cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inequality, Growth, and Congestion Externalities

We describe and numerically simulate the aggregate and distributional properties of an endogenous growth model with an infrastructure externality which is subject to relative congestion. We show that the congested externality induces higher growth, greater inequality, labor/leisure trade-off ambiguities and an ineffective capital income tax for the government to achieve long-term redistribution goals. We demonstrate the economic implications of congestions in production and consumption externalities on the public to private capital ratio, growth and income distribution. Finally, we discuss alternative tax options for promoting inclusive growth.
Linear paths to genome reduction in a defensive symbiont.

Animals host a range of symbiotic microbes in or on their bodies and cells. The best known symbioses include ones where microbial symbionts provide nutritional supplements to their hosts; for example, animals that feed solely on blood typically possess symbionts that provide B vitamins (1). Less studied, although not rare, symbionts can also provide defensive compounds that protect their hosts from parasites and pathogens (2, 3). The Streptomyces symbionts studied by Nechitaylo et al. (4) protect the underground broods of beewolf wasp hosts from pathogenic fungi and bacteria. A key consequence of host association for a microbial symbiont is the progressive loss of functional genes over evolutionary time (5, 6). The most extreme cases of genome reduction are found in symbionts that have obligate associations with their hosts and thus, have lifestyles that are completely dependent on their hosts for survival as well as transmission. The smallest of these genomes contains 100 to 200 genes, which makes them more than an order of magnitude smaller than the typical bacterium Escherichia coli that possesses over 4,000 genes (7). The genes that remain in highly reduced nutritional symbiont genomes are typically involved in metabolic exchanges with the host. Accumulating evidence indicates that genome reduction and analogous metabolite for defensive compound exchanges occur in defensive symbionts. In PNAS, Nechitaylo et al. (4) use a combination of computational and experimental approaches to investigate the consequences of symbiosis to the European beewolf's defensive bacterial symbiont Candidatus Streptomyces philanthi . The twist here is that unlike most other bacteria, Streptomyces have linear chromosomes. The reason why symbiotic microbes experience genome reduction is because of the change in dominant evolutionary forces at play (8). When a symbiont is inside a host, 1) selection sees fewer genes that need to be maintained for survival in this … [↵][1]1Email: suegene.noh{at}colby.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
A Data-Driven Exploration of the Race between Human Labor and Machines in the 21st Century

A full picture of automation and the future of work requires an understanding of not only technological change—to what extent a human task is automated—but also labor demand for occupations performing a task. This study explores how human labor competes, or cooperates, with the machine in performing a range of tasks. By applying a data-driven methodology, we reveal 15 endogenous task types performed by representative occupations, and measure the task-level degree of automation. Combining changes in degree of automation with changes in employment share for each task from 2008 to 2020, task types are classified into five distinct categories: (i) race with the machine, (ii) race ahead of the machine, (iii) changing the course of the race, (iv) race against the machine, and (v) running a different race. Finally, we construct task-level automation indexes for representative occupations and U.S. cities, which are found to be significantly correlated with occupational characteristics and regional innovation capacity, respectively. We develop a website for the automation indexes to facilitate discussion and communications on the impacts of automation: www.jobautomationindex.com.
Pooling SAX-BoP Approaches with Boosting to Classify Multivariate Synchronous Physiological Time Series Data.

As the current standard practice of manually recorded vital signs through a few hours is giving way to continuous, automated measurement of high resolution vital signs, it brings a tremendous opportunity to predict patient outcomes and help to improve the early care. However, making predictions in an effective way is fairly challenging, because high resolution vital signs data are multivariate, massive and noisy. Inspired by the max-pooling approaches in Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), we propose extensions of vanilla SAX-BoP approach, called Pooling SAX-BoP to successfully predict patient outcomes from multivariate synchronous vital signs data. Our experiments on two standard datasets demonstrate the Pooling SAX-BoP approaches are competitive with the current state-of-the-arts on multivariate time series classification problems. We also integrate Boosting algorithm as one of the most powerful ensemble learning approaches on the BoP representations to further improve the performance. Our experimental results on the clinical data demonstrate that our methods are accurate and stable for classifying multivariate synchronous vital signs time series data
Identification of novel chemotherapies targeting mitochondrial-cell communication.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecological malignancy. OC mortality is associated with a high rate of recurrence (~80%). Recurrent OC is typified by treatment resistant cells; thus, conventional therapies are often ineffective. Therefore, it is imperative to find novel drugs to eliminate recurrent OC cells. We propose that targeting mitochondrial-cell communication in recurrent OC will increase chemotherapeutic efficacy. Preliminary data demonstrate that increasing the concentration of the mitochondrial scaffold protein Sab sensitizes OC cells to paclitaxel by inducing apoptotic priming. These studies suggest that increasing Sab levels in OC will induce a pre-apoptotic state and sensitize the tumor cells to conventional therapies, thus rendering resistant OC cells sensitive. We developed a high throughput assay to screen a scaffold ranking and positional scanning library in order to identify novel chemicals that increase Sab expression in SK-OV-3 cells. An In-Cell Western (ICW) assay was used to...
Waste management considerations for fusion power reactors

