cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dental Disparities and Psychological Distress Among Mobility-Impaired Adults.

Introduction More than one in five American adults has a disability, the most common being mobility impairment (MI). People with MI face significant barriers to healthcare access and are more likely to experience psychological distress. This study examined disparities in access to medical and dental care among people with MI and examine the mediational role of psychological distress on this relationship. Methods Analyses were conducted on 36,697 adults (aged ≥18 years) responding to the 2014 National Health Interview Survey (analyzed in 2015). MI was defined as needing special equipment and having difficulty walking a quarter mile without equipment. Outcomes included having lost all natural teeth (edentulous), unmet dental needs, annual dental visit, and annual medical visit. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler psychological distress (K6) scale. Results Compared with adults without MI, adults with MI had greater odds of being edentulous (OR=2.10, 95% CI=1.82, 2.43), having unmet dental needs (OR=1.99, 95% CI=1.66, 2.40), and lower odds of having annual dental visits (OR=0.62, 95% CI=0.54, 0.71). However, adults with MI were significantly more likely to have annual medical visits (OR=2.31, 95% CI=1.90, 2.81) than adults without MI. Psychological distress partially, yet significantly, mediated the relationship between MI and outcomes. Conclusions People with MI have significant oral health needs and poor access to dental care, which are partially mediated by psychological distress. Results suggest that mental health services should be considered for inclusion in interventions and medical visits can be leveraged to improve oral health outcomes in this population.
Venture Labor| Entrepreneuring the Good Life? ― Introduction

Drawing on Gina Neff’s concept of venture labor as the “explicit expression of entrepreneurial values by non-entrepreneurs,” this research brings together voices from multiple social science perspectives including communication, sociology, and media studies. Together, the contributors grapple with how the work of media making is changing with the introduction of new media technologies, the economic ideologies that support the work of the production of popular communication, and the precarity of media work in a digital media landscape. The authors ask, What are the risks and rewards of tying an increasingly insecure form of work to economic risks, opportunities, and rewards, on the one hand, and the good life, on the other hand?
Transitional Justice: A Short Introduction

This chapter contains a brief discussion of the concept of transitional justice and of the transitional justice policies that are applicable to Chile. The chapter’s focus is on the main transitional justice policies implemented in Chile between 1990 and 2014 including amnesties, trials, truth and reconciliation commissions, reparations, apologies, and memorials. Additionally, the chapter discusses the scholarly contributions made by Steven Stern, Cath Collins, Kathryn Sikkink, Naomi Roht-Arriaza, Brian Loveman, and Elizabeth Lira among others.
User Experiences When Testing a Messaging App for Communication Between Individuals who are Hearing and Deaf or Hard of Hearing

This study investigated user experiences of participants testing a prototype messaging app with automatic speech recognition (ASR). Twelve pairs of participants, where one individual was deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH), and the other one was hearing used the app, with the hearing individual using speech and ASR and the DHH one using typing. Participants completed a standardized decision making task to test the app. Regardless of hearing status of the participants or the type of device used, participants were generally satisfied with the app. These findings indicate that ASR has potential to facilitate communication between DHH and hearing individuals in small groups and that the technology merits further investigation.
Joseph Hucks (1772-1800): Poet, Travel Writer, Coleridge’s Companion in Wales

Little is known of Joseph Hucks (1772–1800), despite the society he kept and the events for which he was present. He joined Samuel Taylor Coleridge, his friend from Cambridge, for a walking tour of...
Some Final Thoughts from This “Amateur” Astronomer on Mankind’s Imminent Discovery that We Are Not Alone in the Universe

My interest in astronomy began in the early 1950s when I was 10 years of age. Although I have been a devoted amateur astronomer all my life, I quickly learned that it would be necessary to find a real career that would “pay the mortgage”. Fortunately, when I started college I also became fascinated by the subjects of psychology and the brain sciences which led me to obtain a Ph.D degree and pursue a professional career in the neurosciences. However, I never gave up my astronomy hobby. For 46 years now I have been a somewhat weird combination of an amateur astronomer and a professional neuroscientist. In more recent years, with the advent of computers, rocket science, and the exciting new field of astrobiology, I have discovered that my being an amateur and not a professional astronomer has provided me with what I believe may be a unique and important advantage in my personal understanding of astronomy and the space sciences. I believe that, as an amateur, I am more in tune with what the average non-scientists or hobbyists (i.e. people who spend rather than receive monies for pursuing their interest in astronomy) think and believe about the new field of astrobiology. When I use the term “mind boggling” in my writings, I am not trying to be a funny brain scientist, but rather am relating more closely to how many of the average citizens of our planet respond to this very fascinating new science of astrobiology.
Biconnected structure for multi-robot systems

