cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regeneration and Expansion of Quercus tomentella (Island Oak) Groves on Santa Rosa Island

Quercus tomentella (island oak) is an endemic species that plays a key functional role in Channel Island ecosystems. Growing in groves on highland ridges, Q. tomentella captures fog and increases water inputs, stabilizes soils, and provides habitat for flora and fauna. This cloud forest system has been impacted by a long history of ranching, and restoration efforts are underway that include erosion control, leaf litter capture, fog capture, and reforestation. To inform retoration efforts, we explored tree regeneration and the potential for Q. tomentella grove expansion on Santa Rosa Island. We delineated current and historic groves at Black Mountain by comparing stand maps from 1989 and aerial photographs from 1994 and 2015. We evaluated regeneration in the outlying areas by recording the location, diameter at breast height, number of trunks, height class, percent crown mortality, nurse plant species (if present), and reproductive status for all 4355 outlying seedlings, saplings, and mature trees. We defined outliers as individuals that were 15 m outside of the canopy of island oak groves. There are 14 groves at Black Mountain, and grove size expanded by an average of 36.9% (SD 18.5%) between 1994 and 2015. Nurse plants correlated positively with outlier tree height and reduced percent crown mortality. This effect is potentially due to increased fog drip from nurse plant species such as Quercus pacifica (island scrub oak), Heteromeles arbutifolia (toyon), and Baccharis pilularis (coyote brush). These results indicate that Q. tomentella is regenerating and that nurse plants can serve as catalysts for ecosystem restoration.
Designing a Web-based Decision Aid for Individuals to Consider Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer screening, a relatively new procedure, is widely considered to be a promising way to address the low chances of survival from this disease by catching it at an earlier, more treatable stage. However, deciding whether to get this screening can be complicated for an individual; as such, patient decision aids are used to facilitate this process. To co-design a lung cancer decision aid, we conducted 5 participatory design workshops with 17 participants from African American and Latinx populations from communities with low resources. We also conducted 5 focus groups with 21 African-American participants to provide evaluative feedback. Through triangulating our fieldwork findings with other stakeholders, we detail the challenges of designing an inclusive decision aid and offer some suggestions with concrete examples, which complement current content-based guidelines, to assist in other patient decision aid development. We then discuss implications for applications to support decision-making in pervasive environments.
Digital VHF/UHF Antenna Selector Implemented in Software Defined Radio

This paper presents the results for the US Naval Research Laboratory developed digital VHF/UHF antenna selector out-of-tree module developed for use in GNURadio. Testing was performed at NRL in August 2018. The results for the test show that the antenna selector successfully switched the input signal during reception without loss of the voice/radio signal. The switching was performed with each call to the out of tree module and would switch all samples for that specific call from the best antenna input to the output. The module was optimized using calls to memcpy to ensure no loss in performance due to loops. The input signal power computation was computed using the built-in FFTW library and additional function calls.
American Indian/Alaska Native Smokers' Utilization of a Statewide Tobacco Quitline: Engagement and Quitting Behaviors From 2008 to 2018.

Author(s): Lienemann, Brianna A; Cummins, Sharon E; Tedeschi, Gary J; Wong, Shiushing; Zhu, Shu-Hong | Abstract: IntroductionThe objective of this study was to examine access, engagement, and quitting behaviors of American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) callers to the California Smokers' Helpline. Telephone counseling is the primary function of the quitline. The overarching theoretical framework for California's quitline is social cognitive theory, although it also utilizes motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral strategies.Aims and methodsAIAN (n = 16 089) and White (n = 173 425) California quitline callers from 2009 to 2018 were compared on their characteristics, engagement, and quitting behaviors. Quitline callers responded to a telephone survey at intake. A random selection was called for evaluation 7 months later (White n = 8194, AIAN n = 764). Data from the 2009 to 2017 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) were used as a reference point for AIANs (AIAN n = 1373).ResultsThe quitline and CHIS had similar proportions of AIANs (4.6% vs. 4.3%, respectively). AIAN smokers were more likely than White smokers to report physical (53.6% vs. 44.9%) and mental (65.7% vs. 57.8%) health conditions at intake. AIANs were more likely to participate in counseling than White callers (67.1% vs. 65.7%). Among those who received counseling, AIANs had greater odds than White smokers of making a quit attempt (adjusted odds ratio = 1.39 [1.06, 1.81]) and similar odds of quitting for 180 days (adjusted odds ratio = 0.95 [0.69, 1.31]).ConclusionsRates of access, engagement, and quitting suggest that individualized quitline counseling was as effective with AIANs as it was with White smokers. Increasing efforts to refer AIANs to existing state quitlines can help more smokers quit.ImplicationsThis study showed that AIAN smokers were well represented among California quitline callers, even without a targeted campaign. It also found that AIAN smokers engaged in quitline services and were as able to quit as their White counterparts were, even after adjusting for other baseline characteristics. One implication is that public health programs can promote quitlines using broad-based campaigns knowing that they will still motivate AIAN smokers to seek help. Another implication is that a standard, individualized counseling protocol delivered by culturally competent quitline staff can effectively help AIAN smokers to quit.
Results for charged disks with different forms of surface charge density

