cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A GÊNESE DE CRISTAS DE PRAIAS E DUNAS FRONTAIS

A origem de cristas praiais (beach ridges, cristas de praia) formadas em ambiente de mar aberto e de micromares na costa australiana e revisada. Na literatura classica, existem tres teorias principais sobre a evolucao dessas formas, duas sugerindo uma origem marinha, outra uma origem eolica. Sao apresentados dados relativos a evolucao moderna de cristas de praia e dunas frontais incipientes nas regioes de Myall Lakes e Cervantes, que apoiam fortemente a hipotese de origem eolica. As dunas frontais incipientes formam-se a partir de uma diversidade de processos que conduzem a construcao de rampas, terracos ou cristas, em funcao de taxas de progradacao, tipos de cobertura vegetal, transporte de sedimentos e balanco dos processos erosivos. Palavras chave : dunas frontais, cristas de praia, evolucao de praias. ABSTRACT The genesis of sand “beach ridges” formed on openocean, microtidal Australian coasts is reviewed. Three major theories of evolution have been proposed, one suggesting a marine origine, the other an aeolian origin. Data are presented on the mordern evolution of “beach ridges” and incipient foredunes at Myall Lakes, NSW, and Cervantes, WA, which strongly supports an aeolian genesis. Incipient foredunes may be initiated in a variety of ways leading to the formation of ramps, terraces or ridges depending on progradation rates, vegetation type and cover, sediment transport rates and scale of erosional processes. Key words : foredunes, beach ridges, beachs evolution
Policy-Aware Content Reuse on the Web

The Web allows users to share their work very effectively leading to the rapid re-use and remixing of content on the Web including text, images, and videos. Scientific research data, social networks, blogs, photo sharing sites and other such applications known collectively as the Social Web have lots of increasingly complex information. Such information from several Web pages can be very easily aggregated, mashed up and presented in other Web pages. Content generation of this nature inevitably leads to many copyright and license violations, motivating research into effective methods to detect and prevent such violations. This is supported by an experiment on Creative Commons (CC) attribution license violations from samples of Web pages that had at least one embedded Flickr image, which revealed that the attribution license violation rate of Flickr images on the Web is around 70-90%. Our primary objective is to enable users to do the right thing and comply with CC licenses associated with Web media, instead of preventing them from doing the wrong thing or detecting violations of these licenses. As a solution, we have implemented two applications: (1) Attribution License Violations Validator, which can be used to validate users' derived work against attribution licenses of reused media and, (2) Semantic Clipboard, which provides license awareness of Web media and enables users to copy them along with the appropriate license metadata.
Genetic reinforcement learning approach to the machine scheduling problem

This paper focuses on the development of a learning-based heuristic for the machine scheduling problem, which automatically captures the search control knowledge or the common features of good schedules while generating a number of schedules. Defining states and actions of the machine shop, the machine scheduling problem is transformed into a problem of reinforcement learning (RL) in which a learner or a scheduler will learn to select the right action at each state of the machine shop, using the reward from a schedule evaluator for executing the action. Implementing the proposed reinforcement learning with a genetic algorithm results in the genetic reinforcement learning (GRL) approach to the machine scheduling problem. Although the learning-based heuristic has the overhead of acquiring knowledge on the problem, it can be easily adapted for a wide variety of machine scheduling problems due to the weak dependence on the problem structures and objectives. A GRL-based scheduler, called EVIS (Evolutionary Intracell Scheduler), has been developed and applied to various classes of machine scheduling problems, such as the job-shop scheduling, the flow-shop scheduling and the open-shop scheduling problems, and even the processor scheduling problem, the performance evaluation of EVIS with a number of different problem instances has shown that the learning-based heuristic is robust and its performance is comparable with that of other problem-specific heuristics or search-oriented heuristics in the quality of solutions.
Soil phosphorus after 25 years of cropping with five rates of phosphorus application

Abstract Rate of change of levels of various soil P forms as affected by P fertilizer application and crop removal is important for determining long term P fertilization policy. A rotation‐fertility experiment conducted for 25 years at the Purdue Agronomy Farm, West Lafayette, IN has provided data for calculating changes in soil P levels. Average annual P applications ranged from 0 to 54 kg/ha. Soil samples taken initially and after 25 years were analyzed for resin exchangeable P, Bray Pl, and total P. A linear relation between P applied minus P removed by cropping and Bray Pl indicated that Bray Pl increased one μg/g for every 17 kg net P/ha added. When P application on some plots was stopped for up to eight years, resin and Bray Pl levels decreased. The rate of decrease was greater the higher the P level at the time P application ceased. Increase in soil P level by fertilizer addition and decrease in P level by cropping appeared to be reversible processes.
Sensitivity of electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry using the phenylalanine/tyrosine-ratio for differential diagnosis of hyperphenylalaninemia in neonates.

