cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcomes and cost-effectiveness of carpal tunnel injections using sonographic needle guidance

This randomized controlled study addressed whether sonographic needle guidance affected the outcomes of corticosteroid injection for symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome. Seventy-seven symptomatic carpal tunnels were randomized to injection by either (1) conventional anatomic landmark palpation-guided injection or (2) sonographic image-guided injection, each using a two-step technique where 3 ml of 1 % lidocaine was first injected to hydrodissect and hydrodisplace critical intra-carpal tunnel structures followed by injection with 80 mg of triamcinolone acetonide (2 ml). Baseline pain, procedural pain, pain at outcome (2 weeks and 6 months), responders, therapeutic duration, total cost, and cost per responder were determined. There were no complications in either treatment group. Relative to conventional anatomic landmark palpation-guided methods, sonographic guidance for injection of the carpal tunnel resulted in 77.1 % reduction in injection pain (p < 0.01), a 63.3 % reduction in pain scores at outcome (p < 0.014), 93.5 % increase in the responder rate (p < 0.001), 84.6 % reduction in the non-responder rate (p < 0.001), a 71.0 % increase in therapeutic duration (p < 0.001), and a 59.3 % ($150) reduction in cost/responder/year for a hospital outpatient (p < 0.001). However, despite improved outcomes, cost per patient per year was significantly increased for an outpatient in a physician’s office and was neutral for a hospital outpatient. Sonographic needle guidance significantly improves the performance and clinical outcomes of injection of the carpal tunnel and is cost-effective for a hospital-based practice, but based on current reimbursements, it significantly increases overall costs for medical care delivered in a non-hospital-based physician practice.
Regulatory Mutants of Polyoma Virus Defective in DNA Replication and the Synthesis of Early Proteins

Abstract In polyoma virus the origin of replication, the 5′ ends of early mRNAs, and the initiation codon for early protein synthesis map within an approximately 200 bp region of the genome. We have previously reported the isolation and partial characterization of viable mutants of polyoma virus with deletions in this important regulatory region of the genome. Three of the mutants with large deletions, one of which had significantly altered growth properties, have been further characterized with respect to their nucleotide sequence alterations and their levels of viral DNA replication and of early protein synthesis. The nearly coincident deletions in mutants 17 and 2–19 reduce the capacity of these viruses to replicate, even in the presence of a coinfecting virus; thus they help define one boundary of the origin of DNA replication. The deletion in mutant 75 appears to remove sequences that are essential for efficient expression of early genes, but has little or no effect upon DNA replication. Its defect is complemented in trans by wild-type virus. All three mutants eliminate sequences which are candidates for RNA polymerase and ribosome binding sites near the initiation codon for early proteins.
Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Atrial Fibrillation: Restoration of Sinus Rhythm by the Cox-Maze Procedure Significantly Improves Systolic Function and Functional Status

Background Atrial flutter or fibrillation with rapid, uncontrolled ventricular response may lead to left ventricular dysfunction, and conversion to sinus rhythm with control of heart rate can improve left ventricular ejection fraction. Little is known about the effects of the Cox-maze procedure on this form of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. Methods Four hundred forty-three patients underwent the Cox-maze procedure from 1993 to 2002. Ninety-nine had atrial flutter or fibrillation without associated valvular or congenital heart disease, and 37 (37%) had decreased left ventricular function (ejection fraction Results Atrial flutter or fibrillation was present for 3 months to 19 years (median, 48 months) preoperatively, and 24 patients (65%) exhibited symptoms of heart failure. Preoperative ejection fraction ranged from 0.25 to 0.55 (median, 0.45). At last follow-up (median, 63 months), the Cox-maze procedure eliminated atrial flutter or fibrillation in all but 1 patient, and the greatest improvement was observed in patients with severe preoperative impairment (0.31 to 0.53; p = 0.01, preoperative versus follow-up), and patients with preoperative chronic atrial flutter or fibrillation (0.43 to 0.55; p Conclusions In some patients, atrial flutter or fibrillation may be the cause rather than the consequence of left ventricular dysfunction. Importantly, systolic function and functional status can be significantly improved with the restoration of sinus rhythm by the Cox-maze procedure.
A Mergelyan-Vitushkin approximation theorem for rational modules

Irob) + r1(z) g(z)), where each ri is a rational function with poles off X. In the cast in which g(z) = Z, the closures of 22(X, 2) in various norms were first considered by O’Farrell [4]. Later, several authors (e.g., Carmona, Trent, Verdera, and Wang) explored the subject. A question which arose from these investigations concerned the characterization of R(X, g), the uniform closure of 92(X, g) in C(X). When X has empty interior $ this was settled in [6] (also see [l]) by showing that R(X, g) = C(X) if and only if R(Z) = C(Z), where g is a smooth function and Z is the subset of X on which 8g vanishes. Here 8 = $(8/8x + id/L+) is the usual Cauchy-Riemann operator in the complex plane. The existence of interior points, however, makes the problem more -difficult. Note that a functionfsatisties a(Q,Y/ag) = 0 in an open set U if and only if f = h + gk with h and k holomorphic. Therefore it is natural to ask the following question: For an arbitrary compact set X, is
Automated on-line column-switching HPLC-MS/MS method with peak focusing for measuring parabens, triclosan, and other environmental phenols in human milk

