cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring the Lengths of Punctuated Units in Prose: An Application to Hawthorne

An author's punctuation, though easily neglected as a stylistic feature, contains valuable information about the process of writing prose. Earlier authors, in particular, punctuated according to sound as well as syntax. Quantitative measurement of the lengths of punctuated units (or “utterances”) reveals the prevailing patterns according to which an author segments a text. By this approach, the present paper aims at a first approximation of Hawthorne's fundamental generative unit above the lexical level. The study combines a computer analysis with close reading and limits its scope to eighteen of the short stories. The data indicate that Hawthorne works with a phrase-size unit of five to seven syllables and that rhythm is a strong factor in determining the linear arrangements of words in the text.
The Quadruple-Consciousness of Nina Simone

While performing her anthem “Mississippi Goddam” in a 1964 concert, Nina Simone quipped: “This is a show tune, but the show hasn't been written for it yet.” This statement typfies the singer and pi...
Vagueness and grammar: the semantics of relative and absolute gradable adjectives

This paper investigates the way that linguistic expressions influence vagueness, focusing on the interpretation of the positive (unmarked) form of gradable adjectives. I begin by developing a semantic analysis of the positive form of ‘relative’ gradable adjectives, expanding on previous proposals by further motivating a semantic basis for vagueness and by precisely identifying and characterizing the division of labor between the compositional and contextual aspects of its interpretation. I then introduce a challenge to the analysis from the class of ‘absolute’ gradable adjectives: adjectives that are demonstrably gradable, but which have positive forms that relate objects to maximal or minimal degrees, and do not give rise to vagueness. I argue that the truth conditional difference between relative and absolute adjectives in the positive form stems from the interaction of lexical semantic properties of gradable adjectives—the structure of the scales they use—and a general constraint on interpretive economy that requires truth conditions to be computed on the basis of conventional meaning to the extent possible, allowing for context dependent truth conditions only as a last resort.
Anthradithiophene-Containing Copolymers for Thin-Film Transistors and Photovoltaic Cells

We synthesized anthradithiophene−cyclopentadithiophene conjugated copolymers via Stille coupling. The anthradithiophene core was verified to be superior in stability compared to pentacene toward Diels−Alder cycloaddition and therefore more compatible with fullerenes, acceptor material commonly used in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) photovoltaic cells. The polymers exhibit high film absorption coefficients of 105 cm−1, an order of magnitude higher than previously reported anthradithiophene−dialkylfluorene copolymers. Short-circuit currents exceeding 5 mA/cm2 and a BHJ device efficiency close to 1% were achieved when device morphology was improved with diiodooctane as a solvent additive. This is the highest power conversion efficiency achieved by an acene-containing polymer so far.
Right ventricular strain rate and strain analysis in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot: possible interventricular septal compensation.

Abstract Background Indices such as strain rate (SR) and strain (ϵ) are free of geometric assumptions and, thus, may provide new insights into right ventricular (RV) function and compensatory mechanisms in repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Methods All those with postoperative (>1 year) TOF had echocardiography evaluation of SR and ϵ indices along the RV lateral free wall (RVFW) and the interventricular septum (IVS) in the apical 4-chamber view. Pulmonary regurgitation, pulmonary stenosis, QRS duration, RV ejection fraction, and RV dimension were also measured and compared with control subjects. Results There were 15 patients with TOF (7 ± 4 years old) 6 ± 3 years remote from surgical repair and 25 control subjects (10 ± 5 years old). In the patients with TOF, systolic and diastolic SR and ϵ in the RVFW were significantly reduced but were normal in the IVS. In the RVFW, reduced systolic SR and ϵ correlated with reduced RV ejection fraction ( r = −0.7 [ P P r = 0.7, P Conclusions In patients with postoperative TOF, systolic and diastolic RV SR and ϵ were impaired in the RVFW but preserved in the IVS. We speculate that IVS myocardial function is preserved as a compensatory mechanism for impaired RVFW function.
Antibodies to Escherichia coli-expressed C-terminal domains of Plasmodium falciparum variant surface antigen 2-chondroitin sulfate A (VAR2CSA) inhibit binding of CSA-adherent parasites to placental tissue.

