cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unjustified Asymmetry: Positive Claims of Conscience and Heartbeat Bills

In 2019, several US states passed "heartbeat" bills. Should such bills go into effect, they would outlaw abortion once an embryonic heartbeat can be detected, thereby severely limiting an individual's access to abortion. Many states allow health care professionals to refuse to provide an abortion for reasons of conscience. Yet heartbeat bills do not include a positive conscience clause that would allow health care professionals to provide an abortion for reasons of conscience. I argue that this asymmetry is unjustified. The same criteria that justify protecting conscientious refusals to provide abortion also justify protecting positive conscientious appeals regarding abortion. Thus, if the law provides legal exemptions for health care professionals who, as a matter of conscience, refuse to provide abortions where it is legal, it should also provide exemptions for health care professionals who, as a matter of conscience, feel obligated to provide abortions where it is illegal.
Personal prenatal ultrasound use by women’s health professionals: An ethical analysis:

Prenatal ultrasound use is skyrocketing despite limited evidence of improved outcomes. One factor driving this trend is the widely recognized psychological appeal of real-time fetal imaging. Meanwh...
Surgical Management of High Risk Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: Vitreous Hemorrhage, Tractional Retinal Detachment, and Combined Tractional-Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is an advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy characterized by neovascularization. Global prevalence of PDR from 1980 to 2008 was estimated to be about 7% of individuals with diabetes (Yau et al., Diabetes Care 35:556–564, 2012). The pathophysiology of PDR involves the formation of new, abnormal vessels in the retina. These vessels preclude vitreous hemorrhages (VH) and contribute to the development of fibrovascular membranes, which can exert tractional forces on the retina and lead to tractional retinal detachment (TRD) or combined tractional-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (CRD) (Wang and Lo, Int J Mol Sci 19:1816, 2018).
Diagnostic Yield of Electroencephalography When Seizure Is Suspected in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction:Seizures are a common complication after an ischemic stroke. Electroencephalography can assist with the diagnosis of seizures however, the diagnostic yield of its use when seizure is s...
Absent Father Timing and its Impact on Adolescent and Adult Criminal Behavior

Although prior research has examined the link between having an absent biological father and self-reported delinquency, few studies have assessed the influence of the timing of paternal absence (i.e., the child’s age when father leaves) on delinquency and adult criminal behavior. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), the present study examines this relationship to determine whether the timing of biological father absence impacts delinquency, adult criminal behavior, and arrest across the life course. Results reveal that biological father absence before birth was related to criminal behavior in later adulthood. Having an absent father in early childhood (birth to age 5) was related to criminal behavior in early adulthood as well as arrest. An absent biological father in late adolescence (age 14 to 18) was associated with arrest. These findings suggest that: 1) the timing of father’s absence does not have a clear pattern of impact on delinquency and arrest and 2) the negative impact of having an absent biological father—at any time—may not appear until adulthood.
Flagellum and toxin phase variation impacts intestinal colonization and disease development in a mouse model of Clostridioides difficile infection

Clostridioides difficile is a major nosocomial pathogen that can cause severe, toxin-mediated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Recent work has shown that C. difficile exhibits heterogeneity in swimming motility and toxin production in vitro through phase variation by site-specific DNA recombination. The recombinase RecV reversibly inverts the flagellar switch sequence upstream of the flgB operon, leading to the ON/OFF expression of flagellum and toxin genes. How this phenomenon impacts C. difficile virulence in vivo remains unknown. We identified mutations in the right inverted repeat that reduced or prevented flagellar switch inversion by RecV. We introduced these mutations into C. difficile R20291 to create strains with the flagellar switch locked in either the ON or OFF orientation. These mutants exhibited a loss of flagellum and toxin phase variation during growth in vitro, yielding precisely modified mutants suitable for assessing virulence in vivo. In a hamster model of acute C. difficile infection, the phase-locked ON mutants accumulated significantly more toxins than the phase locked OFF mutants but did not differ significantly in the ability to cause acute disease symptoms. In contrast, in a mouse model, preventing flagellum and toxin phase variation affected the ability of C. difficile to colonize the intestinal tract and to elicit weight loss, which is attributable to differences in toxin production during infection. These results show that the ability of C. difficile to phase vary flagella and toxins influences colonization and disease development and suggest that the phenotypic variants generated by flagellar switch inversion have distinct capacities for causing disease.
Keeping Focus Isn't Easy: A Review of Refocusing Focus Groups: A Practical Guide