Abstract The equilibrium surface charge density of a charged disk is strikingly different from that of a uniformly charged disk. This dissimilarity is reflected on the corresponding Coulomb electrostatic potentials that they create. However, it is shown in this work that the Coulomb self-energy of these two differently charged disks is not much influenced by the pronounced difference that exists between their corresponding surface charge density distributions.
Influence of Battery Voltage Level on Regenerative Braking Capability and Overall Efficiency of Electric Vehicles

This paper discusses the effect of battery voltage level on the regenerative braking capability as well as the overall efficiency in Electric Vehicles (EVs). The performance of regenerative braking and the system losses in EVs depend on various factors including battery voltage level. In this study, a MATLAB/SIMULINK model of an EV powertrain and energy storage is utilized to simulate road load conditions and to analyze the effect of different battery voltage levels on regenerative braking capability and overall efficiency of the vehicle. The results of applying different battery voltage levels are compared with each other from the viewpoint of energy savings as well as total ohmic losses. The results show that ohmic losses decrease, and more energy can be harvested during brake instances by utilizing higher battery voltage levels. The results also indicate that regenerative braking improvements are significantly higher than the gain obtained from ohmic loss reduction.
Efficacy of Cannabidiol in Children with Intractable Epilepsy (P4.077)

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of cannabidiol in treatment of pediatric seizures based upon published data. Background: Medication-resistant epilepsy poses a challenge in the field of pediatric neurology, and is associated with poor clinical outcomes, decreased quality of life, high healthcare costs. Patients who continue to have uncontrolled seizures despite treatment with multiple antiepileptic drugs (AED’s) and other interventions such as the ketogenic diet or vagal nerve stimulator are left with few options. The changing popular and political climate has facilitated growing interest and research in the antiepileptic properties of cannabinoids, especially those with a high content of cannabidiol (CBD). However, limited data exists regarding the use of cannabinoids in pediatric epilepsy. Design/Methods: We searched Pubmed to perform a systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA statement. We included studies in children with epilepsy in which CBD or other cannabinoid products were used and which evaluated efficacy. Outcomes were measured by percent seizure reduction (no change, 0–50%, 50–100%, 100% reduction in seizure activity). Side effects were described. Results: Of 44 studies, 9 met all inclusion/exclusion criteria, and were included in the final analysis. The pooled sample size for CBD was 541 patients. In all patients, CBD was added to their existing AED regimen. Of total patients, 15/541 (2.8%) experienced no change, 260/541 (48.1%) experienced 0–50% reduction, 211/541 (39%) experienced 50–100% reduction, and 44/541 (7.4%) experienced complete reduction in seizure frequency. 11/541 (2%) reported worsening seizures. The most common side effects were drowsiness and changes in appetite. Positive cognitive effects included improved sleep, alertness, and behavior. Conclusions: CBD oil reduces seizure frequency in a significant number of pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy on multiple AEDs. Larger, randomized, double-blinded studies would be needed with controlled doses of CBD and prolonged follow up to accurately assess CBD utility in the future. Disclosure: Dr. Kaur has nothing to disclose. Dr. Andriola has received personal compensation for activities with UCB as a speaker. Dr. Manganas has nothing to disclose.
From Silicon to the Brain Using Microelectronics as a Bridge

The research journey of Alice Cline Parker is presented in this chapter. Alice Parker’s family background and the circumstances that propelled her into engineering begin the chapter. The journey her research took from a more-conventional Electrical Engineer into the neuroscience-inspired world of neuromorphic circuits completes the chapter. The role of nanotechnology in her research directions is also highlighted. Parker cites the individuals who were key to her career success, beginning with her father’s influence.
Tree Representations of Rectangular Proximity Matrices

A least-squares algorithm for fitting ultrametric and path length or additive trees to two-way, two-mode proximity data is presented. The algorithm utilizes a penalty function to enforce the ultrametric inequa­lity generalized for asymmetric, and generally rectan­gular (rather than square) proximity matrices in esti­mating an ultrametric tree. This stage is used in an alternating least-squares fashion with closed-form formulas for estimating path length constants for de­riving path length trees.
Periductal stromal tumor of the breast in a young lady: A case report

