cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Propagating Gender Stasis: Judicial Indifference and the Medical Model of Gender in Requests for State Medical Assistance

From the time the American Psychiatric Association ("APA") first included "transsexualism" in its authoritative Diagnostic and Statistical Manual ("DSM") in 1980, transgender litigants have increasingly relied on medical diagnoses and definitions to bolster their gender-related claims. Relying on this "medical model of gender" requires transgender litigants to adopt essentialist notions of gender and accept conservative gender norms, both of which generally contradict common beliefs within the gender-variant community. While the medical model may have once been justified as a means to achieving otherwise-unattainable legal vindication, the model's cost-benefit calculus no longer tips in the gender-variant litigant's favor. This paper analyzes the current legal framework for individuals diagnosed with Gender Identity Disorder ("GID") and who rely on the state for medical assistance. The framework reveals an implicit judicial deference to administrative authorities that is inversely related to the patient's socioeconomic status; that is, as the socioeconomic status of the patient falls from an individual who does not benefit from government-funded programs to a "categorically needy" Medicaid recipient to a prison inmate courts increasingly defer to the (mis) judgments of the administrative officials charged with disbursing medical funds. This paper argues that the implicit judicial deference in this context signals nothing less than indifference to gender and gender expression as concepts distinct from anatomical sex. It follows, then, that, given this judicial indifference, gendervariant litigants should abandon the medical model because it serves only to freeze gender-variant persons in restrictive conceptions of gender.
Uncoordinated access to serverless computing in MEC systems for IoT

Abstract Edge computing is a promising solution to enable low-latency Internet of Things (IoT) applications, by shifting computation from remote data centers to local devices, less powerful but closer to the end user devices. However, this creates the challenge on how to best assign clients to edge nodes offering compute capabilities. So far, two antithetical architectures are proposed: centralized resource orchestration or distributed overlay. In this work we explore a third way, called uncoordinated access, which consists in letting every device exploring multiple opportunities, to opportunistically embrace the heterogeneity of network and load conditions towards diverse edge nodes. In particular, our contribution is intended for emerging serverless IoT applications, which do not have a state on the edge nodes executing tasks. We model the proposed system as a set of M/M/1 queues and show that it achieves a smaller delay than single edge node allocation. Furthermore, we compare uncoordinated access with state-of-the-art centralized and distributed alternatives in testbed experiments under more realistic conditions. Based on the results, our proposed approach, which requires a tiny fraction of the complexity of the alternatives in both the device and network components, is very effective in using the network resources, while incurring only a small penalty in terms of increased compute load and high percentiles of delay.
Laser Crystallization and Dopant Activation of a-Si:H Carrier-Selective Layer in TOPCon Si Solar Cells

Herein, we present a pulsed-laser processing method for crystallization and dopant activation of a highly n-doped amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) carrier-selective layer in a tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) Si solar cell structure. The laser method provides enhanced conductivity and implied open circuit voltage while reducing emitter saturation current density and surface heating, as opposed to conventional high-temperature furnace annealing of the bulk Si wafer with a TOPCon structure. We identify an appropriate laser wavelength, fluence, and layer thickness using modeling and simulations. Raman and Hall effect measurements demonstrate increased crystallinity and dopant activation, whereas photoconductive decay shows enhanced surface and interface passivation quality. Additionally, we examine the role of subsequent SiNx deposition on further improving the passivation of laser-processed TOPCon layers to achieve a 5.9 kΩ/sq film sheet resistance, 2 ms effective carrier lifetime, 718 mV implied open-circuit voltage (iVOC), and 8.6 fA/cm2 one-side recombination current density (J0) with the potential for further passivation improvement via laser process and a-Si layer thickness optimization.
Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) expression in adrenocortical disease due to PRKAR1A mutations compared to other benign adrenal tumors

Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF2), a key regulator of cell growth and development, is tightly regulated in its expression by epigenetic control that maintains its monoallelic expression in most tissues. Biallelic expression of IGF2 resulting from loss of imprinting (LOI) has been reported in adrenocortical tumors. In this study, we wanted to check whether adrenocortical lesions due to PRKAR1A mutations lead to increased IGF2 expression from LOI and compare these findings to those in other benign adrenal lesions. We compared the expression of IGF2 by RNA and protein studies in primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) caused by PRKAR1A gene mutations to that in primary macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (PMAH) and cortisol-producing adenomas (CPA) that did not have any mutations in known genes. We also checked LOI in all lesions by DNA allelic studies and the expression of other components of IGF2 signaling at the RNA and protein level. We identified cell clusters overexpressing IGF2 in PPNAD; although immunostaining was patchy, overall, by RNA and immunoblotting PPNAD expressed high IGF2 message and protein. However, this was not due to LOI, as there was no correlation between IGF2 expression and the presence of LOI. Our data pointed to over-expression of IGF2 protein in PPNAD compared to other benign adrenocortical lesions, such as PMAH and CPA. However, there was no correlation of IGF2 mRNA levels with LOI of IGF2/H19. The discrepancy between mRNA and protein levels with regards to LOI points, perhaps, to different control of IGF2 gene expression in PPNAD.
Increasing Utilization of Emergency Department Neuroimaging From 2007 Through 2017.

