cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of Coccinellids that Prey on Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) on Euphorbia heterophylla (Euphorbiaceae) and Chamaecrista fasciculata (Fabaceae) in a South Florida Residential Area

Summary Adding plant-based nutritional resources to a landscape may help to recruit and retain predaceous and parasitic arthropods. As a first step in determining whether the addition of nectary plants can increase the abundance and diversity of biocontrol agents of Diaphorina citri and psyllid suppression in urban and unmanaged landscapes in southern Florida, the occurrence of coccinellids was recorded on a native poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla (L.) and partridge pea, Chamaecrista fasciculata (Michx.) Greene, a native legume. Thirteen coccinellid species consisting of a total of 663 specimens were collected over the course of the 8-mo long sampling period. A total of 464 specimens comprising 12 species were collected from E. heterophylla from Jun to Oct, with 3 species, Coelophora inequalis , Cryptolaemus montrouzieri , Harmonia axyridis , comprising the majority of species collected. A total of 199 specimens comprising 6 species were collected from C . fasciculate from Sep to Feb. Nearly 80% of the specimens collected from C. fasciculata were C. montrouzieri . Sumario La adicion de recursos nutricionales a base de plantas a un paisaje puede ayudar a reclutar y retener a los artropodos predadores y parasitarios. Como primer paso para determinar si la adicion de plantas nectarias puede aumentar la abundancia y diversidad de agentes de control biologico de Diaphorina citri y la supresion de psilidos en paisajes urbanos y no manejados en el sur de la Florida, se registro la presencia de coccinelidos en una natividad nativa, Euphorbia heterophylla L.) y perdiz, Chamaecrista fasciculata (Michx.) Greene, una leguminosa nativa. Trece especies de coccinelidos consistentes en un total de 663 especimenes fueron recolectadas durante el periodo de muestreo de 8 meses. Un total de 464 especimenes que comprenden 12 especies fueron recolectadas de E. heterophylla de jun a oct, con 3 especies, Coelophora inequalis , Cryptolaemus montrouzieri , Harmonia axyridis , que comprende la mayoria de las especies recogidas. Un total de 199 especimenes que comprenden 6 especies se recogieron de C. fasciculate de sep a feb. Casi el 80% de los especimenes recolectados de C. fasciculata fueron C. montrouzieri . View this article in BioOne
Robustness of Parameter Estimation to Assumptions of Normality in the Multidimensional Graded Response Model

A central assumption that is implicit in estimating item parameters in item response theory (IRT) models is the normality of the latent trait distribution, whereas a similar assumption made in cate...
Increasing the Moral Sensitivity of Professionals

The ‘educators’ charge’ is to answer what our priority should be in educating college and university students. Despite shifts in terminology, a long-standing view is that educators should develop the moral sensitivity of their students to prepare them for both their private, civic lives as well as their professional roles and positions in institutions and society. In this chapter, I explain the development of the concept of moral sensitivity, and that it is a complex discriminative or diagnostic expertise that functions as guide for moral action: a sophisticated ability to ‘see’ or diagnose the right course of action based on extensive learning and practice. Ethics Across the Curriculum (EAC) Programs are uniquely poised to develop moral sensitivity because they provide (1) diverse perspectives and resources from a variety of fields, (2) the ability to focus on developing specific domains of capacities that underlie moral sensitivity, (3) the opportunity to practice and develop moral sensitivity over the span of several years, and (4) the opportunity for directed training of moral sensitivity under the expert and watchful eye of professors and other professionals. Institutions without a robust EAC program may also be able to initiate the moral sensitivity of their students through the use of a specially designed stand-alone Professional Ethics course. The educators’ charge is to develop moral sensitivity, which can be accomplished across a range of institutional opportunities.
Strategic Coalitions and Agenda-Setting in Fragmented Congresses: How the PRI Sets the Legislative Agenda in Mexico

This essay suggests a theory of strategic legislative agenda control. It argues that a single party can effectively set the agenda under majoritarian gatekeeping rules without obtaining majority or even plurality status. The agenda-setting party need not be the median party in the assembly nor supported by executive-led parliamentary coalitions. The Mexican Chamber of Deputies provides a case study of how majoritarian gatekeeping and political context establish the conditions necessary for one-party-led agenda-setting in a fragmented congress with or without enduring coalitions. The failure of opposition coalitions to roll the ‘Partido Revolucionario Institucional’ evinces that party's ability to set the agenda through strategic coalition formation since 2000. High levels of party unity combined with strategic positioning have allowed the PRI to do so. The strategic nature of the PRI's coalition-making is documented and analyzed in the context of its historically pragmatic approach to coalition-making. The argument is supported by roll-call data analysis, using WNOMINATE, WRice scores, and roll rates.
Fostering a "Group Ethos": Truth or Dare!

