cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pancreatic resections: 30 and 90-day outcomes in octogenarians

Abstract Background Pancreatic tumors are frequently found in a geriatric population. Given that the median age of patients with pancreatic cancer is 70 years at diagnosis and the ubiquity of CT and MRI imaging has increased the detection of pancreas masses, pancreatic surgeons often find themselves operating on patients of advanced age. This study sought to evaluate the outcomes of pancreatic resection in an octogenarian population at a single institution with a dedicated surgical oncology team. Study design A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients undergoing pancreatic resection over a 13-year period at an academic community cancer center. Patient characteristics and operative outcomes were compared between patients aged 80 and older, and those younger than 80. Student t-tests, Fisher's exact test, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for univariate analyses. Results Over the 13-year period, a total of 48 patients of 403 undergoing pancreatic resections were aged 80 or older. Of these 48 patients, 35 underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple) and 13 underwent distal pancreatectomy. Patient characteristics including ASA classification were similar among the two age groups. The procedures themselves were equally complicated with similar operative times, transfusion requirements, estimated blood losses, and portal vein resections. The number and severity of complications such as delayed gastric emptying and pancreatic leak were not statistically different between the two groups. Additionally, the 30-day reoperation, readmission, and mortality rates were not statistically different. Outcomes at 90-days revealed an increased rate of readmission amongst octogenarians who underwent Whipple without an increase in rates of major complications. The total number of deaths in the octogenarian group was 3 (6.2%) vs. 6 (1.7%) in the non-octogenarian group (p = 0.080). The median length of stay was similar amongst the two age groups. Conclusions At a large-volume academic community cancer center with a dedicated surgical oncology team, highly selected octogenarians can undergo pancreatic resection safely with outcomes that do not differ significantly from their younger counterparts.
Proctitis and Other Rectal Complaints

Proctitis and proctocolitis are general terms used to describe inflammation of the anus, rectal mucosa, or sigmoid colon, respectively. Its incidence has increased in the last two decades, especially among men who have sex with men. Both are characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations, and the differential diagnosis is broad; however, in adolescents and young adults, the origin of proctitis is most commonly due to sexually transmitted infections. In order to reduce complications and prevent transmission, the medical provider must maintain a high level of suspicion in order to effectively diagnose and treat proctitis. In this chapter we will review the most common presentations and etiologies of proctitis and give an update on diagnostic and treatment modalities.
Idiopathic condylar resorption: A systematic review of etiology and management

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of evidence in the literature on etiology and management of idiopathic condylar resorption (ICR) of the mandible. Study Design A systematic search of articles published from 1982 to 2019 was conducted via PubMed, according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. English language reports of human studies that addressed the etiology or management of ICR were included. Case reports, opinion or perspective articles, and nonhuman or non–English language articles were excluded. The quality of the included studies was assessed by using the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria. Results The search yielded 230 studies, and 40 met the criteria for inclusion. The etiology of ICR was the focus of 33 studies; the remaining 8 assessed its management. The total number of patients in the included studies was 1399. The level of evidence assessing the etiology of ICR averaged 3.16 (range 2b–to 3b). Proposed etiologies and contributing factors included female gender, 17β-estradiol levels, condylar anatomy, and history of orthognathic surgery. The level of evidence of studies assessing the management of ICR was 3.7 (range 2b–4). Treatment strategies included disk repositioning, autologous condylar reconstruction (costochondral graft), and alloplastic total joint reconstruction. Average follow-up was 46.8 ± 38.2 months. Conclusions The proposed etiology and management of ICR, as reported in the literature, vary considerably. Condylectomy with autogenous or alloplastic reconstruction appears to be the most stable management strategy. The levels of evidence regarding the etiology and management of ICR are low.
Automated movement detection reveals features of maturation in preterm infants

Nearly 10% of all births in the United States are preterm. Preterm birth is a major risk for developmental neuromotor disorders. Early characterization of a future developmental outcome is necessary to design early interventions. However, such evaluations are currently subjective and typically happen only several months after birth. The aim of this study was to quantify movement bouts after birth and to determine if features of maturation might be characterized. Four preterm infants were continuously monitored for several months, from a few days after birth until discharge, in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Movement was quantified from the photoplethysmogram using a wavelet-based algorithm. In all 4 infants, maturation was associated with a decrease (p 30s). The distribution of movement durations followed a power law function with its exponent defining the characteristic of the distribution. The exponent significantly increased with post-menstrual age. Future research will test whether these maturational changes can predict developmental outcomes.Clinical Relevance— Early identification of changes in features of preterm infant movement may be useful in predicting neuromotor development and potential disorders.
Tailorable Fe nanostructures and magnetic anisotropy in (La0.5Sr0.5FeO3)1-x:Fex thin films integrated on SrTiO3 and silicon substrates