The sensitivity of amino acid analysis by electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-TMS) in differential diagnosis of the different forms of hyperphenylalaniemias (HPA) was studied in a total number of 78 dried blood samples from neonates with increased phenylalanine (Phe) concentrations (>150 μmol/l). Simultaneous quantitative analysis of Phe and tyrosine (Tyr) were performed by ESI-TMS. By means of the Phe/Tyr-ratio it was possible to differentiate between phenylketonuria (PKU; n=23) and nonPKU-HPA patients (n=35; P<0.001) with a sensitivity of 100%. Neonates with transient HPA (n=9) showed a lower Phe/Tyr-ratio compared to the nonPKU-HPA patients (P<0.001). Amino acid analysis by ESI-TMS represents a powerful diagnostic tool in differential diagnosis of HPA and is an appropriate technique in the setting of neonatal screening based on dried blood spots.
Cloning, sequencing and regulation of thiA, a thiamin biosynthesis gene from Bacillus subtilis

The thiA gene is involved in the biosynthesis of the pyrimidine moiety of thiamin in Bacillus subtilis. This gene was cloned using a DNA probe rescued from thiA::Tn917 to screen a B. subtilis genomic library. ThiA exhibits 70% identity with E. coli thiC. The proposed thiA open reading frame complements all available thiA mutants of B. subtilis as well as the thiC mutant of E. coli. This suggests a similar biosynthetic pathway to 2-methyl-4-amino-5-hydroxymethylpyrimidine in both organisms. The expression of thiA is regulated, at least on the transcriptional level, and is significantly repressed by thiamin and 2-methyl-4-amino-5-hydroxymethylpyrimidine.
Neuroimaging in Alzheimer disease: an evidence-based review

Abstract Current clinical criteria (DSM-IIIR and NINCDS-ADRDA) for the diagnosis of dementia and AD are reliable; however, these criteria remain to be validated by clinicians of different levels of expertise at different clinical settings. Structural neuroimaging has an important role in initial evaluation of dementia for ruling out potentially treatable causes. Although CT is the appropriate choice when brain tumors, subdural hematoma, or normal pressure hydrocephalus is suspected, MR imaging is more sensitive to the white-matter changes in vascular dementia. The diagnostic accuracy of PET, SPECT, 1H MRS, and MR volumetry of the hippocampus for distinguishing patients with AD from healthy elderly individuals is comparable to the accuracy of a pathologically confirmed clinical diagnosis. Sensitivity of PET for distinguishing patients with dementia with Lewy bodies from AD, however, is higher than that of clinical evaluation; similarly, SPECT and 1H MRS may be adjuncts to clinical evaluation for distinguishing patients with frontotemporal dementia from those with AD. Neuroimaging is valuable in predicting future development of AD in patients with MCI and in carriers of the ApoE epsilon 4 allele who are at a higher risk of developing AD than are cognitively normal elderly individuals. Quantitative MR techniques (e.g., MR volumetry, DWI, magnetization transfer MR imaging, and 1H MRS) and PET are sensitive to the structural and functional changes in the brains of patients with MCI, and hippocampal volumes on MR imaging are associated with future development of AD in these individuals. PET is also sensitive to the regional metabolic decline in the brains of carriers of the ApoE epsilon 4 allele. The longitudinal decrease of whole brain and hippocampal volumes on MR imaging, NAA levels on 1H MRS, cerebral glucose metabolism on PET, and cerebral blood flow on SPECT are associated with rate of cognitive decline in patients with AD. These neuroimaging markers may be useful for monitoring symptomatic progression in groups of patients with AD for drug trials. Furthermore, antemortem MR-based hippocampal volumes correlate with the pathologic stage of AD, and the rate of hippocampal volume loss on MR imaging correlates with clinical disease progression in the cognitive continuum from normal aging to MCI and to AD. Hence, as an in vivo correlate of pathologic involvement, structural imaging measures are potential surrogate markers for disease progression in patients with established AD and in patients with prodromal AD, who will benefit most from disease-modifying therapies underway.
Cryogenic beam-combiner for very low background 2- to 20-μm interferometry on the 22.8-m Large Binocular Telescope

The 22.8 m Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer will be a uniquely powerful tool for imaging and nulling interferometry at thermal infrared wavelengths (2 - 20 micrometers ) because of the LBT's unusual combination of low emissivity, high spatial resolution, broad (u,v)-plane coverage, and high photometric sensitivity. The gregorian adaptive secondary mirrors permit beam combination after only three warm reflections. They also control the relative pathlength, wavefront tip/tilt, and focus of the two telescope beams, thus greatly simplifying the complexity of the beam-combiner. The resulting four-mirror beam-combiner reimages the original focal plane and also images the telescope pupil onto a cold stop to limit thermal background. At first-light in 2004, an all-reflective, cooled beam-combiner can provide a 2 arcmin diameter field for Fizeau-style imaging as well as the low thermal background and achromaticity required for nulling interferometry.
The distribution of cD galaxy peculiar velocities