Many applications of distributed autonomous robotic systems can benefit from, or even may require, the team of robots staying within communication connectivity. For example, consider the problem of multirobot surveillance (Ahmadi & Stone 2006), in which a team of robots must collaboratively patrol a given area. If any two robots can directly communicate at all times, the robots can coordinate for efficient behavior. This condition holds trivially in environments that are smaller than the robots' communication range. However in larger environments, the robots must actively maintain physical locations such that any two robots can communicate -- possibly through a series of other robots. Otherwise, the robots may lose track of each others' activities and become miscoordinated. Furthermore, since robots are relatively unreliable and/or may need to change tasks (for example if a robot is suddenly called by a human user to perform some other task), in a stable multirobot surveillance system, if one of the robots leaves or crashes, the rest should still be able to communicate. Some examples of other tasks that could benefit from any pair of robots being able to communicate with each other, are multi-robot exploration, search and rescue, and cleaning robots. We say that robot R1 is connected to robot R2 if there is a series of robots, each within communication range of the previous, which can pass a message from R1 to R2. It is not possible to maintain connectivity in the face of arbitrary numbers of robot departures: if there are any two robots that are not within communication of one another and all other robots simultaneously depart, the system becomes disconnected. Thus we focus on the property of remaining robust to any single failure under the assumption that the team can readjust its positioning in response to a departure more quickly than a second departure will occur. In order for the team to stay connected, even in the face of any single departure, it must be the case that every robot is connected to each other robot either directly or via two distinct paths that do not share any robots in common. We call this property biconnectivity: the removal of any one robot from the system does not disconnect the remaining robots from each other.
ALMA Observations of the Spatial Distribution of three C$_2$H$_4$O$_2$ Isomers towards Sgr B2(N).

The C$_2$H$_4$O$_2$ isomers have been previously investigated primarily via disparate sets of observations involving single dish and array measurements. The only attempt at using a uniform set of observations was performed with the IRAM 30 m observation in 2013 (Belloche et al. 2013). In this study, we present an intensive and rigorous spectral and morphological analysis of the C$_2$H$_4$O$_2$ isomers towards Sgr B2(N) with interferometers, ALMA Band 3 observations. We propose a quantitative selection method, which automates the determination of the most uncontaminated transitions and allows us to report the discovery of previously undetected transitions of the three isomers. With the least contaminated transitions, the high spatial-resolution millimeter maps of the C$_2$H$_4$O$_2$ isomers reveal that HCOOCH$_3$ and CH$_2$OHCHO each display two different velocity components, while only one velocity component of CH$_3$COOH is resolved. Moreover, the distribution of HCOOCH$_3$ is extended and offset from the continuum emission, unlike CH$_2$OHCHO and CH$_3$COOH, for which the low-velocity component is found to be compact and concentrated toward the continuum emission peak of Sgr B2(N). The distinct morphologies of these C$_2$H$_4$O$_2$ isomeric species indicate that HCOOCH$_3$ have significant differences in chemical processes than CH$_2$OHCHO and CH$_3$COOH, which display similar spatial distributions.
Prognostic Factors in Dedifferentiated Chondrosarcoma: A Retrospective Analysis of a Large Series Treated at a Single Institution.

Background. Dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas (DDCSs) are highly malignant tumors with a dismal prognosis and present a significant challenge in clinical management. Methods. In an IRB approved retrospective protocol, we identified 72 patients with DDCS treated at our institution between 1993 and 2017 and reviewed clinicopathological characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes to analyze prognostic factors. Results. Femur (44.4%), pelvis (22.2%), and humerus (12.5%) were most commonly involved sites. Twenty-three patients (31.9%) presented with distant metastasis, and 3 (4.2%) of them also had regional lymph node involvement. The median overall survival (OS) was 13.9 months. On multivariate analysis, pathological fracture, larger tumor size, lymph node involvement, metastasis at diagnosis, extraosseous extension, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma component correlated with worse OS, whereas surgical resection and chemotherapy were associated with improved OS. For progression-free survival (PFS), pathological fracture and metastasis at diagnosis showed increased risk, while chemotherapy was associated with decreased risk. Among patients who received chemotherapy, doxorubicin and cisplatin were significantly associated with improved PFS but not OS. Among patients without metastasis at diagnosis, 17 (34.7%) developed local recurrence. Thirty-one (63.3%) developed distant metastases at a median interval of 18.1 months. On multivariate analysis, R1/R2 resection was related with local recurrence, while macroscopic dedifferentiated component was associated with distant metastasis. Conclusions. The prognosis of DDCS is poor. Complete resection remains a significant prognostic factor for local control. Chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cisplatin seems to have better PFS. More prognostic, multicenter trials are warranted to further explore the effectiveness of chemotherapy in selected DDCS patients.
Conceptualizing Incarcerated Coparenting Through a Structural Family Theory Lens

The incarceration of a family member often has repercussions in various facets of an individual’s life. In particular, the disruption of the coparenting relationship, by which parents negotiate rol...
Design of a laser rangefinder for Martian terrain measurements

