cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Justice that Justice Denied: The Problematic Case of the Black Farmers Civil Rights Settlement with the Department of Agriculture

It should be noted that W.E.B. DuBois estimated 19th century progress in land ownership by black farmers to be some 3 million acres in 1875, 8 million in 1890 and 12 million by 19'03 Farmland acquisition during this time demonstrated a level of post‐emancipation economic growth for African American farmers that served as a vehicle for increase in status and community leadership and some measure of prosperity. And yet, as that time signals the most prosperous in terms of farm land ownership for blacks, there has been a steady decrease since then due to many legal, political, economic and simply natural occurrences such as the full fledged enactment of Jim Crow laws, the disenfranchisement of blacks, oppressive operating contracts and natural disasters. Today, as indicated by the 2007 Census of Agriculture black farmers have been reduced to representing only 1.3% of all farm‐operators. This paper will explore the plight of the settlements of the Pigford v. Veneman and Pigford v. Glickman, known as Pigford and Pigford II case that led to the 1997 civil rights judgment against the United States Department of Agriculture on behalf of African American farmers, and subsequent redress of the settlement. Note: The terms “black farmers” and “African American farmers” are used interchangeably in this paper. This paper (a work in progress) is the basis for ongoing research that will look to first‐hand data regarding the effectiveness of the Pigford II settlement.
Under the Lights: The Legitimacy, Survival, and Institutionalization of Rural Amateur Baseball

A unique phenomenon, known locally as “town ball,” occurs every summer in Minnesota. Most individuals who support town ball teams are from rural communities. Despite small populations, teams often ...
3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) produces hypothermia and inhibits histochemical labeling of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in rat brain.

3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) is a toxin sometimes produced on moldy crops (sugarcane, peanuts, etc.) in amounts sufficient to cause severe neurological disorders when consumed by humans. In vitro, 3-NPA irreversibly inactivates SDH, a Complex II respiratory enzyme required for mitochondrial energy production. A single dose of 3-NPA (30 mg/kg S.C.) was given to singly-caged adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rectal temperature was measured after dosing as a potential biomarker of exposure to 3-NPA, and animals were sacrificed at various times after 3-NPA exposure for histochemical visualization of SDH activity. 3-NPA-treated rats experienced a progressive hypothermia, which reached a loss of 3°C or more in core body temperature by 3 hours after dosing. The optical density of the SDH stain in brain was reduced according to a similar time-course, most prominently in the cerebellum and least sharply in the thalamus. The caudate nucleus had the greatest density of SDH staining that we measured in brain; it also has been reported to be the region most consistently lesioned by 3-NPA. However, within other areas of brain such as subdivisions of the hippocampus, neither endogenous SDH activity nor its sensitivity to inhibition by 3-NPA could predict the susceptibility to neurodegenerative changes. Although SDH activity remained significantly reduced in most areas of brain (except thalamus) for up to 5 days after dosing, core temperatures had returned to control values by 5 days suggesting that animals can utilize an alternate method of heat production to withstand insult by 3-NPA.
SU(2) geometric phase induced by a periodically driven Raman process in ultracold dilute Bose gas

An experimental protocol is proposed to observe a non-Abelian geometric phase with periodically driven Raman process in the atomic hyperfine ground state manifold based on recent theories. A simulation verifies the effectiveness of the protocol.
Results From a Survey of American Geriatrics Society Members' Views on Physician-Assisted Suicide.

Background Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is a controversial practice, currently legal in nine states and the District of Columbia. No prior study explores the views of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) membership on PAS. Design We surveyed 1488 randomly selected AGS members via email. Participants A total of 369 AGS members completed the survey (24.8% response rate). Analysis We conducted bivariate correlation analyses of beliefs related to support for PAS. We also conducted qualitative analysis of open-ended responses. Results There was no consensus regarding the acceptability of PAS, with 47% supporting and 52% opposing this practice. PAS being legal in the respondent's state, belief that respect for autonomy alone is sufficient to justify PAS, and intent to prescribe or support requests for PAS if legal in state of practice all correlated with support for PAS. There was no consensus on whether the AGS should oppose, support, or adopt a neutral stance on PAS. Most respondents believed that PAS is more complex among patients with low health literacy, low English proficiency, disability, dependency, or frailty. Most respondents supported mandatory palliative care consultation and independent assessments from two physicians. Themes identified from qualitative analysis include role of the medical profession, uncertainty of the role of professional organizations, potential unintended consequences, autonomy, and ethical and moral considerations. Conclusion There was no consensus among respondents regarding the acceptability of PAS. Respondents expressed concern about vulnerable older populations and the need for safeguards when responding to requests for PAS. Ethical, legal, and policy discussions regarding PAS should consider vulnerable populations. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:23-30, 2019.
Aspect Ratio-Dependent Dynamics of Piezoelectric Transducers in Wireless Acoustic Power Transfer

