cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive evaluation of male health in four communities in rural Honduras.

Abstract PODEMOS (Partnership for Ongoing Developmental, Educational and Medical Outreach Solutions) has been a long-standing healthcare provider in 4 communities in northern rural Honduras. In this study, we sought to understand and quantify the health challenges faced by men in the rural communities served by PODEMOS in order to improve the way PODEMOS delivers healthcare. Between June and July of 2015, we conducted 104 structured survey interviews with men 18 years and older in rural Honduras. We found that most men face significant economic limitations in their ability to pay for healthcare and health-determining services and due to low formal education levels face health literacy challenges. Furthermore, we found that a quarter are at risk for health problems due to smoking, and the majority are at risk for musculoskeletal problems due to work in strenuous outdoor labor. However, we found that zero respondents drank alcohol heavily, which is defined as more than 14 drinks in one week. Lastly, we found varying opinions on female contraception use. Our findings indicate that medical brigades to the developing world should understand and quantify the relevant health challenges faced by their target populations.
On Populism and Democracy

Populism became the name of a form of government after the demise of Fascism. As a political form located between constitutional government and dictatorship, it displays family resemblances with opposite political systems, like liberal democracy and fascism. Today, populism grows within both democratizing and fully democratic societies although it takes its most mature riling profile in representative democracies, which are its real target. Historically, it used representation to construct a holistic image of the people that a leader promised to bring into power at the cost of downplaying pluralism and humiliating political and cultural minorities, thus twisting democratic procedures and institutions in ways that stretched it to democracy’s extreme borders. One of the core arguments of this article is that populism is a transfiguration of representative democracy that attempts once in government to reshape the democratic fundamentals, from the people and the majority principles to elections.
Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial of FAITH (Faith-Based Approaches in the Treatment of Hypertension) in Blacks

Background: Therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) is a recommended treatment for patients with hypertension, but its effectiveness in community-based settings remains untested, particularly in black c...
Global analysis of RNA metabolism using bio-orthogonal labeling coupled with next-generation RNA sequencing

Many open questions in RNA biology relate to the kinetics of gene expression and the impact of RNA binding regulatory factors on processing or decay rates of particular transcripts. Steady state measurements of RNA abundance obtained from RNA-seq approaches are not able to separate the effects of transcription from those of RNA decay in the overall abundance of any given transcript, instead only giving information on the (presumed steady-state) abundances of transcripts. Through the combination of metabolic labeling and high-throughput sequencing, several groups have been able to measure both transcription rates and decay rates of the entire transcriptome of an organism in a single experiment. This review focuses on the methodology used to specifically measure RNA decay at a global level. By comparing and contrasting approaches and describing the experimental protocols in a modular manner, we intend to provide both experienced and new researchers to the field the ability to combine aspects of various protocols to fit the unique needs of biological questions not addressed by current methods.
Epicardial adipose tissue is a predictor of decreased kidney function and coronary artery calcification in youth- and early adult onset type 2 diabetes mellitus

To examine the association of epicardial and pericardial fat volume (EFV, PFV) with cardiovascular risk factors and kidney function in Native Americans of southwestern heritage with youth and early adult onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) versus healthy controls. Using computed tomography, we quantified EFV and PFV in 149 Native Americans (92 women, 57 men), 95 of which had T2DM (38 diagnosed prior to age 20 years). Duration of T2DM, mean carotid arterial mass (AM), coronary artery calcification (CAC), IL-6, and estimated glomerular filtration rate eGFRcr(CKD-EPI) were measured. EFV and PFV were associated with BMI (r = 0.37, p 0.05). EFV was associated with AM only in controls (r = 0.51, p < 0.0001). After adjustment for BMI, T2DM duration, HbA1C, age, and sex, EFV was a predictor of CAC and IL-6 concentrations in early adult onset T2DM (β = 0.05 ± 0.02 cm3, p = 0.03; β = 0.05 ± 0.01 pg/ml/cm3, p = 0.002). EFV and PFV were independent predictors of reduced eGFRcr(CKD-EPI) in the youth onset T2DM group (β = −0.3 ± 0.08 ml/min/cm3, p = 0.001; β = −0.25 ± 0.05 ml/min/cm3, p < 0.0001). Epicardial fat volume may be a risk factor for heart disease in individuals with early adult onset T2DM and a predictor of decreased kidney function in individuals with youth onset T2DM.
Total Recall: How Cultural Heritage Communities Use Digital Initiatives and Platforms for Collective Remembering:

This article argues that digital heritage initiatives, where cultural heritage institutions offer more interactive possibilities with their digital collections through multimodal platforms and soci...
Automated Complete Blood Cell Count and Malaria Pathogen Detection Using Convolution Neural Network

Complete blood cell count, which indicates the density of different blood cells in the human body is extremely important for evaluating the overall health of a person and also for detecting a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection and leukemia. Hence, automating this task will not only increase the speed of diagnosis, but also lower the overall treatment cost. In this paper, we focus on using a convolution neural network to perform this complete blood cell count on blood smear images. The network is also trained to detect malarial pathogens in the blood, if present. Experiments show that the overall performance of the system has a mean average precision of over ${\bf 0.95}$ when compared with the ground-truth. Furthermore, the system predicts the images containing malarial parasites as infected ${\bf 100\%}$ of the time. The software is also ported to a low cost microcomputer for rapid prototyping.
Robust Inference and Verification of Temporal Logic Classifier-in-the-loop Systems.

