cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with medication beliefs about aromatase inhibitors among postmenopausal women with breast cancer

Non-adherence/persistence to adjuvant endocrine therapy can negatively impact survival. Beliefs about medicines are known to affect adherence. This study aims to identify socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with medication beliefs among women taking aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Women completed an online survey on beliefs about AI therapy [Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ)], beliefs about breast cancer [Assessment of Survivor Concerns scale (ASC)], and depression [Personal Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-8)]. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Bivariate analyses and linear regression models were performed to investigate relationships between variables. A total of 224 women reported currently taking AI therapy and were included in the analysis. Significantly higher concern beliefs were found among women who had at least mild depression, experienced side effects from AIs, and previously stopped therapy with another AI. Significant correlations were found between concern and necessity beliefs and cancer and health worry. Women age 70 and older displayed less fear of cancer recurrence and health worry, and a trend towards lower necessity and concern beliefs. No differences were found for other variables. In the regression model, greater necessity beliefs were found with increases in the number of current prescription medications (B = 1.06, 95% CI 0.31–1.81, p = 0.006) and shorter duration of current AI therapy (B = −0.65, 95% CI −1.23 to −0.07, p = 0.029), whereas greater concern beliefs were associated with higher depression scores (B = 1.19, 95% CI 0.35–2.03, p = 0.006). Medication necessity and concern beliefs were associated with a definable subset of patients who may be at higher risk for non-persistence.
Abstract TP376: Infections in Patients With Spontaneous Intraventricular Hemorrhage- Results From the Clot Lysis: Evaluating Accelerated Resolution of Intraventricular Hemorrhage (CLEAR) III Trial

Introduction: Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) occurs in about 40% of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and is associated with higher mortality and worse outcomes than ICH patients without IVH. Infections are common in ICH patients but data in IVH patients are limited. Methods: Prospective analysis of adjudicated adverse event infection reporting during first 180 days in 500 patients enrolled in the CLEAR III trial, a multicenter, double-blind, randomized study comparing external ventricular drain (EVD) + intraventricular recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) vs. EVD + placebo for treatment of obstructive IVH and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume Results: Infection was reported in 269 patients (53.8%). Pneumonia was the most common infection (33%), followed by UTI (16%), and bacterial ventriculitis (4.4%). Overall 180-day mortality was 20%. Patients with infection were more likely to have older age (p=0.012), lower admission GCS (p=0.007), higher ICH volume (8.8 vs 6.7ml, p=0.001), and higher ICH+IVH volume (37.7 vs 31.7 ml, p=0.002). In the regression model, IVH volume was associated with higher odds of 90-day or 180-day mortality, but presence of any infection was not a significant predictor of mortality. Infection was however associated with longer length of stay (26 vs 22 days, p Conclusion: Patients with IVH have a high incidence of infections, which is associated with longer hospitalization but does not appear to influence mortality. Of the infections, bacterial ventriculitis is a significant predictor of mortality in our 7-factor model. IVH volume did not predict infections but predicted mortality.These results form a basis for future correlation of infectious complications with treatment rendered (thrombolysis versus placebo), with upcoming unblinding of the trial.
Is the level of cleanliness using segmental Boston bowel preparation scale associated with a higher adenoma detection rate

Background The impact of Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS) scores on the adenoma detection rate (ADR) in each segment has not been adequately addressed. The aim of this study was to determine the association between segmental or overall ADR and serrated polyp detection rate (SDR) with segmental and total BBPS scores. Methods All outpatient screening colonoscopies with documented BBPS scores were retrospectively reviewed at a tertiary institution from January to December 2013. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the detection rates of adenomas and serrated polyps with bowel prep scores. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression that controlled for withdrawal time, age, body mass index, diabetes status and sex. Results We analyzed 1991 colonoscopies. The overall ADR was 37.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35.3-39.6). There was a significant difference in the overall ADR, and in SDR across all bowel category groups, with total BBPS scores of 8 and 9 having lower detection rates than scores of 5, 6 and 7. As the quality of bowel preparation increased, there was a statistical decrease in the ADR (odds ratio [OR] 0.79 [CI 0.66-0.94], P=0.04) of the right colon, while in the left colon, there was a statistical decrease in SDR (OR 0.78, [CI 0.65-0.92] P=0.019). Conclusion Segmental ADR and SDR both decreased as prep scores increased, decreasing notably in patients with excellent prep scores of 8 and 9. A possible explanation for this unexpected discrepancy may be related to longer and better visualization of the mucosa when cleansing and suctioning is necessary.
From Good to Great Urbanism: Beyond Sustainability to Prosperity

