cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
UPDATED U3SI2 thermal creep model and sensitivity analysis of the U3SI2-SIC accident tolerant FUEL

Abstract U3Si2 is a candidate accident tolerant fuel (ATF) replacement for UO2. U3Si2’s high uranium density and high thermal conductivity are favorable properties in steady-state and accident conditions. Low power performance of this U3Si2-SiC concept fuel is compared to that of UO2-Zr4 fuels by implementing models that describe the properties of U3Si2 and SiC-SiC into Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) fuel performance code, BISON. Included in these material models is a thermal creep model for U3Si2 based on compressive creep data. The simulated results are in keeping with community knowledge that the U3Si2-SiC concept fuel may serve as a replacement for UO2-Zr4 fuels during steady-state operation, provided the mSiC layer remains under compression. Through a moderate power history and three 24-month fuel cycles, the mSiC layer remains under compressive stress through a burnup of 80 MWd/kgU. During low power operation, failure of the mSiC layer generally occurs prior to significant thermal creep in U3Si2. Generally, U3Si2 creep is temperature sensitive and of little importance at the temperatures and stresses simulated during steady operation and during fuel-to-cladding contact. A parameter variation study including 11,520 individual simulations with variations in nominal fuel thermal creep rate, cladding thermal conductivity, cladding irradiation creep and swelling, cladding gap size, and cladding thickness demonstrated that research priorities for this ATF should revolve around reducing cladding thickness as a means to minimize cladding failure. Generally, despite advances in SiC-SiC compliance, the brittle nature of mSiC excludes U3Si2-SiC for use where fuel cladding contact may occur.
He said he said: boysplaining in a primary classroom

The past two decades has seen widespread academic and public concern about boys’ academic achievement and the emergence of discourses that identify girls as academic ‘winners’ in the primary classr...
On Nulling Interferometers and the Line-emitting Regions of Active Galactic Nuclei

The nulling interferometers proposed to study planets around other stars are generally well suited for studying small-scale structures surrounding other bright pointlike objects, such as the nuclei of active galaxies. Conventional interferometric techniques will produce useful maps of optical/IR line and continuum emission in active galaxies on scales of 10 mas, but similar studies of broad-line regions will require baselines longer than those currently envisaged. Nevertheless, nulling interferometers currently under development will be able to constrain quasar velocity fields on ~1 mas scales, as long as they are equipped with spectrographs capable of resolving lines several hundred km s-1 wide. This Letter describes how analyses of line emission leaking through the edges of the null in such an instrument can reveal the size, shape, and velocity field of nebular gas on the outskirts of a quasar broad-line region. If this technique proves effective, it could potentially be used to measure the mass function of quasar black holes throughout the universe.
Advances in Stroke: Therapies Targeting Stroke Recovery.

Stroke recovery therapies promote favorable neural plasticity, both during spontaneous recovery and the chronic phase. Activity-based therapies based on intense practice, some aided by integration ...
Dialysis Care around the World: A Global Perspectives Series

Worldwide, ESKD prevalence per million population (PMP) has steadily increased from 2003 to 2016 (1), with the greatest proportional increases occurring in lower- and middle-income countries (2). Although dialysis is a lifesaving therapy, it is also extraordinarily expensive, so its use is limited in lower-income countries with less resources available for healthcare. Specifically, the prevalence of dialysis in 2010 was 1176 PMP in higher-income countries, 688 PMP in upper-middle-income countries, 170 PMP in lower-income countries, and 16 PMP in lower-income countries (2). The most common modality of kidney replacement therapy globally is dialysis (78%) and, among patients receiving dialysis, only 11% receive peritoneal dialysis (3). The Kidney360 Global Dialysis Perspective series launched in 2020 and showcases how dialysis is practiced, delivered, and financed in different countries across the world. To date, we have featured perspectives from 17 countries in six continents: Africa (Senegal, South Africa), Asia (India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam), Australia, Europe (Spain), North America (Canada, Mexico, United States), and South America (Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala) (4⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓ ⇓–20). Authors of each global perspective were asked to report standard information about their dialysis populations, including general characteristics of the dialysis system and its treatments, such as percentage of patients by dialysis modality, dialysis-unit financing (for profit versus nonprofit), reimbursement (public or private insurance, or self-pay), unit location (hospital versus freestanding), staffing (proportion of nurses versus patient-care technicians and nurse/patient ratios), hemodialysis frequency and session length, and frequency of nephrologist visits. Authors also discussed key challenges and needs unique to their countries, with many discussing potential strategies to improve care moving forward. These perspectives provide fascinating insights about dialysis care in individual countries. Although the availability of dialysis correlates roughly with a country's …
Learning from Mothers as They Engage in Mathematical Modeling

