cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defending the Environment: A Mission for the World's Militaries

Critics often fault the U.S. military for its environmental stewardship, and legal scholarship frequently highlights efforts by the military to seek national security exemptions from various environmental laws and the military’s poor cleanup record. Yet the Department of Defense (“DoD”) is largely subject to and complies with the full array of American environmental laws in the same manner and extent as any agency of the federal government. While the military’s environmental record is far from perfect, a comparative legal survey shows that the U.S. is at the relative forefront of effectively balancing environmental stewardship with national security.This article surveys the environmental laws that apply to the U.S. and other major militaries of the world during peacetime. Four themes begin to emerge from this comparative analysis. First, the effective use of judicial enforcement within the U.S. via the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”) and environmental citizen suit provisions ensures that the U.S. military is continually accountable to the public for its actions impacting the environment. Second, this “environmental accountability” effectively upholds the longstanding tradition of civilian control over the military, an unexpected and welcome byproduct of American environmental law. Third, despite an initial, post-September 11, 2001 flurry of requests for broader environmental exemptions for the military, these requests have dissipated. Twelve years later, environmental laws as applied to the military have emerged intact, a testament to the durability and permanency of American environmental law. Lastly, there are lessons that the U.S. and other nations can learn from each other about effectively reconciling environmental stewardship with national security. Such reconciliation is more important than ever with the emergence of climate change and the need for all sectors of society — including the world’s militaries, a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions — to be held fully accountable for their contribution to a changing climate.
Advanced Procedure Topic for Austere Providers: Upper Extremity Nerve Blocks

Nerve blocks of the upper extremity can provide rapid analgesia in the setting of acute pain, helping facilitate procedures and interventions in the field as well as in more advanced health care settings. When performed properly, many of these blocks have a low rate of complications when completed under ultrasound guidance. This chapter provides an overview of relevant anatomy and instructions for the most common upper extremity nerve blocks performed under ultrasound guidance. It can be used for training, a quick reference guide, as well as a rapid review of the relevant literature.
Crack segmentation through deep convolutional neural networks and heterogeneous image fusion

Abstract A DCNN-based crack segmentation methodology is proposed by leveraging heterogeneous image fusion to alleviate image-related disturbances in intensity or range image data and mitigate uncertainties through cross-domain (i.e., intensity and range data domains) feature correlation. Intensity and range images are captured from concrete roadways and integrated through data fusion. Three encoder-decoder networks representing different patterns on exploiting the image data (i.e., fused raw image, raw range image, filtered range image, and raw intensity image) are proposed and compared to benchmarks. Experimental results demonstrate the proposed DCNN exploiting the fused raw image through an “extract-fuse” pattern achieves the most robust and accurate performance on crack segmentation among the implemented DCNNs.
Synchrotron experiment and simulation studies of magnesium-steel interface manufactured by impact welding

Abstract The effective weight reduction in the automotive industry by the wide adoption of lightweight magnesium (Mg) alloys demands high-quality joint between magnesium alloys and massively-used steels in order to wring the excess weight with strength and safety assurance. However, Mg-steel joint is difficult to achieve because there is no mutual solubility between magnesium and steel and huge disparity in physical properties. An impact-based welding method recently showed successful Mg-steel joining. In this work, the characteristics of Mg-steel interface joined by the impact welding method were investigated. Synchrotron high-energy X-ray computed tomography and diffraction were applied to characterize the microstructure across Mg-steel interface. Results revealed a deposit layer formed at the joint interface where Fe-rich particles spread deep into the Mg matrix. High-resolution 3D morphology of Mg-steel interface demonstrated the trapped pores and cracks inside the deposit layer. The formation of the deposit layer and the void/cracking evolution were analyzed by using finite element models. These findings provide insights into the immiscible Mg-steel joining process.
Examining the Effects of Silent Independent Reading on Reading Outcomes: A Narrative Synthesis Review from 2000 to 2020

Encouraging children to read extensively has been a widely recommended approach to developing reading. The National Reading Panel published a review study reporting inconclusive findings regarding ...
Assessment of Crash Occurrence Using Historical Crash Data and a Random Effect Negative Binomial Model: A Case Study for a Rural State:

This work identifies factors that influence crash occurrence within a traffic analysis zone (TAZ) by accounting for location-specific effects and serial correlation in longitudinal crash data. This...
Chemical Characterization Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy of Products Released from Lithium-Ion Battery Cells at Thermal Runaway Conditions.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used to characterize the ejecta released by lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells at thermal runaway conditions. Commercial AAA-size, rechargeable, 3.7 V, 350 m...
The Complex Role of Utterance Length on Grammaticality: Multivariate Multilevel Analysis of English and Spanish Utterances of First-Grade English Learners.

