cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
God, Nature and Society: Views of the Tragedies of Hurricane Katrina and the Asian Tsunami

Religious worldviews are an understudied aspect of natural disasters and they shape our interpretations, responses, and explanations for natural disasters and offer a window into views on the relationship between humans and nature. In this study, post Asian Tsunami and post Hurricane Katrina sermons from four Christian traditions are analyzed in order to identify differing worldview perspectives. These sermons showed significant differences tied to eschatology, to theological conceptual structures that integrate God, nature, and humans, in the types of individual and corporate responses that were called forth from the congregants, and in the distance placed between themselves and those who suffered in these disasters. A possible overarching framework that analyzes religious traditions in terms of their emphases on vertical (individual humans and God) or horizontal (society-nature) linkages arises from this study and provides possibilities for categorizing and understanding other religious traditions.
HABLex: Human Annotated Bilingual Lexicons for Experiments in Machine Translation

Bilingual lexicons are valuable resources used by professional human translators. While these resources can be easily incorporated in statistical machine translation, it is unclear how to best do so in the neural framework. In this work, we present the HABLex dataset, designed to test methods for bilingual lexicon integration into neural machine translation. Our data consists of human generated alignments of words and phrases in machine translation test sets in three language pairs (Russian-English, Chinese-English, and Korean-English), resulting in clean bilingual lexicons which are well matched to the reference. We also present two simple baselines - constrained decoding and continued training - and an improvement to continued training to address overfitting.
Towards Muslim Pluralism: Dialogue and Discord in Contemporary Sri Lanka

Amidst multiple authoritarianisms in Sri Lanka, Shi’i Muslims use textual practices to challenge exclusionary tendencies and attempts to monopolise Islamic knowledge. As alternatives to Salafism, Shi’i and Sufi scholars articulate visions of Islamic life and practice through competing narratives. This chapter identifies a sense of internal Muslim pluralism in contestations of authority, power and knowledge.
Cellular sensing of micron-scale curvature: a frontier in understanding the microenvironment

The vast majority of cell biological studies examine function and molecular mechanisms using cells on flat surfaces: glass, plastic and more recently elastomeric polymers. While these studies have provided a wealth of valuable insight, they fail to consider that most biologically occurring surfaces are curved, with a radius of curvature roughly corresponding to the length scale of cells themselves. Here, we review recent studies showing that cells detect and respond to these curvature cues by adjusting and re-orienting their cell bodies, actin fibres and nuclei as well as by changing their transcriptional programme. Modelling substratum curvature has the potential to provide fundamental new insight into cell behaviour and function in vivo.
Levin's collocation method for predicting sound fields in the presence of sound speed gradients

Sound propagation in a stratified medium has been studied for decades. The Ray tracing method, which is one of the most popular methods, calculates the ray path and propagating angle of a sound ray. However, the ray method is not accurate under many circumstances compared with the wave-based numerical schemes. The Fast field program (FFP), an efficient method for numerical evaluation of the Fourier integral, is accurate but requires significant computational resources for high frequency sound fields because of the highly oscillatory functions found in the integrand. In this paper, a Levin’s collocation method is introduced and used in the evaluation of the sound fields above a locally reacting ground with the presence of the sound speed gradient. The method is far more efficient than most other available numerical techniques such as the FFP and Parabolic Equation method.Sound propagation in a stratified medium has been studied for decades. The Ray tracing method, which is one of the most popular methods, calculates the ray path and propagating angle of a sound ray. However, the ray method is not accurate under many circumstances compared with the wave-based numerical schemes. The Fast field program (FFP), an efficient method for numerical evaluation of the Fourier integral, is accurate but requires significant computational resources for high frequency sound fields because of the highly oscillatory functions found in the integrand. In this paper, a Levin’s collocation method is introduced and used in the evaluation of the sound fields above a locally reacting ground with the presence of the sound speed gradient. The method is far more efficient than most other available numerical techniques such as the FFP and Parabolic Equation method.
Time-Padded Random Forest Ensemble to Capture Changes in Physiology Leading to Sepsis Development

Background: Sepsis is the leading cause of in-hospital deaths, and it is one of the costliest complications to treat. Detection of sepsis is complicated and not yet efficient. Each hour of delay in treatment for a septic patient results in a 4-8% increase in chance of mortality.Method: The dataset provided consists of files that contain hourly parameter measurements for over 40,000 unique patients. Due to the complex nature of this challenge problem, a model of similar complexity was necessary. A boosted random forest ensemble was chosen and developed in MATLAB in hopes of producing the best results for this challenge. The provided data was time padded for 8 additional hours’ worth of data, 10-fold cross-validated, and imputed with previous data. Many ensemble methods were tested with Random Under-Sampling Boosting performing the best. For this model, the hyper-parameters were optimized via a grid search to find an optimal model.Results: Using the optimized hyper-parameters along with the correct pre-processing techniques, a 10-fold average utility score of 0.421 was achieved on the training sets A and B combined. We participated in Physionet Challenge under the name SOS: Searching of Sepsis and the utility score on full test set is 0.314. Our official rank is #14.
Hidden Persuaders: Environmental Contributors to Obesity