Acoustic power transfer (APT) for wireless electronic components has received growing attention as a viable approach to deliver power to remotely located small electronic devices. The design of an efficient APT system requires accurate models to describe its individual components as well as the interaction between them. Most of the analytical models available to represent the bulk piezoelectric transducers used in APT are limited to either thin rod or thin plate transducers. However, transducers with moderate aspect ratios are often used, especially at the receiver end. In this work, in addition to reviewing standard theories, models based on the Rayleigh and Bishop rod theories are developed to analyze transducers [transmitter (TX) or receiver (RX)] with various aspect ratios. Results from these models are compared with experimental data and finite-element analysis to determine the range of aspect ratios in which they are valid. In addition, fluid loading effects on the predictions of all models are investigated, and the generated pressure fields by the transducers with different aspect ratios are compared. The resulting models are used to analyze the effect of aspect ratio on the performance of the transducer when operated as a TX or an RX in an APT setting.
Shaking and Aching: Status Epilepticus After 2 Weeks of Limping

Abstract This is the case of an 11-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department in status epilepticus. The patient had a 2-week prodromal illness of intermittent fevers, malaise, right lower quadrant pain, and right hip pain. Prior laboratory and radiographic evaluations had yielded no etiology for her symptoms. An in-depth social history revealed a recent cat scratch, and bedside ultrasound identified right-sided deep inguinal lymphadenopathy. The suspected diagnosis of Bartonella encephalopathy was confirmed by serology. This report reviews the broad differential for seizures and highlights the importance of a thorough history to provide direction. Additionally, atypical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations of cat-scratch disease are reviewed.
Toba-Fushimi Revisited: Commemorating the Violence of the Restoration Moment

This essay considers commemorative activity centered on the 1868 Battle of Toba-Fushimi, the first major engagement of the Boshin Civil War (1868–1869). This battle, which pitted the Tokugawa shogu...
Flap plus sub-flap irrigation and negative pressure therapy for infected extremity wounds

Abstract Background Infected wound reconstruction risks persistent infection and potential flap loss. Taking advantage of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation's ability to decrease bioburden, we introduce a novel paradigm “flap plus sub-flap irrigation” for treatment of infected lower extremity wounds. Methods This is a retrospective review of all patients over a 2-year period who underwent wound reconstruction with flap plus sub-flap irrigation. After flap inset, irrigation tubing is placed under the flap and foam sponge placed superficial to the flap edges, with pressure set to −100 mmHg. Fifty milliliters of 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution instills every 4 h with 15 min of soak time. Sub-flap irrigation is discontinued post-operative day #5. Results Eight patients with mean age of 47 years and mean follow up time of 21 months were identified. Seven patients (88%) had multidrug resistant infections, six (75%) had polymicrobial infections, and five had exposed hardware (63%). Wound etiology was most commonly motor vehicle collision (50%). Flaps included free ALT, (38%), radial forearm (25%), and latissimus dorsi (25%), as well as pedicled rectus femoris (13%). There were no flap losses or persistent infections. Two patients had delayed wound healing, one treated with skin grafting and the other with flap advancement. Conclusion This series demonstrates successful treatment of high-risk infected wounds with flap plus sub-flap irrigation. This strategy may mitigate risk of persistent infection and flap loss. Larger studies and comparative studies are required to elucidate indications and assess relative benefits of this treatment paradigm.
Meckel's Diverticulum: A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Survey in Adults Comparing Diverticulectomy and Small Bowel Resection.

BackgroundMeckel’s diverticulum is a congenital abnormality often associated with the pediatric population. When seen in the adult population, management is controversial. This study sought to dete...
Choice of Intensive Lifestyle Change and/or Metformin after Shared Decision Making for Diabetes Prevention: Results from the Prediabetes Informed Decisions and Education (PRIDE) Study.

IntroductionWhile the Diabetes Prevention Program Study demonstrated that intensive lifestyle change and metformin both reduce type 2 diabetes incidence, there are little data on patient preference...
Programmable Voltage Reference Circuit Using an Analog Floating Gate Device

