cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Commentary on Covid-19 Contact-Tracing Apps and Broader Societal Implications of Technosolutionism

This paper is a commentary on COVID-19 technological solutions, such as contact tracing apps, bringing into question the effectiveness of technosolutionism, and the sociotechnical implications resulting from such technologies. This paper argues that the abyss created from the lack of governance-led leadership in COVID-19 responses has exacerbated power asymmetries reliant upon technology sector led solutions that reflect current political dynamics and governance structures. In relation to these power asymmetries favoring technology companies, we are potentially creating opportunities for technocratic future visions to be further embedded into concepts of smart cities under the guise of public health. These visions and circumstances are dubbed as ‘imaginaries of health’ in the analyses. The analysis is primarily focusing on COVID-19 contact tracing apps and US context, but also references other countries’ findings, such as Australia and Singapore, as examples of contact tracing app's technological limitations. The conclusion of the paper incorporates an examination of sociotechnical effects, calls for the incorporation of alternative imaginaries, and includes suggestions for where these technologies may be better served with creative implementations, along with considerations for the development of further apps. This commentary serves as an examination of sociotechnical implications of technosolutionism under COVID-19 based technical solutions, such as contact tracing apps, with a predominant US-focus.
Daughters of the Revolution: Martha and Elisabeth Ryan’s Cyphering Book, Circa 1780

There are three independently remarkable characteristics of this manuscript, and there is a fourth feature which is also of special interest. The first extraordinary characteristic is the patriotic fervor of the two sisters who prepared it. Illustrations of ships and patriotic inscriptions reflecting the Revolutionary times—such as “Liberty,” “George Washington,” and “Poor freedom is better than rich slavery”—are to be found on many of the pages. The second extraordinary aspect of this manuscript is that although it was prepared by two teenage sisters around 1780 the arithmetic went well beyond the rule of three to topics like alligation, fellowship, equation of payments, and single and double false position—it was very unusual for females at that time to study such topics. The third, and most obvious, remarkable aspect of the manuscript is the extremely high quality of the penmanship, calligraphy and artwork. Martha and Elisabeth Ryan lived in North Carolina, and this manuscript is an example of an early “southern” cyphering book—of which relatively few of those prepared by girls have survived.
Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome and Glaucoma

Iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome represents a spectrum of disease, encompassing three clinical variations: Chandler’s syndrome, progressive iris atrophy, and Cogan-Reese syndrome. This acquired, unilateral disorder typically manifests in young to middle adulthood and predominantly affects women, although bilateral involvement and occurrence in a child have been reported. A high percentage of patients with ICE syndrome develop secondary glaucoma.
Response Of Ultrafast Scintillators

Measurements of the properties of subnanosecond, quenched NE111 plastic scintillators with various concentrations of acetophenone and benzophenone are presented. These quenching agents have been found to very significantly decrease the NE111 decay time. Measurements are made using UV and laser produced x-ray radiations. The scintillations are detected using a visible streak camera with 10 ps resolution. The paper will include measurements of: (1) 10-90% rise time, (2) FWHM, (3) decay time, (4) relative scintillator efficiencies, (5) amplitudes vs. time measurements of the long decay component. All temporal measurements are obtained from a gold cathode ultrafast x-ray streak camera, and the detailed x-ray energy spectrum above 1 keV is also measured using an array of x-ray PIN diodes equipped with the appropriate K-edge filters. Details of the experimental measurements will be discussed and anticipated applications will be included.
Use of functional analysis methodology in the evaluation of medication effects

The atypical antipsychotic medication risperidone was evaluated using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design in the treatment of destructive behavior in two individuals with autism. Pre-medication functional analyses indicated that destructive behavior was maintained by escape from demands, attention, or access to tangible items. For both individuals, destructive behavior during the demand condition was significantly reduced during the medication phases, whereas destructive behavior continued to occur to obtain tangible items (Reggie) and attention (Sean). In addition, there appeared to be a differential effect of the medication on self-injurious behavior (SIB) versus aggression for Sean. Results of the study demonstrate how functional analysis may provide information on those conditions and behaviors that are most likely to be affected by a specific medication.
Stochastic Hydrodynamics of Sediment Transport

Three dimensional unsteady and steady sediment distribution obtained by Monte Carlo simulation method, using stochastic hydrodynamics model for transport
Unique predisposing factors for male urinary tract infections

