cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association between vertigo, cognitive and psychiatric conditions in US children: 2012 National Health Interview Survey

Abstract Objectives Small studies have suggested an association between vertigo and psychiatric comorbidity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the associations between vertigo and cognitive and psychiatric conditions among a large sample of U.S. children. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Child Balance Supplement administered to parents/caregivers of children aged 3–17 years. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between vertigo and specific cognitive and psychiatric conditions. Results The 1-year prevalence of vertigo was 1.56% in this nationally-representative sample (N = 10,823) of U.S. children aged 3–17 years. After adjusting for demographic and confounding health variables (otitis media and headaches/migraine), children with vertigo had significantly higher odds of attention deficit disorder (OR = 1.73, 95%CI: 1.06–2.81), learning disability (OR = 3.45, CI: 2.18), developmental delay (OR = 2.59, CI: 1.34–4.98), intellectual disability (OR = 6.60, CI: 2.60–16.79), and are more likely to utilize special education services (OR = 2.46, CI: 1.48–4.10) relative to the rest of U.S. children. Children with vertigo also had higher odds of having difficulty with emotions, concentration, or behavior (OR = 2.92, CI 1.85–4.61), and having a poor attention span (OR = 1.68, CI: 1.01–2.80). Conclusions Vertigo is associated with significantly increased odds of cognitive and psychiatric comorbidity in U.S. children. These findings support the hypothesis that the vestibular system is important for normal cognitive and psychiatric development in children.
Form and Genre Access to Academic Library Digital Collections

This paper provides an examination of how digital collections in academic libraries provide user access to items by form and/or genre. A review of the literature reveals that this is not an area th...
Crystallization behavior of amorphous BaTiO3 thin films

The crystallization behavior of amorphous barium titanate (BaTiO3) thin films was studied as a function of annealing temperature from 500 to 1000 °C. Quantitative phase analysis by grazing incidence X-ray diffractometry revealed that the metastable hexagonal phase preferentially nucleates at lower temperatures with a transition to stable cubic nuclei at higher temperatures. The predominance of the metastable hexagonal-phase nucleation at lower temperatures suggests that it has the lowest nucleation barrier, in accordance with the Ostwald’s step rule. To help induce the nucleation of the cubic phase at lower temperatures, we explored the effects of electric fields on the crystallization behavior and found that direct-current fields moderately enhanced the cubic phase fraction in the 500–700 °C temperature range. Although the nucleation barrier of the cubic phase in the presence of an electric should be lowered more significantly with respect to that of the hexagonal phase because of the former’s higher relative permittivity, the effect arising from the change in volume free energy should only become significant at electric field strengths in the range of MV cm−1, an order of magnitude higher than the experimentally accessible fields in the present study. This suggests alternative, perhaps interface-mediated, mechanisms by which the electric field modifies the nucleation behavior of BaTiO3.
Prevalence Rate of Depression among Ischemic Heart Diseases Patients in Al-Diwaneya Province / Iraq

Background: Cardiovascular disease is on the upraise in the industrialized and unindustrialized countries, which characterize at the present time one of the chief challenges for the health systems all the world. Depressed Ischemiac Heart disease patients may have a poorer outcome than non-depressed patients ,so this study was performed with the aim of finding the link between depression and ischemic heart disease and its association with demographic factors in Iraqi patients.Patients and Method: The study was designed to be a case- control study involving 128 case of IHD patients and120 apparently healthy individuals serving as control group, with an age range from 20y-80y in Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital in Al-Diwaniyah province/ Iraq. were examined for the presence of depressive disorder using ICD-10 diagnostic criteria and then assessing the severity of the depression in the depressed group by using Beck Depressive Inventory(BDI ).Results: The prevalence rate of depression was 48.3% in IHD patients while 22.5% in control groups .Conclusion: Because of high rate of depression among patients with different types of heart diseases, early detection and identification of as possible ,to improve outcome .
Borna Disease Virus

Borna disease virus (BDV), a neurotropic RNA virus, infects warm-blooded animals to effect outcomes ranging from asymptomatic infection to fatal meningoencephalitis. Natural infection is described in horses and sheep. Recently, a related virus, avian bornavirus, has been implicated in fatal enteric nervous system inflammation and motility failure in parrots. Although nonhuman primates can be experimentally infected, natural infection of humans or nonhuman primates remains controversial. Experimental rodent models of BDV infection provide tools for understanding how the interplay of neurotropic agents and immune factors influences the structure and function of the developing or mature brain, thereby altering complex behaviors.
Mental health disorders in patients with untreated meningiomas: an observational cohort study using the nationwide MarketScan database.

