cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychiatric aspects of substance use disorders in childbearing populations.

The use of “crack” cocaine during pregnancy, although important, should not be overemphasized relative to other known teratogens (e.g., alcohol and tobacco); to indirect psychosodal factors associated with poor pregnancy outcome, such as the lack of prenatal care and untreated infection; and to the hazards of substance dependence before and after pregnancy. Although pregnancy may enhance motivation for abstinence, the persistence of addiction that continues despite pregnancy must be appredated. Psychiatric comorbidity, ongoing interpersonal violence, past and threatened child custody loss, and markedly impaired experiences being parents are common in pregnant addicts. The postpartum period should be understood to be one of great risk for relapse for the addicted woman who achieves abstinence during pregnancy.
Benign testis tumors.

AbstractBenign testis tumors are reported to be extraordinarily rare. Recent clinical experience has shown a high prevalence (7 of 12 patients) of these tumors, which, although small, is much higher than other reports. We herein present 4 illustrative cases and a practical categorization of the varied pathologic events causing these tumors.
Liver Transplantation for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Role of Bariatric Surgery for Comorbid Obesity.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly prevalent form of chronic liver disease throughout the world and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality related to liver disease and the consequences of metabolic syndrome. NAFLD is projected to become the leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States in the near future, and presents unique challenges due to common comorbidities, particularly obesity. As obesity is often a barrier to transplant, distinctive decision-making and care is needed for this growing population. Bariatric surgery offers a promising option for liver transplant specialists to consider in obese patients with NAFLD cirrhosis. This research highlight reviews the rising burden of NAFLD, concerns regarding obesity and liver transplant, and the potential role of bariatric surgery in the liver transplantation paradigm.
Disenfranchisement and Power: The Role of Teachers as Mediators in Citizenship Education Policy and Practice

In recent years, globalization processes, in the form of demographic changes, economic migration, the expansion of transnational and supranational allegiances, and (perhaps consequently) increased debates about ethnic and religious rights have presented new challenges to the nation-state. Indeed, the global era has induced states to question, and in some cases redefine, long held notions of citizenship and belonging (Klopp, 2005; Gutmann, 1997). Such notions have traditionally been taken for granted as legislated domains under the control of the national government. Whole groups of people, based on their heritage, immigration status, or other arbitrary variables, have been disenfranchised from participation in the democratic process of their state of residence. Other institutions, such as schools, have taken up the legislated definitions of “who can belong” and used them as the crux of their own policymaking with regard to citizenship education policy. In fact, citizenship education policy-makers have engaged in nationally (if not nationalistically) defined norms of belonging (Keating, Ortloff, and Phillipou, forthcoming) and now are faced with the task of reconsidering these definitions. As Banks (2008) concludes, there is a need to prepare young people for a transformative citizenship that, as Law (2004) notes, requires students to think beyond borders. This necessarily challenges the exclusivity of citizenship as a national domain.
The Regulation and Function of Fibroblast Growth Factor 8 and Its Function during Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neuron Development

Over the last few years, numerous studies solidified the hypothesis that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling regulates neuroendocrine progenitor cell proliferation, fate-specification, and cell survival, and therefore is critical for the regulation and maintenance of homeostasis of the body. One important example that underscores the involvement of FGF signaling during neuroendocrine cell development is gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuron ontogenesis. Indeed, transgenic mice with reduced olfactory placode (OP) Fgf8 expression do not have GnRH neurons. This observation indicates the requirement of FGF8 signaling for the emergence of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal system in the embryonic OP, the putative birth place of GnRH neurons. Mammalian reproductive success depends on the presence of GnRH neurons to stimulate gonadotropin secretion from the anterior pituitary, which activates gonadal steroidogenesis and gametogenesis. Together, these observations are critical for understanding the function of GnRH neurons and their control of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis to maintain fertility. Taken together, these studies illustrate that GnRH neuron emergence, and hence HPG-function is vulnerable to genomic and molecular signals that abnormally modify Fgf8 expression in the developing mouse OP. In this short review, we focus on research that is aimed at unraveling how androgen, all-trans retinoic acid and epigenetic modifies control mouse OP Fgf8 transcription in the context of GnRH neuronal development, and mammalian reproductive success.
1980 The Risk Paradigm

Animals are sensitive to the risks involved in their actions and the assessment of the potential costs and benefits of behavior includes the effects of risk. In the risk paradigm, the variability of the environment for foraging rewards is more important than the average foraging reward. Highly variable yields from foraging are inherently more risky, as they can include rewards that will be below starvation level, and foragers may avoid risk if they are already in marginal survival situations.
Exponential Convergence of the Discrete- and Continuous-Time Altafini Models

