cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychological Sequelae of Pet Loss Following Hurricane Katrina

ABSTRACTOne of the many impacts of natural disasters on the well-being of the humans who experience them is enforced abandonment and loss of companion animals. Hurricane Katrina, which struck the gulf coast of the United States in late August, 2005, was such a disaster. This study assessed the psychological effects of pet loss on survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Sixty-five predominantly white, female, middle-aged pet owners who lived in affected regions of the country completed online questionnaires, assessing symptoms of depression, acute stress, peri-traumatic dissociation, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Almost all companion animals were cats or dogs. Pet loss was strongly associated with psychopathology across all measures, even when controlling for displacement from the home (Wilks' Lambda F(4,57) = 5.22, p = 0.001). The impact of pet loss on PTSD was mediated by acute stress and dissociative symptoms during the evacuation (both F(1,61) > 9.3, both p < 0.01). This suggests that forced abando...
The Lineage of the Line: Space Syntax Parameters from the Analysis of Urban DEMs

A number of shortcomings of space syntax—a well-known technique of urban analysis—were recently discussed in the scientific literature. They are mostly traceable to the reliance in space syntax on the ‘axial map’: a simplified line-of-sight description of the city, which is then analysed based on its topology. This paper explores how another type of urban representations—namely the urban digital elevation model (DEM), a raster map which stores building heights—could prove helpful in providing complementary information to space syntax. Although the use of DEMs is common in the geo-sciences, their application in urban studies is more recent and shows promise. This paper presents several analysis algorithms to derive urban lines of sight, viewsheds, travelling time maps, and simulations based on cellular automata. The relevance of the approach is discussed, suggesting that it could effectively complement traditional space syntax in the coming years.
Efficient selective and atom economic catalytic conversion of glycerol to lactic acid

The availability of glycerol is rapidly increasing due to the expanding biodiesel industry, which produces this polyol as the main waste material. Several value-added chemicals have been synthesized using glycerol as a feedstock; however, the conversion of glycerol to lactic acid has been investigated to a lesser extent despite the numerous and novel uses of lactic acid. We report a family of iridium complexes as the first homogeneous catalysts for the conversion of glycerol to lactic acid. These have higher activity and selectivity than the previously reported heterogeneous systems. In addition, hydrogen gas is generated as a useful byproduct. Unlike prior systems, the reactions can be performed in air, under mild conditions and without solvent. Our method has even been applied to samples of crude glycerol waste derived from the biodiesel industry without prior purification, albeit with somewhat lower activity while maintaining the same high selectivity.
Does Regime Type Really Matter for Economic Growth

This article reports on an attempt to duplicate the results of “Regime, Polity, and Economic Growth: The Latin American Experience,” published in the Winter 1995 issue of Growth and Change. The original article used the Parks method to analyze cross section time series data, and concluded that after controlling for other relevant variables military governments have lower rates of economic growth than their civilian counterparts. Using data provided by the original researcher, and using various regression techniques including the Parks method, we were not able to reproduce the original results. We attribute this to problems in both the original data and regression techniques.
Guidance of optic axons in vivo by a preformed adhesive pathway on neuroepithelial endfeet

Antibodies against the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) were used in vivo both to localize NCAM antigenic determinants in developing tissues of the chicken visual system and to perturb cell-cell adhesion during growth of optic fibers to the tectum. The immunohistochemical studies revealed a staining pattern on neuroepithelial cells which coincided with certain regions of the presumptive route for optic axons, not only with respect to the overall pathway from the eye to the tectum, but also in the preferential distribution of the antigen on the marginal endfeet which are contacted by optic axon growth cones. The antibody-perturbation studies, which involved intraocular injection of anti-NCAM Fab at embryonic Day 3.5, demonstrated that inhibition of NCAM-mediated adhesion results in a dramatic distortion of growth cone-neuroepithelial cell relationships and consequently of the optic pathway. Together, these studies suggest that guidance of optic axons along the margin of the brain is at least in part influenced by a preformed adhesive pathway on neuroepithelial cells associated with NCAM antigens.
Context-dependent risk tolerance of the bicolour damselfish: courtship in the presence of fish and egg predators

Reproductive behaviours such as courting, copulation, parental care and mate guarding often entail a cost of increased predation risk, either to the individual itself or to the offspring under its care. Because of this, males of several species reduce courting effort in the presence of a predator. The degree to which reproduction is curtailed may depend upon the magnitude of potential benefits as well as the current and previous reproductive success of the male. We presented male bicolour damselfish, Stegastes partitus, with females in the presence and absence of fish and egg predators and tracked the realized fecundity of the males over the course of a spawning cycle to evaluate the degree to which courting reductions depend on the size of the female being courted, the type of predator involved and the previous and current mating success. We found that males increased courting towards larger females and that this courting was reduced in the presence of a fish or an egg predator for small females but not for large ones. We found no relationship between courting reduction and either past or current reproductive success for the fish or egg predator treatments, respectively. Our results demonstrate that male S. partitus do show context-dependent courting behaviour and seem to balance risk and reward in courting decisions.
Balkanized Auditor Liability Research

