cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetic isotope effects for Cl + CH4 ⇌ HCl + CH3 calculated using ab initio semiclassical transition state theory.

Calculations were carried out for 25 isotopologues of the title reaction for various combinations of 35Cl, 37Cl, 12C, 13C, 14C, H, and D. The computed rate constants are based on harmonic vibration...
THE SYNTHESIS OF CONTROL LOGIC FOR PARAMETER-INSENSITIVITY AND DISTURBANCE ATTENUATION

Controller design in the presence of parameter uncertainties is a subject of continuous research [Refs. 4 - 141. An approach to the synthesis of control logic that is both insensitive to system parameters and attenuates response to input disturbances (sometimes called robust control logic) is presented and is applied to a simple flexible system. The main conclusion drawn from this study is: The lower the order of the compensator dynamics, the lower the sensitivity of the closedloop system performance to parameter variations. It follows that estimated-state feedback is undesirable when there are large u ncertainties in the system parameters. 1 l2 However, quadratic performance indices are minimized with estimatedstate feedback, so the designer must trade off parameter insensitivity against disturbance attenuation. T his is done here by minimizing the expected value of a quadratic performance index that includes specified u ncertainty in some system parameters using nonlinear programming techniques; the decision variables are parameters in a compensator of specified order that is less than or equal to the o rder of the system model.
The Maternal Personhood of Cattle and Plants at a Hindu Center in the United States

Religious experiences with sacred nonhuman natural beings considered to be “persons” remain only vaguely understood. This essay provides a measure of clarification by engendering a dialogue between psychoanalytic self psychology on one side and, on the other, religious experiences of cattle and Tulsi plants as holy mothers at a Hindu cattle sanctuary in the United States. Ethnographic data from the Hindu center uncover experiences of sacred maternal natural beings that are tensive, liminal, and colored with affective themes of nurturance, respect, and intimacy, much like psychoanalytic maternal selfobjects. Devotees protect cattle and ritually venerate plants because these actions facilitate a limited experiential grounding of religiosity on what is perhaps the most fundamental of all relationships, the relationship with the mother, within a theological worldview that somewhat embraces nonhuman natural beings in both doctrine and practice.
Survival analysis on 1 142 HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in Yingjiang county, Yunnan province

OBJECTIVE In order to explore the survival rate of HIV / AIDS patients after receiving antiretroviral therapy(ART) in Yinjiang County,Yunnan province.METHODS During July 2004 to Dec 2011,a retrospective study was conducted among HIV / AIDS patients older than 15 and under ART.RESULTS A total of 1 142 HIV / AIDS patients with mean age of 39.5 ± 9.5 years were included in the study.The average therapy period was 29.0 months,and 85 cases died of AIDS(incidence density: 3.1 deaths per 100 person years).The cumulative survival rate of antiretroviral treatment after l,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 7+ years were 0.94,0.92,0.91,0.90,0.90,0.87,0.87 and 0.87,respectively.Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis indicated that,after adjustment for age,gender,and marital status,transmission route,the baseline CD4+T cell counts,WHO clinical stages before initial of ART and initial regimen could significantly predicate the rates of survival.Those who got HIV infection through sex transmission were less likely to die of AIDS than through injecting drug use.Patients with baseline CD4+T cell counts as 100-350 / mm3were less likely to die of AIDS than those with CD4+T cell counts ﹤90 / mm3,and Patients in WHO 1-3 were less likely to die of AIDS than those in stage 4 before therapy.Those who with initial regimen as AZT+3TC+NVP / EFV and D4T+3TC+NVP / EFV were less likely to die of AIDS than who with other regimens.CONCLUSION Free highly active antiretroviral therapy could significantly improve prognosis and survival rate of HIV / AIDS patients.
BASOLATERAL TRANSPORT PATHWAYS FOR K+ AND CL- IN RABBIT PROXIMAL TUBULE : EFFECTS ON CELL VOLUME

To characterize the nature of K+ and Cl- transport pathways across basolateral membrane of rabbit proximal convoluted tubule, we used quantitative video microscopy to measure cell volume changes induced by rapid basolateral K+ and Cl- concentration changes. Elevating basolateral K+ resulted in cell swelling, which was largely inhibited by replacement of basolateral Cl- with cyclamate (85%) or by addition of 2 mM Ba2+ (72%). Substitution of basolateral Cl- by NO3- enhanced cell swelling, whereas substitution of Cl- by I- did not affect the K(+)-induced volume changes. Removal of Cl- from the bath reversed the cell swelling induced by raising K+ in the bath. Steady-state cell volume was 28% greater in hypotonic medium (250 mosmol/kgH2O) than in hypertonic medium (350 mosmol/kgH2O), and the rate of increase in cell volume induced by raising K+ was three times higher in hypotonic than in hypertonic medium. Substitution of Cl- by NO3- did not alter the effect of medium osmolality on K(+)-induced cell swelling, whereas addition of 0.2 mM diphenylamine-2-carboxylate inhibited the response (63%). We conclude that K(+)-induced cell swelling results from entry of K+ and Cl- into the cell across the basolateral membrane; it is proposed that transport of KCl across the basolateral cell membrane proceeds largely through two separate conductive pathways for K+ and Cl-. Cell swelling activates KCl transport occurring via K+ and Cl- channels across the basolateral membrane.
Clean energy utility for multifamily housing in a deregulated energy market