Placental malaria (PM) is characterized by infected erythrocytes (IEs) that selectively bind to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) and sequester in placental tissue. Variant surface antigen 2-CSA (VAR2CSA), a Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) protein family member, is expressed on the surface of placental IEs and mediates adherence to CSA on the surface of syncytiotrophoblasts. This transmembrane protein contains 6 Duffy binding-like (DBL) domains which might contribute to the specific adhesive properties of IEs. Here, we use laboratory isolate 3D7 VAR2CSA DBL domains expressed in Escherichia coli to generate antibodies specific for this protein. Flow cytometry results showed that antibodies generated against DBL4e, DBL5e, DBL6e, and tandem double domains of DBL4-DBL5 and DBL5-DBL6 all bind to placental parasite isolates and to lab strains selected for CSA binding but do not bind to children's parasites. Antisera to DBL4e and to DBL5e inhibit maternal IE binding to placental tissue in a manner comparable to that for plasma collected from multigravid women. These antibodies also inhibit binding to CSA of several field isolates derived from pregnant women, while antibodies to double domains do not enhance the functional immune response. These data support DBL4e and DBL5e as vaccine candidates for pregnancy malaria and demonstrate that E. coli is a feasible tool for the large-scale manufacture of a vaccine based on these VAR2CSA domains.
New applications of mr contrast agents in neuroradiology

Contrast enhancement has now become an interal part of MR imaging. In this paper, the current uses of contrast agents in MR imaging of both the head and spine are reviewed. In addition, new applications of contrast in MR imaging, including some more current and controversial, are also explored.
Annihilations of Antiprotons at Rest in Hydrogen. V. Multipion Annihilations

Approximately 45 000 pionic annihilations of stopped antiprotons in hydrogen have been measured and analyzed. The relative annihilation rates into the various multipion final states are presented. The experimental distributions of the invariant masses of all the possible pion combinations have been obtained. Strong production of the $\ensuremath{\rho}$, $\ensuremath{\omega}$, and $\ensuremath{\eta}$ meson has been observed, and their production rates have been established. The rates for simultaneous production of ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\rho}}^{0}$, ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{0}$, and ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\eta}}^{0}$ are discussed.
Security and gendered national identity in Uzbekistan

Contributing to the growing literature on feminist geopolitics, this article addresses the security discourses employed by the Karimov regime in Uzbekistan's post-independence nation-building process. It examines the ways in which militarism and the ‘culture of war’ are productive of gendered national identities in Uzbekistan, focusing on how the ‘protector–protected’ relationship figures prominently in the Karimov regime's anti-terrorist rhetoric. It does so through a textual analysis of the Andijon uprising and the ‘Day of Memory and Honor’ holiday. It argues that the terrorist threat has been a driving factor in the pervasive militarization of society, but that official responses to state violence in Andijon obscure alternative security concerns of the general population in Uzbekistan – and more specifically those of women. It adds to existing feminist geopolitics literature by expanding it into a new empirical context, while rejecting the assertion that a ‘geopolitical’ analysis necessarily entails a ...
Nuclear-charge distribution near symmetry for thermal-neutron-induced fission of 235U.

Available data concerning nuclear-charge distribution for thermal-neutron-induced fission of $^{235}\mathrm{U}$ have been evaluated for the region near symmetry (104\ensuremath{\le}A\ensuremath{\le}129, 42\ensuremath{\le}Z\ensuremath{\le}50). Evaluated data or averages are listed and are interpreted by the use of empirical ${Z}_{P}$ and ${A}_{P}^{\mathcal{'}}$ models. The parameters and functions derived for the two models are presented and are compared with each other and with the data. Both models represent most data satisfactorily, and they permit the calculation of more reliable estimates of unmeasured independent-fission-product yields near symmetry than has been possible in the past. The two models show the same major trends, so the physical phenomena deduced from the trends are not model dependent. The independent yields of fission products with Z values of 50 and 42 are much larger than those of products with Z values of 43 through 49. The yields for products with Z values of 49 and 43 are larger than those of products with Z values of 44 through 48. These yield differences indicate that the stable filled, or nearly filled, 50-proton shell in the heavy fragment causes the fission probability to increase rapidly with mass number in the range from 120 to 130 between improbable symmetric and probable asymmetric fission. The lack of even-odd-proton and -neutron effects near symmetry indicates that excitation energies are higher for $^{236}\mathrm{U}$ nuclei undergoing symmetric fission than for those undergoing asymmetric fission.
Single-molecule Approaches to Probe the Structure, Kinetics, and Thermodynamics of Nucleoprotein Complexes That Regulate Transcription

Single-molecule experimentation has contributed significantly to our understanding of the mechanics of nucleoprotein complexes that regulate epigenetic switches. In this minireview, we will discuss the application of the tethered-particle motion technique, magnetic tweezers, and atomic force microscopy to (i) directly visualize and thermodynamically characterize DNA loops induced by the lac, gal, and λ repressors and (ii) understand the mechanistic role of DNA-supercoiling and DNA-bending cofactors in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems.
Determination of phenolic metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human urine as their pentafluorobenzyl ether derivatives using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants, and a number of them are carcinogenic. One approach for measuring exposure to them is to determine the concentrations of metabolites in urine. The pyrene metabolite 1-hydroxypyrene has been used as a biomarker for exposure in numerous studies. However, determination of exposure to several PAHs may be advantageous, since the relative amounts may vary depending upon the exposure source. We developed a liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of phenolic metabolites of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene in human urine. Following enzymatic cleavage of the glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, the phenolic metabolites are extracted from urine and converted to pentafluorobenzyl ethers. These derivatives greatly enhance the sensitivity of detection by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in the negative ion mode. Lower limits of quantitation range from 0.01 to 0.5 ng/mL. Stable iso...
Hemispheric Teaching Strategies in the Acquisition and Retention of a Motor Skill