This chapter focuses on a study of mathematical modeling with a group of Mexican American mothers. As mathematical modeling becomes more present in elementary classrooms, engaging parents in this work can help support their children’s learning, especially given that modeling can have rich connections to everyday life situations. Our research is driven by the potential of mathematical modeling to promote culturally sustaining teaching for non-dominant students. The work we present here is part of a larger project with parents and teachers in working-class, Latinx communities aimed at developing a two-way dialogue about mathematics education between home and school.
Implementation of fiber optic temperature sensors in quenching heat transfer analysis

Abstract The minimum film boiling temperature (Tmin) is one of the primary factors that influence the efficiency of rewetting of nuclear fuel rods after a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) in a light water reactor. In order to properly study the mechanisms behind the transient heat transfer phenomena that occurs during quenching, experimentation must be done using the most high-fidelity, high-resolution instrumentation available. In past experiments, thermocouples have been used to measure the temperature change in fuel rod simulators during quenching. However, these devices do not provide a high enough spatial resolution to obtain a full measurement of the temperature change throughout the rods. In order to study the entire test length during quenching, optical fiber temperature sensors are used and compared to the thermocouples. These fiber sensors have the capability of measuring every 0.65 mm with a similar degree of accuracy to the thermocouple measurements. By utilizing optical fiber sensors, the effects of cladding material, liquid subcooling, and surface roughness on the quenching temperature of fuel rod simulators is studied. In addition, the effect of axial heat conduction of the quenching temperature is also made possible to examine using fiber optic sensors. By better understanding the factors that influence quenching, one can properly study the effect of cladding surface properties on the safety of nuclear reactors.
Smartwatch biomarkers and the path to clinical use

Wearables have advanced from collecting consumer-quality fitness data to collecting continuous clinical-quality physiology that, when processed carefully, can identify medically significant events. In a recent issue of Nature Medicine, Dunn et al. 1 described how vital signs from wearables predict clinical laboratory blood- and urine-based measurements better than vital signs measured in the clinic.
Site-directed mutants of a soluble form of penicillin-binding protein 5 from Escherichia coli and their catalytic properties

Soluble, truncated mutant and wild-type forms of penicillin-binding protein 5 (sPBP 5) from Escherichia coli were produced in large amounts by placing the dacA gene that encodes PBP 5 under the control of the trp-lac fusion promoter. The 3' end of the dacA gene used in this study contains a stop codon that results in the deletion of 15 amino acids from the carboxyl terminus and the production of a soluble protein. Using oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, the role of cysteine 115 in the mechanism of sPBP 5 was investigated. Alkylation of cysteine 115 with sulfhydryl reagents has previously been shown to inhibit severely the D-alanine carboxypeptidase activity of PBP 5. Alkylation also inhibits the hydrolysis of bound penicillin G, with only a slight effect on its binding. Cysteine 115 in sPBP 5 was changed to either a serine (sPBP 5C-S) or an alanine (sPBP 5C-A) residue. The wild-type and mutant sPBPs were purified in milligram amounts from induced cultures by ampicillin affinity chromatography. The mutant PBPs showed only a 2-fold increase in the half-life of the penicilloyl-PBP complex, and had a binding affinity for penicillin G identical to wild-type PBP 5. The Km for the release of D-alanine from the peptide L-Ala-D-gamma-Glu-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala was 5.0, 3.5, and 7.8 mM for PBP 5, PBP 5C-S, and PBP 5C-A, respectively, while the values for Vmax were 2.5, 3.3, and 5.1 mumol/min/mg. From these data it was concluded that the cysteine residue does not directly participate in the enzymatic mechanism.
Changes in hematocrit following a blood transfusion does not influence the risk for necrotizing enterocolitis: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE Transfusion Associated Necrotizing Enterocolitis (TANEC) is defined as the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) within 48 hours of receiving a blood transfusion in preterm neonates. We wanted to determine if hematocrit changes following blood transfusions were associated with disease development. PATIENTS AND METHODS This is a case-control analysis of inborn neonates ≤32 weeks' gestational age, from January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2010, who were diagnosed with Bell stage II or greater NEC. Those meeting TANEC criteria were identified and an analysis completed to determine if beginning or ending hematocrit values were associated with an increased risk for disease development. RESULTS Nineteen of forty-nine (39%) infants with NEC met the criteria for TANEC. We found no differences in gestational age at birth or birth weight in our experimental groups. The degree of illness including PDA, IVH, central line use, and respiratory support 48 hours prior to disease onset was also similar between groups. Those with TANEC had higher modified Bell staging of NEC and were more likely to be receiving full enteric feeds at the time of NEC onset. No statistically significant differences were found in hematocrit levels prior to or following the blood transfusion closest to NEC onset in the TANEC group, as compared to classic NEC (CNEC) or control infants. CONCLUSION The onset of NEC following transfusion occurs with a frequency that invites investigation regarding causation. Our data indicates no association between the beginning and ending hematocrit values and TANEC in our patient population.
Ensuring File Authenticity in Private DFA Evaluation on Encrypted Files in the Cloud

