cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reboot Gitmo for U.S.-Cuba research diplomacy

Cuba has about 5000 km of coastline, including coral reefs, mangrove wetlands, seagrass beds, and tropical wet forests. Long stretches of coast remain undeveloped, with relatively high levels of fish biomass and marine biodiversity in marine parks that are unparalleled in the Caribbean ( 1 , 2 ). But on the eve of President Obama's visit to Cuba, we must consider whether normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba, with anticipated expansion of coastal development and return of industrial agriculture, might reverse Cuba's advances in ecological conservation. We propose an approach to protect Cuba's coastal ecosystems and enhance conservation and ecological research throughout the Caribbean. The United States should deliver on President Obama's recent plan to close the military prison at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and repurpose the facilities into a state-of-the-art marine research institution and peace park, a conservation zone to help resolve conflicts between the two countries. This model, designed to attract both sides [similarly, see ( 3 )], could unite Cuba and the United States in joint management, rather than serve as a wedge between them, while helping meet the challenges of climate change, mass extinction, and declining coral reefs.
On optimal sensing and actuation design for an industrial scale steam methane reformer furnace

The spatial temperature distribution in the highly energy-intensive furnace unit in a steam reforming-based hydrogen manufacturing plant determines the energy efficiency of the plant. While the fuel distribution among the burners can be manipulated to control the furnace temperature distribution, adequate temperature measurements is a prerequisite. Typical furnaces have hundreds of tubes and burners, and economic considerations dictate that the number of temperature sensors and flow actuators required for automatic temperature optimization be minimized. In this article, we investigate several formulations for the design of the optimal sensor and actuation configurations for an industrial furnace. We initially formulate the optimal sensor placement problem as a bi-level optimization problem, and exploit the problem structure to obtain an equivalent mixed-integer linear program formulation. We then provide an extension to the combined sensor and actuator placement. We demonstrate the efficacy of our approach through simulation case studies based on industrial data. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 3225–3237, 2016
Legal and Policy Considerations in Using Clinical Practice Guidelines

Abstract The increased use of clinical practice guidelines has implications for both public policy and for litigation. Physicians are concerned that the introduction of practice guidelines will reduce their clinical decision-making authority and that the failure to follow clinical practice guidelines will lead to medical liability. Although practice guidelines are an increasing part of medical practice, there has been only limited litigation to determine the extent to which guidelines will be used to set the applicable standard of care. This article discusses the potential legal and public policy issues raised by the introduction and use of clinical practice guidelines. From a legal perspective, the primary issue is whether guidelines will be used to set the “standard of care” or will be one piece of evidence that a jury would use to determine the outcome of medical liability litigation. Based on an assessment of the applicable legal and policy considerations, the article concludes that courts should admit guidelines into evidence, but that they should not be used as the sole determinant of the standard of care. Instead, guidelines should be treated as one piece of evidence to be weighed by the jury. This approach will facilitate physician acceptance of guidelines by not imposing liability for the failure to follow guidelines without additional evidence to determine the standard of care.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheric Sciences, 1977–1984

During the summer of 1976, while I was recuperating from the NHRE fiasco, I had two visitors from NASA: first Bill Nordberg, director of the Applications Directorate of Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), and then Bob Cooper, the Goddard director. Bill was there to recruit me to head the severe storm program at GSFC. Both were dynamic personalities, friendly and enthusiastic. Nordberg made a fine pitch; both NASA and the job looked very attractive. I was later overwhelmed to find that he was suffering from an inoperable brain tumor to which he succumbed just a few months later. A couple of weeks after Nordberg’s visit Cooper came by to make an even more enticing offer—to establish a broad-based atmospheric and oceanic science laboratory. He also made the unprecedented commitment to permit us to hire without limit—a promise that he made on the bold assumption that he could sell the idea to NASA headquarters. To my amazement, he did. At the time, I was also entertaining an offer to head the Atmospheric Science Division at NSF. After considerable thought and confidential discussions with my colleagues, I accepted the NASA offer and arrived at Greenbelt, Maryland in January 1977, simultaneous with the start of the Carter administration. Lucille was anxious for the move back to the East Coast because she wanted to be close to her mother. Our move was also a stroke of good fortune because Lucille had a malignancy that had been misdiagnosed in Boulder but was surgically cured in Maryland. Here is a life-and-death case of serendipity.
Evaluating Conflicts of Interest in Academic Research On Erythropoietin Receptors in the Cancer Setting