An extreme preference in processing information within either the left or right hemisphere is known as hemisphericity. A previous study investigating hemisphericity as a factor in motor skill learning (Murray, 1979) found that matching subjects' hemisphericity characteristics with hemispherical teaching strategies enhanced skill acquisition. In contrast, our study examined the effects of hemispherical teaching strategies on a group of subjects who did not present hemisphericity. Right-handed male high school students were randomly assigned to either a left hemisphere, right hemisphere, or an interhemispherical teaching condition. Subjects in the right hemisphere and interhemispherical conditions performed and learned the skill more effectively than subjects in the left hemisphere teaching condition. The right hemisphere and interhemispherical groups performed comparably in acquisition; however, the interhemispherical group showed significantly better retention of the skill. Motor skill acquisition and ret...
Chem-Ray: a molecular graphics program featuring an umbra and penumbra shadowing routine

Abstract Chem-Ray, new molecular graphics program, utilizes a combination of standard algorithms developed for molecular systems as well as various ray casting techniques to produce highly realistic images on inexpensive raster terminals. The program produces images of space-filling, ball and stick or stick models derived from a user-supplied co-ordinate list. The most notable new feature of Chem-Ray is a simple, yet effective, algorithm for the improved treatment of shadows within a molecule. This new algorithm is based upon a calculation of a light pyramid at each point under examination. Intersections of various objects with this light pyramid will decrease the percentage of the light that can reach the point. If the entire cross-section is blocked, the point will be in the umbra of the shadow; if only a portion of the light is blocked, the point will be in the penumbra of the shadow.
Fundamentals of mobile tilt grain boundary faceting

Deformation facets form from relaxation of a disconnection pile-up that builds up at an interface under stress. The misorientation differences between facets are mediated by interfacial disclinations. Any disconnection entering a facet through the disclination transforms. Faceting between { 1 0 1 ¯ 2 } twins and the basal–prismatic boundary in hexagonal metals illustrates that twinning disconnections transformed across the disclination are glissile. This increases twin mobility. Here we present a formal description of deformation faceting using three-colored symmetry groups.
Rapid identification and isolation of zygotes and the kinetics of mating in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Flow cytometry has been used in the selection of fusion products of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Parental cells of opposite mating type were stained with different fluorescent dyes, permitting rapid identification of zygotes from natural matings based on dual-color flow cytometry. This procedure was then used to study the kinetics of mating in yeast and the physical and biological parameters that affect these kinetics, such as cell concentration, parental ratios, and parental strain growth rate.
Fine structure of cytoplasmic inclusions of some methylotrophic bacteria from plant surfaces

Five strains of pink-pigmented, facultatively methylotrophic bacteria (PPFM) isolated from plant surfaces and grown in different carbon sources, were fixed, embedded and sectioned for examination with the electron microscope. The strains studied represented the two mainsub-groups, those that can use carbohydrates and those that can not use carbohydrates as a sole carbon and energy source. All of the isolates examined, produced crystalloid inclusions, internal membranous vesicles and internal “membranous sheets” although the number of cells with inclusions, varied with the carbon source and specific strain. Polybetahydroxybutyrate and polyphosphate bodies were observed in all strains, with all carbon sources used for growing cells which includes methanol, formate and glycerol. Isolates that could use glucose accumulated polyglucoside granules but not when other carbon sources were provided. The relationship of these inclusions to growth conditions is discussed.
NONDETECTION OF THE NEPTUNE-MASS PLANET REPORTED AROUND GJ 176*

Endl et al. reported a Neptune-mass planet in a 10.24 day orbit around GJ 176. This planet has raised interest because of its low mass (Msin i = 24 M_(Earth)), correspondingly small velocity amplitude (K = 11.7 m s^(–1)), and because GJ 176 is an M star. We report 41 precise Doppler measurements of GJ 176 obtained with the Keck-HIRES spectrometer over a 10 year time span. These measurements show no evidence of the 10.24 day companion, at a threshold of 4 m s–1, a factor of 3 less than the amplitude reported by Endl et al. The Keck velocities are consistent with instrumental noise and stellar jitter. The existence of the planet is thus called into question.
Endocrine events associated with spawning behavior in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

