cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with Wound Complications after Open Femoral Artery Exposure for Elective Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

We identified factors that would lead to wound complications after open femoral exposure for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (oEVAR). Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset (2005–2014), we examined the patients who underwent oEVAR. Patients were stratified on whether they developed postoperative wound complications. Comparisons were made between group with wound complications and those without and adjusted analyses performed to identify variables that independently increased the risk of wound complications. There were 14,868 patients in the study cohort and 2.6% (384 patients) developed wound complications after EVAR. Among those with wound complications, 94% (360 patients) of patients had superficial and deep surgical site infection. Patients who had wound complication were likely to be younger (72.6 vs. 73.7 years old (p = 0.02), functionally dependent (5.4 vs. 2.5%) (p Up to 3% patients developed wound complications after open femoral exposure during EVAR with significantly higher LOS and therefore cost utilization.
Investigation into tendon histotripsy

Histotripsy uses cavitation bubble clouds or shock wave heating and millisecond boiling to fractionate soft tissues. While this modality has proven successful in debulking most soft tissues, highly collagenous tissues such as tendons have proven resistant to mechanical fractionation using histotripsy. In this study, ex vivo rat and bovine Achilles tendons were placed at the focus of a 1.5-MHz transducer and exposed to 1–20 ms pulses repeated at 1 Hz for 1 min over ranges of acoustic pressures up to p + = 88 MPa (peak positive), p = 20 MPa (peak negative). Simultaneous ultrasound imaging with the Verasonics® research ultrasound system and ATL L7-4 transducer monitored bubble activity, or hyperechogenicity, during the histotripsy exposure. Collected samples were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin for histological analysis of tissue disruption. Preliminary results show hyperechogenicity within the tendon during the histotripsy exposure; however, thus far only thermal injury has been found histological. The threshold to detect hyperechogenicity in the tendon for 10-ms pulses were p + = 63 MPa, p = 19 MPa. Future work involves additional parameter testing to promote mechanical fractionation rather than thermal injury of tendons. [Work supported by Penn State College of Engineering Multidisciplinary Research Seed Grant]Histotripsy uses cavitation bubble clouds or shock wave heating and millisecond boiling to fractionate soft tissues. While this modality has proven successful in debulking most soft tissues, highly collagenous tissues such as tendons have proven resistant to mechanical fractionation using histotripsy. In this study, ex vivo rat and bovine Achilles tendons were placed at the focus of a 1.5-MHz transducer and exposed to 1–20 ms pulses repeated at 1 Hz for 1 min over ranges of acoustic pressures up to p + = 88 MPa (peak positive), p = 20 MPa (peak negative). Simultaneous ultrasound imaging with the Verasonics® research ultrasound system and ATL L7-4 transducer monitored bubble activity, or hyperechogenicity, during the histotripsy exposure. Collected samples were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin for histological analysis of tissue disruption. Preliminary results show hyperechogenicity within the tendon during the histotripsy exposure; however, thus far only thermal injury has been found histological. The ...
Beyond Distributed Leadership: Collaboration, Interaction, and Emergent Reciprocal Influence.

Distributed leadership has joined the current pantheon of educational buzzwords. This represents a shift from a past that focused on positions and individuals as the keys to leadership. Unfortunate...
The imperative of banning male genital mutilation or cutting in Nigeria: what lessons from other countries?

The Nigerian Government has taken measures to promote and protect rights of Nigerian children. This article reviews the practice of male genital mutilation or cutting (MGM/C) in Nigeria. It is the ...
Perinatal exposure to bisphenol A at the intersection of stress, anxiety, and depression.

Abstract Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are common contaminants in our environment that interfere with typical endocrine function. EDCs can act on steroid and nuclear receptors or alter hormone production. One particular EDC of critical concern is bisphenol A (BPA) due to its potential harm during the perinatal period of development. Previous studies suggest that perinatal exposure to BPA alters several neurotransmitter systems and disrupts behaviors associated with depression and anxiety in the rodent offspring later in life. Thus, dysregulation in neurotransmission may translate to behavioral phenotypes observed in mood and arousal. Many of the systems disrupted by BPA also overlap with the stress system, although little evidence exists on the effects of perinatal BPA exposure in relation to stress and behavior. The purpose of this review is to explore studies involved in perinatal BPA exposure and the stress response at neurochemical and behavioral endpoints. Although more research is needed, we suggest that perinatal BPA exposure is likely inducing variations in behavioral phenotypes that modulate their action through dysregulation of neurotransmitter systems sensitive to stress and endocrine disruption.
On the Structural Assignments Underlying R. B. Woodward's Most Personal Data That Led to the Woodward–Hoffmann Rules: Subramania Ranganathan's Key Role and Related Research by E. J. Corey and A. G. Hortmann

