cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abnormal Urinalysis in Appendicitis

In a retrospective review of 100 consecutive patients (50 adults and 50 children) with acute appendicitis we correlated abnormal urinalysis (positive occult blood and more than 4 red or white blood cells per high power field) with the operative findings. Abnormal results on urinalysis were noted in 18 adults and 12 children. All urine specimens were collected by the clean-catch method. Abnormal findings were found more frequently in female patients. A majority of patients (53 per cent) with abnormal results on urinalysis had a ruptured or inflamed appendix in proximity to the urinary tract.
6.5 Biospeleogenesis

Microorganisms have shaped the world around us, yet their role in karst processes and speleogenesis remains poorly understood. Biospeleogenesis is the formation of subsurface cavities and caves through the activities of microorganisms, by either respiratory (redox) or metabolic chemistries. In carrying out energy acquisition and the metabolic processes of growth, microorganisms change the local geochemistry of the environment. Such activities can dramatically accelerate speleogenesis and even lead to cave formation in geochemical environments that would otherwise not be conducive to dissolution. The aim of this chapter is to help the reader understand the importance of microbial activity in geochemistry and how such activity can lead to the formation and morphology of caves. The chapter then describes the role that microorganisms are known to have in speleogenesis (carbonic and sulfuric acid biospeleogenesis), hints that such activity may be occurring in newly described cave systems (iron biospeleogenesis), and a potential role in other cave systems (quartzite biospeleogenesis). It is hoped that the reader will gain an understanding of what motivates microorganisms to dramatically change their environment, understand the potential geochemical conditions where such activity could occur, and allow the informed geologist to make predictive statements as to the potential of, and for, biospeleogenesis.
Local-gate electrical actuation, detection, and tuning of atomic-layer M0S2 nanoelectromechanical resonators

We report on the first single- and few-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) nanoelectromechanical resonators with local electrical gate, and the demonstration of local-gate all-electrical actuation, detection, and tuning of the atomic-layer MoS2 resonators at very high frequency (VHF). These local-gate structures make MoS 2 vibrating-channel transistors (VCTs), and facilitate efficient frequency modulation (FM) electrical readout and local-gate resonance tuning of individual VCTs. The resonant responses are also verified by optical motion detection techniques. We have scaled down the dimensions of these VCTs to length (L) of 800 nm and air gap (g) of 170 nm in the suspended MoS 2 region, attaining fundamental-mode resonance frequency (f 0 ) up to 130 MHz, and local-gate electrical tuning up to Δf 0 /f 0 ∼ 13%. The layer numbers of these MoS 2 devices are confirmed by their unique Raman and photoluminescence (PL) signatures. These local-gate devices establish the foundation for all-electrical readout of MoS 2 resonators and their arrays, toward multiplexing of individually addressable devices, which could enable arraying and large-scale integration of atomic-layer resonant systems for parallel signal transduction and resonance-based sensing.
All's fair in love and war

Walter Scheidel's monumental new study traces the global history of inequality from the Stone Age to today, and shows that inequality never dies peacefully. His claim – that inequality declines when carnage and disaster strike and increases when peace and stability return – is of critical importance to debates about the future of equality. In this interview, IPPR Progressive Review discuss the crucial role of violent shocks in reducing inequality over the full sweep of human history around the world and what lessons progressives can draw in trying to promote inequality in the future.
Social work perplexity: Dissonance, uncertainty, and growth in Kazakhstan:

Social work pioneer Jane Addams wrote of her experiences living and working with immigrant populations at the Hull-House in Chicago. In her writings, she describes a state of perplexity in which he...
Considering the impact of pregnancy on the natural history of hidradenitis suppurativa.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and debilitating inflammatory skin disease that disproportionately affects women of childbearing age. Yet, little has been written about the impact of pregnancy on the natural history of HS. It has been postulated that apocrine-gland activity diminishes in pregnancy, accounting for symptom remission. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Introduction: Data Visualisation and the Humanities

What is humanistic about data visualisation? As a body of methods for exploring and explicating quantitative datasets, data visualisation has grown in importance in the humanities with the rise of ...
PERCENT FOR GREEN: Creating Space as Consciousness

PERCENT FOR GREEN deals with looking at climate change in the Bronx and how art can serve community. It is a social practice art project that has consisted of roundtables, workshops, and planning with Bronx-based grassroots organizations for the People’s Climate March in 2014. It entails the creation of a functioning green bill created by participants through art. The goal is to pass a bill allotting funds from city-funded construction projects to sustainable green initiatives overseen by small grassroots organizations in Environmental Justice (EJ) communities in New York City. This chapter considers education as a possible medium in social practice projects and takes a close look on the idea of learning, collective consciousness, US educational trends, and how social practice art appears within this backdrop.
The Utility of Outpatient Commitment: II. Mortality Risk and Protecting Health, Safety, and Quality of Life.

