cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychiatric Comorbidity and Not Completing Jail-based Substance Abuse Treatment.

Many jail inmates have a history of mental illness, substance use, and drug-related crime. This article assesses the effect of psychiatric comorbidity on retention in jail-based substance abuse treatment. Secondary data from five jail-based substance abuse treatment programs were studied using descriptive and multivariate analyses. Controlling for age, sex, race, education, and program, the odds of an offender with a history of mental illness being terminated from treatment were nearly three times that of those with no such history. The data suggest that psychiatric comorbidity may be an important correlate of retention in jail-based substance abuse treatment.
'A Guantanamo on the Sea': The Difficulties of Prosecuting Pirates and Terrorists

As a surge in pirate attacks in the seas around the Horn of Africa threatens to seriously damage international trade, the nations of the world have refused to enforce international law against these criminals. The dozens of nations patrolling the Gulf of Aden have ample legal authority to detain and prosecute pirates. Yet the United States and other navies have, as a matter of policy, been releasing apprehended pirates because of the difficulty of detaining or successfully prosecuting them. These fears are not unwarranted. As this Essay shows, while on the one hand international law requires all nations to fight pirates, a variety of other international legal rules - ranging from the Geneva Conventions to refugee law to the Law of the Sea Treaty - are in tension with this goal. These tensions are daunting enough to keep nations from even trying. The legal issues that prevent states from effectively dealing with pirates are precisely the same as those that have plagued responses to international terrorism. The War on Piracy and the War on Terror both raise questions about the legal status of conflicts between traditional states and diffuse multinational networks. Pirates, like terrorists, fall in the gray zone between military combatants and civilians. But the similarities between the legal problems of piracy in Somalia and those of the battle against international terrorism do not end there. Lack of clarity about pirates' prisoner of war status, the use of prolonged detention, rendition to countries with poor human rights records, claims of abuse by the detainees, accidental killings of innocent civilians, the difficulty of proving cases arising from the field of active military operations in civilian court, and the legality of targeted killings of suspected wrongdoers are just a few of the issues that have plagued both legal efforts against international terrorists and against piracy in just the first few months of the current Somali campaign. The legal response to terrorism has been among the most contentious public issues in recent years. It is widely asserted that trying foreign terrorists in civilian courts is a workable response. However, the failure of this same strategy in the case of piracy - indeed, the refusal of the very nations that promote such an approach for terrorism to even attempt it with piracy - suggests that the civilian approach to terrorism will be extraordinarily challenging. For a variety of reasons, piracy would be far easier to deal with than terrorism. Thus, the legal impediments to dealing with piracy serve as an ideal case study for the future of terrorism prosecutions.
Towards a more inclusive approach to intervention research: the case of research in learning disabilities

Intervention research in special education tends to rely on comparisons of mean differences to determine instructional strategies that ‘work’ for students with disabilities. This reliance on mean differences obscures individual variation that is always present in educational research. This paper examines the degree to which individual variation is acknowledged in reports of intervention research published in four leading learning disabilities journals over a five-year period. It was found that, although there was considerable variance present in intervention studies published in these journals, this variability was often unacknowledged. This paper concludes with suggestions for how researchers might acknowledge variance in their research.
A comparison of parametric and non-parametric techniques for pattern classification on Canadian agricultural loan data

Pattern classification involves learning a model from a set of labeled training samples that can in turn be used to help determine the label of new samples encountered. The models themselves take on one of two forms: parametric models which make assumptions about the form of the distribution of sample features given a label; or non-parametric models which make no assumptions about the form of the distribution but retain more knowledge of the training samples to assist with labeling new objects. In this paper we consider data on Canadian Agricultural Loans and show that despite the fact that the underlying data does not fit the assumptions made by the parametric techniques they still perform as well or better than the non-parametric techniques.
Robotic-assisted Heller myotomy for esophageal achalasia: feasibility, technique, and short-term outcomes

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy is the standard surgical treatment for esophageal achalasia. The incidence of esophageal perforation is about 5–10%. Robotic-assisted Heller myotomy (RAHM) offers results at least as good as those from laparoscopic procedures, additionally yielding fewer intraoperative complications. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of RAHM and its value in the treatment of esophageal achalasia. We analyzed demographics, preoperative symptoms, esophagograms, esophageal manometry, intraoperative and postoperative data of all the patients who underwent RAHM for achalasia at three institutions: 36 women and 37 men, mean age 45 ± 16 (13–87) years. Dysphagia was present in 100% of patients. Thirty-three patients (45%) had had previous endoscopic treatment: 23 patients had pneumatic dilation, four patients had Botox injections, and six patients had both. Surgical time averaged 119 min (range of 62–211); blood loss averaged 23 ml; no mucosal perforations were observed; length of hospitalization was 1.5 days; there were no deaths. At 12 months, 96% of patients had relief of their dysphagia. In conclusion, RAHM is safe and effective since there were no intraoperative esophageal perforations and relief of symptoms was achieved in 96% of the patients.
Electrochemistry: Catalysis at the boundaries.