A significant shift has been under way globally, emerging from broad-based sustainability efforts that have enhanced the quality of our places in recent decades. Thanks to these strides, we are now taking the next step, with an even smaller ecological footprint, moving beyond sustainability to prosperity. While sustainability is certainly an improvement over decline, better still are flourishing, thriving, and prospering. How are we moving in this direction, and how might we accelerate that movement?
Comparison of methods for estimating carbon dioxide storage by Sacramento's urban forest

Given the increasing demand for carbon dioxide storage estimates in urban areas and the high cost for ground-based inventories, there is need for more efficient approaches. Limited open-grown urban tree species biomass equations have necessitated use of forest-derived equations with diverse conclusions on the accuracy of these equations to estimate urban biomass and carbon storage. Our goal was to determine and explain variability among estimates of CO2 storage from four sets of allometric equations for the same ground sample of 640 trees. Also, we compare the variability found in CO2 stored and sequestered per hectare among estimation approaches for Sacramento’s urban forest with the variation found among six other cities. We found substantial variability among the four approaches. Storage estimates differed by a maximum of 29% and ranged from 38 to 49 t/ha. The two sequestration estimates differed by 55%, ranging from 1.8 to 2.8 t/ha. To put these numbers in perspective, they amounted to about one-tenth and one-quarter of the maximum differences in CO2 storage and sequestration rates among six cities, respectively. i-Tree Eco produced the lowest storage estimates, perhaps because it relied exclusively on forest-based equations and applied a 0.80 correction factor to open-grown trees. The storage estimates produced by i-Tree Streets and CUFR Tree Carbon Calculator (CTCC) were the highest, while Urban General Equations produced relatively low estimates of CO2 storage. Eco produced lower estimates of CO2 sequestration rates than the CTCC across a range of species. Eco’s reductions for tree condition and projected mortality may partially explain the difference. An analysis of the roles of tree growth modeling and biomass equation selection for a green ash tree illustrated how the dynamic interaction between tree growth and biomass storage rate can influence the temporal stream of sequestration in complex ways. Based on these results we conclude that applying UGEs to remotely sensed data that accurately classify broadleaf, conifer and palm tree types in the Sacramento region is likely to produce conservative results compared to results from urban-based species-specific equations. The robustness of this result needs to be tested with different tree populations, and research is needed to establish relations between remotely-sensed tree crown projection area and dbh values required for biomass calculation. Of course, ground-based inventories remain necessary for more accurate estimates of CO2 storage and for municipal forest management and health monitoring purposes.
Augmentation of Natural Enemies for Control of Insect Pests of Man and Animals in the United States

Although biological control in its broadest sense encompasses the use of methods or organisms to reduce the density of insects, we are here concerned only with the biological control produced by the use of predators and parasites. Also, the present paper does not presume to review biological control of all the many pest species of insects and arthropods that are of concern in the field of medical and veterinary entomology. Our purpose is simply to note general review articles that will lead the reader to the general literature on biological control of insects and arthropods affecting man and animals and then to review in more detail the background concerning the parasites and predators that are being considered for use in augmentation systems.
Experimental Studies of Media Stereotyping Effects

Abstract Media portrayals often form the primary, if not only, source of social and interactive information about various groups in society. Mainstream mass media have historically marginalized, trivialized, demeaned, and underrepresented minority groups. Consequently, media effects scholars have expressed concern with ways in which audiences use stereotypic media content when forming opinions of people across group affiliations. Given this impact, media stereotyping studies are germane to understanding the formation and maintenance of cultural stereotypes and prejudicial feelings toward out-groups. In this chapter, we review methodological and theoretical advances in lab-based experimental research in media stereotyping scholarship. Key concepts, standard experimental designs, stimuli, and dependent variables are elaborated upon. We further highlight the advantages of experimental methods in investigating how variations in media type and media content influence viewers’ attitudes, evaluations, and feelings relating to members of the out-group, especially based on gender, race, and sexual orientation.
Auto-Injection of the Corpus Cavernosum with a Vasoactive Drug Combination for Vasculogenic Impotence

AbstractIntracavernous injection of papaverine hydrochloride with phentolamine mesylate rapidly produces transitory penile tumescence, which can be followed by erection and coitus provided there is sexual stimulation. Coital penetration was possible in 59 of 62 patients with impotence of divers etiologies (vascular, diabetic, iatrogenic and Peyronie’s disease) who underwent injection and were sent home to attempt coitus. One patient had a prolonged erection that was treated successfully with aspiration of a corpus. When coitus was successful the patient was offered training in self-injection. With self-injection 18 patients have had satisfactory coitus without a noteworthy complication; 5 for more than 12 months. The long-term effects of intracavernous injections remain unknown. Intracavernous injection of vasoactive substances (chemical prosthesis) may become a useful alternative treatment. Administration should be restricted to urologists able to manage the possible complication of priapism.
Energy balance dynamics during short-term high-intensity functional training.

