cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is research on borderline personality disorder underfunded by the National Institute of Health

The relationship between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder has generated intense interest. Similar to patients with bipolar disorder, patients with borderline personality disorder are frequently hospitalized, are chronically unemployed, abuse substances, attempt and commit suicide. However, one significant difference between the two disorders is that patients with borderline personality disorder are often viewed negatively by mental health professionals. In the present paper we examined whether this negative bias against borderline personality disorder might be reflected in the level of research funding on the disorder. We searched the National Institute of Health (NIH) Research Portfolio Online Portfolio Reporting Tool (RePORT) for the past 25 years and compared the number of grants funded and the total amount of funding for borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder. The yearly mean number of grants receiving funding was significantly higher for bipolar disorder than for borderline personality disorder. Results were the same when focusing on newly funded grants. For every year since 1990 more grants were funded for bipolar disorder than borderline personality disorder. Summed across all 25 years, the level of funding for bipolar disorder was more than 10 times greater than the level of funding for borderline personality disorder ($622 million vs. $55 million). These findings suggest that the level of NIH research funding for borderline personality disorder is not commensurate with the level of psychosocial morbidity, mortality, and health expenditures associated with the disorder.
Describing the Uncertainties in Experimental Results

Abstract It is no longer acceptable, in most circles, to present experimental results without describing the uncertainties involved. Besides its obvious role in publishing, uncertainty analysis provides the experimenter a rational way of evaluating the significance of the scatter on repeated trials. This can be a powerful tool in locating the source of trouble in a misbehaving experiment. To the user of the data, a statement (by the experimenter) of the range within which the results of the present experiment might have fallen by chance alone is of great help in deciding whether the present data agree with past results or differ from them. These benefits can be realized only if both the experimenter and the reader understand what an uncertainty analysis is, what it can do (and cannot do), and how to interpret its results. This paper begins with a general description of the sources of errors in engineering measurements and the relationship between error and uncertainty. Then the path of an uncertainty analysis is traced from its first step, identifying the intended true value of a measurement, through the quantitative estimation of the individual errors, to the end objective—the interpretation and reporting of the results. The basic mathematics of both single-sample and multiple-sample analysis are presented, as well as a technique for numerically executing uncertainty analyses when computerized data interpretation is involved. The material presented in this paper covers the method of describing the uncertainties in an engineering experiment and the necessary background material.
Critical feminist studies in religion

Critical feminist studies in religion seek to articulate a theoretical analytics not in terms of gender and feminine identity but in socio-political terms. They understand wo/men as socio-political...
Scalable computations in penetration mechanics

This paper presents an overview of an explicit message passing paradigm for an Eulerian finite volume method for modeling solid dynamics problems involving shock wave propagation, multiple materials, and large deformations. Three-dimensional simulations of high-velocity impact were conducted on the IBM SP2, the SGI Power challenge Array, and the SGI Origin 2000. The scalability of the message-passing code on distributed-memory and symmetric multiprocessor architectures is presented and compared to the ideal linear performance.
Disulfide bond exchange in rhodopsin.

Rhodopsin contains two cysteines (Cys110 and Cys187) that are highly conserved among members of the G protein coupled receptor family and that form a disulfide bond connecting helixes 3 and 4 on the extracellular side of the protein. However, recent work on a rhodopsin mutant split in the cytoplasmic loop connecting helixes 3 and 4 has shown that the amino- and carboxy-terminal fragments of this split protein do not comigrate on nonreducing SDS−PAGE gels, suggesting that the native Cys110−Cys187 disulfide bond is not present in this mutant [Ridge et al. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92, 3204−3208; Yu et al. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 14963−14969]. We show here that the inability to observe the disulfide bond on SDS gels is the result of a disulfide bond exchange reaction which occurs when this split rhodopsin is denatured in preparation for SDS−PAGE. Cys185 reacts with the native disulfide, displacing Cys110 and forming a new disulfide with Cys187. If the sulfhydryl-specific reagent N-ethylmaleimide i...
Vocal Fold Mucosal Tears

Vocal fold mucosal tears have been discussed in the literature rarely, although they are not uncommon clinically. Disruptions in the epithelium usually follow trauma that may result from voice abuse and/or misuse, coughing, and other causes. A high index of suspicion is necessary to avoid missing vocal fold mucosal tears, and strobovideolaryngoscopy is indispensable in making the diagnosis. A brief period of complete voice rest is the standard of care and appears to be helpful in avoiding adverse sequelae and advancing the healing process, but there are no scientific studies to confirm its efficacy. Mucosal tears may heal completely or may be followed by the development of vocal fold masses, scar, and permanent dysphonia.
Testing the limits of privatization: Argentine railroads

Abstract Just how far can privatization be pushed, and with what consequences? Based on a study of Argentine railroads, this paper concludes that even large, unprofitable firms in developing countries faced with market failures can be privatized, but the gains from doing so depend on how badly the state enterprise was performing to begin with, and the potential for introducing competition in the market and for the market. The broader lesson is that when both market failures and government failures are present, a public-private solution is preferable to a purely private or a purely public solution. Privatization is not a panacea but potentially a palliative, when it comes to reducing subsidies or coping with regulatory failures.
A Collaborative Approach to Supervision

"significant others" whose input could contribute to the quality of decision making regarding teacher growth needs. These significant others include (but are not necessarily limited to) professional representatives, management, students, parents, and teacher peers. This article will explore the key components of the teacher professional growth process and will examine how these "significant others" can contribute to the components outlined. A possible structure for a collaborative approach to supervision and staff development will be presented.
Real estate returns, money and fiscal deficits: Is the real estate market efficient?

