cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Live Streaming: Mobile Friendly Alternatives

ABSTRACTStudents expect flexibility when choosing their classes. Online and blended courses are a common class format now seen in universities and schools worldwide. Another element being used for these online classes is the use of live, synchronous streaming, where students view instructors’ lectures in real time. Live streaming outside of the classroom is becoming more popular and made readily available for consumer use through mobile devices and freely available platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. With their increasingly busy schedules, medical students and professionals typically rely more on online versions of library instruction. Webinars and other virtual meeting platforms have frequently been used to disseminate online instruction in real time and provide chat features which allow instructors to engage with viewers. Libraries have used webinar platforms and can go beyond instruction and integrate live streaming further by broadcasting lectures, events, and other activities students might appre...
AVALIAÇÃO DOS MÉTODOS DE ESTUDO DOS DISCENTES

Este trabalho apresenta o resultado de uma pesquisa estatistica realizada com 113 discentes oriundos de instituicoes de ensino publicas e privadas, com o objetivo de investigar os metodos e o tempo dedicado aos estudos. Onde 69% dos discentes estuda ha um periodo de ate dois anos em sua atual instituicao de ensino. Do total de discentes, 46,9% dedicam de uma a tres horas de seu dia para estudar, e desse total, 83,2% preferem estudar individualmente, devido a um melhor rendimento pessoal. Desses discentes, 69,9% se consideram iguais a seus demais colegas de classe, e que 13,3% sao os que consideram estudar mais que seus colegas. Essa pesquisa traz o resultado de outras duas pesquisas, sendo uma do Instituto de Pesquisa Economica Aplicada (Ipea) e outra da Universidade Federal do Ceara (UFC), cujos resultados obtidos na avaliacao dos metodos de estudo dos discentes, quando analisados com essas pesquisas, nos mostram que ambas apresentam resultados parecidos.
Shifts and trends in the global anthropogenic stocks and flows of tantalum

Abstract The supply and demand of tantalum has undergone a number of significant shifts over the past few decades. The purpose of this work is to quantify how these shifts have affected tantalum’s global material cycle. A global stocks and flows model for tantalum has thus been developed for the years 1970–2015. The results indicate that the overall quantity of tantalum prompt scrap generated during manufacturing has increased notably due to tantalum’s increased use as an alloy additive and sputtering target. In contrast, the amount of tantalum contained in recycled obsolete scrap, mainly in the form of used carbides, is estimated to have remained relatively constant since the late-1980s. Moreover, tantalum’s overall end-of-life recycling rate (EoL-RR) seems to have declined from a high of 22–25% in the 1990s to approximately 18% today. This decline is also attributable to the shift in tantalum’s use from carbides to sputtering targets and chemicals that, along with tantalum’s use in capacitors, have not been recycled at the end-of-life (EoL) in significant quantities. The results also indicate that 21–25% of tantalum produced since 1970 is still in use today, with the remainder having been lost during processing, manufacturing, use, or at the EoL. However, a portion of the EoL “discards” may actually still be retained by the end-user as “hibernating” stocks that could potentially be recycled if the economic, technical, and behavioral challenges of recycling obsolete electronics are overcome.
Decreasing Excessive Bids for Attention in a Simulated Early Education Classroom

Differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) schedules can be used to decrease, but not eliminate, excessive bids for teacher attention in a classroom. There are two primary methods of implementing a DRL: full session and spaced responding. Some research suggests that the full-session DRL may eliminate target responding. The purpose of the current study was to compare the effectiveness of and preference for the two DRL methods in a simulated preschool classroom. Three participants completed difficult puzzles in baseline, both DRL, and differential-reinforcement-of-other-behavior (DRO) conditions. In the spaced-responding and full-session DRL conditions, the optimal rate of bids for attention was approximately 75% (two participants) or 50% (one participant) of baseline responding. All participants requested attention near the optimal criterion in both DRL conditions and at a lower rate (near zero) in the DRO condition. Treatment preference of the students was assessed in a concurrent-chain arrangement. All participants preferred both types of DRL conditions to DRO, and two participants showed a preference for the full-session DRL. Results suggest that either DRL procedure may be suitable for a preschool classroom, but a full-session DRL may be ideal.
La interpretación institucional de los derechos fundamentales en un Estado democrático de derecho

It’s common to argue that constitutional dispositions with a principle structure have an opened content that requires a concretization through interpretation. However, several institutions assume this function (Legislative, Courts, the administration or the people itself), even if there is no clarity on their specific competence. In this context, the present investigation intents to identify the main responsible of fundamental rights interpretation, proposing their respective competence. We postulate that there is no neutrality in the constitutional interpretation; instead, it is an important amount of discretion and political legal creation. Acy, rule of majority, rights, quality of democracy, amnesty laws, Inter American system of human rights, conventionality control.
Assessing the impact of perceived school board effectiveness on financing k-12 education in tennessee

Education funding has been a significant concern of both providers and consumers of the educational system in the United States for many generations. This expenditure accounts for the single largest allocation in most state and local government budgets; and scholars, practitioners, and the general public often question whether or not American students are getting the most “bang for their buck”. While school board members are not responsible for the allocation of revenues from federal, state, and local governments, these individuals are directly responsible for the distribution of these funds for the operation of local schools within their districts. The purpose of this study is to determine if school board members in Tennessee understand the role they play in allocating educational finances which ultimately influence student achievement. The results of this analysis suggest that the perceptions of school board members in Tennessee are not always reflective of the actual outcomes when real data is examined regarding school district expenditures.
Linking phenotypic correlations from a diverse set of laboratory tests to field behaviors in the crayfish, Orconectes virilis

The presence of phenotypic behavioral correlations and their connection to fitness consequences of organisms have received considerable debate within the literature. Yet, little work has been carried out to connect any behavioral correlates found within a set of laboratory studies to natural behavior observed under complex environmental conditions. To help fill this gap, individual crayfish, collected from the same local population, completed five different behavioral assays in a laboratory setting in a random order. These data were used to reveal any possible correlations for behavioral scores across all of the laboratory tests. Subsequently, these same individuals were placed into the field and video recorded for 24 hr. A separate set of field behaviors, related to the laboratory assays, were quantified from the field videos. The normalized laboratory and field behaviors were used in three stepwise statistical analyses. First, normalized data were loaded into a PCA to generate a priori hypotheses on potential behavioral correlates. These hypotheses were subsequently tested using general multiple linear regression. Finally, structural equation modeling was performed to elucidate any behavioral modules from the laboratory assays that correlated with behavioral patterns present from the fieldwork. Three laboratory‐based behavioral modules were connected to three separate field assays: exploration–avoidance, bold–shy, and aggressiveness. Yet, some behaviors exhibited in the laboratory assays were uncorrelated with any behaviors found in the field and vice versa. Results from this study provide evidence that although many different behavioral correlates may exist within laboratory settings, these same modules may not translate directly into predicting behavior under natural settings.
Co-Evolutionary Fitness Landscapes for Sequence Design.

Efficient and accurate models to predict the fitness of a sequence would be extremely valuable in protein design. We have explored the use of statistical potentials for the coevolutionary fitness landscape, extracted from known protein sequences, in conjuction with Monte Carlo simulations, as a tool for design. As proof of principle, we created a series of predicted high-fitness sequences for three different protein folds, representative of different structural classes: the GA (all-α) and GB (α/β) binding domains of streptococcal protein G, and an SH3 (all-β) domain. We found that most of the designed proteins can fold stably to the target structure, and a structure for a representative of each for GA, GB and SH3 was determined. Several of our designed proteins were also able to bind to native ligands, in some cases with higher affinity than wild-type. Thus, a search using a statistical fitness landscape is an remarkably effective tool for finding novel stable protein sequences.
Medical Mistrust in Black Breast Cancer Patients: Acknowledging the Roles of the Trustor and the Trustee

Studies indicate that Black patients report higher medical mistrust compared to their White counterparts. However, little is known about factors associated with higher medical mistrust among Black breast cancer patients. We examined predictors of medical mistrust and relationships between medical mistrust, subscales of mistrust, and process of care factors to identify opportunities to promote positive healthcare interactions between the trustees (e.g., providers) and Black breast cancer patients, or the trustors. A secondary analysis was conducted of survey data from 210 Black women with confirmed diagnosis of invasive breast cancer. Participants completed telephone surveys consisting of questions pertaining to sociodemographics, attitudes, and beliefs about medical care and breast cancer treatments. Multiple linear regression determined factors associated with medical mistrust and mistrust subscales. Most participants (61%) were over the age of 50 and currently single (64.8%). Women with greater medical mistrust reported less satisfaction with the trustee's technical ability (p < 0.0001) and greater satisfaction with their own propensity to access care (p < 0.05). Additionally, women with public insurance demonstrated greater mistrust (p < 0.01) and suspicion (p < 0.05) than women with private insurance, and women with less education reported greater perceived discrimination than women who have at least a bachelor's degree. Findings from this study may inform future endeavors to educate providers on ways to effectively interact with and treat Black breast cancer patients. Opportunities to develop interventions that address and tackle issues of mistrust as reported by Black patients may contribute to ongoing efforts to reduce health disparities.
A News-Utility Theory for Inattention and Delegation in Portfolio Choice

Recent evidence suggests that investors are inattentive to their portfolios and hire expensive portfolio managers. This paper develops a life‐cycle portfolio‐choice model in which the investor experiences loss‐averse utility over news and can ignore his portfolio. In such a model, the investor prefers to ignore and not rebalance his portfolio most of the time because he dislikes bad news more than he likes good news such that expected news causes a first‐order decrease in utility. Consequently, the investor has a first‐order willingness to pay a portfolio manager who rebalances actively on his behalf. Moreover, the investor can diversify over time and his consumption aligns with predictions of mental accounting. I structurally estimate the preference parameters by matching stock shares and stock‐market non‐participation over the life cycle. My parameter estimates are in line with the literature, generate reasonable intervals of inattention, and simultaneously explain consumption and wealth accumulation over the life cycle. Here, it matters that news utility preserves first‐order risk aversion even in the presence of stochastic labor income, which also causes stock shares to rise in wealth.
Photoactivated 2,3-distyrylindoles kill multi-drug resistant bacteria

Abstract Compounds based on the 2,3-distyrylindole scaffold were found to exhibit bactericidal properties upon irradiation with white light. At the concentration of 1 μM, the lead compound 1 completely (ca. 109 CFU/mL) eradicated such Gram-positive organisms as S. aureus (MRSA, MSSA), E. faecalis (VRE), S. pyogenes and S. mutans when irradiated with white light for 2 min. At the concentration of 5 μM and in the presence of polymyxin E at non-bactericidal 1.25 μg/mL concentration, 1 also showed a 7-log to 9-log reductions in bacterial counts of such Gram-negative organisms as multi-drug resistant (MDR) A. baumannii, MDR P. aeruginosa, E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRE: KPC and NDM-1), also when irradiated with white light for 2 min. The structure-activity relationship studies revealed that unsubstituted at benzene rings 2,3-distyrylindole 2 was most potent and gave a 5-order of magnitude eradication of a MRSA strain at the concentration of 30 nM upon irradiation with white light. Initial mechanistic experiments revealed the disruption of bacterial cell membrane, but indicated that singlet oxygen production, which is commonly associated with photodynamic therapy, may not play a role in the bactericidal effects of the 2,3-distyrylindoles.
Factorial Survey Methods for Studying Goods, Bads, and the Foa Resources

In this chapter, Guillermina Jasso points out that Foa’s six resource classes play many parts, as inputs and outcomes, in the postulates and predictions of all social sciences. Factorial survey methods allow rigorous analysis of the two corresponding types of “equations inside the head” – the positive-belief equations and the normative-judgment equations – together with the determinants and consequences of those beliefs and judgments. Jasso’s chapter presents a brief guide for using factorial survey methods to explore the resources, theoretical processes, and predictions of SRT. She points out that here is a growing body of research that examines individual-specific ideas about the determination of goods and bads (e.g., earnings and prison sentences) – both actual determination and just determination, formalized as actual reward functions and just reward functions. Jasso maintains that some of the applications discussed in the chapter require only minor modification to existing research protocols and that factorial survey methods may help accelerate progress in understanding goods, bads, and the Foa resources.
Does the Emergency Medicine In-training Examination Accurately Reflect Residents' Clinical Experiences?

Objective The American Board of Emergency Medicine Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine (ABEM Model) serves as a guide for resident education and the basis for the resident In-training Examination (ITE) and the Emergency Medicine Board Qualification Examinations. The purpose of this study was to determine how closely resident-patient encounters in our emergency departments (EDs) matched the ABEM Model as presented in the specifications of the content outline for the ITE. Methods This single-site study of an academic residency program analyzed all documented resident-patient encounters in the ED during a 2.5-year period recorded in the electronic medical record. The chief complaints from these encounters were matched to the 20 categories of the ABEM Model. Chi-square goodness-of-fit tests were performed to compare the proportions of categorized encounters and proportions of patient acuity levels to the proportions of categories as outlined in the content blueprint of the ITE. Results After the exclusion of encounters with missing data and those not involving EM residents, 125,405 encounters were analyzed. We found a significant difference between the clinical experience of EM residents and the ABEM Model as reflected in the ITE for both case categories (p < 0.01) and patient acuity (p < 0.01). The following categories were the most overrepresented in clinical care: signs, symptoms, and presentations; psychobehavioral disorders; and abdominal and gastrointestinal disorders. The most underrepresented were procedures and skills, systemic infectious disorders, and thoracic-respiratory disorders. Conclusion The clinical experience of EM residents differs significantly from the ITE Content Blueprint, which reflects the ABEM Model. This type of inquiry may help to provide custom education reports to residents about their clinical encounters to help identify clinical knowledge gaps that may require supplemental nonclinical training.
Closed loop control of melt pool width in robotized laser powder–directed energy deposition process

Robotized laser powder–directed energy deposition is a non-linear process, and the dynamic response of the system varies layer by layer. An adaptable PI controller with layer-dependent control gains was developed to ensure a constant melt pool width through the entire build. The laser power was selected as the control output variable, and the melt pool width was chosen as the control input variable. The performance of the controller was evaluated through deposition of thin wall samples. The results showed that the controller, by adjusting the laser power in real time, could successfully maintain the melt pool width and produce a more uniform and finer microstructure as compared to the sample with a constant laser power.
Sex differences in the epigenetic regulation of chronic visceral pain following unpredictable early life stress.

Background We previously reported that early life stress (ELS) dysregulated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). Epigenetic modifications serve as memories of adverse events that occurred during early life. Therefore, we hypothesized that epigenetic mechanisms alter GR and CRH expression in the CeA and underlie chronic visceral pain after ELS. Methods Neonatal rats were exposed to unpredictable, predictable ELS, or odor only (no stress control) from postnatal days 8 to 12. In adulthood, visceral sensitivity was assessed or the CeA was isolated for Western blot or ChiP-qPCR to study histone modifications at the GR and CRH promoters. Female adult rats underwent stereotaxic implantation of indwelling cannulas for microinjections of garcinol (HAT inhibitor) into the CeA. After 7 days of microinjections, visceral sensitivity was assessed or the CeA was isolated for ChIP-qPCR assays. Results Unpredictable ELS increased visceral sensitivity in adult female rats, but not in male counterparts. ELS increased histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9) acetylation in the CeA and H3K9 acetylation levels at the GR promoter in the CeA of adult female rats. After unpredictable ELS, H3K9 acetylation was increased and GR binding was decreased at the CRH promoter. Administration of garcinol in the CeA of adult females, that underwent unpredictable ELS, normalized H3K9 acetylation and restored GR binding at the CRH promoter. Conclusion Dysregulated histone acetylation and GR binding at the CRH promoter in the CeA are an important mechanism for "memorizing" ELS events mediating visceral pain in adulthood.
Interventions to deprescribe potentially inappropriate medications in the elderly: Lost in translation?

What is known and objective Use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) remains common in older adults, despite the easy availability of screening tools such as the Beers and Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria. Multiple published studies have implemented these screening tools to encourage deprescribing of PIMs, with mixed results. Little is known about the reasons behind the success or failure of these interventions, or what could be done to improve their impact. Implementation science (IS) provides a set of theories, models and frameworks to address these questions. The goal of this study was to conduct a focused narrative review of the deprescribing literature through an IS lens-to determine the extent to which implementation factors were identified and the intermediate steps in the intervention were measured. A better understanding of the existing literature, including its gaps, may provide a roadmap for future research. Methods PubMed search from 2000-2019 using appropriate MeSH headings. Inclusion criteria controlled trials or prospective cohort studies intended to reduce PIMs in the elderly that used hospitalizations and/or emergency department visits as outcome measures. Studies were reviewed to identify potential implementation factors (known as determinants), using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) as a guide. In addition, intermediate outcomes were extracted. Results and discussion Of the 548 reviewed abstracts, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria and underwent detailed analysis. Of the 14 studies, 10 acknowledged potential implementation determinants that could be mapped onto CFIR. The most commonly identified determinant was the degree of pharmacist integration into the medical team (seven of 14 studies), which mapped onto the CFIR construct of 'networks and communication'. Several important CFIR constructs were absent in the reviewed literature. Intermediate measures were captured by 12 of the 14 reviewed papers, but the choice of measures was inconsistent across studies. What is new and conclusion In recent high-quality studies of deprescribing interventions, we found limited acknowledgement of factors known to be important to successful implementation and inconsistent reporting of intermediate outcomes. These findings indicate missed opportunities to understand the factors underlying study outcomes. As a result, we run the risk of rejecting worthwhile interventions due to negative results, when the correct interpretation might be that they failed in implementation. In other words, they were 'lost in translation'. Studies that rigorously examine and report on the implementation process are needed to tease apart this important distinction.
Rethinking design studios as an integrative multi-layered collaboration environment

This paper discusses experimental studios within an incremental collaboration framework to better understand the opportunities of peer‐to‐peer learning and student collaboration. Using qualitative ...
A Mixed-Signal Adaptive Ripple Canceler for Switching Regulators Providing 18 dB-24 dB of Ripple Rejection up to 1 MHz

A mixed-signal adaptive ripple canceller for reducing switching noise and spurious emissions in switching regulators is presented. The proposed mixed-signal ripple suppression technique tracks and cancels the switching noise by utilizing two schemes: A primary mixed-signal adaptive ripple canceller that provides large signal ripple cancellation up to 20 dB, and an auxiliary linear amplifier-based ripple canceller that minimizes the residual ripple content, achieving a combined ripple rejection of 24 dB. Proposed approach operates without the need for external components, reducing overall printed circuit board area without loss of efficiency. The adaptive ripple canceller is designed and fabricated in a 250 nm CMOS process with four levels of metal. The ripple-canceller is integrated with an on-chip buck regulator to characterize its rejection effectiveness. The ripple canceller can also be utilized as a stand-alone ripple cleaner module with an external commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) switching regulator. The proposed ripple canceller can track and cancel power supply ripple up to 1 MHz with 24 dB rejection and reduces ripple content up to fourth harmonic by at least 20 dB while supporting dc loads up to 1 A and ripple currents up to 350 mApk-pk. The proposed approach achieves 30% lower quiescent current than using a linear low-dropout regulator without the need for any external components.
Negative Cannabis Expectancies Are Associated with Drinking After Cannabis Use

With the increase in the number of states legalizing cannabis, driving after cannabis use (DACU) has become a significant public health concern nationwide and is one of the riskiest cannabis-related behaviors. Prior research has linked DACU with cannabis outcome expectancies, the positive and negative beliefs one holds about the effects of cannabis. The present study examined the relationships between cannabis expectancies and DACU in a sample of college cannabis users who have engaged in recent DACU. Participants were 85 college students who reported driving after cannabis use at least three times in the past three months. Participants completed measures that assessed positive and negative cannabis expectancies, perceived peer approval and dangerousness of DACU, and driving after cannabis use. In a negative binomial regression model, negative expectancies, perceived peer approval, and perceived dangerousness were significantly associated with DACU (p’s <.05). Positive expectancies of cannabis use were not significantly associated with DACU. These results provide evidence that negative expectancies of cannabis use are associated with DACU. In addition to perceptions of dangerousness and peer approval, cannabis expectancies may be an important prevention and intervention target.
Optimization of Material Symmetry

Pointwise optimization of the material symmetry of an anisotropic elastic material with respect to fixed and specified stress (or strain) states is accomplished. The conceptual variables in this problem are the type of material symmetry and the orientation of the canonical symmetry axis for the material at a point in the material. The actual variables are the coefficients of the elasticity (or compliance) matrix. The results are presented in the form of the elasticity (or compliance) matrices that minimize the strain energy with respect to specified, but arbitrary, stress (or strain) states.
The genetic basis of coordinated plasticity across functional units in a Lake Malawi cichlid mapping population

Adaptive radiations are often stereotypical, as populations repeatedly specialize along conserved environmental axes. Phenotypic plasticity may be similarly stereotypical, as individuals respond to environmental cues. These parallel patterns of variation, which are often consistent across traits, have led researchers to propose that plasticity can facilitate predictable patterns of evolution along environmental gradients. This "flexible stem" model of evolution raises questions about the genetic nature of plasticity, including how complex is the genetic basis for plasticity? Is plasticity across traits mediated by many distinct loci, or few "global" regulators? To address these questions, we reared a hybrid cichlid mapping population on alternate diet regimes mimicking an important environmental axis. We show that plasticity across an array of ecologically relevant traits is generally morphologically integrated, such that traits respond in a coordinated manner, especially those with overlapping function. Our genetic data are more ambiguous. While our mapping experiment provides little evidence for global genetic regulators of plasticity, these data do contain a genetic signal for the integration of plasticity across traits. Overall, our data suggest a compromise between genetic modularity, whereby plasticity may evolve independently across traits, and low level but widespread genetic integration, establishing the potential for plasticity to experience coordinated evolution.
Making and Unmaking Refugees: Geopolitics of Social Ordering and Struggle within the Global Refugee Regime

Wars and conflicts around the world take the lives of millions and leave millions more displaced both physically and emotionally. With an unprecedented number of displaced peoples worldwide, the pl...
An Experimental Study of a Peer-Facilitated Violence Prevention Program for Women in Prison.

The literature has shown a strong correlation between victimization and violence. As the majority of treatment programs for violence and the associated research have been focused on men, it is vita...
Effects of Exercise on the Insulin Levels in Diabetics

This article concerns a study of the effects of aerobic exercise on lowering the insulin requirements of the diabetics in the exercise group. A two-way analysis of variance revealed significant int...
Risk factors and outcomes of post-transplant erythrocytosis among adult kidney transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Post-transplant erythrocytosis (PTE) can occur in up to 10-16% after kidney transplant (KT). However, the post-transplant outcomes of recipients with PTE in the literature were conflicting. We performed systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies to evaluate risk factors of PTE as well as outcomes of recipients who developed PTE compared to controls. Methods A literature search was conducted evaluating all literature from existence through February 2, 2021, using MEDLINE and EMBASE. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects model. (PROSPERO: CRD42021230377) RESULTS: Thirty-nine studies from July 1982 to January 2021 were included (7,099 KT recipients). The following factors were associated with PTE development: male gender (pooled RR=1.62 [1.38, 1.91], I2 =39%), deceased-donor KT (pooled RR=1.18 [1.03, 1.35], I2 =32%), history of smoking (pooled RR=1.36 [1.11, 1.67], I2 =13%), underlying polycystic kidney disease (PKD) (pooled RR=1.56 [1.21, 2.01], I2 =44%), and pretransplant dialysis (pooled RR=1.6 [1.02, 2.51], I2 =46%). However, PTE was not associated with outcomes of interest, including overall mortality, death-censored graft failure, and thromboembolism. Conclusion Our meta-analysis demonstrates that male gender, deceased-donor KT, history of smoking, underlying PKD, and pretransplant dialysis were significantly associated with developing PTE. However, with proper management, PTE has no impact on prognosis of KT patients.
Recent Developments in Frequency-Resolved Optical Gating: Measurement of Ultraweak Ultrashort Pulses

We describe a recent development in Frequency-Resolved Optical Gating, specifically, its use in conjunction with Spectral Interferometry to measure nearly arbitrarily weak ultrashort pulses.
Retinal histopathology in eyes from patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa caused by rhodopsin mutations.

To evaluate the histopathology in donor eyes from patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP) caused by p.P23H, p.P347T and p.P347L rhodopsin ( RHO ) gene mutations. Eyes from a 72-year-old male (donor 1), an 83-year-old female (donor 2), an 80-year-old female (donor 3), and three age-similar normal eyes were examined macroscopically, by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography imaging. Perifoveal and peripheral pieces were processed for microscopy and immunocytochemistry with markers for photoreceptor cells. DNA analysis revealed RHO mutations c.68C>A (p.P23H) in donor 1, c.1040C>T (p.P347L) in donor 2 and c.1039C>A (p.P347T) in donor 3. Histology of the ADRP eyes showed retinas with little evidence of stratified nuclear layers in the periphery and a prominent inner nuclear layer present in the perifoveal region in the p.P23H and p.P347T eyes, while it was severely atrophic in the p.P347L eye. The p.P23H and p.P347T mutations cause a profound loss of rods in both the periphery and perifovea, while the p.P347L mutation displays near complete absence of rods in both regions. All three rhodopsin mutations caused a profound loss of cones in the periphery. The p.P23H and p.P347T mutations led to the presence of highly disorganized cones in the perifovea. However, the p.P347L mutation led to near complete absence of cones also in the perifovea. Our results support clinical findings indicating that mutations affecting residue P347 develop more severe phenotypes than those affecting P23. Furthermore, our results indicate a more severe phenotype in the p.P347L retina as compared to the p.P347T retina.
Psychological Impact of Migration on Latinas: Implications for Psychotherapeutic Practice.

This paper examines the psychological implications of the migratory process on Latin American women in the United States, addressing issues of gender roles, acculturation, language, loss, and grief that are frequently presented by immigrant Latinas in psychotherapy. The paper interprets these issues as reflective of the stresses created by the migratory process rather than as issues of individual psychopathology, and suggests ways to respond to them through psychotherapy.
Specific Binding of β-Adrenergic Catecholamines to a Subcellular Fraction from Cardiac Muscle

Abstract The 78,000 x g subcellular fraction of canine cardiac tissue has been shown to bind norepinephrine specifically. β-Adrenergic drugs compete with norepinephrine in a potency series parallel to their potency in causing an increase in the force of cardiac muscle contraction. d and l isomers of the catecholamines competed equally well. These subcellular particles also contain adenylate cyclase which may be stimulated by catecholamines with a similar specificity. [3H]Norepinephrine is concentrated 1000-fold in the particles at 10-9m and may be fully dissociated in 1 m HC1 without evidence of structural alteration. Two different binding constants, K = 1.04 x 107 m-1 and 1.33 x 106 m-1, as well as two different dissociation rates for norepinephrine, were observed. The pH optimum for binding was 7.5, with substantial decrease at more acidic pH and little change at more alkaline pH. Divalent cations at 1 to 5 mm diminished binding as did chelating agents, reagents reacting with sulfhydryl groups, urea, temperatures above 50°, and proteolytic enzymes. The monovalent cations, Na+ and K+, and the enzymes ribonuclease, desoxyribonuclease, and phospholipase were without effect. Tris and trimethylamine and increases in temperature up to 50° enhanced binding. Binding of norepinephrine to this subcellular fraction was differentiated from binding to neural vesicles by virtue of a different specificity, a lack of sensitivity to reserpine, the absence of an ATP requirement, and the preservation of norepinephrine binding after chemical sympathectomy.
A framework for query optimization in temporal databases

We investigate issues pertaining to query processing of temporal databases in a relational environment. Tuple-versioning of relations is the adopted method of temporal data representation. New operators are necessary in order to exploit the richer semantics of temporal queries. We define four types of temporal joins— theta-join, time intersection, time union and the event-join. Factors that affect processing strategies are discussed, especially the problem of estimating data selectivity for various temporal operations. Strategies for implementing the temporal equijoin operator is evaluated.
Entropy and Survival-based Weights to Combine Affymetrix Array Types and Analyze Differential Expression and Survival

In order to comprehensively identify genes with expression levels that correlate with survival for patients with lung adenocarcinoma, we combined data across the Harvard and Michigan studies. Two different versions of Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays were used in these two studies. We proposed combining arrays of different platforms by assigning weights to the expression levels of each gene across data sets based on the entropy of the residual matrix. In each data set, the expression level of each gene is quantified by the “reduced” model proposed by Li and Wong [2001], which is equivalent to a method using the singular value decomposition. We combined information across different chip types by first identifying common genes on the two chip types, and then assigning weights based on residual entropy for each gene. To incorporate clinical information, especially survival data, in detecting important genes, we proposed a new method based on weighted t-tests (wtt). The survival information can be absorbed into a set of weights assigned to the expression intensities across all the arrays or subjects, based on the predicted median survival time using the Cox proportional hazards model. Important genes can be identified by comparing the survival-weighted t-tests with another t-test comparing the cancer patients to the reference group, and error rates can be controlled by permutation procedures.
A Submodular Optimization Problem with Side Constraints

In this paper we consider the general problem of optimizing over the intersection of a submodular base polyhedron and an affine space. An example is the following flow problem defined on a capacitated network: we wish to send a commodity from locations in a producing country to locations in a number of client countries so as to simultaneously maximize profits and send to each client country a prescribed proportion of the total sent. We present an algorithm for the general problem and analyze its complexity.
Transduction in Bacillus subtilis by Bacteriophage SPP1

Lysates of the virulent bacteriophage SPP1 were shown to be capable of mediating generalized transduction. Suppressible mutants of this bacteriophage (sus) were capable of transduction at a lower multiplicity of infection than virulent SPP1. Linkage analysis demonstrated that bacteriophage SPP1 transduced segments of the genome equal in size to that transferred by SP10. This bacteriophage should be useful in analyzing the regions of the genome where PBS1 appears to give anomalous results.
Optimization of Salinity Control in Grand Valley

A mathematical simulation of the cost-effectiveness relationship for various agricultural and desalination structural alternatives for reducing salt pickup by irrigation return flows was developed and applied in the Grand Valley of western Colorado. Cost-effectiveness functions developed from the model were then optimized using a least-cost criterion to determine the most cost-effective strategies for salinity control in the valley. The analysis indicates that lining small conveyance channels to reduce seepage and increase the efficiency of the existing furrow irrigation systems should be given the highest priority. Canal lining and desalination of return flows are costly alternatives, but are feasible when the level of salinity control requires nearly total alleviation of the problem. Some structural alternatives such as field and interceptor drainage exhibited more than an order of magnitude higher costs and should not be considered.
Drug therapy reviews: management of the disulfiram-alcohol reaction

A review of the proposed mechanisms of the disulfiram-alcohol interaction and recommended management of the interaction is presented. The efficacy of disulfiram in the management of alcoholism, the signs and symptoms of the disulfiram-alcohol interaction, and other agents with disulfiram-like activity are discussed. Recommended treatment consists of supportive measures such as Trendelenberg posture, administration of oxygen and intravenous infusion of fluid, solute, colloid, and, if needed, a pressor agent such as norepinephrine. Iron salts, ascorbic acid, antihistamines and phenothiazines are of no established benefit.
Theory of systems efficiency : models and applications : a review

Abstract A critical survey of models of systems efficiency is attempted here in the following field: control systems: flexible manufacturing systems: reliablity theory of stochastic systems; and the evolutionary systems of competitive fitness. These efficiency concepts are related to the current theory of data envelopment analysis that is widely applied to estimate input-output efficiency in public sector organizations.
Association of five-factor model personality domains and facets with presence, onset, and treatment outcomes of major depression in older adults.

Objectives To assess the relationship of multiple domains and facets of the five-factor model of personality with presence, onset, and severity of late-life depression. Design Cross-sectional analysis of depression status, and age of onset. Retrospective analysis of baseline severity. Longitudinal analysis of severity after 3 and 12 months of psychiatric treatment. Setting Private university-affiliated medical center in the Southeastern United States. Participants One hundred twelve psychiatric patients with a current episode of unipolar major depression, and 104 nondepressed comparison subjects, age 60 and older (mean: 70, SD: 6). Measurements Revised NEO Personality Inventory, Diagnostic Interview Schedule, and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Results Binary logistic regression found that depression was related to higher neuroticism (and all its facets) and to lower extraversion (and facets of assertiveness, activity, and positive emotionality) and conscientiousness (and facets of competence, order, dutifulness, and self-discipline). Multinomial logistic regression found some of these relationships held only for depression with onset before age 50 (hostility, self-consciousness, extraversion, assertiveness, positive emotions, order, and dutifulness). Linear regression found that personality was unrelated to depression severity at the beginning of treatment, but improvement after 3 months was related to lower neuroticism (and facets depressiveness and stress-vulnerability) and higher warmth and competence. Improvement after 12 months was related to lower neuroticism, depressiveness, and stress-vulnerability. Conclusions Specific personality facets are related with depression and treatment outcomes. Screening for certain personality traits at the start of treatment may help identify patients at risk of worse response to treatment after 3 months.
From follower to leader: Strategic analysis of Thailand, the world’s largest Hard Disk Drive manufacturer

