cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A kinetic theory based scheme for the numerical solution of the BGK-Burnett equations for hypersonic flows in the continuum-transition regime

A kinetic theory based upwind algorithm for the BGK-Burnett equations is presented. The Boltzmann equation, with BGK approximation for the collision integral, describes the spatial and temporal variations of the second-order distribution function which forms the basis of this formulation. The second order distribution function is derived by considering the first three terms in the Chapman-Enskog expansion and using the Navier-Stokes equations to express the material derivatives, present in the second-order terms, in terms of the spatial derivatives. The Burnett equations are derived by taking moments of the BGK-Boltzmann equation with the collision invariant vector. A Kinetic Wave/Particle Split scheme for the BGK-Burnett equations is derived by taking moments of the upwind discretized Boltzmann equation. This algorithm is applied to a 1D shock tube problem and a hypersonic shock structure problem. This is the first time that a kinetic-theory based method has been developed for solving the Burnett equations. (Author)
Fasciola hepatica: Effects of diamfenetide free amine on in vitro physiology, biochemistry, and morphology

Short-term (1-3 hr) incubations in vitro of immature and adult Fasciola hepatica with 10(-4) to 10(-5) M free amine of diamfenetide (DPT-FA) demonstrated a time/dose-dependent, irreversible paralysis that involved an increase in muscular tension and decrease in contraction amplitude. The following events occurred preceding or concomitant with the paralysis: influx of Na+, decrease in surface membrane potential, increase in wet weight, swellings on the ventral surface, and inhibition of 3-O-methyl glucose transport. These events were all consistent with a disturbance in surface membrane functions. The effects of DPT-FA were more severe in immature flukes (3-5 weeks postinfection) than adults which agrees with observed in vivo efficacy.
Lower sexually transmissible infection prevalence among lifetime exclusive women who have sex with women compared with women who have sex with women and men

Background Sexually transmissible infection (STI) history, prevalence and seroprevalence among lifetime exclusive women who have sex with women (WSW) and an age-matched group of women who have sex with women and men (WSWM) was evaluated. Methods: Participants completed a study questionnaire and had genital specimens and sera collected for STI testing. Results: Twenty-one lifetime exclusive WSW and 42 WSWM were included. WSWM were more likely to report a history of prior STIs and be seropositive for chlamydia and HSV-2. Prevalent STIs were less common among WSW. Conclusions: While lifetime exclusive WSW are at risk of contracting STIs, WSWM are disproportionally affected. Healthcare providers should consider routine STI screening among WSW.
The Future of the European Community in International Politics

The December 1973 conference of European Community heads of state and government may, in retrospect, be viewed either as a futile attempt to save the Community or as a milestone in the history of international politics. Reacting to the desperate energy supply situation caused by the previous autumn's renewal of the Mideast War, the members of the recently enlarged EC attempted to develop a Community response to a common problem.' Though the results of the meetings disappointed many observers who expected a greater show of strength and unity, the Community members did, for the first time, address as a unit issues of a magnitude sufficient to threaten the vital interests of all the states concerned. "Summit" meetings in September and December of 1974 and subsequent meetings of the European Council following its foundation in Dublin, 10-11 March 1975,2 have revealed an increasing tendency within the EC to intensify overt political cooperation in the face of externally generated economic and political pressures. During the same period, the positive outcome of the British referendum on continuance of Community participation virtually assured the Ec possession of the basic elements of great power status. The realization of this potential, which depends upon the harnessing of these "elements of power" to a common external policy, is the subject of this inquiry. The external political future of the European Community is currently a focus of attention for students of international politics, law, and organization. To these observers, academics and practitioners alike, who maintain constant familiarity with the nature of participants in international political processes, the partial eclipse of the external economic policies of important economic powers such as France, Germany, and Great Britain and the harnessing of their capacities to Community foreign economic policies has already had obvious effects within the limited area of international trade and finance. Should these developments be complemented by the formation of an integrated European external policy, the form and intensity of participation by the EC's nine member states in this new role will critically affect the basic structure of international politics in the near and middle term. Formation of a European "personality" capable of promoting and defending Community interests via the generation and execution of cohesive external policies would certainly affect the future of Atlantic and Eastern bloc politics. Moreover, the prospect of another major political entity participating in
Resistance in Perennial Glandular-haired Medicago Species to Feeding by Adult Alfalfa Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Resistance to alfalfa weevil (AW), Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), detected in Medicago sativa L. has been primarily tolerance to feeding of the larvae. Adult feeding resistance has been found in glandular-haired annual Medicago species, but these cannot be hybridized with alfalfa to produce useful cultivars. In this study, two diploid ( Medicago glandulosa David and Medicago prostrata Jacquin) and one tetraploid ( Medicago glutinosa Marshall Von Bieberstein) glandular-haired, perennial species were tested for resistance to AW adult feeding. Control plants were perennial M. sativa (susceptible) and annuals Medicago scutellata (L.) Mill and Medicago disciformis DC (resistant). Dry-matter consumption, leaf damage ratings, and numbers of AW on the entries were all lower for M. prostrata and M. glandulosa than for susceptible M. sativa. M. glutinosa did not seem to be consistently resistant to adult AW feeding.
Early Development of Stereotyped and Self-Injurious Behaviors: I. Incidence