In the early 1960s, as part of R. B. Woodward's isoxazole route to vitamin B12 , Subramania Ranganathan uncovered two coupled sets of stereospecific reactions, a thermal set and a photochemical set. These four reactions illustrated the alternating configurations that were the major data points that prompted the solution of the no-mechanism problem. Though Ranganathan's reactions played a major role, according to Woodward, in the development of the Woodward-Hoffmann rules, they were published only as part of the documentation of a lecture given by Woodward in 1966. The authors of this paper have uncovered Subramania Ranganathan's 1964 postdoctoral report and have used modern quantum chemical theory to predict the 1 H NMR spectra for Ranganathan's key compounds, providing support for the structure assignments made by Woodward and Ranganathan. A similar set of alternating, stereospecific reactions was observed by E. J. Corey and Alfred Hortmann in their 1963 total synthesis of dihydrocostunolide. We also have applied the computational process used for Ranganathan's compounds to Hortmann's compounds, now also including the calculation of coupling constants, and find computational support for Corey and Hortmann's structure assignments.
FREEDOM OF THE LAND AND FREEDOM OF THE SEAS

"And the paths of the sea must alike in law and in fact be free. The freedom of the seas is the sine qua non of peace, equality and co-operation. No doubt a somewhat radical reconsideration of many of the rules of international practice hitherto thought to be established may be necessary in order to make the seas indeed free and common in practically all circumstances for the use of mankind, but the motive for such changes is convincing and compelling. There can be no trust or intimacy between the peoples of the world without them. The free, constant, unthreatened intercourse of nations is an essential part of the process of peace and of development. It need not be difficult either to define or to secure the freedom of the seas if the governments of the world sincerely desire to come to an agreement concerning it."
The Investigation and Clinical Significance of Resonance in the Heart Rate and Vascular Tone Baroreflexes

The heart rate (HR) and vascular tone (VT) baroreflexes are control systems with negative feedback. As closed-loop control systems with delays, they possess resonance features at approximately 0.1 Hz and 0.03 Hz, which correspond to a ~5-s delay in the blood pressure (BP) response to HR changes and a ~15-s delay in VT response to BP changes, respectively. Unlike a single impact on the cardiovascular system (CVS) that elicits HR, BP, and VT oscillatory responses that fade over time, rhythmical stimulation of the CVS at 0.1 Hz or 0.03-Hz produces steady HR, BP, and VT oscillations with significantly higher amplitudes compared to stimulation at other frequencies. We posit that these baroreflex resonances are integral to the vast autonomic variability that underlies efficient and effective homeostatic reflexes. This paper characterizes the phenomenon of resonances in the CVS using a classic engineering approach and the ability to employ these resonances for clinical applications.
Alzheimer’s-like behavior and pathology in a transgenic mouse model of Down syndrome (651.9)

Down syndrome (DS) is caused by trisomy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21) and is correlated with various comorbidities, including Alzheimer’s disease in 50% of affected individuals. The Tc1 mouse mode...
Comparing use of the Sonopet(®) ultrasonic bone aspirator to traditional instrumentation during the endoscopic transsphenoidal approach in pituitary tumor resection.

Background The Sonopet® ultrasonic bone aspirator (Stryker®, Kalamazoo, MI) has been used within neurosurgery, otolaryngology and in other fields, but to our knowledge has not been reported in the literature for use in endoscopic transsphenoidal approaches (TSAs) to the skull base. The study objective was to compare use of the ultrasonic bone aspirator (UBA) vs traditional cold steel instrumentation during TSA in terms of operative time and blood loss. Methods The study design was a prospective, randomized, single-blinded controlled clinical trial. The population included patients who presented to a tertiary care skull base center with pituitary tumors amenable to endoscopic resection. Participants were randomized to either an endoscopic approach using the ultrasonic bone aspirator (n = 66) or traditional steel instrumentation (n = 64). Outcomes measured were operative time and blood loss for the approach and exposure portion of the procedure. Results The use of the UBA resulted in a significant reduction in both operative time (31.92 ± 3.04 minutes vs 41.32 ± 2.75 minutes, p < 0.0001) and blood loss (16.5 ± 5.37 milliliters vs 22.57 ± 3.09 milliliters, p < 0.0001) compared to traditional steel instrumentation. Conclusion This study is, to our knowledge, the first prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial comparatively demonstrating the speed, safety and efficacy of the ultrasonic bone aspirator for endoscopic TSA to the skull base. Although the UBA offers surgical benefits, the cost of disposables may limit its usefulness to use in tertiary care institutions where operative cost can be shared across departments and with the hospital.
Tobacco and other factors have a negative impact on quality of life in hepatitis C patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known to adverselyaffect general, social, emotional and mental health domains.This study was designed to identify variables that may beassociated with these measurable outcomes. We conducted across-sectional retrospective review of demographic andclinical data from 800 patients with HCV evaluated betweenJanuary 1998 and November 2007. Data were collectedusing a standardized questionnaire ﬁlled out by the patientsat the ﬁrst encounter. Variables evaluated included ﬁbrosisstages (i.e. FS0/1/2 vs FS3/4), demographics, comorbidhealth conditions, tobacco and alcohol use, high-risk socialbehaviours and laboratory data. Variables assessed weredepression, fatigue, problems sleeping and loss of interest insex. Statistical analysis was performed using univariate andmultivariate logistic regression. Depression (29.3%) in ourHCV study population was associated with female gender,tobaccouse,hyperlipidemia,historyofheavyalcoholuseandintravenous drug use. Fatigue (44.6%) was associated withend-stage renal disease, past and current tobacco use andcurrent alcohol use. Difﬁculty sleeping (13.8%) was associ-ated with past and current tobacco use, current alcohol useand diabetes. Loss of interest in sex (7.7%) was associatedwith current tobacco use, multiple risk factors for HCV andage at time of evaluation. Fibrosis stage (FS) also had a sig-niﬁcant positive association with alcohol use (OR 2.61;P = 0.003) and tobacco use (OR 2.00; P = 0.002). Smokingand alcohol use have a signiﬁcant negative impact on thepresence of depression, fatigue, difﬁculty sleeping and loss ofinterest in sex in HCV patients. Practitioners should be awareof these associations, particularly tobacco use, which signif-icantly and negatively impacted every variable evaluated.Keywords: depression, difﬁculty sleeping, fatigue, hepatitis Cvirus, quality of life, sexual dysfunction, smoking.
Surface Reaction Limited Void Growth

