cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Buddhism, science, and market: The globalisation of Tibetan medicine

In this paper I discuss the processes by which Tibetan medicine has become globalised, and the ways in which these have come to determine, constrain, and, ultimately, transform local practices of healing in both Tibet and the West. I examine the degree to which globalisation, in particular international market capitalism, operating in this case through the Chinese state, structures the content of primary medical resources, confers legitimacy to certain technologies, and sets the ground rules by which the healers in charge of deploying such technologies are set into conversation with one another. I also argue that the cultural dimensions of globalisation enter the local context through the multiple-stranded flows of people, images, and ideas, and contribute to redefinitions of identity, suffering, and body praxis among patients/consumers in diverse local contexts. I proceed within two registers of analysis. In the first, I analyse these movements in the context of Tibetan medicine as it has been transformed, practised, and used, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. In the second, the analytic lens shifts to a focus on Tibetan medicine as a 'global' alternative medicine in North America and Europe. The focus throughout is on the global-local dialectic: how Tibetan medicine is both produced as global commodity and consumed as 'local' tradition.
Dynamic analysis of a microbial process: A systems engineering approach

A general mathematical model of the chemostat system is developed in order to define an experimental program of dynamic testing. A glucose-limited culture ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae was grown in a chemostat using chemically defined medium. The chemostat was perturbed from an initial steady state by changes in input glucose concentration, dilution rate, pH, and temperature. Dynamic responses of cell mass, glucose, cell number, RNA, and protein concentrations were measured. A number of simulation techniques were used in developing a dynamic mathematical model and in comparing the developed model with experimental data as well as the Monod model. The resulting model was found to be quantitatively accurate and superior to the Monod model. The developed model was interpreted in the light of cell physiology. Adjustment of intracellular RNA fraction was found to be rate limiting in acceleration of cell specific growth rate.
Amperometric determination of glucose with a ferrocene-mediated glucose oxidase/polyacrylamide gel electrode

Abstract Enzyme electrodes were constructed by immobilization of glucose oxidase and ferrocene into cross-linked polyacrylamide gels. Electrogenerated ferrocinium ion acts as a direct electron mediator between glucose oxidase and a reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC)/graphite support bed. The electrode is easily constructed, gives a current response proportional to glucose concentrations up to 30 mM, and has good chemical stability in water and air.
Smart cements and cement additives for oil and gas operations

Abstract Cement materials are important not only for modern structures and buildings in expanding urban environments and mega projects, but also for a variety of industries including the oil and gas production sector, specifically in drilling and completion operations. This review features the materials and efforts to fabricate smart cements for several applications. The translation of these advances in materials and technologies in the oil and gas field can make a difference between cost and also catastrophic failure. Modalities ranging from stimuli-responsive cements capable of self-healing, self-sensing and shape changing are described herein. The use of nanomaterials ranging from nanocarbons to other technologically important nanoparticles as cement additives are also reviewed.
Combined sensor information for detection

In this paper we are concerned with the issue of combining sensor information for detection. Two motivating examples are studied: 1) the detection of a static object within a given area and 2) the detection of a faulty tank in a three-tank system. From a very general perspective, both of these problems can be thought of as search problems; the goal in both cases is to determine the presence (or absence) of an “object” within a given area of interest (AOI). It is assumed that there are two classes of sensors: a large sensor capable of searching the entire AOI and a set of small sensors which (collectively) search only a subset of the AOI. Measurements from the small sensors are assumed to follow a Bernoulli distribution (depending on whether they detect the object or not). Measurements collected from the large sensor are allowed to follow any exponential family distribution. In order to combine information we propose a system identification framework based on maximum-likelihood (ML) estimation. This requires collecting several measurements (samples) from each sensor. The ML approach allow us to borrow existing convergence and asymptotic normality results from the literature.
The circular hydraulic jump in low gravity

An experimental study of the circular hydraulic jump (CHJ) was carried out to show how reducing gravity to 10 –2 times that of the Earth9s normal gravity affects the CHJ diameter and the downstream flow patterns. Water was the working fluid. Measurements of the CHJ diameter and the shape of the free liquid surface across the jump were made in low gravity using the downstream fluid height and the flow rate as the parameters. Comparisons are made with normal–gravity flow conditions. A drop tower was used to create low gravity. The measurements are compared with an existing theory for predicting how gravity affects the CHJ diameter. Results show that the steady–state CHJ diameter is larger at low gravity than normal gravity. As the downstream fluid height is increased, the CHJ diameter at normal gravity moves inward, but at low gravity the CHJ diameter does not show a similar influence of downstream fluid height. The curvature across the CHJ is higher at normal gravity than at low gravity and the length of the transition zone from the upstream to downstream height increases as gravity is reduced. Waves in the downstream flow are observed for all low–gravity flow conditions but at normal gravity they were observed only for selected flow conditions, suggesting that the influence of surface tension and viscosity dominate at low gravity. Measured normal–gravity and low–gravity CHJ diameters were bounded by theoretical predictions which assume either fully developed or developing flow conditions for the upstream thin film.
Spinal stenosis prevalence and association with symptoms: the Framingham Study

Abstract Background context The prevalence of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) in the general population and association with low back pain (LBP) remain unclear. Purpose To evaluate the prevalence of congenital and acquired LSS observed on computed tomography in a community-based sample; and to evaluate the association between LSS and LBP. Study design/setting Cross-sectional observational study. This study was an ancillary project to the Framingham Heart Study. Patient sample A total of 3,529 participants underwent multidetector computed tomography; 191 were enrolled in this study. Outcome measures Self-report measures: LBP in the preceding 12 months was evaluated using a self-report questionnaire. Physiologic measures: LSS (congenital and acquired) was characterized using two cut-points: 12 mm for relative LSS and 10 mm for absolute LSS. Methods Using multiple logistic regression, we examined the association between LSS and LBP, adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index. Results In the congenital group, relative LSS was found in 4.7% and absolute LSS in 2.6% of patients. Acquired LSS was found in 22.5% and in 7.3%, respectively. Acquired LSS showed increasing prevalence with age less than 40 years, the prevalence of relative and absolute LSS was 20.0% and 4.0%, respectively, and in those 60 to 69 years the prevalence was 47.2% and 19.4%, respectively. The presence of absolute LSS was associated with LBP with an odds ratio of 3.16 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–9.53). Conclusions The prevalence of congenital and acquired LSS in a community-based sample was characterized. The prevalence of acquired stenosis increased with age. LSS is associated with a threefold higher risk of experiencing LBP.
Performance Efficiency Of InSb Charge Injection Devices (CID)

This paper describes the factors governing the Performance Efficiency (PE) of Indium Antimonide Charge Injection Devices (CID) arrays. Factors influencing PE in both line and area arrays are considered and compared to experimental results. An important factor re-lates to the signal charge loss of a dual gate array operating in the charge sharing mode (CSM). The chief advantages of the CSM are that it overcomes charge transfer problems that might be present in practical arrays, and it is believed to be radiation damage resistant. The chief limitation is that only the charge residing under the sensing gate of the dual gate site is read out. This loss can be lessened by designing the sensing gate to be a large fraction of the total storage area. Performance data of lx32, lx64 line arrays, 24x16 and 32x32 dual gate area arrays are presented. Line arrays FE up to 56 percent, responsivity variation below 10 percent, and D* of about 3x1011 cm HZ½/watt have been measured.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A review of the genus Geraldus Fitton (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Banchinae), with description of a new species.

An undescribed species of Banchinae from Chile in the Natural History Museum collections is described as Geraldus fittoni Broad, sp. nov. Four more specimens of Geraldus cambrensis have been found, from Chile and Argentina. The monophyly of Geraldus and of Philogalleria are supported.
Improvement in the reproducibility of region of interest using an auditory feedback loop: a pilot assessment using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) breast MR images.

Purpose To augment traditional visual data perception of complex multiparametric imaging data sets by adding auditory feedback to improve the delineation of regions of interest (ROIs) in tumor assessment in dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI. Materials and Methods In addition to conventional display methodologies, we have created an application window which interfaces with audio output using dynamically loadable sound modules, providing goodness of fit (GF) information through auditory feedback. We have assessed effectiveness of conveying sound information with three independent readers on eight DCE-MR breast image data sets. The assessment was based on either conventional visual only mode or combined visual plus auditory mode. For statistical comparison between two sensory approaches, interobserver repeatability was measured with three different criteria. Results Adding auditory feedback improves repeatability significantly (P < 0.01), and the enhanced sensory approach had higher repeatability than visual only mode in visually complex breast tumor cases. However, in easy and moderate cases, visual only mode was more reproducible than the combined mode with very high significance (P < 0.001). Conclusion Adding auditory information to visual based image analysis for identifying tumor ROIs provides higher interobserver repeatability for analyzing complex multidimensional/multiparametric medical image data sets with visually difficult lesions to delineate. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Antimicrobial prophylaxis in open lower extremity fractures.

Clinical question Based on the grade of open fracture, which antibiotic should be selected for antimicrobial prophylaxis, and what is the optimal timing and duration of administration? Results For Grade I and II open fractures, a first-generation cephalosporin (eg, cefazolin) should be administered within 3 hours of initial injury and be continued for 24 hours after initial injury. Grade III open fractures require coverage with an aminoglycoside in addition to a first-generation cephalosporin within 3 hours of initial injury, and antibiotics should be continued for 48-72 hours after initial injury but no more than 24 hours after wound closure. If a fracture is at risk of contamination with clostridium species, such as a farm-related injury, penicillin should be added to the antibiotic regimen. Implementation Pitfalls to avoid when using antibiotics for infection prophylaxis in open fractures include utilizing cultures immediately postinjury to direct choice of agent for antimicrobial prophylaxis, because infecting pathogens do not typically correlate to pathogens initially cultured after injury; failure to consider patients' medication allergy history or reconcile allergy records; and failure to obtain a thorough history to determine injury exposure (eg, farm, water).
Effects of histamine on contractility and conduction in isolated chicken hearts.

Abstract 1. The effects of histamine on the rhythm, conduction and contractility of isolated chicken hearts were studied. Histamine as the base (10 μg) was administered in a bolus dose within 10 sec into the side arm catheter connected to the aorta and the effects observed 15–60 sec afterwards on EG, rate and dP/dt. Pyrilamine maleate (as base) was injected at a level of 20 μg. 2. Histamine decreased dP/dt in unpaced hearts from 33–36% within 15–45 sec after administration. In hearts paced at 200 beats/min the decrease in dP/dt was significant but less than in unpaced hearts. 3. Histamine produced no significant change in heart rate of about 60% of the hearts (unpaced) but produced arrhythmias, including sinus arrest, and complete A-V block in about 30–40% of the hearts. 4. Pyrilamine abolished the effects of histamine on rate, rhythm, A-V conduction and contractility, indicating that these changes are mediated by an H1 receptor.
Lazutkin Coordinates and Invariant Curves for Outer Billiards

The outer billiard ball map (OBM) is defined from and to the exterior of a domain, Ω, in the plane as taking a point, q, to another point, q1, when the line segment with endpoints q and q1 is tangent to the boundary, ∂Ω (with a chosen orientation), and the point of tangency with the boundary divides the segment in half. Let C be an invariant circle for the OBM on Ω, with ∂Ω smooth with positive curvature. After computing the loss of derivatives between ∂Ω and C, it is shown via KAM theory that in this setting the OBM has uncountably many invariant circles in any neighborhood of the boundary. One is also led to an infinitesimal obstruction for the evolution property, an obstruction which, among closed smooth convex curves, is only removed for ellipses.
Use of semantic feature analysis in group discourse treatment for aphasia: Extension and expansion

Background: Semantic feature analysis (SFA) is a treatment for lexical retrieval impairment in which participants are cued to provide semantic information about concepts they have difficulty naming, in an effort to facilitate accurate lexical retrieval (Boyle, 2004a). Previous work has provided preliminary evidence that persons with aphasia who participated in SFA-focused group aphasia treatment demonstrate improved lexical retrieval in discourse, with additional improvements observed in either general communication informativeness or efficiency (Antonucci, 2009). Furthermore, results suggested that individuals with differing mechanisms of anomia could derive benefits from participation in SFA-focused group treatment. Aims: The aim of the current study was to investigate further training of SFA in connected speech during group aphasia treatment. This study expanded and extended previous work (Antonucci, 2009), through the addition of participants with more varied aetiologies and severities of aphasia, and...
Peer influences: the impact of online and offline friendship networks on adolescent smoking and alcohol use.

Purpose: Online social networking sites (SNSs) have become a popular mode of communication among adolescents. However, little is known about the effects of social online activity on health behaviors. The authors examined the use of SNSs among friends and the degree to which SNS activities relate to face-to-face peer influences and adolescent risk behaviors. Methods: Longitudinal egocentric friendship network data along with adolescent social media use and risk behaviors were collected from 1,563 10th-grade students across five Southern California high schools. Measures of online and offline peer influences were computed and assessed using fixed-effects models. Results: The frequency of adolescent SNS use and the number of their closest friends on the same SNSs were not significantly associated with risk behaviors. However, exposure to friends’ online pictures of partying or drinking was significantly associated with both smoking ( b ¼ .11, p < .001) and alcohol use (b ¼ .06, p < .05). Whereas adolescents with drinking friends had higher risk levels for drinking, adolescents without drinking friends were more likely to be affected by higher exposure to risky online pictures (b ¼� .10, p < .05). Myspace and Facebook had demographically distinct user characteristics and differential effects on risk behaviors. Conclusions: Exposure to risky online content had a direct impact on adolescents’ risk behaviors and significantly interacted with risk behaviors of their friends. These results provide evidence that friends’ online behaviors should be considered a viable source of peer influence and that increased efforts should focus on educating adolescents on the negative effects of risky online displays.
Preservation of cerebral autoregulation in the unanesthetized hypoxemic newborn dog

Abstract Studies were conducted to determine the effects of hypoxemia on cerebral blood flow and the influence of hyperoxia and hypoxemia on autoregulation of cerebral blood flow in the unanesthetized newborn dog.Twenty-one newborn dogs less than 2 weeks of age were studied. Cerebral blood flow was measured using radioactive microspheres during successive periods of normotension, hypotension (produced by blood withdrawal) and normotension (produced by infusion of previously withdrawn blood). In the hyperoxic animals, arterial pO2 was maintained above 250 torr by having the animal breathe 100% oxygen, while in the hypoxemic animals arterial pO2 was maintained between 30 and 35 torr by having the animal breathe 12% O2. Cerebral blood flow increased significantly with hypoxemia. In both hypoxemic and hyperoxic animals cerebral blood flow was maintained constant in spite of a large fall in arterial blood pressure and cardiac output, demonstrating the presence of autoregulation. Calculated oxygen transport to the brain was constant during hypoxemia and hypotension in all animals. Thus autoregulation of cerebral blood flow is present in newborn animals and is preserved under conditions of moderate hypoxemia.
FE modelling of surface stresses in erosion-resistant coatings under single particle impact

A finite element methodology was developed to investigate tensile stresses in the surface of multilayered coatings under single particle impact, simulating particulate erosion conditions. Eight different coating architectures were analyzed to determine reduction in tensile stresses obtained through a combination of layering patterns and material property selections. Depending on actual layer configuration and materials properties used in the calculations, differences in tensile stresses up to 3.6 times were observed. In addition, the role of a bond coat and a load-spreading layer were analyzed to assess their effectiveness in erosion-resistant coatings. Overall, the best coating architecture, from the standpoint of maximizing tensile stress reduction, was the one with a thin, low-modulus top layer and a thick, high-modulus bottom layer.
The Present Progressive in Discourse: Grammar Versus Usage Revisited

Certain uses of the present progressive in informal spoken English discourse remain difficult for even the most advanced ESL learners. This article focuses on the increasing frequency of the so-called stative verbs found in the progressive aspect. It is proposed that the use of stative verbs in the progressive is not necessarily exceptional or contrary to standard accounts of the English present progressive; rather, it is a predictable consequence of the meaning of the present progressive and the particular discourse contexts in which progressive statives are found. A consideration of the progressive from a discourse perspective provides a principled account of the discrepancy between grammar book and usage and offers a number of implications for ESL pedagogy.
Multiaxial Study of Fibroblast Biomechanics in a 3D Collagen Matrix

It is becoming increasingly evident, that of the signaling modalities relevant to the cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment, the mechanical component is a very important mediator of cell behavior (reviewed in [1, 2]). Indeed, proliferation, ECM protein expression (collagen), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels, migration, and stem cell differentiation, have all been shown to be affected by mechanical environmental cues [3, 4]. Although the importance of physical signaling mechanisms has been well established, the bulk of this work has yet to be translated to a more physiologic 3D microenvironment [1]. Self-assembling collagen matrices provide a biochemically, biophysically relevant 3D model of soft tissues in which biomechanical studies can be performed [5, 6]. It is with this 3D tissue model in mind, that a biaxial mechanical testing system (BMTS) was devised, built, tested, and applied to the study of cell-ECM biomechanics. The completion of this device has enabled us, to undertake a multi-scale, multidimensional study of cell-ECM mechanics. Hierarchical quantification of cell and ECM strains using digital image correlation (DIC) facilitate a more complete understanding of the mechanical response of cells to macroscopic loads and deformations. Furthermore, transfection of cells with GFP tagged actin binding protein utrophin (UTR-GFP) enables qualitative assessment of cytoskeletal deformations [7].Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Perioperative Outcome of Laparoscopic Left Lateral Liver Resection Is Improved by Using Staple Line Reinforcement Technique: A Case Report

Current laparoscopic stapling technology still cannot prevent bile leakage (<55%) along the resection margin. A new staple line reinforcement technique was used in the present case. This technique incorporates an absorbable polymer membrane into the stapler system, such that it buttresses the transected solid organ. The objectives of this novel procedure are to decrease hemorrhage at the staple line and to prevent bile duct leakage after liver resection. A 47-year-old man followed for status post biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch presented with epigastric pain. On imaging, he was found to have a lesion in segment 2-3 of the left lobe of the liver, which measured at least 3 cm in diameter. He was admitted to the hospital to undergo a laparoscopic left lateral liver resection. This procedure involved laparoscopic ultrasonography of the liver and transection of the left liver lobe with endoscopic linear staplers. The staple height of 3.5, 60 mm long, reinforced with an absorbable polymer membrane was used for liver transection to catch the portal branches. This required multiple firings in the liver parenchyma and additional division of some tissue using the Harmonic scalpel. The larger branch in the middle of segment 2-3 and the left hepatic vein were both transected with the novel staple line reinforcement technique. Bleeding or any bile leakage in this area could not be visualized. No drains were left. The patient's postoperative course was uncomplicated, and he was discharged on postoperative day 3. Pathology results showed a cavernous hemangioma of 4.5 cm in diameter. Staple line reinforcement with the absorbable polymer membrane has the potential to decrease staple line hemorrhage and bile leakage.
Chronic Headache: The Role of the Psychologist

The role of the psychologist in chronic headache needs to be tailored to the patient’s presentation. For some patients, psychological issues need to be directly addressed (eg, psychiatric comorbidity, difficulties coping with headache, significant problems with sleep and/or stress, medication overuse, and history of abuse). Other situations (eg, patients’ beliefs about their readiness to change ability to actively manage headaches, medication adherence, and managing triggers) involve behavioral/psychological principles even when there is no direct contact with a psychologist. This article reviews the literature on the importance of psychological issues in headache management and provides suggestions for how to address behavioral and cognitive factors and their potential for improved headache care.
Gender differences in sleep patterns for early adolescents

Abstract Purpose: To describe gender differences in selfreported sleep disturbances and daytime sleepiness in an urban sample of early adolescents (11–14 years of age). Methods: One hundred and forty-four racially diverse sixth- to eighth-grade students responded to an investigator-developed sleep questionnaire. Variables included school night and weekend sleep patterns as well as factors that influence sleep and daytime sleepiness, such as sleep/wake routine and alcohol and caffeine consumption. Results: Boys consumed significantly more caffeinated beverages than girls, but this did not correlate with self-reports of waking after sleep onset. Caffeine intake was significantly related to self-reported parasomnias. Significant gender differences were found for self-reports of daytime sleepiness. There were also large variations between weekday and weekend sleep schedules. Weekday wakeup time for boys was significantly later compared to girls. Those who reported consumption of alcohol during the past week were likely to fall asleep in the classroom before lunch. Girls, who awakened earlier than boys on school days, were more likely to report falling asleep on the way home from school. Conclusions: These descriptive data support the need for further investigation into the relationship between caffeine intake and parasomnias, as well as into the observed gender differences.
Health-related quality of life in caregivers of individuals with traumatic brain injury: development of a conceptual model

Abstract Objectives To identify aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) that are relevant to caregivers of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to propose an integrated conceptual framework based on this information. Design Nine focus groups with caregivers of individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI were qualitatively analyzed to ascertain the effect that caring for an individual with a TBI has on caregiver HRQOL. Setting University hospitals and rehabilitation treatment centers. Participants Caregivers (N=55) of individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Not applicable. Results Qualitative analysis indicated that caregivers were most concerned about their social health (42% of comments). Other important issues were emotional health (34%), physical health (11%), cognitive health (3%), and feelings of loss (9%; feelings of loss related to changes in the future/potential of the care recipient or related to the caregiver). Areas of concern that were discussed that were specific to the caregiver and not fully evaluated by existing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) included feelings of loss, anxiety related to the caregiver role (reinjury concerns, worry about leaving the person alone, etc), and caregiver strain (burden, stress, feeling overwhelmed, etc). Conclusions Although existing PROs capture relevant aspects of HRQOL for caregivers, there are HRQOL domains that are not addressed. A validated and sensitive HRQOL tool for caregivers of individuals with TBI will facilitate initiatives to improve outcomes in this underserved group.
Disunity within the house of labor: Change to win or to stay the course?

In September 2005, six unions representing 5.4 million workers held their founding convention as a new federation independent of the AFL-CIO. Infelicitously named “Change to Win Federation” (CTWF), the new alliance has called for a rededication of union resources and energies towards organizing the unorganized. Although CTWF has occasioned considerable interest and speculation among labor supporters and observers, it is difficult to determine why the break occurred, other than, perhaps, the personal agenda of some of its leaders. An unstated, significant reason may be a desire on the rebels’ part to operate relatively free of “noraiding” strictures of the AFL-CIO, even though the group disclaims any interest in challenging existing bargaining relationships and has penned “solidarity pacts” with some of its principal AFL-CIO competitors and with state and local units of the federation. Competitive forces are missing in the market for workplace representation services. The new group may reignite the rival unionism that spurred organized labor’s marked growth from 1935–1954, but early returns suggest an emphasis on militant posturing and on trendy, implausible themes such as “global unionism” and “subcontracting out strikes.”
Estimation of location extremes within general families of scale mixtures

In this paper, we study the estimation of the minimum and maximum location parameters, respectively, representing the minimum guaranteed lifetime of series and parallel systems of components, within a general class of scale mixtures. The conditional or underlying distribution has only the primary restriction of being a location-scale family with positive support. The mixing distribution is also quite general in that we only assume that it has positive support and finite second moment. For demonstrative purposes several special cases are highlighted such as the gamma, inverse-Gaussian, and discrete mixture. Various estimators, including bootstrap bias corrected estimators, are compared with respect to both mean-squared-error and Pitman's measure of closeness.
NEWGARDEN: a computer program to model the population dynamics and genetics of establishing and fragmented plant populations

Conservation of plants often involves isolated in situ or ex situ protective restoration or supplemental plantings. Plant preservation also frequently involves maintenance of recently fragmented populations. The effects of the spatial patterning of the initial target species individuals in such situations on future population growth and genetic diversity maintenance are commonly difficult to predict, especially given that plants have varying life history characteristics. NEWGARDEN allows users to create a virtual preserve or fragment of specified size, place initial individuals at designated locations (the program is spatially explicit using a grid system), and follow population development stemming from bouts of mating influenced by user-specified life history characteristics (e.g., genetic diversity of the initial individuals; age-specific mortality; age-specific reproduction; gene dispersal distances; etc.). Output, which can be reported for the entire population data set and/or specified regions of the preserve or fragments after each bout of mating, includes total population and individual newest cohort data on the number of individuals, total number of founding alleles retained, observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity, and FIT. Use of the program is illustrated with a NEWGARDEN analysis of the effects of varying founder pattern and gene dispersal distance on population growth and genetic diversity for an annual plant.
Hails From the Crypt: A Terror Management Health Model Investigation of the Effectiveness of Health-Oriented Versus Celebrity-Oriented Endorsements

Interfacing the terror management health model with the meaning transfer model, we offer novel hypotheses concerning the effectiveness of celebrity and medical endorsements for consumer products and health behavior decisions. Studies 1 and 2 revealed that, compared with control topic primes, death thoughts in focal attention increased the effectiveness of health-oriented (doctor) endorsers but not culture-oriented (celebrity) endorsers, whereas death thoughts outside of focal attention increased the effectiveness of culture-oriented endorsers but not health-oriented endorsers. Studies 3 and 4 then focus more specifically on the valence and specificity of culture-oriented endorsements, revealing that death thoughts outside focal attention increase the effectiveness of culture-oriented endorsers only on the behaviors specifically endorsed and only when the endorser is characterized as possessing cultural value. Discussion focuses on everyday management of existential concerns and implications for persuasive...
Rapid estimation of the number of coeluting components in liquid chromatography by factor analysis

Evaluation of the results of factor analysis of sets of spectroscopically detected chromatograms is carried out by examining the shapes of the abstract factors. This is done either by visual inspection or by analysis of the power density spectra produced from them. Owing to constraints imposed by the column function and the spectroscopic instrument function, the information content of the chromatograms necessarily occurs at low spatial frequencies. As a consequence, it appears as relatively broad features in the abstract chromatograms and as a peak in the low-frequency region of the corresponding power density plot. On the basis of examination of the power density distribution, a well-defined distinction is made between primary and secondary abstract factors. The major uncertainty encountered in determining the number of chemical components appears to arise from effects of contaminants in reagents.
Loss of the retinoblastoma binding protein 2 (RBP2) histone demethylase suppresses tumorigenesis in mice lacking Rb1 or Men1

Aberrations in epigenetic processes, such as histone methylation, can cause cancer. Retinoblastoma binding protein 2 (RBP2; also called JARID1A or KDM5A) can demethylate tri- and dimethylated lysine 4 in histone H3, which are epigenetic marks for transcriptionally active chromatin, whereas the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) tumor suppressor promotes H3K4 methylation. Previous studies suggested that inhibition of RBP2 contributed to tumor suppression by the retinoblastoma protein (pRB). Here, we show that genetic ablation of Rbp2 decreases tumor formation and prolongs survival in Rb1+/− mice and Men1-defective mice. These studies link RBP2 histone demethylase activity to tumorigenesis and nominate RBP2 as a potential target for cancer therapy.
Endoscopy or radiography?--The patient's choice. Prospective comparative survey of patient acceptability of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and radiography.

Abstract Patient acceptability of endoscopy and the double-contrast barium meal test was compared in a prospective randomized fashion. Ninety-six inpatients were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire within 24 hours of completion of double-contrast barium meal test and endoscopy, after recovery from administered sedation. Twenty-five percent of patients reported moderate to severe discomfort with each procedure. The levels of discomfort reported were similar for both procedures. The majority of patients would readily undergo a repeated procedure, if requested. There was a tendency (p
Patellar Stress Fracture After Transosseous Extensor Mechanism Repair Report of 3 Cases

Extensor mechanism injuries are unusual and require early operative intervention to optimally restore extensor mechanism continuity, strength, and function. Quadriceps tendon ruptures typically occur in patients older than 40 years and can be associated with degenerative tendon changes, obesity, systemic illnesses, and trauma. Patellar tendon ruptures are usually seen in younger patients as a result of eccentric trauma. In the acute setting, primary repair is usually undertaken. For tears within the quadriceps or patellar tendon substance, direct repair can be performed, with or without augmentation. When the rupture occurs at the junction of the tendon and the patella, transosseous sutures or suture anchors can be used to reapproximate the tendon-bone interface. Stress fractures of the patella are reportedly rare. They can be seen in association with knee arthroplasty, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery, and rarely after impact sports. The fracture pattern is usually transverse. Longitudinal stress fractures do not typically disrupt the extensor mechanism and have not, to our knowledge, ever been identified as a postoperative complication of extensor mechanism repair. One instance of a traumatic transverse patellar fracture and extensor mechanism disruption after patellar tendon repair has been described, and a transosseous suture technique was used in that case. No instances of patellar fracture after quadriceps tendon repair have been reported. We report 3 cases of longitudinal patellar stress fractures after extensor mechanism repair using a transosseous suture technique, 2 of which occurred after quadriceps tendon repair and 1 of which occurred after patellar tendon repair.
Caregiving and the regulation of child growth and development: describing proximal aspects of caregiving systems

Abstract A two-tiered approach to classifying the acts and conditions of caregiving is presented. It is an approach based on a conception of caregiving as a regulator of human behavior and development. The approach classifies the elements of caregiving according to both the goals or functions of caregiving acts and the form such acts and conditions take. The base dimension of the first tier, which deals with the structural and functional aspects of caregiving inputs, involves classifying caregiving acts and conditions in terms of five primary caregiving tasks: sustenance, stimulation, support, structure and surveillance. These tasks derive from a conception of caregiving as a set of environmental actions performed by a caregiver or environmental conditions arranged by a caregiver that allow a child to adapt and to pursue goals. The two other dimensions of the first tier involve classification according to the source of the act and the primary modality through which caregiving input is received. The second tier, which deals with the dynamic aspects of caregiving inputs, entails classifying acts and conditions of caregiving according to their intensity, their reactivity, and their complexity.
"Beaten to death". An autopsy series of homicidal blunt force injuries.

Although gunshot is by far the most common means of homicide in the United States, significant numbers of homicides are also perpetrated by other means. Blunt-force injuries are produced by a variety of objects, including hands and feet and many different weapons. Some of these objects produce distinctive patterns of injury of potential evidentiary value. This paper presents a series of 20 consecutive blunt-force homicides in adults. Seventy percent (14 cases) of the victims were men. Thirty percent (six cases) followed an argument or altercation. A number of the weapons used were "weapons of opportunity" seized in the course of the incidents. Sixty-nine percent (nine cases) of known assailants were acquainted with their victims. Few characteristic patterned injuries were seen. Not surprisingly, craniocerebral trauma was the most common cause of death. One half (10 cases) the victims survived their assaults for varying periods of time. Homicides due to blunt-force injury still pose a significant challenge for the forensic pathologist, who must obtain a complete and accurate history of the fatal incident, interpret patterns of injury and other findings at autopsy, and correlate all of the findings to make an accurate ruling of the cause and manner of death.
Abnormal Contextual Modulation of Visual Contour Detection in Patients with Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia patients demonstrate perceptual deficits consistent with broad dysfunction in visual context processing. These include poor integration of segments forming visual contours, and reduced visual contrast effects (e.g. weaker orientation-dependent surround suppression, ODSS). Background image context can influence contour perception, as stimuli near the contour affect detection accuracy. Because of ODSS, this contextual modulation depends on the relative orientation between the contour and flanking elements, with parallel flankers impairing contour perception. However in schizophrenia, the impact of abnormal ODSS during contour perception is not clear. It is also unknown whether deficient contour perception marks genetic liability for schizophrenia, or is strictly associated with clinical expression of this disorder. We examined contour detection in 25 adults with schizophrenia, 13 unaffected first-degree biological relatives of schizophrenia patients, and 28 healthy controls. Subjects performed a psychophysics experiment designed to quantify the effect of flanker orientation during contour detection. Overall, patients with schizophrenia showed poorer contour detection performance than relatives or controls. Parallel flankers suppressed and orthogonal flankers enhanced contour detection performance for all groups, but parallel suppression was relatively weaker for schizophrenia patients than healthy controls. Relatives of patients showed equivalent performance with controls. Computational modeling suggested that abnormal contextual modulation in schizophrenia may be explained by suppression that is more broadly tuned for orientation. Abnormal flanker suppression in schizophrenia is consistent with weaker ODSS and/or broader orientation tuning. This work provides the first evidence that such perceptual abnormalities may not be associated with a genetic liability for schizophrenia.
The dynamics of electrolytic hydrogen bubble evolution

Abstract The apparent analogy between nucleate boiling and electrolytic gas bubble evolution has prompted a study of the latter in an attempt to clarify the similarity between the limiting rate processes in the two. For the case of electrolytic evolution of hydrogen bubbles from a platinum electrode in sulfuric acid, measurements of simultaneous instantaneous bubble growth rates and electrode currents under limiting current conditions are shown to be consistent with the combination of atomic to molecular hydrogen on the surface as the rate limiting step. As there is no analogous mechanism in nucleate boiling, it is concluded that extreme caution should be exercised in postulating a general analogy between the two phenomena.
Effects of N-Ethylmaleimide on Gonadotropin and β-Adrenergic Receptor Function Coupled to Rabbit Luteal Adenylyl Cyclase*

The effects of the sulfhydryl-reactive alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) on the rabbit luteal adenylyl cyclase system were studied. Treatment of luteal membranes with NEM revealed three activities with differing sensitivities to NEM treatment. When luteal membranes were treated with NEM on ice for 30 min, it was found that NaF-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in cholate extracts of these membranes was most sensitive to this treatment. Half-maximal inhibition was obtained at 0.09 mm NEM. The activity of the stimulatory guanihe nucleotide- and Mg-binding regulatory component (Ns), as assessed by functional redonstitution of NaF-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity into membranes from the cyc- variant of the S49 mouse lymphoma, was less sensitive to this treatment, with half-maximal inhibition occurring at 0.69 nm NEM. In contrast, high affinity gonadotropin and β-adrenergic binding, as assessed by competitive displacement of [125I]iodo-hCG by bovine LH and (−)3-[125I]iodocyanopindolol by isoproter...
First-order electroweak phase transition in the standard model with a low cutoff

We study the possibility of a first-order electroweak phase transition due to a dimension-six operator in the effective Higgs potential. In contrast with previous attempts to make the electroweak phase transition strongly first-order as required by electroweak baryogenesis, we do not rely on large one-loop thermally generated cubic Higgs interactions. Instead, we augment the standard model effective theory with a dimension-six Higgs operator. This addition enables a strong first-order phase transition to develop even with a Higgs boson mass well above the current direct limit of 114 GeV. The ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{6}$ term can be generated for instance by strong dynamics at the TeV scale or by integrating out heavy particles like an additional singlet scalar field. We discuss conditions to comply with electroweak precision constraints, and point out how future experimental measurements of the Higgs self-couplings could test the idea.
Praxis in the Time of Empire

In the time of war and military occupation, it is possible for planning to articulate an ethics of disavowal and refusal. However, when empire involves much more than war, when empire also involves...
Macroeconomic evidence on the impact of mandatory IFRS adoption on equity and debt markets

Abstract This study investigates whether mandatory IFRS adoption is associated with increased foreign portfolio investment into the adopting country’s debt and equity markets. Using macroeconomic data and a pre–post design centered in 2005, we find that IFRS adoption has a significantly greater effect on foreign debt than on foreign equity investment flows. This result is consistent with the notion that debt investors are greater consumers of financial statement information. We find that the increase in foreign equity investment around IFRS adoption is limited to countries that had higher governance quality, economic development, and creditor rights prior to adoption. In contrast, the increase in foreign debt investment around IFRS adoption is significant for all adopting countries independent of these characteristics. Finally, we find that the increase in foreign equity investment derives primarily from the U.S., whereas the increase in foreign debt investment derives from the U.S. and other non-adopting countries. The evidence that increases in foreign investment originate from non-adopting countries rather than other adopting countries suggests that the benefits from mandatory IFRS adoption more likely reflect improved financial reporting quality rather than greater financial statement comparability.
Childhood conditions and late-life health: introduction.

(2005). Childhood conditions and late‐life health: Introduction. Social Biology: Vol. 52, No. 3-4, pp. 89-93.
TUNING RULES FOR A NON-INTERACTING MULTI-DIMENSIONAL PI CONTROL ALGORITHM

By expanding the method of Dahlin (1968) to n-dimensions, tuning rules are derived for a non-interacting discrete proportional-integral control algorithm and their usefulness is demonstrated with an example.
Fabrication of thin oxide coatings on ceramic fibres by a sol-gel technique

Various metal oxides are potential reaction barriers in titanium/silicon carbide composites. A sol-gel process utilizing metal alkoxides was developed to coat silicon carbide fibres with relatively thick, crack-free, adherent layers of yttrium and calcium oxide. A multiple-dip technique was employed in order to avoid cracking due to large residual thermal and drying stresses produced in the film. The influence of several processing parameters and the geometry of the substrate on the coating thickness is discussed.