cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reddit discussions about buprenorphine associated precipitated withdrawal in the era of fentanyl

BackgroundBuprenorphine is an evidence-based treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Standard buprenorphine induction requires a period of opioid abstinence to minimize risk of precipitated opioid withdrawal (POW). Our objective was to study the impact of the increasing presence of fentanyl and its analogs in the opioid supply of the United States, on buprenorphine induction and POW, using social media data from Reddit. MethodsThis is a data-driven, mixed methods study of opioid-related forums, called subreddits, on Reddit to analyze posts related to fentanyl, POW, and buprenorphine induction. The posts were collected from seven subreddits using an application programming interface for Reddit. We applied natural language processing to identify subsets of salient posts relevant to buprenorphine induction, and performed manual, qualitative, thematic analyses of them. Results267,136 posts were retrieved from seven subreddits. Fentanyl mentions increased from 3 in 2013 to 3870 in 2020, and POW mentions increased from 2 (2012) to 332 (2020). Manual review of 384 POW-mentioning posts and 106 Bernese method (a microdosing induction strategy) mentioning posts revealed common themes and peoples experiences. Specifically, presence of fentanyl caused POWs despite long abstinence durations, and alternative induction via microdosing were frequently recommended in peer-to-peer discussions. ConclusionsThis study found that increased social media chatter on Reddit about POW correlated with fentanyl mentions. A subset of posts described microdosing as a self-management strategy to avoid POW. Reddit posts suggest that people are utilizing these strategies to initiate buprenorphine due to challenges arising from fentanyl prevalence in the opioid supply. HighlightsO_LIIncrease in mentions of precipitated opioid withdrawal (POW) on Reddit from 2012 to 2021 was closely correlated with the increase in fentanyl mentions. C_LIO_LIExperiences of precipitated opioid withdrawal (POW) were described by individuals who reported sufficient periods of abstinence by standard buprenorphine induction protocols. C_LIO_LIPeople with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) on Reddit are using and recommending microdosing strategies with buprenorphine to avoid POW. C_LIO_LIPeople who used fentanyl report experiencing POW following statistically longer periods of abstinence than people who use heroin. C_LI
Electron Scattering from Nuclei at Several GeV

A basic goal of physics is to uncover and then explain the layers in the structure of matter. In the last decade evidence has accumulated from experiments at GeV energies that nucleons and mesons are composed of a new substructure containing charged pointlike quarks interacting by gluon exchange. This is a peculiar substructure. The quarks and gluons carry a new quantum number called color, but they have never been observed isolated in the laboratory. The objects observed in real experiments appear to be combinations of quarks bound into color neutral particles or color singlets. Quantum chromo-dynamics (QCD) is the gauge theory of colored quarks and gluons invented to describe this substructure. A central task of modern nuclear physics is to understand how the structure and interactions of nucleons arise from the interactions among quarks.
Why is the dog an ideal model for aging research

With many caveats to the traditional vertebrate species pertaining to biogerontology investigations, it has been suggested that a most informative model is the one which: 1) examines closely related species, or various members of the same species with naturally occurring lifespan variation, 2) already has adequate medical procedures developed, 3) has a well annotated genome, 4) does not require artificial housing, and can live in its natural environment while being investigated, and 5) allows considerable information to be gathered within a relatively short period of time. The domestic dog unsurprisingly fits each criterion mentioned. The dog has already become a key model system in which to evaluate surgical techniques and novel medications because of the remarkable similarity between human and canine conditions, treatments, and response to therapy. The dog naturally serves as a disease model for study, obviating the need to construct artificial genetically modified examples of disease. Just as the dog offers a natural model for human conditions and diseases, simple observation leads to the conclusion that the canine aging phenotype also mimics that of the human. Genotype information, biochemical information pertaining to the GH/IGF-1 pathway, and some limited longitudinal investigations have begun the establishment of the domestic dog as a model of aging. Although we find that dogs indeed are a model to study aging and there are many independent pieces of canine aging data, there are many more "open" areas, ripe for investigation.
On-line monitoring of wind-induced stresses and fatigue damage in instrumented structures

SUMMARY The use of sparse-measured response as a means to monitor stresses and fatigue damage throughout metal structures has been the subject of recent work by researchers in the !eld of vibration-based structural health monitoring. The basic premise is that by using measured structural response, one can improve upon purely stochastic estimates. The most recent applications found in the literature employ the Kalman !lter as an estimator. In this paper, we propose a !nite element model-based state estimator that can be implemented as a modi !ed version of the !nite element model of the system using corrective forces that are proportional to the measurements. In contrast with the standard Kalman !lter, the proposed estimator explicitly accounts for spatial correlation and for the colored nature of the excitation through knowledge of its power spectral density. The approach is used to estimate the number of threshold crossings in the bending moment history of a simulated tall vertical structure subject to turbulent wind. It is shown that the proposed model-based estimator outperforms a standard Kalman !lter. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Received 28 February 2012; Revised 7 September 2012; Accepted 17 October 2012
On the Scheduling of Flexible and Reliable Real-Time Control Systems

