cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Code Quality Improvement for All: Automated Refactoring for Scratch

Block-based programming has been overwhelmingly successful in revitalizing introductory computing education and in facilitating end-user development. However, poor code quality makes block-based programs hard to understand, modify, and reuse, thus hurting the educational and productivity effectiveness of blocks. There is great potential benefit in empowering programmers in this domain to systematically improve the code quality of their projects. Refactoring–-improving code quality while preserving its semantics–-has been widely adopted in traditional software development. In this work, we introduce refactoring to Scratch. We define four new Scratch refactorings: Extract Custom Block, Extract Parent Sprite, Extract Constant, and Reduce Variable Scope. To automate the application of these refactorings, we enhance the Scratch programming environment with powerful program analysis and transformation routines. To evaluate the utility of these refactorings, we apply them to remove the code smells detected in a representative dataset of 448 Scratch projects. We also conduct a between-subjects user study with 24 participants to assess how our refactoring tools impact programmers. Our results show that refactoring improves the subjects’ code quality metrics, while our refactoring tools help motivate programmers to improve code quality.
Augustine and the Economy of Sacrifice: Ancient and Modern Perspectives

Business is generally viewed as a means to generate personal or corporate wealth, but business transactions can also sacrificially serve the common good. In conversation with contemporary social theorists, Joshua S. Nunziato in this book critically evaluates the spiritual significance and aims of economic exchange. Inspired by Augustine's vision of the Church as a 'universal sacrifice', he explores how Augustine's approach teaches us detachment - both personal and collective - which releases us from illusory claims of ownership and reframes business as an exercise in loving and letting go. Nunziato's volume engages with the big questions of economic life and considers both why and how we acknowledge people through business in a way that results in collective well-being. It will be of interest to scholars and students of Augustinian studies, philosophy of exchange, and economic ethics.
Relationships Between Experiences of Sibling Physical Aggression and Lifetime Aggression Using Statistical Controls for Poly-Victimization

This study examined how sibling physical aggression (SPA) influences lifetime aggression after controlling for variance due to childhood physical abuse, observed parental aggression, peer aggression, childhood emotional abuse, and childhood sexual abuse. The results of this study were also compared to a similar study that utilized a college sample (King et al. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 27(5) 523–540, Violence and Victims, 32(6), 998–1013, 2017a, b). Participants from a national sample (N = 916) completed the Violent Experiences Questionnaire-Revised (VEQ-R), Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), Lifetime Assessment of Violent Acts (LAVA), and self-reports regarding sexual assault and conduct disorder. Analytic strategies included bivariate correlation coefficient calculations, linear regression analyses, analyses of covariance, and relative risk analyses. SPA occurring only once a year was associated with increased conduct disorder symptoms, trait hostility, and legal consequences for violence. SPA perpetrated by a younger sibling significantly impacted conduct disorder symptoms, BPAQ subscale scores, and LAVA index scores. This study failed to replicate results found in the similar study that utilized a college sample (King et al. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 27(5) 523–540, Violence and Victims, 32(6), 998–1013, 2017a, b). The impact of SPA on lifetime aggression warrants the careful consideration of SPA in clinical settings as well as any future studies that attempt to control for poly-victimization. The implications of the relational age of the perpetrator to the victim also warrant careful consideration in any future studies that attempt to control for poly-victimization.
A Visualizable, Constructive Proof of the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, and a Parallel Polynomial Root Estimation Algorithm

This paper presents an alternative proof of the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra that has several distinct advantages. The proof is based on simple ideas involving continuity and differentiation. Visual software demonstrations can be used to convey the gist of the proof. A rigorous version of the proof can be developed using only single-variable calculus and basic properties of complex numbers, but the technical details are somewhat involved. In order to facilitate the reader's intuitive grasp of the proof, we first present the main points of the argument, which can be illustrated by computer experiments. Next we fill in some of the details, using single-variable calculus. Finally, we give a numerical procedure for finding all roots of an n'th degree polynomial by solving 2n differential equations in parallel.
Impact of body size and body composition on bladder cancer outcomes: Risk stratification and opportunity for novel interventions

Body size is emerging as a novel and clinically-relevant patient factor in bladder cancer research. Historically, a patient's body mass index (BMI) has been used as a proxy for obesity but it shows inconsistent associations with risk of developing the disease as well as with most clinical outcomes. More specific body composition features can be derived for patients using a variety of methods. To date, skeletal muscle measurements derived from preoperative computed tomography scans have shown the most consistent associations with clinical outcomes. Importantly, skeletal muscle can potentially be modified through resistance training and/or nutritional interventions. Large scale studies that evaluate the prognostic impact of not only body composition features at baseline but also describe changes in body composition post-treatment are needed to move the field forward to ultimately improve clinical outcomes for bladder cancer patients.
1548-P: Changes in Glucose-Lowering Medication Use in the Era of Cardiovascular Outcomes Trials: Risk/Treatment Paradox Persists

