cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk for alcohol use/misuse among entering college students: The role of personality and stress.

Abstract Introduction Excessive alcohol use amongst college students is associated with low grades, poor mental health, and risks to physical safety. Neuroticism, characterized by emotional instability and anxiety, and self-reported stress have both been shown to be strong predictors of alcohol use and misuse, however, previous studies have shown that measures of stress and Neuroticism are frequently confounded. This study tests the hypothesis that personality traits, and Neuroticism in particular, predict alcohol use/misuse in matriculating freshmen above and beyond reported levels of stress. Methods Data were collected as part of an IRB-approved longitudinal study, MAPme, examining behavioral health in college. Participants were 303 first-year college students (70% female) with an average age of 18.58 (SD = 0.39). Data were collected during the first eight weeks of the first semester at college. Results Overall, domain-level Neuroticism was not associated with alcohol use/misuse above and beyond perceived levels of stress and other Big Five domains (β = 0.14, p = 0.088). Notably, the depression facet of Neuroticism (Neuroticism—Depression), was positively associated with alcohol use/misuse when accounting for the shared effects of stress. Results demonstrated that the Neuroticism—Depression facet moderated the relationship between stress and alcohol use/misuse (β = 0.18, p = 0.020). Conclusions The Neuroticism—Depression facet is a better predictor of alcohol use/misuse than the Neuroticism domain, even when accounting for stress and other personality domains. At low levels of the Depression facet, stress was negatively associated with alcohol use/misuse, but at high levels of the Depression facet, stress was positively associated with alcohol use/misuse. Taken together, our results shed new light into the combined and independent effects of Neuroticism and stress on alcohol use/misuse.
Feasibility of Implementation Mapping for Integrative Medical Group Visits.

Objectives: Implementation science is key to translating complementary and integrative health intervention research into practice as it can increase accessibility and affordability while maximizing...
Food sufficiency and the utilization of free food resources for working-age Americans with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract Background Working-age people with disabilities are an economically disadvantaged population more likely than those without disabilities to live in food insecure households. Objective/hypothesis Compare rates of food sufficiency and utilization of free food sources between working-age persons with and without disabilities in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods In September 2020, an online survey was conducted with n = 13,277 working-age individuals with and without disabilities to gather information about food sufficiency prior to COVID-19 (i.e., in March 2020) and within the last seven days as well as receipt of free groceries or meals, use of food programs or pantries, and concerns with using free food sources over the past week. Descriptive and multivariate statistics were used to compare these measures for persons with and without disabilities. Results Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, the proportion of working-age persons who were food sufficient decreased from March 2020 to September 2020 for persons with disabilities (65%–57%, an eight-percentage point decrease) and for persons without disabilities (78%–73%, a five-percentage point decrease). The rates of change were not significantly different between groups. In September 2020, higher proportions of persons with disabilities (58%) used free food resources in the past week than persons without disabilities (41%). Conclusions The low rate of food sufficiency, the high rate of free food resource utilization, and the concerns noted by working-age persons with disabilities in using these sources suggest a need for continuing nutrition assistance policy and program development targeted towards the needs of persons with disabilities.
Trends in Liver Transplantation for Acute Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the US.

This cohort study examines rates of adding patients with acute alcohol-associated hepatitis to the liver transplant waiting list and receipt of transplants by these patients in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before the pandemic.
Patients' attitudes regarding physical characteristics of family practice physicians

Background This study examined patient perceptions and attitudes toward various aspects of the male and female physician's professional appearance in the family practice setting. Methods Four hundred ninety-six patients from two family practice clinics in Knoxville, Tennessee, completed a valid and reliable questionnaire. Questionnaires were offered to all patients on registering at their respective clinic during a 2-week period. Results Most patients had no preference regarding the age or sex of their medical care provider. A nametag, white coat, and visible stethoscope were the most desirable characteristics, whereas sandals, clogs, and tennis shoes were the least desirable items. Younger patients were generally more accepting of casual attire than were older patients. Office clinic location was the most important predictor of preferences in six of the significant characteristics. Conclusion Our findings support the results of both studies published two decades earlier and more recently. Patients prefer a traditionally dressed physician as opposed to one who is dressed more casually.
Turbulent drag reduction by passive mechanisms

In many situations involving flows of high Reynolds number (where inertial forces dominate over viscous forces), such as aircraft flight and the pipeline transportation of fuels, turbulent drag is an important factor limiting performance. This has led to an extensive search for both active and passive methods for drag reduction1. Here we report the results of a series of wind-tunnel experiments that demonstrate a passive means of effectively controlling turbulence in channel flow. Our approach involves the introduction of specified patterns of protrusions on the confining walls, which interact with the coherent, energy-bearing eddy structures in the wall region, and so influence the rate at which energy is dissipated in the turbulent flow. We show that relatively small changes in the arrangement of these protrusions can alter the response of the system from one of drag decrease to increased mixing (drag enhancement).
Children as a reserve labor force

