cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
XPS and QCM Studies of Hydrocarbon and Fluorocarbon Polymer Films Bombarded by 1-20 keV C60 Ions

Poly(methyl methacrylate) or PMMA, Teflon AF1600, and poly(3-hexylthiophene) films are studied after bombardment with different fluences of C60 ions with energies of 1−20 keV by a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). C 1s XP spectra show little or no change in the film chemistry upon ion bombardment up to 1013−1014 ions/cm2. This result supports prior observations from secondary ion yields that at least some organic films have no apparent static limit in secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) using C60 ion projectiles until the film is sputtered away. Changes in C 1s XP spectra observed at the highest ion energies and fluences >1015 ions/cm2 are explained predominantly by differential charging effects. Some changes in film composition are also observed, but their extent varies with the polymer studied. Measurements for the total sputter yield of films acquired using a QCM show that each C60 cluster leads to an efficient emission of ∼105 amu per C60 ion at 20 keV im...
Characterization of prostaglandin production in amnion-derived WISH cells

This study was undertaken to characterize prostaglandin production and its regulation in the human amnion-derived WISH cell line. Epidermal growth factor, tumor growth factor-α, tumor-growth factor-β, human interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acelate, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, 4α-phorbol 12,13 didecanoate, and dexamethasone were tested for their ability to modulate prostaglandin production in WISH cells. Quantitatively, the major prostaglandin produced in WISH cells was prostaglandin E2. Treatment with epidermal growth factor, tumor growth factor-α, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate resulted in a concentration-dependent stimulation of WISH cell prostaglandin E2 production; tumor growth factor-β and the inactive phorbol ester analog 4α-phorbol 12,13 didecanoate had no effect. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in concentration-dependent inhibition of prostaglandin E2 production by WISH cells. WISH cells responded in a quantitatively similar manner to that previously observed in primary cultures of human amnion with the exception of the response to dexamethasone. On the basis of the findings of this investigation, we suggest that WISH cells may be a useful model for studying some but not all aspects of the regulation of arachidonic acid release and prostaglandin E2 formation in amnion. WISH cells may also be used to evaluate the mechanisms that link regulation of immune function and arachidonic acid metabolism.
Studies of gamma rays from neutron inelastic scattering

Abstract Measurements of the gamma rays excited by neutron inelastic scattering in B11, Na, Si, K, Sc, Zr, In, I, Ta, Au, Tl, and Pb206 have been carried out by use of the conventional ring scatterer geometry within a neutron energy range from 0.2 Mev to 3.5 Mev. The studies were used to obtain information on level structure, to determine cross sections for gamma-ray excitation, and to make a test of the predictions of inelastic scattering cross sections computed by a combination of the statistical and optical models. New levels and information on the decay schemes have been found in Zr, I, Au, and Pb206. Excitation functions in terms of absolute cross sections are presented for the prominent gamma rays in the spectra of all the elements studied except Sc and Tl. Studies of the gamma rays from Pb206 have given experimental verification of the level scheme for the low spin states calculated by True and Ford. Statistical model calculations are presented which give reasonably good agreement with the experiments on Pb206 provided the penetrabilities are calculated using parameters obtained from an analysis of elastic scattering data specifically for Pb206. The analysis shows that the imaginary part of the optical potential is abnormally low for Pb206 compared to that for neighboring nuclei at comparable energies. The agreement in magnitude and shape between the experimental and calculated excitation functions can be improved if the imaginary part of the potential is permitted to increase with neutron channel energy.
Cingulate and Temporal Lobe Fractional Anisotropy in Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Background Consistent with the clinical picture of milder symptomatology in schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) than schizophrenia, morphological studies indicate SPD abnormalities in temporal lobe regions but to a much lesser extent in prefrontal regions implicated in schizophrenia. Lower fractional anisotropy (FA), a measure of white-matter integrity within prefrontal, temporal, and cingulate regions has been reported in schizophrenia but has been little studied in SPD.
The relationship of follicle atresia to follicle size, oocyte recovery rate on aspiration, and oocyte morphology in the mare.

Oocytes were collected by aspiration of follicles from horse ovaries obtained at surgery or post-mortem. The oocytes were classified according to morphology of the ooplasm and cumulus. The size of the corresponding follicles was measured, and sections of the follicles were fixed and examined histologically to determine the stage of viability or atresia. In Part 1, 11 pairs of ovaries were examined and all follicles were sectioned; in Part 2, 9 pairs of ovaries were examined and only those follicles from which oocytes were recovered were sectioned. The number of follicles examined per pair of ovaries in Part 1 (average +/- SD) was 12.9 +/- 4.1. The proportion of follicles that were viable increased with increasing follicular size (P /= 20 mm in diameter, respectively. The overall oocyte recovery rate on aspiration of follicles was 46%. There was no significant difference in the oocyte recovery rate between viable and atretic follicles. A significantly higher proportion of oocytes recovered from viable follicles had granular ooplasm (64 vs 39%; (P < 0.05); whereas significantly more oocytes from atretic follicles had a misshapen or dense ooplasm (23 vs 6%; P < 0.05), or an expanded or pyknotic cumulus (24 vs 6%; P < 0.05). The most common cumulus morphology (63% of oocytes from viable follicles and 48% of oocytes from atretic follicles) was presence of only the corona radiata. Only 11% of oocytes from viable follicles and 9% of oocytes from atretic follicles had a complete cumulus present.
Passive energy storage using distributed electric loads with thermal storage