Background Meningiomas are the most common primary tumor of the CNS. Studies investigating the impact of a brain tumor diagnosis on mental health disorders (MHDs) in patients have been limited. The objective of this work is to characterize the incidence and factors affecting the presence of MHDs in untreated meningiomas. Methods Using a large-scale private payer database, MarketScan, we performed a retrospective study of patients with an untreated meningioma and corresponding MHD. Results We found that in patients diagnosed with an untreated meningioma, approximately 16% were diagnosed with an MHD within 1 year of the diagnosis of the meningioma. Conclusion By identifying risk factors, appropriate screening can focus on patients at high-risk for the development of MHD.
Narrative review of intraoperative image guidance for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

Recent advancements in imaging technology have changed the landscape of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with the objective of improving safety and efficacy for the patient and surgical team. Spine surgery, and specifically TLIFs, involve challenging anatomy and command precise surgical accuracy, creating an essential role for intraoperative imaging, navigation, and robotics. Traditionally, surgeons have relied upon fluoroscopy for pedicle screw and interbody placement. More recently, intraoperative 3-dimensional navigation (ION) has risen in popularity in TLIF surgery. This technology utilizes intra-operative advanced imaging, such as computed tomography (CT) and 3D-fluroscopy, to accurately track instruments and implants in relation to the patient's anatomy. ION has demonstrated improved accuracy of pedicle screw placement, decreased operating room times, and lower radiation exposure to the surgeon and staff. However, conventional fluoroscopy, 3D fluoroscopy, intraoperative CT, image-guided navigation, and robot-assisted surgery all have a role in TLIF surgery. Numerous studies have been published regarding the benefits and pitfalls of these intraoperative tools in spine surgery, but there is a relative lack of research regarding some of the newer technologies surrounding TLIF. As future studies are published, and technology continues to evolve, surgeons must stay abreast of novel techniques to maximize patient safety and outcomes. Over the coming decade, we can expect intraoperative navigation and robotics to play a more significant role in spine surgery.
Characterization of light-induced potentials in the strong-field dissociation of O 2 +

We investigate theoretically the imprints of light-induced potentials (LIPs) on the dissociation dynamics of ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}{}^{+}$ molecular ions, as observable in angle-resolved fragment kinetic-energy-release (KER) spectra. Following the vibrational and rotational dynamics of the initial pump-laser-excited cationic nuclear wave packet, while accounting for the dipole coupling between the ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}{}^{+}(a{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{4}{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Pi}}}_{u})$ and ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}{}^{+}(f{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{4}{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Pi}}}_{g})$ electronic states in 800-nm 40-fs probe-laser pulses with peak intensities between ${10}^{13}$ and ${10}^{14} \mathrm{W}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, we calculate angle-resolved KER spectra which reveal characteristic energy- and angle-dependent fringe structures. These fringes shift downward in energy as the molecular alignment angle $\ensuremath{\theta}$ relative to the probe-pulse polarization direction increases from 0 to $\ensuremath{\pi}/2$. The angle-dependent shifts in the KER fringes increase for larger probe-pulse peak intensities and follow the angle and light-wave-intensity dependence of the vibrational spectrum in the associated Floquet bond-hardening well, which is a manifestation of transient ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}{}^{+}$ nuclear-probability trapping in the LIP during dissociation. By examining the rovibrational dynamics of the dissociating molecular cation near the light-induced conical intersection (LICI) in the cationic LIP surface at $\ensuremath{\theta}=\ensuremath{\pi}/2$, we identify related angle-dependent structures in the KER spectra, suggesting a means for assessing the significance of LICIs in molecular dissociation pathways.
Evaluating State Anti-Takeover Legislation: A Broadminded New Approach to Corporation Law or 'A Race to the Bottom'?

This commentary argues that the current system of corporate law – in which corporations are generally free to choose which state’s law will govern their affairs – is incapable of adequately addressing the concerns of employees or communities. At best, the system, through the operation of market forces, will produce laws which maximize shareholder welfare. To suggest that the system can be responsive to employee or community concerns, as some scholars have done, simply diverts attention from changes which should be instituted in other areas of law, such as labor, contract and pension, to better protect these constituencies.
Assessment of prognostic understanding, perceived goals of care, and quality of life in hospitalized patients with leukemia or multiple myeloma

Background Prior studies reveal a lack of illness understanding and prognostic awareness among patients with hematologic malignancies. Prognostic awareness and illness understanding among hospitalized patients with acute leukemia and multiple myeloma were evaluated, and patient-oncologist discordance was measured. Methods Patients with acute leukemia and multiple myeloma hospitalized at Mount Sinai Hospital between February 2018 and February 2020 were enrolled. Patients were administered a survey assessing prognostic awareness, goals of care (GOC), and quality of life. Oncologists completed a similar survey for each patient. Discordance across the cohort of patients and oncologists using the likelihood-ratio χ2 test and within patient-oncologist pairs using the κ statistic was assessed. Results Sixty patients and 15 oncologists were enrolled. Among patients, 32 (53%) self-identified as White, 15 (25%) as self-identified as Black, and 9 (15%) self-identified as Hispanic. Across the entire cohort, patients were significantly more optimistic about treatment goals compared to oncologists (P Conclusions Significant discordance regarding prognosis and GOC among patients with hematologic malignancies and their oncologists was observed. These data support future interventions to improve prognostic understanding among this patient population to facilitate informed treatment choices. Lay summary Patients with blood cancer are known to have poor levels of illness understanding, and the role of patient-oncologist discordance is not well studied. We surveyed patients and oncologists about their understanding of disease prognosis, goals of care, and quality of life. We measured differences in patients' and oncologists' understanding of these key factors by comparing survey responses. There was significant disagreement between patients and oncologists surrounding prognosis and goals of care. Interventions are needed to improve patients' understanding of prognosis, which will help them make more informed, value-aligned treatment choices.
Risk of Severe Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Associated with Rivaroxaban Compared with Apixaban, Dabigatran and Warfarin