Autonomous systems embedded with machine learning modules often rely on deep neural networks for classifying different objects of interest in the environment or different actions or strategies to take for the system. Due to the non-linearity and high-dimensionality of deep neural networks, the interpretability of the autonomous systems is compromised. Besides, the machine learning methods in autonomous systems are mostly data-intensive and lack commonsense knowledge and reasoning that are natural to humans. In this paper, we propose the framework of temporal logic classifier-in-the-loop systems. The temporal logic classifiers can output different actions to take for an autonomous system based on the environment, such that the behavior of the autonomous system can satisfy a given temporal logic specification. Our approach is robust and provably-correct, as we can prove that the behavior of the autonomous system can satisfy a given temporal logic specification in the presence of (bounded) disturbances.
A sol─gel synthesis to prepare size and shape-controlled mesoporous nanostructures of binary (II─VI) metal oxides

A base-catalyzed sol–gel approach combined with a solvent-driven self-assembly process at low temperature is augmented to make manganese oxide (Mn3O4), copper oxide (CuO), and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) nanostructures with size- and shape-controlled morphologies. Nanostructures of Mn3O4 with either hexagonal, irregular particle, or ribbon shape morphologies with an average diameter ranged from 100 to 200 nm have been prepared in four different solvent types. In all morphologies of Mn3O4, the experimental XRD patterns have indexed the nanocrystal unit cell structure to triclinic. The hexagonal nanoparticles of Mn3O4 exhibit high mesoporocity with a BET surface area of 91.68 m2 g−1 and BJH desorption average pore diameter of ∼28 nm. In the preparation of CuO nanostructures, highly nanoporous thin sheets have been produced in water and water/toluene solvent systems. The simulated XRD pattern matches the experimental XRD patterns of CuO nanostructures and indexes the nanocrystal unit cell structure to monoclinic. With the smallest desorption total pore volume of 0.09 cm3 g−1, CuO nanosheets have yielded the lowest BET surface area of 18.31 m2 g−1 and a BHJ desorption average pore diameter of ∼16 nm. The sol of magnesium hydroxide nanocrystals produces highly nanoporous hexagonal nanoplates in water and water/toluene solvent systems. The wide angle powder XRD patterns show well-defined Bragg's peaks, indexing to a hexagonal unit cell structure. The hexagonal plates show a significantly high BET surface area (72.31 m2 g−1), which is slightly lower than the surface area of Mn3O4 hexagonal nanoparticles. The non-template driven sol–gel synthesis process demonstrated herein provides a facile method to prepare highly mesoporous and nanoporous nanostructures of binary (II–IV) metal oxides and their hydroxide derivatives, enabling potential nanostructure platforms with high activities and selectivities for catalysis applications.
#ODU2ODU: Testing the Benefits of a Partnership Between Sport Management Classrooms

As sport management pedagogy has evolved, an effort has been made to incorporate popular and innovative social media technologies into classroom instruction. Academic research has suggested how the technology can be utilized to provide real-world skills for students and develop proficiencies in an area where many sport management graduates find employment. Notable among the recommendations about social media use by sport management scholars is a lack of research testing the efficacy of these tools in improving curricula. The current study relied on the recommendations of Sanderson and Browning (2015) to use the social media site Twitter to create online partnerships, testing the perceived benefits of such an arrangement through end-of-semester surveys with student participants. While the survey data show a true partnership may be difficult to realize—particularly during a single semester—the benefits of such an assignment were clearly articulated.
Venous Thromboembolism Chemoprophylaxis Within 24 Hours of Surgery for Spinal Cord Injury: Is It Safe and Effective?

