cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
2.7 – Osmosis and Osmotic Pressure

This chapter considers volume flow across a microporous membrane whose pores are very large compared to the solute, or very small, or larger than the solute but not greatly larger. The first case, very large pores, describes pressure-driven flow and equations are derived that express the filtration coefficient, or hydraulic conductivity, of the membrane in terms of the microscopic characteristics of the membrane. When the pore is smaller than the solute, osmosis occurs. The resulting flow is driven by the osmotic pressure which is considered to be produced by a momentum deficit within the pore. In the third case, where the pore is larger but not greatly larger than the solute, a third phenomenological coefficient of the membrane is introduced: the reflection coefficient. The osmotic behavior of red blood cells is used to introduce the concept of isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic solutions.
Preoperative multiplex nomogram for prediction of high-risk nonorgan-confined upper-tract urothelial carcinoma

Abstract Background Accurate risk stratification prior to radical nephroureterectomy remains a challenge with upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Herein, we generated an optimized preoperative tool predicting high-risk nonorgan-confined (NOC)-UTUC. Materials and Methods Retrospective evaluation of 699 patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy at 3 academic centers. Multiplex preoperative patient, imaging, endoscopic, and laboratory values were evaluated. Model derivation and validation were based on a split-sample method. Patients were divided randomly into a development (training) cohort (70% of patients) and validation (test) cohort (30% of patients). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression addressed the prediction of NOC disease (pT3/pT4 and/or pN+) based on training cohort. A backward stepdown selection process achieved the most informative nomogram. The ROC analysis identified a cut-off point predicting high-risk disease. The test cohort served as “external” validation to verify the findings based on the training cohort. Bootstrap resampling was conducted for both internal and “external” validation to evaluate the model fitting. Results Total of 566 patients included for analysis, mean age 69.7 years, 85% Caucasian, 64% male, 62% high grade. NOC-UTUC was found in 184 (32.5%) patients on final pathology. Of 184 patients with NOC-UTUC, an equal number of renal pelvis and ureter only tumors (n = 74; 40.2% for each location) were noted; 36 (19.6%) had tumors in both locations. Multivariate model based on development cohort (n = 396) demonstrated clinical stage (odds ratio [OR] 14.0, P Conclusions We established and validated an accurate tool for the prediction of locally advanced NOC-UTUC. This preoperative nomogram can be used to more optimally select patients for preoperative systemic chemotherapy, and facilitate clinical trial enrollment.
Dynamic Patterns of Gene Expression Additivity and Regulatory Variation throughout Maize Development.

Abstract Gene expression variation is a key component underlying phenotypic variation and heterosis. Transcriptome profiling was performed on 23 different tissues or developmental stages of two maize inbreds, B73 and Mo17, as well as their F1 hybrid. The obtained large-scale datasets provided opportunities to monitor the developmental dynamics of differential expression, additivity for gene expression, and regulatory variation. The transcriptome can be divided into ∼30 000 genes that are expressed in at least one tissue of one inbred and an additional ∼10 000 ″silent" genes that are not expressed in any tissue of any genotype, 90% of which are non-syntenic relative to other grasses. Many (∼74%) of the expressed genes exhibit differential expression in at least one tissue. However, the majority of genes with differential expression do not exhibit consistent differential expression in different tissues. These genes often exhibit tissue-specific differential expression with equivalent expression in other tissues, and in many cases they switch the directionality of differential expression in different tissues. This suggests widespread variation for tissue-specific regulation of gene expression between the two maize inbreds B73 and Mo17. Nearly 5000 genes are expressed in only one parent in at least one tissue (single parent expression) and 97% of these genes are expressed at mid-parent levels or higher in the hybrid, providing extensive opportunities for hybrid complementation in heterosis. In general, additive expression patterns are much more common than non-additive patterns, and this trend is more pronounced for genes with strong differential expression or single parent expression. There is relatively little evidence for non-additive expression patterns that are maintained in multiple tissues. The analysis of allele-specific expression allowed classification of cis- and trans-regulatory variation. Genes with cis-regulatory variation often exhibit additive expression and tend to have more consistent regulatory variation throughout development. In contrast, genes with trans-regulatory variation are enriched for non-additive patterns and often show tissue-specific differential expression. Taken together, this study provides a deeper understanding of regulatory variation and the degree of additive gene expression throughout maize development. The dynamic nature of differential expression, additivity, and regulatory variation imply abundant variability for tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms and suggest that connections between transcriptome and phenome will require expression data from multiple tissues.
The Team Process Capability Model: A Sociotechnical Theoretical Framework for Understanding How Teams Interact with Their Environment

