cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A COMPARISON OF DEFENSE STRATEGY AND RACE AS INFLUENCES IN DIFFERENTIAL SENTENCING

This study compares the influence of defense strategy and the race of the defendant on the variance in felony sentence length for a sample of 2,090 convicts in a state penal system Defense strategy includes the subsequent plea of the defendant and the type of defense counsel. Control variables are age, marital status, urban-rural childhood, education, prior criminal record, and type of crime. A comparison is made for both burglary and homicide. The findings for butglay show defense strategy explains 16.5% of the variance in sentence length (because of the type of plea), while race of the defendant explains only I% of the variance (due to the positive relationship between being black and sentence length). For homicide the unique explanation of the defense strategy model accounts for 3% of the variance (due more to type of attorney than plea), while the race of the defendant accounts for another 3% (because of the negative relationships between being Indian or Mexican-American and sentence length).
Gene-air pollution interactions in asthma.

Genetic and environmental factors interact to cause asthma. However, genetic studies have generally ignored environmental factors and environmental studies have generally ignored genetics. Thus, there are few examples from the literature of specific gene–environment interactions in relation to asthma. The clearest examples of genetic interactions for inhaled pollutants exist for endotoxin, environmental tobacco smoke, and ozone. Endotoxin–genetic interactions in asthma are the focus of two other manuscripts from this conference, so this review focuses on environmental tobacco smoke and ozone. In the sparse literature, there is evidence for the role of specific genes involved in oxidative stress, notably GSTM1 and TNF, in the respiratory responses to ozone and environmental tobacco smoke. There are few data on genes involved in innate immune pathways, which are crucial in response to endotoxin and may play a role in response to ozone and environmental tobacco smoke. Genes involved in oxidative stress may i...
In-situ surface characterization of a binary aluminum alloy during tensile deformation

A metal surface that is not contacting a tool typically roughens with increasing plastic strain. This form of roughening, which is often referred to as orange peel, results from non-uniform plastic flow of surface grains that are not constrained by a tool surface and hence are free to deform out of the surface plane. Although a substantial body of literature exists on orange peel, there appears to have been little work on the characterization of individual grain surface topography at the nanometric scale resulting from tensile deformation. The information gained from tracking changes in grain topography on the sub-micron scale stands to provide insight into both surface and near-surface grain deformation which could aid in the development of finite element models of non-uniform plastic flow of metals. From a materials design standpoint, a knowledge of the topographical changes that occur on various grains could provide insight as to how metal alloys can be manufactured so that free grain roughening is minimized. The purpose of this article is to present a technique that combines atomic force microscopy and orientation imaging microscopy to measure grain surface topography during in-situ tensile testing.
Acridine orange-sensitized photoinactivation of the capacity of Escherichia coli for bacteriophage T4.

Abstract The capacity of E. coli B/r to support the growth of phage T4 is inactivated by exposure to visible light in the presence of the dye acridine orange at about the same rate as the inactivation of colony-forming ability. There is no inactivation of capacity by visible light alone (λ>410 mμ) or dye alone. Experiments with KCN blocked phage-coli complexes suggest: (a) T4 phage do not inject in the presence of 1 100 M KCN; (b) acridine orange-visible light inactivation of T4 capacity is due to damage which prevents injection and/or early function; (c) the sensitivity of the phage itself decreases greatly at the time of or shortly after injection, a phenomenon unique to Luria-Latarjet experiments. These experiments on inactivation of T4 capacity imply that some component of the cell besides DNA is significantly damaged by acridine orange-absorbed light energy. It is suggested that this “other component” is some part of the cell membrane.
Separation of carotenes on cyclodextrin-bonded phases

The separation of carotenoids and retinoids on a beta-cyclodextrin-bonded stationary phase with conventional mobile phases is reported. Compounds studied include beta-carotene (all-trans), 15,15'-cis-beta-carotene, 7,8,7',8'-dihydro-beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, retinal, retinol, retinol palmitate and retinol acetate. The best resolution of carotenes was obtained with low concentrations (less than or equal to 1%) of polar solvents (e.g., 2-propanol or ethyl acetate) in hexane or cyclohexane. Xanthophylls required much higher concentrations of polar solvents. The best solvent for the resolution of lutein and zeaxanthin was found to be dichloromethane. The resolution of cis/trans-isomers and the tentative identification of other isomers present in newly synthesized carotenoid standards is also reported. All-trans-isomers were found to be eluted before cis-isomers.
Effects of surface composition, environment and morphology on friction and wear : an overview