This paper considers the discrete-time version of Altafini's model for opinion dynamics in which the interaction among a group of agents is described by a time-varying signed digraph. Prompted by an idea from [3] , exponential convergence of the system is studied using a graphical approach. Necessary and sufficient conditions for exponential convergence with respect to each possible type of limit states are provided. Specifically, under the assumption of repeatedly jointly strong connectivity, it is shown that 1) a certain type of two-clustering will be reached exponentially fast for almost all initial conditions if, and only if, the sequence of signed digraphs is repeatedly jointly structurally balanced corresponding to that type of two-clustering; 2) the system will converge to zero exponentially fast for all initial conditions if, and only if, the sequence of signed digraphs is repeatedly jointly structurally unbalanced. An upper bound on the convergence rate is provided. The results are also extended to the continuous-time Altafini model.
A power consumption model for multi-rotor small unmanned aircraft systems

We develop a theoretical power consumption model for multi-rotor Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), estimate the model parameters, and validate it by flying an IRIS+ quadrotor UAS and measuring its energy consumption experimentally. The model is derived from the helicopter literature. Such models are required to create UAS flight planning systems.
Reproducible genomic DNA preparation from diverse crop species for molecular genetic applications

Several high-throughput molecular genetic analyses rely on high-quality genomic DNA. Copurification of other molecules can negatively impact the functionality of plant DNA preparations employed in these procedures. Isolating DNA from agronomically important crops, such as sugarcane, rice, citrus, potato and tomato is a challenge due to the presence of high fiber, polysaccharides, or secondary metabolites. We present a simplified, rapid and reproducible SDS-based method that provides high-quality and -quantity of DNA from small amounts of leaf tissue, as required by the emerging biotechnology and molecular genetic applications. We developed the TENS-CO method as a simplified SDS-based isolation procedure with sequential steps of purification to remove polysaccharides and polyphenols using 2-mercaptoethanol and potassium acetate, chloroform partitioning, and sodium acetate/ethanol precipitation to yield high-quantity and -quality DNA consistently from small amounts of tissue (0.15 g) for different plant species. The method is simplified and rapid in terms of requiring minimal manipulation, smaller extraction volume, reduced homogenization time (20 s) and DNA precipitation (one precipitation for 1 h). The method has been demonstrated to accelerate screening of large amounts of plant tissues from species that are rich in polysaccharides and secondary metabolites for Southern blot analysis of reporter gene overexpressing lines, pathogen detection by quantitative PCR, and genotyping of disease-resistant plants using marker-assisted selection. To facilitate molecular genetic studies in major agronomical crops, we have developed the TENS-CO method as a simple, rapid, reproducible and scalable protocol enabling efficient and robust isolation of high-quality and -quantity DNA from small amounts of tissue from sugarcane, rice, citrus, potato, and tomato, thereby reducing significantly the time and resources used for DNA isolation.
A clear advantage: The benefits of transparency to crisis recovery

Abstract Increasing transparency is one of the first and most common recommendations from international financial institutions to policymakers in countries that experience economic crises. Despite the widespread prescription of this elixir, disagreements persist about its efficacy during crises. Much of the existing literature suggests that increasing transparency decreases information asymmetries, increases policy predictability and the credibility of policy commitments, improves the effectiveness of monetary policy, and bolsters public confidence. Each of these effects could plausibly shorten the duration of economic crises. Critics counter, however, that effects of transparency are ambiguous and may increase policy uncertainty, raise volatility, increase the prospect of collectively self-destructive behaviors, and decrease the effectiveness of monetary policy – effects that could prolong crises. These debates persist in part because related empirical research tends to focus primarily on the transparency of central banks and its impact on market expectations regarding short-term interest rates without considering the transparency of national governments and how the availability of credible data about the national economy from sources other than the central bank affects public and market expectations. We argue that greater transparency of national governments – often inferred from, yet independent of, the transparency of central banks – will decrease the duration of inflation and currency crises by providing information about existing economic conditions, increasing the predictability and credibility of national economic policy, and increasing confidence in the efficacy of policy choices by demonstrating the degree to which the policy positions of national politicians and central bankers align. We operationalize government transparency in terms of the government dissemination of credible macroeconomic information using the Hollyer, Rosendorff, and Vreeland (HRV) index. Our analyses of 125 countries from 1980 through 2010 indicate that higher levels of government transparency are strongly correlated with shorter durations of inflation and currency crises and that the level of transparency is negatively correlated with the severity or size of inflation crises.
Entropy and temperature of microstructure in crystal plasticity

Abstract It has been argued for quite a while that thermodynamics of solids must include two additional thermodynamic parameters, entropy of microstructure and temperature of microstructure. Entropy of microstructure was associated with the phase volume in microstructure phase space. However, the details of this picture for particular microstructures remained vague. This paper suggests an interpretation of microstructure entropy in crystal plasticity when deformation is due to motion of dislocations. In phase space the special states, p − states, are introduced which are local minima of energy for fixed values of dislocation polarization tensor p. Microstructure entropy is logarithm of the number of p − states. It is argued that negative derivative of microstructure entropy describes the rate of slip avalanches. A proposition is made on what should be an ergodic hypothesis for dislocation dynamics. This proposition yields an interpretation of microstructure temperature as an average energy dissipation in slip avalanches. The constitutive equations for internal resistance stresses are given in terms of microstructure entropy.
Eulogistic comedy as domestic soft power: Biopolitical self-fashioning in It's My Day Off (1959)

