cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Pharmacist Involvement in Early Identification and Enrollment in Patient Assistance Programs on CMV Outcomes in Transplantation

Background:No data exist evaluating the utilization of patient assistance programs (PAPs) on cytomegalovirus (CMV)-related outcomes.Objective:To determine whether early identification and enrollment in PAPs can prevent CMV-related events.Methods:Retrospective analysis of patients at risk of CMV reactivation who received kidney and/or pancreas transplants. Two groups were evaluated with patients receiving oral valganciclovir for CMV prophylaxis through enrollment in PAPs or oral acyclovir with preemptive CMV monitoring. Primary outcomes include the incidence of CMV infection. Secondary outcomes include a cost benefit analysis, incidence of rejection, patient/graft survival, and time to CMV infection.Results:There were 97 patients identified; valganciclovir through PAPs (n = 39) and preemptive CMV quantitative nucleic acid testing monitoring (n = 58). The incidence of CMV viremia was lower in the PAP group (12.8% vs 36.2%, respectively; P = .021). There were no significant differences in CMV syndrome/diseas...
Phytochrome regulation of nuclear gene expression

Phytochrome is known to regulate the expression of several major nuclearencoded polypeptides at the level of transcription. Both in vivoin vitro methods are currently being used to determine the step(s) between the light activation of phytochrome and changes in gene expression.
Nursing postvention for spousal survivors of suicide

There is a scarcity of information available with respect to postbereavement outcomes for survivors of the suicide of a loved one. Few studies have focused on postvention therapies for the bereaved, particularly the bereaved survivors of suicide. The major aim of this study as to compare the effects of two theoretically derived nursing postventions, Bereavement Group Postvention (BGP) and Social Group Postvention (SGP), among the widowed whose spouses died of suicide. The findings suggest that both groups experienced an overall reduction in depression and distress. Although participants in the SGP generally showed significant improvement in social adjustment, they tended to be less well adjusted with respect to their parental roles at the end of the 8-week postvention sessions. Comparison of the psychoemotional correlates of grief varied such that there were no significant differences between the postvention groups for social isolation, loss of control, somatization, or death anxiety. The BGP participants experienced significantly reduced levels of anger/hostility and guilt; however, feelings of anger/hostility actually increased for those receiving the SGP. There was a significant reduction in feelings of despair, rumination, and depersonalization for both groups. Although social isolation was not significantly reduced for participants in either group, those receiving the BGP tended to experience a reduction in social isolation and those receiving the SGP showed no changes.
The Construct Validity of an Exploratory Academic Self-Concept Subscale Derived from the Piers-Harris Children's Self Concept Scale

Evidence is sought concerning the construct validity of a 17-item exploratory academic self-concept subscale derived from the Piers-Harris Children's Self Concept Scale in terms of its empirical factor structure and its correlation with a multifactor academic self-concept measure and with a unidimensional general academic self-concept instrument. In this 17-item subscale three identifiable factor dimensions were defined as Anxiety, Confidence in Academic Ability, and Perceived Ineptness-Alienation. Five of the six correlations of the exploratory subscale with other measures of academic self-concept were statistically significant beyond the .01 level. An internal-consistency estimate of reliability (coefficient alpha) of .55 was obtained for the experimental subscale. It was concluded that despite the demonstration of a modest level of construct validity this exploratory subscale should be used only for research purposes pending the rewriting and/or elimination of several items with unusually low communali...
Thermal determination of pseudocumene content in MACRO liquid scintillator

Abstract The experiment MACRO (Monopole, Astrophysics, and Cosmic Ray Observatory), located in the Gran Sasso Laboratory in Italy, will use approximately one million liters of liquid scintillator and will last for five to ten years. We have developed a simple test for the MACRO experiment that determines the concentration of pseudocumene in its scintillator. This test has general applicability for a content analysis of volatile components in any liquid scintillator.
Equality Constraints in Multiobjective Robust Design Optimization: Decision Making Problem

Robust design optimization (RDO) problems can generally be formulated by incorporating uncertainty into the corresponding deterministic problems. In this context, a careful formulation of deterministic equality constraints into the robust domain is necessary to avoid infeasible designs under uncertain conditions. The challenge of formulating equality constraints is compounded in multiobjective RDO problems. Modeling the tradeoffs between the mean of the performance and the variation of the performance for each design objective in a multiobjective RDO problem is itself a complex task. A judicious formulation of equality constraints adds to this complexity because additional tradeoffs are introduced between constraint satisfaction under uncertainty and multiobjective performance. Equality constraints under uncertainty in multiobjective problems can therefore pose a complicated decision making problem. In this paper, we provide a new problem formulation that can be used as an effective multiobjective decision making tool, with emphasis on equality constraints. We present two numerical examples to illustrate our theoretical developments.
Virtual screening and optimization yield low-nanomolar inhibitors of the tautomerase activity of Plasmodium falciparum macrophage migration inhibitory factor.