Abstract Fraudulent Financial Reporting: 1987–1997 An Analysis of U.S. Public Companies is not a private publication of its authors. The views expressed implicitly purport to be the views of the AAA and four other organizations. Thus, it would have been appropriate to publish in Accounting Horizons a critique of this work by AAA member Abraham Briloff. The reviewers’ comments suggest that they may have prejudged Briloff’s critique instead of carefully weighing its substantive strengths and weaknesses. Their behaviour may have been due to a defensiveness motivated by an outdated misapprehension of the current state of auditor liability.
Three-Alpha Model of C 12 Nucleus

The ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$ nucleus is studied from the three-$\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle point of view based on a wave-function method in which the Hermiticity of the Fredholm kernel is preserved. The interaction between two $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles, obtained from the resonating-group calculation of Okai and Park, is recast in a separable form with the aid of Hille's formula. For the numerical calculation, we have employed three simpler types of the potential: Gaussian, Tabakin, and Yamaguchi. It is shown that Harrington's theory, based on the $T$-matrix method, reduces to a result of the present study, but not to those of other wave-function methods. Contrary to a conclusion of the previous work, we have succeeded in finding an excited state with the same ($J, \ensuremath{\pi}$) as the ground state. The present method also supplies the mean height and side of the equilateral triangles formed by three $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles. These values are found to imply a root-mean-square radius of the ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$ nucleus which agrees well with the experimental value.
Human placental alkaline phosphatase, an inhibitor of hemagglutination by PR8-influenza A virus.

La phosphatase alkaline du placenta humain est un sialyglycoenzyme qui inhibe l'hemagglutination (HA) produite par leVirus influenzae A (PR-8). L'enzyme de poids moleculaire eleve donne un titre HA-I beaucoup plus grand que les enzymes de poids moleculaire inferieur L'elimination de l'acide sialique de l'enzyme par traitement a la neuraminidase ou par oxydation des carbohydrates avec du periodate ou par proteolyse amenent une reduction prononcee du titre de HA-I.
Operation of a Thyratron as a Rectifier

The half-wave thyratron rectifier circuit is treated theoretically taking into account the difference between the firing potential and the tube drop during conduction. Four loads are considered ranging from a pure resistance to a pure inductance, the impedance angles being 0, 59.15, 85.6, and 90 degrees. The first three of these are checked oscillographically and good correspondences are obtained between (1) calculated average current and measured current and (2) oscillographic waveshape of current and calculated waveshape. It is also noted that errors in the current calculation due to erroneous values of E f (firing potential) are higher for loads of higher impedance angles.
Evidence for isostasy in the lunar mascon Maria

The pronounced positive gravity anomalies in the lunar circular maria imply lack of isostatic compensation of the lunar mascons. This lack of isostasy is hard to reconcile with the rheological properties of the lunar crust. Analysis of the negative ring anomalies that appear to surround the major positive gravity peaks indicates that associated with each mascon is a mass deficit of approximately the same size. In view of the lunar rheology these mass deficits most probably represent compensating mass deficits beneath the lunar mascon maria. Consequently, most lunar mascons appear to be near isostatic equilibrium, and the observed gravity anomalies may be essentially the superposition of positive gravity peaks due to the basaltic mare fill, and less pronounced, broader gravity lows due to the compensating mass deficits at depth.
A COMPARISON OF THE IMMUNOLOGIC RESPONSES OF NORMAL AND ATOPIC INDIVIDUALS TO INTRANASALLY ADMINISTERED ANTIGEN.

Abstract Atopic and nonatopic subjects were exposed intranasally to a protein antigen, and observations were made on the development of skin reactivity of the immediate type, the occurrence of symptoms, and the appearance of skin-sensitizing capacity in the serum. These were induced exclusively or with greater frequency in the atopic group, and this was not attributable to antigen administered in the course of skin testing. Four among 10 nonatopic individuals developed delayed-type skin reactivity which was not observed among the atopic subjects. The ABO blood group secretor status was observed with equal frequency in allergic and nonallergic individuals and was unrelated to appearance of skin reactivity. It is suggested that atopic individuals differ from nonatopic in having a greater mucosal permeability to inhaled antigens.
The People's Republic of China: Possibilities for Comparative Criminology

The People's Republic of China has developed a macro control system based on “political education” and an integrated matrix of social institutions that are in sharp contrast to the criminal justice model of Western nations. This rich opportunity for comparative criminology may become increasingly accessible as a consequence of the current Chinese effort at modernization. This paper explores the nature of the opportunity and the difficulties that must be surmounted.
Electronic properties of nano-structured bismuth-antimony materials

