cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Infinity of the Unsaid: Unformulated Experience, Language, and the Nonverbal

The theory of unformulated experience is an interpersonal/relational conception of unconscious process. The idea is that unconscious content is not fully formed, merely awaiting discovery, but is instead better understood as potential experience—a vaguely organized, primitive, global, non-ideational, affective state. In the past, the formulation of experience was most commonly understood as verbal articulation. That was the perspective Donnel B. Stern took in 1997 in his first book, Unformulated Experience: From Dissociation to Imagination in Psychoanalysis. In this new book, Stern recognizes that we need to theorize the formulation of nonverbal experience, as well. Using new concepts of the "acceptance" and "use" of experience that "feels like me," Stern argues for a wider conception of "meaningfulness." Some formulated experience is verbal ("articulation"), but other formulations are nonverbal ("realization"). Demonstrating how this can be so is at the heart of this book. Stern then goes on to house this entire set of ideas in the commodious conception of language offered by Charles Taylor, Gadamer, and Merleau-Ponty. The Infinity of the Unsaid offers an expansion of the theory of unformulated experience that has important implications for clinical thinking and practice; it will be of great interest to psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists across all schools of thought.
Results of the combined U.S. multicenter postapproval study of the Nit‐Occlud PDA device for percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus

OBJECTIVES To report the results of the Nit-Occlud PDA prospective postapproval study (PAS) along with a comparison to the results of the pivotal and continued access trials. BACKGROUND The Nit-Occlud PDA (PFM Medical, Cologne, Germany), a nitinol coil patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluder, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2013. METHODS The PAS enrolled a total of 184 subjects greater than 6 months of age, weighing at least 5 kg, with PDAs less than 4 mm by angiography at 11 centers. Patients were followed prospectively at 2 months, 12 months, and 24 months postprocedure. These outcomes were compared to the 357 subjects enrolled in the pivotal and continued access protocols. Efficacy and safety data were reported. RESULTS Among 184 subjects enrolled for the PAS between 2014 and 2017, 180 (97.8%) had successful device implantation. After 12 months, 98.7% (150/152) had trivial or no residual shunt by echocardiography and two subjects had only small residual shunts. There were three device embolizations that were all retrieved by snare without clinical consequence. Together with the pivotal and continued access study, 97.4% (449/461) had complete echocardiographic closure at 12 months in 541 enrolled subjects. The composite success was 94.4%. There were no mortalities and no serious device-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS The Nit-Occlud PDA is a safe and effective device for closure of a small to moderate sized PDA. There were no serious device-related adverse events in a large cohort of three clinical trials.
Relationship between three factor eating questionnaire-restraint subscale and food intake.

OBJECTIVE Dietary restraint refers to an individual's intention to restrict food intake, measured via self-report questionnaires, whereas dietary restriction refers to actual reduction in caloric intake. The aim of this research was to investigate the association between dietary restraint scales and actual caloric restriction. METHOD Data were collected from six previously published or two ongoing eating behavior studies in which participants (n = 183) completed the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) and Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and participated in a laboratory-based research lunch meal. Participants were individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and healthy controls (HC). The primary analysis was the association between TFEQ Restraint subscale and caloric intake in the meal. RESULTS There was a significant negative correlation between total caloric intake and TFEQ Restraint scores (r = -.60, p < .001) and EDE-Q Restraint scores (r = -.54, p < .001). For TFEQ Restraint score, this relationship was significant within each diagnostic group (HC: r = -.32, p = .007; AN: r = -.38, p < .001; BN: r = -.43, p = .02). DISCUSSION These results suggest that the TFEQ Restraint scale is a useful measure of dietary restriction, especially among individuals with eating disorders.
A Comparison of Marine and Estuarine Algal Populations from Downeast Maine and Eight Contiguous Northwest Atlantic Areas

Abstract Downeast ME, which is located within the northeastern-most part of the state, extends from the mouth of the Bay of Fundy (NS/NB/ME) to Mount Desert Island, ME. Its flora consists of 208 ma...
Gastrointestinal Microbiome and Mycobiome Changes during Autologous Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma: Results of a Prospective Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT Microbiome dysbiosis has been associated with adverse outcomes of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We hypothesized that exposure to high-dose melphalan and antimicrobials in patients undergoing autologous HCT for plasma cell disorders results in oral and gastrointestinal microbial dysbiosis, which in turn is associated with regimen-related toxicities. We conducted a prospective study describing the longitudinal changes in oral and gastrointestinal bacteriome and mycobiome in this patient population. Our findings show that microbiome composition present at baseline is associated with the incidence and severity of post-transplantation nausea, vomiting, and culture-negative neutropenic fever, as well as with the rate of neutrophil engraftment. We also have evidence of an association between the microbial communities at count nadir and the development of regimen-related gastrointestinal toxicities commonly observed after exposure to high-dose melphalan. Although bacteriome diversity largely recovers within 1 month after transplantation, we observed a continuous decrease in oral and gastrointestinal mycobiome diversity, suggesting that the mycobiome requires a longer time to recover compared with the bacteriome.
Measuring Respiration in Isolated Murine Brain Mitochondria: Implications for Mechanistic Stroke Studies

