cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pitfalls in the measurement of metabolite concentrations using the one-pulse experiment in in Vivo NMR: commentary on "On neglecting chemical exchange effects when correcting in vivo (31)P MRS data for partial saturation".

Abstract In an article in a previous issue of the Journal of Magnetic Resonance , Ouwerkerk and Bottomley ( J. Magn. Reson. 148 , pp. 425–435, 2001) show that even in the presence of chemical exchange, the dependence of saturation factors on repetition time in the one-pulse experiment is approximately monoexponential. They conclude from this fact that the effect of chemical exchange on the use of saturation factors when correcting for partial saturation is negligible. We take issue with this conclusion and demonstrate that because saturation factors in the presence of chemical exchange are strongly dependent upon all of the chemical parameters of the system, that is, upon all T 1 's and M 0 's of resonances in the exchange network and upon the reaction rates themselves, it is problematic to apply saturation factor corrections in situations in which any of these parameters may change. The error criterion we establish reflects actual errors in quantitation, rather than departures from monoexponentiality.
DOUBLESEX GENE EXPRESSION IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Despite several behavior-genetic studies that have suggested roles played by doublesex (dsx) in neural tissues, it has not been demonstrated that the products of this gene are actually present in the central nervous system (CNS). In this report, we describe the cellular, spatial, and temporal expression patterns of dsx gene products in the developing and adult CNS by applying RT-PCR and immunohistochemical procedures. dsx gene products were detected in the CNS of 3rd-instar larvae, pupae, and adults. DSX-immunoreactive signals were observed within the brain and in both the thoracic plus abdominal ganglia of the ventral nerve cord. Most, but not all, cells inferred to contain DSX proteins (by the results of genetic controls for antibody specificity) were further determined to be neurons (by coexpression of a protein that marks such CNS cell types). Temporally varying expression of DSX was most prominently observed in the rapidly metamorphosing early and mid-pupal stages, suggesting that this gene contributes to establishment of sexually dimorphic neuronal structures which subserve adult sexual behaviors. Elements of the spatial and temporal patterns of DSX immunoreactivity also imply that sexually dimorphic dsx expression in certain neuronal clusters within the adult CNS could participate in ongoing operations of the mature nervous system with respect to the courtship behaviors that are affected by dsx mutations.
Hymenoptera venom‐specific IgE antibodies in post‐mortem sera from victims of sudden, unexpected death

Summary There have been reports of elevated venom-specific IgE levels in post-mortem sera from patients experiencing fatal Hymenoptera stings so we hypothesized that other cases of sudden death may be due to unrecognized sting anaphyiaxis. Of 94 sera obtained post mortem from subjects who died unexpectedly during the summer months, 22 (23%) contained elevated levels of IgE antibody to at least one insect venom. The causes of death as determined by autopsy did not differ significantly among patients with or without elevated IgE antibody levels. An identical percentage of seropositivity was noted in 48 post-mortem sera from victims of sudden, unexpected death in the winter months. Conversely, only 6% of sera from 92 living blood donors contained elevated venom-specific IgE antibodies. The appreciable incidence of elevated IgE antibodies in the post-mortem groups suggests that sting anaphylaxis should be more highly considered as a possible cause of unexpected death.
Technical Development Path for Foil Gas Bearings

Foil gas bearings are in widespread commercial use in air cycle machines, turbocompressors and microturbine generators and are emerging in more challenging applications such as turbochargers, auxiliary power units and propulsion gas turbines. Though not well known, foil bearing technology is well over fifty years old. Recent technological developments indicate that their full potential has yet to be realized. This paper investigates the key technological developments that have characterized foil bearing advances. It is expected that a better understanding of foil gas bearing development path will aid in future development and progress towards more advanced applications.
Current oscillations and negative differential conductivity in n-type germanium

The existence of several types of high-frequency majority carrier current instabilities in [100] and [110] oriented samples of n-type germanium has led to a renewed interest in the conductivity of germanium in a strong electric field. We review the experimental situation with regard to these instabilities and show how their properties can be understood in terms of bulk negative differential conductivity, which has been shown to occur in this material for temperatures below about 120°K. The present state of understanding of the origin of this BNDC effect in terms of the band structure and scattering mechanisms in germanium is summarized.
SIV Vaccine for AIDS

Jon Cohen, in his News article “Weakened SIV [simian immunodeficiency virus] vaccine still kills” (3 Oct., p. [24][1]), cites several researchers' data that a percentage (<5%) of monkeys in different clinical trials have developed immunodeficiency or AIDS, or both, after infection with human
Business administration: a weak spot in our ciyt schools

Rsponsibility for city school administration is too often divided among coordinate heads, wiht the result that there is lack of correlation between the educational and the business phases of school operation
Biochemical oxygen demand in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus pond waters

