cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Model Selection for Cox Models with Time-Varying Coefficients

Summary Cox models with time-varying coefficients offer great flexibility in capturing the temporal dynamics of covariate effects on right-censored failure times. Because not all covariate coefficients are time varying, model selection for such models presents an additional challenge, which is to distinguish covariates with time-varying coefficient from those with time-independent coefficient. We propose an adaptive group lasso method that not only selects important variables but also selects between time-independent and time-varying specifications of their presence in the model. Each covariate effect is partitioned into a time-independent part and a time-varying part, the latter of which is characterized by a group of coefficients of basis splines without intercept. Model selection and estimation are carried out through a fast, iterative group shooting algorithm. Our approach is shown to have good properties in a simulation study that mimics realistic situations with up to 20 variables. A real example illustrates the utility of the method.
The School-Wide Cultural Competence Observation Checklist for School Counselors: An Exploratory Factor Analysis

This study was designed to assess the (score) constructrelated validity of an instrument called the School-Wide Cultural Competence Observation Checklist (SCCOC). The instrument was developed to use as a tool in conducting culture audits as a means of assessing school-wide cultural competence, or how well a school's programs, policies, and practices reflect the perspectives and experiences of diverse groups. An exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the factor structure of the SCCOC. Results revealed that the SCCOC contained two factors that explained 72.1% of the total variance. These factors, called Policy (22 items) and Practice (11 items), yielded score reliability coefficients of .97 and .89, respectively. Recommendations for incorporating a school-wide cultural competence assessment as part of a school counseling program are then discussed.
Circulating Inflammatory Cytokines and Adipokines Are Associated With Increased Risk of Barrett's Esophagus: A Case–Control Study

Background & Aims Obesity is associated with Barrett's esophagus (BE) and with changes in circulating levels of adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) and cytokines. Although studies have reported that adipokines and inflammatory cytokines are necessary for the development of BE, their role is controversial. Methods We performed a case–control study; cases (n = 141) were patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and were found to have BE, which was based on endoscopy and histology, and controls (n = 139) were primary care patients eligible for screening colonoscopies who agreed to undergo esophagogastroduodenoscopy. We examined the association between BE and circulating levels of adipokines and cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12p70; tumor necrosis factor-α; and interferon-γ). Cases and controls were compared by calculating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and using unadjusted and multiple logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, race, waist-hip ratio, use of proton pump inhibitors and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and Helicobacter pylori infection. Results The adjusted ORs for BE were 2.62 (95% CI, 1.0–6.8), 5.18 (95% CI, 1.7–15.7), and 8.02 (95% CI, 2.79–23.07) for the highest quintile vs the lowest quintile of levels of IL-12p70, IL-8, and leptin, respectively, but the OR was not significant for IL-6 (2.39; 95% CI, 0.84–6.79). The adjusted OR for BE was 0.14 for highest quintile of IL-10 compared with lowest quintile (95% CI, 0.05–0.35) and 0.03 for IL-1β ≥ median vs none detected (95% CI, 0.006–0.13). Higher levels of IL-8 and leptin and lower levels of IL-10 and IL-1β were associated with the presence of long-segment (≥3 cm) and short-segment BE. There were no differences between cases and controls in levels of interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, adiponectin, or insulin. Conclusions BE is associated with circulating inflammatory cytokines and leptin and low levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines. These findings could partly explain the effect of obesity on BE.
The Moral Reasoning of Nurse Practitioners

This qualitative research study was conducted to describe the moral reasoning utilized by participating nurse practitioners to resolve moral dilemmas in their clinical practice. Five major essential features of moral reasoning emerged from the data: the contextual framework for moral reasoning, values, influencing factors, recognizing the dilemma, and outcomes. The interrelationship of the essential features of moral reasoning provided insight into how NPs deal with moral dilemmas as well as the role that caring and the nurse-patient relationship played as a part of the moral decision making process.
Analog computer study of the transient performance of a dual-cycle boiling-water-reactor nuclear power plant

As the complexity of multiloop systems increases, the prediction of their transient performance with the use of conventional linear analytical methods becomes quite difficult. In those cases in which each loop of the system contains several nonlinearities, the application of analog computer techniques becomes an attractive method in the solution of transient performance problems. This paper presents a resume of an analog computer study of the transient performance of such a complex nonlinear system as represented by a dual-cycle boiling-water-reactor nuclear power plant.
A symbolic representation of time series, with implications for streaming algorithms