Many real-time systems, such as manufacturing plants, have long life cycles. To enable the realization of technological innovations and to mitigate the risk and cost of bringing new control technologies into functioning systems, flexible and reliable real-time software architectures such as Simplex have been developed. There is also an emerging trend that integrates the design of controllers and schedulers. For example, algorithms that identify the optimal frequencies of control tasks subject to schedulability constraints have been developed, and the notion of feedback schedulers has been investigated. However, the optimization of the performance of flexible and reliable architectures with analytically redundant software controllers has remained an open problem. In fact, a direct application of the existing optimization methods would not yield the optimal frequencies. In this paper, we present a method that correctly finds the optimal frequencies for systems using analytically redundant controllers. We also show that the proposed method is robust against inaccuracies in the estimation of failure rates of the controllers.
Population parameters. Acquisition and analysis of electrophoretic brain protein patterns by minicomputer-coupled densitometry.

Abstract Interfacing a minicomputer with a high resolution densitometer permits the online acquisition and statistical analysis of population parameters for experimental and control sample patterns of various macromolecules obtained by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This technique, illustrated in this paper using protein from the brains of Japanese quail, enables the experimenter to make comparisons which were previously not readily available for electrophoresis.
Photographic and Performance Studies of Diesel Combustion With a Rapid Compression Machine

Photographic and performance studies with a Rapid Compression Machine at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have been used to develop insight into the role of mixing in diesel engine combustion. Combustion photographs and performance data were analyzed. The experiments simulate a single fuel spray in an open chember diesel engine with direct injection. The effects of droplet formation and evaporation on mixing are examined. It is concluded that mixing is controlled by the rate of entrainment of air by the fuel spray rather than the dynamics of single droplets. Experimental data on the geometry of a jet in a quiescent combustion chamber were compared with a two-phase jet model; a jet model based on empirical turbulent entrainment coefficients was developed to predict the motion of a fuel jet in a combustion chamber with swirl. Good agreement between theory and experiment was obtained. The fuel and air mixing rate was estimated from the jet models and compared with combustion rates measured in the Rapid Compression Machine.
Effects of induction of general and regional anesthesia for cesarean section on maternal plasma β-endorphin levels

Plasma beta-endorphin was measured in 40 healthy pregnant women undergoing cesarean section. Group 1 patients (N = 14) received general anesthesia by rapid-sequence induction and endotracheal intubation with curare, thiopental, and succinylcholine. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide, oxygen, and muscle relaxant until delivery. Group 2 patients (N = 26) received regional anesthesia (spinal, 14, and epidural, 12). Maternal blood samples were drawn from indwelling venous catheters prior to and after induction of either general or regional anesthesia. Plasma beta-endorphin was determined by radioimmunoassay following silicic acid extraction and gel chromatography. In the 14 patients who underwent general anesthesia, the mean (+/- SEM) plasma beta-endorphin increased significantly (p less than 0.025) from 46 +/- 7.4 to 111.6 +/- 8.9 fmol/ml. There was no significant change in plasma beta-endorphin level of the 26 patients who underwent regional anesthesia; beta-endorphin levels averaged 44.5 +/- 5.1 and 47.6 +/- 4.8 fmol/ml prior to and after induction of anesthesia, respectively. These data demonstrate that plasma beta-endorphin concentrations are elevated following induction of general anesthesia but not with induction of regional anesthesia, which suggests that less stress is associated with regional than with general anesthesia induction in patients undergoing cesarean section.
Addressing the Needs of Lesbian Widows

Abstract This qualitative research study identifies difficulties encountered by widowed lesbians, especially those difficulties unique to lesbians in their grief recovery process. It suggests the need for more support services for lesbian widows and outlines the kinds of information and skills needed by counseling professionals who work with this population.
Effect of high-pressure treatment on biogenic amines formation in vacuum-packed trout flesh (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The effects of vacuum packaging followed by high pressure processing on the shelf-life of fillets of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were examined. Samples were pressure-treated at 300 and 500 MPa and were stored at 3.5 and 12 °C for up to 28 days (control--0 MPa) and 42 or 70 days (pressure-treated; 12 and 3.5 °C resp.). The content of eight biogenic amines (putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, spermine, histamine, tyramine, tryptamine and phenylethylamine) were determined. Putrescine, cadaverine and tyramine showed very good correspondence with the level of applied pressure and organoleptic properties. Samples of very good quality contained less than 10 mg/kg of each of these amines. Polyamines spermidine and spermine did not show statistically significant changes with the level of applied pressure and the time of storage. Tryptamine, phenylethylamine and histamine (with the single exception of a sample stored for 70 days) were not detected in pressure-treated samples kept at 3.5 °C.
β-Endorphin neuronal transplantation into the hypothalamus alters anxiety-like behaviors in prenatal alcohol-exposed rats and alcohol-non-preferring and alcohol-preferring rats.

