cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resonant spectra of dielectric spheres

The natural resonant frequencies and poles associated with the electromagnetic modes of a dielectric sphere with a relative index of refraction of 1.4 have been calculated for size parameters ranging from 1 to 50. Determining pole locations in the complex plane entailed the computation of spherical Bessel functions for large complex arguments. The symbolic programming language reduce was used to provide independent verifications of the convergence and accuracy of the numerical Bessel function routines required in these computations. To determine pole locations, we used a standard zero-finding routine to find the zeros of the scattering coefficient denominators. In addition, we used a separate zero-counting routine in conjunction with the search routine to ensure that all poles within a given region of the complex plane were found. The real parts of the calculated poles agree with the location of peaks in the resonance spectrum (calculated for real frequency excitation), whereas the imaginary parts are related to the widths of these peaks. The intensity inside the sphere, averaged over all spherical angles, was computed as a function of radius. When the particle is excited at resonance, the internal intensity exhibits a sharp peak near, but not on, the surface. The intensity was found to be the strongest when the particle is driven at resonant frequencies whose poles have small imaginary components in the complex plane.
Prediction and assessment of the hydrologic conditions following the restoration of flow within an Altered Riverine system

The Turner River headwaters lie within the semi-tropical cypress sloughs of the Big Cypress Swamp, Florida. Its river course meanders approximately nine miles until discharging into the estuaries of Everglades National Park. In 1960, a road and adjacent borrow canal were constructed across the upper extent of the river drainage basin resulting in a disruption of historic hydrologic conditions within the area. The creation of the Big Cypress National Preserve in 1974 placed the Turner River and 570,000 acres of surrounding wetlands within the management jurisdiction of the National Park Service (NPS). In 1978, investigations were initiated by the NPS for the restoration of this riverine system. Through the analysis of historic water level and discharge data, hydrologic conditions were estimated for the meander following restoration by diversion of existing canal flows into the meander headwaters. Results indicate that the mean monthly increases in water levels following restoration would vary between a minimum of 0.61 feet during June and to a maximum of 1.21 feet during February.
Studies of the recoil properties of products of the interaction of $sup 238$U with 11.5-GeV protons

The thick-target thick-catcher recoil properties of 23 rare-earth nuclides, produced in the interaction of 11.5-GeV protons with uranium, were measured in the mass range 135 to 165. The ratio of the range of a product from multi-GeV protons to that from 450-MeV protons, called the "relative range", was calculated for all nuclides studied in the mass region 82-165. For neutron-excess products, the relative range was around 0.95 and dropped sharply over two $Z$ units to 0.48 for very neutron-deficient products. This relative range behavior was used to analyze isobaric charge dispersion curves into three individual charge dispersion curves corresponding to two fission mechanisms (a low-excitation energy process, fission I, and a high-excitation energy process, fission II) and a nonfission (spallation) mechanism. The fractional isobaric cross section for the spallation process decreases with decreasing mass number from 0.98 at mass 170 to about 0.14 at mass 111 and then increases with decreasing mass number to 0.49 at mass 74. The products are neutron deficient, of low range, and with forward-to-backward recoil ratios (F/B) close to unity. The range values increase almost linearly with $\ensuremath{\Delta}A$ (mass difference from the target nucleus) from 2.2 ${\mathrm{m}\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{2}$ U at $\ensuremath{\Delta}A$ of 70 to 5.6 ${\mathrm{m}\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{2}$ U at $\ensuremath{\Delta}A$ of 160. The value of ${v}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}$, the velocity imparted to the target nucleus in the beam direction as a result of the intranuclear cascade, decreases from 0.04 ${(\mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathrm{a}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{u})}^{1/2}$ at $\ensuremath{\Delta}A$ of 70 to 0.01 ${(\mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathrm{a}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{u})}^{1/2}$ at $\ensuremath{\Delta}A$ of 100 and then increases to 0.02 ${(\mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathrm{a}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{u})}^{1/2}$ at $\ensuremath{\Delta}A$ of 160. The fractional isobaric cross section for the fission II process is roughly constant with a maximum value of 0.17 for mass number 131. The relative range values for these products are about 0.9 and the F/B values are also close to unity.
Enhancing Neural Network Traffic Incident-Detection Algorithms Using Wavelets

Freeway traffic incident-detection algorithms have been presented by combing the adaptive learning capability of neural networks with imprecision modeling capability of fuzzy logic. The authors show that the performance of a fuzzy neural network algorithm can be improved through preprocessing of data using a wavelet-based feature-extraction model. They have combined the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) denoising and feature-extraction model proposed by Samant and Adeli (2000) with the fuzzy neural network approach presented by Hsiao et al. (1994). The authors show that substantial improvement can be achieved using the data filtered by DWT. Use of the wavelet theory to denoise the traffic data increases the incident-detection rate, reduces the false-alarm rate and the incident-detection time, and improves the convergence of the neural training algorithm substantially.
Impact of glycogen resynthesis on lean mass