This research examines the causal relationship between several financial variables and a portfolio of real estate returns using monthly data from January 1965 to December 1986. The empirical analysis is based on multivariate Granger-causality tests in conjunction with Akaike's final prediction error criterion. The results indicate that measures approximating monetary policy and market returns play an important role in causing changes in real estate returns. In particular, our findings suggest that base money and market returns have had significant lagged effects on current real estate returns.
Evidence for a catecholamine-mediated slow hyperpolarizing synaptic response in parasympathetic ganglia.

Abstract Stimulation of preganglionic nerve trunks in the presence of muscarinic and nicotinic cholinoceptor and purinoceptor antagonists produced a slow-hyperpolarizing synaptic potential that was mimicked by exogenously applied norepinephrine. Both responses were blocked by yohimbine, an α-adrenoceptor antagonist, and enhanced by imipramine and cocaine, inhibitors of norepinephrine reuptake. These findings fulfill pharmacological criteria suggesting that norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter in cat bladder parasympathetic ganglia.
Fatherless rearing leads to sociopathy

Endorsing Mealey's analysis, it is pointed out that increasing rates of crime and violence are due to increasing proportions of children being reared in circumstances radically different from the extendedfamily environment to which we are evolntionarily adapted, that is, they are reared without fathers.
Recurrent laryngeal nerve: Significance of the anterior extralaryngeal branch

Introduction Recognition of extralaryngeal branching of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is crucial, because inadvertent operative division may lead to significant postoperative morbidity. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of extralaryngeal bifurcation of the RLN and to demonstrate the location of the motor fibers within the branches of the RLN. Methods Prospective study on 99 patients over 1 year with operative data collected on the branching of a total of 137 RLNs. Operative data obtained included the type of operation, incidence of nerve bifurcation, the distance from the inferior border of the cricothyroid to the point of bifurcation, and the location of the motor fibers to the intrinsic muscles of the larynx within the branches of the RLN. Results The RLN was seen intra-operatively in all patients. A total of 137 (right 69, left 68) RLNs in 99 patients undergoing thyroidectomy (total 29; hemi 51), parathyroidectomy (16) and central lymph node dissection (3) were studied. Overall, 46 RLNs (34%) bifurcated prior to entry into the larynx. These bifurcations occurred on the right in 27 (59%) and left 19 (41%). Bilateral bifurcation occurred in 12 (27%) of the 44 patients who underwent bilateral dissections. The median branching distance from the cricothyroid membrane on the right was 8.3 ± 2.5 mm, and on the left was 7.5 ± 1.8 mm. In all bifurcated RLNs, the motor fibers to the vocal cords were located exclusively in the anterior branches. Conclusion Extralaryngeal bifurcation was found in 34% of the RLNs in this case series. The motor fibers of RLN are located in the anterior branch while the posterior branch is only sensory in function. Great caution is, therefore, required after the presumed identification of the RLN to ensure there is no unidentified anterior branch. Identification of the anterior branch may lead to decreased risk of postoperative nerve injury.
Intrinsic Viscosity of Polyelectrolytes in Salt Solutions

A theory is given for the inverse square-root dependence of the intrinsic viscosity of polyelectrolytes on the concentration of added salt. The results agree with the data by Noda, Tsuge, and Nagasawa. The existence of at least a partial drainage effect in polyelectrolytes is discussed.
Patient expectations for pain medication delivery

The purpose of this study was to evaluate emergency department (ED) patient expectations for the delivery of pain medication and correlation of satisfaction with meeting patient needs for pain relief. In this prospective survey of 458 ED patients with pain, the patients reported a mean of 23 minutes as a reasonable wait for pain medication versus 78 minutes for the actual delivery of pain medication. Forty-five percent of patients received pain medication and 70% had their needs for pain relief met. Mean satisfaction for patients who had their needs for pain relief met was 83 mm versus 51 mm for patients whose needs for pain relief were not met (P <.001). Patients expect rapid delivery of pain medication after arrival in the ED. Time to delivery of pain medication in this ED does not meet patient expectations. Patients who had their needs for pain relief met were more satisfied with ED care.
Enhanced in vivo gene expression mediated by listeriolysin O incorporated anionic LPDII: Its utility in cytotoxic T lymphocyte-inducing DNA vaccine

