cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urban Neighborhood Characteristics and the Spatial Distribution of Home and Community-Based Service Organizations in Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

Living in a neighborhood with dense HCBS organizations can promote older adults’ health and well-being and may mitigate health disparities generated by living in materially deprived urban neighborh...
Cervical and thoracic cord atrophy in multiple sclerosis phenotypes: Quantification and correlation with clinical disability.

Abstract Objective We sought to characterize spinal cord atrophy along the entire spinal cord in the major multiple sclerosis (MS) phenotypes, and evaluate its correlation with clinical disability. Methods Axial T1-weighted images were automatically reformatted at each point along the cord. Spinal cord cross‐sectional area (SCCSA) were calculated from C1-T10 vertebral body levels and profile plots were compared across phenotypes. Average values from C2-3, C4-5, and T4-9 regions were compared across phenotypes and correlated with clinical scores, and then categorized as atrophic/normal based on z-scores derived from controls, to compare clinical scores between subgroups. In a subset of relapsing-remitting cases with longitudinal scans these regions were compared to change in clinical scores. Results The cross-sectional study consisted of 149 adults diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), 49 with secondary-progressive MS (SPMS), 58 with primary-progressive MS (PPMS) and 48 controls. The longitudinal study included 78 RRMS cases. Compared to controls, all MS groups had smaller average regions except RRMS in T4-9 region. In all MS groups, SCCSA from all regions, particularly the cervical cord, correlated with most clinical measures. In the RRMS cohort, 22% of cases had at least one atrophic region, whereas in progressive MS the rate was almost 70%. Longitudinal analysis showed correlation between clinical disability and cervical cord thinning. Conclusions Spinal cord atrophy was prevalent across MS phenotypes, with regional measures from the RRMS cohort and the progressive cohort, including SPMS and PPMS, being correlated with disability. Longitudinal changes in the spinal cord were documented in RRMS cases, making it a potential marker for disease progression. While cervical SCCSA correlated with most disability and progression measures, inclusion of thoracic measurements improved this correlation and allowed for better subgrouping of spinal cord phenotypes. Cord atrophy is an important and easily obtainable imaging marker of clinical and sub-clinical progression in all MS phenotypes, and such measures can play a key role in patient selection for clinical trials.
Impact of Eliminating Local Anesthesia on Immediate Postoperative Analgesia in Pediatric Ambulatory Adenotonsillectomy.

Our goal was to standardize intraoperative analgesic regimens for pediatric ambulatory tonsillectomy by eliminating local anesthetic use and to determine its impact on postoperative pain measures, while controlling for other factors. Methods We assembled a quality improvement team at an ambulatory surgery center. They introduced a standardized anesthetic protocol, involving American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification 1 and 2 patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Local anesthesia elimination was the project's single intervention. We collected pre-intervention data (79 cases) from July 5 to September 17, 2019 and post-intervention data (59 cases) from September 25 to December 17, 2019. The intervention requested that surgeons eliminate the use of local anesthetics. The following outcomes measures were evaluated using statistical process control charts and Shewhart's theory of variation: (1) maximum pain score in the post-anesthesia care unit, (2) total post-anesthesia care unit minutes, and (3) postoperative opioid rescue rate. Results No special cause variation signal was detected in any of the measures following the intervention. Conclusions Our data suggest that eliminating intraoperative local anesthetic use does not worsen postoperative pain control at our facility. The intervention eliminated the added expenses and possible risks associated with local anesthetic use. This series is unique in its standardization of anesthetic regimen in a high-volume ambulatory surgery center with the exception of local anesthesia practices. The study results may impact the standardized clinical protocol for pediatric ambulatory adenotonsillectomy at our institution and may hold relevance for other centers.
Efficacy of ethanol ablation as a treatment of benign head and neck cystic lesions

Abstract Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ethanol ablation in the treatment of benign head and neck cystic lesions. Methods A total of 25 patients who received ethanol ablation (EA) of head and neck cystic lesions by an otolaryngologist at a single institution between October 2017 and October 2020 were identified. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment details, and treatment outcomes at follow up visits were obtained by retrospective review of electronic medical records. Results 25 patients who underwent ethanol ablation of head and neck cystic lesions were included, with a mean age of 49.1 years old (Interquartile range (IQR),32.5–65.5 years) and 12 males (47.0%). The most common cysts treated with EA were thyroglossal duct cysts (n = 8, 32.0%) and lymphoepithelial parotid cysts (n = 7, 28.0%). The mean volume prior to treatment was 10.57 mL (IQR, 1.58–8.81 mL). Mean volume following EA was 1.30 mL (range, 0.10–0.97 mL) with 74.40% cyst reduction by volume (IQR, 48.56–96.29%) (p = 0.002). The mean time to the last follow-up was 5 months (range, 3–6 months). One patient received surgery despite treatment success to obtain a definitive diagnosis of the mass. No other patients received further surgical management. The treatment success of EA, as defined by >70% volume reduction or the resolution of symptoms, was 92.0%. All patients were satisfied with the outcome and had no reported complications. Conclusion EA is an effective and safe alternative to surgery for the treatment of head and neck cystic lesions that can be performed in an outpatient setting by an otolaryngologist.
Inference of Rock Flow and Mechanical Properties from Injection-Induced Microseismic Events During Geologic CO2 Storage