Abstract 4695 Background: We previously reported that among preclinical cancer articles published prior to 2008, academic researchers without financial conflicts of interest were significantly more likely than academic researchers with financial conflicts or researchers employed by erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) manufacturers to identify erythropoietin (Epo)-induced cancer-related signaling events and Epo-induced changes in functions of cancer cells.(Arch Int Med 2010) In 2007, the National Cancer Institute convened a workshop on Epo-receptors for 14 academic researchers and six researchers employed by ESA manufacturers. We update our analysis following this workshop. Methods: Articles identified in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases (1989–2012) investigating preclinical ESA findings were reviewed. Outcomes included Epo-receptors, Epo-induced signaling events, Epo-induced cellular function events, and qualitative conclusions among reports published since the 2007 meeting. Recent publications before versus after the NCI workshop according to source of research funding were analyzed. Outcomes were reported according to academic investigators without financial conflicts of interest (26 publications post-2008; 64 publications pre-2008), academic investigators with financial conflicts (5 versus 7 publications) and investigators employed by ESA manufacturers (2 versus 3 publications). Results: Since 2008, academic investigators without financial conflicts of interest and academic investigators with financial conflicts differed from researchers employed by ESA-manufacturers with respect to identifying the following EPO-induced events: signaling associated with tumor promotion (86%, 100%, versus 0%; p=0.06), cellular function changes associated with tumor growth/metastases (86%, 67%, and 0%; p=0.06). We qualitatively concluded that preclinical findings raised concerns that ESAs could be harmful clinically (77%, 40%, and 0%, p=0.03). Prior to 2008, academic investigators without financial conflicts of interest differed from academic investigators with financial conflicts and researchers employed by ESA manufacturers for these same outcomes (signaling events, 94%, 0%, and 0%, p=0.001; cellular changes (57%, 0%, and 0%, p=0.007), and qualitative conclusions regarding potential harm (57%, 0%, and 0%, p=0.007), respectively. Conclusions: The potential for conflicts of interest to affect preclinical research findings dissipated, following an NCI-convened workshop, for academic researchers with financial conflicts of interest, but not for researchers employed by ESA manufacturers. Disclosures: Bialkowski: Eli Lilly: family member employment Other. Sartor: Amgen: Consultancy.
VoxSim: A Visual Platform for Modeling Motion Language

Much existing work in text-to-scene generation focuses on generating static scenes. By introducing a focus on motion verbs, we integrate dynamic semantics into a rich formal model of events to generate animations in real time that correlate with human conceptions of the event described. This paper presents a working system that generates these animated scenes over a test set, discussing challenges encountered and describing the solutions implemented.
Whom I Have Called: The Ordain Women Movement and the Narrative of Dissent in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The bulk of existing organizational dissent research has focused on corporate environments, theorizing dissent as a means of seeking and enacting change. This study extends the examination of organ...
Use of Bridge Element Condition Reports to Measure Performance of Bridge Preservation

A method to measure the performance of bridge preservation through the use of bridge–level element condition reports is demonstrated. The performance measure makes bridge-by-bridge evaluations of the relative conditions of elements that are major assemblies of bridges and elements that affect the exposure of major assemblies to deterioration. In an evaluation of performance, a bridge can be in a state of good preservation, at risk of deteriorating to poor condition, or already in poor condition. Bridge condition reports from 50 U.S. states are used in this evaluation of the performance of bridge preservation. The bridge element reports conform to the FHWA specification for bridge element reports and employ AASHTO national bridge elements and bridge management elements. Bridge preservation is good for 53% of National Highway System bridges by deck area. The performance of preservation is evaluated for major assemblies of bridges and for bridge construction materials in relation to coatings, wearing surface...
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome after assisted reproductive technologies: trends, predictors, and pregnancy outcomes

Objectives To assess trends, predictors, and perinatal outcomes of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles in the United States. Design Retrospective cohort study using National Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance System (NASS) data. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) Fresh autologous and embryo-banking cycles performed from 2000 to 2015. Interventions(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) OHSS, first-trimester loss, second-trimester loss, stillbirth, low birth weight, and preterm delivery. Result(s) The proportion of IVF cycles complicated by OHSS increased from 10.0 to 14.3 cases per 1,000 from 2000 to 2006, and decreased to 5.3 per 1,000 from 2006 to 2015. The risk of OHSS was highest for cycles with more than 30 oocytes retrieved (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 3.85). OHSS was associated with a diagnosis of ovulatory disorder (aRR 2.61), tubal factor (aRR 1.14), uterine factor (aRR 1.17) and cycles resulting in pregnancy (aRR 3.12). In singleton pregnancies, OHSS was associated with increased risk of low birth weight (aRR 1.29) and preterm delivery (aRR 1.32). In twin pregnancies, OHSS was associated with an increased risk of second-trimester loss (aRR 1.81), low birth weight (aRR 1.06), and preterm delivery (aRR 1.16). Conclusion(s) Modifiable predictive factors for OHSS include number of oocytes retrieved, pregnancy following fresh embryo transfer, and the type of medication used for pituitary suppression during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Patients affected by OHSS had a higher risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight. Clinicians should take measures to reduce the risk of OHSS whenever possible.
Ibutilide Effectiveness and Safety in the Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter in the Community Emergency Department

