cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical value of magnetocardiography

Magnetocardiography, that is to say the recording of the magnetic field generated by the electrical activity of the heart, was born in 1963 when Baule and McFee, using an induction coil, measured for the first time magnetic signals produced by a human heart [2]. Since then, the evolution from a pioneering experimental observation to the present state of art has passed through fundamental technological progress. First, in 1970, the introduction of superconducting instrumentation in the MIT shielded room demonstrated that magnetocardiograms of quality comparable with that of standard electrocardiograms could be recorded [6, 8, 36]. The next important step was the adoption of gradiometric detection coils which allowed MCG recording in unshielded laboratories [1, 3, 33,44, 47] and opened the way to pioneering clinical measurements [4, 16, 18]. During the same years MCG were also recorded without a superconducting instrumentation [9]. Since the beginning the question arose whether or not magnetic measurements could increase the diagnostic capability of cardiologists in respect to more conventional methods. Several different approaches were used to quantify the information [5, 8, 33, 39] and, although some authors still favour analysis of MCG signal in the time domain both at standard [7, 28, 49] as well as at high resolution [38] isofield contour maps are nowadays preferred to give images of the magnetic field distribution during depolarization and repolarization [10, 11, 13, 21, 22, 27, 29].
Pregnancy and the Risk of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: An Analysis of 120 Contemporary Cases.

Background— Because of the rarity of this condition, information on pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection is limited. We reviewed a large number of contemporary pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection cases in an attempt to define the clinical characteristics and provide management recommendations. Methods and Results— A literature search for cases of pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection reported between 2000 and 2015 included 120 cases; 75% presented with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction, and 80% had anterior myocardial infarction. Left anterior descending coronary artery was involved in 72% of cases, left main segment in 36%, and 40% had multivessel spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Ejection fraction was reduced to Conclusions— Pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection is commonly associated with left anterior descending, left main, and multivessel involvement, which leads to a high incidence of reduced ejection fraction, and life-threatening maternal and fetal complications. Percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with low success rate and high likelihood of complications, and coronary artery bypass surgery is often required. Recurrent ischemic events because of persistent or new spontaneous coronary artery dissection are common during long-term follow-up.
Hip arthroscopy in the United States: an update following coding changes in 2011.

The purpose of this study is to define the incidence of hip arthroscopy-related procedures in the United States prior to and following 2011 and to determine if the rise in incidence has coincided with an increase in the complexity and diversity of procedures performed. Patients who underwent hip arthroscopy were identified from a publicly available US database. A distinction was made between 'traditional' and 'extended' codes. CPT-29999 (unlisted arthroscopy) was considered extended and counted only if associated with a hip pathology diagnosis. Codes directed toward femoroacetabular impingement pathology were also considered extended codes and were analyzed separately based on increased technical skill. Unpaired student t-tests and z-score tests were performed. From 2007 to 2014, there were a total of 2581 hip arthroscopies performed in the database (1.06 cases per 10 000 patients). The number of hip arthroscopies increased 117% from 2007 to 2014 (P 1.0 starting in 2011 (P < 0.001). The total number of hip arthroscopies in addition to the complexity and diversity of hip arthroscopy procedures performed in the United States continues to rise. FAI-based procedures and labral repairs are being performed more frequently in younger patients, likely reflecting both improved technical ability and current evidence-based research.
Lunch at the library: examination of a community-based approach to addressing summer food insecurity.

Objective To examine a library-based approach to addressing food insecurity through a child and adult summer meal programme. The study examines: (i) risk of household food insecurity among participants; (ii) perspectives on the library meal programme; and (iii) barriers to utilizing other community food resources. Design Quantitative surveys with adult participants and qualitative semi-structured interviews with a sub-sample of adult participants. Setting Ten libraries using public and private funding to serve meals to children and adults for six to eight weeks in low-income Silicon Valley communities (California, USA) during summer 2015. Subjects Adult survey participants (≥18 years) were recruited to obtain maximum capture, while a sub-sample of interview participants was recruited through maximum variation purposeful sampling. Results Survey participants (n 161) were largely Latino (71 %) and Asian (23 %). Forty-one per cent of participants screened positive for risk of food insecurity in the past 12 months. A sub-sample of programme participants engaged in qualitative interviews (n 67). Interviewees reported appreciating the library’s child enrichment programmes, resources, and open and welcoming atmosphere. Provision of adult meals was described as building community among library patrons, neighbours and staff. Participants emphasized lack of awareness, misinformation about programmes, structural barriers (i.e. transportation), immigration fears and stigma as barriers to utilizing community food resources. Conclusions Food insecurity remains high in our study population. Public libraries are ideal locations for community-based meal programmes due to their welcoming and stigma-free environment. Libraries are well positioned to link individuals to other social services given their reputation as trusted community organizations.
Pedestrian Behavior at Signalized Intersection Crosswalks: Observational Study of Factors Associated with Distracted Walking, Pedestrian Violations, and Walking Speed:

In the past two decades, cell phone and smartphone use in the United States has increased substantially. Although mobile phones provide a convenient way for people to communicate, the distraction c...
Abstract P212: Simulated Pediatric Resuscitation During Novel H1N1 Influenza Outbreak

Background: Most hospital preparedness plans for highly infectious outbreaks rely on the implementation of strict isolation and personal protection equipment (PPE) measures. The impact of these interventions on the quality and efficiency of the first 5 minutes of pediatric resuscitation has not been studied. Methods: At the onset of the 2009 H1N1 outbreak, medium-fidelity simulation was conducted in situ on a pediatric ward designated as the receiving ward for suspected cases. The simulated patient was an 8 year-old male with asthma admitted with suspected H1N1 influenza on enhanced airborne precautions. The patient then developed progressive respiratory failure and altered mental status prompting the “code” initiation. Observers assessed use of PPE, deviation from American Heart Association guidelines, and elapsed time: to staff arrival, room-entry, and specific resuscitation maneuvers. Results: Simulation revealed that the donning of full PPE including powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) delayed the room entry of the first responder by 2.0 minutes. The first responder initially found no bedside oxygen therapy equipment. A bag-valve-mask was not located until 3.7 minutes. First pulse check occurred at 5.5 minutes. Basic airway maneuvers were performed and oxygen applied at 7.2 minutes. The first physician did not enter until 8.0 minutes due to delay in PPE acquisition. No designated team member controlled room access or assisted with PPE. Discrepant use of PAPR and N95 respirators by team members was observed. Communication quality was also reduced with PAPR use. Conclusions: Simulation using a pediatric patient with a highly infectious disease suggests greater risk of adverse outcome due to delayed delivery of care during the first 5 minutes of resuscitation. Additionally, staff are at greater risk of infectious exposure due to inconsistent and improper use of PPE. To improve pediatric resuscitation, hospitals should expand the availability of bedside oxygen therapy equipment for children on enhanced airborne precautions. An explicit algorithm for the application of oxygen therapy by the first responder also is needed. A critical component of this algorithm must be a “gatekeeper” tasked with controlling room entry and use of PPE.
Dysfunctionalism in American management systems: management mania in corporate America

ABSTRACT The Escalation Simulation exemplifies destructive competitive behaviour which often occurs in society, and in fact, is reinforced by society. We have learned to accept, if not expect, competitive behaviour, in which individuals pit themselves against each other for the grand “prize”, even though the “prize” may actually be gained easily through collaboration. The attitude of “winning at any cost” which society fosters, is one variable among many serving to reinforce a behavioural attitude in which ethics and morality are often forgotten in the fight to win and which ultimately leads to the lack of ownership of behaviour. As this simulation demonstrates, however, we all stand to lose from this type of attitude, whether we are talking about bidding for nickels or organizational management. The writer expresses appreciation to the following authors, without whose work this exercise would not have been possible: Aronson, E.; Fisher, A.; Harvey, J.; Kohn, A.; Kolb, D. et. al.; Rappaport, A. and Raiffa, H.
Separation of the Effects of Soil-Structure Interaction in Frequency Estimation of Buildings From Earthquake Records

Fourier type of analyses give the frequencies of vibration of the soil-structure system, which depend on the properties of the soil, structure and foundation. This paper shows how the fixed-base frequency of a building, which depends only on its properties, and rigidbody rocking frequency can be estimated data from only two sensors recording horizontal motion — at ground level and at the roof. The method is based on Fourier analysis, wave travel time analysis and a relationship between fixed-base, rigid-body and system frequencies. Results are shown and discussed from an application to the NS response of Millikan Library in Pasadena, California, during four earthquakes between 1970 and 2003.
Muscle Blood Flow and Vascularization in Response to Exercise and Training

Abstract This chapter focuses on the functional and structural adaptations of the skeletal muscle vasculature to exercise training and the impact of these adaptations on muscle blood flow responses to exercise. Repeated exposure to physical exercise of sufficient intensity and duration promotes changes in the local control of microvascular perfusion and elicits growth of arterioles and capillaries within skeletal muscle. Combined, these adaptations alter the magnitude, time course, and distribution of muscle blood flow during exercise and thereby improve blood–myocyte oxygen flux after training. In the first portion of this chapter, we describe the basic features and regulatory mechanisms underlying the exercise hyperemia. We then focus on the characteristics, functional significance, and potential signals that initiate and control the remodeling of the skeletal muscle vasculature induced by physical activity. Particular emphasis is given to animal investigations that employed techniques not possible in humans and which permitted unique mechanistic insights.
Shear performance of reinforced concrete beams incorporating stiff slender elements

