cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased risk of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis due to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Objective Patients with cirrhosis are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Cirrhosis due to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) appears to be particularly prothrombotic. We investigated hospitalized patients with NASH cirrhosis to determine if they are at increased risk for VTE. Methods Data on adult hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and VTE (deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism) between November 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015 were obtained. Cases with VTE were matched by age, gender, and model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score to corresponding controls without VTE. Results Two hundred and ninety subjects (145 matched pairs) with mean age of 58.4 ± 11.8 years and MELD score of 16.0 ± 7.2 were included. Baseline characteristics were similar between cases and controls. Independent adjusted risk factors for VTE included NASH (OR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.07-5.65, p = 0.034), prior VTE (OR: 7.12, 95% CI: 1.99-25.5, p = 0.003), and presence of PVT (OR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.03-4.58, p = 0.041). Thrombocytopenia was associated with decreased risk (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.26-0.95, p = 0.035). Conclusions NASH is an independent risk factor for VTE among cirrhosis patients and provides further evidence that NASH is a hypercoagulable state. While all hospitalized patients with cirrhosis at risk for VTE should be considered for medical thromboprophylaxis, those with NASH cirrhosis are at particularly increased risk and therefore a high index of suspicion for VTE should be maintained even in the presence of thromboprophylaxis.
Even theory can be fun: the exciting growth of knowledge in electrothermal AAS

The idea is ingenious: one introduces an unknown mass of analyte into an enclosed, chemically nonreactive chamber. The sample is introduced in the form of an exactly pipetted volume of a liquid. The chamber is heated slowly to a low temperature to remove all solvents and then, in an infinitely short time, to a temperature high enough to atomize 100% of the analyte. Depending on the absorption properties of the analyte atoms, a certain mass of analyte atoms (which can be calculated from physical constants) will absorb 1% of the radiation passing through the chamber. From the absorption signal one can clearly calculate the analyte mass and analyte concentration in the sample; accurately, precisely, without standards and interferences, said the inventor of graphite furnace AAS, Boris V. L’vov.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY TAX ACT OF 1981 FOR ENERGY SAVING INVESTMENTS IN NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

ABSTRACT The Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 (ERTA) contains numerous provisions designed to stimulate capital investment. Since energy efficient buildings and energy saving equipment are almost always more capital intensive than conventional buildings and conventional energy equipment, ERTA makes energy saving investments significantly more attractive than they were under previous law. The implications of ERTA for investments in new commercial energy efficient buildings, commercial retrofits, and energy saving equipment are discussed in this paper.
Splat: A Network Switch/Port Configuration Management Tool

We present the design and implementation of Splat, a tool for managing network edge switch ports and port-to-host configurations. We discuss the need for such a tool as part of a major network upgrade, and our discovery that most existing tools ignore this area or approach it from a core network point of view.Important design considerations include the current procedures and habits of our system administration team, using open source components, and the tool's incremental development and deployment. In particular, the requirement for accurate configuration information in a database proves to be an effective means of enforcing correct procedures.Splat enables us to administer an increasingly complex network by providing a simple interface for routine tasks as well as better diagnostics, reporting, and monitoring. Its reliable configuration management enhances the security and performance of our network.
High degree discontinuous Petrov–Galerkin immersed finite element methods using fictitious elements for elliptic interface problems

Abstract We propose a new strategy for constructing the p th degree immersed finite element (IFE) spaces by applying the least squares framework in Adjerid et al. (2017) on fictitious elements. This new construction method significantly reduces the ill-conditioning, caused by the small subelement issue in Adjerid et al. (2017), of solving the local IFE shape functions. The proposed IFE spaces are employed in a discontinuous Petrov–Galerkin (DPG) scheme to solve the second order elliptic interface problems. We present a group of numerical examples to show that the DPGIFE method with the new p th degree IFE space as the trial function space has the optimal convergence rate, which improves the numerical results reported in Adjerid et al. (2017).
Microstructure characteristics and fractal analysis of 3D-printed sandstone using micro-CT and SEM-EDS

Abstract Replicating sedimentary rocks using three-dimensional (3D) printing can support routine reservoir rock analysis in petrophysical and geomechanical experiments, which is done limited in scope due to lack of suitable printing materials and achievable resolution. Following our previous studies on gypsum powder with binder, a new printing material, silica sand, is used and characterized in this study to demonstrate the microstructure and its similarity to Berea Sandstone. Binder jetting printing system was specifically utilized to bond silica sand particles to create intact cylindrical samples without digital porous model as input. Created samples were first scanned by Backscattered Scanning Electron Microscope (BS-SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) to identify the particles, the packing mode and cement (binder). Next, micro-computed tomography (CT) was used to determine the microstructure of the samples, including the size and the shape of both particles and pores, in the 3D space. In addition, anisotropy that was found to originate from the pore structures was quantified by comparing the characteristics of pores in different directions. Fractal dimensions from different sample sizes, 6 mm and 12 mm in diameter, were also calculated for pore structure analysis in order to illustrate the effect of sample size on pore heterogeneity in 3D printed samples with silica. The results demonstrated the feasibility of substituting 3D-printed sandstones for natural rocks regarding pore structures for experimental validation of petrophysical models.
Early overnutrition alters synaptic signaling and induces leptin resistance in arcuate proopiomelanocortin neurons