Abstract Monitoring microseismic activities during CO2 injection into geologic formations is important for ensuring the safety of the storage operations. The resulting data provide insight into the response of the storage formation to CO2 injection and can be used to infer the underlying rock flow and mechanical properties. In this paper, assimilation of microseismic data is performed for dynamic characterization of the storage formation by using a stochastic simulation model to forecast the microseismic response of a geologic formation during CO2 injection. Two modeling approaches are adopted to predict the space-time distribution of the injection-induced microseismicity. The first model is based on pore pressure relaxation assumption, while the second model uses coupled flow and geomechanics simulation to establish the complex physical relation between the storage formation properties and the corresponding microseismic responses during CO2 injection. The stochastic predictive models in each case are used in ensemble data assimilation frameworks to estimate rock properties from the observed microseismic data. Two data assimilation methods are considered: (i) a new ensemble-based stochastic point process filter (EnPPF) that can directly integrate discrete microseismic events, and (ii) a variant of ensemble smoother, known as the ensemble smoother with multiple data assimilation (ES-MDA), which requires continuous representation of microseismic events for assimilation. The two methods are successfully applied to a geologically realistic model of the Farnsworth Field in Texas, with complex geologic flow units and interacting fault systems.
Getting Out the Vote on Twitter With Mandy Patinkin: Celebrity Authenticity, TikTok, and the Couple You Actually Want at Thanksgiving Dinner . . . or Your Passover Seder

The research offers a critical examination of the social media activity of Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody, the unexpected celebrity activist couple driving the effort to get out the vote during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Documenting the performed authenticity and intimacy of the couple’s Twitter feed, the analysis focuses on the couple’s ability to create a multisocial, engaged relationship with their followers, capitalizing on a platform collapse across various social media accounts. The couple’s advocacy is designed to encourage connective action and reflects a more democratic turn in celebrity engagement, where the boundaries that separate fan from star are diminished thanks to the affordances of social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok. A discussion of the subcultural Jewish political and cultural community Patinkin and Grody cultivate is advanced along with the couple’s status as America’s preferred relatives whom you would want at your Thanksgiving dinner or, for some, your annual Passover seder.
Bioinformatics Investigations of Universal Stress Proteins from Mercury-Methylating Desulfovibrionaceae .

The presence of methylmercury in aquatic environments and marine food sources is of global concern. The chemical reaction for the addition of a methyl group to inorganic mercury occurs in diverse bacterial taxonomic groups including the Gram-negative, sulfate-reducing Desulfovibrionaceae family that inhabit extreme aquatic environments. The availability of whole-genome sequence datasets for members of the Desulfovibrionaceae presents opportunities to understand the microbial mechanisms that contribute to methylmercury production in extreme aquatic environments. We have applied bioinformatics resources and developed visual analytics resources to categorize a collection of 719 putative universal stress protein (USP) sequences predicted from 93 genomes of Desulfovibrionaceae. We have focused our bioinformatics investigations on protein sequence analytics by developing interactive visualizations to categorize Desulfovibrionaceae universal stress proteins by protein domain composition and functionally important amino acids. We identified 651 Desulfovibrionaceae universal stress protein sequences, of which 488 sequences had only one USP domain and 163 had two USP domains. The 488 single USP domain sequences were further categorized into 340 sequences with ATP-binding motif and 148 sequences without ATP-binding motif. The 163 double USP domain sequences were categorized into (1) both USP domains with ATP-binding motif (3 sequences); (2) both USP domains without ATP-binding motif (138 sequences); and (3) one USP domain with ATP-binding motif (21 sequences). We developed visual analytics resources to facilitate the investigation of these categories of datasets in the presence or absence of the mercury-methylating gene pair (hgcAB). Future research could utilize these functional categories to investigate the participation of universal stress proteins in the bacterial cellular uptake of inorganic mercury and methylmercury production, especially in anaerobic aquatic environments.
Development and piloting of an instructional video quality checklist (IVQC).