Soft power as a concept measures the ability of a nation in obtaining positive outcomes overseas through cultural means, but its core ideas of attraction and credibility are productive in analyzing...
In search of liberation pedagogy in South Africa

On the nature of apartheid education agreed! The curriculum is racist, Eurocentric, elitist, sexist. Control is central and undemocratic. Students are systematically disempowered and discriminated against. Examinations are culturally biased and racially selective. Classrooms are overcrowded and school buildings are dilapidated. Textbooks are absent, out-of-date, or in need of replacement. Teachers are overburdened, underqualified, and under strict state control. Administrators at "head office" are corrupt, uninterested, and highly authoritarian.
Chernoff’s Bound and Asymptotic Expansions

The large deviation theory of Chapter 3 tells us what the asymptotic rates to zero are of various sequences of rare event probabilities. The very reason for this book is that in almost all applications, this knowledge is not sufficient. We actually need to know what the probability is (or at least have a good estimate of it) in order to complete an engineering system analysis or design. The philosophy of this book is that we are going to simulate in order to obtain that number.
High-performance implementation of a Runge–Kutta finite-difference scheme for the Higgs boson equation in the de Sitter spacetime

Abstract High performance computations are presented for the Higgs boson equation in the de Sitter Spacetime using explicit fourth order Runge–Kutta scheme on the temporal discretization and fourth order finite difference discretization in space. In addition to the full, ( 3 + 1 ) − dimensional equation we also examine the ( 1 + 1 ) − dimensional radial solutions. The numerical code for the ( 3 + 1 ) − dimensional equation is programmed in CUDA Fortran and is performed on NVIDIA Tesla K40c GPU Accelerators. The radial form of the equation is simulated in MATLAB. The numerical results demonstrate the existing theoretical result that under certain conditions bubbles form in the scalar field. We also demonstrate the known blow-up phenomena for the solutions of the related semilinear Klein–Gordon equation with imaginary mass. Our numerical studies suggest several previously not known properties of the solution for the Higgs boson equation in the de Sitter spacetime for which theoretical proofs do not exist yet: 1. smooth solution exists for all time if the initial conditions are compactly supported and smooth; 2. under some conditions no bubbles form; 3. solutions converge to step functions related to unforced, damped Duffing equations.
A revision of Campyloprion Eastman, 1902 (Chondrichthyes, Helicoprionidae), including new occurrences from the Upper Pennsylvanian of New Mexico and Texas, USA

Campyloprion Eastman, 1902 is a chondrichthyan having an arched symphyseal tooth whorl similar to that of Helicoprion Karpinsky, 1899, but less tightly coiled. The holotype of Campyloprion annectans Eastman, 1902, the type species of Campyloprion , is of unknown provenance, but is presumed to be from the Pennsylvanian of North America. Campyloprion ivanovi (Karpinsky, 1922) has been described from the Gzhelian of Russia. A partial symphyseal tooth whorl, designated as Campyloprion cf. C. ivanovi , is reported from the Missourian Tinajas Member of the Atrasado Formation of Socorro County, New Mexico, USA. Partial tooth whorls from the Virgilian Finis Shale and Jacksboro Limestone Members of the Graham Formation of northern Texas, USA, are designated as Campyloprion sp. Two partial tooth whorls from the Gzhelian of Russia that were previously referred to C. ivanovi are designated as Campyloprion cf. C. annectans . The age of Toxoprion lecontei (Dean, 1898), from Nevada, USA, is corrected from the Carboniferous to the early Permian. An alternative interpretation of the holotype of T. lecontei is presented, resulting in a reversal of its anterior-to-posterior orientation. The genera Helicoprion , Campyloprion , and Shaktauites Tchuvashov, 2001 can be distinguished by their different spiral angles.
Vasodilator function is impaired in burn injury survivors

The effect of severe burn injury on vascular health is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that, compared with nonburn control subjects, vasodilator function would be reduced and that pulse-wave velo...
Water at ionic liquids-solid interfaces

Summary The inevitable presence of water at the interfaces of ionic liquids and solid surfaces can either be a nuisance or a delight, depending on the applications. Here, researches on the adsorption of water at these interfaces, its effects on the interfaces’ molecular structure and dynamics, and its practical implications are reviewed.
Robust integral back-stepping control for a quadrotor: experiments and simulation

This paper presents a robust integral back-stepping (RIB) control method applied to a constructed quadrotor prototype. The controller provides stabilisation of attitude and motion under various assumptions. The controller is robust to reject external disturbances and compensate for potential parameter uncertainties. An analysis of the benefits of the proposed control method is presented by comparison to classic linear control methods. This analysis is supported by simulation and implementation on a physical prototype. The simulation parameters match that of the prototype to provide a consistent means of validation.
Coexistent Duodenal Ulcer

