cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A modular wireless sensor network for architecture of autonomous UAV using dual platform for assisting rescue operation

Use of wireless sensor network for health care and human rescue missions have resulted in an improved performance and reliability along with achieving high speed, energy efficiency. This paper suggests Modular Wireless Sensor Network (MWSN) can be applied to the system architecture for autonomous drone based on dual hardware platform, Arduino and Raspberry Pi. Using ZigBee and Bluetooth, our system consists of a fleet wireless sensor network for unmanned aerial vehicle that can move autonomously for the assisting rescue operation. For protecting against unforeseen emergencies in the inaccessible place for safety reasons, our MWSN architecture is helpful to save people effectively.
The differential effects of high-fat and high-fructose diets on physiology and behavior in male rats.

Objectives: The purpose of the current study is to directly compare a diet high in fat with a diet high in fructose. This side-by-side comparison will allow us to determine the physiological and behavioral effects resulting from the consumption of a diet dominated by one macronutrient.Methods: Rats were fed pelletized food containing either 60% fat or 55% fructose diet, or control chow (5.8% kcal of fat, 44.3% kcal carb) for 9 weeks. Animals performed a classic Morris Water Maze (MWM) and a reversal MWM to assess spatial and working memory near the end of the feeding period. At termination, tissue samples were collected including trunk blood, livers, fat pads, and brain punches.Results: Animals maintained on the high-fat diet weighed more by the end of the feeding period, had a higher percent body weight change and had higher fat pad weight than the high-fructose and control group. The high-fructose group had higher serum insulin levels than the high-fat group and higher total triglycerides than control o...
Economic trade-offs between genetic improvement and longevity in dairy cattle

Genetic improvement in sires used for artificial insemination (AI) is increasing faster compared with a decade ago. The genetic merit of replacement heifers is also increasing faster and the genetic lag with older cows in the herd increases. This may trigger greater cow culling to capture this genetic improvement. On the other hand, lower culling rates are often viewed favorably because the costs and environmental effects of maintaining herd size are generally lower. Thus, there is an economic trade-off between genetic improvement and longevity in dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to investigate the principles, literature, and magnitude of these trade-offs. Data from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding show that the estimated breeding value of the trait productive life has increased for 50 yr but the actual time cows spend in the herd has not increased. The average annual herd cull rate remains at approximately 36% and cow longevity is approximately 59 mo. The annual increase in average estimated breeding value of the economic index lifetime net merit of Holstein sires is accelerating from $40/yr when the sire entered AI around 2002 to $171/yr for sires that entered AI around 2012. The expectation is therefore that heifers born in 2015 are approximately $50 more profitable per lactation than heifers born in 2014. Asset replacement theory shows that assets should be replaced sooner when the challenging asset is technically improved. Few studies have investigated the direct effects of genetic improvement on optimal cull rates. A 35-yr-old study found that the economically optimal cull rates were in the range of 25 to 27%, compared with the lowest possible involuntary cull rate of 20%. Only a small effect was observed of using the best surviving dams to generate the replacement heifer calves. Genetic improvement from sires had little effect on the optimal cull rate. Another study that optimized culling decisions for individual cows also showed that the effect of changes in genetic improvement of milk revenue minus feed cost on herd longevity was relatively small. Reduced involuntary cull rates improved profitability, but also increased optimal voluntary culling. Finally, an economically optimal culling model with prices from 2015 confirmed that optimal annual cull rates were insensitive to heifer prices and therefore insensitive to genetic improvement in heifers. In conclusion, genetic improvement is important but does not warrant short cow longevity. Economic cow longevity continues to depends more on cow depreciation than on accelerated genetic improvements in heifers. This is confirmed by old and new studies.
Effects of Corporate Social Irresponsibility on Firm Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis

The majority of prior studies investigating the relationship between corporate social performance (CSP) have aggregated socially responsible and irresponsible firm actions in order to derive one ov...
Adrenomedullin in Female Reproduction and Pregnancy

Abstract Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a small peptide hormone that binds and functions via a unconventional paradigm of G protein-coupled receptor signaling. High expression of ADM within the female reproductive tract is essential for ensuring normal fertility and pregnancy in both animal models and humans. This chapter summarizes our current knowledge and highlights specific ways in which ADM may prove to be a valuable prognostic and therapeutic indicator for reproductive disorders and subfertility.
Using Social Media to Target Cancer Prevention in Young Adults: Viewpoint

