cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Program execution based module cohesion measurement

Module cohesion describes the degree to which different actions performed by a module contribute towards a unified function. High module cohesion is a desirable property of a program. The program modifications during successive maintenance interventions can have negative effect on the structure of the program resulting in less cohesive modules. Therefore, metrics that measure module cohesion are important for software restructuring during maintenance. The existing static slice based module cohesion metrics significantly overestimate cohesion due to the limitations of static slicing. In this paper, we present a novel program execution based approach to measure module cohesion of legacy software. We define cohesion metrics based on definition-use pairs in the dynamic slices of the outputs. Our approach significantly improves the accuracy of cohesion measurement. We implemented our technique and measured module cohesion for several programs. Cohesion measurements using our technique were found to be more insightful than static slice based measurements.
Voltage- and current-based fault simulation for interconnect open defects

This paper describes a highly accurate and efficient fault simulator for interconnect opens in combinational or full-scan digital CMOS circuits. The analog behavior of the wires with interconnect opens is modeled very efficiently in the vicinity of the defect in order to predict what logic levels the fanout gates will interpret and whether a sufficient IDDQ current will be flowing inside the fanout gates. The fault simulation method is based on characterizing the standard cell library with SPICE, using transistor charge equations for the site of the open, using logic simulation for the rest of the circuit, taking four different factors that can affect the voltage of an open into account, and considering the potential oscillation and sequential behavior of interconnect opens. The tool can simulate test vectors for both voltage and current measurements. Simulation results of ISCAS85 layouts using stuck-at and IDDQ test sets are presented.
Learners on the back-end: students contributing to web-based information systems

What happens when students, instead of merely drawing from online information resources, organize and populate such resources? In this paper we discuss how collaboratively creating web-based information resources might contribute to learning. We are currently studying two communities that are creating such resources using a prototype system we've designed.
Cooperative problem solving in a social carnivore

Numerous field researchers have described cooperative hunting in social carnivores, but experimental evidence of cooperative problem solving typically derives from laboratory studies of nonhuman primates. We present the first experimental evidence of cooperation in a social carnivore, the spotted hyaena, Crocuta crocuta. Eight captive hyaenas, paired in 13 combinations, coordinated their behaviour temporally and spatially to solve cooperation tasks that modelled group-hunting strategies. Unlike many primates that cooperate infrequently or require extensive shaping, spotted hyaenas displayed a natural aptitude for teamwork: all teams achieved success rapidly, repeatedly, and without specific training. Social influences on cooperative performance included an audience effect that could influence party formation and hunting success in the wild. Performance also varied across dyads, notably with rank-related aggression between partners impairing performance. Efficiency improved as partners increasingly attended to one another and coordinated their actions. Lastly, experienced cooperators modified their behaviour to accommodate a naive companion, using visual monitoring and tracking to promote coordination. We suggest that social carnivores should be considered relevant models for the study of cooperative problem solving, as their abilities provide a comparative framework for testing theories about the mechanisms of social learning and the evolution of intelligence.
Clinicopathological conference: A case of more than a sprained ankle.

A 35-year-old African American woman presented to the emergency department (ED) with the chief complaint of pain in the right ankle after falling down several steps. Upon further questioning, the patient admitted that she had fallen down the stairs because she had had trouble seeing them. She described complete vision loss in the left eye for four days before ED arrival after painless, progressive blurring of two weeks’ duration. Additionally, while in the ED, she began to complain of headache and right eye pain, with blurring of vision. Before the onset of these new visual symptoms, she had never had any ophthalmologic ailments. Review of systems was significant only for chronic sinus congestion and frequent epistaxsis over the prior one to two months. Her past medical history included pregnancy-induced hypertension and an allergy to amoxicillin. She was not taking any medications and did not abuse tobacco, illicit drugs, or alcohol. Physical examination showed normal vital signs and in general, a well appearing woman who was complaining only of ankle pain and swelling. Thorough examination of her head, ears, nose, and throat showed a normocephalic/atraumatic head and an otherwise normal examination. The ocular examination showed intact extraocular muscles, an afferent pupillary defect of the left eye, and no light perception with the left eye. The right eye had a reactive pupil and a visual acuity of 20/40. Slit lamp examination result was normal bilaterally. The fundoscopic examination showed blurred disc margins bilaterally, consistent with papilledema. Examination of the neck, heart, lungs, and abdomen was normal. Extremity examination showed edema and tenderness over the right lateral malleolus, without ecchymosis or bony deformity. Ambulation was possible with the assistance of a cane but was limited secondary to pain. Routine laboratory analysis included a complete blood count and chemistry profile, rapid plasma reagin (RPR), sedimentation rate, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) level, lysozyme, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody, and a Lyme titer. Additionally, the patient had ankle radiographs taken, which were normal; her chest radiograph and head computed tomography (CT) scan are presented for review in Figures 1, 2a, and 2b. Upon review of the head CT scan, medical therapy was immediately started and neurosurgery was consulted. The head of the bed remained elevated. Repeated examinations showed declining visual acuity of the patient’s right eye. Routine laboratory results were normal, except for an elevated sedimentation rate (ESR) of 34. The patient was transferred to a tertiary care center for further evaluation and treatment.
Permeability and Structural Characteristics of Isolated Nuclei from Chaetopterus Eggs