CrossFit (CF; CrossFit Inc., Washington, DC, USA) is a form of high-intensity functional training that focuses on training across the entire spectrum of physical fitness. CF has been shown to impro...
Dispersal of emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) parasitoids along an ash corridor in western New York

Abstract Previous studies have documented that parasitoids introduced to North America for biological control of emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), are establishing and persisting. However, no study has explicitly assessed their dispersal capabilities. In 2013 and 2014, we released Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Tetrastichus planipennisi Yang (Eulophidae), and Oobius agrili Zhang and Huang (Encyrtidae) at 5 km intervals along 20 km of an ash (Fraxinus spp.) corridor, along which EAB was spreading. From 2013 to 2017, we deployed yellow pan traps every 250 m to detect parasitoid dispersal along the corridor; traps were checked weekly throughout the summer. In 2014, 2015, and 2016, ash health data were collected at each trap location. In 2016, additional traps were established parallel to the study area to detect dispersal away from the corridor. EAB were recovered in traps each year of the study and severity of ash decline aligned with EAB trap detections to indicate build-up and movement of EAB populations. Tetrastichus planipennisi were first recovered in 2014 and trap recoveries increased each subsequent year of the study. The other parasitoid species were not recovered. In 2016, T. planipennisi were detected ∼10 km from release points, established in areas with high EAB population densities, and were detected in traps ∼3.9 km away from the corridor. By 2017, T. planipennisi were recovered along the entire study area. This study quantifies dispersal of T. planipennisi and suggests it will be an important biological control agent of EAB in North America.
Strip loading test theory and equipment development

Abstract One of the important issues for geotechnical engineers is the characterization of soil properties such as cohesion and internal friction angle by means of soil testing. A new experimental method of soil characterization based on the surface displacement of strip loaded soils is proposed. The theory to relate the soil deformation/displacement to soil strength properties is presented and compared with a series of conventional soil characterization techniques with direct shear tests. The proposed/developed strip loading tests provide reasonably accurate results compared with traditional direct shear tests. The new strip loading physical simulation and testing devices are helpful for understanding soil strength concepts and also provide an effective bridge connecting with engineering mechanics and foundation engineering courses instructions wherein derivation of bearing capacity theory equations is based on the same Mohr-Coulomb soil strength parameters. The advantages, limitations, and use of the strip loading modeling/testing technique in engineering education and further more in depth researches are discussed in the concluding remarks part.
The Search for Environmental Causes of Parkinson’s Disease: Moving Forward

It is widely believed that environmental exposures contribute to the vast majority of late-onset sporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD), alone or via interactions with genetic factors. The search for environmental causes of PD has however been hampered by lack of understanding the prodromal phase of PD development and the difficulties in exposure assessment during this prolonged period. On the other hand, the existence of this prodromal period, along with an increasingly better understanding of PD prodromal symptoms, provides an exciting opportunity to identify environmental factors that initiate PD pathogenesis and/or modify its progression. For prevention efforts, this prodromal stage is of a major interest. Targeting factors that enter the body via the nose or gut has become even more important since the discovery of α-synuclein aggregates in the enteric and olfactory nervous systems. In this paper, we speculate about novel research hypotheses and approaches that may help us better define the role of environment in PD etiology, especially during its extended and complex prodromal phase.
Binding mode of aryloxyphenoxypropionate (FOP) and cyclohexanedione (DIM) groups of herbicides at the carboxyl transferase (CT) domain of Acetyl-CoA carboxylase of Phalaris minor

Phalaris minor (P. minor) is a major weed of wheat crop. It has developed resistance as well as cross-resistance against aryloxyphenoxypropionates (FOP) and cyclohexanediones (DIM) group of herbicides, probably due to mutations in the binding site of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) at its carboxyl transferase domain (CT-domain). Binding of FOP and DIM group of herbicides inhibits de novo synthesis of fatty acids, which is essential for survival of P. minor. This work highlights atomistic details of binding mode of diclofop (FOP) and tepraloxydim (DIM) groups of herbicides in the CT-domain of modelled P. minor ACCase protein. Molecules have been extracted from ZINC database based upon their 2D structural similarities with existing FOP and DIM groups of herbicides, which has been further screened at FOP- and DIM-binding sites of the modelled protein. Rigid and flexible docking has been performed to prioritise hits considering the diclofop and tepraloxydim as a reference. Finally, two molecules of the FOP group and three molecules of DIM group have been obtained that have shown better predicted binding affinity, ligand efficiency, and inhibition constant as compared to the reference molecules. Molecular dynamics simulation of about 10 ns was performed for both the reference molecules as well as for all the five prioritised molecules to determine their conformational stability and prominent H-bond network. Amino acid residues A56 and I160 of D1 protein are equivalent to A1705 and I1181 amino acids of black grass, as well as A1627 and I1735 amino acids of yeast (PDB ID: 1UYR) forms invariant hydrogen bond with reference and screened molecules. It was concluded that common binding features of FOP and DIM may be utilised for development of bitopic herbicide.
Development of phosphorus sorption capacity-based environmental indices for tile-drained systems

