cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast Approximate Stochastic Tractography

Many different probabilistic tractography methods have been proposed in the literature to overcome the limitations of classical deterministic tractography: i) lack of quantitative connectivity information; and ii) robustness to noise, partial volume effects and selection of seed region. However, these methods rely on Monte Carlo sampling techniques that are computationally very demanding. This study presents an approximate stochastic tractography algorithm (FAST) that can be used interactively, as opposed to having to wait several minutes to obtain the output after marking a seed region. In FAST, tractography is formulated as a Markov chain that relies on a transition tensor. The tensor is designed to mimic the features of a well-known probabilistic tractography method based on a random walk model and Monte-Carlo sampling, but can also accommodate other propagation rules. Compared to the baseline algorithm, our method circumvents the sampling process and provides a deterministic solution at the expense of partially sacrificing sub-voxel accuracy. Therefore, the method is strictly speaking not stochastic, but provides a probabilistic output in the spirit of stochastic tractography methods. FAST was compared with the random walk model using real data from 10 patients in two different ways: 1. the probability maps produced by the two methods on five well-known fiber tracts were directly compared using metrics from the image registration literature; and 2. the connectivity measurements between different regions of the brain given by the two methods were compared using the correlation coefficient ρ. The results show that the connectivity measures provided by the two algorithms are well-correlated (ρ = 0.83), and so are the probability maps (normalized cross correlation 0.818 ± 0.081). The maps are also qualitatively (i.e. visually) very similar. The proposed method achieves a 60x speed-up (7 s vs. 7 min) over the Monte Carlo sampling scheme, therefore enabling interactive probabilistic tractography: the user can quickly modify the seed region if he is not satisfied with the output without having to wait on average 7 min.
The role of CD1 molecules in immune responses to infection.

Abstract Recent work on CD1 molecules has demonstrated that human CD1b and a lipoglycan from mycobacteria that CD1b presents colocalize to late endosomes. Presentation of this lipoglycan by CD1b requires antigen uptake via the mannose receptor. CD8 + CD1-restricted T cells can decrease the load of intracellular mycobacteria by granule release. TCR-transgenic and CD1-deficient mice have provided insights into the role of CD1 in the T helper responses required for the clearance of some microorganisms.
A Model of Exposure to Rotavirus from Nondietary Ingestion Iterated by Simulated Intermittent Contacts

Existing microbial risk assessment models rarely incorporate detailed descriptions of human interaction with fomites. We develop a stochastic-mechanistic model of exposure to rotavirus from nondietary ingestion iterated by simulated intermittent fomes-mouth, hand-mouth, and hand-fomes contacts typical of a child under six years of age. This exposure is subsequently translated to risk using a simple static dose-response relationship. Through laboratory experiments, we quantified the mean rate of inactivation for MS2 phage on glass (0.0052/hr) and mean transfer between fingertips and glass (36%). Simulations using these parameters demonstrated that a child's ingested dose from a rotavirus-contaminated ball ranges from 2 to 1,000 virus over a period of one hour, with a median value of 42 virus. These results were heavily influenced by selected values of model parameters, most notably the concentration of rotavirus on fomes, frequency of fomes-mouth contacts, frequency of hand-mouth contacts, and virus transferred from fomes to mouth. The model demonstrated that mouthing of fomes is the primary exposure route, with hand mouthing contributions accounting for less than one-fifth of the child's dose over the first 10 minutes of interaction.
PHYSIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF TETRAHYMENA VORAX.

SYNOPSIS. Four strains of ciliates regarded as strains of Tetrahymena vorax were studied nutritionally and serologically. All grew on a chemically defined medium and phospholipid was generally stimulatory. It is concluded from the results of the present study, together with information available in the literature, that two of the strains (V1 and PP) are actually strains of T. pyriformis. This leaves T. vorax represented by two extant strains, V2 and Tur, both of which are polymorphic. Evidence is presented for “stable transformations” in two of the strains included in the study, i.e., stocks have spontaneously developed phenotypic differences which are uniparentally inherited. The potential importance of studies of uniparental inheritance for physiological and developmental genetics is discussed.
Hemagglutinin Clusters in the Plasma Membrane Are Not Enriched with Cholesterol and Sphingolipids

The clusters of the influenza envelope protein, hemagglutinin, within the plasma membrane are hypothesized to be enriched with cholesterol and sphingolipids. Here, we directly tested this hypothesis by using high-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry to image the distributions of antibody-labeled hemagglutinin and isotope-labeled cholesterol and sphingolipids in the plasma membranes of fibroblast cells that stably express hemagglutinin. We found that the hemagglutinin clusters were neither enriched with cholesterol nor colocalized with sphingolipid domains. Thus, hemagglutinin clustering and localization in the plasma membrane is not controlled by cohesive interactions between hemagglutinin and liquid-ordered domains enriched with cholesterol and sphingolipids, or from specific binding interactions between hemagglutinin, cholesterol, and/or the majority of sphingolipid species in the plasma membrane.
Dynamic scaling for the fragmentation of reactive porous media.