We present the case of a 30-year-old lady who underwent a core needle biopsy for a BIRADS 4 lesion of her left breast and was diagnosed as having a cellular fibroadenoma. The final diagnosis after excision returned to be a periductal stromal tumor (PST). An extremely rare entity, the PST is actually classified as a subtype of phyllodes tumor, with specific criteria that are only found upon histological examination of the specimen. Care should be taken when considering the diagnosis of fibroadenoma based only on clinical, radiological, and biopsy findings. Any nonclassical, clinical, or radiological findings should prompt a wide excision. Prognosis is generally good when clear margins are obtained and in the absence of malignant heterologous elements.
From the Editor: Au Revoir, Not Adieu1

As we all know, the year 2020 has been a difficult one. The worldwide novel coronavirus, known as the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States (U.S), the U.S elections, the...
Avoiding the AI Minefield: Privacy Implications for the Use of AI and Emerging Technologies in Healthcare

Purpose: This paper aims to discuss privacy legal issues related to the utilization of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in healthcare. It will introduce recent developments in AI, briefly examine how it can further the triple aim of medicine, and discuss legal challenges related to its implementation. Finally, we will review suggestions for a statutory solution and offer practical steps healthcare providers might take to mitigate their liability until privacy law catches up with technological development. Method: Research was conducted primarily through legal and scientific databases such as LexisNexis, Westlaw …
Trotting and Bounding in a Planar Two-legged Model

This paper describes algorithms for control and balance in a simple multi-legged model. The model has two springy legs that operate in a plane, representing the lateral half of a quadruped. We have decomposed control of the model into three separate parts. The first part controls vertical bouncing, the second part controls forward running and the third part controls body attitude. Results of simulating the model show that two variations of the control system result in two different running gaits, trotting and bounding. The algorithms used to control this model are closely related to those used earlier to control systems with just one leg.
Is It Immoral to Prohibit Sexually Harassing Speech in the Classroom

Courts have found college instructors liable for hostile environment sexual harassment in the classroom even where such conduct includes the instructor’s speech. This paper focuses on the moral issue of whether prohibition under Title IX of sexually harassing speech by an instructor in a college classroom unduly interferes with the liberty of the instructor to engage in such speech. This liberty issue raises the classical philosophical question of the moral limits of social coercion. In addressing the liberty issue, I state and apply an analytical framework derived from Joel Feinberg’s work The Moral Limits of the Criminal Law. On the basis of this analysis, I conclude that Title IX does not constitute an immoral restriction of the instructor’s liberty in such cases. I also briefly consider two general objections pertaining to the form such regulations take.
VISTA: The Visual Interface for Scheduling Transformations and Analysis

VISTA is a visually oriented, interactive environment for parallelizing sequential programs at the instruction level for execution on fine-grain architectures. Fully automatic parallelization techniques often perform well, but may not be able to achieve the strict performance and code size requirements needed for some critical applications. In such cases, manual manipulation by an expert user can often provide enough improvements in the parallelization process to meet the requirements of the application. Using VISTA, an expert user fine-tunes the parallelization process by providing rules and directives to the system in response to graphical and numeric feedback provided by the system.
The People Paradox

U.S. land-use regulators are increasingly embracing mixed-land-use “urban” neighborhoods, rather than single-land-use “suburban” ones, as a planning ideal. This shift away from traditional regulatory practice reflects a growing endorsement of Jane Jacobs’s influential argument that mixed-land-use urban neighborhoods are safer and more socially cohesive than single-land-use suburban ones. Proponents of regulatory reforms encouraging greater mixing of residential and commercial land uses, however, completely disregard a sizable empirical literature suggesting that commercial land use generates, rather than suppress, crime and disorder, and that suburban communities have higher levels of social capital than urban communities. This Article constructs a case for mixed-land-use planning that tackles the uncomfortable reality that these studies present. That case is built upon an apparent paradox: in urban communities, people do not, apparently, make us safer. But they do make us feel safer. This “People Paradox” suggests that, despite an apparent tension between city busyness and safety, land-use regulations that enable mixed-land-use neighborhoods may advance several important urban development goals. It also suggests an often-overlooked connection between land-use and policing policies.
Foreign language student anxiety and expected testing method: face-to-face versus computer mediated testing

The evidence is overwhelming; affective factors, in particular anxiety, do affect students who are learning a second or foreign language. Foreign language anxiety can affect students' achievement and desire to continue their studies. Instructors want their students to succeed and want them to continue. Therefore, finding ways to reduce this anxiety is a key factor. Oral proficiency is the main goal for both students and instructors. The communicative approach is the main teaching focus. Therefore, testing for proficiency should be part of the curriculum. However, many professors do not test in this way, one of the reasons stated is that it can provoke anxiety in students. Numerous studies indicate that attitudes and beliefs toward language learning and testing can increase anxiety. A method that could reduce students' anxiety levels before they even take a test may help them achieve better results or at least lead to more relaxed attitudes toward these tests. This study gathered data on the anxiety levels of students who were told that they would be undergoing oral proficiency testing using either traditional face-to-face or computer mediated methods. Comparing these two groups, will the anxiety scores of university students who believe that they will be tested for oral proficiency using synchronous (SCMC) and asynchronous (ACMC) computer mediated communication differ significantly from those who believe they will be tested using face-to-face interviews and classroom discourse? Will the level of the student be a significant factor?
Circulating tumor cells in patients with carcinoma in situ of the cervix uteri.