Cloud storage, and more specifically the encryption of file contents to protect them in the cloud, can interfere with access to these files by partially trusted third-party service providers and customers. To support such access for pattern-matching applications (e.g., malware scanning), we present a protocol that enables a client authorized by the data owner to evaluate a deterministic finite automaton (DFA) on a file stored at a server (the cloud), even though the file is encrypted by the data owner for protection from the server. Our protocol contributes over previous work by enabling the client to detect any misbehavior of the server; in particular, the client can verify that the result of its DFA evaluation is based on the file stored there by the data owner, and in this sense the file and protocol result are authenticated to the client. Our protocol also protects the privacy of the file and the DFA from the server, and the privacy of the file (except the result of evaluating the DFA on it) from the client. A special case of our protocol solves private DFA evaluation on a private and authenticated file in the traditional two-party model, in which the file contents are known to the server. Our protocol provably achieves these properties for an arbitrarily malicious server and an honest-but-curious client, in the random oracle model.
The midgut bacterial flora of wild Aedes triseriatus, Culex pipiens, and Psorophora columbiae mosquitoes

The midgut bacterial flora of wild-caught Aedes triseriatus, Culex pipiens, and Psorophora columbiae mosquitoes was investigated. Dissected midgut contents were examined using quantitative aerobic bacterial cultures. Individual colonies (n = 134) were subcultured and identified to species. Midgut bacterial counts changed dramatically during mosquito development. A 280-1,100-fold decrease in the bacterial population occurred between the larval stage and pupal emergence, whereas a subsequent 70-16,000-fold increase occurred after blood-feeding. Bacterial identifications revealed a complex flora with up to nine genera identified during any stage of development. Species most frequently isolated were Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella ozonae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter agglomerans. The presence of genetically well-characterized bacteria in the midgut flora of mosquitoes may provide a means of expressing novel genetic products in vector species.
Transcription mechanism of chondrogenesis.

The precise patterning of a developing skeletal framework relies on appropriate control of chondrogenesis and on subsequent cartilage development. This multistep process, where mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes and then chondrocytes progress though each developmental zone of the cartilage, is tightly regulated by a number of key signaling molecules, which include PTH-related protein, fibroblast growth factor, bone morphogenetic protein and transforming growth factor. Importantly, these factors have been shown to promote phosphorylation of transcription factor cAMP response element (CREB) at its Ser133, which activates specific gene expression with recruitment of its transcriptional co-activator CREB binding protein (CBP). Recently, CBP has been shown to have intrinsic histone acetyl transferase activity, which suggests a potential link between gene expression and chromatin acetylation. In this regard, the important role of CBP in CREB-dependent gene expression has been demonstrated using a novel in vitro chromatinized template transcription assay. With these findings, the importance of the CREB/CBP transcription complex for chondrogenesis was examined by expressing a potent dominant-negative CREB inhibitor (A-CREB). Consistent with the robust Ser133 phosphorylation of CREB during chondrogenesis, A-CREB blocked chondrogenesis from mesenchymal stem cells. During chondrogenesis, specific chromatin factors are activated by the CREB/CBP pathway and the chromatin factors promote chondrocyte-specific gene expression via association with multiple transcription factors that are known to be involved in chondrocyte differentiation. These findings suggest that, in addition to DNA-binding type transcription factors, chromatin factors, which alter the chromatin code, may play a critical role for cell differentiation and tissue-specific gene expression in cartilage development.
Adaptive pitch period decimation and its application in speech compression

This paper presents a new method of speech coding that takes advantage of the repetitiveness inherent in voiced speech. Voiced speech is broken into pitch period lengths (wavelets) and these signals are compared with one another to determine If two wavelets differ significantly. If the wavelets are significantly different, then they are encoded and transmitted; otherwise, the current wavelet Is not transmitted, and the next pitch period wavelet is compared. This results in encoding only a representative fraction of the speech signal and significantly lowers the number of bits required to transmit the signal. Pitch period determination is done by using the autocorrelation method and a median smoothing filter. The pitch period wavelets are preprocessed using a time weighted averaging method that allows concatenation of wavelets without sharp transitions at pitch boundaries, therefore reducing high frequency noise. Wavelets are compared using the Itakura distance measure, which is usually employed in speech recognition applications. The transmitted wavelets are encoded using a differential PCM method to further reduce the bit rate of the transmission. Unvoiced speech is encoded using an LPC method on a frame by frame basis. This results in high quality speech transmission at bit rates of approximately 3.8 kb/s.
Phenological versus meteorological controls on land-atmosphere water and carbon fluxes

