cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrodynamic Investigation of Coastal Bridge Collapse during Hurricane Katrina

A number of U.S. coastal bridges have been destroyed by hurricanes, including three highway bridges in Mississippi and Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina (2005). This paper addresses three fundamental questions on the coastal bridge failures: (1) what were the hydrodynamic conditions near the failed bridge during the hurricane; (2) what was the cause of the bridge collapse; and (3) what was the magnitude of the hydrodynamic loading on the bridge under the extreme hurricane conditions. Guided by field observations of winds, waves, and water levels, two numerical models for storm surges and water waves are coupled to hindcast the hydrodynamic conditions. Fairly good agreement between the modeled and measured high watermarks and offshore wave heights is found, allowing an estimate of the surge and wave conditions near the bridges in nested domains with higher resolutions. The output of the coupled wave-surge models is utilized to determine the static buoyant force and wave forces on the bridge superstructure based on empirical equations derived from small-scale hydraulic tests for elevated decks used in the coastal and offshore industry. It is inferred that the bridge failure was caused by the wind waves accompanied by the storm surge, which raised the water level to an elevation where surface waves generated by strong winds over a relatively short fetch were able to strike the bridge superstructure. The storm waves produced both an uplift force and a horizontal force on the bridge decks. The magnitude of wave uplift force from individual waves exceeded the weight of the simple span bridge decks and the horizontal force overcame the resistance provided by the connections of the bridge decks to the pilings. The methodology for determining the hydrodynamic forcing on bridge decks can be used to produce a preliminary assessment of the vulnerability of existing coastal bridges in hurricane-prone areas.
Minimizing thermally induced interfacial shearing stress in a thermoelectric module with low fractional area coverage

High temperature differences between the ceramic parts in thermo-electric modules (TEMs) intended for high temperature applications makes the TEMs vulnerable to the elevated thermal stress leading to possible structural (mechanical) failures. The problem of reducing the interfacial shearing stress in a TEM structure is addressed using analytical and finite-element-analysis (FEA) modeling. The maximum shearing stress occurring at the ends of the peripheral legs (and supposedly responsible for the structural robustness of the assembly) is calculated for different leg sizes. Good agreement between the analytical and FEA predictions has been found. It is concluded that the shearing stress can be effectively reduced by using thinner (smaller fractional area coverage) and longer (in the through thickness direction of the module) legs and compliant interfacial materials.
Asymptotic Behavior of Non-Abelian Gauge Theories to Two-Loop Order

We have calculated the value of the Callan-Symanzik $\ensuremath{\beta}$ function to order ${g}^{5}$ for non-Abelian gauge theories with fermions. We discuss internal consistency of the calculation, and consider the approach to the aymptotic energy range in such theories.
Auricular rehabilitation with bone-anchored titanium implants.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the bone-anchored titanium implants in auricular reconstructions. Study Design: Six patients who received implants for an auricular reconstruction were followed prospectively. Four patients had lost their ears to cancer, and the other two had congenital aural atresia Methods: All patients were thoroughly evaluated by the reconstruction team, which included a surgeon, a prosthodontist, and a facial prosthetist. Three patients were evaluated audiologically for a bone-anchored hearing aid. Four patients received implants in a single-stage procedure, and two underwent a two-stage procedure. A gold bar with retaining clips was used to anchor the prosthetic ear in four patients, and magnets were used in the remaining two. Results: All six patients are completely satisfied with their reconstructions. No failures, extrusions, or bony complications were encountered. One patient had recurrent dermatitis, which subsided when his gold bar was replaced with magnets. Conclusion: Implanted under the guidance of an appropriate prosthetic team, bone-anchored titanium implants provide patients with a safe, reliable, adhesive-free method to anchor auricular prostheses with recovery of their normal appearance.
Implications of Left Bundle Branch Block in Patient Treatment

Left bundle branch block (LBBB) causes an abnormal pattern of cardiac activation and affects regional myocardial function. Although recognition of LBBB on the surface electrocardiogram is straightforward, dissecting its effect on patient treatment and outcome can be more challenging. The altered pattern of cardiac activation in LBBB causes electrical and mechanical ventricular dyssynchrony, influences ischemia detection on the surface electrocardiogram, and affects stress testing and imaging modalities dependent on wall motion and thickening. Restoration of synchrony by biventricular pacing can improve symptoms and longevity in carefully selected patients. The diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications of LBBB across this spectrum are discussed in this review.
Robert Boyle on things above reason

Robert Boyle (1627–91) presents the most authoritative systematization and defence of the traditional distinction between ‘things above reason’ and ‘things contrary to reason’ in early modern philo...
Standard Weight Equation for Tiger Muskellunge (Esox lucius x Esox masquinongy)

