cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toxicological Comparison of Cyclodextrins

Analysis of the toxicological properties of cylodextrins reveals that these very similar molecules possess surprisingly different efficiency. CDs differ in absorption rates as important parameter for systemic activity, α-and β-CD can only be degraded by the intestinal flora and therefore intact molecules are absorbed in the upper intestines at rates of 2% or 4-6% respectively. However, the absorption of γ-CD is negligible, because it is easily digestible by pancreatic enzymes.
The Portable Laminar Flow Isolator: New Unit for Patient Protection in a Germ-free Environment

It is generally recognized that in spite of antibiotics, infection is one of the major problems confronting the physician in the management of patients with cancer, particularly leukemia. Infection associated with severe granulocytopenia has become the single most important cause of mortality in patients with acute leukemia being responsible for 70°/o of all deaths (Hersh, Bodey, Nies, and Freireich, 1965; Viola, 1967). Myelosuppression as a consequence of intensive cytotoxic therapy is a major and often limiting factor in the treatment of patients with malignancy. Patients in hospitals receiving therapy with cytotoxic and immunosuppressive drugs are at high risk to infection by a particularly large variety of organisms both endogenous and exogenous. At the present time, one in twenty patients entering a hospital will acquire an infection; this incidence has remained unchanged since the pre-chemo-therapy and antibiotic era (Wise, Sweeney, Houpt, and Waddell, 1959; Coriell, Blakemore, and McGarrity, 1968). A recent study at a university hospital demonstrated that approximately one-third of the clinical infections were due to cross infections and two-thirds of these were caused by gram-negative organisms (McNamara, Belows, and Tucker, 1967). From the above considerations, therefore, it seems logical to utilize techniques to protect the patient at high risk to infection from organisms in his environment and at the same time to attempt to reduce his endogenous microbial burden with antibiotics and other means.
Effect of Glucosamine on Intraocular Pressure

Abstract Glucosamine is the most common nutrition supplement used in the United States. It is promoted not only as a pain reliever but also a therapy to slow osteoarthritis. Although studies with 3800 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip found that glucosamine was no better than placebo, it continues to be used for these two indications due to its perceived safety. However, reports of an increased intraocular pressure are alarming, especially in glaucoma. Glycosaminoglycans play a key role in the physiology of the cornea, conventional outflow of aqueous humor and the retina. In theory, long-term treatment with glucosamine could reach a concentration that impacts the morphology and function of ocular tissues. We recommend ophthalmologists counsel glaucoma patients about the potential risks of glucosamine and encourage cessation in uncontrolled intraocular pressure.
Purchasing patterns in low-income neighbourhoods: implications for studying sugar-sweetened beverage taxes.

Author(s): Madsen, Kristine A; Falbe, Jennifer; Olgin, Gabriella; Ibarra-Castro, Ana; Rojas, Nadia | Abstract: ObjectiveThe present study aimed to determine the store types from which people in low-income neighbourhoods purchase most sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and to identify associations between purchasing location and demographic characteristics.DesignStreet-intercept surveys of passers-by near high foot-traffic intersections in 2016. Participants completed a beverage frequency questionnaire and identified the type of store (e.g. corner store, chain grocery) from which they purchased most SSB.SettingEight low-income neighbourhoods in four Bay Area cities, California, USA.ParticipantsSample of 1132 individuals who reported consuming SSB, aged 18-88 years, who identified as African-American (41 %), Latino (29 %), White (17 %) and Asian (6 %).ResultsBased on surveys in low-income neighbourhoods, corner stores were the primary source from which most SSB were purchased (28 %), followed by discount stores (18 %) and chain groceries (16 %). In fully adjusted models, those with lower education were more likely to purchase from corner stores or discount groceries than all other store types. Compared with White participants, African-Americans purchased more frequently from corner stores, discount groceries and chain groceries while Latinos purchased more frequently from discount groceries.ConclusionsThe wide range of store types from which SSB were purchased and demographic differences in purchasing patterns suggest that broader methodological approaches are needed to adequately capture the impact of SSB taxes and other interventions aimed at reducing SSB consumption, particularly in low-income neighbourhoods.
Finite-element analysis of creep and plasticity tensile-test specimens: Hourglass and cylindrical test-specimen geometries are compared for uniformity of strain state and accuracy of extensometry for use in high-temperature mechanical-properties studies

Traditionally, mechanical properties as determined from sensile-test specimens are assumed to be truly uniaxial and are used directly in finite-element codes for design purposes. In this paper, the stress and strain distributions in two test geometries, an hourglass specimen and a cylindrical specimen, are critically examined by means of the nonlinear finite-element code CREEP-PLAST.
Crack propagation pattern and trapping mechanism of rolling a rigid cylinder on a periodically structured surface

