cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Social Determinants on Late Stage Breast Cancer for Women in Mississippi

Breast cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer in women exacting an emotional and economic hardship for them and their families. There are no known causes of breast cancer, but there are certain genetic, social, and environment risk factors that pre-dispose women to this disease. Also, diagnosis at later stages of disease has been shown to have adverse outcomes for many as compared to early stages. The social determinants researched to examine their influence on breast cancer outcomes were race, health insurance, and income. The results of this study confirmed that race and health insurance were the two major factors that negatively impacted stages of breast cancer diagnoses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence that social determinants have on stage of breast cancer diagnoses. This research focused on three social determinants that research demonstrated had an influence on stages of breast cancer diagnoses (race, income, and lack of health insurance). Bivariate analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between race and income, race and health insurance, and race and stage of diagnosis. The findings confirmed what was suspected for Mississippians; more African Americans had lower incomes, had less health insurance coverage, and were diagnosed at later stages of breast cancer disease. Only race and health insurance directly affected late stage diagnosis in analyses for this study. The influence of income on stage of breast cancer diagnosis was not statistically significant. The results of these analyses demonstrated that African American women in Mississippi were disproportionately diagnosed at late stage breast cancer as opposed to early stage. An individual cannot alter the genetic factor of race, but some of the disparate health outcomes that appear to be associated with race may be behavioral or socio-economically based and can be addressed, which could impact health outcomes. Adequate health insurance could positively impact stage of breast cancer diagnoses, ultimately reducing health disparities and premature death.
Gene homology analysis of Enterobacter sakazakii strains isolated from Xinjiang

Objective To analyze the gene homology of Enterobacter sakazakii strains isolated from Xinjiang.Methods The DNA of Enterobacter sakazakii strains isolated from Xinjiang were extracted by kit,respectively put Esak2,Esak3,Esakr,Esakf as primers,amplified 16SRNA gene fragments and through BLAST analyzed Gene homology.Results Enterobacter sakazakii strains isolated from Xinjiang on the homology with the five international standard strain genes homologous.The maximum similarity of 100%,which IQCC10403-26,IQCC10418 EU675663.1 homologous,but the similarity there are differences.Conclusion 6 strains Enterobacter sakazakii strains isolated from Xinjiang had different homology.It showed that the way of gene homology analysis to distinguish Enterobacter sakazakii and never limited to the phenotype.
Estimation of Variance and Covariance Components to Determine Heritabilities and Repeatability of Weaning Weight in American Simmental Cattle

Components of (co)variance for weaning weight were estimated from field data provided by the American Simmental Association. These components were obtained for the observational components of variance corresponding to a sire, maternal grandsire, and dam within maternal grandsire model. From these estimates, direct additive genetic variance (Sigma2A), maternal additive genetic variance (Sigma2M), covariance between direct and maternal additive genetic effects (SigmaAM), variance of permanent environment(Sigma2pe) and temporary environment variance(Sigma2te) were determined. A procedure to approximate restricted maximum likelihood (REML) estimates of the observational components of variance based on the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm is described. From these results, phenotypic variance ( ) of weaning weight was 667.88 kg2. Values forSigma2A, Sigma2M, Sigma2pe and Sigma2te were 79,30,58,38,49.45, and 469.97 kg2, respectively. Genetic correlation between direct and maternal additive genetic effects was .16.
Assessment of Heating Rate and Non-uniform Heating in Domestic Microwave Ovens

Due to the inherent nature of standing wave patterns of microwaves inside a domestic microwave oven cavity and varying dielectric properties of different food components, microwave heating produces non-uniform distribution of energy inside the food. Non-uniform heating is a major food safety concern in not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) microwaveable foods. In this study, we present a method for assessing heating rate and non-uniform heating in domestic microwave ovens. In this study a custom designed container was used to assess heating rate and non-uniform heating of a range of microwave ovens using a hedgehog of 30 T-type thermocouples. The mean and standard deviation of heating rate along the radial distance and sector of the container were measured and analyzed. The effect of the location of rings and sectors was analyzed using ANOVA to identify the best location for placing food on the turntable. The study suggested that the best location to place food in a microwave oven is not at the center but near the edge of the turntable assuming uniform heating is desired. The effect of rated power and cavity size on heating rate and non-uniform heating was also studied for a range of microwave ovens. As the rated power and cavity size increases, heating rate increases while non-uniform heating decreases. Sectors in the container also influenced heating rate (p < 0.0001), even though it did not have clear trend on heating rate. In general, sectors close to the magnetron tend to heat slightly faster than sectors away from the magnetron. However, the variation in heating rate among sectors was only 2 degrees C/min and considered not practically important. Overall heating performance such as mean heating rate and non-uniform heating did not significantly vary between the two replications that were performed 4 h apart. However, microwave ovens were inconsistent in producing the same heating patterns between the two replications that were performed 4 h apart.
The Hadwiger–Nelson Problem

