cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patients with immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation have superior outcomes compared with patients with multiple myeloma: a retrospective review from a tertiary referral center

The underlying plasma cell clones in multiple myeloma (MM) and Ig light-chain amyloidosis (AL) appear to be different not only in terms of 'tumor burden' but also in terms of their underlying biology. High-dose chemotherapy with auto-SCT is one method of reducing the clone size and thereby improving OS. Post-auto-SCT outcomes between the two diseases have never been formally compared. Among all patients with a diagnosis of AL or MM who received auto-SCT as primary therapy at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, there were higher CR rates (40% versus 29%, P<0.0001) in the AL group. The respective median OS for the AL and MM patients was 113 and 59.5 months, respectively, P<0.0001. Among patients achieving CR, MM patients had a fivefold risk of death as compared with AL patients. Although auto-SCT cannot be offered to all patients with either AL or MM, it appears that for those well enough to be chosen for the procedure, greater benefit is derived among the AL patients. This difference in survival is most notable among those patients who achieve CR, suggesting very different plasma cell biology between the two diseases.
Automation: problems and possibilities

Record-keeping in the provision of health and human services is extensive. The tedious tasks of filling out forms, updating Kardexes, and manual handling of interdepartmental information requires a magnitude of personnel time. Thus, computerized patient care information systems have been considered by many health and human sewice administrators in an effort to maximize utilization of persorinel resources and improve delivery of services. In fact, the Secretary's Commission on Nursing recently cited Ule use of computer technology as one of the Uuee best paths to easing the country's nursing shortage. Today's human service workers are faced with serious problems of (I) providing care to increasingly complex patients in a shorter period of time, (2) administrative pressures to improve producliviiy and quality, and (3) lack of immediates olution to the personnel shortage. The alternative, automation, can minimize resources required in record-keeping and facilitate communication amongst various depart...
Mechanisms for how inhaled multiwalled carbon nanotubes suppress systemic immune function in mice

The potential health effects of inhaling carbon nanotubes are important because of possible exposures in occupational settings. Previously, we have shown mice that have inhaled multiwalled carbon nanotubes have suppressed systemic immune function. Here, we show the mechanisms for this immune suppression. Mice were exposed to 0, 0.3 or 1 mg m(-3) multiwalled carbon nanotubes for 6 h per day for 14 consecutive days in whole-body inhalation chambers. Only those exposed to a dose of 1 mg m(-3) presented suppressed immune function; this involved activation of cyclooxygenase enzymes in the spleen in response to a signal from the lungs. Spleen cells from exposed animals partially recovered their immune function when treated with ibuprofen, a drug that blocks the formation of cyclooxygenase enzymes. Knockout mice without cyclooxygenase enzymes were not affected when exposed to multiwalled carbon nanotubes, further confirming the importance of this enzyme in suppression. Proteins from the lungs of exposed mice suppressed the immune function of spleen cells from normal mice, but not those from knockout mice. Our findings suggest that signals from the lung can activate signals in the spleen to suppress the immune function of exposed mice.
Miracle-Working Icons, Laity, and Authority in the Russian Orthodox Church, 1861–1917

In 1912 the priest Ioann Paryshev from the Siberian diocese of Eniseisk posed the following question in a letter to the Holy Synod: How does one distinguish between "common" and "special" (that is, miracle-working) icons?' Although seeming only to request a definition of "the miraculous," Paryshev's query was closely tied to the question of who had the prerogative to distinguish between "common" and "miracle-working" icons. Thus it touched on a set of issues which members of the Orthodox establishment in Russia had been heatedly debating for the previous decade: the definition of the community called "the Church," and the roles and functions of its members, especially the laity.2 Ultimately, Paryshev's question concerned issues of authority-lay and hierarchical, individual and communal-in matters concerning "the holy." This article examines Russia's culture of icon veneration as an arena in which these difficult issues of authority surfaced in the critical decades preceding Russia's 1917 revolutions. It traces the role that common believers played in shaping this culture of icon veneration, and the manner in which that culture, in turn, empowered them in an ecclesial community whose institutional structure did not lend them much credence.3 In particular,
Frequency analysis of EEG during milk drinking

Abstract 1. 1. When cats were presented a small amount of milk in a plastic feeder cup, their tongue movements made during lapping were recorded concomitantly with EEG records from posterior lateral gyri, suprasylvian gyri, and mid-ectosylvian gyri. Frequency analysis of the records revealed that a 7.5 c/sec activity was present only in the posterior lateral gyri during the lapping (7.5 was one of the center frequencies of the total ten 5-cycle bands of frequencies analyzed). The 7.5 c/sec activity was of relatively large amplitude and occurred only with repetitive lapping. Its initiation was approximately 300 msec or longer after the onset of lapping. 2. 2. The synchronous oscillatory EEG activity did not occur with ingestion of solid cat food by the animals. Therefore, the fact that the slow wave EEG occured due to the reinforcing properties of the milk hardly seems tenable. Solid cat food should be as reinforcing as milk. 3. 3. The 7.5 c/sec synchronous rhythm occurred in both normal and split-brain animals. With visual occlusion of the split-brain cat with an opaque contact lens over one eye, and recording from the ipsilateral striate cortex, there was no reliable difference in the EEG record when compared with a record from the same animal and electrode without visual occlusion. Therefore, the 7.5 c/sec synchrony in striate cortex associated with lapping was definitely not visually mediated. 4. 4. It is proposed that the synchronous slow wave EEG is initiated by a massive inhibition of cells in the striate cortex effected by the non-visual inputs associated with lapping. Microelectrode data showing inhibition in single cells correlated with movement and non-visual stimuli are cited as ancillary evidence for such an interpretation.
Bile acid-induced alterations of mucin production in differentiated human colon cancer cell lines