OBJECTIVE Current guidelines recommend initiation of venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis within 72 hours of spinal cord injury (SCI). This study investigated the safety and efficacy of chemoprophylaxis within 24 hours of surgery for SCI. METHODS A retrospective review of 97 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for acute traumatic SCI at a single level 1 trauma center from 2013-2018 was performed. VTE/postoperative bleeding rates during hospitalization, demographics, medical/surgical complications, drain output, length of stay, and disposition were obtained. Chi-square with odds ratios (ORs), 1-way analysis of variance, and logistic regression were performed to establish significant differences between groups. RESULTS Seventy-nine patients were included, 49 received chemoprophylaxis within 24 hours and 20 within 24-72 hours. Cohort characteristics included an average age of 51.8 years, 77.2% male, 62.0% cervical, and 35.4% thoracic SCIs. Using the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS), 39.2% were AIS-A injuries, 19.0% AIS-B, 25.3% AIS-C, and 16.5% AIS-D. Unfractionated heparin was administered in 88.6% of patients and 11.4% received low molecular weight heparin. Chemoprophylaxis within 24 hours of surgery was associated with a lower rate of VTE (6.1% vs. 35.0%; OR, 0.121; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.027-0.535) and deep vein thrombosis (4.1% vs. 30.0%; OR, 0.099; 95% CI, 0.018-0.548) versus 24-72 hours. Pulmonary embolism rates were not significantly different (6.1% vs. 5.0%, p = 1.0). There were no postoperative bleeding complications and no significant difference in drain output between cohorts. CONCLUSION Early VTE chemoprophylaxis is effective with lower VTE rates when initiated within 24 hours of surgery for SCI and is safe with no observed postoperative bleeding complications.
Inclusive Artmaking in High School Visual Arts Classes.

In this article, I examine inclusion, disability, image making, and representation through case studies in a high school setting. K–12 school settings often focus on student deficits; however, the ...
Sea otter foraging behavior

Sea otters are marine specialists but diet generalists, which feed primarily on benthic mega-invertebrates (i.e., body dimension >1 cm). They locate and capture epibenthic and infaunal prey with their forepaws by relying on vision and tactile sensitivity during short-duration dives (generally <2 min) in shallow waters (routine dives <30 m and maximum dive depth ~100 m) of the littoral zone. Sea otters have an elevated resting metabolic rate and small or no energy reserves in the form of blubber, so they feed every 3–4 h. Foraging dives often occur in bouts (i.e., two or more consecutive dives), which may last several hours with 1–2 min between dives, depending on the type of prey. Sea otters consume small or soft prey entirely or use their teeth or stone tools to access the flesh of mega-invertebrates with a shell, test, or exoskeleton. The daily percentage of time that sea otters devote to foraging depends on age, sex, presence of a pup, time of year, and prey abundance, which varies geographically, seasonally, and episodically. In areas occupied by sea otters for many years, epifaunal prey generally decline first followed by infaunal species, and this may result in greater foraging effort and diet specialization associated with density-dependent competition for food. Although prey availability strongly influences sea otter carrying capacity, both intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence population equilibrium density, resulting in spatiotemporal variations in foraging behavior.
Pediatric Onco-Nephrology: Time to Spread the Word-Part II: Long-Term Kidney Outcomes in Survivors of Childhood Malignancy and Malignancy after Kidney Transplant

Onco-nephrology is a recent and evolving medical subspecialty devoted to the care of patients with kidney disease and unique kidney-related complications in the context of cancer and its treatments, recognizing that management of kidney disease as well as the cancer itself will improve survival and quality of life. While this area has received much attention in the adult medicine sphere, similar emphasis in the pediatric realm has not yet been realized. As in adults, kidney involvement in children with cancer extends beyond the time of initial diagnosis and treatment. Many interventions, such as chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, radiation, and nephrectomy, have long-term kidney effects, including the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with subsequent need for dialysis and/or kidney transplant. Thus, with the improved survival of children with malignancy comes the need for ongoing monitoring of kidney function and early mitigation of kidney-related comorbidities. In addition, children with kidney transplant are at higher risk of developing malignancies than their age-matched peers. Pediatric nephrologists thus need to be aware of issues related to cancer and its treatments as they impact their own patients. These facts emphasize the necessity of pediatric nephrologists and oncologists working closely together in managing these children and highlight the importance of bringing the onco-nephrology field to our growing list of pediatric nephrology subspecialties.
Symbolic Model Checking for Rectangular Hybrid Systems

An important case of hybrid systems are the rectangular automata. First, rectangular dynamics can naturally and arbitrarily closely approximate more general, nonlinear dynamics. Second, rectangular automata are the most general type of hybrid systems for which model checking -in particular, LTL model checking- is decidable. However, on one hand, the original proofs of decidability did not suggest practical algorithms and, on the other hand, practical symbolic model-checking procedures -such as those implemented in HyTECH- were not known to terminate on rectangular automata. We remedy this unsatisfactory situation: we present a symbolic method for LTL model checking which can be performed by HYTECH and is guaranteed to terminate on all rectangular automata. We do so by proving that our method for symbolic LTL model checking terminates on an infinite-state transition system if the trace-equivalence relation of the system has finite index, which is the case for all rectangular automata.
A photographic study of the combustion of low cetane fuels in a Diesel engine aided with spark assist