Objective:This study assessed the contribution of a form of outpatient commitment—community treatment orders (CTOs)—to mortality risk and quality of life of patients with severe mental illness.Methods:Data (2000­–2012) were obtained from the Australian National Death Index, Victoria Department of Health, Victoria police records, and National Outcomes and CaseMix Collection quality-of-life records for patients in the Victorian Psychiatric Case Register/RAPID with a history of psychiatric hospitalization: CTO cohort, N=11,424; non-CTO cohort, N=16,161. The contribution of CTOs to mortality risk associated with CTO facilitation of access to general medical care and prevention of criminal involvement was assessed with logistic regression models. Cohort differences in quality of life were also examined.Results:A total of 2,727 patients (10%) in the overall sample died, and the sample had a higher mortality risk than the general population. Probability of death by any cause was 9% lower in the CTO cohort than i...
Bedside Chest Radiographs in the Intensive care Setting: Wireless Direct Radiography Compared to Computed Radiography

Objectives To compare image quality, visibility of anatomic landmarks, tubes and lines, and other clinically significant findings on portable (bedside) chest radiographs acquired with wireless direct radiography (DRw) and computed radiography (CR). Methods In a prospective IRB-approved and HIPAA-compliant study, portable DRw (DRX-1C mobile retrofit portable wireless direct radiography, CareStream Inc., Rochester, NY) and portable CR (AGFA CR (DXG) version; NIM2103, AGFA Healthcare, Ridgefield Park, NJ) images of the chest were acquired within 24-hours in 80 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Image pairs of 75 patients (37% female) with a mean age of 60.7±16 years were independently compared side-by-side by 7 experienced thoracic radiologists using a five-point scale. When tubes and lines were present, the radiologist also compared an edge-enhanced copy of the DRw image to the CR image. Results Most radiologists found significantly fewer artifacts on DRw images compared to CR images and all readers agreed that when present, these artifacts did not significantly preclude the ability to evaluate anatomic landmarks, tubes and lines, or clinically significant findings. None of the radiologists (0/7) reported superior visibility of anatomic structures on CR images compared to DRw images and some radiologists (3/7) found DRw images significantly better for visibility of anatomic landmarks such as the carina (p=0.01–0.001). Most radiologists (6/7) found DRw images to be better or clearly better than CR images for position of tubes and lines, and edge-enhanced DRw images to be especially helpful for evaluation of central venous catheters and esophageal tubes (p=0.027-0.001). None of the radiologists deemed CR images superior for visibility of clinically significant findings. Conclusions Critical care chest radiography with a portable DRw system can provide similar or superior information compared to a CR system regarding clinically significant findings and position of tubes and lines.
Photochemical degradation of dissolved organic matter reduces the availability of phosphorus for aquatic primary producers.

Abstract In situ experiments were done to determine the effects of the photochemical degradation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and subsequent formation of particulate matter on dissolved phosphorus (P) concentrations in surface waters. Filtered (1.2 or 0.4 μm) headwaters (DOM of 8.1–26 mg L−1; P of 22–43 μg L−1) were exposed to solar radiation in quartz bottles located 5 cm below the water surface for 7–10 days. Dark controls were wrapped in aluminum foil. After incubation, particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate phosphorus (PP) were determined in both the filtrate and newly formed particles. The results revealed increasing concentrations of PP and POC in exposed samples with increasing exposure time (cumulative irradiation energy). At the end of experiments, PP concentrations were from 5 to 20 μg L−1 in the exposed samples. Based on an enumeration of bacteria in the samples, we estimated the contribution of biotic and abiotic processes to the PP production. The abiotic PP formation ranged from 56 to 83% and 50–95% of the total PP in the exposed and control samples, respectively. The remainder was assumed to be bacterial P uptake. Despite the overlapping intervals, biotic and abiotic PP productions were usually higher in exposed samples than in controls. The PP and POC production was affected by the properties of DOM, such as its humic content and freshness index. We hypothesize that the observed immobilization of dissolved P in bacteria and on photochemically-formed particles can contribute to a P limitation of primary production in headwater environments that receive waters rich in soil DOM.
Embracing the TBOR