Damage to the gastrointestinal tract mucous layer may render underlying cells susceptible to intraluminal toxins or carcinogens. Our aim was to determine the effect of bile acids on mucin, the primary constituent of mucous. Differentiated Caco-2 and HT29 cells were used as models of human colonic epithelial cells. Mucin was measured by [3H]-glucosamine labeling. Short term (30 min) incubations with 1-5 mM unconjugated bile acids or taurodeoxycholic acid induced mucin release relative to bile acid hydrophobicity. Longer incubations were cytotoxic. Long term (7 days) incubation at nontoxic concentrations (0.1 mM) of deoxycholic acid (DC) decreased total mucin by 36 +/- 2% (SEM, P = 0.0003) in differentiated HT29 cells and by 57.2 +/- 2% (P < 0.05) in Caco-2 cells. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDC) or ursodeoxycholic acid (0.1-0.5 mM) did not alter mucin levels. Simultaneous incubation of 0.1 mM DC and 0.1-0.5 mM TUDC or 2.5 mM TDC and TUDC did not change mucin levels. Differentiated HT29 and Caco-2 cells contained high levels of intestinal mucin MUC3 mRNA while undifferentiated HT29 cells did not possess a MUC3 message. Deoxycholic acid (0.1 mM) did not alter the MUC3 mRNA level. Neither cell type showed detectable expression of intestinal MUC2 or gastric MUC6. Thus, cytotoxic concentrations of bile acids induce mucin release, presumably due to detergent effects. Nontoxic concentrations of DC reduce mucin levels in differentiated enterocyte-like cells, which can be prevented by coincubation with TUDC. The bile acid-induced alterations in mucin production by enterocytes observed in vitro may influence intestinal cytoprotection in vivo.
Radiation background and beam quality in secondary X-ray imaging for human angiography with Au as contrast agent

Abstract A calculation is carried out to assess the capabilities of Secondary X-ray Imaging (SXI). Human angiography is used as an example. An originally well focused primary photon pencil beam is rastered through the target (the human heart) in two dimensions. The signal consists of fluorescent photons from a contrast agent, registered by a wide angle (of order π steradians) detector. The primary photons may be significantly more energetic than the signal photons. The last two features result in clearer images and a reduction of shadowing by obstructions inside the body. Sharp imaging is compatible with locally quantitative measurements, and with pixel-by-pixel elemental analysis. The detector need not be position sensitive. Most primary photons will be (predominantly Compton) scattered before they reach the target, the scattered photons form a broad halo around the unscattered primary beam, which remains sharp and well focused. To discriminate against scattered background, the photons have to pass through a position/momentum selector, a W–Hf absorber shield, and a time window. The calculation gives the approximate energy spectrum for the scattered photons generated, for the photons passing through the position/momentum selector, and for those arriving at the far side of the absorber shield, the last two evaluated for various time windows in the 1000– 167 ps range. The surviving background will cause relative image intensity fluctuations of the order of a percent. The primary beam intensity required for SXI is comparable or less than the intensity needed for the usual K-edge subtraction (KES) imaging process. However, for SXI the primary photon energy spread may be one or two orders higher than needed for KES, thus relaxing the requirements on the primary photon source. If an undulator is used, monochromatization may not be needed. That further reduces cost and demands on the photon source, which may be a small low energy electron ring. To realize the full potential of the method (beyond that stated above), would require a new type of detector.
Analyzing the Effect of Neighborhood Characteristics on the Spatial Pattern of Primary Care Physician Locations in Hillsborough County, Florida

Primary care is the key element within the health care delivery system in the United States. Primary care physicians (PCPs) provide initial treatment for patients and refer them to specialists if the patients need advanced care. There is an overall shortage of PCPs across the country, however, and the spatial disparity at different geographic scales is prominent, highlighting a major challenge for public health. Thus, it is important to examine the factors that affect distribution of PCPs and understand the dynamic spatial patterns of PCPs. Two factors linked to health disparity—poverty and racial composition—have been greatly explored in the health literature concerning their significant correlations to individual health status. Less has been done, however, exploring their contribution to the supply side of health care, such as the spatial distribution of PCPs at a local geographical scale. Theoretically, PCPs should be evenly distributed across space according to the demand of patients, but some socioec...
An improved algorithm for the triples test