The germinal vesicle of the mature Chaetopterus egg is invested by an envelope which can be seen in electron micrographs to contain "pores" in its bilaminar structure. While under continuous microscopic observation, individual germinal vesicles were isolated in various test solutions by an extremely gentle method. Repeated measurements of nuclear diameter and of optical path differences with an interference microscope provided data on changes in mass after isolation. It was found that bovine serum albumin can readily penetrate the nuclear envelope of the isolated nucleus and that there are soluble elements which rapidly diffuse out. A relatively non-diffusible mass is lost at a much slower rate, the proportion of soluble to non-diffusible mass being dependent on the ionic environment. Calcium and manganese increase the proportion of the non-diffusible mass at the expense of the soluble components, while potassium decreases it. The shape and size of the isolated nucleus is at least partially dependent on the non-diffusible mass of its interior. Digestion with trypsin causes a complete structural collapse and loss of the non-diffusible elements, along with disappearance of the nucleolus. The nucleus shrinks and becomes wrinkled. A small residual mass is left which is probably associated with the nuclear envelope. Digestion with RNase or DNase causes no detectable effect on the isolated nucleus. Micromanipulation of the isolated nucleus consistently indicates that there are strands emanating from the nucleus. They may be up to several hundred microns long, are structurally strong, and are not destroyed by trypsin, RNase, or DNase. Electron micrographs of thin sections of intact cells show that the germinal vesicle is highly irregular in outline with complex evaginations extending into the cytoplasm. With the light microscope the isolated nucleus looks spherical and smooth and no emanating strands can be seen. The nature of the strands is not known.
Genomic and neural analysis of the estradiol-synthetic pathway in the zebra finch

Steroids are small molecule hormones derived from cholesterol. Steroids affect many tissues, including the brain. In the zebra finch, estrogenic steroids are particularly interesting because they masculinize the neural circuit that controls singing and their synthesis in the brain is modulated by experience. Here, we analyzed the zebra finch genome assembly to assess the content, conservation, and organization of genes that code for components of the estrogen-synthetic pathway and steroid nuclear receptors. Based on these analyses, we also investigated neural expression of a cholesterol transport protein gene in the context of song neurobiology. We present sequence-based analysis of twenty steroid-related genes using the genome assembly and other resources. Generally, zebra finch genes showed high homology to genes in other species. The diversity of steroidogenic enzymes and receptors may be lower in songbirds than in mammals; we were unable to identify all known mammalian isoforms of the 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase families in the zebra finch genome assembly, and not all splice sites described in mammals were identified in the corresponding zebra finch genes. We did identify two factors, Nobox and NR1H2-RXR, that may be important for coordinated transcription of multiple steroid-related genes. We found very little qualitative overlap in predicted transcription factor binding sites in the genes for two cholesterol transport proteins, the 18 kDa cholesterol transport protein (TSPO) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). We therefore performed in situ hybridization for TSPO and found that its mRNA was not always detected in brain regions where StAR and steroidogenic enzymes were previously shown to be expressed. Also, transcription of TSPO, but not StAR, may be regulated by the experience of hearing song. The genes required for estradiol synthesis and action are represented in the zebra finch genome assembly, though the complement of steroidogenic genes may be smaller in birds than in mammals. Coordinated transcription of multiple steroidogenic genes is possible, but results were inconsistent with the hypothesis that StAR and TSPO mRNAs are co-regulated. Integration of genomic and neuroanatomical analyses will continue to provide insights into the evolution and function of steroidogenesis in the songbird brain.
The Effect of Speededness on Parameter Estimation in Item Response Theory

There is a paucity of research in item response theory (IRT) examining the consequences of violating the implicit assumption of nonspeededness. In this study, test data were simulated systematically under various speeded conditions. The three factors considered in relation to speededness were proportion of test not reached (5%, 10%, and 15%), response to not reached (blank vs. random response), and item ordering (random vs. easy to hard). The effects of these factors on parameter estimation were then examined by comparing the item and ability parameter estimates with the known true parameters. Results indicated that the ability estimation was least affected by speededness in terms of the correlation between true and estimated ability parameters. On the other hand, substantial effects of speededness were observed among item parameter estimates. Recommendations for minimizing the effects of speededness are discussed.
Applications of Competitor RNA in Diagnostic Reverse Transcription-PCR