Background It has frequently been demonstrated that resistance training has a negative effect on muscle glycogen content. Additionally, the rate of resynthesis seems to be dependent upon the degree of depletion. However, the impact of glycogen resynthesis on lean mass in a resistance trained population consuming a very low carbohydrate diet has yet to be examined. This has important implications for athletic populations as body composition appears to be related to performance]. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of glycogen resynthesis on body composition in resistance trained individuals consuming a ketogenic diet.
Quantification of nitrogen excretion rates for three lumbricid earthworms using 15N

Nitrogen excretion rates of 15 N-labeled earthworms and contributions of 15 N excretion prod- ucts to organic (dissolved organic N) and inorganic (NH4-N, NO3-N) soil N pools were determined at 10 7C and 18 7C under laboratory conditions. Juvenile and ad- ult Lumbricus terrestris L., pre-clitellate and adult Aporrectodea tuberculata (Eisen), and adult Lumbricus rubellus (Hoffmeister) were labeled with 15 N by pro- viding earthworms with 15 N-labeled organic substrates for 5-6 weeks. The quantity of 15 N excreted in unla- beled soil was measured after 48 h, and daily N excre- tion rates were calculated. N excretion rates ranged from 274.4 to 744 mg N g -1 earthworm fresh weight day -1 , with a daily turnover of 0.3-0.9% of earthworm tissue N. The N excretion rates of juvenile L. terrestris were significantly lower than adult L. terrestris, and there was no difference in the N excretion rates of pre- clitellate and adult A. tuberculata. Extractable N pools, particularly NH4-N, were greater in soils incubated with earthworms for 48 h than soils incubated without earthworms. Between 13 and 40% of excreted 15 N was found in the 15 N-mineral N (NH4-NcNO3-N) pool, and 13-23% was in the 15 N-DON pool. Other fates of excreted 15 N may have been incorporation in microbial biomass, chemical or physical protection in non-ex- tractable N forms, or gaseous N losses. Earthworm ex- cretion rates were combined with earthworm biomass measurements to estimate N flux from earthworm pop- ulations through excretion. Annual earthworm excre- tion was estimated at 41.5 kg N ha -1 in an inorganically- fertilized corn agroecosystem, and was equivalent to 22% of crop N uptake. Our results suggest that the earthworms could contribute significantly to N cycling in corn agroecosystems through excretion processes.
Annular bone growth in phalanges of five Neotropical Harlequin Frogs (Anura: Bufonidae: Atelopus)

Annular bone growth in phalanges of five Neotropical Harlequin Frogs (Anura: Bufonidae: Atelopus). Skeletochronological studies were conducted on museum specimens representing five species of the highly threatened Neotropical genus Atelopus (Bufonidae). We detected annular bone growth (expressed as lines of arrested growth (LAGs)) patterns in each species, and this might provide insight to understand demographic constituency in future studies. In four of the five species under consideration, LAG counts in fore and hind limb bone occurred in a 1:1 ratio, indicating that bone growth was consistent within each individual. The use of skeletochronology in understanding historic and existing populations of Atelopus might assist in situ and ex situ population managers in making informed strategic conservation plans.
Novel Genes That Influence Development in Streptomyces coelicolor

Filamentous soil bacteria of the genus Streptomyces carry out complex developmental cycles that result in sporulation and production of numerous secondary metabolites with pharmaceutically important activities. To further characterize the molecular basis of these developmental events, we screened for mutants of Streptomyces coelicolor that exhibit aberrant morphological differentiation and/or secondary metabolite production. On the basis of this screening analysis and the subsequent complementation analysis of the mutants obtained we assigned developmental roles to a gene involved in methionine biosynthesis (metH) and two previously uncharacterized genes (SCO6938 and SCO2525) and we reidentified two previously described developmental genes (bldA and bldM). In contrast to most previously studied genes involved in development, the genes newly identified in the present study all appear to encode biosynthetic enzymes instead of regulatory proteins. The MetH methionine synthase appears to be required for conversion of aerial hyphae into chains of spores, SCO6938 is a probable acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase that contributes to the proper timing of aerial mycelium formation and antibiotic production, and SCO2525 is a putative methyltransferase that influences various aspects of colony growth and development.
Contingent Valuation: From Dubious to Hopeless