Abstract Recent experiments on the rolling of a cylinder with a poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film-terminated ridge-channel surface structure against a flat rigid plate have shown significant enhancement in rolling resistance. For rolling perpendicular to the ridges, the rolling resistance initially increases with the ridge spacing. Treating the trailing edge of the rolling interface as an opening crack, this increase has been explained quantitatively by a crack-trapping model. However, beyond a critical value of spacing, the rolling resistance reaches a maximum value and observations suggest that its subsequent decrease is due to two factors. First is the nucleation of cavities ahead of the opening interfacial crack. Second is the growth of these defects parallel to the ridge. These two phenomena limit and eventually attenuate the effect of crack trapping, the primary mechanism of rolling resistance enhancement. Cavitation of the interface is a critical phenomenon limiting rolling resistance, and its mechanism is modeled in this work. We have developed a finite element method (FEM) to simulate the rolling process. Specifically, we developed a special cohesive element and numerical scheme to study how cavities nucleate and grow during rolling. Our simulation captures qualitatively the key experimental observation that cavitation is controlled by ridge spacing. However, our numerical model under-predicts the rolling resistance enhancement due to finite cohesive zone size effects.
A Multi‐Institution Study of Elementary Teacher Candidates’ Self-Efficacy: Analysis of Participant Characteristics and Implications for Teacher Educators

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare teacher candidates’ sense of self-efficacy across institutions and at two different points within the teacher preparation program. Teacher c...
Operationalizing Ecological Resilience Concepts for Managing Species and Ecosystems at Risk

This review provides an overview and integration of the use of resilience concepts to guide natural resources management actions. We emphasize ecosystems and landscapes and provide examples of the use of these concepts from empirical research in applied ecology. We begin with a discussion of definitions and concepts of ecological resilience and related terms that are applicable to management. We suggest that a resilience-based management approach facilitates regional planning by providing the ability to locate management actions where they will have the greatest benefits and determine effective management strategies. We review the six key components of a resilience-based approach, beginning with managing for adaptive capacity and selecting an appropriate spatial extent and grain. Critical elements include developing an understanding of the factors influencing the general and ecological resilience of ecosystems and landscapes, the landscape context and spatial resilience, pattern and process interactions and their variability, and relationships among ecological and spatial resilience and the capacity to support habitats and species. We suggest that a spatially explicit approach, which couples geospatial information on general and spatial resilience to disturbance with information on resources, habitats, or species, provides the foundation for resilience-based management. We provide a case study from the sagebrush biome that illustrates the use of geospatial information on ecological and spatial resilience for prioritizing management actions and determine effective strategies.
The injured endoscopist: A roadmap for recovery

Abstract Gastroenterologists are at increased risk for musculoskeletal injuries from overuse and repetitive motions during endoscopy. Recently there has been more awareness of ergonomics in endoscopy and strategies for improvement since an injury can be shocking to a physician's career. This article reviews common injuries seen in those who practice endoscopy, steps in managing an injury, guidelines for ergonomic design of a procedure suite, and a basic primer on disability insurance. Incorporation of ergonomic principles in the endoscopy suite and during use of electronic health record can minimize risk of work-related injuries.
SILENE NELSONII, A NEW LARGE-FLOWERED SPECIES FROM THE TRINITY RIVER AREA OF NORTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA, USA, AND A RE-EVALUATION OF S. BOLANDERI GRAY

Silene nelsonii M.R. Mesler, M.S. Mayer, and S.K. Carothers (Caryophyllaceae), a species with large, day-blooming flowers from the Trinity River Basin of northwestern California, is described and illustrated. In the past, plants assignable to this new species have been referred to incorrectly as S. bolanderi A.Gray or S. hookeri Nutt. subsp. bolanderi (Gray) Abrams, names that rightfully apply to another member of the Silene hookeri complex. Here we argue that both S. nelsonii and S. bolanderi are worthy of recognition as separate species based on morphological distinction and a molecular phylogenetic analysis. Silene nelsonii differs from S. bolanderi by its more deeply lobed, white petals; lack of well-developed coronal petal appendages; densely ciliate petal bases; and shorter, sometimes branched sepal hairs. We present a key to the five members of the S. hookeri complex, all of which are in some degree rare in California and worthy of conservation concern.
Federalism and Polycentric Government in a Pandemic

Networks of overlapping local governments are the front line of governmental responses to pandemics Local governments, both general purpose (municipalities, co
Exploiting Object Similarity for Robotic Visual Recognition