The parallel explosions of interest in streaming data, and data mining of time series have had surprisingly little intersection. This is in spite of the fact that time series data are typically streaming data. The main reason for this apparent paradox is the fact that the vast majority of work on streaming data explicitly assumes that the data is discrete, whereas the vast majority of time series data is real valued.Many researchers have also considered transforming real valued time series into symbolic representations, nothing that such representations would potentially allow researchers to avail of the wealth of data structures and algorithms from the text processing and bioinformatics communities, in addition to allowing formerly "batch-only" problems to be tackled by the streaming community. While many symbolic representations of time series have been introduced over the past decades, they all suffer from three fatal flaws. Firstly, the dimensionality of the symbolic representation is the same as the original data, and virtually all data mining algorithms scale poorly with dimensionality. Secondly, although distance measures can be defined on the symbolic approaches, these distance measures have little correlation with distance measures defined on the original time series. Finally, most of these symbolic approaches require one to have access to all the data, before creating the symbolic representation. This last feature explicitly thwarts efforts to use the representations with streaming algorithms.In this work we introduce a new symbolic representation of time series. Our representation is unique in that it allows dimensionality/numerosity reduction, and it also allows distance measures to be defined on the symbolic approach that lower bound corresponding distance measures defined on the original series. As we shall demonstrate, this latter feature is particularly exciting because it allows one to run certain data mining algorithms on the efficiently manipulated symbolic representation, while producing identical results to the algorithms that operate on the original data. Finally, our representation allows the real valued data to be converted in a streaming fashion, with only an infinitesimal time and space overhead.We will demonstrate the utility of our representation on the classic data mining tasks of clustering, classification, query by content and anomaly detection.
Dispersion Modeling of Beryllium Airborne Particulate Released During the Demolition of Contaminated Building

During the demolition of contaminated building, the Beryllium on the surface of the building can be released to the atmosphere. Workers on the site and also off site public can be exposed to the Beryllium airborne particulate that can cause health problems. The objective of this study is to assess the impacts of beryllium airborne particulate released during the demolition of building on workers and off site public. For the source inventory, data from building 333 at DOE Hanford site are used as an example to estimate the total amount of Beryllium on the surface of this building. Samples from the interior surfaces were collected in previous. The surface contaminations were measured and the contamination levels ranging from 1 to 11 {mu}g/100 cm{sup 2} were found in this building. The fraction of Beryllium released to the atmosphere during the demolition process was estimated. The amount of Beryllium released from the demolition process are transported and dispersed in the air. The short term Industrial Source Complex (ISC3) model was used to predict the ambient Beryllium concentrations. The receptors are located at downwind distances between 52 m and 2000 m from the center of emission source for every 10-degree flow vector aroundmore » the emission source (thirty six receptors for each downwind distance). The results presented in this paper show the total 24-hours averaged total airborne air concentration and the 8-hours averages Beryllium air concentration at each of the receptor location. A comparison between the maximum predicted concentration of Beryllium and the compliance benchmark for the site workers (0.2 {mu}g/m{sup 3} over 8-hours time averaged) and off site public (0.01 {mu}g/m{sup 3}) was performed. The risk assessment analysis will help the decision makers to assess the risks from exposure to Beryllium during the demolition of buildings. (authors)« less
Assessment of MOM Techniques for Shipboard Applications

This paper is intended to help the EMC Engineer to decide whether a particular problem can be solved by the Method of Moments (MOM) given the constraints of his computer facility. The paper is divided into four main sections. The first is the MOM formulation, the second deals with specific formulations that have been successfully applied, the third gives guidelines on how to estimate the computer power needed to solve a specific problem, and the fourth is an annotated bibliography for those who want more detail in the different aspects of MOM. An example of how to use the information developed in the paper is given at the end. Although this paper was generated initially to solve shipboard problems, it can apply to many large problems.
Hydrogen bonds between first‐row hydrides and acetylene

The structures and association energies of the complexes of NH3, H2O, and HF with acetylene have been determined using Hartree–Fock and Mo/ller–Plesset theories. HF is found to act as a proton donor to acetylene, while H2O and NH3 act as proton acceptors.
Cholecystokinin and its antagonist lorglumide respectively attenuate and facilitate morphine-induced inhibition of C-fiber evoked discharges of dorsal horn nociceptive neurons

Extracellular single unit recordings were made from dorsal horn nociceptive neurons of intact, urethane-anesthetized rats during controlled electrical stimulation of the hind paw. Neither local superfusion of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK; 6.4 pmol to 20 nmol) nor the CCK antagonist lorglumide (LGM; 145 fmol to 145 pmol) significantly altered A- or C-fiber evoked firing or spontaneous activity. Pretreatment with CCK, however, significantly attenuated, whereas LGM enhanced, morphine-induced inhibition of C-evoked firing. These findings provide further evidence that CCK functions as a selective antagonist of opioid-induced analgesia.
Radar propagation factors for various linear and circular polarisations

The propagation factor, introduced into the radar equation to account for forward scattering from the Earth, depends on polarisation. Equations are given that express the propagation factors for circular polarisations in terms of those for linear polarisations.
CO2 crop growth enhancement and toxicity in wheat and rice