Background Alcohol exposure has adverse effects on stress physiology and behavioral reactivity. This is suggested to be due, in part, to the effect of alcohol on β-endorphin (β-EP)-producing neurons in the hypothalamus. In response to stress, β-EP normally provides negative feedback to the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and interacts with other neurotransmitter systems in the amygdala to regulate behavior. We examined whether β-EP neuronal function in the hypothalamus reduces the corticosterone response to acute stress, attenuates anxiety-like behaviors, and modulates alcohol drinking in rats. Methods To determine whether β-EP neuronal transplants modulate the stress response, anxiety behavior, and alcohol drinking, we implanted differentiated β-EP neurons into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus of normal, prenatal alcohol-exposed, and alcohol-preferring (P) and alcohol-non-preferring (NP) rats. We then assessed corticosterone levels in response to acute restraint stress and other markers of stress response in the brain and anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze and open-field assays. Results We showed that β-EP neuronal transplants into the PVN reduced the peripheral corticosterone response to acute stress and attenuated anxiety-like behaviors. Similar transplants completely reduced the hypercorticosterone response and elevated anxiety behaviors in prenatal alcohol-exposed adult rats. Moreover, we showed that β-EP reduced anxiety behavior in P rats with minimal effects on alcohol drinking during and following restraint stress. Conclusions These data further establish a role of β-EP neurons in the hypothalamus for regulating physiological stress response and anxiety behavior and resemble a potential novel therapy for treating stress-related psychiatric disorders in prenatal alcohol-exposed children and those genetically predisposed to increased alcohol consumption.
Effect of Ammonium Salts on an Illitic Shale

The effects of additions of urea, monobasic ammonium phosphate, dibasic ammonium phosphate, sodium ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium chloride on some physical properties of an unfired and a fired illitic shale of high carbonate content were studied. X-ray examination of the Devonian shale showed that illite was the predominant clay mineral; there was also some chlorite. Scum was reduced and a clean surface was produced by additions of ½ to 1% of ammonium phosphate. Urea did not reduce scum. Ammonium nitrate and ammonium chloride increased scum. Fired absorption was increased by monobasic ammonium phosphate, ammonium chloride, and ammonium nitrate, whereas dibasic ammonium phosphate, sodium ammonium phosphate, and urea produced only slight changes. The workability of the tempered shale was decreased by 1% additions of monobasic ammonium phosphate, ammonium chloride, and ammonium nitrate. The presence of the chloride or the nitrate ions caused thixotropy and the phosphate ion caused dilatency. All ammonium additions shortened the time for complete oxidation of the shale specimens. Ammonium chloride was the best oxidation accelerator. Only the 1% addition of ammonium chloride increased the frost resistance of specimens fired to cone 07. All specimens fired to cone 02 were frost resistant and ammonium additions had no effect. The hydration of lime on specimens fired to cone 07 was not affected by additions of ammonium salts, Firing to cone 02 reacted most of the free lime and held hydration to a minimum.
WRIS.TEQ: multi-mineralic water-rock interaction, mass-transfer and textural dynamics simulator

Water-rock interactions in sediments are driven by the state of disequilibrium that persists among solids and solutes due to changing temperature and stress conditions, and advective and diffusive influx and efflux of solutes. Water-rock interactions bring about changes to sediment composition and texture through a complex chemical reaction network. These reactions can be divided into two types: solid-solute and solute-solute.Reactions of solids and solute are kinetic, i.e., they depend on compositions of solids and water, temperature, pore water pressure, and stress. Speciation among solutes are described by thermodynamic relations that depend on water composition and temperature. Both reaction mechanisms, mediated by pore water, are strongly interdependent.WRIS.TEQ is a comprehensive Reaction-Transport-Mechanical (RTM) simulator that accounts for multi-mineralic water-rock interaction mechanisms of kinetics and thermodynamics, and mass transfer due to advection and diffusion. Moreover, the simulator's dynamic compositional and textural model based on a composite-media approach allows self-consistent evolution of sediment composition and texture due to water-rock interactions. Thus, the program can be used to make reliable predictions of sediment alteration due to water-rock interactions at the level it was previously not possible.This article describes the fundamentals of water-rock interaction and composite medium models used in the simulator WRIS.TEQ, and how the program is constructed. The utility of the program is demonstrated by simulated diagenetic alteration of sediments composed of complex mineralogy and heterogeneity.
Inflammation effects on the electrical properties of atrial tissue and inducibility of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Background Atrial fibrillation is the most common complication after cardiac surgery. Postoperative atrial fibrillation (PAF) has been shown to increase length of stay, morbidity, and mortality. Because the clinical behavior of PAF parallels that of inflammation following surgery, we investigated the effect of the inflammatory mediator arachidonic acid on the electrical behavior of normal atrial tissue in vitro and assessed the efficacy of the topical application of anti-inflammatory drugs at suppressing PAF in an animal model. Methods To study changes in electrical behavior from inflammation, the conduction properties of six normal canine right atrial appendages were quantified as a function of the direction of impulse propagation with and without 80 μ m arachidonic acid. To study the effect of topical anti-inflammatory drugs, 24 adult mongrel dogs were prepared according to the model of sterile talc pericarditis. Nine dogs received talc alone (T), seven received talc combined with 600 mg ibuprofen (T + I), and eight received talc combined with 10 mg methylprednisolone (T + M). Three days following preparation, programmed electrical stimulation was performed to quantify conduction characteristics and to attempt the induction of atrial fibrillation (AF). Results In vitro, arachidonic acid produced an anisotropic and rapidly reversible 36.1 ± 3.4% (P = 0.01) decrease in conduction velocity transverse to the long axis only. In vivo, both ibuprofen and methylprednisolone significantly reduced the incidence of sustained AF (from 56 to 0% T + I and 12% T + M, respectively, P = 0.02). No differences in conduction velocities or refractory periods were seen during sinus rhythm among the groups. Conclusions Acute inflammation as mimicked by arachidonic acid slows conduction anisotropically, mainly transverse to the long axis of the atrial myocardial fibers. This may set the stage for reentry. Preventing inflammation in vivo by the topical application of anti-inflammatory drugs supports this hypothesis, suggesting a possible role for inflammation in the genesis of postoperative atrial fibrillation and shedding light on the mechanism underlying PAF.
Encephalopathy is the dose-limiting toxicity of intravenous hepsulfam: results of a phase I trial in patients with advanced hematological malignancies

