cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Israel as the ‘hermeneutical Jew’ in Protestant statements on the land and State of Israel: four Presbyterian examples

AbstractThis article studies four major Protestant Christian statements on the State of Israel, from the Presbyterian Church (USA) (1987, 2012) and the Church of Scotland (2003, 2013). While they initially advocate a secular, non-theologized view of Israel, they then paradoxically assess ‒ and often critique ‒ it using Scriptural texts and Christian theological concepts. These assessments are analysed using Jeremy Cohen’s model of the ‘hermeneutical Jew’, which describes a pre-modern Christian construction of the Jew as possessing Scripture but reading it incorrectly (e.g. too literally, particularistically). It is argued that the model applies to these modern Christian statements which view Israel as a hermeneutical Jew. They cast Israel as a corporate religious entity by which the Jewish people might fulfil their religious obligations, but criticize it for failing to properly interpret and apply Scripture in its policies. The article then critiques the appropriateness and accuracy of their viewing Israe...
Impact of Forward Stroke Volume Response on Clinical and Structural Outcomes After Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair With MitraClip.

Background— An increase of systolic forward flow was frequently observed after successful MitraClip implantation in patients with significant mitral regurgitation. However, the impact of systolic forward flow improvement on post–MitraClip outcomes remains unknown. Methods and Results— Study population included 160 patients who underwent successful MitraClip implantation. The systolic forward flow was noninvasively calculated as the forward stroke volume (FSV) at baseline before the MitraClip procedure and before discharge with pulse-wave Doppler using transthoracic echocardiography. The optimal threshold of discharge/baseline FSV ratio for 3-year all-cause death was assessed. The best cutoff ratio was 1.09 (9% FSV increase from baseline, P =0.006). The FSV responders were defined as those with >9% increase of FSV from baseline (n=93). From discharge to 12-month follow-up, a significant reduction of LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes was observed in the responders, whereas no significant change was observed in the nonresponders. Furthermore, the proportion of New York Heart Association functional class III/IV was significantly lower in the responders at 12 months (2.9% versus 14.6%; P =0.03). Among patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate P =0.002). Multivariable logistic analysis identified higher baseline FSV, less mitral regurgitation severity, and functional mitral regurgitation as independent predictors of the nonresponders. Conclusions— FSV increase after MitraClip implantation was associated with more favorable clinical and anatomic outcomes. Severity and pathogenesis of mitral regurgitation and pre-MitraClip FSV predicted postprocedural FSV response.
Don't run biomedical science as a business

Science should abandon its assembly-line mentality and rebuild for quality, not quantity, argues Michele Pagano.
The Effect of Rational and Intuitive Decision-Making Strategies on Interest Appraisals

Career counseling requires clients to make assessments and predictions of their interests, necessitating the use of both rational and intuitive processes. Dual-processing models of human decision-m...
IDENTIFYING ASPECTS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE PROCESSING TO AID IN COMPUTER PROCESSING OF HUMAN LANGUAGE

The ability to use language is one generally specified attribute of an intelligent entity. So far, machines have only been fully successful in manipulating restricted languages.
Trajectory encounter volume as a diagnostic of mixing potential in fluid flows: connection to diffusivity

Trajectory encounter volume – the volume of fluid that passes close to a reference fluid parcel over some time interval – has been recently introduced as a measure of mixing potential of a flow. Diffusivity is the most commonly used characteristic of turbulent diffusion. We derive the analytical relationship between the encounter volume and diffusivity under the assumption of an isotropic random walk, i.e. diffusive motion, in one and two dimensions. We apply the derived formulas to produce maps of encounter volume and the corresponding diffusivity in the Gulf Stream region of the North Atlantic based on satellite altimetry, and discuss the mixing properties of Gulf Stream rings. Advantages offered by the derived formula for estimating diffusivity from oceanographic data are discussed, as well as applications to other disciplines.
Introduction to Atomic Clusters

Abstract This chapter provides a brief overview of the field of nanoclusters and the manner in which it has evolved. It starts with a definition of clusters and nanoclusters and provides a description of their main characteristics that distinguish them from molecules and nanoparticles. Atomic and electronic structure of clusters, as well as their properties, is highlighted with examples. The field of atomic clusters is vast and this short introduction does not do justice to all that is known. Rather, we have focused on some important developments. The reader is encouraged to read the remaining chapters that go in depth to various topics and show how clusters have been able to bridge many disciplines.
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Mortality from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) remains exceptionally high, in spite of advances in prehospital and hospital care. All-comer survival in patients actively resuscitated is approximately 10%, with significant regional variability worldwide driven by geography, public health measures (e.g., basic life support education and use of automated cardiac defibrillators in public areas), and expertise of both “first responders” and receiving hospital centers. Those individuals presenting with so-called “Utstein” criteria are thought to have the best prognosis, and are defined as: patients with a witnessed cardiac arrest; patients suffering an arrest due to presumed underlying heart disease, and those with a presenting ventricular fibrillation rhythm. Indeed, advances in survival and prognosis over the past 15 years have almost exclusively been in this select group of patients with presenting shockable rhythms. Where patients are successfully admitted to hospital with return of spontaneous circulation, survival to discharge increases to approximately 25%. The likelihood of survival appears to correlate with the number of OOHCA cases treated by any individual institute. This is driven in part by multidisciplinary goal-directed therapies as part of a “Bundle of Care” approach, which includes more aggressive post-resuscitation care, mild therapeutic hypothermia, access to early coronary angiography, and revascularization of culprit coronary disease where appropriate. Effective post-resuscitation pathways also impact on rates of complications from multi-organ failure and brain injury with subsequent favorable neurological outcomes.
The Association Between Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Lipids in Cord Blood.