In this article, we are interested in robotic visual object classification using a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) classifier. We show that the correlation coefficient of the automatically learned DCNN features of two object images carries robust information on their similarity, and can be utilized to significantly improve the robot's classification accuracy, without additional training. More specifically, we first probabilistically analyze how the feature correlation carries vital similarity information and build a correlation-based Markov random field (CoMRF) for joint object labeling. Given query and motion budgets, we then propose an optimization framework to plan the robot's query and path based on our CoMRF. This gives the robot a new way to optimally decide which object sites to move close to for better sensing and for which objects to ask a remote human for help with classification, which considerably improves the overall classification. We extensively evaluate our proposed approach on two large datasets (e.g., drone imagery and indoor scenes) and several real-world robotic experiments. The results show that our proposed approach significantly outperforms the benchmarks.
Responses of horses to trailer design, duration, and floor area during commercial transportation to slaughter

Nine trailer loads of horses (n = 306) transported to slaughter facilities with distances ranging 596 to 2,496 km were studied to characterize the type of horses used in commercial markets and the physiological responses and number of injuries due to transportation under summer environmental conditions. Slaughter horse candidates were middle-aged (11.4+/-.4 yr), possessed moderately fleshy body condition, weighed 432+/-3.3 kg, and were of Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred breeding. The mean weight loss during commercial transport was 4%. The percentage of injured horses was greater (P < .05) for two-tiered "pot-belly" (29.2%) compared with straight-deck (8.0%) trailers; however, the stress indicators of cortisol and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio and rectal temperature showed greater (P < .05) responses following transport in straight-deck trailers. As trip duration increased from 5 h 45 min to 30 h, muscle fatigue (lactate concentration) and dehydration (hematocrit and total protein concentration) were the major physiological considerations, especially in durations over 27 h. The percentage of horses injured was less (P < .05) in trailers with 1.14 to 1.31 m2 of floor area per horse than in trailers with 1.40 to 1.54 m2 of floor area per horse. However, most physiological responses (white blood cell count, total protein concentration, and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio) to transportation were less (P < .05) in horses provided with the greater floor area.
High efficiency, multiterawatt x-ray free electron lasers

In this paper we present undulator magnet tapering methods for obtaining high efficiency and multiterawatt peak powers in x-ray free electron lasers (XFELs), a key requirement for enabling 3D atomic resolution single molecule imaging and nonlinear x-ray science. The peak power and efficiency of tapered XFELs is sensitive to time dependent effects, like synchrotron sideband growth. To analyze this dependence in detail we perform a comparative numerical optimization for the undulator magnetic field tapering profile including and intentionally disabling these effects. We show that the solution for the magnetic field taper profile obtained from time independent optimization does not yield the highest extraction efficiency when time dependent effects are included. Our comparative optimization is performed for a novel undulator designed specifically to obtain TW power x-ray pulses in the shortest distance: superconducting, helical, with short period and built-in strong focusing. This design reduces the length of the breaks between modules, decreasing diffraction effects, and allows using a stronger transverse electron focusing. Both effects reduce the gain length and the overall undulator length. We determine that after a fully time dependent optimization of a 100 m long Linac coherent light source-like XFEL we can obtain a maximum efficiency of 7%, corresponding to 3.7 TW peak radiation power. Possible methods to suppress the synchrotron sidebands, and further enhance the FEL peak power, up to about 6 TW by increasing the seed power and reducing the electron beam energy spread, are also discussed.
Impact of radial margins after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Abstract Introduction The prognostic significance of radial margin (RM) involvement in esophagectomy cancer specimens is unclear. Our study investigated survival and recurrence rates between different depths of RM involvement. Materials and methods We retrospectively analyzed 1103 esophagectomies at our institution from 2005 to 2019. Patients were grouped by three-tier stratification: negative RM > 1 mm away, direct RM involvement at 0 mm, and close RM between 0 mm and 1 mm. Survival, loco-regional and distant recurrences were analyzed. Results 1103 esophageal cancer patients were analyzed. 389 patients had recurrence (35.3%). Median survival (13.2 months) and recurrence rates (71%) were worst with direct RM (p Conclusion RM involvement affects survival and recurrence. Tumor at 0 mm remained an independent RF for worse survival and overall and loco-regional recurrence.
Frontal Sinus Fractures: A Review on Etiology and Management Emphasizing Minimally Invasive and Endoscopic Techniques.

ABSTRACT In spite of a long and tortuous history of the acute management of frontal sinus fractures, current optimal management remains steeped in controversy. These fractures are frequently produced by excessive forces and are often accompanied with other injuries. However, disruption of the nasofrontal duct persists as essential to maintain proper sinus function and should guide current management. Although there has never been any distinct procedure defining optimal outcomes, proper treatment is contingent on precise diagnosis culled from a complete history, physical examination, and imaging studies. This is further augmented by the surgeon's intraoperative findings. Reconstruction will ultimately rest on the degree of disruption of the anterior and posterior sinus walls, as well as the status and function of the nasofrontal ducts. For these reasons, current management continues to be challenging and evolving. Thus, this review will discuss the etiology and clinical presentation of frontal sinus fractures, the current complications arising in the subject, and the evolution of treatment options towards a more conservative and endoscopic approach to care.
Risks and Benefits of Adolescent Girls’ Participation in Online Sexting Survey Research

