cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recent Results from the University of California Weak Matrix Element Calculation

For several years now we have been making a major effort to calculate hadronic matrix elements of weak operators by lattice Monte Carlo methods. Some of the basic techniques were described at the Argonne, Tallahassee, and Wuppertal Conferences;1–3 results of a “first generation” calculation were published last year.4 Since that time we have accumulated considerably more data: we have greatly increased the number of configurations on our original small lattice (63 × 17 at β = 5.7) and have gone on to examine two larger lattice sizes: 103 × 20 at β = 5.7 to look at finite size effects and 123 × 33 at β = 6.1 to look at scaling. Here, we present the new results from the small lattice and the preliminary results from the larger lattices (where we are_continuing to accumulate statistics). We treat primarily the KO-KO mixing and K → π ΔI = 3/2 amplitudes, where the theoretical situation is more or less clear; however, our current approach to the problems of calculating the K → π ΔI = 1/2 amplitude is also briefly described, and is used to obtain some very preliminary numerical results.
Contributions of Parent Training to Child Welfare

Core parent training techniques are useful for developing new skills for parents who abuse or neglect their children. In our view parent training has had five primary functions: (1) to improve the quality of parent-child interaction, (2) to prevent further abuse and neglect by the parents, (3) increase community and family linkage, (4) allow parents to resume the care of their children, and (5) reduce the number of children who renter the system. Families who are considered high-risk frequently fit these criteria and techniques may be borrowed from the general parenting literature; its relevance to this population will always be considered.
Ensemble Learning Approaches in Speech Recognition

An overview is made on the ensemble learning efforts that have emerged in automatic speech recognition in recent years. The approaches that are based on different machine learning techniques and target various levels and components of speech recognition are described, and their effectiveness is discussed in terms of the direct performance measure of word error rate and the indirect measures of classification margin, diversity, as well as bias and variance. In addition, methods on reducing storage and computation costs of ensemble models for practical deployments of speech recognition systems are discussed. Ensemble learning for speech recognition has been largely fruitful, and it is expected to continue progress along with the advances in machine learning, speech and language modeling, as well as computing technology.
Ultra-High Field Diffusion MRI Reveals Early Axonal Pathology in Spinal Cord of ALS mice

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease characterized by a progressive degeneration of motor neurons leading to paralysis. Our previous MRI diffusion tensor imaging studies detected early white matter changes in the spinal cords of mice carrying the G93A-SOD1 mutation. Here, we extend those studies using ultra-high field MRI (17.6 T) and fluorescent microscopy to investigate the appearance of early structural and connectivity changes in the spinal cords of ALS mice. The spinal cords from presymptomatic and symptomatic mice (80 to 120 days of age) were scanned (ex-vivo) using diffusion-weighted MRI. The fractional anisotropy (FA), axial (AD) and radial (RD) diffusivities were calculated for axial slices from the thoracic, cervical and lumbar regions of the spinal cords. The diffusion parameters were compared with fluorescence microscopy and membrane cellular markers from the same tissue regions. At early stages of the disease (day 80) in the lumbar region, we found, a 19% decrease in FA, a 9% decrease in AD and a 35% increase in RD. Similar changes were observed in cervical and thoracic spinal cord regions. Differences between control and ALS mice groups at the symptomatic stages (day 120) were larger. Quantitative fluorescence microscopy at 80 days, demonstrated a 22% reduction in axonal area and a 22% increase in axonal density. Tractography and quantitative connectome analyses measured by edge weights showed a 52% decrease in the lumbar regions of the spinal cords of this ALS mice group. A significant increase in ADC (23.3%) in the ALS mice group was related to an increase in aquaporin markers. These findings suggest that the combination of ultra-high field diffusion MRI with fluorescent ALS mice reporters is a useful approach to detect and characterize presymptomatic white matter micro-ultrastructural changes and axonal connectivity anomalies in ALS.
Boron-Implanted Silicon Substrates for Physical Adsorption of DNA Origami.

DNA nanostructures routinely self-assemble with sub-10 nm feature sizes. This capability has created industry interest in using DNA as a lithographic mask, yet with few exceptions, solution-based deposition of DNA nanostructures has remained primarily academic to date. En route to controlled adsorption of DNA patterns onto manufactured substrates, deposition and placement of DNA origami has been demonstrated on chemically functionalized silicon substrates. While compelling, chemical functionalization adds fabrication complexity that limits mask efficiency and hence industry adoption. As an alternative, we developed an ion implantation process that tailors the surface potential of silicon substrates to facilitate adsorption of DNA nanostructures without the need for chemical functionalization. Industry standard 300 mm silicon wafers were processed, and we showed controlled adsorption of DNA origami onto boron-implanted silicon patterns; selective to a surrounding silicon oxide matrix. The hydrophilic substrate achieves very high surface selectivity by exploiting pH-dependent protonation of silanol-groups on silicon dioxide (SiO2), across a range of solution pH values and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) buffer concentrations.
Perceptions of Patients, Health Care Workers, and Environmental Services Staff Regarding Ultraviolet Light Room Decontamination Devices.

