cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Contextual Influences of Police and Social Service Providers on Formal Help-Seeking After Incidents of Intimate Partner Violence:

Police notification and social service acquisition are two forms of formal help-seeking linked to improved outcomes among survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), including better socio-emotional health, improved physical health, and, importantly, increased safety. The majority of research devoted to the study of formal help-seeking among survivors of IPV focuses on incident- and individual-level factors and their relationship with formal resource utilization. Much less is known about community-level factors. Using a nationally representative sample of incidents of IPV from the National Crime Victimization Survey (2006-2016), this work explores how law enforcement and social service resources in a community are related to police notification and survivor acquisition of a victim service after an incident of IPV, net of incident- and individual-level factors. Logistic regression models indicate that the number of law enforcement personnel per 1,000 residents in a county is positively associated with police notification after an incident of IPV, and it exerts an indirect effect on survivor service acquisition through police notification. Additional analyses reveal that the race/ethnicity of the survivor of IPV is a key demographic in the explanation of this relationship, as incidents of IPV involving White and Hispanic survivors of IPV are more likely to come to the attention of police as the number of law enforcement personnel increases. The reverse is true for incidents involving Black survivors of IPV. No differences across survivor sex emerged. Potential reasons to account for varying effects across race/ethnicity are discussed as well as the importance of additional funding for police and social service agencies to serve survivors of IPV and meet the dual goals of offender accountability and survivor safety and well-being.
Thyroid hormone regulates proximodistal identity in the fin skeleton

Abstract Across the ∼30,000 species of ray-finned fish, fins show incredible diversity in overall shape and in the patterning of the supportive bony rays. Fin length mutant zebrafish have provided critical insights into the developmental pathways that regulate relative fin size. However, the processes that govern skeletal patterning along the proximodistal axis of the fin have remained less well understood. Here, we show that thyroid hormone regulates proximodistal identity of fin rays, distalizing gene expression profiles, morphogenetic processes during outgrowth, and ultimate morphology of the fin. This role for thyroid hormone in specifying proximodistal identity appears conserved between development and regeneration, in all the fins, and between species. We demonstrate that proximodistal identity is regulated independently from pathways that determine size, and we show that modulating proximodistal patterning relative to growth can recapitulate the spectrum of fin ray diversity found in nature.
Identifying barriers and considerations for cochlear implantation in Amish children

Abstract Objective To determine if barriers to cochlear implantation (CI) exist with respect to Amish children and to describe unique considerations associated with CI and subsequent otologic care in the Amish population. Methods Out of all patients who underwent CI at a tertiary care pediatric hospital from 2008 to 2019, Amish children were age-matched to the remainder of the cohort to compare demographics and care-related metrics including etiology of hearing loss, age at time of initial hearing-related appointment and at CI, total number of pre- and post-operative audiologic and otologic appointments, and post-operative complications. Social considerations that may pose barriers to care were collected for descriptive analysis. Results Since 2008, 232 children underwent CI, of which 8 implants were performed on Amish children. Six (75%) Amish children underwent newborn hearing screening and 3(38%) were found to have syndromic etiology for hearing loss. While Amish patients had a lower number of both audiologic (15 vs 33.5, p Conclusion Amish children undergoing CI face unique barriers to care including transportation and technologic limitations, leading to overall fewer hearing-related appointments when compared to an age-matched cohort. Understanding societal differences is important to facilitate optimal care for Amish children with hearing loss.
Lessons Learned from Creating Videos for Online Video-Based Instructional Modules in Mathematics Teacher Education.

Video can be a powerful tool, with a long history of use in teacher education. Despite the increased popularity of using video in teacher education over the years, questions remain about effective ways to create and use video in online video-based instructional modules. Given this, in this paper we describe some lessons learned creating videos for online video-based instructional modules for secondary mathematics teacher candidates, as a part of a National Science Foundation (NSF) IUSE program (Award No. 1726543) funded project. We specifically focus on how we recorded interviews with middle and high school students, and iteratively developed the online platform used for the project. We conclude with implications for practice.
Correction to: A Tale of Two Crises: Addressing Covid­19 Vaccine Hesitancy as Promoting Racial Justice.

In the original publication, the sentence “Most notable and famous are the Tuskegee syphilis experiments that occurred from 1932–1972, in which Black men in Macon County, AL were infected with syphilis under the guise of free health care (Jones 1993).” under the section “Drivers of Mistrust of Motives” was published incorrectly. The correct one is “Most notable and famous are the Tuskegee syphilis experiments that occurred from 1932–1972, in which Black men in Macon County, AL many of whom had latent syphilis, were misled into believing that they would receive free health care in exchange for their participation (Jones 1993).
Deidentification and its Discontents: Response to the Open Peercommentaries

