cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calibration and performance of the UCR double Compton gamma ray telescope

Results of the field calibration and performance of the UCR double Compton gamma-ray telescope are presented. The telescope is a balloon-borne instrument with an upper array of 16 plastic scintillator bars and a lower one of 16 NaI(Tl) bars. The telescope is sensitive to celestial gamma rays from 1 to 30 MeV. The data were collected on Feb. 14, 1988 prior to the launch in Alice Springs, Australia to observe SN 1987A. Radioactive sources were used to calibrate the energy deposits in the scintillators. Each bar was analyzed laterally using pulse height or timing to obtain the positions of the gamma ray interactions. Double scatter events from a /sup 24/Na source simulating a celestial source were studied to obtain the general performance of the telescope and to develop imaging techniques, later used with the flight data. An angular resolution of 11 degrees FWHM (full width at half maximum) and energy resolutions of 13% FWHM at 1.37 MeV and 10% FWHM at 2.75 MeV were found. The efficiency of the telescope is 3.5*10/sup -3/ at an energy of 1.37 MeV and zenith angle of 31 degrees . The magnetometer calibration gives the orientation of the detector with respect to the Earth to an accuracy of 0.5 degrees . >
1，2-Pentadiene Decomposition

1,2-Pentadiene has been decomposed in single pulse shock tube experiments. There appear to be a large number of parallel decomposition and isomerization channels. The following rate expressions for isomerization in the temperature range 1100–1250 K and pressures between 200 and 300 kPa have been obtained k(1,2-pentadiene 1-pentyne) = 1.0 × 1013 exp(−32300 ± 900 K/T) s−1 k(1,2-pentadiene cis/trans-1,3-pentadiene = 2.2 × 1014 exp(−33900 ± 900 K/T) s−1 k(1,2-pentadiene cyclopentene) = 1.8 × 1011 exp(−26080 ± 900 K/T) s−1 Overall, we estimate the 2σ uncertainty in the absolute rate constants to be about 30%. From detailed balance the rate expression for 1,3 to 1,2-pentadiene isomerization has been found to be k(1,3-pentadiene 1,2-pentadiene) = 1.2 × 1015 exp(−42070 ± 900 K/T) s−1 The significance of the 1,3 to 1,2 isomerization process as a bridge between the two-carbon and three-carbon species in high temperature hydrocarbon decomposition systems is discussed. The decomposition processes involve bond breaking and retroene reactions. The rate expression for the latter has been found to be k(1,2-pentadiene propyne + ethylene) = 6.6 × 1012 exp(−29240 ± 900 K/T) s−1 The rate constants for fission of the C3C4 and C4C5 bonds appear to be close to each other. Our results indicate that the resonance energy of the 1,3-butadiene-2-yl radical is smaller than that of allyl radical by an amount equal to the π bond conjugation energy of butadiene. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. * Int J Chem Kinet 33: 755–767, 2001
Leveraging costs and reducing risk in the development of optics manufacturing technological thrusts

The Army Manufacturing Technology (MANTECH) program has exerted a strong and lasting influence on the U.S. defense industrial base for more than 25 years. The defense industrial base can be described as the aggregate ability to provide the manufacturing technology, research, development, and resources necessary to produce defense material. The Army's MANTECH program is designed to develop manufacturing thrusts (such as optics) that will result in the development of new and improved manufacturing processes. The Joint Logistics Commanders' assessment of the precision optics industrial base emphasized the need to modernize optics fabrication techniques and equipment. As a result of the study, the American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association (APOMA), the Department of the Army, and several academic institutions have collaborated to establish and support the Center for Optics Manufacturing (COM) at the University of Rochester. Through this successful collaboration of knowledge and resources, participants are able to leverage and reduce the cost, risk, and difficulty of developing new automated optics manufacturing systems and supporting technologies. The optics manufacturing thrust is now in its second year and support from industrial, academic, and government participants continues to increase.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Convergence of a Time‐Stepping Scheme for Rigid‐Body Dynamics and Resolution of Painlevé's Problem

This paper gives convergence theory for a new implicit time‐stepping scheme for general rigid‐body dynamics with Coulomb friction and purely inelastic collisions and shocks. An important consequence of this work is the proof of existence of solutions of rigid‐body problems which include the famous counterexamples of Painleve. The mathematical basis for this work is the formulation of the rigid‐body problem in terms of measure differential inclusions of Moreau and Monteiro Marques. The implicit time‐stepping method is based on complementarity problems, and is essentially a particular case of the algorithm described in Anitescu & Potra [2], which in turn is based on the formulation in Stewart & Trinkle [47].
Epitaxial thin film GaAs deposited by MOCVD on low-cost, flexible substrates for high efficiency photovoltaics

Growth of epitaxial GaAs thin film on flexible, inexpensive substrates can open up the possibility of fabricating affordable and high efficiency III-V photovoltaics which may lead to a complete transformation of the PV market. Here we report the successful hetero-epitaxial growth of GaAs thin film by metal organic chemical vapor deposition on single-crystallinelike Ge thin film on flexible metal foils. GaAs epilayers showed (00l) orientation with zinc blende structure and good optoelectronic quality with minimal thermoelastic/lattice mismatch strain. High doping density due to Ge diffusion from the substrate was observed in the GaAs film with a Hall mobility of 285 cm2/V-s. XPS depth profiles showed significant diffusion of Ge in GaAs thin film.
Adenovirus-mediated soluble FLT-1 gene therapy for ovarian carcinoma.

