cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flux estimates and OH reaction potential of reactive biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) from a mixed northern hardwood forest

Abstract Diurnal branch-level emission rates of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) including isoprene, monoterpenes (MT), and sesquiterpenes (SQT) were determined at the University of Michigan Biological Station for the tree species red maple (Acer rubrum), red oak (Quercus rubra), paper birch (Betula papyrifera), white pine (Pinus strobus), and big tooth aspen (Populus grandidentata). These emission rates were combined with detailed biomass distribution and meteorological data and incorporated into the canopy model, model of emissions of gasses and aerosols from nature (MEGAN), for estimating whole-canopy fluxes of isoprene. The modeled half-hour fluxes ( mg C m - 2 h - 1 ) and cumulative seasonal fluxes ( mg C m - 2 ) compared favorably with results from direct, canopy-level eddy covariance (EC) isoprene measurements; modeled cumulative seasonal flux deviated less than 30% from the EC results. Significant MT emissions were found from four of the five tree species. MT emissions from three of these were both light- and temperature-dependent and were approximately one order of magnitude greater than light-independent MT emissions. SQT emissions were identified from three of the five tree species. The model was modified to incorporate SQT and both light-dependent and light-independent MT emissions for determining fluxes. Isoprene comprised > 95 % of the total terpenoid flux with MT and SQT comprising 4% and 0.3%, respectively. The average cumulative fluxes (in mg C m - 2 ) from June through September were 2490 for isoprene, 105 for MT, and 7 for SQT. A simple box model analysis was used to estimate the contribution of the isoprene, MT, and SQT emissions to the total OH reactivity. These results confirm that isoprene dominates OH reactions especially during daytime hours. Emissions of reactive MT and SQT increase the BVOC+OH reactivity, but are still lower than estimates of BVOC fluxes at this site necessary for affecting OH reactivity to the significant degree suggested by recent reports.
National Styles and Policy Sectors: Explaining Structured Variation

A vigorous tradition in comparative politics argues that national policymakers develop characteristic and durable methods for dealing with public issues, that these can be linked to policy outcomes, and that they can be systematically compared. More recently, a number of scholars have suggested reversing the direction of causality, claiming that the nature of political issues themselves causes the politics associated with them. This policy sector approach implies that there should be cross-national similarities in the way issues are treated, whatever the styles particular nations adopt. The two approaches need to be integrated into a common framework built around a research strategy that investigates policymaking within specific sectors across multiple national cases. Such an approach can transcend the often sterile debate over whether the policies of nations are unique or are converging by seeking to explain how the nature of issues structures the variation among the policies of nations.
A micro-power neural spike detector and feature extractor in .13μm CMOS

We present a fully-integrated system for the detection and characterization of action potentials observed in extracellular neural recordings. The circuit includes an analog implementation of the nonlinear energy operator for spike detection. The minimum and maximum value of detected spikes are captured by peak detectors and digitized by an on-chip successive approximation ADC to provide a compact description of the spike waveform. The circuit is implemented in a .13 mum CMOS process. It occupies .17 mm2 of chip area and consumes 1 muW from a 1 V supply.
Efficacy and tolerability of dronedarone for patients with atrial fibrillation

Background: Dronedarone is a new antiarrhythmic drug used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigate its efficacy and tolerability in clinical practice. Methods: We identified 208 patients treated with dronedarone for AF at the Northwestern outpatient practice. Charts were reviewed for clinical efficacy and reasons for discontinuation of the drug. Results: The average age was 65.2 ± 10.8 years, 37% females. Paroxysmal, persistent and permanent AF were noted in 46.2%, 51.9%, and 1.9%, respectively. Average ejection fraction was 56.3 ± 9.1%, 12.8% had a history of congestive heart failure, and 10.3% had valvular heart disease. Dronedarone was discontinued in 25 patients after curative catheter or surgical ablation procedure. Of the remaining 183 patients, dronedarone was discontinued in 48.6% after a mean duration of 6.2 ± 6.3 months because of inefficacy (26.2%), side effects (6%), and other reasons (16.4%). For those remaining on dronedarone (n = 94), after a mean of 11.6 ± 6.6 months, clinical efficacy (resolution of or patient-reported improvement in symptoms) was noted in 45.4% patients. On dronedarone therapy, 57.4% had no AF on follow-up (overall efficacy of 29.5%). To evaluate efficacy, ECG only or long-term monitoring were performed in 62.7% and 37.3%, respectively, and found no AF in 69.2 and 48.4%, respectively. There were 3 deaths and 2 transient ischemic attacks (TIA) off dronedarone vs. 1 death, 1 TIA and 2 strokes on dronedarone. Conclusions: Dronedarone has a significant discontinuation rate due to both inefficacy and side effects in clinical practice. Nevertheless, it has moderate clinical efficacy and tolerability in an outpatient population of patients with AF. (Cardiol J 2013; 20, 5: 486–490)
Current Concepts in Management of Abdominal Adhesions

