cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Politicizing Religion: The Impact of Religious Institutions on Voting in Israel

Religious organization are a vital part of political life in many countries, including the Middle East. In this paper, I examine the impact of religious institutions on local voting behavior in Israel. Using a novel data set, I examine the association between the timing of entry of Jewish religious study and prayer groups into neighborhoods, and the local voting patterns for all Israeli national elections between 1977 and 2009. I find that the entry of a religious institution is associated with a sharp polarization of voting patterns, with a 4 percentage point increase in vote share for non-centrist parties. I then examine mechanisms for this result by attempting to distinguish between three channels: endogenous entry of the religious institutions, selective migration in response to their entry, and evolving views of existing residents. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative data, I propose that the primary mechanism is due to changing views of existing residents, with a more limited e ect through entry of extremists and exit of moderates from the neighborhood.
Random access in nondelimited variable-length record collections for parallel reading with Hadoop

The industry standard Packet CAPture (PCAP) format for storing network packet traces is normally only readable in serial due to its lack of delimiters, indexing, or blocking. This presents a challenge for parallel analysis of large networks, where packet traces can be many gigabytes in size. In this work we present RAPCAP, a novel method for random access into variable-length record collections like PCAP by identifying a record boundary within a small number of bytes of the access point. Unlike related heuristic methods that can limit scalability with a nonzero probability of error, the new method offers a correctness guarantee with a well formed file and does not rely on prior knowledge of the contents. We include a practical implementation of the algorithm with an extension to the Hadoop framework, and a performance comparison to serial ingestion. Finally, we present a number of similar storage types that could utilize a modified version of RAPCAP for random access.
Epidemiology of sports-related musculoskeletal injuries in young athletes in United States

Over the past several decades there has been increased participation in sports by children and adolescents at earlier ages in the United States, as well as more intense participation and specialization in sports at very early ages. This trend has also partly contributed to the patterns of injuries seen in young athletes, and especially in recent years, injuries previously seen in mature athletes are being seen in young athletes. Overall, the vast majority of sport-related musculoskeletal injuries in children and adolescents are due to repetitive overuse and acute macrotrauma is less frequently seen in young athletes. Epidemiological data on sports injuries are provided by several national surveys. Investigators have used different methods to define sports injuries and the most widely used definition is based on athlete-exposure time. Certain aspects related to adolescent growth and development modulate the pattern of injuries. This article provides an overview of the epidemiology of sports-related musculoskeletal injuries seen in children and adolescents.
Estimated blood alcohol concentrations achieved by consuming supersized alcopops.

ABSTRACTBackground: Producers of supersized alcopops have ignored requests from a number of state attorneys general to reduce the alcohol concentration in these products. To the contrary, new flavor options have since been released that contain even greater alcohol content so that some alcopop products now contain 5.5 standard alcoholic drinks in a single-serving can. Though alcohol content of supersized alcopops has risen, little attention has been paid to the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level consumers can expect to achieve from drinking these products. Objectives: To estimate BAC levels expected from consuming one or two cans of supersized alcopop, relative to beer. Methods: Median weight data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used in Matthews and Miller’s (1979) BAC estimation formula. Results: Consuming a single supersized alcopop over the course of 2 hours can put youth and young adults well over the legal per se driving limit of 0.08 g/dL. Consuming two cans puts ...
E-078 Postprocessing to aid simulation planning of stent assisted coil embolization and flow diversion procedure using virtual stenting

Purpose Use post processing techniques to assess the diameter as well as length of stent needed as an adjunct to aneurysm coil embolization. Materials and methods Intracranial 3D Digital subtraction angiographic images obtained on a Siemens Artis Zee angiography suite were reviewed on 10 patients with intracranial aneurysms. Post processing was performed on a dedicated Leonardo workstation. Vessel segmentation was performed. After applying thresholding, intraluminal navigation was performed using the platform to assess the geometry of the aneurysm neck. Diameter of the vessel as well as potential stent length were measured by an automatic stent planning algorithm available which allowed virtual stenting. Planning and postprocedure images were compared to assess accuracy of stent sizing and positioning. Results Vessel diameter as well as stent length were used for planning stent assisted coiling or flow diverter embolization of the aneurysm. The planning tool proved very helpful with measuring vessel diameters accurately and for deciding on stent length, specifically with flow diverters. The virtual stenting algorithm allowed for better planning of the proximal and distal landing zones of the devices. Final post stent placement results compared favorably with the proposed virtual stent positioning. Conclusion Detailed post processing provides another tool to allow better planning for endovascular embolization procedures requiring stent or flow diverter placement. Virtual stenting allows for more accurate and detailed assessment of length and delivery zone of the stent. References . Xiang J, Damiano RJ, et al. High-fidelity virtual stenting: modeling of flow diverter deployment for hemodynamic characterization of complex intracranial aneurysms.J Neurosurg. 2015Oct;123(4):832–40. doi: 10.3171/2014.11.JNS14497. Epub 2015 Jun 19. . Egger J1, Grosskopf S, et al. Modeling and visualization techniques for virtual stenting of aneurysms and stenoses. Comput Med Imaging Graph. 2012 Apr;36(3):183–203. doi: 10.1016/j.compmedimag.2011.12.002. Epub 2012 Jan 9. Disclosures: K. Raghuram: None. A. Saleem: None.
Design of yield-stress fluids: a rheology-to-structure inverse problem