BACKGROUND. The volume of emergency department (ED) visits and the number of neuroimaging examinations have increased since the start of the century. Little is known about this growth in the commer...
Oxythermal habitat as a primary driver of ecological niche and genetic diversity in cisco (Coregonus artedi)

Cisco (Coregonus artedi) are threatened by climate change and lake eutrophication, and their oxythermal habitat can be assessed with TDO3, the water temperature at which dissolved oxygen equals 3 m...
Service learning: Justice for Fraud Victims Project

The benefits of experiential learning can be amplified when these endeavors are shared and implemented by others. This article highlights an example of experiential learning. The authors interviewe...
Esophageal atresia with proximal and distal tracheo-esophageal fistulae

Abstract The esophageal atresia (EA) with distal fistula is the most common type of EA and is easily diagnosed by frothy discharge from mouth and nose, respiratory distress and coiling of nasogastric tube in the upper esophagus. The EA with double fistula (proximal and distal) is the least common type of EA which can easily be ignored preoperatively and intraoperatively. So it offers diagnostic challenge. Herein, we present a case of EA with double fistula in which the proximal fistula was not preoperatively appreciated by us, but identified during dissection.
Haiti in the Aftermath of the Earthquake: The Vicissitudes of a Neo-Trusteeship

On January 12, 2010, a major earthquake known as Goudougoudou devastated Haiti killing more than 220,000 people and destroying its already weak and inadequate infrastructure. This catastrophe highlighted and exacerbated the patterns of social exclusion, rural neglect, wrenching poverty, and geographical centralization that have characterized the country. Beyond this horrible toll and the atrocious pain and trauma Haitians endured, is the reality that politically, economically, and socially the country was and remains at ground zero.
Pathologic basis of the sonographic appearance of the normal and malignant prostate.

SUMMARY The hypoechoic nature of prostatic cancer is now well recognized. In fact, not all cancers are purely hypoechoic; many are isoechoic, and some have a mixed echogenicity. Rarely, we have seen a cancer that was predominantly hyperechoic. Other signs of disturbance of the normal internal anatomy of the prostate may suggest the diagnosis of prostate cancer and are particularly valuable in assessing patients with more advanced disease. Approximately one third of early-stage cancers detected by palpation or transurethral resection are isoechoic. These tumors are anteriorly located, small, and well differentiated and infiltrate among normal glands or are composed of malignant glands similar in size to normal acini. Not all hypoechoic areas within the prostate are cancer; both normal anatomic structures and various benign conditions may appear less echogenic than the normal prostatic parenchyma. A comprehensive understanding of normal prostatic anatomy and the morphology of prostate cancer is essential to the accurate interpretation of the sonogram. Precise interpretation of prostatic sonograms requires detailed correlations of high-quality images with pathologic examinations of the whole prostate. The development of accurate criteria for the sonographic diagnosis of both malignant and benign prostatic diseases can be achieved only by such studies. As the possibilities and limitations of transrectal ultrasonography become apparent from pathologic correlation, the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of prostate cancer will be placed on a more rational basis.
Steady-State and Transient A/F Control Requirements for Cold Operation of a 1.6 Liter Engine with Single-Point Fuel Injection