Purpose: While naturally occurring male host defense mechanisms prevent many urinary tract infections (UTI), this article describes two purposeful forms of urethral play (UP) that could be unique predisposing factors to increased UTI susceptibility. Data sources: Medical literature has documented unconventional penile and urethral activities since the mid 1700s. In a recent web-based study, Rinard et al. report 74 comments from national and international respondents performing UP: various websites also validate UP practice. Conclusions: Respondents reported inserting liquids and foreign objects into the urethra. Inserted liquids included water, hot candle wax, baby oil, after-shave lotions, and dental gel. Foreign objects frequently mentioned were the insertion of smooth stainless steel surgical dilators often used in surgical urological procedures; the respondents and the websites call this “urethral sounding.” These practices were used to “aid erections and sexual experimentation, enlarge the urethra, and stimulate their partner.” Other respondents discussed catheter insertion. Other objects such as cotton-tipped swabs, spoons, and pencils, were also inserted. UTIs have been reported as a result of UP. Implications for practice: Nurse practitioners' knowledge of these seemingly unconventional urethral activities requires a thorough assessment and history for pediatric and adult males presenting with new, recurrent, or unresolved UTI symptoms, as well as applicable health education.
Essential Principles of Contract and Sales Law in the Northern Pacific: Federated States of Micronesia, the Republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands, and United States Territories

The Northern Pacific region, which includes Micronesia, the State of Hawaii, the American territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa, and the Republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands, either follows or are heavily influenced by the Anglo-American common law tradition and statutes governing contract and sales. Islands in this region have made efforts to adopt recognized uniform international contract standards, particularly the Restatement (Second) of Contracts, but customary law and traditional rights still have a significant impact upon the development of contract and sales law creating a unique amalgam of substantive law in the Northern Pacific region. The author includes a comparison to contract and sales law that is prevalent in the United States and applicable in its Northern Pacific State of Hawaii and in its Pacific territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Other U.S. territories in the Northern Pacific including Midway, Wake, Johnston Atoll, Baker, Howland and Jarvis, Palmyra, and Kingman are outside the scope of his anaylsis. The article emphasizes divergence, and highlights regional anomalies in the substantive law of contract and sales. It also examines the inter-relationship between customary and traditional law and the law of contract and sales. This anthropological approach highlights how regional custom and traditional law have interacted with Anglo-American concepts of contract and sales law to produce a unique blend of contract and sales law in this Northern Pacific region. The author notes two significant developments; 1) that the American Law Institute’s Restatements of Law have been elevated from simply persuasive authority to the rule of decision in some of these Pacific Island nations, and 2) that the anthropological implications of local custom and traditional law in substantive contract and sales law have created a unique regional amalgam.
Interfering optical interactions: Phase sensitive absorption

Interference effects have been especially important in the development of new frontiers in physics. In this paper we will discuss a relatively new type of interference in laser-atom interactions, and our experimental studies of its properties, limitations, and applications1,2. The interference which we have been studying is between different optical processes which can individually lead to the excitation of the same atomic or molecular state. This interference has been identified3–5 as the cause of the suppression of multiphoton excitation of various atomic species when the density of the nonlinear medium is relatively high. The experiments we will discuss here can be extended in many new directions, including studies of propagation effects in nonlinear optical media, control of reaction products in laser induced ionization or dissociation, or control of photoelectron angular distributions.
Picturing Experience in the Early Printed Book: Breydenbach’s Peregrinatio from Venice to Jerusalem

In April 1483 Bernhard von Breydenbach, a nobleman and cleric of Mainz, set out for Venice en route to the Holy Land. Accompanying him were two aristocratic friends and an artist, Erhard Reuwich of...
Geography and Local (Dis)advantage: Evidence from Muni Bond Funds

We examine the relationship between the geographic location of mutual fund managers and fund performance using the unique setting of single-state municipal-bond mutual funds. We find that local managers underperform non-local muni-bond fund managers. Furthermore, we document that local muni-bond fund managers perform relatively better in states with more local funds, consistent with knowledge spillovers, business connections and networking effects associated with those areas. Locals also perform relatively better in states with higher levels of political integrity, consistent with less political pressure on local fund managers in these locations. Our results are robust to several sensitivity checks.
Localization of a family of muscarinic receptor mRNAs in rat brain

A family of 4 rat muscarinic receptors (m1, m2, m3, and m4) have recently been cloned and sequenced (Bonner et al., 1987). Since pharmacological probes that are presently available do not appear to distinguish among 3 of these muscarinic receptors, we constructed oligonucleotide probes corresponding to the N-terminal sequences of the muscarinic receptors and used them to specifically localize m1, m2, m3, and m4 mRNA in sections of rat brain using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Northern analysis demonstrated a 3.1 kilobase (kb) m 1 mRNA, a 4.5 kb m3 mRNA, and a 3.3 kb m4 mRNA in cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and cerebellum. In situ hybridization histochemistry indicated a prevalence of m1 mRNA in the pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampus, the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus, the olfactory bulb, amygdala, olfactory tubercule, and piriform cortex. Caudate putamen and cerebral cortex showed moderate levels of labeling. m2 mRNA was detectable in the medial septum, diagonal band, olfactory bulb, and pontine nuclei. m3 and m4 mRNA were also prevalent in the olfactory bulb and pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampus but were present only in low levels in the dentate gyrus. m3 mRNA was present in superficial and deep layers of the cerebral cortex, whereas m4 mRNA was more evenly distributed with a slightly more intense labeling evident in the midcortical layer. In addition, m3 mRNA was present in a number of thalamic nuclei and brain-stem nuclei, while m4 mRNA predominated in the caudate putamen. These data offer a new basis on which to interpret the heterogeneity of muscarinic actions in the CNS.
Presynaptic inhibition by GABA is mediated via two distinct GABA receptors with novel pharmacology