To estimate the waste management needs of a fusion power reactor, a scheme for handling radioactive waste from a fusion plant has been devised. The handling scheme proceeds with radioactive waste, primarily from blanket replacement, being stored on-site; waste in cooled and shielded casks is then isolated off-site; finally, the materials are recycled. Using activities and component lifetimes supplied by designers, several conceptual fusion power reactors have been analyzed and their waste streams compared to fission reactors with regard to total activity, specific activity, and lifetimes of activity.
Design Guidelines for Accommodating Amputees in the Workplace

Rehabilitation experts have been addressing the problem of accommodating disabled workers in the workplace for many years. When these disabled workers return to work, accomplishing the tasks they performed prior to their disability can present a serious challenge. Meeting this challenge successfully requires that employers provide accommodations at the workplace so that the disabled workers can continue to contribute efficiently to the operation of the enterprise. Disabilities that are caused by amputations are quite critical. The severity of the injury in terms of loss of a limb and the costs associated with accommodations make this type of disability extremely significant. This paper deals with accommodating "permanent partial" and "permanent total disabilities" due to amputations. The paper is divided into two main parts. The first part focuses on the causes of amputations, types, and difficulties that an amputee faces in the work environment. In this part, an understanding of the amputee physiology has been developed. The second part of the paper addresses the various measures that employers may take in accommodating the amputees at the workplace. Design guidelines are provided to make the workplace suitable for the amputees.
Hypoxemia in the absence of blood loss or significant hypotension causes inflammatory cytokine release

Although hemorrhagic shock causes a significant elevation of circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6], it remains unknown whether hypoxemia per se in the absence of blood loss activates macrophages (Mo) to release increased amounts of these mediators. To study this, hypoxemia was induced in C3H/HeN mice by placing them in a plastic box that was flushed with a gas mixture containing 95% N2-5% O2 for 60 min, followed by return of the mice to room air. For control animals, the plastic box was flushed with room air. At 0, 2, or 24 h thereafter, blood samples were obtained, plasma was separated, and then peritoneal Mo (pMo) and Kupffer cells (KC) were isolated and incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h with lipopolysaccharide. The Mo supernatants, as well as plasma samples, were assayed for TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 with the use of specific bioassays. Hypoxemia induced a significant (P < 0.05) increase in plasma TNF-alpha levels during the entire study period while circulating IL-6 was elevated by 313% (P < 0.01) at 24 h after hypoxemia compared with shams. Moreover, the release of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 by pMo and KC was markedly increased after hypoxemia compared with shams. Thus, hypoxemia in itself, in the absence of any blood loss or tissue injury, induces release of proinflammatory cytokines, which may contribute to systemic inflammation following hypoxemia.
National Churches, Religious Policy and Free Space: A Comparison of Religious Policy in Poland, East Germany and Yugoslavia During Communism

Abstract The goal of religious policy as executed in Communist Poland, East Germany and Yugoslavia aimed to marginalize national churches' influence on social and political life. Based on strategic interests and practical necessity, Communist Party leaders were forced to accommodate for the relevance of religious life even in an atheist environment. As national churches and regime officials engaged each other in a process of negotiated response to incentives, free spaces emerged that were located beyond the state's reach. Under this protective umbrella, these spaces became the catalyst for oppositional voices. Ultimately, Marxist religious policy created the seeds of its own demise.
Ultrametric hierarchical clustering algorithms

Johnson has shown that the single linkage and the complete linkage hierarchical clustering algorithms induce a metric on the data known as the ultrametric. Through the use of the Lance and Williams recurrence formula, Johnson's proof is extended to four other common clustering algorithms. It is also noted that two additional methods produce hierarchical structures which can violate the ultrametric inequality.
Magnitude and temporal evolution of Dansgaard–Oeschger event 8 abrupt temperature change inferred from nitrogen and argon isotopes in GISP2 ice using a new least-squares inversion