A “group ethos” permeates the two Special Issues of Group dedicated to “the future of group psychotherapy in the 21st century.” This ethos is elaborated through a parable, an integration of authors' conclusions, and a brief exploration of the myths and basic assumptions about group leadership and followership that characterized the 20th century. A new basic assumption is proposed for the 21st. BaC suggests that members are drawn to groups for the unconscious collaboration necessary to discover something between them, as yet untold—something that may hold the key to their own fates and to the human condition.
Stem Cells: Key Concepts

Over the past 10–20 years, stem cells have become of increasing interest and relevance to the scientific community as a result of the discovery and derivation of numerous types of stem cells that are now known to exist. It has been recognized that stem cell–material interactions can be critical to regulating cell fate, and that biomaterials may significantly improve the efficacy of therapeutic applications of stem cells currently being developed. Although stem cells are often broadly referred to as a single class of cells, in reality a wide variety of stem cells exist that exhibit a range of different molecular, cellular, and functional properties. In this chapter, different classes of stem cells will be described and contrasted to one another based on functional definitions of their potential (“potency”) to develop into mature cell types. This is followed by a discussion of the different physical factors comprising the environments (“niches”) that regulate stem cell self-renewal and differentiation.
Pool Boiling of Low-GWP Replacements for R134a on a Reentrant Cavity Surface

This paper quantifies the pool boiling performance of R134a, R1234yf, R513A, and R450A on a flattened, horizontal reentrant cavity surface. The study showed that the boiling performance of R134a on the Turbo-ESP exceeded that of the replacement refrigerants for heat fluxes greater than 20 kWm-2. On average, the heat flux for R1234yf and R513A was 16 % and 19 % less than that for R134a, respectively, for R134a heat fluxes between 20 kWm-2 and 110 kWm-2. The heat flux for R450A was on average 57 % less than that of R134a for heat fluxes between 30 kWm-2 and 110 kWm-2. A model was developed to predict both single-component and multi-component pool boiling of the test refrigerants on the Turbo-ESP surface. The model accounts for viscosity effects on bubble population and uses the Fritz (1935) equation to account for increased vapor production with increasing superheat. Both loss of available superheat and mass transfer resistance effects were modeled for the refrigerant mixtures. For most heat fluxes, the model predicted the measured superheat to within ± 0.31 K.
GM-CSF Administration Improves Defects in Innate Immunity and Sepsis Survival in Obese Diabetic Mice

Sepsis is the leading cause of death in the intensive care unit with an overall mortality rate of 20%. Individuals who are obese and have type 2 diabetes have increased recurrent, chronic, nosocomial infections that worsen the long-term morbidity and mortality from sepsis. Additionally, animal models of sepsis have shown that obese, diabetic mice have lower survival rates compared with nondiabetic mice. Neutrophils are essential for eradication of bacteria, prevention of infectious complications, and sepsis survival. In diabetic states, there is a reduction in neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation; however, few studies have investigated the extent to which these deficits compromise infection eradication and mortality. Using a cecal ligation and puncture model of sepsis in lean and in diet-induced obese mice, we demonstrate that obese diabetic mice have decreased "emergency hematopoiesis" after an acute infection. Additionally, both neutrophils and monocytes in obese, diabetic mice have functional defects, with decreased phagocytic ability and a decreased capacity to generate ROS. Neutrophils isolated from obese diabetic mice have decreased transcripts of Axl and Mertk, which partially explains the phagocytic dysfunction. Furthermore, we found that exogenous GM-CSF administration improves sepsis survival through enhanced neutrophil and monocytes phagocytosis and ROS generation abilities in obese, diabetic mice with sepsis.
Safety Assessment of Ecodriving Vehicles on Following Traffic

Ecodriving aims to achieve the best fuel efficiency by guiding vehicles to travel at a planned speed trajectory, which is developed by making use of topography or signal phasing and timing (SPaT) information. Previous work has mainly focused on algorithm development or the assessment of ecodriving efficiency. However, there has been little research regarding the safety issues of ecodriving. This study addresses safety concerns for normal driving vehicles (FNV) following ecodriving vehicles (EV). Time to collision (TTC) was used as the dependent variable to quantify the critical situation. The effects on TTC of three network-related factors: initial signal status, ambient vehicles, and speed limit, are considered and investigated. Six testing scenarios (experimental group) where FNV (subjects) followed an EV were generated with JMP (statistical software), and six baseline scenarios with conventional cars only were used as the control group. The driving simulation study was designed and implemented with a d...
Robotically Assisted Sonic Therapy (RAST) for Noninvasive Hepatic Ablation in a Porcine Model: Mitigation of Body Wall Damage with a Modified Pulse Sequence