ABSTRACT Weight and length data for tiger muskellunge Esox lucius x Esox masquinongy were solicited from biologists across the continent to develop a 75th-percentile standard weight (W s ) equation for the hybrid. Only 27 populations (N = 1,124 fish) from 9 states yielded adequate data sets for this process. We used a bootstrap technique to demonstrate that the limited number of populations used was adequate to develop a reliable standard weight equation. Sample variance of slopes was less than 0.002 and bias was minimal with only 19 populations. The standard weight relationship was derived with the regression-line-percentile technique applied to fish over 240 mm (approximately 10 in). The proposed equation is log10 W s = −6.126 + 3.337log10TL, where W s is the weight in grams and TL is the total length in millimeters. The English equivalent (pounds and inches) is log10 W s = −4.095 + 3.337log10TL. No regional trends in the slopes of the log transformed weight-length data were observed. Fish from western ...
Relational data mapping in MIQIS

We demonstrate a prototype of the relational data mapping module of MIQIS, a formal framework for investigating information flow in peer-to-peer database management systems. Data maps constitute effective mappings between structured data sources. These mappings are the `glue' for facilitating large scale ad-hoc information sharing between autonomous peers, and automating their discovery is one of the fundamental unsolved challenges for information interoperability and sharing. Our approach to automating data map discovery utilizes heuristic search within a space delineated by basic relational transformation operators. A novelty of our approach is that these operators include data to metadata transformations (and vice versa). This approach leverages new perspectives on the data mapping problem, and generalizes previous approaches such as token-based schema matching.
Minimizing Artifacts in Analysis of Surface Statistics

Measurements from interferometers and profilometers contain information about surface figure and finish over a wide range of spatial frequencies. Proper detrending and windowing are necessary to avoid contaminating the true nature of the PSD function.
A novel device for the accurate dispensing of small volumes of liquid samples

Abstract A sample dispenser with electronic control of delivered volume has been designed and evaluated. With this device, liquid samples are dispensed in the form of uniform droplets less than 4 nl in volume; total volumes as small as 40 nl can be delivered with 1.5% precision. Important features of the microdroplet formation process have been studied and the effect of sample solution concentration and viscosity have been examined. The dispenser is expected to find application in several areas, including electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry, automated titrimetry, and high-precision, low-volume solution sampling.
Flag in the crossroads: flagellin modulates innate and adaptive immunity.

Purpose of reviewTo consider observations suggesting that the bacterial protein flagellin, the primary structural component of flagella, plays a major role in mediating gut inflammation associated with infection by enteric pathogens and in inflammatory bowel disease.Recent findingsBiochemical dissec
Quality of Working Life Movement Part I: History

Occasionally, a new idea will burst upon the world of work with such a force that it commands the attention of researchers and practitioners alike. It generates excitement, perhaps even a certain vogue, as active minds attempt to exploit it. Of course, the courtship eventually ends and a general consensus emerges as to just how seminal the idea was to begin with. Most likely it will come to occupy a niche in the prevailing scheme of industrial and organisational thought. Some—very few—pass into that select company of honoured concepts which have established new schemes for research and practice.
Using concept maps to navigate complex learning environments

A concept map is a graphical representation of relationships among concepts. Willis and Miertschin suggested the use of technology-based concept mapping as an active learning strategy that can enhance learning and thinking skills, particularly among students native to a digital environment [16]. In addition, modern concept mapping software tools enable instructors and students to create visual navigation structures through complex knowledge domains. The authors find value in visual navigation structures for their relevance to organizing and simplifying learning environments and for their appeal to visual learners. This paper investigates different ways to develop digital interactive concept maps (CMaps) to help students navigate complex knowledge domains, such as the content of a course or a curriculum. CMaps can be used to present information in a nonsequential way or in several different ways, depending on the need. Interactivity enables students to easily locate digital information artifacts pertinent to a concept (media files, slide presentations, web pages, etc.) by clicking on links associated with a CMap node representing the course concept or category. A review of recent literature is provided, different software tools are compared, and the authors document their personal experience. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0511672.
Assessing uncertainties in dust emission in the Aral Sea region caused by meteorological fields predicted with a mesoscale model

Abstract This study investigates how the choice of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization and dust emission scheme affects the prediction of dust entrainment simulated with a regional mesoscale model. For this analysis we consider a representative dust episode which occurred on April 2001 in the Aral Sea region. The meteorological fields were simulated using the PSU/NCAR MM5 modeling system considering two different boundary layer parameterizations. In each case, emitted dust fluxes were computed off-line by incorporating MM5 meteorological fields into the dust module DuMo. Several dust emission schemes with a prescribed erodible fraction and fixed threshold wind speed were the subject of our analysis. Implications to assessment of the anthropogenic fraction of dust emitted in the Aral region were investigated by conducting the full, half, and no lake modeling experiments. Our results show that the discrepancies in dust fluxes between the two different PBLs are much higher compared to the discrepancy associated with the use of considered dust production schemes. Furthermore, the choice of the PBL affects the timing and duration of a modeled dust event. We demonstrate that different combinations of the PBL parameterization and wind- or friction velocity-driven dust emission schemes can result in up to about a 50% difference in predicted dust mass caused by the Aral Sea desiccation. We found that the drying-up of the Aral cannot only affect the dust emission by expanding the source area, but also by affecting atmospheric characteristics, especially winds. These competitive factors add further complexity to quantification of the anthropogenic dust fraction in the region.
Indium Telluride Metal.

