cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The power structure in the perpetuation of female genital cutting in Kenya

ABSTRACTFemale Genital Cutting (henceforth referred to as FGC) or Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a widely-practiced form of gendered violence in 28 countries across Africa, with considerable va...
Methane upgraded by rhodium

Rhodium catalysts have been developed that can be tuned to produce two different products from methane. The findings could aid the development of industrial processes that exploit this abundant resource. Rhodium catalysts have been developed that can be tuned to produce two different products from methane. The findings could aid the development of industrial processes that exploit this abundant resource.
Requirements for a Fellowship

Upon completing an anesthesiology residency, there are many decisions to be made. As with anything in life, different people will choose different pathways depending on life factors such as time, financial ability, personal and family responsibilities as well as motivation. Sometimes it can be difficult to choose which direction is best for each individual. While for one physician, taking a job immediately following residency seems exciting and makes sense, for others it may seem as if there is more to learn and grow from. This chapter is to help outline the most common fellowship options that are available through completion of an anesthesiology residency and the requirements as well as expectations from each. Description of specific accredited and non-accredited fellowships and the difference between these groups are also briefly outlined. Hopefully, this chapter will help alleviate some of the concerns and questions that come up when deciding upon one’s future professional plans.
Risk Management: The Key to Successful Software Projects*

Abstract This paper describes a systematic approach to risk management for software projects. A brief survey of risk management is presented, various types of risks for software projects are identified, a project infrastructure for risk management is described, and a risk breakdown structure of specific techniques for risk management is presented.
Adhesion of Sol-Gel-Derived Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Coatings on Polyester

Inorganic coatings, including metal-oxide coatings, provide polymer surfaces with excellent abrasion and wear resistance, and protection against environmental degradation. However, one drawback associated with the incorporation of such ceramic coatings to polymeric materials is the adhesion characteristic at the ceramic-polymer interface. In this paper, two strategies for adhesion enhancement of ceramic coatings on polymer substrates were proposed: (1) formation of chemical bonds through surface condensation reactions, and (2) development of interlocked ceramic and polymeric networks through diffusion of alkoxide precursors. The current research has focused on the adhesion of sol-gel-derived organic-inorganic hybrid coatings on polyester by forming chemical bonds between the polymer substrate and the hybrid coatings, as well as developing interlocked polymeric and inorganic networks at the interface. Contact angle, wettability tests, and chemicalanalysis were done to verify the effectiveness of the adhesion of organic-inorganic hybrid coatings on polyester substrates. In addition, dry and wet thermal cycling tests were done to analyze the adhesion behavior of the hybrid coatings on polyester, followed by microscopy examination. It was found that although both approaches resulted in excellent adhesion of hybrid coatings on polyester, adhesion with interlocked ceramic and polymeric networks was far better than that with chemical bonds in the presence of water at elevated temperatures.
Intentional Self-Regulation of Eating Among Children and Adolescents

Abstract Intentional self-regulation of eating refers to the volitional cognitive and behavioral processes involved in setting, pursuing, and attaining eating goals. The capacity to set and strive for eating goals emerges in late childhood and adolescence corresponding to maturation of the prefrontal cortex. Although substantially more is known about intentional self-regulation of eating among adults, it is increasingly evident that youth engage in intentional self-regulation of eating and such efforts tend to be associated with more healthy dietary choices, particularly in environments that promote unhealthy foods. This chapter addresses what is known about intentional self-regulation of eating among youth including its development, areas of intersection between intentional self-regulation of eating and dietary restraint, associations with dietary intake, and challenges to effective intentional self-regulation of eating. Questions in need of further investigation are also presented, including how we can effectively promote flexible intentional self-regulation of eating among children and adolescents.
Vertical and horizontal distribution of bark and woodboring beetles by feeding guild: is there an optimal trap location for detection?

Bark and woodboring beetles include some of the most economically important forest pests. Understanding how these species are distributed in forests is critical for optimizing detection strategies. We placed traps at three heights above ground level at the edge and in the interior of two forests and focused on two groups: phloem/wood-feeding beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, and some Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae and Platypodinae). We recorded temperature, humidity, and canopy cover for each trap. Species richness increased with height for phloem-/wood-feeding beetles and decreased with height for ambrosia beetles, even when microclimatic variables were included in the models. Community composition differed greatly among heights but little between horizontal placements. Indicator species analysis found eight species (seven of which were phloem/wood feeders) to be significantly associated with traps at 15 m and eight species (six of which were ambrosia beetles) associated with traps at 0 m. Only one species was significantly associated with the forest edge and one species associated with the interior, but a total of thirteen species were associated with particular combinations of horizontal placement and height. While distance from the forest edge was an important factor for some species, trap height more strongly influenced the species of phloem-/wood-feeding and ambrosia beetles captured and is a more important consideration with respect to optimizing trapping programs.
Projective Planes from Complete Sets of Orthomorphisms

From a complete set of orthomophisms of a group G of order n, we can construct a complete set of mutually orthogonal Latin squares of order n and a projective plane of order n. In this chapter we will describe the relationship between the complete sets of orthomorphisms and the corresponding projective planes. We will introduce Cartesian projective planes and show that these are the projective planes constructed from complete sets of orthomorphisms. We will describe the known classes of finite Cartesian projective planes. In addition, we will discuss nonexistence results for finite Cartesian projective planes. In particular we will prove the nonexistence of certain generalized Hadamard matrices, from which the nonexistence of complete sets of orthomorphisms of certain groups can be derived. We will also study Cartesian projective planes of prime order.
The Dying Swan: Cultural Nationalism and Queer Formations in Trinidad and Tobago

This essay examines the configuration of cultural nationalism in the Commonwealth Caribbean, specifically Trinidad and Tobago, and the impact of queer formations on national identity. Cultural nationalism in the Caribbean has been characterized by its heteropatriarchal disposition – rendering sexual minorities as abject citizens. However, the hybridized culture of the Caribbean, as demonstrated through the cultural arts of Trinidad and Tobago, provides an unfixed, paradoxical social location in which queer cultural performances transgress the colonial-influenced cultural nationalism. As such, this essay deploys queer theory of colour in a discursive and performative analysis of a contemporary Trinidad Carnival mas or masquerade, The Dying Swan: Ras Nijinsky in Drag as Pavlova (2016). With this performance, a more inclusive national identity is envisioned through a queer world-making that challenges prevailing cultural norms and subvert traditional sexual identity politics.
Improved Range of Motion and Patient-Reported Outcome Scores With Fixed-Bearing Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty for Suboptimal Axial Implant Rotation.

Abstract Background Suboptimal implant rotation has consequences with respect to knee kinematics and clinical outcomes. We evaluated the functional outcomes of revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for poor axial implant rotation. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 42 TKAs undergoing aseptic revision for poor axial implant rotation. We assessed improvements in Knee Society Score (KSS) and final range of motion (ROM). Subgroup analyses were performed for preoperative instability and stiffness, as well as the number of components revised and level of implant constraint used. Results Revision for poor axial rotation in isolation improved KSS from 52 ± 22 to 84 ± 25 (P Conclusion Revision TKA for poor axial alignment improves clinical outcomes scores and functional ROM.
Identifying extraordinary contributors to work and family research: eight modalities of excellence

ABSTRACTIn this study we quantitatively and qualitatively explore two research questions: (1) ‘What qualifies a scholar to be classified as an extraordinary contributor to work and family research?...
Matching Animal-Assisted Therapy Techniques and Intentions with Counseling Guiding Theories

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) interventions are often used in mental health practice, yet there are few studies to assist mental health counselors in integrating AAT practice with theoretical foundations. The authors draw upon the literature on AAT intentions and techniques to illustrate how these practices are consistent with a variety of theoretical orientations. Case illustrations are provided.
Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation with Concomitant Impella Versus Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Cardiogenic Shock

There are contrasting data on concomitant Impella device in cardiogenic shock patients treated with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) (ECPELLA). This study sought to compare early mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock treated with ECPELLA in comparison to VA ECMO alone. We reviewed the published literature from 2000 to 2018 for randomized, cohort, case-control, and case series studies evaluating adult patients requiring VA ECMO for cardiogenic shock. Five retrospective observational studies, representing 425 patients, were included. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with concomitant Impella strategy was used in 27% of the patients. Median age across studies varied between 51 and 63 years with 59-88% patients being male. Use of ECPELLA was associated with higher weaning from VA ECMO and bridging to permanent ventricular assist device or cardiac transplant in three and four studies, respectively. The studies showed moderate heterogeneity with possible publication bias. The two studies that accounted for differences in baseline characteristics between treatment groups reported lower 30 day mortality with ECPELLA versus VA ECMO. The remaining three studies did not adjust for potential confounding and were at high risk for selection bias. In conclusion, ECPELLA is being increasingly used as a strategy in patients with cardiogenic shock. Additional large, high-quality studies are needed to evaluate clinical outcomes with ECPELLA.
The Impact of Electoral Arrangements on Minority Representation: District Magnitude and the Election of African American State Legislators

Previous research shows that multimember districts (MMDs) disadvantage African American candidates. However, these studies focus on only a few aspects of the electoral process and they may be time ...
Are elderly patients at high risk for postoperative complications after robotic ventral hernia repair? A propensity score matching analysis.