Adhesions are an important complication after abdominal surgery in horses and foals, especially after small intestinal resection and anastomosis. Prevention therapies used in horses have included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, heparin, dimethyl sulfoxide, carboxymethylcellulose, and meticulous surgical technique; however, the ideal surgical technique and prevention therapy has not been determined. Further, treatment of abdominal adhesions has a poor prognosis, emphasizing the need for improvements in prevention methods.
Revision of the genus Amputoearinus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae) with fourteen new species

Fourteen new species of Amputoearinus are described along with redescriptions for A. matamata Sharkey and A. fernandezi Sharkey. A phylogenetic hypothesis employing morphological characters is proposed for the species of Amputoearinus using three other genera of Agathidinae as outgroups. The fourteen new species are: Amputoearinus alafumidus sp.n., Amputoearinus boringi sp.n., Amputoearinus erudio sp.n., Amputoearinus flavocacumen sp.n., Amputoearinus galbus sp.n., Amputoearinus gloriae sp.n., Amputoearinus niger sp.n., Amputoearinus pectusacutum sp.n., Amputoearinus pitzi sp.n., Amputoearinus planusfunditus sp.n., Amputoearinus seltmannae sp.n., Amputoearinus sharanowskiae sp.n., Amputoearinus surinen sp.n., and Amputoearinus variegatus sp.n.
Effect Evaluation of Occupational Hazards Control in Construction Project of a Thermal Power Plant

[Objective] To evaluate the control effect of occupational hazards in a thermal power construction project.[Methods] The occupational hazard control effect was analyzed by a hybrid method of field investigation and test of occupational hazardous factors at workplace.[Results] The concentrations of CO,NO,NO2,SO2,hydrochloric acid,sodium hydroxide,ammonia and hydrazine in the workplace were lower than occupational exposure limits.The qualified rates of dust,noise,temperature of operating environment and power frequency electric field were 79.1%,70.6%,84.6%,and 100.0% respectively.[Conclusion] Dust and noise are main occupational hazards in this factory and should be the key items for further control.The control measures for this construction project are basically effective.
Nuevas observaciones de la infección de roedores por el virus Junin dentro y fuera de la zona endemica de la Fiebre Hemorragica Argentina.

In conjunction with field trials for a vaccine against Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever (AHF), small mammals were trapped during a 28-month period (1 November 1987 to 13 March 1990) in 3 epidemiologically defined areas of the central Argentine pampas: northern and central Buenos Aires provinces were included in the AHF "historic" area, where the disease was common 15-20 years ago, but case rates are currently low; southern Santa Fe province is the current high-incidence area for AHF; the nonendemic area was represented by two localities 60-90 km beyond the northernmost extension of human disease. Animals were live-trapped for 3 days per month in permanent "mark-recapture" grids in each of the 3 areas. Samples of blood, sera, and oral swabs were taken from these animals before they were marked and released at the site of capture. In addition, "removal" traplines provided animals from 16 localities in these 3 areas which were sacrificed to obtain samples of organs in addition to the aforementioned samples. Samples were tested for the presence of Junin virus (JV) antigen by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). In this assay, a pool of 13 mouse anti-JV glycoprotein and nucleocapsid monoclonal antibodies adsorbed to the surface of microtiter plates was used to capture JV antigen in sample suspensions. A polyclonal rabbit anti-JV antiserum was added as a detector antibody, and an anti-rabbit antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase applied with substrate to complete the sandwich.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Anomaly detection in hyperspectral imagery: statistics vs. graph-based algorithms

Anomaly detection (AD) algorithms are frequently applied to hyperspectral imagery, but different algorithms produce different outlier results depending on the image scene content and the assumed background model. This work provides the first comparison of anomaly score distributions between common statistics-based anomaly detection algorithms (RX and subspace-RX) and the graph-based Topological Anomaly Detector (TAD). Anomaly scores in statistical AD algorithms should theoretically approximate a chi-squared distribution; however, this is rarely the case with real hyperspectral imagery. The expected distribution of scores found with graph-based methods remains unclear. We also look for general trends in algorithm performance with varied scene content. Three separate scenes were extracted from the hyperspectral MegaScene image taken over downtown Rochester, NY with the VIS-NIR-SWIR ProSpecTIR instrument. In order of most to least cluttered, we study an urban, suburban, and rural scene. The three AD algorithms were applied to each scene, and the distributions of the most anomalous 5% of pixels were compared. We find that subspace-RX performs better than RX, because the data becomes more normal when the highest variance principal components are removed. We also see that compared to statistical detectors, anomalies detected by TAD are easier to separate from the background. Due to their different underlying assumptions, the statistical and graph-based algorithms highlighted different anomalies within the urban scene. These results will lead to a deeper understanding of these algorithms and their applicability across different types of imagery.
A scalable cyberinfrastructure solution to support big data management and multivariate visualization of time-series sensor observation data