Methods for using a laser for rangefinding are discussed. These are: (1) Optical Focusing, (2) the Phase Difference Method, and (3) Timed Pulse. For application on a Mars Rover, the Timed Pulse Method proves to be the better choice in view of the requirements set down. This is made possible by pulse expansion techniques described in detail. Initial steps taken toward building the range finder are given, followed by a conclusion which is actually a proposal for future steps.
A biclausal account of Clitic Left-Dislocations with epithets in Rioplatense Spanish

Clitic Left-Dislocations with Epithets in Rioplatense Spanish (CLLD+ep) are sentences with three apparently co-referential direct object constituents: a clitic-left-dislocated topic DP (DP-LD), a clitic (CL) and a post-verbal epithet (DP-ep). Previous studies have proposed that the DP-ep is licensed in-situ as Clitic Doubling and the DP-LD base-generated, or that the DP-ep and the DP-LD are licensed together in a predicative small clause doubled by the clitic. However, data where the DP-LD and the CL are singular but co-occur with a plural DP-ep cast doubt on previous analyses. Here, I explore an analysis of CLLD+ep as an underlyingly biclausal structure subject to deletions. The biclausal structure allows a plural epithet to refer to the plural restrictor set of a syntactically singular quantifier in a previous clause.
Flow Battery Control Strategy Implementation and Cost Benefit Analysis for Microgrid under Updated Time-of-Use Periods

This work demonstrates the control strategy for a precommercial flow battery in a microgrid system located at the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, in Havasu Lake CA. The control strategy aims at implementing demand reduction while handling the flow battery operational constraints under an updated time-of-use periods. Electric bill savings are analyzed under two different use cases for the microgrid system: 1) demand response savings supported by the flow battery energy storage, and 2) net metering aggregation savings from the over-produced solar generation. A cost-benefit comparison between the battery operation under the legacy and updated time-of-use periods reveals that energy storage contributes to higher benefit under the updated time-of-use rate periods.
Multi-scale Unrolled Deep Learning Framework for Accelerated Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Accelerating data acquisition in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been of perennial interest due to its prohibitively slow data acquisition process. Recent trends in accelerating MRI employ data-centric deep learning frameworks due to its fast inference time and ‘one-parameter-fit-all’ principle unlike in traditional model-based acceleration techniques. Unrolled deep learning framework that combines the deep priors and model knowledge are robust compared to naive deep learning based framework. In this paper, we propose a novel multiscale unrolled deep learning framework which learns deep image priors through multi-scale CNN and is combined with unrolled framework to enforce data-consistency and model knowledge. Essentially, this framework combines the best of both learning paradigms:model-based and data-centric learning paradigms. Proposed method is verified using several experiments on numerous data sets.
Essential Oil Components in Superabsorbent Polymer Gel Modify Reproduction of Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Ectobiidae)

The use of essential oil components (EOCs) against the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), has increasingly received attention from researchers. However, the determination of lethal doses/concentrations alone does not provide enough information on the range of biological effects of these EOCs. To improve our understanding of the potential effects of EOCs, we examined biological parameters of B. germanica exposed to sublethal EOCs formulated in gels. This study employed superabsorbent polymer (SAP) gel to prolong bioavailability of limonene, carvacrol, and β-thujaplicin, and evaluated how these EOCs shape biological parameters of B. germanica. Overall, median survival days ranged from 57 to 69.5 d for males and 73 to 99 d for females. The survival day ranking for the EOCs was limonene > β-thujaplicin > carvacrol. Carvacrol and β-thujaplicin gels reduced male longevity by at least 34 and 39%, respectively, while limonene had no effect. The longevity of females was reduced by limonene, but not by carvacrol and β-thujaplicin gels. EOCs significantly suppressed overall adult females' reproductive period, oothecal hatchability, reduced fecundity, and interoothecal period, but not the number of oothecae formed and egg incubation period. The preoviposition period (mean: 2-25 d) ranking was limonene < carvacrol < β-thujaplicin. Based on these results, limonene, carvacrol, and β-thujaplicin in SAP gels show promising potential to reduce adult male survival/longevity, suppress egg hatchability and female fecundity, and delay the interoothecal period. These findings may represent the basis for the practical use of EOCs as a tactic in integrated pest management systems for B. germanica.
How Criminal Organizations Expand to Strong States: Migrant Exploitation and Political Brokerage in Northern Italy

The widespread presence of criminal organizations in strong states presents a theoretical and empirical puzzle. How do criminal organizations — widely believed to thrive in weak states — expand to states with strong capacity? I argue that criminal groups expand where they can strike agreements with local actors for the provision of illegal resources they control, and that this practice is particularly profitable in strong states where costs from prosecution are higher. Using a novel measure of organized crime presence, I show that (1) increases in demand for unskilled labor — and in criminals’ capacity to fill it by exploiting migrants — allowed southern Italian mafias to expand to the north, and that (2) mafia expansion gave a persistent electoral advantage to political parties collaborating with them. This suggests the need to reconceptualize criminal organizations not only as substitutes for weak states but as complements to strong states.
Overexpression of miR-1306-5p, miR-3195, and miR-3914 Inhibits Ameloblast Differentiation through Suppression of Genes Associated with Human Amelogenesis Imperfecta.

