cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stripping in the New Millennium: Thinking about Trends in Exotic Dance and Dancers’ Lives

With the increasing presence of sex and sexuality in American popular culture, the stripping industry is undoubtedly undergoing important subcultural and organizational transition. What are the implications of these changes for the individuals involved? The current paper reviews much of the literature on exotic dance to consider the potential transformations in the organization of the sex industry and how these changes may impact the lives of those involved. Specifically, I note some key differences in the literature that suggest how exotic dance has shifted. I then pose some questions for empirical inquiry. I argue that transformations in the exotic industry are creating new opportunities and challenges for women, and may be particularly deleterious for poor and minority women. I call for sociologists to investigate the consequences of organizational transferal in sexual labor, reevaluate the dynamics of agency and exploitation, and consider the potential differential impact of these trends on poor women and women of color.
Color Changes of Chicken Leg Patties Due to End-point Temperature, Packaging and Refrigerated Storage

Patties of broiler leg muscle were heated to end-point temperatures (EPT) of 60, 65, 70, 75, 80 or 85 o C, packaged in polyethylene bags or vacuum skin packs and stored at 4 o C for up to 14 days. As EPT increased, lightness («L») and yellowness («b») increased whereas redness («a») decreased. Patty top surface center oolor «L» and «a» values correlated highly with the interior cut surface values. Patties stored in plastic zipper bags tended to show a lower «b» (P<0.05) reading than patties stored in vacuum skin packs and plastic film. Storage for 2 wk at 4 o C increased «L», and decreased «a» and «b» for all patties. As EPT increased, the color difference (ΔE) at the interior cut surface of patties heated to lower EPT and those heated to 85 o C were reduced
Localised Prostate Cancer: Important Points of Conduct for Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy

Abstract Radical prostatectomy offers the best chance of cure for patients with organ-confined prostate cancer. However, until approximately 15 years ago the procedure was associated with high morbidity, including excessive blood loss, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction. Now, advances in radical retropubic techniques have led to better outcome in terms of tumour control and the incidence of procedure-related complications. This article proposes seven surgical goals for improved success rates after radical prostatectomy: (1) venous plexus control without the need for transfusion; (2) complete capsular micropedicle release along the nerve bundle; (3) nerve bundle release at the prostate apex before urethral transection; (4) complete sphincter preservation; (5) urethral transection near the verumontanum, the same limit as transuretheral resection of the prostate; (6) independent seminal vesicle tip removal if necessary for pelvic plexus preservation; and (7) preservation of the pelvic floor, the puboperinealis ‘quick-stop' muscle. Also outlined are the important points of conduct for radical retropubic prostatectomy, best practice in preparing for surgery, and some crucial surgical tips. Employing these points of conduct and surgical tips should increase the chance of ensuring that the patient achieves long-term, tumour-free survival and an excellent quality of life provided by full functional recovery.
Impact of redundant ray weighting on motion artifact in a statistical iterative reconstruction framework

In recent years, iterative reconstruction methods have been investigated extensively with the aim of reducing radiation dose while maintaining image quality in CT exams. In such a case, redundant data is usually available. In conventional FBP-type reconstructions, redundant data has to be carefully treated by applying a redundant weighting factor, such as Parker weighting. However, such a redundant weight has not been fully studied in a statistical iterative reconstruction framework. In this work, both numerical simulations and in vivo data sets were analyzed to study the impact of redundant weighting schemes on the reconstructed images for both static and moving objects. Results demonstrated that, for a static object, there was no obvious difference in the iterative reconstructions using different redundant weighting schemes, because the redundant data was consistent, and therefore, they all converged to the same solution. On the contrary, for a moving object, due to the inconsistency of the data, different redundant weighting schemes converged to different solutions, depending on the weight given to the data. The redundant weighting, if appropriately selected, can reduce motion-induced artifacts.
Energy consumption and conservation psychology: A review and conceptual analysis

The burgeoning literature devoted to “the psychology of energy consumption” is categorized by specific methodological approach, is critically reviewed, and is conceptually analyzed. Three main categories of energy research are discerned, these categories corresponding to the traditional methodological typology of the survey study, the field experiment, and the laboratory investigation. For each of these major approaches, several subcategories and special topic areas are noted and discussed. The intention of these conceptual analyses is to stimulate research interest and to provide directions for future research activities. The review concludes with the encouraging observation that several directions can be generalized from the literature. More importantly, these generalizations are corroborated across experiments conducted within each major methodological approach. The importance of behavioral approaches to energy issues and the necessity for additional governmental support for these activities is also emphasized.
Isolated injury of the proximal vertebral artery associated with blunt chest trauma

