cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The epistemological orientation of gifted adolescents: an empirical test of Perry's model.

Summary.-The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative importance of chronological age versus mental aptimde in determining complexity of epistemological think~ng. Nineteen gifted students with chronological ages between 12 and 15 yr. 2nd mental aptitude in the gifted range completed the Adherence Scale, a scale designed to distinguish students with dual~st~c and relativistic epistemological beliefs. Since we found that over 5096 of our subjects held relarivistic beliefs, yielding a significanr chi squared, mental aptimde appears to be more important in determining students' epistemological beliefs. Methodological limitations regarding this finding are briefly discussed. In this study, we were interested in determining whether differences in students' epistemological beliefs could be accounted for by chronological age or mental aptitude. The model of students' epistemological beliefs that guided this research was proposed by Perry ( 1968, 1981), since he asserts that students have two basic approaches to knowledge, either dualistic or relativistic. Dualists, typically freshmen college students, dichotomize knowledge, as either right or wrong, true or false, etc. In contrast, relativists conceive of knowledge as lying on a continuum, where opinions and theories are considered in terms of evidence and logic. Unfortunately, since little is known about the variables which explain epistemological development, we examined whether dualistic or relativistic thinking would be most dependent on chronological age or mental aptitude? To investigate this question empirically, we sampled 19 gifted students with chronological ages between 12 and 15 yr. and mental aptitude in the gifted range. Our methodology was based on the following assumptions. First, if students' epistemological beliefs were dependent on chronological age, then more students as young as those in our sample should show dualistic beliefs rather than relativistic beliefs. This assumption follows from Perry's (1968) contention that most college freshmen are dualists, and so most students sampled at our ages should be dualistic. On the other hand, if students' epistemological beliefs were more dependent on mental aptitude, then students as young as those in our sample may in fact show more complex epistemological thinking, [hat is, show a greater frequency of relativistic rather than dualistic thinking. We selected a sample of gifted students to test this potential outcome.
A radical pathway for organic phosphorylation during schreibersite corrosion with implications for the origin of life

Phosphorylated compounds (e.g. DNA, RNA, phospholipids, and many coenzymes) are critical to biochemistry. Thus, their origin is of prime interest to origin of life studies. The corrosion of the meteoritic mineral schreibersite ((Fe,Ni)3P) may have significantly contributed to the origin of phosphorylated biomolecules. Corrosion of synthetic schreibersite in a variety of solutions was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. These methods suggest a radical reaction pathway for the corrosion of schreibersite to form phosphite radicals (raised dot PO3 sup 2-)) aqueous solution. These radicals can form activated polyphosphates and can phosphorylate organic compounds such as acetate (3% yield). Phosphonates (O3P-C) are found in the organic P inventory of the carbonaceous meteorite Murchison. While phosphonates are rare in biochemistry, the ubiquity of corroding iron meteorites on the early Earth could have provided an accessible source of organophosphorous for the origin of life allowing the invention of the organophosphates in modern biology as a product of early evolution.
Factors affecting mycorrhizal colonization in Schizachyrium scoparium

Various factors have been known to influence the percentage of mycorrhizal colonization in plants. However, it is unknown whether certain factors matter at different scales or if one or several factors have an overarching effect on controlling rates of mycorrhizal colonization in plants. In this thesis I assessed the percentage of mycorrhizal colonization in Schizhachyrium scoparium at 5 different sites that occur along a latitude gradient to determine which factors had an overarching effect and if there were site-­‐specific differences in responses to nutrient addition. In the first chapter I present what factors affected the percentage of mycorrhizal colonization along a latitude gradient. I found that aridity was the only factor to contribute to changes in the percentage of mycorrhizal colonization. In my second chapter I used this information to account for differences between sites and assess responses in the percentage of mycorrhizal colonization among sites to see if there was a difference among sites. I found that the addition of nitrogen (N) decreased the percentage of mycorrhizal colonization in Schizachyrium scoparium across sites, but that the addition of phosphorus (P) had different effects among sites. Responses to the addition of P exhibited a U-­‐shaped pattern in relation to ambient N:P ratio in soil at the sites. The results found in the first chapter of this thesis are novel and important to understanding plant-­‐mycorrhizae relationships in plants while the results found in the second chapter agree with the current theory that exists to explain how resource stoichiometry affects the percentage of mycorrhizal colonization in plants.
Legal Parameters of Administration in a Democratic Society The Case of Australia

Alternative approaches exist for setting legal limits on the powers of government administrators in a democratic society. Australia, starting in the 1970s, launched a set of reforms that has come to be called the "new administrative law." Today, there are 12 major characteristics of the Australian system, some of which are common in the United States, some less common, and some basically not in use. Experience under this system shows positive results, but some troubling aspects of administrative law continue.
Political Mobility and the Soviet Political Process: A Partial Test of Two Models*