Abstract Levels of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were determined in plasma of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) undergoing certain behaviors associated with spawning in natural and artifical stream environments. Significantly higher levels of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were found in males than in females. In the artifical spawning channel, levels of estradiol were significantly higher in females exhibiting resting and swimming behaviors than in fanning, nest building, and spawning behaviors. No significant correlation was found with either progesterone or testosterone levels and the various reproductive behaviors. The data presented are the first experimental evidence that suggest gonadal steroids may be correlated with certain reproductive behaviors in the sea lamprey.
High resolution calorimetry in liquid helium

Abstract We report advances in the adiabatic calorimetry technique that permit a determination of heat capacity to at least 100ppm. The resolution is ultimately limited not only by the thermometry, but also by how well we can control the heat input to the cell.
MCM placement using a realistic thermal model

Typically, placement algorithms attempt to minimize the total net length of a printed circuit board (PCB). However, an MCM's increased throughput and dense circuitry can easily result in failure if the board contains “hot spots”. Therefore, an accurate thermal model of an MCM was needed in the development of a new placement algorithm designed to consider both total net length and thermal constraints. This algorithm uses a combination of simulated evolution and simulated annealing in an iterative approach. Each chip has a maximum thermal tolerance that it can withstand before it is known to fail. The fitness method evaluates the maximum temperature for each chip, considering every chip's thermal dissipation at the chip's hottest point. Results are presented that compare the effects of various parameters.
Being There Matters?Redefining the Model Public Servant: Viola O. Baskerville in Profile

A descendent of slaves and a woman of proud but humble origins, Viola Osborne Baskerville has ascended to prominence in Virginia public life. As only the second African American woman to serve as secretary of administration, her appointment to the cabinet of Governor Tim Kaine has afforded her the opportunity to affect the policy areas that have long been her passion. Baskerville is known as a leader with integrity, as a dedicated public servant, and as a tireless advocate for policies that affect the promise and well-being of women and children, families, and minorities, particularly those who have suffered from poverty and discrimination. Baskerville, a trailblazing African American woman, embodies a new model of the public servant.
Hematopoietic defects in rps29 mutant zebrafish depend upon p53 activation

Disruption of ribosomal proteins is associated with hematopoietic phenotypes in cell culture and animal models. Mutations in ribosomal proteins are seen in patients with Diamond Blackfan anemia, a rare congenital disease characterized by red cell aplasia and distinctive craniofacial anomalies. A zebrafish screen uncovered decreased hematopoietic stem cells in embryos with mutations in ribosomal protein rps29. Here, we determined that rps29 −/− embryos also have red blood cell defects and increased apoptosis in the head. As the p53 pathway has been shown to play a role in other ribosomal protein mutants, we studied the genetic relationship of rps29 and p53. Transcriptional profiling revealed that genes upregulated in the rps29 mutant are enriched for genes upregulated by p53 after irradiation. p53 mutation near completely rescues the rps29 morphological and hematopoietic phenotypes, demonstrating that p53 mediates the effects of rps29 knockdown. We also identified neuronal gene orthopedia protein a ( otpa ) as one whose expression correlates with rps29 expression, suggesting that levels of expression of some genes are dependent on rps29 levels. Together, our studies demonstrate a role of p53 in mediating the cellular defects associated with rps29 and establish a role for rps29 and p53 in hematopoietic stem cells and red blood cell development.
Mutual Coupling Analysis in a Finite Planar Rectangular Waveguide Antenna Array.

ABSTRACT A solution is presented for the calculation of mutual coupling between elements in a finite planar rectangular waveguide antenna array. The aperture dimensions can be less than the feeding, waveguide dimensions and the elements are uniformly spaced in each of two directions in either a rectangular or isosceles triangular lattice. The problem is formulated as an integral equation by requiring the transverse electric and magnetic fields to be continuous across the apertures. The integral equation is solved by the method of moments for the equivalent magnetic current in the aperture region. A single expansion function is used to approximate the electric field in each aperture. For apertures that are close together the normal quadruple half-space admittance integral is reduced to single integrals which are evaluated numerically. For apertures father apart, a double numerical integral solution is used. In addition, the symmetry property of the symmetric Toeplitz admittance matrix for the linear array ...
A Worst-Case Crosstatk Comparison Among Several Modulation Schemes

The effects of worst-case crosstalk (from a time-domain point of view) on unsynchronized frequency division multiplexed (FDM) constant envelope modulations are considered assuming coherent hard-decision receivers and no filtering for bandwidth constraint. Continuous-phase frequency shift keying (FSK) is found to be superior to various forms of phase shift keying (PSK).
A comparison of surgical intervention and stereotactic body radiation therapy for stage I lung cancer in high-risk patients: A decision analysis

