cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence and Opportunities for Integrating Landscape Ecology into Natural Resource Planning across Multiple-Use Landscapes

Enhancing natural resource management has been a focus of landscape ecology since its inception, but numerous authors argue that landscape ecology has not yet been effective in achieving the underlying goal of planning and designing sustainable landscapes. We developed nine questions reflecting the application of fundamental research topics in landscape ecology to the landscape planning process and reviewed two recent landscape-scale plans in western North America for evidence of these concepts in plan decisions. Both plans considered multiple resources, uses, and values, including energy development, recreation, conservation, and protection of cultural and historic resources. We found that land use change and multiscale perspectives of resource uses and values were very often apparent in planning decisions. Pattern-process relationships, connectivity and fragmentation, ecosystem services, landscape history, and climate change were reflected less frequently. Landscape sustainability was considered only once in the 295 decisions reviewed, and outputs of landscape models were not referenced. We suggest six actionable opportunities for further integrating landscape ecology concepts into landscape planning efforts: 1) use landscape sustainability as an overarching goal, 2) adopt a broad ecosystem services framework, 3) explore the role of landscape history more comprehensively, 4) regularly consider and accommodate potential effects of climate change, 5) use landscape models to support plan decisions, and 6) promote a greater presence of landscape ecologists within agencies that manage large land bases and encourage active involvement in agency planning efforts. Together these actions may improve the defensibility, durability, and sustainability of landscape plan decisions.
Facial color is an efficient mechanism to visually transmit emotion.

Facial expressions of emotion in humans are believed to be produced by contracting one’s facial muscles, generally called action units. However, the surface of the face is also innervated with a large network of blood vessels. Blood flow variations in these vessels yield visible color changes on the face. Here, we study the hypothesis that these visible facial colors allow observers to successfully transmit and visually interpret emotion even in the absence of facial muscle activation. To study this hypothesis, we address the following two questions. Are observable facial colors consistent within and differential between emotion categories and positive vs. negative valence? And does the human visual system use these facial colors to decode emotion from faces? These questions suggest the existence of an important, unexplored mechanism of the production of facial expressions of emotion by a sender and their visual interpretation by an observer. The results of our studies provide evidence in favor of our hypothesis. We show that people successfully decode emotion using these color features, even in the absence of any facial muscle activation. We also demonstrate that this color signal is independent from that provided by facial muscle movements. These results support a revised model of the production and perception of facial expressions of emotion where facial color is an effective mechanism to visually transmit and decode emotion.
Fertility and fertility preservation: knowledge, awareness and attitudes of female graduate students.

Purpose: To evaluate the general knowledge of female graduate students on reproductive aging and fertility preservation options, as well as to investigate the perceptions, personal beliefs, and des...
Casework with the Unmarried Mother in a Family Agency

The degree of self-understanding achieved by these young women differs in relation to the psychodynamics of their individual personalities and capacity to make use of casework treatment. Like other...
Neck Flexion Angle and User Experience Compared on iPhone X and Samsung S8

There have been a lot of research and explanation on Smartphone screen size and user experience of numerous Smartphones. This study considers the difference between neck flexion angle and its effects on human ergonomics while using two Smartphones with different screen sizes and display features (iPhone X and Samsung S8+). This study also collects user experience data through a questionnaire to generate the most ergonomic model among the Apple Inc.’s iPhone X and Samsung S8+. 8 participants were considered for this study. A digital goniometer was used to analyze participant’s neck flexion angle while using both the Smartphones (iPhone X and Samsung S8+). A paired t-test of means was performed. Neck flexion angle was highly flexed for the participants while using iPhone X than compared to the neck flexion angle while using Samsung S8+. Participants felt more comfortable using both Smartphones. However, ‘True-tone’ technology in iPhone X eased the stress level of eyes according to the users. This study suggests a large screen smartphone with ‘True-tone’ or similar technology, which can be an iPhone X but with a larger screen size.
Dietary Fat, Genes, and Human Health

Dietary fat is an essential macronutrient in the diet of all animals. It provides a source of energy and hydrophobic components for biomolecule synthesis. Fatty acids also are used for the synthesis of signaling molecules like steroids and prostanoids as well as being covalently linked to specific proteins.1,2 In addition to these well established roles, recent studies indicate that fatty acids have pronounced effects on gene expression leading to changes in metabolism, cell growth and differentiation.3–22 While many of these effects are beneficial to human health, dietary fat appears to become a problem when humans or animals ingest high fat diets and/or diets that are disproportionately enriched in saturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids. Numerous epidemiologic, clinical and animal studies have studied the link of dietary fat to the onset and progression of chronic diseases like breast, colon and prostate cancer, coronary heart disease, insulin resistance, hypertension and obesity.23–40 How these diets contribute to disease is unclear. In our view, the recent advances defining the cellular and molecular basis of dietary fat action are likely to provide important clues to explain how fats alter cell function and lead to chronic disease. In this presentation, we will first briefly discuss the diverse effects of fatty acids on cell function and then focus on dietary fat regulation of gene transcription.
SCHMIDEK AND SWEET'S OPERATIVE NEUROSURGICAL TECHNIQUES: INDICATIONS, METHODS, AND RESULTS, 5TH ED.

