cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distributed nonlinear model predictive control through accelerated parallel ADMM

Alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM), as a powerful distributed optimization algorithm, provides a framework for distributed model predictive control (MPC) for nonlinear process systems based on local subsystem model information. However, the practical application of classical ADMM is largely limited by the high computational cost caused by its slow (linear) rate of convergence and non-parallelizability. In this work, we combine a recently developed multi-block parallel ADMM algorithm with a Nesterov acceleration technique into a fast ADMM scheme, and apply it to the solution of optimal control problems associated with distributed nonlinear MPC. A benchmark chemical process is considered for a case study, which demonstrates a significant reduction of computational time and communication effort compared to non-parallel and non-accelerated ADMM counterparts.
Relation of public health staffing to follow-up after newborn hearing screening in three health districts in Georgia, 2009-2015.

Abstract Objective To describe the association, or non-association, of public health district staffing (specifically, Early Hearing Detection and Intervention [EHDI] coordinator/navigator) and loss to follow-up in newborns who did not pass hearing screening in selected public health districts in Georgia, USA. Methods By Freedom of Information request, data regarding newborn hearing screening and loss to follow-up for diagnostic testing and staffing were acquired for three districts in Georgia for six years. The districts were chosen because their coordinator/navigator positions were unfilled at times. Results Lapses in staffing of the district EHDI coordinator/navigator position aligned temporally with decreased follow-up. Aggregate three district data showed that follow-up rates in quarter-years with a fulltime navigator were higher than quarter-years without a full-time navigator (p Conclusion Lapses in staffing dedicated to EHDI navigation-coordination correlated with poorer follow-up after not passing newborn hearing screening.
Raspberry Pi Operating System

Like most modern operating systems Raspbian is controlled by a large number of configuration files. When Raspbian boots it reads these files at various times during initialization. As the files are read Raspbian sets internal flags and sometimes even creates new configuration files to reflect the desired behavior of the OS and therefore the Raspberry Pi.
Tracheostomy in the Extremely Premature Neonate: A Multi-Institutional Study:

Objective(1) To describe characteristics associated with tracheostomy placement and (2) to describe associated in-hospital morbidity in extremely premature infants.Study DesignPooled retrospective ...
Mechanical properties of compositionally-rich body-centered cubic VNbTaMoW alloy

Abstract We determined the mechanical properties, microstructure, and composition of a VNbTaMoW alloy enriched with carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen using a combination of nano- and micro-indentation, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. We show that the alloy is nearly equiatomic, V0.20Nb0.20Ta0.20Mo0.22W0.18, body-centered cubic polycrystal, with depth-dependent C, N, and O concentrations, whose elastic moduli and hardnesses decrease with increasing indentation depth due primarily to depth-dependent changes in the bulk impurity concentration.
Second Screening: Measuring Second Screen User Behavior in a Social Television Viewing Environment

This study investigated second screen user behavior in a social television-viewing environment. Two online consumer panels of 1,052 second screeners were sampled to complete the three-stage researc...
When the Watchers Are Watched: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of Body-Worn Cameras

This research explores the individual construction of the body-worn camera (BWC) within what would be labeled as an average size police agency. Using a pre- and post-implementation qualitative design and leveraging interpretive phenomenological analysis as the analytical strategy, this research explores the nuanced reaction to this technological diffusion within the agency. Results reveal global themes spanning a continuum of negative and positive reactions to the diffusion, with an overwhelming acceptance of the device and individual construction of how best to use the device. While providing an initial lens of analysis for future researchers, the research includes considerable unanswered questions concerning what the diffusion of this technology holds for officers, agencies, and communities.
MODELING CHOLERA TRANSMISSION UNDER DISEASE CONTROL MEASURES

We present a new mathematical model to investigate the transmission dynamics of cholera under disease control measures that include education programs and water sanitation. The model incorporates t...
Preoperative nutritional counselling in patients undergoing oesophagectomy.

Background Patients undergoing surgery for oesophageal cancer are at high risk of malnutrition due to pathology and neoadjuvent therapy. This study sought to determine if oesophageal cancer patients undergoing oesophagectomy achieve superior clinical outcomes when preoperative nutritional counselling is performed. Methods Oesophageal cancer patients undergoing oesophagectomy were retrospectively divided into cohorts based on those who received (n = 48) and did not receive (n = 58) preoperative nutritional counselling. We compared weight loss, length of stay, 30-day readmission related to nutrition or feeding tube problems, and 90-day mortality. Results Per cent weight loss was less in patients who received preoperative nutritional counselling. There was a trend toward decreased mean length of stay and there were fewer readmissions for feeding tube-related complications in patients who received counselling. Conclusions Nutritional counselling before surgery may lead to decreased weight loss and reduced readmissions for feeding tube-related complications in patients with oesophageal cancer undergoing oesophagectomy.
ALABAMA BENEFIT CORPORATIONS: GROWING THE ECOSYSTEM

