cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The interaction of neonatal abstinence syndrome and opioid use disorder treatment availability for women insured by medicaid.

Objective This paper will discuss the process of mapping opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment resources for pregnant women and discuss the intersection between treatment resources and rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Design A resource manual was developed through a systematic process with stakeholders across Illinois. Resources were mapped by county and overlaid with county rates of NAS, using hospital discharge data. Results Across Illinois, 89 treatment resources were identified for pregnant women insured by Medicaid. Resources were concentrated in 36% of Illinois' counties. Counties with limited treatment resources generally had high rates of NAS. Sixty-six percent of NAS cases among rural Illinois residents had no OUD treatment resources in their county. Rural counties had less access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), the standard of care for treatment of OUD, compared with other counties across the state. Conclusions Efforts to increase OUD treatment options for pregnant women insured by Medicaid should concentrate on geographic areas with limited access and high need.
Associations between Legal Representation and Mental Health Court Outcomes

This study empirically examines the associations between legal representation and four key outcomes in mental health courts. The outcomes include whether eligible defendants chose to participate in a municipal mental health court (MMHC); if defendants chose to participate, whether the MMHC resolved their criminal charges without court supervision; whether eligible defendants attended the initial MMHC court hearings; and whether defendants successfully completed the MMHC program. The study included 1012 defendants who were accepted into a MMHC in a state where municipal court defendants do not have to be represented by a defense attorney. We conducted bivariate and logistic regression analyses to identify differences in each of the four outcomes between MMHC defendants who did or did not have a defense attorney. The results of the bivariate and logistic regression analyses found defendants represented by defense attorneys were more likely to choose not to participate in the MMHC, to resolve their criminal charges without court supervision, to participate in initial court hearings, and to successfully complete the MMHC program. All four regression models were statistically significant, although the amount of variance explained was relatively low, ranging from 6% to 13%.
Feasibility study of gallium-68 citrate PET as a bone-tropic imaging biomarker in mCRPC.

31Background: Transferrin receptor (TFRC) expression is controlled by the PI3K and MYC signaling pathways, which are frequently dysregulated in prostate cancer (PC). Gallium-68 citrate (68Ga-citrat...
The Roles of General and Domain-Specific Perceived Stress in Healthy Aging.

OBJECTIVES Theoretical and empirical evidence suggests the existence of a general perceived stress factor overarching different life domains. The present study investigated the general perceived stress relative to domain-specific perceived stress as predictors of 26 diverse health outcomes, including mental and physical health, health behaviors, cognitive functioning, and physiological indicators of health. METHOD A bifactor exploratory structural equational modelling (BiESEM) approach was adopted in two aging samples from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; N = 8325 in Sample 1, N = 7408 in Sample 2). RESULTS Across the two samples, perceived stress was well-represented by a bifactor structure where there was a robust general perceived stress factor representing a general propensity towards stress perception. Meanwhile, after controlling for the general perceived stress factor, specific factors that represent perceived stress in different life domains were still clearly present. Results also suggested age, sex, race, education, personality traits, and past and recent stressor exposure as possible factors underlying individual differences in the general perceived stress factor. The general perceived stress factor was the most robust predictor of the majority of health outcomes, as well as changes in mental health outcomes. The specific factor of perceived neighborhood stress demonstrated incremental predictive effects across different types of health outcomes. DISCUSSION The current study provides strong evidence for the existence of a general perceived stress factor that captures variance shared among stress across life domains, and the general perceived stress factor demonstrated substantial prospective predictive effects on diverse health outcomes in older adulthood.
Development of fluoro-free surfactant rinse solutions for EUV photoresists

In the photolithographic process of semiconductor manufacture, a photoresist is exposed to light and then developed to create a pattern on the photoresist surface. After development, a rinse step is necessary to prevent pattern collapse and to remove polymer residues that linger after development. Surfactants are essential in these rinse solutions and help mobilize polymer residues while also minimizing capillary forces that are responsible for pattern collapse. An ideal surfactant system interacts with the polymer surface enough to mobilize debris particles, but not enough to cause swelling and shift the critical dimension; while at the same time creating a surface tension and contact angle to prevent pattern collapse. In this work, we investigated various non-fluorinated surfactants and their interaction with EUV photoresists by measuring surface tension, contact angle, and photoresist swelling. Although the difference of solubility parameters (DSP) between surfactants and photoresists were shown to correlate to photoresist swelling. No correlation between resist swelling and the difference of solubility parameters was found in the study. Through this work, we identified that ideal surfactant rinse properties can be achieved in a fluoro-free surfactant formulation. Ideal fluoro-free EUV surfactant rinse formulations achieve no pattern collapse, low CD-shift, and good residue clean performance for an EUV photolithographic process.
COVID-19 and Mental Health: Predicted Mental Health Status is Associated with Clinical Symptoms and Pandemic-Related Psychological and Behavioral Responses