Background The purpose of this study was to compare the elderly (≥65 years) and non-elderly groups regarding perioperative outcomes after robotic ventral hernia repair (RVHR). Methods A one-to-one propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was conducted to obtain balanced groups. Postoperative complications including surgical site events (SSEs) (surgical site infections [SSIs], surgical site occurrences [SSOs], and surgical site occurrence procedural interventions [SSOPIs]) were compared. Results The unmatched sample included 521 patients. Of these, 139 patients were elderly (range 65-94 years). After PSM, 98 patients were assigned to each group. Intraoperative variables were similar. The non-elderly and elderly groups experienced similar complication rates during the first 90 days. SSEs (SSIs, SSOs, and SSOPIs) did not differ between the two groups. Conclusion RVHR is safe and efficacious for patients aged 65 and over. Age alone need not be a prohibitive factor in determining patient selection for RVHR; however, it would be more beneficial to take into consideration other patient-related factors as well.
Post-MI Ventricular Septal Defect During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract With the COVID-19 pandemic, the fear among patients of contracting it has made them reluctant to seek medical attention on a timely basis even for emergent conditions. We present a case of post infarction ventricular septal rupture due to delayed presentation as a consequence of the fear of COVID-19. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.)
Risk of Urinary Recatheterization for Thoracic Surgical Patients with Epidural Anesthesia.

Background: Current quality guidelines recommend the removal of urinary catheters on or before postoperative day two, to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact urinary catheter removal on the need for urinary recatheterization (UR) of patients with epidural anesthesia undergoing thoracic surgery. Materials and Methods: All patients undergoing thoracic surgery between November 4th, 2017 and January 9th, 2018 who had a urinary catheter placed at the time of intervention were prospectively evaluated. Patient characteristics including: history of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), catheter related variables and rates of UR were collected through chart review and daily visits to the wards. BPH was defined as history of transurethral resection of the prostate or treatment with selective α1-adrenergic receptor antagonists. Results: Over a two-month period 267 patients were included, 124 (46%) were male. Epidural catheters were placed in 88 (33%) patients. Median duration of urinary catheters for the cohort was 1 day (0 days – 18 days), and it was significantly higher in patients with epidural anesthesia (Table 1). Overall 20 (7%) patients required UR. On initial analysis, there was no statistical difference in the rate of UR among patients with and without epidural catheters [9/88 (10%) vs 11/179 (6%), p=0.23). The rate of UR was higher in males than in females (14/124 (11%) vs 6/143 (4%), p=0.03). Fifteen (12%) patients had a diagnosis of BPH. The rate of UR was three-times higher in this group than in those without BPH [4/15 (27%) vs 10/109 (9%) p=0.05]. Four (1%) patients developed a CAUTI during follow-up, and the rate of CAUTI was not different between those with and without epidural catheters. Conclusion: Urinary catheters in patients with thoracic epidural anesthesia can be safely removed, as evidenced by low reinsertion and infection rates. Removal of urinary catheters in patients with a history of BPH should be carefully evaluated, as over 1/4 will require urinary recatheterization in this subgroup. Further study of this group is needed to avoid unnecessary patient discomfort associated with recatheterization.
Control of Concentration Quenching with Metallic Substrates and Cavities

We found that inhibition of concentration quenching of HITC dye in Fabry-Perot cavities is almost similar to that on top of silver. Low convexity of the emission kinetics suggests strong coupling mediated by surface plasmons.
Learning from the Crowd with Pairwise Comparison

Efficient learning of halfspaces is arguably one of the most important problems in machine learning and statistics. With the unprecedented growth of large-scale data sets, it has become ubiquitous to appeal to crowd for data annotation, and the central problem that attracts a surge of recent interests is how one can provably learn the underlying halfspace from the highly noisy crowd feedback. On the other hand, a large body of recent works have been dedicated to the problem of learning with not only labels, but also pairwise comparisons, since in many cases it is easier to compare than to label. In this paper we study the problem of learning halfspaces from the crowd under the realizable PAC learning setting, and we assume that the crowd workers can provide (noisy) labels or pairwise comparison tags upon request. We show that with a powerful boosting framework, together with our novel design of a filtering process, the overhead (to be defined) of the crowd acts as a constant, whereas the natural extension of standard approaches to crowd setting leads to an overhead growing with the size of the data sets.
Sleep Disordered Breathing and Prader-Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder that can affect growth, appetite, cognitive function, and behavior. Patients with PWS are at increased risk for sleep disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to craniofacial features and muscle weakness) and central sleep apnea (secondary to blunted or even paradoxical ventilatory response to hypercapnia or hypoxia) which can both be associated with hypoventilation. Specific treatments, such as exogenous growth hormone therapy, can offer improvement in muscle mass and improve muscle tone in these patients, which may reduce sleep disordered breathing in some patients. There should be a low threshold for genetic testing to diagnose PWS and start appropriate therapies (such as supplemental oxygen, positive airway pressure therapy and/or growth hormone). Careful positive airway pressure titration may be prudent given the prevalence of blunted or paradoxical responses to hypercapnia or hypoxia. In addition to sleep-related breathing disorders, patients with PWS may develop hypersomnia. The narcolepsy-like phenotype of PWS is a condition that is characterized by hypersomnia despite adequate treatment of obstructive sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. This phenotype can present with cataplexy and is associated with low hypocretin-1/orexin-A. The diagnosis can be made using clinical history in combination with polysomnography and Multiple Sleep Latency Test. Daytime wake-promoting agents and stimulant medications can effectively treat excessive daytime sleepiness in these patients.
Development of a Simple Index to Measure Overuse of Diagnostic Testing at the Hospital Level Using Administrative Data.