Background Mobile ultraviolet C (UV-C) room decontamination devices are widely used in health care facilities; however, there is limited information on the perceptions of patients, health care workers (HCWs), and environmental services staff (EVS-staff) regarding their use for environmental decontamination. Methods An anonymous questionnaire was administered to participants in 4 medical/surgical units of a tertiary care hospital where UV-C devices were deployed for a 6-month period. Survey questions assessed perceptions regarding the importance of environmental disinfection, effectiveness of UV-C decontamination, willingness to delay hospital admission in order to use UV-C, and safety of UV-C devices. Results Questionnaires were completed by 102 patients, 130 HCWs, and 47 EVS-staff. All of the HCWs and EVS-staff and 99% of the patients agreed that environmental disinfection is important to reduce the risk of exposure from contaminated surfaces. Ninety-eight percent of the EVS-staff, 89% of the HCWs, and 96% of the patients felt that the use of UV-C as an adjunct to routine cleaning increased confidence that rooms are clean. Ninety-four percent of the EVS-staff, 85% of the HCWs, and 90% of the patients expressed a willingness to delay being admitted to a room in order to have UV-C decontamination completed. Seventy-nine percent of the EVS-staff, 76% of the HCWs, and 86% of the patients had no concerns about the safety of UV-C devices. Conclusions Patients, HCWs, and EVS-staff agreed that environmental disinfection is important and that UV-C devices are efficacious and safe. Educational tools are needed to allay safety concerns expressed by a minority of HCWs and EVS-staff.
A Versatile Approach to Evaluating and Testing Automated Vehicles based on Kernel Methods

Evaluation and validation of complicated control systems are crucial to guarantee usability and safety. Usually, failure happens in some very rarely encountered situations, but once triggered, the consequence is disastrous. Accelerated Evaluation is a methodology that efficiently tests those rarely-occurring yet critical failures via smartly-sampled test cases. The distribution used in sampling is pivotal to the performance of the method, but building a suitable distribution requires case-by-case analysis. This paper proposes a versatile approach for constructing sampling distribution using kernel method. The approach uses statistical learning tools to approximate the critical event sets and constructs distributions based on the unique properties of Gaussian distributions. We applied the method to evaluate the automated vehicles. Numerical experiments show proposed approach can robustly identify the rare failures and significantly reduce the evaluation time.
m 6 A modification of a 3′ UTR site reduces RME1 mRNA levels to promote meiosis

Despite the vast number of modification sites mapped within mRNAs, known examples of consequential mRNA modifications remain rare. Here, we provide multiple lines of evidence to show that Ime4p, an N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase required for meiosis in yeast, acts by methylating a site in the 3′ UTR of the mRNA encoding Rme1p, a transcriptional repressor of meiosis. Consistent with this mechanism, genetic analyses reveal that IME4 functions upstream of RME1. Transcriptome-wide, RME1 is the primary message that displays both increased methylation and reduced expression in an Ime4p-dependent manner. In yeast strains for which IME4 is dispensable for meiosis, a natural polymorphism in the RME1 promoter reduces RME1 transcription, obviating the requirement for methylation. Mutation of a single m6A site in the RME1 3′ UTR increases Rme1p repressor production and reduces meiotic efficiency. These results reveal the molecular and physiological consequences of a modification in the 3′ UTR of an mRNA. Ime4p is a yeast N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase with an unknown role in meiosis. Rme1p is a repressor of meiosis. Here the authors show that Ime4p methylates RME1 3′ UTR to reduce its expression and enable meiosis, thus providing an example of an m6A site with a physiological role.
Multisensory, Nature-Inspired Recharge Rooms Yield Short-Term Reductions in Perceived Stress Among Frontline Healthcare Workers

We are currently facing global healthcare crisis that has placed unprecedented stress on healthcare workers as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is imperative that we develop novel tools to assist healthcare workers in dealing with the significant additional stress and trauma that has arisen as a result of the pandemic. Based in research on the effects of immersive environments on mood, a neuroscience research laboratory was rapidly repurposed using commercially available technologies and materials to create a nature-inspired relaxation space. Frontline healthcare workers were invited to book 15-min experiences in the Recharge Room before, during or after their shifts, where they were exposed to the immersive, multisensory experience 496 Recharge Room users (out of a total of 562) completed a short survey about their experience during an unselected, consecutive 14-day period. Average self-reported stress levels prior to entering the Recharge Room were 4.58/6 (±1.1). After a single 15-min experience in the Recharge Room, the average user-reported stress level was significantly reduced 1.85/6 (±1.2; p < 0.001; paired t-test). Net Promoter Score for the experience was 99.3%. Recharge Rooms such as those described here produce significant short-term reductions in perceived stress, and users find them highly enjoyable. These rooms may be of general utility in high-stress healthcare environments.
Strategic Trading in the Wrong Direction By a Large Institutional Insider