An algorithm, in the form of a Fortran subroutine TRIPLE, is given to compute statistics for the triples test for symmetry, The computational complexity of the algorithm is O(n2) which is an improvement over the straight for ward method, which is O(n3).
Collaborative learning: A memorable model

Abstract Reform movements envision schools that will involve greater levels of cooperation and collaboration. Collaborative learning strategies provide a powerful mechanism not only to address affective goals in education but also to enhance students’ cognitive development; to deepen their understanding of concepts; and to press them to examine, articulate, and elaborate their ideas with greater clarity and rigor. Unless teachers have effective means to manage the complex problem solving involved in implementing collaborative learning strategies, the rich possibilities offered will not be realized. This paper proposes a five‐part conceptual framework to guide teachers decision making in order to capitalize on these powerful strategies. The framework incorporates a “G” mnemonic to make the elements memorable.
Apparent Acute Reversible Right Ventricular Pacing-Induced Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Apparent Acute Reversible Right Ventricular Pacing-Induced Left Ventricular Dysfunction. We report the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian male with a dual chamber (right atrium/right ventricle) pacemaker implanted for sinus node dysfunction and not pacemaker (PM) dependent who was found to have an apparent acute worsening of left ventricular (LV) function with right ventricular (RV) apical pacing caused by the mode switch to VVI pacing as battery depletion occurred. LV dysfunction resolved immediately with RV pacing turned off. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this phenomenon. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 224-226, February 2013)
The Horizontal Organization: What the Organization of the Future Actually Looks Like and How It Delivers Value to Customers

The article reviews the book “The Horizontal Organization: What the Organization of the Future Actually Looks Like and How It Delivers Value to Customers,” by Frank Ostroff.
Surgical Care of Thermally Injured Patients on the Battlefield

For young adults treated in burn centers in developed nations, the lethal area 50%—that is, the burn size lethal to one-half of a given population—has almost doubled since World War II from 43% of the total body surface area (TBSA) to 75% TBSA. This achievement reflects many factors, of which improvements in wound care, perioperative care, and surgical technique have figured prominently. The challenge deployed military health care providers face is how to translate these advances to the relatively austere and unforgiving environment of the combat zone. Thermal injuries are present in 5% to 20% of combat casualties. Thus, on the attlefield, role IIb (forward surgical teams) and role III (combat support hospitals) acilities frequently care for patients with burns. Most of these patients fall into two ategories: US military casualties and local national casualties. US military casualties ndergo emergency treatment and preparation for aeromedical evacuation to the nited States. Local national casualties, under the rules of engagement for the urrent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, cannot be evacuated to the United States; hese patients must receive care locally. Because local resources in both theaters are imited, US field hospitals often are responsible for providing not only emergency reatment but also definitive care. Here, the author reviews the surgical care of atients with thermal injuries as it is practiced on the current battlefield. Conceptually, urn care can be divided into three distinct, albeit closely overlapping, phases: esuscitation, wound closure, and reconstruction. Operative management may be equired during each of these phases.
Chromogranin A correlates with norepinephrine release rate.

Abstract Chromogranin A (CgA) is an acidic protein c co-released with catecholamines during exocytosis from sympathetic nerve terminals and chromaffin cells. Previous work has demonstrated that large scale perturbations in sympathetic nervous system (SNS) functioning result in corresponding changes in CgA levels in plasma. Little is known about the physiologic significance of CgA. We hypothesized that, since CgA and catecholamines are co-released from the same storage vesicles, and since CgA is not subject to reuptake or enzymatic metabolism, plasma CgA should reflect norepinephrine release from sympathetic terminals. We therefore measured venous CgA, norepinephrine levels, and norepinephrine release rate in 30 unmedicated subjects. Although the correlation of CgA with plasma norepinephrine was only modest (r = 0.37, p
Soil-permeability as a criterion for drainage-design

The design of drainage facilities for agricultural land requires quantitative evaluation of (1) the water involved; (2) the permeability of the materials through which the water flows; (3) the dimensions of the aquifer; and (4) the position of the water table. This paper details techniques utilized in the determination of the coefficient of permeability in the laboratory and in the field. It further presents the need for rapid techniques of indirect determination of permeability, but recognizes the limitations of this method. The application of the coefficient of permeability in the analysis of a drainage problem or facility is outlined, and a formula for the spacing of tile-drains utilizing the coefficient of permeability is presented.
Colsed-world databases and circumscription

Abstract We compare two forms of non-monotonic reasoning: closed-world evaluation of queries in databases and circumscription. For closed E-saturated databases we show that the closed-world assumption, if consistent, is equivalent to circumscribing all predicates in the database.
Causes of urinary incontinence after acute hemispheric stroke.

