cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Sickle Cell Disease: Prevalence, Comorbidities and Surgical Outcomes in California

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a prevalent complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) that has not been well described in population-based cohort studies. Using California's Office of Statewide Planning and Development discharge databases (1991-2013), we estimated the cumulative incidence of ONFH after accounting for the competing risk of death and used a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to identify factors associated with ONFH diagnosis. We also calculated rates of readmissions to the hospital or emergency department within 30 to 90 days of hip replacement surgery. Of the 6237 patients in our SCD cohort, 22% (n = 1356) developed ONFH at a median age of 27 years, and 23% (n = 308) of the patients with ONFH underwent hip replacement surgery at a median age of 36 years. The cumulative incidence of ONFH to age 30 years was higher among SCD patients with more severe disease (24%; vs 8% in less severe) and those with antecedent acute chest syndrome (ACS) (18%; vs 8% without prior history of ACS). From 2003 to 2013, SCD patients with more severe disease (hazard ratio [HR], 2.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.38-3.23) or with antecedent ACS (HR, 1.61; CI, 1.35-1.91) were more likely to develop ONFH. Twenty-seven percent of post-hip surgery patients were readmitted within 30 days, mostly for painful vaso-occlusive crises. ONFH is a common SCD complication that increases with age; ongoing studies into prevention and effective nonsurgical interventions for SCD-induced osteonecrosis must remain a high research priority.
Improved assignments of the vibrational fundamental modes of ortho-, meta-, and para-xylene using gas- and liquid-phase infrared and Raman spectra combined with ab initio calculations: Quantitative gas-phase infrared spectra for detection

Abstract Xylenes contain a blend of the ortho -, meta -, and para - isomers, and all are abundant contaminants in the ground, surface waters, and air. To better characterize xylene and to better enable its detection, high quality quantitative vapor-phase infrared spectra of all three isomers over the 6500 – 540 cm −1 range are reported. All fundamental vibrational modes are assigned based on these vapor-phase infrared spectra, liquid-phase infrared and Raman spectra, along with density functional theory (DFT), ab initio MP2 and high energy-accuracy compound theoretical model (W1BD) calculations. Both MP2 and DFT predict a single conformer with C 2v symmetry for ortho -xylene, and two conformers each for meta - and para -xylene, depending on the preferred orientations of the methyl groups. For meta -xylene the two conformers have C s and C 2 symmetry, and for para -xylene these conformers have C 2v or C 2h symmetry. Since the relative population of the two conformers is approximately 50% for both isomers and predicted frequencies and intensities are very similar for each conformer, an arbitrary choice to discuss the C s conformer for meta -xylene and the C 2v conformer for para -xylene is made. Integrated band intensities for all isomers are reported. Using the quantitative infrared data, the global warming potential values of each isomer are determined. Potential bands for atmospheric monitoring are also discussed.
Non-Naturalist Moral Realism and the Limits of Rational Reflection

ABSTRACTThis essay develops the epistemic challenge to non-naturalist moral realism. While evolutionary considerations do not support the strongest claims made by ‘debunkers’, they do provide the basis for an inductive argument that our moral dispositions and starting beliefs are at best partially reliable. So, we need some method for separating truth from falsity. Many non-naturalists think that rational reflection can play this role. But rational reflection cannot be expected to bring us to truth even from reasonably accurate starting points. Reflection selects views that are coherent and conflict-free, yet there is no reason to think that the non-natural moral truth must be like this. Inasmuch as we seek coherent, conflict-free, ethical viewpoints, that suggests that our goal is not non-natural truth at all.
Holomorphic Fredholm Operator Functions

The purpose of this chapter is to set down some facts from operator theory, functional analysis and complex analysis that will be frequently used in the main body of the book. We do not intend to present here the whole theory of Fredholm operator functions, because it would take a book itself. The reader can find some references on this subject in the final section.
Comics as an Educational Tool on a Clinical Clerkship.

The authors investigated student satisfaction with the use of comics as an educational tool in clinical medical education. Students on a Psychiatry clinical clerkship reviewed educational comics at the time of orientation. End of clerkship surveys were utilized to assess students’ perceptions about the usefulness of comics for their learning during the clerkship. Students’ responses were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Eighty-four percent of students indicated that comics helped improve their understanding of clinical concepts, while approximately 80% felt that reviewing comics prior to each clerkship rotation helped ease transition into their assigned clinical service. Almost three quarters of all responders (74%) indicated that they were more likely to review preparatory material in comic form, as compared to other formats. Students found the comics easy to read, fun, and appreciated the concise presentation of information within them. Students also highlighted the limited amount of information presented as a relative weakness of the program. Comics may be utilized as an acceptable educational tool in clinical medical education.
Reduce recalcitrance of cornstalk using post-hydrothermal liquefaction wastewater pretreatment.