From five programs with 457 eligible children, 39 children younger than 40 months who had developmental disabilities were studied. Video sampling, observation notes, parent reports, staff reports, and clinical records were the data sources. Twenty-one children, or 4.6% of the total number in the program, exhibited SIBs. Virtually all children in the sample who were motorically capable of it showed body-rocking in at least one position. The SIBs were directed mainly toward the head, and body-rocking occurred mainly in four-point and seated position.
SU-E-T-254: Quantitative Evaluation of Three Mathematical Models for Radiation-Induced Secondary Cancer Risk for Lung in Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy.

Purpose: Several mathematical models exist to predict secondary cancer risks from radiotherapytreatment. In this study, we aimed to compare three dosimetry‐basedmodels in the application of stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT) of early‐stage non‐small cell lungcancer(NSCLC) with three radiotherapytreatment modalities. Methods: Ten patients who received definitive SBRT for early‐stage NSCLC were retrospectively selected. for each patient, a helical tomotherapy (HT) plan, a three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D‐CRT) plan, and a volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plan were generated to deliver 50 Gy to the planning target volume in five fractions. The excess absolute risk (EAR) for secondary lungcancer occurrence was calculated using three risk models: the linear‐exponential model, the plateau model, and the linear model. The sensitivity of the EAR to the prescription dose was evaluated by varying the prescription dose in the range of 40 to 60 Gy. Results: Based on the linear‐exponential model, the average EAR's (in occurrences per 10,000 patients per year) were 8.4+/−2.7, 8.3+/−2.1, and 8.4+/−1.9 for the HT plans, 3D‐CRT plans, and VMAT plans respectively with 40 Gy prescription dose, and 9.4+/−2.5, 9.0+/−2.1, and 9.3+/−1.8 with 60 Gy. Based on the plateau model, the average EAR's were 10.7+/−3.9, 10.6+/−3.0, and 10.9+/−2.8 with 40 Gy, and 12.9+/−4.2, 12.6+/−3.4, 12.9+/−3.1 with 60 Gy. Based on the linear model, the average EAR's were 29.1+/−13.4, 29.4+/−11.4, and 30.0+/−11.1 with 40 Gy, and 43.8+/−20.1, 44.0+/−11.0, 45.1+/−16.6 with 60 Gy. The difference in EAR's were not statistically significant among the HT, 3D‐CRT, and VMAT plans. Conclusions: Three secondary cancer risk models, as well as three SBRTtreatment modalities, were compared. There was no significant difference in secondary lungcancer risks among the three treatment modalities in this study.
An Analytical Framework for Understanding Knowledge-Sharing Processes in Online Q&A Communities

Online communities have become popular knowledge sources for both individuals and organizations. Computer-mediated communication research shows that communication patterns play an important role in the collaborative efforts of online knowledge-sharing activities. Existing research is mainly focused on either user egocentric positions in communication networks or communication patterns at the community level. Very few studies examine thread-level communication and process patterns and their impacts on the effectiveness of knowledge sharing. In this study, we fill this research gap by proposing an innovative analytical framework for understanding thread-level knowledge sharing in online Q&A communities based on dialogue act theory, network analysis, and process mining. More specifically, we assign a dialogue act tag for each post in a discussion thread to capture its conversation purpose and then apply graph and process mining algorithms to examine knowledge-sharing processes. Our results, which are based on a real support forum dataset, show that the proposed analytical framework is effective in identifying important communication, conversation, and process patterns that lead to helpful knowledge sharing in online Q&A communities.
Negotiating mutually satisfying IS action research topics with organizations: an analysis of Rapoport’s initiative dilemma

Discusses, from an information system perspective, the gradual negotiation process involved in the resolution of the initiative dilemma of action research. Posits that the initiative dilemma is characterized by the researcher facing the decision of taking the initiative of defining an opportunity for generating knowledge first then trying to find client organizations, or leaving this to client organizations and tackling problems proposed by them. The first option may lead to the definition of research projects that do not meet the interests of client organizations, while the second may lead to irrelevant research topics. Proposes a preliminary explanatory model of this negotiation process and highlights the differing and often conflicting views of researchers and organizations. Discusses failure types that may result from this negotiation process and how to avoid them.
Mobility of Robbery and Burglary Offenders Ghetto and Nonghetto Spaces

This article examines the mobility of robbery and burglary offenders in ghetto and nonghetto spaces during a two-year period in a major metropolitan city. Data representing 990 incidents were collected from the Milwaukee County Circuit Court on 1187 persons charged with the commission of a robbery or burglary offense during 1976 and 1977. Accepting the premise that spatial structure has an impact on the movement of individual in space, this analysis investigates the movement of black and white offenders from ghetto and nonghetto spaces of Milwaukee County. It reveals that the single-core structure of the Milwaukee ghetto serves to restrict as well as to deflect the movements of most offenders, but black robbers are able to overcome the effect of the ghetto with relative ease when compared to other offenders.
Homing of Hatchery-Reared American Shad to the Lehigh River, a Tributary to the Delaware River

