cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
International Normalized Ratio Does Not Predict Gastrointestinal Bleeding After Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients With Cirrhosis.

Background Cirrhosis is often accompanied by an elevated international normalized ratio (INR) due to a decrease in pro-coagulant factors. An elevated INR in cirrhosis is often interpreted as an increased risk of bleeding. There are a paucity of data in the literature on the use of INR to predict risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with cirrhosis. The aims of the study were to determine if there is a correlation between INR and GIB following ERCP in patients with cirrhosis, and to determine if there is a difference in frequency of post-ERCP complications in patients with and without cirrhosis. Methods A retrospective review of all ERCP procedures was performed at a tertiary care institution between 2012 and 2015. We identified ERCPs performed in patients with cirrhosis and compared them to a randomly selected group without liver cirrhosis. Univariate analysis was performed using Chi-square and ANOVA tests. A multivariable logistic regression model using generalized estimating equations was used to examine the association between INR and GIB. Results There were a total of 1,610 ERCPs performed from 2012 to 2015 with 129 performed in 56 patients with cirrhosis compared with 392 ERCPs performed in 310 patients without cirrhosis. There was no difference in the frequency of GIB following ERCP in both groups (P = 0.117). However, there was a difference in overall complications between both groups (P = 0.007), but no difference observed amongst Child-Turcotte-Pugh classes (P = NS). In a multivariable analysis, sphincterotomy during ERCP (odds ratio (OR) = 3.22; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05 - 9.94; P = 0.042) and cirrhosis (OR = 3.58; 95% CI: 1.22 - 10.47; P = 0.02) were significant for predicting GIB. Anti-coagulation (OR = 2.90; 95% CI: 0.82 - 10.23; P = 0.097) and INR were not significant in the multivariable model (OR = 2.09; 95% CI: 0.85 - 5.12; P = 0.10). Conclusion There was a statistical difference in overall complications between patients with and without cirrhosis but no difference was observed amongst Child-Turcotte-Pugh classes. Overall, INR was not a significant factor in predicting risk of bleeding in patients after ERCP.
Secrecy capacity of minimum storage regenerating codes

This paper revisits the problem of designing secure minimum storage regenerating (MSR) codes for distributed storage systems (DSS). A secure MSR code ensures that a DSS does not reveal the stored information to a passive eavesdropper. The eavesdropper is assumed to have access to the content stored on £i number of storage nodes in the system and the data downloaded during the bandwidth efficient repair of an additional £2 number of storage nodes. This paper combines the Gabidulin codes based precoding [1] and a new construction of MSR codes (without security requirements) by Ye and Barg [2] in order to obtain secure MSR codes. Such optimal secure MSR codes were previously known only in the setting where the eavesdropper was allowed to observe the repair of £2 nodes among a specific subset of k nodes [1], [3]. The secure coding scheme presented in this paper allows the eavesdropper to observe repair of any £ 2 out of n nodes in the system and characterizes the secrecy capacity of linear repairable MSR codes.
Changes in the Mechanisms Causing Rapid Drought Cessation in the Southeastern United States

The synoptic processes that end droughts are poorly understood, yet have significant climatological implications. Here we examined the spatiotemporal patterns of rapid drought cessation (RDC) in the southeastern United States during the1979–2013 warm season (April–November) for three storm types: Frontal, Tropical, and Air mass. We defined RDC as a 1 month shift in soil moisture sufficient to alleviate an existing drought. We found that 73% of all warm-season droughts were ended by RDC events and the three storm-type groups ended droughts over similar spatial areas. Frontal storms were the most frequent mechanism for RDC events, yet their occurrences significantly decreased and were negatively related to increases in Northern Hemisphere air temperatures. Projected future warming in the Northern Hemisphere suggests a continued decline in the frequency and relative contribution of Frontal storms as RDC events, potentially influencing the timing and spatial scale of drought cessation in the southeastern U.S.
Leading and Learning to Change: The Role of Leadership Style and Mindset in Error Learning and Organizational Change

Change and innovation are increasingly critical to organizational survival, as well as sustained success. While it is common to discuss mistakes as critical components of the learning process, how ...
Being together as a family

The mothers and fathers of six newborn infants, hospitalised for gastro-intestinal surgery were interviewed about their needs. Parental needs were categorised into the theoretical concepts of 'coming to terms', 'developing understanding' and 'achieving contact' with the dominant theme for parents being that of 'seeking to be together as a family unit'. Nursing interventions in this context should be aimed at addressing these needs.
Cataluña and Castilla, Noucentisme and avant-garde: towards a reading of Salvador Dalí’s Autorretrato cubista (1923)

Salvador Dali’s Autorretrato cubista is his only major painting done predominantly in the style of Analytic Cubism, although it also incorporates various examples of collage, typically associated w...
IGC: the open source Intel graphics compiler

