cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ability of Older Adults to Report Elder Abuse: An Emergency Department–Based Cross‐Sectional Study

Objectives To characterize assessments of a patient's ability to report elder abuse within the context of an emergency department (ED)-based screen for elder abuse. Design Cross-sectional study in which participants were screened for elder abuse and neglect. Setting Academic ED in the United States. Participants Patients, aged 65 years and older, presenting to an ED for acute care were assessed by trained research assistants or nurses. Measurements All patients completed the four-item Abbreviated Mental Test 4 (AMT4), then completed a safety interview (using the Emergency Department Senior Abuse Identification tool) designed to detect multiple domains of elder abuse and received a physical examination. Based on the cognitive assessment and safety interview, assessors ranked their confidence in the patient's ability to report abuse as absolutely confident, confident, somewhat confident, or not confident. To assess interrater reliability, two assessors independently rated confidence for a subset of patients. Results Assessors suspected elder abuse in 18 of 276 patients (6.5%). Assessors were absolutely confident in the patient's ability to report abuse for 95.7% of patients, confident for 2.5%, somewhat confident for 1.5%, and not confident for 0.3%. Among patients with an AMT4 of 4 (n = 249), assessors were confident or absolutely confident in 100% of patients. Among patients with an AMT4 of less than 4 (n = 27), they were confident or absolutely confident in the patient's ability to report abuse for 81% of patients, including 11 of 12 patients with mild cognitive impairment and 7 of 11 patients with severe cognitive impairment. For patients receiving paired evaluations (n = 131), agreement between assessors regarding patient ability to report abuse was 97% (κ = 0.5). Conclusions In this sample of older adults receiving care in an ED, research assistants and nurses felt that the vast majority were able to report elder abuse, including many patients with cognitive impairment. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:170-175, 2019.
Proprietary non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid/dextranomer gel (NASHA/Dx) for endoscopic treatment of grade IV vesicoureteral reflux: Long-term observational study

Summary Background Since 1993, children aged >1 year with persistent grade III–V vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) attending Uppsala University Hospital have undergone endoscopic injection with proprietary non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid/dextranomer gel (NASHA/Dx; Deflux®). Objective Investigate long-term incidence of UTI, bladder dysfunction, ureteral reimplantation and overall clinical findings following endoscopic injection of NASHA/Dx. Study design Children with grade IV VUR diagnosed by voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) and dilating VUR persisting for >1 year were included in this study. 15–25 years after endoscopic treatment, patients’ hospital charts were studied. Information on bladder function and UTIs was obtained via questionnaire, 8–18 years after endoscopic treatment. Results 185 patients (69 boys, 116 girls) were included in the study; 237 grade IV VUR ureters were treated. All study patients were diagnosed with VUR after a febrile UTI (i.e. pyelonephritis). According to the last voiding cystourethrogram, 69% of ureters showed a positive response (VUR grade 0–I), 7% had VUR grade II and 23% had VUR grade ≥ III. 46 patients (25%) required ureteral reimplantation during follow-up. Among patients treated during the second 5-year period compared with the first (1998–2003 versus 1993–1998), there was a significant decrease in the rate of ureteral reimplantation (31% vs 16%; p = 0.0365). This difference may be attributable to developments over time in the injection technique. UTIs occurred in 30 patients (21% of the evaluable population): 28 females and 2 males. Febrile UTIs were reported in 14 patients (10%), all females. Forty-nine patients (34%) had bladder problems (e.g. underactivity, overactivity, incontinence). Five patients underwent ureteral reimplantation ‘late’, 6–10 years after the last endoscopic injection. In one male patient, calcification around the NASHA/Dx implantation site was observed during routine examination 2 years after endoscopic treatment; no intervention was required. No safety issues were observed in the remaining 97% of the study population. Conclusions This study represents the longest published follow-up of Grade IV VUR patients undergoing endoscopic treatment. Three-quarters of patients did not need ureteral reimplantation. Optimal injection technique and higher injection volume were associated with a reduced ureteral reimplantation rate. Treatment with NASHA/Dx was durable and well tolerated: long-term risks of UTI, bladder dysfunction and recurrent VUR were low. Download : Download high-res image (125KB) Download : Download full-size image
Application of rituximab therapy on refractory nephrotic syndrome in children

Primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) is one of the most common forms of glomerular disorder in children.It is reported that over 90% of patients are due to minimal change disease and most respond to glucocorticoid(GC) therapy.However, 76%-93% cases have relapses and 40%-50% frequently relapses nephritic syndrome or steroid dependent nephritic syndrome when steroid is tapered.Long-term courses of GC and immunosuppressant will place them at increased risk for severe side effects.Not all patients do respond to therapy.Although most reports on rituximab use in pediatric patients have not recognized significant side effects, the long-term adverse events of rituximab are not known.Thus, controlled long-term studies are required to be done to assess the risk-benefit profile of rituximab in childhood nephrotic syndrome. Key words: Nephrotic syndrome; Rituximab; Child
Atypical citizenship regimes: comparing legal and political conceptualizations