Hepsulfam is a bisulfamic ester which is similar in structure to busulfan and is believed to act as a bifunctional alkylator inducing both DNA-DNA and DNA-protein crosslinks. Prior studies in patients with refractory solid tumors have identified the dose-limiting toxicity of hepsulfam to be cumulative myelosuppression resulting in prolonged leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. This phase I trial was designed to determine the maximally tolerated dose of hepsulfam administered intravenously in patients with refractory leukemias and other advanced hematologic malignancies. Hepsulfam was administered as a 30-min or 2-h intravenous infusion to 21 patients with advanced leukemia or multiple myeloma. All patients had been extensively treated and had progressive disease. Cycles were repeated every 5 weeks. Cohorts of patients were treated at 360, 480, 640, and 800 mg/m2. The dose-limiting toxicity of intravenous hepsulfam was severe encephalopathy. The single patient treated at 800 mg/m2 became comatose within 48 h and required 3 weeks for his mental status to return to baseline. There were, however, no irreversible neurological sequelae. Several patients treated at 640 mg/m2 had clinical evidence of toxic deliriums and slowing of alpha rhythm waves on electroencephalograms indicative of a gray-matter encephalopathy. When hepsulfam was infused over 30 min, patients complained of uncomfortable parasthesias, but when the drug was administered over 2 h, these acute symptoms were less common. Myelosuppression was observed in most patients. Among those patients who had some suppression of their leukemia, peripheral blood counts recovered to pretreatment levels after 3-5 weeks. Apart from CNS toxicity, non-hematologic toxicity was minimal. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated rapid clearance of hepsulfam so that the drug was not reliably detected in the plasma after 24 h. The recommended phase II dose of hepsulfam as a single 2-h intravenous infusion is 480 mg/m2, but this dose provided relatively little clinical benefit for patients with refractory leukemia. The dose-limiting toxicity is CNS toxicity with increasingly severe encephalopathy at doses > or = 640 mg/m2. It would be reasonable to investigate further dose escalation of hepsulfam in a divided dose schedule to minimize the peak concentrations which may be related to the encephalopathy. EEG monitoring is recommended for early detection of slowing of alpha rhythm waves. Hematopoietic stem cell support will probably be required at total doses exceeding 800 mg/m2.
Influenza vaccines: a pediatric perspective.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To understand the burden of disease attributable to influenza among children and to understand the basis for changing recommendations for immunization of young children. I will review the current recommendations regarding use of trivalent, inactivated influenza vaccine and live, attenuated influenza vaccine. RECENT FINDINGS Annual immunization of all children between 6 and 59 months of age and their household contacts is recommended starting with the 2006-2007 season, including a two-dose strategy for children under 9 years of age. SUMMARY Expanded recommendations are expected to reduce the number of outpatient visits, hospitalization rates and mortality rates due to influenza for both children and adults.
Effortful control as a personality characteristic of young children: antecedents, correlates, and consequences