Parabens (esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid) and triclosan are widely used as preservatives and antimicrobial agents, respectively, in personal care products, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. Because of their widespread use and potential risk to human health, assessing human exposure to these compounds in breastfed infants is of interest. We developed a sensitive method, using a unique on-line solid-phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system with peak focusing feature, to measure in human milk the concentrations of five parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, and benzyl parabens), triclosan, and six other environmental phenols: bisphenol A (BPA); ortho-phenylphenol (OPP); 2,4-dichlorophenol; 2,5-dichlorophenol; 2,4,5-trichlorophenol; and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3). The method, validated by use of breast milk pooled samples, shows good reproducibility (inter-day coefficient of variations ranging from 3.5% to 16.3%) and accuracy (spiked recoveries ranging from 84% to 119% at four spiking levels). The detection limits for most of the analytes are below 1 ng mL−1 in 100 μL of milk. We tested the usefulness of the method by measuring the concentrations of these twelve compounds in four human milk samples. We detected methyl paraben, propyl paraben, triclosan, BPA, OPP, and BP-3 in some of the samples tested. The free species of these compounds appear to be the most prevalent in milk. Nevertheless, to demonstrate the utility of these measures for exposure and risk assessment purposes, additional data about sampling and storage of the milk, and on the stability of the analytes in milk, are needed.
Model-Founded Explorations of the Roles of Molecular Layer Inhibition in Regulating Purkinje Cell Responses in Cerebellar Cortex: More Trouble for the Beam Hypothesis

For most of the last 50 years, the functional interpretation for inhibition in cerebellar cortical circuitry has been dominated by the relatively simple notion that excitatory and inhibitory dendritic inputs sum, and if that sum crosses threshold at the soma the Purkinje cell generates an action potential. Thus, inhibition has traditionally been relegated to a role of sculpting, restricting, or blocking excitation. At the level of networks, this relatively simply notion is manifest in mechanisms like ‘surround inhibition’ which is purported to ‘shape’ or ‘tune’ excitatory neuronal responses. In the cerebellum, where all cell types except one (the granule cell) are inhibitory, these assumptions regarding the role of inhibition continue to dominate. Based on our recent series of modeling and experimental studies, we now suspect that inhibition may play a much more complex, subtle and central role in the physiological and functional organization of cerebellar cortex. This paper outlines how model-based studies are changing our thinking about the role of feed-forward molecular layer inhibition in the cerebellar cortex. The results not only have important implications for continuing efforts to understand what the cerebellum computes, but might also reveal important features of the evolution of this large and quintessentially vertebrate brain structure.
Protection of short transmission lines

AS A RESULT of a study made by a working group of the AIEE, three companion articles have been prepared on transmission line protection. The articles are based on a study of a typical transmission system which is shown in Figure 1. A reactance diagram of the system is shown in Figure 2. The study was divided into three parts covering the short lines interconnecting the metropolitan area of the system, the medium-length lines tying to nearby sources or interconnecting with other systems, and the long lines connecting to remote sources or systems.
A Blotto game with Incomplete Information

We consider a Blotto game with Incomplete Information. A pure-strategy symmetric monotonic Bayesian equilibrium is found and its properties are discussed.
How to derive a narrow-scope requirement from wide-scope requirements

I argue that given standard deontic logic, wide-scope rational requirements entail narrow-scope rational requirements. In particular, the widely-embraced Enkratic Principle entails that if a particular combination of attitudes is rationally forbidden, it is also rationally forbidden to believe that that combination of attitudes is required.
What does it take for successful executive information systems

Abstract Executive information systems (EISs) are high-risk systems as evidenced by the large percentage of companies that have reported EIS failures. To minimize this risk and exploit the potential of EISs, it is important to study the keys to successful EIS development and operation. Forty-eight persons representing three groups of EIS stakeholders (EIS executive users, EIS providers, and EIS vendors and consultants), noted 23 factors important to successful EIS development and 46 factors important to successful operational EIS. The findings denote factors that had not previously appeared in the literature, rank order the factors across all three stakeholder groups, and note differences in stakeholder rankings. The findings integrate and extend the EIS literature by contributing two stable sets of factors that are suitable for further research.
Track recognition code for a magnetic multiparticle spectrometer

Abstract We describe and evaluate a computer code, PITRACK, which associates sparks into tracks from digitizing produced by a system of nine cylindrical wire spark chambers operating in a 10 kG magnetic field. An interactive graphics cod., VUE, used to develop and evaluate the recognition algorithm is also described. These codes were developed for use with the Vertex Spectrometer of the Multiparticle Argo Spectrometer System.
Promoting Employment Opportunities for Older Adults: Opportunities and Chanllenges for Human Factor Engineering