Study objective Little is known about the use of ibutilide for cardioversion in atrial fibrillation and flutter outside of clinical trials. We seek to describe patient characteristics, ibutilide administration patterns, cardioversion rates, and adverse outcomes in the community emergency department (ED) setting. We also evaluate potential predictors of cardioversion success. Methods Using a retrospective cohort of adults who received ibutilide in 21 community EDs between January 2009 and June 2015, we gathered demographic and clinical variables from electronic health records and structured manual chart review. We calculated rates of cardioversion and frequency of ventricular tachycardia within 4 hours and estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) in a multivariate regression model for potential predictors of cardioversion. Results Among 361 patients, the median age was 61 years (interquartile range 53 to 71 years) and most had recent-onset atrial fibrillation and flutter (98.1%). Five percent of the cohort had a history of heart failure. The initial QTc interval was prolonged (>480 ms) in 29.4% of patients, and 3.1% were hypokalemic ( Conclusion The effectiveness and safety of ibutilide in this community ED setting were consistent with clinical trial results despite less stringent patient selection criteria.
The structure of the active component of hematoporphyrin derivative.

Photoradiation therapy (PRT) for local treatment of malignant tumors utilizing hematoporphyrin derivative (Hpd) as photosensitizing drug is undergoing clinical trials in several centers in the U. S. and abroad. This therapy is based on the localization and retention of Hpd in most tumors, as well as its photodynamic action which likely generates singlet oxygen at least as a first step. The only drug toxicity encountered to date in over 1500 patients receiving Hpd has been a generalized photosensitivity which requires patients to avoid bright light, especially sunlight, for 30 days or more. While this toxicity is avoidable it presents a drawback to utilizing PRT for early stage disease in ambulatory and active patients.
Finite Free Resolutions

This chapter puts together specific computations of complexes and homology. Partly these provide examples for the general theory of Chapter XX, and partly they provide concrete results which have occupied algebraists for a Century. They have one aspect in common: the computation of homology is done by means of a finite free resolution, i.e. a finite complex whose modules are finite free.
The molecular basis for sex differences in depression susceptibility

Depression is a prevalent, devastating psychiatric disorder which women are twice as likely to suffer as men. Yet, until recently, most of the mechanistic studies shedding light on the molecular pathways involved in depression have focused on males, both animals and humans. It has been established that women have a more sensitive stress response, and that sex hormones contribute to depression onset. Recent genome-wide studies on human and mouse brain tissue have revealed that the overlap in the genes regulated by depression or chronic stress, respectively, between the sexes is surprisingly low. Such unbiased comprehensive screening approaches combined with advanced bioinformatics and in vivo validation studies enable identifying truly novel target genes that contribute to sex differences in depression susceptibility. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated sex bias in transgenerational passage of the effects of stress to the offspring. Elucidating the sex-specific mechanisms contributing to the development of depression can help design better diagnostic and therapeutic tools aimed at normalizing the unique abnormalities of each gender.
Treatment of Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation: Does One Plus One Always Equal Two?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common pathological arrhythmia observed in clinical practice and it is associated with stroke, heart failure, and increased mortality. Multiple pivotal, randomized trials established the role of anticoagulation to reduce the risk of stroke among patients with AF with an elevated risk profile, as assessed by the CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASc scoring systems. As such, anticoagulation with warfarin or novel oral anticoagulants is a class I indication in the treatment of patients with AF by all major societies, even though these agents are consistently underutilized because of fear of hemorrhagic complications. Retrospective analyses of large, multicenter trials have more recently showed that stroke risk is somewhat higher with chronic in comparison with paroxysmal AF, but this difference is not sufficiently large to affect anticoagulation recommendations. The studies of anticoagulation use to prevent stroke, as well as most other treatments of AF are based on clinical documentation of the arrhythmia. Typically, this is driven by symptoms such as palpitations, syncope, dyspnea, or chest pain, but sometimes asymptomatic and incidentally discovered. The presence of arrhythmia-related symptoms does not appear to change the stroke risk, so anticoagulation recommendations are unaffected. Although pacemakers have been implanted for >50 …
The Persistence of Misogyny: From the Streets, to Our Screens, to the White House

In the introduction, the book’s editors introduce the topic of mediated misogyny. They begin with a brief analysis of the 1913 Women’s Suffrage March and the 2016 U.S. presidential election as a way to contextualize the current moment of misogyny. They do this with a specific focus on how Trump uses media and Twitter to target, humiliate, and harass women. The chapter outlines how mass media, including advertising, film, journalism, and television, have a long history of marginalizing and trivializing women’s roles in society through the objectification and sexualization of their bodies. This provides context for analyzing how the Internet contributes to ongoing harassment of women. They identify the gendered nature of women’s online experiences and examine trends in gender-based harassment. The chapter also introduces the aims and scope of the book alongside some key takeaways.
Resting nailfold capillary blood flow in primary open-angle glaucoma.