Detection of RNA viruses by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR has proven to be a useful approach for the diagnosis of infections caused by many viral pathogens. However, adequate controls are required for each step of the RT-PCR protocol to ensure the accuracies of diagnostic test results. Heterologous competitor RNA can be used as a control for a number of different aspects of diagnostic RT-PCR. Competitor RNA can be applied to assessments of the efficiency of RNA recovery during extraction procedures, detection of endogenous RT-PCR inhibitors that could lead to false-negative results, and quantification of viral template in samples used for diagnosis; competitor RNA can also be used as a positive control for the RT-PCR. In the present study, heterologous competitor RNA was synthesized by a method that uses two long oligonucleotide primers containing primer binding sites for RT-PCR amplification of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus or West Nile virus. Amplification of the competitor RNA by RT-PCR resulted in a product that was easily distinguished from the amplification product of viral RNA by agarose gel electrophoresis. Assessment of a variety of RNA samples prepared from routine submissions to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory found that either partial or complete inhibition of the RT-PCR could be demonstrated for approximately 20% of the samples. When inhibition was detected, either dilution of the sample or RNA extraction by an alternative protocol proved successful in eliminating the source of inhibition.
Sex differences in social support in sororities and fraternities

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to assess differences between sorority and fraternity members with regard to the social support provided by the “sisters”; and “brothers”; with whom they live. Based on sex differences in communication in general, and the few findings of sex differences in social support, two research questions were posed: Do members of sororities and fraternities differ in the social support they provide? How do the various types of social support compare with each other within fraternities and within sororities? Differences found in this study corroborate results of research on sex differences in communication that characterize women as using communication to connect with, support, and achieve closeness with others, and men using communication to accomplish some task and to assert their individuality. In general, differences were mostly confined to two of the eight types of social support studied: members of sororities, in comparison to members of fraternities, reported bei...
The function of an interdisciplinary health care team in the rehabilitation of the person with an ostomy

This paper describes the functioning of an interdisciplinary health care team in the treatment and rehabilitation of a person who undergoes ostomy surgery. Its focus is on role expertise, integration, and shared responsibilities that are necessary for a team of medical and related health care professionals who must work together for the well-being of the patient and family member. Implications and recommendations for utilization of an interdisciplinary approach to the delivery of health care services are made.
Peru's colonial wine industry and its European background

Among the industrial crafts introduced into the Hispanic New World was the growing of grapes, and the making of wine at a grand scale. The technology and the artefacts of wine-making in Spain were, in their turn, largely those of the Roman world. These continuities, and their changing contexts, are evident in this study of the wine-making bodegas of a Peruvian valley.
Atomistically informed stochastic multiscale model to predict the behavior of carbon nanotube-enhanced nanocomposites

A comprehensive, point-information-to-continuum-level analysis framework is presented in this paper to accurately characterize the behavior of carbon nanotube (CNT)-enhanced composite materials. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to study sub-nanoscale interactions of the CNT with the polymeric phase of the nanocomposite. The effect of cross-linking between the epoxy resin and the hardener on the mechanical properties of the polymer is investigated; furthermore, the effect of CNT weight fraction on the probability distribution of polymer cross-linking degree is also studied through stochastic models. The stochastic distributions obtained from MD simulations provide a basis to simulate local variations in the matrix properties in the continuum model at the microscale. The inclusion of an atomistically informed elastic–plastic model at the microscale reveals a significant deviation of the mechanical properties from those obtained based on classical homogenization approaches. Microstructural variability arising from heterogeneous cross-linking degree in the polymer phase and variations in fiber geometry and spacing is also found to cause deviations in the mechanical response when compared to the assumption of a perfectly ordered fiber–matrix microstructure.
Cryopreservation of fetal rat and non-human primate mesencephalic neurons: viability in culture and neural transplantation.

Publisher Summary The availability, storage, testing, and transportation of donor tissue are significant practical problems associated with the potential use of grafted neural cell replacements in human neurodegenerative diseases. This chapter describes the applicability of cryopreservation on fetal rat and non-human primate mesencephalic neurons that is initially tested on rat ventral midbrain tissue, and subsequently applied to non-human primate midbrain tissue. Direct comparison of fresh to frozen-stored rat tissue in culture and intrastriatal grafts indicates that cryopreservation reduces the number of cells available for use, but those neurons, which tolerate the procedure appear typical in morphology. However, cryopreservation of fetal monkey dopamine neurons yields viable cells in both culture and intrastriatal grafts. While cryopreserved brain tissue yields fewer cells, dopamine neurons that tolerate freeze-storage survive and grow in culture and neural grafts. Thus, freeze-storage of developing brain tissue may provide a means to establish cell banks allowing adequate storage, tissue typing, and transportation of tissue for use in neural grafting.
The effects of supplementing beef cows grazing cornstalk residue with a dried distillers grain based cube on cow and calf performance1