There have been reports of clinically relevant uterine bleeding events among women of reproductive age exposed to rivaroxaban. The aim of this study was to compare the risk of severe abnormal uterine bleeding (SAUB) resulting in transfusion or surgical intervention among women on rivaroxaban versus apixaban, dabigatran and warfarin. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in the FDA’s Sentinel System (10/2010–09/2015) among females aged 18+ years with venous thromboembolism (VTE), or atrial flutter/fibrillation (AF) who newly initiated a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC; rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran) or warfarin. We followed women from dispensing date until the earliest of transfusion or surgery following vaginal bleeding, disenrollment, exposure or study end date, or recorded death. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) using Cox proportional hazards regression via propensity score stratification. Four pairwise comparisons were conducted for each intervention. Overall, there was an increased risk of surgical intervention with rivaroxaban when compared with dabigatran (HR 1.19; 95% CI 1.03–1.38), apixaban (1.23; 1.04–1.47), and warfarin (1.34; 1.22–1.47). No difference in risk for surgical intervention was observed for dabigatran–apixaban comparisons. Increased risk of transfusion was observed for rivaroxaban compared with dabigatran (1.49; 1.03–2.17) only. For patients with no gynecological history, rivaroxaban was associated with risk of surgical intervention compared with dabigatran (1.22; 1.05–1.42), apixaban (1.25; 1.04–1.49), and warfarin (1.36; 1.23–1.50). Our study found increased SAUB risk with rivaroxaban use compared with other DOACs or warfarin. Increased risk with rivaroxaban was present among women without underlying gynecological conditions. Women on anticoagulant therapy should be aware of a risk of SAUB.
Robust Designs Through Risk Sensitivity: An Overview

This is an overview paper on the relationship between risk-averse designs based on exponential loss functions with or without an additional unknown (adversarial) term and some classes of stochastic games. In particular, the paper discusses the equivalences between risk-averse controller and filter designs and saddle-point solutions of some corresponding risk-neutral stochastic differential games with different information structures for the players. One of the by-products of these analyses is that risk-averse controllers and filters (or estimators) for control and signal-measurement models are robust, through stochastic dissipation inequalities, to unmodeled perturbations in controlled system dynamics as well as signal and the measurement processes. The paper also discusses equivalences between risk-sensitive stochastic zero-sum differential games and some corresponding risk-neutral three-player stochastic zero-sum differential games, as well as robustness issues in stochastic nonzero-sum differential games with finite and infinite populations of players, with the latter belonging to the domain of mean-field games.
A Generalized Approach for the Control of Constrained Robots

This paper presents a generalized approach for controlling various cases of the constrained robot system. To accomplish specific tasks successfully by a constrained robot system, both the constraint forces/torques and the motion of the manipulator end-effector must be specified and controlled. Using the Jacobian matrix of the constraint function, the generalized coordinates of the constrained robot system can be partitioned into two sets; this leads to partitioning the constrained robot system into two subsystems. The constraint forces/torques in each subsystem can be decomposed into two components: the motion-independent and the motion-dependent forces/torques. Using the constraint function in the Cartesian space, the motion-independent forces/torques can be expressed by a generalized multiplier vector and the Jacobian matrix of the constraint function. The motion-dependent forces/torques can be determined by the motion of the manipulator end-effector, the motion-independent forces/torques, and other known quantities. A nonlinear decoupled controller, which takes the constraints into consideration and has a simpler form than other controllers in the Cartesian space, is proposed for controlling the constrained robot system. Applying the proposed nonlinear decoupled controller to each subsystem and using the relation between the motion-independent forces/torques in the subsystems, we can show that both the errors in the manipulator end-effector motion and the constraint forces/torques approach zero asymptotically. Typical examples of the constrained robot systems are analyzed and discussed.
TH-A-213-00: Small Field Dosimetry: Overview of AAPM TG-155 and the IAEAAAPM Code of Practice

