cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A New Model for Old Measures: A Covariance Structure Analysis of Political Efficacy

Political efficacy is a key concept in theories of political participation and democratic governance. This paper uses covariance structure analytic techniques to assess the adequacy of traditional SRC indicators for measuring political efficacy in the United States and other liberal democracies. Analyses indicate that a two-factor model of a subset of these indicators fits data for the U.S. and six other countries very well, with item loadings corresponding to prevailing conceptual distinctions between internal and external efficacy. In the American case the structure of the model is invariant by race, gender and political context, and the relative strength of correlations between the efficacy factors and measures of personal competence and perceived government responsiveness agrees with theoretical expectations. Although the SRC items appear to be useful measures of efficacy, simple equally weighted additive indices such as those utilized by the SRC itself are inadequate. More sophisticated measurement m...
SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURE OF NIOBIUM AND TANTALUM DERIVATIVES OF BIS(DICYCLOHEXYLPHOSPHINO)METHANE (DCPM)

The sodium amalgam reduction (2 Na per M) of the Group 5 metal chlorides [M 2 Cl 10 ] (M=Nb, Ta) in the presence of bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane (dcpm) leads to the binuclear compounds [(dcpm)Cl 2 M(μ 2 -Cl) 2 MCl 2 (dcpm)] (M=Nb, 1 ; Ta, 2 ). Solution NMR spectroscopic properties of 1 and 2 indicate that the dcpm ligand does not bridge (binucleate) the di-metal unit but is chelated to a single metal center. A single crystal X-ray diffraction study of 1 confirms this and shows two independent molecules both with an edge shared bis-octahedral geometry with NbNb distances of 2.738(1) and 2.749(1) A. The addition of dcpm to the tantalum trichloride [Ta(OC 6 H 3 Pr i 2 -2,6) 2 Cl 3 ] 2 initially leads to the adduct cis - mer -[Ta(OC 6 H 3 Pr i 2 -2,6) 2 Cl 3 (dcpm)] ( 3 ). The molecular structure of 3 is found to contain an η 1 -bound dcpm ligand. In the 31 P NMR spectrum of 3 well resolved doublets are present for the coordinated and ‘dangling’ phosphorus atoms. The sodium amalgam reduction of 3 in hydrocarbon solvents does not lead to any isolable binuclear compounds. Instead the reaction leads to the compound [Ta(OC 6 H 3 Pr i -η 2 -CMeCH 2 )Cl(dcpm)] ( 4 ). Compound 4 contains an aryloxide ligand chelated to the metal via an η 2 -interaction with a vinyl group formed by the dehydrogenation of an ortho -isopropyl group. The structural parameters are consistent with a metallacyclopropane bonding description for this interaction.
Normalizing constants for branching processes in random environments (B.P.R.E.)

Abstract Normalizing constants are obtained for B.P.R.E. such that the limiting random variable is finite almost everywhere and is zero only on the extinction set of the process w.p.1. Furthermore, the normalizing constants can be chosen so that they grow exponentially fast, and so that the ratio of successive constants converges in distribution. The method of proof used is to prove the result for increasing branching processes, and then, to transfer the result to general B.P.R.E. by employing the relationships between B.P.R.E., the associated B.P.R.E., and the reduced branching process.
Coal Waste Reclamation using Automated Weathering to Predict Lime Requirement

(...) Coal waste from a site in Montana was acidic (pH 2.8), black, 85% coarse fragments and had a low water holding capacity. Incorporation of cement kiln dust (CaO) and limestone (CaCO 3 ) to 35 cm at rates recomended by a weathering procedure neutralized coal waste acidity in the surface 10 cm. Incorporating CaO to 100 cm neutralized coal waste to the 30 cm depth. Seeded vegetation was healthy and vigorous where lime was applied, though percent canopy cover and aboveground production were low after 2 yr. (...)
Thermal Property Measurements of Nanotubes, Nanowires, and Nanobelts

As materials are confined to low dimensions with a size comparable to the scattering mean free paths, the thermal conductivity is often reduced due to increased boundary scattering. The reduced thermal conductivity is desirable in some applications such as thermoelectric cooling, but is often unwanted for others especially for nanoelectronic devices. An exception of this scaling trend is carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Due to the unique crystalline structure, boundary scattering is nearly absent in CNTs, giving rise to super high thermal and electrical conductivity that makes the CNT an ideal candidate for replacing Cu in future VLSI interconnects. The potential electronic applications have inspired several groups to employ a variety of techniques for measuring the Seebeck coefficient [1], specific heat [2–3], and thermal conductivity [4] of CNT bundles and mats. Estimated thermal conductivity from these measurements is significantly reduced by numerous tube-tube junctions in the sample and is much lower than the theoretical expectation [5–7].Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Reduction of surface temperature in ocean slicks

