cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
64 Linking statewide hospital admission and mortality datasets to investigate events after opioid-related hospitalizations in pennsylvania

The burden of opioid misuse relies upon information from one surveillance system. Linked data systems to describe the natural history of opioid misuse are needed to clarify the patterns of risk for opioid users. Methods The project linked hospital admission and mortality statewide data systems in Pennsylvania from 2000–2014 to identify a cohort of subjects with an index opioid-related hospital admission. Index cases were identified from the first presence of ISW7 ICD-9-CM opioid code in a primary or secondary diagnosis field. The risk for subsequent admission (2000–2014) and mortality (2000–2010) and patterns in readmission and underlying cause of death was assessed. 1 73 849 index cases were identified; of whom 1 03 312 were re-hospitalised, and 17 975 died. Results 53% of the cohort was identified as having a subsequent hospital admission (for any cause) in the follow-up period. The average time to the next admission was 1.2 years, and the probability of being re-admitted in the first year was 33%. This pattern did not change over time of enrollment in the cohort. About 10% of the cohort from 2000–2010 had died by the end of 2010, with a mean time to death of 11 months following the baseline hospital admission. 800 subjects died at the baseline hospital admission. Drug-related deaths (defined by CDC ICD-10 codes) represented 20% of all causes of death in the cohort. The probability of dying the first year following the index admission was 2% and did not change over time. Death rates varied markedly by age group, with high PMRs for drug-related deaths in the younger age groups (15–44 years). Conclusions Health care use and mortality is significant and elevated in persons with an initial opioid hospital admission. Significance Linked surveillance data provide depth to describe the natural history of opioid misuse and the risk for mortality.
“Face Lifting” of the Newborn Chest-Surfactant and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Important recent advances have been made in the management of newborn infants with respiratory distress. Few therapeutic maneuvers have had a greater impact than surfactant and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Surfactant is a relatively inexpensive drug, administered quite easily through an endotracheal tube, and has had its greatest impact on the premature infant population in whom ECMO is usually contraindicated. Conversely, ECMO is a highly advanced, expensive, time and staff intensive, technically demanding procedure used mostly in full-term babies.
Transforming a Family Medicine Residency Into a Community-Oriented Learning Environment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Improvement in population health has become a key goal of health systems and payers in the United States. Because 80% of health outcomes are driven by social determinants of health beyond medical care and health care access, such improvements require attention to factors outside of the conventional areas of expertise for clinicians. Yet primary care physicians often graduate from training programs with few skills in population and community health. METHODS In 2011, the University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine began transformative work to become a Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (DFMCH). As part of this effort, educators in the department addressed deficiencies in its residency's community and population health curriculum by implementing curricular change and faculty development. A set of guiding principles, "Three Community Health Responsibilities for Family Doctors," was developed to provide background and structure to current and future work. RESULTS An annual program evaluation survey was administered to faculty and residents between 2012 and 2016. Respondents reported a significant increase in their understanding of population and community health over the prior year in each year this was assessed (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Community and population health principles have become part of the fabric of the entire residency curriculum in the DFMCH. Faculty development was a key part of this work and will be integral to sustaining improvements.
Tiling the Plane

But let us return to ordinary geometry. Among the host of geometric figures around us, the regular polygons have always played a special role. A polygon (from the Greek words polys = many and gonon = angle) is a closed planar figure made up of straight line segments. A regular polygon is a polygon whose sides and angles are all equal. The simplest regular polygon is the equilateral triangle; next comes the square, followed by the pentagon, the hexagon, and so on. As we saw in Chapter 1, the Greeks were particulary interested in these regular polygons and used them to find an approximation for the number π. They knew, of course, that there exist infinitely many of these polygons; that is, for any given integer n ≥ 3, there exists a regular polygon having n sides—an “n-gon”, as mathematicians say.
PROTEOLYTIC EVENTS IN VIRAL REPLICATION

The role of protein processing in animal virus and bacteriophage replication is reviewed. Examples are used from various virus groups of protein cleavage in regulation of viral assembly, maturation and genome replication. Evidence is presented for a role of host cell proteases, and for induction of viral-specific proteases. The structures of cleavage sites in viral precursor proteins are compared. Inhibition of viral proteolysis by alteration of the substrates and by inactivation of proteases is described.
Modeling head-on crash severity on NCDOT freeways: a mixed logit model approach

This study employs a mixed logit model approach to evaluate contributing factors that significantly affect the severity of head-on crashes. The head-on crash data are collected from Highway Safety ...
Factors Associated With the Highest and Lowest Cited Research Articles in Urology Journals