A patient who had sustained blunt trauma of the chest was admitted for evaluation and treatment. A thoracic aortogram was obtained to exclude mediastinal vascular injury, and an incomplete intimal disruption of the proximal left vertebral artery was found. Transient visual disturbances developed after admission, and the patient was treated by operation and vein patch angioplasty. He recovered without additional neurologic symptoms. The vertebral artery can be divided descriptively into four sections, and each section is commonly associated with particular types of injuries. This is the first reported case of an isolated injury to the proximal extraosseous portion of the vertebral artery caused by distant blunt trauma.
The effect of varying the dosage of sodium pentobarbital on the barpress rate of rats

The dose-response curve for sodium pentobarbital was determined for rats performing a simple barpress response for water reinforcement 20 min after having been injected with dosages of sodium pentobarbitol ranging from 1.3 mg/kg to 5.2mg/kg of bodyweight. Sodium pentobarbitol, in the relatively low dosages used in the present study, consistently depressed barpress responding. The barpress rate varied directly with the dosage of the drug. The low dosages of tne drug used in the present study apparently have a depressant effect on the central nervous system.
Adaptive fusion for diurnal moving object detection

Fusion of different sensor types (e.g., video, thermal infrared) and sensor selection strategy at signal or pixel level is a non-trivial task that requires a well-defined structure. In this paper, we provide a novel fusion architecture that is flexible and can be adapted to different types of sensors. The new fusion architecture provides an elegant approach to integrating different sensing phenomenology, sensor readings, and contextual information. A cooperative coevolutionary method is introduced for optimally selecting fusion strategies. We provide results in the context of a moving object detection system for a full 24 hours diurnal cycle in an outdoor environment. The results indicate that our architecture is robust to adverse illumination conditions and the evolutionary paradigm can provide an adaptable and flexible method for combining signals of different modality.
Compressive Damage to the Deep Branch of the Lateral Plantar Nerve Associated with Lameness Caused by Proximal Suspensory Desmitis

Objective— To describe pathologic changes in the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve (DBLPN) of horses determined to be lame because of proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD), and to report the outcome after treatment by excision of a segment of the horses' DBLPN. Study Design— Retrospective case series. Animals— Adult horses (n=16). Methods— Horses determined to be lame on one or both pelvic limbs because of PSD were treated by excision of a segment of the DBLPN, and 30 nerves were examined histologically. Owners were contacted to obtain information about the horses ≥6 months after surgery. Results— Histologic changes suggestive of chronic nerve compression were identified in both nerves of 11 bilaterally lame horses and in the lame limb of 5 unilaterally lame horses. The nerve of the sound limb of 2 of 3 unilaterally lame horses that had bilateral nerve resection also had histologic changes compatible with nerve compression. Ten of 16 horses (62.5%) with follow-up information returned to soundness after excision of the DBLPN. Conclusions— Pathologic changes of the DBLPN associated with compression may complicate PSD of the pelvic limbs. Excision of the nerve may resolve lameness caused by PSD. Clinical Relevance— Horses lame because of PSD of the pelvic limb may remain lame after desmitis has resolved because of compression of the DBLPN. Excising a portion of this nerve may resolve lameness.
Review article: the management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 461–476 Summary Background Hepatocellular carcinoma is the leading cause of death in cirrhosis. A majority of patients present at an advanced stage with poor prognosis. Aim To review the current screening, diagnosis and management strategies involved in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods A literature search was performed using PubMed for publications with a predetermined search string to identify relevant studies. Results Hepatocellular carcinoma is dramatically increasing in incidence that is mostly attributed to chronic hepatitis C and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and its clinical phenotype diabetes and obesity. Cirrhosis is the major predisposing risk factor and its presence necessitates close surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma with serial imaging studies. Hepatocellular carcinoma can be diagnosed by its unique radiological behaviour of arterial enhancement and washout on delayed images. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging classification system is a clinically useful algorithm for the management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The simultaneous presence of cirrhosis in the patients complicates their management and monitoring for cirrhosis-related complications is important. Conclusions Early diagnosis and definitive treatment remains the key to long-term outcome. A multidisciplinary approach is critical to the successful management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Studies combining sorafenib with locoregional or other targeted molecular therapies are likely to improve responses and outcome.
Efficient routing and wavelength assignment for reconfigurable WDM ring networks with wavelength converters