Abstract Energy efficiency and renewable energy (EERE) investment in multifamily residences in the United States has not kept pace with investment in resident-owned facilities. Split incentives, where owners cannot benefit economically from energy cost savings for residences and resident investment in EERE is not feasible, have posed a significant barrier. A clean energy utility is posited to circumvent this barrier. This utility would be responsible for power purchase from the grid, ideally as a real-time purchase agent from the grid manager; investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy; and demand management through control of water heating, as well as supply-side management through deployment of stored solar at near-peak grid power purchase cost. A clean energy fee is posed for recovery of costs, in contrast to typical consumption strategies (per kW h). A case study approach is employed to evaluate the feasibility of this type of utility of reducing carbon production in this building sector. Considered in the analysis is a 2008 multifamily facility located in the Midwest of the U.S., with apartment level interval meters for both power and water. Historical data from these meters were used to assess the savings and demand-side management potential from investments in improved efficiency lighting, refrigeration, heat pumps, and water heaters, as well as investments in solar PV and storage for supply-side management. The results show that the packaged retrofit EERE investment could yield costs for residents and profits for energy manager comparable to those in the current residential pricing scheme, while reducing grid-sourced energy by 42%. When solar PV and battery storage are added to the solution, it is shown that a clean energy fee structure can cost-effectively drive savings to over 54%. For new construction, even deeper cost effective savings are realizable. This research demonstrates the potential to drive deep energy savings in the multifamily building sector that can lower costs to residents through the establishment of clean energy utilities which recover investments in energy efficiency, demand management, and solar PV/battery systems through resident clean energy fees rather than consumption fees.
Soybean (Glycine max) Mutant and Germplasm Resources: Current Status and Future Prospects.

Genetic bottlenecks during domestication and modern breeding limited the genetic diversity of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Therefore, expanding and diversifying soybean genetic resources is a major priority for the research community. These resources, consisting of natural and induced genetic variants, are valuable tools for improving soybean and furthering soybean biological knowledge. During the twentieth century, researchers gathered a wealth of genetic variation in the forms of landraces, Glycine soja accessions, Glycine tertiary germplasm, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Type and Isoline Collections. During the twenty-first century, soybean researchers have added several new genetic and genomic resources. These include the reference genome sequence, genotype data for the USDA soybean germplasm collection, next-generation mapping populations, new irradiation and transposon-based mutagenesis populations, and designer nuclease platforms for genome engineering. This paper briefly surveys the publicly accessible soybean genetic resources currently available or in development and provides recommendations for developing such genetic resources in the future. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: fast neutron; genetic resources; germplasm; mutant; soybean; transposon
An ultrastructural study on the reactive oligodendrocytes, myeloclasts, and myelophages in transected dog spinal cord.

AbstractAs early as 1 to 3 hr after cord transection, proliferation of many reactive oligodendrocytes was observed. Bundles of microfilaments and microtubules were observed in those cells that sent out long, complex pseudopodlike processes near the area of injury. These reactive oligodendrocytes may be comparable to Vaughn’s multipotential glia cells. Between 1 day and 1 wk, hypertrophy of the oligodendrocytes was observed. These hypertrophied oligodendrocytes also became hyperactive and infiltrated into the axons within the myelin sheath. These infiltrating hyperactive oligodendrocytes had a scanty fibrillary cytoplasm and are believed to correspond to Jakob’s “myeloclasts.” Infiltration of macrophages into the nerve fibers and myelin sheaths was also observed. These macrophages were found to be very active in phagocytosis and removal of degen-erated debris within the nerve fiber and are believed to represent the “myelophages” described by Jakob in 1913.
Conclusion: New Developments in the Bioarchaeology of Care

Chapter 19 situates the development of the bioarchaeology of care approach, and the contents of this book in particular, within the wider discipline of bioarchaeology. It reviews the history of the bioarchaeology of care model and its implications for current and future research practice, then discusses the diverse chapters that make up New Developments in the Bioarchaeology of Care. It concludes that the contents of these chapters make a substantial contribution to advancing the bioarchaeology of care methodology.
Characterization of catheter motion in intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) elastography imaging

Momentum created by a high intensity acoustic wave emitted in intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging sequences is absorbed by the backing material of the catheter causing a kickback motion. This study was designed to characterize this motion. An elastography phantom was imaged with an 8Fr Soundstar™ ICE catheter and a 10Fr, 128 element ICE catheter with various fulcrum lengths and mechanical steering angles to assess the kickback motion. The fulcrum lengths (FLs) varied from 30 mm to 50 mm and showed irregularities in the motion in FLs over 40 mm in the 8Fr SoundStar™, but not in the 10Fr, 128 element ICE catheter. The mechanical steering, over the range tested in the 8Fr SoundStar™, did not have a statistically significant effect on the kickback motion. The motion was on the same order of magnitude of the induced displacements in both catheters. The kickback motion induces a bias of 0.5 to 3 µm to the ARFI images that is not consistent over the ARFI imaging ensemble. The current motion filtering techniques that are used to remove bulk cardiac or respiratory motion from the induced ARFI displacements are not sufficient for removing the kickback motion. In some cases, the motion filter increases the present bias. For both catheters, failure to properly account for this effect could degrade ICE ARFI image quality. New motion filtering techniques are necessary to reduce the kickback motion effect on induced displacements during ICE ARFI imaging.
Laparoscopic colectomy for cancer: Improved compliance with guidelines for chemotherapy and survival.