Robotically assisted sonic therapy (RAST) is a nonthermal, noninvasive ablation method based on histotripsy. Prior animal studies have demonstrated the ability to create hepatic ablation zones at the focal point of an ultrasound therapy transducer; however, these treatments resulted in thermal damage to the body wall within the path of ultrasound energy delivery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a pulse sequence intended to mitigate prefocal body wall injury. Healthy swine (n = 6) underwent hepatic RAST (VortxRx software version 1.0.1.3, HistoSonics, Ann Arbor MI) in the right hepatic lobe. A 3.0 cm spherical ablation zone was prescribed for each. Following treatment, animals underwent MRI which was utilized for ablation zone measurement, evaluation of prefocal injury, and assessment of complications. Each animal was euthanized, underwent necropsy, and the tissue was processed for histopathologic analysis of the ablation zone and any other sites concerning for injury. No prefocal injury was identified by MRI or necropsy in the body wall or tissues overlying the liver. Ablation zones demonstrated uniform cell destruction, were nearly spherical (sphericity index = 0.988), and corresponded closely to the prescribed size (3.0 × 3.1 × 3.4 cm, p = 0.70, 0.36, and 0.01, respectively). Ablation zones were associated with portal vein (n = 3, one occlusive) and hepatic vein thrombosis (n = 4, one occlusive); however, bile ducts remained patent within ablation zones (n = 2). Hepatic RAST performed with a modified ultrasound pulse sequence in a porcine model can mitigate prefocal body wall injuries while maintaining treatment efficacy. Further study of hepatic RAST appears warranted, particularly in tumor models.
The functional role of miRNAs in colorectal cancer: insights from a large population-based study.

Identification of causal microRNAs (miRNAs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is elusive, due to our lack of understanding of howspecific miRNAs affect biological pathways and outcomes. A miRNA can regulate many mRNAs and a mRNA can be associatedwith many miRNAs; appreciation of these complex networks in which miRNAs operate is necessary to transition from identifyingdysregulated miRNAs to identifying individual miRNAs or groups of miRNAs that are suitable for therapeutic purposes. The goalof the paper is to compile results from a population-based study (n = 1,954 cases with matched carcinoma/normal tissue) ofmiRNAs in CRC. The information gained allows for cohesive and comprehensive insight into miRNAs and CRC in terms offunction and impact. Comparison of miRNA expression with mRNA expression from nine signaling pathways in carcinogenicprocesses allowed us to identify miRNA targets within a biological context. MiRNAs that directly influence mRNA expression maybe effective biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
Localized Blood-Brain Barrier Opening in Ovine Model Using Image-Guided Transcranial Focused Ultrasound.

Abstract Transcranial application of focused ultrasound (FUS) combined with vascular introduction of microbubble contrast agents (MBs) has emerged as a non-invasive technique that can temporarily create a localized opening in the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Under image-guidance, we administered FUS to sheep brain after intravenous injection of microbubbles. BBB opening was confirmed by performing dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to detect the extravasated gadolinium-based magnetic resonance contrast agents. Through pharmacokinetic analysis as well as independent component analysis of the DCE-MRI data, we observed localized enhancement in BBB permeability at the area that subjected to acoustic pressure of 0.48 MPa (mechanical index = 0.96). On the other hand, application of a higher pressure at 0.58 MPa resulted in localized, minor cerebral hemorrhage. No animals exhibited abnormal behavior during the post-FUS survival periods up to 2 mo. Our data suggest that monitoring for excessive BBB disruption is important for safe translation of the method to humans.
A novel noninvasive method for remote heart failure monitoring: the EuleriAn video Magnification apPLications In heart Failure studY (AMPLIFY).

Current remote monitoring devices for heart failure have been shown to reduce hospitalizations but are invasive and costly; accurate non-invasive options remain limited. The EuleriAn Video Magnification ApPLications In Heart Failure StudY (AMPLIFY) pilot aimed to evaluate the accuracy of a novel noninvasive method that uses Eulerian video magnification. Video recordings were performed on the neck veins of 50 patients who were scheduled for right heart catheterization at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center. The recorded jugular venous pulsations were then enhanced by applying Eulerian phase-based motion magnification. Assessment of jugular venous pressure was compared across three categories: (1) physicians who performed bedside exams, (2) physicians who reviewed both the amplified and unamplified videos, and (3) direct invasive measurement of right atrial pressure from right heart catheterization. Motion magnification reduced inaccuracy of the clinician assessment of central venous pressure compared to the gold standard of right heart catheterization (mean discrepancy of −0.80 cm H2O; 95% CI −2.189 to 0.612, p = 0.27) when compared to both unamplified video (−1.84 cm H2O; 95% CI −3.22 to −0.46, p = 0.0096) and the bedside exam (−2.90 cm H2O; 95% CI −4.33 to 1.40, p = 0.0002). Major categorical disagreements with right heart catheterization were significantly reduced with motion magnification (12%) when compared to unamplified video (25%) or the bedside exam (27%). This novel method of assessing jugular venous pressure improves the accuracy of the clinical exam and may enable accurate remote monitoring of heart failure patients with minimal patient risk.
Forging compromiso after the storm: activism as ethics of care among health care workers in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico was hit by a category 4 hurricane that severely damaged power, water, and communications systems on the 20th of September 2017. Based on 56 qualitative interviews, this article document...
Distributed Attack-Resilient Grid State Estimation Algorithm Using Optimal Filter and Graph Theory