Introduction Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were among various persistent organic pollutants suspected to have been released during the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) on 9/11/2001. Evidence suggests that PFAS may have cardiometabolic effects, including alterations in lipid profiles. This study evaluated the association between cord blood PFAS and lipids in a population prenatally exposed to the WTC disaster. Study population 222 pregnant women in the Columbia University WTC birth cohort enrolled between December 13, 2001 and June 26, 2002 at hospitals located near the WTC site: Beth Israel, St. Vincent's, and New York University Downtown. Methods We evaluated the association between 5 cord blood PFAS-perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecane sulfonate (PFDS)-and cord blood lipids (total lipids, total cholesterol, triglycerides). Results Median (interquartile range [IQR]) concentrations of PFAS were 6.32 (4.58-8.57), 2.46 (1.77-3.24), 0.38 (0.25-0.74), 0.66 (0.48-0.95) and 0.11 (0.09-0.16) ng/mL for PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, and PFDS, respectively. Median (IQR) for lipids were 59.0 (51.5-68.5) mg/dL for total cholesterol, 196.5 (170.5-221.2) mg/dL for total lipids and 33.1 (24.2-43.9) mg/dL for triglycerides. In fully adjusted models, several PFAS were associated with higher lipid levels, including evidence of a strong linear trend between triglycerides and both PFOA and PFHxS. Conclusions Findings support previous evidence of an association between PFAS exposure and altered lipid profiles and add novel information on this relationship in cord blood, as well as for an understudied PFAS, PFDS (J Clin Endocrinol Metab XX: 0-0, 2019).
Influenza Pathogenesis in Genetically Defined Resistant and Susceptible Murine Strains

The murine infection model is a cornerstone for influenza virus research and includes aspects such as disease pathogenesis, immunobiology, and vaccine and antiviral drug development. One compelling feature of the murine model is the availability of inbred mouse strains, each with a unique genetic makeup and potential for variable responses to influenza infection. Using highly controlled infection studies, the response to influenza virus infection is classified on a spectrum from susceptible to resistant, reflecting severe morbidity and high mortality, to limited or no morbidity and no mortality. Although there have been a variety of studies establishing disparate pathogenesis amongst various murine strains, thus far, there is no consensus regarding the determinants of the outcome of infection. The goal of this review is to explore and discuss the differences in pathogenesis, as well as the innate and adaptive immune responses to influenza infection that have been described in susceptible and resistant mouse strains. Understanding how host genetics influences the response to influenza infection provides valuable insight into the variable responses seen in vaccine or drug efficacy studies, as well as indicates possible mechanisms contributing to increased disease severity in humans infected with influenza virus with no known risk factors.
An approach of 3D reconstruction for images by Dual-view Inverted Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy (diSPIM)

A new approach of 3D reconstruction for images by dual-view inverted selective plane illumination microscopy (diSPIM) is presented. Via this way, restriction on memory size of data can be eliminated, and processing speed is faster.
Enlarged Cardiac Silhouette

This chapter addresses the definition of an enlarged cardiac silhouette, the most common and various causes, and what disease states are associated with the different contours of enlargement in a question and answer format.
Impact of Multiple Reflections on Secrecy Capacity of Indoor VLC System

While visible light communication (VLC) is expected to have a wide range of applications in the near future, the security vulnerabilities of this technology have not been well understood so far. In particular, due to the extremely short wavelength of visible light, the VLC channel presents several unique characteristics than its radio frequency counterparts, which impose new features on the VLC security. Taking a physical-layer security perspective, this paper studies the intrinsic secrecy capacity of VLC as induced by its special channel characteristics. Different from existing models that only consider the specular reflection in the VLC channel, a modified Monte Carlo ray tracing model is proposed to account for both the specular and the diffusive reflections, which is unique to VLC. Based on this model the upper and the lower bounds of the VLC secrecy capacity are derived, which allow us to evaluate the VLC communication confidentiality against a comprehensive set of factors, including the locations of the transmitter, receiver, and eavesdropper, the VLC channel bandwidth, the ratio between the specular and diffusive reflections, and the reflection coefficient. Our results reveal that due to the different types of reflections, the VLC system becomes more vulnerable at specific locations where strong reflections exist.
E-117 Outcomes of endovascular treatment in direct versus transfer patients; TRANSFER study: a preliminary analysis