Enhanced in vivo gene expression using non-viral vectors is a critical issue in gene therapy in general. Among the many potential utilities of non-viral vector-mediated gene delivery, its application in DNA-based vaccination is an attractive approach with several practical advantages over conventional vaccination. We have previously shown that the endosomolytic bacterial protein listeriolysin O (LLO) is capable of facilitating transfection in vitro using the LPDII (anionic liposome-polycation-DNA complexes) delivery system. In the present study we have extended and investigated the DNA delivery of LLO-containing LPDII to in vivo and evaluated its utility in DNA vaccination in mice. We further investigated the ability of this non-viral gene delivery system to elicit an immune response to a model antigen ovalbumin (OVA), particularly focusing on the OVA-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, after delivery of a plasmid containing the OVA cDNA. A DNA prime and protein boost protocol was employed to generate cytotoxic T cell responses. Our results show that increased in vitro and in vivo transfection efficiencies were observed when LLO was incorporated into LPDII. This LLO-LPDII formulation produced an enhanced functional antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell response in vivo compared to the heat-inactivated LLO-containing LPDII (HI-LLO-LPDII) formulation. Furthermore, a significantly higher CTL frequency was observed in the splenocytes isolated from the mice primed with LLO-LPDII by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay. Interferon-γ production upon specific stimulation by OVA-specific CD8(+) peptide was also significantly stronger with the inclusion of LLO into LPDII. These findings suggest that the LLO-containing LPDII system possesses noteworthy potential as a candidate carrier for DNA vaccine delivery.
Discontinuing anticytomegalovirus therapy in patients with immune reconstitution after combination antiretroviral therapy

Abstract PURPOSE: To describe our experience with discontinuation of anticytomegalovirus maintenance therapy in patients who have had immune reconstitution after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: Fifteen patients with treated cytomegalovirus retinitis, who had immune reconstitution after initiation of highly active retroviral therapy, had anticytomegalovirus maintenance therapy discontinued. Patients were followed closely for relapse of retinitis. RESULTS: Median nadir CD4 + T-cell count, before institution of highly active antiretroviral therapy, was 20 cells/μl. At the time of discontinuation of anticytomegalovirus therapy, median CD4 + T-cell count was 297 cells/μl. Patients were followed for a median of 8 months off anticytomegalovirus therapy (range, 3 to 16 months). The median CD4 + T-cell count at last follow-up was 267 cells/μl. No patient off anticytomegalovirus therapy relapsed. CONCLUSION: In selected patients with immune reconstitution after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy, anticytomegalovirus therapy may be safely discontinued, at least temporarily. Longer follow-up of these patients is needed to determine how long such therapy may be interrupted, and when anticytomegalovirus therapy should be reinstituted.
The preparation of crystalline ceruloplasmin from human plasma.

Abstract Crystalline ceruloplasmin may be readily prepared in good yield from human serum or plasma by procedures based on chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose. As prepared, this protein appears to be made up of a series of molecules of varying solubilities. Repeated crystallization followed by a Chromatographic separation step at neutral pH provides a ceruloplasmin containing 8 atoms of copper per 150,000 g. protein and one that shows a single component on electrophoretic and ultracentrifugal assay.
A Collaborative Approach to Family Literacy Evaluation Strategies

McCosh Even Start, a federally funded project located at McCosh School in inner‐city Chicago neighborhood, is a partnership between Northeastern Illinois University and The Chicago Public School. The parent#shchild components of the program are: home visiting, an after school family literacy program, parent#shchild field trips, computer classes, and the use of videotaping and photography to document learning. The adult literacy component includes computer, photography and video classes, a parent club for literacy career development skills and parent field trips. Computer, video technology and photography were used as tools to develop literacy, but they were also used to document the literacy progress of parents and children. To evaluate the results of the program, staff, parents, children and a video documenter collaborated to use a wide range of evaluation. These strategies used to show literacy improvement included video documentation and interviews, parent interest questionnaires, observations and book...
Taxonomic Revision of the Endangered Hawaiian Red-flowered Sandalwoods (Santalum) and Discovery of an Ancient Hybrid Species

Abstract The Hawaiian Islands are home to a quarter of the named diversity of sandalwoods in the genus Santalum. There has been considerable confusion on how to best interpret the variation patterns of the red-flowered Hawaiian sandalwoods, S. freycinetianum and S. haleakalae, and particularly of the endangered S. freycinetianum var. lanaiense in an appropriate taxonomy. In this study, nrDNA (ITS, ETS) and cpDNA (3′ trnK intron) sequence, microsatellite, and morphological data are integrated to appropriately revise the taxonomy of this group by better understanding the genetic and morphological diversity within and between populations. Results reveal that populations of S. freycinetianum from O‘ahu are genetically distinct from populations on Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, and Maui. Santalum freycinatianum is now considered only to occur on O‘ahu. The East Maui endemic S. haleakalae intergrades morphologically and is not genetically distinct from populations of S. freycinetianum var. lanaiense based on the sequence an...
Mosquito Habitat and Dengue Risk Potential in Hawaii: A Conceptual Framework and GIS Application∗