The increasingly ubiquitous use of sexting among adolescent girls underscores the importance of empirical data on their sexting behaviors, motivations, and outcomes. To date, the majority of sexting studies have been conducted online; however, little is known about the extent to which responding to such socially sensitive questions may cause participant discomfort or distress. Research on this question is critical since in the absence of empirical data, institutional review boards (IRBs) may permit or place restrictions on online sexting studies based on an under- or overestimation of adolescent participation risk. The current online study asked 210 girls (aged 14–18 years, 55% non-Hispanic White, with sexting experience in the past 12 months) who previously registered to take online surveys on (1) their anticipated comfort in responding to a sexting survey include items on sexting motivations, positive and negative sexting consequences, and related sexual behaviors; (2) their perceptions of sexting research benefits/harms; and (3) comfort discussing similar topics in everyday life and with health professionals. Overall, participants were comfortable responding to sexting survey questions, rated sexting research as high benefits and low risks, and felt about the same as or more comfortable completing a sexting survey than discussing similar topics with peers, parents, or healthcare professionals. Findings suggest that anonymous online sexting studies can be classified as minimal risk research for adolescent girls and provide empirical support for IRB decisions to waive guardian permission for participation in such studies.
Construction of DNA/RNA Triplex Helices Based on GAA/TTC Trinucleotide Repeats

Atypical DNA and RNA secondary structures play a crucial role in simple sequence repeat (SSR) diseases, which are associated with a class of neurological and neuromuscular disorders known as "anticipation diseases," where the age of disease onset decreases and the severity of the disease is increased as the intergenerational expansion of the SSR increases. While the mechanisms underlying these diseases are complex and remain elusive, there is a consensus that stable, non-B-DNA atypical secondary structures play an important - if not causative - role. These structures include single-stranded DNA loops and hairpins, G-quartets, Z-DNA, triplex nucleic acid structures, and others. While all of these structures are of interest, structures based on nucleic acid triplexes have recently garnered increased attention as they have been implicated in gene regulation, gene repair, and gene engineering. Our work here focuses on the construction of DNA triplexes and RNA/DNA hybrids formed from GAA/TTC trinucleotide repeats, which underlie Friedreich's ataxia. While there is some software, such as the Discovery Studio Visualizer, that can aid in the initial construction of DNA triple helices, the only option for the triple helix is constrained to be that of an antiparallel pyrimidine for the third strand. In this protocol, we illustrate how to build up more generalized DNA triplexes and DNA/RNA mixed hybrids. We make use of both the Discovery Studio Visualizer and the AMBER simulation package to construct the initial triplexes. Using the steps outlined here, one can - in principle - build up any triple nucleic acid helix with a desired sequence for large-scale molecular dynamics simulation studies.
Calcium Both Activates and Inactivates Calcium Release from Cardiac Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

Ringer reported that ventricular contraction ceases within 20 min in the presence of a Ca2 + - free saline solution and is restored by the addition of a Ca2+ salt [30]. Although this most frequently quoted article does not indicate the animal species from which the ventricle was taken, a previous paper indicated that the frog ventricle was used [29]. These articles by Ringer have been widely quoted to demonstrate the importance of transsarcolemmal Ca2 + influx in controlling cardiac contraction, not only in the frog ventricular tissue but in mammalian cardiac tissue as well. Repeating Ringer’s experiments on small trabeculae from the frog ventricle, but with observation under the high-power microscope, confirmed Ringer’s findings. Not only was contraction abolished within 2-3 min by Ca2+ removal, but microscopic examination found the preparation to be completely quiescent. In contrast, when the experiments were done in a mammalian (e. g., adult rat) ventricular tissue, Ca2+ removal resulted in an almost complete abolition of the contraction detected from the ends of the trabecula with a highly sensitive transducer but observation under the microscope showed localized cyclic contractions. This very prominent but desynchronized contractile behavior persisted for many hours in a Ca2 + -free solution (A. Fabiato, unpublished observations). This observation is one of many pieces of evidence suggesting that, in addition to the transsarcolemmal Ca2+ influx, an intracellular Ca2+ store participates in the excitation- contraction coupling of the adult mammalian cardiac tissue. Other experiments have demonstrated that the Ca2+ store is located in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) [7,15].
Principles of Decontamination and Sterilization

The details of sterilization by chemical and physical agents are well covered in specialized textbooks (45, 52, 55, 352) as well as in textbooks of basic and applied microbiology. It is the purpose of this chapter to provide practical recommendations for decontamination and sterilization procedures as they would be practiced in the biomedical research laboratory. First, however, we outline briefly some general principles and define some commonly used terms.
Sphinx: A novel mutation that promotes liver tumor growth and impairs cytotoxic lymphocyte development