Current demographic trends underscore the need to focus increased attention on the topic of aging and work. By the year 2030, the number of people aged 65+ years will represent 18% of the population, at the same time that the population of the overall workforce is aging. It is estimated that the annual growth rate of workers over the age of 55 will increase by approximately 4% by 2006. Further, given that people are living longer many older adults are choosing to work longer or rejoin the labor force in pursuit of second career. Thus, this is a need to develop strategies to successfully integrate older people into employment settings. The development of these types of strategies is a natural application area for Human Factors Engineering. This paper will discuss the implications of the aging process for work activities. Potential areas of needed research within the areas of Human Factors will be outlined.
Signaling scaffolds in immune cells.

Abstract Of the past several years progress in understanding TCR signal transduction has led to the discovery of new kinases, adapter molecules and multiple signaling pathways. The study of molecules such as LAT, SLP-76, FYB, SKAP-55 and VAV have revealed multiple mechanisms with which to control the activation of downstream signaling pathways through RAS, PLC γ -1 and ERK/MAPK. Signaling through SLP-76 can play a role in TCR-induced cytoskeleton changes through activation of effector molecules in the RAC/RHO-family of GTPases. In addition, SLP-76 through its association with FYB/FYN-T appears to play a role in IL-2 gene transcription following TCR activation. Finally, these newly identified adaptor molecules, such as LAT, may be crucial in T-cell activation by enhancing the recruitment of critical kinases to glycolipid-enriched microdomains of the activated T-cell receptor complex.
Recent Advances in the design and implementation of Large Integer Factorization Algorithms

The latest and possibly fastest of the general factoring methods for large composite numbers is the quadratic sieve of Carl Pomerance. A variation of the algorithm is described and an implementation is suggested which combines the forces of a fast pipeline computer such as the Cray I, and a high speed highly parallel array processor such as the Goodyear MPP. A running time analysis, which is based on empirical data rather than asymptotic estimates, suggests that this method could be capable of factoring a 60 digit number in as little as 10 minutes and a 100 digit number is as little as 60 days of continuous computer time.
Radiation reaction and the nonrelativistic theory of the electron

Abstract Radiation reaction must be included in the nonrelativistic Heisenberg equation of motion of the point electron in order to preserve the position-momentum commutation rule.
Does Hiring a New CFO Change Things? An Investigation of Changes in Discretionary Accruals

The recent spate of fraudulent financial reporting in the U.S. has drawn attention to the fact that the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has a substantial amount of control over a firm's reported financial results. This paper examines the changes in discretionary accruals surrounding the appointment of a new CFO. Using a sample of 712 companies that appointed a new CFO in the period 1994 to 2000, we find that discretionary accruals decreased significantly following the appointment of a new CFO. Our tests indicate that this reduction is significantly greater for our group of CFO‐hiring firms than for a control group of non‐hiring firms, and that the changes are not driven by a concurrent appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). We also find that our results are largely driven by firms that hire a new CFO from outside the company. Our study extends earlier research by providing empirical evidence that individuals in CFO positions wield significant influence over the firm's reported financial results...
Empirical evidence of error in pricing of favorites and longshots in greyhound racing

Sports bettors' success depends on the ability to accurately assess the true probability of outcomes. Successful racetrack bettors can realize returns better than the track take out. Historical empirical evidence shows the presence of favorite-longshot bias (FLB) in horse racing where bettors underbet favorites. Conversely, bettors overbet longshots. We tested for FLB bias in racing data from three greyhound racetracks. Our results show opposite behavior. We show bettors apparently underestimated for longshots, and overestimated for favorites, the true probability of winning. In 10 out of 14 grades bettors significantly overbet favorites, and underbet longshots in 8 out of 14.
The mechanics of unrest at Long Valley caldera, California. 2. Constraining the nature of the source using geodetic and micro-gravity data

Abstract We model the source of inflation of Long Valley caldera by combining geodetic and micro-gravity data. Uplift from GPS and leveling, two-color EDM measurements, and residual gravity change determinations are used to estimate the intrusion geometry, assuming a vertical prolate ellipsoidal source. The U.S. Geological Survey occupied the Long Valley gravity network six times from 1980 to 1985. We reoccupied this network twice, in the summer of 1998 (33 stations), and the summer of 1999 (37 stations). Before gravity data can be used to estimate the density of the intrusion, they must be corrected for the effect of vertical deformation (the free-air effect) and changes in the water table. We use geostatistical techniques to interpolate uplift and water table changes at the gravity stations. The inflation source (a vertical prolate ellipsoid) is located 5.9 km beneath the resurgent dome with an aspect ratio equal to 0.475, a volume change from 1982 to 1999 of 0.136 km 3 and a density of around 1700 kg/m 3 . A bootstrap method was employed to estimate 95% confidence bounds for the parameters of the inflation model. We obtained a range of 0.105–0.187 km 3 for the volume change, and 1180–2330 kg/m 3 for the density. Our results do not support hydrothermal fluid intrusion as the primary cause of unrest, and confirm the intrusion of silicic magma beneath Long Valley caldera. Failure to account for the ellipsoidal nature of the source biases the estimated source depth by 2.9 km (a 33% increase), the volume change by 0.019 km 3 (a 14% increase) and the density by about 1200 kg/m 3 (a 40% increase).
Characterizing lightning emissions that cause gamma ray flashes