An engine dynamometer test facility capable of controlling temperatures from 0/sup 0/F to 150/sup 0/F was used to investigate A/F control characteristics of a 1.6 liter engine with single point fuel injection. Two types of tests were run. In the first, the effect of induction system temperature on manifold wall wetting and transient A/F control was determined. In the second, a cold start procedure was developed to determine the effect of engine temperature on the percent of fuel which burns by observing exhaust A/F during steady-state operation while the engine warms up. It was found that transient A/F control problems due to manifold wall wetting are much greater than steady state problems associated with incomplete fuel burning.
Novel Treatment Approaches for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Despite decades of research, pancreatic cancer remains essentially incurable for patients with unresectable tumors. In the United States, most patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer are treated with chemotherapy alone or combined with conventionally fractionated radiotherapy. Regardless of the treatment strategy, average survival for these patients is less than 1 year, indicating that the current approaches are indisputably inadequate. For locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients, effective local-regional control is not only crucial for any hope at long-term survival, but also for symptom management. The aim of this paper is to highlight abstracts from the 2014 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium that demonstrate the use of novel local-regional therapies in locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Abstracts #317, #328, and #361 describe their results with an advanced method of delivering radiation called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). In these studies, patients treated with combined chemotherapy and SBRT had exceptional local control rates and acceptable toxicity. An innovative alternative to radiation for local-regional treatment is presented in Abstract #270. This study shows encouraging results from a phase I investigation of a regionally delivered siRNA that targets the K- ras G12D mutation. Investigation of novel approaches such as those presented here holds the greatest promise for improving treatment of this deadly disease. Image: Tufts Medical Center. Boston, MA, USA
Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein (MTP) Associates with Cytosolic Lipid Droplets in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Lipid droplets are intracellular energy storage organelles composed of a hydrophobic core of neutral lipid, surrounded by a monolayer of phospholipid and a diverse array of proteins. The function of the vast majority of these proteins with regard to the formation and/or turnover of lipid droplets is unknown. Our laboratory was the first to report that microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), a lipid transfer protein essential for the assembly of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, was expressed in adipose tissue of humans and mice. In addition, our studies suggested that MTP was associated with lipid droplets in both brown and white fat. Our observations led us to hypothesize that MTP plays a key role in lipid droplet formation and/or turnover. The objective of these studies was to gain insight into the function of MTP in adipocytes. Using molecular, biochemical, and morphologic approaches we have shown: 1) MTP protein levels increase nearly five-fold as 3T3-L1 cells differentiate into adipocytes. 2) As 3T3-L1 cells undergo differentiation, MTP moves from the juxtanuclear region of the cell to the surface of lipid droplets. MTP and perilipin 2, a major lipid droplet surface protein, are found on the same droplets; however, MTP does not co-localize with perilipin 2. 3) Inhibition of MTP activity has no effect on the movement of triglyceride out of the cell either as a lipid complex or via lipolysis. 4) MTP is found associated with lipid droplets within hepatocytes from human fatty livers, suggesting that association of MTP with lipid droplets is not restricted to adipocytes. In summary, our data demonstrate that MTP is a lipid droplet-associated protein. Its location on the surface of the droplet in adipocytes and hepatocytes, coupled with its known function as a lipid transfer protein and its increased expression during adipocyte differentiation suggest a role in lipid droplet biology.
Cochlear implantation in a patient with bilateral deep brain stimulators.

Objective: We report the case of a patient successfully implanted with a Nucleus Contour cochlear implant after placement of a deep brain stimulator for Parkinson disease. Methods: The authors conducted a case report and literature review. Results: Successful hookup and mapping of the device was performed 1 month after implantation without evidence of aberrant activity of the deep brain stimulators. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of successful implantation of both a cochlear implant and a deep brain stimulator in the same patient. We have outlined one approach to avoiding detrimental interactions between cochlear implant and deep brain stimulator devices.
Consumer Information, Insurance, and Doctor Shopping: The Elderly Consumer's Perspective

One possible strategy to minimize costs of health care is to provide consumers with information pertaining to its relative cost. However, the effectiveness of programs to dispense information on medical services has been difficult to evaluate because very little is known about incentives for doctor shopping. The demand for medical services information (doctor shopping) among elderly consumers and the effect of health insurance purchases on shopping decisions are assessed.
Orientation estimation of anatomical structures in medical images for object recognition

ABSTRACT Recognition of anatomical structures is an important step in model based medical image segmentation. Itprovides pose estimation of objects and information about where roughly the objects are in the image anddistinguishing them from other object-like entities. In, 1 we presented a general method of model-based multi-object recognition to assist in segmentation (delineation) tasks. It exploits the pose relationship that can beencoded, via the concept of ball scale (b-scale), betw een the binary training object s and their associated greyimages. The goal was to place the model, in a single shot, close to the right pose (position, orientation, andscale) in a given image so that the model boundaries fall in the close vicinity of object boundaries in the image.Unlike position and scale parameters, we observe that orientation parameters require more attention whenestimating the pose of the model as even small die rences in orientation parameters can lead to inappropriaterecognition. Motivated from the non-Euclidean nature of the pose information, we propose in this paper the useof non-Euclidean metrics to estimate orientation of the anatomical structures for more accurate recognition andsegmentation. We statistically analyze and evaluate the following metrics for orientation estimation: Euclidean,Log-Euclidean, Root-Euclidean, Procrustes Size-and-Shape, and mean Hermitian metrics. The results show thatmean Hermitian and Cholesky decomposition metrics provide more accurate orientation estimates than otherEuclidean and non-Euclidean metrics.Keywords: Anatomy Segmentation, Object Recognition, Herm itian Matrices, Non-Euclid ean metrics, MultipleObject Recognition
Internal Airflow of a Convective Storm from Dual-Doppler Radar Measurements

The dual-Doppler radar coplane method of scanning and data reduction has been used to determine the internal airflow and radar reflectivity structure of a convective storm. Cumulus convection growing in a moderately sheared wind environment resulted in a nonsteady, moderate intensity thunderstorm. Precipitation fallout and downward moving air are found downshear of an updraft inclined in the downshear direction. Rapid storm translation, vertical shear of the ambient wind, and slow subcloud ascent of inflow air act to establish this observed draft configuration. The absence of significant cold air outflow and its attendant gust front at the surface is attributed to (i) appreciable inflow of slow moving air into the downdraft at the middle layers and (ii) the fact that the potentially coldest air was located too low to contribute significantly to a deep downdraft circulation.
Chemical and electronic properties of ultrathin metal films: The Pd/Re(0001) and Pd/Ru(0001) systems.