The surface reaction rate controlled void growth model is extended to include the effects of point defect recombination and thermal emission of vacancies from the void surface. Experimental data on solution annealed Type 316 stainless steel from both neutron irradiation and ion bombardment are examined using this model. It is concluded that void growth in this material is controlled by reaction rate at the void surface; also, the temperature dependence of void growth rate mainly reflects the temperature dependence of dislocation density. Approaches for swelling data extrapolation and translation are discussed.
An Assessment of Machine Translation for Vehicle Assembly Process Planning at Ford Motor Company

For over ten years, Ford Vehicle Operations has utilized an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system to assist in the creation and maintenance of process build instructions for our vehicle assembly plants. This system, known as the Direct Labor Management System, utilizes a restricted subset of English called Standard Language as a tool for the writing of process build instructions for the North American plants. The expansion of DLMS beyond North America as part of the Global Study Process Allocation System (GSPAS) required us to develop a method to translate these build instructions from English to other languages. This Machine Translation process, developed in conjunction with SYSTRAN, has allowed us to develop a system to automatically translate vehicle assembly build instructions for our plants in Europe and South America.
Abstract 443: Androgen-Sensitive Hypertension in Adult mRen2.Lewis Rats

The mRen2.Lewis (mRen2) rat is an angiotensin II-dependent model of hypertension that displays marked sex differences in systolic blood pressure (SBP). Gonadectomy (GDX) of young female mRen2 rats significantly increases SBP; however, the role of androgens has not been assessed. In addition, the impact of GDX in adult rats with well-established hypertension is not known. Therefore, the current study assessed the impact of adult gonadectomy (GDX; 17 weeks of age) on established hypertension and associated end organ damage in mRen2 rats. Baseline SBP at 16 weeks of age was not different between male groups (214 ± 13 mmHg, n=5 vs. 224 ± 3 mmHg, n=3, P>0.05) but was significantly lower in females (143 ± 9 mmHg, n=3, P
Process Models in Software Engineering

Software systems come and go through a series of passages that account for their inception, initial development, productive operation, upkeep, and retirement from one generation to another. This article categorizes and examines a number of methods for describing or modeling how software systems are developed. It begins with background and definitions of traditional software life-cycle models that dominate most textbook discussions and current software development practices. This is followed by a more comprehensive review of the alternative models of software evolution that are of current use as the basis for organizing software engineering projects and technologies. Keywords: software process model; definition; software life-cycle models; development models; production process models
Research and development intensity and performance in technology driven industries

Summary form only as given. The structure of an industry defines the rules for competition among firms. Technology-driven industries require that firms allocate more resources to research and development. This empirical study investigates the relationship between resources allocated to research and development and the performance of firms in industries with different industry structure.
Urinary 11β-PGF2α and N-methyl histamine correlate with bone marrow biopsy findings in mast cell disorders.

Background The utility of measuring histamine and prostaglandin metabolites in the urine of patients with mastocytosis has not been critically examined in a large series of patients. This study examined the relationship between the extent of increase in urinary excretion of 11β-prostaglandinF2α and N-methyl histamine, with serum tryptase, whole blood serotonin, and bone marrow findings including morphology, percentage involvement, and abnormal mast cell phenotype. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of 90 patients who were continuously enrolled in the study for a period of 6 years (2008–2014). We recorded serum tryptase, whole blood serotonin, levels of urinary mast cell metabolites 11β-prostaglandinF2α and N-methyl histamine (NMH), and bone marrow findings. Results Urinary mast cell metabolites 11β-prostaglandinF2α and N-methyl histamine correlated with levels of serum tryptase, mast cell burden in the bone marrow, the presence of mast cell aggregates, and atypical mast cells on bone marrow biopsy. Whole blood serotonin did not have a significant correlation with the serum tryptase or mast cell burden in the bone marrow. Urinary NMH was significantly different between c-kit D816V-positive and c-kit D816V-negative patients, while 11β-prostaglandinF2α was not. Urinary 11β-prostaglandinF2α 24-h excretion >3500 ng and NMH levels >400 μg/gm Cr corresponded with the high degree of bone marrow biopsies positive for atypical mast cells, the presence of aggregates, and c-kit mutation. Conclusions Easily obtained and quantified urinary metabolites of histamine (greater than twice the upper limit of normal) and prostaglandin D2 (>3.4 times the upper limit of normal) correlate well with bone marrow findings of mastocytosis.
Open Enrollment and Students with Disabilities: Issues, Concerns, Fears, and Anticipated Benefits

Open enrollment is a hotly debated form of educational choice. More than 25 states have legislation establishing or expanding public school choice options. At an issues clarification working session, professionals, legislators, policymakers, parents, and students described issues and generated implications for serving students with disabilities. Participants identified three kinds of issues for districts and students: outcome, implementation, and demographic. Participants also expressed other concerns about choice: pupil benefit, parent involvement (or convenience), teacher/administrator job protection, change, and teacher workload.
Invariants of matrix pairs over discrete valuation rings and Littlewood–Richardson fillings

Abstract Let M and N be two r × r matrices of full rank over a discrete valuation ring R with residue field of characteristic zero. Let P , Q and T be invertible r × r matrices over R . It is shown that the orbit of the pair ( M , N ) under the action ( M , N ) ↦ ( PMQ - 1 , QNT - 1 ) possesses a discrete invariant in the form of Littlewood–Richardson fillings of the skew shape λ / μ with content ν , where μ is the partition of orders of invariant factors of M , ν is the partition associated to N , and λ the partition of the product MN . That is, we may interpret Littlewood–Richardson fillings as a natural invariant of matrix pairs. This result generalizes invariant factors of a single matrix under equivalence, and is a converse of the construction in Appleby (1999) [1] , where Littlewood–Richardson fillings were used to construct matrices with prescribed invariants. We also construct an example, however, of two matrix pairs that are not equivalent but still have the same Littlewood–Richardson filling. The filling associated to an orbit is determined by special quotients of determinants of a matrix in the orbit of the pair.
Techniques in dosing for thrombolysis of occluded central venous catheters.

Dosing of thrombolytic agents for restoration of flow to thrombotically occluded central venous catheters has been empiric. The lowest effective dose of any agent is not known. Given that none of the dosing regimens in current use has ever been found to be toxic, this is probably not a major clinical problem as long as the regimen is highly effective. Thrombolytic regimens differ in the type of drug, dose of drug, method of administration (injection versus prolonged infusion), and duration of administration. All of these variables are important in determining the efficacy, and possibly the toxicity, of a regimen. Active research is being conducted to determine the most effective ways of using the expanding number of thrombolytic medications that are now, or soon may be, on the market.
Extracellular reduced glutathione increases neuronal vulnerability to combined chemical hypoxia and glucose deprivation

Abstract In addition to its intracellular antioxidant role, reduced glutathione (GSH) is released by CNS cells and may mediate or modulate excitatory neurotransmission. Although extracellular GSH levels rise in the ischemic cortex, its effect on the viability of energy-compromised neurons has not been defined. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that exogenous GSH would increase the vulnerability of cultured cortical neurons to azide-induced chemical hypoxia combined with glucose deprivation. Thirty minutes azide exposure in a glucose-free buffer was tolerated by most neurons, with release of less than 10% of neuronal LDH over the subsequent 21–25 h. Concomitant treatment with 10–100 μM GSH increased cell death in a concentration-dependent fashion, to 71.6±5.1% of neurons at 100 μM; GSH alone was nontoxic. Injury was blocked by the selective N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) antagonist MK-801 but not by the AMPA/kainate antagonist NBQX. The sulfhydryl reducing agent mercaptoethanol (10–100 μM) mimicked the action of GSH; however, the zinc chelator ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was ineffective. Two GSH analogues that lack a sulfhydryl group, S-hexylglutathione (SHG) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), were inactive per se but attenuated the effect of both GSH and mercaptoethanol. These results suggest that micromolar concentrations of GSH enhance neuronal loss due to energy depletion by altering the extracellular redox state, resulting in increased NMDA receptor activation.
“Feeling like a freshman again”: The transfer student transition

Since transfer students are a fact of undergraduate life today, institutional faculty and staff members need to be aware of the issues affecting their transition and strive to make it as successful as possible.
Model of Thermally Activated Hopping Motion in Solids

A simple idealized model is formulated for the purpose of deriving the transport properties of a particle that moves through a lattice primarily by means of thermally activated jumps. In its present form, the model is designed to represent the gross features of the properties of a "small polaron," that have been derived from previous microscopic theories. The model consists of a single particle, confined to a set of equivalent localized states, which may move either by tunneling or by thermally activated jumps. The properties of the model are solved exactly for the case when there are only two sites. The solution exhibits how the thermally activated and tunneling processes combine to transfer the particle from site to site. The various transport properties of the model are then obtained for the cases when the particle is trapped at a color center (idealized by two-site model) and when it moves through a periodic lattice. These properties are derived from those of the "natural" motion of the system, in the absence of any applied field, by means of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem.
Infant pattern vision: a new approach based on the contrast sensitivity function.

Abstract Current approaches to the study of infant pattern vision have yielded interesting findings but have not yielded a set of data or principles from which general predictions can be drawn. We propose an alternative approach based on measurements of the contrast sensitivity function (CSF). This approach has been successfully applied to the study of adult vision. In principle, the approach allows one to predict the detectability of a wide variety of two-dimensional patterns if one knows the observer's CSF. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, CSFs of 1-, 2-, and 3-month infants were measured using a fixation preference paradigm. The results indicated noteworthy development between 1 and 3 months particularly in sensitivity to high spatial frequencies (fine stripes). The low-frequency attenuation characteristic of adult vision is observed at 2 and 3 months but not always at 1. In Experiment 2, CSFs of 2-month infants were measured at a lower luminance level. The results indicated that low-frequency attenuation became less pronounced as would be predicted if it were a manifestation of lateral inhibitory processing. The manner in which the CSF can be used to make general predictions is described. The CSFs of Experiment 1 are then used to successfully predict infants' detection of patterns used in two frequently cited experiments. We also propose a simple model of infant pattern preference and show that the model accurately predicts the results of a number of well-known experiments.
Ground-state properties of GaAs and AlAs

Ground-state properties of GaAs and AlAs are studied and compared using the self-consistent pseudopotential method. The calculated equilibrium lattice constant, the bulk modulus, and the cohesive energy of these compounds are in good agreement with experiment. This agreement allows for the investigation of a subtle difference in the bond strength between GaAs and AlAs. The density of states for the two compounds is found to be similar, but there exists a characteristic difference which can be used as a sensitive probe for distinguishing different species. The valence charge density and the kinetic energy density functions for these compounds are illustrated for comparison.
The hydration of tricalcium silicate in the presence of colloidal silica

Reactions of colloidal silica fumes with calcium hydroxide or hydrating tricalcium silicate (C3S) have been studied using calorimetry, chemical analyses, and scanning electron microscopy. Silica fume reacts immediately with calcium hydroxide forming a colloidal calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) similar to that formed by the hydration of C3S. When excess silica is present it reacts with C-S-H already formed to produce a new, highly polymerized C-S-H, having a very low C/S ratio (1.0). Silica fume accelerates the hydration of C3S, reduces the amount of calcium hydroxide formed by reacting with it, and slightly lowers the C-S-H ratio of the C-S-H formed by hydration. When large amounts of silica fume are present the formation of calcium hydroxide may be entirely suppressed and a highly polymerized C-S-H is formed. Silica fume is considered a good model for reactive pozzolans used in concrete.
Cryogenic Micro-Calorimeters for Low Energy Beta Spectroscopy

We are using calorimeters with completely encapsulated sources to study low energy beta spectra. Our devices work as true calorimeters in the sense that they totally absorb and sum all the various quanta released in a decay into a single temperature pulse with amplitude proportional to the total energy deposited. We use a neutron transmutation doped (NTD) germanium thermistor as the temperature sensor and superconducting NbTi leads, which form a weak thermal link to the cold stage (≈80 mK). We have been using superconducting tin as our absorber material, and we discuss various techniques for source and absorber preparation. Annealing the absorber leads to shorter pulses with larger amplitude, and significantly improves detector performance. The production of a device to study the beta decay of107Pd presented special difficulties due to the low specific activity of this isotope (halflife 6.5×106 y), and the low enrichment (15%) that was available. This meant it was necessary to incorporate a large amount of palladium into our tin absorber. We found we could avoid a corresponding increase in heat capacity by forming a superconducting PdSn alloy.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Applications of Manganese Oxide Octahedral Molecular Sieve (OMS) Nanowires with a 2 × 3 Tunnel Structure

Romanechite is a natural manganese oxide with a 2 × 3 tunnel structure containing a majority of Ba2+ and trace amounts of Na+, K+, and Sr2+ as tunnel cations. Many attempts have been made to synthesize the 2 × 3 tunnel structured manganese oxide in laboratories using Ba2+ as the template. However, no successful work has been reported due to (1) the presence of intergrown hollandite impurities (barium-2 × 2 tunnel structure manganese oxide) in the synthesized products and (2) the absence of romanechite characteristic X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks in the products, such as the (001) and (200) diffraction peaks which correspond to d ≈ 9.7 and 7.0 A, respectively. Hydrated Na+ ions have been utilized as structure directors to successfully synthesize the Na-2 × 3 tunnel structure manganese oxide (OMS-6) from hydrothermal treatment of Na-birnessite. XRD gave a pattern in very good agreement with the pattern of romanechite (JCPDS file 14-627) without impurity phases. High-resolution microscopy measurements showed...
Depth-Profiling Studies of Double-Layer PVF2-on-PET Films by Fourier Transform Infrared Photoacoustic Spectroscopy:

Photoacoustic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (PA/FT-IR) is used to study films of poly(vinylidine fluoride) (PVF2) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). It is shown that PVF2 films over PET change the thermal diffusion length such that the sample PVF2-on-PET becomes optically transparent and thermally thick. By changing the mirror velocity of the Michelson interferometer it is possible to obtain spectra at various sample depths. The intensity of the carbonyl band of the lower PET film changes as a function of the mirror velocity. The log-log plot of these quantities gives a slope of −3/2, which agrees with theoretical predictions for thermally thick and optically transparent samples.
Quantitative Field Testing Heterodera glycines from Metagenomic DNA Samples Isolated Directly from Soil under Agronomic Production

A quantitative PCR procedure targeting the Heterodera glycines ortholog of the Caenorhabditis elegans uncoordinated-78 gene was developed. The procedure estimated the quantity of H. glycines from metagenomic DNA samples isolated directly from field soil under agronomic production. The estimation of H. glycines quantity was determined in soil samples having other soil dwelling plant parasitic nematodes including Hoplolaimus, predatory nematodes including Mononchus, free-living nematodes and biomass. The methodology provides a framework for molecular diagnostics of nematodes from metagenomic DNA isolated directly from field soil.
Virtual citizenship: Islam, culture, and politics in the digital age.

This article investigates the complex relationship between digital media, religion, and politics in Egypt since the early 1990s. Charting the emergence of a new media landscape – one that is facilitated by technological innovations such as mobile telephony, high‐speed Internet, and small digital cameras – this paper explores how a very strong Islamic revivalist trend is capitalizing on the power and reach of these new media practices in an effort to develop Islamically inflected models of citizenship. The paper argues that such a mediascape is contributing to the development of new models of nationalism and civic citizenship in Egypt – ones that are not orchestrated by the Egyptian State but are mediated through oppositional groups, mainly of the Islamist variety. The paper aims to chart a map of media practices in Egypt in the past two decades, and trace how these practices are informing the rise of new notions of citizenship, cultural policy, digital activism, and media consumption.
Spoiling the Whole Bunch: Quality Control Aimed at Preserving the Integrity of High-Throughput Genotyping

False-positive or false-negative results attributable to undetected genotyping errors and confounding factors present a constant challenge for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) given the low signals associated with complex phenotypes and the noise associated with high-throughput genotyping. In the context of the genetics of kidneys in diabetes (GoKinD) study, we identify a source of error in genotype calling and demonstrate that a standard battery of quality-control (QC) measures is not sufficient to detect and/or correct it. We show that, if genotyping and calling are done by plate (batch), even a few DNA samples of marginally acceptable quality can profoundly alter the allele calls for other samples on the plate. In turn, this leads to significant differential bias in estimates of allele frequency between plates and, potentially, to false-positive associations, particularly when case and control samples are not sufficiently randomized to plates. This problem may become widespread as investigators tap into existing public databases for GWAS control samples. We describe how to detect and correct this bias by utilizing additional sources of information, including raw signal-intensity data.
Examination of Design-Assist Subcontracting

AbstractThe literature is absent a practical framework for understanding the effect of design-assist (D-A) subcontracting on project outcomes. This paper puts forth such a framework and develops an inventory of unresolved issues that should be addressed by academicians, industry groups, and practitioners. The D-A process pushes the architect and engineer in the direction of the construction manager and subcontractors, fostering a greater appreciation of construction means, methods, costing, and constructability. Likewise, the construction managers and subcontractors are pushed (or pulled) in the direction of the architect and engineer—resulting in the possible unintended assumption of design responsibility. Several thought-provoking questions are put forth vis-a-vis the use of D-A. Industry groups, insurers, and the legal community are called to awaken to this increasingly common practice of subcontracting. Practitioners benefit by gaining an understanding of the unanswered questions surrounding its use, ...
Human Factors and Human–Computer Interaction Considerations in NextGen

The number of aircraft that will be operating in the U.S. National Airspace System is expected to increase drastically over the next several decades (Federal Aviation Administration, 2011), due in ...
Prostaglandin F2α and naloxone therapy in the anestrous postpartum beef cow

Three experiments were conducted, using multiparous crossbred beef cows, to test the ability of exogenous prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF) and/or naloxone to reduce the duration of the postpartum interval to estrus and to improve subsequent reproductive performance. In each experiment, postpartum cows were assigned to treatments by calving date. In Experiment 1, cows (n=44) were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: 1) control, 2) PGF on Day 25 post partum, 3) 400 mg naloxone (3 doses) at 12-h intervals on Day 30 post partum, and 4) PGF on Day 25 followed by 3 400-mg doses naloxone at 12-h intervals on Day 30 post partum. In Experiment 2, cows (n=126) were assigned either to 1) control or 2) PGF on Day 30 post partum In Experiment 3, cows (n=67) were again assigned to 1 of 4 treatments 1) control, 2) PGF on Day 30 post partum, 3) PGF on Day 40 post partum, and 4) PGF on Day 30 and 40 post partum. Serum progesterone was used to determine the postpartum interval to estrus in Experiments 1 and 3. In all 3 experiments, serum progesterone was used to determine the proportion of cows that had reestablished estrous cycles at the start of breeding. Pregnancy rate and calving interval were analyzed for all trials. Naloxone had no effect (P > 0.20) on any reproductive variable measured. The postpartum interval to estrus was similar (P > 0.30) for PGF-treated and control cows in Experiments 1 and 3. The proportion of cows cycling at the start of breeding and the calving interval were not affected (P > 0.20) by PGF treatment in any of the experiments. Only the administration of PGF on Day 40 post partum in Experiment 3 improved (P=0.04) the subsequent pregnancy rate. Analysis of data pooled across experiments showed that the pregnancy rate was higher (P=0.03) for cows treated with PGF than for control cows (91.4 and 72.9%, respectively). It was concluded that administration of PGF during the early postpartum period improves subsequent reproductive function in beef cows.
Further Data on Multiple‐choice versus Open‐ended Estimates of Vocabulary

A significantly greater vocabulary estimate with the multiple-choice Synonyms test of the Mill Hill Vocabulary Scale than with the open-ended Definitions test from that scale was obtained on four separate samples. The amount of common variance between the tests ranged from 52 to 71 per cent in the samples employed. The results were in line with traditional research on recognition v. recall memory. Caution is urged where the separate interpretation of the Synonyms and Definitions measures are concerned.
Experimental validation of the utility of structural optimization

This paper addresses the topic of validating structural optimization methods by use of experimental results. The paper describes the need for validating the methods as a way of effecting a greater and an accelerated acceptance of formal optimization methods by practicing engineering designers. The range of validation strategies is defined which includes comparison of optimization results with more traditional design approaches, establishing the accuracy of analyses used, and finally experimental validation of the optimization results. The remainder of the paper describes examples of the use of experimental results to validate optimization techniques. The examples include experimental validation of the following: optimum design of a trussed beam; combined control-structure design of a cable-supported beam simulating an actively controlled space structure; minimum weight design of a beam with frequency constraints; minimization of the vibration response of helicopter rotor blade; minimum weight design of a turbine blade disk; aeroelastic optimization of an aircraft vertical fin; airfoil shape optimization for drag minimization; optimization of the shape of a hole in a plate for stress minimization; optimization to minimize beam dynamic response; and structural optimization of a low vibration helicopter rotor.
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis trials: the road to success

The global HIV epidemic cannot be controlled by current treatment or prevention strategies. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using antiretrovirals is a promising approach to curbing the spread of HIV transmission. Recently, four clinical trials demonstrated favorable results when antiretroviral PrEP was administered topically or orally. However, two additional trials were unable to demonstrate a benefit, indicating that further study is required to define the populations and conditions under which PrEP will be effective. Adherence is highly correlated with protection, yet the exact level of adherence required is unknown. Future studies may require increased drug exposure testing and more objective methods to monitor adherence in real time. Although the development of drug-resistance in the PrEP trials has been low, it remains a concern, as therapeutic options could be compromised for those who seroconvert while on PrEP.
Primates, hominids, and humans—from species specificity to human uniqueness? A response to Barbara J. King, Gregory R. Peterson, Wesley J. Wildman, and Nancy R. Howell

. In this response to essays by Barbara J. King, Gregory R. Peterson, Wesley J. Wildman, and Nancy R. Howell, I present arguments to counter some of the exciting and challenging questions from my colleagues. I take the opportunity to restate my argument for an interdisciplinary public theology, and by further developing the notion of transversality I argue for the specificity of the emerging theological dialogue with paleoanthropology and primatology. By arguing for a hermeneutics of the body, I respond to criticism of my notion of human uniqueness and argue for strong evolutionary continuities, as well as significant discontinuities, between primates, humans, and other hominids. In addition, I answer critical questions about theological methodology and argue how the notion of human uniqueness, theologically restated as the image of God, is enriched by transversally appropriating scientific notions of species specificity and embodied personhood.
A SIMPLE APPROACH TO EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND REMEDIATION OF POTENTIAL LEARNING PROBLEMS

Identification and remediation of millions of children with potential or actual learning problems are usually fragmented, late or neglected. To achieve a solution to this complex problem will require much trial and error but obviously the methodology must be amenable to wide scale dissemination and use by teachers. Towards this goal we have developed a culture fair instrument, the Learning Potential Quotient, (L.P. Q.) which assesses 10 specific skills shown to be necessary for formal school learning. Remedial exercises to strengthen demonstrated areas of weakness have also been prepared for each of the 10 subtests. An experimental program was designed for 37 subjects and 20 controls using the L.P.Q. materials exclusively. All subjects were pre and post tested. Following a 45 minute/day/4 days a week 4 month treatment program with the remedial materials, significant differences existed in favor of the treatment group. On 7 of the 10 subtests these differences were significant at the .05 level. A follow-up study of the children is in progress. The L.P.Q. correlated with conventional instruments but had the distinct advantage of delineating specific areas of weakness which required remedial intervention.
Approaches to Process Monitoring in Small Modular Reactors

One of the advantages of small modular reactors (SMRs) is their possible deployment in remote locations and continued long-term operation with minimum downtime. In order to achieve this operational goal, the SMRs may require remote and continuous monitoring of process parameters. This feature is also important in monitoring critical parameters during severe accidents and for post-accident recovery. Small integral light water reactors have in-vessel space constraints and many of the traditional instrumentation are not practical in actual implementation. In order to resolve this issue, experiments were carried out on a flow test loop to characterize the relationship among process variables (flow rate, pressure, water level) and pump motor signatures. The paper presents the findings of this research with implications in relating electrical signatures to pump parameters.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Ethnophaulisms for Ethnic Immigrant Groups: Cognitive Representation of `the Minority' and `the Foreigner':

An archival analysis was conducted on the ethnophaulisms for ethnic immigrant groups as a function of the size and the `foreignness' of those groups. Cognitive representation was operationalized as...
An experimental assessment of physical educators' expectations and attitudes: the importance of student weight and gender

BACKGROUND: At school, physical education (PE) teachers and coaches may be key supports for physical activity. Unfortunately, PE teachers may endorse negative stereotypes and attitudes toward overweight youth. These biases may influence the amount of instruction physical educators provide to students and their participation in PE or other physical activity. METHODS: This study assessed physical educators’ (N = 162) ability and performance expectations, attributions, and attitudes toward overweight and non-overweight students. RESULTS: Physical educators endorsed inferior ability expectations for overweight students compared to non-overweight students. Poorer performance expectations were limited to overweight female targets, but when controlling for participant characteristics, this effect became marginally significant for overweight male targets. There was a trend such that participants endorsed more external attributions for the abilities and performance of overweight female students, yet this effect was reduced to marginal significance when controlling for participant characteristics. Participants endorsed more negative attitudes for both overweight males and females compared to non-overweight youth. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that physical educators’ expectations, attributions, and attitudes regarding students may be negatively influenced by youth body weight, and differ by student gender. The potential effect of physical educators’ weight bias on adolescent participation in physical activity and its implications for students’ physical health, academic achievement, and social development are discussed.
Niche overlap and invasion of competitors in random environments I. Models without demographic stochasticity

Abstract The relationship between persistent, small to moderate levels of random environmental fluctuations and limits to the similarity of competing species is studied. The analytical theory hinges on deriving conditions under which a rare invading species will tend to increase when faced with an array of resident competitors in a fluctuating environment. A general approximation scheme predicts that the effects of low levels of stochasticity will typically be small. The technique is applied explicitly to a class of symmetric, discrete-time stochastic analogs of the Lotka-Volterra equations that incorporate cross-correlation but no autocorrelation. The random environment limits to similarity are always very close to the corresponding constant environment limits. However, stochasticity can either facilitate or hinder invasion. The exact limits to similarity are extremely model-dependent. In addition to the symmetric models, an analytically tractable class of models is presented that incorporates both auto- and cross-correlation and no symmetry assumptions. For all of the models investigated, the analytical theory predicts that small-scale stochasticity does little, if anything, to limit similarity. Extensive Monte Carlo results are presented that confirm the analytical results whenever the dynamics of the discretetime models are biologically reasonable in the sense that trajectories do not exhibit unrealistic crashes. Interestingly, the class of stochastic models that is well behaved in this sense includes models whose deterministic analogs are chaotic. The qualitative conclusion, supported by both the analytical and simulation results, is that for competitive guilds adequately modeled by Lotka-Volterra equations including small to moderate levels of random fluctuations, practical limits to similarity can be obtained by ignoring the stochastic terms and performing a deterministic analysis. The mathematical and biological robustness of this conclusion is discussed.
Metabolism of Sinapine in Mustard Plants. I. Degradation of Sinapine into Sinapic Acid & Choline

In 1825 Henry and Garot (5) isolated an alkaloidal amine from black mustard seeds. This new natural product was named sinapine, and in 1897 Gadamer (4) proposed its structure (fig 1) to be that of the choline ester of sinapic acid. Later studies (10, 11) showed that sinapine is widely distributed among members of the family Cruciferae. This compound appeared to be of biochemical interest, since it could serve as a ready-stored supply of choline and sinapic acid for the young plant. Both compounds have been shown to be important metabolites of higher plants (2, 8). There is supporting evidence that choline in higher plants plays