When Congress codified the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (the “TBOR”) in 2015 the tax bar largely shrugged, but that is a mistake. Section 7803(a)(3) is not just another iteration of the phrase Congress used to christen legislation designed to reign in perceived IRS abuses in the 80’s and 90’s, when Congress enacted three different pieces of legislation that bore the name “Taxpayer Bill of Rights.” Despite their lofty titles, none of those enactments contained a single amendment to the Internal Revenue Code that used the word “right,” or employed the language of rights. By contrast, section 7803(a)(3) actually refers to “taxpayer rights” and lists ten items. Therefore, despite the claims of its promoters that the 2015 legislation simply restates rights already provided by the Code, the codification of the TBOR has the power to transform the tax practice and the relationship between taxpayers and the IRS. In this Article we explain why. Specifically, we make three arguments. First, construing the 2015 codification of the TBOR as a meaningless gesture ignores the well-established canon of statutory construction against surplusage, as well as its important corollary: when Congress amends a statute it intends to change something. Second, the TBOR significantly enhances taxpayers’ normative basis for demanding legal remedies for violations of their rights because it invokes procedural justice, using the language of rights where only government duties existed before. Third, the TBOR may have actually created taxpayer rights. We do not argue that all taxpayer rights should be enforced either all the time or to the same extent, as that could be disruptive or even catastrophic for tax administration and may not be necessary to allow the TBOR to achieve its goals. But we do maintain that the codification of the TBOR can transform the legal environment so that demands for enforcement can be weighed by the courts on a case by case basis, in light of all the facts and circumstances, which include the identity and attributes of the taxpayer. Recent events confirm the importance of the TBOR and suggest that the tide of taxpayer indifference has begun to turn. On November 8, 2017, Facebook filed a complaint against the IRS, citing the TBOR’s “right to appeal a decision of the Internal Revenue Service in an independent forum,” section 7803(a)(3)(E)), as the basis for its request that the court “[i]ssue an injunction or mandamus-like relief ordering Defendants to provide Facebook access to IRS Appeals.” We believe that Facebook is just the first of many taxpayers who will formally embrace the TBOR as a source of rights and as the basis for crafting remedies to enforce those rights.
The ACE model of emotion: living Jesus Christ while experiencing emotions

This article presents a model that integrates Christian and psychological perspectives on emotion: the ACE model of emotion. This model proposes that all emotions are morally ambidextrous. Any emot...
Time estimation for heat diffusion on graphs

This paper studies the estimation of the starting time of a diffusion process from its noisy measurements when there is a single point source located on a known vertex of a graph with unknown starting time. The diffusion process is assumed to be governed by the heat equation. In particular, the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) for the problem is derived. It is shown that the problem has a larger CRLB for graphs with higher connectivity. Closed form expression of the bound is derived for some graphs. The ML estimator is numerically verified to be unbiased, and achieve the CRLB for some graphs.
Demoralization During Medical Illness: A Case of Common Factors Treatment

A serious physical illness can become the defining aspect of a person’s life. If a belief develops that the illness cannot be resolved, either through medical care or one’s own coping efforts, then a person can develop demoralization, which is defined as a pervasive feeling of defeat, hopelessness, and powerlessness. Demoralization involves a depressed mood but differs from a major depressive episode in that demoralization does not exhibit the generalized anhedonia found in major depression. Instead, demoralization has a singular precipitating factor causing the patient’s hopelessness, the illness. A patient’s demoralization typically remits if some form of hope is restored. The experience of being hospitalized for an illness, which is often overwhelming and difficult for patients, can adversely impact hope and foster or exacerbate demoralization, leading to adverse outcomes. A brief approach to treating demoralization in the hospital environment, emphasizing interpersonal engagement over pharmacological interventions, is described through a case example. The approach is based on the common factors approach to effective psychotherapy and is well suited for use within fast-paced medical settings.
Some recent developments in the simplest-level electron nuclear dynamics method. Theory, code implementation, and applications to chemical dynamics

Abstract Electron nuclear dynamics (END) is a time-dependent, variational, direct, and nonadiabatic dynamics method that treats nuclei and electrons simultaneously. While admitting a hierarchy of realizations, the simplest-level END (SLEND), which adopts nuclear classical dynamics and an electronic Thouless single-determinantal state, is the most utilized END version due to its feasibility. SLEND was successfully applied to various gas-phase reactions at intermediate and high energies. However, the SLEND reliance on nuclear classical dynamics alone and/or its lack of dynamical electron correlation inter alia impedes its reliable utilization for more challenging systems. With higher level END realizations overcoming those shortcomings at high computational cost, we advocate solutions that retain SLEND's feasibility due to classical dynamics and the single-determinantal representation. Thus, we advance a novel SLEND/density functional theory (DFT) method wherein electron correlation is included within a feasible single-determinantal representation through DFT procedures. Additionally, we extend a coherent states (CS) quantum reconstruction procedure (CSQRP) to recover some quantum effects from the nuclear classical dynamics; CSQRP now features harmonic, Morse, rotational, and electronic CS. Finally, we improve the SLEND performance by incorporating effective core potentials and implementing our models in our cutting-edge code PACE. The latter features parallel programming and an environment for rapid method development. The new SLEND developments are applied to various gas-phase systems at intermediate and high energies including proton–molecule collisions and Diels–Alder, SN2, and proton cancer therapy reactions.
Is Borderline Personality Disorder Underdiagnosed and Bipolar Disorder Overdiagnosed