Abstract Approximately 20 years ago, Peter Diamond and I wrote an article for this journal analyzing contingent valuation methods. At that time Peter's view was that contingent valuation was hopele...
Incidental thyroid cancer found during surgery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: We aim to determine the clinical significance of incidental thyroid cancer found during surgery for HNSCC. We examined the clinical outcome of these patients with regard to both HNSCC and thyroid cancer to determine the need for treatment of incidental thyroid disease.Method: Using our head and neck cancer registry, we retrospectively reviewed 2,538 neck dissections performed at our institution over a 15-year period. We identified 29 patients who had an incidental pathologic finding of thyroid disease at surgery. We reviewed demographics, diagnoses, histopathology, initial and subsequent management, and outcome.Results: Papillary thyroid cancer was the principal thyroid cancer in every case in our cohort. Fifteen patients died during the period of the study (2.4-year mean follow-up), with 14 patients still alive (4.3-year mean follow-up). Seven patients received further treatment for their thyroid: 2 with completion thyroidectomy, 2 with I-131 ablation, and 3 with both. During the follow-up per...
Enhancing informed consent best practices: gaining patient, family and provider perspectives using reverse simulation

Background Obtaining informed consent in the clinical setting is an important yet challenging aspect of providing safe and collaborative care to patients. While the medical profession has defined best practices for obtaining informed consent, it is unclear whether these standards meet the expressed needs of patients, their families as well as healthcare providers. The authors sought to address this gap by comparing the responses of these three groups with a standardised informed consent paradigm. Methods Piloting a web-based ‘reverse’ simulation paradigm, participants viewed a video showing a standardised doctor engaging in an informed consent discussion. The scenario depicted a simulated patient with psychotic symptoms who is prescribed an atypical antipsychotic medication. 107 participants accessed the simulation online and completed a web-based debriefing survey. Results Survey responses from patients, family members and healthcare providers indicated disparities in information retention, perception of the doctor9s performance and priorities for required elements of the consent process. Conclusions To enhance existing informed consent best practices, steps should be taken to improve patient retention of critical information. Adverse events should be described in the short-term and long-term along with preventative measures, and alternative psychosocial and pharmacological treatment options should be reviewed. Information about treatment should include when the medication takes therapeutic effect and how to safely maintain the treatment. The reverse simulation design is a model that can discern gaps in clinical practice, which can be used to improve patient care.
Economic size and the changing international political economy of trade: The development of western hemispheric FTAs

Why are some free trade agreements (FTAs) in the western hemisphere successfully negotiated and implemented while others seem to stagnate during negotiations? FTAs are more likely to develop when there is an asymmetrical power relationship and potential partners are satisfied with projected trade patterns. The European Union (EU) and United States have been successful in negotiating agreements with the Caribbean and Central American (CCA) countries. However, current bilateral and multilateral trade talks between the EU, the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR), and United States are at a standstill. Although all four sets of trade negotiations include dissatisfactory conditions for the Latin American countries, the two negotiations with the CCA countries were successful completed, but the two involving MERCOSUR countries have not. These results are partially due to two factors: the economic size differential between the CCA countries and MERCOSUR vis-a-vis the EU and United States, and MERCOSUR's growing economic ties with China. MERCOSUR's medium-size economy and ties with China allows it to forgo FTAs with the EU and United States until more favorable conditions are met. However the CCA countries’ immensely smaller size and economic ties with China do not allow for such abstention.
An algebraic-summation-based Phase-Locked Loop with aerospace applications

A Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) based on an algebraic-summation rather than the fourquadrant-multiplier phase detection, and operated in both continuous and discrete time domain, is described and performance results are presented, demonstrating its ability to estimate phase and frequency of the input signal in aerospace applications in which a Unity Vector (UV) production and Frequency-to-Voltage (F/V) conversion is performed.
Adolescent Brain Development, Substance Use, and Psychotherapeutic Change

Adolescence is a unique developmental period characterized by major physiological, psychological, social, and brain changes, as well as an increased incidence of maladaptive, addictive behaviors. With the use of MRI techniques, researchers have been able to provide a better understanding of adolescent brain maturation and how neurodevelopment affects cognition and behavior. This review discusses adolescent brain development and its potential influence on psychotherapeutic change. We focus on cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based approaches for treating substance use and highlight potential brain mechanisms underlying response to psychotherapy. Finally, we discuss integrative neuroimaging and treatment studies and potential opportunities for advancing the treatment of adolescent addictive behaviors.
Thin Film Polycrystalline Si by Cs Solution Growth Technique

A deposition process has been developed which allows the growth of large grain (20+ μm) polysilicon films on SiO2 substrates at a growth temperature of 650° C. A thin layer of liquid Si-metal solution is formed on the substrate surface as the growth medium. This layer is kept saturated by Si flux from a DC magnetron sputter gun. XRD analysis of the deposited films show a strong (111) preferred orientation, with increasing integrated peak intensities with increasing depositon temperature and solution layer thickness. Films deposited using an In-Si solution are p-type, with carrier concentrations in the mid 1016 cm−3 range. Conductivities of ∼.2 (Ω cm)−1 were measured, with activation energies for both carrier generation and conductivity of about 135meV. The hole mobility was found to be ∼ 30 cm2 V−1s−1. A wetting layer is used which may have a detrimental effect on the minority carrier lifetime.
Small-sample distribution estimation over sticky channels