ABSTRACT Multiparous beef females (n = 832) were used to study the effects of supplementing cows grazing cornstalk residue with a dried distillers grain based cube on cow and calf performance. Cows were blocked by age, BCS, BW, and calving date and assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) supplemented with protein and energy using a dried distillers grain based cube or 2) not supplemented (control) during the last trimester of pregnancy. Cow BW was similar at initiation and at the end of cornstalk grazing, and at the initiation of the breeding season. Supplementation did not affect BCS at the start of breeding (5.4 ± 0.1) or at the initiation of cornstalk grazing the subsequent year. Body condition score of supplemented cows was greater (P = 0.02) at the end of cornstalk grazing compared with that of control cows (5.6 vs. 5.4 ± 0.1). Calving interval, calf birth weight, and calf weaning weight were not different. Percentage of cows cyclic before breeding and final pregnancy rates did not differ. Heifer progeny (n = 306) retained as replacements were similar in initial weight (277.5 ± 10.2 kg), final weight (351 ± 11.5 kg), initial and final BCS, and ADG (0.45 ± 0.04 kg/d). Age at puberty, response to synchronization, AI conception and pregnancy rates, and final pregnancy rates were not different. Supplementation of a dried distillers grain based cube to cows grazing cornstalks improves BCS in the last trimester without affecting reproduction, calf performance, or reproductive performance of heifer progeny.
Climate Shocks and the Timing of Migration from Mexico.

Although evidence is increasing that climate shocks influence human migration, it is unclear exactly when people migrate after a climate shock. A climate shock might be followed by an immediate migration response. Alternatively, migration, as an adaptive strategy of last resort, might be delayed and employed only after available in situ (in-place) adaptive strategies are exhausted. In this paper, we explore the temporally lagged association between a climate shock and future migration. Using multilevel event-history models, we analyze the risk of Mexico-US migration over a seven-year period after a climate shock. Consistent with a delayed response pattern, we find that the risk of migration is low immediately after a climate shock and increases as households pursue and cycle through in situ adaptive strategies available to them. However, about 3 years after the climate shock, the risk of migration decreases, suggesting that households are eventually successful in adapting in situ.
Influence of perfusion time on norepinephrine uptake, heart rate and intracellular cations in guinea pig hearts.

SummaryThe present study has shown that there is a deficiency in the ability of an adrenergic neurone to take up norepinephrine for a period of time after removing the heart from the guinea pig. An increase in intracellular sodium parallels the decrease in uptake. There is a return toward the normal environment upon continued perfusion. These studies have obvious implications in investigations carried out on the effect of drugs and other perturbations on the uptake of norepinephrine.The authors are grateful to Mrs. Ann Leighton, Miss Mary Brasted and Mrs. Brenda Graham for excellent technical assistance.
Effect of glutathione on ribonuclease

GSH, but not GSSG, inhibits the reactivation by phosphate ion of ribonuclease activity inactivated by urea or guanidine. The effects of GSH are rather slow and pretreatment of ribonuclease with urea is a requisite for the inhibitory action of GSH on enzyme reactivation. GSH is more effective in urea than in guanidine and its action is greatly enhanced by EDTA. An optimum pH of about 9.0 was found for the inhibitory effect of GSH. Titration of the thiol groups formed after inactivation of ribonuclease by GSH strongly suggests that the reduction of only one disulphide linkage is involved. The reduction of this bond is sufficient to completely abolish the enzymic activity.
233 DOES OUTPATIENT PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT LEAD TO BETTER CONTROL OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IN OLDER ADULTS

Background It is plausible that hypertensive older adults with outpatient prescription drug benefit (OPDB) attain better blood pressure control than those without OPDB; however, this has not been rigorously studied. Methods We performed a one-year retrospective cohort study among participants in Health ABC, a cohort of 3,075 well-functioning black and white men and women aged 70-79 years from Memphis, TN, and Pittsburgh, PA. Hypertension (HTN) was defined using JNC-VII criteria. Participants were informed if their blood pressure was elevated. Detailed health and socioeconomic information was obtained at baseline and participants had standardized measurements of blood pressure annually. Results Of 3075 participants, 1192 (39%) had HTN. Of these, we excluded 20 participants for unknown status of OPDB. After one year, 643/1172 (55%) had persistent hypertension (pHTN), whereas the remaining 541 (45%) had controlled hypertension (cHTN). 402 (55%) of patients with OPDB had pHTN compared to 241 (55%) of those with no OPDB (OR = 1.0, 0.8-1.3). This relationship was unchanged when controlling for other sociodemographic and clinical factors (OR = 0.9, 0.8-1.0). In the multivariable analysis, having previous history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and being on antihypertensive medication, increased the odds for pHTN by 21%, 25%, and 28% (p Conclusion In this high-functioning older cohort with HTN, less than half achieved good BP control within a year of initial measurement. While OPDB was not associated with achieving control in this population, being on anti-hypertensive medication, hyperlipidemia, and previous history of hypertension were all associated with increased risk of pHTN.
Discussion on Compatibility of Prescription and Its Bidirectional Regulation Effect