In 41.6% of our patients with gastric ulcer there was deformity of the duodenal bulb, a duodenal niche, or both. There were great differences between participating hospitals in the reported frequency of this evidence for associated duodenal ulcer. The association occurred more often with gastric ulcer close to the pylorus but was not related to size of the ulcer. No relation between coexistence of duodenal ulcer and output of gastric acid was found, although such a relation could have been obscured by a great interhospital variation in values for acid output. There was no relation between coexistence of duodenal ulcer and likelihood of healing of the gastric ulcer. Recurrence of gastric ulcer was slightly more frequent in white patients when duodenal ulcer coexisted. Although Negroes with gastric ulcer more often had duodenal ulcer, and more often had recurrences than white patients, these relationships were independent of each other.
Arrebato (1979), de Iván Zulueta: la vida secreta de los objetos

Arrebato (1979), dirigida por Ivan Zulueta es una pelicula de culto que narra el camino de sus tres protagonistas hasta convertirse en seres extaticos. Pedro, Ana y Jose buscan el arrebato a traves...
Pulmonary venous obstruction after extracardiac total cavopulmonary connection in right atrial isomerism

Patients with functional single ventricle and right atrial isomerism (RAI) often have multiform cardiac pulmonary venous (PV) connection, which could be a risk factor for pulmonary venous obstruction (PVO) after extracardiac total cavopulmonary connection (EC-TCPC) owing to compression of the conduit. To investigate the anatomical risk factors for PVO after EC-TCPC in RAI. Twenty-nine patients with RAI without extracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection were enrolled. No patients had PVO before EC-TCPC. A total of 14 and 15 patients had PV orifices ipsilateral and contralateral to the extracardiac conduit, respectively. The former 14 patients were assigned to two groups based on development of PVO after EC-TCPC (groups O and N). The pre- and post-operative cardiac morphologies and their relationship with the conduit were compared. After the EC-TCPC, the pressure gradients between the atrium and the PV were 5.0 ± 2.5 and 0.44 ± 0.2 mmHg in groups O and N, respectively (p < 0.01); however, the pressure gradients in the left and right PVs were not significantly different, suggesting stenosis of the common PV orifice. The ratio of the horizontal distance from the vertebrae to the PV orifice and to the lateral edge of the atrium was significantly higher (0.38 ± 0.2 vs. 0.17 ± 0.1; p = 0.04) and the orifice was smaller (8.9 ± 2.0 vs. 15 ± 4.7 mm; p < 0.01) in group O than in group N. In cases with ipsilateral locations of the conduit and PV orifice, small size and more lateral location of the PV orifice may be preoperative risk factors for development of PVO.
Feasibility Study of Monitoring Deterioration of Outpatients Using Multimodal Data Collected by Wearables

In the article, we explore the feasibility of monitoring outpatients using Fitbit Charge HR wristbands and the potential of machine learning models to predict clinical deterioration (readmissions and death) among outpatients discharged from the hospital. We developed and piloted a data collection system in a clinical study that involved 25 heart failure patients recently discharged. The results demonstrated the feasibility of continuously monitoring outpatients using wristbands. We observed high levels of patient compliance in wearing the wristbands regularly and satisfactory yield, latency, and reliability of data collection from the wristbands to a cloud-based database. Finally, we explored a set of machine learning models to predict deterioration based on the Fitbit data. Through fivefold cross-validation, K nearest neighbor achieved the highest accuracy of 0.8667 for identifying patients at risk of deterioration using the data collected from the beginning of the monitoring. Machine learning models based on multimodal data (step, sleep, and heart rate) significantly outperformed the traditional clinical approach based on LACE index. Moreover, our proposed Weighted Samples One-Class SVM model with estimated confidence can reach high accuracy (0.9635) for predicting the deterioration using data collected within a sliding window, which indicates the potential for allowing timely intervention.
COVID-19 and airline employment: Insights from historical uncertainty shocks to the industry

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of uncertainty shocks on airline employment in the light of the current global pandemic. The airline industry has faced many threats throughout history, but none quite as rapid and severe as the one posed by the spread of COVID-19. One constant during uncertainty shocks and industry downturns is that airline labor bears the brunt of the decline. As the industry reduces capacity amid the increase in travel restrictions, the post-stimulus impacts to airline labor are not known. Using time series analysis, the dynamics of historical uncertainty shocks to the industry are examined. During periods of uncertainty shocks, the estimated job loss is nearly 7% of the airline workforce with an upper bound of over 13%. Major airline employment is most impacted, while low-cost and regional airline employment is least impacted. The hardest hit employees are ones related to passenger handling and flight operations, while management employees fair slightly better during these uncertain periods. Further, recovery following uncertainty shocks is estimated to take between 4 and 6 years. Overall, the labor impacts to the airline industry from uncertainty events are substantial and provide insight into the expected industry job loss from COVID-19.
Facile formulation of a long-wavelength cyanine for optical imaging in the second near-infrared window

