cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of basal hepatic bile flow and the effects of intravenous cholecystokinin on the liver, sphincter, and gallbladder in patients with sphincter of Oddi spasm.

The major objectives of this project were to establish the pattern of basal hepatic bile flow and the effects of intravenous administration of cholecystokinin on the liver, sphincter of Oddi, and gallbladder, and to identify reliable parameters for the diagnosis of sphincter of Oddi spasm (SOS). Eight women with clinically suspected sphincter of Oddi spasm (SOS group), ten control subjects (control group), and ten patients who had recently received an opioid (opioid group) were selected for quantitative cholescintigraphy with cholecystokinin. Each patient was studied with 111–185 MBq (3–5 mCi) technetium-99m mebrofenin after 6–8 h of fasting. Hepatic phase images were obtained for 60 min, followed by gallbladder phase images for 30 min. During the gallbladder phase, 10 ng/kg octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8) was infused over 3 min through an infusion pump. Hepatic extraction fraction, excretion half-time, basal hepatic bile flow into the gallbladder, gallbladder ejection fraction, and post-CCK-8 paradoxical filling (>30% of basal counts) were identified. Seven of the patients with SOS were treated with antispasmodics (calcium channel blockers), and one underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy. Mean (±SD) hepatic bile entry into the gallbladder (versus GI tract) was widely variable: it was lower in SOS patients (32%±31%) than in controls (61%±36%) and the opioid group (61%±25%), but the difference was not statistically significant. Hepatic extraction fraction, excretion half-time, and pattern of bile flow through both intrahepatic and extrahepatic ducts were normal in all three groups. Gallbladder mean ejection fraction was 9%±4% in the opioid group; this was significantly lower (P<0.0001) than the values in the control group (54%±18%) and the SOS group (48%±29%). Almost all of the bile emptied from the gallbladder refluxed into intrahepatic ducts; it reentered the gallbladder after cessation of CCK-8 infusion (paradoxical gallbladder filling) in all eight patients with SOS, but in none of the patients in the other two groups. Mean paradoxical filling was 204% (±193%) in the SOS group and less than 5% (P<0.05) in both the control and the opioid group. After treatment, six of the SOS patients had complete pain relief and one, partial pain relief. The basal tonus of the sphincter is variable in patients with SOS, and allows relatively more of the hepatic bile to enter the GI tract than the gallbladder. Due to simultaneous contraction of the sphincter and gallbladder in response to CCK-8, most of the bile emptied from the gallbladder refluxes into intrahepatic ducts, and reenters the gallbladder immediately after cessation of hormone infusion. The characteristic features of gallbladder filling, emptying, and paradoxical refilling with cholecystokinin provide objective parameters for noninvasive diagnosis of SOS by quantitative cholescintigraphy.
Same, varied, or both? Contextual support aids young children in generalizing category labels.

Abstract Children have a difficult time in generalizing among changes in background context. We examined the role of two processes that may aid in generalizing category labels in new contexts. In this study, 2-year-old children were taught novel object categories in one type of contextual condition and were tested for category generalization in a new context. In Experiment 1, children ( N = 48) learned in one of three conditions: (a) all category instances presented in the same context, (b) all category instances presented in varied contexts, or (c) some category instances presented in the same context and some presented in varied contexts. In Experiment 2, children ( N = 48) learned in one of three conditions, all of which included presentations in the same context and varied contexts but differed in order. Results from both experiments revealed that children were significantly more likely to choose the correct object when training was in both same and varied contexts regardless of order. The results suggest that contextual factors, by providing both support for aggregation and support for decontextualization, contribute to word learning and generalization for novice word learners.
Validation of the Perkins Adolescent Risk Screen (PARS).

Abstract Purpose To examine the initial psychometric properties for the PARS, a brief interview used to screen for 16 items of adolescent risk and protective factors. Methods Participants included 193 adolescents, attending public middle and high schools or a university-based Adolescent Clinic. Participants completed a PARS interview, as well as a battery of questionnaires. Approximately 31% of participants received a second PARS interview from an independent rater to assess inter-rater consistency. Results Descriptive statistics revealed that participants, on average, were rated as low to moderate risk for health-related difficulties across all PARS items. Descriptive statistics also showed important risk patterns in this sample of adolescents (e.g., 1/5 of sample not exercising at all). Factor analysis yielded a total of five factors (Risk Factors, Protection Factors, Relationships/Mood, Motivation Issues, Weight Issues), accounting for 58% of the variance in PARS item scores. Satisfactory levels of internal consistency and inter-rater agreement for the PARS score were found. Convergent and divergent validity of PARS scores were supported by correlations obtained with similar and dissimilar measures, respectively. A significant age group difference was obtained in the total PARS score, with adolescents aged 17–19 years obtaining higher scores than did adolescents aged 14–16 years. No significant gender differences were found. Conclusions Our results support the initial psychometric properties (i.e., reliability, validity) of the PARS as a measure of health risk and protective factors in adolescents. The PARS is a brief, efficient means of obtaining important health risk information from adolescents throughout periodic routine health care visits.
HOIL-1L Interacting Protein (HOIP) as an NF-κB Regulating Component of the CD40 Signaling Complex

The tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily mediates signals critical for regulation of the immune system. One family member, CD40, is important for the efficient activation of antibody-producing B cells and other antigen-presenting cells. The molecules and mechanisms that mediate CD40 signaling are only partially characterized. Proteins known to interact with the cytoplasmic domain of CD40 include members of the TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family, which regulate signaling and serve as links to other signaling molecules. To identify additional proteins important for CD40 signaling, we used a combined stimulation/immunoprecipitation procedure to isolate CD40 signaling complexes from B cells and characterized the associated proteins by mass spectrometry. In addition to known CD40-interacting proteins, we detected SMAC/DIABLO, HTRA2/Omi, and HOIP/RNF31/PAUL/ZIBRA. We found that these previously unknown CD40-interacting partners were recruited in a TRAF2-dependent manner. HOIP is a ubiquitin ligase capable of mediating NF-κB activation through the ubiquitin-dependent activation of IKKγ. We found that a mutant HOIP molecule engineered to lack ubiquitin ligase activity inhibited the CD40-mediated activation of NF-κB. Together, our results demonstrate a powerful approach for the identification of signaling molecules associated with cell surface receptors and indicate an important role for the ubiquitin ligase activity of HOIP in proximal CD40 signaling.
An evaluation of phencyclidine (PCP) psychosis: a retrospective analysis at a state facility.

It has been reported in the literature that phencyclidine (PCP) psychosis recovery may take up to 4–6 weeks. This retrospective review sought to determine whether patients with a new onset of PCP psychosis have a longer hospitalization than those patients with new onset functional psychosis. The PCP arm (N = 20) was found to have a significantly shorter hospitalization than those with a new onset functional psychosis (N = 20)—mean 4.8 days (range 1–9) versus 13.6 days (range 3–41), p < .05. In addition, patients with psychosis related to PCP use were treated more aggressively with conventional antipsychotics than patients with a new onset functional psychosis at this facility.
Nonlinear Absorption Kinetics of Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SEDDS) Containing Tocotrienols as Lipophilic Molecules: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies

Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) have been broadly used to promote the oral absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the in vivo oral bioavailability of vitamin E isoforms, δ-tocotrienol (δ-T3) and γ-tocotrienol (γ-T3) administered as SEDDS, as compared to commercially available UNIQUE E® Tocotrienols capsules. Results from studies in rats showed that low dose treatment with δ-T3 (90%) and γ-T3 (10%) formulated SEDDS showed bioavailability of 31.5% and 332%, respectively. However, bioavailability showed a progressive decrease with increased treatment dose that displayed nonlinear absorption kinetics. Additional in vitro studies examining cellular uptake studies in Caco 2 cells revealed that the SEDDS formulation increased passive permeability of δ-T3 and γ-T3 by threefold as compared to the commercial capsule formulation. These studies also showed that free surfactants decreased δ-T3 and γ-T3 absorption. Specifically, combined treatment cremophor EL or labrasol with tocotrienols caused a 60–85% reduction in the cellular uptake of δ-T3 and γ-T3 and these effects appear to result from surfactant-induced inhibition of the δ-T3 and γ-T3 transport protein Niemann–Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1). In summary, results showed that SEDDS formulation significantly increases the absorption and bioavailability δ-T3 and γ-T3. However, this effect is self-limiting because treatment with increasing doses of SEDDS appears to be associated with a corresponding increase in free surfactants levels that directly and negatively impact tocotrienol transport protein function and results in nonlinear absorption kinetics and a progressive decrease in δ-T3 and γ-T3 absorption and bioavailability.
Legal Issues in Neonatal Intensive Care

The United States, unlike most European countries, has had substantial legal, regulatory, and legislative activity concerning treatment decisions for newborns. This activity began as a result of the highly publicized “Baby Doe” case, in which parents of a child born in 1982 with Down syndrome and esophageal atresia refused consent for surgery, and the Indiana state courts refused to intervene (1). Initially, the Department of Health and Human Services promulgated a series of “Baby Doe” regulations intended to prohibit nontreatment. The regulations were at all times invoking the theory that it is discriminatory to fail to provide treatment to a handicapped infant if such treatment would be provided to a child without such handicap (2). This theory worked well for the department's paradigm case, where the handicap was one such as Down syndrome, and there was an associated physical defect that could be corrected and that would be treated were the infant of normal mental capacity. But a nondiscrimination theory here is extremely rigid: it appeared that even devastating levels of handicap— indeed, even the most extreme “handicap” of unconsciousness — would be irrelevant to treatment decisions.
Vector plots for irregular grids

