cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
S21.3 Authentic and successful community engagement for STI/HIV prevention, screening and treatment in rural and urban settings

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV remain critical public health challenges in the United States. There is a clear need for innovative approaches that identify, prioritize, and address underlying ‘upstream’ social determinants of health while developing and harnessing community assets to improve STI and HIV prevention, screening, and treatment. Community engagement has emerged as an approach to improve public health outcomes, including reduced STIs and HIV. However, community engagement is difficult, and this presentation provides guidance on the characteristics and strategies of authentic and successful community engagement designed to promote STI and HIV prevention, screening, and treatment in both rural and urban settings. Members of our community partnerships used mixed-methods to identify characteristics of successful community engagement and associated strategies across more than 30 STI and HIV initiatives across the United States. We abstracted data from existing project documentation including proposal documents, project-specific logic models, team and partnership meeting notes, and other materials. Partnership members examined these documents and used an iterative approach with review, discussion, and re-review. A component of our analysis was to identify characteristics and strategies that crossed initiatives, had potential to be generalizable, and could guide future STI and HIV initiatives. Some of the characteristics and strategies that were identified included, staff/team knowledge and unflagging commitment to community engagement; understanding of and commitment to social justice; structural flexibility; strong and charismatic institutional leadership; participation of partners representing diverse multiple sectors; recognizing, acknowledging, and reducing power differentials; shared decision making; embracing and working through conflict; identifying and leveraging talent, strengths, and resources; and using a stepwise approach to build a shared history. Often and incorrectly conflated with advisory boards, qualitative methods, and behavioral and social sciences more broadly, community engagement requires careful forethought, the use of inclusive processes that bring together diverse constituencies, and shared resources and power. Disclosure No significant relationships.
The self-reflection and insight scale: applying item response theory to craft an efficient short form

The human ability for self-consciousness—the capacity to reflect on oneself and to think about one’s thoughts, experiences, and actions—is central to understanding personality and motivation. The present research examined the psychometric properties of the Self-reflection and Insight Scale (SRIS), a prominent self-report scale for measuring individual differences in private self-consciousness. Using tools from Rasch and item response theory models, the SRIS was evaluated using responses from a large sample of young adults (n = 1192). The SRIS had many strengths, including essentially zero gender-based differential item functioning (DIF), but a cluster of poor performing items was identified based on item misfit, high local dependence, and low item difficulty and discrimination. Based on the IRT analyses, a concise 12-item scale, evenly balanced between self-reflection and insight, was crafted. The short SRIS showed strong dimensionality, reliability, item fit, and local independence as well as essentially no gender DIF. Taken together, the many psychometric strengths of the SRIS support its popularity, and the short form will be useful for research and applied contexts where an efficient, concise version is needed.
Lung Transplant Recipients With Prior Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Are at Increased Risk of Death and Early Perioperative Hemorrhage

Prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been considered a relative contraindication to lung transplantation due to the atherosclerotic disease burden and technical challenges. We hypothesized that lung transplant recipients with prior CABG have increased mortality compared to recipients without prior CABG. Further, the causes of death are different for lung transplant recipients with prior CABG vs without CABG. The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database was queried to define the survival and causes of death of lung transplant recipients with or without CABG during the Lung Allocation Score era from May 5, 2005 to December 31, 2015. The primary end-points were all-cause mortality at 1 year and 5 years, as well as mortality due to major causes of death. This retrospective study cohort included a total of 13,064 lung transplant recipients, of whom 319 patients had previously undergone CABG, representing 2.4% of all transplants. Patients without prior CABG were more likely to have undergone bilateral lung transplantation compared to those with prior CABG (61.2 % vs 15.7%, P
The Constant Stress Hanging String with Bottom Load — An Exact Solution

The unique solution for the fully stressed hanging string with a bottom load is found. For a given length of string, the problem depends on two parameters, representing the ratio of string density ...
The In’s and Out’s of Ductography: A Comprehensive Review

Nipple discharge is a common clinical problem, which is most frequently benign. However, nipple discharge may be the presenting symptom of an underlying malignancy. Ductography can provide valuable information in identifying the cause of the discharge. As ductography is a relatively low-volume procedure in most practices, many radiologists and trainees often lack familiarity and experience with the procedure. This article is intended to review the indications, technique, relevant ductal anatomy, and potential imaging findings of ductography.
SU-E-T-489: Incorporating Skin Flash Into VMAT WBI: Impacts On Surface Dosimetry

