cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The welfare loss from hospital cost‐shifting behavior: a partial equilibrium analysis

Cost shifting occurs when changes in administered prices of one payer lead to compensating changes in prices charged to other payers. Microeconomic theory suggests that cost shifting can take place under limited conditions and some empirical studies indicate that that hospital cost shifting may have actually occurred at various times. This study designs a model to conceptualize and quantify the potential welfare loss caused by hospital cost shifting under idealized yet fairly plausible conditions. The resulting estimate yields only a small efficiency loss of at most, 0.84% of private hospital expenditures in the US for 1992.
The magnetic behavior of Sf6 ions Am3+ and Cm4+☆

Abstract The 5f6 ions Am3+ and Cm4+ should exhibit temperature-independent magnetic behavior (van Vleck paramagnetism) at low temperatures. There have been few reports in the literature on the magnetic behavior of these ions, and while Am3+ has been shown to exhibit the expected temperature-independent behavior, there are also reports of anomalously large effective magnetic moments. A curium-containing compound with an effective moment less than 1.6 μB has yet to be reported. This paper is a review of the available literature on the magnetic behavior of the 5f6 ions, and a discussion of the possible interpretation of the anomalous behavior exhibited by these ions.
Health Outcomes and Volunteering: The Moderating Role of Religiosity

In this paper, we examine whether and what extent public and private forms of religiosity act as moderators of the volunteering and well-being relationship in mid- to later-life. We use data from the second wave of the National Survey of Midlife Devel- opment in the United States (n = 1,805). We analyzed the relationships between volun- teering and indicators of well-being (self-rated physical and mental health), and tested the moderating effects of public and private religiosity on the volunteering and well-being relationship. Our findings suggest that salubrious effects of volunteering on the self-per- ceived physical and mental health of middle- aged and older- aged adults varied by their participation in different forms of religiosity. In particular, volunteers who engaged in more public forms of religiosity reported significantly better physical and mental health than non-volunteers who engaged in these forms of religiosity. In other words, individuals who were actively engaged public forms of religious practices and who volunteered, maximized the associated health benefits.
New Orleans and Its Influence on the Work of Lillian Hellman

In her article, "New Orleans and Its Influence on the Work of Lillian Hellman," Charlotte Headrick explores playwright Lillian Hellman's life and work. Headrick proposes that Hellman was indelibly shaped by her years in the city of New Orleans. In her early childhood, Hellman would spend half a year in New York and half a year in New Orleans, home to her parents. Despite this seemingly schizophrenic upbringing, she considered herself a Southerner to the end of her days and, in fact, defined herself less by her Jewishness than by her "Southernness." Hellman's plays and memoirs are peppered with references to food and the last volume she published was neither a play nor a memoir but a cookbook. Hellman's life continues to fascinate and, since her death, there have been several plays written about her life and a television film based on her love affair with Dashiell Hammett. Headrick explores Hellman's love affair with New Orleans and how this city infused her memories, her plays, and her love of fine food. Charlotte Headrick, "New Orleans and Its Influence on the Work of Lillian Hellman" page 2 of 11 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 5.3 (2003):
Dynamic Optical Switching for Latency Sensitive Applications

Dynamic optical interconnects using fast Optical Circuit Switches (OCS) are emerging as a scalable and energy efficient alternative to increasing network demands. Initial concerns regarding slow switching speeds of OCSs were recently overcome, with prototypes enabling circuit setup in a few microseconds. This can potentially broaden the classes of traffic patterns that can be carried efficiently by an alloptical interconnect. However, application performance on such newer interconnects has not been fully understood yet. In this paper, we explore the the gap between advances in faster OCS hardware and the potential success of such newer technologies in terms of application performance and cluster energy efficiency. We evaluate the performance of latencysensitive distributed applications running on a fast OCS environment, analyzing its impact to overall server and network energy efficiency. We also discuss scheduling inefficiencies of current fast OCSs and evaluate ideas to solve them. We find that while some distributed applications suffer minimal performance penalty when running on fast OCSs, more flexible schedulers, like the ones outlined in this paper, improve application performance and OCS efficiency by up to 2.44 times compared to the strategies in the literature. Dynamic optical interconnects using fast Optical Circuit Switches (OCS) are emerging as a scalable and energy efficient alternative to increasing network demands. Initial concerns regarding slow switching speeds of OCSs were recently overcome, with prototypes enabling circuit setup in a few microseconds. This can potentially broaden the classes of traffic patterns that can be carried efficiently by an all-optical interconnect. However, application performance on such newer interconnects has not been fully understood yet. In this paper, we explore the the gap between advances in faster OCS hardware and the potential success of such newer technologies in terms of application performance and cluster energy efficiency. We evaluate the performance of latency-sensitive distributed applications running on a fast OCS environment, analyzing its impact to overall server and network energy efficiency. We also discuss scheduling inefficiencies of current fast OCSs and evaluate ideas to solve them. We find that while some distributed applications suffer minimal performance penalty when running on fast OCSs, more exible schedulers, like the ones outlined in this paper, improve application performance and OCS efficiency by up to 2.44 times compared to the strategies in the literature.
Simultaneous analysis and design optimization of nonlinear response