Background Laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer has been demonstrated in clinical trials to have short-term benefits when compared to the open surgical approach. Guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommend that patients with stage III or high-risk stage II colon cancer undergo adjuvant chemotherapy. We hypothesized that laparoscopic colectomy is associated with increased compliance to recommendations for chemotherapy, a lesser time to start of chemotherapy, and increased overall survival. Methods The National Cancer Data Base was queried to identify patients with stage III or high-risk stage II colon cancer (T4, positive margins, Results A total of 48,257 patients were included for analysis; 18,801 patients underwent laparoscopic colectomy and 29,456 underwent open colectomy. Laparoscopic colectomy patients received adjuvant chemotherapy at a somewhat greater rate than open colectomy (66.2% vs 59.4%, P Conclusion Compared to open colectomy, laparoscopic colectomy is associated with somewhat greater rates of compliance with guidelines for adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III and high-risk stage II colon cancer, as well as a slightly lesser time to start of chemotherapy and improved overall survival.
Symptom Management of the Patient with CKD: The Role of Dialysis

As kidney disease progresses, patients often experience a variety of symptoms. A challenge for the nephrologist is to help determine if these symptoms are related to advancing CKD or the effect of various comorbidities and/or medications prescribed. The clinician also must decide the timing of dialysis initiation. The initiation of dialysis can have a variable effect on quality of life measures and the alleviation of uremic signs and symptoms, such as anorexia, fatigue, cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, pruritus, and sleep disturbances. Thus, the initiation of dialysis should be a shared decision-making process among the patient, the family and the nephrology team; information should be provided, in an ongoing dialogue, to patients and their families concerning the benefits, risks, and effect of dialysis therapies on their lives.
Comparison of Naso-temporal Asymmetry During Monocular Smooth Pursuit, Optokinetic Nystagmus, and Ocular Following Response in Strabismic Monkeys.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Under monocular viewing conditions, humans and monkeys with infantile strabismus exhibit asymmetric naso-temporal (N-T) responses to motion stimuli. The goal of this study was to compare and contrast these N-T asymmetries during 3 visually mediated eye tracking tasks—optokinetic nystagmus (OKN), smooth pursuit (SP) response, and ocular following responses (OFR). Methods: Two adult strabismic monkeys were tested under monocular viewing conditions during OKN, SP, or OFR stimulation. OKN stimulus was unidirectional motion of a 30°x30° random dot pattern at 20°, 40°, or 80°/s for 1 minute. OFR stimulus was brief (200 ms) unidirectional motion of a 38°x28°whitenoise at 20°, 40°, or 80°/s. SP stimulus consisted of foveal step-ramp target motion at 10°, 20°, or 40°/s. Results: Mean nasalward steady state gain (0.87±0.16) was larger than temporalward gain (0.67±0.19) during monocular OKN (P<0.001). In monocular OFR, the asymmetry is manifested as a difference in OFR velocity gain (nasalward: 0.33...
Quality of Traffic Observability on Highways With Lagrangian Sensors

Observability is essential to estimate the states of a system from sensor measurements. Observability indicates the sufficiency of the sensors for state estimation. In a highway traffic setting, using global positioning system-enabled smartphones as sensors sets this observability problem in the Lagrangian dynamics framework, in which the moving vehicle that follows the microscopic dynamics of the system senses its own current state. This paper addresses the question of how different numbers of sensor vehicles in the traffic stream affect the observability of the system. This was accomplished by performing spatiotemporal discretization of the traffic hydrodynamics to obtain a system on which the rank observability condition was applied. Then, the observability problem for a generic system was studied in terms of the average penetration of these mobile devices in the traffic stream. Simulation results are provided to support the developments in this paper. Note to Practitioners —This paper is motivated by the problem of observing the state of traffic in a highway setting from Lagrangian sensors. These are sensors that travel with individual vehicles rather than the traditional sensors that remain at fixed positions. There is much literature written on traditional sensors, but currently, there is development on what additional value Lagrangian sensors can provide. Lagrangian sensors recently became plausible, and readily available with the growth of smartphones. The problem that is studied is how much of the traffic behavior can be inferred from different numbers of the Lagrangian sensors. A traditional mathematical model for traffic flow is studied in the Lagrangian coordinates. The concept of observability and condition number is used to analyze how much and how well the sensors can capture traffic information. This problem is studied with idealized vehicle behavior, but this paper will be extended to cope with more realistic driving behaviors in the future.
On the Value and Meaning of Trauma-Informed Practice: Honoring Safety, Complexity, and Relationship

In social work, as in other mental health fields, there has been a surge of literature regarding trauma-informed practice. Even so, the value and meaning of being a trauma-informed practitioner sti...
Six Sigma in Versicherungen