Many theoretical papers suggest that large informed traders should make misleading or random trades to disguise their trading. Alternatively, informed traders may trade purely on their estimate of stock value. This paper examines the trading behavior of a large institutional insider that periodically trades in the wrong direction, i.e., makes occasional sell (buy) trades within packages of buy (sell) trades. Using a hand-collected data set, we find that three quarters of the trade packages include wrong-direction trades. Wrong trades appear to be used mostly to disguise right-direction trades. We find that the wrong-trade stocks are larger and have less noisy returns, hence, they lack natural disguise. Wrong trades are relatively small, used to accentuate return volatility, distributed evenly during a package of trades, and are not consistently profitable.
Thermoelectric properties of skutterudites

Abstract Thermoelectricity has made much progress during the past dozen years or so with new prospective materials being discovered and the established thermoelectric structures have much improved. In this chapter, I describe key developments in an important class of materials called skutterudites, having great potential as mid-temperature power-generating thermoelectrics for applications such as waste heat recovery and its conversion to electricity. I review the basic structural forms of skutterudites, mention how they are synthesized, and discuss their electronic and phonon properties. The bulk of the thermoelectric skutterudites are n- and p-type structures of composition RT4X12, where R is an electropositive filler, such as alkali metals, alkaline-earth, and rare-earth elements, occupying structural voids of the [T4X12] framework, where T stands for transition metal and X for a pnicogen element (X = P, As, Sb). Recently, the family of skutterudites has been augmented by the discovery of skutterudites with electronegative fillers, and skutterudites having an entirely new [Pt4Ge12] framework, avoiding rather volatile pnicogen elements. I will describe improvements achieved in the thermoelectric performance of skutterudites and briefly mention where we stand in making commercially available modules based on skutterudites.
A Cross-sectional Survey on the Use of Tranexamic Acid in the Pre-hospital Setting.

Study objective Tranexamic Acid (TXA), an anti- fibrinolytic, has been used in military trauma cases and civilian Emergency Departments for several years. This study aims to evaluate protocols for the administration of TXA across Emergency Medical Services (EMS) regions in the United States. Methods An anonymous survey was distributed by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) to its members. Results A total of 264 eligible responses were received. Respondents included paramedics (62.5%), emergency medical technicians (EMTs) (9%), critical care paramedics (11%), and other health care professionals (19%). The majority of protocols included criteria for blood pressure (67%), heart rate (53%), and age (66%). Notable variations included TXA dilution and indications for traumatic brain injury. Conclusion TXA has been widely implemented in EMS protocols since the CRASH (Clinical Randomization of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant Hemorrhage) trials. However, there remains significant variations in indications and dose concentrations.
Advanced design for additive manufacturing

Keynote presentation, SPIE Photonics West LASE, 2021: Advanced design for additive manufacturing
A methodology for analyzing aging and performance of lithium-ion batteries: Consistent cycling application

Abstract Lithium-ion batteries are consistently cycled and characterized using the Degradation-Entropy Generation (DEG) methodology. Irregular and abusive cycling was recently published in the literature. Here, DEG capacity fade is compared to Coulomb-counted capacity fade, and DEG elements—DEG coefficients Bi, dissipation factor J, entropic efficiency ηS—are evaluated and interpreted for battery performance and degradation analyses. The effect of cycling rate (C-rate) on the DEG elements is discussed using measured data from three same-model lithium-ion batteries discharged at different C-rates. The results and features of the DEG methodology accord with established lithium-ion battery behaviors and the laws of thermodynamics, rendering the approach easily adaptable to battery analysis.
ApoB-Containing Lipoprotein Particles as Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease

The function of lipid transport is to facilitate the transfer of ex ogenous and endogenous triglycerides and cholesterol from their sites of absorption or formation to their sites of storage and utilization. This function is carried out by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins of intestinal and hepatic origin through a series of enzymic conversion reactions resulting in release of triglyceride fatty acids and generation of cholesterol-rich remnant lipoproteins. Under normal, steady-state conditions, the input and output of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are balanced with little or no change in their plasma levels. However, an increased influx and/or a decreased efflux of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from the plasma compartment have been identified as main pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to hypertriglyceridemia1. The increased formation and/or decreased removal of cholesterol-rich lipoproteins results in hypercholesterolemia which may or may not accompany typically hypertriglyceridemic states. Deranged lipid transport processes are of great clinical significance, because they are identified as one of the main factors responsible for the genesis and development of atherosclerosis2–4.
Pairing exercise with activity: new tools for inspiring active lifestyles

The concept of "fitness personality" has been a topic of growing interest in the past few decades, and recent findings suggest it can be used to open a dialogue with patients about their activity choices. Clinicians who understand how seven personality dimensions (sociability, spontaneity, self-motivation, aggressiveness, competitiveness, aggressiveness, mental focus, and risk taking) relate to various sports can help patients identify more satisfying activities. By using simple tools for matching personality types with activities, physicians may increase patient compliance with exercise prescriptions. Patients who complete a personality assessment may gain insights and additional motivation to pursue regular exercise and fitness for a lifetime.
Cavitation instability in rubber with consideration of failure