Three new classes of glucose-lowering drugs were introduced into practice over the past 15 years: DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors. These drugs have low hypoglycemia risk, do not cause weight gain, and post-marketing outcomes trials found cardiovascular and renal benefits associated with GLP-1RA and SGLT2i use. Our objective was to determine whether these drugs are being used by patients with type 2 diabetes most likely to benefit from them. Using OptumLabs Data Warehouse, a de-identified dataset of commercially-insured and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, we identified adults with type 2 diabetes who first started a DPP-4i (n=140,933), GLP-1RA (n=107,331), SGLT2i (n=112,892), or any other diabetes drug (n=1,743,484) between 2013-2018. After adjustment for age, gender, race/ethnicity, insurance type, baseline medications, year, prescriber specialty, and comorbidities, we found that GLP-1RA and SGLT2i, in particular, were less likely to be started by patients most likely to benefit from them. GLP-1RA initiation was less likely among patients with prior hypoglycemia requiring ED/hospital care (OR 0.86 [95% CI 0.79-0.93]), myocardial infarction (MI; OR 0.93 [0.89-0.97], or stroke (OR 0.88 [0.85-0.91]), though more likely with nephropathy (OR 1.20 [1.17-1.23]). SGLT2i initiation was less likely with prior hypoglycemia (OR 0.81 [0.73-0.89]), nephropathy (OR 0.80 [0.78-0.0.82]), or heart failure (HF; OR 0.85 [0.82-0.87]). However, DPP-4i initiation was more likely with prior hypoglycemia (OR 1.49 [1.41-1.57]), MI (OR 1.09 [1.05-1.12]), stroke (OR 1.09 [1.06-1.11), HF (OR 1.12 [1.09-1.14]), and nephropathy (OR 1.40 [1.37-1.43]). Our results do not explain why these drugs are not preferentially used in guideline-recommended contexts, but do highlight missed opportunities to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with hypoglycemia, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease in highest risk patients. Disclosure R.G. McCoy: None. H. Van Houten: None. J. Ross: Research Support; Self; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., U.S. Food and Drug Administration. P. Karaca-Mandic: None. V.M. Montori: None. N. Shah: None. Funding National Institutes of Health (K23DK114497); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (1U19HS024075, R01HS025164)
Socially-Oriented Technologies Attractability Influence on Individuals Academically and Neurologically

Socially-Oriented Technologies (SOTs) has taken the world by storm. People from all generations, professions, personal, and academic backgrounds gravitate to social and information communication technologies (ICTs). These SOTs are used as a source of increasing social wealth, educational level, professional careers, and self. Not only that, SOTs have allowed diverse individuals and groups to unite and connect, hence removing geographical and travel constraints, while systematically and simultaneously alleviating ill-psychological feelings, those related to stress, anxiety, and loneliness. Harbouring a sense of belongingness and connectedness has also been linked to SOTs and ICTs usage. Research has pointed out how ICTs and other social infrastructures can both be advantageous and harmful. They can also be compulsory. This article highlights some benefits and challenges related to ICTs and SOTs, human gravitation, education integrations, acceptance, adoption, attractability, and usability. It also shows that even though individuals use SOTs and ICTs for the sake of social enrichment and personal gain, personally and intellectually, excessive use can affect the same person physically, psychologically, and neurologically. The Social Penetration Theory (SPT) is used to determine the nature of socialization and self-disclosure to sustain interpersonal connections with familiar and strange others in a technology-based social setting and technology-driven world. Implications are also addressed. Although there is no distinctive header, this is the abstract. This submission template allows authors to submit their papers for review to an ACM Conference or Journal without any output design specifications incorporated at this point in the process. The ACM manuscript template is a single column document that allows authors to type their content into the pre-existing set of paragraph formatting styles applied to the sample placeholder text here. Throughout the document you will find further instructions on how to format your text.
Utilisation of RAM cannula for non-invasive respiratory support for infants in the cardiac ICU.

Background Children with CHD carry an additional burden of pulmonary insufficiency, often necessitating prolonged ventilatory support, especially in the peri-operative phase. There has been an increase in the utilisation of non-invasive ventilatory support for these children. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utilisation, safety, and outcomes of RAM cannula as a tool for escalation and de-escalation of respiratory support in paediatric cardiac patients less than one year of age. Methods A single-centre retrospective cohort study of patients supported with RAM cannula. Results A total of 275 instances of RAM use were included in the study, 81.1% being post-operative. Patients were stratified into escalation and de-escalation cohorts based on the indication of non-invasive ventilation. The success rate of using RAM cannula was 69.5% overall, 66.1% in the escalation group, and 72.8% in the de-escalation group. At baseline, age at cardiac ICU admission >30 days, FiO2 ≤ 40%, PaCO2 ≤ 50 mmHg; and after 12 hours of non-invasive ventilation support respiratory rate ≤ 60/min, PaO2 ≥ 50 mmHg, PaCO2 ≤ 50 mmHg; and absence of worsening on follow-up chest X-ray predicted the success with a sensitivity of 95% in the logistic regression model. Successful support was associated with a significantly shorter unit stay. Conclusions RAM cannula can be safely used to provide non-invasive support to infants in the cardiac ICU for escalation and de-escalation of respiratory support. Factors associated with success can be used to make decisions about candidacy and appropriate timing of non-invasive ventilation use to maximise effectiveness.
Symptoms of Depression and Insomnia Help Explain the Relationship Between Stigma and Chronic Pain Severity in People with HIV

