cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting psychological distress in sex offender therapists.

The provision of psychological services to sexual offenders presents therapists with many challenges, including exposure to vivid descriptions of sexual violence and trauma. Although there is an increasingly robust body of literature investigating the effects of such traumatic exposure on therapists who work with the victims of sexual abuse, there have been few studies of its impact on those who treat the perpetrators. This study provides an exploratory investigation of the experience of psychological distress among therapists who work with sex offenders, as well as the social support mechanisms that may serve to mitigate therapist risk. Fifty-nine sex offender therapists completed a self-report measure of posttraumatic stress symptomatology, and rated their perceptions of family and peer support. Therapists also reported the number of hours that they devote to sex offender treatment and the amount of clinical supervision they participate in on a weekly basis. As a group, participants reported experiencing low levels of general and trauma-related distress. Although statistical analyses failed to indicate the existence of a significant positive correlation between number of hours devoted to sex offender treatment and the experience of therapist distress, greater perceptions of peer support were significantly predictive of lower levels of psychological distress and PTSD symptoms. These results are discussed relative to their implications for sex offender therapist self-care and future research.
A new instrument to measure sexual function in women with urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.

Abstract Objective: Our aim was to develop a condition-specific, reliable, validated, and self-administered instrument to evaluate sexual function in women with pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence. Study Design: The questionnaire was designed after review of the literature and of nonspecific validated instruments. The study was completed in 2 phases. In phase 1 a total of 83 women completed both our questionnaire and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7, with 20 women undergoing test-retest reliability analyses. Item analysis was based on the internal consistency, the correlations with the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7, the patient's age and self-rating of satisfaction, and the results of reliability testing. For final validation the questionnaire was administered in phase 2 to 99 women. Factor and item analyses were repeated, results were correlated with the Sexual History Form-12, and comparison was made between patients with high depression scores and those with low depression scores on the Symptom Questionnaire. Results: Factor analysis identified 3 domains, labeled Behavioral/Emotive, Physical, and Partner-Related. Sexual function scores were highly correlated with scores on the Sexual History Form-12 for the questionnaire ( r = –0.74; P r = –0.79 and –0.5, respectively; P r = –0.63; P P Conclusion: We developed a condition-specific, validated, and reliable instrument, containing 31 items divided into 3 domains, to evaluate sexual functioning in women with urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:552-8.)
Morphological Awareness Intervention With Kindergartners and First- and Second-Grade Students From Low Socioeconomic Status Homes: A Feasibility Study

Purpose The effect of a morphological awareness intervention on the morphological awareness and literacy skills of students from low socioeconomic status homes was investigated. Method A 9-week intervention designed to increase awareness of affixes and the relations between base words and their inflected and derived forms was conducted with students in kindergarten (n = 19), 1st grade (n = 21), and 2nd grade (n = 21). Groups of 4–5 students were provided with instruction 4 times a week for 25 min a day. Results Results showed medium to very large clinically significant gains in morphological awareness and literacy abilities (ds = 0.29–2.96) across all participants. Conclusion The results of this feasibility study suggest that morphological awareness instruction that requires students to analyze, recognize, orally produce, and determine the spelling patterns of multimorphemic words leads to therapeutic effects within a population of young students who are at risk for future reading difficulties. In...
A Lay Mapmaker’s Perspective on the Dilemma of Cartographic Design

Aesthetic, accessible, astounding, and accurate—these four adjectives best describe the value drivers of maps from a lay mapmaker’s perspective. Aesthetics is the marketing of the map, as an unappealing map will not attract readers. It also needs to be accessible: readers need to understand the message correctly and recognize the locations of their interest, otherwise they will turn away quickly. If the content of a map is astounding, readers will get engaged with the map. Accuracy, which refers to the correctness and precise measurement of the data as well as its visual representation, builds reputation—inaccuracy kills it. Frequently there are trade-offs between these four main value drivers to consider, requiring a dilemma approach to cartography.
Increased prevalence of false positive hemoglobinopathy newborn screening in premature infants

Background The objective was to investigate the specificity of the hemoglobinopathy newborn screening in premature neonates as compared to term neonates. Procedure The screening results from infants suspected to have hemoglobinopathy disease identified by the Florida Newborn Screening Program for years 2002–2007 were compared to the corresponding confirmatory testing. The risks for false positives for preterm and full term newborns were calculated by Chi-square or the Cochran–Armitage test for trend. Isoelectric focusing and HPLC were the methods of hemoglobin screening. Results Over 2,300 neonates (1/576 neonates born in Florida) were suspected to have hemoglobinopathy. The most common abnormal pattern in term and preterm infants (gestational age 22–36 weeks) suggesting disease at screening was FS. Overall, 93% of the children who screened positive for FCA and 64% of infants identified with FSA were later confirmed with trait. FSC was confirmed in 96% of the cases in both preterm and term infants. Compared to term newborns, preterm newborns were more likely to have a false positive result for FS or FC at screening. Twenty-three percent of preterms with FS and 59% of preterms with FC were diagnosed as traits by confirmatory testing, compared to only 2% and 6% for term infants (P < 0.001). Conclusions As compared to term newborns, more preterm newborns with trait were misidentified as having sickle cell anemia or hemoglobin C at screening. We speculate that abnormal hemoglobins may precede the development of hemoglobin A during fetal life. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 1039–1043. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The contours of the network society