[1] Terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs) are bursts of high-energy radiation released in Earth's atmosphere during thunderstorms and are believed to be associated with lightning. Progress has been made in their study, but much remains to be learned about the properties of these events and related lightning activity. To characterize the lightning processes that produce TGFs, Lu et al. analyzed 56 TGFs detected by the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) satellite from 2004 to 2009. They looked at the timing and characteristics of the very low frequency (VLF) and ultralow-frequency (ULF) emissions that occur in conjunction with TGFs. The researchers determined that the large majority of TGF-associated lightning signals contain at least one VLF impulse superimposed on a slow ULF pulse, indicative of significant upward negative charge transfer within 2–6 milliseconds; gamma rays are emitted in the course of this slow process, suggesting that this process plays a key role in gamma ray production, the authors report. (Journal of Geophysical Research-Space Physics, doi:10.1029/2010JA016141, 2011)
Ethylene production of ethyl propylphosphonate, Niagara 10637.

The response of pea seedlings (Pisum sativum var. Alaska) to ethyl propylphosphonate is similar to the effects of low levels of ethylene. Since ethyl propylphosphonate generates ethylene when exposed to oxygen in combination with a reduced metal ion, it seems probable that its plant growth-retardant properties are due to ethylene.
The Use of Relational Maintenance Behaviors and Relational Characteristics Among Sibling Types

The purpose of this investigation is to apply Gold's (1989) typology of sibling relationships to the study of adult-sibling use of relational maintenance behaviors and perceptions of relational characteristics. Participants were 196 adults who targeted a sibling whose birthday was closest to their own and completed a series of instruments in reference to the targeted sibling. It was found that whether individuals classified their sibling relationships as intimate, congenial, loyal, or apathetic/hostile was reflected in their self-reported use of relational maintenance behaviors, their perceptions of their targeted siblings' use of relational maintenance behaviors with them, and their perceptions of the relational characteristics associated with the sibling relationship.
A new risk stratification algorithm for the management of patients with adrenal incidentalomas

Background Although adrenal incidentalomas (AI) are detected in ≤5% of patients undergoing chest and abdominal computed tomography (CT), their management is challenging. The current guidelines include recommendations from the National Institutes of Health, the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES), and the American Association for Cancer Education (AACE). The aim of this study was to develop a new risk stratification model and compare its performance against the existing guidelines for managing AI. Methods A risk stratification model was designed by assigning points for adrenal size (1, 2, or 3 points for tumors 6 cm, respectively) and Hounsfield unit (HU) density on noncontrast CT (1, 2, or 3 points for HU 20, respectively). This model was applied retrospectively to 157 patients with AI managed in an endocrine surgery clinic to assign a score to each tumor. The utility of this model versus the AAES/AACE guidelines was assessed. Results Of the 157 patients, 54 (34%), had tumors 4 cm and/or had indeterminate features on noncontrast CT (HU >10, irregular borders, heterogeneity), and adrenalectomy was performed after hormonal evaluation was completed (10 were hormonally active on biochemical testing). Seven of these patients (7%) had adrenocortical cancer on final pathology with tumor size 6 cm in 5 patients. Of the hormonally inactive patients, 32% had a score of 3, 38% 4, and 30% 5 or 6. The incidence of adrenocortical cancer in these subgroups was 0, 0, and 25%, respectively. Conclusion This study shows that an algorithm that utilizes the hormonal activity at the first decision step followed by a consolidated risk stratification, based on tumor size and HU density, has a potential to spare a substantial number of patients from unnecessary “diagnostic” surgery for AI.
Analysis of Student Performance on Multiple-Choice Questions in General Chemistry

The percentage of students choosing the correct answer (PSCA) on 17 multiple-choice algorithmic questions taken from general chemistry exams is analyzed. PSCAs for these questions varied from 47 to 93%, and a decrease of 4.5% in PSCA was observed with each additional step in the algorithm required for solving the problem (R2 = 0.80). Variants of a subset of these questions were also examined and reveal the effect of making changes to a particular algorithmic question on the ability of students to choose the correct answer.
2. Comparison of the disinfection by-product formation potentials between a wastewater effluent and surface waters

