cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Dialysis Metrics and Patient-Reported Cognition, Fatigue, and Physical Function.

Introduction The impact of achieving hemodialysis laboratory and hemodynamic quality metrics on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is unknown. Objective To determine if meeting dialysis laboratory quality of care measures is associated with improved PROs. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we measured the relationship between dialysis patients' Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores and commonly used dialysis quality of care measures. Results PROMIS surveys were administered to 92 dialysis patients. The mean ± SD scores demonstrated higher fatigue (55.0 ± 9.8) and lower physical function (37.9 ± 7.9) but similar cognition (50.3 ± 10.9) compared to general population normative scores of 50 ± 10. Dialysis patients meeting Kt/V goals had no better scores than those who did not. Meeting the hemoglobin (Hgb) value of ≥10 g/dL was associated with a lower fatigue score, but no difference in cognitive or physical function scores. Meeting the serum albumin goal of ≥4.0 mg/dL was associated with a higher physical function score but made no difference for cognitive function or fatigue score. As a continuous variable, a higher Hgb was associated with lower reported fatigue (HR -1.74 95%, CI [-3.09, -0.39]), but no other measures were associated with PRO scores when adjusted for demographics and comorbidities. Conclusions We found little association between measures currently used to assess the quality of dialysis care and PROs. Encouraging improved utilization of PROs and incorporating PROs into quality measurements might give a more robust assessment of quality of care. Future studies should assess the benefits of this approach.
Pregnancy-induced long-term uterine vascular remodeling in the rat.

Abstract Despite the available research investigating uterine physiology during and immediately following pregnancy, including at the vascular and muscular levels, knowledge of the potential long-term timeline of such changes is limited. Thus, our study sought to investigate the potential long-term changes in uterine vasculature and horn length in the postpartum rat, following delivery and weaning. Female Long-Evans rats (n = 9–11 rats/group/timepoint) were divided into two groups: a pregnant group and an age-matched virgin control group. Rat weight, food consumption and vaginal impedance measurements were recorded throughout the experiment. Rats in the pregnant group were bred and pregnancy was confirmed using ultrasound imaging. The uterus and its vasculature were collected at various timepoints following weaning: 3 (week of weaning), 8–9 and 13 weeks postpartum, and at age-equivalent timepoints in the virgin group, and the diameters of the main uterine artery and vein, and lengths of the mesometrial segmental vessels (MSV) and uterine horns were recorded. The results indicated a significant difference between the previously-pregnant and virgin rats in both internal and external arterial diameters (but not arterial wall thickness), as well as the uterine horn length, 3 weeks postpartum, but not 8–9 and 13 weeks postpartum. Significant differences were observed in both venous diameter and MSV length at all timepoints measured. Placental scars were also observed in previously-pregnant rats at all timepoints measured. Our study highlights the long-term impact of pregnancy on the uterine vasculature and the necessity for consideration of such changes on subsequent pregnancies, as well as pregnancy-related vascular pathologies.
A Theoretical Argument for Extended Interpulse Delays in Therapeutic High-Frequency Irreversible Electroporation Treatments

High-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) is a tissue ablation modality employing bursts of electrical pulses in a positive phase–interphase delay (d1)–negative phase–interpulse delay (d2) pattern. Despite accumulating evidence suggesting the significance of these delays, their effects on therapeutic outcomes from clinically-relevant H-FIRE waveforms have not been studied extensively. Objective: We sought to determine whether modifications to the delays within H-FIRE bursts could yield a more desirable clinical outcome in terms of ablation volume versus extent of tissue excitation. Methods: We used a modified spatially extended nonlinear node (SENN) nerve fiber model to evaluate excitation thresholds for H-FIRE bursts with varying delays. We then calculated non-thermal tissue ablation, thermal damage, and excitation in a clinically relevant numerical model. Results: Excitation thresholds were maximized by shortening d1, and extension of d2 up to 1,000 μs increased excitation thresholds by at least 60% versus symmetric bursts. In the ablation model, long interpulse delays lowered the effective frequency of burst waveforms, modulating field redistribution and reducing heat production. Finally, we demonstrate mathematically that variable delays allow for increased voltages and larger ablations with similar extents of excitation as symmetric waveforms. Conclusion: Interphase and interpulse delays play a significant role in outcomes resulting from H-FIRE treatment. Significance: Waveforms with short interphase delays (d1) and extended interpulse delays (d2) may improve therapeutic efficacy of H-FIRE as it emerges as a clinical tissue ablation modality.
The wage gap in the PA profession: Historical context, contributing factors, and solutions.