The optimal structural design requiring nonlinear analysis and design sensitivity analysis can be an enormous computational task. It is extremely important to explore ways to reduce the computational effort so that more realistic and larger-scale structures can be optimized. The optimal design process is iterative requiring response analysis of the structure for each design improvement. A recent study has shown that up to 90 percent of the total computational effort is spent in computing the nonlinear response of the structure during the optimal design process. Thus, efficiency of the optimization process for nonlinear structures can be substantially improved if numerical effort for analyzing the structure can be reduced. This paper explores the idea of using design sensitivity coefficients (computed at each iteration to improve design) to predict displacement response of the structure at a changed design. The iterative procedure for nonlinear analysis of the structure is then started from the predicted response. This optimization procedure is called “mixed” and the original procedure where sensitivity information is not used is called the “conventional” approach. The numerical procedures for the two approaches are developed and implemented. They are compared on some truss type structures by including both geometric and material nonlinearities. Stress, strain, displacement, and buckling load constraints are imposed. The study shows the mixed method to be numerically stable and efficient.
Prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesions: a review of the literature.

Abstract Background Postoperative adhesions are a significant health problem with major implications on quality of life and health care expenses. The purpose of this review was to investigate the efficacy of preventative techniques and adhesion barriers and identify those patients who are most likely to benefit from these strategies. Methods The National Library of Medicine, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were used to identify articles related to postoperative adhesions. Results Ileal pouch–anal anastomosis, open colectomy, and open gynecologic procedures are associated with the highest risk of adhesive small-bowel obstruction (class I evidence). Based on expert opinion (class III evidence) intraoperative preventative principles, such as meticulous hemostasis, avoiding excessive tissue dissection and ischemia, and reducing remaining surgical material have been published. Laparoscopic techniques, with the exception of appendicitis, result in fewer adhesions than open techniques (class I evidence). Available bioabsorbable barriers, such as hyaluronic acid/carboxymethylcellulose and icodextrin 4% solution, have been shown to reduce adhesions (class I evidence). Conclusions Postoperative adhesions are a significant health problem with major implications on quality of life and health care. General intraoperative preventative techniques, laparoscopic techniques, and the use of bioabsorbable mechanical barriers in the appropriate cases reduce the incidence and severity of peritoneal adhesions.
A STUDY OF PLANNING FOR EXPORT OPERATIONS

The paper focuses on an area where little research has been undertaken, namely export planning activity. Using a definition of planning as a one‐cycle process, attention is focused on the propensity of a sample of forest products exporters to undertake certain planning activities and on differences between planners and non‐planners. It was found that exporting was generally unplanned in the survey firms, and that the propensity to plan increased with size and the relative significance of export sales. Other variables, such as management commitment to exporting and the establishment of some export structure, also appeared to play a major role in accounting for planning activity.
O(No) pulse-coupled neural network performing humanlike logic

This paper will demonstrate that the PCNN has the capability of performing logic more similar to a human approach to problem solving than a traditional computer algorithm. An example of the spaghetti strand problem is used to support this contention. The PCNN used here is a neural network with only local connections and it also is continuous in the input space. Optical implementation of such a design is feasible and presented here.
Parental Evaluation and Its Relation to Shame and Pride in Young Children.

This study examines the evaluative behavior of parents toward their young children as a function of child gender. It also examines relations between parental evaluative comments and children's emotional behavior, specifically the expressions of shame and pride. Thirty intact, middle-class, Caucasian families and their 3-year-old children participated in the study. Dyadic interactions between each parent and child were videotaped across problem-solving situations. Transcripts were coded into categories of parent evaluative behavior and children's emotions were scored. Findings indicated that parents used more specific and positive, rather than global or negative evaluations. Moreover, boys received more positive evaluations while girls received more negative ones. Although children's expression of pride was not related to parental evaluative behavior, their expression of shame was related. Gender differences in parental evaluation were observed that may explain the gender differences in self-evaluation of the children themselves.
Extraction and refining of oil from amaranth seed

Oil was extracted with hexane on a pilot plant scale from seeds ofAmaranthus cruentus after the seeds were subjected to an efficient abrasive milling. Optimum conditions were then determined for refining and bleaching this oil. The yellow oil obtained is similar in appearance and composition to corn oil, but comparison with previously published analyses reveals a considerable variation in the content of the principal fatty acids, palmitic, oleic and linoleic, although the squalene content (5–8%) was in the expected range.
Marker barrier effect in diffusion species study of Ni/Al and W/Al reactions

Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the marker barrier effect in the thermally induced thin film reactions of W/(Ni marker)/Al and Ni/(W marker)/Al structures. The nickel marker did not have a barrier effect in the W/Al reaction, but the tungsten marker did in the Ni/Al reaction. The occurrence of the marker barrier effect is decided by the reaction starting temperatures of aluminum with tungsten and nickel.
A multivariate approach to the analysis of social dominance

This research outlined a methodology and determined essential information for the definition of social dominance. An ethological perspective was used to design two situations in which to observe and record dominance behavior. A multivariate analytical approach was used to define dominance in each of the two situations. A comparison of the dominance orders obtained in each of the situations was obtained to determine to what extent dominance behavior of a group of rats, defined in one situation, was predictive of their dominance behavior in another situation. In order to test the reliability of the findings of this study, a complete replication was performed by a different experimenter with different animals. The results of the experiments demonstrated that dominance is a meaningful and reliable construct in the two situations tested. Dominance is useful, reliable, and generalizable for each of the two situations tested; however, the animal that is dominant in one situation is not necessarily the animal that is dominant in the other situation.
Toxicity of 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in larval and adult forms of Rana catesbeiana.

Varying doses of TCDD ranging from 25 to 1000 μg/kg were administered to the larval and adult forms of the American bullfrog,Rana catesbeiana. Doses of TCDD as high as 1 mg/kg failed to have any significant effect upon survival or completion of metamorphosis in tadpole and doses of up to 500 μg/kg had no effect on survival of adult frogs. Histopathological examination of various tissues from the metamorphosed tadpoles and adult frogs failed to show any abnormalities.
Improved power of sib-pair linkage analysis using measures of complex trait dynamics.

The influence of epistasis on a quantitative trait can reduce the power of linkage analysis to identify the underlying loci. In the present study, we simulated a complex trait derived from a dynamic one-locus gene expression system with epistasis arising from feedback regulation and tested the power of sib-pair linkage analysis methods for detecting the underlying quantitative trait locus (QTL). Using this simple genetic architecture, we demonstrate that the power of sib-pair linkage analysis can be greatly improved if measures of complex trait dynamics are considered.
Initial Steps of Thermal Decomposition of Dihydroxylammonium 5,5′-bistetrazole-1,1′-diolate Crystals from Quantum Mechanics

Dihydroxylammonium 5,5′-bistetrazole-1,1′-diolate (TKX-50) is a recently synthesized energetic material (EM) with most promising performance, including high energy content, high density, low sensitivity, and low toxicity. TKX-50 forms an ionic crystal in which the unit cell contains two bistetrazole dianions {c-((NO)N3C)-[c-(CN3(NO)], formal charge of −2} and four hydroxylammonium (NH3OH)+ cations (formal charge of +1). We report here quantum mechanics (QM)-based reaction studies to determine the atomistic reaction mechanisms for the initial decompositions of this system. First we carried out molecular dynamics simulations on the periodic TKX-50 crystal using forces from density functional based tight binding calculations (DFTB-MD), which finds that the chemistry is initiated by proton transfer from the cation to the dianion. Continuous heating of this periodic system leads eventually to dissociation of the protonated or diprotonated bistetrazole to release N2 and N2O. To refine the mechanisms observed in...
Recent Sedimentary Development of Tampa Bay, Florida: A Microtidal Estuary Incised Into Tertiary Platform Carbonates

Tampa Bay, a large, microtidal, clastic-filled estuary incised into Tertiary carbonate strata, is the largest estuary on Florida’s west coast. A total of 250 surface sediment samples and 17 cores were collected in Tampa Bay in order to determine the patterns and controlling factors governing the recent infilling and modern sediment distribution, and to examine the results in terms of current models of estuarine sedimentation and development. Surficial sediments in Tampa Bay consist of three facies types, each occurring in a distinct zone: modern terrigenous clastic muds occurring in the upper bay and around the bay periphery; relict, reworked-fluvial, quartz-rich sands occupying the open portion of the middle bay; and modern carbonate-rich, marine-derived sands and gravels occupying the lower bay. Factors controlling sediment distribution include: sediment source and supply rate; bathymetry, which is a function of the antecedent topography; and the winnowing effect of wind-generated waves that prohibits modern accumulation in the shallow middle bay. These factors also play a major role in the recent infilling history of Tampa Bay, which has progressed in four stages during the Holocene sea-level rise. Recently developed models of estuarine sedimentation are based primarily on mesotidal to macrotidal estuaries in terrigenous clastic settings in which sedimentation patterns and infilling history are a result of the relative contribution of marine and fluvial processes. Tampa Bay differs in that it was originally incised into carbonate strata, and neither fluvial or marine processes are interpreted to be major contributors to modern sediment distribution. Tampa Bay, therefore, provides an example of an unusual estuary type, which should be considered in future modeling efforts. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY083 00004
Uncoded and coded performance of MFSK and DPSK in Nakagami fading channels