PURPOSE Medical education instructional videos are more popular and easier to create than ever before. Standard quality measures for this medium do not exist, leaving educators, learners, and content creators unable to assess these videos. MATERIALS AND METHODS Drawing from the literature on video quality and popularity, reusable learning objects, and multimedia and curriculum development principles, we developed a 26-item instructional video quality checklist (IVQC), to capture aspects of educational design (six items), source reliability (four items), multimedia principle adherence (10 items), and accessibility (six items). Two raters applied IVQC to 206 videos from five producers across topics from two organ systems (cardiology and pulmonology) encompassing four disciplines (anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology). RESULTS Inter-rater reliability was strong. According to two-rater means, eight multimedia items were present in over 80% of videos. A minority of videos included learning objectives (46%), alternative language translations (41%), when the video was updated (40%), analogies (37%), or references (9%). Producer ratings varied significantly (p < .001) across 17 of 26 items. There were no significant differences according to the video topic. CONCLUSIONS IVQC detected differences in elements of instructional video quality. Future work can apply this instrument to a broader array of videos and in authentic educational settings.
Does Vagueness Exclude Knowledge

On two standard views of vagueness, vagueness as to whether Harry is bald entails that nobody knows whether Harry is bald—either because vagueness is a type of missing truth, and so there is nothing to know, or because vagueness is a type of ignorance, and so even though there is a truth of the matter, nobody can know what that truth is. Vagueness as to whether Harry is bald does entail that nobody clearly knows that Harry is bald and that nobody clearly knows that Harry is not bald. But it does not entail that nobody knows that Harry is bald or that nobody knows that Harry is not bald. Hence, the two standard views of vagueness are mistaken.
Incorporating Assurance into Groundwater Quality Management Models

Recent efforts in aquifer management modelling have tried to account for uncertainty in predicted groundwater flow velocities and concentrations. Although there are many origins of model prediction uncertainty, model misspecification represents a significant one. Two types of model misspecification have been addressed. First is inadequate description of spatial variability of hydraulic conductivities. The latest approach has been to develop robust aquifer management plans that remain optimal in the presence of unknown spatial variability. The second type of model misspecification that has been looked at is model parameter uncertainty. For this problem, parameter estimation has been united with nonlinear stochastic optimization. Plans to control water quality degradation are developed that account for both flow and transport parameter uncertainty. The management model assures specified local water quality standards will be met at a specified reliability level. A brief survey of older literature shows that most studies were limited because they treated groundwater quality management models as linear systems. In the past five years problems have been formulated and solved using nonlinear systems theory. Furthermore, studies have begun to incorporate model uncertainty. These efforts, which attempt to account for both nonlinearity and model uncertainty, are critically analyzed in this review.
Membrane nonrigid image registration

We introduce a novel nonrigid 2D image registration method that establishes dense and accurate correspondences across images without the need of any manual intervention. Our key insight is to model the image as a membrane, i.e., a thin 3D surface, and to constrain its deformation based on its geometric properties. To do so, we derive a novel Bayesian formulation. We impose priors on the moving membrane which act to preserve its shape as it deforms to meet the target.We derive these as curvature weighted first and second order derivatives that correspond to the changes in stretching and bending potential energies of the membrane and estimate the registration as the maximum a posteriori. Experimental results on real data demonstrate the effectiveness of our method, in particular, its robustness to local minima and its ability to establish accurate correspondences across the entire image. The results clearly show that our method overcomes the shortcomings of previous intensity-based and feature-based approaches with conventional uniform smoothing or diffeomorphic constraints that suffer from large errors in textureless regions and in areas in-between specified features.
Effects of a High Magnetic Field at Different Osmotic Pressures and Temperatures on Multiplication of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The application of a yeast as a biosystem for determining the effects of a high magnetic field and other physical phenomena was studied. Multiplication of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was observed during exposure to a magnetic field of 4,600 gauss. Cell populations were determined at 24-, 48-, and 72-hr intervals, and possible interactions between the magnetic field and other environmental parameters, such as time, temperature, and osmotic pressure, were considered statistically. The main effect of the high magnetic field was a significant reduction of cell multiplication during each time interval. Significant interactions were found to occur between temperature and the magnetic field at 24 hr, and between temperature and osmotic pressure at each sampling interval. Synergistic effects of the magnetic field and osmotic pressure at both 28 and 38 C were nonsignificant.
Electron and ion heating by whistler turbulence: Three‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulations

Three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations of decaying whistler turbulence are carried out on a collisionless, homogeneous, magnetized, electron-ion plasma model. In addition, the simulations use an initial ensemble of relatively long wavelength whistler modes with a broad range of initial propagation directions with an initial electron beta βe = 0.05. The computations follow the temporal evolution of the fluctuations as they cascade into broadband turbulent spectra at shorter wavelengths. Three simulations correspond to successively larger simulation boxes and successively longer wavelengths of the initial fluctuations. The computations confirm previous results showing electron heating is preferentially parallel to the background magnetic field Bo, and ion heating is preferentially perpendicular to Bo. The new results here are that larger simulation boxes and longer initial whistler wavelengths yield weaker overall dissipation, consistent with linear dispersion theory predictions of decreased damping, stronger ion heating, consistent with a stronger ion Landau resonance, and weaker electron heating.
Observando a Colombia: Albert O. Hirschman y la Economía del Desarrollo