Purpose : We hypothesized that adenovirus-mediated soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor (sFLT-1) gene therapy can inhibit the ovarian tumor growth and increase survival of mice in the context of ovarian carcinoma. Experimental Design : We constructed an infectivity-enhanced recombinant adenovirus (AdRGDGFPsFLT-1) expressing soluble FLT-1 and green fluorescent protein (GFP). An adenovirus AdRGDGFP expressing GFP alone was used as control. The functional validation of adenovirus-mediated sFLT-1 was determined by an in vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation inhibition assay. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of adenovirus-expressed sFLT-1 to inhibit the growth of ovarian tumors and to increase the survival duration of mice with ovarian tumors, two tumor models were used. First, SKOV3.ip1 ovarian carcinoma cells were infected ex vivo with either AdRGDGFPsFLT-1 or AdRGDGFP or uninfected and then inoculated s.c. into BALB/c nude mice, and tumor growth was monitored. Second, SKOV3.ip1 cells were inoculated i.p. into CB17 SCID mice and then treated with two doses of either AdRGDGFPsFLT-1 or AdRGDGFP or with PBS on days 1 and 14 after inoculation of cells, and the survival duration was monitored. Results : Treatment with adenovirus-expressed sFLT-1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The s.c. tumor nodules in mice derived from cells infected with AdRGDGFPsFLT-1 were significantly smaller than those infected with either AdRGDGFP or uninfected. In addition, i.p. administration of the AdRGDGFPsFLT-1 resulted in a significant increase in the survival times of mice compared with AdRGDGFP- or PBS-treated mice. Conclusions : Our results suggest that adenovirus-mediated sFLT-1 gene therapy can effectively inhibit ovarian tumor growth and increase survival in a murine model of ovarian carcinoma.
Energy Production from Maize Produkcja energii z kukurydzy

All biofuels produced in the world utilize food resources. This contributes to the world starvation problem that is reported to be more than 66% of the world population being malnourished. Starvation is the number one cause of death in the world. Approximately 40% of U.S. corn is being converted into ethanol and 1.6 liters of fossil oil equivalents are required to produce 1 liter of ethanol. Thus, the U.S. is importing oil to produce ethanol at an enormous economic and fuel cost to the people of the nation, and reduces food resource availability to the people.
On Robustness of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Precoding Against Timing Jitter

The channel phase precoding (CPP) technique was recently proposed for the ultra-wideband (UWB) communication system in [1] to save the feedback overhead and the computational complexity as compared with the time-reversal prefllter (TRP) technique [2]. Two ideal assumptions have been made in both systems; namely, the availability of accurate channel information and perfect synchronization of transmitted pulses. In this work, we examine the impact of timing jitter on the performance of TRP and CPP and show that the CPP-UWB system is more robust against the timing jitter than the TRP- UWB svstem.
Influence of molecular structure on the free radical initiated network polymerization of dimethacrylates

The free radical polymerization of several new dimethacrylates initiated by azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) at various temperatures was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and solid state NMR. The new monomers contained features, such as fluoroalkyl and/or pendant methyl or hydrogen instead of hydroxyl groups, which promoted both low viscosity and low monomer glass transition temperatures. The percent conversion was significantly improved, relative to a well-studied control dimethacrylate as measured by both DSC and FT-IR. Increasing the reaction temperature and the initiator concentration also led to enhanced conversion behavior and the apparent activation energies for the polymerization are reported. The results suggests that the new crosslinked material systems could show several advantages relative to the control bisphenol-A based diglycidyl methacrylate.
Resolving Differences in Absolute Irradiance Measurements Between the SOHO/CELIAS/SEM and the SDO/EVE

The Solar EUV Monitor (SEM) onboard SOHO has measured absolute extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft X-ray solar irradiance nearly continuously since January 1996. The EUV Variability Experiment (EVE) on SDO, in operation since April of 2010, measures solar irradiance in a wide spectral range that encompasses the band passes (26 – 34 nm and 0.1 – 50 nm) measured by SOHO/SEM. However, throughout the mission overlap, irradiance values from these two instruments have differed by more than the combined stated uncertainties of the measurements. In an effort to identify the sources of these differences and eliminate them, we investigate in this work the effect of reprocessing the SEM data using a more accurate SEM response function (obtained from synchrotron measurements with a SEM sounding-rocket clone instrument taken after SOHO was already in orbit) and time-dependent, measured solar spectral distributions – i.e., solar reference spectra that were unavailable prior to the launch of the SDO. We find that recalculating the SEM data with these improved parameters reduces mean differences with the EVE measurements from about 20 % to less than 5 % in the 26 – 34 nm band, and from about 35 % to about 15 % for irradiances in the 0.1 – 7 nm band extracted from the SEM 0.1 – 50 nm channel.
Understanding response and resistance to oestrogen deprivation in ER-positive breast cancer