In this study, the chemical reactivity with chlorine as measured by disinfection by-product formation potential (DBPFP) is compared among samples of a wastewater effluent and surface waters. Water samples that had higher anthropogenic impacts were found to have higher overall DBPFP due primarily to higher dissolve organic carbon (DOC) concentrations. Effluent-derived organic matter (EfOM), however, was found to be less reactive with chlorine on a per DOC concentration basis. Yet, EfOM had higher proportions of brominated DBP, which may be associated with greater health risks. In this research, pyrolysis-GC/MS was used to establish relationship between structural features of DOC and DBPFP. We show that there is a critical set of pyrolysis fragments that separates the waters based on the degree of anthropogenic influence. Even though no single chemical marker was found to be indicative of the formation potentials of different classes of DBP, combinations of chemical fragments were found to be associated with the formation potentials of total trihalomethane (THM), brominated THM, total haloacetic acid (HAA), and brominated HAA for this set of samples. In contrast to previous work, the phenolic signature of these samples was negatively correlated to DBPFP, whereas strong relationships were found between DBPFP and the organic nitrogen and halogenated signatures.
Theoretical Collision Efficiencies for Small Cloud Droplets in Stokes Flow

WHEN a cloud forms in the atmosphere, water vapour condenses on aerosol particles to form a relatively homogeneous distribution of small droplets, typically a few microns in radius. A principal problem in cloud physics is to understand the growth of droplets from this initial stage into drizzle drops with radii of several hundred microns. Under many conditions the most important growth process is that of collision and coalescence; in warm clouds all droplet growth subsequent to condensation proceeds in this way. It is therefore reasonable to emphasize the coalescence growth mechanism in numerical cloud models1–3.
Cultural Differences in Perceptions of Allocators of Resources

It was hypothesized that people draw different dispositional inferences about decision makers who allocate resources according to equity, equality, or need and that this difference varies depending on culture and whether the allocation is positive or negative. Results from college students in the United States and Germany revealed the following. First, reactions to allocators form two clusters: intelligent/strong/logical and warm/nice. Second, when giving a positive resource, American allocators are in a real dilemma: If they give on the basis of merit, they are rated high on the first cluster but low on the second; if they favor the needy, reactions reverse. No such dilemma exists for German allocators or in negative allocation situations where everyone approves of a need allocation. Third, Americans evaluate equality allocators quite highly, especially in the negative allocation condition. Fourth, allocators who have bonuses to distribute are evaluated more positively-another example of the fundamental ...
Neurocognitive Functions and Everyday Functions Change Together in Old Age

Objective: Although neurocognitive functions are known to decline normatively with adult age, there is a common belief that everyday functions (e.g., paying bills, following medication instructions, making change, looking up telephone numbers in a phone book) are unaffected by these changes. Method: This hypothesis was examined by applying longitudinal growth models to data from a community-based sample of 698 adults (ages 65 to 94 years and living independently at baseline) who were repeatedly measured over five years on neurocognitive tests of executive reasoning, episodic memory, and perceptual speed, and on a number of tasks that adults should be reasonably expected to be able to perform in their day-to-day lives. Results: Individual differences in changes in neurocognitive performance were strongly correlated with individual differences in changes in performance on the everyday tasks. Alternatively, changes in self-reports of everyday functions were only weakly correlated with changes in performance on the neurocognitive tests and the everyday tasks. Conclusions: These results together suggest that normative neurocognitive aging has substantial consequences for the daily lives of older adults and that both researchers and clinicians should be cautious when interpreting self-reports of everyday functioning.
Development of a parathyroid hormone-controlled release system as a potential surgical treatment for hypoparathyroidism.

Abstract Background/Purpose The aim of this study was to develop a surgically implantable controlled release delivery system for parathyroid hormone (PTH) that will maintain calcium homeostasis without the adverse side effects of long-term calcium and vitamin D replacement and can be used for the treatment of hypoparathyroidism. Methods Biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres loaded with PTH were made using a modification of the double emulsion (water/oil/water) solvent evaporation technique. To simulate the release of PTH from microspheres after implantation in an animal, the in vitro release profile for the PTH microspheres was determined by incubating the PTH microspheres in phosphate-buffered saline, serially sampling the effluent, and determining the concentration of PTH in the effluent over time using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results (1) PTH was successfully incorporated into PLGA microspheres. (2) Controlled release of PTH was demonstrated in vitro over a 3-week period. (3) Release of physiological significant concentrations of PTH was achieved using this methodology. Conclusions Controlled release of physiological concentrations of PTH can be achieved using PLGA microsphere encapsulation.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TRADITIONAL MUSIC AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION AND PRO-SOCIAL BEHAVIORS*

In order to investigate the relationship between music audience participation and pro-social behaviors, this study analyzed data from 6239 households who took part in the 2008 U.S. Department of Commerce Current Population Survey: Participation in the Arts Supplement. The data were analyzed using logistic regression, in which three specific pro-social behaviors (i.e., voting in the most recent presidential election, making charitable donations or volunteering time, and attending community meetings) were regressed on participation in music (i.e., attending classical, jazz, or opera music concerts). After controlling for the effects of age, race, sex, income, education, marital status, and occupation class, it was found that the likelihood of pro-social behaviors was greater with increases in music concert attendance.
Lessons from writing sessions: a school-based randomized trial with adolescent orphans in Rwanda