Numerous examples exist where teams and organizations perform at a high level only to see performance decrease over time. This phenomenon can be observed in manufacturing and engineering organizations where teams provide value to organizations through the use of tools, processes, and procedures to address customer needs. The rapid acceleration of digital innovations aimed at making teams more effective have actually compounded these problems by increasing the complexity of a task while ignoring the capability of the team to harness these new tools. The aim of this paper is to provide managers with a theoretical analysis of how sociotechnical interactions influence team and organizational performance within a larger context of environmental demands. This paper will propose a team process capability model to explain how dynamic social and technical interactions coupled with organizational decision-making influence team and organizational performance. The model will illustrate how team social and technical system interactions are influenced by managerial decisions which subsequently influences its performance. The concept of requisite process capability will be introduced to the reader within the context of resiliency factors such as dynamic capability and environmental uncertainty. Academic readers can benefit from this paper through applying the concepts within this paper to future research related to sociotechnical and organizational interactions. Managers can use the information shared in this paper to improve his or her understanding of how team performance is influenced by such systemic changes as digital and technical innovations or system complexity.
Observation of nonsinusoidal current-phase relation in graphene Josephson junctions

The current-phase relation of a Josephson junction can reveal valuable information about the processes influencing the supercurrent. In this paper we present direct measurements of the current-phase relation for Josephson junctions having a graphene barrier, obtained by a phase-sensitive SQUID interferometry technique. We find that the current-phase relation is forward skewed with respect to the commonly observed sinusoidal behavior for short junctions in the quasiballistic transport regime, consistent with predictions for the behavior of Dirac fermions in a Josephson junction. The skewness increases with critical current and decreases sharply with increasing temperature.
Time-dependent integral transport in one-dimensional infinite media using dimensionless variables and the reduced collision formulation

Abstract A new method for calculating time-dependent integral neutron transport single collision fluxes has been developed for one-dimensional infinite media problems using dimensionless variables and the reduced collision formulation. By transforming the integral scalar flux equation into dimensionless variables, one may immediately integrate over the time domain and reduce the problem complexity to integrations strictly over the spatial domain, significantly reducing the computational work required to obtain a solution. The results have been compared to published benchmark solutions for validation. Further, reformulating the scalar flux as a Green’s function has allowed for the determination of an analytical expression for the relative error of any collision level scalar flux to the summed scalar flux. This provides the absolute number of collisions required for convergence at any given mean free time, using previous work in one-dimensional Cartesian transport and derived work herein for the one-dimensional spherical transport.
Influence of Flooring on Lower Extremity Blood Oxygenation and Volume during Prolonged Standing

Prolonged standing is an occupational hazard that may evoke many cardiovascular problems. This study investigates the effects of anti-fatigue mats on hemoglobin levels—related to blood pooling—in t...
Postsurgical Neuropathy: A Descriptive Review.

Abstract Postsurgical neuropathies represent an infrequent but potentially devastating complication of surgery that may result in significant morbidity with medicolegal implications. Elucidation of this phenomenon has evolved over the past few decades, with emerging evidence for not only iatrogenic factors contributing to this process but also inflammatory causes. This distinction can be important; for instance, cases in which inflammatory etiologies are suspected may benefit from further investigations including nerve biopsy and may benefit from treatment in the form of immunotherapy. In contrast, postsurgical neuropathies due to perioperative causes including anesthesia, traction, compression, and transection will not benefit in the same manner. This article summarizes early and current literature surrounding the frequency of new neurologic deficits after various surgical types, potential causes including anatomical and inflammatory considerations, and roles for treatment. To capture the scope of the issue, a literature review was conducted for human studies in English via MEDLINE and EMBASE from January 1, 1988 to March 31, 2018. Search terms included anesthesia and/or surgical procedures, operative, peripheral nervous system diseases, trauma, mononeuropathy, polyneuropathy, peripheral nervous system, nerve compression, neuropathy, plexopathy, postoperative, postsurgical, perioperative, complication. We excluded case series with less than 10 patients and review papers. We then narrowed the studies to those presented highlighting key concepts in postsurgical neuropathy.
Arrival timing and the influence of weather experienced during the nonbreeding and breeding periods on correlates of reproductive success in female field sparrows (Spizella pusilla) breeding in northeastern Pennsylvania, USA