Abstract Early overnutrition disrupts leptin sensitivity and the development of hypothalamic pathways involved in the regulation of metabolism and feeding behavior. While previous studies have largely focused on the development of neuronal projections, few studies have examined the impact of early nutrition on hypothalamic synaptic physiology. In this study we characterized the synaptic development of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH), their sensitivity to leptin, and the impact of early overnutrition on the development of these neurons. Electrophysiology recordings were performed in mouse ARH brain slices containing POMC-EGFP neurons from postnatal age (P) 7–9 through adulthood. We determined that pre- and postsynaptic components of inhibitory inputs increased throughout the first 3 weeks of the postnatal period, which coincided with a decreased membrane potential in POMC neurons. We then examined whether chronic postnatal overnutrition (CPO) altered these synaptic connections. CPO mice exhibited increased body weight and circulating leptin levels, as described previously. POMC neurons in CPO mice had an increase in post-synaptic inhibitory currents compared to controls at 2 weeks of age, but this effect reversed by the third week. In control mice we observed heterogenous effects of leptin on POMC neurons in early life that transitioned to predominantly stimulatory actions in adulthood. However, postnatal overfeeding resulted in POMC neurons becoming leptin-resistant which persisted into adulthood. These studies suggest that postnatal overfeeding alters the postsynaptic development of POMC neurons and induces long-lasting leptin resistance in ARH-POMC neurons.
Lactation Experience of Mothers and Feeding Outcomes of Infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Abstract Objective: This study explores the congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) infant–mother dyad with regard to maternal lactation outcomes and infant exposure to a human milk diet. Study Desig...
Combat Vascular Trauma Management for the General Surgeon

This review focuses on the initial management and stabilization of complex vascular injuries for the general surgeon within the combat zone. Recent conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria demonstrate that general surgeons are responsible for the initial surgical management of combat-related vascular trauma in damage control scenarios. These injuries display a more complex injury pattern and often require different management strategies than seen in civilian trauma. Vascular trauma in combat settings is often accompanied by a multitude of life- and limb-threatening injuries. Definitive repair operations are often deferred for initial damage control surgery and resuscitation. Resultant strategies to restore perfusion and control bleeding are determined by the patient’s underlying physiology and frequently require the use of vascular shunts, ligation, primary anastomosis, or interposition grafting. While general surgeons in the combat zone are not typically responsible for definitive repair during initial damage control surgery, proper initial surgical management in the far-forward setting with an intimate understanding of future repair strategies remains critical aspects in assuring optimal definitive treatment.
Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on Clinical Outcomes, Resource Utilization and Cost of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is present in >35% of patients with aortic stenosis who are referred for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Data on the differential impact of AF on the outcome...
Maternal adult attachment styles and mother–child transmissions of social skills and self-esteem

Grounded in principles of attachment theory and social learning theory, the goal of this study was to investigate how maternal attachment styles relate to both parent and child psychosocial outcome...
A Ketogenic Diet Is Acceptable in Women with Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer and Has No Adverse Effects on Blood Lipids: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Ketogenic diets (KDs) are emerging as effective therapies for several chronic diseases, including cancer. However, concerns regarding safety and adherence may prevent clinicians from prescribing KD...
Subcortical structural variations associated with low socioeconomic status in adolescents.

