cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Freedom and Responsibility

There are certain special problems that need to be considered before we are done. These concern the making of moral decisions in a most intimate fashion and illuminate what is involved in such decisions. One of the most seductive and difficult of these problems occurs when a person accused of an infraction of a moral principle tries to defend himself or excuse his action by an appeal, “I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t responsible for what happened.” This is the cry of Oedipus when it was revealed that he had killed his father and married his mother. Oedipus’ plea was that he could not be held responsible because he committed the crimes in ignorance of the facts. Such is the defense of the person who pleads “temporary insanity.” He didn’t know what he was doing and was impelled to do what he did by uncontrollable impulses and emotions.
Gulf War Illness-associated increases in blood levels of interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein: biomarker evidence of inflammation

Gulf War Illness is a chronic multisymptom disorder severely impacting the health and well-being of many Veterans of the 1990–1991 Gulf War. Symptoms that define the disease include pain, fatigue, mood and memory impairments, gastrointestinal problems, lung disorders, and skin rashes. In our previous biomarker study, we discovered Gulf War Illness-associated proinflammatory blood biomarkers. Therefore, we hypothesized that chronic inflammation causes the symptoms that define this disorder. Testing the chronic inflammation hypothesis is the objective of this study. The biomarker fingerprint of Gulf War Illness is the end-product of a cascade of proinflammatory cytokine signals. In particular, the observed increase in C-reactive protein predicts a corresponding increase in interleukin 6, the cytokine that stimulates hepatocytes to produce C-reactive protein. Therefore, in this study we measured potential upstream cytokine signals in plasma samples from Gulf War Veterans. As predicted, a positive correlation between interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein was observed.
Maleic anhydride-functionalized graphene nanofillers render epoxy coatings highly resistant to corrosion and microbial attack

Abstract Iron-based alloys that are ubiquitously used in industrialized societies are prone to corrosion which results in large maintenance and repair costs. Here we design maleic-anhydride-functionalized graphene nanofillers to enhance corrosion resistance of epoxy coating (MAGE) on mild steel surfaces, with a corrosion protection efficiency of 99.9%. A mechanochemical approach based on Diels-Alder reaction was used to synthesize graphene nanofillers and functionalize them with difunctional bisphenol A/epichlorohydrin epoxy. The MAGE coating increased corrosion resistance of steel by 9–10 orders of magnitude compared to bare metal in both abiotic (3.5% NaCl) and aggressive microbial (sulfate-reducing bacteria, SRB) environments. Compared to unfunctionalized graphene nanoplatelets, the MAGE coating offered four orders of magnitude lower corrosion resistance against planktonic SRB cells, 80% lower against sessile SRB cells, and 19-fold lower against 3.5% NaCl. The unique functional groups in maleic-anhydride-graphene adducts enabled their dispersion in epoxy coating and enhanced its mechanical properties. The high corrosion resistance of MAGE in diverse environments is attributed its outstanding ability to block the intercalation of corrosive species.
The use of strain and grain boundaries to tailor phonon transport properties: A first-principles study of 2H-phase CuAlO 2 . II

Transparent oxide materials, such as CuAlO2, a p-type transparent conducting oxide (TCO), have recently been studied for high temperature thermoelectric power generators and coolers for waste heat. TCO materials are generally low cost and non-toxic. The potential to engineer them through strain and nano-structuring are two promising avenues toward continuously tuning the electronic and thermal properties to achieve high zT values and low $cost/kW h devices. In this work, the strain-dependent lattice thermal conductivity of 2H CuAlO2 is computed by solving the phonon Boltzmann transport equation with interatomic force constants extracted from first-principles calculations. While the average bulk thermal conductivity is around 32 W/(m K) at room temperature, it drops to between 5 and 15 W/(m K) for typical experimental grain sizes from 3 nm to 30 nm. We find that strain can offer both an increase as well as a decrease in the thermal conductivity as expected; however, the overall inclusion of small grain sizes dictates the potential for low thermal conductivity in this material.
La transformación del complejo minero Zollverein: un híbrido entre la ciudad difusa y lineal.

El aumento del desarrollo de las fuentes de energia renovable y las importaciones de bajo costo han eliminado la necesidad de la produccion alemana de carbon. En 1986 la mineria en el complejo Zollverein de Essen, Alemania que fuera en 1932 uno de los mas avanzados del mundo, habia cesado de funcionar. Para promover la renovacion urbana y ecologica de las antiguas zonas industriales y mineras contaminadas, el gobierno estatal de Renania y Westfalia del Norte- lanzo en 1989 un concurso (Internazional Bauaustellung BA), que desarrollo una politica progresista de conservacion y restauracion y un programa de paisajismo de bajo mantenimiento. Junto a los edificios industriales modernistas los esfuerzos de IBA le aseguraron al complejo Zollverein un lugar en la lista del patrimonio mundial de la humanidad (UNESCO 2001). A pesar de que el trabajo ha sido ampliamente publicado y halagado por los esfuerzos de conservacion, las lecturas urbanas del conjunto no han llamado mayormente la atencion. Esta ponencia postula que al unir a traves un bulevar (que solia ser una linea ferrea) tres nucleos urbanos de alta densidad rodeados de paisaje, como una especie de puente uniendo las islas de un archipielago, el complejo Zollverein actual presenta una propuesta de gran interes urbano; al proponer nucleos densos en forma discontinua y rodeados por paisaje, el excentro minero sugiere una propuesta hibrida entre ciudad lineal tradicional y una entidad difusa y extendida.
Weighted Dynamic Networks. Digital multiscale and time responsive design techniques