Inspired by the Four-Color Conjecture, the Hadwiger–Nelson Problem became one of the famous open problems of mathematics in its own rights. It has withstood all assaults for 65 years, and attracted many mathematicians from many fields, including Paul Erdős and Ronald L. Graham. John F. Nash admired this problem and chose it for the present book. In this chapter we will discuss this problem, its history and generalizations, several of the many related open problems, and the state of the art results.
Exact N-th Order Equations

This chapter describes solution of exact N -th order ordinary differential equations. Some linear differential equations can be integrated exactly without modifying the equation in any way. The linear n th order ordinary differential equation P n ( x ) d n y / dx n + P n −1 ( x )d n−1 y / dx n −1 + … + P 1 ( x ) dy / dx + P 0 ( x ) y = R ( x ) is said to be exact if it can be integrated once to yield Q n−1 ( x ) d n−1 y / dx n−1 + Q n−2 ( x ) d n−2 y / dx n−2 + … + Q 1 ( x ) dy / dx + Q 0 ( x ) y = ∫ R ( x ) dx . A necessary and sufficient condition for P n ( x ) d n y / dx n + P n −1 ( x )d n−1 y / dx n −1 + … + P 1 ( x ) dy / dx + P 0 ( x ) y = R ( x ) to be exact can be found by differentiating Q n−1 ( x ) d n−1 y / dx n−1 + Q n−2 ( x ) d n−2 y / dx n−2 + … + Q 1 ( x ) dy / dx + Q 0 ( x ) y = ∫ R ( x ) dx with respect to ÷ and comparing terms with P n ( x ) d n y / dx n + P n −1 ( x )d n−1 y / dx n −1 + … + P 1 ( x ) dy / dx + P 0 ( x ) y = R ( x ). The chapter also highlights that the second-order linear ordinary differential equation P ( x ) y“ + Q ( x ) y' + R ( x ) y = 0 will be exact, if and only if, P“ ( x ) − Q' ( x ) + R ( x ) = 0.
Evolution of Technologies, Standards, and Deployment of 2G-5G Networks

The fourth and fifth generation wireless mobile systems, commonly known as 4G and 5G, are expected to provide global roaming across different types of wireless and mobile networks, for instance, from satellite to mobile networks and to Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). 4G is an all IP-based mobile network using different radio access technologies providing seamless roaming and providing connection always via the best available network [1]. The vision of 4G wireless/mobile systems is the provision of broadband access, seamless global roaming, and Internet/data/voice everywhere, utilizing for each the most “appropriate” always best connected technology [2]. These systems are about integrating terminals, networks, and applications to satisfy increasing user demands ([3], [4]). 4G systems are expected to offer a speed of over 100 Mbps in stationary mode and an average of 20 Mbps for mobile stations reducing the download time of graphics and multimedia components by more than 10 times compared to currently available 2 Mbps on 3G systems. The fifth generation communication system is envisioned as the real wireless network, capable of supporting wireless world wide web (wwww) applications in 2010 to 2015 time frame. There are two views of 5G systems: evolutionary and revolutionary. In the evolutionary view the 5G (or beyond 4G) systems will be capable of supporting wwww allowing a highly flexible network such as a Dynamic Adhoc Wireless Network (DAWN). In this view advanced technologies including intelligent antenna and flexible modulation are keys to optimize the adhoc wireless networks. In revolutionary view 5G systems should be an intelligent technology capable of interconnecting the entire world without limits. An example application could be a robot with built-in wireless communication with artificial intelligence. The 4G system is still predominantly a research and development initiative based upon 3G, which is struggling to meet its performance goals. The challenges for development of 4G systems depend upon the evolution of different underlying technologies, standards, and deployment. We present an overall vision of the 4G features, framework, and integration of mobile communication. First we explain the evolutionary process from 2G to 5G in light of used technologies and business demands. Next we discuss the architectural developments for 2G-5G systems, followed by the discussion on standards and services. Finally we address the market demands and discuss the development of terminals for these systems.
Out of many, one: Integrating data in the paediatric cardiovascular environment

Large volumes of data and multiple computing platforms are now universal components of paediatric cardiovascular medicine, but are in a constant state of evolution. Often, multiple sets of related data reside in disconnected "silos", resulting in clinical, administrative, and research activities that may be duplicative, inefficient, and at times inaccurate. Comprehensive and integrated data solutions are needed to facilitate these activities across congenital heart centres. We describe methodology, key considerations, successful use cases, and lessons learnt in developing an integrated data platform across our congenital heart centre.
Pilon (Axial Load) Ankle Fractures

Pilon fractures (Fig. 50.1) are high energy injuries. Workup includes evaluation of open versus closed injury, neurovascular compromise, compartment assessment, intra-articular versus extra-articular fracture lines, impaction at the joint surface, and associated injuries.
Synthesizing Sign Language by Connecting Linguistically Structured Descriptions to a Multi-track Animation System