1992 galten japanische Autos noch als qualitativ minderwertig. Die Ergebnisse einer MIT-Studie losten damals hierzulande daher eine grose Aufregung aus. In diesem Jahre erschien namlich in Deutschland unter dem Titel „Die zweite Revolution in der Automobilindustrie“ die MIT-Studie von Wormack, Jones und Roos. Darin werden die Produktionssysteme der Automobilindustrie weltweit untersucht und es wurde uberpruft, auf welche Weise Produktivitat und Qualitat der Produkte erreicht werden. Die japanische Automobilindustrie schien mit ihren „schlanken“, auf kontinuierliche Verbesserungen basierenden Produktionssystemen den europaischen und amerikanischen Autobauern uberlegen zu sein. Die hohe Produktivitat bei gleichzeitig hoher Qualitat korrelierte mit einer bei 60% liegenden Teamarbeit.
Why Don't More Employers Adopt Flexible Working Time?

Flexible working time, also known as flextime, is the incorporation of one or more of a variety of arrangements that modify the hours and location of work. Flextime has been associated with a variety of positive workplace outcomes, including talent retention, higher morale, and improved customer satisfaction. Yet few employers adopt robust flextime practices. This manuscript articulates a business case for flextime, while exploring some of the informational and attitudinal barriers that impede adoption of flextime practices. This manuscript also examines some of the consequences of poorly handled flextime initiatives and discusses emerging legal reforms in favor of flexible work.
The Role Cultural Competency Plays in Teaching Data Science

Supporting Pacific Indigenous Computing Excellence (SPICE) is based on unique expertise and proven models established through a partnership between the Texas Advanced Computing Center at the University of Texas at Austin, Chaminade University of Honolulu and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). The SPICE program leverages shared partnership experiences to address two goals: 1) Perform original research and program development to bridge computation and culture --- developing culturally-consistent conceptual and practical frameworks for thinking about big data problems and communicating student outcomes and attainment to family, community and kupuna (Hawaiian wisdom figures); and 2) Implement an in situ Data Science, Analytics and Visualization (DSAV) Summer Immersion Experience (SIE) as a summer program in Hawai'i to provide a month-long summer immersion program in data science, visualization, and virtual reality to Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) and disadvantaged students. In this paper, we present the framework for this effort, with relevant educational, and cultural research to justify decisions made to date.
Pressure Dolorimetry for Differential Diagnosis of Pain in Rheumatology Practice

Mit Druckdolorimetern (DD) last sich die Druckempfindlichkeit quantifizieren. Fur die klinische Praxis stehen solche Mesgerate zur Bestimmung der Druckschmerzschwelle (DSS) und der Druckvertraglichkeit (DV) in Taschenformat, mit Gummistift von 1 cm2, zur Verfugung. Die Auflageflache des Gummistiftes ist entscheidend; ist er zu klein, so vermag er den Druck nicht in die tieferliegenden Gewebe zu ubertragen. Ein groseres Endstuck hingegen umfast zuviel unversehrtes Gewebe und beeintrachtigt so die Mesempfindlichkeit. Die Mestechnik ist sehr einfach und benotigt nur einige Minuten. Der Punkt, an dem die Druckempfindlichkeit am grosten ist, wird durch die Palpation festgestellt. Der Druck wird mit einer Starke von 1 kg/s kontinuierlich erhoht. Der DSS-Wert ergibt sich aus der Angabe des Patienten bei Einsetzen des Schmerzes. Der DV-Wert ist erreicht, wenn der Patient verlangt, das der Druck unterbrochen werde. Schmerzhafte Druckpunkte (SD) sollten ausschlieslich aufgrund des DSS-Wertes diagnostiziert werden, da beim Erreichen des DV-Wertes der Schmerz oft aktiviert wird und so wahrend mehrerer Tage Angst- und Schmerzzustande auslost. Die Schmerzempfindlichkeit wird als abnorm betrachtet, wenn der DSS-Wert um 2 kg tiefer liegt als in der kontralateralen gesunden Zone oder einer empfindlichen Stelle in derselben Gewebestruktur. Wenn durch Palpation eine Verhartung rund um die schmerzhaften Druckpunkte diagnostiziert wird und von hier ausstrahlende Schmerzen ausgehen, sind myofasziale „triggerpoints“ zw vermuten. Ohne solche zusatzlichen Befunde entsprechen die SD den schmerzhaften Punkten infolge generalisierter Tendomyopathie (GTM)-Fibromyalgie. Auch die Aktivitat einer Arthritis oder einer anderen Entzundung last sich aufgrund des DSS-Wertes quantifizieren.
Color Doppler ultrasound measurements after topical and retrobulbar epinephrine in primate eyes.