In a complex structured city, where the interactions between parts intensify, the number of decision-makers and cultural scenarios overlap, interconnect (and sometimes collide), where local and global as well as physical and virtual dimensions coexist, it is necessary to identify a set of design tools which could adapt to different scales of the intervention of the modern city. The essay proposes a multiscalar and time-sensitive Weighted Networks Design methodology. Originally developed by the author as director of the Research Lab Non-Linear Solutions Unit at Columbia University, the WDN methodology has been implemented by the author herself in a series of multiscale case studies in the professional and academic environment along over the last 20 years.
Health Impact Assessment of the 2020 Washington State Wildfire Smoke Episode: Excess Health Burden Attributable to Increased PM2.5 Exposures and Potential Exposure Reductions.

Major wildfires starting in the summer of 2020 along the west coast of the United States made PM2.5 concentrations in this region rank among the highest in the world. Washington was impacted both by active wildfires in the state and aged wood smoke transported from fires in Oregon and California. This study aims to estimate the magnitude and disproportionate spatial impacts of increased PM2.5 concentrations attributable to these wildfires on population health. Daily PM2.5 concentrations for each county before and during the 2020 Washington wildfire episode (September 7-19) were obtained from regulatory air monitors. Utilizing previously established concentration-response function (CRF) of PM2.5 (CRF of total PM2.5) and odds ratio (OR) of wildfire smoke days (OR of wildfire smoke days) for mortality, we estimated excess mortality attributable to the increased PM2.5 concentrations in Washington. On average, daily PM2.5 concentrations increased 97.1 μg/m3 during the wildfire smoke episode. With CRF of total PM2.5, the 13-day exposure to wildfire smoke was estimated to lead to 92.2 (95% CI: 0.0, 178.7) more all-cause mortality cases; with OR of wildfire smoke days, 38.4 (95% CI: 0.0, 93.3) increased all-cause mortality cases and 15.1 (95% CI: 0.0, 27.9) increased respiratory mortality cases were attributable to the wildfire smoke episode. The potential impact of avoiding elevated PM2.5 exposures during wildfire events significantly reduced the mortality burden. Because wildfire smoke episodes are likely to impact the Pacific Northwest in future years, continued preparedness and mitigations to reduce exposures to wildfire smoke are necessary to avoid excess health burden.
The Effects of Repeated Morphine Treatment on the Endogenous Cannabinoid System in the Ventral Tegmental Area

The therapeutic utility of opioids is diminished by their ability to induce rewarding behaviors that may lead to opioid use disorder. Recently, the endogenous cannabinoid system has emerged as a hot topic in the study of opioid reward but relatively little is known about how repeated opioid exposure may affect the endogenous cannabinoid system in the mesolimbic reward circuitry. In the present study, we investigated how sustained morphine may modulate the endogenous cannabinoid system in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of Sprague Dawley rats, a critical region in the mesolimbic reward circuitry. Studies here using proteomic analysis and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) found that the VTA expresses 32 different proteins or genes related to the endogenous cannabinoid system; three of these proteins or genes (PLCγ2, ABHD6, and CB2R) were significantly affected after repeated morphine exposure (CB2R was only detected by qRT-PCR but not proteomics). We also identified that repeated morphine treatment does not alter either anandamide (AEA) or 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) levels in the VTA compared to saline treatment; however, there may be diminished levels of anandamide (AEA) production in the VTA 4 h after a single morphine injection in both chronic saline and morphine pretreated cohorts. Treating the animals with an inhibitor of 2-AG degradation significantly decreased repeated opioid rewarding behavior. Taken together, our studies reveal a potential influence of sustained opioids on the endocannabinoid system in the VTA, suggesting that the endogenous cannabinoid system may participate in the opioid-induced reward.
Insights about the Ethical and Moral State of Advertising Practitioners

The study examines how industry professionals perceive, process, and approach ethics in advertising. Thirty-four in-depth interviews with advertising practitioners were undertaken to assess the typ...
Automating Cataloging Workflow of Library Traditional Materials

This paper describes the author’s experience with automating and streamlining cataloging workflows of traditional materials at the Florida International University Libraries using a combination of various cataloging tools, including MarcEdit, a local batch loading tool GenLoad, as well as OCLC services including WorldCat Updates service, OCLC Connexion’s batch process searches and Local File Manager. The paper addresses the old cataloging processes of these traditional materials, the developing process of new workflows and their impacts, and concludes with lessons learned and success factors. The new workflows have improved work efficiency and metadata control. The hope is that this paper will be of interest to libraries desiring to automate their cataloging workflow of traditional materials.
Virtual Neurosurgery Education for Medical Students without Home Residency Programs: A Survey of 2020 Virtual Neurosurgery Training Camp Attendees.

