cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spectacular Mobile Technologies: The State and the Remote

The rise of mobile phone use across the globe has prompted many NGOs to enthusiastically embrace information and communication technologies as a means for improving health, democracy, and agriculture in parts of the world that seem excluded from basic infrastructure. Through phone applications, SMS, and data capture, new technologies that share and collect data appear to radically change the way information is exchanged globally. Yet, the international discourse surrounding the promises of these technologies echo 1930s and 40s interest in documentary film to teach colonial Africans. Starting in 1939 British colonial governments used cinema vans to exhibit WWII propaganda films to isolated areas. After the war cinema vans became development tools that spread information about health, agriculture, and eventually voting to newly independent African nations. In Ghana, the government-run mobile cinema van program has been operating continuously since independence, collaborating with state agencies and NGOs to show films for a variety of development purposes. Using examples from Ghana, this paper asks what a comparison between two mobile technologies for development--mobile cinema vans and mobile phones--can reveal about the relationship between the spectacular "newness" of technologies and their use as development tools. I argue that the mobility of mobile cinema vans and mobile phones permits the state to define itself in relation to the "remote" subjects that it incorporates into state democracy. Furthermore, the anticipation that mobile phone technologies will reach further than mobile cinema vans legitimates the development state by recapitulating and reaffirming the existence of the âremoteâ that needs to be included.
Spinocerebellar Ataxia 6 (SCA6)

Publisher Summary The genetic characterization of glutamine-encoding CAG repeat expansions as the molecular basis of spinocerebellar ataxia types 1–3 prompted the search for CAG repeat expansions in other neural genes that might be associated with cerebellar ataxia syndromes. Based on these studies, it is concluded that polymorphic CAG repeats in CACNAIA located on chromosome 19p. Dysarthria, dysphagia, vertigo, and hypophonia are common symptoms. Patients are encouraged to remain physically and mentally active. Although no medication has been shown to halt the progression of cerebellar degeneration in SCA6 in randomized clinical trials, some patients with episodic exacerbation have responded to acetazolamide. Most patients experience paresthesias in the extremities, while some complain of anorexia because of metallic/ abnormal taste with certain foods. These symptoms usually subside with time.
Performance of ZDOCK and IRAD in CAPRI rounds 28–34

We report the performance of our protein-protein docking pipeline, including the ZDOCK rigid-body docking algorithm, on 19 targets in CAPRI rounds 28-34. Following the docking step, we reranked the ZDOCK predictions using the IRAD scoring function, pruned redundant predictions, performed energy landscape analysis, and utilized our interface prediction approach RCF. In addition, we applied constraints to the search space based on biological information that we culled from the literature, which increased the chance of making a correct prediction. For all but two targets we were able to find and apply biological information and we found the information to be highly accurate, indicating that effective incorporation of biological information is an important component for protein-protein docking. Proteins 2017; 85:408-416. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Factorization of Nonsingular Circle Endomorphisms

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an approach to the analysis of nonsingular endomorphisms of the circle, exploiting the existence of a semi-conjugacy onto an expanding map. This approach allows to make statements about all or most nonsingular endomorphisms, dropping for the most part the hyperbolicity assumptions necessary.
Nuclear structure of Ge 76 from inelastic neutron scattering measurements and shell model calculations

The low-lying, low-spin levels of $^{76}\mathrm{Ge}$ were studied with the $(n,{n}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\gamma})$ reaction. Gamma-ray excitation function measurements were performed at incident neutron energies from 1.6 to 3.7 MeV, and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray angular distributions were measured at neutron energies of 3.0 and 3.5 MeV. From these measurements, level spins, level lifetimes, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray intensities, and multipole mixing ratios were determined. No evidence for a number of previously placed levels was found. Below 3.3 MeV, many new levels were identified, and the level scheme was re-evaluated. The $B(E2)$ values support low-lying band structure. The ${2}^{+}$ mixed-symmetry state has been identified for the first time. A comparison of the level characteristics with large-scale shell model calculations yielded excellent agreement.
Pico-Kelvin thermometry and temperature stabilization using a resonant optical cavity.

Ultra-high sensitivity temperature sensing and stable thermal control are crucial for many science experiments testing fundamental theories to high precision. Here we report the first pico-kevin scale thermometer operating at room temperature with an exceptionally low theoretical noise figure of ~70pK/Hz at 1 Hz and a high dynamic range of ~500 K. We have experimentally demonstrated a temperature sensitivity of <3.8nK/Hz at 1 Hz near room temperature, which is an order of magnitude improvement over the state of the art. We have also demonstrated an ultra-high stability thermal control system using this thermometer, achieving 3.7 nK stability at 1 s and ∼ 120 pK at 104 s, which is 10–100 times more stable than the state of the art. With some upgrades to this proof-of-principle device, we can expect it to be used for very high resolution tests of special relativity and in critical point phenomena.
Evaluation of bubble-induced turbulence using direct numerical simulation

