cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Two Data Sets Used to Measure Expenditure Trends for Local Public Park and Recreation Services

Six studies published between 1978 and 2017 used data from the Census Bureau’s annual publication, Government Finances, to identify trends in local park and recreation expenditures. This paper evaluates the validity of the Government Finances data and conclusions of analyses drawn from it by comparing annual data on park and recreation expenditures collected annually by the Trust for Public Land (TPL) from 2008 through 2017 from the same agencies in the same years published in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Government Finances.Results revealed several key discrepancies between the datasets. First, the Government Finances average total, operating, and capital expenditures for the 100 cities were substantially higher than those reported by TPL. Second, the TPL data showed a gradual and incremental decrease in total expenditures over the decade, whereas the Government Finances data showed a substantial increase in total spending, especially after 2012. Third, the declines in the TPL data in total and operational spending from 2008 to 2009, which marked the onset of the Great Recession were 11.31% and 17.69%, respectively, whereas the Government Finances data showed increases of 1.05% and 5.96%, respectively. Fourth, the Government Finances data showed increases from 2008 to 2016 of 22% in total spending and 6% in operational spending, suggesting park and recreation agencies had fully recovered from the Great Recession, but the TPL data showed declines of 20% and 16% in those expenditures, respectively. Fifth, averages masked substantial variations among cities, as there were dramatic differences in expenditures in the two data sets for many individual municipalities. Our analyses confirmed that concerns relating to the Government Finances dataset were legitimate. Applying those data to monitor trends in expenditures of “mainline” park and recreation agencies is inappropriate and is likely to mislead rather than inform. For the Government Finances data to have utility, the Census Bureau should divide them into “core” and “non-core” services. If that is not done, then we recommend that state associations use the TPL definitions and questionnaire to collect primary information about park and recreation expenditures either annually or biennially to improve monitoring accuracy and inform policy and decision-making. Subscribe to JPRA
Outcomes of COVID-19 With the Mayo Clinic Model of Care and Research

Abstract Objective To report the Mayo Clinic experience with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related to patient outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with COVID-19 diagnosed between March 1, 2020, and July 31, 2020, at any of the Mayo Clinic sites. We abstracted pertinent comorbid conditions such as age, sex, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index variables, and treatments received. Factors associated with hospitalization and mortality were assessed in univariate and multivariate models. Results A total of 7891 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection with research authorization on file received care across the Mayo Clinic sites during the study period. Of these, 7217 patients were adults 18 years or older who were analyzed further. A total of 897 (11.4%) patients required hospitalization, and 354 (4.9%) received care in the intensive care unit (ICU). All hospitalized patients were reviewed by a COVID-19 Treatment Review Panel, and 77.5% (695 of 897) of inpatients received a COVID-19–directed therapy. Overall mortality was 1.2% (94 of 7891), with 7.1% (64 of 897) mortality in hospitalized patients and 11.3% (40 of 354) in patients requiring ICU care. Conclusion Mayo Clinic outcomes of patients with COVID-19 infection in the ICU, hospital, and community compare favorably with those reported nationally. This likely reflects the impact of interprofessional multidisciplinary team evaluation, effective leveraging of clinical trials and available treatments, deployment of remote monitoring tools, and maintenance of adequate operating capacity to not require surge adjustments. These best practices can help guide other health care systems with the continuing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tuning the Surface Plasmon Resonance of Gold Dumbbell Nanorods.

Gold has always fascinated humans, occupying an important functional and symbolic role in civilization. In earlier times, gold was predominantly used in jewelry; today, this noble metal’s surface p...
Wear behavior of polyamide 11 reinforced with titanate nanotubes

Besides polyamide 11 (PA 11) outstanding properties, wear performance is considered a key factor for its continued widespread use. TiTanate NanoTubes (TTNT) have a huge potential as reinforcement i...
Intraoperative Genitourinary Injuries During a Hysterectomy: Risks, Management, and Mitigation Strategies

Surgical removal of the uterus is one of the most performed procedures in women, with >600,000 hysterectomies performed per year in the United States alone, most for benign indications. Over the pa...
Inflammatory bowel disease and the lung in paediatric patients.

The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased over the past 20 years. Pulmonary involvement in paediatric IBD is rare but may be missed since the spectrum of symptoms is broad and mimics other diseases. The most important differential diagnoses of pulmonary manifestations of IBD are infections and therapy-related side-effects. There is no gold standard to diagnose respiratory manifestations in children with IBD. Diagnostic tests should be chosen according to history and clinical presentation. Treatment of respiratory manifestations of IBD includes inhaled or oral corticosteroids and initiation or step-up of immunomodulatory IBD therapies.
Catalytically inactive, purified rnase h1: A specific and sensitive probe for rna–dna hybrid imaging

