cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The physiology of the avian embryo

Abstract The freshly laid avian egg contains most of the materials needed for embryonic growth and development, but lacks the oxygen and heat needed for successful development. Microscopic pores in the eggshell allow O2 to diffuse into the egg from the environment and water vapor and CO2 produced by the embryo to diffuse out. The adult bird has a key role in incubation, providing not only the heat necessary for embryonic development but also controlling the microclimate of the egg. In the poultry industry and for research purposes, the adult bird can be conveniently replaced by an incubator. The majority of research on avian incubation is undertaken using artificially incubated chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) eggs. Thus, in this chapter, the chicken embryo is used to elucidate the development of physiological function during avian incubation, supplemented by additional species when data are available. Developmental physiology of the gas exchange, acid–base, cardiovascular, osmoregulatory and thermoregulatory systems are examined. The optimal conditions for artificial incubation are outlined and embryonic responses to incubation extremes are described.
Use of the Reuter Centrifugal Air Sampler to Monitor the Microbial Level in Hatcheries

Abstract Three hatcheries were surveyed using the Biotest Reuter Centrifugal (RCS) air sampler and conventional Petri-plate procedures. The RCS sampler was more sensitive in detecting fungi at low levels of contamination. Marked differences in fungal and bacterial levels were detected among the three hatcheries and were attributed to operational and decontamination procedures. Microbiological evaluation of the hatcheries showed higher bacterial and fungal levels on hatching days compared to non-operational days and after cleaning.
Field Distribution Techniques for Multi Dimensional Snapshot Imaging

Imaging techniques e.g. field slicing and mapping, pinhole or lens field arrays to rapidly acquire multi-dimensional data are discussed. They allow recording and display of spectral, polarization or 3D spatial information in a snapshot mode.
Analysis on the genetic characteristics of HIV- 1 infected MSM individuals in Zhejiang province

Objective To analyze the subtypes and characteristics of HIV- 1 among men who have sex with men( MSM)in Zhejiang province from the year 2004 to 2011. Methods Blood DNA /RNA was extracted from the MSM HIV- 1infected individuals and then HIV- 1 gag and pol fragments were amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction( nested-PCR) or RT- PCR. The positive PCR products were sequenced and the obtained sequences were analyzed by phylogenetic inference. Results A total of 117 HIV- 1 infected MSM individuals were analyzed,covering 21 provinces according to their household registry. Totally,three major strains were identified including CRF01_ AE( 84. 62%,n = 99),B( 5.98%,n =7) and CRF07_BC( 5.13%,n =6). Moreover,3 novel 01 B recombinant stains,1 CRF59_01B and 1CRF08_BC were found. According to the neighbor- joining tree by pol fragments,there were more than 30 sub clusters with bootstrap value higher than 70% among the 84 CRF01_AE sequences. Conclusion CRF01_AE is the major HIV-1 infection strain among MSM in Zhejiang province. CRF59_01B and other novel 01 B recombinant stains are first reported among MSM individuals in Zhejiang province.
Opportunismus in langfristigen Geschäftsbeziehungen

Opportunistic behaviour of an exchange partner is widely recognised as a potential problem in buyer-supplier relationships. One party has an incentive to act opportunistically if there is an asymmetric relationship of dependence. According to transaction cost economics vertical integration is a possibility to face this problem. But some authors suggest that there are other ways to control the problem of opportunism, e.g. investments in the quality of personal relationships or offsetting investments. We describe these possibilities and the circumstances in which they may be superior. To prove our theory, we conducted an empirical study. The findings show that detailed contractual safeguards should be best when the supplier can observe the behaviour of the buyer, or in cases in which the buyer is of great importance in the future. Good relationship quality has an advantage if the buyer is acting in a high competitive environment.
Online Learning Communities: Using Technology to Facilitate Student Communication, Collaboration, and Support

Social work students struggling to manage work, family, education, and other obligations may become isolated from peers and faculty members. There is a need to develop innovative methods to facilitate communication across barriers of time and distance. Studies have demonstrated the potential for online communication to allow for broader participation from diverse groups of students. Involvement in a learning community has been shown to increase self-worth and social support, as well as decrease social isolation. Technology may help create accessible learning communities as well as facilitate the coempowerment of students enrolled in such communities. Two faculty members developed, implemented, and monitored an online learning community. Findings of the first-year experience with the community, including the results of a student survey, are described.
Scattering of a Dirac particle with charge Ze by a fixed magnetic monopole

The helicity-flip and helicity-nonflip scattering amplitudes of a Dirac particle with spin 1/2 and charge $Ze$ by a fixed magnetic monopole field are calculated. To make the Hamiltonian meaningful an infinitesimal extra magnetic moment is added to the charged particle. The sign of this extra term has measurable consequences. The differential cross section, which is independent of the sign of $Ze$, is tabulated. The helicity-flip amplitude vanishes at all angles for incoming beam helicity = +1 if $Zegg0$, and for incoming beam helicity = -1 if $Zegl0$.
Models for Knowledge Representation and Cognitive Effort in Human Problem Solving