Everyone — every single one of us — eats the amount we eat partially because of what is around us. We overeat not only because of hunger, but also because of family and friends, packages and plates, names and numbers, labels and lights, colors and candles, shapes and smells, distractions and distances, cupboards and containers. This list is almost as endless as it is invisible to us. Most of us are largely unaware of what influences how much we eat. This is one of the ironies of food consumption research. Dozens of studies involving thousands of people show that people wrongly think that what they eat is mainly determined by how hungry they are, how much they like the food, and what mood they are in. We all think we are too smart to be tricked by packages, lighting, or plates. This suggests that people may be influenced at a basic level of which they are not aware or which they do not monitor. Understanding these drivers of consumption volume has immediate implications for research, nutrition education, and consumer welfare. This review aims to explain what environmental factors unknowingly influence eating and why they do so.
The Effects of Minimum Wages on Tipping: A State-Level Analysis:

Analyses of state differences in minimum wages and tip percentages found that (1) states with higher regular minimum wages have lower average tip percentages in coffee shops and higher average tip ...
Emerging Policy and Practice Issues (2019)

This paper/chapter, presented at the Thomson Reuters Government Contracts Year in Review Conference (covering 2019), attempts to identify the key evolving trends and issues in U.S. federal procurement for 2019-2020 and beyond. Consistent with prior practice, this chapter offers extensive coverage of the federal procurement and defense spending trends and attempts to predict what lies ahead, particularly with regard to legislative and executive activity. This year's paper discusses, among other things, the high degree of uncertainty currently being experienced in the public procurement sphere, dramatic increases to the micro-purchase and simplified acquisition thresholds, the work of the Congressionally-mandated Section 809 Panel, the proliferation (and new guidance related to) other transactions (OT’s) and experimental authorities,the concerning state of the defense industrial base and critical under-investment in infrastructure, human capital and the acquisition workforce, available data for assessing the performance of the acquisition system, new leadership at the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), sustainable procurement, enhanced debriefings, and other potential trends.
Muscle mass, not radiodensity, predicts physical function in cancer patients with or without cachexia.

Background There is a need to better understand the relationship between functional impairment and muscle mass in cancer cachexia. This study aimed to establish the relationship between computed tomography (CT)-derived muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), radiodensity, and skeletal muscle index (SMI) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) parameters with functional performance in cancer patients. Materials and methods Handgrip strength, stair climb power (SCP), one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength, and body composition (CT and DXA) were compared across cancer patients with cachexia (CAC; N = 28), without cachexia (CNC; N = 28), and non-cancer patients (CON; N = 19). Multivariate regression was performed to find predictors of function. Results CAC had lower CT muscle CSA and SMI and lower DXA appendicular lean mass (ALM) than CNC or CON (p ≤ 0.011). Muscle radiodensity was not different across groups despite larger proportion of low CT SMI in CAC, and CAC performed worse in SCP than CON (p = 0.018). In cancer patients, DXA ALM and CT muscle CSA each predicted physical function (p ≤ 0.05); muscle radiodensity did not, and DXA ALM explained more variability in SCP and 1RM than CT muscle CSA. Conclusions Stair climb power was reduced in cancer cachexia; muscle radiodensity was not. Muscle mass by CT or DXA, but not radiodensity, predicted functional performance in cancer patients.
The Inaccuracy of Sample-Based Confidence Intervals to Estimate A Priori Ones

Confidence intervals (CIs) constitute the most popular alternative to widely criticized null hypothesis significance tests. CIs provide more information than significance tests and lend themselves well to visual displays. Although CIs are no better than significance tests when used solely as significance tests, researchers need not limit themselves to this use of CIs. Rather, CIs can be used to estimate the precision of the data, and it is the precision argument that may set CIs in a superior position to significance tests. We tested two versions of the precision argument by performing computer simulations to test how well sample-based CIs estimate a priori CIs. One version pertains to precision of width whereas the other version pertains to precision of location. Using both versions, sample-based CIs poorly estimate a priori CIs at typical sample sizes and perform better as sample sizes increase.
The IRA in Britain, 1919–1923: ‘In the Heart of Enemy Lines,’

O! The Guns are in the Bay: IRA Operations in Britain“Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun,” to quote Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong, and certainly this is true of the Irish War of...
Employment Protection, Investment, and Firm Growth