The nature of the electronic and chemical properties of ultrathin Pd films on Re(0001) and Ru(0001) has been studied using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and CO chemisorption. The results indicate that the Pd(3${\mathit{d}}_{5/2}$) binding energy for a monolayer (ML) of Pd on Re(0001) and Ru(0001) is perturbed by +0.60 and +0.30 eV, respectively, from that of the surface atoms of Pd(100). These electronic perturbations induce large changes in the chemical properties of the Pd films. TPD results indicate that the desorption temperature of CO from 1 ML of Pd on Re(0001) and Ru(0001) is \ensuremath{\sim}120 K lower than the corresponding desorption temperature from Pd(100). The XPS and CO-TPD data indicate that Pd transfers charge to the Re and Ru substrates, becoming electron deficient and less efficient at \ensuremath{\pi} backdonation toward CO. By comparison of these results with those reported previously for Pd, Ni, and Cu adlayers, a correlation is observed among the electronic perturbations of the adlayers, the cohesive metal-substrate bond strength, the ability of the film to chemisorb CO, and the CO-induced shift in the metal core-level binding energy. In general, the results indicate that the formation of a metal-metal bond at a surface leads to a gain of electron density by the element initially having the greater fraction of empty states in its valence band. This behavior is completely contrary to that seen in bulk alloys, likely a consequence of the anisotropic character of a surface that changes the relative electronegativities of the metal atoms. On the basis of these results, a qualitative scale of surface electronegativities is developed, showing trends that are very different from those found in three-dimensional bulk alloys.
Effects of eating on professional and amateur singers for select pulmonary and vocal tasks

Singers will often refrain from eating a meal before a performance because they believe it will interfere with breath support. As there are no objective data to support or refute this belief, the purpose of this study was to obtain pre- and postmeal data from professional and amateur singers to investigate whether increased stomach contents from eating a meal adversely affected performance on specific maximal vocal/respiratory gestures. This was a prospective, repeated measures study. Forced vital capacity, maximum phonation times, and pitch range were obtained from professional and amateur singers before, immediately after, and 1 hour after eating a meal. There were no changes in measures across conditions for either group, indicating that eating does not interfere with maximal vocal and pulmonary measures.
Abrupt change in climate regime from summer to fall 1985 and stability in the fall

This paper treats a dramatic transition between the summer and fall of 1985 when temperature and precipitation anomaly patterns and the associated midtropospheric flow over the coterminous United States and adjacent oceans underwent a strong reversal. After this break in regime, the fall patterns locked into a remarkably stable state. It is interesting that this case confirms a more general statistical result from previous completely independent episodes. The hypothesis suggested to explain this strong change and its subsequent persistence draws upon air-sea interactions over the North Pacific and resulting downstream influences.
ANGIOGRAPHY OF THE HEPATIC AND PORTAL VENOUS SYSTEM IN THE DOG AND CAT: AN INVESTIGATIVE METHOD

The investigators studied the hepatic angiographic technics used in human medicine with respect to their applicability for the investigation of circulatory liver diseases in the dog and cat. The technics were performed in 11 normal dogs and 2 normal cats, and the normal radiographic anatomy of the hepatic portal system and its tributaries was described. The potential indications for the angiographic technics were defined and their respective advantages and disadvantages discussed. Splenoportography was a valuable method for outlining the intrahepatic portal vein branches and for percutaneous prehepatic portal vein pressure determination. Percutaneous transhepatic portography was more difficult to perform, but it provided better detail of the intrahepatic portal veins than splenoportography. Transjugular transhepatic portography was the most versatile but also the most cumbersome of all technics tested. Percutaneous kinetic hepatography proved impractical in dogs and cats. The mesenteric tributaries to the hepatic portal system were best outlined by cranial mesenteric arterial portography or by operative mesenteric venous portography. Operative mesenteric venous portography, in contrast to cranial mesenteric arterial portography, was also useful for prehe-patic portal vein pressure determination. Free and wedged hepatic venography provided an opportunity for the functional and morphologic investigation of the hepatic sinusoid circula-tion.
Hydrothermal Investigation of the Barium/Molybdenum(VI)/Selenium(IV) Phase Space: Single-Crystal Structures of BaMoO3SeO3and BaMo2O5(SeO3)2