Abstract Vertically aligned magnetic nanostructures embedded in oxide matrices are an attractive framework for exploring anisotropic properties with potential applications in devices such as magnetic tunnel junctions. Magnetic response can easily be tuned through the growth of self-assembled ferromagnetic nanostructures in oxide-metal nanocomposite thin films. Here, oxide-metal (La0.5Sr0.5FeO3)1-x:Fex (LSFO1-x:Fex) nanocomposite thin films with various molar concentrations of Fe (x = 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) are grown by pulsed laser deposition under reducing conditions. The morphology and magnetic properties of Fe nanostructures are investigated to demonstrate tailorable magnetic anisotropic properties. Increasing the concentration of Fe in the nanocomposites has been found to reduce the aspect ratio of Fe nanostructures thus leading to a lower magnetic anisotropy. In addition, LSFO0.7:Fe0.3 thin films are successfully integrated on silicon substrates, which is a critical step toward realizing the proposed device applications. This study demonstrates oxide-metal LSFO1-x:Fex nanocomposites as a unique platform for tailoring magnetic properties and future integration of magnetic nanostructures with tunable magnetic anisotropy for device applications.
Universal Relation for Effective Interaction between Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticles

Understanding the interactions between polymer-grafted nanoparticles is imperative to predict the macroscale mechanical properties of the nanocomposites they form. Molecular dynamics simulations ca...
Feeding Activated Bifidobacterium infantis EVC001 to Very Low Birth Weight Infants is Associated with Significant Reduction in Rates of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

ABSTRACT Objectives To assess the effects of Bifidobacterium infantis EVC001 administration on the rate of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants in a single Level IV NICU. Study Design This was a retrospective observational analysis of 2 cohorts of VLBW infants (+/-B. infantis EVC001 probiotic) at OHSU from 2014 to 2020. Outcomes included NEC rates and NEC-associated mortality, including subgroup analysis of ELBW infants. Fisher’s exact test and log binomial models were used to determine differences between cohorts and risk reduction of NEC. Adjusted number needed to treat was calculated from the cohort coefficient of the model. Results In this analysis of 483 infants, the difference in rates of NEC between cohorts was statistically significant (11.0% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.0008). The EVC001-fed cohort had a 73% risk reduction of NEC compared to the No EVC001 cohort (adjusted risk ratio 0.270, 95% CI 0.094, 0.614, P = 0.0054) resulting in an adjusted number needed to treat of 12.4 (95% CI 10.0, 23.5) for B. infantis EVC001. There was no NEC-related mortality in the EVC001-fed cohort, yielding statistically significant differences from the No EVC001 cohort overall (0% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.0274) and the ELBW subgroup (0% vs. 5.6%, P = 0.0468). Conclusion(s) B. infantis EVC001 feeding was associated with a significant reduction in the rate of NEC and NEC-related mortality in an observational study of 483 VLBW infants. B. infantis EVC001 supplementation may be considered safe and effective for reducing morbidity and mortality in the NICU.
Independent and unified consciousness co-existence in commissurotomy cases.

Abstract Independent hemispheric consciousness was observed following complete commissurotomy under controlled laboratory conditions that restricted stimulus input and response output to a single hemisphere. Hemispheric specialization was investigated in this way. Consciousness of the self was tested directly as well and found to be represented in each of the hemispheres. Unified consciousness was evidenced in unaltered personality, character, humor, and past knowledge (autobiographical and knowledge of the world). Intact cortico-subcortical projections to intact subcortical regions are offered as explanation for why both unified and independent are possible in the same brain.
Development of Composites for Nonlinear Transmission Lines

Nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs) offer a robust, solid state solution for generating high power microwaves (HPM). NLTLs use nonlinear dielectric and/or magnetic materials whose permittivity and permeability, vary with voltage and current, respectively, to modulate a delivered pulse and generate RF. Materials such as barium strontium titanite (BST) and nickel zinc ferrites (NZF) are used for their nonlinear dielectric and magnetic properties, respectively. This study examines the development of composites containing various volume loads of BST, NZF, or combined loadings to tune dielectric and magnetic properties. It was found that by increasing the volume fraction of BST, one can effectively increase the permittivity of a bulk sample. Similarly, by increasing the volume loading of NZF, a samples permeability can also be increased. These results are promising for the development of tunable NLTLs.
“Mo té la”: Building Community-Engaged Plantation Archaeology in Guyane

Archaeology in Guyane takes place within a neocolonial framework. While still generally a public pursuit, archaeological projects rarely deploy explicit strategies for involving communities in research. Archeo La Caroline: Lavi Nou Gangan is an ongoing initiative centered on the first and only university-based archeological investigation of a village for enslaved Africans in Guyane. The project actively engages multiple, overlapping stakeholders—Afro-Guianese, Indigenous, and French—in addition to local and international teams of researchers. This paper discusses efforts to engage the broader Afro-Guianese community through structured site visits to Habitation La Caroline, thereby laying the foundation for future community-based archaeology projects.
Young people's e-cigarette risk perceptions, policy attitudes, and past-month nicotine vaping in 30 U.S. cities.