It is clear that children develop into workers from an early age but there’s considerable variability in the age at which they might be expected to make a significant contribution to the cost of their own provisioning. That is, even as workers, they are dependent on others. It is equally clear, however, that children could be more productive—the skills may be there but not the necessity. Under adverse circumstances—migration, death, serious illness, armed conflict, and natural disaster such as drought or the plague—adolescent and adult workers may be removed from the workforce. And, characteristically, children, constituting a “reserve labor force,” step up to fill the vacancy. This may mean increasing their output in the domestic economy such as doing more work in the fields, gathering more tubers, handling more of the care for livestock, or entering the market economy as laborers, street sellers, sex workers, and the like.
MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF LIGAND BINDING AND ACTIVATION IN ALPHA 1-ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS

Publisher Summary To rationally design selective drugs, an understanding of subtype differences in the ligand binding pockets would be invaluable. It is hypothesized that only a few nonconserved residues are critical for the ligand-binding specificity of each α 1 AR subtype. Nothing is known about the agonist-dependent molecular mechanisms of α 1 AR stimulation. The activation mechanism for a related G-protein-coupled receptor, rhodopsin, has been studied. The ligand isomerization of retinal when exposed to light breaks a constraining salt-bridge between transmembranes (TMs) 3 and 7, allowing the rhodopsin receptor to adopt an active conformation that can now signal through transducin. A “constraining factor” has also been postulated for the α 1b AR subtype, holding the receptor in a basal configuration until bound by a receptor agonist. However, no molecular evidence for this α 1 BR constraining factor has been presented. In this chapter, the activational mechanism is also explored by testing the hypothesis that α 1 ARs conserved the activational mechanism of rhodopsin in which a saltbridge between TM 3 and TM 7 is disrupted. If the salt-bridge hypothesis is correct, eliminating the negative charge at position 125 should also generate constitutively active α 1b ARs. To investigate this possibility, the D 125 of the WT α 1b AR was changed to an A or a K. The binding properties for these D 125 mutations showed no significant changes in affinity for antagonists when compared with the WT (wild-type) receptor. However, there was a significantly lowered epinephrine affinity (threefold) for these D 125 mutant receptors when compared with the WT α 1b R. This decrease in the epinephrine-binding affinity is likely because of the elimination of the conserved negative charged at position 125, shown in the β AR system to be responsible for docking with the protonated amine of epinephrine.
Two‐Phase Ceramic Dielectrics

Two-phase dielectrics composed of a high dielectric constant phase (BaTiO 3 ) in combination with a high dielectric strength and low-loss phases have been investigated as candidates for high-voltage capacitors on Navy electrically powered systems. Second phase materials included BaO.Al 2 O 3 .2SiO 2 , MgAl 2 O 4 , and MgO, which showed good chemical compatibility with BaTiO 3 . Solid solubility was observed in the BaTiO 3 - LaAlO 3 system. The optimum sintering conditions were determined for each system, and the phase composition, microstructure, and dielectric properties of the composite materials were characterized. A significant decrease in changes of dielectric constant and volume changes at transformation temperature, as well as the shift of T c were observed for all the systems and related to stresses between the phases as a result of differences in the properties of the components. A decrease in the tetragonality of BaTiO 3 was also observed. The experimental dielectric data show that no single theoretical model can describe the behavior of two-phase materials in all the systems studied. However, they are all in the desirable range showing promise for development of capacitors utilizing the advantageous properties of the components.
Clinical Research Methods in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (2nd edition)

I have been teaching a course in research methods to students in speech-language pathology and audiology for 30 years. During this period, I have used a variety of texts for my course and have gene...
Tupaiid Affinities: The Evidence of the Carotid Arteries and Cranial Skeleton

The order Insectivora as classically conceived is a paraphyletic or “wastebasket” taxon, to which systematists since Cuvier have relegated various early eutherian mammals and small extant groups that would not fit anywhere else. Other systematists, offended by the use of taxa that lack unique defining specializations (autapomorphies), have labored to empty this wastebasket as fast as it could be filled. There are two ways to do this. One is to fragment the Insectivora into a series of narrowly-defined ordinal groupings which appear to be strictly monophyletic: Dermoptera, Macroscelidea, Erinaceomorpha, Soricomorpha, and so forth. This strategy involves emptying the wastebasket by heaping its contents around it, rather than within it. The result is perhaps tidier from some standpoints, but not from others. The second way is to seek evidence for special affinities of certain insectivoran groups to other eutherian orders, and to empty the Insectivora by assigning its members elsewhere — e. g., by associating colugos with bats or elephant shrews with rabbits and hares. This strategy involves an increased risk of creating unnatural (i. e., polyphyletic) groupings. Whether or not this is worth the risk depends on whether one finds insubstantial but potentially refutable speculation more offensive than an untestable confession of ignorance.
Social Media and Higher Education: A Literature Review

This paper presents a literature review of empirical research related to the use and effects of social media in higher education settings. The adoption of social media has been steadily increasing. However, a majority of the research reported focuses on students’ perception on the effects of social media in learning. The research on the effects of social media on student learning and faculty perspectives are still limited. This literature review focused on the empirical studies that involved the use of social media in higher education in the computing field. Recommendations for future research directions were presented as the result of this literature review.
Glutathione S-transferase π-isoform is not altered in bladder tissue from smokers.