Copper-based materials have been found that efficiently convert carbon monoxide and water to ethanol using electricity. The discovery is a major advance towards storing renewable energy in the form of a liquid fuel. See Letter p.504 Renewable electricity is often produced when it is not needed. If the surplus could be harnessed to drive the conversion of CO2 and water into liquid fuel, the energy would not go to waste and a use would be found for CO2 produced by carbon capture. All this requires efficient electrocatalysts that reduce CO2 not only to CO, but also further into fuel chemicals. Copper does this but with low efficiency and selectivity. Christina Li et al. now show that the intrinsic catalytic properties of copper can be improved by producing it from its oxide as interconnected nanocrystallites. Their enhanced catalyst generates primarily ethanol, demonstrating that a two-step conversion of CO2 to liquid fuel powered by renewable electricity might be possible.
The Q‐Switched Alexandrite Laser's Effects on Tattoos in Guinea Pigs and Harvested Human Skin

BACKGROUND Developmental work in tattoo removal is currently carried out in animal models whose skin has different optical and mechanical properties from human skin. OBJECTIVE To observe laser effects on tattoos in a new human skin model and that of in vivo guinea pig skin. METHODS A comparison of the efficacy of the Q-switched Alexandrite laser (750 nm, 100–120 nanoseconds) in tattooed harvested human skin and guinea pig skin was performed. Visual assessments as well as histologic and electron microscopy evaluation before and after treatment are reported. RESULTS Mild to moderate clearing of black tattoo pigment, as judged by visual assessment, was found after one laser treatment in both the in vitro human skin model and guinea pigskin. Blue and green ink showed similar results to black ink in human skin whereas red and yellow ink did not respond in our model. CONCLUSION Possible mechanisms of tattoo lightening and the usefulness of the in vitro human skin model are discussed.
First-principles extrapolation method for accurate CO adsorption energies on metal surfaces

We show that a simple first-principles correction based on the difference between the singlet-triplet CO excitation energy values obtained by density-functional theory (DFT) and high-level quantum chemistry methods yields accurate CO adsorption properties on a variety of metal surfaces. We demonstrate a linear relationship between the CO adsorption energy and the CO singlet-triplet splitting, similar to the linear dependence of CO adsorption energy on the energy of the CO $2\ensuremath{\pi}*$ orbital found recently [Kresse et al., Phys. Rev. B 68, 073401 (2003)]. Converged DFT calculations underestimate the CO singlet-triplet excitation energy $\ensuremath{\Delta}{E}_{\mathrm{S}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{T}},$ whereas coupled-cluster and configuration-interaction (CI) calculations reproduce the experimental $\ensuremath{\Delta}{E}_{\mathrm{S}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{T}}.$ The dependence of ${E}_{\mathrm{chem}}$ on $\ensuremath{\Delta}{E}_{\mathrm{S}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{T}}$ is used to extrapolate ${E}_{\mathrm{chem}}$ for the top, bridge, and hollow sites for the (100) and (111) surfaces of Pt, Rh, Pd, and Cu to the values that correspond to the coupled cluster and CI $\ensuremath{\Delta}{E}_{\mathrm{S}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{T}}$ value. The correction reproduces experimental adsorption site preference for all cases and obtains ${E}_{\mathrm{chem}}$ in excellent agreement with experimental results.
Ranitidine-induced acute interstitial nephritis in a cadaveric renal allograft

Abstract Ranitidine frequently is used for preventing peptic ulceration after renal transplantation. This drug occasionally has been associated with acute interstitial nephritis in native kidneys. There are no similar reports with renal transplantation. We report a case of ranitidine-induced acute interstitial nephritis in a recipient of a cadaveric renal allograft presenting with acute allograft dysfunction within 48 hours of exposure to the drug. The biopsy specimen showed pathognomonic features, including eosinophilic infiltration of the interstitial compartment. Allograft function improved rapidly and returned to baseline after stopping the drug. © 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc .
Seroprevalence of hepatitis C, hepatitis B virus and syphilis in HIV-1 infected patients in Shandong, China.

To determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and syphilis in HIV-1-infected patients and related risk factors in Shandong province, China, we tested all eligible participants between 2000 and 2010 for the presence of anti-HCV antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and non-treponemal antibodies for syphilis after informed consent. Among 2087 HIV-infected patients, anti-HCV antibody was present in 41.2%, HBsAg in 12.6% and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) reactivity in 19.6%. In the multivariate logistic regression model, male gender (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.41), minority ethnicity (aOR = 1.72), syphilis infection (aOR = 1.40), former paid blood donors (aOR = 3.36), blood transfusion recipients (aOR = 2.91) and injection drug users (aOR = 1.98) were significantly associated with HCV infection. HCV infection (aOR = 1.40) and being men who have sex with men (aOR = 2.38) were significantly associated with syphilis infection. Co-infection with HCV, HBV and syphilis w...
The child abuse potential inventory and pregnancy outcome in expectant adolescent mothers

Abstract Objective: The study explores the prenatal Child Abuse Potential (pCAP) scores derived from the Child Abuse Potential Inventory administered to expectant adolescent mothers. The aim of the study was to assess the association of the pCAP scores with maternal negative prenatal behaviors, and evaluate the contribution of the pCAP scores to neonatal morbidity. Method: The pCAP scores, demographic data, and self-report on prenatal behaviors were obtained during the second half of the pregnancy in a sample of 45 poor single adolescent mothers. A pediatrician blind to the prenatal data reviewed the neonatal records to assess neonatal morbidity. Maternal prenatal records were reviewed for obstetric risk assessment by an obstetrician who was blind to the rest of the data. The relations among the pCAP scores, prenatal behaviors, and neonatal morbidity were analyzed. Results: In the prenatal period, the pCAP scores were positively correlated with self-reported prenatal smoking and substance use. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that the pCAP scores significantly contributed to neonatal morbidity independently of obstetric risk factors. Conclusions: The Child Abuse Potential scores obtained during pregnancy in poor single adolescent mothers reflect domains of maternal functioning that are associated with negative prenatal behaviors and appear to be important for predicting neonatal morbidity. Further studies are warranted to validate the prenatal use of the Child Abuse Potential Inventory.
Novel, one-step, chromate-free coatings containing anticorrosion pigments for metals—An overview and mechanistic study

Abstract The concept of superprimers, i.e., primers for metals with the conversion coating built in, has proven to be feasible. Such primers do not require a chromate (or other) conversion treatment of the metal and can be applied on any bare metal. The VOC content in the primer is kept low by using water-dispersed organic resins. Because of the high concentration of organofunctional silanes contained in the superprimer, its adhesion, both to the substrate and to overcoats, is excellent. The corrosion resistance of the primer can further be improved by adding corrosion-inhibiting pigments such as micronized zinc phosphate into the formulation. The corrosion protection performance of these coatings has been evaluated using performance tests and electrochemical methods. The primers have also been characterized with a variety of surface analytical methods. It will be shown that 2000 h of salt spray resistance has been obtained with the primers both on AA2024-T3 and HDG steel. This study will mainly present an overview of the chromate-free primers studied in our laboratory and will attempt to explain the mechanism by which one of the coatings, the epoxy–acrylate-based primer deposited onto aluminum, protects the metal from corrosion.
Considering the preponderance of evidence: a reply to Cummings.

Cummings's 1985 response to our prior article suggests that the American Psychological Association was justified in not adequately describing or qualifying medical-cost-offset research findings, because the “preponderance of evidence” in the over-all literature is “quite persuasive.” We argue in return that one's willingness to accept a body of evidence as persuasive does not excuse one from providing important qualifications for findings, especially when significant threats to validity exist. We question whether the evidence is indeed persuasive. A review of the evidence suggests that the potential for serious regression and selection biases is not limited to the studies described in the APA document. Cummings acknowledges that studies of offset have weaknesses but argues that collectively they provide evidence analogous to that establishing a causal link between smoking and disease. On the contrary, as we describe, the evidence linking smoking and disease is vastly stronger. We do not find compelling th...
The Y-STR Genetic Diversity of an Idaho Basque Population, with Comparison to European Basques and US Caucasians

Fifty unrelated Basque males from southwest Idaho were typed for the 17 Y-STR loci in the Yfiler multiplex kit (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, YGATA H4.1 and DYS385a/b). In total, 42 haplotypes were identified, with no more than two individuals sharing a single haplotype. The haplotype diversity (HD) was 0.9935, and gene diversity (D) over loci was 0.457 0.137. The Idaho Basque population was compared to the source population from the Basque autonomous region of Northern Spain and Southern France, as well as a United States Caucasian population. The haplotype diversity for the immigrant Basque sample is within 0.4% of the haplotype diversity of the European Basques (0.9903); thus the power of discrimination is similar for each population. The Idaho Basque population has less diversity in 9 out of 16 loci (considering DYS385a/b together) and 3% less diversity across all loci, compared to the European Basque popula- tion. A multidimensional scaling analysis (MDS) was created using pairwise RST values to compare the Idaho Basques to other populations. Based upon RST and FST measures, no significant differentiation was found between the Idaho and source European Basque population. The individuals typed for this study are from the community of immigrant Basques, descendants of the Basque migrants who settled in the region of the Intermountain West starting in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Basques of Northern Spain and Southern France are characterized as genetically distinct from other European populations, and this is the case for certain markers such as blood types (Mourant 1947). However, studies using the type of DNA analysis common in forensic applications (STRs and mitochondrial DNA) show that Basque genetic variation is within the range reported for other European populations, and that the common alleles or haplotypes in Europe are also found in Basque populations (Alfonso-Sanchez et al. 2008; Bertranpetit et al. 1995; Davis et al. 2011; Zlojutro et al. 2006). The Basques can be considered
Phonology and Reading: A Response to Wang, Trezek, Luckner, and Paul