The primary purpose of our whitepaper is to make strategic recommendations for growing the ecosystem of benefit corporations in the State of Alabama. We begin by highlighting the necessity of benefit corporations and briefly reviewing their history and national growth trends. We highlight how other states and regions have been successful in growing their population of benefit corporations, and what Alabama would hope to gain by following suit. We discuss the advantages of the benefit corporation, as well as novel challenges that exist at both the individual-firm and state levels. We conclude by making targeted recommendations for developing, growing, and sustaining an ecosystem of benefit corporations in the State of Alabama.
How gender matters: A conceptual and process model for family-supportive supervisor behaviors

Abstract Work-family management has become a highly salient issue for organizations as the world of work experiences ongoing changes due to globalization, technological advances, and new challenges spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past decade or so, the concept of family-supportive supervisor behaviors (FSSB) has been recognized by management and organizational science scholars as an important resource for alleviating negative pressures related to work-family management. However, despite evidence suggesting organizations are heavily gendered (i.e., built upon and structured according to assumptions about gender) and that FSSB represent a set of gendered behaviors, the role of gender is largely missing from FSSB theorization. In addition, little is known regarding the antecedents of FSSB and the mechanisms responsible for the enactment or withholding of FSSB by supervisors. To address these gaps, we perform an interdisciplinary theoretical integration to develop a conceptual and process model of gendered antecedents of the FSSB decision-making process. We present theoretically driven propositions regarding how gender-related variables of the supervisory dyad influence both 1) if/how supervisors become aware of an FSSB opportunity, and 2) supervisors' FSSB decisions to enact, withhold, or neglect FSSB. We conclude with practical implications and opportunities for future FSSB research based on implications of our theoretical insights.
The Functional Rating Index: Twenty Years of Invalid Measurement.

STUDY DESIGN The 2001 Functional Rating Index (FRI) was not developed under today's standard psychometric analysis. The original data of 108 cases, were re-analyzed using Rasch item response theory. In addition, two alternative forms were administered to an additional 140 patients for comparison. OBJECTIVE The FRI was never developed to standards as set by the FDA in 2009. Even so, the FRI has been cited over 300 times, translated into multiple languages, used as primary clinical and research outcomes, and used to calibrate concurrent, construct, and content validity for other surveys. This study tests the FRI using the modern item response theory. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The 2001 FRI data showed internal agreement among items and weak item-total correlation items. The FRI's true reliability and validity have never been confirmed. METHODS The original 2001 FRI 108 and two new versions with 140 respondents with back pain were compared with Rasch analysis characteristics of unidimensionality, local independence, monotonicity, and differential item functioning. RESULTS All three versions measured more than one latent construct. Form 2001 had two items that were non-monotonic, four with differential item functioning (DIF), five items with poor infit, and four with poor outfit. Form A had five non-monotonic items, five had DIF, three had poor infit, and three had poor outfit. Form B had no non-monotonic items, one item with DIF, three items with poor infit, and two items with poor outfit. CONCLUSION The original FRI and alternative forms fail crucial psychometric tests and assesses more than one latent construct. It is thus unfit as a pain, function, and disability assessment. Only reducing the number of Likert choices improved the test. Other back pain assessments should be used instead, and all surveys would benefit from periodic item responses to adjust to shifts in grammar and meaning.Level of Evidence: 3.
Observability criteria and estimator design for stochastic linear hybrid systems

A stochastic linear hybrid system is said to be observable if the hybrid state of the system can be uniquely determined from its output. In this paper, we derive conditions for the observability of stochastic linear hybrid systems by exploiting the information obtained from system noise characteristics. Having established the necessary criteria for observability, we study the effect of these conditions on estimator design, and also find bounds on the switching times of the system to achieve guaranteed estimator performance. We then apply these results to the estimation of a two-mode aircraft trajectory.
Component analysis of the fast photoelectric signal from model bacteriorhodopsin membranes: Part II. Effect of fluorescamine treatment

Abstract This report investigates the effect of fluorescamine treatment of bacteriorhodopsin on the fast photoelectric signal. Such a treatment was performed either before or after membrane reconstitution. The data so obtained are subject to component analysis as outlined in the first of the two companion papers. The analysis shows that the fluorescamine treatment inhibits the B2 component but leaves the B1 component intact. The result justifies our protocol of separating the signal into the B1 and the B2 components. The result is also consistent with the assignment of B1 to a molecular process located in the buried chromophore-binding region and the assignment of B2 to an interfacial proton binding process taking place at the cytoplasmic surface of the membrane.
On the Computation of Optical Flow using the 3-D GaborTransform

The motion of brightness patterns in an image sequence (optical flow) is most intuitively considered as a spatiotemporal phenomenon. It has been shown, however, that motion has a characteristic signature in the spatiotemporal-frequency (Fourier) domain. This fact can be exploited for the computation of optical flow. However, for cases which involve a number of regions in a sequence with different motions, as in scenes with one or more objects moving against a stationary or moving background, the global nature of the Fourier transform makes it unsuitable for this task. The signatures of the different motions cannot be resolved in the Fourier domain, nor associated with their respective regions in the image sequence. Local frequency representations provide a means to address this problem. In this paper, we consider the application of a 3-D version of the widely used Gabor transform to the computation of optical flow.
Intellectual Freedom Education in Japan and the United States: A Comparative Study