The author presents uncoded and coded performance results for noncoherent M-ary frequency-shift keying (MFSK) and differentially coherent binary phase-shift keying (DPSK) in a slow nonselective Nakagami-m (1960) fading channel. He gives simple expressions for the asymptotic slopes of probability of bit error for large signal-to-noise ratio and shows that the effective order of diversity compared to an uncoded Rayleigh channel is the product of two parameters, one for the channel and one for the code. He also compares the uncoded Nakagami-m results to those of the Rician channel in order to show performance differences between these two generalized fading channel models. >
Effect of degree of esterification on viscosity and gelation behavior of pectin

Abstract Pectin was esterified with diazomethane so that degradation did not occur. The intrinsic viscosity was found to decrease with increasing degree of esterification. Maximum shear modulus of high-solids content gels containing 0.3 % pectin of nearly constant chain length was obtained near a degree of esterification of 40%. The significance of these findings to the theory of pectin gel formation is discussed.
Approximate string matching using within-word parallelism

Given a text string, a pattern string, and an integer k, the problem of approximate string matching with k differences is to find all substrings of the text string whose edit distance from the pattern string is less than k. The edit distance between two strings is defined as the minimum number of differences, where a difference can be a substitution, insertion, or deletion of a single character. An implementation of the dynamic programming algorithm for this problem is given that packs several characters and mod-4 integers into a computer word. Thus, it is a parallelization of the conventional implementation that runs on ordinary processors. Since a small alphabet means that characters have short binary codes, the degree of parallelism is greatest for small alphabets and for processors with long words. For an alphabet of size 8 or smaller and a 64 bit processor, a 21-fold parallelism over the conventional algorithm can be obtained. Empirical comparisons to the basic dynamic programming algorithm, to a version of Ukkonen's algorithm, to the algorithm of Galil and Park, and to a limited implementation of the Wu-Manber algorithm are given.
A Rape Awareness and Prevention Model for Male Athletes

(1994). A Rape Awareness and Prevention Model for Male Athletes. Journal of American College Health: Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 179-184.
Principles for Organic Public Sociology: Reflections on Publicly Engaged Research in the San Francisco Homeless Policy Field Les principes de la sociologie publique organique: les pensées sur la recherche engagée dans le domaine de politique de sans-abris de San Francisco Principios para una sociología pública orgánica. Reflexiones sobre una investigación comprometida en el campo de la política de los "sin techo" en San Francisco

Interest in "public sociology" in the United States is a positive sign for researchers who seek to span the borders between academia and social change. However, it is important not to assume that just because sociological research is publicly oriented it will automatically advance human rights, justice, and ecological sustainability. Sociologists must critically consider principles for conducting public sociology if their work is to have a libratory outcome. This is particularly crucial when academic researchers attempt to directly work with marginalized social groups. In this article, I draw upon my experiences conducting a project of public sociology on local homeless policy to identify four basic principles for "counterhegemonic organic public sociology." L'interet a "la sociologie publique" aux Etats-Unis est un signe positif pour les chercheurs dont le travail cherche a enjamber les frontieres entre le milieu universitaire, la communaute, et l'activisme. Cependant, il est important de ne pas supposer que cela avancera automatiquement les droits de l'homme, la justice, et la durabilite ecologique juste parce que la recherche sociologique est publiquement orientee. Les sociologues doivent en critique considerer des principes pour conduire la sociologie publique si leur travail aura la fonction de se liberer. C'est particulierement important quand des chercheurs universitaires essaient de travailler directement avec les groupes sociaux marginalises. En cet article, j'utilise mes experiences en ayant conduit un projet de la sociologie publique sur la politique de sansabris regionale pour identifier quatre principes de base pour la sociologie publique qui est a la fois "contre-hegemonique et organique." El interes por la "sociologia publica" entre los sociologos americanos es un sintoma positivo para los investigadores cuyo trabajo tiende a cruzar las fronteras entre lo academico, la accion comunitaria y el activismo. Sin embargo, es importante tener en cuenta que no porque la investigacion sociologica se oriente hacia lo publico, va a hacer avanzar las causas de los derechos humanos, la justicia y la sostenibilidad ecologica. Los sociologos deben tener en cuenta ciertos principios si quieren que su trabajo tenga una funcion liberadora. Esto es particularmente importante cuando los investigadores academicos tratan de trabajar con grupos socialmente marginados En este articulo me apoyo en mi experiencia al realizar un proyecto de sociologia sobre la politica local de los "sin techo" para identificar cuatro principios basicos para "una sociologia publica organica anti-hegemonica."
The Intelligent Transportation System and the Ethics of Intelligent Computers

