cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feline Leukemia-Sarcoma Complex: A Model for RNA Viral Tumorigenesis

RNA tumor viruses have been isolated from poultry, mice, cats, monkeys, and other animals, even poikilotherms, and are known to be responsible for a variety of neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases. These RNA type C or oncornaviruses mainly cause hematopoietic and connective tissue neoplasms that in mice, poultry, cats, and monkeys have been classified as the causative agents of disease conditions in the leukemia-sarcoma complex. In addition to known tumorigenic RNA tumor virus isolates, type C virus has been suspected as the cause of leukemia in cattle, sheep, swine, dogs, and a variety of other warm-blooded animals and some cold-blooded animals.
Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Case of Von Willebrand Disease: a Case Report.

Introduction: Studies have shown that patients with Von Willebrand disease (VWD) have decreased prevalence of thrombotic events like myocardial infarction (MI). Here we describe a case of VWD with acute non-ST-elevation MI with ongoing bleeding manifestations. Case presentation: A 37-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with a complaint of central chest pain since 7 days. She also had a history of hemoptysis since 8 days. Electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed ST-segment depression in leads I, aVL, II, III, aVF, and V4-V6 compatible with diagnosis of Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (Non STEMI). She was started on nitroglycerine infusion, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers along with trimetazidine. Her chest pain and ECG changes settled after 2 days, and she was discharged in a stable condition. Conclusion: There are limited studies available regarding the management of acute MI in VWD patients with acute bleeding manifestations. Further studies have to be carried out to determine successful ways of managing thrombotic events like MI in this subset of patients.
The normative problem for logical pluralism

AbstractIt is commonly thought that logic, whatever it may be, is normative. While accounting for the normativity of logic is a challenge for any view of logic, in this paper I argue that it is par...
Notes on chocolate cities

Chocolate Cities is a work of Black urban studies, treating the entire US as a variegated “South.” Despite regional differences the US retains its endemic white supremacism. Based on this recogniti...
Effects of Age on Voice Onset Time and Variability in Children with Repaired Cleft Palate.

Objective: To examine the effect of age on voice onset time (VOT) and VOT variability in children with repaired cleft palate. Methods: Twenty-two children with repaired cleft palate were allocated into two age groups: younger children (YC: n = 13) and older children (OC: n = 9). VOT measurements from monosyllabic words (/pɑ/, /tɑ/, and /kɑ/) and intraspeaker VOT variability estimated by coefficients of variation (CoV) of two age groups were compared. Results: Age was found to have a statistically significant effect on VOT and VOT variability. Specifically, OC had significantly longer VOT (F(1,66) = 4.196, p < 0.05) and less VOT variability (F(1,66) = 6.007, p < 0.05) for English voiceless stops than YC. No statistically significant main effect for speech sample or age by speech sample interaction was observed. Conclusions: Our data supplement the existing literature by adding VOT and VOT variability information for older children/adolescents with repaired cleft palate. Findings from the study suggest VOT patterns acquired at younger age appear to be further exaggerated and stabilized during the adolescent period among children with repaired cleft palate. A future study is necessary to determine different sources of VOT variability in children with a history of cleft palate, which may have clinical therapeutic implications.
167 Roles of skin-resident dendritic cells and T cells in the pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus

Background Pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus is unclear. Skin harbors at least three subsets of dendritic cells (DC): Langerhans cells (LC) that reside in the epidermis, langerin-expressing dermal DC that reside in the dermis (LangdDC), and langerin-negative dermal DC. Skin also contains T cells including skin-resident T cells called dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC). Here, we investigated the roles of skin-DC subsets and DETCs in the pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus. To allow investigations into early events leading to cutaneous lupus, we used animal models. Methods We used MRL-Fas+/+ (MRL+/+) mice that develop lupus ~10 months of age and MRL-Faslpr/lpr (MRL-lpr) mice that develop lupus ~4 months. We applied fluorophores to the skin of these and MHCII-matched control mice to track in vivo migration of skin-DC to skin-draining lymph nodes. To be able to track skin-DC in steady state (without any external manipulation), we generated langerin-driven eGFP knock-in MRL+/+and MRL-lpr mice by introgressing the knock-in mutation from the stock B6 background (kindly provided by Bernard Malissen). We used in situ assays to identify potential sites of defect in skin-DC migration in lupus. We treated MRL mice with glycolipid GalCer that ameliorates cutaneous lupus and determined its effect on skin-DC migration, and investigated mechanisms of skin-DC migration using TCR/and CD40 L/mice. Finally, to directly test the role of skin-DCs in cutaneous lupus, we used DTR knock-in MRL mice to conditionally deplete LC and/or LangdDC. Results Lupus-prone mice exhibit reduced LC migration but increased LangdDC trafficking to skin-draining lymph nodes. Such altered migration of these two skin-DC subsets was corrected by GalCer treatment. However, GalCer did not increase LC migration through its well-known target iNKT cells but increased DETCs that were otherwise reduced in lupus mice compared to controls. DETCs increased LC migration in vitro. The role of DETCs in modulating LC migration was confirmed using/mice. CD40L deficiency or antibody blockade abrogated the ability of DETCs to enhance LC migration. Finally, conditional ablation of LC worsened cutaneous lupus; this effect was abrogated when both LC and LangdDC were ablated together. LC depletion or GalCer treatment did not affect anti-DNA antibodies or lupus nephritis. Conclusions Skin-DCs regulate the development of cutaneous lupus, but dont affect systemic disease. Different skin-DC subsets play different roles in the pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus and are differently regulated. Such specialized local regulation of autoimmunity at the tissue level has implications for developing tissue-targeted therapies without affecting systemic immunity. Funding Source(s): NIH R01 AI080778
Prenatal Exposure to Tobacco and Offspring Neurocognitive Development in the Healthy Start Study.