Effortful control, the ability to suppress a dominant response to perform a subdominant response, was assessed in 106 children during early childhood (at 22, 33, and 45 months) using multitask behavioral batteries. By 45 months, effortful control was highly longitudinally stable and coherent across tasks and thus appeared to be a traitlike characteristic of children's personality. Children who had been less intense in terms of proneness to anger and joy, and those who had been more inhibited to the unfamiliar in the second year developed higher effortful control. Children with higher effortful control at 22-45 months developed stronger consciences at 56 months and displayed fewer externalizing problems at 73 months. Effortful control mediated the oft-reported relations between maternal power assertion and impaired conscience development in children, even when child management difficulty was controlled.
Design and methods for "Commit to Get Fit" - a pilot study of a school-based mindfulness intervention to promote healthy diet and physical activity among adolescents

Introduction Cardiovascular prevention is more effective if started early in life, but available interventions to promote healthy lifestyle habits among youth have been ineffective. Impulsivity in particular has proven to be an important barrier to the adoption of healthy behaviors in youth. Observational evidence suggests that mindfulness interventions may reduce impulsivity and improve diet and physical activity. We hypothesize that mindfulness training in adjunct to traditional health education will improve dietary habits and physical activity among teenagers by reducing impulsive behavior and improving planning skills.
Computed tomography of the brain following radiation and chemotherapy: preliminary report.

Abstract Pre-treatment and post-treatment CT scans of the brain in 94 patients with brain tumors have been reviewed. The CT scan changes of the brain following chemotherapy, radiation therapy or both have been evaluated. In 61% of the patients with primary brain tumors and 48% of the patients with metastatic brain tumors, CT scans demonstrated atrophic changes, leukoencephalopathic changes or a combination of both.
Effects of pituitary hormones, melatonin, and thyroidal inhibitors on radioiodide uptake by the thyroid glands of larval and adult tiger salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum (Amphibia: Caudata).

Abstract Thyroidal uptake of radioiodide 24 hr after intraperitoneal injection of 131 I was used as a measure of thyroidal function in the tiger salamander ( Ambystoma tigrinum ). Larvae pretreated for 7 days with 2.5 or 25 μg TSH/day exhibited significantly greater 131 I uptake than did untreated animals. Spontaneously metamorphosing animals accumulated 131 I equivalent to larvae pretreated with 2.5 μg TSH. Fully metamorphosed animals were insensitive to pretreatment with 2.5 μg TSH/day, but did respond to 25 μg TSH/day. PTU or SCN pretreatment of larvae reduced TSH-stimulated 131 I uptake to control levels, but prolactin, melatonin, and bovine pineal extract had no effect. Prolactin treatment of larvae (7 or 60 days) did not influence 131 I uptake as compared to controls. Thyroidal 131 I uptake in metamorphosed animals was not influenced by 7 days of treatment with prolactin. Daily pretreatment (7 days) with 25 μg LH or FSH or 0.25 μg TSH did not increase 131 I accumulation by larvae. Mammalian prolactin and gonadotropins apparently are not heterothyrotropic factors in this species. The stimulation of metamorphosis by mammalian gonadotropins (Norris et al. , 1973b) can be attributed to the amount of mammalian TSH present in these preparations.
Trends and risk factors for transfusion in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery

Introduction Patient-specific factors impacting the need for possible perioperative blood transfusions have not been examined in patients undergoing hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) procedures. We sought to define the overall utilization of blood transfusions for HPB surgery stratified by procedure type, as well as identify patient-level risk factors for transfusion.
Annulation Reactions of Ortho-Chloromethyl Aryl Cuprates

Abstract Formation of o-chloromethyl aryl cuprates via halogen-metal exchange of 2-iodobenzyl chlorides with n-butyllithium provides a cuprate that may be added to unhindered enones and ammonium salt 5 giving intermediates suitable for subsequent annulation reactions.
Ninety years of Drosophila melanogaster hybrids.

Within 10 years of the beginning of experimental genetic research on Drosophila melanogaster, in 1919, A. H. Sturtevant discovered its sibling species, D. simulans. He hybridized the two species and made fundamental discoveries about the genetic basis of hybrid incompatibility. The complete sterility of surviving F1 hybrids frustrated Sturtevant and his vision of comprehensively exploring the genetics of interspecific differences. But over the next 90 years, a combination of clever genetic tricks and close observation of natural variation has led to a wealth of discovery using these and other hybrids of D. melanogaster and D. simulans, resulting in an advanced understanding of speciation and the evolution of morphology, gene regulation, and behavior.
Patterns of interpersonal problems associated with binge eating disorder.

