cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of in-situ wellbore integrity data for existing wells with long-term exposure to CO2

Abstract An important aspect of the risk associated with geological carbon dioxide sequestration is the integrity of existing wellbores that penetrate geological layers targeted for CO 2 injection. CO 2 leakage may occur through multiple pathways along a wellbore within the “disturbed zone” surrounding the well casing. The disturbed zone is defined as the annular region along the exterior of the steel wellbore casing that includes the Portland cement sheath, the damage zone of the host rock and the casing-cement-rock interfaces. The effective permeability of this zone is a key parameter of wellbore integrity required for validation of numerical models. Effective permeability may depend on a number of complex factors, including long-term attack by aggressive fluids, poor well completion or actions related to production of fluids through the wellbore. Field tests are essential to understanding the in situ leakage properties of the millions of wells that exist in mature sedimentary basins in North America. We present results from recent field studies of different CO 2 producing wells from both natural CO 2 reservoirs and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations. These surveys have included a particular downhole pressure test, the vertical interference test (VIT), designed to determine the extent of hydraulic communication along the exterior of the well casing. The VIT test involves perforating the well casing in two separate intervals, both of which are located within the shale caprock and bracket a zone of cement identified to have a lower quality bond. Once the intervals are isolated with an inflatable packer, the system is pressurized from surface and held at a constant pressure, while simultaneously, the transient pressure response is measured in the lower isolated interval. The pressure transient data is an indicator of the extent of hydraulic communication and is the focus of subsequent analysis. The effective wellbore permeability can be determined through numerical analysis of the VIT data. Our objective is to identify to most effective method of analysis for estimating wellbore permeability. We evaluate two different automated parameter estimation methods, nonlinear regression and shuffled complex evolution metropolis methods. Within this study, we also estimate parameters such as permeability and compressibility of the low permeability shale zone to determine their effect on the resulting estimate of wellbore permeability. The results of this work demonstrate that parameter estimation can be effective at identifying the key parameters associated with wellbore integrity from VIT field tests, and ultimately reducing the uncertainty regarding the integrity of existing wellbores.
Streaming on twitch: fostering participatory communities of play within live mixed media

Previously, video streaming sites were at the fringes of online social media. In the past two years, live streams of video games, on sites such as Twitch.tv, have become very popular. Live streams serve as meeting grounds for player communities. The Twitch streaming medium combines broadcast video with open IRC chat channels. In conjunction with gameplay, viewer participation and community building gain emphasis. Twitch streams range in size and nature, from intimate communities with fifty viewers, to massive broadcasts with tens of thousands. In this paper, we present an ethnographic investigation of the live streaming of video games on Twitch. We find that Twitch streams act as virtual third places, in which informal communities emerge, socialize, and participate. Over time, stream communities form around shared identities drawn from streams? contents and participants? shared experiences. We describe processes through which stream communities form, the motivations of members, and emergent issues in the medium. Finally, we draw from our findings to derive implications for design of live mixed-media environments to support participatory online communities.
Functionalization of carbon nanotube yarn by acid treatment

Carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn was functionalized using sulfuric and nitric acid solutions in 3:1 volumetric ratio. Successful functionalization of CNT yarn with carboxyl and hydroxyl groups (e.g., COOH, COO–, OH, etc.) was confirmed by attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction revealed no significant change to the atomic in-plane alignment in the CNTs; however, the coherent length along the diameter was significantly reduced during functionalization. A morphology change of wavy extensions protruding from the surface was observed after the functionalization treatment. The force required to fracture the yarn remained the same after the functionalization process; however, the linear density was increased (310%). The increase in linear density after functionalization reduced the tenacity. However, the resistivity density product of the CNT yarn was reduced significantly (234%) after functionalization.
Linking medical technology and quality of healthcare delivery: an exploratory study of a stage model

This article reports the very preliminary results from a study of the implementation, adoption, and utilisation of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) in a sample of 141 hospitals in the USA. The research question was: 'What are the impacts/contributions of PACS on the quality of care in provider organisations where PACS has been adopted and implemented?'. PACS was chosen because it is considered a mature technology widely adopted by provider organisations worldwide. The methodology applied a stage-model previously used successfully in the evaluation and measurement of the outcomes from R&D and technology in other sectors of the economy. Preliminary findings show that there is a positive correlation between differentiated outcomes from PACS and quality of care. Initial conclusions suggest that to obtain a better relationship between investments in medical technologies and care, we should explore the various outcomes from the technology, in differentiated stages of the process.
Relative Genetic Merit and Effectiveness of Selection of Young Sires for Artificial Insemination

Abstract Data were from 1913 proven AI Holstein sires that were available from January 1980 to July 1990 and 7942 young sires that were sampled during the same period. All young sires in this study had progeny test results available. The number of young sires sampled during this period increased by 35.7 bulls/yr, and the number of proven bulls available decreased by 12.6 bulls/yr. Young sires ranked at the 57th percentile of proven bulls with mean percentile rank decreasing .9/yr based on their progeny test results for dollar value of milk, fat, and protein from the USDA evaluations of January 1994. Selection to remove the bottom 25, 50, and 75% of the young sires on the basis of their parent averages from January 1994 increased mean percentile rank to the 68th. 76th, and 84th, respectively. For bulls sampled from 1987 to 1990, selection on the first available parent average gave 70% of the response as selection on parent average from January 1994. The absence of top-ranking graduates and low overall percentage of graduates justified culling the bottom 10% of young sires at 3 yr. The increasing number of AI and non-AI bulls sampled per year has increased the genetic merit of proven sires relative to AI young sires. Results suggest benefits to more intensive selection of young sires by breeders and AI personnel.
The Carboxyl Extensions of Two Rat Ubiquitin Fusion Proteins Are Ribosomal Proteins S27a and L40

Two rat recombinant cDNAs were characterized; they encode fusion proteins that have at their NH2 terminus the conserved 76 amino acid ubiquitin and at their carboxyl terminus the extension ribosomal proteins S27a (80 amino acids and a molecular weight of 9,397) or L40 (52 amino acids and a molecular weight of 6,177). The fusion proteins are processed in a reticulocyte lysate to ubiquitin and either S27a or L40. Hybridization of cDNAs to digests of nuclear DNA suggests that there are 14 to 19 copies of the S27a, and 6 to 10 of the L40, genes. The mRNA for ubiquitin-S27a has about 700 nucleotides and ubiquitin-L40 about 650. Ribosomal proteins S27a and L40 contain zinc finger motifs of the C2-C2 variety. S27a and L40 are related to ribosomal proteins from other species.
Zooplankton Feeding Ecology: Contents of Fecal Pellets of the Copepod Anomalocera ornata from Continental Shelf and Slope Waters of the Gulf of Mexico

. The diet of the copepod Anomalocera ornata was examined by comparing contents of fecal pellets produced on natural diets with assemblages of available phytoplankton. Samples were collected in continental shelf and slope waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. A wide size and taxonomic array of phytoplankters was ingested, and remains of phytoplankton taxa in fecal pellets reflected the composition of phytoplankton assemblages in the water. Absence of crustacean remains in fecal pellets suggests that A. ornata feeds primarily as an opportunistic grazer.
All flat three-manifolds appear as cusps of hyperbolic four-manifolds

Abstract There are ten diffeomorphism classes of compact, flat 3-manifolds. It has been conjectured that each of these occurs as the boundary of a 4-manifold whose interior admits a complete, hyperbolic structure of finite volume. This paper provides evidence in support of the conjecture. In particular, each diffeomorphism class of compact, flat 3-manifolds is shown to appear as one of the cusps of a complete, finite-volume, hyperbolic 4-manifold. This is done with a construction that uses special coverings of R 3 by 3-balls. A further consequence of the construction is a finer result about the geometric structures which can be induced on cusps of complete, finite-volume, hyperbolic 4-manifolds. Using Mostow's Rigidity Theorem, one can show that not every flat structure occurs in this way. However, the fact that the flat structures induced on cusps of such 4-manifolds are dense in their respective moduli spaces follows from the construction.
Cloudy and clear‐sky relative humidity in the upper troposphere observed by the A‐train

[1] Cloudy and clear-sky distributions of relative humidity with respect to ice (RHI) are derived from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder and cloud profiles from CloudSat and the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation satellites. A peak frequency in RHI of 10–20% exists for clear sky, increasing to 75–95% within clouds detected by CloudSat. The range of values depends on the season, altitude, latitude, cloud type, and ice water content. Global distributions of RHI reveal persistent supersaturation in the clear and cloudy tropical upper troposphere and lower tropospheric polar regions, large but variable RHI in the cloudy midlatitude storm tracks, and small yet variable RHI in the clear-sky subtropics. Previous studies using satellite and in situ observations have shown a greater frequency of midlatitude supersaturation in the Southern Hemisphere (SH). Seasonal and interannual variations in RHI are also demonstrated with larger frequencies of supersaturation generally present in the winter hemisphere. An analytical method quantifies the impacts of mean temperature (T) and temperature variance (sT) on the distribution characteristics of RHI. The seasonal variation of RHI in the Northern Hemisphere is primarily modulated by seasonal changes in sT, whereas in the SH, both T and sT modulate variations in RHI. However, variations in T and sT do not explain the presence of slightly greater supersaturation frequency in the SH, suggesting a link between anthropogenic aerosol and ice cloud processes.
Universal immunogenicity validation and assessment during early biotherapeutic development to support a green laboratory

Background: Immunogenicity support during nonclinical biotherapeutic development can be resource intensive if supported by conventional methodologies. A universal indirect species-specific immunoassay can eliminate the need for biotherapeutic-specific anti-drug antibody immunoassays without compromising quality. By implementing the R’s of sustainability (reduce, reuse, rethink), conservation of resources and greener laboratory practices were achieved in this study. Results: Statistical analysis across four biotherapeutics supported identification of consistent product performance standards (cut points, sensitivity and reference limits) and a streamlined universal anti-drug antibody immunoassay method implementation strategy. Conclusion: We propose an efficient, fit-for-purpose, scientifically and statistically supported nonclinical immunogenicity assessment strategy. Utilization of a universal method and streamlined validation, while retaining comparability to conventional immunoassays and meeting the ind...
Self-incompatibility in the Brassicaceae: receptor-ligand signaling and cell-to-cell communication.