A study of the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of waters from ten channel catfish ponds at Auburn, Alabama, revealed that the 5-d BOD (BOD5) seldom exceeded 8 mg/L and that the ultimate BOD (BODu) was usually less than 30 mg/L. Water samples from catfish ponds usually needed to be diluted only 2 or 3 times to permit BOD5 measurements, and nitrification occurred even during a 5-d incubation period. Catfish pond waters were not extremely high in ammonia nitrogen concentration, and ammonia nitrogen introduced in the ammonium chloride-enriched dilution water caused an appreciable increase in BOD of some samples. Plankton respiration is a major component of carbonaceous BOD (CBOD) in catfish pond waters. Thus, the BOD is not expressed as rapidly during 5-d incubations as in typical waste-water. The ultimate BOD (BODu) would be a good measurement of oxygen demand for catfish pond effluents, but it is difficult to measure. Data from this study suggest that BODu can be estimated from BOD5, but the correlation is not strong (R2= 0.62). An alternative is to develop a short-term BOD measurement specifically for effluents from channel catfish and other aquaculture ponds. This study suggests that a 10-d BOD conducted without nitrification inhibition or addition of ammonia nitrogen in dilution water might be a better alternative to standard BOD5 or BODu measurements normally used in wastewater evaluation.
beta-D(+) glucose-glucose oxidase-catalase for use as an antioxidant system.

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to investigate the use of β-D(+) glucose-glucose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.4)-catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) (BDG-GO-CAT) as a new antioxidant system in solutions. A novel method for estimation of activity of the system was developed using a dissolved oxygen (DO) meter and an oxygen probe. The method can be used to determine the enzymatic activity of the system at GO concentrations of 0.005 to 0.030 unit/ml, with an r2 of 0.995 for the linearity of the standard curve, and can be adapted for analysis in any solution. At room temperature of 23.0° ± 2.0°C, the maximum activity of the BDG-GO-CAT system was found to occur at pH 5.40. The half-life values for the stability of GO-CAT in 0.10 M phosphate buffer solutions of pH 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, and 10.0 were 9.78, 49.43, 53.46, 36.51, 12.68, 1.84, and 0.80 weeks, respectively. Dextrose was used in place of β-D(+) glucose for cost-saving purposes, and a standard curve for the activity of GO-CAT was obtained using 20 mg/ml dextrose...
Structural Constraints on the EU's Role in Cross-Taiwan Strait Relationsa

Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, many people have called for a more active role for the EU in cross-Taiwan Strait relations. While acknowledging its immense power and influence, this paper argues that the EU's role will remain limited for three structural reasons. Despite the Lisbon Treaty, the EU's sui generis system will continue to constrain its policy towards cross-strait relations. With 27 countries of varying interests, power and perspectives, it is difficult to expect the EU to change its current policies, which consist of the 'one-China' notion and the principle of a peaceful solution. Second, the regional structure along the strait is so complex that the EU can hardly come up with new initiatives. Given the fact that China is more important than Taiwan, the EU can hardly make its policy more favourable to Taiwan. However, supporting Chinese unification, especially in a non-peaceful way, will run counter to the EU's interests and principles. Even if it is willing to play a more active role, the EU lacks power to do so. Finally, the global structure will limit the EU's freedom of action. The EU does not live in a care-free environment, and nearby stability tops its security agenda. In its dealing with global issues, the EU may benefit from Chinese cooperation. Although the EU has close relations with the US, the American factor can hardly be expected to cause major changes in the EU's policy towards cross-strait relations.
Jammed hard-particle packings: From Kepler to Bernal and beyond

This review describes the diversity of jammed configurations attainable by frictionless convex nonoverlapping (hard) particles in Euclidean spaces and for that purpose it stresses individual-packing geometric analysis. A fundamental feature of that diversity is the necessity to classify individual jammed configurations according to whether they are locally, collectively, or strictly jammed. Each of these categories contains a multitude of jammed configurations spanning a wide and (in the large system limit) continuous range of intensive properties, including packing fraction $\phi$, mean contact number $Z$, and several scalar order metrics. Application of these analytical tools to spheres in three dimensions (an analog to the venerable Ising model) covers a myriad of jammed states, including maximally dense packings (as Kepler conjectured), low-density strictly-jammed tunneled crystals, and a substantial family of amorphous packings. With respect to the last of these, the current approach displaces the historically prominent but ambiguous idea of ``random close packing" (RCP) with the precise concept of ``maximally random jamming" (MRJ). This review also covers recent advances in understanding jammed packings of polydisperse sphere mixtures, as well as convex nonspherical particles, e.g., ellipsoids, ``superballs", and polyhedra. Because of their relevance to error-correcting codes and information theory, sphere packings in high-dimensional Euclidean spaces have been included as well. We also make some remarks about packings in (curved) non-Euclidean spaces. In closing this review, several basic open questions for future research to consider have been identified.
Chlorphentermine as an Anorexigenic Agent In Adolescent Obesity Report of Its Efficacy in a Double-Blind Study of 30 Teen-agers