This article identifies contemporary society as a network society made possible by new information and communication technologies which are both a necessary condition for, and inextractable dimension of that society, and pose complex results and challenges. The prevalence of networks means that we have entered a new technological paradigm and new form of organizational structure having shifted from vertical to more flexible and adaptable networking forms of activity in economy, society, politics and culture. Historical problems of networks are overcome by the new network technologies. In the network society, the integration of the core of global financial activities works through causal interactions and the ability to assess and change the value of any security in the global market. This is only made possible via telecommunications and powerful information systems which assess risks and provide alternatives. Characteristics and consequences of the new economy are outlined as are patterns of governmental power. Current processes of globalization have diminished the capacity of the nation state to control the processes of cultural, economic, political and social dimensions and the network state is emerging in a world of different kinds of networks of which governmental networks is one. The main conclusion is that the network society of the contemporary, or post‐industrial, age is centrally organized around new information communication technologies which have enabled, rather than technologically determined, extraordinary changes in the social structure.
A chiral tetragonal magnesium-carboxylate framework with nanotubular channels

Reported here is a rare example of a highly symmetrical chiral Mg-based MOF (CPF-1) with nanotubular channels, built from 41 (or 43) helical chains. It exhibits a high gas sorption capacity (ca. 1.29 wt% H2 at 77 K, 1 atm; 84 cm3 g−1 of CO2 at 273 K, 1 atm).
The role of monocyte subsets in myocutaneous revascularization

Abstract Background The controlled recruitment of monocytes from the circulation to the site of injury and their differentiation into tissue macrophages are critical events in the reconstitution of tissue integrity. Subsets of monocytes/macrophages have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and tumor vascularity; however, the significance of monocyte heterogeneity in physiologic neovascularization is just emerging. Materials and methods A cranial-based, peninsular-shaped myocutaneous flap was surgically created on the dorsum of wild-type mice (C57BL6) and populations of mice with genetic deletion of subset-specific chemokine ligand-receptor axes important in monocyte trafficking and function (CCL2−/− and CX3CR1−/−) (n = 36 total; 12 mice per group, nine with flap and three unoperated controls). Planimetric analysis of digital photographic images was utilized to determine flap surface viability in wild-type and knockout mice. Real-time myocutaneous flap perfusion and functional revascularization was determined by laser speckle contrast imaging. Image analysis of CD-31 immunostained sections confirmed flap microvascular density and anatomy. Macrophage quantification and localization in flap tissues was determined by F4/80 gene and protein expression. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed on nonoperative back skin and postoperative flap tissue specimens to determine local gene expression. Results Myocutaneous flaps created on wild type and CX3CR1−/− mice were engrafted to the recipient site, resulting in viability. In contrast, distal full thickness cutaneous necrosis and resultant flap dehiscence was evident by d 10 in CCL2−/− mice. Over 10 d, laser speckle contrast imaging documented immediate graded flap ischemia in all three groups of mice, functional flap revascularization in wild type and CX3CR1−/− mice, and lack of distal flap reperfusion in CCL2−/− mice. Immunostaining of serial histologic specimens confirmed marked increases in microvascular density and number of macrophages in wild type mice, intermediate increases in CX3CR1−/− mice, and no significant change in vessel count or macrophage quantity in CCL2−/− mice over the study interval. Finally, quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that the loss of function of chemokine ligand and receptor genes influenced the transcription of local genes involved in monocyte chemotaxis and wound angiogenesis. Conclusions In a graded-ischemia wound healing model, monocyte recruitment was severely impaired in CCL2−/− mice, resulting in failure of flap revascularization and concomitant cutaneous necrosis. Analysis of CX3CR1-deficient mice revealed adequate monocyte recruitment and revascularization for flap survival; however, the myeloid cell response and magnitude of neovascularization were dampened compared with wild type mice.
Reservoir geochemistry: Evaluation of thermal maturity from gasoline-range hydrocarbons