An experimental investigation of the ignition and combustion characteristics of two low cetane fuels in a spark assisted Diesel engine is described. A three cylinder Diesel engine was modified for single cylinder operation and fitted with a spark plug located in the periphery of the spray plume. Optical observations of ignition and combustion were obtained with high speed photography. Optical access was provided by a quartz piston crown and extended head arrangement. The low cetane fuels, a light end, low viscosity fuel and a heavy end, high viscosity fuel which were blended to bracket No. 2 Diesel fuel on the distillation curve, demonstrated extended operation in the modified Diesel engine. Qualitative and quantitative experimental observations of ignition delay, pressure rise, heat release, spray penetration and geometery were compared and evaluated against theoretical predictions. Results indicate that controlled combustion of extended fuel blends in a Diesel engine may be possible without inlet air preconditioning and that engine knock may be avoided when heat release is optimized with proper spark and injection timing.
Combined mass spectrometry- and immunohistochemistry-based approach to determine protein expression in archival melanoma--proof of principle.

Department of Cell Biology, Center for Vascular Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA Division of Dermatopathology, Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA Department of Surgery, and Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA Correspondence Michael Murphy, e-mail: drmichaelmurphy@ netscape.net doi: 10.1111/j.1755-148X.2010.00774.x
Subthreshold bipolarity: diagnostic issues and challenges.

Nusslock R, Frank E. Subthreshold bipolarity: diagnostic issues and challenges. Bipolar Disord 2011: 13: 587–603. © 2011 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Background: Research suggests that current diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorders may fail to include milder, but clinically significant, bipolar syndromes and that a substantial percentage of these conditions are diagnosed, by default, as unipolar major depression. Accordingly, a number of researchers have argued for the upcoming 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to better account for subsyndromal hypomanic presentations. Methods: The present paper is a critical review of research on subthreshold bipolarity, and an assessment of some of the challenges that researchers and clinicians might face if the DSM-5 were designed to systematically document subsyndromal hypomanic presentations. Results: Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) who display subsyndromal hypomanic features, not concurrent with a major depressive episode, have a more severe course compared to individuals with MDD and no hypomanic features, and more closely resemble individuals with bipolar disorder on a number of clinical validators. Conclusion: There are clinical and scientific reasons for systematically documenting subsyndromal hypomanic presentations in the assessment and diagnosis of mood disorders. However, these benefits are balanced with important challenges, including (i) the difficulty in reliably identifying subsyndromal hypomanic presentations, (ii) operationalizing subthreshold bipolarity, (iii) differentiating subthreshold bipolarity from borderline personality disorder, (iv) the risk of over-diagnosing bipolar spectrum disorders, and (v) uncertainties about optimal interventions for subthreshold bipolarity.
Identification of cis-acting intron and exon regions in influenza virus NS1 mRNA that inhibit splicing and cause the formation of aberrantly sedimenting presplicing complexes.

In in vitro splicing reactions, influenza virus NS1 mRNA was not detectably spliced, but nonetheless very efficiently formed ATP-dependent 55S complexes containing the U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) (C. H. Agris, M. E. Nemeroff, and R. M. Krug, Mol. Cell. Biol. 9:259-267, 1989). We demonstrate that the block in splicing was caused by two regions in NS1 mRNA: (i) a large intron region (not including the branchpoint sequence) and (ii) an 85-nucleotide 3' exon region near the 3' end of the exon. After removal of both of these regions, the 5' and 3' splice sites and branchpoint of NS1 mRNA functioned efficiently in splicing, indicating that they were not defective. The two inhibitory regions shared one property: splicing inhibition was independent of the identity of the nucleotide sequence in either region. In other respects, however, the two inhibitory regions differed. The inhibitory activity of the intron region was proportional to its length, indicating that the inhibition was probably due to size only. In contrast, the 3' exon, which was of small size, was a context element; i.e., it functioned only when it was located at a specific position in the 3' exon of NS1 mRNA. To determine how these intron and exon regions inhibited splicing, we compared the types of splicing complexes formed by intact NS1 mRNA with those formed by spliceable NS1 mRNA lacking the intron and exon regions. Splicing complexes were formed by using purified splicing factors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Application of the cost value-technique for the AMT acquisition

The cost-value technique is shown to be a powerful method to evaluate vendors' proposals involving advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs). This technique forces an engineering manager to analyze and arrive at the mandatory and desirable features of an AMT before an acquisition is made. As a result, the procurement decisions are made more because of the engineering needs than because of the marketing features extolled by the vendor. In addition, the cost value technique also requires assignment of values (in dollars) to the desirable attributes. This allows an engineering manager to justify AMTs based on their features, rather than their low cost. >
The Effect of an Augmentative Communication Intervention on the Communication, Behavior, and Academic Program of an Adolescent with Autism