Objective To explore the associations between prenatal exposure to tobacco and neurocognitive development, in the absence of prematurity or low birth weight. Study design We followed mother-child pairs within Healthy Start through 6 years of age. Children were born at ≥37 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of ≥2500 g. Parents completed the Third Edition Ages and Stages Questionnaire (n = 246) and children completed a subset of the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery (n = 200). The Ages and Stages Questionnaire domains were dichotomized as fail/monitor and pass. Maternal urinary cotinine was measured at approximately 27 weeks of gestation. Separate logistic regression models estimated associations between prenatal exposure to tobacco (cotinine below vs above the limit of detection) and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire domains. Separate linear regression models estimated associations between prenatal exposure to tobacco and fully corrected T-scores for inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and receptive language, as assessed by the National Institutes of Health Toolbox. A priori covariates included sex, maternal age, maternal education, daily caloric intake during pregnancy, race/ethnicity, household income, maternal psychiatric disorders, and, in secondary models, postnatal exposure to tobacco. Results Compared with unexposed offspring, exposed offspring were more likely to receive a fail/monitor score for fine motor skills (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.5-10.3) and decreased inhibitory control (B: −3.0; 95% CI, −6.1 to −0.7). After adjusting for postnatal exposure, only the association with fine motor skills persisted. Conclusions Prenatal and postnatal exposures to tobacco may influence neurocognitive development, in the absence of preterm delivery or low birth weight. Increased developmental screening may be warranted for exposed children.
Use of the Burden of Diabetes Mellitus Score for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment

Uncontrolled type II diabetes mellitus (DM) using single point hemoglobin A1c levels has been associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes. However, methods to quantify the effect of uncontrolled DM over time have been inconsistent. To quantify hyperglycemia over time and assess its cardiovascular effects we developed and tested a DM burden score which accounts for time in years prior to DM diagnosis, diagnostic HbA1c, and aggregate HbA1c levels thereafter. A retrospective cohort study was performed with patients (n = 188) from a single academic center with type II DM and no prior cardiac disease history. Patient scores were calculated from diagnosis until the year 2015 and were grouped into low ( 5.5%; n = 53) DM burden score cohorts. At 48 months, the cohort with high DM burden scores correlated with significantly worse major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio [HR] 3.07, p = 0.012), myocardial infarction (HR 12.78, p = 0.015), coronary revascularization (HR 4.53, p = 0.019), cardiovascular hospitalizations (HR 4.20, p = 0.005), and all-cause hospitalizations (HR 2.57, p = 0.01). Cardiovascular and all-cause mortality showed significant difference between groups in log-rank testing. Also, a multivariate regression model showed DM burden score (p = 0.045) to be an independent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (HR 9.38, p = 0.045). In conclusion, this study provides evidence that DM control over time impacts cardiovascular outcomes.
Local perspectives on bioterrorism. An approach to terrorism preparedness: Parkland Health and Hospital System.

In Dallas, as in most metropolitan areas, the medical community is exceedingly complex. The health care community is fractionated into a bewildering array of providers including, among others, physician offices, clinics, urgent care centers, public health agencies, nursing agencies, and, of course, hospitals. In addition, the hospital community comprises a multitude of private and public facilities providing a range of services including basic medical/surgical care, acute/tertiary care, or special population (e.g., children, veterans) services. Such diversity and fractionation may act as a barrier in efforts to unify and organize the medical community's approach to WME events. Tenuous economics, competitive postures, and the absence of a single, controlling health care authority further dilute the medical community's sense of ownership and responsibility as it pertains to the management and mitigation of a WME event. An analysis of the Dallas medical community revealed that there are 25 acute care hospitals with approximately 6300 beds (1999 American Hospital Association Guide, hospital listings). Less than 15% of hospitals within the greater Dallas–Fort Worth area have incorporated WME-specific planning, training, and treatment policies into facility disaster plans (Dallas–Fort Worth Hospital Council hospital survey, 1999). City planners, public health officials, and health care administrators have not developed a comprehensive, communitywide medical response plan. Such a plan should incorporate the resources of all facilities within the medical community. The entire medical community must commit to organized, widespread preparative efforts. As a public service and health resource, hospitals should acknowledge their responsibility to minimize morbidity and mortality within the community in which they reside. Hospital administrators and decision makers must prepare their facilities for the pivotal role they will play in the stabilization and treatment of victims, who may number in the thousands. Individual hospital characteristics, such as bed capacity, complexity of medical services, work-force sophistication, and mutual aid/contractual agreements, may be utilized to define the roles and responsibilities of specific facilities within the context of a WME event. If preparative efforts are not widespread and comprehensive, a single institution working in isolation will not significantly reduce community morbidity and mortality in the event of a WME incident.
The Steady Problem