Abstract Hydrothermal pretreatment (HTP) using an acidic catalyst is known to be effective for reducing lignocellulosic biomass recalcitrance. Post-hydrothermal liquefaction wastewater (PHW) from hydrothermal liquefaction of swine manure contains a large fraction of organic acids and thus was introduced to improve the HTP of cornstalk in this study. The response surface methodology was performed to optimize operating parameters of HTP for preserving structural polysaccharides while removing the barrier substances. A remarkable co-extraction of cell wall polymers was observed during PHW-catalyzed HTP at 172 °C for 88 min. The analysis of particle size, crystalline cellulose, the degree of polymerization (DP), mole number (MN) and SEM suggested that the co-extraction effect could distinctively alter lignocellulosic structures associated with recalcitrance and thus accelerate biomass saccharification. Additionally, the biodegradability of PHW was improved after HTP as a result of balanced nutrients and increased acids and sugars suitable for biogas production via anaerobic fermentation.
Exploring the cooccurrence of behavioural phenotypes for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in a partial hospitalization sample.

Author(s): Reilly, Erin E; Brown, Tiffany A; Gray, Emily K; Kaye, Walter H; Menzel, Jessie E | Abstract: ObjectiveLiterature providing clinical characterizations of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) has proposed the occurrence of three functions for food refusal: fear of negative consequences, lack of hunger, or sensory sensitivity. Recent studies have suggested that these functions may be used to subtype patients presenting with ARFID; however, other work suggests that these categories are not mutually exclusive and instead represent neurobiological dimensions that can cooccur. The current study explored the potential cooccurrence of behavioural phenotypes in patients with ARFID presenting to a partial hospitalization program.MethodTwo raters conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with ARFID presenting to treatment from June 2014 to May 2018 (N = 59).ResultsRegarding cooccurrence of symptoms consistent with behavioural phenotypes, raters showed excellent agreement, and over 50% of the sample endorsed symptoms consistent with more than one phenotype. The sensory sensitivity phenotype was most common in the sample and frequently cooccurred with both other phenotypes.DiscussionResults suggest that multiple functions for food avoidance may be present within one individual. Future work should aim to further characterize individuals presenting with singular versus multiple phenotype characteristics.
Clinician Perception of a Machine Learning-Based Early Warning System Designed to Predict Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

Objective:To assess clinician perceptions of a machine learning–based early warning system to predict severe sepsis and septic shock (Early Warning System 2.0).Design:Prospective observational study.Setting:Tertiary teaching hospital in Philadelphia, PA.Patients:Non-ICU admissions November–December
I Don’t Know Why I Brought the Bottle

My name is WB. I grew up in the deep south in the 1950s. Jim Crow told me what to do. I was born into a family of eight. My brothers and sisters were older. I didn’t go to school. When I was old enough to start school, all my brothers and sisters were already working in the fields.
Tooling Backup of Cutting and Deforming Processing of Non-rigid Shafts

The article presents the conditions for ensuring the quality parameters of the machining of surfaces of hydraulic cylinder rod during machining and using the methods of surface plastic deformation. Modern machines and equipment should have a good performance in various conditions of their use. Improvement of performance characteristics can be achieved both through the constructive improvement of machines, the use of new structural materials and the use of advanced technology for manufacturing parts and through the development of new tool designs and improvement of existing ones. The article analyzes the static and dynamic characteristics of the tool system for combined cutting and deforming processing, which affect the accuracy parameters of the machining quality. The processes of combined machining and surface plastic deformation of non-rigid parts of the shaft class are considered, and the results of the study of technological parameters of processing for cutting and deforming rod treatment are presented which are obtained during production tests. Traditionally, non-rigid parts are machined by turning, followed by grinding and polishing. However, turning and abrasive machining often provide the required quality parameters of these parts (JT7 … 8, Ra < 0.16 .., 0.32 micron) as unstable and have low productivity, and as a result these processes are not used for manufacturing these parts. The use of tools and tool systems for the combined cutting and deforming machining can improve the accuracy of the shape and size of the processed non-rigid part, to ensure a small amount of surface roughness and to improve the physical and mechanical properties of the surface layer of the part.
Reply to Arora et al.: Concerns and considerations about using the CV as an equity tool.