Abstract Asperity contacts provide the first line of defense against friction and wear. In typical cases, stresses acting on asperities are large enough to cause the formation of wear particles. These wear particles, depending on their chemical nature and surrounding environment, may agglomerate to result in ploughing and abrasion. Exposure of underlying clean metallic surfaces may result in lubricant degradation. In addition, even under relatively low speed sliding conditions, interfacial flash heating of asperities can lead to chemical changes in the substrate materials and reduced coverage of the surfaces by lubricant molecules. The latter can lead to premature failure under moderate loading conditions. The role of the environment in markedly affecting the durability of tribosystems will be discussed.
The effect of irreversible image compression on diagnostic accuracy in thoracic imaging

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Digital image compression reduces the storage requirements and network traffic on picture archiving and communications systems. Full-frame bit-allocation (FFBA) is an irreversible image-compression method based on the discrete cosine transform that provides for high compression ratios with a high degree of image fidelity. METHODS One hundred twenty-two posteroanterior chest radiographs were obtained on patients in an ambulatory patient setting, including 30 cases of interstitial lung disease, 45 images containing combinations of lung nodules (N = 37) or mediastinal masses (N = 39), and 47 normal images containing none of the pathology for which we were testing. The images were digitized (nominal 2 K x 2 K x 12-bit resolution), printed on a 35 x 35-cm hard copy format, and compressed at an approximate compression ratio of 20:1. Observer performance tests were conducted with five radiologists using receiver operating characteristics analysis on digitized uncompressed and compressed hard copy images. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the two display conditions for the detectability of any of the thoracic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS Our preliminary results suggest that irreversible image compression at ratios of 20:1 may be acceptable for use in digital thoracic imaging.
Analogs of tetrahydrofolic acid. XXXIX . selective bromoacylation of polyfunctional molecules for synthesis of active-site-directed irreversible enzyme inhibitors†

A number of methods for selective bromoacylation of side-chain amino groups on 2-amino-4-pyrimidinols or 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidines have been developed for these extremely sensitive products. The choice of method depends upon whether (a) the aminopyrimidine is a stronger base than the amine to be bromoacylated, (b) as weak a base as the amine to be bromoacylated but the amine is more reactive, (c) the amine group to be bromoacylated is a strong aliphatic amine. In case (a) the aminopyrimidine can be protonated to protect it from acylation with an anhydride; in case (b), the reaction with an anhydride is controlled by temperature, stoichiometry, and time of reaction; in case (c), the reaction is selectively controlled by use of the less reactive p-nitrophenyl esters. Other difficulties were solved such as (a) proper characterization of the products when combustion analyses were unsatisfactory due to polymerization; in these cases a combination of thin layer chromatography, color reactions, and derivatization were employed; and (b) insolubility leading to overreaction on the aminopyrimidine which was solved with partial aqueous systems.
The relation between Krogh and compartmental transport models.

The meaning of compartmental concentration is intuitively simple in well-stirred compartment models with uniform concentration but not so in the general case. This meaning may be better understood by relating the general compartmental model to a spatially explicit one such as the Krogh cylinder model. We show that compartmental equations result directly by spatial averaging of the Krogh partial differential equations. Intercompartmental transport is usually stated as flux is proportional to the capillary-tissue concentration difference or J = ϵ (Cc - CT). We verify this simple equation by showing that flux in the Krogh model is also approximately first order and then derive the transport coefficient, ϵ, in terms of the geometry and diffusivity in the Krogh model. A relation between capillary and venous concentration or, for a gas, partial pressure is needed. For the highly diffusable, metabolic gas C02 this relation is Pc = Pv−M20Kc that is, capillary and venous partial pressures differ by one half the metabolic generation.
Central venous catheter placement at the time of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decannulation: is it safe?

Abstract Purpose Because of concerns for infectious and hemorrhagic complications, methods of obtaining central venous access after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) vary by institution. For infants requiring ECMO, it has been our practice to exchange the venous cannula for a tunneled central venous catheter (Broviac) at the time of decannulation. The purpose of this study is to compare the incidence of catheter-related complications in these patients to a national registry. Methods The medical records of all non–cardiac surgery infants, 12 months or younger, requiring ECMO at our institution from 1993 to 2005 (n = 138) were reviewed. Complete information was available for 134. Center for Disease Control criteria was used to identify cases of catheter-related bloodstream infections (BSIs). Data from the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system served as a comparative group. Logistic regression was used to determine risk factors for catheter-related BSI. Results A total of 134 infants spent a mean of 8.1 ± 4.3 days (range, 1-21 days) on ECMO. At the time of decannulation, a Broviac catheter was placed in the right internal jugular vein of 95 (71%) and remained in place for a mean of 18.2 ± 17 days (range, 1-109 days). The incidence of BSI related to these catheters was not significantly different than that reported by the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system for all central venous catheters over a similar period (6.4/1000 vs 7.3/1000 catheter days; P = .68). The number of days on ECMO and number of catheter days were independent predictors of catheter-related BSI in both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models ( P ≤ .05). Conclusion Critically ill neonates have limited vascular access. The placement of Broviac catheters in the internal jugular vein after ECMO decannulation maximally uses this limited resource. Despite concerns that such catheters are at increased risk for complications, we have found this practice to be safe and effective in this high-risk population.
Approximate Stoichiometry for Rich Hydrocarbon Mixtures