We introduce a simple model for the consumption and fragmentation of a reactive porous medium, and investigate various distinct regimes of such processes. The model simulates the reaction-consumption process in a realistic way, and is capable of simulating the entire range of possible kinetic limitations. We show that a dynamic scaling governs the time evolution of the fragments distribution and calculate the critical exponents. They vary continuously with the reactivity of the porous medium. This dynamic scaling may also hold for the fragmentation of a system as a result of mechanical breakage, such as grinding of minerals, or stress-induced fragmentation of disordered solids, or of rocks and polymers.
The Positive Aspects of Being a Lesbian or Gay Man

The need to provide culturally competent training for counseling gay men and lesbians (as well as other sexual minorities) is limited by the relative scarcity of research. Extant research has focused on psychopathologies and negative life experiences with little attention to the positive aspects of the lives of gay men and lesbians. An online survey collected data on perceptions of the positive aspects of being a gay man or lesbian (N 553). Qualitative analyses revealed 3 domains with 11 themes. The positive aspects of gay or lesbian identity were belonging to a community, creating families of choice, forging strong connections with others, serving as positive role models, developing empathy and compassion, living authentically and honestly, gaining personal insight and sense of self, involvement in social justice and activism, freedom from gender-specific roles, exploring sexuality and relationships, and enjoying egalitarian relationships (lesbian participants only). These findings are discussed in light of recent literature on positive psychology and strength-based therapeutic approaches.
Elevation of Homocysteine and Excitatory Amino Acid Neurotransmitters in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Children Receiving Methotrexate for Leukemia • 671

Elevation of Homocysteine and Excitatory Amino Acid Neurotransmitters in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Children Receiving Methotrexate for Leukemia • 671
Post-disturbance effects of even-aged timber harvest on stream salamanders in southern Appalachian forests

Habitat degradation and fragmentation has received increased attention in the past 15 years as a primary factor responsible for the decline of many species of wildlife including amphibians. In the eastern USA many of the studies have focused on fully terrestrial plethodontid salamanders, while information on stream-breeding plethodontids remains relatively lacking. Using two different survey methods (area-constrained daytime searches and night-time visual encounter searches), we estimated terrestrial habitat use and abundance for stream-breeding salamanders in three different tree stand age-classes in southern Appalachian streams from May to August 2005. We found that overall stream salamander abundance and terrestrial habitat use was reduced in stands 81 years old. The decreased abundance and terrestrial habitat use was accompanied by a decrease in leaf litter depth, soil moisture and canopy cover. The Blue Ridge two-lined salamander Eurycea wilderae was the most affected salamander in the assemblage and we conservatively estimate at least a 40-year recovery period for the assemblage to return to pre-disturbance levels. To protect stream amphibians, alternative silvicultural practices such as uneven-aged timber harvest (e.g. selective harvesting) must be considered.
Internalization and trafficking of fluorescent-labeled phospholipids in yeast

Phospholipid reporter molecules, containing a fluorescent group attached to a short, acyl chain, spontaneously insert into the plasma membrane of yeast cells allowing retrograde trafficking to intracellular organelles as well as their metabolic fates to be monitored. This approach provides the framework for determining the dependence of particular phospholipid trafficking and metabolic steps on a wide range of genes known to be required for related membrane transport functions as well as for developing genetic screens to identify novel genes required for these processes. This review presents an overview of insights gained into phospholipid trafficking and metabolism using this approach.
Postcolonial Despotism from a Postmodern Standpoint: Helon Habila's Waiting for an Angel

in Waiting for an Angel, Helon Habila criticizes African Marxists for holding that despotism in postcolonial Africa is largely consequent on the lingering effects of colonialism and on neocolonial exploitation. He also rejects their view that revolution is capable of ending political oppression and engender - ing an egalitarian order. For Habila, postcolonial despotism is coextensive with the will to power of the national rulers, and efforts aimed at countering it through revolutionary activism cannot but prove futile given the formi - dable means of violence available to the state. i argue in this article that Habila's disagreements with African Marxists are largely informed by the critique postmodernism levels at Marxism. l ike many postmodernists, he is impatient with the primacy Marxism accords economics over politics and regards the calls of Marxist revolutionaries for radical change to be reckless.
The Physical Ephemeris of Mars

Abstract The basic relations used in computing a physical ephemeris of Mars are given. The constants in these relations used at various times during the past 100 years are reviewed. A summary of a revised ephemeris computed at the American Ephemeris Office is given in Table V, based on the following constants: zero point of longitude ω0 = 344°.41 on JD 2418322.0 (adopted in 1909), sidereal rotation rate R = 350°.891962 (adopted in 1960), celestial coordinates of North Pole for 1905.0: α0 = 316°.55, δ0 = +52°.85 (new corrected value). Table VI gives the elements for the reduction of areographic coordinates based on earlier ephemerides to the revised ephemeris system for the period 1877 to 1965.
Improving compliance with timely intraoperative redosing of antimicrobials in surgical prophylaxis