We consider the problem of wavelength assignment in reconfigurable WDM networks with wavelength converters. We show that for N-node P-port bidirectional rings, a minimum number of /spl lceil/PN/4/spl rceil/ wavelengths are required to support all possible connected virtual topologies in a rearrangeably nonblocking fashion, and provide an algorithm that meets this bound using no more than /spl lceil/PN/2/spl rceil/ wavelength converters. This improves over the tight lower bound of /spl lceil/PN/3/spl rceil/ wavelengths required for such rings given in if no wavelength conversion is available. We extend this to the general P-port case where each node i may have a different number of ports P/sub i/, and show that no more than /spl lceil//spl sigma//sub i/P/sub i//4/spl rceil/+1 wavelengths are required. We then provide a second algorithm that uses more wavelengths yet requires significantly fewer converters. We also develop a method that allows the wavelength converters to be arbitrarily located at any node in the ring. This gives significant flexibility in the design of the networks. For example, all /spl lceil/PN/2/spl rceil/ converters can be collocated at a single hub node, or distributed evenly among the N nodes with min{/spl lceil/P/2/spl rceil/+1,P} converters at each node.
Recent development in ocean data telemetry

Techniques for telemetering oceanographic data from the deep ocean to the laboratory in near real time are described. Three general solutions to the problem of how to transfer information between subsurface instruments and surface buoys equipped with satellite transmitters are discussed. Hardwired mooring techniques are discussed. >
Compaction-induced inclination shallowing of the post-depositional remanent magnetization in a synthetic sediment

Summary. A synthetic sediment comprised of kaolinite, distilled water and either equidimensional or acicular magnetite was given a post-depositional remanent magnetization (PDRM) by being stirred in a magnetic field. This sediment was compacted under pressures which varied continuously from 0 to 0.14 MPa in a water-tank consolidometer and to higher pressure steps (~2.53 MPa) in a standard soil consolidometer. Compaction took place in the same magnetic field in which the sample was given its PDRM. The compaction caused shallowing of the sample's magnetic inclination. This shallowing was found to be a function of the sample's initial magnetic inclination and the degree of sample compaction; tan (I,) = (1 - aAv) tan (lo), where IR is the remanent inclination after compaction, AV is the volume change, I. is the initial magnetic inclination, and a is an empirically derived constant. The data show a maximum inclination shallowing of 12" for an initial inclination of 54", in good agreement with the maximum inclination shallowing predicted by the above equation. We propose an electrostatic mechanism to be the cause of the inclination shallowing. In this model positively charged magnetite grains adhere to the surface of negatively charged clay grains with their long dimension parallel to the clay grain's surface. As the clay grains become reorientated due to compaction the easy axes of magnetization are rotated away from the axis of compression. Alternating field demagnetization data reveal that our samples have shallower characteristic magnetizations than their post-compaction NRMs, implying that the smaller, higher coercivity grains are most affected by the compaction process. These data support our model since a surface charge mechanism for inclination shallowing would predict that the smallest magnetic grains would be preferentially affected.
Orientation of the Myosin Light Chain Region by Single Molecule Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Polarization Microscopy

To study the orientation and dynamics of myosin, we measured fluorescence polarization of single molecules and ensembles of myosin decorating actin filaments. Engineered chicken gizzard regulatory light chain (RLC), labeled with bisiodoacetamidorhodamine at cysteine residues 100 and 108 or 104 and 115, was exchanged for endogenous RLC in rabbit skeletal muscle HMM or S1. AEDANS-labeled actin, fully decorated with labeled myosin fragment or a ratio of ∼1:1000 labeled:unlabeled myosin fragment, was adhered to a quartz slide. Eight polarized fluorescence intensities were combined with the actin orientation from the AEDANS fluorescence to determine the axial angle (relative to actin), the azimuthal angle (around actin), and RLC mobility on the ≪10 ms timescale. Order parameters of the orientation distributions from heavily labeled filaments agree well with comparable measurements in muscle fibers, verifying the technique. Experiments with HMM provide sufficient angular resolution to detect two orientations corresponding to the two heads in rigor. Experiments with S1 show a single orientation intermediate to the two seen for HMM. The angles measured for HMM are consistent with heads bound on adjacent actin monomers of a filament, under strain, similar to predictions based on ensemble measurements made on muscle fibers with electron microscopy and spectroscopic experiments.
Theoretical implications of complement structure acquisition in Korean.

The Acquisition Of Complement Phrasal Constructions In Korean Is Examined In Spontaneous Speech Data From Two Children, Who Were Observed From One And A Half To Three Years Of Age. In Spite Of Typological Differences Between English And Korean, Both Syntactic And Semantic Characteristics are found to be shared by children acquiring complement constructions in the two languages. however, certain language-specific features of korean complement structures make it possible to address theoretical points concerning the structure of infinitival complements which cannot be resolved with the acquisition data on English. The error pattern in the acquisition of certain ‘subject-equi’ verbs in Korean poses problems both for LEG and GB accounts of the constituent structure of infinitival complements and the acquisition of those constructions. On the basis of the Korean data, I propose that base-generated VP complements are acquired first, with semantically motivated reanalysis of previously acquired infinitival complement structures occurring at a later stage.
The Telescience project: application to middleware interaction components