We consider the problem of estimating unknown source distributions based on a small number of possibly erroneous observations. Errors are modeled as arising from sticky channels, which introduce repetitions of transmitted source symbols. Both the problems of estimating the distribution for known and unknown channel parameters are considered. We propose three heuristic algorithms and a method based on Expectation-Maximization for solving the problem. These algorithms represent a combination of iterative optimization techniques and Good-Turing estimators.
Diagnostic Yield of Microscopic Colitis in Open Access Endoscopy Center.

Background: The diagnostic yield in open access endoscopy has been evaluated which generally support the effectiveness and effi ciency of open access endoscopy. With a few exceptions, diagnostic yield studies have not been performed in open access endoscopy for more specifi c conditions. Therefore, we conducted a study to determine the effi ciency of open access endoscopy in the detection of microscopic colitis as compared to traditional referral via a gastroenterologist. Methods: A retrospective search of the pathology database at the University of Missouri for specimens from a local open access endoscopy center was conducted via SNOMED code using the terms: “microscopic”, “lymphocytic”, “collagenous”, “spirochetosis”, “focal active colitis”, “melanosis coli” and “no histopathologic” in the diagnosis line for the time period between January 1, 2004 and May 25, 2006. Specimens and colonoscopy reports were reviewed by a single pathologist. Results: Of 266 consecutive patients with chronic diarrhea and normal colonoscopies, the number of patients with microscopic disease are as follows: Lymphocytic colitis (n = 12, 4.5%), collagenous colitis (n = 17, 6.4%), focal active colitis (n = 15, 5.6%), and spirochetosis (n = 2, 0.4%). Conclusions: The diagnostic yield of microscopic colitis in this study of an open access endoscopy center does not differ signifi cantly from that seen in major medical centers. In terms of diagnostic yield, open access endoscopy appears to be as effective in diagnosing microscopic colitis.
Basis sets for manipulator inertial parameters

An approach to the problem of finding the minimum number of inertial parameters of the robot manipulator dynamic equations of motion is presented. Based on the energy difference equation, it is equally applicable to serial-link graph-structured manipulators. The authors prove that the minimum number of parameters can be obtained directly from an energy difference equation rather than the dynamic equations of motion. They present a method for the identification of the minimum number of basis vectors which span the vector space containing the components of inertial parameters present in the equations of motion. Simulations are presented and the method is evaluated. The method is conceptually simple, computationally efficient and easy to implement. In particular, the manipulator kinematics and the joint positions and velocities are the only inputs to the algorithm. >
Recombinant p21 Protein Inhibits Lymphocyte Proliferation and Transcription Factors

Cellular proliferation determines the events leading to the initiation and development of inflammation, immune activation, cancer, atherogenesis, and other disorders associated with aberrant cell proliferation. Cyclin inhibitor p21 plays a unique role in limiting cell cycle progression. However, its effectiveness can only be demonstrated with direct in vitro and in vivo delivery to control aberrant proliferation. We demonstrate that using a protein-transducing domain p21 protein a) localizes within the nuclear compartments of cells, b) interacts with transcription factors, NF-kappaB, and NFATs (NFATc and NFATp), and c) inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and expression of proinflammatory cytokines. This study using lymphocyte proliferation as a model suggests that the recombinant p21 protein can directly be delivered as a therapeutic protein to provide a novel, viable, and powerful strategy to limit proliferation, inflammation, alloimmune activation, cancer, and vascular proliferative disorders such as atherosclerosis.
Is Cleanliness Next to Godliness? The Role of Housekeeping in Impression Formation

We conducted a study to determine if the cleanliness of an apartment would affect observer impressions of the resident. Participants (210 female and 126 male undergraduate students) read a story in which a character’s apartment was described as clean or dirty or in which no information about housekeeping was provided. For each condition, half the characters were male and half were female. After reading the story, participants rated the personality of the character. Poor housekeepers received lower ratings on measures of Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Intelligence, and Femininity but received higher ratings on measures of Openness and Neuroticism. Results indicated no significant interactions between housekeeping and participant or character gender. Findings support the idea that housekeeping is a cue utilized in environmental impression formation.
Minimizing dead-periods in flow-encoded or -compensated pulse sequences while imaging in oblique planes