ABSTRACT The wage gap between men and women in the physician assistant (PA) profession has followed the evolution of trends and cultural shifts in both medicine and the broader US workforce. Although the gap has narrowed both nationally and, more specifically, within the PA profession, female PAs make on average $11,000 (or 6%) less than their male counterparts. The rate at which the wage gap is closing in the United States has slowed indicating that the remaining causes of the problem are subtle and difficult to address. This article discusses contributing factors such as implicit bias, workplace culture, modern family structure in the context of outdated expectations, female PA self-undervaluing, and weak consequences for violation of existing labor laws. Solutions may include legislation to further protect and empower women in the workplace, campaigns from PA professional organizations that can influence the profession's cultural landscape and empower PAs to know their worth, PA educators including contract negotiation as part of the curriculum, and employers addressing systemic hiring processes that undervalue female PAs.
Multi-tier Supply Chain Financing with Blockchain

We compare a Blockchain-based Supply Chain Finance system with traditional bank-based Supply Chain Finance solutions, using a three-tier supply chain model. Our model features financing frictions due to moral hazard with respect to product quality and dynamic updates of collateral-asset-value forecasts. The key advantage of a Blockchain-based system is its ability to create claims to collateral assets at higher supply chain tiers, while a bank-based system allows only creating claims to the immediate buyer's collateral asset. Interestingly, despite this advantage, a Blockchain-based system does not emerge as the dominant financing choice, even if the higher-tier buyer has the same profit margin and the same parameters of the collateral asset process as the immediate-tier buyer. We identify two causes of this surprising result: risk spillover from the higher-tier to the immediate-tier buyer and accumulation of more noise in the collateral asset when using the higher-tier buyer's collateral asset for financing. We provide conditions for the Blockchain-based system to be equally attractive and conditions for the Blockchain-based system to be preferred.
Spaces of Functions

The contents of Chapters 4 and 5 bear a close resemblance to one another. In fact the case of periodic functions considered in Chapter 5 was developed heuristically from its discrete counterpart, periodic sequences, given in Chapter 4. In the latter instance each periodic sequence could be identified with a point in finite dimensional space, while in the former case a Fourier representation required an infinite dimensional specification. Both the discrete and continuous cases had a geometrical flavor. It is this that we now develop further. As an experiment in presentation we do this in parallel.
Passive imaging based multi-cue hazard detection for spacecraft safe landing

Accurate assessment of potentially damaging ground hazards during the spacecraft EDL (entry, descent, and landing) phase is crucial to insure a high probability of safe landing. A lander that encounters a large rock, falls off a cliff, or tips over on a steep slope can sustain mission-ending damage. Guided entry is expected to shrink landing ellipses from 100-300 km to /spl sim/10 km radius for the second-generation landers as early as 2009. Regardless of size and location, however, landing ellipses will almost always contain hazards such as craters, discontinuities, steep slopes, and large rocks. It is estimated that an MSL (Mars Science Laboratory)-sized lander should detect and avoid 16-150m diameter craters, vertical drops similar to the edges of 16m or 3.75m diameter crater, for high and low altitude HDA (Hazard Detection and Avoidance) respectively. It should also be able to detect slopes 20/spl deg/ or steeper, and rocks 0.75m or taller. In this paper we will present a passive imaging based, multi-cue hazard detection and avoidance (HDA) system suitable for Martian and other lander missions. This is the first passively imaged HDA system that seamlessly integrates multiple algorithms - crater detection, slope estimation, rock detection and texture analysis, and multi-cues $crater morphology, rock distribution, to detect these hazards in real time.
Learning curve: how college graduates solve information problems once they join the workplace

Qualitative findings about the information-seeking behavior of today’s college graduates as they transition from the campus to the workplace. Included are findings from interviews with 23 US employers and focus groups with 33 recent graduates from four US colleges and universities, conducted as an exploratory study for Project Information Literacy’s (PIL’s) Passage Studies. Most graduates in our focus groups said they found it difficult to solve information problems in the workplace, where unlike college, a sense of urgency pervaded and where personal contacts often reaped more useful results than online searches. Graduates said they leveraged essential information competencies from college for extracting content and also developed adaptive information-seeking strategies for reaching out to trusted colleagues in order to compensate for what they lacked. At the same time, employers said they recruited graduates, in part, for their online searching skills but still expected and needed more traditional research competencies, such as thumbing through bound reports, picking up the telephone, and interpreting research results with team members. They found that their college hires rarely demonstrated these competencies. Overall, our findings suggest there is a distinct difference between today’s graduates who demonstrated how quickly they found answers online and seasoned employers who needed college hires to use a combination of online and traditional methods to conduct comprehensive research.
Local topological relationships for complex regions

Topological relationships between spatial objects are important for querying, reasoning, and indexing of data within spatial databases. These relationships are qualitative and respond to questions about the relative positions (e.g., disjointedness or containment) of spatial objects. Several models have been proposed that effectively define formal sets of topological relationships between simple spatial data types. The generalization of topological relationship models to complex spatial data types, which are roughly defined as multi-component versions of their simple counterparts, has raised awareness of the fact that these models only provide a global view of topological relationships whereas details of the topological relationships between individual components of the spatial objects involved are often ignored. In this paper, we introduce a fine-grained view on topological relationships between complex regions. Our model focuses on leveraging information about the local topological relationships that hold between the components of two spatial objects, thereby providing a localized view of the overall global topological relationship.
Comparison of Picture Compression Methods: Wavelet, Wavelet Packet, and Local Cosine Transform Coding