PURPOSE To determine the effects of topical epinephrine and retrobulbar anesthesia containing lidocaine with epinephrine on retrobulbar hemodynamic measurements in the primate eye, using color Doppler ultrasound. METHODS Color Doppler ultrasound measurements were performed at baseline and 90 minutes after masked administration of topical 2% epinephrine or balanced salt solution to six cynomolgus monkeys. Measurements were also performed at baseline and 30 minutes after retrobulbar injection of 2% lidocaine, with or without 1:200,000 epinephrine. RESULTS After topical epinephrine, color Doppler ultrasound measurements were not significantly different compared with baseline measurements in the central retinal artery, posterior ciliary arteries, and superior ophthalmic vein. There were decreased systolic and diastolic velocities in the ophthalmic artery (P < 0.03 and P < 0.02, respectively) after topical epinephrine; however, Pourcelot's ratio (resistive index) was not significantly different compared with that at baseline. In contrast, there were marked changes in the retrobulbar arterial circulation after retrobulbar injection of lidocaine with epinephrine. The systolic and diastolic velocities were decreased significantly in the central retinal artery (P < 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively), temporal posterior ciliary artery (P < 0.05 and P < 0.03, respectively), and nasal posterior ciliary artery (P < 0.03 and P < 0.02, respectively). Pourcelot's ratio was significantly increased in the central retinal artery (P < 0.01), temporal posterior ciliary artery (P < 0.02), and nasal posterior ciliary artery (P < 0.02) after retrobulbar injection of lidocaine with epinephrine. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that one drop of topical epinephrine has little or no effect on the retrobulbar circulation, whereas retrobulbar injection of anesthetic solution containing lidocaine with epinephrine significantly alters retrobulbar hemodynamics in the monkey eye.
Risk of Contraceptive Lapse and New Sexual Partnership Among Female University Students Traveling Internationally.

Context International travel is common and may influence women's sexual and reproductive health through myriad pathways. Existing studies focus on travelers' risk of acquiring STDs, but not their pregnancy prevention behaviors. Further, it is unclear whether sexual and reproductive health outcomes observed for female travelers are associated with travel itself, because few studies compare travelers with nontravelers. Methods An online survey was conducted in 2016-2017 among females attending a U.S. university who reported a history of sex with men; the sample comprised 340 students who had traveled internationally in the past three months (travelers) and 170 who intended to travel in the next three months (pretravelers). Multivariable modified Poisson regression models assessed associations between travel status and two outcomes during travelers' recent trip or a period of similar duration for pretravelers: contraceptive lapse (incorrect or inconsistent use of any method) and new sexual partnership. Results Travelers and pretravelers reported similar levels of contraceptive lapse (29% and 32%, respectively) and new sexual partnerships (17% and 12%). Multivariable analysis confirmed that travelers were no more likely than pretravelers to have contraceptive lapses, but indicated that they were more likely to report a new male partner (relative risk, 1.7). Most participants (80%) had a regular source of sexual and reproductive health care; 42% of travelers had seen a health care provider in preparation for their trip. Conclusion If the findings are corroborated by additional research, they may suggest a role for health care providers in students' pretravel period.
Activity of Paricutin Volcano from January 1 to June 30, 1951

The present report describes the activity of Paricutin Volcano during the first half of 1951, in a form similar to reports published earlier in these Transactions. Continuous observations of activity were made by the junior author and, when he was absent from the observatory station, by his assistant, Jesus Saldana. The senior author visited the Volcano on March 10–12, May 24–28, and July 10–12 for a total of 11 days. On these visits, measurements were made of changes in position and elevation of points on Paricutin cone and the observational data of Gutierrez and Saldana were reviewed and discussed. All this information was evaluated and synthesized for formal presentation by the senior author, who prepared also Tables 2–4 and Figures 4–7.
Promotion and mitigation of premixed flame propagation in a gaseous-dusty environment with various dust distributions

Abstract Propagation of a gaseous-dusty premixed flame front in a channel, imitating a methane-air fire scenario in a coalmine, is studied by means of the computational simulations. The core of the computational platform is a finite-volume, Navier-Stokes code solving for the reacting flow equations with a fully-compressible hydrodynamics, transport properties (viscosity, diffusion and heat conduction) and an Arrhenius chemical kinetics. The combustible coal dust particles are incorporated into the solver by means of the Seshadri formulation [Combustion and Flame 89 (1992) 333] such that a real gaseous-dusty environment is replaced by an “effective fluid” with locally-modified, dust-induced flow and flame parameters. The originality of this work is in the consideration of various spatial dust concentration distributions such as homogenous, linear, cubic and parabolic ones. Specifically, flame acceleration due to wall friction is analyzed for all these distributions; the similarity and differences in the evolutions of the flame morphology and velocity in each of these cases as well as in the case of purely gaseous combustion are identified. It is shown that a non-uniform dust distribution may result in an extra distortion or a local stabilization of the flame front, which respectively increases or reduces the total flame surface area, thereby promoting or moderating flame acceleration. Overall, the effects of non-uniform dust distribution become substantial when the channel width exceeds a threshold value proportional to the flame thickness.
Innovation in a Learning Healthcare System.