Abstract Polar temperature is often inferred from water isotopes in ice cores. However, non-temperature effects on δ 18 O are important during the abrupt events of the last glacial period, such as changes in the seasonality of precipitation, the northward movement of the storm track, and the increase in accumulation. These effects complicate the interpretation of δ 18 O as a temperature proxy. Here, we present an independent surface temperature reconstruction, which allows us to test the relationship between δ 18 O ice and temperature, during Dansgaard–Oeschger event 8, 38.2 thousand yrs ago using new δ 15 N and δ 40 Ar data from the GISP2 ice core in Greenland. This temperature reconstruction relies on a new inversion of inert gas isotope data using generalized least-squares, and includes a robust uncertainty estimation. We find that both temperature and δ 18 O increased in two steps of 20 and 140 yrs, with an overall amplitude of 11.80 ± 1.8 °C between the stadial and interstadial centennial-mean temperature. The coefficient α = d δ O 18 / d T changes with each time-segment, which shows that non-temperature sources of fractionation have a significant contribution to the δ 18 O signal. When measured on century-averaged values, we find that α = d δ O 18 / d T = 0.32 ± 0.06 ‰ / ° C , which is similar to the glacial/Holocene value of 0.328‰/°C.
Enhanced fibronectin adsorption on carbon nanotube/poly(carbonate) urethane: Independent role of surface nano-roughness and associated surface energy

The contribution of nanoscale surface roughness on the adsorption of one key cell adhesive protein, fibronectin, on carbon nanotube/poly(carbonate) urethane composites of different surface energies was evaluated. Systematic control of various surface energies by creating different nanosurface roughness features was performed by mixing two promising biomaterials: multi-wall carbon nanotubes and poly(carbonate) urethane. High ratios of carbon nanotubes coated with poly(carbonate) urethane provided for greater hydrophilic surfaces because of higher nanosurface roughness although pure carbon nanotube surfaces were extremely hydrophobic. Fabrication methods followed in this study generated various homogenous nanosurface roughness values (ranging from 2 to 20nm root mean square (RMS) AFM roughness). With the aid of such nanosurface roughness values in composites, a model was developed that linearly correlated nanosurface roughness and associated nanosurface energy to fibronectin adsorption. Specifically, independent contributions of surface chemistry (70%) and surface nano-roughness (30%) were found to mediate fibronectin adsorption. The results of the present study showed why carbon nanotube/poly(carbonate) urethane composites enhance cellular functions and tissue growth by delineating the importance of their physical nano-roughness on promoting the adsorption of a protein well known to be critical for mediating the adhesion of anchorage-dependent cells.
A comparison of gingival inflammation related to retraction cords

Potassium aluminum sulfate, aluminum chloride, and 8% racemic epinephrine did not demonstrate practical differences, although potassium aluminum sulfate produced fewer inflammatory changes than the other agents. 2. It appears that factors other than the chemical agent (e.g., physiologic differences in patients) may play a role in the amount of gingival inflammation induced. 3. Additional studies using a larger sample size and an untreated control site should be undertaken.
CONCEPTIONS OF IDOLATRY AND SECULAR ART IN CHAIM POTOK'S ASHER LEV NOVELS

This article analyses changing perceptions regarding idolatry and secular art in two major Jewish-American novels: Chaim Potok's My Name Is Asher Lev (1972) and The Gift of Asher Lev (1990). The analysis focuses on the ways in which Potok subverts, recasts, and reinterprets several key tropes from the intertextual reservoir of Judaic culture, along the lines of emphatically American concerns, in order to transform traditionally discursive rejections of visual art into affirmative themes for creative endeavours and spiritual renewal in Jewish-American life. In particular, this study demonstrates how the major didactic component in Potok's re-envisioning of Judaism's long-standing association of the visual arts with idolatry stems from the author's advocacy of the tenets of the American branch of Conservative Judaism, according to which the best aspects of modern secular culture are to be integrated with a non-literalist view toward conventional religious principles.
Uniqueness for index-one differential variational inequalities

Uniqueness is shown for a class of index-one differential variational inequalities (DVIs). This result assumes that a certain matrix function is symmetric positive definite everywhere. Examples are given to show that this matrix being merely positive definite is not sufficient for uniqueness, even though this is sufficient for existence.
An Evacuable Die for the Pressed Potassium Bromide Technique

In February, 1953 a general paper on this invaluable technique was presented at the Society for Applied Spectroscopy. Since then, we have compared various types of dies for pressing potassium bromide and sample into thin transparent disks. The experience gained during this evaluation period led to the choice of a design of a special evacuable die which provides optimum results.
Sensitivity to feedback and the development of self

Symbolic interactionists theorize that a person's sense of self is derived in communication as a result of the feedback received from others. This research posits that individuals who are more sensitive to feedback will develop different self‐concepts than individuals who are less sensitive to feedback. Results of two investigations reveal that high sensitives are more self‐schematic than low sensitives, while low sensitives are more likely to incorporate specific self‐relevant feedback into their self‐schemas. Implications concerning the role of sensitivity to feedback and self‐schemas for interpersonal communication are discussed.
A patient with thoracic intradural disc herniation.