With increasing general purpose programming capability, GPUs have become the mainstay for a wide variety of compute intensive tasks from cloud to edge computing. Because of its availability on nearly every desktop and mobile processor that Intel ships, Intel integrated GPU offers a plethora of opportunities for researchers and application developers to make significant real-world impact. In this paper we present the Intel Graphics Compiler (IGC), the LLVM-based production compiler for Intel HD and Iris graphics. IGC supports all major graphics and compute APIs, and its OpenCL compute stack including compute runtime, compiler frontend and backend, and architecture specification is fully open-source, giving a unique opportunity for developers to optimize the entire stack. We highlight several custom optimizations that address the challenges for GPU compilation. Examples include SIMD size selection, divergence analysis, instruction scheduling, addressing mode selection, and redundant copy elimination. These optimizations take advantage of features in the Intel GPU architecture such as a larger register file, indirect register addressing, and multiple memory adressing modes. Experimental results show that our optimizations deliver significant speedup on a number of OpenCL benchmarks; compared to the baseline, we see a geometric mean of 12% speed up across benchmarks with a peak gain of 45%.
Rule 60(b)(4): When the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Yield to Finality

It is basic hornbook law—affirmed by courts across time and space repeatedly and unequivocally—that subject-matter jurisdiction cannot be waived. However, in the context of a Rule 60(b)(4) motion seeking relief from a void final judgment after the time for appeal has expired, the onerous standard of review used by courts causes subject-matter jurisdiction to be practically—and frequently—waived in favor of the finality of the judgment. While an onerous standard is tolerable where the court issuing the judgment explicitly found subject-matter jurisdiction, an onerous standard is unacceptable where the court did not do so in light of the federal courts’ limited jurisdiction, and the normal standard for subject-matter jurisdiction used during litigation should be applied. INTRODUCTION 882 I. THE CONFUSING STANDARDS OF SUBJECT-MATTER JURISDICTION UNDER RULE 60(b)(4) 884 A. What Little Guidance from the Supreme Court 884 B. The Federal Courts of Appeals Mind the Gaps 887 C. Commentator Disagreement 892 II. THE ORDINARY STANDARDS REGARDING SUBJECTMATTER JURISDICTION 894 A. Rule 12(b)(1) and Subject-Matter Jurisdiction Generally 894 B. Comparison 897 C. The Constitutionality of Rule 60(b)(4) 899 III. THE POLICIES UNDERLYING THE RULE 900 IV. RECOMMENDATIONS 902 A. The Policy 903 B. The Law 904 * J.D., expected May 2014, University of Florida Levin College of Law. B.A., Mathematics & Sociology, May 2011, University of Florida. I would like to thank Professor Paul R. Gugliuzza for reading an earlier draft of this Note, as well as for his counsel throughout the writing process, and Professor Amy R. Mashburn for her counsel in understanding the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Finally, I would also like to thank Robin Lucas for being my note advisor and the members of the Florida Law Review for all their hard work. 1 Ludovici: Rule 60(b)(4): When the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Yield to F Published by UF Law Scholarship Repository, 2015 882 FLORIDA LAW REVIEW [Vol. 66 C. Implementation 908 CONCLUSION 910
Inactivation of Salmonella enterica and Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 in cumin seeds by radiofrequency heating

Abstract Radiofrequency (RF) heating was evaluated as a novel spice decontamination technology of cumin seeds. A plastic pouch with 20 g inoculated cumin seeds was placed at the top center of a tray (16.5 cm length × 13 cm width at the top tapering down to 14 × 10 cm at the bottom with 4 cm height) containing 430 g of uninoculated cumin seeds in the same tray. The top center of the tray containing cumin seeds was found to be the cold spot by monitoring temperature profiles at six different locations using fiber optic sensors in a 6 kW 27.12 MHz RF system. Either Salmonella enterica cocktail or Enterococcus faecium was inoculated into cumin seeds for microbial challenge studies in RF heating. The whole tray was subjected to various processing times until 5-log reduction of Salmonella was achieved. After the same RF heating times, E. faecium consistently showed higher survivals than those of Salmonella in all three batches of cumin samples, demonstrating the suitability of E. faecium as a surrogate of Salmonella during RF heating. There were no significant differences in cumin quality before and after RF treatment. Particle sizes and bulk densities of all three batches samples were measured. Batch 1 had a much larger particle size and lower bulk density than those of batch 2 and batch 3. These differences in material properties influenced RF heating rate. Therefore, production lot (batch) variation due to these different material properties requires stricter process control parameters for RF microbial inactivation. Cold spot temperature and moisture content of cumin seeds are two critical process control parameters for RF microbial inactivation, in addition to electrode gap in a certain RF system. RF heating is suitable for decontaminating cumin seeds with no significant changes in relative composition of all volatile components.
The Role of the Nurse Disaster Preparedness Coordinator at a Large Suburban Teaching Hospital