The Telescience Project/spl trade/ (https://telescience.ucsd.edu) aims to provide a complete, end-to-end, single sign-on solution for biomedical image analysis and structure-function correlation. Telescience merges advanced solutions for remote instrumentation (via Telemicroscopy/spl trade/), distributed data computation and storage, and transparent access to federated databases of cell structure. Here, we describe the Grid-based system architecture that enables the Telescience Project. This Grid service architecture provides a fabric for seamless interoperability among user interfaces (Web portals and applications) and externally addressable Grid resources (instruments and computers). Although many software components and tools provide some capabilities relating to enabling usable scientific grids, few systems offer the required complete interactions with grid infrastructures "out of the box". Significant time and effort, therefore, are needed for software evaluation, testing, and integration. Here we describe an emerging layer of the overall Grid infrastructure that provides a complete solution for application and portal developers to interact with core Grid functionality.
Intrinsic Gettering in Oxygen-Free Silicon

We found that the intrinsic gettering can be effectively realized in oxygen-lean Czochralski silicon grown in a magnetic field as well as in oxygen-free float-zone silicon. The intrinsic gettering has been observed thus far only in oxygen-rich Czochralski silicon and it has been believed to be intimately related to oxygen. We present experimental characteristics of the new intrinsic gettering process, and we propose a model involving outdiffusion and precipitation of silicon interstitials rather than oxygen which is involved in the standard intrinsic gettering.
Prioritized interaction testing for pair-wise coverage with seeding and constraints☆

Interaction testing is widely used in screening for faults. In software testing, it provides a natural mechanism for testing systems to be deployed on a variety of hardware and software configurations. In many applications where interaction testing is needed, the entire test suite is not run as a result of time or budget constraints. In these situations, it is essential to prioritize the tests. Here, we adapt a ‘‘one-test-at-a-time’’ greedy method to take importance of pairs into account. The method can be used to generate a set of tests in order, so that when run to completion all pair-wise interactions are tested, but when terminated after any intermediate number of tests, those deemed most important are tested. In addition, practical concerns of seeding and avoids are addressed. Computational results are reported. � 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Bit allocation for dependent quantization with applications to multiresolution and MPEG video coders

We address the problem of efficient bit allocation in a dependent coding environment. While optimal bit allocation for independently coded signal blocks has been studied in the literature, we extend these techniques to the more general temporally and spatially dependent coding scenarios. Of particular interest are the topical MPEG video coder and multiresolution coders. Our approach uses an operational rate-distortion (R-D) framework for arbitrary quantizer sets. We show how a certain monotonicity property of the dependent R-D curves can be exploited in formulating fast ways to obtain optimal and near-optimal solutions. We illustrate the application of this property in specifying intelligent pruning conditions to eliminate suboptimal operating points for the MPEG allocation problem, for which we also point out fast nearly-optimal heuristics. Additionally, we formulate an efficient allocation strategy for multiresolution coders, using the spatial pyramid coder as an example. We then extend this analysis to a spatio-temporal 3-D pyramidal coding scheme. We tackle the compatibility problem of optimizing full-resolution quality while simultaneously catering to subresolution bit rate or quality constraints. We show how to obtain fast solutions that provide nearly optimal (typically within 0.3 dB) full resolution quality while providing much better performance for the subresolution layer (typically 2-3 dB better than the full-resolution optimal solution). >
Communication Between the Ureter and an Aortic Aneurysm Sac After an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Fistulae between the vasculature and the ureter are rare. We describe a communication between the ureter and the sac of an aortic aneurysm following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Long-term performance and reliability assessment of 8 PV arrays at Sandia National Laboratories

In the last decade, c-Si module degradation rates of ≪1%/year have been reported [1–3]. It is unclear if this degradation rate extends directly to the string level and what is the expected statistical spread of degradation rates. Nine photovoltaic (PV) arrays totaling nearly 100 kW at Standard Reporting Conditions are currently being used at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) primarily for inverter testing. The measured power degradation of these arrays at the string level varied from no change over three years within measurement error to greater than 25% in three years. This paper outlines the methodology used to test the DC output, outlines analysis techniques used to evaluate the array performance, provides a current reliability assessment, presents the comparative data for up to five years of use and exposure, and discusses the methods used to track down the causes of unexpected string-level degradation.
Assessing disturbed thinking and cognition using the Ego Impairment Index in older schizophrenia patients: paranoid vs. nonparanoid distinction.