3850 The full spectrum of genetic lesions that contribute to liver tumor development remains ill-defined. Using a forward genetic approach, we have identified an N -ethyl- N -nitrosourea induced germ-line mutation that promotes hepatocarcinogenesis. The mutation, named Sphinx , acts as a recessive allele. Homozygotes show progressive liver tumor growth at multiple foci and concurrent anemia by five weeks of age. Tumors had the morphology of well differentiated hepatic adenomas and no metastases in other organs were observed. Death occurred in homozygotes at the age of eight to twelve weeks. Severe hematopoietic defects were noted, including lymphopenia in the spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow. Additionally, Sphinx homozygotes lacked cytotoxic lymphocytes in peripheral lymphoid organs, although CD8 + single positive T cells were present (though reduced) in the thymus and mature natural killer (NK) cells accumulated in the bone marrow. These phenotypes were concordant in 15 of 15 backcrossed and 70 of 70 intercrossed mice, suggesting the complex phenotype derived from a single genetic locus. Positional cloning has mapped the Sphinx mutation to a region on Chromosome 6 in which there are no obvious candidate genes for such a phenotype. We expect cloning the causative mutation will reveal a novel gene involved in both tumor progression and lymphocyte development, and will establish a new mouse model to study hepatocarcinogenesis.
Transrectal needle biopsy of prostate

Abstract An unusual complication of transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate, a disk-space infection requiring drainage by laminectomy, is presented.
The altered baroreceptor response to nitroglycerin in congestive heart failure

The use of nitroglycerin as a vasodilator in the treatment of congestive heart failure has demonstrated that the hemodynamic response is related to the degree of left ventricular dysfunction. Little emphasis has been placed on the mechanisms responsible for the variability in heart rate response to nitroglycerin. To study this problem, 33 patients with a variety of chronic cardiac disorders were given 0.4 mg of nitroglycerin sublingually. An increase in heart rate of less than 3 beats/min to sublingual nitroglycerin allowed a clear identification of a group of patients who had a left ventricular end-diastolic pressure greater than 18 mmHg or pulmonary artery mean pressure greater than 22 mmHg, and who had improvement in hemodynamic parameters following nitroglycerin. This alteration in baroreceptor sensitivity appears to be related to the level of left ventricular filling pressure, and can be used as a simple bedside means of identifying a group of patients who benefit the most from the vasodilator action of nitroglycerin.
Level Splitting and Band Formation of Dark Soliton Eigenvalues

Dark soliton “bands” are found in the soliton eigenvalue spectrum for periodic amplitude and phase gratings. A generalized solution is also determined for the eigenvalues when the initial condition has three discrete regions, each having a uniform, but arbitrary, complex transmittance.
Inorganic Substances, Mass Spectrometric in the Analysis of

Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to measure the composition of a substance by isolating specific analyte components according to their individual atomic or molecular mass-to-charge ratios. Inorganic mass spectrometry is specifically used to determine the elemental and isotopic composition of the material being analyzed. The techniques are capable of the measurement of a range of concentrations from major components to ultratrace constituents. Several instrumental approaches are used to separate and measure the abundance of component ions formed from the sample. These techniques include electron ionization mass spectrometry (EIMS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS). These techniques utilize a variety of mass spectrometers including ion trap, quadrupole, magnetic sector and time-of-flight mass analyzers, depending on the type of sample being analyzed and the desired quality of the results. Often sample introduction techniques can be utilized to enhance the capabilities for solving specific analytical chemistry problems.
'Georgia on My Mind' -- Reflections on O'Keefe v. Snyder

The recent centennial anniversary of the birth of celebrated American artist Georgia O'Keefe offers occasion to reflect upon the New Jersey Supreme Court's seminal pronouncement in the heralded case of O'Keefe v. Snyder.
CDC 2.0: using social media to improve public health

The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) actively employs new/social media to reach and engage users where they are -- in blogs, social networks, virtual worlds, mobile applications, other Web sites, and many other rapidly expanding venues that provide opportunities for interacting with users -- with the goal of improving the health, safety, and preparedness of people around the world. This session includes a review of social media being used at CDC, results achieved, lessons learned, and a view of what's in planning for eHealth at CDC.
Association of Free Testosterone With Hypogonadal Symptoms in Men With Near-normal Total Testosterone Levels.