Cavitation instability in rubber is investigated by examining spherical void expansion in rubber particles under dead-load traction conditions. Spherical symmetry is assumed to simplify the governing equations in order to gain qualitative understanding of cavitation phenomenon. A simple strain failure criterion for rubber is proposed to demonstrate the effect of rubber failure on cavitation phenomenon. When the strain failure criterion is considered, the results show that, as in neo-Hookean materials, critical cavitation stresses exist for Mooney-Rivlin materials and for nonlinearly elastic materials characterized by a third-order strain energy function.
Reading Habits: Catalina de Erauso and the Subjects of Early Modern Spanish Gender and Sexuality

This article reconsiders the subject of early modern Spanish gender and sexuality studies by analyzing the relacion de meritos y servicios presented by the famed ‘Lieutenant Nun’ Catalina de Erauso to the Council of the Indies. Studies have focused on the Vida i sucesos de la Monja Alferez, a biography of disputed authorship, and its transgressive protagonist who hides gender identity and illicit desires from persecuting authorities. In contrast, this article studies the petition to show how Erauso’s identity depends upon bureaucratic forms, their standardized content, and collective authorship. In so doing, it moves from a study of gender transgression to a reading of ‘habitos’—a term that designates interlocking categories of gender, dress, profession, and social status. By shifting the subject of gender and sexuality studies to this web instantiated by ‘habitos,’ this article shows how collaborative acts of reading and writing allowed privileged subjects to navigate identity and empire in the seventeen...
The Single-Father Family: Demographic, Economic, and Public Transfer Use Characteristics

SUMMARY This paper examines the demographic and economic characteristics of single-father families, with particular attention to public transfer receipt. Cohabiting and non-cohabiting single fathers are examined and compared to fathers in married-couple families. Estimates from the 1997 March, Current Population Survey (CPS) are featured. Selected trend data for 1984, 1989, and 1996 are also presented. The analyses show that single fathers earn substantially less than married fathers, have lower household incomes, are less educated, and are substantially more likely to be receiving public transfers. Further, the socioeconomic gap between single and married fathers has been increasing since 1984.
Patterns of oxygen interchange between water, substrates, and phosphate compounds of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract The sources of oxygen in the phosphoryl moieties of the intracellular nucleotides and RNA under several conditions were examined with Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. Oxygens of nucleotides and RNA are representative of those of the intracellular phosphate pool. Important findings are: 1. Under different conditions, from 50 to 80% of the oxygens of the intracellular phosphate are derived from the medium water. A steady state level of 18O in acid-labile nucleoside di- and triphosphates is reached within a few minutes after addition of H18OH to the growth medium. The principal routes of 18O incorporation from water likely occur via exchanges of oxidative phosphorylation, hydrolysis of phosphates, and transfer from substrates partially labeled with water oxygens. 2. Extracellular phosphate contributes only a small percentage of the phosphate oxygens in B. subtilis and even less with E. coli. This shows that turnover of oxygens of intracellular Pi and phosphorylated substances is very rapid compared to the net uptake of phosphate from the medium. 3. The remaining phosphate oxygens (nearly 30 to 50%) must be derived from glucose and exogenously supplied metabolites. Transfer from [18O]glutamate was shown and addition of amino acids to the medium reduced incorporation of 18O from water. The principal routes are likely through ATP-linked synthetases, and by dehydrogenases or phosphorylases yielding carboxyl phosphates followed by phosphoryl transfer. Only AMP among nucleotides appears to serve as a point of entry of substrate oxygens into the phosphate pool. 4. The 2' - or 3'-hydroxyl oxygens of ribose, or both, in nucleosides are derived in part from medium water. A tabulation is given of principal enzymic reactions participating in the interchange of phosphate oxygens.
The impact of advance purchase deadlines on airline consumers’ search and purchase behaviors

Abstract Airlines frequently use advance purchase ticket deadlines to segment consumers. Few empirical studies have investigated how individuals respond to advance purchase deadlines and price uncertainties induced by these deadlines. We model the number of searches (and purchases) for specific search and departure dates using an instrumental variable approach that corrects for price endogeneity. Results show that search and purchase behaviors vary by search day of week, days from departure, lowest offered fares, variation in lowest offered fares across competitors, and market distance. After controlling for the presence of web bots, we find that the number of consumer searches increases just prior to an advance purchase deadline. This increase can be explained by consumers switching their desired departure dates by one or two days to avoid higher fares that occur immediately after an advance purchase deadline has passed. This reallocation of demand has significant practical implications for the airline industry because the majority of revenue management and scheduling decision support systems currently do not incorporate these behaviors.
Nosocomial hepatitis C virus transmission from tampering with injectable anesthetic opioids