The stoichiometry of lean mixtures can readily and accurately be determined from the assumption that all the carbon oxidizes to carbon dioxide and all the hydrogen oxidizes to water. This assumption is valid up to an equivalence ratio ([sigma]) of 0.8 and can be used with little error up to [sigma] = 1. The composition of the products of a hydrocarbon burnt in air under the foregoing assumption can be obtained from simple carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen balances. Given the composition, one can determine the energy released and/or the adiabatic flame temperature. For rich mixtures, the foregoing assumption, of course, is not valid. Hence, there is no easy way to determine the stoichiometry of the products of a rich mixture. The objective of this note is to present an equation' which will allow one to readily determine the composition of the products of rich hydrocarbon mixtures. The equation is based on equilibrium composition calculations and some assumptions regarding the characteristics of hydrocarbons. The equation gives approximate results. However, the results are sufficiently accurate for many situations. If more accuracy is wanted, one should use an equilibrium combustion program like the one by Gordon and McBride.
NPO branding: preliminary lessons from major players

Are nonprofits (NPOs) exhibiting the brand orientation believed to be critical to successful outcomes? To answer this question, we investigate the brand orientation and brand management of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), American Red Cross (ARC), and The Salvation Army to assess the implementation of brand concepts in two different locations within the USA compared to each agency's central body. Despite the support of some propositions, there exists inconsistent evidence of strong brand management in the organizations studied. The variation of brand visuals, missions, and taglines indicates that good structure, policy, and guidelines are not enough. There must be true brand orientation, which includes oversight of consistent application of all brand constructs to achieve organizational goals. This study provides a framework upon which future in-depth empirical research may be based. The authors outline these next steps as a foundation for enhancing the study and practice of brand management in NPOs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real-time estimation of lead-acid battery parameters: A dynamic data-driven approach

This short paper presents a recently reported dynamic data-driven method, Symbolic Dynamic Filtering (SDF), for real-time estimation of the state-of-health (SOH) and state-of-charge (SOC) in lead-acid batteries, as an alternative to model-based analysis techniques. In particular, SOC estimation relies on a k-NN regression algorithm while SOH estimation is obtained from the divergence between extracted features. The results show that the proposed data-driven method successfully distinguishes battery voltage responses under different SOC and SOH situations.
Labor and delivery in a patient with hemophilia B

Hemophilia B is a rare X-linked disorder that may cause dramatic bleeding. Women account for only 3.2% of those clinically affected. The X-linked inheritance frequently delays the diagnosis in women and may expose the patient to an increased risk of adverse events. There is limited experience with these patients during labor and delivery. A 28-year-old primiparous woman with hemophilia B (bleeding phenotype) delivered a male infant by an unplanned cesarean delivery under general anesthesia following treatment with factor IX and normalization of her coagulation parameters, guided by thromboelastography. Postpartum vaginal bleeding required transfusion of two units of packed red blood cells. Factor IX supplementation continued for one week. Once diagnosed with hemophilia B, a multidisciplinary approach and advanced antenatal planning can increase the likelihood of a safe delivery. Neuraxial approaches and cesarean delivery are recommended only after normalization of the coagulation profile. The male fetus of a hemophilia A or B patient requires special attention. Operative vaginal delivery and invasive fetal monitoring should be avoided. Thromboelastography is an excellent technique to assess parturients with bleeding disorders or peripartum hemorrhage and may be underused.
Elastin in Lung Development

Elastin is a critical component of the lung interstitium, providing the property of recoil to the vascular, conducting airway, and terminal airspace compartments of the lung. Elastic fibers, consisting of soluble tropoelastin monomers cross-linked on a preexisting scaffold of microfibrils, are produced primarily during late fetal and neonatal stages of development. The factors and molecular mechanisms regulating the cell type-specific and tightly temporally regulated expression of tropoelastin are currently under investigation. The onset and inductive phase of tropoelastin expression are characterized by increased transcription of the tropoelastin gene. Glucocorticoids accelerate this induction in fetal rats during the canalicular stage of lung development. Many additional factors regulate tropoelastin expression in cultured lung fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells, but the in vivo roles of such mediators are still under investigation. Cell-cell interactions may also promote elastogenesis during ...
Marital Relationships: A Social Exchange Theory Perspective