We exploit the adoption of U.S. state-level labor protection laws to study the effect of employment protection on corporate investment rates and sales growth. We find that, following the adoption of these laws, capital expenditures as a percentage of book assets decrease, resulting in slower sales growth. Our findings are consistent with theories predicting that greater employment protection discourages investment by making projects more irreversible. Supporting this channel, following negative cash flow shocks, firms are less likely to downsize operations in states that have adopted these laws but more likely to downsize in states that have not adopted these laws.Authors have furnished code, data, and an Internet Appendix, which are available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Social group size influences pathogen transmission in salamanders

Individuals within animal societies are expected to mitigate the costs and enhance the benefits associated with group living. For example, sociality can facilitate the sharing of beneficial microbes among individuals, but can also increase transmission of pathogens, representing a major cost of group living. We examined the costs of sociality in the California slender salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus), a terrestrial salamander which naturally forms close social aggregations. We investigated whether innate sociality (e.g., skin-to-skin contact) increases an individual’s transmission risk of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a fungal pathogen that emerged throughout the salamander’s range over the last 50 years and has decimated hundreds of amphibian species globally. We found that in captivity, B. attenuatus exhibit random mixing within social groups, resulting in high contact rates and high potential for Bd transmission. Our experimental infection trials resulted in 50% mortality after 1 month in moist conditions. In order to test how group size affects pathogen transmission, we manipulated social group size and found a marked effect on the spread Bd among individuals; a single, uninfected individual contracted Bd much more rapidly in larger groups of infected individuals. Surprisingly, this did not translate into a more rapid death rate or higher pathogen infection loads. Our results show that the innate behavior of group formation represents a per-individual risk of socially acquired pathogens, with direct transmission being magnified in larger social groups. This study highlights one important cost of sociality in terrestrial salamanders and underscores the general susceptibility of social animals to novel invasive pathogens. Social behaviors typically evolve due to the benefits of associating with others, but they can also present risks such as disease transmission. The California slender salamander is highly social, with individuals forming close aggregations underneath cover items. Populations of this species have recently been discovered to suffer from the widespread and deadly fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) which is transmitted through aquatic zoospores. Because this salamander host species is fully terrestrial, we set out to determine if close aggregations (leading to skin-to-skin contact) provide opportunities for direct transmission of Bd. Infection trials in larger social groups revealed a more rapid spread of Bd; however, we did not witness more rapid death rates or ultimately higher pathogen infection loads. Our results show that the social behavior of these salamanders leads to a higher probability of acquiring Bd, highlighting the complex effects that emergent pathogens may have on social species.
Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in mallatia leventinese.

Abstract Objective To describe a case of a patient with documented genetic mallatia leventinese who developed a classic choroidal neovascular membrane and underwent photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin (Visudyne; CIBA Vision Corp., Duluth, GA). Design Interventional case report. Intervention The patient underwent a complete ophthalmologic evaluation and fluorescein angiography. Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin was performed. Main outcome measures Clinical and angiographic records were analyzed for evidence of changes in visual acuity, clinically evident subretinal fluid and the extent of fluorescein leakage from choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Results Three weeks after treatment, a fluorescein angiogram showed closure of the neovascular membrane, no evident subretinal fluid was seen, and visual acuity had improved from 20/60− to 20/40. Nine weeks after the application, fluorescein angiography demonstrated a microscopic hyperfluorescent spot at the site of the previously active CNV at which a small area of shallow subretinal fluid was observed, and visual acuity was 20/50. Thirty-four weeks after PDT, visual acuity was 20/60, subretinal fluid resolved, and fluorescein angiography did not show any further changes. Conclusions Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin may be considered as a possible treatment in patients with mallatia leventinese who develop classic CNV.
Nucleic Acid Structural Energetics

The general relations between structure and energetics of nucleic acids are described. A detailed, multileveled definition of the structures adopted by one, two, three and four strands is presented, with emphasis on the chemical functionalities of the structural subcomponents. Descriptions include results from studies of the thermodynamics of transformations and structures (e.g. double helix formation, superhelical coiling). Different aspects of this large array of problems have been determined using X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques, such as ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) absorption, circular dichroism (CD), Raman scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Interactions, within one strand or between two or more strands, with cations, buffers, aromatic chemicals and proteins are all described. Methods include spectroscopy, calorimetry and computational approaches (statistical mechanics, molecular mechanics, dynamics, quantum mechanics). A Further Reading section is included to provide an idea of the vast scope of this area.
4/spl times/4 MIMO transceivers for civilian wireless communications