The rapid development of information technology has dramatically changed the basic paradigm of access in libraries, as well as librarian's roles and responsibilities. In order to remain abreast with these changes, instruction on intellectual freedom in Library and Information Science education needs to be reexamined and revamped. There have been few studies which examined the state of intellectual freedom education in library science programs, and even fewer examined from an international or comparative approach. The present study is an examination of the state of intellectual freedom education in Japan. Interviews and a survey were applied to five Library and Information Science educators in Japan. The findings were analyzed in comparison with the results of Bruce Shuman's survey (1977). The University of Hawaii Library and Information Science curriculum was also used as a reference for comparison. Other recent smaller-scale survey studies are supplemented to illustrate American practice as well. Two fin...
A motion planning approach to automatic obstacle avoidance during concentric tube robot teleoperation

Concentric tube robots are thin, tentacle-like devices that can move along curved paths and can potentially enable new, less invasive surgical procedures. Safe and effective operation of this type of robot requires that the robot's shaft avoid sensitive anatomical structures (e.g., critical vessels and organs) while the surgeon teleoperates the robot's tip. However, the robot's unintuitive kinematics makes it difficult for a human user to manually ensure obstacle avoidance along the entire tentacle-like shape of the robot's shaft. We present a motion planning approach for concentric tube robot teleoperation that enables the robot to interactively maneuver its tip to points selected by a user while automatically avoiding obstacles along its shaft. We achieve automatic collision avoidance by precomputing a roadmap of collision-free robot configurations based on a description of the anatomical obstacles, which are attainable via volumetric medical imaging. We also mitigate the effects of kinematic modeling error in reaching the goal positions by adjusting motions based on robot tip position sensing. We evaluate our motion planner on a teleoperated concentric tube robot and demonstrate its obstacle avoidance and accuracy in environments with tubular obstacles.
Satellite observations of asymmetrical physical and biological responses to Hurricane Earl

[1] Asymmetrical physical and biological responses to Hurricane Earl in 2010 are revealed with a combined data set of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) ocean color and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer EOS (AMSR-E) SST observations onboard the satellite Aqua. Hurricane Earl induced broad SST drops and elevated chlorophyll-a concentrations along its track. The ocean's physical and biological responses are notably right-biased when the hurricane passed along the U.S. East Coast. In the ranges within 100 km off the track, the SST dropped 1.85°C and 1.23°C on the right and left sides, respectively. On the other hand, the ratios of the chlorophyll-a concentration before and after the passage of Hurricane Earl are 2.04 on the right side and 1.33 on the left. In addition to the satellite-observed sea surface changes, temperature and salinity profiles of an Argo float on Earl's track show the ocean's physical response occurred mostly within the mixed layer and thermocline in the upper 70 m water column.
Methylation and other Modifications of Nucleic Acids and Proteins

This chapter summarizes the current understanding on methylation and other biochemical modifications of DNA, RNA, and proteins, with a focus on prokaryotic organisms. Postsynthetic modifications of macromolecules have been known for many important cellular functions in bacteria. DNA methylation is involved in initiation of chromosome replication, immunity against phage infection, regulation of gene expression, DNA repair, and phage packaging. Protein phosphorylation and acetylation make significant contributions to sensing and responding to environmental cues and regulation of cellular metabolism. With the availability of full genome sequences for many bacteria, there are several major breakthroughs in high throughput detection of modifications in DNA, RNA, and proteins in the last decade. The examples include genome-wide detection of DNA methylation by single molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing and identification of protein modifications by tandem mass spectrometry. These technical advancements have also revealed certain novel functions for post-synthetic modifications of macromolecules.
The Photovoltaic Concentrator Initiative

Recognizing the recent improvements in concentrator cell efficiencies and progress in low-cost module designs, the US Department of Energy has authorized Sandia National Laboratories to implement and administer the Photovoltaic Concentrator Initiative, a program to accelerate the advent of a self-sustaining industry capable of providing cost-effective photovoltaic concentrating-collector power systems. Toward this goal, competitively placed, multiyear developmental efforts will be established with companies committed to the commercialization of the resulting technologies in the Initiative's two major areas: concentrator-cell and concentrating-collector development. Since Sandia has unique capabilities in both of these areas, cooperative development efforts are planned. This Initiative is designed both to move the existing high-performance cell technology from the laboratory to the production floor, and to develop the collector technology to the stage where it is ready for final production engineering. The features of the Initiative and the progress to date toward satisfying its purpose are given. >
A Role for Immature Myeloid Cells in Immune Senescence