Abstract The present work investigates the shear performance of concrete beams reinforced longitudinally with steel rebars incorporating randomly distributed stiff elements known as “needles”. Compared to commonly used fibers, needles function differently in concrete members that carry increasing internal stresses. To measure the effect of needles on the mechanical performance of concrete, 32 longitudinally reinforced concrete (RC) beams and 96 non-reinforced concrete prisms were tested. Among numerous possibilities, the dimensions of the needles used in the present study were selected based on a number of practical considerations. The results showed that the needles increased the peak and residual shear capacity of the reinforced beams significantly. However, the improvements were not greater than those achieved by using the same volumetric content of fibers made of the same material as that the needles were produced from. Based on the measured results and the observation of cracking patterns, guidance for optimizing the geometry of needles and test specimens are provided for future research.
Surface, interface, and temperature effects on the phase separation and nanoparticle self assembly of bi-metallic Ni0.5Ag0.5: A molecular dynamics study

Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to investigate how free surfaces, as well as supporting substrates, affect phase separation in a NiAg alloy. Bulk samples, droplets, and droplets deposited on a graphene substrate were investigated at temperatures that spanned regions of interest in the bulk NiAg phase diagram, i.e., miscible and immiscible liquid, liquid-crystal, and crystal-crystal regions. Using MD simulations to cool down a bulk sample from 3000 K to 800 K, it was found that phase separation below 2400 K takes place in agreement with the phase diagram. When free surface effects were introduced, phase separation was accompanied by a core-shell transformation: spherical droplets created from the bulk samples became core-shell nanoparticles with a shell made mostly of Ag atoms and a core made of Ni atoms. When such droplets were deposited on a graphene substrate, the phase separation was accompanied by Ni layering at the graphene interface and Ag at the vacuum interface. Thus, it should be possible to create NiAg core-shell and layer-like nanostructures by quenching liquid NiAg samples on tailored substrates. Furthermore, interesting bimetallic nanoparticle morphologies might be tuned via control of the surface and interface energies and chemical instabilities of the system.
Strategies for Sequencing and Assembling Grapevine Genomes

Though grape transcriptomics has expanded dramatically over the last ten years, few additional novel genomic resources were developed since the release of the PN40024 reference genome in 2007. This is partly because of the difficulty associated with assembling grape genomes. Despite a relatively small genome size of ~500 Mb and modest repeat content, high sequence and structural heterozygosity makes assembling grape genomes particularly challenging. Without assemblies representative of the genetic diversity within the cultivated germplasm, identifying cultivar-specific functions not represented in the PN40024 genome has remained elusive. Now, third-generation sequencing technologies and long-range scaffolding methods have made it possible to relatively inexpensively and rapidly generate highly contiguous and complete grape genomes. This chapter will describe the challenges associated with the isolation of high-quality nucleic acids suitable for long-read sequencing and provide an overview of the sequencing and assembling approaches that can be used to successfully reconstruct grape genomes.
The tortoise strategy as an arbovirus fitness phenotype within the mosquito as revealed by a novel formulation of age-structured vectorial capacity

The transmission dynamics of arboviruses like Zika virus (ZIKV) are most often evaluated by vector competence and the related extrinsic incubation period (EIP), which represent the proportion of vectors that become infectious given exposure and the time it takes for a vector to become infectious given exposure, respectively. Thus, EIP is the temporality of vector competence, and these measures have been used to evaluate the relative fitness of arbovirus systems. However, another temporal process critical to assessing arbovirus transmission dynamics is the age-structure of vector populations, as studies have demonstrated how vector mortality interplays with vector competence and EIP to alter transmission system efficiency. These and other parameters are critical to vectorial capacity (VC), a measure of transmission potential of a vector-pathogen system. However, how these three components - EIP, vector competence, and age - affect VC still needs to be addressed. We first compared experimentally how vector competence/EIP and mosquito age at the time of infection acquisition (Age_acquisition) did not alter the vector competence/ EIP using traditional analyses, except in the context of mortality. To capture and quantify this age-dependent context, we developed an age-structured vectorial capacity framework (VC_age) by experimentally determining daily mortality and probability of biting, as well as vector competence/EIP parameterized as EIP_Min and EIP_Max. Like previous studies, we found that arbovirus phenotypes leading to outbreaks are not straightforward and may follow a tortoise and the hare (TotH), whereby slow and steady is as or better than fast and furious phenotypes. Understanding the contributions of these age-dependent life traits as well as VC_age allows for quantification and visualization of both the magnitude and temporality of transmission dynamics in an age-dependent manner, which reveals this TotH model that should change how compare and rank arbovirus phenotypes, and perhaps even how we identify 9highly9 or 9negligibly9 competent vectors.
The concept-specific effects of cooperative learning in an introductory engineering mechanics dynamics course