A standard method for visualizing vector fields consists of drawing many small ``glyphs'' to represent the field. This paper extends the technique from regular to curvilinear and unstructured grids. In order to achieve a uniform density of vector glyphs on nonuniformly spaced grids, the paper describes two approaches to resampling the grid data. One of the methods, an element-based resampling, can be used to visualize vector fields at arbitrary surfaces within three-dimensional grids.
Detection capabilities of randomly-deployed underwater sensors

A problem of interest in ocean engineering is the defense of a particular region of the ocean, often referred to as a sea base. Among the primary challenges in defending the sea base is effective and efficient detection of intruders that travel through the space. A recent focus on undersea distributed networked systems (UDNS) has raised the question of how effectively small, randomly distributed sensors can detect such intruders relative to larger sensing platforms. We develop an analytical framework for characterizing the detection performance of a set of sensors deployed within a sea base. Focusing on the detection of a target traveling a straight line, we employ our framework to compare the performance of various sensing approaches as a function of the number of sensors, sensing radius, sensor location, and sensor cost. Our results reveal that, when sensor cost scales with sensing radius, the detection vs. cost trade-off can be improved by employing a larger number of less powerful sensors.
A statistical model based ASIC skew selection method

Cross wafer speed variations in the 0.13 /spl mu/m process and beyond are significant enough to be considered in ASIC skew selection. Traditional Idsat and Vt measurements on a few sites of the wafer to gauge wafer speed simply does not work. Multiple skew lot runs to get proper skew wafers is financially prohibitive and part skew uncertainty makes it impossible to qualify product with a reasonable number of skew parts. Typical design practice for high-speed ASICs is to add a PVT monitor on the die. For area critical applications, scribe PVT monitors can be used. The PVT circuitry can be as simple as an inverter ring oscillator chain. We present a methodology based on on-chip or on-scribe ring oscillator data to bin the ASIC skew parts. Statistical modeling, PVT monitor sensitivity and actual experiment data are discussed. Based on the proposed methodology, proper skew parts can be selected for product testing so that products are validated cross all process corners.
Finite-sample inference with monotone incomplete multivariate normal data, II

We continue our recent work on inference with two-step, monotone incomplete data from a multivariate normal population with mean @m and covariance matrix @S. Under the assumption that @S is block-diagonal when partitioned according to the two-step pattern, we derive the distributions of the diagonal blocks of @[email protected]? and of the estimated regression matrix, @[email protected]?"1"[email protected]@?"2"2^-^1. We represent @[email protected]? in terms of independent matrices; derive its exact distribution, thereby generalizing the Wishart distribution to the setting of monotone incomplete data; and obtain saddlepoint approximations for the distributions of @[email protected]? and its partial Iwasawa coordinates. We prove the unbiasedness of a modified likelihood ratio criterion for testing H"0:@[email protected]"0, where @S"0 is a given matrix, and obtain the null and non-null distributions of the test statistic. In testing H"0:(@m,@S)=(@m"0,@S"0), where @m"0 and @S"0 are given, we prove that the likelihood ratio criterion is unbiased and obtain its null and non-null distributions. For the sphericity test, H"0:@[email protected]"p"+"q, we obtain the null distribution of the likelihood ratio criterion. In testing H"0:@S"1"2=0 we show that a modified locally most powerful invariant statistic has the same distribution as a Bartlett-Pillai-Nanda trace statistic in multivariate analysis of variance.
Alliance Network, Information Technology, and Firm Innovation: Findings from Pharmaceutical Industry

This study draws on absorptive capacity theory and organizational learning perspective to examine and elaborate the roles of IT in influencing firm innovation in the alliance network context of pharmaceutical industry. We focused on three types of IT-enabled knowledge capabilities and one specific type of alliance network structure - structural holes - and examine whether and how they interact to jointly affect firm innovation. Firm innovation is observed through pharmaceutical firms’ patent inventions. We collected 82 firm-year observations from 20 unique pharmaceutical companies over the period of 2000-2006. We found that three types of ITenabled knowledge capabilities differentially interact with structural holes to affect pharmaceutical firms’ patent inventions. Our study makes important contributions to theory and practice on IT, interfirm alliance network, and firm innovation.
Improving the Automatic Email Responding System for computer manufacturers via machine learning