The Plasmodium falciparum orthologue of the human cytokine, macrophage migratory inhibitory factor (PfMIF), is produced by the parasite during malaria infection and modulates the host's immune response. As for other MIF orthologues, PfMIF has tautomerase activity, whose inhibition may influence the cytokine activity. To identify small-molecule inhibitors of the tautomerase activity of PfMIF, virtual screening has been performed by docking 2.1 million compounds into the enzymatic site. Assaying of 17 compounds identified four as active. Substructure search for the most potent of these compounds, a 4-phenoxypyridine analogue, identified four additional compounds that were purchased and also shown to be active. Thirty-one additional analogues were then designed, synthesized, and assayed. Three were found to be potent PfMIF tautomerase inhibitors with K(i) of ∼40 nM; they are also highly selective with K(i) > 100 μM for human MIF.
Role of host specificity in the speciation of Ascochyta pathogens of cool season food legumes

Ascochyta/legume interactions are attractive systems for addressing evolutionary questions about the role of host specificity in fungal speciation because many wild and cultivated cool season food legumes are infected by Ascochyta spp. and most of these fungi have described teleomorphs (Didymella spp.) that can be induced in the laboratory. Recent multilocus phylogenetic analyses of a worldwide sample of Ascochyta fungi causing ascochyta blights of chickpea (Cicer arietinum), faba bean (Vicia faba), lentil (Lens culinaris), and pea (Pisum sativum) have revealed that fungi causing disease on each host formed a monophyletic group. Host inoculations of these fungi demonstrated that they were host-specific, causing disease only on the host species from which they were isolated. In contrast to the strict association between monophyletic group and host observed for pathogens of cultivated legumes, Ascochyta fungi causing disease on wild bigflower vetch (Vicia grandiflora) were polyphyletic. Genetic crosses between several pairs of closely related, host-specific, and phylogenetically distinct Ascochyta fungi were fully sexually compatible. Progeny from these crosses had normal cultural morphology and segregation of molecular markers indicating a lack of intrinsic, post-zygotic mating barriers between the parental taxa. However, when progeny from a cross between a faba bean-adapted isolate (A. fabae) and a pea-adapted isolate (A. pisi) were assessed for their pathogenicity to the parental hosts, almost all progeny were non-pathogenic to either faba bean or pea. These results suggest that although these fungi have retained the ability to mate and produce progeny with normal saprophytic fitness, progeny are severely compromised in parasitic fitness. The host specificity of these fungi, coupled with the inability of hybrid progeny to colonize and reproduce on a host, may constitute strong extrinsic, pre-zygotic and post-zygotic mating barriers in these fungi and promote the genetic isolation and speciation of host-specific taxa. A phylogeny of the host plants is also being developed, and with more extensive sampling of pathogens and hosts from sympatric populations in the centre of origin, the hypothesis of cospeciation of pathogens and hosts will be tested. The objectives of this review are: (1) to summarize recent phylogenetic, host specificity and speciation studies of Ascochyta fungi, and (2) to suggest how current and future research using these pathosystems may lead to a better understanding of the role of host specificity in the speciation of plant-pathogenic fungi and the cospeciation of pathogens and their hosts.
Communication-Optimal Parallel N-body Solvers

We present new analysis, algorithmic techniques, and implementations of the Fast Multipole Method (FMM) for solving N-body problems. Our research specifically addresses two key challenges. The first challenge is how to engineer fast code for today's platforms. We present the first in-depth study of multicore optimizations and tuning for FMM, along with a systematic approach for transforming a conventionally parallelized FMM into a highly-tuned one. We introduce novel optimizations that significantly improve the within-node scalability of the FMM, thereby enabling high-performance in the face of multicore and many core systems. The second challenge is how to understand scalability on future systems. We present a new algorithmic complexity analysis of the FMM that considers both intra- and inter-node communication costs. This analysis yields the surprising prediction that although the FMM is largely compute-bound today, and therefore highly scalable on current systems, the trajectory of processor architecture designs -- if there are no significant changes -- could cause it to become communication-bound as early as the year 2020. This prediction suggests the utility of our analysis approach, which directly relates algorithmic and architectural characteristics, for enabling a new kind of high-level algorithm-architecture co-design.
Finite element stress analysis of tooth-to-implant fixed partial denture designs.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to conduct a three-dimensional finite element stress analysis to compare models representing a natural tooth and an integrated implant connected with rigid and nonrigid prostheses. Materials and Methods The mathematical models described an integrated implant connected to a second premolar tooth with a three-unit metal-ceramic fixed partial denture. In one model, the tooth and implant were rigidly connected, and in the other, a nonrigid connection was assumed. From a simulated vertical load the computer generated resultant stress contours and values (compressive and tensile) in horizontal and vertical dimensions. Results A comparison of the magnitude and pattern of stresses generated in the models shows minimal differences. Although the maximum stress values were slightly higher in some areas of the rigid prosthesis model, the differences were negligible. Conclusions Based on the similarities in both the patterns of stress contours and the stress values generated in the two models, advocating a nonrigid connection because of a biomechanical advantage may be erroneous.
Distinguishing two-qubit states using local measurements and restricted classical communication