Abstract Background: The COVID 19 pandemic led to dramatic threats to health and social life. Study objectives are to develop a prediction model leveraging subsample of known Patient/Controls and evaluate the relationship of predicted mental health status to clinical outcome measures and pandemic-related psychological and behavioral responses during lockdown (spring/summer 2020). Methods: Online cohort study conducted by National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program. Convenience sample of English speaking adults (enrolled 4/4 to 5/16/20; n=1,992). Enrollment measures: demographics, clinical history, functional status, psychiatric and family history, alcohol/drug use. Outcome measures (enrollment and q2 weeks/6 months): distress, loneliness, mental health symptoms, and COVID 19 survey. NIMH IRP Patient/Controls survey responses informed assignment of Patient Probability Scores (PPS) for all participants. Regression models analyzed the relationship between PPS and outcome measures. Outcomes: Mean age 46.0, female (82.4%), white (88.9 %). PPS correlated with distress, loneliness, depression, and mental health factors. PPS associated with negative psychological responses to COVID 19. Worry about mental health (OR 1.46) exceeded worry about physical health (OR 1.13). PPS not associated with adherence to social distancing guidelines but was with stress related to social distancing and worries about infection of self/others. Interpretation: Mental health status (PPS) was associated with concurrent clinical ratings and COVID 19 specific negative responses. A focus on mental health during the pandemic is warranted, especially among those with mental health vulnerabilities. We will include PPS when conducting longitudinal analyses of mental health trajectories and risk and resilience factors that may account for differing clinical outcomes. Funding: NIMH (ZIAMH002922); NCCIH (ZIAAT000030)
Techniques of Measurement, Variations and Effects of Vehicle Friction Losses on Electric Dynamometers

Techniques were developed with the electric dynamometers to: (1) measure vehicle driveline and tire losses on the emission rolls; and (2) establish the windage and friction settings required to match the dynamometer load to the actual road load or other desired load conditions. Vehicle driveline and tire losses were measured on 33 similar front wheel drive vehicles equipped with the same tire size. The total losses averaged 6.2 HP at 50 MPH and ranged from 4.8 to 8.4 with a standard deviation of .75 HP. With the standard dynamometer load used for the FTP test with that vehicle, the plus or minus .75 HP represents a 11% change in load and about a 5% effect on fuel economy. The difference between the maximum and minimum driveline and tire losses measured would result in a 27% change in load and an approximate 11% change in fuel economy. Tires accounted for the largest percentage of the total losses while the brake systems caused the greatest variations. Measurement of the vehicle losses and the ability to match the dynamometer to a desired load would allow testing all vehicles in a given program at the same load conditions. This would eliminate the effect of variations in losses when comparing the merits of various development designs and calibrations.
Columns of Vengeance: Soldiers, Sioux, and the Punitive Expeditions, 1863-1864

Review of: "Columns of Vengeance: Soldiers, Sioux, and the Punitive Expeditions, 1863-1864," by J. T. Murphy.
A copula-based approach for generating lattices

Discrete approximations such as binomial and trinomial lattices have been developed to model the intertemporal dynamics of variables in a way that also allows contingent decisions to be included at the appropriate increments in time. In this paper we present an approach for developing these types of models based on copulas. In addition to ease of implementation, a primary benefit of this approach is its generality, and we show that various binomial and trinomial approximation methods for valuing contingent claim securities in the literature are special cases of this approach, each based on a choice of a particular set of probability and/or branching parameters. Because this approach encompasses these and other cases as feasible solutions, we also show how it can be used to optimize the construction of lattices so that discretization error is minimized, and we demonstrate its application for an option pricing example.
Sustainable Energy Application: Fuel Cells

In this chapter, the authors discussed about two types of fuel cells, solid oxide proton exchange membrane fuel cells (FCs). The fabrication of catalyst and construction of single fuel cell devices (membrane electrode assembly) were investigated to produce rusbost electrode to further improve the performance of the FCs. The electrochemical properties and nanostructure of the catalysts and devices indicated that the material's development are critical to enhance the reactivities and stabilities of FCs.
The Coming Slavery: The Determinism of Herbert Spencer ⁄

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) believed that Victorian Britain was moving toward a society of total regimentation ("slavery"). This movement was part of a cosmic process of evolution and dissolution. While the long-run (but not ultimate) destination of society was a "higher" form of social organization based on voluntary and complex interpersonal relationships, the immediate tendency was retrograde—a movement away from the liberation of mankind from the bondage of previous eras. This Article explores (1) the reasons for the retrograde movement, (2) its "inevitability," and (3) the role of ideas in the process. The general conclusion is that in an effort to explain the general movement of social institutions and practices, Spencer develops a mechanical and deterministic approach which undermines his ability to pass normative judgements on changes in society.
Demand-side management: The third wave