Abstract The presented research evaluates the interaction between a single bubble and homogeneous turbulent flow using direct numerical simulation (DNS) approach. The homogeneous single-phase turbulence is numerically generated by passing a uniform flow through grid planes. The turbulence decay rate is compared with experiment-based correlation. The single phase turbulence is then used as an inflow boundary condition for a set of single bubble studies. By estimating the turbulent field around the fully resolved bubble, the effects of bubble deformability, turbulent intensity and relative velocity on the bubble-induced turbulence are investigated. The existence of bubble creates new vortices in the wake region and the enhancement of turbulence is observed in the region behind the bubble. The results show that the magnitude of the turbulence enhancement would increase as the bubble encounters larger liquid turbulent intensity or higher relative velocity. Set of bubble Weber numbers from 0.34 to 3.39 are used to investigate the effect of bubble deformability. The more deformable bubble is the higher the increase in the magnitude of the turbulence enhancement behind the bubble. This research provides systematic insight on the bubble-induced turbulence (BIT) mechanism and is important for multiphase computational fluid dynamics (M-CFD) closure model development.
5.02 – Sex Differences in the Age of Genetics

The field of sexual differentiation of the brain has its roots primarily in reproductive biology, which sought to explain the factors that guided the adaptively different male and female development of tissues controlling reproduction. That tradition led to the realization that many sex differences, in the brain and body of birds and mammals, are caused by the direct effects of gonadal secretions on those tissues. With the development of increasingly sophisticated molecular and genetic tools in the last 20 years, it has been possible to analyze the genes that are regulated by gonadal hormones in somatic tissues and to start to reconstruct molecular pathways that lead to sex differences in somatic tissue phenotype. However, a second line of research, with its roots primarily in genetics of the sex chromosomes, pointed to a new conclusion that XX and XY somatic cells and animals are not equivalent in their phenotype, because of the inherent imbalance of X and Y chromosomes within cells. Thus, sexual differentiation of tissues is controlled by multiple parallel-acting signals, gonadal hormonal and sex chromosomal, that are expressed inherently at different levels in the two sexes. Numerous behavioral and nonbehavioral phenotypes have now been found to be sexually differentiated in part by sex chromosome factors. Few specific sex chromosome factors that cause sex difference have been identified for specific traits, but they and gonadal hormones interact to control sex differences in a complex manner.
Acute mechanical circulatory support for cardiogenic shock: the “door to support” time

Cardiogenic shock (CS) remains a major cause of in-hospital mortality in the setting of acute myocardial infarction. CS begins as a hemodynamic problem with impaired cardiac output leading to reduced systemic perfusion, increased residual volume within the left and right ventricles, and increased cardiac filling pressures. A critical step towards the development of future algorithms is a clear understanding of the treatment objectives for CS. In this review, we introduce the "door to support" time as an emerging target of therapy to improve outcomes associated with CS, define four key treatment objectives in the management of CS, discuss the importance of early hemodynamic assessment and appropriate selection of acute mechanical circulatory support (AMCS) devices for CS, and introduce a classification scheme that identifies subtypes of CS based on cardiac filling pressures.
CHAPTER 2 – Behavioral Measurement of Conditioned Fear1

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the current status of the concept of fear from a consistent viewpoint. Fear was considered to be a classically conditioned response, defined in terms of the prior appropriate pairing of neutral and noxious stimuli. As fear is unobservable, it may be measured only by its effect on other observable responses. Owing to this state of affairs, it is necessary, in studying fear, to maintain a clear conceptual separation between the fear response and the response used as its index. The chapter discusses four index responses that permit such a distinction. The chapter reviews the conditioning, measurement, and definition of fear. It focuses on aversive learning situations in which the conditioning of fear and its measurement are generally considered to be independent. Specifically, the interest will be in situations in which the noxious unconditioned stimulus is usually assumed to have its effect on the conditioning of fear but not directly on the measured response. The chapter describes four measures of fear and discusses some of the strengths and weaknesses of each measure and a theoretical rationale for the use of each as an index of fear.
The Double Columellar Strut: An Adjunct to Improve the Nasal Tip

Tip reconstruction represents one of the more difficult challenges in rhinoplasty. By using a double layer of cartilage for the columellar strut, one can gain significant advantages. These would be increased projection that is (1) straight, (2) strong, and (3) avoids pinching of the tip. Its utility when combined with the double-dome suture technique (McCollough) is nearly universal. The technique is described.
Deal Breakers or Speed Bumps? Missile Defenses and Russian-American Nuclear Arms Control

Missile defenses have been bones of contention in past arms control negotiations as between the United States and Russia. The likelihood is that ballistic missile defenses (BMD) for protection of t...
Synthesis and styrene copolymerization of novel trisubstituted ethylenes: 1. Alkyl ring-substituted isopropyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates

ABSTRACTNovel trisubstituted ethylenes, alkyl ring-substituted isopropyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates, RPhCH = C(CN)CO2CH(CH3)2 (where R is H, 2-methyl, 3-methyl, 4-methyl, 4-ethyl, 4-propyl, 4-i-propyl, 4-butyl, 4-i-butyl, 4-t-butyl) were prepared and copolymerized with styrene. The ethylenes were synthesized by the piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring-substituted benzaldehydes and isopropyl cyanoacetate, and characterized by CHN analysis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR. All the ethylenes were copolymerized with styrene in solution with radical initiation (ABCN) at 70°C. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from nitrogen analysis and the structures were analyzed by FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR. Decomposition of the copolymers in nitrogen occurred in two steps, first in the 250–500°C range with residue (2-5% wt.), which then decomposed in the 500–800°C range.
G10 Are we using the heeadsss assessment to screen for psychosocial risks when young people are admitted to hosital

Aims To evaluate the use of an adolescent psychosocial screening tool (HEEADSSS assessment) on admission to hospital. To identify barriers to screening and inform service development. Methods A retrospective evaluation of a systematic sample of 10–18 year olds admitted over a six month period. Case notes were reviewed to identify the recording of the components of the HEEADSSS assessment. We included an equivalent number of young people admitted with mental health as well as physical health presentations. We asked the medical team to identify barriers to using the HEEADSSS tool when admitting young people to the acute paediatric ward via an electronic survey. Results We identified 60 young people (mean 13.9 years), 30 admitted with a mental health presentation, and 30 with ‘other’ acute presentations. Overall 25% (15/60) had a fully completed HEEADSSS tool, with 57% (34/60) partially completed, and absent in 18% (11/60). In young people presenting with mental health problems 47% (14/30) had a completed HEEADSSS, occurring in only 3% (1/30 patient) in the ‘other’ category (chi squared 15.02 p Conclusion Our results showed adolescent psychosocial screening is only completed in 1 in 4 young people. The proportion of completed screening was higher in young people presenting with mental health problems compared to those with other presentations. These differences remain when partially completed screens are included. Some parts of the assessment were more frequently completed than others. Barriers to use by admitting clinicians included factors relating both to clinician knowledge and skills, and the hospital environment. These results will assist in clinician training as well as quality improvement for young people admitted to hospital.
Some Physico–Chemical Properties of Lactose: VI. The Solubility of Lactose in Salt Solutions; The Isolation of a Compound of Lactose and Calcium Chloride

Summary Lactose is more soluble in molar solutions of calcium chloride or of calcium nitrate than in pure water. Increase in the concentration of salt brings further increase in the solubility of lactose. This phenomenon is believed to be related to the anomalous rotations of lactose in salt solutions. The increased solubility of lactose in calcium chloride solutions is due to the formation of a molecular compound of alpha lactose and calcium chloride in solution. A study of the solubility of lactose in calcium chloride solutions indicated the existence of only one compound at 25°C. This compound was isolated. It has the composition alpha lactose ·CaCl 2 ·7H 2 O. Hydrated lactose is exceedingly soluble in concentrated solutions of calcium chloride, (or calcium bromide), but these solutions are supersaturated with respect to the compound just mentioned. Such solutions are often exceedingly stable, and may resist all attempts to induce crystallization. Faith in the reliability of polariscopic data as evidence of the formation of lactose compounds in salt solutions has been strengthened by the fact that lactose, in the solutions tested, exhibited an increased solubility, and furthermore, by the fact that one such compound has been isolated. Such data indicate that many salts may combine with lactose. The existence of such molecular compounds is possibly a factor contributing to the stability of such supersaturated solutions of lactose as are found in ice cream and in milk powders.
CA-125 Significance in Cirrhosis and Correlation with Disease Severity and Portal Hypertension: A Retrospective Study

