cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-occupational injuries caused by transport packaging: Residential and retail hazards

Abstract Background Background: Pallets are key components of domestic supply chains, and yet present unique hazards when used by homeowners and retailers for unintended uses. No previous works have investigated non-occupational injuries that occur due to unintentional contact with pallets. This study sought to describe the incidence and epidemiology of non-occupational pallet-related injuries as seen in United States emergency departments (EDs). Method: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was used to derive national, weighted estimates of pallet-related injuries by age, sex, injured body part, and location where injury occurred. Data for the years 2014 to 2018 were analyzed with all relevant narratives reviewed. Results: From 2014 to 2018, there were an estimated 30,493 persons who visited an ED for a pallet-related injury. The yearly incidence of pallet injuries rose during this period. The 35–44 age group (n = 5,481) was most likely to be injured, but about 3,000 children and youth under 18 years of age were injured and more than 4,000 persons 65 years of age or older suffered injuries. The elderly were especially likely to suffer injuries from slip, trip and fall incidents. The lower extremities were the most commonly injured body parts. An estimated 3,964 persons, accounting for approximately 14% of all pallet-related injuries, were treated for injuries incurred while at a retail establishment. African Americans, Hispanics, and the elderly appeared to be disproportionately more likely to have pallet-related injuries in retail locations. Conclusions: Non-occupational pallet-related injuries affect a wide range of patients and cause a variety of injuries, with the elderly being especially vulnerable to tripping incidents. Retailer prevention strategies should focus on the misuse of pallets for merchandising purposes. Industry should maintain control of pallets so they are not used for unintended purposes. Practical applications: Retailers should limit the use of pallets for floor-level merchandising purposes and remove pallets from customer-facing locations where unintentional contact could occur. Owners of pallets should maintain them in a controlled supply chain so that they don’t leak out into the hands of homeowners. Policy-makers should educate the public about the dangers of used pallets.
Rank one perturbation with a generalized eigenvector

The relationship between the Jordan structures of two matrices sufficiently close has been largely studied in the literature, among which a square matrix $A$ and its rank one updated matrix of the form $A+xb^*$ are of special interest. The eigenvalues of $A+xb^*$, where $x$ is an eigenvector of $A$ and $b$ is an arbitrary vector, were first expressed in terms of eigenvalues of $A$ by Brauer in 1952. Jordan structures of $A$ and $A+xb^*$ have been studied, and similar results were obtained when a generalized eigenvector of $A$ was used instead of an eigenvector. However, in the latter case, restrictions on $b$ were put so that the spectrum of the updated matrix is the same as that of $A$. There does not seem to be results on the eigenvalues and generalized eigenvectors of $A+xb^*$ when $x$ is a generalized eigenvector and $b$ is an arbitrary vector. In this paper we show that the generalized eigenvectors of the updated matrix can be written in terms of those of $A$ when a generalized eigenvector of $A$ and an arbitrary vector $b$ are involved in the perturbation.
The association between adverse childhood experiences and childhood obesity: A systematic review

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with numerous physical and mental health issues in children and adults. The effect of ACEs on development of childhood obesity is less understood. This systematic review was undertaken to synthesize the quantitative research examining the relationship between ACEs and childhood obesity. PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science were searched in July 2020; Rayyan was used to screen studies, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess risk of bias. The search resulted in 6,966 studies screened at title/abstract and 168 at full-text level. Twenty-four studies met inclusion criteria. Study quality was moderate, with greatest risk of bias due to method of assessment of ACEs or sample attrition. Findings suggest ACEs are associated with childhood obesity. Girls may be more sensitive to obesity-related effects of ACEs than boys, sexual abuse appears to have a greater effect on childhood obesity than other ACEs, and co-occurrence of multiple ACEs may be associated with greater childhood obesity risk. Further, the effect of ACEs on development of childhood obesity may take 2-5 years to manifest. Considered collectively, findings suggest a need for greater attention to ACEs in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
Learning Room Structure and Activity Patterns Using RF Sensing for In-Home Monitoring of Older Adults

In this paper, we describe two methods for learning the room structure via radio wave reflections for longitudinal health monitoring of older adults in a naturalistic home setting. The goal is to use these data as part of a monitoring system that can be easily installed in a home with minimal configuration, for the purpose of detecting very early signs of illness and functional decline. Two studies are conducted using RF (radio frequency) sensing. The first method learns the structure from the RF clutter patterns, and uses the beat frequency of the maximum peak in each chirp to calculate the wall position. The second method learns the room structure from active movement patterns, and uses the open space between the clusters of active movement patterns to estimate the possible wall locations. Comparing the two results from these methods provides a more robust wall location. In addition, a background filter is designed based on the wall position, and the activity level of people in different rooms is estimated using a fuzzy rule system applied to the RF motion data. We evaluate our approach in a naturalistic setting. Preliminary results indicate that RF sensors can be used to capture both room structure and overall activity patterns.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in CD36 Are Associated with Macular Pigment among Children.