This paper reports our research in developing a cyberinfrastructure platform to support multivariate visualization of data collected from distributed sensor network. Three new techniques were introduced in this platform: (1) a hybrid data caching strategy that takes advantages of a scalable and distributed time series database, OpenTSDB, to realize efficient data retrieval; (2) a hyper-dimensional data cube is established to map and translate multivariate and heterogeneous sensor data into a common data structure to support location-aware visual analysis; and (3) a data-driven visualization module is implemented to support interactive and dynamic visualization on a simulated virtual globe. A series of experiments were conducted to demonstrate the good runtime performance of the proposed system. We expect this work to make a major contribution to both the visualization building block development in cyberinfrastructure research and the advancement of visual presentation and analysis of sensor data in domain sciences.
A Social Network Analysis of the Postclassic Lowland Maya Obsidian Projectile Industry

This study addresses the role of prehistoric ethnopolitical divisions, factionalism, and alliances in macroregional economic models. The Mesoamerican Late Postclassic period (a.d. 1350–1525) is characterized by its “cosmopolitan” economy featuring long distance exchange of raw materials and finished products. Such characterizations are examined through a provenance analysis of small obsidian projectile points from the Maya lowlands of Guatemala, Mexico, Belize, and Honduras. Obsidian artifacts are analyzed using portable x-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and social network analysis (SNA) methods, revealing at least four sub-networks of point procurement that belonged to nine different ethnopolitical divisions. Local production of points is approached using a novel method of two-mode analysis, demonstrating in some cases that the sources of local obsidian debitage and debris did not coincide with the sources of finished point assemblages. Such information reveals the intricacies of Maya exchange and stresses the importance of local political geography during the Late Postclassic.
When support is needed: Social support solicitation and provision in an online alcohol use disorder forum.

BackgroundObtaining adequate social support presents a challenge for many in addiction recovery. Increasingly, individuals in recovery use online forums to exchange support with peers, yet it is unclear which help-seeking strategies most effectively recruit peer support, and which forms of support are most valued by recipients.MethodsThis study applied quantitative content analysis to examine social support solicitation and delivery in an online forum for alcohol use disorder (AUD). We compared the frequency with which peers provided informational, emotional, and companionship support after solicitations that: (1) were direct or indirect, (2) disclosed positive or negative emotions, and (3) mentioned or did not mention recovery problems. We assessed likelihood that recipients would express gratitude after receiving each type of support, and assessed whether the “match” between solicitation and disclosure styles influenced rates of gratitude expression.ResultsEmotional disclosures, whether positive or nega...
Ergonomic Evaluation of Videogame Controllers

The gaming industry is one of the fast-growing industries and a lot more people playing video games than we can imagine. However, due to the rise of gaming, the ergonomic comfort and usability of the video game controllers are questionable as the research on their comfort is limited. This study is based on the ergonomic review of the latest video game controllers from leading video game consoles and what can be possibly done to avoid gaming injuries if played for long hours. Results showed that the attachments used in the controllers significantly reduced the fatigue and allowed the users to play for long hours thereby preventing gaming injuries.
Advances in high performance computing and their impact on smart cities

In the past thirty years, advances in high performance computing have increased the performance by million times, and decreased the volume of the machine by similar order. Accordingly, the fastest computer in the world increased its performance from one Gigaflop/s in mid-1980s to a projected one Exaflop/s by 2020. In addition, current hand-held devices such as smartphones have performance that rivals those machines of the 1980s. Due to hardware limitations, parallel computing became an integral part of our lives that it is hard to imagine a device that is not using multiprocessor power, including smartphones. What started as a hardware solution to physical limitation, prompted software engineers to adopt to parallelism, which also motivates the theoretical solution to algorithms design and analysis to provide a solution that is parallel oriented rather than a serial oriented one.
Clinical Histocompatibility Testing

Histocompatibility testing, also known as “HLA” testing, is among the highest complexity testing performed in clinical laboratories. Most HLA laboratories utilize molecular methodologies for typing patients at several HLA loci and a variety of test methodologies for HLA antibody screening and crossmatching. These methodologies can range from 1960s-era complement-dependent cytotoxicity to modern multilaser platforms. Different transplant programs and HLA laboratories have different criteria for testing their patients. As a result, each HLA laboratory is mandated to have an agreement with each of the transplant programs that they support. These criteria are mandated by various regulatory and accrediting agencies. This chapter will provide a review and overview of histocompatibility testing for transplantation and other clinical purposes.
RPE65 takes on another role in the vertebrate retina

