cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What can we learn about the female condom online? An analysis of visual representations of the female condom on the Internet

This study used social functional semiotics and the concept of gender display to examine visual representations of the female condom on Google Images. A content analysis of 195 web images identified that almost half of the images were about the appearance theme of the female condom followed by the how-to-use theme. A majority of visuals did not have captions. Humans were present in 64.1% of the images, with a majority of visuals depicting dismembered female body parts rather than a whole person. These and other findings are discussed in regards to theoretical and health message design implications.
Triclosan and triclocarban exposure, infectious disease symptoms and antibiotic prescription in infants-A community-based randomized intervention.

Background Triclosan and triclocarban (TCs) are broad-spectrum antimicrobials that, until recently, were found in a wide variety of household and personal wash products. Popular with consumers, TCs have not been shown to protect against infectious diseases. Objectives To determine whether use of TC-containing wash products reduces incidence of infection in children less than one year of age. Methods Starting in 2011, we nested a randomized intervention of wash products with and without TCs within a multiethnic birth cohort. Maternal reports of infectious disease symptoms and antibiotic use were collected weekly by automated survey; household visits occurred every four months. Antibiotic prescriptions were identified by medical chart review. Urinary triclosan levels were measured in a participant subset. Differences by intervention group in reported infectious disease (primary outcome) and antibiotic use (secondary outcome) were assessed using mixed effects logistic regression and Fisher's Exact tests, respectively. Results Infectious illness occurred in 6% of weeks, with upper respiratory illness the predominant syndrome. Among 60 (45%) TC-exposed and 73 (55%) non-TC-exposed babies, infectious disease reports did not differ in frequency between groups (likelihood ratio test: p = 0.88). Medical visits with antibiotic prescriptions were less common in the TC group than in the non-TC group (7.8% vs. 16.6%, respectively; p = 0.02). Conclusions Although randomization to TC-containing wash products was not associated with decreased infectious disease reports by mothers, TCs were associated with decreased antibiotic prescriptions, suggesting a benefit against bacterial infection. The recent removal of TCs from consumer wash products makes further elucidation of benefits and risks impracticable.
Synthesis and reactions of 4,5-homotropone and 4,5-dimethylenetropone

ion was also observed in unsaturated ketones, e.g., 3-;t-butyl methylvinyl ketone (80). This substrate upon Irradiation underwent cis-trans isomerization followed by
Corrosion of Carbon Steel by H2S in CO2 Containing Oilfield Environments

The effect that even small concentrations of H2S can have upon CO2 corrosion has been recognized since at least the 1940's. Early studies showed that the FeS corrosion products that were formed had an impact, but disagreed whether the impact was beneficial or not. Although H2S corrosion has not received the level of attention given to CO2 corrosion, the literature has shown that there are a number of different forms of FeS that can form as corrosion products, depending upon the exposure conditions. Between the corrosion, geochemical and thermodynamics literature, a great deal is known about the corrosion chemistry involved with the formation of the various FeS species as well as the impact that each has upon further corrosion.
Building Resilience in Nursing Homes in Disasters

Nursing homes face multiple challenges in hurricanes, including determining whether to evacuate or shelter in place, protecting vulnerable residents from harm during an evacuation, and ensuring adequate staffing and power supplies while sheltering in place. These challenges, combined with the repeated occurrence of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and wildfires, demonstrate the need for a strategic approach that builds organizational resilience in long-term care settings. We propose a model based on a series of preparations steps that will enable nursing homes to develop organizational resilience and the ability to function as effectively as possible to protect their residents during disasters.
Quality Improvement Initiatives to Reduce Mortality: An Opportunity to Engage Palliative Care and Improve Advance Care Planning:

Background:Despite substantial efforts to integrate palliative care and improve advance care planning, both are underutilized. Quality improvement initiatives focused on reducing mortality may offe...
NEOLIBERAL EPISTEMOLOGY AND THE TRUTH IN FAKE NEWS (SELF-WRITING/SELF-ENTERPRISE/SELF-CONTROL)

AbstractTaking cues from Michel Foucault’s late work on ancient cultures of self-care, this article argues that the success of neoliberalism is bound up with an epistemological critique of modernit...
Using Symbolic and Graphical Forms To Analyze Students’ Mathematical Reasoning in Chemical Kinetics

This work is part of a larger project that seeks to understand how students blend (integrate) chemistry and mathematics as they work through chemical kinetics problems. Here we focus on four students from our larger sample: two students that demonstrated more instances of blending chemistry and mathematics in their interviews (“high-frequency blenders”) and two students that did not have any instances of blending chemistry and mathematics in their interviews (“nonblenders”). In this study, we characterized the intuitive mathematical ideas the students associated with equations (symbolic forms) and graphs (graphical forms), focusing on how the students’ mathematical reasoning influenced their understanding of chemical phenomena. The findings suggest that, in order for students to integrate chemistry and mathematics in a way that supports their understanding of the chemical processes in chemical kinetics, they must be able to reason using symbolic and graphical forms.
Trends in nonresident abortion rates in New York City from 2005 to 2015: a time series analysis