Purpose: Increased use of inverse planning limits the amount of skin flash in whole breast irradiation (WBI). Strategies to incorporate flash into inverse-planned treatments involve overriding air to the density of water or tissue. This introduces uncertainties to the superficial dose distribution, potentially degrading the coverage at the skin-bolus interface. We investigate the accuracy of various commonly used bolus materials to incorporate flash in VMAT WBI plans while minimizing the perturbation near the skin. Methods: We obtained a CT-simulation of an anthropomorphic phantom with a breast attachment. Three VMAT plans were created with different boluses: 1 cm of 1 g/cm3 bolus (Superflab), 1 cm of 0.65 g/cm3 bolus (wet towels), and 1 cm of g/cm3 bolus with 2 dose levels accounting for the difference between bolus and tissue density. The PTV was extended into the bolus, outside the patient body contour to incorporate flash. OSLDs were used to obtain surface doses at the medial, lateral and tip sites of the breast. Each plan was irradiated four times using CBCT for positioning and dosimeter localization. Results: The average thickness of the wet-towel bolus on delivery was 8 mm with a CBCT-measured density of 0.6 g/cm3. OSLD measurements demonstrated good agreement with predicted doses from Pinnacle. Average deviations were −5.7%, −2.5%, and −2.6% for plans 1, 2, and 3, respectively. OSLDs placed at the medial and lateral portions of the breast showed the largest average deviations. The maximum recorded deviation from planned values was −8.6%. The largest dose fluctuations occurred near areas where the bolus failed to properly conform to the breast contour. Conclusion: Use of wet-towel bolus improved dose delivery accuracy compared to standard Superflab bolus. Areas of poor bolus conformity adversely affected dose delivery. We recommend the use of wet-towel bolus over Superflab bolus for VMAT WBI.
Vapor Phase Catalytic Ammonia Reduction

This paper discusses the development of a Vapor Phase Catalytic Ammonia Reduction (VPCAR) teststand and the results of an experimental program designed to evaluate the potential of the technology as a water purification process. In the experimental program the technology is evaluated based upon product water purity, water recovery rate, and power consumption. The experimental work demonstrates that the technology produces high purity product water and attains high water recovery rates at a relatively high specific power consumption. The experimental program was conducted in 3 phases. In phase I an Igepon(TM) soap and water mixture was used to evaluate the performance of an innovative Wiped-Film Rotating-Disk evaporator and associated demister. In phase II a phenol-water solution was used to evaluate the performance of the high temperature catalytic oxidation reactor. In phase III a urine analog was used to evaluate the performance of the combined distillation/oxidation functions of the processor.
Social caching and content retrieval in Disruption Tolerant Networks (DTNs)

In this paper, we extend our previous work on content retrieval in Disruption Tolerant Networks (DTNs) to support cooperative caching. Our caching scheme can adapt to the unstable network topology in DTNs, and enable the sharing and coordination of cached data among multiple nodes to reduce data access latency. Our key idea is to cache data at cluster head nodes that have the highest social levels, and thus receive many content requests. Furthermore, to reduce the caching overhead at central nodes and to bring data closer to the content requesters, we use multiple caching nodes along the content request forwarding path. Lastly, we propose a new cache replacement policy that considers both the frequency and recency of data access. Simulations in the NS-3 environment show that our caching scheme significantly improves the performance of content retrieval in DTNs.
Age-related macular degeneration is an inflammatory disease possibly treatable with minocycline.

Harris GJ, Sakol PJ, Bonavolonta G & De Conciliis C (1990): An analysis of thirty cases of orbital lymphangioma. Ophthalmology 97: 1583–1592. Iliff WJ & Green WR (1979): Orbital lymphangioma. Ophthalmology 86: 914–929. Shields JA & Shields CL (1999): Lymphangioma. Atlas of Orbital Tumors, 1st edn. Lippincott: Williams & Wilkins 60–63. Sires BS, Goins CR, Anderson RL & Holds JB (2001): Systemic corticosteroid use in orbital lymphangioma. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 17: 85–90. Tunc M, Sadri E & Char DH (1999): Orbital lymphangioma: an analysis of 26 patients. Br J Ophthalmol 83: 76–80. Wilson ME, Parker PL & Chavis RM (1989): Conservative management of childhood orbital lymphangioma. Ophthalmology 96: 484–490. Correspondence: Masaru Yoshii, MD Department of Ophthalmology National Defense Medical College 3-2 Namiki Tokorozawa-shi Saitama-ken, 359-8513 Japan Tel: 042 995 1211 x2333 Fax: 042 993 5332 Email: masaru33@me.ndmc.ac.jp
Talactoferrin Alfa, a novel immunomodulatory agent with anti-cancer activity in phase II clinical trials.