To discuss the importance and the bidirectional regulation effect in the compatibility of prescription.
Angiotensin II regulates nephrogenesis and renal vascular development

To test the hypothesis that angiotensin II (ANG II) is necessary for normal embryonic and postnatal kidney development, the effect of angiotensin receptor blockade or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition on nephrovascular development was studied in newborn Sprague-Dawley rats and in Rana catesbeiana tadpoles undergoing prometamorphosis. Blockade of ANG II type 1 receptor (AT1) in newborn rats induced an arrest in nephrovascular maturation and renal growth, resulting in altered kidney architecture, characterized by fewer, thicker, and shorter afferent arterioles, reduced glomerular size and number, and tubular dilatation. Inhibition of ANG II generation in tadpoles induced even more marked developmental renal abnormalities. Blockade of ANG II type 2 receptor (AT2) in newborn rats did not alter renal growth or morphology. Results indicate that ANG II regulates nephrovascular development, a role that is conserved across species.
Growth of CVD Diamond for Electronic Applications

Single crystal diamond has a unique combination of electronic and materials properties that would be useful for a number of electronic applications. For instance, the extremely high thermal conductivity of diamond combined with its low dielectric constant provide an ideal combination for heat spreaders for high power devices such as laser diodes. High temperature, high power, and high frequency device applications could take advantage of the semiconducting properties of diamond, its high carrier mobility, and its wide bandgap. Values for these and other relevant diamond properties are given in Table 3.1, along with methods for evaluating them.
Blending across the curriculum

By deliberately planning a number of blended courses within the science curriculum a more learner-centred program was created. This paper presents evidence that blending can improve efficiency as measured by increases in student satisfaction, increased enrolment, greater flexibility with scheduling, and shorter time to graduation. By deploying similar pedagogies and technologies across a range of courses the extraneous cognitive load for learners can be decreased. The most important technologies discussed in this article are: screencasting, clickers, and online quizzes. The findings presented here suggest that blending across an entire curriculum holds great potential for institutions to increase efficiency and effectiveness of programs.
Postprandial sleepiness: objective documentation via polysomnography

Fifteen normal volunteers were evaluated to assess the effect of a meal on sleep onset latency. The meal was administered in a counterbalanced design on 1 of 2 successive days. Subjects napped 20 min subsequent to the meal (or at the corresponding time on the no-meal day) and 1 h after the initiation of the first nap. Ten subjects completed the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) on arriving at the laboratory, and just prior to nap 1 and nap 2. Sleep onset latency after the meal was not significantly different from that obtained under the no-meal condition, but was significantly less on nap 1 as compared with nap 2 irrespective of day or meal. SSS did not reveal subjective differences in sleepiness between the initial estimate and the postmeal estimate. Only five subjects showed a decrease in sleep onset latency postprandially (1-11 min). Although group differences in postprandial sleepiness were not documented, the phenomenon was clearly exhibited by certain individuals. Thus, postprandial sleepiness is not an invariable consequence of meal ingestion; rather, it appears to be affected by numerous variables such as hunger, volume of the meal, and meal constituents.
The Nature of Nature

John Dewey’s philosophy of experience offers a view of the nature of nature than can help us to reconceive schooling. Dewey offers us a set of the generic traits of existences, including interaction, temporality, complexity, and qualitative uniqueness. When we experience doubt or uncertainty, we examine distinctions and relations as part of inquiry, which is how we deal with environmental complexity. We acquire habits, including knowledge and meaning, through the use of intelligence and imagination in the attempt to secure desired goods. An example of social inquiry is given and discussed, with an emphasis on the difference between standards and criteria.
Ulnar Distraction Osteogenesis in the Treatment of Forearm Deformities in Children With Multiple Hereditary Exostoses.

Purpose To report on the outcomes of using ulnar lengthening combined with acute angular correction for the treatment of forearm deformities in patients affected by multiple hereditary exostoses (MHE). Our hypothesis was that this procedure would improve both radiographic measurements and clinical outcomes with minimal complications. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who had a diagnosis of MHE and had undergone ulnar lengthening via a uniplanar external fixator over a 12-year period. Clinical outcomes such as range of motion, pain, and surgical complications were assessed. Radiographic changes were measured using interval radiographs. Results The series included 17 patients. Median age at surgery was 7 years (range, 3–14 years). Median follow up was 55 months (range, 5–125 months). Improvements occurred in radial and ulnar radii of curvature, carpal slip, ulnar variance, and carrying angle at the elbow. There was 1 major pin track infection. There were 2 failures of the external fixator requiring exchange. Premature consolidation occurred in 1 case. Elbow, forearm, and wrist motion was not affected. Radiocapitellar joint congruency did not change. No patient reported pain at final follow-up. Conclusions Our approach of using distraction osteogenesis of the ulna with angular correction in the radius and ulna as needed is able to correct carpal slip as well as to improve forearm bowing and elbow carrying angle. All of the patients maintained congruency of the radiocapitellar joint with no postoperative dislocations. Because of the low complication rate, the resolution of pain in patients who presented with pain, and the improvement of forearm bowing, this approach should be considered as a treatment option for children with MHE who are at risk for radiocapitellar dislocation. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Moving-water equilibria preserving central-upwind schemes for the shallow water equations