Background/Aims An altered haemodynamic profile for various ocular posterior segment capillary beds has been documented in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). POAG may also involve abnormal non-ocular blood flow, and the nailfold capillaries, which are not affected by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), are readily assessable. Methods We measured resting nailfold capillary blood flow in 67 POAG and 63 control subjects using video capillaroscopy. Masked readers tracked blood column voids between consecutive, registered image sequence frames, measured vessel diameter and calculated blood flow. We used multiple logistic regression to investigate the relation between nailfold capillary blood flow and POAG. In secondary analyses, we stratified cases by maximum IOP and concurrent topical beta-blocker use. Results Mean (±SD) blood flow in picolitres per second was 26.8±17.6 for POAG cases and 50.1±24.2 for controls (p Conclusion Reduced resting nailfold capillary blood flow is present in POAG independent of covariates such as blood pressure, pulse and IOP.
NA/K Pump Function in Cultured Embryonic Chick Heart Cells

The goal of research in our laboratory is to characterize the mechanisms responsible for ion transport across the cardiac sarcolemma using a multidisciplinary approach that combines biochemical and biophysical techniques. Cultured chick embryo heart cells are an ideal preparation for these studies because cells can be grown in one of several physiologically stable configurations ideally suited for a particular experimental technique (1): confluent mass cultures for biochemical measurements; small (~ 100 μm diameter) aggregates for voltage-clamp analysis; polystrands for isotope flux and ion-selective microelectrodes (ISME). In addition, cultured myocyte preparations are free from the physical (diffusional barriers) and biological (altered metabolic state) limitations associated with dissected cardiac muscle preparations and isolated heart cells, respectively.
From Science to Citizenship: An Analysis of Twentieth-Century Trends in Corporate Rhetoric on Employee Education.

AbstractThis paper presents a study of the rhetoric of employee training in two US management trade journals, Personnel and Management Review, from 1920 to 2000. A discussion of forces that have influenced US employee development theory and practice throughout the twentieth century is followed by findings of a thematic analysis of the trade journal articles. Four themes emerged from the analysis: the importance of science, perceived inequalities in ability to learn, concern over cost, and corporate training as citizenship training. The analysis reveals consistency of these themes, with organisational control becoming less overtly expressed and increasingly couched in language that emphasises the worth and needs of the individual.
Stones in Exceptional Situations

Calculi in kidneys with complex or anomalous anatomy present unique challenges for the medical as well as surgical aspects of stone treatment. These anomalous conditions include but are not limited to horseshoe, pelvic, ectopic, transplant, and polycystic kidneys. Despite aberrant anatomy, treatments in these situations should follow the same principles applied for treatment for stones in normal kidneys. Medical dissolution therapy should be employed whenever possible, especially because of the increased difficulty of surgical intervention in this patient population. Surgical treatments of stones for these patients include open surgery, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and laparoscopy. This chapter focuses on the efficacy and the rationale behind most recent stone treatments, in the hopes of guiding urologists in formulating a more effective, individualized treatment for this patient population.
Magnetic and Electrocatalytic Properties of Transition Metal Doped MoS 2 Nanocrystals

In this paper, the magnetic and electrocatalytic properties of hydrothermally grown transition metal doped (10% of Co, Ni, Fe, and Mn) 2H-MoS2 nanocrystals (NCs) with a particle size 25–30 nm are reported. The pristine 2H-MoS2 NCs showed a mixture of canted anti-ferromagnetic and ferromagnetic behavior. While Co, Ni, and Fe doped MoS2 NCs revealed room temperature ferromagnetism, Mn doped MoS2 NCs showed room temperature paramagnetism, predominantly. The ground state of all the materials is found to be canted-antiferromagnetic phase. To study electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction, polarization curves were measured for undoped and the doped MoS2 NCs. At the overpotential of η = −300 mV, the current densities, listed from greatest to least, are FeMoS2, CoMoS2, MoS2, NiMoS2, and MnMoS2, and the order of catalytic activity found from Tafel slopes is CoMoS2 > MoS2 > NiMoS2 > FeMoS2 > MnMoS2. The increasing number of catalytically active sites in Co doped MoS2 NCs might be responsible for their superior electrocatalytic activity. The present results show that the magnetic order-disorder behavior and catalytic activity can be modulated by choosing the suitable dopants in NCs of 2D materials.
New Black Man : Tenth Anniversary Edition

Ten years ago, Mark Anthony Neal’s New Black Man put forth a revolutionary model of Black masculinity for the twenty-first century—one that moved beyond patriarchy to embrace feminism and combat homophobia. Now, Neal’s book is more vital than ever, urging us to imagine a New Black Man whose strength resides in family, community, and diversity. Part memoir, part manifesto, this book celebrates the Black man of our times in all his vibrancy and virility. The tenth anniversary edition of this classic text includes a new foreword by Joan Morgan and a new introduction and postscript from Neal, which bring the issues in the book up to the present day.
Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment of Serious Behavioral Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Specialized Versus General Inpatient Units.

Psychiatric hospitalization of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is common, but there is little comparative information available on different psychiatric hospital treatment models. Children with ASD ages 4–20 were enrolled upon admission to either a specialized (N = 53) or a general child psychiatric unit (N = 27). Caregivers completed the Aberrant Behavioral Checklist-Irritability Sub-scale (ABC-I) at admission, discharge, and 2 months post-discharge and reported information on crisis service utilization 2 months post-discharge. Children treated in the specialized unit had lower ABC-I scores at discharge and 2 months post-discharge (F = 8.98, p = 0.003) and were significantly less likely to experience an ER visit within 2 months post-discharge (X2 = 5.51, p = 0.019). Specialized inpatient units may be more effective for children with ASD in need of psychiatric hospitalization.
Thromboembolic Events with Enterprise Versus Pipeline: Porcine In Vivo Experiment.

Background Thromboembolic complications are serious adverse events associated with stenting of intracranial aneurysms. For the development of novel devices, currently no practical model exists to evaluate distal embolic events. The purpose of the current study was 2-fold: 1) assess the feasibility of a porcine carotid bifurcation model for in vivo testing of stent thrombogenicity and 2) compare the thrombogenicity of the Enterprise vascular reconstruction device versus the Pipeline embolization device (PED). Methods Six Yorkshire pigs underwent implantation of size-matched devices across the carotid bifurcation. Each animal received 1 Enterprise and 1 PED contralaterally. Baseline and 2-week follow-up angiography were performed. Images were analyzed including detailed measurements of the rete mirabile, a small-vessel conglomerate supplied by branches of the common carotid artery. Results In the absence of thromboembolic events at 2 weeks (n = 8), the perfused rete area measured 134.4 ± 6.9 mm2. In the presence of thromboembolic events (n = 4), the perfused rete was reduced to an area covering 37.1 ± 8.6 mm2 (P 0.99). Conclusion The swine carotid stent model allows in vivo analysis of device-related thrombogenicity and distal embolic event rates. Size reduction of the perfused rete mirabile indicates the presence of thromboembolic events. Both Enterprise and PED were associated with similar thrombogenicity in this experiment.
The Heroic White Man and the Fragile Asian Girl: Racialized and Gendered Orientalism in Olympic Figure Skating

Intersecting performance studies and critical sports studies, this article analyzes the North American media coverage of South Korean figure skater and the gold medalist Yuna Kim at the 2010 Winter...
Adult antisocial behavior and its relationship to the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder in a longitudinal study of homelessness

Objectives: The relationship of adult antisocial behavior to the diagnosis of ASPD has not been investigated in homeless populations. This study examined ASPD and adult-only antisocial behavior in ...
Financial exclusion in OECD countries: A scoping review*

This scoping review assesses the state of scholarly literature on financial exclusion in OECD member countries to identify key concepts, gaps in the research, and types and sources of evidence to inform an agenda for advancing research, practice, and policy. The authors searched eight databases using 13 terms. The researchers extracted data for five concepts: financial inclusion conceptualization, financial inclusion measurement, financial inclusion mechanisms, financial exclusion conceptual, descriptive or empirical content, and financial capability conceptualization or measurement. This article reports on data coded only for financial exclusion conceptual, descriptive, or empirical content. The researchers identified N = 148 studies for inclusion. The majority of the studies were conceptual and were focused on either the USA or the UK. Aspects of financial exclusion that were well covered in the literature include the conceptualization, contributors, and impacts of financial exclusion. Less covered were measurement, prevention, and contemporary practice trends in financial exclusion.
Lithium Isotope Measurement Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Chemometrics.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a technique capable of portable, quantitative elemental analysis; however, quantitative isotopic determination of samples in situ has not yet been demonstrated. This research demonstrates the ability of LIBS to quantitatively determine concentrations of 6Li in solid samples of lithium hydroxide monohydrate in a nominally 40 mTorr argon environment using chemometrics. Three chemometric analysis techniques (principal component regression, partial least squares regression, and neural networks analysis) are applied to spectra collected using a spectrometer with modest resolving power (λ/Δλ ≈ 27 000). This analysis suggests that bulk lithium isotopic assay can be determined using LIBS to within a 95% confidence interval in minutes to an hour for enrichment levels ranging from 3% to 85%. This has direct applications for the nuclear safeguards and geological exploration communities and others that desire a portable, stable isotope analytical technique. Additionally, isotope-specific self-absorption of atomic emission in a laser-produced plasma is observed for the first time.
Gauss Hypergeometric Representations of the Ferrers Function of the Second Kind

We derive all eighteen Gauss hypergeometric representations for the Ferrers function of the second kind, each with a different argument. They are obtained from the eighteen hypergeometric representations of the associated Legendre function of the second kind by using a limit representation. For the 18 hypergeometric arguments which correspond to these representations, we give geometrical descriptions of the corresponding convergence regions in the complex plane. In addition, we consider a corresponding single sum Fourier expansion for the Ferrers function of the second kind. In four of the eighteen cases, the determination of the Ferrers function of the second kind requires the evaluation of the hypergeometric function separately above and below the branch cut at $[1,\infty)$. In order to complete these derivations, we use well-known results to derive expressions for the hypergeometric function above and below its branch cut. Finally we give a detailed review of the 1888 paper by Richard Olbricht who was the first to study hypergeometric representations of Legendre functions.
Rapid-stretch injury to peripheral nerves: comparison of injury models.

OBJECTIVE Traditional animal models of nerve injury use controlled crush or transection injuries to investigate nerve regeneration; however, a more common and challenging clinical problem involves closed traction nerve injuries. The authors have produced a precise traction injury model and sought to examine how the pathophysiology of stretch injuries compares with that of crush and transection injuries. METHODS Ninety-five late-adolescent (8-week-old) male mice underwent 1 of 7 injury grades or a sham injury (n > 10 per group): elastic stretch, inelastic stretch, stretch rupture, crush, primary coaptation, secondary coaptation, and critical gap. Animals underwent serial neurological assessment with sciatic function index, tapered beam, and von Frey monofilament testing for 48 days after injury, followed by trichrome and immunofluorescent nerve histology and muscle weight evaluation. RESULTS The in-continuity injuries, crush and elastic stretch, demonstrated different recovery profiles, with more severe functional deficits after crush injury than after elastic stretch immediately following injury (p < 0.05). However, animals with either injury type returned to baseline performance in all neurological assessments, accompanied by minimal change in nerve histology. Inelastic stretch, a partial discontinuity injury, produced more severe neurological deficits, incomplete return of function, 47% ± 9.1% (mean ± SD) reduction of axon counts (p < 0.001), and partial neuroma formation within the nerve. Discontinuity injuries, including immediate and delayed nerve repair, stretch rupture, and critical gap, manifested severe, long-term neurological deficits and profound axonal loss, coupled with intraneural scar formation. Although repaired nerves demonstrated axon regeneration across the gap, rupture and critical gap injuries demonstrated negligible axon crossing, despite rupture injuries having healed into continuity. CONCLUSIONS Stretch-injured nerves present unique pathology and functional deficits compared with traditional nerve injury models. Because of the profound neuroma formation, stretch injuries represent an opportunity to study the pathophysiology associated with clinical injury mechanisms. Further validation for comparison with human injuries will require evaluation in a large-animal model.
How Should Clinicians Respond if Patient HIV Denial Could Exacerbate Racial Health Inequities

This commentary examines the appropriateness of a clinician's deceiving a patient who will not discuss lifesaving therapy through the lens of solidarity, a key professional ethical value. Clinicians' awareness of social determinants of many patients' increased vulnerability to HIV infection is needed to promote equitable HIV intervention outcomes at both individual and community levels.
UV linear stokes imaging of optically thin clouds

Cirrus clouds are important to the radiation energy budget due to their temporal duration and >50% global coverage.1 The variety of ice crystal shapes and sizes in a cirrus cloud create challenges differentiating radiation insulated by the Earth's atmosphere from that reflected back to space. The optical thickness of these clouds is often too thin to be sensed using any current passive satellite radiometers. Sensitivity studies in the UV have shown that the angle of linear polarization (AoLP) of solar radiation backscattered from thin cirrus clouds and thin liquid water clouds is rotated.2 Pust and Shaw also demonstrated subvisual clouds detection in degree of linear polarization (DoLP) and AoLP.3 An Ultraviolet Stokes Imaging Polarimeter (ULTRASIP) was designed and developed for optically thin clouds and sky observations in the 360 nm - 450 nm range.4 ULTRASIP is a time modulated polarimeter rotating a wire-grid polarizer in front of a 16-bit, water-cooled, back-illuminated CCD sensor. Polarized light scattering models will be compared in the visible and the UV to motivate measurements in this waveband.5
General Properties of the Hydrogen Exchange Reaction Catalyzed by the Soluble Succinic Dehydrogenase of Singer from Bovine Heart

Abstract Kinetic studies are reported on the catalysis of tritium exchange from meso-2,3-ditritiosuccinate to water by soluble succinic dehydrogenase from bovine heart. Tritium exchange does not proceed for the most part via the equilibrium dismutation of succinate and fumarate; rather, exchange appears to proceed directly from an enzyme-succinate complex. Time-dependent changes in the exchange activity were observed in the presence of fumarate. Fumarate and fumarate analogues can either enhance or inhibit the exchange reaction depending on concentration and other conditions. Oxygen enhances the exchange rate several-fold in an easily reversible manner which cannot be attributed to the autoxidation of succinate. Attempts to detect a transfer of tritium from succinate to succinic dehydrogenase directly and indirectly by the transfer of tritium from succinate to 2-methylfumarate to yield tritiated 2-methylsuccinate via the succinate-fumarate dismutation reaction were unsuccessful. Exchange rates are dependent on pH, and the maximum in the pH rate profile occurs at pH 6.9 with an apparent turnover number for meso-2,3-ditritiosuccinate of about 5 moles of succinate x min-1 x moles of flavin-1 at 24°. Succinate Km is relatively insensitive to pH and values of 2 ± 0.5 x 10-4 m were obtained from pH 6.8 to 7.6. Ki values for oxalacetate and malonate are 0.5 to 1 µm and 60 to 70 µm, respectively, at pH 6.9. Solvent isotope effects arise to a large extent from an apparent shift in the pH rate profile toward lower pH values in deuterated water. Succinate Km remains essentially unaffected in deuterated water.
Augmented Ca2+-activated Ca2+ influx and voltage-gated Ca2+ entry in coronary vs. peripheral conduit arteries in domestic swine. (LB668)

Intracellular Ca2+ handling has been characterized in a variety of animal models in different vascular beds. However, the extent of regional differences in Ca2+ entry in coronary and peripheral con...
Evaluation of a Non‐destructive High‐voltage Technique for the Detection of Pinhole Leaks in Flexible and Semi‐rigid Packages for Foods

This study evaluated the capabilities of a high-voltage technique for the detection of pinhole leaks by using flexible pouches and semi-rigid cups for foods. This evaluation was performed by measuring the discharge voltage when high voltages ranging from 0.25 to 10 kV were applied to sample packages. The results showed that package contact surface area, film thickness, food type and electrical conductivity are significant factors affecting the detection of pinhole leaks in flexible pouches by a high-voltage leak detection (HVLD) system within the ranges tested (p < 0.05). For plastic cups with plastic-laminated and foil-laminated lids, the headspace inside a cup had the greatest effect followed by dielectric constant of lid films, electrical conductivity of foods and pinhole diameter (p < 0.01). In general, the HVLD system can detect pinholes as small as 10 µm in both plastic-laminated and foil-laminated pouches and lid cups, even at worst-case scenario conditions, including liquid, semi-solid and solid foods with 0.85 aw. Because of high voltages applied, however, delamination in foil-laminated films occurred when an applied voltage was greater than 3.5 kV, which resulted in increased oxygen permeability. Statistical z-test analysis of results from blind studies showed that the HVLD technique is significantly effective in determining defective pouches and cups with pinhole leaks as small as 10 µm (p < 0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that the HVLD technique is a promising non-destructive and on-line method to detect pinhole defects, which may be applicable to a wide range of hermetically sealed packages. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syncronization Versus Simultaneity Relations, with Implications for Interpretations of Quantum Measurements

The incorrect extrapolation into the realm of dynamics of the thesis of conventionality of one-way speeds (i.e. that, unlike two-way speeds, they depend on the choice of synchronization) has been detrimental for developments of physical theories based on an absolute relation of simultaneity. In response to the perceived need for a better understanding of issues such as interpretation of the collapse of the wave function, quantum teleportation, etc., we explore the quantum mechanics (QM) sector of a theory canonically implied by an absolute relation of simultaneity, thus by a preferred frame field (PFF). It constitutes a formidable platform containing a geometric Dirac equation from which to develop a deeper interpretation of the usual, dualistic QM.
MULTIGRID SEMI-IMPLICIT HYDRODYNAMICS REVISITED

The multigrid method has for several years been very successful for simple equations like Laplace's equation on a rectangle. For more complicated situations, however, success has been more elusive. Indeeed, there are only a few applications in which the multigrid method is now being successfully used in complicated production codes. The one with which we are most familiar is the application by Alcouffe to TTDAMG. We are more familiar with this second application in which, for a set of test problems, TTDAMG ran seven to twenty times less expensively (on a CRAY-1 computer) than its best competitor. This impressive performance, in a field where a factor of two improvement is considered significant, encourages one to attempt the application of the multigrid method in other complicated situations. The application discussed in this paper was actually attempted several years ago. In that paper the multigrid method was applied to the pressure iteration in three Eulerian and Lagrangian codes. The application to the Eulerian codes, both incompressible and compressible, was successful, but the application to the Lagrangian code was less so. The reason given for this lack of success was that the differencing for the pressure equation in the Lagrangian code, SALE, wasmore » bad. In this paper, we examine again the application of multigrad to the pressure equation in SALE with the goal of succeeding this time without cheating.« less
Models and algorithms for statistical timing and power analysis of digital integrated circuits