This paper presents the concept of controlling distributed electric loads with thermal energy storage as a passive electric energy storage system (PEESS). Examples of such loads include different types of thermostatically controlled appliances (TCAs) such as hot water heaters, air conditioners, and refrigerators. Each TCA can be viewed as a thermal cell that stores electricity as thermal energy. A centralized control mechanism can be used to control the timing of each thermal cell to consume electric energy so that the aggregated electricity consumption of the thermal cells will vary against a baseline consumption. Thus, when the aggregated consumption is higher than the baseline, the PEESS is charging; otherwise, the PEESS is discharging. The overall performance of a PEESS will be equivalent to that of a battery energy storage device. This paper presents the configuration and formulates the control of a PEESS. The modeling results demonstrate the feasibility of implementing the PEESS.
Incidence of Sudden atheltic deaths between 1985 and 1990 in Marion County, Indiana

Relatively little information is available concerning the incidence of sudden death in athletes in the United States. The present study provides annual incidence rates of sudden athletic deaths in Marion County, Indiana, home of Indianapolis, the "amateur sports capital of the world." The overall incidence was 0.04% (18 athletic deaths in 44,481 forensic necropsies). This incidence varied slightly over the 6-year study period: 1985 (0.06%), 1986 (0.03%), 1987 (0.04%), 1988 (0.09%), 1989 (0%), 1990 (0.01%). Of the 18 sudden athletic deaths, 88% were cardiac in origin. A retrospective analysis of preparticipation screening efforts suggests that most of the cardiac conditions responsible for death could have been detected.
Protostylid variation in Australopithecus

Recent advances in computed tomography (CT) and genetics provide new insights into the morphology and biology of anatomical traits, particularly in the dentition. As we move towards a fuller understanding of the genetic and developmental bases for dental traits, we need to reassess the taxonomic and evolutionary variation of established characters. Quantitative genetic analyses indicate that the degree of expression of upper and lower primate cingular remnants are genetically interdependent. This has serious evolutionary implications that need to be explored for fossil hominids. Studies of Carabelli's cusp, a cingular remnant on hominid upper molars, have been advanced through both genetic and CT analyses setting the stage for such an investigation. But its mandibular morphological homologue, the protostylid has not been similarly studied. This paper represents the first step towards a quantitative understanding of the variation and evolution of this trait in early hominids. Since the first discoveries of Australopithecus specimens in South Africa more than sixty years ago, cingular features on lower molars have played a significant role in the description and comparison of hominid taxa. This largely qualitative history is reviewed. Because the modern human classification system for protostylid variation does not adequately describe the variation seen in Australopithecus samples, a quantification scheme with six expression states is established. Using this new protocol, protostylid variation in six species of Australopithecus is assessed. Results from these analyses show that the distribution of the degree of protostylid expression in these species is highly varied. When first, second, and third molar samples are considered separately, the distribution of expression states is found to differ considerably within the same species. These results provide a foundation for further genetic and developmental research on the evolutionary history of the hominid dentition.
Effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation taking warfarin.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications have been linked to increased bleeding risk; however, the actual association among warfarin, SSRI exposure, and bleeding risk has not been well-established. We studied the AnTicoagulation and Risk factors In Atrial fibrillation cohort of 13,559 adults with atrial fibrillation, restricted to the 9,186 patients contributing follow-up time while taking warfarin. Exposure to SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) was assessed from pharmacy database dispensing data. The main outcome was hospitalization for major hemorrhage. Results were adjusted for bleeding risk and time in international normalized ratio range >3. We identified 461 major hemorrhages during 32,888 person-years of follow-up, 45 events during SSRI use, 12 during TCA-only use, and 404 without either medication. Hemorrhage rates were higher during periods of SSRI exposure compared with periods on no antidepressants (2.32 per 100 person-years vs 1.35 per 100 person-years, p 3, SSRI exposure was associated with an increased rate of hemorrhage compared with no antidepressants (adjusted relative risk 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.92, p = 0.03), whereas TCA exposure was not (adjusted relative risk 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.46 to 1.46, p = 0.50). In conclusion, SSRI exposure was associated with higher major hemorrhage risk in patients taking warfarin, and this risk should be considered when selecting antidepressant treatments in those patients.
Rings of Earth