My recent American Journal of Bioethics target article, “Is Deidentification Sufficient to Protect Health Privacy in Research?” (Rothstein 2010), generated 13 open peer commentaries (OPCs). Twelve generally agree with my basic premise that it is ethically problematic for researchers to deidentify and use health information and biological specimens without the knowledge, consent, or authorization of the individual source of the information or sample. These 12 OPCs provide valuable insights, critiques, and suggestions about issues in the target article. I want to begin this response, however, by considering the one OPC highly critical of my assertion of the need to alter the status quo.
Determining Risk Factors That Affect Progression in Patients with Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose. To determine risk factors that affect nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) progression and establish a predictive model to estimate the probability of and time to progression in NPDR. Patients and Methods. Charts of diabetic patients who received an initial eye exam between 2010 and 2017 at our county hospital were included. Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), fewer than 2 years of follow-up, or fewer than 3 clinic visits were excluded. Demographics and baseline systemic and ocular characteristics were recorded. Follow-up mean annual HbA1c and blood pressure, best-corrected visual acuity, and the number of antivascular endothelial growth factor treatments were recorded. Stage and date of progression were recorded. A 5-state nonhomogeneous continuous-time Markov chain with a backward elimination model was used to identify risk factors and estimate their effects on progression. Results. Two hundred thirty patients were included. Initially, 65 eyes (28.3%) had no retinopathy; 73 (31.7%) mild NPDR; 60 (26.1%) moderate NPDR; and 32 (13.9%) severe NPDR. Patients were followed for a mean of 5.8 years (±2.0 years; range 2.1–9.4 years). 164 (71.3%) eyes progressed during the follow-up. Time-independent risk factors affecting progression rate were age (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.99, ), duration of diabetes (HR = 1.02, ), and Hispanic ethnicity (HR = 1.31, ). Mean sojourn times at mean age, duration of diabetes, and annual HbA1c for a non-Hispanic patient were estimated to be 3.03 (±0.97), 4.63 (±1.21), 6.18 (±1.45), and 4.85 (±1.25) years for no retinopathy, mild NPDR, moderate NPDR, and severe NPDR, respectively. Each 1% increase in HbA1c annually diminished sojourn times by 15%, 10%, 7%, and 10% for no retinopathy, mild NPDR, moderate NPDR, and severe NPDR, respectively. Conclusion. HbA1c level is a significant modifiable risk factor in controlling the progression of DR. The proposed model could be used to predict the time and rate of progression based on an individual’s risk factors. A prospective multicenter study should be conducted to further validate our model.
Aftershocks : earthquakes and popular politics in Latin America

Earthquakes have helped shape the history of many Latin American nations. The effects of floods, droughts, hurricanes, and earthquakes and tsunamis have destroyed people's lives and their built environments, and changed land forms, such as mountains, rivers, forests, and canyons. This collection of essays focuses on earthquakes in Latin America since the mid-nineteenth century. Often interpreted as evidence of God's wrath, internalized as punishment for sins, and serving as detonators of revolutions, earthquakes have shined an unforgiving light on political corruption and provided new opportunities to previously disadvantaged groups. These analyses of earthquakes reveal the human role in shaping interactions with our environment.
Two phase flows and waves

Pattern formation and time - dependence on flowing sand the mathematical structure of the equations for quasi-static plane strain deformations of granular material relation of microstructure to constitutive equations the velocity of dynamic waves in fluidized beds transport processes in concentrated suspensions - the role of particle fluctuations stress in dilute suspensions computations of granular flow in a hopper stability of two phase flow models mathematical issues in the continuum formulation of slow granular flow one-dimensional, particle bed models of fluidized suspensions on Geurst's equations for inertial coupling in two-phase flows.
IS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TOOLS, METHODOLOGIES, AND LANGUAGES REVISITED: AN EXPLORATORY ASSESSMENT

This study examines information systems (IS) project developers and analysts’ usage and familiarity with IS methodologies, development tools, and languages. It is research-in-progress that outlines the background for the study, presents the basis for inclusion of various methodologies, tools, and languages in the study, and describes the way in which data will be collected. The latter includes a description of the sampling frame and a pilot study to refine the survey instrument.
Identification of Xenorhabdus nematophila genes required for mutualistic colonization of Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes.

Summary One stage in the symbiotic interaction between the bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila and its nema- tode host, Steinernema carpocapsae , involves the species-specific colonization of the nematode intesti- nal vesicle by the bacterium. To characterize the bacterial molecular determinants that are essential for vesicle colonization, we adapted and applied a signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) screen to this system. We identified 15 out of 3000 transposon mutants of X. nematophila with at least a 15-fold reduction in average vesicle colonization. These 15 mutants harbour disruptions in nine separate loci. Three of these loci have predicted open reading frames (ORFs) with similarity to genes ( rpoS , rpoE , lrp ) encoding regulatory proteins; two have predicted ORFs with similarity to genes ( aroA , serC ) encoding amino acid biosynthetic enzymes; one, designated nilB (nematode intestine localization), has an ORF with similarity to a gene encoding a putative outer membrane protein (OmpU) in Neisseria ; and three, nilA , nilC and nilD , have no apparent homologues in the public database. nilA , nilB and nilC are linked on a single 4 kb locus. nilB and nilC are > 10 4 -fold
Fundamental tribological properties of ceramics