Abstract Objectives To examine trends and utilization patterns of NYC abortion services by nonresidents since growing abortion restrictions across many states could drive women to seek care in less restrictive jurisdictions including NYC. Study design We used data from Induced Termination of Pregnancy certificates filed with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in 2005–2015. An autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was fit to the monthly nonresident abortion rate time series. Pearson's χ2 tests determined associations between women's residence and other variables. Results During 2005–2015, 885,816 abortions were reported in NYC, with 76,990 (8.7%) among nonresidents; 50,211 (65.2%) nonresidents lived in other New York State counties. The NYC abortion rate declined from 49.4 per 1000 women 15–44 in 2005 to 32.7 in 2015, while the nonresident rate showed minimal change from 0.12 per 1000 US women 15–44 in 2005 to 0.10 in 2015. ARIMA(0,1,1)(0,0,1) [12] fit the time series indicating minimal monthly changes in nonresident rates reflecting seasonal patterns and shorter-term dependencies between successive observations. Nonresidents differed from residents in all investigated variables including terminating at 20+ weeks (9.0% vs. 2.5%, p Conclusions Nonresidents constituted few abortion patients in NYC with minimal change in nonresident rates in 2005–2015. Nonresidents more often sought later-term abortions and more complicated procedures posing greater associated costs/risks. Monitoring nonresident abortion trends and utilization patterns is valuable for planning local service delivery particularly in jurisdictions committed to providing comprehensive women's healthcare where nonresidents may increasingly seek abortions. Implications While we found limited change in nonresident abortion rates in NYC in 2005–2015, other jurisdictions bordering more restrictive states could show different results and should consider conducting similar research. Such analyses are important in jurisdictions committed to providing comprehensive women's healthcare where nonresidents may increasingly seek abortions in the future.
Navigating the Choppy Waters Between Public Safety and Humane Care of the Prisoner-Patient: The Role of the Ethics Consultant.

As illustrated by the case of Mr. J, the care of the prisoner as patient, or “prisoner-patient,” is often complicated by tension between the goals of incarceration, which in this case focus on inca...
Hybrid Precoding&#x002F;Combining Design in mmWave Amplify-and-Forward MIMO Relay Networks

In this paper, we consider the amplify-and-forward relay networks in mmWave systems and propose a hybrid precoder&#x002F;combiner design approach. The phase-only RF precoding&#x002F;combining matrices are first designed to support multi-stream transmission, where we compensate the phase for the eigenmodes of the channel. Then, the baseband precoders&#x002F;combiners are performed to achieve the maximum mutual information. Based on the data processing inequality for the mutual information, we first jointly design the baseband source and relay nodes to maximize the mutual information before the destination baseband receiver. The proposed low-complexity iterative algorithm for the source and relay nodes is based on the equivalence between mutual information maximization and the weighted MMSE. After we obtain the optimal precoder and combiner for the source and relay nodes, we implement the MMSE-SIC filter at the baseband receiver to keep the mutual information unchanged, thus obtaining the optimal mutual information for the whole relay system. Simulation results show that our algorithm achieves better performance with lower complexity compared with other algorithms in the literature.
Prediction of relative globularization rates in α + β titanium alloys as a function of initial crystal orientation

The breakdown of the columnar grains and lamellar α + β colony microstructure in two-phase Ti alloys during conversion of ingot to billet is critical to the development of desired combination of mechanical properties. Colony breakdown occurs during a series of thermomechanical processing steps in the α + β phase field. However, fundamental knowledge of the microstructural dependence of this transformation is limited, particularly its dependence on the initial orientation of the α + β colony relative to the imposed strain-path. In this study, the viscoplastic self-consistent polycrystal plasticity model is used to examine deformation behavior as a function of crystal loading direction. Criteria were developed to predict relative globularization rates; it was found that both slip system activities in the α phase and relative crystal rotations of each phase must be considered. Predictions are demonstrated to be consistent with literature and suggest that further experimental investigation of relative globularization rates is necessary.
Distinct distances in planar point sets with forbidden 4-point patterns

Abstract A point set in a metric space is said to have property Φ ( 4 , 5 ) if every 4 elements determine at least 5 distinct distances. According to an old conjecture of Erdős (1986 or earlier), a set of n points in the Euclidean plane satisfying this restriction determines Ω ( n 2 ) distinct distances. This property (restriction) is shown to be equivalent to forbidding eight 4-element patterns, π i , i = 1 , … , 8 (described in Section 2 , Lemma 1 ). The existence of n -element point sets without the three patterns π 1 , π 2 , π 3 , that determine only o ( n 2 ) distinct distances was previously known. Here we exhibit n -element point sets without the seven patterns π 1 , π 3 , π 4 , π 5 , π 6 , π 7 , π 8 , that determine only o ( n 2 ) distinct distances. The existence of point sets missing all eight forbidden patterns and determining only o ( n 2 ) distinct distances remains open.
Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy with proton therapy: reduced toxicity with comparable oncological outcomes vs photon chemo-radiotherapy

Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy is a commonly employed curative treatment approach for locally advanced cancers but is associated with considerable morbidity. Chemo-radiotherapy using proton therapy may be able to reduce side effects of treatment and improve efficacy, but this remains an area of controversy and data are relatively limited. We comment on recently published studies and discuss future directions for proton therapy.
Single Embryo Transfer Versus Double Embryo Transfer: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in a Non-IVF Insurance Mandated System.

Introduction Because of increased morbidity seen in multiple gestations, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine recommends transfer of blastocysts one at a time for most patients. While cost-effectiveness models have compared single embryo transfer (SET) versus double embryo transfer (DET), few incorporate maternal and neonatal morbidity, and none have been performed in U.S. Military facilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the cost effectiveness of sequential SET versus DET in a U.S. Military treatment facility. Materials and methods A cost-effectiveness model was created based on 250 patients between the ages of 20-44 who previously underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) at our facility. The model consisted of patients pursuing either SET or DET with two total embryos. Cycle outcomes were determined using the published SARTCORS success calculator. Neonatal and obstetrical outcomes were simulated based on singleton and twin IVF pregnancies. Neonatal and obstetrical cost estimates were based on internal data as well. Results If 250 model patients pursue SET, 140 live births would occur, with total cost of $5.7 million, and cost per delivery of $40,500. If the model patients pursued DET, 117 live births would occur, with total cost of $9.2 million and a cost per delivery of $77.700. DET would lead to more total infants (207 vs. 143 in SET cohort). Personal costs are higher in SET versus DET cohorts ($23,036 vs. $20,535). Conclusions SET in a system with no infertility coverage saves approximately $3.5 million per 250 patients. Higher personal costs as seen with SET may incentivize patients to seek DET. The total savings should encourage alteration to practice patterns with the U.S Military Healthcare System.
Is there a right and left when the question is about right and wrong? – The irreducible difference between ethics and politics, religion, and morality

Summary Ethics is not culture bound or culturally relative, or Western. It is not true for some people, but not for others. We may not always know what is best or right, but we can always work to improve our knowledge and raise our standards. In this, ethics is no different from science. Applying this to bioethics leads to important consequences. All ethics, including bioethics, is built on a presumption of universal values. Millennials may worry that what we have now is white men's bioethics. Mill was white; but his ethics do not privilege white men. In fact, the growth in universal and secular ethics has forced us to recognize and address the problems with sexism, racism, and colonialism over the past 150 years. Immoral social practices that were considered acceptable for thousands of years, invisible to those with undeserved power, have become visible. Mill and Kant gave us the tools to discover injustices in the social structures of where we live, or where we worship. That is not to imply bioethics ignores or opposes religion. Bioethics allows everyone to make decisions based on their own personal religious beliefs. That's called “autonomy”, and it respects religious freedom and defends pluralism. Ethics is evidence-based morality. To arrive at an ethical conclusion one must be willing to submit all of one's moral reactions and beliefs to scrutiny and critical thinking, and objective assessment. Ethics requires putting dispassionate reflection above ideology, and its success depends on listening to all sides of a dispute, “right” and “left”, and giving reasons for preferring one solution over others. Fortunately, every religious belief can be mitigated by ethics, so long as we realize that ethics is not merely one additional set of subjective beliefs, but must be rationally and scientifically justified and universal. That is why the arc of history bends towards justice…and away from many fundamentalist religious beliefs. Conservative, racist, and divisive belief systems, and the reactionary political parties and authoritarian leaders who promote them, are unlikely to support ethical responses to social problems or political and economic crises . Nevertheless, it is important to not equate left and right with right and wrong. Philosophers must judge issues based only on the ethical arguments, and let the political ramifications fall where they may.
COSMIC ACCELERATION AND CONCORDANCE FROM CAUSAL BACKREACTION WITH RECURSIVE NONLINEARITIES