Abstract Critical to success in man-machine systems design is an understanding of the way in which humans formulate issues/ identify possible alternative courses of action, analyze the impacts of these alternatives, and integrate these impacts in accordance with a value system. It is now generally recognized that experiential familiarity with the perceived task at hand is the dominant influence upon the way in which the task requirements are cognized, and the way in which problem solving activities proceed. This paper provides an overview of recent efforts concerning representations or models of the way in which human cognitive features are organized to enable a response to perceived task demands. Several different models are contrasted, with particular attention being given to the use of production rules to represent knowledge that is based on. skills, rules, or formal reasoning.
Surface pKa of octanoic, nonanoic, and decanoic fatty acids at the air–water interface: applications to atmospheric aerosol chemistry

There exists large uncertainty in the literature as to the pKa of medium-chain fatty acids at the air-water interface. Via surface tension titration, the surface-pKa values of octanoic (C8), nonanoic (C9), and decanoic (C10) fatty acids are determined to be 4.9, 5.8, and 6.4, respectively. The surface-pKa determined with surface tension differs from the bulk value obtained during a standard acid-base titration. Near the surface-pKa of the C8 and C9 systems, surface tension minima are observed and are attributed to the formation of surface-active acid-soap complexes. The direction of the titration is shown to affect the surface-pKa of the C9 system, as the value shifts to 5.2 with NaOH titrant due to a higher concentration of Na+ ions at pH values close to the surface-pKa. As the reactivity and climate-relevant properties of sea spray aerosols (SSA) are partially dictated by the charge and surface activity of the organics at the aerosol-atmosphere interface, the results presented here on SSA-identified C8-C10 fatty acids can be used to better predict the health and climate impact of particles with significant concentrations of medium-chain fatty acids.
Wavelet-enriched adaptive crystal plasticity finite element model for polycrystalline microstructures

Abstract Micromechanical analysis of polycrystalline microstructures of metals and alloys, using crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) models is extensively used for predicting deformation and failure under various conditions of strain-rates, creep and fatigue loading. Many CPFE models involve a large number of degrees of freedom for accurate representation of realistic polycrystalline microstructures. This can lead to prohibitively high computational costs to conduct meaningful analyses of phenomena of interest. To overcome this limitation, the authors have recently developed a wavelet enrichment adapted finite element model in Azdoud and Ghosh (2017) for elastic materials. The method adaptively creates an optimal discretization space conforming to the solution profile by projecting the solution field onto a set of scaling and multi-resolution wavelet basis functions. This paper extends this wavelet adapted FE model to finite deformation, crystal plasticity analysis of polycrystalline microstructures. After presenting the formulations, various validation tests are conducted to examine the convergence rates and computational efficiency of this method.
Analysis of the crash of a transport aircraft and assessment of fuzzy-logic stall recovery

Abstract A turboprop transport Flight Data Recorder data indicates that attempt to recover from the stalled conditions has failed, even though the pitch angle is continuously pushed nose-down in accordance with the published stall-recovery technique. The present study is to examine the reasons for the angle of attack being increased in the first place and not being reduced after stall, even though the longitudinal control is set to nose-down. Fuzzy Logic models are used to preserve nonlinear and unsteady aerodynamic effects. It is found that the increasing angle of attack is initially caused by the nose-up pitching moment due to inertial coupling. In the subsequent nose-down control attempt for stall recovery, the stall angles of attack are still increasingly higher because the pitch rate relative to the rotating axes stays mostly positive. The present simulation study is based on a new method to be called “Fuzzy-Logic Dynamic Inversion,” where desired dynamics with reduced Euler angles and angular rates are specified; while the required control inputs in elevator, aileron and rudder are determined, all through Fuzzy Logic models. Results in elevator, aileron and rudder controls are illustrated to demonstrate the possibility of stall recovery and accident prevention. It is shown that if at the first sign of stall in icing and crosswind flight conditions, and the landing is aborted, stall recovery is possible by applying proper control inputs simultaneously about three control axes to reduce the moments of inertial coupling and the roll and pitch angles.
Outcomes following elective resection of congenital pulmonary airway malformations are equivalent after 3 months of age and a weight of 5 kg.

