cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Knowledge of Students and Student Demographics on Teacher Ratings of Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders

This study investigated the effect of teachers’ length of time spent with students on teacher ratings on the Behavioral Intervention Monitoring and Assessment System (BIMAS; McDougal et al., 2011). The BIMAS is a comprehensive measure of behavioral concerns related to conduct, negative affect, and cognitive processing/attention domains as well as strengths in the areas of social and academic functioning. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) of the BIMAS normative database (N = 1938) which included both non-clinical (n = 1400) and clinical samples (n = 538) revealed significant differences in teacher ratings of students between the ages of 5 and 18 across groups of teachers having known their students for varying amounts of time on all five domains measured on the BIMAS, with small to medium effect sizes. Post hoc tests revealed that in general, teachers who had known their students longer reported fewer behavioral problems in relation to conduct, negative emotions, and cognitive processing/attention as well as more strengths related to social skills and learning. These significant differences across all five BIMAS scales remained even when student demographic variables such as gender, age, ethnicity, and clinical status were controlled for. For African American and Hispanic students, behavioral concerns and deficits in adaptive skills in teacher ratings were more pronounced for groups with the least time spent with the student, compared to ratings completed by teachers with the most time spent with students. Discussion addresses potential explanations for these findings as well as implications for universal screening and progress monitoring in a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSSs).
Tyranny of Idiocy

This essay argues that tyranny and idiocy reinforce one another through shared paranoid delusions. By means of the entertainment industry, of the mass media and consumer and political propaganda, this paranoia reaches its most comprehensive form: that of surveillance capitalism. Under the pretext of creating uniformity, the imposition of this spectacle of surveillance actually serves to fragment, isolate and alienate people, both individually and collectively. This culture of the fragment explains the destruction of participatory democracy. In order to break free from this paranoid tyranny of idiocy, intellectuals must abandon representative democracy and instead promote a participatory and non-sovereign concept of democracy: a democracy, that is, where the division between rulers and governed, between tyrants and idiots, becomes incomprehensible.
Marriage and Family Therapy Education and Training: The Development of a Competency-Based Model

The turn of the century saw a shift from input-based to outcome-based education in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) training. An attempt was also made to establish core competencies that practitioners of MFT should attain to provide effective client care. These developments had a significant impact on version 11.0 and 12.0 of the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) Accreditation Standards. Since then, MFT educators have used these standards and guidelines to transition their programs from input-based to competency-based education. The MFT program at a West Coast University was the first COAMFTE accredited program to propose an alternative competency model requiring the completion of 300 direct client contact hours instead of 500 h for all students in the program, when it went through the process of reaccreditation in 2019. The program was granted renewal of accreditation in May 2020. Since then, version 12.5 of the COAMFTE Accreditation Standards have been released and this University’s competency model is aligned with these new standards. This article provides an overview of the competency model used by the MFT program at this University which can serve as an example for other MFT programs. Trends and future directions in competency-based MFT education are also discussed.
Estrogen inhibits renal Na-Pi Co-transporters and improves klotho deficiency-induced acute heart failure.

Abstract Objective and hypothesis Klotho is an aging-suppressor gene. Mutation of Klotho gene causes hyperphosphatemia and acute heart failure. However, the relationship of hyperphosphatemia and acute heart failure is unclear. We hypothesize that hyperphosphatemia mediates Klotho deficiency-induced acute heart failure and further that therapeutic reduction of hyperphosphatemia prevents acute heart failure in Klotho mutant (KL(−/−)) mice. Methods and results A significant elevation of serum phosphorus levels and a large reduction of heart function were found in KL(−/−) mice by six weeks of age. Normalization of serum phosphorus levels by low phosphate diet (LPD) rescued Klotho deficiency-induced heart failure and extended lifespan in male mice. Klotho deficiency impaired cardiac mitochondrial respiratory enzyme function and increased superoxide production, oxidative stress, and cardiac cell apoptosis in male KL(−/−) mice which can be eliminated by LPD. LPD, however, did not rescue hyperphosphatemia or heart failure in female KL(−/−) mice. LPD did not affect estrogen depletion in female KL(−/−) mice. Normalization of serum estrogen levels by treatment with 17β-estradiol prevented hyperphosphatemia and heart failure in female KL(−/−) mice. Mechanistically, treatment with 17β-estradiol rescued hyperphosphatemia via inhibiting renal Na-Pi co-transporter expression. Normalization of serum phosphorus levels by treatment with 17β-estradiol also abolished cardiac mitochondrial respiratory enzyme dysfunction, ROS overproduction, oxidative stress and cardiac cell apoptosis in female KL(−/−) mice. Conclusion Klotho deficiency causes acute heart failure via hyperphosphatemia in male mice which can be prevented by LPD. 17β-estradiol prevents Klotho deficiency-induced hyperphosphatemia and heart failure by eliminating upregulation of renal Na-Pi co-transporter expression in female mice.
Research Methods: A Tool for Life