Metallic indium telluride, InTe(II), is metastable up to 125°C at one atmosphere pressure. It has a cubic crystal structure and has a light blue olor.
Evaluation of microbial fuel cell Shewanella biocathodes for treatment of chromate contamination

This paper presents data comparing Shewanella strains acting as biocatalysts under fumarate and chromate reducing conditions in a microbial fuel cell. Catalyzing fumarate reduction, Shewanella strains show a maximum power generation of between 10.2 and 59.4 nW cm−2. Comparisons between product formation and current transfer indicate either incomplete oxidation of fumarate or utilization of a separate source of electrons. Similar comparisons under chromate reducing conditions indicate initial utilization of the electrode as the sole electron source followed by a use of an unknown reducing electron pool. Additionally, we show that fuel cell systems, with Shewanella acting as the sole biocatalysts at the cathode, are capable of achieving reduction of chromium concentrations to less than 5 ppb, well within acceptable guidelines established by regulatory agencies.
Psychosocial correlates of physical activity among fifth and eighth graders.

Abstract Background.Identification of the factors that influence children's participation in vigorous activity is essential to the development of effective intervention strategies aimed at the prevention of cardiovascular disease and obesity.Methods.Correlates of intent to participate in vigorous activity were assessed among 310 fifth and eighth graders in Cambridge, Massachusetts, through the development and administration of a questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, an extension of the Theory of Reasoned Action, which includes the domain of perceived behavioral control (how easy or difficult it is to engage in vigorous activity). Heights and weights were measured and questionnaires were completed during physical education classes.Results.Perceived behavioral control and attitude predicted children's intent to participate. How much a child agreed s/he was good at doing vigorous activity predicted perceived behavioral control. In each grade, girls reported being less good at vigorous activity than did boys. Eighth-grade girls reported significantly fewer hours of vigorous activity than did eighth-grade boys.Conclusions.Our findings suggest that gender differences related to intent to participate in vigorous activity, perceived behavioral control, and sense of competency are evident in eighth grade and may begin in fifth grade. These gender differences in perception therefore precede the gender difference in participation in vigorous activity demonstrated among ninth graders in the 1990 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Promotion of activities children enjoy, and in which they feel a sense of competency, is likely to sustain participation in vigorous activity throughout adolescence and possibly reduce the prevalence of obesity.
In Situ TEM Studies of Metal–Carbon Reactions

The reactions which occur between amorphous carbon and a number of first transition metals (Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) have been studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The materials are in thin-film form with the metal layer sandwiched between thicker carbon layers. In four cases, the predominant reaction is the graphitization of the amorphous carbon, at temperatures well below 800 degrees C. This is brought about by the elements themselves in the case of Co and Ni, and by metastable carbides in the case of Fe (Fe3C) and Cr (Cr3C2-x). The Ti-C and Cu-C systems do not exhibit graphitization. For the former, only TiC is produced up to 1000 degrees C, while the carbon does not react at all with copper. In situ TEM studies show the mechanism to be of the dissolution-precipitation type, which is equivalent to the metal-mediated crystallization process for amorphous silicon and germanium. The heat of graphitization is found to be 18-19 kcal/mol-C by differential scanning calorimetry.
Extended analysis of the x-ray spectrum emitted by highly ionized uranium from a laser-produced plasma in the 3.1-6.4-keV range (1.9<λ<3.9 Å)

The x-ray spectrum of laser-produced uranium plasma has been obtained in the range 3.1--6.4 keV (1.9{lt}{lambda}{lt}3.9 A). Detailed analysis of the spectrum has been performed using the HULLAC code and the unresolved-transition-array formalism. This led to the identification of most of the features of the spectrum as transitions in the Ni-like ion (U{sup 64+}) and satellite transitions of neighboring ionization states. The identification is fully consistent with the previous analysis of the spectra emitted by laser-produced plasmas of lower-{ital Z} elements.
The End of Cheap Oil: Economic, Social, and Political Change in the US and Former Soviet Union