Background : Treatments for adolescents affected by long-term loss in low- and middle-income countries are lacking. As school-based interventions are cost-efficient and easy to disseminate, an evaluation of this treatment setting for adolescents is worthwhile. Objective : Examining the effect of a school-based unstructured emotional writing intervention (sensu Pennebaker, group 1) about the loss of a parent to reduce adaptation problems to loss, compared to writing about a hobby (group 2), and non-writing (group 3). Method : We randomly assigned 14–18-year-old Rwandan orphans to one of the three conditions ( n =23 per condition). Before and after the intervention, subjects completed the Prolonged Grief Questionnaire for Adolescents and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents, Part A, on depression as self-report measures of long-term effects of early parental loss. Results : Repeated measures analyses of variance showed no differential effect for any of the three conditions but revealed a significant effect of time at posttest regarding grief severity. Reduction of grief symptoms was significantly higher in subjects with elevated grief. Depressive symptoms showed no significant change from pre- to posttest in the emotional writing condition, whereas they significantly decreased in the control condition. Conclusions : Results imply that unstructured, brief emotional writing might not be indicated in adolescents affected by early parental loss who show severe and long-term distress; a more structured approach seems recommendable. Keywords: Bereavement; prolonged grief; adolescents; orphans; school-based; disclosure; writing Responsible Editor: Chris Brewin, University College London, United Kingdom. For the abstract or full text in other languages, please see Supplementary files in the column to the right (under Article Tools) (Published: 22 December 2014) Citation: European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2014, 5 : 24917 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ejpt.v5.24917
Measurements of the octupole-induced amplitude-dependent frequency shift in SPEAR

Four octupoles are used in SPEAR to provide the frequency spread for Landau damping of coupled-bunch motions at high current. With the planned implementation of a new low-emittance lattice, the effectiveness of the octupoles needs to be quantified. The recent development of a multi-dimensional turn-by-turn phase-space monitor and the availability of an accurate frequency analysis technique have made measurement of the octupole-induced amplitude-dependent frequency shift in the new SPEAR lattice possible. This paper presents the data collection and analysis procedures, and compares experimental results to model-based simulations.
Ectodomain shedding of TGF-α and other transmembrane proteins is induced by receptor tyrosine kinase activation and MAP kinase signaling cascades

A variety of transmembrane proteins, such as transforming growth factor‐α (TGF‐α), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and L‐selectin, undergo shedding, i.e. cleavage of the ectodomain, resulting in release of a soluble protein. Although the physiological relevance of ectodomain shedding is well recognized, little is known about the signaling mechanisms activating this process. We show that growth factor activation of cell surface tyrosine kinase receptors induces ectodomain cleavage of transmembrane TGF‐α through activation of the Erk MAP kinase signaling cascade without the need for new protein synthesis. In addition, expression of constitutively activated MEK1 or its downstream target Erk2 MAP kinase was sufficient to stimulate TGF‐α shedding. The basal cleavage level in the absence of exogenous growth factor stimulation was due to p38 MAP kinase signaling. Accordingly, a constitutively activated MKK6, a p38 activator, activated TGF‐α shedding in the absence of exogenous stimuli. In addition to TGF‐α shedding, these mechanisms also mediate L‐selectin and TNF‐α cleavage. Thus, L‐selectin shedding by neutrophils, induced by N ‐formylmethionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine, was strongly inhibited by inhibitors of Erk MAP kinase or p38 MAP kinase signaling. Our results indicate that activation of Erk and p38 signaling pathways may represent a general physiological mechanism to induce shedding of a variety of transmembrane proteins.
Religion and Ethnicity Among New Immigrants: The Impact of Majority/Minority Status in Home and Host Countries

Research shows that religion continues to be an important identity marker for new immigrants in the United States. However, immigrant groups differ in the ways they integrate religious and ethnic identities and the emphasis they place on each. In this paper, we argue that majority or minority status of their religious affiliation in the home and host countries is an important, but overlooked, factor in understanding strategies concerning religious and ethnic identities. By comparing two Chinese congregations, a Chinese Buddhist temple and a Chinese Christian church in Houston, Texas, we analyze what happens when an immigrant group moves from majority status in the home country to minority status in the United States (Chinese Buddhists) and when a minority group (Chinese Christians in China) become part of the Christian majority in the United States. We conclude by arguing the importance of going beyond U.S. borders and taking into account factors in their home countries in attempts to understand patterns of adaptation of the new immigrants.
Grounding grid resistance of small and large substations