The extent of provider-to-patient hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission from diversion, self-injection, and substitution (“tampering”) of anesthetic opioids is unknown. To quantify the contribution of opioid tampering to nosocomial HCV outbreaks, data from health care–related HCV outbreaks occurring in developed countries from 1990 to 2012 were collated, grouped, and compared. Tampering was associated with 17% (8 of 46) of outbreaks, but 53% (438 of 833) of cases. Of the tampering outbreaks, six (75%) involved fentanyl, five (63%) occurred in the United States, and one each in Australia, Israel, and Spain. Case counts ranged from 5 to 275 in the tampering outbreaks (mean, 54.8; median, 25), and 1-99 in the nontampering outbreaks (mean, 10.4; median, 5); between them, the difference in mean ranks of counts was significant (P < 0.01). To estimate HCV transmission risks from tampering, risk-assessment models were constructed, and these risks compared with those from surgery. HCV transmission risk from exposure to an opioid preparation tampered by a provider of unknown HCV infection status who is a person who injects drugs (PWID; 0.62%; standard error [SE] = 0.38%) exceeds 16,757 times the risk from surgery by a surgeon of unknown HCV infection status (0.000037%; SE = 0.000029%) and 135 times by an HCV-infected surgeon (0.0046%; SE = 0.0033%). To pose a 50% patient transmission risk, an infected surgeon may take 30 years, compared to <1 year for a PWID tamperer, and weeks or days for a PWID tamperer who intensifies access to opioids. Conclusion: Disproportionately, many cases of HCV infection from nosocomial outbreaks were attributable to provider tampering of anesthetic opioids. Transmission risk from tampering is substantially higher than from surgery. (Hepatology 2015;62:101-110)
Stress Management for the Radiologic Technologist

Changes in technology in the radiology department and an emphasis on multitasking can lead to stress and burnout, along with the potential for medical errors. A shift in viewpoint and exercises in self-evaluation can help radiologic technologists learn to manage change in a positive manner. Learning to approach change through a series of transitions and positive steps can reduce stress at work and at home.
Bivelocity gas dynamics of micro-channel couette flow

Abstract The bivelocity theory is adopted in this paper to predict the characteristics of a monoatomic Maxwellian gas flow in a micro-channel geometry. Our analysis utilizes a full set of mechanically and thermodynamically consistent volume-diffusion hydrodynamic equations. It is argued that the bivelocity theory predicts, contrary to current investigations, a no-slip velocity at the wall in planar Couette flow for rarefied gas flows. The results indicate that the numerical predictions for the density, temperature, and velocity distributions are different from those previously obtained using Burnett equations. Suggestions for experimental verification, motivated by our numerical results, are also presented.
Preventive Aspects of Mobility and Functional Disability

Among bone and joint diseases, frequent causes of disability include (a) fractures from falls and osteoporosis, (b) osteoarthritis of hips, knees, and lumbar spine, (c) painful feet, (d) back pain, and (e) intractable rheumatoid arthritis. Risk factors for falling may arise from factors intrinsic to the patient and from hazards in the environment. The prevention and management of osteoporosis are controversial. Most experts endorse the use of estrogens in postmenopausal women and the need for continuing physical activity, particularly walking, in both elderly men and women. To preserve independent living, conservative management of osteoarthritis of hip, knee, and low back consists of properly balancing rest, non-weight-bearing exercises, and the use of walking aids. In rheumatoid arthritis, the clinician should emphasize (a) exercises to maintain range of motion and (b) muscle strength, both to prevent flexion contractures and to maintain the ability to carry on activities of daily living.
House Price Indexes: Issues and Results

AREUEA is pleased to acknowledge the support of the National Association of REALTORS for this special issue on house prices. We are particularly grateful to John Tuccillo, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at NAR, for recognizing the importance of this emerging research area. The editors also acknowledge the support of their colleges at The Ohio State University and of the Homer Hoyt Institute.
Indian punch rifts Tibet

The strikes of late Cenozoic normal faults in Tibet fan systematically from a northwesterly to northeasterly direction from west to east. They exhibit an axis of symmetry that bisects the Himalayan arc and trends subparallel to India-Asia motion. The two-dimensional stress field inferred from the spatial pattern of normal-fault orientations can be explained solely by collisional stresses localized along a southern part of the Himalayan arc. Continued insertion of Indian crust into Tibet can explain the persistence of extension and may be increasing plateau crustal thickness and elevation coeval with rifting.
Hepatitis B virus infection among American patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection: Prevalence, racial/ethnic differences, and viral interactions†