Background and Aims: To evaluate the prevalence and significance of elevated cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) levels in patients with cirrhosis being treated in a tertiary care liver center and its correlation with objective markers of disease severity. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 172 adult patients with cirrhosis (due to any etiology) after obtaining CA-125 serum analysis. Demographics, etiology of cirrhosis, model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, Child's Turcotte-Pugh classification, albumin bilirubin (ALBI) score, degree of ascites, presence of esophageal varices, serum CA-125 level and various other parameters were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and descriptive statistics. Results: Elevated CA-125 levels were noted in 147 patients (85%) of the study population. Higher MELD score was associated with higher CA-125 levels (p = 0.001). Statistically significant correlation was observed between elevated CA-125 levels and degree of ascites (p < 0.001), ALBI score (p < 0.001) and Child's Turcotte-Pugh class (p < 0.001). No correlation was observed with presence or absence of esophageal varices. Near-normal CA-125 levels were noted in patients with cirrhosis but undetectable ascites on ultrasound imaging. No differences were observed in mean values between male and female patients (p = 0.207). Regression analysis confirmed that CA-125 levels had a better correlation with degree of ascites than MELD score or ALBI score. Conclusions: Elevated CA-125 levels were noted in 85% of patients with cirrhosis at our center. Our study establishes that the more advanced the degree of decompensation based on MELD score, Child's Turcotte-Pugh classification and ALBI score, the higher the elevation in CA-125. Absence of ascites was associated with normal CA-125 level, with a direct correlation between high levels and worsening ascites, but there was no statistically significant correlation with esophageal varices, indicating that elevated CA-125 levels could be related to mechanical stretch of the peritoneum rather than portal hypertension itself. Further multi-centered studies are required to confirm and validate these findings.
Modeling Important Phytophenological Events in Eastern North America

Investigators need to know the calendar dates of the initiation and cessation of vegetative activity to schedule their fieldwork and, later, to simulate their field observations by means of synchronized computer models. The specific objective of our work in North Carolina is, first, to determine the length of the natural photosynthetic period in the eastern deciduous forest biome of North America, and then to correlate the observed spatial and temporal variation in its length with environ mental variation. This article reports some results of the descriptive and analytical phases of our project.
The Culture of Information: Ubiquitous Computing and Representations of Reality

Weiser's original discussion of the emerging age of ubiquitous computing was formulated largely in technological terms, as an extrapolation of continuing trends in the design and capabilities of computer hardware, software, and infrastructure. Implicit in this transformation of computational platforms, though, lies a transformation of the ways in which we encounter, engage with, and experience interactive information systems. As computation becomes increasingly embedded in the everyday world, our experience of information systems increasingly draws upon our experience of the real world itself, in all its physical, social, and cultural manifestations. The nature of what, in my ovm work, I term "embodied interaction" is not merely a physical embodiment, but an experiential embodiment that draws as much on the social as the physical in the ways in which we encounter the world and find it meaningftil. The idea at work here is that our experience of the world is richer, more natural, more nuanced and in some ways more effective than our interaction with the disembodied information in conventional computer systems. So, in his classic article, Weiser (1991) makes the telling remark that there is more information available to us in a walk in the woods than there is when we sit in front of a computer, our quintes­ sential information processing system. By this, he wants to draw attention to the com­ plexity and clumsiness of traditional computer interfaces, and the obstacles that they put in the way of the tasks that they are designed to support. However, his analogy raises a separate question, which he does not explore but I wish to here: why should we think of a walk in the woods as an information exercise, and what happens when we do? The use of "information" as a mass noun is a relatively new phenomenon (Day 2001). Information had previously referred to the process or activity of informing or of being informed; to "receive information" was to participate in a process, much as one
Chemical-shift MRI of exogenous lipoid pneumonia

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia results from the aspiration or inhalation of fatty substances, such as mineral oil found in laxatives or nasal medications containing liquid paraffin. We present standard and lipid-sensitive (chemical-shift) MR findings in a patient with histologically confirmed lipoid pneumonia. The loss of signal intensity in an area of airspace disease on opposed-phase imaging was considered specific for the presence of lipid. 14 refs., 3 figs.
Atomic Decomposition-based Sparse Recovery for Space-Time Adaptive Processing

The requirement for a high number of training samples is a key factor that limits the application of space-time adaptive processing (STAP) technique in practice. In this paper, by exploiting the low-rank property of the clutter covariance matrix, we formulate an atomic norm minimization problem for the sparse reconstruction of the clutter-plus-noise covariance matrix. By defining the corresponding atomic norm in the continuous angle-Doppler domain, the proposed technique not only substantially reduces the number of required training samples, but also avoids the intrinsic basis mismatch problem that is encountered in conventional sparse reconstruction methods. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed STAP method and its superiority over existing techniques.
Use of a Hepatitis C Screening Order Set to Improve Screening Rates and Measure Intervention Effectiveness.

Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Rates of HCV infection are greatest in patients born from 1945 to 1965, so the Centers for Disease Control recommends a one-time screening in this cohort. Previous interventions utilizing the electronic medical record (EMR) capabilities at two University of Utah Family Medicine clinics have increased screening rates significantly, but further improvement is possible. Methods A family medicine resident-led continuous quality improvement (CQI) team used the Model for Improvement methods popularized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to create a team-based intervention with the goal of improving HCV screening in a family medicine faculty and resident clinic. An order set was created and a protocol developed that allowed medical assistants or clinic phlebotomists to order the appropriate HCV screening lab if this had not yet been done by the primary care provider. Data were extracted from the EMR that showed changes in total and monthly screening rates as well as the frequency of order set use. Results Monthly screening rates at the Madsen Family Medicine Clinic (Salt Lake City, UT) increased from approximately 40% to greater than 50% in the 5-month intervention period. The order set was used 19 times during this period which accounted for 18.8% of new screens. Conclusions Creating an order set that allows medical assistants to order the HCV screening lab increased HCV screening rates in our clinic. Because order set utilization data can be extracted from the EMR, this intervention provided a process measure that can differentiate the effect of this intervention from the effects of other interventions previously undertaken in the clinic.
Reasoning About Concurrency: Scenarios for Activities