Amelogenesis imperfecta is a congenital form of enamel hypoplasia. Although a number of genetic mutations have been reported in humans, the regulatory network of these genes remains mostly unclear. To identify signatures of biological pathways in amelogenesis imperfecta, we conducted bioinformatic analyses on genes associated with the condition in humans. Through an extensive search of the main biomedical databases, we found 56 genes in which mutations and/or association/linkage were reported in individuals with amelogenesis imperfecta. These candidate genes were further grouped by function, pathway, protein–protein interaction, and tissue-specific expression patterns using various bioinformatic tools. The bioinformatic analyses highlighted a group of genes essential for extracellular matrix formation. Furthermore, advanced bioinformatic analyses for microRNAs (miRNAs), which are short non-coding RNAs that suppress target genes at the post-transcriptional level, predicted 37 candidates that may be involved in amelogenesis imperfecta. To validate the miRNA–gene regulation association, we analyzed the target gene expression of the top seven candidate miRNAs: miR-3195, miR-382-5p, miR-1306-5p, miR-4683, miR-6716-3p, miR-3914, and miR-3935. Among them, miR-1306-5p, miR-3195, and miR-3914 were confirmed to regulate ameloblast differentiation through the regulation of genes associated with amelogenesis imperfecta in AM-1 cells, a human ameloblastoma cell line. Taken together, our study suggests a potential role for miRNAs in amelogenesis imperfecta.
A Partial Discharge Study of Medium-Voltage Motor Winding Insulation Under Two-Level Voltage Pulses With High Dv/Dt

Medium-voltage (e.g., 10 kV rated) silicon carbide (SiC) devices have great potentials in medium-voltage variable speed drives. But their high switching dv/dt can increase the voltage stress on motor windings and cause partial discharges. This paper presents a partial discharge study of a medium-voltage form-wound winding under two-level square-wave voltage pulses. A 10 kV SiC device-based test platform is built to generate voltage pulses with high dv/dt. A three-step test approach is proposed and employed to systematically investigate the effects of various voltage parameters on partial discharges. These include voltage rise/fall time, voltage pulse width, pulse repetitive rate, duty ratio, voltage polarity, fundamental frequency, and modulation index. Partial discharge inception voltages (PDIVs) and repetitive partial discharge inception voltages (RPDIVs) of the sample are measured with varied voltage parameters. Test results show that voltage rise/fall time is a major affecting factor which reduces PDIVs of the winding sample by 6.5% when it decreases from 800 ns to 100 ns. Based on test results, a hypothetical partial discharge mechanism is presented to explain the effects of fast voltage rise/fall edges. An empirical equation is also derived to estimate PDIVs of a winding sample under various voltage rise/fall time and pulse width conditions.
Queering the Climate

Many scholars offer diverse yet mutually reinforcing critiques of Euro-Western cultural constructions of masculinity. They note traits of maturity-as-separation, with male self-identity and self-esteem based on dominance, conquest, workplace achievement, economic accumulation, elite consumption patterns and behaviours, physical strength, sexual prowess, animal “meat” hunting and/or eating, and competitiveness. These traits represent discourses of appearances (strength and size), affects (work ethic and emotional strength), sexualities (queer or trans vs. cis-gendered heterosexual), behaviours (violent and aggressive), occupations (valuing career over family and housework), and dominations (subordination of women and children). In this chapter, I reject abstract individualism, noting that feminist eco-masculinities would recognise that all human identities and moral conduct are best understood through relational networks. I argue that these contra-hegemonic forms must be explored through cross-cultural and multicultural perspectives to protect against privileging any specific race, region, or ethnicity. Such eco-masculinities must recognise and resist the identity-shaping economic structures of industrial capitalism, its inherent rewards based on hierarchies of race/class/gender/age/ability/species/sex/sexuality, and its implicit demands for ceaseless work, production, competition, and achievement. With ecofeminist values at heart, the eco-masculinities proposed here reach beyond merely rejecting the bifurcation of hetero-gendered traits, values, and behaviours. Instead, they enact a diversity of ecological behaviours that celebrate and sustain biodiversity, ecological and interspecies justice, eco-eroticisms, ecological economics, playfulness, and direct action resistances to corporate capitalist eco-devastations.
Equilibrium Voluntary Disclosures when Firms Possess Random Multi-Dimensional Private Information