Chlorphentermine proves to be a suc cessful anorexigenic agent in this study. When compared to a placebo, it produced a significant degree of weight loss and maintained its value for up to nine months of follow up. It has replaced all other drugs for the treatment of obese adoles cents in this busy clinic.
Artificial-intelligence approach for biomedical sample characterization using Raman spectroscopy

An artificial-intelligence approach is proposed to differentiate various biomedical samples via Raman spectroscopy technology to obtain accurate medical diagnosis and decision making. The complete process consists of noise filtering, fluorescence identification, optimization and elimination, spectral normalization, multivariate statistical analysis, and data clustering, as well as the final decision making. Numerous modeling, intelligent control, and system-identification schemes have been employed. By means of fuzzy control, genetic algorithms, and principal component analysis (PCA), as well as system identification, a systematic intelligent-control approach is formulated, which is capable of classifying diversified biomedical samples. Raman spectra are weak signals whose features are sensitive to a variety of noises, which have to be reduced to an acceptable level. Fuzzy logic has been known to interpret uncertainty, imprecision, and vague phenomena. Thus, a fuzzy controller is used for noise filtering. On the other hand, background fluorescence acts as a secondary intensity component within a raw Raman spectrograph, so its spectral baseline should be determined. By removing background fluorescence, intrinsic Raman spectrum can be extracted in consequence. To optimize this detrend process, genetic algorithms have been implemented for baseline-function global optimization by selecting an optimal combination of individual spectroscopic functions. Normalization is performed by standard normal variate (SNV) afterwards to compensate for scattering effects. Normalized intrinsic spectra can be used for sample differentiation, where the PCA approach distinguishes some signatures from different samples in terms of dominant principal components. Eventually, various principal components are accumulated for clustering using scatter plots. The long-term objective of this intelligent-control approach is to create a real-time technique for sample analysis, using a Raman spectrometer directly mounted at the end-effectors of medical robots, which is to enhance the robotic surgery.
Radio's Clutter Conundrum: Better Memory for Ads, Worse Attitudes Toward Stations

An experiment examined effects of increasing the number of advertising pods in radio. With the number of commercials kept constant, participants heard ads in 1 or 3 pods. Those exposed to the cluttered condition (i.e., 3 pods) reported the ads as more excessive and the commercial breaks more disruptive than those exposed to 1 pod. Clutter participants self-reported greater irritation than those hearing only 1 pod. This was supported by more frequent skin conductance responses in the clutter condition. However, other physiological measures suggested more cognitive resources were applied during the cluttered condition. Free recall and recognition were greater in the cluttered condition, although the latter not significantly so. Results are discussed in terms of the trade-offs management must make in deciding how to schedule advertising breaks in today's competitive radio marketplace. ACCESS TO FULL TEXT
Moral Disengagement in the Perpetration of Inhumanities

Moral agency is manifested in both the power to refrain from behaving inhumanely and the proactive power to behave humanely. Moral agency is embedded in a broader sociocognitive self theory encompassing self-organizing, proactive, self-reflective, and self-regulatory mechanisms rooted in personal standards linked to self-sanctions. The self-regulatory mechanisms governing moral conduct do not come into play unless they are activated, and there are many psychosocial maneuvers by which moral self-sanctions are selectively disengaged from inhumane conduct. The moral disengagement may center on the cognitive restructuring of inhumane conduct into a benign or worthy one by moral justification, sanitizing language, and advantageous comparison; disavowal of a sense of personal agency by diffusion or displacement of responsibility; disregarding or minimizing the injurious effects of one's actions; and attribution of blame to, and dehumanization of, those who are victimized. Many inhumanities operate through a supportive network of legitimate enterprises run by otherwise considerate people who contribute to destructive activities by disconnected subdivision of functions and diffusion of responsibility. Given the many mechanisms for disengaging moral control, civilized life requires, in addition to humane personal standards, safeguards built into social systems that uphold compassionate behavior and renounce cruelty.
Estuarine predator—prey interactions in the early life history of two eels (Anguilla rostrata and Conger oceanicus)

Field observations (timing of larval ingress from 1989 to 2010) and laboratory experiments (habitat preference, predation, cannibalism by glass eels and elvers) were conducted to better understand the interactions between the early life history stages of two eel species, Anguilla rostrata and Conger oceanicus, which both ingress annually to Great Bay/Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. A 21-year weekly time series revealed that these species generally overlap in occurrence in spring, but the degree of overlap may be changing over time: the peak in A. rostrata glass eel abundance occurring later and the peak in C. oceanicus leptocephali abundance occurring earlier. During this overlap period and subsequent settlement, the two species show differences in habitat use patterns, with both preferring shelter, but only A. rostrata burying in substrate. In one-on-one trials, cannibalism was infrequent (A. rostrata 1 % of 59 trials, C. oceanicus 16 %, of 51 trials). Predation by C. oceanicus elvers on A. rostrata glass eels and elvers was frequent (45 % of 165 trials), but never occurred for the opposite interaction. This order presumably is related to the larger size of C. oceanicus at ingress, metamorphosis and settlement compared to A. rostrata and the aggressive piscivory of C. oceanicus even extending to cannibalism. Together, these observations of predation and the change in timing of C. oceanicus occurrence in the estuary may influence the success of A. rostrata immediately after ingress and thus contribute to the decline of the latter. Further, these interactions provide another example of predation in estuaries (presumed refugia) and the contributing role of predation on and among the early life history stages of fishes—a relatively underexplored phenomenon.
Digital holographic particle validation via complex wave.