Cooperative learning, using small groups to complete a common goal, has a positive effect on student achievement and potential in foundational engineering mechanics courses. The purpose of this stu...
Light Scattering and Absorption in Polyacetylene

Recent experimental results on the lattice dynamics, band structure and photoexcitations of polyacetylene are reviewed, and interpreted in terms of the soliton model. The data indicate that injection of an electron-electron (hole-hole) pair by chemical doping or photoinjection of an electronhole pair invariably distort the lattice leading to formation of a soliton-antisoliton pair. It is concluded that unlike traditional semiconductors, the polyacetylene lattice is inherently unstable in the presence of electron and/or hole excitations.
The Generalizability of a Medication Administration Discrepancy Detection System: Quantitative Comparative Analysis.

Background: As a result of the overwhelming proportion of medication errors occurring each year, there has been an increased focus on developing medication error prevention strategies. Recent advances in electronic health record (EHR) technologies allow institutions the opportunity to identify medication administration error events in real time through computerized algorithms. MED.Safe, a software package comprising medication discrepancy detection algorithms, was developed to meet this need by performing an automated comparison of medication orders to medication administration records (MARs). In order to demonstrate generalizability in other care settings, software such as this must be tested and validated in settings distinct from the development site. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the portability and generalizability of the MED.Safe software at a second site by assessing the performance and fit of the algorithms through comparison of discrepancy rates and other metrics across institutions. Methods: The MED.Safe software package was executed on medication use data from the implementation site to generate prescribing ratios and discrepancy rates. A retrospective analysis of medication prescribing and documentation patterns was then performed on the results and compared to those from the development site to determine the algorithmic performance and fit. Variance in performance from the development site was further explored and characterized. Results: Compared to the development site, the implementation site had lower audit/order ratios and higher MAR/(order + audit) ratios. The discrepancy rates on the implementation site were consistently higher than those from the development site. Three drivers for the higher discrepancy rates were alternative clinical workflow using orders with dosing ranges; a data extract, transfer, and load issue causing modified order data to overwrite original order values in the EHRs; and delayed EHR documentation of verbal orders. Opportunities for improvement were identified and applied using a software update, which decreased false-positive discrepancies and improved overall fit. Conclusions: The execution of MED.Safe at a second site was feasible and effective in the detection of medication administration discrepancies. A comparison of medication ordering, administration, and discrepancy rates identified areas where MED.Safe could be improved through customization. One modification of MED.Safe through deployment of a software update improved the overall algorithmic fit at the implementation site. More flexible customizations to accommodate different clinical practice patterns could improve MED.Safe’s fit at new sites.
In an Era of Disruption: Multinationals’ Responses to Host Country Political Violence

This dissertation investigates how multinational enterprises (MNEs) respond to host country political violence (specifically, terrorist attacks), and how factors influencing top management teams’ (TMTs) decision making subsequently impact MNEs’ responses. Across three essays, I found that MNEs’ divestments, their likelihood of temporary vs. permanent divestment, and their likelihood of exerting information control in response to host country terrorist attacks are contingent upon executives’ social proximity to the event host countries, CEO conservatism, and TMT gender diversity. This dissertation contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the role of managerial interpretation in MNEs’ responses to host country political violence.
Environmental Conditions during Development Affect Sexual Selection through Trait-Fitness Relationships

AbstractSexual selection can be shaped by spatial variation in environmental features among populations. Differences in sexual selection among populations generated through the effects of the envir...
The Legendre-Type Polynomials and the Laguerre-Type Polynomials in a Sobolev Space

We give only the highlights of these examples. That the polynomials are orthogonal is relatively easy, but showing that the differential operators, when restricted, remain self-adjoint is more difficult. We refer the interested reader to [3] and [4], for the details, which are quite complicated.
IMMPDA solution to benchmark for radar resource allocation and tracking in the presence of ECM