Mechanisms of presynaptic inhibition were examined in giant presynaptic terminals of retinal bipolar neurons, which receive GABAergic feedback synapses from amacrine cells. Two distinct inhibitory actions of GABA are present in the terminals: a GABAA-like Cl conductance and a GABAB- like inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca current. Both of the receptors underlying these actions have unusual pharmacology that fits neither GABAA nor GABAB classifications. The GABA-activated Cl conductance was not blocked by the classical GABAA antagonist bicuculline, while the inhibition of Ca current was neither mimicked by the GABAB agonist baclofen nor blocked by the GABAB antagonist 2-hydroxysaclofen. The “GABAC” agonist cis-4-aminocrotonic acid (CACA) both activated the Cl conductance and inhibited Ca current, but the inhibition of Ca current was observed at much lower concentrations of CACA (< 1 microM) than was the activation of the Cl conductance (K1/2 = 50 microM). Thus, by the criterion of being insensitive to both bicuculline and baclofen, both GABA receptors qualify as potential GABAC receptors. However, it is argued on functional grounds that the two GABA receptors coupled to Cl channels and to Ca channels are best regarded as members of the GABAA and GABAB families, respectively.
Body mass index and disordered eating behaviors are associated with weight dissatisfaction in adolescent and young adult female military recruits.

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine factors associated with weight dissatisfaction, a risk factor for eating disorders, among female Marine recruits. Methods: A diverse adolescent/young adult sample of 2,157 female recruits completed a questionnaire upon entering Marine Corps training. Weight dissatisfaction was the main variable of interest. Results: Body mass index (BMI), disordered eating history, and worry about meeting military “weight” were related highly to weight dissatisfaction. Women with BMIs near the upper limit of the Marine Corps weight standard (23.5 kg/m2) reported the highest rates of weight dissatisfaction. Those who reported vomiting, binging or pill use, or being worried about “making weight” were four and five times, respectively, more likely to report weight dissatisfaction. Conclusions: New female Marine recruits with higher BMIs, disordered eating histories, and worries about “making weight” are significantly more likely to be weight dissatisfied. Such findings may identify those at ris...
Improving Therapeutic Outcomes in BPH Through Diagnosis, Treatment and Patient Compliance

The percentage of men with symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) increases markedly with age. In the United States, although evidence that racial/ethnic minorities are more likely to develop BPH remains controversial, it is clear that there are generalized differences in access to healthcare for a large portion of the minority population. These differences in healthcare access could in turn influence the way minorities are treated for symptoms of BPH. Given both the sensitive nature of the disease and the variety of treatment options, communication between healthcare professionals and the patient needs to be improved for optimal care. Communication between the healthcare provider and a minority patient can be even more challenging, considering the potential differences in language, education, and culture. Improving patient education is crucial to healthcare communication and can be accomplished through a variety of methods, including visual decision aides and fine-tuning the literacy level of educational material, to most appropriately target the desired patient population. Further steps can be taken with minorities to overcome language barriers such as the use of interpreters, or promotoras in the case of the Latino population. Finally, improving the cultural competence of the healthcare provider could have profound impacts on the treatment of not only BPH but all diseases in minority populations.
The spectral function of random resistor networks

The effective complex conductivity of a two-component material can be conveniently expressed as an integral transformation of a spectral function. The spectral function depends only on the geometry of the material, and can be used to calculate for any particular choice of component conductivities. This is a very useful feature if the component conductivities can be varied (by changing the temperature or frequency, for example) at a fixed geometry. We present a derivation of the spectral function that identifies it as a density of states. We have made direct numerical calculations of the spectral function of two-dimensional random resistor networks. Two-dimensional discrete resistor networks are ideal for this study, as the Y - transformation can be used as an algorithm to obtain the most detailed results to date. We identify the structure in the spectral function with clusters in the network. We give analytic expressions for the first five moments of the spectral function, which are identified as the expansion coefficients of the effective conductivity in weak-scattering theory, and compare these expressions with the moments calculated from the simulations.
Preparation and characterization of magnetite surfaces on metallic iron substrates