People living with HIV experience high rates of chronic pain. HIV and chronic pain are both highly stigmatized health conditions. Previous research suggests that stigmatization has negative consequences on mood, sleep, and pain outcomes. Whether the relationship between stigma and chronic pain severity can be explained by symptoms of depression and insomnia has yet to be determined. Participants included 85 people with HIV and chronic pain recruited from an HIV Clinic at a major medical campus. Participants completed the HIV Stigma Mechanisms Scale and the Internalized Stigma of Chronic Pain Scale, as well as the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the Insomnia Severity Index, and the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form. A series of sequential mediation models controlling for covariates were analyzed via bootstrapping methods. The indirect effect of HIV stigma on chronic pain severity through both depressive symptoms and insomnia severity was significant with a point estimate of .026 and a 95% confidence interval of .003 to .057. In a subsequent model, the same pattern of significant results was found when examining the indirect effect of chronic pain stigma on chronic pain severity through depressive symptoms and insomnia severity (point estimate of .728 and a 95% confidence interval of .259 to 1.360). Findings suggest that the experience of both HIV and chronic pain stigma may perpetuate depressed mood, which can lead to poor sleep (i.e., insomnia). In turn, depression and insomnia can exacerbate the chronic pain severity of people with HIV. These findings are important because stigma-related worsening of mood, sleep, and chronic pain is likely to impede appropriate HIV management and retention in care. UAB center for AIDS research: P30AI027767, NHLBI: R01HL147603.
Outcomes with multi-disciplinary management of central lung tumors with CT-guided percutaneous high dose rate brachyablation.

Background Centrally located lung tumors present treatment challenges given their proximity to mediastinal structures including the central airway, esophagus, major vessels, and heart. Therapeutic options can be limited for medically inoperable patients, particularly if they have received previous thoracic radiotherapy. High dose rate (HDR) brachyablation was developed to improve the therapeutic ratio for patients with central lung tumors. The purpose of this study is to report initial safety and efficacy outcomes with this treatment for central lung malignancies. Methods From September 2015 to August 2019, a total of 25 patients with 37 pulmonary tumors were treated with percutaneous HDR brachyablation. Treatment was delivered by a multi-disciplinary team of interventional radiologists, pulmonologists, and radiation oncologists. Twenty-three patients received a median dose of 21.5 Gy (range 15-27.5) in a single fraction, whereas two patients received median dose of 24.75 Gy (range 24-25.5) over 2-3 fractions. Tumor local control (LC) was evaluated by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1. Treatment-related toxicities were graded by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0, with adverse events less than 90 days defined as acute, and those occurring later were defined as late. LC, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Of 37 treated tumors, 88% were metastatic. Tumor location was central and ultra-central in 24.3% and 54.1%, respectively. Average tumor volume was 11.6 cm3 (SD 12.4, range 0.57-62.8). Median follow-up was 19 months (range 3-48). Two-year LC, PFS, and OS were 96.2%, 29.7%, and 65.5%, respectively. Thirteen of 39 (33.3%) catheter implantation procedures were associated with trace minor pneumothorax requiring no intervention, 1 (2.5%) procedure with minor radiographic pulmonary hemorrhage, and 4 (10.3%) with major pneumothorax requiring chest tube insertions. All procedural complications resolved within 24 h from treatment. Acute grade 1-2 toxicity was identified in 4 patients, whereas none developed late toxicity beyond 90 days of follow-up. Conclusion Percutaneous HDR brachyablation is a safe and promising treatment option for centrally located primary and metastatic lung tumors. Future comparisons with stereotactic body radiotherapy and other ablative techniques are warranted to expand multi-disciplinary management options.
Bait and Switch: Human Rights and U.S. Foreign Policy

It has become routine for the US government to invoke human rights to justify its foreign policy decisions and military ventures. But this human rights talk has not been supported by a human rights walk. Policy makers consistently apply a double standard for human rights norms: one the rest of the world must observe, but which the US can safely ignore. Based on extensive interviews with leading foreign policy makers, military officials, and human rights advocates, Mertus tells the story of how America's attempts to promote human rights abroad have, paradoxically, undermined those rights in other countries. The second edition brings the story up-to-date, including new sections on the second half of the Bush administration and the Iraq War, and updates on Afghanistan. The first edition of Bait and Switch won the American Political Science Association's 2005 Best Book on Human Rights.
The Contribution of Schooling to Literacy in Guatemala.