Objectives The primary objective is to evaluate difference in outcomes after endovascular treatment (EVT) between patients directly admitted through Emergency Department (ED) and patients transferred from outside institutions. Background Over last few years, EVT has been established as the most-effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). In New Mexico state, University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) serves as the only institution providing 24/7 services for EVT. In addition to transfers, patients are also admitted directly to UNMH through ED to undergo EVT. Considering the dynamics of New Mexico sate, representing various other similar states, we are conducting this study to evaluate any significant difference in the outcome of transferred patients in comparison to directly admitted patients. Methods This is an observational retrospective cohort study. Patients who underwent EVT for LVO from January 01, 2018 to December 31, 2018 at UNMH were included. Data was collected on secured Redcap™ database. Patients were categorized into direct admission (DA) vs transfer groups (TG). Patients who were not candidates for EVT were excluded. Results A total of 53 patients underwent EVT. Seventeen patients were directly admitted through ED while 36 were transferred from outside hospitals. Age, gender, ethnicity and risk factor profile are reported in table 1. The two groups had similar NIHSS and GCS on presentation. The median time of arrival of patients to UNM, from last known well, was 211 minutes in DA and 321 minutes in TG (p=0.03). Median UNM arrival to groin puncture time was 121 minutes in DA and 66 minutes in TG (p=0.04). Median procedural time for recanalization was 41 minutes for DA and 28 minutes for TG. One patient had unsuccessful thrombectomy (TICI score of 0). Although no statistical significance was noted, mean mRS at 3 months was 3 in each group. The 3-month mortality was similar in the two groups (DA=23.5% vs TG=25%). Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting EVT data reflecting experiences from an academic program of an underserved state after the expansion of EVT time-window. This study showed no statistical difference in the outcomes of patients admitted directly through ED versus patients who were transferred from outside hospitals for EVT. Larger scale studies are needed to corroborate this data. Disclosures A. Zafar: None. S. Suriya: None. M. Farooqui: None. O. Owens: None. A. Alvarado Arias: None. A. Ikram: None. D. Sorte: None. A. Carlson: None. M. Torbey: None.
Prehospital care for traumatic spinal cord injury by first responders in 8 sub-Saharan African countries and 6 other low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review

Abstract Introduction Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) constitutes a considerable portion of the global injury burden, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Prehospital care can address TSCI morbidity and mortality, but emergency medical services are lacking in LMICs. The current standard of prehospital care for TSCI in sub-Saharan Africa and other LMICs is unknown. Methods This review sought to describe the state of training and resources for prehospital TSCI management in sub-Saharan Africa and other LMICs. Articles published between 1 January 1995 and 1 March 2020 were identified using PMC, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Inclusion criteria spanned first responder training programs delivering prehospital care for TSCI. Two reviewers assessed full texts meeting inclusion criteria for quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and extracted relevant characteristics to assess trends in the state of prehospital TSCI care in sub-Saharan Africa and other LMICs. Results Of an initial 482 articles identified, 23 met inclusion criteria, of which ten were set in Africa, representing eight countries. C-spine immobilization precautions for suspected TSCI patients is the most prevalent prehospital TSCI intervention for and is in every LMIC first responder program reviewed, except one. Numerous first responder programs providing TSCI care operate without C-collar access (n = 13) and few teach full spinal immobilization (n = 5). Rapid transport is most frequently reported as the key mortality-reducing factor (n = 11). Despite more studies conducted in the Southeast Asia/Middle East (n = 13), prehospital TSCI studies in Africa are more geographically diverse, but responder courses are shorter, produce fewer professional responders, and have limited C-collar availability. Discussion Deficits in training and resources to manage TSCI highlights the need for large prospective trials evaluating alternative C-spine immobilization methods for TCSI that are more readily available across diverse LMIC environments and the importance of understanding resource variability to sustainably improve prehospital TSCI care.
Adapting Aquaculture Technology for Fish Vessels to Improve Fillet Quality

In this issue of JAFPT, we have a paper looking at the potential of using electrical immobilization technology for quality improvement of cod, saithe, and haddock harvested by fishing vessels. All ...
The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on New York City Real Estate: First Evidence (preprint)