Modern radiotherapy techniques such as SRS/SRT, SBRT, IMRT, VMAT as well as specialized machines such as Tomotherapy, CyberKnife and Gamma Knife use small photon fields with at least one dimension <3 cm. Dosimetry in such small fields is challenging because of large detector perturbations due to non-equilibrium conditions, occlusion of the primary photon source and large dose gradients across the field. Many small-size dosimeters have been proposed for use in small fields. However, their characteristics especially the volume averaging and fluence perturbations have only recently been adequately understood. An IAEA-AAPM working group has provided a framework for reference dosimetry in non-compliant beams and the measurement of field output factors small fields (1). The AAPM TG-155 (2) has adopted this framework to provide guidelines on relative dosimetry. This course explains the code of practice for absolute dosimetry that is under review and discusses the availability of correction factors to convert detector readings to doses. TG-155 defines small field conditions, provides recommendations for suitable detectors and recommendations for good working practice for relative dosimetry (PDD, TMR, output factor, etc.) and dose calculations based on the new formulation. It also discusses beam modeling and dose calculations as a critical step in clinical utilization of small field radiotherapy. 1. Alfonso et al, Med Phys 35, 5179–5186 (2008). 2. Das et al, Med Phys (under review, 2014) Learning Objectives: 1. Concepts and recommended procedures in the IAEA-AAPM code of practice for dosimetry of small fields. 2. Physics of dosimetry in non-equilibrium conditions and definition of small fields 3. Recommended procedures for relative dosimetry in TG-1554. 4. Choice of detectors for small field dosimetry, perturbations and corrections for dosimetry 5. Understand the detector properties required for small field measurements 6. Understand the advantages and limitations of commercially available detectors for small field dosimetry Research supported with operating grants from CIHR, NSERC, and BIOWin, a program funded at the Universite Catholique Louvain by the Walloon Government (Belgium). Student stipends supported by Medical Physics Research Training Network funded by the Collaborative Research and Training Experience program of the NSERC. Seuntjens: support by Sun Nuclear Corporation
Desiccation tolerance of platorchestia platensis (kroyer, 1845) (amphipoda, talitridae)

A test of desicattion of P. platensis showed a reduction from 70% of the body weight was water to 42% water at death. Mean water loss was 30%, and mean survival time was 43min. Loss of tactile response ocurred at 27% water loss. Mean osmoalality was 0.62 M/Kg.
The Impossibility of Obtaining Informed Consent to Donation After Circulatory Determination of Death

In their target essay, Overby and her co-authors discuss the “thorny ethical issues” regarding organ donation after circulatory death. Controlled donation after circulatory determination of death, ...
Analysis of circular dichroism spectra.

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses mathematical methods for the analysis of circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Circular dichroism (CD) is the difference in absorption between left and right circularly polarized light so that CD spectral bands occur wherever there are normal electronic absorption bands in an asymmetric molecule. The chapter focuses on electronic absorption—that is, the spectra that can be measured for a molecule undergoing a transition from its ground electronic state to some higher energy electronic state. Most biological molecules contain a number of electronic units that absorb light nearly independently, called “chromophores,” which are asymmetrically disposed in space. Such asymmetric molecules will absorb left circularly polarized light differently from right circularly polarized light. Thus, CD spectra are usually interpreted empirically, and the chapter discusses two mathematical methods that will help in empirical analysis. Taylor series fitting separates the two distinct types of interactions between chromophores that give rise to CD spectra. For oligomers and polymers, this separation gives insight into the type of secondary structure, facilitates comparison among different molecules, or provides an accurate measure of the changes in a specific molecule when some parameter is altered. Taylor series fitting has been applied primarily to oligo- and polynucleotides as a function of solution conditions. Singular value decomposition (SVD) is an extremely powerful method that can be applied to any series of any type of spectra.
Making Moral Mistakes: What Ethical Failure Can Teach Students About Life and Leadership

Learning from ethical failures is critical for overall character development as well as an important aspect in the formation of student leaders. This chapter examines types of ethical failure that students often confront in college. The author includes a personal moral failure that occurred when he was a student leader.
Exploring Annotated 3D Environments on the World Wide Web

The long-term goal of combining virtual reality and the Internet is to create networked multi-user simulations of virtual environments. The Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) represents a limited but significant step towards this goal by creating a standard data file format for representing 3D scene information, together with hyperlinks for associating it with other types of Web documents. The recent adoption of the VRML-2.0 standard, which extends VRML-1.0 to add behaviors, will bring this goal closer, but much work remains to be done. This chapter gives a brief summary of VRML and then describes two significant projects currently under development based on i3D, a high-performance VRML browser developed by one of the authors. The first of these, currently being used at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), uses an annotated virtual environment to visualize and walk through the physical design of the new Lepton-Hadron Collider (LHC) before it is built. The second project, “Virtual Sardinia”, allows the user to tour a 3D terrain visualization of the island and access historic and tourist information through hyperlinks.
Pesticide persistence on foliage

