cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Father-Son Family Communication Patterns and Gender Ideologies: A Modeling and Compensation Analysis

Using men's (N = 125) reports of their relationships with their fathers and sons, the authors examined intergenerational transmission of family communication patterns (i.e., conformity and conversation orientations) and gender ideologies (i.e., masculinity, femininity, and androgyny). Significant correlations emerged between the conformity orientation and masculinity gender ideology and the conversation orientation and androgyny gender ideology. Additionally, results suggest men model their fathers’ conformity orientations but neither model nor compensate for their fathers’ conversation orientations. Findings support the links between communication patterns and gender ideologies, while demonstrating how men's identities are influenced by the ideologies they accept and transmit within the family.
High‐voltage, full‐floating 10‐MHz square‐wave generator with phase control

Wherein a fast (50 ns) rise‐time high‐frequency square‐wave generator capable of switching between arbitrary voltages of high potential difference (1000 V or more) is described utilizing solid‐state circuitry of low power consumption. Power field effect transistors are used as the active switching element, which afford compact size and simplified circuit construction. With the addition of monostable multivibrators, high‐voltage square‐wave pulse trains of controllable phase are produced. The generator should find application in a wide variety of situations where fast switching between high voltages is required, such as in time‐of‐flight, coincidence, and beams‐modulation experiments.
New ultrahigh-sensitivity absolute, linear, and rotary encoders

Several new types of absolute optical encoders of both rotary and linear function are discussed. The means for encoding are complete departures from conventional optical encoders and offer advantages of reliability, compact form, immunity to damage-induced dropouts of position information, and about an order of magnitude higher sensitivity over what is commercially available. Rotary versions have sensitivity from 0.02 arcseconds down to 0.003 arcsecond while linear models have demonstrated sensitivity of 10 nm (0.01 micrometers ) with higher sensitivities possible.
InContext: simple parallelism for distributed applications

As networking services, such as DHTs, provide increasingly complex functionality, providing acceptable performance will require parallelizing their operations on individual nodes. Unfortunately, the event-driven style in which these applications have traditionally been written makes it difficult to reason about parallelism, and providing safe, efficient parallel implementations of distributed systems remains a challenge. In this paper, we introduce a declarative programming model based on contexts, which allows programmers to specify the sharing behavior of event handlers. Programs that adhere to the programming model can be safely parallelized according to an abstract execution model, with parallel behavior that is well-defined with respect to the expected sequential behavior. The declarative nature of the programming model allows conformance to be captured as a safety property that can be verified using a model checker.We develop a prototype implementation of our abstract execution model and show that distributed applications written in our programming model can be automatically and efficiently parallelized. To recover additional parallelism, we present an optimization to the implementation based on state snapshots that permits more events to proceed in parallel. We evaluate our prototype implementation through several case studies and demonstrate significant speedup over optimized sequential implementations.
Modeling and optimization for multi-layer graphene nanoribbon conductors

Analytical models are developed for effective resistance of two dimensional resistor networks and applied to multi-layer graphene nanoribbon (GNR) interconnects. Improvement in effective resistance with additional GNR layers is estimated and optimal number of layers to minimize delay and Energy-delay-product (EDP) are quantitatively derived. Since longer interconnects have better coupling between layers, the optimal number of layers increases with length. Other potential applications of the model including graphene contact for solar cells are briefly discussed.
On crafting a cultural mind: a comparative assessment of some recent theories of 'internalization' in psychological anthropology.

This article reviews a number of recent publications in psychological anthropology that draw in varying degrees from psychoanalytic premises in order to theoretically address problems concerning the internalization of cultural meaning. The article begins with a discussion and critical comparison of Spiro's and Obeyesekere's perspectives on internalization that are in line with a number of classical formulations in anthropological and psychoanalytic theory, before turning to explore what appears to be an emerging new wave of perspectives in contemporary psychological anthropology that set out to discuss problems of internalization in the context of a complex modeling of psychological, social, and cultural processes. The article concludes with a brief discussion of where researchers may need to turn to further our understanding of `internalization' in relation to those intrapsychic, interpsychic, and extrapsychic processes underpinning the crafting of cultural minds.
Crowd flow estimation using multiple visual features for scenes with changing crowd densities

Crowd estimation and monitoring is an important surveillance task. We address the problem of estimating the “flow,” that is the number of persons passing a designated region in a unit time. We designate an area of the scene as a virtual trip wire and accumulate the total number of foreground pixels (in the trip wire) over a chosen time period. We show that cumulative pixel count is related to the number of persons passing through the trip-wire by a scale factor. This scale factor is highly sensitive to the “crowdedness” (levels of crowd density) of the scene which creates different levels of occlusion of the individuals walking/passing through the trip-wire. We use texture features to determine the crowdedness and choose the most appropriate scaling factor. Our method does not require detection and tracking of individuals and is robust to scene dynamics, background subtraction errors, and different crowd levels.
Valuation of risky assets in arbitrage-free economies with transactions costs