Concerns about the lingering novel Coronavirus may have led to long-term structural change in desired dwelling locations in some large U.S. cities, such as New York City. Densely concentrated neighborhoods may be at higher risk of virus contagion, giving more individuals incentives to move out. We investigate whether this pandemic-induced disamenity adversely affected real estate prices of one- or two-family owner-occupied properties across New York City. First, OLS hedonic results indicate that greater COVID case numbers are concentrated in neighborhoods with lower-valued properties. Second, we use a repeat-sales approach for the period 2003 to 2020, and we find that both the fear of contagion and pandemic-induced income effects adversely impacted home sale prices. Estimates suggest sale prices fell by roughly $60,000 or around 8% in response to both of the following: 1,000 additional infections per 100,000 residents;and a 10-percentage point increase in unemployment in a given MODZCTA. These price effects were more pronounced during the second wave of infections. Based on cumulative MODZCTA infection rates through 2020, the estimated COVID-19 price discount ranged from approximately 1% to 50% in the most affected neighborhoods, and averaged 14%. Interestingly, the fear of contagion effect intensified in the more affluent, but less densely populated NYC neighborhoods, while the income effect was more pronounced in the most densely populated neighborhoods with more rental properties and greater population shares of foreign-born residents. This disparity implies the pandemic led to inequality between homeowners in lower-priced and higher-priced neighborhoods.
Attitudes and Influences toward Choosing a Business Major: The Case of Information Systems

Declining enrollment in MIS Departments in Colleges of Business has been the norm for many if not most universities since the dot.com bust of 2000. This has serious repercussions for the departments involved, students, and the companies that hire MIS graduates. In order to reverse this trend, an understanding of the important factors which influence students to choose a major is critical. Of crucial importance for MIS Departments is understanding the competition: the majors students choose instead of MIS. This study examines the influences of what is probably an MIS Department’s greatest competitor: other majors within the College of Business. What factors and influences propel students to major in a business discipline other than MIS? Using the Theory of Reasoned Action as a framework, this study examines the similarities and differences between two groups of business majors: MIS majors and non-MIS majors. Using a survey of 413 undergraduate business majors, this study examines the influences which shape attitudes toward choice of major and a student’s intention to work in his or her major field. Using structured equation modeling, the findings suggest some common influences across all majors (interest in the field, job availability, and job security), and many differences between the two groups (aptitude, social and personal image, workload of major, and influence of family, friends, other students, and professors). These similarities and differences suggest several ways to approach undecided students with the hope of gaining additional MIS majors. This also applies to students who may consider switching majors. The results of the study provide faculty with the information needed to better counsel and advise students, enhancing a fit between student and career, while simultaneously increasing technology majors.
Review of high power traveling wave tube amplifiers

The authors review work performed on high-power traveling wave tube amplifiers. The tubes operated in the X-band at 8.76 GHz with both a single stage and severed amplifier configuration. The single stage amplifiers provide useful gain (i.e. no oscillation) in the current range from 800 to 1700 A. The output is monochromatic until the output power reaches 70 MW, at which point a sideband structure develops in the frequency spectrum. Above 1.7 kA, the tube goes into oscillation from positive feedback. To eliminate the oscillations, the amplifier was severed. The severed amplifier achieved a total overall power output of about 400 MW, as verified by calorimetry. The power at the carrier frequency was 210 MW, giving an amplifier efficiency of 24%. Theoretical work has been performed to investigate the amplifier performance, including the sidebands. Most of the effects seen here can be attributed to finite length effects. >
Failure to Achieve Fairness: Race and Poverty Continue to Influence Who Dies

Despite the promise of “Equal Justice Under Law” etched on the Supreme Court building, the outcomes of criminal cases continue to be influenced by race and poverty. Race comes into play in the discretionary decisions made by actors, primarily prosecutors, in how cases are treated. It is often hard to ferret out the effect of racial animus on cases because racial attitudes may be subconscious and race may be one of many factors which influence a prosecutor or a jury. Courts are generally unwilling to wrestle with these issues, and when they do address them, the available remedies are completely inadequate.The impact of a defendant’s poverty is more apparent. As a result of poverty, a person accused of a crime may be unable to contest the prosecution’s case and present a defense due to the inability to obtain a competent lawyer and investigative and expert assistance.Two aspects of the system are important in addressing the impact of race and poverty. First, the overwhelming majority of those accused of crimes are poor. There are of course some white collar cases, some cases involving big drug dealers, and some cases involving middle class people or their children who have run afoul of the law. But for the most part, the people accused are poor. For the most part, if you visit the courtrooms where criminal cases are being heard, you will see poor people being processed.Because the criminal justice system deals almost exclusively with poor people, it is out of sight and out of mind for most Americans. They do not know what happens in the criminal courts. They may assume that it is operating justly and fairly, or they may not even think about it. I hope that as a result of the information provided here, those of you who graduate from this law school will care about the quality of justice for poor people whose lives and liberty are at stake in the criminal justice systems of this county. Second, the overwhelming majority of criminal cases — 90% to 95% — are resolved with plea bargains. Only a few minutes are spent in court on each case — just long enough for the defendant to waive his or her rights in answers to a judge’s questions. This means that prosecutors — not judges or juries — have most of the power with regard to how cases are resolved. Prosecutors decide what charges to file, whether to seek enhanced penalties, such as death sentences or mandatory minimums, and whether to agree to plea bargains that resolve the cases with less severe sentences than those originally sought. The extraordinary breadth of this discretion — whether to charge at all, whether to seek death or settle for lesser penalties — makes it possible for racial biases to enter the process.
A kinetic model describes metabolic response to perturbations and distribution of flux control in the benzenoid network of Petunia hybrida

