cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mesh-glove. 1. A method for whole-hand electrical stimulation in upper motor neuron dysfunction

A newly devised method for electrical stimulation via a wired mesh-glove is described. The stimulation paradigm is novel in that a whole hand is the target of stimulation. Specific standardized stimulation modalities are reviewed. The protocol for mesh-glove stimulation for patients with and without volitional movements, but increased muscle tone is outlined. A sequenced program based on restoration of motor functions is described. The mesh-glove stimulation is well suited for home use. On the basis of our experience working with 40 patients after stroke, head and spinal cord injuries, we concluded that this procedure is beneficial and safe.
Global fluctuation spectra in big crunch/big bang string vacua

We study Big Crunch/Big Bang cosmologies that correspond to exact world-sheet superconformal field theories of type II strings. The string theory spacetime contains a Big Crunch and a Big Bang cosmology, as well as additional ``whisker'' asymptotic and intermediate regions. Within the context of free string theory, we compute, unambiguously, the scalar fluctuation spectrum in all regions of spacetime. Generically, the Big Crunch fluctuation spectrum is altered while passing through the bounce singularity. The change in the spectrum is characterized by a function $\Delta$, which is momentum and time-dependent. We compute $\Delta$ explicitly and demonstrate that it arises from the whisker regions. The whiskers are also shown to lead to ``entanglement'' entropy in the Big Bang region. Finally, in the Milne orbifold limit of our superconformal vacua, we show that $\Delta\to 1$ and, hence, the fluctuation spectrum is unaltered by the Big Crunch/Big Bang singularity. We comment on, but do not attempt to resolve, subtleties related to gravitational backreaction and light winding modes when interactions are taken into account.
The Role and the Present Significance of Koans

In this chapter, entitled “The Role and the Present Significance of Koans”, Reverent Daiko Matsuyama seeks to define and elaborate on the significance of koans. In the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen Buddhism, koan refers to a question or succinct paradoxical statement posed to a student to help him or her seek the truth. A Zen master gives koans to his or her followers, and they are expected to dedicate themselves to concentrating on these ideas and finding answers. The koans are drawn from collections of ancient masters and have long been considered a fundamental part of training in a Rinzai Buddhist monastery. Generally speaking, Soto Zen does not emphasize koan practice, relative to zazen in training. Examples and analysis of popular koans, including their implications within the field of behavioral health, are presented.
Biological control of Botrytis cinerea

Botrytis cinerea is a ubiquitous pathogen effecting a wide range of crops whenever the environmental conditions are conducive for disease development. The major factors limiting the epidemic are the requirements of water and nutrients for germination of the conidia. Through cultural practices, it is possible to increase the evaporative potential of the plant surface so that the period of moisture is reduced (Thomas et al., 1988). One way to reduce exogenous nutrients is to increase the competition by modifying the microbial community on the plant surface.
Beam selection in multiuser millimeter-wave systems with sub-array user terminal architectures

Hybrid preceding, which refers to the combined use of phased arrays and digital (baseband) beamforming, is the main transceiver architecture under consideration for millimeter-wave (mmWave) wireless systems. However, this configuration is not suitable for receivers with a single RF chain, that must rely on fully-analog beamforming. In this paper, we consider the problem of finding the best analog beam combination when user terminals have independent analog sub-arrays. We present a novel algorithm for beam selection that separates analog and digital beamforming components. First, we use hierarchical analog beamforming codebooks to obtain a combination of beamformers that maximize SNR at the receivers. We leverage multiple RF chains at the AP and sub-arrays at the users to design such hierarchical codebooks. Second, we use digital zero-forcing beamforming at the transmitter to eliminate inter-user interference. Preliminary numerical results show the effectiveness of our algorithm in simple scenarios.
Network behavior in thin films and nanostructure growth dynamics

Abstract: We present a new network modeling approach for various thin film growth techniques that incorporates re-emitted particles due to the non-unity sticking coefficients. We model re-emission of a particle from one surface site to another as a network link, and generate a network model corresponding to the thin film growth. Monte Carlo simulations are used to grow films and dynamically track the trajectories of re-emitted particles. We performed simulations for normal incidence, oblique angle, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques. Each deposition method leads to a different dynamic evolution of surface morphology due to different sticking coefficients involved and different strength of shadowing effect originating from the obliquely incident particles. Traditional dynamic scaling analysis on surface morphology cannot point to any universal behavior. On the other hand, our detailed network analysis reveals that there exist universal behaviors in degree distributions, weighted average degree versus degree, and distance distributions independent of the sticking coefficient used and sometimes even independent of the growth technique. We also observe that network traffic during high sticking coefficient CVD and oblique angle deposition occurs mainly among edges of the columnar structures formed, while it is more uniform and short-range among hills and valleys of small sticking coefficient CVD and normal angle depositions that produce smoother surfaces.
Methodological recommendations for optimizing assays of enzyme activities in soil samples