R-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures with both physiological and pathological roles in cells. R-loop imaging generally relies on detection of the RNA-DNA hybrid component of these structures using the S9.6 antibody. We show that the use of this antibody for imaging can be problematic because it readily binds to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in vitro and in vivo, giving rise to nonspecific signal. In contrast, purified, catalytically inactive human RNase H1 tagged with GFP (GFP-dRNH1) is a more specific reagent for imaging RNA-DNA hybrids. GFP-dRNH1 binds strongly to RNA-DNA hybrids but not to dsRNA oligonucleotides in fixed human cells and is not susceptible to binding endogenous RNA. Furthermore, we demonstrate that purified GFP-dRNH1 can be applied to fixed cells to detect hybrids after their induction, thereby bypassing the need for cell line engineering. GFP-dRNH1 therefore promises to be a versatile tool for imaging and quantifying RNA-DNA hybrids under a wide range of conditions.
'Give Me My Allowance or I'll Run!' Everyday Resistance By Foster Children and Justice Outsourced

This essay will appear in a new book co-edited by Professor Michael L. Perlin and Dr. Kelly Frailing, JUSTICE OUTSOURCED: THE THERAPEUTIC JURISPRUDENCE IMPLICATIONS OF JUDICIAL DECISION-MAKING BY NON-JUDICIAL OFFICERS (Temple University Press) (2021). The chapter fits the overall theme of this book, which looks at the role of non-judicial officers as a hidden space in the U.S. judicial system through a Therapeutic Jurisprudence lens. It examines relationships between children and their state caregivers through their recorded experiences and testimonial voices, incorporating insights from poverty law and lawyering, child welfare law and policy, administrative law, clinical legal education, and TJ. The chapter builds on Austin Sarat’s socio-legal study of the complex relationships between welfare recipients and public assistance systems, and their ambivalent relationships with legal services providers, The Law is All Over”: Power, Resistance and the Legal Consciousness of the Welfare Poor, It integrates metaphors from this field study of the welfare poor into the analysis of formal and informal, abstract and material rules that envelope foster children, illustrated by examples from the University of Miami Children & Youth Law Clinic case docket. Although foster children can challenge decisions by the child welfare bureaucracy in court or fair hearings, many decisions fall beyond the purview of judicial or administrative due process. Less formal client advocacy enables children to resist state control as individuals and as a group and to overcome daily challenges such as getting personal allowances from caregivers. This paper is not to be cited until this book is published.
Global approaches for profiling transcription initiation

Transcription start site (TSS) selection influences transcript stability and translation as well as protein sequence. Alternative TSS usage is pervasive in organismal development, is a major contributor to transcript isoform diversity in humans, and is frequently observed in human diseases including cancer. In this review, we discuss the breadth of techniques that have been used to globally profile TSSs and the resulting insights into gene regulation, as well as future prospects in this area of inquiry.
Goodness of Fit test for the Rayleigh and the Laplace Distributions

Cha (2006) proposed a new stochastic model for the accelerated burn-in procedure based on the concept of virtual age. In the current paper, we discuss the basics of this approach in more detail, justify some assumptions and extend the model to the case of proportional (additive) hazards during burn-in. For each model, we also obtain upper bounds for optimal accelerated burn-in times.
Mouse iNKT cell development and functions are differentially regulated by SHIP-1 (HEM3P.288)

The SH2-containing inositol phosphatase-1 (SHIP-1) is a 5’ inositol phosphatase known to negatively regulate the signaling product of phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K), phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P3). SHIP-1 can be recruited to a large number of inhibitory receptors expressed on iNKT cells. We hypothesized SHIP-1 deletion would have major effects on iNKT cell development by altering the thresholds for positive and negative selection. In SHIP-1 deficient animals, iNKT cell frequency and number are impaired when compared to littermate controls. However, using both mixed bone marrow chimera and mice conditionally deficient for SHIP-1 in the T cell lineage, we show iNKT cell development is globally intact, demonstrating SHIP-1 is not required intrinsically for iNKT cell development. In addition, although SHIP-1 is necessary extrinsically for iNKT positive selection, it is dispensable on CD1d positive selecting cells. Interestingly, SHIP-1 deficient iNKT cells display functional defects including reduced cytokine production. These results further our understanding of how iNKT cell activation is regulated and provide insights into the biology of this unique cell lineage.
Evaluation of the Southern Ocean O2/Ar-based NCP estimates in a model framework