When a ceramic is brought into contact with itself, another ceramic, or a metal, strong bond forces can develop between the materials. Adhesion between a ceramic and itself or another solid are discussed from a theoretical consideration of the nature of the surfaces and experimentally by relating bond forces to the interface resulting from solid state contact. Elastic, plastic, and fracture behavior of ceramics in solid-state contact are discussed as they relate to friction and wear. The contact load necessary to initiate fracture in ceramics is shown to be appreciably reduced with tangential motion. Both friction and wear of ceramics are anisotropic and relate to crystal structure as with metals. Both free energy of oxide formation and the d valence bond character of metals are related to the friction and wear characteristics for metals in contact with ceramics. Lubrication is found to increase the critical load necessary to initiate fracture of ceramics with sliding or rubbing contact.
Redistribution of myocardial blood flow distal to a dynamic coronary arterial stenosis by sympathomimetic amines: comparison of dopamine, dobutamine and isoproterenol.

Abstract The effects of dopamine, dobutamine and isoproterenol on coronary hemodynamics, severity of stenosis, distal bed resistance and transmural myocardial perfusion gradients with radioactive microspheres were studied in dogs with a mild obstruction of the left circumflex coronary artery anesthetized with morphine-chloralose. Changes in transmural blood flow were related to the ratio of the diastolic aortic pressure-time Index to tension-time index (DPTI/TTI) and the ratio of the distal diastolic coronary pressure-time index to tension-time index (DDPT1/TTI). At doses of 5 gmg/kg per min, dopamine had no significant effect on DPTI/TTI, DDPTI/TTI or endocardial/epicardial flow ratio; however, dobutamine produced a slight decrease in this flow ratio and in DDPTI/TTI. At doses of 10 gmg/kg per min, both drugs produced a significant (p The results also show that dopamine and dobutamine, as well as isoproterenol, are capable of producing a maldistribution of coronary blood flow distal to a mild coronary arterial stenosis and that such a redistribution of flow is dependent on dose, reduction of the distal diastolic coronary pressure-time index and decrease in DDPTI/TTI. It Is further concluded that hemodynamic changes distal to a coronary arterial stenosis seriously jeopardize the usefulness of DPTI/TTI; however, DDPTI/TTI can be used to predict drug effects on the endocardial/epicardial flow ratio in an ischemie area. This study demonstrates that “fixed” stenoses can undergo dynamic processes and sympathomlmetic amines increase the resistance to flow through a stenotic coronary artery in the nonfailing heart.
Cooperative interactions among subunits of a voltage-dependent potassium channel. Evidence from expression of concatenated cDNAs.

Abstract Four copies of the coding sequence for a voltage-dependent potassium channel (RBK1, rat Kv1.1) were ligated contiguously and transcribed in vitro. The resulting RNA encodes four covalently linked subunit domains ([4]RBK1). Injection of this RNA into Xenopus oocytes resulted in the expression of voltage-dependent potassium currents. A single amino acid substitution, Tyr-->Val, located within the outer mouth of the pore, introduced into the equivalent position of any of the four domains, reduced affinity for external tetraethylammonium by approximately the same amount. In constructs containing 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 Tyr residues the free energy of binding tetraethylammonium was linearly related to the number of Tyr residues. A different amino acid substitution, Leu-->Ile, located in the S4 region, was made in the equivalent position of one, two, three, or four domains. The depolarization required for channel activation increased approximately linearly with the number of Ile residues, whereas models of independent gating of each domain predict marked nonlinearity. Expression of this concatenated channel provides direct evidence that voltage-dependent potassium channels have four subunits positioned symmetrically around a central permeation pathway and that these subunits interact cooperatively during channel activation.
The Ergodic Cost Problem: Formulation and Algorithms

In this chapter, we reformulate some of the concepts in the last chapter so that they can be used on the ergodic cost problem. Before doing that it is useful to discuss the appropriate dynamic programming equations and some additional background material. The natural state spaces for control problems that are of interest over a long time interval are often unbounded, and they must be truncated for numerical purposes. One standard way of doing this involves a reflecting boundary, and this is the case dealt with in this chapter. Thus, there are no absorbing states. The basic process is the controlled diffusion (5.3.1) or jump diffusion (5.6.1). The approximating Markov chains \(\left\{ \varepsilon _{n}^{h} \right.,n<\left. \infty \right\}\)will be locally consistent with these processes. As in the previous chapters, Sh denotes the state space, and\(\partial G_{h}^{+}\subset {{S}_{h}}\)the set of reflecting states. Recall that the reflection is instantaneous and that we use\(\Delta {{t}^{h}}\left( x,a \right)=0\) for \(x\in7\partial G_{h}^{+}\).For a feedback control u(·), the cost function of interest for the original process is $$\gamma \left( x,u \right)=\underset{T}{\mathop{\lim \sup }}\,\frac{1}{T}\int_{0}^{T}{E_{x}^{u}}k\left( x\left( s \right),u\left( x\left( s \right) \right) \right)ds,$$ where the function k(·) is continuous. If the limit does not depend on the initial state x, then we omit it from the notation.
Differentiation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pili based on sequence and B-cell epitope analyses