Little is known about hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States. We prospectively enrolled 1,257 patients with chronic HCV infection from two medical centers in New York City. A total of 61.5% (95% confidence interval, 58.8%–64.2%) had evidence of prior exposure to HBV (hepatitis B core antibody–positive), whereas 5.8% (95% confidence interval, 4.5%–7.1%) had dual infection with HBV (hepatitis B surface antigen–positive). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified age <40 years, Asian race, injection drug use, and a greater number of lifetime sexual partners as independent risk factors for HBV-HCV dual infection. Liver biopsy results in 26 HBV-HCV–infected and 658 HCV-monoinfected patients showed that stage 3 or 4 fibrosis was significantly more common in those with HBV-HCV dual infection (84.6% versus 29.9%; P < 0.001). Patients infected with HBV and HCV had significantly lower median HCV RNA levels (1.3 versus 4.5 × 106 copies/mL; P < 0.001) and were less likely to have HCV RNA levels ≥5 × 106 copies/mL (12.3% versus 45.4%; P < 0.001) than those who had HCV monoinfection. All five patients with HBV-HCV dual infection who had undetectable HBV DNA levels had HCV RNA levels ≥5 × 106 copies/mL. Conclusion: American patients with chronic HCV infection should be tested for HBV, especially younger patients, Asians, injection drug users, and those with an increased number of lifetime sexual partners. The presence of severe liver disease and HBV-HCV viral interactions in patients with dual infection necessitates careful but aggressive clinical management, although the optimal strategy remains to be determined. (HEPATOLOGY 2010.)
Pedagogy and Practice: Using Wisdom Ways in the Classroom

. The Academic Teaching and Biblical Studies Section of the Society of Biblical Literature chose Wisdom Ways, by Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza, as the basis for a discussion on teaching at its November 1902 meeting in Toronto. Each presenter commented on the underlying pedagogy of the book, sharing exercises and assignments they had used in their classrooms to help students interpret the materials, especially from a feminist and/or liberationist perspective. Adapted from the SBL presentations, this is a different type of review essay that describes the use of a book in three different settings: a free-standing seminary, a state university, and a university-affiliated divinity school. These three distinct contexts are in turn the settings for three individual pedagogical styles. The result is a conversation among author, teachers, text, and students that illustrates the interplay of teaching, learning, and context.
Punishment after death: Mutilation of images and corpse abuse in ancient Rome

Representations of the emperors were ubiquitous elements in the lives of Romans at every level of society. As both artistic and literal embodiments of the imperial presence, these images functioned as effigies. When a 'bad' emperor was overthrown or assassinated, his images were often mutilated or destroyed. The disfigurement of imperial portraits is closely linked to the abuse of corpses of condemned criminals and arena victims. This article explores the relationship between mutilated images and corpses in ancient Rome and elucidates the communicative aspects of intentional disfigurement.
Searching for supersymmetry in high-energy cosmic-ray interactions

We survey the prospects for producing and detecting supersymmetric particles in high-energy cosmic-ray interactions. We find that the production and subsequent decay of light (approx.3 GeV) gluinos can lead to fluxes of neutral, weakly interacting superparticles, photinos or scalar neutrinos, which might be detected in large, underwater neutrino detectors. We identify several reactions, gamma-tildeN..-->..gqX in the 10--100-TeV region and the resonant process nu-tilde/sub e/e/sup -/..-->..W/sup -/, which can lead to measurable reaction rates in the discussed 10/sup 5/-kiloton DUMAND-type detector.
Research on Maglev Flywheel Energy Storage System for Electric Vehicle

In order to improve the energy efficiency of electric vehicle (EV) power battery, and increase the start-up power of EV, a kind of maglev flywheel battery storage energy system is designed on EV, it is active suspension controlled at five degrees of freedom. The system suspension control principle is expounded, and the radial single freedom transfer function of the maglev flywheel is established combining with a digital PID control algorithm. The frequency spectrum characteristic of the transfer function and the flywheel rotor trajectory curve are simulated, and the 30000 r/min rotation experiment of the maglev flywheel battery prototype is realized. The experiment result shows that the maglev flywheel rotor may high speed and steadily spin, and has good energy storage ability. The maglev flywheel battery storage energy system can assist the EV power battery work, improves the battery charge and discharge properties and prolongs the service life of the motive power battery.
Managerial problem identifier (MPI): Integrating expert system and decision support technologies

Abstract In the past, managers have relied upon narrowly focused decision support systems (DSS) to facilitate the conventional decision process. Due to the human tendency to absorb only partial information, this technology has been underutilized. More contemporary theory advances the integration of Expert Systems (ES) with DSS to overcome the deficiencies found in conventional decision support systems. This paper presents a prototype Managerial Problem Identifier (MPI) that integrates decision support and expert systems. The interaction of financial accounting trends are analyzed by the expert system. The objective is to identify potential problems that might be responsive to early interaction.
Drift of Ocular Alignment Following Strabismus Surgery Part 1: Using Fixed Scleral Sutures