A technique is developed to minimize magnetic resonance pulse sequence dead-periods, with first and higher moment requirements, while imaging in oblique planes. Deadperiod requirements of starting amplitude, ending amplitudes, area, and other moment requirements are transformed from the image coordinate system to the physical gradient coordinate system, where the waveforms are then designed. With this technique, the full capabilities of the gradient hardware are utilized. An online algorithm is presented to perform dead-period minimization and gradient waveform design when the first moment and area of the dead-period are specified. The algorithm is then used to implement three-axis flow-compensation in a fast spoiled gradient-echo sequence. This results in a minimal increase in TE and TR over an equivalent non-flow-compensated sequence, and little variation in the minimum TR over the entire range of oblique slice orientations. Applications of this algorithm extend to the optimization of any pulse sequence in which the first moment is important and oblique imaging is required. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 1999;10:183‐192. r 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Benefits of Climate for Inclusion for Gender-Diverse Groups

I introduce the construct of climate for inclusion, which involves eliminating relational sources of bias by ensuring that identity group status is unrelated to access to resources, creating expectations and opportunities for heterogeneous individuals to establish personalized cross-cutting ties, and integrating ideas across boundaries in joint problem solving. I show that within inclusive climates, interpersonal bias is reduced in such a way that gender diversity is associated with lower levels of conflict. In turn, the negative effect that group conflict typically has on unit-level satisfaction disappears. This has important implications, as unit-level satisfaction is negatively associated with turnover in groups.
A Lego Mindstorms NXT-Based Test Bench for Cohesive Distributed Multi-agent Exploratory Systems: Mobility and Coordination

A cost-effective and time-saving test bench can significantly help with the study and implementation of distributed multi-agent exploratory systems. In this paper, we introduce a computer-based test bench that controls multiple low-cost Lego Mindstorms NXT programmable robotics kits via Bluetooth. We identify mobility and coordination as the two critical components to establish a platform for exploratory systems, and describe in detail how they are implemented using the low-cost Lego Mindstorms robots. In particular, the test bench includes a variety of ground-based or airborne mobility models, such as the Random Direction, Random Way-point, Flight Plan-based, and Smooth-turn mobility models. It also includes a distributed task assignment algorithm, based upon the stochastic automaton known as the influence model. At the end of the paper, we present a search-and-rescue example to illustrate the use of the test-bench. We expect that the test bench can serve as a conduit to foster the real-world application of distributed multi-agent exploratory system concepts.
Determination of bacterial load in house dust using qPCR, chemical markers and culture

In this study, we developed two novel qPCR-assays for the detection of bacteria in house dust; one that determines the total bacterial amount and another that detects Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria separately. The methods were tested in silico and in vitro with microbial strains and vacuum cleaner dust samples, and validated in relation to culture and chemical marker analysis. We also compared the results of these three types of methods (qPCR, culture and chemical marker analysis) in 211 house dust samples from farming and non-farming environments. Microbial concentrations determined by the new qPCR assays (median 7.2 × 105 cell equivalents mg−1) were about two orders of magnitude higher than concentrations obtained by culture (median 6.7 × 103 cfu mg−1). The median concentration of muramic acid was 25.67 ng mg−1 and that of 3-hydroxy fatty acids, expressed as LPS10–16 was 26.14 pg mg−1. Correlations between qPCR and chemical markers were moderate, while correlations between culture and qPCR and chemical markers were low to moderate. All the methods used in this study showed that the microbial concentrations are statistically significantly higher (p < 0.001, Mann–Whitney) in farming than non-farming environments. As a conclusion, all tested methods can be used for determining the bacterial load in dust samples, but none of the methods was superior to the others. The results obtained with these methods represent different aspects of bacterial exposure and therefore the results are not expected to be identical with each other.
Castor‐acrylated monomer 1H‐ and 13C‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectral assignments

Castor-acrylated monomer (CAM) NMR spectral assignments were made utilizing one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques. The unique structure of CAM resulted in several novel chemical environments which were observed in the NMR spectra. Previously published vegetable oil and fatty acid ester NMR peak assignments were insufficient for complete identification of NMR peaks. Definitive peak assignments, particularly in the alkyl and alkene regions, are required for evaluation of CAM as a specialty comonomer in the synthesis of latex polymers for use as waterborne-coating binders. The NMR peak assignments for CAM will allow the subsequent evaluation of the copolymerizability of CAM as well as the determination as to whether unsaturation is preserved during latex polymer synthesis. 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra of CAM are provided with supporting evidence for the peak assignments and discussion of their relevance. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 1850–1854, 2001
The significance of PTV dose coverage on cancer control outcomes in early stage non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with highly ablative stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Objective:We evaluated whether patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) without full prescription dose coverage of the planning target volume (PTV) had inferior outcomes.Methods:The SBRT regimen was 54 Gy in three fractions. Dosimetric constraints were as per the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0236 guidelines. All patients underwent four-dimensional CT (4D-CT) simulation. The internal target volume (ITV) was defined using 4D-CT, and the PTV was defined as a 6-mm longitudinal and a 3-mm axial expansion from the ITV. If normal tissue constraints were beyond tolerance, ITV-based dosing was employed where priority was made for full ITV coverage at the expense of PTV coverage. Patients with and without full PTV dose coverage were compared, and control rates were estimated using Kaplan–Meier analysis.Results:120 NSCLC cases were evaluated with 81% having adequate PTV dose coverage. ITV and PTV were significantly larger in the cohort...
DIFFERENT OPERATING CONDITIONS AFFECT RISK OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION AT TWO RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR THE MENTALLY DISABLED