Introduction:Mass casualty incidents, whether man-made or natural, are occurring with increasing frequency and severity. Hospitals and health systems across the United States are striving to be more rigorously prepared more such incidents. Following a mass shooting in 2012 and significant growth and expansion of our hospital and health system in the following years, a need was identified for more staff to support preparedness efforts.Aim:To discuss the roles and responsibilities of Nurse Disaster Preparedness Coordinator (NDPC), a dedicated position in the Emergency Department (ED).Methods:The role of Nurse Disaster Preparedness Coordinator was implemented in 2016, is a part-time position in the Emergency Department and reports to the ED Manager while working closely with the ED Director of Emergency Preparedness and the hospital Emergency Manager. The role addresses all areas of the emergency management continuum, from planning and mitigation to response and recovery.Results:The NDPC’s responsibilities fall into the categories of all-hazards preparedness, chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) response, and general nursing practice. All-hazards preparedness includes ED staff training, policy and procedure development, and liaising with hospital emergency manager to coordinate hospital-wide efforts. CBRNE response includes the training and maintenance of a patient decontamination team, a high-risk infectious disease team, and their equipment. General nursing practice addresses research, nursing indicators as they apply to disasters, promoting evidence-based practice, and community outreach.Discussion:A dedicated Nurse Disaster Preparedness Coordinator has allowed transition from intermittent larger exercises to a regular and frequent exercise schedule and better application of full-scale exercises. Overall, the creation of the role has strengthened hospital readiness for mass casualty incidents while alleviating the vast scope of emergency management responsibilities for a large suburban hospital.
Tinkering alone and together: Tracking the emergence of children's projects in a library workshop

Abstract The Maker Movement has inspired educators, mentors, and parents to teach and learn with children through a wide range of activities called making. This article describes children's ways of problem solving while engaging in a special kind of making described as tinkering using a broad constructionist (Papert, 1983) theoretical perspective of learning as active meaning making while building constructions. We present three tinkering projects created by children along with the emergent problem-solving associated with each project. Each case is unique in terms of the tinkering and problem-solving process, nature of materials used, and the social interactions that support it. Our findings indicate how tinkering projects mediate the intersection of personal and public, physical and intellectual, and enable the navigation of material, social, and intellectual domains. These findings are situated in existing research in the area of problem solving while designing and tinkering, and implications for future learning are considered.
Prehospital management of pediatric asthma patients in a large emergency medical services system.

BACKGROUND Asthma is a common pediatric diagnosis for emergency medical services (EMS) transports, however there is a paucity of data on prehospital asthma management. The purpose of this study was to describe prehospital management of pediatric patients with suspected asthma exacerbation. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of electronic medical records from 24 ground EMS agencies in Southwestern Pennsylvania between 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2017. We identified patients 2 to 17 years with documented wheezing, excluding those with suspected anaphylaxis. Patients with documented respiratory distress were classified as severe asthma. We report descriptive statistics of demographics, vital signs, and management including administration of medications and performance of procedures. RESULTS Of 19 246 pediatric transports, 1078 (5.6%) patients had wheezing. Of these, 532 (49%) met criteria for severe asthma. Patients with severe asthma were more likely to be adolescents compared to those with nonsevere asthma (49.6% vs 6%; P < .001). While rates of intravenous methylprednisolone administration were higher in patients with severe asthma (68/532, 12.8%) compared to those with nonsevere asthma (13/546, 2.4%; P < .001), overall use of steroids was low (7.5%). Other therapies provided included albuterol (n = 699, 64.8%), ipratropium bromide (n = 271, 25.1%), and oxygen (n = 280, 26.0%). One hundred eighty patients (16.7%) received a peripheral IV line. Two patients (0.4%) were given continuous positive airway pressure. CONCLUSION Approximately 6% of pediatric EMS transports are for asthma. Steroid usage was low in even those with severe asthma, representing an area of process improvement. These data provide a baseline to future research to identify interventions that may improve outcomes.
Prediction of initial transient behavior with stationary heating during laser powder bed fusion processes

Abstract Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) has become a popular additive manufacturing process. To minimize the need to perform experimental trial-and-error based searching, physical models can be used to determine process parameters to achieve desirable process conditions. In this paper, a physics-based predictive model is presented to describe the underlying physics of L-PBF during the initial highly transient process of molten pool and keyhole formation during spot heating, i.e., zero-velocity, finite-duration laser energy addition to a Ti-6Al-4V/Ti-6Al-4V powder bed system. The simulation presented herein uses a computationally-efficient volumetric energy addition method to describe energy transfer to the particles during melting and ray-tracing to account for attenuated beam energy reaching the substrate through the powder bed. Validation of the model was performed against imagery captured from synchrotron measurements of a static L-PBF process which showed a keyhole welding mode for each of two power settings. The model presented herein was able to describe the laser energy absorption, molten bead formation, keyhole welding mode, and showed excellent correlation of keyhole and molten bead dimensions for each of the cases presented.
Resistance to Novel β-Lactam-β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations: The "Price of Progress".