In computing, concurrency refers to the notion that different parts or units of a program or algorithm may be executed out-of-order or in partial order, without affecting the final outcome. Concurrency is historically a difficult topic for students. When confronted with non-deterministic systems, students are challenged to refine their reasoning about sequence, state, and what makes a program "correct". A number of problems in concurrency have been posed in the form of relatable examples, e.g. dining philosophers, an ornamental garden, a single lane bridge. These classical problems provide a "real-world" analogy that can be used to motivate student engagement and exploration. We explore the questions of whether the RESOLVE framework could support the concepts and operations needed to implement these classical problems, what additional features in RESOLVE would be required for specification and implementation and what related student activities might be developed.
Advances in Nucleophilic Allylic Fluorination

Numerous procedures focus on inserting the fluorine atom into the carbon frameworks of synthetically useful target molecules using various nucleophilic fluorinating reagents. Among these approaches...
Sonoporation enables high-throughput loading of trehalose into red blood cells.

Abstract Despite recent advances in biostabilization, clinical blood supplies still experience shortages and storage limitations for red blood cells (RBCs) have not yet been sufficiently addressed. Storing RBCs in a frozen or dried state is an appealing solution to address storage limitations, but many promising cryoprotectants, including the non-reducing sugar trehalose, are impermeant to mammalian cell membranes and cannot be utilized effectively using currently available compound-loading methods. We found that transient pore formation induced by ultrasound and microbubbles (sonoporation) offers an effective means of loading trehalose into RBCs to facilitate long-term storage in a frozen or desiccated state. The protective potential of trehalose loading was demonstrated by freezing processed RBCs at −1 °C/min to −80 °C, then either storing the cells at −80 °C or lyophilizing them. RBCs were either thawed or rehydrated after 42 days of storage and evaluated for membrane integrity and esterase activity to estimate recovery and cell viability. The intracellular concentration of trehalose reached 40 mM after sonoporation and over 95% of treated RBCs were recovered after loading. Loading of trehalose was sufficient to maintain RBC morphology and esterase activity in most cells during freezing (>90% RBC recovery) and to a lower degree after lyophilization and rehydration (>20% recovery). Combining sonoporation with an integrated fluidics device allowed for rapid loading of up to 70 mM trehalose into RBCs. These results demonstrate the potential of sonoporation-mediated trehalose loading to increase recovery of viable RBCs, which could lead to effective methods for long-term stabilization of RBCs.
The PROMIS CAT Demonstrates Responsiveness in Patients After ACL Reconstruction Across Numerous Health Domains.

Background:The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) has emerged as a dynamic, efficient, and validated patient-reported outcome measure in the field of orthopaedics. Ho...
Placement of a PROPEL sinus implant during endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

PROPEL sinus implant (a) before use, (b) condensed together prior to loading, and (c) loaded into the inserter. (d) Final positioning of the implant at the site of the dacryocystorhinostomy ostiumA...
The prelimit generator comparison approach of Stein's method

This paper uses the generator comparison approach of Stein's method to analyze the gap between steady-state distributions of Markov chains and diffusion processes. The "standard" generator comparison approach starts with the Poisson equation for the diffusion, and the main technical difficulty is to establish derivative bounds for the solution to the Poisson equation, known as Stein factor bounds. In this paper we propose starting with the Markov chain Poisson equation; we term this the prelimit approach. Although Stein factor bounds still must be established, they now correspond to the finite differences of the Markov chain Poisson equation solution rather than the derivatives of the solution to the diffusion Poisson equation. In certain cases, finite difference bounds are easier to obtain for example, when the drift of the diffusion is not everywhere differentiable, or in the presence of a reflecting boundary condition. We use the $M/M/1$ model as a simple working example to illustrate our approach. In a companion paper, we apply the prelimit approach to the join-the-shortest-queue model, which is a considerably more involved multidimensional model with a state-space collapse component.
Find your coat: Using correlative light and electron microscopy to study intracellular protein coats.