Smart grid is built by the combination of electric and information technologies and achieves the two-way interaction between power utilization and power generation. Unfortunately, new security threats appears together with the cyber-physical communication systems. In order to properly monitoring the power network, the cyber attack detection and state estimation is required to identify attack and states. This paper considers the problem of robust state estimation in smart grid and suggests a technique for the distributed state estimation in power networks. Firstly, the distribution power system incorporating multiple synchronous generators are modelled as a state-space framework where attack occurs in measurements. Basically, the false data injection attacks can interfere with state estimation by tampering with sensor measurements. Using mean squared error principle, the distributed dynamic state estimation algorithm is designed where local and neighbouring gains are obtained using optimal filter and graph theory. Extensive simulation results show that the proposed approach can able to estimate the system state within a short period of time.
Protecting the Right to Effective Assistance of Capital Postconviction Counsel: The Scope of the Constitutional Obligation to Monitor Counsel Performance

This article is an outgrowth of an idea developed by the author in a prior article, The Right to Effective Assistance of Capital Postconviction Counsel: Constitutional Implications of Statutory Grants of Capital Counsel, 2003 Wisconsin Law Review 31. The prior article argued that the government's decision to provide capital postconviction counsel triggers a due process-based obligation to make the right to counsel meaningful, which essentially means that the right to counsel must include the right to effective assistance of counsel. In the postconviction context, the effectiveness guarantee requires that the government must monitor counsel's performance to ensure, to the extent possible, the actual delivery of competent assistance. This article explores the scope of the government's constitutional obligation to monitor the performance of capital postconviction counsel. It explains that the due process-based meaningfulness requirement continues to govern the analysis, so just as the government must ensure that the right to capital postconviction counsel is meaningful, it must also ensure that the system of monitoring it employs is meaningful. The article examines four key aspects of monitoring and explains how to make each aspect constitutionally meaningful. The four aspects are: the proper monitoring entity, the proper monitoring standard, the type of information to look for during the monitoring process, and the proper method of gathering such information. The article argues that a constitutionally meaningful monitoring system need not (and likely cannot) be designed to detect each and every error committed by counsel. Instead, the monitoring system must be designed to detect and remedy objectively identifiable problems with counsel's performance. Such a system will allow detection of a fairly wide range of errors, yet at the same time will not impose too high of a cost on the government in terms of delay and lack of finality. Ultimately, meaningful monitoring will increase attorney competence and reduce the likelihood that capital inmates will have to bear the burden of attorney error.
Informant report of practical judgment ability in a clinical sample of older adults with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia.

Despite the importance of capturing problems with judgment and decision-making during neuropsychological evaluations of older adults, there are a limited number of validated measures and no informa...
Identification and Validation of Nutrient State-Dependent Serum Protein Mediators of Human CD4+ T Cell Responsiveness

Intermittent fasting and fasting mimetic diets ameliorate inflammation. Similarly, serum extracted from fasted healthy and asthmatic subjects' blunt inflammation in vitro, implicating serum components in this immunomodulation. To identify the proteins orchestrating these effects, SOMAScan technology was employed to evaluate serum protein levels in healthy subjects following an overnight, 24-h fast and 3 h after refeeding. Partial least square discriminant analysis identified several serum proteins as potential candidates to confer feeding status immunomodulation. The characterization of recombinant IGFBP1 (elevated following 24 h of fasting) and PYY (elevated following refeeding) in primary human CD4+ T cells found that they blunted and induced immune activation, respectively. Furthermore, integrated univariate serum protein analysis compared to RNA-seq analysis from peripheral blood mononuclear cells identified the induction of IL1RL1 and MFGE8 levels in refeeding compared to the 24-h fasting in the same study. Subsequent quantitation of these candidate proteins in lean versus obese individuals identified an inverse regulation of serum levels in the fasted subjects compared to the obese subjects. In parallel, IL1RL1 and MFGE8 supplementation promoted increased CD4+ T responsiveness to T cell receptor activation. Together, these data show that caloric load-linked conditions evoke serological protein changes, which in turn confer biological effects on circulating CD4+ T cell immune responsiveness.
Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urothelial tract (LNEC): The MSKCC experience.