Aims : To evaluate the postoperative alignment drift following traditional strabismus surgery utilizing direct attachment of muscle to sclera. Methods : The ocular alignment drift (change from the first postoperative week) of 106 patients who underwent scleral fixation strabismus surgery at age 0.5 to 35 years with 5 years maximal follow-up was analyzed. Results : There was a mean undercorrection drift of 4.6 + 8.9 PD at distance fixation (p=0.025) and 3.4 + 7.6 PD at near (p=0.053) for all subjects, and 11.3 + 8.6 PD distance (p=0.008) and 10.6 + 6.0 PD near (p=0.016) for exotropic patients. Recession surgery produced an undercorrection drift of 5.3 + 8.8 PD (p=0.021) at distance fixation. Esotropic patients and those undergoing unilateral recession/resection surgery had no significant drift. Patients overcorrected at the one week postoperative visit later developed an undercorrection drift at distance (10.3 + 7.9 PD, p=0.002) and near fixation (5.5 + 9.2 PD at 36 months, p=0.041), while undercorrected patients showed no significant drift and largely stayed undercorrected. Conclusion : Fixed scleral-suture strabismus surgery generally produces a postoperative undercorrection drift, especially following recession surgery, exotropia or overcorrection at the first postoperative week.
IMMUNOLOGICAL DISTINCTIONS OF ENCEPHALITIS AND POLIOMYELITIS

Lethargic encephalitis is an epidemic disease, the main manifestations of which relate to injury inflicted upon the central nervous system and in particular the basal ganglia of the brain. Poliomyelitis is an epidemic disease, the main manifestations of which relate to injury inflicted upon the central nervous system and in particular the gray matter of the spinal cord and medulla oblongata. At the outset of the epidemic of lethargic encephalitis the two diseases tend to prevail at distinct and different seasons of the year, although recently cases of epidemic encephalitis have arisen in the midsummer months. The two maladies therefore are perhaps less distinguished by seasonal prevalence than has been supposed. They are, however, distinguished by great differences in communicability to monkeys. Epidemic poliomyelitis is readily transmitted through inoculation of the affected central nervous tissues of man to monkeys, while it may still be regarded as doubtful whether lethargic encephalitis has been communicated to monkeys in this manner. As the experiments reported in this paper show, the two diseases can be distinguished through the power of blood serum under certain circumstances to neutralize the virus of poliomyelitis. The blood serum of convalescent cases of poliomyelitis whether in man or monkey possesses this neutralizing power, while the blood serum of recently convalescent cases of epidemic encephalitis is devoid of it. On the basis of the distinguishing characters described, it is regarded as desirable at the present time to hold epidemic poliomyelitis and epidemic encephalitis as integrally distinct affections. The latter also may be infectious, yet the main lesions of poliomyelitis are present in the spinal cord, and of epidemic encephalitis in the mid-brain.
Preparing for school crises: administrator perceptions on supports for teachers

Traumatic events and crises involving schools and children often become high-profile occurrences; however, little attention is given to teachers and how they cope with crisis. The purpose of this study was to investigate administrators' perceptions of including additional support for teachers in school crisis policies. Specifically, the study examined principal leadership, stage of change, self-efficacy, training in mental health/illness, and perceived barriers and their relation to including supports for teachers in crisis policy. Total 113 principals from one Midwestern state completed an online survey that assessed principal leadership, self-efficacy, stage of change, training in mental health/illness, and demographic information. Results suggest that most principals endorsed having specific supports in place for teachers during crises. Schools were less likely to currently have crisis plans/policies when the administrator reported the stage as relapse/pre-contemplation, contemplation, or preparation, ...
Some Observations on Absorption of Cesium by Excised Barley Roots.

Steady-state cesium absorption was studied in relation to the external cesium concentration and under conditions of low temperature and anoxybiosis. The results are tentatively explained on the basis of a two-fold absorption mechanism. The first mechanism is very effcctive, reachin g a saturation level at a concentration as low as 0.1 meq/l (half-value F Screening tes 0.008 meq/l). Absorption at this concentration was shown to be sensitive to anoxybiosis. The second mechanism becomes relatively important only at concentrations a hundred- fold higher and is insensitive to anoxybiosis. The possibility of a passive nature of the second mechsnism is discussed. The interference by other mono- and divalent cations with cesium absorption in the concentration range from 0.0 to 0.1 meq/l was studied. Potassium, rubidium, and to a lesser extent, NH/sub 4/ inhibited cesium uptake in a way suggesting competition for the same binding site. Lithium and magnesium had little effect on cesium absorption; sodium and calcium only affected tho over-all absorption capacity for cesium; sodium in a negative sense and calcium in a positive sense. (auth)
Interactive design and analysis of future large spacecraft concepts

An interactive computer aided design program used to perform systems level design and analysis of large spacecraft concepts is presented. Emphasis is on rapid design, analysis of integrated spacecraft, and automatic spacecraft modeling for lattice structures. Capabilities and performance of multidiscipline applications modules, the executive and data management software, and graphics display features are reviewed. A single user at an interactive terminal create, design, analyze, and conduct parametric studies of Earth orbiting spacecraft with relative ease. Data generated in the design, analysis, and performance evaluation of an Earth-orbiting large diameter antenna satellite are used to illustrate current capabilities. Computer run time statistics for the individual modules quantify the speed at which modeling, analysis, and design evaluation of integrated spacecraft concepts is accomplished in a user interactive computing environment.
Human covariation judgment: Accuracy and strategy