[1] The sea-air biological O2 flux assessed from measurements of surface O2 supersaturation in excess of Ar supersaturation (“O2 bioflux”) is increasingly being used to constrain net community production (NCP) in the upper ocean mixed layer. In making these calculations, one generally assumes that NCP is at steady state, mixed layer depth is constant, and there is no O2 exchange across the base of the mixed layer. The object of this paper is to evaluate the magnitude of errors introduced by violations of these assumptions. Therefore, we examine the differences between the sea-air biological O2 flux and NCP in the Southern Ocean mixed layer as calculated using two ocean biogeochemistry general circulation models. In this approach, NCP is considered a known entity in the prognostic model, whereas O2 bioflux is estimated using the model-predicted O2/Ar ratio to compute the mixed layer biological O2 saturation and the gas transfer velocity to calculate flux. We find that the simulated biological O2 flux gives an accurate picture of the regional-scale patterns and trends in model NCP. However, on local scales, violations of the assumptions behind the O2/Ar method lead to significant, non-uniform differences between model NCP and biological O2 flux. These errors arise from two main sources. First, venting of biological O2 to the atmosphere can be misaligned from NCP in both time and space. Second, vertical fluxes of oxygen across the base of the mixed layer complicate the relationship between NCP and the biological O2 flux. Our calculations show that low values of O2 bioflux correctly register that NCP is also low (<10 mmol m−2 day−1), but fractional errors are large when rates are this low. Values between 10 and 40 mmol m−2 day−1 in areas with intermediate mixed layer depths of 30 to 50 m have the smallest absolute and relative errors. Areas with O2 bioflux higher than 30 mmol m−2 day−1 and mixed layers deeper than 40 m tend to underestimate NCP by up to 20 mmol m−2 day−1. Excluding time periods when mixed layer biological O2 is undersaturated, O2 bioflux underestimates time-averaged NCP by 5%–15%. If these time periods are included, O2 bioflux underestimates mixed layer NCP by 20%–35% in the Southern Ocean. The higher error estimate is relevant if one wants to estimate seasonal NCP since a significant amount of biological production takes place when mixed layer biological O2 is undersaturated.
Business Modeling via Commitments

Existing computer science approaches to business modeling offer low-level abstractions such as data and control flows, which fail to capture the business intent underlying the interactions that are central to real-life business models. In contrast, existing management science approaches are high-level but not only are these semiformal, they are also focused exclusively on managerial concerns such as valuations and profitability. This paper proposes a novel business metamodel based on commitments that considers additional agent-oriented concepts, specifically, goals and tasks. It proposes a set of business patterns and algorithms for checking model completeness and verification of agent interactions. Unlike traditional models, our approach marries rigor and flexibility, providing a crisp notion of correctness and compliance independent of specific executions.
Using Cash Flow Dynamics to Price Thinly Traded Assets: The Case of Commercial Real Estate

We propose a technique to infer cash flow yields for investment assets whose trades are infrequent, but for which cash flow data is available. We construct a Self-Propagating Rolling-Window Panel VAR framework, adapted from a Dynamic Gordon Growth Model setup. We use this framework to estimate yields and volatility in yields for untraded commercial properties as out-of-sample predictions from our VAR based on these properties’ cash flow data. We find that our predicted cash flow yields closely resemble ex-post realized transaction yields, and that these predicted yields even outperform appraisals in this respect. We find that this paradigm provides a good representation of commercial real estate yields, and propose that investors can readily apply this algorithm to infer values of untraded investment assets.
Influence of Family History of Cancer on Engagement in Protective Health Behaviors

Background: Approximately 1580 people die from cancer each day. Family history is highlighted as an especially important indicator of cancer risk. Purpose: To determine whether having a family member with cancer influences preventive behaviors (e.g., smoking, physical activity, and screenings). Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis (regression) of the 2014 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Results: The sample was primarily married (48%) females (61.37%; n = 1614). Most participants had a family member diagnosed with cancer (64.33%; n = 1661). Family history did not significantly influence routine screening behavior (β = 0.016, odds ratio [OR] = 1.068, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.751–1.520, P = .708); lifetime smoking status (β = 0.04, OR = 1.19, 95% CI, 0.84–1.69, P = .312); current smoking status (β = − 0.022, OR = 0.955, 95% CI, 0.433–2.105, P = .907); or physical activity behavior (β = − 0.04, 95% CI, − 23.13 to 5.15, P = .207). Discussion When compared to those without a...
Adherence of Escherichia coli to human urinary tract epithelial cells.

The adherence of Escherichia coli to human uroepithelial cells obtained from midstream urine specimens of healthy women was studied. Bacteria labeled with [3H]uridine were used, and unattached organisms were separated from the epithelial cells by vacuum filtration with 5-μm-pore-size Nucleopore membrane filters. These techniques allowed adherence to be measured in large numbers of epithelial cells and overcame the problem of distinguishing experimental bacteria from the indigenous organisms present on uroepithelial cells. Adherence was not appreciably affected by temperature. Adherence was maximal at pH 4 to 5 and at bacterial-to-epithelial-cell ratios of 5,000 or more. The latter observation suggested that there are a limited number of receptors on the epithelial cell surface, an idea which was supported by competition experiments. Adherence occurred within 1 min and then decreased gradually or quickly, depending on the type of bacterial growth medium, to a stationary level of adherence, approximately 50% of that observed initially. The ability of epithelial cells from a single individual to bind E. coli varied in a cyclical and repetitive pattern. Adherence tended to be higher during the early phase of the menstrual cycle and diminished shortly after the time of expected ovulation; adherence frequently correlated with the value obtained on the same day of the menstrual cycle during the preceding months. Adherence was markedly enhanced by bacterial incubation in broth for 72 h and inhibited by α-d-mannose. These results suggest that adherence is a complex phenomenon perhaps mediated in part by bacterial pili and mannose residues on uroepithelial cells.
Micro-Incentives and Municipal Behavior: Political Decentralization and Fiscal Federalism in Argentina and Mexico