Significant advances were made in antibiotic development during the past 5 years. Novel agents were added to the arsenal that target critical priority pathogens, including multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales. Of these, 4 novel β-lactam-β-lactamase inhibitor combinations (ceftolozane-tazobactam, ceftazidime-avibactam, meropenem-vaborbactam, and imipenem-cilastatin-relebactam) reached clinical approval in the United States. With these additions comes a significant responsibility to reduce the possibility of emergence of resistance. Reports in the rise of resistance toward ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam are alarming. Clinicians and scientists must make every attempt to reverse or halt these setbacks.
High-fat feeding disrupts daily eating behavior rhythms in obesity-prone but not in obesity-resistant male inbred mouse strains

Abnormal meal timing, like skipping breakfast and late-night snacking, is associated with obesity in humans. Disruption of daily eating rhythms also contributes to obesity in mice. When fed a high-fat diet, male C57BL/6J mice have disrupted eating behavior rhythms and they become obese. In contrast to obesity-prone C57BL/6J mice, some inbred strains of mice are resistant to high-fat diet-induced obesity. In this study, we sought to determine whether there are distinct effects of high-fat feeding on daily eating behavior rhythms in obesity-prone and obesity-resistant male mice. Male obesity-prone (C57BL/6J and 129X1/SvJ) and obesity-resistant (SWR/J and BALB/cJ) mice were fed low-fat diet or high-fat diet for 6 wk. Consistent with previous studies, obesity-prone male mice gained more weight and adiposity during high-fat diet feeding than obesity-resistant male mice. The amplitude of the daily rhythm of eating behavior was markedly attenuated in male obesity-prone mice fed high-fat diet, but not in obesity-resistant males. In contrast, high-fat feeding did not differentially affect locomotor activity rhythms in obesity-prone and obesity-resistant male mice. Together, these data suggest that regulation of the daily rhythm of eating may underlie the propensity to develop diet-induced obesity in male mice.
Mangrove Mapping with the Freeman-Durden Polarimetric Decomposition and Insar Coherence from ALOS-2

We map mangrove extents in Pongara National Park, Gabon using the Freeman-Durden Decomposition and InSAR Coherence derived from ALOS-2 imagery. Specifically, we obtain a land cover map derived from both this polarimetric decomposition and a 14-day repeat-pass coherence. Our classification model and results are highly interpretable based on a depth 2 decision tree. We further illustrate the correlation between InSAR coherence and height obtaining rough mangrove height estimates from TanDEM-X data. From our results, we observe that repeat-pass interferometric coherence provides invaluable information about mangrove extents and coastal forests. The clear identification of mangrove extents presents a significant opportunity for NISAR, which will provide 12-day repeat pass images over coastal areas globally.
Sacroiliac joint stabilization using implants provide better fixation in females compared to males: a finite element analysis.

This study’s objective was to assess biomechanical parameters across fused and contralateral sacroiliac joints (SIJs) and implants during all spinal motions for both sexes. Various SIJ implant devices on the market are used in minimally invasive surgeries. These implants are placed across the joint using different surgical approaches. The biomechanical effects of fusion surgical techniques in males and females have not been studied. The validated finite element models of a male, and a female spine–pelvis–femur were unilaterally instrumented across the SIJ using three screws for two SIJ implants, half threaded and fully threaded screws placed laterally and posteriorly to the joint, respectively. Motion and peak stress data at the SIJs showed that the female model exhibited lower stresses and higher reduction in motion at the contralateral SIJ in all motions than the male model predictions with 84% and 71% reductions in motion and stresses across the SIJ. Implants exhibited higher stresses in the female model compared to the male model. However, chances of SIJ implant failure in the female patients are still minimal, based on the calculated factor of safety which is still very high. Both lateral and posterior surgical approaches were effective in both sexes; however, the lateral approach may provide a better biomechanical response, especially for females. Moreover, implant design characteristics did not make a difference in the implants' biomechanical performance. SIJ stabilization was primarily provided by the implants which were the farthest from the sacrum rotation center.
Tuberculosis in pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplantation patients

Five children with malignancies (3 hematologic, 1 medulloblastoma, 1 hepatoblastoma) and one bone marrow transplant patient were treated for tuberculosis over a 30-year period. Three had pulmonary disease, 3 disseminated tuberculosis, and 1 had scrofula. Four of five had positive tuberculin skin tests, cultures were positive in 5/6 children. One child died of disseminated TB after engraftment, and one child had hepatotoxicity likely related to tuberculosis therapy. All cases were potentially preventable had they been screened due to established risk factors of foreign birth (4/6) or parental foreign birth (2/6). All children should be screened for latent tuberculosis before chemotherapy.
High-power monolithic semiconductor diode lasers

The basic requirements for obtaining high CW output powers from monolithic diode lasers will be presented and discussed. Means for increasing the diodes’ wallplug efficiencies as well as reliable output powers will be covered. How to achieve stable, high (spatially) coherent powers will be treated for two device types: conventional waveguides and active photonic lattices. While most high-power devices are edge emitters, two-dimensional grating-surface-emitters are ideally suited for extracting watt-range coherent powers from semiconductors as well as for scalability at the wafer level, thus holding the potential for tens of watts of coherent power from monolithic sources.
Human corneal ablation threshold using the 193-nm ArF excimer laser.