Both borderline personality disorder (BPD) and bipolar disorder are considered clinically severe, chronic conditions associated with high functional impairment and public health costs. These disorders also share clinical features, most predominantly mood fluctuations and impulsivity across several areas. In this chapter we report research showing that BPD is chronically under-assessed and, as a result, underdiagnosed in clinical populations. Conversely, we also document literature showing the overdiagnosis of bipolar disorder, particularly in cases where, after careful interviewing, patients actually meet criteria for BPD. Reasons for this pattern vary and include insufficient diagnostic rigor, stigma associated with BPD, unfamiliarity with BPD as compared to bipolar disorder, the promotion of bipolar disorder (and not BPD) by pharmaceutical companies, and perceived difficulty in treating BPD as compared to bipolar disorder, among others. Nonetheless, diagnosing BPD and/or bipolar disorder has significant consequences for treatment planning and patient care, and close attention should be paid to making this differential diagnosis in clinical settings.
Genetically engineered bacteria to identify and produce anti-viral agents.

We have prepared a strain of Escherichia coli that expresses both the HIV protease and a Tet protein which has been modified to contain the HIV protease recognition sequence. When the protease is expressed, the bacteria will not grow in the presence of tetracycline. However, when the protease is inhibited the bacteria can grow in tetracycline containing media (Block and Grafstrom 1990). We have selected spontaneously arising Tet resistant mutants and have screened them for those that could be producing an inhibitor of HIV protease. The problems in the construction of this strain and the characterization of the various Teti mutants are discussed.
Health Benefits of Revealing

Psychologists and laypersons alike believe that ″confession is good for the soul,″ a theme that frequently has been depicted on talk shows and in popular movies. For example, in the popular 1996 British film. ″Secrets and Lies,″ Hortense, a young black optometrist, sets out to find her birth mother after her adoptive mother dies. Hortense is disturbed to find out that her birth mother, Cynthia, is white. Cynthia is a factory worker who lives in a run-down house with her whiny, moody daughter Roxanne. Hortense calls Cynthia, who initially bursts into tears and refuses to see her. Cynthia has difficulty acknowledging (first to herself, then to others) that Hortense is her daughter. One of her first reactions to seeing Hortense is a sincere denial that she has ever ″been with a black man.″ But before long, a suppressed memory jolts into her consciousness. Eventually, the two develop a warm friendship, and Cynthia invites Hortense to a party with her family and friends. One of the characters in the film notes that it is ″Best to tell the truth, isn′t′ it? That way nobody gets hurt.″ At the party, Cynthia pretends that Hortense is her factory co-worker, which leads her to ever-more convoluted lies. The film climaxes with all the secrets and lies finally spilled out and all the people at the party hugging one another.
Localized patterns in crushed conical shells

We use experiments and numerical simulations to study the rapid buckling of thin-walled cones as they impact a solid surface at high velocities. The buildup of air pressure inside the cone localizes the deformations to the impacting interface with the solid surface, leading to the hierarchical formation of an ordered pattern of small rhomboidal cells. In contrast, when the inner air pressure is not allowed to develop, the ordered pattern is destabilized and the cone collapses in a highly disordered state on long length scales. Numerical simulations confirm that the transition between ordered and disordered crumpling is governed by the competition between the elastic deformation energy of the shells and the work required to pressurize the air. Our results show how dynamic stabilization via tensioning suppresses long wavelength subcritical instabilities in shells and leads to the localization and propagation of short wavelength patterns.
Performance Assessment of Protective Thermal Spray Coatings for Lightweight Al Brake Rotor Disks

This paper presents the results of a study to evaluate stainless steel thermal spray coatings on aluminum-based substrates. Coating wear, corrosion, and thermal cycling resistance were evaluated using pin-on-disk, cyclic corrosion, and a custom laser-based heating system, respectively, for 300-series stainless steel coatings deposited by arc-sprayed and cold-sprayed systems. Arc spray coatings were found to have equivalent wear and frictional performance as compared to gray cast iron (wear rates of 0.730-1.524 versus 1.294 × 10−5 mm3/m, COF of 0.35-0.36 versus 0.36). However, arc spray coating exhibited low adhesion (~ 30 MPa) and early spalling under thermal cycling conditions, i.e., < 600 cycles, as well as corrosion and delamination. The cold-sprayed coatings were found to have high corrosion and thermal cycling resistance, i.e., above 10,000 cycles. However, cold-sprayed coatings exhibited wear rates higher than those of the cast iron (cold spray wear rates of 4.774 × 10−5 mm3/m). A duplex coating composed of a cold-sprayed bond coat and an arc-sprayed top coat was created and showed good wear properties under simulated extreme braking conditions. The results from this study show that stainless steel coatings on aluminum substrates could be viable substitute for the cast iron in future brake rotors.
Evolution of structural, magnetic, and transport properties in MnBi 2 − x Sb x Te 4

