cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agent-based least-cost path analysis and the diffusion of Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian engraved scapulae

Abstract At the root of numerous archaeological research projects is a need to understand how mobility impacted the lives of our ancestors. Recent technological advances have made it easy for archaeologists to rely on Geographic Information Systems' least-cost path tools to identify the single easiest path to move between two points set in a realistically rugged landscape; however, least-cost path tools work on the assumption that the whole world is perfectly known, which does not represent human mobility accurately in all cases. Here, we present an agent-based least-cost path (AB-LCP) model, which does not make the assumption of complete landscape knowledge, and allows creating multiple anisotropic least-cost paths that take the traveler's local perspective and incomplete knowledge into consideration. We demonstrate the model's potential through a case study of the geographical distribution of Cantabrian (Spain) Lower Magdalenian engraved scapulae, which provides an interesting extension to current understanding of Magdalenian mobility, showcasing the flexibility and potential of this new LCP tool to study archaeological landscapes. The results of our study suggest that the studied engraved scapulae may have been created at El Castillo, and then brought to Altamira for transmission to other sites. The results show that El Castillo was strategically located on a bottleneck for coastal-to-plain mobility, whereas Altamira was located along social paths connecting other contemporaneous sites. This supports the already-accepted notion that both sites may have served for Upper Paleolithic population aggregation. However, our research builds on this idea by explaining why these two sites would have become so important. We suggest that Altamira was strategically placed near the boundary of inter-regional groups, thus taking the role as an aggregation site for unrelated populations, whereas El Castillo would have been used by the intra-regional group population to congregate during the summer and take advantage of the local mosaic of resources.
Psychosocial issues for adolescent and young adult cancer patients in a global context: A forward‐looking approach

The first decade of adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology psychosocial care and research (2005-2015) was driven by a normative, developmental framework that assumed a generalizable life experience for AYAs that is distinct from both younger children and older adults. As we proceed through a second decade, new considerations emerge regarding diversity of life experiences as occurring within and influenced by a complex global context. The purpose of this paper is to review and provide commentary on the impact of global and contextual conditions on AYAs. We expound upon the effects of precarious labor conditions, changing timetables and priorities for developmental tasks, sexual and gender plurality, and expanding cultural diversity. We discuss the implications of social genomics and technology and social media for enhancing precision psychosocial medicine. To build a forward-looking approach, this paper calls for tailored, multilevel treatments that consider variability of AYAs within the social and global contexts in which they live.
Measuring the Fidelity of a School-Based Yoga and Mindfulness Curriculum for Youth: A Transdisciplinary Feasibility Study

Although mindfulness and yoga interventions for youth continue to gain support, few studies have proposed a systematic way to study the implementation and fidelity of these approaches. The current study developed and tested the feasibility of measurement procedures for a yoga and mindfulness curriculum implemented in schools through a community partnership. This was accomplished in two studies. In study 1 we created and analyzed the psychometric properties of a fidelity observation tool using data from 165 observations of students receiving a district-wide school yoga and mindfulness intervention. The findings were subsequently refined and implemented to collect 91 additional observations in study 2. In study 1, a principle components analysis revealed a 3-factor solution across items, with 10 of 17 items reliably rated but only 4 of those 10 items rated as satisfactory or better fidelity. The fidelity observation tool was then revised and implemented in study 2, with 13 of 17 items reliably rated and 5 meeting satisfactory or better fidelity. The findings from both studies indicated that yoga and mindfulness interventions for youth can be feasibly implemented and reliably measured within school settings, although there were some limitations in measuring both the content and process of such interventions.
Initial Challenges of Caregiving During COVID-19: Caregiver Burden, Mental Health, and the Parent-Child Relationship.

Research confirms that the mental health burdens following community-wide disasters are extensive, with pervasive impacts noted in individuals and families. It is clear that child disaster outcomes are worst among children of highly distressed caregivers, or those caregivers who experience their own negative mental health outcomes from the disaster. The current study used path analysis to examine concurrent patterns of parents' (n = 420) experience from a national sample during the early months of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic. The results of a multi-group path analysis, organized by parent gender, indicate good fit to the data [X2(10) = 159.04, p < .01]. Results indicate significant linkages between parents' caregiver burden, mental health, and perceptions of children's stress; these in turn are significantly linked to child-parent closeness and conflict, indicating possible spillover effects for depressed parents and compensatory effects for anxious parents. The impact of millions of families sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic for an undefined period of time may lead to unprecedented impacts on individuals' mental health with unknown impacts on child-parent relationships. These impacts may be heightened for families whose caregivers experience increased mental health symptoms, as was the case for fathers in the current sample.
Exploring the Bug Investigation Techniques of Intermediate Student Programmers