Abstract This paper analyzes the equilibrium valuation of risky assets in the case where transactions costs are present. The methodology involves applying ‘theorems of the alternative’ (Farkas' Lemma) as a consequence of arbitrage-free markets. Under relevant assumptions, it is found that the price of an asset having transactions costs is the corresponding price that would obtain in a perfect market, plus a ‘fudge factor’. This latter factor is provided explicit bounds.
Exponential Hashing in Finite Fields

Hash functions are widely used in computing. Hashing applications are abundant. For example, in computer security, a hash function is used to produce a "fingerprint" of a file, password, message, or other block of data for integrity verification and message authentication etc. Computer compilers use hash tables, known as symbol tables, to keep track of declared variables in source codes. Hash functions are also used very commonly in on-line spelling checkers and in programs that play games. Design of efficient hash functions is crucial for lots of real world applications. Many existing open addressing hash functions, for example, the widely used double hashing, require that the table size m be prime, in order to produce full length probe sequences. In this paper, a new and efficient technique, called exponential hashing in finite fields, is proposed to construct a new hash function with table size m = pn, where p is prime and n ges 1. It is clear that the table size m = pn includes prime m as a special case when n = 1. We show that the proposed new hash function has the ability to spread table elements more randomly than the widely used double hashing, and at the same time produces full length probe sequences on all table elements. We demonstrate experimentally that the new hash function performs significantly better than double hashing for clustered data. Also, several properties of the proposed new hash function are presented along with experimental results.
Parent Influences on Physical Activity Participation and Physical Fitness of Deaf Children

Research has consistently demonstrated that parents' values toward physical activity and fitness have strongly influenced the physical activity habits of hearing children (Welk, G. J., Wood, K., & Morss, G. [2003]. Parental influences on physical activity in children: An exploration of potential mechanisms. Pediatric Exercise Science, 15, 19-33). The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether similar findings are obtained for deaf (1) children. The influence of parents' hearing status and parents' involvement in Deaf sport (2) was assessed in addition to their values toward sports participation and physical fitness for their deaf children. Deaf children's physical activity habits were determined by the number of activities participated per week, and fitness levels by the number of scores within the Healthy Fitness Zone from the Fitnessgram test. Parents demonstrated positive values toward physical fitness regardless of hearing status; this finding was strongest among deaf parents of deaf children. Significant positive relationships were found among parents' values toward physical fitness and sport participation and children's physical activity and fitness levels, as well as between Deaf sport involvement by deaf parents and children's physical activity levels.
Magnetic x-ray circular dichroism in spin-polarized photoelectron diffraction

The first structural determination with spin-polarized, energy-dependent photoelectron diffraction using circularly-polarized x-rays is reported for Fe films on Cu(001). Circularly-polarized x-rays produced spin-polarized photoelectrons from the Fe 2p doublet, and intensity asymmetries in the 2p{sub 3/2} level are observed. Fully spin-specific multiple scattering calculations reproduced the experimentally-determined energy and angular dependences. A new analytical procedure which focuses upon intensity variations due to spin-dependent diffraction is introduced. A sensitivity to local geometric and magnetic structure is demonstrated.
Protocol Design and Optimization for Delay/Fault-Tolerant Mobile Sensor Networks

While extensive studies have been carried out in the past several years for many sensor applications, they cannot be applied to the network with extremely low and intermittent connectivity, dubbed the delay/fault-tolerant mobile sensor network (DFT-MSN). Without end-to-end connections due to sparse network density and sensor node mobility, routing in DFT-MSN becomes localized and ties closely to medium access control, which naturally calls for merging Layer 3 and Layer 2 protocols in order to reduce overhead and improve network efficiency. DFT-MSN is fundamentally an opportunistic network, where the communication links exist only with certain probabilities and become the scarcest resource. At the same time, the sensor nodes in DFT-MSN have very limited battery power like those in other sensor networks. Clearly, there is a tradeoff between link utilization and energy efficiency. To address this tradeoff, we develop a cross-layer data delivery protocol for DFT-MSN, which includes two phases, i.e., the asynchronous phase and the synchronous phase. In the first phase, the sender contacts its neighbors to identify a set of appropriate receivers. Since no central control exists, the communication in the first phase is contention-based. In the second phase, the sender gains channel control and multicasts its data message to the receivers. Furthermore, several optimization issues in these two phases are identified, with solutions provided to reduce the collision probability and to balance between link utilization and energy efficiency. Our results show that the proposed cross-layer data delivery protocol for DFT-MSN achieves a high message delivery ratio with low energy consumption and an acceptable delay.
Total darkness as an aversive stimulus condition for the squirrel monkey