Abstract Dengue is an emerging disease, and the distribution of the mosquito vector is partially mediated by environmental conditions. In this article, a new conceptual model is suggested that emphasizes the importance of including environmental variability in mosquito modeling studies. In an applied sense, mosquito habitat maps are developed for Hawaii using a GIS overlay of mosquito survival thresholds of temperature, precipitation, and stream/wetland location. Populated areas represent locations with the potential for an outbreak. The maps are adjustable based on expert knowledge input, and efforts to prevent or control outbreaks can be concentrated in those zones delineated by this study.
The Speaker and the Budget: Leadership in the Post-Reform House of Representatives

One of the most important changes in Congress in decades was the extensive congressional reforms of the 1970s, which moved the congressional budget process into the focus of congressional policy-making and shifted decision-making away from committees. This overwhelming attention to the federal budget allowed party leaders to emerge as central decision makers. Palazzolo traces the changing nature of the Speaker of the House's role in the congressional budget process from the passage of the Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to the 100th Congress in 1988. In the early 1970s, the Speaker attended to primarily supportive and managerial tasks that helped establish and maintain the budget process. Yet, as the deficit grew and budget politics became more partisan in the 1980s, the Speaker became more involved in policy-related functions, such as setting budget priorities and negotiating budget agreements with Senate leaders and the president. Consequently, the Speaker's role as leader of the institution was subordinate to the role as party leader. Palazzolo develops broader theoretical insights about congressional leadership by explaining how the Speaker's roles evolved and how different Speakers - Carl Albert, Tip O'Neill, and Jim Wright - performed their roles. He asserts that leadership is produced by both the qualities of individual leaders and the institutional, political and policy-related circumstances that shape congressional politics. Leadership roles develop in response to problems and opportunities in the budget process that stem from changing conditions, but individuals partly determine how these roles are performed. "The Speaker and the Budget" incorporates an eclectic range of research findings, including personal interviews with current and former members of Congress and key staff personnel. Its descriptions of budget politics and the perspective it gives to congressional leadership should be of interest to students of Congress, budgeting, and political leadership, as well as practitioners involved in making budget policy.
Cross-cultural issues in the treatment of intractable anorexia nervosa

This paper presents a case of intractable anorexia nervosa in a child burdened beyond her capabilities by unresolved conflicts in a parent. The dynamics will be assessed in the context of open systems theory of family function to suggest that the mother's conflicts, fixated at the time she left her native country, and her attempts to adapt to a new one, combined with other family members' failure to understand or appreciate the mother's cultural roots, interrupted the patient's normal maturation/development. The paper also presents a successful course of treatment of the binational anorexic girl, using a comprehensive inpatient program, emphasizing intensive family therapy with an open systems theory framework.
The econometric forecasting model of Czechoslovakia

The result of the construction, estimation, testing and forecasting uses of the VVS-2 model testify to the expediency of using comprehensive econometric models in socialist economy. The VVS-2 model expresses at a satisfying rate of accuracy the quantitative relations between the fundamental indicators of Czechoslovak economy and has produced satisfactory results also in calculating short-term forecasts. Some new methods and computer programs that have been developed and employed for model estimation may be considered a contribution towards the development of applied econometrics in socialist countries.
Enhancement of short-pulse recombination-pumped gain by soft-x-ray photoionization of the ground state

The gain achieved in lasing to the ground state following short-pulse field ionization by a pump laser is highly transient. It will usually persist for only tens of picoseconds because of the rapid filling and negligible emptying of the ground state. Employing a detailed atomic model of lasing in hydrogen, we show that the removal of ground-state population by an appropriate broadband ionizing radiation field can enhance and prolong the gain in such a laser.
Topics on engineering education

Summary form only given as follows. A long standing tradition of the FIE conference is to provide the attendees the opportunity to discuss any topic on engineering education in an open mic session. The concept of this session is to allow an open discussion on topics that are of importance to the people in the room. This moderated session allows for some very lively discussion and typically is a fun filled session as attendees share their thoughts and feelings on issues. All are welcome to come and share their thoughts or just come and listen.
Laminar mixed convection heat transfer to viscoelastic fluids in a 5:1 rectangular channel

Abstract The fully established friction factors and heat transfer coefficients of the laminar flow of viscoelastic fluids in a 5:1 rectangular duct were measured experimentally. The bottom wall, one of the longer sides of the duct was heated by passing direct electric current through it, yielding constant peripheral wall temperature and constant heat input per unit length along the bottom wall. The other surfaces were adiabatic. The test section is 150 hydraulic diameters long. Aqueous solutions of two different polymers (polyacrylamide and hydroxyethylcellulose) were used as viscoelastic fluids. The measured laminar friction factors agree well with the Newtonian correlation when plotted as a function of Kozicki generalized Reynolds number (i.e., f=16/ Re ∗ ). The established laminar Nusselt values for aqueous solutions of hydroxyethylcellulose, a weakly elastic fluid, are not significantly different from the values for water when compared at about the same values of Prandtl number and Rayleigh number. The Nusselt numbers for polyacrylamide solutions are about 25% higher than those for water at comparable values of Prandtl number and Rayleigh number.
Conformational and intramolecular hydrogen bonding effects on post‐emergence and pre‐emergence selectivities of herbicidal pyrrole dicarboxylates