The authors have used the planetary radar at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Goldstone Tracking Station to monitor small particles of orbital debris. This radar can detect metallic objects as small as 1.8 mm in diameter at an altitude of 600 km. The results of the first set of observations show a flux (at 600 km) of 6.4 objects per square kilometre per day, of equivalent size of 1.8 mm or larger. Forty percent of the observed particles appear to be concentrated into one or two orbits. An orbital ring with the same inclination as the radar (35.1 degrees ) is suggested. However, an orbital band with the much higher inclination of 66 degrees is also a possibility. Neither explanation is without difficulty. >
Feminism and Family Studies for a New Century

Feminism has revolutionized family studies. This article traces the impact of feminism on the family field in the last quarter of the twentieth century, focusing on (1) academic representations of the family before feminism; (2) second-wave feminism's unmasking of the gender-structured family; (3) how feminist pluralism enlarged the family field; (4) current feminist debates on family diversity and change; and (5) connections between feminist scholarship on the family and public policy.
Realce por contraste de lesões hepáticas em pacientes com cirrose: estudo cruzado comparativo de dois agentes de contraste para RM realizado em uma única instituição. Resultados preliminares

OBJETIVO: Comparar, prospectivamente, gadopentato de dimeglumina (Gd-DTPA) e gadobenato de dimeglumina (Gd-BOPTA), ambos em dose plena, na deteccao de lesoes hepaticas focais, por meio de RM em pacientes com doenca hepatica cronica. MATERIAIS E METODOS: Oito pacientes com cirrose hepatica e forte suspeita de um pequeno carcinoma hepatocelular, baseada em RM anterior, foram submetidos a exames de RM contrastada, um com dose plena de Gd-DTPA e outro com dose plena de Gd-BOPTA. Os exames foram realizados com um intervalo de 72 a 108 horas. Dois radiologistas independentes realizaram avaliacao as cegas das imagens, considerando numero, caracterizacao e realce das lesoes, alem de preferencias subjetivas. RESULTADOS: Nao houve diferenca estatisticamente significante entre os dois exames quanto a deteccao e caracterizacao das lesoes. Observou-se um incremento de 18% no realce da lesao dominante pelo Gd-BOPTA, em comparacao com o Gd-DTPA. Na maioria dos casos, ambos os observadores cegos subjetivamente preferiram as imagens utilizando Gd-BOPTA aquelas com Gd-DTPA, com base no maior realce e melhor definicao das margens das lesoes. CONCLUSAO: Em doses plenas equivalentes, Gd-BOPTA e Gd-DTPA sao similares na deteccao e caracterizacao de lesoes hepaticas focais em pacientes com doenca hepatica cronica. Entretanto, o Gd-BOPTA foi superior em relacao ao realce da lesao, assim como na preferencia subjetiva dos observadores.
Regulating a novel drug: an evaluation of changes in use of Salvia divinorum in the first year of Florida's ban.

Abstract Background A plant with dissociative and psychoactive properties began to attract the attention of the media and United States policymakers following a well-publicized suicide in 2006 and reports that the plant served as a ‘legal high' and substitute for cannabis. As a result, Salvia divinorum and its active ingredient, salvinorin A, were classified as Schedule I substances by the Florida Legislature on July 1, 2008. As of yet, no research has explored the efficacy of this policy or similar policies in other jurisdictions. Methods Three self-report studies collected from young adults both prior to and following the policy's implementation are employed to investigate the potential relationship between the policy and usage rates. In addition, law enforcement personnel from the state's most populated areas were interviewed to determine the extent to which they were encountering salvia in their work. Results It was indicated that less than two-thirds of those surveyed were aware of the drug's legal status. Lifetime prevalence of salvia use was largely unchanged. However, the rates of self-reported past year and past month use in Florida were significantly lower following the scheduling. Though use of Salvia divinorum appears to have decreased, perceptions of peer use increased markedly. Law enforcement officers and laboratories reported rarely, if ever, dealing with cases of salvia possession. Conclusions Data suggests the classification of Salvia divinorum as a Schedule I drug was followed by a substantial reduction in recreational use. We caution that other factors may have influenced use, that the efficacy of scheduling novel substances is likely to vary by drug type, that such a reduction in reported use may only exist transiently until a sophisticated illicit market develops to replace the legitimate one, and that a state's success in regulating salvia may be related to their regulation of and enforcement of other drug prohibitions.
Left ventricular size and function after subcutaneous administration of terbutaline.