4526Background: LNEC is a rare, poorly characterized entity morphologically resembling small cell NEC of the urothelial tract (SNEC). Methods: Pure and partial LNEC and SNEC cases were identified b...
A Power-Efficient 20–35 GHz MZM Driver with Programmable Linearizer in 28nm CMOS

A power-efficient CMOS Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) driver operating over wide 20-35GHz frequency range with a programmable linearizer is reported. The proposed linearizer can compensate for AM-AM compression, extending output power 1-dB compression point by 3dB.
Management of Cervical Dysplasia Using Office Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure

Declining cervical cancer rates in the United States highlights the value of prevention and early detection of premalignant cervical disease afforded by the human papillomavirus vaccine and Pap smear. The availability of in-office loop electrosurgical excision procedure affords clinicians with a cost-effective and preferred tool for the excision of high-grade lesions of the cervix with minimal risk for severe adverse outcomes. The most recent American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology guidelines recommend a risk-based approach for the detection, treatment, and surveillance of cervical disease and specifically focus on the risk of developing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 or worse histology.
Synergistic Binding of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A and its Receptors to Heparin Selectively Modulates Complex Affinity

Angiogenesis is a highly regulated process orchestrated by the VEGF system. Heparin/heparan sulfate proteoglycans and neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) have been identified as co-receptors, yet the mechanisms of action have not been fully defined. In the present study, we characterized molecular interactions between receptors and co-receptors, using surface plasmon resonance and in vitro binding assays. Additionally, we demonstrate that these binding events are relevant to VEGF activity within endothelial cells. We defined interactions and structural requirements for heparin/HS interactions with VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-1, NRP-1, and VEGF165 in complex with VEGFR-2 and NRP-1. We demonstrate that these structural requirements are distinct for each interaction. We further show that VEGF165, VEGFR-2, and monomeric NRP-1 bind weakly to heparin alone yet show synergistic binding to heparin when presented together in various combinations. This synergistic binding appears to translate to alterations in VEGF signaling in endothelial cells. We found that soluble NRP-1 increases VEGF binding and activation of VEGFR-2 and ERK1/2 in endothelial cells and that these effects require sulfated HS. These data suggest that the presence of HS/heparin and NRP-1 may dictate the specific receptor type activated by VEGF and ultimately determine the biological output of the system. The ability of co-receptors to fine-tune VEGF responsiveness suggests the possibility that VEGF-mediated angiogenesis can be selectively stimulated or inhibited by targeting HS/heparin and NRP-1.
Hybrid Stochastic Global Optimization Scheme for Rapid Pavement Backcalculation

Over the years, several techniques have been proposed for back-calculation of pavement layer moduli which involves searching for the optimal combination of pavement layer stiffness solutions in an unsmooth, multimodal, complex search space. In recent years, researchers are actively deriving inspiration from nature, biology, physical systems, and social behavior of natural systems for developing computational techniques to solve complex optimization problems. Some well-known nature-inspired meta-heuristics, which are basically high-level strategies that guide the search process to efficiently explore the search space in order to find (near-) optimal solutions, include, but are not limited to: Genetic Algorithms (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Simulated Annealing (SA), Shuffled Complex Evolution (SCE), etc. Potential applications of such nature-inspired hybrid optimization approaches to pavement backcalculation are conceptually illustrated in this chapter which take advantage of the combined efficiency and accuracy achieved by integrating advanced pavement numerical modeling schemes, computational intelligence based surrogate mapping techniques, and stochastic nature-inspired meta-heuristics with global optimization strategies using a system-of-systems approach.
Prejudice Toward Female Leaders: Backlash Effects and Women’s Impression Management Dilemma

Women who pursue or possess power are at risk for backlash, defined as social and economic penalties for defying stereotypic expectations (Rudman, 1998). Rule-based gender stereotypes stipulate acceptable behaviors for women and men and when these rules are violated, perceivers react negatively. We review research demonstrating the Catch-22 that female leaders face, such that they are required to display agency to overcome the lack of fit between their gender and leadership yet when they do so, they risk prejudice and hiring discrimination (i.e., backlash). Our review reveals how this dilemma encumbers women in all aspects of their career. We consider factors that moderate the likelihood of backlash effects and describe recent research that sheds light on the mechanisms responsible for negative reactions toward women striving for positions of power. Finally, we discuss the implications of backlash for preserving stereotypes in the culture-at-large and the gender status quo and suggest directions for future research.
Biaxial nonlinear surface waves

Summary form only given. The combination of linear guiding and nonlinear self-guiding effects present in nonlinear waveguides lead to a variety of phenomena that are absent in linear wave guides. The inclusion of anisotropy is often important because of the inherent strain near the interface between two dissimilar coherently grown crystals. This strain induces an anisotropy in the dielectric tensor. In this paper we examine stationary nonlinear surface waves that exist at the interface between an isotropic nonlinear self-focusing medium and a linear biaxial medium.
Abortion deaths in California

Abstract Two hundred and twenty-three abortion deaths representing 21 per cent of all maternal deaths studied by Maternal Mortality Committees of California are presented. The socioeconomic and medical data available indicate that the majority of these abortions were self-induced by crude methods which were quickly lethal with three fourths of the women dying either before arriving at medical facilities or within 2 days thereafter. The white, low-income, gravida iv-vi housewife in the age group of 25 to 29 years and experiencing her first abortion was the usual victim. Most fatalities occurred in the highest populated areas. Expeditious treatment directed toward control of irreversible shock from sepsis and other destructive entities was to little avail. Avoidable factors were in the majority assigned to the patient or her abortionist with a few professional errors related to overzealous effort.
The experience of pain during women's first sexual intercourse: Cultural mythology about female sexual initiation