Focusing on primary cancer prevention can reduce its incidence. Changing health behaviors is critical to cancer prevention. Modifiable cancer risk factors include lifestyle behaviors related to vaccination, physical activity, weight control and maintenance, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use. These health habits are often formed in young adulthood, a life stage which currently intersects with the growing population of digital natives whose childhood occurred in the internet era. Social media is a critical communication medium to reach this population of digital natives. Using a life course perspective, the purpose of this viewpoint paper is to describe the current landscape of nascent research using social media to target cancer prevention efforts in young adults and propose future directions to strengthen the scientific knowledge supporting social media strategies to promote cancer prevention behaviors. Leveraging social media as a health promotion tool is a promising strategy to impact modifiable behavioral risk factors for cancer and warrants further research on developing effective communication strategies in young adults to prevent cancer in the future generations.
Inter-Array Data Association and Target Motion Analysis

Passive sonar systems can be used to localize acoustic sources from bearing measurements delivered by one or more arrays. The curvature of the wave front estimated on one array can give instantaneously the distance of the noise source, but this method is limited by the dimensions of the arrays, their imperfections and the loss of coherence of the signals along their aperture.
Institutional and Economic Foundations of Cybercrime Business Models

Cybercrime business models are rapidly evolving. It is argued that cyber-criminals closely imitate business models of legitimate corporations. Cybercrime firms and legitimate businesses, however, differ in terms of the important sources of core competence. Legitimate businesses’ core processes are centered around creating the most value for customers. Most cyber-criminals’ core processes, however, involve extorting and defrauding prospective victims and minimizing the odds of getting caught. Cyber-criminals and legitimate businesses also differ in terms of the legitimacy related to regulative institutions and inter-organizational arrangements. This chapter disentangles the mechanisms behind the cybercrime business models and examines the contexts and processes associated with such models.
Foster parents’ experience of dependency court: Laying the groundwork for engagement

Abstract Foster parents play a critical role as adults responsible for the wellbeing of children who find themselves in care of the state. However, foster parent perspectives are often absent from policymaking and in court proceedings. The literature suggests that there are several barriers to foster parent engagement, including difficulties navigating a complex and often disorganized system. This exploratory focus group study examines foster parent perspectives on what facilitates and impedes their engagement in child welfare court processes. Findings from six focus groups held in diverse areas of Maryland with a total of 57 participants indicate that foster parents are often unsure of when and how to participate in the wake of scheduling and notification difficulties, and some sensed that their presence and participation may be unwelcome. Courthouse and courtroom environments add to their own and their foster children's stress and confusion. Others provided examples of interactions with child welfare personnel and judges that put them at ease and facilitated their participation. We recommend logistical and environmental modifications to enhance foster parent engagement, including flexible scheduling and the creation of child-friendly waiting spaces. We also recommend policy changes to enhance input from foster parents regarding their experiences with the courts.
Majorana lattices from the quantized Hall limit of a proximitized spin-orbit coupled electron gas

Author(s): Mishmash, RV; Yazdani, A; Zaletel, MP | Abstract: Motivated by recent experiments demonstrating intricate quantum Hall physics on the surface of elemental bismuth, we consider proximity coupling an s-wave superconductor to a two-dimensional electron gas with strong Rashba spin-orbit interactions in the presence of a strong perpendicular magnetic field. We focus on the high-field limit so that the superconductivity can be treated as a perturbation to the low-lying Landau levels. In the clean case, wherein the superconducting order parameter takes the form of an Abrikosov vortex lattice, we show that a lattice of hybridized Majorana modes emerges near the plateau transition of the lowest Landau level. However, unless magnetic-symmetry-violating perturbations are present, the system always has an even number of chiral Majorana edge modes and thus is strictly speaking Abelian in nature, in agreement with previous work on related setups. Interestingly, however, a weak topological superconducting phase can very naturally be stabilized near the plateau transition for the square vortex lattice. The relevance of our findings to potential near-term experiments on proximitized materials such as bismuth will be discussed.
SLAM-ing the brakes on iNKT cell selection.

Members of the SLAM family of receptors promote the progression of invariant natural killer T cells through the thymic maturation process and facilitate proper host responses to exogenous lipid antigen through the recruitment and activity of SAP–Fyn and SHP-1, respectively.
A transdiagnostic sleep and circadian intervention for adolescents: six-month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial

Background This study examined the 6-month follow-up outcomes of the Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Intervention (TranS-C), compared to Psychoeducation about sleep and health (PE). Methods Adolescents (mean [SD] = 14.77 [1.84] years) with eveningness chronotype and "at-risk" in at least one of five health domains were randomized to receive TranS-C (n = 89) or PE (n = 87) at a university-based clinic. Primary outcomes were average weeknight total sleep time and bedtime calculated from sleep diary, a questionnaire measure of circadian preference, and composite risks in five health domains. Secondary outcomes were selected sleep diary indices, sleepiness, and self- and parent-reported sleep, parent-reported risks in five health domains. Results Relative to PE, TranS-C showed treatment effects through 6-month follow-up on only one primary outcome; namely eveningness circadian preference. TranS-C also showed treatment effects on two sleep and circadian secondary outcomes, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and sleep-diary measured weeknight-weekend discrepancy in wakeup time. TranS-C did not show treatment effects on self-report or parent-report composite risks in five health domains. PE showed benefit, relative to TranS-C, from posttreatment to 6-month follow-up for reducing parent-reported behavioral health risk (secondary outcome). Conclusions In at-risk adolescents, the evidence supports the TranS-C treatment effects over six months on improving sleep and circadian functioning on selected outcomes but not on reducing risk in five health domains.
Computation-Aware Adaptive Planning and Scheduling for Safe Unmanned Airborne Operations

Modern unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) rely on high-frequency periodic sensor measurements in order to safely operate in cluttered environments with both static and dynamic obstacles. However, periodic sensor checking operations are time and computation consuming and they are often not needed, especially in situations where the UAV can operate without violating the safety constraint (e.g., in uncluttered free space). In this paper, we introduce a computation-aware framework that limits sensor checking and replanning operations to instances in which such operations could be necessary. To this end, we propose an approach that utilizes reachability analysis to capture the future states of a UAV operating under the effects of noise and disturbance and performs self-triggered scheduling for sensor monitoring and replanning operations while guaranteeing safety. The replanning operation is further relaxed by performing an online reachable tube shrinking. This approach is supplemented with an online speed adaptation policy based on the curvature of the planned path to minimize deviation from the desired trajectory due to complex system dynamics and controller limitations. The proposed technique is validated with both simulations and experiments focusing on a quadrotor motion planning operation in environments consisting of both static and dynamic obstacles.
Sepsis and the Obesity Paradox: Size Matters in More Than One Way

OBJECTIVES Multiple studies have demonstrated an obesity paradox such that obese ICU patients have lower mortality and better outcomes. We conducted this study to determine if the mortality benefit conferred by obesity is affected by baseline serum lactate and mean arterial pressure. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected clinical data. SETTING Five community-based and one academic medical center in the Omaha, NE. PATIENTS 7,967 adults hospitalized with sepsis. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Patients were categorized by body mass index as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of in-hospital death by body mass index category; two-way interactions between body mass index and each covariate were also evaluated. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted using an ICU cohort and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III scores, respectively. The overall unadjusted mortality rate was 12.1% and was consistently lower in higher body mass index categories (all comparisons, p < 0.007). The adjusted mortality benefit observed in patients with higher body mass index was smaller in patients with higher lactate levels with no mortality benefit in higher body mass index categories observed at lactate greater than 5 mmol/L. By contrast, the association between lower MAP and higher mortality was constant across body mass index categories. Similar results were observed in the ICU cohort. Finally, the obesity paradox was not observed after including Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III scores as a covariate. CONCLUSIONS Our retrospective analysis suggests that although patient size (i.e., body mass index) is a predictor of in-hospital death among all-comers with sepsis-providing further evidence to the obesity paradox-it adds that illness severity is critically important whether quantified as higher lactate or by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score. Our results highlight that the obesity paradox is more than a simple association between body mass index and mortality and reinforces the importance of illness severity.
Police Officers, Stigma, and the Opioid Epidemic

Researchers have suggested that provider-based stigma of substance use disorders is one barrier to fighting the opioid epidemic. Yet, to date, virtually no study has examined provider-based stigma ...
Optimizing City’s Service Routes for Road Repairs

Reoccurring freeze and thaw cycles and damp conditions from rain, ice, and snow damage roadways and result in potholes throughout the city area. Auto damages caused by the potholes can add up to thousands of dollars per vehicle. Besides, pothole resolution is one of the most expensive street maintenance strategies. Most of the cities have established social data networks (i.e., Open Data KC 311 in Kansas City) for residents to report potholes to mitigate the problem. Although rudimentary patching policies are defined by the road condition’s volume and significance in many cities, it does not provide the optimized resolution routes. In this paper, we propose a practical framework for optimizing the resolution route schedule using open data, including the pothole locations, traffic situations, weather conditions, type of patch or other repair needed, crew availability, etc. We have analyzed the past 13 years of pothole data from the Open Data KC 311 in Kansas City. According to our analysis, we have recognized spatiotemporal pothole characteristics in the density and designed a cluster-based heuristic algorithm named Traveling Pothole Crew (TPC) by enhancing an NP-hard Traveling Salesperson Problem (TSP) algorithm. TPC classifies potholes into layers of clusters. TPC traverses the shortest possible pothole route within a cluster. Furthermore, it identifies the starting and ending potholes in each cluster group to optimize the distance among clusters. This proposed solution has shown effective optimization in terms of traveling distance and computation time. Our analysis indicates that the TPC algorithm reduces the traversing distance and is faster in computation time than typical TSP algorithms for daily resolution scheduling.
The Role of Effort Cost Perception in Outcome Bias