Abstract Assays of enzyme activities in soil samples based on para-nitrophenol (pNP) spectrophotometry are a powerful tool in soil biochemistry. We evaluated potential sources of error and optimization strategies for soil enzyme assays across 12 diverse soils (6 USDA orders, 31–127 mg g−1 soil organic carbon [SOC]), using the activity of soil phosphomonoesterase (PHO) as an example. We hypothesized that dissolved organic matter (DOM) interference, pNP recovery, and substrate concentration would affect calculated enzyme activities, and that this would reflect the method of assay termination: 0.5 M NaOH + 0.5 M CaCl2 (Tabatabai, 1994), 0.2 M NaOH + 2.0 M CaCl2 (Schneider et al., 2000), 0.5 M NaOH + 2.0 M CaCl2 (this study), and 0.1 M Tris (pH 12) + 0.5 M CaCl2 (Klose et al., 2003). Terminations using 0.5 M NaOH increased pNP recovery compared to termination with 0.1 M Tris, but resulted in greater DOM interference (absorbance at 410 nm), which for terminations using NaOH but not Tris was positively correlated with total SOC (R2 = 0.45–0.38). Greatest DOM interference occurred for Andisols for termination with 0.5 M NaOH + 0.5 M CaCl2, which for two Andisols of intermediate SOC (97 and 68 mg g−1) was 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than other soils (346 and 246% overestimation of PHO activity). Increasing CaCl2 concentration (0.5 M–2.0 M) decreased DOM interference, but this effect was less pronounced than the effects of base type or concentration. Enzyme activity tended to be overestimated in assays terminated with NaOH due to DOM interference, and was more greatly underestimated in assays terminated with Tris buffer due to low recovery of pNP, which was soil-specific. Soil PHO Km values, which were not correlated with SOC, varied by soil (4.2–13.3 mM g−1 soil) demonstrating that substrate concentrations routinely employed (typically ≤ 10 mM g−1 soil) are likely insufficient to achieve recommended substrate conditions (5 × Km) for accurate measurement of PHO activity. This study illustrates the importance of a priori determination of soil enzyme Km to achieve conditions nearing substrate saturation, and recommends termination with 0.2 M NaOH + 2.0 M CaCl2, correction for pNP recovery, and correction for DOM absorbance at 410 nm to increase the accuracy of pNP-based enzyme assays in soils. Finally, to improve communication and thus comparison of measured enzyme activities among studies and assay methods (pNP vs 4-methylumbelliferone [MUF]), it is suggested that studies report the concentration of substrate for the final volume used in enzyme assays, report Km values on a soil mass basis, express enzyme activities on a molar pNP basis, and qualify enzyme activities, Km, and Vmax as ‘apparent’ if corrections for interferences are not performed.
Does International Migration Affect Political Participation? Evidence from Multiple Data Sources across Mexican Municipalities, 1990–2013:

Does international migration affect political participation in origin countries? We study how different channels of international migration — migrant absence, return, circularity, and transnational...
Tryptophan hydroxylation in phenylketonuria.

Publisher Summary To investigate the efficiency of the hydroxylation of tryptophan in phenylketonuria, two adult phenylketonuric patients, and two normal volunteer subjects were given 20 μcuries of L-tryptophan-3-14C intravenously over a 30-minute infusion period. It was observed that the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase is present and active in phenylketonurics and that the lowered 5-HIAA excretion reported in patients may be because of inhibition of this enzyme by an excess of phenylalanine in the tissues. Because liver phenylalanine hydroxylase is absent in phenylketonuria, these results also indicate that tryptophan hydroxylase is a distinct enzyme from phenylalanine hydroxylase. It seems unlikely that the relatively mild degree of inhibition of 5-hydroxyindole synthesis in phenylketonuria contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease.
Dynamic cerebral autoregulation at high altitude.

Cerebral autoregulation is a dynamic process that is frequency dependent. In other words, the ability of local vascular control mechanisms to buffer changes in arterial pressure and keep cerebral blood flow (CBF) constant may be more or less effective depending on the time period, or frequency at which changes in blood pressure occur. Previous work in our laboratory (1) has described the cerebral circulation as a “high pass filter” with ineffective modulation of pressure induced changes in cerebral blood flow at high frequencies (>0.20 Hz, or faster than every 5 seconds). Over these short time periods, the biophysical properties of the cerebral circulation, including cerebrovascular impedance, conductance, and inertia of the blood column predominate, and changes in blood pressure are transmitted directly into changes in CBF. In contrast, at lower frequencies (<0.07 Hz, or slower than every 13 seconds), autoregulation is more effective and the relationship between arterial blood pressure and CBF is inherently non-linear with little quantitative dependence of flow on pressure. When autoregulation fails, for example as is seen in patients with malignant hypertension, the upper limit of autoregulation may be breached, resulting in over perfusion of the brain and cerebral edema. This mechanism may be specifically relevant for the illnesses of high altitude such as acute mountain sickness and high altitude cerebral edema.
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in cardiovascular risk reduction: A match control study