PURPOSE. To determine the human corneal threshold ablation energy density for the 193-nm ArF excimer laser, approximating clinical conditions. METHODS. The VISX Star (Santa Clara, CA) 193-nm argon fluoride excimer laser was used to ablate the cornea in human eye bank eyes under clinical conditions. Corneas were exposed to energy densities of 10, 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 140 to 160 mJ/cm 2 . Corneas were fixed for light and transmission electron microscopy immediately after laser exposure. RESULTS. Different ablation thresholds for various corneal structural elements were observed. The ablation threshold for the collagen in the corneal stroma was determined to be 30 mJ/cm 2 . Keratocytes had ablation thresholds of 40 mJ/cm 2 . These different ablation thresholds accounted for the production of stromal peaks and valleys, with the keratocytes atop the peaks. CONCLUSIONS. Different corneal structural elements have different ablation threshold energy densities.
One or More Serum Factors Promote Peptide Utilization in Cultured Animal Cells

We have shown previously that MACT-T and C 2 C 12 cells utilize methionine-containing di- to octapeptides as methionine sources for protein accretion and cell proliferation in the presence of 60 mL/L desalted fetal bovine serum. In this study, serum factors that may regulate the use of peptides as amino acid sources in C 2 C 12 and MAC-T cells were examined. The basal media contained methionine-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 4.0 mL/L bovine serum lipids, 10 mUL chemically defined lipid concentrate, bovine insulin (1 mg/L), 30 mL/L low protein serum replacement (LPSR-1) or 60 mL/L desalted animal serum. Treatment media included basal media supplemented with no methionine, L-methionine, or one of the methionine-containing peptides. L-Methionine promoted protein and DNA accretion (P < 0.05) in the presence of desalted animal sera, insulin or LPSR-1. Methionine-containing peptides also promoted protein and DNA accretion (P < 0.05) in the presence of desalted animal sera or LPSR-1, but not with insulin, except methionylleucine. In a cell-free medium, fetal bovine serum hydrolyzed peptides to varying degrees. We conclude that animal sera contain one or more factors that regulate utilization of peptides as amino acid sources for C 2 C 12 and MAC-T cells.
Formation of Nitrate from 3-Nitropropionate by Aspergillus flavus

Extracts of the hyphae of a nitrifying strain of Aspergillus flavus formed nitrite and nitrate from 3-nitropropionate. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide enhanced the production of nitrate but not nitrite, whereas cysteine and diethyldithiocarbamate increased nitrite but diminished nitrate synthesis. Quinacrine reduced the extent of conversion of the nitro compound to nitrite and nitrate, but only the inhibition of nitrite formation was completely reversed by flavine coenzymes. Molecular oxygen was essential for this part of the nitrification sequence. 3-Chloropropionate stimulated the oxidation of nitrite by hyphae or enzyme preparations. Although the fungus contained a noncytochrome-linked nitrite-oxidizing enzyme, partially purified preparations free of this enzyme formed both nitrite and nitrate from 3-nitropropionate. Possible mechanisms of this latter stage of heterotrophic nitrification are discussed.
Study of the levels of 77,79,81,83Br with the 76,78,80,82Se(3He, d) reaction

Abstract Differential cross-section data were obtained for an incident 3He energy of 24.0 MeV for the 76,78,80,82Se(3He, d) 77,79,81,83Br reactions. Excitation energies for 42 states in 77Br, 45 states in 79Br, 30 states in 81Br, and 36 states in 83Br were measured with a magnetic spectrograph; the 82Se(3He, d) 83Br Q-value was also measured and found to be 3207.4 ± 5.6 keV. Angular distributions are compared with the predictions of the DWBA theory to determine lp values, parities, and spectroscopic factors. Assignments of lp have been made for 30 states in 77Br, 26 states in 79Br, 25 states in 81Br, and 21 states in 83Br. Spin assignments for a total of 9 states that have lp = 0 are made. Spectroscopic factors for low-lying states are compared to the predictions of intermediate-coupling model wave functions and the summed spectroscopic factors for the lp = 1, 3, and 4 states are compared to the total limit for the 2 p 3 2 , 1 f 5 2 , 2 p 1 2 and 1 g 9 2 shell-model orbitals.
Complementary Log Regression for Generalized Linear Models

Abstract Use and implementation of the complementary log regression model are discussed, integrating various separate applications of the model under the form of a generalized linear model. Some motivation is drawn from cases where an underlying random variable is reduced to a dichotomous form. Estimation and testing are facilitated by recognizing the complementary log as a specific link function within a generalized linear framework. Testing for goodness of link via efficient scores is also discussed.
Frequency spectrum of a general Vicsek fractal.

