cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Media violence and judgments of offensiveness: A quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Although many studies examine the behavioral effects of viewing media violence, there is little research on whether such violence is perceived as offensive to viewers. Accordingly, the current study examines whether media violence is offensive to viewers and whether feelings of offense mediate the r
Analysis of Liquid Flow-Induced Motion of a Discrete Solid in a Partially Filled Pipe.

An analysis is presented for the liquid flow-induced motion of a solid in partially filled pipes. A general equation of the flow-induced motion of a solid is developed. Two alternate force models, one (Fv ) based on free stream velocity and another (Fm ) based on free stream momentum flux, are formulated to simplify the general equation. The equation of motion is solved for the motion of a cylindrical solid with steady-uniform liquid flows and the effects of relevant variables on the motion of a solid are predicted. The variables considered include: volume rate of liquid flow, Q; pipe diameter, D; Manning coefficient, n; and slope, S; solid diameter, d; length, L; specific gravity, σ; coefficient of friction between a solid and the pipe wall, η; and the two force functions, Fv and Fm . The flow rate, Qv required to initiate the motion of a solid increases with an increase in D, n, d, L, σ, and ηs, and decreases with an increase in S. The force function Fm predicts a lower value of Qt than does the force function Fv The velocities of a solid increase with an increase in Q and S and decrease with an increase in D, n, d, L, σ, and η. The force function Fm predicts higher values of the velocity of a solid than does the force function Fv . The effects of the variables Qo, D, S, d, L, and ηs, on the velocities of a solid are qualitatively consistent with the available experimental data. The qualitative agreement between the predicted results and experimental data demonstrate the validity of the analysis presented.
An Almost Crypto(genic) Cause of Radiculopathy (P01.253)

Objective: We describe a rare case of non-HIV/AIDS related cryptococcal neurological infection with a very unusual presentation in the form of a radiculopathy. Background Cryptococcal Neurological infections have been well described in patients who are immunocompromised secondary to HIV/AIDS but less well described in patients immunocompromised secondary to other etiologies. Design/Methods: Our patient is was a 70 year old right handed man with myelodysplastic syndrome, on chemotherapy and platelet transfusion-dependent who presented with acute onset of left leg weakness. Seven days prior to presentation he developed numbness and tingling in his left leg following a fall, which progressed over an hour into left lower extremity weakness with inability to ambulate without a walker. Also, he had intermittent diffuse headache and episodic confusion. On neurological examination, his left lower extremity power was (3/5), absent left patellar reflex, diminished sensation in the left lower extremity below the knee. He underwent a head CT, MRI of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine were significant for degenerative changes of the vertebra most prominent at C3-C4, a small posterior disc bulge T8-T9 with no cord compression and pelvic MRI which was negative for retroperitoneal hemorrhage; a normal EEG; EMG was consistent with a subacute left high lumbar through L4 radiculopathy with active denervation. CSF analysis revealed a lymphocytoc pleocytosis with low glucose (16) and elevated protein (146) with 2+ yeast on gram stain and he was initiated on ambisome for presumed fungal meningitis. Serum cryptococcal antigen was negative. CSF cryptococcal antigen was positive with a titer of 1:4096. Results: Our patient was discharged on long-term ambisome infusions with little recovery in the function of his left leg. Conclusions: Cryptococcal neurological infections need to be considered in patients with other underlying immunocompromised states besides HIV/AIDS so that appropriate therapy can be instituted in a timely manner. Disclosure: Dr. Goldstein has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dangayach has nothing to disclose. Dr. Riley has received personal compensation for activities with Allergan, Ipsen, Lundbeck, Merz and Teva as a consultant.Dr. Riley has received research support from Cleveland Medical Devices.
Factors influencing the failure of initial and further treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients treated with standard short-course chemotherapy

Objective To explore the factors influencing the failure of initial and further treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients treated with standard short-course chemotherapy,and drug resistance in particular.This was done to control factors influencing of failure of treatment,and especially MDR-TB treatment.Methods A cohort study was performed to track the treatment outcomes of patients with TB.Patient information was collected,and univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze the relevant factors leading to failure of treatment in patients treated with standard short-course chemotherapy.Results In patients receiving initial treatment,gender,occupation,and method of payment for treatment expenses,failure to comply with medication,and drug resistance were risk factors for the failure of treatment.In patients receiving further treatment,family income,type of drug resistance,and results of the latest round of treatment were factors for the failure of treatment.Conclusion To reduce the failure rate of TB treatment and control the prevalence of tuberculosis,financial relief should be increased for poor patients,and patient supervision and management should be enhanced to improve compliance with treatment.Steps should be taken to control drug resistance,and treatment regimens should be explored for patients receiving further treatment.
Influence of hydrostatic and oncotic pressure on sodium reabsorption in the unilateral pyelonephritic dog kidney.