Computer manufacturers consist of multiple departments, and each department has its own duties and functions. As email is often used as the primary communication tool for computer industries, the customer service departments of the computer manufacturers receive a large number of emails daily. The emails need to be forwarded to the corresponding personnel and processed. Excessive resources and time are spent in manually reading and answering customers' emails. An automatic reply tool is crucial in reducing company resources for manually processing customers' emails. This paper discusses how to improve processing emails automatically for computer manufacturers. Specifically, emails from senders are classified into multiple categories by machine learning algorithms. The reply for each email category is predefined. The Automatic Email Responding System (AERS) replies to an email based on the predefined, corresponding category. This experiment shows that the automatic tool can process and answer emails efficiently.
Basic Suture Techniques for Oral Mucosa

Focused Clinical Question: What is the preferred suture method for maintaining wound closure?Summary: Optimal wound healing after surgical procedures requires good soft-tissue management. The final key step for a refined surgical technique is adequate closure by suturing. This article reviews the most common suturing methods used in dentistry, and their applications in various periodontal surgeries are discussed. The nine most common periodontal suture techniques and six different periodontal surgical categories were selected by the periodontal faculty at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. A survey was distributed to periodontists in the United States, each of whom selected their choice of suture technique for each of the periodontal surgical procedures. The results of this survey show that simple interrupted sutures were used in the majority for each surgical procedure.Conclusion: Although suture selection and application is complex because of multiple variables, an effort was made to establish ...
Changes in the metabolism of S35-labeled sulfate associated with renal calcification.

Renal calcification was produced in 50 laboratory mice of mixed sexes by the administration of parathyroid extract or 10% calcium gluconate. 10 µc. of Na2S35O4 was injected into each mouse 24 hours prior to sacrifice. The renal calcification resulting from the administration of PTE was accompanied by an increase in the amount of bound S36. This increase was proportionate to the degree of calcification. No change in sulfate binding accompanied the calcification produced by calcium gluconate.
A simple primary care information system featuring feedback to clinicians.

A simple information system for primary care clinics was designed to support the USAID funded health system strengthening project in the Suez Governorate in Egypt. This system (FACT-Feedback and Analytic Comparison Tool) was implemented in December 2003 in 14 primary care clinics. The MS Access-based system was designed and prototyped in several months and was easily and cheaply modified several times after implementation. A total of 128 562 persons have been registered in the system (as of June 2005) and 36 083 visits have been documented. A key feature of FACT is the ease with which clinicians can conduct exploratory research about practice patterns and variations in them across doctors and the other clinics. This analytic feature enables the clinicians to self-diagnose quality problems and take action accordingly. Several of the clinics have used this feature of FACT to identify important gaps in service use among patients and have taken steps to remove barriers to promote more appropriate patterns of utilization. The paper reviews the design and implementation issues and early evidence of the systems utility in helping support quality improvement (QI) work in the clinics.
Parallelizable, Bidirectional Method for Simulating Optical-Signal Propagation

We have developed and tested a parallelizable, bidirectional (PB) numerical algorithm for the simulation of propagating laser pulse trains and oppositely propagating laser beams or pulse trains. The PB approach replaces iterative simulation of counterpropagating Raman amplification, stimulated Brillouin scattering, reflections and Rayleigh scattering. Initial tests have shown that at least 98% of the computational core of a finite-difference time-domain test program that uses the new PB algorithm is parallelizable, implying a factor of 7 speed-up with eight processors (for example). This result is important for the design of optical transmission systems because the PB approach increases size of a system that can be designed and simulated in a given time.
HIV Type 1 gp120–Induced Expansion of Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells Is Dependent on Interleukin 6 and Suppresses Immunity

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection causes profound immune suppression leading to progressive destruction of the immune system in untreated patients. Recently, a subset of myeloid cells known as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) was found to negatively regulate immune functions [1, 2]. MDSCs express common myeloid markers (CD11b+CD33+HLA-DR−/lo) [1–3] and, depending on the presence of CD15 or CD14, are divided into granulocytic or monocytic subsets, respectively [3–5]. These cells suppress innate and adaptive immunity either by arginase 1 (Arg1), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reactive nitrogen species generation and/or by mediation of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T-cell (Treg) expansion [6–10]. Expansion and function of MDSCs is regulated by the transcription factor STAT3, which induces expression of antiapoptotic genes and prevents differentiation of myeloid progenitor cells into mature myeloid cells [1]. Considerable research, predominantly performed in animal models, has demonstrated inhibition of antitumor and antimicrobial activity by MDSCs. Additionally, recent evidence suggests that this inhibitory activity is present in patients with certain malignancies [5, 6, 9, 10]. Limited information is available on the role of MDSCs in human infections, including HIV infection. In vitro and in vivo differentiation of MDSCs is regulated by various cytokines, including interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10), prostaglandins, stem-cell factor, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, transforming growth factor β, vascular endothelial growth factor, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) [8, 9]. Levels of a number of these cytokines, including IL-6, are elevated in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of HIV–infected persons. Levels of IL-6 decline following successful suppression of replicating HIV with administration of combination antiretroviral therapy, suggesting the potential detrimental effects of IL-6 in HIV pathogenesis [11–14]. In the present study, we hypothesized that IL-6 produced during HIV infection drives the expansion of MDSCs, which contributes to HIV–associated immune suppression. Our findings indicate that when peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are exposed to HIV gp120, inhibitory MDSCs expand in an IL-6–dependent manner, suppressing T-cell functions and inducing regulatory T-cell expansion. Additionally, an increased number of MDSCs was observed in HIV–infected persons with detectable viral loads.
Dimethyl sulfoxide and related compounds. Some effects on human fibroblasts in vitro.

