cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Colloidal swimmers near curved and structured walls

We present systematic numerical simulations to understand the behavior of colloidal swimmers near a wall. We extend previous theoretical calculations based on lubrication theory to include walls with arbitrary curvature, and show how to extract from simulations a set of parameters crucial to accurately estimate the leading hydrodynamic contributions associated with the curvature of a wall. Our results show explicitly how introducing curvature to the wall not only affects the average incident angle the swimmer acquires when swimming near it, but it also leads to much broader angular distributions. This suggests an increasingly leading role of thermal fluctuations with curvature, which in turn results in significantly different motility of the swimmers. We also show how the backwards motion previously reported for pushers also extends to puller-like swimmers under the appropriate conditions. Finally, aiming at understanding the behavior of colloidal swimmers near a colloidal crystal, we also considered the case of a wall built from colloidal particles that are either free to rotate, representing a crystal held together by isotropic forces, or have their rotational degrees of freedom locked-in, representing a crystal held together by directional interactions. In both cases, we find that puller-like swimmers follow a stochastic run-and-tumble-like dynamics.
Engineering primary T cells with chimeric antigen receptors for rewired responses to soluble ligands

The expression of synthetic receptors in primary T cells enables the programming of user-defined responses when designing T-cell therapies. Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are synthetic receptors that have demonstrated efficacy in cancer therapy by targeting immobilized antigens on the surface of malignant cells. Recently, we showed they can also rewire T-cell responses to soluble ligands. In contrast to other synthetic receptors, CARs are not only readily engineered by rational design, but also clinically translatable, with robust function in primary human T cells. This protocol discusses design principles for CARs responsive to soluble ligands and delineates steps for producing T cells expressing synthetic receptors. Functional assays for quantifying the ability of CAR T cells to sense and respond to soluble ligands are also presented. This protocol provides a framework for proficient immune-cell researchers to test novel T-cell therapies targeting soluble ligands in <2 weeks.
Tool Path Planning Optimization for Multi-Tool Additive Manufacturing

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized the way industries manufacture and prototype products. A significant drawback that prevents 3D printing from being widely implemented in large-scale production is cycle time. This issue has been improved by allowing multiple collaborating printheads to print different parts of the same object simultaneously. However, little formal research has been done to support the aforementioned approach, and current implementations have room for improvement in terms of both makespan and mechanical properties. A new toolpath optimization methodology is proposed in this research to fill this need. The objectives are to create a collision-free infill toolpath for each printhead while maintaining the mechanical performance and geometric accuracy of the printed object. The methodology utilizes the combination of tabu search and novel collision detection and resolution algorithms, TS-CCR. The performance of the TS-CCR is analyzed and compared with the current industry standard.
Comparison of Wait-List Mortality Between Cholangiocarcinoma and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Liver Transplant Candidates.

Despite the divergent disease biology of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), wait-list prioritization is identical for both diagnoses. We compared wait-list and posttransplant outcomes between CCA and HCC liver transplantation patients with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease exceptions using Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data. The 408 CCA candidates listed between 2003 and mid-2017 were matched to 2 HCC cohorts by listing date (±2 months, n = 816) and by Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) region and date (±6 months, n = 408). Cumulative incidence competing risk regression examined the effects of diagnosis, OPTN region, and center-level CCA listing volume on wait-list removal due to death/being too ill (dropout). Cox models evaluated the effects of diagnosis, OPTN region, center-level CCA volume, and waiting time on graft failure among deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) recipients. After adjusting for OPTN region and CCA listing volume (all P ≥ 0.07), both HCC cohorts had a reduced likelihood of wait-list dropout compared with CCA candidates (HCC with period matching only: subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.43-0.93; P = 0.02 and HCC with OPTN region and period matching: SHR = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.41-0.87; P = 0.007). The cumulative incidence rates of wait-list dropout at 6 and 12 months were 13.2% (95% CI, 10.0%-17.0%) and 23.9% (95% CI, 20.0%-29.0%) for CCA candidates, 7.3% (95% CI, 5.0%-10.0%) and 12.7% (95% CI, 10.0%-17.0%) for HCC candidates with region and listing date matching, and 7.1% (95% CI, 5.0%-9.0%) and 12.6% (95% CI, 10.0%-15.0%) for HCC candidates with listing date matching only. Additionally, HCC DDLT recipients had a 57% reduced risk of graft failure compared with CCA recipients (P < 0.001). Waiting time was unrelated to graft failure (P = 0.57), and there was no waiting time by diagnosis cohort interaction effect (P = 0.47). When identically prioritized, LT candidates with CCA have increased wait-list dropout compared with those with HCC. More granular data are necessary to discern ways to mitigate this wait-list disadvantage and improve survival for patients with CCA.
Mechanism of exercise-induced analgesia: what we can learn from physically active animals

