cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mortality Trends and Disparities Among Racial/Ethnic and Sex Subgroups in New York City, 1990 to 2000

New York City census data for 1990 and 2000 for all-cause and disease-specific mortality adjusted by age were examined by race/ethnicity. Primary cause of death was coded as HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes, or cancer. For White, Black, Hispanic and Asian groups, relative mortality ratios (RMR) were derived for 2000 relative to 1990. Ratios of RMR’s for minority groups were derived relative to Whites. From 1990 to 2000, HIV, cancer, CVD, CHD, AMI, and stroke-related mortality decreased. Decreases in HIV-related mortality were notably less for minority males. Diabetes mortality rates rose dramatically, with Hispanic and Asian males having notably greater increases than White males. Increases in mortality among Asians exceeded those of other groups, and appear to correspond with increased immigration/acculturation. Mortality shifts among different diseases and racial groups should alert public health officials to consider immigration patterns in designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions to prevent disease-related mortality, with a goal to eliminate disparities
Analysis of transient thermally-induced convection of supercritical helium in a conduit

The author investigates the thermally induced transient flow and heat transfer in cable-in-conduit conductors (CICCs) cooled with initially stagnant supercritical helium. Prior studies have demonstrated that thermally induced flow results in a high heat-transfer coefficient and a large thermal stability margin. Accurate prediction of the stability margin requires a quantitative description of the variation of heat transfer with heat flux. This study focuses on the heat-transfer/heat-flux relationship and on the basic mechanisms governing the early stages of transient heating. For modeling the problem is divided into two parts: a low-heat-flux regime and a high-heat-flux regime. Results from the models indicate that the heat-transfer coefficient exhibits a minimum, as observed experimentally in previous study, and that, in general, heat transfer can be considerably enhanced by using a high compressible fluid like supercritical helium. For low heat fluxes, heat transfer decreases with increasing heat flux because the thermal boundary layer is thickened by the expansion-driven velocity directed away from the heat transfer surface. For high heat fluxes, heat transfer increases with increasing heat flux because the thermal boundary layer thickness is reduced by the action of the expansion-driven axial velocity. >
FAITH, PUBLIC POLICY, AND THE LIMITS OF SOCIAL SCIENCE*

Recent interest on the part of criminologists in the “faith factor” has made possible a contemporary argument for faith-based interventions in crime prevention: if faith “works,” then government should support faith-based initiatives because in doing so, government is not endorsing religion, but science. Drawing on the ideas of Karl Popper, Michael Polanyi, and others, this essay reviews this argument within the framework of the philosophy of social science. The discussion reviews such concepts of falsification, structural causality, objectivity, and evidence-based policy making to affirm the place of both faith and science in public life.
Resistivity Enhancement and Transport Mechanisms in (1 − x)BaTiO3–xBi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3 and (1 − x)SrTiO3–xBi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3

Ceramics of composition (1−x)BaTiO3–xBi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3 (BT-BZT) were prepared by solid-state synthesis; they have been shown to exhibit excellent properties suited for high-temperature dielectric applications. The X-ray diffraction data showed a single-phase perovskite structure for all the compositions prepared (x ≤ 0.1 BZT). The compositions with less than 0.075 BZT exhibited tetragonal symmetry at room temperature and pseudo-cubic symmetry above it. Most notably, a significant improvement in insulation properties was measured with the addition of BZT. Both low-field AC impedance and high-field direct DC measurements indicated an increase in resistivity of at least two orders of magnitude at 400°C with the addition of just 0.03 BZT (~107 Ω-cm) into the solid solution as compared to pure BT (~105 Ω-cm). This effect was also evident in dielectric loss data, which remained low at higher temperatures as the BZT content increased. In conjunction with band gap measurements, it was also concluded that the conduction mechanism transitioned from extrinsic for pure BT to intrinsic for 0.075 BZT suggesting a change in the fundamental defect equilibrium conditions. It was also shown that this improvement in insulation properties was not limited to BT-BZT, but could also be observed in the paraelectric SrTiO3–BZT system.
Wanting to be better but thinking you can't: Implicit theories of personality moderate the impact of self-discrepancies on self-esteem

Two studies examined the role of implicit theories of personality in the relation between actual – ideal self-discrepancies and self-esteem. Replicating previous work, we found that those with greater actual – ideal self-discrepancies reported lower self-esteem. Moreover, we hypothesized that this outcome would be especially stronger for those possessing an entity theory of personality (i.e., believing that personality is relatively fixed and unchangeable) than for those possessing an incremental theory of personality (i.e., believing that personality is relatively flexible and malleable). Both studies supported this prediction, using either a nomothetic measure of actual – ideal self-discrepancy (Study 1) or an idiographic measure of actual – ideal self-discrepancy (Study 2). In other words, the relation between self-discrepancy and self-evaluation was stronger for entity theorists than for incremental theorists. Implications of these findings for topics ranging from emotional regulation to educational s...
Periodic PN sequence delay estimation using phase spectrum data