Bismuth antimony (Bi1−xSbx) is one of the most important materials systems for fundamental materials science, condensed matter physics, low temperature thermoelectrics, infrared applications, and beyond. The bulk materials have been studied for many decades. Recently, nanoscience and nanotechnology has been introduced to this materials system, which has brought much more interest and attention for both research and applications. The present article reviews the up-to-date achievements on electronic properties of nanostructured Bi1−xSbx, and points out future directions for scientific research in this field.
Laser-induced CH2 and C2H4 formation and desorption from CH2I2 adsorbed on Al surfaces

Abstract The photochemical and thermal desorption behavior of CH2I2 adsorbed on an Al film has been studied by X-ray photoemission, thermal desorption and time-of-flight mass spectrometry with both UV and visible lasers. The products and the energetics of surface reactions are determined as functions of surface coverage and laser fluence. It is found that CH2 radicals and C2H4 molecules can be produced and desorbed from the surface when the adsorbate is electronically excited. In addition, laser-induced transient heating of Al substrate can lead to a decomposition reaction very different from the conventional thermal desorption.
Determination of polar lipids: Quantitative column and thin‐layer chromatography

The structures of the polar lipid classes of plants and animals are presented, their nomenclature discussed, and suggestions are presented for clarification of nomenclature. The three general types of quantitative chromatographic procedures (column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and combinations of column and thin-layer chromatography) available for polar lipids are reviewed and a new quantitative two-dimensional thin-layer chromatographic procedure is presented. Useful quantitative procedures employing columns of cellulose, silicic acid, silicic acid mixed with silicate, magnesium silicate, and ion exchange celluloses are presented. New findings with diethylaminoethyl cellulose columns are described. New quantitative procedures employing silicic acid, magnesium silicate, or diethylaminoethyl cellulose column chromatography with quantitative thin-layer chromatography are described.
MonoColor CMOS Sensor

A new breed of CMOS color sensor called MonoColor sensor is developed for a barcode reading application in AIDC industry. The RGBW color filter array (CFA) in a MonoColor sensor is arranged in a 8 x 8 pixels CFA with only 4 pixels of them are color (RGB) pixels and the rest of 60 pixels are transparent or monochrome. Since the majority of pixels are monochrome, MonoColor sensor maintains 98% barcode decode performance compared with a pure monochrome CMOS sensor. With the help of monochrome and color pixel fusion technique, the resulting color pictures have similar color quality in terms of Color Semantic Error (CSE) compared with a Bayer pattern (RGB) CMOS color camera. Since monochrome pixels are more sensitive than color pixels, a MonoColor sensor produces in general about 2X brighter color picture and higher luminance pixel resolution.
Distance in Digraphs

Abstract The (directed) distance d ( u, v ) from a vertex u to a vertex v in a strong digraph D is the length of a shortest u-v path in D . Although this is the standard distance in digraphs, it is not a metric. Two other distances in digraphs are introduced, each of which is a metric. The maximum distance md( u, v ) between two vertices u and v in a strong digraph is defined as md( u, v ) = max{ d ( u, v ), d ( v, u )}. The sum distance sd( u, v ) is defined as sd( u, v ) = d ( u, v ) + d ( v, u ). Several results and problems concerning these metrics and such parameters as centers, medians, and peripheries are described.
Selective estrogen receptor modulators for the chemoprevention of prostate cancer

The ability to interfere with prostate carcinogenesis, and as a consequence, prevent prostate cancer with drugs is the basis for chemoprevention. The prostate contains estrogen receptors in both the stroma and epithelium. Both animal models and human epidemiologic studies have implicated estrogens as an initiator of prostate cancer. In the aging male, prostate cancer occurs in an environment of rising estrogen and decreasing androgen levels. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have shown the ability to prevent (GTx-006 [acapodene]) and treat (GTx-006 and arzoxifene) prostate cancer, suggesting that they may be used in prostate cancer chemoprevention. A phase 2 clinical trial using GTx-006 for prostate cancer chemoprevention is currently being conducted.
Portrayals of Women in Transnational Arab Television Drama Series

This content analysis of 15 Arabic and 3 Turkish drama serials on transnational Arab television examined the gender portrayals of characters. The analysis of 743 characters found that women were underrepresented, less likely to have recognizable jobs, and more likely than men to be portrayed in sex-typed occupations, activities, and settings. The analysis also revealed that programs with female writers were significantly less gender stereotypical. Moreover, differences were found among the producing Arab countries in terms of the portrayals of women; conservative countries had more sex-typed portrayals than the more liberal Arab countries, whereas Turkish programs had similar portrayals to Arabic programs produced in the liberal Arab states. The general findings are discussed in comparison to U.S. programming, and in relation to selective exposure, identification with characters, and potential effects on Arab viewers' gender role beliefs.
Functional Approach to Simulating Short-Rotation Woody Crops in Process-Based Models