Increasing evidence suggests that the environment encountered by migrating landbirds during the nonbreeding season, including temperature and precipitation, may influence individuals and population processes in subsequent seasons. However, to date, most studies have focused on linkages between factors encountered during the wintering and breeding periods in long-distance, primarily insectivorous landbirds. Here, we take advantage of a long-term (23 breeding seasons) data set on the arrival and breeding ecology of female field sparrows (Spizella pusilla), a granivorous, short-distance species that winters in the southeastern USA, to look for time periods (windows) over the preceding winter and spring migratory periods when average daily precipitation or temperature may have influenced when a female arrived at breeding grounds in northeastern Pennsylvania and correlates of seasonal reproductive performance. We employed a sliding window analysis approach using weather data obtained from the south of our site (to evaluate effects of weather experienced during the nonbreeding period) and, separately, near our site (to evaluate effects of weather experienced during the breeding period), finding windows in which temperature and precipitation during the nonbreeding period were associated with arrival timing and clutch initiation day and a window in which temperature experienced during the breeding period was associated with clutch initiation day. We did not, however, find evidence that temperature or precipitation, either during the nonbreeding period or breeding period, was associated with clutch size nor total egg volume. Finally, early arriving females initiated clutches early, produced larger clutches, more nests, and more total eggs than later arriving females. Our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence that events experienced prior to the breeding season may influence individuals and population processes in subsequent seasons.
Chapter 15 – Congenital disorders of glycosylation

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs) are a diverse category of diseases caused by the inability to glycosylate glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and/or glycolipids due to abnormal glycan synthesis, transfer or post-glycosylation processing. Normal glycosylation of protein is a diverse process, typically with glycan chains being added to asparagine (N-linked) or threonine/serine (O-linked). Normal glycosylation is important for intracellular trafficking, protein folding, and protein–protein interactions. These protean disorders manifest relating to the glycoproteins affected. Stereotypic symptoms of CDG are dictated by the most common CDG, PMM2-CDG (CDG-Ia), and include neurologic dysfunction, cerebellar atrophy, nipple inversion, abnormal fat pad distribution, coagulopathy, and hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. Because of the diversity of disease, CDG should be suspected in any child with unexplained neurologic or multisystem organ involvement. Diagnostic testing for CDG includes transferrin glycosylation analysis, N- and O-glycan analysis, flow cytometry analysis of cell surface markers, immunohistochemistry staining in muscle biopsy and molecular testing, but no one test is completely sensitive for all subtypes of CDG.
The Emotionality of Whiteness in Physical Education Teacher Education

The physical education teacher education (PETE) pipeline makes it clear to historically racially minoritized pre-service teachers the value of White norms and experiences while simultaneously “othe...
PhyGeoNet: Physics-informed geometry-adaptive convolutional neural networks for solving parameterized steady-state PDEs on irregular domain

Abstract Recently, the advent of deep learning has spurred interest in the development of physics-informed neural networks (PINN) for efficiently solving partial differential equations (PDEs), particularly in a parametric setting. Among all different classes of deep neural networks, the convolutional neural network (CNN) has attracted increasing attention in the scientific machine learning community, since the parameter-sharing feature in CNN enables efficient learning for problems with large-scale spatiotemporal fields. However, one of the biggest challenges is that CNN only can handle regular geometries with image-like format (i.e., rectangular domains with uniform grids). In this paper, we propose a novel physics-constrained CNN learning architecture, aiming to learn solutions of parametric PDEs on irregular domains without any labeled data. In order to leverage powerful classic CNN backbones, elliptic coordinate mapping is introduced to enable coordinate transforms between the irregular physical domain and regular reference domain. The proposed method has been assessed by solving a number of steady-state PDEs on irregular domains, including heat equations, Navier-Stokes equations, and Poisson equations with parameterized boundary conditions, varying geometries, and spatially-varying source fields. Moreover, the proposed method has also been compared against the state-of-the-art PINN with fully-connected neural network (FC-NN) formulation. The numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach and exhibit notable superiority over the FC-NN based PINN in terms of efficiency and accuracy.
Illusions of improvement: aspirations and realities of quality assurance and accreditation policy in Afghanistan higher education

To enhance the quality of higher education in Afghanistan, the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) adapted quality assurance and accreditation (QAA) policies developed in other countries to ...
Beliefs about and perspectives of the criminal justice system of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A qualitative study

Abstract Purpose People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs) have disproportionately negative experiences in the criminal justice system as both victims and as the accused. While there are some programs aimed at addressing these disparities, most are not informed by people with these disabilities. The current project addresses this need. Methods Twenty-seven adults with I/DDs were interviewed about any experience they had with criminal justice—positive or negative, formal or informal. Results Here, their beliefs about and advice for criminal justice professional are presented. Overall, findings in both areas were varied based on disability level, race, gender, and type of interaction with the system. The most frequent claim was the need for a higher level of respect. Conclusion These findings suggest that people with I/DDs feel that they should be treated with more respect and their disability merits more attention in criminal justice interactions. These thoughts could prove helpful in reducing disparities in the criminal justice system.
Cash Transfers: A Lifeline for Children and Economies in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2021

