cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biosocial Interactions and Violence

In this chapter, we will be examining data within the framework of the biosocial model developed by Adrian Raine and presented earlier in this volume. In this model, the differential effects of biological and social factors on violence are considered in a systemic fashion. As outlined in the model, biological and social factors can act alone or in a variety of combinations to increase the risk for violent outcome. One of the neglected areas ofbiosocial research on violence is the examination of statistical interactions between biological and social factors (Brennan & Raine, in press). This chapter will focus on such interactions and on the role of perinatal factors in the outcome of early-onset aggression and persistent criminal violence.
Diabetes mortality rates among African Americans: A descriptive analysis pre and post Medicaid expansion

Abstract Background Compared with other racial and ethnic groups, African Americans are disproportionately burdened by high rates of deaths due to diabetes. Insurance coverage and access to primary care are critical for prevention and chronic disease management. Purpose To examine the difference in age-adjusted diabetes mortality rates in African Americans before and after Medicaid expansion. Methods Using ICD-10 Cause List E10–E14, age-adjusted diabetes mortality rates among African Americans were extracted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Compressed Mortality File. Sufficient and reliable data were available for 36 states and the District of Columbia. With a 95% confidence interval, two periods were analyzed: pre-Medicaid expansion - years 2008, 2009, 2010 and post-Medicaid expansion - years 2014, 2015, 2016. Three-year means for both periods were calculated for each state. Differences for each state are presented and contextualized as a state that opted in or out of expanding Medicaid coverage. Results There was a slight reduction in diabetes mortality in African Americans (41.14/100,000 pre-expansion and 38.94/100,000 post-expansion). We found variability across states – regardless of expansion status. Differences in rates ranged from a decrease of 15.43/100,000 to an increase of 9.53/100,000. Out of all states that met our criteria, 24 states expanded coverage; age-adjusted diabetes death rates declined in 16 of those states. There were also reductions in eight states that did not expand coverage. Conclusion Future research is needed to explore if Medicaid expansion is associated with reductions in diabetes mortality in the African American community.
3D Dense Reconstruction of Plant or Tree Canopy Based on Stereo Vision

Three dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the plant or tree canopy is an important step in order to measure canopy geometry, such as, height, width, volume, and leaf cover area. In this research, binocular stereo vision was used to recover the 3D information of the canopy. A revised camera calibration method was provided to calibrate the cameras in world coordinate system. Only two images were used to realize a dense reconstruction. These two images were firstly rectified to make sure the corresponding feature points in the left and right images were on the same horizontal line. An efficient large scale stereo matching (ELAS) algorithm was used to find the disparity map. The plant or tree canopy was finally reconstructed based on these calibrated camera matrices and the disparity map through a triangulation method. A plant (croton) with big leaves, a citrus branch, and a small citrus tree with small leaves were used to test this two-view dense reconstruction. It was easy to measure the geometry of the big leaf. Two big leaves from croton plant were used to measure the width and length of the leaves. The measurement from the reconstruction and manual measurement showed that this reconstruction was metric reconstruction. Another four reconstructions were completed based on a side view of the croton plant, a top view of the croton plant, a top view of a branch from a mature citrus tree, and a side view of the citrus tree. All these gave good 3D visualization of the objects.
Assessment of microbial communities and heavy metals in urban soils of Patna, Bihar (India)

This study was aimed to assess soil nutrient status, heavy metal content, and their impact on phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) as well as to determine relationship between PSB and coliform in soils of urban area of Patna town during monsoon and winter. The eight sampling areas are included for study namely Bazar Samiti (S1), Moin-ul-Haq Stadium (S2), Agamkuan (S3), Kumhrar (S4), Beur Jail (S5), Phulwari Sharif (S6), BIT Campus (S7), and Danapur (S8). Nutrients, such as carbon, phosphorus, and potassium, varied with seasons and sites. The average concentration of heavy metals for monsoon followed the order Mn > Zn > Co > Pb > Cu > Ni > Hg, while for winter the order was Mn > Zn > Pb > Co > Cu > Ni > Hg, whereas Cd was below detection limit (0.1 ppm) in all sites. To evaluate the degree of pollution in soils of Patna region contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and pollution load index (PLI) were calculated. An elevated concentration of Mn and Zn was reported on most of the sites; however, PLI showed that soils have become polluted with heavy metals. In addition, enumeration of bacterial cells revealed that PSB grew efficiently in winter when pH (6 to 6.8) was low, which might be due to production of organic acids, and coliform count was moderate to low. The negative correlation between PSB and coliform in winter suggests that both the species are competitor of each other.
Att bevara komplexiteten i läraryrket: policy, forskning och praxis

Teaching is a complex--rather than a technical or complicated—activity. Unless policy, research and practice designed to improve teacher quality “keep teaching complex,” they are unlikely to lead to changes that genuinely enhance students’ learning and enrich their life chances.
Investing in Local Food, Investing in Local Communities