An algorithm for estimating the delay of a periodic pseudonoise (PN) sequence is presented. It is a rapid, block-based estimator that can be used for both linear and nonlinear codes. The algorithm exploits the periodicity of the difference between the phase spectra of the received sequence and a local reference. The estimator takes the Fourier transform of the phase spectrum difference data, and searches for the fundamental frequency. Unlike previously described methods, phase unwrapping is not required. The performance in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and a continuous wave (CW) jammer is investigated using computer simulation. Comparisons are made against the delay maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) and other published results. While the proposed estimator has a complexity similar to that of the MLE, it has a relative performance loss of 7 dB under AWGN. However, the proposed estimator can outperform the MLE by 14.5 dB when a CW jammer is present. >
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and subsequent restenosis: quantitative and qualitative methodology for their assessment.

Abstract Coronary apteriography is the most commonly used technique for documenting the immediate percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty result and for follow-up of the dilated arterial segment for restenosis within 6 months (which occurs in about 25% to 35% of cases). Acute success in dilation of the coronary lesion is likely if there is at least a resultant 1.3 mm2 minimum lumen area, equivalent to a 1.3 mm mean minimum lumen diameter, or about a 50% diameter stenosis of a typical proximal vessel. The measurement methods applied to this problem include a digital caliper, computer-assisted border recognition techniques and a video-densitometric approach to estimation of lumen area. Calipers are recommended because of their simplicity, precision and accuracy for the routine assessment of angioplasty result. Border-recognition techniques require considerable operator input to distinguish true flow channels from cul de sacs in the dissected segment. The automated scanning videodensitometry approach has theoretical appeal and has shown promise in preliminary reports; however, there is the potential for large measurement errors in the setting of dissection. Further, certain qualitative morphologic features of the dilated segment, such as longitudinal or transverse dissection or intraluminal thrombus, may effectively contribute to the prediction of acute complications and may be useful predictors of late restenosis. Because these features are best appreciated at increased arterio-graphic magnification, further high resolution studies will be necessary to better understand their importance.
Results overlap among the GYM (Google‐Yahoo‐MSN live) search engines

This research investigates the overap in the results found in the three major search engines: Google-Yahoo-MSN Live (GYM). Overlap was measured on per query basis and also by pooling all the indexed URLs retrieved by each engine for all the queries searched. Relevance of returned results was not evaluated. Using a random sample of 65,000 queries from the AOL query log data set, searches were conducted in the three major search engines (Google-Yahoo-MSN Live) using the search engine APIs. Each query was passed to the search engine and the first 10 results were stored along with an search engine identifier. Before comparing the sets we developed processes to reliably compare the individual pairs of URLs in the sets. We considered three approaches to this issue: domain matches, exact matches, and relative matches. The results in each result set were evaluated by considering them as a (a) ranked (ordered) list, and (b) unordered list. To evaluate the similarity of the result sets first we compared across all three engines, then we conducted pairwise comparisons of the three search engines.
Monitoring Partitioning Tracer Testing and Surfactant Flooding by In‐Line Gas Chromatography Techniques

An automated in-line analytical system has been developed to provide near real-time results for partitioning interwell tracer testing (PITT) and surfactant enhanced aquifer remediation (SEAR). The analytical methodology is based on gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detection and direct aqueous injection. The system was constructed from both commercially available and custom-manufactured components that are linked electronically to facilitate autonomous operation. For the field trials presented herein, the in-line GC method provided superior or comparable PITT and SEAR data compared to conventional sample collection followed by shipment and analysis at a commercial analytical laboratory. Analytical precolumns were shown to effectively safeguard the integrity of the analytical column, despite the consecutive analysis of more than 1000 samples per PITT or SEAR. Additionally, the use of the in-line GC resulted in an 85% and 74% reduction in analytical costs per PITT and SEAR, respectively.
Efficient parallel binary search on sorted arrays, with applications

Let A be a sorted array of n numbers and B a sorted array of m numbers, both in nondecreasing order, with n/spl les/m. We consider the problem of determining, for each element A(j), j=1, 2, ..., n, the unique element B(i), 0/spl les/i/spl les/m, such that B(i)/spl les/A(j) >
Social media evolution of the Egyptian revolution

Twitter sentiment was revealed, along with popularity of Egypt-related subjects and tweeter influence on the 2011 revolution.
Dynamic prediction of collection yield for managed runtimes