I use the quality and quantity of energy flows to interpret economic, social, and political changes in the US and Former Soviet Union. The economic successes of both the former Soviet Union (FSU) and the US reflect an abundant supply of high quality energy. This abundance ended in the 1970s in the US and the 1980s in the Former Soviet Union. In the US, the end of cheap oil caused labor productivity to stagnate, which stopped on-going growth in wages and family incomes. To preserve the American Dream, which holds that each generation will be better off than the one that preceded it, women entered the workforce, income was transferred from saving to consumption, the US economy changed from a net creditor to a net debtor, and debt held by families and the Federal government increased. Despite efforts to hide the income effects, the end of cheap oil also is responsible for increasing income inequality. In the FSU, the end of abundant energy supplies meant that allocating the energy surplus among the domestic economy, subsidized exports to Eastern Europe, and hard currency sales to the West became a zero sum game. This contributed to the collapse of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) alliance and the FSU. If the US is able to extricate itself from personal and governmental debt, solving the social and political concerns about inequality is the next formidable challenge posed by the end of cheap oil.
The structure of epitaxial overgrowths of Cu2S formed on (111) Cu

Abstract Overgrowths of Cu2S were formed on (111) single-crystal films of copper by exposing them to sulfur vapor in the temperature range 25–300 °C. Reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) analysis revealed that the resultant overgrowths were epitaxial and of various structural forms depending predominantly on the duration of exposure and not on the temperature. The overgrowth started as a cubic form of Cu2S but transformed to the hexagonal form and finally to the orthorhombic form. The morphology of the Cu2S indicated by RHEED, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy proceeds from a smooth flat structure to an island-type formation.
Strength training does not alter the effects of testosterone propionate injections on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations.

The purpose of the study was to examine the long-term effects of a high-volume strength training program (vertical ladder climbing) and testosterone propionate injections (intraperitoneal) on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were randomly divided into a testosterone (T)-treated group (dose per injection, 2.5 mg/kg testosterone propionate solubilized in 1 mL safflower oil) and a control (C) group (injected with an isovolumic amount of safflower oil alone). Animals were further divided into a strength-trained group (E) and a sedentary group (S). The 10-week resistance training program consisted of weights (100% of body mass) appended to the tail as the animal climbed an 85-cm ladder to volitional fatigue. Following 10 weeks of strength training and testosterone injections, body weight was not significantly different between the main effects of strength training exercise (TE + CE v TS + CS) and testosterone injections (TE + TS v CE + CS) or between groups. Testicular mass (mean ± SE) was measured as a relative indicator of testosterone effects. Both TE and TS had significantly reduced testicular mass (2.56 ± 0.04 and 2.38 ± 0.03 g, respectively) compared with CE and CS (3.49 ± 0.03 and 3.49 ± 0.04 g, respectively). No significant differences were observed between groups for total serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, or serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). In contrast, significant decreases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were observed for both TE (26.7 ± 1.6 mg/dL) and TS (27.5 ± 1.3 mg/dL) compared with CE (48.7 ± 2.9 mg/dL) and CS (43.5 ± 2.6 mg/dL). As a result, the total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio was significantly greater for TS + TE (4.7 ± 0.1) compared with CS + CE (2.9 ± 0.2). These observations suggest that in animals, a 10-week program of high-volume strength training does not elicit any beneficial effect on the lipid or lipoprotein status, nor does it attenuate the altered lipoprotein profile induced by testosterone propionate injections.
Leiomyosarcoma of the kidney in an HIV-infected child.

Spindle cell tumors (leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma) have been described in immunocompromised children after transplantation and in association with HIV infection. Previous reports have de- scribed tumors of respiratory (lung, bronchi), gastrointestinal (stomach, bowel, liver), and subcutaneous origins. We report a case of leiomyosarcoma of the kidney in an HIV-infected child.
Hyperglycemia triggers massive neutrophil deposition in brain following transient ischemia in rats.

Abstract Myeloperoxidase (MPO) immunohistochemistry was used to ascertain the role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in hyperglycemia-induced accentuation of brain injury after transient ischemia. Rats received 12.5 min of normothermic global cerebral ischemia by bilateral carotid occlusion plus hypotension. Hyperglycemia was induced before ischemia by intraperitoneal dextrose administration. Quantitative MPO immunohistochemistry was performed at 24 h and 3 days postischemia. Brains of normoglycemic-ischemic animals contained almost no MPO activity. By contrast, striking numbers of MPO-positive cells were present in brains studied 24 h after hyperglycemic ischemia, both within pial and parenchymal vessels and within the parenchyma. MPO deposition tended to subside at 3 days. These results indicate that hyperglycemia triggers the early, massive deposition of neutrophils in the postischemic brain – an event that may contribute to exacerbation of injury.
Phosphoinositide-signaling is one component of a robust plant defense response.