SummaryHuman fibroblast cultures grown in 1% DMSO have demonstrated a lag in generation time, but an increase in total hydroxyproline concentration when compared with control cultures. An inverse relationship between growth rate and hydroxyproline concentration for each culture was noted. Somewhat similar findings were obtained in cultures treated with acetone and methanol.
The Relationship Between Dehydration and Parotid Salivary Gland Function in Young and Older Healthy Adults

Background Saliva is essential for the maintenance of oral health. The primary constituent of saliva is water and, traditionally, decreased body water homeostasis has been linked with salivary dysfunction. This is consistent with the greater prevalence of dehydration and salivary gland dysfunction among the elderly. However, this association between dehydration and salivary dysfunction has never been tested using objective criteria. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of body dehydration upon parotid salivary flow rates in young and older healthy adults. Methods Twelve young (20-40 years) and 12 older (60-80 years) healthy subjects abstained from food and beverage intake for 24 h (dehydration) and then underwent intravenous rehydration to replace all lost weight. Unstimulated and stimulated parotid salivary flow rates, weight, hematocrit, hemoglobin, serum sodium, plasma protein, creatinine, serum, and urine osmolality values were assessed at baseline, 24 h, and 1 h after the completion of rehydration. Results All subjects experienced a significant decrease in weight and increased levels of hematocrit, hemoglobin, plasma protein, and creatinine during dehydration with few age-related differences. Intravenous fluid replacement increased weight and decreased hematocrit, hemoglobin, plasma protein, and creatinine back to baseline values, demonstrating that subjects were metabolically rehydrated. Unstimulated (young and older, p = .0001) and stimulated (young, p > .05; older, p = .03) parotid flow rates decreased during the 24-h dehydration period, yet did not completely return (young and older unstimulated, p .05) to baseline values after rehydration. Conclusions These findings suggest that body dehydration is associated with decreased parotid salivary gland flow rates, and that these changes are generally age-independent in healthy adults. Furthermore, although subjects were metabolically rehydrated, unstimulated salivary flow rates remained significantly lower than baseline levels.
Observational constraints on interchange models at Jupiter

Data from the Voyager plasma science instrument is used to set limits on transport models for the inner Jovian magnetosphere. The instrument has an effective time resolution for detecting changes in density of 0.24 s, which corresponds to a spatial resolution of about 20 km (equal to the gyroradius of an oxygen ion) in the region just outside of Io. This resolution enables us to put an upper limit of about 10% on changes in density between adjacent magnetic flux tubes, which rules out transport models which invoke inward motion of near empty flux tubes to replace outward-moving flux tubes carrying Iogenic plasma.
In Vivo RNAi Screening Identifies Regulators of Actin Dynamics as Key Determinants of Lymphoma Progression

Mouse models have dramatically improved our understanding of cancer development and tumor biology. However, these models have shown limited efficacy as tractable systems for unbiased genetic experimentation. Here, we report the adaptation of loss of function screening to mouse models of cancer. Specifically, we have been able to introduce a library of shRNAs into individual mice using transplantable Eμ-myc lymphoma cells. This approach has allowed us to screen nearly 1000 genetic alterations in the context of a single tumor-bearing mouse. Results from these experiments have identified a central role for regulators of actin dynamics and cell motility in lymphoma cell homeostasis in vivo, and validation experiments confirmed that these proteins represent bona fide lymphoma drug targets. Additionally, suppression of two of these targets, Rac2 and Twinfilin, potentiated the action of the front-line chemotherapeutic vincristine, suggesting a critical relationship between cell motility and tumor relapse in hematopoietic malignancies.
Digital 3D facial reconstruction of George Washington