Abstract Runs of the anadromous American shad Alosa sapidissima in the Lehigh River, a major tributary to the west shore of the Delaware River, were blocked by construction of dams during the 1820s. Completion of two fish ladders in 1994 opened up the lower 39 km to migratory fish. Hatchery-reared American shad larvae, marked by immersion in tetracycline antibiotics, have been stocked in the Lehigh River since 1985. From 1995 to 2000, hatchery-origin (marked) American shad made up 73–98% of the adult shad collected in the Lehigh River upriver of the first dam. The contribution of Lehigh River hatchery-marked adult shad in the Delaware River was 5–15% at Raubsville, 10 km downriver from the mouth of the Lehigh River, and 0–4% at Smithfield Beach, 53 km upstream from the mouth of the Lehigh River. These results demonstrated that American shad migrating into the Lehigh River were not a random assortment of shad from the Delaware River population. When the downstream Delaware River samples were segregated lat...
The [unk]-Neumann Problem on (Weakly) Pseudo-Convex Two-Dimensional Manifolds.

Abstract When the Levi-form vanishes at boundary points of a pseudo-convex manifold, more delicate invariants are required to describe the function theoretic properties of the manifold. These are introduced here; the proof of the main theorem and other results, which will be described in more detail elsewhere, are described.
Unwilling Participant Observation among Russian Siloviki and the Good-Enough Field Researcher

In 1999, on a trip to Russia to study gender violence, I was sitting in on a special training at a Moscow police academy. In between jokes about the impossibility of prostitutes getting raped, the cops-in-training could not stop focusing on me, the one American and one of three women in a rowdy room. For example, one man loudly asked me whether all Americans had cars and followed up with a comment that, of course we did, because this is where “you” (meaning me) would have sex. The training on rape and sexual harassment that I had come to observe had come to a halt because the new police were so intent on making sexual jokes. These comments felt even more threatening than they might otherwise because, a few days before, I had been picked up by the Russian police, shoved into a police car with several drunken officers, and driven around Moscow until I offered a bribe.
The growth and fecundity of Eisenia fetida (Savigny) in cattle solids pre-composted for different periods

Summary The growth and fecundity of Eisenia fetida , in separated cattle solids, that had been composted for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks, was followed in laboratory microcosms. These were 12 × 12 × 6 cm plastic boxes with perforated lids, each containing 150 g (wet weight) of manure inoculated with five earthworms, replicated three times. There was no clear pattern of the effect of pre-composting on the growth of earthworms, although limited pre-composting appeared to favor earthworm growth. There was a consistent trend for fewer cocoons to be produced with increasing times of pre-composting, but there was no clear pattern of effect of pre-composting on the numbers of earthworm hatchlings produced. The C/N ratio of the bedding fell from a range of 29.0-51.5 to 14.8-17.9 during the six months of the experiment. Changes in NH 4 and NO 3 during vermicomposting were very variable.
Morphological Analysis of CDC2 and Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Phosphorylation as Markers of G2 → M Transition in Glioma

G2 → M transition is a strategic target for glioma chemotherapy. Key players in G2 → M transition include CDC2 and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), which are highly regulated by posttranslational phosphorylation. This report is a morphological analysis of CDC2 and GSK3β phosphorylation using immunohistochemistry in gliomas with different biological properties. GBM showed a 2.8-fold and 5.6-fold increase in number of cells positive for pThr161CDC2 and a 4.2- and 6.9-fold increase in number of cells positive for pTyr15CDC2 relative to oligodendroglioma and ependymoma, respectively. Elevated labeling for inhibited phospho-CDC2 (pTyr15CDC) correlates with elevated levels of phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). 71% of the GBM cases showed intermediate to high intensity staining for pSer9SGK3β 53% of oligodendroglioma, and 73% of ependymoma showed low intensity staining. CDC2 gene amplification correlates with increased survival in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and astrocytoma WHO grades II-III, but not in oligodendroglioma WHO grades II-III.
Application of Split-GFP System in Biophysical Research and in Cell Biology

Truncated green fluorescent protein (GFP) that is refolded after removing the 10th beta strand can readily bind to a synthetic strand to fully recover the absorbance and fluorescence of the whole protein. 1) The spontaneous reassembly allows rigorous experimental determination of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the split system including the equilibrium constant and the association/dissociation rates, which enables residue-specific analysis of peptide-protein interactions. 2) Furthermore, the split-GFP scheme, with its complete synthetic control over the split peptide, is ideal to study the biophysics of color tuning in fluorescent proteins by gradually changing the local solvation environment of the chromophore to selectively stabilize or destabilize a certain resonance contributor that leads to different degree of color shift. 3) The dissociation rate of the noncovalently-bound strand is observed through the strand exchange process that is accompanied by a color change, and surprisingly, the rate is greatly enhanced by light irradiation. This peptide-protein photodissociation is a very unusual phenomenon and can potentially be useful for introducing spatially and temporally well-defined perturbations to biological systems as a genetically encoded caged protein.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
An antiovulatory decapeptide of higher potency which has an L-amino acid (Ac-Pro) in position 1