Glutathione S-transferase π (GSTπ)-isoform is a cytosolic enzyme involved in the detoxification of reactive metabolites generated from environmental pollutants and cigarette smoke. Although cigarette smoking has been implicated in the etiology of bladder cancer, no information yet exists regarding GSTπ in smokers and nonsmokers. This study was carried out to evaluate the immunohistochemical localization and to measure levels of immunoreactive GSTπ in bladder tissue from smokers and nonsmokers. Tissues from patients diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) were obtained from paraffin embedded blocks fixed in formalin. Bladder tissues from smokers (n = 7) and nonsmokers (n = 8), and histologically confirmed cancerous and noncancerous areas of the same patients (n = 10) were studied. The immunoreactive GSTπ was quantified by calculating its optical density with a computerized Olympus BH-2 microscope connected to a DAGE camera. Immunohistochemical staining for GSTπ appeared to be evenly distributed in the cytosol of the transitional epithelium (TE) of the noncancerous regions. In the TE from patients with advanced TCC, the staining intensity appeared to be stronger in the nuclei relative to cytoplasm, an effect that was even more pronounced in poorly differentiated cancers and in cancers with squamoid features. The immunoreactive levels of GSTπ in the superficial TE cells was approximately 1.7-fold higher compared with the rest of the TE layer (p 0.05) were observed between smokers and nonsmokers in either of these regions. The higher concentration of GSTπ in the TE is suggestive of the protective role of this enzyme, serving to prevent any potentially harmful xenobiotics from entering the bladder tissue. The lack of differences in the detoxifying enzymes between smokers and nonsmokers suggests that the increased susceptibility of bladder cancer in smokers is probably mediated by other mechanisms.
Discovering Life Quality in Coping with Dementia

Using qualitative techniques, data were obtainedfrom 20 informants, comprising 10 caregiving dyads-that is, the caregiver and the spouse diagnosed with possible or probable Alzheimer's disease in the mild to moderate stages. Processes were identified in caregiving reactions and interactions during implementation of a cognitive remediation intervention designed to disrupt the trajectory of decline in dementia. Of interest was the impact of the implementation process on both the Alzheimer-diagnosed care recipient and the caregiver, as individuals and as a dyad. A four-phase process model of discovering life quality was delineated through analysis of log recordings, interviews and observational notes, and written evaluative responses of thefamilies. The phases that emerged from the data address movement from an initial state of depleted interaction to a regaining of familial life quality.
Preliminary development and evaluation of an appearance-based dissonance induction intervention for reducing UV exposure.

Abstract The current study examined the feasibility of an appearance-based dissonance induction approach for the modification of tanning and sunscreen use behaviors. Undergraduate female students were randomized to: a healthy lifestyle condition, an appearance-based dissonance condition, or an appearance-based psychoeducation condition. Reports of tanning and sunscreen use were collected immediately before and 1 month following intervention ( N = 225). Relative to the healthy lifestyle condition, participants in the dissonance condition reported a significant reduction in daily hours spent tanning. Additionally, sunscreen use on the body decreased significantly for the healthy lifestyle group, but did not change for the dissonance group. The psychoeducation condition did not differ from the healthy lifestyle condition on any measure. These findings should encourage additional research into the use of dissonance induction as an appearance-based strategy for promoting reductions in UV exposure.
Stable isotope (C, Cl, and H) fractionation during vaporization of trichloroethylene

Stable isotope fractionation during vaporization of trichloroethylene has been measured, with possible application as a technique to investigate subsurface behavior. The equilibrium value of Δ13Cvapor-liquid has been measured between 5 and 35 °C, and Δ13Cvapor-liquid, Δ37Clvapor-liquid, and ΔDvapor-liquid have been measured during progressive evaporation of liquid trichloroethylene at 22 ± 2 °C. Equilibrium values of Δ13Cvapor-liquid show a total range of 0.07−0.82‰, with a trend of decreasing Δ13Cvapor-liquid with increasing temperature, from approximately +0.7‰ at 5−15 °C to approximately +0.1‰ at 35 °C. Progressive evaporation experiments yield values of Δ13Cvapor-liquid = +0.35‰ and +0.24‰, Δ37Clvapor-liquid = −1.64‰, and ΔDvapor-liquid = +8.9‰. The positive values for carbon and hydrogen isotope fractionation, while unexpected, are consistent with available quantitative and qualititative data for trichloroethylene and other contaminant hydrocarbons, but a satisfactory explanation for these observatio...
Propranolol Treatment of Complicated Hemangiomas