First paragraphs: SOIL: Notes Toward the Theory and Practice of Nurture is by Woody Tasch, the founder of the Slow Money Institute, which seeks to rebuild the economy from the ground up with an emphasis on sustainable local food systems. This book lays out Tasch’s vision for building local food systems. SOIL is an interesting and entertaining read. It is not a just-can’t-put-it-down read, but I think that is the point. Festooned with side notes, the text forces you to break up the read. In many cases, the notes not only tie into the text but also are teaser for the reader to go back and dig deeper. Tasch’s writing style is hard to define, but it has a very literary quality. The text is more a conversation than a formal dissertation. Tasch engages the reader, circling back and tying up his points to weave a plan of hope for the future. . . .
Mechanisms for Eicosanoid Precursor Uptake and Release by a Tissue Culture Cell Line

Mouse fibrosarcoma cells (HSDM1C1) that synthesize prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in response to bradykinin and calcium ionophore A23187 were adapted to grow in lipid-free medium to produce arachidonate deficiency. Such cells produce PGE2 in response to agonists only after repletion with arachidonate. Repleted cells release arachidonate from phosphatidylinositol (80%) and phosphatidylcholine (20%). Release from A23187-treated cells is qualitatively different, indicating that alternative mechanisms are involved in activation of cells by this non-physiological agonist. A variant cell line deficient in arachidonoyl-CoA synthetase was isolated after mutagenesis and radiation suicide selection. This cell line is not only deficient in arachidonate uptake but also in release of arachidonate in response to agonists. These results indicate that arachidonoyl-CoA synthetase is required for eicosanoid homeostasis. This enzyme metabolizes only those fatty acids that are potential eicosanoid precursors and accounts for the rapid and high affinity uptake of these fatty acids into phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine. Fatty acids are most susceptible to release by agonists immediately after uptake into the cell. Subsequently, they redistribute into metabolically inert phospholipid pools.
Establishing a relationship between student cognitive reflection skills and performance on physics questions that elicit strong intuitive responses

Instructional materials that give students opportunities to examine their intuitive ideas are likely to be more effective if offered as a follow up to formal instruction designed to develop solid content understanding.
MINIMUM PASSING SIGHT DISTANCE FOR COMPLETING OR ABORTING THE PASSING MANEUVER

A kinematic model is presented which incorporates both acceleration and deceleration during the passing maneuver on 2-lane, 2-way roads. It is shown that during the passing maneuver there exists a dilemma zone where it is not safe to complete or to abort the maneuver. The recommended passing sight distance values are tabulated. Their derivation is based on making the dilemma zone zero, thus always providing at least one safe option. The results are discussed of an investigation of the sensitivity of passing sight distances with respect to acceleration, deceleration, relative velocity, and passing speed. Based on the study results, it is recommended that MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) minimum passing sight distance should be reviewed. The report recommends passing sight distances using AASHTO's values of acceleration rates and deceleration distances to obtain decereration rates.
Arms Transfers, Intellectual Property, and the Diffusion of Military Technology

Does the United States take into account concerns about intellectual property protection when it transfers arms internationally? This study explores the relationship between intellectual property l...
“Is Rhapsody in Blue in the Public Domain?”: Copyright Knowledge of U.S. Music Librarians

Although several studies have looked at the perceived level of copyright knowledge among various types of librarians, none have looked at the actual copyright knowledge of U.S. music librarians. Th...
COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak: A Rapidly Deployable Medical Facility Optimized for Epidemics (Smart Pod)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that healthcare providers perform screening tests on patients with symptoms of COVID-19 in an isolated room to protect other patients from potential exposure to the virus. The Smart Pod, a rapidly deployable medical facility that was designed in the wake of the Ebola virus, can serve as a biocontainment unit for airborne pathogens. This emergency solution has been developed by Baylor College of Medicine as a nimble, standardized facility that is optimized for epidemics. The expandable, 403 ft2 facility has the dimensions of a standard shipping container in its folded and most compact form. It can be easily transported and reassembled, providing a rapid option for augmenting limited resources. The Smart Pod is a one-stop solution for epidemics, with supplies and equipment inside the pod. In the unit, infection control is strengthened with antimicrobial flooring, HEPA filters, and a UVC lighting system proven to eliminate 99.7% of pathogens, including airborne pathogens like COVID-19. This relocatable clinic can be constructed with a negative pressure system, allowing for the elimination of contaminated air.
Connexin43 and connexin50 channels exhibit different permeability to the second messenger inositol triphosphate