Abstract Background There is a paucity of studies comparing risk reduction of the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and Framingham-body mass index (BMI) Coronary Heart risk score after a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and few studies have assessed the efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in reducing cardiovascular risk. Objective Our goal in this study was to compare the impact of SG and RYGB on cardiovascular risk reduction. Setting U.S. university hospital. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of all SG or RYGB cases at our institution between 2010 and 2015. Patients who met the criteria for calculating the ASCVD 10-year and Framingham-BMI score were included in the study. Propensity score matching was used to match SG and RYGB on demographic characteristics and co-morbidities. Results Of the 1330 bariatric patients reviewed in the study period, 219 (19.3%) patients met the criteria for risk score calculation. SG was the most prevalent surgery in 72.6% (N = 159) of cases compared with RYGB in 27.4% (N = 60) of cases. At 12-month follow-up, ASCVD 10-year score had an absolute risk reduction of 3.9 ± 6.5% in SG patients and 2.9 ± 5.8% in RYGB patients (P = .3). Framingham-BMI score absolute risk reduction was 11.0 ± 12.0% in SG and 9.0 ± 11.0% in RYGB patients (P = .4), and the decrease in estimated heart age was 12.1 ± 15.6 years in SG versus 9.2 ± 9.6 years in RYGB (P = .1). The percentage of estimated BMI loss at 1 year was 68.1 ± 23.3% in SG versus 74.2 ± 24.8% in RYGB (P = .1). Conclusion Our results suggest that SG and RYGB are equally effective in improving cardiovascular risk and decreasing the estimated vascular/heart age at 12-month follow-up.
Constraints and Facilitators to Developing Collaborative Campus Wellness Partnerships

This qualitative study explores how campus recreation directors form wellness-based partnerships across campus to serve student wellness needs. Data were collected from 127 campus recreation professionals regarding constraints and facilitators to campus-based wellness partnerships. Data were analyzed using the constant comparison method to identify best practices associated with wellness partnership development. Selected best practices include developing a culture of partnering across campus, formalizing partnerships, and utilizing process- and outcome-based evaluations.
An Improved Update Rate Baud Rate CDR for Integrating Human Body Communication Receiver

Human Body Communication (HBC) utilizes the electrical conduction property of the human body to use it as a communication medium to connect devices around the body. The body channel has broadband characteristics, which enables wireline-like broadband communication. However, environmental interference proves to be a primary bottleneck in broadband HBC implementation. An integrating front-end followed by periodic sampling enables interference robust broadband HBC. The integration operation is sensitive to data, clock phase mismatch, requiring a Clock Data Recovery (CDR) loop for proper phase alignment between clock and data. This paper analyzes a Baud Rate Mueller-Muller (MM) CDR for an integrating front-end and utilizes the properties of the integration operation to propose a integrating MM CDR, which provides higher update rate than a traditional MM CDR. Simulation results show 1.67x higher clock data frequency offset tolerance of the integrating CDR compared to traditional MM CDR.
Mechanical analysis of an MgB2 1.5 T MRI main magnet protected using Coupling Loss Induced Quench.

Abstract Mechanical analysis of the stress and strains developed in the coils were calculated for a ten coil 1.5 T MRI magnet design with magnesium diboride (MgB2) wire protected with Coupling Loss Induced Quench (CLIQ). The temperature distribution inside the coils was first simulated in MATLAB to solve the governing heat and circuit equations. Simulations were performed on the magnet, in which each coil was divided into two subsections, with two CLIQ units while the capacitor ranged from 5 to 20 mF and the initial charging voltage ranged from 2.6 kV to 1.3 kV in order to keep the total stored energy in the CLIQ system constant. The wire’s filamentary twist pitch remained constant at 5 cm for all simulations. The exported temperature distribution was expanded to form a representative unit cell (RUC) representing the wire composite and then imported into ANSYS to calculate the 1st principle strain in the MgB2 filament and shear stress across the epoxy for the coils. A peak temperature of 191 K occurred inside the coil with the initial quench when the CLIQ unit had a 20 mF capacitor charged to 1.3 kV. According to the mechanical simulations, the largest resulting peak strain in the wire was 0.034%, and peak shear stress was 44 MPa.
The ART of Parentage

The world of reproductive technology, including donor gametes and surrogacy, brings new challenges to identifying parents and respecting children’s rights. An intending parent—married or unmarried—is not necessarily the genetic contributor to the resulting child. And children have interests in knowing the identity of their genetic progenitors. This chapter focuses on whom the law recognizes as parents when a child has been created through assisted reproductive technology. While the chapter traces how intent has emerged as the critical factor in determining parentage, it also shows how intentional parenthood might sometimes be in tension with functional parenthood. The chapter provides a brief history of the technologies and their implications for parentage law and children’s rights to know their genetic origins. It also considers how the law might better adjust to changing technologies and family structures to produce outcomes that respect the child, rather than abstract concepts of equality—or even the parents’ interests.
An Item Response Theory analysis of the Verb Subordinates Test