Voltage references are an integrated circuit component used to provide stable references. They provide a voltage that is generally independent of supply voltage and temperature and have a variety of applications in control systems and data converters where there is a need for a fixed voltage. Much research has occurred in developing reliable and low power reference circuits. We here discuss improvements to voltage reference circuit that employs an analog floating gate (AFG) device to generate programmable reference voltages. The approach taken here allows us to maintain accuracy of reference voltage over a very wide range of supply voltage and trim to any desired reference voltage from 0.4 to 3.1 volts.
A Benchtop Robot and Automation Solution for Prefilled Syringes in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Pharmaceutical manufacturing has strict requirements on the production environment, procedure, and product quality. Current manual operations face challenges in sterility, efficiency, and ergonomics. The introduction of industrial robotic arms can potentially meet biological manufacturing needs regarding ease to clean, high accuracy, and repeatability. This paper represents a benchtop robot and automation system aiming for the manufacturing of prefilled syringes. The system's hardware components include an ISO-certified robot manipulator (Yaskawa GP8), end-effector tools, cap feeding system, and telescoping transfer platform. A control system for the robot manipulator and Arduino is developed with the Robot Operating System-Industrial (ROS-Industrial). An interpolation method is applied in low-level control to realize linear trajectories of the robot's end-effector. Reliable filling, capping, and sealing are demonstrated to produce prefilled 60 mL syringe in 136 secs, Moreover, during a production run of 33 prefilled syringes, 32 are completed, with only one requiring human intervention due to cap misalignment of the syringe with the capping spout.
Choice and Meaning in the Quantum Universe

How does the world come to be just what it is, and not something else? Classical physics offers only a partial answer. It says that the deterministic laws of nature fix everything over all of spacetime in terms of things at a single instant of time. But the remaining question is then: What fixes things at this single instant of time? What determines the initial conditions?
Urine Output Determination From Superabsorbent and Regular Diapers Under Radiant Heat

The rate of water evaporation from diapers was determined by sequential weights of open and closed regular diapers and of open superabsorbent diapers in three different environments--radiant heater at 100% heater output, radiant heater at 50% heater output, and room air. In all three environments, evaporation was greatest with open regular diapers, less with open superabsorbent diapers, and least with closed regular diapers. Evaporation was greatest under the radiant heater with 100% heater output, less under the radiant heater with 50% heater output, and least in room air. An open, regular diaper under 100% heater output lost 45% of its water after one hour and 85% had evaporated after two hours. Smaller volumes of water demonstrated a larger percentage of evaporation than larger volumes. Recommendations are made for the use of (1) either open, superabsorbent diapers or closed, regular diapers, (2) prompt weights after urination, and (3) accurate and precise scales.
Enhancing Transfer in Reinforcement Learning by Building Stochastic Models of Robot Actions

Abstract Recent work has shown that reinforcement learning is a viable method of automatically programming behavior-based robots. However, one weakness with this approach is that the learning typically does not transfer across tasks. Furthermore, there is unnecessary duplication of learning effort because information is not shared among the various behaviors. This paper describes an alternative technique based on action models that attempts to maximize transfer within and across tasks. Action models are inferred using a statistical clustering technique from instances generated by a robot exploring its task environment. Task-specific knowledge is encoded using a reward function for each subtask. A multi-step lookahead strategy using the reward functions as static evaluators is employed to select the most appropriate action. Experiments on simulated and real robots show that useful action models can be learned from a 12 by 12 scrolling certainty grid sensor. Furthermore, on the simulator these models are sufficiently rich to enable significant transfer within and across two tasks, box pushing and wall following.
Separating the notions of self- and autoreducibility

Recently Glaser et al. have shown that for many classes C including PSPACE and NP it holds that all of its nontrivial many-one complete languages are autoreducible. This immediately raises the question of whether all many-one complete languages are Turing self-reducible for such classes C. This paper considers a simpler version of this question—whether all PSPACE-complete (NP-complete) languages are length-decreasing self-reducible. We show that if all PSPACE-complete languages are length-decreasing self-reducible then PSPACE = P and that if all NP-complete languages are length-decreasing self-reducible then NP = P. The same type of result holds for many other natural complexity classes. In particular, we show that (1) not all NL-complete sets are logspace length-decreasing self-reducible, (2) unconditionally not all PSPACE-complete languages are logpsace length-decreasing self-reducible, and (3) unconditionally not all PSPACE-complete languages are polynomial-time length-decreasing self-reducible.
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis Following an Acute JC Virus Infection (P5.185)

OBJECTIVE: Describe a case of Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) following an acute JC virus infection and comment on the clinical relevance of this rare case. BACKGROUND: ADEM is a rapidly progressing post-infectious encephalomyelitis that has been attributed to a wide variety of infectious agents, typically presenting in children and young adults one to three weeks following viral infection. Few cases to date have been described linking ADEM with JC virus infections. Here we present a case of acute JC virus infection in an HIV negative individual leading to ADEM. DESIGN/METHODS: The case report describes a previously healthy 49-year-old male with a three-week history of upper respiratory infection who presented to the Emergency Department following two days of dysarthria and confusion that rapidly progressed to right-sided weakness and non-fluent aphasia. MRI Brain was obtained on admission and he was subsequently started on empiric antibiotics and dexamethasone after a lumbar puncture was performed. RESULTS: An MRI of the brain showed no diffusion restriction suggestive of acute ischemia; however it did reveal an expansive T2/FLAIR hyperintense lesion in the left frontal lobe extending across the corpus callosum. The lesion was further characterized by minimal gadolinum enhancement and small areas of hemorrhage. CSF studies demonstrated an acute inflammatory process including elevated WBC’s, protein, myelin basic protein, and IgG. An infectious workup was negative except for a positive JC polyomavirus DNA real-time QL PCR in the CSF. Antibiotics and antivirals were stopped and patient improved dramatically after five days of dexamethasone. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates the rapid and dramatic neurologic deficits, along with radiologic and laboratory data, that are attributable to ADEM following an acute JC virus infection. Identifying a potential link between the JC virus and ADEM could provide clues to a quicker diagnosis of ADEM, as well as its causative agent. Disclosure: Dr. Rogers has nothing to disclose. Dr. Falconer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Torres-Yaghi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Boynton has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sonne has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mora has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience as a member of a scientific advisory board. Dr. Tornatore has nothing to disclose.
Characterization of current signatures for microprocessors