The environmental fate of field-applied, agricultural pesticides has been under investigation for a number of years. Efforts to develop models for predicting the environmental fate of agricultural pesticides have revealed gaps in our understanding of the processes that regulate pesticide persistence and movement and pointed out areas where technology improvement is needed. Understanding the factors and processes affecting pesticide delivery to target plants and subsequent disappearance from these plants is required to improve methods and systems used for agricultural pest control. These improvements are needed to attain the goal of maximizing economic pest control while minimizing environmental pollution. The purpose of this review is to provide information concerning pesticide persistence on foliage as related to development and testing of predictive models. Although the literature included in this review is extensive, the cited data are intended to be representative, not all inclusive.
Acute Glaucoma Exacerbation following Carotid Artery Stenting (P2.266)

OBJECTIVE: Report on a newly described complication of carotid artery stenting (CAS). BACKGROUND: Acute worsening of glaucoma has been rarely reported following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). To date, there have been no reported cases of acute worsening of glaucoma following CAS. DESIGN/METHODS: A 66 year-old male with hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and left eye blindness due to diabetic retinopathy and vitreous hemorrhage presented with two episodes of transient right eye vision loss. He was found to have ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and underwent right CAS with proximal embolic protection. Prior to the procedure, ocular tonometry revealed intraocular pressures (IOP) of 19mmHg OU. A 2mm balloon was navigated into the right ICA for pre-stent angioplasty followed by stent deployment. A 5mm balloon was used for post-stent angioplasty. The carotid stenosis was near-resolved post-procedure. There were no intra-operative adverse events. RESULTS: Acutely following the procedure, the patient developed worsening vision. Follow-up tonometry revealed increased IOP. On post-op day (POD) #1, the IOP increased to 29mmHg OD and 22mmHg OS. By POD #5, the IOP was 34mmHg OD and 35mmHg OS. By POD #9, the patient’s vision was subjectively improved and IOP decreased to 30mmHg OD and 27mmHg OS. His blurry vision resolved completely thereafter. In outpatient follow-up on POD #24, tonometry revealed that IOP had decreased to 22mmHg OD and 18mmHg OS. CONCLUSIONS: We present a case of a patient with acute increase in bilateral IOP immediately following CAS, likely due to neovascular glaucoma as reported in previous cases after CEA. This case report is important because it identifies a potential complication of CAS that previously had been reportedly associated only with CEA. Disclosure: Dr. Malik has nothing to disclose. Dr. DeSousa has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dharmadhikari has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gordon-Perue has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dave has nothing to disclose. Dr. Romano has received personal compensation for activities with NovaVision. Dr. Yavagal has received personal compensation for activities with Stryker, Covidien/evV3, and Aldagen/Cytomedix.
Probing Student Reasoning and Intuitions in Intermediate Mechanics: An Example With Linear Oscillations

The study of linear oscillations—including simple harmonic, damped, and driven oscillations—is not only fundamental in classical mechanics but lies at the heart of numerous applications in the engineering sciences. Results from research conducted in the context of junior‐level mechanics courses suggest the presence of specific conceptual and reasoning difficulties, many of which seem to be based on fundamental concepts. Evidence from pretests (ungraded quizzes) will be presented to illustrate critical difficulties in understanding conceptual underpinnings, relating concepts to graphical representations (e.g., motion graphs), and connecting the physics to the relevant differential equations of motion. Preliminary results from the development of a tutorial approach to instruction, modeled after Tutorials in Introductory Physics by McDermott, et al., suggest that such an approach can be effective in both physics and engineering courses. (Supported by NSF grants DUE‐0441426 and DUE‐0442388.).
Distributed Resource Allocation in Ad Hoc Networks

An ad-hoc network is a collection of wireless mobile nodes without the required intervention of any centralized Access Point. With the existence of the hidden terminals and the absence of the central control, the resource allocation is always a very challenging problem in such networks. In this paper, a distributed resource allocation scheme is designed for ad hoc networks, in which each mobile node dynamically searches its Native Index (NI) with negligible communication overhead. By utilizing the NI, the hidden terminal problem can be completely avoided in the resource allocation, and the resource can be efficiently distributed to all the nodes. The proposed resource allocation method can greatly improve the system throughput. Utilizing the method, the broadcast problem can be easily solved and QoS service (Quality of Service) can be efficiently supported.
Minority Opinions: Antecedents and Benefits of Expression

A great deal of social psychological research has focused on antecedents of conformity to the majority. The present article, however, reviews the various conditions under which people express minority opinions. First, minority opinion expression is especially pronounced among individuals who hold either strong attitudes or attitudes that deviate from the majority in a direction consistent with the desirable group attitude. Second, minority opinion expression increases to the extent that highly-identified group members believe that expressing minority opinions will promote their group’s welfare, or to the extent that one’s membership in a particular social category entitles him/her to speak up. Third, minority opinion expression increases when people’s motives to have a unique or clearly defined sense of self are salient. It is argued that these sources of minority opinion expression can help shed light on the functional value of such opinions for individuals.
Classical Path Methods for Lineshape Cross Sections