As increasing evidence emerges concerning the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women academics (1, 2), we hope our work continues to prompt institutions and departments to advance gender equity in tenure and promotion (3). For example, Arora et al. (4) have developed a department-specific rubric to assess COVID-19’s impact on a case-by-case basis. This rubric is in the form of a curriculum vitae (CV) addendum matrix, which notes COVID-19 related challenges and contributions. They also encourage adding caregiving responsibilities to the matrix. Although this matrix is a possible effective tool for individuals, we have concerns that this matrix does not address gender-based inequities that have increased as a result … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: jlmalisch{at}smcm.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Persuasion Bias, Social Influence, and Unidimensional Opinions

We propose a boundedly-rational model of opinion formation in which individuals are subject to persuasion bias; that is, they fail to account for possible repetition in the information they receive. We show that persuasion bias implies the phenomenon of social inuenc e, whereby one’s inuence on group opinions depends not only on accuracy, but also on how well-connected one is in the social network that determines communication. Persuasion bias also implies the phenomenon of unidimensional opinions; that is, individuals’ opinions over a multidimensional set of issues converge to a single \left-right" spectrum. We explore the implications of our model in several natural settings, including political science and marketing, and we obtain a number of novel empirical implications.
Optimized Design of High-Efficiency Immittance Matching Networks for Capacitive Wireless Power Transfer Systems

This paper introduces an analytical approach to optimize the design of immittance matching networks that provide gain and reactive compensation in capacitive wireless power transfer (WPT) systems while maintaining load-independent output current. The proposed approach maximizes the matching network efficiency by identifying the optimal number of matching network stages, and by optimally distributing the overall gain among these stages. Compared to the conventional approach to designing immittance matching networks in capacitive WPT systems, the proposed approach is shown to achieve 82% smaller losses. A 6.78-MHz capacitive WPT prototype utilizing immittance matching networks is designed and built, and the measured network efficiency is shown to match well with analytical predictions.
A systems engineering framework for the optimization of food supply chains under circular economy considerations.

Abstract The current linear “take-make-waste-extractive” model leads to the depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation. Circular Economy (CE) aims to address these impacts by building supply chains that are restorative, regenerative, and environmentally benign. This can be achieved through the re-utilization of products and materials, the extensive usage of renewable energy sources, and ultimately by closing any open material loops. Such a transition towards environmental, economic and social advancements requires analytical tools for quantitative evaluation of the alternative pathways. Here, we present a novel CE system engineering framework and decision-making tool for the modeling and optimization of food supply chains. First, the alternative pathways for the production of the desired product and the valorization of wastes and by-products are identified. Then, a Resource-Task-Network representation that captures all these pathways is utilized, based on which a mixed-integer linear programming model is developed. This approach allows the holistic modeling and optimization of the entire food supply chain, taking into account any of its special characteristics, potential constraints as well as different objectives. Considering that typically CE introduces multiple, often conflicting objectives, we deploy here a multi-objective optimization strategy for trade-off analysis. A representative case study for the supply chain of coffee is discussed, illustrating the steps and the applicability of the framework. Single and multi-objective optimization formulations under five different coffee-product demand scenarios are presented. The production of instant coffee as the only final product is shown to be the least energy and environmental efficient scenario. On the contrary, the production solely of whole beans sets a hypothetical upper bound on the optimal energy and environmental utilization. In both problems presented, the amount of energy generated is significant due to the utilization of waste generated for the production of excess energy.
Clonal Hematopoiesis: From Mechanisms to Clinical Intervention.

Our knowledge of how clonal hematopoiesis relates to diverse health conditions has grown vastly over the past years, touching upon many specialties beyond cancer medicine. Given that clonal hematopoiesis can act as a precursor to overt disease in many settings, the promise of early intervention has garnered much attention. In this review, we discuss the state of clonal hematopoiesis research and outline the challenges in developing clinical trials of early interventions. We anticipate that incidental findings of clonal hematopoiesis will become more common in the near future, but evidence-based efforts of how to manage these findings is currently lacking. Significance: Our knowledge regarding the relevance of clonal hematopoiesis has increased drastically over the past years. However, evidence of how to manage these findings is currently lacking. In this review, we summarize the current state of clonal hematopoiesis research and outline the challenges of developing clinical trials in this field. We anticipate that incidental findings of clonal hematopoiesis will become more common in the near future and argue that there is urgency to start designing and conducting prospective trials.
The End of Modernism?: People's Park, Urban Renewal, and Community Design

The making of People9s Park in Berkeley, California, in 1969 was accompanied by some of the most violent student protests of its era. While these events can be seen as an episode in the movement of student radicalism that focused on the Vietnam War, Peter Allen suggests that conflicting visions of architecture and urban space stood at the center of the People9s Park violence. The End of Modernism? People9s Park, Urban Renewal, and Community Design argues that the movement to create the park was a reaction to a university program of campus expansion, which had razed existing older housing to build modernist high-rise residential towers, and the urban renewal scheme jointly supported by the city and the university. The events drew on new paradigms in planning and architecture, as People9s Park attracted the support of many design professors and students. For them, it was a test case for theories of community-based development in architecture and planning, and their story provides a glimpse into profound divisions in the design professions in the late 1960s.
Microwave-Induced Flash Vaporization of Volatile Media: A Preliminary Thrust Generation Study for the Waveguide Pellet Acceleration Concept