Measuring mitochondrial respiration in brain tissue is very critical in understanding the physiology and pathology of the central nervous system. Particularly, measurement of respiration in isolated mitochondria provides the advantage over the whole cells or tissues as the changes in respiratory function are intrinsic to mitochondrial structures rather than the cellular signaling that regulates mitochondria. Moreover, a high-throughput technique for measuring mitochondrial respiration minimizes the experimental time and the sample-to-sample variation. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for measuring respiration in isolated brain non-synaptosomal mitochondria using Agilent Seahorse XFe24 Analyzer. We optimized the protocol for the amount of mitochondria and concentrations of ADP, oligomycin, and trifluoromethoxy carbonylcyanide phenylhydrazone (FCCP) for measuring respiratory parameters for complex I-mediated respiration. In addition, we measured complex II-mediated respiratory parameters. We observed that 10 µg of mitochondrial protein per well, ADP concentrations ranging between 2.5 and 10 mmol/L along with 5 µmol/L of oligomycin, and 5 µmol/L of FCCP are ideal for measuring the complex I-mediated respiration in isolated mouse brain mitochondria. Furthermore, we determined that 2.5 µg of mitochondrial protein per well is ideal for measuring complex II-mediated respiration. Notably, we provide a discussion of logical analysis of data and how the assay could be utilized to design mechanistic studies for experimental stroke. In conclusion, we provide detailed experimental design for measurement of various respiratory parameters in isolated brain mitochondria utilizing a novel high-throughput technique along with interpretation and analysis of data.
Early Danish Zionism and the ethnification of the Danish Jews

From 1897 to 1914, a small group of Danish Zionists presented the Danish Jewish community with a variety of Zionist objectives. In contrast to existing research, I argue that this activism played a...
Impact of Preoperative Care for Rectal Adenocarcinoma on Pathologic Specimen Quality and Postoperative Morbidity: A NSQIP Analysis

Background Comprehensive and multidisciplinary care are critical in rectal cancer treatment. We sought to determine if completeness of preoperative care was associated with pathologic specimen quality and postoperative morbidity. Study Design Clinical stage I–III rectal adenocarcinoma patients who underwent elective low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection were identified from the 2016–2017 American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (ACS-NSQIP) database. The 3 preoperative NSQIP variables (colonoscopy, stoma marking, and neoadjuvant chemoradiation) were used to divide patients into 2 cohorts: complete vs incomplete preoperative care. The primary outcome was a composite higher pathologic specimen quality score (>12 lymph nodes, negative circumferential, and negative distal margins). The secondary outcome was 30-day morbidity. Preoperative characteristics were compared with ANOVAs and chi-square tests. Outcomes measures were evaluated with logistic regression. Results We identified 1,125 patients: 591 (52.5%) complete and 534 (47.5%) incomplete. The complete group was younger, had more women, lower-third rectal tumors, clinical stage III disease, and neoadjuvant treatment. The complete group had higher odds of better pathologic specimen quality after adjusting for age, sex, tumor location, stage, and neoadjuvant therapy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.75, p = 0.001). The complete group had decreased rates of transfusions (odds ratio [OR] 0.47, p Conclusions Complete preoperative care in rectal adenocarcinoma is associated with higher pathologic specimen quality and reduced postoperative morbidity. This highlights the importance of adherence to guideline-directed care.
When species trees disagree: an approach consistent with the coalescent that quantifies phylogenomic support for contentious relationships

Phylogenies inferred using both concatenation- and coalescent-based analyses typically render highly congruent trees. However, when they disagree, they often differ with respect to historically contentious and evolutionarily important relationships. These relationships may also involve etiolated lineages where increased sampling is not possible. Recently, methods aimed at interrogating single relationships or trees have emerged as promising investigative tools to examine these cases. Although recent methods such as "Edge-based Phylogenomic Support analYsis" (EPSY) led to insights into both systematic error and real biological signal, whether they are consistent with the coalescent in cases with high Incomplete Lineage Sorting (ILS) has yet to be characterized. Here, we use simulations and an empirical dataset to test the performance of EPSY, concatenation, and coalescent-based summary analyses under high levels of ILS. We focused on high-ILS scenarios because these represent the typical difficult cases that researchers often face due to the prevalence of ILS in phylogenomic datasets. ILS is known to be a major cause of phylogenomic conflict, which confounds many biological conclusions that depend on a resolved phylogeny, such as inferring ancestral character states, biogeographic reconstructions, and domestication histories. Our study found that EPSY was consistent with the coalescent in a high-ILS empirical dataset. In high-ILS simulations EPSY infers the correct edge more than half the time, whereas coalescent based methods and concatenation methods inferred the actual tree 37.8% and 25% of the time, respectively. All methods have conditions under which they generate the most accurate inferences. Given the levels of ILS in simulations, 26.2% of the time no method recovered the true tree. This zone where no current method can infer the true topology is likely due to properties of the species tree, such as the length of internal edges adjacent to a conflict and/or the length of the shortest branch. Nevertheless, the EPSY approach proves to be a valuable complement to phylogenomic analyses for interrogating regions of the tree with conflicting hypotheses generated from past studies or alternative inference methods. Our analyses highlight that robust phylogenetic trees may not be possible under some scenarios regardless of method and data source.
Early external-environmental and internal-health predictors of risky sexual and aggressive behavior in adolescence: An integrative approach.