The phosphoinositide pathway and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (InsP3) have been implicated in plant responses to many abiotic stresses; however, their role in response to biotic stress is not well characterized. In the current study, we show that both basal defense and systemic acquired resistance responses are affected in transgenic plants constitutively expressing the human type I inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (InsP 5-ptase) which have greatly reduced InsP3 levels. Flagellin induced Ca2+-release as well as the expressions of some flg22 responsive genes were attenuated in the InsP 5-ptase plants. Furthermore, the InsP 5-ptase plants were more susceptible to virulent and avirulent strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst)DC3000. The InsP 5-ptase plants had lower basal salicylic acid (SA) levels and the induction of SAR in systemic leaves was reduced and delayed. Reciprocal exudate experiments showed that although the InsP 5-ptase plants produced equally effective molecules that could trigger PR-1 gene expression in wild type plants, exudates collected from either wild type or InsP 5-ptase plants triggered less PR-1 gene expression in InsP 5-ptase plants. Additionally, expression profiles indicated that several defense genes including PR-1, PR-2, PR-5 and AIG1 were basally down regulated in the InsP 5-ptase plants compared with wild type. Upon pathogen attack, expression of these genes was either not induced or showed delayed induction in systemic leaves. Our study shows that phosphoinositide signaling is one component of the plant defense network and is involved in both basal and systemic responses. The dampening of InsP3-mediated signaling affects Ca2+ release, modulates defense gene expression and compromises plant defense responses.
Magnetotransport properties of SrRuO3 epitaxial thin films on (100) LaAlO3: Presence of localized magnetic moments.

We report temperature and magnetic field dependences of the longitudinal and transverse magnetoresistances of high-quality epitaxial ${\mathrm{SrRuO}}_{3}$ thin films. We also report Hall effect measurements in the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic states. The magnetic field dependence of the longitudinal magnetoresistivity shows a simple scaling \ensuremath{\sim}${\mathit{H}}^{2}$/(T-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$${)}^{2}$ far above the ferromagnetic transition temperature ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$. This observation supports a presence of localized magnetic moments above ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
The Impact of the Varicella Vaccination Program on Herpes Zoster Epidemiology in the United States: A Review

Speculation that a universal varicella vaccination program might lead to an increase in herpes zoster (HZ) incidence has been supported by modeling studies that assume that exposure to varicella boosts immunity and protects against reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) as HZ. Such studies predict an increase in HZ incidence until the adult population becomes predominantly composed of individuals with vaccine-induced immunity who do not harbor wild-type VZV. In the United States, a varicella vaccination program was implemented in 1995. Since then, studies monitoring HZ incidence have shown inconsistent findings: 2 studies have shown no increase in overall incidence, whereas 1 study has shown an increase. Studies from Canada and the United Kingdom have shown increasing rates of HZ incidence in the absence of a varicella vaccination program. Data suggest that heretofore unidentified risk factors for HZ also are changing over time. Further studies are needed to identify these factors, to isolate possible additional effects from a varicella vaccination program. Untangling the contribution of these different factors on HZ epidemiology will be challenging.
Do-not-resuscitate orders in the emergency department

Abstract purpose: To evaluate the nature of the decision to write a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order in the Emergency Department (ED). patients and methods: This is a prospective evaluation of 37 consecutive patients for whom a DNR order was written by personnel assigned to the ED of a large inner-city teaching hospital. For each patient, information was collected including who was involved in the decision, the difficulty the family or patient had in agreeing to the DNR order, acute and chronic problems, how often the patient could enter into the process, and the ultimate outcome. results: DNR orders were usually initiated by house officers assigned to the ED (65%), and the family was usually involved (89%, mean of 1.4 family members per patient). There were no cases where significant resistance to the DNR order was exhibited by the family. The patients were generally elderly, demented, and debilitated with multiple chronic medical problems or young with malignancy or the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and had become critically ill and unstable. Only five patients were able to enter into the decision. Discussion of DNR status had occurred previously in only 14% of patients. conclusion: Because there remains considerable reluctance on the part of physicians to discuss the DNR issue before patients become critically ill, it is often necessary for ED physicians to write a DNR order. Although the ED is not an ideal setting for discussion of DNR orders and patients and families do not generally initiate this discussion, DNR orders can be written by ED physicians after consultation with the family.
An FPGA-based accelerator for cortical object classification

Recently significant advances have been achieved in understanding the visual information processing in the human brain. The focus of this work is on the design of an architecture to support HMAX, a widely accepted model of the human visual pathway. The computationally intensive nature of HMAX and wide applicability in real-time visual analysis application makes the design of hardware accelerators a key necessity. In this work, we propose a configurable accelerator mapped efficiently on a FPGA to realize real-time feature extraction for vision-based classification algorithms. Our innovations include the efficient mapping of the proposed architecture on the FPGA as well as the design of an efficient memory structure. Our evaluation shows that the proposed approach is significantly faster than other contemporary solutions on different platforms.
Do oral antibiotics prevent meningitis and serious bacterial infections in children with Streptococcus pneumoniae occult bacteremia? A meta-analysis

Objective. To determine whether oral antibiotics prevent meningitis and serious bacterial infections in children with Streptococcus pneumoniae occult bacteremia. Data Sources. Using the Medline database, the English-language literature was searched for all publications concerning bacteremia, fever, or S pneumoniae from 1966 to April 1996. Study Selection. All studies that included a series of children with S pneumoniae occult bacteremia containing orally treated and untreated groups. Children were excluded from individual studies if they were immunocompromised, had a serious bacterial infection, underwent a lumbar puncture, or received parenteral antibiotics. Data Extraction. Three authors independently reviewed each article to determine the number of eligible children and the outcome of children meeting entry criteria. Data Synthesis. Eleven of 21 studies were excluded, leaving 10 evaluable studies with 656 total cases of S pneumoniae occult bacteremia identified. Patients who received oral antibiotics had fewer serious bacterial infections than untreated patients (3.3% vs 9.7%; pooled odds ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.17 to 0.73). Meningitis developed in 3 (0.8%) of 399 children in the oral antibiotic group and 7 (2.7%) of 257 untreated children (pooled odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.12 to 2.09). Conclusion. Although oral antibiotics modestly decreased the risk of serious bacterial infections in children with S pneumoniae occult bacteremia, there was insufficient evidence to conclude that oral antibiotics prevent meningitis. Published recommendations that oral antibiotics be administered to prevent serious bacterial infections in children with possible S pneumoniae occult bacteremia should be reevaluated in light of the lower risk of sequelae from S pneumoniae occult bacteremia and newer data concerning side effects from treatment.
Parent Training for Children Born Premature: A Pilot Study Examining the Moderating Role of Emotion Regulation

The aim of the current study was to examine the moderating effect of emotion regulation on treatment efficacy following a parent-training intervention, parent-child interaction therapy, for young children born preterm. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, 28 young children who were born preterm (i.e., <37 weeks gestation) and presented with elevated levels of externalizing behavior problems were randomly assigned to an immediate treatment or waitlist control group. Observers masked to treatment condition coded an index of emotion regulation (i.e., global regulation) during a videotaped 10-min parent-child interaction at the initial baseline assessment. Treatment efficacy was assessed using a parent-report questionnaire of child disruptive behavior. Results demonstrated that global regulation significantly interacted with treatment condition in predicting change in child disruptive behavior. Specifically, higher levels of distress at baseline were associated with greater improvements in child disruptive behavior following the intervention. These findings are discussed in the context of the differential susceptibility hypothesis and highlight the importance of considering children's emotion regulation skills in the course of psychosocial treatment for young children born premature.
Sensitivity analysis for multi-attribute system selection problems in onshore Environmentally Friendly Drilling (EFD)

Input data used in Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM) problems are often perceived to be imprecise by decision-makers because they are based on expert assessments. As a result, an important step in many applications of MADM is to perform a sensitivity analysis on the input data to help decision-makers understand how in which regions of the input data space they can be most confident in the recommended decisions and where improved input information is most needed. This paper describes sensitivity analysis procedures which will help decision-makers examine the robustness of the optimal solution to changes in input parameters in system selection decisions, where the system is made up of components (drilling technologies) that can be combined in many different ways. This paper presents two different sensitivity analysis methodologies. One is a sensitivity analysis for weighting factors of each attribute, and the other is a sensitivity analysis for uncertainty of overall attribute inputs. An application case study of the proposed approach is described to select optimal onshore Environmentally Friendly Drilling (EFD) systems at Green Lake near McFaddin, TX. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Queer Girls in Class: Lesbian Teachers and Students Tell Their Classroom Stories

Lori Horvitz's book contains 26 essays from queer students and educators exploring how sexuality can affect classroom dynamics. Although the book's title references lesbians, it also encompasses bisexuals and highlights friendships between gays and lesbians. In addition, many of the essays discuss social justice initiatives as well as illustrate creative teaching strategies.
Induction of labor compared to expectant management in low-risk women and associated perinatal outcomes

Objective We sought to examine the association of labor induction and perinatal outcomes. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study of low-risk nulliparous women with term, live births. Women who had induction at a given gestational age (eg, 39 weeks) were compared to delivery at a later gestation (eg, 40, 41, or 42 weeks). Results Compared to delivery at a later gestational age, those induced at 39 weeks had a lower risk of cesarean (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88–0.91) and labor dystocia (aOR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84–0.94). Their neonates had lowered risk of having 5-minute Apgar Conclusion Induction of labor in low-risk women at term is not associated with increased risk of cesarean delivery compared to delivery later.
Concept Mapping Your Web Searches: A Design Rationale and Web-Enabled Application.