The problem of unambiguous state discrimination consists of determining in which of a set of known quantum states a particular system is. One is allowed to fail but not to make a mistake. The optimal procedure is the one with the lowest failure probability. This procedure has been extended to bipartite states where the two parties Alice and Bob are allowed to manipulate their particles locally and communicate classically in order to determine which of two possible two-particle states they have been given. The failure probability of this local procedure is the same as if the two particles were together in the same location. Here we examine the effect of restricting the classical communication between the parties, either allowing none or eliminating the possibility that one party's measurement depends on the result of the other party's. These issues are studied for two-qubit states, and optimal procedures are found. In some cases the restrictions cause increases in the failure probability, but in other cases they do not. Applications of this procedure, in particular to secret sharing, are discussed.
Evaluation of the ADAPT model for simulating nitrogen dynamics in a tile-drained agricultural watershed in central Illinois.

Assessing the accuracy of agronomic and water quality simulation models in different soils, land-use systems, and environments provides a basis for using and improving these models. We evaluated the performance of the ADAPT model for simulating riverine nitrate-nitrogen (NO 3 -N) export from a 1500-km 2 watershed in central Illinois, where approximately 85% of the land is used for maize-soybean production and tile drainage is common. Soil chemical properties, crop nitrogen (N) uptake coefficient, dry matter ratio, and a denitrification reduction coefficient were used as calibration parameters to optimize the fit between measured and simulated NO 3 -N load from the watershed for the 1989 to 1993 period. The applicability of the calibrated parameter values was tested by using these values for simulating the 1994 to 1997 period on the same watershed. Willmott's index of agreement ranged from 0.91 to 0.97 for daily, weekly, monthly, and annual comparisons of riverine nitrate N loads. Simulation accuracy generally decreased as the time interval decreased. Willmott's index for simulated crop yields ranged from 0.91 to 0.99; however, observed crop yields were used as input to the model. The partial N budget results suggested that 52 to 72 kg N ha -1 yr -1 accumulated in the soil, but simulated biological N fixation associated with soybeans was considerably greater than literature values for the region. Improvement of the N fixation algorithms and incorporation of mechanisms that describe soybean yield in response to environmental conditions appear to be needed to improve the performance of the model.
Influence of Amalgam, Alloy, and Hg on the In Vitro Growth of Streptococcus mutans: III. Effect of Specimen Age and Composition

We will now summarize the conclusions from parts I, II and III of this study. A test procedure has been developed that provides a simple, quick, and nondestructive means of monitoring the in vitro growth of S mutans in the presence of amalgams and alloys. The spectrophotometric readings are related in a simple way to growth expressed as dry weight of bacteria and metabolic products. Results are expressed as growth relative to controls which represent bacteria growing under identical conditions but not in contact with metals. The %RA60 value that represents growth after 60 hours relative to controls is used as a measure of growth in the presence of alloys or amalgams. Spherical, fine cut, and dispersion alloys were studied as well as amalgams prepared from these alloys. The dispersion alloy inhibits growth less than the spherical alloy which in turn inhibits growth less than the fine cut alloy. The results for amalgams prepared from the alloys are reversed. At an aging time of two hours, dispersion alloy amalgams inhibit growth more than spherical alloy amalgams and fine cut alloy amalgams. Aging time of amalgams greatly influences the growth inhibition. Immediately after trituration growth is inhibited, but this inhibition is lost with aging. Different types of amalgams seem to lose growth inhibition at different rates. Hg composition in the range of 48 to 52% seems to have little effect on growth inhibition. It remains for clinical studies, which are concerned with the incidence of secondary caries associated with amalgams, to demonstrate that the age and nature of the amalgam are significant.
The amino acid sequence of thiogalactoside transacetylase of Escherichia coli

Resume Nous avons determine la sequence d'aminoacides d'un dimere : la thiogalactoside transacetylase. Le monomere contient 202 acides amines en une seule chaine polypeptidique dont le poids moleculaire est de 22 671. L'analyse a ete effectuee par traitement de la proteine carboxymethylee par le bromure de cyanogene et la trypsine. Les sept peptides de bromure de cyanogene ont ete isoles sous forme pure et ont ete ranges par les peptides isoles par digestion trypsique. L'analyse de la sequence a ete aidee par la determination de la sequence du DNA du gene lacA. L'extremite amino de la proteine est heterogene parce que la methionine initiatrice n'est que partiellement clivee. Un autre trait inhabituel de cette proteine cytoplasmique est constitue par un segment fortement hydrophobe dans la portion centrale de la chaine. La comparaison de la sequence d'acides amines de la thiogalactoside transacetylase et de celles du represseur lac, beta-galactosidase, et de la lactose permease ne revele aucune similarite notable. Il n'y a donc aucune relation manifeste dans l'evolution des proteines de l'operon lactose.
The Antigenic Structure of the Human Glycoprotein Hormone α-Subunit. I. Characterization of Anti-α Monoclonal Antibodies