Abstract As a discipline, demand-side management (DSM) has gone through two distinct stages of development since the early 1970s. It is about to enter a third and more mature phase as the electric power industry in the USA prepares for a competitive business environment. In this new environment, only DSM that makes ‘good business sense’ will be pursued. What makes good business sense will vary from utility to utility and from region to region based on how individual utilities define and organize their future energy services business strategies. This paper outlines the evolution of DSM in the USA from its infancy in the early 1970s to the present, including some speculation on how the future may unfold.
Applications of second order blind identification to high-density EEG-Based brain imaging: a review

In the context of relating specific brain functions to specific brain structures, second-order blind identification (SOBI) is one of the blind source separation algorithms that have been validated extensively in the data domain of human high-density EEG Here we provide a review of empirical data that (1) validate the claim that SOBI is capable of separating correlated neuronal sources from each other and from typical noise sources present during an EEG experiment; (2) demonstrating the range of experimental conditions under which SOBI is able to recover functionally and neuroanatomically meaningful sources; (3) demonstrating cross- as well as within-subjects (cross-time) reliability of SOBI-recovered sources; (4) demonstrating efficiency of SOBI separation of neuronal sources We conclude that SOBI may offer neuroscientists as well as clinicians a cost-effective way to image the dynamics of brain activity in terms of signals originating from specific brain regions using the widely available EEG recording technique.
Characterization of chocolate milk spoilage patterns.

Standard plate counts (SPC) and psychrotrophic plate counts (PPC) from chocolate milk samples were compared with those of unflavored milk samples plated within 24 h of processing and at 7, 10, and 14 days of storage at 6 8C using matched samples collected over four time periods from four milk-processing plants. Bacterial numbers within 24 h of processing were not significantly different in unflavored and in chocolate milk samples (P . 0.001), with SPC less than 1,000 CFU/ml and PPC below 10 CFU/ml for both types of products. SPC and PPC were higher in chocolate milk samples than in unflavored milk samples collected from all four plants after 14 days of storage (P , 0.001). To examine the effects of chocolate milk components on bacterial numbers, SPC for days 0, 7, 14, and 21 were monitored in samples of experimentally prepared unflavored milk, milk with chocolate powder and sucrose (chocolate milk), milk with sucrose only, and milk containing chocolate powder only. At days 14 and 21, SPC were higher in both chocolate milk and in milk with chocolate powder only, than in either the unflavored milk or milk with sucrose only ( P , 0.001). These findings suggest that the addition of chocolate powder to milk can contribute to a greater relative increase in bacterial numbers in pasteurized chocolate milk than in identically processed unflavored milk at 14 days postprocessing.
Nursing Home Characteristics and Potentially Preventable Hospitalizations of Long‐Stay Residents

Objectives: To examine the association between having a nurse practitioner/physician assistant (NP/PA) on staff, other nursing home (NH) characteristics, and the rate of potentially preventable/avoidable hospitalizations of long-stay residents, as defined using a list of ambulatory care–sensitive (ACS) diagnoses. Design: Cross-sectional prospective study using Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services inpatient claims and eligibility records, On-line Survey Certification Automated Records, (OSCAR) and Area Resource File (ARP). Setting: Freestanding urban NHs in Maine, Kansas, New York, and South Dakota. Participants: Residents of 663 facilities with a quarterly or annual MDS assessment in the 2nd quarter of 1997, who had a prior MDS assessment at least 160 days before, and who were not health maintenance organization members throughout 1997 (N=54,631). Measurements: A 180-day multinomial outcome was defined as having any hospitalization with primary ACS diagnosis, otherwise having been hospitalized, otherwise died, and otherwise remained in the facility. Results: Multilevel models show that facilities with NP/PAs were associated with lower hospitalization rates for ACS conditions (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.83), but not with other hospitalizations. Facilities with more physicians were associated with higher ACS hospitalizations (ACS, AOR=1.14, and non-ACS, AOR=1.10). Facilities providing intravenous therapy, and those that operate a nurses' aide training program were associated with fewer hospitalizations of both types. Conclusion: Employment of NP/PAs in NHs, the provision of intravenous therapy, and the operation of certified nurse assistant training programs appear to reduce ACS hospitalizations, and may be feasible cost-saving policy interventions.
Evolving changes in the pathogenesis and treatment of the perforated gallbladder: a combined hospital study

Perforation of the gallbladder occurred in 35 patients in this 6 year review, with a 2.3:1 male predominance in contrast with a female dominance in nonperforated acute cholecystitis. Thirty-three percent of patients with gallstones had a history of symptomatic cholelithiasis which emphasizes that if elective cholecystectomy had been performed, this complication could have been avoided. Further, a large number of cases (40 percent) were found to be of the acalculous variety which suggests a possible changing trend in the pathogenesis of perforated gallbladder. Cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiography and adequate drainage appears to be the procedure of choice, and aggressive operative intervention without delay is thought to contribute to the relatively low mortality of 8.6 percent in this series.
The oxford handbook of entrepreneurship

Book review by William H. A. Johnson. Casson, Mark et al., eds. The Oxford Handbook of Entrepreneurship, New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2006. ISBN 9780199288984
The Effect of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy with Concomitant Hiatal Hernia Repair on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in the Morbidly Obese

The effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is controversial. Although concomitant hiatal hernia repair (HHR) at the time of LSG is common and advocated by many, there are few data on the outcomes of GERD symptoms in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of concomitant HHR on GERD symptoms in morbidly obese patients undergoing LSG. A single institution, multi-surgeon, prospectively maintained database was examined to identify patients who underwent LSG and concomitant HHR from December 2010 to October 2013. Patient characteristics, operative details, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Standardized patient questionnaires administered both pre- and postoperatively were utilized. Primary endpoints included subjective reflux symptoms and the need for antisecretory therapy. Weight loss was considered a secondary endpoint. Fifty-eight patients were identified meeting inclusion criteria (LSG + HHR), with a mean follow-up of 97.5 weeks (range 44–172 weeks). The mean age of the cohort was 49.5 ± 11.2 years, with 74.1 % being female. Mean preoperative BMI was 44.2 ± 6.6 kg/m2. Preoperative upper gastrointestinal contrast series was performed in all patients and demonstrated a hiatal hernia in 34.5 % of patients and reflux in 15.5 % of patients. Preoperatively, 34.6 % (n = 26) of patients reported subjective symptoms of reflux and/or required daily antisecretory therapy. After LSG + HHR, 34.6 % of symptomatic patients had resolution of their symptoms off therapy while the rest remained symptomatic and required daily antisecretory therapy; 84.4 % of patients that were asymptomatic preoperatively remained asymptomatic after surgery. New onset reflux symptoms requiring daily antisecretory therapy was seen in 15.6 % of patients who were previously asymptomatic. Post surgical weight loss did not correlate with the presence or resolution of reflux symptoms. Based on our data, LSG with concomitant HHR improved GERD symptoms or the need for daily antisecretory therapy only in a third of symptomatic patients. Furthermore, 15.6 % of asymptomatic patients developed de novo GERD symptoms despite a HHR. In patients with a documented hiatal hernia, HHR does not lead to GERD resolution or prevention after LSG, indicating the need for appropriate patient counseling and further study.
Engineering index: the quantification of uncertain margins and reliabilities with sparse data

The Engineering Index (EI) provides a measure of goodness for engineered systems, subsystems, components, and product functions. The EI supports certification and planning endeavors by assessing both a product's current state as well as inferring how a system potentially changes over time relative to their requirements. This work will show how Bayes Theorem can be used to accomplish this inference. The inference available through El allows decision makers to plan for, and possibly mitigate, problems ahead of a crisis by estimating how a product's changes impacts system performance.
Synthesis of perylene–porphyrin building blocks and rod-like oligomers for light-harvesting applications

We present the synthesis of four perylene–porphyrin building blocks for use in Glaser, Sonogashira, or Suzuki polymerizations. The building blocks bear synthetic handles (4-ethynylphenyl, 4-iodophenyl, bromo) at the trans (5,15) meso-positions of a zinc porphyrin and contain two or four perylene-monoimide dyes attached at the 3,5-positions of the non-linking meso-aryl rings of the porphyrin. Each perylene-monoimide bears three 4-tert-butylphenoxy substituents (at the 1-, 6-, and 9-positions) and two isopropyl groups (on the N-aryl unit) for increased solubility. In each case the intervening linker is a diarylethyne unit that bridges the N-imide position of the perylene and the meso-position of the porphyrin. The perylene–porphyrin building blocks were prepared by (1) reaction of a diperylene-dipyrromethane with an aldehyde yielding a trans-A2B2-porphyrin, (2) reaction of a diperylene-aldehyde with a dipyrromethane yielding a trans-A2B2-porphyrin, and (3) reaction of a diperylene-dipyrromethane with a dipyrromethane-dicarbinol yielding a trans-AB2C-porphyrin or ABCD-porphyrin. The building blocks were subjected to Glaser, Sonogashira, or Suzuki coupling conditions in an effort to prepare oligomers containing porphyrins joined via 4,4′-diphenylbutadiyne (dpb), 4,4′-diphenylethyne (dpe), or 1,4-phenylene linkers (p), respectively. Each porphyrin in the backbone bears two or four pendant perylene-monoimide dyes. The Glaser and Sonogashira reactions afforded a distribution of oligomers, whereas the Suzuki reaction was unsuccessful. The oligomers were soluble in solvents such as toluene, THF, or CHCl3 enabling routine handling. The use of perylenes results in (1) increased light-harvesting efficiency particularly in the green spectral region where porphyrins are relatively transparent and (2) greater solubility than is achieved with the use of porphyrins alone. The soluble perylene–porphyrin oligomers are attractive for use as light-harvesting materials in molecular-based solar cells.
Cytogenetic, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and genomic array characterization of chronic myeloid leukemia with cryptic BCR-ABL1 fusions.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by the breakpoint cluster region ( BCR )-Abelson murine leukemia ( ABL1 ) fusion gene. In approximately 1% of CML cases, the Philadelphia chromosome associated with the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene is not present, and the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene is generated by cryptic insertion or sequential translocations. In this study, we describe the cytogenetic and molecular features of five CML patients with cryptic BCR-ABL1 fusion genes using karyotype, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism array techniques. Two cases of CML in the chronic phase (CP) had a normal karyotype, and three cases of CML in the blast phase (BP) had an abnormal karyotype with neither a typical nor variant t(9;22). By BCR-ABL1 metaphase FISH analysis, we found that fusion signals were localized on chromosomes 9 (3 cases), 22 (1 case), and both 9 and 22 (1 case). In two cases of CML-BP, duplication of the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene occurred as a result of mitotic recombination between homologous chromosomes. Copy number losses involving the IKZF1 gene were observed in two patients with CML-BP. This study demonstrates for the first time the acquisition of additional BCR-ABL1 fusion genes through mitotic recombination in CML with cryptic BCR-ABL1.
Who Is Monitoring Your Infections: Shouldn't You Be?