This paper presents the implementation and characterization of a 4/spl times/4 multiple input multiple output (MIMO) RF transceiver that operates at ISM frequency band of 2.45 GHz. The design is implemented using low cost commercially available off-the-shelf components (COTS). The system benefits from direct conversion transceiver units, a common phase-locked loop oscillator, a linear 1/spl times/4 antenna array, and self-contained power supply. The transceiver measurements indicate a good overall system performance in terms of dynamic range and constellation diagram (QPSK and 8PSK modulation formats) for both transmit and receive modes.
Becoming a creative city: perspectives from Augustus’ Rome

The creative city discourse has been shaping cultural policy worldwide. Among the multifaceted goals highlighted by scholars, one aspect that is not thoroughly emphasized is the understanding of creative cities in terms of culture-centric approaches to foster city cohesion. In this paper, I study the value of focusing the idea of the creative city to integrate diverse communities in a historic context: the city of Rome during the reign of Augustus. The aim is to provide a broader historic frame of reference to better articulate the function of the creative city discourse. Through the analysis of primary and secondary literature in Ancient Studies, I highlight three aspects of Augustus’ remaking of Rome: integration, spectacles, and beauty. From these aspects, what emerges is the idea of a creative city as a vital and spectacular place that offers access to arts and culture involving the diversity of the population, presenting a wide range of art forms, and enhancing the beauty of the built space.
RESTORATION OF NORMAL CONDUCTION PROPERTIES IN DEMYELINATED SPINAL CORD AXONS IN THE ADULT RAT BY TRANSPLANTATION OF EXOGENOUS SCHWANN CELLS

Although remyelination of demyelinated CNS axons is known to occur after transplantation of exogenous glial cells, previous studies have not determined whether cell transplantation can restore the conduction properties of demyelinated axons in the adult CNS. To examine this issue, the dorsal columns of the adult rat spinal cord were demyelinated by x-irradiation and intraspinal injections of ethidium bromide. Cell suspensions of cultured astrocytes and Schwann cells derived from neonatal rats transfected with the (β-galactosidase) reporter gene were injected into the glial-free lesion site. After 3–4 weeks nearly all of the demyelinated axons were remyelinated by the transplanted Schwann cells. The dorsal columns were removed and maintained in an in vitro recording chamber; conduction properties were studied using field potential and intra-axonal recording techniques. The demyelinated axons exhibited conduction slowing and block, and a reduction in their ability to follow high-frequency stimulation. Axons remyelinated by transplantation of cultured Schwann cells exhibited restoration of conduction through the lesion, with reestablishment of normal conduction velocity. The axons remyelinated after transplantation showed enhanced impulse recovery to paired-pulse stimulation and greater frequency-following capability as compared with both demyelinated and control axons. These results demonstrate the functional repair of demyelinated axons in the adult CNS by transplantation of cultured myelin-forming cells from the peripheral nervous system in combination with astrocytes.
Rapid and facile synthesis of Ti-MCM-48 mesoporous material and the photocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution

Abstract A rapid and facile method was used to synthesize high quality titanium containing cubic MCM-48 mesoporous materials at room temperature. Four kinds of titanium containing MCM-48 mesoporous materials were prepared by addition of the titanium precursor at different stages during the formation of MCM-48 gel. The mesoporous structure and the light absorption characteristics of Ti-MCM-48 were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), and nitrogen isotherm studies. The photocatalytic activities of these heterogeneous Ti-MCM-48 catalysts were tested for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from methanol–water mixture under UV irradiation. High activity was achieved in the absence of platinum cocatalyst, which is usually indispensable to TiO 2 photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution.
Female Genital Cutting: A Sociological Analysis

Abstract This is a strictly sociological analysis of institutional conflict using female genital cutting as a case study. There is very little information about the practice of FGC itself or the local contexts in which it occurs. The interaction of nation-states with the international system in the face of conflict is the subject of the analysis. The conclusions are based on analysing international strategies, national policies, and data from nationally administered Demographic and Health Surveys in Egypt, Kenya, Mali, Niger, and Sudan. The sociological approach focuses on parallels between institutional behaviour at the international, national, and local level rather than specific meanings or local contexts. Elizabeth Heger Boyle, Female Genital Cutting: Cultural Conflict in the Global Community (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002).
Toward a Theory of Sustainability Management: Uncovering and Integrating the Nearly Obvious

The continuing evolution and increasing salience of the concept and practice of sustainability among individuals, organizations, and societies worldwide appears to warrant the development of conceptual approaches to theories of sustainability management for application to management research, education, and practice. While other management theories have been employed by many management scholars to help explain the need for and advancement of sustainability management, none of those theories appear to have the unique features, benefits, opportunities, challenges, or orientations to assist individuals, organizations, and societies to move toward sustainability as much and as soon as appears necessary. However, since the consideration of theories of sustainability management is relatively new for most management scholars, the authors hope this article begins a dialogue among those stakeholders to better describe, develop, and apply this and related theories of sustainability management as significantly, effe...
Neurocognitive correlates of problem behavior in environmentally at-risk adolescents.