Notions, features, and forms of citizenship, understood as legal membership in a state, are changing the world over. While contestations of the monolithic understanding of citizenship generally focus on the content of individuals’ rights and their belonging and participation in social and political institutions, this essay shows that official membership categories that are labeled ‘citizenship’ by state actors vary. Drawing on the experiences of the Overseas Citizenship of India, the British Overseas Citizenship, and Citizenship of the European Union the essay proposes an analytical framework that aims at advancing the comparative study of state membership policies by introducing six key dimensions that policy actors consider when designing citizenship policies. Apart from systematizing the content of citizenship, the framework sheds light on the importance of citizenship terminology, as states employ the label of citizenship and use the status as a vehicle of communication. The essay highlights differences in the construction of special subjects, moral obligations and the exercise of power, analyzes the aspirations of political actors, the political rhetoric, and explores the interplay between tangible rights and intangible narratives. The discussion of the three atypical membership regimes reveals that states operate in grey areas of membership statuses that partly mimic existing forms of state membership and partly push the boundaries of what state membership means. This has significant repercussions for comparative citizenship and democracy theory and the meaning of membership.
Role of Activated Carbon Precursor in Mercury Removal

Adsorption studies of contaminants using activated carbon do not always take into consideration the raw material used in its production. Mercury adsorption mechanisms governed by carbene sites are ...
CRÍTICA E CRISE: TEORIA DA LITERATURA E HISTÓRIA DA CRÍTICA

Review of Teoria da Literatura e Historia da Critica: momentos decisivos, by Nabil Araujo. I will discuss, chapter by chapter, the central issues addressed in the book, aiming to shed light on the network of theoretical, critical and philosophical references used by the author.
POSTOPERATIVE HYPOCALCEMIA FOLLOWING PARATHYROIDECTOMY FOR GIANT PARATHYROID ADENOMA.

ABSTRACT Objective Giant parathyroid adenomas (GPAs) are a rare type of parathyroid adenoma (PA) weighing >2 to 3 g. The objective of this manuscript is to report a case of giant parathyroid adenoma and highlight the risk of postoperative hypocalcemia. Methods We describe the presentation and work-up of a woman with GPA confirmed with histopathology as well as management of postoperative hypocalcemia. Results A 66-year-old Caucasian female with chronic fatigue was found to have elevated calcium levels at 13.7 mg/dL (normal, 8.9 to 10.2 mg/dL) and elevated parathyroid hormone levels at 1,240 pg/mL (normal, 12 to 72 pg/mL). Contrast enhanced computed tomography scan of the neck showed a 5.6 cm heterogeneous mass posterior to the right thyroid. The patient underwent right parathyroidectomy and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of a giant parathyroid adenoma (GPA) weighing 28.7 g. Postoperatively, the patient developed hypocalcemia secondary to hungry bone syndrome and was treated aggressively with intravenous calcium supplementation. At 4 weeks postoperatively, she had normal calcium levels without any calcium supplementation. Conclusion GPAs are a rare variant of PA, and could be a distinct clinical entity with features different from both PA and parathyroid carcinoma. We further postulate that the risk of postoperative hypocalcemia secondary to hungry bone syndrome could be higher among patients with GPA compared to patients with PA. These hypotheses needs to be validated with further studies. Abbreviations CT computed tomography GPA giant parathyroid adenoma HBS hungry bone syndrome PA parathyroid adenoma PTH parathyroid hormone
Stability Improvement of Perovskite Solar Cells by Compositional and Interfacial Engineering

Solar cells based on metal halide perovskites continue to approach their theoretical efficiency limits thanks to worldwide research efforts. The next challenge is to develop perovskite devices that...
Pocket Guide to XXIV-th Knesset Elections for Conservative Voter

Here is a small Supplement to previously uploaded reports on Israel Parties Programs and History. The Short Review of Parties’ Platforms Towards Elections of XXI-th Knesset. Reference Guide for Conservative Voter and to the more detailed report XX Knesset Elections: What Do These Parties Really Stand for? The issues covered are: • Sovereignty • Kfar Duma anti-Jewish blood libel test: party caved in and supported ‘Jew Section’ of Shabaq (GSS) - Yes or Not • COVID-19 response position means 3 issues: Lockdowns, Compulsory masks at the streets, semi-compulsory vaccination (position: Yes, No, Ambiguous) • Judiciary reforms: Attorney General separate from Legal Advisor to Government; Supreme court Override Clause (Amendment to the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty ); Government appoints Judges, Knesset agrees; Judges appointed after a public hearing in the Knesset; Our military personnel protection against application so-called ‘International Law’ not ratified by the State of Israel promoted since 1977 by Military Advocate General's Corps.
Abstract TP42: Risk of Acute Ischemic Stroke in Monocular Vision Loss of Vascular Etiology

Purpose: To evaluate the risk of concurrent acute cortical ischemic stroke in the setting of monocular vision loss of vascular etiology. Design: Retrospective and prospective, cross-sectional study...
Solutions of Modified Equation of Motion for Laminar Flow across (within) Rigid (Liquid) Sphere and Cylinder and Resolution of Stokes Paradox: Scientific Explanation

The scale-invariant forms of conservation equations are employed to describe solutions of modified form of equation of motion for the problems of laminar viscous flow across (within) rigid (liquid) sphere and cylinder. Analytical solutions of modified equation of motion in all three regions for both spherical and cylindrical geometry are presented. New solutions for laminar viscous flow across rigid sphere and cylinder are presented with the latter resolving the Stokes paradox for flow across cylinder.
Observations on the Biology of Mudshrimps of the Genus Callianassa (Anomura: Thalassinidea) in Mississippi Sound

The apparent habitat isolation of the mudshrimps Call&m s s a islagrande Schmitt and Callianassa jamaicense louisknensis Schmitt (Anomura : Thalassinidea) in Mississippi Sound is a function of species-related differences in ability to burrow and survive in the s i ~ i f i c a n t l y different substrates of each habitat. C. islagr.ande is found only in sand bottomed beaches of the offshore barrier islands, whereas C. j . l ou i s ianens~ is found only in the muddy backwaters of the mainland and Deer Island. Both forms produce deep and extensive permanent or semiper~anent burrows in their respective habitat and are probably of some significance in sediment turnover. Laboratory studies show that C. j . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ a n ~ n s i s can only burrow efficiently in mud and cannot burrow or survive in sand unless there is sufficient available mud with which this form constructs its burrow walls, The inability of C. islagrande to tolerate silt limits its ability to burrow and survive in mud. For this reason C. i s lagrade cannot inhabit the muddy inshore waters. The poor burrowing efficiency of C. j. louisianensis in sand is due to a mechanical inability to handle uncohesive sand grains. The foliaceous third maxillipeds and comparatively larger second and third pereipods of C. isZa~r.ande (compared with those of G. j . louisknensis) are adaptations to a sandy habitat, enabling greater burrowing efficiency per unit of effort. Adults and juveniles exhibited the same behavior patterns in aquarium studies. Settling juveniles probably exhibit the same behavior pattern as adults and juveniles. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to determine whether substrate type is a factor influencing distribution of the thalassinid crustaceans, Callianassa jamaicense louisianensis Schmitt and G a Z l ~ a ~ s a i s l ~ ~ r a n d e Schmitt, within ~ i s s i s s i ~ p i Sound. These forms produce extensive permanent or semipermanent burrows in the littoral and shallow neritic 'bottoms, Willis (1942) in a study of the mudshrimps of Grand Isle, Louisiana, found C. i s lagrade only in the clean shifting sand beaches facing the IModified from a thesis submitted to the faculty of Mississippi State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. 'Department of Zool~gy, Mississippi State University. State College, Mississippi, and Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Sprinas, Mississippi.
Signal Detection and Animal Communication

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an introduction to signal detection theory and its applications in psychophysics, and the objective is to identify general principles for the study of adaptations in animal communication. These principles can clarify the properties of signals that affect a receiver's performance. It also suggests ways to extend the theory to the classification, as well as detection of signals. To apprehend the essential features of signal detection theory, it helps to consider a simple situation. Suppose an individual listens for a conspecific vocalization characterized by some feature, such as a particular frequency. In this case, the signal has a single feature, a particular frequency, which varies along a single dimension, its intensity. The earliest application of signal detection theory to a behavioral problem was the determination of human sensory thresholds. Detectability is a measure of a receiver's ability to separate a signal from background stimulation; the analogous measure of ability to separate two signals is discriminability. Signal detection theory makes it clear that any receiver's performance in detecting or discriminating signals has limits. Although in many situations it is reasonable to assume that an animal's task involves no more than detection of an appropriate signal, in others some classification of a stimulus is essential. Signal detection theory describes decisions based on the outputs of perceptual channels. Detection and discrimination, the focus of discussion so far, suggest that the perceptual channels under consideration are sensory receptors and their immediate neural connections. Signal detection theory suggests ways that receivers and signalers could coevolve. Signal detection theory involves a level of abstraction unfamiliar in field studies of animal communication. In all of these ways, signal detection theory can advance our understanding of both the physiology and the evolution of communication.
Characteristics of large scale filing environments

The author is concerned with very-large-scale information systems composed of many computers, potentially in the hundreds of thousands or millions, mostly independently managed and administered. They range from PCs to workstations to mainframes to supercomputers. Their users exchange data, processing services and software. The author outlines the architectural characteristics which such large-scale filing services and the systems that host them need to possess if they are ultimately going to be successful, and he gives approaches by which they may be achieved. >
Giant Aplysia neuron R2 has distal dendrites: evidence for protein sorting and a second spike initiation site

Because of its anatomy, the neuron R2 of Aplysia has been used to study how proteins are distributed to their appropriate destinations within the cell. The R2 cell body resides in the abdominal ganglion, while its axons terminate on glands in the skin. Using intracellular injection of HRP and intraxonal recordings, we found that R2 has a dendritic (receptive) arborization in the pleural ganglion. The structure of these dendrites was examined after injecting the soma with 3H-L-fucose, thereby labeling glycoproteins that are transported to all regions of the cell. Light- and electron-microscope autoradiography show that the openings to the dendrites are not on the periphery, but are suspended inside the axon by glial cell infoldings. All of the organelles seen in the axon are found in the dendrites, including 2 types of vesicles. Neither the axon nor the dendrites contain ribosomes. Thus, R2 has 3 functionally distinct regions--cell body, dendrites, presynaptic terminals--that are separated from each other by at least 4 cm. This implies that pre- and postsynaptic proteins made in the cell body are transported along the axon to the pleural ganglion, where they are sorted. To investigate this idea, we exposed the abdominal ganglion to 35S-methionine to label R2's proteins. Analyses by SDS-PAGE of the rapidly transported labeled proteins from R2 consistently showed a 78 kDa band that accumulated in the pleural ganglion and did not move into the peripheral nerves. This then is a putative dendritic constituent.
Material Properties of Aged Human Mitral Valve Leaflets

This study aimed to characterize the mechanical properties of aged human anterior mitral leaflets (AML) and posterior mitral leaflets (PML). The AML and PML samples from explanted human hearts (n = 21, mean age of 82.62 ± 8.77-years-old) were subjected to planar biaxial mechanical tests. The material stiffness, extensibility, and degree of anisotropy of the leaflet samples were quantified. The microstructure of the samples was assessed through histology. Both the AML and PML samples exhibited a nonlinear and anisotropic behavior with the circumferential direction being stiffer than the radial direction. The AML samples were significantly stiffer than the PML samples in both directions, suggesting that they should be modeled with separate sets of material properties in computational studies. Histological analysis indicated the changes in the tissue elastic constituents, including the fragmented and disorganized elastin network, the presence of fibrosis and proteoglycan/glycosaminoglycan infiltration and calcification, suggesting possible valvular degenerative characteristics in the aged human leaflet samples. Overall, stiffness increased and areal strain decreased with calcification severity. In addition, leaflet tissues from hypertensive individuals also exhibited a higher stiffness and low areal strain than normotensive individuals. There are significant differences in the mechanical properties of the two human mitral valve leaflets from this advanced age group. The morphologic changes in the tissue composition and structure also infer the structural and functional difference between aged human valves and those of animals.
Chapter 10 – Statistical Thermodynamics

Statistical thermodynamics provides the relationships that one needs in order to bridge the gap between the macro and the micro. The most important application involves the calculation of the thermodynamic properties of the ideal gas, but one will also apply the techniques to solids. The procedure will involve calculating U - U 0 , the internal energy above zero Kelvin, from the energy of the individual molecules. Enthalpy differences and heat capacities are then easily calculated from the internal energy. Classical thermodynamics tells nothing about the atomic or molecular state of a system. One uses thermodynamic results to infer molecular properties, but the evidence is circumstantial. One can infer why a (hydrocarbon + alkanol) mixture shows large positive deviations from ideal solution behavior, in terms of the breaking of hydrogen bonds during mixing, but the description cannot be backed up by thermodynamic equations that involve molecular parameters.
SU-E-T-149: Brachytherapy Patient Specific Quality Assurance for a HDR Vaginal Cylinder Case

Purpose: Commonly Ir-192 HDR treatment planning system commissioning is only based on a single absolute measurement of source activity supplemented by tabulated parameters for multiple factors without independent verification that the planned distribution corresponds to the actual delivered dose. The purpose on this work is to present a methodology using Gafchromic film with a statistically valid calibration curve that can be used to validate clinical HDR vaginal cylinder cases by comparing the calculated plan dose distribution in a plane with the corresponding measured planar dose. Methods: A vaginal cylinder plan was created with Oncentra treatment planning system. The 3D dose matrix was exported to a Varian Eclipse work station for convenient extraction of a 2D coronal dose plane corresponding to the film position. The plan was delivered with a sheet of Gafchromic EBT3 film positioned 1mm from the catheter using an Ir-192 Nucletron HDR source. The film was then digitized with an Epson 10000 XL color scanner. Film analysis is performed with MatLab imaging toolbox. A density to dose calibration curve was created using TG43 formalism for a single dwell position exposure at over 100 points for statistical accuracy. The plan and measured film dose planes were registered using a known dwell position relative to four film marks. The plan delivered 500 cGy to points 2 cm from the sources. Results: The distance to agreement of the 500 cGy isodose between the plan and film measurement laterally was 0.5 mm but can be as much as 1.5 mm superior and inferior. The difference between the computed plan dose and film measurement was calculated per pixel. The greatest errors up to 50 cGy are near the apex. Conclusion: The methodology presented will be useful to implement more comprehensive quality assurance to verify patient-specific dose distributions
Primer to Analysis of Genomic Data Using R

R basics.- Simple marker association tests.- Genome wide association studies.- Population and genetic architecture.- Gene expression analysis.- Databases and functional information.- Extending R.- Final comments.- Index.- References.
Effects of fentanyl on coronary blood flow distribution and myocardial oxygen consumption in the dog

Little data exist on the effects of fentanyl on coronary blood flow (CBF), myocardial oxygen balance, and the regional distribution of blood flow. These studies were designed to determine whether fentanyl had any intrinsic effects on myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) and blood flow distribution. In anesthetized dogs, fentanyl was administered in a dose of 50 micrograms/kg and various measurements were made at 5 and 20 minutes. After hemodynamic recovery from the fentanyl, the animals were treated with atropine to block the known vagomimetic effect of fentanyl and challenged with acetylcholine (3.5 micrograms/kg); then fentanyl (50 micrograms/kg) was again administered and measurements made at 5 and 20 minutes. In the untreated dogs at 5 minutes post-fentanyl, heart rate (HR) decreased 30% and at 20 minutes decreased 29%. Treatment with atropine essentially eliminated HR changes at both time periods. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) fell by 20% and 22% at 5 minutes and 20 minutes, respectively, in the untreated group, but when atropine was administered, MAP was observed to be intermediate between baseline and the untreated animals. Left ventricular MVO2 at 5 minutes in the untreated group was modestly but not significantly reduced. However, at 20 minutes post-fentanyl, MVO2 decreased significantly. MVO2 was essentially unchanged after atropine. Regional CBF (measured by radiolabelled microspheres) was unchanged at 5 minutes, but all layers exhibited significant reductions at 20 minutes. In the atropine group, only the LV epicardial area appeared to show decreases in flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Political Constraints and Civil War Conflict Resolution

This article explores the effect of political and institutional constraints on negotiations that seek to end civil wars. Two aspects of negotiations are statistically examined. Greater political co...
On the fracture toughness of irradiated F82H: Effects of loss of constraint and strain hardening capacity

Abstract Constraint loss adjustments, based on finite element (FE) stress analysis and local critical stress, σ*, critical stressed volume, V*, cleavage criteria were applied to fracture toughness data from small pre-cracked bend bars of the IEA heat of F82H irradiated to 6.6 dpa at 300 °C in the High Flux Isotope Reactor. The 100 MPa√m master curve method reference temperature shifts were evaluated based on both the measured toughness (ΔTm) and after size-adjusting the toughness to small-scale yielding conditions at reference specimen size (ΔTo) with values of ≈142 and 205 °C, respectively. The model based prediction ΔTo = CoΔ〈σfl〉, where Co ≈ 0.68 and Δ〈σfl〉 is the change in the average flow stress over 0–10% strain is in excellent agreement with ΔTo. The FE analyses also demonstrates an upper-bound KJc that can be measured with these small bend bars for irradiated alloys that suffer severe loss of strain hardening.
Theory of electromechanical effects in nerve

1. The electromechanical transduction mechanisms operating in nerve membranes are considered theoretically. 2. For mechanical-to-electrical transduction (mechanical generator potentials), a model is proposed in which the surface charge on the membrane mediates stress-induced changes in the intramembrane electric field, thus opening transmembrane ion conductance channels or reducing the ion selectivity of the membrane via leak conductance pathways. 3. For electrical-to-mechanical transduction (axon diameter change with excitation), an investigation into two well-known electrostatic properties of dielectrics, electrostriction and piezoelectricity, in the context of the nerve membrane is undertaken which predicts a few percent change in axon dimensions for voltage- and space-clamped axons.
K-RAS mutation in the screening, prognosis and treatment of cancer

The potential use of K-RAS mutation as a cancer screening biomarker has been investigated for many years. Numerous associations between K-RAS mutation and various cancers have been established, but these associations have not been translated into effective, cost-efficient cancer screening strategies. This lack of progress may be due to the existence of K-RAS mutation in nontumor tissues and/or using detection, rather than quantitation, of K-RAS mutation as the endpoint for cancer risk categorization. K-RAS mutation appears to be a useful prognostic biomarker for colon cancer. Recent progress toward sensitive and quantitative mutation characterization and the successful use of K-RAS mutation in a personalized medicine approach to targeted biological therapy selection are likely to re-direct and expand the use of K-RAS mutation as a cancer biomarker in the near future.
Evaluation of PM10 emission rates from paved and unpaved roads using tracer techniques

Spokane, WA, is a nonattainment area for airborne particulate matter smaller than 10μm (PM10), so that a detailed emission inventory for PM10 is needed to evaluate various control strategies. It is thought that emissions from paved and unpaved roads in Spokane contribute three-fourths of the anthropogenic PM10 (neglecting wind-blown dust from agricultural areas). A study was conducted in the summer and fall of 1992 and again in the spring and summer of 1994 to measure PM10 emission rates from paved and unpaved roads in Eastern Washington state using a novel tracer technique. A known amount of an inert tracer (SF6) was released and concentrations of PM10 and SF6 downwind of the road, along with meteorological parameters and traffic volume, were measured. The results of the tracer experiments showed that within experimental uncertainties the PM10 and the tracer gas disperse in the same manner, suggesting that the use of a tracer in a line source to simulate roadway PM10 emissions can provide a tool for improving the existing emission inventories from roads. The emission factors obtained from two unpaved road experiments (136 g per vehicle per kilometer traveled, or g VKT−1, and 336 g VKT−1) were similar in magnitude to those predicted using currently accepted empirical algorithms. The factors determined from six paved road experiments were approximately 80% higher than that predicted using current formulae (6.7 ± 3.7 g VKT−1 compared to 3.7 g VKT−1) for two-lane roads with daily traffic less than 10,000 vehicles. For major highways (4 + lanes and traffic in excess of 10,000 vehicles per day) the emission factors obtained from the tracer experiments were, on average, 44% lower than those predicted using standard formulae (1.0 ± 0.5 g VKT−1 compared to 1.8 g VKT−1). The calculated emission factors for paved roads exhibited a wide range of variability, suggesting that in order to quantify PM10 emission rates from paved roads, more investigation is warranted.
Laser Studies Of Atom-Molecule Reactions

Several examples are presented of the laser photolysis/infrared fluorescence technique for measuring atom-molecule reaction rates. Atom production is achieved by multiphoton dissociation using a TEA CO2 laser or by direct dissociation using a dye laser, its harmonic, or a uv excimer laser. Reactions of ground state H and F atoms as well as of excited 1(52P-1/2) atoms are illustrated. The information provided by these studies is useful for the prediction and modeling of chemical lasers.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Influence of Dietary Applied Monoterpenoids and Derivatives on Survival and Growth of the European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Sixteen natural monoterpenoids and 6 synthetic derivatives were selected for study of larvicidal activity and growth inhibitory effect against the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner). For this study, 2 different dietary exposure bioassays were used: compounds applied on the diet surface (on-diet), and compounds incorporated into the diet (in-diet). Most of the monoterpenoid compounds showed some degree of larvicidal activity in both bioassay procedures after a 6-d exposure period. Among the monoterpenoids, pulegone was the most active. Larvicidal toxicities were significantly enhanced for the structurally modified compounds; monoterpenoid derivatives MTEE-25 (2-fluoroethyl thymyl ether) and MTEE-P (propargyl citronellate) were most toxic to borer larvae. When reared on diet containing the monoterpenoids or their derivatives, changes in developmental parameters and pupal weights of the European corn borer also were noted when they were fed several of the compounds. Some larvae reared on treated diet with higher concentrations of the test compounds died before pupating. In general, growth and development of the European corn borer were affected by monoterpenoid compounds, and some compounds such as l-menthol, pulegone, MTEE-25, and MTEE-P acted as insect growth inhibitors.
A Bayesian evaluation of enrolling additional patients at the maximum tolerated dose in Phase I trials.

At the end of the dose escalation stage of Phase I trials, investigators occasionally enroll additional patients at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) to further explore the tolerability of the regimen. There is no explicit statistical justification for doing so; neither are there any guidelines regarding the use of toxicity information from this additional cohort with respect to the modification of MTD if necessary. This article addresses both of these issues using a Bayesian approach to model the probability of dose limiting toxicity (DLT) at the MTD. This approach takes the sequential nature of the Phase I design into account and provides predictive and posterior distributions through which various probabilities of interest can be calculated. The results suggest that MTD is usually not well defined with a cohort of 3–6 patients in the traditional dose escalation schema. Therefore, enrolling additional patients at the MTD is recommended. Also demonstrated are different ways to use the posterior density, after the additional cohort is enrolled, to decide whether the MTD is unacceptably toxic.
Changes in Z-disc width of vertebrate skeletal muscle following tenotomy.

Results of unilateral Achilles tenotomy on male rats, after 2–6 weeks, showed conclusively that the Z-lines of tenotomized muscles are significantly wider than those of control, nontenotomized muscles.
Observations of Lorentzian lines with slits of finite widths

Abstract We present, in graphical form, the required integrals for observations of spectral lines with Lorentzian profiles through rectangular slit functions.
A general synthesis and crystal structure of [(Me3C)2C5H3]3Ce

Abstract The preparation of [(Me3C)2C5H3]3Ce from Ce(OSO2CF3)3 and [(Me3C)2C5H3]2Mg is described and compared to published routes to other Cp3Ln(Ln = lanthanide) compounds. The title compound is monomeric in the solid state with three η5-bound cyclopentadienyl rings which show some unusual distortions while maintaining idealized C3h symmetry. The crystals are monoclinic, in the space group P2 1 n , with the unit cell a 10.803(3) b 19.493(6) c 17.946(5)A, β 104.35(2)°, Z = 4. Anisotropic refinement of all heavy atoms with 361 parameters and 3420 reflections yielded R = 4.62%.
Mortality trends for acute and chronic nephritis and infections of the kidney.