In this paper we present a framework for controlling a phased array radar for tracking highly maneuvering targets in the presence of false alarms and electronic countermeasures (ECM). Algorithms are presented for track formation and maintenance; adaptive selection of target revisit interval, waveform, and detection threshold; and neutralizing techniques for ECM, namely, against a standoff jammer and range gate pull off. This tracker/radar-resource-allocator provides a complete solution to the benchmark problem for target tracking and radar control, which considers six trajectories of highly maneuvering targets, with lateral accelerations up to 7g and longitudinal accelerations up to 2g. Simulation results show an average sampling interval of about 2s while maintaining a track loss less than the maximum allowed 4%.
Protein Kinase C Alters the Responsiveness of Adenylyl Cyclases to G Protein α and βγ Subunits

Abstract The ability of protein kinase C (PKC) to regulate the responsiveness of adenylyl cyclase to different activators was assessed. Membranes prepared from Sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculoviruses encoding either type II or IV adenylyl cyclase were incubated with recombinant PKCα (purified from Sf9 cells), and the effects on adenylyl cyclase activity were measured after reconstitution with Gsα, Gβγ, or forskolin. PKCα treatment of type II adenylyl cyclase leads to increases in basal, forskolin-stimulated, and βγ-stimulated activities and greater sensitivity to stimulation by Gsα. Paradoxically, most of the βγ potentiation of Gsα-stimulated activity is eliminated by pretreatment with PKCα. By contrast, treatment of type IV adenylyl cyclase with PKCα has little effect on the basal, forskolin-stimulated, or βγ-stimulated activities but markedly reduces the Gsα-stimulated and βγ-potentiated activity of this isoform. These studies demonstrate that protein kinases can alter both the activity of adenylyl cyclase isoforms and their responsiveness to G protein regulation, thereby altering the ability of adenylyl cyclases to integrate signals derived from multiple hormonal inputs.
Studies on avian erythrocyte metabolism. Effect of organic phosphates on oxygen affinity of embryonic and adult-type hemoglobins of the chick embryo.

The effects of 2,3 diphosphoglyceric acid (2,3-DPG), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) on the oxygen affinity of whole “stripped” hemoglobin (WSH), hemoglobin H (Hb-H), hemoglobin A (Hb-A) and hemoglobin D (Hb-D) isolated from 18-day chick embryo blood have been determined. The effect of the three organic phosphates upon the oxygen dissociation curves is similar and the following order of decreasing oxygen affinity of the organic phosphates was observed for each hemoglobin: 2,3-DPG < ATP < IHP. 2,3-DPG appears to have a slightly greater effect upon the P50 of Hb-H than upon that of either of the two adult-type hemoglobins. However, this effect seems insufficient to suggest a preferential interaction of 2,3-DPG with Hb-H which would account for either the large amounts of 2,3-DPG in the erythrocytes of embryos or the higher oxygen affinity of the whole blood. The effects of the organic phosphates upon the Hill constant of the purified hemoglobins are variable. It is concluded that since the distribution of hemoglobins H, A, and D in the erythrocytes during the developmental period from 18-day embryos to 6-day chicks remains fairly constant, the previously described progressive decrease in oxygen affinity of the whole blood during this period results from changes in the total amount and distribution of the intraerythrocytic organic phosphates.2
Restrictive Labor Practices in Seaports

Containerization and modern bulk handling methods can substantially increase ship and labor productivity. This paper argues that many ports have failed to change their labor practices and to accept the inevitable reduction in their labor force that technological advances call for. Those ports are doubly penalized by incurring investment costs and continuing to pay labor as if earlier labor-intensive methods still applied. The author analyzes limits on entry to work in the port, an exclusive definition of dock work, job demarcation to prevent interchanging labor, work-sharing requirements within groups that prevent specialization, work-extending practices, restrictive work hours, and restrictions on output. The paper then analyzes how restrictive practices increase shipping costs and how employment would be affected if these practices were abolished. Examples of three approaches to abolishing restrictive practices are given.
Inheriting the earth: Using KML files to add placemarks relating to the library's original content to Google Earth and Google Maps

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to encourage other libraries to establish links in Google Earth and Google Maps linking back to their original content.Design/methodology/approach – In the quest of the library at Quinnipiac University, USA, to develop a working Keyhole Markup Language (KML) template, they used tutorials from Google, forums for KML developers, and the Google Earth Community.Findings – This project demonstrated that well‐designed KML files can have a verifiable impact on the usage of original content, serving as an advertising medium and an additional access point to their content.Practical implications – Librarians can use these techniques to provide access to their material using a service that has proven extremely popular with users.Originality/value – The paper provides information on free tools for libraries to enhance the discovery and access to their collections.
A Mechanically Checked Proof of a Comparator Sort Algorithm