Abstract Protein coats, important for vesicular trafficking in eukaryotic cells, help shape membranes and package cargo. But their dynamic construction cannot be fully understood until the distinct steps of their assembly in their native intracellular context at molecular resolution can be visualized. For this, correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) is an essential tool. Here, we discuss how emerging CLEM techniques have been used to study the assembly of protein coats inside cells. We review how current and developing CLEM technologies are poised to answer fundamental questions of protein coat architecture at the nanoscale.
Global Oil Market: Main Trends 2018

Russian crude oil gained 33.5% in value from the previous year, selling at an average of $70.9 per barrel in the period between January and November 2018. The increase stemmed from, among other things, a cooperative agreement to limit oil production, known as OPEC+. Global oil prices dropped considerably in recent months. The parties to the agreement decided in December 2018 to cut their oil production early in 2019. The agreement may, however, have a far less pronounced eﬀect because of increase in the U.S. shale oil production. Oil prices in 2019 are projected to be far below the average seen in 2018.
An examination of critical determinants of carbon offsetting attitudes: the role of gender

Utilizing two studies, determinants of travelers’ carbon offsetting attitudes and the role that gender plays in cognitive appraisal and attitude formation are examined by exploring the interactions...
Vector-Maximum Gradient Cone Contraction Techniques

One of the keys to the successful application of vector-maximum methods involves reducing the gradient cone using interval criterion weights. In this paper, the gradient cone is defined to be the convex cone generated by the gradients of the different objectives. Methods are given for reducing the gradient cone to subsets of itself under different circumstances. These circumstances include fixed and/ or interval criterion weights and the effect of linear dependence among the original criterion gradients on results. Illustrative examples are provided and computational implications are discussed.
The Myth of Self-Regulation or the Dangers of Securities Regulation without Administration: The Indian Experience

This article discusses regulation of the securities industry in India. It culminates a year's study which utilized the resources of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Library of Congress and the World Bank [I]. It also involved a sixweek stay in India visiting the four largest stock exchanges and personal interviews with over seventy individuals whose vocations cover almost every aspect of the securities industry [2]. Motion pictures were taken and studied of trading on the floors of the Bombay, Calcutta and Madras exchanges. The intention here is not to write a monograph merely describing regulations affecting certain securities-related topics. An attempt is made to identify, describe, discuss and analyze those regulations which affect securities regulation in the narrower sense; that is, with a view towards enforcement. The enforcement programs (or lack thereof) and their effectiveness are also analyzed and certain recommendations made [3]. The author realizes that developing countries in particular must establish a regulatory framework based at least in part upon economic considerations. The paper will not explore such considerations, and to the extent possible they are generally divorced from the discussion herein.
THE FED AFTER GREENSPAN

not done at the cost of higher output fluctuations. Output volatility has fallen and for the close to twenty years of Greenspan's tenure, the economy has experienced only two relatively mild recessions in 1990-91 and in 2001. It is no wonder that Alan Greenspan was given the title of "maestro" in Bob Woodward's [2000] well-known book. Even though it is hard to imagine the Federal Reserve without Greenspan, we need to contemplate what the Federal Reserve will be like after Greenspan is gone. In this address, I will first describe the hallmarks of the Greenspan Fed and the advantages of this strategy that have produced such favorable economic outcomes. Then I will look at how well the Fed might do after Greenspan and what challenges it might face. This discussion will then lead naturally to suggestions for how the Fed should operate in the future to continue the excellent performance it has achieved under Alan Greenspan.
Application of thick-film technology to solar cell fabrication

Several uses of thick-film technology in solar cell fabrication are discussed. Wrap-around contacts are obtained by first printing and firing a dielectric over the edge and subsequently applying a low-firing temperature conductor. Interconnection of cells into arrays can be achieved by printing and co-firing thick-film pastes, soldering, or with heat-curing conductive epoxies on low-cost substrates. Despite ongoing research, printed (thick) film vitreous protective coatings do not yet offer sufficient optical uniformity and transparency for use on silicon. Ohmic contacts on n- and p-type silicon are considered.
RENAL nephrometry score predicts surgical outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE • To assess the use of the RENAL Nephrometry Score (RNS), which has been proposed as an anatomical classification system for renal masses, aiming to predict surgical outcomes for patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). MATERIALS AND METHODS • In the present study, 159 consecutive patients who underwent LPN were reviewed and RNS was calculated for 141 patients with solitary renal masses who had complete radiographic data. • Renal tumours were categorized by RNS as low (nephrometry sum 4-6), intermediate (sum 7-9) and high (sum 10-12). RESULTS • Of the 141 patients, there were 43 (30%) low, 91 (65%) intermediate and seven (5%) high score lesions. There was no statistically significant difference in the demographics of the three groups. • There was a significant difference in warm ischaemia time (16 vs 23 vs 31 min; P < 0.001), estimated blood loss (163 vs 312 vs 317 mL; P= 0.034) and length of hospital stay (1.2 vs 1.9 vs 2.3 days; P < 0.001) between the low, intermediate and high score groups, respectively. There was no difference in overall operative time (P= 0.862), transfusion rate (P= 0.665), complication rate (P= 0.419), preoperative creatinine clearance (P= 0.888) or postoperative creatinine clearance (P= 0.473) between the groups. • Sixty-one lesions (43%) were anterior and 80 (57%) were posterior. No difference was found among any intra-operative, pathological or postoperative outcomes when comparing anterior vs posterior lesions. CONCLUSIONS • In patients undergoing LPN, a higher RNS was significantly associated with an increased estimated blood loss, warm ischaemia time and length of hospital stay. • The RNS may stratify tumours based on the technical difficulty of performing LPN.
Embolization of the first diagonal branch of the left anterior descending coronary artery as a porcine model of chronic trans-mural myocardial infarction.