Objective:This study prospectively examines the correlation between neurocognitive (NC) function-ing and problem behavior in early adolescence. Methods: As part of a longitudinal study, African American urban youths of lower socioeconomic status, mean age 12.1 years (SD = 1.2, n = 111), were administered a battery of 16 NC tasks assessing eight NC systems (two tasks per system) including four systems primarily associated with frontal cortex and four primarily associated with nonfrontal cortex. The former systems included (1) executive cognitive functioning (ECF), (2) cognitive control, (3) working memory, and (4) reward processing. The latter systems included (5) receptive language, (6) spatial cognition, (7) visual cognition, and (8) memory. The Teacher's Report Form of the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment was performed approximately at the same age that the NC assessments were performed. Bivariate correlations were calculated between the eight NC system composite scores and the externalizing scores. Results: Significant negative relationships were found between ECF and receptive language ability and externalizing behavior. Further analyses, using linear regression, showed that receptive language was more predictive of externalizing behavior than ECF. Conclusion: Based on these results we conclude that (1) NC functioning, specifically in ECF and in receptive language systems, was associated with adolescent problem behavior and (2) receptive language was more strongly associated with problem behavior than ECF.
Pharmacologic effects of tetrodotoxin: Cardivascular and antiarrhythmic activities

Abstract The effects of tetrodotoxin (TTX) on various biologic parameters have been investigated. Drug interaction studies have demonstrated that TTX can prevent or reverse ouabain-induced bradycardia, tachycardia, and arrhythmias. Reserpine has been shown to completely block the actions of this toxin. Propranolol and phenoxybenzamine tended to modify various actions of TTX. Species differences have been noted. The implications of these results are discussed.
Comparison of pharmacy-based measures of medication adherence.

Background Pharmacy databases are commonly used to assess medication usage, and a number of measures have been developed to measure patients’ adherence to medication. An extensive literature now supports these measures, although few studies have systematically compared the properties of different adherence measures.
Tilt dependence of the secondary electron emission at low excitation energy

Influence of the specimen's slope on the secondary electron emission has been experimentally studied. Strong deviations from the inverse cos law have been observed and corresponding phenomenological equation (taking into account this deviation) is suggested. The consequences of the dependence on the topography contrast of low- and high-voltage scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image, especially for three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction, are considered.
Biosilicates and biomimetic silicate synthesis

Abstract Biopolymers containing anionic and hydrogen-bonding functionalities have recently been found in biosilicates. An improved understanding of the role of silicon in human tissues and of silica in bioactive-glass bone implants has also been realized. Laboratory silica syntheses have increasingly featured biomineralization techniques, mild reaction conditions, biogenic and biomolecule-like organic dopants, and biosilicate starting materials.
A simulation-based research strategy for designing complex NL systems

Basic research is critically needed to guide the development of a new generation of multimodal and multilingual NL systems. This paper summarizes the goals, capabilities, computing environment, and performance characteristics of a new semi-automatic simulation technique. This technique has been designed to support a wide spectrum of empirical studies on highly interactive speech, writing, and multi-modal systems incorporating pen and voice. Initial studies using this technique have provided information on people's language, performance, and preferential use of these communication modalities, either alone or in multimodal combination. One aim of this research has been to explore how the selection of input modality and presentation format can be used to reduce difficult sources of linguistic variability in people's speech and writing, such that more robust system processing results. The development of interface techniques for channeling users' language will be important to the ability of complex NL systems to function successfully in actual field use, as well as to the overall commercialization of this technology. Future extensions of the present simulation research also are discussed.
A class of rosenbrock-type schemes for second-order nonlinear systems of ordinary differential equations

Abstract We develop a class of generalized Rosenbrock-type schemes for second-order nonlinear systems of ordinary differential equations. We convert the second-order systems to equivalent first-order form, and then employ the square of the Jacobian. These methods when applied to a linear time-invariant system U u + AU = 0, reproduce a class of schemes given by Baker and Bramble that are derived from a particular class of rational approximations to the exponential with denominators of the form (1 − γ 2 z 2 ) s for an s -stage method. For our problem, then, an s -stage scheme requires the solution of 2 s linear algebraic systems at each time step, with the same real matrix. We employ the theory of Butcher [1–4] series to develop order conditions and then present specific examples of fourth-order methods which are unconditionally stable by appropriate choice of parameter γ 2 . Numerical results, confirming the rate of convergence, are presented.
Multi-component behavioral intervention to promote health protective behaviors in childhood cancer survivors: the protect study.

