cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the network and usability characteristics of virtual reality conferencing

This paper presents the results of the BT-funded ‘Inhabiting the Web‘ project which conducted a series of twenty virtual meetings using the MASSIVE virtual reality telecomferencing system between five universities and BT Laboratories. The aims of the project were, firstly, to assess the characteristics of the network traffic generated by MASSIVE and, therefore, by extension, the network traffic generated by other peer-to-peer unicast-based collaborative virtual environments, and, secondly, to identify key human factors issues arising from the long-term and regular use of such a system. The paper gives an overview of the MASSIVE system and the organisation of the meetings and then presents an analysis of its results. The network analysis involves a statistical analysis of system logs in order to build a profile of typical user behaviour. This profile indicates how much users might be expected to engage in basic actions such as moving and speaking during a typical meeting and also to what extent these actions might be correlated among users. When combined with an understanding of MASSIVE‘s network protocols, this leads to a model to predict the network traffic generated by varying numbers of users. It also suggests new design possibilities such as ‘group portals‘, caching of worlds and the use of multicast protocols. Usability reflections address the issues of embodiment, navigation and use of the spatial model of interaction as implemented in MASSIVE. New design possibilities are identified including higher level support for gestures on embodiments and so-called object-centred and context-sensitive styles of navigation.
Dermatologic Sequelae Associated with Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a mainstay for the treatment of primary malignancies and metastatic disease and is associated with several dermatological adverse events that are underreported in the literature. The objective of this paper was to review the literature regarding cutaneous manifestations associated with radiation therapy in order to promote awareness of the cutaneous radiation therapy-associated adverse effects. This extensive literature review was performed using the Pubmed and Embase databases. Studies were reviewed for relevance and critical evidence pertaining to cutaneous manifestations of radiation therapy. The most commonly reported cutaneous sequelae associated with radiation therapy include radiation dermatitis, non-melanoma skin cancer, radiation-associated angiosarcoma, morphea, bullous pemphigoid, lymphangioma circumscriptum, and pseudosclerodermatous panniculitis. For many of these conditions, only case reports or case series exist and there is an absence of large-scale cohort studies. Despite these limitations, this review describes the wide range of dermatological adverse events associated with radiation therapy.
Strategic Trade Controls

The establishment and maintenance of an effective strategic trade control (STC) system is an often overlooked and undervalued element in the broader context of international WMD nonproliferation law. However its importance at the practical level in the effort to regulate the spread and use of goods and technologies that can contribute to WMD programs around the world has always been significant. The implementation of effective national STC legal regimes has never been perfect or universal. But where implemented effectively, strategic trade controls materially contribute to international aims of keeping WMD sensitive goods and technologies out of the hands of dangerous actors. In this chapter I will first review the international legal basis for STCs, which is to be found in the three primary international treaties applying to nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons proliferation, as well as in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1540. In doing so I will also briefly review the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Australia Group, and the Missile Technology Control Regime, which operate as fora for coordination of national technology control lists and trade control policies. I will then focus on the implementation of STC legal systems at the national level by identifying and discussing common elements of effective STC systems. Finally, I will review some common challenges to implementing national STC systems, and discuss current developments relative to national and international STC regulation.
A Phase II Trial of Cytoreduction, Gastrectomy, and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Perfusion with Chemotherapy for Patients with Gastric Cancer and Carcinomatosis or Positive Cytology

Current national guidelines do not include hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) as treatment for gastric cancer, and there are no completed clinical trials of cytoreduction, gastrectomy, and HIPEC from the US. Patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and positive peritoneal cytology or carcinomatosis who had completed systemic chemotherapy and laparoscopic HIPEC underwent cytoreduction, gastrectomy, and HIPEC with 30 mg mitomycin C and 200 mg cisplatin. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), with a secondary endpoint of postoperative complications (NCT02891447). We enrolled 20 patients from September 2016 to March 2019. Six patients had positive cytology only and 14 had carcinomatosis. All patients were treated with systemic chemotherapy with a median of eight cycles (range 5–11 cycles) and at least one laparoscopic HIPEC. The median peritoneal carcinomatosis index at cytoreduction/gastrectomy/HIPEC was 2 (range 0–13). After surgery, the 90-day morbidity and mortality rates were 70% and 0%, respectively. Median length of hospital stay was 13 days (range 7–23 days); median follow-up was 33.5 months; median OS from the date of diagnosis of metastatic disease was 24.2 months; and median OS from the date of cytoreduction, gastrectomy, and HIPEC was 16.1 months. 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates from the diagnosis of metastatic disease were 90%, 50%, and 28%, respectively. Survival rates for patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and peritoneal disease treated with cytoreduction, gastrectomy, and HIPEC are encouraging; our early results are similar to those of recent prospective registry studies. Multi-institutional and cooperative group trials should be supported to confirm survival and safety outcomes.
Impaired Tubular Secretion of Organic Solutes in Acute Kidney Injury

Background Impairment of kidney function is routinely assessed by measuring the accumulation of creatinine, an organic solute cleared largely by glomerular filtration. We tested whether the clearance of solutes that undergo tubular secretion is reduced in proportion to the clearance of creatinine in humans with AKI. Methods Four endogenously produced organic solutes (phenylacetylglutamine [PAG], hippurate [HIPP], indoxyl sulfate [IS], and p-cresol sulfate [PCS]) were measured in spot urine and plasma samples from ten patients with AKI and 17 controls. Fractional clearance relative to creatinine was calculated to assess tubular secretion. Fractional clearance values were calculated in terms of the free, unbound levels of HIPP, IS, and PCS that bind to plasma proteins. Results Fractional clearance values for PAG, HIPP, IS, and PCS were >1.0 in patients with AKI as well as controls, indicating that these solutes were still secreted by the tubules of the injured kidneys. Fractional clearance values were, however, significantly lower in patients with AKI than controls, indicating that kidney injury reduced tubular secretion more than glomerular filtration (AKI versus control: PAG, 2.1±0.7 versus 4.6±1.4, P Conclusions Tubular secretion of organic solutes can be reduced out of proportion to glomerular filtration in AKI. Impaired secretion of protein-bound solutes may be more reliably detected when clearances are expressed in terms of their free, unbound levels in the plasma.
Support for Progressive Reforms: Evidence from California’s 1911 Referenda

An analysis of county-level election results in a 1911 California special election in which voters considered multiple state constitutional amendments—women’s suffrage, direct democracy, home rule,...
Supporting Mobile Innovation in the Middle: Hospital IT Manager Attitudes

This study investigates external factors influencing IT manager support for deploying mobile services innovations in hospitals. It develops and tests a research model representing the relevant elem...
Shorter length of hospital stay for hip fracture in those with dementia and without a known diagnosis of osteoporosis in the USA

About 50% of all hospitalized fragility fracture cases in older Americans are hip fractures. Approximately 3/4 of fracture-related costs in the USA are attributable to hip fractures, and these are mostly covered by Medicare. Hip fracture patients with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, have worse health outcomes including longer hospital length of stay (LOS) and charges. LOS and hospital charges for dementia patients are usually higher than for those without dementia. Research describing LOS and acute care charges for hip fractures has mostly focused on these outcomes in trauma patients without a known pre-admission diagnosis of osteoporosis (OP). Lack of documented diagnosis put patients at risk of not having an appropriate treatment plan for OP. Whether having a diagnosis of OP would have an effect on hospital outcomes in dementia patients has not been explored. We aim to investigate whether having a diagnosis of OP, dementia, or both has an effect on LOS and hospital charges. In addition, we also report prevalence of common comorbidities in the study population and their effects on hospital outcomes. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of claims data (2012–2013) for 2175 Medicare beneficiaries (≥65 years) in the USA. Compared to those without OP or dementia, patients with demenia only had a shorter LOS (by 5%; P = .04). Median LOS was 6 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 5–7), and the median hospital charges were $45,100 (IQR: 31,500 − 65,600). In general, White patients had a shorter LOS (by 7%), and those with CHF and ischemic heart disease (IHD) had longer LOS (by 7 and 4%, respectively). Hospital charges were 6% lower for women, and 16% lower for White patients. This is the first study evaluating LOS in dementia in the context of hip fracture which also disagrees with previous reporting about longer LOS in dementia patients. Patients with CHF and IHD remains at high risk for longer LOS regardless of their diagnosis of dementia or OP.
Knowledge and self-perception comparisons between students with and without prior technician experience in community pharmacy lab courses.

Abstract Introduction It is unknown if students with previous pharmacy technician experience benefit from a community pharmacy dispensing lab. Anecdotally, students with previous technician experience often do not feel a substantial benefit from the course. The purpose of this project was to evaluate pharmacy practice knowledge and perceptions of those with and without prior technician experience in a community lab course. Methods Doctor of pharmacy students enrolled in the lab course were included in the study. All students were administered a pre- and post-course self-perceptions survey and knowledge assessment (20 scenario-based multiple-choice questions). The knowledge assessment evaluated understanding of community pharmacy law, workflow, inventory, insurance, and prescription verification. Survey variables analyzed included length of experience, confidence, and course expectations. Results were analyzed using student's t-tests. Results A total of 216 students completed the pre- and post-assessments and were included for analysis. Students with previous technician experience scored statistically significantly higher on the knowledge assessment than students without experience (pre: 57% vs. 33%, post: 67% vs. 53%, respectively). Students without prior technician experience had many statistically significant increases in perceptions of knowledge and confidence, while those with prior technician experience had few. Conclusions There is a baseline knowledge gap between students with technician experience and those without in a community pharmacy simulation lab. Results of this study have identified specific gaps which may be useful for course structure and design. This data supports investigation into ‘testing out’ or providing separate tracks in a community lab for experienced and non-experienced students.
Provider-in-triage prediction of hospital admission after brief patient interaction.

Abstract Background and objectives We sought to determine if emergency physician providers working in the triage area (PIT) of the ED could accurately predict the likelihood of admission for patients at the time of triage. Such predictions, if accurate, could decrease the time spent in the ED for patients who are admitted to the hospital by hastening downstream workflow. Methods This is a prospective cohort study of PIT providers at a large urban hospital. Physicians were asked to predict the likelihood of admission and confidence of prediction for patients after evaluating them in triage. Measures of predictive accuracy were calculated, including sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operator characteristic (AUROC). Results 36 physicians (20 attendings, 16 residents) evaluated 340 patients and made predictions. The average patient age was 48 (range 18–94) and 52% were female. Seventy-three patients (21%) were admitted (5% observation, 85% general care/telemetry, 7% progressive care, 3% ICU). The sensitivity of determining admission for the entire cohort was 74%, the specificity was 84%, and the AUROC was 0.81. When physicians were at least 80% confident in their predictions, the predictions improved to sensitivity of 93%, specificity of 96%, and AUROC 0.95 (Graph 1). Conclusion The accuracy of physician providers-in-triage of predicting hospital admission was very good when those predictions were made with higher degrees of confidence. These results indicate that while general predictions of admission are likely inadequate to guide downstream workflow, predictions in which the physician is confident could provide utility.
Selective hydrogenation of CO2 and CO over potassium promoted Co/ZSM-5

Abstract The utilization of CO2 as a C1 feedstock for synthesis of value-added chemicals and fuels could both mitigate the negative effects associated with increasing CO2 emissions and decrease dependence on fossil fuels as part of a future circular carbon economy. Co-based catalysts have been well-developed for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS), but replacing the CO reactant with CO2 (CO2-FTS) typically results in low selectivity toward desirable light olefins. To better understand the structure-property relationships of Co-based catalysts, and extend promising FTS results to CO2-FTS, we have studied the effect of a potassium promoter and acidic properties of ZSM-5 on catalytic performance. The selectivity of FTS and CO2-FTS is shown to be a strong function of Si/Al ratio in co-impregnated catalysts, with findings supported by in situ XAFS and FTIR, demonstrating light olefin selectivity can be tuned by Si/Al ratio and the method of introducing the K promoter.
Teaching NeuroImages: Transependymal Oozing of Intrathecal Contrast Mimicking Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

A 58-year-old woman presented with headache and nausea after resection of a craniocervical junction meningioma. CT head showed acute hydrocephalus (figure, A). CT ventriculogram showed no concern for CSF leak. Contrast remained in the ventricles on first postprocedure image (figure, B), but repeat CT head showed transependymal movement of contrast into brain parenchyma over the next several days (figure, C–F). Glymphatic clearance of intrathecal contrast has been shown to be reduced in patients with idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus, which may facilitate intraparenchymal oozing.1 It may linger after intrathecal contrast has washed out and is indistinguishable from blood without dual-energy CT.2
Machine Learning for Creativity: How Similarity Networks Help to Design Winning Projects in Crowdfunding?

While crowdfunding has grown enormously, creating successful projects remains a major challenge. Few studies have shown how to improve a project proposal when designing a project. One potential yet unexplored approach is to apply the concept of combinatorial creativity, analyzing a new project in connection to prior similar projects. Applying machine learning techniques (Word2vec and Word Mover’s Distance), we measure the degrees of similarity between projects on Kickstarter. We analyze how this similarity pattern relates to a project's funding performance. We find: (i) the prior level of success of similar projects strongly predicts a new project's funding performance, (ii) the funding performance increases with a balance between being novel and imitative, (iii) the optimal level for funding goal is slightly above the funds raised by prior similar projects, and (iv) the funding performance increases with a balance between atypical and conventional imitation. We implement these findings to generate actionable insights for project creators and crowdfunding platforms.
Removing Barriers to US-UK Agricultural Trade

Negotiations toward a US-UK free trade agreement were formally launched in May 2020 and are expected to continue into 2021. With its scheduled January 2021 departure from the European Union Customs Union looming, the United Kingdom is entering a pivotal moment in its journey to establish independent trading relationships with the rest of the world. Finalizing a free trade agreement with the United States resolving agricultural issues would represent a significant step toward that goal.
Small subdural hemorrhages: Does size of intracranial hemorrhage impact symptoms after discharge?

Abstract Intro Patients with small intracranial hemorrhage at initial presentation (ICHi) have a relatively uneventful hospital course, as compared with larger ICHi. In this study, we tested the null hypothesis that ICHi does not impact the symptom profile of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) after discharge. Methods In this retrospective study, TBI patients over 18 years of age with a head CT at initial presentation and at least one follow-up visit between 2015 and 2018 were included. Those with vascular risk factors, major psychiatric comorbidities, neurologic disorders, and TBI / CT evidence of ICH within five years were excluded. Patients were stratified based on the presence or absence of ICHi. Symptom profiles were characterized during early (0–3 months post-TBI) and late follow up (4–12 months post-TBI). An adapted 15-question Post-Concussion Symptom Scale and a vestibulo-oculomotor (VOM) exam were assessed by a TBI specialist. We compared the age adjusted clinical symptom profiles between those with and without ICHi. Results 69 patients met inclusion/exclusion criteria. 26 (37.8%) had ICHi and 43 (62.32%) did not have ICH. The severity of measured symptoms or VOM findings were not more severe in those with ICHi. Age-adjusted analyses did not show any effect on these outcomes. Conclusion ICHi does not impact the symptom profile of patients with TBI in either short or long term.
Canons and Consequences: Reflections on the Ethical Force of Imaginative Ideals

What does our literary past offer the present? Using his grasp of the full range of contemporary philosophical and literary stances, Charles Altieri in"Canons and Consequences"? offers a fascinating dialogue between cultures which should influence how we understand the purposes of literary education. This book takes the debate about the canon as a crucial test case for how competing perspectives in literary theory approach the subject of values. Altieri belives that the dominant poststructural perspectives are severely flawed by their inability to project or assess idealizations. He tries to define alternative principles for making value judgments, and he finds these principles within the traditional texts and discourses preserved by a high literary canon."
Austerity disrupts our viable future; authentic democracy will restore it

A model of autonomous, self-sustainable development is absolutely necessary for a viable human future, which corrob- orates the need for diverse, society-specific cultures across the globe. Cultural integrity-in-diversity enhances the human entelechy in us for personal vitality, institutional invigoration and viable socioeconomic development as well as morality, human integrity, societal solidarity, cooperation and amicable human and organizational relations. This research presents and tests such a model, using the system dynamics (SD) modeling method. The experimental results show how the austerity policies of the pseudo- aristocratic or swanky regime - in and about all of us live and work - disrupt our viable future. Through a transition from societal system structure and dynamics to focusing our attention on one-time events, abrupt disequilibria manifest themselves as systemic discontinuities through time. The ideals and principles behind authentic democracy can help prevent such catastrophes. Cast as a methodological application too, the article shows the use and benefits of formal SD model analysis.
IteratorFactory: a threads example

Many faculty would like to see concurrent programming concepts introduced in CS 2. The problem is: if it is introduced early then what does one do for examples and illustrations to reinforce the importance of concurrency. This paper shows how Java threads may be applied to provide the basic functionality of an iterator and this functionality can be encapsulate in an abstract class, InteratorFactory. Given any container, as long as one has a traversal algorithm for the container, the abstract IteratorFacory class can be extended, with a very slightly modified version of any traversal algorithm, to construct an iterator for that container. Examples are given from classical containers, stacks, lists, and trees.
Moderate Intake of Flavonoid-Rich Tea, Green or Black, Confers Cardiovascular Protection

A variety of dietary supplements have been proposed for the management of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, but the evidence for their efficacy is meagre. 1 However, over the last few years, there is growing interest in the potential benefit of tea in cardiovascular protection. 2-4 Tea is the extract of Camellia sinensis , and one of the most widely enjoyed drinks. 2,3 The leaves of the plant are rich in flavonoids, containing several phytochemicals including phenols and catechins, to which potent antioxidant, free radical scavenging, appetite-modifying and hypolipidemic effects have been ascribed. 2-7 Long-term consumption of beverages containing catechins inhibits the formation of oxidized lipids and decreases body fat. 5-9 Over 70% of flavonoids in green tea are catechins. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the cardinal (65%) catechin in green tea. In-vitro studies have shown that the epigallocatechins in green tea have angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor properties, 10 and vasodilatory actions. 11 Molecular and animal studies have demonstrated that green tea catechins enhance processes, thought to stimulate bile acid production, decrease cholesterol concentration in the hepatocytes, inhibit intestinal absorption of lipids and upregulate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors in the liver, mechanisms all leading to favorable blood lipid profile. 2-4,12,13 Black tea also contains small amounts of catechins. However, due to the fermentation process of black tea, its primary antioxidant polyphenols are theaflavins and thearubigins, equally effective antioxidants to catechins. 14... (excerpt)
Structure and shape control in functional mesostructured materials from block copolymer mesophases

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the structure and shape control in functional mesostructured materials from block copolymer mesophases. The chapter illustrates several examples areas for potential applications of the hybrid materials. These include applications as solid hybrid polymer (SHyP) electrolytes, polymer-hybrid nanocomposites, and mesoporous materials. Using the block copolymer assisted sol–gel synthesis a series of silica based fillers with well-defined shapes can be synthesized. These filler particles can subsequently be incorporated into, for example, a lamellar poly(styrene-b-isoprene) block copolymer matrix to generate model nanocomposites. The influence of filler dimensionality on order–disorder phase transition of the block copolymer matrix can then be investigated. The addition of as little as 0.5wt % fillers drastically alters the thermodynamic properties of the nanocomposites. The order–disorder transition temperature is lowered by 15–23°C and is accompanied by a significant broadening of the transition temperature window. The dimensionality of the fillers plays a significant and non-trivial role in the process of the order–disorder phase transition. Rod-like fillers induce the largest depression and broadening of the phase transition. The findings can be rationalized based on varying defect energy density arguments as also supported by recent computer simulations.
An application of Ramsey’s Theorem to the Banach Contraction Principle

One of the most fundamental fixed-point theorems is Banach's Contraction Principle, of which the following conjecture is a generalization. Generalized Banach Contraction Conjecture (GBCC). Let T be a self-map of a complete metric space (X, d), and let 0 < M < 1. Let J be a positive integer. Assume that for each pair x, y ∈ X, min{d(T k x,T k y): 1 ≤ k ≤ J} ≤ M d(x, y). Then T has a fixed point. Unlike Banach's original theorem (the case J = 1), the above hypothesis does not compel T to be continuous. In this paper we use Ramsey's Theorem from combinatorics to establish the GBCC for arbitrary J in the case when T is assumed to be continuous, and also derive a result which enables us to prove the GBCC when J = 3 without the assumption of continuity; it is known that the case J = 3 includes instances where T is not continuous.
Feedback temperature dependence determines the risk of high warming

The long-term warming from an anthropogenic increase in atmospheric CO2 is often assumed to be proportional to the forcing associated with that increase. This paper examines this linear approximation using a zero-dimensional energy balance model with a temperature-dependent feedback, with parameter values drawn from physical arguments and general circulation models. For a positive feedback temperature dependence, warming increases Earth's sensitivity, while greater sensitivity makes Earth warm more. These effects can feed on each other, greatly amplifying warming. As a result, for reasonable values of feedback temperature dependence and preindustrial feedback, Earth can jump to a warmer state under only one or two CO2 doublings. The linear approximation breaks down in the long tail of high climate sensitivity commonly seen in observational studies. Understanding feedback temperature dependence is therefore essential for inferring the risk of high warming from modern observations. Studies that assume linearity likely underestimate the risk of high warming.
Designing an Embedded Firewall/VPN Gateway

The widespread use of mobile computing and telecommuting has increased the need for effective protection of computing platforms. Traditional schemes that involve strengthening the security of individual systems, or the use of firewalls at network entry points have difficulty accommodating the special requirements of remote and mobile users. We propose the use of a special purpose drop-in firewall/VPN gateway called Sieve, that can be inserted between the mobile workstation and the network to provide individualized security services for that particular station. Sieve is meant to be used like an external modem: the user only needs to plug it in. Its existence is transparent to the user, requiring no modification to the workstation configuration. To function in this role, Sieve has been designed to be compact, low-cost, requiring little administration or maintenance. In this paper, we discuss the features and advantages of our system. We demonstrate how Sieve was used in various application areas (home, university environment, etc.) and describe our future plans.
Generating and evaluating reactive distillation column designs using difference points and feasible regions

Abstract This paper identifies feasible regions for reactive distillation column sections and develops a test to check full column feasibility. Once feasibility is established, an optimization algorithm generates and evaluates design alternatives. The feasibility analysis and optimization strategy are applied to olefin metathesis and acetic acid production.
Asymptotically Optimal Distributed Consensus (Extended Abstract)

The Distributed Consensus problem requires correct processors to reach consensus in the presence of the arbitrary behavior of t faulty processors. In this paper we present a protocol that achieves consensus with n>4t total processors using 2t+2 rounds of communication and messages of size 1. This is the first protocol in which all three parameters are simultaneously within a constant factor from their optima.
An Empirical Investigation of Implicit Incentives for Nonfinancial Performance Improvement