This study presents a psychometric evaluation of the Verb Subordinates Test (VST). The VST assesses lexical competence based on knowledge of troponyms in the verb lexicon. Items are true/false statements with the structure To verbhyponym is a way to verbhypernym. Using Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis, this study examined the difficulty and discriminatory value of different items and difficulty levels of the VST. Statistical analyses showed that the VST is a promising vocabulary assessment measure with high internal consistency and good convergent validity, and that individual VST items, given their frequency range, are differentially informative across the vocabulary trait continuum.
A Brushless Doubly Fed Machine with Separated Field and Armature Windings in Dual Stators

In wind energy conversion systems, the doubly fed induction generator was popular due to reduced cost and control flexibility. Unfortunately, the brushes and slip rings degrade reliability and increase maintenance cost. Brushless doubly fed machine is a special electric machine based on the socalled field modulation effect. In conventional brushless doubly fed machine, both power and control winding equipped in same stator, which causes some challenging issues. This paper presents design and analysis of a new brushless doubly fed with separated field and armature windings in dual stators. First, the topology and operation principle of proposed brushless doubly fed machine with dual stator are illustrated. Some key design issues are discussed, including sizing equation, rotor structure, and slot/pole combination. The influence of leading design parameters on electromagnetic torque are investigated. Finally, finite element analysis is employed to predict electromagnetic behavior of proposed brushless doubly fed machine with dual stators
Leveraging Technology to Manage Chagas Disease by Tracking Domestic and Sylvatic Animal Hosts as Sentinels: A Systematic Review

Surveillance of Chagas in the United States show more is known about prevalence in animals and vectors than in humans. Leveraging health information technology (HIT) may augment surveillance efforts for Chagas disease (CD), given its ability to disseminate information through health information exchanges (HIE) and geographical information systems (GISs). This systematic review seeks to determine whether technological tracking of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected domestic and/or sylvatic animals as sentinels can serve as a potential surveillance resource to manage CD in the southern United States. A Boolean search string was used in PubMed and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Relevance of results was established and analysis of articles was performed by multiple reviewers. The overall Cohen statistic was 0.73, demonstrating moderate agreement among the study team. Four major themes were derived for this systematic review (n = 41): animals act as reservoir hosts to perpetuate CD, transmission to humans could be dependent on cohabitation proximity, variations in T. cruzi genotypes could lead to different clinical manifestations, and leveraging technology to track T. cruzi in domestic animals could reveal prevalent areas or "danger zones." Overall, our systematic review identified that HIT can serve as a surveillance tool to manage CD. Health information technology can serve as a surveillance tool to manage CD. This can be accomplished by tracking domestic and/or sylvatic animals as sentinels within a GIS. Information can be disseminated through HIE for use by clinicians and public health officials to reach at-risk populations.
Pharmacotherapy for depression and bipolar disorder during lactation: A framework to aid decision making

Abstract Objective Breastmilk is recommended as the exclusive source of nutrition for infants younger than 6 months due to the numerous health benefits for both infants and mothers. Although many women are prescribed medications during pregnancy and postpartum, limited data are available to assist women in weighing the benefits compared to the risks of peripartum medication use. The goals of this paper are to discuss the importance of breastmilk for the health of both the mother and infant, evaluate the impact of medication use on women's infant feeding choice, describe the transfer of drugs to breastmilk and infants, and provide a framework for clinicians to support evidence-based counseling for women treated for mood disorders. Recommendations We recommend early pregnancy counseling to discuss the benefits and risks of medications during breastfeeding. The Surgeon General's Call to Action (2011) highlights the short and long-term negative health effects of not providing breastmilk. Integrating recommendations from the pediatric and obstetric teams allows patients to make decisions based on evidence and reach their infant feeding goals. Databases containing summaries of research findings and pharmacologic properties of the drug of interest are an essential resource for clinicians.
On Phase Reduction and Time Period of Noisy Oscillators

We study phase reduction for noisy oscillator models by deriving a reduced order stochastic differential equation describing the phase evolution using the first and second order Phase Response Curves (PRCs). We discuss direct methods and ordinary differential equations for computing these PRCs, and derive approximate first and second moments of the time period of the oscillator models in terms of functions of the PRCs. We illustrate the theoretical results on a noisy Hopf bifurcation normal form, on a noisy Van der Pol oscillator, and on a noisy bursting neuron model.
Chapter 8 – Heptapeptides

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates the properties of heptapeptides. It focuses on compounds such as alanine, ɛ-aminocaproic acid, asparagine, aspartic acid, citrullene, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, and proline, serine, and tyrosine. The structure developed by Li and colleagues for the human pituitary growth hormone has stimulated attempts to synthesize heptapeptides. Work by the Li group toward this objective has been concerned with the 53–67 segment.
Exome Array Analysis of Early-Onset Ischemic Stroke.