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers was determined in two residential institutions for the mentally disabled which exhibited major differences in operating policies. Eighty per cent of 91 clients and 16% of 92 employees at institution A had positive tests for hepatitis B virus markers, including two staff members and one client with serologic evidence of recent infection (immunoglobulin M antibody to hepatitis B core antigen). In contrast, 34% of 395 clients and 8% of 294 workers at institution B were positive for hepatitis B virus markers, and none of the staff demonstrated evidence of recent infection. The observed differences in seroprevalence were likely to have been influenced by substantial disparities in living conditions, staff-to-client ratios in critical areas, and level of employee experience. In addition to significant institutional differences, seroprevalence was associated with severity of mental retardation in clients and duration of employment in staff. This study emphasizes the importance of local policies in the prevention of hepatitis B virus infection at residential institutions for the mentally disabled.
A new approach to ultrasonic elasticity imaging

Biomechanical properties of soft tissues can provide information regarding the local health status. Often the cells in pathological tissues can be found to form a stiff extracellular environment, which is a sensitive, early diagnostic indicator of disease. Quasi-static ultrasonic elasticity imaging provides a way to image the mechanical properties of tissues. Strain images provide a map of the relative tissue stiffness, but ambiguities and artifacts limit its diagnostic value. Accurately mapping intrinsic mechanical parameters of a region may increase diagnostic specificity. However, the inverse problem, whereby force and displacement estimates are used to estimate a constitutive matrix, is ill conditioned. Our method avoids many of the issues involved with solving the inverse problem, such as unknown boundary conditions and incomplete information about the stress field, by building an empirical model directly from measured data. Surface force and volumetric displacement data gathered during imaging are used in conjunction with the AutoProgressive method to teach artificial neural networks the stress-strain relationship of tissues. The Autoprogressive algorithm has been successfully used in many civil engineering applications and to estimate ocular pressure and corneal stiffness; here, we are expanding its use to any tissues imaged ultrasonically. We show that force-displacement data recorded with an ultrasound probe and displacements estimated at a few points in the imaged region can be used to estimate the full stress and strain vectors throughout an entire model while only assuming conservation laws. We will also demonstrate methods to parameterize the mechanical properties based on the stress-strain response of trained neural networks. This method is a fundamentally new approach to medical elasticity imaging that for the first time provides full stress and strain vectors from one set of observation data.
Angular Correlation in Strong-Field Double Ionization under Circular Polarization

Using a classical ensemble approach, electrons detached sequentially by short circularly polarized laser pulses are predicted to be correlated in their emission directions. The correlation is introduced by the laser pulses. By changing the laser intensity, the angle between the two emissions can be controlled continuously, from 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} (parallel) to 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} (perpendicular) to 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} (antiparallel). The effect on the resultant ion momentum distribution is discussed.
Predicting toddler temperamental approach-withdrawal: Contributions of early approach tendencies, parenting behavior, and contextual novelty☆

Research suggests that temperamental approach-withdrawal is subject to parenting influences, but few studies have explored how specific parenting behaviors and contextual novelty contribute to the observed pattern of effects. The present study examined associations between infant temperamental approach, mother behavior while introducing novel objects (12 months) and temperamental approach-withdrawal in toddlerhood (18 months) in a sample of 132 infants (68 males). Maternal positive affect predicted more toddler approach-withdrawal for high-approach infants and maternal stimulation predicted less toddler approach-withdrawal for low-approach infants; however, these patterns varied with intensity of novelty in both parenting and toddler outcome contexts. Thus, maternal behavior may lead to stronger associations between earlier and later measures of approach-withdrawal; however, these effects are tied to contexts of measurement.
Sequence Variation and Stress

Higher eukaryotes have very complex nuclear genomes. An understanding of the origins of this complexity is beginning to emerge with the recognition that the DNA of higher organisms is subject to a variety of sequence rearrangements including amplification, deletion, mutation and translocation both within and between chromosomes. The changes thus generated can spread through populations so that certain segments of the genome change rapidly during evolution. Comparisons of the genome of closely related species (see Flavell, 1982, this volume) describe the products of these processes rather than the actual series of events by which a particular arrangement was produced. Potential mechanisms for the production of sequence rearrangements include unequal crossing-over within tandem arrays, amplifications, deletions and rearrangements associated with the activation of transposable elements, and the amplification of portions of the genome containing a gene conferring a selectable advantage.
Ethnic Unit Classification and Analysis