Four critical responses to an article, "The Role of Phonology and Phonologically Related Skills in Reading Instruction for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing" (Wang, Trezek, Luckner, & Paul, 2008), are presented. Issue is taken with the conclusions of the article by Wang and colleagues regarding the "necessary" condition of phonological awareness for the development of reading skills among deaf readers. Research findings (not cited by Wang and colleagues) are pointed out that reveal weak correlations between phonemic awareness and reading comprehension, and stronger correlations between other variables such as overall language skill and early exposure to a visual language.
Reliable estimation of influence fields for classification and tracking in unreliable sensor networks

The influence field of an object, a commonly exploited feature in science and engineering applications, is the region where the object is detectable by a given sensing modality. Being spatially distributed, this feature allows us to tradeoff nodal computation with network communication. By the same token, not only is its calculation subject to nodal failures and false detections, but also to channel fading and channel contention. In this paper, we study how to accurately and efficiently estimate the influence fields of objects in such an unreliable setting and how this reliable estimation of influence fields can be used to classify and track different types of objects. We derive, for node and network fault models, the necessary nodal density for reliably estimating the influence fields so that objects can be classified and tracked. We present four algorithmic techniques: temporal aggregation, probabilistic reporting, temporal segregation and spatial reconstruction, to deal with cases where the effective network density differs from this minimum. We provide corroboration of our analysis through field experiments with Mica2 sensor nodes wherever appropriate. Finally, we demonstrate how these results and techniques were applied to achieve reliable and efficient classification and tracking in a fielded system of 90 Mica2 sensor nodes that we called "A Line In The Sand'.
Depression, psychotherapy, and primary care.

Mrs. Ames* wasn’t doing well. Five months before, she had started to feel sad, fatigued, and disinterested in her work and hobbies. Then came difficulty getting back to sleep when she awoke at 4 AM, a gradual 15-pound weight loss, and growing thoughts about her lack of achievement, worthlessness, and an increasingly bleak future. She began to wonder if it was worth going on living. But she was puzzled. At 47 years of age, she had never experienced anything like this. And her life situation seemed good. Her husband and children appeared to be doing well, she had been promoted in her job, and she had no known health problems. She consulted Dr. Bones, her primary care physician (PCP), an internist, who listened sympathetically to her symptoms, briefly explored her current life situation, examined her, checked out her thyroid parameters and blood counts, and prescribed an average starting dose of an SSRI. At her first follow-up appointment a month later, Mrs. Ames was slightly better. Dr. Bones encouraged her to cheer up and renewed her prescription. Two months later she was no better, so he referred her for psychiatric evaluation. Such a familiar story! Her care in the hands of Dr. Bones, my colleague and friend, had been responsible and correct as far as it went—ruling out medical causes of depression, prescribing an antidepressant, following up at what seemed to him like reasonable intervals. She might have become much worse without it. But the leisurely pace and incompleteness of the care she received had probably cost her several months of amelioration of her suffering. From a psychiatric viewpoint, the initial history had been incomplete. In the 15–20 minute initial appointment, Dr. Bones hadn’t discovered that, when Mrs. Ames was 5 years old, her mother had had a severe postpartum depression or that her maternal grandfather had died under mysterious circumstances. In addition, Dr. Bones had not gone beyond brief screening questions about her marital life or relations with her children. He had not addressed her passing remarks about hot flashes over the past 2 years or lack of interest in sexual relations with her husband. Nor had he explored how her thoughts evolved from the transient idea of not finding life worthwhile to pervasive feelings of hopelessness— especially, was she contemplating suicide? The treatment had been incomplete as well. A followup visit within the first 7–10 days would have been more appropriate; the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Practice Guideline recommends weekly visits for monitoring pharmacotherapy in routine cases, with more frequent follow-up in more complex cases (APA Practice Guideline ,p . 101 ). The dose of the SSRI should have been
Comparison of computed tomography, tangential view radiography, and conventional radiography in evaluation of canine pelvic trauma.