To assess the response of the left ventricle to subcutaneously administered terbutaline sulfate, a proposed beta-2 selective agonist, we evaluated 12 patients who had suffered previous myocardial infarctions using equilibrium radionuclide angiography. Six patients (group 1) had normal global left ventricular function (left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 0.49) and six (group 2) had depressed resting global function (ejection fraction at rest -5 , P
Differential effects of 17β-estradiol, conjugated equine estrogen, and raloxifene on mRNA expression, aggregation, and secretion in platelets

Changes in platelet functions could contribute to thrombotic risk associated with estrogen treatments. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that three clinically relevant estrogenic treat...
Dissipative shallow water internal waves and their acoustical properties

Zhou and colleagues, J. Acoust. Soc. Am., vol.44, p.2042-54 (1991), showed that nonlinear shallow water internal waves (IWs) have the frequency dependent property of enhancing bottom interaction of sound. At preferred frequencies, internal waves can induce the coupling of lower-order waterborne modes to higher order modes, which, in turn, can penetrate more deeply into lossy ocean bottom sediments. In a follow up study Broadhead, J. Acoust. Soc. Am., Submitted (1995), analyzed a simplified example of a shallow water waveguide in which internal waves were incorporated through the use of KdV solitons. A frequency-dependent enhancement of acoustic energy transfer from below the thermocline into the mixed layer was observed from the simulations. Analysis revealed that mode coupling induced by the presence of the internal wave was responsible for the energy transfer. This paper extends that work by including dissipative effects on the IWs, and their concomitant effects on acoustic propagation. Simulations of the effect of dissipation on IWs was accomplished by numerical solution of the KdVB equation. Especially of interest is the effect of IW pulse broadening on the mixed layer resonance. This led to an increase in the resonant acoustic frequency.
The cold thyroid nodule: an analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic options.

We applied decision analysis to the controversy over the management of the solitary nonfunctioning thyroid nodule. Three standard management plans were considered: immediate subtotal thyroidectomy; a six month trial of thyroid suppression with L-thyroxine, with non-suppressible lesions being removed surgically; and aspiration cytology followed by surgery or thyroid suppression based on the cytologic examination. The literature formed the basis for quantitative assumptions of the analysis, including the consequences of thyroidectomy, the probability of malignancy, the types and prognoses of cancers found at operation, the likelihood of successful suppression adn relapse, and the possible results of aspiration cytology. We used Bayes' rule to revise the probability of cancer on the basis of cytological results. The relative worths of the 59 possible diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes were expressed as quality-adjusted life expectancies. The expected utility of each management plan was determined by "folding back" the decision tree. Although we found that each possible approach yielded a quality-adjusted life expectancy very close to that of the healthy population, aspiration biopsy with cytologic examination appeared slightly superior. Extensive sensitivity analyses demonstrated that either aspiration biopsy or immediate thyroid suppression was the treatment of choice over a wide range of assumptions, although in no case did the benefit exceed 1 year of life. We conclude that all therapies for cold thyroid nodule are essentially equal, viewed in terms of mortality and morbidity. The decision to operate, suppress or aspirate is thus a " tossup ", dependent in the individual case upon such subjective factors as psychological disutility , relative cost, and attitudes toward operative risk and long-term medical therapy. The controversy concerning the "best" management of the cold thyroid nodule is an illusion: quantitative analysis shows the futility of pursuing the debate any further.
Water resources investigations in west central Iran using Landsat data.

ABSTRACT: Extensive investigations have been undertaken to determine the utility of Landsat data for detecting and analyzing hydrologic characteristics of an interior watershed of Iran that drains to Daryachehye-Namak (salt lake). This interior playa serves as the terminus for surface water discharging to it from the Karaj, Shur, Saveh, and Ghom Rivers and ground water from their underlying aquifers. These drainage systems encompass heavily populated and industrial sectors of west central Iran, including Tehran. The result of this investigation demonstrates the applicability of Landsat data for mapping and monitoring water regimen as an aid in interpreting hydrologic conditions throughout this arid region. Fluctuation of water area in a playa lake, occupying the lowest part of this closed basin, was monitored on repetitive Landsat coverage. As the result of field investigations combined with optical and digital analyses of the Landsat data, fluctuating water depths were determined in order to estimate the volume of water present in this lake during various seasons. A comparison between stream discharge rates and the estimated volume of standing water make it possible to quantitatively evaluate the hydrologic regimen and to detect the significance of ground water discharge.
Picosecond pulse generation using a saturable absorber section of grating-coupled surface-emitting laser

We report on a passively and hybridly mode-locked grating-coupled surface-emitting laser (GCSEL) using the unpumped section of the GCSEL as a saturable absorber. We obtain 8.8-ps full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) autocorrelation pulses in passive mode-locked operation and an FWHM pulse duration of 3.4 ps in hybrid mode-locked operation, which are the shortest pulses from a GCSEL external cavity. With hybrid mode-locking, a peak power of 0.26 W and a spectral bandwidth of 0.6 nm are obtained. These results demonstrate the potential of multisegment GCSELs in ultrashort pulse generation.
The Buckeye corpus of conversational speech: labeling conventions and a test of transcriber reliability

This paper describes the Buckeye corpus of spontaneous American English speech, a 307,000-word corpus containing the speech of 40 talkers from central Ohio, USA. The method used to elicit and record the speech is described, followed by a description of the protocol that was developed to phonemically label what talkers said. The results of a test of labeling consistency are then presented. The corpus will be made available to the scientific community when labeling is completed.
Fighter agility metrics, research and test

This paper presents the results of an analysis of proposed metrics to assess fighter aircraft agility. A novel framework for classifying these metrics is developed and applied. A set of transient metrics intended to quantify the axial and pitch agility of fighter aircraft is evaluated with a high fidelity, nonlinear generic simulation of the F-18 Hornet. Test techniques and data reduction methods are proposed, and sensitivities to pilot introduced errors during flight testing is investigated. Results indicate that the power onset and power loss parameters are promising candidates for quantifying axial agility, while maximum pitch-up and pitch-down rates are for quantifying pitch agility.
Saddle critical point analysis and computation

A local minimax method is developed for multiple saddle point analysis and computation. In this paper, this method is also applied to devise a numerical algorithm for solving local minimax problems in control theory.
A simple packet-transmission scheme for wireless data over fading channels

In this letter, we present a simplified scheduling scheme for packet transmission over a fading channel which is modeled as a finite-state block channel. We first address the optimal minimum power-transmission policy with constraints on both average delay and packet loss. The optimal policy requires a sophisticated table lookup for implementation. In order to alleviate this problem, we design a simplified transmission policy that is based on checking for three control parameters: a transmission-rate threshold; a channel-state threshold; and the transmission buffer size. Our results show that the minimum average power with the simplified scheme is very close to that achieved by the optimal policy. Further, modeling the simplified scheme via a single-server bulk-service queue, we derive approximations to the quality of service metrics, such as average power and delay, that allow for analytical insights into the policy design.
SOME RISKS AND CAUSES OF MORTALITY IN MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE POPULATIONS: A LONG-TERM ANALYSIS

The interpretation of the probabilities presented in this paper is that none of the competing biological risks, acting in the presence of other risks, offers much, if any, regulatory influence upon a mountain pine beetle population. Consequently, if no single risk, or combination of these risks, offers much help, then the contention that mountain pine beetle populations are food-regulated is once again strengthened (Cole andAmman, 1969). The evidence remains (or continues) that the mountain pine beetle is food-regulated at optimum temperature conditions and temperature-regulated at optimum food conditions. Reducing and/or minimizing tree loss to the mountain pine beetle is thus dependent upon manipulating the food supply or management of the tree (stand) growth.
Combining uncertainty factors in deriving human exposure levels of noncarcinogenic toxicants.

: Acceptable levels of human exposure to noncarcinogenic toxicants in environmental and occupational settings generally are derived by reducing experimental no-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAELs) or benchmark doses (BDs) by a product of uncertainty factors (Barnes and Dourson, Ref. 1). These factors are presumed to ensure safety by accounting for uncertainty in dose extrapolation, uncertainty in duration extrapolation, differential sensitivity between humans and animals, and differential sensitivity among humans. The common default value for each uncertainty factor is 10. This paper shows how estimates of means and standard deviations of the approximately log-normal distributions of individual uncertainty factors can be used to estimate percentiles of the distribution of the product of uncertainty factors. An appropriately selected upper percentile, for example, 95th or 99th, of the distribution of the product can be used as a combined uncertainty factor to replace the conventional product of default factors.
Die Ratifizierung von IAO‐Übereinkommen und Arbeitslosenleistungen: Eine empirische Analyse

Auszug Dieser Artikel untersucht die Beziehung zwischen der Ratifizierung von Ubereinkommen der Internationalen Arbeitsorganisation (IAO) und der Bereitstellung von Arbeitslosenleistungen. Zwei Fragen werden mit statistischen Analysen gepruft: weshalb Lander IAO-Ubereinkommen zu Arbeitslosenleistungen ratifizieren und ob die Ratifizierung die Staatsausgaben fur Arbeitslosenprogramme beeinflusst. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse sind, dass Demokratisierung, Weltregion, Einkommen und Globalisierung die Hauptfaktoren sind, welche die Lander bei der Ratifizierung von IAO-Ubereinkommen zu Arbeitslosenleistungen beeinflussen. Die Ratifizierung von IAO-Ubereinkommen ist auserdem systematisch mit hoheren Ausgaben gekoppelt, falls die Lander mehr als zwei Ubereinkommen ratifiziert haben.
Admission To The Master Of Business Administration Program: An Alternative For Savannah State University

Traditionally, graduate programs in business administration have heavily relied on the Graduate Management Aptitude Test prepared and administered by the Educational Testing Service in the decision to admit a candidate to the program. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature regarding the statistical validity and statistical independence of the GMAT. In light of the outcome of this review, an alternative admissions process is proposed.
Health Disparities in Occupational Exposures

The objective of this chapter is to review the data on health disparities related to occupational respiratory exposures and illnesses. Respiratory occupational health disparities have occurred from the overrepresentation of minorities in hazardous industries and job titles with respiratory toxins. These work-related respiratory disparities have been identified by high profile events and research studies. There is no ongoing nationwide surveillance system that is tracking work-related health disparities. Given the typical long latency between onset of exposure and development of pneumoconiosis or lung cancer, some current racial differences in respiratory disease rates represent a legacy from past discriminatory hiring practice. The ongoing overrepresentation of minorities in certain occupations such as service occupations indicates the potential for occupational respiratory disparities to continue in the future. Changes are needed in current occupational surveillance systems, if we are to be able to assess the occurrence of current and future occupational respiratory health disparities.
Socioeconomic Disparities in Arthritis

Health inequities are nearly ubiquitous across fields of health, and the rheumatic diseases are no exception. Epidemiological studies spanning decades have discerned socioeconomic patterns of arthritis susceptibility across societies and have identified socioeconomic factors as important determinants of health among people with arthritis. We preface this chapter with some methodological considerations framing health disparities research and present an overview of the socioeconomic patterns in arthritis risk and in health outcomes among people with rheumatic diseases. We conclude with a discussion of the plausible pathways underlying inequities in arthritis and highlight promising avenues for further work.
Warren and Brandeis Redux: Finding (More) Privacy Protection In Intellectual Property Lore

This paper considers whether intellectual property (IP) law could be adapted to protect privacy in the high-tech environment: to give the targets of intrusion control over information produced through activities like surfing the internet, making computer purchases, or appearing in places surveilled by camera. The piece first examines Warren and Brandeis's 1890 article, The Right of Privacy, which suggested applying copyright, trade secrecy, and duties of confidentiality to private information. Although this proposal was never fully adopted, it is argued that changes in both fact and law make IP law a more serviceable model now than it was in Warren and Brandeis's day. These include greater recognition of the value of personal information, the abandonment of pure incentive-based rationales, and closer affiliation with continental intellectual property systems. It is not, however, clear that this move will satisfy either privacy advocates or the IP community. The trends identified -- if enduring -- will slow the pace of innovation. Further, the relief available through IP law may not fully protect privacy values. Detecting intrusions will remain a problem. And although injunctions would help the targets of technological intrusion, injunctive relief is not available when transactions costs or the public interest in information use are high. Monetary relief does not address dignity concerns, stop intrusions, insure accuracy, assure that information is used only for the purpose for which it was obtained, or give subjects a right to know when and where their files are passed. The paper concludes that it would be better to use the resources needed to adapt IP law to develop a system of law directly aimed at privacy concerns.
Anisotropic electron-phonon coupling investigated by ultrafast electron crystallography: Three-temperature model

In low-dimensional electronic materials, the charge or spin ordering can be subtly controlled by specific mode or modes, giving rise to functioning states such as charge- and spin-density waves, Mott insulators, and superconductors. The coupling between the electrons and the atomic lattice can be effectively investigated by ultrafast optical, photoemission, and electron diffraction techniques providing detailed description of microscopic and collective state evolutions in separate electronic and lattice subsystems. However, the electronic and phononic relaxation time scales obtained from these techniques are often distinctly different in low-dimensional electronic materials, even in a system as simple as graphite. Here, we seek to understand their origins from examining the nonequilibrium scenarios considering anisotropic electron-phonon coupling leading to hot phonons, which can be investigated directly from the momentum-dependent scattering changes in the transmission ultrafast electron crystallography. A three-temperature model is constructed to achieve unified understandings combining ultrafast spectroscopy and diffraction results of the nonadiabatic optically driven dynamics in graphite, charge-density waves in CeTe${}_{3}$, and the Mott insulator VO${}_{2}$.
CO/NO Emissions of Strongly-Pulsed Turbulent Nonpremixed Flames

The CO and NO emissions of strongly-pulsed, turbulent diffusion flames are studied experimentally. In all cases the flames are fully-modulated (fuel completely shut off between pulses). The fuel is ethylene with an air co-flow. The emissions of NO and CO were measured at the combustor exit and on the combustor centerline. For short injection times the CO level substantially exceeds that of the steady (non-pulsed) flame, while the amount of NO is below the steady-flame level. The highest levels of CO and NO occur for short and long injection times, respectively. For sufficiently short jet off-times, as the flame structure interaction increases, levels of both CO and NO tend to reach the steady flame levels. These changes are consistent with an increased interaction between flame structures leading to a decreased air entrainment per amount of injected fuel and a longer flame length. The CO emissions, for a given fueling rate, are strongly dependent on both the injection time and jet off-time for a jet-on fraction less than approximately 50%. The NO levels are generally proportional to the fueling rate. The residence time based on the visual flame dimensions correlates reasonably well with the CO emission indices, reflecting incomplete combustions for low residence time of the flame structures; however, the NO levels do not directly scale with the residence time. Injection conditions exist that produce a more compact flame than the steady flame, and with significantly lower levels of NO but slightly higher CO emissions.
On the Averages of the Divisors of a Number

(1948). On the Averages of the Divisors of a Number. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 55, No. 10, pp. 615-619.
NUMERICAL COMPUTATION OF HYPERSONIC TURBULENT FLOWS USING ZERO- AND ONE-EQUATION MODELS

Calculations of hypersonic turbulent flows over a spherically blunted cone, bicone and a cavity have been carried out using a modified Baldwin-Lomax zero-equation model and a new one-equation k-L model. A detailed evaluation of the models is presented by comparing computed kinematic eddy viscosity, length scale, skinfriction, heat transfer rates and wall pressure distributions with those obtained from experiments.
The Role of Women in Television Advertising in Great Britain: A Content Analysis

A great deal of debate has centered on the role of television advertising. The two dominant positions in this debate have been the "mold" and "mirror" theories. The "mold" theory states that advertising leads societal attitudes, values, and beliefs while the "mirror" theory suggests the opposite. The majority of work supporting these positions comes from studies conducted in the United States. However, this study sought to test the validity of the "mirror" by examining the portrayal of women in British television advertising, and comparing results with those of an earlier U.S. television advertising study. Due to long shared histories and numerous societal commonalities, television commercials aired in Great Britain were chosen for comparison. This study hypothesized these societies should exhibit similarities in the manner in which television advertising portrays demographic groups. In particular, the current work focused on the portrayed roles of women in British advertising. The reasons for this decision were twofold. First, an increase in the study of sexual stereotyping provided strong background support and documentation. Second, this focus allowed replication of a previous study to compare results (Ferrante, Haynes, and Kingsley, 1988).
George Washington University Technique for Surgical Correction of Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence

We have described a procedure with long-term followup and modification for the correction of post-prostatectomy incontinence. The procedure involves the combined principle of rigidly placed support under the urethra to which is attached an inflatable, adjustable pillow, allowing for fine control of the urethral resistance. Of the 22 patients treated 16 are completely dry, 4 have occasional dampness and 2 are failures. More significant is the fact that since the silicone gel pillow has been enclosed in the marlex strap we have had 6 successes., 1 partial successs and no failures. The complication rate is almost non-existent. No infections were encountered and no prostheses were removed for other than reoperation. We believe that the combination of bony fixation plus the adjustable pillow gives the best control of the troublsome problem of post-prostatectomy incontinence.
Ultrasonic Toxicity Study of the Mouse Reproductive System and the Pregnant Uterus

This research is concerned with ultrasonic irradiation of the male mouse testes, the non-pregnant female mouse ovaries and the pregnant mouse uterus. A transcutaneous approach is used for the male testes and the pregnant uterus while a skin incision is made to permit accurate placement of the focused sound field over the ovaries. The animals are irradiated under Metofane anesthesia and are suspended in a 37°C temperature controlled degassed mammalian Ringer’s solution. One aspect involves ultrasonic irradiation of 1MHz fundamental sound frequency delivered in short bursts (several μs to 125 μs) at a 1000Hz repetition frequency. These delivery regimes are meant to approximate those presently used in clinical diagnostic medicine. Spatial peak intensities and average intensities generated in this delivery mode are selected at maximum values to produce readily identifiable bioeffects. Animals are then irradiated in a graded reducing set of ultrasonic dosage regimes from this maximum. A continuous wave (c.w.) delivery format is also being used so that an intercomparison between c.w. and clinical relevant pulse regimes can be compared with regard to specific bioeffects. Bioeffects are recorded of a histological (light microscope level of specific organ and tissue sites), functional and gross structural (fetal teratology and gross tissue changes) nature.
Comparison and Explanation of Multiple Strategies: One Example of a Small Step Forward for Improving Mathematics Education

Education policy should aim to promote instructional methods that are easy for teachers to implement and have demonstrable, positive impact on student learning. Our research on comparison and expla...
Sensitizing Potential Jurors to Variations in Eyewitness Evidence Quality Using Counterfactual Thinking

Summary Jurors often have difficulty evaluating eyewitness testimony. Counterfactual thinking is a type of mental simulation that informs causal inference. Encouraging jurors to think counterfactually about eyewitness factors may sensitize them to these factors' causal influence on eyewitness identification and testimony accuracy, improving their overall judgments (such as verdicts). One hundred twenty-one undergraduate participants were randomly assigned to read a scenario containing either high-quality or low-quality eyewitness evidence and to evaluate eyewitness factors adopting either their default or a counterfactual mindset via a question-order manipulation. Logistic regressions and analyses of variance revealed that a counterfactual mindset lowered perceptions of eyewitness accuracy and guilty verdicts (compared with the default mindset) when the evidence was poor; a counterfactual mindset, however, did not increase perceptions of accuracy and guilty verdicts when evidence was strong. We discuss possible mechanisms underlying these effects and identify several potential avenues for future research.Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computation offloading for real-time health-monitoring devices

Among the major challenges in the development of real-time wearable health monitoring systems is to optimize battery life. One of the major techniques with which this objective can be achieved is computation offloading, in which portions of computation can be partitioned between the device and other resources such as a server or cloud. In this paper, we describe a novel dynamic computation offloading scheme for real-time wearable health monitoring devices that adjusts the partitioning of data between the wearable device and mobile application as a function of desired classification accuracy.
Gelfond’s solution

Before we consider Gelfond’s and Schneider’s complete solutions to Hilbert’s seventh problem let’s look back and see what common elements we can find in Fourier’s demonstration of the irrationality of e, the Hermite/Hurwitz demonstration of the transcendence of e, and Gelfond’s proof of the transcendence of e π .
Defending the Weak: Parental Defense Peaks When Chick Vulnerability is Greatest in the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)

Successful reproduction often depends upon parents providing offspring with resources and protection. In birds, reproductive success can often be enhanced by parents engaging in antipredator behaviors, but these behaviors can be costly. Theoretically, individuals should temporally modify the intensity of nest defense behavior to balance the costs and benefits of current and future reproductive success. More specifically, nest defense should vary throughout a nesting attempt to maximize fitness of the adults. Here, we consider the relationship between nest defense behavior and chick vulnerability in the herring gull (Larus argentatus), where chicks are under high predation risk. We estimated chick vulnerability by quantifying survival probabilities at different periods of the nestling stage. Simultaneously, we quantified changes in parental aggression throughout the nesting cycle by simulating predation attempts using a human predator model. We found that chick survival probabilities were lowest (i.e., vulnerability was highest) and parental aggression in nest defense was greatest during the first 10 days after hatching. Thus, we show that parents are most defensive when chicks are most vulnerable and that adults optimize nest defense behaviors in a way that maximizes their fitness.
Novel activities by ebolavirus and marburgvirus interferon antagonists revealed using a standardized in vitro reporter system.

Filoviruses are highly lethal in humans and nonhuman primates, likely due to potent antagonism of host interferon (IFN) responses early in infection. Filoviral protein VP35 is implicated as the major IFN induction antagonist, while Ebola virus (EBOV) VP24 or Marburg virus (MARV) VP40 are known to block downstream IFN signaling. Despite progress elucidating EBOV and MARV antagonist function, those for most other filoviruses, including Reston (RESTV), Sudan (SUDV), Tai Forest (TAFV), Bundibugyo (BDBV) and Ravn (RAVV) viruses, remain largely neglected. Thus, using standardized vectors and reporter assays, we characterized activities by each IFN antagonist from all known ebolavirus and marburgvirus species side-by-side. We uncover noncanonical suppression of IFN induction by ebolavirus VP24, differing potencies by MARV and RAVV proteins, and intriguingly, weaker antagonism by VP24 of RESTV. These underlying molecular explanations for differential virulence in humans could guide future investigations of more-neglected filoviruses as well as treatment and vaccine studies.
Strategies for Biophysical Characterization of Protein–Polymer Conjugates

Abstract Protein–polymer conjugates are increasingly viewed as promising avenues to producing industrial enzymes with high activity capable of withstanding potentially harsh reaction conditions, or to designing novel therapeutics with triggered release, controlled masking, or increased resistance to proteolytic degradation. Common among these applications are the desire to improve the stability of protein–polymer conjugates to unfolding by exposure to chemicals or thermal stress. Thus, assays that allow researchers to robustly and easily characterize protein–polymer conjugates by obtaining thermodynamic parameters for folding stand to play an important role in the development of improved protein–polymer conjugates. Herein, we describe two techniques, differential scanning fluorimetry and intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, used in our laboratories to obtain thermodynamic parameters of unfolding that allow for direct comparison of protein–polymer conjugates and the myriad effects of variations in attachment site, polymer identity, and polymer length. These two experiments, which are easily amenable to parallelization, are presented as high-throughput replacements for more traditionally employed circular dichroism experiments and as complements to functional chemical stability or functional thermal stability experiments. Each assay is presented in a parallelized format that allows for rapid scaling and high-throughput analysis of protein–polymer conjugate libraries. Descriptions of the assays include a discussion of advantages and disadvantages alongside protocol details and approaches to data analysis.
Nearest neighbour analysis applied to synthetic aperture radar images for the description of urban land cover and land use

This article presents an analysis method for the creation of an image variable that represents built-up land cover and land use within the urban fabric. The method is inspired by the nearest neighbour analysis and the data are from the synthetic aperture radar systems COSMO-SkyMed CSK and Radarsat-2 RS2. Point features were identified from the extreme high backscattering values for each image and the spatial pattern extracted to represent the proportion of built-up land cover as clustered, random, or dispersed. The coefficient of association between the continuous nearest neighbour ratio image and the land-cover percentage cover in four classes are −0.9 and −0.8 with the CSK and the RS2 images, respectively. Considering a two-class land-cover scheme, the coefficient of association between variables approaches −0.9 for both images. Clustered features highlight individual buildings that are mixed in various neighbouring land-cover and land-use types. Residential land use is particularly well outlined using the CSK image, while large institutional, commercial, and light industry buildings are enhanced through the RS2 cross-polarization nearest neighbour ratio images.