The reduced efficiency of the mammalian immune system with aging increases host susceptibility to infectious and autoimmune diseases. However, the mechanisms responsible for these pathologic changes are not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the bone marrow, blood, and secondary lymphoid organs of healthy aged mice possess increased numbers of immature myeloid cells that are phenotypically similar to myeloid-derived suppressor cells found in lymphoid organs of mice with progressive tumors and other pathologic conditions associated with chronic inflammation. These cells are characterized by the presence of Gr1 and CD11b markers on their surfaces. Gr1(+)CD11b(+) cells isolated from aged mice possess an ability to suppress T cell proliferation/activation and produce heightened levels of proinflammatory cytokines, both constitutively and upon activation, including IL-12, which promotes an excessive production of IFN-γ. IFN-γ priming is essential for excessive proinflammatory cytokine production and the suppressive activities by Gr1(+)CD11b(+) cells from aged mice. These cells suppress T cell proliferation through an NO-dependent mechanism, as depletion of splenic Gr1(+) cells reduces NO levels and restores T cell proliferation. Insights into mechanisms responsible for the proinflammatory and immune suppressive activities of Gr1(+)CD11b(+) cells from aged mice have uncovered a defective PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, leading to a reduced Akt-dependent inactivation of GSK3β. Our data demonstrate that abnormal activities of the Gr1(+)CD11b(+) myeloid cell population from aged mice could play a significant role in the mechanisms responsible for immune senescence.
Resolved forward Brillouin scattering in optical fibers.

Forward light scattering by the thermally excited acoustic eigenmodes of an optical fiber produce numerous narrow lines not predicted by the bulk-interaction theory of Brillouin scattering. Optical heterodyne detection has been used to resolve the scattering spectrum which begins at about 20 MHz and extends to the detection limit.
Preferences of Two Races of Honey Bees for Selected Alfalfa Clones Under Competitive and Noncompetitive Foraging

In alfalfa the clonal preferences of Golden Italian, Apis Mellifera liguslica Spinola, and Carniolan, Apis mellitera carnica Pollmann, honey bees (chosen because of similarity in behavior and difference in color) were similar when they foraged alone in a cage during June and August 1965 at Manhattan, Kansas. Similarly, the parallelism of the clonal preferences of the 2 bee races, when foraging together in the cage, were striking. Equality of clonal attractiveness in field and cage was demonstrated for the 25 clones used. Preferences of neither honey bee race were appreciably altered by equalizing racemes per plant. The bee races appeared to compete for clones in foraging, but the effect on individuals of each race was about equal. Carniolans caged alone appeared to be more efficient pollinators of alfalfa than Golden Italians.
Jump number problem: The role of matroids

Let L=x1x2...xn be a linear extension of a poset P. Each pair (xi, xi+1) such that xi≮ xi+1in P is called a jump of L. It is well known that for N-free posets a natural ‘greedy’ procedure constructing linear extensions yields a linear extension with a minimum number of jumps. We show that there is a matroid corresponding to any N-free poset and apply the Rado-Edmonds Theorem to obtain another proof of this result.
Health Care Need, Economics and Social Justice

Need has persisted as a central concept in health policy debate. Despite confusion over its meaning and derivation it seems to summarise a belief by many policy makers that the concerns of health policy go beyond the merely economic. Economists, on their side, frequently stop at the borders of economics, leaving the concept of need to others, preferring where possible the concepts of demand and supply. This state of affairs increases the risk that the relationship of health care need to economic theory will not be well understood by policy makers, and that economists will misunderstand why their policy advice, when given, is so frequently ignored.
Electronics of the fluorescent lamp

THE fluorescent lamp is one of the recent and rapidly growing additions to the field of electronic devices. In order to understand properly the characteristics of the fluorescent lamp, it is necessary just as with other electronic devices, to know something about the fundamental principles of operation. It is the purpose of this paper to describe the operating principles of this type of lamp, both as an electrical conductor and as a radiation generator. Following a brief outline of the properties of radiant energy as they concern lamp design, a description is given of the phenomena occurring in the separate regions of the lamp. The final section of the paper is concerned with the over-all characteristics of the lamp considered primarily as a circuit element.
Clinical Factors Contributing to Rapid Reoperation for Crohn’s Disease Patients Undergoing Resection and/or Strictureplasty