Abstract Background: In the era of pay for performance and outcome comparisons among institutions, it is imperative to have reliable and accurate surveillance methodology for monitoring infectious complications. The current monitoring standard often involves a combination of prospective and retrospective analysis by trained infection control (IC) teams. We have developed a medical informatics application, the Surgical Intensive Care-Infection Registry (SIC-IR), to assist with infection surveillance. The objectives of this study were to: (1) Evaluate for differences in data gathered between the current IC practices and SIC-IR; and (2) determine which method has the best sensitivity and specificity for identifying ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Methods: A prospective analysis was conducted in two surgical and trauma intensive care units (STICU) at a level I trauma center (Unit 1: 8 months, Unit 2: 4 months). Data were collected simultaneously by the SIC-IR system at the point of patient care and by ...
Implementation of nonlinear FM pulse compression filters using surface wave delay lines

The synthesis of a surface wave pulse compression filter with a non-linear FM dispersion relation to reduce time sidelobes is described. The significance of this synthesis is discussed and a comparison of the use of nonlinear FM and amplitude weighting of linear FM is made with regard to surface wave synthesis.
Influence of fluoxetine on the ability of bupropion to modulate extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine concentrations in three mesocorticolimbic areas of rats.

The finding that serotonin (5-HT) can modulate dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) release in the brain has led us to hypothesize that fluoxetine, a selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, may influence the ability of bupropion, a preferential DA and NE dual reuptake inhibitor, to modulate extracellular DA and NE concentrations in some brain areas. The present study was designed to evaluate this hypothesis by assessing the effects of fluoxetine on bupropion-induced changes in extracellular monoamine concentrations by means of in vivo microdialysis. Three mesocorticolimbic areas including hypothalamus (Ht), prefrontal cortex (Pfc) and nucleus accumbens (Acb) were selected based on their relevance to depression and antidepressant actions. In the Ht of untreated rats, bupropion dose-dependently (s.c.) increased extracellular DA and NE concentrations either in single injection study or in sequential injection study. Thus, 10 mg/kg of bupropion had no effect on the DA and NE concentrations, while 30 mg/kg of bupropion induced transient but significant increases (about 240% of the baselines), and 100 mg/kg of bupropion induced marked and persistent increases (over 600% of the baselines) in the DA and NE concentrations. In the rats pre-treated with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, s.c., 90 min interval), the threshold dose of bupropion (10 mg/kg) significantly increased the DA and NE concentrations to more than 350% of the baselines, and 30 mg/kg of bupropion markedly increased the DA and NE concentrations to more than 570% of the baselines in the Ht. The fluoxetine pre-treatment also potentiated the DA increases induced by 10 mg/kg of bupropion in the Pfc (260% for bupropion alone vs 357% for the combination) and in the Acb (224% vs 645%). The bupropion-induced NE increases were potentiated by fluoxetine mainly in the Ht. Bupropion did not significantly affect the extracellular 5-HT concentrations in all the 3 brain areas tested. In summary, the present study demonstrated that bupropion can increase extracellular DA and NE concentrations in several mesocorticolimbic areas, which may have an impact on bupropion's antidepressant actions. Furthermore, fluoxetine can potentiate the bupropion-induced DA and NE increases, which may produce more effective and rapid antidepressant actions.
Intrapulse stimulated Raman scattering and ultrashort solitons in optical fibers

Intrapulse stimulated Raman scattering (ISRS) is an important physical phenomenon responsible for the self-induced frequency shift of solitons in optical fibers. ISRS is generally treated as a perturbation term in the nonlinear Schrodinger equation, an approximation that breaks down for ultrashort optical pulses. The authors obtain the solitary-wave solutions of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation by including both ISRS and self-steepening. These solutions do not correspond to optical pulses but represent optical fronts or optical shocks. The properties of ISRS-supported optical shocks are discussed in detail.
Retail food safety risks for populations of different races, ethnicities, and income levels.

Low socioeconomic (SES) and minority populations are less likely to have access to supermarkets but more likely to have access to small grocery and convenience stores. This phenomenon, also known as a “food desert” is believed to contribute to poor quality diets in these populations because of lack of access to fresh, healthy food choices. Small, independent grocery and convenience stores available to these populations may face a number of barriers to safe food handling and sanitation. These barriers include infrastructure, transportation, language, and employee knowledge and turnover. Limited data indicates that markets in census tracts characterized by low SES and minority populations are more likely to have at least one Critical Code Violation per inspection. Recent research has also found that produce available in the food desert environment may be of poorer microbial quality than what is available to higher SES populations. Additionally, minority and low SES populations may be more likely to experience improperly held eggs and milk of poorer microbial quality. One retrospective study linked purchasing of food at convenience and small markets to be associated with cases of listeriosis. It has also been reported that consumers of minority ethnic and racial background are more likely to purchase meat from live-bird and animal slaughter markets and this practice has been associated with multiple outbreaks of salmonellosis. In light of public health efforts to increase the consumption of fresh, healthy foods among low SES and minority populations there is a need to better understand the barriers to food safety and sanitation that both retailers and consumers in the food desert might experience.
Thermodynamic analysis of gasification-driven direct carbon fuel cells

Abstract The gasification-driven direct carbon fuel cell (GD-DCFC) system is compared with systems using separate gasification steps prior to work extraction, under autothermal or indirect constraints. Using simple system exergy analysis, the maximum work output of the indirect gasification scheme is 4–7% lower than the unconstrained direct approach, while the work output of the autothermal gasification approach is 12–13% lower than the unconstrained case. A more detailed calculation for the DCFC and indirect gasification plants, using common solid fuel compositions, gives conversion efficiencies in the range of 51–58% at an operating voltage of 0.7 V selected for both systems in this study. In contrast, the conversion efficiency of the autothermal gasification approach is estimated to be 33–35% at 0.7 V. DCFC efficiencies can be increased to over 60% by an increase in operating voltage and/or inclusion of a bottoming cycle. The thermodynamic model also indicates that steam gasification yields similar work output and thermal efficiency as for CO2 gasification. Open circuit potential measurements agree with equilibrium calculations both for the C–O and C–H–O gasification systems, confirming the governing mechanism and feasibility of the GD-DCFC. Current–voltage measurements on an un-optimized system demonstrate power densities of 220 mW cm−2 at 0.68 V during operation at 1178 K.
Mapping of neutron flux gradient at NIST reactor to optimize neutron activation analysis of53Mn

Determination of53Mn in meteorites by neutron activation analysis requires a thermal neutron flux high enough to ensure adequate production of54Mn from53Mn with a sufficiently low fast neutron component to minimize its production through fast neutron reactions. Thermal and fast neutron fluxes were mapped as a function of sample position within the NIST research reactor in order to determine the optimum position for irradiation of53Mn.
Clinical outcomes of older depressed patients with and without comorbid neuroticism.

Background Neuroticism is a psychological construct that includes tendency to exhibit negative affect (NA), having poor stress tolerance and being at risk for depression and anxiety disorders. The consequences of neuroticism in the elderly adults are understudied. We hypothesized that older depressed patients with comorbid neuroticism at baseline would have worse mood and cognitive outcomes compared with older depressed patients without neuroticism. Methods One hundred and ten older depressed adults completed baseline self-reports of depression and the NEO-Personality Inventory as a measure of neuroticism, were administered a battery of cognitive tests annually and were seen by a study psychiatrist who assessed patients using the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and treated patients with antidepressants using an established treatment guideline. Patients were followed as clinically indicated for up to three years. We measured remission (defined as MADRS score ≤ 6) rates at one year as a categorical outcome. In addition, we used Cox proportional hazard models to examine the relationship between neuroticism and change in MADRS and cognitive score over time. Results Non-remitters (30%) at one year had higher scores in total neuroticism (TN), vulnerability to stress (VS), and NA. Over three years, time to achieve remission was associated with higher TN, higher VS, and greater NA. In analyses controlling for baseline cognitive score, age, sex, and education, VS was associated with baseline to two-year change in cognition. Conclusions Presence of neuroticism in older depressed patients treated with medication is associated with poor mood outcomes and may indicate increased risk of cognitive decline.
Mapping using unique sequences.