Thirteen dogs with fractures requiring surgical repair were evaluated by standard two-view (i.e., lateral and ventrodorsal) radiography, tangential view (ventro 20 degrees cranial-dorsocaudal [inlet] and ventro 20 degrees caudal-dorsocranial [outlet]) radiography, and computed tomography (CT). Radiographic and CT examinations were reviewed independently by the three authors, and specific anatomic sites were graded for the presence or possibility of lesions. The results of radiographic interpretations were compared to CT scan interpretations. Eighty-one percent of skeletal lesions detected by CT scans were diagnosed definitively radiographically. Differences between the interpretation of CT and radiographic examinations included abnormalities associated with soft-tissue structures (P < 0.0001), the sacroiliac joints (P = 0.02), and the acetabula (P = 0.04). Interpretation of the lateral/ventrodorsal and inlet/outlet radiographic series were not statistically different, although inlet views may be complimentary to the standard radiographic examination. Its use deserves further study. Reader variation was less on evaluation of CT examinations than radiographic examinations. CT multiplaner reformations and three-dimensional reconstructions were useful for surgical planning in seven dogs. CT scanning is superior to survey radiography in assessing skeletal and soft-tissue injuries in dogs with pelvic trauma, although all clinically significant surgical lesions were described accurately radiographically. Based on this small series, the routine CT examination of dogs with pelvic trauma may not be justifiable for diagnosis but may be advantageous for surgical planning, especially if acetabular fractures are suspected on radiographs.
Role of algebraic geometry in computer vision

In this paper we describe the geometric components of our model-based approach to 3D rigid object recognition and positioning from range data that have potential applications in Graphics, Geometric Modeling, and Computer Aided Geometric Design. As in many other object recognition systems, due to occlusion, objects are recognized and located by comparing and geometrically matching small regions of the data set with corresponding regions of known models stored in a database. In our case, a known object is represented in the database as a hierarchical collection of regions, each of them approximated by an algebraic surface. The preliminary recognition and matching is based on comparing euclidean invariant functions of the coefficients of the corresponding polynomials. The final recognition and matching is based on determining how well the data fits a stored model. Although we have not implemented a complete system yet, towards the implementation of an object recognition and position estimation system based on this structure, a number of computational problems associated with algebraic curves and surfaces have been analyzed and solved. These problems, described in this paper, are: (1) how to fit unconstrained algebraic curve and surfaces to data, (2) how to fit bounded algebraic curves and surfaces, (3) how to efficiently compute Euclidean invariants of polynomials, and (4) how to define an intrinsic coordinate system of a polynomial, generalizing the notion of center and principal axes of a nonsingular quadric curve or surface. The intrinsic coordinate system of a polynomial can be used to transform its coefficients to a normal form. The coefficients of a polynomial in normal form constitute a complete set of Euclidean invariants.
Synthesis and Structural Diversity of Barium (N,N-Dimethylamino)diboranates

The reaction of a slurry of BaBr2 in a minimal amount of tetrahydrofuran (THF) with 2 equiv of Na(H3BNMe2BH3) in diethyl ether followed by crystallization from diethyl ether at −20 °C yields crystals of Ba(H3BNMe2BH3)2(Et2O)2 (1). Drying 1 at room temperature under vacuum gives the partially desolvated analogue Ba(H3BNMe2BH3)2(Et2O)x (1′) as a free-flowing white solid, where the value of x varies from <0.1 to about 0.4 depending on whether desolvation is carried out with or without heating. The reaction of 1 or 1′ with Lewis bases that bind more strongly to barium than diethyl ether results in the formation of new complexes Ba(H3BNMe2BH3)2(L), where L = 1,2-dimethoxyethane (2), N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (3), 12-crown-4 (4), 18-crown-6 (5), N,N,N′,N′-tetraethylethylenediamine (6), and N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethylethylenetriamine (7). Recrystallization of 4 and 5 from THF affords the related compounds Ba(H3BNMe2BH3)2(12-crown-4)(THF)·THF (4′) and Ba(H3BNMe2BH3)2(18-crown-6)·2THF (5′). In addition, th...
Indicator Dispersal by Convection and Diffusion in Fluid Flow Through a Tube

A tube is filled with water containing indicator and then the indicator is washed out by laminar flow of indicator-free water. Given a measurement of mean volume concentration of indicator in the effluent as a function of time, a theoretical expression is derived for the pattern of indicator delivery in the case where diffusion is superimposed on convective transport. Satisfactory experimental verification of the theoretical expressions was obtained.
Teaching Clinical Judgment: a Review with Consideration of Applications for Health Professions

This review explores the concept of clinical judgment and its relationship to critical thinking. A systematic review of the literature was performed in PubMed, using the key words "clinical judgment," and limiting the search to papers published in English. A hand search located additional pertinent documents. While papers on clinical judgment specifically in nutrition and dietetics are scarce, literature from other disciplines can inform this discussion. How these essential skills are taught and learned in the health professions, and some theoretical views of this area are examined. Following this, the underlying philosophy and educational models are discussed. Lastly, specific educational methods and strategies are described as illustrative examples of how these theoretical concepts can be applied in training health professionals.
Sedimentological Analysis of an Ancient Sand Sheet of Multiple Origins at Lynch Cove, Puget Sound, Washington