Short-rotation woody crops (SRWCs) such as Populus have great potential as biofuel feedstocks. Biomass yields and yield stability at potential sites are important considerations when SRWCs are widely planted. The process-based, daily time-step simulation model Agricultural Land Management Alternative with Numerical Assessment Criteria (ALMANAC) offers promise as a useful tool to evaluate tree growth over large ranges of conditions. The objective of this study was to develop algorithms and growth parameters of hybrid poplar ‘Tristis #1’ (Populus balsamifera L. × Populus tristis Fisch) and eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr.) in ALMANAC and to improve simulation of leaf area index (LAI) and plant biomass as well as biomass partitioning. ALMANAC with the improved algorithms for LAI and weight of falling leaves was applied to hybrid poplar plots in Wisconsin and cottonwood plots in Mississippi, and the modeled biomass yield and LAI were compared with measured data to modify and evaluate the location-specific ALMANAC models. Improved algorithms for LAI and biomass simulation and suggested values and potential parameter ranges for hybrid poplar and cottonwood were reasonable (Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE) 0.81 ~ 0.99 and R 2 0.76 ~ 0.99). ALMANAC with modified algorithms and parameters for Populus growth realistically simulated LAI, aboveground woody biomass, and root biomass of Populus. Thus, this model can be used for biofeedstock production modeling for Populus. The improved algorithms of LAI and biomass simulation for tree growth should also be useful for other process-based models, such as Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC), and Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX).
New light on dark matter

Dark matter, proposed decades ago as a speculative component of the universe, is now known to be the vital ingredient in the cosmos: six times more abundant than ordinary matter, one-quarter of the total energy density, and the component that has controlled the growth of structure in the universe. Its nature remains a mystery, but assuming that it is composed of weakly interacting subatomic particles, is consistent with large-scale cosmic structure. However, recent analyses of structure on galactic and subgalactic scales have suggested discrepancies and stimulated numerous alternative proposals. We discuss how studies of the density, demography, history, and environment of smaller-scale structures may distinguish among these possibilities and shed new light on the nature of dark matter.
Staying strong: gender ideologies among African-American adolescents and the implications for HIV/STI prevention.

This paper explores adolescents' definitions of what it means to be a man and a woman, the psycho-social context surrounding the formation of gender ideologies and their relationship to HIV/STI prevention. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 50 African-American adolescents living in Baltimore, Maryland. Female gender ideologies included economic independence, emotional strength and caretaking. Male gender ideologies emphasized financial responsibility, toughness and sexual prowess. Findings suggest that stronger adherence to male gender ideologies related to toughness and sexual prowess is influenced by male participants' perceived inability to fulfill their primary gender role as economic providers and the importance of gaining approval from male peers in the absence of adult male role models. Stronger adherence to female gender ideologies related to emotional strength and caretaking may be linked to a heightened desire for male intimacy and tolerance of male sexual risk behavior. Im...
Intranasal seasonal influenza vaccine and a TLR-3 agonist, rintatolimod, induced cross-reactive IgA antibody formation against avian H5N1 and H7N9 influenza HA in humans

The intranasal use of rintatolimod, a specific TLR-3 agonist, combined with trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine generated cross-protection against highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in mice. The purpose of this clinical trial is to assess the safety and impact of rintatolimod on intranasal influenza vaccine in healthy adults. During Stage I of this Phase I/II clinical trial, 12 volunteers were immunized intranasally with 3 doses of FluMist seasonal influenza vaccine on Days 0, 28, and 56 followed by intranasal rintatolimod (50 μg, 200 μg, or 500 μg) 3 days later. Parotid saliva and nasal wash samples were collected at baseline and on Days 25, 53, 84, and 417. The samples were tested for IgA and IgG specific antibodies (Ab) directed against the homologous FluMist viral hemagglutinins (HAs). In addition, viral specific responses against influenza A HAs were tested for IgA Ab cross-reactivity against 3 H5 clades: HA (H5N1) A/Indonesia/5/2005, HA (H5N1) A/Hong Kong/483/97 and HA (H5N1) A/Vietnam/1194/2004, as well as, two H7 strains, HA (H7N9) A/Shanghai/2/2013 and HA (H7N3) A/chicken/Jalisco/CPA1. The combination of the intranasal FluMist along with the rintatolimod generated specific secretory IgA responses of at least 4-fold over baseline against at least one of the homologous vaccine strains included in the vaccine in 92% of the vaccinees. Additionally, this vaccination strategy induced cross-reactive secretory IgA against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus strains H5N1, H7N9, and H7N3 with pandemic potential for humans. The combination of rintatolimod and FluMist was well-tolerated.
Renal structure and body size in heteromyid rodents