Undoubtedly in today's competitive world, hard disk drive (HDD) is regarded as one of the most significant data storages. HDD Industry has played a significant role as one of the major markets in the world. And according to Hard Disk Drive Capital Equipment Market & Technology Report (June 2006), HDD market is still growing continuously and rapidly.Meanwhile, Thailand has built up a global competitiveness in electronics industry especially in hard disk drive sector as well. After twenty five years of having the first HDD manufacturer (Seagate Technology), Thailand has become a manufacturing location for these world's leading HDD manufacturers (Seagate, Western Digital, Hitachi GST, and Fujitsu). The HDD Industry in Thailand has been growing strongly for the past decade. Since 2005, Thailand stands the 1st in the world ranking of hard disk exporters. Thailand's HDD Industry is estimated to contribute 4-4.5% of Thailand's GDP. This research has been carried out with a purpose to understand reasons behind Thailand's success in attracting Disk Drive Manufacturers by applying two strategic analyses SWOT and Model of Societal Structure. The study found that Thailand has a lot of potential to continue to be the world's largest HDD manufacturer in the future because of the major key success factors which are responsive and attentive government, strategic location, strong infrastructure, and excellent labor pool.
A thermodynamic analysis of the Cu-O system with an associated solution model

An extension of the associated solution model is developed and applied to the Cu-O liquid phase. Associated species “Cu2O” in the liquid solution are assumed, which interact with the surrounding free Cu and O atoms. All thermodynamic properties and the phase diagram calculated from this model are in good agreement with the experimental information. The success of this mathematical description is, of course, no proof for the physical existence of associated species. A consistent set of thermodynamic data of the various solid, liquid, and gaseous phases is given by this comprehensive evaluation. In addition, linear approximations for the Gibbs energies of reaction of formation and the interaction coefficients are offered. A metastable liquidus of the compound CuO at elevated pressure is predicted, the congruent melting point being 1228 °C at δC atP O 2 = 24.4 atm (2.47 MPa).
Wavenumber selection for Rayleigh—Bénard convection in a small aspect ratio box

Abstract The present numerical study is directed towards Rayleigh-Benard convection with insulated side walls for small aspect ratio enclosures. A Boussinesq fluid is assumed. Bifurcations have been documented and the physics of the flow field have been looked into for three different aspect ratios, 3.3:1.9:1, 3.5:2.1:1 and 4:2:1, and three different fluid Prandtl numbers, 0.5, 0.71 and 2.5. It was found that rolls parallel to the long side are stable only below a Rayleigh number of 20000 for a 3.5:2.1:1 geometry with water (Pr = 2.5) as the fluid. For the 3.3:1.9:1 geometry with liquid helium (Pr = 0.5) the transition from a three-cell to a two-cell pattern is accompanied by strong time dependence. For the 4:2: 1 geometry with air (Pr = 0.71) the transition from four to three rolls was found to be a result of the skewed varicose instability.
Equilibria of an Epidemic Game with Piecewise Linear Social Distancing Cost

Around the world, infectious disease epidemics continue to threaten people’s health. When epidemics strike, we often respond by changing our behaviors to reduce our risk of infection. This response is sometimes called “social distancing.” Since behavior changes can be costly, we would like to know the optimal social distancing behavior. But the benefits of changes in behavior depend on the course of the epidemic, which itself depends on our behaviors. Differential population game theory provides a method for resolving this circular dependence. Here, I present the analysis of a special case of the differential SIR epidemic population game with social distancing when the relative infection rate is linear, but bounded below by zero. Equilibrium solutions are constructed in closed-form for an open-ended epidemic. Constructions are also provided for epidemics that are stopped by the deployment of a vaccination that becomes available a fixed-time after the start of the epidemic. This can be used to anticipate a window of opportunity during which mass vaccination can significantly reduce the cost of an epidemic.
Experimental Social Innovation as an Alternative to a Pseudo-Relevant Social Psychology

Over the last decade pressures for a "relevant social psychology" have intensified. This paper assesses the responses of social psychologists to these pressures in terms of research activities and graduate training models. Several problems characterize "itraditional" responses to the relevancy issue and these difficulties are discussed. An alternative paradigm for research and graduate training is proposed in the ratter portions of the paper. This alternative approach emphasizes an inductive, social problem oriented social psychology. At any event, the innovators of the past have not, so far as evidence shows, been judged in childhood and youth as exceptionally bright; more often they have been considered by their contemporaries as being a bit dull, if only because they have failed to grasp the fact that the world is flat, that an iron plow will poison the soil, or that the king can do no wrong. (LaPiere, 1965, p. 132)