AbstractThis paper describes two intermediate-scale experiments designed to test basic principles of waveguide pellet acceleration, a novel method of using microwave power to generate propulsive thrust from flash vaporization of a “pusher” medium to accelerate a frozen deuterium-tritium fuel pellet. Results from a low-power stage I experiment using a surrogate pusher consisting of an inert medium with volume-distributed metallic particle absorbers are in good agreement with Parks’ wave attenuation theory. In stage II, a high-powered short-pulsed gyrotron source will be used to vaporize a surrogate pusher in a closed system (waveguide/test cell) without an accelerating projectile (pellet) to create a thrust-generating gas of interesting pressures ∼60 to 100 bars and temperatures ∼600 to 1000 K. To compare theory and experiment, the vaporization of various volatile organic compounds with suspended metallic particle absorbers must be examined from a detailed thermodynamic perspective, given that large deviat...
New Metric Postulates for Elliptic n-Space

Publisher Summary A distance space is formed from an abstract set S by mapping the set of all ordered pairs of elements of S into a second set, which can be a subset of S. Distance spaces are particularized by specifying the distance sets and by postulating properties of the mapping. This chapter deals with an investigation of weak four-point properties that arise in the metric study of elliptic spaces. The metric features of elliptic space that make inapplicable the methods used in the metric characterizations of other classical spaces include distinction between congruence and superposability, distinction between contained in and congruently contained in, dependence not a congruence invariant, non-linearity of the equidistant locus, and cardinality of the maximal equilateral set.
Social Science and Legal Policy: The Case of Heterosexual Cohabitation

The rate at which people live together in unmarried unions has increased enormously in recent decades, making this one of the remarkable social changes of our era. The response to this change in the law review literature has been inadequate. Recent articles about cohabitation have argued simply that the institution of marriage is better than cohabitation for both the couple and their children, and the law should therefore be structured so as to discourage this conduct, because to give legal protections to cohabitants will harm the institution of marriage.1 Based on an extensive review of the social science literature, I conclude that these arguments are mistaken. Even though marriage may work better overall, this is no argument to deny protection and state benefits to cohabitants. Demographic, social, and economic data show that many cohabitants and their children are vulnerable in ways that could be substantially helped by extending to them the legal protections and government benefits given to married persons. Moreover, extensive data from both the United States and other nations demonstrate no correlation between the availability of legal protections for cohabitants and the prevalence of marriage. Indeed, few people even know, much less are influenced by, their legal rights when making decisions about intimate relationships or childbearing. This article explores the findings of social scientists about cohabitation and argues that the appropriate response is not to deny cohabitants the protection of the law.
On the Cruelty of Really Teaching Computer Science redux

Is our discipline of computer science in a time of crisis? Our field has helped unlock the human genome, has allowed a hand-held device to be a gateway to the world's information, and has transformed communication and society. Yet students do not want to study computer science. Do enrollment trends portend serious problems requiring immediate solutions or is the crisis greatly exaggerated?
Consumerism Versus Producerism: A Study in Comparative Law

The spread ofAmerican-style "consumerism" is a burning global issue today. The most visible symbols of American consumerism, large enterprises like Wal-Mart and McDonald's, attract vitriolic attacks in many parts of the world. Political conflict in Europe (and elsewhere) turns largely on the question of whether legal systems everywhere must inevitably follow the American model. Despite the global importance of the consumerism debates, though, comparative lawyers have found little to say. In an effort to develop an analytic comparative law approach to the problem of global consumerism, this Article proposes to revive an analytic distinction that was common in the 1930s: the distinction between "consumerism" and "producerism." A producerist legal order tends to revolve around rights and interests on the supply side of the market: it focuses on the interest of some class of producers or distributors (such as workers, small shopkeepers, or the competitors in a given industry). A consumerist legal order, by contrast, tends to focus on rights and interests on the demand side of the market-in particular, on the consumer economic interest, understood primarily as an interest in competitive prices. Producerist legal orders can take forms quite different from consumerist ones, both when it comes to economic regulation in the law of antitrust and retail and when it comes to fundamental conceptions of the nature of rights. The distinction between consumerism and producerism involves some real complexities, and it must be used with care. Nevertheless, this Article argues, it is of fundamental importance for classifying and analyzing legal systems, and in particular for understanding basic and persistent differences between continental Europe and the United States. AUTHOR. Ford Foundation Professor of Comparative and Foreign Law, Yale Law School. Earlier versions of this paper were presented at workshops at Columbia, Cornell, Duke, and NYU law schools. I am grateful to participants in all four forums for their comments. I also gratefully acknowledge detailed and useful comments by Ian Ayres, Giacinto della Cananea, Rochelle Dreyfuss, Eleanor Fox, David Gerber, Christian Joerges, Anette Kur, Susanne Lepsius, Mike Levine, Joseph Raz, Alan Schwartz, Frank Upham, and John Witt. HeinOnline -117 Yale L.J. 34
Stability margins for discrete-time uncertain systems