Abstract The barium/molybdenum(VI)/selenium(IV)/oxide phase space has been investigated using hydrothermal methods. The syntheses and crystal structures of BaMoO 3 SeO 3 and BaMo 2 O 5 (SeO 3 ) 2 are reported. Spectroscopic and thermogravimetric data for these phases are described. BaMoO 3 SeO 3 is a layered compound, built up from “4-rings” of vertex-sharing MoO 6 and SeO 3 groups, linked into infinite, puckered sheets. Ten-coordinate Ba 2+ species provide interlayer charge compensation. The distorted MoO 6 octahedron in BaMoO 3 SeO 3 shows an unusual three short + three long Mo–O bond-distance distribution. Crystal data: BaMoO 3 SeO 3 , M r = 408.23, monoclinic, space group P 2 1 / c (No. 14), a = 6.242(3)A, b = 10.192(3)A, c = 8.373(2)A, β = 94.94(3)°, V = 530.6(3)A 3 , Z = 4, R ( F ) = 2.87%, R w ( F ) = 3.82% [1653 reflections with I > 3σ( I )]. BaMo 2 O 5 (SeO 3 ) 2 is a three-dimensional phase with respect to Mo–O–Mo and Mo–O–Se connectivity. Isolated, vertex-sharing pairs of MoO 6 octahedra are linked into a continuous network by pyramidal selenium atoms (as SeO 2− 3 selenite ions). The MoO 6 octahedra in BaMo 2 O 5 (SeO 3 ) 2 display a typical two short + two intermediate + two long Mo–O bond-distance distribution. Ten-coordinate barium cations provide charge compensation. Crystal data: BaMo 2 O 5 (SeO 3 ) 2 , M r = 663.13, orthorhombic, space group Cmc 2 1 (No. 36), a = 15.883(4)A, b = 7.887(2)A, c = 7.780(2)A, V = 974.5(4)A 3 , Z = 4, R ( F ) = 2.22%, R w ( F ) = 2.65% [943 reflections with I > 3σ( I )].
The synthesis and consolidation of hard materials by spark plasma sintering

Abstract Dense ceramic matrix composites consisting of boron carbide, titanium diboride, hafnium diboride were synthesized by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Specifically, a functionally graded boron carbide–aluminum composite with a precipitous microstructural gradient was created by a unique SPS die/punch off-set technique. Additionally, pseudo eutectic titanium diboride–boron carbide composites were synthesized by SPS using mechanically alloyed elemental powders. Lastly, hafnium diboride–20 vol.% silicon carbide composites were created from high energy ball milled precursor powders. This work demonstrates the SPS equipment’s promising potential to synthesize bulk, hard, refractory composites.
Unobstructed particle image velocimetry measurements within an axial turbo-pump using liquid and blades with matched refractive indices

Performing PIV measurements within complex turbomachinery with multiple blade rows is difficult due to the optical obstruction to the illuminating sheet and to the camera caused by the blades. This paper introduces a re- fractive index matched facility that overcomes this problem. The rotor and stator blades are made of transparent acrylic, and the working fluid has the same optical refractive index as the blades. A 64% by weight solution of sodium iodide in water is used for this purpose. This liquid has a kinematic viscosity of about 1.1·10 -6 m 2 /s, which is almost the same as that of water enabling operation at high Reynolds numbers. Issues related to operating with this fluid such as chemical stability, variations in transmittance and solutions to these problems are discussed. This setup allows full optical access to the entire rotor and stator passages both to the laser sheet and the camera. The experiments are conducted at different streamwise locations covering the entire flow fields around the rotor, the stator, the gap between them, and the wakes behind. Vector maps of the instantaneous and phase-aver- aged flow fields as well as the distribution of turbulent ki- netic energy are obtained. Measurements at different magnifications enable us to obtain an overview of the flow structure, as well as detailed velocity distributions in the boundary layers and in the wakes.
CHOICE, RACE, AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS: The Adoption and Implemention of a Magnet Program

: Attention to the role of choice in American schools has shifted from its effect on the racial composition of the student body to its potential effect on the quality of education provided to students. This article focuses on the adoption and implementation of a series of elementary level magnet schools in Montgomery County, Maryland, as a means for identifying some of the political and organizational dynamics likely to accompany an expanded reliance on prochoice mechanisms. Implementation of choice options in public school systems, it is concluded, will entail more difficult trade offs, higher levels of conflict, and a more affirmative role for the public sector than is commonly presumed.
Internal variables for relaxation phenomena in heat and mass transfer

Abstract A general theory is developed for relaxation phenomena in heat and mass transfer, based on an internal variables approach. The model equations are systematically derived from the description of the dissipation and the extended free energy of the system (Hamiltonian) in terms of the traditional (equilibrium) thermodynamic variables and internal variables characterizing heat and mass flux. The resulting equations generalize the most important from the previously used empirical models. The meaning of the internal variables is clarified through a comparison with the results of the kinetic theory of gases. Mass transfer relaxation phenomena in polymers are also discussed.
Magnetostatic surface wave straight-edge resonators