We review the causal backreaction paradigm, in which the need for Dark Energy is eliminated via the generation of an apparent cosmic acceleration from the causal flow of inhomogeneity information coming in from distant structure-forming regions. The formalism detailed here incorporates the effects of "recursive nonlinearities": the process by which already-established metric perturbations will subsequently act to slow-down all future flows of inhomogeneity information. Despite such effects, we find viable cosmological models in which causal backreaction successfully serves as a replacement for Dark Energy, via the adoption of relatively large values for the dimensionless "strength" of the clustering evolution functions being modeled. These large values are justified by the hierarchical nature of clustering and virialization in the universe, which occurs on multiple cosmic length scales simultaneously; moreover, the clustering model amplitudes needed to match the apparent acceleration can be moderated via the incorporation of a model parameter representing the late-time slow-down of clustering due to astrophysical feedback processes. In summary, an alternative cosmic concordance can be achieved for a matter-only universe in which the apparent acceleration observed is generated entirely by causal backreaction effects. Lastly, considering the long-term fate of the universe, while the possibility of an "eternal" acceleration due to causal backreaction seems unlikely, this conclusion does not take into account the large-scale breakdown of cosmological isotropy in the far future, or the eventual ubiquity of gravitationally-nonlinear perturbations.
Applying ML Algorithms to improve traffic classification in Intrusion Detection Systems

Traditional intrusion detection systems may have higher false-positive and false-negative rates against new malicious traffic vectors. Also, in the case of anomaly-based IDS can be bypassed by generating network traffic intelligently. The capability of machine learning algorithms in capturing complex behaviors and patterns made them increasingly popular in solving classification/detection problems. The major objective of this paper is to suggest an efficient IDS model by studying various supervised machine learning algorithms on the classification problem. For this purpose, the known NSLKDD dataset was used as a source of diverse feature columns for the model The transformed data is modeled to classify network traffic into normal or attack using machine learning algorithms SVM, KNN, neural network and ensemble learning in which KNN and SVM achieved 98 and 97% accuracy. These models can be used to differentiate anomalous traffic in intrusion systems and maybe useful as a replacement for traditional rule-based detection systems. Click here for dataset and code of IDS models.
Childhood Predictors of Adult Homosexuality

AbstractWhile most studies of early cross-gender behavior and subsequent sexual orientation are longitudinal and have been done in the United States, this paper is a synthesis and overview of the author's work in Guatemala and Brazil, as well as the United States, from a retrospective perspective. Three aspects of early cross-gender behavior are discussed: 1) The relationship between early cross-gender behavior and adult sexual orientation. It is concluded that adult sexual orientation can be predicted with a considerable degree of accuracy in male homesexuals. Problems connected with such prediction are discussed. 2) Early cross-gender behavior and family structure. It is concluded that the early emergence of feminine behavior in boys is likely to precede the pattern of the hostile father and protective mother, and that the father's hostility results from his disappointment and anger at having a feminine son. 3) The meaning of early cross-gender behavior cross-culturally. It is suggested that patterns of...
The Word Problem for Finitely Presented Quandles is Undecidable

This work presents an algorithmic reduction of the word problem for recursively presented groups to the word problem for recursively presented quandles. The faithfulness of the reduction follows from the conjugation quandle construction on groups. It follows that the word problem for recursively presented quandles is not effectively computable, in general. This article also demonstrates that a recursively presented quandle can be encoded as a recursively presented rack. Hence the word problem for recursively presented racks is also not effectively computable.
Population sizing based on landscape feature

Population size for EvolutionaryAlgorithms is usually an empirical parameter. We study the population size from aspects of fitness landscapes' ruggedness and Probably Approximately Correct (PAC) learning theory.
Practical iterative multiuser detection for turbo encoded signals in CDMA systems

A practical iterative multiuser detection technology for code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, particularly for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) frequency division duplex (FDD) mode with long spreading code, is presented. A number of papers about combination of turbo decoder and multistage interference cancellation have been published. However, some practical issues such as computational complexity, processing latency, size of memory and multiple users with different code block lengths and asynchronous transmission timing intervals (TTIs) have not been addressed. With these practical issues in mind, we design a new receiver that combines modified iterative turbo decoder and multi-stage parallel partial interference cancellation (PPIC) in such a way that both turbo decoder and PPIC mutually benefits from each other. In addition, the partial cancellation coefficients are adaptively determined based on mean value of soft decisions of turbo decoder to improve performance. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate efficiency of the receiver.
Fat, Gay, and Proud: Review of Fat Gay Men: Girth, Mirth, and the Politics of Stigma, by Jason Whitesel

In Fat Gay Men: Girth, Mirth, and the Politics of Stigma, Jason Whitesel presents his ethnographic study of Girth and Mirth (G&M) of Ohio. G&M of Ohio is one of many chapter organizations of the Af...
New Drimane Sesquiterpenoids from Tidestromia oblongifolia

From an acetone extract of the aerial parts of Tidestromia oblongifolia (Amaranthaceae), a new drimane sesquiterpenoid bearing an 11,12,13-trihydroxydrimene skeleton (1) as well as the 11,12 acetonide of 1 were isolated. Three known stigmastane triterpenoids were also isolated. Structures were elucidated with the aid of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. The absolute configuration of 1 was confirmed by single-crystal x-ray crystallography. This is the first report on phytochemical constituents from any plant of the genus Tidestromia and is the first report of the occurrence of drimanes in the Amaranthaceae.
Stable learning scheme for failure detection and accommodation

This paper presents a methodology for constructing automated fault diagnosis and accommodation architectures using online approximators and adaptation/learning schemes. In this framework, neural network models constitute an important class of online approximators. Changes in the system dynamics are monitored by an online approximation model, which is used not only for detecting but also for accommodating system failures. A systematic procedure for constructing nonlinear estimation algorithms and stable learning schemes is developed, and simulation studies are used to illustrate the results. >
Dynamic Abnormal Grain Growth in Refractory Metals

High-temperature plastic deformation of the body-centered cubic (BCC) refractory metals Mo and Ta can initiate and propagate abnormal grains at significantly lower temperatures and faster rates than is possible by static annealing alone. This discovery reveals a new and potentially important aspect of abnormal grain growth (AGG) phenomena. The process of AGG during plastic deformation at elevated temperatures, termed dynamic abnormal grain growth (DAGG), was observed at homologous temperatures between 0.52 and 0.72 in both Mo and Ta sheet materials; these temperatures are much lower than those for previous observations of AGG in these materials during static annealing. DAGG was used to repeatedly grow single crystals several centimeters in length. Investigations to date have produced a basic understanding of the conditions that lead to DAGG and how DAGG is affected by microstructure in BCC refractory metals. The current state of understanding for DAGG is reviewed in this paper. Attention is given to the roles of temperature, plastic strain, boundary mobility and preexisting microstructure. DAGG is considered for its potential useful applications in solid-state crystal growth and its possibly detrimental role in creating undesired abnormal grains during thermomechanical processing.
Autoimmunity: Homeostasis of Innate Immunity Gone Awry

Autoimmunity is generally considered to represent an attack on self-tissues mediated by autoantibodies or self-reactive T cells. However, the recent identification of genetic variants in inflammatory diseases provides unequivocal examples of defects in innate immunity leading to autoimmunity. The complement system and DNases will be used as telling examples of how genetic variants in innate immune pathways produce injury directly or by triggering the adaptive immune system. The principles illustrated are likely representative of how other innate immune pathways mediate damage to self.
Magnetic field inclination angle at geosynchronous orbit

Abstract Simultaneous magnetic field data from the geostationary satellites GOES 2 and GOES 3 have shown significant differences between the inclination angles measured at these two satellites. The relationship between the two inclination angles is examined for three magnetic activity groups and eight local time sectors by using data from GOES 2 and GOES 3 for the 12-month period from March 1979 to February 1980. During this time GOES 2 was 1.09 R E off the geomagnetic equator in the northern geomagnetic hemisphere, while GOES 3 was separated from GOES 2 by 2 h L.T. and 0.47 R E off the geomagnetic equator, also in the northern geomagnetic hemisphere. The average inclination angle is found to differ substantially from the predictions based on the previously published magnetic field models. The relationship between the two inclination angles is fitted by a simple model of magnetic field perturbation that varies as a power of distance from the Equator. During magnetic disturbances, the spatial variation of magnetic field perturbation on the nightside suggests that the ring current density increases with distance from the geomagnetic equator.
X-ray and gamma-ray fluxes from SN 1987A

Monte Carlo simulations of gamma-ray transport in several models of the SN 1987A debris are conducted to attempt to fit the gamma-ray line fluxes and Ginga X-ray fluxes from the SN 1987A. The bolometric flux, 16-28 keV Ginga flux, and gamma line light curves are compared with observational data. The contribution of each radial mass segment in the debris to the total gamma-line flux is calculated. Also, calculations of the fraction of the decay energy that emerge as X-ray, gamma line, or bolometric flux and the spatial distribution of the energy deposited by Compton scattering and photoelectric absorption are presented. It is found that all of the models agree with the observed light curves of gamma-ray lines, but fail to explain high fluxes in the Ginga band at late times. The results suggest that the Ginga observations may include an external source contribution. 67 refs.
Imaging 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane self-assembled monolayers on nanostructured titania and tin (IV) oxide nanowires using colloidal silver nanoparticles

Self-assembled monolayers (SAM) of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) were grown on nanostructured titania (NST) and tin oxide nanowires (SnO2 NW) and the functionalized metal oxide surfaces were decorated with borohydride-reduced silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and imaged. Comparative studies with the mono- and di-ethoxysilanes were also carried out. The nanoparticle-modified silane films are found to be greatly stabilized against oxidation. Because colloidal AgNP bind preferentially to the amino functionality of the silane molecules, they serve as an assay for the surface’s utility towards species that bind to that group. The particle density also reflects the relative number of natively bound APTES in the SAM.
Dynamics of two-phase face seals