Bug investigation – testing and debugging – is a significant part of software development. Ineffective practices of bug investigation can greatly hinder project development. Therefore, we seek to understand bug investigation practices among intermediate student programmers. To this end, we used a mixed-methods approach to study the testing and debugging practices of students in a junior-level Data Structures course with 3–4 week long projects. First, we interviewed 12 students of varying project performances. From the interviews, we identified five techniques that students use for both testing and debugging: 1) writing diagnostic print statements, 2) unit testing, 3) using source-level debugger, 4) submission to online auto-grader, and 5) manual tracing. Using the Grounded Theory approach, we developed four hypotheses regarding students’ use of multiple techniques and their possible impact on performance. We used clickstream data to analyze the level of use of the first four of these techniques. We found that over 92%, 87%, and 73% of the students used JUnit testing, diagnostic print statements, and the source-level debugger, respectively. We found that the majority of the students (91%) used more than one technique to investigate bugs in their projects. Moreover, students who used multiple techniques had overall better performance in the projects. Finally, we identified some ineffective practices correlated with lower project scores. We believe that the findings of our research will help understand, characterize, and teach better practices of bug investigation.
Improving data quality through effective use of data semantics

Data quality issues have taken on increasing importance in recent years. In our research, we have discovered that many "data quality" problems are actually "data misinterpretation" problems--that is, problems caused by heterogeneous data semantics. In this paper, we first identify semantic heterogeneities that, when not resolved, often cause data quality problems. We discuss the especially challenging problem of aggregational ontological heterogeneity, which concerns how complex entities and their relationships are aggregated. Then we illustrate how COntext INterchange (COIN) technology can be used to capture data semantics and reconcile semantic heterogeneities, thereby improving data quality.
Clinical Guideline Highlights for the Hospitalist: Secondary Fracture Prevention for Hospitalized Patients.

GUIDELINE TITLE Secondary Fracture Prevention: Consensus Clinical Recommendations from a Multistakeholder Coalition RELEASE DATE: September 20, 2019 PRIOR VERSION: Not applicable DEVELOPER: American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Task Force and Multistakeholder Coalition FUNDING SOURCE: American Society for Bone and Mineral Research and the Center for Medical Technology Policy TARGET POPULATION: Adults 65 years or older with a hip or vertebral fracture. This review will focus on the core recommendations and their application in the practice of hospital medicine.
Serving a Summons by First Class Mail: Why Bankruptcy Rule 7004(b)(1) Violates Due Process

Even though it has been accepted and widely used throughout the nation for thirty-five years by courts, practitioners, and commentators, the service method of delivering a summons and complaint solely by first class mail under Bankruptcy Rule 7004(b)(1) violates due process. Bankruptcy court jurisdiction was vastly expanded after the bankruptcy rules first authorized service by first class mail. This expansion fundamentally changed the nature of bankruptcy proceedings for which mail service could be made. Basing the legitimacy of something on the sole ground that it has been in existence for a long time without being changed is unconvincing logic and standing alone, does not legitimize Bankruptcy Rule 7004(b)(1). Because a summons carries out the dual purpose of providing notice to a defendant and conferring personal jurisdiction over a defendant by a bankruptcy court, the Supreme Court’s mailings jurisprudence does not support the constitutionality of delivering a summons by first class mail. Under Mullane’s analytical framework, inquiry into the expectations of defendants is appropriate because the intended beneficiary of both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments is the recipient of the process, not the sender or the summoning court. Defendants simply do not expect to be sued through a delivery method as informal as first class mail. In addition, service by first class mail creates proof of service problems and produces uncertainty over the defendant’s receipt of the summons, resulting in questions over the legitimacy of the bankruptcy court’s jurisdiction over the defendant. Consequently, delivery by first class mail under Bankruptcy Rule 7004(b)(1) should be eliminated and replaced with the acknowledgment procedure contained in Rule 4(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Psychosocial factors and subsequent risk of hospitalizations with peripheral artery disease: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

Abstract Background and aims Psychosocial factors are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, associations with peripheral artery disease (PAD) remain uncharacterized. We aimed to compare associations of psychosocial factors with the risk of PAD and two other major atherosclerotic CVD: coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic stroke, in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Methods In 11,104 participants (mean age 56.7 [SD 5.7] years) without a clinical history of PAD and CHD/stroke at baseline (1990–1992), we evaluated four psychosocial domains: depressive/fatigue symptoms by the Maastricht Questionnaire, social support by the Interpersonal Evaluation List, social networks by the Lubben Scale, and trait anger by the Spielberger Scale. PAD was defined as hospitalizations with diagnosis or related procedures. CHD included adjudicated coronary heart disease and stroke included ischemic stroke. Results We observed 397 PAD and 1940 CHD/stroke events during a median follow-up of 23.1 years. Higher depressive/fatigue symptoms and less social support were significantly associated with incident PAD (adjusted hazard ratios for top vs. bottom quartile 1.65 [95%CI, 1.25–2.19] and 1.40 [1.05–1.87], respectively). When these factors were simultaneously modeled, only depressive/fatigue symptoms remained significant. Incident CHD/stroke was not associated with either of depressive/fatigue symptoms or social support. Social networks and trait anger were not independently associated with PAD or CHD/stroke. Conclusions Depressive/fatigue symptoms and social support (especially the former) were independently associated with the risk of hospitalizations with PAD but not CHD/stroke in the general population. Our results support the importance of depressive/fatigue symptoms in vascular health and suggest the need of including PAD when studying the impact of psychosocial factors on CVD.
Healthcare stigma and HIV risk among rural people who inject drugs.