The growth in complexity of modern systems makes it increasingly difficult to extract high-performance. The software stacks for such systems typically consist of multiple layers and include managed runtime environments (MREs). In this paper, we investigate techniques to improve cooperation between these layers and the hardware to increase the efficacy of automatic memory management in MREs.General-purpose MREs commonly implement parallel and/or concurrent garbage collection and employ compaction to eliminate heap fragmentation. Moreover, most systems trigger collection based on the amount of heap a program uses. Our analysis shows that in many cases this strategy leads to ineffective collections that are unable to reclaim sufficient space to justify the incurred cost. To avoid such collections, we exploit the observation that dead objects tend to cluster together and form large, never-referenced, regions in the address space that correlate well with virtual pages that have not recently been referenced by the application. We leverage this correlation to design a new, simple and light-weight, yield predictor that estimates the amount of reclaimable space in the heap using hardware page reference bits. Our predictor allows MREs to avoid low-yield collections and thereby improve resource management.We integrate this predictor into three state-of-the-art parallel compactors, implemented in the HotSpot JVM, that represent distinct canonical heap layouts. Our empirical evaluation, based on standard Java benchmarks and open-source applications, indicates that inexpensive and accurate yield prediction can improve performance significantly.
Real-time, multiplexed electrochemical DNA detection using an active complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor biosensor array with integrated sensor electronics.

Optical biosensing based on fluorescence detection has arguably become the standard technique for quantifying extents of hybridization between surface-immobilized probes and fluorophore-labeled analyte targets in DNA microarrays. However, electrochemical detection techniques are emerging which could eliminate the need for physically bulky optical instrumentation, enabling the design of portable devices for point-of-care applications. Unlike fluorescence detection, which can function well using a passive substrate (one without integrated electronics), multiplexed electrochemical detection requires an electronically active substrate to analyze each array site and benefits from the addition of integrated electronic instrumentation to further reduce platform size and eliminate the electromagnetic interference that can result from bringing non-amplified signals off chip. We report on an active electrochemical biosensor array, constructed with a standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology, to perform quantitative DNA hybridization detection on chip using targets conjugated with ferrocene redox labels. A 4 × 4 array of gold working electrodes and integrated potentiostat electronics, consisting of control amplifiers and current-input analog-to-digital converters, on a custom-designed 5 mm × 3 mm CMOS chip drive redox reactions using cyclic voltammetry, sense DNA binding, and transmit digital data off chip for analysis. We demonstrate multiplexed and specific detection of DNA targets as well as real-time monitoring of hybridization, a task that is difficult, if not impossible, with traditional fluorescence-based microarrays.
HLA-G-mediated NK cell senescence promotes vascular remodeling: implications for reproduction.

The uterus in early pregnancy is a non-lymphoid organ that is enriched in natural killer (NK) cells. Studies to address the role of these abundant human NK cells at the maternal/fetal interface have focused on their response to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on fetal trophoblast cells that they contact. The interaction of maternal NK cell receptors belonging to the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family with trophoblast MHC class I molecules in pregnancy can regulate NK cell activation for secretion of pro-angiogenic factors that promote placental development. This review will cover the role of KIR at the maternal/fetal interface and focus on KIR2DL4, a KIR family member that is uniquely poised to play a role in pregnancy due to the restricted expression of its ligand, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G, by fetal trophoblast cells early in pregnancy. The pathways by which KIR2DL4–HLA-G interactions induce the cellular senescence of NK cells and the role of the resulting senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in vascular remodeling will be discussed in the context of reproduction.
The predictive and therapeutic value of thymidine phosphorylase and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase in capecitabine (Xeloda)-based chemotherapy for head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether two molecular biomarkers, thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), could be clinically useful in predicting and improving the chemotherapeutic outcome of the oral fluoropyrimidine capecitabine (5'-DFUR or Xeloda), in the treatment of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the TP and DPD expression levels in different HNSCC cell lines. The TP to DPD ratio was calculated and compared to the relative chemosensitivity between cell lines after treatment with 5'-DFUR. The effect of TP transgene expression to alter the TP to DPD ratio and hence optimize the therapeutic outcome of capecitabine treatment was further evaluated in a murine model of human HNSCC using immunohistochemistry to detect TP and DPD expression in vivo. RESULTS: No correlation was detected between sensitivity to 5'-DFUR and the relative expression levels of TP or DPD in the multiple HNSCC cell lines tested. However, significant correlation was observed between the TP to DPD ratio versus drug resistance of the HNSCC cells (r = -0.914, p = 0.0281). In addition, we demonstrate that transgene expression of TP significantly enhanced the tumoricidal effect of capecitabine in HNSCC tumors with otherwise low endogenous TP to DPD ratios. This antitumor effect was observed up to 30 days after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that HNSCC patients who would most benefit from capecitabine-based chemotherapy could be identified by examining the TP to DPD ratio of their tumors. Furthermore, we demonstrate the potential role of TP gene therapy in TP to DPD ratio manipulation to optimize the tumoricidal effect of capecitabine.
STIFF SKIN SYNDROME