Although it has become very common to use World Wide Web-based information in many educational settings, there has been little research on how to better search and organize Web-based information. This paper discusses the shortcomings of Web search engines and Web browsers as learning environments and describes an alternative Web search environment that combines a concept mapping and a data mining technique to address their drawbacks.
AN INVERSE ALMOST IDEAL DEMAND SYSTEM FOR FRESH TOMATOES IN THE U.S.

Previous studies of fresh market tomatoes in the U.S. have focused on the supply side and welfare effects of NAFTA. Very few studies have focused on the demand side, however, because fresh tomatoes do not have any close substitutes. In this study we draw on the fact that Mexican and Canadian fresh tomatoes may be close substitutes to U.S. fresh tomatoes. An Inverse Almost Ideal Demand System of the NAFTA fresh tomato market is estimated where fresh tomatoes differ by country of origin. The results indicate that NAFTA tomatoes are substitutable but the degree of substitutability varies widely depending on the season. Quantity changes in the U.S. fresh tomato market can result in significant retail price changes. This study has specific policy implications in light of the recent dumping conflicts between NAFTA members over fresh tomato trade.
The fimYZ genes regulate Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium invasion in addition to type 1 fimbrial expression and bacterial motility

An important step in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium virulence is the ability to invade the intestinal epithelium. The invasion process requires a large number of genes encoded on Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1) at centisome 63 as well as genes located in other positions throughout the chromosome. Expression of the invasive phenotype is tightly regulated by environmental cues that are processed by a complex regulatory scheme. A central player in the invasion regulatory pathway is the HilA protein, which is transcriptional activator belonging to the OmpR/ToxR family. A number of positive regulators (hilC, hilD, fis, sirA/barA, csrAB, phoBR, fadD, envZ/ompR, and fliZ) and negative regulators (hha, hilE, lon, ams, phoPc and pag) have been identified that are able to alter expression of hilA transcription. Recent work has found that hilA transcription requires the HilD protein for activation. Other work has emphasized the importance of HilE as a negative regulator of hilA. Overexpression of hilE superrepresses hilA transcription, as well as the invasive phenotype. Two-hybrid experiments suggest that HilE exerts its regulatory influence on hilA through protein-protein interactions with HilD as the protein does not bind to the hilA promoter nor does it affect hilD transcription. As it seems likely that hilE plays an important role in translating environmental signals into invasion gene regulation, we have attempted to identify how the hilE gene itself is regulated. Our results indicate that the fimYZ genes, response regulatory proteins involved in type 1 fimbrial gene expression and recently implicated in motility gene regulation, are important activators of hilE expression. These findings indicate that invasion gene expression is coregulated with motility and adherence and provide experimental evidence that the expression of these virulence phenotypes is a subset of the overall regulation of bacterial physiology.
Management of challenging congenital melanocytic nevi: Outcomes study of serial excision

Abstract Background Large congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) cause significant deformity and are at risk for malignant degeneration. Techniques used to remove difficult CMN include serial excision, skin grafting, or tissue expansion. Some authors prefer skin grafting or tissue expansion if several stages would be required to serially resect the CMN. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of serial excision for CMN requiring ≥3 procedures. Methods Medical records and clinical images of patients with CMN treated between 2007 and 2013 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were: (1) lesions that required ≥3 serial excisions to remove and (2) CMN that could have been treated reasonably with skin grafting or tissue expansion. Patient age, gender, location of the lesion, size of the CMN, number of serial excisions, and complications were recorded. Results The study included 21 patients. Lesions were located on the lower extremity (38.1%), head/neck (33.3%), upper extremity (14.3%), or trunk (14.3%). Nevus size was 2.2%±1.2% total body surface area. The age during the first operation was 4.3years (range 3months to 15years). The number of excisions was 3.5±0.7, spaced 8.2±4.3months apart. Partial suture line dehiscence occurred after 2/72 operations and seroma resulted after 1/72 operations; there were no infections. Conclusion Challenging CMN amenable to serial excision can be removed effectively and safely using this technique. Children are left with a favorable linear scar, do not have donor or recipient site morbidity from skin grafting, and are not subjected to potential tissue expander complications and injections required for expansion.
Thermal Expansion Study and Microstructural Characterization of High-Performance Concretes

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is a family of emerging materials for building and construction applications. Behavior of UHPCs at high temperature is very important to their reliability and safety. In the current study, two UHPC materials were studied using the thermomechanical analysis (TMA) technique between room temperature and 800°C. Both reversible and irreversible phase transformations were observed from the TMA results, which were likely attributable to the α-β quartz transformation and the dehydroxylation transitions, respectively. Thermal expansion coefficients exhibited significant variations in different temperature regimes. Postmortem scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examinations revealed extensive cracking in the heated samples. In addition, microporosities were observed in the calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) phase as a result of phase changes during heating.
An Augmented Lagrangian Based Compressed Sensing Reconstruction for Non-Cartesian Magnetic Resonance Imaging without Gridding and Regridding at Every Iteration