Objective We sought to compare the relative cost-effectiveness of surgical intervention and stereotactic body radiation therapy in high risk patients with clinical stage I lung cancer (non–small cell lung cancer). Methods We compared patients chosen for surgical intervention or SBRT for clinical stage I non–small cell lung cancer. Propensity score matching was used to adjust estimated treatment hazard ratios for the confounding effects of age, comorbidity index, and clinical stage. We assumed that Medicare-allowable charges were $15,034 for surgical intervention and $13,964 for stereotactic body radiation therapy. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was estimated as the cost per life year gained over the patient's remaining lifetime by using a decision model. Results Fifty-seven patients in each arm were selected by means of propensity score matching. Median survival with surgical intervention was 4.1 years, and 4-year survival was 51.4%. With stereotactic body radiation therapy, median survival was 2.9 years, and 4-year survival was 30.1%. Cause-specific survival was identical between the 2 groups, and the difference in overall survival was not statistically significant. For decision modeling, stereotactic body radiation therapy was estimated to have a mean expected survival of 2.94 years at a cost of $14,153 and mean expected survival with surgical intervention was 3.39 years at a cost of $17,629, for an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $7753. Conclusions In our analysis stereotactic body radiation therapy appears to be less costly than surgical intervention in high-risk patients with early stage non–small cell lung cancer. However, surgical intervention appears to meet the standards for cost-effectiveness because of a longer expected overall survival. Should this advantage not be confirmed in other studies, the cost-effectiveness decision would be likely to change. Prospective randomized studies are necessary to strengthen confidence in these results.
Neuroendocrine considerations in the treatment of men and women with epilepsy

Complex, multidirectional interactions between hormones, seizures, and the medications used to control them can present a challenge for clinicians treating patients with epilepsy. Many hormones act as neurosteroids, modulating brain excitability via direct binding sites. Thus, changes in endogenous or exogenous hormone levels can affect the occurrence of seizures directly as well as indirectly through pharmacokinetic effects that alter the concentrations of antiepileptic drugs. The underlying structural and physiological brain abnormalities of epilepsy and the metabolic activity of antiepileptic drugs can adversely affect hypothalamic and gonadal functioning. Knowledge of these complex interactions has increased and can now be incorporated in meaningful treatment approaches for men and women with epilepsy.
Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the cranial vault

We present a case of primary B-cell, large-cell, lymphoma of the skull vault in a 50-year-old HIV-positive male, who presented with a history of unilateral headache and a swelling on the scalp. Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the skull is rare, with only ten such cases in adults previously described. We suggest that this is the second reported case in an HIV-positive individual.
Theory of multimode operation of a unidirectional ring oscillator having photorefractive gain: weak-field limit

A theory for multimode oscillation in an optical ring resonator that has photorefractive gain is derived by using a self-consistent model for the nonlinear interaction of the resonator field with an external pump field through the photorefractive agency. The theory is developed in the weak-field limit so that pump depletion can be neglected and the intensity spatial modulation index remains small. The characteristics of single-mode, two-mode, and three-mode behavior are analyzed in detail. The slow time response of the photorefractive effect has great leverage on the frequencies of the modes of oscillation; as a consequence, oscillation occurs very near the pump frequency. In the weak-field limit, the modulation index corresponding to the intermode gratings is negligibly small when compared with the modulation index for the gratings formed from the interference of the pump beam with each mode. As a result, in this limit, there appear no terms leading to mode locking. However, as in a laser, mode competition for the gain does occur, and under the proper conditions the presence of one mode can suppress the oscillation of one or more other modes. We show that the competition between modes having similar transverse distributions is stronger than that between modes having dissimilar transverse distributions.
seasonal variation in life history traits in two drosophila species

Seasonal environmental heterogeneity is cyclic, persistent and geographically widespread. In species that reproduce multiple times annually, environmental changes across seasonal time may create different selection regimes that may shape the population ecology and life history adaptation in these species. Here, we investigate how two closely related species of Drosophila in a temperate orchard respond to environmental changes across seasonal time. Natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans were sampled at four timepoints from June through November to assess seasonal change in fundamental aspects of population dynamics as well as life history traits. D. melanogaster exhibit pronounced change across seasonal time: early in the season, the population is inferred to be uniformly young and potentially represents the early generation following overwintering survivorship. D. melanogaster isofemale lines derived from the early population and reared in a common garden are characterized by high tolerance to a variety of stressors as well as a fast rate of development in the laboratory environment that declines across seasonal time. In contrast, wild D. simulans populations were inferred to be consistently heterogeneous in age distribution across seasonal collections; only starvation tolerance changed predictably over seasonal time in a parallel manner as in D. melanogaster. These results suggest fundamental differences in population and evolutionary dynamics between these two taxa associated with seasonal heterogeneity in environmental parameters and associated selection pressures.
When Actors Don't Walk the Talk: Parasocial Relationships Moderate the Effect of Actor-Character Incongruence