BACKGROUND Appropriate use of antimicrobials for surgical prophylaxis is an important patient safety issue. Antimicrobial levels should be present during the duration of the surgical procedure until incision site closure. For prolonged surgical procedures in which the tissue concentration of the prophylactic antimicrobial may decrease to below the necessary minimum inhibitory concentration, intraoperative redosing of antimicrobials may be crucial. OBJECTIVE To evaluate compliance of appropriate intraoperative antimicrobial surgical prophylaxis using real-time intraoperative antimicrobial dosing reminders at a large teaching hospital. METHODS A retrospective review of electronic records (March 2009-October 2012) was performed. Patients were included if they were at least 18 years of age and underwent a procedure requiring antimicrobial surgical prophylaxis. Compliance was determined by comparing 3 time intervals: baseline (March 2009-March 2010); intervention period 1 (IP-1; April 1, 2010-April 30, 2012), and intervention period 2 (IP-2; May 1, 2012-October 31, 2012). Interventions included a hospital-wide standardized protocol comprising an automated intraoperative paging system to notify when antimicrobials should be redosed. RESULTS A total of 7,461 of 75,230 surgical procedures required intraoperative redosing of antimicrobials and were analyzed. Patient mean age (± standard deviation) was [Formula: see text] years, and 62.6% were female. The most common procedures that required prophylaxis were solid organ transplantation, neurosurgical procedures, and orthopedic procedures. Baseline compliance (n = 2,183) was 15.8%; compliance significantly improved to 65.3% during IP-1 (n = 4,486; P < .001). The compliance rate improved to 76.7% during IP-2 ([Formula: see text] compared with no reminder). CONCLUSIONS Compliance with redosing of intraoperative antimicrobials was improved with the combined approach of guidelines, education to healthcare providers, and real-time automated paging system.
Helical Quantum Wires

Bloch oscillations are associated with weakly scattered transport in a periodic band structure. Most periodic structures have band gaps at the reciprocal lattice boundaries. Mathematically, this is because the two states at the edge of the (ID) Brillouin zone can have equal energy only by means of an accidental degeneracy. Helical quantum-wire structures are an exception to the general rule: although they are periodic in one dimension, the additional glide symmetry makes the boundary states degenerate, so the band gap vanishes. Their periodic band structure resembles qualitatively that of a free electron represented in the repeated-zone scheme. The Hamiltonian of a helical quantum wire with parabolic potential cross section can be represented by means of creation and annihilation operators, and this formalism has been used in a numerical study of helical quantum wire band structure.
Abortion: Its Psychodynamic Effects

The article portrays instances of how an unwanted pregnancy develops negative psychological effects in women and implies that strictures against abortion can intensify the psychological problem. General conclusions of studies done in Sweden are cited with one study noting only 28% of the women having no postabortive conflicts. Findings of American women having used Thalidomide and receiving abortions in Sweden are given although it is difficult to draw conclusions about abortion from this particular situation. The author concludes that abortion generally is a traumatic experience similar to postpartum psychoses and should be considered in the same general mode.
Nilpotent Subsets of Graded Algebras with Color Involution

In this article, we examine group-graded algebras R with color involution. If S is the symmetric elements and K the skew symmetric elements, it is shown that if S n = 0 then R 3n = 0, whereas if K n = 0 then (R[R, R]e R) n = 0, where R[R, R]e R is the e-commutator ideal corresponding to a bicharacter e. It is then shown that the bounds found for the degrees of nilpotence of R and R[R, R]e R are best possible. We also examine the situation where R is graded by a finite group and only the identity component of either S or K is assumed to be nilpotent. We conclude by looking at some questions related to the Nagata-Higman theorem.
Normalization of two-channel microarrays accounting for experimental design and intensity-dependent relationships

In normalizing two-channel expression arrays, the ANOVA approach explicitly incorporates the experimental design in its model, and the MA plot-based approach accounts for intensity-dependent biases. However, both approaches can lead to inaccurate normalization in fairly common scenarios. We propose a method called efficient Common Array Dye Swap (eCADS) for normalizing two-channel microarrays that accounts for both experimental design and intensity-dependent biases. Under reasonable experimental designs, eCADS preserves differential expression relationships and requires only a single array per sample pair.
Laminaria, induced fetal demise and misoprostol in late abortion