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 5579 Clinical Background: Talactoferrin alfa (talactoferrin) is a novel, orally administered immunomodulatory agent that appears to be safe and well tolerated and has anti-cancer activity in human clinical trials. Talactoferrin met its primary efficacy endpoints in multi-center Phase II clinical trials in RCC and NSCLC. In a 44-patient RCC trial, patients receiving talactoferrin monotherapy had an apparent increase in their median PFS. In a 110-patient placebo-controlled, multi-center Phase II trial in patients with advanced NSCLC, addition of oral talactoferrin to carboplatin/paclitaxel in first-line NSCLC substantially enhanced both response rate and PFS. Confirmed BOR in the 110 ITT patients increased from 27% to 42% (15% absolute increase, 56% relative increase; p=0.08). Confirmed RR in the 100 prospectively defined evaluable patients increased from 29% to 47% (18% absolute improvement, 62% relative improvement; p=0.05). Median PFS increased by 2.8 months from 4.2 months to 7 months (61% improvement). Talactoferrin will soon be entering Phase III trials. . Immunomodulatory Mechanism: Talactoferrin is an orally active protein that acts at the gut and the Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT) through a novel mechanism involving chemokine and cytokine modulation. Talactoferrin binds enterocyte receptors and immune cells in the Peyer's patches, and initiates an immunostimulatory cascade in the GALT. This results in an increase in key cytokines including IFN-g and IL-18, and activation of both innate and adaptive immunity. In animal experiments, we see increased numbers of NK-T cells and CD8+ T-lymphocytes in small intestinal Peyer's patches, a systemic increase in Natural Killer (NK) and Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity, and cellular infiltration of distant tumors. The essential role of IFN-g and immune effector cells in talactoferrin's anti-cancer activity has been demonstrated in knockout and depletion experiments. Talactoferrin induced increases in NK-T cells and CD8+ lymphocytes in Peyer's patches was abolished in IFN-g knockout mice, as was talactoferrin's anti-cancer activity. Talactoferrin activity was also lost in animals lacking NK-T or CD8+ cells. . Conclusion: Talactoferrin is a first-in-class molecule with promising Phase II anti-cancer activity, and a novel immunomodulatory mechanism.
Progettare le tecnologie della collaborazione elettronica (E-Collaboration) per facilitare l’adattamento compensativo

Questo articolo sostiene che le tecnologie della collaborazione elettronica (e-collaboration) frequentemente pongono degli ostacoli ad una comunicazione efﬁ cace durante lo svolgimento di un lavoro collaborativo complesso. La ragione che viene presentata e che tipicamente quelle tecnologie sopprimono selettivamente gli elementi della comunicazione faccia-a-faccia che sono stati progettati dall’evoluzione per essere ampiamente usati dagli esseri umani, quando interagiscono tra di loro. Si sostiene che gli utenti tecnologici invariabilmente reagiscono a quegli ostacoli impegnandosi in un adattamento compensativo, per cui cambiano il loro comportamento comunicativo percompensare l’effetto degli ostacoli. L’articolo si conclude con un appello per una maggiore ricerca su come si possano progettare le tecnologie dell’e-collaboration per facilitare l’adattamento compensativo.
California group arboviruses: electron microscopic studies.

Abstract Electron microscopic examination of mouse brains infected with five California group arboviruses revealed similar changes consisting of perineuronal edema formation, minimal inflammatory cell infiltration and neuronal degeneration. Virus particles were observed in the cytoplasm of neurons in association with organelle membranes; particles were round or oval, with a moderately electron dense core surrounded by a ragged halo. Mean virus diameter was 98 mμ. Virus particles also accumulated in extracellular spaces. Similar virus morphology and cellular degeneration were observed in cell cultures infected with one of the viruses.
Close Relationships Predict Curvilinear Trajectories of Maternal Depressive Symptoms over the Transition to Parenthood

Trajectories of change in maternal depressive symptoms were examined in a sample of 98 mothers across the transition to parenthood. Latent class growth modeling revealed two unique trajectories: one characterized by consistently low depressive symptoms, the other characterized by a curvilinear pattern with initially elevated symptoms that declined around the time of childbirth then returned to elevated levels by 24?weeks postpartum. Mothers who recalled less paternal care and acceptance in childhood and who reported that they engaged in more avoidance and aggression in their own romantic relationships were more likely to experience the curvilinear trajectory. Mothers who reported that their partners engaged in more avoidance in their romantic relationships were also more likely to experience the curvilinear trajectory, but especially when mothers recalled low maternal care and acceptance. Partner's aggression did not predict the trajectory of maternal depressive symptoms. Results have implications for screening for maternal postpartum depression.
Mice overexpressing wild-type human alpha-synuclein display alterations in colonic myenteric ganglia and defecation

Background Prevalent non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) include gastrointestinal motor impairments and advanced stage PD displays pathological aggregates of α-synuclein in colonic enteric neurons. We previously showed that 12 months old mice overexpressing human wild type (WT) α-synuclein under the Thy1 promoter (Thy1-aSyn) displayed colonic motor dysfunction. We investigated functional gut alterations at earlier ages and histological correlates. Methods Defecation, gastric emptying (GE), and immunostaining for α-synuclein, peripheral choline acetyltransferase (pChAT), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in distal colon myenteric plexuses were assessed in male Thy1-aSyn compared to littermate WT mice. Key Results Thy1-aSyn mice aged 2.5–3 or 7–8 months old had 81% and 55% reduction in fecal pellet output, respectively, in the first 15 min of exposure to a novel environment. The reduction remained significant in the older group for 2-h, and subsequent refeeding resulted also in a 60% and 69% reduction of defecation in the first hour, respectively. Thy1-aSyn mice (8–10 months) displayed increased α-synuclein in the myenteric plexuses with abundant varicose terminals surrounding pChAT-immunoreactive (ir) neurons, and only a few, nNOS-ir neurons. There were no conspicuous changes in pChAT- and nNOS-ir neurons, or TH- and VIP-ir nerve fibers. Thy1-aSyn mice aged 4–18 months had normal GE. Conclusions & Inferences The occurrence of over-production of pre-synaptic α-synuclein in colonic myenteric ganglia several months before the loss of striatal dopamine may provide an anatomical basis for interference with cholinergic neuronal activation, causing an early impairment in defecation to stimuli.
Issues and subtleties in hybrid control systems