OBJECTIVE We developed a diagnostic overuse index that identifies hospitals with high levels of diagnostic intensity by comparing negative diagnostic testing rates for common diagnoses. METHODS We prospectively identified candidate overuse metrics, each defined by the percentage of patients with a particular diagnosis who underwent a potentially unnecessary diagnostic test. We used data from seven states participating in the State Inpatient Databases. Candidate metrics were tested for temporal stability and internal consistency. Using mixed-effects ordinal regression and adjusting for regional and hospital characteristics, we compared results of our index with three Dartmouth health service area-level utilization metrics and three Medicare county-level cost metrics. RESULTS The index was comprised of five metrics with good temporal stability and internal consistency. It correlated with five of the six prespecified overuse measures. Among the Dartmouth metrics, our index correlated most closely with physician reimbursement, with an odds ratio of 2.02 (95% CI, 1.11-3.66) of being in a higher tertile of the overuse index when comparing tertiles 3 and 1 of this Dartmouth metric. Among the Medicare county-level metrics, our index correlated most closely with standardized costs of procedures per capita, with an odds ratio of 2.03 (95% CI, 1.21-3.39) of being in a higher overuse index tertile when comparing tertiles 3 and 1 of this metric. CONCLUSIONS We developed a novel overuse index that is preliminary in nature. This index is derived from readily available administrative data and shows some promise for measuring overuse of diagnostic testing at the hospital level.
Increasing provision of ecosystem services through participation in a conservation program

Abstract Grasslands provide a variety of goods and services that benefit humans, but only a few have a market value. Despite the benefits provided, native grasslands continue to be degraded. Lack of a proper valuation, including a monetary value of grassland nonmarket goods and services, has become one of the factors contributing to the degradation trend. The objective of this research was to quantify the cost of increasing the provision of ecosystem services from grassland ecosystems in the Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks (GCPO) Landscape Conservation Cooperative geographic area of the U.S. A contingent valuation method (CVM) was used to estimate landowner willingness to accept (WTA) monetary compensation in exchange for implementing management practices preserving grassland ecosystems. The mean WTA compensation was $290.10 per acre per year for a 10-year contract. Required compensation increased with landowner income, frequency of contacts with state wildlife agencies, and percentage change in grassland area. Landowner age and proximity to the nearest local park were negatively associated with WTA. The total cost of preserving ecosystem services, estimated based on WTA, was US$3 billion per year and 57 times larger than the 2016 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) allocation for this purpose in the amount US$50 million. However, the preservation cost varied from US$1.7 million to 1.1 billion depending upon the number of ecological attributes to be preserved and corresponding levels of ecosystem services. Results will be helpful in quantifying future funding levels necessary for implementation of coordinated conservation activities in grasslands and other ecosystems, prioritizing ecosystem services for restoration, and developing conservation programs in the U.S. and other countries.
Efficient Estimation of Indirect Effects in Case-Control Studies Using a Unified Likelihood Framework

Mediation models are a set of statistical techniques that investigate the mechanisms that produce an observed relationship between an exposure variable and an outcome variable in order to deduce the extent to which the relationship is influenced by intermediate mediator variables. For a case-control study, the most common mediation analysis strategy employs a counterfactual framework that permits estimation of indirect and direct effects on the odds ratio scale for dichotomous outcomes, assuming either binary or continuous mediators. While this framework has become an important tool for mediation analysis, we demonstrate that we can embed this approach in a unified likelihood framework for mediation analysis in case-control studies that leverages more features of the data (in particular, the relationship between exposure and mediator) to improve efficiency of indirect effect estimates. One important feature of our likelihood approach is that it naturally incorporates cases within the exposure-mediator model to improve efficiency. Our approach does not require knowledge of disease prevalence and can model confounders and exposure-mediator interactions, and is straightforward to implement in standard statistical software. We illustrate our approach using both simulated data and real data from a case control genetic study of lung cancer.
EFFECTS OF TURBULENCE ON BRIDGE MODEL TORSIONAL STABILITY