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between utterance length, syntactic complexity, and the probability of making an error at the utterance level. Method: The participants in this study i...
Increased Pharyngeal Reflux in Patients Treated for Laryngeal Cancer: A Pilot Study

ObjectiveLaryngopharyngeal reflux may cause significant morbidity in the head and neck cancer population. The goal was to determine if pharyngeal reflux is increased as a result of treatment for laryngeal cancer.Study DesignA prospective clinical trial.SettingTertiary care center.SubjectsHead and neck cancer patients treated at LSU Health–Shreveport with a plan for total laryngectomy.MethodsPharyngeal pH probes with resultant reflux scores were utilized in patients with laryngeal/pharyngeal cancer with a plan for total laryngectomy.ResultsTwenty-four patients were enrolled, of whom 10 underwent postlaryngectomy pH probe monitoring. The mean upright Ryan score for patients with prior radiotherapy was 238.4 (n = 8), compared with 22.0 (n = 16) in those without prior radiotherapy (P = .02). The supine score was 12.7 in the radiotherapy group and 2.7 in those without radiotherapy (P = .12). For those who completed the postlaryngectomy pH study (n = 10), the mean preoperative upright Ryan score was 106.32 ± 27...
Effects of Interaction Topology and Activation Regime in Several Multi-Agent Systems

The effects of distinct agent interaction and activation structures are compared and contrasted in several multi-agent models of social phenomena. Random graphs and lattices represent two limiting kinds of agent interaction networks studied, with so-called 'small-world' networks being an intermediate form between these two extremes. A model of retirement behavior is studied with each network type, resulting in important differences in key model outputs. Then, in the context of a model of multi-agent firm formation it is demonstrated that the medium of interaction--whether through individual agents or through firms--affects the qualitative character of the results. Finally, alternative agent activation 'schedules' are studied. In particular, two activation modes are compared: (1) all agents being active exactly once each period, and (2) each agent having a random number of activations per period with mean 1. In some models these two regimes produce indistinguishable results at the aggregate level, but in certain cases the differences between them are significant.
Identification and evaluation of functional modules in gene co-expression networks

Identifying gene functional modules is an important step towards elucidating gene functions at a global scale. In this paper, we introduce a simple method to construct gene co-expression networks from microarray data, and then propose an efficient spectral clustering algorithm to identify natural communities, which are relatively densely connected sub-graphs, in the network. To assess the effectiveness of our approach and its advantage over existing methods, we develop a novel method to measure the agreement between the gene communities and the modular structures in other reference networks, including protein-protein interaction networks, transcriptional regulatory networks, and gene networks derived from gene annotations. We evaluate the proposed methods on two large-scale gene expression data in budding yeast and Arabidopsis thaliana. The results show that the clusters identified by our method are functionally more coherent than the clusters from several standard clustering algorithms, such as k-means, self-organizing maps, and spectral clustering, and have high agreement to the modular structures in the reference networks.
Are Auditor and Audit Committee Report Changes Useful to Investors? Evidence from the United Kingdom

Recently, U.S. and international regulators have proposed significant changes to auditor and audit committee reporting with the stated intention of delivering more useful information to stakeholders. Whether new disclosure requirements achieve this intended benefit is unknown. We exploit the exogenous shock of the recent changes to auditor and audit committee reports in the United Kingdom and use abnormal trading volume to test the usefulness of these new reports to investors. We find that abnormal trading volume significantly increased following the implementation of the new disclosure regime, and that abnormal trading volume increased more for companies with weaker information environments. Additionally, we find evidence that companies employing auditors that tend to provide more (less) detailed audit reports experience more (less) abnormal trading volume. Overall, it appears that additional required disclosures from audit committees and auditors provide useful information to investors.
Linked functions in allosteric proteins: Extension of the concerted (MWC) model for ligand-linked subunit assembly and its application to human hemoglobins☆

