cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The myth of the mind

Of course, I do not mean by the title of this paper to deny the existence of something called ‘the mind’. But I do mean to call into question appeals to it in analyzing cognitive notions such as understanding and knowing, where its domain is taken to be independent of what one might find out in cognitive science. In this respect, I am expressing the skepticism of Sellars in “Empiricism and the philosophy of mind” [1956], where he explodes, not only the ‘Myth of the Given’, but also, as part of that myth, theorizing about thoughts, intentions and the like, where such theorizing is regarded as something more than a nascent cognitive science, in which such entities enter as theoretical entities, in aid of accounting for our cognitive abilities. The myth is that these entities present themselves in consciousness, available to us by introspection—and, perhaps, a priori reasoning. But, even among authors who claim to embrace Sellars’ critique of the Myth of the Given, his message about the mind is ignored. As an example, I want to consider and disarm an influential line of thought, by John McDowell, which implicates the mind in the analysis of knowing and understanding, not in the legitimate sense of suggesting causal accounts of our cognitive abilities in terms of mental or physiological structures, but in the sense of claiming that these abilities are mental or essentially involve the mental in a way that escapes the net of cognitive science. The ground on which I stand in this discussion is one which I attribute to Wittgenstein in his Philosophical Investigations. Basically, the position
Functional belief and judgmental belief

A division between functional (animal) belief, on the one hand, and judgmental (reflective) belief, on the other, is central to Sosa’s two-tier virtue epistemology. For Sosa, mere functional belief is constituted by a first-order affirmation (or, perhaps, a simple disposition to affirm). In contrast, a judgmental belief is an intentional affirmation; a performance which is partially constituted by the believer’s endeavor to affirm truthfully, and reliably enough. If, qua performance, judgmental belief is like the hunter’s shot or the baseball player’s swing, mere functional belief is much more like a heartbeat. This paper explores whether we should accept Sosa’s distinction between mere functional belief and judgmental belief, and, if we should, how recognizing this distinction ought to shape our epistemological theorizing. Accordingly, the first aim of this paper is expository. It is to further clarify Sosa’s contrasting categories of functional belief and judgmental belief and to attempt to characterize explicitly the role that the division between functional belief and judgmental belief plays in Sosa’s two-tier virtue epistemology. The second aim of this paper is more critical. It is to articulate and begin to evaluate a series of concerns regarding whether Sosa’s division between functional belief and judgmental belief is well-founded, and so to explore whether a virtue-theoretic performance epistemology ought to embrace the sort of two-tiered account of cognitive performance that Sosa favors.
The phenomenologist's Anselm

Anselm’s Proslogion opens with the statement of a distinctively phenomenological program seldom taken seriously as such. Most contemporary discussions of the ontological argument concern the strictly logical and ontological dimensions of Anselm’s reasoning. I believe, however, that much remains to be seen of this argument which will be concealed in any other but a pheonomenological luminescence. I shall attempt, then, to make explicit the implicit phenomenology of the Proslogion’s first chapter, emphasizing the striking parallelism between Anselm and Husserl. It will still be necessary at that point to reinterpret the ontological argument in the light of fundamental phenomenological insights, thus providing us with a distinctively phenomenological demonstration — a “showing” — of the existence of God, as opposed to an a priori proof (proba) rendering the divine existence merely “probable.”
Using word latice information for a tighter coupling in speech translation systems.

In this paper we present first experiments towards a tighter coupling between Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and Statistical Machine Translation (SMT) to improve the overall performance of our speech translation system. In coventional speech translation systems, the recognizer outputs a single hypothesis which is then translated by the SMT system. This approach has the limitation of being largely dependent on the word error rate of the first best hypothesis. The word error rate is typically lowered by generating many alternative hypotheses in the form of a word lattice. The information in the word lattice and the scores from the recognizer can be used by the translation system to obtain better performance. In our experiments, by switching from the single best hypotheses to word lattices as the interface between ASR and SMT, and by introducing weighted acoustic scores in the translation system, the overall performance was increased by 16.22%.
Endocrine Regulation of Pheromone Production in Lepidoptera

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses endocrine regulation of pheromone production in Lepidoptera. In insects, pheromonal communication may be regulated by the neuroendocrine systems in the producer of the signal, the receiver, or both. Thus, hormones and/or neurotransmitters may regulate the biosynthesis or release of the pheromone and may also mediate the response to the pheromone. Among Lepidoptera, reproductive activity is probably never distributed evenly over a day but instead peaks at or is restricted to a few hours during the photophase or scotophase. The timing for the female of a species to release the sex pheromone has coevolved with male flight activity and maximal responsiveness to pheromonal signals. Such a coordination of mating activity provides the species with a high probability of mate finding and reproductive isolation. In nocturnal species of moths, reproductive activity is usually gated and follows an endogenous rhythm that is modified by environmental cues. Circadian endogenous rhythms of pheromone production and calling behavior have been reported in several species of moths.
Statistical and Cognitive Models of Learning through Instruction

This chapter uses statistical and cognitive models to evaluate the learning of a set of concepts about arithmetic word problems by a group of students. The statistical model provides information about how the group of students as a whole performed on an identification task involving wordproblem situations and shows differences among subgroups. The cognitive model simulates the performance of each student and yields details about how learning varied from one individual to another. It is a connectionist model in which the middle layer of units is specified a priori for each student, according to the student's level of understanding expressed in an interview. The chapter concludes with a detailed comparison of the simulated responses with the observed student responses.
A Time-Series Diary Study of Mood and Social Interaction

Based on concomitant time-series analyses, the results of this study support distinct social interaction correlates for the mood dimensions of negative affect (NA) and positive affect (PA). Participants (N = 25) completed structured diaries three times daily for 4 weeks assessing their PA, NA, and participation in five types of social interaction. A significant number of participants' data series evidenced significant positive correlations between PA and fun/active and necessary/informational types of social interaction, and between NA and arguing/confronting and receiving help/support, during synchronous diary periods. Providing help/support was not related to NA or PA. No hypothesized time-lagged relations between mood and social interaction variables were present suggesting that, if these associations exist, they may be at intervals shorter than the one third day recording frequency used in this study. Results are discussed in the context of research on mood, social interaction, and time-series analysis.
Decision Theory and Game Theory

The application of mathematics and sophisticated logic to interactions between persons, groups, and nations in the mid-20th century gave rise to game and decision theory. It has particularly been useful in the context of conflict and war. Modeling interactions as rational players in high-stakes games has proven a remarkably popular and predictable way to describe a wide variety of social situations. However, characterizing strategy in strictly cost-benefit terms, and outcomes in purely mathematical language often obfuscates the true moral and social dimensions of important decisions.
Inversion of Eddy Current Signals in a Nonuniform Probe Field

We present a simple analytical method for predicting the eddy current signal (ΔZ) produced by a surface flaw of known dimensions, when interrogated by a probe with spatially varying magnetic field. The model is easily parameterized, and we use it to construct inversion schemes which can extract overall flaw dimensions from multiposition, multifrequency measurements. Our method is a type of Born approximation, in which we assume that the probe’s magnetic field at the mouth of the flaw can be used as a boundary condition on the electromagnetic field solutions inside the flaw. To simplify the calculation we have chosen a “rectangular” 3-dimensional flaw geometry for our model. We describe experimental measurements made with a new broadband probe on a variety of flaws. This probe operates in a frequency range of 200 kHz to 20 MHz and was designed to make the multifrequency measurements necessary for inversion purposes. Since inversion requires knowledge of the probe’s magnetic field shape, we describe experimental methods which determine the interrogating field geometry for any eddy current probe.
Randomly distributed crossovers may generate block-like patterns of linkage disequilibrium: an act of genetic drift

There is considerable interest in identifying and characterizing block-like patterns of linkage disequilibrium (LD; haplotype blocks) in the human genome as these may facilitate the identification of complex disease genes via genome-wide association studies. Although recombination hot-spots have been suggested as the primary mechanism to explain the block-like pattern of LD, other forces, such as genetic drift, may also be important. To this end, we have studied the effect of various recombination models on patterns of LD by using extensive simulations. As expected, haplotype blocks were observed under a model allowing recombination hot-spots. However, we also observed similar block-like patterns in the models where recombination crossovers are randomly and uniformly distributed, and we demonstrate that these blocks are generated by genetic drift. We caution that genetic drift may be an alternative mechanism (in addition to recombination hot-spots) that can lead to block-like patterns of LD. Our findings highlight the necessity of characterizing haplotype blocks in world-wide populations.
Deep fluid pathways beneath Mammoth Mountain, California, illuminated by migrating earthquake swarms

Although most volcanic seismicity is shallow (within several kilometers of the surface), some volcanoes exhibit deeper seismicity (10 to 30+ km) that may reflect active processes such as magma resupply and volatile transfer. One such volcano is Mammoth Mountain, California, which has also recently exhibited high rates of CO2 discharge at the surface. We perform high-resolution earthquake detection and relocation to reveal punctuated episodes of rapidly propagating seismicity at mid-crustal depths along a narrow fracture zone surrounding a body of partial melt. We infer that these earthquakes track dike intrusions or fluid pressure pulses associated with CO2 exsolution, suggesting that the deep plumbing system of Mammoth Mountain is an active conduit for fluid transport from the base of the crust to the surface.
Intraoperative Near-infrared Imaging Can Identify Neoplasms and Aid in Real-time Margin Assessment During Pancreatic Resection.

Objective:To determine if intraoperative near-infrared (NIR) imaging carries benefit in resection of pancreatic neoplasms.Background:Resection of pancreatic malignancies is hindered by high rates of local and distant recurrence from positive margins and unrecognized metastases. Improved tumor visual
Reading Objects: Children Interpreting Material Culture

Object-based, experiential learning/evidence-based inquiry engages young minds and models how research is conducted. It is clear that this kind of authentic experience stays with students long afterward. Our research investigated 74 fifth-grade public school students’ conceptions of evidence, of the provisional nature of archaeological and historical interpretations, and of the purposes for using archaeology to study the past. Three and four years later, we conducted follow-up interviews with 29 of the students to investigate what they remembered about their archaeological experience, including classroom instruction, excavation/labwork, and concepts related to archaeological processes and historical information. Our study shows that in-depth archaeological study has considerable sticking power. It also provides important insights into how students think about archaeology, history, and the past, and how they relate “things” to the past and to past cultures. In particular, it shows that the materiality of archaeology offers students opportunities to create multiple, evidence-based interpretations when they are taught to understand culture in material ways. Our study also offers concrete suggestions for anyone considering using objects to teach about the past: use an inquiry-based approach, take students’ prior knowledge into account, use metaphors carefully with younger children, and make the human-object connection explicit for all.
Mutational spectra of trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydro-6-hydroxylaminochrysene (1,2-DHD-6-NHOH-C), a putative ultimate carcinogenic metabolite of the environmental mammary carcinogen 6-nitrochrysene (6-NC), in a lacI mammary epithelial cell line

894 The cause of most breast cancers remains unknown. Environmental pollutants [e.g. nitroaromatics (NO2-PAH)] that are known to induce mammary cancer in rodents must be regarded as potential human carcinogens; a representative example is 6-NC. We previously showed that trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydro-6-nitrochrysene (1,2-DHD-6-NC) is the proximate mutagen/carcinogen and the structure of the major DNA adduct in the mammary gland of rats treated with 6-NC is derived from nitroreduction of 1,2-DHD-6-NC suggesting that the corresponding hydroxylamine 1,2-DHD-6-NHOH-C is the ultimate mutagenic/carcinogenic metabolite. Therefore 1,2-DHD-6-NHOH-C was synthesized and its mutation frequency and mutation spectra (MS) were assessed in cultured lacI rat mammary epithelial cells. The results were compared with those obtained in the mammary gland of rats treated with 6-NC. The MS of 6-NC in vivo and in vitro (in cultured lacI rat mammary epithelial cells) were similar in thatthe two major classes of mutations were AT→GC and AT→TA base-pair substitutions (ca. 30% of each). A similar MS was induced by 1,2-DHD-6-NHOH-C in vitro, with AT→GC and AT→TA substitutions representing the major types of mutations (about 25% each, of the total mutations). Also these two major mutations are different from those induced by other metabolites (e.g. 1,2-DHD-6-NC) which we tested previously. These results further support the hypothesis that 1,2-DHD-6-NHOH-C is the ultimate mutagen of 6-NC. It may be relevant that AT→GC substitutions have also been reported in significant percentages among mutations in the p53 gene in human breast tumors. Since enantiomeric derivatives of numerous PAH including chrysene have distinctly different biological activities, we hypothesize that the stereochemical course of 6-NC metabolism plays a critical role in its mutagenic properties. Thus, in an initial study, the metabolite 1,2-DHD-6-NC, obtained from incubations of 6-NC with rat liver microsomes, was resolved to produce 88% of [R,R]- and 12% of [S,S]-enantiomers; circular dichroism was used to characterize each enantiomer. Resolution was achieved by either derivatization of 1,2-DHD-6-NC with (-)-menthoxyacetyl group followed by HPLC (Lichrosorb silica 60 A° ) separation or by a chiral stationary phase HPLC [(S,S) Whelk-O1, Regis Inc.]. Future studies will be aimed at determining the mutagenic and carcinogenic properties of each 1,2-DHD-6-NHOH-C enantiomer. Support: grant # CA35519.
Quantitative Imaging Assessment for Clinical Trials in Oncology.

Background Objective radiographic assessment is crucial for accurately evaluating therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes in oncology clinical trials. Imaging assessment workflow can be complex; can vary with institution; may burden medical oncologists, who are often inadequately trained in radiology and response criteria; and can lead to high interobserver variability and investigator bias. This article reviews the development of a tumor response assessment core (TRAC) at a comprehensive cancer center with the goal of providing standardized, objective, unbiased tumor imaging assessments, and highlights the web-based platform and overall workflow. In addition, quantitative response assessments by the medical oncologists, radiologist, and TRAC are compared in a retrospective cohort of patients to determine concordance. Patients and methods The TRAC workflow includes an image analyst who pre-reviews scans before review with a board-certified radiologist and then manually uploads annotated data on the proprietary TRAC web portal. Patients previously enrolled in 10 lung cancer clinical trials between January 2005 and December 2015 were identified, and the prospectively collected quantitative response assessments by the medical oncologists were compared with retrospective analysis of the same dataset by a radiologist and TRAC. Results This study enlisted 49 consecutive patients (53% female) with a median age of 60 years (range, 29-78 years); 2 patients did not meet study criteria and were excluded. A linearly weighted kappa test for concordance for TRAC versus radiologist was substantial at 0.65 (95% CI, 0.46-0.85; standard error [SE], 0.10). The kappa value was moderate at 0.42 (95% CI, 0.20-0.64; SE, 0.11) for TRAC versus oncologists and only fair at 0.34 (95% CI, 0.12-0.55; SE, 0.11) for oncologists versus radiologist. Conclusions Medical oncologists burdened with the task of tumor measurements in patients on clinical trials may introduce significant variability and investigator bias, with the potential to affect therapeutic response and clinical trial outcomes. Institutional imaging cores may help bridge the gap by providing unbiased and reproducible measurements and enable a leaner workflow.
Effect of Medicaid expansion status on risk of late or no prenatal care in black and white US mothers: analysis of US natality data, 2010–17

Abstract Background Prenatal care is essential for a good pregnancy outcome for mothers and infants. Many women in the USA receive late (starting in third trimester) or no prenatal care (PNC), resulting in avoidable adverse health outcomes. Black women have been more likely to receive late or no PNC for decades. The Affordable Care Act provided for the option of Medicaid expansion that would improve access to health care, including prenatal health services, for many US women. However, not all states accepted Medicaid expansion, thus allowing us to make a comparison of rates of late or no PNC by Medicaid expansion status, before and after expansion was implemented. Methods We extracted data from the Births Files, CDC Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) to calculate the proportion of women who received late or no PNC for the periods 2010–13 (baseline) and 2014–17 (after implementation of Medicaid expansion). We compared the numbers and proportions of births in women who received late or no PNC by whether states had accepted or decided against Medicaid expansion at baseline and also after implementation, by maternal race (black women and white women). Risk ratios [RR] and 95% CIs were calculated for each race at baseline and after Medicaid expansion implementation. Findings By 2014, 26 of 50 US states had accepted Medicaid expansion, and 24 had decided against. At baseline, the risk of late or no PNC in black women was 7·24% in states that went on to implement Medicaid expansion and 7·69% in states that decided against Medicaid expansion (RR=0·94, 95% CI=0·93–0·95). In 2014–17, the risk of late or no PNC in black women rose in all states, but the protective effect associated with being in a state that implemented Medicaid expansion increased: in non-Medicaid-expansion states, risk of late or no PNC rose to 9·39%, whereas in Medicaid expansion states, it rose to only 8·53% (RR=0·90, 0·90–0·92), with a 9·17% difference in the protective effect of being in a Medicaid expansion state between baseline and 2014–17. In white women, however, overall risk of late or no PNC rose modestly from 4·26% at baseline to 5·02% in 2014–17 (from 3·30% to 4·20% in Medicaid expansion states and from 5·26% to 5·71% in non-Medicaid-expansion states; the protective effect of being in an ME state declined from 37·0% to 26·4%). Interpretation It is unclear why the risk of receiving late or no PNC rose in women of both races, or why the protective effect of living in an Medicaid expansion state declined for white women after implementation and what aspects of Medicaid expansion were associated with its protective effect in black women. However, Medicaid expansion introduction was associated with a modest but significant mitigation of the rise in the risk of late or no PNC in black women, in whom late or no PNC is a much greater problem. Funding None
How deep is the soil studied – an analysis of four soil science journals

Soil depth is a critical attribute of any soil, and determines rooting, moisture and nutrient storage, mineral reserve, anchorage, and a range of conditions that affect plant growth. We reviewed papers from four primary soil science journals and extracted how deep the soils were studied in those papers. Soil depth was obtained over a 30-years period (1989–2019) from papers in: European Journal of Soil Science, Geoderma, Plant and Soil, and Soil Biology and Biochemistry. In total, 1146 papers were reviewed, and 37% (420 papers) included information on how deep the soil was studied. The number of papers that included soil depth increased from 31% in 1989 to 47% in 2019. The average soil depth studied was 27 cm, but it was 53 cm between 1989 and 1999, and 24 cm between 2004 and 2019. Most of the studies were from Europe, and 41% of the papers contained soil classification. Research that focused on soil mineralogy and technology tended to study soils to a greater depth (average 74 cm), whereas the depth in soil biology research was on average 18 cm. Over 80% of the soils were sampled by fixed depth and not by soil horizon. Soil depth is lacking from about half of the papers in these four journals. The depth of the soil studied has halved in the past 30 years. Soil processes, soil properties, and microbial communities are depth-dependent, and for a more complete understanding, soils should be studied to a greater depth.
Exploratory Analysis of Recent Trends in School Travel Mode Choices in the U.S.

Abstract The study explores the recent trends in school travel using the 2017 National Household Travel Survey data. The study also investigates the exogenous factors affecting the school travel mode choice using random parameters multinomial logit (RPMNL) model. The results indicate that urban school trips range between 3 and 5 miles, whereas, average rural trips are longer than 6 miles. School commute times are higher among lower-income households. Further, the share of school bus and auto has declined while that of walking and biking has increased in 2017. This change is significant among high school students. Like other studies, the findings of the RPMNL model confirm that students within shorter distances from school are more likely to walk or bike to school. However, the likelihood of riding a school bus for distances >15 miles is higher than that of auto, indicating a policy implication to support school transportation budgets, especially in rural school districts. Lower-income households have a higher likelihood of riding the school bus. Females are more likely to use a car and less likely to bike to school. Interestingly, households with more than three vehicles are more likely to use the school bus compared to no-vehicle households. Children living in rented houses are less likely to ride the school bus or car. Also, an increase in gas price is indirectly but positively linked with walking, biking, and auto use. The findings from this study will assist policymakers in formulating policies and planning decisions towards improvements in the current school travel trends.
Calcaneal skeletal traction versus elastic intramedullary nailing of displaced tibial shaft fractures in children.

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes and complications of patients who underwent either the calcaneal skeletal traction (CST) or the elastic intramedullary nails (EIN) procedure. Methods We retrospectively reviewed data of patients who underwent EIN or CST surgery for tibia shaft fracture at our center from 2013 to 2018. The patient demographics, fracture characteristics, radiographic information, length of hospital stay, and medical expenses were recorded. All patients were clinically followed-up until they started to walk or for at least 6 months. The treatment outcomes and postoperative complications of the two procedures were compared. Results Overall, 186 patients who underwent EIN and CST were included in the study. The EIN patients had more low-energy mechanism of injury. In radiographic evaluation, significant differences were observed in distributions of fracture classification and location. Moreover, associated fibula fractures were higher in the EIN group than in the CST group. The CST procedure had faster surgical time, cast duration and lower expenses, and longer hospitalization time. Although they required more clinical visits, patients in the EIN group began exercising and endured weight-bearing earlier than those in the CST group. The average time for bone healing was 68.5 days in the EIN group, and 69.6 days in the CST group. However, the CST provided slight better results of coronal correction than EIN. Moreover, CST patients had less malalignment (> 5°) in complications. None had delay union, nonunion, and shortening over 10 mm at final assessment. Conclusions Both EIN and CST patients showed similar treatment outcomes. Hence, not only the characteristics of the patient and fracture, but also the individual's situation and expectation should be considered when choosing the best approach.
Designing Use with Youth

Chapter 5, “Designing Use with Youth,” considers the formal and informal ways young people are taught to use digital media and how this learning process has been shaped by corporate and state interests. The participatory design of a social network through the MyDF Project is further unpacked to discuss how modes of informational development, such as the U.S. national security doctrine of cyberdominance, were reproduced, reworked, and resisted by interviewees and co-researchers alike. Extrapolating from research and design interventions, such as the YDRC’s development of a Terms of Use policy for their social network, this chapter also discusses how young people and their communities can design digital environments and research relationships that help reproduce what Sarah Ahmed (What’s the Use? On the Uses of Use. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2019) has described as a “queer use.”
MMIC GaAs X-Band Isolator with Enhanced Power Transmission Response

This paper discusses the RF design and characterization of an X-band MMIC isolator. It is based on a directional coupler and a non-reciprocal RF signal path that comprises a gain stage and two transmission line elements for phase control. In this manner, enhanced power transmission is obtained in the forward direction and isolation in the reverse one. The operating principles and RF design trade-offs (isolation, gain, matching) of the isolator are presented through circuit-based analysis. For proof-of-concept demonstration purposes, a prototype was designed at X-band and manufactured with a commercial MMIC GaAs process. Its RF measured performance is summarized as follows: center frequency: 9.4 GHz, maximum gain = 9.3 dB, maximum isolation = 27.7 dB, and 3 dB passband bandwidth with > 23 dB of isolation= 1.61 GHz.
Impacts of FERC Order No. 2222 on Dairy Manure Processing in Wisconsin

The agricultural practice of spreading dairy manure to fertilize crop fields leads to widespread air and water pollution, due to uncontrolled release of greenhouse gases, nutrients, and pathogens. The associated environmental and health impacts can be mitigated by deploying manure processing (MP) systems that can capture methane to produce electricity and that facilitate nutrient management. Unfortunately, electricity rates available to MP systems in the United States (US) provide limited economic incentives to promote their deployment. Recent policy enacted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Order 2222) enables distributed energy resource (DER) systems (such as MP systems) to participate in wholesale electricity markets. We present supply chain and market analyses in Wisconsin showing that this order can help activate an electricity bioeconomy that can help mitigating environmental and health impacts resulting from manure spreading. We estimate that this bioeconomy could generate up to $131 million in revenue for dairy farms annually while averting $39 million in greenhouse gas emissions and $182 million in nutrient emissions.
The Synchronic and Diachronic Phonology of Ejectives

Table of Contents List of Abbreviations 1. Introduction 2. Laryngeal and Phonatory Features and Representations 3. Assimilation 4. Deglottalization 5. Debuccalization 6. Dissimilation 7. Ejective Voicing 8. Fission and Fusion 9. Conclusion Endnotes References
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: APPENDICITIS IN CHILDHOOD

AS RECENTLY AS 1958, 258 children died in this country as a result of appendicitis. Most of these deaths occurred in young children with perforation. Correct early diagnosis of acute appendicitis and precise and vigorous management of children with advanced appendicitis can prevent these deaths. Particular attention should be paid to the pre-school child with abdominal pain. The historical and physical findings which are generally called classical are more common in older children. The intraluminal pressure of the obstructed appendix of the young child is built up to the same order as in the adult, but the intravascular pressure is lower and the bowel wall thinner. This results in the rapid development of necrosis. These two factors—difficulty in diagnosis and a fulminating course—lead to a high incidence of perforation in children. Combining the statistics of four large series of 551 children, age 4 years and under, with appendicitis, 429 or 77% were found to have perforated appendixes. This high incidence of perforation has not decreased over the years. THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF APPENDICITIS Abdominal pain is the prime symptom of appendicitis. Its character and location depend on the anatomic position of the inflamed appendix and the stage of development of the disease process. The young child is often not able to verbalize his complaint of abdominal pain or localize accurately the area of his abdominal discomfiture. Fretfulness, crying, disturbed sleep, and resistance to handling are often the first indications that something is wrong. Anorexia and vomiting are common accompaniments of many childhood illnesses. However, the presence of a good appetite casts some doubt on the diagnosis of appendicitis.
Effects of initial conditions uncertainty on regional climate variability: An analysis using a low-resolution CESM ensemble

The uncertainties surrounding the initial conditions in Earth system models can considerably influence interpretations about climate trends and variability. Here we present results from a new climate change ensemble experiment using the Community Earth System Model (CESM) to analyze the effect of internal variability on regional climate variables that are relevant for decision making. Each simulation is initialized from a unique and dynamically consistent model state sampled from a ~10,000 year fully coupled equilibrium simulation, which captures the internal unforced variability of the coupled Earth system. We find that internal variability has a sizeable contribution to the modeled ranges of temperature and precipitation. The effects increase for more localized regions. The ensemble exhibits skill in simulating key regional climate processes relevant to decision makers, such as seasonal temperature variability and extremes. The presented ensemble framework and results can provide useful resources for uncertainty quantification, integrated assessment, and climate risk management.
Blood Lead Concentrations of Spectacled Eiders Near the Kashunuk River, Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

We collected, 342 blood samples from spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) on their breeding grounds in western Alaska from late May through to early August 1993–1995. Lead concentrations of ≥0.50 p.p.m. wet weight were found in the blood of 20% of the adult female eiders, 2% of the adult males and 6% of the ducklings. Lead was detected (≥0.02 p.p.m.) more frequently in the blood of adult females than in adult males or ducklings and the maximum concentrations were 14.37, 0.50 and 4.28 p.p.m. wet weight, respectively. In adult females, there was a significant difference in the proportion of detectable blood lead concentrations between three collection times (arrival/nesting, hatch and brood rearing), with the highest proportion (92%) occurring at hatch. Nine hens with blood lead concentrations of ≥0.50 p.p.m. were captured a second time several weeks to 1 year later. In the hens sampled twice at intervals of several weeks, the blood lead concentrations increased and declined at mean daily rates of 1.10 and 0.94, respectively. The lead concentrations in the blood of adults were not correlated with body weights. Radiographs were taken of 119 eiders and corresponding blood samples from 98 of these birds were analysed for lead. Ingested shot was seen in X-rays of 12 adults and three ducklings and, of the 13 blood samples tested, all had detectable lead concentrations. Of the birds without radiographic evidence of ingested shot, 84% of the adult females, 19% of the adult males and 17% of the ducklings had detectable lead concentrations in their blood. Breeding ground exposure of waterfowl to lead shot is unusual and is of particular concern in spectacled eiders because of their threatened status and declining numbers in western Alaska.
Laboratory Standard Penetration Tests on Fine Sands

The Standard Penetration Test (STP) is critically examined with respect to its ability to estimate relative density in situ. Twenty-six test specimens, 4-ft in diameter by 6-ft high, were constructed using Reid Bedford Model sand and Ottawa sand. Using field drilling equipment, the SPT was performed at three overburden pressures on test specimens built to various densities. The results are presented as a family of curves correlating relative density with the SPT N-values at the testing pressures. It is concluded that the SPT is fairly repeatable in homogeneous deposits; however, variations in density, structure, or lateral stress within the test medium will produce widely scattered N-values. Thus, estimates of in-situ relative densities from N-values should be considered gross values or trends and should not be interpreted as accurate determinations for any specific case.
A model for replica placement in content distribution networks for multimedia applications

The distribution of multimedia files brings new challenges to the problem of replica placement in content distribution networks (CDN) and invalidates several assumptions underlying the existing solutions. In this paper we formulate a new model for the problem of replica placement to accommodate these new characteristics. We perform a theoretical analysis of the cost of distributing multimedia files over CDNs and find out that, contrary to the intuition, deploying as many replicas as possible is not always a good strategy. We then propose several replica placement algorithms that can determine the optimal number of replicas we should select from a given set of potential sites. By simulation we demonstrate that the performance of clients may degrade if we choose too many sites for replica placement.
Chemotaxis in Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus

Chemotaxis toward yeast extract is demonstrated in obligately and facultatively parasitic strains of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus.
Effect of furosemide on mesenteric blood flow in dogs.

Summary In the course of an investigation of the possible role of diuresis as a contributing factor in the production of nonocclusive mesenteric infarction, blood flows were monitored in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the thoracic aorta. Intravenous injection of the diuretic, furosemide, as a bolus at doses of 0.5 – 10.0 mg./kg. produced an early rise in SMA flow that peaked at about 2 minutes and lasted for 6–10 minutes. The ratio of SMA to thoracic aorta flow also increased. The increase in SMA flow and in the ratio were both dose dependent and statistically significant. Therefore, if furosemide administration is associated with nonocclusive mesenteric infarction, this is due to the secondary effects of vigorous diuresis and not to a primary action of the drug.
Test-Retest Reliability of Component Process Variables Within the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised:

Emerging data support the construct validity of component process variables of learning and memory within the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R; Brandt & Benedict, 2001); however, the test-retest reliabilities of such measures are heretofore largely unknown. This study reveals generally modest-to-low 1-year test-retest stability for several key HVLT-R component process variables (e.g., semantic clustering) in 41 healthy, younger adults. These findings are discussed in relation to issues of clinical practice and research design in neuropsychological assessment.
Pain in Labor: A Conceptual Model for Intervention

A conceptual model, based on the Grantly Dick-Read fear-tension-pain cycle concept, for intervening in pain in labor is presented. The model can serve as a guide to help break the cycle and to establish a new cycle which operates on positive, rather than negative, forces, i.e., education, purposeful activity, and supportive care, each directed toward breaking a specific segment of the cycle. The conceptual model can be used in educational settings and as a tool for determining priority of focus for nursing intervention with the labor patient.
Haiti Election 2006: A Pyrrhic Victory for René Préval?

On February 7, 2006, Haitians went to the polls and, despite many tech nical and other logistical difficulties, reelected Ren? Preval president. Preval was first elected in 1996 and transferred power to Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February 2001 after the latter had won reelection in November 2000. ' Aristide was overthrown by former members of the defunct Haitian Army in February 2004, cutting short his second five-year mandate. He was replaced by an interim government led by G?rard Latortue as prime minis ter and Boniface Alexandre as president in March 2004 with the full back ing of the United States, Canada, and France. Originally scheduled for November 2005, the presidential election was postponed four times before being finally held on February 7, 2006. Pr?val's reelection represents a major victory for what could be called the popular sector and a major defeat for those Haitian eliteand foreign backed forces that coalesced in the Democratic Convergence and the Group of 184 to oppose and, with the help of the former army rebels, ultimately over throw Aristide. These forces had hoped that with Aristide gone one of their own could win the presidency. Out of a field of 33 candidates for the presi dency, the 8 candidates from the coalitions and the 2 from the former army rebel forces that toppled Aristide received a combined 32.4 percent of the approximately 2.2 million votes cast. Pr?val received 51.21 percent, thus clinching his victory in the first round. Voter turnout was estimated at around 63 percent (Haiti/Conseil Electoral Provisoire, 2006).2 The election also represented a defeat for the interim government. Its main objective was to pacify the country and prepare for new presidential and parliamentary elections, and this basically meant cracking down on Aristide supporters, especially but not exclusively the armed gangs known as chimes in the L?valas strongholds in the ghettos of Port-au-Prince, and preparing for new elections that might bring to power a government that would respect the rules of the political game dictated by the major capitalist
Histology of induced bovine lactogenesis.

Abstract Nine cycling nonlactating dairy cows were treated hormonally to induce lactation with progesterone, estradiol-17 β , and dexamethasone. Mammary tissue biopsies were taken on days 18, 21, and 23 after initiation of treatment (different three cows for each period). First milking was initiated on day 21 in the latter two groups. Mean differences in tissue development (percent area) between day 18 and 23 were, epithelium + 11.1%, stroma−25.9%, alveolar lumen + 13.9%, adipose + 1.58%, duct−.74%, and + 15 nuclei/alveolar section. On day 18 epithelia containing small lipid droplets predominated but were replaced with mixed lipid droplets by day 23. Epithelia day 18 had elongated dark staining nuclei. Epithelia on day 23 had spherically shaped nuclei often containing several nucleoli and an increased cytoplasmic/nuclear ratio. Marked histological development occurred from 18 to 23 days after initiation of treatment. Mammary tissue development in nongravid hormonally treated animals was equal to or greater than 2-wk-prepartum tissue but less than 2-day-prepartum tissue for natural lactations.
Chain addition cycles

Abstract For each seed s =(s 1 ,s 2 ,…,s n ) of elements si chosen from the ring Z m of integers modulo m, the infinite sequence S = S (m, s )=(s k :k∈ N ) satisfying sn+k=sk+sk+1 (addition in Z m ) for every positive integer k is the (m,n) chain addition sequence generated by the seed s. We investigate the maximal period, Ln(m), of chain addition cycles with seed length n (modulo m). The general problem is reduced to finding Ln(pk) for primes p and it is shown that if Ln(p2)≠Ln(p), then Ln(pk)=pk−1Ln(p) for positive integers k. Further, conditions guaranteeing that Ln(p2)≠Ln(p) are given.
Predicting the Impact of Missense Mutations on Protein–Protein Binding Affinity

The crucial prerequisite for proper biological function is the protein’s ability to establish highly selective interactions with macromolecular partners. A missense mutation that alters the protein binding affinity may cause significant perturbations or complete abolishment of the function, potentially leading to diseases. The availability of computational methods to evaluate the impact of mutations on protein–protein binding is critical for a wide range of biomedical applications. Here, we report an efficient computational approach for predicting the effect of single and multiple missense mutations on protein–protein binding affinity. It is based on a well-tested simulation protocol for structure minimization, modified MM-PBSA and statistical scoring energy functions with parameters optimized on experimental sets of several thousands of mutations. Our simulation protocol yields very good agreement between predicted and experimental values with Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.69 and 0.63 and root-me...
Immigrant Students in New York City Schools

The immigrant population residing in New York City has expanded enormously in recent years and profoundly affected the public school system. As significant as the expansion of immigrant students enrolled in New York City public schools has been, even more remarkable is the diversity in the countries of origin of the new students. This article looks at some of the problems faced by the New York City public schools in absorbing and educating a surge of immigrant children. Insight into the educational problems encountered by immigrant students is provided through student and teacher interviews.
Influence of organizational characteristics and caring attributes of managers on nurses’ job enjoyment

Title. Influence of organizational characteristics and caring attributes of managers on nurses' job enjoyment Aim. This paper is a report of a study to investigate the effect of organizational characteristics and perceived caring attributes of managers on nurses’ job enjoyment. Background. Job satisfaction was the outcome of several studies about organizational or professional practice environments. Study variables predicted 30–60% of the variance in job satisfaction. Job enjoyment, the affective dimension of job satisfaction and manager caring were not variables in previous studies. Methods. We recruited a convenience sample of Registered Nurses (n = 731) employed by a large healthcare system in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America. Participants were primarily staff nurses, female, white, full-time employees and 41 years of age or older. Most had a baccalaureate degree in nursing and 4·5% had an advanced practice license. Participants were surveyed in 2005 using Lake’s Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index, Nyberg’s Caring Assessment Scale, the Job Enjoyment Subscale of the Atwood and Hinshaw Job Satisfaction Scale and a demographic data form. Descriptive statistics were used to explore the study variables. Data were analysed using multiple regression. Results. Nursing foundations for quality of care, nurse manager ability, leadership and support of nurses, staffing and resource adequacy and collegial nurse–physician relations explained 30·6% of the variance in job enjoyment. Age, area of practice and job type explained an additional 5·4%. Conclusion. Quantitative measures did not identify a majority of the variables associated with job enjoyment. Research using a qualitative and quantitative methodology with different practice samples may reveal other variables that influence job enjoyment.
PROTON GYROMAGNETIC RATIO

The proton precession frequency has been measured in a 12-gauss magnetic field supplied by a precision solenoid. For protons in water the preliminary result obtained in terms of the NBS electrical standards is gamma /sub p/ = 2.67515 plus or minus 0.00001) x 10/sup 4/ gauss/sup -1/sec/sup -1/, Benzene was found to give a result 1.9 plus or minus 0.2 ppm higher. (T.B.A.)
Nanoclusters digitize Ras signalling.

Membrane microdomains are widely postulated to regulate cell signalling, especially at the plasma membrane. Despite intense study, how this occurs remains largely unknown. New work now suggests that for MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase signalling, microdomains containing Ras nanoclusters contribute to the fidelity of signal transduction by acting as digital switches.
A two-step synthesis of (R)- and (S)-benzylglycidyl ether

Abstract Ring opening of (R)- and (S)-glycidyl tosylates with benzyl alcohol, followed by treatment with K2CO3/MeOH gave (S)-(+)- and (R)-(-)-benzylglycidyl ether in 90% overall yield.