Objectives: To analyze and determine the safety and effectiveness of induced fetal demise as an adjunctive method in outpatient abortion for patients with advanced pregnancies and to evaluate the independent effect of intrauterine misoprostol administered after amniotomy in late abortion. Methods: During a 9-year period, 1677 abortions were performed for patients whose pregnancies ranged from 18 through 34 menstrual weeks in an outpatient facility. Of these, 832 were performed by one physician. Techniques for performing all the abortions included induction of fetal demise by intrauterine fetal injection of digoxin and/or hyperosmolar urea, serial multiple laminaria treatment of the cervix, amniotomy, oxytocin induction of labor, and assisted delivery or surgical evacuation of the fetus and placenta. In the last 411 of the 832 patients whose abortions were performed by one physician, misoprostol was placed in the lower uterine segment following amniotomy in order to enhance labor induction, cervical ripening, and fetal expulsion. Results: Of the entire group of 1677 cases, the median gestational age was 22 menstrual weeks. The median procedure time for all cases was 10 min. Measured median blood loss was 125 ml. Blood loss and procedure time increased with length of gestation, but these were not affected by misoprostol. There were three major complications (0.2%) in the overall series. Among patients seen by one physician (N=832), amniotomy-to-procedure time was shorter by 26 min for patients receiving misoprostol, and there was 27% more variability in amniotomy-to-procedure time among patients not receiving misoprostol. Complication rates for patients receiving misoprostol were the same as for those not receiving misoprostol. There were no major complications in the 832 patients seen by one physician, no uterine rupture or perforations, and no cervical lacerations. Conclusions: Outpatient abortion may be performed safely from 18 through 34 menstrual weeks using combined surgical and medical procedures. Use of intrauterine post-amniotomy misoprostol was associated with reduced amniotomy-to-procedure time and reduced variability in the amniotomy-to-procedure time.
A New Genus of Podostemaceae from Venezuela

Abstract. The new genus Autana C. T. Philbrick and species A. andersonii C. T. Philbrick are illustrated and described. The new species is documented from four rivers that drain into the Orinoco River, Amazonas, Venezuela. Autana is distinguished by three characters that do not occur in other Neotropical Podostemaceae. The upper surface of the flattened stem has an anastomosing pattern that is derived from a continuation of leaf margins. When the capsule is mature, the pedicel apex (and receptacle) is swollen and hollow. After anthesis, locations where the deciduous stamens attached become darkened and shaped like an inverted teardrop. Phylogenetic analyses indicate A. andersonii is sister to a clade containing species of Castelnavia Tul. & Wedd., Oserya Tul. & Wedd., Noveloa C. T. Philbrick, and Rhyncholacis Tul., as well as upright stemmed species of Apinagia Tul., and Central American and Mexican species of Marathrum Bonpl.
Associations among Name Writing and Alphabetic Skills in Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Children at Risk of School Failure

Associations among children’s writing and alphabetic skills were examined in a sample of 502 prekindergarten children who were at risk of academic failure because they came from poor families, spoke a language other than English at home, or had an identified disability. In this sample of children at risk of school failure, 16% had an identified disability and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Children’s name writing skills in prekindergarten were compared with their letter knowledge and word decoding skills in prekindergarten and kindergarten. Two writing scores reflected the overall quality of children’s writing and children’s use of letters. By the end of prekindergarten, almost half of children wrote their first names correctly, and two thirds used only letters when writing their name. Children’s name writing in prekindergarten was associated, concurrently, with letter and word decoding skills. Children’s use of letters when writing their name in prekindergarten predicted growth of emergent liter...
Effects of single and combined Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccinations on blood electrolytes and acid-base balance in commercial egg-laying hens

A previous study from our laboratory on F-strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum-inoculated layers showed a significant increase in arterial partial pressure of oxygen (pO(2)), which is generally associated with an oxygen-dependent improvement in tissue oxygenation. The aim of this study was to determine whether a killed (bacterin) and live TS-11-strain M. gallisepticum (TS-11-MG) vaccine treatment combination could further enhance the arterial pO(2) levels in layer chickens. The experiment was conducted in 2 trials and arranged in a completely randomized experimental design with 4 treatments. The treatments consisted of a control M. gallisepticum, bacterin, TS-11-MG, and bacterin + TS-11-MG combined, with all treatments receiving the R low strain of MG at 30 wk of age (WOA). In each of the 2 trials, 160 one-day-old MG-free pullets were raised to 10 WOA and were transported to a poultry disease isolation facility. Sixteen isolation units were divided into 4 treatment groups, and each of the 4 treatment groups had 4 replication units, with 10 birds/unit (40 birds/treatment). Venous blood samples were collected at the termination of the study at 56 WOA. The TS-11-MG-vaccinated chickens had a higher (P ≤ 0.05) blood pO(2) and a lower (P ≤ 0.05) partial pressure of CO(2) when compared with the control and combined MG-vaccinated groups. However, no significant blood pO(2) differences were observed between the bacterin and TS-11-MG treatment groups. Hematocrit and blood concentrations of hemoglobin were not statistically different among treatments, but were numerically higher in the TS-11-MG treatment group. There was a significant (P ≤ 0.05) treatment effect on blood concentrations of Na(+), Ca(2+), and anion, but no significant effect on glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, or osmolality. These data suggest that the inoculation of layers with TS-11-MG was more effective in elevating pO(2) than was inoculation with TS-11-MG + bacterin combined.
Anti-serendipity: finding useless documents and similar documents