Abstract Purpose Resection of congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) is often performed to reduce the risk of recurrent infection and malignant transformation. However, there is substantial variation in the timing of resection. This study was performed to determine the association of age and weight on outcomes following elective resection of CPAMs. Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database from 2012 to 2014 was queried for infants undergoing elective resection of a CPAM. Infants were categorized based on age (0–3 months, 3–6 months, 6–9 months, 9–12 months, and > 12 months) and weight (0–5 kg, 5–10 kg, and > 10 kg). Groups were compared for baseline characteristics and outcomes including a morbidity composite of pneumonia, reintubation, ventilator days > 0, reoperation, readmission, hospital length of stay > 7 days, and mortality. Results A total of 311 infants met study criteria. The morbidity composite was significantly more common among infants 3 months of age (31.3% vs. 15.6%, p = 0.01) and among infants 5 kg (37.5% vs. 15.8%, p Conclusions Infants should be observed until three months of age and a weight of five kilograms prior to elective resection of CPAMs. Level of evidence Level III.
Dual Enrollment and Retention in Tennessee Community Colleges: Implications for Practice

ABSTRACTWith the increased numbers of dual enrollment students across the country as well as various state initiatives to increase retention among the student population at large, institutions face...
Adhesive-Based Atom Probe Sample Preparation

We present a specimen preparation procedure for atom-probe tomography using SemGlu from Kleindiek Nanotechnik, an adhesive that hardens under electron beam irradiation. The SemGlu adhesive is used in place of focused-ion-beam-induced deposition of organo-metallic Pt, W, or C to form a bond between the sample and the substrate during the specimen preparation procedure. We demonstrate the utility of this adhesive-based specimen preparation technique with a correlated atom-probe tomography-scanning transmission electron microscopy study of the iron-nickel alloy kamacite (ferrite, ɑ-iron) in the Bristol iron meteorite and two steel specimens.
Octreotide for congenital and acquired chylothorax in newborns: A systematic review.

Aim Chylothorax is a rare but life-threatening condition in newborns. Octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, is widely used as a therapeutic option in neonates with congenital and acquired chylothorax, but its therapeutic role has not been clarified yet. Methods We performed a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of octreotide in the treatment of congenital and acquired chylothorax in newborns. Comprehensive research, updated till 31 October 2017, was performed by searching in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases using the MeSH terms 'octreotide' and 'chylothorax'. Both term and preterm newborns with congenital or acquired chylothorax treated with octreotide within the 30th day of life were included. Octreotide treatment was considered effective if a progressive reduction/ceasing in drained chylous effusion occurred. Results A total of 39 articles were included. Octreotide was effective in 47% of patients, with a slight but not significant difference between congenital (30/57; 53.3%) and acquired (9/27; 33.3%) chylothorax (P = 0.10). Marked variation in octreotide regimen was observed. The most common therapeutic scheme was intravenous infusion at a starting dose of 1 μg/kg/h, gradually increasing to 10 μg/kg/h according to the therapeutic response. Side effects were reported in 12 of 84 patients (14.3%). Only case reports were included in this review due to the lack of randomised controlled trials. Conclusion Octreotide is a relatively effective and safe treatment option in neonates with chylothorax, especially for the congenital forms.
A comparison of freeway median crash frequency, severity, and barrier strike outcomes by median barrier type

Abstract Median-crossover crashes are among the most hazardous events that can occur on freeways, often resulting in severe or fatal injuries. The primary countermeasure to reduce the occurrence of such crashes is the installation of a median barrier. When installation of a median barrier is warranted, transportation agencies are faced with the decision among various alternatives including concrete barriers, beam guardrail, or high-tension cable barriers. Each barrier type differs in terms of its deflection characteristics upon impact, the required installation and maintenance costs, and the roadway characteristics (e.g., median width) where installation would be feasible. This study involved an investigation of barrier performance through an in-depth analysis of crash frequency and severity data from freeway segments where high-tension cable, thrie-beam, and concrete median barriers were installed. A comprehensive manual review of crash reports was conducted to identify crashes in which a vehicle left the roadway and encroached into the median. This review also involved an examination of crash outcomes when a barrier strike occurred, which included vehicle containment, penetration, or re-direction onto the travel lanes. The manual review of crash reports provided critical supplementary information through narratives and diagrams not normally available through standard fields on police crash report forms. Statistical models were estimated to identify factors that affect the frequency, severity, and outcomes of median-related crashes, with particular emphases on differences between segments with varying median barrier types. Several roadway-, traffic-, and environmental-related characteristics were found to affect these metrics, with results varying across the different barrier types. The results of this study provide transportation agencies with important guidance as to the in-service performance of various types of median barrier.
An anti-phishing method based on feature analysis

Since the rapid advancement in computer networks and ebusiness technologies, massive numbers of sales transactions are performed on the World Wide Web on daily basis. These transactions necessitate online financial payments and the use of ebanking hence attracting phishers to target online users' credentials to access their financial information. Phishing involves developing forged websites that are visually identical to truthful websites in order to deceive online users. Different anti-phishing techniques have been proposed to reduce the risks of phishing mainly by educating users or using automated software. One of the main challenge for automated anti-phishing tools is to determine the more influential features in order to detect phishing activities. This article addresses this problem by conducting a thorough analysis using filtering methods against real phishing websites data. The methodology employed is based on data mining method called RIPPER to determine the performance of the classification systems derived by RIPPER and according to different evaluation measures such as error rate, false positives and false negatives.
Preparing to come home: Recommendations for transition planning from North Carolina's Money Follows the Person Demonstration Project.