Abstract This is a survey of some new perspectives on transform coding image compression. We mentions some mathematical properties of sampling, entropy, and time-frequency localization of analysis-synthesis functions. Then we discuss several experiments in picture compression using wavelets, wavelet packets, local sines and cosines, and the adaptive “best-basis” method. We calculate the efficiency of several techniques to describe a fast transform from a library, with the aim of transforming each image into its own best-adapted coordinates for transmission with minimal overhead. Standard C algorithms for the local sine and cosine transforms are included in the appendix.
γ-radiation-induced G2 delay, apoptosis, and p53 response as potential susceptibility markers for lung cancer

Gamma-radiation results in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a wide variety of cells. Cell cycle arrest provides time for the cell to repair damaged DNA before entering the next phase of the cycle. If the damage is severe and cannot be repaired, the cells undergo apoptosis. However, if the damaged cells continue to grow without repair or apoptosis, then carcinogenic transformation may occur. We hypothesized that individuals with inherited disruption in cell cycle control and/or apoptosis and/or DNA repair may be susceptible to lung cancer development. The cells from susceptible individuals would have a shorter G2 period and less apoptosis compared with cells from normal individuals upon exposure to gamma-radiation. To test this hypothesis, the following methods were used: (a) fluorescence-activated cell sorting method was used to measure apoptosis and G2 cell cycle delay; (b) the ELISA method was used to measure p53 protein expression levels in these cell lines; and (c) gamma-radiation-induced chromatid breaks were counted as a marker for DNA damage or repair. Next, gamma-radiation-induced G2 delay and apoptosis were tested in three lymphoblastoid cell lines to determine the dose response effect and optimal time points of gamma-radiation. Finally, these assays were tested in lymphoblastoid cell lines from 30 lung cancer patients and 22 healthy controls. We found a dose-response relationship for gamma-radiation-induced G2 delay and apoptosis. The optimal time points to detect differential G2 delay and apoptotic index were 10 h and 48 h after gamma-radiation, respectively. The mean G2 delay was 22.5% +/- 10.5% for the control cell lines and 14.71% +/- 8.8% for case cell lines (P < 0.01). The mean apoptotic index was 20.4% +/- 11.7% for the controls and 14.3% +/- 7.8% for the cases (P < 0.05). The controls had a significantly higher p53 response ratio and fewer chromatid breaks than the cases. We also found that a p53 increasing ratio was strongly related to cell cycle G2 delay (gamma = 0.413; P = 0.002) and chromatid breaks (gamma =0.384; P = 0.028). Therefore, we concluded that gamma-radiation-induced G2 delay, apoptosis, p53 increasing ratio, and chromatid breaks might potentially be used as susceptibility markers for lung cancer risk. A large epidemiology study is in progress to confirm these findings.
The intracellular polymerization of sickle hemoglobin and its relevance to sickle cell disease

In the last few years, the understanding of the molecular basis of sickle cell disease has progressed rapidly. It is now possible to describe the structure of the gel of polymerized deoxyhemoglobin S at molecular and atomic levels and to begin to understand the mechanism of formation of this gel from hemoglobin solutions. There are several current hypotheses for the pathophysiology of this disease based on molecular as well as cellular studies. Recently, it has become possible to measure the amounts of polymerized hemoglobin within erythrocyte populations and thereby demonstrate the existence of polymer in cells at very high oxygen saturation values. This unexpectedly low solubility of deoxyhemoglobin S in sickle erythrocytes can be largely accounted for by the theory of protein nonideality, with some contribution from cell heterogeneity. These results show that hemoglobin S in the erythrocyte behaves as it does in very concentrated hemoglobin solutions. There are strong indications, for both SS and AS cells, of the existence of cells with significant amounts of polymerized deoxyhemoglobin S but without morphological deformation (sickling). On the basis of these and other results, two models relating these biophysical findings to pathophysiology are discussed. First, it is likely that with deoxygenation there is a continuum of cellular changes. Initially, small amounts of polymer form; only with severe and prolonged deoxygenation do large domains of highly ordered, polymerized hemoglobin form in the erythrocyte and cause it to sickle. Second, we combine this model of cellular changes with information from rheologic studies to suggest an alternate model for the pathophysiology of the disease. We postulate that flexibility, governed by the amount and alignment of intracellular polymer, is the principal determinant of the flow of sickle erythrocytes. While cells that have large amounts of ordered polymer may be caught in the capillaries and venules, some cells at relatively high oxygen saturation, with polymer but no deformation, may have difficulty traversing the constriction of the precapillary arterioles. The implications of these recent molecular and cellular studies, as well as of the several models, for the therapy of sickle cell disease are discussed. In general, our analysis suggests that a therapeutically effective strategy is feasible and that certain approaches seem particularly propitious.
Performance Concern, Contingent Self-worth, and Responses to Repeated Achievement Failure in Second Graders