Oestrogens (E) and oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) play fundamental roles in the development and progression of more than three-quarters of breast cancers (BC). The ability to influence the natural history of BC by hormonal manipulation is well established and endocrine therapies represent the cornerstone of systemic management for women with ERα-positive disease. Endocrine agents abrogate oestrogenic signalling through distinct and incompletely overlapping mechanisms, either impeding the transcriptional activity of ERα or diminishing E-synthesis. In post-menopausal women, E-production is chiefly attributable to the enzymatic conversion of androgens in extra-gonadal tissues by the cytochrome P-450 superfamily member aromatase. Greater understanding of steroid biosynthesis has underpinned rational drug design and pharmacological development of potent and specific aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Contemporary agents induce profound E-suppression in post-menopausal women and are first-line neo-adjuvant, adjuvant and metastatic therapies, with greater efficacy and tolerability than tamoxifen. The principal qualifier for endocrine treatment, including AIs, remains ERα expression. However, it is increasingly apparent that ERα expression is not synonymous with sensitivity to treatment and insufficient to account for the considerable heterogeneity of response. Better predictive biomarkers of de novo resistance are required to improve patient selection and identify those poor-responders who may benefit from alternative or additional systemic treatment from the outset. Among patients who do respond well initially, many relapse during their clinical course and there is also an unmet need for biomarkers of acquired resistance. The majority of women who relapse on AIs continue to express functional ERα which remains a legitimate target for second-line endocrine therapy. Understanding and overcoming acquired resistance to AIs requires a greater appreciation of ERα biology and the mechanisms though which E-dependence can be subverted. In this article, we review the impact of therapeutic E-deprivation on the natural history of ERα-positive breast cancer. Consideration is given to established and emerging biomarkers and/or determinants of response and resistance to E-deprivation. In vitro and in vivo evidence of the molecular mechanisms underpinning the transition from sensitivity to resistance are reviewed in the context of current models of ERα activity and their potential translational relevance.
An evolutionary approach to designing complex spreading codes for DS-CDMA

This paper proposes a novel evolutionary approach to spreading code design in direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA). Specifically, a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm (EA) is used to generate complex spreading sequences that are optimized with respect to the average mean-square cross- and/or autocorrelation (CC and/or AC) properties. A theoretical model is developed in order to demonstrate the optimality of the generated codes. The proposed algorithm enables spreading code design with no constraints on the code length. Furthermore, it is possible to generate K/spl ges/N codes of length N with very little cost in correlation properties. This results in significant capacity enhancement in DS-CDMA systems.
Sediment contamination problems in the Caribbean islands: Research and regulation

Sediment contamination in the Caribbean has not been extensively studied. This review article outlines known cases of sediment contamination in the Caribbean and their impacts on Caribbean ecosystems. It also discusses regulation and remediation of contaminated sediments in the Caribbean and speculates on what the future holds regarding sediment toxicity. Existing information suggests that sediment contamination may be widespread, although not severe in most areas. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands contain two National Priority List sites and one candidate site under U.S. Superfund jurisdiction. These territories will be more extensively studied under the U.S. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program. Regulation of sediment contamination is difficult within the Caribbean region because jurisdiction is shared by 27 independent countries and a number of territories and dependencies. In addition to establishing control of natural resources within a 200–mile offshore limit for each Caribbean nation, the recently created Exclusive Economic Zone contains provisions for environmental protection and management, but many governments in the region lack the resources to implement them. The Caribbean Action Plan formalizes international cooperation and assistance to overcome some of these limitations. Many Caribbean countries have experienced a strong industrial expansion and a rapid population growth during the last 30 to 40 years, and there is potential for further contamination as these islands develop.
Social and Temporal Dimensions in Icelandic Obituarial Discourse

Icelandic obituarial discourse negotiates public and private domains and employs expressions of past, present, and future to create "remembrances" of particular individuals. Detailed analysis of the discourse context in which the obituaries are set and of the expressive mechanisms that characterize the obituarial writings in general gives a concise view of the social and temporal dimensions of this form of Icelandic historical expression.
The effects of losses and event splitting on the Allais paradox

The Allais Paradox, or common consequence effect, has been a standard challenge to normative theories of risky choice since its proposal over 60 years ago. However, neither its causes nor the conditions necessary to create the effect are well understood. Two experiments test the effects of losses and event splitting on the Allais Paradox. Experiment 1 found that the Allais Paradox occurs for both gain and mixed gambles and is reflected for loss gambles produced by reflection across the origin. Experiment 2 found that the Allais Paradox is eliminated by splitting the outcomes even when the probabilities used do not increase the salience of the common consequence. The results of Experiment 1 are consistent with Cumulative Prospect Theory, the current leading theory of risky choice. However, the results of Experiment 2 are problematic for Cumulative Prospect Theory and suggest that alternate explanations for the Allais Paradox must be sought.
"A little information excites us." Consumer sensory experience of Vermont artisan cheese as active practice.