Death-rates for acute and chronic nephritis Summary fell between 1950 and 1964 in the U.S.A.: a similar pattern emerged from mortality figures for England and Wales. But in both areas, the death-rate from infections of the kidney rose—by 148% in the U.S.A. and by even more in England and Wales. Multiple-cause analysis reveals that in 1955, cardiovascular disorders accounted for over half the underlying causes of death with which chronic nephritis was associated, a ten-fold increase since 1940. During the same period diabetic nephropathy was recognised and now a renal death in a diabetic may be recorded as diabetes rather than chronic nephritis. The interest in urinary-tract infections in the past twenty years or so may have focused attention on " infections of the kidney " as a cause of death. It is suggested that chronic nephritis is becoming less often identified as an underlying cause of death. On the other hand, the possibility is considered that a true change may have taken place in the natural history of the chronic nephritides. Using current mortality figures, it is estimated that in the U.S.A., 5.1 per 100,000 persons, aged 15-55, are eligible for chronic intermittent dialysis per year.
Holographic telescope design for narrowband imaging in the far ultraviolet

We report on the status of a novel imaging spectrometer design based on aberration-corrected holographic gratings. The goal of the work is to develop optical designs with high spatial resolution and high sensitivity over a narrow wavelength bandpass, thus effectively creating a narrow-band imaging capability. Ideally the narrow-band capability can be used to observe astrophysical phenomena at key diagnostic lines short-ward the short-wavelength transmission cut-off of lithium fluoride (1050A) while simultaneously controlling the intense geocoronal Lyman alpha emission at 1216A. For example OVI 1032, 1038A emission from a fast shock can be observed with arc-second resolution over a 5 arc-minute field of view. This paper presents new details and insights in a previously reported design concept. In this design the hyperbolic secondary mirror of a Cassegrain telescope is replaced with a first generation holographic grating on a hyperbolic substrate. The aberration-corrected rulings provide excellent imaging at OVI 1032, 1038A. The effects of geocoronal Lyman β (1025A) and Lyman α (1216A) are discussed.
A satellite geodetic survey of large-scale deformation of volcanic centres in the central Andes

Surface deformation in volcanic areas usually indicates movement of magma or hydrothermal fluids at depth. Stratovolcanoes tend to exhibit a complex relationship between deformation and eruptive behaviour. The characteristically long time spans between such eruptions requires a long time series of observations to determine whether deformation without an eruption is common at a given edifice. Such studies, however, are logistically difficult to carry out in most volcanic arcs, as these tend to be remote regions with large numbers of volcanoes (hundreds to even thousands). Here we present a satellite-based interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) survey of the remote central Andes volcanic arc, a region formed by subduction of the Nazca oceanic plate beneath continental South America. Spanning the years 1992 to 2000, our survey reveals the background level of activity of about 900 volcanoes, 50 of which have been classified as potentially active. We find four centres of broad (tens of kilometres wide), roughly axisymmetric surface deformation. None of these centres are at volcanoes currently classified as potentially active, although two lie within about 10 km of volcanoes with known activity. Source depths inferred from the patterns of deformation lie between 5 and 17 km. In contrast to the four new sources found, we do not observe any deformation associated with recent eruptions of Lascar, Chile.
Genealogy, Migration, and the Intertwined Geographies of Personal Pasts

Genealogical data have tremendous potential to reveal the geographic web of past family connections. In this article we propose a genealogical geography paradigm that utilizes queries of a database containing more than 800 million names to analyze historical migration patterns. Our conceptual model considers hourglass-shaped community ancestry and descendancy hinterlands that spread out from a local place and incorporates the ideas of diaspora, gathering, community stability, and genealogical mixing. In the process we introduce a set of statistical measures that define the migration geographies of multigenerational movements of related people. Three case studies utilizing these methods give an indication of what can be done with this analytical approach. The first case study examines the ancestry of Midwestern U.S. cities of 1900, illustrating multiple migration trajectories projecting eastward over four generations. The second considers patterns of migration to the Gold Rush–impacted areas of northern Ca...
The production of cosmic-ray showers at great depths

Experiments are described which prove the existence of cosmic-ray showers consisting of at least three particles, at depths down to 30 meters of water below sea level. The experiments also show that the number of showers decreases in much the same way with depth as the number of vertical coincidences. Even in the first few meters of water there is no marked falling off in the relative number of showers. The effect of lead on the showers at great depths is also discussed.
Initial Use of a 3-D Plasma Simulation System for Predicting Surface Sputtering and Contamination by Hall Thrusters

Abstract : A 3-D Plasma Interaction Modeling System is being developed to predict the interaction of electric propulsion plumes with surfaces. The system, named COLISEUM, is designed to be flexible, usable, and expandable, allowing users to define surfaces with their choice of off-the-shelf 3-D solid modeling packages. These surfaces are then loaded into COLISEUM, which performs plasma operations based on user commands. Functional modules are interchangeable, and can range from simple (prescribed plume field) to complex (PIC-DSMC). Surface interaction parameters such as ion flux, ion energy, sputtering, and re-deposition are computed. Development to date has progressed to include the two simplest functional modules: prescribed_plume, which imports and superimposes a plume distribution, and ray, which performs ray tracing of flux from point sources. More sophisticated functional plasma simulation modules such as PIC-Hybrid-MCC are currently being integrated. This paper presents some of the first COLISEUM results--sputtering and re-deposition predictions on a spacecraft and in a vacuum chamber due to operation of Hall-effect thrusters.
Parallel flowshop scheduling using Tabu search