This work presents current signatures for a set of test cases running on a general purpose server IBM POWER5/spl trade/ processor under the control of IBM's AIX/spl trade/ operating system. This is part of activities focused on understanding how to optimize the power delivery infrastructure with respect to total system cost. Specifically a better understanding of the current signatures of processors coupled with better understanding of how to design the decoupling infrastructure and in what ways the processor circuits are susceptible to power domain voltage noise is expected to help us accomplish this.
Adaptive Structuration Theory and Media Richness Theory in GDSS Research: A Critical Review

This paper presents a synthesis of the group support systems literature (GSS) with a focus on adaptive structuration theory (AST) and media richness theory (MRT). We analyze 23 papers that use either of these theories in constructing or empirically testing hypotheses and fit these works to a framework for conceptualizing group decision support systems as proposed by Peters [1]. We find that MRT is not robust with respect to empirical analyses, while AST is. We show that the extant literature is narrowly focused with respect to task and that the AST literature is lacking in investigations of the effects of social context cues.
The role of documents in the U.S.

Purpose – How documents pour l’action organize and bind US society. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach – Manuel Zacklad’s concept of documents pour l’action are examined as highly embedded social objects using cultural anthropology and the robotics concept of stigmergy. Pragmatic literacy as opposed to scholarly or recreational literacy is used to inform the discussion. Findings –Documents pour l’action are more than memory devices that explain or describe. They function within highly structured social contexts to organize and bind US society. Research limitations/implications – Research on documents has been limited to their role as memory devices. Documents pour l’action are deeply embedded social objects. A new focus on pragmatic literacy could create many breakthroughs in the understanding of documents generally. Originality/value – This is the first study of the role of documents as a binding force in a society, particularly with an understanding of how they can be unde...
Alteration of the Helicobacter pylori membrane proteome in response to changes in environmental salt concentration

Purpose Helicobacter pylori infection and a high dietary salt intake are each risk factors for the development of gastric cancer. We hypothesize that changes in environmental salt concentrations lead to alterations in the H. pylori membrane proteome. Experimental design Label-free and iTRAQ methods were used to identify H. pylori proteins that change in abundance in response to alterations in environmental salt concentrations. In addition, we biotinylated intact bacteria that were grown under high- or low-salt conditions, and thereby analyzed salt-induced changes in the abundance of surface-exposed proteins. Results Proteins with increased abundance in response to high salt conditions included CagA, the outer membrane protein HopQ, and fibronectin domain-containing protein HP0746. Proteins with increased abundance in response to low salt conditions included VacA, two VacA-like proteins (ImaA and FaaA), outer-membrane iron transporter FecA3, and several proteins involved in flagellar activity. Consistent with the proteomic data, bacteria grown in high salt conditions exhibited decreased motility compared to bacteria grown in lower salt conditions. Conclusion and clinical relevance Alterations in the H. pylori membrane proteome in response to high salt conditions may contribute to the increased risk of gastric cancer associated with a high salt diet.
Network-based classrooms: promises and realities

List of contributors Acknowledgements Introduction Part I. Studying the Re-Creation of Innovations: 1. Innovation and social change Bertram C. Bruce 2. A situated evaluation of ENFI Bertram C. Bruce and Joy Kreeft Peyton 3. Understanding the multiple threads of network-based classrooms Joy Kreeft Peyton and Bertram C. Bruce 4. Pulling together the threads: themes and issues in the network-based classroom Joy Kreeft Peyton and Bertram C. Bruce Part II. Creating the Network-Based Classroom: 5. The origins of ENFI Trent Batson 6. Student authority and teacher freedom Marshall Kremers 7. Script writing on a computer network J. Douglas Miller 8. Seeing students as writers Geoffrey Sirc and Thomas Reynolds 9. The origins of ENFI, network theory, and computer-based collaborative writing instruction at the University of Texas Fred Kemp 10. Why write - together- concurrently on a computer network? Christine M. Neuwirth, Michael Palmquist, Cynthia Cochran, Terilyn Gillepsie, Karen Hartman and Thomas Hajduk 11. One ENFI path Diane Thompson 12. Institutionalizing ENFI Michael Spitzer Part III. Assessing Outcomes Across Realizations: 13. 'I'm talking about Allen Bloom': writing on the network David Bartholmae 14. Designing a writing assessment to support the goals of the project Mary Fowles References Further reading Index.
Infinity is in the Eye of the Beholder