Background High macular pigment optical density (MPOD) has been associated with improved eye health and better cognitive functions. Genetic variations have been associated with MPOD in adults. However, these associations between genetic variations and MPOD have not been studied in children. Objectives This was a secondary analysis of the FK2 (Fitness Improves Thinking in Kids 2) trial (n = 134, 41% male). The aim was to determine differences in MPOD among children (aged 7-9 y) based on genetic variants that either are biologically relevant to lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) accumulation or have been associated with MPOD in adults. Methods MPOD was measured using customized heterochromatic flicker photometry via a macular densitometer. DXA was used to assess whole-body and visceral adiposity. DNA was extracted from saliva samples and was genotyped for 26 hypothesis-driven single nucleotide polymorphisms and 75 ancestry-informative markers (AIMs). Habitual diet history was obtained via 3-d food logs completed by parents (n = 88). General linear models were used to compare MPOD between different genotypes. Principal component analysis was performed for the AIMs to account for ethnic heterogeneity. Results Children carrying ≥1 minor allele on β-carotene-15,15'-monooxygenase (BCO1)-rs7501331 (T allele) (P = 0.045), cluster of differentiation 36(CD36)-rs1527483 (T allele) (P = 0.038), or CD36-rs3173798 (C allele) (P = 0.001) had significantly lower MPOD (range: 14.1%-26.4%) than those who were homozygotes for the major alleles. MPOD differences based on CD36-rs3173798 genotypes persisted after adjustment for dietary L and Z intake. Conclusions The findings indicate that genetic variations of CD36 and BCO1 contribute to MPOD in children. The influence of genetic variation in CD36-rs3173798 persisted after adjusting for variation in dietary intake.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01619826.
Social-Emotional Learning in a Time of Chaos.

Over the last generation public schools in the United States have strongly emphasized student achievement as measured by standardized tests. In this paper the role Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) can play in improving student success is emphasized. Research on SEL has shown that student achievement is positively affected by SEL programming. Yet, an argument continues over how the limited time in the classroom is used. As the world faces a pandemic during which students are often not attending school in person, their social-emotional health is of increased concern.
Diffuse white matter abnormality in very preterm infants at term reflects reduced brain network efficiency.

Between 50 and 80% of very preterm infants (<32 weeks gestational age) exhibit increased white matter signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI at term-equivalent age, known as diffuse white matter abnormality (DWMA). A few studies have linked DWMA with microstructural abnormalities, but the exact relationship remains poorly understood. We related DWMA extent to graph theory measures of network efficiency at term in a representative cohort of 343 very preterm infants. We performed anatomic and diffusion MRI at term and quantified DWMA volume with our novel, semi-automated algorithm. From diffusion-weighted structural connectomes, we calculated the graph theory metrics local efficiency and clustering coefficient, which measure the ability of groups of nodes to perform specialized processing, and global efficiency, which assesses the ability of brain regions to efficiently combine information. We computed partial correlations between these measures and DWMA volume, adjusted for confounders. Increasing DWMA volume was associated with decreased global efficiency of the entire very preterm brain and decreased local efficiency and clustering coefficient in a variety of regions supporting cognitive, linguistic, and motor function. We show that DWMA is associated with widespread decreased brain network efficiency, suggesting that it is pathologic and likely has adverse developmental consequences.
Parallel Algorithms on a Cluster

There are two main considerations in the mapping of parallel algorithms onto a cluster. First is selection of a computation mode such as SIMD, MIMD or systolic, and the second is the number of available processors on a cluster and selection of the best way to map the algorithm. For a data dependent algorithm, there may be need for nonuniform data partitioning and local load balancing. The load balancing scheme may be static or dynamic. In the static scheme, the DSP in a cluster allocates tasks to the processors using some a priori knowledge about the computation such that each processor receives an average amount of computation. Under the dynamic load balancing scheme the DSP maintains a queue of ready tasks and assigns the tasks to the available processors as they become free to execute the next task.
Projections of Motor Vehicle Fuel Demand and Emissions

Methodologies were developed and applied to project (1) motor vehicle fuel demand, (2) air quality improvements through emission reductions, and (3) the effect of stringent vehicle emission controls on energy consumption. Motor gasoline demand for both the U.S. and Canada is projected to peak about 1980 at about 2% above the current level, followed by a gradual decrease through 1990. However, total U.S. motor fuel use will increase through 1990 due to increasing diesel fuel demand. Ozone air quality projected form HC and NO sub x emissions shows more improvement resulting from control of other sources than from further tightening of vehicle emission standards. Vehicle emisson standards significantly more stringent than the 1975 Canadian level increase energy consumption by as much as 20% at the 1981 U.S. level. Maintenance of the current emission standards in the U.S. could allow sufficient future improvements in gasoline consumption to cause total motor fuel use to decrease after 1982.
Exploring provenance in a distributed job execution system