[1] Airborne infrared imagery collected over the ocean reveals slicks that are 0.1° to nearly 0.4°C cooler than the surrounding water surface. These thermal contrasts are analyzed within a framework of surfactant–turbulence interaction. Slicks are shown to be a potential source of error in the remote retrieval of sea surface temperature, but a slick's thermal contrast is also a potential source of information about the ambient thermal boundary layer.
On the preparation of supported nanoporous carbon membranes

Abstract New preparation techniques for synthesis of thin film supported nanoporous carbon membranes (SNPCM) using ultrasonic deposition (UD) have been examined. In contrast to other work we have published, in which membranes were prepared either by brush or spray coating of the polymer precursor onto the porous stainless steel support, the ultrasonic deposition method provides a greater degree of control over the deposition step. Permeation experiments on the UD-SNPCM with pure gases such as nitrogen (N 2 ) and oxygen (O 2 ) were used to benchmark properties and characteristics as a function of synthesis variables. The UD-SNPCM display ideal separation factors for O 2 /N 2 ranging from 2 to 30 depending on synthesis conditions. With other gases ideal separation factors were as large as: H 2 /CH 4 =600, CO 2 /CH 4 =45, N 2 O/N 2 =17, and H 2 /CO 2 =14 at 295 K. Permeation rates ranged from 7.9×10 −13 to 4.1×10 −8 mol m −2 Pa −1 s −1 and were largely independent of pressure. Oxygen versus nitrogen selectivities were inversely proportional to oxygen flux.
Is an isolated fetal cardiac echogenic focus an indication for fetal echocardiography

Objective To determine whether the presence of an isolated fetal cardiac echogenic focus should be an indication for fetal echocardiography. Methods We reviewed our fetal echocardiography and obstetrics databases from January 1992 through July 1999. The study groups were formulated from patients referred for fetal echocardiography. Patients referred for echocardiography because of a single isolated fetal cardiac echogenic focus were compared with patients referred for other indications. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for an isolated echogenic focus as a marker for structural cardiac abnormalities as detected by fetal echocardiography. Results Of 10,406 fetuses seen for ultrasonography, 1908 had fetal echocardiography. Cardiac abnormalities were identified in 3.4% (65 of 1908) of the fetuses that had echocardiography. The prevalence of an isolated echogenic focus was 2.2% (230 of 10,406) and was the indication in 12.1% (230 of 1908) of our echocardiograms. Only 1 of the 230 fetuses with an isolated echogenic focus had a structural cardiac defect (membranous ventricular septal defect). An isolated echogenic focus as a marker for congenital cardiac defects resulted in sensitivity and specificity of 1.5% and 87.6%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 0.4% and 96.2%, respectively The relative risk for an echogenic focus in predicting congenital cardiac defects was 0.11 (95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.82). Conclusions An isolated fetal cardiac echogenic focus is not an efficacious marker for congenital cardiac defects. It should not be the sole indication for fetal echocardiography.
Endothelial lamellar keratoplasty using an artificial anterior chamber and a microkeratome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative astigmatic change and graft stability using 2 different donor button diameters in endothelial lamellar keratoplasty to treat corneal endothelial failure. METHODS: A 200- micro m-thick corneal flap keratectomy was performed in human donor corneoscleral rims (n = 20; 10 donors and 10 recipients) using an artificial anterior chamber and a manual microkeratome (ALTK System; Moria USA, Doylestown, Pa). After flap reflection, stromal bed trephination was performed to obtain a disc consisting of posterior stroma, Descemet membrane, and endothelium. Host beds of 7.0 mm and 7.25-mm (n = 5) or 7.50-mm (n = 5) donor buttons were obtained using a freehand trephine. The graft was secured with 8 interrupted sutures (10-0 nylon) in the stromal bed. The flap was sutured with 3 interrupted sutures. Transplanted corneas were submitted to increasing intrachamber pressures to detect graft stability, and preoperative and postoperative videokeratographic data were recorded to assess astigmatic change. RESULTS: The mean (SD) postoperative astigmatic change was 1.14 (3.17) diopters (D) in the 7.25-mm donor button group and 2.27 (1.77) D in the 7.50-mm donor button group (P =.69). Mean (SD) resisted pressures of 75.4 (44.81) mm Hg and 100.4 (46.86) mm Hg were observed in the 7.25-mm and 7.50-mm groups, respectively (P =.54). CONCLUSION: Both donor button sizes exhibited similar graft stability and astigmatic postoperative change in this experimental model. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As endothelial lamellar keratoplasty becomes further developed as a clinical alternative to penetrating keratoplasty, this laboratory model system should be useful in evaluating different mechanical factors that contribute to graft success.
McCarthy Scales as a Learning Disability Diagnostic Aid: A Closer Look

It has been suggested that the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) is an instrument especially suited for the identification of children with serious learning difficulties. A closer inspection of the relevant research, however, offers evidence which refutes the suggestion of MSCA uniqueness. A question over the appropriateness of the MSCA for classification purposes is also raised.
Presumptive identification of common adenovirus serotypes by the development of differential cytopathic effects in the human lung carcinoma (A549) cell culture