Objective To investigate the association between hypogonadal symptoms and free testosterone (FT) levels in men with near-normal total testosterone (T) levels (250-350 ng/dL) and to determine whether a discriminatory threshold for FT exists below which hypogonadal symptoms become more prevalent. Methods We reviewed the charts of 3167 men who presented to an outpatient men's health clinic. Two hundred thirty-one men had symptoms of “low testosterone” and serum testosterone levels between 250 and 350 ng/dL. We evaluated hypogonadal symptoms using the Androgen Deficiency in the Adult Male (ADAM) and quantitative ADAM (qADAM) questionnaires. Serum levels of T and sex hormone–binding globulin were collected on the same day that men completed their questionnaires. We used linear regression to determine whether a threshold of FT exists for hypogonadal symptoms. We performed univariate and multivariable analyses to evaluate factors that predicted a low FT level. Results The median age was 43.5 years, and the median testosterone and FT levels were 303 ng/dL and 6.3 ng/dL, respectively. Prevalence and severity of hypogonadal symptoms (ADAM and qADAM) were similar between men with low ( Conclusion We did not observe a relationship between hypogonadal symptoms and FT in men with near-normal testosterone levels. Symptom-specific FT thresholds could not be defined, as age remains an important confounder.
Verifiable concurrent programming using concurrency controllers

We present a framework for verifiable concurrent programming in Java based on a design pattern for concurrency controllers. Using this pattern, a programmer can write concurrency controller classes defining a synchronization policy by specifying a set of guarded commands and without using any of the error-prone synchronization primitives of Java. We present a modular verification approach that exploits the modularity of the proposed pattern, i.e., decoupling of the controller behavior from the threads that use the controller. To verify the controller behavior (behavior verification) we use symbolic and infinite state model checking techniques, which enable verification of controllers with parameterized constants, unbounded variables and arbitrary number of user threads. To verify that the threads use a controller in the specified manner (interface verification) we use explicit state model checking techniques, which allow verification of arbitrary thread implementations without any restrictions. We show that the correctness of the user threads can be verified using the concurrency controller interfaces as stubs, which improves the efficiency of the interface verification significantly. We also show that the concurrency controllers can be automatically optimized using the specific notification pattern. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on a Concurrent Editor implementation which consists of 2800 lines of Java code with remote procedure calls and complex synchronization constraints.
A Review of: “Anna Cento Bull. Italian Neofascism: The Strategy of Tension and the Politics of Nonreconciliation.”

Anna Cento Bull's book offers an insightful look at postwar neofascist groups and the failure of political reconciliation in Italy. After the Second World War, Italy suffered from “civil conflict” ...
Barred Owl Predation on Hermit Thrush and Ovenbird Fledglings

Abstract Identificamos los pichones de dos especies de aves canoras que anidan en el suelo, Catharus guttatus y Seiurus aurocapilla, como presas de Strix varia en el norte de Minnesota. Mediante el uso de radio telemetria, encontramos transmisores y anillos de tres pichones de C. guttatus y tres de S. aurocapilla en tres egagropilas de S. varia. Aunque se sabe que las aves constituyen una pequena fraccion de la dieta de primavera y verano de S. varia, hay pocos registros publicados que documentan cuales especies de aves canoras son consumidas. Nuestras observaciones confirmaron que los pichones recien salidos del nido de aves canoras que anidan en el suelo contribuyen a la dieta de S. varia durante la primavera y el verano.
Effects of yohimbine and tolazoline on isoproterenol and angiotensin II-induced water intake in rats.

Subcutaneous administration of the alpha(sub 2)-adrenoreceptor antagonists, yohimbine and tolazoline, at doses up to 1000 micro-g/kg, had no effect on water intake of female rats. However, when these compounds were administered SC in combination with either the beta-adrenoreceptor agonist, isoproterenol (10 to 25 micro-g/kg, SC), or with angiotensin 2 (200 micro-g/kg, SC). water intake was enhanced. In contrast, intraventricular administration of either tolazoline (10 and 20 micro-g/kg) or yohimbine (300 micro-g/kg) failed to augment the dipsogenic response to angiotensin 2 (150 micro-g/kg, SC). Thus, the enhancing effect of these alpha(sub 2)-adrenoreceptor antagonists on isoproterenol- and angiotensin 2-induced water intakes appears to be manifested peripherally, rather than centrally. In view of the fact that clonidine, an alpha(sub 2)-adrenoreceptor agonist, has been shown to inhibit water intake induced by both isoproterenol and angiotensin 2, the results suggest that the alpha(sub 2)-adrenoreceptor may play a role in modulating water intake induced by these two dipsogenic agents.
Planck's Constant, Torsion, and Space-Time Defects

A possible way of building Planck's constant into the structure of space-time is considered. This is done by assuming that the torsional defect that intrinsic spin produces in the geometry is a multiple of the Planck length.
Queuing Behavior of Spiny Lobsters

Autumnal mass migrations of spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus, involve diurnal movements of thousands of individuals in single-file queues. Initiation, posture, and alignment of a queue can be effected entirely by tactile cues received through antennular inner rami, pereiopods, and antennae. Since spiny lobsters queue when deprived of shelter, this behavior may serve a defensive function. Specimens captured while migrating maintain the queue indoors for up to several weeks, whereas at other times the queue lasts only a few hours. Hence, the migratory behavior probably depends in part upon environmentally induced neurohormonal changes.
Spectrophotometric enzymatic assay for S-3-hydroxyisobutyrate

An enzymatic spectrophotometric end-point assay has been developed for determination of S-3-hydroxyisobutyrate in biological fluids. The assay measures NADH production at 340 nm after initiation of the reaction with rabbit liver 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.31). The assay is not affected by R-3-hydroxyisobutyrate, lactate, malate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyisovalerate, 3-hydroxy-n-valerate, 2-methyl-3-hydroxy-valerate, and 3-hydroxypropionate. The assay does measure 2-ethyl-3-hydroxypropionate, a minor metabolite produced by catabolism of alloisoleucine. Application of the method to measure S-3-hydroxyisobutyrate in plasma obtained from normal, 48-h starved, and mildly and severely diabetic rats gave levels of 28, 42, 112, and 155 microM, respectively.
Gravity induced solid grain packing during liquid phase sintering

The effects of gravity on the solid grain packing in liquid phase sintering have been investigated by both theoretical and experimental analyses. This treatment relies on quantitative microstructural measurements to determine the solid volume fraction variation along the direction of gravity. The model assumes that the grain packing coordination is proportional to the gravitational pressure and density difference between solid and liquid phases. It is confirmed by sintering experiments on W-Ni, and is consistent with a computer simulation model previously reported by German.
Sewage Grid: Drifting Sensors that Monitor the Wastewater Collection System

Over the past decades, the aging infrastructure of wastewater collection system (WCS) has endangered the public health by contaminating the sources of drinking water and by polluting the natural environment. The dangers caused by discharging untreated wastewater have been repeatedly proclaimed by academia, industries, and public sectors. As numerous studies have pointed out, wastewater escaped from the wastewater collection system (WCS) has been a major source of impairment of water quality. In order to identify untreated wastewater escaping from WCS, various schemes have been designed and developed. However, only a small fraction of the WCS is inspected each year due to the cost and complications associated with the current inspection techniques. In an effort to solve this environmental problem, we designed and developed a new methodology for detecting functional deficiencies in WCS. The new methodology, which is utilizing the wireless floating sensors as well as interdisciplinary researches, is not only by far simpler than any current industry methods, but also significantly more efficient. Moreover, this is the first known WCS monitoring methodology utilizing a wireless mobile sensing system.
Resection of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation does not depend on improved radiographic appearance of tumor–vessel relationships

Objective Neoadjuvant therapy increases rates of margin-negative resection of borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (BL-PDAC). Criteria for BL-PDAC resection following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy (NCRT) have not been clearly defined.
What Works and What Doesn’t Work Well in the US Healthcare System

Most observers agree that the US healthcare system is expensive, provides variable quality and leaves many without coverage. The policy challenge is that there is little consensus on how to approach reform. Many proposals assume that systems appearing to work in one nation can be transferred in toto to another or, alternatively, that only minor tweaking of an existing system is possible. The former approach ignores fundamental social, political and legal realities, and the latter ignores the potential for increased benefits. Additionally, many proposals are ideologically driven, focusing on how to finance expanded coverage. Broadening the discussion to examine other components of the system that do not work well may identify sufficient benefits for various stakeholders to engage them in finding more comprehensive solutions that address a range of problems. This paper examines areas in which the US healthcare system performs worse than one would like and areas in which it appears to work well. In the first category is the high proportion of people without coverage, the inefficient and inequitable incentives for the purchase and provision of insurance, the problems in deciding what should be covered, the ineffective payment incentives, administrative costs and complexities, the variable quality and lack of responsiveness to patient preferences, the less than optimal safety, under-valued primary care, provider de-professionalisation, and the costs that appear to be on auto-pilot. In the second category is the rapid and wide-reaching technological innovation, the ready access to care for the insured, and clinical and patient autonomy. Among the things taken as given is our constitutional (rather than parliamentary) political system and underlying public values about the roles of individuals and government. Current players will be active in any debate about reform, so their interests must be addressed. Likewise, certain underlying economic and social drivers of behaviour will continue and should be considered in any reform proposal. Potentially changeable, however, are the roles and functions that the current players may take on in a new system. Likewise, health system-specific legislation should be as malleable as are financing approaches. A more expansive view of the health system's problems makes potential solutions more complex. By addressing problems faced by people currently with coverage and by providers and other stakeholders within the system, however, the benefits may be sufficiently widespread to create the political consensus that has so far eluded reformers in the US.
IS THEOLOGY RESPECTABLE AS METAPHYSICS

. Theology involves inquiry into God's nature, God's purposes, and whether certain experiences or pronouncements come From God. These inquiries are metaphysical, part of theology's concern with the veridicality of signs and realities that are independent from humans. Several research programs concerned with the relation between theology and science aim to secure theology's intellectual standing as a metaphysical discipline by showing that it satisfies criteria that make modern science reputable, on the grounds that modern science embodies contemporary canons of respectability for metaphysical disciplines. But, no matter the ways in which theology qua metaphysics is shown to resemble modern science, these research programs seem destined for failure. For, given the currently dominant approaches to understanding modern scientific epistemology, theological reasoning is crucially dissimilar to modern scientific reasoning in that it treats the existence of God as a certainty immune to refutation. Barring the development of an epistemology of modern science that is amenable to theology, theology as metaphysics is intellectually disreputable.
State government response to income fluctuations: Consumption, insurance, and capital expenditures

Abstract This paper analyzes state government response to changes in the underlying economy with a view to determining whether, and to what extent, state governments respond to economic fluctuations. Specifically, we build impulse response functions from a panel of US states to examine how states cope with changes in economic conditions. We examine current expenditures, as well as Unemployment Insurance, welfare, and capital spending. Further, we examine how both short and long term debt and state government taxes vary with GSP. Our examination of average state government behavior indicates that states respond slowly to changes in the economy, and that they do not utilize some of the institutional features that are purportedly designed to cushion budgetary impacts. Finally, we find that welfare and UI spending follow separate distinct time paths, but not ones seemingly constrained by institutional barriers.
A Multilevel-Multiresolution Technique For Computer Vision Via Renormalization Group Ideas

A multilevel-multiresolution method for image processing tasks and computer vision in general, is presented. The method is based on a combination of probabilistic models, Monte Carlo type algorithms, and renormalization group ideas. The method is suitable for implementation on massively parallel computers. It also yields a new global optimization algorithm potentially applicable to any cost function, but especially efficient for problems which are governed by local spatial relations.© (1988) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
RÔLE OF ESTROGEN IN THE STIMULATION OF MAMMARY LOBULE-ALVEOLAR GROWTH BY PROGESTERONE AND BY THE MAMMOGENIC LOBULE-ALVEOLAR GROWTH FACTOR OF THE ANTERIOR PITUITARY1,2

AEXTENSIVE LITERATURE has accumulated on the synergistic relationship of estrogen and progestin in their action on the various sexual processes with which they are associated. Several investigators (1–5) have demonstrated the synergism in action on the growth of the endometrium. Weichert (6) has demonstrated that a ‘1–2’ relationship exists between estrogen and progestin in the decidual reaction in the uterus of rats and guinea pigs. Dempsey, Hertz; and Young (7) and Hertz, Meyer and Spielman (8) have shown that estrogen conditions the copulatory reflex in female guinea pigs so that the subse-quent administration of progestin causes the appearance of this reflex when the ap-propriate stimulus is applied. Similarly Turner and Frank (9,10) with the rabbit, Turner and Shultze (11) with the rat and Turner and Gome? (12) with the mouse have shown that a combination of estrogen and progestin is necessary to secure complete mammary gland growth, pro-gestin or estrogen alone being inadequate.
Ovarian development and adult mortality in Aedes aegypti treated with sucrose, juvenile hormone and methoprene

Abstract The effects of a single sucrose meal or topical application of juvenile hormone III or methoprene on egg development following a 2 μl blood meal were studied in otherwise starved adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Juvenile hormone and sucrose both increased the proportion of mosquitoes that developed eggs if they were administered during a critical period after the blood. Methoprene was effective for a longer period, but eggs that resulted were not viable. At 16 h following the blood meal, both juvenile hormone and methoprene induced significant mortality, but at 24 h, only methoprene had this effect. Additional ingested blood or sucrose could reduce the juvenile hormone-induced mortality. The glycogen content of sugar-fed females after methoprene treatment was significantly reduced, suggesting that treatment with juvenile hormone or its analogue induced vitellogenesis by mobilizing nutritional reserves, or causing mortality when the reserves were depleted. The implications for the involvement of juvenile hormone in the reproduction of mosquitoes following a blood meal is discussed.
Heat Exchanger Efficiency

This paper provides the solution to the problem of defining thermal efficiency for heat exchangers based on the second law of thermodynamics. It is shown that corresponding to each actual heat exchanger, there is an ideal heat exchanger that is a balanced counter-flow heat exchanger. The ideal heat exchanger has the same UA, the same arithmetic mean temperature difference, and the same cold to hot fluid inlet temperature ratio. The ideal heat exchanger's heat capacity rates are equal to the minimum heat capacity rate of the actual heat exchanger. The ideal heat exchanger transfers the maximum amount of heat, equal to the product of UA and arithmetic mean temperature difference, and generates the minimum amount of entropy, making it the most efficient and least irreversible heat exchanger. The heat exchanger efficiency is defined as the ratio of the heat transferred in the actual heat exchanger to the heat that would be transferred in the ideal heat exchanger. The concept of heat exchanger efficiency provides a new way for the design and analysis of heat exchangers and heat exchanger networks.