Physical activity has become a first-line treatment in rehabilitation settings for individuals with chronic pain. However, research has only recently begun to elucidate the mechanisms of exercise-induced analgesia. Through the study of animal models, exercise has been shown to induce changes in the brain, spinal cord, immune system, and at the site of injury to prevent and reduce pain. Animal models have also explored beneficial effects of exercise through different modes of exercise including running, swimming, and resistance training. This review will discuss the central and peripheral mechanisms of exercise-induced analgesia through different modes, intensity, and duration of exercise as well as clinical applications of exercise with suggestions for future research directions.
Developing a community-supported risk reduction intervention for syringe exchange registrants and their drug-free family or friends: a pilot study

People engaged in injection opioid use often have drug-free family or friends that could be mobilized to support risk reduction and treatment seeking. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and...
Simultaneous measurement of neurite and neural body mass accumulation via quantitative phase imaging

Measurement of neuron behavior is crucial for studying neural development and evaluating the impact of potential therapies on neural regeneration. Conventional approaches to imaging neuronal behavior require labeling and do not separately quantify the growth processes that underlie neural regeneration. In this paper we demonstrate the use of quantitative phase imaging (QPI) as a label-free, quantitative measurement of neuron behavior in vitro. By combining QPI with image processing, our method separately measures the mass accumulation rates of soma and neurites. Additionally, the data provided by QPI can be used to separately measure the processes of maturation and formation of neurites. Overall, our approach has the potential to greatly simplify conventional neurite outgrowth measurements, while providing key data on the resources used to produce neurites during neural development.
Assessment of Outcomes Associated With the Use of Newly Approved Oncology Drugs in Medicare Beneficiaries

Importance A lack of generalizability of pivotal cancer clinical trial data to treatment of older adults with Medicare could affect therapeutic decision-making in clinical practice. Objective To evaluate the differences in survival, duration of therapy, and treatment patterns between clinical trial patients and older adults with Medicare receiving cancer drugs for metastatic solid cancers in usual practice. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study, performed from May 1, 2018, to August 30, 2020, used the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and Medicare database to examine sequential US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved cancer drug indications (2008-2013) for locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors to assess whether pivotal trials reflect the outcomes of Medicare patients with cancer treated in usual practice. Exposures Treatment with FDA-approved cancer drugs for metastatic solid cancers in pivotal clinical trials and in the SEER-Medicare database. Main Outcomes and Measures Overall survival, duration of treatment, and dose reductions among trial participants and treated Medicare patients. Results A total of 11 828 trial participants (mean age, 61.8 years; 6718 [56.8%] male; and 7605 [64.3%] White) and 9178 SEER-Medicare patients (mean age, 72.7 years; 4800 [52.3%] male; and 7437 [81.0% White]) were compared. Twenty-nine indications for 22 cancer drugs were included. Median overall survival among Medicare patients was shorter than among patients in the clinical trial intervention arm for 28 of 29 indications (median difference, −6.3 months; range, −28.7 to 2.7 months). Median duration of therapy among Medicare patients was shorter for 23 of the 27 indications with data available (median difference, −1.9 months; range, −12.4 to 1.4 months). For 9 indications, there was information available regarding dose reductions in the package insert or trial publication. In all but 1 instance, dose reductions or single prescriptions were more common in the Medicare population compared with dose reductions among the clinical trial patients; for example, in the Medicare patients, 600 of 1032 (58.1%) received dose reduction or a single prescription and 172 of 1032 (16.7%) received a single prescription vs 734 of 3416 (21.5%) in the trial intervention arm. The exception was afatinib for non–small cell lung cancer: 34 of 71 (47.9%) received dose reduction or a single prescription and 15 of 71 (21.1%) received a single prescription among the Medicare patients vs 120 of 230 (52.2%) receiving dose reductions among the trial intervention group. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, patients receiving Medicare who were treated with FDA-approved cancer drugs did not live as long as treated clinical trial participants and commonly received treatment modifications. This study suggests that cancer clinical data relevant to newly approved drugs lack generalizability to Medicare beneficiaries with cancer; therefore, these agents should be used with caution.
Gaze Perception in Humans and CNN-Based Model.