The relationship between body size (i.e., body mass, surface area, and relative surface area) and urine concentrating ability (via renal morphology) was determined using six sympatric species of heteromyids. These rodents share similar feeding habits and life histories but differ in adult body size. When variables such as ecological distribution, dietary habits, and other aspects of an animal's life history are reduced, renal morphology is highly and negatively correlated with body size; small heteromyids have relatively thicker medullae and presumably greater urine concentrating abilities than large ones. Renal medullary thickness is as strongly correlated with body mass as with measurements of surface area and mass-specific surface area.
Electrochemical Effects of Metal Ion Coordination to Noninnocent, Biologically Important Molecules

Abstract As the role of transition metal ions in biological systems becomes better understood, it has become apparent that various biological ligands strongly modulate the oxidation-reduction behavior of metal ions. Less well studied but no less important are the effects exerted by transition metal ions on the redox behavior of biologically important molecules, particularly those which normally function as electron transfer agents. Striking examples of this have been shown for a series of MgII and ZnII porphyrin complexes in which substitution of the metal ion for two protons sufficiently lowers the oxidation potential of the porphyrin so that it becomes fairly oxidizable in two successive 1e steps.1 Sirohemes in nitrite and sulfite reductases catalyze a remarkable 6e reduction in which the reducing ability of both the iron and the isobacteriochlorin are important.2,3 Metal ions are particularly important in modifying the redox behavior of substrates which coordinate in the active sites of metalloenzymes....
Abstract B44: Reproducibility and short-term intraindividual variability of telomere length measurement using a monochrome multiplexing quantitative PCR

Background: Telomeres are repetitive DNA structure at the end of chromosomes that are required for genomic integrity and stability. Numerous epidemiologic studies have examined telomere length in peripheral blood in relation to cancer and other aging-related diseases. In many of these studies, a measurement of telomere length from a single blood draw is quantified using a real-time PCR technique, and assumed to reflect a replicative history of hematopoietic stem cells in individuals. We examined the reproducibility of telomere length measurement and the relative magnitudes of sources of variation using sequential samples collected over a 9-month period. Methods: Relative telomere length in peripheral blood was estimated using a single tube monochrome multiplex quantitative PCR assay in blood DNA samples from 27 non-pregnant adult women (aged 35 to 74 years) collected in 7 visits over a 9-month period. Each specimen was assayed in triplicate on each of two plates. Reproducibility of the technical triplicates within a plate was assessed using the coefficient of variation (%CV). A linear mixed model was used to estimate the components of variance for telomere length measurements attributed to variation among women and variation between time points within women. Results: Within-plate technical replicate variability ranged from 8.5 to 15% (mean %CV=12.9). Plates had a significant systematic influence on telomere length measurements, explaining 16% of the variance; however, telomere length measurements between different plates were highly correlated (Pearson9s correlation coefficient r=0.93, p Conclusion: Our data demonstrate good reproducibility of telomere length measurement using blood from a single draw. However, the existence of technical variability, particularly plate effects, reinforces the need for technical replicates and balancing of case and control samples across plates. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):B44.
Impact of Dietary Na+ on Glycyrrhetinic Acid-Like Factors (Kidney 11β-(HSD2)-GALFs) in Human Essential Hypertension

Our previous studies have shown that human urine contains glycyrrhetinic acid-like factors (GALFs) that possess inhibitory activity against kidney 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoform 2 (HSD2). The present studies were undertaken to determine the impact of dietary Na+ intake on the levels of kidney 11β(HSD2)-GALFs. The excretion of kidney 11β(HSD2)-GALFs in 24-hour urine samples of 30 unmedicated subjects (10 normotensive and 10 high/normal-renin and 10 low-renin essential hypertensive subjects) on both 200- and 10-mmol Na+ diets was studied. No differences in the urinary levels of kidney 11β(HSD2)-GALFs were observed among the three groups on the high-Na+ diet. However, with a low-Na+ diet, the levels of kidney 11β(HSD2)-GALFs were significantly increased in hypertensive subjects but not in normal subjects. Levels increased from 8.3±1.4 to 17.3±2.9 and 6.7±1.3 to 10.6±1.4 carbenoxolone sodium units/d in high/normal-renin ( P =.01) and low-renin hypertensive subjects ( P =.07), respectively; normal subjects changed from 8.0±1.9 to 10.6±2.4. The levels of kidney 11β(HSD2)-GALFs were significantly higher in the high/normal-renin hypertensive subjects than in either the control normotensive subjects or the low-renin hypertensive subjects when challenged with the low-Na+ diet ( P <.05 by Wilcoxon rank-sum test). The greater response of the high/normal-renin hypertensive subjects indicated that they may utilize kidney 11β(HSD2)-GALFs when challenged with a low-Na+ diet, whereas the low-renin essential hypertensive subjects do not.
Anesthesia for the Child with an Upper Respiratory Tract Infection: Still a Dilemma?