Animating sign language requires both a model of the structure of the target language and a computer animation system capable of producing the resulting avatar motion. On the language modelling side, AZee proposes a methodology and formal description mechanism to build grammars of Sign languages. It has mostly assumed the existence of an avatar capable of rendering its low-level articulation specifications. On the computer animation side, the Paula animator system proposes a multi-track SL generation platform designed for realism of movements, programmed from its birth to be driven by linguistic input.
Consumer-grade drone radar cross-section and micro-Doppler phenomenology

Detection and classification of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aerial systems (UASs) requires an understanding of their characteristics in various regimes. Two relevant UAS characteristics are measured for two consumer-grade UASs: radar cross-section (RCS) and micro-Doppler profile. RCS is measured as a function of frequency, angle, and orientation. Electromagnetic and acoustic micro-Doppler characteristics of the UASs' moving blades are also measured.
Victim Impact Statements: Vices, Values, and Justice

There is considerable debate surrounding the place of victim impact evidence (especially victim allocution) in a criminal court of law. In particular, the efficacy and legitimacy of these statements in the context of the capital trial are questioned. The inclusion of the victim’s voice during the penalty phase of a capital trial is a significant criminal justice concern. In short, this involvement is largely regarded as a means to provide those harmed (including family members) with much deserved recognition and, consequently, some amount of power and control in the system in which they find themselves as unwilling participants and in a process from which they have been alienated as non-contributing outsiders (Davis and Smith, 1994a, b). While some commentators celebrate the inclusion of such voices (Long, 1995), others question if victim impact statements (VIS) represent a misguided initiative, displacing the general purpose of criminal justice processing altogether (Luginbuhl and Burkhead, 1994).
Let it go: Relationship autonomy predicts pro-relationship responses to partner transgressions.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present research is to better understand how relationship autonomy-having more self-determined reasons for being committed to a relationship-contributes to pro-relationship responses to transgressions in romantic relationships (e.g., forgiveness and accommodation). METHOD Study 1 employed a cross-sectional design (N = 350) and Study 2 used a weekly diary (N = 121) to test associations between relationship autonomy and pro-relationship responses to transgressions. Studies 3 and 4 utilized dyadic designs (Study 3: N = 200 couples, 400 individuals; Study 4: N = 275 couples, 550 individuals) to determine how both partners' relationship autonomy is associated with pro-relationship responses. RESULTS Results revealed that relationship autonomy is robustly associated with pro-relationship responses to transgressions, both as general tendencies and as responses to idiosyncratic transgressions. Results of actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) analyses in Studies 3 and 4 provide evidence that one's partner's relationship autonomy is important for promoting pro-relationship responses as well. Study 4 also found that people perceive that partners respond better to transgressions if their partner is high in relationship autonomy. CONCLUSIONS This research provides consistent and compelling evidence that the degree of self-determination underlying commitment is important for understanding how people respond to transgressions in their relationships, beyond their current levels of commitment.
Numerical reference frequency sample

This paper introduces a novel way of producing a representative frequency sample data set for a system reference oscillator's operation with respect to its manufacturer's Allan Deviation specifications. The resultant availability of the algorithmically constructed frequency sample can greatly benefit the system analysis demands in which frequency and timing errors are essential parameters to be considered, particularly where external unexpected or unintentional disturbance to the frequency reference is an area of nascent concern. The sample set thus constructed can also be extrapolated to any desirable duration of the operational oscillator's runtime when obtaining the actual frequency behavior measurement sample is not possible.
Innovation and implementation in mental health services for homeless adults: a case study.

Seeking to identify conditions that support newly implemented evidence-based practices, this case study examined an implementation in which an existing agency was invited to move into the neighboring county to introduce its “housing first” practice with seriously mentally ill homeless adults. Using a constructivist methodology to elicit the narratives of key actors and observers about the implementation and its attendant controversy, this study found three issues at the core of actors' experiences: mode of presentation, use of an outside agency and the questioned uniqueness of the new practice. Barriers rather than facilitators dominated participants' interpretations of events despite significant researcher-observed facilitators.
Treatment of urinary incontinence by the periurethral implantation of glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen.

AbstractInjectable materials have been used to augment the urethral sphincter and improve urinary continence with some success. However, none of these materials has received widespread use because they are difficult to inject and have been reported to migrate. We investigated the efficacy of transurethral implantation of glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen, a highly purified bovine collagen. A total of 17 patients (16 men and 1 woman) with urinary incontinence resulting from a previous operation was selected for glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen injection into the region of the urethral sphincter. Before and after implantation patients underwent urodynamic evaluation. Glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen was injected into the area of the bladder neck or urinary sphincter under direct endoscopic vision. If no improvement occurred reinjection to increase the implant volume was performed at least 3 months after a previous injection. Of the 17 patients 9 were cured or improved. No complications have been ...
Gangliosides and Functional Recovery from Brain Injury

In the first part of this chapter, we review studies that have focused on the effectiveness of ganglioside treatments for reducing behavioral deficits following brain damage. Our review indicates that gangliosides are an effective treatment following a variety of injuries to structures and pathways of the septohippocampal system, the cerebral cortex, and the nigrostriatal system. Although the underlying mechanism of this ganglioside-induced behavioral recovery is still not understood, the observation, in most of these studies, of its early onset indicates that gangliosides are promoting functional recovery by means other than the facilitation of neuronal sprouting.
Infantile disorders within the new world order

Abstract The Gulf War would chart the future of the world for the next 100 years (George Bush, 1991, quoted in Renshon, p. 221). The Gulf crisis … was essentially an interArab event into which outsiders were drawn (Bernard Lewis, 1991, quoted by Brown, 1993, in Renshon, p. 17). The Persian Gulf War was a war like no other. With respect to media coverage, it was arguably the most sanitized, or distanced, war in modern times. Civilians of the coalition countries saw and heard little to suggest the horror of war. Instead, they were fed images of technological marvels—perfectly aimed ‘smart bombs’ flying down chimneys, or allied ‘Patriot’ missiles blasting SCUDS out of the sky. In many ways the television images seen by viewers in allied countries seemed more like a video-game war than a real war … As in wars past, the enemy was carefully crafted into a villain. In Hussein's case, he was portrated as the Hitler of the 1990s … The immediate aftermath of the war provided an intriguing example of group dynamics — For a window of time, people across the U.S. glorified war and, perhaps without realizing it, the killing of Iraqis — But one might question this form of social contagion or, what Brewster Smith called, ‘glowing self-congratulation’, whereby celebration took precedence over thinking about, and mourning for, those on both sides who lost their lives or who were seriously injured (Lehman, 1993, pp. 3–4). History demonstrates that it is a dangerous illusion to suppose that the destinies of continents and of the world community can somehow be managed from one single capital (Boris Yeltsin, New York Times , 6 December 1994, p. A4).
The bacterial outer membrane is an evolving antibiotic barrier

The outer membrane (OM) of the diderm “gram-negative” class of bacteria is an essential organelle and a robust permeability barrier that prevents many antibiotics from reaching their intracellular targets (1). The OM is a unique asymmetrical lipid bilayer (Fig. 1): The inner leaflet is composed of phospholipids (PLs), and the outer leaflet consists almost exclusively of a glycolipid referred to either as lipopolysaccharide (LPS, in bacteria that attach long repeats of sugars to the glycolipid) or lipooligosaccharide (LOS, in bacteria that attach only a short oligosaccharide to cap the glycolipid) (1). Assembly of these lipids into a contiguous barrier, and how that barrier is maintained in response to damage, is a fascinating biological problem. Both PLs and LPS/LOS are synthesized inside the cell, so they must first transit the inner membrane (IM) and then traverse the hostile aqueous periplasmic environment before being assembled into an OM. Work over the past decade uncovered a protein bridge that links the IM and OM and allows LPS/LOS to flow directly into the OM outer leaflet (2). How PLs are transported to the OM remains a mystery. Understanding the pathways of OM biogenesis is a pressing goal. New antibiotics against gram-negative bacteria are urgently needed (3). Rates of antibiotic resistance continue to rise unabated, while the last truly novel antibiotic effective against gram-negative bacteria was discovered in the 1960s (3). The hope is that treatments interfering with OM biogenesis will offer new lethal therapeutics or will help permeabilize gram-negative bacteria to existing drugs. Until that promise is realized, clinicians are increasingly forced to rely on last-resort antibiotics that were once sidelined due to their unfavorable toxicity profiles, including the OM-targeting antibiotic colistin (polymyxin E) (4). In PNAS, Powers and Trent (5) provide new insights into how colistin-resistant bacteria evolve improved fitness by altering their … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: marcin.grabowicz{at}emory.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Islamic Banking and Finance: Shariah Governance in Theory and Practice

This paper investigates the case of Shariah governance and compliance at Islamic banks worldwide. It explores fundamental features of Islamic banking policy instruments from Shariah perspectives in order to appraise the business affairs of Islamic banks. This paper finds that Shariah governance has severely failed to ensure religious, ethical and social sanctities of Islamic banks. The personal, consumer finance and deposit-taking operations at Islamic banks are based on interest and time value of money, and a crystal clear case of Shariah violations. The majority of Muslim business and societal groups have shown increasing concerns over the serious Shariah governance and compliance issues at Islamic banks. There are increasing pressures on Islamic banks to prove themselves not only financially viable but also Shariah -compliant and valued-based entities.
The effect of acrylate functionality on frontal polymerization velocity and temperature