Objectives To evaluate laboratory and radiological features of hemangiomas in childhood in addition to efficacy and safety of propranolol as a first-line treatment of complicated hemangiomas retrospectively.
On the conditions necessary for diffusion-controlled energy transfer between triplet states

Abstract A computational analysis of the “bimolecular” quenching rate constant for triple-triplet energy exchange in which reverse energy transfer is considered indicates that an energy difference greater than 3 kcal/mole between donor and acceptor triplet status does not necessarily lead to diffusion-controlled quenching.
On the characteristic billiard and statements of the uniqueness problem of solution to the dirichlet problem for the vibrating string equation in a domain

The paper proposes a statement of the uniqueness problem of solution to the Dirichlet problem for the vibrating string equation in an unbounded domain containing vertical and/or horizontal strips that is convex with respect to families of characteristics of the vibrating string equation. The author proves a sufficient condition for the uniqueness of solution to the Dirichlet problem in the new statement based on the behavior of the F. John mapping realizing the characteristic billiard. Also, the author discusses the complex characteristic billiard and the statement of the uniqueness problem of solution to the Dirichlet problem for the vibrating string equation corresponding to it.
Climate change and electricity demand in California

The potential effect of climate change on California’s electric power system is an issue of growing interest and importance to the state’s policy makers. Climate change-induced temperature increases may exacerbate existing stresses on this system. Detailed recent data are used to estimate the relationships between temperature and both electricity consumption and peak demand at a sample of locations around California. These results are combined with new projections of regional climate change affecting California obtained by statistically downscaling recent global projections generated by two general circulation models, to yield estimates of potential impacts of future temperature changes on electricity consumption and peak demand, and illustrative economic cost estimates in several cases. Both current and prospective coping strategies, and priorities for further research, are summarized.
Biosynthesis of Sucrose with Sugar Cane Leaf Preparations

ON the basis of results from photosynthetic experiments with 14CO2, Buchanan et al.1 first suggested that uridine diphosphate D-glucose (UDPG) is the immediate precursor of sucrose in green plants. Later, Leloir and co-workers2 and others3 demonstrated that extracts from wheat germ, peas, sugar beets, and other plants contain enzymes capable of catalysing the synthesis of sucrose from UDP-D-glucose by two similar reactions:
Stimulation and partial stabilization of human histidyl-tRNA synthetase by hemoglobin.

Abstract Histidyl-tRNA synthetase, an enzyme against which antibodies are directed in some patients with polymyositis, has been purified 5000-fold from HeLa cells, but was extremely labile to dilution or on storage at −80°C. In order to facilitate study of the biochemical and immunological properties of the enzyme, a stabilizer was sought. Hemoglobin at 2 mg/ml was found to stimulate the enzyme and also partially preserved the activity of the enzyme stored at a low concentration (
The Value of Frost Forecasting: A Bayesian Appraisal

The economic value of frost forecasts is estimated under various assumptions concerning prior information, accuracy of forecasts, and the shape of the orchard operator's utility functions. The frost protection decision process is simulated in the context of Bayesian decision making under uncertainty. The averaged seasonal values estimated per day per acre were $5.39 for frost forecasts provided by the U.S. Weather Service, $8.57 for perfect frost forecasts, $4.73 for profit maximizers, and $191.39 for completely ignorant decision makers. The methodology used has general application to determination of economic value of information under conditions of uncertainty.
Anxiety disorders and suicidality in the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication.

Objective: The current study sought to examine the unique associations between anxiety disorders and suicidality using a large nationally representative sample and controlling for a number of established risk factors for suicide. Method: Data from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication were used for analyses. Lifetime diagnostic history and demographics were obtained in this survey through a structured interview. Lifetime suicidal ideation and attempts were also assessed. Results: Multivariate analyses covarying for psychiatric comorbidity and demographic variables found social anxiety disorder (SAD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and panic disorder (PD) to be unique predictors of suicidal ideation, while only SAD, PTSD, and GAD were predictive of suicide attempts. Analyses by gender indicated that each of these four disorders were predictive of suicidal ideation or suicide attempts among women, while only PTSD and PD acted as risk factors among men. Conclusions: Findings provide further evidence of the negative impact of anxiety disorders, suggest efforts should be made towards their early detection and treatment, and emphasize the importance of suicide risk assessment in treating individuals with anxiety disorders.
William Elliot Griffis, Class of 1869

William Elliot Griffis (1843-1928) participated in the "modernization" of Japan, along with other "yatoi" or foreign workers in Japan in the late ninetheeth century. He became most famous in his role as our first "Old Japan Hand." He was considered during his lifetime as "Interpreter of a Nation." He wrote and lecture on Japan profusely for fifty-two years after staying in Japan for four years from 1870 to 1874. His voluminous papers are in Rutgers' Special Collections.
Flap suturing with proparacaine for recurrent epithelial ingrowth following laser in situ keratomileusis surgery.