Los anos que Albert O. Hirschman vivio en Colombia le sirvieron para moldear el contenido de su principal publicacion: La estrategia del desarrollo economico. La experiencia adquirida durante su estadia en Colombia, donde participo en misiones del gobierno que recorrieron todo el pais, le permitio disenar un metodo de investigacion basado en las practicas observadas de lo que la gente hacia, contrario a las visiones ortodoxas que planteaban normas a partir de lo que la gente deberia hacer. Su critica a la economia planificadora del desarrollo, basada en el crecimiento balanceado, planteaba la estrategia hacia el desarrollo economico no como una necesidad de superar la escasez de factores sino como una necesidad de mejorar la habilidad de los agentes para tomar decisiones. Sus observaciones de la cotidianidad colombiana le brindaron la evidencia necesaria para entender que los problemas se resolvian en la practica y le permitieron generar estrategias para facilitar la solucion de los problemas a partir del agente economico
Earnings Imputation and Bias in Wage Gap Estimates

Over 20% of individuals in the Current Population Survey (CPS) earnings files have earnings allocated by the Census using a “cell hot deck” imputation method that matches nonrespondents with “similar” donors. Most wage differential studies treat imputed earnings as an unbiased measure. Earnings gap estimates are systematically understated, however, when the attribute being studied is not a criterion used by the Census to match donors to nonrespondents. The bias in wage gap estimates with respect to a non-match attribute can be approximated by ΩΓ, where Ω is the proportion of workers with imputed earnings and Γ is the unbiased log wage gap. Union status is not a hot deck match criterion. Private sector union wage gaps are estimated using the CPS for 1973-98. Union wage gap estimates understate actual differentials by about 4 percentage points owing to a large downward bias in imputed earnings for union nonrespondents and a small upward bias for nonunion nonrespondents. The sharp decline in CPS union wage gap estimates between 1978 and 1979, long a puzzle in the literature, is largely the result of inclusion of imputed earnings in CPS earnings records beginning in 1979 following their exclusion in 1973-78. Other examples of wage gap bias are examined using CPS data for 1996-98. Public sector differentials are biased downward in a fashion similar to that seen for union wage gaps. Dispersion in wages across industries (following controls) is understated by approximately 17%. The authors appreciate very helpful discussions with Anne Polivka of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPS data sets were developed with the assistance of David Macpherson at Florida State University.
Factors associated with negative histamine control for penicillin allergy skin testing in the inpatient setting

Abstract Background Identification of factors adversely affecting the utility of allergy skin testing is important in optimizing patient care. Inpatient penicillin skin test data from 1997 through 2007 demonstrate that up to 20% of attempted penicillin skin tests are indeterminate owing to a negative histamine test response, despite exclusion of H 1 antagonists. Critical illness, vasopressors, steroid use, and psychotropic medications have been postulated to influence outcomes, but large studies are lacking. Objective To identify factors associated with a negative histamine test response for the inpatient setting. Methods Fifty-two cases were identified with a negative histamine response after penicillin skin testing in the absence of antihistamine therapy for 72 hours before testing. One hundred twenty-five controls with a normal histamine response were randomly selected from same population. Independent variables assessed included stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), skin color, diabetes, age, use of vasopressors, H 2 blocker, steroids, other immunosuppressive drugs, thyroid replacement, proton pump inhibitors, diuretics, 5 categories of psychotropic medications, and amiodarone. Results Mean age was 68 years for cases vs 60 years for controls ( P = .002). Bivariate analysis showed ICU stay was more frequent in cases than in controls (73.1% vs 33.6%, P 2 blockers as associated with lack of histamine response. For every additional year in age, there was increase in the OR of 1.04 (1.01–1.07). Conclusion Regression analysis supports ICU stay during skin testing as associated with a high OR for a negative histamine response independent of age. Systemic corticosteroids, H 2 blockers, and older age are associated with a significant OR for a negative histamine response. This is one of largest studies on factors associated with a negative histamine response for the inpatient setting and has significant implications for clinical practice.
Intramedullary Spinal Tumors in Children

Pediatric intramedullary spinal tumors (IMSTs) are generally uncommon, comprising 4–6% of all central nervous system (CNS) tumors and 35–40% of all intraspinal tumors in children [13, 21]. Of these, most are of glial origin. Astrocytomas are typically the most common, the majority being fibrillary. In children, the second most common IMSTs are gangliomas followed by ependymomas [13]. Ependymomas become more prevalent in older patients. Many other histological varieties, including germ cell tumors, primitive neu-roectodermal tumors, and intramedullary schwanno-mas, have also been identified in the spinal cord [10, 19]. Hemangioblastomas, typically found in patients with von-Hippel–Lindau disease, are exceedingly rare in the spinal cord in children and account for about 2% of all spinal cord tumors [3].
Fractional Voronovskaya Type Asymptotic Expansions for Bell and Squashing Type Neural Networks