Abstract Intradural disc herniation is a rare disease that occurs most commonly in the lumbar region, while fewer than 5% occur in the thoracic and cervical regions. We report a patient with thoracic intradural disc herniation at T12–L1 who presented with radiculopathy and motor weakness. The preoperative MRI did not demonstrate an intradural lesion, and it was identified intraoperatively by inspection and palpation of the thecal sac. The disc was removed, and the patient experienced good neurological recovery and remains pain free 1 year after surgery.
Absolute elastic differential electron scattering cross sections for carbon monoxide and molecular nitrogen in the intermediate energy region

This paper reports absolute elastic differential scattering cross sections (DCS) for electron impact on CO and N2 in the energy range 20-100 eV and angular range 20-120'. The results are obtained using a relative flow technique in which the DCS of CO is compared with that of helium at each angle and energy and the DCS of N2 is compared directly with the DCS of CO. The results of elastic DCS of neon are presented as a check on the experimental procedure.
Prostaglandin J2 reduces catechol-O-methyltransferase activity and enhances dopamine toxicity in neuronal cells

There is clear evidence that an inflammatory reaction is mounted within the CNS following trauma, stroke, infection and seizures, thus augmenting brain damage. Furthermore, chronic inflammation of the CNS is implicated in many neurodegenerative disorders. However, the effects of products of inflammation on neuronal cells are poorly understood. Herein, we characterize the effects of a neurotoxic product of inflammation, prostaglandin J2 (PGJ2), on catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in human dopaminergic-like neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells and rat (P2) cortical neurons. COMT metabolizes catechols and catecholamines, a pathway relevant to neurodegeneration. PGJ2 treatment reduced the expression and activity of COMT, induced its sequestration into perinuclear aggregates and potentiated dopamine toxicity. The large COMT aggregates were co-localized with the centrosome, suggesting an aggresome-like structure. Our results indicate that COMT impairment induced by PGJ2 treatment may increase the concentration of dopamine (or its metabolites) to neurotoxic levels. Thus, COMT impairment following pro-inflammatory events may be a potential risk factor in neurodegeneration.
Materiomics: biological protein materials, from nano to macro.

Materiomics is an emerging field of science that provides a basis for multiscale material system characterization, inspired in part by natural, for example, protein-based materials. Here we outline the scope and explain the motivation of the field of materiomics, as well as demonstrate the benefits of a materiomic approach in the understanding of biological and natural materials as well as in the design of de novo materials. We discuss recent studies that exemplify the impact of materiomics – discovering Nature’s complexity through a materials science approach that merges concepts of material and structure throughout all scales and incorporates feedback loops that facilitate sensing and resulting structural changes at multiple scales. The development and application of materiomics is illustrated for the specific case of protein-based materials, which constitute the building blocks of a variety of biological systems such as tendon, bone, skin, spider silk, cells, and tissue, as well as natural composite material systems (a combination of protein-based and inorganic constituents) such as nacre and mollusk shells, and other natural multiscale systems such as cellulose-based plant and wood materials. An important trait of these materials is that they display distinctive hierarchical structures across multiple scales, where molecular details are exhibited in macroscale mechanical responses. Protein materials are intriguing examples of materials that balance multiple tasks, representing some of the most sustainable material solutions that integrate structure and function despite severe limitations in the quality and quantity of material building blocks. However, up until now, our attempts to analyze and replicate Nature’s materials have been hindered by our lack of fundamental understanding of these materials’ intricate hierarchical structures, scale-bridging mechanisms, and complex material components that bestow protein-based materials their unique properties. Recent advances in analytical tools and experimental methods allow a holistic view of such a hierarchical biological material system. The integration of these approaches and amalgamation of material properties at all scale levels to develop a complete description of a material system falls within the emerging field of materiomics. Materiomics is the result of the convergence of engineering and materials science with experimental and computational biology in the context of natural and synthetic materials. Through materiomics, fundamental advances in our understanding of structure–property–process relations of biological systems contribute to the mechanistic understanding of certain diseases and facilitate the development of novel biological, biologically inspired, and completely synthetic materials for applications in medicine (biomaterials), nanotechnology, and engineering.
Intravenous site care practices in critical care: a national survey.

Objective: To collect and compare written procedures for central line intravenous site care. Design: Descriptive, stratified, random sample survey. Setting: Adult medical-surgical critical care units among hospitals throughout the United States. Sample: One hundred fifty-two returned surveys. Results: A 24.6% response rate with underrepresentation from smaller institutions and hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic and West South Central regions of the country. There were wide variations in procedures for intravenous site care related to type of dressing used and frequency of dressing changes. Conclusions: Standardization of catheter care is needed to ensure consistent quality of intravenous site care. Lack of standardization may be due to lack of a research data base linking various components of care to outcomes such as infection, patient comfort, or catheter retention.
Coevolution of TCR-MHC interactions: Conserved MHC tertiary structure is not sufficient for interactions with the TCR