In recent years there has been much interest in the genetic enhancement of plant metabolism; however, attempts at genetic modification are often unsuccessful due to an incomplete understanding of network dynamics and their regulatory properties. Kinetic modeling of plant metabolic networks can provide predictive information on network control and response to genetic perturbations, which allow estimation of flux at any concentration of intermediate or enzyme in the system. In this research, a kinetic model of the benzenoid network was developed to simulate whole network responses to different concentrations of supplied phenylalanine (Phe) in petunia flowers and capture flux redistributions caused by genetic manipulations. Kinetic parameters were obtained by network decomposition and non-linear least squares optimization of data from petunia flowers supplied with either 75 or 150 mm(2)H(5)-Phe. A single set of kinetic parameters simultaneously accommodated labeling and pool size data obtained for all endogenous and emitted volatiles at the two concentrations of supplied (2)H(5)-Phe. The generated kinetic model was validated using flowers from transgenic petunia plants in which benzyl CoA:benzyl alcohol/phenylethanol benzoyltransferase (BPBT) was down-regulated via RNAi. The determined in vivo kinetic parameters were used for metabolic control analysis, in which flux control coefficients were calculated for fluxes around the key branch point at Phe and revealed that phenylacetaldehyde synthase activity is the primary controlling factor for the phenylacetaldehyde branch of the benzenoid network. In contrast, control of flux through the beta-oxidative and non-beta-oxidative pathways is highly distributed.
Contextualized Science for Teaching Science and Technology.

A comprehensive view of science and technology in curricular reforms and materials is needed to promote public understanding and participation in science issues. This paper presents the results of an analysis of the treatment of the nature of science and technology in science curricular materials in India. Textbook sections on the conceptions of mechanics are the basis for this analysis. A contextualized curriculum for schools is offered as a more productive approach to learning and exploring science concepts, processes, and science-and-technology issues. The controversial Sardar Sarovar Hydro-Electric Project in India is used as an exemplary case that can further this effort. The paper concludes that a contextualized curriculum is potentially quite powerful for addressing the nature of science and technology in school curricula and materials.
Future devices for information processing

Current CMOS devices operate at about six orders of magnitude above the k/sub B/Tln2 Joules/bit switching limit imposed by physics. Nevertheless, it can be shown that continued scaling of device features that are then densely packed and operated at attainable frequencies will result in the generation of thermal loads that cannot be managed by any known heat removal technology. We discuss possible successor/complementary logic devices that reduce the level of heat generation and we discuss new nonvolatile memory techniques that could radically impact information processing architectures and hence the performance requirements for logic devices.
A Monolithic High-Flow Knudsen Pump Using Vertical Al 2 O 3 Channels in SOI

This paper describes the analysis, design, and microfabrication of a Knudsen pump for high flow generation. The Knudsen pump generates gas streams from the cold end to the hot end using free-molecular flow without moving parts. The designed Knudsen pump has densely arrayed vertically oriented 2- $\mu \text{m}$ wide rectangular channels for providing high flow. The temperature gradient is provided between a thin-film metal heater and a gridded Si heat sink in the Knudsen pump structure. The Knudsen pump is fabricated on a single silicon-on-insulator wafer using a four-mask lithographic process. The sidewalls of the rectangular channels are constructed by atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 on sacrificial Si channels and subsequent Si etching. The fabricated Knudsen pumps have designed footprints ranging from 0.4–3.2 cm $^{2}$ . At atmospheric pressure, the fabricated Knudsen pumps provide a maximum measured air flow rate of >200 sccm with response time of $\approx 200$ Torr (27 kPa). [2014-0367]
Changes in insulin action and GLUT-4 with 6 days of inactivity in endurance runners

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether decreased insulin action after 6 days of inactivity in endurance-trained runners was associated with a decrease in skeletal muscle glucose...
On the unlikelihood of non-aqueous biosystems

Theunique ability of the solvent liquid water to form polymorphic, 3-dimensional, H-bonded aggregates and solvation envelopes of widely different character (hydrophilic or coulombic hydration and hydrophobic hydration) is anecessary condition for the realization of the levels of order in form and complexity in function required by carbonaceous biotic systems.
Alarm call responsivity of mallard ducklings: V. Age-related changes in repetition rate specificity and behavioral inhibition.