Objective To determine if interpersonal problems reported by individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) are distinct from psychiatric norms, and whether specific types of interpersonal problems are predictive of BED treatment outcome. Method: Subjects were 88 females with BED who completed a treatment trial for binge eating and weight loss. Pretreatment data on the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP) was compared (1) to that of psychiatric and nonpsychiatric norms and (2) for individuals with good versus poor outcome for eating disorder symptoms and weight loss. Results: BED patients reported less distress for problems with being too vindictive (hostile dominance) than psychiatric norms. Patients with good eating disorder outcome reported less distress for problems with social avoidance; patients with good weight loss outcome reported greater distress over problems with vindictiveness. Discussion: BED treatment may be enhanced by an initial focus on specific interpersonal difficulties. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 23:383–389, 1998.
Fuzzy models—What are they, and why? [Editorial]

IT is my great pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural issue of the IEEE TRANSACTIONOSN FUZZY SYSTEMS. Many of you are probably quite familiar with the basic ideas underlying fuzzy sets and systems that utilize fuzzy models. However, there will also be readers who are looking at the contents of this issue, wondering what it's all about. For this latter group, the papers in this first issue may seem bewildering, for they are quite technical, and none are tutorial in nature. Consequently, this preface is divided into two parts. Section I contains a brief introduction to the basic ideas of our science, in hopes that this glimpse will help you understand the articles, but perhaps more importantly, pique your interest in fuzzy models. Section I1 gives a short prCcis and historical perspective of the field, and how it has led to the creation of this journal.
Picosecond fluorescence study of the energy dependence of geminate recombination kinetics in nonpolar liquids

Abstract The dynamics of geminate ion-electron recombination following multiple photon 305 nm picosecond laser photoionization have been observed for a series of aromatic solutes in trans-decalin solution by time-resolving the recombination fluorescence. The nonexponential recombination dynamics are the same for the three solutes N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl- p -phenylenediamine (TMPD), 1-aminonaphthalene, and anthracene, despite the differences in electron excess energy. Recombination fluorescence is unresolvably fast for 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO). The implication of these results regarding the dependence of the average electron thermalization distance on excess energy is briefly discussed.
Gaussian-Beam Leaky-Mode Resonance in Strongly Modulated Waveguide Gratings

The leaky-mode resonance properties of strongly modulated waveguide gratings under Gaussian beam incidence are numerically studied. The extent to which such broadband resonant filter elements effectively resonate narrow beams is quantified.
Yukawa quantum field theory in two space-time dimensions without cutoffs

This paper provides estimates, which permit the construction of the physical vacuum and the corresponding Hilbert space of the Y2 theory. The representation of the local field algebra thus obtained is locally Fock. One estimate is a volume-dependent first-order Nτ estimate, which implies in particular that the vacuum energy per unit volume is bounded from below. The second estimate states that the vacuum energy per unit volume is bounded from above.
An efficient edge detection algorithm using relaxation labeling technique

Abstract Edge detection plays an important role in computer vision tasks, and has received considerable attention in image processing literature. To detect edges correctly and precisely, contextual information is needed. How to use contextual information is a key issue. In this paper, we introduce an edge detection method that will use edge contextual information of the whole image efficiency. This new method tries to employ contextual information within a certain distance from the focus pixel at a time. This distance keeps increasing recursively until the edge feature of a pixel is uniquely defined. In this manner, we can minimize the need for contextual information. Experimental results are presented to characterize the performance of our new method in terms of better connectedness of edges and less distortion, and in terms of computational efficiency. A detailed comparison of our method with the context free zero-crossing edge operator that uses optimal exponential filter is discussed in this paper.
Nonpharmacologic Treatments for Depression Related to Reproductive Events

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that nonpharmacological interventions have an appropriate place in the treatment of major depressive disorders (MDDs) as both stand-alone and supplemental treatments. Because women may be reluctant to use psychotropic medications due to strong values or treatment preferences during specific reproductive events, clinicians need to be able to offer empirically based alternatives to medication. In this review, we present recent findings from studies of acupuncture, bright light therapy, electroconvulsive therapy, omega fatty acid supplementation, physical activity, and psychosocial intervention for women experiencing depressive symptoms in the contexts of menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.
Discussion of "Is Research and Development Mispriced or Properly Risk Adjusted?"

Mustafa Ciftci, Baruch Lev, and Suresh Radhakrishnan (2011) provide an interesting and innovative look at the question of mispricing and compensation for bearing risk related to research and develo...
The value of RN residency and fellowship programs for Magnet® hospitals

This article discusses the need for accreditation of orientation transition programs for nurses and how these programs support Magnet criteria.
LOCST: A Built-In Self-Test Technique

A built-in self-test technique utilizing on-chip pseudorandom-pattern generation, on-chip signature analysis, a ``boundary scan'' feature, and an on-chip monitor test controller has been implemented on three VLSI chips by the IBM Federal Systems Division. This method (designated LSSD on-chip self-test, or LOCST) uses existing level-sensitive scan design strings to serially scan random test patterns to the chip's combinational logic and to collect test results. On-chip pseudorandom-pattern generation and signature analysis compression are provided via existing latches, which are configured into linear-feedback shift registers during the self-test operation. The LOCST technique is controlled through the on-chip monitor, IBM FSD's standard VLSI test interface/controller. Boundary scan latches are provided on all primary inputs and primary outputs to maximize self-test effectiveness and to facilitate chip I/O testing. Stuck-fault simulation using statistical fault analysis was used to evaluate test coverage effectiveness. Total test coverage values of 81.5, 85.3, and 88.6 percent were achieved for the three chips with less than 5000 random-pattern sequences. Outstanding test coverage (≫97%) was achieved for the interior logic of the chips. The advantages of this technique, namely very low hardware overhead cost (≪2%), design-independent implementation, and effective static testing, make LOCST an attractive and powerful technique.
Civil Rights and Political Human Rights: Contesting Human Rights Failures within the Minimally Democratic State