Abstract Objective To determine what factors of published urology research articles are associated with future citations. Methods We identified all primary research articles published between 1997 and 2007 in Journal of Urology, British Journal of Urology International, Urology, and European Urology. Only 50 articles in this period had accrued 0 or 1 citation in a 10-year period following publication. We compared the characteristics of the articles in the low citation cohort to the 50 articles with the highest number of citations from the same journals and time period. Student's t tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, chi-squared tests, and Fisher's exact tests were used to analyze the data with predetermined level of significance set to P Results There were many significant differences between the 2 cohorts. When compared to the cohort of articles with 0 or 1 citation, highly cited articles were significantly more likely to be a clinical study, multi-institutional and multinational effort, and related to the field of urologic oncology. They were also significantly more likely to have a larger sample size, a statistically significant primary finding, more authors, more references, and more tables, as well as longer title, abstract, and overall manuscript word counts. Conclusion Very few articles published in the major urology journals accrued 0 or 1 citation over a 10-year period. This suggests that the vast majority of articles selected for publication are used for further future research. Nevertheless, there were distinct differences between the 2 cohorts, showing that certain factors are associated with articles being cited more frequently.
Communication Partner Training to Increase Interactive Communication Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication: A Case Study

Purpose The purpose of this clinical focus article was to assess the communication partner's (CP) perception regarding the effectiveness of a CP training model to support augmentative and alternati...
Alternative logics: A Discursive approach to normative and alternative organizing:

The marketization of nonprofit organizations is often taken for granted as an inevitable fact. Drawing on the institutional logics and discursive resources perspective, I examine the organizing pra...
Categorical mirror symmetry on cohomology for a complex genus 2 curve

Abstract Motivated by observations in physics, mirror symmetry is the concept that certain manifolds come in pairs X and Y such that the complex geometry on X mirrors the symplectic geometry on Y. It allows one to deduce symplectic information about Y from known complex properties of X. Strominger-Yau-Zaslow [61] described how such pairs arise geometrically as torus fibrations with the same base and related fibers, known as SYZ mirror symmetry. Kontsevich [43] conjectured that a complex invariant on X (the bounded derived category of coherent sheaves) should be equivalent to a symplectic invariant of Y (the Fukaya category, see [9] , [29] , [49] , [1] ). This is known as homological mirror symmetry. In this project, we first use the construction of “generalized SYZ mirrors” for hypersurfaces in toric varieties following Abouzaid-Auroux-Katzarkov [6] , in order to obtain X and Y as manifolds. The complex manifold is the genus 2 curve Σ 2 (so of general type c 1 0 ) as a hypersurface in its Jacobian torus. Its generalized SYZ mirror is a Landau-Ginzburg model ( Y , v 0 ) equipped with a holomorphic function v 0 : Y → C which we put the structure of a symplectic fibration on. We then describe an embedding of a full subcategory of D b C o h ( Σ 2 ) into a cohomological Fukaya-Seidel category of Y as a symplectic fibration. While our fibration is one of the first nonexact, non-Lefschetz fibrations to be equipped with a Fukaya category, the main geometric idea in defining it is the same as in Seidel's construction for Fukaya categories of Lefschetz fibrations in [55] and in Abouzaid-Seidel [3] .
Does the Arab region have an agrarian question

Discussion on food sovereignty and agro-ecology, and Anglophone rural sociology have blind spots when it comes to the Middle East/North African (Arab) region. This article explores them; outlines s...
Terahertz emission from YBa2Cu307−δ thin films via bulk electric qyadrupole optical rectification

The generation of subpicosecond terahertz bandwidth radiation via the illumination of nonlinear materials with visible femtosecond pulses is of interest both as a spectroscopic source and as a probe of the electronic and vibrational properties of materials. Previous studies have included terahertz emission from semiconductors1 where such emission is the result of optical rectification and/or the evolution of a transient photogenerated current.23 Terahertz emission has recently been observed from superconducting (T < Tc) YBa2Cu3O7 thin films configured as biased antennas4 and unbiased in a magnetic field.5 We describe here the first observation of terahertz emission from unbiased YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) thin films. These films are excited by 150 fs, 1.5 eV, and 3.0 eV, optical pulses for a range of temperatures, T, 4 K < T < 300 K and for a range of oxygen doping from optimally doped (δ = 0) to insulating (δ = 0.8). We demonstrate that this emission is generated by optical rectification due to the bulk electric quadrupole source term, comprising the first observation of such a source term in terahertz emission.
A single-source shortest path algorithm for dynamic graphs

Graphs are mathematical structures used in many applications. In recent years, many applications emerged that require the processing of large dynamic graphs where the graph’s structure and properti...
Structural and Optical Response of Polymer-Stabilized Blue Phase Liquid Crystal Films to Volatile Organic Compounds.