PRISM is a focal point of interdisciplinary research in geometric modeling, computer graphics and visualization at Arizona State University. Many projects in the last ten years have involved laser scanning, geometric modeling and feature extraction from such data as archaeological vessels, bones, human faces, etc. This paper gives a brief overview of a recently completed project on the 3D reconstruction of George Washington (GW). The project brought together forensic anthropologists, digital artists and computer scientists in the 3D digital reconstruction of GW at 57, 45 and 19 including detailed heads and bodies. Although many other scanning projects such as the Michelangelo project have successfully captured fine details via laser scanning, our project took it a step further, i.e. to predict what that individual (in the sculpture) might have looked like both in later and earlier years, specifically the process to account for reverse aging. Our base data was GWs face mask at Morgan Library and Hudons bust of GW at Mount Vernon, both done when GW was 53. Additionally, we scanned the statue at the Capitol in Richmond, VA; various dentures, and other items. Other measurements came from clothing and even portraits of GW. The digital GWs were then milled in high density foam for a studio to complete the work. These will be unveiled at the opening of the new education center at Mt Vernon in fall 2006.
The Marijuana Check-up: reaching users who are ambivalent about change.

Aims A brief intervention called the Marijuana Check-up (MCU) was designed to attract adult marijuana users who were experiencing adverse consequences, but who were ambivalent about change and would be unlikely to seek treatment. Our objective was to determine whether the MCU would reach the target population. Design Comparisons were made between those who enrolled in the MCU versus those who were screened but failed to follow through with enrollment on demographic, drug use and stage of change variables. Comparisons were also made between participants in the MCU and participants in a concurrently offered treatment project that targeted marijuana users who wanted to quit. Setting The study took place at the University of Washington in Seattle. Participants Participants were adult marijuana users who telephoned and expressed interest in the MCU (n = 587). Measurement Study variables included stage of change, frequency and duration of drug use, DSM-IV cannabis dependence and abuse diagnoses and negative consequences of marijuana use assessed via interviews and questionnaires. Findings Callers to the MCU were near-daily marijuana users, two-thirds of whom were in the pre-contemplation or contemplation stage of change. Participants who enrolled in the MCU reported fewer problems related to marijuana use and less readiness to make changes compared to those enrolled in the treatment study, despite similar levels of drug use. Conclusions The MCU attracted and enrolled near-daily users of marijuana who experienced negative consequences but were ambivalent about making changes. The MCU potentially has a role in the continuum of care for substance abuse problems.
An evaluation of the scale at which topographical features affect the convective boundary layer using large eddy simulations

Abstract The major objective of this study was to evaluate at which scale topography starts to significantly affect the mean characteristics and structure of turbulence in the convective boundary layer (CBL). The large eddy simulation option of the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System developed at Colorado State University was used for that purpose. It is found that turbulence is nonlinearly dependent on the scale of the topographical features. At a horizontal length scale of less than about 5 km, topography has very little impact on the mean properties of the CBL, even with hills as high as 30% of the height of the CBL. However, it has a significant impact on the organization of the eddies. At larger horizontal scales, topographical features as small as about 10% of the height of the CBL have some effect on the mean characteristics of the CBL. In particular, a pronounced impact on the “dispersion” statistics (i.e., horizontal and vertical velocity variances and higher moments) is noticed. Furthermore, th...
A Simple Ekman-Type Model for Predicting Thermocline Displacement in the Tropical Pacific

Abstract A linear model is developed for the near-equatorial zone to estimate wind-driven convergences in the near-surface viscous boundary layer. Using the winds observed during EASTROPAC, an attempt is made to relate these convergences to the measured displacements of the tropical thermocline. Between 4° and 15°N, the sign of the displacements is predicted; however, the amplitude is generally underestimated. At the equator, extremely large values of the vertical eddy coefficients are necessary in order to obtain agreement between predicted and observed changes. This probably indicates that some essential physics has been neglected.
Visionen von Natur vor uns. Alfred Ehrhardt fotografiert und filmt Urformen der Natur

What did nature look like before it was destroyed by modern civilization? That is a question that was at the center of modernist art photography. It also resonates today in the context of environmental debates. On the example of the art work of Bauhaus photographer and cinematographer Alfred Ehrhardt, the artistic project of portraying nature “before us” is analyzed as an aesthetic project that positions itself before and next to the Anthropocene, i.e., the geological concept that foregrounds a radical interconnectivity between humans and nonhuman nature in our post-industrial era of mankind.
Teaching Tweeting: Recommendations for Teaching Social Media Work in LIS and MSIS Programs

A combination of public relations, marketing, advertising, and information and communication technologies, social media work is an increasingly important part of information professionals’ jobs. This paper reports on a survey-based study of 49 information professionals who routinely use social media in their work. Respondents provided information about their most-used social media tools and platforms, described their specific social media tasks, and shared how they learned to use social media. They also gave advice on the possible integration of social media into an MLIS or MSIS curriculum. While considering technical skills and the knowledge of specific platforms to be important, respondents also recommend that professionals be able to multi-task, work and update their knowledge independently, and adopt new technologies. Above all, respondents emphasized the high standards for social media communication and encouraged strong written communications skills, thus suggesting that MLIS and MSIS coursework should actively develop such skills.
Statutory Interpretation and Extra Innings Advocacy For and Against Network Neutrality