Gap junction channels made of different connexins have distinct permeability to second messengers, which could affect many cell processes, including lens epithelial cell division. Here, we have compared the permeability of IP3 and Ca2+ through channels made from two connexins, Cx43 and Cx50, that are highly expressed in vertebrate lens epithelial cells. Solute transfer was measured while simultaneously monitoring junctional conductance via dual whole-cell/perforated patch clamp. HeLa cells expressing Cx43 or Cx50 were loaded with Fluo-8, and IP3 or Ca2+ were delivered via patch pipette to one cell of a pair, or to a monolayer while fluorescence intensity changes were recorded. Cx43 channels were permeable to IP3 and Ca2+. Conversely, Cx50 channels were impermeable to IP3, while exhibiting high permeation of Ca2+. Reduced Cx50 permeability to IP3 could play a role in regulating cell division and homeostasis in the lens.
A Shifting Paradigm in Diagnosis and Management of Hepatic Adenoma

New insights into molecular pathogenesis of hepatocellular adenomas (HCA) have allowed sub-classification based on distinct genetic alterations and a fresh look at characterizations of natural history. Clinically, this is important in understanding risk factors for two feared complications: malignant transformation and hemorrhage. PubMed literature search for hepatocellular adenoma over all years, excluding case reports and articles focusing on multiple adenomas or adenomatosis. The β-catenin exon 3 mutated HCA accounts for about 10% of all HCAs and is associated with the highest risk of malignant transformation. The HF1α subtype accounts for 30–40% of all HCAs and has the lowest risk of malignant transformation. Gender has also emerged as an increasingly important risk factor and males with HCA are at considerably higher risk of malignant transformation, regardless of tumor size. The increasing use of gadoxetic-enhanced MRI has allowed for improved differentiation of HCAs from focal nodular hyperplasia, as well as the identification of specific radiologic features of some subtypes, particularly the inflammatory and HF1α HCAs. Classification of HCA by subtype has important implications for patient counseling and treatment given variable risks of malignant transformation and hemorrhage. Males and those with β-catenin exon 3 mutated HCAs are two groups who should always be counselled to undergo surgical resection. On the other hand, in the lower risk HF1α subtype observation is appropriate in lesions < 5 cm and may even be considered in larger lesions as longer follow-up data is aggregated and tumorigenesis is better understood.
Factorial Support and Measurement Invariance of the College Eating and Drinking Behavior Scale

Systematic measurement of simultaneous disordered eating patterns and alcohol consumption enables practitioners to identify harmful behaviors and evaluate behavior change. Despite instruments existing which measure these behaviors, few are tested for gender/ethnicity invariance or against measures for disordered eating behaviors and harmful alcohol consumption, rendering limited empirical support for utility. The College Eating and Drinking Behaviors Scale (CEDBS) is a three-factor, self-report measure. The purpose of this study was to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis, invariance testing, and evaluation of predictive validity. Participants included 583 traditional college students from two Southern universities who reported past 30-day alcohol consumption. Results supported the three-factor structure, and evidence of predictive validity indicates that the CEDBS measures disordered eating and alcohol misuse behaviors within the context of food and alcohol disturbance. Findings suggested the CEDBS performs similarly across genders and some ethnicities.
Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Metal-Based Cathode Electrocatalysts of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 using solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) has emerged as an attractive approach for converting CO2 to high energy molecules, such as CO, a key precursor for the ...
Population Health in the Medical School Curriculum: a Look Across the Country.

Population health (PH) is an important component of medical school education and is required for physicians to practice effectively. Identifying the number of medical schools teaching population health and the individual curricular components could lead to a better understanding of the current status of population health implementation into medical education. Between February and March 2019, medical schools in the USA were surveyed about the structure and content of their population health curriculum. Differences were analyzed by school funding and class size. Respondents were gathered from 28 (68%) public and 13 (32%) private schools; 27 (66%) schools having fewer than 150 students and 14 (34%) having greater than or equal to 150. Thirty-two schools (78%) had a structured PH curriculum. Seven (22%) only had a dedicated preclinical module and 33 (83%) had a longitudinal curriculum throughout multiple years of school. Many programs utilized flipped classroom models (n = 19, 46%); however, only 8 (20%) utilized standardized patients. Health disparities (100%), community health initiatives (88%), and preventative health guidelines (88%) are among the most commonly taught subjects. Quality improvement was taught by 34 of 41 programs (83%), but only sixteen (39%) schools required students to complete a quality improvement project. Differences in population health curricula were found between school size and funding. As evidenced by this study, most medical schools recognize the importance of population health by including it in their curriculum and a majority are incorporating the subject longitudinally into multiple years of school.
Developing a machine learning model to identify protein-protein interaction hotspots to facilitate drug discovery.