External predictive adaptive response (PAR) models assume that developmental exposures to stress carry predictive information about the future state of the environment, and that development of a faster life history (LH) strategy in this context functions to match the individual to this expected harsh state. More recently internal PAR models have proposed that early somatic condition (i.e., physical health) critically regulates development of LH strategies to match expected future somatic condition. Here we test the integrative hypothesis that poor physical health mediates the relation between early adversity and faster LH strategies. Data were drawn from a longitudinal study (birth to age 16; N = 1,388) of mostly African American participants with prenatal substance exposure. Results demonstrated that both external environmental conditions early in life (prenatal substance exposure, socioeconomic adversity, caregiver distress/depression, and adverse family functioning) and internal somatic condition during preadolescence (birthweight/gestational age, physical illness) uniquely predicted the development of faster LH strategies in adolescence (as indicated by more risky sexual and aggressive behavior). Consistent with the integrative hypothesis, the effect of caregiver distress/depression on LH strategy was mostly mediated by worse physical health. Discussion highlights the implications of these findings for theory and research on stress, development, and health.
The Mechanisms of White Space(s)

In 2008, I published a theoretical frame of White institutional space beginning with the generalized proposition that social organizations, social institutions, and social structure are fundamental...
GARCOM: A user-friendly R package for genetic mutation counts

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has enabled analysis of rare and uncommon variants in large study cohorts. A common strategy to overcome these low frequencies and/or small effect sizes relies on collapsing strategies, i.e. to bin variants within genes/regions. Several tools are now available for advanced statistical analyses however, tools to perform basic tasks such as obtaining allelic counts within defined genetics boundaries are unavailable or require complex coding. GARCOM library, an open-source freely available package in R language, returns a matrix with allelic counts within defined genetic boundaries. GARCOM accepts input data in PLINK or VCF formats, with additional options to subset data for refined analyses.
Analysis of foot clearance in firefighters during ascent and descent of stairs.

Slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of injury to firefighters with many injuries occurring while traversing stairs, possibly exaggerated by acute fatigue from firefighting activities and/or asymmetric load carriage. This study examined the effects that fatigue, induced by simulated firefighting activities, and hose load carriage have on foot clearance while traversing stairs. Landing and passing foot clearances for each stair during ascent and descent of a short staircase were investigated. Clearances decreased significantly (p < 0.05) post-exercise for nine of 12 ascent parameters and increased for two of eight descent parameters. Load carriage resulted in significantly decreased (p < 0.05) clearance over three ascent parameters, and one increase during descent. Decreased clearances during ascent caused by fatigue or load carriage may result in an increased trip risk. Increased clearances during descent may suggest use of a compensation strategy to ensure stair clearance or an increased risk of over-stepping during descent.
Buying, Not Cooking

Working-class Americans living in New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago and other industrial cities had ample opportunities to buy ready-cooked food around the turn of the twentieth century. Bakeries, saloons, lunchrooms, delicatessens, and pushcarts all offered ready-to-eat meals and snacks at prices workers could afford. Workers had many reasons for choosing ready-cooked food. Among other considerations, fuel for cooking was expensive, good stoves were rare and a worker's time could be better spent earning wages than producing cooked food at home. I argue that workers' adoption of cooked food signaled a fundamental step in the peculiar industrialization of the kitchen. The changes in cooking that occurred during industrialization are not only due to the growth of national food-processing industries with mass-advertised products, as some have argued. In fact, worker's cooking and eating habits show that the critical changes began with local sources of ready-cooked food in urban neighborhoods.
A REST API for Library Data

Poster presented at the 2014 International Conference on Dublin Core and Metadata Applications. This poster discusses a library catalog REST API framework.
Elastic Vibration Characteristics of Cantilever Plates in Water

Abstract : The presence of the liquid free surface has a significant effect upon the dynamic plate characteristics (frequencies) only when the surface is less than about one-half span length from the plate. The effect of the liquid free surface on the resonant frequency of a vertical surface peircing plate is highly dependent upon the relationship between the depth of immersion of the plate and the mode of vibration. The overall damping of cantilever plate vibration is increased significantly in water as compared with air. The results of this study would indicate that for those problem areas in the field of Naval dynamics wherein elastic plate vibrations are involved, and for which predictions of resonant frequencies and damping factors are derived, knowledge is either inadequate or unavailable. For cantilever plates, the present results should enable one to predict resonant frequencies in practical applications with some degree of confidence; but damping factors have been obtained only to within order-of-magnitude and to show trends. Clearly, similar information is very much needed for other plate geometries (i.e., skewed) and support conditions.
The politics of terror and the neoliberal military minimalist state