The purpose of this review is to examine the salient aspects of the book Refocusing Focus Groups: A Practical Guide by Robert J. Morais (2010). This review will consider some of the strengths and weaknesses of focus groups as well as explain whether or not the author effectively achieved his goal of providing a tool that can be used by veterans and novices of qualitative research. Additionally, this review will further describe, analyze, and explore the book as well as what other researchers have shared about focus groups by comparing my experience with reading the book and how I was affected by what I read with how I might employ some of the skills highlighted by the author. Key Words: Focus Group, Qualitative Research, Social Science, Consumer. In this review, I look at the strengths, weaknesses, and functionalities of Refocusing Focus Groups: A Practical Guide (Morais, 2010) by examining how the author traverses back and forth between the nuances of effectively planning, moderating, and analyzing focus groups and how the author sought to provide an easy to use manual for someone interested in using focus groups as a research tool. As a doctoral student I chose this book because I thought it would help me to better understand the purpose of focus groups and their value in the world of qualitative research. Besides presenting the basics of focus group methodology, I also learned there were a number of things that must go right in the planning phase for focus groups to be successful (Seal, Bogart, & Ehrhardt, 1998) so I will discuss some of those issues and will ultimately focus on the areas of the book I believe are most significant. Below is my effort to explain my interpretation of the book and how I might actively engage in using qualitative research in general and focus groups in particular in future research endeavors. First of all, the flow of the book was commendable. The book began by Morais (2010) describing the primary participants and the roles each play in a focus group. The author seamlessly connected these roles with the core function and purpose of focus groups and solidified their importance by explaining the kind of information gathered by focus groups is markedly different from other types of qualitative research. In fact, not only are focus group outcomes different, but the uses of those outcomes are often limited only by the creativity of the researcher and the perceived power of the participants (Sassenberg, Jonas, Shah, & Brazy, 2007). A helpful insight I found in the text was the need to select the appropriate moderator as well as asking the right questions. Within this construct rests the importance of the environment of the “back-room,” which often hinders focus group processing (Morais, 2010). Along with these insights, I found perhaps the most critical portion of the book pertained to interpreting focus group results and the inquisitiveness of the moderator. The emphasis Morais (2010) placed on the need for practitioners to effectively use focus group methodology was particularly necessary because it supplied an
Longitudinal Perspectives on Adolescent Street Gangs

Street gangs have been of primary concern to the public, policy makers, and criminologists for well over a century. There is a very good reason for such concern: gang members contribute disproportionately to the overall level of crime, especially violent and serious offenses (Battin-Pearson, Thornberry, Hawkins, & Krohn, 1998; Curry, 2000; Curry, Ball, & Decker, 1996; Hill, Hawkins, Catalano, Maguin, & Kosterman, 1995; Howell, 2000; Huff, 1996; Klein & Maxson, 2006; Miller, 1975; Thornberry, Krohn, Lizotte, & Chard-Wierschem, 1993; Thornberry, Krohn, Lizotte, Smith, & Tobin, 2003; Thrasher, 1927).
The vapor pressures of supercooled HNO3/H2O solutions

A procedure utilizing the Gibbs-Duhem relation is used to extrapolate vapor pressures of supercooled HNO3 mixtures to 190 K. Values of A and B from the equation logP = A - B/T are presented for solutions between 0.20 and 0.25 mole fraction HNO3. In the stratosphere, if sufficient HNO3 vapor is present because it has not come into equilibrium with the nitric acid trihydrate, supercooled nitric acid solutions could condense at temperatures up to 1.5 + or - 0.8 K above the ice point.
Cosmic microwave background fluctuation amplitude from dark energy de-coherence

Standard cosmology connects the scale generated at late times by the cosmological constant with that generated in early times by the energy dynamics. Assuming dark energy de-coherence occurs during early times when the scale parameter expansion rate is no longer supra-luminal specifies a class of cosmological models in which the cosmic microwave background fluctuation amplitude at last scattering is approximately 10{sup -5}.
Regulation, Licensing, and Accreditation of the ART Laboratory

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories are associated with assisted reproductive medical practices. These entities are unique in that they do not perform laboratory testing for purposes of diagnosis and treatment of disease but work with gametes and preembryos, performing interventions and treatments for infertility. These interventions and treatments vary among ART practices and extend from basic in vitro fertilization to highly complex and multifaceted genetic and molecular procedures. The level of education, training, and experience of the embryologists performing the work diverges as well, ranging from doctoral scientists specifically educated for the field to individuals trained on-site to perform procedures. Oversight of embryology and associated personnel may be by statute, regulation, guidelines, accreditation, licensure, or certification, or the field of embryology and embryologists may function without benefit of any type of scrutiny. Insufficient scrutiny, or inconsistent and confusing regulation of these ART interventions and treatments, as well as qualifications and oversight of the individuals performing the tasks, is of general concern. The procedures, which are often controversial, affect not only the infertile couple and any offspring that might result but also in cases of third-party reproduction multiple individuals who are involved, and because of associated medical, economic, scientific, ethical, religious, and legislative issues, ART has an effect on society as a whole. As a result, there is a movement to bring formal recognition and professional status to embryology. Members of the profession will then be able to petition for certification as an expectation for practice. Once embryology board certification is the standard, it will become a regulatory requirement, conferring embryologists parity with other medical and healthcare professionals. As well, members of the profession will be able to promote standardization for the field, have input into guidelines and development of quality standards for “laboratory” accreditation, and move toward self-regulation.
Differential space-time modulation with LCD codes and APSK constellation