This working paper makes the case for quickly expanding cash transfer programs across Sub-Saharan Africa to protect children and support economic recovery in 2021. It does so by: (i) describing the economic, poverty and child well-being situation across the region at the end of 2020; (ii) summarizing the evidence of the benefits of cash transfers; (iii) reviewing the state of cash-based programs in SSA before the pandemic and in the immediate response period; (iv) simulating the costs and economic returns of providing cash transfers to all households with children under five; and (v) discussing domestic and external opportunities to fund the expansion. The analyses and recommendations draw on more than 25 global databases, projection and monitoring exercises.
Development of a Protocol for Cardiac Referral Transport Requests at a Pediatric Academic Center

Background: The process of triaging potential admissions at a busy academic center is logistically complex. Patients can originate from multiple sources including internal (emergency center, operating room, inpatient floor) and external (scene, non-pediatric facility, pediatric facility, colleague). The high number of physicians involved in accepting patients to the cardiac ICU or cardiology service introduces variability to the process and places undue stress on the system. Furthermore, the transport team can be strained when physicians unfamiliar with transport medicine physiology and logistics take lead on medical control for incoming patients. The aim …
Development and evaluation of [18F]Flotaza for Aβ plaque imaging in postmortem human Alzheimer's disease brain.

Abstract Positron emission tomographic (PET) studies of amyloid β (Aβ) accumulation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have shown clinical utility. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a new fluorine-18 radiotracer [18F]Flotaza (2-{2-[2-[18F]fluoroethoxy]ethoxy}ethoxy)-4′-N,N-dimethylaminoazobenzene), for Aβ plaque imaging. Nucleophilic [18F]fluoride was used in a one-step radiosynthesis for [18F]flotaza. Using post mortem human AD brain tissues consisting of anterior cingulate (AC) and corpus callosum (CC), binding affinity of Flotaza, Ki = 1.68 nM for human Aβ plaques and weak (>10−5 M) for Tau protein. Radiosynthesis of [18F]Flotaza was very efficient in high radiochemical yields (>25%) with specific activities >74 GBq/μmol. Brain slices from all AD subjects were positively immunostained with anti-Aβ. Ratio of [18F]Flotaza in gray matter AC to white matter CC was >100 in all the 6 subjects. Very little white matter binding was seen. [18F]Flotaza binding in AC strongly correlated with anti-Aβ immunostains. [18F]Flotaza is therefore a suitable fluorine-18 PET radiotracer for PET imaging studies of human Aβ plaques.
Future selves, enjoyment and anxiety as predictors of L2 writing achievement

Abstract To further understand the role of individual differences in second language (L2) writing, this study investigated how motivation and emotions influence L2 writing achievement. More specifically, it examined how students’ L2 writing future selves (i.e., ideal L2 writing self representing their aspirations, and ought L2 writing self representing their obligations) lead to qualitatively different emotions (anxiety and enjoyment), and how the future selves both directly and indirectly through anxiety and enjoyment affect L2 writing achievement. Questionnaire scales were developed using qualitative data to measure L2 writing selves. The new scales along with existing scales for examining L2 writing anxiety, joy, and motivation, were administered to 85 university students learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) at a private university in Iran. Multiple regression results showed that the ideal L2 writing self positively predicted L2 writing joy, motivation, and achievement, whereas ought L2 writing self positively predicted L2 writing anxiety and motivation; L2 writing joy and anxiety both predicted L2 writing motivation positively; L2 writing anxiety predicted L2 writing achievement negatively but L2 joy did not. Overall, the findings highlight the qualitative differences in students’ motivation and emotions in L2 writing achievement.
Allometric Model Development in Lodgepole Pine Forests of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Allometric equations for estimating aboveÂ­ and belowground biomass of lodgepole pine have been developed in Alberta, Canada, southeastern British Columbia, southeastern WY, and in Washington and Oregon (Johnstone 1971; Comeau and Kimmins 1989; Pearson et al. 1984; Gholz et al. 1979, respectively). More recently, allometric equations for young lodgepole pine saplings have also been developed in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) for aboveground biomass by Turner et al. (2004), and for belowground biomass by Litton et al. (2003). However, because of variability in latitude, growing conditions, substrate and climate, existing equations that predict biomass for mature lodgepole pine trees are not appropriate for use in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), and new allometric equations specific for the GYE are needed. In this study, we will develop new allometric equations for predicting above- and belowground biomass in mature lodgepole pine forests of the GYE.
Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to the deliberate destruction of one's own body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially sanctioned. Although terms such as self-mutilation and deliberate self-harm have also been used for this behavior, NSSI has increasingly become the term of choice. Common examples of NSSI include skin-cutting, burning, scratching, needle-sticking, rubbing against rough surfaces, hitting or banging body parts, and interfering with wound healing. In general, behaviors associated with eating disorders (e.g., binging or purging) and substance disorders (e.g., alcohol or drug use) are not considered NSSI, because they are not accompanied by specific intent to physically damage one's body tissue. Similarly, most cases of tattooing and body piercing are not considered NSSI, because they are socially sanctioned forms of body decoration or artistic expression. Importantly, NSSI can be distinguished from suicidal behavior. Unlike suicide attempts, NSSI is not performed with the intent to die, and the injuries caused by NSSI are rarely life-threatening or medically severe (Klonksy & Muehlenkamp, 2007). Keywords: self-injury; self-mutilation; self-harm; parasuicide; borderline personality disorder; emotion regulation
Evaluating Empire and Confronting Colonialism in Eighteenth-Century Britain

