cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends in contraceptive effectiveness and birth rates among U.S. teens by parity, 1988 & 1995

Conclusions: Contraceptive effectiveness did not improve between 1988 and 1995: the increase in Depo-Provera Norplant and condom use was offset by a decrease in oral contraceptive pill use and an increase in non-use of contraception. Among contraceptive users contraceptive effectiveness improved slightly particularly for parous teens. Multiple factors likely explain the striking proportion of parous teens using Depo-Provera and Norplant particularly the improved access to reproductive services of parous compared with nulliparous teens. Factors other than contraception such as initiation and frequency of intercourse may explain changes in birth rates. (excerpt)
Size-Controlled Synthesis of Nanoparticles. 1. “Silver-Only” Aqueous Suspensions via Hydrogen Reduction

A method for size-controlled synthesis of chemically clean silver nanoparticles is proposed and described. The synthesis is based on the reduction of silver(I) oxide by hydrogen gas in water and offers the advantages of being easily scalable and able to produce essentially naked particles still exhibiting long-term stability with the metal surface readily accessible to various chemical modifications. The method allows synthesis of particles of any diameter between 15 and 200 nm simply by varying the reaction time. The addition of filtration and centrifugation techniques produces suspensions of narrow size distribution and relatively high, 1012−1014 particles/mL, concentration. The addition of various complexating agents potentially allows control of nanoparticle shape. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV−vis spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and electron and X-ray diffraction techniques.
Population, agriculture, and famine: Iceland, 1784–1785

Studies of past famines are useful as portrayals of a society under stress and valuable as testing grounds for ideas on the causes and consequences of famine. Older historical sources may lack some of the richness and detail available to students of modern famines, but history offers hindsight and valuable opportunities to integrate famine studies with long-term views of a society and its ecology. This paper takes a different tack from many economic histories of past famines, especially those that rely heavily on economic measures of ecological sufficiency, such as the prices of wheat, labor, and land. It describes the effects of the disastrous 1783 eruption of Iceland's Lakagigar (Laki craters) on a largely subsistent population for whom relief measures were belated and few. At the time of the disaster the entire population lived in households whose main livelihood consisted of farming or fishing. Both these activities were acutely disrupted by the eruption. In this paper, the course of the famine and its effects on population will be analyzed and reviewed in the light of long-term trends in Icelandic population and food production.
Meaningful Play The Intersection of Video Games and Environmental Policy

Interactive multiplayer simulation games have the potential to provide a more mature and statistically accurate approach to help better understand human behavior in relation to local environments and situated contexts. This could be used as a tool to better inform policy and research around environmental issues such as sustainability, food, and climate change. The Games Learning Society Center at the University of Wisconsin at Madison is currently working on an ecological simulation game, Trails Forward. In this game, three players, a lumber worker, a conservationist, and a housing developer, all work and compete within an accurate model of the Vilas county landscape. Trails Forward provides a template of how play in a simulated environment can inform our understandings of human behavior given real-world privileges and restrictions.
Role of the technologist in nuclear cardiology

It is the responsibility of all technologists to maintain the level of quality and professionalism the field of nuclear cardiology demands. As health care continues to change and become more complex, it is important that we remain an integral part of the diagnostic process. Technologists need to stay informed and actively involved to ensure the institution they are working in is state of the art, allowing the performance of the most upto-date procedures, and that these procedures are performed with the highest level of quality. The ASNC and the editorial staff at the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology support the addition of this Technologist Section to the Journal. It is our goal as coeditors to use these pages to bring valuable information about our field to the technologists who would otherwise not be receiving it and to encourage all technologists practicing nuclear cardiology to be involved in its success. We will strive to bring you the issues that are concerning technologists today in all aspects of nuclear cardiology. We hope that all technologists will be as interested as we are in maintaining the level of professionalism and respect that our predecessors worked so hard to achieve.
Molecular Simulation Studies on the Adsorption of Mercuric Chloride

Environmental context. The Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 identified mercury and associated compounds as hazardous air pollutants of particular concern to human health and the environment. Coal-fired power plants and municipal solid waste incinerators are significant sources of mercury-containing emissions. Adsorption represents a common technique used to alleviate mercury contamination. The present study uses molecular simulations to study the correlation between key surface characteristics of the adsorbent and its mercury capturing ability with a view to the selection and design of novel adsorbents. Abstract. In the present study, Monte Carlo simulations were used to model the physical adsorption of oxidised mercury (mercuric chloride) by zeolite NaX and activated carbon in the temperature range of 400–500 K. In particular, we considered zeolite NaX with spherical cavities and sodium cations, as well as activated carbon with slit carbon pores and hydroxyl, carboxyl and carbonyl sites, and layers of calcium hydroxide. The adsorption capacity and affinity of zeolite NaX were compared with those displayed by activated carbon with different acid sites and calcium hydroxide by assessing the impact on mercuric chloride adsorption within a practical range of magnitudes of the electrostatic interactions considered, namely charge-induced dipole and charge-quadrupole interactions, as well as dispersion interactions.
Communications: Removal of Benzocaine from Water by Filtration with Activated Carbon