The problem of finding your way through a relatively unknown collection of digital documents can be daunting. Such collections sometimes have few categories and little hierarchy, or they have so much hierarchy that valuable relations between documents can easily become obscured. We describe here how our work in the area of term-recognition and sentence-based summarization can be used to filter the document lists that we return from searches. We can thus remove or downgrade the ranking of some documents that have limited utility even though they may match many of the search terms fairly accurately. We also describe how we can use this same system to find documents that are closely related to a document of interest, thus continuing our work to provide tools for query-free searching.
Care of diabetes in pregnancy

Diabetes, whether existing before pregnancy or brought on by changes in maternal physiology, poses risks to the mother and developing fetus. Excellent preconceptional and pregnancy care can help to minimize, or even to eliminate, these risks. This article reviews the problems that are associated with diabetes in pregnancy and evidence-based strategies to avoid them.
Molecularly thin lubricant layer contact model accounting for interfacial slip

A model is presented that accounts for contact with a molecularly thin lubricant layer confined between a rigid sphere and flat substrate. The sphere is moving at a high lateral velocity inducing high shear rates and a significant increase of lubricant viscosity. Interfacial slip is modeled based on experimental and molecular dynamics data and includes effects of lubricant morphology and chemistry. The model is used to interpret experimental measurements of viscosity and slip and express them as functions of shear rate. These data can then be used in a typical head-disk interface in magnetic storage.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
New Indices of Money Supply and the Flexible Laurent Demand System

The article begins by surveying the existing results on the new Divisia monetary aggregates. Charts display the differences in behavior between the Divisia aggregates and the Federal Reserve's official simple-sum monetary aggregates. The article then compares system-wide fit for the simple-sum and Divisia monetary aggregates when used as data in the joint estimation of a system of demand equations. The demand system is derived from a new Laurent expansion approximation to the reciprocal indirect utility function. The Laurent expansion provides a better-behaved remainder term than that of the more commonly used Taylor series. The results favor the Divisia aggregates.
DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF ACTIVATION OF PERIPHERAL AND SPINAL TACHYKININ NEUROKININ3 RECEPTORS ON THE MICTURITION REFLEX IN RATS

ABSTRACTPurpose: We clarified the roles of tachykinin neurokinin (NK)3 receptors in the bladder or spinal cord for control of the micturition reflex in rats.Materials and Methods: In female rats under urethane anesthesia repetitive bladder contractions were elicited by saline infusion into the bladder through intravesical bladder catheters. The effects of peripheral receptor activation were first examined by topical application of the tachykinin NK3 receptor agonist [MePhe7]-NKB (Calbiochem, Darmstadt, Germany) in normal rats and rats pretreated with capsaicin (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Missouri) 4 days before the experiments. Subsequently the effects of spinal NK3 receptor activation were examined by intrathecal administration of [MePhe7]-NKB via implanted intrathecal catheters. The effects of the tachykinin NK3 receptor antagonist SB235375 and the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone on changes in bladder activity induced by [MePhe7]-NKB were also investigated.Results: Topical application of [MePhe7...
Interference in a Glucose Dehydrogenase–Based Glucose Meter

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)1 has issued a second alert to warn of serious errors with certain blood glucose–monitoring strips that use glucose dehydrogenase pyrroloquinoline quinine (GDH-PQQ) methods (1). Various nonglucose sugars, including maltose, galactose, and xylose, increase the glucose concentrations reported by these methods. Nonglucose sugars are present in a variety of pharmaceutical preparations(1), including Extraneal (icodextrin) peritoneal dialysis solution(2) and various immunoglobulin preparations(3). At least 13 deaths associated with erroneous meter measurements of glucose in patients receiving such pharmaceutical preparations have been reported to the FDA. A 76-year-old man at our institution had 3 blood glucose readings that unexpectedly were >22.2 mmol/L (>400 mg/dL) on a point-of-care (POC) testing meter that used a GDH-PQQ method (Roche Accu-Chek Inform). By contrast, glucose measurements made with a hexokinase method (Abbott Architect) at about the same times were in the range of 7.2–11.2 mmol/L (129–202 mg/dL), suggesting the possibility of a positive interference in the POC method. The patient’s medication list contained none of the pharmaceutical preparations listed in the FDA alert as producing interference in the POC testing method and none that were known to contain nonglucose sugars. In a search for other sources of interfering compounds that might contribute to this patient’s high …
Nanosecond Radar Observations of the Ocean Surface from a Stable Platform