1. 'The principal cornucopia of Great Britain's wealth': the languages of commerce, liberty, security, and maritime supremacy and the celebration of empire 2. Outposts of 'loose vagrant people': the language of alterity in the evaluation of empire 3. 'A fabric at once the dread and wonder of the world': the languages of imperial grandeur, liberty, commerce, humanity, and justice and the American challenge to empire 4. Arenas of 'Asiatic plunder': the languages of humanity and justice and the excesses of empire in India 5. Sites of Creolean despotism: the languages of humanity and justice and the critique of colonial slavery and the African slave trade 6. 'A fruitless, bloody, wasting war': the languages of imperial grandeur. Liberty, humanity, and commerce in the American conflict 7. 'This voraginous gulph of Hibernian dependence': the languages of oppression, corruption, justice, liberty, and humanity and the identification of imperial excesses in Ireland 8. A 'shadow of our former glory'?: The discussion of empire in the wake of American secession 9. Epilogue: 'against every principle of justice, humanity, and whatever is allowed to be right among mankind': standards of humanity and the evaluation of empire.
Controlled seeding from multiple micromixers for tailoring the product size distribution in a semi-continuous crystallizer design

A semi-continuous crystallizer is demonstrated that combines optimally controlled dual-impinging jet mixers with a feedback-controlled stirred tank to achieve a very high degree of control of the crystal size distribution. The design is based on continuous seeding and physical separation and optimization of crystal nucleation and growth.
Connectivity of spaces of finite unit-norm tight frames

We show that the spaces of finite unit norm tight frames are connected, which verifies a conjecture first appearing in Dykema and Strawn (2006). Our central technique involves continuous liftings of paths from the polytope of eigensteps (see Cahill et al., 2012), or Gelfand-Tsetlin patterns, to spaces of FUNTFs. After demonstrating this connectivity result, we refine our analysis to show that the set of nonsingular points on these spaces is also connected, and we use this result to show that spaces of FUNTFs are irreducible in the algebro-geometric sense.
Terminal hepatic venule injury in liver biopsies of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell recipients-a study of 63 cases.

Aims Subtle lesions of terminal hepatic venules (THVs) may be overlooked in liver biopsies from haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) receipients when graft-versus-host disease is the clinical concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of THV injury resembling sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). Methods and results Sixty-three consecutive biopsies from allogeneic HSCT recipients were scored for injured THVs. Forty-nine (78%) biopsies had injured THVs, and 10 (16%) were diagnosed with SOS (mean ± standard deviation of injured THVs/biopsy: 90 ± 9%). Biopsies diagnosed with other diseases also had injured THVs (36 ± 33%). Biopsies from patients with cyclophosphamide plus fractionated total body irradiation conditioning and biopsies taken within 100 days post-HSCT had significantly more occluded THVs (respectively: 40 ± 38%, P = 0.0188; and 35 ± 35%, P = 0.0076) than those with other conditioning regimens or in biopsies taken >100 days post-HSCT. All biopsies taken at any time in the 6-year post-HSCT period had similar amounts of THV phlebosclerosis (23 ± 25%). Conclusions Our results demonstrate a high incidence of THV injuries resembling SOS in post-HSCT liver biopsies. THV injuries were detectable for several years post-HSCT, and were concurrent with other diagnoses. Our results also suggest that SOS may be underdiagnosed.
Indian Claims and the Court of Federal Claims: A Legal Overview, Historical Accounting and Examination of the Court of Federal Claims' and Federal Circuit's Impact on Federal Indian Law

Many would argue that the history of the federal government’s relationship with Indian tribes is replete with examples of atrocities and shameful actions on the part of the federal government (which is not to say that Indian tribes have been historical angels). Through the Court of Federal Claims, and its predecessor the Indian Claims Commission, Indian tribes have been able to pursue monetary claims against the federal government for these historic and modern injustices. The history of Indian claims in the United States Court of Federal Claims is an interesting and multifaceted one. Although many Indian tribes regularly bring claims to the Court of Federal Claims today, this was not always the case. This article seeks to trace the history of Indian claims in the Court of Federal Claims and also discusses how decisions of the Court of Federal Claims and United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit have significantly impacted the development of federal Indian law. To accomplish this goal, the article begins with a general examination of federal Indian law and of the history of Indian claims in the Court of Federal Claims. The article then examines some key decisions of the Court of Federal Claims and Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit that have significantly impacted the development of federal Indian law.
A population dynamics perspective on effect of irrigation regimes and plant densities on greenbug abundance in grain sorghum using regression