Research Methods is an introduction to the importance of scientific research in everyday life and uses familiar examples to keep students engaged. The text analyzes controversies in psychology to stimulate student interest while explaining crucial methodological concepts. It presents ethical issues related to research, as well as social and cultural factors that might affect it, and provides a comprehensive introduction to a wide variety of methodologies. Through this book, students will learn how to generate research questions and select appropriate methodology, as well as to write a successful research report.
From the Bench to the Bedside: The Role of Semantic Web and Translational Medicine for Enabling the Next Generation Healthcare Enterprise

The success of new innovations and technologies are very often disruptive in nature. At the same time, they enable novel next generation infrastructures and solutions. These solutions introduce great efficiencies in the form of efficient processes and the ability to create, organize, share and manage knowledge effectively; and the same time provide crucial enablers for proposing and realizing new visions. In this paper, we propose a new vision of the next generation healthcare enterprise and discuss how Translational Medicine, which aims to improve communication between the basic and clinical sciences, is a key requirement for achieving this vision. This will lead therapeutic insights may be derived from new scientific ideas - and vice versa. Translation research goes from bench to bedside, where theories emerging from preclinical experimentation are tested on disease-affected human subjects, and from bedside to bench, where information obtained from preliminary human experimentation can be used to refine our understanding of the biological principles underpinning the heterogeneity of human disease and polymorphism(s). Informatics and semantic technologies in particular, has a big role to play in making this a reality. We identify critical requirements, viz., data integration, clinical decision support and knowledge maintenance and provenance; and illustrate semantics-based solutions wrt example scenarios and use cases.
Efficient image coding using multiresolution wavelet transform and vector quantization

Image compression forms the backbone for several applications such as storage of images in a database, picture archiving, TV and facsimile transmission, and video conferencing. Compression of images involves taking advantage of the redundancy in data present within an image. A fundamental goal of image compression is to reduce the bit rate for transmission and storage while maintaining an acceptable fidelity or image quality. Existing VQ algorithms however, suffer from a number of practical problems, e.g. codebook initialization, long search process, and getting trapped in local minima. This paper presents an adaptive vector quantization algorithm which uses a neuro-fuzzy clustering technique for optimizing the distortion measure. The fuzzy approach forms the basis for accurately optimizing each codevector by determining the fuzzy centroid of each class. In addition, a multiresolution wavelet decomposition scheme is adopted to make the image better suited for compression and to enable its progressive transmission.
Predictors of Appraisal and Psychological Well-Being in Alzheimer's Disease Family Caregivers

The objective of this study was to test a model of stress, appraisal, and adaptation in 114 family caregivers of patients diagnosed with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (white non-Hispanic, N = 64; Hispanic-American, N = 50). Results of structural equation analysis show that appraised caregiver burden played a central role in determining the psychological well-being of family caregivers. The findings indicate that this mediating variable, negative caregiver appraisal, was predicted by increased functional limitations and behavioral disturbances in the patient, poorer perceived physical health, and lower levels of perceived emotional support. Contrary to a priori hypotheses, functional limitations in the patient also exhibited a direct association with caregiver depression. Further, patient cognitive impairment and caregiver ethnicity were not related to caregiver appraisal. Overall, these results support the role of appraised burden in mediating the relationships between caregiving factors and the adaptational outcome of depression. The implications of these findings, limitations of the study, and future directions are discussed.
The nexus between bridewealth, family curse, and spontaneous abortion among southern Sudanese women.

Purpose: In this study we explored women's experiences with abortion complications in the postwar context of South Sudan. Abortion complications are the leading cause of admissions to gynecology units in major hospitals of South Sudan. Payment of bridewealth by the husband to the woman's relatives is critical and a symbolic binding of the commitment between families and clans. Failure by a husband to meet the bridewealth obligation is believed to result in a family curse that may cause abortion or death of children in a marriage. Design: Qualitative descriptive design was used to collect data from 26 women treated for abortion complications at a county hospital in South Sudan. In-depth interviews were conducted from March through April 2008. Findings: The majority of women in this study, whose husbands had not followed the cultural rules of bridewealth payment, believed that a family curse caused the abortion. The women thought that they would continue to experience spontaneous abortion with subsequent pregnancies until the bridewealth issue was resolved. Conclusions: Cultural beliefs and the status of women in society can hinder access to information on abortion prevention, treatment, and other reproductive health care. Clinical Relevance: Listening to women's perspectives and providing culturally relevant and gender-sensitive reproductive health interventions is important for effective programming by nurses among diverse cultures globally.
Use of in situ hybridization to detect human papillomavirus in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients without a history of alcohol or tobacco use.