Background Improved cure rates for childhood cancer have produced a growing population of survivors at risk for late toxicities of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Healthy behaviors can modify these risks. We initiated a controlled prospective trial to determine if a multi-component behavioral intervention could induce change in childhood cancer survivors' health knowledge, health perceptions, and practice of health-protective behaviors. Procedure Adolescent cancer survivors attending a long-term follow-up clinic were randomized to receive standard follow-up care or standard care plus the educational intervention. Baseline measures were obtained at randomization (T0) and repeated 1 year (T1) later during the survivors' annual check-up. Results Of 272 patients enrolled and randomized, 251 are evaluable at both time points. Treatment and control groups were similar in regards to diagnosis, gender, race, and age. The change in outcome measures over the year (T1−T0) was not significantly different between the two groups as assessed by a two-sample pooled t test. However, additional exploratory analyses indicated a significant gender difference in knowledge with female survivors in the intervention group having higher scores. In addition, patients who choose certain individual health goals, such as breast/testicular self-examination, showed improved practice of the health behavior. In addition, in a very exploratory analysis, a gender difference in response to the intervention was noted, with females exhibiting a greater improvement in knowledge scores than did males. Conclusions Although the multi-behavioral educational intervention did not induce change in health knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors of childhood cancer survivors for the treatment group as a whole, gender differences and specific health goal differences were found. These findings suggest that future interventions should be tailored to reflect gender differences and the nature of the health goal under assessment. Med Pediatr Oncol 2002;39:2–11. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Two DOF Controller for a Multi-Finger Tactual Display Using a Loop-Shaping Technique

The design and evaluation of a new controller for a multi-finger tactual (kinesthetic and cutaneous) display, the TACTUATOR, is discussed. A crucial performance requirement is that the relative amplitude of spectral components be preserved in terms of perceived intensity as judged by human users. In this article, we present a two degree-of-freedom controller consisting of a feedback controller and a pre-filter, and its digital implementation. The overall system was evaluated with frequency-response function measurements and with human psychophysical experiments. The measurement results confirm that the steady-state frequency response closely follows the design specifications. The psychophysical results indicate a deviation in the model of the human detection threshold curve at frequencies below 30 Hz. Future work will compensate for this deviation by reshaping the pre-filter. Our work demonstrates the validity of designing controllers that take into account not only the electromechanical properties of the hardware, but the sensory characteristics of the human user.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Secrets of the code: Do vascular endothelial cells use ion channels to decipher complex flow signals? ☆

The ability of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) to respond to changes in blood flow is essential for both vasoregulation and arterial wall remodelling, while abnormalities in endothelial responsiveness to flow play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Endothelial flow responses also have important implications for the field of vascular tissue engineering. In response to changes in fluid dynamic shear stress, ECs exhibit humoral, metabolic, and structural responses. Significantly, ECs respond differently to different types of shear stress. For instance, steady shear stress elicits a profile of responses that differs drastically from oscillatory shear stress. Although our understanding of flow-induced signaling has advanced greatly over the past two decades, how ECs sense shear forces remains to be established. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which ECs discriminate among different flow waveforms are unknown. Activation of flow-sensitive ion channels is one of the most rapid known responses to flow in ECs. In this paper, we argue in favor of an important role for ion channels in shear stress sensing in ECs and propose that these channels may endow ECs with the ability to resolve components of a complex flow signal and hence distinguish among different types of flow.
Mapping electric field distributions in biased organic bulk heterojunctions under illumination by nonlinear optical microscopy

How charge carriers are distributed in a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) under illumination is central to the understanding of organic photovoltics and photodetectors. Here, we apply nonlinear optical microscopy to quantitatively map the spatial distributions of electric fields in two lateral organic BHJs: poly(3-hexylthiophene) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and poly(4,4-dioctyldithieno(3,2-b:2′,3′-d)silole)-2,6-diyl-alt-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)-4,7-diyl) and PCBM. For the former, we observe the development with time of a depletion region adjacent to the electron-collecting electrode. In the latter, the device is stable and characterized by a nearly linear potential drop. We discuss the origins of field distributions and space charge accumulation in organic BHJs.
The normal human thymic vasculature: An ultrastructural study

Electron microscopy of the normal human thymus demonstrates a characteristic vascular-parenchymal relationship. The vascular lumen is always separated from the thymic parenchyma by: the endothelial cell cytoplasm, a muscular coat in arterioles and veins, the vascular basal lamina, a perivascular space containing collagen fibers and cells, the epithelial-reticular cell basal lamina and the epithelial-reticular cell cytoplasm. The width of this perivascular space is proportional to the size of the vessel it surrounds; it is wide around the vessels in the septa and at the cortical-medullary junction, but narrow around capillaries. While many cells are present in this space around larger vessels, only collagen is observed around the capillaries. Lymphocytes are the predominant cell type in the space; however, plasma cells, eosinophils, histiocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mast cells and unidentified granulated cells are also seen. The vascular complex described above may function as a blood-thymus barrier, as the initial site of exposure of the lymphocytes to circulating antigen and as the route of lymphocytes from the thymus.
Ca2+-dependent formation of a dynamin-synaptophysin complex: Potential role in synaptic vesicle endocytosis