Here we introduce the normalized bell and squashing type neural network operators of one hidden layer.
Neutron Diffraction Studies on EuO

Neutron diffraction studies on EuO at various temperatures have been made at a neutron wavelength of 1.391 \AA{}. The experimental data confirm the existence of ferromagnetism in this compound at temperatures below the Curie point (77\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K). The intensities of the magnetic reflections vary with temperature according to the square of a Brillouin function having a spin of $\frac{7}{2}$. The magnetic scattering data also provide information on the magnetic amplitude form factor for ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{2+}$ over the region from $\frac{(sin\ensuremath{\theta})}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}=0.17 \mathrm{to} 0.32$, and indicate that the form factor decreases to half-value at $\frac{(sin\ensuremath{\theta})}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}=0.29$. The nuclear scattering data of EuO show that the absolute value of the neutron coherent scattering length for Eu is $|{f}_{\mathrm{Eu}}|=(0.63\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$ cm; the experimental value for the Eu nonresonant coherent scattering length is ${f}_{0}(\mathrm{Eu})=(0.88\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$ cm.
Thalamocortical connections of the parabelt auditory cortex in macaque monkeys

The auditory cortex of macaque monkeys contains a core of primary-like areas surrounded by a narrow belt of associated fields that encompass much of the superior temporal plane in these animals. Adjacent to the lateral belt on the superior temporal gyrus is a parabelt region that contains at least two subdivisions (rostral and caudal). In a previous study (Hackett et al. [1998] J. Comp. Neurol. 394:475–495), we determined that the parabelt has topographic connections with the belt areas surrounding the core, but minimal connections with the core itself. In this study, we describe the thalamocortical connections of the parabelt auditory cortex based on multiple injections of neuronal tracers into this region in each of five macaque monkeys. Injections confined to the parabelt labeled large numbers of neurons in the dorsal (MGd) and magnocellular (MGm) divisions of the medial geniculate complex (MGC), suprageniculate (Sg), limitans (Lim), and medial pulvinar (PM) nuclei. Only when injections encroached on the lateral belt cortex were substantial numbers of labeled neurons found in the ventral (MGv) division of the MGC, consistent with the absence of significant connections between the parabelt and core fields. The rostrocaudal topography of the parabelt region was maintained in the thalamocortical connections, supporting the parcellation of this region of cortex. The results suggest that the parabelt region represents a third level of auditory cortical processing, which is not influenced by direct inputs from primary cortical or subcortical auditory structures. J. Comp. Neurol. 400:271–286, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Countervailing monetary power: Re-regulating capital flows in Brazil and South Korea

ABSTRACTIn the wake of the global financial crisis most emerging market and developing countries experienced a surge in capital inflows that accentuated financial fragility in those countries. Unlike similar surges in the 1990s and in the five years leading to the global financial crisis in 2008, this time many emerging market and developing countries re-regulated cross-border financial flows. According to the literature such acts are seen as quite difficult, given the pervasiveness of the ‘capital mobility hypothesis’ which renders that the structural power of global financial markets is too much of a match for states, especially those in emerging markets. The paper traces how Brazil and South Korea were able to countervail the structural power of global capital markets and put in place regulations on cross-border finance in the wake of the crisis. The paper also outlines the contours an inductive theory regarding the conditions under which emerging market and developing nations may deviate from the ‘cap...
Liturgical Aspects in Enthronement Psalms

(1) the formation of the first Davidic collection, Psalms 3-41; (2) the collection of the Korahitic, Asaphic, and second Davidic psalters; (3) the union of these into one collection, when they underwent an Elohistic editing; (4) the addition of the Yahwistic appendix to this collection (Psalms 84-89) ; (5) the formation of other small collections, such as the "Songs of Ascent" (Psalms 120-134); (6) the collection of Books IV and V, which were at first one collection, but which was based in part on previous collections; (7) the possible addition of some later psalms (such as 135-150) at the end of the Psalter; (8) the division of the last collection into two books, so that the Psalter, like the Pentateuch, should consist of five books; and, (9) the prefixing of Psalms 2 and 1 to the whole.
Zero stability sensitivity of linear system parameters via digraphs

This paper presents a rational inspection procedure which can be applied to the digraph of the coefficient matrix of a reducible linear system in order to identify groups of parameters whose arbitrary variation would have no influence upon any eigenvalues. Such parameters are said to possess Zero Stability Sensitivity. The procedure is useful in accelerating the model building process for socio-industrial systems. It is applied to an 8th order production inventory model.
High bit-error tolerant frame/lane alignment for 100 Gb/s multi-lane transmission