ABSTRACTOils and condensates with high concentrations of gasoline-range hydrocarbons typically lack adequate quantities of C15+ biomarkers used for thermal maturity and organic facies evaluations. I attempted a calibration of rock-based thermal maturity parameters between gasoline-range molecular parameters and nonmolecular maturity parameters such as Rock-Eval Tmax, vitrinite reflectance, and downhole temperatures. This enables maturity evaluation of volatile oils and condensates whose biomarker concentrations are at low or trace levels. The rock-based calibration data were used to assess thermal maturity of nonvolatile oils, volatile oils, and condensates from the Central Graben area of the UK North Sea and includes samples from high-pressure (gradients >0.8 psi/ft) and high-temperature (>150°C) hydrocarbon systems. Source rocks for theses North Sea oils and condensates are the Upper Jurassic Kimmeridge Clay and Heather shales, with a predominance of marine, algal type II organic matter.
Habitat-based submersible assessment of macro-invertebrate and groundfish assemblages at Heceta Bank, Oregon, from 1988 to 1990

Abstract Exploitation of groundfish off the U.S. Pacific coast reached maximum levels during the 1990s, resulting in severe declines in at least nine species of groundfish. From 1988 to 1990, we used the 2-man submersible Delta to make 42 dives and run replicate visual belt transects at six stations ranging from 67–360 m in depth at Heceta Bank on the outer continental shelf of Oregon. We identified four major habitats and associated benthic macroinvertebrate and groundfish assemblages: (1) shallow rock ridges and large boulders ( 200 m) dominated by fragile urchins, sea cucumbers, shortspine thornyhead, and flatfishes. Although substantial interannual variation in groundfish abundance among seafloor types was evident in the 12 most abundant and/or commercially important fish taxa sampled, high variance resulted in statistically significant differences among years only in juvenile rockfishes. These data provide a baseline for future comparisons exploring long-term change this continental-shelf ecosystem.
Risk factors for systemic Candida infections in pediatric small bowel transplant recipients.

Background Fungal infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality after small bowel transplantation (SBT). Little information about risk factors for Candida infections in pediatric SBT is available. Methods We performed a 1:1 matched retrospective case-control study including 23 Candida culture-positive patients (cases) and 23 culture-negative patients (controls), matched based on age and time of transplantation. Patients' characteristics were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum, χ, or Fisher exact tests. McNemar test was used to assess discordance between pretransplant and posttransplant fungemia. Univariate and multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors. Results The median age of the group was 1.87 years (range, 0.87-17.60); 59% patients were male. Within 1 month before transplant, 8.7% cases had fungemia and within 1-6 months before transplant, 30.4% cases had fungemia, compared with 69.6% within the 12 months after transplantation (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.02). By univariate analysis, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (odds ratio [OR], 17.0 [95% confidence interval: 2.12, 2198]; P = 0.003) and antibiotic administration (OR, 18.99 [2.42, 2449]; P = 0.002) were risk factors for fungal infections. By multivariable analysis, both remained independent risk factors (TPN: OR, 10.86 [1.23, 1425], P = 0.03; antibiotic administration: OR, 12.83 [1.52, 1672], P = 0.01). Conclusions Fungemia was significantly more frequent after SBT than before transplantation. Patients receiving TPN and antibiotic treatment had, respectively, 11 and 13 times higher risk of developing Candida infections after SBT.
Boy with seriously ill mother manifests somatic complaints, withdrawal, disabling fears

Discussing treatment planning for a depressed child this month is Dr. Theodore Petti, associate professor of child psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh (Pa.) Medical Center. Dr. Petti is also director of the child and youth section of the office of education and regional programming at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.
Comparison of body composition in black and white premenopausal women

We examined 23 pairs of black and white premenopausal women to determine whether there were ethnic differences in body composition. The pairs were matched on weight and height. Each woman had measurements of total body water taken by a tritiated water dilution technique, total body nitrogen, and total body carbon by neutron-activation, mineral ash by dual x-ray absorptiometry, and body potassium by whole body counting. Differences between blacks and whites were compared with the use of both the two-compartment and four-compartment models. The two-compartment model showed that in premenopausal black and white women of similar age, heights, and weights, blacks had significantly more lean mass. The four-compartment model resulted in similar conclusions. The black women had larger protein, mineral, and water compartments and less fat than whites. It may be that body weight measurements as an indicator of obesity should be adjusted for black versus white women.
Thorium: Phase transformations and equation of state to 300 GPa

Abstract Equation of state and phase transformations of thorium metal have been investigated to 300 GPa at 300 K in a diamond anvil cell using energy dispersive X-ray diffraction employing synchrotron source. Phase transformations in the 70–100 GPa range indicative of 5f-electron bonding are observed and thorium metal is isostructural with its 4f counterpart cerium at ultra high pressures. The measured static equation of state of thorium to 300GPa (volume fraction V/V o = 0.40) at 300K is given. At high pressures, the sd to f electronic transfer has significant influence on the measured equation of state of thorium.
Thioesterase Superfamily Member 2/Acyl-CoA Thioesterase 13 (Them2/Acot13) Regulates Adaptive Thermogenesis in Mice