Individual differences in emotion, cognitions, and task choice following achievement failure are found among four- to seven-year-olds. However, neither performance deterioration during failure nor generalization after failure—aspects of the helpless pattern in 10-year-olds—have been reliably demonstrated in this age group. In the present study, 78 second graders worked on a series of unsolvable and solvable puzzles and then on a figure-matching task. We assessed levels of performance concern and performance-contingent self-worth, and their relations to performance during and after failure. As predicted, performance concern and performance-contingent self-worth were independent self-regulatory processes. Performance concern was related to strategy use during and after failure and performance-contingent self-worth was related to postfailure performance. These results provide empirical support for Burhans and Dweck's model of the origins of individual differences in motivation. Similarities in behaviors and mechanisms of effect for children's and adults' responses to failure are discussed.
Computational optical-sectioning microscopy for 3D quantification of cell motion: results and challenges

How cells move and navigate within a 3D tissue mass is of central importance in such diverse problems as embryonic development, wound healing and metastasis. This locomotion can now be visualized and quantified using computational optical-sectioning microscopy, which permits non-destructive 3D imaging of living specimens over long time periods. This technique, however, presents several technical challenges. Image restoration methods must be fast enough to process numerous I Gbyte time-lapse data sets (16 Mbytes per 3D image/spl times/60 time points). Because some cells are weakly labeled and background intensity is often high due to unincorporated dye, the SNR in some of these images is poor. Also required are accurate, automated-tracking procedures to generate both 3D trajectories for individual cells and 3D flows for a group of cells. Finally, sophisticated visualization techniques are needed to view the 3D movies of cell locomotion. Here, I discuss our current approaches to these problems and note present limitations. >
Friends Not Foes: CTLA-4 Blockade and mTOR Inhibition Cooperate during CD8 + T Cell Priming To Promote Memory Formation and Metabolic Readiness

During primary Ag encounter, T cells receive numerous positive and negative signals that control their proliferation, function, and differentiation, but how these signals are integrated to modulate T cell memory has not been fully characterized. In these studies, we demonstrate that combining seemingly opposite signals, CTLA-4 blockade and rapamycin-mediated mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition, during in vivo T cell priming leads to both an increase in the frequency of memory CD8(+) T cells and improved memory responses to tumors and bacterial challenges. This enhanced efficacy corresponds to increased early expansion and memory precursor differentiation of CD8(+) T cells and increased mitochondrial biogenesis and spare respiratory capacity in memory CD8(+) T cells in mice treated with anti-CTLA-4 and rapamycin during immunization. Collectively, these results reveal that mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition cooperates with rather than antagonizes blockade of CTLA-4, promoting unrestrained effector function and proliferation, and an optimal metabolic program for CD8(+) T cell memory.
Ocean flow measurement using an autonomous underwater vehicle

In this paper, we discuss making flow measurements in a shallow-water ocean environment using Florida Atlantic University's 2.2 m long autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). An AUV has the advantage over tethered vehicles in that its self motion is not coupled to the motion of the sea surface and that of a mother ship, and it can potentially operate in stormy conditions. Two high-wavenumber shear probes and a Pitot tube, housed in a pressure-vessel mounted on the nose of the AUV, allow measurements, in the dissipation range, of all three components of velocity. Salinity, temperature, mean velocity gradients and possible body vibrations are monitored using auxiliary local probes. The AUV allows surveying 3-5 mile square regions at a speed of 3-4 knots. The influence of the self motion of the AUV on the flow measurements is discussed.
Obinutuzumab: its use in the management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Introduction: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia. Over the last 40 years, the evolution of chemotherapeutic options and the addition of the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab have improved response rates significantly. Obinutuzumab, a next generation CD20 antibody, continues that evolution.Areas covered: In this review, we discuss the pre-clinical and recent clinical experiences with obintuzumab and discuss its potential future role in the management of CLL as well as the interest in combining this next generation CD20 antibody with B-cell receptor pathway inhibitors. Obinutuzumab has a number of modifications that increase its efficacy relative to rituximab resulting in improved antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and direct cell death. These biological attributes have translated into improved clinical responses. The clinical superiority of obinutuzumab relative to rituximab is best demonstrated in the CLL11 trial. In this randomized Phase III trial, for patients requiring...
Compressional and shear-wave velocity structure of the continent-ocean transition zone at the eastern Grand Banks, Newfoundland