1 A dataset generated from previous experiments on greenbug Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) response to irrigation and plant density in grain sorghum was reanalyzed using a recently-developed mechanistic ecological model for describing aphid population density curves. The model was used to estimate seven response variables: observed peak aphid abundance, predicted peak aphid abundance, time of peak abundance, per capita birthrate, death rate coefficient, final cumulative density and duration of substantial aphid infestation across three irrigation regimes and five plant densities. 2 Using regression, the observed peak aphid abundance, predicted peak aphid abundance, per capita birthrate and final cumulative abundance were shown to decrease significantly, whereas the death rate coefficient and duration of the infestation were shown to increase significantly for each 100 000 plant/ha increase. 3 Although significant results were found for a number of variables generated from the specific data set used in the analyses, of perhaps greater importance is the potential use of these equations in future predictions of aphid population dynamics. An example of projecting population curves based on estimated peak and cumulative counts and an example of projecting population curves based on estimated birth and death rate coefficients are provided.
Interdisciplinary behavioral intervention for life-threatening obesity in an adolescent with Prader-Willi syndrome - a case report.

Objective: To demonstrate interdisciplinary behavioral rehabilitation for life-threatening obesity in an adolescent female with Prader-Willi syndrome. Methods: Body Mass Index (BMI), supplemental oxygen requirement, mobility, and tantrums were documented. A 600 kcal per day diet, physical therapy, and exercise were implemented in an inpatient setting. A behavioral program was employed by an interdisciplinary team to ensure dietary adherence and to increase patient compliance with therapy demands. Family caregivers were trained and continued the intervention at home. Results: Important improvements were achieved and maintained including weight loss, decreased need for supplemental oxygen, greater exercise tolerance, and fewer tantrums. The patient's BMI decreased from 84.3 to 59.8 during inpatient treatment, and to 41.0 at last follow-up. Conclusions: Behavioral rehabilitation can be beneficial and potentially life saving for morbidly obese children with Prader-Willi syndrome, and perhaps for other obese youth with developmental or behavioral problems.
Pulse-duration memory effect in NbSe 3 and comparison with numerical simulations of phase organization

The oscillatory response of the 59 K charge density wave (CDW) in ${\mathrm{NbSe}}_{3}$ to a sequence of current pulses was investigated as a function of pulse height and pulse width. Of the 16 samples investigated, seven clearly exhibited the learned behavior commonly referred to as the pulse-duration memory effect (PDME). These seven samples, after training, learned the length of the pulse, and always finished the pulse at a minimum in the voltage oscillation (maximum CDW velocity). Contrary to previous reports, we observe the PDME for pulse heights much greater than threshold. We find that as the number of metastable states accessible to the CDW during the low portion of the drive pulse is decreased, the PDME degrades. We summarize the qualitative differences between the theory of phase organization and the observed experimental data. To facilitate this comparison we have performed numerical simulations of the Fukayama-Lee-Rice (FLR) model in both the weak and strong pinning limits in an attempt to reproduce the learned response. We find no evidence for phase organization (no learning) in the weak pinning limit; also the wave forms generated in the strong pinning limit differ qualitatively from the experimental data. This comparative study suggests that the theoretical description of the PDME requires further investigation, and the importance of amplitude collapse and boundary conditions demand future examination.
Court Dispositions and Rearrest for Intimate Assault

Researchers examining court dispositions and domestic violence recidivism have argued that disposition effectiveness varies by offender characteristics. We extended this research with analyses of 3,662persons arrested for misdemeanor assaults on intimates in Hamilton County, Ohio. The incidence, prevalence, and time to rearrest are examined for arrestees with no filed charges, subsequently dropped charges, court-mandated treatment, probation, jail, and split sentences. No filed charges and probation correspond with significant differences in all outcomes across the entire sample. Moreover, every disposition coincides with differences in rearrest for particular subgroups of arrestees (distinguished by violent histories, substance abuse, cohabitation, race, education, residential stability, and characteristics of neighborhood populations).
Wireless photoplethysmographic device for heart rate variability signal acquisition and analysis

The photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal has the potential to aid in the acquisition and analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) signal: a non-invasive quantitative marker of the autonomic nervous system that could be used to assess cardiac health and other physiologic conditions. A low-power wireless PPG device was custom-developed to monitor, acquire and analyze the arterial pulse in the finger. The system consisted of an optical sensor to detect arterial pulse as variations in reflected light intensity, signal conditioning circuitry to process the reflected light signal, a microcontroller to control PPG signal acquisition, digitization and wireless transmission, a receiver to collect the transmitted digital data and convert them back to their analog representations. A personal computer was used to further process the captured PPG signals and display them. A MATLAB program was then developed to capture the PPG data, detect the RR peaks, perform spectral analysis of the PPG data, and extract the HRV signal. A user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) was developed in LabView to display the PPG data and their spectra. The performance of each module (sensing unit, signal conditioning, wireless transmission/reception units, and graphical user interface) was assessed individually and the device was then tested as a whole. Consequently, PPG data were obtained from five healthy individuals to test the utility of the wireless system. The device was able to reliably acquire the PPG signals from the volunteers. To validate the accuracy of the MATLAB codes, RR peak information from each subject was fed into Kubios software as a text file. Kubios was able to generate a report sheet with the time domain and frequency domain parameters of the acquired data. These features were then compared against those calculated by MATLAB. The preliminary results demonstrate that the prototype wireless device could be used to perform HRV signal acquisition and analysis.
Treatment for psychoactive substance use disorder in special populations: issues in strategic planning.

During their recovery, special populations of alcoholics and addicts have need for both (1) involvement with their own special social identity groups and (2) involvement with others broadly representative of the communitites in which they will live and function. Self-help groups and treatment institutions in the societal mainstream have often neglected special populations and their special needs. Family education, support and therapy is especially important to many patients from these special populations. Obstacles to treatment for these special groups are described, along with strategies for overcoming these obstacles.
Are We Really Client-Centered? Using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure to See How the Client's Goals Connect With the Goals of the Occupational Therapist

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was used as a tool to compare goals for intervention identified by seven clients living in a long-term residential program and diagnosed with schizophrenia, with their goals as identified by the occupational therapist. In-depth interviews were conducted in conjunction with the use of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Data analysis revealed an overarching theme that described the clients' concerns as, “I want to accomplish goals outside of the residence program.” During the analysis, however, the data revealed that the occupational therapist primarily focused her attention on goals to be achieved within the residence program, emphasizing programming and symptom management as each client's priorities for intervention, rather than community involvement. The findings reveal how data from the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was used to reveal client/therapist disconnect in goal setting and the need to continue to examine client-centered pract...
CsCdInQ3 (Q = Se, Te): New Photoconductive Compounds As Potential Materials for Hard Radiation Detection

Two new compounds CsCdInQ3 (Q = Se, Te) have been synthesized using a polychalcogenide flux. CsCdInQ3 (Q = Se, Te) crystals are promising candidates for X-ray and γ-ray detection. The compounds crystallize in the monoclinic C2/c space group with a layered structure, which is related to the CsInQ2 (Q = Se, Te) ternary compounds. The cell parameters are: a = 11.708(2) A, b = 11.712(2) A, c = 23.051(5) A, β = 97.28(3)° for CsCdInSe3 and a = 12.523(3) A, b = 12.517(3) A, c = 24.441(5) A, β = 97.38(3)° for CsCdInTe3. Both the Se and Te analogues are wide-band-gap semiconductors with optical band gaps of 2.4 and 1.78 eV for CsCdInSe3 and CsCdInTe3, respectively. High-purity polycrystalline raw material for crystal growth was synthesized by the vapor transfer method for CsCdInQ3. Large single crystals up to 1 cm have been grown using the vertical Bridgman method and exhibit photoconductive response. The electrical resistivity of the crystals is highly anisotropic. The electronic structure calculation within the ...
Synthesis and thermal decomposition of 15N‐labelled NTO

5-Nitro-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (NTO) has been synthesized in good yield with 15 N at the 1 and 2 positions. The N-H coupling provides unequivocal assignments for 1 H and 15 N NMR spectra and the acidic proton. The products of thermal decomposition at 270 °C were identified spectroscopically. NMR spectra reveal that thermal decomposition results in the formation of 2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one and ammonia (the latter observed as ammonium ion). The production of ammonia from the thermal decomposition of an energetic material is unprecedented. The gas products HCN, 15 N 14 N, 15 N 2 , and CO were detected by mass spectrometry. Some possible mechanisms of thermal decomposition are discussed
Histology of the para-anal sebaceous glandular organs of the bat Eonycteris spelaea (Chiroptera: Pteropidae)

Para-anal organs of nine specimens of the rare, Southeast Asian bat Eonycteris spelaea were studied in serial sections by light microscopy. Parenchymal tissue of the organs consists of solid cords of cells budded from the naked epidermis without association with hair follicles. Cytological characteristics and cytomorphosis of para-anal gland cells differ markedly from those of typical sebaceous glands in adjacent haired skin, and the phases of growth, differentiation and secretion appear to be segregated in time. Nevertheless, holocrine secretory activity and a sebum-like secretion occur in this highly specialized sebaceous organ. Although found in both sexes, it is larger in adults, in males as compared with females, and in reproductively more active males as compared with males of the same size but with smaller testes.
Extraction of municipal wastewater effluent using 90-mm C-18 bonded disks†