Abstract The allosteric model of Monod et al. (1965) (MWC) has been extended to take into account the effects of subunit dissociation. The problem is formulated theoretically in terms of a general model for two allosteric species (dimers and tetramers) linked by a polymerization reaction. Relationships are presented for interpreting the dimer-tetramer association constants in terms of allosteric model parameters. Sub-cases of the general model were tested against recent experimental data on the oxygenation-linked dimer-tetramer equilibria in normal human hemoglobin and in the variant hemoglobin Kansas (β102, Asp → Thr). The objectives of these analyses were: (1) to find the simplest models capable of describing the linked dimer-tetramer equilibria in the two hemoglobin systems, and (2) to evaluate the corresponding model parameters so that allosteric properties of the two hemoglobins may be compared. In the simplest version of the model, the dimer is half of an R-state tetramer. This model was found to be excluded unequivocally by the data for both normal hemoglobin and hemoglobin Kansas when the α and β chains have equal binding affinities. When this two-state model was modified to permit non-equivalent affinities for the chains, the model could be fitted to hemoglobin Kansas, but not to hemoglobin A. A model, in which the dimers are allowed to exist in a state different from the tetramer R state, was found to be consistent with the data for hemoglobin A, with equivalent binding by the α and β chains. For hemoglobin A, the unliganded R-state tetramers have a different subunit dissociation energy from that of fully liganded R-state tetramers. The simplest model capable of describing both hemoglobin A and hemoglobin Kansas was obtained by extending this three-state model to permit (but not require) functional non-equivalence of the α and β chains. For these MWC models, unique estimates were obtained for the model parameters. The allosteric constants for tetrameric hemoglobins A and Kansas are approximately equal. The value obtained from hemoglobin A is similar to previous estimates, whereas the value for hemoglobin Kansas is lower than previously estimated (Edelstein, 1971) by approximately two orders of magnitude. The low affinity of hemoglobin Kansas tetramer does not arise from an unusually high allosteric constant favoring the T-state species. It is largely the consequence of a greatly reduced oxygen affinity of β chains in the T state, and reduced values for the ratio between affinities in the R and T states.
The Down Low and the Sexuality of Race

There has been much interest in the phenomenon called “the Down Low,” in which “otherwise heterosexual” African American men have sex with other black men. This essay explores the biopolitics at play in the media’s curiosity about the Down Low. The Down Low serves as a critical, transgressive heterotopia that reveals the codetermination of racism, sexism, and heterosexism in black male sexuality.
An Investigation of the Sources of Measurement Error in the Post-Encounter Written Scores from Standardized Patient Examinations.

Purpose. Post-encounter written exercises (e.g., patient notes) have been included in clinical skills assessments that use standardized patients. The purpose of this study was to estimate the generalizability of the scores from these written exercises when they are rated by various trained health professionals, including physicians. Method. The patient notes from a 10 station clinical skills examination involving 10 first year emergency medicine residents were analytically scored by four rater groups: three physicians, three nurses, three fourth year medical students, three billing clerks. Generalizability analyses were used to partition the various sources of error variance and derive reliability-like coefficients for each group of raters. Results. The generalizability analyses indicated that case-to-case variability was a major source of error variance in the patient note scores. The variance attributable to the rater or to the rater by examinee interaction was negligible. This finding was consistent across the four rater groups. Generalizability coefficients in excess of 0.80 were achieved for each of the four sets of raters. Physicians did, however, produce the most dependable scores. Conclusion. There is little advantage, from a reliability perspective, in using more than one trained physician, or other health professional who is adequately trained to score the patient note. Measurement error is introduced primarily by case sampling variability. This suggests that, if required, increases in the generalizability of the patient note scores can be made through the addition of cases, and not the addition of raters.
An agency-based framework for electronic business

This paper presents an overview of current trends in Electronic Business (E-business), and how an enterprise can use the Electronic Marketspace for strategic advantage. The role of cooperative information agents is discussed within the context of E-business. An agency-based framework is presented for E-business in the class of logistics and supply systems. Such systems are enjoying wide acceptance in commercial and military application domains, as witnessed by the phenomenal growth in Internet stocks for companies such as Amazon.com. We also show how agent-based systems provide scalable, configurable and evolutionary solutions for such applications.
Planning Techniques for the Evaluation of Community Support Efficiency in Safety

Community support is defined and a brief description of the background of support development is presented. Evaluation of safety programs in terms of compliance to national standards only is questioned. It is recommended that a program's relation to the state or local accident problem be the focus of evaluation. The planning problems associated with community support are analyzed. Techniques for solving these problems are recommended. Political and communication problems reducing support efficiency are analyzed and solutions suggested. An approach to the evaluation of action programs combining both practical and scientific considerations is presented.
Growth of a nation part I: impact of organ donor obesity on whole-organ pancreas transplantation.