In Section B, Part I, Chapter 2 and in each of the country profiles in Part II we give information based on the ethnic composition of the populations of African states. This information is not given to perpetuate esoteric interests in traditional or primitive societies, nor are we interested per se in exotic statistics on the number of different languages and tribes in the African continent and the national boundaries of their constituents. Rather the collection and presentation of these data are intended to inform the analysis of sociological theories of pluralism, integration, and other approaches to the continuing, but not unique, problems of national unity in Africa.
Life in the light: nucleic acid photoproperties as a legacy of chemical evolution.

Photophysical investigations of the canonical nucleobases that make up DNA and RNA during the past 15 years have revealed that excited states formed by the absorption of UV radiation decay with subpicosecond lifetimes (i.e., <10−12 s). Ultrashort lifetimes are a general property of absorbing sunscreen molecules, suggesting that the nucleobases are molecular survivors of a harsh UV environment. Encoding the genome using photostable building blocks is an elegant solution to the threat of photochemical damage. Ultrafast excited-state deactivation strongly supports the hypothesis that UV radiation played a major role in shaping molecular inventories on the early Earth before the emergence of life and the subsequent development of a protective ozone shield. Here, we review the general physical and chemical principles that underlie the photostability, or “UV hardiness”, of modern nucleic acids and discuss the possible implications of these findings for prebiotic chemical evolution. In RNA and DNA strands, much longer-lived excited states are observed, which at first glance appear to increase the risk of photochemistry. It is proposed that the dramatically different photoproperties that emerge from assemblies of photostable building blocks may explain the transition from a world of molecular survival to a world in which energy-rich excited electronic states were eventually tamed for biological purposes such as energy transduction, signaling, and repair of the genetic machinery.
4,000 meter hyperbaric fish trap aquaria respirometer

A major obstacle to the investigation of deep-sea biology is the lack of instrumentation to retrieve deep-sea organisms from their habitat alive and under extreme pressure. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) has undertaken the technically ambitious goal of building an instrumented high-pressure fish trap aquaria respiration system. The objectives of this project are to capture at depth deep-water fishes, return them to the surface alive at in situ pressure, and maintain them at pressure for up to 60 days. During this 60-day period the specimen can be studied in an environment with regulated pressure, temperature, and seawater chemistry. The key element of this project is an internal pressure vessel capable of containing 6,000 psi (42 MPa) within acceptable safety margins. This high pressure cylinder, 14 inches (35.6 cm) in diameter and 48 inches (122 cm) long, must reliably capture the specimen, close an internal door, seal at depth, and maintain pressure during ascent. This presentation will deal specifically with the design, construction, testing, initial deployments, and success of this system. Design elements include the pressure cylinder, end caps, pressure compensation, instrumentation, flotation package, capture and internal door mechanisms. This system functions autonomously at depths to 4,000 meters and can be deployed on various vessels of opportunity.
Secondary Structure Adopted by the Gly-Gly-X Repetitive Regions of Dragline Spider Silk

Solid-state NMR and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are presented to help elucidate the molecular secondary structure of poly(Gly-Gly-X), which is one of the most common structural repetitive motifs found in orb-weaving dragline spider silk proteins. The combination of NMR and computational experiments provides insight into the molecular secondary structure of poly(Gly-Gly-X) segments and provides further support that these regions are disordered and primarily non-β-sheet. Furthermore, the combination of NMR and MD simulations illustrate the possibility for several secondary structural elements in the poly(Gly-Gly-X) regions of dragline silks, including β-turns, 310-helicies, and coil structures with a negligible population of α-helix observed.
Stretching Toward Multimodality: The Evolution and Development of a Teacher Educator

Changes in classrooms begin with changes in teachers. Infusing multimodal conceptions of literacy into the early childhood classroom depends upon developing teachers who understand, value, and can nurture multimodal ways of making meaning in young children, but teacher development is the purview of teacher education. This chapter explores the role teacher educators play in preparing preservice teachers to create classrooms that support multimodal literacy development. It describes the decade-long evolution of a teacher educator striving to promote multimodal literacy in preservice and in-service teachers, including barriers teacher educators face and approaches to overcoming these challenges.
Abstract CN01-03: Opportunities in reducing stomach cancers associated with H. pylori