We prospectively studied bladder function in stroke patients to determine the mechanisms responsible for poststroke urinary incontinence.Fifty-one patients with recent unilateral ischemic hemispher...
Epidemiology and immunopathology of bancroftian filariasis

Human lymphatic filariasis affects 120 million people worldwide. Although the disease is considered to be potentially erradicable by the World Health Organization, comprehensive studies on epidemiological aspects as well as mechanisms of pathology development are still premature. The following review summarizes currently available data on these topics and ends by discussing the latest control strategies.
A new momentum integral method for MHD channel entrance flows

Conducting fluid incompressible flow in entrance of MHD channel by momentum integral method, permitting edge stress existence at boundary layer free steam interface
Theoretical Process Development for Freeze‐Drying Spray‐Frozen Aerosols

Freeze-dry processing was investigated as a means of producing homogeneous multicomponent preceramic powders. A general procedure was developed for synthesizing homogeneous multicomponent powders by spray freezing and subsequent freeze-drying. Uniform particle morphology and high chemical homogeneity were used as criteria for powder quality. Methods of controlling powder morphology and sources of chemical segregation within the powder processing scheme were determined and classical transport phenomena models were constructed in order to define operating parameters required to meet powder quality specifications.
Local and Global Estimates for the Solutions of Convection–Diffusion Problems

Abstract In this paper we develop and study local and global estimates for the solutions of convection–diffusion problems, respectively, with Dirichlet–Neumann and Dirichlet boundary conditions. This study is based on a combination of Aleksandrov, Bakelman, and Pucci theory, with more standard traces estimates.
A classification of the solutions of a difference equation according to their behavior at infinity

On considere l'equation aux differences lineaires d'ordre n Ly(t)+p(t)y(t)=0, ou p(t) est de signe defini sur [a,∞)={a,a+1,…} a est un entier
Insight into S-RNase-based self-incompatibility in Petunia: recent findings and future directions

S-RNase-based self-incompatibility in Petunia is a self/non-self recognition system that allows the pistil to reject self-pollen to prevent inbreeding and to accept non-self pollen for outcrossing. Cloning of S-RNase in 1986 marked the beginning of nearly three decades of intensive research into the mechanism of this complex system. S-RNase was shown to be the sole female determinant in 1994, and the first male determinant, S-locus F-box protein1 (SLF1), was identified in 2004. It was discovered in 2010 that additional SLF proteins are involved in pollen specificity, and recently two S-haplotypes of P. inflata were found to possess 17 SLF genes based on pollen transcriptome analysis, further increasing the complexity of the system. Here, we first summarize the current understanding of how the interplay between SLF proteins and S-RNase in the pollen tube allows cross-compatible pollination, but results in self-incompatible pollination. We then discuss some of the aspects that are not yet elucidated, including uptake of S-RNase into the pollen tube, nature and assembly of SLF-containing complexes, the biochemical basis for differential interactions between SLF proteins and S-RNase, and fate of non-self S-RNases in the pollen tube.
Expression of c-fos in brain subcortical structures in response to nauseant lithium chloride and osmotic pressure in rats

Immunohistochemistry was used to map c-fos expression in rats to investigate the neural substrates that mediate the emetic action of lithium chloride and the effect of osmotic pressure. Solutions of 3% lithium chloride or 4.14% saline, isotonic to each other, as well as 0.65% lithium chloride or 0.9% saline, also isotonic to each other, were administered intraperitoneally (3 ml/kg) in rats. Both lithium chloride and osmotic pressure enhanced c-fos expression in the nuclei of the solitary tract, the paraventricular nuclei and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus, and in the amygdala. This suggests that these brain structures might be the sites where the autonomic, neuroendocrine and behavioral responses elicited by lithium chloride and osmotic pressure are integrated.
When Is Austerity Right?: In Boom, Not Bust

History shows that austerity does not work when economies are weakening. Some influential studies argue otherwise. These two writers show that the leading such study does not prove the point. If anything, the data show the very opposite. Do not try to cut deficits in recession or weak recovery.
Nature of Growth-promoting Activity associated with the Culture Filtrates of Fusarium oxysporum f. lycopersici (Sacc.) Snyd. and Hans.

THE growth-promoting activity of the filtrates of the genus Fusarium has long been recognized1–5. Using a bioassay test for auxins, and distilled water as control, Hirata2 detected indolyl-3-acetic acid (IAA) in concentrated filtrates, whereas Venkata Ram3 reported its absence. Their media, in addition to the basal medium (g/1. KH2PO4, 1.5; MgSO4, 1; FeCl3, 0.01; glucose, 25 and nitrogen source, either ammonium sulphate at 2.0 g, or asparagine at 1.99 g and water 1 l. (ref. 5)), were used to culture the fungus to determine indole production.
The cartographic dimensions of humanitarianism: Mapping refugee spaces in post-earthquake Haiti:

This article examines the post-earthquake politics of space via the literal and cultural mapping of internally displaced persons in Haiti to consider the cartographic dimensions of humanitarian biopower. I begin by analyzing OpenStreetMap Haiti, an online collaborative cartographic project, which mapped Haiti’s roads and refugee camps after the earthquake by using high-resolution satellite imagery, global positioning system technologies, and aerial photographs—much of which is derived from US military data—in order to facilitate “humanitarian” efforts on the ground. I contend that the visual text produced by OpenStreetMap Haiti, which functions as a map to locate and situate refugees, represents a particular form of humanitarian biopower. In the second half of this article, I analyze a 2012 work of comics journalism titled Tents beyond Tents, which offers a critique of humanitarian “aid” from the perspective of Haitians who occupy the internally displaced persons camps created after the earthquake. I cons...
Controlling chaotic trajectories to unstable limit cycles - A case study

In the last two years, we have developed some new ideas and techniques for the control of chaotic nonlinear systems using conventional feedback controllers design methods, for both discrete-time and continuous-time systems [1-4], where the target position is either an (unstable) equilibrium point or an (unstable) limit cycle of the chaotic system. In this paper, we further provide a rigorous mathematical theory to support these new ideas and techniques, for a particular yet representative case: the well-known continuous-time chaotic Duffing system.
Adrenocorticotropin Inhibits Compensatory Adrenal Growth after Unilateral Adrenalectomy

To determine the interaction between ACTH and compensatory adrenal growth after unilateral adrenalectomy, we have studied the adrenals of young male rats treated with saline, ACTH, dexamethasone, or hypophysectomy and left or sham adrenalectomy (Adx or Sham). ACTH injected at the time of adrenal surgery inhibited the normal increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation into right adrenal DNA at 12 or 18 h (P < 0.05), but increased the RNA content. ACTH treatment (2, 4, or 8 U twice daily) in Shams caused a dose-dependent increase in adrenal weight and the RNA to DNA ratio at 24 h and, subsequently, a dose-dependent increase in adrenal DNA content at 72 h. ACTH treatment of Adx prevented the increase in adrenal DNA content at 24 h (P < 0.05), while increasing the RNA to DNA ratio (P < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of rats with dexamethasone decreased adrenal weight and RNA content and attenuated the normal response to Adx. ACTH (1 U) at the time of adrenalectomy or sham operation in hypophysectomized rats abolished the normal difference between right adrenal weights in the two groups at 3 days. Adrenal growth occurred in rats hypophysectomized and adrenalectomized 24 h previously compared to Sham controls. These results show that adrenal growth mediated by ACTH is a different cellular process (hypertrophy) from that growth triggered by unilateral adrenalectomy (hyperplasia). Treatment with a long acting preparation of ACTH causes adrenals in rats from both the Sham and Adx groups to grow, and the process of ACTH-mediated adrenal growth inhibits the rapid proliferative response to unilateral adrenalectomy. A proliferative response may occur by 3 days during treatment with large doses of long acting ACTH. Treatment at adrenalectomy with synthetic alpha ACTH-(1-24) abolished the normal increase in adrenal weight at 20 h.
Magnetoelectronics at Edges in Semiconductor Structures: Helical Aharonov-Casher Edge States

It is shown that an Aharonov-Casher vector potential in a two-dimensional geometry can lead to helical edge states, and initial experimental results are presented. The Aharonov-Casher vector potential is the electromagnetic dual of the magnetic vector potential, and leads to traveling states at the sample edge in analogy to the integer quantum Hall effect. The helical edge states are predicted to appear in a narrow channel geometry with parabolic or sufficiently symmetric confinement potential. The present work discusses implications of the helical Aharonov-Casher edge states, experimental considerations in specific materials systems, and experimental quantum transport results in mesoscopic geometries.
Revascularization in patients with chronic kidney disease: the state of the ARTS

A major cause of death in patientswith chronic kidney disease (CKD) is cardiovascular with ahigh incidence of death due to myocardial infarction.Studies in the early 1990s found that patients with ESRDhad a better long-term survival after undergoing coronaryartery bypass graft surgery (CABG) than percutaneous coron-ary intervention (PCI).
Empirical verification of effectiveness for a knowledge-based system

Abstract In the last decade, information centers (ICs) have been proven to be a successful strategy for managing software resources of organizations. The initial success of ICs has increased user expectations and demand for the services offered but, because ICs are considered cost centers in most organizations, there is growing pressure for them to accomplish more with fewer resources. A knowledge-based system ICE, (Information Center Expert), has been developed to assist users with software selection. The study reported here focuses on the evaluation of ICE to determine users' perception of its effectiveness. This experimental evaluation of ICE was conducted at the University of Arizona's Center for the Management of Information (CMI), which operates as an Information Center supporting faculty and students in the College of Business. The use of student subjects in the experiment was deemed appropriate because they are, in fact, the end users of the CMI information center. The verification of the effectiveness of ICE was attempted by conducting a laboratory experiment to test the comparative advantages of using ICE or CMI consultants to obtain assistance with software selection. The experiment was designed as a 2 × 2 factorial. The independent variables were users (beginner or advanced) and type of consultation process (ICE or CMI consultant). The dependent variable was a measure of consultation effectiveness. Instruments for classifying users and measuring effectiveness of a consultation process were developed and validated.
Universal Rephasing Dynamics after a Quantum Quench via Sudden Coupling of Two Initially Independent Condensates