1. The diseased kidney in the dog with experimental unilateral reduction in nephron population, has been shown previously to undergo an exaggerated inhibition of sodium reabsorption after extracellular fluid (ECF) volume expansion induced by isotonic sodium chloride solution compared with the control kidney. The latter serves to maintain a non-azotaemic environment. 2. In the present studies, manoeuvres designed to alter predominantly either post-glomerular hydrostatic pressure (PGHP) or peritubular capillary oncotic pressure (COP) were performed to investigate further the mechanism of this exaggerated natriuresis. 3. Volume expansion with 5 g/dl albumin in 145 mmol/l sodium chloride (saline), thereby increasing PGHP without changing COP, produced exaggerated diseased kidney natriuresis, but of a smaller magnitude than when the same dogs were studied under a lesser degree of intravascular volume expansion with 145 mmol/l saline. Renal vasodilatation produced by systemically administered dopamine, which increases PGHP without ECF volume expansion, also produced exaggerated natriuresis by the diseased kidney. 4. A selective decrease in COP induced by expansion with saline in conjunction with trimethophan camsylate (Arfonad)-induced hypotension also produced exaggerated diseased kidney natriuresis, but to a lesser degree than saline expansion alone in the same dogs. 5. Thus experimental manoeuvres designed to reduce peritubular capillary fluid reabsorption by either predominantly increasing PGHP or decreasing COP produced exaggerated diseased kidney natriuresis. This exaggerated natriuretic response to manoeuvres which predominantly altered either physical force by itself did not approach the response elicited by expansion with saline. 6. The data suggest that alterations in Starling forces play an important role in mediating the exaggerated diseased kidney natriuresis after an acute saline load.
Efficacy of Five Insecticides Targeting Spring and Fall Populations of Sugarcane Beetle Adults

Summary Sugarcane beetle (Euetheola rugiceps LeConte; Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) is a pest of turfgrass in the southeastern United States. This study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of 5 products for sugarcane beetle pest management in managed bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.; Poaceae). Spring and fall populations of sugarcane beetle adults were exposed to 4 active ingredients and combinations (bifenthrin, bifenthrin plus clothianidin, carbaryl, clothianidin, and dinotefuran) under greenhouse conditions. At 7 d after treatment, there were no significant differences among insecticide treatments applied to spring beetles at either a low or a high field rate, although all insecticides caused a significant increase in beetle mortality relative to untreated (control) beetles. In contrast, bifenthrin caused significantly greater control of fall populations at the low field rate compared with other treatments. Target population (spring or fall) appears to have more impact on pesticide efficacy than either...
An Evaluation of a Dollar-for-Dollar Match Program at Farmers’ Markets for Families Using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits

The purpose of the current study was to provide a descriptive case study of a dollar-for-dollar match program at farmers’ markets for families using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Specifically, the study sought to examine characteristics (e.g., demographics, household food security), needs, and benefits of families using the match program. It also sought to examine recommendations from families in order to improve the match program. Participants included 143 parents and caregivers of children from ages 5–10, who received services through the weekly match program at markets designed for individuals receiving SNAP benefits. While shopping at farmers’ markets, parents completed questionnaires regarding several domains including service usage, shopping habits, food consumption patterns, and household food security. Parents reported that they strongly agreed that fruits and vegetables were important to their health. However, only 35.9% of parents indicated that they strongly agreed that they could afford to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Overall, parents reported a positive impact of service use and appeared to value fresh fruits and vegetables. Implications for policy development as well as recommendations for future studies focusing on health promotion in children and families are discussed.
Proton-pump inhibitor use does not affect semen quality in subfertile men

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most widely used drugs worldwide. PPI use has recently been linked to adverse changes in semen quality in healthy men; however, the effects of PPI use on semen parameters remain largely unknown specifically in cases with male factor infertility. We examined whether PPI use was associated with detrimental effects on semen parameters in a large population of subfertile men. We retrospectively reviewed data from 12 257 subfertile men who had visited our fertility clinic from 2003 to 2013. Patients who reported using any PPIs for >3 months before semen sample collection were included; 7698 subfertile men taking no medication served as controls. Data were gathered on patient age, medication use, and conventional semen parameters; patients taking any known spermatotoxic medication were excluded. Linear mixed-effect regression models were used to test the effect of PPI use on semen parameters adjusting for age. A total of 248 patients (258 samples) used PPIs for at least 3 months before semen collection. In regression models, PPI use (either as the only medication or when used in combination with other nonspermatotoxic medications) was not associated with statistically significant changes in semen parameters. To our knowledge, this is the largest study to compare PPI use with semen parameters in subfertile men. Using PPIs was not associated with detrimental effects on semen quality in this retrospective study.
Effects of Irradiation on Albite's Chemical Durability.