[1] The seismic structure of the continent-ocean transition (COT) at magma-poor rifted margins can explain geological processes leading to continental breakup. At the Newfoundland-Iberia rift, compressional seismic velocity (Vp) is interpreted with multichannel seismic reflections and drilling results to document continental crustal stretching and thinning, exhumation of the mantle, and incipient seafloor-spreading. However, Vp cannot uniquely constrain COT geology. We present an updated 2-D model for Vp and a new shear-wave velocity model (Vs) for SCREECH Line 2 on the Newfoundland margin using multichannel seismic reflections and coincident ocean-bottom seismometer refraction data. In shallow COT basement we find Vp / Vs ratios average 1.77, which is normally too high for upper continental crust and too low for serpentinized mantle. This observation can be explained by stretching of a mafic middle and/or lower continental crust into the COT. We further support the presence of hydrated mantle peridotites at depth during rifting.
Increased viral load correlates with improved survival in HPV-16-associated tonsil carcinoma patients

Conclusion. Our results indicate that viral load may serve as an independent prognostic indicator for patients with HPV-16-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. Objective. HPV-16 has gained increasing attention as a possible causative agent for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. Recent reports have indicated that the viral load within the tumor, along with other factors, may be correlated to the patient survival. In this study, we sought to examine HPV-16 viral load as an independent prognostic indicator. Patients and methods. DNA was extracted from 35 tonsil carcinoma samples and the viral load was determined by real-time PCR. The patients were divided into four groups according to HPV-16 viral load. The correlation between viral load and recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival was assessed. Results. We found that HPV-positive patients with the highest viral loads had improved overall and disease-free survival. Recurrences of squamous cell carcinoma were significantly less...
The Reference Desk, Points-of-Sale, and the Building of Loyalty: Applications of Customer Relationship Management Techniques to Library Marketing

This article argues that the reference desk is a primary interaction point for direct marketing of the library and remains, despite all the other marketing methods (e.g., posters, speaker's events, email announcements, brochures, RSS feeds), an extremely potent agent to act as a physical point of sale for the library, so necessary in producing a loyal community of returning scholars. This method of marketing the library by the reference desk librarian has much to do with face-to-face interactions. Summaries adopted from Customer Relationship Management literature are discussed as marketing guidelines for the reference desk librarian.
Identifying mechanisms of adoption of tobacco and alcohol use among youth: The Bogalusa heart study

Network procedures revealed social influence mechanisms on alcohol and tobacco adoption. Children who smoke have best friends who smoke. Children who drink additionally develop drinking cliques. Smokeless tobacco is less social. Tobacco and alcohol adoption also spreads indirectly by imitation of an admired other's friends. Children's healthful programs must develop techniques which consider the sociability, visibility, social norms and public acceptance of the behavior, indirect nature of role models, and social support for non- or alternate use.
No-carrier-added meta-[123I]iodobenzylguanidine: Synthesis and preliminary evaluation

Abstract No-carrier-added [ 123 I]MIBG was prepared from 3-(trimethylsilyl)benzylguanidine in 80–90% yield. Binding of this tracer to SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells maintained a constant level of >50% over 2–3 log activity range. In comparison, the binding of [ 123 I]MIBG prepared by isotopic exchange steadily decreased with dose. Biodistribution studies in normal mice demonstrated maximal concentrations in heart and adrenals for both preparations. In heart, significant 1.5–3.0 times higher levels ( P
Studies on the structure of a-Ge: H using differential scanning calorimetry, gas evolution on heating and transmission electron microscopy

Abstract This paper contains a review of our recent studies on the medium-range order in glow-discharge-produced a-Ge: H using a combination of differential scanning calorimetry, isothermal calorimetry, gas evolution, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Taken together with evidence from Raman and infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, and evidence of changes in the structural parameters with carefully chosen annealing procedures, these data suggest correlations between deposition, structural and photoelectronic parameters and properties. The data show conclusively that the best material for fundamental and device studies has a high atomic density and a homogenous structure with minimal admixture of low-density tissue to high-density islands. In material prepared under less than optimum conditions, there occurs, to a greater or lesser degree, heterogeneity revealed directly by electron microscopy, and indirectly by structural relaxation at relatively low temperatures and even two stage...
Effects of final-state interactions on modulation spectra of semiconductors☆