This research is concerned with explaining consumer preference for Vermont artisan cheese and the relationship between that preference and sensory experience. Artisan cheesemaking is increasingly an important part of Vermont's dairy sector, and this tracks a growing trend of artisan agricultural practice in the United States. In popular discourse and academic research into products like artisan cheese, consumers explain their preferences in terms of intrinsic sensory and extrinsic - supposedly nonsensory - food qualities. In laboratory sensory studies, however, the relationship between preference, intrinsic, and extrinsic qualities changes or disappears. In contrast, this study explains this relationship by adopting a social theory of sensory perception as a practice in everyday life. This theory is applied to a series of focus group interviews with Vermont artisan cheese consumers about their everyday perceptions. Based on the data, a conceptual framework for the sensory perception of Vermont artisan cheese is suggested: consumers combine information about producer practice, social context, and the materiality of the product through an active, learned practice of sensory perception. Particular qualities that drive consumer sensory experience and preference are identified from the interview data. Many of these qualities are difficult to categorize as entirely intrinsic or extrinsic, highlighting the need for developing new approaches of sensory evaluation in order to fully capture everyday consumer sensory perception. Thus, this research demonstrates that social theory provides new and valuable insights into consumer sensory preference for Vermont artisan cheese.
Influence of Type of Culture Medium on Characterization of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Subtypes

We evaluated the effects of culture and/or enrichment methods on the selection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis subtypes. M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates from bovine fecal samples processed using a centrifugation protocol were investigated in both liquid (MGIT ParaTb tubes) and solid (Herrold's egg yolk medium) culture media. For this evaluation, M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis subtyping was based on the sequence variation in two of the most discriminatory short sequence repeat loci, i.e., mononucleotide G and trinucleotide GGT, in isolates from liquid and solid cultures. This study identified the existence of one major predominating fingerprint (>13G-5GGT) in bovine fecal samples, regardless of the type of medium used for isolation. Matched-pair analysis of subtypes showed that 69% of samples presented unique subtypes in the two culture media used, while 31% shared the same G-GGT allele. Furthermore, the liquid culture method appeared to select for a more genotypically diverse subtype population than the solid culture method. The variety of subtypes observed between liquid and solid cultures obtained from the same fecal samples suggests that the culture method could provide a "microbiological" bias and lead to a discrepancy in the growth of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis strains. In conclusion, this study identified that these two types of culture media determined differential growth of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis strains and that this should be considered in evaluating detection capabilities of diagnostic tests or interpreting data from molecular epidemiological studies performed using conventional solid fecal culture or automated liquid medium culture methods.
Finite amplitude instability of second-order fluids in plane Poiseuille flow.

The hydrodynamic stability of plane Poiseuille flow of second-order fluids to finite amplitude disturbances is examined using the method of Stuart and Watson as extended by Reynolds and Potter. For slightly non-Newtonian fluids subcritical instabilities are predicted. No supercritical equilibrium states are expected if the entire spectrum of disturbance wavelengths is present. Possible implications with respect to the Toms phenomenon are discussed.
Thinking aloud: reconciling theory and practice

Thinking-aloud protocols may be the most widely used method in usability testing, but the descriptions of this practice in the usability literature and the work habits of practitioners do not conform to the theoretical basis most often cited for it: K.A. Ericsson and H.A. Simon's (1984) seminal work. After reviewing Ericsson and Simon's theoretical basis for thinking aloud, we review the ways in which actual usability practice diverges from this model. We then explore the concept of speech genre as an alternative theoretical framework. We first consider uses of this new framework that are consistent with Ericsson and Simon's goal of eliciting a verbal report that is as undirected, undisturbed and constant as possible. We then go on to consider how the proposed new approach might handle problems that arise in usability testing that appear to require interventions not supported in the older model.
The histology of the blood of some bermuda ascidians

The structure of the living blood cells is described and the cells are classified in the following species of ascidians: Phallusia nigra, Ecteinascidia turbinata, Clavelina oblongata, Symplegma viride. Evidence for the genetio relationship of the various types of cells is discussed.
Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence from Clinical Trials