Making accurate inferences about other individuals' locus of attention is essential for human social interactions and will be important for AI to effectively interact with humans. In this study, we compare how a CNN (convolutional neural network) based model of gaze and humans infer the locus of attention in images of real-world scenes with a number of individuals looking at a common location. We show that compared to the model, humans' estimates of the locus of attention are more influenced by the context of the scene, such as the presence of the attended target and the number of individuals in the image.
Sexual Assault Enablers, Institutional Complicity, and the Crime of Omission

Sex abuse, particularly of children, is a crime which any rational person would wish to prevent. However, when an individual’s loyalties and responsibilities to an institution put them at odds with preventing sex abuse, it is far too often the institution which takes precedence. This is the grim phenomenon of institutional complicity. It is a plague which, sadly, permeates institutions of all types, be it a school, hospital, sports team, church, military, or government agency. It also permeates countries as a global issue. I have interviewed dozens of survivors who suffered under an abuser who was protected by an institution. The survivor’s expectation of the institution is simple: to be protected. Yet, time after time, these survivors found that it was the good name and reputation of the institution which was protected rather than themselves. Many survivors express that their anger towards those who enabled the abuse is greater than their anger towards the abuser. In this submission I propose that the answer is to criminalize the enabler. By enabler, I mean an individual who knows that sex abuse is occurring and yet fails to inform the appropriate law enforcement agency. I have come to the conclusion that the harm caused by sexual assault enablers does rise to the level of criminality. The harm inflicted by the enabler’s deliberate choice to abandon those in their power to protect is a plague which should be addressed by every government.
Pre-hospital and emergency department shock index pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) "cut points" to identify pediatric trauma patients at risk for massive transfusion and/or mortality.

Abstract Background Shock index pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) is a validated measure to identify severely injured children. Previous literature categorized SIPA as normal or elevated, but the relationship between specific SIPA values and outcomes has not been determined. We sought to determine specific SIPA cut points in the pre-hospital and Emergency Department (ED) settings to identify patients at risk for massive transfusion (MT) and/or mortality. Methods Patients ≤ 18 years old admitted to our Level I pediatric trauma center following trauma activation were included. Youdin J index was used to define pre-hospital and ED SIPA cut points to identify those at risk of MT and/or mortality for the following age groups: 12 years old. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated to determine SIPA threshold values associated with MT and/or mortality. Results Of 1,072 patients, 6.3% (n = 68) required MT and 8.4% (n = 90) died. For predicting MT, pre-hospital SIPA cut points performed best in the > 12 year-old age group (AUC = 0.86) and ED SIPA cut points performed best in the 6–12 year-old age group (AUC = 0.87). For predicting mortality, pre-hospital (AUC = 0.78) and ED SIPA cut points (AUC = 0.84) performed best in the > 12 year-old age group. Conclusion Pre-hospital and ED SIPA cut points performed better at predicting MT and/or mortality in older pediatric patients compared to very young children. Age remains an important factor when determining the validity of SIPA to predict outcomes in pediatric trauma patients. Study type/level of evidence Level III, Retrospective Cohort Study.
90-Day Readmission Rates in a Geriatric Hip Fracture Population, From a Bundled Care Payment Initiative Perspective

Objective To determine the incidence of hospital readmission in a geriatric hip fracture population within 90 days. Methods Analysis of patients aged ≥60 years presenting with a fragility fracture of the hip from a prospective geriatric hip fracture program registry was performed. Demographics, diagnoses, treatments, complications, hospital events, and readmission for any cause within 30 and 90 days were collected. Readmission events were categorized as defined by Bundled Care Payment Initiative (BCPI)/Care for Joint Replacement payment model. Results The population included 305 patients. All-cause readmission at 30 and 90 days was 11.5% and 19.7%, respectively. Surgical site infection or prosthesis failure accounted for 2.6% of 90 days readmissions. Application of the BCPI rules identified 44 of 60 readmitted patients (73.3%) with causes attributable to the surgical event: medical (0.7%), hospital (12.1%), and mechanical (2.6%). Death within 30 days was the largest contributor to hospital-related events. Conclusions This study identified a 90-day readmission rate of nearly 20% in patients with geriatric fragility fractures. Application of the BCPI definitions currently used in the Care for Joint Replacement payment model will result in more readmissions being attributed to the index surgical event than classically considered. If bundled payment models remain the future, further investigation of this population's risk factors for readmission is needed in light of these findings. Level of evidence Prognostic and Epidemiological Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Discrete event simulation and the resultant data storage system response in the operational mission environment of Jupiter-Saturn /Voyager/ spacecraft

The Data Storage Subsystem Simulator (DSSSIM) simulating (by ground software) occurrence of discrete events in the Voyager mission is described. Functional requirements for Data Storage Subsystems (DSS) simulation are discussed, and discrete event simulation/DSSSIM processing is covered. Four types of outputs associated with a typical DSSSIM run are presented, and DSSSIM limitations and constraints are outlined.
Studying the attributes of users in Twitter considering their emotional states

Positivity and negativity are two important attributes of a person’s emotion and mood. Social media is a very important platform from which we can glean the positivity and negativity attributes of a user based on his/her message postings and interactions with other users. In this paper, we study and analyze a Twitter dataset of more than 130,000 users to understand the nature of their positivity and negativity attributes. We measure behavioral attributes by analysis of social engagement and psychological process. Our analysis is done for two types of networks, positive and negative, to compare the patterns of tweeting, replying and following, and network and time properties. We observe that social media contain useful behavioral cues that have a potential to classify users into positive and negative groups based on network density and degree of social activity either in information sharing or emotional interaction and social awareness. We believe that our findings will be useful in developing tools for predicting positive and negative users and help provide the best recommendation towards helping negative users through online social media.
Human Subjects Research, Law, Law of Informed Consent

Introduction Legal Regulation of Human Subjects Research Specific Legal Issues in Human Gene Transfer Research Conflation of Research and Therapy National Institutes of Health (NIH) Oversight Keywords: human subjects research; law
A Review of Recent Developments in Focused Ion Beam Applications

Submicrometer focused ion beams have been used for selective ion implantation of GaAs and Si depletion-mode FETs and for the gate lithography for n-channel enhancement-mode Si MOSFETs. Maximum transconductance values for the latter devices with tox = 100 A and Lg = 0.5 ?m were 140 mS/mm. Short-channel effects were minimal in these devices.
Manufacturing workcell modelling and task facility

The manufacturing workcell modeling and tasking facility acts as an interface between the physical world of the manufacturing workcell and the database of workcell models and tasks. The modeling and monitoring interface provides an expert manufacturing user with a data definition language for describing instances of manufacturing workcell components. The tasking interface uses the workcell models and task specifications in the database to plan, simulate, execute and monitor the task execution in cooperating multi-robot workcells. The planner iteratively generates and evaluates task plans until a simulation successful task plan results. The task plan is then submitted to the manufacturing workcell controller. >
Realization of closed-loop specific optimal control

Designing nonlinear control systems warrants considerable effort under most circumstances. This fact is accentuated when one considers the optimal control problem. In this paper we address synthesis of specific optimal control for general nonlinear, fixed structure systems. By considering the stability relative to optimal open-loop solutions, we arrive at conditions sufficient for a given policy to produce optimal or suboptimal performance in a closed-loop configuration. The approach is applicable to any system and performance index whose open-loop solution may be obtained. A bound for the departure of the propagated closed-loop state from optimum is given as a function of time, control policy, and initial condition. An example problem is also given.
Waterborne CBR Agent Building Protection

The contamination of potable water by chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) agents could cause great damage to human health and major disruption to the lives of those dependent on safe water. CBR agent detection, identification, and elimination are of the utmost importance in securing the safety of our water supplies. This article summarizes various CBR threats, design priorities for protection, treatment methods, and response strategies. It also describes the recent development of control systems and test apparatus to assist in modeling the fate and transport of CBR agents.
Graph-based representation and techniques for NLU application development

We describe a method to represent, manipulate, structure and aid in the design and development of NLU oriented parsers. Our method is based on the representation of the semantic parser domain into a single directed graph showing the parser's labels and their immediate inter-relationships as they exist in the annotated development corpora. Furthermore, we present methods developed around this representation illustrating how, a developer can visualize, manipulate, design and construct new applications simply by acting on the domain graph and sub-graphs. We also describe how the graph representation method can be utilized in the reduction of the complexity of the parser by identification and removal of nodes, edges and structures of the domain graph whose impact on attribute accuracy is small. We present the following examples of applications of our technique: extension of an existing air travel information domain to include car rental reservation by manipulating the corresponding graphs, structuring such graphs' vertices into 3-tiers, an example of a method for complex domain decomposition into simpler sub-graphs, and experiments on the reduction of a parser's complexity. Our technique can serve as a foundation of GUI toolkits for NLU development built around these concepts.
Ion Absorption by Plant Roots1

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on ion absorption by cells and other tissues—such as storage roots, leaves, algae—and in organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts. Ion absorption by cells, including the flux of ions across both the plasma membrane and tonoplast is presented. The chapter provides an overview of nutrient absorption by excised roots. Excised roots usually function for several hours, at least with regard to ion absorption, as if they had never been removed from the shoot. The value of using excised roots that are low in salt content for studying nutrient absorption is determined. These roots accumulate salts in a short time and the increase in ion content can be measured easily either chemically or by using the radioisotope of a specific element. The chapter discusses the kinetics and selectivity of ion absorption and proposes a model for ion absorption by roots. This model consists of two main features: a cation-activated ATPase in the plasma membrane and an anion carrier that brings about the exchange of anions across the plasma membrane.
Corollaries on the Fixpoint Completion: Studying the Stable Semantics by Means of the Clark Completion

The fixpoint completion fix(P) of a normal logic program P is a program transformation such that the stable models of P are exactly the models of the Clark completion of fix(P). This is well-known and was studied by Dung and Kanchanasut (1989). The correspondence, however, goes much further: The Gelfond-Lifschitz operator of P coincides with the immediate consequence operator of fix(P), as shown by Wendt (2002), and even carries over to standard operators used for characterizing the well-founded and the Kripke-Kleene semantics. We will apply this knowledge to the study of the stable semantics, and this will allow us to almost effortlessly derive new results concerning fixed-point and metric-based semantics, and neural-symbolic integration.
Grouping of processors, memories and buses in the tightly coupled multiprocessor system

A new multiprocessor model using multiple bus as the interconnection network is presented. In this model N processors, B buses and H memory modules are connected in groups. The collapse of one or more of those memory modules, processors, and buses can lead to a loss in the performance of the whole system, if not collapsed completely. A scheme called the graceful degradable scheme for the reconfiguration of processors is presented. Thus, the system becomes a multiple group multiple bus system. The bandwidth of every multiple bus system is calculated and summed together to calculate the bandwidth of the whole system.
Edaphic and Agronomic Charactes that Affect Potential for Rootworm Damage to Corn in Iowa

Many edaphic and agronomic factors influencing corn yields were measured in fields situated at random sites within 15 Iowa counties. Corn roots from each site were rated for rootworm damage each year. The rootworm portion of the study was conducted over 6 years (1964–69), Factors influencing root-damage ratings were determined using multiple regression techniques applied through stepwise model-building procedures and path analysis. A prediction equation for root worm damage was developed based on significant edaphic and agronomic factors available to the farmer at planting time. Important factors influencing rootworm-damage ratings were percentage of clay in soil, soil potassium, soil phosphorus, slope of field, drainage of field, planting dale, and plant population. It is suggested that this damage equation could be used to advantage in a pest-management system for corn rootworms.
High resolution mapping of carnation mottle virus-associated RNAs

Abstract The genomic coordinates from which carnation mottle virus (CarMV) subgenomic RNA 5′-ends originate have been determined by high resolution S, nuclease protection and primer-extension mapping techniques. The two, 3′-proximal subgenomic RNAs initiate at nucleotides 2532 and 2315 (counting from the genome 5′ terminus). These RNAs contain 1472 and 1689 nucleotides, respectively. There is substantial nucleotide sequence homology surrounding the transcriptional start sites of the two subgenomic RNAs. The 1.5-kb RNA uses the first AUG to initiate translation of viral coat protein. The first AUG on the 1.7-kb RNA begins a short open reading frame of 183 nucleotides. This region encodes a Mr = 6746 polypeptide found by in vitro translation of authentic subgenomic RNA as well as synthetic SP6 transcripts. By SP6 transcription and cell-free translation, we have also mapped coding sequences for a previously identified CarMV gene product, p27, to the 5′ terminus of the viral genome.
Improving Ergonomics in International Retail Environments: Focusing on Business Objectives and Culture

Although retail environments differ greatly around the world, all retailers are pressured by small margins as they strive to be profitable. Front-end checkout operational performance is very important for retailers to insure revenue growth. Because every country is different in terms of culture, tradition, and legal restrictions, there is not one ideal solution for the checkout that can be applied internationally. However, by following an established process that focuses on retailers' business objectives, ergonomic solutions can be designed and sold. Once proper attention is placed on understanding the unique cultural issues and the business priorities of the retailer, appropriate analysis methodologies can be used to capture data that will be useful in producing and selling a worthy solution. Examples of engagements conducted for retailers in Japan, Brazil, and the United Kingdom show how this approach can be successful in designing and presenting beneficial solutions. The paper shows how this approach c...
Networks: a review of their technology, architecture, and implementation

This article provides a broad overview of telecommunications and network‐related technologies. Topics covered include identification and review of network elements, analog and digital signals, synchronous and asynchronous transmission formats, transmission media and equipment, transmission techniques and characteristics, multiplexing, network types, access technologies, network architectures and topologies, local‐area network technologies and attributes, protocols and protocol issues, gateways, internetworking, local networking alternatives, equipment certification, and various aspects of network management. It is intended to provide the practicing professional in the field of library and information science with a broad, up‐to‐date technical review that might serve to support and facilitate further investigation of current developments in networks and networking. Although the broad range of topics is not treated in depth, numerous references are provided for further investigation.
Computational Aerodynamic Analysis of Offshore Upwind and Downwind Turbines