Summary This article analyzes the mixed results of political and fiscal decentralization in Latin America by comparing taxing and spending policies in six cities in Argentina and Mexico. Consistent with previous studies, we find that decentralization has been frustrated by overconcentration of power at the provincial level and large vertical fiscal imbalances, though we characterize these as functional elements in a system of redistributive policy-making that benefits a wide array of provincial and municipal actors. We seek to add a new dimension to the literature by arguing that micro-level incentives (conditions and circumstances particular to specific places) are more important determinants of municipal behavior than macro-level structures (those policy and institutional changes intended to make officials more responsive to local conditions – federalism, local elections, intergovernmental transfers, and own-source revenues). We conclude that the theory of decentralization relies on a flawed conception of the causal mechanisms that are hypothesized to create responsiveness in local officials.
Genistein Suppresses Growth of Human Uterine Sarcoma Cell Lines via Multiple Mechanisms.

Background The estrogen-like soy isoflavone genistein can suppress the growth of a number of different types of cancer cells, but its effect on uterine sarcoma is unknown. Materials and methods The impact of genistein on the proliferation of three uterine sarcoma cell lines, MES-SA, MES-SA-Dx5 and SK-UT-1, was evaluated. TOPflash luciferase reporter assay and western blotting were used to assess the influence of genistein on cellular signaling; DNA fragmentation was assessed as a measure of genistein-induced apoptosis. Results Genistein inhibited the proliferation of all three cell lines, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of 19.2 μM, 13.1 μM and 9.3 μM for SK-UT-1, MES-SA-Dx5, and MES-SA, respectively. This inhibitory activity was accompanied by induction of DNA fragmentation at 48 h. Western blot analyses revealed three major expression patterns: induction of p53 and Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) and suppression of histone deacetylase 4/5/7 (HDAC4/5/7), dishevelled protein (DVL), BAX, survivin and phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (phospho-MEK) in all three lines; suppression of p27 and β-catenin in the more resistant lines MES-SA-Dx5 and SK-UT-1; and suppression of Protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) phosphorylation and activation of caspase-3 in the parental derived lines MES-SA and MES-SA-Dx5. Down-regulation of β-catenin expression also coincided with decreases in TOPflash activity. Conclusion Genistein reduces sarcoma cell numbers through inhibition of proliferative signaling and through induction of programmed or non-programmed cell death. Genistein-mediated signaling changes were unique in each individual cell line, and the differential signaling responses in these three cell lines may contribute to their different levels of susceptibility to this compound.
Inhibition of lipoxygenase enzyme in vitro by the cytochrome P-450 inhibitors metyrapone and SKF-525-A

Abstract It has recently been demonstrated that agents which block lipoxygenase enzymes (i.e. nordihydroguaiaretic and eicosatetraynoic acid) also block cytochrome P-450 in some in vitro preparations. In some cases, therefore, results which were based on these lipoxygenase inhibitors could have been produced by the inhibition of cytochrome P-450. We therefore sought a way to distinguish between effects produced by metabolites of arachidonic acid generated by lipoxygenase enzymes and those produced by metabolites of the cytochrome P-450 system. seemed that a straightforward approach might be to administer drugs that inhibit the cytochrome P-450 system first, and then examine effects of lipoxygenase inhibitors. However, it then became necessary to establish the effect of inhibitors of the cytochrome P-450 system on lipoxygenase enzymes. Initial work was carried out using crystalline soybean lipoxygenase enzyme to avoid the complexities involved in isolating enzymes from biological tissues. Enzyme activity was assessed spectrophotometrically by measuring the increase in absorbance at 240 nm produced by the formation of a conjugated triene (15-HETE) from arachidonic acid. Effects of the two most commonly used cytochrome P-450 antagonists, metyrapone and SKF-525A, were determined by Lineweaver-Burke analysis. One major difficulty was that arachidonic acid is soluble in aqueous media at Ph 8 whereas both SKF-525-A and metyrapone are soluble at pH 7. In order to maintain all components in solution at the same time, experiments were carried out at pH 7.35 in the presence of 5% dimethylsulfoxide. There was no observable difference in the activity of 15-lipoxygenase at pH 9 in the absence of DMSO and that observed at pH 7.35 in the presence of DMSO. Studies were carried out in 2 ml quartz spectrophotometer cuvettes. For each experiment, two cuvettes were prepared containing arachidonic acid, DMSO (0.1 ml), SKF-525-A or metyrapone, and Tris buffer (pH 7.35). The cuvettes were placed in a Beckman DB/G spectrophotometer. One cuvette was used as reference and to the other was added 3ug (0.1 ml) of a solution of crystalline soybean lipoxygenase (Sigma). The change in absorbance at 240 nm was recorded and reflected product formation. Concentrations of arachidonic acid ranged from 10–50 uM, each tube contained either 0–50 uM SKF-525-A or 0–200 uM metyrapone. Results show that both SKF-525-A and metyrapone inhibited soybean lipoxygenase. Lineweaver-Burke analysis indicated that both agents acted in uncompetitive fashion. Of particular importance is that these concentrations of SKF-525-A and metyrapone are similar to those routinely used to block cytochrome P-450. From these results, it appears that experiments in which SKF-525-A and metyrapone were employed may need to be reevaluated. Work is underway using platelet-derived 12-lipoxygenase.
Photodegradation of estuarine dissolved organic matter: a multi-method assessment of DOM transformation

Abstract A multi-method approach was applied to study changes in dissolved organic matter (DOM) at three estuarine sites with varying salinity, as well as changes resulting from experimental photodegradation. Following measurement of ultraviolet and visible absorption spectra of bulk samples, DOM was isolated using C18 solid phase extraction. The extract was characterized using high performance size exclusion chromatography (HP-SEC) and molecular level characterization was conducted via direct temperature-resolved mass spectrometry (DT-MS) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The molecular weight distribution of DOM as determined from HP-SEC and ESI-MS varied between techniques, but generally decreased down estuary and with photodegradation for both approaches. Relative differences in molecular weight were significantly correlated with the ratio of absorption coefficients at 254/365 nm. Additionally, photobleaching was significantly correlated with mass spectral characteristics from both DT-MS and ESI-MS. Principal component analysis of DT-MS spectra showed that photoexposure removed different mass spectral characteristics depending on sampling site; however, upon photodegradation, the mass spectral characteristics of both marine DOM and terrestrially dominated DOM approached a common spectrum. We interpret this spectrum, characterized by fragments from aromatic and carbohydrate-like precursors, as photochemically refractory DOM. Our results show that multiple approaches that characterize different aspects of DOM can provide complementary information about its sources and transformation. More specifically, photobleaching results in decreased light absorbance, decreased molecular weight and shifts in the relative abundance of classes of compounds (and broad shifts in m/z values); moreover, these transformations result in photodegraded samples from a low-salinity site which are compositionally similar to samples collected from a mid-salinity site further downstream.
A parallel algorithm for the monadic unification problem

The monadic unification problem is introduced. AnO(log2n) parallel algorithm to solve this problem is given and shown to be correct.
The usefulness of peer ratings of aggression and social acceptance in the identification of behavioral and subjective difficulties in aggressive boys

Concurrent prediction of behavioral and subjective adjustment by peer aggression nominations and personal status ratings was assessed in a sample of teacher-identified aggressive boys to evaluate the additive or interactive effects of these sociometric factors. The two ratings were not isomorphic risk predictors. Teacher and parent ratings of boys' aggression and activity level, and boys' school-related self-esteem were predicted by the peer aggression nomination, either alone or in interaction with the peer social-status rating. Subsequently, four subtypes based on the two dimensions of high and low social-acceptance scores and of moderate and high levels of peer aggression nominations were constructed. Behavioral characteristics and self-esteem differed significantly between the subtypes. The highly aggressive, less socially accepted boys had the greatest subjective distress and the most behavioral difficulties across settings, indicating the strong need for intervention with this subtype of boys. The heuristic value of both peer ratings in producing subtypes of high-risk aggressive boys was discussed.
Magnetic and corrosion properties of nickel-iron-rhodium films

The magnetic and corrosion properties of nickel-iron-rhodium films were studied as a function of deposition parameters in the composition range of 5 to 15% and a balance of NiFe, where the Ni:Fe ratio was kept near 80:20.
Improved procedure for differential display of transcripts from cotton tissues

An improved procedure for the differential display of mRNA from cotton tissues (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was developed. Total RNA was purified from immature cotton fibers and stripped ovules (fibers removed) and treated with DNase I. First strand cDNA was synthesized using anchored oligo-dT primers and reverse transcriptase. Use of α-[33P]-dATP in PCR amplification of cDNAs produced the same band pattern as α-[35S]-dATP but increased the sensitivity of differential display and resolution of differentially displayed bands. Reduction of dNTP concentrations also improved the resolution of differentially displayed bands. This procedure has been successfully used to isolate cDNA probes for genes expressed during cotton fiber development.
Indestructibility, measurability, and degrees of supercompactness

Suppose that κ is indestructibly supercompact and there is a measurable cardinal λ > κ. It then follows that A1 = {δ < κ∣δ is measurable, δ is not a limit of measurable cardinals, and δ is not δ+ supercompact} is unbounded in κ. If in addition λ is 2λ supercompact, then A2 = {δ < κ∣δ is measurable, δ is not a limit of measurable cardinals, and δ is δ+ supercompact} is unbounded in κ as well. The large cardinal hypotheses on λ are necessary, as we further demonstrate by constructing via forcing two distinct models in which either or . In each of these models, there is an indestructibly supercompact cardinal κ, and a restricted large cardinal structure above κ. If we weaken the indestructibility requirement on κ to indestructibility under partial orderings which are both κ-directed closed and (κ+, ∞)-distributive, then it is possible to construct a model containing a supercompact cardinal κ witnessing this degree of indestructibility in which every measurable cardinal δ < κ is (at least) δ+ supercompact.
First rotavirus vaccine licensed: is there really a need?

The first rotavirus vaccine was licensed in the United States on 31 August 1998 for the prevention of severe rotavirus diarrhea in children. Despite this landmark in new vaccines, many pediatricians and public health professionals in Europe are uncertain of the need for this vaccine for the routine immunization of infants. In Europe, ample evidence suggests that rotavirus is the most common cause of hospitalizations for severe diarrhea among children, but proper studies documenting the disease burden of rotavirus or the cost-effectiveness of a rotavirus immunization program have only been conducted in the United Kingdom following epidemiologic models used in the United States. All children are infected with rotavirus during their first few years of life, 30-50% of diarrheal hospitalizations among children <5 years are due to this agent, and, by the age of 5 years, between 1 in 40 and 1 in 77 children in Europe and the United States may be hospitalized for rotavirus. The first vaccine is a live, oral preparation combining four different serotypes of rotavirus and administered in three doses with other childhood immunizations. The good efficacy against severe rotavirus diarrhea, the low risk of adverse side effects and the positive cost-effectiveness equation have led the two major immunization advisory groups in the U.S. to recommend this vaccine for routine use in American infants. European physicians and policy-makers should re-examine the epidemiology and disease burden of rotavirus diarrhea now that an effective method of prevention is at hand.
Asymptotic effectiveness of a catalyst particle in the form of a hollow cylinder

Significance An explicit formula is presented for the effectiveness factor of a catalyst particle in the form of a hollow cylinder taking into account the reactant diffusion in the fluid phase of the cylindrical core and diffusion and reaction in the outer reactive annulus. The proper normalization to be used in the definition of the generalized Thiele modulus as well as the aspect ratios that lead to the highest effectiveness are also determined. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4020–4024, 2013
Enrichment, stress, and growth from parenting an individual with an autism spectrum disorder

AbstractBackground Past researchers have focused primarily on the associated negative impact of caring for a child with special needs. In this study, caregivers report the enrichment and stress of caring for a child with an autism spectrum disorder.Method Eighty caregivers completed the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Effects of the Situation Questionnaire (ESQ), and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Enrichment and stress scores were compared to symptom severity data and posttraumatic growth scores.Results Consistent with prior research, caregivers reported greater levels of stress than enrichment. On just over half of the stress/enrichment variables, parental ratings of stress and enrichment were negatively correlated. Scores of total stress and enrichment were not correlated to the severity of the individual's symptoms or caregivers’ growth scores.Conclusions These findings suggest that although stress is a major concern for caregivers, enrichment and growth may also occur in varying degrees.
On the continuity of equilibrium prices in constant-returns production economies

The purpose of this paper is to extend the theory on the local uniqueness of equilibrium prices initiated by Debreu (1970) [and pursued by E. and H. Dierker (1972), Smale (1974a), Hazewinkel(1972), Delbaen (1971), Hildenbrand (1972), Fuchs (1974), and others] to production economies of the constant returns variety. The problem is the familiar one: good theoretical reasons for the uniqueness of equilibria being unavailable, one settles for expecting that, at least, equilibria will be locally unique and will vary continuously with perturbations of the economy, i.e., that economies will be ‘regular’ (as e,, or e,,, not e,, in fig. 1). Still, if multiplicity of equilibria is possible, non-regular economies (as e, in fig. 1) are unavoidable and the best possible result is to establish their exceptionality (that is to say, to justify giving to regular economies its name) by showing, and this is certainly intuitive (see fig. I), that they are associated with degeneracies and constitute a ‘negligible’ subset of economies. The notion of ‘negligibility’ we will use is topological [by contrast to measure theoretical, see E. and H. Dierker (1972)]; namely, the space of economies will be a topological space and negligible sets will be the ones which closures have empty interiors. In a production context, where only a limited number of commodities may be factors of production, initial endowments redistributions (if at all allowable) do not give enough parameter variability and so, consumers’ or producers’ characteristics other than initial endowments have to be regarded as variable; the space of economies becomes then infinite-dimensional and forces the topological definition of negligible. Different approaches to production have been considered by Fuchs (1974) and Smale (1974b). However, constant returns to scale have so far been excluded from the theory in the case of Fuchs (1974), because supply functions are assumed to exist, and, in the case of Smale (1974b), because the class of constant
Digestibility of Selected Carbohydrate and Lipid Based Polymers

Abstract Carbohydrate and lipid based polymers are potential components of edible packaging films and should be evaluated for their nutritional implications. The digestibility was determined for eight polymers (cellulose acetate, polyhydroxy-beta-valerate (PHBV), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyethylene, chitosan, shellac, pullulan, and Novamont which is a starch-polycaprolactone blend) and a cellulose based control diet. Each diet was fed to a group of 20 24-day old, male, Sprague-Dawley descended rats (Charles Rivers Labs, Research Triangle Park, NC) for 28 days. Diets consisted of 3% cellulose, 15% starch, 53.5% sucrose, 11% casein, 53.5% sucrose, 11% casein, 8% oil, 1% vitamin mix, 3.5% mineral mix, and 5% of the polymer or cellulose. Food intake was measured daily, weight gain was recorded bi-weekly, and feces were collected and pooled for each week. Excretion of the polymers was determined by colorimetric analysis of reducing sugars to measure starch, HPLC analysis for pullulan and chitosan, and gravimetric analysis for the others. Statistical analyses were conducted with the Statistical Analysis Package. All rats grew normally with the exception of those fed diets containing chitosan or pullulan (p
Alterations in the Rate of Limb Movement Using a Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill Do Not Influence Respiratory Rate or Phase III Ventilation

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of alterations in rate of limb movement on Phase III ventilation during exercise, independent of metabolic rate, gait style, and treadmill incline. Subjects completed five submaximal exercise bouts on a lower body positive pressure treadmill (AlterG P 200). The percent body weight for the five exercise bouts was 100, 87, 75, 63, and 50&#x25; and each was matched for carbon dioxide production (). Naturally, to match the while reducing the body weight up to 50&#x25; of normal required a significant increase in the treadmill speed from to mph, which resulted in a significant increase in the mean step frequency (steps per minute) from at 3&#x2009;mph (i.e., 100&#x25; of body weight) to at 4.1&#x2009;mph (i.e., 50&#x25; of body weight). The most important finding was that significant increases in step frequency did not significantly alter minute ventilation or respiratory rate. Such results do not support an important role for the rate of limb movement in Phase III ventilation during submaximal exercise, when metabolic rate, gait style, and treadmill incline are controlled.
Goal-directedness and its relation to inhibitory control among toddlers

Abstract To test the hypothesis that the development of goal-directedness depends on the development of inhibitory control, 30 children ages 25–29 months were assessed on two batteries of tasks designed to measure each construct. The findings provide strong support for the hypothesized relation.
Direct evidence for inhibition of free radical formation from Cu(I) and hydrogen peroxide by glutathione and other potential ligands using the EPR spin-trapping technique.

Copper-induced oxidative damage is generally attributed to the formation of the highly reactive hydroxyl radical by a mechanism analogous to the Haber-Weiss cycle for Fe(II) and H2O2. In the present work, the reaction between the Cu(I) ion and H2O2 is studied using the EPR spin-trapping technique. The hydroxyl radical adduct was observed when Cu(I), dissolved in acetonitrile under N2, was added to pH 7.4 phosphate buffer containing 100 mM 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO). Formation of the hydroxyl radical was dependent on the presence of O2 and subsequent formation of H2O2. The kscav/kDMPO ratios obtained were below those expected for a mechanism involving free hydroxyl radical and reflect the interference of nucleophilic addition of H2O to DMPO to form the DMPO/.OH adduct in the presence of nonchelated copper ion. Addition of ethanol or dimethyl sulfoxide to the reaction suggests that a high-valent metal intermediate, possibly Cu(III), was also formed. Spin trapping of hydroxyl radical was almost completely inhibited upon addition of Cu(I) to a solution of either nitrilotriacetate or histidine, even though the copper was fully oxidized to Cu(II) and H2O2 was formed. Bathocuproinedisulfonate, thiourea, and reduced glutathione all stabilized the Cu(I) ion toward oxidation by O2. Upon addition of H2O2, the Cu(I) in all three complexes was oxidized to varying degrees; however, only the thiourea complex was fully oxidized within 2 min of reaction and produced detectable hydroxyl radicals. No radicals were detected from the bathocuproinedisulfonate or glutathione complexes. Overall, these results suggest that the deleterious effects of copper ions in vivo are diminished by biochemical chelators, especially glutathione, which probably has a major role in moderating the toxicological effects of copper.
Mucus-producing adenocarcinoma of renal pelvis.

Abstract Three additional cases of mucus-producing adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis are presented. Two patients had a combination of various histologic types of tumor (squamous cell carcinoma in one and grade 4 transitional-cell epithelioma in the other) demonstrating the multiple potentialities of the urothelium. The apparent common characteristics of this malignant tumor are discussed.
Development of a scale measuring destination image

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop the scale of destination image (SDI) to assess destination image affecting the consumption associated with tourism.Design/methodology/approach – The scale was developed through four steps: review of literature, formulation of a preliminary scale, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and examination of predictive validity by a structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis. The preliminary scale consisted of 32 items. Employing a systematic sampling method, a total of 199 research participants responded to a mail survey.Findings – In the CFA with maximum likelihood estimation, four factors with 18 pertinent items are retained. This four‐factor model displays good fit to the data, preliminary construct validity, and high reliability. The SEM analysis reveals that the SDI is found to be positively predictive of tourism behavioral intentions.Originality/value – This paper develops an original multi‐dimensional 18‐item scale measuring destination image from the per...
Does nephrectomy for trauma increase the risk of renal failure

Renal failure is a feared complication following operations for severe trauma. Injuries to the kidney may be managed by nephrectomy or nephrorrhaphy. Nephrectomy may increase the risk of renal failure in already at-risk trauma patients. Nephrectomy for trauma should be avoided to the extent possible because it is associated with renal failure. From a prospectively collected trauma database, 59 patients with nephrectomy were matched at 1:1 ratio with 59 patients with nephrorrhaphy. Matching criteria were age (+/- 5 years), Injury Severity Score (+/- 3), abdominal Abbreviated Injury Score (+/- 1), and mechanism of injury (blunt or penetrating). The rates of renal function compromise (defined as a serum creatinine level >2 mg/dl for more than 2 days) and renal replacement therapy (continuous or intermittent) were compared in the two groups. The two groups were well-matched and similar with regard to injury severity and organs injured. Between nephrectomy and nephrorrhaphy patients, there were no differences in renal function compromise (10% vs. 14%, p = 0.57), renal replacement therapy (5% vs. 0%, p = 0.12), length of hospital stay (19 +/- 26 vs. 20 +/- 21, p = 0.8), and mortality (15% vs. 12%, p = 0.59). Salvaging the injured kidney does not seem to offer an obvious clinical benefit regarding postoperative renal function. Given the increased operative complexity of nephrorrhaphy in comparison to nephrectomy and the frequent need to abbreviate the operation in patients with severe trauma, nephrectomy should not be avoided when appropriate.
Solving large TÆMS problems efficiently by selective exploration and decomposition

TAEMS is a hierarchical modeling language capable of representing complex task networks with intra-task uncertainties and inter-task dependencies. The uncertainty and complexity of the application domains represented in TAEMS models often lead to very large state spaces, which push the need to design efficient solution algorithms for TAEMS problems. In this paper, we present a solver that integrates selective state space search techniques with state space decomposition techniques. Our experiments demonstrate that the solver can find an (approximately) optimal solution much faster than prior approaches.
Superfine laser position control using statistically enhanced resolution in real time

An electronic control system is described which analyzes digitized TV images to simultaneously position 96 time-and-space multiplexed beams for a large KrF laser system. Degradation of position resolution due to the intervals between digitization is discussed, and improvement of this resolution by using inherent system noise is demonstrated. The methods shown resolve arbritary intensity boundaries to a small fraction of the discrete sample spacing.
Vocational, Social, and Cognitive Rehabilitation for Individuals Diagnosed With Schizophrenia: A Review of Recent Research and Trends

A growing body of evidence suggests that social and vocational interventions effectively enhance social and vocational functioning for individuals with schizophrenia. In this review, we first consider recent advances in vocational and social rehabilitation, then examine current findings on neurocognition, social cognition, and motivation with regard to the impact these elements have on rehabilitation interventions and outcomes. A critical evaluation of recent studies examining standalone treatment approaches and hybrid approaches that integrate components such as cognitive remediation and skills training reveals several ongoing challenges within the field. Greater understanding of the differential impact of various approaches, methods that may increase the magnitude of treatment effects, and the generalization of treatment effects to community functioning are among crucial areas for future research. Overall, these treatments hold promise in improving psychosocial functioning and helping individuals with schizophrenia acquire important life skills.
Imaging of Transient Structures Using Nanosecond in Situ TEM

The microstructure and properties of a material depend on dynamic processes such as defect motion, nucleation and growth, and phase transitions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can spatially resolve these nanoscale phenomena but lacks the time resolution for direct observation. We used a photoemitted electron pulse to probe dynamic events with "snapshot" diffraction and imaging at 15-nanosecond resolution inside of a dynamic TEM. With the use of this capability, the moving reaction front of reactive nanolaminates is observed in situ. Time-resolved images and diffraction show a transient cellular morphology in a dynamically mixing, self-propagating reaction front, revealing brief phase separation during cooling, and thus provide insights into the mechanisms driving the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis.
Improving the acuity and robustness of localization of multiple sources using ‘‘stencil’’ filters

A biologically inspired localization and speech‐enhancement technique, using two microphones, was recently developed for extracting and characterizing a sound in the presence of multiple interfering sources [Liu et al., The Second Biennial Hearing Aid R&D Conference (1997)]. In the previous study, a ‘‘stencil’’ filter was created in the frequency versus intermicrophone phase delay space which significantly enhanced the acuity of sound localization. The stencil followed the multiple curves which represent phase coherence at multiple time differences. However, source artifacts resulted from the curved lines that pose a problem for identifying real versus artifactual sources and for obtaining accurate estimates of sound azimuths. These problems are more severe when the number of sources is large and when some of the sources are less intense than the others. The current study further investigated the role of the curved lines in localization from a weighted stencil filter using different weighting methods. Fur...