We describe a mechanically checked correctness proof for the comparator sort algorithm underlying a microcode program in a commercially designed digital signal processing chip. The abstract algorithm uses an unlimited number of systolic comparator modules to sort a stream of data. In addition to proving that the algorithm produces an ordered permutation of its input, we prove two theorems that are important to verifying the microcode implementation. These theorems describe how positive and negative “infinities” can be streamed into the array of comparators to achieve certain effects. Interesting generalizations are necessary in order to prove these theorems inductively. The mechanical proofs were carried out with the ACL2 theorem prover. We find these proofs both mathematically interesting and illustrative of the kind of mathematics that must be done to verify software.
Improving physical activity in daycare interventions.

Abstract Background: The aim of the study was to objectively determine whether the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) program improved physical activity levels during the school day. Methods: The study compared the physical activity levels of subjects from 26 daycare centers, randomized into treatment (N=13) and control (N=13) groups. The subjects were 3 to 5 year olds (N=209, 104 males and 105 females; age [years]=3.85±0.8 [mean±standard deviation]), and accelerometry was used to determine the subjects' physical activity levels. Accelerometers were attached to each subject for 2 days before and immediately after a 6-month intervention. Height, mass, and waist were also measured. Results: Regression analyses indicated that the treatment group demonstrated significant increases in moderate and vigorous physical activity, as compared to the control group (F(1, 207)=6.3, p<0.05, Cohen's d=0.30; F(1, 207)=4.7, p<0.05, Cohen's d=0.25, respectively). The treatment group al...
Dimensionless Numbers in Phase-Change Thermosyphon and Heat-Pipe Heat Exchangers

Heat pipes and thermosyphons can be very effective heat transport devices for transferring the thermal energy of the Next Generation Nuclear Plant to a hydrogen production plant and/or other process heat applications. These devices operate nearly isothermally, transporting large amounts of thermal energy with little or no temperature drop. A dimensional analysis of the thermosyphon and the heat pipe is presented in this paper. Dimensional analysis is a valuable mathematical technique useful in research work for design and conducting model tests. This analysis yielded two terms―E r and E M ―particular to the operation of these devices in addition to those commonly used in many heat transfer applications. The E, term relates the latent heat of vaporization to the pressure drop across the device, while the E M term relates the latent heat of vaporization to the capillary pressure. The significance of these two terms is discussed. The universal nature of these numbers should be useful in increasing the fundamental understanding of both the thermosyphon and the heat pipe.
Proportional Odds Model: Theoretical Background†

The proportional odds model is one member of the family of cumulative logistic regression models, designed for studying the effect of covariates on an ordinal responses variable. Relationships with other members of this family are described, emphasizing the effect of response aggregation. The connection with latent variable models, dispersion models, continuation-ratio models, and log-linear models is also discussed. Keywords: canonical regression model; extreme-value distribution; latent variable; logistic regression model; proportional-hazards model
Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis in Brazil. Using restriction endonuclease analysis of plasmid DNA, we investigated the importance of chronic carriage of S. aureus in the development of peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis at the Division of Nephrology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Sao Paulo, Brazil. A total of 117 isolates (30 patients) of S. aureus were available for typing, including 51 isolates (22 patients) from the nares, 58 isolates (27 patients) from pericatheter skin, and 8 isolates (6 patients) from peritoneal fluid, from patients with peritonitis. Restriction endonuclease subtyping showed that although most patients harbored more than one subtype of S. aureus, in the majority of patients nasal and/or pericatheter skin isolates with identical restriction endonuclease digest patterns were recovered on more than one occasion. Furthermore, 95% of patients with both nasal and pericatheter colonization were colonized with the same subtypes at both sites. All of the patients with peritonitis were infected with a subtype which colonized the nares, pericatheter skin, or both. These results demonstrate the importance of an endogenous source of S. aureus in the development of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis. Images
Predictive equations for central obesity via anthropometrics, stereovision imaging and MRI in adults.