Here, the authors report a thorough study of the evolution of structural, magnetic, and electrical properties of MnBi${}_{2\ensuremath{-}x}$Sb${}_{x}$Te${}_{4}$ single crystals. This investigation reveals an intimate correlation between the structural, magnetic, and transport properties. Partial substitution of Bi by Sb is an effective approach to tuning both the magnetism and the Fermi level, which are two key components of magnetic topological insulators. This work provides an important guide for exploring the topological properties in MnBi${}_{2}$Te${}_{4}$-based materials. The effect of doping on the magnetic properties also suggests complex competing interactions, which should be considered when tuning the magnetic properties.
Psychological Distress and Loneliness Reported by US Adults in 2018 and April 2020.

This study used national survey data to compare the prevalence symptoms of psychological distress and loneliness among US adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in April 2020 vs those reported in the National Health Interview Survey in 2018.
Relational Exchange in Non-union Firms: A Configurational Framework for Workplace Dispute Resolution and Voice:

For much of the 20th century, a sizeable proportion of the workforce in the United States had access to a combination of dispute resolution and voice options through the union grievance process. Th...
Photothermal spectroscopic imaging for ovarian and bone disorders

Mid-infrared spectroscopic imaging (MIRSI) combines the molecular specificity of vibrational spectroscopy with the spatial detail provided by microscopy. Chemical information from each pixel of an image is used in a machine-learning framework to perform tissue sub-type identification, and recognition of tissue disorders. Recent developments in infrared imaging have resulted in an order of magnitude improvement in resolution relative to FT-IR. We will present and discuss results from imaging of ovarian and bone tissue using FT-IR imaging, and a new photothermal absorption technique for identifying tissue sub-types in an accurate, quantitative, label-free manner.
Ovsynch versus Ultrasynch

The steady decrease in reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle and increase in use of synchronization protocols have generated interest in development of a synchronization program that improves pregnancy rate while decreasing the number of hormone treatments. The purpose of this study was to determine if the reproductive efficacy of a synchronization program, ultrasynch, based on functionality of the corpus luteum (CL), was greater than a standard ovsynch protocol.
Immobilized Enzymes in Tubes and Hollow Fibers for Clinical Applications

When soluble enzymes are used in therapy it is usually necessary to administer a relatively large amount of the enzyme in order to maintain an adequate catalytic activity in the circulating blood for a sufficiently long time. As a result of repeated administration, however, the foreign protein often causes potentially serious untoward immunological effects in the host, and therapy must be stopped. Consequently, the value of such a therapeutic approach is seriously reduced.
Parallel Real Root Isolation Using the Coefficient Sign Variation Method

We present a parallel implementation of the coefficient sign variation method for polynomial real root isolation. The implementation uses PARSAC-2, a parallel version, based on threads, of the SAC-2 computer algebra system. A discussion of the implementation and its performance is given. Our timing results were obtained on a shared memory multiprocessor implementation using the Encore Multimax.
On the class of norm limits of nilpotents

It is known that every operator on a Hilbert space H whose invariant subspace lattice is possibly {(0),H} is a norm-limit of a sequence of nilpotent operators. In this note we study properties of such approximating sequences.
X-Ray Emission Quantitation of Trace Elements in Biomedical Research

Determination of trace-element concentrations in biologic materials is often limited by matrix effects and interelement interferences. X-ray spectrometry can provide rapid, nondestructive quantitation of trace metals at the parts per million level. Derivation of empirical absorption coefficients by utilizing standardized specimen preparation can optimize the precision and accuracy of determinations. The specimen is used as an absorber of the characteristic wavelength of the element to be quantitated and provides an index of the excitation efficiency essential to the quantitation of emission intensity. Food and tissue specimens were analyzed and the results compared with those obtained by other analytical methods. Calibration techniques using internal and reference standards are illustrated. Determinations of Ca, Sr, Zn, Tl, Se, Fe, I, and Ti were applied to the study of specific problems in metabolic, geriatric, and cancer research.
Estimation and control in electric energy systems based on time-stamped signals

Electric power systems are among most spatially extended engineered systems. Their stable operation in the presence of disturbances and outages is made possible by real-time control over communication networks. Communication delay is one of the unavoidable side-effects of using a computer network to interconnect sensors, actuators and control centers/nodes. We propose here a delay canceling approach based on time-stamping of transmitted signals, which can successfully mitigate the destabilizing effects of delay. Time stamping is enabled by the availability of precise time signals derived from the Global Positioning System (GPS) in various nodes of the power system. Such signals are part of Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) that are increasingly being deployed as a key ingredient of system-wide monitoring and control. We show that our time-stamping-based delay canceling method makes it possible to overcome very large delays in the estimation-control loop while avoiding adverse effects on the stability of the system.
Resin Flow, Cure and Heat Transfer Analysis for Pultrusion Process