[1] Phenological dynamics and their related processes strongly constrain land-atmosphere interactions, but their relative importance vis-a-vis meteorological forcing within general circulation models (GCMs) is still uncertain. Using an off-line land surface model, we evaluate leaf area and meteorological controls on gross primary productivity, evapotranspiration, transpiration, and runoff at four North American sites, representing different vegetation types and background climates. Our results demonstrate that compared to meteorological controls, variation in leaf area has a dominant control on gross primary productivity, a comparable but smaller influence on transpiration, a weak influence on total evapotranspiration, and a negligible impact on runoff. Climate regime and characteristic variations in leaf area have important modulating effects on these relative controls, which vary depending on the fluxes and timescales of interest. We find that leaf area in energy-limited evaporative regimes tends to exhibit greater control on annual gross primary productivity than in moisture-limited regimes, except when vegetation exhibits little inter-annual variation in leaf area. For transpiration, leaf area control is somewhat less in energy-limited regimes and greater in moisture-limited regimes for maximum pentad and annual fluxes. These modulating effects of climate and leaf area were less clear for other fluxes and at other timescales. Our findings are relevant to land-atmosphere coupling in GCMs, especially considering that leaf area variations are a fundamental element of land use and land cover change simulations.
Solid Hydrogen Experiments for Atomic Propellants

This paper illustrates experiments that were conducted on the formation of solid hydrogen particles in liquid helium. Solid particles of hydrogen were frozen in liquid helium, and observed with a video camera. The solid hydrogen particle sizes, their molecular structure transitions, and their agglomeration times were estimated. article sizes of 1.8 to 4.6 mm (0.07 to 0. 18 in.) were measured. The particle agglomeration times were 0.5 to 11 min, depending on the loading of particles in the dewar. These experiments are the first step toward visually characterizing these particles, and allow designers to understand what issues must be addressed in atomic propellant feed system designs for future aerospace vehicles.
Sugeno type controllers are universal controllers

Abstract We show that given any continuous real valued function on a compact set there is a Sugeno type controller that will approximate this function to any degree of accuracy. An application of this result to fuzzy control is presented which shows that this type of Sugeno controller is a universal controller.
Reaction of singlet oxygen with β-alkoxyenones

Abstract Single oxygen reacts with 1-acetyl-2-methoxycyclopentene ( 1a ) to give the unsaturated hemiperketal 3a . 3a decomposes by an intermolecular oxygen atom transfer to give the epoxy-β-diketone 2a . Several β-alkoxyenones which are held in the s- trans conformation failed to react with singlet oxygen.
Regional cerebrovascular transport of leucine as measured by the in situ brain perfusion technique

Leucine influx into six brain regions was determined in anesthetized rats with the in situ brain perfusion technique using either saline or plasma perfusate. This technique has several advantages over other methods such as the brain uptake index (BUI) technique. The concentration dependence of l-leucine influx was best described by a model with a saturable and a nonsaturable component. For the saturable component, Vmax equaled 10.67 ± 0.21 × 10−4 μmol s−1 g−1 and Km equaled 0.0257 ± 0.0009 μmol ml−1, whereas the constant of nonsaturable diffusion (Kd) equaled 0.957 ± 0.067 × 10−4 s−1 in the parietal lobe during saline perfusion. Vmax was higher in the cortical lobes than in other brain areas, probably owing to a greater capillary surface area. There were no regional differences in Km or Kd. The apparent Km for l-leucine during plasma perfusion was 20 times greater than the Km during saline perfusion, and 3 to 4 times greater than the plasma leucine concentration, owing to competitive inhibition of leucine...
Determination of crystallographic facet orientations on fracture surfaces

Abstract Two new methods are described for determining the orientation of small crystallographic facets of fracture surfaces. To apply the new techniques, three variants of the crystallographic fracture plane must be present on the fracture surface. The first technique employs stereophotogrammetric analysis to measure the angles between lines of intersection of the facets, and the crystallographic planes are inferred from the angles. The second method uses direct measurement of angles from micrographs and stereographic projection techniques to establish the crystallographic fracture planes. Both methods have been applied to crystallographic fatigue fracture in a nickel-base superalloy.
Oxidation of S at Fe metal and oxide surfaces and interfaces

Abstract Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) were used to study the interactions of H2S and S adsorbed on oxidized Fe and metallic Fe surfaces, in the presence of H2O or O2 vapor. Our results reveal contrasting chemical behavior between adsorbed S on a clean Fe(poly) metal surface and adsorbed S on an Fe oxide surface. SO2 formation occurs at the Fe oxide surface due to a reaction between adsorbed S and H2O or O2 vapor. On the Fe(poly) metal surface, no such SO2 formation was observed. The chemical behavior of S located at the metal-oxide interface was also investigated. Our results demonstrate the deleterious effect of S when present at the metal-oxide interface. S located at the metal-oxide interface reacts with the oxide to form SO2. This SO2 formation results in destruction of metal-oxide bonds at the interface and causes oxide destabilization with consequent detachment of the oxide from the metal. In contrast to the interfacial S, S adsorbed on the oxide surface does not form SO2 under UHV conditions. SO2 formation on the oxide surface occurs only in the presence of H2O or O2 vapor. In addition, some degradation of an oxide was observed due to S deposited on top of the oxide surface. Our results indicate that the initial adsorption site of the S atom (metal versus oxide) exerts a critical influence on subsequent oxidation chemistry.
Gene-specific labeling of chromatin for electron microscopy.