Machines that think are already here. This was demonstrated in May of 1997 when IBMs Deep Blue defeated Gary Kasparov (grandmaster and world champion chess player) in a well publicized chess match. Sometime between 2020 and 2040 intelligent machines will match or surpass humans in learning, thinking and reasoning, and will have the consciousness and emotions critical to setting or changing their goals. These intelligent machines will most likely also be an integral component of the future ITS. How much free will and level of abstraction (to explore their world and cyberspace and to learn) will these intelligent machines have and who will decide? In scientific fields it often takes a disaster for the practitioners to address fundamental problems, like stress corrosion in suspension bridge eyebar links. Intelligent machines have the potential capacity for artificial evil (to do harm) indicating that the morals and ethics of intelligent machines should be considered prior to their field implementation. What does this all mean for the distant future of ITS?
Dispharynxiasis in a Captive Princess Parrot

The acuariid nematode Dispharynx nasuta was found in a princess parrot, Polytelis alexandrae, at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh (Pennsylnania, USA). This is the first report of D. nasuta from the hoster order Psittaciformes, and was the presumed cause of death in this parrot.
Monthly variations in solid waste generation

Abstract The monthly quantities of residential, commercial, industrial and other wastes generated between 1985–1989 in Brown County, Wisconsin, U.S.A. are analysed. For each month and each waste type, the quantity of waste generated is compared with the monthly average and the difference is computed as a percentage. The means and standard deviations of these percentage differences are computed for each month using the five values computed for each of the five years. The generation patterns for residential, commercial, construction and demolition wastes, and discarded tires show lower than average generation in winter months and higher than average in summer months, with the residential and commercial components being the most predictable. Ash has the opposite pattern with the most produced in winter months. General industrial wastes are produced at an almost constant rate throughout the year, typically varying by less than 10% from the monthly average. Sludge appears to be the least predictable component of the waste stream.
A decomposition method for multi-product kanban systems with setup times and lost sales

We consider kanban controlled production systems with three or more different products processed on a single manufacturing facility. Customers for a product arrive according to a Poisson process. If a customer's demand cannot be met from stock, the customer leaves and satisfies his demand elsewhere (lost sales). Between the production of different products setup changes must be performed that take a significant time. Setup times and processing times are product-specific and follow exponential distributions. A production run continues until the target inventory level given by the number of kanbans for the product has been reached (exhaustive processing). Then the manufacturing facility is set up for the next product according to a fixed setup cycle. The exact model is mathematically intractable even for smaller systems. Therefore, we propose a decomposition-based approximation method for estimating steady-state performance measures.
Behavioral research in pigeons with ARENA: an automated remote environmental navigation apparatus.

Three experiments established the effectiveness of an Automated Remote Environmental Navigation Apparatus (ARENA) developed in our lab to study behavioral processes in pigeons. The technology utilizes one or more wireless modules, each capable of presenting colored lights as visual stimuli to signal reward and of detecting subject peck responses. In Experiment 1, subjects were instrumentally shaped to peck at a single ARENA module following an unsuccessful autoshaping procedure. In Experiment 2, pigeons were trained with a simultaneous discrimination procedure during which two modules were illuminated different colors; pecks to one color (S+) were reinforced while pecks to the other color (S−) were not. Pigeons learned to preferentially peck the module displaying the S+. In Experiment 3, two modules were lit the same color concurrently from a set of six colors in a conditional discrimination task. For three of the colors pecks to the module in one location (e.g., upper quadrant) were reinforced while for the remaining colors pecks at the other module (e.g., lower quadrant) were reinforced. After learning this discrimination, the color-reinforced location assignments were reversed. Pigeons successfully acquired the reversal. ARENA is an automated system for open-field studies and a more ecologically valid alternative to the touchscreen.
Research Commentary---Seeking the Configurations of Digital Ecodynamics: It Takes Three to Tango