To obtain information on the potential usefulness of a radar altimeter as a remote ocean sensor, an experimental description of the ocean radar reflectivity is needed. This can be derived from an investigation of the electromagnetic impulse response of the sea surface at vertical incidence over a wide range of sea state conditions. For this purpose, Naval Research Laboratory has assembled a 1-ns radar and placed it on the Chesapeake Light Tower where, with a moderate antenna size, high spatial resolution is obtained. By recording the return over several minutes, the radar reflection from different portions of the vertical water wave structure is measured. The average radar returns then present the effective impulse response of the ocean. Simultaneously with the radar measurements, wave staff measurements of the water wave structure are obtained so that the relation between the geometric and electromagnetic surface distribution can be established. Preliminary results are shown without interpretations to show the effectiveness of a nanosecond radar to measure the ocean surface characteristics.
The Third Component – Our Reviewers

The number three is important in so many ways. Atoms have three constituents (protons, neutrons, and electrons). Foods contain three major substances (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats). Religions teach us about the three patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), the three wise men, and the three holy cities (Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem). In philosophy, we have Aristotle’s three unities (action, time, and place). The United States government has three major branches (legislative, judicial, and executive). The American Society of Echocardiography embraces three fundamental components for quality in echocardiography (laboratory accreditation, sonographer credentialing, and physician training). I could go on and on and on. In my last two Editor’s pages, I discussed why readers and authors are so important to the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography (JASE). In the remaining installment of this particular trilogy, I want to focus on the third key component necessary for the success of our Journal our peer reviewers. What is Peer Review? As the term implies, this involves review of submitted papers by the author’s “peers” (that is to say, other investigators), who serve as advisors (sometimes termed “referees”). In general, peer review is a process whereby submitted written work, being considered for publication or funding, is reviewed by experts in the field in order to provide constructive feedback to the editors, and ultimately to the authors. In the case of a scientific journal such as JASE, the editors certainly pay careful attention to the recommendations of reviewers as they make ultimate decisions on which manuscripts to accept for publication, and which to decline. How does Peer Review Work? In a perfect world (at least, a perfect world as seen through the eyes of a journal editor), each newly submitted manuscript is sent for review by experts who understand the importance of the study, are highly knowledgeable in the techniques used in the study, understand the relevance of the findings in the context of other publications on the same or related topics, and are savvy and perceptive clinicians who understand the novelty and clinical importance of the findings. In a perfect world, reviewers are unbiased, open-minded, and able to consider new information in a critical scientific manner, even if it contradicts “common wisdom”. Ideal reviewers are also sophisticated in statistical analysis. They are always able to provide rapid, eloquent, and constructive comments so that editors can make the right decisions. In a perfect world, reviewers never fail to respond to an invitation to review, always complete their work in 14 days or less, and always write critiques that are detailed (but compact), balanced and articulate. They not only point out shortcomings and suggest ways to overcome them, but also make clear recommendations to the editors regarding the paper’s ultimate suitability for publication, and provide the editors with a clear rationale for those recommendations. In this
Market failures and barriers as a basis for clean energy policies

Abstract This paper provides compelling evidence that large-scale market failures and barriers prevent consumers in the United States from obtaining energy services at least cost. Assessments of numerous energy policies and programs suggest that public interventions can overcome many of these market obstacles. By articulating these barriers and reviewing the literature on ways of addressing them, this paper provides a strong justification for the policy portfolios that define the “Scenarios for a Clean Energy Future,” a study conducted by five National Laboratories. These scenarios are described in other papers published in this special issue of Energy Policy .
Government Research Establishments, State Capacity and Distribution of Industry Policy in Britain

HEIM C. E. (1988) Government research establishments, state capacity and distribution of industrial policy in Britain, Reg. Studies 22, 375–386. Location decisions concerning government research establishments are examined to understand why defence and civil establishments were concentrated in the South in the late 1940s when regional policy to disperse economic activity was being actively promoted by the Labour Government. World War Two, while increasing state capacity generally, strengthened individual departments within central government with opposing views on regional policy, thus having both positive and negative implications for pursuit of particular policies such as distribution of industry. Defence departments and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, favouring southern locations, generally prevailed over the Board of Trade. The major exception—the National Mechanical Engineering Laboratory sent to Scotland—owed its location to political pressure more difficult to mobilize for oth...
Practice-based evidence for outpatient, acceptance & commitment therapy for veterans with chronic, non-cancer pain

Abstract Past research has shown that Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) compares favorably with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the treatment of chronic pain among different populations. However, practice-based evidence comparing ACT and CBT to treat chronic, non-cancer pain solely among a Veteran population is lacking. The current pilot study used a quasi-experimental, single-site, pre-/post-test design. A sample of 96 Veterans participated in the study at a Midwestern Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center between November 3, 2009–November 4, 2010. Veterans self-selected to participate in either a manualized ACT or CBT for chronic pain group. All participants completed a standard pre- and post-intervention assessment battery. A 2×2 RM MANOVA did not find a significant interaction effect nor a significant main effect for type of intervention. The ACT intervention was not significantly different from the CBT intervention on the standard outcome measures. Findings did suggest that both groups decreased illness-focused coping strategies, catastrophizing behaviors, and global distress levels over time. Further research is needed to help identify a tailoring variable that can provide guidance in developing adaptive and/or sequential treatment strategies.
Trajectories of marijuana use from adolescence to adulthood as predictors of unemployment status in the early forties