Outcome bias is pervasive and persistent across different environments. In our noisy gift-exchange game, where agents can perform a real effort task to improve principals' lottery win probability, we replicate outcome bias in effort rewarding when effort is only numerically observable. To investigate the role of principals' beliefs on effort cost, we employed a visual treatment in which principals watch a 30-second video of the agents performing the task. We show that visually observing agents' work corrects asymmetry in rewarding effort. The post-experiment survey suggests that the mechanism through which visually observing effort reduces the outcome bias in reciprocating effort is informing principals about the cost of effort.
Competent immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants in older adults following mRNA vaccination

Aging is associated with a reduced magnitude of primary immune responses to vaccination and constriction of immune receptor repertoire diversity. Clinical trials demonstrate high efficacy of mRNA based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in older adults but concerns about virus variant escape have not been well addressed. We have conducted an in-depth analysis of humoral and cellular immunity against an early-pandemic viral isolate and compared that to the P.1. (Gamma) and B.1.617.2 (Delta) variants, as well to a B.1.595 SARS-CoV-2 isolate bearing Spike mutation E484Q, in 65 age cohorts of mRNA vaccine recipients. As reported, robust immunity required the second dose of vaccine. Older vaccine recipients exhibited an expected 3-5x reduction (but not a complete loss) in neutralizing antibody titers against both P.1. (Gamma) and the B.1.595 virus at the peak of the boosted response. However, older vaccinees manifest robust cellular immunity against early-pandemic SARS-CoV-2 and more recent variants, which remained statistically comparable to the adult group. While the duration of these immune responses remains to be determined over longer periods of time, these results provide reasons for optimism regarding vaccine protection of older adults against SARS-CoV-2 variants and inform thinking about boost vaccination with variant vaccines. eTOC summaryVaccine responses are often diminished with aging, but we found strong responses to SARS-CoV-2 in older adults following mRNA vaccination. T cell responses were not diminished when confronted by SARS-CoV-2 variants. Neutralizing Ab were reduced but not more than those in adults. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=80 SRC="FIGDIR/small/453287v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (17K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1e3bc64org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@658199org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1f6509org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1225e0b_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG Created with BioRender.com C_FIG
Planning Time-Phased Regional Treatment Systems

An economic optimization model for selecting least-cost regional wastewater treatment facility locations, interceptor routes, and capacity expansion schedules is developed. The model explicitly considers the interaction between facility location and capacity expansion decisions on total system cost. Cost functions for treatment facilities and interceptors and growth patterns for future wastewater flows may be of any form. The model is solved with a three-phase heuristic procedure that makes strong use of dynamic programming. In comparison with a mixed integer programming model on a large-scale problem the procedure demonstrates significant advantages in computational time, accuracy, and user requirements. The model is applied to facilities planning in a 208 study area of Massachusetts to demonstrate how the economic impacts of alternative management objectives and demographic projections can be assessed.
Custom, Adjudication, and Petrushevsky’s Watch: Some Notes from the Intellectual Property Front

I sometimes share this story with my students in Contracts when we talk about the ability of courts to stand outside of an industry and to figure out what the custom of dealing is in order to imply terms in a contract. The courts, I explain, might be able to tell whether the wheels are turning, but I am not sure that they can tell why or why not. The same story comes to mind when Richard Epstein suggests that the famous case of International News Service v. Associated Press2 ("INS") was correctly decided if and only if the United States Supreme Court correctly understood the newspaper industry's norms on property rights in the news.3 In INS, the defendant, the International News Service, having been cut off for political reasons from gathering war news directly, copied news bulletins posted by its competitor, the Associated Press, which brought suit. The Supreme Court's opinion ruling for the plaintiff was short and to the point: "The transaction speaks for itself," wrote Justice Mahlon Pitney, "and a court of equity ought not to hesitate long in characterizing it as unfair competition in business."4
The independent lifestyle assistant™ (I.L.S.A.): AI lessons learned