This classroom intervention describes a nonverbal and behaviorally and cognitively challenged adolescent with autism who participates in a data-based, total immersion, augmentative communication intervention. Using a natural aided language approach and picture communication boards, the student was provided with intense visualpaired-with-verbal-language input in each activity and environment of his school day. Without training or prompting, the young man’s picture language receptive and expressive vocabulary increased during the intervention. In addition, his positive behaviors increased. The increases in communication and positive behaviors dramatically altered the classroom staff’s perception of the student, and as a result, his curriculum and IEP were made more complex, academic, and challenging.
Repair of left ventricular aneurysm with acellular dermis graft: A case report

We report the use of a novel graft material in cardiac surgery, acellular human dermis graft, to repair a left ventricular aneurysm in a patient undergoing surgical ventricular restoration. We also describe the postoperative magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of the dermis graft. We conclude that acellular dermis graft has material handling properties that allow it to be used in left ventricular aneurysm repair. On magnetic resonance imaging, there is no gadolinium enhancement of the graft and the graft is akinetic.
Environmental triggers for inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD; Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC)] are chronic immunologically mediated diseases that are due to a dysregulated immune response to intestinal flora in a genetically susceptible host. Despite advances in genetics, the likelihood of occurrence of disease remains incompletely explained and there appears to be a strong role for the environment in mediating risk of disease. Smoking remains the most widely studied and replicated risk factor, contributing to increased risk and severity of CD while conferring protection against UC. Recent data has suggested novel risk factors. Lower plasma vitamin D is associated with an increased risk of Crohn’s disease, and vitamin D supplementation may prevent relapse of disease. Several medications including oral contraceptives, post-menopausal hormone replacement, aspirin, NSAIDs, and antibiotics may increase risk of CD or UC with the mechanisms of effect remaining inadequately defined. There is continuing evidence that depression and psychosocial stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of both CD and UC, while at the same time also increasing risk for disease flares. There is also a growing understanding of the role of diet on IBD, in particular through its effect on the microbiome. Animal protein intake and n-6 fatty acids may increase risk of UC while n-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber may confer protection. The effect of diet on established disease remains poorly studied. There is need for routine measurement of a spectrum of environmental exposures in prospective studies to further our understanding.
Reliable predictions in exclusive rare B decays

Abstract We discuss the relations between form factors for B → K ∗ γ and B→ϱeν which follow from static heavy quark symmetry methods plus SU(3). We discuss carefully the hard perturbative QCD corrections which could invalidate these results and find that the dominant perturbative corrections are ones which respect the static symmetry predictions, and in addition that the perturbative corrections are small compared to soft contributions. We show that there is a special kinematic point in B→ϱeν that involves the same combination of form factors as in B → K ∗ γ , thus allowing a prediction of the ratio of rates which is largely free from hadronic uncertainties.
Coefficient of Variation of Coarsely Sampled Heart Rate is Associated With Early Vasopressor Independence in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

Purpose:To determine whether variability of coarsely sampled heart rate and blood pressure early in the course of severe sepsis and septic shock predicts successful resuscitation, defined as vasopressor independence at 24 hours after admission.Methods:In an observational study of patients admitted with severe sepsis or septic shock from 2009 to 2011 to either of 2 intensive care units (ICUs) at a tertiary-care hospital, in whom blood pressure was measured via an arterial catheter, we sampled heart rate and blood pressure every 30 seconds over the first 6 hours of ICU admission and calculated the coefficient of variability of those measurements. Primary outcome was vasopressor independence at 24 hours; and secondary outcome was 28-day mortality.Results:We studied 165 patients, of which 97 (59%) achieved vasopressor independence at 24 hours. Overall, 28-day mortality was 15%. Significant predictors of vasopressor independence at 24 hours included the coefficient of variation of heart rate, age, Acute Physio...
The battered woman in the accident and emergency department

In today's society one of the most pressing health care problems is family violence. This article focuses on female abuse and how critical care nurses need to gain awareness of their attitudes about battered women, educate themselves about the dynamics of battering and obtain the knowledge and skills needed for effective assessment and nursing intervention.
Evaluating effectiveness and optimum design of isolation devices for highway bridges using the fragility function method

Abstract Seismic isolation can be used as a practical method to mitigate earthquake hazards for designing new highway bridges or retrofitting existing ones. To realize a reliable and effective seismic isolation design, several important and often interacting factors should be considered, including the ground motion characteristics, structural configurations and properties, mechanical properties of isolation devices and soil-structure interaction etc. This paper adopts the performance-based evaluation approach to investigate the effectiveness and optimum design parameters of isolation devices so as to minimize the overall damaging potential of seismically-isolated bridges. Fragility functions, which define the probability exceeding a performance state at a given set of earthquake intensities, are derived using nonlinear time history analyses of typical highway bridges (conventionally designed or base-isolated) subject to a suite of 250 earthquake motions. The nonlinear models for bridge columns and isolation devices are incorporated and various combinations of isolation parameters, e.g. elastic stiffness, characteristic strength and post-yielding stiffness, representing common types of isolation devices are evaluated. Both Probabilistic Seismic Demand Analysis (PSDA) and Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) methods are used and compared in generating the fragility functions. Damage criteria for both piers and isolation devices are established to relate the component response quantities to global damage states of bridges. The study shows that the mechanical properties of isolation devices have a significant effect on the damage probability of isolated bridges. By evaluating the earthquake intensity required to achieve specified damage states of base-isolated bridges, the optimum combinations of mechanical parameters of isolation devices are identified as a function of structural properties and damage states. The findings can serve as a practical guide for isolation device designs where the uncertainties with ground motions and variability of structural properties are effectively incorporated under the fragility function framework.
An Exploration Geochemical Technique for the Determination of Preconcentrated Organometallic Halides by ICP-AES