Throughout the history of drug discovery, an enzymatic-based approach for identifying new drug molecules has been primarily utilized. Recently, protein-protein interfaces that can be disrupted to identify small molecules that could be viable targets for certain diseases, such as cancer and the human immunodeficiency virus, have been identified. Existing studies computationally identify hotspots on these interfaces, with most models attaining accuracies of ~70%. Many studies do not effectively integrate information relating to amino acid chains and other structural information relating to the complex. Herein, (1) a machine learning model has been created and (2) its ability to integrate multiple features, such as those associated with amino-acid chains, has been evaluated to enhance the ability to predict protein-protein interface hotspots. Virtual drug screening analysis of a set of hotspots determined on the EphB2-ephrinB2 complex has also been performed. The predictive capabilities of this model offer an AUROC of 0.842, sensitivity/recall of 0.833, and specificity of 0.850. Virtual screening of a set of hotspots identified by the machine learning model developed in this study has identified potential medications to treat diseases caused by the overexpression of the EphB2-ephrinB2 complex, including prostate, gastric, colorectal and melanoma cancers which are linked to EphB2 mutations. The efficacy of this model has been demonstrated through its successful ability to predict drug-disease associations previously identified in literature, including cimetidine, idarubicin, pralatrexate for these conditions. In addition, nadolol, a beta blocker, has also been identified in this study to bind to the EphB2-ephrinB2 complex, and the possibility of this drug treating multiple cancers is still relatively unexplored.
Of Prosecutors and Prejudice

Over the past few years, there have been numerous news stories about prosecutors posting racially inflammatory content on their social media accounts. There have also been several incidents in recent years in which prosecutors have commented on matters of public concern on social media in a way that is not overtly racist but nonetheless raises legitimate concerns over the prosecutors’ integrity and appreciation of the special role that prosecutors play. Concerns over the extent to which prosecutors bring their personal biases into the courtroom have only increased in recent years and have contributed to the doubts as to the overall fairness of the criminal justice system, particularly as applied to people of color. These forms of extra-prosecutorial conduct tend to diminish public confidence in the impartiality, integrity, and independence of prosecutors and the criminal justice system more broadly. Currently, no rule of professional conduct speaks directly to the situation in which a prosecutor engages in such conduct in a private capacity. This Article addresses this gap in prosecutorial ethics.
Adjusting treatment effect estimates by post-stratification in randomized experiments

Summary. Experimenters often use post-stratification to adjust estimates. Post-stratification is akin to blocking, except that the number of treated units in each stratum is a random variable because stratification occurs after treatment assignment. We analyse both post-stratification and blocking under the Neyman–Rubin model and compare the efficiency of these designs. We derive the variances for a post-stratified estimator and a simple difference-in-means estimator under different randomization schemes. Post-stratification is nearly as efficient as blocking: the difference in their variances is of the order of 1/n2, with a constant depending on treatment proportion. Post-stratification is therefore a reasonable alternative to blocking when blocking is not feasible. However, in finite samples, post-stratification can increase variance if the number of strata is large and the strata are poorly chosen. To examine why the estimators’ variances are different, we extend our results by conditioning on the observed number of treated units in each stratum. Conditioning also provides more accurate variance estimates because it takes into account how close (or far) a realized random sample is from a comparable blocked experiment. We then show that the practical substance of our results remains under an infinite population sampling model. Finally, we provide an analysis of an actual experiment to illustrate our analytical results.
What Would You Do? Specialists’ Perspectives on Cancer Genetic Testing, Prophylactic Surgery, and Insurance Discrimination

PURPOSE: To examine what cancer genetics specialists predict they would do personally if they were at 50% risk of carrying a mutation that predisposes to hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (BRCA1/BRCA2) and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC). METHODS: Questionnaire survey of the membership of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Special Interest Group (SIG) in Cancer. RESULTS: Of the 296 active members of the NSGC Cancer-SIG surveyed, 163 (55%) responded. Eighty-five percent predicted that if they had a 50% risk of carrying a BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation, they would pursue genetic testing. If they tested positive for a mutation at age 35, 25% predicted they would pursue prophylactic bilateral mastectomies and 68%, prophylactic oophorectomy. Ninety-one percent of respondents believe they would pursue genetic testing for HNPCC, and 17% would elect prophylactic colectomy; 54%, prophylactic hysterectomy; and 52%, prophylactic oophorectomy if they tested positive for a mutation. The majority (68%)...
A randomized 2x2 factorial clinical trial of renal transplantation: Steroid-free maintenance immunosuppression with calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal after six months associates with improved renal function and reduced chronic histopathology

