cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the COSHH Essentials Model with a Mixture of Organic Chemicals at a Medium-Sized Paint Producer

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Essentials model was evaluated using full-shift exposure measurements of five chemical components in a mixture [acetone, ethylbenzene, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, and xylenes] at a medium-sized plant producing paint materials. Two tasks, batch-making and bucket-washing, were examined. Varying levels of control were already established in both tasks and the average exposures of individual chemicals were considerably lower than the regulatory and advisory 8-h standards. The average exposure fractions using the additive mixture formula were also less than unity (batch-making: 0.25, bucket-washing: 0.56) indicating the mixture of chemicals did not exceed the combined occupational exposure limit (OEL). The paper version of the COSHH Essentials model was used to calculate a predicted exposure range (PER) for each chemical according to different levels of control. The estimated PERs of the tested chemicals for both tasks did not show consistent agreement with exposure measurements when the comparison was made for each control method and this is believed to be because of the considerably different volatilities of the chemicals. Given the combination of health hazard and exposure potential components, the COSHH Essentials model recommended a control approach ‘special advice’ for both tasks, based on the potential reproductive hazard ascribed to toluene. This would not have been the same conclusion if some other chemical had been substituted (for example styrene, which has the same threshold limit value as toluene). Nevertheless, it was special advice, which had led to the combination of hygienic procedures in place at this plant. The probabilityof the combined exposure fractions exceeding unity was 0.0002 for the batch-making task indicating that the employees performing this task were most likely well protected below the OELs. Although the employees involved in the bucket-washing task had greater potential to exceed the threshold limit value of the mixture (P > 1 5 0.2375), the expected personal exposure after adjusting for the assigned protection factor for the respirators in use would be considerably lower (P > 1 5 0.0161). Thus, our findings suggested that the COSHH essentials model worked reasonably well for the volatile organic chemicals at the plant. However, it was difficult to override the reproductive hazard even though it was meant to be possible in principle. Further, it became apparent that an input of existing controls, which is not possible in the web-based model, may have allowed the model be more widely applicable. The experience of using the web-based COSHH Essentials model generated some suggestions to provide a more user-friendly tool to the model users who do not have expertise in occupational hygiene.
Model diagnosis using the condition specification: from conceptualization to implementation

Creating efficient implementations for discrete event models with complex behaviors is often difficult. The task of correctly specifying intended behaviors even without dealing with implementation and run-time details is challenging. We describe ongoing work with Condition Specifications intended to support a modeler in the creation of a model specification. A Condition Specification includes no low-level implementation details and is amenable to static analysis which can 1) identify some types of specification errors, 2) provide feedback to the model specifier which might allow the modeler to detect specification errors, or 3) assist creation of an efficient implementation. We review previous work on Condition Specifications, present some important results related to what is achievable in analysis of specifications, describe how analysis can be performed and discuss some current activities in this area.
Prescaled integer division

We describe a high radix integer division algorithm where the divisor is prescaled and the quotient is postscaled without modifying the dividend to obtain an identity N=Q/sup *//spl times/D+R/sup */ with the quotient Q/sup */ differing from the desired integer quotient Q only in its lowest order high radix digit. Here the "oversized" partial remainder R/sup */ is bounded by the scaled divisor with at most one additional high radix digit selection needed to reduce the partial remainder and augment the quotient to obtain the desired integer division result N=Q/spl times/D+R with 0/spl les/R/spl les/D-1. We present a high radix multiplicative version of this algorithm where a k/spl times/p digit base /spl beta/ rectangular aspect ratio multiplier allows quotient digit selection in radix /spl beta//sup k-1/ with a cost of only one k/spl times/p digit multiply per high radix digit, plus the fixed pre- and post-scaling operation costs. We also present a Booth radix 4 additive version of this algorithm where appropriately compressed representation of the partial remainder with Booth digits {-2, -1, 0, 1, 2} allows successive quotient digit selection from the leading partial remainder digit without the iterative table lookups required in SRT division.
Theater level campaign resource allocation

In a generic multistage multiresource theater level military game, each of the adversaries must make decisions of two types: temporal (what amount of each resource should be allocated for each stage) and spatial (movement of resources around the battlefield). This note is concerned, to a greater depth, with analysis and modeling of a temporal aspect of a game. This consideration is of its own technical interest in case when the interaction of resources can be assumed to occur in one arena. In our model every resource of one adversary interacts in sequence with each of the other adversary's resources. The allocation decisions are made as to optimize a certain cost functional. When the monotonicity of the cost functional is not assumed, the structure of the optimal solution is not stationary and cannot be reduced to solving a single-stage resource allocation problem at each stage. We discretize the state and action spaces and apply dynamic programming techniques to find the optimal allocation strategies and the optimal value of the game. An example is provided to illustrate that the solution in pure strategies might not exist.
The footprints of ancient CO2-driven flow systems: Ferrous carbonate concretions below bleached sandstone