The specificity for self-MHC that is necessary for T cell function is a consequence of intrathymic selection during which T cell antigen receptors (TCRs) expressed by immature thymocytes are tested for their affinity for self-peptide:self-MHC. The germ-line-encoded segments of the TCR, however, are believed to have an innate specificity for structural features of MHC molecules. We directly tested this hypothesis by generating a transgenic mouse system in which the protein HLA-DM is expressed at the surface of thymic cortical epithelial cells in the absence of classical MHC molecules. The specialized intracellular function of HLA-DM has removed this MHC class II-like protein from the evolutionary forces that have been hypothesized to shape TCR-MHC interactions. Our study shows that a structural mimic of MHC class II is not sufficient to appropriately interact with the TCRs expressed by developing thymocytes. This result emphasizes the unique complementarity of TCR-MHC interactions that are maintained by the evolutionary pressures dictated by positive selection.
Joint distribution of Brownian motion and its maximum, with a generalization to correlated BM and applications to barrier options

Abstract Consider Brownian motion B t and its maximum M t = max 0 ⩽ s ⩽ t B s . We derive the joint distribution of ( M s , B t ) for all s and make a generalization to correlated BM. These distributions are applied to price barrier options.
Interplay between generic and mesoscopic speckle statistics in transmission through random media

We explore the interplay between generic and mesoscopic aspects of speckle patterns appearing in a single polarization component of the transmitted field of multiply scattering media. The crucial role of phase singularities in speckle patterns of diffusing and localized microwave radiation in quasi-one-dimensional samples is demonstrated in the dynamics of local transmission, in the statistics of structural features within the speckle pattern and in the motion of singularities as the frequency is scanned. We also describe a crossover between one- and three-dimensional propagation in random layered media with transverse disorder associated with an optical delocalization transition. The transition occurs at the thickness beyond which singularities are formed in the transmitted speckle pattern as the transverse spread of the wave becomes larger than the field correlation length. These studies demonstrate the relationship between field structures within individual Gaussian speckle patterns and non-ergodic statistics of local and integrated transmission for diffusive and localized waves in ensembles of random samples.
Styles and timing of volatile-driven activity in the eastern Hellas region of Mars

[1] Recent analyses of Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey data sets provide new insights into the geologic evolution of the eastern Hellas region of Mars, in particular, the role of volatiles. Here, we present results of our recent work and integrate these with previous studies by various investigators to provide a synthesis of the history of volatile-driven activity of the region. We utilize high-resolution images from the Mars Orbiter Camera and Thermal Emission Imaging System combined with Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter digital elevation models and profiles to examine fluvial systems that dissect the circum-Hellas highlands, to characterize stages in the development of the Dao, Niger, Harmakhis, and Reull Valles canyon systems, and to evaluate evidence for ancient lakes in Hellas Planitia. The occurrence of valley networks, dissected highland crater rims, and crater interior deposits such as layered plateaus suggests widespread ancient degradation of the circum-Hellas highlands. Canyon development, which represents subsequent more localized activity, may have included an early fluvial phase followed by the collapse and sapping dominated stages that, along with recent wall erosion and floor resurfacing, produced the currently observed morphologies. The prominent role of collapse and sapping along the east rim of Hellas, along with the presence of numerous channels extending toward the basin and sequences of finely layered deposits along the basin rim, suggests a volatile-rich substrate across a broad depositional shelf. The east rim of the basin was an accumulation zone for atmospheric volatiles and/or the edge of volatile-rich deposits associated with the basin floor. This evidence combined with topographic data and cratered terrain preservation around the basin is consistent with a lacustrine period or periods in early Martian history. The style, magnitude, and spatial extent of volatile-driven activity in eastern Hellas have varied considerably with time, and these variations may represent a transition from a water- to an ice-dominated surface environment.
Addiction treatment trials: how gender, race/ethnicity, and age relate to ongoing participation and retention in clinical trials

Introduction Historically, racial and ethnic minority populations have been underrepresented in clinical research, and the recruitment and retention of women and ethnic minorities in clinical trials has been a significant challenge for investigators. The National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) conducts clinical trials in real-life settings and regularly monitors a number of variables critical to clinical trial implementation, including the retention and demographics of participants. Purpose The examination of gender, race/ethnicity, and age group differences with respect to retention characteristics in CTN trials. Methods Reports for 24 completed trials that recruited over 11,000 participants were reviewed, and associations of gender, race/ethnicity, and age group characteristics were examined along with the rate of treatment exposure, the proportion of follow-up assessments obtained, and the availability of primary outcome measure(s). Results Analysis of the CTN data did not indicate statistical differences in retention across gender or race/ethnicity groups; however, retention rates increased for older participants. Conclusion These results are based on a large sample of patients with substance use disorders recruited from a treatment-seeking population. The findings demonstrate that younger participants are less likely than older adults to be retained in clinical trials.
Relationship between stent characteristics and treatment outcomes in endoscopic transmural drainage of uncomplicated pancreatic pseudocysts.