Four patients are described with localized areas of stony-hard skin, mild hirsutism, and limitation of joint mobility. In three of these individuals the disorder was congenital and, in the fourth, it was first noticed in early childhood. No other abnormalities have been observed on repeated physical examination. Biopsies of affected skin show abnormal amounts of hyaluronidase-digestible acid mucopolysaccharide in the dermis. Fibroblast cultures from one individual demonstrated marked increase in intracellular metachromatic material. None of the patients had increased excretion of mucopolysaccharide in the urine. The occurrence of this disorder in a mother and two children suggests an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. It is postulated that these patients manifest a connective tissue disorder possibly resulting from an abnormality of mucopolysaccharide metabolism.
In Vivo Analysis Reveals That the Interdomain Region of the Yeast Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Is Important for DNA Replication and DNA Repair

To identify the regions of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) that are important for function in vivo, we used random mutagenesis to isolate 10 cold-sensitive (Cs(-)) and 31 methyl methanesulfonate-sensitive (Mms(s)) mutations of the PCNA gene (POL30) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Unlike the Mms(s) mutations, the Cs(-) mutations are strikingly clustered in the interdomain region of the three-dimensional PCNA monomer structure. At the restrictive temperature, the Cs(-) pol30 mutants undergo a RAD9-dependent arrest as large-budded cells with a 2c DNA content. Defects in DNA synthesis are suggested by a significant delay in the progression of synchronized pol30 cells through S phase at the restrictive temperature. DNA repair defects are revealed by the observation that Cs(-) pol30 mutants are very sensitive to the alkylating agent MMS and mildly sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, although they are not sensitive to gamma radiation. Finally, analysis of the chromosomal DNA in pol30 cells by velocity sedimentation gradients shows that pol30 cells accumulate single-stranded DNA breaks at the restrictive temperature. Thus, our results show that PCNA plays an essential role in both DNA replication and DNA repair in vivo.
The Use of a Self-Directed Learning Program to Provide Introductory Training in Pivotal Response Treatment to Parents of Children with Autism.

There is increasing demand for access to effective interventions for families who have children with autism. Self-directed learning models have been successfully used with other populations as a wa...
Effects of fire on fish populations: landscape perspectives on persistence of native fishes and nonnative fish invasions

Our limited understanding of the short and long-term effects of fire on fish contributes to considerable uncertainty in assessments of the risks and benefits of fire management alternatives. A primary concern among the many potential effects of fire is the effects of fire and fire management on persistence of native fish populations. Limited evidence suggests vulnerability of fish to fire is contingent upon the quality of affected habitats, the amount and distribution of habitat (habitat fragmentation), and habitat specificity of the species in question. Species with narrow habitat requirements in highly degraded and fragmented systems are likely to be most vulnerable to fire and fire-related disturbance. In addition to effects of fire on native fish, there are growing concerns about the effects of fire on nonnative fish invasions. The role of fire in facilitating invasions by nonnative fishes is unknown, but experience with other species suggests some forms of disturbance associated with fire may facilitate invasion. Management efforts to promote persistence of fishes in fire-prone landscapes can take the form of four basic alternatives: (1) pre-fire management; (2) post-fire management; (3) managing fire itself (e.g. fire fighting); and (4) monitoring and adaptive management. Among these alternatives, pre-fire management is likely to be most effective. Effective pre-fire management activities will address factors that may render fish populations more vulnerable to the effects of fire (e.g. habitat degradation, fragmentation, and nonnative species). Post-fire management is also potentially important, but suffers from being a reactive approach that may not address threats in time to avert them. Managing fire itself can be important in some contexts, but negative consequences for fish populations are possible (e.g. toxicity of fire fighting chemicals to fish). Monitoring and adaptive management can provide important new information for evaluating alternatives, but proper implementation is often hampered by inadequate study designs and inconsistent financial and institutional support. The challenge for providing better management guidelines will be to add solid empirical data and models to assess the relevance of emerging concepts and theories, and provide a sense of where and when fires pose significant risks and/or benefits to fishes.
Measurement and evaluation of tomato maturity using magnetic resonance imaging

Tomato maturity is one of the most important factors associated with the quality of processed tomato products. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is capable of probing the local environment and density of water protons, and encoding the differences in water properties in the form of contrast in image signal intensity. This study investigated changes in tomatoes at different maturity using MRI and the potential for using MRI for tomato maturity classification. A set of 5 MR images was collected on processing tomatoes at various maturity stages. The 5 MRI sequences were selected so that information on water proton properties, including proton density, T1, T2, and diffusion rate, are encoded in the MR image signal intensity. A relative water diffusion rate map was also calculated. Changes in structural features and volume element (voxel) intensity in the images were observed as tomatoes develop from green to red stage. In image analysis, voxels in the region of interest (ROI) corresponding to the pericarp of the tomato were used to calculate statistical features of the voxel intensity for image characterization. Partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was applied to a total of 48 image features calculated from 5 MR images of 144 processing tomatoes to predict the tomato maturity. The model with 4 latent variables captures 70% of the variation in tomato maturity. The classification accuracies of the PLS-DA model were around 90% for green, breaker-light red, and red maturity stages. The Variable Importance in Projection coefficient of the 48 image features in the model indicated that the diffusion weighted image and spin echo image with higher T2 weighting were most important for tomato maturity classification.
Effects of Dry Period Length on Milk Production and Health of Dairy Cattle