CMS alleges that North Carolina’s eligibility criteria and payment rates for Personal Care Services (PCS) are not “comparable” between ACH and in-home settings. A combined total of approximately 45,000 individuals receive such services at an annual cost to the state’s Medicaid Program of more than $400 million (DMA, unpublished data). North Carolina has worked with CMS to develop a 1915(i) Medicaid state plan option that will address these comparability concerns and try to meet the demands for PCS across both settings while meeting state budget expectations. The state’s agreement with CMS and its plan of correction allow the current PCS program to operate through the end of December 2012. Effective January 1, 2013, a new PCS program operating under the 1915(i) authority will be in place. This new PCS program will address the “comparability” issues by basing PCS eligibility on a set of target population criteria and by requiring Preparing to Come Home: Recommendations for Transition Planning from North Carolina’s Money Follows the Person Demonstration Project
Coping and Culture: The Protective Effects of Shift-&-Persist and Ethnic-Racial Identity on Depressive Symptoms in Latinx Youth.

Shift-&-persist is a coping strategy that has been shown to lead to positive health outcomes in low-SES youth but has not yet been examined with respect to psychological health. This study tests whether the shift-&-persist coping strategy works in tandem with ethnic-racial identity to protect against depressive symptoms in the face of two uncontrollable stressors: economic hardship and peer discrimination. In a sample of 175 Latinx youth (51.4% female; Mage = 12.9), shift-&-persist buffered the positive relation between economic hardship and depressive symptoms. In terms of peer discrimination, among youth who reported little use of shift and persist, discrimination was related to higher depressive symptoms, whereas youth who reported higher amounts of shift and persist (at and above the mean) were protected and did not evidence this association. However, among youth with high ethnic-racial identity, shift-&-persist failed to protect against the deleterious association between peer discrimination and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that shift-&-persist is protective for Latinx youth, although the context in which it is protective changes based on the racialized/non-racialized nature of the stressor.
Falling in love and staying in love with science: ongoing informal science experiences support fascination for all children

ABSTRACTAges 10–14 mark a period in which children develop a strong sense of whether science is ‘for them,’ a time that typically coincides with the start of middle school in the United States and ...
An Online Equivalent Method of Large-Scale Wind Power Based on Multi-source Data Fusion

With the rapid increase of wind power centralized grid-connection scale, the security and stability of power grid are greatly affected. In order to simulate the dynamic characteristics of wind farm accurately, a large-scale wind power online equivalent method based on multi-source data fusion is proposed. The operating state of the state estimation modeling network is identified by the fusion of multi-source real-time data such as SCADA, PMU and security and stability control system. When the error of branch power flow or node voltage at the boundary is large, the active power regulation range of wind power generators is determined by comprehensively considering the actual measurement collected by the wind farm centralized control system and the prediction information of the wind power prediction system. The active power of each wind farm is determined by quadratic programming model. The wind power generators are grouped according to the topology in the wind farm, then each group is subdivided according to static characteristic and operating state in turn. The dynamic models and static parameters of equivalent wind power generators and equivalent transformers are calculated. The proposed method is proved to be fast and effective through the analysis of a practical power grid example.
Urinary extracellular vesicle-associated MCP-1 and NGAL derived from specific nephron segments differ between calcium oxalate stone formers and controls.

Randall’s plaque (RP; subepithelial calcification) appears to be an important precursor of kidney stone disease. However, RP cannot be noninvasively detected. The present study investigated candida...
Activation of the Unfolded Protein Response Pathway in Cytotoxic T Cells: A Comparison Between in vitro Stimulation, Infection, and the Tumor Microenvironment

IRE1α is an extremely conserved intracellular receptor that regulates one branch of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Homologs of IRE1α are found virtually throughout all eukaryotes. This receptor plays a pivotal role in a cell's reaction to stress, determining whether to take compensatory measures and survive or undergo apoptosis and die. While the role of the unfolded protein response in lower organisms and secretory cells has been comprehensively studied, the precise role of IRE1α in the context of cytotoxic T cells has only begun to be elucidated within the past decade. This review discusses what is known about IRE1α and the unfolded protein response in cytotoxic T cells within the context of development, pathogen response, and cancer cell growth.
The Anaphor Agreement Effect in the nominal domain: Evidence from Turkish

We examine a set of agreement asymmetries in the Turkish nominal domain, motivating two core generalizations. Firstly, the assignment of genitive case yields an opacifying effect, making certain large nominals, but not pronouns, into domains inaccessible for agreement. Secondly, this opacifying effect is overridden in cases of binding: if an element that normally fails to agree acts as a binder, it can exceptionally participate in an agreement relationship. We examine the implications of these findings for recent proposals on the nature of the Anaphor Agreement Effect, and for the relationship between case, agreement, and binding.
Decadal-scale decoupling of soil phosphorus and molybdenum cycles by temperate nitrogen-fixing trees