We examine provenance in the context of a distributed job execution system. It is crucial to capture provenance information during the execution of a job in a distributed environment because often this information is lost once the job has finished. In this paper we discuss the type of information that is available within a distributed job execution system, how to capture such information, and what the burdens on the user and system are when such information is captured. We identify what we think is the key data that must be captured and discuss the collection of provenance in the Quill++ project of Condor. Our conclusion is that it is possible to capture important provenance information in a distributed job execution system with relatively little intrusion on the user or the system.
Bringing academic research directly to development: IBM's Centres for Advanced Studies

To stay ahead of competitors and satisfy their customers, corporations are always seeking ways to speed up the transfer of technology into their products and service offerings. Academic researchers are always seeking ways to show the relevance of their work by applying it to industrial problems. The collaborative research model developed and refined by the IBM Centres for Advanced Studies (CAS) over the past 12 years shows how it is possible to bring corporate product development teams and academic researchers together to their mutual benefit. The CAS model originated in the IBM Toronto Laboratory and has since been replicated at other IBM product development laboratories. CAS operations have been established in the United States at the Austin, Texas, and Raleigh, North Carolina laboratories and at a second Canadian site at the Vancouver Innovation Centre.
Benzothiadiazides inhibit rapid glutamate receptor desensitization and enhance glutamatergic synaptic currents

A distinctive characteristic of the AMPA subset of glutamate receptor channels is their remarkably rapid desensitization. A family of compounds, the benzothiadiazides, is described here that potently inhibit rapid glutamate receptor desensitization. The structure- activity relationships of these compounds are examined and the actions of cyclothiazide (CYZ), the most potent of these compounds, are described in detail. At the macroscopic level CYZ reduced rapid desensitization, enhancing the steady-state and peak current produced by 1 mM quisqualate with EC50 values of 14 and 12 microM, respectively, and shifted the quisqualate peak current concentration-response relation to the left. The slight outward rectification of the steady- state quisqualate current-voltage relationship was reduced by CYZ. At the microscopic level CYZ caused glutamate to induce long bursts of channel openings, and greatly increased the number of repeated openings. At 10 microM CYZ did not have measurable effects on the fast component of deactivation nor did it have statistically significant effects on the distribution of the faster components of glutamate- induced burst duration. In contrast, 10 microM CYZ increased the amplitude and significantly prolonged the duration of the spontaneous miniature EPSCs. The identification and characterization of this new family of gating modifiers may further facilitate the investigation into the mechanisms underlying rapid glutamate receptor desensitization and the physiological roles that it may serve.
Best Ideas of Hedge Funds

We provide new compelling evidence that hedge funds possess investment skill. Using the longest-in-literature unbiased sample of hedge funds, we show that large holdings of past winners earn 7% annual benchmark-adjusted return. This remarkable performance is consistent with the notion that large holdings represent managers' best ideas. Our sample goes back to 1980 and does not miss non-surviving hedge funds, or those that do not voluntarily report to commercial databases. It consists of all investment managers that must report to the SEC, except those that we identify as managers other than hedge funds. While publicly available data is not sufficient to identify hedge funds directly, our "reverse identification" method achieves both high sensitivity and specificity. We also find weaker yet significant evidence of investment skill in standard indicators such as average fund performance and performance persistence.
Sebaceous carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, trichoadenoma, trichoblastoma, and syringocystadenoma papilliferum arising within a nevus sebaceus.

Background. Nevus sebaceus has a well-documented potential to develop a wide variety of neoplasms of both epidermal and adnexal origins. It is highly unusual for more than three tumors to arise simultaneously within a single nevus sebaceus. Sebaceous carcinoma arising within a nevus sebaceus is a rare occurrence. Objective. The objective was to report the case of a patient with a nevus sebaceus that simultaneously developed five distinct neoplasms of epidermal and various adnexal origins and to report the fourth case of sebaceous carcinoma arising within a nevus sebaceus. Methods. A 45-year-old woman presented with a nevus sebaceusthat contained five separate neoplasms, including sebaceous carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, trichoadenoma, trichoblastoma, and syringocystadenoma papilliferum. Results. Complete excision of the nevus sebaceus and the five tumors was performed. Systemic work-up showed no evidence of metastatic disease or association with Muir-Torre syndrome. Conclusion. This case report highlights the diverse neoplastic potential of nevus sebaceus and demonstrates the capacity of this hamartoma to develop aggressive tumors, such as sebaceous carcinoma. Prophylactic excision or at least close clinical surveillance for sudden development of new growths is warranted in all cases of nevus sebaceus.
Fe-Cu two-phase nanocomposites : Application of a modified rule of mixtures