The nucleotide sequences of three previously undescribed Pseudomonas aeruginosa pilin structural genes are presented. Comparisons of deduced pilin primary structure and flanking DNA sequence allowed placement of these and six previously published sequences into one of two groups. Epitope mapping, using overlapping immobilized peptides representing the pilin primary structure, with antipilin monoclonal antibodies revealed several B-cell determinants grouped near the carboxyl terminus of P. aeruginosa 1244 pilin. One determinant was found to reside near the pilin constant region. These determinants were found associated with the pili of 31 of 95 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates.
Formation of Grignard Species from the Reaction of Methyl Halides with Laser-Ablated Magnesium Atoms. A Matrix Infrared Study of CH3MgF, CH3MgCl, CH3MgBr, and CH3MgI

Magnesium atoms generated by laser ablation were reacted with methyl halides diluted (0.5% to 0.1%) in argon. Reaction products were trapped in a cryogenic argon matrix and analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. The primary reaction product, isolated Grignard molecule CH3MgX, and the secondary reaction products MgX, MgX2, MgH, MgH2, CH4, C2H6, CH2X, CH3MgCH3, XMgCH2, HMgCH3, and HMgCH2X were identified by isotopic (13C, D, and 26Mg) substitution and by correlation with B3LYP and BP86 isotopic frequency calculations. This investigation reports the first experimental evidence for the fluoride Grignard species, CH3MgF. Infrared absorptions were also observed for associated Grignard species.
Medications Used for Acne Vulgaris: Practice Trends and the Use of Topical Combination Products

Introduction Acne is a common disease caused by multiple factors affecting the pilosebaceous follicles. As a result of the multifactorial nature of this disease, current treatment guidelines recommend using drugs from multiple classes. Adherence is a challenge when multiple drugs are needed in a treatment regimen. Newer combination products may help physicians combat this issue. The purpose of this paper was to examine prescribing patterns in the treatment of acne focusing on combination-product use.
On-chip ESD protection design for integrated circuits: an overview for IC designers

Abstract This tutorial paper reviews the state of knowledge of on-chip ESD (electrostatic discharging) protection circuit design for integrated circuits. The discussion covers critical issues in ESD protection design, i.e. ESD test models, ESD failure mechanisms, ESD protection structures, ESD device modeling, ESD simulation, ESD layout issues, and ESD-to-circuit interactions, etc. This review serves to provide practical IC designers with a thorough and heady reference in dealing with complex ESD protection design for integrated circuits.
Design of a Vibration-Sensitive Electronics Module with Glass-Filled Plastics

Plastics provide lightweight, low-cost, versatile designs in automotive electronics applications. However, their low stiffness and strength in comparison with metal structures leads to questions regarding their suitability to perform well in harsh automotive environments. This paper discusses the evolution of a design for a vibration-sensitive automotive electronics module using a glass filled plastic (30% glass-fiber filled PBT). As a key sensing and diagnostic module for automotive safety, the plastic-encased unit is required to demonstrate high rigidity in the 10 - 5000 Hz vibration frequency range, at all temperatures. A complicating factor in the study of glass-filled plastics is the importance of direction-dependent material properties, since mechanical properties along the glass-fiber direction are significantly different from that perpendicular to the fibers. The paper indicates the importance of considering high-temperature, direction-dependent properties of glass-filled plastics in guiding the design to acceptable vibration performance. Minimizing gain due to resonance of the module requires structural design optimization using finite element analysis and experimental measurements to corroborate the results, both of which are discussed in detail in this study. Uncertainties surrounding boundary conditions and damping are highlighted as critical to the limitations of up-front predictive methods in guiding the design.
Filicidal behavior: behavioral correlates and role of sensory systems.

Abstract The administration of para-chloro-D,L-phenylalanine (PCPA) produces a high incidence of filicidal (pup-killing) behavior in female rodents. The present series of experiments determined the major behavioral, sensory, and temporal correlates of filicidal behavior in nulliparous adult Sprague-Dawley female rats. In Experiment 1, behavioral episodes involving the interaction of test pups and PCPA-induced filicidal females were videotaped, and subsequent analyses of behaviors related to locating, carrying, mauling, attacking, gnawing, and consuming the prey object were performed. Analysis indicated that the primary behavioral correlates in the PCPA animals included location, initiation of the attack (mauling), and killing of the pup (filicide). Only location was observed in control animals. Experiment 2 evaluated the effects of sensory impairments on location, mauling, and filicide. Sensory impairment occurred at 24 days of age for enucleation and 62 days of age for olfactory bulbectomies and/or auditory destruction. Animals were injected either at 110 or 130 days of age with PCPA for three consecutive days and tested for filicide for five additional days. Location of the test pup was not affected by sensory impairment. Mauling was reduced significantly in the enucleation/auditory destructed animals. Filicide was significantly lower in animals with visual/auditory destruction, and, compared to controls, was reduced in all sensory impaired groups.
Analysis of Progressive Matrix Cracking in Composite Laminates I. Thermoelastic Properties of a Ply with Cracks