Abstract Objective: We compared thought-disturbance via the Rorschach-derived Ego Impairment Index (EII) between DSM-IV paranoid vs. nonparanoid (undifferentiated and disorganized) subtypes of older schizophrenia patients. Methods: 44 DSM-IV medically stable outpatients with schizophrenia (27 paranoid, 17 nonparanoid) and 45 normal comparison participants aged 45–100 years were assessed using the EII, a Rorschach-derived cognitive-based measure of disturbed thinking. Group differences on the EII and the relation of this measure to key demographic and clinical variables were examined. Results: Nonparanoid schizophrenia patients demonstrated significantly greater impairment on the EII than their paranoid counterparts. The EII performance of paranoid patients was similar to normal comparison participants. Furthermore, the paranoid patients displayed better premorbid intellectual functioning, less negative symptoms, and better global cognitive performance than nonparanoid patients. Finally, greater impairment on the EII was correlated with poor performance on a global measure of cognitive ability. Conclusions: The present findings substantiate previous work suggesting that nonparanoid patients have a form of the illness characterized by worse premorbid functioning and greater disturbed thinking and cognition than their paranoid counterparts.
Roles of alpha and beta adrenergic receptors in control of glucose oxidation in hamster epididymal adipocytes

Oxidation of [14C] glucose in isolated epididymal adipocytes from Golden hamsters was stimulated by isoproterenol, epinephrine and norepinephrine, which all interact with beta-adrenergic receptors and by adrenocorticotrophic hormone. In contrast alpha-receptor agonists, such as phenylephrine, methoxamine or clonidine did not increase basal glucose oxidation. The beta-adrenergic blocking drug propranolol inhibited both lipolysis and glucose oxidation when these had been stimulated by isoproterenol, epinephrine or norepinephrine. Conversely, the alpha-adrenergic blocking drugs phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine did not influence lipolysis or glucose oxidation when isoproterenol provided the stimulus and increased both lipolysis and glucose metabolism in the present of either epinephrine or norepinephrine. All alpha-adrenergic agonists tested (phenylephrine, methoxamine and clonidine) lowered lipolysis and glucose oxidation isolated adipocytes exposed to isoproterenol. However, when adrenocorticotropin provided the stimulus for glucose oxidation and lipolysis, only clonidine produced a significant reduction in lipolysis and glucose oxidation. None of the alpha-agonists influenced glucose metabolism which had been increased by insulin. These data confirm the presence of both alpha and beta adrenergic receptors on hamster epididymal adipocytes and suggest that they exert antagonistic influences on lipolysis and glucose oxidation. These data are also consistent with the view that adrenergic stimulation of glucose oxidation and lipolysis in adipocytes are both mediated through beta receptors.
PET and PET/CT imaging for the earliest detection and treatment of colorectal carcinoma

Approximately 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed each year with the life time risk of developing colon caner in developed nations being 4.6% in men and 3.2% in women. Screening patients is essential early detection of colon carcinoma to aid in complete resection. Unfortunately current screening methods carry with them poor patient compliance. PET and PET/CT may be a significant part of this screening solution. The authors reviewed and analyzed the English language articles and case reports identified on Medline during the last 10 years. PET and PET/CT results for colorectal carcinoma were tabulated and presented for the fifth Scientific Meeting of the Brazilian Society of Nuclear Biosciences. Though most studies have been retrospective analysis in using PET for staging for other malignant processes the cases that have identified additional uptake in the colon are important. The accuracy when utilizing PET and PET/CT in this screening method has a sensitivity between 65 and 90% with a specificity of 84 to 90% and a positive predictive value 71 to 78%. Early stages of malignancies and pre-cancerous polyps avidly accumulates F-18 Deoxyflouro glucose allowing us to conclude that whole body PET and PET/CT is an essential component in the work up, staging or treatment monitoring in colon carcinoma. We have to continue to accumulate data for possible introduction for whole body PET and PET/CT scanning for colon carcinoma and precancerous polyps.
Coal mining and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a review of the evidence

The potential of coal mine dust to cause disabling pneumoconiosis has long been recognised, but research now suggests that pneumoconiosis is not the only respiratory hazard of coal mining. Over the last 30 years evidence has accumulated that miners also experience an excess of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and this has led the British Government to classify chronic bronchitis and emphysema in coal miners as an occupational disease for which industrial injuries benefit can be paid. In Germany, too, COPD in miners is now compensated as an occupational disease. However, some scientists have expressed doubts as to whether coal mine dust can cause clinically important loss of lung function in the absence of complicated pneumoconiosis.1 In view of this continuing controversy, it is helpful to review the evidence as it now stands. The epidemiological investigations that bear on the relation between coal mining and COPD are of four main types: (1) studies comparing lung function in miners and non-miners; (2) studies of the patterns of symptoms and lung function in miners according to their exposure to coal mine dust; (3) analyses of mortality from COPD in relation to coal mining; and (4) analyses of the relation between emphysema in coal miners at necropsy and their previous exposure to dust. In addition, investigations in the laboratory provide information about the toxicological mechanisms whereby coal mine dust might cause obstructive lung disease. A series of early studies by the MRC Pneumoconiosis Research Unit in South Wales found significantly lower mean levels of indirect maximum breathing capacity (IMBC) in miners and ex-miners than in non-miners of the same age.2 However, there was no clear relation between IMBC and duration of underground or face work. Moreover, in a sample of men who were examined at two surveys five years apart, the …
Genetic algorithm based optimization design of miniature piezoelectric forceps