Type 2 diabetes has become a major public health challenge given its dramatic rising prevalence and the multiple comorbidities and complications associated with its progression. Prevention seems to be the best way of curving this epidemic. The insidious onset of insulin resistance leading to pancreatic beta-cell loss and prediabetes occurs over a course of many years, creating a golden opportunity to identify those at risk and implement effective strategies to prevent progression to diabetes.
Digital in-situ biasing technique

A highly digital in-situ biasing solution for analogue interfaces in nanoscale complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technologies is presented. The digital biasing scheme uses a time-based successive approximation conversion to provide the desired analogue functions with the voltage/current input and output. The digital biasing circuit obtains benefits from scaled devices with a small dimension and a high Ft, but with no design difficulties by the advanced CMOS process. By taking advantage of ultra-compact digital logic for control and adaptation, the digital biasing circuit does not suffer from the impact of intra-die variations since it eliminates the need for shared biasing approaches. A digital common-mode feedback circuit (CMFB) for a fully differential amplifier was simulated to demonstrate the advantages of the digital in-situ biasing scheme. The digital CMFB designed in a 65 nm CMOS process provides a desired output common-mode voltage as a conventional analogue CMFB, but does not need any stability compensation schemes. Compared with the analogue CMFB, the digital CMFB with the digital-like structure is more robust, has much smaller area, and does not require large passive components.
Social Paper: Retooling Student Consciousness

Among the many emerging forms of digital scholarship, “Networked Participatory Scholarship” (NPS) is garnering increased attention for its potential to liberate scholarly communications from the slow, closed, and expensive methods of the pre-digital era. This paper will argue that different forms of NPS contribute to different forms of student consciousness, or how students conceive of the role of their scholarship, and the means of producing and communicating that scholarship in both the academic and public sphere.
ATRIP Deacetylation by SIRT2 Drives ATR Checkpoint Activation by Promoting Binding to RPA-ssDNA

The ataxia telangiectasia-mutated and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase checkpoint pathway maintains genome integrity; however, the role of the sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) acetylome in regulating this pathway is not clear. We found that deacetylation of ATR-interacting protein (ATRIP), a regulatory partner of ATR, by SIRT2 potentiates the ATR checkpoint. SIRT2 interacts with and deacetylates ATRIP at lysine 32 (K32) in response to replication stress. SIRT2 deacetylation of ATRIP at K32 drives ATR autophosphorylation and signaling and facilitates DNA replication fork progression and recovery of stalled replication forks. K32 deacetylation by SIRT2 further promotes ATRIP accumulation to DNA damage sites and binding to replication protein A-coated single-stranded DNA (RPA-ssDNA). Collectively, these results support a model in which ATRIP deacetylation by SIRT2 promotes ATR-ATRIP binding to RPA-ssDNA to drive ATR activation and thus facilitate recovery from replication stress, outlining a mechanism by which the ATR checkpoint is regulated by SIRT2 through deacetylation.
Observations on the Egg Raft Formation Behavior of Culiseta inornata

The manner in which Culiseta inornata (Diptera: Culicidae) forms an egg raft was observed. Females landed on the water and crossed the metathoracic legs. They then moved the crossed metathoracic legs toward the top of the abdomen. Eggs were deposited in this leg cradle. The first few eggs were laid in a straight line. After the fourth egg row was reached, the mosquito began laying eggs from one side to the center. After reaching the center the female started again on the other side and deposited eggs to the center to complete that egg tier.
Aeroelastic Effects of Wing Stiffness on the Flight Dynamics of a MAV

Some fixed-wing micro air vehicles have high levels of structural flexibility, a property which is known to improve gust rejection qualities and delay stall. However, the exact level of flexibility is typically the result of a trial-and-error approach instead of being part of a rigorous design framework and may result in unknown aeroelastic effects on the flight dynamics. The current research investigates the nature of these aeroelastic effects. Using a generic MAV configuration, bending and torsional stiffness of the wing are independently varied from 1.0 Nm 2 to 0.07 Nm 2 while the trim conditions, flight dynamics, and structural dynamics are analyzed. Stiffness is found to have a significant, nonlinear effect on the rigidbody flight dynamics. The bending stiffness has the largest effect, which comes through changes in the dihedral angle of the deformed wing. Large changes are seen in structural frequencies, which affect the rigid-body modes due to their frequency separation. The effects of torsional stiffness are minimal due to the close proximity of the elastic axis and the center of pressure.
Effects of PDE inhibitors and carbachol on the L-type Ca current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes

The phosphodiesterase inhibitors 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX; 100 microM) and papaverine (100 microM) increased peak L-type Ca current (ICa) more than fivefold in a way similar to isoproteren...
Predictors of sexual behaviour among men and women in New York City area prisons

AbstractThe USA currently has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Individuals at greatest risk for HIV also tend to be among those at an elevated risk for incarceration. The HIV epidemic is driven by injection drug use and sexual behaviour, and estimates of prison-based sexual behaviour vary widely. This study examined sexual behaviour among 1369 incarcerated men and women in the New York City area. Approximately 13% of the sample (n = 176) reported being sexually active while incarcerated over the previous 6 months. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the predictors of prison sexual behaviour. The following variables were associated with increased odds of sexual activity in the previous six months: female gender (OR = 3.28; 95%CI = 1.95,5.51), Black race (OR = 2.26; 95%CI = 1.47,3.46), history of drug use (OR = 1.85; 95%CI = 1.04,3.30), bisexual (OR = 3.19; 95%CI = 1.90,5.38) or homosexual identity (OR = 8.50; 95%CI = 3.92,18.43) and conjugal visitation programme participati...
In Reply: Vitamin B12 deficiency.