We take issue with several of Jake Earl’s arguments and challenge his analyses of various issues. We do, however, wholeheartedly agree with the central thesis of his article, “that clinicians have ...
Nonvolatile Spintronic Memory Cells for Neural Networks

A new spintronic nonvolatile memory cell analogous to 1T DRAM with non-destructive read is proposed. The cells can be used as neural computing units. A dual-circuit neural network architecture is proposed to leverage these devices against the complex operations involved in convolutional networks. Simulations based on HSPICE and Matlab were performed to study the performance of this architecture when classifying images as well as the effect of varying the size and stability of the nanomagnets. The spintronic cells outperform a purely charge-based implementation of the same network, consuming about 100 pJ total per image processed.
On the Hadwiger number of Kneser graphs and their random subgraphs

For n,k∈ℕ, let KG(n,k) be the usual Kneser graph (whose vertices are k-sets of {1,2,…,n} with A∼B if and only if A∩B=∅). The Hadwiger number of a graph G, denoted by h(G), is max{t:Kt≼G}, where H≼G if H is a minor of G. Previously, lower bounds have been given on the Hadwiger number of a graph in terms of its average degree. In this paper we give lower bounds on h(KG(n,k)) and h(KG(n,k)p), where KG(n,k)p is the binomial random subgraph of KG(n,k) with edge probability p. Each of these bounds is larger than previous bounds under certain conditions on k and p.
Noninitial segments of the α -degrees

Let α be an admissible ordinal and let L be the first order language with equality and a single binary relation ≤. The elementary theory of the α -degrees is the set of all sentences of L which are true in the universe of the α -degrees when ≤ is interpreted as the partial ordering of the α -degrees. Lachlan [6] showed that the elementary theory of the ω -degrees is nonaxiomatizable by proving that any countable distributive lattice with greatest and least members can be imbedded as an initial segment of the degrees of unsolvability. This paper deals with the extension of these results to α -recursion theory for an arbitrary countable admissible α > ω . Given α , we construct a set A with α -degree a such that every countable distributive lattice with greatest and least member is order isomorphic to a segment of α -degrees { d ∣ a ≤ α d ≤ α b } for some α -degree b . As in [6] this implies that the elementary theory of the α -degrees is nonaxiomatizable and hence undecidable. A is constructed in §2. A is a set of integers which is generic with respect to a suitable notion of forcing. Additional applications of such sets are summarized at the end of the section. In §3 we define the notion of a tree and construct a particular tree T 0 which is weakly α -recursive in A . Using T 0 we can apply the techniques of [6] and [2] to α -recursion theory. In §4 we reduce our main results to three technical lemmas concerning systems of trees. These lemmas are proved in §5.
Limestone particle size, calcium and phosphorus levels, and phytase effects on live performance and nutrients digestibility of broilers.

Abstract Limestone particle size (PS) affects its solubility and thus can influence broiler performance by altering the rate of calcium (Ca) release into the gastrointestinal tract. The objective of this research was to determine, using 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, the influence of PS (fine and coarse) and supplemented phytase (0 and 1,000 FYT/kg) in diets formulated with 2 Ca and Pi levels (positive control [PC]; negative control [NC]) on live performance, bone ash, and apparent ileal nutrients digestibility (AID). Starter PC: 0.9 Ca and 0.45 Pi; NC: 0.72 Ca and 0.03 Pi. Grower PC: 0.76 Ca and 0.38 Pi; NC: 0.58 Ca and 0.23 Pi. The 8 diets were assigned randomly to a total of 1,512 birds, with 21 birds per pen and 9 pens per treatment. The main effects of PS and Ca and Pi levels had no influence on feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), or feed conversion ratio. Adding phytase improved BWG by 8 g and 50 g and FI by 25 g and 56 g at 0–14 D (P ≤ 0.05) and 0–35 D (P ≤ 0.05), respectively. Interaction between Ca and Pi levels and phytase improved BWG and FI for 0–14 D (P ≤ 0.05) and BWG during 15–28 D (P ≤ 0.05) for PC without phytase and for PC and NC with phytase when compared with NC without phytase. Birds fed PC without phytase, or either PC or NC with phytase were about 96 g heavier than NC without phytase. Birds fed either PC or NC diet with coarse limestone or PC with fine limestone gained approximately 14 g more (P ≤ 0.05) than birds fed NC with fine limestone for BWG at 0–14 D (P ≤ 0.05). Phytase increased tibia bone ash (14 D) by 1% (P ≤ 0.05). AID of Ca and Pi at 14 D was improved (P ≤ 0.05) by 66% when phytase was added to coarse limestone. Results indicate that phytase improved broiler performance without being affected by PS. Furthermore, phytase had greater influence on coarse limestone than on fine limestone for bone ash and AID. Ca and Pi levels were the most influential factors in determining bone ash although phytase inclusion could lead to an improvement during early days.
Mitigation of edge cracking during accumulative roll bonding (ARB) of aluminum strips

Abstract Accumulative roll bonding (ARB) of aluminum alloy strips is often limited by severe edge cracking due to large, single-pass rolling reductions. Edge cracks are often caused by either poor alignment of the roll-bonded strips or lateral spreading. This work shows that lateral spreading can be reduced significantly by roll-bonding strips of interest within a frame of sacrificial material. For the conditions tested, it has been found that frames with 6.3 mm of constraint width are optimal in reducing edge cracking and maintaining thickness homogeneity during ARB. This methodology was found to greatly improve sample quality and yield when applied to multiple ARB cycles.
Surfactant-modified biosolid-derived materials as efficient H2S removal media: Synergistic effects of carbon phase properties and inorganic phase chemistry on reactive adsorption