This paper presents an equilibrium model of voluntary disclosures for the seller of an asset who receives a random sample of information of random size about the asset’s value. Even though (a) antifraud rules prevent the seller from making false statements about the value of the items in his random sample, (b) all potential purchasers of the asset know that the seller’s random sample always contains at least one sample element, (c) all potential purchasers of the asset interpret the seller’s disclosure or nondisclosure in the same way, and (d) disclosure of any or all of the seller’s sample information generates no proprietary costs, we show that in equilibrium there is a positive probability that the seller will make no disclosure at all, and that, when the seller makes no disclosure, the nondisclosed information is not the worst possible sample information the seller could have had about the asset’s value. These results are contrasted with the “unravelling” result of [Grossman [1981]], [Grossman and Hart [1980]], and [Milgrom [1981]]. We show that, were potential purchasers of the asset to know the size of the seller’s random sample, “unravelling” (i.e., full disclosure) would occur. We conclude that the randomness of the seller’s sample size is key to determining the seller’s equilibrium voluntary disclosure strategy.
Early amino acids and the metabolic response of ELBW infants (≤ 1000 g) in three time periods

To evaluate early amino-acid (AA) administration in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants over three time periods, beginning with the initiation of this strategy. This was a retrospective study of ELBW infants between 2000 and 2007. Nutritional intake and laboratory results were monitored during the first 5 days of life. Growth rates and complications were followed until discharge. Infants were similar in birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA) and severity of illness. The age at initiation of AA decreased significantly over time. Age at weight nadir, return to BW and percent postnatal weight loss decreased in epoch 3. There were modest increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), but no significant metabolic disturbances were observed. Cholestasis was more prevalent in epoch 2. AA administration within the first hours of life appears to be safe and beneficial for ELBW infants. Absent signs of renal dysfunction, a modest rise in BUN is consistent with the neonate's utilization of AAs for energy.
Mass transfer in reacting systems near equilibrium: Use of the affinity function☆

Abstract Three problems involving reacting systems near chemical equilibrium are discussed: (1) evaluation of the phenomenological coefficient in the linear rate law for a diffusion limited catalytic reaction, (2) the augmentation of mass transfer resulting from reaction in the absence of convection and (3) extension of the augmentation theory to convective systems. In each case the affinity function is employed as the primary dependent variable to simplify the analysis.
A cosimulation approach to model-based design for complex power electronics and digital control systems

Simulation has played an important role in reducing design time and improving the reliability of power electronics systems. Over the years power electronics system diversity and complexity has grown to include subsystems which traditionally have used different modeling and simulation strategies, making the simulation of such systems difficult. This paper presents a standard simulation methodology for such complex power electronics systems based on cosimulation. This approach allows individual subsystems to be conveniently modeled in the most natural and trusted simulation environment. A simulation example of a four-phase buck converter employing digital control is provided. The power stage is modeled in Saber, and the digital controller is modeled in Saber, and the digital controller is modeled in Simulink using the Xilinx System Generator blockset. The Saber-Simulink cosimulation is used as the interface between the two engines. Xilinx System Generator is used to automatically generate synthesizable code for Xilinx FPGAs.
Analysis and detection of arcing faults in low-voltage electrical power systems

This work focuses on developing a more complete understanding of the properties of arcing fault waveforms in a 230 volt, three-phase electrical system and to detect them in a cost efficient way. Analysis of waveform properties of experimental arcing fault current waveforms revealed significant variations from an unfaulted system current. Using the results of the analysis of the data gathered from the experimental setup, an analog detector was developed and tested under faults with various loading conditions. >
Teaching Academic ESL Writing : Practical Techniques in Vocabulary and Grammar

Contents: Preface. Part I: Academic Text and Teaching Second Language Writing. The Importance of Text in Written Academic Discourse: Ongoing Goals in Teaching ESL Skills. Student Writing Tasks and Written Academic Genres. Curriculum for Teaching the Language Features of Academic Writing. Part II: Sentences and Their Parts: Lexis and Grammar. Sentences, Phrases, and Text Construction. Nouns and the Noun Phrase. More on the Noun Phrase: Pronouns. Teaching Verb Tenses and Voice in Text Cohesion. Lexical Classes of Verbs: Meanings and Text Functions. Adjectives and Adverbs in Academic Discourse. Part III: Text and Discourse Flow: The Sentence and Beyond. Backgrounding Discourse and Information: Subordinate Clauses. Rhetorical Features of Text: Cohesion and Coherence. Hedging in Academic Text in English.
Three-dimensional stereotactic neurosurgical planner/simulator

We have designed and implemented a computer-based system for three-dimensional stereotactic planning of minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures. The system integrates rapid acquisition of digital medical images, segmentation, multi-modality registration, and three-dimensional planning capabilities. Emphasis on real-time planning is central to our system: imaging, pre-processing and planning are performed on the morning of surgery in clinically useful times. We have tested the system on procedures such as needle biopsies, depth electrode placements, pallidotomies, thalamotomies and craniectomies for arteriovenous malformations, aneurysms and tumors. We describe in this paper the core algorithms of our system, and discuss issues related to implementation, validation and user acceptance.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Beta decay and spin of the Pr144 ground state