The central thesis of this article is the treatment of the marital relationship within the context of social exchange theory. This article opens with a discussion of marital solidarity and marital power from a social exchange perspective. Next, the article addresses the differences between social exchange and economic exchange in order to provide insight in delineating marital relationships in a social exchange context. The conceptualization of couple therapy in terms of social exchange theory is next discussed. Finally, the article closes with a discussion of the deficiencies of social exchange theory as an attempt to delimit the scope of treating marital relationships as a social exchange system.
An inexpensive real-time testbed-the Pinball Player project

We propose that part of the reason for the relatively immature state of real-time programming is due the expense of objects traditionally controlled by real-time systems, which limits general exposure of real-time programming within the computing community. As a partial response we are building an inexpensive real-time testbed based on an arcade type pinball machine. The system will be based on readily available systems, components, and software. Our experiences, including developed software, will be made available to the academic/research community at large. >
A Test of the Convergent Validity of Self-Explicated and Decompositional Conjoint Measurement:

An experiment was conducted to assess the convergent validity of a recently proposed conjunctive-compensatory self-explicated approach to conjoint measurement. A comparison of the self-explicated approach with the full profile conjoint method demonstrated that the self-explicated approach (1) was inconsistent in the identification of acceptable and unacceptable stimuli, and (2) didnot exhibit a high degree of convergent validity with respect to partworth and importance estimates when compared with the full profile approach. These findings identify potential problems with the conjunctive-compensatory self-explicated approach to conjoint measurement.
Planetary-Scale Terrain Composition

Many interrelated planetary height map and surface image map data sets exist, and more data are collected each day. Broad communities of scientists require tools to compose these data interactively and explore them via real-time visualization. While related, these data sets are often unregistered with one another, having different projection, resolution, format, and type. We present a GPU-centric approach to the real-time composition and display of unregistered-but-related planetary-scale data. This approach employs a GPGPU process to tessellate spherical height fields. It uses a render-to-vertex-buffer technique to operate upon polygonal surface meshes in image space, allowing geometry processes to be expressed in terms of image processing. With height and surface map data processing unified in this fashion, a number of powerful composition operations may be uniformly applied to both. Examples include adaptation to nonuniform sampling due to projection, seamless blending of data of disparate resolution or transformation regardless of boundary, and the smooth interpolation of levels of detail in both geometry and imagery. Issues of scalability and precision are addressed, giving out-of-core access to giga-pixel data sources, and correct rendering at scales approaching one meter.
Serotype-Specific Detection of Dengue Viruses in a Fourplex Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase PCR Assay

The dengue (DEN) viruses are positive-strand RNA viruses in the genus Flavivirus. Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome are important human arboviral diseases caused by infection with one of four closely related but serologically distinct DEN viruses, designated DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4 viruses. All four DEN serotypes are currently co-circulating throughout the subtropics and tropics, and genotypic variation occurs among isolates within a serotype. A real-time quantitative nucleic acid amplification assay has been developed to detect viral RNA of a single DEN virus serotype. Each primer-probe set is DEN serotype specific, yet detects all genotypes in a panel of 7 to 10 representative isolates of a serotype. In single reactions and in fourplex reactions (containing four primer-probe sets in a single reaction mixture), standard dilutions of virus equivalent to 0.002 PFU of DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4 viruses were detected; the limit of detection of DEN-1 virus was 0.5 equivalent PFU. Singleplex and fourplex reactions were evaluated in a panel of 40 viremic serum specimens with 10 specimens per serotype, containing 0.002 to 6,000 equivalent PFU/reaction (0.4 to 1.2 x 10(6) PFU/ml). Viral RNA was detected in all viremic serum specimens in singleplex and fourplex reactions. Thus, this serotype-specific, fourplex real-time reverse transcriptase PCR nucleic acid detection assay can be used as a method for differential diagnosis of a specific DEN serotype in viremic dengue patients and as a tool for rapid identification and serotyping of DEN virus isolates.
Cytotoxicity of the rare earth metals cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium in vitro: comparisons with cadmium in a pulmonary macrophage primary culture system.