The decade anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attack is considered from the standpoint of three trends that synergized what can be called a new form of governmentality. First, the author considers the recrudescence of the military-surveillance state that in a paternalistic and biopolitical fashion must do its utmost to secure the ‘safety’ of its population. Second, and simultaneously, the triumph of the neoliberal ideology that spells the dismantling of the welfare state, and deep cuts in so-called “entitlements”. Third, the author considers how the rise of the neoliberal military minimalist state may be related to the recent demographic trends that mark a pronounced de-urbanization in the Midwest (the “Heartland”), and population growth in the South and Southwest.
An Evaluation of the Thermal Rossby Number in the Pleistocene

The variations in incoming solar radiation (outside the earth’s atmosphere) produced by changes in the eccentricity of the earth’s orbit, earth obliquity and longitude of perihelion have been recalculated for 10° latitude intervals between 20 and 70N at 1000-yr intervals for the past 500,000 yr.
How the law of unanticipated consequences can nullify the theory of constraints: The case for balanced capacity in a semiconductor manufacturing line

The Theory of Constraints (TOC), described by Goldratt in The Goal, was developed and used to help maximize manufacturing asset utilization. This theory proposes that by intentionally creating a constraint or bottleneck in the line at a particular toolset, several advantages can be achieved. First, by creating such a constraint fewer tools must be purchased. Thus, if the constraint is created on the most expensive toolset, then significant capital investment savings can be realized. Secondly, it is believed that by creating a single constraint or bottleneck in the line, the performance of the entire line will be determined by this toolset and, therefore, from a line management perspective, it is easier to manage a single known constraint rather than multiple constraints. In fact, the belief is that an increased focus on a single bottleneck toolset will generate additional efficiencies for this toolset. This paper explores the consequences of adding a cycle time objective to the performance requirements of a semiconductor manufacturing line. The conditions under which the Theory of Constraints should and should not be used is developed. For most realistic conditions in semiconductor manufacturing lines the TOC will be shown to require a higher asset investment and result in more inappropriate management focus than creating a balanced line with no planned bottlenecks.
Sliding spectra: a new perspective

The author introduces a simple method that provides an access to a set of sliding power spectra with different characteristics. The method is based on the use of cascading-form realization of the infinite-impulse-response filter. The filter is employed as a time window to the data samples or their lagged products depending on whether the frequency or the power spectrum is of interest. The choice of the filter's poles and zeros, as well as their cascading order, allows a direct access to a wide range of power-spectrum estimators, each a different trade-off between temporal and spectral resolution. The convergence property of the sliding power spectrum associated with all-pole filters is examined. >
Computer based harmonic simulation and testing for transformer differential relay

The effect of harmonics on the operation of a transformer differential relay is addressed. The testing facility consists of a computer-based three-phase harmonic source, programmable three-phase voltage and current amplifiers, and a digital-to-analog interface board. The software generates the harmonics and detects any trip action by the relay. Extensive experiments are performed in which the relays are subject to a matrix of distortion frequencies, magnitudes, and phases. The results of these experiments are discussed, and suggestions on the application of the relay are given. >
Cervical cancer screening in adolescents: an evidence-based internet education program for practice improvement among advanced practice nurses.

Background The literature reports great variation in the knowledge levels and application of the recent changes of cervical cancer screening guidelines into clinical practice. Evidence-based screening guidelines for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer offers healthcare providers the opportunity to improve practice patterns among female adolescents by decreasing psychological distress as well as reducing healthcare costs and morbidities associated with over-screening. Purpose The purpose of this pilot intervention study was to determine the effects of a Web-based continuing education unit (CEU) program on advanced practice nurses’ (APNs) knowledge of current cervical cancer screening evidence-based recommendations and their application in practice. This paper presents a process improvement project as an example of a way to disseminate updated evidence-based practice guidelines among busy healthcare providers. Methods This Web-based CEU program was developed, piloted, and evaluated specifically for APNs. The program addressed their knowledge level of cervical cancer and its relationship with high-risk human papillomavirus. It also addressed the new cervical cancer screening guidelines and the application of those guidelines into clinical practice. Findings Results of the study indicated that knowledge gaps exist among APNs about cervical cancer screening in adolescents. However, when provided with a CEU educational intervention, APNs’ knowledge levels increased and their self-reported clinical practice behaviors changed in accordance with the new cervical cancer screening guidelines. Linking Evidence to Practice Providing convenient and readily accessible up-to-date electronic content that provides CEU enhances the adoption of clinical practice guidelines, thereby decreasing the potential of the morbidities associated with over-screening for cervical cancer in adolescents and young women.
Pregnancy-related death and health care services☆