The study examines the effect of a narrative that featured an actor playing a counterattitudinal role. Participants read an online magazine interview with a popular comedian and then watched a sitcom in which this actor played a role that was either consistent or inconsistent with his personal views. Parasocial relationships with the actor moderated the effect of actor-character incongruence. Specifically, incongruence was associated with lower support for narrative-related attitudes, but only among viewers with weak parasocial relationships. These results provide evidence of the existence of vicarious cognitive dissonance, wherein witnessing another person’s hypocritical behavior produces attitude change in the observer.
Management of heel pain syndrome with acetic acid iontophoresis

This study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of acetic acid iontophoresis in the treatment of heel pain. Thirty-five patients with chronic heel pain were treated with acetic acid iontophoresis over a 4-year period. Ninety-four percent of patients had complete or substantial relief of heel pain after an average of 5.7 sessions of acetic acid iontophoresis over an average period of 2.8 weeks. Heel pain levels were rated from 0 to 10, with 10 representing the most severe pain. Heel pain prior to iontophoresis treatment received an average rating of 7.5; by the end of therapy, the average rating had decreased to 1.8. At an average follow-up time of 27 months, heel pain levels averaged 0.64, indicating continued reduction in heel pain. Ninety-four percent of participants said that they would recommend acetic acid iontophoresis to someone with similar heel pain.
Increasing drought under global warming in observations and models

Historical records show increased aridity over many land areas since 1950. This study looks at observations and model projections from 1923 to 2010, to test the ability of models to predict future drought conditions. Models are able to capture the greenhouse-gas forcing and El Nino–Southern Oscillation mode for historical periods, which inspires confidence in their projections of drought.
Detecting Developmental Discontinuities

In a sense, discontinuities are commonplace. In cognitive-developmental psychology, discontinuity typically refers to qualitative change, and behavior undergoes qualitative change routinely. Whenever people learn something new, some part of their behavior shows qualitative change.
Charting the Reefs: A Map of Multicultural Epistemology

Over the past several decades, there has been a trend to argue in support of important multicultural educational reforms using the language of epistemology. The relevant literature, however, extends the meaning of “epistemology” in ways that obscure rather than clarify the valid issues that are at stake, and furthermore, the matters that are the focus of traditional epistemology – which are important in their own right – also tend to be obscured by such a strategy. The discussion opens by identifying four senses in which the term “epistemology” is used; the first of which refers to the traditional branch of philosophy in which normative issues are pursued that pertain to how belief can be distinguished from knowledge; the second is as a term referring to the specific positions that have emerged on such matters within philosophy (e.g., “positivist epistemology,” “non-foundationalist epistemology”). These two usages are overlooked in much of the multicultural epistemology literature. In the third (and non-philosophical) usage, “epistemology” refers to a descriptive account of how people acquire beliefs, and in the fourth usage, it refers to the actual sets of beliefs that different individuals hold. During the discussion, standpoint philosophy and sociology of knowledge are touched upon.
Designing a sustainable diet

In the United States, a vigorous debate is under way over government-issued dietary guidance. A February 2015 report by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) recommended, for the first time, that food system sustainability be an integral part of dietary guidance in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) ( 1 ). With the final decision from the secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS) and of Agriculture (USDA) about what parts of the DGAC recommendations to include in the 2015 DGAs expected at the end of this year, we discuss the need to incorporate sustainability into dietary guidelines and the political maneuvering under way to excise it.
Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking of Two 3U Cubesats Using a Novel Permanent-Magnet Docking Mechanism

Small spacecraft autonomous rendezvous and docking is an essential technology for future space structure assembly missions. A novel magnetic capture and latching mechanism is analyzed that allows for docking of two CubeSats without precise sensors and actuators. The proposed magnetic docking hardware not only provides the means to latch the CubeSats but it also significantly increases the likelihood of successful docking in the presence of relative attitude and position errors. The simplicity of the design allows it to be implemented on many CubeSat rendezvous missions. Preliminary Monte Carlo simulation shows that the proposed docking design leads to successful docking under 3-sigma dispersions for all key system parameters. On the other hand, successful docking is not possible without the aid of the proposed docking subsystem. Future experiments are to be performed at the 3 Degrees of Freedom flat-floor facility at NASA Langley Research Center to demonstrate this novel concept. Extensive simulation and ground testing will provide sufficient confidence that the proposed docking mechanism will perform as expected in the space environment.
Ambient Temperature and Rainfall: An Effect on Sex Ratio and Litter Size in Deer Mice

Short-term fluctuations in temperature and rainfall affect the reproduction of prairie deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii . Wild, pregnant females were captured and brought to the laboratory, where the size, weight, and sexual composition of their litters were recorded. Females that experienced unusually warm springtime temperatures in the field during early pregnancy gave birth to approximately 0.4 more young per litter than other females, and female embryos appeared to be most strongly affected. Females experiencing warm temperatures in the autumn gave birth to approximately 0.5 fewer young than other females in that season, with male embryos most affected. Exposure to heavy rainfall (over 0.1″ in 24 h) during early pregnancy in any season also cost females approximately 0.5 young per pregnancy. Young born to mothers exposed to rainfall weighed 7–9% less than young in other litters. Unusually cold temperatures did not affect the mean number of young born per litter, but reduced the variance in litter size by selecting against especially large and small litters. Laboratory exposure of newly impregnated females to 12 h of high temperatures (33–35°C) led to decreased litter size, but the embryonic sex most affected depended on the timing of exposure. Male embryos suffered the greatest losses when pregnant females were exposed just after implantation of their litters, whereas earlier exposure led to mortality of female embryos.
Six Infinite Regresses

It is commonly thought that there are some kinds of infinite series that one should avoid in one’s philosophical theories — infinite series such that, if a theory requires one of them, then the theory should therefore be rejected. These are referred to as ‘vicious infinite regresses’. On the other hand, it is also commonly thought that not all infinite series need be avoided; sometimes a theory entails the existence of an infinite series, but the theory should not therefore be rejected. These are referred to as ‘virtuous’ or (less misleadingly) ‘benign infinite regresses’.
Bounded Auditable Restoration of Distributed Systems

We focus on protocols for auditable restoration of distributed systems. The need for such protocols arises due to conflicting requirements (e.g., access to the system should be restricted but emergency access should be provided). One can design such systems with a tamper detection approach (based on the intuition of In-case-of-emergency-break-glass ). However, in a distributed system, such tampering, which are denoted as auditable events, is visible only for a single node. This is unacceptable since the actions they take in these situations can be different than those in the normal mode. Moreover, eventually, the auditable event needs to be cleared so that system resumes the normal operation. With this motivation, in this paper, we present two protocols for auditable restoration, where any process can potentially identify an auditable event. The first protocol has an unbounded state space while the second protocol uses bounded state space that does not increase with the length of the computation. In both protocols, whenever a new auditable event occurs, the system must reach an auditable state where every process is aware of the auditable event. Only after the system reaches an auditable state, it can begin the operation of restoration. Although any process can observe an auditable event, we require that only authorized processes can begin the task of restoration. Moreover, these processes can begin the restoration only when the system is in an auditable state. Our protocols are self-stabilizing and can effectively handle the case where faults or auditable events occur during the restoration protocol. Moreover, they can be used to provide auditable restoration to other distributed protocols.
Endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation versus second glaucoma drainage device after prior aqueous tube shunt surgery.

Background To evaluate the efficacy in controlling intraocular pressure (IOP) with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) versus implantation of a second glaucoma drainage device (GDD-2) in the treatment of uncontrolled glaucoma with a prior aqueous tube shunt. Design A nonrandomized retrospective chart review. Participants Patients with refractory glaucoma following a failed initial tube shunt (Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant 350), who underwent ECP or GDD-2 with Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant as a second surgery. Twenty-five eyes underwent ECP and 48 eyes received a second glaucoma drainage device. Interventions ECP or second tube-shunt surgery. Main Outcome Measures Reduction in IOP and antiglaucoma medications, and Kaplan-Meier survival with success defined as lOP ≥ 5 mmHg and ≤ 21 mmHg and ≥ 20% reduction from preoperative IOP. Secondary outcome measures were visual acuity and the presence of any postoperative complications. Results Both ECP and GDD-2 significantly lowered IOP (Students t test) and number of antiglaucoma medications (Wilcoxon paired signed rank test). There were no significant differences in postoperative IOP (Students t test) or antiglaucoma medications (Mann Whitney test) between ECP and GDD-2 at 6 and 12 months. There was also no difference in the Kaplan Meier survival outcomes between the two groups. Conclusion Both ECP and GDD-2 are both effective as second surgeries for refractory glaucoma that has failed a prior aqueous shunt.
New attacks on timing-based network flow watermarks

A network flow watermarking scheme attempts to manipulate the statistical properties of a flow of packets to insert a "mark" making it easier to detect the flow after passing through one or more relay hosts. Because an attacker that is willing to tolerate delay can (nearly) always eliminate such marks, recent schemes have concentrated on making the marks "invisible" so that a passive attacker cannot detect the presence of the mark. In this work, we argue that from a system's perspective, security against passive detection is insufficient for successful traffic analysis. We introduce a stronger, but feasible attack model (a known/chosen flow attacker) and a second security goal (security against copy attacks) and argue that security against both of these attacks is required for successful traffic analysis. We also demonstrate successful attacks against two recent watermarking schemes, RAINBOW and SWIRL, and show how considering these stronger attacks can aid in the design of passive detection attacks against each as well.
A Review of Charmed Particle Production in Hadronic Collisions

A review of recent experimental results on the production of Charmed Particles in hadronic collisions is reported. Comparisons with theoretical predictions are made. Results from Neutrino beam dump experiments at the CERN SPS and direct muon production at Fermilab indicate that central production of Charmed mesons occurs with a total cross section of 10 to 20 microbarns. Charmed mesons and Baryons have also been observed at the CERN ISR with cross sections that appear to be considerably larger. Some recent experimental limits on the production of B particles are also reviewed.
Usability of a Culturally Informed mHealth Intervention for Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: Feedback From Young Sexual Minority Men.

Background: To date, we are aware of no interventions for anxiety and depression developed as mobile phone apps and tailored to young sexual minority men, a group especially at risk of anxiety and depression. We developed TODAY!, a culturally informed mobile phone intervention for young men who are attracted to men and who have clinically significant symptoms of anxiety or depression. The core of the intervention consists of daily psychoeducation informed by transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and a set of tools to facilitate putting these concepts into action, with regular mood ratings that result in tailored feedback (eg, tips for current distress and visualizations of mood by context). Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct usability testing to understand how young sexual minority men interact with the app, to inform later stages of intervention development. Methods: Participants (n=9) were young sexual minority men aged 18-20 years (Mean=19.00, standard deviation [SD]=0.71; 44% black, 44% white, and 11.1% Latino), who endorsed at least mild depression and anxiety symptoms. Participants were recruited via flyers, emails to college lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) organizations, Web-based advertisements, another researcher’s database of sexual minority youth interested in research participation, and word of mouth. During recorded interviews, participants were asked to think out loud while interacting with the TODAY! app on a mobile phone or with paper prototypes. Feedback identified from these recordings and from associated field notes were subjected to thematic analysis using a general inductive approach. To aid interpretation of results, methods and results are reported according to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ). Results: Thematic analysis of usability feedback revealed a theme of general positive feedback, as well as six recurring themes that informed continued development: (1) functionality (eg, highlight new material when available), (2) personalization (eg, more tailored feedback), (3) presentation (eg, keep content brief), (4) aesthetics (eg, use brighter colors), (5) LGBT or youth content (eg, add content about coming out), and (6) barriers to use (eg, perceiving psychoeducation as homework). Conclusions: Feedback from usability testing was vital to understanding what young sexual minority men desire from a mobile phone intervention for symptoms of anxiety and depression and was used to inform the ongoing development of such an intervention. [JMIR Hum Factors 2017;4(3):e22]
Controlled delivery and minimally invasive imaging of stem cells in the lung

Intratracheal delivery of stem cells into injured or diseased lungs can provide a variety of therapeutic and immunomodulatory effects for the treatment of acute lung injury and chronic lung disease. While the efficacy of this approach depends on delivering the proper cell dosage into the target region of the airway, tracking and analysis of the cells have been challenging, largely due to the limited understanding of cell transport and lack of suitable cell monitoring techniques. We report on the transport and deposition of intratracheally delivered stem cells as well as strategies to modulate the number of cells (e.g., dose), topographic distribution, and region-specific delivery in small (rodent) and large (porcine and human) lungs. We also developed minimally invasive imaging techniques for real-time monitoring of intratracheally delivered cells. We propose that this approach can facilitate the implementation of patient-specific cells and lead to enhanced clinical outcomes in the treatment of lung disease with cell-based therapies.
Composition of Complex Meaning: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Left Anterior Temporal Lobe

Language enables humans to communicate the most complex of thoughts, such that from patterns of sensory stimulation an interlocutor can reconstruct the message originating in a speaker’s brain. While every component of this remarkable process is a difficult problem, the fundamental starting point for this entire sequence of events is our ability to construct a complex meaning for the purpose of expression. Underlying this capacity is a generative system of meaning composition that sits in the interface of language and thought. Decades of research within philosophically based linguistics and in the psychology of concepts have characterized the nature of these complex semantic representations; however, this work has only recently begun to inform the brain science of semantic representation. In this chapter I bring together perspectives from theoretical linguistics, cognitive psychology, and neuropsychology to discuss what is currently known about the brain basis of complex meaning composition. Although differences in cognitive neuroscience techniques and experimental paradigms often result in more differences than similarities, a remarkable convergence arises from hemodynamic methods, magnetoencephalography (MEG), and neuropsychological data implicating the left anterior temporal lobe (LATL) as a core region for the construction of complex meaning. The focus of this chapter is on MEG data, on the basis of which the timing of LATL activity in comprehension has been characterized as relatively early, peaking at 200–250 ms after the onset of a composing word. Progress in our understanding of the computational contribution of this activity is only beginning to gain momentum, but I summarize an initial body of results suggesting that, crucially, the LATL supports automatic, task-insensitive composition in both comprehension and production and that its contribution is clearly semantic, as opposed to syntactic in nature.