Iron-rich carbonates and the oxidized remains of former carbonates (iron-oxide concretions) underlie bleached Navajo Sandstone over large portions of southern Utah. Iron in the carbonates came from hematite rims on sand grains in the upper Navajo that were dissolved when small quantities of methane accumulated beneath the sealing Carmel Formation. As a second buoyant gas (CO 2 derived from Oligocene–Miocene magmas ) reached the seal and migrated up dip, it dissolved in the underlying water, enhancing the solution9s density. This water carried the released ferrous iron and the methane downward. Carbonates precipitated when the descending, reducing water degassed along fractures. The distribution of a broad array of iron-rich features made recognition of the extent of the ancient flow systems possible. Although siderite is not preserved, dense, rhombic, mm-scale, iron-oxide pseudomorphs after ferrous carbonates are common. Distinctive patterns of iron oxide were also produced when large (cm-scale), poikilotopic carbonate crystals with multiple iron-rich zones dissolved in oxidizing waters. Rhombic pseudomorphs are found in the central cores of small spheroids and large (meter-scale), irregular concretions that are defined by thick, tightly cemented rinds of iron-oxide–cemented sandstone. The internal structure and distribution of these features reveal their origins as iron-carbonate concretions that formed within a large-scale flow system that was altered dramatically during Neogene uplift of the Colorado Plateau. With rise of the Plateau, the iron-carbonate concretions passed upward from reducing formation water to shallow, oxidizing groundwater flowing parallel to modern drainages. Finally they passed into the vadose zone. Absolute dating of different portions of these widespread concretions could thus reveal uplift rates for a large portion of the Plateau. Iron-rich masses in other sedimentary rocks may reveal flow systems with similar histories.
Real-Time Detection of Clone Attacks in Wireless Sensor Networks

A central problem in sensor network security is that sensors are susceptible to physical capture attacks. Once a sensor is compromised, the adversary can easily launch clone attacks by replicating the compromised node, distributing the clones throughout the network, and starting a variety of insider attacks. Previous works against clone attacks suffer from either a high communication/storage overhead or a poor detection accuracy. In this paper, we propose a novel scheme for detecting clone attacks in sensor networks, which computes for each sensor a social fingerprint by extracting the neighborhood characteristics, and verifies the legitimacy of the originator for each message by checking the enclosed fingerprint. The fingerprint generation is based on the superimposed s-disjunct code, which incurs a very light communication and computation overhead. The fingerprint verification is conducted at both the base station and the neighboring sensors, which ensures a high detection probability. The security and performance analysis indicate that our algorithm can identify clone attacks with a high detection probability at the cost of a low computation/communication/storage overhead. To our best knowledge, our scheme is the first to provide realtime detection of clone attacks in an effective and efficient way.
Flashlamp pulsed dye laser therapy of vascular lesions in children

The flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser has been used effectively for the treatment of vascular lesions at all ages. We now have extensive experience in treating children with the pulsed dye laser at 585 nanometers, 450 microsecond pulse duration. This has led to an increased understanding of laser effects on vascular malformations and hemangiomas. The utility of the laser is dependent on the natural biology of the vascular lesion. As the biology of these lesions are not static, frequency and timing of treatments, as well as the age of the patient at initiation of treatment are important variables in laser effectiveness. >
Health, Risk, and Resilience: Interdisciplinary Concepts and Applications*

Risk and resilience research articulates major explanatory frameworks regarding the persistence of health disparities. Specifically, scholars have advocated a sophisticated knowledge of risk, a more grounded understanding of resilience, and comprehensive and meaningful measurements of risk and resilience pathways across cultures. The goal is to operationalize research issues into sustainable health practice and equity-focused policy. This article synthesizes current understandings on risk and resilience from the lens of medical anthropology: It reviews key insights gained from the standpoint of cultural narratives, political economy, and life history theory, as well as current shortcomings. The emergent literature on health-related risk and resilience is breathing new life into collaboration and dialogue across diverse fields of research and policy.
When Recording Is Impossible

Whenever possible, ethnographers should record conversation (interviews) with the “natives.” This Short Take deals with mnemonic procedures that an ethnographer can use when recording is impossible for external reasons. The author recommends two methods: (1) memory training and (2) recalling of the interview “in your mind’s eye” three times, each with increasing recall of detail. In earlier Short Takes, I have advocated using recording and transcription whenever possible. Ethnographers—indeed, all interviewers—must be very careful not to project their own discomfort with tape recorders onto the interview situation. Smart respondents sense this unease and may even encourage it. The ethnographer’s reaction may be relief at having “obtained permission” to forgo recording. Still, there are situations in fieldwork where tape recording interviews is not allowed or advisable—or is dangerous to our consultants. The question then becomes: How do we protect the fidelity and integrity of our textual data in situations where recording is not possible? There are two alternatives: (1) anticipate these situations and use memory training, and (2) use other methods that enhance recall. The two alternatives can and should be used together.
Spatial and temporal immunocytochemical analysis of drosulfakinin (Dsk) gene products in the Drosophila melanogaster central nervous system