Engineering useful mechanical properties into stimuli-responsive soft materials without compromising their responsiveness is, in many cases, an unresolved challenge. For example, polymer networks f...
Unsettling as agency: unsettling settler colonialism where you are

A great deal of recent sociological scholarship in Canada has examined the ‘unsettling' process motivating non-Natives or ‘settlers' to act in solidarity with Indigenous movements and their experie...
A Board and Projects for an FPGA/Microcontroller-Based Embedded Systems Lab

Harvey Mudd College has developed a sixth-generation circuit board with an FPGA and microcontroller for an embedded systems laboratory course. Students begin by assembling and testing their circuit board, then complete a series of laboratory projects with the chips. The course concludes with an open-ended team-based design project.
Using Technology to Address Individual Differences in Learning

This chapter addresses an important educational problem: the need to capitalize on the affordances of twenty-first-century technology and emerging assessment methods to design learning environments that are sensitive to learners’ individual differences in motivation, affect, and cognition. To help address this problem, we review relevant research on individual differences in learning relative to (a) processes that fluctuate during learning and can be influenced by just-in-time instructional manipulations (e.g., cognitive load, confusion, engagement) and (b) states that remain relatively stable but may influence affective, motivational, and cognitive processing (e.g., domain knowledge, visuospatial abilities, working memory capacity). Discussion of recent empirical work on adaptive learning technologies provides examples of design solutions to account for state and process differences among learners. We conclude the chapter with a review of the Universal Design for Learning framework and promising directions for research and design focusing on individual differences in learning.
Type A Aortic Dissection With Cerebral Malperfusion: New Insights.

Background Management of type A aortic dissection with cerebral malperfusion poses a significant challenge. Although involvement of craniocervical vessels is undoubtedly critical, it is not well investigated in the surgical literature. Methods Between 1997 and 2019, 775 patients presented with acute type A aortic dissection and 80 (10%) with cerebral malperfusion. All patients were transferred from outside institutions. Medical records and imaging studies were retrospectively reviewed. Results Fifty-nine patients (74%) underwent an open repair, 2 (3%) had an endovascular aortic repair, 2 (3%) had carotid stenting, and 18 (23%) received nonoperative management. In-hospital mortality of all comers was 40.0%, and 81.3% were neurology related. Among the 45 patients (56%) in whom cerebrocervical imaging studies were available, 11 (24%) had an internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion and 28 (62%) had a common carotid artery (CCA) occlusion without ICA involvement as the culprit lesion. Six comatose patients (55%) were in the ICA group and 10 comatose patients (36%) in the CCA group (P = .28). All patients with ICA occlusion developed cerebral edema and herniation syndrome regardless of the management and died. In contrast 79% of patients with unilateral or bilateral CCA occlusion survived to hospital discharge (P Conclusions ICA occlusion in the presence of type A aortic dissection may be a surrogate marker for dismal neurologic outcomes regardless of the surgical approach, whereas CCA occlusion or comatose state should not preclude surgical candidacy. A prompt neck computed tomography angiography may be warranted in patients with cerebral malperfusion.
Automated Detection of Drift in Deep Learning Based Classifiers Performance Using Network Embeddings

In supervised learning, neural network generalize, or learn, based on various statistical properties of the training data. Typically, an unseen randomly sampled test set is used to estimate the performance (e.g., accuracy) of the neural network during deployment time. The performance on the test set is used to project the performance of the neural network at deployment time under the implicit assumption that the data distribution of the test set represents the data distribution at deployment time.
In vitro evaluation of grapevine endophytes, epiphytes and sap micro-organisms for potential use to control grapevine trunk disease pathogens.

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) threaten the economic sustainability of viticulture worldwide causing a significant reduction of both yields and quality of grapes. Biological control presents a promising sustainable alternative to cultural and chemical methods to mitigate the effects of pathogens causing GTDs, including Botryosphaeria dieback, Eutypa dieback and Esca. This study aimed to identify naturally occurring potential biological control agents from a variety of grapevine tissues, including sap, cane and pith and evaluate their antagonistic activity against selected fungal pathogens responsible for GTDs in vitro. Bacterial and fungal isolates were preliminary screened in vitro to determine their antifungal activity via a dual culture assay against Neofusicoccum parvum and Eutypa lata. Among the fungal isolates, Trichoderma spp. inhibited E. lata mycelial growth up to 64% and N. parvum mycelial growth up to 73% with overgrowth and stopped growth being the likely antagonistic mechanisms. Among the bacterial isolates, Bacillus spp. inhibited E. lata mycelial growth up to 20% and N. parvum mycelial growth up to 40%. Select antagonistic isolates of Trichoderma, Bacillus and Aureobasidium spp. were subject to further dual culture antifungal analysis against Diplodia seriata and Diaporthe ampelina, with Trichoderma isolates consistently causing the greatest inhibition. Volatile organic compound antifungal analysis revealed that these Trichoderma isolates resulted significantly inhibited mycelial growth of N. parvum, E. lata and D. ampelina causing up to 20.11%, 60.55% and 70.9% inhibition respectively (P[≤]0.05). Multilocus sequence analysis revealed that the Trichoderma isolates are most closely related to Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma hamatum. This study identifies grapevine sap as a novel source of potential biological control agents for control of GTDs to support existing efforts to control GTDs. Further testing will be necessary to fully characterize these microbes mode of antagonism and assess their efficacy for pruning wound protection in planta.
Postacute Cognitive Rehabilitation for Adult Brain Tumor Patients