In this paper, I examine the sensitivity of promotion and demotion decisions for lower-level managers to financial and nonfinancial measures of their performance. Additionally, I investigate the extent to which the behavior of lower-level managers reflects promotion-based incentives for improving nonfinancial dimensions of performance. I find that promotion and demotion decisions for store managers of a major U.S. based fast-food retailer (QSR) are sensitive to nonfinancial performance measures of service quality and employee retention after controlling for financial performance. The likelihood of demotion in this organization is also sensitive to nonfinancial performance on the dimension of service quality, while the probability of termination (voluntary or involuntary) is primarily sensitive to financial performance measures rather than nonfinancial performance measures. I also find some evidence that the behavior of lower-level managers is consistent with the incentives created by the weighting of nonfinancial performance measures in promotion decisions at QSR. Operators in locations where there is a higher ex ante probability of promotion demonstrate significantly higher levels and rates of performance improvement in service quality. These findings provide some of the first empirical evidence on an alternative to the explicit weighting of nonfinancial metrics in compensation contracts as a mechanism for generating improvements in nonfinancial dimensions of performance.
Some Simplified Parameters to Assess the Energy Efficiency of Urban Settlement Configurations

As the United States moves toward a future with a very probable energy shortage, the urban settlement patterns must become far more energy efficient than they are at present. This will require new planning, zoning, taxing, and financing policies and practices. For such policies and practices to be successful, however, there must be methods for identifying and characterizing the energy needs of urban settlement configurations. This paper defines and develops some parameters which act as measures of the minimal energy consumption requirements of urban settlement configurations. The specific parameters are for the thermal quality of buildings resulting from their size and shape, for some residential land-use intensities, for service-center and access distances, and for public transportation viability as functions of dwelling-unit density. Values of these parameters are calculated for several settlement configurations, specifically for detached single-family units sited on acre lots, and for several multistor...
Predictors of Adherence to Performance Measures in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract Background There have been substantial improvements in the use of evidence-based, guideline-recommended therapies for patients with acute myocardial infarction. Nevertheless, some gaps, disparities, and variations in use remain. To understand how such gaps in recommended care may be narrowed further, it may be useful to determine those factors associated with lessened adherence to guideline-based care. Methods The Get with the Guidelines-Coronary Artery Disease registry measured adherence with 6 performance measures (aspirin within 24 hours, discharge on aspirin and beta-blockers, patients with low ejection fraction discharged on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker, smoking cessation counseling, use of lipid-lowering medications) in 148,654 patients with acute myocardial infarction between 2002 and 2009. Logistic multivariable regression models using generalized estimating equations were utilized to identify patient and hospital characteristics associated with adherence to each of 6 measures, and to a summary score of performance for all measures, in eligible patients. Results We identified 10 variables that were associated significantly with either greater adherence (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hospital with full interventional capabilities, calendar year) or worse adherence (age, female sex, congestive heart failure, chronic renal insufficiency, atrial fibrillation, chronic dialysis) in at least 4 of the 6 treatment adherence models, as well as the summary score adherence model. Age, sex, and calendar year were significant in all models. Conclusions Use of evidence-based acute myocardial infarction treatments remains less than ideal for certain high-risk populations. The close correlations among factors associated with underperformance highlights the potential for specifically targeting and tailoring quality improvement interventions.
A murine polycythemic virus and its possible role in the study of human leukemia etiology.

A murine polycythemic virus (FV-P) has been described that induces a rapid polycythemia in susceptible mice within three weeks postinfection. The hypervolemic polycythemia response is essentially spleen dependent. FV-P also induces spleen focus formation on the surfaces of the spleens of infected mice nine days after I.V. inoculation of the virus. Recent studies have shown that FV-P requires a helper virus in order to produce spleen focus formation and polycythemia. The helper virus was found to be indigenous in FV-P preparations and is a lymphatic leukemia virus (LLV). The indigenous helper virus can be removed from FV-P preparations and substituted by other RNA leukemic viruses from a number of species-mice, birds, and cats. Helper activity was also found in tissue culture extracts of human leukemic spleens. Because these human extracts had the same helper activity as shown for RNA leukemic viruses from other species, there is good basis to believe that FV-P could be useful in providing a biological assay system for the detection of a human leukemic virus.
Preoperative evaluation of penetrating esophageal trauma in the current era: An analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank

Background: Preoperative diagnostic evaluation (PDE) of penetrating esophageal injury (PeEsIn) can delay treatment and increase morbidity. We sought to study the relationship among PDE, delay in definitive treatment, and patient mortality in PeEsIn. Materials and Methods: The 2008-2010 National Trauma Data Banks were queried for PeEsIn. Exclusion criteria were death within 1 day of injury, and missing data about survival to discharge or operative intervention. Data extracted included demographics, vital signs, injury severity, diagnostic procedures (endoscopy, computed tomography, and fluoroscopy), time to procedures and/or operation, hospital-free days, and mortality. Results: Of 280 patients, 75 underwent PDE and 205 did not. There were no significant differences in baseline demographics, vital signs or injury severity between the two groups. The median time to the first operation was shorter in the nonPDE cohort compared to the PDE cohort (2 vs. 3 h; P = 0.018). Median hospital-free days at day 60 were significantly less in nonPDE (42 days, interquartile range ([IQR] = [28, 50]) versus PDE patients (47 days, IQR = [38, 51]) (P = 0.007). Mortality was not statistically different. Conclusions: PDE in PeEsIn slightly delays the time to operation without worsening mortality, and is a predictor of more hospital-free days
Erythropoietic Effect of Red Blood Cell Components and Heme-Related Compounds

Summary1. Regardless of age, sex, or species of the donor animals, lysed mammalian red blood cells show erythropoietic stimulating activity. 2. Comparison of the stimulating effects of red blood cell components on erythropoiesis shows that hemoglobin and hemin are active; stroma and globin are not. 3. The following compounds related to heme appear to increase erythropoiesis: compounds containing 4 pyrrole rings connected by methene bridges; an open 4-pyrrole ring configuration, as in biliverdin and bilirubin. The nature of the side-chain groups is not critical for activity; a metal moiety is not essential to activity. 4. Several precursors involved in synthesis of the porphyrin ring, a single pyrrole ring, and cyanocobalamin which has a corrinoid ring structure, did not increase erythropoietic activity.
Human Skeletons of Tehuacán

The oldest series of human skeletons in the New World shows a high incidence of traumatic lesions during the early nomadic hunting and gathering phase, dental patterns which reflect the transition to an agricultural economy, some evidences of microevolution occurring in a local population, and one probable example of pre-Columbian syphilis.
Mixed-control kinetics of oxygen leaching of chalcopyrite and pyrite from porous primary ore fragments

The leaching of individual copper ore fragments was investigated under oxygen pressure of 690 to 3100 kPa. After 500 hours of leaching at 90°C under 3100 kPa oxygen pressure, 50 pct of copper was extracted from an ore particle of 0.57 cm size, while 1300 hours were needed to extract 90 pct of copper under the same experimental conditions. A mathematical model incorporating the intrinsic leaching kinetics of chalcopyrite and pyrite grains and the pore diffusion of dissolved oxygen within the ore fragment was formulated to interpret the experimental results. Both chemical reaction and diffusion were found to be important to the overall leaching rate in the particle size range tested. The model can also be used to predict the leaching behavior of particles of different sizes at different temperatures and oxygen partial pressures.
Lack of ultrasound effect on in vitro human lymphocyte sister chromatid exchange.

Abstract The frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in human lymphocytes cultured in vitro was not affected by a 30 min exposure to a 2.25 MHz focused ultrasound beam (from a clinical diagnostic unit with a pulse repetition rate of 1000 Hz, a 1 μsec burst duration, and a 2–200 W/cm 2 maximum intensity). A 30 sec exposure to continuous wave 1 MHz 2 W/cm 2 (SP) ultrasound from an experimental device lysed 10–15% of the lymphocytes; there was no increase in SCEs in the survivors relative to unexposed controls. Treatment of lymphocytes with 0.033μg/ml mitomycin-C, a known SCE inducer, increased the frequency of SCEs about 4 times above control levels.
The bounded arithmetic hierarchy

The class of bounded arithmetic predicates (BA) is the smallest class containing the polynomial predicates and closed under bounded quantification ((∃w)⩽y R(x, y, w) or (∀w)⩽v R(x, y, w)). The bounded arithmetic predicates are a small subset of the recursively enumerable, but they include most of the standard examples from recursive function theory and form a basis for the r.e. sets. BA is closed under Boolean operations, and quantification bounded by a polynomial, but it is not closed under quantification bounded by xy. In analogy with Kleene's arithmetic hierarchy, there is a bounded arithmetic hierarchy of predicate classes within BA, based on the number of alternations of bounded quantifiers. The closure properties of these classes are also studied. Although the existence of a strict hierarchy is not established, necessary and sufficient conditions for the hierarchy to be strict are shown. The relationship of BA to other known classes of predicates is also discussed.
Investment credit and child labour

It is generally assumed that credit has a positive effect on children's schooling among poor households. This article shows that need not be the case when households obtain credit for investment purposes. In fact, investment loans may not have any effect on the likelihood of schooling for children who work in their family business. Our estimates confirm that this is the case; credit used to finance investments has no effect on the odds of schooling for employed children. This may be because investment loans increase children's labour productivity, which in turn increases the opportunity cost of schooling. The results of this study suggest that improving access to credit may not, by itself, constitute a solution to the problem of child labour in developing countries.
Retinoids signal directly to zebrafish endoderm to specify insulin -expressing β-cells

During vertebrate development, the endodermal germ layer becomes regionalized along its anteroposterior axis to give rise to a variety of organs, including the pancreas. Genetic studies in zebrafish and mice have established that the signaling molecule retinoic acid (RA) plays a crucial role in endoderm patterning and promotes pancreas development. To identify how RA signals to pancreatic progenitors in the endoderm, we have developed a novel cell transplantation technique, using the ability of the SOX32 transcription factor to confer endodermal identity, to selectively target reagents to (or exclude them from) the endodermal germ layer of the zebrafish. We show that RA synthesized in the anterior paraxial mesoderm adjacent to the foregut is necessary for the development of insulin -expressingβ -cells. Conversely, RA receptor function is required in the foregut endoderm for insulin expression, but not in mesoderm or ectoderm. We further show that activation of RA signal transduction in endoderm alone is sufficient to induce insulin expression. Our results reveal that RA is an instructive signal from the mesoderm that directly induces precursors of the endocrine pancreas. These findings suggest that RA will have important applications in the quest to induce islets from stem cells for therapeutic uses.
ARMA Model for Turbine and Compressor Clearance Forecasting

In turbo machinery, clearance (the distance between the turbine or compressor blade tip to the casing) at high-pressure stages is one of the key design parameters to measure the turbine efficiency and effectiveness. Thus, appropriate modeling and prediction of the clearance under operational conditions is very important. If the clearance can be actively controlled, the turbine manufacturers get even more competitive advantages. For turbine design purpose, detailed physics based model is usually available. However, this kind of detailed model is not suitable for on-line prediction due to heavy computational requirements. Instead, a reduced order model based on the first order physics is used. Usually, the available reduced order models are computationally efficient, but they can hardly reach the accuracy desired by control engineers. In this paper, we applied an ARMA modeling technique for the reduced order clearance modeling and prediction. Typical turbine cycle operation data were used to build the ARMA model first. The built model is then used to predict other operations of the same unit, as well as other units of the same family.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Fault-tolerant software reliability modeling using Petri Nets

Abstract We propose reliability models using timed Petri nets for a variety of fault-tolerant software, including mechanisms such as recovery blocks, N-version programming, and some variations. The reliability of each model is evaluated using a package based on Generalized Stochastic Petri Nets. The numerical results are then analyzed and compared. We have shown that a recovery block with independent tests can reach a higher level of reliability. We also identified the coverage factor of the acceptance test as the most critical parameter affecting reliability. For N-version programs and consensus recovery blocks the most significant factor is the correlation between the errors in different versions.
Crafted pulses for the uniform suppression of a region in a coherent spectrum.

We have theoretically derived and experimentally demonstrated "narrow reject" pulses which give a uniform $\frac{\ensuremath{\pi}}{2}$ excitation off resonance, and zero excitation in a sharp hole directly on resonance. They are also insensitive to relaxation effects. This shape is symmetric and has only amplitude modulation, and so it can be implemented on most commercial NMR spectrometers or with laser modulators. It can replace conventional broadband $\frac{\ensuremath{\pi}}{2}$ pulses in most NMR or laser pulse sequences, in order to give solvent suppression or measure spectral diffusion.
Influence of single-sire and multiple-sire natural mating on pregnancy rate of beef heifers

Twelve mature Angus bulls possessing similar semen quality were used to study the effects of single and multiple services and single-sire and multiple-sire mating on pregnancy rate of beef heifers. Heifers were observed for natural estrus twice daily and mated within 6 hr of onset of estrus. Pregnancy rate was determined by rectal palpation at 60 days post-mating. Pregnancy rate of heifers receiving one service per estrus averaged 62.1% (n=124) and pregnancy rate of heifers receiving multiple services (single-sire) per estrus averaged 62.9% (n=105). Pregnancy rate per estrus of heifers mated to three sires (multiple-sire, one service per sire; 74.0%, n=123) was significantly higher than that of heifers mated to a single sire (62.9%). The range in pregnancy rate per bull for single-sire matings was large (0 to 95%), but this range was reduced among the same bulls used for multiple-sire matings (68 to 84%). These results indicate that pregnancy rate to one service did not differ (P>.10) from pregnancy rate to multiple services among single-sire matings, but multiple-sire matings increased (P<.05) pregnancy rate per estrus by 11% over that obtained with single-sire matings.
Retelling and Remembering: In Honor of Dr. Lawrence Sipe

One of four personal reflections from doctoral students at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education that highlight Dr. Sipe, the teacher, whose love of the classroom and his students has left a hole in the academic community that cannot be filled.