One of the most controversial issues in pediatric anesthesia has revolved around the decision to proceed with anesthesia and surgery for the child who presents with an upper respiratory tract infection (URI). In the past, doctrine dictated that children with URIs have their surgery postponed until the child was symptom free. This practice was based on the empirically supported premise that anesthesia increased the risk of serious complications and complicated the child's postoperative course. Although recent clinical data confirm that some children with URIs are at increased risk of perioperative complications, these complications can, for the most part, be anticipated, recognized, and treated. Although the child with a URI still presents a challenge, anesthesiologists are now in a better position to make informed decisions regarding the assessment and management of these children, such that blanket cancellation has now become a thing of the past.
DA5 Disease State Management Tracker: Implementing, Tracking, And Evaluating Clinical Pathways And Outcomes

Although clinical guidelines have been gaining widespread acceptance as a management tool, practical difficulties in implementation and measurement of outcomes have been obstacles in their widespread use. Their complexity may discourage consistent use in everyday practice, while the lack of data tracking their implementation has limited the assessment of outcomes. Disease State Management Tracker (DSMT) addresses these concerns with a system that makes it easy for the practitioner to enter patient assessments and track services received, as well as monitor patient progress and outcomes. DSMT is based on the components of disease state management, namely: treatment algorithms, clinical decision making, and outcomes reporting. Complex treatment algorithms are easily stored and analyzed using either retrospective or prospective data. The DSMT software was developed as an application for the Windows 95/ environment. The workshop will be presented in the form of an overview of the DSMT and its functionalities while using community acquired pneumonia as an example disease state. The attendee will be able to convert locally or nationally developed clinical pathways and enter them into the DSMT. Next, patient assessment, assignment into management cells for provision of services, and determination of patient outcomes in the DSMT will be reviewed. Finally the capability of DSMT to generate extensive reports will be demonstrated. Some standard reports include determination of cost of treatment via the clinical pathway as well as cost of deviations from the pathway. DSMT is being used for various disease states including community acquired pneumonia, asthma, osteo-arthritis, osteoporosis as well as in several practice environments including inpatient/out-patient pharmacy, clinics, managed care, and LTC. The widespread applicability of the DSMT will be beneficial to healthcare practitioners, administrators, and researchers with diverse interests from managed care organizations, long term care, hospitals, community settings, and educational institutions.
Subsurface fate of nitrate as a function of depth and landscape position in Missouri Flat Creek watershed, U.S.A.

Abstract Increased nitrate concentrations in groundwater associated with the application of nitrogen fertilizers have led to inquiries concerning the fate of nitrate beneath agricultural fields. This study was conducted to identify the processes affecting the distribution of nitrate in the unsaturated and saturated zones beneath an agricultural field and to assess how each process is influenced by factors associated with slope position. Nested piezometers were installed at two slope positions at the study site in southeastern Washington, U.S.A. Unsaturated- and saturated-zone sediment cores were analyzed for water content, pH, total and soluble organic carbon, ammonium, nitrate, and denitrification potential. Waters from the piezometers showed decreasing nitrate concentrations with depth below the water table. Trends in measured parameters indicated depth intervals where the distribution of nitrate could be attributed either solely to transport or to a combination of transport and biological denitrification. Denitrification explained the distribution of nitrate in the root zone while transport explained the interval between the root zone and theer table. There was a higher potential for denitrification below the water table at the bottom slope than at the top slope. Factors associated with slope position, such as a shallow water table and impeding stratigraphic layers, may explain this higher potential. Regardless of slope position, comparing nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide production from nitrate- and carbon-amended or -unamended samples indicated that denitrifier populations present in high-potential zones are nitrate-limited. Results from spherical microsite modelling suggest that anoxic conditions are possible in the bulk sediment despite the presence of oxygenated groundwaters beneath both slope positions. Advective-dispersive transport will continue to transport nitrate through the unsaturated and saturated zones. The data from this study suggest that there is greater potential for nitrate attenuation by denitrification beneath the bottom slope than the top slope. The data also show that large masses of nitrate reside in deep subsoil vadose zones. These regions must therefore be monitored to detect threats to future groundwater quality.
Hybrid Simulation of Packet-Level Networks and Functional-Level Routers

We discuss our approach to federating dissimilar discrete event simulations, leveraging the strengths and design goals of both, to produce a packet-level detailed network model federated with a component-level detailed input-queuing router model. All existing network simulation tools that we are aware of incorporate a very simplistic model for the flow of packets through a router. The simplistic model simply responds to a packet receipt event by performing a route look-up and adding the packet to the output queue of the next-hop output interface. This is often simulated to take place in zero time, or with rudimentary probabilistic models of delay within a router. However, modern high-end routers are designed using a complex input-queuing methodology and a sophisticated scheduling approach to move packets through a crossbar switch from the input queue to the output queue. We used the popular ns -- 3 network simulator to create realistic packet-level models of network load, and the Manifold computer architecture simulator to create a realistic model of data movement through an input-queued router. We federated the two by means of two alternative approaches: First, two POSIX threads run within a single simulation process and utilize the shared memory for both time synchronization and packet exchange. Second, we used the well-known MPI message passing library for the federation. Our results show that the detailed router models can in fact produce somewhat different packet delay and loss characteristics than the simplistic router models at the expense of considerable computational complexity.
Primary Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the mediastinum