Overall stiffnesses and compliances, thermal expansion coefficients, and stress and strain averages are evaluated for a fibrous composite lamina which contains a given density of open transverse cracks and is subjected to uniform mechanical loads and thermal changes. The evaluation procedure is based on the self-consistent method and is similar, in principle, to that used in finding elastic constants of unidirectional com posites.
CRACKING THE CODE: AN EMPIRICAL EXPLORATION OF SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY AND COMPUTER CRIME

ABSTRACT Computer crime and related behaviors have received increased attention in recent years, yet there is still a paucity of research focusing on the behaviors surrounding computer hacking. In the present study, we extend Akers’ social learning theory (SLT) to explore the etiology of four forms of computer hacking (guessing passwords, attempted hacking, malicious file manipulation, and using/creating computer malware), thus filling a gap in the literature. Based on self-report data (n=600), our findings lend modest support to SLT, however the impact of social learning components may vary across different types of computer hacking. Limitations are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.
Siloxanes from the hydrolysis of isopropyltrimethoxysilane

Abstract The behavior of isopropyltrimethoxysilane (1 in the presence one equivalent of water and a dibutyltin dilaurate catalyst has been investigated. Under these conditions, partial hydrolysis of the methoxy groups of 1 occurred, followed by condensation reactions leading to the formation of low molecular-weight oligomers. Disiloxane 4, trisiloxane 6 and cyclic siloxane 7 and 8 have been isolated and fully characterized. Transient reaction intermediates silanol 3 and hydroxydisiloxane 5 have been characterized spectroscopically. The time evolution of these species was followed by gas chromatography and 29Si NMR. A reaction scheme for the hydrolytic condensation of 1 is proposed to accomodate these results.
Paradoxic hypertrophy of the sciatic nerve

coronal STIR (Fig. 1) and axial fat-saturated T2-W (Fig. 2) images along the medial right thigh, representing a hypertrophied sciatic nerve. Paradoxic sciatic nerve hypertrophy has been reported following lower limb amputation for malignant [1] and nonmalignant [2] conditions. Nerve hypertrophy is greatest near the transection site and extends proximally. It is termed paradoxical because proximal nerve atrophy usually ensues after transection [1]. Larger nerve diameters are associated with higher amputation level and longer duration after surgery, but not with pain complaints. The etiology is unclear and may involve dysregulated axonal neurofilament transport [1, 2]. Appropriate distinction of this benign process from a residual or locally recurrent tumor averts an unnecessary biopsy.
Experimental modal substructuring to couple and uncouple substructures with flexible fixtures and multi-point connections

Modal substructuring or component mode synthesis (CMS) has been standard practice for many decades in the analytical realm, yet a number of significant difficulties have been encountered when attempting to combine experimentally derived modal models with analytical ones or when predicting the effect of structural modifications using experimental measurements. This work presents a new method that removes the effects of a flexible fixture from an experimentally obtained modal model. It can be viewed as an extension to the approach where rigid masses are removed from a structure. The approach presented here improves the modal basis of the substructure, so that it can be used to more accurately estimate the modal parameters of the built-up system. New types of constraints are also presented, which constrain the modal degrees of freedom of the substructures, avoiding the need to estimate the connection point displacements and rotations. These constraints together with the use of a flexible fixture enable a new approach for joining structures, especially those with statically indeterminate multi-point connections, such as two circular flanges that are joined by many more bolts than required to enforce compatibility if the substructures were rigid. Fixture design is discussed, one objective of which is to achieve a mass-loaded boundary condition that exercises the substructure at the connection point as it is in the built up system. The proposed approach is demonstrated with two examples using experimental measurements from laboratory systems. The first is a simple problem of joining two beams of differing lengths, while the second consists of a three-dimensional structure comprising a circular plate that is bolted at eight locations to a flange on a cylindrical structure. In both cases frequency response functions predicted by the substructuring methods agree well with those of the actual coupled structures over a significant range of frequencies.
Smaller solutions for the firing squad

In this paper we improve the bounds on the complexity of solutions to the firing squad problem, also known as the firing synchronization problem. In the firing synchronization problem we consider a one-dimensional array of n identical finite automata. Initially all automata are in the same state except for one automaton designated as the initiator for the synchronization. Our results hold for the original problem, where the initiator may be located at either endpoint, and for the variant where any one of the automata may be the initiator, called the generalized problem. In both cases, the goal is to define the set of states and transition rules for the automata so that all machines enter a special fire state simultaneously and for the first time during the final round of the computation. In our work we improve the construction for the best known minimal-time solution to the generalized problem by reducing the number of states needed and give non-minimal-time solutions to the original and generalized problem that use fewer states than the corresponding minimal-time solutions.
Designing with children with severe motor impairments