The nature of the frequency spectrum of a Vicsek fractal of any stage has been predicted using an analysis based on local symmetry and self-similarity. The analysis was carried out for transverse vibrations of the fractal with nearest-neighbor interactions. The complete frequency spectrum was found to contain both nondegenerate and degenerate components. The degenerate component of the frequency spectrum of the nth-stage fractal consists of threefold degenerate, D 2 -fold degenerate,..., and D n -fold degenerate modes with D 2 =8 and D n =5D n-1 -8 for n≥3. In particular, D 2 -fold degenerate, D 3 -fold degenerate modes,..., etc., are all persistent modes
Aging-associated neuropathology in Werner syndrome

Werner syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with evidence of accelerated systemic aging, but generally thought not to involve the central nervous system. We examined two WS cases utilizing a sensitive Bielschowsky silver stain and immunohistochemistry for amyloid β peptide (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau. Extensive frontal and temporal lobe Aβ deposition was observed in the oldest (age 57 years) WS case and restricted neurofibrillary pathology was seen in the medial temporal lobe of both cases. The severity of Aβ deposition in the medial temporal lobe of the oldest case exceeded that observed in our control cases and that reported in the literature. Our findings suggest that the apparent accelerated aging observed in WS can involve the central nervous system and may implicate the recently observed WRN locus mutation associated with WS in the neuropathology of aging and aging-associated diseases.
The Temporal Association between Substance Use and Intimate Partner Violence among Women Arrested for Domestic Violence

Objective: There is a paucity of research on the temporal association between substance use and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and victimization, especially among women arrested for domestic violence. The current study examined whether the probability of IPV perpetration and victimization increases following alcohol or drug use relative to days of no use among women arrested for domestic violence. Method: Women arrested for domestic violence and court referred to batterer intervention programs who met criteria for hazardous drinking participated in the current study (N = 105). Women who reported drinking 4 or more drinks on 1 occasion at least once per month for the past 6 months were considered hazardous drinkers. Violence and substance use were assessed with the Timeline Followback Interviews for substance use and IPV. Results: Women were more likely to perpetrate physical violence on a drinking day (OR = 10.58; 95% CI [5.38, 20.79]) and on a heavy drinking day (OR = 12.81; 95% CI [8.10, 33.57]), relative to a nondrinking day. Women were more likely to be victimized by physical violence on a drinking day (OR = 5.22; 95% CI [2.79, 9.77]) and on a heavy drinking day (OR = 6.16; 95% CI [3.25, 11.68]), relative to a nondrinking day. They were more likely to be victims of sexual coercion (OR = 6.06; 95% CI [1.19, 30.80]) on a cocaine use day relative to a nonuse day. Conclusions: Alcohol use was temporally associated with physical violence perpetration and victimization, and cocaine use was temporally associated with sexual coercion victimization, suggesting that substance use should be targeted in batterer intervention programs for women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland.A clinicopathologic study of 40 cases

The clinical records and pathologic material of 40 patients with histologically proven medullary carcinoma of the thyroid seen at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 1949-71 were reviewed and analyzed. Patients were 20-75 years old with an average of 47.4 years. There was a 21/19 male to female ratio. A neck mass was the most common presenting sign. Only 3 patients had a family history of thyroid carcinoma; none presented with pheochromocytoma or multiple mucosal neuromas. The histologic appearance of the primary lesions showed a variation in cellular morphology as well as pattern of growth. This variability was not only evident within the primary lesion but in the metastatic sites as well. Many observers are unwilling to diagnose medullary carcinoma in the absence of amyloid deposition and are unaware of the variability in the histologic appearance of this tumor. In those patients having a radical neck dissection as part of the initial therapy or at a later date there was a 66.7% 10-year survival while in the patients not having a radical neck dissection the 10-year survival rate was slightly less than 43%. Several of the cases had multifocal thyroid involvement and 75% had proven cervical lymph node metastases. Therefore it is felt that treatment should include at least a total thyroid lobectomy in conjunction with radical neck dissection. (Authors modified)
Foliar phenolics of nebraska sandhills prairie graminoids: Between-years, seasonal, and interspecific variation.