A modified version of a cluster evolution computer code first described in Richstone and Malumuth (1983) and Malumuth and Richstone (1984) to investigate the distributon of cD galaxy peculiar velocities and positions relative to the center, for a sample of cDs formed through mergers in a virialized cluster. This distribution is compared to an observed distribution of 19 cD galaxies to test whether cD galaxies with large peculiar velocities could have been formed in virialized clusters. At the time of their formation the cD galaxies have a distribution of peculiar velocities similar to that of the observed cD galaxies. By the end of the simulations the cD galaxies were dragged to the center of the cluster by dynamical friction, and the distribution of peculiar velocities is inconsistent with the observed distribution. The typical cD galaxy has nine mergers and is 5 solar luminosities. This is in comparison with the observed luminosity of Morgan poor clusters of 7 solar luminosities.
Synthesis and characterization of isotopically enriched pyrimidine deoxynucleoside oxidation damage products

Oxidative damage to DNA is an established source of genomic instability. In this paper, we describe the synthesis and characterization of several pyrimidine deoxynucleoside oxidation damage products, enriched with stable isotopes. These products include the 2'-deoxynucleoside derivatives of 5-(hydroxymethyl)uracil, 5-formyluracil, 5-hydroxyuracil, 5-(hydroxymethyl)cytosine, 5-formylcytosine, and 5-hydroxycytosine. The common precursor is 2'-deoxy-2"-deutero[1,3-15N]uridine. Additional stable isotopes are added during functional group conversions. Characterization of these derivatives includes mass spectrometry and 1H and 15N NMR spectroscopy. Proton and nitrogen NMR studies reported here allow an examination of the influence of the modification on sugar conformation and tautomeric equilibrium, properties likely to be important in understanding the biological consequences of these DNA damage products.
ABET Accreditation of Undergraduate Engineering Management Programs: Established Versus New Programs—The Similarities and Differences

Abstract:ABET accreditation is the established benchmark for undergraduate engineering programs in the United States, yet there are but four accredited undergraduate engineering management programs and one accredited engineering management technology program in the United States. This apparent paradox results from the many elements, characteristics, and factors contributing to successful accreditation. The scarcity of accredited programs is a concern to the engineering management discipline and a question to be dealt with. ABET accredited since 1992, Stevens Institute of Technology presently has a relatively large, well established engineering management (EM) Program. Its success is evidenced by the size of its faculty (15 full-time faculty) and external recognition (3 awards from the American Society of Engineering Management [ASEM] over the past 15 years). The University of the Pacific, by contrast, has a very small engineering management program (1 full-time dedicated faculty) that just received ABET a...
Capital Flow Waves: Surges, Stops, Flights and Retranchment

This paper analyzes the drivers of international waves in capital flows. We build on the literature on “sudden stops” and “bonanzas” to develop a new methodology for identifying episodes of extreme capital flow movements using quarterly data on gross inflows and gross outflows, differentiating activity by foreigners and domestics. We identify episodes of “surge”, “stop”, “flight”, and “retrenchment” and show how our approach yields fundamentally different results than the previous literature that used measures of net flows. Global factors, especially global risk, are the most important determinants of these episodes. Contagion, especially through trade and the bilateral exposure of banking systems, is important in determining stop and retrenchment episodes. Domestic macroeconomic characteristics are generally less important, although changes in domestic economic growth influence episodes caused by foreigners. We find little role for capital controls in reducing capital flow waves. The results help provide insights for different theoretical approaches explaining crises and capital flow volatility.
Wavelet-based fusion approach using unique reconstruction approach

We used measures based on entropy to evaluate a method designed to fuse imagery from different sensor types. The method uses different forward transforms of input images and a common transform to reconstruct the final result. We attempted to examine the link between the error in a reconstructed result and its associated entropy.
Induction of expression of hfq by DksA is essential for Shigella flexneri virulence

Hfq plays an important role in cellular physiology by regulating the expression of several genes. Hfq synthesis in Escherichia coli is subject to auto-repression at translational level. Studies with Shigella flexneri show that hfq transcription is regulated by a pleiotropic regulator, DksA. Comparison of gene expression profiles of wild type and dksA mutant S. flexneri determined that hfq expression was reduced in the dksA mutant. As DksA is required for stress resistance and plaque formation in cultured cell monolayers, a measure of virulence, we assessed the role of Hfq in the dksA virulence phenotype. Expression of hfq in the dksA mutant restored plaque formation, and an hfq mutant failed to form plaques. Thus, DksA plays a role in regulating hfq gene expression and this regulation is important for S. flexneri virulence. In an in vitro transcription assay, addition of DksA increased transcription of hfq and this effect was greatest with one of the known hfq promoters. Addition of ppGpp, a stringent response molecule, along with DksA in the in vitro transcription assay resulted in a further increase in transcription of hfq, indicating that DksA is required for maximal transcription of hfq during both exponential and stringent response growth conditions.
The effects of non-weight-bearing and limited motion on the tensile properties of the meniscus.

