cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recommendations of Courses of Action

Most of this chapter is about oppositions of those religious doctrines which recommend specific courses of action, but first we should develop the background for this a little further. The point of the B-series of utterances as a whole is to recommend a certain pattern of life; the point of the J-series is to recommend a different pattern. Let us ask a question whose force is logical rather than historical, the hypothetical question: How could these overall recommendations be opposed?
The Caribbeanization of Black Politics: Race, Group Consciousness, and Political Participation in America

The Caribbeanization of Black Politics: Race, Group Consciousness, and Political Participation in America examines the impact of the ethnic diversification of African American communities on the prospects for black political empowerment in four “gateway” cities of entry for black ethnic citizens - Boston, Chicago, Miami, and New York City. For the last several years, these cities have experienced an influx of black immigrants from the Cape Verdean Islands, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the West Indies. Many studies conclude that African American group consciousness causes them to participate in politics at higher rates when socio-economic status is controlled for. In this research, I will determine whether group consciousness impacts the political participation for other black groups in the same manner. I also wish to assess the current political incorporation of these groups as indicated by African American and black ethnic office holding. Finally, I will examine the political coalitions and conflicts among African Americans and black ethnics and then predict the future of black political development in these cities.
Surveillance Among Men Who have Sex with Men in the United States: A Comparison of Web-Based and Venue-Based Samples

Although men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited through web-based and venue-based sampling methods have been compared, no large web-based and venue-based samples using similar survey instruments have been examined in the U.S. This study describes the differences in sociodemographic characteristics and risk behaviors between the 2012 Web-based HIV Behavioral Survey (n = 3221) and 2011 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (n = 9256). Compared with participants in the venue-based sample, participants in the web-based sample were older, less likely to be black or Hispanic, more likely to have higher socioeconomic status, and more likely to have anal sex without a condom with their last male sex partner. Web-based participants were less likely to have multiple male sex partners, ever injected drugs, been tested for HIV in the past 12 months, and received free condoms than venue-based participants. The method for sampling MSM into a behavioral survey should consider the sub-population of MSM to be reached.
Bustānī’s Iliad and Imperialism in the Middle East

The nineteenth century witnessed the earliest translations of Homer’s Iliad into any non-European languages, amidst the intensification of French and British expansionism. Amongst these, Sulaymān al-Bustānī’s rendering of the poem into Arabic verse, begun in 1887 and published in Cairo in 1904, was hailed by local elites as a decisive intervention in the struggle against European cultural hegemony. This essay examines Bustānī’s translation as a case study of the process by which the Iliad became a text of truly global reach. It traces the formation of a new Arabic discourse on the ancient Greeks in resistance to European cultural imperialism, before describing how Bustānī’s text constituted such a powerful rejection of Eurocentric accounts of ‘civilisation’ and hence the spurious justification of colonialism as a ‘civilising’ enterprise.
309 MOTILITY DISTURBANCES IN EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS: A CASE SERIES.

Background Eosinophilic esophagitits (EE) is a distinct clinicopathologic condition first described in 1978 when it was initially recognized as an important cause of dysphagia in children. Of late, it is being reported more often in the adult population also, especially males. Key to diagnosis is finding mucosal eosinophils in the esophagus, specifically the proximal esophagus. Although dysphagia is the major complaint in these patients, there is little information as to whether an esophageal motility disturbance could accompany this entity. Aims of the Study To review the results of esophageal motility studies in patients diagnosed with EE at the Kansas University Medical Center. Methods Patients whose proximal esophageal biopsy was consistent with EE were included in the study. Four patients were identified who also underwent esophageal manometry for complaints of dysphagia and subsequently had endoscopy with esophageal biopsies performed. Results All the patients had the typical “ringed” esophagus and a corrugated appearance on endoscopy. Two of the four patients had accompanying symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Pharyngeal function, peristaltic motility of the esophageal body, contraction amplitudes, and the lower esophageal sphincter were normal in all patients. One patient had a LES pressure of 15 mm Hg, which was low normal (normal 15-35 mm Hg). This patient was being treated for GERD. Discussion None of the patients had significant abnormalities by esophageal manometry to explain their dysphagia. Although dysphagia is a common complaint in EE, the pathogenic mechanism for this complaint is not clearly known. It is speculated that eosinophils proliferate the muscular layer in patients with EE and release histamine and other chemokines in response to exposure to allergens, which, in turn, induces dysphagia. Isolated case reports in the past have suggested that high-amplitude esophageal body contractions and impaired esophageal peristalsis could be found on esophageal manometry in patients with EE. These changes could not be reproduced in our study, although the procedure was performed when patients were asymptomatic, and perhaps this could change during episodes of dysphagia. Conclusions EE is not associated with any specific abnormalities of esophageal manometry. Dysphagia not explained by esophageal manometry or by findings from endoscopic and imaging studies of the esophagus should raise suspicion for EE.
Continuous Synthesis of Monodisperse Ag Nanocubes