Albite (NaAlSi3O8), a framework silicate of the plagioclase feldspar family and a common constituent of felsic rocks, is often present in the siliceous mineral aggregates that compose concrete. When exposed to radiation (e.g., in the form of neutrons) in nuclear power plants, the crystal structure of albite can undergo significant alterations. These alterations may degrade its chemical durability. Indeed, careful examinations of Ar+-implanted albite carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and molecular dynamics simulations show that albite’s crystal structure, upon irradiation, undergoes progressive disordering, resulting in an expansion in its molar volume (i.e., a reduction of density) and a reduction in the connectivity of its atomic network. This loss of network connectivity (i.e., rigidity) results in an enhancement of the aqueous dissolution rate of albite—measured using vertical scanning interferometry (VSI) in alkaline environments—by a factor of 20. This enhancement in th...
CRT-100.69 Cardiac Patients More Likely to Survive to Discharge after Return of Spontaneous Circulation Following In-Hospital Arrest

There are limited data on in-hospital cardiac arrest, and hence we don’t understand the predictors of outcome in this cohort. This study aims to understand how the admitting diagnosis affects the survival from cardiac arrest and then survival-to-discharge after return of spontaneous circulation.
A Status of Drugs on the Horizon for Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome—a Comprehensive Review 2005

Obesity is increasing in prevalence and its medical liabilities are, in large measure, related to the metabolic syndrome, a syndrome of insulin resistance. The drugs available at present for the treatment of obesity and the metabolic syndrome are few in number and limited in efficacy. This chapter reviewed the drugs approved for other indications that cause weight loss, drugs in the late development process that have not been approved, drugs in earlier stages of drug development for which clinical information is limited, drugs that have been dropped from development, and new potential drug targets for which essentially no clinical data yet exist. We also reviewed the nonprescription products sold for the treatment of obesity and the metabolic syndrome. The development pipeline of drugs for the treatment of obesity and the metabolic syndrome is rich. Because drugs to treat obesity are being developed in an era characterized by more sophisticated drug development tools than existed when hypertension drugs were being developed, much faster progress in developing safe and effective drugs for obesity and the metabolic syndrome is anticipated. With safe and effective drugs available, we anticipate that the chronic treatment of obesity with weight loss medication will become as well accepted and prevalent as is the chronic drug treatment of hypertension and diabetes in the medical practice of today.
Self-Affirmation Effects Are Produced by School Context, Student Engagement With the Intervention, and Time: Lessons From a District-Wide Implementation:

Self-affirmation shows promise for reducing racial academic-achievement gaps; recently, however, mixed results have raised questions about the circumstances under which the self-affirmation interve...
Characterization of Scale Factor Nonlinearities in Coriolis Vibratory Gyroscopes

In this paper, we studied the mechanisms which contribute to Scale Factor (SF) nonlinearity in Coriolis Vibratory Gyroscopes (CVG) operating in the open-loop angular rate mode. Analytical equations were derived to quantify the effects of electro-mechanical nonlinearities, modal coupling, and nonlinear capacitive sensing on SF. Experimental results with a Dual Foucault Pendulum (DFP) gyroscope are presented and compared to simulated data of the predictive model. In our experiments, we demonstrated that by minimizing the electro-mechanical nonlinearities, the SF error is reduced by 27.7% at the angular rate of 1 Hz. We concluded that modal coupling is the major source of SF nonlinearity. We also concluded that nonlinearity in the capacitive sensing has the lowest contribution to SF nonlinearity, at angular rates up to 1 Hz. Finally, we discussed conditions under which a linear SF can be achieved.
The Outliers: Metal-Mediated Radical Reagents for Biological Substrate Degradation.

ConspectusThe predictable and controllable interaction of small organic or peptidic molecules with biological substrates is the primary reason most pharmaceuticals are narrowly decorated carbon fra...
Finding "What's Wrong With Us": Antibiotic Prescribing Practice Among Physicians in the United States.

Antibiotic stewardship – or the responsible use of antibiotics – has been touted as a solution to the problem of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic stewardship in medical institutions attempts to change the antibiotic prescribing “behaviors” and “habits” of physicians. Interventions abound targeting “problem prescribers,” or those physicians whose practice is out of line with physician peers. Thus, the locus of decision-making in antibiotic prescribing is thought to be the found with the individual physician. Based on 18-months of participant observation and in-depth interviewing of antibiotic-prescribing physicians at two medical institutions in the United States, this paper will question notions of antibiotic stewardship that center on individual “behaviors” and “habits.” Many physicians have taken to heart a reductionist approach in studies of antibiotic prescribing, including several physicians I encountered during research who enthusiastically located the benefit of my research in the ability to identify “what’s wrong with us.” In this paper, I use two representative ethnographic case studies to argue that antibiotic stewardship interventions aimed at identifying and correcting “bad” physician practice limit the possibilities of understanding the social dynamics of the institution. Through an analysis of everyday encounters in the hospital setting, I show how decision-making in antibiotic prescribing can more productively be located between and among institutions, physicians, patient charts, and other hospital-based staff members (e.g. pharmacists, nurses). By demonstrating that antibiotic prescribing is a collective practice occurring through engagement with social and material surroundings, I argue that we can better account for the weighted ways in which social action and relations unfold over time.
The Role of Trait and State Moral Disengagement on FIN 48 Earnings Management

This behavioral study assesses the influence that dispositional trait and situational state moral disengagement tendencies have on an accounting managers’ willingness to engage in earnings management in the FIN 48 setting. We develop a measure of state moral disengagement so that we can assess the relative influence of both trait and state moral disengagement on opportunistic FIN 48 accruals that are necessary to meet earnings targets. Findings suggest that both trait and state moral disengagement factors significantly influence accounting manager earnings management. We also find noteworthy trait mediation effects that contribute to our understanding of moral disengagement theory. Overall, we find that trait moral disengagement is more salient than state moral disengagement when both factors are included in regression models. Further, we find that more than forty percent of our sample is willing to participate in egregious earnings management that could constitute fraud. We also find that participants with stronger ethical reasoning capabilities are less likely to participate in severe FIN 48 opportunistic behavior. The study contributes to understanding the theoretical boundaries of moral disengagement and how moral disengagement impacts FIN 48 accruals.
The manifestations of politics in evaluation: An exploratory study across the evaluation process.

Abstract Evaluation has been described as a political act. Programs and policies are generated from a political process, and the decision to evaluate and how to use the evaluation are manifestations of the political dynamic. This exploratory study was conducted with practicing evaluators to understand what they view as political situations in the evaluation process and how they responded to these situations. Findings suggest that, in relation to the potential evaluation phases in which each respondent has been involved, evaluations are susceptible to politics when initially attempting to identify stakeholders and when it’s time to report the evaluation findings. Evaluators have also developed multiple strategies for dealing with these situations, including finding allies for the evaluation and working to explain the evaluation process and its implications. We hope that this study will help to inform novice and expert evaluators about the various political situations they may encounter in their practice.
At a crossroads: coronavirus disease 2019 recovery and the risk of pulmonary vascular disease.

Purpose of review The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to almost 3,000,000 deaths across 139 million people infected worldwide. Involvement of the pulmonary vasculature is considered a major driving force for morbidity and mortality. We set out to summarize current knowledge on the acute manifestations of pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) resulting from COVID-19 and prioritize long-term complications that may result in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Recent findings Acute COVID-19 infection can result in widespread involvement of the pulmonary vasculature, myocardial injury, evidence of persistent lung disease, and venous thromboembolism. Post COVID-19 survivors frequently report ongoing symptoms and may be at risk for the spectrum of PH, including group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension, group 2 PH due to left heart disease, group 3 PH due to lung disease and/or hypoxia, and group 4 chronic thromboembolic PH. Summary The impact of COVID-19 on the pulmonary vasculature is central to determining disease severity. Although the long-term PVD manifestations of COVID-19 are currently uncertain, optimizing the care of risk factors for PH and monitoring for the development of PVD will be critical to reducing long-term morbidity and improving the health of survivors.
Effect of Metabolic Syndrome on Anatomy and Function of the Lower Urinary Tract Assessed on MRI.

Objective To investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with functional and anatomic changes of the lower urinary tract with MRI. Materials and Methods The bladder and prostate of 95 subjects (56M, 39F) were segmented on T2-weighted pelvic MRI using Materialize Mimics 3D software. Bladder wall volume (BWV), post-void residual (PVR) and prostate volume (PV) were quantified from the 3D renderings. LUTS were quantified using validated questionnaires administered at the time of MRI. Wilcoxin rank sum, win ratio and chi-square tests were used to correlate symptom scores, BWV, PVR and PV in patients 1) without vs with MetS, 2) with mild (IPSS or UDI-6: 0-7) vs moderate-severe (IPSS: 8-35 or UDI-6: ≥8) and 3) normal vs enlarged prostates (>40cm3). Multivariate linear regression was used to determine predictors for BWV, PVR and PV. Results Men with MetS had increased BWV (66.8 vs 51.1cm3, P = .003), higher PVR (69.1 vs 50.5cc, P= .05) and increased PV (67.2 vs 40.1cm3, P= .01). Women without and with MetS had similar BWV, PVR and LUTS (P= .3-.78). There was no difference in prevalence of MetS, BWV, PVR or PV in men or women with mild vs moderate-severe LUTS (P = .26-.97). Men with enlarged prostates were more likely to have MetS (P = .003). There was no difference in BWV, PVR and LUTS for men with normal vs enlarged prostates (P= .44-.94). In men, BWV was highly correlated with MetS (P = .005) on regression analysis. Conclusion MetS leads to detrusor hypertrophy and may contribute to impaired bladder function, likely related to the effect on the prostate.
Outsourcing Criminal Prosecution?: The Limits of Criminal Justice Privatization

In an era of scarce public resources, many jurisdictions are being forced to take drastic measures to address severe budgetary constraints on the administration of criminal justice. As prosecutors’ offices around the nation are being scaled back and enforcement priorities are being narrowed, one conceivable response is the outsourcing of the criminal prosecution function to private lawyers. Indeed, prosecution outsourcing currently is utilized in surprising measure by jurisdictions in the United States. This Article, prepared for the University of Chicago Legal Forum Symposium on Crime, Criminal Law, and the Recession, argues that the outsourcing trend in criminal justice – seen most prominently in the area of private prisons and policing – should not extend to criminal prosecution because such outsourcing is in tension with the constitutional and positive law norms regulating the public-private distinction. Furthermore, concerns about ethics, fairness, transparency, accountability, performance, and the important values advanced by the public prosecution norm all militate against the outsourcing of the criminal prosecution function to private lawyers.
Design of large-insert jumping libraries for structural variant detection using Illumina sequencing.

Next-generation sequencing is an important and efficient tool for the identification of structural variation, particularly balanced chromosomal rearrangements, because such events are not routinely detected by microarray and localization of altered regions by karyotype is imprecise. Indeed, the degree of resolution that can be obtained through next-generation technologies enables elucidation of precise breakpoints and has facilitated the discovery of numerous pathogenic loci in human disease and congenital anomalies. The protocol described here explains one type of large-insert “jumping library” and the steps required to generate such a library for multiplexed sequencing using Illumina sequencing technology. This approach allows for cost-efficient multiplexing of samples and provides a very high yield of fragments with large inserts, or “jumping” fragments. Curr. Protoc. Hum. Genet. 80:7.22.1-7.22.9. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: next-generation sequencing; mate pair sequencing; jumping libraries; structural variation
Into the light: diurnality has evolved multiple times in geckos

Geckos are the only major lizard group consisting mostly of nocturnal species. Nocturnality is presumed to have evolved early in gecko evolution and geckos possess numerous adaptations to functioning in low light and at low temperatures. However, not all gecko species are nocturnal and most diurnal geckos have their own distinct adaptations to living in warmer, sunlit environments. We reconstructed the evolution of gecko activity patterns using a newly generated time-calibrated phylogeny. Our results provide the first phylogenetic analysis of temporal activity patterns in geckos and confirm an ancient origin of nocturnality at the root of the gecko tree. We identify multiple transitions to diurnality at a variety of evolutionary time scales and transitions back to nocturnality occur in several predominantly diurnal clades. The scenario presented here will be useful in reinterpreting existing hypotheses of how geckos have adapted to varying thermal and light environments. These results can also inform future research of gecko ecology, physiology, morphology and vision as it relates to changes in temporal activity patterns. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, ●●, ●●–●●.
Modeling facial expression of uncertainty in conversational animation

Building animated conversational agents requires developing a fine-grained analysis of the motions and meanings available to interlocutors in face-to-face conversation and implementing strategies for using these motions and meanings to communicate effectively. In this paper, we sketch our efforts to characterize people's facial displays of uncertainty in face-to-face conversation. We analyze empirical data from human-human conversation and extend our platform for conversational animation, including RUTH (the Rutgers University Talking Head), to simulate what we find. This methodology leads to a range of new insights into the structure, timing, expressive content and communicative function of facial actions.
Evolving political science. Biological adaptation, rational action, and symbolism.

Political science, as a discipline, has been reluctant to adopt theories and methodologies developed in fields studying human behavior from an evolutionary standpoint. I ask whether evolutionary concepts are reconcilable with standard political-science theories and whether those concepts help solve puzzles to which these theories classically are applied. I find that evolutionary concepts readily and simultaneously accommodate theories of rational choice, symbolism, interpretation, and acculturation. Moreover, phenomena perennially hard to explain in standard political science become clearer when human interactions are understood in light of natural selection and evolutionary psychology. These phenomena include the political and economic effects of emotion, status, personal attractiveness, and variations in information-processing and decision-making under uncertainty; exemplary is the use of “focal points” in multiple-equilibrium games. I conclude with an overview of recent research by, and ongoing debates among, scholars analyzing politics in evolutionarily sophisticated terms.
Making the Law More ABLE: Reforming Medicaid for Disability

Passed on the eve of Medicaid’s fiftieth anniversary, the Achieving a Better Live Experience (ABLE) Act was a hard-fought victory for individuals with significant disabilities and their families. The law, which creates a new form of tax-preferred savings account, represents an invaluable work-around for highly restrictive Medicaid eligibility requirements. Medicaid eligibility is crucially important for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other significant disabilities because it provides nearly exclusive access to government-coordinated habilitative care, such as in-home assistance, job supports, and adaptive equipment. These services are necessary to maintain a base-level quality of life, facilitate independent living, and preserve the dignity of individuals with disabilities. Despite their importance, they are difficult to purchase and coordinate in the private market, and due to income and asset-holding restrictions on eligibility, only the very poor can access them through Medicaid, even after passage of the Affordable Care Act. This Article argues that despite their facial neutrality, income and asset-holding restrictions, commonly referred to as means testing, result in undue hardship when they are applied to the provision of government-coordinated habilitative care for individuals with significant disabilities. Congress’s attempts to mitigate this hardship, including the recently passed ABLE Act, are important steps forward, but they also can impose economic, dignitary, and emotional harms on individuals with disabilities. Based on the distinctive needs of individuals with significant disabilities, this Article takes the counter-intuitive position that these individuals should be afforded access to government-coordinated habilitative care without regard to income or wealth. Under current market conditions, non-means tested access to habilitative care is a normatively superior solution because it preserves the autonomy and dignity of individuals with disabilities and may be simultaneously cost-neutral and utility increasing. Granting unrestricted access to government-coordinated habilitative care to individuals with significant disabilities would eliminate perverse employment and financial planning incentives created by Congress’s past attempts to broaden access. Finally, it would create parity among parents who plan for the future of children with disabilities and those whose children are typically-abled, as well as parity for retirement savings among workers with significant disabilities and those without. As a result, Congress should revisit and revise means tested access to disability-related services through Medicaid.
Triangular systolic array with reduced latency for QR-decomposition of complex matrices

The novel CORDIC-based architecture of the triangular systolic array for QRD of large size complex matrices is presented. The proposed architecture relies on QRD using a three angle complex rotation approach that provides significant reduction of latency (systolic operation time) and makes the QRD in such a way that the upper triangular matrix R has only real diagonal elements.
Do Protective Behavioral Strategies Mediate the Relationship Between Drinking Motives and Alcohol Use in College Students

Objective: Heavy alcohol use among college students represents a public health problem on American college campuses. Use of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) has been shown to be related to reduced alcohol use and fewer alcohol-related problems, but the relationship of PBS to other alcohol-related constructs is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of PBS mediated the relationship between positively and negatively reinforcing drinking motives and both alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Method: Data were collected on 254 undergraduate students at a large, public university in the northeast region of the United States. Approximately one third (n = 90) of the participants were volunteers, whereas the remaining individuals enrolled in the study as an option for satisfying an alcohol-related campus judicial sanction. Results: Structural equation modeling analyses indicated that use of PBS partially mediated the relationships between positively reinforcing (i.e., social...
Imbibition and flow of common solvents in chromatography paper

Summary The properties of a commercial chromatography paper (Whatman No. 4) were studied with water and nine organic fluids. Imbibition was greater with the more polar fluids and ranged from 22.0 mm3/cm2 for water to 11.9 mm3/cm2 for benzene. Measurements of flow rates under the influence of gravity showed that, the more polar the fluid, the smaller the resistance to flow offered by the paper. The rate of water was 0.23 ml per hour per cm width at 20°.
Dissociation energy of gaseous scandium monoxide

Abstract Knudsen effusion vapor pressure measurements have been performed for vapor in equilibrium with Sc2O3(s). Experiments supported the conclusion that effusion was congruent. From experiments by Ameset al.(J. Phys. Chem.1967, 71, 2707–2718) the vapor phase consisted of ScO(g), mol fraction 0.015 Sc(g), and O(g). Using the measured vapor pressures, values of the equilibrium constant for the vaporization reaction were calculated. From the equilibrium constant values and auxiliary thermodynamic data, the dissociation energyDmo(T ≥ 0) was calculated by the third-law method to be (670.81 ± 8.87) kJ · mol−1.
Glucose corrected standardized uptake value (SUVgluc) in the evaluation of brain lesions with 18F-FDG PET

To retrospectively assess the utility of 18F fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) images of standardized uptake values corrected for blood glucose (SUVgluc), and to compare this to various quantitative methods to identify the presence or absence of high grade malignancy. A retrospective review in 42 patients, found 81 central nervous system (CNS) lesions. Fifty one were malignant and 30 were benign or post treatment changes based on pathology (n = 32) and on clinical outcome (n = 49). Dynamic FDG PET scans were processed to generate parametric images of SUVgluc, SUV, glucose metabolic rate (GMR), and lesion to cerebellum ratios (SUVRc), and contralateral white matter ratios (SUVRw). The SUVgluc was calculated from $$ {{{\mathrm{SU}{{\mathrm{V}}_{\max }}*\mathrm{BG}}} \left/ {{\left[ {100\,\mathrm{mg}/\mathrm{dl}} \right]}} \right.} $$ , where SUVmax is the maximum SUV and BG is the blood glucose level (mg/dL). Using a malignant threshold for SUVgluc of 4.5 and GMR of 13.0 μmole/min/100 g, the accuracies were similar for the SUVgluc (80 %) and GMR (81 %) and were higher than the conventional SUVmax (73 %). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the SUVgluc (0.8661) was better than that for the SUVmax (0.7955) (p < 0.02) and was similar to those of the GMR (0.8694), SUVRc (0.8278), and SUVRw (0.8559). These results suggest that the SUVgluc may assist in the interpretation of FDG PET brain images in patients with CNS lesions. The SUVgluc method avoids the complexity of kinetic modeling and the definition of a reference region.
Addressing Prerequisite Mathematics Needs--A Case Study in Introductory Economics.

In the development of an individual's education, skills developed at one stage are prerequisites for success at the next stage. Within the domain of mathematics there are many such sequential relationships in skill development and, more broadly, mathematical skills are often prerequisites for success in subsequent content‐area courses. Unfortunately, many content‐area teachers simply assume a level of math skills and then bemoan the failure of their students, or teach to the lowest common denominator, or refer apparently weak students to alternative courses. In this piece we offer another model for addressing prerequisite mathematics needs. It is one in which a small set of prerequisite skills for the content course (in our case, introductory economics) are identified, this set is assessed, and students at the margin are tuned up for success. We believe this model is a more efficient and effective way of dealing with mathematical skill needs in content area courses. Our model is described and the results ...
Assessing the strength and integrity of an intervention.

Purpose/objectives To evaluate the strength and integrity of a pilot behavioral intervention designed to assist mothers with breast cancer and their children. Research approach A single-group analysis of the strength and integrity characteristics of an intervention developed for a pilot research study. Setting Homes of study participants in an urban area. Participants Seven households with a mother and father and one household with a single mother. Methodologic approach Observer-reported checklists, audiorecorded intervention session data, and structured interview data obtained from study participants. Main research variables Strength of the intervention included dimensions such as the theoretical foundation, competence of the interventionist, and specificity to the breast cancer experience in the family. Intervention integrity consisted of adherence by the interventionist and participants to the intervention plan. Findings The strength of the intervention was determined to be an asset. Careful planning had included a framework, a defined set of scripted sessions, a competent interventionist, and content specific to the breast cancer experience. In regard to integrity, the protocol content was delivered as scripted. Improvements in the dosage and purity dimensions were found to be needed. Homework assignments and in-session skill-building approaches with the mothers were refined. Conclusions An intervention can be examined carefully for strength and integrity with established criteria to determine improvements needed. Interpretation A clinical research protocol can be improved through an assessment of an intervention's strength and integrity.
Accelerating proof of concept for small molecule drugs using solid‐state chemistry

In this perspective we have shown that the process of "proof of concept" (POC) in the early part of drug development can be greatly accelerated by close attention to the underlying solid-state chemistry (SSC) of a new chemical entity. POC seeks data that provide confidence in the therapeutic activity and safety of a new chemical entity, which can rapidly lead to a key "GO/NO-GO" decision point for further development. Due to the high cost of the development of new chemical entities and the current low overall productivity of obtaining successful candidates, the pharmaceutical industry is being required to develop accelerated POC strategies. The success of accelerated approaches to POC depends on a full understanding of the SSC of drugs in relation to solubility and stability. Dissolution-limited absorption due to poor solubility of drug substances is particularly important because it can lead to low exposure in animals and undesired bioavailability in humans. Choosing a desirable solid form with sufficient solubility and acceptable stability is essential in developing formulations for POC with superior quality. In this perspective we present an approach that utilizes SSC as part of a novel 2-year development strategy for reaching the pivotal clinical trial stage of development.
Elastodysplasia and Elastodystrophy as the Pathologic Bases of Ocular Pterygia and Pinguecula

Specimens of normal conjunctiva from three adult patients were examined by electron microscopy, which revealed normal elastogenesis in the substantia propria, but more prominently, in the episcleral tissues. Ultrastructural examination of eight pterygia and three pinguecula also disclosed evidence of elastogenesis, but in these lesions the morphogenetic sequence of fiber formation was distorted, and the elastic fibers were abnormal. The zone of hyalinization of the substantia propria immediately beneath the epithelium was the only site that manifested clear-cut evidence of collagen degeneration, which assumed the forms of effacement of the longitudinal periodicity of the collagen fibers, and of microfibrillar unfurling of the ends of the collagen fibers. Fibroblastic activity and elastic fiber formation were inconspicuous in this region. Beneath the hyalinized zone were collections of eosinophilic granular material. This material was shown ultrastructurally to be composed of excessive numbers of hollow-centered microfibrils (an elastic fiber precursor), with a tendency to clump centrally in the larger aggregated sheets and to acquire electron-dense inclusions. Numerous fibroblasts were found within this material. Finally, the elastotic fibers of light microscopy represented an abnormal maturational phase of elastic fiber production. These abnormal elastic fibers had microfibrils at their peripheries, but numerous electron-dense inclusions were associated with focal zones of amorphous elastin deposition. Occasionally histiocytes appeared to be engulfing these abnormal fibers. We have concluded that a large component of pinguecula and pterygia is the result of newly synthesized elastic fiber precursors and abnormal maturational forms of elastic fibers (elastodysplasia) that undergo secondary degeneration (elastodystrophy). These structures are presumed to be elaborated by actinically damaged fibroblasts of the substantia propria.
Works, works better

A theory of Goodman and Elgin concerning the individuation of literary works is examined and criticized. An alternative account is offered to meet various of the difficulties in their proposal. In addition, it is suggested that there may not be asingle account of the notion of a literary work that can best do all the jobs we expect of it.
Steps in the design, development and formative evaluation of obesity prevention-related behavior change trials

Obesity prevention interventions through dietary and physical activity change have generally not been effective. Limitations on possible program effectiveness are herein identified at every step in the mediating variable model, a generic conceptual framework for understanding how interventions may promote behavior change. To minimize these problems, and thereby enhance likely intervention effectiveness, four sequential types of formative studies are proposed: targeted behavior validation, targeted mediator validation, intervention procedure validation, and pilot feasibility intervention. Implementing these studies would establish the relationships at each step in the mediating variable model, thereby maximizing the likelihood that an intervention would work and its effects would be detected. Building consensus among researchers, funding agencies, and journal editors on distinct intervention development studies should avoid identified limitations and move the field forward.
Active immunization and passive transfer of resistance against sporozoite-induced malaria in infant mice

Immunization attempts using a variety of plasmodial preparations have identified several developmental stages and vaccination procedures which can protect against malaria1–3. These indicate that immunoprophylaxis against malaria may also be possible in man. The immune response to these vaccines has only been investigated in adult animals, but in countries where malaria is prevalent, children are most at risk of developing lethal infections. Thus we must ask whether vaccination against malaria would be effective when applied early in life. Here we report the use of intramuscular (i.m.) immunization of very young mice with radiation-attenuated sporozoites of Plasmodium berghei as a vaccination procedure, and that these animals can be effectively protected against sporozoite challenge. This approach avoids the intravenous (i.v.) immunization, which although highly effective in adult animals, is barely acceptable for use in man. Another important aspect of the host–parasite relationship in endemic areas is the role of immunity transmitted congenitally from mother to infants. We therefore investigated whether sporozoite-immunized adult female mice could transfer this immunity to their litters. It was found that the offspring acquired antisporozoite antibodies from their mothers through the milk. Furthermore, most of these offspring resisted challenge by infective sporozoites.
Exploratory studies of modeling approaches for hydrogen triple flames

Abstract A review of triple flame modeling is first presented, which demonstrates the need for additional work in this area. Building on previous methods described in the literature, a hybrid model that uses a weighted average of one-dimensional premixed and diffusion flamelet reaction rates has been proposed and evaluated for a hydrogen triple flame. Results indicated that some type of progress variable is needed for application of the diffusion flamelet contribution. Weighting the premixed flamelet reaction rate contribution at 100%, it is shown that peak temperatures between the model and a case employing detailed chemistry vary 7.5%, while heat release rate, flame speed, and mass fraction contours agree well. A second model, based on a library of reaction rates built from numerical studies which directly resolve the propagating triple flame has also been tested. Computational time for the baseline case is shown to be reduced by a factor of 3 ½ in comparison to use of detailed chemistry. The role of scalar dissipation rate as a necessary independent variable to the library has also been investigated using simulations with variable mixing layer thicknesses. Overall, it is found that large changes in local mixture fraction gradient cause rather small changes in propagation speed and total heat release rate of the hydrogen triple flame. This implies that such a model may be useful for CFD simulations that do not employ spatial resolution capable of resolving the triple flame itself.