The persistent environmental relevance of phosphorus (P) and P sorption capacity (PSC) on P loss to surface waters has led to proposals for its inclusion in soil fertility and environmental management programs. As fertility and environmental management decisions are made on a routine basis, the use of laborious P sorption isotherms to quantify PSC is not feasible. Alternatively, pedotransfer functions (pedoTFs) estimate PSC from routinely assessed soil chemical properties. Our objective was to examine the possibility of developing a suitable pedoTF for estimating PSC and to evaluate subsequent PSC-based indices (P saturation ratio [PSR] and soil P storage capacity [SPSC]) using data from an in-field laboratory where tile drain effluent is monitored daily. Phosphorus sorption capacity was well predicted by a pedoTF derived from soil aluminum and organic matter (R² = .60). Segmented-line relationships between PSR and soluble P were observed in both desorption assays (R² = .69) and drainflows (R² = .66) with apparent PSR thresholds in close agreement at 0.21 and 0.24, respectively. Negative SPSC values exhibited linear relationships with increasing soluble P concentrations in both desorption assays and drainflows (R² = .52 and R2 = .53 respectively), whereas positive SPSC values were associated with low SP concentrations. Therefore, PSC-based indices determined using pedoTFs could estimate the potential for subsurface soluble P losses. Also, we determined that both index thresholds coincided with the critical soil-test P level for agronomic P sufficiency (22 mg kg-1 Mehlich-3 P) suggesting that the agronomic threshold could serve as an environmental P threshold.
Chapter 6 – Wavelength Multiplexing

Publisher Summary Multiplexing wavelengths is a way to take advantage of the high bandwidth of fiber optic cables without requiring extremely high modulation rates at the transceiver. Normally, one communication channel requires two optical fibers, one to transmit and the other to receive data; a multiplexer provides the means to run many independent data or voice channels over a single pair of fibers. This device takes advantage of the fact that different wavelengths of light will not interfere with each other when they are carried over the same optical fiber; this principle is known as WDM. The chapter discusses the concept that is similar to frequency multiplexing used by FM radio, except that the carrier “frequencies” are in the optical portion of the spectrum. Thus, by placing each data channel on a different wavelength of light, it is possible to send many channels of data over the same fiber. More data channels can be carried if the wavelengths are spaced closer together; this is known as dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM).
Review of Patella Disorders in Skeletally Immature Patients

This chapter provides a general overview of the most common patellar disorders in skelletally immature patients. Each disorder will be summarized and the relevant evidence-based diagnostic and treatment tools discussed.
Influenza H1N1 surveillance and analysis of genetic characteristics of predominant strains in Quanzhou during 2009

Objective To investigate the influenza H1N1 virus surveillance of 2009 in Quanzhou,and analyze the HA and NA gene of influenza H1N1 virus, explore its genetic variation and molecular characteristics. Methods During the influenza H1N1 virus surveillance in Quanzhou,specimens of throat swabs from the patients with influenza were collected, and detected by real-time RT-PCR. Viruses were isolated with MDCK cells and identified with serological test. Two influenza virus isolates were extracted, and their HA and NA genes were amplified by RT-PCR. The purified PCR products were sequenced. The data obtained were analyzed with the software DNAMAN. Results Of 1020, influenza H1N1 virus RNA was detected in 200 specimens, seasonal influenza virus RNA was detected in 70 specimens. A total of 29 influenza A H1N1 virus strains were isolated. The nucleotide homology in the HA gene was highly homologous with that of pandemic influenza virus in North America. The amino acids sequences deduced from the nucleotide sequences in HA region of the isolated strain had 22 variations compared with A/Brisbane/59/2007 vaccine strain recommend by WHO,the characteristics of α2,6 sialic acid receptor binding remained. The analysis of amino acids sequences of NA indicated that this virus possessed Oseltamivir sensitivity. Conclusion The causative influenza H1N1 strains in Quanzhou is highly homologous with that of pandemic influenza in North America, and it is antigenically and genetically different from the vaccine strain. Key words: H1N1 influenza virus; Real-time RT-PCR; Sequence analysis
Full-Scale Evaluation of Relatively Thin Airfield Pavements:

A full-scale airfield pavement test section was constructed and trafficked by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) to evaluate the performance of relatively thin airfield p...
One-pot electrodeposition of polyaniline/SWCNT/ZnO film and its positive influence on photovoltaic performance as counter electrode material