This giant-sized two-volume work has 168 chapters written by 380 experts from 22 countries around the world. Its purpose is to provide useful information reflecting the current state of the art for neurosurgeons “taking an adult patient with a particular brain, spine, or peripheral nerve problem to the operating room.” It also includes nonsurgical options for many of these problems. This comprehensive textbook has achieved its goals and, no doubt, working neurosurgeons who can afford to purchase it, are advised to do so. However, it will also be of interest to those of us working with neurosurgeons and dependent on their good efforts in managing our patients' problems. For example, it contains a section entitled “Neurosurgical Management of Spinal Disorders,” in which there are 38 chapters of particular interest to the readership of this journal. This edition, dedicated to the late Dr William H. Sweet (1910–2001), certainly covers the field and is well printed, well referenced, and well indexed. It should be available for reference in libraries of all services working closely with neurosurgeons, including Spinal Cord Injury Services.
Detection of Genetically Toxic Metals by a Microtiter Microbial DNA Repair Assay

For some years, our laboratory has been involved in assessing the genetically toxic effects of inorganic chemicals found in the environment near mining and smelting operations (Tindall et al., 1978; Warren et al., 1979) and of metal-containing pesticides used in Montana (Warren et al., 1976). Although many inorganic species are known or suspected carcinogens or are genetically active in many test systems (Flessel et al., 1979; Sunderman, 1978), most existing short-term biological screening methods are unsuitable for use with this class of suspected carcinogen. Only two systems, the Bacillus subtilus rec assay (Nishioka, 1975; Kanematsu et al., 1980) and an in vitro DNA synthesis fidelity assay (Loeb et al., 1979), have been useful for a large number of inorganic chemicals. Mutagenicity of some inorganic chemicals has been demonstrated in a CHO/HGPRT assay (Hsie et al., 1979) with considerable technical difficulty due to the general toxicity of inorganic chemicals. Green and Muriel (1976) have used a repair-deficient series of Escherichia coli B strains to detect mutagenicity of some chromate salts; also by this method, they found that nickel chloride salts do not cause differential lethality.
Modeling the δ180-Derived Record of Quaternary Climatic Change with Low Order Dynamical Systems

The observed long-term changes in planetary ice mass appear to have occurred at rates generally too slow to be calculable deductively from first principles based on the fundamental hydrothermo-dynamical partial differential equations. A more inductive (or inverse) approach to a theory for these changes therefore seems necessary, perhaps best formulated in terms of low-order, multi-component, nonlinear, stochastic-dynamical systems of equations governing the variables and feedbacks thought to be relevant from qualitative physical reasoning (e.g., “conceptual models”). A brief review of previous attempts to formulate such dynamical system models of the δ180 record of the ice ages is given, and a recently developed prototype model based on three prognostic components is described in greater detail. These components are identified here with three variables influencing the δ180 record of climatic change: snow-derived ice mass, mean surface temperature of the ocean (including pack ice fields), and deeper ocean (or thermocline) temperature. The effects of a representation of the external forcing resulting from variations in the earth orbital parameters on the near-100 k yr free behavior of the system are included in an attempt to account for the observed δ180 record. It is shown that the major features of both the δ180 and the associated surface water temperature variations including the ‘spiky’ behavior, can be accounted for, and side predictions are made concerning the concomitant evolution of the deep ocean temperature. The solution is shown to involve some rapid, high-energy transitions that may be amenable to a more quantitative treatment by a general circulation type model.
Towards Robust High Speed Underwater Acoustic Communications Using Chirp Multiplexing

Wide band chirp spread spectrum (CSS) has been studied in underwater acoustic (UWA) communications to guarantee low bit error rates with low transmission rates. On the other hand, high speed transmission schemes for UWA, especially Orthogonal-Frequency-Division-Multiplexing (OFDM) technology, can reach Mbit/s data rates but at the expense of reliability. In this paper, we propose a new transmission scheme based on multiplexing information bits to (quasi-)orthogonal chirp signals, called Quasi-Orthogonal Chirp Multiplexing (QOCM). It can be easily implemented on reprogrammable hardware as an extension to OFDM architectures. We evaluated the performance of the proposed scheme with simulation and tank experiments. Results show that QOCM scheme is able to achieve one order of magnitude better performance than an OFDM scheme under severe Doppler effect posed by simulation in long distance water transmission. Moreover, we observe in water tank experiment that the QOCM scheme is resilient against to the Doppler effects induced by relative speeds up to 5 knots, which corresponds to a Doppler shift of 214:16 Hz at a center frequency of 125 kHz.
Impulse Measurements of Electric Solid Propellant in an Electrothermal Ablation-Fed Pulsed Plasma Thruster

Electric solid propellants are advanced solid chemical rocket propellants that can be controlled (ignited, throttled and extinguished) through the application and removal of an electric current. These propellants are also being considered for use in the ablative pulsed plasma thruster. In this paper, the performance of an electric solid propellant operating in an electrothermal ablation-fed pulsed plasma thruster was investigated using an inverted pendulum micro-Newton thrust stand. The impulse bit and specific impulse of the device using the electric solid propellant were measured for short-duration test runs of 100 pulses and longer-duration runs to end-of-life, at energy levels of 5, 10, 15 and 20 J. Also, the device was operated using the current state-of-the-art ablation-fed pulsed plasma thruster propellant, polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE. Impulse bit measurements for PTFE indicate 100±20 μN-s at an initial energy level of 5 J, which increases linearly by ~30 μN-s/J with increased initial energy. Measurements of the impulse bit for the electric solid propellant are on average lower than PTFE by 10% or less. Specific impulse for when operating on PTFE is calculated to be about 450 s compared to 225 s for the electric solid propellant. The 50% reduction in specific impulse is due to increased mass ablated during operation with the electric solid propellant relative to PTFE.
Trump, Energy Policy, and Hard Look Review

For those concerned about climate change, the Trump administration’s energy policy is alarming. It aims to unravel every corner of the Obama administration’s climate legacy, consistent with an overall sweep of deregulation. Substantively, the Trump policy also departs starkly from the approach of the last decade, embracing traditional energy sources—fossil fuels and nuclear power—above all else. The Trump administration’s moves on energy beg the question: What limits, if any, does this policy approach face? This chapter begins to answer that question. Employing the lens of arbitrary and capricious, or “hard look,” review from administrative law, the chapter outlines principles that may constrain the Trump administration going forward—as well as areas where the administration has room to move. Our contributions are threefold. First, we detail the pentagonal principles that define the Trump energy policy (yes, there is a policy). Second, we establish that this policy is highly political in nature, in that it both predates Trump’s time in office and is connected to very specific projects and rules (even if that focus is short- rather than long-term). Third, we summarize the administration’s efforts to date and then explain the ways in which hard look review is likely (or unlikely) to throw up barriers to those actions.
Sustainability and Outcomes of a Suicide Prevention Program for Nurses.

Background We now know that nurses are at greater risk for suicide than others in the general population. It is known that job stressors are prevalent in nurses who die by suicide. Yet, little is known about targeted suicide prevention for nurses. The first nurse-centric Healer Education Assessment and Referral (HEAR) suicide prevention program was piloted for 6 months in 2016. The HEAR program was effective in identifying at-risk nurses. Aim The purpose of this paper is to report the 3-year sustainability and outcomes of this nurse suicide prevention program. Methods Descriptive statistics are provided of program outcomes over the course of 3 years. Results Over the 3 years, 527 nurses have taken advantage of the screening portion of the program. Of these, 254 (48%) were Tier 1 high risk, and 270 (51.2%) were Tier 2 moderate risk. A startling 48 (9%) had expressed thoughts of taking their own life, 51 (9.7%) had a previous suicide attempt, whereas only 79 (15%) were receiving counseling or therapy. One hundred seventy-six nurses received support from therapists electronically, over the phone, or in person; 98 nurses accepted referral for treatment. The number of group emotional debriefs rose from eight in 2016 to 15 in 2017 to 38 in fiscal year 2019. Many of the debriefs are now requested (vs. offered), demonstrating the development of a culture open to reaching out for mental health treatment. Linking evidence to action The initial success of this pilot program has been sustained. A nurse suicide prevention program of education, assessment, and referral is feasible, well-received, proactively identifies nurses with reported suicidality and facilitates referral for care. The HEAR program has provided service to physicians and residents for 10 years and now supports effectiveness in nurses. The HEAR program is portable and ready for replication at other institutions.
Organization of an I.V. Service

In this chapter I will describe an operation orientated organization within the hospital to obtain, store, dispense properly, label, deliver and administer large volume (and some small volume) parenteral solutions and associated drugs to patients. This organization, which I consider optimal, does not exist anywhere to my knowledge. It includes certain technologies which are emerging now from research and development. Therefore, the contents of the chapter may be termed a ‘vision of the future’. I believe this future is not far off. Pharmacists who cannot envisage adoption of all elements of this program should seek to accommodate those which seem most appropriate immediately and prepare for other components somewhat later.
24 – Bose Condensation

Below a critical temperature, occupation of the ground state of a Bose gas becomes comparable to occupation of all excited states. This Bose condensation increases with decreasing temperature and affects thermodynamic functions. Only particles in excited states contribute to the pressure, internal energy, and entropy. Pressure remains equal to two-thirds of the energy density and becomes independent of molar volume. Heat capacity per particle is zero at zero temperature and rises to a sharp maximum at the critical temperature; with further increase of temperature it decreases to the constant value of a classical ideal gas. Its graph somewhat resembles the Greek letter lambda. A similar behavior occurs in helium with mass number four at its so-called lambda-point, although helium is not ideal because its atoms attract. We explore condensate regions that are bounded by an isentrope in the volume-temperature and volume-pressure planes.
Standing wave polarization holography for realizing liquid crystal Pancharatnum-Berry phase lenses

A standing wave polarization holography setup is proposed to generate the desired polarization field for fabricating both on-axis and off-axis liquid crystal Pancharatnum-Berry phase lenses. Compared to other interference exposure setups, standing wave interferometry can double the polarization field amplitude because it does not require a beam splitter. Moreover, the optical axis angle of the lenses can be easily adjusted without realigning the optical setup. Based on the design, we first theoretically derive the polarization field distribution. In the experiment, we build the recording optical system and fabricate a series of on-axis and off-axis lenses. Further optical characterization proves the high diffraction efficiency of the fabricated lenses.
Social protection and informality in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic

Latin American governments swiftly implemented income assistance programs to sustain families' livelihoods during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. This paper analyzes the potential coverage and generosity of these measures and assesses the suitability of current safety nets to deal with unexpected negative income shocks in 10 Latin American countries. The expansion of pre-existing programs (most notably conditional cash transfers and non-contributory pensions) during the COVID-19 crisis was generally insufficient to compensate for the inability to work among the poorest segments of the population. When COVID-19 ad hoc programs are analyzed, the coverage and replacement rates of regular labor income among households in the first quintile of the country's labor income distribution increase substantially. Yet, these programs present substantial coverage challenges among families composed of fundamentally informal workers who are non-poor, but are at a high risk of poverty. These results highlight the limitations of the fragmented nature of social protection systems in the region.
Entscheidungsträger in der Krankenhausverwaltung

Bevor die rechtlichen Voraussetzungen einer Strafbarkeit der Entscheidungstrager der Krankenhausverwaltung naher untersucht werden, ist zunachst ein Blick auf die einzelnen Personen oder Personengruppen zu werfen, die uber Entscheidungskompetenzen innerhalb der Krankenhausorganisation verfugen. In diesem Zusammenhang wird auch von „patientenfernen Entscheidern“ gesprochen; diese zeichnen sich dadurch aus, dass es sich um „entscheidungsbefugte Personen [handelt], die nicht personlich in einem unmittelbaren Behandlungszusammenhang stehen, deren Entscheidungen bezuglich der Organisationsablaufe im Krankenhaus aber direkte Auswirkungen auf die Art und Weise der Behandlung haben konnen“. Dieser Begriff umfasst verschiedenste Personen, die in den Betrieb des Krankenhauses involviert sind und kann langst nicht auf die Mitarbeiter des administrativen Bereichs beschrankt werden. Bei der Klarung der Frage, welche Personen hierunter im Einzelfall zu fassen sind, kann grundlegend unterschieden werden zwischen dem Krankenhaustrager und den fur ihn tatigen Personen sowie dem Krankenhaus selbst und den dort Beschaftigten.
Crossing Boundaries with Narratives: Making Space with Oral History in Community Service-Learning

This chapter explains how oral history can be used as a strategy to empower people’s voices through community-engaged service-learning. Actively listening to and documenting the oral histories of community members not only involves students in knowledge production, but also enables them to build positive cross-cultural relationships in the process. Judith Berling’s signature “Open Space for Mutual Learning” approach, as well as her “Threads of Learning” process, are effective pedagogical framing for using narratives as the focus for community-based education. Applying Berling’s concepts not only enhances the service-learning experiences for the students and community members, but also creates a space and process for oral history collection to serve as a form of healing.
Physician Understanding and Willingness to Prescribe Biosimilars: Findings from a US National Survey

Biosimilars have the potential to increase patient access and significantly reduce healthcare costs in the US. However, uptake in the US has been slower than anticipated, limiting the benefits of biosimilar competition. Understanding the factors that affect uptake is critically important to realize the benefits of biosimilars. A US national survey study was conducted electronically from December 11, 2019 to January 8, 2020. The survey was administered to 507 US healthcare professionals practicing in dermatology, gastroenterology, hematology, oncology, nephrology, or rheumatology. The survey evaluated prescriber attitudes toward biosimilars in general, as well as prescriber decision making, using a series of hypothetical scenarios with fictional biological products. Fewer than half had a baseline understanding of key elements of biosimilarity, even among respondents who had previously prescribed a biosimilar. Regardless of previous experience, all respondents benefited from receiving additional information about biosimilarity, indicating the potential benefits of educational efforts for prescribers across all specialties and levels of experience. Prescriber choice was driven primarily by formulary status; however, respondents identified a variety of factors that would influence their willingness to prescribe a biosimilar, including financial savings to the patient, pharmacovigilance, patient experience, and education on the FDA approval process. Over one-third of participants indicated a preference for reference products and nearly half indicated a hesitancy to try biosimilars until they have been on the market longer. Naming conventions for biosimilars did not affect prescribers’ willingness to prescribe biosimilars. Gaps in prescriber knowledge and hesitancy toward biosimilars remain significant challenges for biosimilar uptake. While formulary status of a biosimilar product strongly influences prescriber choice, additional prescriber education on biosimilarity is needed.
Keeping it All in the Ground

Federal public lands are a major source for fossil fuel extraction in the United States, extraction that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Extraction occurs through the leasing of federal lands to private companies for development. Activists have called for ending new fossil fuel leasing as part of a “Keep It In the Ground” movement. We analyze the legal possibilities for more radical action – the termination of existing fossil fuel leases. We identify the possibility for both congressional action to terminate leases, as well as executive power to terminate leases even without additional legislation. We find strong legal arguments for executive power to breach these leases, albeit with the possibility that compensation to leaseholders might be required. We find it unlikely that courts would order specific performance by the federal government as a remedy for any breach; remedies would likely be limited to monetary damages. We conclude with a brief analysis of the policy consequences of terminating existing leases -- such an approach would be an aggressive version of supply-side efforts to address greenhouse gas emissions, and its utility will vary depending on the fossil fuel.
Delta-Gamma Component VaR: Non-Linear Risk Decomposition for any Type of Funds

This paper describes a methodology extension for decomposing non-linear portfolio risk by fund manager which we refer to as "Manager Component Value-at-Risk." The approach is well suited to funds holding any asset class or instrument type including derivatives. This decomposition approach is additive and fully captures the correlations between instrument returns and thus is well suited for decomposing risk by manager. We provide an example from a representative CTA portfolio that demonstrates superiority of the decomposition approach over other common practices for risk decomposition. The core methodology is implemented in R and made available to readers.
Treatment of Skin Disorders

The skin is a complex and important organ which functions to protect the tissues beneath from injury, irritation, infection and invasion. At the same time it is a responsive sensory organ and appreciative of many sensations: pain, itching, tingling, burning, hot and cold, pin-prick and two-point discrimination. As an organ it is capable of a variety of expressions in the form of symptoms, pain, itching, tingling, eruptions, color changes, swellings, blisters, postules, bullae and hives. The list of skin diseases is long and in a great many cases the cause is unknown. They may be due to irritation, allergies, infection, injuries, congenital defects, degenerative diseases, malignancies, drug reactions, intoxications, hormonal disturbances and emotional crises. Treatment is most effective when directed specifically against the cause of the skin disorder, but often this cannot be done. Skin symptoms are not only disagreeable to look at but can also be profoundly disturbing, so much so that in unrelieved intense itching a patient may attempt suicide. In addition, there are many serious skin diseases which drain one’s health and there are some which are fatal.
Etiology and Epidemiology of Traumatic Brain Injury in Relation to Gender Differences Among African American Patients (I12-1.002)

OBJECTIVE: This study examines clinical characteristics, demographics, degree of traumatic brain injury (TBI), risk factors and clinical outcomes correlated to gender difference. BACKGROUND: Head injury is among the most common heterogenous neurological disorders and is a leading cause of disability injury in the United States. Significant disparities exist comparing African American (AA) TBI patients and the general population. Demographic, socioeconomic, risk factors and long term outcomes have not been extensively studied. DESIGN/METHODS: 414 AA patients with head trauma seen in the Emergency Department at Howard University Hospital between 2009- 2011 were randomly selected. The Radiological, clinical, and demographic data were collected and analyzed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Data on 414 patients mean aged 43.76±19 (79% male) were analyzed. Results show 65% had insurances coverage, 81% injuries occurred outside of home, 45% injuries had abnormal radiograph and 60% reported loss of consciousness (LOC). Among those LOC, females suffer longer periods of LOC than males (p=0.034). Males consumed more alcohol and illicit drugs than females (p=0.001;p=0.003 respectively). 51% females suffer from fall compared to 36.4% of males. However, 13.5% females suffer from blunt trauma vs.86.5% males (p=0.007;p=0.006). An abnormal radiograph correlated to autonomic dysregulation(p=0.024), but no gender difference. The correlation between clinical outcomes and insurance disparity showed a borderline significance (p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Gender is a strong predictor of substance abuse, type of injuries, and location of the incidences. The degree of LOC in females may relate to the thinner scalp density. Chronic post-concussion headache is common in females compared to males. Females tend to suffer injuries at home, where domestic abuse remains high, while males tend to have injury outside of the home, which likely relates to non-domestic violence. Reduction of TBI may improve with aggressive drug and alcohol education and increased social stability. Further study is needed. Disclosure: Dr. Diep has nothing to disclose. Dr. Farney has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cary-Thompson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Belcourt has nothing to disclose. Dr. Farney has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kalyanam has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jayam-Trouth has nothing to disclose.
Inter-reader reliability and variability of 18F-FDG PET volumetric tumor parameters in sarcoma

1614 Objectives Sarcomas are often a heterogeneous mixture of bone/tissue tumors and pose a challenge in assessing metabolic tumor activity. In this study, we evaluate the inter-reader reliability and variability in assessing 18F-FDG PET parameters, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) in primary sarcomas using two segmentation methods. Methods The institutional review board approved this retrospective study, and the requirement to obtain informed consent was waived. Forty-one patients (mean age, 37.8 y ± 23.3) with baseline FDG PET-CT for evaluation of sarcoma were included. Two readers with training in PET/CT independently read the scans and segmented MTV and TLG using two segmentation methods namely, PET Edge (gradient-based) and Th50%, a fixed-threshold at 50% of maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) on a MIM workstation. The TLG is defined as product of MTV and mean SUV. The primary lesion site was identified and agreed upon prior to start of this work. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis with bias and standard deviation were used to evaluate reliability and variability, respectively. Results The ICCs for MTV delineation using PET Edge and Th50% between the readers were 0.985 and 0.992 respectively and the corresponding values for TLG were 0.993 and 0.991, respectively. The Bland-Altman plots demonstrated that the variability between the readers (95% CI width of bias) is narrower for Th50% method for both MTV and TLG for this study population. The mean bias for MTV was 9.8% for PET Edge, and -8% for Th50% segmentation (p value Conclusions Inter-reader reliability in measuring MTV and TLG were found to be slightly better for Th50% method in comparison to PET Edge. The segmentation bias was also lower for fixed Th50% method for MTV and TLG. Our findings suggest that Th50% method may be more reliable when measuring MTV and TLG in Sarcoma.
Toward understanding Ecosystems

Publisher Summary This chapter is dedicated to the understanding of the ecosystems. Ecosystem essentially refers to the total sum of the organisms, the environment, and the processes of interaction between and within all parts of the system. This chapter illustrates the difficulties confronted by the ecologist attempting to understand the complexities of ecosystems. The chapter addresses specific questions regarding the ecosystems. It describes the coupling of the environment to the organism in terms of energy flow. Ecosystems are of various kinds and sizes, and are recognizable as a unit. It is noted that any given environmental factor acts simultaneously with all of the other factors and must be considered in context to the others. It is this simultaneity of action of several factors that makes the study of ecology difficult and challenging. In context to the environmental factors, the single most essential requirement of all living things is energy. Energy is the ability to do work. If the environment is to influence an organism it must do so by energy transfer between the organism and the environment. All interactions can be reduced to an energy basis.
Authority and invention: Castiglione and the reception of the St. Louis Reclining Pan

AbstractThe St. Louis Art Museum’s statue of Reclining Pan proved inspirational to many artists of the seventeenth century, none more so than Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione. The artist reproduced the statue in many of his works, making it a symbol of his invenzione. Previously, the few reproductions known of the statue have given the impression that Baroque audiences considered it antiquwct 2 e, and of less interest than other antiquities. This article corrects that assumption by examining Castiglione’s, as well as Peter Paul Rubens’, Joachim von Sandrart’s, Nicolas Poussin’s, and Salvator Rosa’s uses of the statue. The artists used the Pan as both figural exemplar and symbol for pastoral themes. These artistic responses are here set alongside new information concerning the Pan’s seventeenth-century provenance, display, and attribution to Bernini, to reveal the Reclining Pan as a primary catalyst for the period’s extensive Arcadian and bacchanalian imagery while simultaneously representing lessons of the ...
Development and real time implementation of a synchrophasor based fast voltage stability monitoring algorithm with consideration of load models

With ongoing smart electric grid development, several algorithms have been developed that make use of synchrophasor technology for online wide area voltage stability monitoring. Most of these algorithms have several advantages, but at the same time also have some limitations. Measurement based algorithms are generally based on iterative approach to estimate system parameters to compute proximity to voltage stability margin. There is a need for fast and robust online voltage stability algorithm utilizing synchrophasor measurements. This paper discusses briefly about limitations of few existing online voltage stability algorithms and presents a new real time algorithm for voltage stability monitoring based on local measurements only, which also considers detailed load models. Developed algorithm has been tested offline and online on different IEEE standard test cases under different scenarios. Simulation results show satisfactory performance.
Psychological Aspects of Sexual Functioning among Cleric and Noncleric Alleged Sex Offenders.

Cleric sexual misconduct with minors is a problem receiving increased attention from the media, victims groups, and church authorities. Mental health professionals are increasingly being asked to assist church and civil authorities to help better understand the problem of cleric sexual misconduct with minors. In the current study we compared self-reported sexual functioning among cleric alleged child molesters, noncleric alleged child molesters, and normal control subjects. We hypothesized clerics would differ from nonclerics and normals in reported sexual functioning. Our sample included 30 Roman Catholic clerics and 39 nonclerics who were alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct with minors, and 38 normal control subjects, all of whom took the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI) as part of their forensic psychiatric evaluation. Our results indicated clerics were more likely to report fewer victims, older victims, and victims of male gender than noncleric alleged child molesters. Clerics differed from nonclerics and normal control subjects on several dimensions of self-reported sexual functioning. Lower offense rate histories among clerics suggest that, as a group, clerics may be less seriously psychologically disordered than noncleric child molesters. Low DSFI scores among Roman Catholic clerics may be accounted for in part by their unique training and socialization process. Future studies should attempt to study the influence of social desirability on DSFI scores. Normative data from nonoffending celibate clergy are needed.
Chemotaxis of gingival neutrophils: scanning electron microscopy.

Gingival neutrophils, tested in the chemotaxis–under–agarose assay, were examined with the scanning electron microscope. Non–motile cells were round with narrow surface ridges. In response to the chemoattractant, zymosan–activated serum, the cells elongated and became polarized with an anterior lamellipodium and a posterior uropod. Cells flattened as they emigrated beneath the agarose. These studies show that gingival crevicular neutrophils from healthy subjects are capable of responding vigorously to external stimuli and hence may participate in the pathophysiology of periodontal disease. {J Periodontol 1989;60:540– 543)
Voltage measurement at high and microwave frequencies in coaxial systems

The progress and up-to-date state-of-the-art in measuring voltages at frequencies to 10 GHz and higher is briefly described. The trend towards higher frequencies in voltmeter design is indicated. Advantages of voltage measurements and standards over computation of voltages from power and impedance measurements are briefly discussed. Some pending development problems are indicated and major steps are proposed to improve the application of voltmeters at frequencies above 30 MHz.
Hemodialyzer reuse: Estimation of area loss from clearance data

Hemodialyzer reuse: Estimation of area loss from clearance data. A procedure is described for estimating the loss in effective membrane area of a dialyzer during repeated reuse. The technique involves the accurate measurement of dialyzer clearance both before and after reuse. Either large or small molecule clearance can be used to estimate the area loss and clearances can be determined either in vivo or in vitro following the dialysis. Excellent agreement has been obtained between theoretical estimates of fiber bundle loss in hollow fiber artificial kidneys (based on clearance data) and values determined by saline rinse techniques. It should be possible to extend this theoretical procedure to flat-plate dialyzers for which there is no analogous procedure to fiber bundle loss for determining loss in effective membrane area with repeated reuse. Extension of the procedure to determine area losses for coil dialyzers is not recommended. Reutilisation d'hemodialyseur: Evaluation de la perte de surface au moyen des valeurs de clearance. Un procede d'estimation de la perte de surface efficace de la membrane d'un dialyseur au cours des reutilisations iteratives est decrit. La technique implique la determination precise de la clearance du dialyseur avant et apres reutilisation. Les clearances des grosses ou des petites molecules peuvent etre utilisees pour evaluer la perte de surface. Les clearances peuvent etre determinees soit in vivo soit in vitro apres la dialyse. Une excellente concordance a ete obtenue entre les evaluations theoriques (fondees sur les valeurs des clearances) de pertes de faisceaux de fibres dans des reins artificiels a fibres creuses et les valeurs determinees par les techniques de rincage avec du solute sale. Il devrait etre possible d'etendre ce procede theorique aux dialyseurs en plaques pour lesquels il n'existe pas de procede analogue a celui utilise avec des fibres creuses pour determiner la perte de membrane efficace en fonction de la reutilisation. L'extension du procede aux dialysuers a bobine nest pas recommandee.
Effects of oligomerization phenomenon on dissolved organic matter removal kinetics on novel activated carbons

The overall objective of this research was to determine the effects of oxidative coupling (oligomerization) phenomenon on the adsorption kinetics of dissolved natural organic matter (DOM) on novel tailored activated carbons. A comparison of adsorption kinetics data collected in the presence and absence of phenolic compounds under both oxic (presence of molecular oxygen) and anoxic (absence of molecular oxygen) conditions showed that the adsorption rate of DOM was strongly affected by the oligomerization phenomenon. The diffusion rate of DOM is in inverse proportion to the critical oxidation potential of the phenolic compound. In addition, the roles of carbon physicochemical characteristics and DOM molecular weight distribution were also investigated. Tailored activated carbon impregnated with manganese oxide was found to play an important role in promoting complexation reactions between DOM and phenolic compounds. Meanwhile, Fulvic acid molecules (component of DOM) with molecular weight below 2000 Da appeared to have more potential to get influenced from oligomerization effects.
Evaluation of low molecular weight fractions and crude enzyme preparation from a Trichoderma cellulase complex as a treatment for fibrous feeds