Abstract Objective To examine the association between health care services variables and pregnancy-related death using a contemporary geographically defined population and enhanced methods for case identification. Methods This is a population-based, case-control study from North Carolina for the 7-year period 1992–1998. Pregnancy-related deaths after a live birth (n = 118) were identified after review of pregnancy-associated deaths (n = 400) ascertained from death certificate codes and linkage of birth and death files. Controls (n = 3697) were randomly selected from all registered live births for the same 7-year period and were not matched with cases. This sample size was sufficient to ensure that the standard errors for subgroup prevalences were less than 1%. The associations between pregnancy-related death and health care services were explored with univariate and multivariable regression analysis. Results Neither maternity care coordination nor nutritional services were protective. There was no association with source of care, private versus public. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for pregnancy-related death associated with cesarean delivery was 3.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5, 6.1). The adjusted OR for pregnancy-related death associated with the receipt of prenatal care was 0.2 (95% CI 0.1, 0.6). Conclusion Removing barriers to and actively promoting use of prenatal care services and decreasing the rate of cesarean deliveries could decrease the number of pregnancy-related deaths.
Get me a Murder a Day: A History of Mass Communication in Britain

(1998). Get me a Murder a Day: A History of Mass Communication in Britain. American Journalism: Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 153-156.
Bayesian Genome Assembly and Assessment by Markov Chain Monte Carlo Sampling

Most genome assemblers construct point estimates, choosing only a single genome sequence from among many alternative hypotheses that are supported by the data. We present a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach to sequence assembly that instead generates distributions of assembly hypotheses with posterior probabilities, providing an explicit statistical framework for evaluating alternative hypotheses and assessing assembly uncertainty. We implement this approach in a prototype assembler, called Genome Assembly by Bayesian Inference (GABI), and illustrate its application to the bacteriophage X174. Our sampling strategy achieves both good mixing and convergence on Illumina test data for X174, demonstrating the feasibility of our approach. We summarize the posterior distribution of assembly hypotheses generated by GABI as a majority-rule consensus assembly. Then we compare the posterior distribution to external assemblies of the same test data, and annotate those assemblies by assigning posterior probabilities to features that are in common with GABI’s assembly graph. GABI is freely available under a GPL license from https://bitbucket.org/mhowison/gabi.
bHLH genes and retinal cell fate specification

The various cell types in the vertebrate retina arise from a pool of common progenitors. The way that the cell types are specified has been a long-standing issue. Decades of research have yielded a large body of information regarding the involvement of extrinsic factors, and only recently has the function of intrinsic factors begun to emerge. This article reviews recent studies addressing the role of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) factors in specifying retinal cell types, with an emphasis on bHLHhierarchies leading to photoreceptor production. Photoreceptor genesis appears to employ two transcriptional pathways: ngn2-->neuroD-->raxL and ath5-->neuroD-->raxL. ngn2 and ath5 function in progenitors, which can potentially develop into different cell types. neuroD represents one of the central steps in photoreceptor specification. Ath5 is also essential for ganglion cell development. It remains to be demonstrated whether a bHLH gene functions as a key player in specifying the other types of retinal cells. Genetic knockout studies have indicated intricate cross-regulation among bHLH genes. Future studies are expected to unveil the mechanism by which bHLH factors network with intrinsic factors and communicate with extrinsic factors to ensure a balanced production of the various types of retinal cells.
Scaling for the mixing efficiency of stratified grid turbulence

The effect of stratification on the mixing efficiency of grid turbulence is studied with a scaling analysis that yields several regimes of behavior classified by the initial strength of the stratification, or grid Richardson number Ri0. The mixing efficiency is taken to be the ratio of the mean potential energy change during a turbulent event to the work done to create the event. For weak stratification, the scaling reproduces previous predictions and indicates when each should apply. For strong stratification, the scaling predicts a decrease in the efficiency. A feature of the analysis is that it allows transitions between regimes to be estimated. The predictions of the scaling are evaluated with results from previous analyses and towed-grid experiments.With estimates of the decay time of the turbulence and the average overturning scale, the method can be applied to other problems to estimate the variation of mixing efficiency with Richardson number.
Equality, efficiency, and the priority of the worse-off

Egalitarian theories of justice hold that equality should be promoted. Typically, perfect equality will not be achievable, and it will be necessary to determine which of various unequal distributions is the most equal. All plausible conceptions of equality hold that, where perfect equality does not obtain, (1) any benefit (no matter how small) to a worst-off person that leaves him/her still a worst-off person has priority (with respect to equality promotion) over any benefit (no matter how large) to a best-off person, and (2) any benefit to a worse-off person (even if not a worst-off person) has priority over a benefit of the same size to a better off person (even if not a best-off person). Beyond that there is much disagreement.
Natàlia's Journey from the Imaginary to the Symbolic in Mercè Rodoreda's La plaza del Diamante