Abstract Introduction The HIV epidemic is increasingly penetrating rural areas of the U.S. due to evolving epidemics of injection drug use. Many rural areas experience deficits in availability of HIV prevention, testing and harm reduction services, and confront significant stigma that inhibits care seeking. This paper examines enacted stigma in healthcare settings among rural people who inject drugs (PWID) and explores associations of stigma with continuing high-risk behaviors for HIV. Methods PWID participants (n = 324) were recruited into the study in three county health department syringe service programs (SSPs), as well as in local community-based organizations. Trained interviewers completed a standardized baseline interview lasting approximately 40 min. Bivariate logistic regression models examined the associations between enacted healthcare stigma, health conditions, and injection risk behaviors, and a mediation analysis was conducted. Results Stigmatizing health conditions were common in this sample of PWID, and 201 (62.0 %) reported experiencing stigma from healthcare providers. Injection risk behaviors were uniformly associated with higher odds of enacted healthcare stigma, including sharing injection equipment at most recent injection (OR = 2.76; CI 1.55, 4.91), and lifetime receptive needle sharing (OR = 2.27; CI 1.42, 3.63). Enacted healthcare stigma partially mediated the relationship between having a stigmatizing health condition and engagement in high-risk injection behaviors. Discussion Rural PWID are vulnerable to stigma in healthcare settings, which contributes to high-risk injection behaviors for HIV. These findings have critical public health implications, including the importance of tailored interventions to decrease enacted stigma in care settings, and structural changes to expand the provision of healthcare services within SSP settings.
Singularities of G-saturation

Let G be a semisimple algebraic group defined over an algebraically closed field. We provide some criteria for normality and rational singularities of G-saturation under certain circumstances. Our results are applied to determine when the commuting variety over simple Lie algebra of low rank is normal and Cohen-Macaulay. We also present some interesting connections between injective modules and normality (resp. rational singularities) of their G-saturations. Finally, we generalize a machinery used to study singularities of nilpotent orbit closures.
Gender disparity in a cohort of stroke patients with incidence of obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract Background Differences in baseline clinical risk factors have been proposed to contribute to gender differences in stroke outcome, how these clinical risk factors contribute to gender difference in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with obstructive sleep apnea is yet to be fully investigated. This study explored the clinical characteristics associated with gender differences in AIS population with a baseline obstructive sleep apnea(OSA). Methods A retrospective study was conducted using data from 5469 patients with an ischemic stroke event from a regional stroke center collected from January 2010 to June 2016. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with gender differences in the obstructive sleep apnea-ischemic stroke population. Results A total of 170 AIS patients presented with a baseline OSA, and 101 were men and 69 were women. In the AIS with OSA (AIS-OSA) population, patients presenting with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) (OR = 4.892, 95% CI,1.248 – 19.2, P = 0.023), depression (OR = 3.804, 95% CI, 1.369 – 10.6, P = 0.01), higher BMI (OR = 1.103, 95% CI, 1.036 – 1.18, P = 0.002), and higher HDL levels (OR = 1.125, 95% CI, 1.067 – 1.19, P = Conclusion A gender specific difference was observed in pre-stroke demographic and risk factors for AIS patients with OSA. Women AIS patients with OSA were more likely to present with PVD and depression and have higher HDL and BMI levels when compared to men within the same population. In addition, more men AIS presented with OSA when compared with women AIS patients. Further studies to explore management strategies to eliminate gender differences will improve outcomes for men and women AIS with OSA.
Enhancing Online Learning Experience: From Learners’ Perspective

Abstract The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of adult students’ perception of online education, motivational factors to them, and their sense of community in this environment. A qualitative, in-depth exploratory case study with limited quantitative data, was conducted. Data was collected using an online survey, interviews, online interaction observations, and e-mail follow-up questions. Results showed that most participants were satisfied with their online experience. However, the lack of social connection may decrease participants’ levels of satisfaction of the learning experience, impact their desire to seek help from fellow students, and lead to a weak sense of being connected in a learning community. Based on the results, using technology to enhance connection in online learning was recommended.
The Interdisciplinary Geriatric/Gerontological Team in the Academic Setting.

Geriatric health care requires the services of an interdisciplinary health care team to assess, treat and order the social service needs of the older person, and this concept needs to be included in geriatric social work education. But while the necessity of interdisciplinary team care is recognized, little focus has been placed on the actual process of developing a functional team. The issues that arise-disparate terminologies, organizational and administrative differentials, turf-and the steps needed for a team to become viable are described, using an interdisciplinary team based in academia as a case model. The academic interdisciplinary team may easily become a forum for 'hot air' rather than a catalyst for good practice. This danger is reviewed with reference to stages in the interdisciplinary team development-- goal development group affiliation; team awareness; and goal evaluation. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the impact of the interdisciplinary team on faculty, students and the acade...
Registration of CT and SPECT volumes using CT reprojections and planar transmission images

Localization and detection of isolated "hot" spots in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) may be aided by the addition of anatomical information from X-ray computed tomography (CT). A method for registering SPECT and CT volumes was developed, using two planar transmission views of the patient acquired immediately before or after a SPECT scan by placing a sheet source on one head of a dual-head camera system. Corresponding reprojected CT (rCT) images were simultaneously registered to the transmission images, using a region of interest (ROI) containing the lung boundaries. Six parameters (translations in three dimensions and rotations through three Euler angles) were calculated by iteratively transforming and reprojecting until a correlation between the rCT and transmission data within the ROI was maximized. Final values of the transformation parameters were used to register the entire CT volume to the SPECT volume. An experiment was performed using a torso phantom and spherical lesions containing Ga-67, representing the distribution in a lymphoma patient. Accuracy was assessed by calculating the differences between coordinates of centroids of five tumors in the CT and SPECT images. The magnitudes of the differences in x, y and z averaged over the five tumors were 1.55 mm +/-1.30, 036 mm +/-2.23 and 0.13 mm +/-1.47. Precision was assessed by perturbing the orientation of the CT volume over a range of translations and rotations. Effects on the perturbed parameter and on the other parameters that were held constant were examined by calculating the standard deviation about the mean of each parameter's final value following registration. The values varied from 0.06 to 0.62 mm and from 0.05 to 1.68 deg for translation and rotation, respectively. Acceptable accuracy and precision for registration of CT to SPECT volumes were achieved with the use of the paired transmission and rCT images.
Localization of site of traumatic heart block with his bundle recordings: Electrophysiologic observations regarding the nature of “split” H potentials

Abstract A patient is described with complete heart block and a ventricular septal defect, both secondary to a stab wound of the chest. The escape rhythm was characterized by a wide QRS interval with a configuration suggesting right bundle branch block. His bundle (H) recordings revealed “split” H potentials with a P-H1 interval of 100 msec and an H2-V interval of 40 msec. Recording of left bundle branch (LB) potentials showed the left bundle branch spike to occur in the H2-V interval with an H2-LB interval of 15 msec and an LB-V interval of 25 msec. Atrial pacing produced prolongation of P-H1, administration of atropine and isoproterenol produced shortening. Wenckebach periods proximal to H1 were noted at an atrial paced rate of 190/min. During the study, the QRS pattern unexpectedly shifted from right to left bundle branch block, with H2 potentials still preceding each QRS interval. The most likely explanation for this was the occurrence of longitudinal dissociation in the distal His bundle allowing preferential distribution of the cardiac impulse to one or the other ventricle. However, the possibility of varying bundle branch block, or shifting of the pacemaker from the His bundle to the bundle branches could not be absolutely excluded. In summary, His bundle recording suggested a site of block in the His bundle. Observations are made on the nature of “split” H potentials and evidence for the occurrence of longitudinal dissociation in the His bundle is presented.
Pathologic physiology and chemotherapy of Plasmodium berghei. VI. Mechanical properties and histological features of the lung.

Abstract The rats infected with Plasmodium berghei showed the following changes in the lung: (a) Elevation in pulmonary compliance; (b) elevation in pulmonary resistance; (c) increase in respiratory minute volume; (d) increase in functional residual capacity; and (e) disruption of alveolar septa and increase in air space as revealed by histological examination. The latter changes (d and e) indicate emphysematous lesions which may relate to the respiratory difficulties and acidosis appearing just prior to death of the malarial rats. The mice infected with chloroquine-resistant strain of P. berghei show a predominance of nucleated cells in the alveolar septa. The identity of these cells and their relation to the development of drug resistance require investigation.
Music of the 1980s and Music of the 1990s by Thomas Harrison

Thomas Harrison, in his pair of reference books, Music of the 1980s and Music of the 1990s (hereafter 1980s and 1990s, respectively), offers a survey of these decades' main artists, groups, and pro...
Substrate selectivity in the action of alkaline and acid phosphatases.