Holstein cows (n = 781) in a commercial dairy herd were used in a randomized design to evaluate 2 dry period (DP) management strategies on milk production, milk components, milk quality, colostrum quality, and incidence of metabolic disorders. Cows were randomly assigned to a traditional 55 d (T) or shortened 34 d (S) DP. Cows assigned to T were fed a low-energy diet until 34 d before expected calving at which time all cows were fed a moderate-energy transition diet until calving. Postpartum, cows assigned to T produced more milk and tended to produce more solids-corrected milk than cows on S. Treatment differences in milk and solids-corrected milk yield were accounted for by cows in their second lactation. Milk fat percentage did not differ between treatments, but milk protein percentage was greater for cows assigned to S. Colostrum quality measured as IgG concentration did not differ between management strategies. Somatic cell score and cases of mastitis were not affected by management strategy. There was a tendency for prepartum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) to be lower for cows assigned to T compared with S. However, postpartum, cows assigned to S had significantly lower NEFA concentrations than those assigned to T. The incidences of ketosis, retained placenta, displaced abomasum, and metritis did not differ between treatments. Postpartum energy balance, as indicated by plasma NEFA, may have been improved for cows assigned to S; there was no detectable effect on animal health.
Fluid balance and colloid osmotic pressure in acute respiratory failure: optimizing therapy

Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome continue to be major causes of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit due to a lack of specific effective therapy. Affecting nearly 200,000 people every year in the USA alone, patients with this syndrome often require extensive intensive care unit and hospital care, leading to enormous utilization of healthcare resources and significant expenditures, and ultimately leaving survivors with a reduced quality of life. A disease of altered capillary permeability, acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by significant fluid imbalances and oncotic pressure changes. Although investigations directed at these abnormalities may improve patient-centered outcomes, fluid management in ALI/ARDS continues to be a source of great controversy. In this review, we discuss fluid balance and the colloid osmotic pressure gradients in ALI/ARDS, followed by a review of the prognostic implications of increasing extravascular lung water, and conclude with contemporary approaches to optimizing therapy in this condition, including the role of albumin and diuretic therapy.
Acetaminophen Intoxication During Treatment: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

For over two decades, pediatricians have been made aware of the potential risk associated with the acute ingestion of large single and/or multiple doses of acetaminophen (APAP). Clearly, APAP-induced hepatotoxicity remains as a recognized medical emergency which, when treated promptly with appropriate gastrointestinal decontamination and when indicated, with the antidote N-acetylcysteine, has a uniformly good clinical outcome. Recently, the hepatotoxic potential associated with “therapeutic” APAP administration has been brought to the attention of the pediatric community. This review explores the issue of APAP toxicity with therapeutic intent by examining both the clinical literature and also, relevant information concerning the basic pharmacology and toxicology of this old and widely used nonprescription drug. A “risk profile” is developed with regard to factors that may predispose infants and children to this iatrogenic form of toxicity so that the awareness of physicians and other caregivers (including...
Pore types in the Barnett and Woodford gas shales: Contribution to understanding gas storage and migration pathways in fine-grained rocks