The precise control of both the size and shape of Ag nanoparticles strongly influences their optical properties. Although the synthesis of Ag nanocubes with sharp corners and edges has been demonstrated, the ability to scale these approaches with high selectivity remains elusive. In this study, a continuous flow microwave-assisted reactor was used to separate nucleation from growth events, which provides a method to synthesize very uniform single crystalline Ag nanocubes. Nucleation in the microwave zone was enhanced through seed-mediated processes by sulfide formation, and a chemical regulator was used in the growth zone to further improve the sharpness of the edges of the nanocubes. Transmission electron microscopy and optical properties were used to optimize the reaction conditions and Ag nanocubes with edge lengths of 28 and 45 nm were readily synthesized with narrow particle size distributions and high selectivities (>70%). Nanocubes with 28 nm edge lengths were used to prepare films to demonstrate t...
ResBeat: Resilient Breathing Beats Monitoring with Realtime Bimodal CSI Data

Vital signs, such as breathing rate, can provide useful information for personal healthcare. In this paper, we present ResBeat, a commodity 5GHz WiFi based system to exploit bimodal channel state information (CSI), including amplitude and phase difference, for realtime, long- term, and contact-free breathing monitoring. We first present an analysis of breathing signal anomaly based on bimodal CSI data. We then describe the data preprocessing, adaptive signal selection, and breathing signal monitoring modules of ResBeat, and employ peak detection to estimate breathing rates. We conduct extensive experiments under three different environments, where superior performance over two alternative methods is validated.
Collection and integration of clinical data for surveillance.

Objective: The syndromic surveillance project at Public Health – Seattle & King County incorporates several data sources, including emergency department and primary care visit data collected and normalized through an automated mechanism. We describe significant changes made in this “second generation” of our system to improve data quality while complying with privacy and state public health reporting regulations. Methods/Results: The system uses de-identified visit and patient numbers to assure data accuracy, while shielding patient identity. Presently, we have 124,000 basic visit records (used to generate stratified denominators), and 29,000 surveillance records, from four emergency departments and a primary care clinic network. The system is capable of producing syndrome-clustered data sets for analysis. Discussion : We have incorporated data collection techniques such as automated querying, report parsing, and HL7 electronic data interchange. We are expanding the system to include greater population coverage, and developing an understanding how to implement data collections more rapidly at individual hospital sites, as well as how best to prepare the data for analysis.
Microcirculation of the Heart

The first glimpse on the importance of the coronary microcirculation can be ascribed to William Harvey, who, although he never visualized capillaries, reasoned by necessity, that there must be pathways for the flow of blood from the smallest visible arteries to the smallest visible veins (1). In his De motu cordis he says, “Since calculations and visual demonstrations have confirmed all my suppositions, to wit, that the blood is passed through the lungs and heart by the pulsation of the ventricles, is forcibly ejected to all parts of the body, therein, steals into the veins and the porosities of the flesh, flows back everywhere through those very veins from the circumference to the center, from small veins into larger ones, and then comes at last into the vena cava and to the auricle of the heart”. What he calls “porosities of the flesh” are the capillaries.
Physician resilience: a grounded theory study of obstetrics and gynaecology residents.

Objective Enhancing physician resilience has the promise of addressing the problem of burnout, which threatens both doctors and patients and increases in residents with each year of training. Programmes aimed at enhancing physician resilience are heterogeneous and use varied targets to measure efficacy, because there is a lack of clarity regarding this concept. A more robust understanding of how resilience is manifested could enhance efforts to create and measure it in physicians in training. Methods A qualitative study used grounded theory methodology to analyse semi-structured interviews with a purposive, intensity sample of obstetrics and gynaecology residents in an urban academic health centre. Longitudinal engagement through two sets of interviews 3-6 months apart allowed for variations in season and context. Thematic saturation was achieved after enrollment of 18 residents representing all 4 years of postgraduate training. A three-phase coding process used constant comparison, reflective memos and member checking to support the credibility of the analysis. Results A conceptual model for resilience as a socio-ecological phenomenon emerged. Resilience was linked to professional identity and purpose served to root the individual and provide a base of support through adversity. Connections to others inside and outside medicine were essential to support developing resilience, as was finding meaning in experiences. The surrounding personal and professional environments had strong influences on the ability of individuals to develop personal resilience. Conclusions Physician resilience in this context emerged as a developmental phenomenon, influenced by individual response to adversity as well as surrounding culture. This suggests that both programmes teaching individual skills as well as systematic and cultural interventions could improve a physician's capacity to thrive.
Local and global parameter sensitivity within an ecophysiologically based forest landscape model

Abstract Forest landscape models (FLM) are widely used for simulating forest ecosystems. As FLMs have become more mechanistic, more input parameters are required, which increases model parameter uncertainty. To better understand the increased mechanistic detail provided by LANDIS-II/PnET-Succession, we studied the effects of parameter uncertainty on model outputs based on three different approaches. Global sensitivity analyses summarized the influence of each parameter, a local sensitivity analysis determined the magnitude of and degree of nonlinearity of variation in model outputs alongside variation in individual parameters, and a regression tree analysis identified hierarchical relationships among and interaction effects between parameters. Foliar nitrogen, maintenance respiration, and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration were the most influential parameters in the global analysis. Knowing where parameter influence is concentrated will help model users interpret results from LANDIS-II/PnET-Succession to address ecological questions and should guide priorities for data acquisition.
Modeling heart failure in animal models for novel drug discovery and development.