There are clear senses in which natural languages are finite. It is generally assumed that human brains and hence linguistic processing ability is finite. If we assume that a sentence used by a human must fit in memory, this implies that there is some upper bound on the number of sentences that a human being can understand or produce. The number would be extremely large, but would be finite nonetheless. It is possible that a person might produce or understand a sentence by processing it in pieces without ever having the entire sentence in memory, but that would require either extensive use of external storage, such as pencil and paper, or else limit the complexity of natural languages to that of finite-state languages. Moreover, other processing constraints place very small upper bounds on the sizes of sentences that humans can process. For example, humans seem incapable of processing clauses nested to arbitrary depths. Without the aid of pencil and paper, humans lose track of certain types of nested structures once the depth of nesting exceeds about five [Miller (1956), Bach et al. (1986)]. Perhaps the most compelling of all senses in which language is finite is the simple fact that, at any point in time, an individual, or the entire community of human beings, will have experienced only a finite number of sentences.
Using β-hydride elimination to test propositions for characterizing surface catalyzed reactions

Abstract We describe the transition states determined using plane wave Density Functional Theory (DFT) for the β-hydride elimination reaction RCH 2 O (ad) → RCHO (ad) + H (ad) on Cu(1 1 1) for R = H, CH 3 , CH 2 F, CHF 2 , and CF 3 . Our results allow us to assess qualitative descriptions of these transition states based on previous experiments. Our calculations confirm that the character of the transition state is unaffected by fluorine substituents and the transition state for the forward reaction is late. By considering β-hydride elimination from adsorbed methoxy on multiple metal surfaces using DFT, we have examined the hypothesis that surface catalyzed reactions with product-like transition states are more structure sensitive than reactions with reactant-like transition states.
Cooling and squeezing via quadratic optomechanical coupling

We explore the physics of optomechanical systems in which an optical cavity mode is coupled parametrically to the square of the position of a mechanical oscillator. We derive an effective master equation describing two-phonon cooling of the mechanical oscillator. We show that for high temperatures and weak coupling, the steady-state phonon number distribution is nonthermal (Gaussian) and that even for strong cooling the mean phonon number remains finite. Moreover, we demonstrate how to achieve mechanical squeezing by driving the cavity with two beams. Finally, we calculate the optical output and squeezing spectra. Implications for optomechanics experiments with the membrane-in-the-middle geometry or ultracold atoms in optical resonators are discussed.
Effects of Pro-Environmental Recruiting Messages: The Role of Organizational Reputation

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a pro-environmental corporate message on prospective applicants’ attitudes toward a fictitious hiring organization. Drawing from signaling theory, we hypothesized that an environmental message on the organization’s recruitment website would increase prospective applicants’ perceptions of organizational prestige, which would then increase job pursuit intentions. Personal environmental attitudes were also examined as a possible moderator.
Happiness and Education: Tilting at windmills?

Abstract This essay explores the question Is Nel Noddings a visionary who sees past the constraints of contemporary education or is she, like Don Quixote, madly tilting at windmills in her description and defense of happiness as an educational aim?Viewing the educational aim of happiness as an ideal raises substantial challenges for the practicality of Noddings’s ideas.
Nuclear matter expansion parameters from the measurement of differential multiplicities for Λ production in central Au + Au collisions at AGS

Abstract The double differential multiplicities and rapidity distributions for Λ hyperon production in central Au + Au interactions at AGS in the range of rapidities from 1.7 to 3.2 GeV and the range of transverse kinetic energies from 0.0 to 0.7 GeV are parametrized in terms of the Blast Wave approximation. The longitudinal and transverse radial expansion parameters and the mean temperature of Λ hyperons after the freeze-out of the nuclear matter are presented. The predictions of the RQMD model with and without mean field potentials are compared to our data. Both variants of RQMD are parameterized in terms of the Blast Wave model and the results of such parameterizations are compared to the experimental ones. It is found that inclusion of the repulsive mean field potentials in RQMD is essential to account for the strong expansion observed in the data.
Some support policy options for cotton in China