This work presents temperature and degree of cure profiles within a pultruded composite and focuses on the development of different models used for predicting the velocity profile including a slip velocity model. This study uses a variable viscosity model and highlights the results for the velocity profile, viscosity of resin within a pultrusion die, gelation lengths, iso-gelation lines, and axial pressure profile. Gelation was predicted to occur at about one-third the distance down the die length and the degree of cure at gelation was computed to be about 0.34. The composite systems considered in this study are graphite/epoxy and fiberglass/epoxy. A comprehensive two-dimensional mathematical model in cylindrical coordinates was developed for resin flow, cure and heat transfer associated with the pultrusion process. A control-volume-based finite difference method (Patankar method) was used for solving the governing equations. The model can be utilized for ascertaining the effects of pultrusion process var...
Modeling and performance analysis of medical services systems using Petri nets

This paper presents Petri net modeling and performance analysis of an emergency medical services system (EMS). Petri nets are chosen for their ability to describe and study discrete event systems that are characterized as being concurrent, asynchronous, parallel, nondeterministic, and/or stochastic. We construct ordinary and temporal Petri net models for EMS. The ordinary Petri nets are used to analyze such systems properties as deadlock freeness, resource boundedness, and reversibility. After ordinary Petri nets are built, time variables are then used to associate with transitions thus resulting in temporal Petri net models. The temporal Petri net models serve to derive system performance indices such as the effect of patient load on waiting time, effect of doctor availability on waiting time and doctor utilization. We focus our performance analysis on two cases: 1) all patients are in the same priority class, and 2) they have different priority classes. The approaches presented provide a hospital capacity planning, efficiency improvement and study of the static structure and dynamic flow of hospital. >
Multimedia on the PC: A Guide for Information Professionals

From the Publisher: Here is a concise overview of the fast-expanding world of interactive video and sound. It covers all major multimedia platforms - including MPC, CD-I and CDTV - and helps you sort through the dozens of hardware configurations and hundreds of software applications on the market today. This no-hype guide shows how multimedia technology works ... which products are best for different applications ... and how to create your own audio/video masterpieces. You'll learn all about hardware requirements for popular interfaces; multimedia text creation and formatting; waveform, CD-ROM, and MIDI audio systems; image storage and reproduction techniques; analog pass-through, laser disc, VCR, and Multimedia Windows motion video formats; DVI, JPEG, and MPEG video compression; the multimedia authoring process; multimedia networking and communications; and the future of multimedia technology. Complete with a bibliography and glossary, this is the pro's guide to multimedia - your invaluable reference for years to come.
Elementalisms: Competing Solutions for Water Scarcity in Vandana Shiva and Jack London

As the world’s fresh water supply grows increasingly threatened and access to that supply is mediated more and more by private organizations, multiple attempts have been made to establish permanent trade links between water-rich and water-poor regions, though these attempts have thus far been defeated by environmental, economic, or nationalistic factors. Corporate control of water, as a basic element of human life, holds menacing consequences in terms of humanitarianism and ecological stability. This intent of this article is to investigate several recent corporate successes in the arena of bulk water export from various locations in Alaska, beginning with Eklutna Lake outside of Anchorage and proceeding to current trade contracts in Sitka and future contracts on Adak Island. Alaska holds, by some estimates, 40% of the United States’, and 20% of the world’s, water supply, and it is thus far the only governed entity that has successfully sold water in bulk. Following Vandana Shiva’s advocacy of a “culture” of water in Water Wars (2002), this article suggests that the criteria enabling the recent, troubling boom in Alaskan water sales may be cultural as well as practical or economic. A close reading of Jack London’s “A Relic of the Pliocene” (1901) concludes that London, like Shiva, endorses a culture of unmediated contact and elemental interdependence between man and nature. However, while Shiva’s elementalism leads to a new culture of respect and reverence for water resources, London’s elementalism acts as a shield and justification for exploitation of natural resources, an attitude that speaks strongly to Alaska’s interest in privatizing its water supply.
RVR Meander: A toolbox for re-meandering of channelized streams