The effects of elevated CO2 on plant growth are reviewed and the implications for crop yields in regenerative systems are discussed. There is considerable theoretical and experimental evidence indicating that the beneficial effects of CO2 are saturated at about 0.12% CO2 in air. However, CO2 can easily rise above 1% of the total gas in a closed system, and we have thus studied continuous exposure to CO2 levels as high as 2%. Elevating CO2 from 340 to 1200 micromoles mol-1 can increase the seed yield of wheat and rice by 30 to 40%; unfortunately, further CO2 elevation to 2500 micromoles mol-1 (0.25%) has consistently reduced yield by 25% compared to plants grown at 1200 micromoles mol-1; fortunately, there was only an additional 10% decrease in yield as the CO2 level was further elevated to 2% (20,000 micromoles mol-1). Yield increases in both rice and wheat were primarily the result of increased number of heads per m2, with minor effects on seed number per head and seed size. Yield increases were greatest in the highest photosynthetic photon flux. We used photosynthetic gas exchange to analyze CO2 effects on radiation interception, canopy quantum yield, and canopy carbon use efficiency. We were surprised to find that radiation interception during early growth was not improved by elevated CO2. As expected, CO2 increased quantum yield, but there was also a small increase in carbon use efficiency. Super-optimal CO2 levels did not reduce vegetative growth, but decreased seed set and thus yield. The reduced seed set is not visually apparent until final yield is measured. The physiological mechanism underlying CO2 toxicity is not yet known, but elevated CO2 levels (0.1 to 1% CO2) increase ethylene synthesis in some plants and ethylene is a potent inhibitor of seed set in wheat.
Discitis and vertebral osteomyelitis in children: an 18-year review.

Background. Discitis and vertebral osteomyelitis are uncommon entities, and diagnosis often is confounded by their similar clinical presentation, because characteristic radiographic findings are not evident until late in the course of illness. Objective. To compare the age distribution, clinical manifestations, and radiographic findings, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in children with discitis or vertebral osteomyelitis. Methods. A retrospective review of 57 children with a discharge diagnosis of discitis or vertebral osteomyelitis hospitalized from January 1980 through December 1998. Results. Fifty patients met inclusion criteria: 36 with discitis and 14 with vertebral osteomyelitis. The mean age at presentation was younger for children with discitis than for those with vertebral osteomyelitis (2.8 vs 7.5 years of age) and the duration of symptoms longer for children with vertebral osteomyelitis than for those with discitis (33 vs 22 days). The initial symptom for both groups of children was refusal to walk, limp, or back pain, but children with osteomyelitis more often were febrile (79% vs 28%) and ill-appearing than those with discitis. Thirty-three patients with discitis had radiographs of the spine; 25 (76%) had abnormalities that were diagnostic. Ten discitis patients had MRI; 9 (90%) had abnormalities consistent with this diagnosis. Thirteen children with vertebral osteomyelitis had radiographs of the spine, but in only 7 (54%) were these abnormal. However, 11 had MRIs, and in each the diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis was established. Conclusion. This comparative study suggests that age and clinical presentation distinguish most patients with discitis from those with vertebral osteomyelitis. Although radiographs of the spine usually are sufficient to establish the diagnosis of discitis, MRI is the diagnostic study of choice for pediatric patients with suspected vertebral osteomyelitis.
Dural arteriovenous malformation associated with subdural and intracerebral hematoma: a CT scan and angiographic correlation

Computed tomography of a case of hemorrhage from a dural arteriovenous malformation depicts an occipital varix with dilated venous channels, an intracerebral hematoma, a subdural hematoma and a subfacial hernation. The angiographic and surgical findings are described.
Testing for lack of fit in regression - a review

Assessment of the adequacy of a proposed linear regression model is necessarily subjective. However, the following three criteria may warrant investigation whether the distributional assumptions for the stochastic portion of the model are satisfied, whether the predictive capability of the model is satisfactory, and whether the deterministic portion of the model is adejuate in a statistical sense. The first two criteria have been reviewed in the literature to some extent. This paper reviews statistical tests and procedures which aid the experimenter in deterrmining lack of fit or functional misspecification associated with the deterministic portion of a proposed linear regression model.
Lenalidomide in MDS: 4th time's a charm

With the MDS-004 trial,[1][1] we finally have a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study supporting the use of lenalidomide in lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients with the del(5q) cytogenetic abnormality—proof of principle that phase 3 studies can be performed in patients with rare
Service Learning with Rural Older Adults: Effects on Students' Career Perspectives in Gerontology

Abstract The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the effects of a service-learning project with rural older adults on social work students' choice of working professionally with older adults upon graduation. Service learning is a course-based community service experience designed to enhance students' understanding of course content while meeting an identified community need at the same time. The service-learning intergenerational project consisted of ten hours of face-to-face interaction between a BSW student and an older adult living in rural South West Virginia and the city of Charleston. Twenty-one undergraduate social work students attending the Micro Practice course participated in the study. Data collection consisted of face-to-face interviews guided by a set of open-ended questions. Data analysis revealed that participation in the intergenerational project did not change a students' choice of major but it increased their desire to explore the field of aging.
Aging Is RSKy Business