We present herein a new differential space-time modulation scheme using amplitude phase shift keying (APSK) symbols. The proposed scheme exploits space-time code matrices, each as a product of a phase matrix, which is diagonal and unitary, and an amplitude coefficient, which controls the total transmitted power. The phase matrix is cyclic with diagonal entries formed from the so-called linear constellation decimation (LCD) codes, which offer full spatial diversity and coding gain under the Rayleigh fading assumption, as well as flexibility in terms of trade-offs between spectral efficiency and diversity. The amplitude ratio of APSK is optimized by maximizing a minimum product distance of the transmitted code matrices. The proposed scheme results in truly APSK transmission (i.e., no constellation expansion), and can easily accommodate the case with more than two transmit antennas. For differential demodulation, we show that the maximum likelihood (ML) decoding of the amplitude coefficient and phase matrix is decoupled. As a result, the decoding complexity is only slightly more involved compared to that of a PSK based counterpart, viz., the conventional differential space-time modulation scheme using diagonal code matrices formed from PSK constellation. Numerical results show that the proposed APSK based scheme outperforms the PSK based scheme as the transmission rate increases.
Mucin-producing adenocarcinoma of bladder. Clinicopathologic report.

Abstract Preoperative radiotherapy as conventionally used in the treatment of invasive transitional cell tumors has been used with success in a case of primary bladder adenocarcinoma. A dosimetric analysis is presented.
The Military as an Obstacle to the Democratization Enterprise

Curtailing the inordinate influence which the Nigerian Armed Forces exert on Nigeria is not only one of the greatest challenges facing the republic, but also one that is difficult to achieve. This essay addresses the role of the Nigerian military as a major obstacle to democratization in Nigeria, and suggests strategies for military disengagement.
Central somatostatin receptor 1 activation reverses acute stress-related alterations of gastric and colonic motor function in mice

Background Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling induced by stress is well established to delay gastric emptying (GE) and stimulate colonic functions. The somatostatin receptor (sst1–5) agonist, ODT8-SST acts in the brain to inhibit stress-induced adrenocorticotropic hormone and epinephrine secretion. We investigated whether ODT8-SST acts in the brain to influence stress-related alterations of gastric and colonic motor function and sst receptor subtype(s) involved. Methods Peptides were injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) under short isoflurane anesthesia and GE, fecal pellet output (FPO) and distal colonic motility monitored in conscious mice. Key Results The stress of acute anesthesia/vehicle i.c.v. injection reduced GE by 67% and increased defecation by 99% compared to non-injected controls. Both responses were abolished by ODT8-SST (1 μg = 0.75 nmol) or sst1 agonist (0.65–1.95 nmol). The sst1 agonist (1.95 nmol) also prevented the abdominal surgery-induced delayed GE. Octreotide (sst2 > sst5 > sst3) and the sst2 or sst4 agonists (1 μg = 0.78 or 0.70 nmol, respectively) injected i.c.v. did not influence FPO while i.c.v. somatostatin-28 mimicked ODT8-SST’s effect. The ODT8-SST-induced increased food intake was inhibited by i.c.v. sst2 antagonist while the reduced FPO was unchanged. ODT8-SST i.c.v. reduced distal colonic motility in semi-restrained mice compared with vehicle and blocked water avoidance- and i.c.v. CRF (0.5 μg = 0.09 nmol)-induced stimulated FPO while a similar colonic secretomotor response to i.p. 5-hydroxytryptophane (10 mg kg−1 = 36.4 μmol kg−1) was unaltered. Conclusions & Inferences ODT8-SST counteracts stress/i.c.v. CRF-related stimulation of colonic motor function and delayed GE which can be reproduced mainly by activation of sst1 receptors. These data opens new insight to brain somatostatinergic signaling pathways interfering with brain circuitries involved in gut motor responses to acute stress.
Reproductive Physiology and Behavior of Echinostomes

As in most digenetic trematodes, the organs of the reproductive system of echinostomes are conspicuous and very important for continuing the life cycle of these species. The production of a multitude of eggs by this system in adults is crucial for the survival of echinostomes because of their complex life cycles. The more reproductive stages, whether they be eggs, miracidia, rediae, or cercariae, they produce, the better are their chances of survival in hostile environments where hosts may be scarce.
Collective coordinate description of soliton dynamics in trans-polyacetylene-like systems

Abstract The two-soliton field configuration for the φ 4 field in the presence of phonons is approximated with the soliton positions and the amplitudes of the shape oscillation mode as collective coordinates. The potential energy of the field is calculated for this configuration as a function of soliton separation and the amplitude of the shape oscillation mode. The equations of motion for these coordinates are derived, and the collision of two solitons is studied by numerically integrating the coupled equations.
Recovery of human basophils after FMLP-stimulated secretion