Intrinsic brain tumors often occur within functional neural networks, leading to neurological impairment and disability of varying degrees. Advances in our understanding of tumor-network integration, human cognition and language processing, and multiparametric imaging, combined with refined intraoperative tumor resection techniques, have enhanced surgical management of intrinsic brain tumors within eloquent areas. However, cognitive symptoms impacting health-related quality of life, particularly processing speed, attention, concentration, working memory, and executive function, often persist after the postoperative recovery period and treatment. Multidisciplinary cognitive rehabilitation is the standard of care for addressing cognitive impairments in many neurological diseases. There is promising research to support the use of cognitive rehabilitation in adult brain tumor patients. In this review, we summarize the history and usefulness of postacute cognitive rehabilitation for adult brain tumor patients.
A method of treatment of multiple unilateral earlobe clefts

Multiple clefts of an earlobe are a unique problem that may well rise in incidence as a consequence of the changing tides of fashion, since currently adornment with multiple pierced earrings in bot...
Selection and Management of Natural Service Sires in Dairy Herds

Dairymen and veterinary consultants alike should be aware of the unique management factors associated with use of bulls in dairies as compared to beef herds, as well as the additional safety concerns. Management factors that should be considered when using bulls in dairies include the high calcium, high energy and relatively lower fiber rations of lactating dairy cows, the use of potentially high risk by-product feed ingredients such as cottonseed, and the potentially harmful effects of confinement housing and concrete on estrus detection and service rate. Other considerations are general health, difference in average age of bulls being used as compared to beef herds, and the resulting issues regarding libido, and the potentially high risk of turnover in service sires as a result of the combination of these factors. The objective of this paper is to provide veterinarians with information to help dairy producers improve the management of their natural service sire programs. While this paper doesn’t discuss the specific economic costs associated with use of natural service sires, it does offer suggestions to improve the efficiency of their use.
A Cooperative Game Theory-based Approach to Compute Participation Factors of Distributed Slack Buses

The conventional power flow analysis utilizes a single slack, reference, or swing bus. The use of similar formulation when performing power flow analysis may not necessarily result in minimum cost of generation and minimum power loss. Distributed slack buses, which are used to distribute the slack power (power mismatch) among different voltage controlled buses, can solve such a problem and reduce the cost of generation and power loss. This paper proposes a co-operative game theory-based approach to calculate active power participation factors to distribute slack active power among different participating generators. In the first stage, the worth (or value) of individual participating generators and their coalitions are computed. In the second stage, the Shapley value, one of the solution concepts of cooperative game theory, is used to calculate the participation factors of individual participating generators. Case studies on IEEE 14- and 30-bus systems show that the cost of generation and power loss are reduced and voltage profile is improved in case of systems with distributed slack buses compared to that with a single slack bus.
Applicability of Long Short-Term Memory Traffic Volume Imputation Model to Drive Connected Corridor Simulation

For effective implementation of connected corridor applications, it is imperative to study the characteristics of the high-resolution connected corridor data streams leveraged in smart city applications. In a previous effort, a smart city application – real-time corridor data-driven traffic simulation model, i.e. Digital Twin – is developed. Investigation of the corridor volume data streams revealed the presence of data gaps. To address the data gaps, deep Long Short-Term Memory Recurrent Neural Network univariate and multivariate volume imputation models are developed. In this paper, the impact of the developed model imputations on the digital twin generated travel times are investigated. Simulation runs are conducted for two scenarios – typical and atypical (holiday) traffic, for three volume input cases: base data (original volumes), univariate model imputations, and multivariate model imputations. Results indicated that: 1) the travel times generated using multivariate imputations are closer to the travel times generated using base data, 2) the impact of imputations on travel times is more focused on congested routes, and 3) the impact on travel time is minimal despite input volume overestimation on routes that have capacity to accommodate higher volumes. These finding demonstrate the need to prioritize data streams based on the given application and underlying corridor conditions.
Neutrons Emitted in Spontaneous Fission of Cm 246

The value of $\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ for $^{246}\mathrm{Cm}$ was found to be 3.20 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.22 in a B${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$ proportional counter calibrated with a $^{252}\mathrm{Cf}$ standard.
DNA methylation detection: bisulfite genomic sequencing analysis