Twenty-four-hour-old mallard ducklings (Anas platyrhynchos) exhibit a high degree of behavioral freezing (i.e., vocal and locomotor inhibition) upon hearing the maternal alarm call, which the hen utters when potential predators are near the nest. In this study, we assessed age-related changes in alarm call responsivity between 12 and 72 hr after hatching. Experiment 1 revealed that, although a significant reduction in vocal activity occurred upon exposure to the alarm call at all ages tested (12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 hr), birds older than 48 hr exhibited lower levels of freezing than younger birds. Furthermore, 12-hr-old ducklings exhibited the greatest level of freezing among the younger-aged groups. In Experiement 2, 12-, and 72-hr-old ducklings were tested to variations of the alarm call that differed in repetition rate (0.2 to 2.6 notes/sec, in increments of 2/10 of a second) to ascertain whether there are age-related changes in perceptual specificity and whether ducklings exhibit perceptual sharpening. Although older ducklings exhibited a slight shift in perceptual specificity toward faster repetition rates, they froze significantly less than younger ducklings at all repetition rates. Therefore, there was no evidence of perceptual sharpening. These data suggest that alarm call responsivity may represent an adaptation that appears to be associated with the timing of the nest exodus.
A new empirical test for parallel pseudo-random number generators

Recently, Percus derived probabilities and distributions for parallel, i.i.d. random sequences of integers. This was accomplished by considering s given bit locations in each random variable (represented as a predetermined number of bits) in each sequence. These s bits were used to create a new binary sequence whose expected behavior can be analyzed. Based upon Percus work, an empirical test for parallel pseudo-random number generators has been devised. For each generator, parallel sequences of various lengths are considered and analyzed as proposed by Percus and the results are statistically compared to the expected behavior for truly random sequences. A variety of parallel pseudo-random number generators from the literature are studied and the usefulness of the new empirical test is discussed.
Towards a Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System: an Initial Design for the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association

Abstract A conceptual design for a southeast United States regional coastal ocean observing system (RCOOS) is built upon a partnership between institutions of the region and among elements of the academic, government and private sectors. This design envisions support of a broad range of applications (e.g., marine operations, natural hazards, and ecosystem-based management) through the routine operation of predictive models that utilize the system observations to ensure their validity. A distributed information management system enables information flow, and a centralized information hub serves to aggregate information regionally and distribute it as needed. A variety of observing assets are needed to satisfy model requirements. An initial distribution of assets is proposed that recognizes the physical structure and forcing in the southeast U.S. coastal ocean. In-situ data collection includes moorings, profilers and gliders to provide 3D, time-dependent sampling, HF radar and surface drifters for synoptic sampling of surface currents, and satellite remote sensing of surface ocean properties. Nested model systems are required to properly represent ocean conditions from the outer edge of the EEZ to the watersheds. An effective RCOOS will depend upon a vital “National Backbone” (federally supported) system of in situ and satellite observations, model products, and data management. This dependence highlights the needs for a clear definition of the National Backbone components and a Concept of Operations (CONOPS) that defines the roles, functions and interactions of regional and federal components of the integrated system. A preliminary CONOPS is offered for the Southeast (SE) RCOOS. Thorough system testing is advocated using a combination of application-specific and process-oriented experiments. Estimates of costs and personnel required as initial components of the SE RCOOS are included. Initial thoughts on the Research and Development program required to support the RCOOS are also outlined.
Lithospheric strength and rheological stratification at mid-ocean ridges

Lithosphere at mid-ocean ridges is rheologically stratified. The extensional failure of rheologically stratified lithosphere can be modelled by integrating the appropriate failure criteria over the appropriate depths to the base of the lithosphere. This integrated lithospheric strength is the force per unit length required for whole lithospheric failure to occur. Oceanic spreading centres are in a nearly constant state of whole lithospheric failure. Lithosphere at a given ridge axis has a characteristic integrated strength which is met for spreading to continue. Variations in integrated strength have important implications for tectonic phenomena such as jumps at spreading centres.
The role of cell death in sexually dimorphic muscle development: Male‐specific muscles are retained in female bax/bak knockout mice