Abstract The one-pot electrochemical method was implemented for the fabrication of polyaniline (PANI)/single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/zinc oxide (ZnO) composite films (PSZ) on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates. The 3D architectured PSZ films were employed in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and evaluated as low-cost counter electrode (CE) material. The as-prepared counter electrode had been characterized by using X-ray diffraction, Field emission scanning electron microscope, and elemental composition was done by Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The improved electro-catalytic activity of PSZ based CE is realized via a synergistic effect between ternary components and was verified by electrochemical characterizations i.e cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The enhanced energy conversion efficiency of 3.81% from PSZ film could also be realized. The PSZ nano-composite based counter material via facile electrodeposition acts as a viable alternative to Pt in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications.
AI thermometer for temperature screening: demo abstract

Thermal imaging provides a way of measuring the temperature of the subject in a contactless manner and is capable of taking the temperature of multiple subjects at a time. Due to COVID-19, there is a high demand for massive temperature screening for the crowded public in high traffic areas to detect any individual with a fever immediately. In this project, we propose to design an open-source AI thermometer for massive fever screening combining edge-based object detection solution and multi-modal sensor fusion. Different from many recent products that target commercialization and still not accessible for small business owners due to manufacturing delay and high cost, our open source solution can help developers build and assemble the AI thermometer like Lego blocks with off-the-shelf open computing board and components. We hope our solution can help small business owners to quickly utilize our AI technology at the lowest cost without long waiting.
Relationship Factors Associated With Early Adolescent Dating Violence Victimization and Perpetration Among Latinx Youth in an Agricultural Community.

Latinx early adolescents within the United States are particularly vulnerable to dating violence; yet, little research has examined early dating experiences and violence outside large urban settings. Latinxs, in particular, may experience a unique window of opportunity for dating violence (DV) prevention during early adolescence, based on their trends in risk behavior over the adolescent period. This study extends the current research on dating violence by examining a highly understudied population, Latinx early adolescent girls and boys residing in an agricultural community, by assessing victimization and perpetration, and examining interpersonal-level factors as potential risk and protective factors for violence. Using data from a prospective cohort study of Latinx adolescents with relationship experience (past six months) (N = 296; girls: n = 147; boys: n = 149; mean age: 13.8), we assessed the association between dating relationship characteristics and dating violence victimization and perpetration using modified-Poisson regression models with robust standard errors stratified by gender. In multivariable analyses, we found that girls with gang-affiliated partners, partner-related withdrawal from friends, and girls who had used drugs or alcohol with a partner experienced greater risk for dating violence. Additionally, holding beliefs supportive of female sexual naivete and engaging in and communicating about sexual activity were associated with victimization among girls. No significant associations were found among boys. Findings affirm the need for multilevel DV prevention programming that starts in middle school and addresses social isolation, gang exposure, and traditional Latinx gender-norm beliefs regarding marianismo. These findings underscore the imperative to coordinate dating and gang violence prevention efforts by addressing common co-occurring interpersonal and environmental risk factors, including social isolation and culturally-specific traditional beliefs. Such factors could also assist providers, families, and peers in early identification of Latinx early adolescents at risk for DV, especially in rural contexts where resources are often limited.
Modeling Within-Item Dependencies in Parallel Data on Test Responses and Brain Activation

In this paper, we propose a joint modeling approach to analyze dependency in parallel response data. We define two types of dependency: higher-level dependency and within-item conditional dependency. While higher-level dependency can be estimated with common latent variable modeling approaches, within-item conditional dependency is a unique kind of information that is often not captured with extant methods, despite its potential to shed new insights into the relationship between the two types of response data. We differentiate three ways of modeling within-item conditional dependency by conditioning on raw values, expected values, or residual values of the response data, which have different implications in terms of response processes. The proposed approach is illustrated with the example of analyzing parallel data on response accuracy and brain activations from a Theory of Mind assessment. The consequence of ignoring within-item conditional dependency is investigated with empirical and simulation studies in comparison to conventional dependency analysis that focuses exclusively on relationships between latent variables.
Exploring the Demographic Profile of Female Home-based Textile Design Bloggers

A review of existing literature demonstrates the need for additional research on female home-based business (HBB). This study aimed to partially fill the literature gap by exploring the demographic profile of female HBB textile-design bloggers, a unique segment of the female HBB world. The findings of the qualitative content analysis of the 30 designers’ blogs and 138 blog posts included the findings of their age, nationality and ethnic identity, current place of residence, family status, educational background, occupation, and socioeconomic status. Analysis of blog content found that the majority (n=23) own and operate a home-based business, while a few (n=4) had a day job outside of the house in addition to their HBB. The findings show that designers mostly (n=7) have informal education in design as opposed to a college or university degree (n=4). Findings demonstrate that the use of e-commerce and other tools such as CAD is indispensable to HBB textile designers.
The neural basis of counting sequences.