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the economic arguments for and against raising the tariff on imports of cotton into China.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews first the possible arguments for raising the tariff, and particularly the possibility that such an increase in tariffs would have a favorable distributional effect by redistributing from those involved in the production of textiles and clothing to the producers of cotton. The core analysis of the paper examines the policies in place using descriptions of policies and interviews with policymakers. It also assembles statistics designed to assess the export status of cotton, whether in raw or processed form.Findings – The paper reviews the situation with respect to WTO commitments and confirms that such an increase, up to 40 percent, would be permitted under WTO rules. The paper then examines other constraints on the effective use of such higher tariffs on cotton. Policies that are better than tariff increases in dealing wit...
Mechanisms of excimer laser ablation of strongly absorbing systems

The absorption behavior of model polymeric systems is investigated in the low ( 1 J/cm2) fluence regime at standard excimer laser ultraviolet wavelengths. The new technique of nanosecond time resolved thermometry is exploited to resolve the heating and cooling rate, as well as the total thermal load of a thin polymer film that is exposed to low fluence irradiation. The results suggest that a thermal model of heating and ablation is appropriate for these systems. This represents the first direct measurement of the time resolved heating of a strongly absorbing polymer system. In addition, a new nanosecond time resolved digital photographic technique has been used to image the shock wave and debris dynamics of a polymer undergoing high fluence ablation. These results suggest that, at high fluences, the total energy in the incident photon pulse can be entirely accounted for in the energy driving the shock wave.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Public Health Component of Urban Problems: Los Angeles as a Developing Case Study

The manner in which health-care providers are educated and how health care is delivered in California fails to meet the needs of the State's ethnically diverse population. Current curriculum and training are often designed for a homogeneous population. Different cultures should not be looked upon as a problem, but as an opportunity for increasing the quality of health education. In Los Angeles this cultural diversity is further complicated by high rates of unemployment and poverty and the consequent lack of health insurance among the various ethnic groups.
Mechanisms of Protein Fibril Formation: Nucleated Polymerization with Competing Off-Pathway Aggregation

The formation of protein fibrils, and in particular amyloid fibrils, underlies many human diseases. Understanding fibril formation mechanisms is important for understanding disease pathology, but fibril formation kinetics can be complicated, making the relationship between experimental observables and specific mechanisms unclear. Here we examine one often-proposed fibril formation mechanism, nucleated polymerization with off-pathway aggregation. We use the characteristics of this mechanism to derive three tests that can be performed on experimental data to identify it. We also find that this mechanism has an especially striking feature: although increasing protein concentrations generally cause simple nucleated polymerizations to reach completion faster, they cause nucleated polymerizations with off-pathway aggregation to reach completion more slowly when the protein concentration becomes too high.
Scattering of Obliquely Incident Light Waves by Elliptical Fibers

The exact solution of the scattering of obliquely incident plane waves by an elliptical dielectric cylinder is obtained. Each expansion coefficient of the scattered or transmitted wave is coupled to all coefficients of the series expansion for the incident wave except when the elliptical cylinder degenerates to a circular one. Both polarizations of the incident wave are considered: one with the incident electric vector in the axial direction, and the other with the incident magnetic vector in the axial direction. In the general case of oblique incidence, the scattered field contains a significant cross-polarized component which vanishes at normal incidence.
Prolonged, brain-wide expression of nuclear-localized GCaMP3 for functional circuit mapping

Larval zebrafish offer the potential for large-scale optical imaging of neural activity throughout the central nervous system; however, several barriers challenge their utility. First, ~panneuronal probe expression has to date only been demonstrated at early larval stages up to 7 days post-fertilization (dpf), precluding imaging at later time points when circuits are more mature. Second, nuclear exclusion of genetically-encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) limits the resolution of functional fluorescence signals collected during imaging. Here, we report the creation of transgenic zebrafish strains exhibiting robust, nuclearly targeted expression of GCaMP3 across the brain up to at least 14 dpf utilizing a previously described optimized Gal4-UAS system. We confirmed both nuclear targeting and functionality of the modified probe in vitro and measured its kinetics in response to action potentials. We then demonstrated in vivo functionality of nuclear-localized GCaMP3 in transgenic zebrafish strains by identifying eye position-sensitive fluorescence fluctuations in caudal hindbrain neurons during spontaneous eye movements. Our methodological approach will facilitate studies of larval zebrafish circuitry by both improving resolution of functional Ca2+ signals and by allowing brain-wide expression of improved GECIs, or potentially any probe, further into development.
Peripheral neuropathy in course of progressive systemic sclerosis. Light and ultrastructural study.

We present the case of a woman with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) in whom the usual symptoms were preceded by a rapidly progressive peripheral neuropathy. Few cases of peripheral nerve involvement have been described. For the first time we report an ultrastructural study of an affected peripheral nerve and muscle.
International Politics — Effects on the Training of International Medical Graduates

One out of every four doctors practicing in the U.S. is an International Medical Graduate (IMG).1 IMGs are an essential part of the U.S. health system due in part to the current shortage of U.S. medical school graduates, a situation which will remain unchanged for at least the near future. IMGs are often perceived of as a single group but they are different from each other based on their nationalities, religious beliefs, and individual personality traits. The tendency of Americans to view all IMGs as one similar group in combination with the political relationships between IMGs’ countries of origin may affect their training in various ways. In this commentary, we focus on this relatively untouched subject, emphasizing the role of training program directors in identifying the effects of international politics and relationships on residency training programs that include IMGs.
Scheduling aware network flow models for multi-hop wireless networks

Network flow models have proven to be an effective tool in the analysis, optimization and design of network protocols. Critical to the success of these models in general multi-hop wireless networks (MHWNs) is an accurate estimation of the effect of CSMA scheduling. While the existing models capture coarse grained estimates of interference, they do not account for the substantial impact of MAC scheduling. On the other hand, accurate models of throughput in CSMA networks exist. However, they are unsuitable for use as a part of a network flow formulation because of their complexity and some of their underlying assumptions. This paper contributes an efficient and constructive model to estimate the effect of scheduling on interfering links in general MHWN settings. We integrate this approach with a network flow routing model which works with aggregate estimates of capacity to improve the quality of the solution. Simulation results show that accounting for scheduling effects leads to large improvements in the quality of the solution.
2D pancake vortices in a finite stack of superconducting layers

Abstract The magnetic field has been calculated in the space above and below a stack of N superconducting layers when this field is generated by a single 2D pancake vortex in an arbitrary layer. At sufficiently large distances above the stack, the magnetic field is equivalent to that generated by a monopole of strength less than one flux quantum φ0 = hc/2e, the strength of the monopole depending upon the distance of the pancake vortex from the top surface. If there is one 2D pancake vortex in each superconducting layer, however, the resulting magnetic field above the stack is the same as that generated by a monopole of strength exactly equal to one flux quantum.
Clinicopathologic features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy managed by cardiac transplantation

Abstract Clinical records, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, hemodynamic and radionuclide data, and the operatively excised hearts were reviewed in 10 patients (aged 19 to 46 years, mean 35) who had cardiac transplantation for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Severe congestive heat failure unassociated with outflow obstruction was the indication for transplantation in 9 patients. During a pretransplantation period ringing from 45 to 312 months (mean 137) in these 9 patients, pulmonary artery wedge pressure increased from 19 ± 9 to 27 ± 7 mm Hg, left ventricular ejection fraction decreased from 51 ± 11% to 41 ± 1%, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension increased from 42 ± 6 to 48 ± 4 mm, and total 12-lead QRS voltage decreased from 209 ± 50 to 156 ± 41 mm. In these 9 patients, the explanted hearts had dilated left ventricular cavities, and 8 had left ventricular scars without significant narrowing of the epicardial coronary arteries. The tenth patient had a nondilated left ventricular cavity and had transplantation because of recurrent, refractory syncope. Of the 10 patients, 3 died within the first month, and another died 8 months after transplantation. The remaining 6 patients have survived 20 to 54 months (mean 39) after transplantation and are in functional class I or II.
Global Health Training in Pediatric Residency: A Qualitative Analysis of Faculty Director Insights

Abstract Objective Interest and participation in global health (GH) has been growing rapidly among pediatric residents. Residency programs are responding by establishing formal GH programs. We sought to define key insights in GH education from pediatric residency programs with formal GH tracks. Methods Seven model pediatric residency programs with formal GH training were identified in 2007. Faculty directors representing 6 of these programs participated in expert interviews assessing 6 categories of questions about GH tracks: understanding how GH tracks establish partnerships with global sites; defining organizational and financing structure of GH tracks; describing resident curriculum and pre-trip preparation; describing clinical experiences of residents in GH tracks; defining evaluation of residents and GH tracks; and defining factors that affect development and ongoing implementation of GH tracks. Data were analyzed using qualitative methodology. Results All programs relied on faculty relationships to establish dynamic partnerships with global sites. All programs acknowledged resident burden on GH partners. Strategies to alleviate burden included improving resident supervision and providing varying models of GH curricula and pre-trip preparation, generally based on core residency training competencies. Support and funding for GH programs are minimal and variable. Resident experiences included volunteer patient care, teaching, and research. Commitment of experienced faculty and support from institutional leadership facilitated implementation of GH programs. Conclusions Directors of 6 model GH programs within pediatric residencies provided insights that inform others who want to establish successful GH partnerships and resident training that will prepare trainees to meet global child health needs.
Forgiveness, mercy, and the retributive emotions