Full-density Fe-Cu two-phase nanocomposites show microhardness considerably higher than the rule of mixtures (ROM) averages of constituent metals with the same nanophase grain size. This observation indicates that other than grain sizes and nominal phase volume fractions (used in ROM), microstructural arrangements of the two phases and phase boundary strengthening are additional factors that need to be considered. These factors are particularly important for nanocomposites because of the unusually high fraction of interphase boundaries (F{sub s}) compared with grain boundaries due to the ultrafine phase domain sized. The authors constructed a modified rule of mixtures which, although obviously simplistic, provides and approximate picture and a useful perspective for understanding how a nanocomposite would behave. In Fe/Cu, BCC/FCC interphase boundaries appear to be more effective barriers to the transmission of deformation than grain boundaries in elemental Cu and Fe.
Robust engineering design optimization with non-uniform rational B-splines-based metamodels

Non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBs) demonstrate properties that make them attractive as metamodels, or surrogate models, for engineering design purposes. Previous research has resulted in the development of algorithms capable of fitting NURBs-based metamodels to engineering design spaces, and optimizing these models. This article presents an approach to robust optimization that employs NURBs-based metamodels. This robust optimization technique exploits the unique structure of NURBs-based metamodels to derive a simple but effective robustness metric. An algorithm is demonstrated that uses this metric to weigh robustness against optimality, and visualizes the trade-offs between these metamodel properties. This approach is demonstrated with test problems of increasing dimensionality, including several practical design challenges.
The effects of carrageenan on drug-metabolizing enzyme system activities in the guinea-pig

Carrageenans are seaweed extracts comprising high molecular weight sulphated polygalactosides. They are used in foods at concentrations of up to 2.5% as thickening and gelling agents. When degraded to lower molecular weight forms, they have been shown to induce ulcerative colitis and colon cancer in laboratory animals. Furthermore, undegraded carrageenan (CG) has been shown to promote azoxymethane and methylnitrosourea initiated carcinogenesis, but the promotion mechanism is unclear. To determine if this mechanism involves alterations of tissue drug-metabolizing enzyme system (DMES) activities, six groups of five guinea-pigs each were administered 0.2% kappa undegraded, 0.2% i undegraded, 1% kappa degraded or 1% i degraded CG, or control solutions in the drinking-water for 8 wk. Microsomal and cytosolic DMES activities of the liver, small intestine and colon were determined. The kappa undegraded CG group exhibited significant (P less than 0.05) increases in small intestine cytochrome P-450 levels and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activities. These data suggest that undegraded CG may selectively induce DMES activities in the small intestine mucosa.
Free simplicial groups and the second relative homotopy group of an adjunction space

(If (YX) is a pair of spaces, then 7rnz(YX) is a ;rrtX-crossed module.) Suppose that X is a connected CW-complex, and that Y is obtained from X by attaching 2-cells. Whitehead [9] showed that in this case, x2(xX) is a free x,X-crossed module, i.e., if {c,} are the elements of ;71#‘,X) corresponding to the 2-cells of Y-X, and if (g,} are elements of another n,X-crossed module G with ag,=ac,, then there is a unique homomorphism of crossed modules h : 7t2(Y,X) + G for which h(c,) =g,. Whitehead’s proof of this theorem is rather difficult and geometric (see [l] for a more modern exposition of Whitehead’s proof). Brown and Higgins [2] have shown that this theorem follows from their 2-dimensional generalization of the van Kampen theorem, in the context of ‘double groupoids’. Ratcliffe [7], using his study of free and projective crossed modules, was able to give a more algebraic proof. The purpose of the present paper is to give a completely algebraic proof of this theorem. We will obtain the theorem through a study offree simplicial groups, which are models for loop spaces (and are therefore useful for computing (absolute) homotopy groups).
Vigilantism, Current Racial Threat, and Death Sentences:

Capital punishment is the most severe punishment, yet little is known about the social conditions that lead to death sentences. Racial threat explanations imply that this sanction will be imposed more often in jurisdictions with larger minority populations, but some scholars suggest that a tradition of vigilante violence leads to increased death sentences. This study tests the combined explanatory power of both accounts by assessing statistical interactions between past lynchings and the recent percentage of African Americans after political conditions and other plausible effects are held constant. Findings from count models based on different samples, data, and estimators suggest that racial threat and lynchings combine to produce increased death sentences, but the presence of liberal political values explains the absence of death sentences. These findings both confirm and refine the political version of conflict theory because they suggest that the effects of current racial threat and past vigilantism l...
The effects of cocaine on operant responding for food in several strains of mice

The availability of numerous genetically homogenous mouse strains permits the analysis of genetic influences on behavior and also behavioral sensitivity (responsivity) to drugs of abuse. The current study was conducted to characterize discriminated operant responding for food in four inbred strains (Balb/cByJ, DBA/2J, C57BL/6J, SJL/J), an F1 Hybrid (C57BL/6×SJL), and one outbred strain (CD1) of mouse. The effect of cocaine on this operant behavior was also examined. Initially, all animals were trained to nosepoke for food on a continuous reinforcement schedule. The minimum response requirement for reinforcement was increased every 5 days until the animals were responding on an FR-15 schedule of reinforcement. All strains increased operant responding as the schedule of reinforcement was raised. However, significant differences in response rate and discrimination learning were observed among the various strains of mice. Cocaine administration reduced operant responding for food in Balb/cByJ, C57BL/6J, C57BL/6×SJL/J and CD1 mice at a dose of 15.0 mg/kg, whereas higher doses were required in DBA/2J mice (30.0 mg/kg) and SJL/J mice (56.0 mg/kg). These results suggest that operant performance and the effect of cocaine on this behavior is differentially influenced by genetic make-up.
Converting Cancer Therapies into Cures: Lessons from Infectious Diseases

During the past decade, cancer drug development has shifted from a focus on cytotoxic chemotherapies to drugs that target specific molecular alterations in tumors. Although these drugs dramatically shrink tumors, the responses are temporary. Research is now focused on overcoming drug resistance, a frequent cause of treatment failure. Here we reflect on analogous challenges faced by researchers in infectious diseases. We compare and contrast the resistance mechanisms arising in cancer and infectious diseases and discuss how approaches for overcoming viral and bacterial infections, such as HIV and tuberculosis, are instructive for developing a more rational approach for cancer therapy. In particular, maximizing the effect of the initial treatment response, which often requires synergistic combination therapy, is foremost among these approaches. A remaining challenge in both fields is identifying drugs that eliminate drug-tolerant "persister" cells (infectious disease) or tumor-initiating/stem cells (cancer) to prevent late relapse and shorten treatment duration.
Low Fasting Plasma Glucose Level as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality

Background—Although medical textbooks usually classify fasting plasma glucose <70 or 80 mg/dL (<3.89 or 4.44 mmol/L) as abnormal, the prognosis for patients with low fasting plasma glucose is unclear. Methods and Results—We conducted prospective cohort studies among 40 069 men and women to investigate the association between fasting plasma glucose levels and cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. We documented a U-shaped relation between fasting plasma glucose and mortality. In addition to diabetes and impaired fasting glucose levels, low fasting plasma glucose levels were also associated with high mortality. After multivariate adjustment for age, sex, study population, ethnicity, current smoking status, high blood pressure, total cholesterol, body mass index, triglycerides, history of cardiovascular disease and cancer, and a family history of cardiovascular disease, patients with fasting plasma glucose <70 mg/dL (<3.89 mmol/L) had a 3.3-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality, an...
Thickness of the HeII film on copper versus surface roughness and saturation

Abstract The effective thickness of 4He adsorbed on copper capacitor plates has been measured as a function of saturation and surface roughness. At full saturation, the thickness increases with roughness, and below about 90% saturation it is too small to study with this technique.
The amino terminal acetylation of cat globin chains and their tryptic peptides.

Cat blood contains two major hemoglobins, HbA and HbB, both of which are synthesized within the same red cell. They contain identical α chains but different β chains. HbB is somewhat unusual in that it contains β chains that are modified by Nα-acetylation. Although the selective amino terminal acetylation of the β chain of cat HbB occurs during nascent peptide chain growth, it can also occur after completion of globin chain synthesis and its assembly into hemoglobin. However, the latter process is not as efficient as the former, and it occurs non-enzymatically. Two peptides in a mixture of tryptic peptides from cat HbA and non-acetylated cat HbB contain serine at their amino terminus. One is the octapeptide, non-acetylated B-βT-1, and the other is the tetrapeptide, αT-2, derived from both HbA and HbB. We provide evidence here that in a mixture of soluble tryptic peptides, acetylation of αT-2 takes place in the presence of acetyl-CoA and ribosomal acetyltransferase at pH 7.0. The amino terminal acetylation requires the presence of an acetyltransferase.
The binding of [3H]nitrendipine to receptors for calcium channel antagonists in the heart, cerebral cortex, and ileum of rats

Abstract The binding properties of the calcium channel antagonist, [ 3 H]nitrendipine, were investigated in homogenates of the rat cerebral cortex, heart and ileum. The specific component of [ 3 H]nitrendipine binding was consistent with mass-action behavior and was characterized by a high affinity dissociation constant in the range of 0.1 − 0.3 nM. A variety of other calcium channel antagonists inhibited the binding of [ 3 H]nitrendipine with K i 's that agree generally with the ability of these drugs to block contractions of cardiac and smooth muscle. The inhibition of [ 3 H]nitredipine binding by other dihydropyridines was consistent with competitive antagonism whereas the inhibition caused by verapamil and D600 resembled negative heterotropic cooperativity. Consistent with this latter postulate was the observation that the kinetics of [ 3 H]nitrendipine binding are altered by verapamil, with both the association rate and the dissociation rate being increased. La +3 and several divalent cations caused an inhibition of [ 3 H]nitrendipine with the rank order of potency being Cd +2 > La +3 > Ni +2 > Co +2 ≃ Mn +2 > Mg +2 ≃ Ba +2 > Ca +2 .
Dual enrollment, community colleges, and baccalaureate degree attainment:

This study examines baccalaureate attainment by a cohort of 2004 Virginia high school graduates who enrolled in a minimum of one dual enrolled course while high school seniors. Results of the logistic regression analyses indicate that students who began their postsecondary education at community colleges were significantly less likely to earn a baccalaureate degree when compared to students who began directly in four-year institutions. Minority students, though more likely to enroll directly in a four-year institution, were less likely to earn a baccalaureate degree than their White counterparts. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.
Single incision mid-urethral sling for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence.