Although surgically induced remission of Crohn's disease following segmental resection/strictureplasty is effective and durable, a subpopulation of patients will require rapid reoperation. We reviewed our inflammatory bowel disease center's database to identify patients who underwent multiple laparotomies. A retrospective analysis of consecutive Crohn's disease patients (1998-2004) was performed, and patients requiring repeat laparotomy were identified. Rapid reoperation was defined as repeat intestinal surgery within 2 years. Demographic data and medical treatment were recorded. Clinical factors contributing to rapid reoperation were defined as (1) symptomatic adhesion, (2) residual strictures/technical error, (3) lack of effective medical therapy, and (4) severe disease despite medical treatment. Of 432 patients, 65 required two or more abdominal explorations, with 32 patients requiring rapid reoperation (50 surgeries). Residual strictures and technical error accounted for 20% of procedures; ineffective medical therapy was identified in 64%, whereas severe disease despite medical therapy was a contributing factor in 14%. Adhesions were found in a single patient. Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed that rapid reoperation patients had significant and consistently shorter intervals between surgical procedures (i.e., interval between procedures 1 and 2 and 2 and 3). Residual strictures manifest during postop year 1, whereas recurrence of severe disease was the dominant contributing factor during year 2. Our data suggest that operative strategies emphasizing occult stricture detection and adequate medical therapy in Crohn's disease patients may improve outcome and decrease the need for rapid re-exploration.
Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita in an infant with posterior agenesis of the corpus callosum

A term male infant with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and agenesis of the corpus callosum is described. Physical examination revealed multiplex dysmorphic features and fixed joints. A muscle biopsy showed type II fibers to be more than 12% smaller than type I fibers, consistent with the diagnosis of fiber type disproportion. The CT scan disclosed absence of the posterior corpus callosum and moderate atrophy of the cerebellar hemispheres. The pathogenetic mechanism for the muscle (and thus joint) abnormalities of this infant is discussed with respect to a central etiology.
ADVANCES IN PERMANENT PACING

Four areas of improvement in pacemaker (P) design and application provide the potential for more effective permanent pacing: 1. Use of lithium power source (LP); 2. Use of rechargeable batteries (RP); 3. the use of atrial epicardial leads (AP) for sick sinus syndrome (SSS); and 4. atrial sequential pacemaker (ASP) for use in complete AV block (CAVB) when atrial augmentation of cardiac output is needed. The purpose of this report is to present the experience in 20 pts, 8 days to 24 years, mean 11 years of age, using these new pacing techniques. The treatment has been evaluated with respect to desired result, duration of effectiveness and acceptability to the patient and parents. Lithium AP was used successfully in 3 pts with SSS and normal AV conduction, although 1 pt still has intermittent tachydysrhythmias. Ventricular P were used in 2 pts with SSS and abnormal AV conduction and in 13 pts with CAVB. There were 11 LP and 4 RP, all of which have functioned without a battery failure; duration of use: LP 1-31 mos, mean 13.7 mos, and RP: 21-37 mos, mean 27.3 mos. Pacing has been effective with complications in only 2 pts: asymptomatic diaphragmatic stimulation. ASP was used in 2 pts with CAVB and congestive heart failure. Both ASP failed to sense atrial depolarization and functioned as fixed-rate ventricular P. LP and RP offer a durable power source acceptable for pediatric pts needing atrial or ventricular permanent pacing. ASP has not yet proven to work efficiently.
THE ADVANTAGE OF STABLE ISOTOPE LABELED THEOPHYLLINE FOR STEADY STATE KINETICS IN PREMATURE INFANTS

Thaophylline (TH) disposition is known to vary greatly in the neonatal period. Parameters obtained after discontinuation of the drug or after single dose study yield misleading information if the drug has dose-dependent kinetics. Therefore, pharmocokinetic parameters are commonly determined between dosing intervals once steady state has been achieved. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the “in between doses” method in the neonatal population treatad with TH. Nine preterm infants (GA:26-30wk, postnatal age; 7-191d, study weight:0.910-1.803kg] received one pulsed dose of stable isotope labeled thaophylline TH-3 [1,2 15N, 2 13TH), given IV. Blood end urino wera collected for one week. All samples were analysed by selected ion monitoring GC/HS. Phermacokinetic parameters determined from TH decay during one Bh dosing interval were compared to those obtained from tha disappearance curve of TH-3 over one week period. Systemic clearances calculated from AUC indicated thet TH and TH-3 disposition were identical. [paired T test:N.S.] However, TH-3 t1/2 [29 7+14.5H] was significantly longer than TH t1/2 (14.8+6h). The difference cannot be accountad for by a distribution phase since TH t1/2 was calculated 8-16h after the previous dose. Urine data showed an increased excretion of TH following each dose as a result of a diuretic effect. Therefore, the shorter t1/2 obtained from the multiple-dose method reflects a fast decay due to diuresis, while the longer t1/2 obtained from the steble isotope method is the real half-life. We conclude that calculating theophytline half-life between two doses, significantly underestimates the real t1/2 representing potential risk of toxicity.
PROMOTING RECIPROCAL INTERACTIONS VIA PEER INCIDENTAL TEACHING

This study evaluated peer incidental teaching as a strategy for increasing reciprocal peer interactions by children with autism. Three typical preschoolers were trained as peer tutors for 3 young children with autism. During a classroom free-play session, peer tutors used incidental teaching to obtain verbal labels of preferred toys by children with autism. A multiple baseline across the 3 target children showed replicated positive effects of the intervention. Adult supervision and assistance were then faded systematically, with resulting maintenance of increased reciprocal interactions. Multiple measures of the extent and limits of generalization suggested that 1 child increased interactions in free-play periods throughout the day, but none of the children showed increases at lunch. Teacher and peer ratings supported the social validity of positive findings.
Determinations of Sodium Chloride Equivalents by Osmometry

AbstractThe vapor pressure osmometer was used to calculate the sodium chloride equivalents of several compounds. These values were compared with published values and in some cases, considerable variation was seen. The osmolality was determined for iso-osmotic drug solutions mixed in different ratios with iso-osmotic saline or sorbitol. The drugs investigated included atropine sulfate, te-tracycline hydrochloride, homatropine hydrobromide, pilocarpine nitrate, amphetamine sulfate and bromodiphenhydramine hydrochloride. The results of these studies showed that colligative properties of multicomponent aqueous solutions are often non-additive in manner. The changing osmolality suggests that ion-ion or ion-molecule forces are occurring and when osmolality increases, so does the number of particles in solution.
Conductance and ion association in dimethylsulfite

The electrolytic conductances of LiClO4, LiAsF6, NaClO4 and the n-butylammonium salts Bu4NCl, Bu4NClO4, and Bu4NBPh4 (tetraphenylborate) have been determined in dimethylsufite at 25°C. Ion association constants calculated from these data are interpreted in terms of solvent-separated ion pairs (for LiClO4, LiAsF6, and NaClO4), and contact ion pairs (for the n-butyl-ammonium salts). Comparisons are made for analogous electrolytes in acetone, and in which all salts form contact ion pairs.
Reactions of some oxiranes with rhodium(I) and iridium(I) species

Summary Tetracyanooxirane oxidatively adds to rhodium(I) and iridium(I) species to afford metal(III) compounds. With trans -RhCl(CO)(PPh 3 ) 2 a reaction in boiling C 6 H 6 produces RhCl(CN)(OC 2 (CN) 3 )(CO)(PPh 3 ) 2 , a rhodium(III)(cyano)-(tricyanoenolato) compound. Characteristic frequencies are at 2225 ( v (C-C≡N)), 2106 ( v (Rh-C≡N)), 2009 ( v (C≡0)), and 1620 cm −1 ( v (C=C)). The nucleophilic trans -IrCl(CO)(PMe 3 ) 2 complex adds tetracyanooxirane at 25°C in THF to afford a stable oxametallacycle that shows a v (C≡N) band at 2199 and a v (C≡0) band at 2082 cm −1 . The unsaturated MClP 2 species (M = Rh, Ir; P = PPh 3 ) decarbonylate terminal oxiranes (phenyl- and vinyloxirane) to give trans -MCl(CO)(PPh 3 ) 2 compounds.
Comparison of glass etching to xurography prototyping of microfluidic channels for DNA melting analysis

Two microchannel manufacturing methods—xurography of double-sided tape and glass etching (lithography and wet etching)—were compared using DNA melting analysis. A heterozygous mutation (3 base-pair deletion) was distinguished from wild type (normal) DNA in 10 nL (xurography and glass etching) and 1 nL (xurography) volumes. The results of the 10 nL and 1 nL melting curves were compared to results using commercial high-resolution instrumentation with 10 µL volumes. These 1000-fold and 10 000-fold volume reductions reduced the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) only 29-fold and 40-fold for xurography (10 nL and 1 nL, respectively,) and 39-fold for 10 nL glass etched microchannels, still providing adequate discrimination for mutation detection. The reduced SNR of the glass etched microchannels compared to the tape microchannels was due to the in-house bonding process which gave poor optical quality on the surface of the microchip. Xurography of double-sided tape reduces the cost by 20 fold and is four times faster to manufacture than glass etching. Microchips created using the rapid prototyping technique of xurography are a reasonable prototyping alternative to channels created using traditional glass etching for DNA mutation detection.
Variability of Western blot patterns from sera of hemophiliacs determined with different human immunodeficiency virus antigens

Abstract Qualitative as well as quantitative changes in HIV-specific antibody titers may be of prognostic value in individuals at risk for developing AIDS. The Western blot (WB) method was used to monitor sequential serum samples from 12 patients with hemophilia in order to determine if any changes occurred in patterns of antibody reactivity. When sera were initially screened for HIV and antibody by ELISA, six patients were negative, five were positive, and one patient was variably negative to weakly positive. ELISA-positive sera produced typical WB band patterns, although these differed for a given sample when tested against a panel of five HIV antigens. Discrepancies were noted for p18, p55, and gp120 160 viral proteins. ELISA-negative samples were nonreactive by WB except for reactivity of some samples with p24 when one of the antigens was used. An equivocal WB pattern, i.e. distinct bands at p24 and an unidentified protein, was obtained from the patient with variable ELISA results. WB analysis of serum is a potentially useful tool for monitoring disease progression, however minor changes in methodology can lead to significant differences in the final result.
Using bathymetric lidar to define nearshore benthic habitat complexity: Implications for management of reef fish assemblages in Hawaii

Abstract Habitat complexity plays a major role in determining the distribution and structure of fish assemblages in the aquatic environment. These locations are critical for ecosystem function and have significant implications for conservation and management. In this study, we evaluated the utility of remotely sensed lidar (light detection and ranging) data for deriving substrate rugosity (a measure of habitat complexity) on a coral reef in Hawaii. We also assessed the potential application of lidar data for examining the relationship between habitat complexity and Hawaiian reef fish assemblage characteristics. Lidar-derived rugosity (4 m grid size) was found to be highly correlated with in-situ rugosity and was concluded to be a viable method for measuring rugosity in analogous coral reef environments. We established that lidar-derived rugosity was a good predictor of fish biomass and demonstrated a strong relationship with several fish assemblage metrics in hard bottom habitat at multiple spatial resolutions. This research demonstrates (i) the efficacy of lidar data to provide substrate rugosity measures at scales commensurate with the resources and their environment (ii) the applicability of lidar-derived rugosity for examining fish–habitat relationships on a coral reef in Hawaii and (iii) the potential of lidar to provide information about the seascape structure that can ultimately be used to prioritize areas for conservation and management.
Four-cycle high-dose therapy with hematopoietic support for metastatic breast cancer: No improvement in outcomes compared with single-course high-dose therapy

Multiple-cycle high-dose therapy with autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell (AHPC) support has been used to deliver dose-intensive therapy. We have used this approach as well as single-cycle high-dose therapy in tre a t i n g patients with metastatic breast cancer. We present the outcomes of multiple-cycle high-dose therapies and compare them with those resulting from single-course high-dose therapies perf o rmed at a single institution. Fifty-five patients received 4 cycles of intensive chemotherapy with AHPC support. Three multicycle regimens were sequentially applied. Twenty patients were enrolled to receive 4 cycles of high-dose mitoxantrone, thiotepa, and cyclophosphamide. Nineteen subsequent patients received this regimen modified by the incorporation of paclitaxel. Sixteen patients received 2 cycles of high-dose melphalan, thiotepa, and paclitaxel and 2 cycles of mitoxantrone, thiotepa, and paclitaxel. The results of all 3 multiple-cycle therapies are compared with those of 55 contemporaneous patients with metastatic breast cancer who received a single course of high-dose cyclophosphamide and thiotepa or cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and BCNU (carmustine) with hematopoietic cell rescue. Multiple-cycle therapy was associated with more infectious complications, increased transfusion re q u i rements, and increased hospital admissions. However, there were no significant diff e rences in outcomes between the groups. For 55 patients who re c e i v e d multiple-cycle therapy, the actuarial 3-year overall survival rate was 36% (95% confidence interval [CI] 23%-49%); f reedom from pro g ression and event-free survival were both 15% (CI 5%-25%). The median time to disease prog ression and median survival were 1.0 and 1.6 years, re s p e c t i v e l y. For the 55 patients who underwent a single course of high-dose therapy, the 3-year overall survival was also 36% (CI 18%-54%), whereas freedom from pro g re s s i o n and event-free survival were both 19% (CI 7%-31%). The median time to progression and median survival were 0.8 and 2.2 years, re s p e c t i v e l y. Within the constraints of this patient population, the outcomes of 4 cycles of highdose therapy with AHPC support were not superior to those resulting from single courses of high-dose therapy in
Cooperative oligopoly equilibrium

Abstract Oligopoly cooperation is investigated in an industry with N firms: each firm selects its own output. We show that such oligopoly problems have the same structure as problems of allocating public goods since each firm views its own output as a private good while viewing the outputs of others as public bads. This leads to ‘cooperative oligopoly equilibria’ which are the Lindahl equilibria of the oligopoly model. Agreements are modeled by the selection of a mechanism or ‘game form’ which obeys certain axioms. Under the postulated axioms we show the equivalence of agreed allocations with the set of oligopoly equilibria. It is argued that the principle of ‘Lindahl agreements’ may have wider applications.
Identity and genetic ancestry tracing.

Tracing genetic identity can lead to resolution of uncertainty but can cause more problems than it solves. Will establishment of genetic identity be cohesive or divisive? What can our genes tell us about who we are? The answer to that question depends on exactly what you want to know. In 1997, a Virginia pathologist and his colleagues used Y chromosome testing to corroborate (and in another case, fail to corroborate) the claims of families of African-Americans who believed themselves to be the descendants of Thomas Jefferson and his slave mistress, Sally Hemings.1 Researchers have used genetic testing to uncover evidence of genetic markers in the Lemba, a black southern African tribe whose oral history and customs have long suggested Jewish ancestry.2–4 In June 2002, the results of a genetic ancestry study were announced to a gathering of Melungeons,5 a “mixed ancestry” group in eastern Tennessee and Virginia6 whose ethnic origins have been clouded in mystery for centuries.7 Fig 1 Confederate soldier, Vardy Collins, a Melungeon listed on an 1830 census as a “free person of colour” Genetic ancestry tracing is not a purely academic exercise. A geneticist at Howard University has announced plans to offer commercial genetic ancestry tracing to African-Americans who want to trace their genetic lineage back to the areas of Africa from which their ancestors were captured and brought to America as slaves.8 The past few years have also seen the emergence of several commercial genetic testing ventures offering fee-for-service paternity testing, tests for evidence of Jewish ancestry, native American ancestry, or, in the case of Oxford Ancestors, a genetic connection to one of the so called “seven daughters of Eve.”9 #### Summary points Genetic ancestry tracing is being used to decide claims about ethnic, political, familial, and religious identity While genetic ancestry …
Annealing studies of Ru/Si multilayer by high-angle annular dark-field microscopy and HREM