Squirrel monkeys were maintained in a dark chamber for from four to 39 continuous days. When light was used as a reinforcer, a high rate of lever pressing, inversely proportional to the duration of light per response, was obtained. An extreme reluctance to consume food or water in total darkness was observed. The complete absence of light is apparently an aversive stimulus condition for this species.
Deterministic Built-in Pattern Generation for Sequential Circuits

We present a new pattern generation approach for deterministic built-in self testing (BIST) of sequential circuits. Our approach is based on precomputed test sequences, and is especially suited to sequential circuits that contain a large number of flip-flops but relatively few controllable primary inputs. Such circuits, often encountered as embedded cores and as filters for digital signal processing, are difficult to test and require long test sequences. We show that statistical encoding of precomputed test sequences can be combined with low-cost pattern decoding to provide deterministic BIST with practical levels of overhead. Optimal Huffman codes and near-optimal Comma codes are especially useful for test set encoding. This approach exploits recent advances in automatic test pattern generation for sequential circuits and, unlike other BIST schemes, does not require access to a gate-level model of the circuit under test. It can be easily automated and integrated with design automation tools. Experimental results for the ISCAS 89 benchmark circuits show that the proposed method provides higher fault coverage than pseudorandom testing with shorter test application time and low to moderate hardware overhead.
GABAergic Inhibitory Interneurons in the Posterior Piriform Cortex of the GAD67–GFP Mouse

g-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)--releasing inhibitory interneurons, a critical component of cortical circuitry, are involved in myriad known functional roles. However, information regarding the cytoarchitectural, physiological, and molecular properties of interneurons in posterior piriform cortex (PPC) is sparse. Taking advantage of the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)67--enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) mouse, we used in vitro whole-cell patch-clamp techniques to record from GABAergic interneurons across all 3 layers of PPC and, subsequently, to reconstruct their morphology. For the first time, 5 groups of interneurons are identified, whose firing types are defined based on those described within neocortex. Interestingly, each interneuron group with a distinct firing type also exhibits unique morphological properties, laminar distributions, and excitatory synaptic properties. The dendritic and axonal processes demonstrate subtype-specific orientations and a differential expression of spines and boutons, respectively. In addition, the active and passive electrophysiological properties ofthese cells showmarkedintergroup differences. Immunohistochemical techniques revealed a laminarspecific distribution of calcium-binding proteins and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) expression. Surprisingly, excitatory synaptic properties in several groups lack target-specific differences seen in neocorticalcircuits,reflectingacircuitarrangedwithlesscomplexity. ThesedataaidintheidentificationofPPCinterneuronsandallowusto make well-supported postulations about their functional properties.
Arab and Iranian Revolts 1979–2011: Influences or Similar Causes?

In the thirty-two years from 1979 to 2011 there have been numerous mass movements in Iran and several Arab countries that have overthrown or threatened rulers who seemed secure for several decades. By September 2011, the shah of Iran and the presidents of Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya had been overthrown; of those, only the anti-Qaddafi revolt had outside (NATO) help. Major popular movements had also threatened the rulers of Bahrain, Yemen, and Syria. Iran had seen the massive Green Movement in 2009, aimed primarily at fraud in that year's presidential elections. Among the questions that emerge regarding these movements are the following: Why did they arise when they did? Why were they not predicted? How much influence did one or more of these movements have on the others? Why were some movements successful and others, thus far, not? Some of these questions will demand long study and analysis, which may not lead to a consensus. Here will be a preliminary brief discussion of a few of them, with stress on the question of influence.
Analysis of Lagrangian Potential Vorticity Balance and Lateral Displacement of Water Parcels in Gulf Stream Meanders

Abstract The balance of potential vorticity components following fluid parcel motion in Gulf Stream meanders was studied using RAFOS float data from the SYNOP Experiment. By introducing curvature dependent variations to the velocity and density fields, the authors relaxed the rigid field assumption used in earlier studies and examined closely 61 floats in the upper layers (13°–16°C) of the main thermocline. Float trajectories were segmented according to transition from crest to trough and trough to crest, and grouped by their positions relative to the current center. A total of 154 segments were collected to estimate the horizontal divergence and the mean lateral displacement of parcels under two distinct regimes: growing and decaying meanders. Both spatial and temporal changes in curvature affect the regions of divergence in a meandering stream. On the one hand, horizontal divergence increases with increasing curvature magnitude, while on the other hand, the divergence pattern itself changes going from g...
Fault-tolerant orthogonal fat-trees as interconnection networks

Orthogonal fat-trees are a type of interconnection network with several desirable characteristics: short distance between processors, constant degree of the switching elements, uniform traffic load, symmetry, and recursive scalability. We first show how to build two-level orthogonal fat-trees, where each node has a fixed degree and there is a maximum distance of two between any two leaves. We then show how to provide fault tolerance by including redundant paths at the cost of reducing the number of leaves. Finally, we show how to construct large orthogonal fat-trees from two-level fat-trees recursively. >
Effect of Dry-Chilling on the Flavor of Fried Chicken