Abstract Background This study examined young people’s e-cigarette risk perceptions, policy attitudes, and past-month nicotine vaping in 30 US cities in relation to city e-cigarette retail policy. Methods Participants ages 13–20 were recruited online September-November 2020 (N = 900, approximately 30 per city). Cities (median population = 688,531) were in 23 states. Ever e-cigarette users were oversampled. A multilevel generalized estimating equations (GEE) model compared past-month nicotine vaping as a function of local e-cigarette retail policy. Among ever-users, multilevel bivariate GEE models examined associations of participant characteristics with past-month vaping (yes/no) and, among past-month nicotine vapers, purchase of vaping products at a retail location (yes/no). Results The sample (age M = 17.7 [SD = 1.8]) was 60.2% female and 29.3% Black. Minimal city-level variation was observed in e-cigarette risk perceptions or policy attitudes (ICCs Conclusions Among young people surveyed in US cities, e-cigarette risk perceptions and policy attitudes showed minimal between-city variation. Past-month vaping among ever-users did not differ significantly by local flavor policies. A majority of past-month users, regardless of city policies, reported underage access to flavored products in retail locations.
Radiation Hybrid Mapping

In the 1970s Goss and Harris [12] developed a new method for mapping human chromosomes. This method was based on irradiating human cells, rescuing some of the irradiated cells by hybridization to rodent cells, and analyzing the hybrid cells for surviving fragments of a particular human chromosome. For various technical reasons, radiation hybrid mapping languished for nearly a decade and a half until revived by Cox et al. [10]. The current, more sophisticated and successful versions raise many fascinating statistical problems. We will first discuss the mathematically simpler case of haploid radiation hybrids. Once this case is thoroughly digested, we will turn to the mathematically subtler case of polyploid radiation hybrids.
Toward a neuroethology of mammalian vision: Ecology and anatomy of rodent visuomotor behavior

The great diversity of the niches inhabited by rodents, and the variety of the visual demands of these niches, present an excellent prospect for a comprehensive neuroethological analysis of rodent visuomotor behavior. To this end, rodent taxonomy is reviewed, with special attention to the multiple independent invasions of arboreal, terrestrial, fossorial and aquatic niches by distantly related rodent species. Current work on rat, gerbil and hamster is reviewed with emphasis on visual contributions to naturalistic behaviors such as exploration, foraging, predator detection and conspecific recognition.
Perception, Philosophical Issues about

A discussion of three philosophical issues that have arisen within the contemporary scientific study of perceptual processes: the variations and limitations of representational systems, the localization of perceptual function in neural tissue, and the relations to verbal outputs of ordinary citizens introspecting their ordinary minds. 1. Central philosophical issues about perception
Some Personality Characteristics of Skydivers

ABSTRACT: Forty-one male skydivers from the southeastern United States, with a mean of 531 sport-parachute jumps (freefalls), were administered: (a) a skydiver questionnaire, designed to gather personal, sociological, and skydiving data; (b) the Shipley Vocabulary Test; and (c) the MMPI. Shipley data indicated that skydivers are of superior verbal intelligence, with a mean I.Q. of 122. Analysis of MMPI items revealed that, as compared to the MMPI Adult Male Normative Group, skydivers are significantly more free from anxiety, phobia, and depression; open and lacking in defensiveness; socially deviant and anticonventional; inclined to reject traditional religious beliefs; self-confident and positive; impulsive and oriented toward physical action; hedonistic and thrill seeking; sociable and extroverted; and free from health worries. The mean MMPI profile had high peaks on the Pd and Ma scales, with a low point on the Si scale.
Interparental Conflict and Youth Problem Behaviors: A Meta-Analysis

We examined the proposition that interparental conflict is associated with internalizing and externalizing problems in youth ages 5 to 18. This examination was done by conducting a meta-analysis of 348 statistical effects from 68 studies. The average effect size (d-value) was .32. There was considerable variability among effect sizes and this variability was associated with the average time since separation for separated/divorced parents, the socioeconomic status composition of the sample, and average parental education in the sample. The variability among effect sizes also was associated with the source of the informant used to assess interparental conflict and youth problem behaviors. Surprisingly, many of the other study characteristics we coded were not associated with variability in the effect sizes.
Raising the i-Factor: Bridging Parametric Shape and Parametric Design

Using the artifice of the i-device as an analogue, this paper examines issues in making design software more accessible through projects on computer-aided sustainable design, panelization for design and fabrication, and parametric shape grammar interpretation. In each case accessibility is improved by transitioning design from a representational concern to one that is more process oriented through the use of localized semantics.
Severe atrophy and fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus muscle due to isolated infraspinatus tendon tear

Atrophy of both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles is usually caused by chronic rotator cuff tear, but may also derive from suprascapular nerve entrapment at the spinoglenoid notch. Isolated infraspinatus muscle atrophy is uncommon, and typically associates with suprascapular nerve entrapment occurring distal to the spinoglenoid notch. However, isolated atrophy of the infraspinatus muscle due to insertional tear of the infraspinatus tendon may also occur. We present a case of a 43-year-old male with isolated infraspinatus muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration following an isolated full-thickness infraspinatus tendon tear at the insertion site on the humerus. While it is important to rule out other causes of infraspinatus muscle atrophy, such as concomitant rotator cuff tendon/muscle pathology or suprascapular nerve palsy, we present this case to increase awareness of this uncommon clinical presentation and the potential implications for treatment.
Low-energy Effective Action for Closed Bosonic Strings on Group Manifolds