Abstract Benzocaine is a promising candidate for registration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use as an anesthetic in fish culture, management, and research. A method for the removal of benzocaine from hatchery effluents could speed registration of this drug by eliminating requirements for data on its residues, tolerances, detoxification, and environmental hazards. Carbon filtration effectively removes many organic compounds from water. This study tested the effectiveness of three types of activated carbon for removing benzocaine from water by column filtration under controlled laboratory conditions. An adsorptive capacity was calculated for each type of activated carbon. Filtrasorb 400 (12 × 40 mesh; U.S. standard sieve series) showed the greatest capacity for benzocaine adsorption (76.12 mg benzocaine/g carbon); Filtrasorb 300 (8 × 30 mesh) ranked next (31.93 mg/g); and Filtrasorb 816 (8 × 16 mesh) adsorbed the least (1.0 mg/g). Increased adsorptive capacity was associated with smaller ca...
A method for estimating wall friction in turbulent wall-bounded flows

We describe a simple method for estimating turbulent boundary layer wall friction using the fit of measured velocity data to a boundary layer model profile that extends the logarithmic profile all the way to the wall. Two models for the boundary layer profile are examined, the power-series interpolation scheme of Spalding and the Musker profile which is based on the eddy viscosity concept. The performance of the method is quantified using recent experimental data in zero pressure gradient flat-plate turbulent boundary layers, and favorable pressure gradient turbulent boundary layers in a pipe, for which independent measurements of wall shear are also available. Between the two model profiles tested, the Musker profile performs much better than the Spalding profile. Results show that the new procedure can provide highly accurate estimates of wall shear with a mean error of about 0.5% in friction velocity, or 1% in shear stress, an accuracy that is comparable to that from independent direct measurements of wall shear stress. An important advantage of the method is its ability to provide accurate estimates of wall shear not only based on many data points in a velocity profile but also very sparse data points in the velocity profile, including only a single data point such as that originating from a near-wall probe.
Evaluation of the electronic version of the questionnaire for lung transplant patients.

UNLABELLED Context-Recent modifications to the QLTP (Questionnaire for Lung Transplant Patients), including changing items from dichotomous to multiple dimension scaling, adding psychological symptoms, and converting to an electronic format (e-QLTP), made it necessary to reevaluate its reliability, validity, recipient satisfaction, and feasibility of administering the e-QLTP in the clinical setting. Purpose-To report the final modifications, psychometric properties, recipient satisfaction, and feasibility of administering the e-QLTP, a patient report outcome measure of symptoms and activity tolerance. Methods-Sixty lung recipients completed the original QLTP and the e-QLTP and rated their satisfaction with the e-version during a routine posttransplant evaluation; 65% (38 of 60) also completed a retest version. Correlations were computed for retest stability, concurrent validity between versions of the QLTP, and construct validity among the subscales of the e-QLTP and forced expiratory volumes in 1 second. Using the After Scenario Questionnaire, participants rated their satisfaction with the ease, amount of time, and support information when completing the e-QLTP. RESULTS The e-QLTP and subscales were internally consistent (alpha = .73 - .90) and stable (intraclass correlations = .47 - .93). Significant correlations (P = .001) were found between the e-QLTP and the original QLTP (r = 0.53-0.56) and between the e-QLTP subscales and forced expiratory volumes in 1 second (r = 0.51 - 0.53). The overall mean satisfaction score was 1.27 (+/- 0.47). Conclusions-The e-QLTP is a reliable and valid measure of physical and psychological symptoms after lung transplantation. It is feasible to complete in the clinical setting and recipients are highly satisfied with its use. Its computerized functionality enhances assessment and management of symptoms over time.
Acute myelogenous leukaemia presenting as a conjunctival lesion and red eye