Symbiotic nitrogen- (N) fixing trees can influence multiple biogeochemical cycles by fixing atmospheric N, which drives net primary productivity and soil carbon (C) and N accumulation, as well as by mobilizing soil phosphorus (P) and other nutrients to support growth and metabolism. The soil micronutrient molybdenum (Mo) is essential to N-fixation, yet surprisingly little is known of whether N-fixing trees alter soil Mo cycling, and if changes to soil Mo are coupled to soil C, N, and P. We compared how symbiotic N-fixing red alder and non-N-fixing Douglas-fir trees modified surface soil C, N, P, and Mo across variation in climate and other site factors in the Pacific Northwest. We found that after two decades, N-fixing trees drove coupled increases in surface soil C, N, total P, and organic P. Consistent with contributions of N-fixing trees to soil organic matter, increased soil C and N were accompanied by lower δ13C in all sites, and lower δ15N in sites where non-fixer plots exhibited elevated soil δ15N. However, N-fixing trees did not affect surface soil Mo concentrations or fractions, suggesting that different factors control the cycling of P versus Mo over decadal timescales. Random forest analysis revealed that surface soil P was most strongly influenced by factors related to soil C accumulation, whereas surface soil Mo was related primarily to environmental factors, including potential differences in atmospheric Mo deposition across sites. Ratios of surface soil P:Mo were higher in extractable pools than in total soil digests, reinforcing the idea of stronger biotic cycling of P than Mo. Overall, our multi-site, multi-decadal field study found surprisingly small effects of N-fixing trees on soil Mo, despite rapid increases in soil organic C, N, and P. We hypothesize that, rather than direct effects of N-fixing vegetation, abiotic or indirect biotic factors such as soil sorption of atmospheric Mo inputs can link C–N–P–Mo cycles in terrestrial ecosystems on longer timescales.
Highly Durable C2 Hydrocarbon Production via the Oxidative Coupling of Methane Using a BaFe0.9Zr0.1O3−δ Mixed Ionic and Electronic Conducting Membrane and La2O3 Catalyst

The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) is an attractive technology for the production of ethane (C2H6) and ethylene (C2H4); and significant performance and efficiency gains as well as reduced carb...
MAKING INDUSTRIAL PITTSBURGH MODERN: Environment, Landscape, Transportation, Energy, & Planning

My first impression of Pittsburgh was upon exiting the Fort Pitt tunnel, which is where the Monongahela and the Allegheny rivers form the Ohio River, and the cityscape instantaneously appears in fr...
Active Manifold and Model-Order Reduction to Accelerate Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization

A computational framework is proposed for efficiently solving multidisciplinary analysis and optimization (MDAO) problems in a relatively high-dimensional design parameter space. It relies on proje...
Sleep disturbance in primary brain tumor: prevalence, risk factors, and patient preferences

Primary brain tumor (PBT) patients report sleep disturbance due to their disease and treatment, yet few studies have utilized validated measures to understand the extent of patients’ concerns and preferences for treatment. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of sleep disturbance among PBT patients in our clinic and to evaluate interest in treatment for sleep disturbance. PBT patients completed validated measures of sleep disturbance and health during routine neuro-oncology visits. Patients also reported on sleep-related symptom management and their preferences for pharmacological and/or behavioral treatment. Sleep disturbance was common, with 61.5% of PBT patients (N = 119; Mage = 52.60 years; 50% male) reporting poor sleep quality and 21.5% endorsing symptoms of insomnia. Insomnia could be explained by increased fatigue and corticosteroid use; sleep quality could be explained by fatigue. Patients in our clinic with higher grade tumors, significant sleep disturbance, of minority racial/ethnic status, and those not already taking sleep medications were more likely to report their symptoms and were not well-addressed by their medical team. Patients indicated a similar interest in pharmacological and behavioral treatment, warranting the availability of both in our clinic. Findings indicate a high prevalence of sleep disturbance in PBT patients, highlighting the need for increased screening, monitoring, and treatment in our neuro-oncology clinic. Future research would benefit from assessing the efficacy of behavioral treatments for sleep disturbance in this population.
“Memory” Revisited: What Sāmavedic Technical Literature Tells Us About Smṛti’s Early Meaning

In this paper, I build on recent scholarship concerning the early semantic history of the word “smṛti,” which has been shown to denote “tradition” in the early dharmasūtra material. I seek to add nuance to this work by examining the meaning of smṛti in the early Sāmavedic technical literature. This corpus helps elucidate one of the processes whereby smṛti came to refer to something textual. This paper argues that smṛti’s earliest textualized referent may have been fixed or semi-fixed individual statements rather than definite texts.
First-year weight loss following gastric band surgery predicts long-term outcomes.