Abstract Low-energy equations of motion are considered for the massless modes of a closed string moving on a group manifold G by requiring conformal invariance of the corresponding Fermi version of the two-dimensional σ-model coupled to background fields. A normal coordinate expansion is formulated which is manifestly gauge covariant. Chern-Simons terms are generated as a result of world-sheet anomalies. Detailed calculations are presented for G = U(N), k = 1 where k is the central charge of the associated Kac-Moody algebra. The formalism developed is also applicable to the heterotic string.
Immunocytochemical identification of electroneutral Na⁺-coupled HCO₃⁻ transporters in freshly dissociated mouse medullary raphé neurons.

The medullary raphe (MR) of the medulla oblongata contains chemosensitive neurons that respond to increases in arterial [CO₂], by altering firing rate, with increases being associated with serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine [5HT]) neurons and decreases, with GABAergic neurons. Both types of neurons contribute to increased alveolar ventilation. Decreases in intracellular pH are thought to link the rise in [CO₂] to increased ventilation. Because electroneutral Na(+)-coupled HCO₃(-) transporters (nNCBTs), which help protect cells from intracellular acidosis, are expressed robustly in the neurons of the central nervous system, a key question is whether these transporters are present in chemosensitive neurons. Therefore, we used an immunocytochemistry approach to identify neurons (using a microtubule associated protein-2 monoclonal antibody) and specifically 5HT neurons (TPH monoclonal antibody) or GABAergic neurons (GAD2 monoclonal antibody) in freshly dissociated cells from the mouse MR. We also co-labeled with polyclonal antibodies against the three nNCBTs: NBCn1, NDCBE, and NBCn2. We exploited ePet-EYFP (enhanced yellow fluorescent protein) mice (with EYFP-labeled 5HT neurons) as well as mice genetically deficient in each of the three nNCBTs. Quantitative image analysis distinguished positively stained cells from background signals. We found that >80% of GAD2(+) cells also were positive for NDCBE, and >90% of the TPH(+) and GAD2(+) cells were positive for the other nNCBTs. Assuming that the transporters are independently distributed among neurons, we can conclude that virtually all chemosensitive MR neurons contain at least one nNCBT.
Effect of toxaphene on the binding of 3H-labeled ouabain and dopamine to rat brain synaptosomes

Abstract The effects of toxaphene, a chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide, on the binding of ouabain and dopamine to rat brain synaptosomes enriched with Na + -K + ATPase were investigated. For in vitro assessment of the effects of toxaphene, the synaptosomes prepared from normal rats were used. For in vivo effects the rats were fed on 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm toxaphene mixed in their daily ration for 8 weeks. At the end of treatment the rats were killed and synaptosomes were prepared. Toxaphene inhibited Na + -K + and Mg 2+ ATPases of synaptosomes in vitro and the inhibition was significant and concentration-dependent. The IC 50 values were about 30 and 12 μM toxaphene for Na + -K + and Mg 2+ ATPases, respectively. However, much higher concentrations of toxaphene were required to inhibit the binding of [ 3 H]ouabain and [ 3 H]dopamine to synaptosomes. A 50% inhibition of ouabain and dopamine binding was obtained at 150 and 200 μM of toxaphene. The enzyme activities of synaptosomes in toxaphene-pretreated rats were decreased significantly. However, a dose-dependent decrease was not observed. The rats receiving dosages of 100 ppm and above showed a 30–40% decrease in enzyme activities. The binding of ouabain and dopamine to synaptosomes of toxaphene-pretreated rats showed no significant changes as compared to controls. The present in vitro results suggest that toxaphene may be an effective inhibitor of ATPases with substantial effects on the binding of ouabain and dopamine to rat brain synaptosomes. However, data obtained through in vivo studies do not support this contention. The reason for this discrepancy may be that the toxaphene is being rapidly metabolized or might not have reached the site of action.
Addendum to "A New Hybrid Algorithm for Computing a Fast Discrete Fourier Transform"

Recently,1 the authors proposed a hybrid algorithm for computing the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) of certain long transform lengths. In that technique, a Winograd-type algorithm was used in conjunction with the Mersenne prime-number theoretic transform to perform a DFT. Even though this technique requires fewer multiplications than either the standard fast Fourier transform (FFT) or Winograd's more conventional algorithm, it increases the number of additions considerably. In this letter it is proposed to use Winograd's algorithm for computing the Mersenne prime-number theoretic transform in the transform portion of the hybrid algorithm. It is shown that this can reduce significantly the number of additions while still maintaining about the same number of multiplications.
The formation of aluminum oxide scales on high-temperature alloys