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of flap suturing with proparacaine application for the management of recurrent epithelial ingrowth following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Setting Private consultation practice and Department of Ophthalmology, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Methods Six eyes of 5 patients with recurrent epithelial ingrowth had flap lifting followed by debridement of interface epithelial cells, interface application of proparacaine, and the placement of interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures. Results Four eyes achieved a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40 or better. Two eyes required repeat debridement with suturing and were stable with at least a 1-year follow-up. No eye lost more than 1 line of BCVA. Three eyes regained excellent uncorrected visual acuity due to a reduction in induced astigmatism. Conclusions Recurrent epithelial ingrowth following LASIK surgery can be a visually debilitating condition. Flap suturing with interface proparacaine application may be effective in preventing further recurrences of epithelial ingrowth after initial debridement.
Differential distribution of (Na, K)-ATPase α isoform mRNAs in the peripheral nervous system

Abstract mRNA transcripts for 3 isoforms of the α subunit of (Na,K)-ATPase have been peviously identified in the nervous system (designated α1, α2 and α3). In order to study the localization and expression of the different α isoforms in the peripheral nervous system, we prepared probes from the unique 3′ untranslated region of α1 cDNA, and from the translated region of α3 cDNA. These probes were used in dot blot and in situ hybridization assays of rat spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia (DRG), and sciatic nerve. Within the ventral horn of lumbar spinal cord, α1 mRNA was found in a discrete set of laterally placed motor neurons, while α3 was found in all the identified neurons of the spinal cord, including those motor neurons containing α1. In the lumbar DRG, α3 was uniformly distributed in DRG neurons, while α1 was abundant in some neurons but little or none was found in other neurons. Satellite cells contained neither isoform. Schwann cells in sciatic nerve were labeled with the α1 probe in a perinuclear distribution, but contained no detectable α3. Dot blot analysis showed α1 and α3 in spinal cord and DRG, but only α1 in peripheral nerve. These results imply that: (1) the riboprobes are able to distinguish α1 from α3 isoform mRNAs under in situ hybridization conditions, (2) both α1 and α3 isoforms of (Na,K)-ATPase are found in neurons, (3) some motor and sensory neurons contain abundant α3 with little or no detectable α1, while others contain abundant α1 and α3, (4) no neurons in the lumbar spinal cord or DRG contain detectable α1 in the absence of α3, and (5) Schwann cells contain the α1 isoform but no detectable α3 isoform mRNA.
Selective blockade of cytoskeletal actin remodeling reduces experimental choroidal neovascularization.

Vision-threatening conditions such as age-related macular degeneration are associated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and lead to vision loss in the elderly. Although the cellular and molecular bases for CNV are not entirely understood, a disruption of Bruch's membrane commonly caused by a traumatic break, degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium, tissue traction, and/or inflammation can lead to development of CNV.1,2 When this occurs, choriocapillary endothelial cells, pericytes, fibroblasts, and inflammatory cells invade the subretinal space. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), along with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, mediate growth of endothelial cells. Endothelial cell and pericyte proliferation, deposition, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix are critical elements of the angiogenic cascade responsible for CNV. Strategies to inhibit the action of these molecules include intravitreal injection of neutralizing anti-VEGF antibodies, antagonistic VEGF mutants, soluble receptors, and upstream inhibitors of VEGF regulators such as PKC.3 However, anti–VEGF-based pharmacotherapies have been associated with retinal detachment, subretinal fibrosis, and chorioretinal atrophy. The morphogenetic processes through which proliferating vascular cells organize themselves into neovessels remain incompletely understood. Many lines of evidence suggest that endothelial and smooth muscle morphogenesis involves actin cytoskeletal elements and cytoskeletal regulatory molecules such as Rho GTPases.4 The actin cytoskeleton provides a continuous and dynamic link between virtually all cellular structures and thus enables nuclear elements, such as chromatin, to respond directly and immediately to chemical and physical insults. Pharmacological inhibitors of the Rho GTPase–dependent cytoskeletal actin organization suppress VEGF-mediated angiogenesis in ex vivo retinal explants and strongly disrupt vasculogenesis in pluripotent embryonic stem cell cultures.5,6 However, the GTPase Rho is required for a variety of complex and vital biological processes, including focal adhesions, microtubule dynamics, vesicle trafficking, cell polarity, cell cycle progression, and cytokinesis, which if suppressed may compromise the proper function of cells and tissues. Previously we demonstrated that a fusion peptide chimera containing the N-terminal acetylated nanopeptide Ac-EEEDSTALVK (Ac-EEED) reversibly blocks actin and actin-binding protein interactions in isolation from other Rho GTPase–dependent activities.7 The present study was undertaken to test the specific effects of the fusion peptide on steps relevant to angiogenesis in vitro and to the process of in vivo angiogenesis using the rodent model of CNV.
A new method for computing polygonal masks in image processing pipeline architectures