Background and Purpose: The genetic contribution to ischemic stroke may include rare- or low-frequency variants of high-penetrance and large-effect sizes. Analyses focusing on early-onset disease, ...
Raised on Christian Milk: Food and the Formation of the Soul in Early Christianity. Synkrisis

According to Jewish rabbinic legend, Mordecai, the adoptive father to Esther, when unable to find a wet-nurse for the orphaned baby, “milk came to him and he could breastfeed her” (Bereshit Rabbah ...
Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem, often referred to as a silent epidemic due to lack of public awareness [1]. TBI is still the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world for individuals under the age of 45 [2]. In the United States alone, based on population data from 1995 to 2001, 1.4 million people sustained TBI in the United States each year, compared to 176,000 new cases of breast cancer, 43,500 new cases of HIV, and 10,400 new cases of multiple sclerosis [3]. Of these brain injuries, 50,000 died, 235,000 were hospitalized, and 1.1 million were treated and released from hospital emergency departments. Though many patients recover from their injuries, each year an estimated 80,000–90,000 Americans sustain a TBI that results in permanent disability [1]. It is estimated that 5.3 million Americans are living with disability resulting from TBI [3]. Mild TBI alone costs the nation $17 billion annually [4]
Resolution of an enlarging subdural haematoma after contralateral middle meningeal artery embolisation.

A man in his 50s presented 1 month after an automobile accident with worsening headaches and an enlarging chronic left subdural haematoma (SDH). He underwent left middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolisation. Due to tortuosity at its origin, we were unable to catheterise the MMA distally. Only proximal coil occlusion at the origin was performed. Follow-up interval head CT showed an increase in the size of the SDH with new haemorrhage, worsening mass effect and midline shift. However, he remained neurologically intact. Contralateral embolisation of the right MMA was performed with a liquid embolic agent. His headaches improved, and a follow-up head CT 3 months later showed near-complete resolution of the SDH.
Graphical Description of Temperature Controlled Actuation of SMA Wires

In this chapter, we will demonstrate how the SMA wires and springs are actuated and the way a given stroke is achieved by means of temperature changes.
Deletion of soluble epoxide hydrolase modulates coronary reactive hyperemia in isolated mouse hearts (837.10)

Coronary reactive hyperemia (RH) is impaired in hypertrophic hearts and in hearts with metabolic syndrome. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) exert cardioprotective effects against ischemia / reperfu...
EMBANKMENT INSTRUMENTATION TUNNEL PERFORMANCE

Some of the problems involving instrumentation of embankments built on soft soil can be minimized by housing instruments within a tunnel, as described in this note. The performance of the tunnel and its installation technique are presented.
On transfer function modeling of price responsive demand: An empirical study

This paper poses the problem of modeling price responsive demand as one of identifying the transfer function between the price and power consumption. This is motivated by the team's earlier work of econometric estimation of the self- and cross-elasticity of demand response. It is discovered that electricity consumption has several unique features that may render the traditional approach ineffective. Such features include (1) nonlinear response between moderate and extremely high prices; and (2) time delay associated with any response from high prices. Based on the realistic data obtained from commercial and industrial loads in Texas, a transfer function modeling of price responsive demand is proposed. The effectiveness of this modeling approach is critically assessed. It is suggested that a transfer function modeling of price responsive demand could potentially be a fruitful direction to understand and close the loop around demand response in the smart grid.
The deviant citizen: Measuring potential positive relations between counterproductive work behaviour and organizational citizenship behaviour

Studies have shown a strong negative correlation between counterproductive work behaviour (CWB) and organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB), and opposite correlations with hypothesized antecedents. Such observed correlations may have been erroneously caused by three measurement artefacts: items measuring absence of CWBs, rather than behaviours that exceed requirements or expectations in OCB scales; supervisory halo; and agreement rather than frequency response format. A new OCB scale, the OCB-checklist (OCB-C) was used that did not have these artefacts. Contrary to prior expectations from the literature, positive relations were found between CWB and OCB, and stressors and OCB. Theoretical explanations for positive CWB/OCB relations (demand-elicited OCB, social loafing, work process problems, rater perceptions and attributions, and aggravated job stress processes) are discussed.
Northern Blotting and RNA Detection

Northern blotting is a means of identifying a certain RNA species in a complex mixture of RNA. Commonly used to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively the expression of a gene, Northern blotting involves isolation of RNA, size fractionation of the denatured RNA through gel electrophoresis, transfer of the separated RNA to a membrane, hybridization with a specific probe, and detection. Keywords: blotting; northern blotting; RNA blotting; hybridization
A Comparison of Forensic Accounting Corporations in the United States