The performance of the magnetostatic surface wave straight-edge resonator (MSSW-SER) is presented. The resonator uses a rectangular YIG film to propagate MSSWs where the straight edge serves as a reflector. Problems arising from coupling to width mode resonances and their effect on the main resonance are investigated. Through a careful choice of YIG and transducer parameters, the interference effects of the width mode resonances with the main resonance are minimized. As a result, highQ tunable microwave resonators with a tuning range from 2–20 GHz, insertion loss less than 10 dB, and spurious rejection better than 10 dB could be designed and fabricated. This MSSW resonator could be used to construct a tunable low-phase-noise feedback oscillator. However, the tuning range of this MSW feedback oscillator is limited by the phase change of the external amplifier circuit.
An Exploratory Study of Pain, Coping, and Depressed Mood Following Burn Injury

The objectives of this descriptive study were to examine pain, coping, and depressed mood in patients with moderate to severe burn injuries. A secondary objective was to evaluate the appropriateness of prescribed analgesic regimens. Subjects (N = 31) reported high levels of pain intensity, pain distress, and depressed mood, and used many strategies to cope with their pain. The tendency to think the worst or catastrophize was positively associated with pain intensity (r = 0.51; P < .01) and pain distress (r = 0.42; P < 0.05). Depressed mood was significantly correlated with pain intensity (r = 0.45; P < 0.05), but not pain distress. A personal belief in control over pain (r = -0.45; P < 0.05) and one's ability to decrease pain (r = -0.48; P < 0.01) were negatively associated with depressed mood. Significant relationships also were found between severity of injury and depressed mood (r = 0.43; P < 0.05), and between surgical intensity and pain distress (r = 0.36; P < 0.05). Based on the pain management index, 91% of the routine and 84% of the procedural pain regimens were in the acceptable range. Generally, analgesics were prescribed on an "as needed" basis and subjects seldom received more than 50% of their prescribed dose. The finding that pain and depressed mood remain significant problems for burn-injured patients suggests that thoughtful pain assessment, pain management, and quality review are needed.
Conformations of the S +5 and S +6 homocyclic radical cations

According to both UB3LYP/6-311G* and UMP2/6-311G* calculations, the S homocyclic radical cation exists in only one conformer of Cs symmetry that undergoes a facile pseudorotation through a C2 transition state. A structure with D3d symmetry is predicted to be the global minimum for the S species. The current study uncovers the gradual transition from the conformational simplicity of smaller homocyclic sulfur cations, for which the rigidity of the rings apparently translates into a relatively weak influence of electron correlation effects on their relative energetics and geometries, to the conformational complexity of larger species, for which significant discrepancies between the predictions of different electronic structure methods are observed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2002
Is Tom Right?: An Extended Review of N. T. Wright's Justification: God's Plan and Paul's Vision

In this extended review I first describe Wright's complex account of the doctrine of justification in Paul, which combines emphases on the covenant, the lawcourt, Christ and eschatology and includes, further, important translation claims concerning ‘the righteousness of God’ as God's covenant faithfulness, ‘justification’ as vindication in a lawcourt setting, ‘works of law’ as sociological boundary markers, and ‘faith’ as speaking not infrequently of Christ's fidelity rather than the generic Christian's (although these last two things are not separate; the former grounds the latter making it a badge of Christian membership). I then suggest, second, that Wright needs to recognise more clearly a particular danger in the traditional approach to justification that he is trying to move beyond – ‘foundationalist individualism’, or ‘forward thinking’. That is, the traditional reading of justification in Paul understands him to be arguing and thinking forward, from a nasty, legalistic, and essentially Jewish, plight, to a solution which is a gospel generously grasped by faith alone. This narrative, rooted in a certain reading of Romans 1–4, creates a large number of difficulties. (It begins with natural theology. It characterises Judaism unfairly. It asks a lot of sinful individuals unenlightened by grace. And so on.) And I am not convinced that Wright's complex revisionist account of justification has avoided them all. In particular, (1) he continues to emphasise a particular notion of the lawcourt in Paul's argument and thereby unleashes an account of God's character primarily in terms of retributive justice and hence in terms of Western politics. (2) He tends to define the covenant before he has taken full account of christology. The covenant should be defined by christology, rather than the other way around. One sign that things have not been tied together here as they ought to be is the number of different definitions of Israel that Wright supplies – as many as four. Moreover (3) even his revisionist sociological account of ‘works of law’ reproduces a key difficulty in the older approach, i.e. a jaundiced description of Judaism. And (4) his account of faith in Abraham does not explicitly link Paul's controversial reification of Genesis 15:6 to a christological hermeneutic, as it needs to in order to avoid crass reductionism. But Wright's definitive account of Paul is not yet fully articulated, so suitable adjustments might well allay my concerns here, with various aspects of foundationalism presently appearing within his theological description.
Unique design issues in clinical trials of patients with bipolar affective disorder