Abstract A new H2S reactive adsorbent was prepared from a biosolid by the addition of pluronic surfactant F127 prior to a simple pyrolysis at 950 °C at two heating regimes. The materials were extensively characterized and tested as H2S removal media from air. The results show an over 250% increase in the H2S removal efficiency compared to the adsorbent obtained without the surfactant addition. Hydrogen sulfide was converted mainly to elemental sulfur. While the surfactant increased the carbon content and volume of mesopores, slow pyrolysis additionally contributed to the development of micropores, increased a carbon structural order, and resulted in an enhanced dispersion of catalytic centers (Ca and Fe oxides) on the surface. It also increased the amount of nitrogen in pyridinic configurations. All of these facilitated electron transfers, thus promoting oxidation reactions, and provided the sites increasing H2S interactions with the surface and also those acting as a storage system for elemental sulfur.
Smell as a clinical-marker for functional limitations in multiple sclerosis: A pilot study.

Abstract Background Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). The questions of whether and to what degree olfactory dysfunction can serve as a clinical marker of MS disability (i.e. cognitive impairments and functional limitations) are not yet answered. The current study aimed to explore associations between olfactory function (i.e. smell identification) with cognitive capacities, functional performance and quality of life (QOL) in persons with MS. Methods Olfactory function was measured by the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). Functional ability was assessed by the Actual RealityTM (AR) task. QOL was assessed by the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54). Cognition was assessed by the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) in 23 MS patients and 15 matched healthy controls. Results MS patients had lower UPSIT scores than healthy controls. Worse UPSIT scores were associated with reduced performances on the BICAMS and AR task as well as lower MSQOL-54 scores. Specifically, UPSIT scores were related to MSQOL-54 scores independent of BICAMS composite scores, while the relationship between UPSIT score and AR performance was mediated by BICAMS composite score. Conclusion This study confirms previous studies which concluded that olfactory function is impaired in MS. Furthermore, olfactory dysfunction is related to limitations in activity performance and QOL. Taken together with previous studies, olfactory function may be considered as a clinical marker related to MS disability. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these results.
Late metastatic recurrence of renal cell carcinoma in the heart and mediastinum: A case report and review of literature

Abstract Cardiac metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) without involvement of inferior vena cava is extremely rare. Late recurrence in the heart, defined as recurrence more than 10 years after nephrectomy for primary RCC, is even more infrequent. We present a case of a patient who had late metastasis of RCC to the right ventricle 12 years after nephrectomy for primary disease. A 78-year-old man with a history of clear cell RCC (AJCC pathological stage: pT3, pNX, pMX) status post nephrectomy in 2008 presented with progressive dyspnea and unintentional 13 lb weight loss over the past 3 months. A chest x-ray revealed tracheal deviation, and a subsequent CT scan of the neck and chest revealed a large mass in the upper mediastinum and a filling defect within the apex of the right ventricle (RV). TTE revealed an RV apical mass measuring 3.0 × 2.5 cm without RV outflow tract obstruction, which was confirmed with cardiac MRI. Cardiac catheterization was unrevealing. PET scan revealed minimal metabolic activity involving the mediastinal mass and right ventricular mass without abnormal uptake elsewhere. The patient underwent RV tumor resection with pericardial patch placement. Postoperative pathology confirmed metastatic disease from a clear cell RCC. The accepted treatment for late isolated metastatic recurrence of RCC is wide local excision with histological free margins. Immunotherapy and/or molecularly targeted therapy may be considered as adjuvant treatment or alternative to surgery for unresectable tumors. Solitary metastases, a long disease-free interval, and complete excision of the tumor confer a good prognosis. Late cardiac metastasis presents a unique disease course in RCC. Presentation is usually non-specific and requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. Long-term surveillance based on risk stratification may aid in prompt diagnosis and timely intervention in such cases.
Why has the prevalence of obesity doubled

The prevalence of obesity has doubled over the last 25 years. We estimate the effects of multiple socio-environmental factors (e.g., physical demands at work, restaurants, food prices, cigarette smoking, food stamps, and urban sprawl) on obesity using NLSY data. Then we use the Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition technique to approximate the contribution of each socio-environmental factor to the increase during this time. Many socio-environmental factors significantly affect weight, but none are able to explain a large portion of the obesity increase. Decreases in cigarette smoking consistently explains about 2–4 % of the increase in obesity and BMI. Food stamp receipt also consistently affects the measures of weight, but the small decrease in food stamp program participation during the period we examine actually dampened the increases in obesity and BMI. Collectively, the socio-environmental factors we examine never explain more than about 6.5 % of the weight increases.
Dissecting Attending Surgeons' Operating Room Guidance: Factors That Affect Guidance Decision Making.