Children with severe motor impairments such as with disabilities resulting from severe cerebral palsy benefit greatly from assistive technology, but very little guidance is available on how to collaborate with this population as partners in the design of such technology. To explore how to facilitate such collaborations, a field-based participant observation study, as well as structured and unstructured interviews, were conducted at a home for children with severe disabilities. Team-building collaborative design activities were pursued. Guidelines are proposed for how to collaborate with children with severe motor impairments.
TU-C-J-6B-08: A Variational Deformable Image Registration Method Capable of Handling Large Organ Deformation

Purpose: The goal of this research is to develop an accurate and reliable deformable image registration algorithm capable of handling large organ deformations for mapping daily CT images to the reference planning CT. Method and Materials: We previously developed a diffusion-based deformable image registration algorithm using Thirion's “demons” algorithm. However, this implementation did not work well when large deformations occurred. In this study, we proposed a variational approach for deformable image registration within a multigrid computational framework. The differences of the two images were measured and minimized, and a regularization term was introduced to rule out discontinuities and other irregular solutions. In our numerical implementation, the well-studied multigrid method was used for solving the nonlinear Euler-Lagrange partial differential equation (PDE). In this multigrid approach, the results from the previous deformation field were used to initialize the next stage of deformation. Different smoothing parameters were also used at different stages. The solution to these PDEs gave the displacement fields which can be used to transform the daily CT images into the planning CT or vice versa. To test this approach, we performed deformable image registration using CT images of prostate cancer patients collected with an in-room CT-on-rails system under an IRB-approved protocol. Results: Daily CT images were selected for cases with severely distorted rectum (due to the presence of large bowl gas) or large variations in bladder filling. The results indicated that the proposed approach was capable of deforming very large shape changes of soft tissue or organ structures. Compared to the “demons” algorithm, the resulting registration was pronounced better visually and quantitatively using both distance and correlation measures. Conclusion: Our deformable registration approach demonstrated the capability of handling large deformations. Further validation studies need to be done to test its robustness.
Lack of covalent binding of peroxisome proliferators nafenopin and Wy-14 643 to DNA in vivo and in vitro.

[3H][2-methyl-2-p-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthyl)phenoxy] propionic acid (nafenopin), a hepatocarcinogenic peroxisome proliferator, when administered p.o. to normal intact and partially hepatectomized male F344 rats did not show any significant binding to DNA and RNA, but bound to proteins. The in vitro incubation of [3H]nafenopin and [3H]4-chloro-[6-(2,3-xylidino)pyrimidinylthio]acetic acid (Wy-14643), another peroxisome proliferator, with hepatic microsomes and calf thymus DNA also showed no significant binding of these chemicals to DNA.
Noninvasive electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) of scar-related atypical atrial flutter.

We report the first application of ECGI in a patient with atypical atrial flutter that developed after catheter ablation for PV isolation. ECGI detected and mapped regions of low voltages that coincided with scar tissue around the pulmonary veins from the previous catheter ablation procedures, as verified during a COX-MAZE surgical procedure. The flutter reentry circuit was constrained by the scar and mainly confined to the LA. The mitral isthmus between the coronary sinus and the PVs participated in the reentry circuit. ECGI also imaged a region of low potentials on the let atrial appendage (LAA), which is uncommon. Typically, the LAA is a region of high voltage, as measured by endocardial mapping. During the COX-MAZE procedure it was observed that the LAA is extensively scarred (due to the underlying disease, not prior ablation), consistent with the ECGI reconstruction of low voltages in this region. The case reported in this manuscript was unique from the ECGI perspective, because prior to the COX-MAZE procedure the diagnosis was atrial fibrillation. ECGI constructed a monomorphic stable reentrant activation pattern that was repeated for many beats, indicating anatomical rather than functional reentry. Both ECGI reconstruction of low potentials and direct observation during surgery consistently identified an extensive scar around which the ECGI reconstructed isochrones formed the reentry circuit; the scar provided the anatomical substrate that stabilized the reentry. The repeatability of the reentry pattern over many beats demonstrates the consistency of ECGI methodology. It should be recognized that ECGI generates the entire activation map during a single beat and is therefore well suited to detect beat-to-beat changes during an arrhythmia. In contrast, catheter mapping (e.g. CARTO) is conducted point-by-point in a roving-prove fashion and requires data from many beats to construct an activation map. As such, it cannot provide data for comparison to ECGI in most cases. Following the COX-MAZE procedure, the patient returned to normal sinus rhythm.
Intrinsic Properties and Reflex Compensation in Reinnervated Triceps Surae Muscles of the Cat: Effect of Activation Level