Summary Recent clinical studies have suggested that many of the complications of prolonged immobilization after knee surgery can be prevented by permitting early motion while minimizing loading of healing tissues. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of such a regimen on the tensile properties of the meniscus. The right knee of 10 skeletally mature sheep received a sham operation after which the hindlimb was placed in a harness that prevented weight bearing while permitting limited knee motion. The left knee served as the nonoperated control. Twelve weeks after surgery, paired specimens from the medial meniscus of each limb were tested in tension with the load parallel to the circumferentially oriented collagen fibers. No significant differences in the modulus, tensile strength, and ultimate strain between treated and control medial menisci were identified. Our data thus suggest that preventing weight bearing while permitting even limited motion of the knee will prevent any detrimental effect on the tensile properties of the meniscus in the circumferential direction.
Vision-Based Interaction

In its early years, the field of computer vision was largely motivated by researchers seeking computational models of biological vision and solutions to practical problems in manufacturing, defense, and medicine. For the past two decades or so, there has been an increasing interest in computer vision as an input modality in the context of human-computer interaction. Such vision-based interaction can endow interactive systems with visual capabilities similar to those important to human-human interaction, in order to perceive non-verbal cues and incorporate this information in applications such as interactive gaming, visualization, art installations, intelligent agent interaction, and various kinds of command and control tasks. Enabling this kind of rich, visual and multimodal interaction requires interactive-time solutions to problems such as detecting and recognizing faces and facial expressions, determining a person's direction of gaze and focus of attention, tracking movement of the body, and recognizing various kinds of gestures. In building technologies for vision-based interaction, there are choices to be made as to the range of possible sensors employed (e.g., single camera, stereo rig, depth camera), the precision and granularity of the desired outputs, the mobility of the solution, usability issues, etc. Practical considerations dictate that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to the variety of interaction scenarios; however, there are principles and methodological approaches common to a wide range of problems in the domain. While new sensors such as the Microsoft Kinect are having a major influence on the research and practice of vision-based interaction in various settings, they are just a starting point for continued progress in the area. In this book, we discuss the landscape of history, opportunities, and challenges in this area of vision-based interaction; we review the state-of-the-art and seminal works in detecting and recognizing the human body and its components; we explore both static and dynamic approaches to ""looking at people"" vision problems; and we place the computer vision work in the context of other modalities and multimodal applications. Readers should gain a thorough understanding of current and future possibilities of computer vision technologies in the context of human-computer interaction.
Late diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysms substantiates underutilization of abdominal aortic aneurysm screening for Medicare beneficiaries

Objective Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening remains largely underutilized in the U.S., and it is likely that the proportion of patients with aneurysms requiring prompt treatment is much higher compared with well-screened populations. The goals of this study were to determine the proportion of AAAs that required prompt repair after diagnostic abdominal imaging for U.S. Medicare beneficiaries and to identify patient and hospital factors contributing to early vs late diagnosis of AAA. Methods Data were extracted from Medicare claims records for patients at least 65 years old with complete coverage for 2 years who underwent intact AAA repair from 2006 to 2009. Preoperative ultrasound and computed tomography was tabulated from 2002 to repair. We defined early diagnosis of AAA as a patient with a time interval of greater than 6 months between the first imaging examination and the index procedure, and late diagnosis as patients who underwent the index procedure within 6 months of the first imaging examination. Results Of 17,626 patients who underwent AAA repair, 14,948 met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 77.5 ± 6.1 years. Early diagnosis was identified for 60.6% of patients receiving AAA repair, whereas 39.4% were repaired after a late diagnosis. Early diagnosis rates increased from 2006 to 2009 (59.8% to 63.4%; P P P Conclusions Despite advances in screening practices, significant missed opportunities remain in the U.S. Medicare population for improving AAA care. It remains common for AAAs to be diagnosed when they are already at risk for rupture. In addition, a significant proportion of patients with early imaging rupture prior to repair. Our findings suggest that improved mechanisms for observational management are needed to ensure optimal preoperative care for patients with AAAs.
Comparative study of accuracy and computation time for optimal network reconfiguration techniques via simulation

Abstract The objective of this work is to examine the effect of load flow analysis type, horizon length and discount factor, as well as switch ordering on the accuracy and speed of dynamic programming-based optimal network reconfiguration studies for minimizing loss. The author employs simulation of a 118-bus power system to obtain results. These results demonstrate that strong relationships exist between the parameters of an optimal network reconfiguration study and its performance. The author discusses how these relationships may be used to predict performance of future studies as well as, in turn, help power system operators make better decisions regarding parameterization and obtain maximum benefit from simulation-based analyses with minimum effort.
Über kolloides Kupfer und alkoholisches Aluminiumoxyd-Gel