The effectiveness of solid phase extraction (SPE) using 90-mm EmporeTM C-18 bonded disks and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) was compared in extraction of municipal wastewater effluent, as well as distilled and sea water. Both SPE and LLE obtained similar recoveries of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls from spiked distilled water. Higher recoveries of chlorinated pesticides were achieved from distilled water than from wastewater effluent by SPE. In addition, SPE yielded higher concentrations of PAHs and LABs from effluent samples than did LLE. Apparently, both SPE and LLE were affected by the presence of abundant dissolved organic carbon in wastewater effluent, but LLE suffered more losses. The condensed packing structure in C-18 disks might allow better extraction of hydrophobic organics from wastewater effluent. Alumina/silica gel clean-up after SPE was necessary to obtain acceptable quantitation results for wastewater effluent. SPE was technically as effective as LLE and superior to LLE, because it used less organic solvent and manpower. Usage of high density glass beads with C-18 disks further improved the efficiency of SPE. Lowering the cost of C-18 disks will make disk SPE more appealing. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Characterization of denitrification activity in zones of groundwater exfiltration within a riparian wetland ecosystem

Movement of agricultural nitrogen (N) into riparian buffers often occurs within discrete seepage or upwelling zones which can limit the ability of the ecosystem to process the nutrient delivered by exfiltrating groundwater. Characterization of the biogeochemical processing of N within these zones is important in assessing the effectiveness of riparian buffers for mitigating nutrient loading of surface waters. The biogeochemical potential for denitrification in zones of exfiltration within a riparian buffer wetland dominated by high-carbon mucky soils was found to be highly stratified by profile depth with substantially higher activity in the surface layer of soil. The denitrification enzyme activity (DEA) within these zones was partly related to the population size of denitrifying microorganisms as measured by the most probable number (MPN) as well as the general microbial population as measured by substrate-induced respiration. The addition of glucose to the DEA assay stimulated enzyme activity indicating that carbon substrate was limiting activity. The stratification patterns of microbial populations and DEA are consistent with new carbon inputs to the ecosystem being most important driver of biogeochemical reactions such as denitrification in this high-carbon environment. A survey of carbon inputs to the ecosystem under study identified two major sources that contribute most of the annual biomass carbon inputs to the wetland: skunk cabbage in early summer and tree leaf litter in the fall. Tests of the ability of annually deposited wetland plant residues to stimulate denitrification and microbial respiration indicated that the degree of stimulation was inversely related to the C/N ratio of these carbon sources.
Still no time for complacency: evaluating the ongoing success and continued challenge of global ozone policy

This article concludes the special issue by outlining the most important indicators of the ozone regime’s success as well as issues that could slow or even prevent the complete restoration of the Earth’s protective “ozone layer” or lead to new causes of depletion in the future. Evidence for the ozone regime’s success includes the following: the declining production and consumption of ozone-depleting substance (ODS) chemicals; declining levels of ODS in the atmosphere; reduced depletion of stratospheric ozone; the projected recovery of the ozone layer during this century; reduced UV radiation and the associated environmental, human health, and economic benefits; universal participation in the regime’s treaties; the operation of regime institutions; and the regime’s ancillary success in reducing certain greenhouse gas emissions. Despite these historic successes, global ozone policy faces important challenges. These include the following: the millions of tons of ODS that remain in existing and discarded equipment and materials; the potential difficulty of completing the hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) phaseout; the broad exemptions that allow for the continued use of methyl bromide; the potential for illegal production and trade; the possibility that new ODS not covered by the regime have or will emerge; and the impacts of climate change.
Diurnal and episodic pattern of plasma cortisol during fall and spring in young and old woodchucks (Marmota monax)

Abstract 1. 1. Plasma cortisol concentration (PCC) was determined in euthermic woodchucks (M. monax) for 3 consecutive days at hourly intervals. Cortisol was secreted in a highly episodic manner throughout the 24-hr day. Within 2 hr of lights on PCC rose sharply, but transiently. PCC was significantly higher during the lights on portion of the experiments. At lights off, cortisol levels fell and remained low until a few hours before lights on. 2. 2. The major peak of cortisol release was in the early morning, usually between 0600 and 0900 hr. A second smaller peak was found just before lights off (2000 hr). The cortisol secretion pattern strongly suggests a circadian rhythm of cortisol is present in euthermic woodchucks. 3. 3. There was no significant difference in cortisol concentration between fall and spring animals, and there was no difference between ages. Thus, cortisol secretion continues during the fall when the adrenal cortex is presumed to be involuted in preparation for hibernation.