We construct a new second-order moving-water equilibria preserving central-upwind scheme for the one-dimensional Saint-Venant system of shallow water equations. Special reconstruction procedure and source term discretization are the key components that guarantee the resulting scheme is capable of exactly preserving smooth moving-water steady-state solutions and a draining time-step technique ensures positivity of the water depth. Several numerical experiments are performed to verify the well-balanced and positivity preserving properties as well as the ability of the proposed scheme to accurately capture small perturbations of moving-water steady states. We also demonstrate the advantage and importance of utilizing the new method over its still-water equilibria preserving counterpart.
Pathways to Satisfaction

It can hardly be surprising to learn that an elite group, however chosen, is satisfied with its general position in society. For members of the Swedish elite, whose origins are overwhelmingly found in the privileged social classes, anything less than similarly overwhelming levels of satisfaction would be particularly surprising. To report that virtually all (97%) of the officials we interviewed accept the present social order in Sweden, therefore, can hardly be regarded as unusual—or even very interesting. As we shall observe in a later chapter, however, this proportion of satisfied officials is higher in Sweden than in any other nation for which we have data.1 Indeed, only among Swedish officials are there many (12 and 14 percent of administrators and politicians, respectively, or 43 people) who are judged to be “passionate” defenders of the status quo. Privileged origin is surely relevant to any appreciation of Swedish elite satisfaction but, in view of the many programs of social redistribution that have been undertaken during the past two generations,2 it is also problematic. Why should a privileged elite be so content with the systematic elimination of the very privileges that gained them “elite” status? Should not, in fact, an elite thought to harbor considerable resistance to social reform be quite unhappy with the reforms of the past thirty years? Or is this a group of “bourgeois radicals” who willingly accept, and even lead, changes that undermine their own social status?
The Nrf2 activator, tBHQ, inhibits the early production of IL-2, but not CD69 induction, in primary murine splenocytes and human Jurkat T cells

Nrf2 is a transcription factor that is activated by cell stress, such as the presence of oxidative compounds. After activation and translocation to the nucleus, Nrf2 binds to and induces the transc...
Maternal separation diminishes α-adrenergic receptor density and function in renal vasculature from male Wistar-Kyoto rats.

Adult rats exposed to maternal separation (MatSep) are normotensive but display lower glomerular filtration rate and increased renal neuroadrenergic drive. The aim of this study was to determine th...
Lisbon Stories: Migration, Community and Intercultural Relations in Contemporary Cinema and Literature

This essay focuses on immigration in contemporary Portugal and social phenomena related to community, intercultural relations, and citizenship as represented in acclaimed cinematic and literary texts. The objects of analysis are the Brazilian film Terra estrangeira (1996) by directors Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas, the Brazilian novel Estive em Lisboa e lembrei de voce (2009) by Luiz Ruffato, and the Portuguese film Viagem a Portugal (2011) by Sergio Trefaut.
Is Presumed Consent a Morally Permissible Policy for Organ Donation

The Catholic position on organ donation rests on several important points. Among them are: (1) the act of donating a life-saving organ is an act of love that is to be praised, (2) organ donation is an act of giving, and (3) to be licit, an organ donation must be made with the full informed consent of the donor. In any system of organ procurement that takes consent seriously, there will inevitably be people whose wishes about organ donation are not known after they die. In such cases we must have a default position. We must either presume non-consent and not take the organs, or presume consent and take the organs. I make a case that a system of presumed consent could be morally permissible within the framework of the Catholic principles stated above. After outlining the Catholic view, I move to a discussion of informed consent and its relationship to autonomy. I explore how different models of autonomy provide different answers to the question of how we should proceed in cases of organ procurement when a person’s wishes are unknown. Finally, I examine the role of personal autonomy in the context of Catholic moral teaching. While autonomy does not have absolute value, it nevertheless plays an important role in human flourishing. Further, even in this limited role, respect for autonomy can ground a good argument that a system of presumed consent would not be wrong in principle from a Catholic perspective.
Meteorological observations and system performance from the nasa D3R's first 5 years