We present a paradigm for the design of yield-stress fluids, using six archetypal materials for demonstration. By applying concepts of engineering design, we outline a materials design paradigm that includes (i) morphological organization based on jammed versus networked microstructures, (ii) collected scaling laws for predictive design, (iii) low-dimensional descriptions of function-valued flow data, (iv) consideration of secondary properties including viscous behavior, and (v) a strategy for material concept synthesis based on the juxtaposition of microstructures. By explicitly specifying these design strategies, we seek to create an ontology and database for the engineering of yield-stress fluids. Our proposed design strategy increases the likelihood of finding an optimal material and prevents design fixation by considering multiple material classes to achieve a desired rheological performance. This flips the typical structure-to-rheology analysis to become the inverse: rheology-to-structure with multiple possible materials as solutions.
Locoregional Therapy for Hepatic Neuroendocrine Metastases

Neuroendocrine tumors are a heterogeneous group of malignancies with diverse biological and clinical behavior. Locoregional treatments available for the initial and temporal management of neuroendocrine tumors involving the liver include transarterial embolization, transarterial chemoembolization, selective internal radiotherapy, and ablative techniques. These therapies are best employed as part of a multidisciplinary management team focusing on appropriate histopathology, timing, and individuality of each intervention.
Inventing by combining pre-existing technologies: Patent evidence on learning and fishing out

Abstract I develop a model of innovation where new technologies are combinations of pre-existing technological components. The model captures two opposing forces. The best ideas are used up (knowledge is exhaustible). However, as firms learn which technologies can be combined, new ideas become feasible (knowledge accumulates). I test the model with more than 80 years of US patent data. Technological components are proxied by 13,517 patent office technology classifications. These are reused and recycled in 10,000 distinct three-component sets. Consistent with a learning/fishing-out dynamic, I show patenting in one set of components is correlated with a subsequent increase in similar patents (sharing two of three components), but a subsequent decrease in identical patents (sharing all three components). I use patent renewal data to show my results are not driven by changes in demand for various technology bundles. My results suggest the positive impact of learning on subsequent patenting is larger than the negative impact of fishing out.
Latina Immigrants’ Cultural Beliefs About Postpartum Depression:

It is estimated that U.S. Latinas have a higher risk of developing postpartum depression (PPD) than the general population, with even higher risk among immigrant Latinas. We conducted three focus g...
Qualitative reasoning about physical processes

Common sense reasoning about the physical world must include an understanding of physical processes and the changes they cause. For example, heating a liquid causes its temperature to rise and if continued long enough may cause it to boil. A style of analysis is presented that combines deKleer's Incremental Qualitative analysis wjth the Quantity Space idea from Naive Physics to reason about the effects of physical processes and their limits. The analysis is demonstrated on an example with practical importance, and further possibilities for applications are discussed.
The Asian cyclopoid copepod Mesocyclops pehpeiensis reported from the western basin of Lake Erie.

Abstract The Asian cyclopoid copepod Mesocyclops pehpeiensis Hu, 1943 has been reported as an introduced species at several locations in the western hemisphere. In the United States, reports of this exotic species are restricted to localities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Washington D.C. This report documents a new record of occurrence for M. pehpeiensis from the western basin of Lake Erie. The detection of M. pehpeiensis in Lake Erie constitutes the first record of this species from the Laurentian Great Lakes, and the northernmost record in the western hemisphere. The species was found in 2016, 2017 and 2018, including females with egg sacs, and can therefore be considered established in the area. The occurrence of M. pehpeiensis in Lake Erie suggests that this Asian copepod may be more widely distributed in North America than is currently understood.
Enhanced Recovery After Neurosurgical Procedures (Craniotomies and Spine Surgery)

The number of neurosurgical procedures will increase in the near future. Patients undergoing major spine surgeries or craniotomies suffer from a significant decrease in their functional capacity and in some instances deterioration in their quality of life. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is the implementation of a group of evidence-based interventions that have the goal of improving the postoperative functional recovery of patients. Preoperative interventions including medical optimization and prehabilitation along with intraoperative measures such as opioid-sparing analgesia techniques, normothermia, and aggressive prevention of nausea and vomiting are recommended in patients undergoing major neurosurgical procedures. Postoperative early mobilization, avoidance of drains, and enteral nutrition are strongly encouraged. It is key to perform audits periodically to implement successful ERAS programs.
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction: Are the Convention's Goals Being Achieved?