1. Es wurde festgestellt, das das feinverteilte Kupfer, welches auf Aluminium aus einer Kupferchloridlosung abgeschieden wird, peptisiert werden kann und ein Sol mit einer durchschnittlichen Teilchengrose der Kupferpartikelchen von 0,8μ bildet. 2. Ein derartiges Sol scheint sich in Athylalkohol von selbst in Kupferhydroxyd zu verwandeln. 3. Aluminium und Kupfer in metallischem Kontakt bilden in 95 proz. Athylalkohol ein Aluminiumoxydgel.
TRENDS IN LONG‐RUN VERSUS CROSS‐SECTION EARNINGS INEQUALITY IN THE 1970s AND 1980s

This paper uses the PSID to assess the changes in earnings mobility and to compare the changes in cross-section and long-run inequality in the 1970s and 1980s. Previous inequality studies have primarily used measures of cross-section inequality. However, long-run inequality depends not only on cross-section inequality, but also on the degree of earnings mobility, which equalizes earnings over time. I find that earnings mobility increased during the 1970s, but fell during the 1980s. Consistent with this result, the increase in cross-section inequality overstated the true increase during the 1970s, but understated the true increase in inequality during the 1980s.
Skin manifestations of outpatient adverse drug events in the United States: a national analysis.

BACKGROUND Cutaneous reactions to drugs are among the most common clinical manifestations of adverse drug events (ADEs); however, data on outpatient cutaneous adverse drug events (CADEs) are limited. PURPOSE To provide national estimates of outpatient CADEs and determine their most frequent causes. METHODS Outpatient CADEs recorded in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) between 1995 and 2005 were analyzed. The national incidence of outpatient CADEs in those seeking medical attention in the United States was estimated, and the common medication classes implicated with CADEs were identified. RESULTS There were a mean annual total of 635,982 CADE-related visits, resulting in an annual incidence of 2.26 CADEs per 1,000 persons. Patients took an average of 2.2 medications in addition to the one causing the CADE. The incidence of CADEs increased with age, with a peak in the age group from 70 to 79 years. The medications most frequently causing a CADE were antimicrobial agents. Dermatitis and urticaria were the two main types of skin reactions reported. CONCLUSIONS CADEs occur less frequently in outpatients than in inpatients and result in few hospital admissions. Physicians must be particularly cognizant of the occurrence of CADEs when prescribing antimicrobial agents.
The role of the analytical chemist in industrial problem solving

Exemples des problemes qui se posent: origine de defauts, analyse de produits concurrents, origine d'odeurs, etc
Optimization of Energy and Water Consumption in Corn-Based Ethanol Plants

In this paper we study the simultaneous energy and water consumption in the conceptual design of corn-based ethanol plants. A major goal is to reduce the freshwater consumption and wastewater disch...
Alterations of brain eicosanoid synthetic pathway in multiple sclerosis and in animal models of demyelination: Role of cyclooxygenase-2

Inflammation is a physiological response to exogenous and endogenous stimuli and, together with demyelination and immune system activation, is one of the key features of multiple sclerosis (MS). Arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism by cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LO) enzymes leads to the production of proinflammatory eicosanoids, and stimulates cytokine production and activation of microglia and astrocytes, thereby contributing to MS pathology. Current therapies target the immune system but do not specifically target AA-related inflammatory pathway. Corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently associated with immunomodulatory therapies to treat flu-like adverse effects. Few clinical and mounting preclinical data in MS show that AA metabolism contributes to immune system activation, demyelination and motor disabilities, and administration of NSAIDs reduces these symptoms. The beneficial effect of NSAIDs seems to be a prerogative of COX-2 selective inhibitors and suggests that NSAIDs selective for COX-2 may be more effective than mixed COX-1/2 inhibitors.
Differences and changes with age in the Benton Visual Retention Test.

The relation of adult age and performance on memory for designs (Benton Revised Visual Retention Test) was determined for men by analyzing: (a) three cross-sectional samples (Ns = 402, 162, and 293); (b) two longitudinal samples (repeated measures at least 6 years apart, Ns = 268 and 82); and (c) within-cohort comparisons of men born in the same period, but tested at different times. The results were essentially the same for the age differences, age changes, and estimates of age changes based upon within-cohort differences. Increases in errors were small for the young groups, moderate for the men in their 50s and 60s, and substantial for the men over 70. WAIS Vocabulary measures for these same samples showed small cross-sectional differences favoring the older men, no overall longitudinal change but small relative deficits for the older participants, and small declines in estimates of age changes based upon comparisons of independent samples born during the same period. In general, the results indicate age declines in memory-for-designs performance for men particularly late in life, but only small (if any) age declines in vocabulary for the same samples. No correlation was found in either longitudinal sample between change in memory performance and change in vocabularly score.
Sensitivity of octane number to catalytic cracking rates and feedstock structure

This work will describe how the structural model of cracking kinetics can be interfaced directly with property estimation methods.The output of the kinetic model will be used to estimate gasoline range reseach octane number(RON) and gasoline range motor octane number(MON).The sensitivity of RON,MON and gasoline yield to changes in the values of rate parameters will be examined quantitatively.
Site selection in school district research: a measure of effectiveness using hierarchical longitudinal growth models of performance