The Independent LifeStyle Assistant™ (I.L.S.A.) is an agent-based monitoring and support system to help elderly people to live longer in their homes by reducing caregiver burden. I.L.S.A. is a multiagent system that incorporates a unified sensing model, situation assessments, response planning, real-time responses and machine learning. This paper describes the some of the lessons we learned during the development and six-month field study.
A Finite Algorithm for Solving Infinite Dimensional Optimization Problems

We consider the general optimization problem (P) of selecting a continuous function x over a σ-compact Hausdorff space T to a metric space A, from a feasible region X of such functions, so as to minimize a functional c on X. We require that X consist of a closed equicontinuous family of functions lying in the product (over T) of compact subsets Yt of A. (An important special case is the optimal control problem of finding a continuous time control function x that minimizes its associated discounted cost c(x) over the infinite horizon.) Relative to the uniform-on-compacta topology on the function space C(T,A) of continuous functions from T to A, the feasible region X is compact. Thus optimal solutions x* to (P) exist under the assumption that c is continuous. We wish to approximate such an x* by optimal solutions to a net {Pi}, i∈I, of approximating problems of the form min x∈Xici(x) for each i∈I, where (1) the net of sets {Xi}I converges to X in the sense of Kuratowski and (2) the net {ci}I of functions converges to c uniformly on X. We show that for large i, any optimal solution x*i to the approximating problem (Pi) arbitrarily well approximates some optimal solution x* to (P). It follows that if (P) is well-posed, i.e., lim sup Xi* is a singleton {x*}, then any net {xi*}I of (Pi)-optimal solutions converges in C(T,A) to x*. For this case, we construct a finite algorithm with the following property: given any prespecified error δ and any compact subset Q of T, our algorithm computes an i in I and an associated xi* in Xi* which is within δ of x* on Q. We illustrate the theory and algorithm with a problem in continuous time production control over an infinite horizon.
Thermokinetic Expansion Theory

The work on the thermokinetic expansion is related to my first work on the expansion of a spherical ball of plasma.1 There, a simplified model was used and it was possible to find some analytical solutions. It turns out that this first model can be made more rigorous by looking for similarity solutions. These were investigated by Alan Haught and the people at United Aircraft.2 One can generalize these similarity solutions so as to apply to nonspherical expansions3 and I will come to these shortly. I will start with the simplest model and discuss the physical arguments related to it.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide : evidence that the O side chains and common antigens are on the same molecule

Abstract We investigated whether Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces two distinct lipopolysaccharides (LPS) containing either serologically variable O side chains or a neutral polysaccharide common antigen, designated A bands, that reacts with monoclonal antibody (MAb) E87. Immunoprecipitation of LPS and free O side chains with O-side-chain-specific antibodies or MAb E87 resulted in coprecipitation of both polysaccharides when antibody of either specificity was employed. Chromatography of LPS and free O side chains in a disaggregating deoxycholate buffer indicated the two polysaccharide antigens cochromatograph when eluates were analyzed by sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibitions. The LPS from a mutant of strain PAO1 that lacks polymerized O side chains but retains the common antigen eluted in fractions containing smaller LPS molecules, indicating the necessity of polymerized O side chains for elution in early fractions containing large LPS monomers. A phosphomannomutase mutant of P. aeruginosa PAO1 makes a rough LPS lacking both O side chains and common antigen but still produces a small (< 6-kDa) common antigen component detectable in cell lysates. Introduction of the cloned pmm gene into this strain restored production of a smooth LPS expressing large MAb E87-reactive common antigen. Destruction with NaOH of O side chains on recombinant LPS molecules eluting early from the molecular sieve column resulted in a shift of the MAb E87-reactive antigen to the late-eluting fractions. These results indicate that on most P. aeruginosa LPS molecules, O side chains and neutral polysaccharide common antigens are both present.
John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt, The Israel Lobby and U. S. Foreign Policy

Historians draw on facts to construct stories. Political scientists arrange facts to validate hypotheses. For historians, facts are like stones: if sorted and stacked with sufficient skill, somethi...
Clinical Social Work Practice in the Twenty-First Century: A Changing Landscape

Tensions within social work as to its organizing values, its primary objectives, and the optimal ways of achieving these can be found in its very origins as a profession in the U.S.: the settlement house movement with its focus on social change on the one hand, and charity service organizations with their emphasis on individual needs on the other. The confusion and reservations surrounding clinical social work have been particularly salient (Goldstein 1996, 2007; Phillips 2000; Specht and Courtney 1995; Swenson 1998). Compounding this seminal tension have been the questions raised both within and from outside the field and answered in the negative by Abraham Flexner (2001) exactly 100 years ago as to whether social work is, indeed, a profession. As we reflect on social work’s past century of existence and efforts at professionalization in our own and others’ eyes, (Gibelman 1999; Kerson and McCoyd 2013) this historical marker seems an apt moment to examine direct social work practice and the political, economic, geographic, social, cultural and philosophical forces shaping it in the twenty first century. In this special issue of the Clinical Social Work Journal we ask leading social work practitioners, researchers, and educators to consider where we are as a field, where we are headed, what has been gained and what has been lost by current conceptualizations of clinical social work practice. In having ten eminent voices speaking from different positions within our multifarious fieldacademia (field educators, classroom educators and students), research, community-based organizations, private practice—we hope to spark a productive national dialogue among clinical practitioners; students, academics and higher education administrators; field instructors, clinical preceptors and supervisors; clinical researchers; policy makers; executive directors and senior management of treatment and human service organizations; and professional membership organizations that will stimulate rich discussion about social work’s past, present and future.
Microstructure and stability of sputtered titanium aluminides on SiO2

Abstract Ti 37 Al 63 and Ti 53 Al 47 thin films are deposited onto SiO 2 by sputtering and then annealed to investigate their properties for applications in high-temperature electronics. The films show good thermal stability and reasonable electrical resistivity. Different microstructures and phases are obtained as different film compositions and anneal conditions are used.
Does transportation by ambulance decrease time to gastrointestinal decontamination after overdose

Abstract Study Objective: Because the ability of gastrointestinal decontamination to alter drug absorption varies inversely with time, we compared the time from arrival in the emergency department to gastrointestinal decontamination (gastric lavage or activated charcoal) for patients transported by ambulance with patients transported by other means after overdose. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted in an academic university ED with an annual volume of 56,000 visits. Consecutive cases of oral overdose treated by gastrointestinal decontamination between December 1, 1995, and May 31, 1996, were identified from International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, billing codes. ED charts were reviewed to determine the patient's age, sex, mode of transportation, disposition, and time interval to gastrointestinal decontamination with either gastric lavage or activated charcoal. Results: Two hundred eighty-one patient visits were identified. Complete data were available for 173 visits. Six patients were excluded because the diagnosis of overdose was not made on presentation, leaving 167 cases for analysis. The median age for all patients was 27 years; 95 (57%) were female. Overdose patients were transported by ambulance in 105 (67%) cases. Admission rates were similar for patients transported by ambulance and those who arrived by other means. The median interval from arrival to any gastrointestinal decontamination (lavage or charcoal) for patients transported by ambulance was shorter than patients who arrived by other means at 55 and 73 minutes, respectively (95% confidence interval for difference 2.5 to 30.5 minutes, P =.03). Subgroup analysis showed this difference was largely the result of gastric lavage. Conclusion: Overdose patients transported by ambulance have a shorter time interval from ED arrival to gastrointestinal decontamination than patients arriving by other means. This difference was largely related to more rapid gastric lavage. [Wolsey BA, McKinney PE. Does transportation by ambulance decrease time to gastrointestional decomtamination after overdose? Ann Emerg Med. June 2000;35:579-584.]
High‐resolution observations of low contrast phenomena from an advanced geosynchronous platform

Present technology allows radiometric monitoring of the earth, ocean, and atmosphere from a geosynchronous platform with good spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution. A new system is proposed that could provide a capability for multispectral remote sensing with a 50-m nadir spatial resolution in the visible bands, 250 m in the 4-μm band, and 1 km in the 11-μm thermal infrared band. The diffraction-limited telescope has a 1-m aperture, a 10-m focal length (with a shorter focal length in the infrared), and linear and area arrays of detectors. The diffraction-limited resolution applies to scenes of any brightness, but for a dark, low contrast scene, the good signal-to-noise ratio of the system contributes to the observation capability. The capabilities of the advanced geosynchronous platform system are assessed for quantitative observations of ocean scenes. Instrument and ground system configurations are presented, and projected sensor capabilities are analyzed.
Properties of singnorini's problem solution with perturbation of unknown boundary and application to contact problems

Qualitative properties of an elliptic unilateral problems for a scalar elliptic equations and for the Lame system of equations are considered. A preliminary analysis reduces each of the nonlinear problems to a mixed linear problem and to an additional (in the form of inequality) conditions on the part of boundary. In each case, it is shown that if a perturbed unknown boundary involves the true one, i.e. , then a penetration condition is failed on Conversely, if , then the second additional condition in the form of inequality is failed on . The obtained results for unilateral elliptic problems have a precise physical interpretation in the case of contact problems. Using obtained results a new approach to approximate unilateral elliptic problems is presented: a sblution of corresponding unilateral problem is sought as a sequence of linear mixed problem solutions. A demonstration of obtained results is illustrated also numerically on solved examples.
School District Fragmentation and Racial Residential Segregation How Do Boundaries Matter