Abstract Magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) surfaces were created on polycrystalline metallic Fe substrates by low-pressure oxidation (3 × 10 −4 Pa O 2 , 673 K). Conversion electron Mossbauer spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Auger electron spectroscopy were utilized in the characterization of these surfaces. The iron oxide overlayers were identified as magnetite using the former technique, while the latter two techniques revealed that vacuum-annealing at various temperatures below ca. 675 K was an effective means of altering the surface oxidation state. Both the degree of surface reduction and the surface cation concentration increased as the vacuum-annealing temperature was increased. In particular, as the vacuum-annealing temperature was increased from 300 to 675 K, the surface changed from an Fe 3 O 4 -like appearance to an FeO-like appearance. This FeO-like surface was maintained at vacuum-annealing temperatures above 675 K.
Endovascular Hypogastric Artery Preservation During Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: A Review of Current Techniques and Devices

Despite the improvement in endovascular techniques, one aspect of aneurysmal disease that continues to be challenging is the management of aortoiliac aneurysms. Sacrificing the hypogastric artery (HGA) for effective treatment is not without sequelae, which may include buttocks claudication, colonic ischemia, spinal cord ischemia, as well as buttock and scrotal necrosis. This should be taken into consideration particularly in patients with previous intervention or potential additional future interventions. This review describes the current endovascular techniques for preservation of HGA perfusion.
Distributed time reversal mirror array

An array of independent, separate, distributed time-reversal mirrors (TRMs) that can function as a large array in a coherent (collective and co-operative) manner is described. Due to the unique feature of time-reversal to compensate for the propagation delay after round-trip, the DTRMA can perform coherent integration of signals across the array through distorting media without the need for complicated array calibration and precise geo-location procedures, even after the location of a TRM has been changed. Several proof-of-concept experimental results to show both temporal and spatial focusing properties of the DTRMA are demonstrated using commercially available off-the-shelf components and instruments.
Considering race and gender distributions of the target user population in the multivariate design of vehicle seating

The spatial dimensions of vehicle seats affect their ability to accommodate the physical requirements of the target user population. This paper presents a methodology for selecting the relevant design parameters, including the width, depth, and height of the pan as well as the height of the back. The paper also explores the effect of gender and racial composition of the user population on these parameters. The results obtained through univariate analysis are compared with those of multivariate analysis, demonstrating that applying univariate analysis to a multivariate problem leads to misleading results and poor estimates of accommodation. In contrast, multivariate analysis provides the opportunity for tradeoff studies as many parameter combinations can achieve the desired accommodation level. The methodology is demonstrated through several design scenarios for target user populations of different racial and gender distributions.
CLINICAL STUDIES WITH CLOXACILLIN: A NEW ANTIBIOTIC.

A new semisynthetic penicillinase-resistant penicillin, cloxacillin, was used in treatment of 100 hospitalized patients with severe infections. Twenty-three of 25 patients with staphylococcal infections, 30 of 37 with pneumococcal infections, all 13 patients with streptococcal infection, and 17 of 25 with infection due to a variety of organisms responded favorably. At the present time, the drug is available only in oral-dosage form, limiting its use in severely ill patients. A toxic effect on the gastrointestinal tract was not observed; rashes developed in two patients. Serious superinfections occurred in at least three patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. Cloxacillin compares favorably with other semisynthetic penicillinaseresistant penicillins now available in the oral-dosage form.
Light-induced and thermal relaxation in a protein.

After photodissociation of carbon monoxide bound to myoglobin, a thermally driven conformational relaxation towards the equilibrium structure of the deligated protein occurs above 160 K. Here we show that a relaxation can already be induced at lower temperatures by absorption of visible light. Both thermally induced and light-induced relaxations occur in discrete steps. The light-induced relaxation is characterized by a broad distribution of quantum yields. Similarities to spectral hole burning of dyes in glassy matrices suggest that the light-induced protein relaxation is initiated by electronic excitation of the heme group.
Classical Lagrangians for momentum dependent Lorentz violation

Certain momentum-dependent terms in the fermion sector of the Lorentz-violating standard model extension (SME) yield solvable classical Lagrangians of a type not mentioned in the literature. These cases yield new relatively simple examples of Finsler and pseudo-Finsler structures. One of the cases involves antisymmetric $d$-type terms and yields a new example of a relatively simple covariant Lagrangian.
Vandetanib for the treatment of lung cancer

Introduction: VEGF and EGFR are validated pathways for targeted therapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Once considered to be separate targets, VEGF and EGFR are now shown to have interconnected downstream pathways, potentiating the effectiveness of their dual signaling inhibition in cancer therapy. Molecules such as vandetanib that inhibit VEGFR and EGFR have also been reported to inhibit other receptors, including RET and additional kinases, and may be beneficial in treating patients with solid tumors. Areas covered: This review covers the significance of targeting VEGF and EGFR in the treatment of NSCLC and the rationale behind their dual inhibition. Clinical trials that evaluate the use of vandetanib in the setting of refractory NSCLC are also explored. Expert opinion: Vandetanib is currently not approved in the setting of NSCLC. However, its approval for medullary thyroid cancer makes it promising for identifying markers and potentially a NSCLC patient population who will benefit from the trea...
Refugee numbers could increase due to climate change