The NASA dual-frequency, dual-polarization, Doppler radar (D3R) [1] was conceived and developed to support ground validation (GV) operations of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission [2]. The D3R operates in the same frequencies bands, Ku- and Ka-band, as GPM's dual-frequency precipitation radar enabling direct comparisons of microphysical observations of precipitation. The D3R radar is shown in Figure 1. To support the GPM GV mission, D3R substantively participated in four field campaigns in North America with diverse geographic features covering both winter and summer conditions.
Enhanced fear and altered neuronal activation in forebrain limbic regions of CX3CR1-deficient mice

Mounting evidence supports immune dysfunction in psychiatric conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The association of immunomodulatory mechanisms with PTSD-relevant behavior and physiology is not well understood. Communication between neurons and microglia, resident immune cells of the central nervous system, is crucial for optimal regulation of behavior and physiology. In this regard, the fractalkine CX3CL1, secreted from neurons and its target, the microglial CX3CR1 receptor represent a primary neuron-microglia inter-regulatory system important for synaptic plasticity and function. The current study investigated the impact of CX3CR1 deficiency on behaviors relevant to PTSD, such as fear acquisition and memory, acoustic startle response and anxiety-like behavior. Morphological analysis of microglia and neuronal activation within PTSD-relevant forebrain nuclei regulating stress and fear behaviors was also conducted. CX3CR1-deficient (CX3CR1−/−) mice elicited increased fear acquisition as well as reinstatement of fear as compared to wild type (CX3CR1+/+) mice. Conditioned fear and extinction were not significantly different between genotypes. No significant differences were observed in unconditioned acoustic startle response between genotypes. CX3CR1−/− mice showed reduced anxiety-like behaviors as compared with CX3CR1+/+ mice. Morphological assessment of microglia showed region-selective effects of CX3CR1 deficiency, primarily within hypothalamic and cortical areas. Lastly, CX3CR1−/− mice elicited elevated neuronal activity in the PVN and the ventral tegmental-interpeduncular area following reinstatement of fear. Collectively, our data suggest that impaired CX3CR1 function may evoke region-selective alterations in forebrain circuits regulating stress, anxiety and fear, impacting behaviors relevant to disorders such as PTSD.
Christianity and Psychoanalysis: Original Sin—Oedipal Or Preoedipal?

The concept of original sin has been considered from many different perspectives. The primary question for Christian psychologists is, “How does original sin manifest itself in the human psyche?” V...
Heritage as hate: racism and sporting traditions.

ABSTRACTThis paper explains the symbols and rituals of sporting events and how symbols, ritually celebrated and performed through song as school spirit, normalise the incorporation of white suprema...
Revolution or redux? Assessing IQOS through a precursor product

Background Philip Morris International (PMI) currently claims that its heated tobacco product, IQOS, reduces health risk by reducing users’ exposure to harmful and potentially harmful constituents present in tobacco smoke. Given the tobacco industry’s long history of misrepresenting and obfuscating research, independent assessment of PMI’s claims is important. Analysis of Accord, a failed but strikingly similar precursor to IQOS, may help contextualise PMI’s claims in its Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) application. Methods We analysed previously secret internal Philip Morris (PM) and PMI documents, public communications and MRTP application. Results PM marketed Accord as a ‘cleaner’ tobacco product in an attempt to address smokers’ growing health concerns without making explicit health claims. While PM communications asserted that Accord reduced users’ exposure to harmful constituents, company scientists and executives consistently stressed to both regulators and the public that such reductions did not render Accord safer. IQOS’s design and marketing are similar to Accord’s. On the basis of aerosol chemistry data, IQOS reduces user exposure to some compounds compared with Accord but raises them for others. Discussion IQOS appears to be a variant of Accord without consistent improvements in exposure to aerosol toxic compounds. In contrast to PM’s past claims for Accord, PMI now claims in its MRTP application that IQOS reduces health risk. This shift in stance is likely not the result of any toxicological difference between Accord and IQOS, but rather a change in the social and regulatory landscape permitting these claims.
Familial recurrence risk with varying amount of family history

The familial recurrence risk is the probability a person will have disease, given a reported family history. When family histories are obtained as simple counts of disease among family members, as often obtained in cancer registries or surveys, we propose methods to estimate recurrence risks based on truncated binomial distributions. By this approach, we are able to obtain unbiased estimates of risk for a person with at least k-affected relatives, where k can be specified to determine how risk varies with k. We also derive robust variances of the recurrence risk estimate, to account for correlations within families, such as those induced by shared genes or shared environment, without explicitly modeling the factors that cause familial correlations. Furthermore, we illustrate how mixture models can be used to account for a sample composed of low- and high-risk families. Using simulations, we illustrate the properties of the proposed methods. Application of our methods to a family history survey of prostate cancer shows that the recurrence risk for prostate cancer increased from 16%, when there was at least one affected relative, to 52%, when there was at least five affected relatives.
Clinical Impact of Saline Volume Infused Through Irrigated-Tip Ablation Catheter in Low Acuity Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Patients.