We introduce the solution of partial differential equations (PDEs) by considering elliptic partial differential equations which arise in oceanography and meteorology. Most of the elliptic equations encountered are well-posed linear problems for which it is easily shown that a unique solution exists. Therefore we concentrate on finding the solution rapidly and accurately. Later, when time-dependent problems are considered, we need to concentrate on stability and accuracy, and speed becomes a lesser priority. Thus numerical solutions for elliptic problems provide the framework for introducing finite differences for PDEs. These approximations lead to large sets of algebraic equations which require solution.
Saving cognitive outcome data in Alzheimer's disease clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic: Commentary on the virtual administration of the ADAS-Cog

Elderly participants in Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical trials are at high risk of morbidity and mortality with interpersonal exposure to COVID-19, a situation that is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Yet, in-person neuropsychological assessments remain the mainstay primary outcomes for clinical trials seeking prevention and cure for AD. The Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-Cog) is among the most commonly used cognitive assessment in AD clinical trials, and though currently lacking specific guidelines for virtual administrations, it can be used remotely with appropriate modifications and considerations. Here we propose a novel method of virtual administration of the ADAS-Cog, which considers workarounds for technological and human limitations imposed when the participant is no longer sitting across from the test administrator.
Thermodynamic properties of Gd-Bi alloys determined by emf measurements in LiCl-KCl-GdCl3 electrolyte

Abstract Thermodynamic properties of binary Gd-Bi alloys (mole fraction, xGd = 0.02–0.35) were determined using electromotive force (emf) measurements in molten LiCl-KCl-GdCl3 electrolyte in complement with structural, microstructural, and thermal characterization. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) identified the phase constituents of Gd-Bi alloys (xGd = 0.02–0.35) as Bi matrix and GdBi compound. According to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements up to 1250 K, a eutectic transition [L = Bi + GdBi] was observed at 543 K but the reported peritectic transition [L + GdBi = GdBi2] was not detected, suggesting the absence of the GdBi2 compound. Based on structural, microstructural, and thermal characterization of Gd-Bi alloys (xGd = 0.02–0.35), the GdBi2 compound was not detected, and its thermodynamic stability is questionable. The emf of Gd-Bi alloy (xGd = 0.16) at 700–1048 K relative to Gd(s) was measured by electrodepositing pure Gd metal at 25 K increments. The emf values of Gd-Bi alloys were determined via coulometric titration of Gd into liquid Bi using a two-phase [L + GdBi] alloy as a reference electrode at 773–973 K. The solubility of Gd in liquid Bi was also estimated to be 0.50 mol% (773 K), 0.99 mol% (873 K), and 2.21 mol% (973 K) and the excess partial molar Gibbs energy ( ∆ G Gd ex ) of liquid Gd-Bi alloys was as low as 65 kJ mol–1, indicating strong chemical interactions between Gd and Bi.
Early onset of deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery is associated with decreased survival: A propensity weighted analysis.

OBJECTIVES To compare outcomes after the development of early (≤30 days) versus delayed (>30 days) deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) after cardiac surgery. METHODS Between 2005 and 2016, 64 patients were treated surgically for DSWI following cardiac surgery. Thirty-three developed early DSWI, while 31 developed late DSWI. The mean follow-up was 34.1 ± 32.3 months. RESULTS Survival for the entire cohort at 1, 3, and 5 years was 93.9%, 85.1%, and 80.8%, respectively. DSWI diagnosed early and attempted medical management was strongly associated with overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 25.0 and 9.9; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 1.18-52.8 and 1.28-76.5; p-value .04 and .04, respectively). Survival was 88.1%, 77.0%, 70.6% and 100%, 94.0% and 94.0% at 1, 3, and 5 years in the early and late DSWI groups, respectively (log-rank = 0.074). Those diagnosed early were more likely to have a positive wound culture (odds ratio [OR], 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.69; p = .024) and diagnosed late were more likely to be female (OR, 8.75; 95% CI, 2.0-38.4; p = .004) and require an urgent DSWI procedure (OR, 9.25; 95% CI, 1.86-45.9; p = .007). Both early diagnosis of DSWI and initial attempted medial management were strongly associated with mortality (HR, 7.48; 95% CI, 1.38-40.4; p = .019 and HR, 7.76; 95% CI, 1.67-35.9; p = .009, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Early aggressive surgical therapy for DSWI after cardiac surgery results in excellent outcomes. Those diagnosed with DSWI early and who have failed initial medical management have increased mortality.
Dangerous Myths and Tragic Misconceptions: Fighting HIV and AIDS Cases in Africa with Male Circumcision Strategies

This chapter challenges the claim that African AIDS can be controlled through sexual behavior modification, male circumcision, or drugs. The symptoms that define AIDS cases in Africa (diarrhea, fever, weight loss and dry cough) make its profile decisively different from that in the West. To understand African illness over the past 30 years, the chapter examines the deteriorating political economies instead of scrutinizing peoples’ sexual behavior. Field research in Somalia, Kenya, and South Africa and evidence from social sciences and public health are used to defuse African AIDS alarmism. A major portion of the billions of dollars spent “fighting AIDS” should be diverted to poverty relief, job creation, the provision of sanitation and clean drinking water, and aid for drought-stricken farmers, not squandered on male circumcision interventions. The chapter explains why the cure for African AIDS lies in an alternative explanation for what makes Africans sick in the first place.
Structure-Function Analysis of the Non-Muscle Myosin Light Chain Kinase (nmMLCK) Isoform by NMR Spectroscopy and Molecular Modeling: Influence of MYLK Variants

The MYLK gene encodes the multifunctional enzyme, myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), involved in isoform-specific non-muscle and smooth muscle contraction and regulation of vascular permeability during inflammation. Three MYLK SNPs (P21H, S147P, V261A) alter the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the non-muscle isoform of MLCK (nmMLCK) and are highly associated with susceptibility to acute lung injury (ALI) and asthma, especially in individuals of African descent. To understand the functional effects of SNP associations, we examined the N-terminal segments of nmMLCK by 1H-15N heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) spectroscopy, a 2-D NMR technique, and by in silico molecular modeling. Both NMR analysis and molecular modeling indicated SNP localization to loops that connect the immunoglobulin-like domains of nmMLCK, consistent with minimal structural changes evoked by these SNPs. Molecular modeling analysis identified protein-protein interaction motifs adversely affected by these MYLK SNPs including binding by the scaffold protein 14-3-3, results confirmed by immunoprecipitation and western blot studies. These structure-function studies suggest novel mechanisms for nmMLCK regulation, which may confirm MYLK as a candidate gene in inflammatory lung disease and advance knowledge of the genetic underpinning of lung-related health disparities.
TU‐E‐BRB‐02: DIR QA Options and Research Development

Deformable image registration (DIR) is developing rapidly and is poised to substantially improve dose fusion accuracy for adaptive and retreatment planning and motion management and PET fusion to enhance contour delineation for treatment planning. However, DIR dose warping accuracy is difficult to quantify, in general, and particularly difficult to do so on a patient-specific basis. As clinical DIR options become more widely available, there is an increased need to understand the implications of incorporating DIR into clinical workflow. Several groups have assessed DIR accuracy in clinically relevant scenarios, but no comprehensive review material is yet available. This session will also discuss aspects of the AAPM Task Group 132 on the Use of Image Registration and Data Fusion Algorithms and Techniques in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning official report, which provides recommendations for DIR clinical use. We will summarize and compare various commercial DIR software options, outline successful clinical techniques, show specific examples with discussion of appropriate and inappropriate applications of DIR, discuss the clinical implications of DIR, provide an overview of current DIR error analysis research, review QA options and research phantom development and present TG-132 recommendations. Learning Objectives: 1. Compare/contrast commercial DIR software and QA options 2. Overview clinical DIR workflow for retreatment 3. To understand uncertainties introduced by DIR 4. Review TG-132 proposed recommendations
Optically augmented 3-D computer system

The system design of an optically augmented 3-D computer is presented and evaluated. The system under investigation combines the Hughes 3-D VLSI technology with free-space optoelectronic interconnection modules. The 3-D wafer stacks containing the processing capabilities of the system are assembled with the optoelectronic modules for global communication allowing fast and efficient data routing and/or sorting.
Starch and Starch Grains

Starch is a granular carbohydrate composed of linear and branched glucose polymers which is synthesized in plastids of leaves and storage organs. This major carbohydrate reserve, which serves for both short- and long-term storage, is used when current carbon assimilation or translocation rates are insufficient. Keywords: starch grain structure; starch synthesis and degradation; pathways and enzymes; regulation of synthesis and degradation; source sink relationships
Percentiles and regional distribution of skinfold thickness among children and adolescents in Shandong, China.