Introduction The two most significant impediments to renal allograft survival are rejection and the direct nephrotoxicity of the immunosuppressant drugs required to prevent it. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNI), a mainstay of most immunosuppression regimens, are particularly nephrotoxic. Until less toxic antirejection agents become available, the only option is to optimize our use of those at hand. Aim To determine whether intensive rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) induction followed by CNI withdrawal would individually or combined improve graft function and reduce graft chronic histopathology–surrogates for graft and, therefore, patient survival. As previously reported, a single large rATG dose over 24 hours was well-tolerated and associated with better renal function, fewer infections, and improved patient survival. Here we report testing whether complete CNI discontinuation would improve renal function and decrease graft pathology. Methods Between April 20, 2004 and 4-14-2009 we conducted a prospective, randomized, non-blinded renal transplantation trial of two rATG dosing protocols (single dose, 6 mg/kg vs. divided doses, 1.5 mg/kg every other day x 4; target enrollment = 180). Subsequent maintenance immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus, a CNI, and sirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor. We report here the outcome of converting patients after six months either to minimized tacrolimus/sirolimus or mycophenolate mofetil/sirolimus. Primary endpoints were graft function and chronic histopathology from protocol kidney biopsies at 12 and 24 months Results CNI withdrawal (on-treatment analysis) associated with better graft function (p <0.001) and lower chronic histopathology composite scores in protocol biopsies at 12 (p = 0.003) and 24 (p = 0.013) months, without affecting patient (p = 0.81) or graft (p = 0.93) survival, or rejection rate (p = 0.17). Conclusion CNI (tacrolimus) withdrawal at six months may provide a strategy for decreased nephrotoxicity and improved long-term function in steroid-free low immunological risk renal transplant patients. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00556933
Situation and Person Factors in Young Children's Communication

The influence of situation and person factors on children's nonverbal communicative responsivity was investigated during dyadic interaction. Using a person-situation interaction framework, it was hypothesized that when situations provide clear social or task cues, children will adjust their level of responsiveness to the perceived demands of the situation. When both social and task cues are provided, strength of social orientation will be related to amount of responsivity. Thirty-four same-sex and same-age dyads of three- and four-year-olds were videotaped in three situations providing orientation to social, task, or both social and task cues. Three nonverbal measures of responsivity were analyzed in an age x sex x situation design. Situation main effects were reported for all nonverbal behaviors with greater respon sivity occurring in the social situation. Field-dependent and socially-oriented children ex hibited higher levels of nonverbal responsivity in the situation providing both social and task cues.
Source localization determined by magnetoencephalography and electroencephalography in temporal lobe epilepsy: comparison with electrocorticography: technical case report.

Objective and importance Source modeling by magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) may be useful techniques for noninvasive localization of epileptogenic zones for surgery in patients with partial seizures. Clinical presentation Simultaneous recordings of MEG and EEG, obtained in two patients, were coregistered on each patient's magnetic resonance image for direct comparison of these two methods with intracranial electrocorticography. Technique The average difference between MEG and EEG for localization of the same interictal spikes was approximately 2 cm in one patient and 3.8 cm in the other patient. One patient experienced a complex partial seizure during testing, which permitted comparison between interictal and ictal source localization by both MEG and EEG. The EEG ictal localization differed from the interictal one, whereas the MEG ictal and interictal localizations were more similar. In this patient, the MEG interictal source seemed to localize close to the ictal source, whereas EEG did not. The patients underwent temporal lobectomy after electrocorticography, and the results were compared with the findings of MEG and EEG. Although the results of both techniques agreed with the findings of electrocorticography, in one patient the MEG localization seemed to be more accurate. Both patients experienced good surgical outcomes. Conclusion Both MEG and EEG source localization can add useful and complementary information for epilepsy surgery evaluation. MEG seemed to be more accurate than EEG, especially when comparing interictal versus ictal localization. Further study is needed to evaluate the validity of source localization as useful noninvasive techniques to localize the epileptogenic zone.
Weather and the “Regulation” of Subalpine Populations

Unusual spring weather climaxed by a late June snowstorm in the subalpine area around Gothic, Gunnison County, Colorado, had a profound effect on the biota. Damage to herbaceous prennial plans was extensive and the size of insect and small mammal populations was depressed. The storm caused the extinction of at least one butterfly population. The significance of these events to arguments concerning the regulation of animal population is discussed. See full-text article at JSTOR
Programmable bus/memory controllers in modern computer architecture

This paper proposes a design for a fully programmable bus/memory controller. It enumerates the various advantages of such a controller, and demonstrates how modern memory models, common processor applications, and evolving operating system utilities point towards the use of the programmable controller as the next step forward in computer architecture. It also aims to evaluate the concerns that such a controller must take. Finally, It addresses a number of possible applications of a programmable controller, giving qualitative and quantitative analysis and sample implementations of several applications.
An electrostatic model for collagen fibrils. The interaction of reconstituted collagen with Ca++, Na+, and Cl-.