The high-acuity central vision of humans, and other primates, depends on a region of the central retina called the macula lutea (Latin: yellow spot), containing not only a high concentration of both cone and rod photoreceptors but also a high concentration of xanthophyll carotenoids; hence, its name (1). At the center of the macula is the fovea (Latin: pit) centralis, a region of especially high-acuity vision, containing only cone photoreceptors and Muller glia cells, where, in the human fovea, the density of cones is estimated to reach 1–3 × 105 per square millimeter. In the fovea, there are no overlying interneurons or retinal ganglion cells, as in the rest of the retina. Instead, the axons of the foveal cones are elongated and connect to bipolar cells located on the rim of the foveal pit. Anatomically, these elongated axonal processes form a layer called the fibers of Henle that overlies the cone photoreceptors like a thin cap. It is here that the macular xanthophylls accumulate (2). It is thought that the protective function of the xanthophylls is twofold: serving as a blue-light filter and as scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS), both potentially damaging to cone photoreceptors (3). The electron-rich polyene chains of carotenoids efficiently quench ROS, thereby preventing membrane damage. Three xanthophylls are found in the macula and fovea: two, lutein and zeaxanthin, are abundant in nature, while the third, meso -zeaxanthin, is uncommon elsewhere outside primate and bird retinas (although synthetic meso -zeaxanthin is now commercially available). Both zeaxanthins have a better singlet oxygen-quenching ability than lutein due to an additional conjugated double bond, while meso -zeaxanthin may have the greatest antioxidant ability of the three (4). Threats to the health of the macula, and vision itself, include various inherited simple Mendelian gene disorders, all relatively … [↵][1]1Email: redmondd{at}helix.nih.gov. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Community Size, Social Capital, and Political Participation in Latin America

Political participation is often conceived of as a largely individual act. In this paper we emphasize the context in which that choice is made: features of that context make some choices more likely than others both in terms of the decision to participate but also in terms of the kinds of participation in which to engage. In particular, we examine the role that social capital plays in shaping political participation in Latin America. We show that higher levels of social capital promote more conventional forms of political participation such as voting and contacting elected representatives. Given marked differences in levels of social capital across rural and urban areas we are therefore able to show that there exists a geography of political participation across Latin America.
Howard mold count of fruit nectars, purees, and pastes: collaborative study.

The various mold count methods for nectars, purees, and pastes make no adjustment for concentration of the pulped liquid. Thus, mold counts of different forms of the same product (e.g., guava nectar, puree, or paste) or of the same product from different manufacturers cannot be compared. A method was developed in which the product is centrifuged under standardized conditions, then diluted to a standard pellet-to-final-volume ratio. Because variations in the concentration of fruit or vegetable tissue are corrected, comparisons of mold counts are possible. The method was adopted official first action.
Size Quantized Semiconductors in Porous Hosts—Quantum Dots

The construction of discreet clusters of semiconductors inside the pore structure of zeolite hosts has generated a new class of materials where confinement effects on the semiconductor optical properties are pronounced. In addition to the size-quantization effects, novel intercluster phenomena become manifest as the individual semiconductor clusters reach a volume density above the percolation limit and begin to interact three-dimensionally. This interaction is modulated by the zeolite framework topology and hence leads to an ordered array of quantum dots in what we have termed superclusters. Novel absorption, emission and excitation behaviors of these materials, dominated by defect sites, result. Detailed characterization of the semiconductor species responsible (by X-ray powder diffraction and EXAFS) reveal a cubane-like (CdS)4 unit as the basic building block of the structure.
Genetic Polymorphisms and the Vascular Endothelium

The healthy vascular endothelium exerts atheroprotective actions through vasoactive mediators such as nitric oxide and prostacyclin. It should be noted that inflammation and genetics are both prominent mechanisms in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Currently, a growing body of evidence has emerged regarding genetic component and its role in the aim of assessing vascular endothelium. Of note, genetic variation within the population seems to determine endothelial responses and potential modify both atherogenesis and individual’s responses to risk factors. It has been estimated that only 10–20 % of the variation in endothelial function may be accounted for by genes. Moreover, several studies have explored the association of vascular disease with gene polymorphisms of candidate genes, such as of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, cytokines, chemokines and of other proinflammatory molecules. Although their results are preliminary and to a certain extent conflicting, current data provide some evidence that alterations in the genetics, especially of the inflammatory cascade, may modify vascular disease.
Informatics platform for designing and deploying e-manufacturing systems

e-Manufacturing is a transformation system that enables manufacturing operations to achieve near-zero-downtime performance, as well as to synchronise with the business systems through the use of informatics technologies. To successfully implement an e-manufacturing system, a systematic approach in designing and deploying various computing tools (algorithms, software and agents) with a scalable hardware and software platform is a necessity. In this chapter, we will first give an introduction to an e-manufacturing system including its fundamental elements and requirements to meet the changing needs of the manufacturing industry in today’s globally networked business environment. Second, we will introduce a methodology for the design and development of advanced computing tools to convert data to information in manufacturing applications. A toolbox that consists of modularised embedded algorithms for signal processing and feature extraction, performance assessment, diagnostics and prognostics for diverse machinery prognostic applications, will be examined. Further, decision support tools for reduced response time and prioritised maintenance scheduling will be discussed. Third, we will introduce a reconfigurable, easy to use, platform for various applications. Finally, case studies for smart machines and other applications will be used to demonstrate the selected methods and tools.
Rheological Challenges and Opportunities for EHL