We study high bit-error tolerant frame/lane alignment for 100 Gb/s multi-lane transmission with advanced modulation formats. Bit-error allowance/correction for frame/lane alignment improves the bit-error tolerance and achieves stable operation even at the uncorrected BER of 10-2.
Surface Displacement of a Convective Elastic Half-Space Under an Arbitrarily Distributed Fast-Moving Heat Source

Abstract : A solution of the normal displacement of the elastic half-space under an arbitrarily-distributed fast-moving heat source of constant velocity within the two-dimensional quasi-static, uncoupled thermoelasticity theory is presented. The surface of the half-space is allowed to dissipate heat by convection. Moreover, an example associated with the problem of elastohydrodynamics is given. (Author)
Law and Transnational Utopias in East African Fiction

This essay offers a reading of utopian and dystopian imaginaries in East African fiction in the context of both spatial theory and cultural legal studies. Focusing on Kusadikika by Shabaan Robert (1951) and Wizard of the Crow by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (2006), my analysis meets the spatial turn in critical theory at the point where it has recently intersected with both law and African studies. At this nexus, we find, among other things, the figure of utopia. Traditionally conceived in temporal terms (i.e. as a future ideal), utopias in Robert and Ngũgĩ's texts develop as uniquely spatialized visions of possible futures. Furthermore, whereas scholars have discussed the extent to which utopia is or is not compatible with law – i.e. is utopia formed through the perfection of law or its complete absence? – these narratives depict law as essential to both dystopia and utopia, its presence and necessity almost taken for granted. This suggests that the question we should ask, therefore, is not ‘Is there law in utopia?...
The SDAV Software Frameworks for Visualization and Analysis on Next-Generation Multi-Core and Many-Core Architectures

This paper surveys the four software frameworks being developed as part of the visualization pillar of the SDAV (Scalable Data Management, Analysis, and Visualization) Institute, one of the SciDAC (Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing) Institutes established by the ASCR (Advanced Scientific Computing Research) Program of the U.S. Department of Energy. These frameworks include EAVL (Extreme-scale Analysis and Visualization Library), DAX (Data Analysis at Extreme), DIY (Do It Yourself), and PISTON. The objective of these frameworks is to facilitate the adaptation of visualization and analysis algorithms to take advantage of the available parallelism in emerging multi-core and many-core hardware architectures, in anticipation of the need for such algorithms to be run in-situ with LCF (leadership-class facilities) simulation codes on supercomputers.
Effectiveness of psychotherapy and combination treatment for chronic depression.

Although considerable research has been conducted on the efficacy of psychotherapy for depression, with and without medication, relatively few studies have focused on chronic forms of depression. Approximately 20% of individuals with depression experience episodes that last for two years or longer. We review the controlled research on the effectiveness of treatments separately for dysthymia and chronic major depression, focusing on the practical implications of the research for clinicians. In trials conducted with dysthymics, medication has been superior to psychotherapy, with limited evidence that combined treatment has advantages over medication or psychotherapy alone. In chronic major depression, combined treatment has demonstrated significant superiority over medication or psychotherapy alone. Possible explanations for the discrepant findings among dysthymics and those with chronic major depression are discussed.
First-Trimester Nuchal Translucency Screening to Detect Down Syndrome

Trisomy 21 (or Down syndrome) is the most frequently observed chromosomal anomaly among live births today. The risk of Down syndrome significantly increases with age; however, the most affected babies are born to women younger than 35 years. Thus, approximately 80% of babies diagnosed with trisomy 21 are born to mothers who are not historically categorized as “at-risk” for advanced maternal age. Combining nuchal translucency measurement with maternal biochemical markers has led to a multitude of screening options available and results in identifying trisomy 21 earlier in pregnancy. However, it is important to continue to emphasize access to all levels of prenatal care, as well as respect the family's decision-making abilities. Informed choice and counseling are pertinent whenever the screening is performed.
Probing the Higgs Vacuum with General Relativity

It is shown that the structure of the Higgs vacuum can be revealed in gravitational experiments which probe the Schwarzschild geometry to only one order in MG/r beyond that needed for the classical tests of general relativity. The possibility that deviations from the conventional geometry are at least theoretically conceivable is explored. The deviations obtained provide a diagnostic test for searching for the existence of macroscopic scalar fields and open up the possiblity for further exploring the Higgs mechanism.
Understanding the Unique Experiences of Undocumented, Hispanic Women Who are Living in Poverty and Coping with Breast Cancer

Understanding the experiences of recently immigrated women with breast cancer is essential to improving service delivery for this population. This qualitative study identified and explored the barriers to care, coping mechanisms, and overall healthcare experiences of a four recently immigrated Hispanic women diagnosed with breast cancer (three of whom were undocumented). The analysis revealed five major themes that were present across all four participants: psychological distress, barriers to access to care, the impact of poverty, the importance of family and support systems, and the importance of spirituality or religiosity as a coping mechanism.
Relationship-Specific Cognitions and Family-of-Origin Divorce and Abuse