The authors of this paper examine the relationship between level of schooling and literacy attainment in four rural communities in Guatemala. They first identify the grade at which most children become literate. Secondly, they estimate the net contribution of schooling to literacy. Finally, they ask whether literacy skills acquired under poor or restricted school conditions are likely to be lost over time after the pupil has left school.
Terrorism and the law : cases and materials

The text considers legal aspects of a broad range of methods that governments have for fighting terrorism, including criminal penalties, economic sanctions, immigration restrictions, military force, and civil liability. It addresses not just the steps taken in reaction to the 9/11 attacks, but also to many other counter-terrorism measures by the United States and other nations in recent years. To offer a global and comparative perspective, the materials include cases from foreign countries and international tribunals. The revision addresses many new legal developments that have occurred since publication of the original edition, including new Supreme Court decisions and federal legislation. For more information and additional teaching materials, visit the companion site .
A Case Study of Peer Educators in a Community-Based Program to Reduce Teen Pregnancy: Selected Characteristics Prior to Training, Perceptions of Training and Work, and Perceptions of How Participation in the Program Has Affected Them

Abstract This investigation is a case study of peer educators in a community-based teen pregnancy prevention program. Research questions focused on identifying ways in which peer educators differed from other teens and exploring the perceptions of the peer educators about their experience in the program and the ways in which it has affected them. Data were collected via a written survey, semi-structured interviews, and written essays. Survey results indicate few differences between the peer educators and the comparison group. Qualitative analysis of the interviews identified several themes about both the program and the benefits of participation. An unexpected finding was a high level of support for LGBT youth. This finding raises questions about the role of peer educators as change agents, not simply to reduce sexual risk-taking but homophobia as well.
7-Deazanebularin. Metabolism in cultures of mouse fibroblasts and incorporation into cellular and viral nucleic acids.

Abstract The metabolism in mouse and chick embryo fibroblast cultures of the purine nucleoside analogue 7-deazanebularin has been studied. The analogue is cytotoxic at low concentrations, it is rapidly phosphorylated and enters the cellular nucleotide pools, and it is incorporated into cellular DNA and RNA. A substantial proportion of the incorporated material is present at the 3' termini of tRNA molecules. 7-Deazanebularin is also incorporated into the RNA of Mengovirus and the DNA of vaccinia virus, and it strongly inhibits cellular and viral nucleic acid synthesis.
Negative Chemotaxis of Marine Bacteria to Toxic Chemicals

The positive chemotactic responses of motile marine bacteria were reversed by the addition of sublethal concentrations of a toxic chemical. The negative chemotactic effect was observed with a wide range of toxicants including heavy metals and hydrocarbons. This phenomenon may be utilized to develop new approaches for control of marine fouling.
HIMAP: Architecture, Features, and Hierarchical Model Specification Techniques

Accurate analysis of complex systems for their reliability and performance is a challenging task. Development of powerful and easy-to-use tools allow engineers and system designers to accurately model such systems. Several tools have been developed addressing these needs, HIMAP is one such tool that helps analyze system behavior that are used in multi-phased missions and in systems that employ scheduled maintenance. The tool accounts for the effects of phase changes, that may include configuration and behavior changes, and maintenance of components. In this paper, we describe the most important features of HIMAP and hierarchical model specification techniques that allow easy development and solution of models.
Singing in a Strange Land: C.L. Franklin, the Black Church, and the Transformation of America

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Nick Salvatore Year: 2006 Pages: 448 Publisher: University of Illinois Press ISBN: 0-252-07390-8 (soft cover). Prices: $24.95 USD(soft cover).
Split Liver Transplantation Using Hemiliver Graft in the MELD Era: A Single Center Experience in the United States

Under the “sickest first” Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) allocation, livers amenable to splitting are most often allocated to patients unsuitable for split liver transplantation (SLT). Our experience with SLT using hemilivers was reviewed. From April 2004 to June 2012, we used 25 lobar grafts (10 left lobes and 15 right lobes) for adult-sized recipients. Twelve recipients were transplanted with primary offers, and 13 were transplanted with leftover grafts. Six grafts were shared with other centers. The data were compared with matched whole liver grafts (n = 121). In 92% of donors, the livers were split in situ. Hemiliver recipients with severe portal hypertension had a greater graft-to-recipient weight ratio than those without severe portal hypertension (1.96% vs. 1.40%, p < 0.05). Hemiliver recipients experienced biliary complications more frequently (32.0% vs. 10.7%, p = 0.01); however, the 5-year graft survival for hemilivers was comparable to whole livers (80.0% vs. 81.5%, p = 0.43). The secondary recipients with leftover grafts did not have increased incidences of graft failure (p = 0.99) or surgical complications (p = 0.43) compared to the primary recipients. In conclusion, while routine application is still controversial due to various challenges, hemiliver SLT can achieve excellent outcomes under the MELD allocation.
How College Students Search the Internet for Weight Control and Weight Management Information: An Observational Study.