Members of the acyl-CoA thioesterase (Acot) gene family hydrolyze fatty acyl-CoAs, but their biological functions remain incompletely understood. Thioesterase superfamily member 2 (Them2; synonym Acot13) is enriched in oxidative tissues, associated with mitochondria, and relatively specific for long chain fatty acyl-CoA substrates. Using Them2−/− mice, we have demonstrated key roles for Them2 in regulating hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism. However, reduced body weights and decreased adiposity in Them2−/− mice observed despite increased food consumption were not well explained. To explore a role in thermogenesis, mice were exposed to ambient temperatures ranging from thermoneutrality (30 °C) to cold (4 °C). In response to short term (24-h) exposures to decreasing ambient temperatures, Them2−/− mice exhibited increased adaptive responses in physical activity, food consumption, and energy expenditure when compared with Them2+/+ mice. By contrast, genotype-dependent differences were not observed in mice that were equilibrated (96 h) at each ambient temperature. In brown adipose tissue, the absence of Them2 was associated with reduced lipid droplets, alterations in the ultrastructure of mitochondria, and increased expression of thermogenic genes. Indicative of a direct regulatory role for Them2 in heat production, cultured primary brown adipocytes from Them2−/− mice exhibited increased norepinephrine-mediated triglyceride hydrolysis and increased rates of O2 consumption, together with elevated expression of thermogenic genes. At least in part by regulating intracellular fatty acid channeling, Them2 functions in brown adipose tissue to suppress adaptive increases in energy expenditure.
Identification and Characterization of Unique Proline-rich Peptides Binding to the Mitochondrial Fission Protein hFis1

Mammalian mitochondrial fission requires at least two proteins, hFis1 and the dynamin-like GTPase DLP1/Drp1. The mitochondrial protein hFis1 is anchored at the outer membrane by a C-terminal transmembrane domain. The cytosolic domain of hFis1 contains six α helices [α1–α6] out of which [α2–α5] form tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR)-like motifs. DLP1 and possibly other proteins are thought to interact with the hFis1 TPR region during the fission process. It has also been suggested that the α1-helix regulates protein-protein interactions at the TPR. We performed random peptide phage display screening using the hFis1[α2–α6] as the target and identified ten different peptide sequences. Phage ELISA using mutant hFis1 indicates that the peptide binding requires the α2 and α3 helices and the intact TPR structure. Competition experiments and surface plasmon resonance analyses confirmed that a subset of free peptides enriched with proline residues directly bind to the target. Two of these peptides bind to the α1-containing intact cytosolic domain of hFis1 with decreased affinity. Peptide microinjection into cells abolished the mitochondrial swelling induced by overexpression of α1-deleted hFis1, and significantly decreased cytochrome c release from mitochondria upon apoptotic induction. Our data demonstrate that hFis1 can bind to multiple amino acid sequences selectively, and that the TPR constitutes the main binding region of hFis1, providing a first insight into the hFis1 TPR as a potential therapeutic target.
Factors associated with the maintenance of positive health behavior

Abstract Various factors associated with positive health behavior—an index based on eight measures of health response such as seat belt use, smoking, exercise and risk-taking—were examined. Women had more positive scores than men, reflecting a higher level of drinking and risk-taking among men, and a lower level of preventive medical behavior. Other predictors include education and a conventional behavioral orientation. Positive health behavior is associated with both psychological well-being and subjective health status. The patterns of associations found support the hypothesis that positive health behavior is part of a complex life-style that may reflect the ability to anticipate problems, mobilize to meet them, and cope actively.
Relation of Divorce to Self-Concepts and Grade Point Averages of Fifth Grade School Children:

Data from 31 children (age 10.7 yr.) of divorced parents showed lower self-concept scores on the Piers-Harris Children's Self-concept Scale than 19 children of nondivorced parents, although the two sets of scores fall within the expected range.
The {CP} Problem in Quantum Gravity

It has recently been shown that one can reformulate general relativity in such a way that the canonical variables of the theory resemble those of Yang-Mills theory and the freedom in performing internal rotations on tetrads is completely analogous to the freedom in performing local gauge transformations in Yang-Mills theory. This reformulation is used to carry over, in the canonical framework, the analysis of the θ vacua and the associated CP problem from Yang-Mills theory to general relativity. The analysis depends only on certain qualitative features of general relativity—shared by other field theories of gravitation such as supergravity—and is insensitive to the details of the theory as well as of the way in which the canonical quantization program may be eventually completed.
Evidence for benefits of early intervention with non-steroidal drugs in asthma