There can be no doubt that the assumptions used in modeling elastohydrodynamics for the temperature, pressure and shear rate dependence of viscosity are at odds with empirical fact. As a result, there has been relatively little progress since the classic Newtonian film thickness solutions toward relating film thickness and traction to the properties of individual liquid lubricants and it is not clear at this time that full numerical solutions can even be obtained for heavily loaded contacts using accurate models. One central issue is the validity of Reynolds equation, derived under the isoviscous assumption, for conditions where the local pressure-viscosity coefficient can approach 100 GPa−1. Some pressing problems are reviewed in this paper, including the effects of shear-thinning on film thickness and traction, and the proper definition of the pressure-viscosity coefficient for film thickness calculations. Wherever possible, for credibility, sources from outside of Tribology will be used. Then some opportunities for the field will be discussed. These opportunities result from advances in molecular dynamics simulations and improved techniques for high-pressure measurements and should shed light on the relationship between molecular structure and performance in contacts.
Results of an Informal Student Survey on the 'Live Grading' Experience

"Live Grading" is a way of critiquing and grading student papers while the student watches. For many years, I have used live grading with first-year legal writing students. This paper presents some student reactions to the "live grading" experience.
Optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after PCI: integrating procedural complexity, bleeding risk and the acuteness of clinical presentation.

Introduction: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor constitutes the standard of care to prevent major adverse cardiac events in patients who undergo percutane...
Guidelines for Occupational Therapy Interventions Based on Meaningful and Psychologically Rewarding Occupations

The purpose of this paper is to describe a newly developed set of guidelines for use of meaningful and psychologically rewarding occupations as therapeutic media in occupational therapy interventions for better therapy outcomes among occupational therapy service users. We begin with a report of the results from meta-analyses indicating that participation in and/or interventions based on meaningful and psychologically rewarding occupations have a positive effect on perceived health and well-being. Using these findings from meta-analysis as a foundation, we present step-by-step guidelines regarding how to evaluate a service user in order to identify personally meaningful and psychologically rewarding occupations; assess the occupational performance issues that are a priority for the service user; plan and implement evidence-based and theory-based interventions that are centered on personally meaningful and psychologically rewarding occupations; and evaluate therapeutic outcomes. Finally, we provide a case example to illustrate application of the intervention guidelines. We recommend that the guidelines be tested through clinical trials in order to determine their clinical effectiveness in typical occupational therapy practice settings.
(Invited) Wave-Matter Interactions at the Chip Scale: Devices, Systems and Opportunities

In this paper, we review the recent progress on microelectronic devices and systems, which utilize different modalities of wave-matter interactions for emerging applications. Targeting at the rotational modes of gas molecules in low-THz regime, a dual-frequency-comb spectrometer in CMOS is presented, which leverages high parallelism in ultra-broadband spectral sensing. Wide molecular identification range and absolute specificity are demonstrated. Next, Based on the same principle, a CMOS molecular clock is built, which references its 80-MHz output to a 231.061-GHz transition line of carbonyl sulfide molecules. The clock delivers a long-term frequency instability at 10−10 level, and potentially at 10−11 and below in the future. The vibrational modes of large bio-molecules possess great potentials in medical diagnosis, signal generation in the mid-THz range is required. To this end, a SiGe radiator array which delivers a record total radiated power of 0.1 mW at 1 THz is shown. Lastly, the paper reviews a CMOS magnetometer work, which is based on electronic spin resonance of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. This is the first demonstration of CMOS-integrated quantum sensing.
The Cold War Episteme: Africa and the View from Bandung

The phase of decolonization was profoundly entwined with the onset of the Cold War. The two blocs formed by the imperial superpowers and ensured an endless spate of violence across the global world  artificially manipulated coups detat, favoring and funding one local group over another, flooding the countries with weapons, and devastating socialist as well as capitalist reforms. While all of this was unfolding, leaders of Asian and African countries came together at the Bandung Conference held in Indonesia in 1955 to discuss the future of this emerging third world. Bandung becomes a site for understanding the profound relationship between colonialism, decolonization the Cold War and the postcolonial nation-state. While ideologies of jingoistic nationalism and the complete dissociation from issues of identity signaled trouble for the new nations, another perturbing aspect of this conference was an emergence of a tide of Asian supremacy and dominance compared to African. Due to the self-styled supremacy of India, China and Philippines and its location in Indonesia, the African nations took a backseat. My paper will explore these conundrums through African-American writer Richard Wright's unique work of reportage titled The Color Curtain: A Report on the Bandung Conference and offer insights into ways in which Bandung delimits the field of postcolonial African studies today.
Lucia and Beyond: Development of an Affordable Keratoprosthesis.