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma localized to the mediastinum and adjacent structures occurred in 12 of 215 (6+) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients seen at the Massachusetts General Hospital between 1975 and 1979. Lymphangiography, radionuclide scanning and whole body computerized tomography were used to exclude patients with extrathoracic disease at presentation. Eleven of the 12 patients presented with extensive contiguous extranodal disease (Stage IIE) with involvement of either the pericardium, sternum, chest wall, pulmonary parenchyma or, in four cases, with superior venacaval obstruction. Diffuse large cell lymphoma (eight cases) and diffuse poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (four cases) were the prevalent histologic subtypes; no instances of lymphoblastic lymphoma without extrathoracic spread were encountered. None of four lymphomas studied could be characterized as either B- or T-cell tumors utilizing conventional surface marker techniques. Ten of the 12 patients achieved complete remissions, either after treatment with combination chemotherapy alone (three patients) or after both chemotherapy and mediastinal irradiation (seven patients). Two of these ten have subsequently relapsed, but median survival has not been reached after a mean period of observation of 28 months. Primary nonlymphoblastic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the mediastinum is more common than previously realized, displays aggressive contiguous spread within the chest and responds well to combination chemotherapy with or without adjuvant mediastinal irradiation.
Fog water as an alternative and sustainable water resource

As the world’s population and demand for fresh water increases, new water resources are needed. One commonly overlooked aspect of the water cycle is fog, which is an important part of the hydrology of coastal, high-altitude, and forested regions. Fog water harvesting is being investigated as a sustainable alternative water resource for drinking water and reforestation. Fog water harvesting involves using mesh nets to collect water as fog passes through them. The materials of these nets, along with environmental factors such as wind speed, influence the volume of water collected. In this article, a review of current models for fog collection, designs, and applications of fog water harvesting is provided. Aspects of fog water harvesting requiring further research and development are identified. In regions with frequent fog events, fog water harvesting is a sustainable drinking water resource for rural communities with low per capita water usage. However, an analysis of fog water harvesting potential for the coastal areas of northern California (USA) showed that fog yields are too small for use as domestic water in areas with higher household water demands. Fog water shows particular promise for application in reforestation. Fog water irrigation can increase growth rates and survivability of saplings in reforestation efforts in regions with frequent fog events. Using fog collectors, denuded areas once dependent on natural fog drip can be restored, benefiting local hydrology and ecosystem recovery. Improvement in fog collector designs, materials, and models to increase collection efficiency, perhaps by inclusion of ideas from natural systems, will expand the regions where fog harvesting can be applied.
Order-reducing approximation of two-time-scale discrete linear time-varying systems

Abstract In this paper we study a two-time-scale discrete-time linear time-varying system. We heuristically find a reduced-order approximation to its asymptotic behaviour as the time-scale separation tends to infinity. This approximation results in a white noise representation of the fast state vector, and a corresponding approximation error in the slow state vector. After introducing the approximate system we define concepts of continuity and rate of variation which are needed in the discrete-time analysis. We then prove that as the time-scale separation increases, the state of the reduced-order system asymptotically coincides with the slow state of the original system in the mean-square sense on compact time intervals. We also find the order of the slow state approximation error covariance.
Infiltrating T cells during liver graft-versus-host disease show a restricted T-cell repertoire.

Abstract Data from animal models have shown that hepatic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) may be mediated by donor T cells interacting with liver adhesion molecules, other minor histocompatibility antigens, or both. We hypothesized that T-cell infiltrates within a liver biopsy during clinical GVHD would show a restricted T-cell response because the T cells would be responding to a limited number of antigens. We studied the peripheral T-cell repertoire and the liver-infiltrating T-cell repertoire of a patient who developed skin GVHD and subsequent liver GVHD after a matched sibling bone marrow transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia. Spectratype analysis of peripheral blood at the time of liver GVHD revealed that the patient had reconstituted a complex peripheral T-cell repertoire as evidenced by the presence of complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) length heterogeneity in most of the T-cell families. The repertoire complexity was skewed in variable gene beta (VB) 5.3, VB4, VB7, VB8, and VB15. Spectratype analysis on the liver biopsy sample revealed a limited infiltrate with an oligoclonal expansion in VBs 4, 7, and 8. We evaluated the T-cell infiltrate in more detail by sequencing the relevant expansions noted by spectratype and developing probes for the predominant CDR3 sequences. These clonotype probes were hybridized to peripheral blood and liver samples from the patient, a T-cell line developed from the patient's peripheral blood at the time of the initial skin GVHD, the donor's blood and marrow, and control samples. The results showed that the T-cell infiltrate during liver GVHD is mediated by a limited number of T cells, and that those cells are mostly different from the ones expanded from the peripheral blood during an acute skin GVHD reaction. These data support the concept that liver GVHD is a response to tissue-specific minor histocompatibility antigens. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2000;6(4):408-15.
Public acceptance of offshore wind power: does perceived fairness of process matter?

This paper analyses the findings of recent mail surveys of residents living near two proposed offshore wind power projects – Cape Wind off Massachusetts and Bluewater Wind off Delaware. In 2009, 57% supported Cape Wind, while 80% supported Bluewater Wind. To measure the relationship between perceptions of public process and substantive support or opposition, we assessed opinions of procedural fairness, local community voice and trust in developers. A plurality ofresidents in both cases is relatively satisfied with the process, while statistical modelling suggests that satisfaction with the process and outcome may be mutually reinforcing or jointly determined.
Introduction to the Special Section: Emerging Adulthood Around the World

ABSTRACT—Cultural variation is an important question to address with regard to emerging adulthood. Summarized briefly are the contents of the Special Section, including a debate on the theory of emerging adulthood and six articles on emerging adulthood as it appears among various populations in Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the United States.
A Historiographic Look at Online Selling Opening the World of the Private Collection

This article addresses a new implication of the internet for historiography. It focuses mainly on online sellers as new sources for accessing primary, historical artifacts. This article argues that through identifying and often purchasing historical artifacts online, broadcast historians can reduce an inherent bias in institutional archives and gain insight into more localized, non-institutional broadcasting. The loss of accessible original artifacts through digitization and micro-filming also lends weight to online acquisition. The authors also discuss the need for authentication, and highlight possible ethical considerations.
Effects of crushed clay brick aggregate on mortar durability

Abstract This paper reports an experimental study that aimed to investigate the effects of recycled clay brick, used as a part of fine aggregate, on mortar durability. The brick, in crushed form, was from a local brick manufacturer that salvages its off-standard products. It was used to replace 10% and 20% (by weight) of the river sand in mortar. Effects of the brick replacement on the mortar flow, compressive strength, shrinkage, freeze–thaw resistance, and alkali–silica reaction potential were investigated. The results showed that as the brick replacement level increased, the mortar flowability reduced. The 10% and 20% brick replacements had no negative effect on the mortar compressive strength and very limited effect on the mortar shrinkage. The freeze–thaw resistance of the mortar was improved by the brick replacement. However, the use of crushed brick as aggregate appeared not to reduce potential alkali–silica reaction. The microscopy study revealed the alkali–silica reaction product and associated cracking in the mortar. Additional study indicated that the brick aggregate used in the study had pessimum proportion, 30%, for the alkali–silica reaction expansion.
Biohistorical approaches to “race” in the United States: Biological distances among African Americans, European Americans, and their ancestors†

Folk taxonomies of race are the categorizations used by people in their everyday judgments concerning the persons around them. As cultural traditions, folk taxonomies may shape gene flow so that it is unequal among groups sharing geography. The history of the United States is one of disparate people being brought together from around the globe, and provides a natural experiment for exploring the relationship between culture and gene flow. The biohistories of African Americans and European Americans were compared to examine whether population histories are shaped by culture when geography and language are shared. Dental morphological data were used to indicate phenotypic similarity, allowing diachronic change through United States history to be considered. Samples represented contemporary and historic African Americans and European Americans and their West African and European ancestral populations (N = 1445). Modified Mahalanobis' D(2) and Mean Measure of Divergence statistics examined how biological distances change through time among the samples. Results suggest the social acceptance for mating between descendents of Western Europeans and Eastern and Southern European migrants to the United States produced relatively rapid gene flow between the groups. Although African Americans have been in the United States much longer than most Eastern and Southern Europeans, social barriers have been historically stronger between them and European Americans. These results indicate that gene flow is in part shaped by cultural factors such as folk taxonomies of race, and have implications for understanding contemporary human variation, relationships among prehistoric populations, and forensic anthropology.
Essential Yeast Protein with Unexpected Similarity to Subunits of Mammalian Cleavage and Polyadenylation Specificity Factor (CPSF)

The 3' ends of most eukaryotic messenger RNAs are generated by internal cleavage and polyadenylation. In mammals, there is a strict dependence of both reactions on the sequence AAUAAA, which occurs upstream of polyadenylation [poly(A)] sites and which is recognized by CPSF. In contrast, cis-acting signals for yeast 3'-end generation are highly divergent from those of mammals, suggesting that trans-acting factors other than poly(A) polymerase would not be conserved. The essential yeast protein Brr5/Ysh1 shows sequence similarity to subunits of mammalian CPSF and is required for 3'-end processing in vivo and in vitro. These results demonstrate a structural and functional conservation of the yeast and mammalian 3'-end processing machineries despite a lack of conservation of the cis sequences.