DNA methylation, which most commonly occurs at the C5 position of cytosines within CpG dinucleotides, plays a pivotal role in many biological procedures such as gene expression, embryonic development, cellular proliferation, differentiation, and chromosome stability. Aberrant DNA methylation is often associated with loss of DNA homeostasis and genomic instability leading to the development of human diseases such as cancer. The importance of DNA methylation creates an urgent demand for effective methods with high sensitivity and reliability to explore innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Bisulfite genomic sequencing developed by Frommer and colleagues was recognized as a revolution in DNA methylation analysis based on conversion of genomic DNA by using sodium bisulfite. Besides various merits of the bisulfite genomic sequencing method such as being highly qualitative and quantitative, it serves as a fundamental principle to many derived methods to better interpret the mystery of DNA methylation. Here, we present a protocol currently frequently used in our laboratory that has proven to yield optimal outcomes. We also discuss the potential technical problems and troubleshooting notes for a variety of applications in this field.
Coupled Spin Relaxation in Polymers

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Spin–Lattice Relaxation of 13CH2 3 Obtaining Motional Information from Coupled Spin Relaxation Data 4 Experimental Methods for Polymer Studies 5 Results from Polymer Studies 6 Biographical Sketch Related Articles
Random Walks and Diffusions on Fractals

We investigate the asymptotic motion of a random walker, which at time n is at X(n), on certain “fractal lattices”. For the “Sierpinski lattice” in dimension d we show that as l → ∞, the process Yl(t) ≡ X([(d+3)l t])/2l converges in distribution (so that, in particular, |X(n)| ~ nγ, where γ = (ln 2)/ln(d + 3)) to a diffusion on the Sierpinski gasket, a Cantor set of Lebesgue measure zero. The analysis is based on a simple “renormalization group” type argument, involving self-similarity and “decimation invariance”.
Can an evidential account justify relying on preferences for well-being policy?

Policy-makers sometimes aim to improve well-being as a policy goal, but to do this they need some way to measure well-being. Instead of relying on potentially problematic theories of well-being to justify their choice of well-being measure, Daniel Hausman proposes that policy-makers can sometimes rely on preference-based measures as evidence for well-being. I claim that Hausman’s evidential account does not justify the use of any one measure more than it justifies the use of any other measure. This leaves us at a loss as to which policy should be chosen in the non-trivial cases for which there is substantial disagreement between the different measures in their assessment of policy.
Requirement of STE50 for Osmostress-Induced Activation of the STE11 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase in the High-Osmolarity Glycerol Response Pathway

Exposure of yeast cells to increases in extracellular osmolarity activates the HOG1 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade, which is composed of three tiers of protein kinases: (i) the SSK2, SSK22, and STE11 MAP kinase kinase kinases (MAPKKKs), (ii) the PBS2 MAPKK, and (iii) the HOG1 MAP kinase. Activation of the MAP kinase cascade is mediated by two upstream mechanisms. The SLN1-YPD1-SSK1 two-component osmosensor activates the SSK2 and SSK22 MAPKKKs by direct interaction of the SSK1 response regulator with these MAPKKKs. The second mechanism of HOG1 MAP kinase activation is independent of the two-component osmosensor and involves the SHO1 transmembrane protein and the STE11 MAPKKK. Only PBS2 and HOG1 are common to the two mechanisms. We conducted an exhaustive mutant screening to identify additional elements required for activation of STE11 by osmotic stress. We found that strains with mutations in the STE50 gene, in combination with ssk2Delta ssk22Delta mutations, were unable to induce HOG1 phosphorylation after osmotic stress. Both two-hybrid analyses and coprecipitation assays demonstrated that the N-terminal domain of STE50 binds strongly to the N-terminal domain of STE11. The binding of STE50 to STE11 is constitutive and is not affected by osmotic stress. Furthermore, the two proteins relocalize similarly after osmotic shock. It was concluded that STE50 fulfills an essential role in the activation of the high-osmolarity glycerol response pathway by acting as an integral subunit of the STE11 MAPKKK.
Recognition of Toxoplasma gondii by TLR11 Prevents Parasite-Induced Immunopathology

TLRs are thought to play a critical role in self/non-self discrimination by sensing microbial infections and initiating both innate and adaptive immunity. In this study, we demonstrate that in the absence of TLR11, a major TLR involved in recognition of Toxoplasma gondii, infection with this protozoan parasite induces an abnormal immunopathological response consisting of pancreatic tissue destruction, fat necrosis, and systemic elevations in inflammatory reactants. We further show that this immunopathology is the result of non-TLR dependent activation of IFN-γ secretion by NK cells in response to the infection. These findings reveal that in addition to triggering host resistance to infection, TLR recognition can be critical for the prevention of pathogen-induced immune destruction of self tissue.
Transesophageal echocardiography assisted retrieval of embolized inferior vena cava stent

A 32-year-old male with Budd-Chiari syndrome and stenosis of the inferior vena cava presented to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. Two contiguous, 14 mm, overlapping (joined) Palmaz stents were placed across the area of stenosis in the inferior vena cava. The stents later embolized to the left pulmonary artery and were retrieved nonsurgically over a Grollman balloon catheter with transesophageal echocardiographic assistance. This case report highlights the advantages and limitations of transesophageal echocardiographic assistance in such a procedure. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cataloging Contemporary Music Manuscripts and Related Materials