OBJECTIVE To examine the perceived effectiveness of the virtual neurosurgery training camps (VNTC) among medical students with (HP) and without (NHP) home neurosurgery residency programs. METHODS A survey assessing demographics, baseline interests, and ratings of usefulness and interest of programming was sent to attendees after the VNTC. Ratings were quantified on modified 7-point Likert scales. Ratings were compared between attendees HP and NHP neurosurgery residency programs using Wilcoxon sum-rank or χ2 tests. A P value of 0.05 determined significance. RESULTS There were 119 respondents, with 80 (67.2%) HP and 39 (32.8%) NHP students. Differences were observed between the groups for medical school type (P = 0.002), highest degree achieved (P = 0.030), previous participation in a Medical Student Neurosurgery Training Center event (P = 0.004), having a neurosurgery interest group (P < 0.001), and primary reason for VNTC attendance (P = 0.028). Increased interest in peripheral nerve neurosurgery was greater for the NHP (P = 0.047) but not neurosurgery or other subspecialties. A significant difference in usefulness of the different VNTC sessions was observed (P = 0.002), whereas none was seen in willingness to pursue neurosurgery (P = 0.33), likelihood of taking a year off (P = 0.44), and preparedness for subinternships (P = 0.57) or applications (P = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS The 2020 VNTC benefited both HPO and NHP medical students, but there were differences in perceived usefulness of virtual education. Future initiatives should continue to be tailored toward disadvantaged students.
Trade Networks and Diffusion of Regulatory Standards

We study network effects in the diffusion of regulatory standards through international trade. Our results show that countries are more likely to domestically adopt regulations that they comply with while exporting. We find evidence of such diffusion primarily in regulations concerning attributes of the final product rather than production processes. Consistent with a network effect, we show that countries more open to international trade are the drivers of regulatory diffusion. In an analysis of diffusion in individual features within labelling regulations—the most prevalent regulations in our data—we find that labelling requirements ensuring the safety of use propagate the most, and countries tend to domestically adopt features similar to those imposed by their importing partners. Overall, our results support the argument that economic integration can facilitate the strengthening of regulatory standards.
Finding Common Ground in a Conflict Resolution Group for Boys

ABSTRACT In school systems where children come from many different places and cultures the diversity of the student body is both a strength and a source of tension. Social workers can play a significant role in such places by providing groups that foster understanding and decrease prejudice among students. This article describes the way a conflict resolution group became a place where boys from different backgrounds built close relationships with others, despite differences. It details the kinds of interactions and opportunities provided that enabled the boys to move beyond their feelings of antagonism and powerlessness into a realm in which they were able to give voice to their struggles and concerns and connect with each other in positive ways. While the focus is on building bridges, the article also touches upon the issue of their socialization as males and the effects of violence on their lives.
Purification and Properties of l-erythro-3,5-Diaminohexanoate Dehydrogenase from a Lysine-fermenting Clostridium

Abstract A DPN-dependent dehydrogenase catalyzing the oxidative deamination of l-erythro-3,5-diaminohexanoate to 3-keto-5-aminohexanoate was purified about 30-fold from extracts of the lysine-fermenting Clostridium SB4. The best preparations have a specific activity of 34 units per mg and are relatively homogeneous. In the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate the enzyme has a subunit molecular weight of about 37,000. The most active form of the enzyme is a tetramer of molecular weight about 140,000; at high pH or in solutions of low ionic strength it dissociates readily to a dimer of molecular weight about 68,000 which appears to be about one-third as active. The enzyme is highly specific with respect to substrate utilization and consequently is useful for the identification and quantitative estimation of l-erythro-3,5-diaminohexanoate and 3-keto-5-amino-hexanoate. The equilibrium of the dehydrogenase reaction is more favorable for amino acid oxidation than are the equilibria of other similar reactions.
Hemodynamic Support with Impella 2.5 during Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty in a High-Risk Patient

Aortic stenosis (AS) has been considered an exclusion criterion for the use of the Impella 2.5 catheter. We describe a case in which the Impella catheter was successfully implanted and used for hemodynamic support during balloon aortic valvuloplasty in a high-risk patient of severe AS with a calculated aortic valve area of 0.59 cm2 .
SEDIMENTATION OF THORIUM OXIDE SLURRIES AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