Purpose:Severe corneal disease contributes significantly to the global burden of blindness. Corneal allograft surgery remains the most commonly used treatment, but does not succeed long term in every patient, and the odds of success fall with each repeated graft. The Boston keratoprosthesis type I h
Cosmological decay of Higgs-like scalars into a fermion channel

We study the decay of a Higgs-like scalar Yukawa coupled to massless fermions in post-inflationary cosmology, combining a non-perturbative method with an adiabatic expansion. The renormalized survival probability $\mathcal{P}_\Phi(t)$ of a (quasi) particle ``born'' at time $t_b$ and decaying at rest in the comoving frame, $\mathcal{P}_\Phi(t) = \Big[\frac{t}{t_b}\Big]^{-\frac{Y^2}{8\pi^2}}~ e^{ \frac{Y^2}{4\pi^2}\,\big(t/t_b\big)^{1/4} } \,e^{-\Gamma_0\,(t-t_b)}~ \mathcal{P}_\Phi(t_b) $, with $\Gamma_0$ the decay rate at rest in Minkowski space-time. For an ultrarelativistic particle we find $\mathcal{P}_\Phi(t) = e^{-\frac{2}{3}\Gamma_0\,t_{nr}\,(t/t_{nr})^{3/2}}~ \mathcal{P}_\Phi(t_b)$ before it becomes non-relativistic at a time $t_{nr}$ as a consequence of the cosmological redshift. For $t\gg t_{nr}$ we find $\mathcal{P}_\Phi(t) = \Big[\frac{t}{t_{nr}}\Big]^{-\frac{Y^2}{8\pi^2}}~ e^{ \frac{Y^2}{4\pi^2}\,\big(t/t_{nr}\big)^{1/4} }~\Big[\frac{t}{t_{nr}}\Big]^{\Gamma_0 t_{nr}/2} \,e^{-\Gamma_0\,(t-t_{nr})}~ \mathcal{P}_\Phi(t_{nr})$. The extra power is a consequence of the memory on the past history of the decay process. We compare these results to an S-matrix inspired phenomenological Minkowski-like decay law modified by an instantaneous Lorentz factor to account for cosmological redshift. Such phenomenological description \emph{under estimates the lifetime of the particle}. For very long lived, very weakly coupled particles, we obtain an \emph{upper bound} for the survival probability as a function of redshift $z$ valid throughout the expansion history $\mathcal{P}_\Phi(z) \gtrsim e^{-\frac{\Gamma_0}{H_0}\,\Upsilon(z,z_b)}\,\mathcal{P}_\Phi(z_b)$, where $\Upsilon(z,z_b)$ only depends on cosmological parameters and $t_{nr}$.
Statistical Analysis of Long-Term Dynamic Irregularity in an Exactly Soluble Quantum Mechanical Model

We have studied the dynamics of the Jaynes-Cummings model after a long time from a statistical point of view. Even though the dynamical record of the Jaynes-Cummings variables such as atomic inversion become highly irregular in appearance, our analysis has revealed that there exists a mean angular frequency which characterizes the oscillations in both cases when the initial photon distributions are coherent and chaotic. We have also determined the partial recurrence frequencies of the atomic inversion. When the oscillation time of the dynamical function is scaled according to this mean angular frequency, and the amplitudes of oscillations scaled by their root mean square value, the behavior of the dynamical function is shown to be remarkably independent of the mean photon number and the initial photon distribution.
Water Policy in Tunisia

In Tunisia, climate varies from Mediterranean to arid and semi-arid. Water resources are characterized by scarcity and a pronounced irregularity. The water supply policy, with nearly 40% of agricultural investment in the 1980s, allowed to develop an irrigated agriculture and to create an undeniable productive potential. Despite the performances in irrigated agriculture, the water sector still suffers from economic, social, ecological, and institutional problems. The scarcity of water induced by the increasing demands of various economic sectors and climate change effects leads to the questioning of current allocations of the water resources. Given the economic model adopted and the current governance, water scarcity would be a major threat for sustainability.
Strengths and Application of Response Team vs. Community-Based Models of Psychological First Aid

The great majority of people who experience a traumatic, or overwhelming event, can work through the experience with fairly basic psychological support. There are a number of ways that people can receive that support. Most people turn to family and friends to find the support they need. Support can also be provided by mental health professionals, particularly by those trained in disaster mental health (DMH). Psychological first aid (PFA) is a term for basic psychological support for people experiencing difficult times, and can be provided by either paraprofessionals or trained members of the general public. There are two basic models of PFA, Response Team and Community-Based PFA (CBPFA). CBPFA essentially teaches members of the general public how to more effectively support family, friends, neighbors and colleagues, and how individuals can better manage their own stress. This chapter briefly describes DMH and response team PFA, and describes the benefits of CBPFA, and the adaptation of psychological support to the needs of specific communities.
Patient and Family Experience in a Multidisciplinary Clinic for Children With Single-Ventricle Heart Disease.

Children with single-ventricle heart disease (SVHD) are at risk for morbidity across multiple organ systems. A single-ventricle multidisciplinary clinic (SVMDC) may address complex health-care need...
Assessing Patients' Perceptions of Cancer Care Coordination in a Community-Based Setting.