Objectives To present the longitudinal outcomes in an observational cohort of patients who had undergone treatment of stress urinary incontinence with a single incision mid-urethral sling (MUS). Methods A prospective, observational study of all female patients who had undergone surgical intervention with the MiniArc MUS was performed. The surgical candidates underwent history and physical examination and urodynamic testing, as indicated. Quality of life questionnaires (Urogenital Distress Inventory [UDI-6] and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire [IIQ-7]) were administered preoperatively. The salient operative data were recorded. The patients were followed up postoperatively for evidence of treatment success and adverse events. The patients completed the UDI-6, IIQ-7, and Female Sexual Function Index questionnaires at 1 and 12 months after treatment. Results From September 2007 to October 2008, 120 patients underwent placement of the MiniArc MUS for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The mean patient age was 58.4 years. The mean body mass index was 27.2 kg/m 2 . The mean preoperative daily pad use was 2.4. The mean preoperative IIQ-7 and UDI-6 score was 86.58 and 62.5, respectively. Of the 120 patients, 108 (90%) completed a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. Of these 108 patients, 101 (94%) were cured/dry. The mean postoperative pad use was 0.2 ( P P P Conclusions Our results have shown that the MiniArc MUS offers excellent outcomes that are durable at 1 year after treatment.
Condition of Chromated Copper Arsenate Treated Hem-Fir Guardrail Posts after 20 Years in Service in Western Washington State

AbstractWood guardrail posts are among the most common wood materials currently used in highway construction. Preservative treated hem-fir is an important species for guardrail applications in the western United States. The service life of treated timber post guardrail systems has been estimated to be between 10 and 20 years. However, there is surprisingly little information on performance of timber guardrails. One aspect of the estimate of service life is wood durability. This study assessed the flexural properties, level of decay, and residual preservative levels in chromated copper arsenate preservative treated hem-fir guardrail posts removed from a project near Bellingham, Washington. Increment cores were removed from each post to assess preservative treatment and fungal colonization. The posts were tested for flexure properties in a three-point bending test. Posts that met the American Wood Protection Association standards for preservative penetration tended to have lower levels of internal decay aft...
Sex, Abortion, and Infanticide: The Gulf between the Secular and the Divine

This paper critically explores key aspects of the gulf between traditional Christian bioethics and the secular moral reflections that dominate contemporary bioethics. For example, in contrast to traditional Christian morality, the established secular bioethics judges extramarital sex acts among consenting persons, whether of the same or different sexes, as at least morally permissible, affirms sexual freedom for children to develop their own sexual identity, and holds the easy availability of abortion and infanticide as central to the liberty interests of women. Secular bioethics seeks to separate children from the authority of their parents, placing children themselves as in authority to make their own judgments about appropriate lifestyle choices, including sexual behaviors. As I argue, however, absent God, there exists no standpoint outside of our own cultural sociohistorically conditioned understanding from which to communicate any deeper perspective of reality or the bioethics that such a perspective would secure. Consequently, rather than discerning moral truth, secular bioethics merely affirms its own particular cultural sociohistorically conditioned ideological perspective. It is a social and political worldview bereft of definitive moral foundation, independent moral authority, or unambiguous content.
Protection of soil carbon by microaggregates within earthworm casts

Abstract Earthworms are known to play a role in aggregate formation and soil organic matter (SOM) protection. However, it is still unclear at what scale and how quickly earthworms manage to protect SOM. We investigated the effects of Aporrectodea caliginosa on aggregation and aggregate-associated C pools using 13C-labeled sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) leaf residue. Two incubations were set up. The first incubation consisted of soil samples crushed 2000 μm) and small (250–2000 μm) macroaggregates and microaggregates (53–250 μm). Eight different pools of aggregate-associated C were quantified: (1) and (2) unprotected C pools in large and small macroaggregates, (3) unprotected C pools in microaggregates, (4) and (5) protected C pools in large and small macroaggregates, (6) protected C pool in microaggregates, and (7) and (8) protected C pools in microaggregates within large and small macroaggregates. In the presence of earthworms, a higher proportion of large macroaggregates was newly formed and these aggregates contained more C and 13C compared to bulk soil. There were no significant differences between the samples with or without earthworms in the C pool-sizes protected by macroaggregates, microaggregates or microaggregates within small macroaggregates. However, in the presence of earthworms, the C protected by microaggregates within large macroaggregates was a significant pool and 22% of this C pool was newly added C. In conclusion, these results clearly indicate the direct involvement of earthworms in providing protection of soil C in microaggregates within large macroaggregates leading to a possible long-term stabilization of soil C.
The details of the convective evaporation of dense and dilute clusters of drops

