cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The feasibility of a multi-format Web-based assessment of physicians’ communication skills

Abstract Objective Little is known about the best approaches and format for measuring physicians’ communication skills in an online environment. This study examines the reliability and validity of scores from two Web-based communication skill assessment formats. Methods We created two online communication skill assessment formats: (a) MCQ (multiple-choice questions) consisting of video-based multiple-choice questions; (b) multi-format including video-based multiple-choice questions with rationales, Likert-type scales, and free text responses of what physicians would say to a patient. We randomized 100 general internists to each test format. Peer and patient ratings collected via the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) served as validity sources. Results Seventy-seven internists completed the tests (MCQ: 38; multi-format: 39). The adjusted reliability was 0.74 for both formats. Excellent communicators, as based on their peer and patient ratings, performed slightly better on both tests than adequate communicators, though this difference was not statistically significant. Physicians in both groups rated test format innovative (4.2 out of 5.0). Conclusion The acceptable reliability and participants’ overall positive experiences point to the value of ongoing research into rigorous Web-based communication skills assessment. Practice implications With efficient and reliable scoring, the Web offers an important way to measure and potentially enhance physicians’ communication skills.
On Strategic Assumption-Making: A Dialectical Approach to Policy and Planning

This article attempts to develop a new methodology for dealing with ill-structured (i.e., ill-defined, messy) organizational problems, arguing that conflict, assumption surfacing, and assumption challenging are central to such a methodology. As such, the methodology for ill-structured problems is very different from that for well-structured ones. The methodology is illustrated through the analysis of an actual case.
Radiometric Ages of Intrusive Rocks in the Little Belt Mountains, Montana

Radiometric ages indicate that most, if not all, of the major intrusions in the Little Belt Mountains, central Montana, were emplaced during the Eocene epoch, between 48 and 54 m.y. ago. In the Hughesville area, igneous activity continued, or was episodic until 42 m.y. ago. As a result of the continued igneous activity, radiometric ages in the Hughesville area can be interpreted either as primary ages or as reset ages.
Semen characteristics, scrotal circumference and bacterial isolates of fine wool range rams.

Abstract During 1983, 887 fine wool rams were subjected to breeding soundness evaluation to determine effects of age and scrotal circumference on semen characteristics. Of rams evaluated, 94.4, 84.8, and 81.9% of young (≤1.5 yr), mature (2 to 5 yr), and old (>6 yr), respectively, were rated as satis-factory. Old rams had fewer (P Brucella ovis was recovered from 54 (67.5%) of 80 ejaculates cultured. Among rams infected with B . ovis , only three (5.6%) were vaccinated against B . ovis and had their semen tested previously.
Smokers' expectancies for nicotine replacement therapy vs. cigarettes

Smokers (N=188) recruited from the local community completed a questionnaire that measured expected outcomes of using cigarettes, nicotine gum, nicotine patch, and nicotine nasal spray. Expectancy questions relating to negative affect, craving, weight, and health risks were derived from the Smoking Consequences Questionnaire-Adult. As predicted, smokers held much greater expectancies that cigarettes help control negative affect, craving, and weight relative to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). All NRT products were expected to cause fewer health risks than cigarette smoking. As predicted, smokers held strong negative affect reduction expectancies for cigarette smoking. For NRT, although still relatively low, craving reduction was the strongest expectancy. Individuals who had experience using the nicotine patch had greater positive expectancies for NRT. Greater positive expectancies for NRT were correlated with more immediate plans to quit smoking. In summary, cigarette smokers' positive expectancies about cigarettes do not appear to generalize to NRT products, which may limit their use and effectiveness.
Forward-to-backward asymmetry of the ( gamma,n) reaction in the energy range 20-30 MeV.

The forward-to-backward asymmetry of neutrons emitted in the (\ensuremath{\gamma},n) reactions on $^{\mathrm{nat}}\mathrm{Pb}$ and $^{\mathrm{nat}}\mathrm{Cd}$ targets was measured for photons in the range of 20--30 MeV, where the isovector quadrupole giant resonance is expected to lie. The asymmetry was observed to increase from small values (\ensuremath{\approxeq}0.2) to large ones (\ensuremath{\approxeq}0.6 and 0.8) for $^{\mathrm{nat}}\mathrm{Cd}$ and $^{\mathrm{nat}}\mathrm{Pb}$, respectively. This phenomenon is interpreted as the interference between E1 and E2 amplitudes. From an analysis of the asymmetry the excitation energies of the E2 isovector resonances were estimated to be 23.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5 MeV and 26.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5 MeV for the Pb and Cd nuclei, respectively. The E2 isovector resonances are found to be considerably wider than the E1 resonances.
Simple method for locating a suitable venipuncture site on the tail of the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana)

We identified a site suitable for venipuncture on the tail of the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) that is reliably and easily located. The prominent hemal arch associated with the ventral surface of caudal vertebra 5 serves as an easily palpated anatomical landmark for locating the ventral caudal vein for blood collection. Because this venipuncture site is only thinly covered by fur and visualization of the vein is not necessary for its location, site preparation and total animal handling time for routine venipuncture are minimal. Blood may be collected from immature and adult male and female animals, and the technique is easily taught to new technicians with minimal danger of injury to the animal.
Estimating the influence of lightning on upper tropospheric ozone using NLDN lightning data and CMAQ model