Data presented herein make possible the evaluation of grounding resistances of switch yards of all practical sizes. Included is the consideration of the influence of all significant design parameters, such as conductor size and depth of the grid below the earth's surface.
The Effects of Folic Acid Supplementation on Plasma Total Homocysteine Are Modulated by Multivitamin Use and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Genotypes

Abstract Elevated concentration of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is a common risk factor for arterial occlusive diseases. Folic acid (FA) supplementation usually lowers tHcy levels, but initial ...
Channel identifiability under orthogonal space-time coded modulations without training

Space-time block coded (STBC) transmission has been established as an efficient tool to enhance communication performance over wireless fading channels. The success of STBC decoding relies on accurate channel knowledge at receivers. In this work, we present a channel estimation approach that does not require training data to estimate unknown channels. Focusing on STBC from orthogonal designs, we present channel identification conditions that are largely verifiable in terms of the code and the antenna array configuration. We also develop a simple subspace-based algorithm to identify the unknown space-time channel matrix for complex transmission. Finally, we present simulation test results to illustrate the performance of the proposed method.
Minimax Rank Estimation for Subspace Tracking

Rank estimation is a classical model order selection problem that arises in a variety of important statistical signal and array processing systems, yet is addressed relatively infrequently in the extant literature. Here we present sample covariance asymptotics stemming from random matrix theory, and bring them to bear on the problem of optimal rank estimation in the context of the standard array observation model with additive white Gaussian noise. The most significant of these results demonstrates the existence of a phase transition threshold, below which eigenvalues and associated eigenvectors of the sample covariance fail to provide any information on population eigenvalues. We then develop a decision-theoretic rank estimation framework that leads to a simple ordered selection rule based on thresholding; in contrast to competing approaches, however, it admits asymptotic minimax optimality and is free of tuning parameters. We analyze the asymptotic performance of our rank selection procedure and conclude with a brief simulation study demonstrating its practical efficacy in the context of subspace tracking.
Appropriate standards for "appropriateness" research.

Abstract [Lowe RA, Abbuhl SB. Appropriate standards for "appropriateness" research. Ann Emerg Med. June 2001;37:629-632.]
Chemical-shift ranges in proteins

The results of ab initio derivative Hartree-Fock calculations of the dipole and quadrupole shielding polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities of a number of small molecules are reported, together with estimates of the electric fields and field gradients present in proteins. It is argued that weak electrical interactions, mediated via these shielding polarizabilities, make major contributions to the chemical-shift nonequivalencies observed in proteins due to folding into their native conformations. The electric-field-induced shifts may be very large (≈5 ppm for 13C, ≈10 ppm for 17O and 17F), due to the low dielectric constants found in proteins, and in some cases they may dominate the experimentally observed spectral shifts.
Review of Anchorage Systems for Externally Bonded FRP Laminates

The most recent report by ACI Committee 440 on externally bonded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) strengthening systems states that systems designed to mechanically anchor FRP should be studied in detail and substantiated by physical testing. To select and design an appropriate anchorage system for use in an FRP strengthening system, it is important that findings from previous research studies be known. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review of the performance of different mechanical anchorage systems used in FRP strengthening applications. Each anchorage system is discussed in terms of its purpose and performance. Advantages and disadvantages of each system are discussed, and areas in need of future research are explored.
Hemin-Dependent Modulation of the Lipid A Structure of Porphyromonas gingivalis Lipopolysaccharide

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a periopathogen strongly associated with the development of adult-type periodontitis. Both the virulence characteristics of periopathogens and host-related factors are believed to contribute to periodontitis. P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) displays a significant amount of lipid A structural heterogeneity, containing both penta- and tetra-acylated lipid A structures. However, little is known concerning how the lipid A structural content of P. gingivalis is regulated. Alterations in the lipid A content may facilitate the ability of P. gingivalis to modulate the innate host response to this bacterium. In this report, it is shown that the concentration of hemin in the growth medium significantly modulates the lipopolysaccharide lipid A structural content of P. gingivalis. Hemin is a key microenvironmental component of gingival cervicular fluid which is believed to vary depending upon the state of vascular ulceration. At low hemin concentrations, one major penta-acylated lipid A structure was found, whereas at high concentrations of hemin, multiple tetra- and penta-acylated lipid A structures were observed. Hemin concentrations, not iron acquisition, were responsible for the alterations in the lipid A structural content. The modifications of the lipid A structural content were independent of the LPS extraction procedure and occurred in a variety of laboratory strains as well as a freshly obtained clinical isolate. The known hemin binding proteins Kgp and HmuR contributed to the lipid A modulation sensing mechanism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that hemin, a clinically relevant microenvironmental component for P. gingivalis, can modulate the lipid A structure found in a bacterium. Since tetra- and penta-acylated P. gingivalis lipid A structures have opposing effects on Toll-like receptor 4 activation, the alteration of the lipid A structural content may have significant effects on the host response to this bacterium.
IA/DA waves and polar mesospheric summer echoes