AbstractRates of sedimentation are reported for concentrated, flocculated aqueous suspensions of thorium oxide at temperatures from 150 to 325°C. Sedimentation tests were carried out in quartz tubes using a motion picture camera to follow sedimentation in the hindered settling region. The observed rates were used as a basis for calculating the effective particle diameters and densities of the sedimenting bodies at the elevated temperatures. The calculations are based on the premise that the slurries are agglomerated and that the nature of the agglomerates varies with temperature.
Directly Measuring Ocean Forward Scatter with an UWB Radar

This paper describes a dual frequency, ultrawideband (9 GHz, 0.15 ns pulse and 4 GHz, 0.25 ns pulse), dual polarized measurement radar system and a field experiment designed to directly measure ocean forward scatter associated with a test target mounted above a wind disturbed ocean surface. For a grazing angle of 2.9° to the specular point, radar resolution was sufficient to fully resolve both direct and reflected path contributions to the received target signal. Data samples highlight some new results with regard to conventional wisdom concerning radar forward scatter from the ocean.
Identification and H/sub /spl infin// control design for a pressurized water reactor

The objective of this paper was to design controllers for a pressurized water reactor using model based control techniques. To this end, the physical system was identified from experimental data using a multi-input multi-output state-space description; an H/sub /spl infin// controller was designed using a lower order model of the plant. Of particular importance, the frequency weighting functions were chosen to reflect the robust stability and nominal performance requirements. Although a nonlinear controller is required, the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller in a relatively wide operating range. >
Three Nucleon Systems

The subject of these lectures is the study of three-body problem with emphasis upon the three-nucleon system. The lectures are divided into three sections. In Section 2 we examine two-body system introducing our notation and obtaining results which will be used in the later sections. Section 3 develops the more formal aspects of the threebody problem, introducing the Faddeev equations and developing the formalism used for calculating three-body scattering processes. In Section 4 the three-nucleon problem is discussed. This section is subdivided into one section on the bound state system and another on the scattering states. Very good discussion of work through 1969 can be found in reference [1] to [5].
Hahn's embedding theorem for orders and harmonic analysis on groups with ordered duals

Let G be a locally compact abelian group whose dual group contains a Haar measurable order P. Using the order P we define the conjugate function operator on L p (G), 1 p < 1, as was done by Helson [7]. We will show how to use Hahn’s Embedding Theorem for orders and the ergodic Hilbert transform to study the conjugate function. Our approach enables us to define a filtration of the Borel -algebra on G, which in turn will allow us to introduce tools from martingale theory into the analysis on groups with ordered duals. We illustrate our methods by describing a concrete way to construct the conjugate function in L p (G). This construction is in terms of an unconditionally convergent conjugate series whose individual terms are constructed from specific ergodic Hilbert transforms. We also present a study of the square function associated with the conjugate series.
The Impact of the First Officer Qualification Ruling: Pilot Performance in Initial Training

The intent of the First Officer Qualification (FOQ) ruling was to improve the quality of first officers flying for Part 121 carriers. In order to test this, a study was completed at a regional carrier to compare pilots hired prior to the FOQ ruling with those hired after the FOQ ruling. The study compared 232 pilots hired from 2005–2008 with 184 pilots hired from August 2013–November 2014. The pilots’ date of hire as compared to the date the FOQ ruling went into effect defined the input (Source) variable. Initial training defined the output (Success) variables. The airline name and all identifying information were removed from the data set. The pilots were compared in three areas: total flight hours, training completion and extra training events. The results of the study show that, while pilots hired after the FOQ ruling had a significantly higher number of total flight hours, that group was more likely to need additional training and less likely to successfully complete training than those who were hired prior to FOQ. The study shows that there may have been some unintended consequences of the FOQ ruling and that more extensive research is needed to confirm that these results are representative of regional carriers across the industry.
Endotracheal Tube Management and Obstructed Airway

Thoracic surgery encompasses a wide array of surgical techniques, most of which require lung isolation for surgical exposure in the pleural cavity; this, in turn, demands an extensive knowledge of respiratory mechanics and modalities of airway control. Likewise, effective treatment of an acute central airway obstruction calls for a systematic approach using clear communication between teams and a comprehensive knowledge of available therapeutic modalities by the surgeon.
Double Impact: When Both Tornadoes and Flash Floods Threaten the Same Place at the Same Time

AbstractWhile both tornadoes and flash floods individually present public hazards, when the two threats are both concurrent and collocated (referred to here as TORFF events), unique concerns arise. This study aims to evaluate the climatological and meteorological characteristics associated with TORFF events over the continental United States. Two separate datasets, one based on overlapping tornado and flash flood warnings and the other based on observations, were used to arrive at estimations of the instances when a TORFF event was deemed imminent and verified to have occurred, respectively. These datasets were then used to discern the geographical and meteorological characteristics of recent TORFF events. During 2008–14, TORFF events were found to be publicly communicated via overlapping warnings an average of 400 times per year, with a maximum frequency occurring in the lower Mississippi River valley. Additionally, 68 verified TORFF events between 2008 and 2013 were identified and subsequently classifie...
Fusarium endophthalmitis in an intravenous drug abuser