Cell–cell interactions in plants are expected to occur between adjoining cells that share a common developmental history. One exception is the interaction of the pollen or pollen tube with cells of the pistil. As a result, pollen–pistil interactions have emerged as models for the study of cell-
Nonlinear system identification of discrete systems using GLO-MAP

A Global-Local Mapping Approximation method is presented in this paper for identifying discrete systems using input-output data. The method is based on the idea that any nonlinear system can be represented as a sum of a discrete linear model and unmodeled nonlinearities. Linear system is then perturbed by a nonlinear term which represents the system nonlinearities that are not captured by the linear model. To identify the discrete systems, discrete learning laws are derived using Lyapunov stability analysis. Numerical examples show the successful application of this technique for identification of nonlinear discrete models using data obtained from the simulations.
Escherichia coli‐based cell free production of flagellin and ordered flagellin display on virus‐like particles

Bacterial flagellin has been explored as a potential vaccine adjuvant for enhancing immune responses. In this article, we describe Escherichia coli-based cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) as a method to rapidly produce soluble phase 1 flagellin (FliC) protein from Salmonella typhimurium. The yield was about 300 µg/mL and the product had much higher affinity for the TLR5 receptor (EC50 = 2.4 ± 1.4 pM) than previously reported. The flagellin coding sequence was first optimized for cell-free expression. We then found that the D0 domain at the C-terminus of flagellin was susceptible to proteolytic degradation in the CFPS system. Proteolysis was reduced by protease inhibitors, the use of protease-deficient cell extracts or deletion of the flagellin D0 domain. A human Toll-Like Receptor 5 (hTLR5)-specific bioactivity analysis of purified flagellin demonstrated that, although the D0 domain is far from the TLR5 recognition region, it is important for flagellin bioactivity. We next incorporated a non-natural amino acid displaying an alkyne moiety into flagellin using the CFPS system and attached flagellin to hepatitis B core virus-like particles (VLPs) using bioorthogonal azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions. The ordered and oriented VLP display of flagellin increased its specific TLR5 stimulation activity by approximately 10-fold.
Anoxia-Induced Extracellular Ion Shifts in Mammalian CNS White Matter

Anoxia induces rapid changes in the interstitial ionic composition of gray matter (GM) which reflect the metabolic state of local brain tissue and can directly affect neural behavior (Siesjo, 1981). These ion shifts are crucial to an adequate understanding of anoxic or ischemic brain injury (Hansen, 1985).
Dependence of SnAgCu solder joint properties on solder microstructure

It is well known that variations in the microstructure of lead free solders greatly affect their thermomechanical properties. Sn grain size, orientation and number, as well as secondary Ag3Sn and Cu6Sn5 precipitate sizes and numbers, are all seen to influence the mechanical response of solder joints during isothermal and thermal cycling. The solidification temperature of a SnAgCu solder joint dramatically affects its microstructure. Generally, smaller solder balls (e.g. CSP) undercool more, and thus their microstructure and properties are very different than larger solder balls (e.g. BGA). We report results of a study of the effects of solder joint volume, and pad sizes, on the microstructure and thermomechanical properties of solder joints. Solder joint shapes and dimensions spanned the ranges typical of BGA and CSP assemblies. Temperatures of solidification during cool-down were quantified by differential scanning calorimetry. Sn grain structures were characterized by crossed polarizer microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with electron backscattered diffraction. Precipitate sizes and distributions were measured using backscattered scanning electron microscopy. Corresponding properties, including hardness, strength and fatigue resistance were measured before and after aging for various lengths of times at temperatures up to 125oC. Smaller solder joints on smaller pads were shown to be harder and stronger than larger ones, but to age faster and eventually end up softer and weaker.
Thermodynamic optimization of internal structure in a fuel cell

This paper shows that the internal structure (relative sizes, spacings) of a fuel cell can be optimized so that performance is maximized at the global level. The optimization of flow geometry begins at the smallest (elemental) level, where the fuel cell is modelled as a unidirectional flow system. The polarization curve, power and efficiency are obtained as functions of temperature, pressure, geometry and operating parameters. Although the model is illustrated for an alkaline fuel cell, it may be applied to other fuel cell types by changing the reaction equations and accounting for the appropriate energy interactions. The optimization of the internal structure is subjected to fixed total volume. There are four degrees of freedom in the optimization, which account for the relative thicknesses of the two (anode and cathode) diffusion layers, two reaction layers and the space occupied by the electrolyte solution. The available volume is distributed optimally through the system so that the total power is maximized. Numerical results show that the optima are sharp, and must be identified accurately. Temperature and pressure gradients play important roles, especially as the fuel and oxidant flow paths increase. The optimized internal structure is reported in dimensionless form. Directions for future improvements in flow architecture (constructal design) are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Software On Demand: Issues For RE

2. A base application. The example chosen was an information system for the University of Oregon campus. The base system, which could be given away free or at low cost, provided a map of campus and window panes for new components to work within. The expectation is that the base application would run on a user’s home computer. The user would ask (demand) new components on an as-needed basis, e.g., if the user wanted information on computer labs on campus, she would ask for a specialized component to be added to the base app. The base application was written in Tcl/Tk for WIN95.
Evaluation of the detectability and quantification of respirable crystalline silica by X-ray powder diffraction methods

X-ray powder diffraction is one of the most sensitive methods for the analysis of crystalline forms of silica. In addition to detection and quantification, it can determine the specific crystalline species in the sample. The principal limitations of the method depend on the effective volume of the sample in the X-ray beam and the number of crystallites in the proper orientation to diffract. Detection limits are usually reported as 2 μg in thin-film filter mounts and 0.1% in bulk samples that are free of interference from associated minerals. Filter methods are most often used for air quality monitoring and several standardized procedures have been certified. Standard procedures for bulk samples are difficult to certify because of the variability of the matrices and their potential interferences. All of the methods of quantification require calibration with known samples of quartz or cristobalite. Certification of standard samples involves characterization of the particle and crystallite size and size distribution and amorphous content as well as determining the X-ray diffraction response. Although quartz is readily available and cristobalite is easy to synthesize, preparation of quantities of sufficient uniformity and stability is a limiting factor in certifying such samples for reasonable costs. Conventional diffraction equipment can be used for crystalline silica analysis at the present detection limits required by safety standards. Relatively simple modifications of the diffractometer will increase its sensitivity to small amounts of silica and improve the lower limits of quantification.
Storage Manager and File Transfer Web Services

Web services are emerging as an interesting mechanism for a wide range of grid services, particularly those focused upon information services and control. When coupled with efficient data transfer services, they provide a powerful mechanism for building a flexible, open, extensible data grid for science applications. In this paper we present our prototype work on a Java Storage Resource Manager (JSRM) web service and a Java Reliable File Transfer (JRFT) web service. A java client (Grid File Manager) on top of JSRM and is developed to demonstrate the capabilities of these web services. The purpose of this work is to show the extent to which SOAP based web services are an appropriate direction for building a grid-wide data management system, and eventually grid-based portals.
c‐Fos Is an Intracellular Regulator of Cocaine‐Induced Long‐Term Changes

Development of drug addiction is accompanied by the induction of long-lasting neurobiological changes. Dopamine D1 receptors are involved in mediating cocaine-induced neuroadaptation, yet the underlying intracellular mechanisms remain less clear. Using a genetically modified mouse in which Fos is primarily mutated in D1 receptor-bearing neurons in the brain, we examined a potential role of the immediate early gene Fos, which is rapidly induced by cocaine via D1 receptors, in mediating cocaine-induced persistent neurobiological changes. We found that the composition of AP-1 transcription complexes and expression levels of AP-1 complexes, and several transcription factors, neurotransmitter receptors as well as intracellular signaling molecules following repeated cocaine administration are altered in Fos-deficient brains. Moreover, dendritic reorganization of medium spiny neurons induced by repeated exposure to cocaine is attenuated in the mutant brains. The mutant mice also exhibit reduced behavioral sensitization after repeated cocaine administration. These findings suggest that c-Fos expressed in D1 receptor-bearing neurons mediates cocaine-induced persistent changes.
Motions of the Hand Expose the Partial and Parallel Activation of Stereotypes

Perceivers spontaneously sort other people's faces into social categories and activate the stereotype knowledge associated with those categories. In the work described here, participants, presented with sex-typical and sex-atypical faces (i.e., faces containing a mixture of male and female features), identified which of two gender stereotypes (one masculine and one feminine) was appropriate for the face. Meanwhile, their hand movements were measured by recording the streaming x, y coordinates of the computer mouse. As participants stereotyped sex-atypical faces, real-time motor responses exhibited a continuous spatial attraction toward the opposite-gender stereotype. These data provide evidence for the partial and parallel activation of stereotypes belonging to alternate social categories. Thus, perceptual cues of the face can trigger a graded mixture of simultaneously active stereotype knowledge tied to alternate social categories, and this mixture settles over time onto ultimate judgments.
Who Should Care for Our Children? The Effects of Home Versus Center Care on Child Cognition and Social Adjustment