Ac-[Pro1, D-Phe2, D-Trp3, D-Trp6]-LH-RH completely inhibited ovulation in cycling rats at 200μg/rat and is comparable in activity to the corresponding D-<Glu1-analogue. This Ac-Pro1-analogue is the most potent antiovulatory peptide yet known having an L-amino acid residue in position 1. This result shows that for the design of potent inhibitors of ovulation, a D-amino acid residue is not essential in position 1. The corresponding Ac-D-Pro1- and Kic1-analogues completely inhibited ovulation at 750μg/rat, but not at 200μg/rat, and the Cpc1-analogue was inactive at these dosages.
“A friend gave me a phone number” – Brokerage in low-level corruption

Abstract Corrupt exchanges are often brokered by a third party, but this phenomenon has not been satisfactorily explored by researchers of corruption. Literature on brokerage in general provides interesting models but they have not previously been applied to corrupt exchanges. Based on in-depth qualitative interviews with respondents who participated in actual corrupt transactions, this paper identifies several distinct brokerage types in low-level corruption in contemporary Hungary. The paper also provides explanation of variation in corruption brokerage in terms of actors' group affiliations, forms of the corrupt exchanges, brokerage mechanisms, as well as neutrality, benefit and motivation, risk distribution, and stability of the brokerage structure. Finally, we discuss some policy implications of corruption brokerage.
Institutional Access to Mobile Resources

Library resources are increasingly available via either mobile applications or mobile websites. The various licensing, authentication, and content models—not all of which are patron-friendly—are ever-changing. Librarians must familiarize themselves with the models offered by publishers and vendors, checking license agreements to ensure that mobile access is included. It is important to inform patrons about new and updated mobile resources. Resources for keeping up with vendor options include listservs, vendor web pages for librarians, social media, and professional conferences and meetings.
Embodying and Disabling Antiwar Activism: Disrupting YouTube’s “Mother’s Day for Peace”

YouTube allows activists to broadcast their missions and engage global audiences. “Mother’s Day for Peace,” a 2007 video, features American actresses who recite Julia Ward Howe’s radical 1870 Mother’s Day Proclamation and describe their personal thoughts on mothering. Analyzing this video with transnational rhetoric and disability rhetoric frameworks not only illuminates the persuasive possibilities and drawbacks for the video’s normative feminine gender performance and the spectacle of a war-injured Iraqi girl but also models an approach that prompts rhetoricians to examine larger rhetorical concerns revealed by the intersections of disability, race, gender, and globalization.
Depth related changes in the 13C12C ratio of skeletal carbonate deposited by the Caribbean reef-frame building coral Montastrea annularis: further implications of a model for stable isotope fractionation by scleractinian corals

Systematic variations in the isotopic composition of skeletal carbonate deposited by the Caribbean reef-frame building coral Montastrea annularis are correlated with water depth, location of the corallites within the corallum, and polyp packing density, as is demonstrated by isotope ratio measurements for 426 samples collected at 4.6 m depth intervals between 0 and 27.4 m at St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. These data support a model, based on a study of Indo-Pacific scleractinians, proposed earlier for stable isotope fractionation by corals. Of particular interest is the fact that, within this species, ecotypic differentiation into shallow-water and deep-water subpopulations, with a boundary close to 20m, is reflected by changes in skeletal °13C. Stable isotope geochemical studies of both modern and fossil coral-derived carbonate may contribute to the solution of several problems having geologic and paleontologic significance.
Protection against dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy is related to modulation by testosterone of FOXO1 and PGC-1α

Glucocorticoid-induced muscle atrophy results from muscle protein catabolism and reduced protein synthesis, associated with increased expression of two muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases (MAFbx and MuRF1), and of two inhibitors of protein synthesis, REDD1 and 4EBP1. MAFbx, MuRF1, REDD1 and 4EBP1 are up-regulated by the transcription factors FOXO1 and FOXO3A. The transcriptional co-activator PGC-1α has been shown to attenuate many forms of muscle atrophy and to repress FOXO3A-mediated transcription of atrophy-specific genes. Dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy can be prevented by testosterone, which blocks up-regulation by dexamethasone of FOXO1. Here, an animal model of dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy was used to further characterize effects of testosterone to abrogate adverse actions of dexamethasone on FOXO1 levels and nuclear localization, and to determine how these agents affect PGC-1α, and its upstream activators, p38 MAPK and AMPK. In rat gastrocnemius muscle, testosterone blunted the dexamethasone-mediated increase in levels of FOXO1 mRNA, and FOXO1 total and nuclear protein. Dexamethasone reduced total and nuclear PGC-1α protein levels in the gastrocnemius; co-administration of testosterone with dexamethasone increased total and nuclear PGC-1α levels above those present in untreated controls. Testosterone blocked dexamethasone-induced decreases in activity of p38 MAPK in the gastrocnemius muscle. Regulation of FOXO1, PGC-1α and p38 MAPK by testosterone may represent a novel mechanism by which this agent protects against dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy.
Giant prostatic fossa with misleading radiographic features.