The second near-infrared window (NIR-II) beyond 1000 nm has attracted attention for optical contrast imaging in small animals. We sought to assess whether commercially available NIR-II dyes could be easily formulated for this purpose. 13 hydrophobic NIR-II dyes were purchased and screened by formulating them in simple solubilizing agents with established use in humans: propylene glycol, Cremaphor EL, Kolliphor HS15 (HS15), Tween 80, and cyclodextrin. Based on the absorption at 1064 nm (matching the Nd:YAG laser output commonly used in photoacoustic imaging), three of the dyes were further assessed at varying dye and surfactant concentrations. Of these, benzo indole butyl diphenylaminocyclopentene heptamethine (BIBDAH) tetrafluoroborate in HS15 generally showed the most favorable NIR-II character. 1 mg mL−1 BIBDAH in 25% HS15 exhibited a single absorption peak at 1030 nm with a calculated intensity greater than 100, which was relatively stable for weeks in storage. Following intravenous administration to mice, determination of BIBDAH pharmacokinetics was possible by absorption measurements of sampled plasma, revealing a circulating half-life of about one hour. Most of the dye was taken up by the liver. BIBDAH was used in vitro and in vivo as a photoacoustic contrast imaging agent and its accumulation could be detected in subcutaneous tumors in mice. BIBDAH was used for fluorescence imaging of blood vessels in mice, including in the brain (through intact skull), and dye clearance from blood to the liver was visualized. Taken together, this study confirms that accessible, strongly-absorbing dye can readily be formulated for injection by simply dissolving them in biocompatible surfactants and used for high-contrast preclinical optical imaging in the second NIR window.
POMERON FLUX RENORMALIZATION IN SOFT AND HARD DIFFRACTION

While the main features of elastic, diffractive and total cross sections are described well by Regge theory, the measured rise of the proton-(anti)proton single diffraction dissociation cross section with energy is considerably smaller than the theoretical prediction based on factorization and a constant triple-pomeron coupling. The observed energy dependence is obtained by renormalizing the pomeron flux "carried" by a nucleon to unity. Double diffraction and double pomeron exchange cross sections are reevaluated and compared to data, and a new interpretation of hard diffraction results emerges in which the hard pomeron obeys the momentum sum rule.
Patient-Reported Outcomes for Cancer Patients with Hematological Malignancies Undergoing Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Databases were searched to identify studies published over the past 10 years that addressed the utility of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in patients with hematological malignancies. Among 280 records, three articles covering 206 patients were eligible. The data were prospectively collected at multiple time points. The compliance rates were 70% to 94%. There was an inverse relationship between fatigue and social function among adults. The quality of life (QoL) improvement and ability to complete PROs were linked to disease status. About 40% of adults reported at least some cognitive difficulties, with a detrimental impact on mental and physical health status. In adults, the most commonly reported cognitive impairment was memory difficulties. Depression was associated with cognitive difficulties. Younger adults were at higher risk of long-term poor mental health, anxiety, and depression. For pediatric and adolescent patients, emotional dysfunction improves over time. QoL status improved over time; yet, severe cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity caused delayed improvement. Information regarding whether the PROs were integrated into medical records and clinical guidelines is lacking. Utilizing PROs in patients on CAR T cell therapy seems feasible and informative. Studies utilizing larger sample sizes and using validated PRO tools at different time points remain unmet needs.
Anti-Tobacco Advertising—Is Bladder Cancer Adequately Addressed?

AbstractIntroduction:In order to assess whether bladder cancer is appropriately referenced in online anti-tobacco advertisements, we evaluated 200 videos and assessed diseases mentioned in these vi...
MRI-detected extramural venous invasion of rectal cancer: Multimodality performance and implications at baseline imaging and after neoadjuvant therapy.

MRI is routinely used for rectal cancer staging to evaluate tumor extent and to inform decision-making regarding surgical planning and the need for neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy. Extramural venous invasion (EMVI), which is intravenous tumor extension beyond the rectal wall on histopathology, is a predictor for worse prognosis. T2-weighted images (T2WI) demonstrate EMVI as a nodular-, bead-, or worm-shaped structure of intermediate T2 signal with irregular margins that arises from the primary tumor. Correlative diffusion-weighted images demonstrate intermediate to high signal corresponding to EMVI, and contrast enhanced T1-weighted images demonstrate tumor signal intensity in or around vessels. Diffusion-weighted and post contrast images may increase diagnostic performance but decrease inter-observer agreement. CT may also demonstrate obvious EMVI and is potentially useful in patients with a contraindication for MRI. This article aims to review the spectrum of imaging findings of EMVI of rectal cancer on MRI and CT, to summarize the diagnostic accuracy and inter-observer agreement of imaging modalities for its presence, to review other rectal neoplasms that may cause EMVI, and to discuss the clinical significance and role of MRI-detected EMVI in staging and restaging clinical scenarios.
Quantitative cooling histories from stranded diffusion profiles