Here, we look at hybrid control systems as those combining continuous and discrete outputs, states, and controls. We first outline general hybrid control research areas. Then, we give a mathematical model of hybrid control systems. We end by elucidating issues in each of the research areas in light of previous results.
A meta-genome sequencing and assembly preprocessing algorithm inspired by restriction site base composition

Motivation: In meta-genome sequencing and assembly projects, where there are different types of contigs mixed together in a single pool, the task of assembling its different organisms is a complex and challenging problem. It is therefore desirable to sort the contigs by origins into separate bins from which to work. We propose a framework of using the base compositions of bacterial restriction sites to generate sets of motifs which work to differentiate organismal groups, including the contigs from those groups. We introduce spectrum sets and show how to strategically select them for use in binning contigs from different organisms. We suggest that this framework can save time during a meta-genome sequencing and assembly project. Results: Our method is able to differentiate organisms and to successfully determine the association of the contigs which were derived from an organism. In particular, we show that two genera are fundamentally different by analyzing their motif proportions. Using one of the four total spectrum sets, which encompass all known restriction sites, we show that different sets have different abilities to distinguish sequences. In addition, we show that the selection of a spectrum set which is relevant to one organism, but not the other, greatly improves performance of differentiation, even when the contig size is short (1000bps). Conclusions: Using ten trials of newly selected contigs to confirm our premise, our study provides a proof of concept for a novel and computationally effective method for a preprocessing step in meta-genome sequencing and assembly tasks.
Eocene Amynodonts from Southern California.

Introduction.-Since the description [1] of a skull of Amynodontopsis bodei and of a lower jaw referred to this species from the uppermost Eocene, further dental parts have become available for study from localities in the Sespe. These furnish additional characters of value in recognizing the species represented in western Eocene deposits. Now also available is a fragment of skull with cheek-teeth from the Poway Eocene of San Diego County, California. This specimen possesses special significance because it permits a comparison with related forms in America and China. It is likewise of interest because it differs from the amynodonts of the Sespe and is clearly an earlier type.
Selected roles of information goods and services in the U.S. national economy

Abstract The study examines selected roles of the information sector in the national economy. Among the findings are the following: (1) the information sector conducts relatively little international trade, in comparison to its domestic activity. Roughly 12% of U.S. exports are attributable to the information sector; over 97% of the sector's output is sold within the U.S.; and the sector's exports account for only a small fraction of 1% of GNP. (2) The historical pattern of employment shows that the portion of information workers has risen from 8% of the U.S. work force in 1870 to 41% in 1970. Relatively little of this growth is the result of new technological innovations such as telephones, radio, television and, more recently, computers. Rather, the growth of public and private bureaucracies, which now total 26% of our total work force, largely explains the growth of the sector. (3) Unemployment within the information sector has consistently been lower than in either the manufacturing or agricultural sectors of the national economy. (4) Since 1967, the high technology elements of the information sector, such as electronic components, computers and telecommunications equipment have experienced appreciably less price rise than has the economy as a whole. However, over the same time period, the service elements of the sector, including finance and insurance, education and medical care, have experienced greater rates of inflation than has the economy as a whole.
A reduced order soft sensor approach and its application to a continuous digester

Abstract In many industrial processes, the primary product variable(s) are not measured online but are required for feedback control. To address this challenge, there has been increased interest toward developing data-driven soft sensors using secondary measurements based on multivariate regression techniques. Among different data-driven approaches, the dynamic partial least squares (DPLS) soft sensor approach has been applied to several industrial processes. However, despite its successful applications, there is a lack of theoretical understanding on the properties of the DPLS soft sensor. Specifically, whether it can adequately capture process dynamics and whether it can provide unbiased estimate under closed-loop operation have not been examined rigorously. In this work, we provide a theoretical analysis to answer these questions. In addition, we propose a reduced-order DPLS (RO-DPLS) soft sensor approach to address the limitation of the traditional DPLS soft sensor when applied to model processes with large transport delay, i.e. , large number of lagged variables are required to be include in the regressor matrix in order to capture process dynamics adequately. Compared to the traditional DPLS soft sensor, the proposed RO-DPLS approach not only reduces model size and improves prediction but also provides multiple-step-ahead prediction. The performance of the proposed RO-DPLS is demonstrated using both a simulated single-vessel digester and an industrial Kamyr digester.
An experimental—Numerical evaluation of theTε* integral for a three-dimensional crack front