Transmural stents are placed at endoscopy to drain pancreatic fluid collections. This study evaluated the relationship between stent placement and treatment outcomes in patients undergoing endoscopic transmural drainage of uncomplicated pancreatic pseudocysts. This is a retrospective study of all patients who underwent endoscopic drainage of uncomplicated pancreatic pseudocysts over a 10-year period. After dilating the transmural tracts in the range of 8–15 mm, single or multiple, 7 or 10Fr double-pigtail plastic stents were deployed. The main outcome measure was to evaluate the relationship between stent characteristics and the number of endoscopic interventions required to achieve resolution of the pancreatic pseudocyst (treatment success). Of 122 patients, 45 (36.9 %) had 10Fr stents of which 30 patients (66.7 %) had more than one stent; the remaining 77 (63.1 %) patients had 7Fr stents of which 56 (72.7 %) had more than one stent. The overall treatment success was 94.3 %. Treatment was successful in 102 patients (83.6 %) with one intervention; 13 patients (10.7 %) required re-intervention for successful drainage and 7 patients (5.7 %) failed endoscopic treatment. There was no significant difference in the number of interventions required for treatment success between patients with 7 or 10Fr stents (one intervention required in 87.7 vs. 90.5 %, respectively; p = 0.766) and between patients with 1 or >1 stent (one intervention required in 88.9 vs. 88.6 %, respectively; p = 0.999). On multiple logistic regression analysis, the stent size (OR 1.54; 95 % CI 0.23–10.4) and number (OR 1.15; 95 % CI 0.25–5.25) were not associated with the number of interventions required for treatment success when adjusted for pseudocyst size, location, drainage modality, the presence or absence of pancreatic duct stent and luminal compression. There appears to be no relationship between the number of interventions required for treatment success and stent characteristics in patients undergoing endoscopic transmural drainage of uncomplicated pancreatic pseudocysts.
Spectrum lines of highly ionized zinc, germanium, selenium, zirconium, molybdenum, and silver injected into princeton large torus and tokamak fusion test reactor tokamak discharges

Measured wavelengths of a number of highly ionized atoms are reported. These include the 3s23p–3s3p2 and 3s23p–3s23d transitions in the aluminum isoelectronic sequence of Zn xviii, Ge xx, Se xxii, Zr xxviii, Mo xxx, and Ag xxxv; several transitions in the n = 2 shell of Zn xxii, Zn xxiii, and Zn xxiv; and the resonance and intercombination lines of Ag xxxvi–Ag xxxvii and of Ge xxix–Ge xxx.
Flow‐induced phase effects and compensation technique for slice‐selective pulses

Flowing spins experience a time-varying frequency during the application of slice-selective radiofrequency (RF) pulses. As a result the flowing spins accumulate phase relative to stationary spins as the spins are rotated toward the transverse plane. Using finite difference techniques to solve the Bloch equations for flowing spins, the phase of the transverse magnetization after a slice-selective pulse was evaluated for varying flow velocities and for tip angles which ranged between 0 degrees and 180 degrees. The following results were obtained for constant slice thickness: (1) For a fixed tip angle, the phase varies nonlinearly with velocity. (2) For a fixed velocity, the phase varies nonlinearly with tip angle. For small tip angles the nonlinearity in the variation as a function of velocity is very small but increases for tip angles greater than 90 degrees and becomes especially severe near 180 degrees. A method is proposed to desensitize the phase of flowing spins during the application of slice-selective pulses. The compensation scheme depends upon tip angle but is virtually independent of flow velocity. The technique was tested and verified with clinical images.
Controlled synergistic delivery of paclitaxel and heat from poly(β-amino ester)/iron oxide-based hydrogel nanocomposites.

Abstract Poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE) biodegradable hydrogels were investigated for potential combined chemotherapeutic and heat delivery in the synergistic treatment of cancer. Hyperthermia, the heating of cancerous tissue from 41 to 45 °C, increases the efficacy of conventional cancer therapies such as irradiation and chemotherapy. The hydrogel nanocomposites in this work provide a drug delivery vehicle (via the biodegradable PBAE polymer network) and the ability to be heated remotely upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field (via iron oxide nanoparticles incorporated into the hydrogel matrix). PBAE macromers composed of poly(ethylene glycol) ( N = 400) diacrylate (PEG400DA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA) with isobutylamine (IBA) were synthesized. Hydrogel nanocomposites were fabricated via free-radical polymerization to form a bulk hydrogel matrix entrapping both iron oxide nanoparticles and paclitaxel. The 2EG–IBA hydrogel exhibited complete degradation after approximately 7 weeks whereas the 9EG–IBA hydrogel degraded completely in 11 h. The hydrogels heated upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field throughout the degradation process. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of the degradation products was evaluated. Paclitaxel release was controlled via bulk degradation of the hydrogels. The tailorability of these nanocomposites makes them solid candidates for the synergistic treatment of cancer.
Dependence of cosmological energy-density irregularities on the shape of the scalar-field potential during inflation and "reheating"