This paper starts from the premise that the simultaneous increase in environmental turbulence, the requisite speed of organizational change, and the intensified ubiquity of digital technologies are spawning a phenomenon that is messy, complex, and chaotic. Accordingly, we need to change the way we examine how information technology (IT) can help organizations build a strategic advantage in turbulent environments. We propose a more systemic and holistic perspective to theory building and testing in the information system (IS) strategy area and correspondingly appropriate methods that capture the complexity of this phenomenon. We term this phenomenon digital ecodynamics, defined as the holistic confluence among environmental turbulence, dynamic capabilities, and IT systems---and their fused dynamic interactions unfolding as an ecosystem. We believe that a more holistic understanding of digital ecodynamics will fuel the next leap in knowledge in the IS strategy area. First, extending the strategic management literature that has mainly focused on two-way interactions between environmental turbulence and dynamic capabilities, we foreground IT systems as a third central element. We use a “threesome tango” analogy1 with strong mutual interdependence to accentuate our view of digital ecodynamics---while also stressing the emerging role of IT systems in triggering environmental turbulence and shaping dynamic capabilities to build a strategic advantage. Second, we propose a different paradigmatic lens (configuration theories) as an appropriate inquiring system to better understand the complexity of digital ecodynamics. The paper articulates the key aspects of configuration theories as inquiring systems, compares them with the more common variance theories and process theories, and illustrates the power of recent advances in configurational methods. Third, we create a preliminary roadmap for IS researchers to better examine digital ecodynamics using novel structural properties afforded by configuration theories (i.e., mutual causality, discontinuity, punctuated equilibria, nonlinear change). Fourth, we reflect on the broader opportunities that the configurational perspective of digital ecodynamics can create for IS strategy research. The paper ends by highlighting the double-barreled opportunity that digital ecodynamics renders, both as an energizing vision for IS strategy research and also as a reshaper of strategic management research and practice in a turbulent and digitized world.
Giving an Account of One’s Pain in the Anthropological Interview

In this paper, I analyze the illness stories narrated by a mother and her 13-year-old son as part of an ethnographic study of child chronic pain sufferers and their families. In examining some of the moral, relational and communicative challenges of giving an account of one’s pain, I focus on what is left out of some accounts of illness and suffering and explore some possible reasons for these elisions. Drawing on recent work by Judith Butler (Giving an Account of Oneself, 2005), I investigate how the pragmatic context of interviews can introduce a form of symbolic violence to narrative accounts. Specifically, I use the term “genre of complaint” to highlight how anthropological research interviews in biomedical settings invoke certain typified forms of suffering that call for the rectification of perceived injustices. Interview narratives articulated in the genre of complaint privilege specific types of pain and suffering and cast others into the background. Giving an account of one’s pain is thus a strategic and selective process, creating interruptions and silences as much as moments of clarity. Therefore, I argue that medical anthropologists ought to attend more closely to the institutional structures and relations that shape the production of illness narratives in interview encounters.
Pesticides Associated with Suspended Sediments Entering San Francisco Bay Following the First Major Storm of Water Year 1996

Estuaries receive large quantities of suspended sediments following the first major storm of the water year. The first-flush events transport the majority of suspended sediments in any given year, and because of their relative freshness in the hydrologic system, these sediments may carry a significant amount of the sediment-associated pesticide load transported into estuaries. To characterize sediment-associated pesticides during a first-flush event, water and sus- pended sediment samples were collected at the head of the San Francisco Bay during the peak in suspended sediment concentration that followed the first major storm of the 1996 hydrologic year. Samples were analyzed for a variety of parameters as well as 19 pesticides and degradation products that span a wide range of hydrophobicity. Tidal mixing at the head of the estuary mixed relatively fresh suspended sediment transported down the rivers with suspended sediments in estuary waters. Segregation of the samples into groups with similar degrees of mixing between river and estuary water revealed that transport of suspended sediments from the Sacramento-San Joaquin drainage basin strongly influenced the concentration and distribution of sediment-associated pesticides entering the San Francisco Bay. The less-mixed sus- pended sediment contained a different distribution of pesticides than the sediments exposed to greater mixing. Temporal trends were evident in pesticide content after samples were segregated according to mixing history. These results indicate sampling strategies that collect at a low frequency or do not compare samples with similar mixing histories will not elucidate basin processes. Despite the considerable influence of mixing, a large number of pesticides were found asso- ciated with the suspended sediments. Few pesticides were found in the concurrent water samples and in concentrations much lower than predicted from equilibrium partitioning between the aqueous and sedimentary phases. The observed sediment-associated pesticide concentrations may reflect disequilibria between sedimentary and aqueous phases resulting from long equilibration times at locations where pesticides were applied, and relatively short transit times over which re-equilibration may occur.
Study of the proton arc spreading effect on primary ionization rates