An analytic study is presented of the effects of phase change on load support for parallel and tapered face seals. Consideration is given to an adiabatic model for low Reynolds number flow. Numerical integration is carried out of the descriptive fluid equations, giving the opening force due to fluid film pressure. The loci of steady-state solutions are then plotted for water to provide curves of load support as a function of film thickness. For axial excursions of the seal rings, a quasi-steady transient analysis is made. It is found that the load support generated by fluid pressure can be multivalued for a given film thickness. Another finding is that axial disturbances of the seal rings may lead to sudden drops in load support generated by fluid pressure with three possible results. The first is that sufficient damping may permit the seal to return to the previous equilibrium operating position. The second is that the seal may collapse to an equilibrium position of smaller film thickness where face contact is more likely and a significantly higher operating temperature is assured. The third is that a limit cycle of self-sustained oscillation in the axial direction may occur if damping is sufficiently low.
Reduction of testosterone synthesis after high dose interleukin-2 therapy of metastatic cancer.

We have investigated the effect of high dose iv bolus interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy on sex hormone and adrenal steroid concentrations in six men treated for metastatic renal cell carcinoma or malignant melanoma. Blood concentrations of testosterone, 17β-estradiol, LH, FSH, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S) were measured before and after a 5-day course of IL-2 therapy. Cortisol levels rose and DHEA-S decreased insignificantly. DHEA declined, reaching a nadir (P < 0.001) on day 6, and testosterone decreased significantly on day 2 and reached a nadir on day 6 (P < 0.0001). Concentrations of both steroids then gradually rose. Estradiol rose on day 4 (P < 0.001) and then declined. Neither LH nor FSH was affected significantly, although there was a rise in the mean level of LH after IL-2 therapy. Our results suggest that high dose IL-2 therapy in men affects both adrenal and testicular androgen production without inhibiting pituitary trophic hormone secretion. These effects of IL...
Plan execution and the workability of soviet planning

Abstract In the execution phase of its planning, the Soviet economy contains mechanisms which, although they do not consistently move the system toward its efficiency frontier, prevent it from falling disastrously short of it. The mechanisms include flows of nonprice scarcity information, generated in the plan's execution, and responses to that information, improvised both by the central planners and by subordinate participants. The information is usually poor, but, for any given error in it, the odds increase with the degree of initial inefficiency that the responses will be toward the frontier. At identifiable limits, responses in the right direction become certain.
Mental health service use among adult cancer survivors: analyses of the National Health Interview Survey.

PURPOSE: Analyses were conducted to obtain national estimates of mental health service use, unmet need for such services, and the prevalence of mental health problems among individuals reporting a cancer history. METHODS: Of a nationally representative sample of 95,615 adults in the United States interviewed as part of the 1998, 1999, and 2000 National Health Interview Survey, 4,878 reported a history of cancer (excluding superficial skin cancer). Analyses assessed whether cancer survivors relative to those without a self-reported history of cancer had increased use of mental health services and had increased reports of unmet need for such services. Analyses were also conducted to ascertain demographic and health characteristics associated with service use and unmet need. RESULTS: Compared with individuals without a cancer history, cancer survivors reported significantly greater contact in the past year with a mental health provider (7.2% v 5.7%). Cancer survivors were more likely to have used mental heal...
A multiprogramming environment for online data acquistion and analysis

An experimental system for acquisition and analysis of large bodies of data derived from scientific experiments is described. Its architecture and implementation is largely based on certain objectives and characteristics of a general data analysis scheme. Early applications have been oriented towards the investigation of data obtained in biological research. Some of the problems encountered by the chosen approach are discussed.
Blind Signal Separation for Cognitive Radio

Many efforts have been dedicated to cognitive radio research and many schemes have been proposed for cognitive radio in the past few years. Unfortunately, an important piece of cognitive radio, namely, signal separation, is missing. The goal of this paper is to stimulate the research interests of incorporating signal separation into cognitive radio. This paper will argue that the signal separation component is not only critical but also feasible. We starts with an integrated view of cognitive radio and software radio architecture, and then a physical layer architecture based on blind signal separation is examined. It will be shown that the signal separation component can serve for many purposes, including separating different kinds of signals and performing multiuser detection. The performance is evaluated by computer simulations and the feasibility is discussed through complexity analysis.
Excitation of hydrogen atoms by electron impact at intermediate energies

The cross sections for the $1s\ensuremath{-}2s$ and $1s\ensuremath{-}2p$ transitions in atomic hydrogen have been calculated for electron impact energies in the range 12-20 eV using a pseudostate expansion.
Zinc impurities in d-wave superconductors.