Abstract Context.—Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is commonly associated with tobacco and alcohol use. There are, however, a group of patients without a significant history of tobacco or alcohol use, and the etiology of these tumors is incompletely understood. Objective.—To examine tumors in this subpopulation for association with human papillomavirus (HPV) using newly available in situ hybridization probes. Design.—Between October 2004 and October 2005, 22 patients who did not use alcohol or tobacco were included. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections were used to perform in situ hybridization using newly available probe sets (Ventana Medical Systems, Tucson, Ariz). The slides were examined for the presence of integrated HPV using light microscopy. Positive and negative xenograft controls were run with the assay. Results.—The mean age of the patients was 64 years. There were 14 men and 8 women. The most common anatomic sites included tongue (n = 8), tonsil (n = 7), and larynx (n = 7). A...
Regulatory Focus and the Interpersonal Dynamics of Romantic Partners' Personal Goal Discussions.

Guided by regulatory focus theory, we examined how romantic partners' chronic concerns with promotion (advancement) and prevention (security) shape the interpersonal dynamics of couples' conversations about different types of personal goals. Members of 95 couples (N = 190) first completed chronic regulatory focus measures and then engaged in videotaped discussions of two types of goals that were differentially relevant to promotion and prevention concerns. Participants also completed measures of goal- and partner-relevant perceptions. Independent observers rated the discussions for support-related behaviors. Highly promotion-focused people approached their partners more, perceived greater partner responsiveness, and received more support when discussing goals that were promotion-relevant and that they perceived as less attainable. When partners' responsiveness to promotion-relevant goals was low, highly promotion-focused people reported greater self-efficacy regarding these goals. Highly prevention-focused people perceived more responsiveness when partners were less distancing during discussions of their prevention-relevant goals, and greater responsiveness perceptions reassured them that these goals are less disruptive to the relationship. These findings suggest that chronic concerns with promotion and prevention orient people to their relationship environment in ways that are consistent with these distinct motivational needs, especially when discussing goals that increase the salience of these needs.
Periodicities and scaling parameters of daily rainfall over semi-arid Botswana

Periodicities and several fractal parameters were determined for time series of daily rainfall records for eight synoptic stations in semi-arid Botswana, representing a total of 540 station years of data. Harmonic analysis showed reasonably well-defined deterministic annual and semi-annual periodicities. These periodicities appeared to be related to increasing insolation from the passage of the sun over Botswana following the June winter solstice, as evidenced by the latitudinal shifts of the annual and semi-annual peaks. Hurst exponent computed via R/S analysis for the residual series obtained after filtering periodicities, showed that they have statistical properties close to the ordinary Brownian noise. Fractal scaling of cumulative distributions of the number of days N(P) per year with daily rainfall depth greater than a specified value (P), and the number of times N(T) a run of dry days (defined as zero daily rainfall) exceeded a specified value (T) was tested. The linear log–log fitting corresponding to the scaling test gave positive results for N(P). This fractal analysis seems to indicate that the causative mechanisms for rainfall over Botswana were spatially uniform. The combination of harmonic and fractal analyses techniques appear useful for the characterization of periodicities and randomness present in rainfall records at the scale (24-h) used. This characterization might be used in further research for prediction purposes.
Forensic Science Laboratories in the United States: A Survey

The results of a survey of forensic science laboratories in the United States indicate that these laboratories are widely divergent in several of the parameters evaluated. It appears that, although the majority of them attempt to function as “full-service” laboratories, the level of performance is not uniform due to differences in the availability of financial and personnel resources as well as in the educational and training requirements of the laboratory scientists. The prevalence of the “generalist” philosophy of the forensic sciences coupled with a virtually total commitment to casework analyses may explain the lack of a major research effort in these laboratories.
Rural Latino Immigrant Caregivers' Conceptions of Their Children's Oral Disease

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine Latino immigrant caregivers’ explanatory models of the causes of early childhood caries (ECC). Methods: In a rural area, we conducted 71 open-ended qualitative interviews with 26 Mexican immigrant and 12 Salvadoran immigrant caregivers of children under 6 about the causes of ECC. Two researchers independently read each interview and classified each interviewee’s response. Results: Caregivers mentioned three biomedical causes of oral disease (sweets, poor oral hygiene, and bottle-feeding) and two lay or popular causes (lack of milk consumption and “bad” genes). Although caregivers were aware that the consumption of sweet foods causes decay, they expressed particular confusion about how bottle-feeding causes decay. Nineteen caregivers attributed decay specifically to bottle-feeding, yet 14 believed the cause of decay was the bottle’s nipple. Seven Mexican immigrant caregivers attributed their children’s decay specifically to a lack of calcium, and six immigrant caregivers to “bad teeth genes.” Conclusions: Conceptions of oral disease derived from the caregivers’ own dental experiences, their conceptions of the body, and interactions with dental professionals. The fact that biomedical explanations dominate the list of causes of caries for both groups indicates that the caregivers’ explanatory models of oral disease are powerfully shaped by interactions with health professionals. Immigrant caregivers’ mistaking of the baby bottle’s nipple as the source of decay indicates the need for more effective oral health promotion. Yet the Mexican immigrants’ conceptions of a lack of calcium as a major factor in their children’s decay may illustrate a strong cultural link between teeth and milk.
Hydraulic fracturing in granite under geothermal conditions

The experimental hydraulic fracturing of granite under geothermal conditions produces tensile fracture at rapid fluid injection rates and shear fracture at slow injection rates and elevated differential stress levels. A sudden burst of acoustic emission activity accompanies tensile fracture formation whereas the acoustic emission rate increases exponentially prior to shear fracture. Temperature does not significantly affect the failure mechanism, and the experimental results have not demonstrated the occurrence of thermal fracturing. A critical result of these experiments is that fluid injection at intermediate rates and elevated differential stress levels increases permeability by more than an order of magnitude without producing macroscopic fractures, and low-level acoustic emission activity occurs simultaneously near the borehole and propagates outward into the specimen with time. Permeability measurements conducted at atmospheric pressure both before and after these experiments show that increased permeability is produced by permanent structural changes in the rock. Although results of this study have not demonstrated the occurrence of thermal fracturing, they suggest that fluid injection at certain rates in situ may markedly increase local permeability. This could prove critical to increasing the efficiency of heat exchange for geothermal energy extraction from hot dry rock.
The Independent Republic of Football: The Politics of Neighborhood Clubs in Santiago, Chile, 1948–1960

In the 1950s, amateur sports clubs in Santiago, Chile created a magnetic icon of the popular barrio or neighborhood football player. This figure became a charismatic symbol of working-class ingenuity and class injustice. It represented an alternative construction of masculinity based on one's physical labor, creativity, and political militancy. Popular neighborhood clubs integrated working-class men into urban politics, connected them to parties, and served as sites of political critique. This article argues that barrio football clubs contributed to radicalization in working-class neighborhoods, key to the growth of leftist parties on a national level. It begins with an analysis of San Miguel, a center of barrio football, and then moves to examine the relationship between amateur and professional clubs. Professionals, led by corporate executives with strong connections to the state, sought to de-politicize and de-localize football to create a profitable business. Shaped by Cold War rhetoric, battle lines had been drawn between those who embraced professionalism as part of economic modernization and progress and the amateur footballers who criticized its materialism and corruption. Moreover, practices surrounding women's participation, use of state resources, and the proper place of political expression created lasting divisions.
A brief review of the ITPACK project

Abstract Over the past several years a number of research-oriented software packages for solving large sparse systems of linear algebraic equations have been developed within the Center for Numerical Analysis as part of the ITPACK Project. This report includes a brief discussion of each of the packages. References are given to other reports and papers which describe the individual packages in more detail.
Annealing effect on the long wavelength infrared InAs/GaSbsuperlattice materials

Annealing effect on the quality of long wavelength infrared (LWIR) InAs/GaSb superlattices (SLs) has been investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM), photoconductivity, temperature dependent Hall, and time-resolved differential transmission measurements using an electronically delayed pump-probe technique. Quarters of a single SL wafer were annealed at 440, 480, and 515 °C, respectively for 30 minutes under a Sb-over pressure. Morphological qualities of the SL surface observed by AFM did not show any indication of improvement with annealing. However, the spectral intensity measured by photoconductivity showed an approximately 25 % improvement, while the band gap energy remained at ~107 meV for each anneal, The electron mobility was nearly unaffected by the 440 and 480 °C anneals, however showed the improvement with the 515°C anneal, where the mobility increased from ~4500 to 6300 cm 2 /Vs. The minority carrier lifetime measured at 77 K also showed the improvement with annealing, increasing from 12.0 to 15.4 nanoseconds. In addition to the longer lifetimes, the annealed samples had a larger radiative decay component than that of unannealed sample. Both the longer measured lifetime and the larger radiative decay component are consistent with the modest improvement in the quality of the annealed SL sample. Overall the qualities of LWIR SL materials can be benefit from a post growth annealing technique we applied.
Creatine Kinase and Aldolase in Serum: Abnormality Common to Acute Psychoses

Activity of creatine kinase and aldolase in serum increased in 14 of 16 patients with recent onset of a psychotic reaction, and in five of six patients treated with psychotomimetic drugs. There was either no increase of these enzymes or a slight increase in severely agitated (or depressed) non-psychotic hospitalized patients and chronic psychotic patients. The increase of the enzymes preceded the onset of the acute psychotic symptoms in at least three cases, was highest during the first 2 weeks of a psychotic episode, and sometimes recurred throughout the illness, particularly at times of stress. The creatine kinase in the serum is primarily of the muscle type.
CO2 FLUX MEASUREMENT USING SODA LIME: CORRECTION FOR WATER FORMED DURING CO2 ADSORPTION

Terrestrial carbon budgets and models of ecosystem carbon cycling rely on accurate field measurements of CO2 release from soils. Despite limitations of accuracy that require the use of a calibration curve, the soda-lime technique has distinct advantages that have resulted in its continued use for in situ measurements of soil respiration. In this note I report an error in the correction factor used to account for water formed during chemical adsorption of CO2 by soda lime. The appropriate correction factor (1.69 in place of 1.41) implies that all previously reported CO2 fluxes using the soda-lime method should by increased by 20%. Recent global estimates of soil CO2 release have relied largely on soda-lime data and will require reevaluation in the light of this correction.
Difference in radiosonde temperature trend for the period 1979–1998 of MSU data and the period 1959–1998 twice as long

The difference in temperature trend for the 20-year period 1979–1998 and 40-year period 1959–1998 is estimated from a 63-station global radiosonde network. The variability of radiosonde-station temperature trends, as measured by their standard deviation, is about twice as great for 1979–1998 as 1959–1998. The cooling trend in the 100–50 mb layer of the low stratosphere is similar in polar, temperate and tropical zones, and about twice as great during 1979–1998 as 1959–1998. The cooling trend in the 300–100 mb layer of extratropics is also greater during 1979–1998 than 1959–1998, but the slight tropical warming is almost the same for the 2 periods. The warming trend in the tropospheric 850–300 mb layer is similar during 1959–1998 and 1979–1998, except in the south temperate zone where there is indicated to be cooling during 1979–1998. At the surface of the north polar zone the warming trend during 1979–1998 is nearly 3 times the warming during 1959–1998. In the global average the surface and 850–300 mb warmings are the same during 1959–1998, but the surface warms relative to the 850–300 mb layer during 1979–1998.
The influence of individualism/collectivism on Mexican and US business negotiation

Abstract This paper provides empirical evidence that tests prevailing ideas about how Mexican and US negotiators are likely to behave according to the individualist/collectivist model of cultural variation. Content analysis (Walcott and Hoppman’s Bargaining Process Analysis) methodology was used to analyze transcripts of Mexican and US negotiation simulations and to examine which Bargaining Process Analysis dimensions characterize US and Mexican (in-group) business negotiation. This paper demonstrates that Mexican negotiators may choose different behavioral dimensions than US negotiators when negotiating.
Dissolved Organic Carbon in Alaskan Boreal Forest: Sources, Chemical Characteristics, and Biodegradability

The fate of terrestrially-derived dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is important to carbon (C) cycling in both terrestrial and aquatic environments, and recent evidence suggests that climate warming is influencing DOC dynamics in northern ecosystems. To understand what determines the fate of terrestrial DOC, it is essential to quantify the chemical nature and potential biodegradability of this DOC. We examined DOC chemical characteristics and biodegradability collected from soil pore waters and dominant vegetation species in four boreal black spruce forest sites in Alaska spanning a range of hydrologic regimes and permafrost extents (Well Drained, Moderately Well Drained, Poorly Drained, and Thermokarst Wetlands). DOC chemistry was characterized using fractionation, UV–Vis absorbance, and fluorescence measurements. Potential biodegradability was assessed by incubating the samples and measuring CO2 production over 1 month. Soil pore water DOC from all sites was dominated by hydrophobic acids and was highly aromatic, whereas the chemical composition of vegetation leachate DOC varied significantly with species. There was no seasonal variability in soil pore water DOC chemical characteristics or biodegradability; however, DOC collected from the Poorly Drained site was significantly less biodegradable than DOC from the other three sites (6% loss vs. 13–15% loss). The biodegradability of vegetation-derived DOC ranged from 10 to 90% loss, and was strongly correlated with hydrophilic DOC content. Vegetation such as Sphagnum moss and feathermosses yielded DOC that was quickly metabolized and respired. In contrast, the DOC leached from vegetation such as black spruce was moderately recalcitrant. Changes in DOC chemical characteristics that occurred during microbial metabolism of DOC were quantified using fractionation and fluorescence. The chemical characteristics and biodegradability of DOC in soil pore waters were most similar to the moderately recalcitrant vegetation leachates, and to the microbially altered DOC from all vegetation leachates.
Evidence of cyclic structures in protonated hydrogen-bonded complexes

Abstract The ion intensity distributions of mixed (A) n ((CH 3 ) 3 N) m H + (A = H 2 O or NH 3 ) ions and their metastable decompositions are investigated with a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry technique. An intensity drop after magic numbers at m = n +2 when n ⩽ 4 for A = H 2 O and at m = 2( n +1) when n ⩽ 5 for A = NH 3 is observed. However, the pattern breaks down when n > 4 for water system and n > 5 for ammonia system. Thereupon, the intensity drop occurs at the point with one molecule less than the pattern required, i.e. m = ( n +2) − 1 when n = 5 for A = H 2 O and m = 2( n +1) − 1 when n = 6 for A = NH 3 . These findings along with the results of metastable decomposition studies provide direct evidence for the onset of hydrogen-bonded cyclic structures from chain-like ones which reorganize at critical cluster sizes.
Refractory hypoxemia in right ventricular infarction from right-to-left shunting via a patent foramen ovale: Efficacy of contrast transesophageal echocardiography

Abstract We report a case in which contrast transesophageal echocardiography proved helpful in establishing the diagnosis of refractory hypoxemia from a patent foramen ovale with a rightto-left shunt due to right ventricular infarction.
Teachers as Agents of Behavioral Change for Severely Retarded Students

This paper describes two case studies, which employed behavioral modification procedures to decrease problematic behaviors of severely retarded students. The studies were carried out in public school settings. Special education teachers under the direction of a school psychologist acted as the agents of behavioral change.
The Effect of Nursing Home Use on Medicaid Eligibility

Abstract Presented are results of a descriptive analysis of the effects of nursing home use on Medicaid eligibility status. Data from the 1982 and 1984 National Long-Term Care Surveys were used to track a cohort of disabled elderly persons residing in the community in 1982 over the 2 years that followed. Although 12% spent some time in nursing homes between 1982 and 1984, about 40% was for short stays. In contrast to persons who did not use nursing homes, persons who entered nursing homes had a 4- to 5-fold risk of spending down to Medicaid eligibility.
Optimal terminal maneuver for a cooperative impulsive rendezvous

An optimal terminal maneuver is presently defined for the cooperative impulsive rendezvous of two spacecraft, in which each vehicle is capable of furnishing all or a part of the velocity change required for the rendezvous. In this maneuver, the final masses of the two vehicles are maximized in a fashion that is equivalent to minimum total propellant consumption. If neither propellant mass fraction constraint is active, one vehicle will supply all of the required velocity change.
Extremal structures of multiphase heat conducting composites

Abstract In this paper we construct microstructures of multiphase composites with unusual properties: their heat conductivity in one direction is equal to the harmonic or arithmetic mean of the phases' heat conductivities and the conductivity in an orthogonal direction does not equal either arithmetic or harmonic mean. Two-dimensional three-phase structures are studied, but the results can be easily generalized for the three-dimensional composites with arbitrary number of phases.
Ultrastructural localization of sialylated glycoconjugates in cells of the salamander olfactory mucosa using lectin cytochemistry.

An indirect gold-labeling method utilizing the lectin from Limax flavus was employed to characterize the subcellular distribution of sialic acid in glycoconjugages of the salamander olfactory mucosa. The highest density of lectin binding sites was in secretory vesicles of sustentacular cells. Significantly lower densities of lectin binding sites were found in secretory granules of acinar cells of both Bowman's and respiratory glands. Lectin binding in acinar cells of Bowman's glands was confined primarily to electron-lucent regions and membranes of secretory granules. In the olfactory mucus, the density of lectin binding sites was greater in the region of mucus closest to the nasal cavity than in that closest to the epithelial surface. At the epithelial surface, the density of lectin binding sites associated with olfactory cilia was 2.4-fold greater than that associated with microvilli of sustentacular cells or non-ciliary plasma membranes of olfactory receptor neurons, and 7.9-fold greater than non-microvillar sustentacular cell plasma membranes. Lectin binding sites were primarily associated with the glycocalyx of olfactory receptor cilia. The cilia on cells in the respiratory epithelium contained few lectin binding sites. Thus, sialylated glycoconjugates secreted by sustentacular cells are preferentially localized in the glycocalyx of the cilia of olfactory receptor neurons.
Liquefaction Mapping in Finite-Element Simulations

Recent criteria have been developed to describe the onset of static liquefaction in constitutive models. This paper expands the theory to a finite-element framework in order to predict potentially unstable regions in granular soils at the engineering scale. Example simulations are presented for two plane strain tests and a submarine slope to demonstrate the applicability of a proposed liquefaction criterion to boundary value problems. In addition, loading rate and mesh size effects on the liquefaction prediction are examined. The methodology presented herein shows promise as a means of predicting soil liquefaction based on solid mechanical theory rather than empiricism.
Aristotle and Existence

Aristotle tells us more than once that ‘to be’ is said in many ways, whatever that means. I had better say straight off that I can find very little in the present paper that tells us what that means. But in the course of considering what it might mean, Owen, a long time ago (1960), told us that, while some people held that ‘being’ has “a single meaning” in all its applications, Aristotle was one of those who denied this. In his view, to be was to be something or other . . . .1
TAFs revisited: more data reveal new twists and confirm old ideas

Synthesis of messenger RNA by RNA polymerase II requires the combined activities of more than 70 polypeptides. Coordinating the interaction of these proteins is the basal transcription factor TFIID, which recognizes the core promoter and supplies a scaffolding upon which the rest of the transcriptional machinery can assemble. A multisubunit complex, TFIID consists of the TATA-binding protein (TBP) and several TBP-associated factors (TAFs), whose primary sequences are well-conserved from yeast to humans. Data from reconstituted cell-free transcription systems and binary interaction assays suggest that the TAF subunits can function as promoter-recognition factors, as coactivators capable of transducing signals from enhancer-bound activators to the basal machinery, and even as enzymatic modifiers of other proteins. Whether TAFs function similarly in vivo, however, has been an open question. Initial characterization of yeast bearing mutations in particular TAFs seemingly indicated that, unlike the situation in vitro, TAFs played only a minor role in transcriptional regulation in vivo. However, reconsideration of this data in light of more recent results from yeast and other organisms reveals considerable convergence between the models derived from in vitro experiments and those derived from in vivo studies. In particular, there is an emerging consensus that TAFs represent one of several classes of coactivators that participate in transcriptional activation in vivo.
Gaining research access to retarded children in public schools.

Summary The issue of gaining research access to mentally retarded children attending public schools is discussed. Preliminary steps completed prior to conducting a research investigation in the school settings were described within the framework of two independent studies. The important role of the special education teacher in conducting research in the natural environment is delineated.
Normal incidence intervalence subband absorption in GaSb quantum well enhanced by coupling to InAs conduction band

We demonstrate a novel infrared (IR) detector structure based on the type II p‐doped InAs/GaSb multiquantum well system. Due to the coupling of the first conduction subband in InAs to the valence band states in GaSb, the normal incidence absorption coefficient for intervalence subband transitions between heavy and light hole subbands in GaSb quantum wells is significantly enhanced. An absorption coefficient as large as 6500 cm−1 has been achieved in the wavelength range of 8–17 μm. This is the strongest absorption ever observed among all the IR materials in this wavelength range.
Determinants of institutional quality and their impact on economic growth in the MENA region

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze determinants of institutional quality based on six separate indicators of governance: voice and accountability, political stability, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption.Design/methodology/approach – The determinants under consideration include measures of economic freedom by the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation, indicators of policy quality, real per capita gross domestic product (GDP), risk rating, and the degree of openness.Findings – Five measures of institutional quality increase real GDP growth significantly across Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. In contrast, institutional quality has a negative impact on the growth of private credit and private investment. Further, the combined evidence does not suggest that improvement in institutional quality is a major factor in attracting foreign direct investment flows to MENA countries.Research limitations/implications – The research prov...
A comparative study of fish liver sterol content in Ictalurus punctatus, Rhomboplites Aurorubens, and Balister capriscus

Abstract 1. 1. A comparative study of the liver sterols found in male and female channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ), vermilion snapper ( Rhomboplites aurorubens ), and gray triggerfish ( Balistes capriscus ) was conducted. 2. 2. Cholesterol was the only sterol present in all the livers analyzed. Squalene was observed in relatively minor amounts. 3. 3. Liver cholesterol levels in the female channel catfish were found to be higher than in other fish studied.
Concentrations and emissions of gasoline and other vapors from residential vehicle garages

Abstract High concentrations of airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be present in residential garages due to emissions from vehicles, lawnmowers, storage containers, and many other items stored in the garage. VOC emissions will ultimately be transported into ambient air and, if the garage is attached to a residence or other building, into living spaces. This study reports on VOC concentrations and emissions at 15 residential garages in Michigan that varied in type, size, use and other characteristics. VOCs were measured in garages and in outside air using 4-day passive sampling, thermal desorption, and GC-MS analysis. Effective air exchange rates (AERs) were determined using a perfluorocarbon tracer gas and the constant injection method. A modeling analysis shows the effect of time-varying ventilation. To estimate temporal and spatial variability, concentrations were measured on 7 subsequent occasions at multiple locations in one garage. This garage was well-mixed, and the temporal variation in AERs and concentrations was modest. Across the 15 garages, 36 different VOCs in garage air, and 20 in ambient air, were quantified. Source groups identified and attributed to garage emissions included evaporated gasoline, solvents, paints, oils, and cleaners. Concentrations of gasoline-related VOCs in most garages were high, e.g., benzene levels reached 159 μg m−3 in one garage. TVOC emissions per garage averaged 3.0±4.1 g day−1, and AERs averaged 0.77±0.51 h−1. VOC concentrations and AERs were not strongly correlated to observed house, garage or meteorological factors, but appeared largely dependent on occupant activities (opening of the garage door) and VOC sources present. This study quantifies the importance of attached garages as VOC sources, and the results are significant for understanding and mitigating indoor exposures, and for estimating emissions for source inventory purposes.
Quantitation of α1-adrenergic receptors in porcine uterine and mesenteric arteries