Climate change could push the number of refugees globally to more than one billion by 2050, according to a new report from the British charity Christian Aid. Currently, there are about 155 million ‘internally displaced persons’ worldwide, driven from their homes due to conflict, ethnic persecution, or natural disasters. The addition of climate change and growing population numbers could exacerbate these ongoing problems. In the report, Mali is presented as a case study where ongoing climate change is forcing farmers to find other ways to feed their families; one result is an increased number of people attempting to migrate to Europe.
Computation of Gauss-Kronrod of quadrature rules

Recently Laurie presented a new algorithm for the computation of (2n+1)-point Gauss-Kronrod quadrature rules with real nodes and positive weights. This algorithm first determines a symmetric tridiagonal matrix of order 2n + 1 from certain mixed moments, and then computes a partial spectral factorization. We describe a new algorithm that does not require the entries of the tridiagonal matrix to be determined, and thereby avoids computations that can be sensitive to perturbations. Our algorithm uses the consolidation phase of a divide-and-conquer algorithm for the symmetric tridiagonal eigenproblem. We also discuss how the algorithm can be applied to compute Kronrod extensions of Gauss-Radau and Gauss-Lobatto quadrature rules. Throughout the paper we emphasize how the structure of the algorithm makes efficient implementation on parallel computers possible. Numerical examples illustrate the performance of the algorithm.
Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are important risk factors for cutaneous malignant melanoma. Screening implications.

Background. This study was designed to determine the risk of developing malignant melanoma (MM) in patients with a history of basal cell and/or squamous cell skin cancer (BCC/SCC) and to determine whether surveillance efforts can be directed toward these patients for the detection of early MMs. Methods. The study cohort was followed by annual total cutaneous examination (TCE). Controls consisted of individuals from the United States population matched for age, sex, and length of follow-up. The anatomic locations of the study cohorts'newly diagnosed MMs were plotted on an anatomic chart. The setting was a private dermatology practice. Two hundred, ninety consecutive white patients with a history of BCC/SCC but with no personal or family history of MM were followed by annual TCEs. The main outcome measures were the relative risk of developing MM and their prognosis. Results. Ten of the 290 patients developed an MM within an average of 109 months of follow-up (range, 317 years). All MMs were less than 0.70 mm in Breslow thickness and 80% occurred on usually clothed cutaneous sites. The expected number of MMs in the control population was 0.59 (P=0.006), resulting in a relative risk of 17. Conclusion. Patients with BCC/SCC skin cancer are at substantial increased risk for developing MM. Regular and life-long surveillance TCE is an inexpensive and effective method for detecting curable MMs in such patients
Linear programming as a tool for office automation planning

Abstract The “shadow costs” capability of Linear Programming (LP) provides office Automation (OA) managers with an instrument that determines optimal future allocations of money for resources such as computer workstatiions, software, training, awareness sessions, and user support. The approach can be implemented at any stage of OA development and based on current experience predicts how future restricted expenditures of money should be allocated among the listed resources in order to achieve the greatest return.
An ultrastructural study of spontaneous mineralization in the brains of aging mice.

Spontaneous mineralization observed in the thalamus, and meninges of the median longitudinal fissure, of several strains of mice was studied by light and electron microscopy. The mineralized deposits were closely associated with blood vessels, were periodic acid-Schiff positive, and contained variable amounts of calcium. The thalamic deposits were found to be in an extra-cellular location, and consisted of a randomly arranged mass of fine fibrils or spicules, with laminations of varying electron density in larger deposits. The deposits appeared to develop on the surface of subendothelial and medial, vascular basement membranes. Energy dispersive, X-ray microanalysis demonstrated the presence of both calcium and phosphorus in small and large deposits.
SAuth: protecting user accounts from password database leaks

Password-based authentication is the dominant form of access control in web services. Unfortunately, it proves to be more and more inadequate every year. Even if users choose long and complex passwords, vulnerabilities in the way they are managed by a service may leak them to an attacker. Recent incidents in popular services such as LinkedIn and Twitter demonstrate the impact that such an event could have. The use of one-way hash functions to mitigate the problem is countered by the evolution of hardware which enables powerful password-cracking platforms.In this paper we propose SAuth, a protocol which employs authentication synergy among different services. Users wishing to access their account on service S will also have to authenticate for their account on service V, which acts as a vouching party. Both services S and V are regular sites visited by the user everyday (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Gmail). Should an attacker acquire the password for service S he will be unable to log in unless he also compromises the password for service V and possibly more vouching services. SAuth is an extension and not a replacement of existing authentication methods. It operates one layer above without ties to a specific method, thus enabling different services to employ heterogeneous systems. Finally we employ password decoys to protect users that share a password across services.
A new software reliability model with Vtub-shaped fault-detection rate and the uncertainty of operating environments