This paper investigates the legality of attempts by the Federal Communication Commission (“FCC”) to promote access and investment in broadband under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Despite two appellate court decisions, which rejected the imposition of common carrier obligations on Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”), the FCC still wants to find a way to mandate openness, transparency and nondiscrimination in the manner by which ISPs handle traffic. The paper concludes that the FCC has limited, but available statutory authority to impose reporting requirements on ISPs and to use its investigative powers to examine interconnection and compensation disputes. On two separate occasions an appellate court has largely rejected attempts by the FCC to regulate Internet access. Despite clearly prohibiting the FCC from imposing common carrier requirements on ISPs, stakeholders on both sides of the issue parse the court decisions for insights on what the FCC can do ostensibly to promote access and investment in broadband under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The battle over the role of government in Internet regulation continues, despite clear guidance on what the FCC cannot do. This paper will consider what the FCC can do by way of implementing Section 706. The paper will report how this statutory language has generated widely different interpretations among stakeholders with particular emphasis on past strategies used by the FCC to secure deference from courts to shape policies and rules. On the matter of Internet access, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to defer to the FCC’s statutory interpretation, because the Commission’s rules impose common carrier duties. However the court did agree that the Section 706 provides the FCC with statutory authority to promote access, innovation and investment in broadband services so long as the duties imposed do not constitute common carriage. Also in a recent case the D.C. Circuit affirmed FCC rules that required wireless carriers to support subscribers’ access to the Internet while “roaming” outside their home service region. While acknowledging that such access constitutes an information service and not a regulated telecommunications service, the court nevertheless endorsed FCC action as serving the public interest without imposing common carrier duties. This case provides network neutrality advocates with hope that the FCC can find ways to resolve disputes and require transparency without overstepping its limited statutory authority. The paper concludes that the FCC should operate as a referee able to resolve complaints and disputes. The paper suggests that the FCC has statutory authority to impose transparency and reporting requirements on ISPs. Additionally the paper suggests that the FCC can use its investigative powers to determine whether congestion and legitimate network management, or deliberate and unnecessary meddling of subscribers’ traffic, has triggered degradation in service.
Parametric Study of Scaling Effects on Turbine Blades Thermal Barrier Coating Erosion

A computational study was conducted to characterize the erosion of thermal barrier coated single stage turbine blade surfaces by alumina particles suspended in the cooling flows from the combustion chamber. The simulations are based on an Euler-Lagrangian two stage approach based on the numerical solution to the three-dimensional compressible Raynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the particles equations of motion in each blade passage reference frame. User defined function (UDF) were developed to represent existing experimentally-based correlations for particle surface interaction models. The restitution UDF was employed in the three-dimensional particle trajectory simulations to determine particle rebound characteristics after each surface impact. Additionally erosion rate UDF was used to compute the TBC erosion rate on the blade surfaces based on the statistics of the computational particle impact locations, velocity and angle relative to the blade surface. Computational results are presented for the three-dimensional flow field and particle trajectories in a 1975 NASA original design automotive turbine and in a scaled version of the turbine for modern rotorcraft operating condition. The results indicate fundamental differences in particles trajectories and the associated TBC erosion rates among the two turbines. In spite of the higher flow velocities, rotational speeds and flow temperatures in the scaled turbine, its computed TBC erosion rate on the blade surfaces was lower than the original turbine.
Seasonal distribution of larvae of Callinectes sapidus (Crustacea: Decapoda) in the waters adjacent to Chesapeake Bay

ABSTRACT Reproductive success in species that have retained a planktonic stage is dependent on the release of larvae during periods when abiotic and biotic factors are optimal. Analysis of stratified plankton samples collected from May through September 1980 indicated reproductive activity for Callinectes sapidus throughout the summer with a peak in late July. Presence of stage I larvae was positively correlated with temperature. Seasonal distribution of megalopae was bimodal with a broad peak occurring in late August through September. This suggests a two phase recruitment. Timing of reproduction and recruitment coincide with seasonal changes in current patterns that would enhance larval retention in the offshore waters near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay.
Sterol to Phospholipid Molar Ratios of L Cells with Qualitative and Quantitative Variations of Cellular Sterol