Increases in divorce rates and international travel in recent years have contributed to the growing problem of international child abduction.1 The primary international abductors of children are either noncustodial or joint custodial parents who attempt to gain a full-time relationship with their child by removing the child from the country without the knowledge of the other parent.2 Often referred to as "child-snatching," this self-help method of obtaining full-time custody is dangerous for the child and frustrates the usual judicial process for determining custody.3 The parent whose child has been abducted endures financial and emotional hardships while searching for an abducted child, and may be forced to litigate in a foreign country for the return of the child or for the enforcement of an existing custody decree. More importantly, international child abduction causes psychological hardship to children, who are taken from their customary environment and subjected to a new parental situation, a new culture, and perhaps a new language.4
Racial discrimination in medical care settings and opioid pain reliever misuse in a U.S. cohort: 1992 to 2015.

Background In the United States whites are more likely to misuse opioid pain relievers (OPRs) than blacks, and blacks are less likely to be prescribed OPRs than whites. Our objective is to determine whether racial discrimination in medical settings is protective for blacks against OPR misuse, thus mediating the black-white disparities in OPR misuse. Methods We used data from 3528 black and white adults in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, an ongoing multi-site cohort. We employ causal mediation methods, with race (black vs white) as the exposure, lifetime discrimination in medical settings prior to year 2000 as the mediator, and OPR misuse after 2000 as the outcome. Results We found black participants were more likely to report discrimination in a medical setting (20.3% vs 0.9%) and less likely to report OPR misuse (5.8% vs 8.0%, OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.55, 0.93, adjusted for covariates). Our mediation models suggest that when everyone is not discriminated against, the disparity is wider with black persons having even lower odds of reporting OPR misuse (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.45, 0.89) compared to their white counterparts, suggesting racial discrimination in medical settings is a risk factor for OPR misuse rather than protective. Conclusions These results suggest that racial discrimination in a medical setting is a risk factor for OPR misuse rather than being protective, and thus could not explain the seen black-white disparity in OPR misuse.
All in the family? The community context of childcare options and parents’ childcare choices

ABSTRACTChildcare in the United States is an important issue impacting parents as they navigate a landscape characterized by challenging choices between parental care only, the price of paid childc...
Cardiovascular Intervention: An Editorial

The author takes a personal view of the 60-year history of coronary angioplasty and discusses the conditions that dictate its use today.
Simple budget-neutral tool to improve intraoperative communication.

Background Communication failure is a common cause of medical errors and adverse events. Within the operating room (OR), there are many barriers to good communication, which can adversely affect patient outcome. Objective Implementing a simple, cost-neutral tool aimed at improving intraoperative communication and engagement. Methods Three anaesthesiology residents collected data using a data sheet and tailored surveys distributed to OR staff. Data were collected over a 2-week period in 2019, with 1 week each of preintervention and postintervention data collection. The intervention consisted of wearing OR caps displaying the first name and role of the anaesthesia resident clearly on the front. Results A total of 20 data sheets and 48 preintervention and postintervention surveys were collected for a response rate of 57%. There was a statistically significant increase in OR staff knowledge of the anaesthesia resident’s name (66% vs 100%, p= Conclusions This study demonstrated that a simple, cost-effective intervention can result in dramatic improvement in intraoperative communication and engagement between teams.
Pain Assessment and Treatment for the Trauma and Burn Patient

The pain associated with burn and trauma is one of the most common causes of distress during the first year of recovery after injury. Trauma is often associated with high-intensity acute pain. It can be prolonged and debilitating. A burn injury is one of the most severe forms of trauma that a person may experience. The pathophysiology of burn pain is not well understood. There are limited clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of analgesia in trauma and burn patients. Acute pain management of burn pain consists of treating background pain, breakthrough pain, and procedural pain. Effective treatment of each of these types of pain requires frequent review and assessment by trained healthcare providers and the incorporation of multimodal analgesia along with the addition of carefully titrated analgesia for breakthrough pain. Inadequate pain control after trauma and burns has been associated with poor quality of life, psychological distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression), delayed return to work, worse medical outcomes, and the development of chronic pain syndrome. Early pain treatment is assumed to effectively reduce pain in patients and improve long-term outcomes. In order to provide optimum pain management care to the trauma and burn patient, it is imperative that practitioners are educated in modern evidence-based practices and standardized protocols. Multidisciplinary pain strategies for the treatment of trauma and burn pain patients typically include physical therapy, psychological care, and pharmacologic management. The ultimate goals for pain management in the trauma and burn patient are to reduce mortality and morbidity, shorten length of hospital stay, contribute to early mobilization (via participation in physical therapy), reduce hospital costs, lower the amount of long-term opioid prescribing, and enhance patient’s satisfaction and quality of life.
Domestic Violence Policy: A World of Change:

The second wave of the feminist movement brought unprecedented changes in awareness of criminal legal system (CLS) responses to domestic violence (DV). The seemingly feminist “success” in the harsh...
Eudaimonia, Virtue, and Idealization

How can an ideal of human flourishing reveal what attributes are virtues, as eudaimonism aspires to do, when not all virtuous lives flourish? The standard answer is that even if circumstances prevent one from attaining that idealized life, still one’s life approximates to the ideal the more one’s character approximates to the ideal. However, exploration of methods of idealization reveals that “approximation” is ill-suited to contexts in which factors interact, as virtue and circumstance do. Instead, eudaimonism helps us understand the distinctive excellence of humans by providing a perspective on what is distinctly human about a distinctly human mode of life, namely practical intelligence in making use of one’s circumstances, whatever they may be. This is an alternative understanding of the method of idealization in eudaimonism about virtue, and so the chapter ends with reflections on some uses and limits of idealization in virtue theory.
Sharp Szemer\'edi-Trotter Constructions in the Plane

We present a new family of sharp examples for the Szemer\'edi-Trotter theorem. These are the first examples not based on a rectangular lattice. We also include an application to the discrete inverse Loomis-Whitney problem.
The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index Predicts Postoperative Outcomes in Bladder Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

AbstractPurpose:The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a simple screening tool to predict nutrition-related risk of morbidity and mortality in older patients. We assessed whether preoperati...
Coccidiascus Chatton emend. Lushbaugh, Rowton & McGhee (1976)

Publisher Summary This chapter studies the genus Coccidiascus. In the determination of asexual reproduction, asexual cells are spherical to ovoid, 5–15 μm in length, have a large vacuole and nucleus, and reproduce by budding. Hyphae, pseudohyphae, and ballistoconidia are lacking. In sexual reproduction it is seen that asexual cells transform into elongated asci, which are banana- or crescent-shaped, and arranged within parasitophorous vacuoles of Drosophila intestinal epithelium cells in the manner of coccidian schizonts. Thick-walled asci observed in host tissue range from 13–18 μm tip to tip. Mature asci contain two relatively thin-walled ascospores, closely intertwined in a helix. Asci from dead flies have been observed to contain up to eight ascospores. Ascospores extruded from asci are spindle-shaped, bilaterally flattened, and without apical cytoplasmic appendages, each with an apical nucleus. In physiology and biochemistry it is seen that the single known species of this genus has not been obtained in axenic culture and fermentation, and assimilation reactions are unknown. This chapter further examines the phylogenetic placement. The type of species mentioned is Coccidiascus legeri. The systematic discussion of the species mentioned is type strain.
Holocene climate variability in Texas, USA: An integration of existing paleoclimate data and modeling with a new, high-resolution speleothem record

Abstract Delineating the climate processes governing precipitation variability in drought-prone Texas is critical for predicting and mitigating climate change effects, and requires the reconstruction of past climate beyond the instrumental record. We synthesize existing paleoclimate proxy data and climate simulations to provide an overview of climate variability in Texas during the Holocene. Conditions became progressively warmer and drier transitioning from the early to mid Holocene, culminating between 7 and 3 ka (thousand years ago), and were more variable during the late Holocene. The timing and relative magnitude of Holocene climate variability, however, is poorly constrained owing to considerable variability among the different records. To help address this, we present a new speleothem (NBJ) reconstruction from a central Texas cave that comprises the highest resolution proxy record to date, spanning the mid to late Holocene. NBJ trace-element concentrations indicate variable moisture conditions with no clear temporal trend. There is a decoupling between NBJ growth rate, trace-element concentrations, and δ18O values, which indicate that (i) the often direct relation between speleothem growth rate and moisture availability is likely complicated by changes in the overlying ecosystem that affect subsurface CO2 production, and (ii) speleothem δ18O variations likely reflect changes in moisture source (i.e., proportion of Pacific-vs. Gulf of Mexico-derived moisture) that appear not to be linked to moisture amount.
Very thin packaging of capped MEMS accelerometer device

Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) has been a major supplier of accelerometer devices in hermetic packages used for crash detection and vehicle dynamic control in the automotive industry. A major market pull from the handheld customers makes it imperative to develop thin plastic packaging solution for MEMS accelerometer. This paper details the backgrinding process developed to successfully thin the wafer-level-capped MEMS accelerometer. Functionality is maintained after packaging the thinned device, a significant effect in performance is observed. Three packaging solutions are evaluated to produce a 4times4times1 mm3 leadframe chip scale package (LFCSP). The performance of the thinned accelerometer device using the thin packaging options is compared. Assembly issues of the thin packages are also discussed
Discovering admissible search heuristic by abstracting and optimizing