The neutralization test is commonly used in clinical virology laboratories for the identification by serotype of adenovirus isolates. In an effort to conserve reagents and reduce the amount of time in the performance of this assay, we evaluated the significance of differential cytopathic effects for the presumptive identification of lower-numbered adenovirus serotypes that are commonly encountered in the clinical setting. Utilizing the human lung carcinoma (A549) cell culture as our indicator system, two viral induced monolayer degenerations (i.e., cytopathic effects or CPEs) were recognized. Among our wild and the laboratory adapted (i.e., ATCC) adenovirus isolates tested in this study, serotypes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 19, 21, 27, and 31 were expectedly characterized by the typically enlarged, rounded, and refractile cells, which eventually aggregated into irregular ‘grape-like’ clusters. Adenovirus types 3 and 7, however, were characterized by the development of distinct intranuclear inclusions, a flattening and then a web or net-like monolayer degeneration. Differences in the intensity of intranuclear granulation were related by electron microscopy to differences in the quantity of viral crstalline aggregates within the host cell nucleus. A presumptive identification of the commonly encountered adenovirus serotypes 3 and 7 prior to the performance of the neutralization test would result in a conservation of type-specific antiserum, a decreased use of cell cultures and medium, and lastly, reduced medical technologist workload.
Special Education Administrators in the United States Perceptions on Policy and Personnel Issues

This study presents a description and analysis of special education administrators' perceptions regarding (a) personnel needs, (b) quality of preparation, (c) training needs, and (d) administrative policies/practices for mainstreaming students with disabilities. A randomly selected national sample of 2,900 special education directors were mailed a questionnaire focusing on these policy and personnel issues. A total of 1,468 special education directors responded to this survey. A current shortage of special education administrative personnel was found in 10% of the responding school districts. A projected shortage of special education administrative personnel in the next 4 years was found to affect 789 of the 1,468 school districts represented. The education and experience of many special education directors appears adequate; however, over one third of the respondents had neither certification in teaching special education nor appreciable experience teaching in special education. The policy/practice with t...
Prothrombin Time Testing Practices in the Pacific Northwest Monitoring voluntary practice guidelines and indicators of quality

longstanding focus on activities carried out in the name of quality assurance, quality improvement, total quality management, and quality assessment. In 1999, a report by the Institute of Medicine revealed the magnitude of medical errors and concluded that most were the result of systematic failures and were preventable.1 One approach to reducing serious medical errors is by identifying quality indicators and developing systems for best practices. Practice standards and guidelines are developed through a consensus process that identifies specific essential requirements for materials, methods, and practices. They are designed to both establish and harmonize best practices among the health care community. However, studies have shown that despite required and voluntary standards of practice, many laboratory professionals fail to use them.2
Rural EMS en route IV insertion improves IV insertion success rates and EMS scene time

BACKGROUND: Emergency medical service (EMS) personnel are trained to insert intravenous (IV) lines at trauma scenes if the time for insertion does not prolong scene time. However, EMS providers continue to insert IV lines on scene. METHODS: A rural EMS provider provided trauma patient EMS IV insertion data for a 1-year period. No IV lines were inserted en route during this period. During the following 1-year period, a prospective trauma patient study protocol was instituted in which all IV insertions were attempted while en route to the emergency room. RESULTS: Three hundred six trauma patients had IV attempts on scene, and 341 trauma patients had IV insertion attempts en route. The average EMS on-scene time with IV insertions on scene was 19.8 minutes (IV insertion success, 79%) compared with 13.9 minutes (IV insertion success, 93%) on-scene time with IV insertions en route. CONCLUSIONS: EMS IV insertion en route significantly decreases on-scene time and improves IV insertion success rates.
Adult English Language Learners Constructing and Sharing Their Stories and Experiences: The Cultural and Linguistic Autobiography Writing Project.

This article is the culmination of the Cultural and Linguistic Autobiography (CLA) writing project, which details narrative descriptions of adult English language learners' (ELLs') cultural and linguistic experiences and how those experiences may have influenced the ways in which these learners constructed and reconstructed their identities. Before recounting the narrative stories of adult ELLs through completion of their CLA writing project, I share snapshots of my autobiographical narratives as an ELL and an English language teacher that have led me to working with adult ELLs. Many of my narratives were presented to adult ELLs orally over the duration of the CLA writing project as part of my experiential sharing.
Acetone and 2-butanone creation associated with biological and chemical remediation of environmental contamination

Remediating environmental contamination by either biological or chemical methods typically results in the generation of temporary chemical intermediates as part of the process. These intermediate compounds may be related to either contaminant degradation pathways or reactions generated from the amendment itself. This article summarizes previously researched pathways and representative case studies discussing the authors' experience in generating relatively high concentrations of acetone and 2-butanone (also referred to as methyl ethyl ketone [MEK]) during both biological and chemical treatments. Experience shows that even relatively high concentrations of acetone and MEK intermediates are quickly attenuated and prove not to be a hazard outside of the treatment area. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Did the Israeli State Engineer Segregation? On the Placement of Jewish Immigrants in Development Towns in the 1950s