Abstract Serial samples of blood obtained from 42 patients with carcinoma in situ via arm and uterine veins before and during conization and hysterectomy were studied for circulating tumor cells by Nuclepore filter methods. Three patients who had groups of circulating cancer cells were followed for 3 years with repeated blood cytology, direct Coombs, C-reactive protein, and latex tests. Persistent tumor cells were observed in peripheral blood of one patient for 2 years without noticeable physical evidence of metastases, while 2 other women subsequently yielded negative specimens. All aforementioned immunologic tests were negative throughout a 3 year period. The study would indicate that few cancer cells may circulate in the blood of some women with noninvasive cervical cancer. The results further suggest that the formation of metastases would require a constant circulation of large quantity of tumor cells and significant immunologic defect of hosts, the nature of which will have to be determined in the future.
Critical success factors of computer software training workshops in the construction industry

Seeking to make employees productive as quickly as possible on their new computer systems and software, contractors are increasingly investing in computer training. Colleges and university professors are being asked by both industry and computer software manufacturers to help train their personnel and the purchasers of their software, respectively. In order to effectively train adults on new computer application software in the construction industry, colleges and universities must learn to conduct computer software training workshops which are geared toward the working professionals. Research of construction software workshops showed that there are five critical success factors which are common to these workshops. These critical success factors were: pre–evaluation, workshop format, curriculum, the instructor, and the facilities. From this research and the survey results, guidelines are presented for developing computer software training workshops for the construction industry.
The Effect of Instant Messaging on Lecture Retention.

The impact of instant message interruptions via computer on immediate lecture retention for college students was examined. While watching a 24–minute video of a classroom lecture, students received various numbers of related–to–lecture (“Is consistent use of the eye contact method necessary for success?”) versus not–related–to lecture (“Have you ever missed class because you couldn't find parking?”) instant messages in addition to note taking vs. no note taking. Student self–rating for multitasking ability, typical and maximum instant messaging activity, and classroom computer use were also measured. Contrary to cognitive models of information processing that suggest instant messages will disrupt student retention of lecture information, no effects were found for number of interruptions, presence or absence of notes, or relatedness of interruption on lecture retention. Students’ multitasking self–rating was negatively related to lecture retention. The implications of these results for classroom practice and future research are explored.
A cloned renal epithelial Na+ channel protein displays stretch activation in planar lipid bilayers

We have previously cloned a bovine renal epithelial channel homologue (alpha-bENaC) belonging to the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) family. With the use of a rabbit nuclease-treated in vitro translation system, mRNA coding for alpha-bENaC was translated and the polypeptide products were reconstituted into liposomes. On incorporation into planar lipid bilayers, in vitro-translated alpha-bENaC protein 1) displayed voltage-independent Na+ channel activity with a single-channel conductance of 40 pS, 2) was mechanosensitive in that the single-channel open probability was maximally activated with a hydrostatic pressure gradient of 0.26 mmHg across the bilayer, 3) was blocked by low concentrations of amiloride [apparent inhibitory constant of amiloride (K(i)amil approximately 150 nM], and 4) was cation selective with a Li+:Na+:K+ permselectivity of 2:1:0.14 under nonstretched conditions. These pharmacological and selectivity characteristics were altered to a lower amiloride affinity (K(i)amil > 25 microM) and a lack of monovalent cation selectivity in the presence of a hydrostatic pressure gradient. This observation of stretch activation (SA) of alpha-bENaC was confirmed in dual electrode recordings of heterologously expressed alpha-bENaC whole cell currents in Xenopus oocytes swelled by the injection of 15 nl of a 100 mM KCl solution. We conclude that alpha-bENaC, and by analogy other ENaCs, represent a novel family of cloned SA channels.
Pilot Study of Early Corticosteroid Elimination After Pancreas Transplantation

Abstract Early corticosteroid withdrawal has recently been shown to be possible in recipients of simultaneous pancreas kidney transplants; however, its feasibility in solitary pancreas recipients has not been documented. In the present study, we provide evidence that early withdrawal can be achieved in pancreas as well as pancreas-kidney recipients. Methods Twenty type I diabetics underwent 13 pancreas-kidney transplants and 7 pancreas-only transplants with early withdrawal (methylprednisone 6-day taper). Additional immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and thymoglobulin induction (five doses). Results Transplants included 13 pancreas-kidney, 6 pancreas after kidney transplant, and 1 pancreas after islet transplant. Overall mean follow-up was 7.3 months. One episode of pancreas transplant rejection after pancreas-only transplant was detected on protocol biopsy without biochemical abnormalities. One renal allograft rejection occurred 65 days posttransplant in a pancreas-kidney recipient and was graded as a Banff IA rejection. A single pancreas graft loss occurred due to thrombosis 6 days after pancreas-kidney transplantation. Conclusions These results indicate that relatively short thymoglobulin induction (five doses) with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil can allow early withdrawal in both pancreas-kidney and pancreas-only transplant recipients.
Vapor deposition of cobalt-tungsten alloys

Abstract Cobalt-tungsten binary deposits were formed in laboratory experiments by hydrogen reduction of the anhydrous mixed vapors of cobaltous chloride and tungsten hexachloride. The materials were sublimed in separately heated zones of a reaction tube and were transported in a stream of purified helium into the deposition section of the tube where the chloride gases were reduced to metal by a countercurrent flow of hydrogen. Heat-treating of the near stoichiometric binary metallic deposits converted nearly all to the intermetallic compound Co3W; however, small quantities of both cobalt and tungsten remained. Mechanical tests showed that the tensile strength of heat-treated 75% cobalt-25% tungsten deposits was twice as high as that of similarly treated deposits of cobalt.
The Employment Contract in Nonpublic Schools: A Review of Case Law

This research reviews and analyzes case law related to private-school employment contracts. The cases deal with the validity of contracts and termination of employment in which the courts have been called upon to settle a variety of disputes between nonpublic schools and their employees. School administrators must be knowledgeable of the basic principals of contract law.
Collective Consumption of Private Goods

Recent econometric studies have argued that many of the goods and services currently provided by municipalities may be private rather than public. One explanation of this result is that decisions concerning which commodities are to be consumed collectively are not made in the market place but are the result of voting decisions. In this paper, we use a fairly simple voting model to examine the conditions under which a majority of the population might benefit from, and thus vote for, collective consumption of private commodities. It was shown that if all individuals vote and have equal political power, if the elasticity of tax shares was at least as progressive as the Lindahl equilibrium tax shareing arrangement, and if the income distribution was not skewed to the right, a majority of the population would prefer to have a private commodity consumed collectively. The segment of the population benefited by the change from private provision and consumption of a commodity to collective consumption of a commodity would be all voters with incomes equal to or less than the median income.
Effects of Hygrothermal Conditions and UV Radiation on UHMWPE Fibers/Nanofiber Epoxy Composites

Nanofiber-epoxy with reactive graphitic nanofibers (r-GNFs) showed an improvement in adhesion properties in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers/epoxy resin composite (bundle/tow form) in our previous experiments. In this study, moisture absorption characteristics of pure-epoxy, nanofiber-epoxy materials and their UHMWPE bundle composites were investigated under hygrothermal aging and UV conditions. For the matrix specimens the weight gain deviated from Fick's law, and thus, a two-stage model, which includes both diffusion and structural relaxation, was applied to analyze the moisture absorption behaviors. For the bundle composites the results indicated that the weight gain showed compatibility with Fick's law. The UHMWPE fiber composite with nanofiber-epoxy containing 0.3 wt% r-GNF loading resulted in the lowest rate of water absorption. Bundle composites were also exposed to accelerated UV aging conditions. The UV test results showed that the plateau stress and ultimate tensile stren...
On the ethics of intervention in human psychological research: with special reference to the Stanford Prison Experiment

Research was conducted recently (August 14-21, 1971) in which subjects assumed the roles of ‘prisoner’ or ‘guard’ for an extended period of time within an experimentally devised mock prison setting on the Stanford University campus. The projected twoweek study had to be prematurely terminated when it became apparent that many of the ‘prisoners’ were in serious distress and many of the ‘guards’ were behaving in ways which brutalized and degraded their fellow subjects. In addition, the emerging reality of this role-playing situation was sufficiently compelling to influence virtually all those who operated within it to behave in ways appropriate to its demand characteristics, but inappropriate to their usual life roles and values; this included the research staff, faculty observers, a priest, lawyer, ex-convict, and relatives and friends of the subjects who visited the prison on several occasions (for details see Zimbardo, Banks, Haney and Jaffe, 1973; Haney, Banks and Zimbardo, 1973). This research represents one of the most extreme experimental demonstrations of the power of situational determinants in both shaping behaviour and predominating over personality, attitudes and individual values. As such it extends the conclusions from Stanley Milgram’s research on obedience to authority (1974). But the ethical concerns voiced over Milgram’s treatment of placing subject-teachers in a conflict situation where they believed (incorrectly) that they were hurting another person are even more pronounced in the present case. Volunteer prisoners suffered physical and psychological abuse hour after hour for days, while volunteer guards were exposed to the new self-knowledge that they enjoyed being powerful and had abused this power to make other human beings suffer. The intensity and duration of this suffering uniquely qualify the Stanford prison experiment for careful scrutiny of violations of the ethics of human experimentation. The plan of this article is to: (a) Give a synopsis of the experiment to familiarize the reader with its basic features; (b) summarize one set of critical arguments levelled
THE IMPACT OF THE MIDDLE EAST CRISIS ON INTERNATIONAL CLOSED‐END (COUNTRY) MUTUAL FUND PERFORMANCE

An increasing number of investors are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of diversification in terms of expected returns and risks. These investors are looking to international investing as a method of reducing risk. Because of the perceived benefits, Closed‐end (Country) Funds are becoming more popular with investors (Logue, 1982; Bonser‐Neal, 1990; Gould, 1990; Fadiman, 1990; Eun, 1991).
Aerosol-cloud chemical fractionation: Enrichment factor analysis of cloud water

A field study was conducted at a mountain-top site in northwestern Colorado. Supercooled cloud water, collected as a function of droplet size, was analyzed for anions, cations and trace elements. Enrichment factors (EF) of SO 4 2− , K+, Na+ and Cl− relative to crustal and marine reference elements (Al and Na) were calculated to determine whether chemical fractionation of the aerosol occurs during cloud droplet formation. The largest EF's for all ions were found for droplets less than 10–15 µm diameter. Ratios of the small to large droplet mean EF's ranged from 1 to 2, for SO 4 2− relative to both Al and Na+, to 10 to 12 for Na+, Cl− and K+, relative to Al. EF's of K+ and Cl− in the bulk cloud water were in crustal and marine proportions, respectively. It was concluded that although bulk could chemistry may indicate a lack of enrichment of a species, this may not be true throughout the droplet size distribution. The higher enrichments in small droplets is likely a result of their formation on small aerosol particles whereas the large droplets form on the largest aerosol particles. This may suppress EF's in precipitation relative to the total aerosol.
Digital Image Display Control System, DIDCS

DIDCS is an interactive image display and manipulation system that is used for a variety of astronomical image reduction and analysis operations. The hardware system consists of a PDP 11/40 main frame with 32K of 16-bit core memory; 96K of 16-bit MOS memory; two 9 track 800 BPI tape drives; eight 2.5 million byte RKO5 type disk packs, three user terminals, and a COMTAL 8000-S display system which has sufficient memory to store and display three 512 x 512 x 8 bit images along with an overlay plane and function table for each image, a pseudo color table and the capability for displaying true color. The software system is based around the language FORTH, which will permit an open ended dictionary of user level words for image analyses and display. A description of the hardware and software systems will be presented along with examples of the types of astronomical research that are being performed. Also a short discussion of the commonality and exchange of this type of image analysis system will be given.
Association constants for ion pairs

The isodielectric rule is a corollary of the theoretical equation KΛ=(4πNa3/3000) exp (e2/aDkT) derived for primitive model electrolytes. Real systems, especially those involving small ions in structured solvents, do not follow the rule because energies of short range system-specific interactions contribute to Δg, the difference in free energy between paired and unpaired ions. Δg=−kT ln (KΛ/Vm), where VM is the molar volume (in liters) of the solvent. The thermodynamic constant Ka=ap/(a±)2, where ap is the Lewis activity of the pairs and a± that of cation and anion; for ideal solutes, activity=mole fraction. Incidentally, ln KΛ calls for an undefinable operation: only pure numbers have logarithms.
Factors for Adjusting Milk and Butterfat Records of Register of Merit Jersey Cows to a Uniform Age Basis

Summary A table of factors for adjusting Register of Merit Jersey milk and butterfat records to a standard age basis has been evolved from the initial records found in the Register of Merit up to and including the 1921 Volume. The result of the application of these factors to actual records is compared with results secured by the use of other correction factors. The production curves of Register of Merit cows indicate that the period of maximum producing ability continues from 6 to 10½ years of age.
Anxiety and Impaired Social Function in the Elderly

The effect of anxiety on impairment in activities of daily living was examined among elderly individuals residing in a longterm care setting. Eighty one subjects received complete assessments of psychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairment, and ability to perform daily living tasks. A multivariate analysis was conducted to determine the relative influence of anxiety, cognitive status, and depressive symptoms on daily living skills. The presence of anxiety was significantly associated with reduced functional status in performing activities of daily living. This relationship remained significant even after controlling for the presence of concurrent depressive symptoms as well as cognitive impairment. Anxiety is a significant source of morbidity among elderly individuals and substantially impairs social function over and above the effects of depression and cognitive decline. Current interventions for anxiety such as benzodiazepines may have adverse cognitive effects, hence more specific intervention strategies...
An economic approach to tips and service quality: Results of a survey

Abstract Previous literature on restaurant tipping has generally found that diner assessment of service quality is a weak explanator of tip size. We argue that this finding is suspect because of two problems in the way service quality is measured. First, in these studies service quality measures are based on customer-supplied cardinal rankings of quality made after-the-fact. This falsely assumes interpersonal comparability of service. Second, quality rankings typically displayed very low variation because most diners reported service as having been good. If tipping is effective in promoting good service, low variation in quality rankings will result and quality will be an insignificant explanator of tips. We ask subjects how they would tip under hypothetical service quality scenarios e.g. when service is “satisfactory,” “very good” and “poor.” We survey 286 students at two universities in Minnesota and Alberta and find that service quality is actually a strong explanator of tips.
Prevalence of obesity in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.