A global model describing the convective evaporation of dense and dilute clusters of drops has been formulated starting from first principles. The volume of the cluster and the number of drops in a given cluster are fixed, and the drops do not move with respect to each other. The model has been tested for three different drag models and shows less than 10-percent sensitivity in the prediction of the droplet lifetime. The initial relative velocity between drops and gases is a weak control parameter in the 40-1000-cm/s regime.
On the design and implementation of a shared memory dispatcher for partially clairvoyant schedulers

With the onset of distributed computing in hard real-time applications, the problem of assigning to, scheduling in, and executing jobs on processors, has received a lot of attention. Usually, real-time systems are embedded in closed loop reactive environments with uncertain behaviors and such systems take varying times to respond to such stimuli. One of the fundamental features of such systems is the presence of complex timing constraints between pairs of jobs. A secondary feature is the non-constant nature of the execution times of jobs. Real-time operating systems such as MARUTI can measure the interval within which the execution time varies (Mosse et al. In: Second IEEE Workshop on Experimental Distributed System, pp. 29-34, IEEE, 1990; Levi et al. 1989, ACM Special Interest Group Operat Syst 23(3):90-106). Partially clairvoyant scheduling was introduced in (Saksena, Parametric Scheduling in Hard Real-Time Systems. PhD thesis, University of Maryland, College Park, June 1994) to schedule jobs with varying execution times and non-trivial timing constraints. The schedulability of the job set is determined offline and a set of dispatch functions are produced from the given set of constraints if the job set is schedulable. The dispatch functions bind the start time of a job J to an interval that depends on the start and execution times of jobs sequenced before J. The online dispatcher of the system reads these dispatch functions and computes the interval within which a job can start without violating the constraints imposed on the system. In certain situations, the dispatcher fails to dispatch a job as the time to compute the dispatch functions associated with a job is greater than the interval within which the job needs to be dispatched. This phenomenon is called Loss of Dispatchability (Subramani, Duality in the Parametric Polytope and its Applications to a Scheduling Problem. PhD thesis, University of Maryland, College Park, August 2000). In this paper, we propose and implement a partially clairvoyant dispatching algorithm on a shared memory cluster with Concurrent Read Exclusive Write (CREW) architecture and contrast it with the sequential approach. For a preset number of processors, our approach has O(1) dispatch complexity while using a total of O(n2) space, while the sequential approach requires Ω(n) time. The detailed implementation profile obtained clearly demonstrates the superiority of the multiprocessor approach to dispatching. We also address the issue of scalability of the dispatcher for increasing number of processors and show that job sets of different sizes require different number of processors. Finally, we demonstrate the effect of execution time on the dispatchability of schedules.
Therapy of incest survivors: Abuse or support?☆

A preliminary study examined the self-reports of 30 adult incest survivors related to professional help received for personal concerns and incest-related problems. Subjects rated the helpfulness of services received from 12 categories of professionals or groups commonly sought for counsel. Subjects utilized 113 professionals (53 male, 60 female) and spent an average of 36 sessions (9 months) in helping relationships. Chi-square analysis indicated a significant relation (p less than .001) between sex of professional or helper and rating of helpfulness of individual sessions. The trend indicated by this data suggests that male helpers were seen longer and rated lower than females. Additional information provided indicated that the most helpful categories of interventions included (1) validation; (2) advocacy; (3) empathic understanding; and (4) absence of derision or contempt. Practices or attitudes considered harmful were (1) blaming the victim; (2) lack of validation; (3) negative or rejecting responses; and (4) exploitation or victimization of the client. Sexual involvement with the person in the helping role was reported by 23% of the sample; an additional 23% reported other forms of exploitation or victimization. Results of the study are discussed using the conceptual framework of trauma-based disturbances. Reliving experiences, revictimization dynamics, and dissociative processes are speculated to be involved in the high incidence of exploitation of adult incest survivors by persons in helping roles. Language: en
Human Phagocytes Employ the Myeloperoxidase-Hydrogen Peroxide System to Synthesize Dityrosine, Trityrosine, Pulcherosine, and Isodityrosine by a Tyrosyl Radical-dependent Pathway