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of wet- and dry-chilling on fried chicken flavor as measured by a flavor panel and gas chromatographic analysis of the flavor volatiles. Dry-chilling was shown to help produce a fried chicken product with a subtle but detectable flavor advantage over conventionally wet-chilled poultry. Stepwise discriminant analysis of the gas chromatogram of the volatiles from wet-and dry-chilled fried chicken indicated that certain ratios from peak areas of the chromtogram quite readily allowed discrimination between the two groups.
The Dual Image of the Administrator in Progressive Administrative Theory

This article analyzes how Progressive-era theorists thought systematically about how to make administrators legitimate actors within liberal society and government. Organic idealism and pragmatism were the philosophical foundations on which Progressive legitimacy theory rested. The former stressed respect for tradition: the latter emphasized analysis and science as means to legitimacy. Post-Progressive legitimacy theories resemble the Progressive's, although some corrections and advances have been made. The major correction to post-Progressive legitimacy theory is renewed attention to the constitutional constraints that surround administrative behavior. The article suggests that, in the face of contemporary challenges, either pragmatism or tradition-based constitutional theory will be the likely foundation for administrators as they attempt to reflect on and enhance their own legitimacy.
Serrated colorectal polyps and the serrated neoplastic pathway: Emerging concepts in colorectal carcinogenesis

Summary Several investigators have recently proposed the concept of a ‘serrated neoplastic pathway' to account for the development of a subset of colonic carcinomas that lack chromosomal instability and loss of heterozygosity. This pathway putatively involves several pathogenetically related polyps, including some hyperplastic polyps, the recently described sessile serrated polyp, serrated adenoma and mixed polyp; and is characterised by early BRAF mutations, DNA hypermethylation and microsatellite instability. Most hyperplastic polyps and sessile serrated polyps harbour mutations in BRAF, one gene involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, and abnormal DNA methylation. Presumably, these genetic changes are sufficient to potentiate widespread genomic hypermethylation that ultimately affects the promoter regions of key DNA repair genes, such as hMLH-1 and O6-methylguanine methyltransferase, thereby silencing them from transcription and leading to progressive microsatellite instability. The morphological evolution of non-dysplastic serrated lesions (hyperplastic and sessile serrated polyps) to serrated adenomas, mixed polyps and/or colorectal carcinoma is believed to reflect the accumulation of these genetic events. The purpose of this review is to describe the morphological and molecular features of colorectal serrated polyps and to present the available data supporting the concept of a serrated neoplastic pathway of colorectal carcinogenesis.
The Treatment of the Architectural Unit above Openings of the Mamluk and Ottoman Facades in Cairo

The facades of the Mamluk buildings have a common characteristic feature which is the use of lintels, nafis and relieving arches above doors and windows. The three elements together formed a unit with an important architectural function on the facades. This unit was also treated as a focal point of the facade. Therefore, it was richly decorated with floral and geometric decorations and was usually made of colored marble, joggles voussoirs or carved stones. As a result, that unit attracted the attention of pedestrians and added to the beauty of the facade. During the Ottoman period the same unit was used on facades, however, due to financial and political reasons, the materials used differed and the decorations became modest. Nonetheless, the decoration of the lintel, nafis and relieving arch managed to mark the Ottoman facades with a different identity.
Joint network-centric and user-centric radio resource management in a multicell system

A pricing mechanism to mediate (and allocate resources) between conflicting user and network objectives has been recently proposed by the authors in a single-cell system. Here, we extend the results to a multicell system, where the autonomous base station assignment and power control are formulated as a noncooperative game among users. The network prices the resources using two strategies: global pricing that maximizes the revenue, and minimax pricing that trades off the revenue for a more even resource allocation.
Nonpharmacologic treatment of supraventricular tachycardia

During the last 2 decades, more than 1,000 patients have undergone surgical division of an accessory pathway; many refinements in epicardial mapping and surgical techniques have been made. In institutions where the procedure is routinely performed, the rate of successful accessory pathway interruption now approaches 98%. Concomitant risk of complete heart block among patients with posteroseptal pathways has declined to less than 5%. Among patients with other organic heart disease, myocardial preservation techniques result in mortality rates within 1 to 2%; among those with significant cardiac abnormalities, the mortality rate is 4 to 6%. Two techniques are generally used to ablate an accessory pathway: the endocardial and the epicardial. The aim of both approaches is to identify the site of the accessory pathway and disarticulate the atrioventricular groove or expose and ablate the atrioventricular junction to interrupt accessory pathway conduction. Although each technique has its advantages, the choice of technique is far less important than the skill of the surgeon and clinical electrophysiologist performing the procedure. Newer surgical techniques include application of external epicardial shocks in the area of the accessory pathway and use of a cryosurgical probe in the sinus to ablate accessory pathways. Whereas our current thought is that surgery should be limited to those adults who fail to respond to pharmacologic therapy, advances in atrial endocardial and epicardial mapping, as well as surgical techniques, may expand the role of surgery in the treatment of ectopic atrial tachycardia.
Mutation analysis in Rett syndrome.