We study the two-dimensional Hubbard model with nonmagnetic Zn impurities modeled by binary diagonal disorder using quantum Monte Carlo within the dynamical cluster approximation. With increasing Zn content we find a strong suppression of $d$-wave superconductivity and an enhancement of antiferromagnetic spin correlations. ${T}_{c}$ vanishes linearly with Zn impurity concentration. The spin susceptibility changes from pseudogap to Curie-Weiss-like behavior indicating the existence of free magnetic moments in the Zn doped system. We interpret these results within the resonating-valence-bond picture.
Don't Fear the Cyborg: Toward Embracing Posthuman and Feminist Cyborg Discourses in Teacher Education and Educational Technology Research

AbstractI argue that larger cultural concerns about human–technology interactions are seldom addressed in teacher education. This article seeks to trace cultural anxieties about technology by addressing the long-standing trope of human versus machine; examine how these concerns are manifested and addressed (or not) in popular culture, educational technology research, and teacher education; and propose how, in a counterintuitive turn, we might begin to use what has been called cyborg anthropology, feminist cyborg discourse, and feminist posthuman discourse to address those fears in a world where human–technology relationships are increasingly symbiotic.
Integrating Mindfulness Into the Therapy Hour

“If you have the urge to binge, once you are standing at the refrigerator with both doors open, it's too late. You're going in.” I used to say this to my clients. I believed and understood, through...
Vertical Moist Thermodynamic Structure and Spatial–Temporal Evolution of the MJO in AIRS Observations

Abstract The atmospheric moisture and temperature profiles from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS)/Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit on the NASA Aqua mission, in combination with the precipitation from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), are employed to study the vertical moist thermodynamic structure and spatial–temporal evolution of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). The AIRS data indicate that, in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, the temperature anomaly exhibits a trimodal vertical structure: a warm (cold) anomaly in the free troposphere (800–250 hPa) and a cold (warm) anomaly near the tropopause (above 250 hPa) and in the lower troposphere (below 800 hPa) associated with enhanced (suppressed) convection. The AIRS moisture anomaly also shows markedly different vertical structures as a function of longitude and the strength of convection anomaly. Most significantly, the AIRS data demonstrate that, over the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, the enhanced (suppressed) convection is g...
Demyelination of Sternarchus electrocyte fibers by injection of diphtheria toxin.

Abstract Diphtheria toxin was injected into the electric organ of the gymnotid fish, Sternarchus albifrons. After 10 days, there was extensive demyelination of electrocyte fibers in the area of injection. Electron microscopy showed that paranodal loops of myelin do not separate cleanly from the axon, and remnants of the myelin loops may persist after demyelination of the internodes is nearly complete. The dense cytoplasmic undercoating of the nodal axolemma may disappear before the paranodal junctions are completely gone. Observations of demyelination of internodes between the elaborate, inexcitable nodes suggest that the presence of myelin may not be necessary for the maintenance of structural differentiation of this region of the axolemma. Use of diphtheria toxin to demyelinate Sternarchus electrocytes may provide a useful system for experimental neuropathological studies.
334 ELEVATED GONADOTROPINS, PERSISTENT MÜLLERIAN STRUCTURES, AND NORMAL TESTICULAR ULTRASTRUCTURE IN A GIRL KITH MIXED GONADAL DYSGENESIS

334 ELEVATED GONADOTROPINS, PERSISTENT MULLERIAN STRUCTURES, AND NORMAL TESTICULAR ULTRASTRUCTURE IN A GIRL KITH MIXED GONADAL DYSGENESIS
Thermodynamic Analysis of Alternative Approaches to Chemical Looping Combustion

In this article, we review and clarify some of the points made by previous authors(1, 2) regarding chemical looping combustion (CLC). Although much of the recent interest in chemical looping combustion has been associated with carbon sequestration, our primary interest here is its potential to increase the thermodynamic efficiency of converting fuel chemical energy into useful work. We expand on several points about the details of CLC that we feel have not previously been sufficiently explored and suggest alternative (and possibly more practical) approaches that exploit some of the same thermodynamic concepts. We illustrate our key points with first and second law analyses of ideal conceptual processes, which, in addition to CLC, also include isothermal, nonequilibrium, preheated combustion and combustion with thermochemical recuperation. Our results suggest that a significant portion of the potential efficiency benefit of CLC might be achieved without the need to handle and transport large quantities of ...
Observation of alignment of superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 particles in a magnetic field using neutron diffraction.

Neutron-diffraction measurements have been performed on powdered, sintered-pellet, and pressed-powder samples of ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ in the superconducting mixed state. In the powdered sample, the presence of the vertical applied magnetic field is found to cause an irreversible increase in the intensity of the (001) Bragg peak measured in the horizontal plane. This effect is consistent with orientation of the particles in the field. No changes due to the field are observed in the sintered pellet or the pressed powder.
SAAST Robotics: An Intensive Three Week Robotics Program for High School Students

We have designed an intensive, three-week robotics program for high school students that combines theory with hands-on practical experience in cutting edge technologies. Conventional approaches to engineering education are bottom-up. Students are first taught the basics and are then courses that build on the basics. Most students do not take coursework on engineering applications, particularly design and systems engineering, until the end of the curriculum. This has the disadvantage of not exposing students to the excitement in engineering until late in the curriculum. Our goal is to develop a top-down curriculum in which students are introduced first to the applications and systems concepts which then leads to the teaching of fundamentals. This approach has the potential to recruit and retain students in engineering while making the curriculum more relevant and rigorous.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
The orientation of the local interstellar magnetic field.