The bulbocavernosus (BC) and levator ani (LA) muscles are present in males but absent or severely reduced in females, and the fate of these muscles controls the survival of motoneurons in the sexually dimorphic spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus. However, the mechanism underlying the sex difference in BC and LA development has been controversial. We examined the role of cell death in sexual differentiation of the bulbocavernosus BC/LA muscles in mice. Muscle development was mapped from embryonic day 16 (E16) to postnatal day 5 (P5). A sex difference (male > female) first arose on E17 (BC) or E18 (LA), and increased in magnitude postnatally. TUNEL labeling revealed dying cells in the BC and LA muscles of both sexes perinatally. However, females had a significantly higher density of TUNEL-positive cells than did males. A role for the proapoptotic factors, Bax and Bak, in BC/LA development was tested by examining mice lacking one or both of these proteins. In females lacking either Bax or Bak, the BC was absent and the LA rudimentary. Deletion of both bax and bak genes, however, rescued the BC, increased LA size ∼20-fold relative to controls, and virtually eliminated TUNEL-positive cells in both muscles. We conclude that cell death plays an essential role in sexual differentiation of the BC/LA muscles. The presence of either Bax or Bak is sufficient for cell death in the BC/LA, whereas the absence of both prevents sexually dimorphic muscle cell death. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008.
Telepsychiatry for Neurocognitive Testing in Older Rural Latino Adults

As the population of older Latinos in the U.S. increases, availability of culturally adapted geriatric psychiatry services is becoming a growing concern. This issue is exacerbated for rural Latino populations. In this study, we assessed whether neurocognitive assessment via telepsychiatry (TP) using a Spanish-language battery would be comparable to in-person (IP) testing using the same battery in a sample of Spanish-speaking older adults in a rural setting. Patients (N = 22) received IP and TP testing 2 weeks apart. The order of IP and TP test administrations in individual subjects was determined randomly. Comparison of scores indicated that there were no significant differences between IP and TP test performance though both groups scored non-significantly higher at the second visit. This study demonstrates feasibility and utility of neurocognitive testing in Spanish using TP among older rural Latinos.
Multivariate analysis of TOF-SIMS spectra of monolayers on scribed silicon

Static time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) was performed on monolayers on scribed silicon (Si(scr)) derived from 1-alkenes, 1-alkynes, 1-holoalkanes, aldehydes, and acid chlorides. To rapidly determine the variation in the data without introducing user bias, a multivariate analysis was performed. First, principal components analysis (PCA) was done on data obtained from silicon scribed with homologous series of aldehydes and acid chlorides. For this study, the positive ion spectra, the negative ion spectra, and the concatentated (linked) positive and negative ion spectra were preprocessed by normalization, mean centering, and autoscaling. The mean centered data consistently showed the best correlations between the scores on PC1 and the number of carbon atoms in the adsorbate. These correlations were not as strong for the normalized and autoscaled data. After reviewing these methods, it was concluded that mean centering is the best preprocessing method for TOF-SIMS spectra of monolayers on Si(scr). A PCA analysis of all of the positive ion spectra revealed a good correlation between the number of carbon atoms in all of the adsorbates and the scores on PC1. PCA of all of the negative ion spectra and the concatenated positive and negative ion spectra showed a correlation based on the number of carbon atoms in the adsorbate and the class of the adsorbate. These results imply that the positive ion spectra are most sensitive to monolayer thickness, while the negative ion spectra are sensitive to the nature of the substrate-monolayer interface and the monolayer thickness. Loadings show an inverse relationship between (inorganic) fragments that are expected from the substrate and (organic) fragments expected from the monolayer. Multivariate peak intensity ratios were derived. It is also suggested that PCA can be used to detect outlier surfaces. Partial least squares showed a strong correlation between the number of carbon atoms in the adsorbate and the number it predicted.
Chemical precipitation and properties of nanocrystalline FeCu alloy and composite powders

Abstract Nanocrystalline FeCu alloys and composite powders have been fabricated by reducing ferrous and cupric salts with sodium borohydride in aqueous solutions. Depending on the relative iron concentration, either fcc alloys or phase separated composites were precipitated from the solutions. The alloys were magnetically soft and the composites had coercivities as large as 400 Oe.
“No Way Out” Russian-Speaking Women’s Experiences With Domestic Violence

This article explores the experience of domestic violence and utilization of domestic violence resources among immigrant women who were Russian speaking. Participants, many of whom came to the United States as so-called mail-order brides, reported diverse forms of abuse, including isolation and financial restrictions, and were reluctant to get outside help because of embarrassment about their circumstances. Survivors stressed the importance of language- and culture-appropriate outreach and services and urged that women receive information about domestic violence services and laws on immigration. Assistance with housing, child care, and job searches is integral to safe transitions out of abusive relationships.
CWW, LANGUAGE, AND THINKING

Computing with words, CWW, is considered in the context of natural language functioning, unifying language with thinking. Previous attempts at modeling natural languages as well as thinking processes in artificial intelligence have met with computational complexity. To overcome computational complexity we use dynamic logic (DL), an extension of fuzzy logic describing fuzzy to crisp transitions. We suggest a possible architecture motivated by mathematical and neural considerations. We discuss the reasons why CWW has to be modeled jointly with thinking and propose an architecture consistent with brain neural structure and with a wealth of psychological knowledge. The proposed architecture implies the existence of relationships between languages and cultures. We discuss these implications for further evolution of English and Chinese cultures, and for cultural effects of interactions between natural languages and CWW.
Changes Over Time in the Prevalence of Caries Experience or Periodontal Pathology on Third Molars in Young Adults