Summary Backgrottnd Basophils arc circulaling, secretory grunulocytes that are generally considered to be end-stage cells. In one species of guinea-pigs, basophilic leucocytes have been shown to recover from stimulated secretion in short-term cultures. Similar studies have not been done using human basophils. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine human hasophils in short-term recovery intervals following stimulation of secretion to determine whether visual evidence of recovery occurred. Methods We examined the ultrastrucural morphology of early recovery (l0 min-6h) of human basophils following secretion stimulated by formyl-mcthionyl-lcucyl-phenyl-alanine (FMLP). A combined technique for electron microscopy consisted of postfixation exposure to cationizcd ferritin and reduced osmium, providing maximum quality images and allowing identification of intracellular spaces/organelles that opened to the cell surface, often out of the plane of section. Results The ultrastructural evaluation revealed that control basophils (0 time–6h) did not undergo regulated secretion or develop the morphologies associated with recovery following secretion. FMLP-stimulated basophils underwent an overlapping continuum of piecemeal degranulation - anaphylactic degranutation (0 time- I min), producing vesicle- and granule-free, completely degranulated, viable, mature basophils with polylobed nuclei. The early recovery period (10 min-h) following FMLP stimulation was characterized by reconstitution of granules. Morphological mechanisms for granule reconstitution included a mixture of conservation, condensation, and synthetic events. Coticlttsion Human basophils, like guinea pig basophils, have the polential to recover from regulated secretion.
Mitochondrial-like DNA sequences flanked by direct and inverted repeats in the nuclear genome of Toxoplasma gondii

In the course of our genetic studies on Toxoplasma gondii, it was discovered that one cosmid hybridized to a repetitive element. The hybridization pattern observed for the enzyme BglII indicated that this cosmid hybridized to a large number of discrete, but related elements. Four BglII fragments were subcloned from the cosmid, and each was shown to hybridize with all the others, as well as to numerous dispersed sequences in genomic DNA. Three subclones were sequenced in their entirety, and shown to contain fragments of the genes for cytochrome oxidase subunit I and apocytochrome b, complete and functional copies of which have been found in only mitochondrial genomes. All the subcloned fragments were bounded at both ends by a 91 base-pair sequence, which contains a site for BglII. This 91 base-pair sequence could be found as either a direct or inverted repeat. It was determined that the BglII elements are arrayed downstream from a single copy nuclear gene. Comparison of genomic and cosmid DNAs confirmed that the cosmid faithfully reflects the nuclear genome. Although the mitochondrial genome of Toxoplasma has not been characterized, these nuclear mitochondrial-like sequences appear to be internally rearranged with respect to known, functional mitochondrial genomes, and with respect to each other. The finding of short repeated sequences flanking these elements may be a clue to the mechanism of their dissemination.
EXTRA-GASTROINTESTINAL EFFECTS OF SECRETIN, GASTRIN, AND PANCREOZYMIN

Abstract Until adequate means are developed to measure blood-levels of the hormones secretin, gastrin, and pancreozymin and until changes in blood-levels are charted in relation to adequate stimuli, the importance of the extra-gastrointestinal effects of these hormones can be questioned. However, it has been demonstrated that secretin is glucagon-like in its effects on free-fatty-acid mobilisation in vitro. Pancreozymin, secretin, and gastrin are glucagon-like in vivo with regard to insulin levels. None of the gut hormones here seem to be the hyperglycaemic factor isolated earlier in dog gastric mucosa. Neither hyperglycaemia in vivo nor glucagon-like activity in perfused liver could be demonstrated. In addition, gut extracts containing glucagon-like immunoactivity have also failed to demonstrate hyperglycaemic activity. The reasons for the elusiveness of the hyperglycaemic gut factor remain to be elucidated.
REFRACTORY CHF AND MODEST RENAL FAILURE: I