A model for the electrostatic properties of hydrated collagen fibrils, based on the concept of a “penetrable” protein, has been evaluated through studies of collagen fibrils that had been chemically modified to change their electrostatic properties,. A value of 0.28 ± 0.07 ml/g was found for the intrafibrillar space sterically inaccessible to a molecule that had an equivalent spherical radius of 4.5 A. The net intrinsic charge on reconstituted collagen is +14 mol/mol under physiological conditions, but decreases, at constant pH, with ionic strength. A value of 7.1 for the pK of the histidine and α-amino groups in reconstituted collagen was obtained through the application of the electrostatic model to this effect. The values obtained for calcium binding parameters for collagen fibrils, under solution conditions in which the nonspecific electrostatic properties of collagen fibrils were eliminated (3–5 M tetramethyl ammonium chloride), were in agreement with values obtained in 0.16 M NaCl solutions calculated through the use of the electrostatic theory. These are 0.73 ± 0.23 and 56.2 ± 12.3 sites per molecule with intrinsic association constants of 1101 ± 386 and 21.4 ± 5.2 M−1, respectively. The model also predicts that an average 4-mV potential difference exists between the reconstituted collagen fibrils and physiological solutions, and that collagen fibrils under such conditions have piezoelectriclike properties. The pattern of interaction of ions with collagen fibrils is such that an allosteric mechanism for the catalytic step in the mineralization of collagen is a possibility.
Some epidemiologic and clinical features of adult seizure disorders

Abstract From epidemiologic surveys, the prevalence rate for all seizures was about 360 cases per 100,000 population and the annual incidence (attack) rate about 30–36 per 100,000, which would suggest in general an average duration of some 10–12 yr for seizures. Age-specific prevalence rates were approximately equal throughout life except for a decline after age 60, of dubious significance. “Lifetime” prevalence rates for individuals who have or have had seizures were about 550 per 100,000. Average annual incidence rates for adults with seizures approximated some 15–18 cases per 100,000 adult population. Age-specific incidence rates for all seizures indicated a generally declining rate from a maximum in the first decade of life. This is probably the resultant of two separable classes of seizure disorder: primary grand mal and secondary seizures. The primary grand mal fell at a geometric rate from a peak in infancy to 0 at about age 69, with an overall annual incidence of about 18 per 100,000 population. Secondary seizures on the other hand occurred at about equal frequency throughout life save for a possible excess in the first decade, with an annual incidence rate of some 15 per 100,000. Distributions for age at onset in a series of hospitalized veterans were quite similar to those for adults in two epidemiologic surveys. In the veterans, primary grand mal and secondary seizures due to trauma began more often in the younger years, and fits with cerebrovascular disease in the elderly. Otherwise age was no indicator of etiology. Of the secondary seizures, half were grand mal alone, this being the most common type of seizure present for most etiologic categories; focal seizures were more common in brain tumors, and psychomotor fits in focal lesions of undetermined origin. When the kind of seizure present in the veteran series was considered, grand mal alone was the type found in 2 3 of the cases. Of the grand mal convulsions, half were classed as primary (no lesion), 1 4 were caused by trauma, and the remainder were the result of tumor, infection, vascular, toxic, degenerative, or unknown-origin lesions, in equally small numbers (3–7 per cent each). Focal seizures in the veterans were found to be most often the result of tumor (38 per cent) and trauma (32 per cent), with 18 per cent of undetermined origin. Psychomotor seizures were the result of trauma in 1 2 and of unknown cause in 1 3 of the cases; tumor was found in but 7 per cent of individuals with psychomotor seizures.
Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing and Performative Architecture: Beyond Instrumentality ‐ Edited by Branko Kolarevic, Branko Kolarevic and Ali Malkawi

(2006). Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing and Performative Architecture: Beyond Instrumentality - Edited by Branko Kolarevic, Branko Kolarevic and Ali Malkawi. Journal of Architectural Education: Vol. 60, No. 1, pp. 67-68.
Health care in the social development context: Indigenous, participatory and empowering approaches

Social development scholars and practitioners have long advocated an important role for indigenization and grassroots participation in designing and implementing social development programs. Because of the recognized connection between health and social development, they have increasingly advocated for more indigenous and participatory approaches in conducting health assessments and in the delivery of health programs of relevance to individuals, families and communities. This article presents a rationale for such participatory approaches and the arguments are illustrated by case studies from two different cultural contexts.FrenchLes chercheurs et les practiciens dans le secteur du developpement social preconisent depuis longtemps l'importance d'un role autochtone et tenant compte de la base de la societe dans la planification et la mise en application de programmes de developpement social. Reconnaissant le lien entre la sante et le developpement social, ils recommandent une plus grande participation indig...
On the Charge Independence of Nuclear Forces

It is shown that the small difference between the neutron-proton and proton-proton interactions in the $^{1}S$ state can be accounted for by magnetic forces, provided the nuclear interaction is described by the Yukawa potential. A variational principle is used to facilitate the comparison of the interactions, and for the determination of the effect of magnetic forces. A short discussion of variational principles is presented in the Appendix.
Aminozuckersynthesen, X Derivate der α‐Benzyl‐N‐carbobenzoxy‐D‐galaktos‐aminiduronsäure und Synthese der 2.6‐Diamino‐2.6‐didesoxy‐D‐galaktose