Frontal polymerization is a method of converting monomer(s) to polymer via a localized reaction zone that propagates from the coupling of thermal diffusion with the Arrhenius kinetics of an exothermic reaction. Several factors affect front velocity and temperature with the role of monomer functionality being of particular interest in this study. Polymerizing a di and triacrylate of equal molecular weight per acrylate revealed that as the proportion of triacrylate was increased the velocity and temperature increased. This is attributed to increased crosslinking and autoacceleration. Comparing several different acrylate monomers, both neat and diluted with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) so as to maintain constant acrylate group concentration, shows that velocity increases with increased functionality from mono to difunctional monomers. This trend breaks when applied to tri‐ and tetraacrylates, with fronts containing trifunctional monomer being the fastest. Acrylates containing hydroxyl functionality, as in the case of pentaerythritol‐based triacrylates, are slower than acrylates without. This is attributed to a chain‐transfer event and was tested using octanol and a hydroxyl‐free acrylate. It has also been shown that small amounts of water cause a lowering of front velocity due to energy lost via vaporization, which lowers the front temperature. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 982–988
The Historical Roots of Health Care Oversight: Cost Containment

Historically, the push for more external oversight of health care came from third-party payers, including the government, who wanted to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the services they paid for and to minimize waste, fraud, and abuse. To help “manage” health care in that sense, measurements of the quality of medical practice were called for, partly because, as costs rose; identifying and selecting the best resources was viewed as a means to cost effectiveness (Stryer, et al., 2000).
Speech Fluency and Its Development in Normal Children

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses speech fluency and its development in normal children. Fluency is the ability to speak a second language rapidly and continuously and without any particular effort or thought. The fluent speaker does not think about the way to say what he wants to but about what he wants to say and about the reactions of his listeners. He has learned the language so well that he automatically produces it with correct semantics, syntax, and phonology. Syllabic rate varies with the speaker, some people simply being faster talkers than others, but there actually is surprisingly little individual variation. The idea that shorter utterances contain more information per syllable than long ones can be easily tested in a thought experiment. If a collection of natural utterances had been surreptitiously recorded, they would vary in length from one to many syllables. The maximum rate at which syllables can be produced is determined by the physiological capacity of the speech mechanism and can be assessed for various parts of the mechanism by having a person move an articulator to repeat a syllable as rapidly as possible. As children grow, the duration of their speech sounds diminishes and the variation in sound duration also decreases. As the child's capacity for fluency develops, he shortens the length of his sounds, producing information as rapidly as possible.
Competition and Democracy

Competition and democracy are the most respected and perhaps most efficient ways to organize the economy and the society. Far from resolving all the difficult issues these institutions raise, this paper will demonstrate their connections. I will argue that competition and democracy are two sides of the same coin in our Transatlantic culture. During my research, of the numerous competition schools of thoughts, I was inspired mainly by the German ordoliberal school. I explain how the freedom of choice, market access, the protection of private property, the role of checks and balances, and fair and non-misleading communication are, or should be common building blocks of both an efficient free-market system and a well functioning democracy. A short overview of relevant texts of Catholic social teaching will show that neither competition, nor democracy can function without a strong and widely respected moral foundation.
“There is no there there”: Space deictics, verb tense, and nostalgia at a family literacy class

Abstract Drawing from a yearlong ethnographic study, this paper examines spatial deictics and verb tense use in conversation and instructional activities in a family literacy class at a Bay Area Public Library. More specifically, we employ discourse analytic tools to document how spatiotemporal coordinates are never solely product of cognitive calculation but always also entangled with emotions. In addition to enacting their referentiality with respect to places and moments in time, spatial and temporal indexical terms served to position participants within a discursive paradigm of migration, a chronotope imbued by nostalgia. We discuss how such discursive positioning constructs students’ identities as diasporic, their being in the here-and-now predicated on their being from elsewhere, and their being here-and-there simultaneous and coextensive.
No-Till Farming Systems for Sustaining Soil Health

Agriculture in the next decades will have to produce more food on less land and purchased production inputs by making more efficient use of natural and applied resources. The practice of no-tillage (NT) is briefly described and its effect on physical, chemical, and biological properties and processes and how these led the transition from NT only to biodiverse and regenerative NT or Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems is discussed. No-tillage initially evolved as a way of reducing severe soil erosion associated with intensive tillage and favorably impacted soil properties. Further development of NT to also incorporate the use of stubble retention, diversified crop rotations, and cover crop mixes have transitioned us to CA with a wide range of agro-environmental benefits. The positive impact of NT lies in improved carbon (C) management and enhanced aggregate stability that provides for erosion control, more infiltration, and less runoff. The regenerative benefits of minimum soil disturbance, permanent mulch cover, and diversified cropping on yield are best obtained through enhanced C management for climate extreme mitigation and food security.
Three-Dimensionally Printed Surgical Simulation Tool for Brain Mapping Training and Preoperative Planning