School districts in the USA are an active area of study in education research as findings have shown that some districts find success in certain contexts while others struggle. However, the research domain has had few actionable methods for site selection for in-depth qualitative studies. This study analyses all districts in the state of Ohio (n = 610) from 2005–2006 through 2012–2013 using a two-level hierarchical linear growth model to identify districts that significantly outperform or underperform background and demographic variables in the Ohio Performance Index (PI) Score, factors outside the influence of the district administration. The aim of the study is to provide a framework for selecting comparison and contrast sites for district effectiveness research (DER). Additionally, the model captures school-level variance within districts controlling for average district performance. Fifteen outperforming districts are named as potential sites for in-depth qualitative studies of district effects in com...
Labor outcomes of obese patients undergoing induction of labor with misoprostol compared to dinoprostone.

Objective The aim of the article is to evaluate and compare labor outcomes in obese patients undergoing induction of labor (IOL) with misoprostol and dinoprostone. Study Design This was a retrospective review of patients who delivered from February 1, 2008, to July 1, 2013 at our institution. All obese women who underwent IOL were identified. The rates of successful cervical ripening and cesarean delivery (CD) for patients who underwent IOL with misoprostol and dinoprostone were calculated and compared. Results A total of 564 women met inclusion criteria; 297 (52.7%) were induced with misoprostol, and 267 (47.3%) were induced with dinoprostone. The misoprostol group had a higher successful cervical ripening rate (78.1 vs. 66.7%; odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–2.6; p = 0.002) and a lower CD rate (39.1 vs. 51.3%; OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.44–0.85; p = 0.003) than the dinoprostone group. This significance persisted in a multivariate model adjusting for parity, gestational age, birth weight, and indication for IOL. The rates of tachysystole, terbutaline use, postpartum hemorrhage, and infectious morbidity were comparable in both groups, as were Apgar scores, rates of neonatal intensive care unit admission, and meconium passage. Conclusion In obese women undergoing IOL, misoprostol leads to a higher successful cervical ripening rate and a lower CD rate than dinoprostone, with a similar rate of peripartum complications and neonatal outcomes.
The corrosion behaviour and rutherford backscattering analysis of palladium-implanted titanium

Abstract The corrosion behaviour of Pd-implanted Ti in boiling 1M H2SO4 has been investigated by means of high resolution Rutherford backscattering (RBS) profiles of the Pd concentration as a function of corrosion time, and by electrochemical methods consisting of corrosion potential vs time curves and potentiostatic polarization data. Employing ion-implanted Xe as a surface ‘marker’, absolute corrosion rates were determined by RBS analysis and compared to corrosion rates determined from the polarization curves. The rate of Ti dissolution is found to be reduced by about three orders of magnitude for Pd-implanted samples. The corrosion potential-time curves and high resolution RBS data both show that soon after immersion, the Pd surface concentration rises to 20 at.% because of preferential dissolution of Ti and that the Pd is retained in the surface for corrosion times of up to 9 h. The steady state corrosion potential of implanted samples is close to that of pure Pd and 800 mV anodic with respect to the corrosion potential of pure Ti. The protection is explained by the fact that the mixed electrode potential is more noble than the critical potential for passivity of Ti, resulting in a markedly reduced dissolution rate.
Influence of ambient air pressure on effervescent atomization

The influence of ambient air pressure on the drop-size distributions produced in effervescent atomization is examined in this article. Also investigated are the effects on spray characteristics of variations in air/liquid mass ratio, liquid-injection pressure, and atomizer discharge-orifice diameter at different levels of ambient air pressure. It is found that continuous increase in air pressure above the normal atmospheric value causes the mean drop-size to first increase up to a maximum value and then decline. An explanation for this characteristic is provided in terms of the various contributing factors to the overall atomization process. It is also observed that changes in atomizer geometry and operating conditions have little effect on the distribution of drop-sizes in the spray.
Red Man Syndrome: Incidence, Etiology, and Prophylaxis

The red man syndrome (RMS) is the most common toxicity of vancomycin therapy. A prospective trial to investigate the frequency, causation, and possible prophylaxis of this syndrome was conducted. Thirty-three patients were observed during their first two doses (1 g/60 min) of vancomycin. Before dose 1, they were randomized to double-blinded pretreatment with either diphenhydramine (50 mg) or placebo. Patients were examined frequently, and histamine levels were obtained at 0, 30, and 60 min during dose 1. Those with first-dose reactions were rerandomized for pretreatment and had histamine levels drawn during a second infusion. Of 17 patients with placebo pretreatment, 8 (47%) had RMS. None of the 16 pretreated with diphenhydramine had a first-dose reaction (P = .003). Three of the eight first-dose reactors had a second-dose RMS reaction; in one of these three, it was more severe than the dose 1 RMS despite diphenhydramine pretreatment. RMS events were associated with elevated plasma histamine; this was especially true of severe reactions.
Translocation through the nuclear pore complex