A sample of coitally experienced college females was utilized to explore the adequacy of several related beliefs that constitute the cultural mythology of female sexual initiation in American society and to identify possible correlates of the subjective experience of pain during women's first intercourse. The results were that a sizeable minority of the women reported experiencing no pain during their first intercourse, that other subjective reactions (pleasure, guilt, anxiety) were experienced at least as commonly as pain, and that many women acquired considerable noncoital sexual experience prior to their first intercourse. The experience of pain during first intercourse was found to be related directly to young age, conservative sexual values, an expectation of no pain, and negative affect. The report closes with a consideration of future research needs and the presentation of a tentative model of first coital pain in which noncoital sexual experience and qualities attributed to the male partner are projected as indirect influences on first coital pain.
Experimental end-to-end anastomosis of lymphatic trunks in the canine hind limb

Experimental end-to-end anastomoses were carried out between the femoral lymphatic trunks in the dog. They measured between 0.2 to 0.6 mm. A new triple cut technique is described. The long-term patency rates were, for the no-tension group 25%, for the normal tension group 22%. Result control was performed by re-exploration of each anastomosis.
COENZYME Q. LX. VITAMIN-LIKE ACTIVITY OF COENZYME Q.

SummaryVitamin-like activity for hexahydrocoenzyme Q4 in the dystrophic rabbit is demonstrated. This activity for a quinone member of the CoQ group is comparable to the activity of α-tocopherol and CoQ4-chromanol which has previously been demonstrated. By contrast, a sample of 2,3,5-trimethyl-6-phytylbenzoquinone, which was free of contamination with α-tocopherol, exhibited only a low order of activity in the dystrophic rabbit. The dystrophic rabbit failed to recover when coenzyme Q10 was administered orally; it is apparent that the administered CoQ10 failed to reach its mitochondrial and microsomal sites since a lower homolog, hexahydrocoenzyme Q4, exhibits activity in the dystrophic rabbit. It is considered that CoQ10, which is normally present in rabbit tissue, does inherently have this vitamin-like activity.
Decreased Length of Stay and Cumulative Hospitalized Days Despite Increased Patient Admissions and Readmissions in an Area of Urban Poverty

Background Length of stay at US acute care hospitals has been steadily decreasing since 1960, and there is ongoing concern that increasing financial pressures on hospitals with high proportions of Medicaid patients may be causing unduly short lengths of stay.
Parameter-free calculation of the enhanced spin susceptibility of Nb3Sn including electron-phonon effects

Abstract A parameter-free calculation of the spin susceptibility χsp(T) of Nb3Sn, which includes static and dynamic disorder as well as exchange-correlation enhancement, is presented. It is found that χsp is only 15% of the measured susceptibility, and its small temperature dependence cannot account for the experimental findings.
On the sensitivity to noise of a Boolean function

In this paper we generate upper and lower bounds for the sensitivity to noise of a Boolean function using relaxed assumptions on input choices and noise. The robustness of a Boolean network to noisy inputs is related to the average sensitivity of that function. The average sensitivity measures how sensitive to changes in the inputs the output of the function is. The average sensitivity of Boolean functions can indicate whether a specific random Boolean network constructed from those functions is ordered, chaotic, or in critical phase. We give an exact formula relating the sensitivity to noise and the average sensitivity of a Boolean function. The analytic approach is supplemented by numerical results that illustrate the overall behavior of the sensitivities as various Boolean functions are considered. It is observed that, for certain parameter combinations, the upper estimates in this paper are sharper than other estimates in the literature and that the lower estimates are very close to the actual values of the sensitivity to noise of the selected Boolean functions.
Status of hyaluronan supplementation therapy in osteoarthritis

Hyaluronans are polysaccharide molecules that occur naturally in synovial fluid; they help to create a viscous environment, cushion joints, and maintain normal function. The American College of Rheumatology recommends intraarticular injection of hyaluronans, which are available as several distinct therapeutic products, as an alternative to oral analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the symptomatic treatment of pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. A large body of literature supports the clinical efficacy and safety of this therapeutic class for this indication, although there are differences between the marketed products and they should be evaluated independently. Preliminary work investigating the use of hyaluronans for osteoarthritis in joints other than the knee has also produced promising results. There is growing evidence that hyaluronans, the biology of which is complex, may also have structure-modifying activity. Thus, compared with currently approved nonoperative therapies for osteoarthritis, hyaluronans may also have beneficial effects on the disease process in osteoarthritis.
Orientation imaging microscopy investigation of the compression deformation of a [011] ta single crystal

