cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial and temporal trends in occurrence of emerging and legacy contaminants in the Lower Columbia River 2008-2010

article i nfo The Lower Columbia River in Oregon and Washington, USA, is an important resource for aquatic and terrestrial organisms, agriculture, and commerce. An 86-mile stretch of the river was sampled over a 3 year period in order to determine the spatial and temporal trends in the occurrence and concentration of water-borne organic contaminants. Sampling occurred at 10 sites along this stretch and at 1 site on the Willamette River using the semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) and the polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) passive samplers.Contaminantprofilesfollowedthepredictedtrendsoflowernumbersofdetectionsandassociatedcon- centrations in the rural areas to higher numbers and concentrations at the more urbanized sites. Industrial chemicals, plasticizers, and PAHs were present at the highest concentrations. Differences in concentrations be- tween sampling periods were related to the amountof rainfall during thesamplingperiod. In general, watercon- centrations of wastewater-related contaminants decreased and concentrations of legacy contaminants slightly increased with increasing rainfall amounts. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Percept strength at the onset of bistable perception

When presented with a stimulus that allows for two distinct interpretations, observers perceive one interpretation exclusively at any moment, and perception switches between the alternatives. Dynamics of the alternations is governed by the parameters of the stimulus. Varying the parameters, it is possible to affect both absolute and relative amount of time spent perceiving each interpretation (“percept”). Theoretical and experimental studies of bistable perception have been focused on its long term dynamics. We consider the transitional stage of bistable perception, right after the onset of the stimulus for binocular rivalry, ambiguous plaid motion, and bistable depth ordering phenomena. We compare the long term percept strength (relative amount of time spent in this percept), and its strength at the onset of rivalry (probability to be the first to dominate after the stimulus is presented). We find that the percept strength at the onset of rivalry is a steeper function of the stimulus parameters than the long term percept strength (Fig. ​(Fig.1A).1A). In the case of binocular rivalry and bistable depth ordering, there exist a set of parameters such that the onset and long term percept strengths are the same. For other parameters' values, if one of the stimulus interpretations is more probable to be observed during the course of perception, it is even more probable to be the first one to be observed. In the case of ambiguous plaid motion, we confirm the observation [1] that there exist a range of the plaid's parameters such that one of the interpretations is stronger at the onset of rivalry even if it is weaker in the long term. Figure 1 (A) Long-term (green) and onset (blue) percept strength as a function of the ratio of the gratings' wavelengths in bistable depth ordering experiment [3] (preliminary data). (B,C)Simulated long term (green) and onset (blue) percept strength as a function ... We investigate whether competition models describing bistable perception [2] can account for the difference between the early and long term strength of the percept. Simulations show that adaptation-dominated, rather than noise-dominated regime of producing alternations in the models is better suited to provide agreement with experiments. (Fig.​(Fig.1B1B,​,1C)1C) Other features of bistable perception, such as the similar lengths of the first few and long term dominance durations, and the mean and shape of the dominance durations distributions favor noise as a switching mechanism [1,2]. These observations support the conclusion that the models must operate within a balance between the noise and adaptation in order to reproduce experimentally observed statistics of bistable perception. Our results also suggest that the relative contribution of noise and adaptation in producing perceptual alternations may change over time.
Serial Multimodality Assessment of Myocardial Infarction in Mice Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Micro–Positron Emission Tomography Provides Complementary Information on the Progression of Scar Formation

Recent technological advances have made imaging the mouse heart possible using both 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),1–4 thus facilitating the investigation of mechanisms underlying the progression toward heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI). These imaging modalities provide complementary information regarding cellular metabolism and infarct location, respectively. To demonstrate this, we used FDG PET and MRI in a serial study of male C57Bl/6 mice that were subjected to a 1-hour coronary occlusion and then 30 days of reperfusion. Imaging was performed 1, 7, and 28 days after coronary occlusion. Gd-enhanced ECG-gated cardiac MRI was performed using a 4.7-T MRI scanner (Varian, Inc, …
Room temperature magnetic materials from nanostructured diblock copolymers

Nanostructured magnetic materials are important for many advanced applications. Consequently, new methods for their fabrication are critical. However, coupling self-assembly to the generation of magnetic materials in a simple, straight-forward manner has remained elusive. Although several approaches have been considered, most have multiple processing steps, thus diminishing their use of self-assembly to influence magnetic properties. Here we develop novel block copolymers that are preprogrammed with the necessary chemical information to microphase separate and deliver room temperature ferromagnetic properties following a simple heat treatment. The importance of the nanostructured confinement is demonstrated by comparison with the parent homopolymer, which provides only paramagnetic materials, even though it is chemically identical and has a higher loading of the magnetic precursor. In addition to the room temperature ferromagnetic properties originating from the block copolymer, the in situ generation densely functionalizes the surface of the magnetic elements, rendering them oxidatively stable.
A review of research on salivary biomarkers for oral cancer detection