The stability of a discrete-time control system subject to structured perturbations is studied. The coefficients of the closed-loop characteristic polynomial of the system are assumed to be affine functions of a set of real plant parameters. The closed-loop characteristic polynomial is rewritten as a linear combination of polynomials, and using these polynomials, the l/sub 2/ stability margin in parameter space is calculated. >
Engineering Privacy in Public: Confounding Face Recognition

The objective of DARPA’s Human ID at a Distance (HID) program “is to develop automated biometric identification technologies to detect, recognize and identify humans at great distances.” While nominally intended for security applications, if deployed widely, such technologies could become an enormous privacy threat, making practical the automatic surveillance of individuals on a grand scale. Face recognition, as the HID technology most rapidly approaching maturity, deserves immediate research attention in order to understand its strengths and limitations, with an objective of reliably foiling it when it is used inappropriately. This paper is a status report for a research program designed to achieve this objective within a larger goal of similarly defeating all HID technologies.
Plasticity Under Pressure Using a Windowed Pressure-Shear Impact Experiment

Many experimental techniques have been developed to determine the compressive strength or flow stress of a material under high strain rate or shock loading conditions [1-3]. In addition, pressure-shear techniques have been developed that allow for the measurement of the shearing response of materials under pressure [4-6]. The technique described is similar to the traditional pressure-shear plate-impact experiments except that window interferometry is used to measure both the normal and transverse particle velocities at a sample-window interface. The velocities are measured using the normal displacement interferometer (NDI) for the normal velocity, and the transverse displacement interferometer (TDI) for the transverse velocity [7].
Receptor-Mediated Tobacco Toxicity: Regulation of Gene Expression through α3β2 Nicotinic Receptor in Oral Epithelial Cells

Tobacco is a known cause of oral disease but the mechanism remains elusive. Nicotine (Nic) is a likely culprit of pathobiological effects because it displaces the local cytotransmitter acetylcholine from the nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) expressed by oral keratinocytes (KCs). To gain a mechanistic insight into tobacco-induced morbidity in the oral cavity, we studied effects of exposures to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) versus equivalent concentration of pure Nic on human and murine KCs. Both ETS and Nic up-regulated expression of cell cycle and apoptosis regulators, differentiation marker filaggrin, and signal transduction factors at both the mRNA and protein levels. These changes could be abolished in cultured human oral KCs transfected with anti-α3 small interfering RNA or treated with the α3β2-preferring antagonist α-conotoxin MII. Functional inactivation of α3-mediated signaling in α3−/− mutant KCs prevented most of the ETS/Nic-dependent changes in gene expression. To determine relevance of the in vitro findings to the in vivo situation, we studied gene expression in oral mucosa of neonatal α3+/+ and α3−/− littermates delivered by heterozygous mice soon after their exposures to ETS or equivalent concentration of pure Nic in drinking water. In addition to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, the ETS/Nic-dependent alterations in gene expression were also detected by semiquantitative immunofluorescence assay directly in KCs comprising murine oral mucosa. Only wild-type mice consistently developed significant ( P 2 and M 3 was also altered. This novel mechanism offers innovative solutions to ameliorate the tobacco-related cell damage and intercede in disease pathways, and may shed light on general mechanisms regulating and driving tobacco-related morbidity in human cells.
Abstract W P298: Retrospective Review of Inpatient CODE STROKE and Evaluation of the Implementation and Outcomes

Background /Purpose: The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an inpatient code stroke (ICS) process in achieving benchmarks. This study investigated the effects of an ICS on: •Discovery to CT result (DCT) •Discovery to MD evaluation (DMD) •Documentation of last known normal (LKN) and NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) The expected results are decreased DCT and DMD times, and increased compliance with documentation of NIHSS and LKN. Methods: A multidisciplinary team developed the ICS by integrating the existing ED code stroke and rapid response team processes. All staff received education on recognition of stroke warning signs and activation of ICS prior to implementation. A retrospective case control analysis between subjects with pre and post protocols as the primary predictor and DCT as the primary outcome endpoint. An independent sample t-test between DCT and DMD time (in minutes) was conducted. Unadjusted odds ratios were calculated to assess associations in categorical variables. Results: A ...
Characteristics of deep (≥13 km) Hawaiian earthquakes and Hawaiian earthquakes west of 155.55°W

[1] High precision relocation of earthquakes recorded by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) seismic network provides new information on the characteristics of seismic faulting at this oceanic hot spot. Using waveform cross correlation, we have measured correlation coefficients and travel time differences for a set of 14,605 deep (≥13 km) earthquakes recorded from 1988 to 1998. We find that about half of the analyzed earthquakes are in similar event clusters that delineate fault zones in the lower crust and upper mantle. We suggest that much of this deep seismicity reflects rupture in the brittle lithosphere away from the magma pathways, although at Kilauea the stresses from magma movement may additionally help trigger mantle earthquakes on preexisting faults in regions with high differential ambient stresses. Focal mechanisms of similar event clusters throughout Hawaii display characteristic patterns and appear consistent with the hypothesis that deep earthquakes on preexisting faults reflect the stresses due to volcano loading and flexure. We also present the results of applying cross correlation analyses and relocation to ∼7000 earthquakes at all depths located west of 155.55°W and recorded from 1988 to 1998. The pattern of relocated earthquakes at the Kealakekua fault zone is consistent with the presence of a low-angle detachment on the west flank of Mauna Loa.
Sexual sensation seeking, co-occurring sex and alcohol use, and sexual risk behavior among adolescents in treatment for substance use problems.