Abstract Alkaline phosphatase of intestinal origin hydrolyzed the S-substituted monoesters of phosphorothioic acid of the type RSPO3Na2 (R = —CH2CH2NH2, —CH2CH2NHCOCH3, —CH2COO, or —CH2CH2COOC2H5) at the S—P bond to yield orthophosphate and the corresponding thioalcohols. The rate of enzymic hydrolysis of cysteamine S-phosphate was measured at pH 9.0 in 0.1 n sodium barbital buffer at different concentrations of substrate and MgCl2. The Km and Vmax values obtained, as well as the amount of MgCl2 required for complete activation of the enzyme, were similar to the corresponding values obtained when p-nitrophenyl phosphate was used as the substrate. In marked contrast, however, O-substituted monoesters of phosphorothioic acid of the type ROPO2SKH (R = —CH3, —CH2CH3, or [See PDF for structure]NO2) were completely resistant to hydrolysis by alkaline phosphatases from Escherichia coli and from intestine. The O-substituted monoesters of thiophosphoric acid (10-7 m) inhibited the enzymic hydrolysis of both cysteamine S-phosphate and p-nitrophenyl phosphate (10-3 m) at a 10-fold concentration of the enzyme. Acid phosphatases from wheat germ, potato, and prostate gland did not hydrolyze S-substituted monoesters of phosphorothioic acid at detectable rates, but did hydrolyze O-substituted monoesters of phosphorothioic acid at rates comparable with those obtained when p-nitrophenyl phosphate served as the substrate for these enzymes. These findings suggest that acid and alkaline phosphatases act by two different mechanisms.
Hyperplane Sections of Kantor's Unitary Ovoids

The projective plane \Bbb{P}\Bbb{G} (2,q^2) is embedded as a variety of projective points \mathcal{V} in \Bbb{P}\Bbb{G}(M), where M is a nine dimensional \Bbb{F}_q-module for the group G=GL(3,q^2). The hyperplane sections of this variety and their stabilizers in the group G are determined. When q\equiv 2 (mod 3) one such hyperplane section is a member of the family of Kantor's unitary ovoids. We further determine all sections \Bbb{P}\Bbb{G}(D)\cap \mathcal{V} where D has codimension two in M and demonstrate that these are never empty. Consequences are drawn for Kantor's ovoids.
Cost of cardiac care in the three years after coronary catheterization in a contained care system : Critical determinants and implications

Objectives. We sought to determine the clinical, angiographic, treatment and outcome correlates of the intermediate-term cost of caring for patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Background. To adequately predict medical costs and to compare different treatment and cost reduction strategies, the determinants of cost must be understood. However, little is known about the correlates of costs of treatment of CAD in heterogenous patient populations that typify clinical practice. Methods. From a consecutive series of 781 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization in 1992 to 1994, we analyzed 44 variables as potential correlates of total (direct and indirect) in-hospital, 12- and 36-month cardiac costs. Results. Mean (±SD) patient age was 65 ± 10 years; 71% were men, and 45% had multiple vessel disease. The initial treatment strategy was medical therapy alone in 47% of patients, percutaneous intervention (PI) in 30% and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in 24%. The 36-month survival and event-free (death, infarction, CABG, PI) survival rates were 89.6 ± 0.2% and 68.4 ± 0.4%, respectively. Median hospital and 36-month costs were $8,301 and $28,054, respectively, but the interquartile ranges for both were wide and skewed. Models for logecosts were superior to those for actual costs. The variances accounted for by the all-inclusive models of in-hospital, 12- and 36-month costs were 57%, 60% and 71%, respectively. Baseline cardiac variables accounted for 38% of the explained in-hospital costs, whereas in-hospital treatment and complication variables accounted for 53% of the actual costs. Noncardiac variables accounted for only 9% of the explained costs. Over time, complications (e.g., late hospital admission, PI, CABG) and drug use to prevent complications of heart transplantation became more important, but many baseline cardiac variables retained their importance. Conclusions. 1) Variables readily available from a comprehensive cardiovascular database explained 57% to 71% of cardiac costs from a hospital perspective over 3 years of care; 2) the initial revascularization strategy was a key determinant of in-hospital costs, but over 3 years, the initial treatment become somewhat less important, and late complications became more important determinants of costs.
A Survey of Selected Topics in Inverse Electromagnetic Scattering Theory

This paper is a somewhat extended version of the tutorial talks I gave at the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications in January, 1995, as part of the program on Inverse Problems in Wave Propagation. My intent was to focus on the special case of scattering of time harmonic electromagnetic waves by a bounded inhomogeneous medium and, in this context, to discuss several recent developments in the mathematical and numerical investigation of the inverse problem. Since the inverse scattering problem for electromagnetic waves is being actively pursued by literally hundreds of engineers and mathematicicans all over the world, in order to prepare these lectures it was necessary to employ a rather rigourous selection process. Since this process was obviously guided by my own prejudices and interests, it seems appropriate at the beginning to state clearly what they are.
NMR Study of the Interaction of Monomeric and Polymeric Chiral Surfactants with (R)- and (S)-1,1‘-Binaphthyl-2,2‘-diyl Hydrogen Phosphate

Chiral discrimination of enantiomers of 1,1‘-binaphthyl-2,2‘-diyl hydrogen phosphate (BNDHP) by monomeric chiral surfactants (CS), sodium N-undecylenyl-l-valine-l-leucine and sodium N-undecylenyl-l...
High Efficiency Microwave Excitation of Light Sources