This paper is a brief review of the extensive literature relating to the formation of protective α—Al2O3 scales on alloys at high temperature. Emphasis is placed on the proposed mechanisms of scale growth based on observations of scale morphologies and microstructures, inert-marker experiments and the distribution of oxygen isotope tracers within thermally-grown oxides. Attention is also given to the determination of ionic-transport mechanisms by electrochemical methods and to the effects of reactive elements such as yttrium in modifying ionic-diffusion processes.
Projective geometries of algebraically closed fields of characteristic zero

Abstract Fix an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero and let G be its geometry of transcendence degree one extensions. Let X be a set of points of G. We show that X extends to a projective subgeometry of G exactly if the partial derivatives of the polynomials inducing dependence on its elements satisfy certain separability conditions. This analysis produces a concrete representation of the coordinatizing fields of maximal projective subgeometries of G.
Polyamide hydrolysis accelerated by small weak organic acids

Abstract It is well known that acidity, pH, of a solution accelerates the hydrolysis of soluble amides. Here we describe the unexpected result that weak small organic acids at low concentrations hydrolyze a polyamide at rates approximately twice that of a water HCl solution of the same pH. The effect of three small organic acids in dilute solutions, acetic, propanoic, and butanoic was studied. It is observed that the effect on the hydrolysis rate increases as the organic acid gets weaker. Butanoic, the weakest acid, has the strongest effect on increasing the hydrolysis rate. Measurements on the concentration of these acids in the polyamide reveal that there is a selective desire for these weak organic acids to diffuse into the polyamide. The concentration of these acids in the polyamide is found to be several multiples of the concentration in the water environment. And the acid concentration is highest for butanoic. The hydrolysis rate is shown to be governed by solubility, not pH of the water environment. The longer hydrocarbon tail on the carboxylic group increases its compatibility with the polyamide's monomer structure. Results are reported on the hydrolysis of polyamide-11 polymerized from aminoundecanoic acid, both neat and a commercial plasticized composition, placed in water at 100 °C and 120 °C under anaerobic conditions in high pressure glass tubes.
Structure and conformation of 1,4-difluorobutane as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction, and by molecular mechanics and ab initio calculations

Abstract Gas-phase electron diffraction data at 23°C together with molecular mechanics (MM3) and ab initio (HF/6-31G∗, gaussian 86) calculations have been used to determine the structure and conformations of 1,4-difluorobutane. The object was to ascertain whether effects similar to the gauche effect in 1,2-difluoroethane, which serves to stabilize the gauche form with the fluorine atoms in close proximity, could also operate in 1,4-difluorobutane. It was found both theoretically and experimentally that the proportion of those conformers having close fluorine atoms was small, implying the absence of effects similar to the gauche effect. The conformational composition estimated from the theoretical calculations is in good agreement with the experimental data. The experimental electron diffraction results constrained by assumptions drawn from the theoretical calculations, ED/MM3 [ED/ab initio], for the principal distances ( r g A ) and angles ( ∠ α deg ) with estimated 2σ uncertainties are as follows: r (CH) = 1.105(3) [1.106(3)], r (CF) = 1.398(2) [1.398(2)], r (C 1 C 2 ) = 1.513(2) [1.516(2)], r (C 2 C 3 ) = 1.537(2) [1.532(2)], ∠FCC = 110.9(3) [111.1(3)], ∠CCC = 112.9(4) [112.9(4)], and ∠HCH = 100(3) [100(3)].
Database Review: ACP Smart Medicine

ACP Smart Medicine is a point-of-care product provided to American College of Physicians members as well as to individual subscribers. It is also available via STAT!Ref and Ovid. Areas of content are reviewed for this evidence-based medicine tool.
C-peptide microheterogeneity in type 2 diabetes populations.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate naturally occurring C-peptide microheterogeneity in healthy and type 2 diabetes (T2D) populations. Experimental design: MS immunoassays capable of simultaneously detecting intact C-peptide and variant forms were applied to plasma samples from 48 healthy individuals and 48 individuals diagnosed with T2D. Results: Common throughout the entire sample set were three previously unreported variations of C-peptide. The relative contribution of one variant, subsequently identified as C-peptide (3-31), was found to be more abundant in the T2D population as compared to the healthy population. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV is suspected to be responsible for this particular cleavage product, which is consistent with the pathophysiology of T2D. Conclusions and clinical relevance: C-peptide does not exist in the human body as a single molecular species. It is qualitatively more heterogeneous than previously thought. These results lay a foundation for future studies devoted to a comprehensive understanding of C-peptide and its variants in healthy and diabetic populations.
The ‘face’ of the il y a: Levinas and Blanchot on impersonal existence

This essay argues for a reading of Levinas’ work which prioritizes the significance of the il y a over the personal Other. I buttress this reading by using the well-documented intersections between Levinas’ work and that of Maurice Blanchot. Said otherwise, I argue that Levinas’ relationship with Blanchot (a relationship that is very much across the notion of the il y a) calls scholars of the Levinasian corpus to place the conception of impersonal existence to the forefront. To do so is to take seriously the complex relationship between Levinas’ explicitly ethical account of the face, and his phenomenological account of impersonal existence. To approach Levinas in this way (by way of his relationship with Blanchot) is to not only recognize that the ethical import of the face lies in its being without determination or nomenclature, but it is to also fully acknowledge the underlying horror of a Levinasian rendition of the ethical encounter.
3D graph segmentation for target detection in FOPEN LiDAR data