Stranded elemental or isotopic diffusion profiles in geological materials have the potential to reveal information on the thermal history of the host sample. In the specific case of a concentration step that is established at high temperature, the extent of diffusive relaxation during cooling depends on the details of the cooling path and the Arrhenius diffusion law of the species of interest: In principle, a measured profile in a sample can provide quantitative information on the nature of the cooling path if the diffusion law is known. Using a combination of mathematics and numerical simulations, we derive a simple relationship describing the extent of profile relaxation (as gauged by the slope S 0 of a diffusion profile) as a function of the initial temperature (T i) and cooling rate ( $$\dot{T}$$ ) of the system and the activation energy (E a) and pre-exponential factor (D 0) for diffusion: $$\log S_{0} = 2.504 - \frac{1}{2}\log D_{0} - \log T_{\text{i}} + \frac{1}{2}\log E_{\text{a}} + \frac{1}{2}\log \dot{T} + \left( {26.11\frac{{E_{\text{a}} }}{{T_{\text{i}} }}} \right)$$ The initial temperature T i is expressed in K, $$\dot{T}$$ is in °/s, D 0 is in m2/s, and E a is in kJ/mol. The slope of the profile of interest can be estimated either at the midpoint of an interdiffusion profile or at a crystal margin. In the former case, concentrations are normalized to a difference of 100 between the upper (=100) and lower (=0) initial concentration plateaus. For profiles at crystal margins, the normalization range is 0 to 50. The equation above applies equally well to linear and exponential cooling paths because the extent of relaxation indicated by S 0 is essentially the same for a given linear cooling path and an exponential one characterized by the same initial cooling rate. Cooling from the top of parabolic T–t “dome” results in more extensive profile relaxation; this is also well described by the above equation if the leading constant 2.504 is changed to 2.165. If S 0 of a stranded profile has been characterized in the laboratory, and if the Arrhenius law of the diffusant is known, the above equation can be solved uniquely for one of the cooling path parameters (T i or $$\dot{T}$$ ) if the other—which will usually be T i—is constrained by phase equilibria or the geological context of the sample. Alternatively, if a sample exhibits stranded profiles for two diffusants having different E a and D 0 values, two versions of the above equation can be solved simultaneously for both the initial temperature and the cooling rate. The equation above can be implemented for purposes other than estimating T–t histories: e.g., assessing whether an observed concentration profile is truly the result of diffusion or a consequence of changing phase composition during growth. Our approach also raises the possibility not only of cross-checking multiple laboratory-based diffusion laws but also of estimating Arrhenius parameters for uncharacterized diffusants.
Information filtering, expertise and cognitive load

Information filtering can be used to reduce cognitive load. However the expertise level of the user will greatly affect the effectiveness of information filtering. Any attempt to use neurophysiological measures of cognitive load for information filtering should take these effects into account in the design of the information filtering system. Combining information filtering, neurophysiological measurements of cognitive load and user modeling of expertise can improve performance. An integrated architecture for combining these techniques is described along with its application to routing information within a crisis management team.
Declarative Patterns for Imperative Distributed Graph Algorithms

We provide an abstraction for expressing graph algorithms in which the vertices and edges of the graph provide locality and communication structure and graph data are represented by property maps that associate vertices and edges to arbitrary user-defined data. Operations on the graph are expressed as patterns, which allow limited traversal of the graph and modification of property maps for the traversed fragments of the graph. Traversal is implicit, and is automatically computed from the pattern's access of property map values. Patterns are declarative, but they can be used in imperative algorithms by using strategies that run in epochs. Strategies are user defined programs that apply patterns in a certain way (e.g., We provide fixed point, once, and ?-stepping strategies), including chaining patterns in an arbitrary way. Patterns are applied in epochs, which provide synchronization across a distributed system, guaranteeing that all patterns have been applied by the end of an epoch.
The effect of sequence of presentation of similar items on the learning of paired associates.

A number of recent studies have demonstrated the importance of the similarity of stimulus items for the learning, retention, and transfer of paired-associate lists. In general, it has been found that the greater the degree of similarity between items, the slower is the learning and the smaller the amount of retention, von Restorff (n) accounts for this type of result by the use of the concept of isolation. Items which are surrounded by very dissimilar material, i.e., isolated items, are easier to learn and to retain than those surrounded by very similar or 'homogeneous' material, presumably because they are easier to perceive. On the other hand, Gibson (i) conceives of this type of learning situation as one which involves the establishment of a number of discriminative responses to items which potentially exhibit some degree of stimulus generalization, and which become differentiated, as.learning proceeds, through the mechanism of differential reinforcement. According to this hypothesis, the greater the similarity between items in a list, the greater will be the tendency for them to evoke responses primarily associated with other similar items, because of the existence of generalization gradients between the members. In one of Gibson's experiments (3) it was found >that a group of 12 relatively dissimilar nonsense forms re-
Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a technology-assisted psychosocial intervention for racially diverse men with advanced prostate cancer