The identification of organoporosity (microscale and nanoscale pores within organic matter in shales), its importance to storage and perhaps transfer of gas molecules through shales, and methods for gathering three-dimensional images of the pores, such as by argon-ion milling and/or field emission scanning electron microscopy, have all been well documented and discussed for unconventional gas shales. However, other types of pores exist within shales that can be important to storage and migration of gas (and oil), and other technologies are available for their identification and imaging. The different pore types found in the Barnett and Woodford shales are described and classified in this article. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of porous floccules in both the Barnett and Woodford shales, which appear similar to laboratory-produced floccules and to those in other ancient shales. Published experimental and observational studies indicate that floccules are hydraulically equivalent to coarser grains and are transported by traction processes. Current-induced microsedimentary structures and textures within the Barnett and Woodford shales, as well as the preserved floccules, suggest such processes were active during transport and deposition. Pore spaces between the floccules are open and can provide storage space as well as permeability pathways for gas molecules through the shales. Pores are also found within organic matter that occurs both as discrete particles and as adsorbed coatings around clay grains in the shale. They are referred to here as “organopores.” Porous fecal pellets are also common in the Barnett Shale. Preserved fossil fragments such as organic-walled spores and inorganic sponge spicules have hollow central chambers, which may remain partially or completely open even after burial. Intraparticle pores occur between grains of various minerals (e.g., pyrite framboids). Microchannels within shale matrix, which may be the bounding surfaces of scours or microsedimentary structures, may also provide permeability pathways for hydrocarbon migration. Mircrofractures are also common, and their initiation might be related to mineral crystal structure. When present in sufficient quantity, these pore types offer potential gas (and oil) molecule storage spaces and permeability pathways through the shales.
N-acetylcysteine as salvage therapy in cisplatin nephrotoxicity.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) repletes intracellular stores of reduced glutathione and may be a scavenger of oxygen free radicals. We report a 52-year-old female who developed acute renal insufficiency after administration of one dose of 150 mg of cisplatin for treatment of squamous cell cancer of the esophagus. Her blood urea nitrogen and creatinine rose from 12 and 0.7 mg/dL, respectively, to 24 and 1.8 mg/dL on day 5 after cisplatin. On that day the patient was begun on NAC, starting with a loading dose of 140-mg/kg-body weight followed by 70 mg/kg every 4 h for 4 days. Two days after starting NAC her renal function began to improve, and although she failed to complete a full course of the drug, by day 10 her serum creatinine had fallen to 0.8 mg/dL. A previous report showed that N-acetylcysteine might reverse cisplatin-induced renal toxicity. Our case supports this hypothesis.
On metaphoric representation

The article discusses claims that conceptual structure is in some part metaphorical, as identified by verbal metaphors like LOVE IS A JOURNEY. Two main interpretations of this view are discussed. In the first, a target domain is not explicitly represented but is instead understood through reference to a different domain. For example, rather than a detailed concept of love per se, one could make reference to the concept of a journey. In the second interpretation, there is a separate representation of love, but the content of that representation is influenced by the metaphor such that the love concept takes on the same structure as the journey concept. It is argued that the first interpretation is not fully coherent. The second interpretation is a possible theory of mental representation, but the article raises a number of empirical and theoretical problems for it. It is concluded that many of the data cited as evidence for metaphoric representations can be accounted for by structural similarity between domains.
Starlette geodynamics: The Earth's tidal response

The French Starlette satellite, launched in 1975, had the primary geophysical objective of providing information regarding 'solid' earth and ocean tides. The present paper is concerned with an analysis of the 1980 Starlette laser-ranging data for tides, geodetic parameters, and orbital parameters. The obtained solution represents a simultaneous least squares solution based upon normal equations constructed from seventy 5-day orbital arcs. It is pointed out that this new method has produced far better tidal results than would be achievable on the basis of the previous long periodic mean orbit evolution approach described by Felsentreger et al. (1979). It was possible to recover reasonable tidal values for periods on the Starlette orbit ranging from 6 days to over 90 days.
Spontaneous dyskinesia and familial liability to schizophrenia

Several factors suggest that spontaneous dyskinesia may be a useful supplemental phenotype for further elucidating the specific nature of the genetic contribution to schizophrenia. For example, involuntary movement abnormalities have been observed in both medicated and unmedicated schizophrenia patients, in individuals with schizotypal personality disorder, and sometimes in siblings of schizophrenia patients. However, there are many inconsistencies present in the literature to date. The current study thus sought to investigate the existence of spontaneous dyskinesia in schizophrenia patient probands, their non-psychotic siblings, and healthy controls in order to clarify its potential value as an "endophenotype" in genetic studies of schizophrenia. Videotaped interviews were coded for the presence of spontaneous, involuntary movement abnormalities by a trained and reliable rater using computer assisted technology who was blind to group and family status. The results of this study indicated that siblings of schizophrenia patients did not display significantly more involuntary movements compared to controls, although tremor was observed in a few siblings. In contrast, schizophrenia patients did display significantly more involuntary movements compared to controls as well as their non-psychotic siblings. The lack of significant differences between siblings and controls argues against a strong association between spontaneous dyskinesia and an "unexpressed" genetic liability to schizophrenia. Thus, it appears that involuntary movement abnormalities may be limited in their utility as endophenotypes in genetic studies of schizophrenia, despite being associated with, and perhaps predictive of, schizophrenia itself.
Preoperative glucose as a screening tool in patients without diabetes.