To call entities that issue certifications in forensic accounting “organizations” camouflages their true nature and results in misunderstanding what they really are. They are corporations. Recognizing them as corporations enables forensic accountants who hold their certifications to assess more realistically the costs and benefits of their certifications. A survey reveals that a significant number of forensic accountants believe it is important for forensic accounting corporations to have qualified officers and directors. There are also a significant number who mistakenly believe that the forensic accounting corporations that issued their certifications have qualified officers and directors. However, several forensic accounting corporations do not have qualified officers and directors. Forensic accountants also believe forensic accounting corporations have a duty to disclose the qualifications of their officers and directors but several do not disclose the qualifications of their officers and directors which violates their Codes of Ethics. This paper presents for the first time an in-depth comparison of forensic accounting corporations, their corporate history and the qualifications of their corporate directors and officers. The paper concludes with a recommendation for an independent agency to be established to oversee and accredit forensic accounting corporations. As a matter of public policy regulators cannot let this situation continue unabated. If an independent agency cannot be established, then, as a matter of public policy, states should enact statutes or adopt regulations to regulate forensic accounting corporations.
Open Mesenteric Interventions Are Equally Safe as Endovascular Interventions and Offer Better Midterm Patency for Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia.

Background Endovascular (EV) techniques are being advocated as the preferred method for mesenteric interventions because of their safety profile. However, midterm and long-term results are thought to be inferior to open interventions. We sought to compare our institutional experience with treatment of acute and chronic mesenteric ischemia (AMI and CMI, respectively) using EV and open techniques. Methods The medical records of open and EV mesenteric procedures performed at a single center were queried from 2002 to 2012. Demographic, perioperative, and follow-up data were extracted and analyzed. Results Thirty-eight patients underwent EV mesenteric interventions, whereas 77 patients underwent open revascularization. The demographic and perioperative characteristics for patients were similar. Most EV procedures (89.2%) comprised stenting, whereas open procedures included 25 (32.1%) antegrade bypasses, 38 (48.7%) retrograde bypasses, 8 (10.3%) thromboembolectomies, and 7 (9%) transaortic endarterectomies. Postoperative complications, overall 30-day morbidity and mortality were not significantly different in the open and EV groups for AMI or CMI. Thirty-day mortality in AMI (n = 34) was 38.2% (EV: 45.5% vs. open: 34.8%; P = nonsignificant). There was no mortality in either group for CMI patients. Mean follow-up was much longer for the open procedures (34.9 vs. 12.7 months, P = 0.004). Primary and secondary patency rates were better for open revascularization for CMI patients. Conclusions Open revascularizations are equally safe as EV interventions for AMI and CMI. Patency of open revascularization for CMI is better than EV procedures at midterm follow-up.
Editorial: Supporting healthcare reform with augmented electronic medical records system

The Healthcare Reform Program is by far the most debated and controversial issue confronting the Obama Administration. Much attention thus far has been focused on the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system. Most healthcare practitioners seem to agree that computerised medical information at hospitals, doctors' offices and all other healthcare institutes would lead to reduced waste, and minimised treatment mistakes that had amounted to billions of dollars and thousands of lives. But very few of them really understand how EMR could improve the efficiency in operating the nation's healthcare system. The IJEH Editor offers some comments on the issue.
The Power of Change: Interpersonal Attraction as a Function of Attitude Similarity and Attitude Alignment

Does attitude alignment predict attraction? Would you like a stranger more who shifts her/his attitudes to more closely align with yours? In pairs, participants (N = 77) discussed social issues about which they disagreed and received false feedback on whether the partner engaged in attitude alignment (shifted her/his attitudes toward the participant's attitude) following discussion. Participants also received false feedback about the proportion of similarity to the partner on a set of issues (i.e., 25%, 50%, or 75%). Participants reported greater attraction to partners who engaged in attitude alignment and who were more similar. Moreover, similarity and attitude alignment interacted. Similarity predicted attraction when attitude alignment did not occur, but did not predict attraction when attitude alignment did occur. Finally, partner attitude alignment led to participant attitude alignment, and perceived reasoning ability mediated the attitude alignment-attraction relationship.
Photocatalytic oxidation of aqueous ammonia in model gray waters.

Abstract This study investigated the TiO 2 photocatalytic degradation of aqueous ammonia (NH 4 + /NH 3 ) in the presence of surfactants and monosaccharides at pH∼10.1. Initial rates of NH 4 + /NH 3 photocatalytic degradation decreased by approximately 50–90% in the presence of anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants and monosaccharides. Through correlation analysis, we concluded that scavenging of hydroxyl radical ( OH) by the products of surfactant/monosaccharide photocatalytic degradation, including carbonate and formate, could explain approximately 80% of the variance in initial rates of NH 4 + /NH 3 removal in our system. Addition of a supplemental OH source (H 2 O 2 ) enhanced the rate of NH 4 + /NH 3 degradation in the presence of the surfactant Brij ® 23 lauryl ether (Brij ® 35), further supporting the idea that OH scavenging is the mechanism by which surfactants and monosaccharides decreased initial rates of NH 4 + /NH 3 photocatalytic degradation. Despite slowed rates of NH 4 + /NH 3 degradation, both surfactants/monosaccharides and NH 4 + /NH 3 were removed by TiO 2 photocatalysis, indicating that this process can effectively remove both carbonaceous and nitrogenous biochemical oxygen demand from gray water.
Ion-molecule chemistry within boron tribromide clusters: experiment and theory.