Objective This study evaluated relations between sexual sensation seeking, co-occurring sex and alcohol use, and sexual risk behaviors (eg, unprotected intercourse and multiple sex partners) among adolescents receiving treatment for substance abuse problems. Method The ethnically diverse sample included 394 adolescents recruited from outpatient treatment (280 males; Mage = 16.33 years, SDage = 1.15). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test direct and indirect paths between sexual sensation seeking and sexual risk behaviors via the frequency of co-occurring sex and alcohol use. Conditional indirect effects by gender were also tested. Results Analyses identified significant direct and indirect effects from sexual sensation seeking to sexual risk behaviors via co-occurring sex and alcohol. The path from co-occurring sex and alcohol use to unprotected intercourse was significantly stronger among adolescent girls, suggesting a mediation effect moderated by gender. The path from sexual sensation seeking to past year number of partners via co-occurring sex and alcohol was stronger among adolescent boys. However, this gender path difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions Selected prevention efforts are needed to promote HIV risk reduction among adolescents in substance abuse treatment. The documented conditional indirect effect for unprotected intercourse suggests that HIV prevention programs should pay special attention to gender-specific patterns of alcohol use and sexual risk behavior when tailoring program content. (Am J Addict 2013;XX:000–000)
The Cellular Immune Response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in the Guinea Pig

Pulmonary tuberculosis in guinea pigs is an extremely useful model for drug and vaccine testing due to the fact that its pathological disease process is similar to that present in humans. Progress in this field has been hindered because the tools necessary to undertake a complete immunological analysis of the guinea pig cellular immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been lacking. In this study, we combined a new flow cytometric gating strategy with immunohistochemistry to track T cells, B cells, and the MIL4 Ab, which detects both guinea pig heterophils (neutrophils) and eosinophils, to provide the first documentation of the kinetics of influx and positioning of these cell populations. The results show that the responding T cells are mostly CD4 cells and that after day 30 of the infection numbers of these cells in the lungs drops dramatically. These appear to be replaced by a steady increase in B cells and granulocytes which was associated with worsening lung pathology. These data reveal new information about the cellular phenotypes which mediate protective immunity or host immunopathogenesis during M. tuberculosis infection in this key animal model.
Submillimeter‐wave laser operating in a passive Q‐switched intracavity pump mode

Pulsed operation of submillimeter gas lasers was achieved with the laser gas inside the resonator of the CO2 pump laser acting as a saturable absorber for passive Q switching the CO2 laser. With a metal‐oxyde‐metal whisker detector 1–5‐μs‐wide pulses could be detected at 118, 373, and 496 μm wavelength.
MELCHISEDECH'S NOVELLETTA of the Three Rings as Irenic Play (DECAMERON I.3):

Building on Bakhtin's “plurality of voices” and on an anti-Hegelian exclusion of the subject from historical process, the essay explores how the unconventional plot of the novel symbolically resists and parodies the capitalist principles of contemporary 1960's Italian consumer society. The novel achieves this resistance by a calculated embedding of narrative spaces of transgression and rule-breaking actions within the main frame narrative, thereby positing an unproductive and non-conformist clash between the narrator-protagonist's hallucinatory and doxastic worlds (embedded texts) and the objective world of consumer society – represented by the frame narrative.
Osmotic reversal of mitochondrial swelling.

Previously published data1,11 have been found consistent with the hypothesis that mitochodrial swelling is primarily the result of the penetration of the suspending solute. A relaxation of a contractile mechanism or the hydration of an internal gel-like material do not seem to be significant in this process. Since an osmotic swelling will be necessarily osmotically reversible, this question was re-examined experimentally. Swelling in sucrose and potassium chloride solutions, as well as those induced by thyroxine, were found osmotically reversible.
Counselor Involvement in Marriage and Family Counseling

Using a communications framework, a rationale is suggested for determining when a counselor's use of four basic communication styles is likely to be helpful, neutral, or harmful. High disclosure counselor styles are generally seen to be less harmful than may have been previously supposed. Counselor involvement in the style of the high disclosure speech, which conveys an attitude of openness to the clients' reality, is seen as the most. effective form of confrontation. Withholding self by failing to use high disclosure styles, especially in the presence of high rapport, is considered less than satisfactory counselor activity
Influence of polymer chain length and chains ends on polyelectrolyte solvate structure and melting point

Abstract The influence of the poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chain length on the thermal properties and manner of ion coordination in PEO–LiCF 3 SO 3 electrolyte mixtures has been examined. The same form of ethoxy…Li + …CF 3 SO 3 − coordination is observed for polyethers ranging from high molecular weight (MW of 4 × 10 6 ) to triglyme with only four ethoxy segments. The melting points of the PEO and P(EO) 3 :LiCF 3 SO 3 phases are similar with MWs of 2000 and higher, but are lowered considerably for PEO with MWs below 2000. These differences may be directly attributed to the larger fraction of methoxy chain ends present for the lower MW polymers which disrupt the ordered structures as thermal energy increases.
Lactating Factors for Dairy Cows in Dried Grapefruit Peel

Summary Four lb. daily of dried grapefruit peel added to an alfalfa hay ration increased milk production. An equal amount of a grain mixture did not maintain this increase. Supplementing a ration of alfalfa hay and concentrate mixture with oat pasture definitely increased milk production. It is concluded that dried grapefruit peel contains factors which stimulate milk production in dairy cows.
Stable vortex structures: a flat plate model of dragonfly hovering

To understand the unsteady separated flow mechanisms associated with the hovering flight of certain insects, flat plates of varying thicknesses were sinusoidally driven back and forth using a broad range of motion amplitude and rate conditions in the absence of a mean flow. Flow visualization and hotwire anemometry techniques were used to characterize the resulting vortical structures and velocity profiles. The initiation, development, and perseverance of vortical structures were quantitatively and qualitatively assessed. Only a narrow range of oscillation parameters elicited the cohesive types of flow structures that appear to be utilized by dragonflies. These structures were selectively sensitive to variations in specific parameters. For thin plates, vortical structures were influenced most by changes in oscillation amplitude, not oscillation frequency. The reverse was observed for thick plates. Vorticity accumulation, and the initiation, development and shedding of vortex structures from an oscillating flat plate are accounted for using a simplified physical model.
Repression of Transcriptional Enhancer Factor-1 and Activator Protein-1-dependent Enhancer Activity by Vascular Actin Single-stranded DNA Binding Factor 2

Transcriptional repression of the murine vascular smooth muscle alpha-actin gene in fibroblasts results from the interaction of two sequence-specific single-stranded DNA binding activities (VACssBF1 and VACssBF2) with opposite strands of an essential transcriptional enhancer factor-1 (TEF-1) element (Sun, S., Stoflet, E. S., Cogan, J. G., Strauch, A. R., and Getz, M. J. (1995) Mol. Cell. Biol. 15, 2429-2436). Here, we identify a sequence element located within a protein-coding exon of the gene that bears structural similarity with the TEF-1 enhancer. This includes a 30-base pair region of purine-pyrimidine asymmetry encompassing a perfect 6-base pair GGAATG TEF-1 recognition motif. Unlike the enhancer, however, the exon sequence exhibits no TEF-1 binding activity nor does the pyrimidine-rich strand bind VACssBF1. However, VACssBF2 interacts equally well with the purine-rich strand of both the enhancer and the exon sequence. To test the ability of VACssBF2 to independently repress transcription, the exon sequence was placed upstream of a deletionally activated promoter containing an intact TEF-1 binding site. The exon sequence repressed promoter activity, whereas a mutant deficient in VACssBF2 binding did not. Moreover, VACssBF2 similarly repressed activator protein-1-dependent transcription of a heterologous tissue factor promoter. These results suggest that VACssBF2 possesses an intrinsic ability to disrupt enhancer function independently of the enhancer-binding proteins involved.
Changes in general and specific protein synthesis that accompany ecdysteroid synthesis in stimulated prothoracic glands of Manduca sexta

Abstract The prothoracic glands of fifth instar Manduca sexta larvae respond to stimulation by the brain neuropeptide, prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH), with a several-fold increase in the rate of ecdysteroid synthesis. Previous studies have shown that this response requires protein synthesis and that the action of PTTH can be mimicked by dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and the Ca 2+ ionophore, A23187. To further understand the role of protein synthesis in the response of prothoracic glands to PTTH, patterns of protein synthesis in stimulated glands were examined using glands incubated in vitro with [ 35 S]methionine. All three agents caused an increase in the rate of ecdysteroid synthesis as well as an increase of up to 300% in the synthesis and/or accumulation of three proteins (p100, p70, and p“50”) within 2 h of stimulation. Changes in these three proteins were specific to the prothoracic gland, were not elicited by non-brain peptides and were not simply a result of increased general protein synthesis in the gland. Exposure of the glands to A23187 alone, or concurrently with dbcAMP, resulted in increased synthesis of p100, p70, p“50” and ecdysteroids but decreased general protein synthesis. Increased synthesis of these proteins could be detected within 15 min after initiating PTTH stimulation. The behavior of these three proteins makes them candidates for modulators of ecdysteroid synthesis in the prothoracic gland. The results suggest also that PTTH may activate two biochemical pathways in the gland: one path leading to increased synthesis of the p100, p70, and p“50” proteins and increased ecdysteroid synthesis, and the second leading to increased general protein synthesis. This second trophic effect is vulnerable to intracellular Ca 2+ changes that do not inhibit the first pathway.
Phosphorus-31 magnetic relaxation of phosphocreatine in solution