Dimethyl 2-methyl-5-(chloropyridin-2-yl)pyrrole-3,4-dicarboxylates in which the chlorine atom is substituted at different positions of the pyridine ring have widely varying biological properties. The 3-chloro analog (I) is a post-emergence and pre-emergence herbicide, the 4- and 5-chloro analogs (II, III) are post-emergence herbicides but not pre-emergence, and the 6-chloro analog (IV) is inactive. Computer graphic and molecular mechanics analyses of their molecular conformations showed that the 4- and 5-chloro analogs adopt a coplanar, intramolecularly hydrogen bonded conformation whereas the 3-chloro analog does not. High-level quantum mechanical calculations of the conformational preferences of related model systems were in agreement with these results. Based on this, II and III were predicted to have higher octanol/water partition coefficients relative to I, leading to higher soil binding and weaker xylem transport, hence their observed weaker pre-emergence activities. Experimental measurements of octanol/water partition coefficients, soil binding, and infrared hydrogen bonding studies verified these predictions. Molecular modeling techniques are usually used for designing compounds to fit enzyme active sites and designing putative receptor models. This study demonstrates the usefulness of these techniques for dealing with transport problems.
Obesity and Prostate Cancer: Weighing the Evidence

Context Obesity and prostate cancer (PCa) affect substantial proportions of Western society. Mounting evidence, both epidemiologic and mechanistic, for an association between the two is of public health interest. An improved understanding of the role of this modifiable risk factor in PCa etiology is imperative to optimize screening, treatment, and prevention.
Cardiopulmonary manifestations of isolated pulmonary valve infective endocarditis demonstrated with cardiac CT

Right-sided infective endocarditis involving the pulmonary valve is rare. This pictorial essay discusses the use and findings of cardiac CT combined with delayed chest CT and noncontrast chest CT of pulmonary valve endocarditis. Cardiac CT is able to show the full spectrum of right-sided endocarditis cardiopulmonary features including manifestations that cannot be demonstrated by echocardiography.
A Combinatorial Analysis of Distance Reliability in Star Network

This paper addresses a constrained two-terminal reliability measure referred to as distance reliability (DR) between the source node u and the destination node I with the shortest distance, in an n-dimensional star network, Sn. The shortest distance restriction guarantees the optimal communication delay between processors and high link/node utilization across the network. This paper uses a combinatorial approach by limiting the number of node, link and node/link failures. For each failure model, two different cases depending on the relative positions of u and I, are analyzed to compute DR. Furthermore, DR for the antipodal communication, where every node must communicate with its antipode, is investigated as a special case. For this case, lower bound on DR of those disjoint paths is also derived.
Systematic Characterization of Pseudomorphic (110) Intrinsic SiGe Epitaxial Films for Hybrid Orientation Technology with Embedded SiGe Source/Drain

PFETs with embedded SiGe source/drain on HOT substrates have shown significant performance improvement compared to PFETs with embedded SiGe on (100) SOI substrates. In this paper, we report a systematic material characterization on the epitaxial SiGe films, both blanket and patterned, on (110) and (100) substrates, using an array of methods such as XRD AES, UV Raman, AFM, and TEM, and corresponding PFETs performance data.
Bravo for Brevity: Using Short Paper Assignments in International Relations Classes†

This paper examines the use of short writing assignments in undergraduate international relations courses. It gives instructors ideas about thinking beyond traditional research papers and instead focuses on shorter assignments that demand critical thinking skills. The ability to write concisely is useful for students with future careers in government, business, nonprofits, journalism, electoral politics, or academia. By requiring application of theoretical frameworks (perhaps as policy recommendations in a memo), students can see how policymakers employ international relations theories, thereby simulating the work inside the National Security Council or US State Department. This highlights the connections between theory and policy. Short papers can also better showcase role playing and connect with active learning techniques. Research papers of 10 pages or more may not be as useful as shorter assignments that focus students' attention on analyzing an issue, presenting a case study, or writing a policy brief.
Photonic analog to digital conversion techniques using semiconductor saturable absorbers

There has been much recent interest in the use of photonics for analog to digital conversion. It is anticipated that the use of photonic analog to digital converters (ADCs) will far surpass the performance of electronic ADCs in terms of both sampling speed and resolution. We have designed a novel photonic ADC module that incorporates the use of semiconductor linear absorbers to perform the data quantization at speeds up to 100 GS/s with 4 bits of resolution. The use of the passive materials in this flash photonic ADC architecture makes this module a candidate for insertion into future space-based platforms. Experimental characterization results will be presented for the semiconductor materials used in the data conversion process.
Chiral dynamics and partonic structure at large transverse distances