Abstract This paper presents a new technique for computing polygonal masks for image analysis and computer vision applications. The procedure does not require random access of the image memory and is, unlike its predecessors, highly parallel. It is based on efficient generation of coordinate-reference gray level images (ramps) and other simple architectural features like look-up tables. Even though our algorithm can be efficiently implemented in existing pipeline processors, we hope that future designs of general purpose image processing systems will benefit from this result so that future configurations will provide some parallel hardware for generation and manipulation of gray level ramp images.
Social contexts, age and juvenile delinquency: a community perspective.

Objective — Social disorganisation of communities, family bonds, school bonds, the peer group and age, have been shown to be related (either positively or negatively) to delinquency. This study addressed gaps in the literature by (1) using a large and randomly drawn sample of adolescents, within a large number of randomly selected communities; (2) investigating the influence of community social disorganisation directly on delinquency, while including in the same model the moderating effect of community social disorganisation on the micro-contexts of family, school, and peer group, as well as the direct effects of these micro-contexts; and (3) including age as a variable likely to have both direct effects on delinquency and moderating effects on the micro- and macro-level social contexts. Method — The public-use data set of Wave I of the (US) National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health was used. The model was tested using hierarchical linear modelling and included the social disorganisation of communi...
Incoherent collisions between two-dimensional bright steady-state photorefractive spatial screening solitons.

We report the observation of incoherent collisions between two-dimensional bright photorefractive screening solitons. The solitons remain intact and do not exchange energy whenever the collision angle exceeds the critical angle for guidance in the waveguide that each soliton induces, which is, in turn, fully controlled by the soliton parameters. When the collision angle is much smaller than the critical angle the solitons fuse to form a single beam.
LOW DOSE ORAL CLONIDINE: A SIMPLE AND RELIABLE GROWTH HORMONE (GH) SCREENING TEST

Clonidine has been shown to be an effective GH releasing agent in prepubertal children at a dose of 150 micrograms/M2 body surface area, but at this dose it can produce significant side effects. We have evaluated the efficacy and side effects of low dose oral clonidine on GH, cortisol and blood pressure in 24 healthy short children; ten received 100 micrograms (Group A), and fourteen 50 micrograms (Group B). A 100 micrograms of oral clonidine induced higher, more sustained GH levels and fewer failures to testing than did 50 micrograms. The mean ± SD GH peak at 60 minutes in group A was 14.5 ± 6.3 vs 11.6 ± 6.1 ng/ml in group B (NS). Failure rate (GH < 10 ng/ml) was 10% in group A and 36% in group B. Children who responded to clonidine in group A (GH≥10 ng/ml) had significantly higher GH levels than did group B responders (p<0.01). A similar, but significant drop in cortisol was seen in both groups (from 14.5 ± 6.3 to 7.8 ± 2.6 ug/dl in group A and from 16.9 ± 6.7 to 12.8 ± 8.4 ug/dl in group B). Blood pressure did not change significantly with either dose used and only mild somnolence was noted in both groups. A single oral dose of 100 micrograms of clonidine, followed by 1 blood sample 60 minutes later can be used to effectively and safely screen short children for GH deficiency.
Acute liver failure in neonates

Acute liver failure (ALF) in neonates is a rare but often fatal event. Though in adults and older children, a main symptom of ALF is hepatic encephalopathy, this is very difficult to diagnose and prove in infants. Causes of ALF in neonates encompass metabolic, infectious and haematological disorders, congenital vascular/heart abnormalities, and drugs. Infants with ALF should only be treated in specialised paediatric hepatology centres with facilities for liver transplantation, since for many liver transplant, with a long term survival of over 60%, is the only therapeutic option.
Quasi-static mode III fracture in a nonhomogeneous viscoelastic body

An analysis is presented of the quasi-static propagation of a semi-infinite mode III crack in an inhomogeneous isotropic viscoelastic body. A shear modulus is assumed of the formG(t,y)=μ(t)η(y) where |y| denotes the distance measured from the plane of the crack and μ(t) is a positive, nonincreasing, convex function of time. A closed form expression is derived for the energy release rate (ERR) when a Barenblatt type failure zone is incorporated into the crack model. Numerical and asymptotic results illustrate the combined effects of viscoelastic properties, material inhomogeneity, and the failure zone at the crack tip upon the ERR.
Effect Of Atmospheric Distortion Of Carbon Dioxide Laser Radar Waveforms