Objectives To study the degree to which individuals in different trajectories of marijuana use are similar or different in terms of unemployment status at mean age 43. Methods We gathered longitudinal data on a prospective cohort taken from a community sample (N = 548). Forty-nine percent of the original participants were females. Over 90% of the participants were white. The participants were followed from adolescence to early midlife. The mean ages of participants at the follow-up interviews were 14.1, 16.3, 22.3, 27.0, 31.9, 36.6, and 43.0, respectively. We used the growth mixture modeling (GMM) approach to identify the trajectories of marijuana use over a 29-year period. Results Five trajectories of marijuana use were identified: chronic users/decreasers (8.3%), quitters (18.6%), increasing users (7.3%), chronic occasional users (25.6%), and nonusers/experimenters (40.2%). Compared with nonusers/experimenters, chronic users/decreasers had a significantly higher likelihood of unemployment at mean age 43 (adjusted odds ratio = 3.51, 95% confidence interval = 1.13–10.91), even after controlling for the covariates. Conclusions and Scientific Significance The results of the associations between the distinct trajectories of marijuana use and unemployment in early midlife indicate that it is important to develop intervention programs targeting chronic marijuana use as well as unemployment in individuals at this stage of development. Results from this study should encourage clinicians, teachers, and parents to assess and treat chronic marijuana use in adolescents. (Am J Addict 2016;XX:1–7)
Novel Method to Synthesize Ceria Coated Silica particles

Monodispersed ceria coated silica particles were prepared by a new type of ceria precursor. The ceria precursor was synthesized by alkoxide method, which employs ethanol as solvent. The synthesized particles were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that well-crystalline ceria coatings were deposited on the surface of the silica particles without post-heat treatment. In addition, the coated particles prepared by a new precursor were uniformly dispersed without the formation of hard aggregate as compared to those obtained by conventional method.
Archimedes' Quadrature of the Parabola Revisited

(1998). Archimedes' Quadrature of the Parabola Revisited. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 71, No. 2, pp. 123-130.
Animosities in Yugoslavia before its demise: Revelations of an opinion poll survey

Contrary to the widespread opinion that hatred and mutual dislike among various ethnic groups was a chief characteristic of Yugoslavia and was at the bottom of the country’s destruction, the ethnic...
Effect of surface mobility on the uniformity of a thin film under a bubble.

The shape of a soap bubble placed on a solid surface is familiar to everyone—a thin hemispherical dome that thickens near the solid surface. This structure is stabilized by the balance between the ...
Status Quo of Home-equipped Sphygmomanometers and Their Application in Beijing

Background " China Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension in 2010" suggests uses of upper- arm full- or semi- automatic electronic sphygmomanometers. Objective To understand the status quo of home- equipped sphygmomanometer and its application. Methods A self- designed questionnaire survey was carried out by convenience sampling method in inhabitants aged 20 ~ 79 years in Beijing in March 2013. Results 3 297 inhabitants were investigated from 29 streets and 9 towns. Sphygmomanometers were equipped in 50. 0%( 1 650 cases) families. The families equipped with desk mercurial sphygmomanometers,upper- arm electronic sphygmomanometers,wrist electronic sphygmomanometers accounted for 43. 3%( 714 cases),40. 1%( 661 cases),16. 0%( 264 cases). 27. 1% inhabitants believed that upper- arm sphygmomanometers were the most appropriate tool for home blood pressure measurement. Unconditioned Logistic regression analysis showed that residence,age,educational level,hypertension,awareness of sphygmomanometers were influencing factors of home- equipped upper- arm electronic sphygmomanometers( P 0. 05). Totally 1 236 inhabitants had blood pressure measurements,accounting for 74. 9% of the families equipped with sphygmomanometers,37. 5% of the total respondents. 38. 3%( 473cases) inhabitants could measure blood pressure correctly by themselves. Conclusion Beijing inhabitants do not cognize enough that home self- measurement of blood pressure should choose upper- arm electronic sphygmomanometer,so its equipment rate is low,the correct rate of self- measurement is low.
Contributing Factors of Adult Adoptees’ Identity Work and Self-Esteem: Family Communication Patterns and Adoption-Specific Communication