Abstract Grain size trends and field observations of an approximately 1100-year-old sand sheet within a salt marsh in Hood Canal at Lynch Cove, Puget Sound, Washington, suggest deposition by multiple mechanisms, including liquefaction and tsunami. Because a tsunami has not occurred within Puget Sound during modern times, it is important to study past sedimentary evidence of tsunamis in the geological record to understand where, when, and how often these events may occur at this location. The sand sheet is about 0.24 m thick, overlies tidal-flat mud, and is abruptly capped by freshwater peat. To determine extent, thickness, and grain size trends within the deposit, we gathered 350 core samples using a hand-push auger. A laser diffraction particle analyzer was used to determine grain size from each sand unit collected via coring. Grain size analysis reveals that the sand sheet fines landward and is poorly sorted. Three box cores, sampled at 2.0-cm intervals, reveal upward-fining grain size trends. Sedimenta...
Growing Semantic Grammars

A critical path in the development of natural language understanding (NLU) modules lies in the difficulty of defining a mapping from words to semantics: Usually it takes in the order of years of highly-skilled labor to develop a semantic mapping, e.g., in the form of a semantic grammar, that is comprehensive enough for a given domain. Yet, due to the very nature of human language, such mapping invariably fail to achieve full coverage on unseen data. Acknowledging the impossibility of stating a priori all the surface forms by which a concept can be expressed, we present GSG: an empathic computer system for the rapid deployment of NLU front-ends and their dynamic customization by non-expert end-users. Given a new domain for which an NLU front-end is to be developed, two stages are involved. In the authoring stage, GSG aids the developer in the construction of a simple domain model and a kernel analysis grammar. Then, in the run-time stage, GSG provides the end-user with an interactive environment in which the kernel grammar is dynamically extended. Three learning methods are employed in the acquisition of semantic mappings from unseen data: (i) parser predictions, (ii) hidden understanding model, and (iii) end-user paraphrases. A baseline version of GSG has been implemented and preliminary experiments show promising results.
Vertical adjustment in surface-micromachined free-space micro-optical bench

Summary form only given. We have demonstrated a novel optical beam-steering device for vertical adjustment of the optical beams in the surface-micromachined free-space Si micro-optical bench. Vertical adjustment as large as 140 /spl mu/m has been realized. When combined with an integrated microlens, a vertical scanning angle of 5.5/spl deg/ is also demonstrated.
Chronic supplementation of a mushroom blend on oxygen kinetics, peak power, and time to exhaustion

Background Cordyceps militaris has been used in pre-workout supplement blends intended to improve aerobic performance. Mushroom blends containing Cordyceps may serve as an ergogenic aid by improving oxygen kinetics and delaying fatigue, but there is limited data on the effects of this ingredient during exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 3 weeks of supplementation with a mushroom blend on oxygen kinetics, aerobic power, time to exhaustion, and lactate levels during high-intensity exercise.
THE RELIABILITY AND USER-FEASIBILITY OF MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES FOR MONITORING THE IMPLEMENTATION INTEGRITY OF A READING INTERVENTION

Within the realm of school-based interventions, implementation integrity is important for practical, legal, and ethical purposes. Unfortunately, evidence suggests that proper monitoring of implementation integrity is often absent from both research and practice. School psychology practitioners and researchers have reported that a major barrier to monitoring integrity is a lack of procedural guidance, and currently there is little research that has examined the psychometric reliability of monitoring procedures and materials. Therefore, the purpose of this two-part study was to examine (a) the extent to which relatively novice educators could self-learn and successfully use an implementation integrity monitoring system designed to evaluate a structured reading intervention program, and (b) the inter-observer reliability of two individuals using the system to evaluate the same interventionist. Overall findings suggested that it is feasible for most individuals to learn the implementation integrity monitoring system (and associated materials) and the system can be used reliably across multiple observers. Implications of these findings are discussed, including how the procedures and materials might be adapted for other intervention programs to assist researchers and practitioners with monitoring implementation integrity.
Incorporation of non-natural nucleotides into template-switching oligonucleotides reduces background and improves cDNA synthesis from very small RNA samples

The template switching PCR (TS-PCR) method of cDNA synthesis represents one of the most straightforward approaches to generating full length cDNA for sequencing efforts. However, when applied to very small RNA samples, such as those obtained from tens or hundreds of cells, this approach leads to high background and low cDNA yield due to concatamerization of the TS oligo. In this study, we describe the application of nucleotide isomers that form non-standard base pairs in the template switching oligo to prevent background cDNA synthesis. When such bases are added to the 5' end of the template switching (TS) oligo, they inhibit MMLV-RT from extending the cDNA beyond the TS oligo, thus increasing cDNA yield by reducing formation of concatamers of the TS oligo that are the source of significant background. Our results demonstrate that this novel approach for cDNA synthesis has valuable utility for application of ultra-high throughput technologies, such as whole transcriptome sequencing using 454 technology, to very small biological samples comprised of tens of cells as might be obtained via approaches like laser microdissection.
New Developments of the Therapeutic Alliance (TA): Good News for Psychodynamic Psychiatry