The manner in which activation levels influence intrinsic muscular properties and contributions of the stretch reflex were studied in homogeneous soleus (SOL) and heterogeneous gastrocnemius (G) mu...
DEVELOPMENTAL STUDY OF AMRINONE DISPOSITION IN INFANTS

Amrinone (AMR) is an orally effective, positive inotropic agent and vasodilator unrelated pharmacologically to other available drugs, including catecholamines and cardiac glycosides. Clinical studies in adult subjects have demonstrated a close relationship between AMR plasma concentrations and improvement in cardiac index. The disposition of AMR was studied in 6 children (3 neonates and 3 infants <12 mo) receiving the drug for pulmonary hypertension which was unresponsive to other vasodilators. Subjects received doses of 1-3 mg/kg AMR iv and elimination kinetics were determined following the last dose. In this population the volume of distribution (1.54±.85 L/kg) and drug clearance rate (.29±.21 L/kg/h) of AMR showed marked inter-individual variability. This was attributable to increases in volume of distribution (r=.78, p<.1) and drug clearance rate (r=.91, p<.02) with age. Elimination half-life was similar in neonates (4.9±3.0 h) and infants (3.7±.8h). Hemodynamic and oxymetric data suggested that AMR produced selective although transient pulmonary vasodilitation in the infants but not in the neonates in this study. This difference in response occurred despite a trend to higher AMR peak serum concentrations in the neonatal group than in older infants (6.4±4.1 μg/ml vs. 3.5±1.8 μg/ml). Important changes in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of AMR occur during the first year of life and will warrant therapeutic drug monitoring of AMR and similar compounds.
MULTIPLE BROODING AND PRODUCTIVITY OF A NEOTROPICAL MIGRANT, THE BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (DENDROICA CAERULESCENS), IN AN UNFRAGMENTED TEMPERATE FOREST

We studied a population of Black-throated Blue Warblers (Dendroica caerules- cens) in the White Mountains of central New Hampshire to determine the reproductive performance of this Neotropical migrant species in an unfragmented north-temperate forest. Over a four-year period (1986-1989), female Black-throated Blue Warblers laid an average of 6.6 eggs per season of which 5.2 hatched and 4.3 fledged. This high annual production of young was due to a combination of overall high nesting success (63%), low nest depredation rates (22%), no brood parasitism, and, most importantly, frequent multiple brooding (48%). Over the four years, 35% (range = 14-50%) of the individually-marked females in this pop- ulation successfully fledged two or more broods; one female fledged three successive broods in one season. Multiple brooding accounted for most of the annual variation in numbers of young fledged per female, and its frequency was related to annual differences in food abun- dance and, potentially, to time constraints imposed by the intensity and timing of nest depredation. Multiple brooding was significantly and positively related to age of the male parent, and possibly the female parent. Older males were also more likely to be polygynous, although such matings were infrequent (4-16% of mated males each year). Higher repro- ductive output by older individuals implies that demographic structure of Neotropical mi- grant populations may have important consequences for maintenance of population size. Recruitment of yearling male Black-throated Blue Warblers into the population was positively related to the number of young fledged per female in the preceeding summer. Although not statistically significant, this finding in combination with the above results and other published information suggests that reproductive success and the factors affecting it may be particularly important in influencing the abundance and population dynamics of this Neotropical migrant passerine, and may overide the impact of events occurring in winter or on migration. Received 6 May 1991, accepted 2 December 1991. RECENT evidence suggests that many North American bird populations are declining, es- pecially those that breed in temperate forests and winter in the Neotropics (Robbins et al.
Caspase-3 Mediates the Pathogenic Effect of Yersinia pestis YopM in Liver of C57BL/6 Mice and Contributes to YopM's Function in Spleen

The virulence protein YopM of the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis has different dominant effects in liver and spleen. Previous studies focused on spleen, where YopM inhibits accumulation of inflammatory dendritic cells. In the present study we focused on liver, where PMN function may be directly undermined by YopM without changes in inflammatory cell numbers in the initial days of infection, and foci of inflammation are easily identified. Mice were infected with parent and ΔyopM-1 Y. pestis KIM5, and effects of YopM were assessed by immunohistochemistry and determinations of bacterial viable numbers in organs. The bacteria were found associated with myeloid cells in foci of inflammation and in liver sinusoids. A new in-vivo phenotype of YopM was revealed: death of inflammatory cells, evidenced by TUNEL staining beginning at d 1 of infection. Based on distributions of Ly6G+, F4/80+, and iNOS+ cells within foci, the cells that were killed could have included both PMNs and macrophages. By 2 d post-infection, YopM had no effect on distribution of these cells, but by 3 d cellular decomposition had outstripped acute inflammation in foci due to parent Y. pestis, while foci due to the ΔyopM-1 strain still contained many inflammatory cells. The destruction depended on the presence of both PMNs in the mice and YopM in the bacteria. In mice that lacked the apoptosis mediator caspase-3 the infection dynamics were novel: the parent Y. pestis was limited in growth comparably to the ΔyopM-1 strain in liver, and in spleen a partial growth limitation for parent Y. pestis was seen. This result identified caspase-3 as a co-factor or effector in YopM's action and supports the hypothesis that in liver YopM's main pathogenic effect is mediated by caspase-3 to cause apoptosis of PMNs.
From needs analysis to curriculum development: designing a course in health-care communication for immigrant students in the USA