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with a higher probability of multiple exposures (e.g., neighborhood violence, poor nutrition, housing instability, air pollution, and insensitive caregiving) known to affect structural development of subcortical brain regions that subserve threat and reward processing, however, few studies have examined the relationship between SES and such subcortical structures in adolescents. We examined SES variations in volume and surface morphometry of subcortical regions. The sample comprised 256 youth in eighth grade (mean age = 13.9 years), in whom high dimensional deformation mapping of structural 3T magnetic resonance imaging scans was performed. Vertex-wise linear regression analyses examined associations between income to poverty ratio and surfaces of the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, caudate, putamen, nucleus accumbens and pallidum, with the covariates age, pubertal status, and intracranial volume. Given sex differences in pubertal development and subcortical maturation at this age, the analyses were stratified by sex. Among males, who at this age average an earlier pubertal stage than females, the relationship between SES and local shape variation in subcortical regions was almost entirely positive. For females, the relationship between SES and local shape variation was negative. Racial identity was associated with SES in our sample, however supplementary analyses indicated that most of the associations between SES and subcortical structure were independent of it. Although these cross-sectional results are not definitive, they are consistent with a scenario where low SES delays structural maturation of subcortical regions involved with threat and reward processing. Future longitudinal studies are needed to test this hypothesis.
Opioid Agonist Therapy During Hospitalization Within the Veterans Health Administration: a Pragmatic Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Hospitalization of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) is increasing, yet little is known about opioid agonist therapy (OAT: methadone and buprenorphine) administration during admission. Describe and examine patient- and hospital-level characteristics associated with OAT receipt during hospitalization in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). A total of 12,407 unique patients, ≥ 18 years old, with an OUD-related ICD-10 diagnosis within 12 months prior to or during index hospitalization in fiscal year 2017 from 109 VHA hospitals in the continental U.S. OAT received during hospitalization. Few admissions received OAT (n = 1914; 15%) and when provided it was most often for withdrawal management (n = 834; 7%). Among patients not on OAT prior to admission who survived hospitalization (n = 10,969), 2.0% (n = 203) were newly initiated on OAT with linkage to care after hospital discharge. Hospitals varied in the frequency of OAT delivery (range, 0 to 43% of qualified admissions). Patients with pre-admission OAT (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 15.30; 95% CI [13.2, 17.7]), acute OUD diagnosis (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI [1.99, 2.66]), and male gender (AOR 1.52; 95% CI [1.16, 2.01]) had increased odds of OAT receipt. Patients who received non-OAT opioids (AOR 0.53; 95% CI [0.46, 0.61]) or surgical procedures (AOR 0.75; 95% CI [0.57, 0.99]) had decreased odds of OAT receipt. Large-sized (AOR = 2.0; 95% CI [1.39, 3.00]) and medium-sized (AOR = 1.9; 95% CI [1.33, 2.70]) hospitals were more likely to provide OAT. In a sample of VHA inpatient medical admissions, OAT delivery was infrequent, varied across the health system, and was associated with specific patient and hospital characteristics. Policy and educational interventions should promote hospital-based OAT delivery.
Optimization of Analog Accelerators for Deep Neural Networks Inference

Neuromorphic computation based on analog nonvolatile memories (NVMs) holds great promise to improve Deep Neural Networks inference performance. In virtue of an architecture that executes the computation at the location of the stored weight data, remarkable gains in energy efficiency and speed are projected over competing von Neumann architectures leveraged by existing digital accelerators. Here we describe two optimization strategies for NVMs: one for programming the memory elements and one of cell design, both aimed at mitigating the effect of NVM non-idealities on the performance of analog, phase-change memory-based accelerators. We then demonstrate the advantages realized by such strategies on the inference accuracy of Long Short Term Memory networks and evaluate the energy requirements of such networks.
Total Cell-Free DNA Predicts Death and Infection Following Pediatric and Adult Heart Transplantation.

Background Elevated total cell-free DNA (TCF) concentration has been associated with critical illness in adults and elevated donor fraction (DF), the ratio of donor specific cell-free DNA to total cell-free DNA present in the recipient’s plasma, is associated with rejection following cardiac transplantation. This study investigates relationships between TCF and clinical outcomes after heart transplantation. Methods A prospective, blinded, observational study of 87 heart transplantation recipients was performed. Samples were collected at transplantation, prior to endomyocardial biopsy, during treatment for rejection, and at hospital readmissions. Longitudinal clinical data were collected and entered into a RedCAP (Vanderbilt University) database. TCF and DF levels were correlated with endomyocardial biopsy and angiography results, as well as clinical outcomes. Logistic regression for modeling and repeated measures analysis using generalized linear modeling was used. The standard receiver operating characteristic curve, hazard ratios, and odds ratios were calculated. Results There were 257 samples from 87 recipients analyzed. TCF greater than 50 ng/mL were associated with increased mortality (P = .01, area under the curve 0.93, sensitivity 0.44, specificity 0.97) and treatment for infection (P Conclusions TCF elevation predicted death and treatment for infection. DF elevation predicted histopathologic acute rejection and cardiac allograft vasculopathy. Surveillance of TCF and DF levels may inform treatment after heart transplantation.
The NZB/W F1 mouse model for Sjögren's syndrome: A historical perspective and lessons learned.