Abstract Our cataloging community currently lacks guidelines for cataloging unpublished contemporary music, whether manuscript, photocopy, or computer printout. This article explains the usefulness of such guidelines and examines the relevance of similar existing standards. It also describes the results of an examination of recent Library of Congress descriptive cataloging for such materials, to determine patterns of consistent practice as well as areas of the record and types of information that are handled inconsistently.
Evaluating the Economic Significance of Sharks, Skates, and Rays (Elasmobranchs) in Prehistoric Economies

Establishing the significance of elasmobranchs in ancient economies is complicated by a variety of biological and taphonomic problems that hinder NISP, MNI, and weight measures and comparisons with other fish or faunal classes. To help address these problems, we present length and live weight estimates for 53 elasmobranch specimens, along with bone weight to edible meat weight ratios for 38 specimens. We argue that quantification is best accomplished using NISP and MNI measures in conjunction with meat weight estimates obtained from modern specimens. These data illustrate the importance of using multiple quantitative measures (i.e., NISP, MNI, weight, etc.) when evaluating the economic significance of various taxa within faunal assemblages.
Gateless Computing using N-Manakov Solitons

Despite the fantastic rate at which silicon-based technologies have been progressing, there are several fundamental limitations which suggest that this progress cannot continue without bound. Even within the next decade or two these factors may start to become a real hindrance, and so interest in alternative technologies, such as quantum and DNA computing, has been growing.
Acoustic Study of B Helical Mode for Choked Axisymmetric Nozzle

An acoustic near-field study was performed for an axisymmetric conical convergent nozzle operating at a pressure ratio corresponding to a fully expanded Mach number of 1.3. The acoustic measurements were performed in the nozzle exit plane using multiple sensors arranged around the periphery of the nozzle. The acquired data were simultaneously digitized. The acoustic spatial characteristics, describing the large-scale structure associated with the preferred shear layer instability mode, were determined for the dominant B screech mode. The nozzle was fitted with a lip thickening device to determine the effect of this geometric variable on the spatial structure of the jet. For the thin-lipped configuration, the flapping structure of the B screech mode was found to precess in a time- dependent manner about the jet axis. Increasing of the nozzle exit lip thickness altered the spatial characteristics of this mode from a flapping to a time-dependent flapping or spinning. Using the autobicoherence spectrum, frequency dependencies were found to exist in the acoustic data of the thick-lipped configuration. These dependencies may be related to the nonlinearity of the jet and/or the time-dependent nature of the B mode spatial structure.
Structures and crystal chemistry of ordered spinels: LiFe5O8, LiZnNbO4, and Zn2TiO4

Abstract The structures of the title materials have been refined by time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction. LiFe5O8, P 4332, a = 8.3185(1) A; LiZnNbO4, P 4322, a = 6.0804(1), c = 8.3988(1) A; ZnTi2O4, P4322, a = 5.9927(1), c = 8.4266(2) A. All three materials have structures that are ordered derivatives of the ideal spinel structure. Bond lengths are analyzed in terms of bond valences. Modifications to the "equal valence rule" [I. D. Brown, Acta Crystallogr. Sect. B 35, 1305 (1977)] for predicting bond lengths in crystals are shown to be necessary in oxides of early transition elements.
An empirically-based rationale for a spiritually-integrated psychotherapy

In this paper, we offer an empirically-based rationale, for a particular kind of psychotherapy, spiritually-integrated psychotherapy. Drawing on several lines of research we note that: (1) spirituality can be a part of the solution to psychological problems; (2) spirituality can be a source of problems in and of itself; (3) people want spiritually sensitive help; and (4) spirituality cannot be separated from psychotherapy. We then discuss the defining characteristics of spiritually-integrated psychotherapy. It is based on a theory of spirituality, empirically-oriented, ecumenical, and capable of integration into virtually any form of psychotherapy. The paper concludes by considering potential problems associated with spiritually-integrated psychotherapy, including the risks of trivializing spirituality as simply a tool for mental health, reducing spirituality to presumably more basic motivations and drives, imposing spiritual values on clients, and overstating the importance of spirituality. Perhaps the g...
Assessing thermochromatography as a separation method for nuclear forensics: current capability vis-à-vis forensic requirements

Nuclear forensic science has become increasingly important for global nuclear security. However, many current laboratory analysis techniques are based on methods developed without the imperative for timely analysis that underlies the post-detonation forensics mission requirements. Current analysis of actinides, fission products, and fuel-specific materials requires time-consuming chemical separation coupled with nuclear counting or mass spectrometry. High-temperature gas-phase separations have been used in the past for the rapid separation of newly created elements/isotopes and as a basis for chemical classification of that element. We are assessing the utility of this method for rapid separation in the gas-phase to accelerate the separations of radioisotopes germane to post-detonation nuclear forensic investigations. The existing state of the art for thermochromatographic separations, and its applicability to nuclear forensics, will be reviewed.
Assimilation and seasonal forecasts of SST and upper ocean temperatures using satellite and ARGO data base