Abstract Judgment strategy is proposed as a contributor to the variability of findings in past research on human covariation judgment. Mathematically sophisticated judgment strategies will accurately judge all event covariations. However, faulty judgment rules will also produce correct judgments of many event relationships. Several methods have been used in past research to identify subjects' strategies of covariation judgment. Each of these methods indicates that humans employ simplistic, error-prone rules to judge event relationships. Shifts in covariation strategy use are proposed as a source of past findings that judgment accuracy depends on the decision conditions.
Controlled Drug Releasing Intravitreal Implant Using Biodegradable PLGA

The goal of this work is to compare the in vitro drug (Nimodipine) release rate from three different types (matrix, reservoir, and combination types) of intravitreal implants using a biodegradable polymer (PLGA). The matrix implants were prepared by a solvent cast method and the reservoir implants were fabricated by using a pellet press. The combination implants were a mixed type of matrix and reservoir implants. Each implant was placed in a vial with 7mL of Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) containing 0.4 g/L of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and 0.5 mL aliquots were removed for the drug assay for 25 days. The sample was analyzed to determine the concentration using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Over 20 days, the average steady state release rate in vitro is 13.05±6.17, 2.66±1.98, 8.85±6.36 μg/day for matrix, reservoir, and combination implants, respectively.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Verbal Reinforcement Combinations, Task Complexity, Age and Sex in Children's Discrimination Learning:

144 boys and girls in Grades 2 and 6 were presented a 2-choice simultaneous brightness-discrimination task. Ss were either verbally reinforced for correct responses (Rn), verbally punished for incorrect responses (Wn), or verbally reinforced for correct and punished for incorrect responses (RW). Two levels of task complexity defined as the number of irrelevant stimulus dimensions were utilized. Regardless of Ss' sex, age, or the complexity of the task, the Rn combination produced significantly slower learning than did the nearly equivalent Wn and RW combinations. The simple task was learned significantly more rapidly than the complex task.
Machining evaluation of cemented carbide tools coated with HfN and TiC by the activated reactive evaporation process

Abstract The cutting performance of cemented carbide tools coated with HfN and TiC by the activated reactive evaporation process was evaluated in machining tests. The tool life of the HfN-coated tools was better than that of TiC-coated and ion-plated TiN/TiC double-coated tools. However, the flank wear rate of the TiC-coated tools was better than that of the HfN-coated tools.
State-dependent effects of ethanol on active and passive avoidance learning.

The present set of experiments examined the importance of the response initiation-inhibition parameter of certain avoidance conditioning tasks in the production of state-dependent dissociative effects with ethanol. On those tasks involving some degree of response inhibition (passive avoidance and two-way active avoidance), animals receiving ethanol during training were more impaired in their testing performance than those receiving saline during training (anterograde amnestic effect), and animals injected with ethanol during training and saline during testing displayed dissociation of their acquired avoidance behaviors during testing (asymmetrical dissociation effect). On the task involving a response initiation element with little contamination by response suppression factors (one-way active avoidance), dissociation of avoidance behavior during testing was found both for the animals trained under ethanol and tested under saline and for the animals trained under saline and tested under ethanol (symmetrical dissociation effect). The results were discussed in terms of possible joint effects of symmetrical state-dependency and other behavioral properties of the drug. However, an alternative interpretation could not be ruled out, namely that the mechanisms involved in the impairment found on the testing day for the drug-placebo and placebo-drug groups may be different. It was suggested that the drug-placebo group may represent the more general example of state-dependent dissociation effects, whereas the production of state-dependent dissociation effects in the placebo-drug group may depend upon the type of behavior conditioned and/or the strength of such conditioning.
How input active biomass affects sludge age and process stability

Input of active biomass into suspended-growth biological processes occurs when biological processes are in series, during bioaugmentation, and when input wastewaters contain active bacteria. This paper extends mathematical modeling to include steady-state processes that receive significant inputs of biomass active in degrading substrates present in the system. The equations for concentrations of substrate, active biomass, and inert biomass are of the same form as for the conventional solutions with no input of biomass. However, the true sludge age for the active biomass uses the net growth rate as its denominator. The true sludge age is greater than the conventionally computed sludge age when inputs of active biomass are significant. Several practical examples show that the input of active biomass can reduce effluent substrate concentrations, allow stable operation of systems otherwise in washout, and shift the competitive advantage to otherwise less-competitive species.
Impact of spectral smoothing on gamma radiation portal alarm probabilities.

Abstract Gamma detector counts are included in radiation portal monitors (RPM) to screen for illicit nuclear material. Gamma counts are sometimes smoothed to reduce variance in the estimated underlying true mean count rate, which is the “signal” in our context. Smoothing reduces total error variance in the estimated signal if the bias that smoothing introduces is more than offset by the variance reduction. An empirical RPM study for vehicle screening applications is presented for unsmoothed and smoothed gamma counts in low-resolution plastic scintillator detectors and in medium-resolution NaI detectors.