Fragmentation, or the proliferation of independent jurisdictions, is a key feature of the political structure in many metropolitan areas in the United States. This article engages sorting theories to investigate racial segregation as one potential negative consequence of school district fragmentation in metropolitan areas. The main results suggest that fragmentation does increase multiracial segregation between districts. Using a decomposable segregation measure, the author also finds that fragmentation has a negative impact on segregation within districts and no significant effect on tract-level segregation. Additionally, the results suggest that the causes of segregation may differ for various race/ethnic groups. I argue here that segregation between political units may in fact be more appropriate than segregation between smaller units, such as census tracts, if one believes that the negative consequences of segregation stem from access to and social interactions within public institutions.
Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology among College Counseling Center Clinicians

ABSTRACT This empirically based study sought to discover factors underlying diverse sources of information used to inform therapy practice, perceived salience of sources of evidence for clinical practice, importance of common factors to therapy efficiency, and beliefs about evidence-based practice, particularly in the form of evidence-supported treatments (ESTs). The investigation also sought to uncover possible relationships between a variety of individually based demographics and institutionally based demographics and their possible relationship to factors underlying these diverse sources of information. A number of interesting findings emerged.
Making conceptual connections between gifted and general education: Teaching for intellectual and emotional learning (TIEL)

While educators in gifted education and general education appear to share many goals, there are inadequacies in the implementation of complex educational practices that meet the needs of gifted students in general education classrooms and the goals of educational reform. This paper presents a theoretical framework, Teaching for Intellectual and Emotional Learning (TIEL), that connects intellectual and social‐emotional elements from the conceptual foundations of both gifted and general education and scaffolds the learning of complex teaching practices. The paper includes historical contexts of both fields, a review of literature that indicates the need for a unifying framework in general teacher education, a description of the theoretical foundations of the TIEL model, and examples of classroom implementation.
Goldfish retina structure and function in extended cold.

Abstract Poikilotherms that are stored in the cold often do not give normal visual responses. This experiment was undertaken to examine the electrophysiological and morphological changes in the retina during cold stress. Twenty-two goldfish (Carassius auratus) were placed in a refrigerated aquarium and the temperature reduced from 20 to 6 C (±2) for up to 31 days after which temperature was gradually returned to 20 C. During the period of cold stress and recovery, recordings were made of the electroretinogram, fast retinal potential, and tectal evoked response. Eyes of 22 animals were removed at various intervals for histological examinations. Electrical signals of nine animals were tested during cold stress and recovery to monitor for cold effects on retinal and visual pathway discharge. The temperature of two normal goldfish was reduced from room temperature to 5 C during 2 hr to control for the effect of temperature on visual signals. This resulted in minimal physiological changes. All visual signals nearly disappeared within 14 days of exposure to continuous cold stress. Slow recovery to 20–100% of normal was achieved within 52 days after return to room temperature. Statistical analysis of results from samples of retinal tissue indicated that electrical signal loss and return was paralleled by depletion and restitution of many cone outer segments. The return of visual behavior was correlated with the return of nearly normal complements of cone outer segments.
Disclosure of HIV Status Among Female Youth With HIV

Minority female youth are significantly affected by the HIV epidemic. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore sexual behavior practices, disclosure of HIV status, attitudes about disclosure, and knowledge of HIV disclosure laws among female youth with HIV (YWH). Findings suggest that the majority of YWH studied have been sexually active since their HIV diagnosis, although the nature and extent of sexual activity varied. Rates of nondisclosure to sexual partners varied based on the type of question asked, but at least some of the YWH in this sample reported sexual activity with a partner who was unaware of the participant’s HIV status. YWH appear to be more likely to disclose before, as opposed to after, sexual activity. Although most YWH believe disclosure to sexual partners is important for a variety of reasons, many reasons exist for nondisclosure, including fear of rejection and limited communication skills. The majority of YWH in this sample were aware of the potential legal ramifications of no...
The mass spectra of substituted cyclobutanones