Abstract Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic rheumatic autoimmune disorder affecting multiple organ systems. The clinical findings in SS patients show considerable heterogeneity and overlap with other autoimmune diseases. In addition, the autoimmune response in SS initiates several years before the appearance of clinical symptoms. Thus, understanding the pathogenic mechanisms involved in the disease process have been a challenge. Several animal model systems of SS-like disease have been developed to overcome these issues. The New Zealand Black (NZB) x New Zealand White (NZW) F1 (NZB/W F1) mouse represents the first spontaneous mouse model of SS. In this review, we provide a historical perspective and detailed description of this mouse model focusing on exocrine gland histopathology, autoantibody populations, and glandular dysfunction. Considering that NZB/W F1 mice also develop a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like disease, this mouse model mimics the clinical presentation of polyautoimmunity seen in a sizable subset of SS patients. It is plausible that such patients will require distinct therapeutic interventions necessary to treat both SLE and SS. Therefore, the NZB/W F1 mouse is a powerful tool to decipher pathogenic mechanisms involved in SS related polyautoimmunity and develop appropriate therapeutic strategies.
Utility of medical record diagnostic codes to ascertain attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning disabilities in populations of children

To develop and evaluate machine learning algorithms to ascertain attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD) and learning disability (LD) using diagnostic codes in the medical record. Diagnoses of ADHD and LD were confirmed in cohorts of children in Olmsted County of Minnesota based on validated research criteria. Models to predict ADHD and LD were developed using ICD-9 codes in a derivation cohort of 1057 children before evaluated in a validation cohort of 536 children. The ENET-MIN model using selected ICD-9 codes at prior probability of 0.25 has a sensitivity of 0.76, PPV of 0.85, specificity of 0.98, and NPV of 0.97 in the validation cohort. However, it does not offer significant advantage over a model using a single ICD-9 code of 314.X, which shows sensitivity of 0.81, PPV of 0.83, specificity of 0.98, and NPV of 0.97. None of the models developed for LD performed well in the validation cohort. It is feasible to utilize diagnostic codes to ascertain cases of ADHD in a population of children. Machine learning approaches do not have advantage compared with simply using a single family of diagnostic codes for ADHD. The use of medical record diagnostic codes is not feasible to ascertain LD.
‘We Belong to the World’: Christine Longford’s War Plays During Irish Neutrality

Regrettably, Christine Longford is at present remembered mostly for her marriage to Lord Edward and her administrative work at the Gate Theatre. However, she was also a successful and prolific playwright. This chapter focuses on three history plays written during World War II: Lord Edward (1941), The United Brothers (1942) and Patrick Sarsfield (1943). In these works, Longford used the stage to voice strong critique of the increased state control and censorship practices during ‘the Emergency’ in Ireland. Through the female characters, Longford comments, in particular, on the static roles Irish women had while women around the world found new opportunity.
Adaptive Immune Responses in Channel Catfish Exposed to Edwardsiella ictaluri Live Attenuated Vaccine and Wild Type Strains through the Specific Gene Expression Profiles.

We extend the previous findings on the differential activity of immune-related genes in the lymphoid organs of channel catfish in the 7 days post-challenge (dpc) with E. ictaluri live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) and wild type (WT) strains by assessing the expression of these genes in the 21 dpc. The expression of T and B cell-specific genes were significantly elevated in the spleen at 14 dpc and in the AK at 21 dpc in catfish treated with E. ictaluri WT and LAV strains compared to a non-treated control group. The gene expression of IFN-γ correlated with adaptive immunity genes in the lymphoid tissues of catfish. These data indicate that two novel LAVs were able to trigger the activation of T helper1 polarization cytokine IFN-γ gene and specific lymphocyte genes in the spleen followed by their activation in the AK of catfish without causing inflammation, thus providing protective immunity in E. ictaluri infection.
Learning, Evolution and Population Dynamics

We study a complementarity game as a systematic tool for the investigation of the interplay between individual optimization and population effects and for the comparison of different strategy and learning schemes. The game randomly pairs players from opposite populations. It is symmetric at the individual level, but has many equilibria that are more or less favorable to the members of the two populations. Which of these equilibria is then attained is decided by the dynamics at the population level. Players play repeatedly, but in each round with a new opponent. They can learn from their previous encounters and translate this into their actions in the present round on the basis of strategic schemes. The schemes can be quite simple, or very elaborate. We can then break the symmetry in the game and give the members of the two populations access to different strategy spaces. Typically, simpler strategy types have an advantage because they tend to go more quickly toward a favorable equilibrium which, once reached, the other population is forced to accept. Also, populations with bolder individuals that may not fare so well at the level of individual performance may obtain an advantage toward ones with more timid players. By checking the effects of parameters such as the generation length or the mutation rate, we are able to compare the relative contributions of individual learning and evolutionary adaptations.
Evaluating the Usability of University Waste-Sorting Systems

Recycling is a widely adopted practice that can reduce waste in landfills and increase profits for companies, corporations, and universities, such as Clemson, that sell recyclable materials. For th...
Intrusion detection based on Machine Learning techniques in computer networks