A 1:64 scale section model of a recently constructed suspension bridge was tested in smooth and turbulent flow with and without an upstream "obstacle." Testing was limited to determination of aerodynamic damping on a model confined to single-degree-of-freedom torsional motion. The upstream "obstacle" selected was a 1:64 replica of a cable-stayed bridge (basically a flat plate on a narrower box). The truss model (without an obstruction) showed little change in response due to turbulence intensity typical of an elevated open site. The upstream model produced high turbulence intensity levels even in smooth flow. In as far as catastrophic torsion was concerned the cable-stayed bridge model actually shielded the truss model producing some effect to a streamwise spacing of 10 times the truss dimension. Caution must be used in application of these results since different designs may produce different results. With any upstream structure, non-catastrophic buffeting is a possibility, with increased turbulence intensities possibly producing difficulties in vehicle control.
The African-American Child Welfare Act: A Legal Redress for African-American Disproportionality in Child Protection Cases

This article proposes a radical change in the way African-American children and families are handled within the legal system when abuse and neglect are at issue. African-American disproportionality in child protection cases is significant for the United States because documentation shows that African-American children are overrepresented in the child welfare system in forty-eight states, although research shows that there is no difference in the occurrence of child abuse and neglect among the races. The first part of the article presents an overview of disproportionality by presenting the national statistics and research, revealing where racial bias and disparate treatment occurs within the child welfare system. Current state legislation developed to address disproportionality is also discussed. The second part of the article outlines the proposed African-American Child Welfare Act and sets forth the legislative goals for the legal and social work systems that serve to protect children and to improve family relationships. It also examines the need for federal legislation to address the problem of overrepresentation of African-American children in the foster care system. The third part of the article analyzes the constitutional issues that arise when proposing a federal law that provides a different set of legal guidelines for one race. The article argues that the law must change in order to counterbalance the existing disproportionality in a large-scale, meaningful way and to provide equal protection to African-American families and children.
Flow and Fracture of Bulk Metallic Glass Alloys and Their Composites

The fracture and plastic deformation mechanisms of a Zr-Ti-Ni-Cu-Be bulk metallic glass and a composite utilizing a crystalline reinforcement phase are reviewed. The relationship between stress state, free volume and shear band formation are discussed. Positron annihilation techniques were used to confirm the predicted increase in free volume after plastic straining. Strain localization and failure were examined for a wide range of stress states. Finally, methods for toughening metallic glasses are considered. Significant increases in toughness are demonstrated for a composite bulk metallic glass containing a ductile second phase which stabilizes shear band formation and distributes plastic deformation.
From Nifty Gadgets to Dire Warnings

This installment of Notes from the Community includes new wearables, displays, and projects in augmented and virtual reality. It also covers descriptions of whimsical and nostalgic inventions as well as dystopian reports on the new vulnerabilities and dangers of our technological future.
Li-alloy/FeS/sub 2/ as a sealed bipolar battery

Continued development has brought about an electrolyte-starved cell operation with MgO powder separator and overcharge tolerance. This same technology is being used in development of a bipolar Li/FeS/sub 2/ battery. This LiCl-LiBr-KBr molten electrolyte battery is operated at 400-425 degrees C. An overcharge tolerant cell design safeguards the Li/FeS/sub 2/ cells in a bipolar battery and allows charge/equalization with simple trickle-charging. New materials and hermetic seal development have progressed to a four-cell bipolar Li/FeS/sub 2/ stack test, having over 150 cycles. A prototype sealed bipolar Li/FeS/sub 2/ battery has a projected performance of 191 Wh/kg specific energy with 500 W/kg peak specific power through 80% depth of discharge. >
Evidence for Aggressive Blood Pressure–Lowering Goals in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Lowering blood pressure (BP) reduces the risk of major cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Current consensus targets for BP reduction are less than 140/90 mm Hg in uncomplicated hypertension and less than 130/80 mm Hg in those patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease or in those who are at high risk for developing coronary artery disease (defined as a Framingham risk score of ≥ 10%). There is solid epidemiologic evidence for lower BP targets, supported by some clinical studies with surrogate end points. On the other hand, there are meager data from clinical trials using hard end points, and there is a concern that overly aggressive BP lowering, especially of diastolic BP, may impair coronary perfusion, particularly in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and/or coronary artery disease. This review evaluates the evidence for the benefit of lower BP targets in hypertension management.
Levetiracetam Monotherapy in Children With Epilepsy

Although levetiracetam has shown efficacy in children with epilepsy, when used as adjunctive therapy, limited data are available regarding its use as monotherapy. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam monotherapy in a cohort of pediatric patients with epilepsy. A retrospective analysis of pediatric epilepsy patients receiving levetiracetam at a single institution was performed over a 3-year period. Eighty-one patients were identified, 18 of whom received levetiracetam as monotherapy (mean age, 9.6 years). Epilepsy types were partial in 14 and generalized in 4. Conversion to levetiracetam monotherapy occurred in 16 patients due to lack of efficacy or adverse events, and 2 patients were initially started on monotherapy. Dose range of levetiracetam was 14-60 mg/kg, and duration of therapy ranged from 2-24 months. Eleven patients became seizure free on levetiracetam, one had at least 50% reduction in seizures, and six others had no change in seizure frequency. Adverse events included worsening of behavior, irritability, and possible cognitive changes, seen in 4 patients. Levetiracetam was discontinued in seven patients overall. Levetiracetam monotherapy appeared to be effective and well tolerated in this group of children with epilepsy and warrants further investigation in a well-controlled, prospective study.
A probabilistic model for machine cell formation