The suggested spin assignment of IO = 1 - for the ground state was tested by measuring the energy dependence of the BETA - gamma directional correlation of the (?) -- BETA 3 yields (2+) gamma 1 yields (0+) cascade. Experimental results for the anisotropy factor in the BETA - gamma directional correlation function agree very well with the correlation factor expected for a unique BETA -transition in a (0- ) - BETA /sub 2/ yields (2+) - gamma -- (O+cascade giving support to the previous 0- assignment for this state.
Isolation and characterization of bacteria capable of tolerating the extreme conditions of clean room environments

In assessing the bacterial populations present in spacecraft assembly, spacecraft test, and launch preparation facilities, extremophilic bacteria (requiring severe conditions for growth) and extremotolerant bacteria (tolerant to extreme conditions) were isolated. Several cultivation approaches were employed to select for and identify bacteria that not only survive the nutrient-limiting conditions of clean room environments but can also withstand even more inhospitable environmental stresses. Due to their proximity to spacefaring objects, these bacteria pose a considerable risk for forward contamination of extraterrestrial sites. Samples collected from four geographically distinct National Aeronautics and Space Administration clean rooms were challenged with UV-C irradiation, 5% hydrogen peroxide, heat shock, pH extremes (pH 3.0 and 11.0), temperature extremes (4°C to 65°C), and hypersalinity (25% NaCl) prior to and/or during cultivation as a means of selecting for extremotolerant bacteria. Culture-independent approaches were employed to measure viable microbial (ATP-based) and total bacterial (quantitative PCR-based) burdens. Intracellular ATP concentrations suggested a viable microbial presence ranging from below detection limits to 106 cells/m2. However, only 0.1 to 55% of these viable cells were able to grow on defined culture medium. Isolated members of the Bacillaceae family were more physiologically diverse than those reported in previous studies, including thermophiles (Geobacillus), obligate anaerobes (Paenibacillus), and halotolerant, alkalophilic species (Oceanobacillus and Exiguobacterium). Non-spore-forming microbes (α- and β-proteobacteria and actinobacteria) exhibiting tolerance to the selected stresses were also encountered. The multiassay cultivation approach employed herein enhances the current understanding of the physiological diversity of bacteria housed in these clean rooms and leads us to ponder the origin and means of translocation of thermophiles, anaerobes, and halotolerant alkalophiles into these environments.
On the 5-decomposition matrix for mclaughlin's sporadic simple group

(1986). On the 5-decomposition matrix for mclaughlin's sporadic simple group. Communications in Algebra: Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 277-291.
Progress on Stopped Light and Large-Delay Slow Light in Optical Fibers

Recently, slow light was achieved in room temperature optical waveguides, which is accelerating the transition of this technique to applications. This paper reviews recent progress in obtaining large optically-controllable slow-light delays.
Air filter materials, outdoor ozone and building-related symptoms in the BASE study

UNLABELLED Used ventilation air filters have been shown to reduce indoor environmental quality and worker performance and increase symptoms, with effects stronger after reaction of filters with ozone. We analyzed data from the US EPA Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE) study to determine if ozone and specific filter media have interactive effects on building-related symptoms (BRS). We analyzed a subset of 34 buildings from the BASE study of 100 US office buildings to determine the separate and joint associations of filter medium [polyester/synthetic (PS) or fiberglass (FG)] and outdoor ozone concentration (above/below the median, 67.6 microg/m(3)) with BRS. Using logistic regression models and general estimating equations, we estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals for the association of filter medium, ozone, and filter medium x ozone with BRS. Relative to FG + low ozone, PS alone or high ozone alone, were each significantly (P < 0.05) associated only with fatigue/difficulty concentrating (ORs = 1.93 and 1.54, respectively). However, joint exposure to both PS + high ozone, relative to FG + low ozone, had significant associations with lower and upper respiratory, cough, eye, fatigue, and headache BRS (ORs ranged from 2.26 to 5.90). Joint ORs for PS + high ozone for lower and upper respiratory and headache BRS were much greater than multiplicative, with interaction P-values <0.10. Attributable risk proportion (ARP) estimates indicate that removing both risk factors might, given certain assumptions, reduce BRS by 26-62%. These findings suggest possible adverse health consequences from chemical interactions between outdoor ozone and PS filters in buildings. Results need confirmation before recommending changes in building operation. However, if additional research confirms causal relationships, ARP estimates indicate that appropriate filter selection may substantially reduce BRS in buildings, especially in high-ozone areas. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The results indicate that a better understanding of how filters interact with their environment is needed. While the mechanism is unknown and these findings need to be replicated, they indicate that the joint risk of BRS from polyester/synthetic filters and outdoor ozone above 67.6 microg/m(3) is much greater than the risk from each alone. These findings suggest potential reductions in BRS from appropriate selection of ventilation filter media or implementing strategies to reduce ozone entrained in building ventilation systems. If the relationships were found to be causal, filter replacement and ozone abatement should be undertaken.
The effect of glass-forming sugars on vesicle morphology and water distribution during drying