We consider a quantum quench in which two initially independent condensates are suddenly coupled and study the subsequent ``rephasing'' dynamics. For weak tunneling couplings, the time evolution of physical observables is predicted to follow universal scaling laws, connecting the short-time dynamics to the long-time nonperturbative regime. We first present a two-mode model valid in two and three dimensions and then move to one dimension, where the problem is described by a gapped sine-Gordon theory. Combining analytical and numerical methods, we compute universal time-dependent expectation values, allowing a quantitative comparison with future experiments.
Variability of CONUS Lightning in 2003–12 and Associated Impacts

AbstractChanges in lightning characteristics over the conterminous United States (CONUS) are examined to support the National Climate Assessment (NCA) program. Details of the variability of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning characteristics over the decade 2003–12 are provided using data from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). Changes in total (CG + cloud flash) lightning across part of the CONUS during the decade are provided using satellite Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) data. The variations in NLDN-derived CG lightning are compared with available statistics on lightning-caused impacts to various U.S. economic sectors. Overall, a downward trend in total CG lightning count is found for the decadal period; the 5-yr mean NLDN CG count decreased by 12.8% from 25 204 345.8 (2003–07) to 21 986 578.8 (2008–12). There is a slow upward trend in the fraction and number of positive-polarity CG lightning, however. Associated lightning-caused fatalities and injuries, and the number of lightning-caused wild...
A new technique for the numerical solution of Fredholm integral equations

In this paper, we wish to describe a new approach to the numerical solution of theFredholm integral equation $$\varphi (u) = g (u) + \int\limits_0^1 {k (u, v) \varphi (v) dv} $$ for the case where the kernel functionk(u, v) is positive. Our method is a gradient technique which is quite different in motivation from any of the usual methods. It is suggested by the invariant imbedding treatment of radiative transfer processes.
Nuclear asymmetry enthalpy

Recent work has sought to extract the asymmetry energy at very low density from observables in heavy-ion collisions. The logic employed starts from the assumption that the fragment yields are determined by a minimization of the Helmholtz free energy. As volume is in reality unconstrained, nor can a single freeze-out volume be expected, the physical relevance of the Helmholtz free energy must be questioned. If, for example, the identical logic were used, but the Gibbs free energy was the more relevant quantity to minimize, it would be the asymmetry enthalpy that would be extracted. The purpose of this report is to provide one measure of the difference between the asymmetry energy and enthalpy.
The Wired Patient: Patterns of Electronic Patient Portal Use Among Patients With Cardiac Disease or Diabetes

Background: As providers develop an electronic health record–based infrastructure, patients are increasingly using Web portals to access their health information and participate electronically in the health care process. Little is known about how such portals are actually used. Objective: In this paper, our goal was to describe the types and patterns of portal users in an integrated delivery system. Methods: We analyzed 12 months of data from Web server log files on 2282 patients using a Web-based portal to their electronic health record (EHR). We obtained data for patients with cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes who had a Geisinger Clinic primary care provider and were registered “MyGeisinger” Web portal users. Hierarchical cluster analysis was applied to longitudinal data to profile users based on their frequency, intensity, and consistency of use. User types were characterized by basic demographic data from the EHR. Results: We identified eight distinct portal user groups. The two largest groups (41.98%, 948/2258 and 24.84%, 561/2258) logged into the portal infrequently but had markedly different levels of engagement with their medical record. Other distinct groups were characterized by tracking biometric measures (10.54%, 238/2258), sending electronic messages to their provider (9.25%, 209/2258), preparing for an office visit (5.98%, 135/2258), and tracking laboratory results (4.16%, 94/2258). Conclusions: There are naturally occurring groups of EHR Web portal users within a population of adult primary care patients with chronic conditions. More than half of the patient cohort exhibited distinct patterns of portal use linked to key features. These patterns of portal access and interaction provide insight into opportunities for electronic patient engagement strategies. [J Med Internet Res 2015;17(2):e42]
ANABAENA AND MICROCYSTIS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST: A TALE OF PLASTICITY

The molecular marker, cpcBA-IGS, was used to examine the biogeography of representatives of Anabaena and Microcystis collected from Pacific Northwest lakes and their phylogenetic relationship to isolates from the UTEX and CCAP culture collections. cpcBA-IGS contains portions of the alpha and beta subunit of cyanophycocyanin with an intergenic spacer (IGS) of ∼100 base pairs situated between the subunits. The use of this cyanobacteria specific marker and primers allowed us to amplify cpcBA-IGS DNA from uni-cyanobacterial field samples. The morphology and habit of specimens were documented by photomicroscopy. Single filaments or colonies of field material and 3–4 filaments of culture material were then amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results include analysis of non-toxic summer and toxic winter blooms of Anabaena from 1989–1997 in American Lake, WA and a comparison of non-toxic and toxic Microcystis from Lake Sammamish, WA. A preliminary phylogenetics analysis of Pacific Northwest and UTEX isolates also was performed using parsimony, maximum likelihood and distance methods. The results of this analysis suggest that revision of Anabaena and Microcystis taxonomy may be needed.
Standardizing the MIS course: benefits and pitfalls

Although many universities require courses in management information systems for their business majors, little information exists as to what objectives should be included in the course, and the course topics vary greatly across institutions. Differences in course objectives even exist within schools if multiple sections of the course are taught by different faculty. Typically, a significant portion of the class is devoted to database concepts. In many cases, the course requirements include developing a database for a small business. This database project can consume faculty time and resources, especially if student teams choose their own projects and no guidelines exist for faculty reference. In this paper, guidelines for developing a standardized database project that challenges students while freeing up faculty resources are presented. Experiences in dealing with these projects in both face‐to‐face and online classes at one university are detailed.
Cooling Limits for GaN HEMT Technology

The peak power density of GaN HEMT technology is limited by a hierarchy of thermal resistances from the junction to the ambient. Here we explore the ultimate or fundamental cooling limits made possible by advanced thermal management technologies including GaN-diamond composites and nanoengineered heat sinks. Through continued attention to near-junction resistances and extreme flux convection, power densities that may exceed 50 kW/cm2 - depending on gate width and hotspot dimension - are feasible within 5 years.
The optimization of solar heating systems

Abstract The optimization of a solar system with a limited number of discrete collection areas available has been discussed. This optimization is based on an exponential relationship between the auxiliary energy required and collector area. In most cases, the optimum area is that area formed by an array of collector panels which is closest to but greater than A op . In many cases, an even larger collection area can be used without a severe economic penalty since the cost curve changes slowly as collector area is increased. Larger collector areas are also preferable from the standpoint of reducing our dependence on non-renewable fuels.
Non-negativity and stability analyses of lattice Boltzmann method for advection-diffusion equation

Stability is one of the main concerns in the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The objectives of this study are to investigate the linear stability of the lattice Boltzmann equation with the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook collision operator (LBGK) for the advection-diffusion equation (ADE), and to understand the relationship between the stability of the LBGK and non-negativity of the equilibrium distribution functions (EDFs). This study conducted linear stability analysis on the LBGK, whose stability depends on the lattice Peclet number, the Courant number, the single relaxation time, and the flow direction. The von Neumann analysis was applied to delineate the stability domains by systematically varying these parameters. Moreover, the dimensionless EDFs were analyzed to identify the non-negative domains of the dimensionless EDFs. As a result, this study obtained linear stability and non-negativity domains for three different lattices with linear and second-order EDFs. It was found that the second-order EDFs have larger stability and non-negativity domains than the linear EDFs and outperform linear EDFs in terms of stability and numerical dispersion. Furthermore, the non-negativity of the EDFs is a sufficient condition for linear stability and becomes a necessary condition when the relaxation time is very close to 0.5. The stability and non-negativity domains provide useful information to guide the selection of dimensionless parameters to obtain stable LBM solutions. We use mass transport problems to demonstrate the consistency between the theoretical findings and LBM solutions.
Imaging Transport Current Distribution in High Temperature Superconductors Using Room Temperature Scanning Laser Microscope

We report the feasibility of room temperature scanning laser microscopy (RTSLM) for the study of high temperature superconducing films. RTSLM images from SmBa2Cu3O7 and how that the ac-voltage response exists only in the section of the bridge where the transport current produces a voltage drop. A photolithographically defined 60 μm × 60 μm void in a 300 μm-wide bridge was clearly visible in a RTSLM image giving the spatial resolution smaller than 60 μm. In addition, the void disturbs the transport current distribution beyond itself generating an elongated shape void of 64 μm × 85 μm with the longer side along the direction of current flow in the RTSLM image. Our results indicate that the RTSLM is a useful tool to investigate the transport current distribution in high temperature superconductors.
Porous Ceramics by Photopolymerization with Terpene–Acrylate Vehicles

A novel terpene–acrylate photopolymerizable vehicle was used to fabricate porous polymer-ceramic composites and sintered porous ceramics. The vehicle consists of camphene, camphor and a diacrylate monomer. Alumina or silica suspensions were mixed above the melting point of the terpene. Upon cooling, the terpene crystallized from the solution as particle-free dendrites, with the powder and liquid monomer in the interdendritic spaces. The monomer could subsequently be solidified by photopolymerization. The rheological behavior is reported for ceramic suspensions in the molten terpene–monomer solution. The photopolymerization cure depth versus energy dose is reported for silica and alumina systems. The microstructure of the porous solid is characterized for systems with camphor/camphene and menthol as terpene. The structure of the dendritic porosity is compared as a function of powder volume fraction, for particles smaller or larger than the dendrite arm spacing.
On an analogue of cauchy's formula for H p , 1/2 ≤p<1, and the cauchy type integral of a singular measure