Introduction: When investigating drugs that treat heart diseases, it is critical when choosing an animal model for the said model to produce data that is translatable to the human patient populatio...
A Civil Life in an Uncivil Time: Julia Wilbur’s Struggle for Purpose: by Paula Tarnapol Whitacre, Lincoln: Potomac Books, an Imprint of University of Nebraska Press, 2017, Pp. 320, $32.95 (hbk), ISBN 9781612348551

In the little-known collection of the Rochester Ladies' Antislavery Society (RLASS) housed in the Clements Library at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, a series of letters documents the intrig...
Why the Government Should Not Regulate Content Moderation of Social Media

President Trump recently complained that Google searches are biased against Republicans and conservatives. Many conservatives argue that Facebook and Google are monopolies seeking to restrict conservative speech. In contrast, many on the left complain that large social media platforms fostered both Trump’s election in 2016 and violence in Charlottesville in 2017. Many on both sides believe that government should actively regulate the moderation of social media platforms to attain fairness, balance, or other values. Yet American law and culture strongly circumscribe government power to regulate speech on the internet and elsewhere. Regulations of social media companies might either indirectly restrict individual speech or directly limit a right to curate an internet platform. The First Amendment offers strong protections against such restrictions. Congress has offered additional protections to tech companies by freeing them from most intermediary liability for speech that appears on their platforms. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided that private companies in general are not bound by the First Amendment. However, some activists support new efforts by the government to regulate social media. Although some platforms are large and dominant, their market power can disintegrate, and alternatives are available for speakers excluded from a platform. The history of broadcast regulation shows that government regulation tends to support rather than mitigate monopolies. Others worry that social media leads to “filter bubbles” that preclude democratic deliberation. But the evidence for filter bubbles is not strong, and few remedies exist that are compatible with the Constitution. Speech on social media directly tied to violence — for example, terrorism — may be regulated by government, but more expansive efforts are likely unconstitutional. Concern about “interference” in U.S. elections glosses over the incoherence of current policies. Some foreign speech, online and off, is legal if the relationship of a speaker and a foreign power is disclosed. Preventing harms caused by “fake news” or “hate speech” lies well beyond the jurisdiction of the government; tech firms appear determined to deal with such harms, leaving little for the government to do.
Influence of Emotions in Shaping Decisions

Traditional software systems are rapidly learning skills that can beat human activities; humans still retain superior in the context of decision-making where emotions are involved. Human emotions are full of uncertainty and hence self-adaptive systems have yet to acquire a "gut’s feeling". In this paper, we have discussed the influence of human emotions to quantify uncertainty and to contribute to the software’s adaptation process.
Nano-Photonic Networks-on-Chip for Future Chip Multiprocessors

To meet energy-efficient performance demands, the computing industry has moved to parallel computer architectures, such as chip-multi-processors (CMPs), internally interconnected via networks-on-chip (NoC) to meet growing communication needs. Achieving scaling performance as core counts increase to the hundreds in future CMPs, however, will require high performance, yet energy-efficient interconnects. Silicon nanophotonics is a promising replacement for electronic on-chip interconnect due to its high bandwidth and low latency, however, prior techniques have required high static power for the laser and ring thermal tuning. We propose a novel nano-photonic NoC architecture, LumiNOC, optimized for high performance and power-efficiency. This paper makes three primary contributions: a novel, nanophotonic architecture which partitions the network into subnets for better efficiency; a purely photonic, in-band, distributed arbitration scheme; and a channel sharing arrangement utilizing the same waveguides and wavelengths for arbitration as data transmission. In a 64-node NoC under synthetic traffic, LumiNOC enjoys 50 % lower latency at low loads and ∼ 40 % higher throughput per Watt on synthetic traffic, versus other reported photonic NoCs. LumiNOC reduces latencies ∼ 40 % versus an electrical 2D mesh NoCs on the PARSEC shared-memory, multithreaded benchmark suite.
Chapter Eighteen – ECONOMIC REGULATION