ABSTRACT We present an implemented model for discovering a class of state-space search heuristics. First, abstractions of a state-space problem are generated by dropping information from the problem definition. Each resulting abstracted problem gives a lower bound on the true distance to the goal. This bound can be used as an admissible evaluation function for guiding the base-level search. If the abstracted goal is unreachable from an abstracted state, the original state can safely be pruned. However, using exhaustive search to evaluate the abstracted problem is generally too slow. Therefore, optimization is needed to speed up the computation of the lower bound (or solvability test), for example by factoring the abstracted problem into independent subproblems. We analyze the conditions under which the resulting heuristic is faster than brute force search. Our implementation, named ABSOLVER, has several general transformations for abstracting and simplifying state-space problems, including a novel method for problem factoring. We tested their generality by using them to derive known and novel heuristics for various state space problems. ABSOLVER appears to be the first mechanical generator of heuristics guaranteed to find optimal solution paths.
Ecological Integrity: Evaluating Success in National Parks and Protected Areas

National parks and protected areas have been established for a variety of purposes, but preserving wild nature is certainly one of the most important. Three concepts are particularly useful in defining what we want to protect within these areas. First, wilderness: unmanaged nature, free to be and to evolve into what it will. Second, biodiversity: the totality of natural life, including natural species, their genetic diversity and the diversity of wild communities they form. Third, ecological integrity: defined as the combination of biodiversity and wildness. Over the past two decades, land managers around the world have refined and applied the concept of ecological integrity to assess the status and evaluate management options for a wide range of landscapes. This article explores some of the main challenges and complexities of pursuing ecological integrity in parks management and in environmental policy more generally. Key Concepts: Over the past century, parks and natural areas managers have come to realise the value of maintaining all the natural processes and all the native species on the landscapes they manage. Ecological integrity involves preserving the full complement of native biodiversity in an area, while limiting human manipulation and control of nature. Preserving (and where possible restoring) ecological integrity is the primary goal in natural areas management, to which other goals are properly subordinate. Good progress has been made in developing measurements of ecological integrity for a variety of natural and managed landscapes. Climate change and global ecological degradation will make it increasingly difficult to maintain ecological integrity in coming decades. Preserving ecological integrity in the long-term demands restricting inappropriate human uses within protected areas, while reining in human overpopulation and overconsumption outside them. Ecological integrity will continue to decline worldwide, until humanity accepts limits to growth and acts accordingly. Keywords: ecological integrity; national parks; biological diversity; ecological indicators; wilderness
Dairy consumption among American children and adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2008 (1018.1)

Dairy foods are recommended as part of healthy diet, but little is known about recent trends in dairy consumption in the United States. We described the trend in dairy consumption from 1999 to 2008...
Higher insulin infusion rate but not 24-h insulin consumption is associated with hypoglycemia in critically ill patients ☆

Abstract Aims To assess the association between insulin infusion rates, and 24-h insulin consumption on hypoglycemia in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods This was a retrospective case–control study, conducted at an academic institution in the United States. Adult patients admitted to the ICU receiving intravenous insulin infusions for blood glucose control were included. Hypoglycemic (blood glucose Results A total of 122 patients were included in the study (61 cases, 61 controls). Compared to those patients who received p =0.010). Compared to those patients who received p =0.027). The risk of hypoglycemia did not increase with higher 24-h insulin consumption. Conclusions Higher insulin infusion rates rather than 24-h insulin consumption may be associated with hypoglycemia in critically ill patients in the ICU.
Iron: Non‐Heme Proteins with Diiron‐Carboxylate Active Sites

Non-heme diiron-carboxylate (NHDC) active sites are found in several classes of monooxygenases, oxidases, and dioxygen transport or sensing proteins, as well as a few metallohydrolases. The unique and defining structural feature of NHDC sites consists of two non-heme irons bridged by at least one carboxylate-containing amino acid residue. A second characteristic feature is a bridging solvent ligand, either oxo or hydroxo in at least the diferric state. NHDC sites also feature terminal ligands derived from histidine and carboxylate residues. The hemerythrin superfamily functions have expanded from reversible dioxygen binding to include sensing of iron, dioxygen, or redox status. Substantial progress has been made in characterization of flavo-diiron enzymes, including its nitric oxide reductase mechanism. A diiron urease is a recent addition to the metallohydrolase family. The variety of characterized NHDC O2 -activating enzymes has increased substantially since the previous compilation in this encyclopedia. Novel monooxygenation mechanisms have been identified. Keywords: diiron; binuclear; non-heme; oxidase; monooxygenase; hydroxylase; carboxylate bridge; oxo bridge; histidine ligand; metallohydrolase; phosphatase; ferritin; hemerythrin
Limitations in Studying the Kinetics of Fabric Detergency

The factors interfering with the obtaining of proportional constants for the removal of particulate soil plotted over time and residual soil are described. The factors include uneven qualities of the soiled substance and the flocculation in particulate soils. -- AATA
Mechanisms of cardiac cell excitation with premature monophasic and biphasic field stimuli: a model study.