Abstract Theories of modulation spectra are critically reviewed with particular attention paid to the effects of final-state interactions (exciton effects). These interactions lead to the formation of bound exciton states and also strongly correlate the motions of unbound electrons and holes, resulting in optical absorption spectra that diner significantly from the square-root shapes predicted by the one-electron, independent-particle model. The shapes of the absorption spectra depend sensitively on the Coulombic nature of the electron-hole interaction and cannot be reproduced with a short-ranged contact-exciton model of the final-state interaction. These well-known differences between the one-electron theory and the Elliott exciton theory of optical absorption are accentuated by differentiation, leading (in most cases) to enormous differences between the modulation spectra predicted by the two theories. Experimental data generally confirm the predictions of the exciton theory and lend support to the claim that the final-state interactions exert a dominant influence on the sizes and the shapes of modulation spectra. For example, virtually all structures in the modulation spectra of semiconductors are due to exciton effects and lie at energies displaced from the critical points of the interband densities of states. The very nature of modulation spectroscopy, which measures small differences between large numbers, puts severe demands on any quantitative theory of modulation lineshapes. To date, no theory has met those demands in the sense that the theory has been able to accurately describe a measured lineshape without resorting to the use of one or more adjustable parameters. A simple, qualitative description of final-state interaction effects on electroabsorption spectra is presented, and it is demonstrated that these effects manifest themselves in observed spectra. The excitonic theory of electroabsorption is valid in the limit of weak broadening, a situation rarely achieved experimentally. To reduce the importance of broadening processes, which are especially prominent in weak or zero fields, both modulation fields should be large and uniform.
Attention, People of Earth! Aristotelian Ethics and the Problem of Exclusion

Growth in human happiness seems to do in part with insights gained through attentive emotional engagement with fictional characters and their identities. For this reason it is important to pay attention to the critique that founding ethics on what we cannot but affirm of ourselves, our identity (rationality and sociability, in Nussbaum’s reading of Aristotle), amounts to a moral elitism, excluding those who fail to meet these marks of human identity. This objection throws light on the importance of the shift towards thematizing ‘subjectivity’ in modern and contemporary philosophy. Ethics takes place at the level of the deliberating subject, intending the good. The foundational element is grasped through moral commitment and not at all ‘neutrally’, in a disengaged attitude alien to human aspirations – something disturbingly overlooked in much normative ethics today. The criteria picked out as essential to our humanity are clarifications of this commitment, and involve an attitude of inclusivity. In our own non-classical philosophical framework this needs spelling out, in a manner not made clear in Nussbaum’s ‘self-validating’ arguments, in terms of the exigencies of self-enactment and personal identity. This also answers critics who would disallow the conflation of identity and judgments of value.
Laminar dispersion in capillaries: Part IV. The slug stimulus

An exact analytical theory of the local behavior of finite slugs which are dispersed in three-dimensional velocity fields is developed. It is shown that the dispersion coefficient enters the problem as an eigenvalue. For the important special case of fully developed straight pipe flow, considered first by Taylor and later generalized by Aris, the dispersion coefficient can be found very easily by the present method, which also provides the basis for studying a large class of more complicated problems. A detailed numerical analysis is carried out to determine the limits of applicability of the analytical theory. Fortunately, it is found that dispersion of slug stimuli in fully developed laminar tube flow is described by Equation (15) when τ exceeds certain minimum values which depend only weakly on Peclet number and are independent of slug length in the region considered here. Since peak mean concentrations are predicated accurately by Equation (19) for X > 0.1, this is a convenient quantity to use to determine dispersion coefficients experimentally. On comparing the numerical and analytical results for local point concentrations, good agreement is found, provided the average concentration is predicted accurately by Equation (15). This is significant because it implies that a broad class of difficult transient heat and mass transfer problems, with aperiodic inlet disturbances, can be solved by using superposition in conjunction with the present approach.
Association between mitochondria and gap junctions in mammalian myocardial cells

In ventricular myocardial cells of mouse, guinea-pig, dog, and monkey, mitochondria frequently form close associations with gap junctions, the two structures being separated by a space of 20 nm or less. Similar appositions are found in both the mature atria and the developing myocardium of the mouse. The gap junctions assume a variety of configurations with respect to the apposed mitochondria. These include profiles in which the gap junctions conform closely to the contours of mitochondria, as well as profiles in which finger-like sarcolemmal evaginations, composed entirely of gap junctions, extend longitudinally or transversely into an adjoining cell to envelop mitochondria. In mouse ventricular wall, over 40% of the length of gap junctions is juxtaposed to mitochondria and strands of connecting material are often present in the interspace between the two structures. In addition, in freeze-fracture replicas, portions of mitochondria are found attached to areas of myocardial sarcolemma that contain gap-junction particles. Since mitochondria are known to sequester Ca2+ ion, it is possible that the close association between mitochondria and gap junction may function to buffer the intracellular Ca2+ concentration near the gap junctions, and thereby regulate the the ionic permeability of the gap junctions.
Cognitive Complexity in Response to Traumatic Experiences

Two studies examined how personality motives influence the perception of traumatic events in memory and how such perception may be linked to psychological distress. Participants completed implicit and explicit measures of agentic and communal motives. In Study 1, participants living in New York City at the time of the terrorist attacks wrote their thoughts and feelings about the events of September 11th. In Study 2, participants wrote about a personally traumatic experience. In both studies, they also completed questionnaires on psychological symptoms and stress-related growth. The memories were then scored for differentiation and integration. Agentic motives correlated with differentiated perceptions and differentiation was linked to dissociative symptoms in Study 2. Communal motives related to integrated perceptions, and integration related to stress-related growth in both studies. Findings suggest that motives play a significant role in the perception of traumatic and difficult experiences and that these perceptions may be differentially linked to psychological impact.
Effect of wheelchair headrest use on pediatric head and neck injury risk outcomes during rear impact