Background: According to the most recent data, an estimated 17.1% of children in the United States are obese. We found no published studies documenting the prevalence of obesity in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. The purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of obesity in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy and examine the trend in this measure over the last decade. Methods: A retrospective review was performed to analyze the age, gender, height, weight, physical classification of the cerebral palsy, and functional level as determined with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) of all children with cerebral palsy who had a gait analysis performed in the Motion Analysis Laboratory of our institution between January 1994 and December 2004. This information was used to determine the prevalence of obesity (a body mass index in or above the 95th percentile of the sex-specific body mass index-for-age growth chart) in this population and its relationship to age, gender, the physical classification of the cerebral palsy, and the GMFCS level. Results: When the data were grouped into three time periods (1994 to 1997, 1998 to 2002, and 2003 to 2004), a significant increase in obesity over time was noted (p = 0.017). The prevalences increased from 7.7% to 14% to 16.5% in the respective time periods. The prevalence increased over time in both males and females, those with hemiplegia and those with diplegia, and those with level-I function and those with level-II function according to the GMFCS. The association between obesity and time was significant in the female (p = 0.015), hemiplegic (p = 0.049), less than eight-year-old (p = 0.020), and GMFCS level-II (p = 0.003) groups. We found that the time period was independently associated with obesity when we controlled for age, type of cerebral palsy, and GMFCS level (p = 0.014). Children with a lesser degree of involvement (GMFCS level II) had twice the odds of becoming obese than did children with greater involvement (GMFCS level III). Conclusions: The prevalence of obesity in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy has risen over the last decade from 7.7% to 16.5%, an increase that is similar to that seen in the general pediatric population in the United States. This finding may have a major impact on the general health and functional abilities of these children as they reach adult life.
Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Territories, 1967-1977

(1977). Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Territories, 1967-1977. Journal of Palestine Studies: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 26-47.
Behavioral responses to stress following central and peripheral injection of the 5-HT2 agonist DOI

Abstract Evidence suggests that serotonin (5-HT) systems are involved in the regulation of an organism's response to stress. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the possibility that central (20, 100, or 200 μg icv), peripheral (0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/kg sc), or combined central (200 μg) plus peripheral (0.1 mg/kg) injections of the selective 5-HT 2 agonist (±)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane HCl (DOI) would alter behavioral responses to stress in rats. Animals were evaluated during tail pinch stress, in an open field, and on a rotarod task. Across the three modes of administration (icv, sc, icv+sc), DOI resulted in a dose-related decrease in five of seven classes of behaviors observed during tail pinch. This reduction was most pronounced following subcutaneous injections, but occurred following intracerebroventricular and combined subcutaneous and intracerebroventricular injections as well. An additive effect of combined intracerebroventricular and subcutaneous administration was suggested by the fact that doses which were ineffective when given singly by these two routes resulted in a reduction in stress-evoked behavior when given together. Reduced responding seemed not to be attributable to general motoric impairment as DOI did not affect locomotion, grooming, or rotarod performance. The results suggest that activation of 5-HT 2 receptors produces an anxiolytic effect in rats subjected to acute tail pinch stress.
Genome-wide detection of alternative splicing in expressed sequences of human genes.

We have identified 6201 alternative splice relationships in human genes, through a genome-wide analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Starting with ∼2.1 million human mRNA and EST sequences, we mapped expressed sequences onto the draft human genome sequence and only accepted splices that obeyed the standard splice site consensus. A large fraction (47%) of these were observed multiple times, indicating that they comprise a substantial fraction of the mRNA species. The vast majority of the detected alternative forms appear to be novel, and produce highly specific, biologically meaningful control of function in both known and novel human genes, e.g. specific removal of the lysosomal targeting signal from HLA-DM β chain, replacement of the C-terminal transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail in an FC receptor β chain homolog with a different transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail, likely modulating its signal transduction activity. Our data indicate that a large proportion of human genes, probably 42% or more, are alternatively spliced, but that this appears to be observed mainly in certain types of molecules (e.g. cell surface receptors) and systemic functions, particularly the immune system and nervous system. These results provide a comprehensive dataset for understanding the role of alternative splicing in the human genome, accessible at http://www.bioinformatics.ucla.edu/HASDB.
Using cannabis to help you sleep: Heightened frequency of medical cannabis use among those with PTSD

Abstract Background The use of cannabis for medical purposes is proliferating in the U.S., and PTSD is an explicitly approved condition for accessing medical cannabis in 5 states. Prior research suggests that people with PTSD often use cannabis to help cope with their condition, and that doing so results in more frequent and problematic cannabis use patterns. Specific coping motivations, such as sleep improvement, among medical cannabis users, have not been examined. Methods The present study evaluated specific coping use motivations, frequency of cannabis and alcohol use, and mental health among a convenience sample of patients ( N = 170) at a medical cannabis dispensary in California. Results Those with high PTSD scores were more likely to use cannabis to improve sleep, and for coping reasons more generally, compared with those with low PTSD scores. Cannabis use frequency was greater among those with high PTSD scores who used for sleep promoting purposes compared with those with low PTSD scores or those who did not use for sleep promoting purposes. Conclusions Consistent with prior research, this study found increased rates of coping-oriented use of cannabis and greater frequency of cannabis use among medical users with high PTSD scores compared with low PTSD scores. In addition, sleep improvement appears to be a primary motivator for coping-oriented use. Additional research is needed to examine the health consequences of this pattern of cannabis use and whether alternative sleep promoting interventions (e.g. CBT-I) could reduce the reliance on cannabis for adequate sleep among those with PTSD.
Directional decomposition and generalized-screen approximation for the scattering of electromagnetic waves in isotropic frequency dependent media

The electromagnetic wavefield is decomposed into up- and downgoing constituents, which allows the introduction of the one-way wave operator. Transverse scattering is taken into account by a pseudodifferential operator, the vertical slowness operator. The actual computation of the one-way wave propagator is made feasible by the introduction of the so- called generalized-screen approximation of the vertical slowness symbol. The medium is defined in terms of a background medium and a perturbation. Such a contrast formulation induces a polyhomogeneous series expansion of the vertical slowness symbol in both the magnitude and the smoothness of the medium perturbation; the addition of higher- order terms of the series expansion increases the accuracy of the one-way generalized-screen propagator. The medium parameters, dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability, are described by Cole-Cole distributions to allow a realistic description of frequency dependent medium properties. These results are then cast into a family of fast numerical algorithms. We analyze the accuracy of the generalized-screen method in complex structures using synthetic models that exhibit significant multiple scattering. The generalized- screen method shows accuracy for wide-angle propagation as well as for the prediction of multi-pathing.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Histological damage and recovery of Pisidium casertanum exposed to linear tridecyl benzene sulfonate, an anionic surfactant.

Abstract 1. Duplicate groups of Pisidium casertanum were exposed to a logarithmic series (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 mg/l) of linear tridecyl benzene sulfonate (LTBS) and a control for 24 hr. 2. Gill and intestinal tissue were examined histogolically 1, 4, 8, 16, and 32 days following exposure. 3. No observable gill damage occurred at any of the concentrations tested, nor to intestinal tissue at 0.01 or 0.1 mg/l LTBS. 4. Damage to intestine was observed at LTBS concentration of 1.0 and 10.0 mg/l, there being a generalised loss of cilia, cellular vacuolation and sloughing of columnar epithelia at 1.0 mg/l, and a marked reduction in cell size at 10.0 mg/l. 5. At both concentrations, the cellular damage was reversible, recovery occurring within 8 days for clams exposed to 1.0 mg/l, and by 32 days for those exposed to 10.0 mg/l. 6. The tissue responses of clams exposed to LTBS were different than expected, based on the more widely studied responses of fish tissue, and are explained by the filter feeding adaptations of clams.
A numerical method for exact boundary controllability problems for the wave equation

Abstract The computational approximation of exact boundary controllability problems for the wave equation in two dimensions is studied. A numerical method is defined that is based on the direct solution of optimization problems that are introduced in order to determine unique solutions of the controllability problem. The uniqueness of the discrete finite-difference solutions obtained in this manner is demonstrated. The convergence properties of the method are illustrated through computational experiments. Efficient implementation strategies for the method are also discussed. It is shown that for smooth, minimum L 2 -norm Dirichlet controls, the method results in convergent approximations without the need to introduce regularization. Furthermore, for the generic case of nonsmooth Dirichlet controls, convergence with respect to L 2 norms is also numerically demonstrated. One of the strengths of the method is the flexibility it allows for treating other controls and other minimization criteria; such generalizations are discussed. In particular, the minimum H 1 -norm Dirichlet controllability problem is approximated and solved, as are minimum regularized L 2 -norm Dirichlet controllability problems with small penalty constants. Finally, a discussion is provided about the differences between our method and existing methods; these differences may explain why our methods provide convergent approximations for problems for which existing methods produce divergent approximations unless they are regularized in some manner.
A Vector Approach to Ptolemy's Theorem

(2004). A Vector Approach to Ptolemy's Theorem. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 77, No. 5, pp. 386-388.