Production scheduling problems in manufacturing systems with parallel machine flowshops are discussed. A mathematical programming model for combined part assignment and job scheduling is developed. The objective of solving the scheduling problem is to minimize a weighted sum of production cost and the cost incurred from late product delivery. The solution of the model is NP-hard. To solve the problem efficiently, a heuristic algorithm combining Tabu search and Johnson's method was proposed. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the developed model and the algorithm. Computational results from these example problems are very encouraging.
Benefits of Engagement with Peers, Faculty, and Diversity for Online Learners

Using a sample of 812 students who were enrolled exclusively in online courses, this study investigated the extent to which engagement in various elements of the college experience contributed to their learning. A supportive learning environment was the strongest predictor of learning in all three domains measured in the study. Faculty feedback that prompted greater effort on the part of the student was also an important predictor of learning.
Dual immunomodulation by met-enkephalin.

Abstract Met-enkephalin (MENK) is an opioid peptide that is released during physiological stress and is reported to either up-regulate or down-regulate the immune response. Our previous experiments showed the ability of 10 −7 M MENK to modulate the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response of Mishell-Dutton cultures treated with low, optimal, and large concentrations of sheep erythrocyte (SE) antigen. In the present series of experiments the PFC response was measured in splenocyte cultures challenged with incremental concentrations of SE in the presence of 10 −7 M MENK. These experiments illustrate what we consider to be true modulation, i.e., the ability of MENK to modulate immune function only during the presence of a strong immune signal. When the immune signal was strong, as represented by a strong PFC response, MENK suppressed the PFC response. Conversely, when the strongest immune signal was high-antigen suppression of the PFC response, MENK overcame the suppression and frequently returned the PFC response to a greater than optimal levle. In a true modulatory fashion MENK had no effect in those regions of the dose-response curve where there was insufficient antigen to induce a strong immune signal.
The possible role of a central nervous system dopaminergic mechanism in hepatic c-fos protein expression following peritoneal sepsis.

Objective: To investigate the hypothesis that a central dopaminergic mechanism may regulate hepatic c-fosand c-jungene expression following peritoneal sepsis. Methods: First, dopamine or vehicle was instilled into a stereotaxically placed intracerebral-ventricular (ICV) cannula with or without D1(SCH 23390) or D2(haloperidol) antagonist pretreatment in a rat model, and the effect on hepatic c-fosor c-junprotein expression was investigated. Second, we investigated the effect of haloperidol and vehicle treatment following cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)–induced sepsis with respect to hepatic c-fosprotein expression, c-junprotein expression, and survival. Results: Intracerebral-ventricular dopamine treatment increased hepatic c-fos immunoreactive protein but had no effect on hepatic c-jun immunoreactive protein expression. Pretreatment with SCH 23390 inhibited ICV dopamine treatment–induced hepatic c-fosimmunore-active protein expression. Haloperidol pretreatment synergized with ICV dopamine treatment to overexpress hepatic c-fosprotein. Haloperidol treatment significantly increased CLP-induced hepatic c-fosand c-junprotein expression and improved survival following CLP. Conclusions: Hepatic c-fosprotein expression may be regulated, in part, by a central nervous system—mediated dopaminergic D1receptor mechanism. Treatment with the D2receptor antagonist, haloperidol, increases sepsis-induced hepatic c-fosand c-junprotein expression and improves survival following peritoneal contamination. (Arch Surg. 1995;130:1209-1216)
An Estimate of the Accuracy of Hedonic Real Estate Valuations Using the Orange County Bankruptcy

It has become standard practice to estimate the value of amenities, such as environmental cleanliness, local school quality and crime, using hedonic valuations—typically changes in real estate prices. The accuracy of hedonic valuations depends critically on whether real estate prices adjust appropriately, which is difficult to verify. The 1994 Orange County, CA, bankruptcy offers a test of the accuracy of hedonic real estate valuations. Orange County's failed investment strategy resulted in unexpected county losses of $1.7 billion. In response, the aggregate value of Orange County real estate dropped by between $1.65 and $3.70 billion.
Two distinct ATP-binding domains are needed to promote protein export by Escherichia coli SecA ATPase.

Summary Six putative ATP-binding motifs of SecA protein were altered by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis to try to define the ATP-binding regions of this multifunctional protein. The effects of the mutations were analysed by genetic and biochemical assays. The results show that SecA contains two essential ATP-binding domains. One domain is responsible for high-affinity ATP binding and contains motifs AO and BO, located at amino acid residues 102-109 and 198-210, respectively. A second domain is responsible for low-affinity ATP binding and contains motifs A3 and a predicted B motif located at amino acid residues 503-511 and 631-653, respectively. The ATP-binding properties of both domains were essential for SecA-dependent translocation ATPase and in vitro protein translocation activities. The significance of these findings for the mechanism of SecA-dependent protein translocation is discussed.