High-purity tantalum single crystal cylinders oriented with [110] parallel to the cylinder axis were deformed 10, 20, and 30 percent in compression. The samples were subsequently sectioned for characterization using Orientation Imaging Microscopy (O&I) along two orthogonal sectioning planes: one in the plane containing [001] and [110] (longitudinal) and the other in the plane containing [1{anti 1}0] and[110] (transverse). To examine local lattice rotations, the Euler angles relative to a reference angle at the section center were decomposed to their in-plane and out-of-plane components. The in-plane and out-of-plane misorientation maps for all compression tests reveal inhomogeneous deformation everywhere and particularly large lattice rotations in the comers of the longitudinal section. Of particular interest are the observed alternating orientation changes. This suggests the existence of networks of dislocations with net alternating sign that are required to accommodate the observed rotations. Rotation maps from the transverse section are distinctly different in appearance from those in the longitudinal plane. However, the rotation maps confirm that the rotations observed above were about the [1{anti 1}0] axis. Alternating orientation changes are also observed on this section. Results will be directly compared with crystal rotations predicted using finite element methods and reviewed in light of the LLNL Multiscale Materials Modeling Program.
Adaptive panel representation for oblique collision of two vortex rings

Abstract In this article, we use a hierarchical panel method for representing vortex sheet surface motion in 3D flow to investigate the oblique collision of two vortex rings. The particles representing the sheet are advected by a regularized Biot–Savart integral with smoothed Rosenhead–Moore kernel. The particle velocities are evaluated by an adaptive treecode algorithm based on Taylor expansions in Cartesian coordinates. The method allowed us to consider late stages of a vortex rings collision, producing a funnel region. Vorticity iso-surfaces evolution is also investigated.
INTRARENAL ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA Early Surgical Repair with Preservation of Renal Parenchyma

Abstract A case of intrarenal arteriovenous fistula following percutaneous renal biopsy documented by pre- and postoperative selective renal arteriogram has been studied. Massive hematuria, severe flank pain, and clinical deterioration developed, and the patient required immediate surgical intervention. Intrarenal surgical repair of the fistula resulted in the full preservation of renal parenchyma. A review of the literature indicates that the majority of such cases have resulted in nephrectomy, which would have been undesirable in this case, because of renal lupus erythematosus.
Sclerosing epithelioid fiberosarcoma: short T2 on MR imaging

A case of sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma and its appearance on MRI is presented. The tumor showed a zonal architecture on MRI with a large central core of very low signal intensity and a peripheral rim of intermediate to high signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted spin echo pulse sequences. The core showed decreased cellularity with dense collagen deposition on histologic examination, and the peripheral zone increased cellularity with increased nuclear atypia. The presence of a prominent region of very low signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images can be seen with neural tumors, giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath, aggressive fibromatosis, and, in rare instances, with soft tissue sarcomas rich in collagen.
Temperature dependence of the compressional wave velocity in an anisotropic dunite: Measurements to 500°C at 10 kbar☆

Abstract Measurements of compressional wave velocity V p were made in a gas apparatus to 500°C at 10 kbar in three cores of an anisotropic dunite specimen from Twin Sisters Mountain. The axial directions of the three chosen cores coincide with the preferred directions and concentration of olivine crystallographic axes ( a [100], b [010], and c [001]). Measured ( δV p / δT )p values at 10 kbar in the three cores (−6.7, −5.4 and −6.2 · 10 −4 km/sec · deg, respectively), and the mean value for the dunite (−6.1 · 10 −4 km/sec · deg) are larger than the Voigt-Reuss-Hill values calculated from single-crystal data. This discrepancy is explained by the presence of internal thermal stresses, due to anisotropic expansion of olivine grains, causing grain boundary cracks to widen. It is concluded that high negative values of ( δV p / δT )p for rocks reported in the literature should be carefully evaluated in terms of the formation of new cracks or widening of cracks already present under high pressure-temperature environments.
Engaging Older Adults in Volunteering Conceptualizing and Measuring Institutional Capacity

Concern exists that organizations are not ready to take advantage of the growing number of older volunteers. This study offers a conceptualization and preliminary measurement strategy to enhance knowledge on the institutional capacity of volunteer programs to engage older adults. Data were collected from 51 program directors to assess 10 dimensions of institutional capacity: specification of role, dissemination of information, role availability, compensation of expenses, in-kind incentive, skill development, role flexibility, role recognition, accommodation, and integration. Eight factors were identified. The subscales were moderately reliable, and dimensions were independent. Programs rated highest on the capacity to recognize volunteers and disseminate information and lowest on their ability to provide cash compensation. Subsequent research on institutional capacity depends on its strong measurement. Future works will assess the extent to which these institutional capacity factors affect the recruitment...
Performance of an item response theory-based computer adaptive test in identifying functional decline.