Objective Skinfold thicknesses (SFT) have long been considered important and valid measurements of subcutaneous fat. The present study reported the percentiles and regional distribution of SFT among children and adolescents in Shandong, China. Methods Data for this study were obtained from a large cross-sectional survey of schoolchildren. A total of 42,268 students (21,200 boys and 21,068 girls) aged 7–18 years from 16 districts participated in this study. Triceps, subscapular, and abdomen SFT of all subjects were measured. Results Shandong children and adolescents had a high SFT level and substantial regional disparities in SFT were observed. Boys and girls resident in high socioeconomic status (SES) districts had higher SFT level than those living in moderate and low SES districts. Conclusion The SFT level of children and adolescents is associated with regional SES in Shandong, China. This may be interpreted as a result of geographic variation between the districts in the process of urbanization, living standards, nutritional conditions, dietary patterns, and public health. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:417–420, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Studying Recommendation Algorithms by Graph Analysis

We present a novel framework for studying recommendation algorithms in terms of the ‘jumps’ that they make to connect people to artifacts. This approach emphasizes reachability via an algorithm within the implicit graph structure underlying a recommender dataset and allows us to consider questions relating algorithmic parameters to properties of the datasets. For instance, given a particular algorithm ‘jump,’ what is the average path length from a person to an artifact? Or, what choices of minimum ratings and jumps maintain a connected graph? We illustrate the approach with a common jump called the ‘hammock’ using movie recommender datasets.
A Review of “Interviewing as Qualitative Research: A Guide for Researchers in Education and the Social Sciences”

In this book, Seidman offers a practical guide for doctoral candidates and early career scholars who might be interested in conducting interview research. He provides clear recommendations for each...
Adipose tissue remodeling in a novel domestic porcine model of diet-induced obesity

Objective To establish and characterize a novel domestic porcine model of obesity. Methods Fourteen domestic pigs were fed normal (lean, n = 7) or high-fat/high-fructose diet (obese, n = 7) for 16 weeks. Subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue biopsies were obtained after 8, 12, and 16 weeks of diet, and pericardial adipose tissue after 16 weeks, for assessments of adipocyte size, fibrosis, and inflammation. Adipose tissue volume and cardiac function were studied with multidetector computed tomography, and oxygenation was studied with magnetic resonance imaging. Plasma lipids profile, insulin resistance, and markers of inflammation were evaluated. Results Compared with lean pigs, obese pigs had elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and insulin resistance. Both abdominal and pericardial fat volume increased in obese pigs after 16 weeks. In abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, adipocyte size and both tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression progressively increased. Macrophage infiltration showed in both abdominal and pericardial adipose tissues. Circulating TNF-α increased in obese pigs only at 16 weeks. Compared with lean pigs, obese pigs had similar global cardiac function, but myocardial perfusion and oxygenation were significantly impaired. Conclusions A high-fat/high-fructose diet induces in domestic pigs many characteristics of metabolic syndrome, which is useful for investigating the effects of the obesity.
Continuity of neuropil threads with tangle-bearing and tangle-free neurons in Alzheimer disease cortex. A confocal laser scanning microscopy study.

Neuropil threads (NTs) are abnornal processes that are associated with tangle-bearing neurons in gray matter areas of Alzheimer disease (AD) brains. Although NTs contain paired helical filaments (PHFs) and share multiple tau epitopes with neurobrillary tangles (NFTs), the relationship between NTs and tangle-bearing neurons is unclear. For this reason, we assessed the continuity of NTs with tangle-bearing and tangle-free neurons. Since astrocytes express low levels of tau and rarely have been shown to contain PHFs, we also examined the relationship of NTs to cortical astrocytes. This was done using histochemical and immunochemical methods in conjunction with confocal laser scanning microscopy to examine NTs in amygdala and entorhinal cortex of seven AD brains. Only a small fraction of NTs (<1%) in 3.5×106 μm3 of amygdala and entorhinal cortex could betraced to local neurons with NFTs or to neurons that did not contain NFTs, and no NTs were continuous with cortical astrocytes. These results indicate that only a very small percentage of NTs in entorhinal cortex and amygdala occur in the most proximal segments of processes that emanate from tangle-bearing or tangle-free neurons. This implies that the majority of NTs reside in the distal parts of dendrites and/or the terminal arborizations of axons or that NTs are discontinuous abnormalities. Taken together, these data suggest that NTs could disrupt local and long distance neuronal circuitry and thereby contribute to the cognitive impairments seen in AD patients.
Matching verbal repertoires: Understanding the contingencies of practice in order to functionally communicate with clinicians

The low utilization rate of empirically proven treatment techniques, the lack of adequate training being received by practitioners in such techniques, and the systemic resistance within the APA to changes designed to increase the dissemination of and support for empirically validated psychological service delivery lead to one conclusion: changes need to be made to increase the knowledge of and use of empirically supported treatment techniques. Such changes are unlikely to come from traditional psychology organizations. This article focuses on how scientist-practitioners can increase both the knowledge base and the utilization rate of empirically validated treatments by practitioners through understanding the contingencies under which practitioners must operate.
Methanol oxidative dehydrogenation in a packed-bed membrane reactor: yield optimization experiments and model

For the reaction involving methanol oxidative dehydrogenation to formaldehyde: CH 3 OH+1/2O2→CH 2 O+H 2 O+1/2O2→CO+2H 2 O, the performance of the packed-bed membrane reactor (PBMR) is compared with that of the conventional fixed-bed reactor (FBR) over a wide range of operating conditions. An experimentally validated reactor model is used for this purpose. It is found, both by simulations and experimental observations, that relative reactor performance depends strongly on the operating conditions. Using formaldehyde yield as the basis for optimization, optimal reactor performances for a fixed catalyst mass are determined and compared. The results predict higher optimal formaldehyde yield for the PBMR with oxygen fed via the membrane. The optimal reactor performance in this configuration is also less sensitive to variations in operating conditions and exhibits essentially 100% formaldehyde yield over a wide temperature range.
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence. XXIV. Electrochemistry and electrogenerated chemiluminescence of 9,10-dichloro-9,10-dihydro-9,10-diphenylanthracene

Abstract A study of the electrochemistry and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (e.c.l.) of 9,10-dichloro-9,10-dihydro-9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPACl2) in acetonitrile solutions using rotating ring—disk electrode and stationary electrode techniques is described. The measured e.c.l. efficiency was about 0.1 to 0.8%, smaller than that observed for the corresponding DPA radical ion annihilation e.c.l. The emission is independent of applied external magnetic field, supporting the mechanism involving direct formation of emitting singlet. The e.c.l. emission and the electroreduction of DPACl2 depend on the chloride concentration in the solution; the results suggest that this dependence is an electrode surface effect.
Hybrid 2.5G/10G co-existing OFDMA-PON employing single receiver at the OLT

A 2.5G/10G co-existing OFDMA-PON is demonstrated through 20km SSMF with 31dB loss budget. Only one receiver at the OLT and low-speed transceiver at the 2.5G ONUs are required, thereby reducing system complexity and cost.
Bandlike and localized defect states in CuInSe2 solar cells

Abstract We used the deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) to investigate the electronic properties of p-type CuInSe 2 (CIS) polycrystalline thin-film solar cells. We detected electron (or minority) traps with activation energies ranging from E c −0.1 to E c −0.22 eV (where E c is the energy of electrons at the conduction band minimum). While varying the filling pulse duration, we observed the gradual increase in the amplitude of the DLTS signal for these states until it apparently saturates at a pulse duration ∼1 s. Increasing the duration of the filling pulse also results in broadening the DLTS signals and shifting the maximum of these signals towards lower temperature, whereas the high-temperature sides coincide. We also detected a hole (or majority) trap around a temperature of 190 K. Using a model that allows us to distinguish between bandlike states and localized ones based on the dependence of the shape of their DLTS-signal on the filling-pulse duration, we relate the electron trap to bandlike states and the hole trap to localized ones.
Nonequilibrium brittle fracture propagation: Steady state, oscillations, and intermittency.

A minimal model is constructed for two-dimensional fracture propagation. The heterogeneous process zone is presumed to suppress stress relaxation rate, leading to non-quasistatic behavior. Using the Yoffe solution, I construct and solve a dynamical equation for the tip stress. I discuss a generic tip-velocity response to local stress and find that noise-free propagation is either at steady state or oscillatory, depending only on one material parameter. Noise gives rise to intermittency and quasiperiodicity. The theory explains the velocity oscillations and the complicated behavior seen in polymeric and amorphous brittle materials. I suggest experimental verifications and new connections between velocity measurements and material properties. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
A new micromechanics-based scale transition model for the strain-rate sensitive behavior of nanocrystalline materials

An original two-step “three phase” elastic–viscoplastic scale transition model is developed based on the combined self-consistent and Mori–Tanaka schemes. A coated inclusion is embedded within a matrix, wherein the inclusion represents grain interiors and the coating of the inclusion mimics the effects of grain boundaries and triple junctions. The predominant behavior within the grain interiors is captured through dislocation glide, whereas grain boundary (GB) dislocation emission and absorption, as well as thermally assisted GB sliding, describe the deformation processes within the coating describing the GB affected zone. Furthermore, an imperfect interface is assumed between the inclusion and the coating to account for viscoplastic grain boundary sliding along a stick-slip mechanism. Results and discussion focus on the competitive roles of GB sliding, GB dislocation emission/absorption, dislocation sweep in grain cores and collective dislocation plasticity, and the origins of the pronounced strain rate ...
Contraception quandaries: Oral contraceptive decisions in the pediatric endocrinology office

This editorial discusses the reasons for using hormonal contraceptives in adolescents with diabetes mellitus and adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It also touches on the importance of pediatric endocrinologists providing counseling on contraceptive use and explains how hormonal contraceptives can be used in treatment of diseases in adolescents.
Electronic Phenomena in Polyanilines