A 56-year-old white male had longstanding insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus and diffuse vascular disease. At age 50, he underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and placement of a permanent cardiac pacemaker. Four years later, he required bilateral above-knee amputations for severe peripheral arterial disease. Over the next two years, he was hospitalized fifteen times for angina pectoris and congestive heart failure (CHF). In September 1990, six years following his cardiac surgery, Swan-Ganz catheter data confirmed low cardiac performance. He required dopamine, dobutamine, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and high dose parenteral diuretics. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was 30 mg/dl, serum creatinine was 1.8 mg/dl, serum albumin was 3.9 g/dl and total serum protein was 7.1 g/dl. Fractional urinary sodium excretion was 0.36. Endogenous creatinine clearance was 20 ml/min. Urine protein excretion was 640 mg/day. Anasarca was attributed to CHF, and renal insufficiency was felt to be due to a combination of nephrosclerosis and low renal perfusion. Conservative management proved futile with development of worsening edema, progressive azotemia, and hyponatremia. At the time of nephrologic consultation, BUN was 159 mg/dl, serum creatinine was 4.5 mg/dl and serum sodium was 114 mEq/l. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was 22 mmHg and chest X ray confirmed the presence of large bilateral pleural effusions. Blood pressure had remained surprisingly normal at 126/70 mmHg. A Tenckhoff peritoneal dialysis catheter was placed and peritoneal dialysis begun using 1 l volume exchanges. Over the next several days, dialysis fluid volume was increased to 2 l, with dwell time and dextrose concentration being adjusted to allow for gradual fluid loss. Dialysis was continued on a daily basis for two weeks with a 40 pound weight loss and total resolution of CHF. He was discharged home, but required intermittent peritoneal dialysis over the next six weeks. He was trained to perform peritoneal dialysis using the technique of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). His regimen consisted of 4 two-liter exchanges daily with variable use of 1.5% and 4.25% dextrose-containing solutions and intraperitoneal insulin. Over the ensuing months he required only 24 days of hospitalization. He regained use of his lower extremity prostheses and was able to drive his truck. He had no episodes of peritonitis, but required short-term oral antibiotics for peritoneal catheter exit-site infection. He expired of acute myocardial infarction after 14 months of CAPD.
Analysis of furanoid esters in soybean oil and the effect of variety and environment on furanoid ester content

An improved method was developed to analyze the major furanoid esters in soybean oil. The method is based on urea fractionation of the methyl esters, silver ion chromatography, and gas chromatography of the furanoid concentrate. Activation of the soybean lipoxygenase decreased the amount of furanoid ester recovered from the oil, but the degumming of crude soybean oil and the choice of solvent used to extract soybean lipids caused no change in furanoid ester content. Fifty-six soybean varieties, representing a wide range in maturity group and geographical origin, were grown in Puerto Rico and used to determine the range of furanoid ester contents. Furanoid ester II ranged from 0.033–0.29 mg/g, and ester III ranged from 0.058–0.27 mg/g. The two major furanoid esters were positively correlated with each other and with maturity group. Growth environment as well as variety caused significant differences in furanoid content.
Health policy for low-income people: states' responses to new challenges.

The past five years have given states new opportunities in health policy for low-income people, with many changes increasing states' flexibility. However, new pres- sures on state policy also have arisen from a variety of factors, most recently from the eco- nomic downturn that has reduced revenues and increased demand for spending. This pa- per analyzes recent changes in health policy in the thirteen states that are the core of the Urban Institute's Assessing the New Federalism project, focusing on state fiscal conditions, health care coverage, acute care, and long-term care. Implications for the future are discussed. A lthough t he past f ive y ears have given states new opportunities in health policy for low-income people, they have also put new pressures on policy formulation. Many developments have increased states' flexibility, including welfare reform and the delinking of Medicaid from cash assistance, new funding for children's health insurance coverage under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), repeal of federal minimum standards for nursing home and hospital reimbursement that constrained states' control over Medicaid payments, and increased federal willingness to grant waivers under Medicaid (and now under SCHIP as well). Fiscal capacity also rose—from booming revenues during the long economic expansion of the 1990s and from new tobacco settle- ment funds. However, new pressures on revenues and state policy have resulted from recent federal economizing under Medicaid and Medicare, including cuts in safety-net support programs that some states were thought to be abusing; political pressures for state tax cuts; and, starting in 2000, an economic slowdown followed by reces- sion. New pressures also arose from the Supreme Court's Olmstead v. L.C. decision, which established a limited right to home and community-based services under the Americans with Disabilities Act; rapid growth in pharmaceutical spending; and the difficulties faced by Medicaid managed care. Political demands for public
Evidence basis for ultrasound-guided block characteristics onset, quality, and duration

This systematic review summarizes existing evidence for superior onset, quality, and duration of block for ultrasound guidance versus other techniques for nerve localization. MEDLINE was systematically searched from 1966 to June 2013 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ultrasound guidance to another technique for peripheral nerve blocks. Twenty-three RCTs were identified for upper-extremity peripheral nerve blocks and 17 for lower extremity. Jadad scores for quality of RCT ranged from 1 to 5 with a median of 3. For upper-extremity blocks, 11 (48%) of 23 RCTs reported faster onset of block, 9 (39%) of 23 reported better quality of block, and 1 (14%) of 7 reported longer duration of block with ultrasound. One RCT reported that ultrasound was inferior for onset of combined median and ulnar block. For lower-extremity blocks, 8 (80%) of 10 RCTs reported faster onset, 9 (56%) of 16 reported better quality, and 2 (33%) of 6 RCTs reported longer duration of blocks. One RCT reported that ultrasound was inferior for quality and duration for ankle block. There is level 1b evidence to make a grade A recommendation that ultrasound guidance provides a modest improvement in block onset and quality of peripheral nerve blocks, especially for lower extremity. Ultrasound is rarely inferior to other techniques.
Aseptic implantable EEG electrodes for low impedance recordings.