Background Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) continues to be a valid surgical treatment option to address severe obesity. However, outcomes are varied and can be difficult to predict. Early prediction of suboptimal weight loss following LAGB may enable adjustments to postoperative care and consequently improve surgical outcomes. Therefore, our aim is to investigate the prognostic utility of using early weight loss following LAGB to predict long-term weight outcomes. Methods Clinical data from patients undergoing LAGB between 2001 and 2007 at a single institution were retrospectively collected and analysed. The data was used to inform a model for predicting long-term weight loss after LAGB surgery. Percent total weight loss (%TWL) greater than 20% 1 year after surgery was considered a measurement of success since it has been associated with the improvement of comorbidities and increased patient satisfaction. Results The average %TWL 1 year after LAGB surgery was 23.73% (n = 1524, SD = 8.68%). Weight loss of less than 10% in 1 year was a negative predictor of weight loss >20% in 8-12 years (OR = 0.449; p = 0.002; 95% CI = 0.272-0.742). Moreover, weight loss >20% in 1 year was a strong predictor of weight loss >20% in 8-12 years (OR = 5.33; p Conclusion Total body weight reduction of less than 10% 1 year after LAGB surgery suggests a lesser weight loss at 8-12 years. For these patients, targeted interventions would be appropriate to increase the chances of long-term success.
Mimicking mesh refinement to construct initial data for a binary black hole system

In order to perform an evolutionary calculation in General Relativity, accurate initial data is needed. A pseudospectral numerical method to solve both linear and nonlinear ordinary differential equations is introduced. We then calculate solutions to the Hamiltonian and momentum constraints for a binary black hole system utilizing such a pseudospectral method. The error resulting from the implementation is discussed at three locations in space: near the black holes, far from the black holes, and in between. A method to mimic mesh refinement through appropriate coordinate transforms is introduced with the result of lowering the maximum error in the system.
Voyage across Ligeia Mare: Mechanics of sailing on the hydrocarbon seas of Saturn׳s Moon, Titan

Abstract Like sailing ships, drifting buoys and icebergs on the seas of Earth, the motion of a capsule floating on the cold methane/ethane seas of Saturn׳s moon Titan results from the balance of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces above and below the ‘waterline’. This balance is evaluated in the context of a NASA proposal to send such a capsule to perform oceanographic and other measurements on the ~400 km wide Ligeia Mare in 2023. Taking liquid and air density into account (the sea:air density ratio on Titan is ~100, compared with ~800 on Earth) in the drag balance, it is expected that the vehicle will drift at a fraction f of the near-surface windspeed with f~0.08–0.18. Consideration of wave effects suggests a correction of the form f′~f(1+0.7U104). Winds of about 0.3 m/s are expected in this season (late Northern summer), and drift trajectories using two different global circulation models are computed. It is expected that the vehicle would encounter the coastline after drifting ~150 km over 2–10 Titan days (~32–150 Earth days.)
Performance Evaluation of Non-redundant Error Correcting Scheme Using Logistic Chaotic Map

In this paper an efficient error-correcting scheme based on logistic chaotic map for non-coherent chaos communication system without redundancy is presented and its performance is evaluated. The scheme uses one chaotic generator to generate two sequences one for each data bit value in a way that the end of the current chaotic sequence sets the initial value of the next sequence of the same symbol. With this arrangement, successive chaotic sequences having the same chaotic dynamics are created for the purpose of error correction. A suboptimal detection algorithm based on shortest distance calculation between the received sequence and the chaotic trajectories over nth-dimension is used for detecting the transmitted symbol and performing the errors-correction. The simulation results show that the scheme offers improvement in Eb/N0 over the method before the error-correcting scheme and this improvement is increased as the trajectory dimension is increased. At bit-error probability of 10?3, a gain of 0.5 dB is obtained in Eb/No over the method before the error-correcting scheme when the dimension is 4. The power point in the scheme is that error correction is based on chaotic dynamics and no redundant bits are needed. This would make the scheme a good candidate for applications that require high data transmission rates.
Functional activity of Pat-1 (Slc26a6) Cl(−)/HCO₃(−) exchange in the lower villus epithelium of murine duodenum.

Aims The apical membrane anion exchanger putative anion transporter-1 (Pat-1) is expressed at significant levels in the lower villus epithelium of murine duodenum. However, previous studies of Cl(−)/HCO₃(−) exchange in the lower villus have failed to demonstrate Pat-1 function. Those studies routinely included luminal glucose which induces Na(+) -coupled glucose transport and acidifies the villus epithelium. Since Pat-1 has been proposed to be an electrogenic 1Cl(−)/2HCO₃(−) exchanger, membrane depolarization or cell acidification during glucose transport may obscure Pat-1 activity. Therefore, we investigated the effects of luminal glucose on Cl(−)(IN)/HCO₃(−) (OUT) exchange activity in the lower villus epithelium. Methods Cl(−)(IN) /HCO (−) (OUT) exchange of villus epithelium in duodenal mucosa from Pat-1 knockout (KO), Slc26a3 [down-regulated in adenoma (Dra)] KO, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (Cftr) KO and wild-type (WT) littermate mice was measured using the pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein. Short-circuit current (I(sc) ) was measured in Ussing chambers. Results During glucose absorption, Cl(−)(IN)/HCO₃(−) (OUT) exchange in the lower villus epithelium was abolished in the Dra KO and unaffected in the Pat-1 KO relative to WT. However, during electroneutral mannose absorption or electrogenic α-D-methyl glucoside absorption, Cl(−)(IN) /HCO₃(−) (OUT) exchange was reduced in both Pat-1 KO and Dra KO villi. Exposure to high [K(+)] abolished Cl(−)(IN) /HCO₃(−) (OUT) exchange in the Dra KO but not the Dra/Cftr double KO epithelium, suggesting that Pat-1 activity is little affected by membrane depolarization except in the presence of Cftr. Conclusions The metabolic and electrogenic activity of glucose transport obscures Cl(−)(IN) /HCO₃(−) (OUT) exchange activity of Pat-1 in the lower villus. The inhibitory effects of membrane depolarization on Pat-1 Cl(−)(IN) /HCO₃(−) (OUT) exchange may require concurrent membrane association with Cftr.
Common Themes in the Divorce Transition Experience of Midlife Women