We study large-distance contributions to the nucleon's parton densities in the transverse coordinate (impact parameter) representation based on generalized parton distributions (GPDs). Chiral dynamics generates a distinct component of the partonic structure, located at momentum fractions $x\ensuremath{\lesssim}{M}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}/{M}_{N}$ and transverse distances $b\ensuremath{\sim}1/{M}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}$. We calculate this component using phenomenological pion exchange with a physical lower limit in $b$ (the transverse ``core'' radius estimated from the nucleon's axial form factor, ${R}_{\mathrm{core}}=0.55\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{fm}$) and demonstrate its universal character. This formulation preserves the basic picture of the ``pion cloud'' model of the nucleon's sea quark distributions, while restricting its application to the region actually governed by chiral dynamics. It is found that (a) the large-distance component accounts for only $\ensuremath{\sim}1/3$ of the measured antiquark flavor asymmetry $\overline{d}\ensuremath{-}\overline{u}$ at $x\ensuremath{\sim}0.1$; (b) the strange sea quarks $s$ and $\overline{s}$ are significantly more localized than the light antiquark sea; (c) the nucleon's singlet quark size for $xl0.1$ is larger than its gluonic size, $⟨{b}^{2}{⟩}_{q+\overline{q}}g⟨{b}^{2}{⟩}_{g}$, as suggested by the $t$-slopes of deeply-virtual Compton scattering and exclusive $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ production measured at HERA and FNAL. We show that our approach reproduces the general ${N}_{c}$-scaling of parton densities in QCD, thanks to the degeneracy of $N$ and $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ intermediate states in the large-${N}_{c}$ limit. We also comment on the role of pionic configurations at large longitudinal distances and the limits of their applicability at small $x$.
Generalization of min-cut partitioning to tree structures and its applications

A generalization of the min-cut partitioning problem, called min-cost tree partitioning, is introduced. In the generalized problem. the nodes of a hypergraph G are to be mapped onto the vertices of a tree structure T, and the cost function to be minimized is the cost of routing the hyperedges of G on the edges of T. The standard min-cut problem is the simple case in which the tree T is a single edge connecting two vertices. Several VLSI design applications for this problem are discussed. An iterative improvement heuristic for this problem in which nodes of the hypergraph are moved between the vertices of the tree is described. The running time of a single pass of the heuristic for the unweighted version of the problem is Q(P*D*t/sup 3/), where P is the total number of pins in the hypergraph G, D is the maximum number of nodes in a hyperedge of G, and t is the number of vertices in the tree T. Several test results are discussed. >
Dynamic Modeling of Stacked, Multi-Plate Flexible Systems

The vibration analysis and control of stacked-plate mechanical systems such as circuit board assemblies is an important technical problem that often requires a complete and accurate description of the open loop system dynamics prior to controller development. Often, a preliminary finite element model (FEM) of the assembly of interest is developed to estimate the dynamics of the system prior to the execution of a validation modal experiment. The results of this modal test must then be used to update the stiffness, mass and damping matrices to yield accurate transfer functions throughout the structure. This paper undertakes the mathematical development of a general, dynamic, multi-plate system. The work proceeds with the description of a three-plate system dynamic model and the physical test setup with test article used for validation and testing purposes. A model update is performed using differentiated velocity (in the frequency domain) data measured at discrete points on the test article with a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) and force measurements collected with an impedance head at a corner of the base plate. Using these data, accelerance frequency response functions (FRFs) were computed and the first eight flexible mode shapes were estimated and compared to the corresponding FEM shapes using both percent frequency difference and modal assurance criterion (MAC). A preliminary model update was performed with the addition/modification of discrete, rotary stiffness elements between plates and finished with a final update utilizing analytical model improvement (AMI) techniques employing a target modal matrix composed of both FEM modal vectors and expanded/smoothed experimental modal vectors. In addition, the experimental data was also used to estimate percent critical damping values for the first eight flexible modes and a Rayleigh damping model was developed for the system. The updated model was validated by comparing the magnitude/phase relationships of the base plate force input and several important response regions to that of the experimental results. The resonant frequencies of the first eight modes of the updated model differed from the physical system by no more than 0.3 % and the MAC values for the first eight modes all surpassed 0.97.
Formation of dark zone and its temperature plateau in solid-propellant flames: A review

A comprehensive review on the formation of dark-zone temperature plateaus in solid-propellant flames has been conducted. Various key physiochemical processes involved in the formation of a dark zone were investigated for a broad range of propellants, including nitramine, ammonium dinitramide, and double-base propellants. The effects of propellant formulation, surface condition, burning rate, and preconditioned temperature, as well as ambient pressure and external stimuli, were investigated systematically. Dominant chemical pathways responsible for the formation of a dark zone were identified. Major species in the dark zone were tabulated for all the solid propellants of concern. Apart from NO, important species in a dark zone are CO for double-base, HCN for nitramine, and N2O for ADN propellants. These chemical species typically undergo reactions with high activation energies and their chemical-induction and flow-residence times are instrumental in explaining the existence of a dark-zone temperature plateau. The transport velocity must be sufficiently high to allow for chemical species to travel farther from the propellant surface before they overcome the activation energies to react, thereby giving rise to a temperature plateau. Conversely, if the transport velocity is low, then reactions take place much closer to the propellant surface, producing a very short or even no dark zone. The flame stand-off distance decreases as the pressure increases because of the increase in the reactant concentrations and gas densities, which in turn increase the rate of reactions and reduce the transport velocity.
Amniotic fluid osmolality following intra-amniotic injection of saline