The increased variability of process and environmental parameters is having a significant impact on timing and power performance metrics of digital integrated circuits. Traditionally formulated deterministic timing and power analysis algorithms based on worst-case values of parameters often lead to over-pessimistic predictions, and may miss actual worst-case performance corners. As a result, there is an increasing need for statistical algorithms that can take into account the probabilistic nature of parameters. The practical applications of statistical approaches, however, are restricted by the limited availability of parameter distributions, and the idealized modeling of parameters adopted in the statistical frameworks. In some cases, only partial probabilistic descriptions of parameters are available, such as the mean and variance. Thus, designers are in an urgent need for statistical approaches that can handle partially-specified uncertainty. The objective of this dissertation is to provide robust and accurate timing and power estimates for designers to assess the impact of variability on circuit performance. This dissertation proposes a set of statistical analysis algorithms to estimate circuit timing and leakage power dissipation based on robust probabilistic approaches and rigorous mathematical modeling of parameter uncertainty. Full and partial probabilistic descriptions of parameters can be incorporated into the developed statistical frameworks. Specifically, the proposed approaches include: (1) a path-based statistical timing analysis algorithm handling path delay correlations; (2) a statistical timing analysis algorithm based on partial probabilistic descriptions of parameters; (3) analytical techniques for assessing the impact of threshold voltage variation on leakage power of dual-threshold voltage designs, and selecting optimal values of the threshold voltages for leakage power reduction; and (4) a robust estimation algorithm for parametric yield and leakage dissipation based on realistic descriptions of parameter uncertainty. The developed algorithms along with the new modeling strategy effectively improve the over-conservatism of the corner-based deterministic algorithms, and also permit assessing the impact of variability on circuit performance in the early design phase, which facilitates fast power and timing verifications in the design process. As the magnitude of variability continues to increase, the developed statistical algorithms and modeling strategy will become increasingly important for the future technology generations.
Using quasi‐linear diffusion to model acceleration and loss from wave‐particle interactions

Abstract : Current research has reemphasized the importance of cyclotron resonant wave-particle interactions for radiation belt electrons. Whistler mode hiss, chorus, and EMIC waves can act in combination to cause acceleration and loss of radiation belt electrons at greater rates than previously appreciated. These processes can be described by quasi-linear theory, but calculating quasi-linear diffusion coefficients is computationally demanding. Recent advances have been made in computing bounce averaged quasi-linear pitch angle, energy, and mixed diffusion coefficients for hiss and EMIC in the high density plasmasphere; this paper outlines generalization of these techniques for chorus waves, prevalent in the low density region outside the plasmasphere. These coefficients are associated with a two-dimensional diffusion equation whose numerical solution by finite differencing methods requires care, for reasons having to do with the relation between the mixed and other diffusion coefficients, as discussed.
Analog modeling using event-driven HDL's

This paper describes how event-driven HDL's can be used for system level (transfer function, signal flow) modeling of analog mixed-signal systems. The modeling approach is illustrated with Verilog models for an ADC, DAC, and an Auto-Gain Control System (AGC). Simulation results for these models obtained with the mixed-signal simulator Spectre-Verilog running under the Cadence Analog Artist system are presented. System tasks and features in Verilog that support this kind of modeling and their advantages and limitations are discussed. We briefly describe the requirements for a full-fledged analog HDL as being developed by the VHDL 1076.1 effort. >
Dual and Optimality Criteria Methods

During the seventies people who worked in the field of structural optimization were divided into two distinct and somewhat belligerent camps. On the one side the mathematical programming camp believed in employing the general methods of linear and nonlinear programming such as the simplex method, penalty function techniques, gradient projection techniques or methods of feasible directions (see Chapter 5). On the other side the optimality criteria camp subscribed to the use of methods described in the present chapter. The mathematical programming camp decried the lack of generality of optimality criteria methods, and the optimality criteria camp sneered at the inefficiency of the general mathematical programming approach.
States and Power in Africa: Comparative Lessons in Authority and Control. By Jeffrey Herbst. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2000. 280p. $55.00 cloth, $17.95 paper.

In this important reappraisal of Africa's political evolution over an extended period, Jeffrey Herbst engages in a dialogue with scholars of comparative and African politics on the causes of state weakness and the possibilities for state redesign. Herbst argues that state consolidation in Africa has been complicated by the problem of extending authority over its distant territories. Low population densities have been a long-standing obstacle encountered by precolonial, colonial, and independent African rulers alike. It has proven expensive for leaders at the political center to project power over peoples and territories far from the capital city. As a result, rural areas have been neglected, particularly by colonial regimes, and urban areas have been favored in terms of public services and amenities.