Cryopreservation requires that stored materials be kept at extremely low temperatures and uses cryoprotectants that are toxic to cells at high concentrations. Lyopreservation is a potential alternative where stored materials can remain at room temperatures. That storage process involves desiccating cells filled with special glass-forming sugars. However, current desiccation techniques fail to produce viable cells, and researchers suspect that incomplete vitrification of the cells is to blame. To explore this hypothesis, a cell is modelled as a lipid vesicle to monitor the water content and membrane deformation during desiccation. The vesicle is represented as a moving, bending-resistant, inextensible interface and is tracked by a level set method. The vesicle is placed in a fluid containing a spatially varying sugar concentration field. The glass-forming nature is modelled through a concentration-dependent diffusivity and viscosity. It is found that there are optimal regimes for the values of the osmotic flow parameter and of the concentration dependence of the diffusivity to limit water trapping in the vesicle. Furthermore, it is found that the concentration dependencies of the diffusivity and viscosity can have profound effects on membrane deformations, which may have significant implications for vesicle damage during the desiccation process.
A study of microwave thermal emission from a subsurface object

A numerical study of microwave thermal emission from a finite-size buried object is described. Results show that emission from a finite-size object can exhibit properties similar to emission from a layered (i.e., horizontally infinite) model of the object, including an oscillatory behavior versus frequency. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 33: 9–12, 2002; DOI 10.1002/mop.10214
WE-C-BRB-09: Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Based Total Marrow Irradiation and Dosimetry Verification

Purpose: This study develops treatment planning and a comprehensive dosimetry verification procedure for volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT) based total marrow irradiation(TMI), a form of targeted total body irradiation(TBI). Methods: The simulation CT of 3 patients treated with TBI were used. Planning was done with Eclipse treatment planning system(Varian Medical Systems, CA). Planning volume(PTV) was defined as skeletal bone, rib, and sternum, with 3mm margin, from head to mid‐femur. In total marrow and lymphoid irradiation(TMLI), PTV is expanded to include spleen and major lymph nodes. The mandible, maxillary bones and forearms were excluded. The dose prescription was 12Gy in 6 fractions. The PTV is divided into head‐and‐neck(HN volumetric portal dosimetry show average 91% gamma passing rate and 2% absolute dose difference, compared to plan dose. Conclusions: Adequate target dose coverage and reduced normal organ dose are observed. A comprehensive dosimetry verification procedure is developed. The initial results are encouraging and warrant further investigation towards clinical implementation.
Extensive coronary dissection caused by balloon rupture at high pressure during stent deployment

A patient with severe stenosis of the right coronary artery underwent successful stent placement. During high pressure postdilatation, the balloon ruptured, causing an extensive proximal dissection of the right coronary artery managed with the deployment of several additional stents. Strategies aimed at avoiding or minimizing the consequences of high pressure balloon rupture are discussed. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
[2009] Exploring the Possible Past Futures of a Single Part Type Multi-core PIM Chip

Execube, a chip built in 1993, was most probablythe world's first true multi-core microprocessor, the world's first Processing-In-Memory chip built on a DRAM process, and oneof the earliest attempts to build a single part type chip out ofwhich larger parallel processors could be built. This paper looksback on that chip and explores what would have happened ifits development had continued through succeeding generationsof technology. Several different scenarios are explored, withdiscussions as to what the capabilities would have been, andwhere limitations would have surfaced.
Impact of pediatric ethics consultations on patients, families, social workers, and physicians.

Objective To evaluate whether health providers and families find ethics consultations helpful in identifying, analyzing, and resolving ethical problems. Study design Forty consecutive pediatric ethics consultations at the San Diego Children's Hospital and Health Center were evaluated retrospectively through chart reviews and structured interviews with physicians, social workers, and family members. Results In 23 of 40 cases, physicians or social workers were successfully interviewed. Of these 23 cases, four family interviews were completed. Over 90% of physicians and social workers found the ethics consultation to be helpful and would recommend an ethics consultation to others in the same circumstances. Two of the four families were strongly dissatisfied with the consultation and identified miscommunication of the ethics consultant's role as a major problem. Conclusion The disparity observed in this study between satisfaction levels of health providers and families raises concerns. More studies that evaluate ethics consultations are needed, especially those that are designed prospectively and explore both these perspectives.
Chronic electroconvulsive seizure up-regulates β-catenin expression in rat hippocampus: role in adult neurogenesis