Israel's "development towns" are known to be comparable to U.S. inner cities in all but one respect: while most agree that Blacks are over-represented in the inner cities because of discrimination, there is still disagreement over how Middle Eastern Jews (Mizrahim) came to be over-represented in the towns relative to European Jews (Ashkenazim). Israeli sociologists are divided between those who see an ethnically disinterested process of state- building - in which the state sent weak immigrants to the towns - and those who see one of ethnic formation - in which the state sent ethnic minorities. Findings from Israel's 1961 census largely support the latter. The net effect of ethnicity on the likelihood of being placed in a town was large, and among available schemes of ethnic categorization, placement followed those least associated with weakness. Moreover, the interaction between ethnicity and human capital was such that even high status Mizrahim were as likely to be sent to the towns as low status Ashkenazim.
Adolescent smokers show decreased brain responses to pleasurable food images compared with nonsmokers

INTRODUCTION Nicotine acts on the mesocorticolimbic circuits of the brain leading to the release of dopamine. Repeated elevations of dopamine in the brain may cause smokers to become less sensitive to "natural reinforcers." To test the theory that adolescents with low nicotine exposure may already have decreased activation when exposed to a natural reinforcer, we looked at the effect of visual cues representing "pleasurable" food on light adolescent smokers compared with nonsmokers. METHODS Twelve adolescent light smokers (aged 13-17 years, smoked 1-5 cigarettes/day) and 12 nonsmokers (aged 13-17 years, never smoked a cigarette) from the San Francisco Bay Area underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning. During scanning, they viewed blocks of photographic images representing pleasurable foods (sweet, high fat, and salty foods) and control cues. RESULTS Smokers reported smoking a mean of 3.6 cigarettes/day. There was no difference in body mass index between groups (24.1 vs. 24.0, respectively, p = .99). Food images elicited greater activations in nonsmokers in multiple areas including the insula (T = 4.38, p < .001), inferior frontal region (T = 5.12, p < .001), and rolandic operculum (T = 6.18, p < .001). There were no regions where smokers demonstrated greater blood oxygenation level-dependent activations compared with nonsmokers when viewing food versus neutral images. CONCLUSIONS The finding of decreased activation to pleasurable food among adolescent light smokers supports the theory that these adolescents are displaying decreased sensitivity to at least one natural reinforcer. This also supports the theory that nicotine may affect the brain early in the trajectory of smoking, thus underscoring the need for early intervention among adolescent smokers.
Localized strain sensing using high spatial resolution, highly-sensitive MEMS resonant strain gauges for failure prevention

Experimental measurements of the first-ever MEMS double ended tuning fork (DETF) resonant strain gauge, successfully bonded to steel by rapid inductive heating are presented in this paper. The localized strain-sensing results are compared with a finite element model. With a gauge length of just 200µm, the MEMS strain gauge enables higher spatial resolution and improved localized strain detection in comparison with commonly used metal-foil strain gauges, which average strain measurement over the entire metal-foil area. This sensing improvement enables the accurate detection of localized strains and may help improve crack propagation detection, and prevent catastrophic failures in structural elements.
Molecular Determinants of Glucocorticoid Receptor Mobility in Living Cells: the Importance of Ligand Affinity

The actions of glucocorticoids are mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which is activated upon ligand binding, and can alter the expression of target genes either by transrepression or transactivation. We have applied FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) to quantitatively assess the mobility of the yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-tagged human GR alpha-isoform (hGRalpha) in the nucleus of transiently transfected COS-1 cells and to elucidate determinants of its mobility. Addition of the high-affinity agonist dexamethasone markedly decreases the mobility of the receptor in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas low-affinity ligands like corticosterone decrease the mobility to a much lesser extent. Analysis of other hGRalpha ligands differing in affinity suggests that it is the affinity of the ligand that is a major determinant of the decrease in mobility. Similar results were observed for two hGRalpha antagonists, the low-affinity antagonist ZK98299 and the high-affinity antagonist RU486. The effect of ligand affinity on mobility was confirmed with the hGRalpha mutant Q642V, which has an altered affinity for triamcinolone acetonide, dexamethasone, and corticosterone. Analysis of hGRalpha deletion mutants indicates that both the DNA-binding domain and the ligand-binding domain of the receptor are required for a maximal ligand-induced decrease in receptor mobility. Interestingly, the mobility of transfected hGRalpha differs among cell types. Finally, the proteasome inhibitor MG132 immobilizes a subpopulation of unliganded receptors, via a mechanism requiring the DNA-binding domain and the N-terminal part of the ligand-binding domain. Ligand binding makes the GR resistant to the immobilizing effect of MG132, and this effect depends on the affinity of the ligand. Our data suggest that ligand binding induces a conformational change of the receptor which is dependent on the affinity of the ligand. This altered conformation decreases the mobility of the receptor, probably by targeting the receptor to relatively immobile nuclear domains with which it transiently associates. In addition, this conformational change blocks immobilization of the receptor by MG132.
Fragmentation in a Model Two-Component Fibrous Structure