Noise-free electroencephalographic signals from the cortex of the intact dog are difficult to obtain. Recordings made with surface electrodes are contaminated by muscle artifacts because of the thick muscle overlying the skull. The usual implanted electrodes in a pedestal arrangement give excellent signals; but because the tissue never heals around the base of the pedestal, the brain becomes infected or abscessed within a few weeks. A new type low impedance electrode. Aseptically implanted, has been developed. A stainless steel screw is threaded into the skull such that the bottom of the screw is in contact with the dura. The top of the screw, when is concave, is even with hypodermic needle into the top of the screw in a plug and jack arrangement.
A novel (TA)n polymorphism in the hexokinase II gene: Application to noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the Pima Indians

Hexokinase II, one member of a family of structurally similar enzymes that catalyze the phosphorylation of glucose in the 6-position, has been suggested to play a role in the pathophysiology of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The gene for hexokinase II, HK2, has been previously mapped to human chromosome 2p13 by fluorescence in situ hybridization, and two-point linkage analysis has placed it near the locus for transforming growth factor α, TGFA. We now report the characterization of a (TA)n polymorphism in intron 12 ofHK2. Using multipoint analysis of CEPH family genotypes, we have determined the most likely locus order to be cen-D2S169-[D2S286-HK2]-[D2S145-D2S291]-[D2S45-D2S 101-TGFA]-tel. As HKII is a candidate gene that could contribute to the manifestation of insulin resistance and NIDDM, we genotyped 1152 Pima Indians, a Native American tribe that has the highest reported prevalence of NIDDM in the world. Although we did not detect any linkage or association ofHK2 with insulin resistance or NIDDM in the Pima Indians, the polymorphism and detailed mapping ofHK2 described in this report should prove useful in the assessment of the role of this gene in the predisposition to NIDDM in other populations.
The Changing Faces of Corruption in Georgian Higher Education: Access through Times and Tests.

This article presents a comparative-historical analysis of access to higher education in Georgia. It describes the workings of corrupt channels during the Soviet and early post-Soviet periods and the role of standardized tests in fighting corruption in higher education admission processes after introduction of the Unified National Entrance Examination (UNEE) in 2005. The discussion traces the development of higher education access policies, specifically standardized testing, with attention to the quality of their implementation, the degree of their transparency, and how they have impacted the level and forms of corruption. I likewise consider the social equitability of entrance examinations throughout the decades. In concluding, I argue that the introduction of the UNEE spurred more equitable access to higher education, increased the quality of secondary school instruction, and furthered the alignment of secondary education with higher education entrance requirements.
Embryo aneuploidy screening for repeated implantation failure and unexplained recurrent miscarriage

Among other factors, chromosomal abnormalities that originate from gametogenesis and preimplantation embryonic development are thought to be one of the major contributing factors for early embryonic death and failure of pregnancy. However, so far, no non-invasive technique exists that allows the detection of the chromosomal complement of an oocyte or a developing embryo as a whole. Rather, by removing polar bodies/blastomeres, recent developments on preimplantation genetic diagnosis for aneuploidy screening (PGD-AS) have paved the way to detect and possibly eliminate the majority of chromosomally abnormal embryos, thereby increasing the chance of a healthy pregnancy. This article summarizes the origin and impact of chromosomal abnormalities on human reproduction in cases with repeated implantation failure (RIF) and unexplained recurrent miscarriage. It also discusses recent advances regarding the possible benefits of PGD-AS in such cases.
Gradient estimates for the eigenfunctions on compact manifolds with boundary and Hörmander Multiplier Theorem

On compact Riemannian manifolds (M, g) of dimension n ≥ 2 with smooth boundary, the gradient estimates for the eigenfunctions of the Dirichlet Laplacian are proved by the maximum principle. Using the L∞ estimates and gradient estimates, the Hormander multiplier theorem is showed for the eigenfunction expansion of Dirichlet Laplacian on compact manifolds with boundary.
Chromosome number in the lizard genus Uta (family Iguanidae).

A chromosome number of 34 (12 macro- and 22 microchromosomes) was found to be characteristic of the bone marrow in 47 animals including males from the species Uta antiquus, and both males and females from the following species and subspecies: Uta stansburiana stansburiana, Uta stansburiana stejnegeri, Uta stansburiana elegans, Uta stansburiana klauberi, Uta stansburiana mannophorus, Uta nolascensis, Uta palmeri, and Uta squamata. — Diploid chromosome numbers of 34 and haploid numbers of 17 were found in the nine testis smears examined. — The presence of a large number of hypodiploid figures in the bone marrow smears is attributed to cell fragmentation and the problem of distinguishing the small microchromosomes. — Series of polyploid figures whose chromosome numbers increased in arithmetic rather than geometric progressions were observed in the testis dry smears. Possible alternatives for the origin of these figures are presented. — Problems encountered in the use of chromosome number as a taxonomic character are discussed.
Procedures in Estimating Benefits of Water Quality Change