Abstract Cheville AL, Yost KJ, Larson DR, Dos Santos K, O'Byrne MM, Chang MT, Therneau TM, Diehn FE, Yang P. Performance of an item response theory-based computer adaptive test in identifying functional decline. Objective To achieve a low respondent burden and increase the responsiveness of functional measurement by using an item response theory-based computer adaptive test (CAT), the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) CAT. Design Two-year prospective cohort study. Setting Telephonic assessments from a quaternary medical center. Participants Patients (N=311) with late-stage lung cancer (LC). Interventions Monthly assessments for up to 2 years. Disease progression was determined via record abstraction. Anchor-based responsiveness techniques were used to compare AM-PAC-CAT score changes between global rating of change (GRC) question response levels, as well as between intervals when adverse clinical events or symptom worsening did and did not occur. Distribution-based responsiveness assessments included calculation of the standardized effect size (SES) and standardized response mean (SRM). Main Outcome Measures AM-PAC-CAT, symptom numerical rating scales, and a GRC. Results Administration time averaged 112 seconds over 2543 interviews. AM-PAC-CAT score changes became more positive as GRC responses reflected more improved states: a lot worse (−11.62), a little worse (−1.92), the same (−.10), a little better (1.01), and a lot better (2.82). Score changes were negative when associated with adverse clinical events. The SES and SRM for score differences between 1 to 2 and 9 to 10 months prior to death were −.87 and −1.13, respectively. The minimally important difference estimate was defined by the mean CAT session SE at 2.0. Conclusions The AM-PAC-CAT imposes a low,
The national school of public administration in greece: A preliminary comparative study

This preliminary study seeks to identify some of the factors responsible for the hitherto limited success of the National School of Public Administration in Greece, which became operational in 1985. The School, modeled after the National School of Public Administration (ENA) in France, annually accepts into its four specialized tracks with their common core curriculum both civil servants and private citizens who succeed in its rigorous entrance competitions. The School represents an effort to identify administrative talent and offer specialized training in public administration toward upgrading the administrative capabilities of the Greek civil service. Some tentative conclusions point out that the limited success of the School is associated with its brief life span, its only partial acceptance by the unions of higher civil servants, its relatively legalistic program orientation, its inadequate emphasis on internships or learning by doing, the non-strategic placement of graduates, and the absence of an id...
Prevalence of Stuttering in African American Preschoolers.

Purpose In this study, the authors sought to determine the prevalence of stuttering in African American (AA) 2- to 5-year-olds as compared with same-age European Americans (EAs). Method A total of 3,164 children participated: 2,223 AAs and 941 EAs. Data were collected using a 3-pronged approach that included investigators' individual interactions with each child, teacher identification, and parent identification of stuttering. Results No statistically significant difference for stuttering was found between AA and EA children. Using the investigator and teacher method of identification, the prevalence of stuttering was 2.52% for the entire sample. For both racial groups, boys exhibited a higher prevalence of stuttering than girls. Of the 3 predictors (age, race, sex) of stuttering, only sex was a significant predictor. Conclusions AA 2- to 5-year-olds are not overrepresented in the stuttering population for this age group. When data are combined for both racial groups, the prevalence of stuttering is 2.52%...
Discrepancy Score Reliabilities in the WAIS-IV Standardization Sample:

In the present investigation, the authors provide internal consistency reliabilities for Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) subtest and Index discrepancy scores using the standardization sample as the data source. Reliabilities ranged from .55 to .88 for subtest discrepancy scores and .80 to .91for Index discrepancy scores. Thus, the reliabilities of the WAIS-IV subtest discrepancy scores did not reach the ≥ .90 criterion recommended for clinical decision-making, whereas four Index score coefficients reached this reliability standard. If the purpose is to generate hypotheses based on discrepancy scores, 23 of the 66 subtests and all of the Index reliabilities are ≥ .80.
MALONE ANTEGRADE CONTINENCE ENEMA FOR ADULTS WITH NEUROGENIC BOWEL DISEASE

AbstractPurpose: We describe the outcomes of adults with neurogenic bowel disease who underwent a Malone antegrade continence enema procedure with or without concomitant urinary diversion.Materials and Methods: Consecutive adult patients with neurogenic bowel disease who underwent an antegrade continence enema procedure (continent catheterizable appendicocecostomy for fecal impaction) were retrospectively reviewed.Results: Of the 7 patients who underwent an antegrade continence enema synchronous urinary procedure (ileal conduit, augmentation ileocystoplasty with continent catheterizable abdominal stoma or augmentation ileocystoplasty) was also performed in 6. Mean patient age was 32 years and mean followup was 11 months. Of the 7 patients 6 who self-administered antegrade continence enemas regularly were continent of stool per rectum and appendicocecostomy, using the appendicocecostomy as the portal for antegrade enemas. All 6 compliant patients reported decreased toileting time and improved quality of li...
Making Programming Accessible and Exciting

The gap between supply and demand for computer scientists has its roots in children's perception that programming is "hard and boring." The Web extra at http://youtu.be/5FSbA_YMsNE is a video showing students at Aspen Creek K-8 in Broomfield, Colorado, using AgentSheets, a program developed by author Alex Repenning to design video games in an after-school program. Repenning designed AgentSheets to encourage interest in Computer Science careers and scientific thinking in students.