This article provides a partial test of the rational-technical model and of the patronage model of political mobility in the Soviet Communist Party. Two major hypotheses are examined: 1) the greater the number of patron client ties acquired by regional Party secretaries, the greater the probability of their upward mobility, and 2) the better the economic performance of the regions for which secretaries are responsible, the greater the probability of their upward mobility. Multiple regression analysis indicates only very weak support for these hypotheses for the 1955–1968 period in the RSFSR. Considerably greater support for the hypotheses is found when the following variables are controlled: level of economic development, political regime, and Party cohort. Changes in the level of policy conflict within the central elite are found to account for much of the variation over time in the explanatory power of the two models.
Decoding the Pyramid: A Systems-Biological Approach to Nutrigenomics

Nutritional genomics, or nutrigenomics, seeks to understand the effects of diet on an individual's genes and health. Nutrigenomics is a systems-biological science that can be explained by five principal tenets: (1) improper diets in some individuals and under some conditions are risk factors for chronic diseases; (2) common dietary chemicals alter gene expression and/or genome structure; (3) the influence of diet on health depends upon an individual's genetic makeup; (4) some genes or their normal common variants are regulated by diet, which may play a role in chronic diseases; and (5) dietary interventions based upon knowledge of nutritional requirements, nutritional status, and genotype can be used to develop individualized nutrition plans that optimize health and prevent or mitigate chronic diseases. Optimal nutrition may also influence the aging process.
The relationship between level of training and accuracy of violence risk assessment.

ObjectiveAlthough clinical training programs aspire to develop competency in violence risk assessment, little research has examined whether level of training is associated with the accuracy of clinicians’ evaluations of violence potential. This is the first study to compare the accuracy of risk assessments by experienced psychiatrists with those performed by psychiatric residents. It also examined the potential of a structured decision support tool to improve residents’ risk assessments.MethodsThe study used a retrospective case-control design. Medical records were reviewed for 151 patients who assaulted staff at a county hospital and 150 comparison patients. At admission, violence risk assessments had been completed by psychiatric residents (N=38) for 52 patients and by attending psychiatrists (N=41) for 249 patients. Trained research clinicians, who were blind to whether patients later became violent, coded information available at hospital admission by using a structured risk assessment tool—the Histor...
Optimal common transmit power in ad hoc wireless networks

Power conservation is one of the most important issues for ad hoc wireless networks where nodes are likely to rely on limited battery power. Transmitting at unnecessarily high power not only reduces the lifetime of the nodes and the network, but also introduces excessive interference. It is in the network designer's best interest to have each node transmit at the lowest possible power while preserving network connectivity. In this paper, we investigate the optimal common transmit power, defined as the minimum transmit power used by all nodes necessary to guarantee network connectivity. In particular, we show that for a given route BER and node spatial density, there exists a global optimal data rate at which the transmit power can be globally minimized. Moreover, we also show that there exists a critical node spatial density at which the optimal transmit power is the minimum possible for a given data rate and a given route BER.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF FATTY ACID COMPOSITION AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS TO MEAT FLAVOR IN LAMB1

The relationship of 20 fatty acids and carcass quality characteristics to meat flavor in lamb was studied. Subcutaneous fat samples obtained from 64 lamb carcasses were analyzed for fatty acid composition. A taste panel evaluated flavor of a ground lean-fat mixture of meat. Flavor was most highly correlated with amounts of fatty acids 18:1 and 18:3 (r =—0.33 and r = 0.33, respectively). The remaining fatty acids were not associated with flavor. Quality grade, carcass weight, fat softness, maturity and fat color were not associated with lamb flavor. Carcass softness was not associated with quality grades. Greater quantities of 17:0, 18:1, and 18:2 were associated with increased carcass fatness.
Social/Communication Skills, Cognition, and Vocational Functioning in Schizophrenia

Deficits in social/communications skills have been documented in schizophrenia, but it is unclear how these deficits relate to cognitive deficits and to everyday functioning. In the current study, social/communication skills performance was measured in 29 schizophrenia patients with a history of good vocational functioning (GVF) and 26 with a history of poor vocational functioning (PVF) using a role-play‐based social skills assessment, the Maryland Assessment of Social Competence (MASC). A battery of standard cognitive tasks was also administered. MASC-indexed social skills weresignificantlyimpairedinPVFrelativetoGVFpatients (odds ratio = 3.61, P < .001). Although MASC social skills performancewassignificantlyassociatedwithcognitiveperformanceindomainsofverbalability,processingspeed,and memory, the MASC nevertheless remained an independent predictorofvocationalfunctioningevenaftercontrollingfor cognitive performance. Social/communications skills predict vocational functioning history independently of cognitive performance, and social skills measures should be considered for inclusion in test batteries designed to predict everyday functioning in schizophrenia.
Fluoroscopic and endoscopic localization of an esophagobronchial fistula in a dog

A 10-month-old, intact male Chihuahua presented for a 7-month history of regurgitation and coughing. Survey radiographs revealed a soft-tissue opacity within the distal esophagus. A contrast study confirmed the presence of an esophagobronchial fistula. Endoscopic removal of foreign material within the esophagus allowed for visualization of an esophageal diverticulum. Bronchoscopic examination revealed the presence of an abnormal opening in a right caudal tertiary bronchus. Passage of a cardiac guidewire was accomplished, confirming the presence of the fistula and aiding its subsequent surgical removal.
Set theory: Key to the understanding, of Kenneth Burke's use of the term “identification”

(1969). Set theory: Key to the understanding, of Kenneth Burke's use of the term “identification”. Western Speech: Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 175-183.
Relationships of Body Fat to Motor Fitness Test Scores

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between per cent body fat and selected motor fitness tests. Significant negative correlations of from −0.29 to −0.68 were found between per cent body fat and the selected motor fitness tests. The test items most affected by fat were those which involved running and jumping. Weight did not significantly affect the performance of any of the test items except the 220-yard dash.
Measuring Human Performance within Computer Security Incident Response Teams

Human performance has become a pertinen t issue within cyber security. However, this research has been stymied by the limited availability of expert cyber security professionals. This is partly attributable to the ongoing workload faced by cyber security professionals, which is compound ed by the limited number of qualified personnel and turnover of p ersonnel across organizations. Additionally, it is difficult to conduct research, and particularly, openly published research, due to the sensitivity inherent to cyber ope rations at most orga nizations. As an alternative, the current research has focused on data collection during cyb er security training exercises. These events draw individuals with a range of knowledge and experience extending from seasoned professionals to recent college gradu ates to college students. The current paper describes research involving data collection at two separate cyber security exercises. This data collection involved multiple measures which included behavioral performance based on human - machine transactions and questionnaire - based assessments of cyber security experience.
Quality of Life after Scoliosis Surgery in Cerebral Palsy

IntroductionRadiological correction of scoliosis in quadriplegic cerebral palsy (CP) after posterior instrumentation is well established but patient and caregiver outcomes are required to justify t...
Reinventing the Tribal: Primitive Aestheticization and Filipino Tattooing in Southern California

Todd Honma explores Filipino American tattooing practices in southern California, focusing on Tatak ng Apat na Alon (Mark of the Four Waves Tribe) and Dream Jungle Tattoo Studios. His research discusses the connections between cultural revitalization, nostalgic appropriation, and political consciousness as they play out in different approaches to tattooing.
Rôle of Leucocytes and Serum in Streptococcidal Activity of Blood

ConclusionsThe power of defibrinated blood to inhibit the growth of or destroy streptococci is dependent upon the presence of surviving leucocytes and is roughly proportional to the number of leucocytes, other factors being equal. A minimal number of leucocytes is necessary for the demonstration of the bactericidal effect. The bacteria are removed by phagocytosis and finally destroyed by intracellular lysis. Complement is not necessary for tlie bactericidal action of defilxinated hlootl or serum. The lractericidal element in defibrinated blood which is effective against streptococci is not destroyed by heating the separated serum at 55-C. for 30 minutes. The results of a small number of tests suggest that the heating of the serum even at 68°C. does not impair the bactericidal effect of the restored defibrinatetl blood.
Optimization of Computational Laminate Composites for the Prediction of Performance Metrics Using Finite Element Simulation

In order to address the increasing demands of strength, weight, reliability, and thermal management in aero-structure design, composite materials have been developed and implemented to replace conventional materials in space-access vehicles. These new advanced materials are complex, non-homogeneous, anisotropic, and highly sensitive to small perturbations of their parameters. Because of this, current metrics are computationally difficult and expensive to obtain. Due to the excessive computational cost associated with optimization, metamodels are often utilized as a resource to alleviate the computational cost associated with repeated evaluations of full-scale simulataions through lower-order representations of the design space. Using Response Surface Methodology, these metamodels can be constructed and optimized efficiciently with various software packages. It is shown in this work that by applying Response Surface Methodology to various model geometries, laminated composites can be optimized for various parameters with very low computational cost. The validation and accuracy of this approach is demonstrated on two small scale metamodeling problems and a much larger scale wing-box optimization model.
Adaptation of the hemolytic plaque technique for enumeration of immune cells responding to heterologous immunoglobulin antigens.

SummaryRabbit spleen cells producing antibodies against mouse immunoglobulin antigens were detected by a modification of the hemolytic plaque technique. The peak cellular and serologic response occurred 7 to 8 days following primary immunization and had subsided completely by the fifteenth day. The absence of spontaneous background distinguished protein reactive PFC from those reactive with erythrocyte antigens.We thank Mr. B. Harrell for expert technical assistance and Dr. M. Landy for useful suggestions in preparation of this manuscript.
Asymmetry in trans-bilayer lateral pressure may drive expansion of the secretion fusion pore

Introduction During the fusion of the membrane of secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane, the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane becomes continuous with the inner leaflet of the vesicle membrane and the cytosolic leaflets of the two membranes become continuous. As both membranes have an asymmetric distribution of phospholipids between the two leaflets of the bilayer, any description of the rearrangements of phospholipids during the fusion process must take this topographic feature into consideration. In erythrocytes, the phospholipids of the plasma membrane are asymmetrically distributed, with the choline phospholipids concentrated in the outer leaflet and the aminophospholipids concentrated in the inner leaflet [ 11. This arrangement is maintained by an aminophospholipid translocase which catalyses the ATP-dependent translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) from the extracellular leaflet to the cytosolic leaflet of the membrane (reviewed in [I]). Clearly the asymmetric lipid distribution is an important determinant of fusion: erythrocytes in which lipid asymmetry is abolished are fused with one another more easily [2, 31 and with virus [4], perhaps because the external leaflet of these cells is enriched in aminophospholipids. Remarkably the secretory vesicle membrane harbours the same translocase activity [5, 61, also oriented towards the cytosolic leaflet, and the lipids which form the vesicle are asymmetrically distributed [7]. Hence the leaflets of the plasma membrane and the vesicle membrane which are apposed at fusion are kept enriched in aminophospholipids, suggesting that the membranes are maintained in a
The Feeding Ecology and Behavior of Five Species of Herons in Southeastern New Jersey

Theoretically, if two species resemble each other too closely in their requirements, one will have more efficient methods of using the necessary resources and ultimately will drive the second to extinction (Gause 1934). In recent years many field studies have concentrated on documenting differences in resource use between similar species. Schoener (1974) has reviewed many of these studies. Along the east coast of the United States, south of Long Island, are marshes that support up to eleven species of herons: Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), Green Heron (Butorides striatus), Little Blue Heron (Florida caerulea), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Great Egret (Casmerodius albus), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), Louisiana Heron (Hydranassa tricolor), Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Yellowcrowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea), Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis), and American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus). The coexistence of these closely related species makes them an interesting group to examine for methods of sharing resources. Meyerriecks (1960, 1962) investigated behavioral differences between many of these species. My study is a quantitative exploration of the ecological and behavioral adaptations by which some of these herons avoid direct competition for food.
Study on the Planting Model of Broadcasting Rice of“Shuangyou 18”after Harvesting Tobacco

A planting model of"Shuangyou18",late japonica rice of double harvest,broadcasting after tobacco for high grain-yielding was proposed and the target yield was got by applying the model in rice production.
TNF-alpha effect on oxygen free radical scavenging and generating enzymes in rat liver.

The presence of cancer induces metabolic alterations in distant, tumor-free tissues and organs of the host. A remote humoral effect of cancer growing extrahepatically is an increase in the activity of oxidant and a decrease of antioxidant enzymes in the liver of the tumor-bearing animal. We speculated that TNF-alpha, produced by host cells, the cancer, or both, is responsible for these changes. When human recombinant TNF-alpha, 100 micrograms/kg/d i.p. for 5 days, was injected in groups of rats fed ad libitum, starved, or pair-fed, a decrease in the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and an increase in xanthine oxidase was observed, particularly with pair-fed controls. It is concluded that TNF-alpha, directly or indirectly, causes these enzyme alterations in the tumor-free liver of a tumor-bearing host.
An Overview of Local Government Finance Reform in Tanzania

In recent years, developing countries all around the world have been embarking on ambitious decentralization programs. While the impetus for these reforms has come from different sources, in many countries the emphasis has been on greater economic efficiency and growth, and even the need to fight poverty by providing poor rural households with access to basic services. In this light, the Government of Tanzania has been actively pursuing the reform of the role that local governments play in the public sector and the manner in which local government activities are financed. Although local government authorities in Tanzania have played a substantive role in the delivery of key government services since the mid-1980s (including primary education and basic health care), the central government has traditionally maintained tight control over most resources provided to local governments.
Essay: Tribal Trustees in Climate Crisis

The legal “cornerstone” of federal Indian law is the federal trust obligation. The duty was formulated by courts long ago to protect native nations against federal actions that harm the retained tribal property and resources. Yet in recent years, courts have diminished the force of the doctrine by equating it, for all practical purposes, with statutory standards. This essay turns attention to another doctrine, the public trust doctrine, which characterizes sovereigns as trustees of their resources. The public trust framework positions tribes as co-trustees with states and the federal government. This article suggests a role for tribes in climate crisis by asserting the right of co-trustees and co-tenants to prevent waste of the common resource – the atmosphere.
Wide-baseline image matching using Line Signatures

We present a wide-baseline image matching approach based on line segments. Line segments are clustered into local groups according to spatial proximity. Each group is treated as a feature called a Line Signature. Similar to local features, line signatures are robust to occlusion, image clutter, and viewpoint changes. The descriptor and similarity measure of line signatures are presented. Under our framework, the feature matching is not only robust against affine distortion but also a considerable range of 3D viewpoint changes for non-planar surfaces. When compared to matching approaches based on existing local features, our method shows improved results with low-texture scenes. Moreover, extensive experiments validate that our method has advantages in matching structured non-planar scenes under large viewpoint changes and illumination variations.
Ethical or Empty Gestures?: World Heritage Nominations in Turkey

This chapter takes up the case of the Haci Bektas Veli Complex in central Anatolia in order to explore heritage in action. In 2012, Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism began the process of nominating the Haci Bektas Veli Complex, the most sacred and significant site of worship for Alevis, to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Turkey has long tried to assimilate Alevis, a sizeable, historically rural Muslim minority, in an effort to shape a homogenous, ethnically Turkish and Sunni Muslim citizenry. The state casts Haci Bektas, a medieval Sufi mystic and patron saint of the Alevis, as a Turkish humanist, who propounded a philosophy based on tolerance and human love in line with modern, universal human rights doctrine. At the same time, Turkey has come under criticism from the European Union and the wider international community for violating the human rights of Alevis, and other minority groups, within its borders. The Haci Bektas Veli heritage site, today run as a state museum, sits awkwardly at the intersection of human rights celebration and violation. This chapter, in response, considers the ethics of World Heritage nomination in conflictual contexts, tracing the role of heritage in the interplay of social inclusion and exclusion in Turkey and beyond.
Evaluation of the welfare of cattle housed in outdoor feedlot pens.

The use of open outdoor feedlots for housing large numbers of cattle is increasing in many parts of the world. In these systems cattle are kept in large outdoor pens on a soil surface. One major welfare concern associated with this type of housing is keeping cattle clean and preventing muddy conditions. If the annual rainfall exceeds 20 in (51 cm). It is more difficult to keep the surface dry. In dry parts of the world with low rainfall, it is much easier to keep cattle clean and dry. Another issue is heat stress, and there are warmer parts of the world where shade may be required. The third issue is handling and vaccinating large numbers of cattle. In the U.S. this is an area where conditions have improved because management is now more aware about animal welfare. There are three major outcome based measurements that should be used to assess cattle welfare in open feedlots. They are: scoring of hide cleanliness, panting scoring for heat stress and numerical scoring of cattle handling practices.
Ersatzing for Fun and Profit

The Ersatzer’s task is to find some system of actual objects that is structurally analogous or isomorphic to a system of possible worlds and therefore can serve as or go proxy for worlds.
Maternal Income during Pregnancy is Associated with Chronic Placental Inflammation at Birth.

Objective This study aims to examine whether maternal household income is associated with histological evidence of chronic placental inflammation. Study Design A total of 152 participants completed surveys of household income and consented to placenta collection at delivery and postpartum chart review for birth outcomes. Placental inflammatory lesions were evaluated via histological examination of the membranes, basal plate, and villous parenchyma by a single, experienced pathologist. Associations between household income and the presence of inflammatory lesions were adjusted for known perinatal risk factors. Results Overall, 45% of participants reporting household income below $30,000/y had chronic placental inflammation, compared with 25% of participants reporting income above $100,000 annually (odds ratio [OR] = 4.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25, 14.28; p = 0.02). Middle-income groups showed intermediate rates of chronic inflammatory lesions, at 40% for those reporting $30,000 and 50,000 (OR = 3.60, 95% CI = 1.05, 12.53; p = 0.04) and 38% for those reporting $50,000 to 100,000 (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 0.60, 4.14; p = 0.36). Results remained significant after adjustment for maternal age, race, and marital status. Conclusion Chronic placental inflammation is associated with maternal household income. Greater occurrence of placental lesions in low-income mothers may arise from a systemic inflammatory response to social and physical environmental factors.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE INNER RETINAL LAYER THICKNESSES IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION USING CORRECTED OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY SEGMENTATION.

Purpose To characterize inner retinal damage in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using high-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography images. Methods Sixty eyes of 60 patients with AMD were categorized using the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) severity scale. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography images of these patients were quantified by manually correcting the segmentation of each retinal layer, including the retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, and inner plexiform layer to ensure accurate delineation of layers. The mean ganglion cell complex thickness values (ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer + retinal nerve fiber layer) were compared with 30 eyes of 30 healthy subjects. Results Ninety percent of eyes (81 eyes) required manual correction of segmentation. Compared with healthy subjects, mean ganglion cell complex thicknesses significantly decreased in more advanced dry AMD eyes, and this decrease was predominantly related to a change in inner plexiform layer thickness. There was no significant difference in thickness-related measurements between milder dry AMD (AREDS-2) eyes and healthy eyes (P > 0.05). Conclusion In patients with dry AMD, automatic optical coherence tomography segmentation algorithms may be erroneous. As the severity of dry AMD increases, the inner plexiform layer layer becomes thinned, suggesting that transsynaptic degeneration may be occurring, as the photoreceptor layer is affected by AMD.
Closed circuit refeeding biliary drainage in a complex blunt hepatobiliary trauma: A novel technique

Blunt trauma to the abdomen is common in children causing injuries of varying severity. We present a complex case of hepatobiliary, gastrointestinal, and renal artery injuries needing a tailored management strategy and a novel technique of nutrition for the best possible outcome for the patient. Our patient in this case report had extensive hepatobiliary trauma with complete biliary duct and duodenal transection and renal artery thrombosis. He was managed by staged surgeries comprising biliary diversion and duodenal repair in the first stage and undiversion of the system in the second surgery. This is a novel technique as the nutrition was maintained by a closed circuit of bile redrainage into the jejunostomy tube achieving a physiological drainage pattern and circumventing the need of parental nutrition.
Super high field ohmically heated tokamak operation

The authors discuss a super high field mode of tokamak operation that uses ohmic heating or near ohmic heating to ignition. The super high field mode of operation uses very high values of BETA/sup 2/..cap alpha.., where BETA is the magnetic field and a is the minor radius (BETA/sup 2/..cap alpha.. > 100 T/sup 2/m). We analyze copper magnet devices with major radii from 1.7 to 3.0 meters. Minimizing or eliminating the need for auxiliary heating has the potential advantages of reducing uncertainty in extrapolating the energy confinement time of current tokamak devices, and reducing engineering problems associated with large auxiliary heating requirements. It may be possible to heat relatively short pulse, inertially cooled tokamaks to ignition with ohmic power alone. However, there may be advantages in using a very small amount of auxiliary power (less than the ohmic heating power) to boost the ohmic heating and provide a faster start-up, expecially in relatively compact devices.
Optimizing Antithymocyte Globulin Dosing for Unrelated Donor Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Based on Recipient Absolute Lymphocyte Count

Abstract Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is used as prophylaxis against graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Current dosing regimens for ATG are empiric and weight-based, and do not account for patient-specific factors. Furthermore, the target of ATG, recipient T cells post-cytotoxic chemotherapy, is not a function of recipient weight. We hypothesized the recipient peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) on the day of ATG administration would interact with the dose of ATG administered to predict transplantation outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed 135 patients who received ATG for GVHD prophylaxis for unrelated allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation at 3 different doses: 10 mg/kg, 7.5 mg/kg, and 5 mg/kg. There was no difference in 2-year overall survival (OS) among ATG dosing groups; however, deaths from infectious complications were significantly higher with higher doses of ATG (3.7% versus 19% versus 26.7%; P = .02). Severity of chronic GVHD was lower with higher doses of ATG (28% versus 24% versus 4%; P = .03). In multivariate analysis, the median peripheral blood ALC on day of ATG administration and the total amount of ATG interacted to predict OS (hazard ratio, .09; P = .03). For low recipient ALC (10th percentile, or .56 × 102/µL), a higher total ATG dose was associated with a greater risk of death, whereas for high recipient ALC (90th percentile, or 24.96 × 102/µL), a higher ATG dose was associated with a lower risk of death. Our findings suggest that the interaction between ATG and its target, the recipient lymphocyte, could represent a new paradigm for ATG dosing.
Measuring Performance on Two-Lane Highways: Empirical Investigation:

This paper presents an empirical investigation into several performance measures for operational analysis on two-lane highways. The performance measures investigated are average travel speed, average travel speed to free-flow speed, percent followers, followers flow, followers density, percent impeded, impeded flow, and impeded density. Field data from 16 study sites in the states of Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and North Carolina representing Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 highways were used in this study. The level of association between performance measures and some of the most important traffic variables was examined with graphical and statistical techniques. The traffic variables investigated in this study included combined flow in both directions of travel; proportion of traffic in the direction of travel, called in this study “traffic split”; percentage of heavy vehicles; and speed variance. Study results suggest that speed-related measures have weak associations with traffic variables compared with head...
SURMOF induced polymorphism and crystal morphological engineering of acetaminophen polymorphs: advantage of heterogeneous nucleation

Self-assembled monolayers are extended to SURMOFs as template hetero surfaces using a basic HKUST-1 MOF. The concept of MOF induced polymorphism with morphological engineering adapted to crystal engineering has shown to have the advantage of heterogeneous nucleation. The substrates are used to study the nucleation and growth of acetaminophen, and have resulted in metastable polymorphs which are of a desirable form with block morphology.
Estimating Missing Unit Process Data in Life Cycle Assessment Using a Similarity-Based Approach

In life cycle assessment (LCA), collecting unit process data from the empirical sources (i.e., meter readings, operation logs/journals) is often costly and time-consuming. We propose a new computational approach to estimate missing unit process data solely relying on limited known data based on a similarity-based link prediction method. The intuition is that similar processes in a unit process network tend to have similar material/energy inputs and waste/emission outputs. We use the ecoinvent 3.1 unit process data sets to test our method in four steps: (1) dividing the data sets into a training set and a test set; (2) randomly removing certain numbers of data in the test set indicated as missing; (3) using similarity-weighted means of various numbers of most similar processes in the training set to estimate the missing data in the test set; and (4) comparing estimated data with the original values to determine the performance of the estimation. The results show that missing data can be accurately estimate...
Reconceptualizing Sexual Harassment, Again

Sexual harassment has always been more about sexism than it is about sex. Nearly twenty years ago, Vicki Schultz pioneered a new understanding of sexual harassment that recognized and theorized this empirical reality. The framework she developed in two articles published in the Yale Law Journal—Reconceptualizing Sexual Harassment and The Sanitized Workplace—still holds important lessons for today. The emergence of the #MeToo movement has brought about a welcome, renewed focus on sexual harassment and motivated long-overdue terminations of accused harassers across industries. Yet pervasive narratives still narrowly emphasize sexualized forms of harassment and assault—at the expense of broader understandings of harassment and its causes. This Essay revisits and expands on Schultz’s previous work in the contemporary context, drawing on the technology and film industries as case studies and showing that sex segregation and unchecked, subjective authority are central institutional causes of sex-based harassment. To end harassment will thus require more than firing individual harassers. It will require structural reform to eliminate arbitrary authority and sex segregation at work. Bold solutions are needed if we are to ensure sexual harassment isn’t still prevalent twenty years from now.
Trophic Shift in δ15N and δ13C through Galling Arthropod Communities: Estimates from Quercus turbinella and Salix exigua

Galling arthropod communities have long been a model system for community ecologists, yet much remains to be explored concerning trophic interactions between hosts, herbivores, and natural enemies. While the utilization of stable isotope ratios can help to elucidate complex trophic interactions in such communities, estimates of trophic shift between community members are required before stable isotope analyses can be appropriately employed. In this chapter, we document the degree of trophic shift in carbon (δ 13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes within galls and hosts of a cynipid gall wasp (Cynipidae) in Quercus turbinella (Fagaceae), and a gall midge (Cecidomyiidae) and sawfly (Tenthredinidae) on Salix exigua (Salicaceae). We found trophic shift in nitrogen isotopes to be reduced relative to estimates from other systems, while carbon isotopes were considerably enriched. In combination with our current results, we review estimates of trophic shift in gall communities and compare patterns of trophic shift across studies. We discuss physiological mechanisms that determine the distribution of stable isotopes throughout gall communities and their potential effect on estimates of trophic shift (δ13C and δ15N).
Religion and remission of depression in medical inpatients with heart failure/pulmonary disease

The impact of religious involvement on time to remission of depression was examined in older medical inpatients with heart failure and/or chronic pulmonary disease (CHF/CPD). Inpatients older than 50 years with CHF/CPD were systematically diagnosed with depressive disorder using a structured psychiatric interview. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the effects of religious involvement on time to remission, controlling for covariates. Of 1000 depressed patients identified at baseline, follow-up data on depression course were obtained on 87%. Patients involved in group-related religious activities experienced a shorter time to remission. Although numerous religious measures were unrelated by themselves to depression outcome, the combination of frequent religious attendance, prayer, Bible study, and high intrinsic religiosity, predicted a 53% increase in speed of remission (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.20-1.94, p = 0.0005, n = 839) after controls. Patients highly religious by multiple indicators, particularly those involved in community religious activities, remit faster from depression.
Factors associated with human exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

The number and quantities of PAH emitted and accumulated within various environmental media require the development and application of new methods for determining the major routes of exposure to individual and selected compounds. From research that has been conducted on airborne BaP and other selected PAH it appears that they can accumulate indoors as well as outdoors. Smoking seems to be a major contributor for direct and passive inhalation, but the role of cooking and wood burning related to indoor emissions needs to be investigated further. The available data indicate that many PAH will be distributed between both particles and the gas phase. Therefore, new techniques for simultaneously sampling PAH in both phases are required for the indoor environment and personal monitoring studies. These will increase our understanding of the distribution of each component and increase the accuracy of exposure and risk assessments conducted for Total PAH. A strategy (THEES) has been developed for the measurement of BaP exposure from multiple pathways. It should be extended to other PAH, which will assist in quantifying the significance of indoor air related exposures. The inhalation exposures could be derived from indoor combustion sources, penetration of outdoor air indoors, and personal activities, suchmore » as cooking and smoking. The reactivity of PAH requires further investigation, since it appears that a number of nitro-PAH will be produced. Some of the resulting compounds will need to be factored into PAH exposure assessments.« less
Investigating the genetic diversity and differentiation patterns in the Penstemon scariosus species complex under different sample sizes using AFLPs and SSRs

Habitat fragmentation due to anthropogenic activities is the major cause of biodiversity loss. Endemic and narrowly distributed species are the most susceptible to habitat degradation. Penstemon scariosus is one of many species whose natural habitat is vulnerable to industrialization. All varieties of P. scariosus (P. scariosus var. albifluvis, P. scariosus var. cyanomontanus, P. scariosus var. garrettii, P. scariosus var. scariosus) have small distribution ranges, but only P. scariosus var. albifluvis is being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act. We used eight microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) loci and two amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer combinations to investigate the population genetic structure and diversity of P. scariosus varieties. Moreover, we compared the utility of the two marker systems in conservation genetics and estimated an appropriate sample size in population genetic studies. Genetic differentiation among populations based on Fst ranged from low to moderate (Fst = 0.056–0.157) and from moderate to high when estimated with Des (Des = 0.15–0.32). Also, AMOVA analysis shows that most of the genetic variation is within populations. Inbreeding coefficients (Fis) were high in all varieties (0.20–0.56). The Bayesian analysis, STRUCTURE, identified three clusters from SSR data and four clusters from AFLPs. Clusters were not consistent between marker systems and did not represent the current taxonomy. MEMGENE revealed that a high proportion of the genetic variation is due to geographic distance (R2 = 0.38, P = 0.001). Comparing the genetic measurements from AFLPs and SSRs, we found that AFLP results were more accurate than SSR results across sample size when populations were larger than 25 individuals. As sample size decreases, the estimates become less stable in both AFLP and SSR datasets. Finally, this study provides insight into the population genetic structure of these varieties, which could be used in conservation efforts.
The specific (α,n) production rate for 234U in UF6

Abstract Natural, depleted, and low enriched uranium hexafluoride is manufactured and transported on an industrial scale to support commercial nuclear power plant operation. One-way material production and flow is verified by nuclear safeguards inspectorates is by neutron counting. The dominant neutron source term is ( α ,n) production due to 234U which gets enriched/depleted along with 235U. In this paper we describe recent efforts to accurately determine the ( α ,n)/s/g of 234U in UF6. This piece of nuclear data is of direct value to the nuclear safeguards community in the science-based verification and assay of bulk uranium hexafluoride. It also provides a benchmark on codes that calculate yield curves for various compounds from cross section data, and hence, provides a scale or normalization constraint on evaluated basic cross section data. In turn, evaluated basic data allows the yield from other materials to be calculated; for instance, moist uranyl fluoride, which is of interest in holdup measurements.
The Concept of Reducing Recidivism via College-in-Prison: Thoughts on Data Collection, Methodology, and the Question of Purpose

Conversations about reducing recidivism can be reductionist. This paper introduces strategies by which college-in-prison programs can collect post-release data on their students, as well as the research methods necessary to make predictive claims about the impact of such work. The question is raised: is reducing recidivism the purpose of college-in-prison? Following some speculation about the prevalence of this narrative, the paper concludes with some thoughts about alternative justifications for college-in-prison.
A 12.47 kV Medium Voltage Input 350 kW EV Fast Charger using 10 kV SiC MOSFET

This paper presents a medium-voltage (MV) (12.47 kV), 350 kW electric vehicle (EV) fast charger using 10 kV SiC MOSFETs. Detailed system design procedure based on the 10 kV SiC MOSFET characterization is presented to provide a guide on the 10 kV SiC MOSFET converter development. Taking the advantage of the 10 kV SiC MOSFET’s high voltage blocking capability and efficient switching performance, a single module high power density system is designed with the DC/DC stage operates at 25 kHz and the simulated system efficiency exceeds 98%, input current THD lower than 2%. With all the passive components selected, the designed system power density is 1.6 kW/L.
A New Participation Puzzle: Public Equity Ownership Through the Financial Crisis

I document two new facts in household portfolio choice. First, intertemporal changes in the distribution of wealth resulted in a decrease in public equity ownership after, but not during, the financial crisis. Second, holding fixed the level of wealth over time, the participation rate temporarily increased during the crisis, then returned to pre-crisis levels. These results can be explained by, and serve as strong evidence for, decreasing relative risk aversion and portfolio inertia. I discuss implications of these findings for existing models of participation, including participation costs and background risks.