Following hot on the heels of recent studies showing that dietary restriction slows aging in primates ( 1 ) and that inhibiting the enzyme mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) increases life span in mice ( 2 ), a report by Selman et al. on page XXX of this issue ( 3 ) uncovers an important role for another enzyme, a ribosomal S6 protein kinase (RSK) called S6K1, as a determinant of mammalian aging. S6K1 is a target of mTOR, so the new finding further defines a conserved longevity pathway that links nutrient availability to aging in organisms as diverse as yeast and mice. The study also has potentially important implications for future attempts to increase longevity and slow the progression of age-associated diseases in humans.
Safe and Dependable Harvesting of Large Outer-Table Calvarial Bone Grafts

A review of a new technique for the harvesting of split (outer-table) calvarial bone grafts is presented. The use of calvarial bone grafts for facial reconstructive surgery has become more commonplace in recent years. Low donor site morbidity and availability of adequate amounts of membranous bone in close proximity to the facial surgical site make its use particularly desirable. Unfortunately, the occasional complications associated with the harvesting of these grafts can be severe, including dural tears and/or hemorrhage from a dural sinus, as well as late hematomas and meningitis. The technique herein described involves the use of a long malleable blade in a reciprocating saw. The malleability of the blade allows it to conform to the shape of the skull while elevating split grafts almost as wide as the blade is long. Twenty separate grafts were harvested in 18 patients. The largest measured 7×10 cm. The grafts were further contoured after harvesting and used in 37 sites. No grafts splintered, and no donor site complications were encountered. While care must of course be exercised with any technique, this one is believed to be a safe and dependable method for the harvesting of split calvarial grafts for facial reconstruction. ( Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1994;120:856-860 )
A chimeric adenovirus with an Ad 3 fiber knob modification augments glioma virotherapy

Background Malignant gliomas remain refractory to treatment despite advances in chemotherapy and surgical techniques. Viral vectors developed to treat gliomas have had low transduction capabilities, limiting their use. Gliomas over-express CD46, CD80, and CD86, all of which bind adenovirus serotype 3. Methods To increase the infectivity and replication of oncolytic vectors in malignant brain tumors, we created a conditionally replicating adenovirus, CRAd-Survivin-5/3, which contains a survivin promoter-driving E1A and a chimeric fiber consisting of adenovirus serotype 3 knob. Results In vitro, this modified CRAd showed ten- to 100-fold increased cytotoxicity against glioma cells. Ex vivo analysis of primary glioblastoma multiforme samples infected with CRAd-Survivin-5/3 showed an increase in cytotoxicity of 20–30% compared to adenovirus wild-type (AdWT). In normal human astrocytes and normal brain tissues, CRAd-Survivin-5/3 exhibited 30–40% and 10–15% lower cytotoxicity than AdWT, respectively. In an intracranial xenograft model of glioma, this oncolytic virus increased tumor-free survival and overall lifespan by 50% compared to controls (p < 0.05). Conclusions CRAd-Survivin-5/3 represents an attractive alternative to existing vectors and should be tested further in the pre-clinical setting. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Tensegrity Structure With Buckling Compression Elements: Application to Cell Mechanics

A tensegrity structure composed of six slender struts interconnected with 24 linearly elastic cables is used as a model of cell deformability. Struts are allowed to buckle under compression and their post-buckling behavior is determined from an energy formulation of the classical pin-ended Euler column. At the reference state, the cables carry initial tension balanced by forces exerted by struts. The structure is stretched uniaxially and the stretching force versus axial extension relationships are obtained for different initial cable tensions by considering equilibrium at the joints. Structural stiffness is calculated as the ratio of stretching force to axial extension. Predicted dependences of structural stiffness on initial cable tension and on stretching force are consistent with behaviors observed in living cells. These predictions are both qualitatively and quantitatively superior to those obtained previously from the model in which the struts are viewed as rigid.
Fragmented Welfare States: Federal Institutions and the Development of Social Policy

Despite political scientists' growing appreciation of the ways in which institutions influence political processes, the “new institutionalism” has so far had a limited impact on the comparative study of welfare state development. This article discusses some broad issues concerning institutions and public policy by exploring the implications of one set of institutions — those associated with federalism — for the politics of social policy. Federal institutions encourage three distinctive dynamics: they influence the policy preferences, strategies, and influence of social actors; they create important new institutional actors (the constituent units of the federation); and they generate predictable policymaking dilemmas associated with shared decision-making. Comparisons between social policy development in Canada and the United States are used to demonstrate that while federalism clearly matters, how it matters will depend on the characteristics of a particular federal system and the ways in which federal institutions interact with other important variables.
Impact of integrated management systems on jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) populations

Abstract Research during the past several decades on jointed goatgrass management has focused on individual cultural practices rather than on multi- or interdisciplinary components. Field studies were conducted at Hays, KS, from 1997 to 2003 to evaluate the interaction of crop rotation, fallow weed management, and winter wheat variety on jointed goatgrass density. Extending a wheat–fallow (W–F) rotation to include grain sorghum or grain sorghum and sunflower reduced jointed goatgrass populations more than other cultural practices tested. Fallow treatments were equal in most years, but mechanical fallow resulted in increased jointed goatgrass emergence compared with chemical fallow under drought conditions. Winter wheat cultivars had little effect on jointed goatgrass populations. However, taller, more competitive varieties are favorable for jointed goatgrass control in an integrated management program. No specific combination of crop rotation, fallow weed management, and wheat variety consistently reduced...
The Impact of Lightning Data Assimilation on a Winter Storm Simulation over the North Pacific Ocean

Abstract In this paper, the potential of lightning data assimilation to improve NWP forecasts over data-sparse oceans is investigated using, for the first time, a continuous, calibrated lightning data stream. The lightning data employed in this study are from the Pacific Lightning Detection Network/Long-Range Lightning Detection Network (PacNet/LLDN), which has been calibrated for detection efficiency and location accuracy. The method utilizes an empirical lightning–convective rainfall relationship, derived specifically from North Pacific winter storms observed by PacNet/LLDN. The assimilation method nudges the model’s latent heating rates according to rainfall estimates derived from PacNet/LLDN lightning observations. The experiment was designed to be employed in an operational setting. To illustrate the promise of the approach, lightning data from a notable extratropical storm that occurred over the northeast Pacific Ocean in late December 2002 were assimilated into the fifth-generation Pennsylvania Sta...
Nanocrystalline silicon superlattices: building blocks for quantum devices

Abstract A nanocrystalline silicon superlattice (nc-Si SLs) is a structure consisting of Si nanocrystal layers separated by nanometer-thick SiO2. A long range order in the nc-Si SL is obtained along the direction of growth by periodically alternating layers of Si nanocrystals and SiO2. A number of characterization techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), Auger elemental microanalysis. X-ray diffraction and X-ray small angle reflection have proved that the nc-Si SL exhibits a very narrow nanocrystal size distribution (less than 5% in average) and very abrupt and flat nc-Si/SiO2 interfaces with a roughness of
Peroxynitrite: reactive, invasive and enigmatic.

The reactive oxygen and nitrogen species Superoxide ion, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and peroxynitrite ion all react with biological target molecules. Some of these interactions are carefully orchestrated segments of signal transduction cascades or part of the armamentarium of the immune system, others are pathological events and may lie at the root of many diseases. As a result of these small reactive molecules, proteins, particularly metalloproteins, can be altered with loss of function, DNA can be cleaved and lipid components can be oxidized to disrupt membranes. The interactions of these species with each other and their aftermath can be sensed by the cell, resulting in a variety of responses including gene regulation and transcription. Indeed, there is recent, tantalizing evidence that the currency of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species is central to the life and death cellular decisions in homeostasis or the initiation of apoptosis. New families of metallopharmaceuticals may serve both to probe the nature and mechanisms of these events and to effect the outcome.
Analysis of a damped pneumatic spring

Abstract The complex dynamic stiffness of a damped spring is determined. The damping is produced by transient pressure feedback from an auxiliary tank connected by a capillary to the spring cylinder. From the complex stiffness, the damping and stiffness are determined as functions of excitation frequency. The behavior of a compound spring, consisting of a damped pneumatic spring in parallel with a stiffer linear spring, is also examined. The analysis shows that the damping loss factor depends only on the tank/cylinder volume ratio, and that the capillary dimensions affect only the frequency at which maximum damping occurs. The compound spring is shown to have a maximum loss factor which quickly reaches an asymptotic value as the tank/cylinder volume ratio increases. From this presentation a clearer understanding of the behavior of a damped air spring, and a better sense of how design parameters affect the component's characteristics are obtained.
Bovine babesiosis: Partial purification and characterization of blood culture-derived Babesia bovis

Abstract Morphologic, biologic and immunologic properties of corpuscular and soluble fractions of Babesia bovis purified from in vitro blood cultures were studied. Supernatant fluids obtained during routine medium exchange were studied. Supernatant fluids obtained during routine medium exchange were submitted to differential centrifugation to separate soluble and corpuscular babesial antigens from erythrocyte stroma. Extracellular babesiae were sedimented with infected and uninfected erythrocyte ghosts. The majority of babesiae were found in erythrocyte ghosts. Clumps of extracellular parasites were sometimes formed in vitro and generally could not be separated from uninfected erythrocytes. Centrifugation over a discontinuous Ficoll density gradient did not improve separations. Parasites remained viable throughout the purification procedure but were killed by freezing and rapid thawing. Both corpuscular and soluble antigen fractions elicited the production of specific anti-babesial antibodies when injected into calves. Electron microscopy of corpuscular antigen revealed the presence of intra- and extraerythrocytic babesial merozoites. A surface coat was visible loosely adhering to the plasma membrane of the parasites. Parasite suspensions and cell-free supernatant fluids obtained from in vitro cultures of B. bovis should provide a variety of unique antigens for further in vitro and in vivo studies.
Conformance Control with Polymer Gels: What it Takes to be Successful

Whenever water production exceeds economic limits of a given oil or gas field, the need arises for a process by which produced water is reduced. Published data indicate that the petroleum industry spends $40 billion every year to process excessive produced water. Water also causes corrosion, scale and requires the construction of larger downstream handling facilities. Polymer gels, due to their versatile nature, are deemed suitable for reducing water production from oil and gas fields. Treatments utilizing these materials are generally referred to as conformance improvement treatments (CITs). Depending on the type of the crosslinker used, polymer gels can be classified as inorganically crosslinked or organically crosslinked. Examples on each type highlighting their capabilities and shortcomings are provided. Polymer thermal stability, compatibility with mixing waters, correct identification of the water production mechanism and gelation time are all key parameters for successful polymer-gel CITs. We will present an overview of the polymer gels technology available up-to-date with practical examples on key parameters for successful CITs. This paper will serve as a guide for scientists and engineers on the use of polymer gels for water control.
Stable carbon isotopic composition of gasolines determined by isotope ratio monitoring gas chromatography mass spectrometry

Abstract A large number of underground gasoline storage facilities in the United States continuously leak gasoline into the subsurface, which makes gasoline a major groundwater contaminant. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) are used currently to characterize contaminated groundwater and soils. Correlations of contaminants with suspected source(s) are extremely difficult by these techniques because many gasolines have similar hydrocarbon distributions. The present study applied the technique of isotope ratio monitoring gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (irmGC–MS) to 19 gasoline samples from different areas of the USA. This allows a much better correlation of gasoline contaminants to source. Data obtained indicate a wide range of δ 13 C values for 16 ubiquitous compounds in the gasolines The majority of samples could be distinguished from each other on the basis of δ 13 C hydrocarbon composition. The oxygenated additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) was present in ten of the gasolines analyzed, and had a relatively narrow range of δ 13 C values (−30.4 to −28.3‰). Preliminary investigations were also made to determine the extent of carbon isotopic fractionation after simple water washing and evaporation experiments. Results indicate that the majority of compounds did not undergo significant carbon isotopic fractionation as a result of these processes.
Strategies for resolving interpersonal conflicts in radiology.

In the last decade, the imaging revolution and changes in societal expectations of medicine have placed major stresses on radiology departments and their personnel. Increasing technological and organizational complexity have been coupled with pressure to perform state-of-the-art imaging in a cost-containment environment surrounded by medicolegal vulnerability. Under these circumstances, intradepartmental conflicts for time, support, space, and equipment are apt to arise. Hitherto, conflict-handling techniques have not been discussed in radiologic journals, even though they are abundantly covered in other literature. In this communication, I offer an overview of the dynamics of interpersonal conflicts and techniques that can be used to solve issues of concern to radiologists.
Adsorbate ionicity and surface-dipole-moment changes: Cluster-model studies of Cl/Cu(100) and F/Cu(100)

A cluster-model study of Cl and F chemisorbed at a fourfold site of Cu(100) shows that the halogen ionicity is essential -1. The interaction and bonding arise, almost entirely, from the Coulomb attraction between the charged halogen and metal and from the polarization of the electrons associated with these units; covalent bonding makes a very small contribution. The polarization dramatically reduces the dipole moment from that given by the unpolarized ionic units. Thus, changes in the work function are not a measure of the adsorbate ionicity.
Transthoracic approach is associated with increased incidence of atrial fibrillation after esophageal resection.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with higher morbidity after esophagectomy. The objective of this study is to identify the surgical risk factors associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation after esophagectomy. After Institutional Review Board approval, a prospectively maintained database was retrospectively queried to identify patients who underwent esophagectomy between 2003 and 2013. Data variables collected include pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative factors. Appropriate statistical analysis is performed utilizing Sigmaplot® version 12.3. From 2003 to 2013, 245 esophagectomies were performed at our institution, of these, 192 (147 males, mean age of 62 ± 11.12 years) were included in the final analysis and 53 were excluded [25 Roux-en-Y reconstruction (including three Merendino procedures), 20 had AF before surgery, and eight with staged esophagectomy]. Of 192 esophagectomies, 160 had malignancy (138 adenocarcinoma and 22 squamous cell carcinoma) and 106 (66.25 %) received neo-adjuvant therapy. Esophagectomies were performed with Ivor Lewis Mckeown approach in 78 patients [34 Minimally Invasive (MIE), 37 open, and 7 Hybrid], Ivor Lewis approach in 56 patients (31 MIE, 10 Open, 15 Hybrid) and Transhiatal approach in 58 patients (16 MIE and 42 Open). Gastric conduit was used in 185 patients and colonic conduit in seven patients. Overall 30-day or in-hospital mortality was 3.6 % (7/192). Forty-five (23.4 %) patients with esophagectomy developed new-onset AF. Median onset of AF was post-op day 3 (0–32). They were older (65.7 vs. 61.3, p = 0.021), with medical comorbidities (thyroid disorder, hyperlipidemia, and coronary artery disease; p < 0.05) and lower diffusion capacity on Pulmonary function test (80.16 vs. 87.74 %, p = 0.02) and stayed longer in hospital (19 vs. 14 days, p < 0.001) with severe post-operative complications (Clavien score ≥ III) (69 vs. 35.3 %, p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed transthoracic approach (OR = 3.71, CI = 1.23–11.17, p = 0.02) and thyroid disorder (OR = 6.29, CI = 1.54–25.65, p = 0.01), and severe post-op complications (OR = 3.34, CI = 1.20–9.28, p = 0.02) were significantly associated with the development of new-onset AF. Transthoracic approach is an independent risk factor for the development of new-onset AF after esophagectomy. New-onset AF is associated with severe post-operative complications and longer hospital stay. Minimally invasive approach does not decrease the incidence of new-onset AF.
Engineering applicability of a universal design performance measure

Universal Design (UD) is defined as the creation of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialization. There is a growing need for such products. However, many products are not accessible to all potential customers, arguably due to a lack of experience, design tools, and engineering methods for creating universally designed products. Currently, there are no industry standard design tools or methods to assist engineers in the universal design of products. The Center for Universal Design (North Carolina State University; Raleigh, NC) has created the Universal Design Performance Measure for Products (UDPMP), based on the seven principles of universal design, which is intended to assist industrial designers. This paper reports on research to evaluate the applicability of the UDPMP for assisting engineers in the universal design of consumer products. An experiment was conducted in which a group of practicing engineers analyzed three standard kitchen products (can opener, salad spinner, and corkscrew) to identify metrics that should be improved to create a UD version of these standard products. Half of the engineers, the test group, completed this exercise using the UDPMP, while the other half, the control group, did not use the tool. The results of the experiment show that the UDPMP assisted the engineers in the test group for a limited subset of the universal design principles. In particular, the test group identified reduction in force for the user as an important metric for universally designed products. The metrics generated in the experiment were most commonly linked with principle six of the UDPMP tool, i.e., “low physical effort.” The identified metrics were then physically measured for the standard products as well as for paired award-winning UD products to determine if the metrics were indeed improved in the UD product. Additionally, a comparison of functional models of the products was performed to identify any functional differences between each pair of standard and UD products. Improvement in metrics associated with low physical effort was verified for the UD products over the standard products, and added functionality was identified in the UD products that address these metrics. The research indicates that engineers who were given the UDPMP did generate more metrics that were improved in the UD versions of the products than engineers without the tool. While the UDPMP does assist engineers in certain aspects of UD design, it is clearly not a comprehensive tool for engineers. There is a need to develop tools and methods to promote UD by engineer designers of consumer products.© 2011 ASME
Statistical scaling of C and O K-shell fluorescence yields

Abstract Relative C and O K-shell fluorescence yields, computed from statistically scaled radiative and nonradiative rates for various molecules, show good agreement with experimental fluorescence yields for CH 4 , C 2 H 2 , C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 6 , CO, CO 2 , and CF 4 (C-bearing), and O 2 , CO, CO 2 , H 2 O (O-bearing) gases.
Diurnal and seasonal patterns of net photosynthesis by irrigated Chrysothamnus nauseosus under field conditions.

Chrysothamnus nauseosus ssp. albicaulis (white rubber rabbitbrush) is a common deciduous C3 desert shrub which is a potential source of natural rubber and which exhibits high rates of net photosynthesis (Pn) for a woody species. When maintained under irrigated conditions in the field, rates of Pn on cloudless days were generally found to be highest during the cool morning hours (peak rates observed between about 0900 and 1000 hrs). Pn declined during mid-day hours and was approximately 75% of that observed in the early morning for the remainder of the light period. This decline in Pn was accompanied by about 26 μmol CO2.m−2.s−1 in mid-May (approximately 30 days after bud break) to about 48 μmol CO2.m−2.s−1 in early August. Thereafter, Pn declined gradually until leaf fall in November. These data indicate that rabbitbrush is capable of relatively high rates of Pn throughout a substantial portion of the growing season when maintained under irrigated conditions. This may, at least in part, account for the relatively high rates of growth observed under conditions of ample soil moisture.
Virtualization for high-performance computing

The specific demands of high-performance computing (HPC) often mismatch the assumptions and algorithms provided by legacy operating systems (OS) for common workload mixes. While feature- and application-rich OSes allow for flexible and low-cost hardware configurations, rapid development, and flexible testing and debugging, the mismatch comes at the cost of --- oftentimes significant --- performance degradation for HPC applications.The ubiquitous availability of virtualization support in all relevant hardware architectures enables new programming and execution models for HPC applications without loosing the comfort and support of existing OS and application environments. In this paper we discuss the trends, motivations, and issues in hardware virtualization with emphasis on their value in HPC environments.
Development of Stage of Readiness and Decisional Balance Instruments: Tools to Enhance Clinical Decision-Making for Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy

This study presents the development of Stage of Readiness (SOR) and decisional balance instruments based on the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM) to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). These instruments were tested on HIV positive women who enrolled in an adherence support study at a women's HIV clinic at a mid-western medical school. The decisional balance instrument was analyzed and 8 of 11 items were retained. These items were validated by follow-up administration of the instrument. Baseline stage of change and decisional balance scores prospectively predicted 1-year viral load level, thus identifying participants in need of adherence support interventions. Use of these instruments can give a provider added objective data on which to base a decision to either prescribe ART immediately or to first implement an intervention tailored to enhance this patient's readiness to adhere.
A Longitudinal Study of Engineering Student Performance and Retention. V. Comparisons with Traditionally‐Taught Students

In a longitudinal study at North Carolina State University, a cohort of students took five chemical engineering courses taught by the same instructor in five consecutive semesters. The courses made extensive use of active and cooperative learning and a variety of other techniques designed to address a broad spectrum of learning styles. Previous reports on the study summarized the instructional methods used in the experimental course sequence, described the performance of the cohort in the introductory chemical engineering course, and examined performance and attitude differences between students from rural and urban backgrounds and between male and female students.1–4 This paper compares outcomes for the experimental cohort with outcomes for students in a traditionally-taught comparison group. The experimental group outperformed the comparison group on a number of measures, including retention and graduation in chemical engineering, and many more of the graduates in this group chose to pursue advanced study in the field. Since the experimental instructional model did not require small classes (the smallest of the experimental classes had 90 students) or specially equipped classrooms, it should be adaptable to any engineering curriculum at any institution.
Is preeclampsia associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery if labor is induced

Objective. To determine whether preeclampsia is associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery if labor is induced.Methods. This retrospective cohort study of 3505 women ≥24 weeks gestation...
Single-Beat Estimation of End-Systolic Pressure-Volume Relation in Humans A New Method With the Potential for Noninvasive Application

Background The end-systolic pressure-volume relation (ESPVR) provides a useful measure of contractile function. However, the need to acquire multiple cardiac cycles at varying loads limits its applicability. We therefore developed and tested a novel single-beat estimation method that is based on normalized human time-varying elastance curves [EN(tN)]. Methods and Results Pressure-volume (PV) data were measured by conductance catheter in 87 patients with normal or myopathic hearts. Time-varying elastance curves were generated from 72 PV loops (52 patients) and normalized both by amplitude and time to peak amplitude. The resulting EN(tN) curves were remarkably consistent despite variations in underlying cardiac disease, contractility, loading, and heart rate, with minimal interloop variance during the first 25% to 35% of contraction. On the basis of this finding and assuming ESPVR linearity and constant volume-intercept, ESPVRs were estimated from one beat with the use of PV data measured at normalized time...
Arginyl residues in the active sites of antibody against the 3-nitro-4-hydroxy-5-iodophenylacetyl (NIP) group

Abstract Anti-NIP antibody preparations from individual rabbits lost 40–80 per cent of their sites when 70 per cent of their arginyl residues were modified by glyoxal. Antibodies whose sites were protected by hapten and then similarly modified retained more than 90 per cent of their sites. Anti-NIP preparations whose amino groups were completely maleylated lost only 5–13 per cent of their sites. When such maleylated antibodies were treated with glyoxal, there was extensive loss of anti-NIP sites. In view of the known reactivity of glyoxal, it is very likely that only arginyl residues were modified in those antibodies since ammonium, the only other group reactive with glyoxal, was already blocked. These observations establish the presence of a glyoxal-reactive amino acid, most probably arginine, in the affected anti-NIP sites and indicate that few, if any, anti-NIP sites contain an amino group. The absence of amino groups near a significant proportion of anti-NIP sites was also indicated by the failure of anti-NIP antibodies to be affinity labeled with NIP-azide. Thus, guanidinium groups of arginine side chains seem to account for the positive charge involved in binding the phenolate form of the NIP determinant to the active site of its antibodies, while ammonium groups appear to be of minor importance.