The long-term complication of a perforation of the prostatic capsule during transurethral resection of the prostate is described. Calcifications in a giant prostatic fossa led to initially misleading radiologic findings
Ethanol pharmacokinetics in neonates and infants.

Abstract Introduction Ethanol has been used for years in neonatal and infant liquid medications, yet the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of ethanol in this vulnerable population have not been well characterized. The purpose of this review is to raise awareness of ethanol use as an excipient in neonatal and infant medications and to provide insight, based on the available evidence, into clearance rates of ethanol in babies. We also discuss ethanol pharmacokinetics in adults, theoretical pharmacokinetic changes in neonates and infants as it may apply to ethanol disposition, and case reports involving ethanol exposure in neonates and infants. Materials and methods This study was a narrative review in which relevant papers were selected using databases and scientific search engines such as PubMed with the key words ethanol , infant , and newborn infant . Results It remains unclear what ethanol exposure is safe for neonates and infants. The Food and Drug Administration and American Academy of Pediatrics have both taken action, by either setting limits of ethanol content in over-the-counter medications or by recommending restricted exposure to ethanol-containing pediatric formulations. Conclusions Until the short- and long-term health effects of chronic ethanol administration can be further characterized, ethanol-containing medications should be used with caution.
Sex-role stereotyping and patterns of self-disclosure

Students enrolled in psychology courses completed a Bem Sex-Role Inventory and a self-disclosure scale. A three way ANOVA (sex by sex role by target of disclosure) was used to determine if androgynous subjects differed from stereotyped by not conforming to standard sex differences in: (a) pattern of targets disclosed to; (b) amount of intimate disclosure. Results indicated: (a) androgynous females reported a “peers first” profile, typical of males; (b) androgynous males reported more disclosure than stereotyped males, especially on intimate topics; (c) androgynous females reported more nonintimate discussions with their fathers; and (d) androgynous males reported the highest level of intimate disclosures to father. Sex role is a better predictor of reported self-disclosure than is sex.
Induction of Antibodies in Guinea Pigs and Rhesus Monkeys against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope: Neutralization of Nonpathogenic and Pathogenic Primary Isolate Simian/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Strains

We have compared the abilities of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope V3 peptides and recombinant gp120 to induce antibodies that neutralize simian/human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs). SHIV-89.6 is a nonpathogenic SHIV that expresses the envelope protein of primary HIV-1 isolate 89.6. SHIV-89.6P, clone KB9, is a pathogenic SHIV variant derived from SHIV-89.6. Infection of rhesus monkeys with these SHIVs rarely induces anti-V3 region antibodies. To determine the availability of the gp120 V3 loop for neutralizing antibody binding on SHIV-89.6 and KB9 virions, we have constructed immunogenic C4-V3 peptides from these SHIVs and induced anti-V3 antibodies in guinea pigs and rhesus monkeys. We found that both SHIV-89.6 and KB9 C4-V3 peptides induced antibodies that neutralized SHIV-89.6 but that only SHIV-KB9 C4-V3 peptide induced antibodies that neutralized SHIV-KB9. Immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that SHIV-KB9 C4-V3 peptide-induced antibodies had a greater ability to bind SHIV-KB9 envelope proteins than did antibodies raised against SHIV-89.6 C4-V3 peptide. We have used a series of mutant HIV-1 envelope constructs to map the gp120 determinants that affect neutralization by anti-V3 antibodies. The residue change at position 305 of arginine (in SHIV-89.6) to glutamic acid (in SHIV-KB9) played a central role in determining the ability of peptide-induced anti-V3 antiserum to neutralize primary isolate SHIVs. Moreover, residue changes in the SHIV-89.6 V1/V2 loops also played roles in regulating the availability of the V3 neutralizing epitope on SHIV-89.6 and -KB9. Thus, SHIV-89.6 and -KB9 V3 region peptides are capable of inducing neutralizing antibodies against these primary isolate SHIVs, although the pathogenic SHIV-KB9 is less easily neutralized than its nonpathogenic variant SHIV-89.6. In contrast to natural infection with SHIV-89.6, in which few animals make anti-V3 antibodies, C4-V3 peptides frequently induced anti-V3 antibodies that neutralized primary isolate SHIV strains.
Flow Modification of Cerebral Aneurysm by Flow Diverter (Pipeline) With Different Packing Densities

Flow diverter, a braided fine mesh stent, is emerging as a novel device to treat wide-necked, fusiform, and giant cerebral aneurysms since these types of aneurysms are either untreatable otherwise or have high recurrence rate treated by endovascular coils. Flow diverter devices represent a major paradigm shift in the endovascular treatment of aneurysms from filling the aneurysm cavity to diverting blood flow away from aneurysm sac with parent vessel reconstruction. Due to its high flexibility, a flow diverter can be manipulated during deployment process to achieve better results; for example, an experienced neuro-interventionalist can manipulate the stent’s local metal coverage through coordinated movement of catheter pull-back, pusher advancement, and distal coil release to pack higher density for the aneurysm orifice region to divert more flow away from aneurysm, making aneurismal thrombosis quicker and easier. Pipeline embolization device is the first flow diverter approved by FDA. In this study, we investigate the flow modification of a wide-necked aneurysm by Pipeline with different packing densities.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Modeling Strategic Investment Decisions Under Sequential Technological Change

Strategic decisions to invest in new equipment are critical not only because of the large initial capital costs incurred but even more importantly because they affect future unit production costs, revenues, and the ability of the firm to perform operations that were not possible earlier. Thus these decisions determine the very competitiveness of the firm. Further, decisions regarding the choice of technology are very expensive to correct if incorrect decisions are identified. These decisions have become increasingly urgent and complex because the state of the art in technology is changing rapidly. However, many models available for evaluating these decisions are either too complex and inefficient or too restrictive in the number, types, and the way appearance of future technologies is modeled. This research attempts to relax some of these restrictions using forecast horizon procedures to model capital investment decisions where any number of technologies may appear in the future with purchase costs and revenues that may vary over time. The appearance of these future technologies are considered uncertain with probabilities that may also vary with time. However, we assume that the order in which they appear is sequential, much like the different generations of microchips for microcomputers. We develop a new approach using nonunique terminal rewards to solve a dynamic programming model of the problem by introducing "converse" difference functions and present an algorithm that is both simple and efficient. Despite the increase in state space from the use of "converse" functions, we show that the computational burden of the algorithm does not increase. Numerical examples are given to illustrate our algorithm. Sensitivity of the optimal decision to changes in probabilities, costs, and revenues are also discussed.
Genetic variations in the GLUT3 gene associated with myelomeningocele.

Objective Our objectives were to examine the extent of described sequence variation in the glucose transporter 3 ( GLUT3 ) gene in children with myelomeningocele (MM), identify novel variations in the GLUT3 gene in these children, and determine whether these variations may confer a risk of MM. Study Design We sequenced the 10 exons of GLUT3 , including exon-intron boundaries, on 96 children with MM. Sequencing was performed with Sanger methods and results analyzed with deoxyribonucleic acid analysis software. Frequencies of known single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified, and those differing from the reference sequence (GRCh37/hg19 assembly) were considered variations. Results Six novel and 9 previously described, genetic variations were identified in our population. The novel variations included a large, 83 base pair deletion involving the core promoter region and part of exon 1 (1 of 96 children), and a 2 base pair deletion in the coding sequence of exon 4 (1 of 96 children). The remaining novel variations were located in the introns in the proximity of the splice sites. Novel mutations in GLUT3 were observed among 6.25% of our population. Additionally, the frequency of the rare allele for rs17847972 located in a splice donor site is higher ( P Conclusion We identified previously undescribed deletions and single-nucleotide variations involving the GLUT3 gene that may be associated with increased susceptibility to MM. Of particular interest, the 2 deletions involve both an important core promoter site and a coding region predicted to have a deleterious effect. The functional significance of these findings is under investigation.
L-shaped piezoelectric motor-Part I: Design and experimental analysis

This paper proposes an L-shaped piezoelectric motor consisting of two piezoelectric bimorphs of different lengths arranged perpendicularly to each other. The coupling of the bending vibration mode of the bimorphs results in an elliptical motion at the tip. A detailed finite element model was developed to optimize the dimensions of bimorph to achieve an effective coupling at the resonance frequency of 246 Hz. The motor was characterized by developing rotational and linear stages. The linear stage was tested with different friction contact surfaces and the maximum velocity was measured to be 12 mm/s. The rotational stage was used to obtain additional performance characteristics from the motor: maximum velocity of 120 rad/s, mechanical torque of 4.7 × 10-5 N·m, and efficiency of 8.55%.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Colonoscopy Screening Navigator Program Designed for Hispanic Men

Although Hispanic men are at higher risk of developing colon cancer compared to non-Hispanic white men, colonoscopy screening among Hispanic men is much lower than among non-Hispanic white men. University Health System (UHS) in San Antonio, Texas, instituted a Colorectal Cancer Male Navigation (CCMN) Program in 2011 specifically designed for Hispanic men. The CCMN Program contacted 461 Hispanic men 50 years of age and older to participate over a 2-year period. Of these age-eligible men, 370 were screened for CRC after being contacted by the navigator. Using participant and program data, a Markov model was constructed to determine the cost-effectiveness of the CCMN Program. An average 50-year-old Hispanic male who participates in the CCMN Program will have 0.3 more quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) compared to a similar male receiving usual care. Life expectancy is also predicted to increase by 6 months for participants compared to non-participants. The program results in net health care savings of $1,148 per participant ($424,760 for the 370 CCMN Program participants). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is estimated at $3,765 per QALY in favor of the navigation program. Interventions to reduce disparities in CRC screening across ethnic groups are needed, and this is one of the first studies to evaluate the economic benefit of a patient navigator program specifically designed for an urban population of Hispanic men. A colorectal cancer screening intervention which relies on patient navigators trained to address the unique needs of the targeted population (language barriers, transportation and scheduling assistance, colon cancer, and screening knowledge) can substantially increase the likelihood of screening and improve quality of life in a cost-effective manner.
Development of Aggregate Avoidance Index for Evaluating Recycled Aggregate Concrete

Early strength gain in concrete is typically associated with transition from the plastic to the semisolid state, and later to the solid state. When tensile failure occurs during the plastic and semisolid states, the paste, being the weak link in the matrix, provides the path for cracking as the aggregates are avoided. As the paste begins to strengthen in concrete with virgin aggregates, more fracture may occur through the aggregates. However, in recycled aggregate concrete, a possible enhancement of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) at later ages may redirect the fracture path around some recycled aggregate particles. This research investigated mechanical and rheological properties of concrete with various proportions of recycled coarse aggregate ranging from 0% to 100% by weight. Gradations were as received from the crushing process but limited to a maximum size of 1.5 in. (38.1 mm) and minimum size of 0.19 in. (4.75 mm). Samples with higher percentages of recycled aggregate exhibited improved mechan...
Accurate Integration of the Weakly Singular Integrals from EFIE

The paper presents an accurate integration of weakly singular integrals. The proposed approach is based on the combination of a polar coordinate transformation and an analytic integration for finite element method. The accuracy and stability of the electric field integral equation (EFIE) is then greatly improved
A unique case of der(11)t(11;22),-22 arising from 3:1 segregation of a maternal t(11;22) in a family with co-segregation of the translocation and breast cancer.

Objective To report the first tertiary monosomy in a pregnancy loss to a female t(11;22) carrier. Methods The patient was a 34-year-old G10P1 female known to have a balanced translocation t(11;22)(q23;q11.2). She had one female livebirth (a translocation carrier) and eight miscarriages. Five female relatives known to be translocation carriers had a history of breast cancer, three of them premenopausally. The patient herself had a malignant melanoma. Results During the 10th pregnancy, ultrasound showed a viable embryo at 6 weeks of gestation, but loss of embryonic heartbeat by 7.5 weeks. Culture of the products of conception at 8 weeks of gestation showed the karyotype: 46,XY,+2,der(11)t(11;22)(q23;q11.2)mat,-22[4]/45,XY,der(11)t(11;22)(q23;q11.2)mat,-22[4], resulting from fertilization of the maternal 3:1 segregation product containing only the der(11) by a normal gamete. Subsequently, she became pregnant with a normal 46,XX fetus. FISH analysis indicated that the breakpoints on 11q and 22q in the patient were in the previously described region common to typical recurrent t(11;22). In addition, a nested-PCR-based approach showed that they were located within the same palindromic AT-rich sequence previously described. Conclusion This case demonstrates that the tertiary monosomy resulting from the 3:1 segregation is compatible with embryonic survival into the first trimester. It is also another example of apparent association of the constitutional translocation t(11;22) and breast cancer. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High-Voltage Glow Discharges in D 2 Gas. I. Diagnostic Measurements

Pulsed glow discharges in ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ gas at currents of the order of 1 amp and voltages in the range 40-80 kv are experimentally examined to determine the mass and energy distribution of ions incident on the cathode, the secondary electron emission due to various particles incident on the cathode, the energy spectrum of the electrons incident on the anode, the potential distribution along the glass walls, and the temperature and density of the electrons in the plasma which develops in the anode end of the discharge. The experimental results are discussed together with available cross-section data from the literature to establish the relative importance of the various collision processes which contribute to the sustainment of the discharge. Several processes peculiar to the extremely high operating potential (not of particular importance in ordinary glow discharges) are shown to assume dominant roles. These include electron backscattering from the anode, ionization of the gas by fast ions and fast neutral atoms, and ionization in the plasma region due to the secondary electrons released from the glass walls. The necessity of a complete revision of the usual theoretical point of view regarding electron ionization in the cathode region of the discharge and in the anode (plasma) region is indicated.
The effect of animal gender on producer marketing behaviour

Weekly grid market share by volume for slaughter steers is compared with slaughter heifers. Summary statistics indicate average grid market share for steers (42%) is higher relative to heifers (33%). The literature indicates that pregnancy and increased dark cutter incidence associated with heifers relative to steers create additional financial risk when heifers are sold on a grid. Empirical evidence suggests that carcass quality risk is a plausible contributing factor to gender disparity with respect to grid market share.
Localization of Ventricular Irritability by Epicardial Mapping Origin of Digitalis-Induced Unifocal Tachycardia from Left Ventricular Purkinje Tissue