Two National Institute of Mental Health-sponsored meetings of experts on bipolar illness (in 1989 and 1994) noted a paucity of clinical psychopharmacological trials in this illness which has now extended over the past two decades. One of the reasons elucidated for this neglect was a lack of agreement in the field as to what constituted an optimal clinical trial design, consequently resulting in low-priority scores for funding of studies in bipolar illness. In this paper, we note some of the characteristics of bipolar illness that make it particularly difficult to study and find such agreed upon trial designs. Some of the assets and liabilities of the well-accepted traditional parallel group, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial (RCT) are reviewed, and a series of other potential design options, such as crossover, enrichment, off-on-off-on (B-A-B-A), and N-of-1 trials, are discussed that may help to better address some of the unique clinical characteristics of bipolar illness. Finally, a variety of statistical approaches to analyzing data in off-on-off-on trial designs, and in helping to predetermine necessary durations of clinical trials in individual patients with bipolar disorders, are suggested. Acceptance of a wider variety of clinical trial designs may help facilitate the funding and accelerate the acquisition of new data on treatment of bipolar illness.
Partial purification and conversion of the particulate-bound diglyceride kinase ofEscherichia coli to a water soluble, detergent free state

Alkali (pH 11.5) treatment of a washed, ammonium sulfate-precipitated residue derived from a triton-X-100 extract of a 30,000 Xg particulate diglyceride kinase preparation ofE. coli converts much of the enzyme to a 100,000 Xg soluble, detergent free state. This procedure improves the enzyme as an analytical tool for the structural analysis of triglycerides, and may be applicable for the solubilization of the many other glyceride- and phosphoglyceride-forming enzymes which have all resisted further purification because of insoluble, particulate properties.
Defect Production in SiO2 by X-Ray and Co-60 Radiations

Hole trapping, interface-state production and annealing were studied in NMOS transistors irradiated with x-rays and Co-60. Hole trapping showed a photon energy dependence that can be explained by existing models. However, interface-state generation showed an energy dependence that cannot be explained using previously available models. The results given here suggest that hole production and trapping in the oxide may involve different mechanisms than the generation of interface states. In addition, annealing of hole trapping observed in what is called "super recovery" or "rebound" was found to be reversible.
Structure and phases of the Au(001) surface: In-plane structure

We present the results of an x-ray-scattering study of the structure and phases of the clean Au(001) surface between room temperature and the bulk melting temperature of 1337 K. These experiments were performed in the glancing-incidence geometry, using an ultrahigh-vacuum apparatus for x-ray surface scattering. Three distinct surface structural phases have been identified. In the high-temperature phase (1170T1337 K), the x-ray-diffraction pattern has the (1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1) symmetry of the bulk, consistent with a disordered surface layer. At about T=1170 K there is a reversible phase transition to an incommensurate, distorted-hexagonal structure. Below T=970 K the surface has a rotated, distorted-hexagonal structure in which both the incommensurability and the average rotation angle are weakly temperature dependent. In this phase the line shapes of the hexagonal diffraction peaks show hysteresis, and the length scale over which there exists in-plane order is reduced.
Assessing Whether Trust in God Offsets the Effects of Financial Strain on Health and Well-Being

Having trust in God is widely viewed as an essential component of many faith traditions (e.g., Christianity). Even so, researchers have paid relatively little attention to this core facet of religious life. The purpose of this study was to see if trust in God helps offset the effects of chronic economic problems on self-rated health, depressed affect, and life satisfaction. Data from a nationwide survey of middle-aged and older adults (N = 1,535) indicated that the effect of ongoing financial hardship on self-rated health, depressed affect scores, and life satisfaction was reduced for individuals who have greater trust in God.
An introduction to the law and economics of class action litigation

The consolidation of similar claims for compensation into a single large class of plaintiffs is referred to as “class action litigation.” This practice can have both social costs and social benefits. For an example of the social benefits of consolidating separate claims, if the facts giving rise to the claims are substantially similar, then there may be significant savings in litigation and court administrative costs from presenting those facts once rather a multitude of times. There may, however, be significant social costs to creating a class of litigants and consolidating their claims. For example, this practice may empower those with frivolous negative expected-value claims to wring an unwarranted settlement from the defendant or defendants. The article surveys other sources of social cost and benefit from class-action litigation, reviews the empirical literature on these actions, and examines recent U.S. policy debates about reforming class-action litigation. The article concludes that class-action litigation can have substantial net social benefits but only if courts assiduously oversee the class certification process so as to identify and forestall the social-cost-generating aspects of class-action litigation.
Controlled degradation of disulfide-based epoxy thermosets for extreme environments