Background Brain mapping is the most reliable intraoperative tool for identifying surrounding functional cortical and subcortical brain parenchyma. Brain mapping procedures are nuanced and require a multidisciplinary team and a well-trained neurosurgeon. Current training methodology involves real-time observation and operation, without widely available surgical simulation. Objective To develop a patient-specific, anatomically accurate, and electrically responsive biomimetic 3D-printed model for simulating brain mapping. Methods Imaging data were converted into a 2-piece inverse 3D-rendered polyvinyl acetate shell forming an anatomically accurate brain mold. Functional and diffusion tensor imaging data were used to guide wire placement to approximate the projection fibers from the arm and leg areas in the motor homunculus. Electrical parameters were generated, and data were collected and processed to differentiate between the 2 tracts. For validation, the relationship between the electrical signal and the distance between the probe and the tract was quantified. Neurosurgeons and trainees were interviewed to assess the validity of the model. Results Material testing of the brain component showed an elasticity modulus of 55 kPa (compared to 140 kPa of cadaveric brain), closely resembling the tactile feedback a live brain. The simulator's electrical properties approximated that of a live brain with a voltage-to-distance correlation coefficient of r2 = 0.86. Following 32 neurosurgeon interviews, ∼96% considered the model to be useful for training. Conclusion The realistic neural properties of the simulator greatly improve representation of a live surgical environment. This proof-of-concept model can be further developed to contain more complicated tractography, blood and cerebrospinal fluid circulation, and more in-depth feedback mechanisms.
14 Stimulus classes and stimulus relations: Arbitrarily applicable relational responding as an operant

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses stimulus classes and stimulus relations. Humans show remarkable forms of stimulus control based upon seemingly arbitrary relations among stimuli. Normal adults who are told that a bottle contains poison will probably avoid that bottle, perhaps for life. The research interest in equivalence and other derived stimulus relations documents the fascination such performances have for behavioral psychologists. As with any behavior, a satisfactory behavior analytic account of these performances requires a specification of the nature of the activity and the antecedent, consequential, motivative, and other variables involved in its manipulation and prediction. This chapter includes one such analysis and explores some of its implications for the understanding of human stimulus control. It discusses the basic premises of relational frame theory (RFT) and the ways in which it informs an understanding of complex stimulus control among verbally competent humans. Most of the work on derived stimulus relations has been done on stimulus equivalence. There are several preparations used to establish stimulus equivalence in an experimental setting, but by far the most popular is matching-to-sample (MTS). In arbitrary MTS, a sample stimulus appears with an array of comparison stimuli, one of which is then selected. The stimulus arrangements and responses required vary.
Multicultural Perspectives on Delinquency Among African American Youth: Etiology and Intervention

In this chapter, we consider the possible reasons for the over representation of African-American youth in the juvenile and criminal justice systems. We review research on discrimination in the justice system and possible differences between African American and White youth in the key risk factors for delinquency that exist at the individual, family, and peer-group and neighborhood levels. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations for treatments and interventions aimed at preventing and reducing offending and justice system involvement among African-American youth.
Packet design for communication under asynchronous interference

The asynchronous interference arises in many wireless multiple access communication systems. This paper considers the problem of placing the training symbols within the data packets when these packets are subject to asynchronous interference. The performance measure considered is the achievable data transmission rate for a system that uses coherent reception using a training-based channel estimate. An upper and a lower bound for the achievable rate are obtained. By optimizing the placement the achievable rate can be doubled. Also, if the placement that provides optimum channel estimation performance is used, the data rate loss is negligible; thus the effect of the placement on the data rate is mainly through the efficiency of channel estimation.
Does Nonresponse Bias the Results of Retrospective Surveys of End‐of‐Life Care?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of nonresponse bias on reports of the quality of end-of-life care that older adults receive. DESIGN: Nationwide retrospective survey of end-of-life care. SETTING: Sixty-two Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. PARTICIPANTS: Patients were eligible if they died in a participating facility. One family member per patient was selected from medical records and invited to participate. MEASUREMENTS: The telephone survey included 14 items describing important aspects of the patient's care in the last month of life. Scores (0�100) reflect the percentage of items for which the family member reported that the patient received the best possible care, and a global item defined the proportion of families who said the patient received �excellent� care. To examine the effect of nonresponse bias, a model was created to predict the likelihood of response based on patient and family characteristics; then this model was used to apply weights that were equivalent to the inverse of the probability of response for that individual. RESULTS: Interviews were completed with family members of 3,897 of 7,110 patients (55%). Once results were weighted to account for nonresponse bias, the change in mean individual scores was 2% of families reporting �excellent� care. Of the 62 facilities in the sample, the scores of only 19 facilities (31%) changed more than 1% in either direction, and only 10 (16%) changed more than 2%. CONCLUSION: Although nonresponse bias is a theoretical concern, it does not appear to have a significant effect on the facility-level results of this retrospective family survey.
The dependence of immunological cross-reactivity upon sequence resemblance among lysozymes. I. Micro-complement fixation studies.