We thank Dr. Phillips for his inquiry. In general, serum vitamin B12 concentrations vary greatly, and we acknowledge that serum vitamin B12 may be normal in up to 5% of patients with documented B12 deficiency.[1][1] In a prospective study of 1,599 patients, Matchar et al[2][2] demonstrated that a
Harmonic Force Excitation Analysis of a Small-Body Asteroid/Satellite System

A harmonic force excitation analysis is used to determine orbit stability of a small satellite around an asteroid with a complex gravitational field. Harmonic excitation phenomena occurs with both natural and man-made satellites. Jupiter influences asteroid distribution in the main asteroid belt through mean motion resonance where some regions are devoid of asteroids while other regions have an abundance. Simulations of a man-made satellite in orbit around the asteroid Itokawa, which was visited by the Hayabusa Space Mission, have also displayed harmonic excitation phenomena, including regions of high dynamic interactions. Specifically, the influence of the rate of spin of the asteroid and the stability of the orbit was investigated. The radial acceleration of the satellite is used to determine the frequency of gravitational perturbation from the asteroid on the satellite. It has been shown when the satellite is placed in an orbit away from its resonant frequency, the orbit remains stable. An early model was created to study this phenomenon and showed promise to predict regions of stability. From this initial study, further work using a more complex model and an updated harmonic force excitation analysis of the system was shown to be a more accurate predictor of orbital stability.
Choroid Detachment, a Rare Cause of Vision Loss Diagnosed by Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Abstract Background Choroid detachment is a rare disease process that has a multitude of etiologies; usually related to recent ophthalmological surgery, eye trauma, corneal ulcers, or intraocular pressure-lowering agents. Point-of-care ocular ultrasound has high utility and accuracy in diagnosing pathology of the eye. Case Report We present a case of a patient who presented with vision loss caused by a choroid detachment diagnosed on point-of-care ultrasound because fundoscopic examination was limited due to cataracts. Ultrasound findings based on location and appearance during both static and dynamic evaluation that help differentiate a choroid vs. a retinal detachment are also described. Why Should an Emergency Physician be Aware of This? Choroid detachments have a different sonographic appearance, as well as management, compared to a retinal detachment.
Quantum computing with solids

Quantum processing is a fascinating new approach to computing that has attracted great attention in recent years. Much of this interest has stemmed from the discovery of non-classical quantum algorithms that could allow otherwise intractable problems – such as factoring very large numbers – to be solved.
In the Patient with Profunda Artery Disease, Is Open Revascularization Superior to Endovascular Repair for Improving Rest Pain?

The profunda femoris artery is the major collateral source of blood supply to the lower leg in patients with atherosclerotic obstruction of the superficial femoral artery. Open revascularization of the profunda is beneficial for patients with chronic limb ischemia, as technical success rates are high and durable patency has been demonstrated in a number of studies. However, there are strong advocates for increased use of endovascular techniques in the common femoral and profunda segments, reserving open surgery for patients who have failed catheter-based treatment. From currently available data, which consists almost entirely of retrospective analyses with the exception of one relatively small prospective randomized trial, we recommend that patients who are able to tolerate open surgery, do not have a hostile groin due to current or past infection or imbedded prosthetic material, and are not morbidly obese should preferably undergo open common femoral endarterectomy/profundaplasty as indicated. Endovascular therapy is a suitable option in those unable to tolerate open surgery, or in those with the aforementioned mitigating factors.
Decreased activation and subsyndromal manic symptoms predict lower remission rates in bipolar depression

Objective:Activation encompasses energy and activity and is a central feature of bipolar disorder. However, the impact of activation on treatment response of bipolar depression requires further exp...
Rural Caregiving: A Quilt of Many Different Colors

In this volume, we address the current status and future direction of rural caregiving in four areas: practice, education and training, research, and policy and advocacy. Several key themes in rural caregiving have emerged. These themes are presented and discussed in light of the personal, contextual, economic, environmental, and geographic characteristics that color rural caregiving.
Facet Joint Complex Considerations for Biomechanics of the Lumbar Functional Spinal Unit: An Improved Model Based Method for Investigating Facet Articulation