An electrodeless discharge tube was mounted as a section of the inner conductor of a tuneable length of coaxial line. This made possible essentially perfect matching between the oscillator and the light source tube and permitted operation in a cavity of small diameter, a feature of particular importance where the light source needs to run between the poles of an electromagnet. To avoid the wastage of power incurred when an attenuator is placed between the oscillator and the load, the oscillator was protected by a cutoff relay activated by reflected power. The maximum intensity obtained for the Hg 5461 A line was 0.025 watt/cm2/steradian under conditions for which the line, although wider than 1010 cps, looked sharp when observed visually through a spectroscope. Under conditions for which the width was 8×103 cps an intensity of 0.004 watt/cm2/steradian was observed.
Reliability of a Special Class of Redundant Systems

This paper develops equations for predicting the reliability of a special class of redundant systems. Applicable systems include those which operate in a standby mode for a long period of time in anticipation of participation in a single mission. Manual repair is allowed in the standby mode but not in the mission mode. The analysis is also applicable to the single-mission case alone (no standby), where the reliability in this case is evaluated as a function of the reliability state at the start of the mission. The development employs the traditional approach using the concept of failure states and the attendant birth-and-death equations.
Egg Diapause in Aedes Triseriatus (Diptera: Culicidae): Geographic Variation in Photoperiodic Response and Factors Influencing Diapause Termination

Critical photoperiod for induction of egg diapause in geographic strains of Aedes triseriatus increased 1 h for each increase in latitude of 4.2°, over a range of 30–46°N latitude. Photoperiodic response was reduced or absent in strains from 28–30°N lat. and in highly “laboratory-adapted” strains of northern or southern origin. Absence of diapause in a Florida strain showed discrete inheritance with segregation, suggestive of regulation by a major recessive genetic factor. In the laboratory, egg diapause could be terminated in an Indiana strain by (1) exposure to short days at 4 °C, (2) prolonged exposure to long days at 21 °C, or (3) most rapidly by long-day treatment following storage at 4 °C. In field populations prolonged exposure to low temperature is probably responsible for termination of egg diapause.
Obesity and Sleep Apnea

Obesity in America has been referred to as a new epidemic. Its incidence is increasing, as are the number of patients that are morbidly obese. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) also is being recognized and diagnosed with increasing frequency. In some subsets of the population, OSA is as prevalent as a chronic disease such as asthma. Obesity is a risk factor for OSA. These two conditions, obesity and OSA, pose significant challenges for anesthesiologists and other health care providers engaged in the care of surgical patients. This issue of the Anesthesiology Clinics of North America is devoted to aspects of perioperative care of individuals with obesity and OSA. In bDefinitions and Demographics of Obesity: Diagnosis and Risk Factors,Q Susan Polk discusses the epidemiology of obesity. She documents the alarming increase in obesity and morbid obesity as well as interesting geographic associations. There are important racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of obesity in the United States. The number of children who have obesity is also increasing, and Dr. Polk covers issues related to this disturbing trend. Obesity has important economic and societal implications that are detailed in this article, especially those that impact public health. Drs. Stierer and Punjabi comprehensively review the bDemographics and Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.Q This article saliently reviews terminology used in individuals with OSA as well as diagnostic tests and results that may be encountered when caring for patients Anesthesiology Clin N Am
Eating elicited by orexin-a, but not melanin-concentrating hormone, is opioid mediated.

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and orexin-A are orexigenic peptidergic neurotransmitters produced primarily in the lateral hypothalamus. Because two other hypothalamic peptides, neuropeptide Y and agouti-related peptide, increase food intake by a mechanism that depends on activation of opioid receptors, we assessed whether MCH or orexin-A also elicits food intake via opioid receptor activation. A dose of naloxone (0.3 mg/kg, ip) that had no effect on its own reduced the acute orexigenic effect of third ventricular (i3vt) orexin-A (3 ng/rat). However, this same dose of naloxone had no effect on i3vt MCH (5 μg/rat)-induced hyperphagia. Because the opioid system has also been linked to food selection, we investigated whether MCH or orexin-A alters food choice when rats have simultaneous access to two diets differing in the relative amounts of fat and carbohydrate. Whereas i3vt MCH stimulated intake of both diets and did not alter food choice, i3vt orexin-A stimulated intake of only the high fat diet. Th...
Stability of porcine factor VIII

Abstract Citrated porcine plasmas, when incubated at 37°, lose their factor VIII activity as a function of time. This loss of activity is a first order process and the half-life of the factor VIII activity from von Willebrand (vWd) pigs (∼6 h) is shorter than the half-life of factor VIII from normals (∼ 14 h). After stimulation of a vWd pig by transfusion a factor VIII activity is found with an extremely short half-life (∼ 2.5 h). Carriers of porcine vWd disease have both a labile and stable fraction of factor VIII.
The effect of acetabular cup orientations on limiting hip rotation.