Purpose We studied a case in which a patient had unilateral retinal infiltrates and a retinal vasculopathy resembling frosted branch angiitis. He later admitted to injecting cocaine intravenously. Method The patient underwent a pars plana vitrectomy and received intravitreal and intravenous amphotericin B. Results The vitreous fluid grew Fusarium dimerium. There was rapid response to the treatment and full recovery of vision. Conclusion Fusarium species should be considered as a potential pathogen in intravenous drug abusers with endogenous endophthalmitis and in patients with unilateral frosted branch angiitis.
Beam profiles for x-ray rotation therapy

Determining the beam configuration necessary to deliver a desired dose distribution with rotation therapy is equivalent to solving an integral equation. The equation has been solved analytically for a handful of dose distributions having specific radial variation and either rotational or reflective angular symmetry. In this work a numerical method for calculating beam profiles appropriate for producing distributions having arbitrary radial variation and angular symmetry of order l > or = 2 is presented. The accuracy of the technique is demonstrated by comparison with one of the few dose distributions for which an analytic solution exists, and the ability to produce both more general and conformal distributions is also shown. The problems of negative intensity and scatter are discussed.
Surface and grain boundary diffusion

Abstract Thin metallic films subjected to high temperatures show large changes in reflectivity and electrical resistance because of the formation of hillocks and agglomerations. The latter surface structures grow via surface and grain boundary diffusion. The characteristic temperature at which these diffusive processes and their concomitant effects become important is predicted from the theory of two-dimensional melting. No semi-emperical Arrhenius relations are used. It is shown that the ratio of the characteristic temperature to the bulk melting point of the film material is 0.59. This is in good agreement with the value of 0.6 proposed by other researchers.
Preschool children's entry attempts☆

This study is an examination of age differences in preschool children's entry strategies and the factors that contribute to their outcomes. The participants were 54 preschool children in age-stratified (3-year-old, 4-year-old, and 5-year-old) classrooms. Their reciprocal friendship choices, peer contacts, and entry behaviors were recorded throughout the year. Children's entry behaviors varied by age, but across all age groups, outcomes were related most consistently to specific entry strategies. The relationship between the initiator and the target was related to the success of entry attempts, but these effects varied across age groups.
Syntax-directed content analysis of videotext: application to a map detection recognition system

Video is an increasingly important and ever-growing source of information to the intelligence and homeland defense analyst. A capability to automatically identify the contents of video imagery would enable the analyst to index relevant foreign and domestic news videos in a convenient and meaningful way. To this end, the proposed system aims to help determine the geographic focus of a news story directly from video imagery by detecting and geographically localizing political maps from news broadcasts, using the results of videotext recognition in lieu of a computationally expensive, scale-independent shape recognizer. Our novel method for the geographic localization of a map is based on the premise that the relative placement of text superimposed on a map roughly corresponds to the geographic coordinates of the locations the text represents. Our scheme extracts and recognizes videotext, and iteratively identifies the geographic area, while allowing for OCR errors and artistic freedom. The fast and reliable recognition of such maps by our system may provide valuable context and supporting evidence for other sources, such as speech recognition transcripts. The concepts of syntax-directed content analysis of videotext presented here can be extended to other content analysis systems.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Use of Visualization Techniques to Plan, Design, and Permit Pipeline Projects

Because pipeline routing, design, and permitting is complex and often controversial, it is advantageous to utilize new technologies to expedite the overall process. Potential pipeline routes can be modeled in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to facilitate early identification of engineering and environmental constraints. This allows time for preliminary engineering and permitting, avoiding time-consuming and costly re-routing later on. Why take the planning, design, and permitting into a virtual world? A primary advantage of a virtual GIS model is based on the way humans process information. It is estimated that 50% of the brain’s neurons are involved in vision. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) visualizations simulate spatial reality, thus allowing the viewer to quickly recognize and understand complex concepts such as changes in elevation or tree growth over time. This is especially true of 3D displays, which involve a larger portion of the brain in the problem solving process (Swanson, 2002). Using spatial visualizations—or geo-visualizations—engineers, planners, and environmental scientists involved in pipeline permitting can quickly and easily identify engineering and environmental constraints along a route and may be more effective in conveying their plan to stakeholders. Many pipeline routes are inaccessible due to either rough terrain or restricted access. Virtual routes can be evaluated by the design team without each team member travelling to the project location, saving valuable project time and reducing project budget. Once a GIS model for the entire route is created, 2D and 3D illustrations allow a project proponent to “sell” a particular alternative or project mitigation to permitting agencies and stakeholders, and potentially accelerate the overall permitting process.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Waist-to-Hip Ratio and Body Mass Index as Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Events in CKD

Background The role of obesity as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is poorly understood. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is less influenced by muscle and bone mass than body mass index (BMI). We compared WHR and BMI as risk factors for cardiac events (myocardial infarction and fatal coronary disease) in persons with CKD. Study Design Cohort study. Setting & Participants Persons with CKD, defined as baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate of 15 to 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , drawn from 2 community studies: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and the Cardiovascular Health Study. Predictor WHR, waist circumference, and BMI. Outcomes & Measurements Myocardial infarction and fatal coronary heart disease. Results Of 1,669 participants with CKD, mean age was 70.3 years and 56% were women. Mean (SD) WHRs were 0.97 ± 0.08 in men and 0.90 ± 0.07 in women; mean (SD) BMI was 27.2 ± 4.6 kg/m 2 . During a mean of 9.3 years of follow-up, there were 334 cardiac events. In multivariable-adjusted Cox models, the highest WHR group (n = 386) was associated with an increased risk of cardiac events compared with the lowest WHR group (hazard ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.83). Obesity, defined as BMI greater than 30 kg/m 2 (n = 381), was not associated with cardiac events (hazard ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.62 to 1.20) in comparison to participants with normal BMI ( 2 ). Results with waist circumference were similar to those with BMI. Limitations Absence of a gold standard for measurement of visceral fat. Conclusions WHR, but not BMI, is associated with cardiac events in persons with CKD. Relying exclusively on BMI may underestimate the importance of obesity as a cardiovascular disease risk factor in persons with CKD.
Electric Field Sensor Based on a Varactor Diode/MIS/MOS Structure

In this paper a voltage controlled variable capacitance is being proposed as a method for non-contacting measurement of electric fields. There are several microelectronic devices that can be utilized for that purpose: a varactor (a.k.a. varicap), a MOS (metal-oxide-semiconductor) or a MIS (metal-insulator-semiconductor) structure. The construction that has been tested and presented in this paper is based on a varactor diode. Although numerous non-contacting instrument designs are widely available, they either lack precision (meters utilizing Kerr or Pockel effect, rotating vane fieldmeters, fieldmeters with mechanically vibrating sensors) or are relatively expensive and complicated (electrostatic voltmeters). Other types of electric field meters such as capacitive coupling or induction instruments rely on variation of the electric quantity that is being measured, therefore they are not useful for detection and quantification of static (DC) electric charges and fields. The sensor used in the experiment described in this manuscript can be used for the DC and AC electric field measurements. The construction is very simple, therefore inexpensive, and it can be easily miniaturized.
Dynamics of small mobile helium clusters near tungsten surfaces

Abstract We report the results of a systematic atomic-scale analysis of the dynamics of small mobile helium clusters in tungsten, near tungsten surfaces. These helium clusters are attracted to tungsten surfaces due to an elastic interaction force that drives surface segregation. As the clusters migrate toward the surface, trap mutation and cluster dissociation are activated at rates higher than in the bulk. These kinetic processes are responsible for important structural, morphological, and compositional features in plasma-exposed tungsten, including surface adatoms, near-surface immobile helium–vacancy complexes, and retained helium content. Detailed results are presented for di-helium and tri-helium clusters near low-Miller-index tungsten surfaces.
Managing diabetes in cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) is the most common co-morbidity in persons with cystic fibrosis (CF). As the life expectancy of persons with CF continues to increase, the need to proactively diagnose and aggressively treat CFRD and its potential complications has become more apparent. CFRD negatively impacts lung function, growth and mortality, making its diagnosis and management crucial in a population already at high risk for early mortality. Compared to type 1 and type 2 diabetes, CFRD is a unique entity, requiring a thorough understanding of its unique pathophysiology to facilitate the creation and utilization of an effective medical treatment plan. The physiology of CFRD is complex, likely consisting of a combination of insulin deficiency, insulin resistance and a genetic predisposition towards the development of diabetes. However, the hallmark of CFRD is insulin deficiency, necessitating the use of exogenous insulin as the mainstay of therapy. Insulin administration, in combination with a multidisciplinary team of health professionals with expertise in the care of patients with CF and CFRD, is the cornerstone of the care for these patients. The goals of treatment of the CFRD population are to reverse protein catabolism, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce acute and chronic diabetes complications. Creating a partnership between the treatment team and the patient is the ideal way to accomplish these goals and is essential for successful diabetes care.
Perceptions of a Chilly Climate: Differences in Traditional and Non-traditional Majors for Women