This qualitative study report from a larger triangulated study focused on the experiences of midlife women in a divorce transition. Interviews were conducted with 24 midlife women drawn from divorc...
Ectopic pregnancy after in vitro fertilization: differences between fresh and frozen-thawed cycles

Objective To evaluate whether the uterine environment is associated with the risk of ectopic implantation by comparing outcomes of fresh and frozen-thawed embryo transfers. Design Retrospective historical cohort. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) We used the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (SART) database to identify pregnancies that resulted from fresh and frozen blastocyst transfers from 2008 to 2011. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) We determined the proportion of ectopic (EP) versus intrauterine-only pregnancies resulting from fresh or frozen embryo transfers in autologous and donor-oocyte cycles. Generalized estimation equation regression models were used to adjust for maternal and treatment characteristics. Result(s) Among 103,070 cycles that resulted in a clinical pregnancy, 1.38% were ectopic. The odds of EP were 65% lower in women who had a frozen compared with a fresh transfer in autologous cycles. Donor-oocyte transfers had lower odds of EP compared with autologous cycles, with no difference between fresh and frozen donor transfers. Women who had both a fresh and a frozen transfer with autologous oocytes had a higher risk of EP in their fresh cycles compared with their frozen cycles. Conclusion(s) Embryo transfers in cycles without ovarian hyperstimulation, such as frozen or donor cycles, were associated with lower rates of EP compared with fresh autologous cycles, suggesting that a difference in the tubal-uterine environment contributes to abnormal implantation after IVF.
Automated patient motion correction in dynamic renal scintigraphy

2011 Objectives We previously reported a computerized method for automatically and accurately detecting patient motion in dynamic renal scintigraphy. Once motion was detected, our objective was to apply and validate an automatic algorithm for correction of detected motion. Methods We added motion shifts to sequences of 30-sec frames from 86 MAG3 studies randomly selected from an archived database. From each patient study we generated 10 different shifted studies with each shift either upward or downward. Shifts were either abrupt or gradual, and having some combination of sequence length from 2 to 7 frames, and shift magnitude from 0.25 to 4 pixels (0.75 to 12.8mm). For the range of frames shifted, all frames in which a shift was detected were subjected to automatic motion correction (MC). To measure correction accuracy, counts within boxes circumscribing the whole kidney regions of interest (ROI) were measured in the shifted (S), corrected (C) and original unshifted (O) data. Shifted error fraction (SEF) was defined as (S-O)/O, corrected error fraction (CEF) was defined as (C-O)/O and percent improvement was calculated as ((SEF-CEF)/SEF)*100. Display software was created for visual review of O, S and C image frames, and linograms constructed from counts in the ROIs. Results For five shifts with only whole 3.2 mm pixel movements, there was no difference between original and corrected frames, thus 100% correction. For five shifts with fractional pixel movements, mean percent improvement ranged from 51.6% to 72.8%. The display program showed subjective improvement in the smoothness of the corrected linograms, with no apparent over-correction. Conclusions The correction algorithm produces image sets with subjectively less apparent motion. Pixel interpolation errors introduced by fractional shifts and MC reduce the maximum achievable MC accuracy, however MC restores the original count distribution of whole pixel shifts and up to 73% of the original count distribution of fractional shifts without introducing significant additional error. Research Support NIBIB/NIDDK grant R01-LM00759
Rigidity of implant denture substructure with the mesostructure bar

P l a c i n g a mandibular subperiosteal implant denture on severely resorbed edentulous mandibles has become an accepted method of treatment for selected patients who can receive comparable benefits in no other way.1 The long-term value of vestibuloplasty and ridge augmentat ion is questionable because the denture still must he supported by the oral mucosa. Many clinicians have followed patients who have successfully worn implant dentures for 20 or more years. 2 Histologic studies of the human mandible have shown that a complete mandibular subperiosteal implant denture may be tolerated and the adjacent surrounding oral tissues maintained in a relatively healthy condition for 15 or more years? -'~
Characterization of the phase relations and solid solution range of the Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2Oy superconductor