Synaptophysin is a synaptic vesicle (SV) protein of unknown function. Here we show that a repeated sequence in the cytoplasmic tail of synaptophysin mediates the formation of a protein complex containing the GTPase dynamin. The formation of this complex requires a high Ca2+ concentration, suggesting that it occurs preferentially at the sites of SV exocytosis. Coimmunoprecipitation of a dynamin-synaptophysin complex from brain extracts is promoted by dissociation of vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 from synaptophysin. This finding suggests that dynamin only associates with synaptophysinin vivo after vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) enters the SNARE complex. GTP binding releases dynamin from synaptophysin, possibly serving to regulate dynamin selfassembly during endocytosis. Our results suggest that synaptophysin plays a role in SV recycling by recruiting dynamin to the vesicle membrane.
Iliosacral screw insertion using computer-assisted CT image guidance: a laboratory study.

Procedures were performed to evaluate the efficacy of using a computer-assisted image-guided system to improve the accuracy of inserting iliosacral screws for posterior pelvic ring injuries. The fluoroscopic method currently in use has shortcomings that do not eliminate the risk to the L5 and sacral nerve roots and iliac vesselsThe procedure was performed on embalmed cadaver pelvis specimens with intact soft tissues. Iliosacral screws were inserted across each sacroiliac joint after registering the opposite ilium to simulate a clinical situation. Two trials were performed. The first was necessary to become familiar with the system and test the basic methods of registration. In the second trial, deficiencies were corrected by using spherical-headed fiducial screws for fiducials and a better reference frame clamp, and by better spacing of more fiducialsResults were evaluated by inlet and outlet X-ray views and dissection. All eight S-l iliosacral 7.0-mm cannulated screws were entirely inside bone. Of the ei...
Dipolar magnetic order in the rare earth ethyl sulfates

The magnetic ground states of the ethyl sulfates of Nd, Gd, Ho, and Er have been determined by dc susceptibility measurements and found to agree with those predicted using (where possible) the classical Luttinger-Tisza theory. Ytterbium ethyl sulfate is not observed to order at temperatures above 6.5 mK. The observed transition temperatures scale roughly with the magnitude of the calculated ground state energy. The low-temperature paramagnetic susceptibility of Gd ethyl sulfate agrees qualitatively with a theoretical prediction based on experimental crystal-field parameters.
Randomized trial of standard versus magnetic endoscope imaging colonoscopes for unsedated colonoscopy

Background Unsedated colonoscopy has potential benefits, including decreased costs and decreased risks. Objective To determine whether patient comfort during unsedated colonoscopy can be improved through the use of a magnetic endoscopic imaging (MEI) colonoscope compared with a standard colonoscope. Design Prospective, patient-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. Setting San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Patients Veterans undergoing outpatient screening or surveillance colonoscopy. Interventions Use of a standard or MEI colonoscope during unsedated colonoscopy. Main Outcome Measurement The primary outcome variable was patient perception of pain using a 7-point scale. The secondary endpoint was patient willingness to undergo a future unsedated colonoscopy. Results Of the 160 patients enrolled, 140 completed an unsedated colonoscopy in the study protocol. In a per-protocol analysis, the mean and median pain score was 3.12 (standard deviation 1.22) and 4 (interquartile range 2-4) for the standard colonoscope group and 3.06 (standard deviation 1.13) and 3 (interquartile range 2-4) for the MEI group, where 3 was mild pain ( P = not significant). Overall, 80% of subjects were willing to undergo a future unsedated colonoscopy for screening or surveillance. In an intention-to-treat analysis, 80% of subjects (64/80) in the standard colonoscope arm and 79% in the MEI arm (63/80) were willing to undergo a future unsedated colonoscopy ( P = not significant). Limitations Single-center study of mostly male veterans. Conclusions This patient-blinded, randomized, controlled trial did not demonstrate any difference in patient perception of pain or willingness to undergo unsedated examinations when using the MEI versus the conventional colonoscope. Unsedated colonoscopy is generally feasible and well tolerated and is associated with high patient satisfaction rates.
A Route for Bulk Separation of Semiconducting from Metallic Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Substantial separation of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) according to type (metallic versus semiconducting) has been achieved for HiPco and laser-ablated SWNTs. We presently argue that stable dispersions of SWNTs with octadecylamine (ODA) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) originate from the physisorption and organization of ODA along the SWNT sidewalls in addition to the originally proposed zwitterion model. Furthermore, the reported affinity of amine groups for semiconducting SWNTs, as opposed to their metallic counterparts, contributes additional stability to the physisorbed ODA. This provides a venue for the selective precipitation of metallic SWNTs upon increasing dispersion concentration, as indicated by Raman investigations.
Quality, Maturity, and Storage of Asian Pears Grown in Central Washington