Many software reliability growth models (SRGMs) have developed in the past three decades to estimate software reliability measures such as the number of remaining faults and software reliability. The underlying common assumption of many existing models is that the operating environment and the developing environment are the same. This is often not the case in practice because the operating environments are usually unknown due to the uncertainty of environments in the field. In this paper, we develop a new software reliability model incorporating the uncertainty of system fault-detection rate per unit of time subject to operating environments. Examples are included to illustrate the goodness-of-fit of proposed model and several existing non-homogeneous Poisson process (NHPP) models based on a set of failure data collected from software applications. Three goodness-of-fit criteria, such as mean square error, predictive power and predictive-ratio risk, are used as an example to illustrate model comparisons. ...
On the determinants of infant mortality in underdeveloped countries.

Infant mortality has fallen rapidly in underdeveloped countries in the period since World War II. There is accumulating evidence, however, that this unprecedented decline was arrested in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Hence it is of critical importance to enquire into the determinants of infant mortality in these countries, in order to discover ways of reducing the enormous human suffering caused by the high rates of mortality which continue to prevail. Furthermore, such an understanding might facilitate a reduction in fertility, since it is widely accepted that a fall in infant mortality will lead ultimately to lower fertility .
Quantitative localization of neurons projecting to the mouse main olfactory bulb

Horseradish peroxidase conjugated to wheat germ agglutinin was used as the tracer to demonstrate the cells of origin of the main olfactory bulb (MOB) afferent fibers in the mouse. The neurons projecting to the olfactory bulb were counted by area to show the contribution of each brain area to the system of MOB afferents. The majority of neurons projecting to the MOB were found in the nucleus olfactorius anterior and the cortex cerebri, area pyriformis, being respectively 53.8% and 35.7% of the total number of labeled neurons counted. The average total number of neurons per mouse brain projecting to the MOB was about 146,600.
Pelvic actinomycosis: urologic perspective

PURPOSE: Actinomycosis is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by the gram-positive anaerobic bacteria, Actinomyces israelli. This paper reviews the etiology and clinical presentation associated with Actinomycosis that often presents as a pelvic mass that mimics a pelvic malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A combination of patients treated by the authors in the recent past and a literature review of patients with pelvic Actinomycosis were assessed for diographic, clinical and predisposing co-factors. An analysis is made of age distribution, gender, diagnostic methods and treatment concepts. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were included in the study that included 2 current patients and 31 obtained from literature review. There were 27 fiales (age range 16 - 69 years, mean 38 years) and 6 males (16 - 55 years, mean 36 years). Presenting signs and symptoms were lower abdominal mass in 28 (85%); lower abdominal pain in 21 (63%); vaginal discharge or hiaturia in 7 (22%). Two patients developed fistulae (entero-vesico 1; vesico-cutaneous 1). Nineteen (70%) of the 27 fiale patients had intra-uterine contraceptive devices (IUD). Four patients (12.5%) (3 males and 1 fiale) had urachus or urachal rinants. Cystoscopy in 12 patients noted an extrinsic mass effect, bullous edia and in one patient vegetative proliferation proven to be a chronic inflammatory change. Exploratory laparotomy was performed in 32 of the 33 patients who had excision of mass and involved organs. Diagnosis was established by histologic examination of rioved tissue. Penicillin (6 weeks) therapy was utilized to control infections. CONCLUSION: Pelvic actinomycosis mimics pelvic malignancy and may be associated with the long-term use of intra-uterine contraceptive devices, and persistent urachal rinants. Rioval of infected mass and antibiotic therapy will eradicate the inflammatory process.
What Students Learn from Early Field Experiences: A Case Study and Critical Analysis:

Using the case study method, Goodman examines field-based experiences to determine their impact on prospective teachers' perspectives toward teaching. The data are organized into three ana lytical categories: teaching as the trans mission of utilitarian skills, teaching as management, and teaching as craft. The author concludes that university super visors need to help students see connec tions between theory and practice and to establish field placements that enable instructional experimentation. Further, he suggests that the time spent in a single EFE context should be enriched and expanded.
Uptake of γ-aminobutyric acid by catfish brain