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews different types of regulation and their probable effects on the price, quantity, and quality of the output. The price of a product is determined by the demand and the cost conditions in an industry, and can be influenced by changes in either demand or cost conditions or both. According to the propositions of welfare economics, the ideal situation is achieved when the price of a good or service equals its marginal cost. When the output markets are imperfectly competitive, the demand function is above the marginal revenue function, and consequently the profit-maximizing firm selects a price which is higher than the marginal cost. This unhappy state of affairs can be corrected if the firm is forced to charge a price which equals the marginal cost of the output. Presumably, perfect competition brings about the ideal conditions sought by Pareto, because in the long run, a perfectly competitive firm's price equals the marginal cost.
A stable FE method for the space-time solution of the Cahn-Hilliard equation

Abstract In its application to the modeling of a mineral separation process, we propose the numerical analysis of the Cahn-Hilliard equation by employing space-time discretizations of the automatic variationally stable finite element (AVS-FE) method. The AVS-FE method is a Petrov-Galerkin method which employs the concept of optimal discontinuous test functions of the discontinuous Petrov-Galerkin (DPG) method by Demkowicz and Gopalakrishnan. The trial space, however, consists of globally continuous Hilbert spaces such as H 1 ( Ω ) and H ( div , Ω ) . Hence, the AVS-FE approximations employ classical C 0 or Raviart-Thomas FE basis functions. The optimal test functions guarantee the numerical stability of the AVS-FE method and lead to discrete systems that are symmetric and positive definite. Hence, the AVS-FE method can solve the Cahn-Hilliard equation in both space and time without a restrictive CFL condition to dictate the space-time element size. We present multiple numerical verifications of both stationary and transient problems. The verifications show optimal rates of convergence in L 2 ( Ω ) and H 1 ( Ω ) norms. Results for mesh adaptive refinements in both space and time using a built-in error estimator of the AVS-FE method are also presented.
The Origins of Requirements

Requirements represent the first opportunity for mistakes in an engineering effort and their effects are felt downstream in the form of increased costs and schedule overruns. Many of the innovations and revolutions to systems engineering have omitted changing requirements and instead assume them as intrinsic components to the process. Perhaps this is due to a lack of understanding in the purpose and history of requirement statements. This article establishes a theoretical basis for requirements based on primary source research that describes their use to solve problems and maintain accountability. That theoretical basis is applied to construct a historical basis for requirement statements that shows there has been very little change to the use or formatting in almost 200 years. This lack of innovation is confirmed in an analysis of a series of definitions from a leading systems engineering guideline. By establishing a theoretical and historical basis for requirement statements, this research sets a foundation for future innovations, such as the use of other media beyond the natural language text-based requirements of today, to enable more efficient development of more effective systems.
In-situ thermochemical analysis of hybrid rocket fuel oxidation via laser absorption tomography of $$\text {CO}$$ CO , $$\text {CO}_{2}$$ CO 2 , and $$\text {H}_{2}\text {O}$$ H 2 O

A laser absorption tomography (LAT) technique was developed for investigating the thermochemical structure of a solid fuel oxidation layer in a hybrid rocket geometry. The measurement strategy utilizes tunable infrared lasers to target rovibrational transitions of three major combustion species: carbon monoxide ( $$\text {CO}$$ ), carbon dioxide ( $${\text{CO}}_{2}$$ ), and water ( $$\text {H}_{2}\text {O}$$ ). Species-specific molecular absorption was measured using a quantum cascade laser (QCL) near 4.98 $$\mu$$ m for $$\text {CO}$$ , an interband cascade laser (ICL) near 4.19 $$\mu$$ m for $$\text {CO}_{2}$$ , and a diode laser near 2.48 $$\mu$$ m for $$\text {H}_{2}\text {O}$$ . Spectrally- and spatially-resolved absorption data was collected by translating collinear laser beams across the exit plane of a fuel cylinder with an oxidizer core flow at various fuel-grain lengths. Under an assumption of azimuthal symmetry, Tikhonov-regularized Abel inversion was performed to yield radially-resolved absorption coefficient, from which a two-line method was used to infer temperature and species mole fraction. Planar measurements at different axial distances were compiled to form two-dimensional images, spatially-resolving the thermochemical structure downstream of the oxygen injector. The method is demonstrated to visualize the oxidation of two fuels, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), with two injector geometries, highlighting the capability to discern variations in hybrid rocket motor design.
Riemannian Metrics and Riemannian Manifolds

Fortunately, the rich theory of vector spaces endowed with a Euclidean inner product can, to a great extent, be lifted to the tangent bundle of a manifold. The idea is to equip the tangent space TpM at p to the manifold M with an inner product 〈−, −〉p, in such a way that these inner products vary smoothly as p varies on M. It is then possible to define the length of a curve segment on a M and to define the distance between two points on M.
Welcome back Mr. Rudkin: differentiating Papilio zelicaon and Papilio polyxenes in Southern California (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).

