cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A tutorial on random number generation

A "Random Number Generator" is a program that produces a number each time it is invoked. This number is, for a broad range of uses, "random." More exactly, it is unpredictable and has the same chance of being selected as any other number among those the generator can produce. A random generator is useful in the same way as flipping a coin can be useful: randomness is independent of human motives and desires, it is impartial and fair. Its applications include generating test data, Monte Carlo procedures, testing grammars, and making choices in programs for creating music, poetry, and other art. The definition of randomness is a philosophical and mathematical question, beyond the scope of this discussion. It would not be out of place, however, to explain that there is no such thing as a "random number." While a die may I and five-spot uppermost we would not say that therefore the number 5 is random. Put in a relatively precise way, we would say that a sequence of numbers is random if there is no possible program that could be written to predict what the next member of the sequence was going to be given all previous members of the sequence. We would also require that the sequence had certain statistical properties, for example, that each possible output was equally likely. A random generator is a device (such as an honest roulette wheel) that produces such a sequence. It follows that a computer program cannot generate a random sequence (if it could, then a faster computer with the same program could 'predict' the outputted numbers). This is generally true. The usual "random number generator" or "random function" provided at most installations is more properly a pseudorandom generator. It is, in fact, a program that produces a string of numbers that for most practical purposes appears random. It has good statistical properties and while it will eventually repeat itself and is certainly predictable, it is unlikely that you (or your program) would ever detect these "faults." There is a large and still growing literature on methods of programming pseudorandom functions, and one can probably be written in relatively short order (see for example, the Algorithms department of the Communications of the Association for Computing Machinery ). The random generator at your installation may have any of a number of forms. Usually it is a function or procedure whose name looks like RND, RAN, RANDOM, RANF, IRANF, etc. In APL it is simply a
Self-organized criticality: An explanation of the 1/ f noise

We show that dynamical systems with spatial degrees of freedom naturally evolve into a self-organized critical point. Flicker noise, or 1/f noise, can be identified with the dynamics of the critical state. This picture also yields insight into the origin of fractal objects.
A model for the radio brightness of the supernova remnant 1987A

The recently observed rise in radio flux from SN1987A is earlier than predicted in models of the interaction with the observed line-emitting gas. The observed size of the radio source is roughly consistent with the expected position of the SN shock wave and the position of the termination shock of the blue supergiant progenitor wind. The radio increase is attributed to the interaction of the SN shock with this density jump. The required efficiency of electron acceleration and magnetic field amplification is larger than usually occurs in SNe and SNR. Possible reasons for the enhanced radio emission are particle acceleration by the weak reflected shock that travels through the interaction region, and the action of the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability near the initial termination-shock density jump. The action of these mechanisms is time-limited; the prediction of this model is that the radio flux should begin to decline within the next year.
Evaluation of Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System Flap and Fat Graft Outcomes for Benign and Malignant Parotid Disease

Objective(1) To evaluate the effectiveness of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) flap and free fat graft in reconstructing the parotidectomy defect. (2) To evaluate the long-term viability of the free fat graft following parotidectomy for benign and malignant disease, including in the postradiation setting.Study DesignProspective study of consecutive patients.SettingAcademic tertiary care medical center.Subjects and MethodsThirty-one consecutive patients underwent parotidectomy with SMAS flap and free fat graft reconstruction from 2006 to 2012. Data were compiled through a manual chart review.ResultsTwenty-three of the 31 total patients had benign disease, including pleomorphic adenoma, oncocytoma, and Warthin tumor. The 8 remaining patients (9 parotidectomies) underwent surgery for malignant disease, followed by postoperative radiation. The average age was 56 years (range, 16-84 years). The mean follow-up was 22.5 months. Satisfactory volumetric symmetry was achieved in all procedures for b...
Bioelectrochemical fuel cells

Abstract In the past 20 years, inorganic fuel cells have been transformed from novelty devices to practical energy transfer-energy storage units. However, the advantage of the high operating efficiency afforded by these fuel cells is partially offset by (a) the limited viability and high cost of the catalysts, (b) the highly corrosive electrolytes, and (c) the elevated operating temperatures. The possibility exists to reduce some of these problems through the development of bioelectrochemical fuel cells. Such biological/electrochemical systems incorporate either microorganisms or enzymes as an active component within the specified electrode compartments. Recent studies with microorganisms as part of the anode compartment have been aimed at defining the mechanism of the observed electrochemical reactions. Recent investigations on the use of cell-free enzyme preparations in the electrode compartments have dealt primarily with developing methodology and defining mechanisms for enhancing the rate of electron transfer from the enzyme-cofactor active site to the solid electrode surface. Applications of this developing technology have been envisioned for analytical chemistry, medical devices, energy transfer, electrochemical synthesis, and detoxification. In this review, the theory and problems of bioelectrochemical fuel cells are described and related to research, both recent and proposed, for the practical development of this area.
Aharonov-Bohm effect for trapped ions

The role of the Aharonov-Bohm effect is analyzed for the bound states of a charged particle in the superposition of two fields: A uniform magnetic field plus the vector potential of a solenoid. Exact solutions are given for a solenoid of zero size and the corrections due to finite size are discussed. It is shown that a series of new "betatron resonances" appear in the spectrum, dependent on the flux quantum number $f=\frac{e\ensuremath{\Phi}}{\mathrm{hc}}$. The fundamental betatron resonance remains narrow and unshifted for solenoid radii large enough to broaden and shift the cyclotron resonance.
Union decompositions and universal classes categorical in power

In this p a p e r we inves t iga te classes of a lgebra i c s t ruc tures which a r e un iver sa l ly ax ioma t i zab le and ca tegor ica l in power . T h e bas ic res t r i c t ion i m p o s e d is tha t t he s t ruc tures a re operationally unary, i .e. all ope r a t i ons have r ank --<1; t h e r e a re no res t r ic t ions on the r anks of re la t ions . A l t h o u g h this r es t r i c t ion is s t rong , still m a n y in te res t ing examples of such classes a re k n o w n (see E x a m p l e s 2 .6 -2 .8 ) . The p r inc ipa l resul ts of the p a p e r ( T h e o r e m s 2.1, 2.4, and 3.1) a re c o n c e r n e d with s t ruc tura l desc r ip t ions of these classes. T h e m a i n tool d e v e l o p e d ( T h e o r e m 1.1) is a gene ra l i za t ion of J6nsson ' s un ion d e c o m p o s i t i o n t h e o r e m . T h e necess i ty of such a gene ra l i za t ion was m o t i v a t e d by the fo l lowing obse rva t ion . If T is a t h e o r y in a l anguage with an ind iv idua l cons t an t symbol , then e v e r y m o d e l of T is un ion i n d e c o m p o s a b l e . H e n c e we canno t use J6nsson ' s t h e o r e m to ana lyze the s t ruc ture of these models . H o p e f u l l y the m e t h o d s d e v e l o p e d in this p a p e r will be of use in ob ta in ing desc r ip t ions of va r ious un ive r sa l -ex i s t en t i a l classes of r e l a t i ona l s t ruc tu res which a r e ca tegor ica l in power . (Up to def in i t ional equiva lences , this is the m o s t genera l k ind of e l e m e n t a r y class ca tegor ica l in power . )
Afghanistan: rich resource base and existing environmental despoliation

Because of its climatically stressed dry land and high altitudes, coupled with severe human despoliation amid three decades of war and known rampant corruption, Afghanistan has long had severe environmental problems. Overgrazing, deforestation, “deshrubification,” soil erosion, soil salinization, ground and surface water contamination and water overuse beyond natural recharge, climate change, threats to biodiversity, and natural hazards are the background problems already causing strong environmental stress. With the advent of the newly recognized mineral resources that will be exploited, additional environmental stressors are likely. Agencies of the United Nations, in concert with new national environmental laws and programs, offer some potential for remediation of environmental problems in the face of unrelenting societal pressures to ignore them. Whether Afghanistan will rise out of its status as a failed state depends in some large way upon whether the newly recognized mineral resources are exploited in environmentally benign ways.
A weighted least squares computation of the Antoine constants from vapor pressure data using a microcomputer

Abstract The purpose of this work was to develop an accurate, rapid method for determining the constants A, B, and C of the Antoine equation, log p = A - B/(C + t) which relates the vapor pressure of a liquid to temperature. The procedure makes use of a weighted least squares curve fit with an iterative computation. The computation has been programmed in BASIC for use on a microcomputer, and the details of the program and its use are presented. A comparison of the results of the present method with published values for several compounds indicates that the constants are determined more accurately by the present method than by other methods.
The New Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures in the Context of University Personnel Decisions.

The new Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures are considered in a context of university employment decisions. The use of student evaluations as valid criteria for faculty personnel decisions such as hiring, retention, tenure, promotion, or salary increases is examined. Standards of validity contained in the Guidelines are probably not being met with regard to most student rating forms currently used. Recommendations are made regarding use of student and administrators' ratings as criteria for personnel decisions. The need for studies on contaminating sources of variance in ratings is emphasized.
Solubility of Ruthenium Dioxide in Lead Borosilicate Glasses

The solubility of RuO2 in a lead borosilicate glass was measured in the range of 700° to 1000°C. The effect of dissolved alumina in the glass was studied in the same range using 2%, 4%, 6%, and 10% dissolved alumina. The solubility showed an exponential dependence on temperature, and the dissolved alumina decreased the solubility at any given temperature; however, the solubility was essentially the same in all of the alumina-containing glasses. The Kelvin equation was used to deduce the concentration of RuO2 in glass as a function of the curvature of the RuO2 particles, and the dependence was found to be quite small. The implications of the results in processing thick-film resistors using RuO2 as the conductive phase and these glasses as insulating phases on an alumina substrate are discussed.
Reducing heavy drinking in college males with the decisional balance: Analyzing an element of Motivational Interviewing

The decisional balance, a brief detailing of the advantages and disadvantages of behavior change, serves as a key component to interventions in Motivational Interviewing. The impact of this component alone is not well understood. Forty-seven men completed a Timeline Followback interview assessing alcohol consumption and unsafe sexual practices. They then completed a decisional balance, listing the Pros and Cons of decreasing their drinking, but not one for safer sex. One-month follow-up data showed that they had statistically significant and clinically meaningful increases in their motivation to alter drinking and decreases in the number of drinks that they intended to drink, the actual drinks consumed per month, the days per month that they drank, their maximum number of drinks consumed on one occasion, and their average number of drinks per occasion. They did not alter their sexual behavior or their motivation to increase safe sex behavior. These results suggest that the decisional balance plays an important role in Motivational Interviewing and could serve as a quick and efficient intervention by itself.
Prediction of Failure in Vancomycin-Treated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infection: a Clinically Useful Risk Stratification Tool

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of bloodstream infection (BSI) and is often associated with invasive infections and high rates of mortality. Vancomycin has remained the mainstay of therapy for serious Gram-positive infections, particularly MRSA BSI; however, therapeutic failures with vancomycin have been increasingly reported. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the factors (patient, strain, infection, and treatment) involved in the etiology and management of MRSA BSI to create a risk stratification tool for clinicians. This study included consecutive patients with MRSA BSI treated with vancomycin over 2 years in an inner-city hospital in Detroit, MI. Classification and regression tree analysis (CART) was used to develop a risk prediction model that characterized vancomycin-treated patients at high risk of clinical failure. Of all factors, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score, with a cutoff point of 14, was found to be the strongest predictor of failure and was used to split the population into two groups. Forty-seven percent of the population had an APACHE-II score < 14, a value that was associated with low rates of clinical failure (11%) and mortality (4%). Fifty-four percent of the population had an APACHE-II score ≥ 14, which was associated with high rates of clinical failure (35%) and mortality (23%). The risk stratification model identified the interplay of three other predictors of failure, including the vancomycin MIC as determined by Vitek 2 analysis, the risk level of the source of BSI, and the USA300 strain type. This model can be a useful tool for clinicians to predict the likelihood of success or failure in vancomycin-treated patients with MRSA bloodstream infection.
Cadmium Malonate Complexation in Aqueous Sodium Trifluoromethanesulfonate Media to 75°C; Including Dissociation Quotients of Malonic Acid

The molal formation quotients for cadmium–malonate complexes were measured potentiometrically from 5 to 75°C, at ionic strengths of 0.1, 0.3, 0.6 and 1.0 molal in aqueous sodium trifluoromethanesulfonate (NaTr) media. In addition, the stepwise dissociation quotients for malonic acid were measured in the same medium from 5 to 100°C, at ionic strengths of 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, and 1.0 molal by the same method. The dissociation quotients for malonic acid were modeled as a function of temperature and ionic strength with empirical equations formulated such that the equilibrium constants at infinite dilution were consistent, within the error estimates, with the malonic acid dissociation constants obtained in NaCl media. The equilibrium constants calculated for the dissociation of malonic acid at 25°C and infinite dilution are log K1a=-2.86 ± 0.01 and log K2a=-5.71 ± 0.01. A single Cd–malonate species, CdCH2C2O4, was identified from the complexation study and the formation quotients for this species were also modeled as a function of temperature and ionic strength. Thermodynamic parameters obtained by differentiating the equation with respect to temperature for the formation of CdCH2C2O4 at 25°C and infinite dilution are: K = 3.45 ± 0.09, ΔS° = 7 ± 6 kJ-mol-1, ΔS° = 91 ± 22 J-K--mol-1, and ΔCpo=400±300 J­K-1­mol-1.
Migration and labor-market returns in urban China: results from a recent survey in Guangzhou {

The transitional process in China is marked by prominent roles of state institutions, which are a key determinant of the opportunity and reward structure in the newly developing labor market. Migrant labor and the occupational and sectoral changes in the urban economy have further shaped the evolution of the labor market in Chinese cities. In this paper, I argue that labor-market returns are not only functions of human capital but are heavily influenced by state-controlled institutional status. Specifically, I examine the variations in income and benefits returns among nonmigrant urban residents, permanent migrants who possess urban residence, and temporary migrants who are denied permanent residence rights in cities. The empirical analysis employs data from a recent survey conducted in Guangzhou, one of the largest and most rapidly changing cities and one of the most popular destinations of migrant workers in China. The findings show that permanent migrants' income returns are especially high and that te...
A memory controller for improved performance of streamed computations on symmetric multiprocessors

The growing disparity between processor and memory speeds has caused memory bandwidth to become the performance bottleneck for many applications. In particular this performance gap severely impacts stream-orientated computations such as (de)compression, encryption, and scientific vector processing. This paper describes the development of an intelligent memory interface that can exploit compiler-provided information on streamed memory access patterns to improve memory bandwidth. Simulation results show that such shared-memory multiprocessor systems can deliver nearly the full attainable bandwidth with relatively modest hardware costs.
Pharmacokinetic interaction of abacavir (1592U89) and ethanol in human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults.

While in vitro results at clinically relevant concentrations do not predict abacavir (1592U89) interactions with drugs highly metabolized by cytochrome P450, the potential does exist for a pharmacokinetic interaction between abacavir and ethanol, as both are metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase. Twenty-five subjects were enrolled in an open-label, randomized, three-way-crossover, phase I study of human immunodeficiency virus-infected male subjects. The three treatments were administration of (i) 600 mg of abacavir, (ii) 0.7 g of ethanol per kg of body weight, and (iii) 600 mg of abacavir and 0.7 g of ethanol per kg. Twenty-four subjects completed the study with no unexpected adverse events reported. Ethanol pharmacokinetic parameters were unchanged with abacavir coadministration. The geometric least squares mean area under the concentration curve extrapolated to infinite time for abacavir increased 41% (from 11.07 to 15.62 μg · h/ml), and the half-life increased 26% (from 1.42 to 1.79 h) in the presence of ethanol (mean ethanol maximum concentration in plasma of 498 μg/ml). The percentages of abacavir dose recovered in urine as abacavir and its two major metabolites were each altered in the presence of ethanol, but there was no change in the total percentage (≈50%) of administered dose recovered in the 12-h collection interval. In conclusion, while a single 600-mg dose of abacavir does not alter blood ethanol concentration, ethanol does increase plasma abacavir concentrations.
Adult hypophosphatasia treated with teriparatide.

Introduction: Hypophosphatasia (HPP) features low serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (hypophosphatasemia) due to loss-of-function mutation within TNSALP, the gene that encodes “tissue-nonspecific” ALP (TNSALP). Consequently, inorganic pyrophosphate accumulates extracellularly and impairs skeletal mineralization. Affected adults manifest osteomalacia, often with slowly healing metatarsal stress fractures (MTSFs) and proximal femur pseudofractures. Pharmacotherapy remains elusive. Patient and Methods: A middle-aged woman sustained a slowly healing MTSF and then two enlarging MTSFs and a spontaneous proximal femur fracture. Pain persisted at all fracture sites. HPP was diagnosed as a result of low ALP activity (10–24 IU/liter; normal, 40–150 IU/liter) and elevated inorganic phosphate and pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentrations in serum. Teriparatide (TPTD) (recombinant human PTH 1–34), 20 μg, was injected sc daily in an attempt to enhance osteoblast synthesis of TNSALP. Results: Six weeks later, all fra...
Maternal obesity, infertility and mitochondrial dysfunction: potential mechanisms emerging from mouse model systems

Obesity is associated with ovulatory disorders, decreased rates of conception, infertility, early pregnancy loss and congenital abnormalities. Poor oocyte quality and reduced IVF success have also been reported in obese women. Recent attempts to understand the mechanism by which these defects occur have focused on mitochondria, essential organelles that are critical for oocyte maturation and subsequent embryo development. The oocyte relies on maternally supplied mitochondria until the resumption of mitochondrial replication in the peri-implantation period. Here we review current literature addressing the roles of mitochondria in oocyte function and how mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to fertility problems. The relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and oocyte function is evaluated by examining the following examples of environmental exposures: tobacco smoke, aging, caloric restriction and hyperglycemia. Finally, we present new data from a mouse model of obesity that has demonstrated that oocyte mitochondria play a key role in obesity-associated reproductive disorders.
A 69-Year-Old Woman With CREST Syndrome, Dyspnea, and a Mosaic CT Attenuation Pattern

(CHEST 2000; 117:584 ‐587) A 69-year-old nonsmoking woman with a history of CREST (calcinosis, Reynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal motility disorders, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia) syndrome presented with a chief complaint of dyspnea. The patient first noticed telangiectasias on her hands and face 20 years earlier and slowly developed tightness of the skin on her hands and face. Five years before admission, she was evaluated for symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and was found to have an esophageal stricture. Her symptoms responded well to stricture dilation and treatment with omeprazole and cisapride. She had no history or symptoms suggestive of aspiration. Serologic testing at that time showed an antinuclear antibody titer of . 1:640 with a centromere pattern, negative Scl-70 antibodies, rheumatoid factor of 143 IU/mL, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 15 mm/h. The patient did well until 6 months prior to admission when she noticed dyspnea on exertion. She was evaluated by her primary care physician and was referred for further evaluation.
Race/ethnicity moderates the relationship between chronic life stress and quality of life in type 2 diabetes

Abstract Aims To determine whether chronic life stress is differentially associated with quality of life (QoL) for Blacks vs. Hispanics with type 2 diabetes. Methods We assessed self-reported chronic stress and QoL in 125 patients with type 2 diabetes who self-identified as either non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic. Separate cross-sectional two-way interaction models (stress×race/ethnicity) with physical and mental health as outcomes were examined. Results The two-way interaction predicted mental ( b =3.12, P =.04) but not physical health. Simple slopes analyses indicated that under conditions of high stress, Blacks ( b =−4.4, P b =.62, P =.01) but not physical health. Simple slopes analyses indicated that under conditions of high stress, high levels of social support improved mental health for Hispanics ( b =1.2, P Conclusions Black patients with type 2 diabetes may be particularly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of high chronic stress. Social support buffers effects of stress on mental health in Hispanics but not Blacks, which suggests differences in the use and/or quality of social support between Hispanics and Blacks. Longitudinal investigations that examine race/ethnicity, stress, social support, and QoL should help clarify the processes that underlie these observed relations.
Modification of irradiation effects on rat parotid by chronic pretreatment with isoproterenol.

SummaryTwice daily administration of the sympathetic amine, isoproterenol, for 2 or 3 days prior to irradiation (3000 R) of rat parotid glands afforded protection from the effects of irradiation and the usually observed changes in size and structure of the gland did not occur. When the amine was administered for shorter periods (1.5 hr) or much longer periods (10 days) no protection against the effects of irradiation was observed, and under these conditions, the usual radiation-induced effects (i.e., reduction in size of gland and of acinar cells, and pyknosis and fragmentation of nuclei) were seen.
Investigation of helical tomotherapy for partial-breast irradiation of prone-positioned patients.

Purpose To investigate whether helical tomotherapy can provide conformal, uniform target-dose coverage for partial-breast irradiation (PBI) of patients positioned prone while achieving organ-at-risk sparing compliant with National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) B-39/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 0413 guidelines; and to report our initial experience with the delivery of prone-breast PBI treatments using tomotherapy. Methods and Materials For our pilot study, we generated helical tomotherapy plans upon the images of 10 prone-positioned patients previously treated using conventional techniques. We also generated plans for 4 left-breast prone-positioned PBI patients who were treated using helical tomotherapy, and recalculated the planned sinograms upon the pretreatment megavoltage computed tomographic images. Of the planning target volume (PTV), 95% was prescribed to receive 38.5 Gy, administered twice daily for 5 days. Results For our pilot study, on average the maximum point dose to the PTV was 41.3 Gy, and 99% or more of the PTV received 90% or more of the prescribed dose. RTOG 0413 dose–volume histogram objectives were fulfilled for all organs at risk except the contralateral breast, which received a maximum point dose as high as 3.2 Gy in 1 case. For the prospective prone-positioned tomotherapy PBI plans, all objectives were met except the contralateral-breast maximum dose, which was 3.7 Gy on average. Dose calculation using the planned sinogram upon the pretreatment megavoltage computed tomographic images indicated consistency with the planned dose distributions. Conclusions Helical tomotherapy can provide conformal and uniform target-dose coverage simultaneous with adequate sparing of critical structures; in this study only the contralateral breast dose exceeded RTOG 0413 guidelines. Dosimetric results for our 4 prospective patient cases were consistent with those for our 10-case pilot study.
α-Synuclein expression in substantia nigra and cortex in Parkinson's disease

Summary: Mutations in the human a-synuclein gene have been identified in several families of European descent with early-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD). We sequenced the complete a-synuclein cDNA from substantia nigra and cortex from nine patients with PD and eight control subjects. No mutations were found. We then analyzed a-synuclein mRNA levels using a ribonuclease protection assay. Two major protected bands of a-synuclein mRNA, possibly representing two splice variants of the gene, were observed. a-synuclein mRNA was significantly diminished in the substantia nigra of patients with PD compared with control subjects but not in the cortex. Our findings suggest that decreased synuclein mRNA may be an early alteration in the SN in PD, and imply that decreased levels of the protein may play a role in the pathogenesis of sporadic cases of the disease. Key Words: Parkinson’s disease— Substantia nigra— a-Synuclein—Ribonuclease protection assay.
Anatomy of a control system; a system designer's view [Advanced Light Source]

The Advanced Light Source (ALS) control system is quite unconventional in its design and implementation. This paper will discuss the system design considerations, the actual implementation, hardware and software costs, and the measured performance across all layers of the system. >
A statistical method to evaluate potentially similar zones of groundwater discharge at the Bunker Hill Mine near Kellogg, Idaho

The Bunker Hill Mine is a large underground lead-zinc mine located in north Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene Mining District near the town of Kellogg, Idaho (Figure 1). The mine is faced with waste water treatment responsibilities that stem from the discharge of acid mine drainage. The delineation of waterproducing zones through underground field observations and statistical analysis provides insight into the flow of groundwater through the fractured rock mass. The statistical analysis of rock fracture data collected in this study suggests that: 1) observed fault structures impede horizontal groundwater flow, 2) the faults appear to act as nearly vertical drainage structures, 3) head levels measured in previous studies are compatible with relative discharge noted at different mapping sites in this study, and 4) the faults probably constitute boundaries of hydrostratigraphic units that may constitute representative elemental volumes.
Size and mating success in males of the western harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Mating success in males of the lek mating ant species,Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, increases with increased body size. We estimated the magnitude of the selection coefficients on components of size by collecting males in copula and comparing their morphology to that of males that were collected at the lek but that were not mating. Four characters, body mass, head width, wing length, and leg length, were measured for a sample of 225 mating and 324 nonmating males and 225 females. Significant direct selection favors increased wing length and leg length. Multiple regression of transformed variables (principal components) indicated that the increased mating success of larger males is a function of all four characters. We found no evidence of positive assortative mating on the basis of any individual character or on the multivariate general size variable (the first principal component).
Magnetically induced magnetoacoustic generation and conductivity reconstruction for a multi-layer cylindrical model

When a conductive object is excited by a pulsed magnetic field, the eddy current is induced and the magnetoacoustic signal can be generated because of the vibration of the induced Lorentz force. A theoretical study on magnetically induced magnetoacoustic generation and conductivity-reconstruction for a multi-layer cylindrical model was conducted. In the forward problem, the principle and the formulae as well as the characteristics of the acoustic generation are obtained; meanwhile, the explicit formulae of conductivity reconstruction algorithm are derived as the inverse problem solution. Computer simulations were conducted and the promising results suggest the feasibility of the proposed theory.
Split Treatment: The Psychotherapy Role of the Prescribing Psychiatrist

In many treatment settings, including academic and community mental health centers, the psychiatrist’s role often includes providing psychopharmacologic evaluation and management for patients whose psychotherapy is carried out by a nonmedical allied mental health professional. The writing of a prescription for a patient does not take place in a vacuum. The psychiatrist is not a medicine-dispensing machine. Managed care policies usually finance only 15-minute sessions for medication management. Despite the brevity of these contacts between physician and patient, an at tentive psychiatrist can obtain a quick—although limited and sometimes blurred—view of the patient’s underlying problems during these meetings. These contacts also present opportunities for the emergence of transference and countertransference reactions and, in that context, psychotherapeutic interactions. The conscious and unconscious reactions in both parties usually remain unanalyzed unless they loom as resistance to the treatment. At a recent conference I attended, a psychiatrist described a crisis that dramatically demonstrated the intensity of feelings the interaction can generate. The subject of the symposium was countertransference. One of the issues I discussed was split treatment and the psychiatrist’s countertransference when patients have idealized positive or negative transference reactions to the prescribing psychiatrist. These reactions evoke a special challenge when the patient’s feelings toward the psychiatrist are the reverse of those toward the nonphysician psychotherapist. During the question-and-answer period a member of the audience rose to describe an alarming clinical situation she had experienced in the context of split treatment. She was providing medication management for a patient who had begun to make subtle—and not-so-subtle—threats. Speaking with great hostility directed at the psychiatrist, the patient described her sister’s violence toward her own psychiatrist. The patient then made allusions to her own potential for violence. She hinted that she had learned a great deal about the psychiatrist’s personal life, including where she lived. In contrast, she was mild mannered, pleasant, and agreeable with her psychotherapist. The psychiatrist said that because of managed care restrictions, she could spend only the allowable 15 minutes with the patient. Thus she felt constrained from exploring and dealing psychotherapeutically with this ominous development. Her supervisor’s response to the problem was to suggest transferring the patient to another medicating psychia
Literature Survey: Mathematical Models in the Analysis of Durable Goods with Applications to IS Research

Many physical and information goods are not "consumed" during use e.g. airplanes and computer software. These 'durable goods' have been extensively studied over the last four decades in the economics, operations, information systems, and other literatures. Due to the heterogeneous nature of durable goods and their market contexts, the recommendations from the 'durable goods' literature cannot be adopted without careful consideration of the particular situation faced. Simple characterization of situations as involving 'durable goods' is certainly insufficient. Here we seek to create a simple framework for modeling durable goods, present a taxonomy of the models commonly used in the literature and the settings to which they correspond. Our objective is to present researchers with an integrated perspective of the research in this area and serve as a starting point for their own modeling efforts when analyzing markets involving durable goods. Applications to problems of interest to IS researchers are highlighted.
Lack of effect of raloxifene on coronary artery atherosclerosis of postmenopausal monkeys

Raloxifene has been shown to have estrogen agonist effects on bone and cholesterol metabolism while having estrogen antagonist effects on mammary gland and uterus. Reported here are the results of a study to determine whether raloxifene had the estrogen agonist effect of inhibiting coronary artery atherogenesis and to compare its effects with those of traditional conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) treatment. Ovariectomized (surgically postmenopausal) cynomolgus monkeys were fed a moderately atherogenic diet and treated with a placebo, raloxifene (1 mg/kg·day), raloxifene (5 mg/kg·day), or CEE (Premarin) at a dose that mimicked that of 0.625 mg/day in women. The effects of raloxifene on plasma lipid concentrations were generally comparable to those reported in postmenopausal women treated with raloxifene: reductions in low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and no significant effects on high density lipoprotein cholesterol. We found no evidence that raloxifene had an estrogen agonist effect on c...
In Situ Raman Spectroscopy of Supported Chromium Oxide Catalysts: Reactivity Studies with Methanol and Butane

The interactions of methanol and butane with supported chromium oxide catalysts under oxidizing and reducing conditions were studied by in situ Raman spectroscopy as a function of the specific oxide support (Al2O3, ZrO2, TiO2, SiO2, Nb2O5, 3% SiO2/TiO2, 3% TiO2/SiO2, and a physical mixture of SiO2 and TiO2) and chromium oxide loading (1−6 wt% CrO3). Two surface chromium oxide species were observed on the TiO2, ZrO2, Al2O3, 3% SiO2/TiO2, and a physical mixture of SiO2 and TiO2 surfaces: a monomeric species (characterized by a CrO stretching frequency at ∼1030 cm-1) and a polymeric species (possessing a CrO stretching frequency at ∼1005−1010 cm-1 and a Cr−O−Cr bending mode at ∼880 cm-1). The SiO2 and 3% TiO2/SiO2 surfaces possess only the monomeric species. The extent of reduction of the surface chromium oxide species, reflected by the decrease in the Raman intensity of the CrO bonds, demonstrates that the polymeric surface chromium oxide species is more easily reducible than the monomeric chromium oxide s...
Whole-body vibration and postural stress among operators of construction equipment: a literature review

Introduction: Operators of construction equipment perform various duties at work that expose them to a variety of risk factors that may lead to health problems. A few of the health hazards among operators of construction equipment are: (a) whole-body vibration, (b) awkward postural requirements (including static sitting), (c) dust, (d) noise, (e) temperature extremes, and (f) shift work. It has been suggested that operating engineers (OEs) are exposed to two important risk factors for the development of musculoskeletal disorders: whole-body vibration and non-neutral body postures. Method: This review evaluates selected papers that have studied exposure to whole-body vibration and awkward posture among operators of mobile equipment. There have been only few studies that have specifically examined exposure of these risk factors among operators of construction equipment. Thus other studies from related industry and equipment were reviewed as applicable. Conclusion: In order to better understand whole-body vibration and postural stress among OEs, it is recommended that future studies are needed in evaluating these risk factors among OEs.
Sprint perspective on next generation multi-service transport and switching networks

I describe the evolving transmission and switching technology, services and performance requirements and discusses factors influencing the deployment of next generation systems. The significant distinctions between metropolitan and long-haul applications are also presented.
The Effect of Delaware Doctrine on Freezeout Structure and Outcomes: Evidence on the Unified Approach

Historically, Delaware corporate law provided different standards of judicial review for buyouts by controlling shareholders (also known as “freezeouts”) based on what transactional form was used: deferential business judgment review for freezeouts executed as tender offers, and stringent “entire fairness” review for transactions structured as mergers. Subramanian (2005), Subramanian (2007), and Restrepo (2013) provide doctrinal and empirical evidence that transactional planners responded to these differences in standards of judicial review; that these differences in judicial scrutiny created differences in outcomes for the minority shareholders; and that differences in outcomes created a social welfare loss, not just a wealth transfer from minority shareholders to the controlling shareholder. Over the past decade, in a series of important decisions, Delaware law has migrated toward a “unified approach” to freezeouts regardless of transactional form. In this paper we present empirical evidence on all freezeouts of Delaware targets during this period of doctrinal evolution. In general, we find that deal outcomes have converged in the eight years since the Delaware Chancery Court’s decision in Cox Communications, but approximately half of merger freezeouts in the post-Cox era still did not follow the procedural template provided by the unified approach. Our findings suggest that: (1) transactional planners seem to respond to even probabilistic changes in the Delaware case law; (2) the social welfare loss identified in Subramanian (2005) seems to no longer be present; but (3) the Delaware Supreme Court may nevertheless wish to “finish the job” by endorsing the unified approach, in order to ensure adequate procedural protections to minority shareholders.
Work engagement in nursing: a concept analysis

antoinette bargagliotti l. (2012) Work engagement in nursing: a concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1414–1428. Abstract Aim. This article is a report of an analysis of the concept of work engagement. Background. Work engagement is the central issue for 21st century professionals and specifically for registered nurses. Conceptual clarity about work engagement gives empirical direction for future research and a theoretical underpinning for the myriad studies about nurses and their work environment. Method. Walker and Avant’s method of concept analysis was used. Nursing, business, psychology and health sciences databases were searched using Science Direct, CINAHL, OVID, Academic One File, ABI INFORM and PsycINFO for publications that were: written in English, published between 1990 and 2010, and described or studied work engagement in any setting with any population. Results. Work engagement is a positive, fulfilling state of mind about work that is characterized by vigour, dedication and absorption. Trust (organizationally, managerially and collegially) and autonomy are the antecedents of work engagement. The outcomes of nurses’ work engagement are higher levels of personal initiative that are contagious, decreased hospital mortality rates and significantly higher financial profitability of organizations. Conclusion. When work engagement is conceptually removed from a transactional job demands-resources model, the relational antecedents of trust and autonomy have greater explanatory power for work engagement in nurses. Untangling the antecedents, attributes and outcomes of work engagement is important to future research efforts.
Abscess After a Laparoscopic Appendectomy Presenting as Low Back Pain in a Professional Athlete

A professional baseball player presented to the orthopaedic clinic for a preseason assessment because of continued lumbar spine and flank pain. He had a laparoscopic appendectomy for a perforated appendix 8 months before his presentation. He was able to finish the previous season with only mild limitation. He presented with back pain that limited his activity. His examination was nonlocalizing, but subsequent computed tomography revealed a hepatic abscess. The abscess was drained; he was treated with intravenous antibiotics; and his symptoms resolved.
Fatih: detecting and isolating malicious routers

Network routers occupy a key role in modern data transport and consequently are attractive targets for attackers. By manipulating, diverting or dropping packets arriving at a compromised router, an attacker can trivially mount denial-of-service, surveillance or man-in-the-middle attacks on end host systems. In this paper, we specify the problem of detecting routers with incorrect packet forwarding behavior and we explore the design space of protocols that implement such a detector. We further present a concrete protocol that is inexpensive enough for practical implementation at scale.
Biomimetic grip force compensation based on acceleration of a prosthetic wrist under sliding mode control

A biomimetic compensating controller designed to increase prosthetic hand grip force, based on wrist rotational acceleration, is developed and experimentally evaluated. Wrist acceleration can cause objects in grasp to slip. A sliding mode controller is implemented and experimentally evaluated for a prosthetic wrist rotator. Experimental results indicate that the biomimetic grip force compensation controller decreases the likelihood of object slip. For the wrist rotator, experimental results demonstrate that sliding mode control is effective for smooth velocity control, due to robustness to nonlinearities.
A multiscale stabilized ALE formulation for incompressible flows with moving boundaries

This paper presents a variational multiscale stabilized finite element method for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The formulation is written in an Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) frame to model problems with moving boundaries. The structure of the stabilization parameter is derived via the solution of the fine-scale problem that is furnished by the variational multiscale framework. The projection of the fine-scale solution onto the coarse-scale space leads to the new stabilized method. The formulation is integrated with a mesh moving scheme that adapts the computational grid to the evolving fluid boundaries and fluid-solid interfaces. Several test problems are presented to show the accuracy and stability of the new formulation.
Concepts in cardio-oncology: definitions, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment strategies of cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity

There has been considerable improvement in cancer survival rates, primarily through improved preventive strategies and novel anticancer drugs. Cancer is now becoming a chronic illness and as such both short and long-term cardiotoxic effects of cancer therapy are becoming more apparent. This has led to the emergence of a new multidisciplinary specialty known as cardio-oncology, with the purpose of identifying patients who are at a higher risk for developing cardiotoxicity so that appropriate surveillance, treatment and follow-up strategies may be instituted early. The mechanisms of cardiotoxicity caused by commonly used anticancer agents are reviewed, along with the latest advances in diagnostic and preventative strategies, with the overall objective of allowing cancer patients to continue both lifesaving and palliative treatments for their malignancy.