Because of their potential as antiherbivore defenses, plant phenolics elicit considerable attention. We made quantitative and qualitative analyses of phenolics, alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, and saponins in the dominant graminoids of a Nebraska Sandhills prairie. We examined the foliage of seven species:Agropyron smithii Rydb.,Andropogon hallii Hack.,Andropogon scoparius Michx.,Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K) Lag. ex Griffiths,Calamovilfa longifolia (Hook.) Scribn.,Carex heliophila Mack., andStipa comata Trin & Rupr. Their leaves contain low levels of phenolics that vary significantly among species. A more detailed examination of the three species with the highest levels of phenolics showed among-year, seasonal, and spatial heterogeneity in the levels of total phenolics. In all seven species, the majority of the specific phenolics present have the Chromatographic properties of phenylpropanoids and are likely to be present as sugar-linked derivatives such as free glycosides or cell wall-bound phenolics. These species do not contain condensed tannins. The absence of other common kinds of secondary metabolites indicates that these graminoids are unlikely to have significant chemical defenses, at least in terms of substances likely to be active against mammalian herbivores. In this, they exemplify the situation thought typical for prairie graminoids.
Design of Object-Oriented Water Quality Software System

Software models are important for the evaluation and management of environmental resources. This paper presents a framework for developing a software system for water quality analysis of river ecosystems. A major component of the system is a database that permits inclusion of analytical water quality and sediment data, river geometry and sampling site characteristics, hydrologic measurements, and reference information on water quality parameters and criteria. Associated with the database is software for managing, analyzing, and representing the information in the database. An object-oriented strategy is applied to derive a model of the software system. The resulting object-oriented design is then translated into an entity-relationship model, which is in turn translated into a relational model. The formality of this translation process ensures consistency among the successive design stages. The overall development approach to system design and implementation is described, and an application for evaluating water quality conditions in the lower Mississippi River is presented.
Carbohydrate status and postharvest leaf chlorosis of miniature roses as influenced by carbon dioxide enrichment

Abstract The effect of CO2 enrichment on carbohydrate status and postharvest leaf chlorosis of potted ‘Meijikatar’ miniature roses was investigated. Plants were grown in 350, 700 or 1050 μl l−1 CO2 until they reached flower bud coloration and placed into dark storage at 4°C or 16°C for 5 days to simulate shipping before placing in an interior environment with a photon flux of 30 μmol m−2 s−1 from cool white fluorescent light source for postharvest evaluation. Stomatal resistance was increased (∼25%) and aperture was decreased (∼36%) by 700 or 1050 compared to 350 μ1 1−1 CO2. The higher CO2 levels slightly (10%) increased leaf sucrose concentration, had no effect on stem sucrose concentration, and had little effect on whole plant reducing sugars. Leaf and stem starch concentration increased over three-fold as CO2 increased from 350 to 700 μ1 1−1. Regardless of storage temperature, carbon dioxide enrichment did not affect the overall visual quality or percentage leaf chlorosis after 5 days in the interior environment. Regardless of CO2 level, plants stored at 16°C showed three-fold increase in leaf chlorosis compared to plants stored at 4°C. Although CO2 enrichment increased the carbohydrate pools of the plants, our results do not support the hypothesis that increased carbohydrate supply plays a role in reduction of postharvest leaf chlorosis of potted miniature roses.
Circulating cytokines in Alzheimer's disease

Immune factors may be involved in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disease. Since immune activation precedes immune-mediated processes, we measured plasma levels of four selective cytokines: interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The level of IL-6, but not other cytokines, was significantly elevated. The increase of circulating IL-6 indicates immune activation presumably related to pathophysiology of the disease.
Smoothed eigenspace-based parameter estimation

Abstract Contemporary high-resolution Direction-Of-Arrival (DOA) techniques in sensor array processing based on the MUSIC algorithm fail when the signals are fully correlated and/or closely spaced. When the data are taken from a linear array of equally-spaced sensors, spatial smoothing or subarray averaging is the most familiar way to combat the effects of signal correlation and retain some computational efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to show analytically that improved parameter estimates result when subarray averaging is applied to a suitable reduced-rank approximation to the array covariance matrix instead of performing a conventional spatial smoothing. Further improvements can be achieved if a suitable data matrix is utilized. Simulation examples are provided to substantiate the theoretical predictions.
Vibrotactile magnitude production scaling: A method for studying sensory-perceptual responses of stutterers and fluent speakers

Abstract The method of vibrotactile mangitude production scaling was used to determine the tactile sensory-perceptual integrity for the dorsum of the tongue and thenar eminence of the right hand for 10 fluent speakers and 10 stutterers. It was discovered that both groups performed the task in a similar manner for the thenar eminence of the hand (a nonoral structure) but in a dissimilar manner for the tongue (an oral structure). From these data, it is suggested that the stutterers may maintain a different internal sensory-perceptual process for the tactile system involved in the speech process. The possibility exists that stuttering, for some, may be an “internal disorder” of the tactile-proprioceptive feedback mechanism that is directly involved in speech production.
A comparison of techniques for the examination of catalyst particles in the transmission electron microscope