Myeloperoxidase, a heme protein secreted by activated phagocytes, may be a catalyst for lipoprotein oxidation in vivo. Active myeloperoxidase is a component of human atherosclerotic lesions, and atherosclerotic tissue exhibits selective enrichment of protein dityrosine cross-links, a well characterized product of myeloperoxidase. Tyrosylation of lipoproteins with peroxidase-generated tyrosyl radical generates multiple protein-bound tyrosine oxidation products in addition to dityrosine. The structural characterization of these products would thus serve as an important step in determining the role of myeloperoxidase in lipoprotein oxidation in the artery wall. We now report the identification and characterization of four distinct tyrosyl radical addition products generated by human phagocytes. Activated neutrophils synthesized three major fluorescent products from L-tyrosine; on reverse phase HPLC, each compound coeluted with fluorescent oxidation products formed by myeloperoxidase. We purified the oxidation products to apparent homogeneity by cation and anion exchange chromatographies and identified the compounds as dityrosine (3,3′-dityrosine), trityrosine (3,3′,5′,3′-trityrosine) and pulcherosine (5-[4′-(2-carboxy-2-aminoethyl)phenoxy]3,3′-dityrosine) by high resolution NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Additionally, we have found that dityrosine is a precursor to trityrosine, but not pulcherosine. In a search for a precursor to pulcherosine, we identified isodityrosine (3-[4′-(2-carboxy-2-aminoethyl)phenoxy]tyrosine), a non-fluorescent product of L-tyrosine oxidation by human phagocytes. Our results represent the first identification of this family of tyrosyl radical addition products in a mammalian system. Moreover, these compounds may serve as markers specific for tyrosyl radical-mediated oxidative damage in atherosclerosis and other inflammatory conditions.
Mechanisms of infection with Epstein-Barr virus. III. The synthesis of proteins in superinfected Raji cells.

Abstract Superinfection of Raji cells at high multiplicities with EBV leads to the synthesis of at least nine virus-induced polypeptides. Inhibition of viral DNA synthesis with phosphonoacetic acid greatly reduces the synthesis of certain virus-induced proteins while others are made in apparently normal amounts.
An integrative model of e-learning use: Leveraging theory to understand and increase usage.

Abstract Employees are increasingly using technology to access content for learning, and theory development has been outpaced by practice. Drawing on a well validated theory of behavior change (the Transtheoretical Model of Change), as well as theories on technology acceptance and employee development, this paper offers an integrative model of factors that influence employee use of e-learning as well as practical recommendations for how use might be increased. Recommendations for future research on e-learning are also offered.
The reaction of titanium with hydrogen gas at ambient temperatures

Ti-hydrogen reaction at ambient temperatures, investigating factors favoring reaction and preventive measures
Methoxsalen and ultraviolet A radiation in treatment of chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host reaction

Chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host reaction following bone marrow transplantation has been difficult to manage in some patients because of poor response to immunosuppressive agents or because of toxicity to these drugs. We recently used methoxsalen and ultraviolet A therapy and found it to be successful in controlling chronic cutaneous lichenoid graft-versus-host reaction in a bone marrow transplant patient. Although there was an initial flare of an eruption resembling acute cutaneous graft-versus-host reaction, both this acute eruption and the lichenoid lesions subsided and cleared with continued treatment. The skin lesions recurred when treatment was discontinued but responded promptly when it was initiated for the second time. Other than mild phototoxicity, there were no other significant side effects.
WHICH STATES HAVE THE DEATH PENALTY: DATA FROM 1980 '

A factor analysis of social characteristics of the states in 1980 showed that states with a death penalty were less socially integrated and more southern.
A simplified method of anorectal manometry for wider clinical application.

Abstract In recent years pressure studies of the anorectal sphincter have been used increasingly in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease, 1–3 in the assessment of function in patients with constipation and incontinence problems, 4,5 and in the evaluation of patients with anorectal anomalies. 6,7 This diagnostic test requires the use of sophisticated and expensive electronic equipment. A simplified method of anorectal manometry would be a valuable tool to the clinician who is faced with the diagnostic dilemma of functional versus organic constipation problems, and with the task of selecting optimal treatment for patients with neurogenic incontinence, or dysfunction following repair of anorectal anomalies. We have developed a simple and inexpensive technique that uses components available in any hospital and that should provide for wider clinical application of anorectal manometry studies. A water manometer is used to measure the sphincteric reactions to rectal distension; and its readings correlate closely with those of the electronic equipment. The new balloon system can be fabricated from easily available material and tailored to fit the different sizes and lengths of the anal canal and rectum in various age groups. We have recently used this modification to diagnose Hirschsprung's disease in newborn infants. 8
Hollow silica and silica-boron nano/microparticles for contrast-enhanced ultrasound to detect small tumors

Diagnosing tumors at an early stage when they are easily curable and may not require systemic chemotherapy remains a challenge to clinicians. In order to improve early cancer detection, gas filled hollow boron-doped silica particles have been developed, which can be used for ultrasound-guided breast conservation therapy. The particles are synthesized using a polystyrene template and subsequently calcinated to create hollow, rigid nanoporous microspheres. The microshells are filled with perfluoropentane vapor. Studies were performed in phantoms to optimize particle concentration, injection dose, and the ultrasound settings such as pulse frequency and mechanical index. In vitro studies have shown that these particles can be continuously imaged by US up to 48 min and their signal lifetime persisted for 5 days. These particles could potentially be given by intravenous injection and, in conjunction with contrast-enhanced ultrasound, be utilized as a screening tool to detect smaller breast cancers before they are detectible by traditional mammography.