Abstract In Merce Rodoreda's La plaza del Diamante (La placa del Diamant), the main character Natalia rejects the Symbolic Order, represented by the nom du pere (“Name-of-the-Father”), the imposition of the Law by the father. This article analyzes Natalia's journey from the Symbolic to the Imaginary in Lacanian terms. In the novel, the Symbolic manifests itself on the plain of the forces hostile toward the protagonist, signifying suffering and displacement, the war, the losses, hunger, the doves, and ultimately, her first husband, Quimet. Natalia rejects the Symbolic Order represented by the father by denying him access to her life and by rejecting his presence. In Lacan's analyses, the father represents the culture and the language. Thus, by imposing the nom du pere, the father imposes the Law and becomes the one “that makes possible the Symbolic Order and the separation from the state of nonconsciousness of the Imaginary” (Carbonell 23). Natalia's moments of disorientation and lack of self-identity are ...
MECHANISMS OF CYCLIC FATIGUE-CRACK PROPAGATION IN A FINE-GRAINED ALUMINA CERAMIC: THE ROLE OF CRACK CLOSURE

Cyclic fatigue-crack growth and resistance-curve behavior have been studied in a fine-grained (∼1 μm), high-purity alumina. Specific emphasis is given to the mechanisms associated with crack growth that are controlled by the maximum (K max ) and the alternating (ΔK), stress intensities and to the role of crack-face interference (crack closure), which is known to be an important crack-tip shielding mechanism in metal fatigue. Significant levels of subcritical crack growth were detected above a threshold stress intensity of ∼60% of the fracture toughness (K c ) in the alumina, with growth rates displaying a far larger dependence on K max compared to ΔK. The role of crack closure was examined using constant-K max experiments, where the minimum stress intensity (K min ) was maintained either above or below the stress intensity for crack closure (K cl ). Where K min < K cl , growth rates were found to exhibit a lower dependence on AK, which was rationalized in terms of the frictional wear model for crack growth in grain-bridging ceramics. It is concluded that crack closure, as conventionally defined, has little relevance as a crack-tip shielding mechanism during fatigue-crack growth in grain-bridging ceramics, due to the low dependence of growth rates on ΔK compared to K max .
What Motivates Municipal Governments? Uncovering the Institutional Incentives for Municipal Governance of Forest Resources in Bolivia

Several international treaties point to the advantages of a decentralized government structure for addressing environmental problems. Yet, little is known about the effects of decentralization refo...
Primary abdominal gestational choriocarcinoma.

Abstract Background Gestational choriocarcinoma associated with ectopic pregnancy is an extremely infrequent event. Primary abdominal gestational choriocarcinoma has not been previously described. Case A pregnant woman presented to the emergency room with 6 days of vaginal spotting. Her last menstrual period suggested a gestation at 6 weeks. Transvaginal sonogram showed a hemoperitoneum with no intrauterine pregnancy. The serum human chorionic gonadotropin level was noted to be 317,735 mIU/mL. A 20 × 20-mm friable, bleeding mass on the left anterior abdominal wall was laparoscopically resected. Gestational choriocarcinoma was identified on histopathologic review. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IV:4 was assigned, and the patient achieved clinical remission with combination chemotherapy. Conclusion Primary abdominal gestational choriocarcinoma can present with findings similar to a ruptured ectopic pregnancy; it should be treated by surgical excision and chemotherapy.
Changes in elemental composition of fertilized and unfertilized northern pike (Esox lucius) eggs incubated in buffer with and without dimethyl sulfoxide: An X‐ray microanalysis study

Fertilized and unfertilized eggs from the northern pike (Esox lucius) were incubated 2 hr in buffer with 0 and 10% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide and then quickly frozen in the wells of aluminum blocks submerged in liquid nitrogen. Control eggs and ovarian fluid were similarly frozen immediately after collection. The frozen eggs were sectioned, freeze dried, mounted on stubs, and carbon coated. X-ray microanalysis was used to determine changes in element levels and dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) penetration in the zona radiata, cytoplasm, cortical alveoli, and egg yolk. Unfertilized eggs incubated without Me2SO showed decreased levels of Na, Cl, and K in the zona radiata; fertilized eggs, incubated without Me2SO showed decreased levels of Na, P, and Cl in the zona radiata and increased levels of K in the cytoplasm; unfertilized eggs, incubated with 10% Me2SO showed decreased Na and Cl in the zona radiata, decreased K in the cytoplasm and increased K in the cortical alveoli; fertilized eggs incubated in buffer with 10% Me2SO showed decreased levels of Na, P, Cl, and K (zona radiata), P, Cl, and K (cytoplasm), Na (yolk), and increased Cl in the yolk (all P<.01). Me2SO (v/v) levels reached 1.5-3.1% in the zona radiata, 0-3.2% in cytoplasm, 2.3-8.7% in cortical alveoli, and 0-1.6% in the yolk. Unfertilized eggs showed more Me2SO penetration than fertilized eggs.
Classification rates obtained with "standard" cut-off scores on selected neuropsychological measures.