Allen Buchanan argues that democracy ought to be added to the list of basic human rights, but he limits the conception of democracy to a minimum of electoral representation within the nation state, effectively collapsing human rights into civil rights. This, however, leaves him unable to address the problem of human rights failures occurring within established states that meet his standard of minimal democratic representation. In order to address this problem, I appeal to James Bohman's conception of the political human rights of all members of humanity, as opposed to the civil rights of the citizens of particular states. I argue that while this provides the basis on which to address the problem of human rights failures within minimally democratic states, Bohman's conception also entails the potential for deep tensions to arise between the different claims of civil and human rights.
Distribution of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus Antigen in Persistently Infected White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Infection with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), analogous to that occurring in cattle, is reported rarely in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). This study evaluated the distribution of BVDV antigen in persistently infected (PI) white-tailed deer and compared the findings with those from PI cattle. Six PI fawns (four live-born and two stillborn) from does exposed experimentally to either BVDV-1 or BVDV-2 were evaluated. Distribution and intensity of antigen expression in tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Data were analyzed in binary fashion with a proportional odds model. Viral antigen was distributed widely and was present in all 11 organ systems. Hepatobiliary, integumentary and reproductive systems were respectively 11.8, 15.4 and 21.6 times more likely to have higher antigen scores than the musculoskeletal system. Pronounced labelling occurred in epithelial tissues, which were 1.9-3.0 times likelier than other tissues to contain BVDV antigen. Antigen was present in >90% of samples of liver and skin, suggesting that skin biopsy samples are appropriate for BVDV diagnosis. Moderate to severe lymphoid depletion was detected and may hamper reliable detection of BVDV in lymphoid organs. Muscle tissue contained little antigen, except for in the cardiovascular system. Antigen was present infrequently in connective tissues. In nervous tissues, antigen expression frequency was 0.3-0.67. In the central nervous system (CNS), antigen was present in neurons and non-neuronal cells, including microglia, emphasizing that the CNS is a primary target for fetal BVDV infection. BVDV antigen distribution in PI white-tailed deer is similar to that in PI cattle.
Ohmic dissipation in a dimerized molecular chain.

We analyze a simple model of quantum tunneling in a dimerized lattice characteristic of those in which solid-state excimers have been observed. The model we pose proves to be exactly diagonalizable, allowing the time dependence of tunneling within a molecular pair to be determined to quadrature. The complete time and temperature dependence of exact results are studied numerically, and approximate solutions are tested against these numerical results. Oscillatory decay of a localized initial distribution toward a delocalized final distribution is found at both finite and zero temperature. The decay envelope at finite temperatures is eventually exponential, while that found at zero temperature is eventually power law.
Determination of the ABO blood group in hair.

A method for determining the ABO blood group from a strand of hair is given. The method involves crushing the hair, then proceeding with a modified absorption-elution technique. Blood groups were determined on 50 different samples.
Organizational size and structure‐a longitudinal analysis of hospitals

This paper reports an examination of the relationships among three structural variables in 91 hospitals between 1965 and 1975. The study has been intended to carry on in two traditions. First, it adds to the body of theory and research concerned with the relationships among size, complexity, and administrative intensity in complex organizations. Second, the study adds to a much smaller body of literature that has only recently begun to accumulate. This body of literature is characterized by the use of longitudinal data to make statements about causal relationships among variables. The findings from this research can be summarized as follows. First, size, complexity, and administrative intensity were found to be related in a simple linear model. Second, the most important factor in explaining variation in each structural variable was the variable's counterpart at the first period examined. Third, a comparison of findings using cross‐sectional and longitudinal data further supported the value of the latter ...
Effect of low glycogen on glycogen synthase in human muscle during and after exercise.