Abstract The data for machine cell formation in cellular manufacturing is organized in a machine-component chart that represents the machining requirements of parts in the product mix. While the composition of the product mix is determined by demand and is probabilistic in nature, the existing machine cell formation models treat it as deterministic. This could adversely affect the performance of the associated cellular manufacturing system. To overcome this problem, a probabilistic machine cell formation model is presented here.
Knowledge Discovery with a Little Perspective

Le principal obstacle a l'efficacite du processus de decouverte de connaissance dans des bases de donnees est que la base n'a pas ete construite en tenant compte de cette possibilite
Porous Carbon Powders Prepared by Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis

New, thermally robust meso- and macroporous carbon powders were prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) of aqueous solutions using an inexpensive high-frequency ultrasound generator from a household humidifier. We choose our molecular precursors rationally, so that the expected decomposition pathways produce only remnant carbon atoms. Specifically, our rational design criterion led to halo-organic carboxylate salts, whose pyrolysis yields well-defined carbon solids with a temporary template being generated in situ, simply an inorganic salt, which is easily dissolved during aqueous workup. The materials have been characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, 13C NMR MAS, XPS, FTIR spectroscopy, and BET surface area measurements. Changing the alkali metal alters the morphology and pore structure of the final material, which can be explained in terms of the observed differences in the DSC and TGA of the various precursors. This preparatory method provides an extremely facile and versatile method for the generation of...
A regulatory gene, angR, of the iron uptake system of Vibrio anguillarum: similarity with phage P22 cro and regulation by iron.

Abstract The angR locus in Vibrio anguillarum encodes a trans -acting transcriptional activator which modulates several Fe 2+ -regulated loci in the anguibactin biosynthesis gene cluster. In this paper, the complete nucleotide (nt) sequence of the angR gene and deduced amino acid (aa) sequence of the AngR protein are presented. A region upstream from the angR gene is shown to have similarity with Fe 2+ - regulated operators in Escherichia coli which bind the Fur protein. The involvement of a Fur-like regulator is supported by transcription analysis which show that angR itself is Fe 2+ - regulated. The aa sequence of the AngR protein predicts a helix-turn-helix motif which shows striking homology with prokaryotic DNA-binding proteins, particularly the λ and P22 Cro proteins. In addition, there are two 18-nt regions, upstream from the angR gene, which show similarity with the o R 1 and o R 2 operators of P22 cro . These regions overlap with, respectively, the -35, -10 region and the putative Fur-binding region upstream from angR . These results suggest that AngR may be a DNA-binding protein which modulates Fe 2+ - regulated transcription and is itself Fe 2+ - regulated at the transcriptional level.
Swarms of repeating long-period earthquakes at Shishaldin Volcano, Alaska, 2001–2004

Abstract During 2001–2004, a series of four periods of elevated long-period seismic activity, each lasting about 1–2 months, occurred at Shishaldin Volcano, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. The time periods are termed swarms of repeating events, reflecting an abundance of earthquakes with highly similar waveforms that indicate stable, non-destructive sources. These swarms are characterized by increased earthquake amplitudes, although the seismicity rate of one event every 0.5–5 min has remained more or less constant since Shishaldin last erupted in 1999. A method based on waveform cross-correlation is used to identify highly repetitive events, suggestive of spatially distinct source locations. The waveform analysis shows that several different families of similar events co-exist during a given swarm day, but generally only one large family dominates. A network of hydrothermal fractures may explain the events that do not belong to a dominant repeating event group, i.e. multiple sources at different locations exist next to a dominant source. The dominant waveforms exhibit systematic changes throughout each swarm, but some of these waveforms do reappear over the course of 4 years indicating repeatedly activated source locations. The choked flow model provides a plausible trigger mechanism for the repeating events observed at Shishaldin, explaining the gradual changes in waveforms over time by changes in pressure gradient across a constriction within the uppermost part of the conduit. The sustained generation of Shishaldin's long-period events may be attributed to complex dynamics of a multi-fractured hydrothermal system: the pressure gradient within the main conduit may be regulated by temporarily sealing and reopening of parallel flow pathways, by the amount of debris within the main conduit and/or by changing gas influx into the hydrothermal system. The observations suggest that Shishaldin's swarms of repeating events represent time periods during which a dominant source is activated.
Crime statistics: A mathematical perspective

This paper compares the crime statistics generated by the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) to those generated by the National Crime Survey (NCS), collected by the Census Bureau for the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration. The crime reporting process is described for both the UCR and NCS to determine the nature of their respective biases. Events within the processes are analyzed to develop a new estimate of crime incidence based on both the UCR and NCS. Numerical examples are then developed to point out the deficiencies in the NCS, and to make suggestions for the improvement of its accuracy.
Indigenizing Civic Education in Africa: Experience in Madagascar and the Sahel.