The issue of child care is still widely debated, with some scholars arguing that children fare best in parental care, whereas others suggest center care may enhance children's development. Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Cohort of 1998 to 1999, the author demonstrates how the use of cross-sectional versus longitudinal analysis results in different conclusions regarding types of care. Cross-sectional analysis indicates that children who had been in center care the year prior to kindergarten exhibited advanced math and reading skills over their parental care counterparts but poorer peer-related social skills net of background controls. However, employing longitudinal analysis that controls for fall test scores of kindergartners and first graders shows that the cognitive effects of center care do not persist and that some social skills actually deteriorate. Longitudinal analyses more successfully isolate the effect of child care than do cross-sectional analyses, and models employing...
Numerical analysis of electric field profiles in high-voltage GaAs photoconductive switches and comparison to experiment

The electric field in GaAs photoconductive switches has been observed with an ultrafast electro-optic imaging system to develop complex spatial and temporal structure immediately after illumination. High-field domains form at the switch cathode as the photogenerated carriers recombine for bias fields above approximately 10 kV/cm. At these biases, the switch also remained conductive for a much longer time ( approximately 100 ns) than the material recombination time ( approximately 1 ns). A model which includes field-dependent mobility was developed to explain this data. Simulation of the electric field profile across the switch indicates that high-field domains which form at the switch cathode are the result of negative differential resistance. >
Estimation and Clinical Significance of Bilirubin Binding Status

The association between hyperbilirubinemia and neurotoxcity was established by epidemiologic data in the early fifties 1,2 and was strengthened by the successful prevention of kernicterus following control of hyperbilirubinemia by exchange transfusion and hototherapy. The purists have argued that in the absence of randomized clinical trials a causal relationship was never proven. The difficulty in deciding when an epidemiologically established association should be considered proof of a causal relationship is well known from the story of tobacco smoking and lung cancer. In both associations the distinction between legitimate doubts and unreasonable demands for the perfect proof is difficult to make. An additional problem is the lack of a generally accepted pathogenetic mechanism for bilirubin*(BR) neurotoxicity3, which invites the search for alternative explanations.
Implement “Mesh+Local Trees” clock design flow in encounter

In this paper, we develop a novel way to achieve Mesh+Local Trees (MLT) flow in encounter. By blending the advantages of CTS and ClockMesh into one clock design flow, MLT is guaranteed to have smaller skew, and further optimize mesh structure to achieve lower power. MLT provides real loading sum value instead of estimating for global Mesh structure; another feature of this flow is that it provides basic support for MSV clock design.
Generation of isolated attosecond pulses in the far field by spatial filtering with an intense few-cycle mid-infrared laser

As discussed in Sect. 1.4.1, high-order harmonic generation (HHG) has been widely used to produce attosecond pulses in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) or soft X-ray [1–3]. Due to its great potential for probing ultrafast electronic processes, there is a plethora of techniques available to generate an isolated attosecond pulse (IAP), with the idea that high harmonics be generated from half an optical cycle only in a few- or multi-cycle infrared laser pulse. Since the harmonic field generated by all atoms within the laser focus co-propagates with the fundamental laser pulse in the gas medium, as well as the possible further propagation in free space depending on the experimental setup, any methods using HHG to generate the IAP also need to take the effects of macroscopic propagation of fundamental and harmonic fields into account. As demonstrated in Chaps. 3 and 4, these effects have been well taken care by using the well-established propagation theory with the quantitative rescattering (QRS)-based single-atom induced dipoles, the phase of high harmonic which is inevitably involved in the propagated harmonic field plays an essential role for the attosecond pulse generation. In this chapter, I will focus on the generation of attosecond pulses, which allows one to test the phase of high harmonic in previous studies as well.
Limitation of thrombin generation, platelet activation, and inflammation by elimination of cardiotomy suction in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting treated with heparin-bonded circuits

Abstract Objective: Reports evaluating the efficacy of heparin-bonded circuits to blunt inflammation, platelet dysfunction, and thrombin generation in response to cardiopulmonary bypass have varied. We hypothesized that this variability may in part be related to the use of cardiotomy suction, which has been demonstrated to reintroduce procoagulant and proinflammatory factors into the systemic circulation during cardiopulmonary bypass. A prospective, randomized study was undertaken to evaluate the specific effects of cardiotomy suction. Methods: Thirty-six patients undergoing first-time, nonemergency coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: group I, non-heparin-bonded circuits with the use of cardiotomy suction (n = 12); group II, Duraflo II (BCR-3500; Jostra Bentley Corp, Irvine, Calif) heparin-bonded circuits with cardiotomy suction (n = 12); and group III, Duraflo II heparin-bonded circuits without cardiotomy suction (n = 12). Thrombin generation, neutrophil activation (polymorphonuclear elastase), platelet activation (β-thromboglobulin), and neuronal injury (neuron-specific enolase) were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays after cardiopulmonary bypass and compared with prebypass levels. Results are presented as mean ± SEM. Results: Prebypass levels of all markers were similar among treatment groups. However, postbypass levels were significantly and consistently highest in group I relative to groups II and III. Thrombin generation levels were 5.0 ± 0.9 nmol/L in group I, 3.0 ± 0.6 nmol/L in group II, and 1.5 ± 0.1 nmol/L in group III ( P P P P P =.001 vs group I), and 646 ± 133 IU/mL in group III ( P =.001 vs group I). Neuron-specific enolase levels were 9.8 ± 0.9 ng/mL in group I, 10.5 ± 1.6 ng/mL in group II, and 4.2 ± 0.5 ng/mL in group III ( P =.001 vs groups I and II). Conclusions: Use of cardiotomy suction resulted in significant increases in thrombin, neutrophil, and platelet activation, as well as the release of neuron-specific enolase, after cardiopulmonary bypass. Limiting increases in these markers would be best accomplished by eliminating cardiotomy suction and routinely using heparin-bonded circuits whenever possible. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;123:742-55
Reducing Xerostomia After Chemo-IMRT for Head and Neck Cancer: Beyond Sparing the Parotid Glands

Purpose To assess whether, in addition to sparing the parotid glands (PGs), xerostomia after chemotherapy plus intensity-modulated radiotherapy (chemo-IMRT) for head-and-neck cancer is affected by reducing the dose to the other salivary glands. Patients and Methods In a prospective study, 78 patients with Stage III-IV oropharynx/nasopharynx cancer underwent chemo-IMRT, with the aim of sparing the parts of the bilateral PGs, oral cavity (OC) containing the minor salivary glands, and contralateral submandibular gland (SMG) outside the target (when contralateral level I was not a target). Before therapy and periodically for 24 months, validated patient-reported xerostomia questionnaire (XQ) scores and observer-graded xerostomia scores were recorded. Also, the stimulated and unstimulated saliva was measured selectively from each of the PGs and SMGs. The mean OC doses served as surrogates of minor salivary gland dysfunction. Regression models assessed the XQ and observer-graded xerostomia predictors. Results Statistically significant predictors of the XQ score on univariate analysis included the OC, PG, and SMG mean doses and the baseline XQ score, time since RT, and both stimulated and unstimulated PG saliva flow rates. Similar factors were statistically significant predictors of observer-graded xerostomia. The OC, PG, and SMG mean doses were moderately intercorrelated ( r = 0.47–0.55). On multivariate analyses, after adjusting for the PG and SMG doses, the OC mean dose ( p p p Conclusion The PG, SMG, and OC mean doses were significant predictors of both patient-reported and observer-rated xerostomia after chemo-IMRT, with OC doses remaining significant after adjusting for the PG and SMG doses. These results support efforts to spare all the salivary glands by IMRT, beyond the PGs alone.
False and Recovered Memories in the Laboratory and Clinic: A Review of Experimental and Clinical Evidence

We review the clinical and laboratory evidence for recovered and false memories. Available data suggest that, at least under certain circumstances, both false and recovered memories may occur. We suggest that the critical questions are: (a) how common is each type of memory phenomenon, (b) what factors lead to the occurrence of each (including under what conditions are each possible and/or likely to occur), and perhaps most importantly, (c) can these two types of memories be distinguished from each other? We describe laboratory analogues for both types of experiences and describe an empirical research protocol that can not only demonstrate both phenomena but also compare the two. Such comparisons can help to determine the causes of these phenomena, discover factors that influence the two, and hopefully reveal signature variables that could pro
Group Summary: Receptivity

The process by which farfield disturbance energy is internalized in the form of instability waves in a boundary layer is known as receptivity. This is the genesis of so-called “natural” transition in quiet environments, in which these small-amplitude instabilities grow exponentially until nonlinear effects come into play and lead to a rapid transition to turbulence. Understanding the physics of receptivity, and being able to make quantitative predictions of the strength of the disturbance introduced in the boundary layer are necessary components of future transition prediction schemes. A variety of computational and theoretical tools were employed during the workshop to investigate various issues.
In Situ Fusion L5 to S1

The patient is taken to the Operating Room and after adequate general anesthesia, is placed prone on a four poster frame (Hall-Relton frame, Jackson table, etc.) with padding under the iliac crest and breast regions. Arms are abducted 20° and elbows flexed 110°. Padding was placed under the down legs and under the down arms. All bony prominences were well padded. The back was given a standard prep and draped free in the usual sterile manner.
Elaboration of an unexplored substitution site in synthetic bacteriochlorins

The ability to introduce substituents at designated sites about the perimeter of synthetic bacteriochlorins – analogs of bacteriochlorophylls of bacterial photosynthesis – remains a subject of ongoing study. Here, the self-condensation of a dihydrodipyrrin-dioxolane affords a 5-[2-(trimethylsiloxy)ethoxy]bacteriochlorin. Like a 5-methoxybacteriochlorin, the latter undergoes regioselective bromination at the 15-position, directed by the distal 5-alkoxy group. On the other hand, attempted bromination of a bacteriochlorin bearing a 5-(2-hydroxyethoxy) group resulted in intramolecular ether formation with the adjacent β-pyrroline position to give an annulated dioxepine ring (confirmed by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis). The hydroxyethoxy group at the 5-position can be derivatized by acylation. In addition, the installation of auxochromes (methoxycarbonyl, phenylethynyl) at the β-pyrrole rings causes a substantial bathochromic shift of the long-wavelength absorption band (812 nm) and companion fluorescence emission band (821 nm). Taken together, the modification of the 5-substituent complements existing methods for installing a single substituent on the bacteriochlorin macrocycle.
Credible regions for exceedance sets of geostatistical data