Epicardial mapping technics were used to locate the origin of ventricular ectopic beats produced by pacing and by the administration of ouabain and acetylstrophanthidin in pentobarbital-anesthetized open-chest dogs. The sequence of epicardial depolarization was determined with close bipolar reference and roving electrodes. The wave of excitation spread in concentric manner from driven points with the origin having the earliest time. Nonparasystolic unifocal ventricular tachycardia (UVT) was then aroused in nine dogs with ouabain or acetylstrophanthidin. Plunge electrodes were inserted for recording and stimulating of bundle of His and Purkinje fibers. Earliest epicardial ventricular activation of the UVT beats always occurred at or near the apex of the left ventricle. Purkinje fiber (PF) spikes from the region of earliest epicardial depolarization appeared just prior to ventricular activation. Pacing at this point produced QRS configuration almost identical to that during UVT. His bundle pacing normalized...
Michael Bianco Inc. - Immigrant Workers To Save Costs

Michael Bianco Inc. was a relatively small manufacturing firm employing 85 people in 2001. By 2004, the company was awarded several multimillion dollar government contracts from the Department of Defense making backpacks for troops serving in Iraq. The company increased its work force to over 500 to accommodate the contracts. The workers, however, were illegal aliens. The Department of Homeland Security raided the manufacturing facility, found and detained over 300 illegal workers for deportation. Further investigation revealed deplorable and unfair working conditions, including lack of heat and docking workers pay for talking. Employees worked double shifts and instead of being paid overtime, they were paid straight time out of two separate companies. Humanitarian groups defended the workers and some later filed suit for back pay.
Emergency Department Use Among Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

A cross-sectional analyses using Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (2006-2011) was conducted to examine the trends, type of ED visits, and mean total ED charges for adults aged 22-64 years with and without ASD (matched 1:3). Around 0.4% ED visits (n = 25,527) were associated with any ASD and rates of such visits more than doubled from 2006 to 2011 (2549-6087 per 100,000 admissions). Adults with ASD visited ED for: primary psychiatric disorder (15%ASD vs. 4.2%noASD), primary non-psychiatric disorder (16%ASD vs. 14%noASD), and any injury (24%ASD vs. 28%noASD). Mean total ED charges for adults with ASD were 2.3 times higher than for adults without ASD. Findings emphasize the need to examine the extent of frequent ED use in this population.
Analysis of fatigue failure mode transition in load-carrying fillet-welded connections

Abstract In load-carrying fillet welded connections, two distinct fatigue failure modes are possible depending upon fillet weld leg size and loading conditions. One is weld toe cracking through base plate thickness and the other is through weld metal, often referred to as weld root cracking. Based on a recent comprehensive fatigue testing program in support of construction of lightweight ship structures, this paper examines a number of stress based fatigue parameters that can be used to formulate an effective criterion for determining failure mode transition from weld root to weld toe. A closed form solution has been developed for analytically determining the weld throat critical plane on which a traction stress based fatigue parameter attains its maximum and can be compared with that corresponding to weld toe cracking. It is found that both an effective weld throat stress based criterion by combining normal and shear traction stresses and an equivalent effective stress based criterion based on the master S-N curve formulation can be used for the determination of the minimum fillet weld leg size beyond which weld toe fatigue failure dominates. The proposed fillet weld sizing criteria are then validated using a large amount of fatigue test data on load-carrying cruciform fillet welded specimens.
4K Video-Laryngoscopy and Video-Stroboscopy: Preliminary Findings

Introduction:4K video is a new format. At 3840 × 2160 resolution, it has 4 times the resolution of standard 1080 high definition (HD) video. Magnification can be done without loss of resolution. This study uses 4K video for video-stroboscopy.Material and Method:Forty-six patients were examined by conventional video-stroboscopy (digital 3 chip CCD) and compared with 4K video-stroboscopy. The video was recorded on a Blackmagic 4K cinema production camera in CinemaDNG RAW format. The video was played back on a 4K monitor and compared to standard video. Pathological conditions included: polyps, scar, cysts, cancer, sulcus, and nodules.Results:Successful 4K video recordings were achieved in all subjects using a 70° rigid endoscope. The camera system is bulky. The examination is performed similarly to standard video-stroboscopy. Playback requires a 4K monitor. As expected, the images were far clearer in detail than standard video. Stroboscopy video using the 4K camera was consistently able to show more detail. ...
The Abuse of Elderly Men

ABSTRACT Elderly men are an under-studied group of abuse victims. Although victimization surveys discriminate against all elderly, abused elderly men are especially invisible. This paper will discuss the high rates of self-abuse by older men and their high risk for abuse when they are lonely, living within inner cities, incarcerated, or gay. Since most men live with a spouse (or significant other), they have also been victims of domestic violence. It is suspected that institutionalized elderly men live in settings that are incongruent with their self-concepts and preferences. Finally, this paper discusses the special vulnerability of men from culturally-diverse backgrounds to elder abuse (resulting from male-dominated socialization and inter-generational conflict).
Operational NoSQL Systems: What's New and What's Next?

Operational NoSQL systems are relatively new in the data-management ecosystem, and there is much confusion about their capabilities and how they differ from traditional relational database systems. This summary of characteristics clearly distinguishes the two system classes and provides a glimpse into directions for future work.