Purpose To assess the prevalence of caries experience and periodontal pathology on third molar teeth compared with first and second molars and teeth more anterior from subjects who had data collected over time in a longitudinal clinical study. Patients and Methods Healthy subjects with 4 asymptomatic third molars and data for at least 4 years after enrollment were included in these analyses. The presence or absence of caries experience on the occlusal surface of the third molars and any surface of the first or second molars was assessed using a visual-tactile caries examination. Full mouth periodontal probing, 6 sites per tooth, was conducted as a measure of clinical periodontal status. The primary outcome measures were at least 1 periodontal probing depth of at least 4 mm versus none, and caries experience versus no caries experience. The prevalence of caries experience and periodontal pathologic findings at follow-up and the relationship of the occurrence between the third molars and teeth more anterior in the mouth were examined using McNemar's statistics. Results The follow-up was a median of 6.9 years (interquartile range 4.6 to 7.7 years) for 179 subjects, with a mean age of 29 years. More subjects were female (54%) and white (80%). At follow-up, 85% of the subjects had caries experience detected on the first or second molars, and only 50% had a third molar affected. In contrast, at follow-up, the presence of at least 1 periodontal probing depth of at least 4 mm was marginally more prevalent on the third molars than on the first or second molars (56% and 50%, respectively). Fewer subjects had third molars free of caries experience and periodontal pathology at follow-up compared with at enrollment (28% versus 38%, respectively). Conclusions The prevalence of both third molar caries experience and third molar periodontal pathology increased from baseline to the follow-up examination. At follow-up, the prevalence of caries experience was greater on the first or second molars than on the third molars, and periodontal pathology were greater on the third molars than on the more anterior teeth.
Picture Description and Interpretation in Brain-Damaged Patients

Summary A picture interpretation task, consisting of 4 TAT cards, was administered to 100 brain-damaged (BD) and 100 control (C) patients. Two judges independently scored the protocols on a 4-point scale, and high interjudge agreement was found. Mean levels and variabilities of age and education were equated in the 2 groups. The BD's achieved a significantly lowei; mean score than did the C's. Twenty-five BD's performed at a defective level on the task, as defined by C group performances. Deficiency in picture interpretation was positively, though nonsignificantly, related to general mental impairment, as 14 of the 25 defective scores were achieved by BD's with grossly normal intelligence. Left and right hemisphere patients performed essentially equally well on the task. Frontal patients obtained lower scores and had a significantly higher proportion of defective performances than did the post-rolandic patients. The results were interpreted in relation to differences in global mental impairment, attention, carefulness and incentive. Motivational variables should be closely controlled in future studies.
Pronounced benefit of coronary stenting and adjunctive platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition in complex atherosclerotic lesions.

Background—Previous trials testing stents compared with balloon angioplasty excluded patients with complex lesions and did not assess the effect of adjunctive platelet IIb/IIIa inhibition. This analysis sought to assess the effect of stenting and abciximab specifically for patients with complex lesions. Methods and Results—Patients with complex lesions (long, tandem, severely calcified, restenotic, thrombotic, or ostial; total occlusions; bifurcations; saphenous vein grafts; and multivessel interventions) from the Evaluation of PTCA to Improve Long-Term Outcome by c7E3 GP IIb/IIIa Receptor Blockade (EPILOG) and the Evaluation of Platelet IIb/IIIa Inhibitor for Stenting (EPISTENT) trials were included in the analysis. The 1-year combined death or myocardial infarction rates in the 4 treatment groups were as follows: balloon angioplasty/placebo, 14.2%; stent/placebo, 15.8%; balloon angioplasty/abciximab, 7.6%; and stent/abciximab, 8.0% (P<0.001). Death rates were 3.2%, 3.1%, 2.1%, and 0.5%, respectively (P=...
A dynamic simulation model of tissue growth and cell patterning

The distributions of cells in tissues of experimental chimaeras and mosaics can serve as tests of mechanisms and rules by which single cells organize themselves into complex, multicellular structures during embryogenesis. We have devised a dynamic, computer simulation model of tissue growth and cell patterning which is directly applicable to the analysis of chimaeras and mosaics. In the model, schematized cells possess a small behavioral repertoire and simple rules for the carrying out of these behaviors. Populations of such cells evolve tissue patterns in real-time that are very similar to those seen in experimental animals. In particular, we have modeled the major pattern features seen in amphibian and mammalian eye chimaeras and mosaics. We have demonstrated that cell mixing can be a passive concomitant of interstitial cell division, a result which alleviates the need to postulate active cell mixing in such mammalian systems. We expect this approach to be a valuable addition to methods of pattern analysis in development.