Abstract Background Beta-catenin was discovered as a cytoskeletal protein, constituting a link between the cadherins to the actin cytoskeleton. Aside from this function, β-catenin is a key effector molecule in the Wnt signaling pathway, serving as a downstream transcription factor. Methods In this study, we examined the influence of electroconvulsive seizures (ECS) on the expression of β-catenin, as well as expression of Wnt-2, in rat hippocampus. Repeated administration of generalized seizures increased levels of β-catenin immunoreactivity in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus. To assess the relationship of β-catenin to cell division in the dentate gyrus of the adult rat hippocampus, colocalization of β-catenin with a marker of cell division was examined. Results Beta-catenin immunoreactivity was consistently localized in newborn cells in this region, indicating a possible role in cell division and differentiation in adult hippocampus. We also found that ECS treatment significantly increased levels of Wnt-2, one of the ligands that activates β-catenin signaling. Conclusions These results demonstrate that ECS increases Wnt-β-catenin signaling and suggest that this pathway could mediate in part the neuronal adaptations underlying the therapeutic action of this treatment paradigm.
Optimized Joint Timing Synchronization and Channel Estimation for OFDM Systems

This paper addresses training-sequence-based joint timing synchronization and channel estimation for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The proposed approach consists of three stages. First, a coarse timing offset estimate is obtained. Then an advanced timing, relative timing indices, and channel impulse response estimates are obtained by maximum-likelihood estimation based on a sliding observation vector. Finally, the fine time adjustment based on the minimum mean squared error criterion is performed. The simulation results show that the proposed approach has excellent performance of timing synchronization in several channel models at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) which is smaller than 1dB. Moreover, for a low-density parity-check coded 1x2 single-input multiple-output OFDM system with maximum ratio combining, zero bit-error-rate is achievable using our proposed approach when SNR exceeds 1dB.
Chelometric Titration of Trace Amounts of Metal Ions Employing Instrumentally Measured Fluorometric Endpoints

Abstract Trace amounts of metal ions which form stable complexes with EDTA at pH 4.0 have been titrated using morin as a fluorometric indicator. Back ticration of excess EDTA with Ga(III) and instrumental endpoint detection were employed for the determination of ions which are not normally determined by fluorometric methods. The continuous monitoring of the change in the fluorescence intensity throughout a deration also allowed mixtures of Ga(III) and In(III) to be determined when TTHA and EDTA were employed as double titrants.
A computer study of the effects of harmonicity in a brass wind instrument: Impedance curve, impulse response, and mouthpiece pressure with a hypothetical periodic input

Abstract This paper investigates some effects of harmonicity in the resonant frequencies of a brass wind instrument. Computer methods for calculating input impedance and impulse response are first applied to several cylinder-bell combinations, and show that the bell produces a strong positive overshoot in the first reflected pulse. A trumpet with optimum harmonicity maximizes this effect, producing an impulse response somewhat similar to that of a closed-closed tube. By contrast, several inharmonic ‘trumpets’ with catenoidal and conical bells are lacking in this characteristic. The trumpet's impulse response is then convolved with a hypothetical periodic input volume velocity having a rich harmonic content, and the RMS value of the corresponding mouthpiece pressure is plotted as a function of input frequency. The resulting curve exhibits a set of distinctive, harmonic ‘playing frequencies’. A similar curve is computed for an inharmonic ‘conical trumpet’ and found to be defective.
Pharmacologic therapy for urticaria

Treatment of chronic urticaria presents a challenge to both practitioner and patient. Traditional H1 antagonists with good efficacy but substantial side effects are being supplanted in many cases by nonsedating H1 antagonists such as terfenadine and astemizole. Antidepressant medications and combinations of H1 and H2 antagonists offer improved results for selected patients. Further development and investigation of mast cell stabilizers and inhibitors of urticaria mediators other than histamine hold promise. A better understanding of the underlying pathogenesis remains the greatest hope of formulating rational and effective therapy.
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for branching ratio and atomic lifetime measurements in singly-ionized neodymium and gallium

Abstract Precision laboratory astrophysics measurements can be made in laser-induced plasmas created for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Branching ratios from highly-energetic levels in singly-ionized neodymium may be measured by observing spontaneous emission in laser-induced plasmas in an argon environment at decreased pressures (~ 7.7 mbar). Utilizing a broadband Echelle spectrometer with a spectral range from 200–840 nm, the spontaneous emission intensities from hundreds of transitions originating in 138 energy levels in Nd I, Nd II, and Nd III have been observed simultaneously, allowing the determination of branching ratios for these energy levels for branches greater than 1% in the visible wavelength range. In this study, eight branching ratios from the 23,229.991 cm − 1 level in Nd II were measured and compared to previously determined values as a method for optimizing experimental conditions such as buffer gas pressure and observation delay time. The branching ratios of the eight branches were found to be in excellent agreement with three previously determined values from both experiment and theory. A plan to utilize this laser-induced plasma apparatus to measure the lifetime of the 4 s 5 p 3 P 2 level at 118,727.89 cm − 1 in singly-ionized gallium using a cascade-photon-coincidence method is also presented. Utilizing a solid Ga target ablated in a helium environment, “start photons” at 541.6 nm from a transition into the 4 s 5 p 3 P 2 level and “stop photons” at 633.4 nm from a transition out of that Ga II energy level were observed. Single-photon detection will be accomplished using avalanche photodiodes with narrowband interference filters and delay times between the detection of coincident photons from these two transitions will be measured.