Asian pear (Pyrus serotina Rehder) growers must know the appropriate harvest conditions and storage potential for their crop. To determine appropriate harvest indices and storage potential of eight Asian pear cultivars, fruit grown in the Columbia basin of central Washington were harvested weekly for 10 wk. Fruit characteristics (diameter, firmness, starch content, soluble solids content, and titratable acidity) were measured at harvest, at harvest plus 2 wk at room temperature, after 3 mo of cold storage at 31 °F, and after cold storage plus 2 wk at room temperature. 'Shinseiki' was among the first to mature and 'Niitaka' was among the last. 'Chojuro' and 'Hosui' developed the highest soluble solids at harvest and 'Shinko' was lowest [...]
Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Overcoming Challenges in Disease Management

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third most frequent cause of death from cancer and the eighth most commonly occurring cancer in the world. In the United States, hepatocellular carcinoma appears to be increasing along with evolution of chronic hepatitis infection, especially in the immigrant population, a major risk group. A disease of multifactorial etiology, hepatocellular carcinoma confers many management challenges. Hepatocarcinogenesis is a multistep process involving different genetic alterations that ultimately lead to malignant transformation of the hepatocyte. Early hepatocellular carcinoma is characteristically silent and slow growing with few symptoms until late in disease. Early and accurate diagnosis of hepatic tumors relies on clinical suspicion, screening protocols, serologic testing, radiologic imaging, and tissue confirmation. Lack of clinically validated biomarkers and clinical identification of hepatocellular carcinoma at advanced disease make diagnosis and treatment difficult. Advances in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have markedly increased the sensitivity and specificity of testing, yet they are still flawed with a relatively high false-positive rate. Several surgical and nonsurgical therapies have been developed and used with varying degrees of success. Options include surgical resection, liver transplantation, local ablation therapies, and pharmaceutical interventions. At 5 years after resection, in those patients who are surgical candidates, the recurrence rate ranges between 30% and 60%. In patients with nonresectable disease, the prognosis is dismal, with a median survival of less than 12 months even with chemotherapy. The medical community faces numerous challenges in hepatocellular carcinoma and must work toward better management and multidisciplinary care of this complex disease.
On the time-delay in chalcogenide glass threshold switches

Abstract It is shown that two distinct operating regimes exist, a low voltage regime (close to the threshold point) under which the switching delay is subject to substantial fluctuations and a high voltage regime (high overvoltages) for which the delay is closely determined. The results show that the origin of the scatter lies not primarily in the mechanism whereby the threshold point is approached but in the transient and semi-permanent after-effects of previous switching events. These after-effects can be detected in terms of a diminished pre-threshold conductance.
Per Capita Alcohol Consumption and Crime: An Unexamined Relationship

On a global basis, alcohol has been recognized to be associated with all forms of human problems. A thorough review of the literature on crime and alcohol-related problems reveals a paucity of empirical studies of the relationship of alcohol consumption to crime rates. This study examines that relationship and suggests what might be additional analytical refinements which should be made to further specify the relationship of alcohol consumption to crime.
Early Lymphocyte Recovery Predicts Superior Survival after Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Prospective Study

Abstract Day 15 absolute lymphocyte count (ALC-15) after autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (APHSCT) has been reported to be a significant predictor for survival in multiple hematologic malignancies. Limitations of previous reports included their retrospective nature and the lack of ALC-15 lymphocyte subset analyses. To address these limitations, from February 2002 until February 2007, 50 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients were enrolled in a prospective study. The primary endpoint of the study was to confirm prospectively the ALC-15 survival role after APHSCT in NHL. The secondary endpoint was to identify the ALC-15 lymphocyte subset affecting survival after APHSCT. With a median follow-up of 22.2 months (range: 6-63.7 months), patients with an ALC-15 ≥500 cells/μL (n = 35) experienced superior overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) compared with those who did not; median OS: not reached versus 5.4 months, 3-year OS rates of 80% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 55%-95%) versus 37% (95% CI: 15%-65%), P
1266 TRANCUTANEOUS pO 2 (TCpO 2 ) DURING INTRAVENOUS FAT INFUSIONS IN LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS

1266 TRANCUTANEOUS pO 2 (TCpO 2 ) DURING INTRAVENOUS FAT INFUSIONS IN LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS