including length, width, thickness and orientation.
Nitrogen and winter cover crop effects on spring and summer nutrient uptake

Overseeded winter annuals in bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] improve annual dry-matter (DM) yield and capture nutrients in fields receiving manure application. This study determined the DM and nutrient uptake responses of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), cereal rye (Secale cereale), berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) and bermudagrass-winter fallow to 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha−1 applied approximately 2 months before a single spring harvest, and in addition to swine-effluent N (258 and 533 kg ha−1 in summer 2000 and 2001, respectively). Under drought conditions in 2000, DM yield at the spring harvest was highest in ryegrass, and summer DM yield of bermudagrass was greater at 100 and 150 kg N ha−1 than 50 kg N ha−1(P < 0·05). The concentration and uptake of N at the spring harvest increased linearly across N rates in both years (P < 0.05). Cover crops differed in N uptake in 2000 (P < 0.01) and values ranged from approximately 141 kg N ha−1 in berseem clover to 86 kg N ha−1 in rye. Per unit of N applied, uptake of N increased by approximately 0·409 kg ha−1 in 2000 and 0·267 kg ha−1 in 2001; uptake of P increased by 0·029 and 0·014 kg ha−1 respectively. In 2000, uptake of P was responsive to N rate and this relationship was significant (P < 0·01) in winter fallow (slope = 0·032) and ryegrass (slope = 0·057). Increased uptake of N and P at the single spring harvest was due mainly to higher concentrations in herbage and not higher DM yield.
Preferred Orientations in the Binding of 4'-Hydroxyacetanilide (Acetaminophen) to Cytochrome P450 1A1 and 2B1 Isoforms as Determined by 13C- and 15N-NMR Relaxation Studies

The widely used analgesic/antipyretic agent 4'-hydroxyacetanilide (acetaminophen, APAP) is oxidized by cytochromes P450 to a potent cytotoxin, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), and a nontoxic catechol, 3',4'-dihydroxyacetanilide (3-hydroxyacetaminophen, 3-OH-APAP). There are marked differences in the ratios of these two products formed from different isoforms of cytochrome P450. For example, the ratio of NAPQI to 3-OH-APAP formed by rat liver CYP1A1 was found to be approximately 3:1, whereas the ratio of the same two products formed by rat liver CYP2B1 was approximately 1:5. Investigations of the binding of APAP to CYP1A1 and CYP2B1 were carried out to assess the possibility that different preferred orientations of APAP in the active sites of these isoforms may, in part, by responsible for their different product selectivities. Although the spectral dissociation constants (Ks congruent to 0.85 mM) and UV-vis binding spectra (type I; absorption minimum congruent to 420 nm, absorption maximum congruent to 390 nm) were similar for interactions of APAP with the two P450 isoforms, NMR longitudinal relaxation times (T1) of APAP nuclei were significantly different. Two isotopically substituted analogs of APAP, [2,3',5'-13C3]-4'-hydroxyacetanilide and 4'-hydroxyacet-[15N]-anilide, were synthesized, and their binding to purified CYP1A1 and CYP2B1 was examined by NMR spectroscopy. Paramagnetic relaxation times (T1p) for each of the labeled nuclei were calculated from the T1 values obtained before (ferric) and after (ferrous-CO) treatment with Na2S2O4 and CO. The Solomon-Bloembergen equation was then used to calculate distances of the isotopically labeled nuclei from the heme iron of each P450 isoform. The results were that the amide nitrogen approaches relatively close to the heme iron in CYP1A1 (3.64 +/- 0.51 A) whereas it is significantly further away (> 4.5 A) in CYP2B1. In contrast, the aryl carbon atoms ortho to the phenolic group of APAP approach closer to the heme iron of CYP2B1 (3.19 +/- 0.12 A) than to the heme iron of CPY1A1 (3.66 +/- 0.30 A). The results are consistent with the hypothesis that CYP1A1 produces NAPQI preferentially because of closer proximity of the heme iron to the amide nitrogen, whereas CYP2B1 produces 3-OH-APAP preferentially because of closer proximity of the heme iron to the phenolic oxygen in this isoform.
Reticles as Standards in Laser Diffraction Spectroscopy

This paper reports on the applicability and the limitations of reticles as standards in laser diffraction spectroscopy. In comparison with standard materials, reticles carry some advantages with respect to their ease of handling. In contrast, the static features on a reticle cannot faultlessly simulate a real measurement on a moving particle system. The difference becomes visible in the form of speckles superimposed on the diffraction pattern and is dependent on the positions of the features on the reticle. As long as the feature positions are random, the speckles are also randomly distributed over the pattern and the measurement data averaging the intensities over the detector ring areas are only slightly disturbed. However, reticles containing only non-overlapping features contravene the requirement of complete feature position randomness and their diffraction patterns show a dark ring close to the center. The normal evaluation of these diffraction patterns delivers size distributions which are too narrow and shifted to smaller particle sizes. Nevertheless, by defining a reticle specific phase function and by implementing it in the evaluation algorithm, the correct particle size distribution is obtained. Simulations have been performed to investigate reticles with and without overlapping features.
A tale of two cities: A multi-dimensional portrait of poverty and living conditions in the slums of Dakar and Nairobi