The glycoprotein hormones CG, LH, FSH, and TSH are composed of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. The beta-subunit confers hormone specificity, while the alpha-subunit is homologous within a species. To help in determining the antigenic structure of the common alpha-subunit, six monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the free or heterodimeric alpha-subunit of human (h) gonadotropic hormones have been prepared and, along with two previously isolated mAbs, have been characterized for binding specificity to alpha- and beta-subunits and the human glycoprotein hormones, CG, LH, FSH, and TSH. Each mAb was derived from hybidomas of FO myeloma cells fused with spleen cells from mice immunized with free alpha-subunit, hCG or hFSH. mAbs A101, A102, and E512 were specific for the alpha-subunit but showed the highest affinity for the intact hormone; K2.18, K94.6, E501, E502, and E511 were specific for free alpha. All of the antibodies inhibited binding of 125I-hCG to luteal membrane receptor, and 125I-labeled mAbs did not recognize hCG/receptor complex. Characterization by two-site binding assays using alpha, hCG, or hFSH as antigen revealed that all the mAbs bind to unique sites on alpha which may be overlapping, and which are modified in the intact hormone. The antigenic sites for mAbs E502, E511, and K2.18 are at least partially linear because they bind to reduced, carboxymethylated alpha.
The ethnic origins of the Egyptian communist movement

This article discusses the rise of the Egyptian Communist movement and the role played by Jewish Egyptians within it. There are two distinct stages of Egyptian Communist activity during the first half of the twentieth century. The first occurred during the early 1920s when first the Egyptian Socialist and then the Egyptian Communist Party was created. In this period, the party focused its recruitment efforts on workers in developing Egyptian industry with special attention given to Greeks, Italians and Jews. The party played a radicalizing role in the nascent Egyptian trade union movement but, because it refused to participate in broad‐based nationalist movements challenging the British occupation, it became isolated from the main currents of political activity. Eventually, the party disappeared leaving a vacuum in Egyptian Marxism from the mid‐1920s to the mid‐1930s. In the latter part of the 1930s, Marxism was revived. In its second phase, anti‐fascist and Marxist study groups arose in Cairo and Alexand...
Basis set effects on the intermolecular interaction of the CF4-CF4 system

Abstract The intermolecular potential energy surface of the CF4–CF4 system is explored by means of ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the HF and MP2 level of theory. A number of progressively larger basis sets (up to 6-311+G(3d)) are used in order to evaluate the basis set effect. The HF energy component of the total interaction energy is somewhat affected by the choice of the basis set. The second-order correlation correction E(2) to the interaction energy is greatly changed with the choice of the basis set. The nonbonding parameters of the Lennard–Jones and the Buckingham potential energy functions are fitted to the ab initio MP2/6-31+G(3d) interaction energies for nine different orientations and a total of 130 configurations.
The Subjective Well‐Being Method of Valuation: An Application to General Health Status

Objective To introduce the subjective well-being (SWB) method of valuation and provide an example by valuing health status. The SWB method allows monetary valuations to be performed in the absence of market relationships. Data Sources Data are from the 1975–2010 General Social Survey. Study Design The value of health status is determined via the estimation of an implicit derivative based on a happiness equation. Two-stage least-squares was used to estimate happiness as a function of poor-to-fair health status, annual household income adjusted for household size, age, sex, race, marital status, education, year, and season. Poor-to-fair health status and annual household income are instrumented using a proxy for intelligence, a temporal version of the classic distance instrument, and the average health status of individuals who are demographically similar but geographically separated. Instrument validity is evaluated. Principal Findings Moving from good/excellent health to poor/fair health (1 year of lower health status) is equivalent to the loss of $41,654 of equivalized household income (2010 constant dollars) per annum, which is larger than median equivalized household income. Conclusion The SWB method may be useful in making monetary valuations where fundamental market relationships are not present.
The role of eye movements and masking in monocular rivalry.