The purpose of this study was to examine how perceptions of a chilly climate differ between students in traditionally female-dominated majors (nursing and education) versus traditionally male-dominated majors (information technology and engineering), and how these perceptions relate to students' intentions to persist or pursue higher education in their chosen field. Students (n = 403) attending a community college completed the 28- item Perceived Chilly Climate Scale (PCCS). The primary research question asked: To what extent can scores on the five subscales of the PCCS be explained by the predictor variable set of gender, ethnicity, age, college major, and intent to leave the field? Canonical correlation analysis indicated that women found the climate chillier than men, non-white students found the climate chillier than white students, younger students perceived the climate chillier than older students, and students in traditionally female-dominated majors perceived the climate chillier than students in traditionally male-dominated majors. Intent to leave the field was not a significant predictor of perceptions of chilly climate.
EEG evaluation of children with Sturge-Weber syndrome and epilepsy

Abstract To define the contribution of the EEG evaluation in children with seizures and Sturge-Weber syndrome, we reviewed EEG data in 14 radiologically confirmed cases. Thirteen exhibited marked voltage attenuation that was localized to the region of the cerebral angiomatosis. Polymorphic slowing occurred ipsilateral to the lesion in six patients and was bilateral in six. By contrast, interictal spikes were evident in only two patients and did not always correlate with the angiomatosis. Seizures were captured in four patients and consistently revealed ictal discharges only at the periphery of the lesion. These findings indicate that abnormalities of EEG background rather than interictal spikes are consistently present early in the course of Sturge-Weber syndrome and correlate with the region of angiomatosis.
Isokinetic Limb and Trunk Muscle Performance Testing: Short-Term Reliability

There is a lack of information on the reliability of devices used to test trunk flexor and extensor strength. In this study, the short-term reliability of two isokinetic muscle performance testing devices was assessed. Measurements of knee flexion/extension and trunk flexion/extension were made in 15 normal subjects (mean age, 29.9 years). Determinations of peak torque and best work, as a percentage of body weight, were made 24 hours apart. Speeds used for the knee were 90, 180, and 24O°/sec, while speeds used for the trunk were 60, 90, and 120°/sec. Correlation ranged from r = 0.82 to r = 0.96, showing strong associations between first and second measurements at either site for both performance parameters and for all speeds. Reliability (imprecision) was estimated as the average coefficient of variation (CV) for paired measurements. Coefficients of variation ranged from 4.4 to 8.7 percent for the knee parameters and from 2.9 to 12.1 percent for the trunk parameters. Using this range of imprecision, the m...
Overview of computational methods for the inference of gene regulatory networks

Abstract Increasing volumes of data about the cellular phenotype and classes of intracellular molecules have necessitated the introduction of systemic methods for the analysis of biological systems. These methods bring to focus the integrated nature and complex interactions of biological molecules and processes and, as such, define the emerging field of systems biology. Of the multitude of systems thus analyzed, we provide here an overview of foundational and current methods in the inference of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) and sequence-based pattern discovery. In GRN analysis, the reverse engineering paradigm is given particular attention, including the various types of models (discrete, continuous, hybrid) which may be utilized in reverse engineering a network's structure. Future research directions in these areas are discussed, particularly the potential for ventures that integrate GRN inference, pattern discovery, and experimental methods into a cohesive, productive methodology.
Age-related macular degeneration and optic disk cupping: the Beaver Dam Eye Study.

Purpose To examine the association between presence, severity, and extent of lesions of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and optic disk and cup diameters in a general population. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods setting: Population-based. study population: Adults aged 43 to 86 years participating in the Beaver Dam Eye Study. observation procedures: Fundus photographs were graded for lesions of AMD using standard protocols. The photographs were obtained during the baseline examination of the Beaver Dam Eye Study. main outcome measure: Optic disk cupping as related to presence, severity, and extent of lesions of AMD. Results There were no significant differences in the vertical optic disk and cup measurements or in the vertical cup to disk ratios by severity of lesions of AMD ( P values all greater than .10). In those eyes with late lesions of AMD, there was no association of the size of the lesions or their distribution in the fundus and the extent of cupping. Conclusions From a population perspective, there is no relationship of the presence or severity of AMD and optic disk cupping.
THE VIRTUES OF HEAVY‐HANDEDNESS IN GOVERNMENT

This article is concerned with the increased popularity of noncoercive methods to achieve public policy goals. It is contended that certain functions and benefits regarding coercion by government are overlooked, while conceptual and practical problems in employing noncoercive approaches are, to a considerable degree, neglected. The discussion concludes with a call for a more integrated approach in which coercive and noncoercive approaches to government action are seen as complementary, rather than mutually exclusive.
Laboratory simulation of hypervelocity debris