Background: Few studies have attempted to examine how young adults search for health information on the Internet, especially information related to weight control and weight management. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine search strategies that college students used for finding information related to weight control and weight management on the Internet. Methods: A sample of undergraduate students (n = 30) were given 11 scenarios related to weight control and weight management and used the Internet to find solutions. Observations were recorded using video and audio software (Camtasia). Results: Participants used search engines for 97% of searches, and all participants but one used Google. Success rates varied from 96.4% to 57.1%. Transcripts from the audio recordings taken during the search revealed 4 themes: (1) Google is efficient; (2) perceptions about common sense information; (3) determinants of website credibility; and (4) difficulties finding and interpreting information. Discussion:...
Paediatric anatrophic nephrolithotomy; stone clearance - at what price?

Objective To evaluate the functional outcome of anatrophic nephrolithotomy in children. Patients and methods All children undergoing anatrophic nephrolithotomy for complex branching and multiple renal calculi over an 11-year period were studied prospectively. Demographic data, treatment details and outcome, as assessed by X-ray, ultrasonography and isotope studies, were recorded. Anatrophic nephrolithotomy was carried out with surface cooling of the kidney followed by nephrostomy drainage for 5–7 days. Results Nine children (median age 4 years, range 7 months to 9 years) underwent anatrophic nephrolithotomy. Predisposing factors included urinary tract infection (by Proteus mirabilis) in all and hyper-calciuria in two children. The median (range) total ischaemic time at operation was 25 (15–40) min and the operative duration 150 (120–200) min. Three children required a blood transfusion. Stone clearance was incomplete in one child. There was no recurrent stone formation after a long-term follow-up (median 32 months, range 14–107) in the other patients. Isotope studies showed impaired split renal function ( 5%) in divided function in five children (range 6–16%) after surgery. Conclusion Anatrophic nephrolithotomy is an effective means of rendering children with branching calculi stone-free, but this study suggests that it leads to some further parenchymal damage.
Search for photoinduced absorption in charge-density-wave materials with non-half-filled bands.

We describe experiments to search for photoinduced absorption (PA) due to midgap soliton states in quasi-one-dimensional charge-density-wave materials with band filling N/M\ensuremath{\ne}1/2. Experiments were done on trimethyl-ammonium-iodide-tetracyanoquinodimethane (N/M=1/3), ${\mathrm{K}}_{0.3}$${\mathrm{MoO}}_{3}$ (N/M=3/4), and ${\mathrm{TaS}}_{3}$ (N/M=1/4). Both spectroscopic and broadband searches were made for PA signals. In all cases, no PA was observed. The results are interpreted in terms of the probabilities of formation and lifetimes of soliton states.
Intersecting Disciplinary Frameworks to Improve Foster Care Transitions

As a medical anthropologist teaching and conducting research in a department of occupational therapy, I am constantly challenged with considering how I can contribute to the education of clinicians, enhance the knowledge base on rehabilitation issues, and work with rehabilitation specialists to improve clinical outcomes. Over the last several years a growing number of researchers and educators have been exploring the benefits of combining anthropology, disability studies, occupational science, and occupational therapy for the purposes of cross-training and knowledge expansion. One only has to skim through the articles in this special issue to appreciate the scope and variability of these efforts.
DATA IN SEARCH OF A PRINCIPLE: A REVIEW OF RELATIONAL FRAME THEORY: A POST‐SKINNERIAN ACCOUNT OF HUMAN LANGUAGE AND COGNITION

Responding to derived relations among stimuli and events is the subject of an accelerating research program that represents one of the major behavior analytic approaches to complex behavior. Relational Frame Theory: A Post-Skinnerian Account of Human Language and Cognition (Hayes, Barnes-Holmes,& Roche, 2001) offers a conceptual framework for this work and explores its implications for verbal behavior and a variety of other domains of complex human behavior. The authors dismiss Skinner’s interpretation of verbal behavior as unproductive and conceptually flawed and suggest a new definition and a new paradigm for the investigation of verbal phenomena. I found the empirical phenomena important but the conceptual discussion incomplete. A new principle of behavior is promised,but critical features of this principle are not offered. In the absence of an explicit principle,the theory itself is difficult to evaluate. Counter examples suggest a role for mediating behavior,perhaps covert, thus raising the question whether a new principle is needed at all. The performance of subjects in relational frame experiments may be a mosaic of elementary behavioral units, some of which are verbal. If so, verbal behavior underlies relational behavior; it is not defined by it. I defend Skinner’s definition of verbal behavior and argue that an account of relational behavior must be integrated with Skinner’s analysis; it will not replace it.
Peatland ice/water quality

Freezing of the shallow water in a northern peatland caused downward movement of solutes. Nutrients and tracers were rejected from overlying water, with lesser effects in a wetland receiving treated municipal wastewater. Concentration profiles within the ice are controlled by starting concentrations and rate of freezing. High concentrations near the ice top are caused by initial fast freezing, but solute accumulations near the soil surface can cause high concentrations at the lower ice surface also. Chloride partitions most strongly; nutrients or biologically active species partition less strongly. Complex mass and energy balance calculations can provide reasonable estimates of chloride concentrations, but sufficient field data would rarely be available to execute detailed predictions for other ions. Processes involving ice are important in the reallocation of dissolved species within peatlands. Ice formation can cleanse a closed-basin wetland once each year.
Fractionation of α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin from bovine milk serum using staged, positively charged, tangential flow ultrafiltration membranes

Abstract Fractionation of bovine α-lactalbumin (ALA) from β-lactoglobulin (BLG) in milk serum permeate (MSP) using tangential flow ultrafiltration was examined in this work. By placing a positive charge on a 300 kDa regenerated cellulose ultrafiltration membrane, it was possible to increase the selectivity for fractionating ALA and BLG by 180% compared to an uncharged membrane. Thus, like-sized proteins that differed only somewhat in isoelectric point, and that were about 15–20 times smaller than the membrane molecular weight cutoff, were fractionated using charged ultrafiltration membranes. Electrostatic repulsion was solely responsible for the improved selectivity. Protein sieving coefficients were explained by the net charge on the protein and the stagnant film model. From experimental data using a single-stage system under total recycle conditions, mass balance models were used successfully to predict the performance of a multi-stage membrane system. A three-stage system gave 87% pure ALA and 83% pure BLG. Thus, dairy protein fractions of chromatographic purity can be obtained using charged ultrafiltration membranes arranged in stages, without the wastewater generation and expense of chromatography. The results of this study will be useful for expanding the utility of ultrafiltration membranes beyond simple protein concentration to fractionation of proteins.
Radial mode analysis of electromagnetic wave propagation on slotted cylindrical structures

A systematic method to solve electromagnetic wave propagation problems associated with slotted cylindrical structures is to represent the field by a set of radial modes, the discontinuity by a multimode junction network, and to solve the transverse resonance equations. Derivations of the radial mode representation of the field and the network representation of a slot are provided. The application of this method to a slotted circular waveguide is also given, and its solutions show good agreement with previous findings.
The effect of field of terminal degree on scholarly productivity: An analysis of criminal justice faculty

Research on scholarly productivity in criminal justice has been largely descriptive. The present study is an exploratory analysis seeking to explain the variation in scholarly productivity by field of terminal degree. Given differences among disciplines in the socialization of young scholars to research skills, aspirations, and expectations, we might expect parallel differences in scholarly productivity in the multidisciplinary field of criminal justice. Data are based on 89 faculty in master's-level criminal justice departments. Controls are introduced for variables representing alternative theories of scholarly productivity and include rank, gender, and university eminence. The results of a multiple regression analysis indicate that juris doctors publish significantly fewer articles and receive fewer citations than others. Further, sociologists exhibited higher than average accomplishments in productivity. However, the leading predictor of scholarly productivity was rank. The full model explained 32% of...
Reactivity studies with gold-supported molybdenum nanoparticles

Abstract The reconstructed (22 × √3)-Au(1 1 1) surface was used as a template and inert support for depositing Mo nanoparticles for reactivity studies of desulfurization and the formation of MoS x nanoparticles. Nanoparticles of Mo were prepared on the Au(1 1 1) substrate by two methods: physical vapor deposition (PVD) of Mo and UV-assisted chemical vapor deposition (UV-CVD) through a molybdenum hexacarbonyl precursor. STM studies have shown that the Mo nanoparticles are thermodynamically unstable on the Au(1 1 1) surface, and that gold encapsulates Mo at temperatures above 300 K. Reactivity studies using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) show that bare Mo nanoparticles are very reactive and can cause complete dissociation of hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and thiophene. The presence of gold atoms on the Mo nanoparticles modifies their reactivity. In the case of H 2 S and CH 3 SH, the overall activity for desufurization is unaffected by gold encapsulation; however, the selectivity to form methane from CH 3 SH increased from 20% on bare Mo particles to 60% on gold-covered Mo particles. In contrast, gold-encapsulated Mo nanoparticles are relatively inert towards dissociation of thiophene. We believe that the interaction of R–SH compounds with Au-encapsulated Mo nanoparticles proceeds through intermediacy of surface gold thiolates.
External Validation of the Updated Partin Tables in a Cohort of North American Men

Purpose: The Partin tables were updated in 2007. However, to our knowledge their accuracy and performance characteristics have not been confirmed in an external validation cohort.Materials and Methods: We examined the discrimination and calibration properties of the 2007 Partin tables in 1,838 men treated with radical prostatectomy between 2001 and 2005 at Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The ROC derived AUC and the Brier score were used to quantify the discriminant properties of the predictions of the 2007 Partin tables for extraprostatic extension, seminal vesical invasion and lymph node invasion. Loess based calibration plots were used to examine the relationship between the predicted and observed rates of extraprostatic extension, seminal vesical invasion and lymph node invasion.Results: The rates of extraprostatic extension, seminal vesical invasion and lymph node invasion were 26.9%, 5.5% and 1.8%. The accuracy of extraprostatic extension, seminal vesical invasion and lymph node invasion prediction was ...
Text Messaging the Reference Desk: Using Upside Wireless' SMS-to-Email to Extend Reference Service

The author discusses “Text a Librarian,” a short message service-to-email service provided via Upside Wireless, Inc., a Canadian telecommunications provider. Any user of the University of Virginia ...
Cycloaliphatic epoxy resin coating for capillary electrophoresis.