The rare earth metals cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium each were evaluated in an in vitro cytotoxicity assay system using adult, male Sprague-Dawley rat pulmonary alveolar macrophages. Both the soluble chloride form of these metals and their insoluble metal oxides were studied. For comparison purposes, the cytotoxicities of cadmium chloride and cadmium oxide were also quantified in this test system. In general, regardless of the cytotoxicity parameter measured, i.e., cell viability, lysosomal enzyme leakage, or changes in cell surface morphology, cadmium was more toxic to these cells than were the rare earth metals. Of the rare earth metals studied, only lanthanum chloride (LCs0 = 52 p.M), cerium chloride (LCso = 29 IxM), and neodymium oxide (LCso = 101 }xM) displayed significant cytotoxicity in this test system. Cadmium chloride exhibited an LCs0 value of 28 DxM, whereas the LCs0 value for cadmium oxide was found to be 15 IXM. These findings suggest that rare earth metal fumes should be considered as cytotoxic to lung tissue and therefore potentially fibrogenic. © 1987 Academic Press, Inc.
Studying the Adoption of Mail2Tag: an Enterprise2.0 Tool for Sharing

The Mail2Tag system leverages existing practices around enterprise email to move relevant information out from individual inboxes. With Mail2Tag users share information by emailing content to a special email address, such as CC to sometag@share.company.com, where ‘sometag’ can be any keyword. The system then adaptively redistributes the information based on profiles inferred from prior user activity in the system. In this way no changes to the email client are required for users to participate in the system and information is routed based on individual need, while the amount of information noise is reduced. We study the Mail2Tag system and its 20-month deployment in an organization as a lens to understand how to measure the adoption for this type of tool for sharing. We assess adoption via quantitative and qualitative measures and identify key factors that facilitate or constrain adoption. Our findings suggest that perceived usefulness is a key facilitator and that people are drawn to different levels of use depending on their social role in the organization. Each level of use is a valuable contribution in itself and should be accounted for when assessing adoption.
Characterization of a broadband pulse for phase controlled multiphoton microscopy by single beam SPIDER

We present what we believe to be a new version of spectral phase interferometry for direct electric field reconstruction (SPIDER) using only a single-phase and polarization controlled laser beam. Two narrow pulses and one broadband pulse are selected out of an ultrafast laser pulse by a polarization and phase control technique to generate second harmonic generation (SHG) signals, which are equivalent to a spectral shear interferogram in the conventional SPIDER method. The spectral phase of the broadband laser pulse is extracted analytically with double quadrature spectral interferometry (DQSI). An arbitrary spectral phase can be retrieved with great precision and compensated in situ at the sample position of a microscope. This new method requires no separate reference beam and is suitable for nonlinear optical microscopy with a phase controlled laser pulse.
Order-recursive RLS Laguerre adaptive filtering

This paper solves the problem of designing recursive-least-squares (RLS) lattice (or order-recursive) algorithms for adaptive filters that do not involve tapped-delay-line structures. In particular, an RLS-Laguerre lattice filter is obtained.
Some variables affecting reproducibility in capillary electrophoresis

Several variables that can affect reproducibility of both the peak height and the migration time in capillary electrophoresis (CE) were investigated here. A great part of the imprecision in CE for migration time is related to the interaction of the analyte with the capillary wall. Within a run, acidic compounds with long migration times have a higher relative standard deviation. In general, conditions that decreased the migration time, such as a short capillary length, tended to enhance the reproducibility of the migration time. Sample size also affected the reproducibility of peak height. Too small or too large an injection volume diminished the reproducibility. Sample matrix, such as high levels of proteins or salts in the sample, decreased the reproducibility. Furthermore, improvement in reproducibility can be achieved by using internal standards (especially for migration time), thorough washing of the capillary, or removing the excess proteins by acetonitrile deproteinization. Acetonitrile has an added effect of producing sample stacking. Depending on the migration time and analyte concentration, the peak height and area yielded different reproduciblity results.
Application performance characterization and analysis on Blue Gene/Q

This article consists of a collection of slides from the author's conference presentation. The author concludes that The Blue Gene/Q design, low-power simple cores, four hardware threads per core, resu lts in high instruction throughput, and thus exceptional power efficiency for applications. Can effectively fill in pipeline stalls and hide latencies in the memory subsystem. The consequence is low performance per thread, so a high degree of parallelization is required for high application performance. Traditional programming methods (MPI, OpenMP, Pthreads) hold up at very large scales. Memory costs can limit scaling when there are data-structures with size linear in the number of processes, threading helps by keeping the number of processes manageable. Detailed performance analysis is viable at > 10^6 processes but requires care. On-the-fly performance data reduction has merits.
Autism spectrum disorders in the era of mobile technologies: impact on caregivers.