A classical path method for calculating lineshape cross sections is tested by comparison with quantal calculations for HC1 in Ar, using an accurate anisotropic potential energy surface obtained from high-resolution spectra of Van der Waals complexes. The classical path method employed is an M-conserving approximation, using exponential perturbation theory. It is found that the classical path method seriously underestimates contributions from rainbow-like trajectories dominated by the attractive well of the potential. The errors are largest for the lowest rotational line, at collision energies comparable to or a little larger than the well depth. Possible ways of improving the classical path calculation are suggested.
Algebraic error analysis for surface curvatures of 3-D range images obtained by different methods

Algebraic error analysis for the calculated surface curvatures of 3-D range images is presented for four curvature estimation techniques in the literature. The error analysis is used to study the experimental results obtained by P.J. Flynn and A.K. Jain (1989). It is concluded that the two methods which give better curvature estimations with comparative accuracies have almost identical curvature error bounds. The weaknesses of the other two methods are not due to large error terms in the calculated curvatures, but rather to other factors, such as inaccurate determination of the tangent planes or inaccurate estimations of the directional first- and second-order derivatives. >
Corporate Safety compliance OSHA, ethics, and the law

Introduction History of OSHA OSHA Inspection Procedures Corporate Compliance Management Preparing for an Inspection OSHA Penalty Structure Defenses to an OSHA Citation Criminal Sanctions under the OSH Act and Beyond Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Appeal Procedures Operational Compliance Multi-Employer Worksite Issues Workers' Compensation and Safety Other Litigation Issues Other Laws Affecting the Safety Function Ethics in the Safety Profession Emerging Issues in Safety Appendix A Rights and Responsibilities under the OSH Act Appendix B Guide to Review Commission Procedures: Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (August 2005) Appendix C SAMPLE Corporate Compliance Program Checklist Appendix D The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Appendix E Secretary of Labor v. Summitt Contractors, Inc., Respondent (OSHRC Docket No. 03-1622) Appendix F OSHA: Employee Workplace Rights Appendix G OSHA Field Inspection Reference Manual CPL 2.103, Section 8 - Chapter IV. Post-Inspection Procedures Appendix H Workplace Violence: Hazard Awareness Appendix I The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Appendix J CPL 02-00-124 - CPL 2-0.124 - Multi-Employer Citation Policy Index
The effects of liver and renal disease on stereoselective serum binding of flurbiprofen.

Stereoselectivity in the serum binding of flurbiprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which is highly bound to albumin, was studied in patients with liver and renal disease. Subjects with renal disease or liver disease with ascites had significantly lower serum albumin concentrations than normals, resulting in higher free fractions of both the R(-) and S(+) enantiomers of flurbiprofen as determined by equilibrium dialysis. The ratio (+/- s.d.) of R/S-flurbiprofen free fractions was lower in the subjects with ascites (0.714 +/- 0.298) than in those without ascites (0.796 +/- 0.090) (P < 0.05).
A Novel Lead Titanate, PbTi3O7

The TiO2-rich side of the system PbO-TiO2 was investigated by X-ray diffraction techniques, and a new compound PbTi3O7 was found. It has a bimolecular monoclinic unit Cell with a= 10.732 A, b= 3.812 A, c = 6.578 A, and β= 98° 05′. The PbTi3O7 decomposes into PbTiOs and rutile at temperatures above 850°C. The overall decomposition proceeds according to first-order kinetics with an apparent activation energy of about 170 kcal mole-1.
Do Five Asset Pricing Anomalies Share a Common Mispricing Factor? Multifaceted Empirical Analyses of Failure Risk Proxies, External Financing, and Stock Returns

Assuming that risk premiums are determined by failure risk, we present a stylized model of interactions among risk-proxy variables, external financing, and stock returns in which a common mispricing factor, involving operating profit and external financing, drives the following five asset pricing anomalies: (1) the failure-risk anomaly; (2) earnings momentum; (3) the external financing anomaly; (4) the accruals anomaly; and (5) the book-to-market anomaly. We test the model using panel data on 205 portfolios of U.S. firms (1974-2008). Results for several methodologies all indicate that stock returns are driven by one rational factor, firm size, and one mispricing factor common to anomalies (1), (2), (3), (5) and, to a lesser extent, (4). The common mispricing factor fades with futurity and has strong seasonality.
Modes of Global Climate Variability during Marine Isotope Stage 3 (60–26 ka)