Comparative risks or benefits to wheelchair-seated pediatric occupants in motor vehicles associated with wheelchair headrest use during rear impact were evaluated using pediatric head and neck injury outcome measures. A Hybrid III 6-year-old anthropomorphic test device (ATD), seated in identical WC19-compliant pediatric manual wheelchairs, was used to measure head and neck response during a 25km/h (16mph), 11g rear impact. ATD responses were evaluated across two test scenarios: three sled tests conducted without headrests, and three with slightly modified commercial headrests. Head and neck injury outcomes measures included: linear head acceleration, head injury criteria (HIC) values, neck injury criteria (N(ij)) values, and combined rotational head velocity and acceleration. Neck and head injury outcome measures improved by 34-70% in sled tests conducted with headrests compared to tests without headrests. Headrest use reduced N(ij) values and the likelihood of concussion from values above established injury thresholds to values below injury thresholds. Injury measure outcome reductions suggest lower head and neck injury risks for wheelchair-seated children using wheelchair-mounted headrests as compared to non-headrest users in rear impact. Use of relative comparisons across two test scenarios served to minimize effects of ATD biofidelity limitations. Language: en
Computerized tomography-guided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

Abstract With the introduction of computed tomography (CT) of the body, an excellent cross-sectional image display of the various organ systems within the abdomen became available. As a result, it soon became apparent that with the use of computed tomography percutaneous aspiration biopsies could be facilitated (1). Using computed tomography guidance it is now possible to accurately place a biopsy instrument within virtually any organ in the abdomen. CT-guided needle procedures are useful not only for the purpose of diagnosis, but are valuable as a therapeutic tool in selective patients. We wish to describe a method of computed tomography-guided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage which we have utilized in five patients to accomplish definitive relief of obstructed biliary systems. Each of our patients had an inoperable carcinoma either in the head of the pancreas or in the region of the porta hepatis which resulted in obstruction of the biliary system.
Flash Flooding in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Region

Hydrometeorological analyses of rainfall and flood response are presented for urbanizing drainage basins in the Philadelphia metropolitan region. Research focuses on major flood events resulting from Tropical Storm Allison (June 16 and 17, 2001), Hurricane Floyd (September 16 and 17, 1999), an extratropical cyclone on October 19 and 20, 1996, and a squall-line snowmelt event on January 19 and 20, 1996. We also examine the rainfall distribution from an organized thunderstorm system (June 12 and 13, 1996), which produced extreme flooding in ungauged watersheds of the region. The largest flood peaks for many of the USGS stream gauging stations in the Philadelphia metropolitan region were produced by Hurricane Floyd. The most extreme flooding in the Philadelphia metropolitan region in small drainage basins was due to Tropical Storm Allison, which produced localized storm total rainfall accumulations greater than 300 mm. Hydrometeorological and hydrologic studies illustrate the important role of landfalling tr...
Review of direct measurements of mobility gaps in a-Si:H using internal photoemission

This paper reviews the technique and the results obtained from internal photoemission of both electrons and holes into intrinsic a-Si:H. To overcome the difficulties associated with the injection and collection of holes, modified solar cell structures are used which allow their internal photoemission to be investigated over a wide range of temperatures. This ability to obtain internal photoemission of carriers into both the conduction and valence bands is utilized in measuring the mobility gap of intrinsic a-Si:H and the movement of band edges with temperature. The effective mobility gap at 300 K is found to be 1.89±0.03 eV in intrinsic a-Si:H, which is significantly higher than the corresponding Tauc gap of 1.73±0.01 eV. The changes in the effective mobilit gap with temperature are found to be primarily due to the upward shift in the electron mobility edge of about 40 meV between 300 and 120 K, which is about half of the 80–90 meV change in the Tauc gap. The significance of these results and how internal photoemission can be used in addressing problems concerning the physics of disordered materials are briefly discussed.
Sensitive and rapid immunoassays for Salmonella enteritidis