The mechanisms by which extracellular electric field stimuli induce the (re)excitation of cardiac cells in various stages of refractoriness are still not well understood. We modeled the interactions between an isolated cardiac cell and imposed extracellular electric fields to determine the mechanisms by which relatively low-strength uniform monophasic and biphasic field stimuli induce premature reexcitations. An idealized ventricular cell was simulated with 11 subcellular membrane patches, each of which obeyed Luo-Rudy (phase 1) kinetics. Implementing a standard S1-S2 pulse protocol, strength-interval maps of the cellular excitatory responses were generated for rectangular monophasic and symmetric biphasic field stimuli of 2, 5, 10, and 20 ms total duration. In contrast to previously documented current injection studies, our results demonstrate that a cardiac cell exhibits a significantly nonmonotonic excitatory response to premature monophasic and, to a much lesser degree, biphasic field stimuli. Furthermore, for monophasic stimuli at low field strengths, the cell is exquisitely sensitive to the timing of the shock, demonstrating a classic all-or-none depolarizing response. However, at higher field strengths this all-or-none sensitivity reverts to a more gradual transition of excitatory responses with respect to stimulus prematurity. In contrast, biphasic stimuli produce such graded responses at all suprathreshold stimulus strengths. Similar behaviors are demonstrated at all S2 stimulus durations tested. The generation of depolarizing (sodium) currents is triggered by one or more of the sharp field gradient changes produced at the stimulus edges-i.e., make, break, and transphasic (for biphasic stimuli)-with the magnitude of these edge-induced current contributions dependent on both the prematurity and the strength of the applied field. In all cases, however, depolarizing current arises from the partial removal of sodium inactivation from at least part of the cell, because of either the natural process of repolarization or a localized acceleration of this process by the impressed field.
Growth of adeno-associated virus in embryonated eggs

Abstract We describe a method for preparing high-titered adeno-associated virus (AVV) in embryonated chicken eggs using an avian adenovirus (CELO) as helper. Subsequently, the AAV may be inoculated into mammalian cultures without purification and elimination of the avian helper virus.
Neglected Factors in the Problem of Normal Interest

I. The nature of capital. Capital defined pragmatically as that for which interest is paid, 280. — Relation to entrepreneur function, 281. — Capital is value, 282. Relation to "rent," 283. — II. The supply of capital, 284. — "Discounting the future" an erroneous explanation, 285. — Motives looking beyond the individual life, 286. — Value often produced specifically for capital use, in order to secure social position and power, 288. — The supply curve of capital, 291. — III. The demand for capital, 292. — There is "specific productivity," 293. — In what sense, 294. — Convertibility of capital into rent-bearers, 295. — Summarized proposition, 298. — IV. The equilibrium of supply and demand, 299. — The conventional equilibrium of supply and demand refers to a unit of time only, 300. — Its application to capital unsound, 301. — Two separate problems, 303. — At a particular moment, no equilibrium, but an equilibrating action, 304. — The long period trend represented in three dimensions, 306. — In what sense the reasoning rests on "static" assumptions, 307. — A normal equilibrium of supply and demand and a normal rate of interest are wholly hypothetical, 309.
Effect of hormone therapy on body weight during protein depletion and repletion.

SummaryThe effects of growth hormone, insulin, and cortisone acetate administration was determined on the change in body weight of rats during protein depletion and repletion. Neither the weight loss during depletion nor the gain in body weight during repletion was affected by the administration of these hormones. After pre-depletion weight was regained, however, the growth increment for animals administered growth hormone was larger than for the other groups.
Mobility of Excess Electrons in Gaseous He: A Semiclassical Approach

A semiclassical theory of the mobility of excess electrons in gaseous He is given. The electron-He interaction is treated via an effective Wigner-Seitz potential. Departures of the mobility from classical kinetic theory are explained by two mechanisms: first, scattering of electrons from fluctuations in the effective potential, and second, formation of low-mobility localized states in deep potential wells. Two parameters are introduced in the theory, and by adjusting them we get good agreement with the experimental values of Levine and Sanders.
The Relevance of Educational Psychology in Teacher Education Programs

(2005). The Relevance of Educational Psychology in Teacher Education Programs. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 78, No. 5, pp. 189-191.
Experimental demonstration of all-optical "missing chip detection" to alleviate near-far effect in O-CDMA systems