Abstract Sequence processing is critical for complex behavior, and counting sequences hold a unique place underlying human numerical development. Despite this, the neural bases of counting sequences remain unstudied. We hypothesized that counting sequences in adults would involve representations in sensory, order, magnitude, and linguistic codes that implicate regions in auditory, supplementary motor, posterior parietal, and inferior frontal areas, respectively. In an fMRI scanner, participants heard four-number sequences in a 2 × 2 × 2 design. The sequences were adjacent or not (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8 vs. 5, 6, 7, 9), ordered or not (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8 vs. 8, 5, 7, 6), and were spoken by a voice of consistent or variable identity. Then, neural substrates of counting sequences were identified by testing for the effect of consecutiveness (ordered nonadjacent versus ordered adjacent, e.g., 5, 6, 7, 9 > 5, 6, 7, 8) in the hypothesized brain regions. Violations to consecutiveness elicited brain activity in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and the supplementary motor area (SMA). In contrast, no such activation was observed in the auditory cortex, despite violations in voice identity recruiting strong activity in that region. Also, no activation was observed in the inferior parietal lobule, despite a robust effect of orderedness observed in that brain region. These findings indicate that listening to counting sequences do not automatically elicit sensory or magnitude codes but suggest that the precise increments in the sequence are tracked by the mechanism for processing ordered associations in the SMA and by the mechanism for binding individual lexical items into a cohesive whole in the IFG.
The Impact of Broadband Infrastructure on Economic Growth in Some Arab and Emerging Countries

Infrastructure investments expansion typically adds to the productive capacity in an economy, and thus to its economic growth. Network industries account for between one–tenth and onequarter of economy wide investments (OECD 2009 B). Telecom industry is one of the network industries, and broadband is a new technology that is widely used all over the world. It is the popular mode of access to the internet, as it refers to high speed internet access. This study aims at examining the impact of broadband infrastructure on economic growth in emerging countries and Arab countries. In addition, the impact of competition in telecom sector has been included in the growth equation estimated to control for the effect of competition in telecom sector, and thus broadband, on the economic growth in these countries. The empirical study reaches a conclusion in line with previous studies that there is a positive impact of broadband uptake on economic growth. In addition, the contribution of this paper is also in the construction of the competition index which was statistically insignificant, but became significant once we controlled for FDI as a percent of GDP. Thus, governments should create an enabling environment and open their markets for more competition in order to induce the establishments of more broadband and telecom networks in their respective countries.
DSM-5: The Delayed Demise of Descriptive Diagnosis

In 1980, DSM-III adopted a descriptive approach to psychiatric diagnosis, creating checklists of unwanted behaviors to define and use as required criteria when posing each of several hundred diagnoses. The objective of this novel approach was to validate psychiatry as a scientifically legitimate branch of medicine, by enabling research into hopefully homogeneous groups of patients to pinpoint the implicit hypothesized physiological causes of the disorders the patients were presumably sharing. In each subsequent revision of the DSM including the DSM-5, however, no physiological criteria of any sort are included for any diagnosis, confirming the empirical failure of this attempt to substantiate the medical model of madness. The futile endeavor to validate countless human faults and suffering as medical diseases explains most of the “scientific” conundrums and controversies surrounding the release of DSM-5, including whether to include or exclude diagnoses, where to draw boundaries for each, and why clinicians still fail to agree on which diagnosis they should apply in a given case. Despite DSM-5’s insolvency, the essentially moral project of descriptive psychiatric diagnosis has today vast socio-economic ramifications that help to preserve it.
Optimization using particle swarms with near neighbor interactions

This paper presents a modification of the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) intended to combat the problem of premature convergence observed in many applications of PSO. In the new algorithm, each particle is attracted towards the best previous positions visited by its neighbors, in addition to the other aspects of particle dynamics in PSO. This is accomplished by using the ratio of the relative fitness and the distance of other particles to determine the direction in which each component of the particle position needs to be changed. The resulting algorithm, known as Fitness-Distance-Ratio based PSO (FDR-PSO), is shown to perform significantly better than the original PSO algorithm and several of its variants, on many different benchmark optimization problems. Avoiding premature convergence allows FDR-PSO to continue search for global optima in difficult multimodal optimization problems, reaching better solutions than PSO and several of its variants.
Fermentation of 6-Deoxyhexoses by Bacillus macerans.