Molecular clusters of BBr3 were subjected to electron ionization and mass analysis in a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Five series of cluster ions were observed, with formulas corresponding to each of the possible fragment ions of BBr3 being solvated by neutral BBr3 molecules. Geometry optimizations on the observed cluster ions using density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G*) predict that fragment ions smaller than BBr3+ undergo reactions with neutral BBr3 molecules to form covalently bound adduct species that function as core ions within the clusters. Once all boron atoms are saturated, the reactions cease, and larger cluster ions consist of BBr3 molecules loosely bound to the core ions. Divalent bromine atoms are present in at least three of the cluster ions, and most of the intermolecular contact within the clusters is between Br atoms. Enthalpies of formation, addition reactions, and BBr3 elimination from the cluster ions were derived from B3LYP and MP2 calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G* geo...
Replication of Heliothis zea nuclear polyhedrosis virus in cloned cell lines

Clones from two Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) ovarian cell lines, BCIRL-Hz-AM1 (AM1) and BCIRL-Hz-AM3 (AM3), were generated and their ability to produce H. zea nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HzSNPV) was compared. Titers of extracellular virus (ECV) ranged from 5.5 (AM3-F9) to 44.9 x 10(5) PFU/ml (AM1-A4), with the parental cell lines AM3 and AM1 producing 14.8 and 26.4 x 10(5) PFU/ml, respectively. Concentrations of polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIB) produced by the cloned lines ranged from 0.7 (AM3-F9) to 59.6 x 10(6) PIB/ml (AM1-B3), while the parental cell lines generated 6.5 (AM3) and 12.9 x 10(6) PIB/ml (AM1). The percentage of cells from the cloned lines that produced PIB ranged from 39 to 86.4% for AM3-F9 and AM1-A7, respectively, with the parental lines exhibiting 49.1% (AM3) and 75.3% (AM1) cells with PIB. The number of PIB per cell also differed markedly between cell lines, varying from 18.3 (AM3-F9) to 184.4 (AM1-B3) PIB/cell. The parental lines produced 57.3 (AM3) and 75.9 (AM1) PIB/cell. Thus, significant differences were seen in virus production (ECV, PIB) between parental cell lines, as well as between parental cell lines and their clones. In addition, cell lines were characterized with regard to their growth rates and isoenzyme patterns.
THE USE OF A NEW CLEARING TECHNIQUE FOR THE STUDY OF EARLY OVULE DEVELOPMENT, MEGASPOROGENESIS, AND MEGAGAMETOGENESIS IN FIVE SPECIES OF CORNUS L.

The application of a new clearing technique proved successful for the study of ovule development, megasporogenesis, and megagametogenesis in Corn us asperifolia Michaux., C. stricta Lam., C. amomum Miller, C. florida L., and C. alternifolia L. These were the first studies of embryological features in C. asperifolia and C. stricta. Consistent features for both species include: slightly crassinucellate nucelli, megaspore mother cells, and equal dyads with the upper member obliquely aligned to the parietal cell. Alignment of nucelli of the 4-nucleate megagametophyte is not the same for both species. More than one mature 8-nucleate megagametophyte per nucellus was recorded for C. asperifolia. Embryological features not revealed in previous investigations of the other three species include: equal dyad cells for C. alternifolia and C. amomum, although disintegration of defunct megaspores is variable for both species; vacuole formation at the micropylar end at the 2-nucleate stage of C. amomum; a 4-nucleate stage in C. amomum and C. alternifolia with different alignments of nuclei; synergids that disintegrate rapidly in both species although antipodal shapes vary for each; and fusion- of polar nuclei at varying locations within different species. A prominent hypostase is formed in all five species. Because of embryological features, it is recommended that C. fon ida be separated from the genus Cornus.
Teaching Self-Advocating Strategies Through Drama:

High school students with learning disabilities must develop the necessary oral language skills to be able to articulate their needs to others if they are to transition successfully to the postsecondary level. Since its inception in 1996, Project Access, a transition program at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland, has taught skills using a variety of exercises and performance activities. These are divided into the following categories: Introductory Exercises, Nonverbal Exercises, Verbal Exercises and Scenes, and other Performance Activities. As a result of participating in these exercises, students have grown in self-esteem and in ability to self-advocate.
Model Predictive Control for Vehicle Stabilization at the Limits of Handling