Earlier guidelines recommended the use of bronchodilators, such as β2-agonists, in patients with mild asthma (defined as having symptoms present on ≤3 days per week), the use of sodium cromoglycate in moderately severe asthma patients (symptoms present on >3 days per week), and inhaled corticosteroids in those not satisfactorily controlled by sodium cromoglycate (severe asthma). A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the effect of such a stepwise approach on the long-term outcome of the disease. A group of 175 children were followed for a mean of 8.4 years (range, 2–16 years) and divided into mild (treated with “as-needed” bronchodilators, usually β2-agonists), moderate (treated with sodium cromoglycate), and severe asthmatics (treated with inhaled corticosteroids). Treatment was altered if patients deteriorated or improved. The clinical improvement (as determined by days with symptoms present, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations) of patients being treated with anti-inflammatory agents (sodium cromoglycate or inhaled corticosteroids) was significantly greater than for those receiving bronchodilators. Delay in starting sodium cromoglycate, but not inhaled corticosteroids, had a negative effect on both clinical outcome and pulmonary function. Spirometry showed a significant worsening in the mild group but improvements in the moderate and severe groups. Thus, treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs improves the long-term prognosis and at least partially reverses the natural history of the disease; however, sodium cromoglycate should be started in milder patients than those recommended by the earlier guidelines. The new Global Initiative guidelines have recommended moving the indication for the start of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from having symptoms on >3 days per week to having symptoms on >1 day per week. Considering the fact that inhaled corticosteroids have some side effects even at standard doses, especially in patients with milder asthma, it would appear that a stepwise approach, starting with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is the most appropriate therapy for patients with mild-to-moderate asthma. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 1997; Supplement 15:34–39. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mapping the spatial distribution of a disease‐transmitting insect in the presence of surveillance error and missing data

Summary Maps of the distribution of epidemiological data often ignore surveillance error or possible correlations between missing information and outcomes. We analyse presence–absence data at the household level (12050 points) of a disease-carrying insect in Mariano Melgar, Peru, collected as part of the Arequipan Ministry of Health's efforts to control Chagas disease. We construct a Bayesian hierarchical model to locate regions that are vulnerable to under-reporting due to surveillance error, accounting for variability in participation due to infestation status. The spatial correlation in the data allows us to identify relative inspector sensitivity and to elucidate the relationship between participation and infestation. We show that naive estimates of prevalence would be biased by surveillance error and missingness at random assumptions. We validate our results through simulations and observe how randomized inspector assignments may improve prevalence estimates. Our results suggests that bias due to imperfect observations and missingness at random can be assessed and corrected in prevalence estimates of spatially auto-correlated binary variables.
The District of Columbia Fire Fighters' Project: A Case Study in Occupational Folklife

Robert McCarl. 1985 The District of Columbia Fire Fighters' Project:. Case Study in Occupational Folklife. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, Suithsonian Folklife Studies Number 4.
Presuppositions for Speech Therapy Lessons

Advances in qualitative research investigating speech therapy discourse as it occurs in speech therapy lessons have shed light on some aspects of its verbal and nonverbal structure. The clinician dominates the flow of topical exchange through controlled remedial sequences and strategic conversational repairs. However, interpreting the meanings of such events for the clinician and the child depends on the social presuppositions of both participants. The argument of this paper is that some macro -analysis of the clinicians's social experiences must be incorporated into the micro-analysis of therapy in order to sort out the multiple meanings of therapy events.
Modeling of metallic carbon-nanotube interconnects for circuit simulations and a comparison with Cu interconnects for scaled technologies

Semiconducting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have gained immense popularity as possible successors to silicon as the channel material for ultrahigh-performance field-effect transistors (FETs). On the other hand, their metallic counterparts have often been regarded as ideal interconnects for future technology generations. Owing to their high current densities and increased reliability, metallic single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) have been subjects of fundamental research, both in theory, as well as experiments. Metallic CNTs have been modeled for radio-frequency (RF) applications using a transmission-line model. In this paper, we present an efficient circuit-compatible RLC model for metallic SWCNTs, and analyze the impact of SWCNTs on the performance of ultrascaled digital very large scale integration (VLSI) design.
The Critical Roles of Localization and Physiology for Understanding Parietal Contributions to Memory Retrieval

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of recognition memory ubiquitously demonstrate retrieval-related activity in left lateral parietal cortex (LLPC) when contrasting studied ("old") items with unstudied ("new") items. Recent work demonstrates that there is considerable functional-anatomical heterogeneity in LLPC. One implication of this observation is that single- or dual-process models fall short of characterizing LLPC contributions to memory retrieval. Instead of considering LLPC as a single entity, functional accounts must be given for each of the distinct regions that show retrieval-related effects; we posit there are a minimum of four such regions and very likely more. Identification of these LLPC regions requires careful analysis to map the boundaries and the extent of the regions precisely. In addition, characterizing the functional responses as activations or deactivations relative to baseline will be crucial in understanding the underlying cognitive processes. Considering LLPC in both memory and "nonmemory" domains will also illuminate the contribution of these regions, because it is certainly unlikely they serve only the domain of memory retrieval.
Immediate neighbor difference I/sub DDQ/ test (INDIT) for outlier identification