Wisconsin water resource managers have determined that the water quality in Pike Lake is deteriorating rapidly. The source of this problem resides with the fact that storm sewers empty directly into the lake, delivering large nutrient loads. The impending decline can be prevented by the construction of a storm sewer diversion projiect. This undertaking can be accomplished for a fixed cost of $175,000--operation and maintenance costs are considered negligible. The question being asked by the resource manager is whether the benefits to be derived from preserving the present high level of water quality will justify the projiect cost. Although the foregoing is hypothetical, the problem is typical of those confronting today's decision makers. What insight can economics bring to bear on issues such as these? The purpose of this paper is to address such an issue by presenting a method for estimating, ex ante, the benefits of water quality change by (a) presenting the theoretical basis for the empirical analysis, (b) establishing the relationship between an obiective measurement of water quality utilized by water resource experts and the subiective ratings of lake users, (c) presenting a model including recreators' ratings of water quality, and (d) synthesizing these components by advancing a method which is applied to the possible decision-making situation described above.
Multidimensional curve-fitting with self-organizing automata

Abstract In large-scale linear problems a one-dimensional electrical network often serves as a model, at discrete points, for a function of k independent variables. Such a discrete animated model has been generalized by the author to represent a class of large-scale nonlinear problems by introducing a sequence of linear-, planar-, cubic-, etc., up to k -dimensional networks, all interconnected into a single polyhedral structure. However, a hierarchy of multidimensional networks can no longer be energized by mere currents and voltages. A sequence of multidimensional electromagnetic waves must be propagated across the polyhedron (and its dual polyhedron), in order that the waves may satisfy Stokes' theorem, as they step across the boundaries between two different-dimensional networks. Such an animated polyhedral model can represent not only a function of k independent variables, but also all its divided differences of higher order (estimated directional derivatives along the lines, planes, cubes, etc.) all simultaneously. Furthermore, if the polyhedron and its dual are immersed into a k -dimensional region filled with stationary or moving magnetohydrodynamic plasma, the amorphous field crystallizes into a sequence of 2 k sets of transmission networks, coupled by and energized with a large number of k -dimensional magnetohydrodynamic generators (“generalized” rotating electrical machines). Even in the absence of motion (velocity terms), the crystallized field-structure may assume a self-adaptive “oscillatory” state, in which it can represent not one, but any number of arbitrarily picked functions of k independent variables, as well as their higher order divided differences—all simultaneously and automatically—without needing any adjustment or interference by the analyst. The resultant oscillatory polyhedron (or self-organizing “automaton”) is applied in the present paper to model (curve-fit) simultaneously any number of functions of a set of nonuniformly-spaced variables. In particular, simple numerical examples are shown of estimating—by regression theory and a least-square criterion—several arbitrary functions of two independent variables at four nonuniformly-spaced points on a plane. The same oscillatory model (automaton) is used, without any change, for the highly satisfactory estimation of not one but six different arbitrarily picked functions, plus their divided differences. Numerical examples with two nonoscillatory polyhedra show that the latter can satisfactorily fit only one, or at most, only a small class of functions plus their divided differences.
Population Crisis and Extremism

The recent explosion of articles and letters in "Sience" on population became extreme (and irrelevant because it is extreme) with Hanzliks plea (March 13 p. 1438) for involuntary euthanasia. None of the recent authors has pointed out that there is a simple legal procedure that would instantly reduce the U.S. population growth rate by 20%-namely revise the immigration laws to bring net migration to the U.S. to zero. It is estimated that net migration to the U.S. is a positive 400000 per year. Although recent changes in the immigration laws may reduce somewhat the immigration level from the 450000 admitted n 1968 the current laws are not designed to bring about zero net migration. From a purely scientific point of view it is inefficient and ineffective to tell Americans to abort their children and kill their old folks because of the population crisis and at the same time allow a net positive migration of over 4 million each decade.(FULL TEXT)
Effects of Material Moduli on Compressible Fluid-Solid Systems Using Implicit Immersed Continuum Methods

Using a compressible fluid-solid test system, we would like to illustrate the need for implicit immersed continuum method. The implicit mixed finite element formulation for both solid and fluid domains solves the volume conservation problem associated with immersed methods. The immediate extension of the implicit compressible immersed continuum method is to handle continuum-continuum coupling in soft material designs.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Analysis of capacity and probability of outage for free-space optical channels with fading due to pointing and tracking error