Two different electron microscopy techniques were used to study a Ru/Si multilayer (ML) film. The structure of the multilayer was characterized by high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM). The multilayer compositional profile and its thermal stability were studied by using high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) microscopy. Initially, the Ru/Si ML was found to have a well-defined multilayer structure. After annealing of the sample at 150 degree(s)C for 30 minutes, we observed that the Ru and Si layers were highly interdiffused with large Ru silicide crystals being formed in the multilayer film.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Validity of self-report in type 1 diabetic subjects for laser treatment of retinopathy.

Purpose This study sought to determine the validity of self-report of prior panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) and focal photocoagulation (FP) compared with fundus photography. Design Prospective cohort study. Participants One thousand three hundred sixty-three type 1 diabetic subjects from the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study, a subset of the 1441 subjects originally enrolled in the multicenter Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. Methods At each annual visit, subjects were asked by EDIC staff whether they had undergone PRP, FP, or both since the last completed annual clinic visit. Fundus photographs were collected from one quarter of the cohort each year and from the entire cohort at EDIC years 4 and 10. Photographs were graded for the presence and extent of PRP and FP. Seventeen years of subject reporting and photograph grading of PRP and FP were compared in EDIC subjects. Main Outcome Measures The κ, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for subject-reported PRP and FP. Factors influencing subject misreporting were investigated. Results For subject reporting, 1244 (96%) of 1296 subjects with gradable photographs accurately reported whether they had a history of PRP in one or both eyes, and 1259 (97.5%) of 1291 with valid photographs correctly reported their history of FP. For PRP and FP, sensitivities were 90.4% and 74.0%, respectively; specificities were 96.0% and 98.8%, respectively; positive predictive values were 75.9% and 80.3%, respectively; negative predictive values were 98.9% and 98.4%, respectively; and κ values were 0.80 and 0.76, respectively. Risk factors associated with misreporting included prior laser for diabetic retinopathy and prior ocular surgery (each P Conclusions For subjects with type 1 diabetes, in the absence of a clinical examination or fundus photographs, subject self-report could be a reliable tool in a well-monitored study for assessing laser treatment type in diabetic retinopathy. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Dynamics at a Step on the Diamond (111) Surface

Using an accurate tight-binding method, we examine the structure and dynamics at a C(lll) step. We find the H vibration frequencies at a step are distinguishable from the flat surface. Removal of H from the surface creates an unstable bulk terminated diamond structure which relaxes to a graphitic layer and pulls away from the bulk. The explanation for these results can be given in terms of the relationship of the band structure to the relaxed geometries. The addition of H stabilizes this surface and reverts it back to sp3 bonding. The addition of CH3 near a step is also discussed. These results are important towards the understanding of possible diamond growth mechanisms that occur at a step.
3D Fabrication of Biological Machines

Cell-based biological machines can be defined as a set of sub-components consisting of living cells and cell-instructive micro-environments that interact to perform a range of prescribed tasks. The realization of biological machines and their sub-components will require a number of suitable cell sources, biomaterials, and enabling technologies. Here, we review our group's recent accomplishments and continuing efforts toward the development of building biological machines.
Submarine propeller computations and application to self-propulsion of DARPA Suboff

Abstract Simulations of the submarine propeller E1619 using the overset flow solver CFDShip-Iowa V4.5 are presented. Propeller open water curves were obtained for two grids for a wide range of advance coefficients covering high to moderately low loads, and results compared with available experimental data. A verification study was performed for one advance coefficient (J=0.71) on four grids and three time step sizes. The study shows that grid refinement has a weak effect on thrust and torque but very strongly affects the wake. The effect of the turbulence model on the wake was evaluated at J=0.4 comparing results with RANS, DES, DDES and with no turbulence model, showing that RANS overly dissipates the wake and that in the solution with no turbulence model the tip vortices quickly become unphysically unstable. Tip vortex pairing is observed and described for J≤0.71, showing multiple vortices merging for higher loads. The wake velocities are compared against experimental data for J=0.74, showing good agreement. Self-propulsion computations of the DARPA Suboff generic submarine hull fitted with sail, rudders, stern planes and the E1619 propeller were performed in model scale and the resulting propeller performance analyzed.