We put forward a direct analog of the Cauchy formula for analytic functions f in the unit disk from Hardy classes H p with 1/2≤p>1. In this way, one has to consider a weakened Stieltjes type integration with respect to radial means of f which are in general not measures. A suitable concept of integration is found which also lets us obtain a generalization of the result–every Cauchy type integral is the Cauchy A-integral of its boundary values–to the case of a singular measure.
Medical and legal implications of screening and follow‐up procedures for breast cancer

Grievances result from false expectations on the part of both practitioners and patients when a disease treatment problem is unsolved because of biological variations in the disease itself. Widely publicized screening and follow-up recommendations are often the source of the grievances. Even when recommendations are followed exactly, bad outcomes are still associated with incurable cancer even though a fatal outcome is inevitable. Patients must be told about treatment prospects including limitations of efficacy, so that patient expectations will be realistic. Otherwise, practitioners may find themselves involved in lawsuits alleging deviation from case standards for an adverse outcome actually attributable to the nature of the cancer. Because screening and follow-up techniques continue to control treatment of breast cancer, such lawsuits are common. When ineffective treatment exists, there often are adverse harm/benefit considerations and high costs, particularly when screening or follow-up are practiced defensively, without hard data proving the value of a strategy. This article will review these problems, placing specific emphases on screening and follow-up procedures and on strategies for breast cancer. Factors that limit efficacy and increase both cost and diagnosis-associated morbidity will also be explored. Cancer 66:1351-1362, 1990.
Repeatability and internal consistency of abdominal 2D and 4D phase contrast MR flow measurements.

Rationale and Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the repeatability and internal consistency of flow measurements in the renal arteries and pararenal aorta with the use of standard two-dimensional (2D) and novel four-dimensional (4D) phase contrast (PC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods Ten healthy volunteers were imaged with a radially undersampled 4D PC technique centered over the renal arteries and with four 2D PC slices placed in the supra/infrarenal aorta and the left/right renal arteries; this MRI exam was performed twice on each subject. Flow measurements in all four vessels were computed from 2D and 4D PC data sets. Student's t-tests (P Results No significant differences were found in repeated measurements of 2D (P = .15) or 4D (P = .39) data. No significant difference was found between 2D (3.4 ± 2.8 mL/cardiac cycle) and 4D (3.5 ± 2.7 mL/cardiac cycle) in- and out-flow differences (P = .88). Out-flow was greater than in-flow for 2D measurements (P = .003); no difference was found for 4D measurements. Conclusion The 2D and 4D techniques demonstrated strong repeatability and internal consistency of flow measurements in the renal arteries and pararenal aorta.
Phase Equilibria in the System CaO-BaO-WO3

The 1200°C isothermal section of the system CaO-BaO-WO3 was studied in detail. The system contains one ternary compound, Ba2CaWO6, which can exist in binary equilibrium with BaO, CaO, Ba3WO6, Ba2WO5, BaWO4, and Ca3WO6. The composition range of solid solutions based on the ternary compound extends from Ba2CaWO6 to Ba1.86Ca1.14WO6 at 1200°C. Solid solubility along the binary join BaWO4-CaWO4 was studied in the interval 1000° to 1340°C. Maximum solid solubilities occur at the eutectic temperature (1340°±10°C) and are 18 mol% CaWO4 in BaWO4 and 3.5 mol% BaWO4 in CaWO4. A phase diagram is given for the BaWO4-CaWO4 system. Evidence is presented which shows that Ba2WO5 is a stable phase, and the BaO-WO2 phase diagram is revised accordingly. There are 3 polymorphs of Ba2WO5 related by rapid reversible inversions at 1385°±5° and 1490°±10°C. The low-temperature form of Ba3WO6. is tetragonal (α=8.65(2) A and c=16.43(4) A), not cubic as previously reported. The compounds Ca6WO9, BaW2O7, BaCa2WO6, Ba5CaW2O12, and Ba1.5Ca1.5WO6 reported in earlier studies were not confirmed.
The Choices and Challenges of Charter Schools, Revisited

Close to 25 years ago, charter schools were introduced to diversify the providers of public education; to encourage and incubate innovations; to serve as models for improving teaching and learning ...
The effects of stimulus movement and attention on peripheral stimulus localization by 8- to 26-week-old infants

This study examined the effect of stimulus movement on localization probability and latency during attention and inattention. Forty infants, 10 each at 8, 14, 20, and 26 weeks of age were presented with a central stimulus. Then, a peripheral stimulus was presented (static or dynamic checkerboard). Stimulus movement did not affect localization probability. Infants localized the dynamic peripheral stimulus more quickly than the static peripheral stimulus when there was no focal stimulus. Focal stimulus attention attenuated this difference in localization latency between static and dynamic stimuli. Signal detection analysis showed that sensitivity to the peripheral stimulus increased over this age range along with a decrease in the bias against responding. The effects of attention were on response bias rather than stimulus sensitivity. These results imply attention affected the localization response to the peripheral stimulus but did not affect the sensitivity of the sensory and perceptual pathways to peripheral stimuli.