Aerodynamic interactions of the model NREL 5 MW offshore horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) are investigated using a high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. Four wind turbine configurations are considered; three-bladed upwind and downwind and two-bladed upwind and downwind configurations, which operate at two different rotor speeds of 12.1 and 16 RPM. In the present study, both steady and unsteady aerodynamic loads, such as the rotor torque, blade hub bending moment, and base the tower bending moment of the tower, are evaluated in detail to provide overall assessment of different wind turbine configurations. Aerodynamic interactions between the rotor and tower are analyzed, including the rotor wake development downstream. The computational analysis provides insight into aerodynamic performance of the upwind and downwind, two- and three-bladed horizontal axis wind turbines.
Environmental Justice Concentration Zones for Assessing Transportation Project Impacts

Environmental justice (EJ) becomes a concern when minority or low-income communities (referred to as EJ populations) are disproportionately affected by transportation projects. The disproportionate impacts may relate to social, economic, or environmental burdens that EJ populations living in affected project areas will be forced to endure. An important component of any EJ assessment methodology is therefore the identification of EJ communities in a project area. The conventional approach classifies communities by means of threshold values into target and nontarget EJ populations. Research has demonstrated, however, that threshold values are largely influenced by the chosen community of comparison. In addition, the spatial distribution of target and non-target EJ populations within the affected area changed when the scale of geographic analysis changed. Because it has been argued that effective EJ analysis should consider all minority and low-income population groups regardless of their size, this research...
Effects of Chopping Temperature on the Microstructure of Meat Emulsions

A standard frankfurter formulation (25% fat) was used to evaluate the effects of four endpoint chopping temperatures (10, 16, 22 and 28°C) on the ultrastructure of meat emulsions with a grind-mix-emulsify production system. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the changes that occur in the ultrastructure of a meat emulsion. Thermally processed frankfurters from each of the four endpoint chopping temperature treatments were fractured, fixed, dehydrated, critical point dried, and coated with Au/Pd before SEM micrographs were taken. Micrographs suggest that maximal emulsion stability is attained as a tradeoff between two different functions. The first function is related to the interfacial protein film thickness and the second function is related to the integrity and density of the surrounding emulsion matrix, and its ability to retain that integrity during thermal processing. These two functions appear to be directly related to the fat-holding and water-binding abilities of the meat emulsion or batter.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease as a Risk Factor for Premature Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are both systemic chronic diseases that alter bowel physiology. The central process in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the associated manifestations are the result of B-cell production of IgG autoantibodies directed against self-antigens in various organ systems including coronary endothelium. Previous studies have demonstrated significant micro-vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients with IBD compared to patients not affected by the disease. We sought to analyze the relation, if any, between IBD and the development of premature coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We queried our hospital database to find IBD patients admitted to the hospital from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008. Patients with traditional cardiovascular (CV) disease risk factors including hypertension, congestive heart failure (CHF), diabetes, age ≥ 65, hyperlipidemia, family history, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and greater than five pack-year smoking history were excluded from the study cohort. The charts of the remaining 300 patients with diagnosed IBD were then analyzed for the incidence of CV disease events including acute myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angina, positive stress testing, and any cardiac intervention including coronary angioplasty and/or intracoronary stent implantation. Results: Of the 300 patients included, only one patient had a CV disease event. This patient had a positive exercise stress thallium test. Otherwise, the remaining 299 patients (99.7%) did not have any reported CV disease events over the 2-year follow-up period. Conclusion: Most of the clinical sequelae of CV disease events are the result of inflammatory changes at the vascular level. While IBD is associated with a chronic inflammatory state as reflected by high sedimentation rates, C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine levels, etc., our data seem to indicate that chronic inflammation in the absence of traditional risk factors is not associated with an increased risk of premature CV disease events. More wide-scale prospective studies should be performed to elucidate the relationship, if any, between chronic inflammation and CV disease risk. J Clin Med Res. 2015;7(4):257-261 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jocmr2102w
Adherend surface preparation

If an adhesive joint is to be strong and permanent its adherend surfaces must be treated at least to remove oil, dirt, and dust. In addition, control of surface roughness, oxide formations, and sometimes adsorbed water is required. Deposition of chromium atoms or TiO2 is indicated for electron donor metals surfaces, and treatments may be useful to protect the adhesive from the adherend or vice versa, or to make their structures more congenial.
Special Section: Applying Information Economics to Corporate Strategy

Eric K. Clemons is a Professor at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where he has served since 1976. His visiting appointments include Harvard University, Cornell University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the Indian School of Business. He serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Management Information Systems and International Journal of Electronic Commerce. His research specialties are in the areas of IT and business strategy, IT and financial markets, making the decision to invest in strategic IT ventures, managing the risk of strategic IT implementations, and strategic implications of e-commerce for channel power and profitability. He is the Director of the Wharton School's Sponsored Research Program in Information, Strategy, and Economics; the Area Head for Information, Strategy, and Economics; and program coordinator for the school's major in e-commerce. He also is the founder of the Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences' (HICSS) annual Competitive Strategy, Economics, and Information Systems mini-track, which had its twentieth anniversary meeting in January 2007, and the winner of two HICSS "Best Paper" awards.
The Relations among L1 (Spanish) Literacy Skills, L2 (English) Language, L2 Text Reading Fluency, and L2 Reading Comprehension for Spanish-Speaking ELL First Grade Students.

Abstract We investigated the relations of L2 (i.e., English) oral reading fluency, silent reading fluency, word reading automaticity, oral language skills, and L1 literacy skills (i.e., Spanish) to L2 reading comprehension for Spanish-speaking English language learners in the first grade (N = 150). An analysis was conducted for the entire sample as well as for skilled and less skilled word readers. Results showed that word reading automaticity was strongly related to oral and silent reading fluency, but oral language skill was not. This was the case not only for the entire sample but also for subsamples of skilled and less skilled word readers, which is a discrepant finding from a study with English-only children (Kim et al., 2011). With regard to the relations among L2 oral language, text reading fluency, word reading automaticity, reading comprehension, and L1 literacy skills, patterns of relations were similar for skilled versus less skilled word readers with oral reading fluency, but different with silent reading fluency. When oral and silent reading fluency were in the model simultaneously, oral reading fluency, but not silent reading fluency, was uniquely related to reading comprehension. Children's L1 literacy skill was not uniquely related to reading comprehension after accounting for other L2 language and literacy skills. These results are discussed in light of a developmental theory of text reading fluency.
Determination of peak deflections from human surrogates using chestbands in side impact tests

To understand the biomechanics of the human body in motor vehicle environments, physical models including anthropomorphic test devices (ATD) and biological models (postmortem human surrogates) are used, and sled tests are conducted. Deflection is often used as a biomechanical variable to characterize the effects of impact loading and derive injury criteria. The objective of the present study was to evaluate different techniques and recommend a methodology to determine the peak thorax and abdominal deflections from temporal contours using chestbands in oblique lateral impacts. The side impact ATD WorldSID representing human surrogates was positioned on a seat. The seat was rigidly fixed to the platform of an acceleration sled. The oblique load-wall fixed to the sled consisted of separate and adjustable plates to contact the shoulder, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. Two 59-gage chestbands were wrapped on the thorax and abdomen. Tests were conducted at low, medium, and high velocities (3.4, 6.7, and 7.5 m/s) and three methods, termed the spine-sternum, bilateral, and spine-box, were used to determine the global peak deflection and its angulation. Results indicated that all three methods produced very similar angulations, for all velocity tests, and at both thorax and abdominal regions. However, maximum deflections were the lowest in the spine-sternum, followed by bilateral and spine-box methods, with one exception. Based on the development of deflection contours, locations used in the definitions of the origin, and accuracy in identifying critical locations/points in time-varying contours, results of the present study indicate that the bilateral method is the optimum procedure to determine the oblique peak deflection vector in biomechanical tests.
6-Thioguanine levels in pediatric IBD patients: adherence is more important than dose.

Background Thiopurine immunosuppressants such as 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) are widely used to maintain remission in children with both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Therapeutic efficacy is associated with higher red blood cell levels of the thiopurine metabolite 6-thioguanine (6-TGN). Studies in both children and adults have inexplicably failed to demonstrate a significant correlation between prescribed dose and level of 6-TGN. We aimed to quantify the relationship between 6-TGN levels and adherence. Methods We used electronic monitoring devices to assess adherence in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel diseases who were prescribed 6-MP. Results During 3230 days of monitoring in 19 subjects, adherence to 6-MP was 74.2%. Due to the generally low adherence to the prescribed dose of 6-MP, the 6-TGN level was not correlated with the prescribed dose. The 6-TGN level was significantly correlated with the adherence-adjusted dose (R(2) = 0.395). It was also significantly correlated to adherence alone (R(2) = 0.478). Adherence to 5-aminosalicylic acid and 6-MP were significantly positively correlated (r(s)(9) = 0.82, P = 0.00), and a significant relationship was found between 5-aminosalicylic acid adherence and 6-TGN levels independent of 6-MP adherence. Furthermore, low adherence to 6-MP was associated with increased likelihood of escalation of medical therapy. Conclusions Red blood cell 6-TGN levels are strongly correlated with the dose, when the dose is actually taken. Lack of efficacy of thiopurines may often be the result of poor adherence. Novel ways of assessing and improving adherence are necessary. Future trials should assess adherence in study participants. Intake of 5-aminosalicylic acid positively influences 6-TGN levels.
Evolution of reactants volume in turbulent jets