We studied wing pattern characters to distinguish closely related sympatric species Papilio zelicaon Lucas, 1852 and Papilio polyxenes Fabricius, 1775 in Southern California, and developed a morphometric method based on the ventral black postmedian band. Application of this method to the holotype of Papilio [Zolicaon variety] Coloro W. G. Wright, 1905, the name currently applied to the P. polyxenes populations, revealed that it is a P. zelicaon specimen. The name for western US polyxenes subspecies thus becomes Papilio polyxenes rudkini (F. & R. Chermock, 1981), reinstated status, and we place coloro as a junior subjective synonym of P. zelicaon. Furthermore, we sequenced mitochondrial DNA COI barcodes of rudkini and coloro holotypes and compared them with those of polyxenes and zelicaon specimens, confirming rudkini as polyxenes and coloro as zelicaon.
SAT0544 CORONARY PLAQUE PROGRESSION IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: ROLE OF INFLAMMATION, CARDIAC RISK FACTORS, MEDICATIONS AND IMPACT ON EVENT RISK

Background Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) exhibit higher prevalence, burden and different composition of occult coronary plaque compared with age and gender-matched controls. Moreover, plaque burden on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) predicted long-term cardiovascular events (CVE) in RA beyond cardiac risk factors or scores. Objectives To evaluate change in coronary plaque burden and composition, predictors thereof and its impact on CVE risk in RA. Methods One hundred-one participants with a baseline CCTA underwent a follow-up evaluation in 83±3.6 months. Plaque load was reported as segment involvement score (SIS-number of segments with plaque); segment stenosis score (SSS- cumulative stenosis over all evaluable segments) and total plaque score (TPS- collective plaque amount over all segments). Plaque composition was defined as non-calcified (NCP), mixed (MP) or calcified (CP). Coronary artery calcium (CAC) was quantified by the Agatston method. Robust logistic regression models evaluated predictors of increased plaque burden compared to non-progression. Independent predictors entered as continuous variables included age, time-averaged c-reactive protein (CRP), cumulative prednisone dose, bDMARD exposure (years), and statin exposure (years). Gender, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and presence of IgA anti-beta2-glycoprotein1 antibodies (a-b2GPI-IgA) constituted dichotomous independent variables. Cox proportional hazards models assessed the role of SIS, SSS, TPS and CAC progression on incident CVE risk 14±2.7 months later, after adjustment for cardiac risk scores, or baseline plaque load. Results Total plaque burden increased in 42% of patients; progression was predicted by older age, higher cumulative inflammation (TA-CRP) and higher total prednisone dose (table 1). Longer exposure to bDMARDs and statins was linked to lower risk of NCP progression (all p Conclusion Change in coronary atherosclerosis burden and consistency was differentially impacted by Inflammation, cardiac risk factors, a-b2PI-IgA presence and medications such as prednisone, biologics and statins and independently predicted cardiovascular events in RA. ¶p Disclosure of Interests George Karpouzas Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Consultant for: Sanofi-Genzyme-Regeneron, Janssen, Roche-Genentech, Pfizer, Speakers bureau: BMS, Sanofi-Genzyme-Regeneron, Janssen, Roche-Genentech, Sarah Ormseth: None declared, Elizabeth Hernandez: None declared, Matthew Budoff: None declared
Early unplanned readmissions following same-admission cholecystectomy for acute biliary pancreatitis

Same-admission cholecystectomy (CCY) is recommended for mild acute biliary pancreatitis (biliary-AP). However, there is a paucity of research investigating reasons for early (30-day) unplanned readmissions in patients who undergo CCY for biliary-AP. Hence, we sought to investigate this gap using a large population database. Using the Nationwide Readmission Database (2010–2014), we identified all adults (age ≥ 18 years) with a principal diagnosis of biliary-AP who had undergone CCY during the index hospitalization. Multivariable logistic regression models were obtained to assess independent predictors for 30-day readmission. Principal diagnosis for all readmissions was collected to ascertain the indications for early readmission. During the study period, 118,224 patients underwent same-admission CCY for biliary-AP. Three-fourths of all patients underwent invasive cholangiography during the hospitalization (intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) = 57,038, ERCP = 31,500). The rate of early (30-day) readmission was 7.25% (n = 8574). Exacerbation of prior medical conditions (42.2%), sequelae of biliary-AP (resolving and recurrent pancreatitis, pseudocysts) (27.6%), surgical site and other postoperative complications (16%), choledocholithiasis and/or bile leak (9.6%), and preventable hospital-acquired conditions (4.6%) accounted for early readmissions. On multivariable analysis, predictors for readmission included male sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.28), insurance type (Medicare insurance [OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13–1.40]; Medicaid [OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.09–1.38]), outside-facility discharge (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.16–1.57), severe AP (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.21–1.50), and ≥ 3 Elixhauser comorbidities (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.41–1.69). Performance of IOC (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82–0.97) and ERCP (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.73–0.89) were associated with decreased risk of early readmission. In this study, using a national population database evaluating patients who underwent same-admission CCY after biliary-AP, we identified potentially modifiable risk factors and causes for early readmission as well as opportunities to improve clinical care.
Clinical Test of a Wearable, High DOF, Spring Powered Hand Exoskeleton (HandSOME II)