In order to develop more sensitive, specific, and rapid immunoassays to detect Salmonella enteritidis in food supplies, we have applied various approaches by using several different antibody preparations. Utilizing ELISA in both a plate and immunodot assay, we employed (i) a polycolonal rabbit antiserum to a boiled suspension of the organism; (ii) a monoclonal antibody to the cell surface of the bacterium; and (iii) mouse antisera to two oligosaccharides each containing the rare sugar tyvelose, and exhibited by S. enteritidis, a member of the group D salmonellae. We showed that the polyclonal antiserum and monoclonal antibody IG-10 to the cell surface could specifically detect from 10(2) to 10(3) organisms in a 10-microl sample in the plate and immunodot assay. Both assays are read in 4-5 hr. Further, in the mice immunized to the trisaccharide, (alpha-D-galactose-alpha-tyvelose-alpha-D-mannose), as well as those mice immunized to the tetrasaccharide, (alpha-D-galactose-alpha-tyvelose-alpha-D-mannose-alpha-L-rhamnose), specificity to tyvelose was determined by inhibition studies. The inhibitors of the antisera to the trisaccharide included the single sugar tyvelose conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA), a tetrasaccharide in which tyvelose is excluded, but contains alpha-D-galactose, alpha-ascarose, alpha-D-mannose, and alpha-L-rhamnose (conjugated to BSA), and others. The inhibition studies suggest that the mouse antisera are specific for tyvelose and also contain antibodies for mannose and rhamnose. The antibodies that have been made to the unique sugar tyvelose should improve the specificity in assays for S. enteritidis.
Pulmonary Structure and Function in Swimmers

Cet article de synthese fait le point sur les resultats de la recherche concernant les effets d'un entrainement de natation sur la structure et les fonctions pulmonaires et sur les mecanismes d'action responsable de l'adaptation pulmonaire a l'entrainement intensif de natation en faisant le tour des contraintes particulieres appliquees au systeme pulmonaire chez les nageurs
Trying to practice safer sex: Development of the sexual risks scale

Psychometric techniques were used for the development of a theoretically‐based measure of constructs related to safer sexual activity. A pilot study and two studies using college student samples were conducted to derive, retain, and validate scale items. The final 38‐item scale is comprised of subscales measuring attitudes about safer sex, normative beliefs, intention to try to practice safer sex, expectations about the feasibility of safer sexual activity, perceived susceptibility to HIV/AIDS, and substance use. Each subscale contributed to the prediction of critical theoretical constructs, accounting for about 40% of the variance in intention to try to practice safer sex and for about one fifth of the variance in self‐reported HIV risk behavior. The final scale, as well as each subscale, was characterized by internal reliability and both construct and predictive validity.
Prechoice awareness of relative deprivation as a determinant of cognitive dissonance

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to clarify whether negative information presented after a person has committed himself to a course of action is capable of creating cognitive dissonance. Subjects were exposed to high or low relative deprivation either before they chose to participate in a tedious task, after they chose to participate, or without the option not to participate. The results indicated that there was greater satisfaction about participation under high relative deprivation than under low, but only when subjects were aware of the relative deprivation prior to their choice to participate. Information presented after decision was not effective in arousing dissonance. The implications of the experiments for modified views of dissonance theory were discussed.
PRIMARY SYNOVIAL SARCOMA OF THE LUNG WITH INTRACARDIAC EXTENSION

Synovial sarcomas are a distinct clinical entity occurring most often in the lower extremities. They account for 10– 14% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Pulmonary synovial sarcomas are quite rare and account for less than 0.5% of all intra-thoracic neoplasms. We present the first reported case of primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma with intra cardiac extension in a 53-year-old male who presented with chronic cough. Imaging revealed a large right upper lobe mass extending through the superior pulmonary veins into the left
Learning classifier systems: a complete introduction, review, and roadmap

If complexity is your problem, learning classifier systems (LCSs) may offer a solution. These rule-based, multifaceted, machine learning algorithms originated and have evolved in the cradle of evolutionary biology and artificial intelligence. The LCS concept has inspired a multitude of implementations adapted to manage the different problem domains to which it has been applied (e.g., autonomous robotics, classification, knowledge discovery, and modeling). One field that is taking increasing notice of LCS is epidemiology, where there is a growing demand for powerful tools to facilitate etiological discovery. Unfortunately, implementation optimization is nontrivial, and a cohesive encapsulation of implementation alternatives seems to be lacking. This paper aims to provide an accessible foundation for researchers of different backgrounds interested in selecting or developing their own LCS. Included is a simple yet thorough introduction, a historical review, and a roadmap of algorithmic components, emphasizing differences in alternative LCS implementations.
Lipid cytochemistry and morphologic change in aging populations of Tetrahymena.

SYNOPSIS. In cultures of strains GL, S, W, and WH6 of Tetrahymena pyriformis grown in proteose-peptone medium and stained with phosphine 3R the percentage of cells containing lipid granules increased in early stationary phase, decreased in the middle of stationary phase, and increased again toward the end of culture life. Granules appeared first in the anterior ends of cells and spread thruout the cytoplasm as the cultures aged. These granules consisted of neutral fat and were present in living cells. Changes in lipid accumulation were correlated with changes in cellular size, shape, volume and fragility.
Thinking forward: the quicksand of appeasing the food industry.

In an article that forms part of the PLoS Medicine series on Big Food, Kelly Brownell offers a perspective on engaging with the food industry, and argues that governments and the public health community should be working for regulation, not collaboration.