The spatial and temporal distribution of three peptides, DSK I, DSK II, and DSK 0, encoded by the Drosophila melanogaster drosulfakinin (Dsk) gene, have been examined in the central nervous system. DSK I and DSK II have a -RFamide C-terminus and are structurally similar to sulfakinin peptides; in contrast, DSK 0 contains -SFamide and is not structurally similar to sulfakinins. Antisera specificities were determined by the design of the antigens and confirmed by dot blot analysis and preincubation with peptides prior to their use in immunocytochemistry. The distribution of immunoreactivity suggests that all three DSK peptides are processed from the polypeptide precursor and expressed in many of the same cells. Expression was observed at all developmental stages with an increase in the level of staining and the number of immunoreactive cells as development progresses. Cells in the brain lobe, optic lobe, subesophageal ganglion, thoracic ganglia, and the eighth abdominal neuromere contain DSK-immunoreactive materials. Immunoreactive fibers project from some cells and extend into the brain and ventral ganglion with regions of extensive arborization. DSK 0 immunoreactivity provides initial evidence for the presence of a -SFamide peptide in neural tissue. The observed expression of DSK-immunoreactive materials throughout development in numerous cells of the central nervous system suggests that DSK peptides may serve as hormones, modulators, or transmitters involved in several functions.
Enseñanza de la Química en Ambientes Virtuales: Blogs

The use of Communication and Information Technologies (CITs) on Chemistry teaching is described and analyzed. The works is focused on a blog construction as a resource to help high school students understanding and assimilating chemistry concepts in a contextualized form. The blog is related to petrochemical process and thermoplastic resins. A thorough literature review about CITs was done to have an overall picture on the use of these technologies as teaching tools in chemistry. It was decided to construct a blog and according to students and teachers of the chemistry course, the use of this tool allows demonstrating concepts, adding informative videos and illustrating contents in an interesting, creative and constructive way. The application of the blog to the teaching of chemistry has shown to be a good tool for high school teachers during their first years of work.
The guardian model for exception handling in distributed systems

We present an abstraction called guardian for exception handling in distributed systems. The guardian can solve several limitations with existing distributed exception handling techniques. To understand these limitations, we analyze distributed exception handling with respect to sequential exception handling and identify the significant differences between them. This leads to the fundamental problem with distributed exception handling, which is invoking the semantically correct exception handlers in all the distributed processes that are required to participate in the recovery. The guardian model addresses this problem. It introduces a set of programming primitives and a global exception handler. Finally, using a primary-backup example we illustrate how the guardian model is used for global exception handling in a distributed system.
Clustering algorithm for parallelizing software systems in multiprocessors environment

A variety of techniques and tools exist to parallelize software systems on different parallel architectures (SIMD, MIMD). With the advances in high-speed networks, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of client/server applications. A variety of client/server applications are deployed today, ranging from simple telnet sessions to complex electronic commerce transactions. Industry standard protocols, like Secure Socket Layer (SSL), Secure Electronic Transaction (SET), etc., are in use for ensuring privacy and integrity of data, as well as for authenticating the sender and the receiver during message passing. Consequently, a majority of applications using parallel processing techniques are becoming synchronization-centric, i.e., for every message transfer, the sender and receiver must synchronize. However, more effective techniques and tools are needed to automate the clustering of such synchronization-centric applications to extract parallelism. The authors present a new clustering algorithm to facilitate the parallelization of software systems in a multiprocessor environment. The new clustering algorithm achieves traditional clustering objectives (reduction in parallel execution time, communication cost, etc.). Additionally, our approach: 1) reduces the performance degradation caused by synchronizations, and 2) avoids deadlocks during clustering. The effectiveness of our approach is depicted with the help of simulation results.
Hitchin Systems in $${\mathcal N}=2$$ Field Theory

This note is a short review of the way Hitchin systems appear in four-dimensional \({\mathcal N}=2\) supersymmetric field theory.
Discounting Democracy: Wal-Mart, Social Capital, Civic Engagement, and Voter Turnout in the United States

Given its size, reputation, and dominance of the retail sector, Wal-Mart has quickly become one of the most controversial companies of our time. Despite its considerable coverage in the news and popular press, relatively little has been written about Wal-Mart in academic, peer-reviewed books and journals. Using data on Wal-Mart that record the opening date and location of every store in the United States between 1972 and 2001, I will analyze the relationship between Wal-Mart and a number of variables that measure political engagement. I find Wal-Mart stores are correlated with decreasing voter turnout, lower participation in political activities, less philanthropy, and declining social capital. The pattern is observed in four different data sets based on county and individual-level data. The results imply Wal-Mart has a measurable impact on communities in the United States that reaches beyond prices, income, and employment. Big box retail, it seems, comes at a cost. Lower prices and all that comes with them hold important consequences for political participation.
Fixed-Bed Charcoal Hemoperfusion in the Treatment of Drug Overdose and Chronic Renal Failure