Abstract Examined in a normal sample (N=365) the number of subjects was classified as impaired on several commonly used neuropsychological tests (Seashore Rhythm Test, Trail Making Test, Finger Tapping Test, and Grooved Pegboard Test) in reference to conventional cut-off scores. The sample was stratified on the basis of age, sex, and education. For the sample as a whole, the percentage of subjects classified as impaired ranged from 15.6 to 80. In some subgroups on some tests, the percentage so classified was 100. The data were discussed in relation to the need to adjust conventional cut-off scores for the influence of subject variables. In addition, cross-cultural differences on some tests suggested the need for local or national normative studies.
On pairs of Youden designs

Abstract It is well known that generalized Youden designs, or GYD's, enjoy a variety of optimality properties. Not being maximum trace designs, b copies of a non-regular GYD will not be optimum for b sufficiently large, opening the question of whether such a set will be so for any b. This paper explores the E-behavior of b = 2 non-regular GYDs. A general E-efficiency bound is derived and the E-optimality of a particular series is proven. That pairs of non-regular GYDs are not always E-optimal is shown by a counterexample.
Decline in reactive fiber growth in the dentate gyrus of aged rats compared to young adult rats following entorhinal cortex removal.

Summary The reaction of septal and commissural-associational afferents in the dentate gyrus was examined at various times following a unilateral entorhinal lesion in 2- and 3-month-old, 12- to 18-month-old and 25–30-month-old rats. The response of septohippocampal fibers was examined histochemically by staining for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity; and that of commissural-associational fibers by the Holmes' fiber stain. In 2- and 3-month-old rats, AChE staining fibers, which project to the outer three-fourths of the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, increased their staining intensity within 5–6 days following lesion of the entorhinal cortex. The rate of the response and the eventual magnitude declined progressively with the age of the subject. In 2- and 3-month-old rats, the commissural-associational fiber plexus appeared to expand partially into the entorhinal zone within 6 days following the lesion. This response also decreased progressively in rate and magnitude with age. Animals in the oldest age group showed at 12 days after the lesion a greater variability in the expansion of the commissural-associational fiber plexus than all younger groups. Astrocytes in the dentate molecular layer appeared to become more abundant and more hypertrophied in unoperated animals with age. The appearance of astrocytes in 25- to 30-month-old rats was similar to that seen in 2- and 3-month-old animals following an entorhinal lesion. An entorhinal lesion in the aged animals did not appear to cause a marked change in the appearance of astrocytes.
Study of π-phase-shifted, fiber Bragg gratings for ultrasonic detection

We present a high-sensitivity fiber-optic ultrasonic sensor based on a π-phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating (πFBG). A π- phase-shift at the center of a traditional fiber Bragg grating results in the formation of a narrow-bandwidth notch in the reflection spectrum, leading to much higher sensitivity than standard fiber-Bragg-grating (FBG) sensors. A method of fabrication is introduced, including a method of removing introduced polarization dependence. A tunable-cavity diode laser is used to interrogate the πFBG by locking the wavelength to the linear slope of the spectral notch. High-sensitivity detection of ultrasonic waves is demonstrated. The directivity of the grating is characterized. The effect of strain induced polarization dependence is investigated. Preliminary tests using ultrasonic pressure waves in water are performed.
New writing on the wall: Exploring the middle‐class graffiti writing subculture

This study examines the qualitative characteristics and determinants of middle‐class graffiti writers and their subculture. Detailed observations and interviews were conducted with 58 suburban graffiti writers over a period of 5 months (November 1992 to March 1993). Results suggest that graffiti writing subcultures, once thought to be limited to lower‐class communities, are not class‐specific. Similarities between lower‐ and middle‐class graffiti writers were discovered: These included the quest for fame, the nature of criminal activity, and intergroup relations with street gangs. On the other hand, suburban graffiti writers appear to have developed unique subcultural identities, career paths, and self‐images. Substantive implications of these findings, with regard to culture conflict and cultural rebellion rationales of graffiti writing, are discussed.
Information content of auditory cortical responses to time-varying acoustic stimuli.

The present study explores the issue of cortical coding by spike count and timing using statistical and information theoretic methods. We have shown in previous studies that neurons in the auditory...
The Relationship between Creativity and Selective Attention in LD Boys.

Historically, most programming and research efforts in the field of learning disabilities have focused on the disabilities evidenced by LD children and youth. By representing an attempt to consider the positive attributes of LD individuals, the study of creativity in the learning disabled population takes on special significance. The results of this investigation support the relationship between selective attention and creativity in LD boys. However, it was found that the relationship changed as a function of age and the type of creativity measured. The issues raised by this line of inquiry should provide impetus for other investigations designed to explore such attributes as creativity in learning disabled children and youth.
The distribution, half-life, and excretion of tritiated luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in rats

Abstract Tritiated LH-RH was prepared by the Wilzbach method and repurified. After the injection of 1.0μCi of tritiated LH-RH into normal female rats, radioactivity disappeared rapidly from the circulation. The half-life of tritiated LH-RH, calculated from the disappearance curves, was about 7 min. Tritiated LH-RH was distributed in a volume of 38.4 ml or about 16% of the body weight. After 60 min, approximately 15% of the radioactivity was found in the urine. A significant accumulation of radioactivity, indicated by tissue to plasma ratio (T/P) greater than 1.0, occurred in the pineal gland, anterior and posterior pituitaries, the liver and kidney, but not in the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, muscle tissue or adrenal glands. Concentration of the radioactivity by the liver and kidney indicates that these tissues are major sites for the inactivation and excretion of LH-RH.
Suicide rates in immigrant groups and their countries of origin: an examination of data from early in the 20th century.

Lester (1972) showed the suicide rates of immigrant groups to Australia were proportional to the suicide rates in their countries of origin. The present note describes supportive evidence for this result using data from 1920. Cavan (1928) presented data on the suicide rates of immigrant groups in Chicago in 1920, and Hoffman (1928) presented rates for 11 of the countries of origin (Austria, Canada, Denmark, England, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Scotland, and Sweden). The mean suicide rate of the 11 immigrant groups was 32.5 per 100,000 per year (SD = 15.4) and for the countries of origin 12.2 (SD = 7.1). The Pearson correlation between the suicide rates of the immigrant groups and the suicide rates of the countries of origin was 0.79 (one-tailed p<.OO5). The present results based on 1920 data support the conclusion that immigrant groups commit suicide at a rate proportional to that of those in their country of origin.
Simulation Experiments in Choice Simplification: The Effects of Task and Context on Forecasting Performance:

Experimental and protocol-based research has demonstrated convincingly that consumers frequently use simplification heuristics prior to making choices. Consequently, quantitative choice models inco...
Morbidity of adjuvant brachytherapy in soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity and superficial trunk.

Abstract Purpose: We have previously shown that adjuvant brachytherapy (BRT) improves local control in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremity and superficial trunk. A detailed assessment of the morbidity of this approach has not been examined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity associated with adjuvant BRT in terms of wound complications, bone fracture, and peripheral nerve damage. Methods and Materials: Between July 1982 and June 1992, 164 adult patients with STS of the extremity or superficial trunk were randomized intraoperatively to receive or not to receive BRT after complete resection. BRT was delivered with 192 Ir to a total dose of 42–45 Gy. The BRT and no-BRT arms were balanced with regard to age, sex, presentation (primary vs. recurrent), site, grade, size, and depth. Morbidity was assessed in terms of significant wound complication, bone fracture, and peripheral nerve damage (grade ≥ 3). The significant wound complications were defined as those wound problems requiring operative revision for coverage or threatened limb loss, persistent seroma requiring repeated aspirations and/or drainage, wound separation > 2 cm, hematoma > 25 ml, and/or purulent wound discharge. The median follow-up was 100 months. Results: The significant wound complication rate was 24% in the BRT group and 14% in the no-BRT group, ( p = 0.13). The rate of wound reoperation, however, was significantly higher in the BRT arm (10% vs. 0%; p = 0.006). Examination of other covariables that may have contributed to wound reoperation revealed the width of the excised skin (WES) to be a significant factor [1% (WES ≤ 4 cm) vs. 10% (WES > 4 cm), p = 0.02]. Bone fracture only occurred in patients receiving BRT (n = 3, 4%), although this was not statistically significant ( p = 0.2). The rate of peripheral nerve damage, however, was similar in both arms (7% vs. 7%). Conclusion: The overall morbidity associated with adjuvant BRT was not significantly higher than that with surgery alone. However, BRT and WES > 4 cm were associated with significantly higher wound reoperation rate. This has significant implications for strategies designed to maximize wound coverage in patients who receive BRT.
A boundary condition capturing method for incompressible flame discontinuities

Abstract In this paper, we propose a new numerical method for treating two-phase incompressible flow where one phase is being converted into the other, e.g., the vaporization of liquid water. We consider this numerical method in the context of treating discontinuously thin flame fronts for incompressible flow. This method was designed as an extension of the Ghost Fluid Method (1999, J. Comput. Phys.152, 457) and relies heavily on the boundary condition capturing technology developed in Liu et al. (2000, J. Comput. Phys.154, 15) for the variable coefficient Poisson equation and in Kang et al. (in press J. Comput. Phys.) for multiphase incompressible flow. Our new numerical method admits a sharp interface representation similar to the method proposed in Helenbrook et al. (1999, J. Comput. Phys.148, 366). Since the interface boundary conditions are handled in a simple and straightforward fashion, the code is very robust, e.g. no special treatment is required to treat the merging of flame fronts. The method is presented in three spatial dimensions, with numerical examples in one, two, and three spatial dimensions.