Increasing magnitude and variation in leakage current make it impossible to distinguish between faulty and fault-free chips using single threshold method. Neighboring chips on a wafer have similar fault free properties. By obtaining differences in I/sub DDQ/ values it is possible to discriminate faulty dice. In this paper we describe a methodology in which comparison of I/sub DDQ/ of a die with that of its neighboring dice on the wafer is evaluated for screening faulty chips at the wafer level. The analysis based on the SEMATECH test data is presented.
Diversity of Listeria Species in Urban and Natural Environments

A total of 442 Listeria isolates, including 234 Listeria seeligeri, 80 L. monocytogenes, 74 L. welshimeri, 50 L. innocua, and 4 L. marthii isolates, were obtained from 1,805 soil, water, and other environmental samples collected over 2 years from four urban areas and four areas representing natural environments. Listeria spp. showed similar prevalences in samples from natural (23.4%) and urban (22.3%) environments. While L. seeligeri and L. welshimeri were significantly associated with natural environments (P ≤ 0.0001), L. innocua and L. monocytogenes were significantly associated with urban environments (P ≤ 0.0001). Sequencing of sigB for all isolates revealed 67 allelic types with a higher level of allelic diversity among isolates from urban environments. Some Listeria spp. and sigB allelic types showed significant associations with specific urban and natural areas. Nearest-neighbor analyses also showed that certain Listeria spp. and sigB allelic types were spatially clustered within both natural and urban environments, and there was evidence that these species and allelic types persisted over time in specific areas. Our data show that members of the genus Listeria not only are common in urban and natural environments but also show species- and subtype-specific associations with different environments and areas. This indicates that Listeria species and subtypes within these species may show distinct ecological preferences, which suggests (i) that molecular source-tracking approaches can be developed for Listeria and (ii) that detection of some Listeria species may not be a good indicator for L. monocytogenes.
Assessing Health-Related Quality of Life Among Children With Special Health Care Needs in the United States

The objectives of this article were to examine the differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between children with and without special health care needs, and identify the risk factors associated with HRQOL in children with special health care needs (CSHCN). Data from the National Survey of Children's Health 2003 were used (N = 66,416). Results showed that the HRQOL summary scores were lower among CSHCN than children without special health care needs. Regression analyses revealed that having multiple (3 or more) special health care needs was the strongest predictor of lower HRQOL. In addition, younger age, lower socioeconomic status, health care access barriers, and poor maternal health were all factors associated with lower HRQOL. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.
Criteria to Select Biochars for Field Studies based on Biochar Chemical Properties

One factor limiting the understanding and evaluation of biochar for soil amendment and carbon sequestration applications is the scarcity of long-term, large-scale field studies. Limited land, time, and material resources require that biochars for field trials be carefully selected. In this study, 17 biochars from the fast pyrolysis, slow pyrolysis, and gasification of corn stover, switchgrass, and wood were thoroughly characterized and subjected to an 8-week soil incubation as a way to select the most promising biochars for a field trial. The methods used to characterize the biochars included proximate analysis, CHNS elemental analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface (BET) area, photo-acoustic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and quantitative 13 C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The soil incubation study was used to relate biochar properties to three soil responses: pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and water leachate electrical conductivity (EC). Characterization results suggest that biochars made in a kiln process where some oxygen was present in the reaction atmosphere have properties intermediate between slow pyrolysis and gasification and therefore, should be grouped separately. A close correlation was observed between aromaticity determined by NMR and fixed carbon fraction determined by proximate analysis, suggesting that the simpler, less expensive proximate analysis method can be used to gain aromaticity information. Of the 17 biochars originally assessed, four biochars were ultimately selected for their potential to improve soil properties and to provide soil data to refine the selection scheme: corn stover low-temperature fast pyrolysis (highest amended soil CEC, information on high volatile matter/O–C ratio biochar), switchgrass O2/steam gasification (relatively high BET surface area, and amended soil pH, EC, and CEC), switchgrass slow pyrolysis (higher-amended soil pH and EC), and hardwood kiln carbonization (information on slow pyrolysis, gasification and kiln-produced differences).
Fibroblast Growth Factor-21 Improves Pancreatic β-Cell Function and Survival by Activation of Extracellular Signal–Regulated Kinase 1/2 and Akt Signaling Pathways

Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) is a recently discovered metabolic regulator. Here, we investigated the effects of FGF-21 in the pancreatic beta-cell. In rat islets and INS-1E cells, FGF-21 activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and Akt signaling pathways. In islets isolated from healthy rats, FGF-21 increased insulin mRNA and protein levels but did not potentiate glucose-induced insulin secretion. Islets and INS-1E cells treated with FGF-21 were partially protected from glucolipotoxicity and cytokine-induced apoptosis. In islets isolated from diabetic rodents, FGF-21 treatment increased islet insulin content and glucose-induced insulin secretion. Short-term treatment of normal or db/db mice with FGF-21 lowered plasma levels of insulin and improved glucose clearance compared with vehicle after oral glucose tolerance testing. Constant infusion of FGF-21 for 8 weeks in db/db mice nearly normalized fed blood glucose levels and increased plasma insulin levels. Immunohistochemistry of pancreata from db/db mice showed a substantial increase in the intensity of insulin staining in islets from FGF-21-treated animals as well as a higher number of islets per pancreas section and of insulin-positive cells per islet compared with control. No effect of FGF-21 was observed on islet cell proliferation. In conclusion, preservation of beta-cell function and survival by FGF-21 may contribute to the beneficial effects of this protein on glucose homeostasis observed in diabetic animals.
Nonlinear dynamics in distributed arrival time control of heterarchical manufacturing systems

Heterarchical control architectures with fully distributed control have been developed in order to improve responsiveness and effectiveness of manufacturing shop-floor control systems. The dynamics of these highly distributed systems have been difficult to predict particularly when control is based on heuristics. In this paper a dynamical model is developed for a single machine processing an arbitrary number of parts. The structure of the system, which requires queuing of parts when they arrive at a machine, leads to nonlinearities such as dead-zone and discontinuities. A continuous arrival time controller of the integrating type is used that results in a system that can be modeled using nonlinear differential equations that can be solved using a method due to Filippov (1960, 1988). This enables prediction of trajectories of part arrival times and derivation of closed form expressions for steady-state values. The analytical model for the dynamics is validated and the dynamic response of the system is illustrated using numerical simulation.
Control of underactuated mechanical systems with two degrees of freedom and symmetry

We consider a special class of underactuated mechanical systems with two degrees of freedom and symmetry. By symmetry, we mean the inertia matrix of the system is independent of the unactuated degree of freedom. We show that there exists a natural global change of coordinates obtained from the Lagrangian of the system that transforms the system into a partially linear cascade nonlinear system that is strict feedback. The nonlinear part of this system is non-affine in control and this highly complicates control design for the system. We provide conditions under which this nonlinear subsystem can be globally stabilized and give globally stabilizing control laws for it. The strict feedback structure of the system in new coordinates allows one to obtain a globally stabilizing control law for the composite system using standard backstepping. We apply our result to global asymptotic stabilization of the Acrobot.
Emotion concepts in models of substance abuse

Research and theoretical perspectives of substance abuse are reviewed from an emotion theory perspective. Emotion permeates many important concepts in substance abuse research, such as trait anxiet...
Motion Artifacts of Extended High Frame Rate Imaging

Based on the high frame rate (HFR) imaging method developed in our lab, an extended high frame rate imaging method with various transmission schemes was developed recently. In this method, multiple, limited- diffraction array beams or steered plane wave transmissions are used to increase image resolution and field of view as well as to reduce sidelobes. Furthermore, the multiple, limited-diffraction array beam transmissions can be approximated with square-wave aperture weightings, allowing one or two transmitters to be used with a multielement array transducer to simplify imaging systems. By varying the number of transmissions, the extended HFR imaging method allows a continuous trade-off between image quality and frame rate. Because multiple transmissions are needed to obtain one frame of image for the method, motion could cause phase misalignment and thus produce artifacts, reducing image contrast and resolution and leading to an inaccurate clinical interpretation of images. Therefore, it is important to study how motion affects the method and provide a useful guidance of using the method properly in various applications. In this paper, computer simulations, in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to study the effects of motion on the method in different conditions. Results show that a number of factors may affect the motion effects. However, it was found that the extended HFR imaging method is not sensitive to the motions commonly encountered in the clinical applications, as is demonstrated by an in vivo heart experiment, unless the number of transmissions is large and objects are moving at a high velocity near the surface of a transducer.
Establishment and characterization of a human carcinoid in nude mice and effect of various agents on tumor growth.