Abstract Using an image stabilization technique, we have examined the role of eye movements on the phenomenon of monocular rivalry. Cross-correlation analysis confirms that perceptual onset of the vertical grating coincides with perceptual disappearance of the horizontal (and vice versa). Vertical and horizontal retinal image motion can modulate, selectively, the visibility of the horizontal and vertical gratings. However, a stable percept was observed when constant retinal image motion was matched for both vertical and horizontal components. These results support an eye-movement and afterimage explanation for the phenomenon of monocular rivalry (Georgeson, 1984) . However, in addition to enhancing the visibility of a horizontal grating, a vertical “saccadic-like” retinal image motion decreased the visibility of the vertical component. This result is consistent with rivalry. That is, the visibility of both gratings are not independent, but are inversely related to each other. Our results are inconsistent with a hypothesis for monocular rivalry based upon inherently unstable neural interactions, but they also show that unstable fixational eye movements and afterimages are not the only factors determining the perceptual fluctuations.
Picritic glasses from Hawaii

ESTIMATES of the MgO content of primary Hawaiian tholeiitic melts range from 8wt% to as high as 25wt%. In general, these estimates are derived from analysis of the whole-rock composition of lavas, coupled with the compositions of the most magnesian olivine phenocrysts observed. But the best estimate of magma composition comes from volcanic glass, as it represents the liquid composition at the time of quenching; minimal changes occur during the quenching process. Here we report the discovery of tholeiitic basalt glasses, recovered offshore of Kilauea volcano, that contain up to 15.0 wt% MgO. To our knowledge, these are the most magnesian glasses, and have the highest eruption temperatures (~ 1,316°C), yet found. The existence of these picritic (high-MgO) liquids provides constraints on the temperature structure of the upper mantle, magma transport and the material and thermal budgets of the Hawaiian volcanoes. Furthermore, picritic melts are affected little by magma-reservoir processes, and it is therefore relatively straightforward to extrapolate back to the composition of the primary melt and its volatile contents.
Intra-lingual pragmatic variation in Mexico City and San José, Costa Rica: A focus on regional differences in female requests

Abstract This study focuses on intra-lingual pragmatic variation, in particular, the effect of region on speech act production. It examines the similarities and differences in the realization of requests in two varieties of Spanish, that of Mexico City and San Jose, Costa Rica, in symmetrical (−Power) and asymmetrical situations (+P) with different degrees of distance (+/−Distance). Experimental data (open-ended role plays) of 34 female participants (17 Mexicans; 17 Costa Ricans) were collected in six comparable situations with two interlocutors, one with a person of equal status and another with a person of higher status. The 204 interactions were classified according to request head act: direct, conventional indirect (CI), and non-conventional indirect (NCI) strategies, as well as internal modification of the request. The results of the current study show that although conventional indirectness was the primary means of negotiating a request in each group, regional differences were identified between the groups with respect to the frequency and type of strategy use (direct vs. conventionally indirect requests) and the frequency and type of internal modification of the request. Pragmatic variation at the situational level between the groups is also addressed. In addition, to account for pragmatic variation based on gender, the results of the current study on the realization of requests by females are discussed in light of existing research that analyzes the request production of male Mexican and Costa Rican students in comparable situations. Overall, this study contributes to the emerging body of research that focuses on regional pragmatic variation by exploring the interface between dialectology and pragmatics.
Design, art, craft, science: making and creativity

This paper describes our observations and reflections about the relationships between making and creativity, in the context of design and computing.
Print Referencing: An Emergent Literacy Enhancement Strategy and Its Clinical Applications.

Print referencing is an evidence-based strategy that may be used by speech-language pathologists and other early childhood specialists to enhance the emergent literacy skills of young children. Print referencing is a strategy implemented within the context of adult-child shared storybook reading interactions, and specifically refers to the use of verbal and nonverbal cues to encourage children's attention to and interactions with print. Print referencing increases the metalinguistic focus of storybook reading interactions. When print referencing is delivered within the children's zone of proximal development, clinicians can foster children's movement from dependent to independent mastery of key emergent literacy concepts. This clinical exchange provides suggestions for using print referencing as a clinical tool, including a theoretical overview of this approach and descriptions of clinical targets.
Radioactive springs geochemical data related to uranium exploration

ABSTRACT Cadigan, R.A. and Felmlee, J.K., 1977. Radioactive springs geochemical data related to uranium exploration. J. Geochem. Explor., 8: 381–395. Radioactive mineral springs and wells at 33 localities in the States of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico in the United States were sampled and studied to obtain geochemical data which might be used for U exploration. The major source of radioactivity at mineral spring sites is 226 Ra. Minor amounts of 228 Ra, 238 U and 232 Th are also present. Ra is presumed to have been selectively removed from possibly quite deep uranium-mineralized rock by hydrothermal solutions and is either precipitated at the surface or added to fresh surface water. In this way, the source rocks influence the geochemistry of the spring waters and precipitates. Characteristics of the spring waters at or near the surface are also affected by variations in total dissolved solids, alkalinity, temperature and co-precipitation. Spring precipitates, both hard and soft, consist of four major types: (1) calcite travertine; (2) iron- and arsenic-rich precipitates; (3) manganese- and barium-rich precipitates; and (4) barite, in some instances accompanied by S. Ra and U, if present in the spring water, are co-precipitated with the barite, Mn-Ba and Fe-As precipitates. Using parameters based on U and Ra concentrations in waters and precipitates, spring-site areas are tentatively rated for favourability as potential uraniferous areas.
A Review of Water Isotopes in Atmospheric General Circulation Models: Recent Advances and Future Prospects

Stable water isotopologues, mainly ^1H_2O, ^1H^2HO (HDO), and ^1H_2 ^(18)O, are useful tracers for processes in the global hydrological cycle. The incorporation of water isotopes into Atmospheric General Circulation Models (AGCMs) since 1984 has helped scientists gain substantial new insights into our present and past climate. In recent years, there have been several significant advances in water isotopes modeling in AGCMs. This paper reviews and synthesizes key advances accomplished in modeling (1) surface evaporation, (2) condensation, (3) supersaturation, (4) postcondensation processes, (5) vertical distribution of water isotopes, and (6) spatial δ^(18)O-temperature slope and utilizing (1) spectral nudging technique, (2) higher model resolutions, and (3) coupled atmosphere-ocean models. It also reviews model validation through comparisons of model outputs and ground-based and spaceborne measurements. In the end, it identifies knowledge gaps and discusses future prospects of modeling and model validation.
How to cage an egg

This paper proves that given a convex polyhedron \(P \subset \mathbb{R}^3 \) and a smooth strictly convex body \(K \subset \mathbb{R}^3 \), there is some convex polyhedron Q combinatorically equivalent to P which midscribes K; that is, all the edges of Q are tangent to K. Furthermore, with some stronger smoothness conditions on ∂K, the space of all such Q is a six dimensional differentiable manifold.
An examination of cross-talk among surface mechanomyographic signals from the superficial quadriceps femoris muscles during isometric muscle actions.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine cross-talk among the mechanomyographic (MMG) signals from the superficial quadriceps femoris muscles during submaximal to maximal isometric muscle actions of the leg extensors. Eleven healthy men (age = 20.1 ± 1.1 yr, mean ± SD) volunteered to randomly perform isometric muscle actions in 10% increments from 10% to 90% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). During each muscle action, MMG signals were detected from the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and vastus medialis with three separate accelerometers. Cross-correlation was used to quantify cross-talk among the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and vastus medialis during each muscle action. The results showed cross-correlation coefficients that ranged from Rx,y = .124–.714, but generally speaking, the coefficients were between .1 and .3. In addition, there were no consistent differences among the cross-talk levels for the three muscles, and the cross-correlation coefficients generally did not increase with isometric torque. Thus, MMG can be used to examine muscle function from each of the superficial quadriceps femoris muscles during isometric muscle actions.
Analysis tools for fibrous nanofiller polymer composites: Macro‐ and nanoscale dispersion assessments correlated with mechanical and electrical composite properties

Emerging methods to study the nanofiller agglomeration state (macrodispersion) and level of individualized nanofiller (nanodispersion) within polymer nanocomposites have been used separately to characterize microstructure and relate to material properties. However, nanofiller dispersion characteristics on different scales within polymer nanocomposites may affect the composite properties in different ways and their complement has not been studied quantitatively. In this study, the dispersion of carbon nanofiber in polycarbonate, controlled by sonication conditions, was studied by the combination of macro and nanoscale style quantitative dispersion characterization tools. The quantitative dispersion results were then correlated with the electrical and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Key quantitative indicators of performance were identified for nanocomposite macrodispersion such as the shape of the agglomerate size distributions and number of agglomerates per volume. However, the nanodispersion style analysis demonstrated more significant differences between similarly macrodispersed systems, providing vital information required to assess nanofiller network formation potential. The results indicate the relevant use of differently scaled image analysis processes and their necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the dispersion as well as the properties of nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:10–18, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Human Tendon Cell Response to 7 Commercially Available Extracellular Matrix Materials: An In Vitro Study

Purpose To evaluate the response of human tenocytes in culture to 7 commercially available extracellular matrix (ECM) patches. Methods Four samples of each ECM were incubated in human tenocyte cultures by use of standard methods. Cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and cellular production of type I and type III collagen, decorin, and scleraxis were measured for each sample according to established experimental methods. Histologic samples were examined to measure the migration of the tenocytes into the ECM. Results Tenocytes adhered more to samples of layered submucosal pig intestine than the 6 other ECM materials ( P P Conclusions Human tenocytes reacted most favorably to dermal ECM samples that were not chemically cross-linked by the manufacturer. Less favorable responses of the human cells were seen when cultured with equine or synthetic ECM, which showed favorable biologic responses in nonhuman models. Cellular migration into the matrix of the ECM is a complex process and cannot be replicated in this model entirely. Clinical Relevance The results of this study suggest that dermal ECM may more favorably react with human tendon tissue than ECM of other origins. This may have great relevance as research continues in the field of augmenting surgical soft-tissue repair.
Evaluation of pavement surface texture significance and measurement techniques

Abstract It is generally agreed that the skid resistance of a pavement is controlled by the surface texture characteristics. Therefore, by measuring the relevant parameters describing texture, or by measuring a physical process dependent on texture, regression techniques can be used to relate skid resistance to the chosen texture parameter or process. Two scales of texture are of particular importance: microtexture (small-scale asperities) and macrotexture (largescale asperities). In this paper work performed at the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute at the Pennsylvania State University is described and is given in two parts: (1) a review of candidate macrotexture and microtexture measurement methods that can be made at highway speeds (at or above 65 km h−1), which are presently used or have potential for use in pavement texture research, with a recommendation of the more promising methods for further development, and (2) a summary of the effects of pavement surface texture on skid resistance.
Adults’ number-line estimation strategies: Evidence from eye movements

Although the development of number-line estimation ability is well documented, little is known of the processes underlying successful estimators’ mappings of numerical information onto spatial representations during these tasks. We tracked adults’ eye movements during a number-line estimation task to investigate the processes underlying number-to-space translation, with three main results. First, eye movements were strongly related to the target number’s location, and early processing measures directly predicted later estimation performance. Second, fixations and estimates were influenced by the size of the first number presented, indicating that adults calibrate their estimates online. Third, adults’ number-line estimates demonstrated patterns of error consistent with the predictions of psychophysical models of proportion estimation, and eye movement data predicted the specific error patterns we observed. These results support proportion-based accounts of number-line estimation and suggest that adults’ translation of numerical information into spatial representations is a rapid, online process.
Engagement and Self-Control: Superordinate dimensions of Big Five traits

Two separate factor analyses of Big Five traits have independently identified two higher-order factors. These factors have been interpreted quite differently by their respective researchers. This conceptual paper posits the superordinate personality dimensions of Engagement (engaged versus disengaged) and Self-Control as the common elements of these higher-order factors. A review and integration of existing research shows that Engagement traits decline and Self-Control traits increase during adulthood. The Big Five traits of the Engagement dimension are each empirically related to positive affect, academic engagement in the form of classroom participation, benefiting from major life challenges, sensation seeking, and the construct of inspiration. Self-Control traits are negatively related to variables such as problematic work-related behaviors and job performance, personality disorders, negative affect, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.
The Rush Toward Universal Public Pre-K: A Media Analysis

Research has shown for decades that early childhood education contributes to long term increases in student achievement for all children, but what is motivating the current movement toward universa...
What Is Quality Improvement and Why Should Child Neurologists Care

In this article, the authors discuss the 6 domains of care identified by the Institute of Medicine report, Crossing the Chasm, with examples and questions that are especially relevant to physicians caring for children who have neurologic disorders and their families.
Mobility of interstitial defects in gold bombarded with 270 ev gold ions in stage III

Abstract Shrinkage of vacancy stacking-fault tetrahedra in gold foils bombarded with 270 ev gold ions at temperatures between -90°c and +100°c was studied using transmission electron microscopy. In this work interstitial defects were produced by replacement collision sequences initiated near the incident surface. The tetrahedra were partially annihilated by absorbing these defects and therefore served as indicators for long-range interstitial migration. By comparing the same tetrahedra in high resolution micrographs taken before and after bombardment, and after subsequent annealing, it was possible to determine unambiguously the tetrahedron shrinkage as a function of foil thickness. It was found that (1) the tetrahedron shrinkage was independent of bombardment temperatures over the range -90°c to +100°c and (2) no shrinkage of tetrahedra or intrinsic Frank loops, or growth of interstitial clusters, occurred when foils bombarded as low as -90°c were warmed to +30°c. Several additional specimens bombarded w...
Recent Updates on the Efficacy of Group-Based Treatments for Pediatric Obesity

There is limited research on optimal treatment formats for childhood obesity. Group-based interventions are popular, but it is unclear whether outcomes can be obtained without an additional individual component. The aim of the study was to examine statistically and clinically significant outcomes of recent group-based and mixed-format (group + individual) pediatric obesity interventions. Effect sizes and magnitudes of weight change were calculated for studies published between January 2013 and September 2014. Approximately half of the group-based studies reviewed produced significant results compared to control, and effect sizes were small. Mixed-format studies were less likely to include a control group, but those that did evidenced medium to large effects. Magnitudes of weight change post-intervention were generally greater in mixed-format studies than group-only studies. Recent studies in pediatric obesity interventions suggest including an individual component in a group-based intervention produces optimal outcomes. Future research should directly compare group-only and mixed formats to confirm this observation.
Body-waveforms and source parameters of some moderate-sized earthquakes near North Island, New Zealand

P-wave first motion and synthetic seismogram analysis of P- and SH-waveforms recorded at teleseismic distances on the WWSSN are used to estimate source parameters of seven of the largest earthquakes (6.1 ≤ mb ≤ 6.3) that occurred in the vicinity of North Island, New Zealand since 1965. The source parameters of three other (mb ≥ 6.1) events determined outside of this study are included and considered in the final analysis. Four of the earthquakes occurred at shallow depths (< 20 km), of which three were located within and to the north of North Island. Two of the shallow events show strike-slip and normal focal mechanisms with T-axes oriented in a manner consistent with their location in an area of known back-arc extension. One of the shallow events occurred in northern South Island and shows a reverse-type mechanism indicating horizontal contraction of the crust in an easterly azimuth. Six events occurred at intermediate depths (h = 39 to 195 km) of which five exhibit thrust mechanisms with T-axes consistently oriented near vertical. In the light of previously published plate tectonic models, the near vertical orientation of T-axes of the intermediate-depth events may be used to infer that the southern Kermadec plate boundary immediately north of North Island is not strongly coupled, and hence, not likely capable of producing great earthquakes. A similar inference cannot be made for the section of the Hikurangi Margin adjacent to North Island since the intermediate-depth events considered in this study lie to the north of this segment of the plate boundary.
Comparison of two Bactec anaerobic culture media for recovery of anaerobic bacteria

Abstract A selection of 22 anaerobic isolates, originally recovered from sterile body sites or wounds, was cultured in parallel in Bactec anaerobic NR7A and lytic 37A bottles supplemented with volunteer human blood. The overall detection rate was 95% for the 37A medium and 75% for the NR7A medium ( P = 0.003). The growth indices were consistently higher in the 37A bottles, and a positive result occurred sooner in the 37A medium in 11 of the 32 bottles positive in both media. In an analysis of patient specimens, the NR7A bottle had a 14% false-positive rate compared with 3% for the 37A bottle. The increase in recovery, coupled with the decrease in false-positive readings, make the lytic 37A bottle more efficacious than the NR7A bottle as an anaerobic culture medium.
New Materials For Acousto-Optic Devices

Summary of compounds found to exist T12S - As2$3 313 425 659 112T12S - Sb2S3 313 158 112T12S - Bi2S3 425 112Tl2Se - As2Se3 313 112 Tl2Se - Sb2Se3 916 514 112Tl2Se - Bi2Se3 112Tl2Te - Bi2Te3 916 112Tl2Te- Sb2Te3 112 Very few of these systems, however, have been thoroughly studied. While several stoichiometries in the Tl2e- Bi2Tes system, such as 916, 514, 313, and 112 are possible, Berg and Abdulmanov10 were unable to synthesize the 514 and 313 compounds. Due to the many experimental problems associated with this type of measurement, however, it might be possible for these compounds to form under different experimental conditions further from equilibrium. Under these circumstances crystal growth would be further complicated, if possible at all.Our investigation of the Tl2Te-Bi2Te3 system confirmed that the 916 and 112 are the only compounds which form under normal solidification conditions. The crystal structure of the 916 compound was unknown, and there­ fore, identification of the crystal structure to determine its suitability for AO application was of prime importance. From the standpoint of M, TlgBiTeft should be just as interesting as the 313 stoichiometry. TlBiTe2 could also be interesting for acousto-optic applications. However, contrary to published information, it appears to be incongruently melting and a single phase product from a stoichiometric melt could not be pre­ pared. The 916 compound, therefore, would be the better candidate for preliminary investigation.Having determined the existence and pertinent thermodynamic data required, the next step in the process was to produce the compound in single crystal form in order to measure the relevant properties for acousto- optic applications. Many of the physical-chemical properties of a compound can limit the choice of crystal growth methods. Since the 916 compound was found to melt congruently at low temperature, it was relatively easy to grow by unidirectional solidification in quartz capsules using the vertical Bridgman technique. Boules grown had large single crystal regions. Samples obtained from these boules were quite adequate for an initial survey of the material properties of TlgBiTe^. The properties determined to date are summarized in Table VI.Table VI. Properties of the New Compound Tl9BiTe^
Contextual Age as a Life-Position Index:

A contextual age construct was developed and examined as a transactional, life-position index of aging. The eighteen-item contextual age index included six interrelated dimensions: physical health, interpersonal interaction, mobility, life satisfaction, social activity, and economic security. In addition to the development of the index, associations among contextual age and sociodemographic characteristics were examined for a sample of 640 persons. Chronological age was correlated negatively with mobility and physical health, and positively with economic security, life satisfaction, and interpersonal interaction. Mobility, economic security, life satisfaction, physical health, and interpersonal interaction discriminated between chronological age groups. Interpersonal interaction, economic security, physical health, and social activity were predictors of life satisfaction. The contextual age construct raises questions concerning several negative myths about aging. The findings reflect the weak validity of chronological age as a unidimensional indicator of life-position and well-being.