Abstract Excitation of ion-acoustic (IA) and dust-acoustic (DA) waves in the Earth's mesosphere, at altitudes of ∼ 85 km , is considered as a possible cause of polar mesospheric summer echoes (PMSE). Although electric fields of a few tens of mV/m appear to be capable of producing IA waves, these fields are too small for exciting DA waves. Since some of the observed features of PMSE conform to the expected properties of DA waves, alternative mechanisms for DA wave excitation should be considered, such as excitation by velocity shear.
Goldsmith-Banking: Mutual Acceptance and Interbanker Clearing in Restoration London*

During the second half of the 17th century, London’s goldsmith-bankers formed a system of banking through mutual debt acceptance and interbanker clearing. Widespread acceptance of bank notes, orders, and bills created positive externalities for member bankers and promoted the use of bank supplied media of exchange during the Financial Revolution in England. Mutual acceptance by goldsmith-bankers arose endogenously as a dominant strategy Nash equilibrium. The bilateral clearing of these acceptances produced incentive compatible co-monitoring between goldsmith-bankers. The responsiveness of co-monitoring is supported by statistical analysis of the accounts of the Restoration era goldsmith Edward Backwell. Systemic cohesion was further reinforced by the screening of new members through apprenticeship. r 1997 Academic Press
Relations of Site Effects to Statistical Gain Characteristics of Radar Antennas

In this paper, the results of a study of site effects on the clear-site Fraunhofer zone statistical gain characteristics of several radar antennas are presented. The study was based on two types of site-effects tests. The first type of test was concerned with the illumination of objects in the immediate vicinity of the antenna under test to show that site effects may depend on the clear-site statistics of the receiving antennas under test, on the geometrical configuration of the objects, and on the position of the objects relative to the transmitting and receiving antennas. The second type of test was concerned with the illumination of objects in the distant surroundings of the antennas under test to determine how the frequency, beamwidth, and clear-site median gain of the antennas are related to site effects.
Self-consistent simulation of cyclotron autoresonance maser amplifiers

A self-consistent, one-dimensional model of the cyclotron autoresonance maser (CARM) amplifier is developed, and numerical simulations based on this model are described. Detailed study results of the CARM gain and efficiency for a wide range of initial energy and velocity spreads are presented. The interaction efficiency is found to be substantially increased when the axial magnetic field is tapered. Efficiencies of greater than 41% are obtained for a 140-GHz CARM amplifier with a tapered axial magnetic field and a 700-kV 4.5-A electron beam with parallel velocity spreads of less than 1%. A discussion of the nonlinear bandwidth and interaction sensitivity to axial-field inhomogeneities is presented. >
Thermal management of military fighter aircraft electro-optics pod: an invited paper

The thermal management of electro-optics equipment mounted in a pod residing under the fuselage of a fighter aircraft represents a formidable challenge. As an add-on to the aircraft, no air- or liquid-coolant can be provided to the pod, and there is a limit to the electrical power that can be provided for cooling purposes. The operating envelope of this electronics pod is from sea level to 13.7 km (45 kft) altitude at Mach numbers from 0.3 to 0.9. The maximum allowable cooling air temperature for equipment in the forward avionics bay was 55/spl deg/C at sea level and 26/spl deg/C at 13.7 km (45 kft). The inlet air temperatures for the electro-optics sensor bay ranged from 4/spl deg/C to 32/spl deg/C with the maximum allowable inlet air temperature set at 40/spl deg/C. The sensor temperature was required to be controlled within +/- 0.14/spl deg/C. The liquid coolant used in the system was the dielectric oil, polyalphaolefin (PAO), and the maximum allowable liquid temperature was 70/spl deg/C. The maximum aerodynamic heating load for the pod was in excess of 2000 W for high speed flight at sea level and the total heat load for the pod, including the aerodynamic heating loads, ranged from 4000 W to 5400 W, depending on the operating mode of the electro-optics equipment. The thermal management solution described in this paper is a complex one which includes the design of a ram air inlet, an environmental control system (ECS) including an expansion turbine with a compressor on a common shaft, three liquid-to-air heat exchangers, two air-to-air heat exchangers, two liquid pumps with accumulators, two fans, one air-cooling loop, two liquid-cooling loops, five air-cooled electronic chassis, and six liquid-cooled electronic chassis.
Independent tuning of linear and nonlinear stiffness coefficients [actuators]

Using a combination of electrostatic actuators, we present a method to independently tune the linear and nonlinear stiffness coefficients of a uniaxial micromechanical device. To demonstrate the method's capability, we investigated the tuning of an oscillator with linear and cubic restoring forces. We successfully tuned the cubic stiffness from 0.31/spl times/10/sup 11/ to -5.1/spl times/10/sup 11/ N/m/sup 3/ without affecting the resonant frequency or the linear stiffness. Numerical results are presented which characterize the actuators and indicate important design parameters. Finally, issues such as actuator design, quadratic stiffness, and stability are discussed.