In previous work, we developed an exoskeleton, Hand Spring Operated Movement Enhancer (HandSOME II), that allows movement at 15 hand degrees of freedom (DOF). Eleven separate elastic elements can be added to customize the extension assistance for individuals with impaired hand function. In this pilot study of twelve individuals with stroke, we measured the immediate improvements in range of motion (ROM) and upper extremity function when wearing the device. Index finger ROM was significantly improved at the PIP (p=.01) and DIP joints (p=.026), and the max extension was significantly increased at the MCP (p<.001), PIP (p=.013) and DIP joints (p=.016). The thumb CMC abduction max (p=.017) and CMC flexion/extension ROM also increased (p=.04). In a grip and release task involving various objects, six subjects were unable to complete the tasks without assistance. Across these 6 subjects, 13 of 42 tasks were completed without assistance, while 36 of 42 tasks were completed when wearing HandSOME II. Despite the extension assistance provided by the device, flexion grip force was not statistically decreased. HandSOME II can potentially increase the effectiveness of repetitive task practice in patients with moderate-severe hand impairment by allowing completion of grasp and release tasks that are impossible to complete unassisted.
Impure Impact Giving: Theory and Evidence

We present a new model of charitable giving where individuals regard out-of-pocket donations and the matches they induce as different. We show that match-price elasticities combine conventional price effects with the strength of warm-glow, so that a match-price elasticity alone is insufficient to characterize preferences for giving. Match- and rebate-price elasticities will typically be different, but together they lead to tests of underlying giving preferences. We estimate, for the first time, a match-price elasticity together with a real-world tax-based rebate elasticity in a non-laboratory high-stakes setting. The estimates reject extant models of giving, but are consistent with the new theory.
Use of behavioral risk factor surveys to predict alcohol-related motor vehicle events

The relationship between acute alcohol intoxication and increased risk of traffic violations, crashes, and injuries is well known. We designed this study to investigate the usefulness of behavioral risk factor surveys (BRFSs) in identifying drivers at risk for subsequent motor vehicle violations and crashes. We carried out a retrospective cohort study in a random sample of members of a health maintenance organization, who were followed for five years after ascertainment of alcohol use. Reported problem drinking behavior increased the risk of motor vehicle violations or crashes for women drivers and older drivers (older than 65 years of age) of both sexes. Women "binge drinkers" had an age-adjusted relative risk (RR) for violations of 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1, 2.8) and an age-adjusted RR for crashes of 1.9 (95% CI = 1.1, 3.2). Older drivers reporting drinking and driving or multiple drinking problems had an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes (sex-adjusted RR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.2, 5.8, and 3.0; 95% CI = 1.1, 8.4). A CAGE score of 2 or more identified older drivers at increased risk for both violations and crashes. We found no increased risk for male drivers under 65 years of age for any of the problem drinking behaviors. We conclude that BRFSs in a general population can help identify high-risk drivers among women and drivers older than 65 years of age.
Two methods of data synchronization in optical fiber differential: Improved interpolation and clock relay

This paper designed two data synchronization methods in optical fiber differential protection connected with electronic transformers, improved interpolation and clock relay. The first can solve perfectly the data synchronization problem where the MU connected with differential protection according with IEC 60044-8 interface, the second can solve the problem where the MU connected protection device according with IEC 61850-9.The first needs the ET transfer delays at two sides as setting values, the second not. The two methods get rid of GPS recommended connotatively by the standard and improve protection's reliability greatly; They don't adjust the sampling time, accords with the function and frame condition ordained in standard IEC 60044-8 and can be applied flexibly to the case that one side connected with ET and one side connected with traditional transformer. In addition, the paper proposes the logic and application method that the MU transmits or self-produces the 1pps signal shared by protection and the MU. The method further improves the reliability of the protection and ensure the protect function independent of any other devices except the MU and protection.
Symbolic Computation and Parallel Software

Two aspects of parallelism as related to symbolic computing are presented: (1) the implementation of parallel programs for the factorization of polynomials, and (2) the automatic derivation and generation of parallel codes for finite element analysis. The former illustrates the use of parallel programming to speed up symbolic manipulation. The latter shows how symbolic systems can help create parallel software for scientific computation. Through these two case studies, the promise of parallelism in symbolic computation is demonstrated.
Is Equity Compensation Tax Advantaged