A simple micromechanical model for the deformation of an isolated fiber fragment embedded within a bundle of continuous filaments is used to study progressive fragmentation of the low elongation-to-break (LE) fiber component during extension of a model two-component fibrous structure. The model structure, representing a blended yarn or cord, is realized in experimental specimens by helically wrapping a number of high elongation-to-break (HE) components around a straight central LE component; polyester sewing thread and cotton sewing thread are used is this work as the HE and LE components, respectively. The concept of a characteristic fragment length, involving the failure statistics of a fragment as influenced by the interaction forces between the fragment and the surrounding fibrous medium, is used to interpret the fragmentation experiments and calibrate a dimensionless parameter in the micromechanical model. The calibrated model is shown to provide insight into force interactions between the fragment and the surrounding structure. Bounds are established on the force interaction behavior associated with possible variations in the value of a constitutive parameter.
VPAC1 Receptors for Imaging Breast Cancer: A Feasibility Study

VPAC1 encodes G-protein–coupled receptors expressed on all breast cancer (BC) cells at the onset of the disease, but not on benign lesions. Our extensive preclinical studies have shown that 64Cu-TP3805 has a high affinity for VPAC1, is stable in vivo, and has the ability to distinguish spontaneously grown malignant BC masses from benign lesions. Our long-term goal is to develop 64Cu-TP3805 as an agent to perform in vivo histology, to distinguish malignant lesions from benign masses noninvasively and thereby avoid patient morbidity and the excess economic costs of benign biopsies. Methods:18F-FDG obtained commercially served as a control. 64Cu-TP3805 was prepared using a sterile kit containing 20 μg of TP3805. Radiochemical purity and sterility were examined. Nineteen consenting women with histologically proven BC were given 370 MBq of 18F-FDG. One hour later, 6 of these patients were imaged with PET/CT and 13 with positron emission mammography (PEM). Two to 7 d later, 6 PET/CT patients received 111 MBq (±10%) (n = 2), 127 MBq (±10%) (n = 2), or 148 MBq (±10%) (n = 2) of 64Cu-TP3805 and were imaged 2 and 4 h later. Thirteen PEM patients received 148 MBq (±10%) of 64Cu-TP3805 and were imaged 15 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h later. Standardized uptake value (SUV) was calculated for PET/CT patients, and PUV/BGV (PEM uptake value/background value) was calculated for PEM patients. Tumor volume was also calculated. Results: The radiochemical purity of 64Cu-TP3805 was 97% ± 2%, and specific activity was 44.4 GBq (1.2 Ci)/μmol. In 19 patients, a total of 24 lesions were imaged (15 invasive ductal carcinoma, 1 high-grade mammary carcinoma, 3 lobular carcinoma, 1 invasive papilloma, and 4 sentinel lymph nodes). All lesions were unequivocally detected by 64Cu-TP3805 and by 18F-FDG. The average tumor volume as determined by PET/CT with 64Cu-TP3805 was 90.6% ± 16.1% of that with 18F-FDG PET/CT, and the average SUV was 92% ± 26.4% of that with 18F-FDG. For PEM, the tumor volume with 64Cu-TP3805 was 113% ± 37% of that with 18F-FDG and the PUV/BGV ratio was 97.7% ± 24.5% of that with 18F-FDG. Conclusion:64Cu-TP3805 is worthy of further investigation in patients requiring biopsy of suggestive imaging findings, to further evaluate its ability to distinguish malignant lesions from benign masses noninvasively.
Impact on families caring for an infant with apnea.

This study investigated the impact on the two primary caretakers of infants with apnea in a monitored and nonmonitored (Theophylline) population. Twenty-one caretaker pairs were surveyed at three time points using the Profile of Mood States Survey, Feetham Family Functioning Survey, and Impact-on-Family Scale. Results indicated no significant difference between the two groups on any of the three time points. Significant differences were found between individuals within the same caretaker pair. Issues over care of a new infant were most difficult for new mothers. Family and friend support was found most helpful.
The management of surgical complications of pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators

The rate of implantation of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) is ever-increasing. The relative ease of device implantation utilizing a relatively simple, expeditious, percutaneous approach, without the requirement for general anesthesia or long recuperation times, has fueled enthusiasm for implantation. However, the complication risk is ever-present and forms the subject of this pragmatic review, which is limited to the management of only the surgical complications of device implantation. The management of surgical complications related to the implantation of pacemakers and ICDs should include (1) awareness of potential complications, (2) a meticulous approach to the implantation procedure to avoid complications, (3) approach to diagnosis and (4) specific therapy. With a clear understanding of the accepted implant indications and potential complications, and a meticulous approach to the implant and post implant follow up, the incidence of complications can be minimized.
Phylogenetic Diversity and Molecular Detection of Bacteria in Gull Feces