Abstract The orientation of the acetabular cup and position of lip augmentation (if present) may improve postoperative total hip replacement stability by decreasing dislocation caused by hip prosthesis impingement during rotation. To determine how these cup parameters affect dislocation, the range and amount of rotation for two standard femoral components was determined in a Sawbones hemipelvis model. The parameters that allowed for maximal range of rotation were a cup angle of inclination between 35° and 45° and cup anteversion between 0° and 10°. Cup anteversion angles greater than 20° and cup angles of inclination greater than 45° significantly limited internal and external rotation, particularly for hip flexion greater than 60°. The position of the cup lip augmentation did not affect the amount of rotation except when the hip was flexed and the lip superiorly oriented. Although there are currently devices to facilitate a particular cup position, hip stem type and orientation are other important factors affecting range of rotation that must be considered.
Laser range finder based on synchronized scanners

A new geometrical arrangement is proposed to improve performances of optical triangulation. Two scanners in synchronization allow a linear position sensor to be used for surface topography measurement. Besides a large increase in speed of measurement (approximately megahertz), the new geometry allows considerable reduction of the optical head size compared with usual geometries, so the shadow effects are reduced proportionally. It also provides a means to obtain a very large field of view without compromising on resolution. Geometrical analysis and experimental results are presented.
On Large Deflection of Symmetric Composite Plates under Static Loading

The effect of transverse shear deformation on bending of elastic symmetric laminated composite plates undergoing large deformation (in the Von Karman sense) is considered in the present paper. The non-linear terms of the lateral displacement are considered as an additional set of lateral loads acting on the plate. The solution of a Von Karman type plate is therefore reduced to that of an equivalent plate with small displacements. This method offers an alternative technique for obtaining non-linear solutions to plate problems. The solutions of a number of example problems indicate that the non-linear shear deformation theory results, as expected, in higher values of the lateral displacement than the non-linear solutions from the classical plate theory. The difference in the values of the maximum displacement from both solutions, however, remains essentially constant beyond a certain value of the load. It is also noted that the linear and non-linear solutions deviate at a low value of w/h (w = maximum later...
Preservation of “more risk averse” under expectations

Abstract The preservation of risk aversion properties of utility functions under expectation operations is of interest in the study of derived utility functions in sequential decision problems and in problems with multiple (contemporaneous) sources of uncertainty. The purpose of this note is to present sufficient conditions for the Pratt relation “more risk averse” to be preserved under expectations.
MULTIVARIATE SPATIAL OUTLIER DETECTION

A spatial outlier is a spatially referenced object whose non-spatial attribute values are significantly different from the values of its neighborhood. Identification of spatial outliers can lead to the discovery of unexpected, interesting, and useful spatial patterns for further analysis. Previous work in spatial outlier detection focuses on detecting spatial outliers with a single attribute. In the paper, we propose two approaches to discover spatial outliers with multiple attributes. We formulate the multi-attribute spatial outlier detection problem in a general way, provide two effective detection algorithms, and analyze their computation complexity. In addition, using a real-world census data, we demonstrate that our approaches can effectively identify local abnormality in large spatial data sets.
Satellite remote sensing applications for surface soil moisture monitoring: A review

Surface soil moisture is one of the crucial variables in hydrological processes, which influences the exchange of water and energy fluxes at the land surface/atmosphere interface. Accurate estimate of the spatial and temporal variations of soil moisture is critical for numerous environmental studies. Recent technological advances in satellite remote sensing have shown that soil moisture can be measured by a variety of remote sensing techniques, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the progress in remote sensing of soil moisture, with focus on technique approaches for soil moisture estimation from optical, thermal, passive microwave, and active microwave measurements. The physical principles and the status of current retrieval methods are summarized. Limitations existing in current soil moisture estimation algorithms and key issues that have to be addressed in the near future are also discussed.
Evaluation of Automated ECG Monitoring: Theoretical Model Based upon Point Process Techniques

The development of practical methods of ECG monitoring using dedicated computers has presented problems in the evaluation and comparison of the relative effectiveness of various ECG monitoring systems. A theoretical model based on the application of point process techniques is discussed in this paper.
Comparison of the Isothermal Oxidation Behavior of As-Cast Cu–17%Cr and Cu–17%Cr–5%Al. Part II: Scale Microstructures

The isothermal oxidation kinetics of as-cast Cu–17%Cr and Cu–17%Cr–5%Al in air were studied between 773 and 1,173 K under atmospheric pressure. Details of the oxidation kinetics of these alloys were discussed in Part I. This paper analyzes the microstructures of the scale and its composition in an attempt to elucidate the oxidation mechanisms in these alloys. The scales formed on Cu–17%Cr specimens oxidized between 773 and 973 K consisted of external CuO and subsurface Cu2O layers. The total thickness of these scales varied from about 10 μm at 773 K to about 450 μm at 973 K. In contrast, thin scales formed on Cu–17%Cr–5%Al alloys oxidized between 773 and 1,173 K. The exact nature of these scales could not be determined by X-ray diffraction but energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses were used to construct a scale composition map. Phenomenological oxidation mechanisms are proposed for the two alloys.
INCORPORATING TOXICOLOGY IN THE SYNTHESIS OF INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL COMPLEXES