RVR Meander was developed as a toolbox for modeling restoration and naturalization processes in rivers. This model includes Windows-based and Geographical Information System-based programs for analyzing and modeling planform migration of streams. In the past, several rivers have been channelized causing environmental and ecological problems. Restoration techniques evolve as natural solutions to channelization, therefore, the prediction of planform migration in rivers is indispensable for economic and social reasons such as development of urban areas close to rivers, prevention of damages to infrastructure, reduction of agricultural land losses, and for the maintenance of biological diversity in rivers. Abad and Garcia [2004, Conceptual and mathematical model for evolution of meandering rivers in naturalization processes. On CD-ROM of Proceedings of Joint Conference on Water Resources Engineering and Water Resources Planning and Management, ASCE, June 27-July 1, Salt Lake City, Utah, 10pp.] presented a conceptual and mathematical model for evolution of meandering rivers that can be used in restoration and naturalization processes. In this work, the description of RVR Meander is based on the computational characteristics and applicability rather than presenting its theoretical basis. RVR Meander is an object oriented user-friendly model for restoration purposes. Two modules are included: statistical analysis and planform migration of rivers. This model has been successfully tested on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP and on ArcMap 8.1/8.2/8.3.
An electromyographic study of serratus anterior in atelines and Alouatta: Implications for hominoid evolution

The serratus anterior pars caudalis muscle of nonhuman primates displays anatomical differences among genera that can be attributed to differences in the mechanical demands placed on these genera by their diverse locomotor: behaviors. In primates that engage extensively in climbing and suspensory behaviors, the caudal digitations of this fan-shaped muscle are aligned more nearly parallel to the long axis of the trunk. In order to clarify the selective factors promoting such a morphological change, we have conducted a telemetered electromyographic study of the caudal and middle digitations of the serratus anterior pars caudalis. During voluntary elevation of the forelimb, only the middle, more obliquely disposed digitations are powerfully recruited. The caudal digitations are either inactive or function just to initiate scapular rotation. During locomotion, the middle digitations act in the swing (recovery) phase, whereas the caudal digitations are predominatly active in the support (propulsive)These Pashe findings suggest that the caudal digitations are important in propelling the trunk past the scapula during locomotion. Evolution of a fiber orientation more parallel to the long axis of the trunk is suggested to have occurred in broad chested primates for the purpose of facilitating locomotor behaviors requiring caudal scapular retraction for propulsion, but which would be deleteriously affected if such retraction were linked to simultaneous ventral displacement of the shoulder girdle. In its current state, the human serratus anterior seems clearly adapted for arm-raising functions and indicates descent from a small ape with a thoracic shape similar to atelines.
Dietary protein and carbohydrate effects on the distribution of glycogen in chicken liver

Abstract Fourteen-d-old Ross male broiler chickens were fed diets containing either 140 or 200 g crude protein and 12 KJ ME/kg diet at 16.7 J×d −1 × body weight in g 0.66 and diets containing either 200 or 280 g crude protein and 12 KJ ME/kg diet at 11.8 J×d −1 × body weight in g 0.66 . Chickens were killed at 28 d of age and indices of liver glycogen metabolism were determined in soluble and particulate fractions (50,000×g supernatant and pellet, respectively) of liver. Glycogen synthase (EC 2.4.1.21) activity was assayed in the presence of 0 to 8 mM glucose-6-phosphate (G-6P). Glycogen phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.1) activity was measured in the presence of 0 to 3.3 mM adenosine monophosphate. Glycogen was found in the particulate fraction while free glucose was found in the soluble fraction. Glycogen synthase activity was found in both fractions. Particulate activity was inversely related to particulate glycogen as was the apparent Ka for G-6P for activity in the 8,000×g supernatant. Glycogen phosphorylase activity was found only in the particulate fraction and was also inversely related to glycogen content. Differences in activity appear to relate to enzyme activation states. Food restriction regimens produce a meal-feeding-like response in liver glycogen metabolism. Dietary crude protein content did not alter liver glycogen metabolism.
Preparation-limited predictions in Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen experiments

It is shown that unavoidable uncertainties arising from the experimental conditions in which systems are prepared for Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen experiments severely limit the possibilities for prediction. In the example originally proposed by EPR, time measurements are necessary for precise position predictions. If the preparation is designed to make the timing errors negligible, the parameters chosen for the preparation fix minimum uncertainties in the predictions leaving the observer no choice in the matter. In the case of correlated spin measurements, the preparation leaves the observer no control over the effect of the detector on the particles; the uncertainty of the previous condition of any one particle is so large that no (classical) prediction of the response of another detector is possible. Thus, there are as yet no proposed experiments which satisfy the conditions required by EPR—i.e., precise predictions which violate the uncertainty principle.
Troubleshooting assessment: an authentic problem solving activity for it education

Abstract To evaluate the effectiveness of an instructional unit for game design and computer programming, we designed an authentic assessment with five troubleshooting scenarios. This assessment was completed by 24 middle grades students (age 12 – 14 years) after 10 hours of instruction using a visual programming environment. Students successfully completed most of the tasks in 45 minutes. Results from the Troubleshooting Assessment demonstrated that students developed sufficient fluency with programming to be able to apply their knowledge to new problems. These results suggest that troubleshooting scenarios can be used to assess student fluency in computer programming and computer-based problem solving.
Physiological functions and pharmacological and toxicological effects of p-octopamine.