TheTe* integral was calculated on the surface of single edge notched, three-point bend (SE(B)) specimens using experimentally obtained displacements. Comparison was made withTe* calculated with the measured surface displacements andTe* calculated at several points through the thickness of a finite element (FE) model of the SE(B) specimen. Good comparison was found between the surfaceTe* calculated from displacements extracted from the FE model and the surfaceTe* calculated from experimentally obtained displacements. The computedTe* integral was also observed to decrease as the crack front was traversed from the surface to the mid-plane of the specimen. Mid-planeTe* values tend to be approximately 10% of the surface values.
Charles Morris' conception of semiotic: Implications for rhetorical criticism

This study analyzes Charles Morris' claim that the traditional role of rhetoric falls within the province of pragmatics, where attempts are made to understand the relationship of sign to interprete...
Subband Structure of Semiconductor Quantum Wires for Infrared Detection

Heterostructures of quantum wires grown by electrochemical techniques are of significant interest for infrared detectors. We calculate the subband energy levels for CdS and CdTe and show their dependence on wire radius.
A multiwavelength comparison of Cassiopeia A and Tycho's supernova remnant

A comparison of high resolution radio, optical, and X-ray images of two young supernova remnants (SNR), Cas A and Tycho, shows significant differences between them. Cas A probably broke into many small knots at the time of the initial explosion, whereas Tycho's SNR appears to be a more uniformly expanding blast wave.
Gauge fixing and canonical quantization

We study the canonical quantization of non-Abelian gauge fields in the temporal gauge A/sub 0/ = 0. We impose the constraint condition of Gauss's law by performing a point transformation into any of a large class of noncovariant gauges. The Faddeev and Popov operator arises naturally in this procedure; indeed, we prove the equivalence of all gauges in this class. We discuss the nonexistence of some simple gauges and show how topological considerations reduce the theory to quantum mechanics on an infinite-dimensional periodic hypersurface.
Family and Neighborhood Fit or Misfit and the Adaptation of Mexican Americans

In this study, a person-environment fit model was used to understand the independent and combined roles of family and neighborhood characteristics on the adjustment of adults and children in a sample of 750 Mexican American families. Latent class analysis was used to identify six qualitatively distinct family types and three quantitatively distinct neighborhood types using socioeconomic and cultural indicators at each level. The results showed that members of single-parent Mexican American families may be particularly at-risk, members of the lowest-income immigrant families reported fewer adaptation problems if they lived in low-income neighborhoods dominated by immigrants, members of economically successful immigrant families may be more at-risk in integrated middle class neighborhoods than in low-income neighborhoods dominated by immigrants, and members of two-parent immigrant families appear to be rather resilient in most settings despite their low socioeconomic status.
The relationship between renal tumor size and metastases in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Purpose Patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease are at risk for multiple, bilateral, recurrent renal tumors and metastases. We previously evaluated the relationship between tumor size and metastases in families with hereditary renal cancer. We update our findings with about twice the number of patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease. Materials and methods Screening affected kindred or retrospective review of medical records identified 181 patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and renal cell carcinoma. Patients with small tumors were followed with serial imaging until the largest tumor reached 3 cm, at which point surgery was recommended. Surgical resection was recommended to patients with tumors larger than 3 cm. Patients not undergoing screening often had large renal tumors. Results A total of 108 patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and solid renal tumors on computerized tomography imaging smaller than 3 cm (group 1) were followed a mean of 58 months (range 0 to 244). Metastatic disease did not develop in any of these patients. Renal tumors larger than 3 cm developed in 73 patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease (group 2). Mean followup of group 2 was 72.9 months (range 0 to 321). The proportion of procedures that were nephron sparing was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (120 of 125 [97%] compared to 85 of 125 [69%], Fisher's exact test p Conclusions No renal tumor metastases were found in patients with renal tumors less than 3 cm in diameter. We advocate a 3 cm threshold for parenchymal sparing surgery in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease to decrease the risk of metastatic disease while preserving renal function, avoiding or delaying the need for dialysis and/or renal transplant, and decreasing the number of operations which a patient may undergo. We stress the importance of early screening in the kindred of patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and vigilant followup thereafter.
Optimal Wiener filtering for self-similar processes

In this paper, we formulate an optimal Wiener filter for the restoration of self-similar processes from time-varying and nonstationary distortions. Fourier techniques and classical Wiener filtering are not applicable for the elimination of such distortions. We derive an optimal Wiener filtering algorithm by modeling time-varying degradation within the scale-invariant system theory and nonstationary, long-term correlated noise within the scale stationarity framework. Additionally, we develop fast and efficient estimation techniques for scale spectra in Mellin domain for the implementation of the proposed Wiener filter. The utility of the proposed techniques are demonstrated on simulation data.
Calculations of ion-atom interactions relating to resonant charge-transfer collisions