Subjects cycled at a work load calculated to elicit 75% of maximal oxygen uptake on two occasions: the first to fatigue (34.5 ± 5.3 min; mean ± SE), and the second at the same workload and for the same duration as the first. Biopsies were obtained from the quadriceps femoris muscle before and immediately after exercise, and 5 min post-exercise. Before the first experiment, muscle glycogen was lowered by a combination of exercise and diet, and before the second, experiment muscle glycogen was elevated. In the low glycogen condition (LG), muscle glycogen decreased from 169 ± 15 mmol glucosyl units kg-1dry wt at to rest to 13 ± 6 after exercise. In the high glycogen condition (HG) glycogen decreased from 706 ± 52 at rest to 405 ± 68 after exercise. Glycogen synthase fractional activity (GSF) was always higher during the LG treatment. During exercise in the HG condition, those subjects who cycled for 35 min (n= 4) had values which were similar to or higher than at rest. Thus the change in GSF in muscle during HG was positively related to the exercise duration (r= 0.94; y = 254–17x + 0.3x2; P < 0.001) and negatively related to the glycogen content at the end of exercise (r=–0.82; y= 516–2x + 0.001x2; P < 0.05). During LG exercise GSF remained constant. GSF increased markedly after 5 min post-exercise in both HG and LG conditions. cAMP dependent protein kinase activity increased similarly during both LG and HG exercise and reverted to the preexercise values 5 min post-exercise. It is concluded that muscle contraction decreases GSF, but low glycogen levels can attenuate or abolish the decrease in GSF. The rapid increase of GSF during recovery from exercise does not require glycogen depletion during the exercise.
Performance change in an organizational setting: A conceptual model

The considerable investment in development of guidelines, critical pathways, and treatment protocols has given increased urgency to moving these recommendations into clinical practice. While methods for bringing this information to practitioners have expanded, interventions designed to change practice behaviors have had, at best, mixed results. Traditional dissemination efforts may make practitioners aware of a guideline or the results of a consensus conference, yet rarely do they improve practice. In instances where the dissemination strategy addresses knowledge and skills, there is little consistent evidence that clinical behavior is affected. The conceptual model we propose posits that to achieve long-lasting change in practice behavior, practitioners must be predisposed to change and must have the appropriate knowledge and skills to implement change, and structures within their organizations must enable and maintain these new behaviors. Elements and relationships of this model are drawn from a diverse body of literature in the behavioral sciences, health education, educational research, group dynamics, and organizational development. In reviewing strategies developed to disseminate innovations and promote their adoption, we note that the model provides insight into the factors that influence movement between the stages in the change process and the rationale for an integrative, multivariate approach to changing practice behavior. Since the model provides the basis for predicting the effect of various change strategies, as well as a blueprint for the design of such strategies, we conclude with a brief description of an experiment designed to test the model.
Maternal education and adolescent drug use: a longitudinal analysis of causation and selection over a generation

Current evidence indicates that in the USA illegal drug use among adolescents between the 1980s and 1990s became significantly more prevalent in families with lower maternal education in comparison to families with higher maternal education. In this study, we examine whether this inter-generational change results from either (a) a changing influence of socioeconomic status on drug use, as predicted by the inter-generational social 'causation' hypothesis, or (b) a negative influence of drug use on socioeconomic status, as predicted by the inter-generational social 'selection/drift' hypothesis. The analyses are based on the US National Longitudinal Study of 1979, which includes information on drug use for both a nationally representative sample of respondents aged 19-27 in 1984, as well as drug use information for the children of these respondents, who were aged 18-27 in 1998. The results indicate that inter-generation change in cocaine and marijuana use resulted almost entirely from social causation. These findings support illegal drug use as a good candidate for analyses in the 'fundamental cause' tradition that seek to understand the social factors that concentrate poor health and health behaviors in the lower social strata over historical time.
Editor’s Overview: Mentoring in Higher Education: The Keys to Success

This issue of Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning includes research from scholars representing the USA (Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Texas) and Finland. The au...
Quantitative comparison of the mitochondrial populations in the livers of newborn and weanling rats.

Abstract Mitochondria in sections of liver samples from newborn and weanling rats were analyzed by quantitative electron microscopy. Specific activities of the mitochondrial enzymes, NADH-cytochrome c reductase, succinate-cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome oxidase, were determined in similar samples. In the liver parenchymal cell of the weanling, compared to that of the newborn, the number of mitochondria per unit volume of cytoplasm was 2.6 times larger, while the volume of the average mitochondrion was 0.58 times smaller, resulting in a net increase of 1.4 in the relative size of the mitochondrial compartment. The decrease in volume of the average mitochondrion was the result of a decrease in the number of large mitochondria and an increase in the number of small mitochondria. These data indicate a mitochondrial biogenesis in rat liver during postnatal development, the magnitude of which exceeds the overall growth of the organ parenchyma during this period. The increase in the size of the mitochondrial compartment was paralleled by increases of 18–21 times in the specific activities of the mitochondrial enzymes.
Non-Jumping Numbers for 4-Uniform Hypergraphs

Let r≥2 be an integer. A real number α ∈ [0,1) is a jump for r if for any ** >0 and any integer m, m≥r, any r-uniform graph with n>n0(**,m) vertices and at least ** edges contains a subgraph with m vertices and at least ** edges, where c=c(α) does not depend on ** and m. It follows from a theorem of Erdős, Stone and Simonovits that every α ∈ [0,1) is a jump for r=2. Erdős asked whether the same is true for r≥3. Frankl and Rodl gave a negative answer by showing that ** is not a jump for r if r≥3 and l>2r. Following a similar approach, we give several sequences of non-jumping numbers generalizing the above result for r=4.