Sir, Acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) accounts for 1.2% of all cancer deaths. However, in contrast to other leukaemias, AML has only rarely been reported as causing ocular complications. Most ocular infiltrates from AML include chorioretinal or optic nerve lesions and are found incidentally in patients with advanced disease (Ells et al. 1995; Ghosh et al. 2000; Matano et al. 2000). To our knowledge, we report the first case of AML presenting with a conjunctival lesion, pathologically demonstrating the leukaemic infiltrate. A 42-year-old African American woman presented with complaints of a painful, red right eye. She had been in her usual state of health until approximately 2days prior to admission, when she began to develop injection and severe photophobia in the right eye, preventing her from opening the eyelid. In the course of systemic evaluation, the subject also noted increased shortness of breath, back pain and multiple, erythematous leg lesions, all of which had begun in the past week. Her past medical history showed a clinical diagnosis of acute sarcoidosis made 15 months prior to this presentation. Ophthalmic examination revealed normal visual acuity and extraocular movement, but a sluggish right pupil. Marked scleral and conjunctival injection of the right eye was noted. A 3-mm white-tan, soft, mobile conjunctival lesion was located at the corneal limbus of the right eye. Mild iritis was also noted in the right eye. The left eye was normal and dilated fundus examination of both eyes was unremarkable. The right conjunctival lesion was biopsied and fixed for permanent histological specimens during the initial consultation as the patient had no previous biopsy evidence of sarcoidosis. Further systemic evaluation demonstrated multiple elevated, firm erythematous nodules on the subject’s lower left leg, each measuring 1cm in diameter. Her leucocyte count was 57?103/mL, with a high percentage of blasts, and her haemoglobin level was 9.2g/dL, with platelets of 52?103/mL. The conjunctival biopsy showed infiltration with leukaemic cells consistent with myelogenous blasts (Fig. 1). Subsequent examination of the peripheral blood and bone marrow by flow cytometry was consistent with a large population of myeloblasts without monocytic features. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a t (6;9) chromosome translocation. Taken together, these features were consistent with a diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML M2). A subsequent biopsy of the lesions on the
Simulation to Test Hard-Stop Implementation of a Pre-anesthetic Induction Checklist

Checklists have been shown to reduce patient complications, improve communication in the operating room, and improve the management of simulated operating room crises. Using a randomized, controlled, observer-blinded design, we compared performance of anesthesiology residents in a simulated operating room using a checklist in completing a thorough pre-anesthetic induction evaluation and setup, to residents with no checklist. The checklist was implemented through a "hard stop" in the simulated electronic medical record. Data for 24 CA-1 residents show a statistically significant difference in performance in pre-anesthetic setup and evaluation as scored by blinded raters, with the checklist group performing better.
On-Line Sample Preconcentration Using Field-amplified Stacking Injection in Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis

Previous reports describing sample stacking on microchip capillary electrophoresis (μCE) have regarded the microchip channels as a closed system and treated the bulk flow as in traditional capillary electrophoresis. This work demonstrates that the flows arising from the intersection should be investigated as an open system. It is shown that the pressure-driven flows into or from the branch channels due to bulk velocity mismatch in the main channel should not be neglected but can be used for liquid transportation in the channels. On the basis of these concepts, a sample preconcentration scheme was developed in a commercially available single-cross glass chip for μCE. Similar to field-amplified stacking injection in traditional CE, a low conductivity sample buffer plug was introduced into the separation channel immediately before the negatively charged analyte molecules were injected. The detection sensitivity was improved by 94-, 108-, and 160-fold for fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate, fluorescein disodium, an...
Hypoxia: a master regulator of microRNA biogenesis and activity

Hypoxia, or low oxygen tension, is a unique environmental stress that induces global changes in a complex regulatory network of transcription factors and signaling proteins to coordinate cellular adaptations in metabolism, proliferation, DNA repair, and apoptosis. Several lines of evidence now establish microRNAs (miRNAs), which are short noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression through posttranscriptional mechanisms, as key elements in this response to hypoxia. Oxygen deprivation induces a distinct shift in the expression of a specific group of miRNAs, termed hypoxamirs, and emerging evidence indicates that hypoxia regulates several facets of hypoxamir transcription, maturation, and function. Transcription factors such as hypoxia-inducible factor are upregulated under conditions of low oxygen availability and directly activate the transcription of a subset of hypoxamirs. Conversely, hypoxia selectively represses other hypoxamirs through less well characterized mechanisms. In addition, oxygen deprivation has been directly implicated in epigenetic modifications such as DNA demethylation that control specific miRNA transcription. Finally, hypoxia also modulates the activity of key proteins that control posttranscriptional events in the maturation and activity of miRNAs. Collectively, these findings establish hypoxia as an important proximal regulator of miRNA biogenesis and function. It will be important for future studies to address the relative contributions of transcriptional and posttranscriptional events in the regulation of specific hypoxamirs and how such miRNAs are coordinated in order to integrate into the complex hierarchical regulatory network induced by hypoxia.
Semen Quality of Spinal Cord Injured Men is Better When Obtained by Vibratory Stimulation Versus Electroejaculation

ABSTRACTPurpose: Most spinal cord injured men require assisted ejaculation procedures to obtain semen, and the majority can achieve this result by vibratory stimulation or electroejaculation. We determined if semen obtained by vibratory stimulation differed in quality from that obtained by electroejaculation.Materials and Methods: Between subjects and within subjects designs were used. Of 77 spinal cord injured men 23 underwent vibratory stimulation only, 44 electroejaculation only and 10 both procedures. Antegrade, retrograde and total ejaculates were analyzed in each subject for total sperm count, percent motile sperm and percent sperm with rapid linear motion.Results: With vibratory stimulation compared to electroejaculation the percent motile sperm and percent sperm with rapid linear motion were significantly greater, whereas total sperm count was similar, in the antegrade specimens and total ejaculates. This finding was true for different groups of subjects as well as within a group of the same subje...
Cytomorphological and molecular genetic findings in pediatric thyroid fine-needle aspiration†

BACKGROUND: The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology is largely based on data from adult studies. Although thyroid nodules in children are rare, the rate of malignancy is high. The authors' aim was to analyze the cytomorphology and mutational profiles in pediatric thyroid fine-needle aspirations (FNAs). METHODS: Thyroid FNAs from patients 21 years old or younger were identified from the authors' pathology archive, categorized using the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology, and correlated with histological and molecular follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 179 samples from 142 patients were identified, including 96 cases (54%) with histological follow-up and 66 cases (37%) with molecular data. The diagnoses included 21 (12%) unsatisfactory, 82 (46%) negative, 43 (24%) atypia or follicular lesion of undetermined significance, 19 (11%) suspicious for follicular neoplasm, 6 (3%) suspicious for malignancy, and 8 (4%) positive for malignancy. The rate of malignancy in each category was 0%, 7%, 28%, 58%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Of the 66 FNAs with molecular data, there were 11 (17%) positive for mutations. All mutation-positive FNAs were papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) on resection. The overall sensitivity and specificity in this population were 80% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that thyroid FNA in children is a sensitive and highly specific tool. There was a 17% positivity rate for a genetic mutation, which correlated with malignancy in all cases. In comparison to adults, there was a higher prevalence of RET/PTC mutations and lower prevalence of BRAF mutations, which may in part explain the less aggressive nature of PTCs reported in children. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Mechanism of Kir6.2 channel inhibition by sulfhydryl modification: pore block or allosteric gating?

Chemical modification can inhibit ion channels either by reacting with pore-lining residues and directly occluding the channel or by closing the channel allosterically. A general method to distinguish between these two mechanisms does not exist. Previously, sulfhydryl (SH) modification has been shown to inhibit ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels. The crucial modification has been localized to C42 near the N-terminus of Kir6.2, a pore-forming subunit of KATP channels, but little is known about how SH modification of C42 causes channel inhibition. To investigate this mechanism, we used the membrane-impermeable methanethiosulfonates, MTSET and MTS-TEAH, to modify Kir6.2 channels. While intracellular application of MTSET irreversibly inhibited channels, MTS-TEAH failed to do so. Instead, MTS-TEAH treatment prolonged channel openings and prevented the effect of subsequent MTSET treatment. Similar observations were made in mutants in which cysteines other than C42 had been mutated. Neither MTSET nor MTS-TEAH, however, affected mutant channels in which valines were substituted for C42 residues in all subunits. The reagents were effective when two of four C42 residues in the tetramer were replaced by valines. These results can be interpreted as indicating that both reagents modify C42. We then employed spermine, a known inner pore blocker, as a probe to examine whether MTS-TEAH modification alters pore accessibility. We found that spermine block was not changed by MTS-TEAH modification. Based on these data, we postulate that C42 faces either the cytoplasm or a vestibule section wide enough to allow spermine to pass freely after modification by MTS-TEAH. Our study suggests that channel inhibition caused by SH modification of Kir6.2 is an allosteric effect, and is not caused by direct pore blockage.
Optical absorption due to interface phonons and interface plasmons of quantum dots

Abstract The classical interface and surface modes and their optical absorption in dot-like microstructures are studied within the dieletric continuum approach. Analytical results are obtained for the modes of spheres and ellipsoids of revolution, and an integral equation approach is used for dots having arbitrary shapes. The dependence of the mode frequencies and the optical absorption on the shape of the dots and the light polarization is discussed.
Group theory of the Morse oscillator

Abstract A group theoretical approach to the one-dimensional Morse oscillator, including both bound and scattering states, is presented. It is shown that the group describing the scattering states, U(1,1), can be obtained from that describing the bound states. U(2), by analytic continuation. The inclusion of the continuum allows one to treat algebraically dissociation and scattering in a Morse potential.
Abstract 4843: Genetic variants in Notch signaling pathway and ovarian cancer.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC The Notch signaling pathway drives proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, cell fate choices, and has a key role in the regulation of stem cells in a variety of cancers. In this study, we applied a pathway-based approach to evaluate the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in Notch signaling pathway and ovarian cancer risk, survival, and response to chemotherapy. Towards this, we systematically genotyped 139 SNPs from 10 genes in the pathway in 339 Caucasian ovarian cancer cases and 349 Caucasian healthy controls. Individually, four SNPs were significantly associated with the ovarian cancer risk. The most significant SNP was NOTCH4: [rs397081][1], with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.38 (95% CI = 0.22-0.66, P=0.00057). A highly significant gene-dosage effect was observed for these top variants (P for trend 186.3, 62.82, and 28.58 months, respectively. Similarly, a significant association was identified between a poor response to platinum-based chemotherapy and the number of unfavorable SNPs (P for trend < 0.0001). Our findings suggest that genetic variants in the Notch signaling pathway are associated with ovarian cancer risk and could serve as potential predictors of clinical outcomes in ovarian cancer patients. Citation Format: Enping Xu, Karen H. Lu, Michelle AT Hildebrandt, Maosheng Huang, Xifeng Wu, Dong Liang. Genetic variants in Notch signaling pathway and ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4843. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4843 [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=GEN&access_num=rs397081&atom=%2Fcanres%2F73%2F8_Supplement%2F4843.atom
Copepod Crustaceans Collected on and Near Plummers Island, Maryland

ABSTRACT Copepod (Crustacea) species diversity was remarkably low on Plummers Island, Maryland, and its immediate environs over a year-long sampling period in 1996 and 1997, compared to that previously and contemporaneously reported nearby within the Potomac River Basin; only two species were found on the Island and two others in the adjacent side channel of the Potomac River. Subsequent sampling in 2004 resulted in records of eight species, seven of which were not found in 1997; six of these were collected on the Island. One explanation for the paucity of species in 1996–1997 is the extreme floods of January and September 1996; the January flood reached a height not recorded since 1972 and destroyed canal locks. These floods scoured much of the Potomac floodplain and may have caused severe local population losses. The scarcity of aquatic microhabitats on the Island undoubtedly also contributed to the low local diversity.
Münch, morphology, microfluidics – our structural problem with the phloem

The sieve tubes of the phloem are enigmatic structures. Their role as channels for the distribution of assimilates was established in the 19th century, but their sensitivity to disturbations has hampered the elucidation of their transport mechanisms and its regulation ever since. Ernst Munch's classical monograph of 1930 is generally regarded as the first coherent theory of phloem transport, but the 'Munchian' pressure flow mechanism had been discussed already before the turn of the century. Munch's impact rather rested on his simple physical models of the phloem that visualized pressure flow in an intuitive way, and we argue that the downscaling of such models to realistic, low-Reynolds-number sizes will boost our understanding of phloem transport in this century just as Munch's models did in the previous one. However, biologically meaningful physical models that could be used to test predictions of the many existing mathematical models would have to be designed in analogy with natural phloem structures. Unfortunately, the study of phloem anatomy seems in decline, and we still lack basic quantitative data required for evaluating the plausibility of our theoretical deductions. In this review, we provide a subjective overview of unresolved problems in angiosperm phloem structure research within a functional context.
Inequalities and variational principles in double-diffusive turbulence

An inequality pertaining to the energetics of the boundary layer in turbulent pipe flow and turbulent thermal convection is generalized for the double-diffusive convection problem, where a semi-infinite layer of cold, fresh and light water overlies another hot, salty and dense layer. The smallest possible salt/heat-flux ratio equals the ratio of the square roots of the respective diffusivities. The bound is asymptotically realizable according to a variational principle. A bound on the relative fluxes is predicted when another solute is added (‘multiple diffusion’).
Model-driven simulation of World-Wide-Web cache policies

The World Wide Web (WWW) has experienced a dramatic increase in popularity since 1993. Many reports indicate that its growth will continue at an exponential rate. This growth has created a tremendous increase in network loads and user response times. The complexity and diversity of many WWW documents (e.g., texts, images, video, audio, etc.) and the diversity of user requested WWW information require sophisticated WWW cache management strategies. Several popular WWW cache algorithms perform rather poorly and lack mathematical or empirical foundations. As a result, WWW system administrators and browser users are forced to arbitrarily define certain important cache parameters. Typically, such systems perform suboptimally averaging hit rates below 55%. Our objective in this study is to develop a cache management strategy that is based on sound theory and principles from the information sciences and that can be utilized on-line, in real-time. Our approach is to study current cache algorithms and utilize actual empirical data to develop efficient and effective self-adaptive cache management strategies to handle anticipated Web growth.
METHODS USED TO EVALUATE HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS

This study provides information to state-level planners for rational decision–making regarding the enhancement of the analytical process for setting highway improvement priorities. Arizona’s analytical procedure, a sufficiency rating scheme typically used by many states, is reviewed in light of the current problems facing decision-makers. Four computerized alternative analytical techniques representing the state-of-the-art are also reviewed. Sufficiency rating techniques are found to supply inadequate information regarding project benefits and the attainment of the improvement program objectives. Also sufficiency ratings and utility functions are considered technically unsupportable because of their subjective base. Option-evaluation techniques are found to supply valuable information regarding the user benefits generated by highway improvements. However, these techniques are limited in their scope of application and cannot incorporate all of the various project types or program goals into the improvement priority process. What is needed is a method which can evaluate the trade-offs between various types of improvement projects on a comprehensive objective basis and evaluate improvement priorities against the multiple constraints and objectives which exist.
The Gradual Disappearance of Skid Row

Annual enumerations of the Bowery, Manhattan's skid-row area, have shown a consistent decline in population. Inquiries were sent to commissioners of welfare in forty United States cities to determine if the declining skid-row population is a local or a national phenomenon. Results indicate that in most cities the skid-row population is declining. Apparently, this decline is not due to a decrease in the absolute size of the homeless population, but rather to several factors which have operated to disperse homeless men from the traditional skid row to other parts of the city.
Development of engineered biofilms on poly-L-lysine patterned surfaces

A technique has been developed to selectively attach bacteria to solid supports using poly-l-lysine. The patterned biofilms were labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) or a nucleic acid stain and imaged using both confocal microscopy and GFP stereomicroscopy. E. coli DH10B, E. coli MC1061, and Pseudomonas sp. GJ1 were selectively attached to regions coated with poly-l-lysine but not to uncoated regions. In contrast, E. coli DH5α, W3110 and 33456 attached indiscriminately to the coated and uncoated regions of the surface. Those organisms that selectively attached to the poly-l-lysine coated regions formed biofilms twice as thick as the organisms that attached indiscriminately to the surface. This technique can be used for selectively patterning surfaces with genetically engineered microorganisms for biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and biodegradation or for developing a bacterial-based microscale medical diagnostic tool.
Optimal model-based reservoir management with model parameter uncertainty updates

The objective of this work is to manage water flooding of a reservoir to achieve optimal oil production by employing an optimal model-based control framework that uses uncertain parameter updating and a particular reduced-order model. A Markov chain Monte Carlo method is used to update the proposed distributions of the uncertain parameters. To avoid excessive simulations of the complex reservoir model, the techniques of partial least square regression and the Karhunen-Loeve expansion are used to find the relationships between the uncertain parameters and the system state. To demonstrate this approach, the optimal control of an oil producing reservoir is compared against an uncontrolled reservoir.
On sums and products in ℂ[x]

We prove that there exists an absolute constant c>0 such that if A is a set of n monic polynomials, and if the product set A.A has at most n 1+c elements, then |A+A|≫n2. This can be thought of as step towards proving the Erdős–Szemeredi sum-product conjecture for polynomial rings. We also show that under a suitable generalization of Fermat’s Last Theorem, the same result holds for the integers. The methods we use to prove are a mixture of algebraic (e.g. Mason’s theorem) and combinatorial (e.g. the Ruzsa–Plunnecke inequality) techniques.
Self-securing ad hoc wireless networks

Mobile ad hoc networking offers convenient infrastructureless communication over the shared wireless channel. However, the nature of ad hoc networks makes them vulnerable to security attacks. Examples of such attacks include passive eavesdropping over the wireless channel, denial of service attacks by malicious nodes and attacks from compromised nodes or stolen devices. Unlike their wired counterpart, infrastructureless ad hoc networks do not have a clear line of defense, and every node must be prepared for encounters with an adversary. Therefore, a centralized or hierarchical network security solution does not work well.This work provides scalable, distributed authentication services in ad hoc networks. Our design takes a self-securing approach, in which multiple nodes (say, k) collaboratively provide authentication services for other nodes in the network. We first formalize a localized trust model that lays the foundation for the design. We further propose refined localized certification services based on our previous work, and develop a new scalable share update to resist more powerful adversaries. Finally, we evaluate the solution through simulation and implementation.
Young children's subjective reports about their diabetes mellitus: a validation of the Diabetes Pictorial Scale.

The authors report on a validation study using the Diabetes Pictorial Scale (DPS), a measure of disease-related attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge specifi cally designed for use with younger children with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Results of this study, based on the responses of 39 children ages 4 to 10, suggest that the DPS demonstrates sufficient variation between and within patients to merit further field- testing of the technique. Pre selected DPS items hypothesized to affect metabolic control in IDDM were examined in this study and compared with glycosy lated hemoglobin (HbA1) values collected concurrently. Children's reports concerning adherence to their dietary plan, the regularity of insulin injections, and the regularity ofmealslsnacks were related to glycemic control. Broader issues pertinent to the utility, reliability, and validity of children's subjective reports are briefly discussed within the context of demand characteristics in the IDDM provider-patient interaction.
Controlled heterogeneous nucleation of melt-textured YBa2Cu3O6+x by addition of Al2O3 particles

The reaction between alumina and yttrium barium cuprate subjected to a melt-texturing heat treatment was studied. Microstructural examination of quenched, partially transformed samples revealed that at ∼1050 °C (which is above the incongruent melting temperature of YBa2Cu3O6+x) a reaction layer forms at the alumina interface. The reaction products were identified as Ba6Y2Al4O15 and a copper-rich liquid phase. On cooling below the peritectic temperature, aligned domains of YBa2Cu3O6+x (123) were observed to nucleate preferentially at the reaction layer. For samples of melt-textured 123 deliberately seeded with alumina particles, it was found that nucleation and growth of 123 occurred exclusively at the particles. A reaction sequence for the formation of the Ba6Y2Al4O15 is put forward, together with a discussion of the possible nucleation mechanisms for the 123.
The Effect of the Uptick Rule on Spreads, Depths, and Short Sale Prices

We examine the effects of the uptick rule on the quoting and trading of NYSE-listed stocks, and find that the uptick rule increases liquidity by decreasing quoted spreads and increasing ask depths. We also find that when the rule is suspended, those short sell orders that are executed take place at a price that is, on average, above the quote midpoint.
Masticator space abnormalities associated with mandibular osteoradionecrosis: MR and CT findings in five patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Imaging of patients with a clinical diagnosis of mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is often performed to support that clinical suspicion, evaluate the extent of the disease, or exclude coexistent tumor recurrence. The purpose of our study was to describe the clinical, MR imaging, and CT features of five patients with mandibular ORN associated with prominent soft-tissue abnormality in the adjacent masticator muscles. METHODS: The MR and CT examinations of five patients with mandibular ORN associated with soft-tissue abnormalities in the adjacent masticator muscles were reviewed. All patients had received external beam radiotherapy for primary head and neck malignancies, with a total radiation dose range of 60 Gy to 69 Gy in 30 to 38 fractions. RESULTS: CT revealed the typical osseous findings of cortical disruption, trabecular disorganization, and fragmentation in all five patients. Abnormal diffuse enhancement of the adjacent masseter and pterygoid muscles was noted in all patients. Four patients had prominent mass-like thickening of these muscles adjacent to the osseous abnormality. Of the three patients who underwent MR imaging, all showed homogeneous abnormal T1 hypointensity, T2 hyperintensity, and intense enhancement of the bone marrow in the involved mandible. The masticator muscles adjacent to the osseous abnormality also showed abnormal T2 hyperintensity and intense diffuse enhancement on MR images. CONCLUSION: Mandibular ORN can be associated with prominent soft-tissue thickening and enhancement in the adjacent musculature. These changes can appear mass-like and are not related to tumor recurrence or metastatic disease.
Hydrolysis of evaporated Zn in a hot wall flow reactor

Hydrolysis of Zn is investigated as the second step in a ZnO/Zn redox solar water splitting process. Zinc is evaporated and hydrolyzed with steam in a hot wall flow tubular reactor. The influence of the reactor temperature distribution and residence time on hydrogen conversion was measured for furnace set point temperatures of 1023 K and 1073 K. The yield of ZnO aerosol was measured in situ using a scanning differential mobility sizer. The composition and morphology of the solid product were characterized with X-ray diffraction and microscopy. Hydrogen conversions of 87-96% at temperatures above zinc saturation are attributed primarily to hydrolysis of zinc(g) at the wall of the reactor at temperatures from 800 K to 1077 K.
Is fire severity increasing in the Sierra Nevada, California, USA?

Research in the Sierra Nevada range of California, USA, has provided conflicting results about current trends of high-severity fire. Previous studies have used only a portion of available fire severity data, or considered only a portion of the Sierra Nevada. Our goal was to investigate whether a trend in fire severity is occurring in Sierra Nevada conifer forests currently, using satellite imagery. We analysed all available fire severity data, 1984-2010, over the whole ecoregion and found no trend in proportion, area or patch size of high-severity fire. The rate of high-severity fire has been lower since 1984 than the estimated historical rate. Responses of fire behaviour to climate change and fire suppression may be more complex than assumed. A better understanding of spatiotemporal patterns in fire regimes is needed to predict future fire regimes and their biological effects. Mechanisms underlying the lack of an expected climate- and time since fire-related trend in high-severity fire need to be identified to help calibrate projections of future fire. The effects of climate change on high-severity fire extent may remain small compared with fire suppression. Management could shift from a focus on reducing extent or severity of fire in wildlands to protecting human communities from fire.
Barriers to Applying Probabilistic Risk Analysis in Design and Construction Projects

Using a case study analysis of Construction Industry Institute (CII) and Project Management Institute (PMI) member companies, this CII-funded research sought to understand the current use of risk management tools in the industry, including deterministic and probabilistic project-control techniques. The results indicate that formal risk analysis is not adopted universally. Given the benefits realized from the use of these tools, this research sought to understand why organizations are not using more formal probabilistic approaches to risk management. The research uncovered several barriers organizations face when trying to implement these probabilistic approaches, including a lack of organizational support, a lack of procedures, a lack of technical expertise to implement and interpret outputs, and a lack of transparency amongst stakeholders. By focusing on overcoming these barriers through training employees, adopting processes and procedures for risk management, and regularly communicating with project stakeholders; organizations can implement more formal project risk management approaches when warranted.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic characterization of ultra-thin silicon oxide films on a Mo(100) surface

Ultra-thin films of silicon oxides supported on a Mo(100) surface have been studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The films were synthesized by evaporating Si onto the Mo surface in oxygen ambient and were subsequently characterized using XPS with respect to the chemical states of silicon and the composition of the film. It has been found that the silicon oxide, prepared at room temperature with a silicon deposition rate of ∼ 1.2 A/min and an oxygen pressure of 2 × 10−5 Torr, consisted of predominantly silicon dioxide with a small fraction of suboxides. Annealing to ∼ 1300 K yielded a stoichiometric film of SiO2. The suboxides are believed to further react with oxygen forming SiO2 at an elevated temperature.
Availability Management in a Virtualized World

Virtualization technology is offering new and unique ways to better manage systems and the application workloads they support. In fact, virtualization is moving beyond single systems to pools of systems that can be logically managed as a single system in the data center. Virtualization also introduces a paradigm shift in availability management which significantly simplifies the complexity involved in achieving resiliency. The focus of this paper is to describe an availability management architecture, and discuss capabilities that can be used to provide virtual machine resiliency in today’s virtualized data center. This paper addresses the detection and recovery of unplanned downtime resulting from system failures. In addition, we show that improved resiliency can be provided to virtual machines to minimize what has been traditional considered planned downtime.
The Lethal Impacts of Roundup and Predatory Stress on Six Species of North American Tadpoles

The decline in amphibians across the globe has sparked a search for the causes, and recent evidence suggests a connection with pesticides. However, for most pesticides, tests on amphibians are rare and conducted only for short durations (1 to 4 days) and without natural stressors. Recent studies have discovered that the stress of predator cues in the water can make insecticides much more lethal to larval amphibians, but it is unknown whether this phenomenon can be generalized to other types of pesticides. Using six species of North American amphibian larvae (Rana sylvatica, R. pipiens, R. clamitans, R. catesbeiana, Bufo americanus, and Hyla versicolor), I examined the impact of a globally common herbicide (Roundup) on the survival of tadpoles for 16 days with and without the chemical cues emitted by predatory newts (Notophthalmus viridescens). LC50(16-d) estimates varied from 0.55 to 2.52 mg of active ingredient (AI)/L, which was considerably lower than the few previous studies using Roundup (1.5 to 15.5 mg AI/L). Moreover, in one of the six species tested (R. sylvatica), the addition of predatory stress made Roundup twice as lethal. This discovery suggests that synergistic interactions between predatory stress and pesticides may indeed be a generalizable phenomenon in amphibians that occurs with a wide variety of pesticides.
Isolated intracranial Rosai-Dorfman disease mimicking meningioma in a child.

A 9-year-old boy presented with a 12-month history of headaches and recent grand mal seizures. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed an enhancing right frontal convexity lesion. The preoperative diagnosis was meningioma. However, histological examination was diagnostic of Rosai - Dorfman disease. Rosai - Dorfman disease confined to the intracranial compartment is very rare, of 34 reported cases only one presented in the first decade. Optimal treatment has not been established, but complete surgical resection alone seems effective and allows histological distinction from meningioma.
Definition, Clinical Features, and Classification of ARVC/D. Task Force Criteria for ARVC/D

Abstract In their 1982 paper, Frank Marcus from the University of Arizona and Guy Fontaine with the group of investigators from the Hopital de La Salpetriere provided a detailed description of the disease they called “arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia,” or ARVD. They defined ARVD as a disorder of a heart muscle, leading to arrhythmias, and predominantly involving the right ventricular (RV) myocardium, causing progressive fibro fatty replacement of the RV free wall and subsequent RV enlargement and focal regional wall motion abnormalities. The authors described in detail imaging-based features of this disorder; utilizing RV angiography and echocardiography. They revealed the most frequent an involvement of specific regions of the RV (RV inflow tract and outflow tract and RV apex) defining it as “the triangle of dysplasia.” In this Chapter, we provide historical overview of the changes in understanding and definition of ARVC/D. We also describe diagnostic approach utilizing the 2010 ARVC/D Task Force Criteria.
Styrene-butadiene rubber filled with fluorinated carbon black : Part II. Effect of curative level

Abstract The cure and tensile properties of sulfur vulcanized styrene-butadiene rubber filled with a conventional furnace black or a fluorinated black have been determined. Compositions with the fluorinated black and normal curative levels exhibit retarded cure compared to corresponding ones with the furnace black. This is due to a reaction between the sulfenamide accelerator and the fluorinated black. Notwithstanding, a fluoro-filled composition with no curatives substantially crosslinks when molded at 150°C. Thus, fluoro-black filled specimens have competing effects toward crosslinking. On the one hand, crosslinking is inhibited by reaction with the accelerator, while, on the other hand, the fluoro-black itself can cause crosslinking.