BACKGROUND The utility of psychosocial interventions in reducing symptom burden and improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for men with localized prostate cancer has been demonstrated. However, studies have yet to demonstrate the efficacy of interventions in advanced prostate cancer (APC). This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a technology-assisted, 10-week, group-based psychosocial intervention for diverse men with APC. METHODS The participants were 74 men (mean age, 68.84 years; non-Hispanic white, 57%; black, 40.5%) who were randomized to a cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) treatment or health promotion (HP) attention-control condition. The participants were assessed at the baseline, weekly throughout the 10-week program, and 6 months after the baseline. Outcomes were assessed with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System along with established measures of HRQOL, CBSM intervention targets (eg, relaxation skills), and patient-reported acceptability. RESULTS Feasibility was demonstrated through good retention rates (>85%) and acceptable average attendance rates (>70%), and acceptability was demonstrated through very favorable weekly session evaluations (mean score, 4/5) and exit surveys (mean score, 3.6/4). Men randomized to the CBSM condition reported significant reductions (P < .05) in depressive symptoms and improvements in relaxation self-efficacy (P < .05) at the 6-month follow-up. CBSM participants reported trends for improvement in distress and functional well-being (P < .08) in comparison with those in the HP condition. Effect sizes ranged from medium (0.54) to large (1.87) and, in some instances, were clinically meaningful. CONCLUSIONS Technology-based CBSM interventions among diverse men with APC may be feasible, acceptable, and efficacious. Cancer 2015;121:4407–15. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Textural Features for Radar Image Analysis

Texture is an important spatial feature useful for identifying objects or regions of interest in an image. While textural features have been widely used in the analysis of a variety of photographic images, they have not been used for processing radar images. In this paper, we present a procedure for extracting a set of textural features for characterizing small areas in radar images and show that these features can be used for classifying segments of radar images corresponding to different geological formations.
Ligand field factors in promoting S = 32 {FeNO}7 nitrosyls

The EPR spectra of {FeNO}7 iron nitrosyls are of interest as models for nitrosylated nonheme proteins which exhibit the unusual S = 32 spin state. Few models of such S = 32 species are known, although [Fe(edta)NO]2− adopts this spin behavior. The present study examines [FeIIL] and [FeIIL(NO)] complexes of polyaminopolycarboxylates and pyridylmethylamines which are derived from nta3− and edta4− as models of such systems. The series of L = nta3− (nitrilotriacetate), uedda2− (N,N′-ethylenediaminediacetate), pida2− 2-pyridylmethyliminodiacetate), tpa (tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine), tpen (N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine), and edta4− (ethylenediaminetetraacetate) was chosen to provide ligands of increasing ligand field strength for both six-coordinate and seven-coordinate [FeL(NO)] complexes in order to investigate the effect on the net spin states of the nitrosyls. Electrochemical methods (CV, DPP) show that the dominant complexes near 1:1 ligand/FeII ratios are [Fe(pida)(H2O)2] and [Fe(uedda)(H2O)2] having E12 values of 0.39 V and 0.26 V vs NHE (μ = 0.1, T = 22°C). [Fe(tpa)(H2O)Cl]+ and [Fe(tpen)]2+ have waves at 0.547 V and 0.84 V. Bis complexes occur at 20:1 ratios for pida2− and uedda2−. [FeIIL(NO)] complexes are spontaneously formed by admitting NO to Ar purged FeIIL solutions. EPR spectra of frozen samples (77–105K) show that [Fe(nta)NO]− (g = 4.36, 402, 2.00), [Fe(pida)(H2O)(NO)] (g = 4.02 (axial), 2.00), [Fe(tpa)Cl(NO)]+ (g = 4.00, 2.00) are S = 32 complexes. [Fe(tpen)NO]2+ (g = 2.03, 1.97, 1.96) is a low-spin S = 12 complex with no N-shf coupling, suggestive of a seven-coordinate structural analogue of the [Fe(edta)NO]2−, S = 32 complex. MO diagrams for six- and seven-coordinate [FeL(NO)] complexes as a function of increasing ligand field strength, which incorporate the spin-polarization effect for weak fields, are presented to explain the change from S = 32 to S = 12 of the nonheme protein model complexes. The strong-field limit yields the Enemark-Feltham order. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse polarography studies support the prior Rhodes-Barley-Meyer conclusion for [Fe(edta)NO]2− that, for the [FeL(NO)] complexes, the oxidation [FeIIL(NO)] −1e→ [FeIIL(NO+)] occurs coincidentally at the same, or nearly the same, potential as their [FeIIL(H2O)]−1e[−→[FeIIIL(H2O)] complex. The [FeIIL(NO)] complexes of nta3−, pida2−, and edta4− are electrochemically silent at glassy carbon, whereas those of tpa and tpen are electrochemically reversible. Consistent with the MO predictions, six-coordinate S = 12 {FeNO}7 complexes have both metal dxz and ligand NO N character in the HOMO, and exhibit N-shf in the EPR spectrum. Seven-coordinate S = 12 {FeNO}7 complexes have purely metal-based dxy HOMO's and exhibit no N-shf coupling. The absence of stable CO adducts for many nonheme proteins and their model complexes is explained by the MO orders and the reduction of spin polarization as a stabilizing factor.
Priming Mammies, Jezebels, and Other Controlling Images: An Examination of the Influence of Mediated Stereotypes on Perceptions of an African American Woman