Fridell JA, Mangus RS, Taber TE, Goble ML, Milgrom ML, Good J, Vetor R, Powelson JA. Growth of a nation part I: impact of organ donor obesity on whole-organ pancreas transplantation. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E225–E232. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the USA. Consequently, there are an increasing number of potential organ donors that are obese, but would otherwise be appropriate donors for pancreas transplantation (PTx). This is a retrospective study of all PTx performed at Indiana University between 2003 and 2009 (n = 308) comparing donors with body mass index (BMI) <25, 25–29.9, and ≥30 kg/m2. Data included recipient and donor demographics, seven and 90-d graft loss, one-yr pancreas, kidney (for simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant only) and patient survival, causes of graft loss and death, peak amylase and lipase, length of stay, readmissions, complications, HbA1C, and c-peptide. Of the 308 donors, 84 (27%) were overweight and 43 (14%) were obese. The overweight donors were significantly older, and the obese donors had hypertension significantly more frequently than the other two groups. There were no significant differences in recipient transplant demographics. There was no significant difference in length of stay or 90-d readmissions, seven or 90-d pancreas graft loss, one-yr graft or patient survival, peak serum amylase or lipase, HbA1C, or c-peptide. The incidence of post-transplant technical, immunological, and infectious complications were similar. Although technically challenging, PTx of allografts from obese donors can be accomplished with similar results compared to normal BMI donors.
Silicon Modulator Based on Coupled Microring Resonators

We show a silicon electro-optic modulator design based on coupled microring resonators that relaxes the trade-off between optical bandwidth and power consumption in resonator-based modulators. It enables 40-Gbit/s modulation without a pre-emphasized driving signal.
Behavioral effects of hippocampal lesions in rats with prior intraseptal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine

Male hooded rats were trained on a schedule of differential reinforcement of low response rates (DRL) until a stable baseline level of responding was obtained. The rats then received a bilateral intraseptal injection of an ascorbic acid solution. They were returned to the DRL schedule for 10 days, after which they received a bilateral intraseptal injection of either the ascorbic acid solution or the vehicle containing 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). After 10 additional days on the DRL schedule, a bilateral hippocampal ablation was performed on all rats. Performance on the DRL schedule was assessed, and rats that had received 6-OHDA prior to the hippocampal ablation emitted significantly fewer responses under the DRL schedule subsequent to the lesion than those that had received just the vehicle. Fluorescence microscopy reveals a substantial loss of the catecholamines in animals receiving 6-OHDA injections as compared to normals or vehicle-treated rats. The results are discussed within the context of 6-OHDA-induced denervation supersensitivity and the possible disruption of ablation-induced collateral axonal sprouting in the septum.
Baryon exchange in 12 GeV/c π−p interactions

Final states produced by charged baryon exchange in π−p interactions at 12 GeV/c laboratory momentum have been studied. Forward neutrons with momenta determined by a calorimeter to be greater than 8.5 ± 1.4 GeV/c triggered the SLAC 40-inch hydrogen bubble chamber which operated at a 10 Hz expansion rate. We report data on the reactions π−p→nπ−π+, π−p→nπ−π+π0, and π−p→nπ−π−π+π+. In π−nπ−p→nπ+, production of ϱ and f mesons is observed. Differential cross sections are derived and compared with data at lower incident momentum and with theoretical models. In π−p→nπ−π+π0, ω production is observed with a differential cross section having a deep near u′= 0.2 (GeV/c)2. In π−p→nπ−π−π+π+, Δ−, ϱ and f production is observed . The observed mass distributions appear to indicate the production of wide resonaces decaying into ϱππ. Some evidence for ϱ-ω interference is also observed.
Hydrogen bonded polymer blends and the design of miscible polymeric antioxidants

The relative magnitude of the equilibrium constants describing self-association versus inter-association is an important factor in determining the phase behavior of polymers that hydrogen bond. In studies of sterically hindered phenolics we have found that poly(2,6-diisopropyl-4-vinylphenol) (PDIPP) only moderately self-associates, but strongly inter-associates with polymers containing groups such as ester carbonyls, ether oxygens, and the like. PDIPP is miscible with polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF) and simultaneously acts as an efficient polymeric antioxidant. This result points the way to the design of specific miscible polymeric antioxidants for polar polymers.
The structure of nontariff trade measures on agricultural products in high-income countries.

This research identifies the principal forces behind the proliferation and growth of nontariff trade measures (NTM) on agricultural products. They include a structural gap between demand and supply elasticities, farm income problems, structural changes in the household, technological innovations, product proliferation and environmental concerns. After examining the total number of NTM, their frequency, diversity, and stacking, it is concluded that the use of NTM is widespread. The three most frequently used NTM in each country are direct trade restrictions such as quotas and permits. These measures are generally considered to be quite restrictive. ©1994 by John Wiley & Sons, lnc.
A Comparison of Feeding to Cephalic Stimulation on Postprandial Sleepiness