SummaryIn this study paired values of cellular sterol and phospholipid were determined after L cells were grown in medium known to induce changes in the level and kinds of cellular sterol. The sterol to phospholipid molar ratios computed from the paired values showed differences because, while the level of cellular sterol changed in response to exogenous sterol, no statistically significant differences in the levels of cellular phospholipid were apparent.When L cells were grown in the presence of concentrations of exogenous cholesterol ranging from 0 to 40 μug/ml, the sterol to phospholipid molar ratio ranged from 0.21 ± 0.01 to 0.33 ± 0.04, and, although the cellular sterol ranged from a low level almost exclusively of desmosterol (97%) to a 60% higher level almost exclusively of cholesterol (91%), no statistically significant differences were observed in the amount of cellular phospholipid. In another instance of growth in lipid-free medium a sterol to phospholipid molar ratio as low as 0.16 ± 0.03 was ...
(Re)Imagining Black Boyhood: Toward a Critical Framework for Educational Research

Drawing on critical childhood studies, Michael J. Dumas and Joseph Derrick Nelson argue that Black boyhood is socially unimagined and unimaginable, largely due to the devalued position and limited ...
Interpretation of a selection plateau through complex segregation analysis: Euclidean distance index selection for flower colour in the Davis population of Gerbera

Interpretation of a selection plateau through complex segregation analysis: Euclidean distance index selection for flower colour in the Davis population of Gerbera
The Link Between Mental Illness and Firearm Violence: Implications for Social Policy and Clinical Practice.

The United States has substantially higher levels of firearm violence than most other developed countries. Firearm violence is a significant and preventable public health crisis. Mental illness is a weak risk factor for violence despite popular misconceptions reflected in the media and policy. That said, mental health professionals play a critical role in assessing their patients for violence risk, counseling about firearm safety, and guiding the creation of rational and evidence-based public policy that can be effective in mitigating violence risk without unnecessarily stigmatizing people with mental illness. This article summarizes existing evidence about the interplay among mental illness, violence, and firearms, with particular attention paid to the role of active symptoms, addiction, victimization, and psychosocial risk factors. The social and legal context of firearm ownership is discussed as a preface to exploring practical, evidence-driven, and behaviorally informed policy recommendations for miti...
Hepatitis B Virus Contamination in Stomatological Department

OBJECTIVE To survey the situation of the hepatitis B virus contamination at the oral cavity medical apparatus, find out the characteristics of its distribution, and take steps to improve the quality of medical treatment. METHODS The HBsAg were detected by ELISA assay, the HBV-DNA were detected by dot hybridization test and polymerase chain reaction(PCR) assay respectively. RESULTS There were significant differences in different ranks of the medical treatment units, among which the contaminations of under town-ranks units were the most serious. On the other hand, there were differences among the contamination of different kinds of medical apparatus. The contamination of the cell phones were most serious. There were differences among the different sterilization methods, and the sterilizaton effect by 0.1% benzalkonium bromide was the worst. CONCLUSIONS The supervision on the sterilizaton of the primary medical units should be enhanced, and the oral cavity medical apparatus should be treated with effective sterilizaton methods(the strong recommended method is autoclaving).
Study on the Compressive Strength and Electrical Conductivity of Carbon Fiber-slag Concrete

The carbon fiber and steel slagare added to the cement-based preparation make into electrically conductive concrete.The compressive strength and electrical conductivity are enhanced.Two groups different test pieces were tested to find the content on compressive strength and impact resistance.The results of test showed that:a given weight of steel slag was added into the different test pieces,which can enhance compressive strength and electrical conductivity.In the conditions of without influencing properties of concrete,adding steel slag can reduce the use of carbon fiber and save the cost of electrically conductive concrete materials.
Use of assistive technology for cognition among people with traumatic brain injury: a survey study

ABSTRACT A survey was designed and administered in this study to assess the use of assistive technology for cognition (ATC), especially portable electronic ATC, among veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of the survey was to obtain information on current ATC devices and applications use, users' experience with different features of ATC, and relevant training/support for their ATC. Twenty-nine veterans with TBI participated in this study. Results showed that portable electronic ATC, especially smartphones and a variety of apps, were widely used by the participants to compensate for cognitive limitations. Portable electronic devices such as smartphones and smart pads received higher usability ratings than paper-based tools. More than 75% of participants did not go through a service delivery process for these electronic ATC. The information collected in the study provided a more updated picture of ATC use, especially portable electronic ATC use, among people with TBI. It also potentially infor...
Conspiracy of Optimism: Nigeria at Independence

At the stroke of midnight, on 1 October 1960, the green and white flag of the Federation of Nigeria was raised for the first time. In an atmosphere remarkable for its subdued character and ‘quiet constitutional dignity,’ Nigeria was formally granted its independence. The ceremonies and speeches emphasised nothing so much as continuity. Paying ‘tribute to the manner in which successive British governments have gradually transferred the burden of responsiblity to our shoulders’, the Prime Minister of this most populous African nation expressed the quiet optimism and sobriety with which Nigerians accepted their birth as a nation (Balewa, 1964: 60).