Free-space laser communications systems experience fading due to quasi-static pointing error and tracking error that impairs communications performance. Under a block fading model we show that using forward error correcting codes and interleaving - a simple non-mechanical data processing technique - much of the harmful effect of tracking error on communications performance can be removed. Using the concepts of fading capacity and outage capacity, we provide analytical tools that quantify the effects of fading on communications performance with and without interleaving. A link budget based on this analysis includes three loss terms due to pointing and tracking error: 1) static loss, which is primarily a function of pointing error; 2) capacity loss, which is the power difference between fading capacity and fade-free capacity; and 3) finite interleaver loss, which is the power difference between the probability of outage curve and fading capacity. Assuming pulse-position modulation and a Poisson channel, we derive closed-form solutions for the probability of outage of interleaved systems using a Gaussian beam with circularly symmetric Gaussian tracking error.
Net Throughput of Centralized and Decentralized Cooperative Networks With Relay Selection

Relay selection is an attractive approach for achieving diversity gain in cooperative communications. In this letter, an optimal decentralized relay selection scheme that maximizes the net throughput is investigated. We compare the net throughput of centralized and decentralized relay selection schemes. The impact of overhead is included in our analysis. We show that the centralized scheme achieves a higher net throughput than the decentralized scheme if the number of relays is small and/or the channel is static. Although the decentralized scheme significantly reduces the amount of overhead, it suffers from unavoidable performance loss. For given system environments, the criterion for determining which scheme should be applied is also provided.
Simulations of inertial confinement fusion driven by a novel synchrotron-radiation-based x-ray igniter

The advantages and challenges of using a powerful x-ray source for the fast ignition of compressed Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) targets have been considered. The requirements for such a source together with the optics to focus the x-rays onto compressed DT cores lead to a conceptual design based on Energy Recovery Linacs (ERLs) and long wigglers to produce x-ray pulses with the appropriate phase space properties. A comparative assessment of the parameters of the igniter system indicates that the technologies for building it, although expensive, are physically achievable. Our x-ray fast ignition (XFI) scheme requires substantially smaller energy for the initiation of nuclear fusion reactions than other methods.
Load planning for shipments of low density products

This paper presents a complex computer-based heuristic procedure for sizing customer orders and developing three dimensional load diagrams for rail and truck shipment of low density products. This heuristic procedure was developed for, and is in various phases of implementation at, a large multinational U.S.-based consumer products company. Products are shipped daily in high volume from inventory in corrugated containers of various sizes depending on the product package sizes and customer requirements. Vehicles used include railcars, truck trailers and tandem truck trailers, which also vary in size depending upon need and availability. In most cases, product volume or material handling considerations limit the amount of product loaded into vehicles before weight restrictions are met. Hence, the emphasis here is on low density products. The procedure developed has been demonstrated to significantly increase vehicle utilization, and improve customer service. It is fast and accurate enough to be used in real time during the order entry process. It has also been used successfully in a vehicle feasibility study of single versus tandem trailers.
Studies of individual subjects: Logic and methods of analysis

A statistical logic was developed by Payne & Jones (1957) and elaborated by Knight & Shelton (1983) for investigating the statistical significance or score changes for individual subjects. We decided that the particular approach advocated by Knight & Shelton would not be useful to researchers. These shortcomings are discussed and illustrated. More importantly, we took this as an occasion to discuss, in a general way, the available research designs and methods of analysis applicable to the study of individual subjects.
RATINGS OF HUMOR FOLLOWING EXPERIENCE WITH UNSOLVABLE TASKS

Seligman ( 1975) suggested that following experience with uncontrollable outcomes, a cluster of cognitive, motivational, and emotional factors develop which interfere with subsequent performance. Such a condition is called learned helplessness. The cognitive and motivational aspects of the phenomenon have been substantially researched, but few studies have addressed the emotional state following helplessness training. This study was conducted to observe whether differences in preference for humor could be noted following experience with varying degrees of unconuollability. Sixty undergraduate volunteers were randomly assigned to a Solvable Anagram group ( 100% solvable), a Mixed Anagram group ( 50% solvable), or an Unsolvable Anagram group (0% solvable). Each group was shown 20 slides of five-letter, single solution anagrams and given 30 sec. to write down the solution. Ninety-one percent of the solvable anagrams were solved." Immediately following the anagrams, subjects were asked to race five cartoons selected for aggressive content and five cartoons selected for word play on a five-point Likert scale, high scores indicating high humor, according to a procedure developed by Hetherington and Wray ( 1964). Aggressive cartoons were rated moderately humorous by the Solvable ( M = 2.93, range 1.8 to 4.0) and Mixed (M = 3.12, range 2.0 to 4.4) groups, while the Unsolvable group's ratings were significantly higher ( M = 4.11, range 2.6 to 5.0), by a Duncan's rest. No statistically significant differences were found in the ratings of the word play cartoons, although they were lower for the Unsolvable group (M = 2.89, range 1.6 to 4.0) than for the Mixed ( M = 3.42, range 2 0 to 4.6) or Solvable groups ( M = 3.55, range 2.2 to 4.2). These data suggest an aggressive emotional reaction following helplessness training.