The low resolution mass spectra of several di-, tri-and tetra-methylated cyclobutanones were determined at high and low ionizing voltages. The spectra are discussed in terms of the competition between loss of CO or loss of a ketene from the molecular ion of the cyclobutanone. The mass spectral results are correlated with the known photochemical behavior of the cyclobutanones and possible mechanistic implications are discussed.
Fire/burn risk with electrosurgical devices and endoscopy fiberoptic cables.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the study was to systematically explore the fire and burn risk associated with fiberoptic cables and electrosurgical devices. Materials and methods A 300-W light source was connected to a standard gray fiberoptic light cable. The end of the cable was either rested atop or buried within a cotton towel or polypropylene drape in the presence or absence of 100% oxygen for up to 10 minutes. A monopolar electrosurgical device set at 1 W, 10 W, or 30 W was tested on a cotton towel or polypropylene drape for a period of 30 seconds. All trials were repeated. Results Resting the light cable on top of the cotton towel or polypropylene drape with or without oxygen produced no result. Burying the end of the cable within the drape produced a hole in the drape within 15 seconds both with and without oxygen. Burying the end of the cable within the cotton towel produced a yellow discoloration after 2 minutes both with and without oxygen. The monopolar electrosurgical device set at 30 W burned immediately through the polypropylene drape, producing a skin burn. All other trials with monopolar electrocautery produced no result. No flame or fire was produced in any trial. Conclusions Fiberoptic cables and electrosurgical generators represent a serious burn risk for surgical patients, with operating room drapes and towels affording only limited protection. Otolaryngologists should be keenly aware of the risks that these devices represent because our specialty uses them frequently.
Rugged individuals and social butterflies: the consequences of social and individual political participation for political tolerance

Abstract Empirical studies of political participation beyond voting include a variety of different activities—from campaigning and convincing friends to writing letters and writing checks. Some activities may have very different consequences for citizens. This paper presents the argument that social political activities, such as campaigning and attending meetings, enhance political tolerance, while individual political activities, such as contributing and contacting, do not. Survey data from the 1990 Citizen Participation Study reveals support for this argument. Consequently, it is suggested that future research pay more attention to the social and individual nature of political activities, particularly when considering the consequences for attitudes such as political tolerance.
In-situ diffusivity measurement technique

Abstract We have developed a technique for the measurement of diffusivities in liquids over a wide temperature range. A radiotracer, initially located at one end of the cylindrical diffusion sample, is used as the diffusant. The sample is positioned in a concentric isothermal radiation shield with collimation bores located at defined positions along its axis. The intensity of the radiation emitted through the collimators is measured vs. time with solid state detectors and associated energy discrimination electronics. Diffusivities are calculated from the signal difference between pairs of collimation bores. Self-diffusivities obtained with In/In 114m in space and on Earth illustrate the high precision obtainable with this technique. The In/In 114m space data were close to the ground results, however, the data scatter was much less. By employing a tracer that emits photons of different energy, and thus, different self-absorption, transport in the bulk of the sample can be distinguished from that in the proximity of the wall. No difference was found. In support of this work 2-D numerical modelling of the effect of various blockages on the concentration profile and the resulting apparent diffusivity were conducted. For the methodology that we use very little effect was seen except in the case of extreme blockages.
Intraocular Penetration of Gentamicin After Subconjunctival and Retrobulbar Injection

Although it has been established that higher intraocular concentrations are produced by periocular administration than by systemic administration of most antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides, the merits of various modes of periocular therapy are still debatable. 1 Retrobulbar delivery of corticosteriods appears to yield the greatest concentrations in the posterior pole of the eye, while subconjunctival injection favors the anterior segments. 2,3 Few investigators have compared the penetration of antibiotics by these two routes. 4 Recently, we studied the concentrations of gentamicin in normal and infected rabbit eyes after subconjunctival (anterior subtenon's) and retrobulbar (posterior subtenon's) injection. 1 The subconjunctival route produced higher levels of drug than the retrobulbar one in all ocular tissues examined; penetration of the aqueous and vitreous humors of infected eyes was equivalent with the two modes of administration. We were concerned, however, that the high degree of vascularity of the rabbit orbit 2 might make the pharmacokinetics in this species different from those in man. To approximate the clinical situation more closely, and evaluate the role of orbital vascularity, we carried out the present investigation in squirrel monkeys.
Absorption Characteristics of a Specularly Reflecting Cylindrical Cavity Irradiated by an Obliquely Inclined Ray Bundle

Consideration is given to the radiant interchange in a specularly reflecting circular-cylindrical cavity that is irradiated by an obliquely inclined beam of parallel rays passing through the cavity opening. A method of analysis is devised whereby the absorption of radiant energy can be determined without keeping track of individual rays as they undergo successive specular reflections at the curved wall of the cavity. Results are obtained both for the over-all energy absorption in the cavity and for the surface distribution of the locally absorbed radiant energy.