Employees who receive stock options and other forms of equity compensation generally are able to defer paying tax on this compensation for years, sometimes decades. In a rising market this deferral results in a tax benefit at the employee level. This article asks whether the employee-level tax benefit in a rising market results in a global tax advantage for companies that rely heavily on equity compensation and their employees. There are two primary issues. First, on initial inspection one might conclude that the employee-level benefit in a rising market is offset by a disadvantage in a stagnant or declining market. But this is not the case. This article demonstrates that the apparently symmetric disadvantage of equity compensation in a declining market is undermined by capital loss limitations, the likelihood of employee-favorable ex post adjustments to equity compensation contracts, and the general upward drift in stock prices. Thus, equity compensation and deferral do provide a tax benefit at the employee level on an expected value basis. The second question is who bears the burden of the employee-level tax benefit? This article demonstrates that the key to determining the overall winners and losers lies in tracking the actual corporate investment of the cash that is saved when employees are compensated with equity. The evidence suggests that this investment results in significant corporate tax revenues for the fisc that offset the employee-level tax savings. In aggregate, taxpayers do not appear to be subsidizing corporate equity compensation programs and these programs are not producing a global tax advantage. However, this does not mean that equity compensation tax reform should be off the table. The aggregate global tax advantage (and taxpayer subsidy) could increase if companies become more adept at hedging stock and option grants. In addition, the employee-level tax benefit associated with equity compensation is concentrated in the hands of senior executives, which 1) results in vertical inequity between the taxation of these executives and rank and file employees who tend to be cash compensated and 2) could undermine the formation of broad-based qualified savings plans. Thus, a modest reform to the taxation of equity compensation, such as the imposition of a special employee-level tax on equity gains, may be justified.
Behavior Genetic Approaches in Behavioral Medicine

Behavior genetics is the study of the genetic and environmental determination of individual differences in characteristics with a behavioral component. Traditional genetics has treated environmental variation largely as “noise.” Traditional epidemiology and many of the social sciences have either ignored genetic variation or wished it would go away. In some cases, the emphasis of these traditional disciplines on a particular component, either genetic or environmental, can serve a useful scientific purpose. In other cases, it may be misleading and an obstacle to understanding.
Factors Affecting Minority Students’ College Readiness in Mathematics

This study examined how gender; race/ethnicity; language; socioeconomic status; California Standards Test (CST) scores in mathematics, science, and ELA; and California High School Exit Exam mathema...
Naturalism and intentionality

L'A. developpe une approche naturaliste de l'intentionnalite qu'il nomme irrealisme preservatif, fondee sur le presuppose que la conception metaphysique du monde est un naturalisme metaphysique, et qu'il existe un monde independamment de l'esprit et du langage. Dans l'article suivant intitule «A World Without Mind: Comments on T. Horgan's Naturalism and Intentionality», F. Egan souligne le lien entre l'irrealisme preservatif et ce que T. Horgan appelle la semantique contextuelle. Dans l'article suivant intitule «Reply to Egan», l'A. repond point par point a la critique qui lui a ete faite
Laparoskopische Cholezystektomie bei einer Patientin mit unilateraler Wabenlunge

Laparoscopic surgery of the gallbladder has increasingly replaced open techniques due to postoperative benefits (less pulmonary complications, less postoperative pain, earlier mobilisation). Specific intraoperative effects of pneumoperitoneum have led to some uncertainty if cardiac and/or pulmonary high-risk cases should be done laparoscopically. We describe anaesthesiological management of a 72 year old patient with a unilateral leftsided honeycomb lung (two very large cysts) to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Vital capacity was reduced to 45%, forced expiratory 1 second volume to 41%, preoperative bloodgas analysis revealed a paO2 of 64 mmHg and a paCO2 of 40 mmHg. Under spontaneous breathing the patient was fiberoptically intubated with a left sided double lumen tube (Mallinckrodt, Athlone/Irland; 37 Ch) using balanced anaesthesia. The healthy right lung was hand ventilated with 100% oxygen to avoid excessive airway pressures (peak airway pressure 27 mbar, mean airway pressure 22-24 mbar). The diseased left lung was passively insufflated with oxygen. The intraabdominal pressure was limited to 10 mmHg. Muscle relaxation was achieved with atracurium under monitoring using a nerve stimulator. The paCO2 increased from 40 to 57 mmHg during the operation, but returned to normal immediately postoperatively. All other ventilatory and hemodynamic parameters were uneventful during the 35 minute procedure. The patient was extubated at the end of the procedure and monitored on the intensive care ward for one night. A postoperative chest X-ray revealed a mediastinal shift of 2 cm to the right, healthy side as well as an atelectasis on this side. The shift was most likely due to hypoventilation of the right lung, with the ensuing atelectasis drawing the mediastinum to the right. Under physiotherapy this shift had resolved by the next morning. The patient could be discharged from hospital on day seven and fully recovered. Especially the severely cardiopulmonary compromised patient benefits from a laparoscopic procedure, due to less postoperative reduction of pulmonary function. Careful and individually adapted monitoring and anaesthetic techniques are necessary to successfully counteract the special implications of pnemoperitoneum.
Relation between electrocardiographic and scintigraphic location of myocardial ischemia during exercise in one-vessel coronary artery disease

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of exercise electrocardiography in predicting the site of myocardial ischemia. Fifty-two patients were studied who had angiographically documented 1-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) and exercise-induced reversible thallium-201 perfusion defects. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group I (28 patients) had left anterior descending CAD and group II (24 patients) had left circumflex or right CAD. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in severity of coronary stenosis, heart rate and systolic blood pressure during exercise. The size of the perfusion defect was larger in group I than II (28 ± 12% vs 19 ± 10%, p 3 , V 5 and aVF) and 50% using V 5 alone (difference not significant). Thus, the site of ST depression during exercise is not a good predictor of the site of exercise-induced perfusion defect or anatomic site of CAD. The use of 12 leads does not improve the sensitivity of exercise electrocardiography in patients with CAD.
Measurement of muscle performance in vitro following in vivo steroid hormone treatment of immature female frogs (Rana pipiens complex)

Abstract 1. 1. Gastrocnemius muscle performance (strength and endurance) was determined in vitro for testosterone-, estradiol-17β-, and saline-treated immature female frogs (Rana pipiens complex). 2. 2. Strength (work performed) and endurance (fatigue time) Were enhanced significantly by testosterone treatment for 10 days prior to testing but were reduced significantly by estradiol-17β treatment. 3. 3. The relatively short period of steroid treatment had no significant effect on muscle mass (anabolic action).
Nondirectiveness in genetic counseling: A survey of practitioners

The literature defines nondirectiveness as a genetic counseling strategy that supports autonomous decision-making by clients [Fine, 1993]. This study surveyed 781 full members of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) between April and June, 1993, to assess how they define nondirectiveness, its importance to their practice, and how and why they are ever directive. Almost 96% of 383 respondents reported viewing nondirectiveness as very important, but 72% stated they are sometimes directive. The most common reasons for directiveness include: difficulties ensuring that verbal and nonverbal cues remain nondirective; to recommend testing; client is unable to understand; a better choice is clear; to recommend medical care or counseling; or when a client has difficulty making a decision. Nonsignificant Chi-square analyses indicated that counselor responses were independent of counselor demographics. While these findings suggest that nondirectiveness is a goal in genetic counseling, it is not the only goal. Recognition of the delicate balance between directing the process and defining the outcome of genetic counseling can enhance clinicians' ability to discern the circumstances under which directiveness is and is not appropriate.
Meteorological indices for Asian outflow and transpacific transport on daily to interannual timescales

[1] We examine the variability of Asian pollution outflow to the western Pacific and its associated long-range transport to the northeast (NE) Pacific between 1992 and 2002, using a global simulation of carbon monoxide (CO). We develop three new sea-level pressure indices, which capture variations in transpacific transport on daily to interannual timescales. Our first index, LRT1 (standardized daily pressure anomalies in NE China), is related to the passage of mid-latitude cyclones in East Asia and captures 14–22% of the variability in the outflow of Asian pollution to the western Pacific. A second index, LRT2 (standardized daily pressure anomalies North of Hawaii), captures 25–32% of the variability in transpacific transport during winter-spring. Enhanced transpacific transport is characterized by a strong Pacific High displaced to the west of 140°W and a strong low over Alaska, resulting in strong zonal winds in the NE Pacific. The last index, LRT3 (based on monthly SLP anomalies over the North Pacific), identifies stronger than normal Pacific High and Aleutian Low pressure systems, which together result in unimpeded transport across the Pacific during winter and spring. LRT3 captures 42% and 55% of the monthly and interannual variance in transpacific transport, respectively. We find that 1992–1996 and 2002 were below-average transpacific transport years, while 1998–2000 had unusually strong transpacific transport. By extending our LRT3 time series back to 1948, we find that the strength of transpacific transport projects strongly upon the Pacific/North American (PNA) index, the leading mode of month-to-month variability over the Pacific. There appears to be decadal variability in LRT3, with below-average transpacific transport for 1948–1976 and above-average transport since 1977.
CONTACTING ON THE LOCAL AND EXTRALOCAL LEVELS: RESULTS FROM THE 1987 GENERAL SOCIAL SURVEY (NORC)

The contacting of public oficials is a major form of political participation. Using data from the 1987 NORC General Social Survey, this study expands the scope of contacting research by examining the determinants of contacting behavior at the state and national level as well as at the local level. Overall contacting at the local level is determined by SES, efficacy, awareness, and political ties. At the extralocal level, race, ideology (liberalism), and personal economic dissatisfaction are also significant factors. When contactors are divided into general-referent and particularized-referent contactors, we find that SES is an important determinant for general but not for particularized contacting.
Multiple muons in the Homestake underground detector

The 113-m/sup 2/ water Cherenkov detector at a depth of 1480 m (4200 m water equivalent) in the Homestake Gold Mine, Lead, South Dakota, has been used to study multiple muons with E/sub ..mu../> or approx. =2.7 TeV produced in cosmic-ray interactions by primaries of 10/sup 14/--10/sup 15/ eV/nucleon. The decoherence curve and multiple-muon rates are presented.