Rabbit antisera were prepared against seven different lysozymes purified from the egg whites of chicken, bobwhite quail, turkey, Japanese quail, ring-necked pheasant, and duck. Cross-reactivity tests by means of quantitative micro-complement fixation were conducted among all possible pairs of these lysozymes as well as with three other lysozymes. The amino acid sequences are known for five of the 10 proteins we examined. A correlation was observed between degree of immunological cross-reactivity and degree of amino acid sequence similarity, with the limitation that proteins differing from each other by 40% or more in sequence exhibited no cross-reactivity in micro-complement fixation tests. This relationship between sequence resemblance and immunological resemblance is compatible not only with the fact that amino acid replacements have generally occurred on the outer surface of the lysozyme molecule during bird evolution but also with current ideas about the size and number of antigenic determinants on proteins and with the idea that the conformation of the polypeptide backbone is strongly conserved during evolution. Cross-reactivity measurements are affected by several parameters that were investigated, including the length of the immunization program, variability among rabbits, and the degree to which the results of reciprocal tests agree. Antiserum specificity broadened with time and reached a plateau after several months of immunization. Considerable variability among rabbits necessitated pooling several sera in inverse proportion to their degree of reaction with the homologous antigen in order to obtain a more representative measurement. The results of reciprocal tests advise measuring cross-reactivity in both directions to better evaluate the degree of antigenic difference between two lysozymes.
The Law and Economics of Marriage and Divorce: Weak men and disorderly women: divorce and the division of labor

Though married women have steadily increased their labor force activity, most continue to do the bulk of the housework. However, due to increases in life expectancy and declines in fertility, homemaking is no longer a lifetime career for women as a group. Without a wife who specializes in homemaking, married couples must balance the responsibilities for such tasks in new ways. In recent years, husbands have assumed greater responsibility for routine housework. This research investigates the consequences of husbands' involvement in women's tasks, and wives' involvement in men's tasks for the stability of their marriages. We show that women's work endangers marriages, regardless of which spouse does it. Greater involvement in traditionally female housework by either partner is associated with higher chances of divorce or separation. However, the consequences of the time that husbands and wives spend in various tasks is strongly conditioned by perceptions of fairness.
Application of cone beam computed tomography for assessment of the temporomandibular joints

Radiographic examination is essential for the diagnosis and management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. The goals of TMJ radiography are to evaluate cortical and trabecular architecture of the bony structures and confirm their integrity, to assess the extent and monitor progression of osseous changes, and to evaluate the response to treatment. Accurate evaluation of the TMJ by conventional radiography is limited by structure superimposition. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides high-resolution multiplanar images and delivers substantially lower radiation dose, compared with multislice CT. CBCT allows examination of TMJ anatomy without superimposition and distortion to facilitate analysis of bone morphology, joint space and dynamic function in all three dimensions. This article will describe the role of CBCT imaging for the assessment of the TMJ osseous structures and present typical appearances of common pathological conditions of the TMJ.
The Birds and the Beans A Low-Fidelity Simulator for Chorionic Villus Sampling Skill Acquisition

Because no simulation models are described for chorionic villus sampling (CVS), we sought to design and construct a CVS training simulator. Using materials available from our labor floor and local supermarket, we built and demonstrated a practical model for learning transabdominal and transcervical CVS. The simulator can be used to teach single- or dual-operator transabdominal CVS and traditional transcervical CVS. Aspirated "villi" immediately inform the teacher and learner of successful procedures. No image degradation or sonographically visible tracks resulted from use, permitting more than one trainee to benefit from a model. This model for transabdominal and transcervical CVS provides realistic imaging, tactile sensations, and immediate feedback.
Does class attendance matter? Results from a second‐year medical school dermatology cohort study