Abstract Our understanding of settlement conditions and the nature of poverty across urban slums is limited. Using three simple frameworks, we create a meso-level portrait of poverty and living conditions in the slums of Dakar, Senegal and Nairobi, Kenya. While slum residents in both cities share the challenge of monetary poverty, their experience diverges significantly relative to employment levels, education, and living conditions. Nairobi’s relatively well-educated and employed residents suffer from poorer living conditions—as measured by access to infrastructure and urban services, housing quality and crime—than residents of Dakar, who report much lower levels of educational attainment and paid employment. The research findings challenge conventional development theory—particularly notions that education and jobs will translate into lower poverty and improved living conditions. More comparative research is needed to better understand what drives settlement conditions and to create more effective strategies to improve the lives of all urban residents.
Professional Development for Dietetic Interns

Abstract We have developed "Professional Development for Dietetic Interns" (PDDI) — a multi-session, program with a variety of activities spanning the period of the internship (9.5 months). The program's purposes are to: 1) help interns achieve core competencies as required by the Commission on Accreditation/Approval for Dietetic Education (CAADE), 2) help interns (future Registered Dietitians) become familiar with the new recertification program being developed by the Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR) and, 3) develop skills which support interns' success in securing the first professional position. The program's focus is on performing a self assessment and planning for professional development. The structure for PDDI is the outline of CDR's "Professional Development 2001". Forms from that document were modified to better meet the needs of dietetic interns. Existing resources such as state and local ADA groups and MUSC's evaluation center have been used. The skills interns develop through participation in training based on Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People support the professional development program. Use of the Professional Development Portfolio helps interns identify areas of interest, strength, and those needing improvement. This assessment helps identify possible professional objectives as well as a learning plan for continuing education. Interns evaluate the program. Previous evaluations indicate that the program is "very helpful" toward understanding CDR's new method for planning continuing education and in identifying individual skills and areas needing future development.
Risk stratification by regadenoson stress MRI in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease

Background With the expanding use of vasodilator stress CMR, there has been a parallel rise in the use of regadenoson as a pharmacological stress agent. To date, however, prognostic data for stress CMR has focused on the use of adenosine or dipyridamole while prognostic data regarding the use of regadenoson is limited. We therefore sought to identify the prognostic value of regadenoson vasodilator stress CMR on clinical events in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. Methods We prospectively studied 346 consecutive patients clinically referred for CMR assessment of myocardial viability/ischemia over the course of 36 months. The CMR protocol consisted of: (1) cine SSFP functional imaging in multiple imaging planes, (2) stress perfusion imaging after administration of Regadenoson and a bolus injection of 0.1 mmol/kg intravenous gadolinium-DPTA; (3) late gadolinium enhancement imaging. Clinical follow-up was obtained via mailed questionnaire, review of electronic medical records, contact with the patients’ cardiologist, and/or telephone contact with the patients. We used a primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular death or acute myocardial infarction. Results A total of 346 patients were prospectively followed for a median time of 1.9 years. There were 7 cardiac deaths and 8 acute myocardial infarctions during the follow-up period. By univariable Cox regression modeling, the presence of inducible ischemia was associated with a near-7fold increased risk of the primary outcome (HR = 6.95, P = 0.02). Patients with absence of inducible ischemia experienced a low annualized cardiac event rate of 0.6% per patient year. To the contrary, patients with inducible ischemia had an annualized rate of cardiac event of 3.2% per patient year.
Pharmacologic and hemodynamic mechanisms underlying the antianginal actions of verapamil

Abstract The pharmacologic and hemodynamic effects of verapamil are the result of its selective inhibitory action on the slow channel in cardiac muscle and its propensity to block transmembrane calcium influx in vascular smooth muscle and to nonspecifically antagonize sympathetic excitation. In patients with normal or moderately reduced ventricular function, verapamil's ability to reduce afterload counteracts its intrinsic negative inotropic effects and therefore a reduction in ventricular performance is not seen. In patients with a severely reduced ventricular ejection fraction and high ventricular filling pressures, however, the drug may produce clinical and hemodynamic deterioration. Computer-assisted angiographic analysis shows that verapamil dilates normal as well as narrowed epicardial coronary vessels and reverses ergonovineand sympathetically provoked coronary vasoconstriction. Intravenous administration of verapamil reduces coronary arterial resistance and enhances coronary sinus flow with variable effects on myocardial oxygen consumption. The drug prevents the ischemic consequences of angina produced by atrial pacing; after verapamil administration, pacing-induced lactate production is lessened, and ischemia-related declines in left ventricular ejection fraction are prevented. During chronic therapy the effects of verapamil on regional and global ventricular function are similar to those of propranolol during supine bicycle exercise. However, verapamil has significantly less effect on rate-pressure product at rest and during exercise, which suggests that its antianginal mechanism of action, unlike that of beta-blocking agents, may not be related solely to a reduction in oxygen demand. These data indicate that the mechanisms underlying the antianginal effects of verapamil are complex and are likely to be multifactorial.