Abstract Amniotic fluid osmolalities were determined in 32 patients after intra-amniotic injection of 23 per cent saline for termination of pregnancy. The amniotic fluid osmolalities were found to remain elevated over prolonged periods of time. Oxytocin and Pitress in appeared to increase the rate of decline of amniotic fluid osmolality.
Post-chikungunya rheumatic disorders in travelers after return from the Caribbean

Summary Background Due to increasing concerns about post-chikungunya (pCHIK) rheumatic disorders in Latin America we aimed to evaluate its occurrence in travelers returning to NYC from the Caribbean. Method Patients diagnosed with chikungunya (CHIK) during 2014 at the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center (Bronx, NewYork) were identified by reviewing laboratory and electronic medical records. Patients and caregivers of pediatric patients were interviewed by phone ≥9 months after the CHIK diagnosis to survey for chronic symptomatology and current health care needs. Reported chronic musculoskeletal complaints were categorized according to validated criteria. Results A total of 28 patients (54% females, median age [range] of 51.5 [0, 88] years) diagnosed with CHIK at our center were identified. Most (82%) had returned from the Dominican Republic. Nineteen (68%) patients were successfully contacted at a median (range) of 13 (9, 16) months since the acute diagnosis. A third (37%) reported ongoing complaints related to CHIK including joint pain (32%), muscle pain (32%), and joint swelling (26%). A presumptive diagnosis of pCHIK chronic inflammatory arthritis ( n = 4) and pCHIK musculoskeletal disorder ( n = 3) was established. Conclusions A third of travelers with CHIK acquired in the Caribbean may be at risk for developing persistent symptoms suggestive of pCHIK rheumatic disorder.
CONCURRENT VALIDITY OF THE CHILDREN'S PERSONALITY QUESTIONNAIRE O FACTOR AS SUGGESTED BY THE PIERS-HARRIS CHILDREN'S SELF-CONCEPT SCALE

The 0 Factor of the Children's Personality Questionnaire is purported to ,measure self-concept (5); however, little literature demonstrates this relationship. Myers (2), Patterson (3). and Shaw (6) used this to measure self-concepts of elementary school students, whereas Anderson, Lemke, and Lewis (1) used the High School Personality Questionnaire, which has a similar factor structure to discriminate students with high and low self-concepts on Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory and the Tennessee Self-concept Scale. The present study investigated the correlation between the 0 Factor of the Children's Personality Questionnaire and the Piers-Harris Self-concept Scale (4). Subjects were 96 gifted students, 46 females and 50 males, participating in a summer residential gifted program in a southern state. A Stanford-Binec or WISC-R score of 120 or above was required for admittance to the program. There were 29 fourth graders, 43 fifth graders, and 24 sixth graders. Both measures of self-concept were administered in a classroom bv one examiner. Means, standard deviations, Pearson product-moment coefficients for percentiles of the 0 Factor and Piers-Harris were calculated for each grade and combined grades.
Modelling Ebola within a community

The 2014 Ebola epidemic was the largest on record. It evidenced the need for improved models of the spread of Ebola. In this research we focus on modelling Ebola within a small village or community. Specifically, we investigate the potential of basic Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) models to describe the initial Ebola outbreak, which occurred in Meliandou, Guinea. Data from the World Health Organization is used to compare the accuracy of various models in order to select the most accurate models of transmission and disease-induced responses. Our results suggest that (i) density-dependent transmission and mortality-induced behavioural changes shaped the course of the Ebola epidemic in Meliandou, while (ii) frequency-dependent transmission, disease-induced emigration, and infection-induced behavioural changes are not consistent with the data from this epidemic.
Photoelastic Waveguides Using Strain-Compensated InAsP/InGaP Multi-Quantum-Wells

Photoelastic optical waveguides using strain-compensated InAsP/InGaP multiplequantum-well (MQW) have been fabricated. Lateral light confinement for waveguiding is achieved by introducing stress into semiconductor heterostructures with stable WNi surface stressor stripes. The waveguides have been characterized at both 1.52 μm and 1.32 μm wavelength in term of TE/TM intensity ratio. At 1.52 μm, the waveguides favor the propagation of TE mode, and the TE/TM intensity ratio can be as large as 15 dB. At 1.32 μm, the TE and TM intensity can be comparable. Anisotropy of waveguides fabricated along [110] or [110] directions has also been observed in term of TE/TM intensity ratio, which suggests the presence of anisotropic property of the strain-compensated MQW.
Predicting the Presence of Adjacent Infections in Septic Arthritis in Children.