(1988). Forgiveness, mercy, and the retributive emotions. Criminal Justice Ethics: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 3-15.
Erythromycin stimulates gastric emptying after esophagectomy with gastric replacement: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract Delayed gastric emptying after esophagogastrectomy can pose a significant early postoperative problem. Because erythromycin, which stimulates the gastric antral and duodenal motilin receptor, has been shown to significantly increase gastric emptying in patients with diabetic gastroparesis, we decided to evaluate its effect on gastric emptying after esophagogastrectomy. Methods: Twenty-four patients (18 men and six women, age range 41 to 79 years, median 66 years) were randomized to receive either erythromycin lactobionate (200 mg in 50 ml normal saline solution intravenously) ( n = 13) or placebo (50 ml normal saline solution intravenously ( n = 11) 11 days after esophagogastrectomy (with pyloric drainage procedure). After erythromycin or placebo had been infused over a 15-minute period, patients ingested a solid meal (scrambled egg with bread) labeled with technetium 99m sulfur colloid (500 μCi) over approximately 15 minutes. Dynamic images of the stomach were then acquired over 90 minutes in the supine position by gamma imaging. Results were expressed as percentage of counts retained in the stomach (percent gastric retention) over time. Results: There were no side effects of erythromycin. In the placebo group, the mean percent of radiolabeled meal retained in the stomach after 90 minutes was 88%, which was significantly greater than in the erythromycin group, 37% ( p p Conclusion: Early satiety after esophagogastrectomy may be due to delayed gastric emptying and not due to a decrease in the gastric reservoir. Intravenous erythromycin significantly improves gastric emptying in patients after esophagogastrectomy by stimulating gastric motility. (J T HORAC C ARDIOVASC S URG 1996;111:649-54)
Engagement of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 enhances tyrosine phosphorylation and activates mitogen-activated protein kinases in human neutrophils

During inflammation, P-selectin on activated platelets and endothelial cells initiates adhesion of leukocytes through interactions with P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1). We investigated whether ligation of PSGL-1 also transmits signals into leukocytes. Neutrophils incubated with anti-PSGL-1 monoclonal antibodies, but not with Fab fragments of these antibodies, rapidly increased tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins with relative molecular masses of 105-120, 70-84, and 42-44 kDa. PSGL-1-dependent adhesion of neutrophils to P-selectin increased tyrosine phosphorylation of similarly sized proteins. Cytochalasin B did not prevent the tyrosine phosphorylation induced by ligation of PSGL-1, suggesting that an intact cytoskeleton is not required for signaling. Engagement of PSGL-1 activated the GTPase Ras through a mechanism that did not require tyrosine phosphorylation of PSGL-1 or association of the Shc.Grb2.Sos1 complex with PSGL-1. Engagement of PSGL-1 activated the 42-44-kDa extracellular signal-regulated kinase family of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases through a pathway that required activation of the MAP kinase kinase. Ligation of PSGL-1 also stimulated secretion of interleukin-8. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, blocked tyrosine phosphorylation and secretion of interleukin-8, whereas the MAP kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059 partially inhibited secretion of interleukin-8. Tyrosine phosphorylation stimulated through PSGL-1 on selectin-tethered leukocytes may propagate a signaling cascade that is integrated with signals generated by other mediators.
Quantum-chemical comprehensive study of the organophosphorus compounds adsorption on zinc oxide surfaces

Ab initio calculations at the density functional theory and the second-order Moller−Plesset perturbation theory levels, and using the n-layered integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics (ONIOM) method, have been performed for the adsorption of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) and tabun (GA) on (ZnO)n (where n = 4, 18, or 24 molecular clusters of (1010) and (0001) zinc oxide surfaces). Different adsorption sites and DMMP orientations were considered. Calculations include the evaluation of the optimized geometries, atomic charges, interaction energies, various methods applied, and different sizes and surface types of the ZnO fragments. On both surfaces, the molecular adsorption proceeds as chemisorption via the formation of a Zn···O chemical bond in the case of the DMMP adsorption complex and a P···O covalent bond or a Zn···N chemical bond for GA adsorption complexes. The type of surface greatly affected the strength of the intermolecular interactions and the interaction energies. The results in...
Eating for your eyes.

Age-related eye diseases that lead to lowvision and blindness are a growing challenge for public health professionals. Current prevalence of either blindness or low vision is 1 in 28 Americans aged 40 and older, and this rate is expected to double by 2020 as the United States population ages. Although treatments exist to prevent or delay vision loss for several blinding conditions (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma), effective treatments do not exist for agerelated macular degeneration (AMD), especially the late stages. Therefore, prevention is important, because AMD is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss and severely reduces quality of life. Optometrists have no medical treatment that canhalt AMD, andmany recommend therapeutic diets. Following smoking cessation, diet is the most modifiable risk factor that has been associated with the disease. Specifically, luteinand zeaxanthin-rich food such as spinach and other dark green, leafy vegetables andeggyolk,or supplements have been beneficial for prevention or slowed progression of AMD. An educational program targeting the public was developed to increase knowledge regarding nutrition and eye health.