An atomic absorption extraction technique which is widely used in geochemical exploration for the determination of Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, and Zn has been modified and adapted to a simultaneous inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission instrument. The experimental and operating parameters are described for the preconcentration of the metals into their organometallic halides and for the determination of these metals. Lower limits of determination are equal to or improved over those for flame atomic absorption (except Au), and ICP results are very similar to the accepted AA values, with precision for the ICP data in excess of that necessary for exploration purposes.
Rescue of a Dilated Cardiomyopathy Mouse Model Caused by a Mutation in Tropomyosin (E54K) by Expression of Slow Skeletal Troponin I

Dilated cardiomoypathy (DCM) is a disease characterized by decreased contractility and enlargement of cardiac chambers. We have previously shown that E54K mutation in α-tropomyosin (TM54) reduces myofilament Ca+2 sensitivity and causes DCM. Thus, we hypothesized that sensitization of the myofilament to Ca+2 in early phase of DCM would rescue the phenotype of the disease. Four groups were generated: non-transgenic (NTG), TM54,slow skeletal troponin I (ssTnI) and TM54/ssTnI. To sensitize TM54 myofilament we crossbred TM54 mice with ssTnI expressing mice, which increased Ca+2 sensitivity based on force pCa measurements. The systolic function was significantly reduced in the TM54 mice compared to NTG, but restored in TM54/ssTnI mice. TM54 mice also showed increased diastolic LV dimension and HW/BW ratios when compared to NTG, which were improved in the TM54/ssTnI group. Phosphorylation levels of ERK 1/2 trended toward a decrease in TM54 compared to ssTnI control and was restored in the TM54/ssTnI group. β-myosin heavy chain expression was increased in the TM54 animals compared to NTG. When the TM54 animals were crossed with ssTnI, the expression of β-myosin heavy chain significantly decreased thereby partially restoring normal isoform distribution. Analysis by 2D-DIGE indicated a significant decrease in two phosphorylated spots of troponin I in the TM54/ssTnI animals compared to NTG and TM54. The decrease in troponin I phosphorylation contributes to the increased Ca+2 sensitivity in the ssTnI transgenic crossed with TM54 transgenic animals. Analysis by 2D-DIGE also indicated no significant changes in troponin T, regulatory light chain, myosin binding protein C and tropomyosin phosphorylation. Our data indicate that myofilament sensitization to Ca+2 may be a useful preventative therapeutic strategy in sarcomere-linked DCM associated with decreased sensitivity.
Development of Maintenance Strategies to Mitigate Bridge End Damage from Water Intrusion

Significant amounts of money are spent annually on the rehabilitation of damaged pavements and approach slabs near bridge ends. Investigation of such failures often reveals that saturated base and subgrade materials or the loss of soil material from underneath the approach slab, pavement, or rip-rap slabs have contributed to failure. This paper reports findings from a research study entitled Water Intrusion in Base-Subgrade Materials at Bridge Ends. The objectives of this research project were to identify potential sources of water intrusion at bridge ends and develop maintenance strategies that can be economically implemented in the field to minimize future occurrences of the problem. The study focused on existing, in-service bridges and remedial strategies that have been successfully implemented. A survey questionnaire was developed and sent to all 25 Texas Department of Transportation administrative districts to collect information about the major factors contributing to water intrusion and bridge-end ...
Moving on from holes and corners: recent currents in urban archaeology

Urban archaeology offers distinctive readings of urban histories: we have too few of those to ignore fresh insights. Half a dozen recent books offer a sample from a fertile field. The pressures of modern urban development, with the fundamental incompatibility of today's foundations with the ‘soft fill’ of archaeological deposits, have obliged urban archaeology to be a public discipline. Urban archaeology has stayed in the limelight, not only through sympathetic coverage on television and radio over continuing crises, like the recent unpredicted discoveries at the Rose Playhouse site, but also through popular books — like Richard Hall's glossy paperback on York's Coppergate excavations. Much of this material, however, does more than demonstrate how far passion can make urban excavations into journalistic copy. Methodologies, research priorities and interpretations are all subject to argument. Urban archaeology offers an approach to the urban past, but it is also an urban phenomenon in its own right.
A kinematic analysis of the modified flight telerobotic servicer manipulator system