Abstract A series of hypervelocity damage experiments were performed on spacecraft materials in order to simulate micro-size space debris traveling at 3 to 8 km/s. Two types of impact simulations were investigated: high-power pulsed laser and laser-launched micro-flyer plate. In the first case a laser was used to generate a high-pressure shock wave which propagated into the target by means of rapid ablation of the target surface. The second case used the same laser to accelerate micro-flyer plates at a target. The laser-ablation technique and the apparatus used to propel the micro-flyer plates were compatible with a space environmental chamber equipped with instrumentation capable of analyzing the vapor ejected from the sample. Data obtained from two separate damage effects were of interest in this study: the vapor blow-off produced by the impact and the mechanical damage to the target. The value of the data obtained from both simulation methods was evaluated in terms of likeness to actual space debris damage. Data for this work were obtained from polysulfone resin and a graphite polysulfone composite. Polysulfone was selected because it was flown on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) satellite which spent several years in low earth orbit and experienced many space debris impacts. The chemistry of the vapor produced by the two simulation techniques was analyzed with a time of flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS) which measured changes in the vapor chemistry as a function of time after impact, obtained a velocity measurement of the vapor, and estimated surface temperature immediately after impact using dynamic gas equations. Samples of the vapor plume were also captured and examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanical damage effects caused by the simulation methods on a graphit polysulfone composite and a polysulfone resin were studied. Impact craters were examined under optical and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Based on the two damage effect criteria the micro-flyer method proved to be a useful way to simulate hypervelocity impact of space debris. The laser-ablation method however, had shortcomings and required drastic compromises in the set criteria.
Memorable Holidays and Planetary Lapses: Access, Stimulus Constraint, and Knowledge Base Problems in the Retrieval Search of Children and Adults.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of item-by-item retrieval search processes to developmental differences in cued recall. The four experiments were designed to examine or control problems involving search set access, the constraint on item order, the search object, and the knowledge base that usually may limit children's use of search strategies, as well as provide positive evidence about the use of such strategies in recall. In Experiment 1, second and fifth graders and college students were shown three-item stimuli (e.g., Tuesday Wednesday Friday) from ordered sets (e.g., the alphabet, planets, holidays) or unordered sets (states, oceans) of items, induced to classify the stimuli at acquisition by an orienting task, and asked to recall the final target item (Friday) and the other items in each stimulus in a cued recall task. The cues were the first item in each stimulus, the first two items, or the set name (days of the week). The results were compared to recall for four-item stimuli in Experiment 2, for no orient situations in Experiment 3, and for three-word category and theme stimuli in Experiment 4. The results showed that developmental cued recall differences remained even when the access, constraint, search object, and knowledge base problems were controlled or minimized. However, the results also suggested that item-by-item search processes per se contributed minimally to these recall differences, even in situations that seemed to encourage the use of such processes (i.e., ordered sets).
Λ-N weak-interaction, unitary symmetry and nucleon-nucleon-scattering phase shifts

Abstract The weak interaction process ΛN → NN is studied under the assumption that the weak Hamiltonian transforms like scalar (for the parity-conserving part) and pseudoscalar (for the partity-violating part) densities which behave like the sixth (λ6) and seventh (λ7) components of an octet, respectively, under the SU(3) transformations. The six possible transition amplitudes can thus be expressed as products of a weak transition and a strong scattering amplitude. The scattering amplitude is expressed in terms of five invariant amplitudes which are related to the N-N scattering phase shifts. The ratio D C F C for parity conserving weak transition is required to be equal to −3 to suppress the parity-conserving amplitudes. All the other parameters of the weak interaction are known from the weak pionic decay of baryons. The resulting rates for the transitions agree very well with regard to both relative and absolute magnitudes with the rates determined from the study of hypernuclear decays.
Comparative Effects of Exercise Reduction and Relaxation Training on Mood States and Type a Scores in Habitual Aerobic Exercisers

The comparative effects of exercise reduction and relaxation training on dysphoric mood states and Type A scores in persons who exercise beyond the American College of Sports Medicine's recommended guidelines for cardiovascular fitness were investigated. Using their scores on the Profile of Mood States and the Jenkins Activity Survey, 57 subjects were randomly divided into 3 matched groups based on age, gender, and exercise regimen. Subjects assigned to the control group maintained their current exercise regimen, those in the second group reduced their exercise regimen to include no more than 5 hours of aerobic activity per week, and those in the third group maintained their current exercise regimen and attended 5 1 1/2-hr. relaxation training sessions. Both inventories were administered again after 10 weeks. Multivariate analysis of covariance showed no statistically significant differences among group means on the dependent variables. Further research on the use of aerobic exercise and relaxation traini...
Ranking by eigenvector versus other methods in the analytic hierarchy process

Abstract Counter-examples are given to show that in decision making, different methods of deriving priority vectors may be close for every single pairwise comparison matrix, yet they can lead to different overall rankings. When the judgments are inconsistent, their transitivity affects the final outcome, and must be taken into consideration in the derived vector. It is known that the principal eigenvector captures transitivity uniquely and is the only way to obtain the correct ranking on a ratio scale of the alternatives of a decision. Because of this and of the counter-examples given below, one should only use the eigenvector for ranking in making a decision.