Estimates for the baryon-dominated epoch form of the large-scale adiabatic energy-density irregularities generated during an early scalar-field-dominated inflation epoch, in simple inflation-modified hot-big-bang models, are compared to the widely used approximate general expression, which is proportional to the large-scale, gauge-invariant part of $\frac{{H}^{2}〈\ensuremath{\varphi}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{*}〉}{{({\stackrel{\ifmmode \dot{}\else \.{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\Phi}}}_{b})}^{2}}$ evaluated at the first Hubble radius crossing (here ${\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{b}$ and $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ are the spatially homogeneous and inhomogeneous parts of the scalar field, $H$ is the Hubble parameter, and an overdot represents a derivative with respect to time). In the de Sitter inflation limit, if the inflation-epoch background scalar-field solution is an "attractor," or if there is sufficient inflation before the scale of interest leaves the Hubble radius, the approximate general expression identically reproduces what we have found. It is also less than an order of magnitude away from our expression in a large fraction of the parameter space of the inflation model we study and is within 2 orders of magnitude of our result in almost all of parameter space. We also show that the more accurate general expression (which the above formula is an approximation of) identically reproduces our results in the simple models studied, provided the inflation-epoch background scalar-field solution is an "attractor" or if there is sufficient inflation. The approximate general formula is used to restudy energy-density inhomogeneities in the quartic-potential scalar-field de Sitter inflation model; the difference between the standard result in this model and our result in related models is traced to a difference in the form of the part of the potential used to model "reheating" and the end of inflation. Very roughly, if (as we have assumed) the inflation-"reheating" transition occurs rapidly on the relevant Hubble time scale, observational data do not unduly constrain the parameters of the inflation model.
Wisdom or Widgets: Whither the School of ‘Business’?

The development of quantitative methods has proved to be invaluable in contemporary academic life; it has opened up the world to empirical studies. Yet there is a cost. ‘The mind of man,’ writes John Dewey, ‘is taken captive by the spoils of prior victories’ (Gummere, 1988, p. 25). In the social sciences, and particularly in the business area, quantitative methods have become a fetish and have led to the crowding out of non-empirical work. ‘Wisdom or Widgets’ examines the implications of this disturbing phenomenon.
The cost-effectiveness of depression treatment for co-occurring disorders: A clinical trial☆ , ☆☆ ,★

Abstract The authors aimed to determine the economic value of providing on-site group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression to clients receiving residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Using a quasi-experimental design and an intention-to-treat analysis, the incremental cost-effectiveness and cost-utility ratio of the intervention were estimated relative to usual care residential treatment. The average cost of a treatment episode was $908, compared to $180 for usual care. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio was $131 for each point improvement of the BDI-II and $49 for each additional depression-free day. The incremental cost–utility ratio ranged from $9,249 to $17,834 for each additional quality adjusted life year. Although the intervention costs substantially more than usual care, the cost effectiveness and cost–utility ratios compare favorably to other depression interventions. Health care reform should promote dissemination of group CBT to individuals with depression in residential SUD treatment.
Changing management of clinical low-stage testicular cancer.

Stage I and II testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) are almost always cured with appropriate treatment and most ongoing research regarding these tumors focuses on minimizing treatment toxicity. The management of clinical stage I testicular GCTs has grown more complicated due to the emergence of a brief course of chemotherapy as an additional treatment option for stage I seminomas and stage I nonseminomas. In addition, growing concern about radiation-induced cancers and other late toxicity has dulled enthusiasm for radiotherapy as a treatment for stage I seminomas. However, recent randomized trials have shown that radiotherapy doses and field sizes can be lowered without compromising cure rates and it is possible that this reduction in radiation exposure will reduce the rate of secondary cancers. At this point in history, stage I patients have three treatment options following radical orchiectomy: adjuvant (sometimes called “primary”) chemotherapy (carboplatin for seminomas and the combined regimen of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin for nonseminomas), surveillance, and either retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (for nonseminomas) or radiotherapy (for pure seminomas). Clinical studies have made it possible to identify subgroups of patients at high and low risk for relapse and this has made it possible to tailor treatment decisions to the individual patient's postorchiectomy relapse risk.
Ground state properties and optical response of LixNa4−x, x=0–4: An ab initio study

The ground stateproperties of Li x Na4−x (x=0–4) were investigated using extended basis Hartree–Fock calculations. The existence of substitution isomers was found for the mixed alkali clusters and planar singlet ground states were found for all clusters, including the isomers. The optical response of the clusters was modeled via configuration interaction—singles(CIS) in the hope of helping to interpret the experimental data. CIS results were found comparable to experiment at lower excitation energies, but inadequate at higher energies due to the neglect of doubles and higher excitations. Some exploration of the excited statesurfaces of Li4 and of one isomer of Li2Na2 is also reported. Comparisons are made between CIS calculations, experiment, and multireference doubly excited configuration interaction calculations.
Rheumatic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection

Abstract Purpose: The prevalence and characteristics of the rheumatic and extra-rheumatic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were determined in a prospective manner. Patients and methods: One hundred one patients with HIV infection were consecutively interviewed and examined. The prevalence of autoantibodies and their association with rheumatologic symptoms were also determined. Results: The musculoskeletal system was involved in 72 patients. Thirty-five patients had arthralgias, 10 had Reiter's syndrome, two had psoriatic arthritis, two had myositis, and one had vasculitis. Also found were two previously unreported syndromes. The first, occurring in 10 patients, consisted of severe intermittent pain involving less than four joints, without evidence of synovitis, of short duration (two to 24 hours), and requiring therapy (ranging from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to narcotics). The second, occurring in 12 patients, consisted of arthritis (oligoarticular in six patients, monoarticular in three patients, and polyarticular in three patients) involving the lower extremities and lasting from one week to six months. The synovial fluid of five patients (three with arthritis, one with Reiter's syndrome, and one with psoriatic arthritis) was sterile and inflammatory. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal complications are common in advanced stages of HIV infection. Persons in a high-risk group for HIV infection who manifest oligoarthritis with or without any other extra-articular manifestation suggestive of Reiter's syndrome or other form of spondyloarthropathy should be tested for HIV.
Optimal strategies for adaptive curve lighting

Problem: Conventional low beams headlamps do not provide sufficient illumination for nighttime visibility on curves. Method: This analytical study evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of several curve-lighting strategies that involve moving one or both low beams by various amounts. Two curve radii were examined for both curve directions, using representative tungsten-halogen and high-intensity discharge low-beam patterns. The dependent variable was the maximum distance of 3-lux illumination (combined from both lamps) at a plane 0.25 m above the roadway for seven lateral positions. Results: For short-radius, left and right curves, moving both lamps in parallel should substantially increase the visibility of objects in one's lane of travel, in several additional lanes of travel to the left and right, and off the road. Discussion: Because of the lateral trade-offs of advantages and disadvantages for large-radius curves, additional research is needed to better understand the desirable approach for these types of curves. Impact on industry: Moving both lamps in parallel into the curve is recommended for small-radius curves.
Lead silicate—potassium carbonate solid—solid reaction kinetics

Abstract The kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between 4PbO·SiO 2 +K 2 CO 3 and PbO·SiO 2 + K 2 CO 3 were studied using isothermal weight change determinations and thermal gravimetry (TG) to monitor the fraction of the reaction completed as a function of time. The reactions were found to be nuclei growth controlled with one-dimensional diffusion controlled growth having procedural activation energies of 85 and 108 kcal/mole respectively. The results from the TG methods of Test, Weidemann and Vaughan and Sativa were compared with the isothermal data to determine their relative merits. These methods were found to be, with reservations, suitable for determining the procedural activation energy. However, the method of Sativa was found to be lacking in sufficient sensitivity to allow determination of the reaction mechanism.
Diagnosing bladder outlet obstruction in women.

AbstractPurpose: There are no universally accepted urodynamic criteria for diagnosing female bladder outlet obstruction. When accepted criteria for men are applied to women, the diagnosis of obstruction may often be missed, which is most likely due to differences in voiding dynamics. We propose video urodynamic criteria for diagnosing obstruction in women, and describe the urodynamic findings in those with and without obstruction.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the charts of 331 women who underwent multichannel video urodynamics for nonneurogenic voiding dysfunction. Of these women 261 (mean age 55.8 years) had evaluable voiding pressure flow studies with simultaneous video fluoroscopy of the bladder outlet during voiding. At video urodynamics cases were classified as obstructed if there was radiographic evidence of obstruction between the bladder neck and distal urethra in the presence of a sustained detrusor contraction. Strict pressure flow criteria were not used. Maximum flow rate, detrusor pressur...
Sexual coercion and life-history strategy

Abstract The present study evaluates three ultimate theories accounting for individual differences in sexually coercive tendencies: (1) Life History (LH) theory, (2) Competitively Disadvantaged Male theory, and (3) Sexual Coercion as a By-product theory. Three-hundred twenty-four college students completed questionnaires measuring LH strategy, perceived mate value, mating effort, short-term and long-term mating orientation, aggressive tendencies, psychopathy, and sexually coercive behavior. Eight tactical subscales extracted from the Sexual Acts and Perceptions Inventory converged upon one latent Sexual Coercion factor. The predictor variables clustered into a second Protective LH latent factor, which buffered Sexual Coercion. The Protective LH factor fully mediated the relation between sex and Sexual Coercion. Thus, the three evolutionary accounts of sexual coercion describe unique facets of a single LH trait rather than three dissociable alternatives. We discuss the conclusion that reproductive LH strategy partially underlies the variation in predisposition toward sexual coercion.