The interaction between an atom and ion of the same element leads to gerade and ungerade states of the diatomic molecular ion. The energy splittings between the gerade and ungerade states determine the cross section for resonant charge transfer. Using the JWKB approach these energy splittings are derived from the asymptotic forms of the wave functions for the isolated atom and ion. Pseudopotential calculations of the splittings are reported for ${\mathrm{Li}}_{2}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{Rb}}_{2}^{+}$, and ${\mathrm{Cs}}_{2}^{+}$, and are used together with previous ab initio and model-potential calculations to test the JWKB method. The comparison shows that the method is sufficiently reliable to facilitate accurate calculations of the cross sections for resonant charge transfer at low energies.
Settling Civil Wars: Armed Opponents’ Fates and the Duration of the Peace

Two different positions regarding the impact the fate of factions has on the duration of the peace appear in theories of civil war termination. One holds that the peace will be long-lived when the ...
Reinhold Niebuhr and the US War on Terror: A Response to Dr Gilkey

AbstractBuilding upon Langdon Gilkey's reflection on Reinhold Niebuhr's Moral Man and Immoral Society, this article examines Niebuhr's enduring contribution in relation to two pressing international concerns: religious terrorism and the US War on Terror. As these two issues are characterized by their suppression of reason, I argue that Niebuhr's critical understanding of reason, a human rational capacity to consider interests other than one's own, offers an important resource in rectifying the disorder created by the two issues. Despite his stringent critique of a liberal idealistic view of reason, Niebuhr refused to completely deny the value of reason; although reason is always tainted by sin, it is not entirely ineffectual. This critical notion of reason is a necessary antidote to the unilateralism of the Bush administration and religious fundamentalism which altogether reject a dialogical, reflective value of reason. In an increasingly interdependent global society, a critical use of reason is indispen...
Enhancing α-Diimine Catalysts for High-Temperature Ethylene Polymerization

Sterically demanding 2,6-bis(diphenylmethyl)-4-methylaniline was condensed onto acenaphthenequinone via an aminoalane intermediate and metalated using nickel(II) dibromide dimethoxyethane adduct to yield bis[(2,6-dibenzhydryl-4-methylimino) acenaphthene]dibromo nickel(II). This α-diimine precatalyst was examined for high-temperature ethylene polymerization and proved to be thermally robust at temperatures as high as 90 °C, demonstrating enhanced activity as compared with related catalysts. Furthermore, the resultant polymers displayed increased melting transitions as compared with those produced using catalysts with identical N-aryl moieties appended to nonacenaphthenequinone-derived ligand backbones.
Bi-criteria group scheduling in hybrid flowshops

Abstract We consider a group scheduling problem in a hybrid flowshop where the parallel machines in one or more stages of the flowshop are unrelated and have different run times for the same job. The objective of the problem is to simultaneously decrease the producer's cost by minimizing the Work-In-Process inventory (WIP) or equivalently the total weighted completion time, and increase the customers' satisfaction by minimizing the total weighted tardiness. All of the jobs and machines may not be ready at time zero, meaning that they can be released at different times during the scheduling period. The setup time required to switch between processing jobs from different families is considered to be sequence-dependent. A Mixed-Integer Linear Programming model is developed to mathematically represent this problem and obtain optimal solutions for small size problems. Since the problem is among the strongly NP-hard problems, four efficient algorithms based on tabu search are proposed to find optimal/near optimal solutions. The efficacy of these algorithms is compared to each other by means of a comprehensive statistical analysis, and the best algorithm is identified. Furthermore, the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed search algorithms are verified by comparing the results of these algorithms with optimal solutions obtained from CPLEX for small size problems.
Alternative splicing and promoter use in TFII-I genes.

Abstract TFII-I proteins are ubiquitously expressed transcriptional factors involved in both basal transcription and signal transduction activation or repression. TFII-I proteins are detected as early as at two-cell stage and exhibit distinct and dynamic expression patterns in developing embryos as well as mark regional variation in the adult mouse brain. Analysis of atypical small and rare chromosomal deletions at 7q11.23 points to TFII-I genes (GTF2I and GTF2IRD1) as the prime candidates responsible for craniofacial and cognitive abnormalities in the Williams–Beuren syndrome. TFII-I genes are often subjected to alternative splicing, which generates isoforms that show different activities and play distinct biological roles. The coding regions of TFII-I genes are composed of more than 30 exons and are well conserved among vertebrates. However, their 5′ untranslated regions are not as well conserved and all poorly characterized. In the present work, we analyzed promoter regions of TFII-I genes and described their additional exons, as well as tested tissue specificity of both previously reported and novel alternatively spliced isoforms. Our comprehensive analysis leads to further elucidation of the functional heterogeneity of TFII-I proteins, provides hints on search for regulatory pathways governing their expression, and opens up possibilities for examining the effect of different haplotypes on their promoter functions.
Effects of Ureteral Obstruction on the Toxicity of Cephalosporins in the Rabbit Kidney