Abstract During the academic year 1997–1998, a needs analysis was conducted on the Minneapolis campus of the College of St. Catherine, to determine why many of the ESL students enrolled in the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree nursing program were not succeeding academically. Several procedures, primarily interviews, observations, and questionnaires, were used to gather information about the objective needs of the students, all of whom are immigrants. The course Speaking and Listening in a Health-Care Setting was developed to respond to what was identified as students’ area of greatest difficulty: communicating with clients and colleagues in the clinical setting. The content of the course is divided into four units: assertiveness skills, therapeutic communication, information-gathering techniques, and the role of culture in health-care communication. A variety of methods and materials, drawn primarily from sources for developing health-care communication skills in native speakers, is used to actively engage students in the learning process, with particular emphasis on role plays. The course has been very successful in helping students learn how to communicate more effectively in clinical settings. By helping culturally and linguistically diverse students succeed in their programs, the course is also helping to bring much needed diversity to the health-care professions in the United States.
Pterosaur bones from the Upper Cretaceous of Delaware

ABSTRACT A pterosaurian cervical vertebra, fragment of humerus, and associated femur and tibia from the Merchantville Formation (early Campanian, Late Cretaceous) of northern Delaware provide the second record of Cretaceous flying reptiles in eastern North America. These bones resemble Pteranodon in morphology and size but are not securely assignable to a particular genus of the family Ornithocheiridae. Comparison with Pteranodon skeletons from the Niobrara Chalk of Kansas indicates a wingspan of about 5.8 m (19 ft) for the Delaware pterosaurs. The successive Upper Cretaceous reptile faunas of the Merchantville, Marshalltown, and Mount Laurel Formations along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal are listed for the first time.
Coping as a moderator of disability and psychosocial adaptation among Vietnam theater veterans.

The purpose of this archival research was to investigate whether coping moderated the association between disability status and the outcome of psychosocial adaptation while controlling for demographic variables, posttraumatic stress disorder, and environmental conditions and social support. This research analyzed data from the U.S.'s National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS; R.A. Kulka et al., 1990a). In this study, the existence of a disability significantly and negatively predicted psychosocial adaptation after controlling for specific variables. Further, the multiple regression analysis showed that the association of disability and adaptation was moderated by problem-solving coping, indicating that the negative effect of disability on adaptation was smaller for participants with lower levels of problem-solving coping. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 65:1–19, 2009.
Schizophrenic symptoms improve with apomorphine

Eighteen chronic schizophrenic patients received subcutaneous doses of apomorphine, a dopamine receptor agonist, and of placebo in separate trials. A significant improvement in psychotic symptoms occurred after apomorphine compared to placebo. The results are interpreted as a consequence of presynaptic dopamine receptor activation by apomorphine with a subsequent decrease in dopamine-mediated neural transmission.
Broken Neighborhoods: A Hierarchical Spatial Analysis of Assault and Disability Concentration in Washington, DC

This study seeks to better understand the relationship between neighborhood disability concentration and police calls for assault with a deadly weapon. Is this relationship the result of neighborhood concentrated disadvantage, or does disability act independently of other ecological characteristics associated with high crime rates? The authors combine Census and other neighborhoodlevel data from Washington, DC to test a one-level random intercept hierarchical multiple regression model using Census tracts as a grouping variable. Disability concentration is measured by the percent of disabled residents living in a block group. Concentrated disadvantage is a composite measure including percent households below poverty line, percent families on public assistance, percent African American, percent female-headed households with children, and percent unemployed. Assault with a deadly weapon is a rate per 1,000 of police calls for assault in 2005–2006. The effect of disability concentration is partially mediated by other ecological factors, but remains a significant predictor of neighborhood rates of reported assault. Each one-unit increase in percent disabled increased police calls for assault by 0.14 %. The results of the analyses suggest that although concentrated disadvantage does affect the relationship between disability concentration and crime, it exerts an independent effect on neighborhood rates of assault with a deadly weapon.
The ring systems of Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus

The ring systems of Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus are compared, and their origins are discussed. The locations and widths of the rings are considered in relation to various theoretical limits, noting that all the rings lie outside the lower accretion limit and the limits at which incident and orbiting bodies will break up, and inside the upper accretion limit. The ring densities at which the rings lie within their respective Roche limits, however, are found to vary greatly among the various ring systems. The above considerations lead to the conclusions that the rings of Saturn are composed primarily of ice and are the products of condensation from the protoplanetary nebula, while those of Jupiter and Uranus are the products of the breakup of nonspherical bodies.