Abstract The authors have established a long-term tissue culture cell line (BON) derived from a metastatic human carcinoid tumor of the pancreas. The cells have been in continuous passage for 46 months. Tissue culture cells produce tumors in a dosedependent fashion after SC inoculation of cell suspensions in athymic nude mice. BON tumors, grown in nude mice, are histologically identical to the original tumor; they possess gastrin and somatostatin receptors, synthesize serotonin and chromogranin A, and have a doubling time of approximately 13 days. The antiproliferative effects of the long-acting somatostatin analogue, SMS 201–995 (300 μg/kg, t.i.d.), and 2% α-difluoromethylornithine on BON xenografts in nude mice were examined. Tumor size was significantly decreased by day 14 of treatment with either agent and at all points of analysis thereafter until the animals were killed (day 33). In addition, tumor weight, DNA, RNA, and protein contents were significantly decreased in treated mice compared with controls. Establishment of this human carcinoid xenograft line, BON, provides an excellent model to study further the biological behavior of carcinoid tumors and the in vivo effect of chemotherapeutic agents on tumor growth.
Youth Cosmopolitanism: Clothing, the City and Globalization in Dakar, Senegal

Youth clothing and exchange shape cosmopolitan identities, the city, and global flows in Dakar, Senegal. How Dakarois youth use dress to shape the city and urban identity is puzzling. Despite the declining economy and for many, extreme poverty, youth dress up in stylish and provocative outfits. In Dakar, youth are increasingly entrepreneurial individuals who base the authenticity of their cosmopolitan identity on an ability to buy and sell (trade) in the urban/global informal economy. Because the informal economy is intensely competitive for both buyers and sellers, youth rely on social networks, various forms of reciprocity, and trust in order to perform their work. At times, youth engage in dishonest acts and banditry in order to sell and procure clothing. These strategies highlight the uncertainty of life in Dakar, the relativity of morality, and the creativity that youth employ to make their lives and a life for the city. In these often hidden and subtle ways, youth steer the economic cultural life of the city and keep it hooked in to the global economy. This research is based on fieldwork conducted in Dakar and New York City between 1996 and 2005. Research methods include interviews, participant observation, focus groups and engaging youth in authoring informal fashion magazines which feature their own photography and stories about contemporary clothing trends in Dakar.
Propagation, Excitation, and Orthogonality of Modes in a Parallel Plate, Anisotropic Waveguide Using a Modified, Coordinate Transformation

The excitation of forward and backward, Electromagnetic (EM) modes and flelds in an anisotropic, parallel plate waveguide (meeting Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions), is studied, using a modifled coordinate transformation which reduces Maxwell's equations to the form of a Helmholtz wave equation satisfying Dirichlet and mixed-partial derivative boundary conditions. The EM modes and flelds of the system are excited by a novel, slanted electric surface current excitation whose slant angle has been chosen to coincide with the surfaces of constant phase of the anisotropic modes which may propagate in the waveguide. Also presented in the paper, for comparison purposes, is the EM fleld excitation analysis corresponding to an isotropic parallel plate waveguide whose waveguide characteristics are close to those of the anisotropic waveguide. Several results are presented herein, including; a novel waveguide modal characteristic equation analysis used to determine the propagating and complex (or non propagating) modes that may exist in an anisotropic waveguide system, a novel study of backward-forward modal orthogonality based on the complex Poynting theorem and a power-energy reaction integral equation, descriptions of the matrix analyses used to determine the EM flelds excited in the anisotropic and isotropic waveguide systems under consideration, and several numerical results.
Testing a Hierarchical Model of Distress Tolerance

Distress tolerance (DT) has been suggested as an individual difference factor with transdiagnostic importance. To date, determining the transdiagnostic status of DT has been limited due to the lack of consensus regarding the construct’s conceptualization. Zvolensky et al. (Current Directions in Psychological Science 19:406–410, 2010) developed a hierarchical model of DT that seeks to unify different conceptualizations of DT that have emerged across literatures (i.e., intolerance of uncertainty, ambiguity, frustration, physical sensations, and negative emotional states). Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the present study provided the first known empirical test of Zvolensky et al.’s hierarchical experiential distress (in)tolerance model in a large community sample of adults (N = 830). Results indicated that the five lower-order DT constructs are factorially distinct. The magnitude of the latent relations among the DT constructs is consistent with the proposition that all five lower-order constructs belong to the same domain. The fit of Zvolensky et al.’s five-factor higher-order model suggests that a higher-order DT construct accounts for the interrelations among the latent factors. Overall, results are consistent with Zvolensky et al.’s hierarchical DT model. Findings provide an important step in clarifying the nature of DT and provide a platform from which cross-study comparisons may be made.
Estimation and enhancement of real-time software reliability through mutation analysis

A simulation-based method for obtaining numerical estimates of the reliability of N-version, real-time software is proposed. An extended stochastic Petri net is used to represent the synchronization structure of N versions of the software, where dependencies among versions are modeled through correlated sampling of module execution times. The distributions of execution times are derived from automatically generated test cases that are based on mutation testing. Since these test cases are designed to reveal software faults, the associated execution times and reliability estimates are likely to be conservative. Experimental results using specifications for NASA's planetary lander control software suggest that mutation-based testing could hold greater potential for enhancing reliability than the desirable but perhaps unachievable goal of independence among N versions. Nevertheless, some support for N-version enhancement of high-quality, mutation-tested code is also offered. Mutation analysis could also be valuable in the design of fault-tolerant software systems. >