Abstract The burgeoning field of smart materials for oil exploration and production (E&P) demands robust polymers that remain stable in extreme conditions, but readily respond to specific chemical cues. Here, disulfide-based epoxy polymers are designed to withstand harsh, simulated oil reservoir conditions while simultaneously retaining the ability to degrade from thiol compounds. Degradable epoxy thermosets are prepared by using Bisphenol-F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE) in combination with blends of p,p′-diaminodicyclohexylmethane (PACM) and 4-aminophenyl disulfide (4APDS). These polymer systems retain their mechanical properties after exposure to extreme conditions (e.g., two weeks, 69 MPa, 100 °C, pH 12), but degrade in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). Parameters that influence polymer degradation are detailed including temperature, concentration of disulfide groups, and monomer stoichiometry. Formulations that entirely dissolve after exposure to 2-ME are utilized further for release of prototype tracers. Disulfide-based epoxy thermosets provide a unique platform for applications in harsh environments requiring robust materials capable of on-demand degradation.
Hematological changes induced by C5a agonist peptides in mice

Abstract C5a has been implicated in early mobilization (15 to 30 minutes) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (Molendijk et al., 1986). This study examined the effects of response-selective C5a peptides on the hematological parameters in mice. The C5a peptides used were YSFKPMPLaR (I) and YSFKD(NMeNle)PlaR (II). A time course and dose response study using peptide I was performed in C5B1/6 mice. Mice were injected intravenously via the lateral tail vein with 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg peptide I. Control mice received saline. At 15, 30 and 60 minutes post-injection the mice were exsanguinated and the peripheral blood collected as well as bone marrow and spleen for determination of WBC, RBC, platelets, differentials and progenitor cells. No toxicity was noted. A time dependent and dose dependent neutropenia was seen with a maximum effect at 15 minutes post-injection with 10 mg/kg peptide I that returned to normal levels by 60 minutes. Interesting, the volume of blood obtained from the mice receiving peptide I was decreased at the early time points. No mobilization of progenitor cells was noted. Use of peptide II at 1 mg/kg for 15 and 30 minutes post-injection had no effect on the hematological parameters measured. Use of another strain of mouse (DBA/2) also showed no hematological effects of peptide I except doubling of circulating progenitor cells. C5a agonist peptide induced hematological effects were peptide and strain dependent.
Corticotropin regulation of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5→4-isomerase in ovine adrenocortical cells : inhibition by transforming growth factor β

In the steroidogenic pathway, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase (3 beta-HSD) is a key enzyme which controls the formation of delta 4-3-ketosteroids from delta 5-3-beta-hydroxysteroids. Herein, we used primary cultures of ovine adrenocortical (OAC) cells to study the effects of ACTH and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) on 3 beta-HSD activity, protein and mRNA levels. TGF-beta has been previously reported to be a potent inhibitor of steroid formation in OAC cells. By using an antibody against human placental 3 beta-HSD, we showed that ACTH-treatment had a dose- and time-dependent stimulatory effect on 3 beta-HSD protein amount. This effect was maximal using 10(-9) M ACTH after a 48 h treatment. When included in the treatment medium, TFG-beta inhibited this stimulation by ACTH in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We also used a human 3 beta-HSD cDNA probe to demonstrate that the effect of both ACTH and TFG-beta were exerted at the mRNA level with maximal effects observed using 10(-9) M for ACTH and 1 ng/ml for TGF-beta. Bu2cAMP mimicked the effects of ACTH, and TGF-beta had an inhibitory effect on this stimulation. It appears from these data that TGF-beta is a negative regulator of 3 beta-HSD expression in OAC cells. The inhibitory effect of TGF-beta on 3 beta-HSD was contrasted to the TGF-beta effect on 17 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 (P-45017 alpha). While the levels of both enzymes decreased, that of 3 beta-HSD was less sensitive than that of P-45017 alpha which decreased following TGF-beta treatment to non-detectable levels. The different sensitivities of steroidogenic enzymes to factors which regulate growth and differentiation such as TGF-beta may play a role in determining the nature of steroids released from adrenocortical cells.
Reactivity of Blood Group Substances of Neoplastic Oral Epithelium

Histologic sections of 15 biopsy samples of normal oral mucosa and 8 biopsy samples of malignant oral carcinoma from patients with A, B, or AB blood groups were treated with anti-A or anti-B human antiserum and then with fluorescein isothiocyanate-bound goat antihuman globulin. Normal cells fluoresced intensely. Fluorescence of malignant cells was diminished or lost.
Microfauna of the Chalk

Gives a list showing the constitution of Chalk (Cretaceous) material from Bostal and Halling, Kent, England.
Reliability based optimal design of water distribution networks considering life cycle components

Water distribution systems play an important role in supplying water to consumers in a timely and efficient manner. The importance and complexity of such systems lead to extensive research in the area of optimal design of water distribution networks. Traditionally, only system costs are considered in design with few models incorporating environmental impacts. This paper presents a model for designing sustainable water distribution networks by minimising life cycle costs and life cycle CO2 emissions, while ensuring hydraulic reliability for the life time of the system. The model integrates a multi-objective genetic algorithm with water network simulation software, EPANET. A traditional benchmark water distribution network is used to demonstrate the model. Eight scenarios have been developed to test and validate the model for a variety of objectives with different constraints. Trade-offs between life cycle costs and life cycle emissions, along with hydraulic reliability of the system are illustrated.