This paper studies about a simulation of a derived model for the steady-state force-deflection behavior of a miniature piezoelectric forceps actuator (PFA) based on complementary strain energy. Utilizing a genetic algorithm (GA) based as a design tool to simulate and optimize the physical design parameters of the PFA to get the optimum grasping force-deflection end tip of the PFA within desired physical constraints. Simulation studies of the optimized PFA parameters based on GA are presented. The piezoelectric forceps is remotely controlled miniature gripper and potentially to be used in tele-surgery, minimally invasive surgery, MEMS industrial assembly line, pick and place hazardous materials in tight and small space.
Non‐Epileptic attacks: A Cognitive Behavioural Approach in a Single Case with a Four‐Year Follow‐up

A fear avoidance model is used to understand and treat a 57-year-old man with non-epileptic attacks during which he had a sudden paroxysmal experience which was interpreted by others as epileptic. The principal component of treatment was graded exposure to avoided activities. At discharge the attacks had stopped and the associated avoidances were markedly improved. Treatment gains were maintained at 4-year follow-up.
Stakeholder Involvement: Mythology or Methodology?:

This paper describes the efforts of a committee to involve stakeholders, that is, faculty in a department of nursing, in a program evaluation pursuant to meeting the accreditation requirement of the National League for Nursing, The experiences of the committee over a five year period are described with emphasis on strategies to foster success. Although this paper presents a case history of a nursing program, the information presented should be useful to evaluators in other educational settings.
Axisymmetric Spindown Dynamics of Hurricane-like Vortices

This work examines the spindown problem of hurricane-like vortices subject to a quadratic drag law in the surface layer. Since intense hurricanes over the open ocean are approximately axisymmetric due in part to Rossby elasticity and axisymmetrization processes that tend to keep the vortex erect and circular, the axisymmetric spindown problem serves as a useful benchmark. As a basis for the numerical experiments presented, the essential results of Eliassen and Lystad’s balanced spindown‐spinup theory are reviewed first. The theory is then tested with an axisymmetric Navier‐Stokes numerical model. The numerical experiments broadly confirm the theoretical predictions for a range of vortex heights, maximum tangential wind speeds, constant and variable drag coefficients, and vortex sizes considered relevant for tropical storm and hurricane strength vortices. But unlike the monotonic decay of the swirling flow predicted by theory, the numerical simulations reveal a temporary spinup of the tangential winds in the boundary layer before the demise of the vortex. The theory is shown to furnish a consistent description of the weakening phase of two hurricanes observed by research aircraft. Despite the idealizations employed to yield a tractable model, the theory appears useful in elucidating weakening episodes of hurricanes not associated with strong asymmetries.
Exploratory and higher-order factor analyses of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) adolescent subsample.

The factor structure of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition (WAISIV; Wechsler, 2008a) with the adolescent participants (ages 16–19 years; N 400) in the standardization sample was assessed using exploratory factor analysis, multiple factor extraction criteria, and higher-order exploratory factor analyses. Results from exploratory factor analyses were not included in the WAIS-IV Technical and Interpretation Manual (Wechsler, 2008b) and are necessary for determining convergence or divergence with the reported confirmatory factor analyses. As found with the total WAIS-IV standardization sample (Canivez & Watkins, in press), the present results with the adolescent subsample found all WAIS-IV subtests (10and 15-subtest configurations) were properly associated with their four theoretically proposed first-order factors, but only one factor extraction criterion (standard error of scree) recommended extraction of four factors. Hierarchical exploratory analyses with the Schmid and Leiman (1957) procedure found that the second-order g factor accounted for major portions of total and common variance, while the four first-order factors accounted for small portions of total and common variance. It was concluded that the WAIS-IV provides strong measurement of general intelligence in adolescents and clinical interpretation should be primarily at that level.
A constructive methodology for estimating the stability regions of interconnected nonlinear systems

A constructive methodology for estimating the stability regions of interconnected nonlinear systems is presented. One appealing figure of the methodology is that it significantly reduces the undesirable conservativeness of the Lyapunov function approach. This constructive methodology is iterative in character and yields a sequence of estimated stability regions which is shown to be a strictly monotonic increasing sequence and yet each of the iterations lies inside the entire stability region. The methodology applies to both the scalar Lyapunov function approach and the vector Lyapunov function approach and has a sound theoretical basis. Examples are provided to illustrate the constructive methodology. >
An efficient spectral bound for link vulnerability assessment in large-scale networks