This study investigated the effects of ingestion of a meal compared to a sham feeding on objectively measured sleepiness. It was hypothesized that the ingestion of a solid meal would produce significantly greater postprandial sleepiness evidenced by shorter sleep onset latencies (SOL) when compared to a sham feeding. Eleven men and eight women without evidence of gastrointestinal disease or sleep disorders participated in the 2-day study. Subjects underwent a premeal baseline nap at 1600 hours and were given a standardized meal at 1700 hours. On one study day, subjects consumed the entire meal, whereas on another study day, they were asked to chew and then expectorate the meal. Naps with polysomnographic monitoring followed at 1730, 1800, and 1900 hours. Sleep onset latencies were determined by standard polysomnographic measures. Statistical analyses revealed the sleep onset latencies for the two meal conditions differed significantly at the 1800 hours postprandial nap only. Individuals demonstrated a transient decrease in sleep latency after consuming a meal compared to a sham feeding. These results lend support to the existence of a gastrointestinal effect on postprandial sleepiness.
Stress in adolescent females: relationship to autoimmune diseases

We discuss stress effects on the immune system, based on some of the work in our laboratory, principally by Dr. Dhabhar [1,2]. The other study discussed is an article in the New England Journal of Medicine from 1998 on the protective and damaging effects of stress mediators [3], and to be used as an entry point for discussing the immune system. The stress axis has two main components. First is the autonomic nervous system, especially the sympathetic nervous system together with the adrenal medulla. These produce norepinephrine and epinephrine, respectively. The second component is hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, producing glucocorticoids. Catecholamines and glucocorticoids, of course, are the principal mediators of the physiologic response to stress. Whenever such mediators are produced in the body, secreted into the blood, as in stress, the elevation of the mediator in the blood begins to produce effects on target tissues in the body. As summarized in Figure 1, glucocorticoids act on intercellular receptors, which end up in the cell nucleus and regulate gene expression by binding to DNA. Catecholamines act on cell surface receptors through alphaand beta-adrenergic receptors, and they trigger the formation of second messengers. The second messengers can also regulate the expression of genes, as well as regulate events in the cytoplasm of the cell that lead to changes in metabolism and cell function. The net result of these actions of stress mediators is a variety of physiologic and pathophysiologic changes.
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension: The syndrome and its complications

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a syndrome that was largely unknown until the advent of MRI. The incidence of SIH is estimated at 5 per 100,000, which is half the incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage. The major feature is a postural headache of acute or subacute onset. This headache is absent or minimal when the patient is lying down and rapidly worsens to great intensity when the patient sits or stands. Other features may include nausea, vomiting, vertigo, tinnitus, and marked exacerbation by Valsalva maneuver. SIH is due to a leak of cerebrospinal fluid from a tear in the dural membrane, which occurs most often at the exit zones where the cervical spinal roots leave the subarachnoid space. Other leak sites may be the vestibular system, the cribriform plate, or the pituitary fossa. If the leak continues, the brain loses buoyancy within the cranial space and sags toward the foramen magnum. This, in turn, may produce subdural hygroma or hematoma, brainstem compression, focal cranial nerve palsies, or cerebellar tonsillar herniation. The initial therapy is generally strict bed rest. If this fails, an epidural blood patch is usually successful in sealing the leak and restoring brain buoyancy. A significant minority of patients require a repeat epidural blood patch. If the blood patch fails, a surgical approach may be needed. Repair of the leak and restoration of brain buoyancy will stop the postural headache and, in most cases, will reverse the complications.
Viscous dissipation in external natural convection flows

The effects of viscous dissipation are considered for external natural convection flow over a surface. A class of similar boundary-layer solutions is given and numerical results are presented for a wide range of the dissipation and Prandtl numbers. Several general aspects of similarity conditions for flow over surfaces and in convection plumes are discussed and their special characteristics considered. The general equations including the dissipation effect are given for the non-similar power law surface condition.
A class of confidence intervals for the largest component mean of a multivariate normal population

Let be a k-variate (k≧2) normal random vector with population mean vector and covariance matric ∑ of order k and let be the ordered values of the μi’s. No prior knowledge of the pairing of the μ[i] with the Xj is assumed for any i and j . Based on a random sample of n vector observations of X, this paper considers both one-sided and a class of two-sided confidence intervals for μ[k] and μ[1] the largest and-the smallest component mean, respectively, when ∑ is equal to σ2 R with common unknown variance sigma;2→0 and known correlation matrix R. An optimum two-sided coddence interval via finding the shortest length from this class is also considered. Necessary tables to actually apply these procedures are provided.
The molecular structure of polyethylene. XI. Weight- and number-average molecular weights of selected samples†

Improved methods for measuring weight- and number-average molecular weight of polymers soluble only at elevated temperatures are applied to selcted samples of polyethylene. For two samples of essentially linear polyethylene, number-average molecular weights by cryoscopy are 11,500 and 13,000, and weight-average molecular weights by light scattering are 144,000 and 175,000. For samples of branched Fawcett-type polyethylene, number-average molecular weights are in the range 10,000–19,000 and weight-average molecular weights are between 300,000 and 700,000. For one sample each of branched and essentially linear polyethylene it is demonstrated that light scattering measurement in three solvents gives the same molecular weight: no evidence is found for the “association” of these samples of polyethylene in thermodynamically poor solvents. It is thus demonstrated that association is not observed for all samples of polyethylene in dilute solution in α-chloronaphthalene.
Coherent states and particle production