Background: Non-Cartesian trajectories are used in a variety of fast imaging applications, due to the incoherent image domain artifacts they create when undersampled. While the gridding technique is commonly utilized for reconstruction, the incoherent artifacts may be further removed using compressed sensing (CS). CS reconstruction is typically done using conjugate-gradient (CG) type algorithms, which require gridding and regridding to be performed at every iteration. This leads to a large computational overhead that hinders its applicability. Methods: We sought to develop an alternative method for CS reconstruction that only requires two gridding and one regridding operation in total, irrespective of the number of iterations. This proposed technique is evaluated on phantom images and whole-heart coronary MRI acquired using 3D radial trajectories, and compared to conventional CS reconstruction using CG algorithms in terms of quantitative vessel sharpness, vessel length, computation time, and convergence rate. Results: Both CS reconstructions result in similar vessel length (P=0.30) and vessel sharpness (P=0.62). The per-iteration complexity of the proposed technique is approximately 3-fold lower than the conventional CS reconstruction (17.55 vs. 52.48 seconds in C++). Furthermore, for in-vivo datasets, the convergence rate of the proposed technique is faster (60613 vs. 4556320 iterations) leading to a ,23-fold reduction in reconstruction time. Conclusions: The proposed reconstruction provides images of similar quality to the conventional CS technique in terms of removing artifacts, but at a much lower computational complexity.
Can We Learn From Viruses How to Prevent Type 1 Diabetes?: The Role of Viral Infections in the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes and the Development of Novel Combination Therapies

We will take a journey from basic pathogenetic mechanisms elicited by viral infections that play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes to clinical interventions, where we will discuss novel combination therapies. The role of viral infections in the development of type 1 diabetes is a rather interesting topic because in experimental models viruses appear capable of both accelerating as well as decelerating the immunological processes leading to type 1 diabetes. Consequently, I will discuss some of the underlying mechanisms for each situation and consider methods to investigate the proposed dichotomy for the involvement of viruses in human type 1 diabetes. Prevention of type 1 diabetes by infection supports the so-called “hygiene hypothesis.” Interestingly, viruses invoke mechanisms that need to be exploited by novel combinatorial immune-based interventions, the first one being the elimination of autoaggressive T-cells attacking the β-cells, ultimately leading to their immediate but temporally limited amelioration. The other is the invigoration of regulatory T-cells (Tregs), which can mediate long-term tolerance to β-cell proteins in the pancreatic islets and draining lymph nodes. In combination, these two immune elements have the potential to permanently stop type 1 diabetes. It is my belief that only combination therapies will enable the permanent prevention and curing of type 1 diabetes.
Effect of single and multiple courses of maternal betamethasone on prenatal congenital lung lesion growth and fetal survival

Abstract Purpose Administration of maternal betamethasone (BMZ) is a therapeutic option for fetuses with large microcystic congenital lung lesions at risk for, or causing, hydrops. Not all fetuses respond to a single course of BMZ. We review our experience with the use of single and multiple courses of maternal BMZ for the management of these patients. Methods A retrospective review of fetuses with congenital lung lesions managed with maternal BMZ from 2003 to 2014 was performed. Results Forty-three patients were managed with prenatal steroids (28 single course, 15 multiple courses). Single course recipients demonstrated a reduction in lesion size and resolution of hydrops in 82% and 88% of patients respectively compared to 47% and 56% in recipients of multiple steroid courses. Survival of multiple course patients (86%) was comparable to that of single course patients (93%) and improved compared to non-treated historical controls. Multiple course recipients demonstrated an increased need for open fetal surgery and postnatal surgery at a younger age. Conclusion Fetuses who fail to respond to a single course of BMZ may benefit, as indicated by hydrops resolution and improved survival, from additional courses. However, failure to respond is indicative of a lesion which may require fetal or immediate neonatal resection.
Extraction of Sandalwood Oil Using Ionic Liquids: Toward a “Greener” More Efficient Process

We have demonstrated that sandalwood can be dissolved in the ionic liquid 1,3-diethylimidazolium acetate ([C2C2im][OAc]) and that sandalwood oil can then be extracted from the sandalwood/[C2C2im][OAc] solutions using diethyl ether, which forms a biphasic system with the ionic liquid. The main components of the obtained sandalwood oil, as confirmed by GC–MS, NMR, and FTIR, are (Z)-α-santalol and (Z)-β-santalol. Pretreatment of the sandalwood with microwave irradiation or poly(ethylene glycol), the presence of polyoxometalate as the catalyst, and higher dissolution temperature all led to increased essential oil yield. After the extraction of the essential oil, carbohydrate-rich material and free lignin were regenerated from the wood/[C2C2im][OAc] solution, thus allowing an integrated process of separating all the major components of sandalwood, the biopolymers and the oil.