Abstract Theoretical predictions are given for the progress expected, when mapping DNA by identifying clones containing specific unique sequences. Progress is measured in three ways; however, all results depend on (dimensionless counterparts of) the number of clones and the number of unique sequences used. Furthermore, the effects of clone length dispersion are included in the theoretical predictions. Both the clones in the library and the unique sequences are assumed to be generated randomly, with uniform probability of originating at any base in the region to be mapped. The first measure of progress is the expected length fraction of the region to be mapped covered by at least one clone, when clones containing at least one unique sequence are included in the map. The second measure of progress is the expected length fraction of the region to be mapped in “covered intervals”, an interval being the region between adjacent unique sequences. Alternative definitions for clones covering an interval are analyzed. The third measure of progress is the expected number of clone islands generated; an island covers successive intervals. Finally, using these measures of progress, we compare the efficiency of this new mapping strategy with conventional clone mapping strategies.
Catalytic reactions in waste plastics, HDPE and coal studied by high-pressure thermogravimetry with on-line GC/MS

High-pressure thermogravimetry (TG) with rapid on-line gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has been used to investigate the effects of different catalysts on decomposition reactions of commingled waste plastics (predominantly PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and mixtures of DECS-6 coal with waste plastics in H2 at 900 psig. This permits direct evaluation of relative decomposition and residual char amounts as well as yield and composition of the evolved products. Catalysts evaluated for the conversion of waste plastics include solid superacids such as Fe2O3SO42−, Al2O3SO42−, Al2O3SO42− promoted by 0.5% Pt, and ZrO2SO42− (all added at 10 wt%), as well as a conventional cracking catalyst of SiO2Al2O3 in a 4:1 ratio, a hydrocracking catalyst of NiMoAl2O3 mixed with SiO2Al2O3 (both added at 50%), and an HZSM-5 zeolite catalyst (added at 10%). Under these conditions cracking activity for waste plastics reveals the following order: SiO2Al2O3, HZSM-5 > NiMoAl2O3 mixed with SiO2Al2O3 > solid superacids. Of the solid superacids studied, the ZrO2SO42− catalyst possesses the highest cracking activity and the approximate order of cracking activity is ZrO2SO42− > Al2O3SO42− > Pt/Al2O3/SO42− > Fe2O3SO42− no catalyst. The stronger the cracking catalyst, the lighter the aliphatic products and the more abundant the isomeric constituents. Similar results are found for HDPE with these catalysts. For co-processing of coal with commingled waste plastic the HZSM-5 zeolite catalyst shows the most promising results by increasing the rate of the decomposition reactions at 420°C nearly tenfold. Hydrocracking catalysts, such as NiMoAl2O3 mixed with SiO2Al2O3, show potential promise for co-processing of coal with commingled waste plastic due to their combined hydrogenation and cracking ability. By contrast, a superacid such as ZrO2SO42− or a cracking catalyst such as SiO2Al2O3 appears to have little effect on the decomposition rate of the mixture. To what extent these findings are influenced by transport limitations (e.g. due to incomplete mixing or degree of crystallinity) and/or catalyst pretreatments is being studied further.
Hepatic ultrastructure after methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

Twenty-six patients receiving long-term oral methotrexate (MTX) therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (24 patients) or psoriasis (2 patients) were prospectively evaluated for alterations in liver morphology by light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Although only 4 MTX-treated patients had light microscopic evidence of mild fibrosis, all had evidence of collagen deposition in the space of Disse near Ito cells and changes in hepatocyte lysosomes on electron microscopy. These findings were absent from control livers. Fibrinogen, fibronectin, and type IV collagen were identified by immunofluorescence in both MTX-treated patients and controls. We conclude that long-term MTX therapy for rheumatoid arthritis is associated with alterations in hepatic ultrastructure, including collagen deposition in the space of Disse and changes in hepatocyte lysosomes.
Effect of Viscoelasticity And Anisotropy On Amplitude-versus-offset Interpretation

The effects of attenuation, elastic anisotropy, and attenuation anisotropy on Amplitude Versus Offset measurements is investigated using a full waveform modeling algorithm. The modeling method based on pseudo-spectral time integration, and Fourier method for spatial differentiation is extremely accurate, and allows a careful modeling of the behavior of anisotropic viscoelastic materials. The accuracy of the method was first confirmed by comparing the numerical and analytical solutions of the Amplitude Versus Offset variations of a reflected seismic event in an elastic isotropic model. In viscoelastic solids, the effect of anisotropy and/or attenuation strongly condition the amplitude of reflected events for two reasons :
Reducing Exposure to Trust-Related Risks to Avoid Self-Blame

Three studies demonstrated that anticipated self-blame elicits more conservative decisions about risks that require trust than about otherwise economically identical risks that do not. Participants were more reluctant to invest money in a company when it risked failure due to fraud versus low consumer demand (Study 1), and to risk points in an economic game when its outcome ostensibly depended on another participant versus chance (Studies 2 and 3). These effects were mediated by anticipated self-blame (Studies 1 and 2). Additionally, participants who actually experienced a loss felt more self-blame when the loss violated their trust and became even more conservative in subsequent risk decisions relative to participants whose loss did not violate their trust (Study 3). No support emerged for alternative explanations based on either the perceived probability of incurring a loss or an aversion to losses that profit others. The motivational power of trust violations is discussed.
High resolution X-ray and radio images of the Crab-like supernova remnant G21.5-0.9