AbstractObjective: This paper explores possible connections among existing literature on parental stress, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and use of mobile technology for persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: A narrative review of the literature. Results: Parental support contributes to positive outcomes for children who use AAC. Parents identify communication as a high priority, but describe the process as challenging. AAC is often used with children with ASD, a population in which parental stress is especially high. Though there is research evidence that mobile technology is a promising tool for individuals with ASD, potentially misleading media anecdotes exist, and the effects on parental expectations and stress remain unstudied questions. Conclusion: Increased understanding of the connections in these research areas should help clarify the potential impact of mobile technologies on parental stress level, help to define appropriate future research directions, and contr...
A note on the criteria for the far zone in the time-domain analysis of antennas

The basic traveling-wave element is considered as a model for an antenna radiating a pulse. The exact expressions for the electromagnetic field of the element throughout all space are used to obtain power series for the field in the variable h/r<1, where h is the length of the element and r is the distance from the element. These series are then used to develop criteria for estimating when the distance from the element is sufficient for the field to be a good approximation to the far-zone field.
Analysis of perioperative radiation therapy in the surgical treatment of primary and recurrent retroperitoneal sarcoma.

Background Radiation therapy (RT) is increasingly utilized in conjunction with surgery for the treatment of retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas (RPS). Despite multiple theoretical advantages of RT, its role in the surgical management of this disease remains ill defined. Methods Patients undergoing surgery for RPS from 1990 to 2011 were identified. Patients were classified as having primary or recurrent disease, and then further stratified by the use of perioperative RT. Primary outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method with comparisons based on the log rank test. Cox-proportional hazards modeling was used to estimate the independent effect of RT on survival. Results Ninety-four patients met final inclusion criteria. After adjusting for confounding variables, perioperative RT remained independently associated with a reduced risk of recurrence (HR 0.34, P < 0.01) and death (HR 0.30, P = 0.02). Conclusions In this retrospective series, perioperative RT is an independent predictor of improved OS and RFS. These results provide additional support for the use of RT in the multimodality treatment of retroperitoneal sarcoma. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015; 112:352–358. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficient Braking Model for Off-Road Mobile Robots

In the near future, off-road mobile robots will feature high levels of autonomy which will render them useful for a variety of tasks on Earth and other planets. Many terrestrial applications have a special demand for robots to possess similar qualities to human-driven machines: high speed and maneuverability. Meeting these requirements in the design of autonomous robots is a very hard problem, partially due to the difficulty of characterizing the natural terrain that the vehicle will encounter and estimating the effect of these interactions on the vehicle. Here we present a dynamic traction model that describes vehicle braking on a variety of terrestrial soil types and in a wide range of natural landscapes and vehicle velocities. This model was developed empirically, it is simple yet accurate and can be readily used to improve model-predictive planning and control. The model encapsulates the specifics of wheel-terrain interaction, offers a good compromise between accuracy and real-time computational efficiency, and allows straight-forward consideration of vehicle dynamics.
Adapting BPEL to Scientific Workflows

In this chapter, we examine the degree to which a de facto standard business Web services workflow language, Business Process Execution Language for Web Services (BPEL4WS), can be used to compose Grid and scientific workflows. As the Grid application models, such as Open Grid Services Architecture (OGSA) [146], move toward Web services and service-oriented architecture (SOA) [135], supporting Web services is becoming a requirement for a Grid workflow language.
The Jugular Bulb in Otologic Surgery: Anatomic, Clinical, and Surgical Considerations

The jugular bulb varies widely in position and dimensions. In certain pathologic conditions there is an increased incidence of jugular bulb enlargement, but such enlargement also occurs without an obvious underlying cause. Jugular bulb enlargement may lead to clinical symptoms for the patient and particular difficulties for the otologic surgeon, not only in the middle ear but also in neurotologic approaches. The different clinical aspects and problems associated with jugular bulb enlargement are discussed with illustrative cases and temporal bone histologic findings.
Does place of service matter? A utilisation and cost analysis of sexually transmissible infection testing from 2012 claims data

Background In this study, a previous study on the utilisation and cost of sexually transmissible infection (STI) tests was augmented by focusing on outpatient place of service for the most utilised tests. Methods: Claims for eight STI tests [chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B virus (HBV), HIV, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2), syphilis and trichomoniasis] using the most utilised current procedural terminology (CPT) code for each STI from the 2012 MarketScan outpatient table were extracted. The volume and costs by gender and place of service were then summarised. Finally, semi-log regression analyses were used to further examine and compare costs. Results: Females had a higher number of test claims than males in all places of service for each STI. Together, claims from ‘Independent Laboratories’, ‘Office’ and ‘Outpatient hospital’ accounted for over 93% of all the test claims. The cost of tests were slightly (<5%) different between males and females for most places of service. Except for the estimated average cost for ‘Outpatient hospital’, the estimated average costs for the other categories were significantly lower (15–80%, P < 0.01) than the estimated average cost for ‘Emergency Room – Hospital’ for all the STIs. Among the predominant service venues, test costs from ‘Independent Laboratory’ and ‘Office’ were 30% to 69% lower (P < 0.01) than those from ‘Outpatient Hospital’. Conclusions: Even though the results from this study are not generalisable, our study shows that almost all STI tests from outpatient claims data were performed in three service venues with considerable cost variations.
The Effect of Multiple Auditors on Deception Detection in a Client Inquiry Setting