Background Radio-Frequency ablation (RFA) to achieve pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) remains mainstay therapy for symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). The clinical consequences of large saline infusions during AF ablation have not been systematically studied. We utilized the differential flow-rates of the two commercially available ablation catheters (AC): 'ThermoCool' (TCAC) and 'Surround Flow' (SFAC) from Biosense-Webster to evaluate the clinical impact of the saline infused in the immediate post-ablation period. Methods Consecutive charts of PAF patients between 18 and 81 years who underwent RFA procedure at a tertiary care hospital were reviewed. Results Forty-seven patients were included in the study (33Males, 65±11years, LVEF 58±7% and left atrial diameter 44±7.5mm, 23TCAC-use). The saline volume infused through the AC was significantly higher with TCAC vs SFAC use (1277±316vs697±299 ml; p 0.05). This led to significant increase in post-ablation weight gain (96±23 vs 97.5±24kg; p=0.002), furosemide usage (39% vs 0%; p=0.0006), urine production (120±79 vs 63±31ml/hr; p=0.003) and post-RFA potassium reduction (4.4±0.42 vs 4±0.32mmol/l; p<0.001) with TCAC use. Significant post-RFA reduction in magnesium, calcium and creatinine, associated hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis and a modest QTc prolongation were also observed with use of both ACs albeit only moderate to weakly correlated with saline volume infused through the AC. No clinical adverse outcomes were encountered. Conclusions Higher saline-volume infusing AC use in PAF ablation causes significant post-ablation weight gain despite higher furosemide use, larger urine production and associated post-RFA potassium reduction without increasing morbidity in lower acuity patients. Furthermore, an array of post-ablation electrolyte disturbances causes a modest and clinically insignificant QTc prolongation.
Royal Assemblies and Imperial Libraries: Polygonal Pavilions and Their Functions in Mughal and Safavid Architecture

This article examines the architectural form and potential functions of two royal buildings: the Sher Mandal and the Guldasta pavilion. An octagonal tower located in the Purana Qilʿa in Delhi, the ...
Acupuncture Augmentation of Lidocaine for Provoked, Localized Vulvodynia: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study.

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of acupuncture's augmentation of lidocaine therapy in the treatment of provoked localized vulvodynia (PLV).Materials and MethodsFor 12 weeks, women with moderate to severe PLV were randomized to either 18 sessions of tradi
Heterogeneous Recurrence Analysis of Disease-Altered Spatiotemporal Patterns in Multi-Channel Cardiac Signals

Heart diseases alter the rhythmic behaviors of cardiac electrical activity. Recent advances in sensing technology bring the ease to acquire space-time electrical activity of the heart such as vectorcardiogram (VCG) signals. Recurrence analysis of successive heartbeats is conducive to detect the disease-altered cardiac activities. However, conventional recurrence analysis is more concerned about homogeneous recurrences, and overlook heterogeneous types of recurrence variations in VCG signals (i.e., in terms of state properties and transition dynamics). This paper presents a new framework of heterogeneous recurrence analysis for the characterization and modeling of disease-altered spatiotemporal patterns in multi-channel cardiac signals. Experimental results show that the proposed approach yields an accuracy of 96.9%, a sensitivity of 95.0%, and a specificity of 98.7% for the identification of myocardial infarctions. The proposed method of heterogeneous recurrence analysis shows strong potential to be further extended for the analysis of other physiological signals such as electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) signals towards medical decision making.
AMIODARONE INDUCED HYPONATREMIA CONSISTENT WITH SIADH

Amiodarone is frequently used for rhythm control in cardiac arrhythmias & has an extensive toxicity profile. We present a rare case of amiodarone induced severe acute hyponatremia consistent with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). A 90-year-old female with
Cyclic furnace testing and life predictions of thermal barrier coating spallation subject to a step change in temperature or in cycle duration

Abstract Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), used for thermal protection of gas turbine hot section parts in service are typically subjected to thermal histories that involve variations in both maximum temperature and hold time. The primary purpose of this work is to begin to study the durability consequences of non-constant thermal exposure and the associated life prediction challenges that such load histories present. Nearly all published TBC cyclic furnace tests have been conducted at constant temperature and constant cycle duration. In this work, two types of non-constant condition tests were run, tests in which the temperature was changed part way through the cyclic life and a second type of test where the high temperature hold time was changed part way through the cycle life. The validity of the linear damage rule was examined and found to work well for changes in maximum temperature and not as well for changes in cycle duration. In addition, the stresses in the thermally grown oxide (TGO) were recorded with the use of photoluminescence piezospectroscopy (PLPS) and the changes in stress were used to predict remaining cyclic life for non-constant condition tests.