A reverse kinematic analysis is presented of a six-DOF subchain of a modified seven-DOF flight telerobotic servicer manipulator system. The six-DOF subchain is designated as a TR-RT chain, which describes the sequence of manipulator joints beginning with the first grounded hook joint (universal joint) T, where the sequence R-R designates a pair of revolute joints with parallel axes. At the outset, it had been thought that the reverse kinematic analysis would be similar to a TTT manipulator previously analyzed, in which the third and fourth joints intersected at a finite point. However, this is shown not the case, and a 16th-degree tan-half-angle polynomial is derived for the TR-RT manipulator.
High Resolution Photofission Measuremfnts Using Proton Capture Gamma Rays

High intensity proton beams from the Dynamitron at Brooklyn College are used to generate monochromatic gamma rays from known (p, r) resonances in various nuclei. The gamma rays, whose energy varies continuously as a function of the angle with the proton beam, are used in turn to measure photofission cross sections in 238U and 232Th. The number of suitable (p, r) resonances is sufficient to cover the 5 - 13 MeV range of excitation energy with an average step of ~ 100 keV. For a resonance of average strength the yield is 103 photons per ?A of protons on target. The energy spread is typically 20 - 40 keV and a gamma ray energy resolution of 200 eV can easily be reached. This resolution is adequate for investigating structure in the photofission cross sections resulting from class II states in the second well of the fission barrier.
3D dense reconstruction from 2D video sequence via 3D geometric segmentation

3D reconstruction is a major problem in computer vision. This paper considers the problem of reconstructing 3D structures, given a 2D video sequence. This problem is challenging since it is difficult to identify the trajectory of each object point/pixel over time. Traditional stereo 3D reconstruction methods and volumetric 3D reconstruction methods suffer from the blank wall problem, and the estimated dense depth map is not smooth, resulting in loss of actual geometric structures such as planes. To retain geometric structures embedded in the 3D scene, this paper proposes a novel surface fitting approach for 3D dense reconstruction. Specifically, we develop an expanded deterministic annealing algorithm to decompose 3D point cloud to multiple geometric structures, and estimate the parameters of each geometric structure. In this paper, we only consider plane structure, but our methodology can be extended to other parametric geometric structures such as spheres, cylinders, and cones. The experimental results show that the new approach is able to segment 3D point cloud into appropriate geometric structures and generate accurate 3D dense depth map.
Monte Carlo simulation of single- and binary-component adsorption of CO2, N2, and H2 in zeolite Na-4A

We present a molecular model for the adsorption of CO2, N2, H2, and their mixtures in dehydrated zeolite Na-4A. The interatomic potentials for this model were developed by comparing the results of grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations of single-component adsorption at room temperature with experimental measurements. GCMC simulation is also used to assess the adsorption selectivity of CO2/N2 and CO2/H2 mixtures, as a function of temperature and gas-phase composition. At room temperature, Na-4A is strongly selective for CO2 over both N2 and H2, although this selectivity decreases slightly as the gas-phase pressure increases. Ideal adsorbed solution theory is shown to give accurate predictions of the adsorption selectivity at low CO2 partial pressures, provided that a functional form that accurately describes the CO2 single-component isotherm is used. The adsorption properties of CO2/N2 mixtures in Na-4A are compared to the same mixtures in silicalite.
The Effects of Viewing Grey's Anatomy on Perceptions of Doctors and Patient Satisfaction

The present investigation applies cultivation theory to describe the role of viewing Grey's Anatomy on patients' predispositions. Results demonstrate that heavy viewers of Grey's Anatomy perceive this program to be credible. Credibility was positively associated with a perception that real-world doctors are courageous. A direct association did not emerge between Grey's Anatomy viewing and a perception that doctors are courageous, although an indirect effect emerged, mediated through credibility. A positive association emerged between perceptions that doctors are courageous and patient satisfaction. Results are discussed with an emphasis on the role of entertainment programs in cultivating patients' predispositions about medical doctors.
A linear-time optimal-message distributed algorithm for minimum spanning trees

In an earlier paper, Awerbuch presented an innovative distributed algorithm for solving minimum spanning tree (MST) problems that achieved optimal time and message complexity through the introduction of several advanced features. In this paper, we show that there are some cases where his algorithm can create cycles or fail to achieve optimal time complexity. We then show how to modify the algorithm to avoid these problems, and demonstrate both the correctness and optimality of the revised algorithm.
Arterial embolization for traumatic hemobilia with hepato-portal fistula.

A case of blunt liver trauma complicated by delayed upper gastrointestinal bleeding, probably hemobilia, was successfully treated by intra-arterial embolization. Laparotomy with liver resection or hepatic artery ligation—procedures that carry a high morbidity and mortality in a critically ill patient—were avoided. Embolization techniques can be a valuable alterantive to surgery in the mangement of hepatic trauma with delayed hemorrhage in selected, high-risk cases
A simple dynamic energy capacity model

Abstract I develop a simple dynamic model showing how total energy capacity is allocated to two different uses and how these uses and their corresponding energy flows are related and behave through time. The control variable of the model determines the allocation. All the variables of the model are in terms of a composite energy equivalent measured in BTU's. A key focus is on the shadow price of energy capacity and its behavior through time. Another key focus is on the behavior of the control variable that determines the allocation of overall energy capacity. The matching or linking of the model's variables to real world U.S. energy data is undertaken. In spite of some limitations of the data, the model and its behavior fit the data fairly well. Some energy policy implications are discussed.
VM/ESA CMS shared file system

Discussed is work toward satisfying requirements on the Conversational Monitor System (CMS) in the areas of data sharing and physical DASD space sharing. This work advances the present CMS file system design that allows only active read sharing among users on a single VM system, where each user has a reserved, private allocation of DASD space for file data. Described in this paper is the CMS Shared File System (SFS), which was designed to satisfy the data sharing and physical DASD space sharing requirements by providing a pool of DASD space that is shared among multiple users. DASD space assigned to the pool is easily extended, and read/write sharing of individual files is allowed. Also discussed is SFS security, usage of Virtual Machine/Enterprise Systems Architecture™ (VM/ESA™) data spaces for single system performance, and coordinated resource recovery to provide file data integrity in the distributed environment.
Comparison of dynamic and static measurements of respiratory mechanics in infants

The objective of this study was to compare the conventional method of measuring respiratory mechanics, which requires the passage of an esophageal tube, with the occlusion technique, which is less invasive. Thirty-nine preterm infants who received mechanical ventilation on the first day were studied before discharge (mean±SD: postnatal age 67±23 days; weight 1790±300 gm), and 27 of them again at 1 year (weight 8.1±1.4 kg). Flow were measured through a nosepiece by pneumotachometry, tidal volume by integration of flow, esophageal pressure through a water-filled tube, and airway pressure directly at the nasal plece. Airway occlusion was performed at the end of inspiration, and the following relaxed exhalation was analyzed to give compllance (Crs) and resistance (Rrs) of the respiratory system. These values were compared with dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) and expiratory resistance (Re) of the previous unoccluded breath. In the younger infants, dynamic and static measurements did not differ significantly and were well correlated (Cdyn/Crs, r =0.91; Re/Rrs, r =0.95). In the older infants, Crs was 80% of Cdyn ( p p r =0.94; Re/Rrs, r =0.91). The regression line Cdyn versus Crs had a slope (0.77) significantly less than 1; the regression Re versus Rrs had an intercept (13.8) significantly greater than zero. The lower Crs and higher Rrs values can be expected because the static determinations include the chest wall. In the more immature infants, the very compliant chest wall, in combination with an underestimation of Cdyn because of the higher breathing frequency of these infants, may obscure this difference. We conclude that the occlusion technique gives accurate and reproducible results, is easily applied, does not need the passage of an esophageal tube, and is well tolerated by the infants.
Big data analysis of irregular operations: Aborted approaches and their underlying factors

Procedures such as Missed Approaches and Holding Patterns are designed into Air Traffic Control procedures to provide a safe manner for flights to temporarily exit the airspace or the traffic flow when irregular operations occur. These procedures serve as “pressure release valves” and in this way are symptoms of the occurrence of infrequent phenomena that impact efficiency and safety margins. The occurrence of these procedures is not currently tracked by airlines or Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) due to the inability to identify these situations using the existing time-stamped event data (i.e. OOOI data) that is the basis for NAS performance analysis today. This paper describes a Big Data analysis of surveillance track data to establish the frequency of occurrence of Aborted Approaches, and an analysis of voluntary pilot/air traffic controller reports to establish factors leading to Aborted Approaches. Aborted Approaches include a Go Around for a Missed Approach as well as a turn off the final approach segment prior to the Missed Approach Point (MAP). Analysis of 21 days of surveillance track data for approaches at ORD identified a 7.4 in 1000 frequency of approaches resulting in an Aborted Approach. Daily Aborted Approaches ranged from 0 per day to 21 per 1000 approaches per day. Eighty percent of the Aborted Approaches involved a turn off the final approach segment prior to the MAP. An analysis of 467 voluntary pilot/air traffic controller reports from all U.S. airports identified factors leading to aborted approaches: (1) 48% airplane issues (e.g. onboard failure, unstable approach), (2) 27% traffic separation issues, (3) 16% weather (e.g. ceiling, visibility, crosswind), (4) 5% runway issues, and (5) 4% flightcrew-ATC interaction issues. These results suggest mitigation strategies to reduce the high variance in daily occurrences through procedure modification, training and equipment design.