Simultaneous attacks can cause devastating damage, breaking down communication networks into small fragments. To mitigate the risk and develop proactive responses, it is essential to assess the robustness of network in the worst-case scenarios. In this paper, we propose a spectral lower-bound on the number of removed links to incur a certain level of disruption in terms of pairwise connectivity. Our lower-bound explores the latent structural information in the network Laplacian spectrum, the set of eigenvalues of the Laplacian matrix, to provide guarantees on the robustness of the network against intentional attacks. Such guarantees often cannot be found in heuristic methods for identifying critical infrastructures. For the first time, the attack-resistant proofs of large scale communication networks against link attacks are presented.
Effects of delay and links between relays on the min-cut capacity in a wireless relay network

We study the effect of delay on the average capacity (min-cut capacity) of wireless relay networks. The nodes in the network are considered to be connected via Rayleigh flat fading channels. And we define the delay as the number of independent channel uses (number of different channel realizations) and study the effect of it on the average capacity of the network. For certain types of networks closed-form expressions of the capacity as a function of the number of channel uses (delay) are derived. One type that we consider is a network where there is one source, one destination, and multiple relays where all the relays are connected to each other. We arrive at an interesting result that the average capacity of this network and the same network but in which the relays are not connected to each other are not very different in terms of the average capacity. We further study this problem and give some upper bounds on the ratio of the capacities of these two networks.
Economic Sociologies in Space

AbstractHow might economic geography (re)position itself within the interdisciplinary field of heterodox economics? Reflecting on this question, this article offers a critical assessment of the “New Economic Sociology,” making the case for moving beyond the limited confines of the networks-and-embeddedness paradigm. More specifically, it argues for a more broadly based and purposive conversation with various currents within social-constructivist and macroeconomic sociology, which, in turn, calls for a more full-blooded critique of market relations and analytics and a more militant attitude toward economic orthodoxies. The promise of such a conversation, strategically focused on the simultaneously social and geographic constitution of economic relations, is an emboldened economic geography with a more persuasive voice in the field of heterodox economic studies.
Calculating health and social change: an essay on Jerry Morris and Late-modernist epidemiology

black boxes to Chinese boxes and eco-epidemiology. Am J Public Health 1996;86:674–77. 58 McMichael AJ. Prisoners of the proximate: loosening the constraints on epidemiology in an age of change. Am J Epidemiol 1999;149:887–97. 59 Berkman L, Kawachi I (eds). Social Epidemiology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. 60 Wilkinson R, Marmot M (eds). Social Determinants of Health: The Solid Facts, 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. 61 Navarro V, Muntaner C (eds). Political and Economic Determinants of Population Health and Well-Being: Controversies and Developments. Amityville, NY: Baywood Pub. Co., 2004. 62 Morris JN, Wilkinson P, Dangour AD, Deeming C, Fletcher A. Defining a minimum income for health living (MIHL): older age, England. Int J Epidemiol 2007;36:1300–07.
Controller design for parameter sensitivity reduction in linear regulators

This paper addresses the problem of parameter sensitivity reduction in linear regulators. It is shown that the minimization of a modified performance index which includes a quadratic term of trajectory sensitivity (state, output, or control) subject to the augmented sensitivity system dynamics causes reduction not only in trajectory sensitivity but also in cost sensitivity. Inclusion of both state sensitivity and control sensitivity terms in the cost functional reduces cost sensitivity and facilitates the unification of two approaches previously treated independently: ‘trajectory sensitivity reduction’ and ‘cost sensitivity reduction’. Two control design methods, one based on a linear formulation and the other on a non-linear formulation, are given for both deterministic and stochastic systems. The improvement of these methods over existing methods is illustrated by examples.
The Politicization of Women Workers at War: Labour in Chongqing's cotton mills during the Anti-Japanese War

Building on recent scholarship that highlights social change caused by the Anti-Japanese War, this paper traces the politicization of women working in the cotton mills of Chongqing, the Nationalist wartime capital. Upon joining the workforce in the late 1930s, most cotton mill hands were young, uneducated women expected to endure hard work and remain physically confined to the factories. By 1945, women workers were at the forefront of a militant labour movement, writing manifestoes and petitioning government officials. This process of politicization stemmed from their decision to work in factories, which breached societal norms, and their experience of disciplined labour regimes and brutal working conditions, which fostered an incipient class-consciousness. Moreover, Nationalist-sponsored factory education campaigns had the unintended effect of leading women to challenge class exploitation and sexual discrimination. Their participation in the labour movement, which was fuelled by their struggle for economic justice and desire for higher social status, used both legal forms— especially petitions and letters to the press couched in the wartime nationalist rhetoric of shared sacrifice—and extralegal means, namely class violence. The paper concludes that the social changes and conflict that accompanied women's wartime work helped prepare the terrain for Communist rule.
Interpersonal Relationships of Nursing Home Residents