Objective Abdominal visceral adiposity is related to risks for insulin resistance and metabolic perturbations. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography are advanced instruments that quantify abdominal adiposity; yet field use is constrained by their bulkiness and costliness. The purpose of this study is to develop prediction equations for total abdominal, subcutaneous, and visceral adiposity via anthropometrics, stereovision body imaging (SBI), and MRI. Methods Participants (67 men and 55 women) were measured for anthropometrics and abdominal adiposity volumes evaluated by MRI umbilicus scans. Body circumferences and central obesity were obtained via SBI. Prediction models were developed via multiple linear regression analysis, utilizing body measurements and demographics as independent predictors, and abdominal adiposity as a dependent variable. Cross-validation was performed by the data-splitting method. Results The final total abdominal adiposity prediction equation was –470.28 + 7.10 waist circumference – 91.01 gender + 5.74 sagittal diameter (R2 = 89.9%), subcutaneous adiposity was –172.37 + 8.57 waist circumference – 62.65 gender – 450.16 stereovision waist-to-hip ratio (R2=90.4%), and visceral adiposity was –96.76 + 11.48 central obesity depth – 5.09 central obesity width + 204.74 stereovision waist-to-hip ratio – 18.59 gender (R2 = 71.7%). R2 significantly improved for predicting visceral fat when SBI variables were included, but not for total abdominal or subcutaneous adiposity. Conclusions SBI is effective for predicting visceral adiposity and the prediction equations derived from SBI measurements can assess obesity.
Physical, thermal, and chemical effects of fine-water droplets in extinguishing counterflow diffusion flames

A numerical method, based on a hybrid Eulerian-Lagrangian formulation for gas and droplet phase, is used here for the analysis of physical, thermal, and chemical effects of water droplets in extinguishing a methane-air non-premixed flame. The flow field considered here is a steady, laminar counterflow with monodisperse water droplets introduced with the air stream. The droplet sizes considered range from 5 to 50 μm, with maximum water-mass fraction in the condensed phase of 3%. The physical effects are analyzed by modifying the droplet trajectory and dilution. When the droplets are assumed to follow the gas exactly, the flame extinction results are shown to deviate considerably from the predictions obtained previously, where the flame extinction strain was shown to have a nonmonotonic dependence on droplet size. By decoupling the chemical effects associated with water, mainly the three-body recombination effects, it is shown here that the evaporated water vapor has less than 10% effect on the flame-extinction condition. In contrast, the thermal effects, mainly through the latent heat of vaporization, is shown to influence the flame-extinction condition significantly. Detailed comparisons of the flame structure obtained with water droplets and with that obtained using chemical agent halon 1301 are shown here to ilustrate the completely different flame-suppression mechanisms of the two classes of agents.
The influence of structural performance on the distribution of wind loads on buildings

Abstract The results of vibration tests carried out on three medium-rise concrete structures are used in conjunction with a standard structural analysis computer program to identify the stiffness characteristics of the buildings. The effect of incorrect analytical modelling at the design stage is then studied by considering the forces carried by individual members when the buildings are subjected to static wind loads. It is shown that the actions of partitions and shear walls can significantly change the loads carried by individual members. The implications of this to wind resistant design are discussed.
A note on imitative behavior and information

The equations for imitative behavior developed previously indicate that the imitation effect increases with the numberN 0 of individuals in the social group. In this note it is pointed out that the above conclusion holds only for not too large values ofN 0. The above conclusion is based on the tacit assumption that each individual is completely informed about the behavior adopted by every other individual. If, however,N 0 becomes very large, the information per individual decreases. As a result of this, the effects of imitation either increase withN 0 less rapidly or actually become independent ofN 0.
Bayesian approach to robust procedures based on censored samples

By adopting; the Bayesian method, we develop in this paper some robust procedures for the one and two-sample location problems based on symmetric Type-II censored samples and by assuming normality for the censored samples. The posterior distributions and the Highest Posterior Density (H.P.D.) intervals are? derived. Finally, we illustrate these procedures by applying the results to Darwin's data and to Brown lee's data
Collision detection between the wrists of two robot arms in a common workspace

Detecting collisions for planning collision-free motion of the wrists of two robot arms in a common workspace is discussed in this paper. A collision-free motion can be obtained by detecting collisions along the preplanned trajectories using a sphere model for the wrist of each robot and then modifying the paths and/or trajectories of one or both robots to avoid the collision. In this paper, a collision detection algorithm is described and its role in collision avoidance is discussed. Collision detection is based on the premise that (1) the wrists of robots move monotonically on their preplanned straight line trajectories and (2) collisions never occur between the two wrists at the beginning points or end points.
A case study of information-seeking behavior in 7-year-old children in a semistructured situation

This article presents a case study of the information-seeking behavior of 7-year-old children in a semistructured situation in their school library media center. The study focuses on how young children who are in the process of learning to read cope with searching for information in a largely textual corpus, and how they make up for their deficit in textual experience. Children's search strategies are examined and discussed in the context of computer versus shelf searching, textual versus visual searching, and in comparison with adult search dimensions previously established.
Advantages of strain-space formulation in computational plasticity

Abstract The advantages of the strain-space formulation in computational plasticity are demonstrated in obtaining efficiently the consistent tangent moduli and unambiguously the loading/unloading criteria.
Parenteral glutamine increases serum heat shock protein 70 in critically ill patients

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) is protective against cellular and tissue injury. Increased serum HSP-70 levels are associated with decreased mortality in trauma patients. Glutamine (Gln) administration increases serum and tissue HSP-70 expression in experimental models of sepsis. Gln has been safely administered to critically ill patients and can improve clinical outcomes, but the effect of Gln administration on HSP-70 expression in humans is unknown. We examined whether Gln-supplemented parenteral nutrition (PN) increases serum HSP-70 levels in critically ill patients. Randomized, controlled, double-blind study in surgical intensive care units (SICU) in a university hospital. 29 patients admitted to the SICU and requiring PN for more than 7 days. Patients received either Gln-PN (containing alanyl-glutamine dipeptide; 0.5 g/kg per day; n=15) or standard Gln-free PN (control-PN) that was iso-nitrogenous to Gln-PN (n=14). Serum HSP-70 concentrations were measured at enrollment and at 7 days. Clinical outcome measures were also determined. HSP-70 concentrations were unchanged in control-PN subjects from baseline to day 7. In marked contrast, Gln-PN subjects demonstrated significantly higher (3.7-fold) serum HSP-70 concentrations than control subjects. In Gln-PN patients there was a significant correlation between increases in HSP-70 levels over baseline and decrease in ICU length of stay. Gln-PN significantly increases serum HSP-70 in critically ill patients. The magnitude of HSP-70 enhancement in Gln-treated patients was correlated with improved clinical outcomes. These data indicate the need for larger, randomized trials of the Gln effect on serum and tissue HSP-70 expression in critical illness and relationship to clinical outcomes.
Gingival Vascular Response to Anticipated and Actual Punctate Stimulation

The effect of punctate stimulation was evaluated as part of an experimental study of the vascular response of the human gingiva to various stimuli. Bilateral vascular responses were determined by changes in the amplitude of the blood volume pulse (BVP) of the gingival papillae between the maxillary lateral incisor and canines. Punctate stimulation produced an immediate large increase in the average amplitude of BVP of the stimulated side. This was followed by a hyperbolic decrease in the amplitude of BVP which returned to prestimulus level in approximately 5.0 minutes (BVP=9,750 T-1.1,437 +80, where BVP is a percentage of the maximal basal BVP amplitude and T is time in seconds). Apparent vasoconstriction of the gingiva was noted bilaterally in anticipation of unilateral punctate stimulation.
Measurement of soil pH: Problems and solutions

pH measurements in soil systems present unique challenges in terms of the interpretation of the values obtained. The principles behind the glass/calomel electrode system are discussed as a backdrop...
Recellularization Potential of Acellular Aortic Valve Scaffolds Treated With Collagenase and Acetic Acid

It is estimated that five million Americans suffer from moderate to severe aortic valve disease, making it the third most common type of cardiovascular disease. Aortic valve replacement, which is second leading reason for undergoing open heart surgery, is the prevailing treatment for patients with extensive aortic valve pathologies. Currently, substitute valves used to replace the disease valves are classified as either mechanical or biological, each of which carry significant disadvantages. Patients with mechanical valves are at a much higher risk for developing blood clots and therefore must remain on anticoagulants for the remainder of their lifetime; and biological valves, which are typically derived from porcine or cadeveric tissues, will deteriorate over time. The ideal replacement valve is one that presents no thrombogenicity or immunogenecity, provides normal hemodynamics, is free of blood damaging elements, offers a practical mode for implantation, is able to grow and remodel, and does not deteriorate over time.© 2009 ASME
Middleware Specialization for Product-Lines Using Feature-Oriented Reverse Engineering

Supporting the varied software feature requirements of multiple variants of a software product-line while promoting reuse forces product line engineers to use general-purpose, feature-rich middleware platforms. However, each product variant now incurs memory footprint and performance overhead due to the feature-richness of the middleware along with the increased cost of its testing and maintenance. To address this tension, this paper presents FORMS (Feature-Oriented Reverse Engineering for Mmiddleware Specialization), which is a framework to automatically specialize general-purpose middleware for product-line variants. FORMS provides a novel model-based approach to map product-line variant-specific feature requirements to middleware specific features, which in turn are used to reverse engineer middleware source code and transform it to specialized forms resulting in vertical decompositions. Empirical results evaluating memory footprint reductions (40%) are presented along with qualitative evaluations of reduced maintenance efforts and an assessment of discrepancies in modularization of contemporary middleware.