The nephrotoxicity of the cephalosporin antibiotics is closely related to their secretory transport into the proximal tubular cell at the antiluminal (blood) side. The present report describes the effects of transient ureteral obstruction, which increases intracellular concentrations of secreted organic anions, on the cortical uptake and the proximal tubular toxicity of several cephalosporins given in mildly toxic doses. Unilateral obstruction for 1-2 hr increased the cytotoxicity of cephaloglycin and cefaclor, both of which are rapidly secreted across the tubular cell, but not of cephaloridine, which undergoes minimal secretion. Bilateral obstruction significantly increased the toxicity of cefaclor, which is rapidly secreted, but not of cefazolin, which is slowly secreted. Finally, there was a further augmentation of the effects of obstruction on the toxicity of cefaclor by a minimally toxic pretreatment regimen of neomycin. Studies of cortical antibiotic concentrations support the conclusion that the effects on toxicity are largely the result of the increased intracellular accumulation that results from obstruction.
Sheet resistivity measurements at microwave frequencies

Experimental techniques and data manipulation methods that allow highly accurate measurements of sheet resistivity values associated with thin films are presented. The procedure of microwave energy absorption is offered as a time-efficient, noncontact, and nondestructive investigative means. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.
An optimal reference governor with a neural network combined model for hybrid Fuel-Cell/Gas-Turbine

This paper introduces a concept of real-time optimization of hybrid fuel-cell power plants as an alternative distributed generation source that improves the power quality and reliability of the power grid. One of the most important issues of plant operation is the optimal control of the power plant, leading to significant economic and environmental benefits. As a commercialized fuel cell technology, Direct Fuel-Cell with Gas-Turbine (DFC/T) power plant is investigated in this paper. A framework of an optimal reference governor (ORG) is developed to generate optimal control strategies for the local controllers. For the purpose of on-line application, a neural network combined model is built as a state estimator that approximates the plant behaviors, which is compatible with population based real-time heuristic optimization algorithms. The simulation of the optimization result is presented and validated by a comparison with experimental data and simulation result of a mathematical plant model.
Sexual abuse characteristics associated with survivor psychopathology.

Abstract Objective: This study was designed to examine predictors of psychopathology in non-clinically referred, sexually abused (SA) children, ages 6–16 years, 30–60 days following abuse disclosure and termination. Method: Eighty SA children were administered a structured diagnostic interview and a variety of rating-scale instruments. Several forms of psychopathology were assessed, including posttraumatic stress, global functioning, anxiety, depression, and externalizing behavior. Abuse interviews also were used to guide the collection of demographic (victim age, gender) and abuse-related information (e.g., frequency of abuse). Results: Abuse-related factors and demographic variables accounted for greater than half of the variance predicting global functioning, and accurately predicted posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) status for 86% of the participants. Also, analyses yielded significant predictors of parent-reported attention problems and sexual behavior. Of additional importance, none of the abuse-related and demographic variables predicted scores on measures of general anxiety, depression, and externalizing behavior. Conclusions: Specific demographic and sexual abuse information may, to some extent, be used to identify children who are at increased risk for short-term post-abuse psychopathology. Although the present findings suggest that such information may not be useful in the prediction of general anxiety, depression, and externalizing behavior, demographic and abuse-related variables importantly appear to account for significant variance in the prediction of global functioning, posttraumatic stress, attentiveness, and sexual behavior. Additional research is needed to improve mental health professionals’ ability to identify SA children who are at high risk for psychopathology.
Modified sonic technique for crack velocity measurement

Four modifications to the Kerkhof method of measuring crack velocities in glass greatly sharpened the timing Wallner lines and permitted measurements over the full range of crack velocities.
The megaparsec-scale environments of BL Lacertae objects

We compare observations of BL Lac megaparsec-scale clustering environments with those for F-R I radio galaxies V and R image data are used to show that the strengths of the clustering measured via spatial cross-correlation amplitude are similar for the two types of galaxies and are consistent with Abel richness class 0. We discuss the implications this has for the origin of the BL Lac phenomena. We also examine the evolution of clustering environments of F-R I radio galaxies and BL Lac objects with redshift.
Dependence of the sedimentation coefficient of denatured closed circular DNA in alkali on the degree of strand interwinding. The absolute sense of supercoils