The biomechanics of facet kinematics is an important consideration for the native and pathologic spine. Moreover when evaluating new implants and techniques designed for motion preservation from either an anterior or posterior approach, the facet joint complex requires measurement techniques that do not violate the joint integrity to accurately characterize the contributions to the overall functional spinal unit response. Three-dimensional modeling of the lumbar spine can be used to derive a wealth of data beyond range of motion without invasive procedures. We have developed a method to apply kinematic data to rigid body models of each vertebral body reconstructed from high resolution CT scans. The method described has been shown to reduce registration errors from previous techniques. To portray the robustness of this method, we have computationally defined the articular surfaces of the L3-L4 facet joint and tracked minimum distance (MD) between each surface. The MD between intact and rigid rod instrumented conditions has been compared. The application of the rigid rod construct has shown to constrain the facet surfaces spatially closer than in the intact condition.
Forgotten under a Tropical Sun: War Stories by American Veterans in the Philippines, 1898–1913

Interdisciplinary works, though they offer great promise, often suffer because of an unbalanced approach. Fortunately, Joseph P. McCallus's Forgotten under a Tropical Sun does not have this problem...
Understanding the Effect of Service-Learning Experiences on Students' Cultural Competence in Higher Education

Current trend of postmodern pedagogical methods and approaches in higher education are evolving from the traditional lecture method to more engaging methodologies such as service-learning, and transformative approaches that include diversity and cultural awareness such as active learning, cooperative learning, dialogue-based learning, and situated learning. These methods of teaching and transformative approaches manifest the active participation and engagement of all students across the colorful cultural spectrum of humanity.in the classroom. According to Wehling (2008), the need to integrate cross-cultural competency into the academic curriculum escalated dramatically with the significant increase in residence of Hispanics and their families. Wehling (2008) added that service-learning addresses the demand for culturally competent graduates who can address the paradigms of inequality and invisibility as well as the language barrier. In this perspective, this reflection seeks to highlight the effect of service-learning experiences on students' cultural competence development in higher education. In doing this, I define service-learning; define cultural competence; and review recent literature on the relationship between service-learning experiences and students' cultural competence; and conclude on the topic.
Engineering turbulence models for separated flows

Simple turbulence models for separated flows are presented and evaluated. The models are based on experimental observations, namely the wake–like behavior of turbulence away from walls, the influence of walls on this behavior, the diffusion/dissipation energy balance observed in the backflow portion of detached flow regions, and the near–wall behavior of eddy viscosity. These lead to two analytically solvable ODE's for the normal–to–wall distributions of kinetic energy and eddy–viscosity, based on a reduced form of the turbulence kinetic energy equation. This model is applied as a module within a “host” model which solves a field equation for the kinetic energy of turbulence (a k – e model, for example) so that it predicts eddy–viscosity distribution in backflow regions, while the host model determines the eddy–viscosity in the rest of the flow–field. A simplified version of this model, usable with algebraic host models, is also presented. Predictions of several flow cases, using this approach, are shown.
Possible Worlds without Possibilia

By “the World”, I mean the totality of all there is. There cannot, of course, be anything outside the World. Apart from the World itself, all that exists, subsists, or in any sense “is” must be part of the “furniture” of the World. It is common usage, philosophical and otherwise, that something referred to as “the world” could have been other than it is. While this usage may be different from my usage of “the World”, it is clear that if “the world” had been other than it is, then so would “the World” have been other than it is. So common usage at least implies that the World could have been many ways other than the way it is. By a “possible world”, I mean one of these ways the World might be or might have been. This notion of a possible world, or more accurately a family of more or less well understood notions resembling it, have been employed in the analysis of such philosophically troublesome concepts as necessity and possibility, obligation and permission, entailment, perception, and causation. But the notion of a possible world has itself been a rich source of philosophical puzzles.
Neurosurgical complications of pediatric orthotopic liver transplantation

Liver transplantation is the only definitive treatment of end-stage liver disease. The University of Nebraska began its hepatic transplantation program in July 1985. Since that time, 43 children and 48 adults have undergone orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) with survival rates to date of 79.1% and 79.2%, respectively. Eight children developed complications of neurosurgical interest (18.6% incidence). Hemorrhagic complications were the most frequent. Neurosurgical salvage was achieved in five patients, but delayed complications of the transplant caused the death of two of these children. Two survivors are functioning well at home and in kindergarten, one child is doing well but is still hospitalized, and one child is vegetative. Aggressive management of life-threatening CNS problems is thus appropriate in this population. The authors review the pathophysiology of these complications, as well as potential pitfalls in their management.
Preoperative Imaging of Liver Cancers: Metastases

Imaging plays a pivotal role in patients with suspected liver metastases not only for diagnosis but also for staging and for presurgical evaluation. Several modalities are available; these include ultrasound, CT, MRI, and PET or PET/CT. Ultrasound is operator-dependent and has generally low sensitivity for detection, especially for small lesions. CT is the most frequently used technique as it is quick, widely available, and accurate; however, it is limited by radiation exposure and has limited characterization of subcentimeter hepatic lesions. MRI is accurate and free of radiation exposure; however, it is limited by cost and availability. PET and PET/CT have a role mostly for detection of extrahepatic disease. The role and results of these modalities will be discussed in this review.
Determinants of environmental styrene exposure in Gulf coast residents