Abstract Four techniques for the preparation of catalyst samples have been used for the determination of particle sizes in the transmission electron microscope: microtomy, grinding by use of a biological tissue grinder, dry crushing and grinding and extraction replication. Two unused catalysts were examined using these techniques and the results are discussed. The microtomy technique allows the geometry-morphology relationship to be studied more realistically but the cost and the non-routine nature of the sample preparation generally prohibit its widespread use. Extraction replication, which has the ability to remove the active element particles from the surface of the catalytic converter, has indicated a much larger range of particle sizes than that encountered when using the other techniques. Active element particles whose sizes range from 10 A to several microns were observed on the two catalysts studied.
Swat in the eye of the storm: Interview with Akbar Ahmed

In this interview, Akbar Ahmed looks at the latest developments among the Swat Pathan, a people who have been the subject of classic ethnographies in anthropology for many years, but who are now at the centre of a bigger battle for control of this key geo-political region. What, if anything, can anthropologists contribute to understand and ameliorate the conflicts that rage in this region?
Desquamative Interstitial Pneumonitis: Characterization of Free Intraalveolar Cells

There is some disagreement concerning the nature of the free intraalveolar cells in desquamative interstitial pneumonitis, although the greatest weight of evidence suggests them to be alveolar macrophages. We have obtained these cells by bronchoalveolar lavage from two patients with desquamative interstitial pnemnonitis and studied their in vitro antibacterial activity and their ultrastuctural morphology. Our results indicate that the free intraalveolar cells in these two patients were alveolar macrophages with normal antibacterial function.
Some effects of exogenous gonadotropins and prolactin on photostimulated and photorefractory white-crowned sparrows.

Abstract Subcutaneous injection of ovine luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones in photoperiodically stimulated female White-crowned Sparrows, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii , was followed by significant increments in growth of the ovary and oviduct and a significant depression in the level of assayable pituitary gonadotropins. Simultaneous injections of ovine prolactin did not significantly alter the effects of treatment with gonadotropins, nor did they modify the rate of photoperiodically induced growth of the ovary. It appears that plasma gonadotropins and/or ovarian hormones exert an inhibitory feedback effect on the hypothalamohypophysial system. In photorefractory females 10 daily injections of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones caused a small, but significant, growth of the ovaries that was unaffected by simultaneous injections of prolactin. The level of pituitary gonadotropins was not affected by these injections of hormones. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that photorefractoriness is a neural or hypophysial phenomenon.
Microsoft robotics studio: A technical introduction

Microsoft robotics studio (MSRS) was publicly released in December 2006 with the explicit goal of providing an industry software standard for robot control. To become a viable standard, several technical challenges needed to be solved. In this article, we examine the composition of MSRS, looking generally at its architecture and specifically at its solutions for concurrency, distribution, abstraction, simulation, and programmer interaction. We also examine briefly the emerging industry and academic adoption of the robotics studio.
"The Stigmatizers and the Stigmatized:" Enacting the Social Construction of Difference and Discrimination

Toward the end of the semester in my deviance classes, I have the students take part in an exercise, which synthesizes various themes from the readings and lectures and reinforces the overall concept of the social construction of deviance we have discussed throughout the semester (Becker 1963; Conrad 1993; Heckert and Best 1997). Rather than present a lecture on the topic, I first began utilizing this exercise as a way to vividly illustrate social movement activity in relation to deviance. For some students, this exercise constitutes their first participation in a social movement, albeit a fictitious one. They identify goals and learn techniques and strategies based on an imaginary stigma they create themselves. The students' creativity brings to life certain sociological concepts as they watch their campaigns building. Although the circumstances are imaginary, through this exercise the students grasp the real life significance of how stigma can be created through social interaction. The tension created between the campaign and counter-campaign can be exciting and intense as students become invested in the socially constructed issue.
Contestable categories and public opinion

Abstract The social world is a kaleidoscope of potential realities, which can be readily evoked by altering the ways in which observations are framed and categorized. Classification schemes are therefore central to political maneuver and political persuasion. Typically, they are driven by the dominant elite's ideology and prejudice rather than by rigorous analysis or the aspiration to solve social problems. This article provides examples of common questionable categorizations of government policies and contestable metaphors used for public figures.
Line focus acoustic microscopy to measure anisotropic acoustic properties of thin films

Abstract Propagation characteristics of surface acoustic waves on thin film coated elastic materials have been investigated by the use of an acoustic microscope with a line focus beam. Measurements were carried out for thin films of various thicknesses deposited on the (001) plane of cubic crystals. The phase velocities measured as functions of the angle of propagation display the anisotropy and confirm the advantage of directional measurement by the line focus acoustic microscope. Dispersion curves of surface waves propagating along the symmetry axes were obtained for various film thicknesses and frequencies. A systematic inversion of surface wave data based on a comparison of theoretical and experimental results has been used to obtain the thin film material constants.