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of an enzyme filtrate or a crude enzyme preparation on in vitro disappearance of six common fibrous feeds being: alfalfa hay, brome grass hay, cottonseed hulls, soybean hulls, wheat bran and wheat straw. A commercial liquid feed grade enzyme product originating from a strain of Trichoderma reesei was used. To obtain filtrates, the crude enzyme preparation was filtered through membranes with molecular weight cutoffs of 5 and 10 kDa. Feeds were exposed to enzymes, filtrates, or a buffer, for 20 h. Filtrates and crude enzyme preparation were diluted in 12.5 mM sodium citrate buffer. In vitro fermentation followed treatment of the feeds for 24 and 48 h. Release of glucose and total monosaccharides was quantified following treatment of alfalfa hay and soybean hulls at 2 and 24 h, and release of phenolic monomers was measured at 24 h of incubation. For in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD), treatment x time interactions occurred for alfalfa hay (P=0.01) and cottonseed hulls (P=0.04). Higher (P
Effect of SWCNT dispersion on epoxy nanocomposite properties

In nanocomposites containing single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), the final properties strongly depend on the dispersion quality of these fillers. Various methods have been used to improve the dispersion of nanofillers; however, one of the most effective ways is to functionalize carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with covalent and noncovalent functional groups. In this work, the dispersion of SWCNTs in an epoxy system was studied by using surfactants, acid (COOH), and ester groups (PGE)-modified CNTs. Rheological and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that functionalization of CNTs helped in improving the dispersion of fillers in the epoxy matrix. Systems with surfactant modified SWCNTs (1 wt%) exhibited the highest storage modulus at low frequencies after 5-min sonication. This behavior is associated to a stronger network of fillers as a result of a good dispersion. However, longer sonication times lowered the storage modulus, corresponding to a degradation of the tubes. The effect of the dispersion quality on mechanical properties was also studied using a three-point bending set-up. POLYM. COMPOS.,, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Influence of Gaussian fluctuations on a model kinetic system exhibiting explosive behavior

We examine the influence of fluctuations on a model kinetic equation which exhibits explosive behavior. The particular model kinetic equation x=kx2−αx has fixed points at x=0 and x=x1=(α/k). For constant coefficients k and α, the trajectory x(t) diverges in a finite time if the initial value x0≳x1, and x(t) approaches zero if x0<x1; fluctuations in the coefficients may change this deterministic behavior. We consider three different models incorporating Gaussian fluctuations. In case A, the rate coefficient k(t) has a fluctuating part; in this case it is possible to determine exactly the entire probability distribution p(x,t‖x0) as well as N(t) the probability that the system has not exploded (for a given x0) at time t. In case B, the rate coefficients k(t) and α(t) contain identical fluctuating parts; we show that this type of fluctuating behavior has no influence on the transition between stable and unstable behavior. In case C, the rate coefficient α(t) contains a fluctuating part. An approximation sol...
Synthetic Control of Green Fluorescent Protein

Semisynthetic green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) can be prepared by producing truncated GFPs recombinantly and assembling them with synthetic beta-strands of GFP. The yield from expressing the truncated GFPs is low, and the chromophore is either partially formed or not formed. An alternative method is presented in which full-length proteins are produced recombinantly with a protease site inserted between the structural element to be removed and the rest of the protein. The native peptide can then be replaced by cutting the protease site with trypsin, denaturing in guanidine hydrochloride to disrupt the complex, separating the native peptide from the rest of the protein by size exclusion, and refolding the protein in the presence of a synthetic peptide. We show that this method allows for removal and replacement of the interior chromophore containing helix and that the GFP barrel is capable of inducing chromophore formation in a synthetic interior helix.
Separated subsystems in four-level atom

Abstract We study a four-level system with two lasers. We show that under certain conditions it is possible to group our four-level system into two completely separated two-level subsystems and this separation holds when the detunings and the Rabi frequencies in our system are time-dependent.
Addressing Neurological Disorders With Neuromodulation

Neurological disorders are becoming increasingly common in developed countries as a result of the aging population. In spite of medications, these disorders can result in progressive loss of function as well as chronic physical, cognitive, and emotional disability that ultimately places enormous emotional and economic on the patient, caretakers, and the society in general. Neuromodulation is emerging as a therapeutic option in these patients. Neuromodulation is a field, which involves implantable devices that allow for the reversible adjustable application of electrical, chemical, or biological agents to the central or peripheral nervous system with the objective of altering its functioning with the objective of achieving a therapeutic or clinically beneficial effect. It is a rapidly evolving field that brings together many different specialties in the fields of medicine, materials science, computer science and technology, biomedical, and neural engineering as well as the surgical or interventional specialties. It has multiple current and emerging indications, and an enormous potential for growth. The main challenges before it are in the need for effective collaboration between engineers, basic scientists, and clinicians to develop innovations that address specific problems resulting in new devices and clinical applications.
Negation of awe: shame in the burgeoning psychoanalyst.

(2013). Negation of Awe: Shame in the Burgeoning Psychoanalyst. The Psychoanalytic Quarterly: Vol. 82, No. 1, pp. 125-132.