Background The gold standard for treatment of septic arthritis is urgent surgical debridement. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may identify osteomyelitis, subperiosteal abscesses, and intramuscular abscesses, which frequently occur with septic arthritis. If these adjacent infections are not recognized, initial treatment may be inadequate. The purpose of this study is to develop a prediction algorithm to distinguish septic arthritis with adjacent infections from isolated septic arthritis to determine which patients should undergo preoperative MRI. Methods An IRB-approved retrospective review of 87 children treated for septic arthritis was performed. All patients underwent MRI. Sixteen variables (age, sex, temperature, WBC, CRP, ESR, ANC, hematocrit, platelet count, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, symptom duration, weight-bearing status, prior antibiotic therapy, and prior hospitalization) from admission were reviewed. Graphical and logistical regression analysis was used to determine variables independently predictive of adjacent infection. Optimal cutoff values were determined for each variable and a prediction algorithm was created. Finally, the model was applied to our patient database and each patient with isolated septic arthritis or adjacent infection was stratified based upon the number of positive predictive factors. Results A total of 36 (41%) patients had isolated septic arthritis and 51 (59%) had septic arthritis with adjacent foci. Five variables (age above 3.6 y, CRP>13.8 mg/L, duration of symptoms >3 d, platelets 8.6×10 cells/μL) were found to be predictive of adjacent infection and were included in the algorithm. Patients with ≥3 risk factors were classified as high risk for septic arthritis with adjacent infection (sensitivity: 90%, specificity: 67%, positive predictive value: 80%, negative predictive value: 83%). Conclusions Age, CRP, duration of symptoms, platelet count, and ANC were predictive of adjacent infections. Patients who met ≥3 criteria are at high risk for adjacent infection and may benefit from preoperative MRI. Level of evidence Level III—retrospective comparative study.
Acid mine drainage from sulphide ore deposits

Acid mine drainage is generally regarded as the principal environmental problem caused by the mining of sulphide ore deposits. Acid mine drainage results from the reaction of pyritic material with oxygen and water: $$Fe{{S}_{2}} + 15/4{{O}_{2}} + 7/2{{H}_{2}}O = Fe{{(OH)}_{3}} + 2{{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}$$ In general, oxidation proceeds by electrochemical mechanisms, with the cathodic reduction of oxygen being sufficiently strongly polarized that dissolution is slow. However, the solubility of Fe(III) increases with decreasing pH. This introduces an alternative, less strongly polarized cathodic reaction, which accelerates the oxidation of pyrite and release of acid. Oxidation may also be accelerated by naturally occurring bacteria, such as Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, which metabolize sulphide, sulphur and Fe(III) species. These bacteria are generally most active in acidic waters. Hence both the electrochemical and biological oxidation mechanisms are autocatalytic; once acid mine drainage develops, the problem tends to worsen and is extremely difficult to halt. Appreciable work has been done on acid mine drainage from coal mines. However sulphide ore deposits present an additional environmental threat; many sulphides are oxidized by acidic waters containing Fe(III), and release alarming amounts of heavy metals into affected drainage. Unfortunately, there is evidence that coal and ore pyrite exhibit different oxidation behaviour, thus existing preventive and mitigative technology addressing acid mine drainage from coal mines is not necessarily appropriate for sulphide ore deposits.
High Resolution SNP Arrays and Correlation with Expression Arrays Identify Novel Genomic Aberrations and Potential Disease Genes in Polycythemia Vera and Other Myeloproliferative Disorders.

Polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) are all associated with the JAK2V617F gain of function mutation as well as with gross cytogenetic anomalies. To determine whether specific genomic copy number alterations are associated with disease phenotype we subjected genomic DNA from the granulocytes of 24 patients with the JAK2V617F mutation with PV, ET or IMF, to analysis using high resolution Affymetrix 250K Nsp SNP arrays with an average probe spacing of 12Kb. Firstly this analysis confirmed previously reported anomalies in MPD patients such as trisomy 9 (5/24), trisomy 8 (1/24), and deletion of 20q (2/24) indicating the robustness of the technique. Amplification of 9p in a region harboring the JAK2 locus and 17q12.31 were the most common shared alterations in the MPDs while 20q deletion was only seen in ET patients (p 1Mb) found only in single patients including (+1q, del 2p13.3, del 5q23.1-q23.2, +5p, several deletions of chromosome 6, del 7q35, del 9p21.1-q32), suggesting sporadic genomic instability. This analysis also identified several recurrent large alterations including del1p21.3 (3/24 patients), +3q21.3-q22.1 (3/24), +9p24 (6/24), +10q22.3-q23.1 (3/24), and +11p15.5 (4/24). By removing genomic Copy Number Polymorphisms (CNPs) obtained from a set of 35 normal people from the HapMap project, we detected a number of novel small recurrent alterations (