Auditors frequently gather information by conducting client inquiries. During these inquiries, auditors should be alert to verbal and nonverbal cues emanating from members of client personnel that might be indicative of deception. Extant literature on deception suggests that the general practice of using a single auditor to conduct client inquiries may limit the ability of auditors to detect deception. Using Master’s-level accounting students as a proxy for entry-level auditors, I examine how the use of one or two auditors affects the behavioral cues (nervousness and discussion) of client personnel that may indicate deception during inquiries. In addition, I study whether two auditors are more likely than a single auditor to detect deception during inquiries. Results suggest that the number of auditors taking part in an inquiry significantly impacts deceptive clients’ behavioral cues, as well as how those cues affect auditors’ perceptions of client honesty and subsequent write-down recommendations. Specifically, results of a mediation analysis suggest that two auditors, but not single auditors, are able to detect deception through the use of behavioral cues. This paper contributes to prior studies on client inquiries and interpersonal deception theory.
Sitting Time, Physical Activity, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Cooper Center Longitudinal Study Cohort.

Background: Prolonged sitting time is associated with numerous health outcomes; however, the role of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in these relationships is largely unexplored. The cross-sectional association between reported sitting time and measured CRF was examined in a large study of healthy men and women. Methods: The analytic sample included 4658 men and 1737 women enrolled in the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study. Unadjusted and adjusted multivariable linear regression models were constructed to examine the association between sitting time and CRF, stratified by sex and meeting (or not) meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines. Results: In men, CRF was not associated with sitting time after adjustment for potential confounders. In contrast, for women, after adjustment there was a significant association between increased sitting time and lower CRF (P for trend <.001). When stratified by meeting or not meeting PA guidelines, there was no association between sitting time and CRF in men. In women, t...
Temporal expression of PDGF receptors and PDGF regulatory effects on osteoblastic cells in mineralizing cultures

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is mitogenic and chemotactic for osteoblastic cells in vitro. It is expressed during osseous wound healing and stimulates formation of new bone in vivo. PDGF stimulates cells by binding to specific cell surface receptors. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of PDGF on osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation in long-term mineralizing cultures. Utilizing Northern blot analysis, we found that continuous PDGF treatment increased histone expression, indicative of enhanced proliferation, but suppressed osteoblast differentiation, demonstrated by inhibition of alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen, and osteocalcin expression. The inhibitory effect of PDGF on the differentiated function of osteoblasts was further established by findings that PDGF significantly inhibited nodule formation. The expression of PDGF receptors varied at different stages of culture. PDGF receptor mRNA expression increased when the cells had achieved a mature phenotype, during the stage of matrix maturation, and then decreased. However, as demonstrated by thymidine incorporation assays, the capacity of PDGF to stimulate DNA synthesis actually decreased during osteoblast maturation, as receptor expression increased. To investigate this apparent contradiction, tyrosyl phosphorylation and immunoblot assays were performed to assess changes in PDGF activation of their cognate receptors. The pattern of PDGF-induced tyrosyl phosphorylation remained relatively constant. This suggests that the diminished mitogenic activity of PDGF that occurs after osteoblast differentiation is regulated at a postreceptor level.
The effect of environmental movement upon the duration of tonic immobility in bobwhite quail

Five mature Bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianius) were immobilized inside an optokinetic nystagmus drum in a repeated measurements design under rotation and nonrotation conditions. The duration of immobility was significantly longer in the nonrotation condition, suggesting the importance of visual stimulation in terminating the response. The correlation between the two conditions was +. 79. It is suggested that studies of self-paced termination of “tonic immobility” may be measuring not only an analgesic and unresponsive “trance state,” but also a freezing display subsequent to this so-called “state.”
The role of membrane lung support in transient acute respiratory insufficiency of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

Temporary extrapulmonary oxygenation may be of benefit to selected patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia who exhibit severe respiratory insufficiency. Four persons were considered candidates for extrapulmonary oxygenation with the membrane lung while under treatment for Pneumocystis pneumonia. In 1 case, attempts to institute membrane lung circulation were postponed until the condition of the patient was terminal. In another patient, membrane lung support was discontinued prematurely because of complications of anticoagulation. In a third patient, cardiac failure resulted in death even though his condition had improved during respiratory assistance. In the fourth case, the membrane lung was used successfully to maintain the patient through therapy until lung recovery was adequate to resume vital function. The 4 cases presented are examples of the immunosuppression which creates susceptibility to Pneumocystis: In 2 patients immunodeficiency was caused by lymphoma and combination chemotherapy for the underlying disease, and in the 2 other patients immunosuppression was induced for purposes of transplantation. Two of the patients underwent venovenous perfusion for prepulmonary oxygenation, and 1 of the patients underwent venoarterial bypass with the membrane lung. Indications for and techniques of bypass are reviewed. We have concluded that this method may be of use in saving some patients who are victims of transient severe pulmonary insufficiency.
A new method for rapid precise determination of carbon monoxide in blood.