Die Glykosidierung des N-Cbo-galaktosamins fuhrt zu einem Gemisch von α-und s-Anomeren, in dem das erstere uberwiegt. Ausgehend von der α-Benzyl-N-cbo-galaktosaminiduronsaure werden Derivate erhalten (Ester, Amid, Nitril), die eine Darstellung der 2.6-Diamino-2.6-didesoxy-D-galaktose ermoglichen.
Melt Flow Instability and Turbulence in Electro-Magnetically Levitated Droplets

Abstract This article addresses fluid flow instabilities and flow transition to turbulent chaotic motions through numerical analysis and turbulence in electro-magnetically levitated droplets through direct numerical simulations. Numerical implementation and computed results are presented for flow instability and turbulence flows in magnetically levitated droplets under terrestrial and microgravity conditions. The linear melt flow stability is based on the solution of the Orr-Sommerfeld linearized equations with the base flows obtained numerically using high order numerical schemes. The resulting eigenvalue problems are solved using the linear transformation or Arnold's method. Melt flow instability in a free droplet is different from that bounded by solid walls and flow transits to an unstable motion at a smaller Reynolds number and at a higher wave number in a free droplet. Also, flow instability depends strongly on the base flow structure. Numerical experiments suggest that the transition to the unstabl...
Rapid ligation of renal hilum during transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy

We describe our surgical technique for rapid ligation of the renal hilum during transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy. This technique is reliable and provides an efficient method of hilar ligation.
Multivariate evaluation of interactive robot systems

In designing robot systems for human interaction, designers draw on aspects of human behavior that help them achieve specific design goals. For instance, the designer of an educational robot system may use speech, gaze, and gesture cues in a way that enhances its student's learning. But what set of behaviors improve such outcomes? How might designers of such a robot system determine this set of behaviors? Conventional approaches to answering such questions primarily involve designers carrying out a series of experiments in which they manipulate a small number of design variables and measure the effects of these manipulations on specific interaction outcomes. However, these methods become infeasible when the design space is large and when the designer needs to understand the extent to which each variable contributes to achieving the desired effects. In this paper, we present a novel multivariate method for evaluating what behaviors of interactive robot systems improve interaction outcomes. We illustrate the use of this method in a case study in which we explore how different types of narrative gestures of a storytelling robot improve its users' recall of the robot's story, their ability to retell the robot's story, their perceptions of and rapport with the robot, and their overall engagement in the experiment.
Hamiltonian formalism and the state of a physical system

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to trace in a brief and readable manner, the evolution of mechanics from Newton to quantum mechanics. The key to the transition is the Hamiltonian formalism. We produce Hamilton's equations in special cases to give some sense of the importance and intrinsic interest in this formalism. Several examples are given to illustrate the power of the techniques. The idea of the “state” of a physical system is discussed and connections to quantum mechanics are made.
Seedling Rate of Development Index: Indicator of Vigor and Seedling Growth Response

Seedling growth analysis has been shown to be a useful tool to supplement the results of the standard viability test when evaluating seed lots for vigor. A number od indices have been proposed to describe the vigor of a particular seed lot. Few of these indices have been rigorously tested for their response to varying hypothetical emergence distributions during initial seedling development. Seedling rate of development index (SRDI), which incorporates the concepts of completeness, rate, uniformity of germination, and morphological development during initial seedling growth, was compared with five previously published indices of seed vigor. The indices were evaluated for their response to emergence distributions, which varied by number of mode levels, degree and direction of skewness, kurtosis, and seedling mortality after initial emergence. None of the five previously published vigor indices gave satisfactory results for all of the simulated conditions. The SRDI produced acceptable results for all test conditions and was particularly good for detecting latent seedling mortality after initial emergence. Data from actual seed lots grown under controlled conditions did not dispel the conclusions based on simulations. The SRDI may be a useful supplementary tool to use in combination with standard germination percentage when evaluating seedling vigor of different seed lots or genetic stocks or when measuring seedling response to varying environmental conditions
MEASUREMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF INTERSTITIAL AND OVERLYING WATER AMMONIA AND HYDROGEN SULFIDE IN SEDIMENT TOXICITY TESTS