The activation of vascular α-adrenergic receptors may be involved in the control of uterine blood flow. A radioligand binding assay with the use of the α 1 -adrenergic antagonist 3 H-WB-4101 was established to characterize the α-adrenergic receptors in uterine and mesenteric arterial membranes obtained from nonpregnant pigs. Specific binding of 3 H-WB-4101 was rapid, saturable, and exhibited the α-adrenergic agonist potency order of (-)-epinephrine inhibition constant [K i ].= 0.6 μmol/L > (-)-norepinephrine (K i =1.5 μmol/L) > > (-)-isoproterenol (K i =120 μmol/L). The α-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine (K i = 6.0 nmol/L) was 200 times more potent than the β-adrenergic antagonist (±)-propranolol (K i =1,200 nmol/L); the α 1 -selective antagonist prazosin (K i =1.2 nmol/L) was 130 times more potent than the α 2 -selective antagonist yohimbine (K i =160 nmol/L). Scatchard analysis, as well as iterative curve-fitting analysis, demonstrated that 3 H-WB-4101 binding by arterial membranes was to a single class of binding sites. Uterine arteries exhibited greater maximal binding capacity (B Max ) than that of mesenteric arteries (47.5 ± 3.2 versus 30.9 ± 3.6 fmol per milligram of protein, p d ) was higher, thus indicating a lower affinity, when compared with mesenteric artery (0.43 ± 0.04 versus 0.33 ± 0.04 nmol/L, p
Linear-complexity models for wireless MAC-to-MAC channels

Wireless local area networks suffer from frequent bit-errors that result in Medium Access Control (MAC) layer packet drops. Bandwidth and media quality constraints of real-time applications necessitate analysis and modeling at the "MAC-to-MAC wireless channel". In this paper, we propose and evaluate stochastic models for the 802.11b MAC-to-MAC bit-error process. We propose an Entropy Normalized Kullback-Leibler (ENK) measure to accurately evaluate the performance of the models. We employ this measure to demonstrate that the traditional full-state Markov chains of order-10 and order-9 are required for accurate representation of the channel at 2 and 5.5 Mbps, respectively. However, the complexity of this modeling paradigm increases exponentially with respect to the order. For many real-time and non-real-time applications, which require (or could benefit significantly from) accurate modeling, the high complexity of full-state high-order Markov models makes them impractical or virtually ineffective. Thus, we propose two new linear-complexity models, which we refer to as the short-term energy model (SEM) and the zero-crossing model (ZCM). These models, which constitute the most important contribution of this paper, constrain the complexity to increase linearly with the model order. We illustrate that the linear-complexity models, while yielding orders of magnitude reduction in complexity, provide a performance comparable to that of the exponential complexity full-state models. Within the linear-complexity context, we illustrate that the zero-crossing model perform better than its short-term energy counterpart. Finally, for varying window sizes and due to its low complexity, we show that the zero-crossing model can be adapted in real-time. Such an adaptive model provides accurate channel modeling and characterization for rate adaptive applications.
Microbeam elastic recoil detection of hydrogen and deuterium in transition metals

Microbeam ERD (elastic recoil detection) was used to create the first microscopic maps of hydrogen and deuterium distributions in transition metal foils. Beam spots with a diameter of the order of microns were scanned across microscopic hydrogen targets to create areal ERD maps of the hydrogen distributions. Corresponding depth profiles were determined from the ERD energy spectra. The hydrogen and deuterium targets were fabricated in metal foils of V, Nb, and Ta by implantation, irradiation, or mechanical yielding. The ERD spatial resolution and sensitivity were of the order of 1.0 μm and 0.1 at% H/nC, respectively. Second order effects such as beam heating, radiation damage, and small angle scattering were investigated.
The weapons effect

On December 14, 2012, after shooting his mother, 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed 20 children and 6 employees at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. In the wake of the Newtown shootings, there has been considerable discussion about gun violence. What is conspicuously absent from these discussions, however, is the fact that just seeing guns can increase aggression.... Language: en
Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) with parameters for morbid obesity elevates lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure in conscious dogs.

Background: Treatment of obese patients with the implantable gastric stimulator (IGS) was reported to improve reflux symptoms, independent of weight loss. We evaluated the effect of gastric electrical stimulation on LES pressure in conscious dogs. Methods: 8 dogs were studied. GES with three sets of parameters was randomly applied via a pair of electrodes implanted in the fundus on separate days. Manometry was performed with a Dent-Sleeve catheter passed through an esophageal canula. The involvement of the cholinergic pathway was also tested. Results: 1) Stimulation with IGS parameters (40 Hz, 0.3 ms, 6 mA, 2 seconds on and 3 seconds off) induced a significant increase in LES pressure (29.9±4.8 mmHg), and remained significantly higher during the post-stimulation period (32.6±9.6 mmHg) compared to baseline (24.5±3.8 mmHg), P<0.01.2) Long pulse stimulation (10 cpm, 300 ms, 8 mA) tended to increase LES pressure from 29.6±4.4 mmHg of baseline to 31.8±4.9 mmHg with stimulation, to 32.6±4.5 mmHg after discontinuation (P=0.08); 3) Modified IGS parameters (40 Hz, 2 ms, 6 mA, 2 seconds on and 3 seconds off) did not induce a significant change in LES pressure during and after stimulation. 4) Effect of stimulation with IGS parameters on LES pressure was blocked by intravenous atropine. Conclusion: GES with IGS parameters significantly increases LES pressure in conscious dogs. This effect is mediated by the cholinergic pathway. These results suggest that GES may be able to benefit GERD patients and obese patients with GERD.