A systematic procedure is presented for synthesizing chemical complexes in which toxicology aspects are incorporated in addition to the economic considerations Based on previous, work by Grossmann ...
Kinematic information feedback for learning a rapid arm movement

Abstract The experiments reported examine the notion that knowledge of results (KR) about the outcome of a response does not provide the necessary information for optimizing performance in many skilled activities. The effect of traditional KR was contrasted with various kinematic feedback parameters in the acquisition of a single degree of freedom response requiring the minimization of movement time. Experiment 1 showed that the presentation of discrete kinematic information feedback (peak accelaration, time to peak accelaration, and velocity at the target location) did not facilitate performance over movement-time KR. Experiment 2 revealed that presentation of a computer generated velocity-time representation of the movement as terminal information feedback improved performance over movement-time KR. This facilitation occured even without knowledge of the kinematics for optimal performance. The findings suggest that the task criterion specifies the appropriate information feedback for skill learning in that the information feedback must match the constraints imposed upon response output.
Cerebral Phospholipid Content and Na+, K+-ATPase Activity During Ischemia and Postischemic Reperfusion in the Mongolian Gerbil

: Using bilateral carotid artery occlusion in adult gerbils we examined the effects of ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion on cerebral phospholipid content and Na+, K+-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) activity. In contrast to the large changes in phospholipid content and membrane-bound enzyme activity that have been observed in liver and heart tissues, we observed relatively small changes in the cerebral content of total phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) following ischemic intervals of up to 240 min. Following 15 min of ischemia the cerebral content of sphingomyelin (SM) was decreased to <50% of control values but returned to near-normal levels with longer ischemic periods. Significant decreases in the cerebral content of phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidic acid (PA) were observed following shorter intervals of ischemia (15–45 min). Na+, K+-ATPase activity of cerebral homogenates prepared from the brains of gerbils subjected to 30–240 min of ischemia was decreased but significantly different from control activity only after 30 min of ischemia (-29%, p ≤ 0.05). With the exception of PS, reperfusion for 60 min following 60 min of ischemia resulted in marked increases in cerebral phospholipid content with PC, SM, PI, and PA levels exceeding and PE levels equal to preischemic values. Longer periods of reperfusion (180 min) resulted in decreases in cerebral phospholipid content toward (PC, SM, PI, and PA) or below (PE) preischemic levels. In contrast, the cerebral content of PS significantly decreased during reperfusion (-51% at 60 min, p ≤ 0.05) and remained below preischemic values even after 180 min of reperfusion. The activity of cerebral Na+, K+-ATPase increased to values slightly above preischemic values following reperfusion for either 60 or 180 min after 60 min of ischemia. These data show that major differences exist in the responses of neural and nonneural tissues to ischemia and raise important questions concerning the role of changes in membrane structure and function in irreversible ischemic injury.
Carotenoid bioaccessibility from whole grain and decorticated yellow endosperm sorghum porridge

Abstract Sorghum is a staple crop and a potential dietary source of carotenoids in semi-arid regions of Africa, but information on the bioavailability of these pigments is limited. This study aimed at exploring the effects of agronomic manipulation on sorghum carotenoid contents at selected stages of kernel development and maturation and assessing carotenoid bioaccessibility from matured yellow-endosperm sorghum varieties (P88 and P1222), by comparing porridge made from sorghum whole and decorticated milled grains. Carotenoid content of sorghum milled fractions ranged from 2.90 to 7.22 mg/kg in P88 unbagged decorticated flour, at 50 and 30 days after half bloom (DAHB) respectively, to 9.87–13.69 mg/kg in bagged decorticated bran fractions in P88, at 50 and 30 DAHB respectively. Maize milled fractions were significantly (P
Concurrent centrifugation plasmapheresis and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration

Continuous venovenous hemofiltration/hemodiafiltration (CVVH/D) is commonly used to provide renal replacement therapy for critically ill patients who are hemodynamically unstable. Occasionally, the addition of plasmapheresis therapy is necessary for some conditions, including immune-mediated acute renal failure, sepsis, fulminant hepatic failure, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome. Most tertiary care facilities provide centrifugation plasmapheresis instead of membrane plasmapheresis, because of the requirement for both therapeutic plasma exchange and pheresis of cellular blood products. We report a new technique where centrifugation plasmapheresis and CVVHD (P-CVVHD) are combined and used concurrently. Blood from the patient was concurrently filtered utilizing a Hospal BSM 22 machine with a Multiflow 60 hemofilter and a Cobe Spectra continuous cell separator in a parallel configuration. P-CVVHD is technically possible and can be used for long periods of time with limited risks. There may be advantages to P-CVVHD compared with discontinuous combined CVVH/D and plasmapheresis therapy.