Polyanilines have been known for over one hundred years. Recent studies of this chemically flexible polymer have demonstrated unusual chemical, electrical, and optical phenomena, both in insulating forms and conducting forms. Polyaniline has three stable insulating forms, leucoemeraldine base (LEB), emeraldine base (EB), and pernigraniline base (PNB). These three forms exhibit differing phenomena ranging from intramonomer luminescing excitons and ring rotation polarons in LEB, to nonluminescing charge transfer excitons and also ring rotations polarons in EB, to a degenerate ground state with bond order parameter solitons and ring order parameter polarons in PNB. The LEB form can be p-doped (oxidatively doped), the EB form can be protonic acid doped and the PNB form can be n-doped (reductively doped) to form conducting systems. Charge conduction studies of oriented films and fibers demonstrate that three-dimensional order between chains is critical for high conductivities. The ability to derivatize polyaniline at ring and nitrogen positions allows one to test concepts for the control of conductivity as well as improved processing.
The origin of bathymetric highs at ridge-transform intersections: A multi-disciplinary case study at the Clipperton Fracture Zone

Bathmetric highs on the old crust proximal to ridge-transform intersections (RTIs), termed “intersection highs”, are common but poorly understood features at offsets of fast to intermediate rate spreading centers. We have combined new reflection seismic, photographic, and geochemical data with previously published Seabeam, SeaMARC I, and SeaMARC II data to address the nature of the intersection highs at the Clipperton Fracture Zone. The Clipperton Intersection Highs are both topped by a carapace of young lavas at least 100 m thick. These lavas, which were erupted on the intersection highs, are chemically similar to their adjacent ridge segments and different from the surrounding older crust. At least some of the erupted magma traveled directly from the adjacent ridge at a shallow crustal level. Ridge-related magma covers and intrudes at least the upper 500 m of the transform tectonized crust at the RTI. We suspect that additional magma enters the intersection highs from directly below, without passing through the ridge. The young oceanic crust near the western Clipperton RTI is not thin by regional comparison. The 1.4 m.y. old crust near the eastern Clipperton RTI thickens approaching the transform offset. If the thermal effects of the proximal ridge were negligible, the eastern intersection high crust would appear to be in isostatic equilibrium. We believe that thermal effects are significant, and that the intersection high region stands anomalously shallow for its crustal thickness. This is attributable to increased temperature in the mantle below the ridge-proximal crust. Although ridge magma is injected into the proximal old crust, plate boundary reorganization is not taking place. Intersection high formation has been an ongoing process at both of the Clipperton RTIs for at least the past 1 m.y., during which time the plate boundary configuration has not changed appreciably. We envision a constant interplay between the intruding ridge magma and the disrupting transform fault motion. In addition, we envision a nearly constant input of magma from below the high, as an extension of the magma supply to the ridge from the mantle. Because the proximal ridge profoundly affects the juxtaposed crust at the RTI, sea floor fabric along the aseismic extensions of this fast-slipping transform fault is primarily a record of processes at work at the RTI rather than a record of transform tectonism.
Fuzzy controlled simulation optimization

Simulation optimization deals with finding the values of input parameters of a complex simulated system which result in desired output, Traditional techniques may require an enormous amount of simulation runs to evaluate the system. To alleviate this problem, the proposed work provides the means of incorporating knowledge, expressed in natural language, that is often available among analysts and decision makers. Using convenient linguistic representations, the proposed mechanism can satisfy vaguely stated goals to a high degree (e.g. "high utilization" or "low inventory"). This mechanism is also able to generate an approximate Pareto optimal set in the presence of multiple goals. The optimization strategy used here depends on a fuzzy controller guided by a set of rules derived from statistical concepts, response surface models, and experts' knowledge. To illustrate this approach we present computational experiments on the design of a flow line manufacturing system (in terms of a tandem of queues with blocking) with one and two goals. The actions derived from the controller, using approximate reasoning, are able to generate a high quality solution in only a few iterations. The results are compared extensively with those obtained with a genetic-based approach.
Inactivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by supercritical and subcritical carbon dioxide

Yeast cells were inactivated by carbon dioxide at subcritical and supercritical temperatures over the pressure range of 1000–3000 psi. A static apparatus was developed for the experiments. The results showed that a maximum of 15 min, depending on the pressure, was sufficient to inactivate yeast cells by 107-fold under supercritical conditions. Subcritical carbon dioxide was found to be much less effective. It took 30–40 min to achieve inactivation of 104-fold and more than 1 h to achieve inactivation of 107-fold. There are two distinct mechanisms in the deactivation of yeast cells. The rate of cell inactivation is slow at first and increases drastically at the later stage, suggesting that the penetration of CO2 into microbial cells was a primary controlling factor of the inactivation process. The inactivation rate was enhanced remarkably by a series of pressure release/recompression of CO2 in the midst of a complete experiment. Other methods to improve the efficiency of inactivation are discussed.
Multiple scattering by particles embedded in an absorbing medium. 1. Foldy—Lax equations, order-of-scattering expansion, and coherent field