In spite of increasing public health concerns about the potential risks associated with swimming in waters contaminated with waterfowl feces, little is known about the composition of the gut microbial community of aquatic birds. To address this, a gull 16S rRNA gene clone library was developed and analyzed to determine the identities of fecal bacteria. Analysis of 282 16S rRNA gene clones demonstrated that the gull gut bacterial community is mostly composed of populations closely related to Bacilli (37%), Clostridia (17%), Gammaproteobacteria (11%), and Bacteriodetes (1%). Interestingly, a considerable number of sequences (i.e., 26%) were closely related to Catellicoccus marimammalium, a gram-positive, catalase-negative bacterium. To determine the occurrence of C. marimammalium in waterfowl, species-specific 16S rRNA gene PCR and real-time assays were developed and used to test fecal DNA extracts from different bird (n = 13) and mammal (n = 26) species. The results showed that both assays were specific to gull fecal DNA and that C. marimammalium was present in gull fecal samples collected from the five locations in North America (California, Georgia, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Toronto, Canada) tested. Additionally, 48 DNA extracts from waters collected from six sites in southern California, Great Lakes in Michigan, Lake Erie in Ohio, and Lake Ontario in Canada presumed to be impacted with gull feces were positive by the C. marimammalium assay. Due to the widespread presence of this species in gulls and environmental waters contaminated with gull feces, targeting this bacterial species might be useful for detecting gull fecal contamination in waterfowl-impacted waters.
Spatial Sparsity-Induced Prediction (SIP) for Images and Video: A Simple Way to Reject Structured Interference

We propose a prediction technique that is geared toward forming successful estimates of a signal based on a correlated anchor signal that is contaminated with complex interference. The corruption in the anchor signal involves intensity modulations, linear distortions, structured interference, clutter, and noise just to name a few. The proposed setup reflects nontrivial prediction scenarios involving images and video frames where statistically related data is rendered ineffective for traditional methods due to cross-fades, blends, clutter, brightness variations, focus changes, and other complex transitions. Rather than trying to solve a difficult estimation problem involving nonstationary signal statistics, we obtain simple predictors in linear transform domain where the underlying signals are assumed to be sparse. We show that these simple predictors achieve surprisingly good performance and seamlessly allow successful predictions even under complicated cases. None of the interference parameters are estimated as our algorithm provides completely blind and automated operation. We provide a general formulation that allows for nonlinearities in the prediction loop and we consider prediction optimal decompositions. Beyond an extensive set of results on prediction and registration, the proposed method is also implemented to operate inside a state-of-the-art compression codec and results show significant improvements on scenes that are difficult to encode using traditional prediction techniques.
1‐Benzyl‐4,5‐di­phenyl‐3‐vinyl­imidazolium bromide

The title compound, C24H21N2+·Br−, contains columns of tetrasubstituted imidazolium cations linked to Br− ions via hydrogen bonding. There is little evidence of π-stacking between cations.
Experimenting on and Experimenting with: Polywater and Experimental Realism

With the careful use of the polywater episode in the history of chemistry as a case study, I will show that the distinction recently made in the philosophy of science between experimenting on an entity and manipulating that entity is best seen as a distinction between experimenting on, and experimenting with, that entity. The polywater case also reveals that Ian Hacking's 1983 manipulability criterion is not a necessary condition for realism, and that scientists can, and do, justifiably change their minds as to the reality of theoretical entities.
Clinical case seminar: Cushing's syndrome in an elderly woman with large thyroid and pituitary masses

A 77-yr-old woman was admitted for management of apparent Cushing’s syndrome occurring in association with thyroid and pituitary masses. She was well before August 1994 but then had a rapid onset of symptoms. Polyuria and polydypsia led to a diagnosis of noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus. She lost 23.5 kg in weight over 6 months and later developed dark hair on her face, pitting edema to the knees, and profound fatigue. She had progressive muscle weakness and by December was bedbound. Hypertension was diagnosed. Previously her only known medical problem had been a goiter, treated for nearly 30 yr by her internist with thyroid extract 3.5 grains/day. There had been no recent growth of the goiter, no change in her voice, no difficulty swallowing, no stridor and no neck pain. There was no history of neck irradiation or endocrine disease in her family. She was a lifetime nonsmoker. At the time of admission the most striking feature was her profound weakness she was unable to sit up in bed or lift her head off the pillow. She had a small buffalo hump but lacked an obvious moon-face or plethora. She was obese but in a generalized distribution. There was no abnormal pigmentation. She had no striae, but there were multiple bruises at sites of medical procedures. There were many terminal hairs noted in the beard distribution (Fig. 11, but no other evidence of virilization. A large, firm but mobile, discrete mass measuring 8 cm in diameter was palpable in the left lobe of the thyroid (Fig. 1). No lymph nodes were felt in the neck. She had a small superior temporal defect in the left visual field. Hypokalemia had been a problem, with a serum potassium (K’) as low as 2.7 mmol/L (normal range 3.5-5.0), and at admission her K+ was 3.9 mmol/L on potassium supplementation of 240 mmol/day. Her thyroid function tests, off thyroid extract 10 days, showed a low thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), less than 0.03 mU/L (normal range O.l-6.3), but thyroxine, 87.5 nmol/L (normal range 51-142), and free thyroxine index, 29.6 pmol/L (normal range 1036), were in the normal range. Other pituitary hormones assessed were prolactin (PRL), 55.1 pg/L (<20) and the gonadotropins,
Are Cultural Differences in Emotion Regulation Mediated by Personality Traits