Purpose The amount of guidance provided by the attending surgeon in the operating room (OR) is a key element in developing residents' autonomy. The purpose of this study is to explore factors that affect attending surgeons' decision making regarding OR guidance provided to the resident. Methods We used video-stimulated recall interviews (VSRI) throughout this 2-phase study. In Phase 1, 3 attending surgeons were invited to review separately 30 to 45 minute video segments of their prerecorded surgical operations to explore factors that influenced their OR guidance decision making. In Phase 2, 3 attending surgeons were observed and documented in the OR (4 operations, 341min). Each operating surgeon reviewed their videotaped surgical performance within 5 days of the operation to reflect on factors that affected their decision making during the targeted guidance events. All VSRI were recorded. Thematic analysis and manual coding were used to synthesize and analyze data from VSRI transcripts, OR observation documents, and field notes. Results A total of 255 minutes of VSRI involving 6 surgeons and 7 surgical operations from 5 different procedures were conducted. A total of 13 guidance decision-making influence factors from 4 categories were identified (Cohen's κ = 0.674): Setting (case schedule and patient morbidity), content (procedure attributes and case progress), resident (current competency level, trustworthiness, self-confidence, and personal traits), and attending surgeon (level of experience, level of comfort, preferred surgical technique, OR training philosophy, and responsibility as surgeon). A total of 5 factors (case schedule, patient morbidity, procedure attributes, resident current competency level, and trustworthiness) influenced attending surgeons' pre-OR guidance plans. "OR training philosophy" and "responsibility as surgeon" were anchor factors that affected attending surgeons' OR guidance decision-making patterns. Conclusions Surgeons' OR guidance decision making is a dynamic process that is influenced by 13 situational factors. These factors can be used by residency programs to tailor strategies designed to increase resident autonomy in the OR.
Applications of Supercontinuum: Present and Future

Over the past two decades the supercontinuum light source has been extensively used in laser spectroscopy research such as inverse Raman scattering (Alfano and Shapiro, 1971), time-resolved induced absorption in liquids and solids (Alfano and Shapiro, 1971; Greene et al., 1978), primary vision processes (Doukas et al., 1980), energy transfer mechanisms in photosynthesis (Searle et al., 1978; hot carrier and exciton relaxation processes in semiconductors (von der Linde and Lambrich, 1979; Shank et al., 1982), and time-resolved multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (Goldberg, 1982), to name a few.
Effect of Technically Worded Options on Multiple-Choice Test Performance.

AbstractTwo groups of ninety-six undergraduate students enrolled in a child development course were given multiple-choice questions designed to assess the influence of technically worded options on answering accuracy. For recall questions, items having nontechnical, correct options and technical distractor options yielded significantly fewer correct answers than did alternate forms. For interpretive questions, items having both technical, correct and technical distractor options yielded significantly fewer correct answers than did alternative forms. The findings were discussed in light of practical "testwiseness" concerns and were also linked to potentially broader underlying educational implications.
Superconducting nanowire detectors based on MgB 2

We fabricated and characterized the optical response of MgB 2 nanowires with critical temperature T C = 33 K. The devices showed optical response at 4 K and sub-nanosecond relaxation time. The detectors responded to the simultaneous absorption of three photons, but not to single photons.
Integrating and Extending Fuzzy Clustering and Inferencing to Improve Text Retrieval Performance

We present an integrated approach to information retrieval, which combines fuzzy clustering and fuzzy inference in order to improve textual retrieval performance. We capture the relationships among index terms by using fuzzy logic rules (with truth value assignment in [0,1]). We adapt fuzzy clustering methods (e.g., fuzzy c-means and fuzzy hierarchical clustering) in order to cluster documents with respect to the terms. The clusters generated provide a basis for building fuzzy logic rules concerning the terms, and the clusters can also be used to form hyperlinks between documents. The fuzzy logic rules are applied via fuzzy inference in order to derive query modification. In addition, relevance feedback is discussed as an alternative way to employ the fuzzy clusters. We explore retrieving an entire fuzzy cluster in response to a query. Finally, we note the need to test this approach more thoroughly on a larger standard test bed.
5 Inhibitors of Hepatitis C Virus NS3•4A Protease: An Overdue Line of Therapy

Publisher Summary The chapter reviews that one cannot separate the medicinal chemistry research into HCV NS3.4A protease inhibitors from the virological research devoted to the development of assays and models. The lack of cellular and animal model systems has hampered progress in the field. This is beginning to change. The construction of an HCV replicon, for example, should lead to assay systems that include most of the HCV genome in cell culture. The development of animal models is progressing more slowly. While the chimpanzee model is generally accepted as the most reliable, it is still not validated. The cost associated with such primate models, as well as ethical considerations preclude its use for screening large numbers of molecules. While clear progress in inhibitor design is being made, much work remains to be done. Inhibitory potencies against the NS3.4A proteases are improving rapidly particularly with peptide-based inhibitors, but the most potent compounds are still not drug-like: They are large, charged, and unlikely to penetrate cells. It discusses that non-peptic inhibitors are even further from the finishing line. Library screening has yielded a number of classes of inhibitory compounds, but the potencies are less than those of peptidomimetic compounds. The chapter also reviews that recent advances in cellular replication systems, X-ray, NMR and SAR analyses are allowing researchers to begin to crack HCV's secrets. The understanding of the subtleties of the enzyme function and structure will, in the not too distant future, yield useful, marketable protease inhibitors, which will revolutionize the treatment of hepatitis C in the same manner that HIV protease inhibitors revolutionized therapy for AIDS patients.