Abstract Hydrogen sulfide and ammonia are naturally occurring and anthropogenically enriched components of marine sediments which may occur in concentrations toxic to marine organisms. In this study, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were measured in interstitial and overlying water at the initiation and termination of solid phase toxicity tests using amphipods (Rhepoxynius abronius). Interstitial hydrogen sulfide concentrations were generally higher than overlying concentrations, presumably because hydrogen sulfide that diffused from sediments was quickly volatilized in the overlying water. Unionized ammonia concentrations were higher in interstitial water at test initiation, but were often higher in overlying water after 10 day exposures. The pH was higher in overlying water samples than in interstitial samples, and contributed to increased proportions of unionized ammonia in the overlying water. Concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia above the effects threshold for Rhepoxynius occurred more predominantly in the interstitial water. Eight of twelve treatments with high hydrogen sulfide concentrations, and five of eight treatments with high ammonia concentrations, had significant toxicity. Based on these results we suggest measuring initial and final interstitial concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, and initial and final concentrations of overlying ammonia. A precise method of sulfide measurement in seawater is presented, based on techniques and equations from the literature.
29 Burn‐induced GI dysmotility in severe burn injury

Introduction: Severe burn injury is known to delay gastric emptying in both animals and humans; however no data are available on its effect on gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA). We aimed at studying the effect of burn injury on GMA as it might contribute to burn-induced delayed gastric emptying. Methods: Surgical implantation of a pair of cardiac pacemaker wires onto the stomach serosa was carried out in 20 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Following recovery, GMA was recorded for 30 min in both fasting and fed conditions. The following day, rats received a sham or a 3rd degree scald burn injury under anesthesia. Proper fluid resuscitation and analgesia were given to all animals. Six hours after sham/burn injury, GMA was recorded for 30 min again in both fasting and fed conditions. A methylcellulose meal was mixed with phenol red (marker), so that the percentage of gastric emptying could be calculated based on the amount of phenol red recovered from the stomach. GMA parameters were computed using previously validated spectral analysis software developed in our laboratory, including dominant frequency/power and percentages of normal slow waves, bradygastria, tachygastria and arrhythmia. The normal slow wave frequency range was 4–6 cycles per min (cpm) in rats, while ≤4 cpm and ≥6 cpm were considered bradygastria and tachygastria respectively. Arrhythmia was established if the slow wave frequency had no specific range. Results: 1) None of GMA parameters showed any statistical differences in the fasting condition after burn (p > 0.05). 2) Significant changes in GMA with burn were only observed postprandially, including: a decrease in dominant frequency (4.5 ± 0.2 vs. 5.1 ± 0.2, p = 0.002) and in the percentage of normal slow waves (67.2 ± 7.3 vs. 84.5 ± 4.1, p = 0.02) and an increase in the percentage of bradygastria (24.7 ± 6.8 vs. 9 ± 3.9, p = 0.02). 3) The percentage of gastric emptying was decreased after burn to 40.3 ± 6.5 vs. 77 ± 3.2 in previously obtained controls (p = 0.0003); however, it did not correlate significantly to any of GMA parameters before or after burn, whether in fasting or in fed conditions (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Severe burn injury impairs both GMA and gastric emptying in rats. However, these alterations are not correlated with each other, suggesting that gastric dysrhythmia is a manifestation of burn rather than the cause of burn-induced delayed gastric emptying.
On the decays π0→νν′

Abstract Phenomenological aspects of π0→νν′ are considered. From the existing experimental information, we deduce an upper limit Γ(π 0 →νν′) Γ(π 0 → all ) −5 (90% c.l. ) . Possible mechanisms which can give rise to this process are discussed. Branching ratios of the order of 10−6 for decays into the known neutrinos (νe, νμ) are found possible. Rates comparable to the experimental limit for decays into final states involving additional neutrinos (massive or massless) cannot be ruled out.
The serotonergic system in mood disorders and suicidal behaviour

A stress-diathesis explanatory model of suicidal behaviour has proved to be of heuristic value, and both clinical and neurobiological components can be integrated into such a model. A trait deficiency in serotonin input to the anterior cingulate and ventromedial prefrontal cortex is found in association with suicide, and more recently non-fatal suicidal behaviour, and is linked to decision-making and suicide intent by imaging and related studies in vivo. The same neural circuitry and serotonin deficiency may contribute to impulsive aggressive traits that are part of the diathesis for suicidal behaviour and are associated with early onset mood disorders and greater risk for suicidal behaviour. Other brain areas manifest deficient serotonin input, that is, a trait related to recurrent major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Thus the serotonin system is involved in both the diathesis for suicidal behaviour in terms of decision-making, and to a major stressor, namely episodes of major depression.
Optimizing CARS signal using coherent control methods

We demonstrate the adiabatic passage based method to maximize CARS coherence and present numerical results of the roof scheme implementation without making an assumption of adiabatic elimination of detuned excited electronic states. Also we analyze influence of fast decoherence in the molecular samples on the results of proposed scheme. It is shown that the adiabatic method allows achieving chemical sensitivity with high resolution and can be used to obtain CARS signal with efficiently suppressed background in molecular systems with coherence times of several hundred of femtoseconds.