The inability to distinguish between particle images and noise in holographic reconstruction of dense particle fields hampers the advancement of holographic particle diagnostic techniques including holographic particle image velocimetry. We developed a method to separate particles from the noise by unlocking a unique particle signature in the complex reconstructed field. This complex-wave signature is present in digital particle holograms recorded at any scattering angle. Simulations of single and multiple particle holograms, as well as preliminary laboratory particle-field experiments, not only demonstrated the existence of the particle signature but also evaluated its ability to remove noise. Regardless of particle seeding density, scattering angle of hologram recording and particle size range, the particle identification/validation routine consistently provides >50% removal of
The Study of the Polydispersivity Effect on the Thermal Conductivity of Particulate Thermal Interface Materials by Finite Element Method

Thermal interface materials (TIMs) are particulate composite materials widely used in the microelectronics industry to reduce the thermal resistance between the device and the heat sink. Predictive modeling using fundamental physical principles is critical to developing new TIMs, since it can be used to quantify the effect of polydispersivity, volume fraction and arrangements on the effective thermal conductivity. A random network model that can efficiently capture the near-percolation transport in these particle-filled systems was developed by the authors, which can take into account the interparticle interactions and random size distributions. In this paper, a Java-based code is used to generate the microstructures at different volume fraction and different particle-size distribution (PSD). COMSOL was used to investigate the impact of polydispersivity on the effective thermal conductivity of particulate TIMs. The log-normal distribution was used to capture the filler PSD. From the simulation results, there exists an optimum value of the polydispersivity which has the largest thermal conductivity for a given volume fraction.
Analysis of interactions between the invasive tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and the native black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

Invasive exotic plants can persist and successfully spread within ecosystems and negatively affect the recruitment of native species. The exotic invasive Ailanthus altissima and the native Robinia pseudoacacia are frequently found in disturbed sites and exhibit similar growth and reproductive characteristics, yet each has distinct functional roles such as allelopathy and nitrogen fixation, respectively. A four-month full additive series in the greenhouse was used to analyze the intraspecific and interspecific interference between these two species. In the greenhouse experiment, the inverse of the mean total biomass (g) response per plant for each species was regressed on the density of each species and revealed that the performance of the plants was significantly reduced by interspecific interference and not by intraspecific interference (p < 0.05). Other biomass traits such as root dry weight, shoot dry weight, stem dry weight, and leaf dry weight were also negatively affected by interspecific interference. Competition indices such as Relative Yield Total and Relative Crowding Coefficient suggested that A. altissima was the better competitor in mixed plantings. Ailanthus altissima consistently produced a larger above ground and below ground relative yield while R. pseudoacacia generated a larger aboveground relative yield in high density mixed species pots.
Quantitative Analysis of Platelet αvβ3 Binding to Osteopontin Using Laser Tweezers

Abstract To determine whether platelet adhesion to surfaces coated with the matrix protein osteopontin requires an agonist-induced increase in the affinity of the integrin αvβ3 for this ligand, we used laser tweezers to measure the rupture force between single αvβ3 molecules on the platelet surface and osteopontin-coated beads. Virtually all platelets stimulated with 10 μm ADP bound strongly to osteopontin, producing rupture forces as great as 100 piconewtons (pN) with a peak at 45-50 pN. By contrast, 90% of unstimulated, resting non-reactive platelets bound weakly to osteopontin, with rupture forces rarely exceeding 30-35 pN. However, ≈10% of unstimulated platelets, resting reactive platelets, exhibited rupture force distributions similar to stimulated platelets. Moreover, ADP stimulation resulted in a 12-fold increase in the probability of detecting rupture forces >30 pN compared with resting non-reactive platelets. Pre-incubating stimulated platelets with the inhibitory prostaglandin E1, a cyclic RGD peptide, the monoclonal antibody abciximab, or the αvβ3-specific cyclic peptide XJ735 returned force histograms to those of non-reactive platelets. These experiments demonstrate that ADP stimulation increases the strength of the interaction between platelet αvβ3 and osteopontin. Furthermore, they indicate that platelet adhesion to osteopontin-coated surfaces requires an agonist-induced exposure of αvβ3-binding sites for this ligand.
A delay test to differentiate resistive interconnect faults from weak transistor defects

In deep submicron technology (DSM), many defects cause relatively small delay faults that are hard to detect, but can cause functional and/or reliability failure. The mechanisms behind these delay defects can be varied and complex. Resistive interconnect defects, including those due to contamination or voids in vias, are among the more common defects observed in DSM designs, as are transistor defects such as gate oxide shorts. Even when electrical defect diagnosis is able to identify the delay defect location down to the failing node, traditional test methods are unable to differentiate between delays caused by a resistive interconnect and those due to weak transistor defects. This differentiation is important for gathering accurate defect statistics for process improvement during yield ramp-up. We combine the new DDSI delay test methodology that detects delays within the slack interval with variable voltage testing to characterize the delay defects. This new method can differentiate resistive interconnect delay defects from other nonresistive defects such as transistor faults. Experimental results are presented to confirm the effectiveness of the new method.
The logistics support resource strategy map: a design and assessment tool

Abstract : Design of a resource strategy for logistics support requires decision-makers to choose to use contracted, blended, or organic support, or a combination thereof, for acquisition products. Non-cost issues have received much less attention than cost in resource strategy design?even though policy requires the incorporation of many non-cost issues. This lack of attention is partially due to the large number of issues that can impact strategy design, the diversity of issue features and impacts, and the diversity of characteristics of programs, their environments, and potential strategies. Although many issues that should be included in logistic planning have been identified, little guidance is provided for how program management teams can incorporate them into logistics support resource strategy design. Tools that facilitate describing logistics requirements and the impacts of resource strategies on program success can potentially improve resource strategy design, assessment, and documentation for review. The structure and use of the Logistics Support Resource Strategy Map for helping program management teams consider a broad range of logistics support resource strategy design issues are described. An example application illustrates the Map's use. Implications for practice and potential future developments tool are discussed.
Drug-induced torsade de pointes: the perspectives of industry

In 1996 the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products published their 'Points to consider' which have been used as unofficial guidelines by drug companies developing new pharmacologic compounds. Recommendaitons endorsed by the CPMP regarding hand measurement of the QT interval, QT dispersion, the Bazett QT interval correction for heart rate and the use of signal values for QTc changes compared to baseline are discussed in this paper.
An ultra-dispersive optically controlled atomic prism

We have experimentally demonstrated an ultra-dispersive atomic prism with the highest spectral angular dispersion ever shown (six orders of magnitude higher than glass prism). Its dispersion is optically controlled by a coherent driving field.
Establishment of the tortoise tick Amblyomma marmoreum (Acari: Ixodidae) on a reptile-breeding facility in Florida

The tortoise tick Amblyomma marmoreum Koch was found to be established on a reptile facility in central Florida. Over a 5-mo period, 443 ticks were collected from tortoises, dogs, and vegetation. Collections from hosts were primarily from 3 species of exotic tortoises, including leopard tortoises, Aldabra tortoises, and yellow-footed tortoises. The total numbers of ticks present, the presence of all life stages, and the slow development of this species indicate that this is not a recent infestation. The source of the infestation is unknown because no tortoises were imported or moved onto this premise within the previous year. The propensity of this tick to feed on mammals and reptiles as immatures, its status as an experimental heartwater vector, and potential for further accidental introductions to the United States elicit concern toward the more widespread establishment of this species.
Provisioning in elastic optical networks with non-disruptive defragmentation

How serious is spectrum fragmentation in an elastic optical network? It is addressed by the tremendous provisioning gain achieved by eliminating a particular kind of fragmentation, namely, one that could be removed by Hitless Optical Path Shift (HOPS), a non-disruptive defragmentation technology. We devised a series of HOPS-based defragmentation algorithms, ranging from proactive to reactive strategies. Analysis and simulation results show that for typical backbone networks operated with a light load, using our optimal reactive defragmentation scheme, 98% of the requested spectrum bandwidth, that is otherwise blocked, can be provisioned. Moreover, the corresponding defragmentation costs (in terms of impact on existing connections, and defragmentation delay) are kept at minimum.
Operative treatment of substernal goiters.

This report describes the operative experience in 72 patients with substernal goiters treated over the past 5.5 years. Even though the incidence of multinodular goiter has decreased in the United States due to the routine use of iodized salt, we continue to see a large number of patients with massive goiters, predominantly from Carribean Islands. The diagnosis of substernal goiter was made on clinical examination augmented by such radiologic studies, as chest x-ray, barium esophagograms, airway films, and CT scans. Computed tomographic (CT) scanning was particularly helpful in evaluating the extent of substernal extension. Confirmation of the extent of disease was made at the time of operation. Ninety percent of the patients had tracheal deviation and 85% were symptomatic from airway compression. Esophageal compression was noted in 60% of the patients. All patients had a long history of goiter with recent onset of pressure symptoms. Flow-volume-loop studies were performed in 44% of the patients and were useful in the evaluation of pressure symptoms. However, the decision for operation was made primarily based on clinical evaluation of signs and symptoms. Sixteen patients in this group were admitted with acute airway distress requiring airway intubation or semi-emergency decompression. Only 1 patient required mediastinal splitting, while all others were operated by the cervical approach. The decision as to the extent of thyroidectomy was made at the time of operation. Drains were routinely used because of the large dead space. One patient developed a hematoma in the recovery room and required re-exploration. There were no instances of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies or of hypoparathyroidism. Two patients required tracheostomy, 1 because of poor pulmonary reserve and the other because of tracheomalacia. Even with considerable tracheal compression, tracheomalacia was noted in only 1 patient. All the patients were treated with thyroxine postoperatively. Sixty patients had benign diagnosis on pathologic examination; 12 had malignancies. Our data suggest that patients with substernal goiters should be treated operatively, especially if there are pressure symptoms or signs of tracheal compression. Using the cervical approach, 98% of the goiters can be removed easily with minimal morbidity.
An open object-oriented simulation system for communications networks

Modeling and simulation can provide an important means for reducing the communications network design and engineering cycles, by helping to ensure that performance objectives are met and for developing effective control strategies to ensure efficient system operations and graceful degradation under system overload. The complexity of emerging systems and services has raised the problem of model reuse to a critical stage. We present an open, object-oriented simulation system for communications networks that is currently being developed at Monmouth University as an integral part of a larger integrated environment for modeling, analysis, simulation and engineering of computer/communications systems. A primary objective of the open simulation system is to promote the reuse and sharing of simulation models for communications networks and their components. Particular attention is paid to traffic generation models which are greatly increasing in their complexity. The system presented is designed to ease the transition in the future to a distributed simulation environment.
Grafting onto cellulosic macromolecules through chain transfer to mercaptoethyl side chains. I. Experimental procedure and results

Cellulose acetate films, cellophane, and cellulose model fibers are mercaptoethylated by an addition reaction with ethylene sulfide. A monomer is polymerized in the presence of the cellulose derivative obtained, so that chain transfer to SH groups can take place. Evidence for grafting is presented. The effect of reaction time, catalyst concentration, and monomer concentration is given in the form of tables and graphs. The initial rate of grafting is shown to be proportional to the square root of the catalyst concentration, and, roughly, to the concentration of the monomer. Rates of grafting of the order of 10–15 wt.-%/hr. are easily obtained.
Decisions Concerning the Direction of Effects in Linear Regression Models Using Fourth Central Moments

Direction dependence analysis is attracting growing attention in the social sciences for its potential to help decide concerning the direction of effects of linear regression models. Direction dependence analysis assumes that observed data deviate from normality. Various tests have been proposed that can be applied when observed variables are skewed. However, these tests cannot be used when data are nonnormal and symmetric. The present chapter discusses direction dependence approaches for symmetric nonnormal data based on the fourth central moment. A new direction dependence approach based on regression residuals obtained from competing linear regression models is proposed. Three significance tests are described which can be used to test hypotheses compatible with direction dependence when data are nonnormal and symmetric. Results of a Monte Carlo simulation are reported which suggest that the significance tests perform well under various data scenarios. An empirical example from research on intimate partner violence is given to illustrate the application of the direction dependence tests.
Corn stover ethanol yield as affected by grain yield, Bt trait, and environment

Abstract Literature values for glucose release from corn stover are highly variable which would likely result in tremendous variability in bio-refinery ethanol yield from corn stover feedstock. A relatively recent change in United States corn genetics is the inclusion of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) trait, which now accounts for three-fourths of all US planted corn acreage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of corn grain yield, inclusion of the Bt trait, and location environment on corn stover quality for subsequent ethanol conversion. Two hybrid pairs (each having a Bt and non-Bt near-isoline) were analyzed giving a total of 4 hybrids. In 2010 and 2011, field plots were located in Michigan at four latitudinal differing locations in four replicated plots at each location. Stover composition and enzymatic digestibility was analyzed and estimated ethanol yield (g g −1 ) was calculated based on hydrolyzable glucan and xylan levels. Analysis showed that there were no significant differences in total glucose or xylose levels nor in enzymatically hydrolyzable glucan and xylan concentrations between Bt corn stover and the non-Bt stover isolines. Regression analyses between corn grain yield (Mg ha −1 ) and corn stover ethanol yield (g g −1 ) showed an inverse relationship indicative of a photosynthate source-sink relationship. Nevertheless, the quantity of stover produced was found to be more critical than the quality of stover produced in maximizing potential stover ethanol yield on a land area basis.
Mindless Eating: Environmental Contributors to Obesity

Everyone — every single one of us — eats how much we eat partially because of what is around us. We overeat not only because of hunger, but also because of family and friends, packages and plates, names and numbers, labels and lights, colors and candles, shapes and smells, distractions and distances, cupboards and containers. This list is almost as endless as it is invisible to us.Most of us are largely unaware of what influences how much we eat. This is one of the ironies of food consumption research. Dozens of studies involving thousands of people show that people wrongly think that how much they eat is mainly determined by how hungry they are, how much they like the food, and what mood they are in (Wansink, Payne, and Chandon 2007). We all think we are too smart to be tricked by packages, lighting, or plates. This suggests that people may be influenced at a basic level of which they are not aware or which they do not monitor. Understanding these drivers of consumption volume has immediate implications for research, nutrition education, and consumer welfare (Meiselman 1992; Rozin and Tuorila 1993). This review aims to explain what environmental factors unknowingly influence consumption intake and why they do so.
Analysis of pathogenic bacterium and antimicrobial susceptibility of 50 cases in child bacterial enteritis

Objective: To analyze the distribution of the pathogen in child bacterial enteritis and its resistance to antibiotics, and establish guidelines for rational use of antibiotic. Methods: Culture of feces was performed in 306 cases of bacterial enteritis, 50 of which were discovered positive and tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Results: The bacterium of these 50 cases consisted of 50% disease-causing germs(50%), chance-disease-causing germs(16%) and the lost-balance in intestinal bacterium(32%). The sensitivity rates of aminopenicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, SMZ-TMP were low, which were 56.00%, 66.67%, 63.64% in turn. The sensitivity rates to the third generation cephalosporins, amino glycosides, quinolones were higher. Conclusions: Considering the limitation of the medicine for child bacterial enteritis, the third generation cephalosporins could be chosen first. For the children above 6-year-old , amino glycosides could be used. When all these are not effective enough, quinolones could be used.
Thigh hematoma in the active and aging person with spinal cord injury.

AbstractAn active lifestyle in the aging person with spinal cord injury (SCI) increases the potential for injuries to the musculoskeletal system. We report three unusual cases of thigh hematoma with no apparent history of trauma in aging patients with long-standing SCI. These patients were all employed and had active lifestyles. They ranged in age from 43 to 60 years, with lesions from T8 to T11 and had been paraplegic for 12-30 years. They presented with thigh swelling without any obvious cause. Diagnostic work-up did not reveal etiology. However, a functional history, re-creation of their activities and seating assessment identified the most likely causes of the thigh hematomas. Treatment of thigh hematoma is discussed. Physicians treating patients with long-standing SCI should pay special attention to changes in function and lifestyle and their potential effects on the musculoskeletal system. (J Spinal Cord Med 1997; 20:70-73)
Strategy for evaluation of a new antitumor agent in the treatment of breast cancer.

Carcinoma of the breast is the most sensitive of the common solid tumors to treatment with presently available chemotherapeutic agents. It therefore presents a dilemma to the experimental chemotherapist. On the one hand, a new drug is more likely to be active in this setting than in patients with colorectal or bronchogenic carcinoma; on the other hand, more old drugs with known low-level activity exist which might be tried first. The situation has, until recently, been further complicated by the activity of various hormonal manipulations in a fraction of patients with breast cancer. Fortunately, the minority of patients who will respond to such treatment may be further selected as being among those whose tumors contain high levels of estrogen receptor protein; thus, those with known absent or low levels of estrogen receptor protein need not undergo hormonal manipulation before chemotherapy.
van der Waals Interactions in Layered Lithium Cobalt Oxides

The role of van der Waals (vdW) interactions in density functional theory (DFT) + U calculations of the layered lithium-ion battery cathode LixCoO2 (x = 0–1) is investigated using (i) dispersion corrections in the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) generalized gradient approximation functional, (ii) vdW density functionals, and (iii) the Bayesian error estimation functional with vdW correlation. We find that combining vdW corrections or functionals with DFT+U can yield lithiation voltages, relative stabilities, and structural properties that are in much better agreement with experiments for the phases O1-CoO2, O3-CoO2, layered-Li0.5CoO2, spinel-Li0.5CoO2, and LiCoO2 than using DFT+U or vdW-inclusive methods alone or using the hybrid Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof functional. Contributions of vdW interactions to the lithiation voltages are estimated to have a similar magnitude with that of applying a typical U in the range 2–4 eV for cobalt, each accounting for 5–10% of calculated voltages relative to PBE. Relative sta...
Toward the development of a big data analytics capability

Various organizational-level resources that in combination build a big data analytics capability are proposed.A survey instrument to measure a big data analytics capability of the firm is proposed.The relationship between big data analytics capability and firm performance is empirically validated. The era of big data has begun such that organizations in all industries have been heavily investing in big data initiatives. We know from prior studies that investments alone do not generate competitive advantage; instead, firms need to create capabilities that rival firms find hard to match. Drawing on the resource-based theory of the firm and recent work in big data, this study (1) identifies various resources that in combination build a big data analytics (BDA) capability, (2) creates an instrument to measure BDA capability of the firm, and (3) tests the relationship between BDA capability and firm performance. Results empirically validate the proposed theoretical framework of this study and provide evidence that BDA capability leads to superior firm performance.
A priori synthetic over-sampling methods for increasing classification sensitivity in imbalanced data sets

Compare OUPS and Safe Level OUPS against popular SMOTE generalizations.Safe Level OUPS resulted in the highest sensitivity and g-mean.OUPS modification did perform moderately well within neural networks.Safe Level OUPS improves prediction of noisy minority members using Linear SVM. Building accurate classifiers for predicting group membership is made difficult when using data that is skewed or imbalanced which is typical of real world data sets. The classifier has a tendency to be biased towards the over represented or majority group as a result. Re-sampling techniques offer simple approaches that can be used to minimize the effect. Over-sampling methods aim to combat class imbalance by increasing the number of minority group samples also refereed to as members of the minority group. Over the last decade SMOTE based methods have been used and extended to overcome this problem. There has been little emphasis on improvements to this approach with consideration to data intrinsic properties beyond that of class imbalance alone. In this paper we introduce modifications to a priori based methods Safe Level OUPS and OUPS that result in improvement for sensitivity measures over competing approaches using the SMOTE based method such as the Local neighborhood extension to SMOTE (LN-SMOTE), Borderline-SMOTE and Safe-Level-SMOTE.
A comparison of the high-frequency (>1 Hz) surface and subsurface noise environment at three sites in the United States

Abstract Surface and subsurface high-frequency (>1 Hz) noise data were recorded using nearly identical instrumentation at three widely separated sites in the United States (Amarillo, Texas; Datil, New Mexico; and Pinedale, Wyoming) for extended periods of time under varying wind conditions. While the sites are geologically distinct, the near-surface noise environments have many common features that we believe may be due in large part to the presence of a surficial layer of highly attenuative unconsolidated material at each site. Noise levels seen at or near the surface (5 m or less) are much higher (up to 30 dB) and much more variable (power range up to 44 dB) than those seen at depth (the smallest range was 9 dB for 1951 m at Amarillo). The greatest gains in noise level reduction are realized within the first 100 m and probably much shallower (
An architecture for sustainable human exploration of Mars enabled by water from the lunar poles

This paper describes an architecture for human exploration of Mars that would be enabled by 10 metric tons (t) per day of ISRU water extracted at the lunar poles. The architecture involves a concept for a standardized “self-propelled tank” having an 85% propellant mass fraction that could hold up to 51 t of LH 2 /LO 2 propellant. A variant of this tank would be equipped with landing legs so that, when fully-loaded, it could lift another full tank into Low Lunar Orbit (LLO), release it, and have enough propellant remaining to mate with an empty tank and to land safely back at the ISRU plant in a lunar polar crater. Two such pairs would be launched each lunar sidereal month such that the two payload tanks could mate together in LLO and depart to a carefully-selected High Earth Orbit (HEO). This orbit is such that exactly one tank would be consumed propelling one full tank to HEO and returning one empty tank from HEO to LLO, with both tanks arriving empty. Also, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is selected where two full tanks in HEO could mate together such that one full tank arrives in LEO while the other tank has just enough propellant left to return to HEO, arriving empty. This combination of capabilities allows payloads to be launched from Earth into LEO, where they could be ferried to HEO using lunar propellant. Such payloads could be assembled together as stacks in HEO, where an array of full tanks accumulated over time from lunar ISRU could propel them on Hohmann transfers to Mars on every opportunity (every 26 months). The notional payload we envision launching to Mars every 26 months includes two 31 t Deep Space Habitats (DSHs, one for the outbound journey and one for the return journey) plus a 48 t Mars Surface Habitat with Ascent Vehicle (MSHAV). The stack departs HEO with a small burn from the array of 24 standardized propellant tanks — just enough to put it on an Oberth Maneuver trajectory, swinging by the top of the Earth's atmosphere where the main Trans-Mars Injection (TMI) burn occurs, consuming 7.8 of the 24 tanks. No tanks are jettisoned, so as to make this architecture sustainable and affordable. Upon arrival at Mars ∼7–9 months later, another 9.2 tanks are burned to inject the stack into Low Mars Orbit (LMO). Exactly one tank is burned to de-orbit the MSHAV, reducing its velocity to zero at some point deep in the Mars atmosphere. The one tank that de-orbits the Mars entry stack is lost. After ∼500 days on the Mars surface, the MAV launches and mates with the main stack in LMO. The returning DSH and the 23 tanks depart LMO with a burn of 4.3 tanks for Trans-Earth Injection. Upon arrival at Earth, 1.7 tanks are burned to inject into HEO, where the tanks could be shuttled back to the lunar surface for re-fueling. The DSH is mated with a single full tank at HEO that brings it to LEO to rendezvous with a crew capsule for re-entry.