Identifying regions having large or unusual response in a spatial domain is frequently of interest in environmental and public health contexts. These regions having a large response are frequently called exceedance sets, exceedance regions, or excursion sets. We propose Bayesian methodology for constructing credible regions that either contain the exceedance sets or are contained within the exceedance sets with a specified level probability. The algorithms are simple to implement and use samples from the joint posterior predictive distribution of the process of interest. The R package ExceedanceTools implements the proposed methodology. We study the coverage properties of the methodology and also show that it has good coverage properties in practice. Simulation experiments demonstrate that the proposed method has good performance with respect to the empirical coverage and power. We apply this methodology to identify regions of high zinc concentration using soil samples collected in southwestern Wyoming. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unconformable stratigraphy in East Antarctica: Part I. Large firn cosets, recrystallized growth, and model evidence for intensified accumulation

Unconformable firn stratigraphy exists throughout a 650 km long radar profile that we recorded down-flow of megadune fields in the Byrd Glacier (East Antarctica) catchment. Profile segments reveal cosets of prograding bedding sequences up to 90 m thick and with lateral, along-crest dimensions up to tens of kilometers. We profiled them in oblique section and nearly parallel to the prevailing wind. The prograding snow accumulates on broad, low windward slopes located above ice-bed depressions, which implies long-term slope stability. The apparent subglacial control implies that the accumulation progrades in balance with ice velocity, which we measured at ~30 ma”1. The sequences prograde over intensely modified and recrystallized wind-glaze firn, visible in the profiles as unstratified layers and zones up to several tens of meters thick. The intense recrystallization eliminates density stratification, and the altered layers appear to thicken into a connected network. Modeling of coset formation using wind and ice flow reproduces their dimensions and morphology. However, accumulation rates well above current regional estimates and existing data for megadunes are required because of the measured ice speed and required slope stability. The consistent unconformable strata along our traverse show that coset and recrystallized morphology extend far beyond the megadune fields.
Activity rhythm and breast cancer in pituitary-isografted C and D8 mice; effect of hypothalamus.

SummaryA light-dark synchronized activity rhythm persists in pituitary-isografted C mice. The adrenal cycle probably persists in mice with a significantly altered estrous cycle (1,2). Multiple pituitary isografts are associated with adenocarcinomata and adenoacanthomata in virgin female mice of the D8 and C stocks. The carcinogenic effect of the pituitary isografts is statistically significant and not a result of trauma. Number of implants as well as presence or absence of mammary tumor agent also are significant variables, but neither variable is critical to carcinogenesis from pituitary isografts, under the conditions studied. Insertion of the hypothalamus at the time of pituitary implantation delays mammary carcinogenesis by mechanisms as yet unknown.
Serological studies of leukemia L2C in guinea pigs.

No change could be demonstrated in the antigenic properties of Forssman's antigen in the spleen of leukemic guinea pigs. 2. By using complement fixation techniques, an apparently new antigen has been found which is circulating in the peripheral blood of guinea pigs at the height of the leukemic process. 3. Evidence is presented to suggest that this agent is specific for the leukemic process.
Switchable acoustooptic tap for optical fibers

We recently reported a new type of acoustooptic modulator for optical fiber1,2 which uses a glass capillary half to provide a semicylindrical contact region between the acoustic transducer and optical fiber. Phase modulation in single-mode fiber and mode coupling in two-mode fiber have been demonstrated. This paper presents an extension of the latter interaction to provide switchable tapping of light propagating in the fundamental mode of a two-mode fiber. Using a 1-GHz acoustic frequency, we observed up to –30-dB tapping of the fundamental mode with a 3-dB bandwidth of 20 MHz. We also discuss the tapping of light in a single-mode fiber via a similar coupling mechanism with low-order cladding modes.
Immigration Reform in Canada and the United States: How Dramatic, How Different?