Abstract The phase relationships and solid-solution region of the Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 1 Cu 2 O y (2212) superconductor were investigated for compositions around the ideal 2212 stoichiometry at 865°C in one bar of oxygen. Changes in the starting composition were accommodated by changes in the types and composition of the secondary phases present, the number of intergrowths within the 2212 phase, and the solid solution composition of the 2212 phase. Compositional analysis of the superconducting phase was carried out in the transmission electron microscope (TEM) in order to separate the effects of solid-solution changes and the presence of intergrowths upon measured compositions. The actual solid-solution region determined from TEM measurements showed most of the solid solution substitution to occur between Sr and Ca. The highest superconducting transition temperatures ( T c ) were found in annealed samples for which the measured Sr+Ca content of the 2212 phase was closest to the ideal stoichiometric ratio of 3 (42.86 at.%). No correlation was found between the transition temperature and lattice parameters of the superconducting phase.
The isolation, fractionation and electrophoretic characterization of the globulins of mung bean (Phaseolus aureus).

Abstract 1. 1. Four-tenths molar NaCl was found to be the most satisfactory medium for the peptization of globulins from mung beans. 2. 2. A Rotary-External-Liquid Dialyzer was developed for membrane equilibration. 3. 3. Four different globulins were fractionated and electrophoretically characterized with isoelectric points, in the buffer systems used, at pH 5.4, 5.7, 5.0, and 5.2, respectively. 4. 4. From mobility determinations, in different buffers, over a range of pH from 3 to 8, each of these globulins appeared to be “electrophoretically homogeneous,” under the conditions defined.
Approximate solution methods for spectral radiative transfer in high refractive index layers

Some ceramic materials for high temperature applications are partially transparent for radiative transfer. The refractive indices of these materials can be substantially greater than one which influences internal radiative emission and reflections. Heat transfer behavior of single and laminated layers has been obtained in the literature by numerical solutions of the radiative transfer equations coupled with heat conduction and heating at the boundaries by convection and radiation. Two-flux and diffusion methods are investigated here to obtain approximate solutions using a simpler formulation than required for exact numerical solutions. Isotropic scattering is included. The two-flux method for a single layer yields excellent results for gray and two band spectral calculations. The diffusion method yields a good approximation for spectral behavior in laminated multiple layers if the overall optical thickness is larger than about ten. A hybrid spectral model is developed using the two-flux method in the optically thin bands, and radiative diffusion in bands that are optically thick.
A review of mating behavior in slugs of the genus Deroceras (Pulmonata: Agriolimacidae)*

The genus Deroceras Rafinesque, 1820 (the largest genus of terrestrial slugs) shows a high diversity of penis morphologies and mating behaviors. The function of most of the appending external and internal penial structures, some of them truly bizarre, is largely unknown. This paper reviews mating behavior and reproduction, based on data on 16 species from the literature and from unpublished observations. I analyze patterns common to all Deroceras species and differences among species. The general mating pattern consists of a long courtship with mutual stroking with a sarcobelum, a sudden penis eversion, and external sperm exchange (copulation). I distinguish also precourtship and withdrawal phases. Sperm exchange is usually very quick but, in a few species, occupies a considerable proportion of the total mating duration. Mutual sperm exchange is the rule. Species differences involve the durations of certain mating phases, presence and nature of initial trail following, nature and intensity of stroking (in...
Limiting behavior of M-estimators of regression coefficients in high dimensional linear models, II.: scale-invariant case

Abstract Asymptotics of M-estimators of the regression coefficients in linear models (both scale-variant and scale-invariant) when the number of regression coefficients tends to infinity as the sample size increases are investigated The main purpose of this study is to establish the asymptotic properties under weaker conditions than usually assumed, especially to relax the restrictions on the order of the dimension. Also, the conditions assumed and the results obtained seem easy to be extended to the multivariate linear models. In the first part of the paper, the asymptotic behavior of the ordinary (i.e., not scale-invariant) M-estimates is considered.
DNA-templated nanowires as sacrificial materials for creating nanocapillaries

DNA has shown great promise as a template for the controlled localization of various materials and the construction of wires with nanometer-dimension cross sections. We have recently developed a strategy for fabrication of nanocapillaries, using DNA-templated nanowires as a sacrificial material. We first form metal nanowires through the selective electrochemical deposition of nickel atop a surface-aligned DNA molecule. We then deposit a thin layer of silicon dioxide on top of the DNA nanostructures. Next, we photolithographically pattern openings over the ends of the wires and etch through the silicon dioxide layer to expose the metal nanowires. Finally, we etch out the DNA-templated nickel nanowires. This process results in the formation of nanocapillaries having the same dimensions as the originally formed DNA-templated nanowires. We have characterized these DNA-templated nanocapillaries using atomic force microscopy, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. These constructs have potential for application in nanofluidics, power generation, sample preconcentration, and chemical sensing.