A novel use of Felzenszwalb’s graph based efficient image segmentation algorithm* is proposed for segmenting 3D volumetric foliage penetrating (FOPEN) Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data for automated target detection. The authors propose using an approximate nearest neighbors algorithm to establish neighbors of points in 3D and thus form the graph for segmentation. Following graph formation, the angular difference in the points’ estimated normal vectors is proposed for the graph edge weights. Then the LiDAR data is segmented, in 3D, and metrics are calculated from the segments to determine their geometrical characteristics and thus likelihood of being a target. Finally, the bare earth within the scene is automatically identified to avoid confusion of flat bare earth with flat targets. The segmentation, the calculated metrics, and the bare earth all culminate in a target detection system deployed for FOPEN LiDAR. General purpose graphics processing units (GPGPUs) are leveraged to reduce processing times for the approximate nearest neighbors and point normal estimation algorithms such that the application can be run in near real time. Results are presented on several data sets.
The Limits of Internationalization: a Neo-Gramscian Analysis of the Multilateral Agreement On Investment

The OECD's attempt to create a Multilateral Agreement on Investment provides a useful case study with which to examine the process of the internationalization of the state. Transnational historical materialism sees the development of supranational institutions such as the failed MAI as part of the neoliberal strategy of an emerging transnational capitalist class. However, in defining internationalization in terms of the national state becoming a transmission belt for global capital, transnational historical materialism adopts a deterministic reading of Gramsci's theory of hegemony. A more dialectical reading of hegemony suggests that internationalization will be uneven and contradictory. The suspension of negotiations for the MAI reveals how hegemonic conflicts, both within and directed against the transnational capitalist class, impose important limits on internationalization.
Posttraumatic recurrent subluxation of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon

Isolated posttraumatic subluxation of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon at the wrist has received scant attention in the literature. Five patients with this condition were seen during a 21-month period. All had chronic subluxation resulting from forearm hypersupination injury sustained during an athletic activity. Surgical treatment was indicated for three patients, and each obtained a satisfactory result. The salient pathologic feature appears to be a disruption of the ulnar-restraining septum of the sixth dorsal compartment of the wrist. Surgical treatment by reconstruction of this structure appears to be reliable and beneficial.
Egyptian and Algerian insurgencies: A comparison

The Egyptian and Algerian governments both face significant difficulties in dealing with their respective insurgencies largely due to the governments’ apparent inability to cope with a variety of political, social, and economic problems. Islamist groups in both countries are popularly perceived as offering improved answers to these issues. Neither government has shown any particularly aptitude for dealing with the insurgents. Nevertheless, the insurgency in Egypt is unlikely to be regime‐threatening unless the government makes a misstep. The insurgency in Algeria, on the other hand, will likely to continue to erode regime legitimacy, presenting a much more dismal picture for future stability.
Young adults' attitudes, beliefs, and feelings about testing for curable STDs outside of clinic settings

The purpose of this paper was to elicit attitudes, beliefs, and feelings about testing for curable STDs outside of clinic settings. Telephone interviews were conducted with 120 black, Latino, and white young adults aged 18 to 25 years. Data were analyzed with descriptive frequencies and content analyses. Most (73%) reported people their age would use self-test urine STD kits if available. Perceived advantages were privacy and convenience. Disadvantages included not having an immediate "face-to-face" discussion with a medical professional about positive tests. Young adults report a range of attitudes, beliefs, and feelings that may influence the success of efforts to screen for curable STDs in nonclinic settings.
Reader perceptions in sequencing procedural graphics of complex machines

Research has traditionally supported the use of a text-graphics instructional base as an efficient way of demonstrating procedural graphics. The use of text with structural and functional information for understanding process graphics has been largely emphasized. Also, for proper understanding of sequential process graphics, configuration and the starting picture of the sequence has been stressed. But this article argues that fulfillment of these criteria do not necessarily solve the problem in a complex setting that involves multiple subassemblies, whereby a significant difference between the local and global context of the assembly arises. The non-availability of the entire assembly context in process graphics makes the reader prone to errors when transitioning from one subassembly to another, irrespective of the nature of aid used. But our findings show that readers using text as aid while making this transition actually perform better than those with outcome graphics as aid.
Signal transduction of physiological concentrations of vasopressin in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells. A role for PYK2 and tyrosine phosphorylation of K+ channels in the stimulation of Ca2+ spiking.

Abstract The signal transduction pathway linking physiological concentrations of [Arg8]vasopressin (AVP) to an increase in frequency of Ca2+ spiking was examined in confluent cultures of A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells. Immunoprecipitation/Western blot studies revealed a robust increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase, PYK2, in A7r5 cells treated with 4β-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or ionomycin. 100 pm AVP also induced PYK2 tyrosine phosphorylation, and this effect was inhibited by protein kinase C inhibitors Ro-31-8220 (1–10 μm) or chelerythrine chloride (1–20 μm). In fura-2-loaded A7r5 cells, the stimulation of Ca2+ spiking by 100 pm AVP or 1 nm 4β-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was completely blocked by PP2 (10 μm, a Src family kinase inhibitor). Salicylate (20 mm, recently identified as a PYK2 inhibitor) and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, tyrphostin A47 (50 μm), but not its inactive analog, tyrphostin A63, also blocked AVP-stimulated Ca2+ spiking. PYK2 phosphorylation was inhibited by both PP2 and salicylate, whereas tyrphostin A47 failed to inhibit PYK2 tyrosine phosphorylation. ERK1/2 kinases did not appear to be involved because 1) 100 pm AVP did not appreciably increase ERK1/2 phosphorylation and U-0126 (2.5 μm) did not inhibit AVP-stimulated Ca2+ spiking; and 2) epidermal growth factor (10 nm) robustly stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation but did not induce Ca2+ spiking. Delayed rectifier K+ channels may mediate the PYK2 activity because Kv1.2 channel protein co-immunoprecipitated with PYK2 and tyrosine phosphorylation of Kv1.2 was stimulated by AVP and inhibited by Ro-31-8220, PP2, and salicylate but not tyrphostin A47. Our findings are consistent with a role for PYK2 and phosphorylation of K+ channels in the stimulation of Ca2+ spiking by physiological concentrations of AVP.
A review of the effects of hypolimnetic oxygenation on lake and reservoir water quality

ABSTRACT Hypolimnetic aeration is an increasingly common management technique that aerates the hypolimnion while preserving thermal stratification. While most hypolimnetic aeration systems use air as an oxygen source, use of pure oxygen is growing. Potential benefits of hypolimnetic oxygenation include maintenance of an oxygenated source of cool water to meet consumer and environmental needs, decreases in internal nutrient loading, inhibition of sediment release of problematic reduced compounds, and maintenance of summertime habitat for cold-water fish, zooplankton and zoobenthos. A number of short-term experimental oxygenation systems were operated in the 1970s, but large scale systems were not implemented until the 1980s. Deep oxygen injection systems have been operating in Lakes Sempach, Baldegg, and Hallwil, Switzerland, since the early 1980s to ameliorate cultural eutrophication. Deep oxygen injection has also been used to increase DO in hydroelectric releases from a number of large reservoirs in the...
Bioaccumulation of organic and inorganic selenium in a laboratory food chain

Aquatic organisms accumulated selenium (Se) from inorganic and organic Se species via aqueous and food-chain exposure routes. We measured aqueous and food-chain Se bioaccumulation from selenate, selenite, and seleno-L-methionine in a laboratory food chain of algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii), daphnids (Daphnia magna), and fish (bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus). Selenium concentrations were monitored radiometrically with 75Se-labeled compounds. All three organisms concentrated Se more strongly from aqueous selenomethionine than from either inorganic Se species. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) estimated from 1 μg Se/L Se-methionine exposures were approximately 16,000 for algae, 200,000 for daphnids, and 5,000 for bluegills. Algae and daphnids concentrated Se more strongly from selenite (BCFs = 220–3,600) than selenate (BCFs = 65–500) whereas bluegills concenrated Se about equally from both inorganic species (estimated BCFs = 13 to 106). Bioaccumulation of foodborne Se by daphnids and bluegills was similar in food chains dosed with different Se species. Daphnids and bluegills did not accumulate Se concentrations greater than those in their diet, except at very low dietary Se concentrations. Food-chain concentration factors (CFs) for daphnids decreased from near 1.0 to 0.5 with increases in algal Se concentrations, whereas CFs estimated from bluegill exposures averaged 0.5 over a range of foodborne Se concentrations. In exposures based on selenite, bluegills accumulated greater Se concentrations from food than from water. Aqueous and food-chain Se uptakes were approximately additive, and depuration rates were similar in aqueous, food-chain, and combined exposures. Our results suggest that bluegills in Secontaminated habitats accumulate inorganic Se species primarily via food-chain uptake, although organoselenium compounds such as Se-methionine may contribute significantly to Se bioaccumulation by bluegills via both aqueous and food-chain uptake.
Early Childhood Intervention and Education: The Urgency of Professional Unification.

Issues of critical current concern in early intervention focus on the goals of expanding the quantity and enhancing the quality of existing services. Unification between the fields of early childho...
A Lloyd theorem in weakly metric association schemes

Weakly metric association schemes are a generalization of metric schemes occurring in graph theory (vertex transitive digraphs), coding theory (Lee scheme, Clark-Liang scheme), and group theory (conjugacy scheme). Linear constraints on the inner distribution of r-covering codes in these schemes lead to a ‘Lloyd theorem’ on perfect codes. This generalizes results from Delsarte, Biggs, Bassalygo and Landauer.
Combined Heat and Mass Transfer in Porous Media Heat Exchanger

A numerical and experimental study of heat and mass transfer has been carried out for an energy recovery ventilator with a porous media heat exchanger. The energy recovery ventilator selected for this study has a rotary periodic heat exchanger that can transfer heat and moisture from one air stream to another. Such heat exchangers can be operated with high effectiveness by using a low-cost porous matrix as the heat exchanger medium. The influence of porosity in the matrix has been studied numerically and the performance of the energy recovery ventilator in recovering both heat and moisture has been modeled.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Antigenic structure of human hemoglobin: delineation of the antigenic site (site 2) within region 41-65 of the alpha chain by immunochemistry of synthetic peptides

A comprehensive synthetic approach consisting of a series of consecutive, uniform overlapping peptides encompassing the entire protein chain was recently used to determine the full antigenic profile of the α-chain of human hemoglobin (Hb). The peptides synthesized enabled the localization of five major “continuous” antigenic regions within the α chain. The present findings describe the delineation of an antigenic site (site 2) residing within the region 41–65. Ten peptides representing the α-chain regions 41–55, 51–65, 45–54, 45–56, 45–58, 45–60, 48–56, 49–56, 50–56, and 51–56 were synthesized and purified. Quantitative radioimmunoadsorbent titrations were used to determine binding to peptide adsorbents of radioiodinated anti-Hb antibodies that were raised in rabbit, goat, and outbred mouse. In one set of peptides, the N-terminal was fixed while the C-terminal end was increased by increments of two residues from Gln-54 to Lys-60 (i.e., peptides 45–54, 45–45, 45–58, and 45–60). Binding studies revealed that maximum antibody activity resided in peptide 45–45, indicating that Lys-56 marks the C-terminal boundary of the site. In the second set of peptides, the C-terminal was fixed at Lys-56 while the peptides were elongated at their N-terminal by one-residue increments from Gly-51 to Leu-48. Antibody-binding studies with these peptides indicated that Ser-49 defines the N-terminal boundary of the site. Therefore, the antigenic site within region 41–65 of the α chain comprises residues 49–56. The relevance of these findings to the immune recognition of Hb and other proteins is discussed.
Set-Valued Estimation of Freeway Traffic Density

Abstract The information about traffic density on a freeway is required by real time traffic responsive ramp flow controllers. Currently, density cannot be measured directly and has to be estimated from traffic flow and/or velocity measurements. This paper describes the algorithm for the set-valued density estimation using the macroscopic first order Cell Transmission Model (CTM) together with combined flow and velocity measurements. It is assumed that freeway cell capacities, on-ramp demands and measurement noise values are not known exactly, but lie within certain intervals. Monotonicity of CTM allows to reduce density estimation to a series of interval arithmetic operations.
Information delay in human learning

An experiment was conducted using a within S s design to evaluate the effect of information delay in a continuous paired-associates learning task. The delay interval between offset of the stimulus and onset of information feedback ranged from 0 to 12 sec. The basic independent variables involved manipulating the form of activity required of S during the delay interval and the type of information feedback provided. Under one set of conditions learning showed a marked decrement with an increase in the delay period. However, for other conditions no effect was observed and for yet others learning improved with increasing delay intervals. Thus within a single experiment it was possible to isolate some of the variables that determine the effect reinforcement delay has on learning. The results were shown to be predictable from some current theories of human learning.
R-Matrix Analysis of the 241 Pu Cross Sections up to 100 eV

The /sup 241/Pu total cross-section measurement of others and the neutron fission cross-section measurements were analyzed with the R-matrix resonance analysis program SAMMY, which uses Bayes' equation to extract resonance parameters from the experimental data. A set of Reich-Moore-type resonance parameters that describes the cross sections up to 100 eV was obtained. It is shown that existing data are not adequate for a precise evaluation of the resonance cross sections, and the need for additional work is discussed.
Microsporum racemosum: First isolation in the United States

What is believed to be the first isolation in the United States of the dermatophyteMicrosporum racemosum (2) was obtained from a 79 year old white male. The patient had numerous excoriations on the forehead, scalp, and nape of the neck. (Fig. 1) A culture of scrapings from the forehead grew out a flat, granular, cream-colored colony with a red cherry-colored pigment on the reverse. (Fig. 2). The growth was exceedingly rapid, reaching a thallus of 40 mm. in diameter within 15 days. On microscopic examination the organism was found to produce numerous echinulated macroaleuriospores, (Fig. 3, 5) as well as numerous microaleuriospores which are striking in appearance, occurring in wand-like clusters and being frequently stalked. (Fig. 4, 5) The macroaleuriospores are quite large, achieving over 60 microns in length and 15–16 microns in diameter. The colony and microscopic appearance was consistent with Borelli's description, with the exception of the wall of the macroaleuriospore. Borelli described the wall as being thin and very similar to M. gypsum, while in the isolation from Illinois, the wall was moderately thick. Drs. Ajello and Padhye of the U.S. Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia confirmed the identification.