Abstract In restriction enzyme digested Xenopus laevis erythrocyte chromatin, the 5S oocyte genes were specifically labeled with colloidal gold so they could be identified in an electron microscopic study. Nuclei were digested first with HindIII restriction endonuclease followed by T7 exonuclease to leave single-stranded 3′ tails on the fragments. A biotinylated 15-mer oligonucleotide complementary to the tail on the 3′ end of the 5S gene was annealed to the chromatin, and streptavidin complexed colloidal gold was bound to it. In a spread for electron microscopy the labeled fragments were readily recognized.
A note on takeover success prediction

Abstract A takeover success prediction model attempts to use information that is publicly available at the time of the announcement in order to predict the probability that a takeover attempt will succeed. This paper develops a takeover success prediction model by comparing two techniques: the traditional logistic regression model and the artificial neural network technology. To alleviate the problem of bias from the sampling variation, we validate our results through re-sampling. Our empirical results indicate that 1). Arbitrage spread, target resistance, deal structure and transaction size are the dominating factors that have impacts on the outcome of a takeover attempt. 2). Neural network model outperforms logistic regression in predicting failed takeover attempts and performs as well as logistic regression in predicting successful takeover attempts.
Neglected Tropical Disease Control in the “Post-American World”

We cannot expect the United States and the United Kingdom to shoulder the entire financial burden of global NTD control. The world's emerging market economies and the nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council must now step up and share this commitment.
Synthesis of pyrazolide-bridged heterometallic binuclear complexes

Summary A convenient synthetic procedure is described for the synthesis of heteronuclear bimetallic complexes involving platinum and one other Group VIII metal with a single bridging pyrazolide group. The reagent used is the nucleophilic anion, trans -[Pt(Cl 2 )(pz)(C 2 H 4 )] − , (pz = C 3 H 3 N 2 − ) generated in situ by deprotonation of the Zeise's adduct of pyrazole which will react with reasonably labile substrates to yield binuclear products. Spectroscopic and chemical properties of the products are discussed.
From counterfactuals to sufficient component causes and vice versa.

The sufficient component cause model and the counterfactual model have now become cornerstones for causal thinking in epidemiology. Dana Flanders' paper [I] provides a nice exposition of certain rela tionships that hold between these two forms of causal models. The sufficient component cause model con siders sets of actions, events or states of nature which together inevitably bring about the outcome under consideration. The model gives an account of the causes of a particular effect. It addresses the question, "Given a particular effect, what are the various events which might have been its cause?" The potential outcomes or counterfactual model focuses on one particular cause or intervention and gives an account of the various effects of that cause. In contrast to the sufficient component cause framework, the potential outcomes framework addresses the question, "What would have occurred if a particular factor were intervened upon and thus set to a different level than it in fact was?" Unlike the sufficient component cause framework, the counterfactual framework does not require a detailed knowledge of the mechanisms by which the factor affects the outcome. This feature of the counterfactual framework makes it well suited to formalize causal effects in randomized experiments in which only data on exposure and outcome are available. Both the sufficient component cause and the counterfactual models have a long history in the philosophical and in the epidemiologic-statistical lit erature. The philosophical ideas behind counterfac tual models can be traced back at least as far as Hume [2], who defined a cause as a relation between two objects "where, if the first object had not been, the second never [would have] existed."' The philos ophy of counterfactuals has been developed exten sively by Lewis [3, 4] and has received considerable
Trichotillomania in a young male complicated by tinea capitis associated with Cryptococcus laurentii and Candida parapsilosis

This is the first case report of tinea capitis associated with Cryptococcus laurentii as well as Candida parapsilosis in an eleven year old male which responded to treatments with griseofulvin, lamisil, as well as fluconazole only to show recurrent alopecia from an underlying problem of trichotillomania. When confronted with the biopsy diagnosis of trichotillomania, the family admitted knowledge of the hair pulling disorder for at least five years. It took three providers to finally solve the question of the recalcitrant alopecia.
Granny versus Mother Nature—No Contest

: Fodor's doubts about neo-Darwinism are driven by something other than familiarity with evolutionary biology, so they should be set aside. His claim that a theory of intentionality cannot be constructed on an evolutionary foundation because there is no representation in the process of natural selection reveals that he has been blind to the chief beauty of Darwin's vision: its capacity to explain not just how the living can come, gradually, from the non-living, but also how meaning can come, by incremental steps, out of the meaningless.
Critical review of the epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease with specific comparisons to asthma and breast cancer

GERD is one of the most common GI disorders. Despite its frequent occurrence, the absence of a consistent definition and an easily used diagnostic gold standard make it difficult to ascertain the true epidemiology of this condition. Recent work to validate a short symptom questionnaire to reliably diagnose GERD will be a major methodological improvement facilitating the analysis of large populations to better define its epidemiology. When these methods are available, a number of questions need to be addressed (Table 4). These include elucidating the epidemiology of erosive and nonerosive reflux disease, defining the epidemiology of GERD among minority populations, determining the natural history of erosive and nonerosive reflux disease, and identifying potential risk factors contributing to the development of GERD. The answers to these questions should improve our understanding of GERD, allowing us to better identify and treat individuals and populations at risk with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life in addition to preventing the development of GERD complications such as adenocarcinoma.
Bed-and-Breakfast Innkeepers in the United States: When the Boundary Between Work and Personal Life is Blurred

Many bed-and-breakfast inns are operated by owners who live on the property. Working at home allows the boundary between work and personal life to become permeable. This flexibility either affords bed-and-breakfast innkeepers more time for their personal life or it serves as an intrusion. This study investigated bed-and-breakfast innkeepers’ perceptions of the balance between work and personal life, as well as their interaction. The results indicate that most bed-and-breakfast innkeepers maintain a satisfactory balance between work and personal life. They tended to perceive each of these dimensions as enhancing the other more than interfering with it.
Structural determination by single-molecule vibrational spectroscopy and microscopy: Contrast between copper and iron carbonyls

A scanning tunneling microscope (STM) was used to synthesize Cu(CO), Fe(CO), $\mathrm{Cu}(\mathrm{CO}{)}_{2},$ and $\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CO}{)}_{2}$ from individual Cu atoms, Fe atoms, and CO molecules on a Ag(110) surface at 13 K. Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy and microscopy together with topographical imaging revealed contrasting bonding geometries for the single Cu and Fe carbonyl products.
Impact of sickle hemoglobinopathies on pregnancy-related venous thromboembolism.

Objective The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between sickle cell trait (Hb AS) and other sickle hemoglobinopathies and the risk of thromboembolism during pregnancy or the puerperium. Study Design Retrospective cohort study of African American women receiving prenatal care from 1991 to 2006. Sickle cell status was ascertained by routine hemoglobin electrophoresis. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) was defined as one or more episodes of deep venous and/or pulmonary thromboembolism during pregnancy or the puerperium according to discharge diagnoses based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Results Among 22,140 women with hemoglobin (Hb) AA status, 20 women (0.09%) experienced pregnancy-related VTE compared with 3 women (0.15%) of 2,037 women with Hb AS; relative risk (RR) for the association with AS status = 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5 to 5.5. Of 103 women, 3 women (2.9%) with sickle cell disease conditions (Hb SS, Hb SC, or Hb S,beta-thalassemia) experienced thromboembolism. Compared with women with Hb AA status, the RR = 32.2, 95% CI 9.7 to 107. Conclusion Sickle cell trait may be associated with a modest increase in VTE in the setting of pregnancy; sickle cell disease conditions are strongly associated with this rare but potentially fatal outcome.
On the poset structure of floating codes

Flash memory is a non-volatile, non-mechanical data storage technology that stores data by trapping charge and can be reused by freeing the trapped charge with an internal erase operation. When flash memory cells are erased, there is a considerable negative impact on the longevity and performance of the device. To defer and minimize these erasures, a floating code is able to store variable updates as cell increments. A (n, q, k) floating code uses an array of n cells with q levels to store k binary variables. In this paper, we investigate the poset (partially ordered sets) structures derived from the various states of the n cells and k variables. These posets have fundamentally different structures that makes designing floating codes a challenge, most notably their structure of their vertex covers. Based on the poset structure, we present a new floating code for l = 2 and arbitrary q, k and n ∈ {k, k+1}, or arbitrary n, q and k = 2 that is optimal for single cell increments and has a deficiency of O(qk), the best possible deficiency. We present an algorithm for constructing the floating code and prove that the algorithm produces a valid floating code.
A rapidly convergent expansion technique for local quantum mechanical operators

A general technique is described for efficiently expanding quantum mechanical operators. The basis is a particular set of wave functions and the expansion coefficients are physically meaningful matrix elements of the operator. Two applications to molecular properties, the transition dipole operator and the anharmonic force field, are discussed. We demonstrate that the entire force field can be expressed exactly in terms of anharmonic perturbations of the ground state, and that a great deal of information can be easily obtained from the spectroscopic frequencies. Similarly, the dipole moment matrix elements in any vibrational band are shown to be given in terms of a sum of only the R(1) matrix elements for various vibrational levels. Numerical results are presented for HCl rotational line strengths. These applications are only two examples of the potential experimental and theoretical uses of this method.
Nonmedical use of pain medications in dental patients.

AbstractBackground: Substance use is overrepresented in dental clinics that provide affordable care and dental clinics provide potential access to opioid analgesics. Research is needed to better understand prescription opioid misuse in this population. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of the misuse of prescription opioids in adults seeking dental care from a low-cost dental training clinic. Methods: Patients were recruited from a university school’s dentistry patient emergency and admission services clinic. Patients (n = 369) within the waiting area of the clinic completed a self-report questionnaire about their nonmedical use of prescription pain medications, medication diversion and use of substances. Results: Approximately 37.9% (140/369) of those who completed the study survey reported at least some nonmedical use of pain medications within the past 30 days. Use was associated with diversion of medication, and use of tobacco, marijuana, and sedatives. Co...
Erythema multiforme as a manifestation of neonatal septicemia.

Summary 1. Three cases of erythema multiformeassociated with septicemia in newborn infants are presented. 2. The literature on this subject hasbeen reviewed. 3. The presence of an erythematous rash in the newborn infant should not be lightly dismissed and should be regarded as a possible indication of septicemia.
Advanced Strain Energy Accumulator: Materials, Modeling and Manufacturing

Energy efficiency is a prominent target in cost reduction efforts in a variety of machinery including manufacturing equipment and hybrid vehicles. In the course of developing a proof of concept strain energy accumulator on an Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) device, several technical barriers have been quantified in this device. Due to the hyperelastic nature of the material, the identification of an appropriate elastomer and the characterization of the strength properties and energy density of this elastomer are challenging tasks. Another technical barrier is the manufacturability of these elastomers including the high cost of fabrication and the limited elastomer formulations with high strength and large energy density. A quantitative analysis of these technical barriers is needed. A comprehensive modeling effort for the strain energy accumulator in 2-D and 3-D using the hyperelastic Mooney-Rivlin model was performed to validate the behavior of the strain energy accumulator. Additionally, various multiscale modeling methods, including the Mori-Tanaka, Hashin-Shtrikman, Lielens, Voigt and Reuss Methods were investigated to estimate the homogenized elastic modulus of carbon nanotube rubber resulting in homogenized modulus estimates ranging anywhere from a few times to almost 80 times the elastic modulus of rubber.© 2014 ASME
Segregation in Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Youth's Personal Networks: Testing Structural Constraint, Choice Homophily and Compartmentalization Hypotheses

Homophily promotes the development of social relationships within social groups and increases segregation across groups. Although prior research has demonstrated that network segregation operates in many dimensions such as race and gender, sexual orientation has received little attention. This study investigates what accounts for the segregation between gay, lesbian and bisexual friends and straight friends in GLB youth's personal networks by testing three possible underlying mechanisms - structural constraints, choice homophily and compartmentalization attempts. The analysis uses data collected from GLB youth who were becoming members of a community organization in Indiana from 1994 through 1998. Although the small, convenience sample does not allow generalization of the results, the rich network data provide important insights into personal network segregation in this unique social context. The results suggest that the segregation between GLB and straight friends result from structural constraints and friends' preference to interact within their groups, and that the focal GLB youth's effort to compartmentalize his or her sexual identity accounts little for the segregation.
The effective use of group in sex education with people diagnosed as mildly developmentally disabled

Sex education with the developmentally disabled maintains a broad focus. This includes the promotion of knowledge, attitudes and skills. While there are many educational techniques which have proven effective in the transmission of knowledge, many programs still have difficulty enhancing attitudes and skills. This article supplements the traditional techniques of sex education with the developmentally disabled through inclusion of group treatment strategies. Techniques drawn from structured group treatment, the mainstream model of group work and group psychotherapy are used toward the goals of increasing sexual knowledge, attitudes and skills. Examples from the authors' clinical and educational practices are used to illustrate important points.
Removal and seasonal variability of selected analgesics/anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive/cardiovascular pharmaceuticals and UV filters in wastewater treatment plant

Seasonal removal efficiency of 16 pharmaceuticals and personal care products was monitored in a wastewater treatment plant in Ceske Budějovice, Czech Republic, over a period of 1 year (total amount of samples, n = 272). The studied compounds included four UV filters, three analgesics/anti-inflammatory drugs and nine anti-hypertensive/cardiovascular drugs. In most cases, elimination of the substances was incomplete, and overall removal rates varied strongly from -38 to 100%. Therefore, it was difficult to establish a general trend for each therapeutic group. Based on the removal efficiencies (REs) over the year, three groups of target compounds were observed. A few compounds (benzophenon-1, valsartan, isradipine and furosemide) were not fully removed, but their REs were greater than 50%. The second group of analytes, consisting of 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid, tramadol, sotalol, metoprolol, atenolol and diclofenac, showed a very low RE (lower than 50%). The third group of compounds showed extremely variable RE (benzophenon-3 and benzophenon-4, codeine, verapamil, diltiazem and bisoprolol). There were significant seasonal trends in the observed REs, with reduced efficiencies in colder months.
A Laboratory Model of the Unstable Planetary Boundary Layer