PURPOSE:Effective care coordination (CC) is a hallmark of a high-quality cancer care. However, efforts to improve cancer care delivery are limited by the lack of a clinically useful tool to assess ...
Automated design architectures for co-orbiting spacecraft swarms for planetary moon mapping

Abstract This work describes the design and optimization of spacecraft swarm missions to meet spatial and temporal visual mapping requirements of missions to planetary moons, using resonant co-orbits. The algorithms described here are a part of Integrated Design Engineering and Automation of Swarms (IDEAS), a spacecraft swarm mission design software that automates the design trajectories, swarm, and spacecraft behaviors in the mission. In the current work, we focus on the swarm design and optimization features of IDEAS, while showing the interaction between the different design modules. In the design segment, we consider the coverage requirements of two general planetary moon mapping missions: global surface mapping and region of interest observation. The configuration of the swarm co-orbits for the two missions is described, where the participating spacecraft have resonant encounters with the moon on their orbital apoapsis. We relate the swarm design to trajectory design through the orbit insertion maneuver performed on the interplanetary trajectory using aero-braking. We then present algorithms to model visual coverage, and collision avoidance in the swarm. To demonstrate the interaction between different design modules, we relate the trajectory and swarm to spacecraft design through fuel mass, and mission cost estimations using preliminary models. In the optimization segment, we formulate the trajectory and swarm design optimizations for the two missions as Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) problems. In the current work, we use Genetic Algorithm as the primary optimization solver. However, we also use the Particle Swarm Optimizer to compare the optimizer performance. Finally, the algorithms described here are demonstrated through numerical case studies, where the two visual mapping missions are designed to explore the Martian moon Deimos.
COMMENTS ON THE PRECERAMIC IN MISSOURI

Inthe Plains periphery of the Central Area, Missouri, extensive preceramic remains are found. Well recognized com plexes with Paleo-Indian connections are NeboHill, Sedalia, Graham Cave Levels 6-4, and Arnold Research Cave. Radio carbon dates range from 7738 B. C. to 43Z2 B.C. Other preceramic complexe s described from excavations include the Hatten Mound component and the Lincoln County burial site, in the Northwest Prairie; Blackwell Component A in the Ozark Highland; and the Jakie L2 and L3 components dated at 5112 B.C. to 4422 B. C. in the Southwest Drainage. Sur face collections from all areas indicate preceramic occupations.
Preoperative localization of virilizing tumors by selective venous sampling

Abstract Two postmenopausal patients with virilization had preoperative localization of ovarian tumors by selective blood sampling from both ovarian and adrenal veins and assay of hormone levels. In the first patient, the peripheral concentrations of testosterone (T), androstenedione, and estrone were 936, 1,508, and 73 pg. per milliliter, respectively, levels which are above the ranges found in normal postmenopausal women. The catheterization study showed an increase in the left ovarian vein of all hormones except cortisol. It was predicted that a tumor was present in the left ovary. At operation a 7 by 4 mm. lipid cell tumor was found. In the peripheral blood of the second patient, the T level (4,518 pg. per milliliter) was markedly elevated and the estradiol concentration (73 pg. per milliliter) was increased. At retrograde catheterization the concentration of T in the right ovarian vein was markedly elevated at 120,400 pg. per milliliter. At operation a hilus cell tumor of the right ovary was found. These two cases represent the third and fourth consecutive androgen-secreting tumors from this institution that have been localized by selective ovarian and adrenal vein catheterization and sampling.
Multiple Mothballs or Multiple Sclerosis: A Diagnostic Dilemma (P5.192)

Introduction: Mothballs are chemical pesticides used commonly as repellent in storage of clothing. Due to easy availability of this chemical considerable risk exists for toxic exposure. Observation: A 38 year old woman with history of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis diagnosed in 2004 receiving atalizumab as disease modifying therapy, presented to the hospital with worsening of left lower extremity weakness, somnolence, disconjugate gaze and urinary incontinence. She continued to deteriorate and became comatose. A detailed workup including infectious, autoimmune etiology was unremarkable. A review of history with family revealed ingestion of moth balls for more than 30 years. A para-dichlorobenzene (PDCB; active component of mothballs) level obtained was significantly elevated (18mcg/ml). MRI brain showed symmetric T2/FLAIR hyperintensities in the anterior basis pons, bilateral cerebral peduncles and bilateral corona radiata. Given elevated level of PDCB and neuroimaging findings; acute clinical deterioration was considered to be secondary to PDCB neurotoxicity. As PDCB is primarily metabolized by CYP 2E1, P450 enzyme induction with oral acetaminophen was tried. Patient received 500 mg of acetaminophen every 6 hours to increase the hepatic metabolism of PDCB. A repeat PDCB level obtained after 10 days of therapy was 1.1mcg/ml. However, no significant clinical improvement was noted. A tracheostomy and PEG tube was placed and she was transferred to long term care facility. On follow up at 3 months, her cognition improved and she started to follow some commands. Relevance: This case illustrates the importance of detailed history including the exposure to industrial/domestic toxins, in the event of rapid clinical deterioration and lack of response to disease modifying therapy. Due to growing use of this chemical, the number of cases of PDCB toxicity might rise. Early identification, cessation of exposure to the chemical and utilization of some experimental therapies may prove to be beneficial for these patients. Disclosure: Dr. Dubey has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sharma has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stuve has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience, Biogen Idec, Roche Diagnostics Corp., Genzyme Corp., Novartis, and Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc.. Dr. Stuve has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Archives of Neurology and Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders. Dr. Stuve holds stock in Teva Pharmaceuticals which sponsored research in which Dr. Stuve was involved as an investigator. Dr. Stuve has received research support from Teva Pharmaceuticals.
Stepping backwards with disability humor? The case of NY Gov. David Paterson’s representation on ‘Saturday Night Live’