Clinicians have long known that successful psychotherapy, including successful psychodynamic psychotherapy, depends upon the interaction between therapist and patient. In other words, it is important to have a strong therapeutic alliance. This article presents the history of the concept of the therapeutic alliance (TA). It also explores three areas of research that have bearing on the TA. The importance of the TA and the extensive research work that pertains to it hold promise for psychodynamic psychiatry, both in terms of understanding, and in the treatment of mental suffering.
Microfluidic cell fragmentation for mechanical phenotyping of cancer cells

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) shed from the primary tumor undergo significant fragmentation in the microvasculature, and very few escape to instigate metastases. Inspired by this in vivo behavior of CTCs, we report a microfluidic method to phenotype cancer cells based on their ability to arrest and fragment at a micropillar-based bifurcation. We find that in addition to cancer cell size, mechanical properties determine fragmentability. We observe that highly metastatic prostate cancer cells are more resistant to fragmentation than weakly metastatic cells, providing the first indication that metastatic CTCs can escape rupture and potentially initiate secondary tumors. Our method may thus be useful in identifying phenotypes that succumb to or escape mechanical trauma in microcirculation.
Recording Oral History: A Guide for the Humanities and Social Sciences. 3rd ed. By Valerie Raleigh Yow.

In this third edition of her classic guide, Valerie Yow brings seasoned experience as a writer, practitioner, and interpreter of oral history to interdisciplinary audiences in the humanities and so...
Identification of the valence and coordination environment of the particulate methane monooxygenase copper centers by advanced EPR characterization.

Particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) catalyzes the oxidation of methane to methanol in methanotrophic bacteria. As a copper-containing enzyme, pMMO has been investigated extensively by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, but the presence of multiple copper centers has precluded correlation of EPR signals with the crystallographically identified monocopper and dicopper centers. A soluble recombinant fragment of the pmoB subunit of pMMO, spmoB, like pMMO itself, contains two distinct copper centers and exhibits methane oxidation activity. The spmoB protein, spmoB variants designed to disrupt one or the other or both copper centers, as well as native pMMO have been investigated by EPR, ENDOR, and ESEEM spectroscopies in combination with metal content analysis. The data are remarkably similar for spmoB and pMMO, validating the use of spmoB as a model system. The results indicate that one EPR-active Cu(II) ion is present per pMMO and that it is associated with the active-site dicopper cente...
Is There a Reason for Higher-Cost Financing?

Bonds can be issued via negotiated or competitive sales method. Research shows that bonds issued via negotiated sales method have higher interest payments and thus are more expensive. Nevertheless, the majority of the municipal bonds issues in the US are sold via negotiation. Why does this happen? Aren’t municipalities rational in choosing a more expensive method of sale? Don’t they want to save the 0.5% in interest for their taxpayers? In this paper we investigate why this phenomenon takes place. We show that lower-risk general-obligation bonds are likely to be sold competitively whereas riskier lease, revenue, special assessment, tax allocation, and limited tax obligation bonds are more likely to be sold via negotiated deal. Municipalities choose the sales method that is most beneficial to them. Credit rating and the type of bond issued determine the choice of the sales method.
Sheet-Like Remodeling of the T-System of Ventricular Cardiomyocytes in Heart Failure

The transverse tubular system (t-system) is a membrane specialization of striated myocytes crucial for excitation-contraction coupling. Various studies demonstrated remodeling of t-system in heart disease in species including rodent, canine and human. Commonly, disease was associated with heterogeneous t-system depletion. Here, we test the hypothesis that t-system remodeling underlies inefficient excitation-contraction coupling in human heart failure.We investigated the t-system in left-ventricular myocardium samples from 5 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The tissues were labeled for ryanodine receptors (RyRs), and the extracellular space including the t-system. We acquired 3D images with a Leica SP8 confocal microscope using a 63x oil immersion lens. After image deconvolution, we segmented individual cardiomyocytes. We reconstructed the t-system and quantified the RyR intensity and distance of RyR clusters to the t-system. Furthermore, isolated myocytes were labeled with di-8-ANEPPS and Fluo-4 to acquire 2D image sequences of calcium transients using a Zeiss Live 5 Duo confocal microscope.Our studies revealed a novel type of t-system remodeling, characterized by flat sheets rather than tubular structures. Three-dimensional reconstructions indicated that sheet cavities were connected with the extracellular space. Principal component analysis showed that sheets were aligned with the longitudinal myocyte axis. One sample did not show sheets and served as control. Comparing 5 cells with sheets to 5 control cells, we found significantly increased distances between RyR clusters and the t-system (0.82±0.12µm and 0.5±0.06µm, respectively) and a significantly higher fraction of RyRs present >1µm from the sarcolemma (49±6.9% and 21±5.5%, respectively). Cardiomyocytes with sheets exhibited spatial heterogeneity and asynchrony of calcium transients.Our studies present a novel phenotype of remodeled t-system, with a strikingly increased number of non-junctional RyR clusters. We suggest that the associated spatially heterogeneous and asynchronous calcium release contributes to reduced contractility in heart failure.
Parallel analysis of ribonucleotide-dependent deletions produced by yeast Top1 in vitro and in vivo