Abstract Measurements have been made of the longitudinal phosphorus-31 magnetic relaxation of phosphocreatine in H 2 O and D 2 O solutions from 278 to 333 K at 121.5 and at 40.5 MHz. The phosphorus-31 spin—lattice relaxation of phosphocreatine is dominated by intermolecular and intramolecular dipolar and chemical-shift anisotropy interactions. The relative contribution of the two interactions to the spin—lattice relaxation changes with NMR frequency. Activation energies characterizing the solution dynamics of the phosphocreatine molecule in H 2 O and D 2 O are 15.4±1.1 and 14.6±1.0 kJ/mol, respectively.
Markov random field segmentation methods for SAR target chips

DARPA's Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition (MSTAR) program has shown that image segmentation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery into target, shadow, and background clutter regions is a powerful tool in the process of recognizing targets in open terrain. Unfortunately, SAR imagery is extremely speckled. Impulsive noise can make traditional, purely intensity-based segmentation techniques fail. Introducing prior information about the segmentation image -- its expected 'smoothness' or anisotropy -- in a statistically rational way can improve segmentations dramatically. Moreover, maintaining statistical rigor throughout the recognition process can suggest rational sensor fusion methods. To this end, we introduce two Bayesian approaches to image segmentation of MSTAR target chips based on a statistical observation model and Markov Random Field (MRF) prior models. We compare the results of these segmentation methods to those from the MSTAR program. The technique we find by mapping the discrete Bayesian segmentation problem to a continuous optimization framework can compete easily with the MSTAR approach in speed, segmentation quality, and statistical optimality. We also find this approach provides more information than a simple discrete segmentation, supplying probability measures useful for error estimation.
Quality of life after shoulder arthroplasty-total shoulder arthroplasty versus hemiarthroplasty.

Quality of life after shoulder arthroplasty—total shoulder arthroplasty versus hemiarthroplasty
Equation for predicting weight gain in very low-birth-weight infants

I developed a single equation that simulated previously published growth charts for very low-birth-weight infants, using birth weight as the only variable. The intent of this study was to validate the equation using infants admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to determine if this equation could be used as a research tool to compare weight gain among populations. All 171 surviving infants with birth weight < or = 1500 g who received care in our NICU were studied retrospectively. The individual daily weights were compared with the predicted daily weights for each infant using the relative error of the prediction. The relative error of the prediction on all days for all infants was 0.45 +/- 0.13% (mean +/- SEM), and the maximum mean daily relative error of 2.73 +/- 0.90% occurred on Day 9. Black infants had a more positive relative error than white infants (p = 0.0001), due to faster weight gain. Twins gained faster than singletons (p = 0.023). Infants with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) gained more slowly than normal infants (p = 0.001) after an initial rapid weight gain. Infants with lung disease had initial rapid weight gain similar to infants with PDA, but subsequently were similar to infants without lung disease. This equation accurately predicts weight gain in our population of very low-birth-weight infants. The relative error of the prediction is a useful research tool for determining the effect of clinical conditions or interventions on weight gain.
Attachable Solvatochromic Fluorophores and Bioconjugation Studies

The synthesis and utility of attachable cyclopenta[b]naphthalene solvatochromic fluorophores related to Prodan are described. Two fluorophores were selected for functionalization and bioconjugation studies. The skeletons were chemically modified to include reactive functional groups and showed minimal alteration of the optical properties when compared to the parent dyes. The functionalized fluorophores were covalently attached to the carboxyl group of a fatty acid, and azido- and thiol-containing amino acids, demonstrating their potential for labeling biomolecules.
Unintended pregnancies among US active-duty women

Evaluation of: Grindlay K, Grossman D. Unintended pregnancy among active-duty women in the United States military, 2008. Obstetr. Gynecol. 121(2), 241–246 (2013). This is a study comparing the unintended pregnancy rates of active-duty women in 2008 with those rates in 2005 and the general US population. The data were obtained from the results of the Department of Defense Survey of Health-Related Behaviors among active-duty military personnel in 2005 and 2008. The 2008 survey had data from over 7000 surveys, and the 2005 survey had data from over 3000 surveys. The authors found that the unintended pregnancy rate increased from 2005 to 2008, and is approximately 50% greater than that of the US general population. Investigators also found that pregnancy rates were similar amongst women who were recently deployed. There were higher rates among younger, less educated, nonwhite and married/cohabitating women.