The sedimentation coefficients of closed circular Simian virus (SV40) DNA, phage PM2 DNA and animal mitochondrial DNAs in alkaline NaCl and alkaline CsCl were found to decrease by about 5% as the initial superhelix densities decreased from 0.0 to −0.10, corresponding to a decrease in the degree of strand interwinding from 1.0 to 0.9 net turns per ten base pairs. The small dependence of the appropriately normalized sedimentation coefficients on the degree of strand interwinding is taken to indicate that fully titrated and denatured closed circular DNA is highly supercoiled in a positive sense. This supercoiling results from the spontaneous decrease in the number of secondary turns in the no longer ordered pairs of polynucleotide strands. The measured sedimentation coefficients form a smoothly connected monotonie curve when plotted along with the sedimentation coefficients in alkali (Sebring et al., 1971) of parental closed circles derived from closed circular SV40 DNA replicating intermediates. These DNAs have degrees of strand interwinding that range from 0.6 to 0.15. The possibility raised by Paoletti & LePecq (1971) that closed circular duplex DNAs contain positive supercoils, i.e. have degrees of strand interwinding greater than 1.0, has been ruled out in a series of ethidium bromide titrations of partially replicated mitochondrial DNA before and after removal of the progeny strand. More ethidium bromide was required in the latter case for relaxation, a result which shows that intercalated ethidium and a displacing strand act on the duplex in the same way, and that both unwind the duplex. This result requires the supercoils of naturally closed circular DNAs to be negative.
Human hip dysplasia: evolution of current treatment concepts

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is best treated during infancy. Residual dysplasia is a major cause of disability and should be corrected surgically at an early age. Children 3-8 years of age are usually treated with an acetabular reshaping osteotomy, such as the Pemberton procedure or the San Diego osteotomy. Children over age 8-10 years are best treated using triple innominate osteotomy. After age 14-15 years, when the triradiate cartilage is closed, the Ganz periacetabular osteotomy provides effective correction of residual dysplasia. Surgical intervention during childhood or teenage years can alter the natural history of hip dysplasia and greatly improve hip-joint longevity.
Effect of Sodium on the Catalytic Properties of VOx/CeO2 Catalysts for Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Methanol

A series of VOx/CeO2 catalysts with various sodium loadings (Na/V ratio from 0 to 1) have been studied for oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of methanol. The effect of sodium on the surface structure, redox properties, and surface acidity/basicity of VOx/CeO2 was investigated using hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), Raman spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The experimental results indicate that the effect of sodium on VOx/CeO2 is highly dependent on the Na/V ratio. At a low Na/V ratio (Na/V 0.25), sodium addition greatly alters the nature of the active sites by V–O–Ce bond cleavage and V–O–Na bond formation, leading to significantly reduced activity of the VOx/CeO2 catalysts...
The pornographic anatomy book? The curious tale of the Anatomical Basis of Medical Practice.

AbstractStudying the history of medical education helps teach us that medicine is a social activity that occurs in the context of social mores and customs. In 1971, a major new anatomy textbook aimed at first-year medical students was published. The Anatomical Basis of Medical Practice, written by P
Optimization of harvesting age in an integral age-dependent model of population dynamics

The paper deals with optimal control in a linear integral age-dependent model of population dynamics. A problem for maximizing the harvesting return on a finite time horizon is formulated and analyzed. The optimal controls are the harvesting age and the rate of population removal by harvesting. The gradient and necessary condition for an extremum are derived. A qualitative analysis of the problem is provided. The model shows the presence of a zero-investment period. A preliminary asymptotic analysis indicates possible turnpike properties of the optimal harvesting age. Biological interpretation of all results is provided.
Management and assessment of prognosis after gastrocnemius disruption in Thoroughbred foals: 28 cases (1993-2007).

Summary Reasons for performing study: Few studies have evaluated the athletic prognosis of foals affected by gastrocnemius disruption. Objective: To examine the diagnosis and management of gastrocnemius disruption in Thoroughbred (TB) foals, determine short-term survival rate and assess future racing performance. The hypothesis was that Thoroughbred foals with gastrocnemius disruption are able to perform as racehorses comparably to their age matched maternal siblings. Methods: The medical records of foals diagnosed with gastrocnemius muscle disruption were reviewed. Information on training and racing was acquired from published works and race records. Paired t tests were utilised to compare performance variables of affected racehorses to their maternal siblings in starts, earnings and earnings/start for their 2- and 3-year-old racing seasons. Fisher's exact tests were employed to determine the association between sex, limb affected, age on admission, degree of caudal reciprocal apparatus dysfunction, concurrent disease, antibiotic therapy, complications, abscess formation and likelihood of entering training or starting a race. Results: Sample size was too small to detect significant differences in performance variables between affected horses and controls. Of 28 foals, 17 (61%) presented with concomitant illness; foals without concurrent disease were more likely to achieve race training or start a race (P = 0.04); 23 (82%) were short-term survivors defined as survival to discharge. Of these 23 survivors, 7 were aged <2 years at the time of the study. Eighty-one percent (13/16) of the survivors that were of racing age were in training or had started a race. Conclusions: In this population, 82% of TB foals affected with gastrocnemius disruption were able to achieve training or start a race. Foals presenting for gastrocnemius disruption have a high prevalence of concurrent disease processes. Potential relevance: The assessment of athletic prognosis and treatment complications provides useful information to clinicians treating gastrocnemius muscle disruption in foals and making recommendations to clientele.