Ribonucleotides are the most abundant non-canonical component of yeast genomic DNA and their persistence is associated with a distinctive mutation signature characterized by deletion of a single repeat unit from a short tandem repeat. These deletion events are dependent on DNA topoisomerase I (Top1) and are initiated by Top1 incision at the relevant ribonucleotide 3′-phosphodiester. A requirement for the re-ligation activity of Top1 led us to propose a sequential cleavage model for Top1-dependent mutagenesis at ribonucleotides. Here, we test key features of this model via parallel in vitro and in vivo analyses. We find that the distance between two Top1 cleavage sites determines the deletion size and that this distance is inversely related to the deletion frequency. Following the creation of a gap by two Top1 cleavage events, the tandem repeat provides complementarity that promotes realignment to a nick and subsequent Top1-mediated ligation. Complementarity downstream of the gap promotes deletion formation more effectively than does complementarity upstream of the gap, consistent with constraints to realignment of the strand to which Top1 is covalently bound. Our data fortify sequential Top1 cleavage as the mechanism for ribonucleotide-dependent deletions and provide new insight into the component steps of this process.
Elevated coronary sinus pressure does not alter myocardial blood flow or left ventricular contractile function in mature sheep: implications after the Fontan operation

The hypothesis that elevation of coronary sinus pressure affects coronary blood flow and ventricular function was tested in this study of seven adult ewes placed under pentobarbital anesthesia. Coronary sinus pressure was elevated by partial balloon occlusion. Right atrial, left atrial, and aortic mean pressures and rate of rise of left ventricular pressure were measured. Coronary blood flow was determined with radioactive microspheres. Studies were performed at control and at moderate (15 to 20 mm Hg) and marked (30 to 35 mm Hg) elevation of coronary sinus mean pressures. Despite increase of coronary sinus pressure from a control value of 2 mm Hg ± 1 to levels of 19 mm Hg ± 1 and 34 mm Hg ± 1, no significant changes were observed in right atrial, left atrial, or aortic mean pressure or rate of rise of left ventricular pressure. Both endocardial and epicardial blood flows were unaffected. The endocardial/epicardial flow ratio at moderate coronary sinus pressure elevation was significantly increased, which suggested local subendocardial vasodilation in the absence of changes in transmural perfusion. The findings suggest that isolated increase in coronary sinus pressure is not a major determinant of myocardial blood flow or ventricular performance in the normal ewe.
Young, Shifting, and Black: Leaving the Language of Home and Back Again—A Cautionary Tale of Crossing Race and Gender Borders

This is the story of a Black woman Baby Boomer who, inspired by the 1969 song Young, Gifted and Black, experienced cultural border crossings early in life. It includes reflections from Black women of the Hip Hop Generation who, decades later, also pursued the “world waiting” for them promised in that song. In our lived experiences across generations, we found strategic language use is part of the “gift” and critical to crossings. We also discovered identity implications as we “shift” across borders into predominantly White environments and back into our Black communities where language is perceived as a marker of racial solidarity. Black feminist thought is used to examine the implications of a communicative practice that has been done for so long and so well it appears effortless. But we know it is not—for both generations, there are benefits, yes, but also detriments, frustration, and fatigue.
Big break for charge symmetry

Symmetry breaking is often seen as a bad thing. The greater the asymmetry in our faces, so we are told, the less attractive we appear to others. However, if nature did not break a subtle symmetry called charge symmetry to a very small extent, the implications would be somewhat more severe. Protons and neutrons would weigh the same, and the Sun would never have shone.
The skin microbiome of cow-nose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) in an aquarium touch-tank exhibit

Public aquaria offer numerous educational opportunities for visitors while touch-tank exhibits offer guests the ability to directly interact with marine life via physical contact. Despite the popularity of touch-tanks, there is a paucity of research about animal health in these exhibits and, in particular, there is little research on the microbial communities in these highly interactive exhibits. Microbial community structure can have implications for both host health and habitat function. To better understand the microbiome of a touch-tank we used high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to analyze the microbial community on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of cow-nose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) as well as their environment in a frequently visited touch-tank exhibit at the New England Aquarium. Our analyses revealed a distinct microbial community associated with the skin of the ray that had lower diversity than the surrounding habitat. The ray skin was dominated by three orders: Burkholderiales (∼55%), Flavobacteriales (∼19%), and Pseudomonadales (∼12%), taxonomic groups commonly associated with other fish species. Our results provide a survey of ray-associated bacterial communities in a touch-tank environment, thereby laying the foundation for future studies examining the role of potential challenges to ray microbiota and their associated health.