Effect of Atmospheric Distortion of Carbon Dioxide Laser Radar WaveformsAlan L. KachelmyerRobert E. KnowldenWilliam E. KeicherLincoln LaboratoryP.O. Box 73Lexington, Massachusetts 02173IntroductionCarbon dioxide (CO2) lasers can be used in coherent optical radars. Some CO2 radars will operatethrough the Earth's atmosphere.Atmospheric CO2 and other gases will absorb the laser radiation. Because this is resonant absorp-tion, dispersion will also occur. The combined effects of absorption and dispersion can significantlydegrade the resolution of the radar. These effects are calculated in this paper. The particularexample chosen for calculation is for a radar that is used to determine the precise range to a satel-lite in Earth orbit. This example was chosen to show the effects of CO2 absorption both at low andhigh altitudes in the atmosphere.Method of CalculationThe following discussion describes the method used to estimate the atmospheric absorption and dis-persion effects. Some of the approximations employed are discussed.The Air Force Geophysics Laboratory's code for computing atmospheric spectral transmittance withhigh resolution (FASCOD2'), with its extensive compilation of spectral data, is a convenient tool forcalculating atmospheric absorption. In principle, the code could be modified to integrate opticalpath length as well as absorption through the atmosphere; an approach similar to this was employed byHalliday' to estimate the dispersion effects.Alternately, the Kramers- Kronig relations' can be used to estimate the dispersion from a calcula-tion of only the absorption. This method was selected because of its ease of use. The basic form ofthe relation used is:
Changing the Kinetics of Amyloid Beta Plaques Formation: Implications for Alzheimer's Disease Immunotherapy

Clear evidence exists linking the presence of neuritic amyloid beta (As) peptides plaques with the brain's tissue deterioration and cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Removing these plaques results a logic approach to treat patients with AD. Understanding the plaque formation mechanisms is key to developing strategies to remove them. In previous studies our group has investigated the plaque formation process using attenuated total reflection Fourier infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), observing how different As peptide aggregates formed and under what kinetic conditions they assembling into mature fibrils. We have been able to determine the changes in the secondary structure of the peptide molecules during this process. In this work, we combined the same analytical techniques to investigate the use of different anti-As monoclonal antibodies to analyze the process of destabilization and prevention of AD plaque formation. We compared the changes of kinetic rates of fibrillization when the peptides were incubated with different antibodies from the early stage of aggregation, at pH 7.4 and 37°C. The molar ratio of antibodies to peptide used was 1:1000. We found that some antibodies considerable decrease the formation of parallel beta sheets structures increasing the formation of alpha helix structures or unordered, driving the peptide away from normal fibrillization and rather producing amorphous aggregates. The results of the peptide's morphological evolution and secondary structure changes revealed that some antibodies have the potential of preventing formation of parallel beta sheets structures, which may be an indication of As fibrillization preclusion. This work provides insights to understand the mechanistic effects in which antibodies alter the secondary structure of amyloid peptides modifying their fibrillization, critical for As plaque clearance in the brain of patients with AD.
Radio frequency channel modeling for proximity networks on the Martian surface

NASA's long-term goals for the exploration of Mars include the use of rovers and sensors which communicate through proximity wireless networks. The performance of any such wireless network depends fundamentally on the radio frequency (RF) environment. In order to evaluate and optimize the performance of such a wireless network, a basic understanding or model of the channel is important. In this paper, we present our results concerning the RF environment at selected sites on the surface of Mars with a focus on the link budget and RF coverage patterns. These results take into account the local topography using data from the Mars Global Surveyor, surface reflections, clutter, atmospheric absorption, etc., and contribute to a more accurate RF channel model. We consider a basic wireless network model and demonstrate the possibility for good site coverage and long links despite low antenna heights and radiated power. With such a channel model, mission operators can update elements of the wireless network after deployment with more accurate RF propagation information. Such updates could be used to extend the reach of the network or protect network elements from communication outages due to unforeseen features of the local topography.
Low risk of hepatitis B from blood transfusions in thalassemic patients in Connecticut.

Le risque tres faible est lie a l'utilisation de sang de donneurs volontaires qui sont peu infectes et a la fiabilite des tests modernes de detection d'HBsAg dans le sang transfuse
Astrophysical S factors of radiative 3He4He, 3H4He, and 2H4He capture

The possibility of describing the astrophysical S factors for radiative 3He4He capture at energies of up to 15 keV and radiative 3H4He and 2H4He capture at energies of up 5 keV is considered on the basis of the potential cluster model involving forbidden states.
Brownian motion, Lp properties of Schrödinger operators and the localization of binding ☆

