cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morbidity and mortality associated with open repair of visceral aneurysms.

BACKGROUND The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) recently published clinical practice guidelines on the management of visceral aneurysms. However, studies investigating the perioperative outcomes of open repair of visceral aneurysms have been limited to single-center experiences with variable results that span multiple decades. In the present study, we sought to detail the morbidity and mortality associated with open repair of visceral aneurysms using a national database in the contemporary era. METHODS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data from 2013 to 2019 were queried for patients who had undergone open repair of visceral aneurysms, which had been classified as mesenteric, renal, or splenic using Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases codes. The primary endpoint was the composite of major complications (cardiovascular, pulmonary, progressive renal failure, deep wound infection, return to operating room, sepsis) and 30-day mortality. Logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of the primary endpoint for nonruptured aneurysm cases. RESULTS Of the 304 aneurysms, 263 were nonruptured (137 mesenteric, 66 renal, 60 splenic) and 41 were ruptured (24 mesenteric, 1 renal, 16 splenic) and had undergone open repair. For those with nonruptured aneurysms, their mean age was 59.4 ± 14.7 years and 48.3% were women. For those with nonruptured aneurysms, the 30-day mortality was 1.9% and the major complication rate was 12.9%. A return to the operating room (5.3%) and prolonged ventilator support (3.8%) were especially common. As expected, rupture was associated with significantly greater mortality (22.0%; P < .001) and major complications (34.1%; P = .001). The use of postoperative transfusion was common in the elective group but was significantly greater in the ruptured group (24.3% vs 80.5%; P < .001). The predictors of the primary outcome for nonruptured aneurysms included male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-6.7; P = .011), anticoagulation (not discontinued before surgery) or bleeding disorder (OR, 4.52; 95% CI, 1.37-14.7; P = .012), and albumin <3.0 g/dL (OR, 4.66; 95% CI, 1.17-18.6; P = .029). Neither age nor aneurysm location were significant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Open repair of visceral aneurysms was associated with acceptable morbidity and mortality, although these risks are significantly greater once ruptured. Male sex, bleeding risk, and low albumin were all risk factors for adverse events and should be considered for operative planning and postoperative care.
Fecal detection of enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis.

Bacteroides fragilis is a common colonic symbiote of which one subtype, enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), causes inflammatory diarrhea. However, asymptomatic ETBF colonization is common. Through its primary virulence factor, B. fragilis toxin (BFT), ETBF causes asymptomatic, chronic colitis in C57BL/6 mice and increased colon tumorigenesis in multiple intestinal neoplasia mice. Human studies suggest an association between ETBF infection, inflammatory bowel disease, and colon cancer. Additional studies on ETBF epidemiology are, therefore, crucial. The goal of this study is to develop a reliable fecal diagnostic for ETBF. To develop a sensitive assay for ETBF, we tested multiple protocols on mouse stools spiked with serially diluted ETBF. Each assay was based on either touchdown or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and used primers targeted to bft to detect ETBF. Using touchdown PCR or qPCR, the mean ETBF detection limit was 1.55 × 106 colony-forming units (CFU)/g stool and 1.33 × 104 CFU/g stool, respectively. Augmentation of Bacteroides spp. growth in fecal samples using PYGB (Peptone Yeast Glucose with Bile) broth enhanced ETBF detection to 2.93 × 102 CFU/g stool using the touchdown PCR method and 2.63 × 102 CFU/g stool using the qPCR method. Fecal testing using combined culture-based amplification and bft touchdown PCR is a sensitive assay for the detection of ETBF colonization and should be useful in studying the role of ETBF colonization in intestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. We conclude that touchdown PCR with culture-based amplification may be the optimal ETBF detection strategy, as it performs as well as qPCR with culture-based amplification, but is a less expensive technique.
Role of the Yersinia YopJ protein in suppressing interleukin-8 secretion by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes, in addition to their direct bactericidal activities, produce cytokines involved in the activation and regulation of the innate and adaptive immune response to infection. In this study we evaluated the cytokine response of human PMNs following incubation with the pathogenic Yersinia species. Yersinia pestis strains with the pCD1 virulence plasmid, which encodes cytotoxic Yop proteins that are translocated into host cells, stimulated little or no cytokine production compared to pCD1-negative strains. In particular, PMNs incubated with pCD1-negative Y. pestis secreted 1000-fold higher levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8 or CXCL8), a proinflammatory chemokine important for PMN recruitment and activation. Deletion of yopE, -H, -T, -M or ypkA had no effect on pCD1-dependent inhibition, whereas deletion of yopJ resulted in significantly increased IL-8 production. Like Y. pestis, the enteropathogenic Yersinia species inhibited IL-8 secretion by PMNs, and strains lacking the virulence plasmid induced high levels of IL-8. Our results show that virulence plasmid-encoded effector Yops, particularly YopJ, prevent IL-8 secretion by human PMNs. Suppression of the chemotactic IL-8 response by Y. pestis may contribute to the delayed PMN recruitment to the infected lymph node that typifies bubonic plague.
Dramatic reduction of Magneto-Rayleigh Taylor instability growth in magnetically driven Z-pinch liners

In this paper, we will present new Z-pinch liner experiments on Sandia's Z facility (20 MA, 100ns current pulse) that demonstrate the integral Magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor (MRT) instability growth can be dramatically limited by controlling the growth of electrothermal instabilities that form early in the electrical current pulse as Joule heating melts and vaporizes the liner surface[1]. In these experiments, we implode Al and Be solid liners to inertial confinement fusion relevant velocities [2] and large convergence ratios and show that thick (∼70 μm) dielectric coatings are very effective in controlling the deleterious effects of the electrothermal instability, limiting the seed for subsequent MRT growth, and ultimately lead to a more stable implosion. These experiments extend the previously reported work on the Z facility which also showed dramatic reduction of instability growth in non-imploding solid metallic rods[3].
Environment and health: 7. Species loss and ecosystem disruption--the implications for human health.

There is abundant evidence that human beings are beginning to alter some of the planet's basic physical, chemical and biological systems,[1][1],[2][2],[3][3] endangering other species and disrupting ecosystems in the process[4][4] and ultimately threatening human health.[5][5],[6][6],[7][7] When
Electrochemical Nucleation and Growth of Copper from Acidic Sulfate Electrolytes on n-Si ( 001 ) Effect of Chloride Ions

We present a study of the effect of chloride anion additions on the electrochemical nucleation and growth of copper on n-Si(100) from acidic sulfate solutions. Chloride additions in the millimolar range depolarize copper reduction, while additions in the 100 mM range and above have the opposite effect. Chlorides have no effect on the nucleation and growth mode. Deposition at constant potential in the presence of small amounts of chloride leads to an increased deposition overpotential, but contrary to the predictions of nucleation theory, this results in a lower density of nuclei with larger size. We hypothesize that adsorption of chlorides on the copper islands enhances surface diffusion processes which lead to island coarsening through Ostwald ripening. Morphological changes during deposition are possible at room temperature due to the high values of diffusivities at the electrolyte/ solid interface.
Relationship of pregnancy to coronary artherosclerosis

Abstract The relationship between pregnancy and coronary atherosclerotic blockage in Caucasian women was studied in a necropsy population. The records of accident victims and patients who died with cancer of nine primary sites were used for this purpose. Adjustments were made for age, sex, race, year of death, hypertension, and other factors known to be associated with coronary atherosclerosis. Reproductive rates, based on a value of 1.5 for twins, 1.0 for a single term birth, 0.5 for a stillbirth, and 0.25 for an abortion, were calculated for each patient. No association, either positive or negative, was found between coronary atherosclerotic blockage and the reproductive rate (pregnancy).
Book Review: Evans, Hagiu & Schmalensee, Invisible Engines: How Software Platforms Drive Innovation and Transform Industries

This is a review of the book Invisible Engines: How Software Platforms Drive Innovation and Transform Industries by Evans, Hagiu & Schmalensee.What makes the PlayStation 3 tick? The Apple iPod? Your BlackBerry? Software, or, more precisely - and much more interestingly - a software platform makes the hardware sing and sits in the middle of a business ecosystem of users, hardware makers and software developers. An invisible engine.The book centers on software platforms, one example of a two-sided market. These are old markets - newspapers, for example - but many new markets are organized around these software platforms. The core question in two-sided markets is open or closed? That turns importantly (but not necessarily decisively) on the pricing approach of the platform. If the platform is sold at a substantial loss, money has to be made somewhere. It is hard to sell the platform at a loss and open it fully for third-parties. The platform either needs to be bundled with something else - cell phones sold below cost bundled with service plans - or the platform needs to be locked and participants need to be charged for unlocking it.Multi-sided markets are rich places, and we need to master new rules of the road to navigate there. Our simple one-market understandings will not map easily to this new, richer space. Invisible Engines sets all of this is out in a comprehensive and interesting way. If you are ready to jump in to better understand these markets, Invisible Engines is a very good place to start.
The Role of Policy in PV Industry Growth: Past, Present and Future

Recently, the photovoltaic (PV) industry has experienced phenomenal growth, with market demand expanding at an annual rate in excess of 40% [1, 2]. Technological improvements, increased economies of scale and manufacturing experience have allowed PV manufacturers to lower costs of production and, thereby, stimulate the market. But policy has been an equally important factor, and in some instances the most important driver of an industry boom (e.g. rapid growth in German and Spanish markets) that could rival global experience in computation and communications. Key policy instruments spurring PV’s expansion include market and tax incentives (e.g. Feed-in tariffs, rebates and tax credits), regulations (e.g. renewable portfolio standards, new building codes requiring zeroenergy capable operation, and solar energy mandates) and public research and development (R&D).
Pre-proposal assessment of reliability for spacecraft and instruments

This paper primarily addresses the role of Reliability Engineering in the multidisciplinary process used by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in the Integrated Design Center and a description of the estimating tool that is used. This estimating tool may have expanded applicability in the proposal of new designs in many industries. Understanding key contributors to Mission Success or Failure is necessary to assure a successful proposal is developed. Additionally, this preliminary analysis needs to contain recommendations for future use in later stages of project development for the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR).
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Risk Factors and Microbial Etiologies

Objective To review the risk factors and microbial etiologies of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Data sources Include 77 current and historical references on PID, PID risk factors, and sexually transmitted diseases. Study selection 34 studies that address specific research questions. Data extraction Data were used from studies whose methodologies are discussed. Data synthesis This review identifies research problems regarding the definition, diagnosis, and identification of microbial profiles and risk factors of PID. Conclusions More reliable diagnostic criteria for the varied clinical presentations of this polymicrobial infection are needed. PID is a disease with multiple, interrelated risks. Education is an important nursing intervention.
Interaction of mant-adenosine nucleotides and magnesium with kinesin.

Displacement of the fluorescent substrate analogue methylanthraniloyl ADP (mant-ADP) from kinesin by excess ATP results in a biphasic fluorescent transient. The pH and microtubule dependence of the rates and amplitudes indicates that the two phases are produced by release of bound mant-ADP, with an excess of the 3‘-isomer, followed by the subsequent relaxation of the free 2‘- and 3‘-isomers to their equilibrium distribution. The first phase for release of mant-ADP is accelerated by microtubules and occurs at the same rate as ADP release measured using [32P]ADP. The second phase is subject to base catalysis and occurs at the same rate as the isomerization of isolated 2‘- or 3‘-mant-ATP over a 100-fold range of rates. The bound mant-ADP isomers undergo isomerization rapidly when bound to kinesin at pH 8.2, whereas mant-ADP isomers interconvert only slowly when bound to myosin. No fluorescence resonance energy transfer occurs between the single tryptophan in the kinesin neck domain and bound mant-ADP, but ef...
Religiosity, racism, and dispositional optimism among African Americans

Abstract The present study explored the relationship between social support, everyday racism, religiosity, spirituality, and dispositional optimism among a sample of African American men and women ( n =149). Social support emerged as a marginally significant predictor of optimism. Encounters with everyday racism negatively predicted dispositional optimism. Religiosity and spirituality variables were not uniform in their relationship to optimism. Church attendance, early religious involvement, church involvement, and subjective religiosity were not associated with optimism scores. Subjective spirituality, and relationship with God were positively related to optimism. However, the perception that one has a supportive and loving relationship with God was the sole religiosity variable that emerged as a predictor of optimism. The significance and implications of these findings are discussed.
Structural Diversity in Luminescent Three-Dimensional Cadmium Aliphatic Dicarboxylate Coordination Polymers Incorporating 4,4'-Dipyridylamine: Interpenetrated, Non-Interpenetrated, and Self-Penetrated Networks

Three cadmium coordination polymers incorporating both a flexible aliphatic α,ω-dicarboxylate and the hydrogen-bonding capable diimine 4,4′-dipyridylamine (dpa) have been prepared and structurally characterized. {[Cd(adp)(dpa)]}n (1, adp = adipate) adopts a doubly interpenetrated decorated primitive cubic three-dimensional (3D) coordination polymer network. {[Cd7(pim)6(dpa)6(H2O)2](ClO4)2·6H2O}n (2, pim = pimelate) exhibits a complex (8,10)-connected binodal self-penetrated cationic 3D network with (384145462)(31041851463) topology constructed from the linkage of oligomeric {Cd7(dpa)6(H2O)2}14+ secondary building units through pimelate ligands with different conformations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest-connected binodal self-penetrated lattice reported to date. Extending the length of the α,ω-dicarboxylate resulted in a CdSO4-type (658 topology) 4-connected 3D network in {[Cd(sub)(dpa)]·2H2O}n (3, sub = suberate). The length of the polymethylene unit within the dicarboxylate ligand, th...
Overwintering survival of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) eggs in Indiana.

Eggs of 12 strains of Aedes albopictus (Skuse), two strains of A. aegypti L., and one strain of A. triseriatus (Say) were tested for ability to overwinter at three outdoor locations in Indiana. Some survival of A. albopictus eggs was observed during the winters of 1986–1987 and 1987–1988. A. triseriatus had greater overwintering ability than A. albopictus; A. aegypti did not survive at all locations. Prolonged cold-conditioning and photoperiodically induced diapause increased the overwintering ability of A. albopictus eggs. Strains of A. albopictus from northern Asia and North America showed higher overwintering survival rates than A. albopictus strains from tropical Asia, Hawaii, and Brazil; strains from Indiana had greater ability to overwinter than those from Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. Results are discussed in relation to the overwintering limits of this species in the United States.
Techniques for fast simulation of associative cache directories

We describe a technique for simulating associative cache directories that considerably reduces simulation time with respect to a sequential search of the tag array. We also describe techniques for maintaining LRU information that use considerably less memory than time-stamps. The combination of these techniques makes possible the simulation of set-associative cache directories at a much higher speed than other techniques.
Policy aspects of development and individual mobility: migration and circulation from Ecuador's rural Sierra.

Individual out-migration and out-circulation from Ecuadors rural Sierra during the period 1974-1982 are jointly examined to identify differences in each process. Personal attributes operate similarly but place characteristics associated with development do not. Particular attention is given to land reform policies and related occurrences as forces of regional change which in turn affect population movements. Also highlighted is the importance of place knowledge particularly in drawing substantively informed conclusions from statistical analyses of data with broad geographic coverage. (EXCERPT)
World peace and global sustainability

SUMMARY War and the preparation for war divert increasingly scarce resources from civilian use, especially long-term efforts such as the quest for sustainable use of the planet. War also damages natural systems both directly and indirectly. As a consequence, ecosystem services essential to sustainability are diminished. Achieving world peace does not assure that sustainable use of the planet will also be achieved, but it is a necessary precursor. Other factors diminishing the prospects for sustainability include major and rapid demographic changes, addiction to exponential economic growth, excessive individualism, and production of artifacts and wastes not readily reincorporated into natural systems. On the other hand, if intelligence is not an evolutionary mistake, then it, combined with reason and creativity, can be used to overcome the obstacles just mentioned. If intelligence is an evolutionary mistake, the creatures that ran the world before humans appeared will doubtless take over again.
On the reconfigurability of embedded loops on hypercubes and its application

Abstract The topological structure and parallelism mechanism of hypercube interconnection make it attractive for parallel processing. Hypercubes with very large numbers of processors have been implemented. As the number of processors in a hypercube increases, the possibility of node failures also increases. This makes fault tolerance an important issue especially when hypercubes are to be used in applications requiring a high degree of dependability. Two approaches may be employed to incorporate fault tolerance into a hypercube: the first one uses redundant links and/or nodes to achieve fault tolerance; the second one uses reconfiguration algorithms to reallocate the tasks of failed nodes so that the computational structure of the interrupted parallel algorithm is preserved. In this paper, we use the second approach. The embedded computational structure here is a loop because many applications are implemented using loop structures. We propose a distributed reconfiguration algorithm for embedded loops and provide three fault-tolerant mapping schemes to facilitate the reconfiguration. The performance of these mappings is studied with respect to three measures: the average number of tolerable failures, the average number of task migrations, and the utilization rate of nodes. Finally, we apply the reconfiguration of loops to the reconfiguration of embedded multidimensional grids on hypercubes.
Declining hegemony and assertive industrialization: U.S.-Brazil conflicts in the computer industry

Alternative explanations for the formation of U.S. foreign economic policy are explored using the acrimonious but inconclusive conflict between the United States and its largest South American ally over Brazil's restrictive policies toward the computer industry. After comparing a post-dependency/bargaining perspective, the theory of hegemonic stability, and Stephen Krasner's structural conflict model, the article argues that systemic perspectives on foreign economic policy must be complemented by an account of the interaction between the effects of international position and the dynamics of domestic politics. The resulting politicized state-centric approach, which integrates interest-based politics and ideologically defined state aims, is proposed as a means of more fully understanding the dilemmas of a declining hegemon.
Gender bias in courtroom dynamics

Respondents to numerous surveys about courtroom interaction have identified gender bias as a serious problem in the courts. Consistently, women perceive more bias than do men. To explore the importance of gender, role (judge vs. attorney), experience with bias, and age in predicting perceptions of gender bias in the courtroom, we conducted secondary analyses of data from a survey of judges and attorneys in Illinois. Three dimensions of bias were identified:Presence of Bias, Optimism (belief that bias is decreasing), andInstrumental Bias (use of biased behavior as a trial tactic). Although role, age, and experience had some importance in explaining the scores on these three factors, gender offered the greatest predictive power. Implications for future research and for ending bias in courtroom interaction are discussed.
A geospatial model of forest dynamics with controlled trend surface.

Abstract This paper proposes a method of controlled trend surface to simultaneously account for large-scale spatial trends and non-spatial local effects. With this method, a geospatial model of forest dynamics was developed for the Alaska boreal forest from 446 constantly monitored permanent sample plots. The geospatial component of this model represented large-scale spatial trends in recruitment, diameter growth, and mortality. The model was tested on two sets of validation plots which represented temporal and spatial extensions of the current sample coverage. The results suggest that the controlled trend surface model was generally more accurate than both the non-spatial and conventional trend surface models. With this model, we mapped the forest dynamics of the entire Alaska boreal region by aggregating predicted stand states across the region. It was predicted that under current conditions of climate and natural disturbances, most of the Alaska boreal forest region may undergo a major shift from deciduous-dominant to conifer-dominant, with an average increase of 0.33 m 2 ha year −1 in basal area over the Twenty-First Century.
Effect of anesthetic induction agents on cardiovascular neuroregulation in dogs.

The goal of this study was to examine the hypothesis that intravenous anesthetic induction agents alter neuroregulation of the cardiovascular system. Additional goals were to investigate this in an animal model devoid of other drug effects. Healthy mongrel dogs had arterial catheters inserted and pneumatic occluders positioned around the thoracic aorta and inferior vena cava. After 10 to 14 days of recovery, neurocirculatory control mechanisms were assessed in the absence of anesthesia by recording changes in the RR interval of the electrocardiogram in response to alterations in systolic arterial pressure. Systolic pressure was manipulated over a range of 65 to 200 mm Hg by random occlusion of either the inferior vena caval (hypotension) or aortic (hypertension) occluders. The animals were then given bolus doses of either thiopental (20 mg/kg), diazepam (2 mg/kg), ketamine (5 mg/kg), or etomidate (1.2 mg/kg) on separate days and in random order. The arterial pressure alterations were repeated 3, 10, and 20 minutes after the drugs were given. Regression curves were calculated expressing the slope relation between RR interval and systolic pressure at awake control and each time point after drug administration. The responses were compared with control by repeat measures analysis of variance. Thiopental significantly decreased this slope relation for 10 minutes. Diazepam decreased this slope at 3 minutes only. Ketamine, like thiopental, decreased this slope for 10 minutes. Following etomidate, the slopes were similar to control. We conclude that thiopental, diazepam, and ketamine impair neurocirculatory control capabilities. The effect of diazepam is only transient, whereas that of thiopental and ketamine is longer, and etomidate does not affect these reflexes.
Proteins of the human erythrocyte membrane as modified by pronase.

Abstract Pronase degrades proteins on the outer surface of the human erythrocyte membrane which run in polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate at a molecular weight of approximately 125,000. Carbohydrate and sialic acid are removed, but fragments of molecular weight 50,000 to 100,000 remain attached to the membrane. The most prominent fragment, one of molecular weight about 73,000, can be labeled with a membrane-impermeable reagent (sulfanilic acid diazonium salt), so it is still accessible from the outside of the cell. Pronase rapidly inactivates membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase, but it has relatively little effect on the facilitated diffusion of glucose; both are inhibited by the diazonium salt. Extensive digestion leads to potassium loss and osmotic lysis. Ghosts prepared in 15 mos m -Tris (pH 7.6) are extensively degraded by pronase: essentially all the protein shifts to low molecular weight. Pronase is even more potent in 3% sodium dodecyl sulfate. Ghosts prepared from intact cells which have been treated with the enzyme hydrolyze when dissolved in the detergent unless steps are taken to inhibit proteolysis.
Spectral Radiance Validation Studies Using NAST-I and Other Independent Measurement Systems

The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Airborne Sounding Testbed-Interferometer (NAST-I), is the infrared component of a suite of airborne infrared and microwave spectrometers, developed for the Integrated Program Office (IPO), that has been flying on high-altitude aircraft as part of the risk reduction effort for NPOESS. It is a high spectral resolution (0.25 cm-1, unapodized) and high spatial resolution (~2 km, nadir) cross-track scanning (~ 45 km swath width, at 20 km aircraft altitude) Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) observing within the 3.7 - 16.1 micron spectral range. In addition to characterizing the atmospheric thermal and moisture structure and providing information on radiatively active trace gases (e.g. O3 & CO) during field experiments, NAST-I measurements greatly contribute toward instrument and forward model pre-launch specification optimization (i.e., for the Cross-track Infrared Sounder, CrIS, to fly on NPOESS) and will enhance post-launch calibration/validation activities for CrIS as well as for other future advanced atmospheric spaceborne sensors (e.g., the EOS AIRS, CERES, MODIS, MOPITT, & TES instruments). In this paper, we investigate some of the challenges associated with validating infrared spectral radiances obtained from remote sensing measurements and forward model simulations. Specifically, measured infrared spectral radiances are compared with radiance calculations performed using a Line by Line forward radiative transfer model based on nearly-coincident temperature and water vapor profiles observed with several independent in-situ, passive, and active measurement systems.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Spatial effects in regional tourism growth

Abstract This study examines two types of spatial effects in regional tourism growth: spatial spill-over and spatial heterogeneity. A spatial growth regression framework is used to model the growth in regional tourism and identify the economic and spatial factors that explain the variability in tourism growth across 342 prefectural-level cities in China from 2002 to 2010. The analysis identifies several important factors, including local economic growth, localization economies, tourism resource endowments, and hotel infrastructure, as well as spatial spill-over effects and cross-city competition effects associated with tourism resource endowments and hotel infrastructure. A geographically weighted spatial Durbin model is then used to account for spatial heterogeneity in tourism growth patterns, and localized patterns of tourism growth are identified.
Long-Term Dynamics of Labile and Stable Phosphorus Following Poultry Litter Application to Pasture Soils

A major source of runoff phosphorus (P) from agricultural soils is land-applied animal manure. Our work reports P levels in pasture soils in northern Alabama affected by long-term (0–20 years) application of poultry litter (PL). Sequential fractionation revealed different buildup patterns of labile and stable P fractions in these soils. Phosphorus built up in subsurface (20–40 cm and 40–60 cm deep) soils with lower application rates than P accumulated in surface (0–20 cm deep) soils, indicating a greater potential for surface runoff than leaching from these pasture fields. Correlation analysis of the surface soils showed levels of stable P extractable by sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were related to the cumulative amount of PL applied. The level of water-extractable P increased because PL application was significantly related to the number of years the soil receiving PL, not the annual application rate or the cumulative amount of PL applied.
Existence of maximal solutions

Abstract Let Ω be a plane bounded region. Let U = {U μ (P):μ(P)ϵL∞(Ω) , u μ ϵ H 2 2, 0 (Ω) and a(P, μ(P))u μ,xx + 2b(P, μ(P))u μ,xy + c(P, μ(P))u μ,vv = ƒ(P) for P ϵ Ω ; here we are given a(P, X), b(P, X), c(P, X) ϵ L ∞ (Ω × E 1 ), ƒ(P) ϵ L p (Ω) with p > 2, and our partial differential equation is uniformly elliptic. The functions μ ( P ) are called profiles. We establish sufficient conditions—which when they apply are constructive—that there exist a μ 0 ϵ L ∞ (Ω) such that u μ 0 ( P ) ⩾ u μ ( P ) for all P ϵ Ω and for each μ ϵ L ∞ (Ω) . Similar results are obtained for a difference equation and convergence is proved.
650 – The psychological distress and aggressive driving: age and gender differences in voluntary risk-taking behavior in road traffic crashes

Aim To examine the effect of age, gender and psychological distress on driver behaviour and accident involvement and also to examine the differences in driving skills, driver behaviour and performance and its effects on Road Traffic Crashes [RTCs] in Qatar. Methods This is a cross-sectional and representative of 1824 drivers participated in this survey using socio-demographic information, Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ), and Driver Skill Inventory(DSI). Results Mean age was 36.5 years for males, and 36.8 for females (p= 0.013). There was a significant difference between males and females regarding education level (p= 0.013). Significantly higher proportion of males (62% vs. 57%; p 0.035) having 4WD. More than half of females were using mobile phones during driving (51% vs. 39%; p Conclusion Age, gender and use of seat belt, and talking on mobile were main predictors for motor crashes and injuries. The challenge for public health is to modify risk-taking behaviour in young males and females drivers to reduce dangerous driving practices.
Prostate size is associated with surgical difficulty but not functional outcome at 1 year after radical prostatectomy.

Purpose: We assessed the impact of prostate size on operative difficulty as measured by estimated blood loss, operating room time and positive surgical margins. In addition, we assessed the impact on biochemical recurrence and the functional outcomes of potency and continence at 1 year after radical prostatectomy as well as postoperative bladder neck contracture.Materials and Methods: From 1998 to 2007, 3,067 men underwent radical prostatectomy by 1 of 5 dedicated prostate surgeons with no neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. Pathological specimen weight was used as a measure of prostate size. Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression analysis was used to study the association between specimen weight, and biochemical recurrence and surgical margin status, respectively, controlling for adverse pathological features. Continence and potency were analyzed controlling for age, nerve sparing status and surgical approach.Results: With increasing prostate size there was increased estimated blood loss (p = 0.01...
Bayes factor consistency for nested linear models with a growing number of parameters

Abstract In this paper, we consider the Bayesian approach to the model selection problem for nested linear regression models. Common Bayesian procedures to this problem are based on Zellner's g-prior with a hyper-prior for the scaling factor g. Maruyama and George (2011) recently adopted this procedure with the beta-prime distribution for g and derived an explicit closed-form Bayes factor without integral representation which is thus easy to compute. In addition, they have studied its corresponding model selection consistency for fixed number of parameters. Over recent years, linear regression models with a growing number of unknown parameters have gained increased popularity in practical applications, such as the clustering problem. This observation motivates us to further investigate the consistency of Bayes factor with the beta-prime distribution for g under a scenario in which the number of parameters increases with the sample size. Finally, the results presented here are compared with the ones for the Bayes factor under intrinsic priors in relevant literature.
The solvation structure and thermodynamics of aqueous vanadium cations

Abstract The present work seeks to understand the chemical structure and solvation thermodynamics of aqueous vanadium cations commonly employed in vanadium redox flow batteries. First principles based electronic structure calculations were performed to obtain the hydration structure and partial charges distributions of the cations in bulk water. The thermodynamics of solvation was determined within the context of a quasi-chemical theory of solution. The free energies of solvation for the V 2+ , V 3+ , VO 2+ , and VO 2 + cations were computed to be: −440.0, −1018.8, −457.2, and −184.4 kcal/mol, respectively, which agree well with available experimental values.
Improving the Thromboresistivity of Chemical Sensors via Nitric Oxide Release: Fabrication and in Vivo Evaluation of NO-Releasing Oxygen-Sensing Catheters

The development and in vivo analytical performance of a nitric oxide (NO)-releasing amperometric oxygen sensor with greatly enhanced thromboresistivity are reported. Gas permeable coatings formulated with cross-linked silicone rubber (SR) containing NO-generating compounds (diazeniumdiolates) are shown to release NO for extended periods of time (>20 h) while reducing platelet adhesion and activation. Oxygen-sensing catheters prepared by dip-coating the NO-releasing films over the outer SR tubes of the implantable devices display similar analytical response properties in vitro (sensitivity, selectivity, response times) when compared to analogous sensors prepared without the NO release coatings. Superior analytical accuracy (relative to blood PO2 values measured in vitro) and greatly reduced thrombus formation on the outer surface of the sensors are observed in vivo (in canine model) with the NO release PO2 sensors compared to control sensors (without NO release) implanted simultaneously within the same ani...
Influenza vaccinations: should they be mandatory for nurses? CON.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that certain priority groups, such as healthcare providers, receive the influenza vaccine each year, and it is becoming more common that healthcare institutions mandate that nurses employed in direct patient care settings receive annual influenza immunizations. I strongly support the position that all nurses involved in direct patient care should be required to receive the annual immunization.
Control of synthesis of reaction center bacteriochlorophyll in photosynthetic bacteria

— The ratio of total bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) to reaction center BChl has been determined in the wild-type and carotenoid-less mutants of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides and Rhodospirillum rubrum with various specific BChl contents. In wild-type R. spheroides the ratio increases as the specific BChl content increases; in the other strains the ratio is almost invariant. The ability of the wild-type of R. spheroides to alter the size of the photosynthetic unit is apparently correlated with its multi-component BChl spectrum. The amount of reaction center BChl relative to the amount of the longest wavelength component of the spectrum is constant. The variation in the size of the photosynthetic unit is due to variation in the amount of this component relative to total BChl. The size of the photosynthetic unit does not change as the specific BChl content decreases during growth under aerobic conditions of a culture grown previously under photosynthetic conditions.
Pressure, O2, and CO2, in aquatic Closed Ecological Systems

Abstract Pressure increased during net photosynthetic O2 production in the light and decreased during respiratory O2 uptake during the dark in aquatic Closed Ecological Systems (CESs) with small head gas volumes. Because most CO2 will be in the liquid phase as bicarbonate and carbonate anions, and CO2 is more soluble than O2, volumes of gaseous CO2 and gaseous O2 will not change in a compensatory manner, leading to the development of pressure. Pressure increases were greatest with nutrient rich medium with NaHCO3 as the carbon source. With more dilute media, pressure was greatest with NaHCO3, and less with cellulose or no-added carbon. Without adequate turbulence, pressure measurements lagged dissolved O2 concentrations by several hours and dark respiration would have been especially underestimated in our systems (250–1000 ml). With adequate turbulence (rotary shaker), pressure measurements and dissolved O2 concentrations generally agreed during lights on/off cycles, but O2 measurements provided more detail. At 20 °C, 29.9 times as much O2 will distribute into the gas phase as in the liquid, per unit volume, as a result of the limited solubility of O2 in water and according to Henry’s Law. Thus even a small head gas volume can contain more O2 than a larger volume of water. When both dissolved and gaseous O2 and CO2 are summed, the changes in Total O2 and CO2 are in relatively close agreement when NaHCO3 is the carbon source. These findings disprove an assumption made in some of Taub’s earlier research that aquatic CESs would remain at approximately atmospheric pressure because approximately equal molar quantities of O2 and CO2 would exchange during photosynthesis and respiration; this assumption neglected the distribution of O2 between water and gas phases. High pressures can occur when NaHCO3 is the carbon source in nutrient rich media and if head-gas volumes are small relative to the liquid volume; e.g., one “worse case” condition developed 800 mm Hg above atmospheric pressure and broke the glass container. Plastic screw cap closures are likely to leak at high pressures and should not be assumed to seal unless tested at appropriate pressures. Pressure can be reduced by having larger head-gas volumes and using less concentrated nutrient solutions. It is important that pressure changes be considered for both safety and closure, and if total O2 is used as the measure of net photosynthesis and respiration, the O2 in the gas phase must be added to the dissolved O2.
Hot flashes during pregnancy: a comparative study.

Abstract Objective To conduct a preliminary study assessing the association of hot flashes with pregnancy. Study design 268 pregnant and non-pregnant women matched on age and race completed a written questionnaire on sociodemographic and clinical information and the experiences of hot flashes. Binary logistic regressions were used to determine predictors of hot flashes. Results While controlling for significant bivariate associations, pregnant women were more likely to report hot flashes than non-pregnant women (odds ratio 5.22; confidence interval 2.75–9.89; p Conclusions Findings suggest that hot flashes are common during pregnancy. Studies of hot flashes during pregnancy may further elucidate the causal mechanisms of hot flashes in other populations.
Mucosal Immunity in the Human Female Reproductive Tract: Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Function in the Cervix and Vagina of Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

PROBLEM: To investigate the mucosal immune system in the cervix and vagina of premenopausal women in terms of immune cells present and cytolytic capacity of mucosal CD3+ T cells in the lower reproductive tract. METHODS: Fresh tissue fragments prepared by vibratome sectioning were analyzed for the presence of immune cells by confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Isolated reproductive tract cells prepared by enzymatic digestion were analyzed for CD3+ T cell phenotype by FACS analysis and for cytolytic function by an anti-CD3 mAb mediated redirected lysis assay. RESULTS: As determined by CSLM, CD3+ cells as well as macrophages and dendritic cells are distributed throughout the lower female reproductive tract in both the epithelium and subepithelial mucosa. It was found that cervical and vaginal tissues from pre- and post-menopausal women contain CD3+ T cells (CTL) that have cytolytic activity, when measured in an antigen non-specific anti-CD3 mAb mediated redirected lysis assay. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the lower reproductive tract of women is immuno-competent as judged by the presence of CD3, CD4, CD8, macrophage, and dendritic cells in the endocervix, ectocervix, and vagina of premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Further, these studies demonstrate that CD3+ T cells with cytolytic activity are present in the cervix and vagina during the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle and following menopause.
The effect of boundary properties on controlled Rayleigh-Bénard convection

We investigate the effect of the finite horizontal boundary properties on the critical Rayleigh and wave numbers for controlled Rayleigh–Benard convection in an infinite horizontal domain. Specifically, we examine boundary thickness, thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity. Our control method is through perturbation of the lower-boundary heat flux. A linear proportional-differential control method uses the local amplitude of a shadowgraph to actively redistribute the lower-boundary heat flux. Realistic boundary conditions for laboratory experiments are selected. Through linear stability analysis we examine, in turn, the important boundary properties and make predictions of the properties necessary for successful control experiments. A surprising finding of this work is that for certain realistic parameter ranges, one may find an isola to time-dependent convection as the primary bifurcation.
Special Issue on Construction Engineering: Leveraging Project and Career Success

This is the second special issue dedicated to the Construction Engineering Conference. The first issue coincided with the inaugural conference gathering at Virginia Tech in 2011. It was published through the ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management. We are as pleased and as proud now as we were then to present a series of papers that bridge construction engineering academics and industry practitioners. The need for increased collaboration between academia and the industry has not subsided, and will not subside in the foreseeable future. The construction engineering academic community faces the challenge of maintaining a balanced research portfolio of both basic and applied research. Both types of research are dependent on each other in the overall spectrum of our community and feed the cycle of continuous improvement in the engineering and construction industry’s performance. Furthermore, in an industry where industry practices are constantly evolving, what and how we teach students most also keep pace with industry changes. The papers contained in this special issue follow three primary themes that mirror the theme of the overall 2014 Construction Engineering Conference. The first theme focuses on aspects of knowledge and career paths for future success. Many of these particular papers focus on the challenges, benefits, and lessons learned integrating industry knowledge into education and research at the universities. The second and third themes, sustainability and building informationmodeling (BIM), focus on specific areas of new knowledge that will continue to become increasingly critical for both the success of individuals and also the industry at large. Papers along these particular themes focus on how sustainability andBIM are not only being implemented in the industry, but how these relatively new practices are being addressed in university curriculums. Most, not all, papers were written by a team of industry and academic authors. In many cases, this was the first opportunity for the authors to meet and work on a collaborative effort. It is the hope of the conference’s organizing committee that these individual collaborations will plant the seeds for broader industry/ academic partnerships. A debt of gratitude is owed to the special issue author group for their thoughts and efforts in this overall body of work. Furthermore, we are especially grateful to the reviewers, whomade sure that the papers maintained the standards for publication in the ASCE’s Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction.