cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AN APPROACH TO NONINVASIVE MEASUREMENT OF INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE

ABSTRACT The ability to noninvasively monitor intracranial pressure would be a valuable aid to the diagnosis and treatment of hydrocephalus and related disorders. An experiment is described which measures the acoustic properties of the skull, in animals, under normal and elevated intracranial pressures. Results show intracranial pressure strongly influences the acoustic response, and at least one feature of the response is related to intracranial pressure in a consistent manner.
Impact of Pre-existing Dementia on Intracerebral Hemorrhage Outcomes (S10.008)

Objective: To investigate the role of dementia in a multiethnic population on neurological outcomes after ICH. Background: History of cognitive impairment is the major differentiating factor between the intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and FUNC score. Design/Methods: ICH patients were prospectively enrolled in the Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Hemorrhagic Stroke (GERFHS III) study from 2008–2012 and the Ethnic/Racial Variations of Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ERICH) study from 2010–2015. Dementia prior to stroke was defined as positive history or treatment with donepezil, galantamine, memantine, or rivastigmine. Location of ICH was analyzed as lobar vs. non-lobar. Specific outcomes – modified Rankin score at 3 months (0–2 vs. ≥3), Barthel Index score ( Results: Of 3537 cases of ICH, 304 had dementia predating ICH. Compared with those without, dementia patients were more likely to have care withdrawn during hospitalization (OR 5.11, 95% CI [3.95–6.60], p Conclusions: Confirming FUNC score analysis, pre-existing dementia is a strong and independent predictor of poor outcome after ICH. Dementia is more common in lobar ICH than non-lobar ICH. Future studies should incorporate history of dementia as an independent predictor of outcomes following ICH. Study Supported by: NINDS R01NS036695, NINDS U01NS06976. Disclosure: Dr. Yim has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sekar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Moomaw has nothing to disclose. Dr. Osborne has nothing to disclose. Dr. Martini has nothing to disclose. Dr. Xiong has nothing to disclose. Dr Biffi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rosand has nothing to disclose. Dr. Woo has nothing to disclose.
High-accuracy wavefront sensing for x-ray free electron lasers

Systematic understanding and real-time feedback capability for x-ray free electron laser (FEL) accelerator and optical components are critical for scientific experiments and instrument performance. Single-shot wavefront sensing enables characterization of the intensity and local electric field distribution at the sample plane, something that is important for understanding scientific experiments such as nonlinear studies. It can also provide feedback for alignment and tuning of the FEL beam and instrumentation optics, leading to optimal instrument performance and greater operational efficiency. A robust, sensitive, and accurate single-shot wavefront sensor for x-ray FEL beams using single grating Talbot interferometry has been developed. Experiments performed at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) demonstrate 3σ sensitivity and accuracy, both better than λ/100, and retrieval of hard x-ray (λ=0.13 nm, E=9.5 keV) wavefronts in 3D. Exhibiting high performance from both unfocused and focused beams, the same setup can be used to systematically study the wavefront from the FEL output, beam transport optics, and endstation focusing optics. This technique can be extended for use with softer and harder x rays with modified grating configurations.
Impact of Obesity on Asthma Morbidity During a Hospitalization

BACKGROUND: Asthma and obesity are 2 common pediatric problems. Obesity is a known risk factor for asthma, and obese children with asthma have higher disease burden. However, little is known on how obesity in urban minority children, mainly Hispanic and African American children, impacts morbidity during pediatric asthma hospitalizations. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on children and adolescents age 2 to 18 years hospitalized at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore for an acute asthma exacerbation. We elucidated the association of overweight or obese status with severity of the exacerbation, quantified by length of stay (LOS) and need for intensive care management. Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of LOS. RESULTS: A total of 975 children met the inclusion criteria, of whom 55% were normal weight and 45% were overweight or obese. Sixty percent were Hispanic, and 37% were African American. The overall average LOS was 2.57 days (range: 0.67–12.92). Overweight or obese status was associated with a higher asthma severity at baseline (P = .021). Overweight or obese children had a longer average LOS compared with normal weight children (2.75 vs 2.39 days; P CONCLUSIONS: Obesity in children hospitalized for asthma is associated with more severe asthma exacerbations, longer LOS, and increased use of PICU level care, independent of their higher baseline disease severity and ethnicity.
Cleavage of Carbon Disulfide by n-Propyldiphenylphosphine and Nickel(II) Bromide

Carbon disulfide is cleaved by n-propyldiphenylphosphine and nickel(II) bromide in a one-step process, to form two unprecedented complexes: orange, [Ni(S2 C2 (Pn PrPh2 )2 )Br(Pn PrPh2 )]Br⋅CS2 (1) and purple [Ni{η2 -SC(Pn PrPh2 )2 }Br(Pn PrPh2 )]Br⋅0.5CS2 (2). Orange (1) contains a dithiolene-related ligand that results from carbon-carbon bond formation, while purple (2) contains a remarkable ligand in which two n-propyldiphenylphosphine molecules have added to a carbon atom of a CS unit that is coordinated to nickel.
Correlated reliability and an application: Propulsive landing on Mars:

This article discusses reliability of landers and provides a review and examples of correlated reliability. Examples are cited to show generally beneficial effects of correlation in system reliabil...
Towards Active Team Based Learning: An Online Instructional Strategy

Team-based Learning (TBL) is a relatively new pedagogic approach to teaching that makes extensive use of intensive, interactive team activities in the classroom to deepen learning. To date, TBL has been deployed almost entirely in traditional on-campus classes. This paper outlines a strategy and preliminary framework to enhance team communication and strengthen group dynamics, leveraging online tools to support TBL techniques, empowering online students in active learning. It is vital to utilize technology effectively to structure the online classroom in a manner that best supports TBL’s deep learning experiences. The major contributions of this research will be to extend techniques from TBL approaches to the online groupsupport environment and to describe effective technological support.
Silicene Like Domains on IrSi3 Crystallites

Recently, silicene, the graphene equivalent of silicon, has attracted a lot of attention because of its compatibility with Si-based electronics. So far, silicene has been epitaxially grown on various crystalline surfaces such as Ag(110), Ag(111), Ir(111), ZrB2(0001), and Au(110) substrates. Here, we present a new method to grow silicene via high-temperature surface reconstruction of hexagonal IrSi3 nanocrystals. The h-IrSi3 nanocrystals are formed by annealing thin Ir layers on the Si(111) surface. A detailed analysis of the scanning tunneling microscopy images shows the formation of silicene-like domains on the surface of some of the IrSi3 crystallites. We studied both morphology and electronic properties of these domains by using both scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and first-principles calculation methods.
Teaching global issues in IT: an intercultural communication approach

Ask any IT professional working in an international arena to name the biggest contributor as well as challenge to a successful project and it will no doubt be the importance of understanding cultural differences. Though a company may have the best technological solution, it may lose the business if the product is presented without reasonable adaptation to the cultural values of the customer. Because of the importance of culture, we designed our Global and Strategic Issues in IT course using the principles for developing intercultural competence. Our goal in integrating these concepts was to begin to move our students from an U.S. American-centric outlook to a more multicultural worldview.
Power-setpoint extremum seeking control for maximizing wind power capture of turbine and farm operation:

In this paper, we propose a power-setpoint based Extremum Seeking Control (ESC) framework for model-free Region-2 controls for maximizing the power capture for turbine and farm operation, without d...
John Edmark: Art in Motion

John Edmark teaches in the Design Program at Stanford University. He is the inventor of the Helicone, an interactive kinetic toy, and Blooms, a new type of sculpture that animates when spun under a...
Appearance, Friends, and Feelings: A Two-Study Exploration of Young Women's Emotional Associations and Indoor Tanning Frequency.

Knowledge of its potential cancer risk is often not enough to motivate individuals to avoid indoor tanning. Previous research has found that emotions toward indoor tanning and appearance motivations may prompt people to continue despite the risks. We conducted two online surveys of US young adult women. Study one included a convenience sample of female undergraduates (N = 502) at a university in the northwestern USA. Study two included young women from a nationwide US online panel (N = 270). Results suggest that emotional associations, both positive and negative, with indoor tanning explain greater variances in indoor tanning behavior than demographics and previously established psychosocial predictors of tanning alone. Appearance motivations were also positively associated with indoor tanning in both samples. This research has implications for health care providers and health communicators, as indoor tanning prevention messages and campaigns should consider the association between both positive and negative emotions on tanning behaviors as well as appearance motivations.
Sleep spindles comprise a subset of a broader class of electroencephalogram events.

Study objectives Sleep spindles are defined based on expert observations of waveform features in the electroencephalogram (EEG) traces. This is a potentially limiting characterization, as transient oscillatory bursts like spindles are easily obscured in the time domain by higher amplitude activity at other frequencies or by noise. It is therefore highly plausible that many relevant events are missed by current approaches based on traditionally defined spindles. Given their oscillatory structure, we reexamine spindle activity from first principles, using time-frequency activity in comparison to scored spindles. Methods Using multitaper spectral analysis, we observe clear time-frequency peaks in the sigma (10-16 Hz) range (TFσ peaks). While nearly every scored spindle coincides with a TFσ peak, numerous similar TFσ peaks remain undetected. We therefore perform statistical analyses of spindles and TFσ peaks using manual and automated detection methods, comparing event cooccurrence, morphological similarities, and night-to-night consistency across multiple datasets. Results On average, TFσ peaks have more than three times the rate of spindles (mean rate: 9.8 vs. 3.1 events/minute). Moreover, spindles subsample the most prominent TFσ peaks with otherwise identical spectral morphology. We further demonstrate that detected TFσ peaks have stronger night-to-night rate stability (ρ = 0.98) than spindles (ρ = 0.67), while covarying with spindle rates across subjects (ρ = 0.72). Conclusions These results provide compelling evidence that traditionally defined spindles constitute a subset of a more generalized class of EEG events. TFσ peaks are therefore a more complete representation of the underlying phenomenon, providing a more consistent and robust basis for future experiments and analyses.
Taking Charge: Looking at Student Leadership in the High School Band Room

This qualitative action research case study examines the experiences of three band students in an American high school. The participants took leadership roles in a large performing ensemble. Their overall experience may be affected by this additional responsibility. To understand more about the role of leadership in the band room the following research questions were investigated: (1) How has student participation in a leadership role influenced his or her view of the band? (2) What are the influences that impact student participation in the band? (3) What are the implications for leadership roles in the band? Three individual students were purposefully selected to participate in this case study. Students were interviewed, and then combined in a focus group and finally observed working with their sections. Individual interviews and the focus group discussion was recorded, transcribed and entered into NVivo. Codes and themes were identified and referenced for common threads and concepts. The goal of this study was to understand and assist the future training of leaders in the band setting.
Canonical Equation K 35 for Normalized Spectral Functions of a Pencil of Random Matrices

Numerous papers are devoted to the analysis of spectral functions of a pencil of random matrices (see reviews and books on the spectral theory of random matrices in the references of this book). The deepest results were obtained with the help of so-called REFORM method (see [Gir54]). This method consists of the consideration of the Stieltjes transform for the normalized spectral function of the eigenvalues of a pencil of random matrices, a parameter of regularization for this transform, limit theorems for the sum of martingale differences, and analytic continuation of a solution of a certain nonlinear equation.
Measurements of the stomachs and duodenums of fasted and sated rats (1110.2)

Rats feed until sated. Thus, gastric and duodenal dimensions likely increase. Under Na pentobarbital the stomach and proximal duodenum were exposed via a midline incision. Measurements were made by a calipers and digital micrometer. Eight fasted adult females and eight which ate chow until sated, as judged by pausing or preparation for sleep, were studied. They ate (mean + s.d.) 4.74 + 1.17 g of chow. Body weights and visceral dimensions were compared by unpaired t-tests. A P value < 0.05 was deemed significant. The fasted:sated mean + 1 s.d. values were: Body Weight (g) 186 + 9:195 + 10 (ns). Gastric values (cm): Width 1.94 + 0.13: 3.86 + 0.53; Rostrocaudal Height 1.78 + 0.15: 2.84 + 0.30; Dorsoventral Thickness 0.73 + 0.16: 1.70 + 0.25. (P < 0.001 for all). Proximal duodenal values (cm) were: Rostrocaudal Height 0.53 + 0.09: 0.55 + 0.17 (ns); Dorsoventral Thickness could not be obtained because the proximal duodenum is bound to the peritoneum. Separation would be unphysiological. All fasted rats but one...
Immigrants and Wealth Stratification In The U.S

This study examines the importance of including immigrants in studies of wealth stratification by race-ethnicity in the United States. We address the uniqueness of immigrants in both our descriptive and multivariate analyses. In the former, we construct a measure of “wealth age” that takes into account immigrants’ lengths of residence in the U.S. For the latter, we consider immigrants’ migration and adaptation history and the immigrant-native differences in factors sorting wealth accumulation. Our descriptive analysis shows greater differences in wealth distribution, zero and negative wealth holdings, wealth components, and age-wealth profiles by race-ethnicity than by immigrant status. The age-wealth profiles are steeper for immigrants than for the native-born when “wealth age” is used. The multivariate analysis uses a framework integrating life cycle theory, status attainment theory, human capital theory, and theories related to social contexts. Our study finds a positive effect of immigrant status on wealth accumulation, in contrast to the impairing effects of race-ethnic minorities. Immigrants’ migration and adaptation history also plays a role in their wealth accumulation. In addition, our analysis reveals significant structural differences between immigrants and natives—a lesser role of education and spatial segregation in wealth accumulation for immigrants—and between whites and minorities—a greater role of education for minorities. Implications for social stratification, spatial segregation, and immigrant assimilation are discussed.
The Chemistry, Kinetics, and Mechanisms of Triplet Carbene Processes in Low-Temperature Glasses and Solids

In the early 1960s, Closs and Hutchison at the University of Chicago(1) and Trozzolo and Wasserman(2) at Bell Laboratories demonstrated the utility of matrix isolation EPR spectroscopy in the study of triplet carbenes. Triplet carbenes are, of course, highly reactive intermediates formed upon photolysis of diazo compounds or diazirines. As such, they cannot be isolated and analyzed by conventional methods as can kinetically stable species. By photochemically preparing a carbene in a rigid matrix at low temperature, one hopes to impart a long lifetime (minutes to hours) to the species of interest, thereby enabling its characterization by EPR spectroscopy. These rigid matrices are easily prepared by simply freezing a solution of, for example, a diazo precursor in a suitable solvent to 77 K.
Use of Orbit-to-Orbit Shuttles for Hyperbolic Rendezvous with Returning Planetary Spacecraft

An Earth-return mode for interplanetary spacecraft via hyperbolic rendezvous is described. In this mode an orbit-to-orbit shuttle leaves a circular Earth orbit, performs a rendezvous with a returning interplanetary spacecraft approaching Earth on a hyperbolic trajectory, docks, and performs desired transfers, and deboosts back into a circular Earth orbit while the spacecraft continues on its hyperbolic path. The initial mass in Earth orbit required for a rendezvous system utilizing chemical or nuclear propulsion compares favorably with the initial masses in Earth orbit chargeable to transport of a retrobraking Earth-return system to a target planet and back. The maneuver also has considerable merit as a backup and rescue system for any planetary mission even when not suitable as a primary recovery mode.
Systems, man, and the paradox of structure

The design, creation, and analysis of structure are central to both science and engineering. The paradox of structure is that, whatever its nature, any structure is both enabling and limiting at the same time. Each person manages this paradox differently, as described by the adaption-innovation theory of M. J. Kirton. This paper provides a summary of key points in adaption-innovation theory, as well as some of its applications in engineering research and education, including a new initiative by the author to explore the relationship between the cognitive styles of inventors and the types of inventions they create. The paradox of structure is also discussed here in the context of technical systems, with specific examples to illustrate its impact on the development of new ideas. Finally, the ramifications of this paradox are considered as the boundaries of science and engineering are moved forward in an age of increased vigilance and system security.
An analysis of weight decay as a methodology of reducing three-layer feedforward artificial neural networks for classification problems

The structure of an artificial neural network chosen for a particular application can significantly affect the performance of the network. It is often advantageous or even necessary to choose the appropriate size for a network so that it will function more efficiently and/or provide greater insight into how the network learns the mapping. Weight decay is an attractive tool for reducing oversized networks to appropriate-sized ones. However, researchers have reported contrasting results for the methodology in the past. This paper examines the effectiveness of the conventional weight decay methodology as it applies to classification problems. Training parameters, stability and the effectiveness of the methodology are discussed and analyzed. XOR and AND are used as examples to illustrate the authors' discussion. It is found that for these examples, weight decay can consistently minimize the number of hidden nodes used to learn the mappings with hyperbolic tangent activation functions. Ongoing tests with other binary mappings reveal that the methodology exhibits strong potential for use in more complex applications. >
Eosinophilic dysplasia of the gallbladder: a hitherto undescribed variant identified in association with a "porcelain" gallbladder.

Non-mass forming, neoplastic intraepithelial proliferations (dysplasia) represent the most well-accepted precursor lesions to gallbladder adenocarcinomas. They are typically small, localized, grossly unrecognizable lesions that have been identified in the epithelium adjacent to up to 79% of gallbladder adenocarcinomas. Morphologic variants that have been reported include flat, micropapillary, papillary and cribriform. We have recently encountered a morphologically distinctive, previously unreported lesion to which we have applied the designation eosinophilic dysplasia. This lesion was identified in a gallbladder with diffuse mural fibrosis and calcification (porcelain gallbladder). The dysplastic focus was confined to one tissue section, and was comprised of a localized true papilla [i.e with a fibrovascular core], measuring approximately 1.2 mm in greatest dimension and an adjacent, flat, 7-cell epithelial segment. These foci were lined by cells displaying significant nuclear enlargement [1.5–4 times the adjacent benign cells], nuclear pleomorphism, occasional multinucleation, hyperchromasia and nuclear membrane irregularities. Nucleoli were present but inconspicuous. These cells also showed voluminous eosinophilic to granular cytoplasm, such that the overall nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio was generally not increased. The cells displayed diffuse and marked nuclear immunoreactivity for p53, and approximately 70% of the cells showed nuclear positivity for Ki-67. The cells were also positive for cytokeratin 7 and were entirely negative for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and chromogranin A. The cells of the adjacent normal epithelium were positive for cytokeratin 7 and CEA, negative for p53 and chromogranin A and showed a Ki-67 labeling index of <10%. Marked overexpression of the p53 protein as well as its high proliferative index are strong arguments in favor of the dysplastic nature of this lesion. However, further studies are required to elucidate its true clinical significance and to determine whether or not its association with a porcelain gallbladder, as noted herein, is entirely fortuitous. However, such studies can only be performed with an increased recognition by practitioners of this distinctive variant.
Structural Proteins of Pichinde Virus

Pichinde virus, a member of the arenovirus group, was found to have four polypeptides by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two components, V(I) and V(II), had molecular weights of about 72,000, whereas V(III) had a molecular weight of 34,000. A minor component, V(IV), had a molecular weight of about 12,000. Glucosamine was incorporated into V(II) and V(III), suggesting that these components were glycopeptides whereas V(I) and V(IV) were polypeptides. Treatment of the virus with Nonidet P-40 removed V(III), but V(I) and V(II) remained associated with the virus nucleic acid. This suggests a functional role of a ribonucleoprotein for V(I) and an envelope glycoprotein for V(III). V(II), the major glycopeptide, could function both as a membrane component and as a nucleoprotein.
Industrial Production of l-Glutamine

The industrial production of L-glutamine (L-Gln) started with its fermentation in the late 1960s. Currently, it is manufactured for use as pharmaceuticals and health foods at the worldwide annual production of approximately 2000 metric tons. To manufacture high quality L-Gln at a low cost, it is of prime importance to obtain a strain of microorganism with good production efficiency and minimum by-products. Furthermore, to obtain the final crystalline powder product, the efficient removal of impurities contained in the fermentation broth becomes paramount. Therefore, the industrial process is designed to take into account characteristics of the fermentation broth as well as chemical, physical and biological properties of L-Gln. Points that should be considered in the process design and typical industrial production of L-Gln are described in this report.
Physiological Modulation of Cardiac Gap Junction Channels

Cardiac Gap Junction Channel Regulation. Synchronization of pacemaker activity and cardiac action potential propagation is dependent upon the maintenance of electrical communication via gap junctions. Gap junction channels in mammalian heart are formed by a 43-kilodalton (kD) protein, connexin43, and have a unitary conductance of 50 picosiemens (pS). In embryonic chick heart, three gap junction proteins of 42, 43, and 45 kD have been cloned, the functional properties of which have not been individually identified. Unitary channel conductances ranging from 40-240 pS have been reported, but conductances of 40-80 and 160 pS are most frequently observed in embryonic chick heart. Developmental changes in transjunctional voltage dependence are known to occur and may be correlated with differential expression of the three chick connexins during development. Gap junction conductance (gj) is highly regulated, being maintained or increased by ATP and cAMP-dependent pathways. Conversely, gj is reduced by treatment with various lipophilic agents (e.g., n-alkanols, arachidonic acid, halothane), large transjunctional potentials, increasing intracellular cation (e.g., H+, Ca2+) concentrations, and tyrosine phophorylation of rat connexin43. It is unclear at this time if any of the regulatory mechanisms can mediate beat-to-beat fluctuations in gj of normal myocardium. Most available evidence indicates that this modulation occurs by the open-closed gating of individual channels rather than effects on the unitary channel conductance. The precise molecular mechanisms are not yet known, but the functional expression of gap junction proteins should allow for determination of the functional domains responsible for direct and indirect modulation of the cardiac gap junction proteins.
A Preliminary Investigation of Inner City Primary Grade Students' Perceptions of Guns

Abstract A group of low socioeconomic status black and white primary grade inner city children (N=133) were interviewed regarding their experience with and perceptions of guns. Male students were 12 times more likely than females to have a toy of “violence” as a favorite toy. White students were more likely than black students to report that someone at home owned a gun. The majority of students, 75 to 80 percent, knew where the gun was kept at home. Two-thirds to three-fourths of the students, depending on race and gender, had seen a real gun. Whites and males were more likely to report seeing someone shoot a real gun. However, significantly more black students reported seeing someone shot. Significantly more black students thought it should be against the law to own a gun. The vast majority of students who thought it should be against the law thought guns were too dangerous to own. Yet, when students were asked if they intended to own a gun some day, between 10 and 20 percent of the students responded af...
Sonochemical Synthesis of Iron Colloids

We present here a new method for the preparation of stable ferromagnetic colloids of iron using high-intensity ultrasound to sonochemically decompose volatile organometallic compounds. These colloids have narrow size distributions centered at a few nanometers and are found to be superparamagnetic. In conclusion, a simple synthetic method has been discovered to produce nanosized iron colloid using high-intensity ultrasound. Nanometer iron particles dispersed in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) matrix or stabilized by adsorption of oleic acid have been synthesized by sonochemical decomposition of Fe(CO){sub 5}. Transmission electron micrographs show that the iron particles have a relatively narrow range in size from 3 to 8 nm for polyvinylpyrrolidone, while oleic acid gives an even more uniform distribution at 8 nm. magnetic measurements revealed that these nanometer iron particles are superparamagnetic with a saturation magnetization of 101 emu/g (Fe) at 290 K. This work is easily extended to colloids of other metals and to alloys of two or more metals, simply by using multiple volatile precursors. 29 refs., 4 figs.
Black hole thermalization, D0 brane dynamics, and emergent spacetime

When matter falls past the horizon of a large black hole, the expectation from string theory is that the configuration thermalizes and the information in the probe is rather quickly scrambled away. The traditional view of a classical unique spacetime near a black hole horizon conflicts with this picture. The question then arises as to what spacetime does the probe actually see as it crosses a horizon, and how does the background geometry imprint its signature onto the thermal properties of the probe. In this work, we explore these questions through an extensive series of numerical simulations of D0 branes. We determine that the D0 branes quickly settle into an incompressible symmetric state---thermalized within a few oscillations through a process driven entirely by internal nonlinear dynamics. Surprisingly, thermal background fluctuations play no role in this mechanism. Signatures of the background fields in this thermal state arise either through fluxes, i.e. black hole hair; or if the probe expands to the size of the horizon---which we see evidence of. We determine simple scaling relations for the D0 branes' equilibrium size, time to thermalize, lifetime, and temperature in terms of their number, initial energy, and the background fields. Our results are consistent with the conjecture that black holes are the fastest scramblers as seen by matrix theory.
Examining Retention and Contingent Faculty Use in a State System of Public Higher Education

In many cases, state systems of higher education are not only challenged to address decreasing state budgets but are also asked to increase student retention and other measures of student success. The increased use of contingent faculty may help economically, but this trend may have unintended consequences. This research used logistic regression methods to examine six institutions within a public higher education system for the effects of contingent faculty use on first-year student retention. A thorough examination of other traditional variables used in retention studies is also provided. Results are reported by institutional type via Carnegie classification. Most notably, high levels of exposure to part-time faculty in the first year of college are consistently found to negatively affect student retention to the second year. These findings have implications for both policy and practice in the use of contingent faculty across institutional types.
Attention, coping, and activity in children undergoing orthopaedic surgery

The purpose of this study was to determine how children's preoperative focus of attention on the stresses of surgery related to their preoperative coping and return to usual activities during recovery. Children's attention was classified according to three different foci: concrete-objective, emotion, and vague. Children (N = 97) between the ages of 8 and 17 years who were undergoing major orthopaedic surgery participated in the study. Data were collected the day before surgery, and at 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively. Children who focused on the concrete-objective aspects of surgery had the most positive activity outcomes, followed by the emotion-focused attention group. Children who were classified as having vague focused attentions had the least favorable activity outcomes. When there were significant coping by attention interaction effects, vigilant copers who had a concrete-objective focus of attention had the most favorable activity outcomes at each time of measurement. Children who were able to focus their attention on concrete aspects of the experience tended to use vigilant coping and were able to return to their usual activities sooner.
Trait anxiety, stress, and learning a test of Saltz's hypothesis

Abstract Behavioral predictions from Saltz's, Spence's, and Spielberger's interpretations of trait anxiety were tested in a complex verbal learning task. Fifty-three high-anxious and 52 low-anxious male college students were randomly distributed to test conditions of failure-stress, pain-stress, or neutral instructions. The learning data revealed that high-anxious-failure and low-anxious-pain Ss were disrupted and supported Saltz's hypothesis; self-reported anxiety (A-State scale, STAI) was observed only in high-anxious-failure Ss and supported Spielberger's theory of the arousal of state anxiety as a function of trait anxiety. However, the contradiction between self-reported anxiety and learning behavior in low-anxious-pain Ss indicated that the verbal report of these Ss was an inaccurate or insensitive index of arousal.
Understanding the nature of risks associated with onshore natural gas gathering pipelines

Abstract Onshore gathering pipelines for transport of natural gas are a key part of the growing production industry in the United States. The safety of gathering pipelines has become an increasing public concern. However analysis of the data available in the database available from the federal agency responsible for regulation, leads to the conclusion that the risk of failure of gathering pipelines is equal to or possibly lower than that of transmission lines. Over the past two decades, incidents in natural gas onshore gathering pipelines have included no fatalities and 16 serious injuries. Unfortunately these statistics are based on the 10% of gathering pipelines that are currently federally regulated. A substantial increase in the failure rate (rate of significant incidents in the DOT database) of gathering pipelines is evident over the last two decades. It is shown that this does not correspond with a decline in pipeline safety. The variation in the rate of significant incidents can be largely explained by the increased natural gas prices over the corresponding time period. Onshore gathering pipelines are typically younger in construction age (43% are
Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010

This study estimated the prevalence, severity, and extent of periodontitis in the adult U.S. population, with data from the 2009 and 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycle. Estimates were derived from a sample of 3,742 adults aged 30 years and older, of the civilian non-institutionalized population, having 1 or more natural teeth. Attachment loss (AL) and probing depth (PD) were measured at 6 sites per tooth on all teeth (except the third molars). Over 47% of the sample, representing 64.7 million adults, had periodontitis, distributed as 8.7%, 30.0%, and 8.5% with mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis, respectively. For adults aged 65 years and older, 64% had either moderate or severe periodontitis. Eighty-six and 40.9% had 1 or more teeth with AL ≥ 3 mm and PD ≥ 4 mm, respectively. With respect to extent of disease, 56% and 18% of the adult population had 5% or more periodontal sites with ≥ 3 mm AL and ≥ 4 mm PD, respectively. Periodontitis was highest in men, Mexican Americans, adults with less than a high school education, adults below 100% Federal Poverty Levels (FPL), and current smokers. This survey has provided direct evidence for a high burden of periodontitis in the adult U.S. population.
Effect of various polybrominated biphenyls on cell-cell communication in cultured human teratocarcinoma cells.

Abstract Firemaster BP-6 (FM), a mixture of polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and the congeners 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl (245-HBB), 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl (345-HBB), and 3,3′,4,4′-tetrabromobiphenyl (34-TBB) were tested for their ability to inhibit cell-cell communication between human teratocarcinoma cells in culture. Both FM and 245-HBB were capable of inhibiting cell-cell communication in these cells, with only slight effects on cell survival. 345-HBB was highly cytotoxic, but did not show the ability to interrupt cell-cell communication. 34-TBB was moderately cytotoxic and was also ineffective at blocking cell-cell communication. The results agree with previously published findings in Chinese hamster V79 cells, and are in accordance with proposed structure-activity relationships for these compounds. Inhibition of cell-cell communication, either directly (FM and 245-HBB) or indirectly through necrosis-induced compensatory hyperplasia (345-HBB), may be involved in the promotion of hepatocellular neoplasms by these compounds.
The intracavitary applicator in relation to complications of pelvic radiation—the ernst system

Abstract Case studies were reviewed for 100 consecutive patients with carcinoma of the cervix, Stages I–III, who were treated prior to 1968 at a large municipal hospital in New York City. Treatments consisted of orthovoltage therapy prior to or following intracavitary radium. A 250 kV X-ray unit delivered 3000 rat tumor dose in 3 weeks through four oblique fields. Intracavitary radium delivered 6000–7200 mg. hr using the Ernst applicator. 6 The 9% incidence of fistulae was 4-fold higher than that found in subsequent years using Co teletherapy and the afterloading Fletcher-Suit applicator. A review of the dosimetry relating to the use of the Ernst applicator demonstrates inherent structural characteristics which lend themselves to such complications. Where less than an "ideal" application is possible, this rigid applicator compacts itself in accordion-Ilke fashion, producing a so-called short-system. Coupled with a reduced source to applicator-surface distance, such applications result in unacceptable dose anisotropy and excessive radiation of critical structures where a predetermined dose is to be delivered to anatomic Point A. Information gleaned from this study can be extrapolated to other rigid unprotected short-surface distance intra-vaginal applicators that have proliferated in recent years.
Cost analysis of commercial pasteurization of orange juice by pulsed electric fields

Abstract The cost of pulsed electric field (PEF) pasteurization of orange juice was estimated. The cost analysis was based on processing conditions that met the US FDA (5 log reduction) requirement for fruit juice pasteurization and that achieved a sufficient microbial shelf-life. PEF-treated samples processed at 30 kV/cm and 60 °C had reductions in Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium and Lactobacillus spp. of greater than 5 log and had a microbial shelf-life of 2 months at 4 °C. Total pasteurization cost was estimated to be 3.7 ¢/L. Of this, capital costs accounted for 54% (2.0 ¢/L), labor costs accounted for 35% (1.3 ¢/L) and utility charges, mainly electricity, accounted for 11% (0.4 ¢/L). The total PEF cost was 147% (2.2 ¢/L) more than that of conventional thermal processing (1.5 ¢/L). A deeper knowledge of the processing costs of PEF technology will afford companies a better understanding of the benefits and limitations of nonthermal processing. Industrial relevance Pasteurization of orange juice by pulsed electric fields (PEF) results in a higher quality product compared to traditional thermal pasteurization. However, industry has not embraced this new technology and the main reason for this may be the lack of a comprehensive cost analysis. A large-scale commercial PEF system was designed and the total pasteurization cost was estimated to be 3.7 ¢/L. The total PEF cost was 2.2 ¢/L more than that of traditional thermal processing. A thorough knowledge of the processing costs will provide companies with a better understanding of the pros and cons of PEF pasteurization.
Branching ratio measurements of multiphoton decays of positronium

Positronium (Ps) decay to four- and five-photon final states has been measured. From a sample of 3.73x10{sup 9} detected events of Ps annihilation, the QED-allowed branching ratios of para-Ps to four photons R{sub 4}=1.14(33)(21)x10{sup -6} (stat., sys., 68% C.L.), and ortho-Ps to five photons R{sub 5}=1.67(99)(37)x10{sup -6} (68% C.L.) were measured. No charge-conjugation symmetry violating events were observed, establishing a branching ratio limit for (o-Ps{yields}4{gamma}) of R{sub 4}{sup Ce}<3.7x10{sup -6} (90% C.L.) and a new limit for (p-Ps{yields}5{gamma}) of R{sub 5}{sup Ce}<2.7x10{sup -7} (90% C.L.). The experiment was performed using the Gammasphere array of Compton-suppressed high-purity germanium detectors. Gammasphere's segmentation, high efficiency, and excellent energy resolution allowed event discrimination sufficient to observe the rare decay modes in the presence of substantial backgrounds.
el barrio de La Chueca of Madrid, Spain: An Emerging Epicenter of the Global LGBT Civil Rights Movement

The purpose of this article is to examine and deconstruct the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) barrio (community) of Chueca in Madrid, Spain, from political and sociological perspectives. First, we develop a critical framework for understanding the historical, political, social, cultural, and economic changes that took place in Spain after Franco's death in relation to LGBT issues. Ethnographic research was conducted from May to July 2007 in the Spanish cities of Madrid, Barcelona, and Ibiza, and focused primarily on the community of Chueca. A social constructionist perspective was used to examine sociocultural issues in this ethnosexual community through an in-depth study of the dynamics of this barrio. The theoretical framework of intersectionality and the constitutive relations among social identities is exemplified in Chueca. Hence, individuals in Chueca and their intersectionality perspective reveal that their identities influence and shape their beliefs about gender and symbols. We des...
Estrogen receptor antibodies: specificity and utility in detection, localization and analyses of estrogen receptor α and β

The role of estrogens in regulating cellular metabolism in many tissues is well documented. Estrogens regulate cellular activity by interacting with specific intracellular receptor proteins. Two estrogen receptor (ER) isoforms have been isolated, cloned and characterized. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) are ligand dependent transcriptional activators, which regulate gene expression via complex mechanisms requiring ligand binding, transformation, dimerization, and interaction with specific unique cis DNA hormone response elements (EREs) and co-activators and co-repressors. Studies of ER structure and function have been tremendously facilitated by the development of molecular and biologic probes. Cloning and functional studies of the ERalpha and ERbeta have delineated some of the structural requirements involved in receptor function. Immunochemical analyses together with biochemical and molecular approaches have contributed to our understanding of ER structure and function. Although antibodies to ER have been developed and utilized for the past two decades, there has yet to be a comprehensive review that discusses the utility and usefulness of these antibodies in receptor detection and analysis. In this review, we summarize a plethora of information concerning the development and characterization of site-directed monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to the ERalpha and ERbeta. We provide critical discussion on the characteristics and utility of ER antibodies in analyses, characterization and localization of ER isoforms in various tissues. We also provide a comparison of the potential utility of the available antibodies in various immunochemical assays. An epitope map detailing the specific sites of antibody-receptor interactions is constructed based on the available information. The advent of antibodies with high specificity and titer had facilitated detection of ER isoforms in normal and neoplastic tissues. The advent of new antibodies remains a powerful tool for assessment of ER expression and post-translational modification and receptor function in many experimental systems.
pH dependency of the carboxyl oxygen exchange reaction catalyzed by lysyl endopeptidase and trypsin.

The pH dependency of the carboxyl oxygen exchange reaction catalyzed by lysyl endopeptidase (Lys-C) and trypsin has been studied. The reaction was quantitatively monitored by measuring the incorpor...
Accuracy and precision of crown profile, volume, and surface area measurements of 29-year-old Japanese cypress trees using a Spiegel relascope

The crown profile, volume, and surface area obtained from 25 trees in a stand of 29-year-old Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) using a Spiegel relascope were compared with those obtained by direct measurement after tree felling. In 17 of the 25 trees, the crown profile measured with the relascope was identical to the crown profile obtained by direct measurement. For the 17 trees, the mean relative errors of crown volume and surface area tended to be unbiased. On the other hand, the crown profiles obtained by the two methods were different in five of the 25 trees, while it could not been judged whether the crown profiles obtained by the two methods were identical or different in three of the 25 trees. However, for each group of five or three trees, the mean relative errors of crown volume and surface area were also unbiased. Moreover, for both crown volume and surface area, no significant differences were detected in variance of error among the groups of 17, five, and three trees. Therefore, the discrepancy between crown profiles obtained by the two methods for the five and three trees might be negligible in terms of the accuracy and precision of crown volume and surface area measurements. The standard errors for both crown volume and surface area were larger in each of the five and three trees than in the 17 trees. However, even for the five and three trees, the crown volume and surface area obtained using the relascope were more precise than those based on the assumption that crown form was a cone or paraboloid. We concluded that using a Spiegel relascope would enable us to obtain an accurate and precise crown profile, volume, and surface area of Japanese cypress trees for practical use, especially when the main objective of measurement is determining crown volume or surface area.
More on Resident Stress

How flattering to have one’s article1 that was written in the past not only read by but commented on by a pediatric resident.2 Dr Moreno is correct: little has happened in the past 15 years to lessen resident stress. If anything, the situation is worse. Debts are greater and family stresses are unabated. More women in pediatrics means more child care worries for some, and more anxiety about ticking biological clocks for others. Another concern is the uncertain primary care job market. Debts and family concerns deter many from embarking on subspecialty training. The haggard looks on our overworked gastroenterologists, nephrologists, and pulmonologists are not good selling points. The wards of tertiary care centers are even more bizarre. Patients have become virtual; rounds are often only a figure of speech. Teams sit in windowless conference rooms and examine pulse oximetry reports to determine whether or not a child is breathing. Most of us went into medicine for the … Address correspondence to Abraham B. Bergman, MD, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359774, 325 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. E-mail: oscarb{at}u.washington.edu
Characterization of strength and microstructure in deformation processed Al-Mg composites

The microstructures, mechanical properties and electrical resistivity have been evaluated for deformation processed Al-20 vol % Mg and Al-13 vol % Mg composites. The Mg second phase adopts a convoluted, ribbon shape filamentary morphology after deformation. Both the size and spacing of these filaments decreases with deformation. The strength of these composites increases exponentially with reduced spacing of Mg filaments. The electrical resistivity of these Al-Mg composites is slightly higher than that of pure Al.