Abstract Intrusions in computer networks have increased significantly in the last decade, due in part to a profitable underground cyber-crime economy and the availability of sophisticated tools for launching such intrusions. Researchers in industry and academia have been proposing methods and building systems for detecting and preventing such security breaches for more than four decades. Solutions proposed for dealing with network intrusions can be broadly classified as signature-based and anomaly-based. Signature-based intrusion detection systems look for patterns that match known attacks. On the other hand, anomaly-based intrusion detection systems develop a model for distinguishing legitimate users’ behavior from that of malicious users’ and hence are capable of detecting unknown attacks. One of the approaches used to classify legitimate and anomalous behavior is to use Machine Learning (ML) techniques. Several intrusion detection systems based on ML techniques have been proposed in the literature. In this paper, we present a comprehensive critical survey of ML-based intrusion detection approaches presented in the literature in the last ten years. This survey would serve as a supplement to other general surveys on intrusion detection as well as a reference to recent work done in the area for researchers working in ML-based intrusion detection systems. We also discuss some open issues that need to be addressed.
Assessment of School-Performance Problems

Typically, the primary-care physician is the first professional contacted by parents when their child experiences school difficulties. This is particularly true when disagreements exist between parents and the school system. The physician may assume several roles, depending on time and interest, each with a different level or degree of involvement. At the first level of involvement, physicians may simply refer to a psychologist for further evaluation but maintain the role of case manager. At the second level, the practitioner may elect to review existing test data, provide interpretation for parents, and plan subsequent actions. The practitioner, at the highest level of involvement, performs office screening in order to (1) develop an initial diagnostic formulation, (2) delineate the problem more precisely, (3) concisely focus referral questions, (4) alleviate parental concerns, and (5) coordinate subsequent testing and long-range planning. Variations of these three levels of intervention often occur. A thorough medical evaluation also should be performed, regardless of level of involvement. In the following discussions, it is assumed that the results of a comprehensive medical examination are not indicative of pathology.
Implementation: Search through Closing—Phases 3–10

Publisher Summary A merger acquisition implementation plan is required if the firm decides that an acquisition is needed to execute the firm's business strategy. The acquisition plan communicates to those charged with acquiring a company the preferences of senior management about the key objectives to be achieved and how the process should be managed. It ensures that the acquisition team conducts itself in a manner consistent with management's risk tolerance. The acquisition plan defines the criteria used to select potential acquisition candidates. It may specify the degree of relatedness to the acquiring firm's current businesses and define the types of firms that should not be considered. The plan also stipulates the roles and responsibilities of team members, including outside consultants, and sets the team's budget. Moreover, the plan indicates management's preference for such things as the form of payment, acquiring stock or assets, and partial or full ownership. This chapter starts with the presumption that a firm has developed a viable business plan that requires an acquisition to realize the firm's strategic direction. The chapter focuses on Phases 3–10 of the acquisition process, including search, screening, first contact, negotiation, integration planning, closing, integration implementation, and evaluation. The negotiation phase is the most complex aspect of the acquisition process, involving refining the preliminary valuation, deal structuring, due diligence, and developing a financing plan. It is in the negotiation phase that all elements of the purchase price are determined.
Are cellular phone blocking applications effective for novice teen drivers

PROBLEM: Distracted driving is a significant concern for novice teen drivers. Although cellular phone bans are applied in many jurisdictions to restrict cellular phone use, teen drivers often report making calls and texts while driving. METHOD: The Minnesota Teen Driver Study incorporated cellular phone blocking functions via a software application for 182 novice teen drivers in two treatment conditions. The first condition included 92 teens who ran a driver support application on a smartphone that also blocked phone usage. The second condition included 90 teens who ran the same application with phone blocking but which also reported back to parents about monitored risky behaviors (e.g., speeding). A third control group consisting of 92 novice teen drivers had the application and phone-based software installed on the phones to record cellular phone (but not block it) use while driving. RESULTS: The two treatment groups made significantly fewer calls and texts per mile driven compared to the control group. The control group data also demonstrated a higher propensity to text while driving rather than making calls. DISCUSSION: Software that blocks cellular phone use (except 911) while driving can be effective at mitigating calling and texting for novice teen drivers. However, subjective data indicates that some teens were motivated to find ways around the software, as well as to use another teen's phone while driving when they were unable to use theirs. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Cellular phone bans for calling and texting are the first step to changing behaviors associated with texting and driving, particularly among novice teen drivers. Blocking software has the additional potential to reduce impulsive calling and texting while driving among novice teen drivers who might logically know the risks, but for whom it is difficult to ignore calling or texting while driving. Keywords: Driver distraction; Language: en
Dissociation in Small Molecules

The study of molecular dissociation processes is one of the most interesting areas of modern spectroscopy owing to the challenges presented by even the simplest of diatomic molecules. This paper reviews the commonly used descriptions of molecular dissociation processes for diatomic molecules, the selection rules for predissociation, and a few of the principles to be remembered when one is forced to speculate about dissociation mechanisms in a new molecule. Some of these points will be illustrated by the example of dissociative ionization in O2.
Transnational organised crime in international law, by Tom Obokata