Abstract The nuclear transport field has completed a decade of fast-paced research dominated by the discovery of transport signals, receptors, and regulators. What might be considered the Holy Grail of nuclear transport – the physical basis of translocation through the nuclear pore – is now under close scrutiny. Recent publications describe structural and biochemical approaches that help address key aspects of the translocation mechanism. These studies have led to the affinity gradient, Brownian affinity gate and selective phase models of translocation.
Mini - jets and multiplicity fluctuation in small rapidity intervals

Abstract The multiplicity fluctuation of particles in small rapidity intervals from mini-jets in high-energy hadron-hadron collisions are considered and a power-law behavior is found. An increase of the observed factorial moments with PT of the jets is expected. However, the fluctuation becomes smaller for larger total multiplicity due to the contributions from multiple mini-jets production.
Redefine Water Infrastructure Adaptation to a Nonstationary Climate

The statement “Climate stationarity is dead” by Milly et al. 2008 stresses the need to evaluate and when necessary, to incorporate nonstationary hydroclimatic changes into water resources and infrastructure planning and engineering. Variations of this theme echo in several other recent editorials by Rogers 2008 , Lettenmaier 2008 , and Werick and Palmer 2008 . The gravity of this topic was firmly felt among participants at a recent USEPA expert and stakeholder workshop on water infrastructure adaptation to climate change USEPA 2009 . Two questions remain at the core: 1 Is climate change “tangible” for consideration in water engineering and planning? and 2 if so, how can we develop “actionable science” for adaptation? In other words, can adaptation practice define the rate of hydroclimatic changes at local scales that are “tangible” and commensurate with other traditional engineering and planning variables? For “tangible” changes, how do we manage the risk arising from hydroclimatic projection uncertainties and justify the adaptation actions to the public and stakeholders? In this editorial, I will answer a “yes” to the first question and then argue for redefining the adaptation in the context of “how.” The adaptation need is laid out in many studies that have defined the magnitude and frequency of hydroclimatic changes using climate model simulations or statistical analysis of historical observations or both, although accurate future projections at a local scale remain elusive IPCC 2007; Bader et al. 2008; Fowler et al. 2007; Mearns et al. 2003 . According to the studies described in IPCC 2007 and references therein, global climate change has resulted in substantial warming of atmospheric temperature and a shifting of precipitation regimes in space and time. Such changes will accelerate in this century: a rise of 0.7°C 1.4°F in temperature over the past 100 years as compared to a greater projected increase of more than 4.0°C 2.4–6.4°C , or 7.2°F 4.3–11.5°F by 2100 in the worst-case A1F1 emission scenario Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC 2007 . The impacts of these changes on water infrastructures and programs are apparent in several ways. Changes in hydrologic fluxes, water quantity, and quality of surface water and groundwater can affect the service functions of a water infrastructure that was designed and built under the assumption of climate stationarity. This compromise can occur in a nonstationary climate where the rate of future hydroclimatic change exceeds the statistical bounds of historical observations. An ongoing EPA study shows the precipitation in the contiguous United States has changed in the past century at a rate comparable to those of population changes; the latter is a traditional variable in the infrastructure planning and engineering. The two principal variables are often mismatched in spatial distribution, resulting in the imbalance of water demand
Long-term follow-up of men with male pattern baldness treated with topical minoxidil.

Forty-one men with male pattern baldness completed 132 study weeks (2 years 9 months) with topical minoxidil and had follow-up 1-inch target-area vertex scalp hair counts. Initially these men were treated with either twice-daily 2% topical minoxidil for 12 months or 3% topical minoxidil for 8 to 12 months (one third of the subjects received placebo for the first 4 months). After 12 months all subjects continued to apply 3% topical minoxidil twice daily for 1 more year, after which they were randomized to once- versus twice-daily topical minoxidil for an additional 9 months. Those subjects who changed to once-daily application of topical minoxidil at 2 years had a mean change from baseline nonvellus hair count at 1 year of 291.2 (range of hairs four to 553) and at 2 years 9 months of 235 (two to 592 hairs). Those subjects who continued with twice-daily application of topical minoxidil throughout the study had a mean change from baseline nonvellus hair count at 1 year of 323 (15 to 589 hairs) and 335 (13 to 808 hairs) at 2 years 9 months with maintenance topical minoxidil. There were subjects on both maintenance schedules of topical minoxidil who lost some of the nonvellus hair they had initially gained with topical minoxidil; however, there was a greater mean loss in those patients following the once-daily versus twice-daily topical minoxidil regimen (p = 0.05). No subject lost nonvellus target hair as compared with baseline. Subject and investigator assessments of hair growth as compared with baseline diminished during the maintenance course of treatment with topical minoxidil; this was not related to the frequency of topical minoxidil application. However, by the completion of the 2-year 9-month period, the investigator felt that 82.9% of subjects still had minimal regrowth and 4.9% had moderate regrowth over baseline; subjects consistently graded their hair growth as greater than did the investigator. Side effects were minimal and well tolerated. These results indicate that continued use of topical minoxidil sustains the majority of vertex nonvellus hair growth initiated during the first 12-month period of topical minoxidil use and that twice-daily application of topical minoxidil is preferable to once-daily application for maintenance therapy.
Outside CEO directors on compensation committees: whose side are they on?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether outside CEO directors sympathize with the company CEO due to their similar positions and prestige, and make decisions in favor of the company CEO. Specifically, the authors investigate how outside CEO directors serving on the compensation committee influence CEO compensation.Design/methodology/approach – The authors investigate how outside CEO directors on the compensation committee impact the level and pay‐for‐performance sensitivity of CEO compensation. In addition, the relation between excess CEO compensation (attributable to outside CEO directors) and future firm‐operating performance is examined.Findings – It is found that outside CEO directors on the compensation committee are associated with higher CEO compensation. However, excess CEO compensation attributable to outside CEO directors leads to poor future firm‐operating performance. Outside CEO directors are associated with higher CEO pay‐for‐performance sensitivity when the company experie...
Advances in bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