Abstract Coating the interior surface of a fused-silica capillary with a polymeric material has long been used in capillary electrophoresis (CE) to reduce or eliminate electroosmotic flow and suppress adsorption. A cycloaliphatic epoxide-based resin was bonded to silane treated capillaries and crosslinked with a curing agent. The epoxy resin coating significantly reduced electroosmotic flow over a pH range of 3–10. This coating was sufficiently hydrophilic to suppress protein adsorption. The epoxy resin coated capillary was used to separate several acidic and basic proteins and peptides. Separation efficiencies greater than 400 000 theoretical plates were achieved. The relative standard deviations in migration times for proteins were
A New Benthic Sampling Device for Soft Sediments in Shallow Habitats

ABSTRACT We designed, constructed, and tested a new grab sampler to collect benthic macroinvertebrates and sediments from shallow (< 3 m) aquatic systems. This light (4.5 kg), inexpensive sampler is easy to construct and has a higher rate of successful closure and sample retention than the Peterson, petite Ponar, or Ekman samplers. In field tests conducted at three central Arkansas (USA) lakes, the estimated mean densities of macroinvertebrates collected by our device did not differ significantly from the Ekman, Peterson or petite Ponar grabs in muddy benthic habitats but were significantly less than the Ekman and petite Ponar grabs in woody and clay habitats. However, there were no significant differences in the taxa obtained or their representation in the samples collected with the tested grab samplers.
Quantitative approaches to the ototoxicity problem1, 2

This paper describes some of the possible approaches to quantitative evaluation of the biochemical effects of ototoxic agents upon fluids and tissues of the internal ear. Major emphasis is placed upon the ultramicrochemical techniques of Lowry, which offer adequate sensitivity for the quantitative determination of metabolites and enzymes in minutes fluid samples and in microscopic tissue elements and single cells. As specific examples, the effects of ethacrynic acid and of salicylate upon the levels of high energy phosphates in stria vascularis, spiral organ and other internal ear structures are described. In most instances, chemical analyses were preceded by electrophysiological evaluations. Results are compared with those obtained in ischemia and following local application of toxic agents, such as cyanide and dinitrophenol. In respect to the ototoxic effects of aminoglycoside antibiotics, only pilot experiments have been performed to date. Methodological problems are extremely complex in this area. In ...
Research Spotlight: Measuring oceanic uptake of anthropogenic carbon

[1] As anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide increase, contributing to global climate change, it is important to understand how much carbon the ocean absorbs.Watanabe et al. present a time series of observations of the vertical distributions of oceanic anthropogenic carbon in the North Pacific subpolar region near the Sea of Okhotsk from 1999 to 2006. The authors compared two methods of measuring the rate of oceanic uptake of anthropogenic carbon, analyzed the sources of error in each method, and determined that the two methods agreed reasonably well. Their results show that the rate of oceanic uptake of anthropogenic carbon has increased recently and, in fact, is about 1.2 times higher than expected. They attribute this difference to an increase in the strength of ocean stratification and to a recent increase in alkalinity in the Sea of Okhotsk. (Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, doi:10.1029/2010JC006199, 2011)
Potential Complications Associated with Normothermic Lonidamine Infusion and with Systemic Acidosis in Dogs Receiving Lonidamine During Whole Body Hyperthermia (Wbh)

The vascular toxicosis of lonidamine (40mg/h) or vehicle infusion was investigated in six dogs. Vasculitis and thrombosis were observed in veins infused with lonidamine but not in veins infused with vehicle. This finding suggests that it may not be possible to use lonidamine infusion to circumvent therapeutic limitations associated with the oral lonidamine formulation currently used in patients. We also investigated the systemic toxicosis of lonidamine (400 mg/m2; rapid intravenous bolus) or vehicle in six other dogs that developed systemic acidosis (pH ≤ 7.0) during whole body hyperthermia (42d`C × 90min). Gross and histologic haemorrhage was observed in all dogs; however, haemorrhagic lesions in acidotic dogs receiving lonidamine + WBH were more severe than changes observed in acidotic dogs receiving vehicle + WBH. These observations confirm the results of in vitro studies which suggest that the combined effect of lonidamine and hyperthermia is enhanced under acidic conditions. Furthermore, these findin...
Studies of Respiratory Air Flow in Measurement of Ventilatory Function