Using saliva for disease diagnostics and health surveillance is a promising approach as collecting saliva is relatively easy and non-invasive. Over the past two decades, using salivary biomarkers specifically for early cancer detection has attracted much research interest, especially for cancers occurring in the oral cavity and oropharynx, for which the five-year survival rate (62%) is still one of the lowest among all major human cancers. More than 90% of oral cancers are oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and the standard method for detection is through a comprehensive clinical examination by oral healthcare professionals. Despite the fact that the oral cavity is easily accessible, most OSCCs are not diagnosed until an advanced stage, which is believed to be the major reason for the low survival rate, and points to the urgent need for clinical diagnostic aids for early detection of OSCC. Thus, much research effort has been dedicated to investigating potential salivary biomarkers for OSCC, and more than 100 such biomarkers have been reported in the literature. However, some important issues and challenges have emerged that require solutions and further research in order to find reliable OSCC salivary biomarkers for clinical use. This review article provides an up-to-date list of potential OSCC salivary biomarkers reported as of the fall of 2013, and discusses those emerging issues. By raising the awareness of these issues on the part of both researchers and clinicians, it is hoped that reliable, specific and sensitive salivary biomarkers may be found soon—and not only biomarkers for early OSCC detection but also for detecting other types of cancers or even for monitoring non-cancerous disease activity.
Configurational affects on the compaction response of CeO2 powders

Initial configuration, which can include particle size and shape, initial density, and void location, can affect the measured compaction responses of initially porous materials. In this work, both the low- and high-strain-rate compaction response of several different morphology CeO2 powders are investigated experimentally. Quasi-static compaction curves are found to exhibit distinct differences between the morphologies, where initial packing efficiencies and particle aspect ratios are found to dominate the low pressure response. At low-strain-rates, the largest particles with the highest aspect ratio are found to exhibit the stiffest response, while those that most resemble spherical particles offer the least resistance to initial densification. At high-strain-rates a transition in compliance is observed, where smaller equiaxed particles are found to exhibit greater resistances to densification. The role of particle morphology and its affect on the communication of particle-level stresses during quasi-static and dynamic densification are discussed, and emphasis is placed on the mechanisms that cause the morphology-based transition in compliance.
Nonlinear elasticity and cavitation of a triblock copolymer gel

Polymer gels are subjected to large-strain deformation during their applications. The gel deformation at large-strain is non-linear and can often lead to failure of the material. Here, we report the large-strain deformation behavior of a physically cross-linked, swollen triblock copolymer gel, which displays unique strain-stiffening response at large-strain. Investigations were performed using large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) and custom developed cavitation rheology techniques. The Gent constitutive equation, which considers finite extensibility of midblock, was fitted with the LAOS data, thereby, linking the estimated parameters from LAOS analysis to the structure of the gel. The pressure responses obtained from the cavitation experiments were modeled using neo-Hookean and Gent constitutive equations. Our results capture the failure behavior of a gel with finite chain extensibility, initiated from a defect within the gel.
NSF research experiences for undergraduates summer projects: 1. Measuring electrical properties of polycrystalline films 2. Calibrating a spectral quantum efficiency system 3. Implementing an optical beam induced current (OBIC) system

Three undergraduate students participated in photovoltaics research at the University of Toledo in the summer of 1992 under the NSF-sponsored program Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU). Highlights of their work are presented here. Their work all involved studies of polycrystalline thin film CdS/CdTe solar cells. One project involved electrical conductivity and Hall effect measurements of doped and undoped CdS and CdTe films on glass, the second project involved improving and calibrating both a spectral quantum efficiency system and a triple spectrometer used for Raman and photoluminescence work, and the third project involved implementing an optical beam induced current (OBIC) system. >
The Influence of Respiratory Gas Mixtures on Arterial Pressure and Vascular Reactivity in "Normal" and Hypertensive Dogs

The reactivity of the vascular tree to chemical stimuli is of fundamental importance in both hypertension and shock. Refractoriness and hypotension can be elicited by stimuli arising in the sympathetic ganglions as a result of their stimulation by carbon dioxide. "Total" autonomic ganglionectomy thus prevents the appearance of refractoriness and aids in production of the supernormal hypotensive response to carbon dioxide. Dogs with renal experimental hypertension differ from those with neurogenic hypertension in that they react normally to carbon dioxide and several other vasoactive substances. The neurogenic hypertensives exhibit greatly heightened depressor responses and hence vasomotor activity. The mechanism for refractoriness is intact in both groups of animals and does not appear overactive in either. The neurogenic mechanism for the production of refractoriness is lost in the sympathectomized animal.
A 130-μW, 64-channel spike-sorting DSP chip

Spike sorting is an important processing step in various neuroscientific and clinical studies. An on-chip spike-sorting DSP must provide data-rate reduction while maintaining a power density much less than 800 μW/mm2. Most existing designs either provide only spike detection for multi-channel processing, or they provide detection and feature extraction only for a single channel. We demonstrate a chip for detection, alignment, and feature extraction simultaneously for 64 channels. Spike-sorting algorithms identified from a complexity-performance analysis are implemented on ASIC using a Matlab/Simulink-based architecture design framework. The chip has a modular architecture, which allows it to be configured to process 16, 32, 48, or 64 channels. Inactive cores are power-gated to reduce power consumption when the chip operates for less than 64 channels. The chip is implemented in a 90-nm CMOS process and has a power dissipation of 130 μW (power density of 30 μW/mm2) when processing all 64 channels. A data-rate reduction of 91.25% (11.71 Mbps to 1.02 Mbps) is achieved.
Novel slurry solutions for thick Cu CMP

Electro-plating methods currently used to deposit Cu in through-wafer interconnect applications result in the formation of a thick Cu layer with large amounts of topographical variation. In this paper, alternative methods for thick Cu removal are investigated using a two step slurry CMP approach
Self-Organizing Sync in a Robotic Swarm: A Dynamical System View

Self-organized synchronization is a common phenomenon observed in many natural and artificial systems: simple coupling rules at the level of the individual components of the system result in an overall coherent behavior. Owing to these properties, synchronization appears particularly interesting for swarm robotics systems, as it allows robust temporal coordination of the group while minimizing the complexity of the individual controllers. The goal of the experiments presented in this paper is the study of self-organizing synchronization for robots that present an individual periodic behavior. In order to design the robot controllers, we make use of artificial evolution, which proves to be capable of synthesizing minimal synchronization strategies based on the dynamical coupling between robots and environment. The obtained results are analyzed under a dynamical system perspective, which allows us to uncover the evolved mechanisms and to predict the scalability properties of the self-organizing synchronization with respect to varying group size.
The effect of temperature on the fluidization of silver powders

Fluidization tests on pure silver and silver catalyst powder show that agglomeration occurs when the bed is heated, which finally results in bed collapse at a comparatively low temperature. If the bed temperature is held constant in the agglomerating temperature range, an induction period is observed before fluidization ceases. A study of the induction period as a function of temperature (10–60°C.) leads to an activation energy of 18 kcal. for the overall agglomeration process for pure silver. Agglomeration is believed to be due to sintering.
Cerebral Arteriopathy in a Newborn With Incontinentia Pigmenti.

Abstract Background Incontinentia pigmenti is a rare X-linked neurocutaneous disorder that can present in the neonatal period with seizures and encephalopathy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography may reveal cerebral infarction and arteriopathy. Patient Description We describe a neonate with the typical rash of incontinentia pigmenti along with seizures and brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities. Results Brain magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy at age one week revealed chronic and acute brain injury, arteriopathy of the small and medium-sized cerebral vessels, and elevation of a lactate metabolite peak. By age six months, her magnetic resonance angiogram had normalized. At age 2.5 years, she has well-controlled complex partial seizures, global developmental delay, and residual hemiplegia. Conclusion Despite extensive cerebral arteriopathy in association with incontinentia pigmenti, this girl had a relatively stable early clinical course, steady developmental progress over time, and seizures that have been well controlled. Later brain imaging revealed resolution of the arteriopathy.
Does Sovereign Immunity Shield Iraq from Paying for Human Rights and Other Abuses of the Hussein Regime

Due to its support for terrorism during the Saddam Hussein era, Iraq was subject to various sanctions, including being stripped of its sovereign immunity for lawsuits based on torture and human rights abuses. After the overthrow of the Hussein regime, Congress authorized the President to abrogate certain sanctions against Iraq. The question before the Court is whether that authorization extended to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and, if it did, whether it would extend to cases already pending before court.
On-ramping: following women scientists and engineers through their transition from nonacademic to faculty careers

A popular strategy for increasing women faculty in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) departments is to hire from other universities, but this strategy fails to increase the number of women faculty nationally. This research investigates a new approach to faculty recruitment called “on-ramping,” the process by which women with PhDs leverage their nonacademic careers and enter academia as faculty members. This study follows women scientists and engineers from their non-academic to faculty career and analyzes their experiences transgressing the boundaries of STEM knowledge production sites. We used qualitative methods to collect and analyze semi-structured interviews about the experiences of ten female PhDs who successfully on-ramped into faculty positions with the support of a feminist professional community. Our data revealed four phases of on-ramping that characterized the transition to academia for our participants. Attention to gender in on-ramping also highlights concerns that span the personal and the professional in women scientists and engineers’ lives. By illuminating cultural and political practices in STEM sites of knowledge production and the effects of feminist interventions on women’s experiences of producing knowledge in STEM fields, this study offers a unique perspective that can elucidate the strengths and weaknesses of these sites, especially in regards to gender politics and knowledge production.
C60-SIMS imaging of nanoparticles within mammalian cells

To achieve successful drug delivery via nanoparticles the interactions between the nanoparticle and the chemistry of the surrounding biological environment is of central importance. A thorough understanding of these interactions is necessary in order to better elucidate information regarding drug pathways and mechanisms of action in treatment protocols. As such, it is important to identify the location of the nanoparticle, the state of its functionalization, as well as any changes in the cellular environment. The use of cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) using C60+ primary ions makes simultaneous acquisition of this information possible. Here, SIMS has been successfully used to chemically image gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) within a model, single cell system involving macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells. The macrophage-like properties of this cell line make it extremely well-suited for cell-uptake studies. Both AuNPs and two pharmaceutical compounds, amiodarone and elacridar, were successfully imaged within a cellular system using cluster SIMS. To verify that SIMS can also be used to detect functionalization and nanoparticles simultaneously, fluorophore-functionalized AuNPs were studied as a model system. The fluorescent characteristics of these functionalized nanoparticles enabled the visual confirmation of the presence and location of the particles within the cell.
Reconceiving the Family: The PRINCIPLES on Agreements: “Fairness” and International Human Rights Law

Family law is again in turmoil, and the ALI Principles are an ambitious and sometimes inspired effort to increase clarity and fairness. This turmoil can be attributed to two major factors. First, family law is ground zero in the gender wars. Second, family law is reeling from the upheavals of globalization. These factors provide the backdrop against which the dilemmas addressed in Chapter 7, Agreements, play out. Chapter 7 focuses on a particularly intriguing tension, between commercial contracts and premarital agreements. This tension is grounded in the broader tension between American views on freedom of contract and autonomy in general, on the one hand, and American views on freedom of contract and autonomy in the specific context of the family, on the other. While the emphasis on freedom of contract may be peculiarly American, tension between legal regimes and private contractual regimes governing the family is quite common from an international perspective. As it is here, the tension between competing regimes in other countries reflects deep cultural tensions. Rather than being grounded in the sacrosanct principles of autonomy and contractual freedom, however, private contractual regimes in other countries are generally grounded in religious or customary practices. Prominent examples include the Islamic and Jewish marriage contracts. While these tensions have been addressed by a broad range of domestic courts relying on domestic law, here and abroad, my focus is on the international mediation of these competing interests under international law. International law addresses these conflicts through private international law, such as the Convention on the Recognition of Foreign Judgments, and through public international law, specifically international human rights law. My thesis here is that the ALI Principles on Agreements should incorporate, and be subject to, the relevant human rights law. While there are certainly good reasons for incorporating human rights law in all areas of family law, there are especially strong reasons for adopting it here. First, any consensus regarding "appropriate rules" must be grounded in a coherent rationale. Because of the stature of the norms to which they are an exception, including constitutionally protected religious freedoms, the underlying rationale to justify different treatment between marital and non-marital contracts should be grounded in law of commensurate stature. Second, because of the growing diversity of the American population, and the proliferation of disparate cultural norms, that law should not be grounded in the amorphous and irrelevant conceptions of equity, but in well-established and widely accepted international human rights law.
Improvement in nutritional value of peas by cooking.

SummaryGrowth and feed utilization of chicks and poults fed diets containing high levels of peas (P. sativum) were markedly improved by cooking or autoclaving peas prior to mixing into diets. Greatly increasing caloric content of diets by adding tallow did not give a growth response comparable to that obtained by simply cooking the peas. Alkali-insoluble fractions of peas depressed chick growth but alkali-soluble fractions did not. It is suggested that peas (P. sativum) contain a growth inhibitor for birds that is inactivated by heating treatments employed.
Randomized trial of nicotine lozenges and phone counseling for smokeless tobacco cessation

Introduction Relatively few treatment programs have been developed specifically for smokeless tobacco (ST) users who want to quit. Their results suggest that self-help materials, telephone counseling, and nicotine lozenges are efficacious. This study provides the first direct examination of the separate and combined effects of telephone counseling and lozenges. Methods We recruited ST users online (N = 1067) and randomly assigned them to 1 of 3 conditions: (a) a lozenge group (n = 356), who were mailed 4-mg nicotine lozenges; (b) a coach calls group (n = 354), who were offered 3 coaching phone calls; or (c) a lozenge + coach calls group (N = 357), who received both lozenges and coaching calls. Additionally, all participants were mailed self-help materials. Self-reported tobacco abstinence was assessed at 3 and 6 months after randomization. Results Complete-case and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses for all tobacco abstinence were performed at 3 months, 6 months, and both 3 and 6 months (repeated point prevalence). ITT analyses revealed a highly similar result: the lozenge + coach calls condition was significantly more successful in encouraging tobacco abstinence than either the lozenge group or the coach calls group, which did not differ. Conclusions Combining nicotine lozenges and phone counseling significantly increased tobacco abstinence rates compared with either intervention alone, whereas coach calls and lozenges were equivalent. The study confirms the high tobacco abstinence rates for self-help ST cessation interventions and offers guidance to providing tobacco treatment to ST users.
Activation of FGF receptors by mutations in the transmembrane domain

Signaling through FGF receptors, which constitute a family of membrane-spanning tyrosine kinases, can stimulate cell proliferation, induce or inhibit cell differentiation and plays an important role in development. Recently, mutations in FGF receptors have been shown to be associated with a number of genetically dominant human skeletal disorders. A remarkably conserved mutation (Gly 380-->Arg) in the transmembrane region of FGFR-3 has been shown to be responsible for achondroplasia (ACH) but it was not clear whether such mutations result in loss of receptor function or constitutive activation. We have therefore made mutations in the transmembrane regions of murine FGFR-2 and FGFR-3 and studied their effect on receptor activity. We show here that the ACH mutation in FGFR-3 as well as two similar mutations in FGFR-2 result in constitutive activation of these receptors. This is manifested in their ability to become autophosphorylated in the absence of ligand in L6 cells, transforming activity on NIH3T3 fibroblasts, and the ability to inhibit myogenic differentiation in the absence of growth factor. Thus the transmembrane region of FGFR-2 and FGFR-3 plays a regulatory role in receptor function and the ACH mutation produces a dominant oversignaling receptor which is no longer regulated by FGF binding. These findings also support the newly identified role of FGF signaling as a negative regulator of bone growth.
Improved environmental stability for plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition SiO2 waveguides using buried channel designs

Ridge and buried channel waveguides (BCWs) made using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition SiO 2 were fabricated and tested after being subjected to long 85°C water baths. The water bath was used to investigate the effects of any water absorption in the ridge and BCWs. Optical mode spreading and power throughput were measured over a period of three weeks. The ridge waveguides quickly absorbed water within the critical guiding portion of the waveguide. This caused a nonuniformity in the refractive index profile, leading to poor modal confinement after only seven days. The BCWs possessed a low index top cladding layer of SiO 2 , which caused an increase in the longevity of the waveguides, and after 21 days, the BCW samples still maintained ∼20% throughput, much higher than the ridge waveguides, which had a throughput under 5%.
Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words? Few Evidence-Based Features of Dietary Interventions Included in Photo Diet Tracking Mobile Apps for Weight Loss.

Background:Apps using digital photos to track dietary intake and provide feedback are common, but currently there has been no research examining what evidence-based strategies are included in these apps.Methods:A content analysis of mobile apps for photo diet tracking was conducted, including whether effective techniques for interventions promoting behavior change, including self-regulation, for healthy eating (HE) are targeted. An initial search of app stores yielded 34 apps (n = 8 Android and Apple; n = 11 Android; n = 15 Apple). One app was removed (unable to download), and other apps (n = 4) were unable to be rated (no longer available). Remaining apps (n = 29) were downloaded, reviewed, and coded by 2 independent reviewers to determine the number of known effective self-regulation and other behavior change techniques included. The raters met to compare their coding of the apps, calculate interrater agreement, resolve any discrepancies, and come to a consensus.Results:Six apps (21%) did not utilize an...
Making good on commitments to grassroots women: NGOs and empowerment for women in contemporary Zimbabwe.

Since the late 1990s, Zimbabwe has been enmeshed in a major economic and political crises that has seriously eroded the status of women in that country. Despite these problems, however, two women's organizations have emerged that offer some hope for poor and low-income women in that country, namely the Zimbabwe Women's Resource Center and Network and the Musasa Project Trust. These groups have attempted to address the strategic and human rights needs of grassroots women in Zimbabwe, particularly through disseminating information about the status of women, providing training about gender issues and working against domestic violence. These organizations, coupled with the UN's Fourth International Conference on Women and the NGO Forum on Women held in China in 1995, have promoted the empowerment of grassroots women in Zimbabwe. In this regard, they demonstrate the increasing strength of civil society and the future possibilities for women's enhanced contributions to their communities and to national development.
Application of chitosan microparticles for treatment of metritis and in vivo evaluation of broad spectrum antimicrobial activity in cow uteri.

Uterine disease such as metritis is associated with multiple bacterial infections in the uteri after parturition. However, treatment of metritis is challenging due to considerably high antibiotic treatment failure rate with unknown reason. Recently, chitosan microparticles (CM) have been developed to exert broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens, including multi-drug resistant bacteria, without raising CM resistant mutants. In this study, we tested, using metagenomics analysis, if CM maintain strong antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as Fusobacteriaceae and Bacteroidaceae in cow uteri and evaluated CM's potency as an alternative antimicrobial agent to cure metritis in cows. Here, we report that efficacy of CM treatment for metritis was comparable to the antibiotic ceftiofur, and CM greatly altered uterine microflora of sick animals to healthy uterine microflora. Among uterine bacteria, CM significantly decreased Fusobacterium necrophorum, which is known pathogenic bacteria within the uterus. Taken together, we observed the broad spectrum antimicrobial activity of CM in vivo with an animal model, and further evaluated treatment efficacy in cows with metritis, providing insights into promising use of CM as an alternative antimicrobial agent for controlling uterine disease.
On weakest link theory and Weibull statistics

This communication addresses some common misconceptions about weakest link theory and Weibull statistics as they pertain to strength distributions of brittle fibers. After describing the nature of the problem, the flaws in ensuing proposed models of strength distributions are highlighted and discussed. A way forward that obviates the problems is suggested.
Generalized monotone iterative methods for second order boundary value problems

In this paper, we will develop a generalized monotone iterative method for second order boundary value problems (BVP for short) when the forcing function is the sum of an increasing and decreasing function. We obtain natural monotone sequences or alternating monotone sequences depending on the coupled upper and lower solution used and depending on the iterative scheme used to develop the sequences. These sequences converge to coupled extremal solutions of the second order nonlinear boundary value problem. Further, we prove the coupled extremal solutions converge to the unique solution under suitable conditions. The results developed here includes all the earlier known results on the monotone method as special cases.
Tennessee Promise: A Response to Organizational Change

ABSTRACTCommunity colleges in Tennessee, either directly or indirectly, experienced unprecedented change as a result of Tennessee Promise. The present study explored how student support service administrators at three community colleges responded to organizational change as a result of the Tennessee Promise legislation. Investigators selected community colleges for the multi-site case study because the legislative impact would be actualized by the preparations made to serve incoming Promise recipients. The delivery of orientation services framed organizational change because the service staff facilitate connections and provide information to incoming students. Challenges like a shifting population, ill-equipped infrastructure, inadequate remediation support, heightened interest for social engagement opportunities, misinformation, and unmet fiscal needs left administrators seeking coherence through the change process. Investigators found community college administrators react to change similarly. Administr...
Loose regulation of medical marijuana programs associated with higher rates of adult marijuana use but not cannabis use disorder

Background and Aims Most U.S. states have passed medical marijuana laws (MMLs), with great variation in program regulation impacting enrollment rates. We aimed to compare changes in rates of marijuana use, heavy use, and Cannabis Use Disorder across age groups while accounting for whether states enacted medicalized (highly regulated) or non-medical MML programs. Design Difference-in-differences estimates with time-varying state-level MML coded by program type (medicalized v. non-medical). Multilevel linear regression models adjusted for state-level random effects and covariates as well as historical trends in use. Setting Nationwide cross-sectional survey data from the U.S. National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) restricted use data portal aggregated at the state level. Participants 2004-2013 NSDUH respondents (N ~ 67,500/year); age groups 12-17, 18-25, and 26+ years. States had implemented 8 medicalized and 15 non-medical MML programs. Measurements Primary outcome measures included 1) Active (past-month) marijuana use; 2) Heavy use (>300 days/year); and 3) Cannabis Use Disorder diagnosis, based on DSM-IV criteria. Covariates included program type, age group, and state-level characteristics across the study period. Findings Adults 26+ years of age living in states with non-medical MML programs increased past-month marijuana use 1.46% (from 4.13% to 6.59%, p=0.01) skewing toward greater heavy marijuana by 2.36% (from 14.94 to 17.30, p=0.09) after MMLs were enacted. However, no associated increase in the prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder was found during the study period. Our findings do not show increases in prevalence of marijuana use among adults in states with medicalized MML programs. Additionally, there were no increases in adolescent or young adult marijuana outcomes following MML passage, irrespective of program type. Conclusions Non-medical marijuana laws enacted in US states are associated with increased marijuana use, but only among adults 26+ years.
Large Scale Computations on the Loosely Coupled Array of Processors

An experimental parallel computer system which is expected to achieve supercomputing performance across the entire spectrum of scientific and engineering applications is described. This system allows the execution of single large scale scientific and engineering applications on multiple processors. The system hardwares and softwares will be briefly described, as well as the programming strategies used to migrate codes from sequential to parallel. The validity of this approach to solving large scale problems is verified by analyzing the performance results of a variety of application programs. The type of scientific/engineering applications which may be investigated using this type of system is demonstrated by discussing one of our applications in biochemistry; namely the statistical and quantum mechanical study of DNA. Finally, ongoing and future extensions to this system are presented.
The Evaluation and Management of Toxic Shock Syndrome in the Emergency Department: A Review of the Literature.

Abstract Background Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a severe, toxin-mediated illness that can mimic several other diseases and is lethal if not recognized and treated appropriately. Objective This review provides an emergency medicine evidence-based summary of the current evaluation and treatment of TSS. Discussion The most common etiologic agents are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Sources of TSS include postsurgical wounds, postpartum, postabortion, burns, soft tissue injuries, pharyngitis, and focal infections. Symptoms are due to toxin production and infection focus. Early symptoms include fever, chills, malaise, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, and hypotension. Diffuse erythema and desquamation may occur later in the disease course. Laboratory assessment may demonstrate anemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated liver enzymes, and abnormal coagulation studies. Diagnostic criteria are available to facilitate the diagnosis, but they should not be relied on for definitive diagnosis. Rather, specific situations should trigger consideration of this disease process. Treatment involves intravenous fluids, source control, and antibiotics. Antibiotics should include a penicillinase-resistant penicillin, cephalosporin, or vancomycin (in methicillin-resistant S. aureus prevalent areas) along with either clindamycin or linezolid. Conclusion TSS is a potentially deadly disease requiring prompt recognition and treatment. Focused history, physical examination, and laboratory testing are important for the diagnosis and management of this disease. Understanding the evaluation and treatment of TSS can assist providers with effectively managing these patients.
Communication Frequency and Types of Supportive Messages: A Mixed Methods Approach to Examining Mexican-Origin College Students’ Relationships With Their Mothers and Fathers:

The current study examined communication between Mexican-origin college students (n = 84) and their parents and the supportive messages that students received. Students attend a Hispanic Serving In...
Spatially-explicit survival modeling with discrete grouping of cancer predictors.

Abstract In this paper, the spatially explicit survival model is extended by allowing the relation with the explanatory covariates to be spatially adaptive using a threshold conditional autoregressive (CAR) model, further extended to allow the inclusion of multiple threshold levels. The model is applied to prostate cancer survival based on Louisiana SEER registry, which holds individual records linked to vital outcomes and is geocoded at the parish level.
Is carotid endarterectomy cost-effective?: An analysis of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients

Background The North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) and the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study (ACAS) showed significant risk reductions for carotid endarterectomy (CE) but did not consider the cost-effectiveness of CE. Methods and Results We developed Markov models based on NASCET and ACAS to simulate hypothetical cohorts of patients with carotid stenosis and calculated quality-adjusted life expectancies and direct medical costs for those receiving either CE or medical therapy. For symptomatic patients, we used a surgical stroke risk of 5.8%, a 2-year stroke risk of 27.6% for medical patients, and a post-30-day surgical risk reduction of 87% for ipsilateral strokes. For symptom-free patients, we used a surgical stroke risk of 1.7%, a 5-year stroke risk of 17.5% for medical patients, and a post-30-day surgical risk reduction of 74% for ipsilateral strokes. Cost and quality-of-life estimates were estimated from the literature. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of CE versus medical therapy was $4100 and $52 700 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained for symptomatic and symptom-free patients, respectively. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were <$50 000/QALY gained for symptomatic patients for wide variations in baseline assumptions. For asymptomatic patients, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $100 900/QALY gained if the perioperative risk was 4%, $36 400/QALY gained if the risk of untreated patients was doubled, and $13 500/QALY gained if the cost of CE was halved. Conclusions Performance of CE is associated with favorable incremental cost-effectiveness ratios compared with other accepted medical interventions ; however, the analysis for symptom-free patients was sensitive to a number of parameters.
Human Milk Proteins

Human milk contains a wide array of proteins that provide biologic activities ranging from antimicrobial effects to immunostimulatory functions. Proteins like lactoferrin, secretory IgA, κ-casein, lactoperoxidase, haptocorrin, lactadherin and peptides formed from human milk proteins during digestion can inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and viruses and therefore protect against infection. At the same time, proteins like lactoferrin, bile-salt stimulated lipase, haptocorrin, κ-casein, and folate-binding protein can facilitate the absorption of nutrients in the neonatal gut. However, the proteins in human milk themselves also provide adequate amounts of essential amino acids to the growing infant. This suggests a highly adapted digestive system, which allows the survival of some proteins and peptides in the upper gastrointestinal tract, while still allowing amino acid utilization from these proteins further down in the gut. It is now possible to produce recombinant human milk proteins in transgenic plants and animals, which makes it possible to further study the bioactivity of these proteins. Provided these proteins can be produced in large scale at low cost, that they show biologic activity and pose no safety concerns, it may be possible to add some human milk proteins to infant diets, such as formula and complementary foods. Human milk proteins produced in rice or potatoes, for example, could be added without much purification, because these staples commonly are used in weaning foods. Thus, some qualities provided by human milk may be included into other diets, although it is highly unlikely that all unique components of human milk can be copied this way.
Validation of Immunoassays

Immunoassays provide rapid and sensitive methods for the quantitative analysis of compounds in complex mixtures. The ability to analyse crude tissue extracts can be attributed to the high specificity of antibody-antigen binding. A high degree of binding specificity does not guarantee a valid assay, however, and substances with weak affinities for the antibody will interfere with antigen binding if present at sufficiently high concentrations. Interference may also arise from nonspecific inhibition, in which case the interfering compound need not show structural similarity to the antigen of interest. Since it is not possible to predict the nature or occurrence of interfering substances, it is important that immunoassays be validated for accuracy.
Do behaviorally active polypeptide hormones act at crucial "command" sites or at many sites, from "command" down to "final common paths"?

Mechanisms by which polypeptides interact with neu rons in higher animals may have their resolution suggested by analogy with results in simpler systems, such as in cell culture systems (BARKER, et al., 1978), in isolated parts of the nervous system, such as in brain slices (BLOOM, et al., 1978), or in nearly intact, but simpler, nervous systems of invertebrates (see below). For questions concerning organizational aspects of the nervous system, cell culture and brain slice preparations lack the requisite organization to provide an appropriate analogy, but invertebrate systems offer technically accessible but nevertheless sufficiently structured preparations for studying these problems. For example, one question of interest to us is whether polypeptide hormones which affect behavior exert their effects by acting at a few crucial “command” sites in the nervous system or whether they interact at many levels, from “command” down to “final common paths” residing in motor neurons and their target muscles.
Intraoperative complications during cataract surgery in the very old.

PURPOSE: To determine if there is a difference in intraoperative complications during cataract surgery in very old patients (> or = 88 years) compared with younger patients (< 88 years). METHODS: The records of 802 consecutive cataract operations were reviewed. Identical techniques of small-incision phacoemulsification were used in all cases. A total of 102 eyes were in patients aged 88 to 98, designated as the "very old." The remaining 700 eyes were in patients under 88, designated as "younger." The incidence of intraoperative complications in the 2 groups was compared. RESULTS: Posterior capsule tears, vitreous loss, and loss of the nucleus were found as complications. Overall, these events occurred in 10% of the very old and in only 3% of those under age 88. Vitreous loss occurred in 7% of the very old and in only 1.6% of those under 88. There was 1 dropped nucleus in the very old. In the younger patients, 90.5% of eyes with complicated surgery achieved 20/40 visual acuity or better, but only 40% of complicated cases in the very old achieved this. Furthermore, 50% of complicated cases in the very old had visual acuity of 20/200 or worse, all directly attributed to surgical difficulties. Fifteen percent of patients in both groups had trabeculectomies with no influence on complications. We noted that 8% of the very old required pupil stretching compared with 2% of those under 88. CONCLUSIONS: This study strongly suggests that very old patients (i.e., those 88 years and older) have a higher incidence of intraoperative complications during cataract surgery than younger patients. Furthermore, such complications may result in severe visual loss. These findings may have significance as the population ages.
Helping Individuals Heal from Rape Connected to Conflict and/or War

Rape and sexual assault have been employed as weapons of war in recent conflicts. The effects on individuals, communities, and cultures can be devastating. Sexual assault is associated with high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder and other adverse outcomes. Some of the contextual factors (i.e., displacement, widespread fear and terror, multiple other forms of trauma, disrupted social support networks) related to war can only expound those effects. This chapter offers some guidance for clinicians working with survivors of war-related rape. Clinicians are advised to be sensitive to cultural and socio-political factors that will vary based on locale. The chapter includes information about assessment and treatment and describes one treatment approach (narrative exposure therapy) that has been successfully used in a chaotic war-torn environment.
Bioelectrochemistry, the Living State, and Electronic Conduction in Proteins

The biological importance of charge-transfer reactions involving structural proteins is discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on those reactions which result in the generation of delocalized electronic charges in the protein molecules, and several experimental studies on various protein-methylglyoxal complexes are described which provide strong evidence for the existence of such a process. Such studies have led to the synthesis of a new compound that exhibits interesting physiological activity.