Reviewed by Joseph Wheatley, who holds an A.B. degree from Princeton University and a J.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a trial attorney with the US Department of Justice. The ...
An overview of positioning by diffusion

Positioning by Diffusion is a method by which mobile and static devices can calculate their positions, by means of exchanging information over short range wireless links. It is intended for deployment within shopping malls, corporate buildings, theme parks, etc. The implementation is in software, and does not impose extra hardware requirements on mobile or static devices. Another objective is to minimize the system administration and deployment costs, by minimizing the required number of devices which have their position programmed into them - devices we define as Access Points - for the system to operate. The positioning system works instead by a seamless inter-working of the algorithm across Access Points, static devices which learn their position rather than having it pre-programmed, and mobile devices. Positioning by Diffusion is being adopted by the Bluetooth Local Positioning Working Group as its positioning algorithm.
Mapping the Nation: History and Cartography in Nineteenth-Century America

Review of: "Mapping the Nation: History and Cartography in Nineteenth-Century America," by Susan Schulten.
Pepper Sauce Toxicity

ABSTRACTAn acute oral LD50 of Pepper Sauce* in male white Sprague-Dawley rats was determined to be 23.58 ml/kg with upper and lower limits of 29.75 and 18.70 ml/kg, respectively, at the 0.95 confidence level. In the female rats, the LD50 was determined to be 19.52 m1/kg with upper and lower limits of 24.35 and 15.64 m1/kg, respectively, at the 0.95 confidence level. This sex variation was found to be insignificant.A subchronic oral toxicity evaluation of Pepper Sauce in male and female white Sprague-Dawley rats revealed no gross or microscopic pathological changes in the animals nor were any significant biochemical changes noted. The growth rates remained within normal range.Pepper Sauce was shown to be a mild skin irritant and a moderate to severe eye irritant in New Zealand albino rabbits; vinegar, an ingredient of Pepper Sauce, was shown to contribute significantly to the ocular toxicity. The Pepper Sauce did not induce terata in Sprague-Dawley rats nor skin sensitization in guinea pigs.
The Right Rights? Child Labor in a Globalizing World

This article examines some important aspects of the current international debate regarding how to apply concepts of children's rights to child labor. It begins with the question of what, and whose, ideas about children and childhood provide the foundation for globalized children's rights norms, looking into concerns that international child labor policies may be unjustly dominated by European and North American values and ideas at the expense of more representative worldviews. From this perspective, it then reviews the three main international conventions dealing with child labor, discussing certain ideological and strategic differences between them and tracing in their history a gradual movement away from the dominance of Northern ethnocentrism and toward more culturally inclusive and flexible formulations of children's rights standards.
Endoscopic management of postoperative biliary strictures

Postoperative biliary strictures most often occur after cholecystectomy and have become commoner in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy era. Endoscopic treatment of postoperative strictures is feasible in 85% of cases, and long-term success is achieved in over 80% of patients completing a treatment protocol. Endoscopic treatment typically requires placement of multiple stents for a prolonged period of time. The best outcomes have been achieved by increasing the duration of stenting and the number of stents until there is complete cholangiographic resolution of the stricture. Excluding strictures after liver transplantion, this article reviews the pathogenesis, classification, and endoscopic management of postoperative biliary stenoses.
LOCALIZED, TUMOR-ASSOCIATED OSTEOLYSIS INVOLVES THE RECRUITMENT AND ACTIVATION OF OSTEOCLASTS

The cellular and biochemical mechanisms that direct destruction of bone at the site of tumor osteolysis are unknown. In order to understand this process better, a murine model designed for the study of tumor osteolysis was developed and the influence of osteolytic and nonosteolytic tumors on bone was investigated. Tumors developed following femoral intramedullary injection of sarcoma (2472) and melanoma (G3.26) cell lines; however, only tumors from the 2472 cell line caused osteolysis. It was determined that 2472 tumor-induced osteolysis commenced 6 days after the femora had been inoculated with 2472 cells. There were more osteoclasts per millimeter of bone surface in 2472 tumor-bearing limbs (16.7 +/- 5.0) than in sham-injected limbs (3.8 +/- 0.9) (p < 0.015). In addition, an increase in the osteoclast size (area) was detected in 2472 tumor-bearing limbs: 412 +/- 65 micron2 compared with 187 +/- 17 micron2 (p < 0.01). In vitro bone resorption experiments indicated that 2472 tumor cells had a limited ability to destroy bone in comparison with macrophages and osteoclasts. Taken in total, these findings define a model that is useful for the study of tumor osteolysis, and the data from analyses of the model demonstrate that the cellular mechanisms responsible for 2472 tumor-induced osteolysis include both an increase in the number of osteoclasts and activation of mature osteoclasts.
Fungi associated with Xyloterinus politus (Say) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Abstract Aspergillus flavus (Link) was isolated from overwintering adult females of Xyloterinus politus (Say) along with Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., and unidentified bacteria. An unknown fungus, probably the main larval food source, was isolated and described from the cradles and galleries of actively feeding larvae. Behavior of pre-emergent adults may have been significant in the introduction of viable spores into the mycentangia.
208 - Lymphocyte-Lymphocyte Interaction: A Function of a Cell Surface Charge Characteristic