A combination of current operational global atmospheric and oceanic data sets and those from ARGO oceanic floats provided a unique opportunity for data assimilation and seasonal forecasts. This study explores predictability of monsoonal component of the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) called the Intraseasonal Oscillation (ISO). The results of the inclusion versus non-inclusion of the ARGO temperature profile data sets are presented here where all other data sets are retained. Somewhat robust seasonal prediction of the ISO wave was possible from the inclusion of ARGO profile data sets. These results show very reasonable amplitudes and the meridional phase speed propagation for the monsoonal intraseasonal oscillation on seasonal time scale predictions. Such results were noted both in the atmospheric motion field (the 850 hPa level zonal winds) but also in the subsurface thermal fields of the Indian Ocean. These subsurface temperature structures were not known in previous studies that bring in a new aspect of the coupled nature of the ISO.
Acoustic power radiated from point-forced thin elastic plates

The acoustic power radiated from a point-excited damped infinite thin plate with and without air loading (in vacuum) is obtained through numerical integration of the acoustic power integral. In those frequency ranges where the effects of air loading are not important, a closed form solution for the acoustic power is derived through direct integration of the theoretical surface acoustic intensity distribution. Three simplified power expressions are given corresponding to frequencies below coincidence, above coincidence and near coincidence. The specific contribution to the total power due to the propagating portion of the vibratory response and non-propagating or flexural near field portion of vibratory response are also studied. It is shown that (1) except at extremely low frequency or near the coincidence frequency, the effects of air loading may be neglected, and (2) when the air loading can be neglected at low frequency the propagating portion and the near field portion of the response produce the same amount of acoustic power, and the power is independent of frequency and structural damping. Above the coincidence frequency the acoustic power produced by the propagating portion of response is dominant, and depends on both damping and frequency.
Tool wear and profile development in contour grinding of optical components

Abstract Wear induced changes in grinding tool profile have been studied for a CNC contour grinding process designed for the fabrication of precision optical components. Tool profile was measured experimentally by examining the “footprint” left by the tool when subsequently fed into a prepared surface. A numerical model was developed to predict detailed tool profiles as a function of the process parameters and total removal. Wear caused the development of approximately flat bevels on tools initially trued to a spherical shape, changing both the height and position of the lowest cutting point on the tool, with the potential to produce significant profile errors on the workpiece surface. The observation of approximately flat tool bevels was also used to develop an analytic solution for the tool shape evolution. With this analytic approximation contact height and width can be readily estimated and could be incorporated into an algorithm to adjust the tool path.
Contingent Capital as an Asset Class

Contingent capital has been embraced recently by regulators with the purpose to increase loss-absorption capacity of a “too important to fail” bank. However, investors have not understood well enough how the risk of contingent capital is analyzed. The author illustrates how the risk is examined and how contingent claims are priced in a uniform asset pricing framework. He demonstrates that contingent capital is not only an important component in regulatory capital but also has rich features as an asset class for investors, particularly in times of stress.
High and rapid hydrogen release from thermolysis of ammonia borane near PEM fuel cell operating temperatures: Effect of quartz wool

Abstract Ammonia borane (NH3BH3, AB), containing 19.6 wt% hydrogen, is a promising hydrogen storage material for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEM FC) powered vehicles. We recently demonstrated that using quartz wool, the highest H2 yield (2.1–2.3H2 equivalent) values were obtained by neat AB thermolysis near PEM FC operating temperatures, along with rapid kinetics, without the use of either catalyst or chemical additives. It was found that quartz wool minimizes sample expansion and facilitates the production of diamoniate of diborane (DADB), which is a key intermediate for the release of hydrogen from AB. It was also found that only trace amount of ammonia (
The price of liquidity: CD rates charged by money market funds.

Abstract We examine the cost of liquidity in rates on CDs purchased by money market funds (MMFs). We find no evidence that rates vary directly with the size of CDs. However, we do find that large MMFs receive higher rates on large CDs than small MMFs. This suggests banks pay for (potential) liquidity.
What are the 1-year mortality rates for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair?