Numerical simulations of the evolution of an axisymmetric gaseous fuel jet penetration into a liquid oxidizer were performed with a multifluid version of a high-order Godunov code. The fuel jet was unstable and rapidly broke up into mixing structures with a variety of length scales. The complexity of the mixing increased with increased grid resolution. However, grid refinement studies demonstrated that the reactants volume (i.e., the fuel volume within specified concentration limits) rapidly converged to a solution that was insensitive to the mesh size.
Amplitude Distributions for Seaset SAR and Skylab Data with Statistics for Classification and Correlation

ABSTRACT Seasat SAR and Skylab scenes of Nantucket Island, Mass., have been mapped to the same scale and orientation for a comparison of their reflectance distributions and for a classification of terrain. Rayleigh and Poisson statistics are employed in random Monte Carlo computer simulations to model the intensity distributions of the reflectance data. Two-dimensional autocorrelation functions for SAR and optical data and an amplitude normalized cross correlation of the multisensor scenes are computed with fast Fourier transform methods. Both positive and negative correlations are observed in the cross correlation, depending on the tilt modulation and texture of scene features. Six classes of terrain are identified using the Skylab green optical bandwidth, which is particularly sensitive to subsurface topography, and the Seasat L-band synthetic aperture radar, which is particularly Insensitive to smooth horizontal surfaces.
Importance of context in protein folding: secondary structural propensities versus tertiary contact-assisted secondary structure formation.

Molecular dynamics simulations can be used to reveal the detailed conformational behaviors of peptides and proteins. By comparing fragment and full-length protein simulations, we can investigate th...
Evaluation of two commercial nitrification accelerators in closed seawater culture systems

Abstract Commercial bacterial formulations were added to new seawater aquariums, and their ability to accelerate the establishment of nitrification was compared with untreated controls. Fritz-Zyme No. 9, a liquid formulation, markedly decreased the time to complete oxidation of ammonia but did not accelerate the oxidation of nitrite; Bio-Con CRC-610, a dry formulation, did not accelerate ammonia or nitrite oxidation.
Hepatitis B virus vaccination for older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To compare in adults more than 50 years old the tolerability and immunogenicity of vaccination with recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs) compared with vaccination with recombinant hepatitis B protein PreS2+S, and to investigate the safety and immunogenicity of a fourth vaccine dose in poor and non-responders. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind prospective study. SETTING: General clinical research center for outpatient evaluation and vaccination. SUBJECTS: Adults older than age 50 who were in general good health and with no known risk factors for acquiring or serologic evidence of hepatitis B virus infection. INTERVENTION: Subjects were randomized to receive 10 mcg HBs (Recombivax®, Merck, Sharp and Dohme), 12 mcg PreS2+S, or 24 mcg PreS2+S vaccine at 0, 1, and 6 months. Poor and non-responders (anti-Hbs < 10 mIU/mL at month 9 and/or 12) were encouraged to receive a fourth vaccine injection. MEASUREMENTS: Diary records of temperature and local and systemic reactions following each vaccination were maintained by all subjects. Anti-HBs levels were measured by radioimmunoassay before the first injection, at 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, and 12 months after for all subjects, and 1 month after the fourth injection for the group of poor and non-responders. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty men and nine women (mean age ± SD, 66 ± 8.0 years) were enrolled. Ten subjects received HBs vaccine, nine received 12 mcg PreS2+S vaccine, and 10 received 24 mcg PreS2 + S vaccine. One subject in the HBs group dropped out, and data were analyzed for the remaining 28 subjects. There were no differences in rates of side effects reported by each of the three groups. Overall, minor local adverse reactions occurred in 12 (40%) after at least one of the first three vaccinations. Systemic side effects occurred in five (17%) after the first vaccination, in one after the second, but in none after the third. The 24-mcg PreS2+S vaccine was not more immunogenic than the HBs vaccine, and the 12-mcg PreS2+S vaccine was judged inadequate. Nineteen of 22 (86%) poor and non-responders received a fourth vaccination. Minor local adverse reactions were reported by six (32%), and none reported a systemic side effect. For the 12 subjects receiving a fourth injection of HBs or 24 mcg PreS2 + S vaccine, the proportion of responders 1 month following the fourth injection was greater than for 1 month following the third injection (11 of 12 [92%] versus 12 of 19 [63%], respectively, P < .05). CONCLUSION: For adults more than 50 years of age who have low anti-HBs levels after three vaccine injections, a fourth injection is well tolerated and results in improved immunogenic response.
Engineering a common intermediate representation for the Ovm framework

The Ovm framework is a set of tools and components for building language runtimes. We present the common intermediate representation of this framework and software design patterns used throughout Ovm. One of the main themes in this work has been supporting experimentation with new linguistic constructs and implementation techniques. To this end, Ovm components were designed to be parametric with respect to the instruction set on which they operate and its semantics. We argue that our approach eases the task of writing new components without sacrificing efficiency.