Abstract This experiment was designed to provide information concerning the ability of cell electrophoresis to detect changes in the surface charge of compatible and incompatible lymphocytes as they undergo recognition phenomena. The experimental plan involved the determination of the electrophoretic mobility (EM) of lymphocytes from histocompatible and histoincompatible animal strains; Lewis, Fischer, Buffalo rats and C 57 10J, C 57 10SN and BALB /c mice. A summary and retrospective comparison of the experimental EM data vs . genotypic determinants indicates that: 1. there is no significant difference in the EM's of lymphocytes from individual animals compared with the EM's of mixed lymphocytes from compatible pairs; 2. if the incompatible samples of rat or mouse lymphocytes are mixed, the mean EM value of the mixture is significantly lower than the mean of the independent samples; 3. treatment of cells with neuraminidase decreases their EM and produces a more significant decrease in the EM of the mixture of incompatible cells, than that in the nontreated lymphocytes; 4. the phenomena are not sialic acid dependent.
Selective adsorption and ion exchange of metal cations and anions with silico-titanates and layered titanates

Metal ions may be removed from aqueous wastes from metal processing plants and from refineries. They may also be used in concentrating radioactive elements found in dilute, aqueous, nuclear wastes. A new series of silico-titanates and alkali titanates are shown to have specific selectivity for cations of lead, mercury, and cadmium and the dichromate anion in solutions with low and high pH. Furthermore, one particular silico-titanate, TAM-5, was found to be highly selective for Cs+ and Sr2+ in solutions of 5.7 M Na+ and 0.6 M OH−. A high potential exists for these materials for removing Cs+ and Sr2+ from radioactive aqueous wastes containing high concentrations of Na+ at high and low pH.
A role for DNA in the formation of nuclear estradiol-receptor complex in a cell-free system.

Abstract Destruction of the DNA component of the nuclear pellet fraction of rat uterus homogenates with DNase prevented the formation of “nuclear” estradiol-receptor complex upon subsequent incubation with supernatant fraction containing 8S cytoplasmic estrogen-receptor complex. Nuclear pellet pretreatment with RNase had no effect on the reaction. DNase did not appear to release any component capable of binding estradiol or the 8S estradiol-receptor complex.
WALLED CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES1

(1961). WALLED CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES. Annals of the Association of American Geographers: Vol. 51, No. 1, pp. 1-22.
A TEST OF THE IMPORTATION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT MODELS: THE EFFECTS OF WORK ETHIC, IMPORTANCE OF MONEY, AND MANAGEMENT VIEWS ON THE JOB SATISFACTION AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT OF CORRECTIONAL STAFF

ABSTRACT There are two fundamental models used to explain the attitudes and behaviors of correctional staff. The first is the Importation Model, which holds that work attitudes are primarily shaped by factors that employees bring with them to the workplace, and the second is the Work Environment Model, which holds that employee work attitudes are primarily shaped by dimensions of the work environment. Most of the correctional staff literature on job satisfaction and organizational commitment has supported the Work Environment Model but not the Importation Model; however, most of the research on the Importation Model has focused on demographic characteristics, which tend to be weak measures of imported factors. This study examined the impact of work ethic and importance of money as importation factors, and trust in management, participation in management, and support by management as work environment factors, on the job satisfaction and organizational commitment among staff at a private Midwestern correcti...
Vertical transient natural convection flows in cold water

Abstract The initial, transient natural convection flow resulting from a sudden change of the boundary condition at a vertical surface has been examined. The ambient medium is cold water, giving rise to a density variation with temperature which may not be linearized. Closed-form solutions for flow velocity have been obtained from the known temperature solutions. Two important surface conditions have been considered. These are: (a) an initial step in the surface energy generation rate, both for zero and finite thermal capacity surfaces and, (b) a step in the surface temperature. Flow results have been computed for the entire range of ambient temperature conditions around that at the density extremum point. For suddenly heated surfaces, ambient temperatures larger than the extremum temperature result in upflow for all later times, although the velocities are much smaller than those obtained at higher temperature levels for identical heating conditions. For condition (a), ambient temperatures below the extremum result in a pure downflow for short times, followed by a bidirectional flow. For condition (b), by suitably transforming the velocity and distance variables, self-similar profiles are obtained. Conditions resulting in upflow, bidirectional flow and downflow are then examined. Dimensional comparisons of present results with those at higher ambient temperatures show the inapplicability of the Boussinesq formulation around the extremum point. In addition, it is shown necessary to use an accurate density equation by comparing the results with those using a parabolic density equation for water around 4°C.
Microstructural Analysis of a Laser-Processed Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass

Laser processing is a precision manufacturing technique capable of producing materials with highly nonequilibrium microstructures. Due to the localized heat input and high cooling rate inherent to the process, this technology is attractive for the production of metallic glasses. In the present work, we use a laser deposition process to deposit a Zr-based metallic glass forming powder on both amorphous and crystalline substrates of the same nominal composition. Amorphous melt zones are observed surrounded by distinct crystalline heat-affected zones (HAZs). Detailed examination of the HAZ in the glassy substrates reveals the formation of microscale spherulites, in contrast to the nanocrystalline phases observed following crystallization by isothermal annealing of the glass at the crystallization temperature as well as in the HAZ of the crystalline substrates. The spherulites have a different crystal morphology and structure from the nanocrystalline phases, indicating that the more stable nanocrystalline phases are completely bypassed when the glass is devitrified at the higher heating rate. Reducing the heat input during laser processing results in the near elimination of the crystalline HAZ in the amorphous substrates, suggesting that a critical heating rate range is required to avoid devitrification.
Effect of Intracellular and Extracellular Ion Changes on E–C Coupling and Skeletal Muscle Fatigue

The causative factors in muscle fatigue are multiple, and vary depending on the intensity and duration of the exercise, the fibre type composition of the muscle, and the individual's degree of fitness. Regardless of the aetiology, fatigue is characterized by the inability to maintain the required power output and the decline in power can be attributed to a reduced force and velocity. Following high-intensity exercise, peak force has been shown to recover biphasically with an initial rapid (2 min) recovery followed by a slower (50 min) return to the pre-fatigued condition. The resting membrane potential depolarizes by 10-15 mV, while the action potential overshoot declines by a similar magnitude. Following high-frequency stimulation of the frog semitendinous muscle, we observed intracellular potassium [K+]1 decrease from 142 +/- 5 to 97 +/- 8 mM, while sodium [Na+]i rose from 16 +/- 1 to 49 +/- 6 mM. The [K+]i loss was similar to that observed in fatigued mouse and human skeletal muscle, which suggests that there may be a limit to which [K+]i can decrease before the associated depolarization begins to limit the action potential frequency. Fibre depolarization to- 60 mV (a value observed in some cells) caused a significant reduction in the t-tubular charge movement, and the extent of the decline was inversely related to the concentration of extracellular Ca2+. A decrease in intracellular pH (pHi) to 6.0 was observed, and it has been suggested by some that low pH may disrupt E-C coupling by directly inhibiting the SR Ca2+ release channel. However, Lamb at al. (1992) observed that low pH had no effect on Ca2+ release, and we found low pHi to have no effect on t-tubular charge movement (Q) or the Q vs. Vm relationship. The Ca2+ released from the SR plays three important roles in the regulation of E-C coupling. As Ca2+ rises, it binds to the inner surface of the t-tubular charge sensor to increase charge (Q gamma) and thus Ca2+ release, it opens SR Ca2+ channels that are not voltage-regulated, and as [Ca2+]i increases further it feeds back to close the same channels. The late stages of fatigue have been shown to be in part caused by a reduced SR Ca2+ release. The exact cause of the reduced release is unknown, but the mechanism appears to involve a direct inhibition of the SR Ca2+ channel.
Properties of low-lying excited manifolds in Mn 12 acetate

Most experimental properties of the single-molecule magnet Mn 1 2 acetate have been successfully explained by the assumption that Mn 1 2 acetate has an effective ground-slate spin of S = 10. However, the effect of the low-lying excited manifolds caused by interactions between Mn spins has not been well understood. To investigate the features of the low-lying excited manifolds, the intramolecular exchange interactions are calculated using density-functional theory (DFT). With the calculated exchange parameters, the energy gap between the S = 10 ground state and the first-excited-state manifold is calculated by diagonalization of the Heisenberg Hamiltonian. The upper limit on the energy gap is about 40.5 K which is likely to be overestimated due to an incomplete treatment of the Coulomb potential within DFT. It is found that there are several S = 9 low-energy excited-state manifolds above the S = 10 ground-state manifold. The magnetic anisotropy harriers for the low-lying spin excitations are calculated using DFT. Based on the calculations, it is found that the anisotropy barriers for the low-lying excited manifolds are approximately the same as that for the ground-state manifold.