Rett syndrome is an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene. Mutations have been demonstrated in more than 80% of females with typical features of Rett syndrome. We identified mutations in the MECP2 gene and documented the clinical manifestations in 65 Rett syndrome patients to characterize the genotype-phenotype spectrum. Bidirectional sequencing of the entire MECP2 coding region was performed. We diagnosed 65 patients with MECP2 mutations. Of these, 15 mutations had been reported previously and 13 are novel. Two patients have multiple deletions within the MECP2 gene. Eight common mutations were found in 43 of 65 patients (66.15%). The majority of patients with identified mutations have the classic Rett phenotype, and several had atypical phenotypes. MECP2 analysis identified mutations in almost all cases of typical Rett syndrome, as well as in some with atypical phenotypes. Eleven (20.4%) of the 54 patients with defined mutations and in whom phenotypic data we...
Racial Differences and the Role of Marital Status in the Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Unintended Pregnancy

More than half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended which may lead to poor health outcomes. Racial and ethnic differences underlying the association between IPV and unintended pregnancy are inconsistent. This study examines the association between IPV and unintended pregnancy across racial/ethnic and marital strata among U.S. women. Data from the national 2009/11 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System consisting of women who recently delivered a live birth baby were analyzed (n=108,220). A dichotomous variable was created to indicate whether women experienced IPV in the 12 months leading to their most recent pregnancy (yes; no). The outcome, pregnancy intention, was dichotomized as intended or unintended. Subpopulation analysis was conducted stratified by race/ethnicity and marital status. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were generated using multiple logistic regression models. The odds of unintended pregnancy were increased for married non-Hispanic White women who reported IPV compared to their non-abused counterparts even after controlling for sociodemographic factors, health care access, and reproductive history. Among unmarried non-Hispanic other women, abused women were significantly less likely to report unintended pregnancy than the non-abused. No significant differences were observed for Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black women. There are significant racial and ethnic differences in the association between IPV and unintended pregnancy. Additionally, the association differed by marital status. Public health professionals and health care providers should be aware of these differences.
From research to clinical application: challenges in regulating companion biomarker tests for “personalized” drugs

Copyright: © 2016 Thompson D.K. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. *Corresponding author: D. K. Thompson, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, USA, Tel: 910-893-7463; E-mail: dthompson@campbell.edu
Downregulation of neutral endopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.11) in the inflamed rat intestine

Intestinal inflammation induced by the nematode Trichinella spiralis is accompanied by increased intestinal concentrations of substance P, a mediator of inflammation and a stimulant of smooth muscle contraction, and by intestinal hypermotility. The expression of neutral endopeptidase (NEP), a cell surface enzyme that degrades substance P in the extracellular fluid, was examined in the inflamed intestine. NEP enzymatic activity, measured by a fluorometric assay, was reduced by 84-fold in jejunal mucosa-circular muscle and by 12-fold in jejunal longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus within 6 days after infection with T. spiralis. The downregulation was unaffected by treatment with betamethasone and was still observed in athymic animals. NEP protein levels, examined by Western blotting, confirmed the loss of NEP from inflamed tissue. The specific activity for degradation of substance P was reduced by sixfold in jejunal mucosa-circular muscle and by twofold in jejunal longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus of rats infected with T. spiralis compared with uninfected controls. Thus the downregulation of NEP resulted in reduced substance P degradation, which may contribute to functional abnormalities of the inflamed intestine.
Natural Resistance Mechanisms: Introduction

This symposium entitled “Natural Resistance Mechanisms” is meant to focus on immunity conferred by cells that don’t require antigen specific induction for acquisition of their function. Natural resistance also implies a degree of immunity demonstrable in the absence of overt stimulation, although modification of activity can be induced either by the host in response to challenge or by iatrogenic intervention. One class of cells possessing these properties are natural killer (NK) cells and there has been a lot of interest lately in their origin, function, and regulation. While we will discuss these cells at length, our focus should not be exclusively upon NK cells. Other cell types also are involved in natural resistance of which the monocyte/macrophage is a prime example.
Brief Overview of the Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeleton consists of a complex network of fibers primarily including three families of protein molecules that assemble to form three main types of filaments: microtubules, intermediate filaments and microfilaments. Other components such as septins and centrosomes have been added in more recent years to be included under the larger umbrella of the cytoskeleton. These filaments are linked to each other and to different cellular components by hundreds of accessory proteins to allow intra- and intercellular communications and signal transductions for specific cellular functions. This chapter will briefly introduce the major components of the cytoskeleton and cytoskeletal functions. Specific components and interactions are highlighted and discussed in specific chapters of this book.
The E-rate in America: a tale of four cities

Designed for school administrators, policymakers, and others concerned about communications and education, this report first traces the ideas and political forces that led to establishment of the E-Rate. It then looks at the practical issues confronting school districts as they seek to seize the opportunities the E-Rate affords. After examining how four school districts have used the program, the report provides a toolkit that school officials can use to organize, conceptualize, and communicate information about the impact of the program on their districts. Finally, it suggests resources for learning more about the E-Rate. The report contains the following chapters: (1) "E-Rate 101: How the Program Works"; (2) "E-Rate Policy: Universal Service in Education and Communications" (Anthony Wilhelm and Jorge Reina Schement); (3) "E-Rate Politics: A Brief History" (Andy Carvin); (4) "The E-Rate in Practice: Research Findings in Four Midwestern Cities" (Margaret Honey and Katie McMillan Culp); and (5) "An Educator's Toolkit: Planning and Evaluation of the Impact of the E-Rate Program" (Margaret Honey and Katie McMillan Culp). Appendices include a summary of legislative proposals related to the E-Rate and a list of E-Rate online resources. (MES) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. THE E-RATE IN AMERICA: A TALE OF FOUR CITIES BENTON FOUNDATION COMMUNICATIONS POLICY AND PRACTICE PROGRAM Edited by Andy Carvin Additional editorial contributions by Chris Conte and Allen Gilbert 1 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Filter penetration and breathing resistance evaluation of respirators and dust masks

ABSTRACTThe primary objective of this study was to compare the filter performance of a representative selection of uncertified dust masks relative to the filter performance of a set of NIOSH-approved N95 filtering face-piece respirators (FFRs). Five different models of commercially available dust masks were selected for this study. Filter penetration of new dust masks was evaluated against a sodium chloride aerosol. Breathing resistance (BR) of new dust masks and FFRs was then measured for 120 min while challenging the dust masks and FFRs with Arizona road dust (ARD) at 25°C and 30% relative humidity. Results demonstrated that a wide range of maximum filter penetration was observed among the dust masks tested in this study (3–75% at the most penetrating particle size (p < 0.001). The breathing resistances of the unused FFRs and dust masks did not vary greatly (8–13 mm H2O) but were significantly different (p < 0.001). After dust loading there was a significant difference between the BR caused by the ARD d...
The Role of Myth in Understanding Nature

Use of metaphor embodies myth in Western science and Native American traditional knowledge traditions about understanding the “natural” world and the nonhuman “other.” Using personal history, I compare a myth/metaphor from each intellectual tradition that shaped my thinking. Cultural trains of thought and metaphors impacted these myths and shaped my way of thinking. From Western scientific tradition, I examine the “Balance of Nature,” which dominated ecology and conservation biology from the 1850s until the 1990s. Balance and stability underlie major models in contemporary ecology and population biology, especially in wildlife and fisheries management. Before I trained as a Western style evolutionary ecologist, the myth of Wolf as creator figure in the traditions of Numic peoples (Shoshone, Comanche, Ute, Paiute) was the Indigenous creation myth that shaped my thinking. In the Balance of Nature, hidden metaphors are rooted in Western economic thought, specifically Capitalism. Similar metaphors in Numic peoples assume that humans are related ecologically to wolves, who served as teachers and guides. Stories, rather than data, served to fix these concepts into each cultural tradition. Although Numic beliefs appear “irrational” to Western society, they are more attuned to twenty-first century ecological and evolutionary thought than balance in nature, which lay at the root of Western ecological ideas until the 1980s. I discuss how my experiences with changing environmental conditions combined with my work with Indigenous peoples. Exposure to philosophical and empirical approaches from ethnobiology led me to explore these themes.
Acute systolic heart failure with normal admission BNP: clinical features and outcomes

Abstract Introduction The characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with acute systolic heart failure (HF) and normal admission B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has not been previously explored. Methods Using the ESCAPE trial data, we compared patients with acute HF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤30% who have either normal or elevated BNP on the day of hospitalization. The study endpoints were 30-day and 6-month mortality, all-cause rehospitalization and rehospitalization for HF. Results Among 347 patients with acute systolic HF, 43 had normal (mean 50.6pg/mL) and 304 had elevated admission BNP (mean 1144pg/mL). Compared with patients with elevated BNP, those with normal admission BNP were younger (51.5 vs. 56.8years, P =0.01), with higher body mass index (33.6 vs. 28.7kg/m 2 , P P P =0.005) and creatinine (1.34 vs. 1.52mg/dL, P =0.038) levels, higher LVEF (25.5% vs. 19.1%, P =0.018), higher cardiac index (2.34 vs. 1.96, P =0.013), and better diastolic function evident by lower E/A ratio (1.73 vs. 2.67, P =0.001) and longer deceleration of E velocity (166 vs. 141ms, P =0.028). There was no difference between patients with normal or elevated admission BNP with regards to the degree of congestion. There were no differences between both groups in post-discharge hard endpoints such as 30-day ( P =0.101) and 6-month ( P =0.143) mortality, rehospitalization for any cause ( P =0.992) or for HF ( P =0.763). Conclusion Patients hospitalized with acute systolic HF and normal admission BNP had no significant differences in the degree of congestion and post-discharge outcomes compared with those with elevated BNP. A normal BNP in this instance was not valuable for diagnostic or prognostic purposes.
Endoscopic Stenting Does Not Worsen Long Term Outcomes Amongst Patients Presenting with Obstruction from Colorectal Cancers.

Stenting has been increasingly adopted in colorectal cancer patients presenting with acute large bowel obstruction. However, long-term outcomes of stenting are lacking in the literature. Our study attempts to compare the long-term outcomes of colonic stenting and emergency surgery amongst left-sided colorectal cancer patients presenting with acute large bowel obstruction. A retrospective review of all patients who presented with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer who underwent either endoscopic stenting or emergency surgery for acute large bowel obstruction was performed from January 2007 to April 2016. Patients were analysed in an intention-to-treat analysis. Forty-seven (46.1%) patients underwent emergency surgery, whereas 55 (53.9%) underwent colonic stenting with a technical success rate of 71.0%. Patients who underwent emergency surgery were more likely to develop severe complications compared with patients who underwent successful colonic stenting, but the difference was not statistically significant (odds ratio [OR] 2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71–11.3, p = 0.139). Patients were followed up for a median of 48.3 months (3.1–111) in the stenting group and 51.2 months (1.2–117.1) in the emergency surgery group. Recurrence rates between colonic stenting and emergency surgery were similar (25.6% vs. 21.3%, p = 0.500), with more anastomotic and peritoneal recurrences were noted in the emergency surgery group. 5 year disease free survival (77% vs. 73%, p = 0.708) and overall survival (86% vs. 62%, p = 0.064) also were similar. Patients who underwent endoscopic stenting for large bowel obstruction have comparable long-term outcomes as those who undergo emergency surgery. The role of endoscopic stenting in obstructed colorectal cancers merits further evaluation.
Intra-optic nerve abscess: A rare complication of acute sinusitis

Abstract Introduction Intracranial complications from acute sinusitis are rare. In particular, intra-optic nerve abscess has not been described. A case report and review of orbital complications from sinusitis is presented here to emphasize the extreme rarity of this clinical entity. Methods Case report and literature review. The patient's pertinent history, clinical findings and radiologic studies are examined. Results The case of a 33 year old male who was transferred to a tertiary care academic medical center with acute vision loss after developing signs and symptoms consistent with acute sinusitis is presented and reviewed. A computed tomography scan demonstrated pansinusitis with worse severity on the left side. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a right-sided abscess along the roof of the right sphenoid sinus and the right optic nerve towards the optic chiasm. The patient's clinical exam was consistent with right-sided optic neuropathy. He underwent an emergent functional endoscopic sinus surgery and subsequent right-sided open craniotomy for drainage of an epidural and intracranial abscess involving the right optic nerve, chiasm, and optic tract. The sinusitis was odontogenic in origin. The patient was treated for six weeks with IV ceftriaxone, penicillin and metronidazole and transitioned to five months of PO amoxicillin. At 3-month follow-up, the patient had no evidence of sinusitis and stable ophthalmologic findings. Conclusions The occurrence of an intra-optic nerve abscess is a rare but possible sequela of acute sinusitis. A multidisciplinary approach involving otolaryngology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, neuroradiology and infectious diseases is paramount. Surgery and antibiotic therapy is the standard of care.
On the flapping motion of a helicopter blade

Abstract It is well known that the flapping motion β(t) of a helicopter blade can be modeled with an inhomogeneous linear differential equation with periodic coefficients. In this paper, we compare two methods that compute the Fourier coefficients of this motion. The first method provides an algorithm to numerically find the periodic solution β(t). We provide a method to numerically compute the initial conditions of this periodic solution. Having this solution allows us easily compute as many Fourier coefficients as we want. The second method consists of either assuming that β ( t ) = β 0 + β c 1 cos ( Ω t ) + β s 1 sin ( Ω t ) to find expressions for β0, βc1, βs1 or assuming that β ( t ) = β 0 + β c 1 cos ( Ω t ) + β s 1 sin ( Ω t ) + β c 2 cos ( 2 Ω t ) + β s 2 sin ( 2 Ω t ) to find expressions for β0, βc1, βs1, βc2, βs2. Or, in case more precision is needed, we assume β ( t ) = β 0 + β c 1 cos ( Ω t ) + β s 1 sin ( Ω t ) + ⋯ + β c m cos ( m Ω t ) + β s m sin ( m Ω t ) for some m > 2. It is interesting to point out that the expressions for β0, βc1, βs1 obtained by considering β ( t ) = β 0 + β c 1 cos ( Ω t ) + β s 1 sin ( Ω t ) are different from the ones obtained when we consider β ( t ) = β 0 + β c 1 cos ( Ω t ) + β s 1 sin ( Ω t ) + β c 2 cos ( 2 Ω t ) + β s 2 sin ( 2 Ω t ) . The computation of blade flapping harmonics is extremely important for analyzing the helicopter harmonic content to gain a better understanding on how to achieve a better blade design. Blade design researchers who are unfamiliar with the first method will benefit immensely from using this method.
The Cellular Basis of Extreme Alkali Secretion in Insects: A Tale of Two Tissues

Dipteran and lepidopteran insect larvae generate gut pH values that may be as high as 12; the highest values known in animal biology. This chapter reviews the cellular mechanisms hypothesized to be involved in such extreme alkalinization, and compares them to the mechanisms responsible for alkali secretion in two other well-studied tissues, the beta cells of the vertebrate renal tubule, a tissue that secretes alkali but does not achieve extreme pH values, and the dipteran Malpighian tubule, a tissue that does not exhibit significant alkalinization. The common feature in all of the tissues is a central role of the plasma membrane vacuolar-type H+ ATPase (V-ATPase) in energizing secondary transport of mineral ions and organics. Whether alkali secretion, acid secretion, or no net acid–base secretion occurs appears not to be a direct result of the primary H+ secretion, but instead relates to the magnitude and polarity of the “strong ion difference” resulting from transport processes secondary to the H+ transport. The energy demands of extreme alkalinization are calculated to approach, or even exceed, the energetic limits of the V-ATPase, suggesting that additional energy sources remain to be identified. Although the V-ATPase energizes alkali secretion in both dipteran and lepidopteran larvae, the cellular arrangement of the transport systems is so different that extreme alkalinization must have evolved separately in the lineages of the two orders.
Homework style, homework environment, and academic achievement

The study examined the preferred and actual homework styles of 272 seventh graders (134 males and 138 females) who were characterized by (1) three levels of self‐perceived homework achievement, (2) three levels of academic achievement, and (3) three levels of homework achievement. Consistencies and differences in the distinguishing components were found within and between the different types of achievement. Although different patterns of distinguishing components emerged between preferred and actual homework styles, there were remarkable consistencies between them that distinguished the achievement levels. In general, high achievers were more self‐, parent‐, and teacher‐motivated and persistent, organized their homework in some order, preferred or did homework in a bright home environment and by themselves, and did better with specific instructions, when compared with low achievers. However, neither preferred nor actual perceptual preferences distinguished the levels of achievement. In both preferred and actual situations, students in the high homework achievement group were more parent-motivated than those in the low homework achievement group, demonstrating the importance of parental involvement in the home learning environment.
Case Report of a Ureterocutenous Fistula Post Aortobifemoral Bypass Graft Removal in a Patient With Obstructive UPJ Calculus

Ureterocutaneous fistulas are rare, often iatrogenic complications. We present a case of a 60 year old woman suffering a ureterocutaneous fistula in association with an infected vascular graft. Percutaneous diversion of urinary fluid with a nephrostomy tube is an acceptable form of management.
CTS Associated or Caused by Other Medical Conditions

This chapter reviews common medical conditions associated with CTS such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and obesity and their effects on incidence, treatment recommendations, and prognosis. Clinicians will also learn about unusual diseases including acromegaly, mucopolysaccharide storage disorders, amyloidosis, and atypical infections that may cause CTS.
Scanning Electron and Optical Microscope Procedure for Viewing of Individual Coccoliths

A procedure is described for transferring specific nannofossil specimens from the light microscope to the scanning electron microscope. This technique permits high quality photomicrographs and scanning electron micrographs to be made of the same nannofossil specimen.
Short-length homodyne interferometer for self-stabilization of an optical frequency comb

We stabilized the repetition rate of an optical frequency comb with a self-referenced phase-locked loop that used a short-path-length fiber-optic interferometer to generate its error signal. In this work, we used a homodyne interferometer instead of a heterodyne interferometer, so that the architecture of the phase-locked loop was simpler than our previous implementation. We used the stabilized repetition rate to generate a 10-GHz signal with a phase noise of −120 dBc/Hz at an offset frequency of 1 kHz. The simplified architecture and the short path length imbalance of the interferometer would allow it to be fabricated on an all-passive silicon chip and may lead to a chip-scale optical frequency comb with an ultra-low-noise repetition rate.
Synucleinopathies in neurodegenerative diseases: Accomplices, an inside job and selective vulnerability

Pathogenesis of degenerative diseases is complex and multifaceted. The disease phenotypes depend on the location of injury/damage in the brain networks and pathologically are characterized by loss of brain cells. The reason for this loss appears to be an accumulation of misfolded and dysfunctional proteins that trigger apoptotic cell death. The role of alpha-synuclein mutations, its interaction with other proteins and the cellular environment is discussed in the context of selective neuron loss.