Abstract We use Brownian motion ideas to study Schrodinger operators H = built−1 2 Δ + V on L p (R v ) . In particular: (a) We prove that lim t →∞ t −1 In ∥ e − tH ∥ p , p is p -independent for a very large class of V 's where ∥ A ∥ p , p = norm of A as an operator from L p to L p . (b) For v ⩾ 3 and V ϵ L v 2 − ϵ ∩ L v 2 + ϵ , we show that sup ∥ e − tH ∥ ∞,∞ H has no negative eigenvalues or zero energy resonances. (c) We relate the “localization of binding” recently noted by Sigal to Brownian hitting probabilities.
Nasal septal angiofibroma, a subclass of extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma

Abstract Objective Extranasopharyngeal angiofibromas (ENA) arising from the nasal septum or nasal septal angiofibromas are extremely rare; only 13 such cases have been reported in the international literature. Our objective is to describe the presentation, workup, and surgical management of these lesions. Study design Case reports were done. Setting The setting was a tertiary care referral center and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Patients, interventions, and results We present 2 cases of extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma occurring on the nasal septum. Conclusions In this report, we discuss the occurrence, the histopathologic findings, and the treatment of nasal septal angiofibroma.
Band-Tail Absorption in Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon

Measurements of the primary and secondary photocurrent for photon energies above 0.58 eV in a-SI:H solar-cell structures determine the absorption coefficient and give information about the density of valence-band-tail states as well as show that holes are mobile deep in the bandgap.
Field ion microscope and atom-probe analysis of Ni overlayers on thin films of Rh2O3

The structure and composition of Ni overlayers on thin films of Rh2O3 have been investigated with the techniques of field ion microscopy and atom-probe mass spectroscopy. The metal-oxide-metal structures were produced by thermal oxidation of Rh field emitters in 1 Torr O2 at 500 K and subsequent deposition of Ni at approximately 100 K. The as-deposited Ni films were found to have a fine-grained polycrystalline structure and the Ni-Rh2O3 interface was atomically sharp. A small amount of interdiffusion between the Ni and Rh2O3 oxide was detected upon annealing the structures to 300 K. Interdiffusion was extensive upon annealing to 500 K.
Contractible transformations do not change the homology groups of graphs

In this paper we continue to study properties of contractible transformations of graphs. We prove that contractible transformations do not change the homology groups of graphs.
The 15-M movement: formed by and formative of counter-mapping and spatial activism

AbstractThis article examines 15-M as a movement that has made manifest the claims that have been ongoing since the 1970s in much less prominent participatory urban interventions and art about space, memory and democracy under neoliberalism in Spain. The practice of counter-mapping and 15-M are both interested in Henri Lefebvre's “lived space” and are equally concerned with making political action possible again. Artistic space-related activism is becoming an important form of political struggle not only in Spain, but also worldwide. Drawing on the meaningful connections between the practice of counter-mapping, the still-developing story of indignation, participatory democracy, and the favored role of historical memory in the Spanish context, this article explores and compares the participatory mapping of a neighborhood in Barcelona known as la Barceloneta (2009) and the mapping of subjectivities in various interventions by Spanish artists Patricia Gomez and Maria Jesus Gonzalez (2005–2012) in order to be...
Self-consistent numerical “bounce-averaged” transport computations in Stellarators employing a multi-mesh approach

Abstract A numerical code FLOCS (flow code for stellarators), allowing a self-consistent computation of neoclassical stellarator transport, has been developed. Starting from a bounce-averaged kinetic equation, the distribution function f > is found as a function of one spatial variable (poloidal angle) and two velocity-space variables (energy and a pitch-angle (pa) variable). Special care is needed at the phase-space boundary where particles can entrap (detrap) collisionlessly into (out of) a helical ripple. The natural choice for the pa variable is therefore the ripple-depth parameter y being 1 at the trapping boundary, approaching 0 for very deeply trapped particles, and going to ∞ for very passing particles. Since f > is to contain information from which, in addition to the radial fluxes (and thus the confinement times and the ambipolar electric field), the parallel flows and currents should be computable, the entire velocity space must be covered, including very large y values. Numerical stability arguments in combination with CPU-time considerations, on the one hand, versus the physical behavior of f > for very large y values, on the other hand, suggested the use of a multimesh approach (in the variable y ) up to a reasonable value of y ∼ 100. FLOCS extends the range of validity of a previously developed bounce-averaged code FPSTEL. After presenting some issues concerning FPSTEL, which are of relevance to our approach, the code FLOCS is described in detail, and some initial results on the distribution function are given.
Patch to the Future: Unsupervised Visual Prediction

In this paper we present a conceptually simple but surprisingly powerful method for visual prediction which combines the effectiveness of mid-level visual elements with temporal modeling. Our framework can be learned in a completely unsupervised manner from a large collection of videos. However, more importantly, because our approach models the prediction framework on these mid-level elements, we can not only predict the possible motion in the scene but also predict visual appearances--how are appearances going to change with time. This yields a visual "hallucination" of probable events on top of the scene. We show that our method is able to accurately predict and visualize simple future events, we also show that our approach is comparable to supervised methods for event prediction.