Abstract 1. Using homogenates of catfish whole-brain in an isotonic medium, we observed an accumulation of [3H]GABA that was temperature-sensitive and was dependent on the presence of sodium ions, the optimum concentration of which was 75 mM. 2. A kinetic analysis showed that the [3H]GABA uptake mechanism became saturated with increasing GABA concentrations. A high-affinity system, only, was evident whose Km was calculated as 12 μM. 3. Four structural analogues of GABA were found to be competitive inhibitors of uptake, and Ki values were determined. Nipecotic acid (Ki = 1.8 μM) and guvacine (ki = 3.9 μM) were the most potent compounds, however 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (Ki = 8.9 μM) and β-alanine (Ki = 55 μM) also had an effect. 4. The characteristics of the uptake mechanism in catfish brain that we have studied are similar to those reported for uptake by mammalian brain except that in the latter, both a high- and a low-affinity transport processes are present. Our data, taken together with what is already known, strongly suggest that the biochemistry of the GABA system in lower vertebrates does not differ significantly from that in mammals.
Changes in cerebral lateralization in aging

To determine whether there is increasing left hemispheric lateralization for language with age and whether the right hemisphere is selectively impaired with advanced age, we tested 96 right-handed people aged 25-80 yr on verbal and non-verbal matching tasks presented tachistoscopically. Task difficulties was equalized by adjusting exposure durations. Exposure duration, error laterality and response latency laterality were analyzed. Typical field effects as well as age-related slowing and sex by task interactions were observed. However, no systematic age-related changes in lateralization were apparent.
Equations of motion for superfluids

To the principles of least action and minimum error, for determining the time evolution of the parameters in a variational wave function, we add a third: continuous collapse dynamics. In this formulation, exact time evolution is applied for an infinitesimal time and is followed by projection of the state back into the variational manifold (``collapse''). All three principles lead to the same equations of motion when applied to complex parameters but take two distinct forms when the parameters are real. As an application of these principles, we study the time evolution of two variational wave functions for superfluids. The first wave function, containing real parameters, was considered by Kerman and Koonin [Ann. Phys. (N.Y.) 100, 332 (1976)] and leads to the Euler equation in the hydrodynamic limit. The equation for our second wave function, a coherent state of Feynman excitations with complex parameters, has essentially the same hydrodynamic limit. The latter wave function, however, has a significant advantage in that the equation it generates is useful and meaningful on a microscopic scale as well.
Infrared absorption characteristics of soluble and insoluble phosphorous-bearing oxide layers

In summary, this work has shown that the wave number position of the infrared absorption characteristic of a phosphorus-bearing oxide layer on a silicon wafer can be related to the solubility of the phosphorus in that layer.
Hippocampal dentate granule cell degeneration after adrenalectomy in the rat is not reversed by dexamethasone

Although adrenalectomy has been reported to induce a selective and sometimes nearly complete degeneration of hippocampal dentate granule cells, Azmitia and colleagues recently reported (Mol. Brain Res., 19 (1993) 328-332) that normal hippocampal structure can nonetheless be restored within a matter of days by dexamethasone in the drinking water. We have attempted to confirm this remarkable finding. Four months after adrenalectomy, rats were given vehicle or dexamethasone for 5 days and then sacrificed. Histological analysis revealed that vehicle-treated adrenalectomized rats exhibited a full spectrum of granule cell loss, which spanned mild to nearly complete cell loss. Dexamethasone-treated adrenalectomized rats did not differ from vehicle-treated adrenalectomized rats and, in fact, exhibited a virtually identical spectrum of granule cell loss. These results confirm that adrenalectomy reliably induces hippocampal granule cell degeneration in a majority of animals and indicate that dexamethasone does not restore normal hippocampal structure once granule cell loss has occurred.
Distributed sorting on local area networks

A straight-line-topology local area network (LAN) to which a number of nodes are connected either in series or in parallel is considered. A file F is arbitrarily partitioned among these sites. The problem studied is that of rearranging the records of the file such that the keys of records at lower-ranking sites are all smaller than those at higher-ranking sites. Lower bounds on the worst-case communication complexity are given for both the series and parallel arrangements, and algorithms optimal for all networks and files are presented. >
A comparison of weighted and unweighted analyses in the national Crime Victimization Survey

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) data tapes include several variables of weights that reflect how many households or persons are represented by a given data record. While these sampling weights are crucial for estimating overall victimization rates, they do not have as much of an effect on methodological models, because weights in the NCVS are used primarily in ratio estimation adjustments and to compensate for a relatively low nonresponse rate. The general use of weights is discussed, and several examples are given that indicate that although there may be some differences in the coefficients, the basic conclusions drawn from the models are the same with or without weights. It is recommended that weighted analyses in the NCVS be used primarily as a tool in model development.
The annual ovarian cycle of Chrysemys picta: Correlated changes in plasma steroids and parameters of vitellogenesis