Abstract A simple, rapid, highly accurate method is described for determination of carbon monoxide content of blood. The chamber of the manometric Van Slyke apparatus is used for decomposition and vacuum extraction. The gas is diluted in a tonometer and analyzed for CO content with an infrared meter of great specificity and good stability, which has been modified for highest accuracy. Theoretically, readings to 0.0025 ml. per 100 ml. CO content are possible with a 3 ml. blood sample. In practice, the S.D. of the variance of 50 paired observations was 0.023 ml. per 100 ml. and the coefficient of variation was 2.1 per cent. The error due to the presence of CO 2 in the extracted gas was shown to be within the limit of accuracy of the technique. At low concentrations of CO, results were the same whether acid ferricyanide or sulfuric acid was used for conversion to methemoglobin; with higher CO concentrations, sulfuric acid led to incomplete decomposition. Saponin should not be used because it contains traces of CO. Blank determinations were shown to be unnecessary. Cold storage of blood up to 24 hours and slight exposure to air of the sample did not affect the results. Results by this method were compared to those obtained by more conventional techniques. A number of applications are illustrated including assessment of smoking habits, the COHb saturation during CO breathing, the CO-Hb equilibration time and dissociation curve, and determination of "true blood volume."
Initially κ-Compact and Related Spaces

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses initially κ-compact and related spaces. A main reason for studying initial κ and, more generally, interval compactness is that compactness, countable compactness, and the Lindelof property are special cases of one or both of these concepts. Another reason is that the theory of initially κ-compact and related spaces provides a means for answering fundamental questions that arise in other areas of topology. A third reason is that results in this area illustrate the usefulness of the close relationship that exists between the set theory of uncountable cardinals and properties of topological spaces. A space is countably compact if and only if it is initially ω-compact, and it is Lindelof if and only if it is finally ω1-compact. Like compactness, initial κ-compactness is preserved by continuous mappings, perfect pre-images, and closed subsets.
Transfer Pricing and Rights Transfers

Transfer pricing is a relatively recent topic. In 1996, only US and Australian tax authorities had any rules affecting transfer pricing of intangible assets, but by 2009, a total of 49 countries had developed rules for transfer pricing of intangibles and rights to exploit intangibles [Canale:09]. Understanding transfer pricing of IP is essential to understanding its role in tax avoidance.
Controversies in the Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treating Autoimmune Diseases

Mesenchymal stem cells are being assessed in clinical trials to determine whether cell-based therapy can alter the progression of various autoimmune and degenerative diseases. Despite relatively positive results showing that mesenchymal stem cells possess potent immunomodulatory activity including their capacity to induce peripheral tolerance, immunomodulation using these cells is not without controversy. For example, mesenchymal stem cell-based repair of cartilage defects could also result in tumor development resulting from their migration to the tumor cell stroma. In the context of using mesenchymal stem cells for future synovial joint reconstruction, it will be necessary to find ways to curtail the capacity of mesenchymal stem cells to become fully differentiated. In addition, the extent to which allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells can actually reverse pathology in an experimental mouse model of lupus is yet another controversial issue that must be fully explored before contemplating their use in the treatment of human lupus.
Demonstration of transoral robotic supraglottic laryngectomy and total laryngectomy in cadaveric specimens using the Medrobotics Flex System

Background Current management of laryngeal malignancies is associated with significant morbidity. Application of minimally invasive transoral techniques may reduce the morbidity associated with traditional procedures. The purpose of this study was to present our investigation of the utility of a novel flexible robotic system for transoral supraglottic laryngectomy and total laryngectomy. Methods Transoral total laryngectomy and transoral supraglottic laryngectomy were performed in cadaveric specimens using the Flex Robotic System (Medrobotics, Raynham, MA). Results All procedures were completed successfully in the cadaveric models. The articulated endoscope allowed for access to the desired surgical site. Flexible instruments enabled an atraumatic approach and allowed for precise surgical technique. Conclusion Access to deep anatomic structures remains problematic using current minimally invasive robotic approaches. Improvements in visualization and access to the laryngopharyngeal complex offered by this system may improve surgical applications to the larynx. This study demonstrates the technical feasibility using the Flex Robotic System for transoral robotic supraglottic laryngectomy and total laryngectomy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 1218-1225, 2017.