Interviews were conducted with 332 intellectually intact residents in 54 nursing homes to study their patterns of interpersonal relationships with staff, other residents, and family and friends outside the home. Results indicate the importance of having a close friend for residents' participation in activities, life satisfaction, and nursing home satisfaction.
Critical Review: Exercise as an Influence Upon Growth: Review and Critique of Current Concepts

The scarcity of sound insights into the long-term effects of physical exercise upon the growth of children is amazing. Most of our knowledge has been derived by extrapolation from animal studies and from observations of adults and nerve-damaged patients. Much more research is necessary to enable us to identify the effects of physical activity on the growing child and to determine which sports and exercises are most likely to establish desirable effects.
Phenomenology as the Reawakening of the Platonic Philosophical Ethos

The philosopher Alfred North Whitehead once noted that European philosophy could be accurately characterized as a succession of footnotes to Plato. Even if we do not fully agree with Whitehead’s claim, we can nonetheless appreciate the great extent to which Plato has determined the course of Western philosophy and, therefore, the extent to which it has proven fruitful to interpret subsequent philosophies in terms of their relationship to Plato’s thought. The phenomenological philosophy of Edmund Husserl, which is the focus of the present paper, is no exception. There are, in fact, several reasons why Husserl’s brand of phenomenology invites just such a comparison. The first and perhaps most obvious reason is the central position to which Husserl assigns the doctrine of essences and, in particular, his early elaboration of this doctrine. A second reason, which some commentators have already elaborated, is the extent to which the phenomenological concept of the natural attitude lends itself to clarification by borrowing from the famous Platonic Allegory of the Cave.
Chromosome damage from biological reactive intermediates of benzene and 1,3-butadiene in leukemia.

The causes of leukemia remain largely unknown. Only ionizing radiation, benzene and various chemotherapy drugs are established causes in humans. While benzene is an established cause of acute myeloid leukemias, its ability to cause lymphocytic leukemias and the closely related lymphomas and multiple myeloma remains highly controversial (1-4). The concentration at which it significantly increases leukemia risk is also contentious. For example, it was recently claimed in a leading journal that benzene has a dose threshold of 200 p.p.m.-years for leukemia induction (4), although there is clearly information that benzene induces leukemia and other hematological changes at much lower doses than this (3,5) and that its effects are likely to be linear down to background levels (6). Other occupational and environmental chemicals are suspected leukemogens, but are not established as such and controversy surrounds their classification as human carcinogens. One such compound is 1,3-butadiene. This compound is widely used in the rubber industry and is a product of incomplete combustion. Its’ potential classification as a human carcinogen on the basis of epidemiological studies (7,8) showing higher rates of leukemia in exposed workers is under consideration by numerous agencies (9). To throw further light on these important questions concerning the human risk posed by benzene and butadiene, we have examined the ability of benzene, butadiene and their reactive intermediates to produce the types of chromosome damage thought to be etiologically important in leukemia and lymphoma in exposed humans and in human cells in vitro. This paper summarizes our recent findings and discusses their impact on the risk assessments for benzene and butadiene.
Community‐Academic Partnerships: A Systematic Review of the State of the Literature and Recommendations for Future Research

Policy Points: Communities, funding agencies, and institutions are increasingly involving community stakeholders as partners in research, to provide firsthand knowledge and insight. Based on our systematic review of major literature databases, we recommend using a single term, community‐academic partnership (CAP), and a conceptual definition to unite multiple research disciplines and strengthen the field. Interpersonal and operational factors that facilitate or hinder the collaborative process have been consistently identified, including “trust among partners” and “respect among partners” (facilitating interpersonal factors) and “excessive time commitment” (hindering operational factor). Once CAP processes and characteristics are better understood, the effectiveness of collaborative partner involvement can be tested.
An introduction to dynamic photoelasticity

The general area of elastodynamics is divided into four more limited topics including, stress-wave propagation, vibration and impact, fracture propagation and quasi-static transients. The application of dynamic photoelasticity to each topic is discussed. Recording methods used in dynamic photoelasticity which are reviewed include the high-speed framing camera, the Cranz-Schardin system, Q-switched ruby lasers, and a stopaction strobe system. Advantages and disadvantages of each method of recording are covered. Analysis procedures used in interpreting the dynamic isochromatic-fringe patterns are described. Examples are illustrated where separation of the principal stresses is possible and a calibration method for determining the dynamic material-fringe valuef σ * is reviewed. Finally, four applications of dynamic photoelasticity to problems arising in geophysics, fracture mechanics, flaw detection and mining are briefly reviewed to show the versatility of the dynamic photoelastic method are described.