Abstract Lightning is a particularly significant NOx source in the middle and upper troposphere where it affects tropospheric chemistry and ozone. Because the version-4 Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System (CMAQ) does not account for NOx emission from lightning, it underpredicts NOx above the mixed layer. In this study, the National Lightning Detection Network™ (NLDN) lightning data are applied to the CMAQ model to simulate the influence of lightning-produced NOx (LNOx) on upper tropospheric NOx and subsequent ozone concentration. Using reasonable values for salient parameters (detection efficiency ∼95%, cloud flash to ground flash ratio ∼3, LNOx production rate ∼500 mol N per flash), the NLDN ground flashes are converted into total lightning NOx amount and then vertically distributed on 39 CMAQ model layers according to a vertical-distribution profile of lightning N mass. This LNOx contributes 27% of the total NOx emission during 15 July ∼7 September 2006. This additional NOx reduces the low-bias of simulated tropospheric O3 columns with respect to OMI tropospheric O3 columns from 10 to 5%. Although the model prediction of ozone in upper troposphere improves by ∼20 ppbv due to lightning-produced NOx above the southeastern and eastern U.S.A., the improved ozone prediction is still ∼20–25 ppbv lower than ozonesonde measurements.
Determination of binding constants between the antibiotic ristocetin A and D-Ala-D-Ala terminus peptides by affinity capillary electrophoresis

Binding constants between the antibiotic ristocetin A (Rist A) and D-Ala-D-Ala terminus peptides were determined using affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE). In these experiments two techniques are used to obtain binding constants. In the first, a plug of Rist A and non-interacting standards are injected and electrophoresed. Analysis of the change in the relative migration time ratio (RMTR) of Rist, relative to the non-interacting standards, as a function of the concentration of peptide, yields a value for the binding constant (Kb). In the second, samples of peptide and standards are injected and electrophoresed in increasing concentrations of Rist A in the running buffer. Analysis using theRMTR yields aKb. The findings described here demonstrate the advantage of using ACE for estimating binding parameters between antibiotics and ligands.
Design of Superconducting High Energy Beam Line Dipole-Magnetostatics

Three relatively distinct designs of superconducting beam line dipoles have evolved at Fermilab. Two follow from Energy Doubler/ Saver considerations and one from POPAE considerations. Suitable end arrangements are placed on each coil to eliminate the field rise in the end conductors. An adjustment of the conductor locations within the body of the magnet then permits the elimination of sextupole and decapole terms in the longitudinally integrated magnetic field. The three designs being presently pursued are presented.
Nicotinic and PDGF‐receptor function are essential for nicotine‐stimulated mitogenesis in human vascular smooth muscle cells

Cigarette smoking is implicated in the formation of occlusive vascular diseases. Nicotine's role in this process is incompletely understood. Nicotine's effect on human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HaVSMC) and the role of the nicotinic receptor (nAChR), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and the PDGF-receptor (PDGF-R) in this response were studied. Nicotine's mitogenic effect was characterized by three methods: thymidine incorporation, a viability/proliferation assay based on metabolic conversion of tetrazolium salt to formazan dye and cell counting. Nicotine administration (10(-6) M) stimulated cell cycle entry marked by increased DNA synthesis, PCNA and cyclin D1 production, and increased cell division. Nicotinic receptor blockade with d-tubocurarine, a nicotinic AchR blocker, decreased nicotine-induced DNA synthesis, and cell division (0.33 +/- 0.04, 0.77 +/- 0.31-fold decrease, respectively). Nicotine increased cellular PDGF-BB transcript levels and protein release (ELISA: 1.6 +/- 0.5-fold increase) but not PDGF-AA or PDGF-AB release. Nicotine increased PDGFbeta-receptor protein content. PDGF inactivation with anti-PDGF antibody abolished nicotine-induced DNA synthesis (1.9 +/- 0.08-fold decrease). PDGF-R blockade with the PDGF-R antagonist tyrphostin AG 1295 decreased nicotine-induced DNA synthesis and cell division (0.25 +/- 0.01, 0.44 +/- 0.2-fold decrease, respectively). PDGF-R blockade reversed nicotine-stimulated increases in PDGF release, PDGF-BB transcripts, and PDGF-receptor levels (0.68 +/- 0.34; 0.46 +/- 0.01; 0.28 +/- 0.01-fold decrease, respectively). In conclusion, nicotine-mediated activation of nAChRs increases PDGF-BB transcription and protein production as well as PDGF beta-receptor levels. PDGF-BB/PDGF-R interaction is vital in nicotine's mitogenic actions on human aortic smooth muscle cells.
Reaction kinetics of nickel/silicon multilayer films

We report on the use of differential scanning calorimetry to study the temperatures and kinetics of nickel silicide formation from nickel/amorphous silicon multilayer films. When the layer thickness ratio of a multilayer film is 1:1, Ni2 Si is the only phase to form. The activation energy for this reaction is 1.5 eV and the interdiffusivity pre‐exponential is found to be 6 cm−2s−1. These values are in excellent agreement with values obtained using different techniques. The temperature at which Ni2 Si formation is observed a function of layer thickness, with the thinner layers reacting at lower temperatures. This layer thickness dependence can be explained by the lower reaction times for thinner layers. Upon mechanical impact, films composed of very thin layers (<125 A) reacted explosively at room temperature to form Ni2 Si. Explosive silicidation is presumed to occur when the rate of heat generation at the many reacting interfaces exceeds the rate of heat dissipation.
Chebyshev spectral solution of nonlinear Volterra-Hammerstein integral equations

Abstract In this paper, the Chebyshev spectral (CS) method for the approximate solution of nonlinear Volterra-Hammerstein integral equations (τ)= F (τ)+ ∫ o τ K(τr)G(r,Y(r)) d r,τ∈[0,T] is investigated. The method is applied to approximate the solution not to the equation in its original form, but rather to an equivalent equation z(t)=g(t, y(t)), t ∈ [−1, 1]. The function z is approximated by the Nth degree interpolating polynomial zN, with coefficients determined by discretizing g(t, y(t)) at the Chebyshev-Gauss Labatto nodes. We then define the approximation to y to be of the form y N (t)=f(t)+ ∫ -1 1 K(t,s)z N (s) d s,τ∈[-1,1] and establish that, under suitable conditions, limN→∞ yN(t) = y(t) uniformly in t. Finally, a numerical experiment for a nonlinear Volterra-Hammerstein integral equation is presented, which confirms the convergence, demonstrates the applicability and the accuracy of the Chebyshev spectral (CS) method.
Maturation of the Fetal Human Choriocapillaris

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the structural and functional maturation of the choriocapillaris (CC) and to determine when fenestrations form, the capillaries are invested with pericytes, and the endothelial cells (ECs) became functional. Methods Immunohistochemistry was performed on cryopreserved sections of embryonic/fetal human eyes from 7 to 22 weeks' gestation (WG), using antibodies against PAL-E, PV-1 (fenestrations), carbonic anhydrase IV (CA IV), eNOS, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA) and NG2 (two pericyte markers) and the EC marker (CD31). Alkaline phosphatase (APase) enzymatic activity was demonstrated by enzyme histochemistry. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed on eyes at 11, 14, 16, and 22 WG. Adult human eyes were used as the positive control. Results All EC markers were present in the CC by 7 WG. PAL-E, CA IV, and eNOS immunoreactivities and APase activity were present in the CC by 7 to 9 WG. TEM analysis demonstrated how structurally immature this vasculature was, even at 11 WG: no basement membrane, absence of pericytes, and poorly formed lumens that were filled with filopodia. The few fenestrations that were observed were often present within the luminal space in the filopodia. Contiguous fenestrations and significant PV-1 were not observed until 21 to 22 WG. alphaSMA was prominent at 22 WG, and the maturation of pericytes was confirmed by TEM. Conclusions It appears that ECs and their precursors express enzymes present in adult CC well before they are structurally mature. Although ECs make tight junctions early in development, contiguous fenestrations and mature pericytes occur much later in development.
Obsidian-Hydration Dating: Its Past, Present, and Future Application in Mesoamerica

The reconstruction of time is a central concern all archaeologists must address in their research; few, however, are fully aware of the potential of all the dating methods at their disposal. For this reason, this paper summarizes the developmental history and current level of field application of obsidian-hydration dating. It (1) reviews how this dating technique was first discovered and applied, (2) details our current knowledge of the process of hydration and which variables affect its rate, (3) discusses the relative advantages and limitations of the three primary approaches employed to construct hydration chronologies, and (4) presents a protocol for its future application in Mesoamerica. The synthesis of this body of hydration-dating research may help archaeologists more constructively decide how and when to apply this unique and versatile dating technique to their specific research questions by providing the information and guidelines necessary for recovering pertinent field data.
Variations in the rate of mitosis in normal and colchicine-treated tadpoles of Rana pipiens and Amblystoma jeffersonianum

Study of the epidermis of Rana pipiens and Amblystoma jeffersonianum showed no variations in the mitotic rate that were correlated with the age expressed in hours after hatching or with the time of day at which the tadpoles were fixed. The average mitotic index of the epidermis during the first day of larval life was 1.88 in the frog and 1.02 in the salamander. This was correlated with the earlier developmental stage at which the frog hatched. Colchicine in concentrations above 5 × 10−4 M. in the frog and above 2.5 × 10−3 M. in the salamander arrested almost all mitoses at metaphase. Inhibition was incomplete after treatment with concentrations of 1.25 × 10−4 M. in the frog and 5 × 10−4 M. in the salamander. Severe injury was characterized by the presence of vacuolated cells with deeply stained inclusions, similar to cells found after x-radiation. Cells continued to enter the prophase at the normal rate. The accumulation of metaphases during the first 4 hours of colchicine treatment indicated a mitotic period of about 80 minutes in the frog. During subsequent periods the expected accumulation of metaphases did not occur. It was concluded that the arrested metaphases either degenerated or passed into a resting stage without passing through anaphase.
Investing in Urban Studies to Ensure Urban Archaeology’s Future: A Response to ‘The Challenges and Opportunities for Mega-infrastructure Projects and Archaeology’

In reading J. J. Carver’s excellent suggestions for how to better enable archaeology and large urban infrastructure projects to progress to mutual benefit, I found myself in enthusiastic agreement with his point that ‘professional working relationships are the most important challenge for archaeology in mega projects’ and that we must convince project directors, engineers, and site teams that archaeology ‘can enhance the value of the project they are building’ (4). This is especially crucial in cities like New York City (NYC), where government protection of cultural heritage is weaker than in London and where the city’s identity is tied more to its future than its past. In future-oriented cities, it is thus necessary to take Carver’s point even further and to engage people involved in all levels of urban planning and development, both at project sites and within the academic programs that train them, to help bring about a cultural shift in attitudes towards the value of archaeology.
LCGMiner: levelwise closed graph pattern mining from large databases

LCGMiner (levelwise closed graph pattern miner) is proposed to improve CloseGraph (Yan and Han, 2003) in discovering frequent closed sub graphs. Frequent closed edgesets with the same extended vertexsets are expanded in pattern generation compared to one edge or one vertex in traditional methods. Experiments on synthetic datasets as well as a real NIH dataset demonstrates that our algorithm outperforms CloseGraph and gSpan.
A rationale for total alloplastic temporomandibular joint reconstruction in the management of idiopathic/progressive condylar resorption.

m s g b r w n t m p f t t o e a diopathic condylar resorption (ICR), also known as rogressive condylar resorption (PCR), is described y Arnett et al as a dysfunctional remodeling of the emporomandibular joint (TMJ) manifested by morhologic change (decrease condylar head volume), ecreased ramal height, and progressive mandibular etrusion in the adult or decreased mandibular growth n the juvenile. Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment and/or rthognathic surgery can also be affected by ICR/ CR, resulting in occlusal instability, maxillomandibuar skeletal mal-relationships, TMJ dysfunction, and ain. Management options have included orthotics to inimize excessive physical stress by decreasing the oading on the joint; “non-loading” orthodontic and rthognathic surgical procedures after 6 to 12 months f “remission”; deferment of any treatment until comlete “remission”; arthroscopic lysis and lavage; total MJ reconstruction with autogenous costochondral raft; maxillary orthognathic surgery only for correcion of occlusal discrepancies only and to avoid inolvement of the mandible; distraction osteogenesis; nd combined bimaxillary orthognathic/TMJ disc reositioning surgery. Based on the ICR/PCR pathophysiology model roposed by Arnett, accepted bone biology remodelng/resorption paradigms, review of the oral and maxllofacial surgery ICR/PCR management outcomes lit-
Effects of thermal transport in computation of welding residual stress and distortion

The effects of considering thermal transport in weld modelling of residual stress and distortion are evaluated by performing a thermal transport analysis first to compute the temperature history which is then used as loading in a conventional elastoplastic analysis to compute the residual stress. A gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and a hybrid GMAW/laser welding case are used as examples. For each weld, residual stresses are computed once assuming conductive heat transfer only and once assuming convective (thermal transport) heat transfer. For GMAW welding, both heat conduction and thermal transport analyses produced similar temperature, residual stress and distortion results, indicating that heat conduction modelling with the double ellipsoid model may be sufficient for modelling GMAW. For hybrid welding, the heat conduction and thermal transport analyses produced different temperature histories and distortion results, demonstrating the need for including thermal transport effects in modelling keyhole weldin...
Planet-in-a-Bottle: A Numerical Fluid-Laboratory System

Humanity's understanding of the Earth's weather and climate depends critically on accurate forecasting and state-estimation technology. It is not clear how to build an effective dynamic data-driven application system (DDDAS) in which computer models of the planet and observations of the actual conditions interact, however. We are designing and building a laboratory-scale dynamic data-driven application system (DDDAS), called Planet-in-a-Bottle , as a practical and inexpensive step toward a planet-scale DDDAS for weather forecasting and climate model. The Planet-in-a-Bottle DDDAS consists of two interacting parts: a fluid lab experiment and a numerical simulator. The system employs data assimilation in which actual observations are fed into the simulator to keep the models on track with reality, and employs sensitivity-driven observations in which the simulator targets the real-time deployment of sensors to particular geographical regions and times for maximal effect, and refines the mesh to better predict the future course of the fluid experiment. In addition, the feedback loop between targeting of both the observational system and mesh refinement will be mediated, if desired, by human control.
Dosimetric Comparison of Image-Guided High-Dose-Rate Interstitial Liver Brachytherapy vs Liver Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

patients had tumors!12cm from the anal verge and no clinical/radiographic suspicious lymphadenopathy outside the mesorectum, T2-T3, N0-N1. All patients had NCI CTCAE toxicity assessments, MRI, PET/CT, and CEA pre and post HDR-EBT. RECIST /PERCIST were reported. Surgical specimens were reviewed by a single pathologist. Results: Eight of the 9 patients had a decrease in CEA, 4-6 weeks post radiation, (mean 24%, range -4%-40%). All patients had a decrease in tumor size per MRI from average of 3.42cm to 1.9cm longitudinally. 8 of 9 pts had a decrease in the SUV max for post treatment PET/CT by O28%. Out of the 9 patients, 4 had node negative disease at resection, 3 patients had 1 positive node. All patients were margin negative and 8 had sphincter preserving surgery, (other patient chose to have APR due to age). 3 of 9 patients (33%) had a pathologic complete response (pCR) of their primary tumors and 2 of 9 had only carcinoma insitu. Toxicity assessments showed only 1 patient with grade 3 proctitis post-therapy, all others were grade 2 or less consisting of proctitis and pain. Conclusions: HDR-EBT is a novel approach for rectal cancer that reduces neoadjuvant treatment length, allows pts to undergo resection sooner, and shows tumor response radiographically, pathologically, and biochemically. Preliminary results appear encouraging to guide future studies and assist with determining the efficacy of the modality.
Expression of a Cleaved Brain-Specific Extracellular Matrix Protein Mediates Glioma Cell Invasion In Vivo

Malignant gliomas (primary brain tumors) aggressively invade the surrounding normal brain. This invasive ability is not demonstrated by brain metastases of nonglial cancers. The brain-specific, brain-enriched hyaluronan binding (BEHAB)/brevican gene, which encodes an extracellular hyaluronan-binding protein, is consistently expressed by human glioma and is not expressed by tumors of nonglial origin (Jaworski et al., 1996). BEHAB/brevican can be cleaved into an N-terminal fragment that contains a hyaluronan-binding domain (HABD) and a C-terminal fragment (Yamada et al., 1995). Here, using antisera to peptides in the predicted N-terminal and C-terminal proteolytic fragments, we demonstrate that the BEHAB/brevican protein is cleaved in invasive human and rodent gliomas. A role for this protein in glioma cell invasion was tested by transfecting a noninvasive cell line with the BEHAB/brevican gene. The noninvasive 9L glioma cell was transfected with either full-length BEHAB/brevican or the HABD and tested for invasion in in vitro and in vivo invasion assays. Although both constructs increased invasion in vitro , only the HABD increased invasion by tumors growing in vivo . Experimental intracranial tumors from full-length transfectants showed no increase in invasion over control tumors, whereas tumors from HABD transfectants showed a marked potentiation of tumor invasion, producing new tumor foci at sites distant from the main tumor mass. This work demonstrates a role for a brain-specific extracellular matrix protein in glioma invasion, opening new therapeutic avenues for a uniformly fatal disease.
Angled Injection—Hydrostatic Bearings Analysis and Comparison to Test Results

Hydrostatic/hydrodynamic (hybrid journal bearings handling process liquids have limited dynamic stability characteristics and their application as support elements to high speed flexible rotating systems is severely restricted. Measurements on water hybrid bearings with angled orifice injection have demonstrated improved rotordynamic performance with virtual elimination of cross-coupled stiffness coefficients and null or negative whirl frequency ratios. A bulk-flow model for prediction of the static performance and force coefficients of hybrid bearings with angled orifice injection is advanced. The analysis reveals that the fluid momentum exchange at the orifice discharge produces a pressure rise in the hydrostatic recess which retards the shear flow induced by journal rotation, and thus, reduces cross-coupling forces. The predictions from the model are compared with experimental measurements for a 45 deg angled orifice injection, 5 recess, water hydrostatic bearing operating at 10.2, 17.4, and 24.6 krpm and with supply pressures of 4, 5.5 and 7 MPa. The correlations include recess pressures, flow rates, and rotordynamic force coefficients at the journal centered position. An application example for a liquid oxygen hybrid bearing also demonstrates the advantages of tangential orifice injection on the rotordynamic coefficients and stability indicator for forward whirl motions, and without performance degradation on direct stiffness and damping coefficients.
Roll-vortex signatures in SAR imagery of the ocean surface and simultaneous in situ turbulence measurements taken during the ONR/MBL ARI

P.D. Mourand et al. (1996) is a recent study that addresses the source of O(km) streaks in SAR images of the ocean surface. Its contribution was to successfully compare nearly-simultaneous AVHRR and SAR images of a region undergoing a cold air outbreak. Both the cloud patterns in the AVHRR image and the radar backscatter streaks in the SAR image were of the same scale and orientation, and had the same fetch-dependent structure. The cloud patterns were commensurate with existing studies of the fetch-dependent evolution of atmospheric roll vortices. Up until now, this successful comparison of SAR streaks and cloud streets, and the identification of the cloud street patterns as being consistent with atmospheric roll vortices, has been the strongest study supporting the hypothesis first offered by Gerling (1985) that SAR streaks can be caused by atmospheric roll vortices. The present work, based on a case study to be published with additional data analysis by Dr. Bernard Waiter of NorthWest Research Associates, and a recent, similar study, offer the first direct and definitive confirmation that SAR streaks can be caused by atmospheric roll vortices.
Particle simulations of radio-frequency glow discharges

Particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations are used to study the structure of radio-frequency (RF) glow discharges in helium between parallel-plate electrodes. The authors have examined a range of conditions and report on a variety of observed phenomena. Comparisons to experiment and analytical models are made, when possible. The differences between discharges in which secondary electrons play a key role in sustaining the discharge and those in which secondary electrons are unimportant are examined in three cases which illustrate the importance of the discharge-sustaining mechanisms. Electron-energy distributions are found to be, in general, non-Maxwellian, with shapes that depend in complex ways on discharge conditions. In the absence of secondary electron emission, electron heating in the sheath regions of the discharge is enhanced at higher voltages compared to ohmic heating in the bulk of the plasma. Fast electrons accelerated by the advancing sheath can carry a substantial fraction of the conduction current in the bulk of the discharge, reducing the effective bulk ohmic heating of electrons. Ion-energy distributions at electrode surfaces have been predicted and are compared to experimental measurements. >
Managing low cardiac output syndrome after congenital heart surgery.

Patients with congenital or acquired heart disease comprise a major diagnostic category for admissions in large pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) across the country, compromising 30% to 40% or more of admissions in many centers. Obviously, assessment and treatment of low cardiac output states among patients with heart disease can be life saving. Although some causes of low cardiac output after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are attributable to residual or undiagnosed structural lesions, progressive low cardiac output states do occur (1). A number of factors have been implicated in the development of myocardial dysfunction after CPB, including the following: 1) the inflammatory response associated with CPB; 2) the effects of myocardial ischemia from aortic crossclamping; 3) hypothermia; 4) reperfusion injury; 5) inadequate myocardial protection; and 6) ventriculotomy (when performed). The expression and prevention of reperfusion injury after aortic crossclamping on CPB is currently the subject of intense investigation. Figure 1 shows the typical decrease in cardiac index in newborns after an arterial switch operation. In this group of 122 newborns, the median maximal decrease in cardiac index, which occurred typically 6-12 hrs after separation from CPB, was 32% (2). A quarter of all these newborns reached a nadir of cardiac index that was 2 L/min/m on the first postoperative night. Low cardiac output states do occur in the postoperative patient, but appropriate anticipation and intervention can do much to avert morbidity or the need for mechanical support (Table 1).
Efficient optimization of van der Waals parameters from bulk properties.

Due to the computational cost involved, when developing a force field for new compounds, one often avoids fitting van der Waals (vdW) terms, instead relying on a general force field based on the atom type. Here, we provide a novel approach to efficiently optimize vdW terms, based on both ab initio dimer energies and condensed phase properties. The approach avoids the computational challenges of searching the parameter space by using an extrapolation method to obtain a reliable difference quotient for the parameter derivatives based on the central difference. The derivatives are then used in an active-space optimization method which convergences quadratically. This method is applicable to polarizable and nonpolarizable force fields, although we focus on the parameterization of the AMBER force field. The scaling of the electrostatic potential (ESP) of the compounds is also studied. The algorithm is tested on 12 compounds, reducing the root mean squared error (RMSE) of the density from 0.061 g/cm3 with GAFF parameters to 0.004 g/cm3, and the heat of vaporization from 1.13 to 0.05 kcal/mol. This is done with only four iterations of molecular dynamic runs. Using the optimized vdW parameters, the RMSE of the self-diffusion (Dself ) was reduced from 1.22 × 10−9 to 0.78 × 10−9 m2 s−1 and the RMSE of the hydration free energies (ΔGsolv ) was reduced from 0.30 to 0.26 kcal/mol. Scaling the ESP to improve dimer energies resulted in the Dself RMSE improving to 0.77× 10−9 m2 s−1, but the ΔGsolv worsened to 0.33 kcal/mol. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The scale size of chondrule formation regions: Constraints imposed by chondrule cooling rates

Meteoritic data strongly suggest that most chondrules reached maximum temperatures in a range of 1650-2000 K and cooled at relatively slow rates of 100-1000 K/h, implying a persistence of external energy supply. The presence of fine-grained rims around chondrules in most unequilibrated chondrites also indicates that a significant quantity of micron-sized dust was present in chondrule formation regions. Here, we assume that the persistent external energy source needed to explain chondrule cooling rates consists primarily of radiation from surrounding heated chondrules, fine dust, and gas after the formation event. Using an approximate one-dimensional numerical model for the outward diffusion of thermal radiation from such a system, the scale sizes of formation regions required to yield acceptable cooling rates are determined for a range of possible chondrule, dust, and gas parameters. Results show that the inferred scale sizes depend sensitively on the number densities of micron-sized dust and on their adopted optical properties. In the absence of dust, scale sizes >lo00 km are required for plausible maximum chondrule number densities and heated gas parameters. In the presence of dust with mass densities comparable to those of the chondrules and with absorptivities and emissivities of -0.01 calculated for Mie spheres with a pure mineral composition, scale sizes as small as -100 km are possible. If dust absorptivities and emissivities approach unity (as may occur for particles with more realistic shapes and compositions), then scale sizes as small as -10 km are possible. Considering all uncertainties in model parameters, it is concluded that small scale sizes (10-100 km) for chondrule formation regions are allowed by the experimentally inferred cooling rates.
Characteristics of Sodium Flux from Serosa to Mucosa in Rabbit Ileum

Sodium flux from serosa to mucosa, J(sm) (Na) in rabbit ileum in vitro has been studied as a function of applied electrical potential at equal sodium concentrations in the bathing solutions. The results indicate that J(sm) (Na) involves two pathways, a diffusional flux through a paracellular shunt pathway and a flux that is independent of applied potential and presumably involves a transcellular pathway. The latter pathway comprises approximately 25 % of J(sm) (Na) in Ringer's solution containing 10 mM glucose and 25 mM bicarbonate. It is stimulated significantly by theophylline unaffected by removal of glucose or addition of ouabain but is reduced to negligible values by anoxia, dinitrophenol, and replacement of all chloride and bicarbonate by isethionate. Thus this component of J(sm) (Na) has a number of characteristics consistent with involvement in a specific secretory process mediating an electrically neutral secretory transport of sodium plus anion from serosa to mucosa. In addition to stimulating this process, theophylline significantly reduced the permeability of the paracellular shunt pathway to sodium.
Auditory neuropathy in childhood

Objectives: Auditory neuropathy is a recently described disorder in which patients demonstrate hearing loss for pure tones, impaired word discrimination out of proportion to pure tone loss, absent or abnormal auditory brainstem responses, and normal outer hair cell function as measured by otoacoustic emissions and cochlear microphonics. We have identified eight pediatric patients having hearing deficits that are most likely due to a neuropathy of the eighth nerve. In this study, the results of audiologic testing performed with these eight children are described. Study Design: Retrospective review of audiologic findings in eight children with auditory neuropathy. Methods. Each subject was tested with pure tone and speech audiologic testing, auditory brainstem response, and click-evoked otoacoustic emissions. Results of these tests were tabulated and summarized. Results: Pure tone audiologic testing revealed five children with upsloping sensorineural hearing loss, two with high frequency loss, and one with a mild, flat configuration. Six children demonstrated poor word discrimination scores, and the other two had fair to good word discrimination. All eight subjects had normal distortion product and transient otoacoustic emissions. All eight children demonstrated absent or marked abnormalities of brainstem auditory evoked potentials. These findings suggest that while cochlear outer hair cell function is normal, the lesion is located at the eighth nerve. Conclusions: Recent advances in otoacoustic emissions testing permit differentiation of neural deafness from sensory deafness. This paper describes the clinical presentation and audiologic findings in pediatric auditory neuropathy, as well as the recommended management of these patients. Otolaryngologists should be aware of this disorder and implications for its management, which differs from treatment of sensorineural hearing loss.
Relationship of proteinuria to glomerular basement membrane deposits in serum-sickness glomerulonephritis in rabbits.

Fifteen rabbits were injected with one dose of 250 milligrams per kilogram of bovine serum albumin intravenously to induce acute serum sickness. The kidneys were removed from groups of five rabbits each at 10, 12 and 14 days after injection and examined by light, electron and immunofluorescent microscopy for evidence of immune complex glomerulonephritis. Urine was examined for protein when rabbits died. Glomerulonephritis was found in eight rabbits by light microscopy and in 10 rabbits by electron microscopy. Only one rabbit had positive immunofluorescence for immunologic components and only two rabbits had proteinuria. Hypercellularity was the primary change seen by light mi- croscopy. Ultrastructural changes were numerous and various, and the major changes recognized were irregularity of the glomerular basement membrane, increased mesangial matrix, hypercellularity , endothelial hypertrophy, mesangial deposits, epithelial foot process fusion and mesangial circumferential interposition. Subepithelial humps were seen in only four rabbits; none of these rabbits had proteinuria. We concluded that increased permeabil- ity followed the deposition of immune complexes and development of ultrastructural lesions. The exact mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of immune complex glomer- ulonephritis are unclear, although much is known about the disease (3, 4, 9, 12, 151. It is unknown what determines the deposition of immune complexes in the glomerulus. Two main theories exist - that an active physiological process occurs in the presence of immune complexes to cause an increased vascular permeability to such macromolecules (3), and that the simple hemodynamic filtration function of the kidney is sufficient to trap significant quantities of these macromolecules (9). Experimental evidence indicates that in acute serum sickness glomerulonephritis of rabbits the release of vasoactive amines (serotonin and histamine) by blood platelets causes a requisite increase in vascular permeability before immune com- plex deposition (3, 41. This reaction is localized predominantly in areas of high pressure and turbulence as in the glomerular capillaries where platelets are most likely to accumulate. It is believed that immunoglobulin E (IgE) attached to blood basophils may be the activating factor. Upon combination with the appropriate antigen, the IgE causes the release of a platelet-stimulating factor that causes the release of vasoactive amines from platelets. The filtration theory is based on the simple hemodynamics and sieving function of the glomerulus. The blood pressure in the glomerular capillaries is much greater
A general analysis of geodesic luneberg lenses

Geodesic lenses have been developed which give a collimated beam diametrically opposite the focal point and at an arbitrary angle relative to the plane of the lens rim. The lenses may have an arbitrary variation of the index of refraction; however, only the constant index lenses are considered in detail. Experimental results are in good agreement with the theory. The practical importance of these lenses is that as a result of their circular symmetry a lens antenna may scan a full 360\deg by feed movement alone or simultaneous coverage in many directions may be accomplished by use of multiple feeds.
Better Than Nothing: Participant Experiences in Using a County Health Plan

The United States health care system has reached a crisis point, with 49.9 million Americans now living without health insurance (DeNavas-Walt, Proctor, and Smith 2011). The United States government has responded to this crisis in a variety of ways, perhaps the most visible being the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in March 2010. With a goal of expanding access to health insurance to 32 million Americans by 2019, the ACA marks an important moment in the history of United States health care reform with the potential to drastically change the United States health insurance landscape (Connors and Gostin 2010). The law delineates only general categories of required benefits and leaves it to each state to decide the specific benefits that will be provided by the insurers in their state (Pear 2011).
Democracy and Dictatorship in Interwar Western Europe Revisited

Almost none of the conditions that, according to the latest research, favor democratic durability were present in Western Europe between the world wars. Yet only four Western European states became dictatorships during this period, whereas the others remained democratic despite economic crisis, an unhelpful international system, and the lure of nondemocratic alternatives. Several recent works offer new explanations for this pattern of interwar outcomes. Insofar as these works analyze the entire universe of Western European cases, they represent an important methodological advance. However, they remain too wedded to a class-coalitional framework to provide both a parsimonious and a historically accurate account of why democracy collapsed in some states but not in others. This article proposes an alternative explanatory framework that focuses on how political parties can shape association life in such a way as to support or undermine democracy.
Game-theoretic modeling and optimization of multi-echelon supply chain design and operation under Stackelberg game and market equilibrium

Abstract We propose a bilevel mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model for the optimal design and planning of non-cooperative supply chains from the manufacturer's perspective. Interactions among the supply chain participants are captured through a single-leader–multiple-follower Stackelberg game under the generalized Nash equilibrium assumption. Given a three-echelon superstructure, the lead manufacturer in the middle echelon first optimizes its design and operational decisions, including facility location, sizing, and technology selection, material input/output and price setting. The following suppliers and customers in the upstream and downstream then optimize their transactions with the manufacturer to maximize their individual profits. By replacing the lower level linear programs with their KKT conditions, we transform the bilevel MINLP into a single-level nonconvex MINLP, which is further globally optimized using an improved branch-and-refine algorithm. We also present two case studies, including a county-level biofuel supply chain in Illinois, to illustrate the application of the proposed modeling and solution methods.
Control of Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli 0157:H7 on Beef in a Model Spray Chilling System

Simulated water spray chilling cycles were modified to include acetic acid as a sanitizer. The modified cycles were tested for effectiveness in reducing levels of S. typhimurium, L. monocytogenes, and E. coli 0157:H7 on beef lean and fat tissue. Reductions of up to 3 log cycles were obtained for all three bacterial species on fat tissue. Reduction was less on lean tissue with the same treatments, although the modified cycles reduced populations when compared to the control cycle.
Mixture theory model sensitivity to effective viscosity in simulations of sandy bedform dynamics

We perform a sensitivity analysis on a three-dimensional bottom boundary layer model (SedMix3D) that uses mixture theory to simulate the flow and sediment transport over rippled sand beds. SedMix3D treats the fluid-sediment mixture as a single continuum with effective properties that parameterize the fluid-sediment and sediment-sediment interactions using several closures for the sediment phase. The effective viscosity is one such closure that includes three adjustable parameters: the intrinsic viscosity, the maximum viscosity, and the maximum packing concentration of unconsolidated sediment. The sensitivity of suspended sediment concentration predictions by SedMix3D is tested by varying the intrinsic viscosity, which is a proxy for sediment grain shape. We qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the model output of suspended sediment concentration for a range of intrinsic viscosity values typical of quartz sand. Intrinsic viscosity values ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 produce total suspended sediment concentrations that differ less than 11%. However, there is approximately a 16% difference between the suspended sediment concentrations from intrinsic viscosity values of 2.5 to 3.5 and 4.0 to 5.0. Simulations of sediment transport over bedforms performed here were not significantly sensitive to the choice of an intrinsic viscosity value in the range of 2.5 to 3.5. Using a baseline intrinsic viscosity value of 3.0, we subsequently tested two additional effective viscosity formulations. The suspended sediment concentrations predicted by the Eilers and Krieger-Dougherty formulations were very similar, but the Mooney formulation generated much less suspended sediment. We found the model to be more sensitive to variations of effective viscosity in the ripple-fluid interface than in the suspension range.