SUMMARY The pneumotachogram is a record obtained quickly and easily with apparatus offering only negligible resistance to breathing. It yields information in regard to the characteristics of resting ventilation and ventilation during maximum effort. It is possible to interpret the record in terms of some of the deficiencies in the respiratory apparatus probably accounting for reduced ventilatory function. As in the electrocardiogram, the pneumotachogram is best interpreted in connection with the information gained from history, physical and other functional studies.
The Contribution of Synovial Fluid Lipoproteins to the Chronic Synovitis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Lipids in the synovial fluid of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis are elevated compared to normal synovial fluid and that of other inflammatory arthropathies. Various assumptions about the role of these lipids have been made. This study offers evidence that these lipids may contribute to the synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis through participation in the arachidonic pathway within the joint space. Phospholipase A2 activity, phospholipids, prostaglandin E2, and leukotriene B4 have been correlated in the synovial fluid and plasma of untreated rheumatoid patients and compared with that of patients with osteoarthritis.
Structural changes in the endoplasmic reticulum of starfish oocytes during meiotic maturation and fertilization

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of live starfish oocytes was observed during meiotic maturation and fertilization. The ER was visualized by injection into the cytoplasm of an oil drop saturated with the fluorescent lipophilic dye DiI; DiI spread throughout the oocyte endoplasmic reticulum and the pattern was imaged by confocal microscopy. The ER in the immature (germinal vesicle stage) oocyte was composed of interconnected membrane sheets. In response to 1-methyladenine, the sheets of ER appeared to become associated with the yolk platelets, forming spherical shells. A few of these spherical shells could sometimes be seen in immature oocytes, but their number was much greater in the egg at the first meiotic spindle stage. At about the time that the first polar body formed, the spherical shells disappeared, and the ER returned to a form like that of the immature oocyte. The spherical shells did not reappear during the second meiotic cycle. During maturation, the ER also began to move; the movement was apparent by the time of germinal vesicle breakdown and continued throughout both meiotic cycles and in eggs with second polar bodies. When eggs at the first meiotic spindle stage were fertilized, the form of the ER changed. Within 1 min after sperm addition to the observation chamber, the circular cross sections of the spherical shells of the unfertilized egg ER were no longer distinct. At this point, the form of the ER could not be discerned with the resolution of the light microscope; however, the rate of spreading of DiI from an injected oil drop decreased, providing strong evidence that the ER had become fragmented. The ER remained in this form for several minutes and then gradually, the appearance of the ER and the rate of DiI spreading returned to be like those of the unfertilized egg. Injection of inositol trisphosphate caused a similar change in the ER structure. These results indicate that the ER is a dynamic structure, the form of which changes during oocyte maturation and fertilization.
The attenuation paradox and the distribution of ability

The attenuation paradox refers to the increase in test validity that accompanies increasing test reliability up to a point beyond which validity decreases with further increases in reliability. It is shown that, for perfectly discriminating items, this phenomenon can occur regardless of the distribution of underlying ability. A numerical example is also given for a class of non-perfectly discriminating items and a rectangular distribution of ability.
Trends and Transformation of Nutrients and Pesticides in a Coastal Plain Aquifer System, United States

Four local-scale sites in areas with similar corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] agriculture were studied to determine the effects of different hydrogeologic settings of the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain (NACP) on the transport of nutrients and pesticides in groundwater. Settings ranged from predominantly well-drained soils overlying thick, sandy surficial aquifers to predominantly poorly drained soils with complex aquifer stratigraphy and high organic matter content. Apparent age of groundwater, dissolved gases, N isotopes, major ions, selected pesticides and degradates, and geochemical environments in groundwater were studied. Agricultural chemicals were the source of most dissolved ions in groundwater. Specific conductance was strongly correlated with reconstructed nitrate (the sum of N in nitrate and N gas) (R(2) = 0.81, p < 0.0001), and is indicative of the relative degree of agricultural effects on groundwater. Trends in nitrate were primarily related to changes in manure and fertilizer use at the well-drained sites where aquifer conditions were consistently oxic. Nitrate was present in young groundwater but completely removed over time through denitrification at the poorly drained sites where there were variations in chemical input and in geochemical environment. Median concentrations of atrazine (6-chloro-N-ethyl-N'-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine), metolachlor (2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide), and some of their common degradates were higher at well-drained sites than at poorly drained sites, with concentrations of degradates generally higher than those of the parent compounds at all sites. An increase in the percentage of deethylatrazine to total atrazine over time at one well-drained site may be related to changes in manure application.
Bootstrapping cointegrating regression

Abstract In this paper we use a Monte Carlo study to examine the small sample properties of an estimator of a cointegrating regression. We present some bootstrap methods to construct an appropriate confidence interval for the cointegrating estimator. The results show that while the Student-t distribution provides poor coverage of the confidence interval for the conventional OLS estimator, the bootstrap percentile-t method does provide reliable confidence intervals.