The annual ovarian cycle of the painted turtle, Chrysemys picta, is described and correlated with plasma changes in parameters of vitellogenesis (protein, calcium, and cholesterol) and steroids (progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol). Three major classes of ovarian follicles were identified at all times of the year, and ovarian growth was confined to two major phases. The first, in which vitellogenesis was most active, occurred in the fall, after a postovulatory period of follicular atresia. This was followed by a winter period of inactivity and the spring ovarian growth phase, in which the follicles rapidly reached ovulatory size. Ovulation occurs during mid-May to mid-June, and a period of follicular atresia follows oviposition. Marked changes in all three plasma steroids occur during the periovulatory period, increasing sharply prior to or around the time of ovulation, and falling sharply thereafter. Correlated with the fall period of ovarian recrudescence, smaller peaks of testosterone and estradiol, but not progesterone, occur. These data are discussed with regard to possible control of the chelonian ovarian cycle.
Evaluation of liposomal delivery of antisense oligonucleotide by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection.

Abstract Two widely used commercial cationic liposome formulations, Lipofectamine and Escort, were evaluated for drug delivery efficacy with capillary electrophoresis coupled with laser-induced fluorescence detection using a fluorescein conjugated 2′- O -methyl-phosphorothioate (Me-PS) antisense oligonucleotide and the HeLa cell line. Binding constants were estimated by monitoring changes in the electrophoretic mobility of the oligonucleotide with the liposome solution in the running buffer. From these changes in mobility, the binding constants for Lipofectamine and Escort liposomes with Me-PS oligomer were estimated to be 1139 and 590 M −1 , respectively. Additionally, intracellular concentrations and gene expression were quantified for the liposome formulations.
Influence of morphology on the transport properties of polystyrene/polybutadiene blends. 1. Experimental studies

Abstract Experimental and quantitative image analysis studies are presented to investigate the influence of morphology on the transport of small gaseous penetrants (CO 2 , O 2 , N 2 ) in randomly interspersed blends of polystyrene (A) and polybutadiene (B) ranging in volume fractions, ф B , from 0.08 to 0.90. The overall transport process, for the blends, appears non-Fickian even though both pure phases A and B exhibit Fickian behaviour. An explanation of this phenomenon, based solely on morphological effects, is presented. A conclusion of the study is that the different methods usually taken as equivalent, to compute the effective diffusion coefficient from sorption data, can give significantly different results. An examination of the morphology is performed by means of digital image analysis on transmission electron microscopy, TEM , micrographs. A significant finding is that, for this system, the maximum intermaterial area density occurs for ф B around 0.15.
Structure of the single-stranded polyribonucleotide polycytidylic acid.

Abstract X-ray fibre diffraction studies have shown that at pH 7.0 polyribocytidylic acid (poly(C)) can adopt a single-stranded, right-handed, 6-fold helical structure with an axial rise per residue of 0.311 nm. The furanose rings have the C-3′-endo conformation. The other conformation angles of this structure are also remarkably similar to those observed in A -type double-stranded polynucleotide structures with the exception of θ[C-4′,z.sbnd;C-3′,z.sbnd;O-1,z.sbnd;P], which adopts a value very close to the monomer average. There is no hydrogen bonding between bases. The molecular structure appears to be stabilised primarily by base-stacking interactions and the crystal structure by hydrogen bonds between ribose hydroxyl groups.
Establishing a regional pediatric surgical service in the setting of universal health care: a glimpse into the future.

Abstract Purpose Increasing health care expense and rising numbers of uninsured Americans have led many to propose a national health insurance. This study describes the process, rationale, and requirements in creating a regional pediatric surgical service in the setting of a single-payer system. Methods Our health care system consists of 10 medical centers providing comprehensive care to more than 3 million members. All services are provided by salaried physicians/practitioners to prepaid members. Before July 2004, pediatric surgical care was performed at multiple medical centers with many services contracted out. Starting July 2004, a multidisciplinary, comprehensive pediatric perioperative plan was established. Implementation has occurred in steps; current status and preliminary results are reviewed. Results Strict guidelines for pediatric anesthesia and requirements for support services, personnel, and equipment were defined. Pediatric surgery is now performed at 3 community medical centers and 1 tertiary, teaching hospital. Operative cases were assigned to each center based on age, complexity, level of postoperative care, and location. A single high-volume, center for complex care has been established. Access to care was excellent; more than 90% of outpatient consultations were seen within 2 weeks. Utilization of services was 94% in 2006 and 98% in 2007. Physician and patient satisfaction were high. Additional pediatric surgeons have been hired and nearly all care has been internalized. Given the proximity to a major children's hospital, specialty services have not been duplicated. Conclusion Establishing a multidisciplinary, comprehensive pediatric perioperative plan provided standards for supporting pediatric surgical services at community hospitals. This regional service may be a model for the future of specialty care, especially in the setting of a single-payer system.