This study examines how mediated portrayals of African American women influence judgments of African American women in social situations. Participants (N = 182) observed a mammy, jezebel, or nonstereotypic image on video. Participants then observed a mock employment interview involving either an African American or White woman. Participants completed measures of implicit and explicit racial prejudice. As hypothesized, participants associated the African American interviewee more quickly with negative terms (e.g., aggressive) than with positive terms (e.g., sincere). Also as hypothesized, when evaluating the job interviewee, participants who observed the jezebel stereotype video and the African American female interviewee responded more quickly to jezebel-related terms (e.g., sexual) than positive, negative, and mammy (e.g., maternal) terms. These results call for an expansion of the boundaries used in stereotype research and closer investigation of how mediated imagery might influence person perception.
Interstellar clouds in high-speed, supersonic flows: Two-dimensional simulations

We present a series of gasdynamical simulations of the interaction of a dense, cool interstellar cloud with a high-speed, supersonic wind that confines and accelerates the embedded cloud. Our goal is to attempt to determine if such clouds can survive various potentially disruptive instabilities, that occur at their peripheries, long enough to be accelerated to speeds which are comparable to the wind velocity. These simulations are performed using two-dimensional, Eulerian gas dynamics on both an axisymmetric (about the cloud axis) and 'slab' geometric grid. The spatial and temporal resolutions of the simulations are varied over a wide range to investigate the effects of small-scale instabilities on the overall acceleration of clouds and the development of large-scale, disruptive instabilities. Also, we study the effects of wind/cloud Mach number variations by changing the wind speed constant at about 12 km/s (which corresponds to a cloud temperature of 10,000 K). The current simulations track the evolution of clouds as they are accelerated to speeds approximately 4-5 times greater than their internal sound speeds. Furthermore, the models with the highest resolution were extended far beyond quasi-linear Rayleigh-Taylor growth times reaching 6-7 Rayleigh-Taylor growth times for the largest scale instabilities before being terminated because of the accumulation of errors at the rear grid boundary.
On flow unsteadiness induced by structural vibration

Abstract In this paper, the effects of structural vibration on flow unsteadiness are investigated numerically. A fully coupled model, that solves the unsteady flow equations as well as the dynamic equations of the structure, is used. Numerical experiments are carried-out for flow over a backward-facing step, where a large number of numerical and experimental data exist for comparisons. The flexible structure is upstream of the step and is excited by a plane acoustic wave from the side opposite to the flow. Three Reynolds number cases are studied: 300 for a laminar flow, 3000 for a transitional flow and 15 000 for a turbulent flow. The results obtained are in good agreement with experimental observations and show the strong coupling between structural vibration and the resulting flow unsteadiness.
Atrial and brain natriuretic peptides share binding sites in the kidney and heart

Abstract We examined the distribution of binding sites for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and the recently discovered brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in rat kidney and heart by receptor autoradiography. In frozen kidney sections, both 125I-ANP and 125I-BNP exhibited localized binding to cortical glomeruli. The binding of each radiolabeled peptide was abolished by inclusion of either excess (1 ωM) unlabeled ANP or excess unlabeled BNP, suggesting that ANP and BNP share cortical glomerular binding sites. In frozen cardiac sections, ANP and BNP binding sites were localized to the endothelium of the endomural channels and endocardium. As was the case for kidney, binding of each peptide at these sites was abolished by the presence of excess unlabeled ANP or BNP, suggesting that these natriuretic peptides share binding sites in the heart as well. To explore further the possibility that ANP and BNP utilize the same receptor(s), we performed competitive binding experiments using cultured pulmonary artery endothelial (CPAE) cells. ANP and BNP competitively displaced one another with equivalent IC50 values from CPAE cell binding sites. Furthermore, both ANP and BNP elevated the levels of cGMP, a putative second messenger for ANP, in these cells. These data are consistent with the observation that BNP, like ANP, causes a natriuresis and diuresis in rats, and suggest that BNP may posses other biological activities known for ANP.
Synthesis and Cationic Photopolymerization of Novel Monomers Based on Dicyclopentadiene

A series of novel epoxide monomers and oligomers based on dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) were prepared using straightforward synthetic methodology. The differentiated reactivity of the two double bonds i...