The Crab-like supernova remnant G21.5-0.9 has been imaged at 6 cm wavelength with the VLA and between 0.1-4 keV with the Einstein Observatory. Both the X-ray and radio images show a centrally peaked distribution of extended emission with no indication of a pointlike component. In contrast, the linearly polarized radio emission is distributed in a ring with a distinct central minimum. The electric vectors of the polarized radio emission are oriented circumferentially. The data support a Crab-like model for G21.5-0.9, but one in which a lower percentage of the radiated flux is emitted as X-rays relative to the Crab Nebula.
Die and Let Live: Eliminating Dangerous Lymphocytes

These studies on the physiologic functions of Fas and FasL have raised the exciting possibility that this pathway can be exploited in a beneficial way. For instance, it may be feasible to endow allografts or xenografts with the property of immune privilege, or resistance to rejection, by expressing FasL in the donor tissues. Obviously, it will be necessary to show that the tissue in which FasL is to be expressed does not also express Fas so that it does not injure itself. Attempts to express FasL as a transgene in the β cells of the islets of Langerhans of mice and to use these FasL+ cells as grafts for treating diabetes are already underway. In theory, the same approach may be useful for developing universal islet xenografts. However, a major barrier to xenotransplantation is antibody-mediated hyperacute rejection, and this will obviously not be prevented by FasL. In the long term, one can envision donor tissues expressing multiple human genes designed to prevent different humoral and cellular mechanisms of graft rejection.The Fas–FasL pathway may also be exploited for treating autoimmune diseases. One example of this is a study in which mice were immunized with a myelin antigen so that they developed encephalomyelitis. Repeated administration of the same antigen led to elimination of specific T cells, presumably by Fas-mediated apoptosis, and to amelioration of disease (Critchfield et al. 1994xCritchfield, J.M, Racke, M.K, Zuniga-Pflucker, J.C, Cannella, B, Raine, C.S, Goverman, J, and Lenardo, M.J. Science. 1994; 263: 1139–1143Crossref | PubMedSee all ReferencesCritchfield et al. 1994). The danger in such a therapeutic protocol is obvious, since it relies on activating potentially dangerous T cells prior to inducing the death of these cells. Nevertheless, controlled administration of self-antigens or pharmacologic induction of cell death in autoreactive lymphocytes may prove to be valuable in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
13C isotope separation using multiphoton excitation of carbon monoxide

Abstract We report a possible means to selectively isolate 13 C from carbon monoxide (CO) exploiting multiphoton dissociation near 199 nm. At λ=199.363 nm we observed mass spectra with greater than 95% 13 C + ions produced from CO with normal isotopic abundance. The technique of velocity map ion imaging was applied to explore this effect. The complete mechanism for the 13 C + detection reads as follows: CO ( X 1 Σ + )+hν→ CO ( a 3 Π 1 ), CO ( a 3 Π 1 )+hν→ C ( 1 D 2 )+ O ( 3 P 0 ), C ( 1 D 2 )+hν→ C ( 3 P 1 ), C ( 3 P 1 )+hν→ C + + e − . We also report the molecular constants for the CO h 3 Σ + state for 12 CO (ν 00 =100 385 .5 cm −1 , B =1.97 1 cm −1 ) .
Self-Perceived Facial Appearance and Psychosocial Adjustment in Preadolescents with Craniofacial Anomalies

Abstract Objective: To identify aspects of psychosocial adjustment related to the self-perceived facial appearance of preadolescents with craniofacial abnormalities. Design: Concurrent relationships were evaluated using a within-group correlational design. Participants: Participants were 24 patients, aged 11 to 13, of a major craniofacial center and their parents who were contacted by telephone and agreed to participate. Main Outcome Measures: Self-report and parent-report questionnaires assessing psychosocial adjustment. Results: Self-perceived facial appearance was positively correlated with global self-worth, self-perceived social acceptance, and number of same-sex close friends, and negatively correlated with loneliness, parent-rated social problems, and parental advice/support and concern (all p's < .05 or better). Conclusions: Dissatisfaction with facial appearance was associated with peer relationship problems and low global self-esteem, but not with other aspects of self-concept or other types of ...
Preliminary findings about the selection of U.S. census data by state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations

Abstract Historically, accurately determining the data needs of state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations has been difficult. Many of these types of organizations participate in the Census Bureau's State Data Center and Business/Industry Data Center programs. This paper presents preliminary findings of a diary-based study that looks at the census data used by over 200 organizations participating in these programs. It is possible to determine objectively the relative demand for various data subjects utilized by having staff of these agencies record summaries of the census data, including decennial and economic censuses and current statistics. It is further possible to determine the frequency with which these data are used along subject and geographic lines. While the diaries are being maintained over the period of one year, this paper presents findings based on the first three months of these diaries covering about 2,000 individual data requests. The preliminary findings reported in this paper indicate that these organizations routinely use a very wide variety of census data covering the full range of geographic detail. Additionally, this paper looks at the census data used by various types of organizations.