Under anaerobic conditions Bacillus macerans ATCC 7068 fermented 6-deoxyhexoses (l-rhamnose, l-fucose, and d-fucose) to a mixture of 1,2-propanediol (PD), acetone, H(2), CO(2), and ethanol. The final PD concentration was proportional to the amount of l-rhamnose fermented ( approximately 0.9 mol of PD per mol of rhamnose). PD was not produced from hexoses (e.g., d-glucose or l-mannose), despite active fermentation of these substrates. Relative to the fermentation of d-glucose, the fermentation of l-rhamnose was accompanied by a twofold reduction in yield of H(2), CO(2), and cell mass. Exposure of cell extracts to l-rhamnose resulted in the transient appearance of an aldehyde intermediate. Cell extracts contained a pyridine nucleotide-linked lactaldehyde reductase activity which converted synthetic d- or l-lactaldehyde to PD. The data suggest an Embden-Meyerhof pathway for 6-deoxyhexose catabolism, with the formation of lactaldehyde by a conventional aldolase cleavage reaction and subsequent reduction to PD.
The acquisitions librarian as change agent in the transition to the electronic library

All information services, regardless of the format used to convey the information, can be divided into the two fundamental categories of delivery and mediation. Delivery is the less visible but no less critical service responsible for shifting the physical information package among different locations. Delivery will become an increasingly significant—but no less invisible—function after the arrival of routine electronic publishing. Acquisitions administrators—who, along with circulation, interlibrary loan, and preservation officers, have primary responsibility for delivery in the paper-based academic library of today—need to begin planning now to expand their knowledge and responsibilities to respond to the new requirements for information delivery in the rapidly approaching age of networked information. If they can achieve such objectives, acquisitions staff will play a key role in improving the future contributions of the library to the academy.
Extended second welfare theorem for nonconvex economies with infinite commodities and public goods

This paper is devoted to the study of nonconvex models of welfare economics with public goods and infinite-dimensional commodity spaces. Our main attention is paid to new extensions of the fundamental second welfare theorem to the models under consideration. Based on advanced tools of variational analysis and generalized differentiation, we establish appropriate approximate and exact versions of the extended second welfare theorem for Pareto, weak Pareto, and strong Pareto optimal allocations in both marginal price and decentralized price forms.
Predictors of Obesity and Physical Health Complaints Among 911 Telecommunicators

Background This study aims to: (1) examine rates of obesity and physical health complaints among 911 telecommunicators; and (2) document the role of emotion dysregulation, psychological inflexibility, duty-related distress and dissociation, and psychopathology in predicting obesity and physical health complaints in this population.
Collage: A Declarative Programming Model for Compositional Development of Web Applications

Collage is a declarative programming model and runtime expressly targeted at building and deploying cross-organizational software as compositions of web components. Collage is based on an RDF data model, data-driven execution model, and flexible support for cross-organizational composition of both application and UI components. In this paper we outline a uniform set of Collage language features addressing end-to-end application design, including business objects, but with particular focus on user interaction, and adaptation to current interaction platforms such as web browsers.
An Experimental Test of Event Commutativity in Decision Making Under Uncertainty

A fundamental rationality assumption of many models of choices under risk and uncertainty is that the sequencing of events should not matter to a decision maker so long as the consequences arise under the same conditions, ignoring the order of events Subjective expected utility (SEU) implies this property without exception, however, SEU is known not to be descriptive The boundary between SEU and potentially more descriptive theories, such as the rank-dependent ones, has been shown to lie at a very simple version of this property called event commutativity Two previous tests of it have yielded mixed results (Brothers, 1990, Ronen, 1973), but with some evidence from Brothers that it may be sustained if choice-based certainty equivalents are used The present study tested event commutativity using a version of the sequential choice procedure Brothers employed in his third experiment Twenty-four gambles representing a scenario of suing versus settling a car-accident dispute were presented to students, and cert...
Electrical transport properties and preparation of the metal-ammonia compound lithium tetraammine

Abstract On specimens of the compound lithium tetraammine, Li(NH 3 ) 4 , the resistance from 10 to 100°K and the magnetoresistance at 4.2 and 1.66 K have been measured. Measurements were made using a probeless, mutual inductance technique. Specimen preparation and aspects of the measurement technique used in preparing well mixed, homogeneous specimens are described. The resistivity shows several anomalies in the solid phase, one of which has also been observed in thermal measurements and is associated with a transition from an fcc to an hcp structure. The second, near 69 K, has not been observed in thermal measurements. It is suggested that this anomaly is characteristic of the compound Li(NH 3 ) 4 and may be a Martensitic or magnetic transition. The magnetoresistance is large with a marked decrease in slope above 50 kG. These results are compared with standard galvanomagnetic theory for compensated and uncompensated metals. In conjunction with arguments based on a free electron construction of the Fermi surface, it is concluded that lithium tetraammine is probably an uncompensated metal with a high proportion of carriers in open orbits.
Functional determinants on Mandelstam diagrams

We investigate the special properties of Mandelstam metrics in regard to changing weights in path integrals and relations between determinants of different spins. Regularizations of determinants are discussed along the lines of Sonoda. Weyl anomalies developing at zeroes of metrics in reparametrization invariant regularizations are evaluated in terms of Arakelov metrics. Holomorphic forms are constructed, and determinant identities for Arakelov and Mandelstam metrics rigorously established for any weight and generic even and odd spin structures.
Linear optimization in synthesis of nonlinear spatial filters