Abstract In Africa, as in many countries of the South, democratization is sometimes perceived as a process modeled upon outside – and specifically Northern – experience. Formal civic education programs in those countries arguably reflect the same bias and have not always been notably successful. Yet there are rich patterns of civic involvement and democratic process in African culture and in the myriad ways in which it has adapted to development challenges, often more successfully reflected in non-formal and informal education endeavors. This article reports on a comparative study of related experience in Madagascar and Sahelian West Africa and draws conclusions regarding ways to draw inspiration for school-based civic education from such ground-level sources.
Comparing Standing Balance at Real and Virtual Elevated Environments

The study evaluated the efficacy of a surround-screen virtual reality (SSVR) system in simulating heights for studying human postural balance at elevation. Twenty four subjects performed standing tasks at 9-m elevation and ground level, on firm and deformable surfaces, in a real environment (RE) and a comparable virtual environment (VE). The RE was the interior of the high-bay laboratory at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Morgantown, West Virginia; the VE simulated this environment in the SSVR system. Medial-lateral and anterior-posterior body sways and mean velocity of the human center-of-pressure displacement were collected using a force platform. The results indicated that the sway parameters were similar in VE and RE at elevation on both firm and deformable surfaces. At ground level, the sway parameters were significantly increased in the VE compared to the RE on a deformable surface, but not on a firm surface. It appears that visual simulation of elevated environm...
SPR studies of the adsorption of silver/bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (Ag/BSA NPs) onto the model biological substrates

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the interactive forces that promote the adsorption of bio-conjugated nanoparticles onto proteins. To elucidate the interactive forces, we demonstrate an approach using synthetic and model biological surfaces to study adsorption of bio-conjugated nanoparticles. Real-time adsorption of BSA conjugated silver nanoparticles (Ag/BSA NPs) on the immobilized substrates was followed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The extent of adsorption of the nanoparticles on the synthetic surface was found to be larger for self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with ionizable terminal groups and lower for SAMs with unionizable terminal groups. For model biological substrate, the extent of nanoparticles adsorption was found to relate to the pKa of immobilized proteins. For collagen immobilized substrate, the adsorption of Ag/BSA nanoparticles showed a significantly higher SPR response than that of free BSA. The extent of nanoparticles adsorption on the collagen immobilized substrate was also influenced by the type and concentration of electrolyte used in dispersing nanoparticles. Our findings indicate that the adsorption of nanoparticles to immobilized surface has contributions from electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic, and/or hydrogen bonding. This work provides the framework to study interactions that may arise when bio-conjugated nanoparticles are transported in biological systems.
Rules that govern UPF1 binding to mRNA 3′ UTRs

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), which degrades transcripts harboring a premature termination codon (PTC), depends on the helicase up-frameshift 1 (UPF1). However, mRNAs that are not NMD targets also bind UPF1. What governs the timing, position, and function of UPF1 binding to mRNAs remains unclear. We provide evidence that (i) multiple UPF1 molecules accumulate on the 3′-untranslated region (3′ UTR) of PTC-containing mRNAs and to an extent that is greater per unit 3′ UTR length if the mRNA is an NMD target; (ii) UPF1 binding begins ≥35 nt downstream of the PTC; (iii) enhanced UPF1 binding to the 3′ UTR of PTC-containing mRNA relative to its PTC-free counterpart depends on translation; and (iv) the presence of a 3′ UTR exon–junction complex (EJC) further enhances UPF1 binding and/or affinity. Our data suggest that NMD involves UPF1 binding along a 3′ UTR whether the 3′ UTR contains an EJC. This binding explains how mRNAs without a 3′ UTR EJC but with an abnormally long 3′ UTR can be NMD targets, albeit not as efficiently as their counterparts that contain a 3′ UTR EJC.
Investigating and supporting health management practices of individuals with diabetes

In recent years the development of technologies that support individuals in managing their health has become a vibrant, yet challenging, research area. Many of the challenges faced by researchers are a result of significant transformations in doctor and patient attitudes toward health and healthcare and their perception of their respective roles. Shifting the focus from the traditional goal of supporting clinicians in delivering quality care to empowering individuals' self-management requires certain transformations of design goals as well as design practices. In this paper we will discuss our own journey in designing, building, deploying and evaluating technologies that support individual health management. We reflect on two of our recent projects, a recently completed CHAP (Continuous Health Awareness Program) and our current research initiative, MAHI (Mobile Access to Health Information).
The effect of sodium diatrizoate on the fibrinolytic activity of saphenous vein intima.