In a previous study of exposure to oil-related chemicals in Gulf coast residents, we measured blood levels of volatile organic compounds. Levels of styrene were substantially elevated compared to a nationally representative sample. We sought to identify factors contributing to these levels, given the opportunities for styrene exposure in this community. We measured blood styrene levels in 667 Gulf coast residents and compared participants’ levels of blood styrene to a nationally representative sample. We assessed personal and environmental predictors of blood styrene levels using linear regression and predicted the risk of elevated blood styrene (defined as above the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 95th percentile) using modified Poisson regression. We assessed exposure to styrene using questionnaire data on recent exposure opportunities and leveraged existing databases to assign ambient styrene exposure based on geocoded residential location. These Gulf coast residents were 4–6 times as likely as the nationally representative sample to have elevated blood styrene levels. The change in styrene (log ng/mL) was 0.42 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.51) for smoking, 0.34 (0.09, 0.59) for time spent in vehicles and 1.10 (0.31, 1.89) for boats, and −0.41 (−0.73, −0.10) for fall/winter blood draws. Residential proximity to industrial styrene emissions did not predict blood styrene levels. Ambient styrene predicted elevated blood styrene in subgroups. Personal predictors of increasing blood styrene levels included smoking, vehicle emissions, and housing characteristics. There was a suggestive association between ambient and blood styrene. Our measures of increased regional exposure opportunity do not fully explain the observed elevated blood styrene levels in this population.
Computer experimentation and scenario methodologies to support integration and operations phases of mission engineering and analysis

Mission engineering is a recently proposed concept that needs practicable means to implement. Integrating a new system into technical and organizational architectures is a critical part of this initiative. Additionally, it requires an in-depth understanding of the system’s operational employment. This paper describes the development of the integration and operations support system, an innovative use of scenario methodologies, computer simulation, and experimentation to shape a strategic analysis framework for mission engineering. A scenario from an actual computer aided exercise, Cobra Gold 2018, is the backdrop of the support system. The Joint Theater Level Simulation drives the operational vignettes for the training audience in this multinational exercise. Our approach is to automate the exercise, thereby creating an experimentation environment for a knowledgeable team to form credible, analytically derived insights about a new system. We generalize this approach and provide a use-case via a planned study on future naval capabilities.
The Impact of Physical Activity and Sleep on Physiology Following a mTBI

A mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common injury that happens to people across a range of lifestyles. Rest has been regarded as the most effective remedy to restore impaired physiological functions in those who have experienced this kind of injury. However, recent data suggests that a gradual increase in physical activity post-injury can lead to quicker recovery from negative symptoms. The impact of physical activity on physiologic recovery is not completely understood and the purpose of this study was to better understand how physical activity and sleep influence physiological outcomes following a mTBI. The data collected in this study came from two groups of young adults: a healthy control (n=5) and those that had a mTBI (n = 5). The daily activity was measured using an activity monitor for a week immediately after injury. Physiological measurements of excitability and inhibition within the motor cortex and neurotransmitter concentrations were collected within 72 hours of injury and again at two months to determine if physical activity or sleep within one week after injury had an influence on physiologic recovery. Control participants had higher levels of total (d = 1.2), light (d = 1.3) and moderate physical activity (d = 0.7), and lower total sleep time (d = -1.9), compared with the mTBI group. Across the two months, relative to the control group the mTBI group showed similar changes in excitability (d = 0.13), but greater changes in inhibition (d = -0.66). Changes in the excitatory (d = 0.06) and inhibitory (d = -0.16) neurotransmitters were similar between groups. Neither physical activity, nor sleep quality were significantly associated with the change in motor cortex excitability (R2 ≤ 0.18, p ≥ 0.22), inhibition (R2 ≤ 0.3, p ≥ 0.08) or neurotransmitter concentrations (R2 ≤ 0.15, p ≥ 0.20) between 72 hours and two months post-injury. These preliminary results suggest there is no direct effect of physical activity on physiological outcomes.
Crafting a Critical Literacy Skillset: An Improved Use of Visual Modalities

The goal of literacy development at schools is a standing feature of the curriculum. In spite of this, the means to develop critical thinking in students often comes up short. The development of literacy and critical thinking can be presented in engaging and memorable ways, but schools often defer to what they have done in the past; namely through textbooks and worksheets. This article will argue that the greater and structured incorporation of graphic novels and comic literature, but from a critical literacy perspective, will have the effect of increasing engagement of the subject matter. A closer engagement through visual means, coupled with a teaching pedagogy that directly supports critical literacy skill development builds the best experience and engagement of student learning.