Recent analysis of 38 globally distributed paleoclimatic records covering Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3) 60‐26 ka demonstrated that the two leading empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) explaining the data are the Greenland ice-core signal (‘‘northern’’ signal) and the Antarctic ice-core signal (‘‘southern’’ signal). Here singular spectral analysis (SSA) is used to show that millennial-scale variability of each of these two leading EOFs is characterized by two independent modes. The two modes of each EOF share similar relative distributions of variance, identical spectra, and, where each mode has spectral power, coherency spectra, which are significantly above the null hypothesis level at 95% confidence. The only difference between the modes of the northern and southern signals is that they are phase shifted. The phasing and long response time of the low-frequency mode, combined with its relationship to atmospheric CO2 and sea level, are consistent with coupled changes in the ocean, ice sheets, atmosphere, and carbon cycle, whereas the phasing and short response time of the high-frequency mode are consistent with an atmospheric transmission likely induced by changes in hemispheric sea ice distributions and attendant feedbacks.
Effect of cyclo(leucyl-glycine) on [3H]spiroperidol binding in the corpus striatum and hypothalamus of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract Spontaneously hypertensive rats were found to have a greater density of specific [3H]spiroperidol binding sites in the corpus striatum and hypothalamus when compared to the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. The apparent dissociation constant (Kd) for [3H]spiroperidol binding in the two groups of rats did not differ. Chronic administration of cyclo(leucyl-glycine), an analog derived from the hypothalamic peptide, melanotropin release inhibiting factor, decreased the enhanced number of [3H]spiroperidol binding sites in the triatum and hypothalamus of the hypertensive rats. These results further suggest that cyclo(leucyl-glycine) interacts with brain dopamine receptors, and that brain dopamine receptors may be involved in the etiology of hypertension.
Plasmid-mediated complementation of a Δ-aminolevulinic-acid-requiring Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant

Recombinant plasmids able to complement the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ole3 mutation were isolated. The nucleotide sequence responsible for complementation was localized to a 3.5-kb region. The level of delta-aminolevulinate (ALV) synthase activity in wild-type cells was six-fold lower than in plasmid-transformed ole3 mutant cells. Certain clones secreted a compound that supported growth of a lawn of adjacent ole3 mutant cells.
Actin filament uncapping localizes to ruffling lamellae and rocketing vesicles

Regulated actin filament assembly is critical for eukaryotic cell physiology. Actin filaments are polar structures, and those with free high affinity or barbed ends are crucial for actin dynamics and cell motility. Actin filament barbed-end-capping proteins inhibit filament elongation after binding, and their regulated disassociation is proposed to provide a source of free filament ends to drive processes dependent on actin polymerization. To examine whether dissociation of actin filament capping proteins occurs with the correct spatio-temporal constraints to contribute to regulated actin assembly in live cells, I measured the dissociation of an actin capping protein, gelsolin, from actin in cells using a variation of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Uncapping was found to occur in cells at sites of active actin assembly, including protruding lamellae and rocketing vesicles, with the correct spatio-temporal properties to provide sites of actin filament polymerization during protrusion. These observations are consistent with models where uncapping of existing filaments provides sites of actin filament elongation.
1826 TRANSTHORACIC IMPEDANCE AS A METHOD OF MEASURING TIDAL VOLUME DURING HIGH FREQUENCY VENTILATION

During conventional ventilation, tidal volume (VT) can be measured from variations in the transthoracic impedance (TTI) signal. The purpose of this study was to determine if TTI could be used to measure VT during high frequency ventilation (HFV), thus providing a non-invasive technique which can be applied continuously during HFV of human infants. VT was measured in 2 lambs (3-4 weeks old) placed in a whole-body, pressure-compensated, integrated flow plethysmograph during HFV provided by a flow-interrupter (Bird VDR). The frequency response of the plethysmograph was flat up to 20 Hz. TTI was measured from a tetrapolar disk electrode system (SAAB Respimeter). The impedance signal and the calibrated plethysmograph volume signal were recorded. A computer averaging technique was used to extract the high frequency VT component of each signal from background volume changes associated with spontaneous breathing. Magnitude in ohms of the extracted TTI waveform (VTZ) was compared with the corresponding plethysmographic volume change (VTp1). 54 simultaneous measurements of VTp1 and VTZ were made at frequencies varied between 300-900 breaths per minute and at VT between 2.8 and 90 ml. VTZ had a close linear correlation with VTp1 (r=0.99). These results indicate that the frequency response of VTZ is sufficient to apply the technique to HFV and that measurement of absolute VT at high frequency can be provided by calibrating the impedance signal during low-rate conventional ventilation.
Hydrological simulations driven by RCM climate scenarios at basin scale in the Po River, Italy