This article reports a study that documents United States–Japan differences in emotion regulation and demonstrates that those differences are entirely accounted for by individual differences in personality. These findings raise questions about studies that merely document cross-national differences in a psychological variable yet attribute the source of the observed differences to cultural variables without empirical justification to do so. Such differences may be accounted for by aggregate differences in personality.
A numerical investigation of fine sediment resuspension in the wave boundary layer-Uncertainties in particle inertia and hindered settling

The wave bottom boundary layer is a major conduit delivering fine terrestrial sediments to continental margins. Hence, studying fine sediment resuspensions in the wave boundary layer is crucial to the understanding of various components of the earth system, such as carbon cycles. By assuming the settling velocity to be a constant in each simulation, previous turbulence-resolving numerical simulations reveal the existence of three transport modes in the wave boundary layer associated with sediment availabilities. As the sediment availability and hence the sediment-induced stable stratification increases, a sequence of transport modes, namely, (I) well-mixed transport, (II) formulation of lutocline resembling a two-layer system, and (III) completely laminarized transport are observed. In general, the settling velocity is a flow variable due to hindered settling and particle inertia effects. Present numerical simulations including the particle inertia suggest that for a typical wave condition in continental shelves, the effect of particle inertia is negligible. Through additional numerical experiments, we also confirm that the particle inertia tends (up to the Stokes number St = 0.2) to attenuate flow turbulence. On the other hand, for flocs with lower gelling concentrations, the hindered settling can play a key role in sustaining a large amount of suspended sediments and results in the laminarized transport (III). For the simulation with a very significant hindered settling effect due to a low gelling concentration, results also indicate the occurrence of gelling ignition, a state in which the erosion rate is always higher than the deposition rate. A sufficient condition for the occurrence of gelling ignition is hypothesized for a range of wave intensities as a function of sediment/floc properties and erodibility parameters. HighlightsHindered settling can increase sediment load and laminarize the boundary layer.Gelling ignition can occur at low gelling concentration and low critical stress.Particle inertia can be neglected for conditions in typical continental shelves.
Experimental and computational study of erosion in elbows due to sand particles in air flow

Abstract Severe equipment degradation in production piping can occur for gas–solid flows. Advances in modeling and solid particle erosion simulations are gained through matching computer generated predictions to real-world experimental results. This paper presents a comprehensive approach in modeling and computational study to determine erosion in elbows due to sand particles entrained in air. Firstly, utilizing a particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique, the slip velocity between the gas and sand particles in a direct impact geometry has been measured. Secondly, an erosion equation has been generated based on PIV results and erosion testing of stainless steel in air. Thirdly, erosion patterns are measured in a 76.2 mm ID standard elbow for air-sand flows using a state-of-the-art non-invasive Ultrasonic Technology (UT) device. The metal loss is measured at 16 different locations in the elbow using dual element ultrasonic transducers. Erosion experiments in the vertical to horizontal elbow are performed with gas velocities ranging from 11 m/s to 27 m/s at nearly atmospheric pressure. Two different sand sizes (150 and 300 μm sand) were used for performing tests. The shapes of the sand are also different with the 300 μm sand being sharper than the 150 μm sand. Finally, the new erosion equation has been implemented into a commercially available Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code to predict erosion ratios in elbows for a variety of flow conditions and particle sizes. The predicted CFD erosion magnitudes are compared with present and previous UT erosion data in elbows. The comparisons show that CFD predictions are within a factor of two of present and previous UT single-phase erosion data. Four correlations for erosion from literature are also studied and validated in simulations. The correlation developed and validated in this work can be used to predict the bend lifetime for particular operating conditions.
A New Era for U.S. Refugee Resettlement