Abstract Precolonoscopy bowel preparation is adequate to identify lesions larger than 5 mm about 70% to 75% of the time, but the opportunity for further improvement exists. The use of high-quality formulations with established efficacy rates of 90% or greater, identification of patients who are at increased risk of an inadequate preparation, as well as patient education and motivation to be invested in the process further improves the success of cleansing. Endoscopists should strive to achieve an adequate bowel preparation in 85% or more of patients. High-quality colonoscopy requires high-quality bowel cleansing.
Acute weight gain and diastolic dysfunction as a potent risk complex for post stem cell transplant atrial fibrillation

The management of atrial fibrillation (AF) following stem cell transplant (SCTX) is often challenging because of the universal presence of profound bone marrow suppression. The incidence of and risk factors for AF/flutter following SCTX are not well known. A total of 395 multiple myeloma (MM) patients consecutively underwent SCTX between 2002 and 2005 at the Mayo Clinic, and 383 of whom, mean age 57 +/- 9 years, had no history of evidence of AF/flutter constituted the study population. During 1,002 person-years of follow up, 39 (10%) patients developed first AF/flutter (incidence of 39 per 1,000 person years), and 28 of these (72%) occurred within 21 days of SCTX. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, weight gain of > or = 7% in the 1st week post-SCTX (HR 3.68; P = 0.0120) and presence of diastolic dysfunction at MM diagnosis (HR 2.294; P = 0.0082) were independent predictors of AF/flutter. The risk of AF/flutter post-SCTX increased by about ninefold when both factors were present. Compared to age and sex-matched MM patients without SCTX, the risk of AF/flutter differed significantly only over the 1st year after MM diagnosis, during which SCTX was performed for the majority. Beyond the 1st year, there was no significant difference in risk of AF/flutter between the two groups. The data suggested that SCTX was associated with significantly increased risk of first AF/flutter, which typically occurred within the first 21 days of the transplant. Weight gain of > or = 7% was strongly predictive of first AF/flutter, and the risk was augmented by the presence of diastolic dysfunction at baseline.
An Approach to Predicting the Stabilities of Peptide Nucleic Acid:DNA Duplexes

An approach is described for predicting peptide nucleic acid (PNA):DNA duplex stability from base sequence by approximating the total free energy of dissociation, ΔG°tot, for these duplexes as the sum of five parameters: (a) a nearest-neighbor interaction summation term, ∑NjΔG°j; (b) an initiation term, ΔG°i; (c) a dangling-end stabilization term, ΔG°e; (d) a PNA:DNA stabilization term per nearest-neighbor interaction, ΔG°pna; and (e) an ionic strength term, ΔG°Na. Parameters (a) and (b) are approximated using previously determined values for DNA:DNA duplexes, whereas parameters (c), (d), and (e) are empirically determined. These terms are used to calculate ΔG°tot, which is used in conjunction with a transition enthalpy (ΔH°) value, also approximated from nearest-neighbor values previously derived for DNA:DNA duplexes, to calculate a melting temperature (Tm) for the PNA:DNA duplex. PredictedTmvalues calculated by this approach agreed fairly well with measured values for 11 different PNA:DNA duplexes, as well as with literature values. The approach also accurately models ionic strength effects.
Stimulus salience and relational task performance

Abstract Previous research has inferred relational processing from infants' increased attention to stimuli containing different elements following habituation to a series of stimuli containing identical elements. This finding was replicated, but infants were also found to prefer the different-element stimuli without prior habituation. Infants' performance on this task may be attributed to stimulus salience rather than relational processing.
Prenatal influence in rickets

Summary A review of the literature on prenatal influence in rickets indicates that maternal health and diet are outstanding etiologic factors and that frequent pregnancies and lack of exposure to sunshine may be contributory factors which exert an influence on the development of rickets in the very young infant. A case of fetal rickets established by roentgenograms of the bones and confirmed by histologic examination is reported. The rachitic process in the infant was apparently due to severe malnutrition in the mother.