Hadron production at high energies is discussed in terms of coherent states. We suggest that the scattering operator and the pion field density operator take on simple forms in the coherent-state representation. In particular, we show that for a wide variety of configurations of the pion field the density operator can be written in diagonal form in the coherent-state representation. When this is possible, one obtains the statistical theory of pion production which we have discussed recently. We also construct a solvable unitary model in which the total, elastic, and inclusive cross sections go to constants at high energy, while the exclusive cross sections go to zero like a power of energy. In order to take into account the isotopic spin of the pions, we generalize the concept of coherent states and construct states with definite charge and isotopic spin.
Two-dimensional polynomial splines

{~i} and their derivatives of order k or less converge uniformly to u and its corresponding derivatives. We show that these splines can be used to obtain a numerical method for solving elliptic boundary value problems. The method of construction can be easily extended to higher dimensional Euclidean spaces. For one dimensional splines, see, for example, references [2] and [3JWe denote by G a bounded open domain of class C o (see reference It] for definition) in the Euclidean plane with boundary ~G and closure G. For a function uEC/(G) denote by Illuilli, the maximum norm max max l D~u(~)] and denote by the norm (f ~, I D~u(~)]ZdY)t, Here ~ = (~1, ~)is the multiple G I~l 1 and an integer p >--_ 0. Subdivide the domain ~ by a grid into a finite number of subdomains such that each subdomain is a polygon with infinitely differentiable curvilinear sides. We call any such subdomain a cell. Let {Si} be the set of grid lines forming the sides of cells. We require that the interior of any grid line Si must not contain a vertex. Let sup (Length of S¢) -- h. We denote by {Gt} the disjoint collection of interiors of the cells and let G 0---U Gi. Assume that each grid line, S t, is a non-singular curve, defined by an equation of the form x = fi (~3
Ethnic Self-Help Organizations in Non-Barrio Settings: Community Identity and Voluntary Action:

While Hispanic and other ethnic populations are becoming increasingly hetero geneous and dispersed throughout many metropolitan areas, most research on Hispanic self-help organizations focuses upon barrio setting. This article illus trates how socio-economic heterogeneity and geographic dispersal within a metro politan area necessitates adaptation in the roles of ethnic self-help organizations. A survey of Hispanics in the Atlanta metropolitan area reveals intra-urban migration patterns, trends in community identity, and variations in the utilization of Hispanic service agencies which guide a discussion of strategies that may be employed by ethnic self-help organizations in non-barrio settings.
The relationship between egg size and the duration of the facultative feeding period in marine invertebrate larvae

Abstract Feeding larvae of marine invertebrates fuel development from both endogenous egg energy and exogenous energy obtained from the planktonic environment. Although both sources of energy likely influence certain larval stages, only the effects of exogenous food have been well studied. Despite the lack of research on the effects of egg size on larval stages, investigators have hypothesized that egg size influences the duration of the facultative feeding stage—the stage in which larvae can feed but do not have to because development is still being fueled by egg energy. To test this hypothesis, we investigated six species of sand dollars with different sized eggs and quantified the duration of the larval facultative feeding period of each species by comparing when fed and starved larvae diverged in size. Regardless of whether phylogeny was taken into account, the duration of the facultative feeding period was positively correlated with egg size. We further determined that our conclusions were not sensitive to either our estimation of the duration of the facultative feeding period, or the branch lengths of the phylogeny we used. This relationship is likely a result of larger eggs being provisioned with more energy, and may affect how well larvae can cope with natural variability in food concentrations. Furthermore, our results support an assumption of a theoretical model developed to understand the evolution of different life-history strategies in marine invertebrate larvae, which suggests that this relationship has important evolutionary consequences.
Shape Control of an adaptive wing for transonic drag reduction

Theory and experiments to control the static shape of flexible structures by employing internal translational actuators are summarized and plants to extend the work to adaptive wings are presented. Significant reductions in the shock-induced drag are achievable during transonic- cruise by small adaptive modifications to the wing cross-sectional profile. Actuators are employed as truss elements of active ribs to deform the wing cross section. An adaptive-rib model was constructed, and experiments validated the shape-control theory. Plans for future development under an ARPA/AFWAL contract include payoff assessments of the method on an actual aircraft, the development of inchworm TERFENOL-D actuators, and the development of a method to optimize the wing cross-sectional shapes by direct-drag measurements.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Veterans Residing in Community Living Centers: Have We Gotten Better?