Abstract This study examined the relationship between relationship-specific cognitions and family-of-origin divorce, psychological abuse, and physical aggression. College students from divorced (N=46) and intact (N= 66) families completed questionnaires regarding their family-of-origin victimization, witnessing, and perpetration experiences as well as their relationship cognitions. A series of 2 (divorce vs. intact) by 3 severity level (none, psychological, physical) MANOVAS were conducted to assess the relationships among divorce, witnessing, perpetration, and victimization experiences with mother and father, and current relationship cognitions (assumptions, standards, and expectancies). Subjects from divorced homes reported significantly lower marriage-efficacy than subjects from intact homes. Subjects who reported physical victimization from fathers had significantly lower marriage-efficacy and lower self-efficacy than non-physically-victimized subjects. A trend was found whereby subjects who psycholog...
Thermal decomposition of CH2Cl2

The thermal decomposition of CH2Cl2 has been investigated in reflected shock wave experiments at temperatures between 1400 and 2300 K and at three different loading pressures with various initial CH2Cl2 concentrations. The resulting product Cl atoms are monitored by the atomic resonance absorption spectrometric (ARAS) technique. A reaction mechanism is used to numerically simulate the measured Cl-atom profiles in order to obtain rate constants for the two primary dissociation reactions: (1) CH2Cl2→CHCl+HCl, and (2) CH2Cl2→CH2Cl+Cl. The experimental second-order Arrhenius expressions for the two reactions are k1/[Kr]=2.26×10−8 exp(−29,007 K/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1 and k2/[Kr]=6.64×10−9 exp(−28,404 K/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1, with standard deviations of ±43 and 40%, respectively. The results are compared to theoretical calculations using the semiempirical Troe formalism. The best fits to the experimental data are obtained with threshold energy and collisional energy transfer parameters of E1o=73.0 kcal mole−1 and ΔE1down=630 cm−1. Similar values for reaction (2) are E2o=ΔH2o(OK)=78.25 kcal mole−1 and ΔE2down=394 cm−1.
The pressor response to angiotensin II: The roles of peripheral and cardiac responses in pregnant and nonpregnant sheep

A reduced pressor response to infused angiotensin II has been observed in pregnancy. Although this has been considered to reflect reduced sensitivity of the peripheral vasculature to angiotensin II, it has also been suggested that the reduced pressor response is due to a fall in cardiac output during infusion of angiotensin II in pregnancy. In the present study we investigated the hemodynamic responses to infused angiotensin II in chronically instrumented, pregnant and nonpregnant sheep. We measured changes in cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance and related these changes to the increase in mean arterial pressure. The response in systemic vascular resistance to angiotensin II was substantially reduced in pregnant sheep. During angiotensin II infusion cardiac output fell in both groups, but the effect of the fall in cardiac output in reducing the pressor response was greater in nonpregnant animals. Thus, it appears that the reduced pressor response to angiotensin II in pregnant sheep is due to reduced systemic vascular responsiveness and not to differences in cardiac output responses.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for secalonic acid D

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for the xanthone dimer secalonic acid D. The immunogen and enzyme marker were prepared by direct reaction of secalonic acid D with bovine serum albumin and horseradish peroxidase, respectively. The resultant conjugates were characterized by UV/VIS spectra and thin layer chromatography. The hapten:protein ratios in the conjugates were estimated by difference UV/VIS spectra and by fluorescent techniques. Immunization procedures were conducted utilizing New Zealand rabbits over a period of 12 weeks. The competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on microtiter plates showed that secalonic acid D was detectable within a range of 250–25 000 ng/assay.
Sugar and Alzheimer's disease: a bittersweet truth

Reductions in brain glucose metabolism have long been associated with Alzheimer's disease. A study now demonstrates that the endothelial glucose transporter GLUT1 is vital for maintaining brain energy metabolism and vascular clearance of amyloid-β.
Australian Labor and the Socialist Tradition

Amidst the turmoil of the so‐called ‘death of socialism’, both in Australia and elsewhere, there has been renewed debate about what socialism should be taken to mean. This paper attempts to come to terms with the competing claims about, in particular, socialism within the Australian Labor Party and, in general, how better to understand the meaning of socialism. A comparison and contrast between the first principles of liberalism and socialism helps to illuminate some of the inadequacies of Marxist criticisms of parliamentary Labor. In addition, the argument is made that if we are willing to give greater emphasis to questions of means and ends, socialism can be seen to be part of Labor's historic mission. Far from being a defence of the Hawke administration, however, the case is made that there has been, under Hawke, a fundamental break with the democratic socialist tradition; that the difference is in kind, not degree.
Regulation of p90RSK phosphorylation by SARS-CoV infection in Vero E6 cells.