[1] We investigate the influence of the spatial spreading effect in a proton arc with finite width on resulting primary ionization rates, using our three-dimensional (3-D) Monte Carlo ion transport model. By the direct impact from energetic protons and generated hydrogen atoms, ambient neutrals in the Earth's upper atmosphere can be ionized in charge exchange or ionization collisions. The model results show that the ionization rates (and particle fluxes) depend on all of the parameters we varied: incident proton arc dimensions, energy spectra, average energies, latitudinal energy flux distributions, and magnetic field dip angles. It is found that a correction factor, often introduced at an equilibrium altitude (∼300 km) in one-dimensional (1-D) theoretical models, cannot completely account for the beam spreading effect for an incident proton arc of finite width. Below ∼300 km, ionization rates in 1-D models are generally overestimated at high altitudes (above ∼150 km) and underestimated at low altitudes (below ∼150 km). The overestimation is caused by overlooking the difference between the spatial spreading for the particle fluxes and for the ionization rates. At low altitudes, the beam radius gets smaller, causing underestimation in the 1-D ionization rates. The results of our 3-D sensitivity study of various parameters can be applied in future studies of auroral and ring current proton precipitation into the upper atmosphere.
Analysis of unsymmetrical broadside-coupled coplanar waveguides for microwave integrated circuits

An analysis of new broadside-coupled coplanar waveguides (CPW) having a completely asymmetrical structure, suitable for hybrid and monolithic microwave and millimeter-wave integrated circuits requiring broad bandwidths as well as loose and tight couplings, is presented. The results of the investigation, performed based on the spectral-domain analysis, demonstrate the versatility of the asymmetrical broadside-coupled CPW as compared to its symmetrical counterpart.
Spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis and regulation of cell survival by granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs or neutrophils) are the most prominent cellular component of the innate immune system in humans and produce an array of potent cytotoxic molecules. It is important that neutrophils undergo constitutive (spontaneous) apoptosis as a mechanism to facilitate normal cell turnover and immune system homeostasis. Conversely, several proinflammatory cytokines, including granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), prolong neutrophil survival. The molecular mechanisms that regulate PMN apoptosis or survival remain incompletely defined. To that end, we compared global gene expression in human neutrophils during spontaneous apoptosis with that in cells cultured with human GM-CSF. Genes encoding proteins that inhibit apoptosis, such as myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1, caspase 8 and Fas-associated via death domain-like apoptosis regulator (CFLAR), B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL2)/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa-interacting protein 2 (BNIP2), and serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK), were down-regulated coincident with neutrophil apoptosis. In contrast, those encoding apoptosis inhibitor 5, BCL2-like 1, BNIP2, CFLAR, SGK, and tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 8 were up-regulated in PMNs cultured with GM-CSF. Correspondingly, GM-CSF delayed PMN apoptosis (P<0.03), increased cell viability (P<0.03), and prolonged neutrophil phagocytic capacity (P<0.05). Prolonged functional capacity was paralleled by striking up-regulation of proinflammatory genes and proteins, including CD14, CD24, CD66, and human leukocyte antigen-DR. In addition, expression of SGK protein diminished during PMN apoptosis but was restored by culture with GM-CSF, suggesting SGK is involved in leukocyte survival. These studies provide a global view of the molecular events that regulate neutrophil survival and apoptosis.
Neural Mechanisms of Delirium: Current Hypotheses and Evolving Concepts

The purpose of this article is to review current knowledge regarding potential neural mechanisms of delirium. A MEDLINE search for relevant English language articles was undertaken using various combinations of delirium (including cognitive disorders, encephalopathy, and confusion) with pathogenesis and pathophysiology. These articles were scanned for content related to hypotheses concerning the neurobiology of delirium. Additional references were obtained from a manual search of the bibliography of these articles. A secondary MEDLINE search of delirium with the mechanism in question (i.e., serotonin, acetylcholine, etc.) was then undertaken. Literature review was last updated as of April 1998. Despite being a common problem among elderly patients, the mechanisms of delirium are poorly understood. Delirium is a syndrome that may occur as the result of multiple complex interacting neurotransmitter systems and pathologic processes. The neurotransmitters acetylcholine and serotonin may play particularly important roles in common medical and surgical delirium. Other neurotransmitters such as dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid each may be involved in the development of delirium under special conditions. Other neurobiologic factors such as cytokines, cortisol abnormalities, and oxygen free radicals will require further study to define their role in delirium. Distinct neuropathologic processes leading to delirium are beginning to be defined. Such mechanisms may differ in various clinical settings. There is probably no final common pathway to delirium, but rather, delirium is the final common symptom of multiple neurotransmitter abnormalities. Further situation-specific studies of delirium pathophysiology should lead to more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Angiotensin II type-1 receptor regulates RhoA and Rho-kinase/ROCK activation via multiple mechanisms. Focus on "Angiotensin II induces RhoA activation through SHP2-dependent dephosphorylation of the RhoGAP p190A in vascular smooth muscle cells".

angiotensin ii, a crucial regulator of the cardiovascular system, is not only required for physiological functions, such as maintenance of blood pressure and plasma sodium concentration but also is involved in pathophysiological conditions such as hypertension and atherosclerosis (26). Angiotensin II exerts its effect by mainly binding to the angiotensin II type-1 (AT1) receptor. As its seven transmembrane structure suggests, the AT1 receptor couples to several heterotrimeric G proteins including Gq. In addition, the activation of the AT1 receptor leads to increased reactive oxygen species; activation of various protein tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases; and of small G proteins such as Ras, Rac, and RhoA, which may require heterotrimeric G protein-dependent and -independent mechanisms (6, 7, 11, 19).
The Year of the Cock—1969

Abstract THE cock has been recognized and celebrated in symbolic ways for many generations. To residents of East Asia 1969 is recognized as “the Year of the Cock.” Oriental people have their own zodiac-like calendar rotating in a twelve year cycle. According to a traditional Japanese story many years ago on a certain New Year’s Day Buddha called before him all the animals of the world and suggested that if they promised him fealty he would see that they received recognition. Only twelve came but they were rewarded by each having a year named for him. The animals appeared and are now recognized in the following order: the rat “ne”—(Japanese); ox—“ushi”; tiger—“tora”; hare—“u”; dragon —“tatsu”; snake—“mi”; horse—“uma”; sheep—“hitsiyi”; monkey—“saru”; cock—“tori”; dog—“inu”; and boar—“i”. Each animal was assigned a year. Some of the peculiar characteristics of the animals are said to…
Application of Micromachined $Y$ -Cut-Quartz Bulk Acoustic Wave Resonator for Infrared Sensing

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of thermal infrared (IR) imaging arrays operating at room temperature which are based on Y-cut-quartz bulk acoustic wave resonators. A novel method of tracking the resonance frequency based upon the measurement of impedance is presented. High-frequency (240-MHz) micromachined resonators from Y-cut-quartz crystal cuts were fabricated using heterogeneous integration techniques on a silicon wafer. A temperature sensitivity of 22.16 kHz/°C was experimentally measured. IR measurements on the resonator pixel resulted in a noise equivalent power of 3.90 nW/Hz1/2, a detectivity D* of 1 × 105 cm · Hz1/2/W, and a noise equivalent temperature difference of 4 mK in the 8- to 14-μm wavelength range. The thermal frequency response of the resonator was determined to be faster than 33 Hz, demonstrating its applicability in video-rate uncooled IR imaging. This work represents the first comprehensive thermal characterization of micromachined F-cut-quartz resonators and their IR sensing response.
Mosaicism in Human Epithelium: Macroscopic Monoclonal Patches Cover the Urothelium

AbstractPrevious studies of chimeric animals and human tissues have shown the clonal nature of organ development, giving clues as to the normal development of organs and also to abnormal developments, such as atheromatous plaques. The clonal nature of bladder cancer in female patients has been demonstrated, but little has been known of the clonal development of the normal urothelium. Using an X chromosome inactivation analysis of cells microdissected from histologic slides from the female human bladder, macroscopic urothelial patches of monoclonality were detected. These patches are about 120 mm.[2] in size, contain about 2 X 106 cells each and reflect the presence of coherent cellular families composed of stem cells and their differentiated derivatives. The large size of these patches was surprising when compared with previously reported patch sizes in other organ systems. The patches most probably are composed of the descendants of the original founder cells, which would suggest that only 200 to 300 cel...
The Influence of Air Density on Scatterometer Retrievals of Surface Turbulent Stress

There has long been speculation that scatterometers respond to surface stress rather than wind; however, all previous efforts to demonstrate this suggestion have had negative results. Previous efforts have focused on wave-related changes in stress. Herein, the dependence of stress on near surface air density is examined. The biases expected for such a dependency are found in data similar to those used to calibrate the QuikSCAT (QSCAT) scatterometer.
Seasonal occurrence and breeding of the Yellow Crowned Night Heron Nyctanassa violacea in the Patos Lagoon estuary (RS, Brazil): the new southern geographic range of the species.

Seasonal occurrence and breeding of the Yellow Crowned Night Heron Nyctanassa violacea in the Patos Lagoon estuary (RS, Brazil): the new southern geographic range of the species.
Distribution of Midge Remains (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Surficial Lake Sediments in New England

Abstract A survey of larval midge remains from surficial sediments in 37 New England lakes was undertaken in order to relate midge distributions to environmental factors. The lakes are located along a transect from northern New Hampshire to southern Connecticut. The midges proved to be a very diverse group of insects in these freshwater habitats. A total of 65 chironomid taxa were recovered. Canonical correspondence analyses indicated that the environmental variables which best explain the distribution of chironomid taxa were mean July air temperature, percent sediment organic matter, pH, and lake depth. This knowledge about the relationship between midge distribution and mean July air temperature can be applied to midge assemblages preserved in older lacustrine sequences to improve our understanding of past environmental conditions in the region.