The fixed bed charcoal hemoperfusion system has now been applied extensively in animals and humans for evaluation of safety and efficacy in a variety of disorders.1,2 It is clearly appropriate that all of the methods which have been applied to treating intoxication by hemoperfusion be considered together although it is doubtful that an agreement will be reached on the superiority of one technique over any other at this time. The classic loose-bed arrangement of clean charcoal packed loosely in a column with blood perculating through its matrix was initially evaluated by Yatzidis and it was found to have some intolerable side effects, particularly on formed blood elements.3 Furthermore, charcoal particulate emboli was a definite threat to the safty of such a device. Chang in his pioneering studies of the artifical cell attempted to overcome both problems of emboli as well as the platelet depression by placing a thin coat over the charcoal.4 A still unsettled issue using Chang’s approach is the probability that the coat will decrease charcoal’s absorability and therefore its efficiency, partially offseting the advantage of charcoal as a therapeutic agent to remove noxious substances.
Eight Cases of Hereditary Bilateral Medial Tibial Torsion in Four Generations

Multiple marriages in this pedigree strengthen the evidence of a genetic basis for the inheritance of torsion. The apparent progenitor (I-1) was married twice, transmitting the abnormality to offspring of both marriages. Two later marriages of the mate of II-1 substantiate this conclusion, since none of the progeny of these two unions show the trait. Examination of Chart I reveals that only those individuals possessing the trait transmit it to their offspring; that the trait manifests itself in every generation; that approximately one-half of the total number of individuals in the family are affected; and that the abnormality affects males and females alike. A Mendelian autosomal dominant type of inheritance is demonstrated for bilateral medial tibial torsion in this pedigree.
Determination of pyridine nucleotide fluorescence from the perfused heart using an internal standard.

Mitochondrial reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is a key intermediate in energy metabolism in the heart, which can be qualitatively monitored using nondestructive surface fluorescenc...
Calorimetric and Microscopic Studies on the Noncatalytic Hydrothermolysis of Ammonia Borane

The hydrothermolysis of ammonia borane (AB) can release more hydrogen than AB thermolysis itself at mild temperatures. To obtain more insight into the noncatalytic hydrothermolysis, we investigated this process using a high-pressure differential scanning calorimeter and characterized the condensed residue by thermal analysis and infrared spectroscopy. For mass ratios of AB to water of 3.6, 1.44, and 0.72, the first pyrolysis step is not completed in 1 h at 85 °C. As the temperature increases from 25 to 115 at 1 °C min–1, there exist two exothermic peaks for the mass ratio of 3.6, centered around 82 and 103 °C on the heat flow curve, attributed to the hydrolysis and the first step of AB pyrolysis, respectively. For the mass ratio of 1.44, the top temperatures of these two exothermic peaks are 90 and 100 °C, respectively. However, for the mass ratio of 0.72, only the exothermic peak related to hydrolysis is observed, and its top temperature is ca. 106 °C. At temperatures up to 115 °C, the structural feature...
A cAMP and CREB-mediated feed-forward mechanism regulates GSK3β in polycystic kidney disease

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), a serine/threonine protein kinase, is commonly known to be regulated at the level of its activity. However, in some diseases including polycystic kidney disease (PKD), GSK3β expression is increased and plays a pathophysiological role. The current studies aimed to determine the mechanism for the increased GSK3β expression in PKD and its significance to disease progression. In mouse models of PKD, increases in renal GSK3β corresponded with increases in renal cAMP levels and disease progression. In vivo and in vitro studies revealed that GSK3β is a cAMP-responsive gene, and elevated cAMP levels, as seen in PKD, can increase GSK3β expression. In normal mice, vasopressin signaling induced by water deprivation increased GSK3β expression, which decreased following rehydration. Examination of the GSK3β promoter revealed five potential binding sites for the transcription factor, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). CREB was found to bind to GSK3β promoter and essential for cAMP-mediated regulation of GSK3β. Importantly, this regulation was demonstrated to be part of a feed-forward loop in which cAMP through CREB regulates GSK3β expression, and GSK3β in turn positively regulates cAMP generation. GSK3β or CREB inhibition reduced transepithelial fluid secretion and cyst expansion in vitro Thus, disruption at any point of this destructive cycle may be therapeutically useful to reduce cyst expansion and preserve renal function in PKD.
Clinical Analysis of 21 Cases of Heterotopic Pregnancy treated by Laparoscopic Surgery

Objective:To evaluate the efficency and safety of laparoscopic surgery in the diagnosis and treatment of heterotopic pregnancy(HP),and to discuss the operation techniques of laparoscopy in HP patients.Methods:21 cases of heterotopic pregnancy treated by laparoscopy in Maternal and Children's Hospital of Foshan from 2003 to 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:20 of 21 cases were fallopian tube pregnancies(Salpingectomy was performed),one case was uterine cornua pregnancy(cornuectomy was performed).Adhesiolysis and(or) tubal ligation of uninjured side was performed in some patients.All operations were finished laparoscopically without any major compilcations.20 patients had different time span tocolytic treatment postopetatively,17 patients had successful delivary,one patient was in pregnancy for 8 month,2 patients lost their babies.The success rate of preserving fetus was 90.0%.Conclusions:Laparoscopic surgery can diagnose and treat HP at early stage,thus reduce the impact of ectopic pregnancy on intrauterine pregnancy.It's feasible and safe for rare HP or HP with shock.Laparoscopy is the ideal method to treat heterotopic pregnancy.
The Capability of Vehicle Engine Coolant Fluid Filling Machine Upgrade Transformation

This article introduce the content about the emergency technological transformation according to the particularity of B-series engine of SGMW. This transformation technology reduce the the repair rate of vechicle with B-series engine and improve the rebiability of the coolant fluid filling machine.
Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis: A rare manifestation of gynecologic cancer

•Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a rare complication of cancer.•NBTE may precede the diagnosis of an occult gynecologic malignancy.•Malignancy-induced NBTE must be considered in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism.•The most effective treatment is anticoagulation and treatment of the underlying cancer.
Hemorrhage from myocardial revascularization.

Four groups of 12 dogs each had ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) with subsequent release of the ligature and confirmed reperfusion. After 24 hours of reperfusion, the hearts were removed, sliced at 1 cm intervals along the transverse axis, and stained with triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Measurements of the infarct size as a percentage of the left ventricular area (I) and of hemorrhage as a percentage of infarct size (H) were made. The duration of ligation was 3 hours in Group I, 6 hours in Group II, 18 hours in Group III, and 30 hours in Group IV. No significant difference in infarct size was found among the groups. Percent hemorrhage was 25.2% of infarct area in Group I, 28.3% in Group II, 18.1% in Group III, and 0.7% in Group IV. If reperfusion hemorrhage into an acute myocardial infarct is deleterious, these data suggest that danger to be decreased at 18 hours and absent at 30 hours after acute coronary occlusion.
Effect of beta blockers on sepsis outcome.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate weather beta blockers are associated with an increased mortality in sepsis. MATERIAL/METHODS Data on 83 patients with sepsis treated in ICU were analyzed from the retrospective chart review. The association between treatment with Beta blockers and mortality was analyzed by logistic regression in univariate model and after adjusting for the APACHE morbidity/ mortality scores. RESULTS Among 83 patients (mean age 56.2+/-17.3 years, female 51%, the mean APACHE score 74.8+/-23.3), 29 were treated with BB. Those treated with BB had APACHE score of 79.93+/-23.47 and those not treated with BB had APACHE score of 73.67+/-23.21. No significant difference between the traditional cardiovascular risk factors was found in both groups except for HTN. Treatment with BB was not significantly associated with mortality in the univariate (OR=1.83, 95% CI 0.59-5.69) nor multivariate model (OR=1.843, 95% CI 0.56-6.10). The APACHE score was a strong predictor of mortality (OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, p=0.02). This association was independent of BB use, and no significant interaction (p=0.72) between BB and APACHE score was observed. CONCLUSIONS We did not show a significant association between beta blockers and increased mortality in patients with sepsis. Sicker patients had an increase risk of death, and possibility that beta blocker use may have contributed to this risk cannot be completely ruled out. Our study was limited by a small sample size and retrospective design. Further investigations of potential benefits and side effect of beta blockers in patients with sepsis are warranted.
A Fatigue Strength Predictor for Steels Using Ensemble Data Mining: Steel Fatigue Strength Predictor

Fatigue strength is one of the most important mechanical properties of steel. High cost and time for fatigue testing, and potentially disastrous consequences of fatigue failures motivates the development of predictive models for this property. We have developed advanced data-driven ensemble predictive models for this purpose with an extremely high cross-validated accuracy of >98\%, and have deployed these models in a user-friendly online web-tool, which can make very fast predictions of fatigue strength for a given steel represented by its composition and processing information. Such a tool with fast and accurate models is expected to be a very useful resource for the materials science researchers and practitioners to assist in their search for new and improved quality steels. The web-tool is available at http://info.eecs.northwestern.edu/SteelFatigueStrengthPredictor
Solution of Poisson equation in p-AlyGa1−yAs/p-Al0.45Ga0.55As/n-GaAs structures

The Poisson equation in a p-AlyGa1−yAs/p-Al0.45Ga0.55As/n-GaAs structures structure under reverse bias is solved analytically subject to ohmic contact boundary conditions. The solution takes into account the linear variation of the dielectric constant in the compositionally graded region. It is shown that the dielectric constant in the graded region can be approximated by an average dielectric constant with good accuracy in solving for the electrostatic field distribution and potential.
A meta-analysis of pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder: an examination of efficacy, moderators, and mediators.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is among the most prevalent mental disorders, associated with impaired functioning and poor quality of life. Pharmacotherapy is the most widely utilized treatment option. The current study provides an updated meta-analytic review of the efficacy of pharmacotherapy and examines moderators and mediators of treatment efficacy.Areas Covered: A comprehensive search of the current literature yielded 52 randomized, pill placebo-controlled trials of pharmacotherapy for adults diagnosed with SAD. Data on potential mediators of treatment outcome were collected, as well as data necessary to calculate pooled correlation matrices to compute indirect effects.Expert Opinion: The overall effect size of pharmacotherapy for SAD is small to medium (Hedges’ g = 0.41). Effect sizes were not moderated by age, sex, length of treatment, initial severity, risk of study bias, or publication year. Furthermore, reductions in symptoms mediated pharmacotherapy’s effect on quality of ...
Non-contact rapid optical coherence elastography by high-speed 4D imaging of elastic waves

Shear wave OCE (SW-OCE) uses an OCT system to track propagating mechanical waves, providing the information needed to map the elasticity of the target sample. In this study we demonstrate high speed, 4D imaging to capture transient mechanical wave propagation. Using a high-speed Fourier domain mode-locked (FDML) swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) system operating at ~1.62 MHz A-line rate, the equivalent volume rate of mechanical wave imaging is 16 kvps (kilo-volumes per second), and total imaging time for a 6 x 6 x 3 mm volume is only 0.32 s. With a displacement sensitivity of ~10 nanometers, the proposed 4D imaging technique provides sufficient temporal and spatial resolution for real-time optical coherence elastography (OCE). Combined with a new air-coupled, high-frequency focused ultrasound stimulator requiring no contact or coupling media, this near real-time system can provide quantitative information on localized viscoelastic properties. SW-OCE measurements are demonstrated on tissue-mimicking phantoms and porcine cornea under various intra-ocular pressures. In addition, elasticity anisotropy in the cornea is observed. Images of the mechanical wave group velocity, which correlates with tissue elasticity, show velocities ranging from 4-20 m/s depending on pressure and propagation direction. These initial results strong suggest that 4D imaging for real-time OCE may enable high-resolution quantitative mapping of tissue biomechanical properties in clinical applications.
Comments on “Why Creative Education Must Not Become a Fad”

One needs to applaud the advances in educational discourse from the awkward hyperbole of some of the paternalistic monolithic perspectives of 1931 to the progressive cognitive and social and emotio...
Comparative Characteristics of the Perishables Transportation by Different Kinds of Transport and Prospects of Development of Relations between Ukraine and the European Union in this Area

English Abstract: In the article, the author researches the nowadays state of the perishables transportation in Ukraine by national automobile and railway transport. The analysis of legislative acts which regulate the automobile and railway perishables transportation is made. The author classifies the main list of perishables transported by automobile transport and railway rolling stock, founds discordances in conditions of transportation of such loads by automobile and railway transport. The volumes of production and consumption of perishable foodstuff in Ukraine in export and import communication, the nowadays volumes of the perishables transportation in Ukraine are also researched. The expediency to use automobile and railway transport for the perishables transportation depending on the distance of transportation is analyzed. Ukrainian Abstract: У статті розглянуто сучасний стан перевезень швидкопсувних вантажів в Україні за участю вітчизняного автомобільного і залізничного транспорту. Проведено аналіз нормативно-правових документів, що регулюють автомобільні і залізничні перевезення швидкопсувних вантажів. Класифіковано основний перелік швидкопсувних вантажів, що транспортуються автомобільним транспортом і залізничним рухомим складом, виявлено розбіжності в умовах транспортування даних вантажів на залізниці і автотранспорті. Також проаналізовано обсяги виробництва і споживання швидкопсувних харчових продуктів в Україні у експортно-імпортному сполученні. Досліджено сучасні обсяги перевезень швидкопсувних вантажів в Україні. Проаналізовано доцільність використання в перевезенні швидкопсувного вантажу автомобільного і залізничного транспорту в залежності від відстані перевезення. Ключові слова: автомобільно-залізничні перевезення, швидкопсувні вантажі, рухомий склад, транспортування, рефрижератор.
A Behavioral Theory of Electoral Structure

Why are party systems in modern democracies so essentially robust? We theorize patterns of electoral competition as the outcome of a struggle between entropy and structure. Forces of entropy entail idiosyncratic voting behavior guided by subjective evaluations, while forces of structure entail coordinated behavior emerging from objective aspects of party preference. Our model locates determinants of party preference on a continuum spanning subjective and objective concerns. Entropy is endemic but elections for nationwide executive office periodically prime objective concerns, reinstating structure in party systems. We demonstrate the cyclical pulse of national elections in a comparative analysis of pseudo-randomized survey data from the European Election Studies since 1989. We also show how feedback from differently-sized party systems consolidates different working equilibria.
Anxiety sensitivity and cannabis use problems, perceived barriers for quitting, and fear of quitting.

Abstract Cannabis is among the most widely used psychoactive substances in the United States, and rates of cannabis use and cannabis-related problems are increasing. Anxiety sensitivity, or the fear of aversive interoceptive sensations, may be relevant to better understanding cannabis use problems and other significant cannabis use processes (e.g., beliefs about quitting). Previous research has primarily focused on the global anxiety sensitivity construct; however, anxiety sensitivity lower-order facets (Cognitive Concerns, Physical Concerns, and Social Concerns) tend to be differentially related to substance use processes in non-cannabis specific studies. The current study therefore explored anxiety sensitivity lower-order facets in relation to cannabis use problems, perceived barriers for cannabis cessation, and abstinence phobia (fear of not using cannabis) among a community sample of 203 cannabis-using adults. Results indicated that anxiety sensitivity Cognitive Concerns were significantly associated with each of the dependent measures and these effects were not explained by shared variance with the other lower-order factors or a range of other covariates (e.g., tobacco use). The present findings suggest future work may benefit from focusing on the role of anxiety sensitivity Cognitive Concerns in the maintenance of cannabis use.
How do Social Interactions Among Children Contribute to Learning

The question we are concerned with makes the assumption that interactions between students in the social setting of the school do contribute to the learning of individual students. This assumption is itself controversial in that the predominant model for the teaching of mathematics, in the United States at least, has been one of explain and practice, with, as Romberg and Carpenter (1986) document, the teacher assuming a role that is managerial or procedural. Research studies by Slavin et al. (1985), Webb (1989), and others have emphasized the cooperative learning environment with students working in small groups; however the predominant view of the student’s role in the learning setting has been one which militates against this environment. The student continues to be viewed as in need of “ practice” of teacher demonstrated procedures Small groups which may be established in the classroom are frequently seen as opportunities for more able peers to tutor those in need of further practice in these procedures rather than as opportunities for students to interact collaboratively as they construct their mathematical ideas.
Theodore Vermeulen’s Contributions To Process Design For Sorption Operations

A summary is given of Theodore Vermeulen’s scientific contributions in the field of process design for sorption operations.
A rare case of Brown-Sequard syndrome caused by traumatic cervical epidural hematoma.

Background Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS) is a well-known entity that is most commonly caused by a penetrating injury to the spinal cord (e.g., stab wound or gunshot wound). It is characterized by an ipsilateral weakness (damage to corticospinal tracts) and contralateral loss of pain and temperature two levels below the lesion (damage to lateral spinothalamic tracts). Although, rarely non-penetrating injuries, tumors, disc herniations, infections, autoimmune diseases, and epidural hematomas (non-penetrating trauma and spontaneous) have contributed to BSS syndromes, there are only four cases of BSS in the literature attributed to traumatic spinal epidural hematomas. Here, we add an additional case involving a 59-year-old male. Case Description A 59-year-old male presented with a Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS) after a motor vehicle accident. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a cervical epidural hematoma at the C7-T1 level. Following a T1 laminectomy and C6-T1 fusion, his neurological deficit markedly improved. Within six postoperative months, he regained full motor function. Conclusion For this patient and others with a traumatic cervical epidural hematoma (C7T1) resulting in a BSS, early decompression (within 48 hours) should result in marked postoperative neurological improvement.
Fellow Eye Status Is a Biomarker for the Progression Rate of Geographic Atrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Topic Systematic review and meta-analysis of how fellow eye status predicts the progression rate of geographic atrophy (GA). Clinical Relevance The status of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the fellow eye has been used as an indicator of the GA progression rates in primary eyes, but the reported growth rates vary widely in prior clinical studies. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrials.gov , and PubMed up to September 12, 2018, for studies that classified treatment-naive GA patients based on different AMD manifestations in the fellow eyes and that monitored GA progression in the primary eyes. Three fellow eye statuses were analyzed: (1) no GA or choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the fellow eye, (2) GA in the fellow eye, and (3) CNV in the fellow eye. To account for the patients’ different entry times, we introduced a horizontal translation factor to shift each dataset within each group. We determined the translation factor by adjusting it 1 month at a time until the r2 in weighted least squares regression (r2WLS) was maximized for the cumulative linear trend line of all datasets. Heterogeneity and study quality were assessed using the I2 statistic and Newcastle–Ottawa scale, respectively. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots, the Egger test, and the Begg test. Results We included 9 studies with 2134 eyes from 1835 patients. After the introduction of translation factors, the datasets in each fellow eye group fit along a straight line with a high r2WLS. The GA radius growth rate in fellow eyes with GA (0.179±0.003 mm/year) and fellow eyes with CNV (0.159±0.015 mm/year) was significantly higher than that in fellow eyes without GA or CNV (0.110±0.009 mm/year; P Conclusions We confirmed that the presence of advanced AMD in the fellow eye, defined as GA or CNV, can serve as a biomarker of the GA enlargement rate in the primary eye. This may assist the design of clinical trials and may shed light on the natural history of GA expansion.
Recording the Pain of Others: Lethal Injection's Visibility Problem

In July 2011, Georgia executed Andrew DeYoung for murdering his parents and sister. Pursuant to a motion to preserve evidence brought by counsel for Gregory Walker, another man on Georgia’s Death Row, DeYoung’s execution produced the only existing video of a lethal injection in the United States, which remains under seal in a Georgia courthouse. This effort to record an execution reverses the historical trend of making executions less visible by bringing them inside prison walls and limiting eyewitnesses. Unlike similar cases, the successful motion to preserve DeYoung’s execution and autopsy on video did not litigate the public’s right to see executions, but instead argued that visual evidence of a botched execution was necessary to support another condemned man’s Eighth Amendment claim. This project evaluates this strategy’s assumption that video representation is less mediated and thus more effective and accurate as evidence than traditional eyewitness and expert testimony. This evaluation proceeds by examining the rhetorical strategies used in death penalty abolition litigation and judicial opinions that have, in turn, upheld and struck down methods of capital punishment. Part I examines lethal injection’s “invisibility problem” and argues that this problem stems from secrecy surrounding state execution protocols and the overwhelming metaphor of healing that lethal injection’s “weapons” project. Part II explores a potential solution to this problem — creating visual records of lethal injections — using the litigation surrounding DeYoung’s execution as an example.
Association between early amniotomy in labour induction and severe maternal and neonatal morbidity

BACKGROUND Amniotomy is a commonly used, inexpensive method of labour induction; however, the optimal timing of amniotomy during labour induction is debated. AIMS To investigate whether artificial rupture of membranes <4 cm dilation is associated with caesarean, severe maternal and neonatal morbidity, and labour induction duration. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective cohort study of 228 438 deliveries at 19 US hospitals. Women with a viable, singleton gestation undergoing induction ≥37 weeks with cervical dilation <4 cm were included. Women were excluded if membranes spontaneously ruptured <4 cm. Women were compared by early amniotomy (<4 cm dilation) versus not early. The primary outcome was caesarean. Secondary outcomes included severe maternal and neonatal morbidity, and labour duration. Logistic and Cox proportional hazard regression estimated the association between early amniotomy and study outcomes. RESULTS Of 15 525 eligible women, 10 421 (67%) had early amniotomy. Early amniotomy was associated with higher adjusted odds of caesarean and severe maternal morbidity, but not neonatal morbidity. After accounting for interaction, early amniotomy was associated with increasingly higher odds of caesarean as body mass index increased. Early amniotomy was associated with lower odds of severe maternal morbidity among multiparas with mechanical ripening. Median labour induction was 2.5 h shorter with early amniotomy, significant in hazard regression. CONCLUSIONS Early amniotomy was associated with increased odds of caesarean among obese women. The association between early amniotomy and severe maternal morbidity varied by maternal characteristics, but early amniotomy was not associated with neonatal morbidity. Early amniotomy in labour induction may be advantageous in certain populations, particularly non-obese women requiring mechanical ripening.
Introduction to the Special Section on the 2019 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC)

It has been an annual tradition ever since the start of the IEEE journal of solid-state circuits (JSSC) in 1966 to publish extended manuscripts of a selected set of articles presented at the annual International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC). In this November issue, you will find selected articles from the Imagers, Medical, MEMS, and Displays (IMMD) and the Technology Directions (TD) sessions. Most of the bio-related articles are covered in these topics. Next month, the sessions of Analog, Power Management, Data Converters, RF, and Wireless will be covered, and in January, you will find the selected articles from the Wireline, Digital Circuits, Digital Architectures and Systems, and Memory subcommittees.
Lügenpresse: The lying press and German journalists’ responses to a stigma:

The term Lugenpresse, ‘lying press’, was used by the German National Socialist Party before and during the Third Reich to discredit the news media and to undermine public trust. By 2014, reports of...
Genodermatoses with malignant potential

The hereditary nature of some forms of cancer was recognized long ago. Over time, recognition of associated findings led to the delineation of numerous hereditary cancer syndromes. Many of these syndromes also have cutaneous manifestations, the recognition of which can lead to their early identification. Recognition of these syndromes allows vigilant surveillance and preemptive treatment, which can dramatically impact the risks of morbidity and mortality for affected patients. The rise of rapid and accurate genetic testing now allows the early identification of asymptomatic at risk family members so that monitoring can be initiated as early as possible. The dermatologist plays a critical role in early identification of these syndromes and, in many cases, their treatment. This review summarizes many known hereditary cancer syndromes with cutaneous findings, their etiology, identification, evaluation, and management. Importantly, this is an ever evolving topic and new findings and syndromes will continue to be recognized. The dermatologist must be always alert to ensure they are detected.