Abstractp-Octopamine occurs naturally in plants, invertebrates and animals with diverse functions and effects. This review summarizes the chemistry, metabolism, receptor binding characteristics, known physiological functions, and pharmacological and toxicological effects of p-octopamine. Databases used included PubMed and Google Scholar Advanced. p-Octopamine binds to neuroreceptors in insects that are not present in humans, while exhibiting poor binding to α-1, α-2, β-1, and β-2 adrenergic receptors in mammalian systems. p-Octopamine modestly binds to β-3 adrenergic receptors and may therefore promote lipolysis and weight loss. p-Octopamine is produced in brain and nerve tissues of mammals and is present and can be measured in the blood of normal human subjects. p-Octopamine is considered to be a CNS stimulant in spite of the fact that it binds poorly to adrenergic receptors. Variations occur in blood levels in association with neurological and hepatic diseases. Its precise role in normal neurophysiology...
Environmental Temperature and Plasma Electrolyte Regulation in the Carp, Cyprinus carpio

WHILE the ability of the freshwater teleost to control body fluid electrolyte composition has been appreciated primarily in terms of neuromuscular and related membrane-dependent phenomena, an increasing body of evidence points to an equally important role in the regulation of intermediary metabolism1. Control of water-electrolyte balance in these animals involves adjustment of a variety of passive and metabolically-dependent transfer processes operating at phase boundaries within the body fluid system, and at the several sites at which exchange with the environment is possible. Regulation is also influenced by the mass transport activities of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, the primary functions of which prompt both endosmosis and electrolyte efflux.
Linking mental and primary health care in rural areas

There has been growing recognition in both developing and industrialized countries of the need to integrate mental and primary health care services in order to provide better care for community members and make the most effective use of scarce community resources (Pincus, 1987; Schulberg, 1991; World Health Organization, 1990). The impetus for creating these models comes from the growing recognition of the ongoing interplay between mental and physical health problems (Katon, VonKorff, Lin, Lipscomb, Russo, Wagner, & Polk, 1990); the need for improved communication between mental health and primary care providers
Nephrogenic adenoma of bladder.

Abstract An unusual case of nephrogenic adenoma of the bladder is presented, with a review of the current literature. The association of previous bladder trauma and chronic infection of the bladder is emphasized.
Potential pitfalls for false suspicion of papillary thyroid carcinoma: A Cytohistologic Review of 22 Cases

To evaluate the diagnostic pitfalls attributing to false suspicious interpretation of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), we performed a retrospective cytohistologic review of thyroid nodules diagnosed as suspicious for papillary carcinoma with histology-proven false suspicion of PTC. A total of 22 thyroid fine needle aspirates along with the corresponding surgical specimens were reviewed. The presence and/or absence of PTC-associated morphologic features and their mimics were evaluated. One aspirate showed papillary-like fragments with honeycomb architecture. One aspirate contained rare syncytial-type fragments which were accompanied by honeycomb sheets of follicular cells and moderate amount of colloid. Intranuclear grooves presented occasionally in virtually all 22 aspirates. The grooves were noted mainly within round nuclei and appeared thin and/or incomplete. Rare intranuclear pseudoinclusions were detected in one otherwise benign-appearing aspirates. Eight aspirates contained various numbers of histiocytes, as well as atypical polygonal, epithelioid, elongate, or spindle cells in which intranuclear grooves were occasionally seen. Conspicuous fragments of fibrocollagenous tissue with entrapped follicular cells were detected in one aspirate. The corresponding histological specimen revealed counterpart of the cytological findings described. Other features associated with PTC were inconspicuous. The findings demonstrated that the following factors may contribute to the false suspicion of PTC: (1) misinterpretation of papillary-like tissue fragments with honeycomb arrangement and fragments offibrocollagenous tissue with entrapped follicular cells; (2) overinterpretation of suboptimal intranuclear grooves and rare intranuclear pseudoinclusion in the absence of the other features of PTC; (3) misinterpretation of the polygonal, epithelioid, elongate, or spindle cells that actually represented atypical cyst lining cells.
Mitosis‐specific phosphorylation of caldesmon: Possible molecular mechanism of cell rounding during mitosis

One of the profound changes in cellular morphology during mitosis is a massive alteration in the organization of microfilament cytoskeleton. It has been recently discovered that nonmuscle caldesmon, an actin and calmodulin binding microfilament-associated protein of relative molecular mass Mr = 83,000, is dissociated from microfilaments during mitosis, apparently as a consequence of mitosis-specific phosphorylation. cdc2 kinase, which is a catalytic subunit of MPF (maturation or mitosis promoting factor), is found to be responsible for the mitosis-specific phosphorylation of caldesmon. Because caldesmon is implicated in the regulation of actin myosin interactions and/or microfilament organization, these results suggest that cdc2 kinase directly affects microfilament re-organization during mitosis.