Abstract Background Although hyperglycemia has been associated with poor postoperative outcomes, preoperative hyperglycemia is not used as a screening tool in patients without diabetes. We evaluated preoperative glucose as a marker for postoperative outcomes in patients without diabetes to assess its usefulness as a potential screening tool. Materials and methods Clinical characteristics for a sample of 6683 patients without diabetes who underwent nonemergent vascular and general surgery were collected from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, Brigham and Women's Hospital database. Last glucose measured within 30 d before surgery was the main predictor variable with postoperative infection within 30 d as the primary outcome. Results For patients without known diabetes with preoperative glucose of 100–139 and 140–179 mg/dL, postoperative infection rates were significantly higher (9.33% and 10.16%, respectively) than that of patients with preoperative glucose of 70–99 mg/dL (5.62%, P Conclusions In patients without known diabetes, preoperative glucose is a significant marker for postoperative complications even at moderate levels of hyperglycemia. Some of these patients likely had prediabetes or unrecognized diabetes at the time of surgery. Further studies are needed to determine whether such screening and follow-up of preoperative hyperglycemia in all patients would be effective in lowering complication rates.
A decentralized algorithm for erasure-coded virtual disks

A federated array of bricks is a scalable distributed storage system composed from inexpensive storage bricks. It achieves high reliability with low cost by using erasure coding across the bricks to maintain data reliability in the face of brick failures. Erasure coding generates n encoded blocks from m data blocks (n > m) and permits the data blocks to be reconstructed from any m of these encoded blocks. We present a new fully decentralized erasure-coding algorithm for an asynchronous distributed system. Our algorithm provides fully linearizable read-write access to erasure-coded data and supports concurrent I/O controllers that may crash and recover. Our algorithm relies on a novel quorum construction where any two quorums intersect in m processes.
A Thermoanalytical Study of the Conversion of Amorphous Si–Ti–C–O Fibers to SiC

The conversion of polytitanocarbosilane fibers to SiC has been studied from 1400°C to 1600°C. Thermochemical modeling indicated the stable phases were SiC and TiC. Kinetics were studied with a thermogravimetric method and post heat-treatment phases, and microstructures were studied with X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Kinetics exhibit a strong temperature dependence and an activation energy of 443.3 ± 11.7 kJ/mol. This suggests that a chemical reaction step is rate-limiting. X-ray diffraction shows the conversion of an amorphous phase to crystalline SiC. Electron microscopy shows the development of internal porosity and large grains on the fiber surface, particularly at the higher temperatures.
Do Male White-Lipped Frogs Use Seismic Signals for Intraspecific Communication?1

Abstract Modern frogs and toads possess a structurally unique saccule, endowing them with seismic sensitivity greater than that observed so far in any other group of terrestrial vertebrates. In synchrony with their advertisement calls, approximately half of the calling males of one frog species, the Puerto-Rican white-lipped frog (Leptodactylus albilabris), produce impulsive seismic signals (thumps). The spectral distribution of power in these seismic signals matches precisely the spectral sensitivity of the frog's saccule. The signals have sufficient amplitude to be sensed easily by the frog's saccule up to several meters from the source—well beyond the typical spacing when these frogs are calling in a group. This circumstantial evidence suggests that white-lipped frogs may use the seismic channel in intraspecific communication, possibly as an alternative to the airborne channel, which often is cluttered with noise and interference. Using the frog's vocalizations as our assay, we set out to test that pro...
How Well Do High-Quality Online Courses Employ Merrill's First Principles of Instruction?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of Merrill’s five star system using award-winning online courses. We compared Merrill’s rubric with other recognized rubrics to explore the convergence of course awards with high scores on the Merrill’s system, and convergence of scores on the Merrill system with relevant scores on the other evaluation tools. This was an exploratory study which attempted to see how high-quality courses employ Merrill’s first principles of instruction. From our results we believe that Merrill’s first principles should be included in the myriad of criteria for determining online course quality. Award-winning courses tend to use Merrill’s first principles, and it seems likely that there is still significant room for improvement of even award-winning courses.
Lobbying Congress: Amazon Laws in the Lands of Lincoln and Mt. Rushmore