This essay appears in a volume dedicated to the memory of Arthur Helton, a leading scholar and activist on refugee issues, who was killed in the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad in August 2003. It sets forth some of the principal analysis from a lengthy report chartered by the U.S. State Department that critically examined this country's refugee resettlement program, which has encountered serious difficulties since September 11, 2001. A revised and updated version of the full report was published in book form in May 2005 by the Migration Policy Institute (The United States Refugee Admissions Program: Reforms for a New Era of Refugee Resettlement). The essay here discusses the overall context for refugee resettlement in the twenty-first century, noting why the program will have to operate differently from earlier eras, which were dominated by large, long-term resettlement flows from a limited number of locations, notably Vietnam and the former Soviet Union. Future resettlement will be marked by smaller resettlement initiatives drawn from a wide array of locations, reaching populations that will usually have to be processed in unstable or dangerous settings. The key offices in the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security will need to change their operations in response, to become more nimble at identifying appropriate initiatives and deploying officers to process the cases. This essay discusses the following key elements in the framework context for resettlement programs: pull factors, migration choices by refugees and potential refugees, host country reactions, and other political considerations, such as the impact of resettlement on other durable solutions; fraud, corruption and distortion; program complexity and sheer luck; and legal difficulties that apply when resettlement is tightly constrained by the definition set forth in the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.
The contingency of medicare physician spending on population densities and sizes

The exploration of the spatial association between Medicare physician spending and population densities and sizes could possibly facilitate the investigation of the causal mechanisms beneath the variation in medical care. We acquired the U.S. Medicare physician expenditures and regional demographic and geographic data in 2006 from the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care. Six geographic units—states, counties, Hospital Referral Regions, Hospital Service Areas, Metropolitan Statistical Areas, and state non-Metropolitan Statistical Areas—were used as units of study. Pearson correlation analysis, multivariable regression, and partial correlation analysis were employed. Among six geographic units, Pearson correlation coefficients between Medicare physician expenditures and logarithmic population densities ranged from 0.42 to 0.63 (p < 0.05 for all), and between the expenditures and logarithmic population sizes from 0.31 to 0.65 (p < 0.05 for all). When population health, differential demand, market structure, and data reporting bias were controlled, population densities and sizes were positively associated with Medicare physician expenditures in most models. Population densities and sizes could explain considerable amounts of regional variation in Medicare physician spending. We concluded that Medicare physician spending was contingent on population densities and sizes. Because population densities and sizes are produced by more fundamental qualities such as natural environments and resources and thus are not easily manipulated, they are suggestive in health policy studies. Further research might investigate population distribution associated properties such as geographic distribution of health care resources, spatial dynamics of medical technology distribution, and cultural and psychological factors.
L-Type Calcium Channels Do Not Play a Critical Role in Chest Blow Induced Ventricular Fibrillation: Commotio Cordis.

Background. In a commotio cordis swine model, ventricular fibrillation (VF) can be induced by a ball blow to the chest believed secondary to activation of mechanosensitive ion channels. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate whether stretch induced activation of the L-type calcium channel may cause intracellular calcium overload and underlie the VF in commotio cordis. Method and Results. Anesthetized juvenile swine received 6 chest wall strikes with a 17.9 m/s lacrosse ball timed to the vulnerable period for VF induction. Animals were randomized to IV verapamil () or placebo (). There was no difference in the observed frequency of VF between verapamil (19/26: 73%) and placebo (20/36: 56%) treated animals (). There was also no significant difference in the combined endpoint of VF or nonsustained VF (21/26: 81% in verapamil versus 24/36: 67% in controls, ). Conclusions. In this experimental model of commotio cordis, verapamil did not prevent VF induction. Thus, in commotio cordis it is unlikely that stretch activation of the L-type calcium channel with resultant intracellular calcium overload plays a prominent role.
Critical cosmopolitan multicultural education (CCME)

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the intersections of multicultural education and cosmopolitanism. We aim to explore how multicultural education and cosmopolitanism connect and diverge, especially when considering both from within a critical theoretical perspective. Within this work, we explore how these two sets of ideas can inform each other and, as important, how they can be used in the service of the broader work towards social justice in education. This new perspective is what we have named Critical Cosmopolitan Multicultural Education (CCME).
Influence of Vitamin A upon Urea Clearance in the Rat.

SummaryVitamin A in the diet affects the magnitude of urea clearance in the rat. In avitaminosis A there is a 23 to 77% decrease in urea clearance. Urine examination and histological sections of the kidney showed no marked morphological alteration. It is a functional deficiency.Administration of carotene in 5 of 7 rats resulted in a 30 to 170% increase in urea clearance above the level in avitaminosis A.
Current Psychosocial Treatment Options for PTSD among Youth

Exposure to traumatic events represents a significant and all-too-common experience for many children and youth. A significant number of youth will receive a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a debilitating condition that without treatment will contribute to contemporaneous and long-term negative health consequences. Psychotherapy often has been advocated as the first line in PTSD treatments, and existing interventions have been primarily based on treating individual symptoms. Nevertheless, the deleterious effects of PTSD reverberate beyond the youth; parents, caregivers, and other social influences (e.g., romantic partners) report high levels of distress due the youth’s struggles with their symptoms or due to their own feelings of guilt, shame, or helplessness. Recognizing that social agents are a significant factor in both PTSD recovery, reduction in problematic behaviors, and caregiver stress, there is a surge of PTSD treatments that have been modified to include, either directly or indirectly, social agents. Although still in the beginning stages of development, these treatments hold much promise in treating PTSD and secondary symptoms of the child and reducing distress in others.