Objectives: To evaluate the use of medications classified as inappropriate according to the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) in elderly veterans residing in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing homes from 2004 to 2009 and to identify participant-specific correlates of use. Design: Retrospective, cross-sectional study using VA administrative data merged with participant-specific data from the Minimum Data Set. Setting: VA nursing homes (community living centers (CLCs)). Participants: Veterans aged 65 and older residing in CLCs at the time of the prescribed medication use (N = 176,168). Measurements: The number of exposed veterans aged 65 and older per facility receiving at least one HEDIS high-risk medication was determined. Results: Between 2004 and 2009, 28,970 of 176,168 (mean 16.4 ± 9.5%) veterans received at least one HEDIS high-risk medication. Over the period, the number of veterans receiving high-risk medications decreased steadily from 23.9 ± 10.0% in 2004 to 10.0 ± 6.6% in 2009. Nevertheless, large facility variations remained in 2009, with rates from 0% to 44.4%. Certain characteristics were also associated with HEDIS high-risk medication use, including female sex (odds ratio (OR) = 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.25�2.04), cancer (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.08�1.32), renal disease (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.01�1.33), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.05�1.28), and diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.02�1.22). Protective characteristics included age 75 and older (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.73�0.90) and having a diagnosis of moderate (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.64�0.82) or severe (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.61�0.85) cognitive impairment. Conclusion: The use of HEDIS medications among elderly veterans residing in VA nursing homes has markedly improved. Nevertheless, significant variations between facilities and certain subpopulations remain. A low percentage of women at VA CLCs make comparisons with community nursing homes difficult.
Historical reconstruction of mangrove expansion in the Gulf of Mexico: Linking climate change with carbon sequestration in coastal wetlands

Abstract There has been considerable interest in a recently recognized and important sink in the global carbon pool, commonly referred to as “blue carbon”. The major goal of this study was to determine the historical reconstruction of mangrove expansion (Avicennia germinans) into salt marshes (Spartina alterniflora) and its effects on carbon sequestration and soil chemistry in wetland soils of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. We used bulk stable isotopic, chemical biomarker analyses, and aerial imagery analysis to identify changes in OC wetland sources, and radiotracers (137Cs and 210Pb) for chronology. Soil cores were collected at two sites at Port Aransas, Texas (USA), Harbor Island and Mud Island. Stable isotopic values of δ13C and δ15N of all soil samples ranged from −26.8 to −15.6‰ and 1.8–10.4‰ and showed a significant trend of increasing depletion for each isotope from bottom to surface soils. The most depleted δ13C values were in surface soils at the Mud Island (Mangrove 2) location. Carbon sequestration rates were greater in mangroves and for the Mud Island Mangrove 1 and the Marsh 1 sites ranged from 253 to 270 and 101–125 g C m−2 yr−1, respectively. Lignin storage rates were also greater for mangrove sites and for the Mud Island Mangrove 1 and the Marsh 1 ranged from 19.5 to 20.1 and 16.5 to 12.8 g lignin m−2 yr−1, respectively. Τhe Λ8 and Λ6 values for all cores ranged from 0.5 to 21.5 and 0.4 to 16.5, respectively, and showed a significant increase from bottom to surface sediments. If regional changes in the Gulf of Mexico are to persist and much of the marsh vegetation was to be replaced by mangroves, there could be significant increases on the overall storage and sequestration of carbon in the coastal zone.
In vivo and in vitro anaphylactic type reactions in fish

Abstract Anaphylactic type reactions occurred in channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque) and goldfish ( Carassius auratus L.) following immunization and challenge with several protein antigens. The reactions were specific for the sensitizing antigen and could be passively transferred to non-sensitized recipients with serum from sensitized fish. In channel catfish the reaction consisted of disorientation, vertical swimming, increased opercular movement and gasping. In the goldfish the reaction consisted of clamping of the fins except the pectorals, loss of equilibrium, and increased defecation. Some deaths occurred with the catfish. The effects of various concentrations of histamine on the rhythmicity and tonus of goldfish and catfish intestinal smooth muscle were also measured in vitro . Isolated intestinal sections were maintained in a Schultz-Dale chamber which was connected to a physiograph. Serum dilutions of histamine, ranging from 100 g to 1000 g were tested. A dose response was observed.
Bragg cell diffraction patterns