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Helicobacter pylori infection of the gastric mucosa is estimated to be responsible for causing more than half of all gastric adenocarcinomas. Gastric cancer occurs more frequently in African Americans than in Caucasians. The death rates from gastric cancer in African Americans are more than twice that of Caucasians with this disease. Epidemiology of Gastric cancer is similar to that of H. pylori in that both occur more frequently in minority populations and in low income areas throughout the world. Reactive oxygen species are important in the development of gastric cancer in the presence and absence of H. pylori infection. Thus nutrition and the intake of antioxidants may help to protect people from developing gastric cancer. Treating H. pylori infection in younger adults has been shown to reduce the risk of developing gastric cancer in high incidence areas. Currently treatment includes two antibiotics, plus a proton pump inhibiter to reduce gastric acid secretion. Recently progress made in the development of a vaccine against H. pylori. An intramuscular H. pylori vaccine has been tested in uninfected healthy volunteers and was found to be safe and produced antigen specific T-cell memory. Preventing and/or treating H. pylori infection can go a long way in reducing the incidence of Gastric cancer. Thus there is a significant opportunity to reduce gastric cancer in African Americans, primarily through early treatment of this infection. However, improving nutrition is another way by which the same objective may be reached. Wide spread treatment of asymptomatic patients will lead to some morbidity and therefore should not be taken lightly. Wide spread treatment of the population will be associated with an increase in antibiotic resistance, making it difficult to easily treat everyone who is infected. Many people will need to receive a second course of therapy and thus more likely to develop side effects. Further research into a vaccine along with development of better antibiotics will greatly assist in reducing this health disparity.
Estimating Asset Sensitivity by Profiling Users

We introduce algorithms to automatically score and rank information technology (IT) assets in an enterprise, such as computer systems or data files, by their business value and criticality to the organization. Typically, information assets are manually assigned classification labels with respect to the confidentiality, integrity and availability. In this paper, we propose semi-automatic machine learning algorithms to automatically estimate the sensitivity of assets by profiling the users. Our methods do not require direct access to the target assets or privileged knowledge about the assets, resulting in a more efficient, scalable and privacy-preserving approach compared with existing data security solutions relying on data content classification. Instead, we rely on external information such as the attributes of the users, their access patterns and other published data content by the users. Validation with a set of 8,500 computers collected from a large company show that all our algorithms perform significantly better than two baseline methods.
The “Tough on Crime” Competition: a Network Approach to Understanding the Social Mechanisms Leading to Federal Crime Control Legislation in the United States from 1973–2014

The increase in punitive sentiment in America over the last four decades is frequently attributed to changes in criminal justice policies and programs. While scholars have studied the impact of legislation and policy on justice system outcomes, less attention has focused on the role of political actors in legislative bodies who are largely responsible for enacting criminal justice legislation. The current study addresses this gap by examining the social organization of federal crime control policy in the U.S. Congress over a forty-two year period (1973–2014). Drawing from research on social network mechanisms, we examine whether crime control legislation was more politically attractive relative to other legislative topics, and whether Democrats and Republicans pursue these policies by working together or competing against each other. Our results provide novel insight into the mechanisms that contributed to the punitive movement at the federal level.
Frequência de pacientes submetidos à fisioterapia hospitalar e ambulatorial de pós-operatório de patologias ortopédicas

RESUMO: Atualmente na literatura encontramos diversos beneficios para pacientes que sao submetidos a fisioterapia imediata apos procedimentos cirurgicos relacionados a ortopedia, com isto o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a frequencia de pacientes ortopedicos submetidos a fisioterapia ainda no ambiente hospitalar. O indice de indicacao medica para fisioterapia apos alta e o intervalo entre a indicacao medica e o inicio do tratamento junto a um fisioterapeuta. A amostra foi composta por 25 pacientes, onde foi constatado que 11 pacientes tiveram acesso a fisioterapia ainda no ambiente hospitalar, que 3 nao receberam indicacao medica para fisioterapia apos a alta hospitalar e que o intervalo entre o procedimento cirurgico e o inicio do tratamento fisioterapeutico chegava a ate 125 dias, estes dados variam de acordo com o servico de saude procurado. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: cirurgia ortopedica, fisioterapia, mobilizacao precoce, servicos de saude.
Deletion of estrogen receptor α in skeletal muscle results in impaired contractility in female mice

We comprehensively measured in vitro and in vivo skeletal muscle contractility in female estrogen receptor α (ERα) skeletal muscle-specific knockout mice and report that force generation is impaire...
First record of Stenoheriades Cockerell in tropical Asia: Stenoheriades bifida, new species (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae).

The little known osmiine genus Stenoheriades Cockerell , previously thought to be restricted to the Afrotropics, the Mediterranean region, and the Arabian Peninsula, is here recorded from tropical Asia in the form of S. bifida , new species . This disjunct distribution adds to a growing list of endemic megachilids in southern India. The new species exhibits novel morphologies in the Megachilidae that also distinguish it from previously known species groups in Stenoheriades .