The 90 kDa ribosomal S6 kinases (p90RSKs) are a family of broadly expressed serine/threonine kinases with two kinase domains activated by extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase in response to many growth factors. Our recent study demonstrated that severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV) infection of monkey kidney Vero E6 cells induces phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of signaling pathways, resulting in apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated the phosphorylation status of p90RSK, which is a well-known substrate of these signaling pathways, in SARS-CoV-infected cells. Vero E6 mainly expressed p90RSK1 and showed weak expression of p90RSK2. In the absence of viral infection, Ser221 in the N-terminal kinase domain was phosphorylated constitutively, whereas both Thr573 in the C-terminal kinase domain and Ser380 between the two kinase domains were not phosphorylated in confluent cells. Ser380, which has been reported to be involved in autophosphorylation by activation of the C-terminal kinase domain, was phosphorylated in confluent SARS-CoV-infected cells, and this phosphorylation was inhibited by SB203580, which is an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Phosphorylation of Thr573 was not upregulated in SARS-CoV-infected cells. Thus, in virus-infected cells, phosphorylation of Thr573 was not necessary to induce phosphorylation of Ser380. On the other hand, Both Thr573 and Ser380 were phosphorylated by treatment with epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the absence of p38 MAPK activation. Ser220 was constitutively phosphorylated despite infection. These results indicated that phosphorylation status of p90RSK by SARS-CoV infection is different from that by stimulation of EGF. This is the first detailed report regarding regulation of p90RSK phosphorylation by virus infection.
Effects of Postshock Atrial Pacing on Atrial Defibrillation Outcome in the Isolated Sheep Heart

Background—Failed atrial defibrillation shocks are associated with organization of postshock activity and a substantial postshock electrical quiescence. We investigated the ability of a train of pacing stimuli to capture or locally entrain atrial myocardium during the quiescent period after low-energy shocks and to alter defibrillation outcome. Methods and Results—High-resolution video imaging of near-defibrillation-threshold atrial shocks was performed in 12 Langendorff-perfused sheep hearts. A train of 10 pacing stimuli (10-ms pulse width, 200-ms cycle length) was coupled to the shock at various delays in 7 hearts. Coupling intervals of 40 to 130 ms were investigated for feasibility of capture of the first pacing stimulus. The success rate of capture was 0, 0.08±0.08, 0.43±0.13, 0.73±0.13, and 0.11±0.1 for 40-, 60-, 80-, 100-, and 120-ms coupling intervals, respectively (P<0.001). In 5 experiments, the coupling interval was fixed at 100 ms (highest success, see above), and the pacing stimulus amplitude ...
Between two worlds.

Abstract The writer had the opportunity to observe planned and unplanned change in a community of Roman Catholic sisters who became actively involved in the renewal of their order after Vatican II. A team of nuns participated in a new life style experiment which provided for planned changes on several levels. Their corporate image moved from a passive to an active one as they tried to negotiate their team's role and their individual roles in the parish among themselves and with the secular community in which two of the sisters sought involvement. They used the team to test themselves as individuals, to present a team front to their traditionalist sisters and they learned to trust one another as well as to expose doubts and strengths to one another. Although team living was the core of their experiment, at the time of my observation, the team had become a vehicle for self-realization as human beings.
Use of protective barriers and unprotected sex among adult male prison inmates prior to incarceration.

Summary: Research documents the challenges associated with preventing HIV/ AIDS among prison inmate populations. This paper describes the predictors of protective barrier use and unprotected sexual intercourse among a sample of adult male inmates. Descriptive and scale information was collected on several variables using standard response formats. All major substance use constructs (marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol use) were assessed in terms of consumption prior to incarceration. T-tests were employed to evaluate the level of marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol use in general, as well as with particular respect to sexual situations. Linear regression analysis was conducted to determine whether the use of the substances, length of incarceration, and other demographic variables were associated with the frequency of reporting use of a protective barrier. The findings note that total years in prison, and marijuana and cocaine use were associated with inmates’ risk behaviours. Marijuana and cocaine use were statistically significant predictors of risky sex behaviours.
Reexamination of Rogers' (1959) collection of theories on the person-centered approach.

Abstract Since Carl Rogers' death in 1987 proponents of person-centered concepts have revised clientcentered theory and the person-centered approach through continued research and writing, creating tribes of the person-centered approach (Warner, 2000; Sanders, 2004) and new applications. These developments and applications continue to grow and interact, and some have established research foundations, for example, Cornelius-White (2007e) and Elliott (2002). In addition to theoretical changes, some scholars have worked to reexamine and offer extended concepts closely aligned to Rogers' (1959) theories. This paper reexamines research projects that the author has recently been involved with concerning Rogers' main theoretical statement (1959) and proposes a reconfiguration of his General Structure of Our Systematic Thinking (p. 193).