The objective of this investigation was to assess the effect of 60% sodium diatrizoate on intimal fibrinolytic activity of saphenous vein as it may play an important role in the development of postvenographic thrombophlebitis. Sixteen saphenous vein specimens were obtained from 14 patients during vascular surgical procedures requiring use of the saphenous vein. Immediately after excision, each vein was divided into three segments for study (Groups I, II, and III). Group I specimens were flushed with normal saline and served as controls. Group II specimens were flushed with 60% sodium diatrizoate. Group III specimens were flushed with 60% sodium diatrizoate followed by normal saline 2 min later. Intimal fibrinolytic activity was quantified in each specimen using the modified histochemical method of Todd. The presence of lysis was noted at 10, 20, 30, and 45 min. In Group 1, 5 of the 16 veins demonstrated no baseline intimal fibrinolytic activity and corresponding specimens were not included in the analysis. When comparing Group II to Group I, there was significant delay in intimal fibrinolytic activity with mean appearance times of 36.8 ± 7.8 and 22.3 ± 9.8 min, respectively (P < 0.0005). Likewise, when comparing Group III to Group I, there was significant delay in intimal fibrinolytic activity with times of 37.3 ± 9.3 and 22.3 ± 9.8 min, respectively (P < 0.005). There was no statistical difference between Groups II and III. The fibrinolytic activity of saphenous vein intima is significantly diminished after exposure to sodium diatrizoate. Saline flush does not significantly alter this effect.
Resonance studies at STAR

Preliminary results from measurements of resonances (K*0(892), \(\overline {K*^0 } (892)\), Φ(1020), and ρ(770)) and weakly decaying particles (Λ(1116), \(\bar \Lambda (1116)\), and KS0(498)) are presented. The measurements are performed at mid-rapidity by the STAR detector in \(\sqrt {s_{NN} } = 130\) GeV Au−Au collisions at RHIC. The ratios K*0/h−, \(\overline {K*^0 } /K\), and \(\bar \Lambda /\Lambda \) are compared to measurements at different energies and colliding systems. Estimates of thermal parameters, such as temperature and baryon chemical potential, are also presented.
Dead bleached coral provides new surfaces for dinoflagellates implicated in ciguatera fish poisonings

Dead sections of bleached corals in the United States Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands were found to be colonized by filamentous algae harboring epiphytic dinoflagellates implicated in ciguatera fish poisonings. The dinoflagellates Ostreopsis lenticularis, Prorocentrum concavum, and P. lima were found in association with filamentous algae growing on dead sections of bleached Montastrea annularis and Acropora cervicornis. Several fish species from the families Acanthuridae, Pomacentridae, and Scaridae were observed to readily consume this filamentous algae/epiphytic dinoflagellate food source. Such fishes are common prey for large piscivores inhabiting tropical reefs. An increased incidence of ciguatoxic fishes may occur on reefs where bleaching events have caused significant coral mortality.
The fireball in air

Abstract The successive stages of the fireball due to a nuclear explosion in air are defined. This paper is chiefly concerned with Stage C, from the minimum in the apparent fireball temperature to the point where the fireball becomes transparent. In the first part of this stage (C I), the shock (which previously was opaque) becomes transparent due to decreasing pressure. The radiation comes from a region in which the temperature distribution is given essentially by the Taylor solution; the radiating layer is given by the condition that the mean free path is about 1/50 of the radius. The radiating temperature during this stage increases about as p - 1 4 , where p is the pressure. To supply the energy for the radiation, a cooling wave proceeds from the outside into the hot interior. When this wave reaches the isothermal sphere, the temperature is close to its second maximum. Thereafter, the character of the solution changes; it is now dominated by the cooling wave (Stage C II). The temperature would decrease slowly (as p 1 6 ) if the problem were one-dimensional, but in fact it is probably nearly constant for the three-dimensional case. The radiating surface shrinks slowly. The cooling wave eats into the isothermal sphere until this is completely used up. The inner part of the isothermal sphere, i.e. the part which has not yet been reached by the cooling wave, continues to expand adiabatically; it therefore cools very slowly and remains opaque. After the entire isothermal sphere is used up, the fireball becomes transparent and the radiation drops rapidly. The ball will therefore be left at a rather high temperature, about 5000°. The cooling wave reaches the isothermal sphere at a definite pressure p c ≈ 5(ϱ 1 /ϱ 0 ) 1 3 bars, where ϱ 1 is the ambient and ϱ 0 the sea-level density. The radiating temperature at this time is about 10,000°. The slight dependence of physical properties on yield is exhibited in approximate formulae.