In contrast to recent policies in the United States, immigration reform in Canada, during the past decade, has resulted in one of the most transformative periods in Canada’s immigration history. This article examines these changes, against the comparative backdrop of American inaction. These include changes affecting the three classes of legal permanent residents—economic, family, and refugee—as well as temporary foreign workers and foreign students. Canadian citizenship rules have also been refocused from citizenship as a “right” to citizenship as a “responsibility.” The article illustrates the advantages of the Canadian system, but cautions against overmanagement, centralization of decision-making power, and the loss of Canada’s welcoming reputation. The Canadian system, while not perfect, is efficient and should be able to successfully adjust to future problems that arise, provided that the Canadian public has sufficient input in policy decisions. Given a more complex and cumbersome US immigration poli...
Majindeite, Mg2Mo3O8, a new mineral from the Allende meteorite and a witness to post-crystallization oxidation of a Ca-Al-rich refractory inclusion

Majindeite (IMA 2012-079), Mg_2Mo_3O_8, is a new mineral, occurring as submicrometer-sized crystals with Ni-Fe and Ru-Os-Ir alloys, ± apatite and Nb-oxide. The observed assemblages are partially or wholly enclosed by MgAl_2O_4 spinel in a Type B1 Ca-Al-rich inclusion, ACM-2, from the Allende CV3 carbonaceous chondrite. The type majindeite has an empirical formula of (Mg_(1.57)Fe_(0.43))Mo_(3.00)O_8, and a nolanite-type P6_3mc structure with a = 5.778 A, c = 9.904 A, V = 286.35 A3, and Z = 2, leading to a calculated density of 5.54 g/cm^3. Majindeite likely formed during the subsolidus oxidation of Mo-rich precursor phase(s) included in Fe-Ni rich alloys in a system that was open to O, Mg, and Ca, which were derived externally and introduced via cracks, subgrain boundaries, and/or surfaces exposed at the exterior of the spinel. If magnetite existed in the phase assemblage, it was lost due to Fe volatilization prior to the formation of majindeite. The immediate precursor to majindeite was likely kamiokite. Majindeite formed during an oxidation event contemporaneous with or postdating the formation of grossular-rich veins in melilite. Kamiokite, the Fe-rich analog of majindeite, also occurs in ACM-2 but only within phase assemblages that contain magnetite and which are entirely enclosed in melilite ± alteration products. Here, grossular-rich veins are not observed and the coexisting awaruites are more Fe-rich than those observed with majindeite. As with majindeite, the precursors for kamiokite grains were also likely to have been Mo-rich alloys, but the Mo-oxide remained magnetite-saturated throughout the alteration process and therefore remained Fe-rich.
Ligand Release Pathways Obtained with WExplore: Residence Times and Mechanisms.

The binding of ligands with their molecular receptors is of tremendous importance in biology. Although much emphasis has been placed on characterizing binding sites and bound poses that determine the binding thermodynamics, the pathway by which a ligand binds importantly determines the binding kinetics. The computational study of entire unbiased ligand binding and release pathways is still an emerging field, made possible only recently by advances in computational hardware and sampling methodologies. We have developed one such method (WExplore) that is based on a weighted ensemble of trajectories, which we apply to ligand release for the first time, using a set of three previously characterized interactions between low-affinity ligands and the protein FKBP-12 (FK-506 binding protein). WExplore is found to be more efficient that conventional sampling, even for the nanosecond-scale unbinding events observed here. From a nonequilibrium ensemble of unbinding trajectories, we obtain ligand residence times and ...
Intermittent Catheterization Rather than Urinary Diversion in Children with Meningomyelocele

Fifteen girls more than 4 years old and with neuromuscular defects of meningomyelocele are maintaining adequate urinary continence through the use of intraurethral catheterization done by themselves or their parents. Urinary diversion has been necessary in only 1 child. The indwelling catheter has allowed heavily trabeculated bladders to become smooth enough for an antirflux operation to be successful, although the period of followup is only 2 years. Upper tract deterioration has not been observed and urine has been maintained sterile without the help of medication 50 per cent of the time when catheterizations have been done on a routine 3-hour schedule. For this method to be sucessful and replace conduit deversion, parents, child, nurse and physician must be a well-knit team. With the hope that a reliable artificial urinary sphincter will eventually provide contience for some children, one is further justified in pursuing urinary continence by use of the catheter, instead of resorting early to permanent conduit conversion.
Evidence-based and patient-centered care: Results from an STFM group project

Objectives This study's purpose was to identify the elements of a definition of evidence-based patient-centered care (EBPCC), the barriers to using EBPCC, and strategies for overcoming these barriers. Methods This research project used focus group methodology with participants drawn from Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) members who attend STFM meetings and are interested in the integration of evidence-based medicine and patient-centered care. Forty-five self-selected STFM members-participants attended one of five total focus groups between September 2004 and May 2005. Focus groups were audiotaped Data were transcribed and analyzed using an immersion crystallization style. Results There was no single, consistent definition about what constitutes EBPCC. Several common themes arose, with the conceptual models of EBPCC varied across groups and individuals. The barriers to using EBPCC fell into eight categories. Participants listed substantially fewer solutions to barriers, which were not as easily categorized. Conclusions This research is a beginning exploration of what constitutes EBPCC. Our findings suggest that, in this sample of educators, there is no current single, shared definition or model of what constitutes EBPCC. While the variation in models may be representative of differing understandings, styles, and philosophies of EBPCC, identification of barriers is consistent. Strategies for overcoming barriers are not well developed.