In the modern era, discerning TV viewers know the shows that trade in cheap laughs by making fun of people with disabilities are not tapping into much creativity. So it was a surprise in 2008 when the highly regarded comedy show Saturday Night Live ( SNL ) stooped to that level by ridiculing the blind governor of New York, David Paterson, in a series of sketches lasting two years. This article analyzes the way humor narratives about a high-profile blind politician on television, like those depicted in the SNL skits, may have influenced larger cultural themes about blindness. Because the East Coast news media reported on the SNL skits every time an episode aired, this project undertook a textual analysis of all aspects of the controversy including the content of the SNL skits, the repeated responses from Gov. Paterson and the blindness community, and the news media framing of the SNL -Paterson skit story. T his analysis examines the intertextuality of the event, revealing that the blindness community had a very different reading of the SNL skits, due to concerns about continuing media narratives that devalue and stereotype them. Keywords: blindness, disability humor, TV comedy shows, skit comedy, politicians
Comparative Epidemiology of Down Syndrome in Two United States Populations, 1970–1989

This study compared the epidemiology of Down syndrome over a 20-year period, 1970-1989, in two populations in which livebirths with Down syndrome were believed to be highly ascertained. One population was a 10-county region in southwest Ohio; the second was a five-county region in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. The major objectives were to 1) compare observed incidences of Down syndrome over the entire study period; 2) calculate expected incidences of Down syndrome for each population and compare these with observed incidences; 3) determine incidence trends throughout the period; and 4) examine the impact of prenatal diagnosis on the observed incidence of Down syndrome in each population. Excluding aborted fetuses with Down syndrome diagnosed prenatally, the observed incidence of Down syndrome, 0.98, was significantly lower than that expected, 1.27, within the Atlanta white data set. Once the observed data were adjusted to include aborted fetuses with Down syndrome (total incidence = 1.17), no statistically significant differences remained. No differences were found between observed and expected incidences of Down syndrome for whites in southwest Ohio or for other races in either population. Although uncorrected observed incidences were significantly different between the two populations of whites for the entire 20-year period, the differences again disappeared after the data were corrected to include aborted fetuses. No significant effect of prenatal diagnosis on those of other races was found in either population. Expected Down syndrome incidences rose from the late 1970s throughout the 1980s for both racial groups in Ohio and Atlanta, Georgia; however, because the termination of fetuses with Down syndrome increased over the decade, the observed incidence among whites in southwest Ohio remained at earlier levels and actually fell among whites in Atlanta. These results indicate the increasing importance of prenatal diagnosis and selective abortion in the epidemiology of Down syndrome and of correcting for it when comparing incidences between populations, even within the same time period. These data from 2 decades show that differences in both observed and expected incidences of Down syndrome exist between both populations and races, principally because of differences in demographic age structure and maternal age fertility rates and because of differential use of prenatal diagnosis and selective abortion.
A Single Amino Acid Change (Substitution of Glutamate 3 with Alanine) in the N-terminal Region of Rat Liver Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase I Abolishes Malonyl-CoA Inhibition and High Affinity Binding

We have recently shown by deletion mutation analysis that the conserved first 18 N-terminal amino acid residues of rat liver carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (L-CPTI) are essential for malonyl-CoA inhibition and binding (Shi, J., Zhu, H., Arvidson, D. N., Cregg, J. M., and Woldegiorgis, G. (1998)Biochemistry 37, 11033–11038). To identify specific residue(s) involved in malonyl-CoA binding and inhibition of L-CPTI, we constructed two more deletion mutants, Δ12 and Δ6, and three substitution mutations within the conserved first six amino acid residues. Mutant L-CPTI, lacking either the first six N-terminal amino acid residues or with a change of glutamic acid 3 to alanine, was expressed at steady-state levels similar to wild type and had near wild type catalytic activity. However, malonyl-CoA inhibition of these mutant enzymes was reduced 100-fold, and high affinity malonyl-CoA binding was lost. A mutant L-CPTI with a change of histidine 5 to alanine caused only partial loss of malonyl-CoA inhibition, whereas a mutant L-CPTI with a change of glutamine 6 to alanine had wild type properties. These results demonstrate that glutamic acid 3 and histidine 5 are necessary for malonyl-CoA binding and inhibition of L-CPTI by malonyl-CoA but are not required for catalysis.