Abstract Experimental details of a laboratory model of the unstable planetary boundary layer are given. Measurements of vertical profiles of mean temperature and heat flux, and of velocity and temperature fluctuations are presented and compared with atmospheric observations. Good agreement exists between the model measurements and the atmospheric observations when the variables are appropriately scaled with the depth of the mixed layer zi, and the convective velocity and temperature scales w* and T*. Turbulence kinetic energy budgets for the mixed layer turbulence are presented. The buoyant energy production decreases nearly linearly with height, while the rate of dissipation of kinetic energy is found to be about constant with height. Horizontal temperature spectra at three heights are presented. The temperature spectrum for a height neat the middle of the mixed layer suggests the existence of an inertial subrange as well as a viscous-convective subrange. The temperature spectrum calculated from horizont...
The Effects of Outlier Presence, Plaintiff Population Size, and Aggregation of Plaintiffs on Simulated Civil Jury Decisions*

An experiment was performed to determine the effects of the size of the plaintiff population, the presence or absence of an outlier, defined as a plaintiff whose injuries were significantly more severe than other plaintiffs, and whether plaintiffs were tried individually or were aggregated in a group. Sixty-six person juries were assigned to one of eleven experimental conditions, listened to a 4-h toxic tort tria, and after deliberating, delivered verdicts on liability, and damage awards. The verdicts were increased significantly by the presence of an outlier and by an increase in the plaintiff population. While the punitive awards were higher in the outlier condition, there was also a tendency for juries to find the company not liable.
Analytic martingale convergence

Abstract Let X be a complex Banach space. Then every L 1 -bounded analytic martingale in X converges if and only if X has the analytic Radon-Nikodym property.
Using AIRS and IASI data to evaluate absolute radiometric accuracy and stability for climate applications

The creation of multi-decadal data sets for climate research requires better than 100 mK absolute calibration accuracy for the full range of spectral temperatures encountered under global conditions. Validation that this accuracy is achieved by the operational hyperspectral sounders from polar orbit is facilitated by comparing data from two instruments. Extreme radiometric calibration stability is critical to allow a long time series of noisy, but presumably long-term accurate truth measurements to be used for the validation of absolute accuracy at the 100 mK level. We use the RTGSST in the tropical oceans as ground truth. The difference between the AIRS derived sst2616 and the RTGSST based on six years of data shows a systematic cold bias of about 250 mK, but better than 4 mK/year stability. The double difference between AIRS and the RTGSST and IASI and the RTGSST with less than one year of data already allows statements at the 100 mK absolute level. It shows a 60 mK difference between the AIRS and the IASI calibration at 2616 cm-(sup 1) and 300 K, with a statistically insignificant 20 mK shift in six months.
Ce-Modified ( Mn , Co ) 3O4 Spinel Coatings on Ferritic Stainless Steels for SOFC Interconnect Applications

This paper reports the development of a coating approach that simultaneously achieves the advantages of conductive (Mn,Co) 3 O 4 spinel coatings and of rare earth (RE) surface treatment on ferritic stainless steels for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnect applications. This approach involves the modification of (Mn,Co) 3 O 4 spinel coatings through addition of a RE element to the spinel composition. In particular, Ce-modified spinel coatings (Ce 0.05 Mn 1.475 Co 1.475 O 4 ) behaved similarly to unmodified Mn 1.5 Co 1.5 O 4 spinel coatings by acting as a Cr-outward and O-inward diffusion barrier, thus improving the surface stability and electrical performance of ferritic stainless steel. In addition, the RE addition appeared to alter the scale growth behavior beneath the coating, so that alloy samples with the Ce-modified spinel coating exhibited a more adherent scale/metal interface compared to samples with the unmodified spinel coating. As a result, it is anticipated that compared to unmodified spinel coatings, the RE-modified coatings may lead to improved structural stability and electrical performance for ferritic stainless steel-based SOFC interconnects.
A continuous tissue homogenizer.

Abstract The present study demonstrates that a continuous homogenizer designed to homogenize 250 or more grams of tissue provides equally or more effective tissue homogenization than a manual homogenizer. To reduce the amount of connective tissue in the homogenate, a preliminary mincing of the tissue was carried out in a stainless steel tissue mincer. The amount of residual unhomogenized material remaining after ten strokes of manual homogenization was approximately equal to that found after one pass in the continuous homogenizer. A second pass in the latter brought the amount of unhomogenized residue to a minimum. After ten strokes of manual homogenization the unbroken cells accounted for 3 per cent of the total, but after one pass in the continuous homogenizer, unbroken cells accounted for only 1 per cent of the total. After two to three passes through the continuous homogenizer, 90 per cent of the nuclei were released from the whole cells but with manual homogenization, only 75 per cent of nuclei were released from the whole cells after ten up-and-down strokes. On the basis of the parameters analyzed, the continuous homogenizer was more effective than manual homogenization.