We demonstrate a novel receiver design for O-CDMA systems based on all-optical missing-chip detection. Penalty due to near-far effect is reduced by >8 dB compared to the conventional receiver and the interference-tolerance is increased by >6 dB.
Technical Note-On the Convexity of Policy Regions in Partially Observed Systems

We offer a simple observation that unifies many of the existing convex policy region results for partially observed systems.
Continuous decision support

This paper presents extensions to the triage method for addressing continuous decision problems. These provide decision makers more tools with which to address situations where alternatives present themselves over time. The original triage method provides a criteria with which to divide these alternatives into those that should be selected, those that should be rejected, and those that should be held pending until a later decision epoch. The proposed extensions offer different criteria for accomplishing this partition. A sample problem is introduced to compare the effectiveness of the various methods and avenues for further improvements are discussed.
Thermoregulatory responses of the unrestrained cat to acute and chronic intravenous administration of low doses of morphine and to naloxone precipitated withdrawal

Abstract Morphine in doses of 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg i.v. produced dose related elevations in cat body temperature while doses of 0.25 and 0.50 mg/kg had no such effect. Tolerance was found to develop to the hyperthermic response after seven days of daily morphine injection. Pretreatment with naloxone at a dose one-fourth the dose of morphine prevented the morphine induced rise in body temperature in all cats tested. When the cats received naloxone after twelve days of daily morphine a withdrawal syndrome resulted and was accompanied by a hypothermia that was proportional to the morphine maintenance dose and severity of withdrawal.
The molecular basis of cannabinoid activity

Abstract Cannabinoids have been known to exhibit a wide variety of biological effects. Over the past fifty years numerous analogs were synthesized in an attempt to understand the structural requirements for each cannabinoid activity. Only recently, however, some important findings have focused new attention on this field of research. These findings include: (a) The development of novel “non-classical” potent cannabinoid analogs which exhibit similar pharmacological profiles with their “classical” counter[arts; (b) The demonstration that there are specific cannabinoid binding sites in cell cultures as well as in mammalian brains; (c) Biophysical studies related to the interactions of cannabinoids with membranes which lead to a better understanding of those molecular properties which are required for cannabinoid activity; (d) Detailed and uniform pharmacological testing on a sizeable number of analogs allowing for a more detailed dissection of the cannabinoid effects and respective “structure activity relationships.” The newly increased interest in cannabinoid research opens the door for a better understanding and potential treatment in cases of abuse as well as novel therapeutic opportunities through the design and synthesis of pharmacologically more selective analogs.
Pedestal craters on Ganymede

The high-resolution Voyager images of Ganymede show a class of fresh craters 6-89 km in diameter which is distinguished by an ejecta blanket similar to those seen for some types of Martian craters. One hundred and eighty-five were identified and studied for trends with respect to latitude, longitude, and terrain type. No correlation of the ratio of ejecta diameter to crater diameter was found as a function of latitude or longitude, and there is only a suggestion of a trend in this ratio with respect to major terrain types. Central peak frequency is greatest for the smaller crater diameters. Central pit occurrence dominates central peak occurrence at crater diameters of about 35 km. It is concluded that the ejecta morphology probably results from impact into an icy target. The question of whether atmospheric ejecta-particle drag contributes to ejecta blanket morphologies on planets with an atmosphere cannot be resolved entirely from the Voyager images.
Factors contributing to family functioning of adoptive children with special needs: A long term outcome analysis

Abstract There is scant research into the long-term outcomes of families and their adopted children with special needs status. The majority of the research in this area of study has focused on factors affecting disruption and those associated with adoptions that remain intact. Only a few studies have examined long term outcomes of adopted children with special needs. The purpose of this study was to identify family and child characteristics and interventions that contribute to family functioning. The results suggest that adoptive families with more children, who did not receive family therapy, participated in religious activities and fathers with less education were more likely to have a higher family functioning score. Implications for practice are also discussed.
4-Ethoxypyridine N-oxide complexes of metal halides and perchlorates

Abstract Complexes of 4-ethoxypyridine N-oxide (EPNO) with metal halides and perchlorates were synthesized and characterized by means of spectral, magnetic, conductance and, in certain cases, X-ray powder diffraction studies. Mn(EPNO)Cl2 and Pd(EPNO)2Cl2 are the first examples of pyridine N-oxide complexes of this type for these metal ions. Co(EPNO)2Cl2 shows differences in its solution spectra from analogous complexes of other substituted pyridine N-oxides. Although some metal perchlorates form analogous cationic complexes to those reported for pyridine N-oxides, those of MnII, CoII, NiII and ZnII form pentacoordinated cationic complexes, of the type [M(EPNO5](ClO4)2. The MnII, CoII and NiII perchlorate complexes are of the high-spin type. The presence of both penta- and hexa-coordinated species in equilibrium in solutions of the CoII and NiII perchlorate complexes containing excess free ligand has been established by means of spectral evidence. Satisfactory correlation of the NO stretching vibration of EPNO and some of its metal complexes with the νNO of other 4-substituted pyridine N-oxides and their correspondig complexes has been observed in νNO vs. σ+ plots.
The effect of blended courses on student learning: Evidence from introductory economics courses