The orientation of the local interstellar magnetic field introduces asymmetries in the heliosphere that affect the location of heliospheric radio emissions and the streaming direction of ions from the termination shock of the solar wind. We combined observations of radio emissions and energetic particle streaming with extensive three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic computer simulations of magnetic field draping over the heliopause to show that the plane of the local interstellar field is ∼60° to 90° from the galactic plane. This finding suggests that the field orientation in the Local Interstellar Cloud differs from that of a larger-scale interstellar magnetic field thought to parallel the galactic plane.
Volunteerism: Speech-Language Pathology with the Homeless

I am a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) who has volunteered for the past 7 years, providing services to homeless men and women at a large urban rehabilitation mission. This faith-based mission specializes in a 13 month residential program which is offered to homeless individuals afflicted with drug and alcohol abuse. Often the rehabilitation is not a choice but court ordered in lieu of a prison sentence. I have evaluated and treated numerous residents of the mission’s programs who present with communication disorders such as long term stuttering [1], ataxic dysarthria post amateur boxing [2] hyperkinetic dysarthria post cocaine abuse [3], in addition to delayed language, Huntington’s chorea, swallowing disorders, and cognitive disorders post traumatic brain injury. The possibilities for positive life changes through rehabilitative intervention are infinite. Many of these homeless individuals must stay in the program or face incarceration, therefore the motivation for change is present and the time to make that change, 13 months, is adequate for rehabilitation intervention. My volunteerism has provided unique opportunities for treatment, education and research for students at the university in which I teach (California State University Long Beach). This SLP treatment program through a volunteerism platform demonstrates to students the power of philanthropy, the plight of the homeless, their humanity, and the all too familiar cycle of poverty; all complicated by a communication or swallowing disorder. The effect on students has been profound. Many have made volunteerism a commitment in their personnel and professional life. It is no longer an unfamiliar concept, but one which is now an expected part of their life plan. Mission referrals continue, with counselors more aware of swallowing and communication disorders. A recent referral of a 38 year old man, a lifelong stutterer, with a 25 year history of drug abuse led to evaluation and subsequent on-going treatment. He has completed one month of fluency establishment and will soon be moving on to transfer of his skills. He is being treated in a similar manner as detailed in McMicken et al. 2012. The speech and drug rehabilitation prognosis is positive based on his 13 month commitment to both activities. A detailed case history will follow in the fall of 2014.
Influence of Benzalkonium Chloride on the Dissolution Rate Behavior of Several Solid-Phase Preparations of Cholesterol in Bile Acid Solutions

Cholesterol dissolution rate accelerators, such as benzalkonium chloride, function by reducing the interfacial barrier that exists between the negatively-charged bile acid micelle and the negatively-charged cholesterol surface. It has been proposed that this reaction is accomplished by the binding of the positively-charged accelerator to the negatively-charged micelle. An earlier report showed that different solid preparations of cholesterol give different dissolution rates under the same conditions and these differences can be primarily accounted for by variations in the interfacial transport constant (P). By using the rotating disk dissolution apparatus and the Levich theory it has been possible to study the dissolution behavior of different cholesterol solid phases as a function of the benzalkonium chloride concentration. It was shown that the ratios of P values for the different phases are relatively constant over the range of the accelerator concentrations. This suggests that the accelerators act primarily on the micelle to enhance dissolution rate.
Approximating 2-cliques in unit disk graphs

This paper studies distance-based clique relaxations in unit disk graphs arising in wireless networking applications. Namely, a 2-clique is a subset of nodes with pairwise distance at most two in the graph, and a 2-club is a subset of nodes inducing a subgraph of diameter two. It is shown that in a unit disk graph any 2-clique is 4-dominated and any 2-club is 3-dominated. The former observation is used to develop a 1 2 -approximation algorithm for the maximum 2-clique problem in unit disk graphs. Moreover, this also implies polynomial solvability of the minimum dominating set problem in unit disk graphs of diameter two, whereas the same problem is shown to be hard in general diameter-two graphs. The paper also poses several related open questions of interest.
Substantial H-atom production from the 193 nm photolysis of triethylaluminum

Abstract The 193 nm irradiation of triethylaluminum (TEA) produces a significant amount of atomic hydrogen. Doppler profiles at Lyman-α (121.6 nm) reveal that the H atoms have little kinetic energy, the mean kinetic energy being ⩽ 0.35 eV. These observations are interpreted in the context of possible photodissociation pathways. The most likely route involves a single-photon absorption followed by dissociation to form the ethyl radical, which can further dissociate to produce C 2 H 4 and H.