Author(s): Eisen, Daniel B; Schupp, Clayton W; Isseroff, Rivkah R; Ibrahimi, Omar A; Ledo, Lynda; Armstrong, April W | Abstract: BackgroundLittle is known about the impacts of class attendance and learning preferences on academic performance in dermatology.ObjectivesThis study was designed to examine the effects of medical student class attendance and learning preferences on students' academic performance in an introductory dermatology course.MethodsA total of 101 second-year medical students enrolled in a required introductory dermatology course were surveyed regarding their learning preferences. Records of class attendance and scores on the final examination were reviewed.ResultsThe most frequently cited reason for attending classes was social expectation (96%), whereas the least cited was learning well in a classroom-type setting (65%). The top reasons cited by students for not attending classes were availability of lectures online (35%), preference for individual study outside the classroom setting (26%), and the inconvenience of traveling to class (24%). Multivariate analysis found no statistically significant relationship between class attendance and performance on the final examination (estimate -0.074, standard error 0.12; Pn=n0.54) after adjusting for sex, age, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score, having children at home, and reason for attending class. Those who prefer to learn by watching online videos scored significantly higher on the final examination (prefer online videos: 87n±n5.5; neutral: 86n±n5.9; do not prefer online videos: 82n±n2.6 [Pn=n0.049]).ConclusionsClass attendance was not associated with improved academic performance in a dermatology course. Those who preferred to learn by watching online videos demonstrated a higher level of performance than those who did not prefer to learn this way.
271 IMPAIRED FETAL GROWTH FROM AMINO ACID IMBALANCE

Whether fetal growth retardation (FGR) could be induced by diets imbalanced relative to a single amino acid, was investigated. Pregnant rats were fed either a 6% casein “basal” (B) diet supplemented by L-MET & a 5% mixture of essential, plus 4.5% small neutral dispensible amino acids, (4 kcals & 0.16g protein-equivalent/g diet, complete in essential nutrients), an “experimental” (E) diet (same, except 0.4% L-THR supplement omitted) or a “control” (C) diet, like B, but containing 20% casein. 343 fetuses with placentas were delivered by Caesarian section usually on day 21 but occasionally on day 20 or 22. Food consumption was similar in all groups (kcals/100g rat/d): protein intake of the B & E rats was about half that of the C group. Net maternal weight gain (excluding conceptus) was +8% in C, 0% in B & −12% in E group dams. Body weight, length, volume, brain & placental weights, adjusted by multivariate analysis to control for maternal prepregnant weight, length, litter size, net weight gain & days of gestation, were significantly reduced in 156 B vs 32 C & in 155 E vs B fetuses. Net maternal weight loss did not prevent FGR. Of the total variance in birth measures, protein restriction accounted for 30-59% in the B vs C group fetuses; & the THR amino acid imbalance for 36% between the E & B groups. Thus, diets with excess dispensible amino acids during pregnancy induce FGR, especially when THR is limiting.
Analysis of RP-HPLC loading conditions for maximizing peptide identifications in shotgun proteomics

Substantial energy and resources have been invested in improving mass spectrometry (MS) instrumentation, upstream sample preparation protocols, and database search strategies to maximize peptide and protein identifications. The role of HPLC sample loading methods in maximizing MS identifications has been largely overlooked, and there exists an immense heterogeneity in the methods employed in the proteomics literature. We sought to optimize loading methods by testing multiple loading conditions (buffer composition, resin, initial gradient) using tryptic digests of an 18 protein mixture and whole yeast lysate. The loading buffer acetonitrile (ACN) concentration greatly affected peptide identifications: up to a 26% increase in peptide identifications was observed by decreasing the ACN concentration from 5 to 2% during sample loading. Hydrophilic peptides were the main contributors to the increase in peptide identifications and, at higher ACN concentrations, were washed from the precolumn during desalting. Sa...
Effects of compositional modifications on the sensitization behavior of FeCrMn steels

Abstract FeCrMn may possibly be used in conjunction with aqueous blankets or cooants in a fusion device. Therefore, standard chemical immersion (modified Strauss) tests were conducted to characterize the effects of compositional modifications on the thermal sensitization behavior of these steels. A good correlation among weight losses, intergranular corrosion, and cracking was found. The most effective means of decreasing their susceptibility was through reduction of the carbon concentration of these steels to 0.1%, but the sensitization resistance of FeCrMn0.1 C compositions was still inferior to type 304L and other similar stainless steels. Alloying additions that form stable carbides did not have a very significant influence on the sensitization behavior.
Characterization of synaptic potentials in hindlimb extensor motoneurons during L-DOPA-induced fictive locomotion in acute and chronic spinal cats.

Abstract Intracellular recordings were carried out in extensor hindlimb motoneurons during l -DOPA-induced fictive locomotion from acute and chronically spinalized cats. It was demonstrated that motoneurons in chronic animals exhibited irregularly occuring, high frequency discharges within a given burst of a spike train, and sporadic membrane potential depolarizations and hyperpolarizations correlated with extensor and flexor nerve filament activity, respectively, during the locomotor cycle. In contrast, motoneurons recorded from acute cats demonstrated smooth membrane potential fluctuation and regularly occuring low frequency spike discharges. These results indicate that the pharmacologically activated central pattern generator (CPG) for locomotion in young adult chronic cats spinalized at two weeks of age produces disorganized locomotor-like patterns in the absence of sensory feedback. It is suggested that the above-mentioned characteristics of membrane potential fluctuations and spike discharges are not due to alterations in the motoneuron membrane properties, but instead are due to changes in the inputs to the motoneurons.