This paper presents a systematic analysis of the problem of multiple scattering by a finite group of arbitrarily sized, shaped, and oriented particles embedded in an absorbing, homogeneous, isotropic, and unbounded medium. The volume integral equation is used to derive generalized Foldy—Lax equations and their order-of-scattering form. The far-field version of the Foldy—Lax equations is used to derive the transport equation for the so-called coherent field generated by a large group of sparsely, randomly, and uniformly distributed particles. The differences between the generalized equations and their counterparts describing multiple scattering by particles embedded in a non-absorbing medium are highlighted and discussed.
Heat conduction in nuclear fuel by the Kirchhoff transformation

Realistic simulations of nuclear reactors by computer codes are complex multi-physics problems, coupled through different physical feedbacks on nuclear cross sections. Within these calculations, heat conduction in fuel rods has a crucial importance, especially in thermal reactors, providing the fuel temperature necessary to reproduce the Doppler broadening effect. In this work, the Kirchhoff transformation is applied to solve the non-linear heat conduction problem in the classical fuel rod model. Comparisons with the common numerical scheme based on successive substitutions are presented in a simple case, also discussing the higher computational performances achieved by this integral transformation. Moreover, polynomial approximations are introduced to obtain further computational gain. This technique yields almost analytical fuel temperature distributions, thus ensuring high accuracy in the evaluation of the neutron reactivity from the Doppler effect of nuclear fuel.
Tecnologias móveis de posicionamento: abordagens históricas, sociais e espaciais

With the popularization of smartphones, location-based services are increasingly part of everyday live. People use their cell phones to find nearby restaurants, friends in the vicinity, and track their children. Although location-based services have received sparse attention from mobile communications cholars to date, the ability of locating people and things with one’s cell phone is not new. Since the removal of GPS signal degradation in 2000, artists and researchers have been exploring how location-awareness influences mobility, spatiality and sociability. Besides exploring the historical antecedents of today’s location-based services, this paper focuses on the main social issues that emerge when location-aware technologies leave the strict domain of art and research and become part of everyday life: locational privacy, sociability, and spatiality. Finally, this paper addresses two main topics that future mobile communication research that focus on location-awareness should take into consideration: a shift in the meaning of location, and the adoption and appropriation of location-aware technologies in the global south.
Consumer preferences and willingness to pay for compact fluorescent lighting: Policy implications for energy efficiency promotion in Saint Lucia

This article examines consumer willingness to pay for energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs using the results of a stated preferences study conducted in the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia. Geographic location, low income status, and age are found to affect willingness-to-pay for compact fluorescent lighting, while higher income status and other demographic variables appear to have minimal or no significant impacts. Energy efficiency knowledge is associated with increased willingness-to-pay for energy-efficient bulbs and with increased use of compact fluorescent lighting. Contrary to theoretical expectations, past purchase of compact fluorescent bulbs is found to have no impact on self-reported willingness to pay. We hypothesize that this null result is due to the recent emergence of low-cost, low-quality compact fluorescent bulbs in the Saint Lucian lighting market, which may be negatively influencing consumers' preferences and expectations regarding energy-efficient lighting. Findings support the argument that government-sponsored education and subsidy programs will likely result in increased use of energy-saving technologies in Saint Lucia. But such behavioral changes may not be sustained in the long run unless low quality bulbs – the “lemons” of the compact fluorescent lighting market – can be clearly identified by consumers.
Direct Activation of the Fission Yeast PAK Shk1 by the Novel SH3 Domain Protein, Skb5

The p21-activated kinase (PAK) homolog Shk1 is essential for cell viability in the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe. Roles have been established for Shk1 in the regulation of cell morphology, sexual differentiation, and mitosis in S. pombe. In this report, we describe the genetic and molecular characterization of a novel SH3 domain protein, Skb5, identified as a result of a two-hybrid screen for Shk1 interacting proteins. S. pombe cells carrying a deletion of the skb5 gene exhibit no discernible phenotypic defects under normal growth conditions, but when subjected to hypertonic stress, become spheroidal in shape and growth impaired. Both of these defects can be suppressed by overexpression of the Shk1 modulator, Skb1. The growth inhibition that results from overexpression of Shk1 inS. pombe cells is markedly suppressed by a null mutation in the skb5 gene, suggesting that Skb5 contributes positively to the function of Shk1 in vivo. Consistent with this notion, we show that Skb5 stimulates Shk1 catalytic function inS. pombe cells. Furthermore, and perhaps most significantly, we show that bacterially expressed recombinant Skb5 protein directly stimulates the catalytic activity of recombinant Shk1 kinase in vitro. These and additional data described herein demonstrate that Skb5 is a direct activator of Shk1 in fission yeast.