ABSTRACTDrawing from family communication patterns (FCP) theory and the communication-based conceptual model of adoptive identity work (Colaner & Soliz, 2015), we investigated the ways that families’ adoption-focused communication and general communication environment predict identity work and self-esteem in adult adoptees (n = 143). Specifically, we tested the assumption that FCP (i.e., conversation and conformity orientation) serve as a backdrop for adoption communication openness and adoptive identity work. Structural equation modeling revealed that conversation orientation—but not conformity orientation—significantly predicted adoptive parents’ communicated openness about adoption. Adoption communication openness negatively predicted adoptees’ preoccupation with adoption. Indirect paths between conversation orientation, adoption communication openness, and adoptive identity and self-esteem illuminated the importance of the general communication environment on adoption outcomes. Implications are explor...
Fast phase stabilization of a low frequency beat note for atom interferometry

Atom interferometry experiments rely on the ability to obtain a stable signal that corresponds to an atomic phase. For interferometers that use laser beams to manipulate the atoms, noise in the lasers can lead to errors in the atomic measurement. In particular, it is often necessary to actively stabilize the optical phase between two frequency components of the beams. Typically this is achieved using a time-domain measurement of a beat note between the two frequencies. This becomes challenging when the frequency difference is small and the phase measurement must be made quickly. The method presented here instead uses a spatial interference detection to rapidly measure the optical phase for arbitrary frequency differences. A feedback system operating at a bandwidth of about 10 MHz could then correct the phase in about 3 μs. This time is short enough that the phase correction could be applied at the start of a laser pulse without appreciably degrading the fidelity of the atom interferometer operation. The phase stabilization system was demonstrated in a simple atom interferometer measurement of the 87Rb recoil frequency.
Effect of Backup Detection Levels in P-Median Formulations for Optimal Placement of Detectors in Mitigation Systems

Abstract This work considers optimization formulations for optimal placement of detectors in mitigation systems. Considering independent detector failure probability leads to a mixed-integer stochastic programming formulation with nonlinear terms. Our problem formulation differs from others in that it explicitly considers different backup detection levels, allowing an approximation where the maximum degree of the nonlinear products considered can be determined by the modeller. Since these are products of probabilities, it is possible to select a level of redundancy that gives a reasonable accuracy while reducing the complexity of the MINLP. In this paper we analyse the effect of reducing the number of detection levels using real data for the gas detector placement problem. For the problem, our results show that there is minimal deterioration of the optimal objective as a result of this reduction.
Executing and Documenting a CI Study

Fieldwork is time-consuming and expensive, developing a systematic plan for fieldwork, which assures the objectives are met as smoothly as possible. While visiting users of medical devices there are expectations. These expectations cannot be overlooked, as they may be the fundamental requirements for admission. These may include providing a proof of credentialing, signing in at a specific location within a hospital, appropriate dress, and the recognition that breaks may be delayed or nonexistent. Additionally, the process of conducting a study internationally is discussed in detail.
Inequality, Institutions, and Long-Term Development: A Perspective from Brazilian Regions

In this chapter, we present evidence on the relationship between inequality and long-term development using data on different Brazilian regions. Our empirical approach is developed within a constant de jure institutional environment—Brazil—accounting for possible differences in the de facto institutional environments (Brazilian states) rooted in distinct colonial experiences. New inequality indicators are constructed from scratch for Brazilian municipalities in 1920. Our econometric analysis indicates a positive robust relationship between economic inequality and long-term development indicators for Southeastern states (Sao Paulo, the center of coffee production in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and a state with a large influx of European immigrants, which became the most dynamic Brazilian state; and Minas Gerais, the center of the gold cycle, shaped also by cattle farming and coffee production); no significant relationship for Pernambuco (a Northeastern state, representative of the old agrarian structure of colonial sugar plantations); and a positive relationship for Rio Grande do Sul (a Southern state, with a colonial experience more similar to that of the USA and Canada). We found no evidence of a robust relationship between the percentage of eligible voters and long-term development, a surprising result in light of the evidence provided in development literature, but likely consistent with a politically captured system with very low levels of enfranchisement.
Heating Reduces Proso Millet Protein Digestibility via Formation of Hydrophobic Aggregates.

Proso millet protein has reported structural similarities with sorghum. In order to explore the potential of this crop as an alternative protein source for people with gluten sensitivity, in vitro protein digestibility was analyzed. Dehulled proso millet flour was subjected to various processing techniques (dry heating and wet heating). Regardless of the processing technique there was a significant decline in digestibility of protein in proso millet flour when compared with unprocessed flour (from 79.7 ± 0.8% to 42.0 ± 1.2%). Reduced digestibility persisted even when cooking with reducing agents. Heating in the presence of urea (8 M) and guanidine-HCl (4.5 M) prevented the reduction in observed digestibility (urea cooked 77.4 ± 0.8%; guanidine HCl cooked 84.3 ± 0.9%), suggesting formation of hydrophobic aggregates during heating in water. This was supported by an increase in surface hydrophobicity upon cooking. Thus, the proso millet protein, termed panicin, forms hydrophobic aggregates that are resistant...