Generally, the synthesis of coherent spatial filters is restricted to the linear region of the transfer characteristic of a photographic film. However, a technique of synthesizing a nonlinear spatial filter such that the signal detection may be optimum will be described. In this paper, a generalized linear optimization technique is formulated. The application of this optimization technique toward a simple nonlinear spatial filter is demonstrated, and the extension of this optimization technique for a more complicated nonlinear spatial filter is also given. The signal detection by nonlinear optimum spatial filtering is analyzed. Finally, it is concluded that, instead of restricting the spatial-filter recording to the linear region of the transfer characteristic of the photographic film, an optimum nonlinear spatial filter may be achieved.
Refining the diagnosis of T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia by combining distinct patterns of antigen expression with T-cell clonality studies

T-cell large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia is a complex diagnosis, requiring persistent clonal expansions of LGLs, and cytopenias. Often the diagnosis is unclear as non-clonal expansions of LGLs commonly occur in reactive conditions. To better understand T-LGL leukemia, we performed a comprehensive clinicopathologic analysis of 85 patients with LGL expansions. Interestingly, distinct CD8+(dim)/CD57+ populations, seen by flow cytometry, were significantly associated with clonal T-LGL leukemia (P < 0.001) as well as neutropenia (median absolute neutrophil count (ANC) 1.45 vs 3.19 × 10(9)/l; P = 0.0017). Furthermore, cases with distinct CD8+(dim)/CD57+ populations and monoclonal T cells had even lower ANCs (median ANC 1.41 × 10(9)/l; P = 0.001) compared with cases without these dual criteria. Additionally, complete or partial loss of CD5 expression was independently associated with clonal T-LGL leukemia (P<0.001) and neutropenia (median ANC 1.41 vs 2.70 × 10(9)/l; P = 0.002). This study describes specific immunophenotypic parameters to better define clonal cases of T-LGL leukemia associated with significant neutropenia.
Clinical realities and economic considerations: Special therapeutic issues in intrathecal therapy—tolerance and addiction

The long-term use of opioid analgesics in chronic nonmalignant pain has long been controversial. Rational discussion has been impeded by outdated research and myths regarding the risks of this therapy. Some of the misconceptions relate to the inappropriate use of the terms tolerance and addiction. Analgesic tolerance is a phenomenon in which exposure to the opioid itself causes the patient who has achieved analgesia to require a higher dosage to maintain the same level of effect. This appears to be very uncommon in the clinical setting. A need for dose escalation results from factors other than tolerance, including disease progression. Addiction is an association of psychological dependence and aberrant drug-related behaviors. Addiction to opioids in the context of pain treatment is rare in those with no history of addictive disorder. Clinicians need to become aware of the new findings regarding the low risk of addiction and tolerance in this setting.
Geographic and process information for chemical plant layout problems

Geographic information systems (GIS) introduced here offer a source of information for problems with a geographic dimension, such as layout and environmental decision making. A mixed-integer linear-programming formulation of a chemical-plant layout problem was developed, and is presented along with an existing formulation. The effectiveness of these formulations is highly problem- and data-specific, and a combination of the two formulations can be derived that is more effective on certain problems than either formulation alone. The formulations are ineffective for some problems due to the highly redundant search space engendered by symmetries in the layout—symmetries that can be eliminated by a more careful analysis of the situation using location-specific information such as existing units and facilities, geographic constraints, wind, elevation, and soil conditions. Different classes of such information can be captured from a GIS and represented within the mixed-integer linear-programming formulation. Two cases studies presented illustrate the formulations and the use of geographic information for chemical-plant layout.
8080 port addressing with the C/80 compiler

This paper deals with Intel 8080 port addressing with the C/80 compiler. Specifically, two assembly language routines designed for the C/80 are described.
A combined Halley flyby/Galileo mission

The Galileo mission to Jupiter utilizes change of velocity earth gravity assist trajectories which leave earth in 1985 on 2-year orbits, have maneuvers of approximately 500 m/sec near aphelion, and then use earth flybys to send the spacecraft to Jupiter. It was noted that in Nov. 1985, one family of these trajectories passes fairly close to Halleys comet near its preperihelion node. It is shown that an arbitrarily close flyby of Halley can be added to these trajectories for about a 500 m/sec increase in the aphelion maneuver. Optimal trajectory design and mission performance as a function of launch vehicle capability are discussed in detail.
How do the effects of birth weight and Apgar scores on the risk for neonatal death compare in five racial/ethnic groups? 1184

How do the effects of birth weight and Apgar scores on the risk for neonatal death compare in five racial/ethnic groups? 1184