Although the incidence of acute death related to coronary artery disease has decreased with the advent of new interventional therapies, myocardial infarction remains one of the leading causes of death in the US. Current animal models developed to replicate this phenomenon have been associated with unacceptably high morbidity and mortality. A new model utilizing the first diagonal branch of the left anterior descending artery (D1-LAD) was developed to provide a clinically relevant lesion, while attempting to minimize the incidence of adverse complications associated with infarct creation. Eight Yucatan miniature pigs underwent percutaneous embolization of the D1-LAD via injection of 90 µm polystyrene micro-spheres. Cardiac structure and function were monitored at baseline, immediately post-operatively, and at 8-weeks post-infarct using transthoracic echocardiography. Post-mortem histopathology and biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate for changes in myocardial structure and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition respectively. Echocardiographic data were evaluated using a repeated measures analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s HSD post hoc test. Biochemical analyses of infarcted to non-infarcted myocardium were compared using analysis of variance. All eight pigs successfully underwent echocardiography prior to catheterization. Overall procedural survival rate was 83% (5/6) with one pig excluded due to failure of infarction and another due to deviation from protocol. Ejection fraction significantly decreased from 69.7 ± 7.8% prior to infarction to 50.6 ± 14.7% immediately post-infarction, and progressed to 48.7 ± 8.9% after 8-weeks (p = 0.011). Left ventricular diameter in systole significantly increased from 22.6 ± 3.8 mm pre-operatively to 30.9 ± 5.0 mm at 8 weeks (p = 0.016). Histopathology showed the presence of disorganized fibrosis on hematoxylin and eosin and Picro Sirius red stains. Collagen I and sulfated glycosaminoglycan content were significantly greater in the infarcted region than in normal myocardium (p = 0.007 and p = 0.018, respectively); however, pyridinoline crosslink content per collagen I content in the infarcted region was significantly less than normal myocardium (p = 0.048). Systolic dysfunction and changes in ECM composition induced via embolization of the D1-LAD closely mimic those found in individuals with chronic myocardial infarction (MI), and represents a location visible without the need for anesthesia. As a result, this method represents a useful model for studying chronic MI.
Level of isometric strength and isometric endurance in repeated contractions.

Abstract Thirty male subjects were given 20 trials of isometric wrist flexion on each arm. Each trial consisted of 5 sec. of maximum exertion followed by a 30 sec. rest period. Subjects were ranked on the basis of the first two trials for each of the limbs and divided into three groups of 10 subjects each representing high, middle, and low levels of strength. Analysis of variance of the fatigue curve trends suggested that: (a) there is no biologically fixed and constant absolute critical intensity level of isometric muscular tension which occludes intramuscular circulation, and (b) different levels of strength possess dissimilar local circulatory efficiency and/or tolerance to fatigue products.
Educational Inequailty in the United States: Methodology and Historical Estimates of Education Gini Coefficients

This paper estimates historical measures of equality in the distribution of education in the United States by age group and sex. Using educational attainment data for the population, the EduGini measure indicates that educational inequality in the U.S. declined significantly between 1950 and 2009. Reductions in educational inequality were more profound during the first three decades of the study than the last three, with the degree of inequality remaining relatively constant since the early 1990s. Educational inequality has historically been higher among males than females, but recently the gap has narrowed substantially. Older age groups have experienced greater declines in educational inequality compared to younger age groups. Research extensions of the data presented in this paper are discussed.
H/sup /spl infin//-optimal boundary control of hyperbolic systems with sampled measurements

This paper studies the finite-horizon H/sup /spl infin//-optimal control problem for linear hyperbolic systems when only time-sampled values of the state are available, with control acting on the boundary. The problem is formulated in a differential game framework by associating a zero-sum differential game with the original disturbance attenuation problem. The minimizing player's minimax strategy in this game corresponds to the optimal controller in the disturbance attenuation problem, which is linear and is characterized in terms of the solution of a particular generalized Riccati evolution equation. The optimum achievable performance is determined by the condition of existence of a solution to another family of generalized Riccati evolution equations. The formulation allows for the control to be time-varying between two consecutive sampling times, and in this respect the paper presents optimum choices for these waveforms as functions of sampled values of the state.
Usefulness of text-conditioning and a new database for text-dependent speaker recognition research.