Abstract. River discharges are the main expression of the hydrological cycle and are the results of climate natural variability. The signal of climate changes occurrence raises the question of how it will impact on river flows and on their extreme manifestations: floods and droughts. This question can be addressed through numerical simulations spanning from the past (1971) to future (2100) under different climate change scenarios. This work addresses the capability of a modelling chain to reproduce the observed discharge of the Po River over the period 1971–2000. The modelling chain includes climate and hydrological/hydraulic models and its performance is evaluated through indices based on the flow duration curve. The climate datasets used for the 1971–2000 period are (a) a high resolution observed climate dataset, and COSMO-CLM regional climate model outputs with (b) perfect boundary condition, ERA40 Reanalysis, and (c) suboptimal boundary conditions provided by the global climate model CMCC–CM. The aim of the different simulations is to evaluate how the uncertainties introduced by the choice of the regional and/or global climate models propagate in the simulated discharges. This point is relevant to interpret the results of the simulated discharges when scenarios for the future are considered. The hydrological/hydraulic components are simulated through a physically-based distributed model (TOPKAPI) and a water balance model at the basin scale (RIBASIM). The aim of these first simulations is to quantify the uncertainties introduced by each component of the modelling chain and their propagation. Estimation of the overall uncertainty is relevant to correctly understand the future river flow regimes. The results show how bias correction algorithms can help in reducing the overall uncertainty associated to the different stages of the modelling chain.
Alkanes in Natural and Synthetic Petroleums: Comparison of Calculated and Actual Compositions

A similarity exists between the low molecular weight alkane isomers in crude oil and Fischer-Tropsch catalytic synthesis products. The composition of the C(4) through C(7) alkane isomers in a crude oil was calculated quantitatively with the equations previously used to calculate the alkane isomers in Fischer-Tropsch products. These results may have significance in ascertaining the origin of the volatile hydrocarbons in crude oils.
Hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for the multisystemic lysosomal storage disorder cystinosis.

Cystinosis is an autosomal recessive metabolic disease that belongs to the family of lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs). The defective gene is CTNS encoding the lysosomal cystine transporter, cystinosin. Cystine accumulates in all tissues and leads to organ damage including end-stage renal disease. Using the Ctns−/− murine model for cystinosis, we tested the use of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) genetically modified to express a functional CTNS transgene using a self-inactivating-lentiviral vector (SIN-LV). We showed that transduced cells were capable of decreasing cystine content in all tissues and improved kidney function. Transduced HSPC retained their differentiative capabilities, populating all tissue compartments examined and allowing long-term expression of the transgene. Direct correlation between the levels of lentiviral DNA present in the peripheral blood and the levels present in tissues were demonstrated, which could be useful to follow future patients. Using a new model of cystinosis, the DsRed Ctns−/− mice, and a LV driving the expression of the fusion protein cystinosin-enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), we showed that cystinosin was transferred from CTNS-expressing cells to Ctns-deficient adjacent cells in vitro and in vivo. This transfer led to cystine decreases in Ctns-deficient cells in vitro. These data suggest that the mechanism of cross-correction is possible in cystinosis.
PARULEL: Parallel rule processing using meta-rules for redaction

Abstract Although the problem of increasing the speed of rule-based programs has been studied for a long while, so far the level of parallelism achieved under various parallel processing schemes fails to meet expectations of high performance gains. Most of the work has focused on manipulating existing rule programs to accommodate parallel architectures. However, without changing the inherently sequential algorithms encoded in rule form and without using intrinsic parallel rule languages to exploit parallelism, speedup is severely limited. In this paper we demonstrate that to maximize parallelism, manipulations must take place at the algorithmic level in addition to the program level. However, traditional rule languages are not equipped to easily express parallel algorithms. Thus, an inherently parallel rule language must be devised to enable maximum parallelism. We present our initial specification of such a language, named PARULEL. Preliminary performance results are detailed for one test case program. PARULEL is one part of a larger research effort that considers four key approaches to parallel rule processing: inherently parallel execution semantics; the use of redaction meta-rules to allow programmer control of the set of parallel instantiations; an incremental evaluation algorithm that incorporates, in an efficient manner, updates to the initial set of assumptions; and an algorithm that maps a program to a parallel architecture.
Plutonium isotopes in the environment: some existing problems and some new ocean results

Abstract Marine sediments, terrestrial soils and polar glaciers yield different average values for the 240Pu/239Pu ratio resulting from the introduction of the actinide to the environment from weapons tests. The average value of the ratio in two sea water profiles from the North Pacific Ocean is 0·23, which is similar to that calculated from Arctic and Antarctic glaciers but differs considerably from the soil-derived average of 0·18. With the exception of near-surface waters, the sea water values of the 240Pu/239Pu ratio were nearly invariant with depth indicating that plutonium has been homogenized in the water column for a time period of decades. This contrasts with the glacial strata where there were systeamtic changes in the ratio with time of deposition.
Effects of ball size, ball color, and preferred color on catching by young children.

45 males and 45 females between 7 and 8 years of age were required to catch rubber playground balls which varied in both size and color. Prior to the administration of the criterion catch test, subjects indicated their choice for a preferred color ball. Analysis indicated that the 6-in. balls (diameter) were caught significantly better than were 10-in. balls. Although the main effect of ball color was nonsignificant, the children caught balls of preferred color significantly better than those of non-preferred colors. Males scored significantly higher than the females on the catching task.