The 2-D diffraction patterns produced by fully illuminated Bragg cells can be characterized by curved singularity functions. The degree of curvature is related to the optical wavelength, the acoustic wavelength, and the degree of anisotropy of the interaction material. Analytical expressions are derived for the singularity functions, and the impact of the nonideal diffraction pattern in certain signal processing problems is calculated. The most notable effect is an increase in the sidelobe levels and a slight loss in resolution when Bragg cells are used in spectrum analyzers. Truncation of the diffraction pattern or the use of the line illumination, when possible, reduces the degradation of the diffraction pattern.
Why Spill Response Software Should Emulate a Fire Extinguisher

ABSTRACT A software development team in the Hazardous Materials Response and Assessment Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA/HAZMAT) implemented software usability ...
Xenobiotic, Bile Acid, and Cholesterol Transporters: Function and Regulation

Transporters influence the disposition of chemicals within the body by participating in absorption, distribution, and elimination. Transporters of the solute carrier family (SLC) comprise a variety of proteins, including organic cation transporters (OCT) 1 to 3, organic cation/carnitine transporters (OCTN) 1 to 3, organic anion transporters (OAT) 1 to 7, various organic anion transporting polypeptide isoforms, sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide, apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter, peptide transporters (PEPT) 1 and 2, concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNT) 1 to 3, equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) 1 to 3, and multidrug and toxin extrusion transporters (MATE) 1 and 2, which mediate the uptake (except MATEs) of organic anions and cations as well as peptides and nucleosides. Efflux transporters of the ATP-binding cassette superfamily, such as ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), multidrug resistance proteins (MDR) 1 and 2, bile salt export pump, multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRP) 1 to 9, breast cancer resistance protein, and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G members 5 and 8, are responsible for the unidirectional export of endogenous and exogenous substances. Other efflux transporters [ATPase copper-transporting β polypeptide (ATP7B) and ATPase class I type 8B member 1 (ATP8B1) as well as organic solute transporters (OST) α and β] also play major roles in the transport of some endogenous chemicals across biological membranes. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of these transporters (both rodent and human) with regard to tissue distribution, subcellular localization, and substrate preferences. Because uptake and efflux transporters are expressed in multiple cell types, the roles of transporters in a variety of tissues, including the liver, kidneys, intestine, brain, heart, placenta, mammary glands, immune cells, and testes are discussed. Attention is also placed upon a variety of regulatory factors that influence transporter expression and function, including transcriptional activation and post-translational modifications as well as subcellular trafficking. Sex differences, ontogeny, and pharmacological and toxicological regulation of transporters are also addressed. Transporters are important transmembrane proteins that mediate the cellular entry and exit of a wide range of substrates throughout the body and thereby play important roles in human physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and toxicology.
Theory of the Heat Capacity of Polycrystalline Graphite at Very Low Temperatures—Finite-Lattice Contribution

Recent measurements of the heat capacity of polycrystalline graphite at liquid-helium temperatures indicate an abnormal enhancement in the term linear in the absolute temperature with decreasing extent of graphitization. A cause for this anomaly is sought by considering the elastic vibrations of a finite lattice. It is shown that if a platelike crystallite with a thickness of about 100 \AA{} vibrates in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the plate, its contribution to the linear term in the heat capacity at very low temperatures is of the same order of magnitude as the observed excess linear heat capacity. Since polycrystalline graphite is known to be composed of flakelike crystallites, it is argued that an important, and possibly the main, cause of the abnormal enhancement is this oscillation of fine crystallite plates.
Origin of Large Households and Duolocal Residence in Central Japan

Until about seventy-five years ago there existed a small number of communities in central Japan where, with the exception of the household head who married virilocally, man and wife lived separately for life with their consanguines in households averaging fifteen members. Examination of hypotheses offered by various scholars to explain the large household size and the duolocal residence finds them wanting. It is suggested instead that the twin conditions of the absence of branching (brought about by demographic stagnation) and the necessity of maintaining a large household containing many collaterals (necessitated by certain productive and consumptive requirements) produced conditions in which coresidence of collateral spouses in a household was maladapted; that the existing prevalence of duopatrilocal residence in this area provided a readily available base from which to proceed to a permanent duolocal system; and that the historically antecedent dozoku structure, with its strong emphasis on patrilineally transmitted authority, would have worked to prevent the household head from adopting duolocal residence along with other men.
Regulatory, legislative, and policy updates with anticoagulant use

Thromboembolism afflicts millions of patients annually in the United States and is associated with a significant cost burden. Recent advances in oral anticoagulation have provided clinicians with more options for management of these diseases. Accordingly, regulatory, legislative, and policy-making organizations have intervened with the aim of improving patient outcomes, ensuring patient safety, and reducing costs. There have been a number of recent developments in surveillance, litigation, and regulatory oversight that clinicians should recognize. In this review article we summarize key updates related to the management of anticoagulant therapy as it relates to thrombosis prevention and treatment.