Text Dependent (TD) Speaker Recognition systems assume that the password to be uttered by the speaker is known to the system. As the password is known, the system can apply a password-specific model capturing the speaker dynamics well. This enables TD systems to perform better than textindependent systems. We present a variation of the TD systems, called text-conditioning, in which the password is uniquely chosen by each user. This delivers a higher level of discrimination since the linguistic and phonetic differences of the passwords themselves are exploited in separating the speakers. As the database for such a study was not publicly available, we built an extensive database for speaker recognition having such text-conditioning property. The database is tested with various speaker recognition trials. The results indicate that for the design of a practical TD speakerrecognition system, “text-conditioning” does offer a significant edge.
Survival following pancreaticoduodenectomy with resection of the superior mesenteric–portal vein confluence for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head

Background The survival of patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with or without en bloc resection of the superior mesenteric–portal vein (SMPV) confluence for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head was compared. Methods To be considered for surgery, patients were required to fulfil the following computed tomography criteria for resectability: (1) absence of extrapancreatic disease, (2) no evidence of tumour extension to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) or coeliac axis, and (3) a patent SMPV confluence. Tumour adherence to the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) or SMPV confluence was assessed at operation and en bloc venous resection was performed when necessary to achieve complete tumour extirpation. Results Seventy-five consecutive patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, 44 without venous resection and 31 with en bloc resection of the SMPV confluence. There were no perioperative deaths in either group; late (more than 6 months) occlusion of the reconstructed SMPV confluence contributed to the death of two patients. Median survival in the 31 patients who required venous resection at the time of pancreaticoduodenectomy was 22 months, and that for the 44 control patients was 20 months (P = 0·25). Conclusion Patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head who require venous resection during pancreaticoduodenectomy for isolated tumour extension to the SMV or SMPV confluence (in the absence of tumour extension to the SMA or coeliac axis) have a duration of survival no different from that of patients who undergo standard pancreaticoduodenectomy. These data suggest that venous involvement is a function of tumour location rather than an indicator of aggressive tumour biology. © 1998 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd
The impact of preoperative erectile dysfunction on survival after radical prostatectomy

Study Type – Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4 PURPOSE Erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share etiology and pathophysiology. The underlying pathology for preoperative ED may adversely affect survival following radical prostatectomy (RP). We examined the association between preoperative ED and survival following RP. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 1983 and 2000, a single surgeon performed RP on 2511 men, with preoperative ED (ED group, n= 231, 9.2%) or without ED (No ED group, n= 2280, 90.8%). We retrospectively analysed their CVD-specific survival (CVDSS), prostate cancer-specific survival (PCSS), non-PCSS (NPCSS) and overall survival (OS) from time of surgery. RESULTS With median follow-up of 13 years after RP, 449 men (18%) died (140 from prostate cancer, 309 from other causes). Kaplan–Meier analyses demonstrated significant differences in CVDSS (P < 0.001), NPCSS (P < 0.001) and OS (P < 0.001), but not in PCSS (P= 0.12), between the ED group vs No ED group. In univariate proportional hazards analyses, preoperative ED was associated with a significant decrease in OS, hazard ratio (HR), 1.71 (95% CI, 1.34–2.23), P < 0.001. However, in multivariable analyses, the association of ED with survival became non-significant (HR, 1.25 (95% CI, 0.97–1.66), P= 0.111) after adjusting for other prognostic factors, such as age, preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, Gleason score, pathologic stage, body mass index and Charlson Comorbidity Index. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative ED is associated with decreased overall survival and survival from causes other than prostate cancer following RP. However, preoperative ED was not an independent predictor of overall survival after adjusting for other predictors of survival. Urologists should carefully assess pretreatment ED status to enhance appropriate treatment recommendation for men with prostate cancer.
Nosocomial infections due to kanamycin-resistant, (R)-factor carrying enteric organisms in an intensive care nursery.

During a 12-month period, an infection rate of 10% with kanamycin-resistant, resistance-factor (R-factor) carrying enteric organisms was observed in 236 infants admitted to an intensive care nursery (ICN), with a mortality of 38%. Maternal and perinatal complications did not predispose to infection. In contrast, a combination of therapeutic procedures (surgery, use of penicillin and kanamycin, catheters, ventilation) was associated with increased risk of infection. About 90% of the infants admitted to the ICN became colonized with the resistant organisms, and intestinal tract and groin showed the highest rate of colonization. The majority of the personnel in the ICN carried the organisms in the intestinal tract and on the hands. Handwashing with hexachlorophene failed to reduce the contamination significantly. While the main source of organisms was the colonized and/or infected infants, transmission probably occurred via the hands of personnel.