﻿Illinois and South Dakota have now joined New York, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Colorado in adopting an “Amazon” statute, a state law designed to require online retailers like Amazon and Overstock.com to help enforce use taxes on their electronic sales. Amazon laws are also now pending in other state legislatures.The Illinois statute is both unconstitutional and futile. That statute contravenes Quill Corp. v. North Dakota and Quill’s construction of the dormant Commerce Clause, as the statute imposes use tax collection responsibilities on internet retailers which lack physical presence in the Land of Lincoln. To the extent the statute proves constitutional in application, it will raise no additional revenue since firms with the constitutionally-required physical presence nexus to Illinois are already obligated to collect Illinois tax on their sales.South Dakota’s Amazon statute is similarly unconstitutional and futile. The South Dakota act flouts Quill and its physical presence test by imposing use tax notification responsibilities on out-of-state sellers which lack physical presence in the Mount Rushmore State. Moreover, the South Dakota law will raise little, if any, revenue since the notifications required by the law merely exhort purchasers to comply with their use tax obligations without providing any withholding or reporting mechanism for enforcing such compliance.It is understandable that revenue-challenged states are enacting Amazon laws in these difficult economic times. However, in the controversy over state Amazon laws, more is at stake than the money the states are losing by the de facto tax-free status of much internet commerce. The sales tax status quo is unfair and inefficient. Under that status quo, “pure” internet firms like Amazon sell merchandise effectively tax-free while their traditional, bricks-and-mortar competitors (including the internet arms of those competitors) must collect tax on their sales of the identical merchandise.State Amazon laws which flout Quill’s physical presence nexus test are not the appropriate remedies for this unacceptable status quo. Rather, the proper (and overdue) solution is federal legislation overturning Quill and its physical presence test. Such legislation would permit the states to require all internet and mail order firms to collect sales tax – whether or not such firms are physically present in the states into which they sell their merchandise. The best rationale at this point for the states’ Amazon laws is that, through such laws, the states are lobbying Congress. Amazon acts signal to Congress the need for federal legislation to repeal Quill and its physical presence requirement. Such acts also provide political cover for federal representatives and senators who are reluctant to appear to be increasing taxes for their constituents. Furthermore, state Amazon laws highlight the ethical problems of the business model defended by Amazon and other pure internet firms, a model which under these online sellers deliberately profit from their roles as enablers of nationwide tax noncompliance.
The Grand Challenges of Nanotechnology

Amazing breakthroughs and advances continue to be made in nanoscale science and engineering and the rapidly emerging field of nanotechnology, including near-commercial applications in biomedicine, computing and environmental protection. The National Nanotechnology Initiative, begun by the Clinton Administration has placed nanoscale research on a new funding trajectory. But, many ‘grand challenges’ must be overcome, technical ones as well as those related to funding, science and technology workforce, and the need for stronger collaboration across discipline, organizations, government agencies and with other countries.
360 Echo-Doppler Profile of Abnormal Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Arterial Interaction Is Associated with Beneficial Response to Sildenafil in Heart Transplant Recipients with Pulmonary Hypertension

severe PH, were obtained retrospectively. Changes after 3 months from baseline ( ) were compared between groups using Ttest. Results: At baseline, there were no differences between groups. After three months, SIL-treated and SIL-naive groups differed in PVR (-1,9 vs 0.2, p 0.004), cardiac output (0.55 vs -0.1 p 0.02) stroke volume: (8,91 vs -2,58 p 0,01) mean PA pressure (-5,12 vs 0,87 p 0.07) transpulmonary gradient (-4,81 vs 1,07 p 0,01)No change was observed on PAWP and right atrial pressure. SIL-treated subjects experienced improvement of NYHA class (0.3 vs 0.1,p ...) and had stable weight, in conrast to sild-naive patients.
Electroactive Polymer Based Micro-ElectroMechanical System as Biosensor Platform

A micro-electromechanical diaphragm (MEMD) as micro-sensor platform is introduced. The performance of a MEMD is compared with that of a microcantilever (MC). It is theoretically found that the sensitivity of a MEMD is about 50 times higher than that of a MC. The measured resonance frequencies in air proved the validity of the MEMD design. More importantly, the quality merit factor (Q value) of MEMD is higher than that of MC. The damping effect of liquid medium on a MEMD is much smaller than on a MC. It is experimentally demonstrated that the MEMD works well in both air and liquid.
Effect of Temperature on Development and Mortality of the Boll Weevil Egg Stage

Anthonomus grandis Boheman egg development averaged 70.0, 56.7, 55.9, 73.9, 102.5, and 174.4 h at 36, 34, 30, 26, 22, and 18°C, respectively. Egg mortality was negligible within this temperature range. These data provide a missing component of boll weevil biology and are precise enough for computer simulation purposes.
Influence of Insect Damage and Insecticide Spray Regimens on Cotton Yield in 1981 and 1982

Studies were conducted in South Carolina in 1981 and 1982 to determine the effect of mean levels of damage by a pest complex during early season and mid-season on first harvest and total yield of cotton. In 1981, the pest complex consisted of the bolf weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, and Heliothis spp. (bollworm, H. zea [Boddie], and tobacco budworm, H. virescens [F.]). In 1982, the same pest complex was involved; additional damage during mid-season was caused by fall armyworm larvae, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Different mean levels of damage resulted from spraying with recommended insecticides beginning early in the season compared to the middle of the season. All multiple regressions of yield on the insect complex indicated significant reduction in yield based on damage to squares, especially during mid-season when many irreplaceable losses occur. The slopes of the multiple regressions of total yield on the two mid-season damaged-square variables were similar. For 1981, the slope values of b 1, and b 2 indicated a loss of 57 and 168 kg/ha of seed cotton per 1% of damage, respectively. For 1982, the b 1, and b 2 values indicated a loss of 45 and 182 kg/ha of seed cotton per 1% of damage, respectively.