Abstract This study examines the effect of blended coursework on student learning outcomes in introductory economics courses. The effect of blending on learning is determined by comparing scores on quizzes and exams between students in a blended course (the treatment) and students in a traditional face-to-face course (the control). This study accounts for the potential bias due to non-random selection into treatment by using propensity score matching. The results indicate no significant effects of blending on student learning.
Characterizing pilomatricomas in children: a single institution experience.

Abstract Background/Purpose Pilomatricomas, or calcifying epitheliomas of Malherbe, are among the most common superficial cutaneous soft tissue lesions in children. Familiarity with the presenting signs and symptoms allows for the diagnosis to be made on physical examination alone in most patients, avoiding expensive and unnecessary diagnostic imaging. Methods A retrospective IRB-approved review of surgical pathology archives and medical records of all patients undergoing excision of pilomatricomas between 1982 and 2010 was performed to determine the characteristics of the pilomatricoma tumors. Data regarding gender, age, location, size of tumor, and histopathology were collected. Results There were 916 pilomatricomas resected in 802 patients. Fifty-five percent of the patients were girls (441 patients). The median age at the time of resection was 6years (range 5months to 18years). Multiple lesions were found in 43 patients (5%). The most common location was head and neck ( n =529, 58%), followed by upper limbs ( n =214, 23%), trunk ( n =130, 14%), and lower limbs ( n =43, 5%). Information on size was available for 674 lesions; mean lesion diameter was 14.0 ±7.4mm. Twenty-eight patients (3%) had either recurrent ( n =11) or metachronous ( n =17) lesions resected at our institution, with a median interval of 12months after initial resection (range 5weeks to 5years). No cases of pilomatrix carcinoma were observed. Conclusion The majority of pilomatricomas occur in the head and neck, although they can present in any location. Approximately 5% of children have multiple lesions. Pilomatricomas occur slightly more commonly in girls, and 66% of lesions occur in children
A Proposed Structure for Transmembrane Segment 7 of G Protein-Coupled Receptors Incorporating an Asn-Pro/Asp-Pro Motif

Abstract Transmembrane segment (TMS) 7 has been shown to play an important role in the signal transduction function of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Although transmembrane segments are most likely to adopt a helical structure, results from a variety of experimental studies involving TMS 7 are inconsistent with it being an ideal α -helix. Using results from a search of the structure database and extensive simulated annealing Monte Carlo runs with the new Conformational Memories method, we have identified the conserved (N/D)PxxY region of TMS 7 as the major determinant for deviation of TMS 7 from ideal helicity. The perturbation consists of an Asx turn and a flexible "hinge" region. The Conformational Memories procedure yielded a model structure of TMS 7 which, unlike an ideal α -helix, is capable of accommodating all of the experimentally derived geometrical criteria for the interactions of TMS 7 in the transmembrane bundle of GPCRs. In the context of the entire structure of a transmembrane bundle model for the 5HT 2a receptor, the specific perturbation of TMS 7 by the NP sequence suggests a structural hypothesis for the pattern of amino acid conservation observed in TMS 1, 2, and 7 of GPCRs. The structure resulting from the incorporation of the (N/D)P motif satisfies fully the H-bonding capabilities of the 100% conserved polar residues in these TMSs, in agreement with results from mutagenesis experiments. The flexibility introduced by the specific structural perturbation produced by the (NP/DP) motif in TMS 7 is proposed to have a significant role in receptor activation.
A Simple Method of Staining Juxtaglomerular Granules in the Rat Kidney for High Resolution Light Microscopy

A simple method for the demonstration of juxtaglomerular granules in Epon embedded semithin (0.5-1 micrometer) sections has been developed as follows: sections are prepared as for routine electron microscopy except that before dehydration, the tissues are immersed in 0.5% uranyl acetate in Veronal acetate buffer (pH 5.0) overnight at room temperature. After sectioning on an ultramicrotome, the semithin sections are briefly stained with toluidine blue-pyronin Y. After staining, the section is rinsed in running tap water and then air dried. Under a light microscope with a 40 X or a 100 X objective, the juxtaglomerular granules appear as deep purple particles and are thus easily separated from the bluish cytoplasm of the juxtaglomerular cells. Cellular organelles in other cells of the kidney were also clearly stained and their fine structure distinguishable.