Abstract Introduction: Most quality of care studies that have analyzed administrative databases have only been able to examine inpatient mortality—which may be a limitation for procedures whose inpatient mortality rates are low. In response, some researchers have examined longer term mortality outcomes (e.g. 30-day), but the available databases only pertain to non-representative segments of the population (i.e. Medicare patients, or Veterans), or cancer registries. In this study, we use a newly developed database to examine the 1-year mortality rates for two vascular surgery procedures. Importantly, the data is population-based, and therefore generalizable. Methods: The OSHPD database (1995–1999), which reports all California inpatient discharges, was linked to the State Death File in order to study mortality outcomes beyond hospital discharge. CEA and AAA procedures were identified by ICD-9 codes and the rates of inpatient and 1-year mortality were assessed. Analyses were performed for each procedure, as well as for elective and emergent cases. Results: For all CEA procedures (n = 44601), the inpatient and 1-year mortality rates were 0.8% and 5.8%, respectively. For emergent cases, the inpatient and 1-year mortality rates were 1.57% and 9.19% (which represents a 5.8-fold increase), while that for elective cases were 0.5% and 5.4% (a 9.7-fold increase). Finally, the CEA inpatient mortality rate for all patients accounts for only 14% of all CEA deaths at 1 year. For all AAA procedures, (n = 16114), the inpatient and 1-year mortality rates were 12.8% and 18.8%. The inpatient and 1-year mortality rates for emergent cases were 28% and 37.1% (a 1.3-fold increase), while for elective cases, they were 4.5% and 9.7%, respectively (a 2.15-fold increase). Contrary to CEA procedures, the AAA inpatient mortality rate for all-comers accounts for 68% of the AAA deaths at 1 year. Conclusions: Our study uses a novel database linkage and reports inpatient and 1-year mortality rates for two common vascular surgical procedures (i.e. CEA and AAA). This analysis provides meaningful data because of the ability to examine outcomes beyond hospital discharge. Future studies will examine the longer-term mortality rates of other common surgical procedures.
The postmodern object: Commodities, fetishes and signifiers in Donald Barthelme's writing

Summary It is commonly assumed that realism depends on a particularly close relation between signs and the objects they claim to represent. Yet objects have increasingly dominated postmodernist art: does this indicate a return to “realism"? A survey of objects in the writing of Donald Barthelme indicates the opposite. The relation between word and thing has mutated so that words in Barthelme's texts create or even become things, while things in their turn become empty signs. The hierarchy on which realism rests (that the object precedes its representation) is reversed. Such a reversal characterises not only postmodern art, but the entire postmodern condition, according to Jean Baudrillard, who argues that semiology now plays the role that political economy did in the past. It is a mistake to consider objects in postmodernist art as representations of something outside themselves. The correlation that exists between word and thing in Barthelme's work is not the result of textual realism, but is the effect ...
Understanding affluent adolescent adjustment: The interplay of parental perfectionism, perceived parental pressure, and organized activity involvement.

Abstract This cross-sectional study examined relations between affluent adolescent adjustment and culturally salient factors within parent–child relationship and extracurricular domain. Bootstrapping techniques evaluated mediated effects among parental perfectionism, perceived parental pressure, intensity of organized activity (OA) involvement, and adolescent adjustment (i.e., depressive and anxiety symptoms, life satisfaction) within a sample of 10th graders and their parents ( n = 88 parent–child pairs) from four high schools in affluent communities. Findings indicated that adolescents with more perfectionistic parents perceived more parental pressure and experienced poorer adjustment. Results also demonstrated that affluent adolescents who perceived more parental pressure were more intensely involved in OAs, but that higher OA intensity was linked to better adjustment. Findings highlight the importance of considering parental perfectionism when understanding adolescent behaviors and psychological outcomes, confirm the negative direct effects of parental pressure on adjustment, and corroborate prior research dispelling that highly intense OA involvement is linked to adolescent maladjustment.
Asymptotic analysis of active scattering resonances for large spheres

An asymptotic analysis of plane-wave electromagnetic scattering from a large active dielectric sphere predicts the existence of anomalous resonances occurring at discrete wavelengths. These resonances can be understood from a leaky wave phase matching boundary condition. Experiments verify the existence of these resonances for large dielectric spheres varying in size and dye concentration. The measured spacing between resonant modes has been compared with asymptotically calculated mode spacing. The resonant peaks are shown to correspond to the natural modes of oscillation of a dielectric sphere, and excellent correlation is found between experimental and theoretically predicted spectra.
Relative growth within the human first upper permanent molar during the prenatal period

Twelve measurements were made on each of thirty-one developing human M1 tooth germs: width across the mesial and distal parts of the crown; length of the buccal and lingual portions of the tooth; height of buccal cusps; diameters of buccal and lingual root openings; distance between the tips of the main cusps. Double logarithmic plots were made against mesial width and regression coefficients calculated. No change in slope was detected at the initiation of calcification. Regression against foetal age also showed no change of specific growth rate at this time, but very young specimens (< 25 weeks) had a higher growth rate. Significant differences in the specific growth rates of various measurements were found: the tooth grows faster in length than in width, and its distal portion grows faster than its mesial portion. Paracone height grows at the same rate as mesial crown width. The highest growth rates found were those of the intercuspal distances, the lowest those of the diameters of the root openings.