Recent developments in vehicle steering systems offer new opportunities to measure the steering torque and reliably estimate the vehicle sideslip and the tire-road friction coefficient. This paper presents an approach to vehicle stabilization that leverages these estimates to define state boundaries that exclude unstable vehicle dynamics and utilizes a model predictive envelope controller to bound the vehicle motion within this stable region of the state space. This approach provides a large operating region accessible by the driver and smooth interventions at the stability boundaries. Experimental results obtained with a steer-by-wire vehicle and a proof of envelope invariance demonstrate the efficacy of the envelope controller in controlling the vehicle at the limits of handling.
On the accuracy of vortex methods

Abstract The accuracy of the vortex method depends on the choice of the cutoff function and of the cutoff length Δ and on the initialization of the vorticity distribution. The practical effect of these choices on the vortex method for inviscid flows in the absence of boundaries is investigated. In our examples the vorticity is radially symmetric and has bounded support. The consistency error and its components, the smoothing error and the discretization error, for high-order cutoff functions and several values of the cutoff length Δ are considered. The numerical experiments indicate that for smooth flows, high-order cutoffs improve the accuracy of the approximation. The best value of Δ is larger than h , the initial distance between the vortices; it is time dependent in the sense that longer time integration requires a larger Δ. In addition the optimal choice of Δ is insensitive to the smoothness of the flow. If Δ is close to h then the accuracy is lost in a relatively short time. This loss of accuracy is caused by the growth of the discretization error.
NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS: PARAMETERS OF BIODATA INVASIVENESS

In this research, biodata items were evaluated for their perceived invasiveness by over 200 professionals (psychologists and social scientists), as well as three samples of nonprofessionals. In addition to item subject matter, perceived invasiveness of items was related to various biodata attributes, in that items that were more verifiable, more transparent in purpose, and more impersonal were seen as less invasive. Subjects with more positive attitudes toward biodata and organizational selection measures viewed fewer items as invasive, as did those with more education. Dispositional variables and gender were related to invasiveness perceptions in some samples. Four general motives or topics were determined to generate the greatest concern: fear of stigmatization, concern about having applicants recall traumatic events, intimacy, and religion. The results may help develop consensus about defining “invasive” and contribute to ways of reducing perceptions of invasiveness.
Benefits of Novel Preformed Gel Fluid System in Proppant Placement forUnconventional Reservoirs

Post-treatment production analyses after hydraulic fracturing with crosslinked gel or slickwater often indicate that the treatment did not achieve the designed fractured area, which could be attributed to non-ideal proppant placement in the fracture. Although crosslinked gel provides good proppant suspension, it may not provide the desired proppant transport under downhole conditions. It is also difficult to clean up and thus induces gel damage into the proppant pack and formation. Slickwater treatment reduces gel damage, but proppant settling and banking problems can reduce the chance of achieving optimal fracture conductivity. Several proppant placement techniques have been developed to generate highly conductive paths for hydrocarbons to flow from an unconventional reservoir to the wellbore, such as hybrid fracturing, ultralightweight proppant delivery, and reverse hybrid fracturing. This paper demonstrates a novel fracturing fluid and its nearly perfect proppant transport characteristics. An engineered method of applying such fluids to optimize proppant placement and maximize fracture conductivity is discussed. The novel fracturing fluids are based on preformed gel fluids. When properly selected, the fluids can ideally suspend proppant under downhole conditions and carry all types of proppants into the fracture. This leads to better transverse and vertical placement of proppant in the fracture and significantly increases the fractured surface area, which is one of most important factors in unconventional reservoir production. The degradability of the fluid can be controlled by reservoir temperature, fluid pH, or breaker loading, which leads to optimized proppant pack conductivity. This paper discusses the evolution of the technology and laboratory testing results for this unique fluid system. The system has applications in areas requiring high fractured surface area and high regained conductivity, such as unconventional liquids-rich formations.
Microstructure-Based Modeling of Ti-6Al-4V Lattice Structures and Trabecular Bone

Knowledge of mechanical properties of bones is important for the designing of bone replacements and implants as well as the research of bone diseases such as osteoporosis. However, bone, especially trabecular bone, is a highly anisotropic and heterogeneous living tissue. Micro-computed-tomography (micro-CT) and three-dimensional ultrasound imaging techniques are valuable tools for nondestructive investigation of three-dimensional trabecular bone architecture. From a reconstruction of trabecular bone, a numerical model such as finite element (FE) model can be generated. Using this FE model to simulate compression test, and comparing the simulation results to the results from real mechanical test of the same specimen, the relationship between the observed mechanical behaviors and the microstructure can be established.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Auger spectroscopy of grain boundaries in calcium-doped sodium beta-alumina

Air- and vacuum-fractured samples of calcium-doped beta-alumina have been examined using Auger electron spectroscopy. The calcium concentrations at grain boundaries were found to be enhanced over the bulk value by about a factor of 10. Excess sodium was observed on the fracture surface of air fractured electrolytes, and was absent for samples fractured in ultra-high vacuum. Temperature-dependent features in the secondary electron spectrum and the effects of surface charging and radiation damage by the incident electron beam were also observed.