cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Knights of the Dark Age

A few years ago, I was invited to participate in the Symposium on Biological Clocks, organized by the Argonne National Laboratory. Often before, my presentations had been arranged (logically) to follow papers on biochemistry and molecular biology, and that symposium was no exception. By way of an introduction, I commented that, with the presentations on biochemistry and molecular biology behind us, we were leaving the precise studies and entering the realm of ambiguity. I also commented that whereas molecular biology is beautiful—because of the imaginative ideas behind the research, the neat experimental protocol, the precise measurements of the results, and the meaningful interpretations—the beauty is primarily abstract, similar to that of many abstract paintings. No one gets much visual pleasure from a scintillation plot or a density gradient tracing. On the other hand, microscopic objects, particularly chromosomes, are themselves objects of beauty, analogous to the beauty of a Rembrandt.
Surgical Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Patients with Severe Esophageal Dysmotility

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal dysmotility are often disqualifying criteria for fundoplication due to dysphagia complications. A tailored partial fundoplication may improve GERD in patients with severe esophageal motility disorders. We evaluate this approach on GERD improvement in non-achalasia esophageal dysmotility patients. A single-institution prospective database was reviewed (2007–2016), with inclusion criteria of GERD, previous diagnosis of non-achalasia esophageal motility disorder, and laparoscopic partial fundoplication. Diagnosis of previous achalasia diagnosis or diffused esophageal spasm was excluded. Motility studies, pre- and post-upper gastrointestinal imaging (UGI), esophageal symptom scores, antacid, and PPI use were collected pre-op, 6 months, 12 months, and long-term (LT). Statistical analysis was made using SPSS v.23.0.0, α = 0.05. Fifty-two patients met the inclusion criteria. A total of 17.3% had esophageal body amotility, 79.6% had severe esophageal dysmotility. A total of 65.9% women (mean age 64 ± 15.7), mean peristalsis 45.3 ± 32.6%, and failed peristalsis 36.0 ± 32.2%. Mean LES residual pressure was 15.0 ± 18.0 mmHg, and 40.7% had hypotensive LES. Mean follow-up time was 25 months [1–7 years], with significant improvement in symptoms and reduction in PPI and antacid use at all time-points compared to pre-op. A total of 74% had UGI studies at 12 months; all showed persistent dysmotility. Six patients had radiographic hiatal hernia recurrence, with only one being clinically symptomatic postoperatively. Three required dilation for persistent dysphagia. A tailored partial fundoplication may be effective in symptom relief for non-achalasia patients with esophageal motility disorders and GERD. Significant symptom improvement, low HHR, and PPI use clearly indicate this approach to be effective for this population.
An analysis of the survival impact of dexmedetomidine in children undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Objective: Recent evidence suggests the α2-adrenoreceptor agonist dexmedetomidine may promote metastasis of cancer cells. In this study we sought to evaluate the impact of dexmedetomidine administr...
Comments on: Process modeling for slope and aspect with application to elevation data maps

The authors should be commended on their methodological development of stochastic processes for slope and aspect. Their development of basic distribution theory needed to study these two processes, and the sufficient conditions that ensure independence and non-informative induced priors, provide a thorough contribution to the collection of work on gradient processes. The fully model-based approach for inference for slope and aspect enables the propagation of uncertainty to environmental process models of interest that would use these variables as explanatory variables in a regression. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to comment on this exciting work and offer some additional model considerations and applications. Specifically, I reaffirm the importance of scalability of the methodology to large datasets, offering a few considerations with regard to model specification. Next, I discuss the unique challenges of using the predictive distributions of the slope and aspect processes as input variables in spatial regression models. Finally, I offer possible applications and extensions of this work that might provide innovative insights into environmental processes.
Interrogation of Functional Mitochondrial Cysteine Residues by Quantitative Mass Spectrometry

Mitochondria are cellular sites of diverse redox biology, including ROS production, iron-sulfur biogenesis, and secondary metabolism, which all rely on proteogenic reactive cysteine residues. Mass spectrometry-based proteomic methods to monitor the reactivity and functionality of cysteine residues across complex proteomes have greatly expanded over the past decade. Here we describe a mitochondrial isolation procedure coupled with cysteine-reactive IA labeling that affords identification and characterization of functional mitochondrial cysteine residues that were heretofore inaccessible to whole-cell proteomic analysis.
Third Party Financial Approval for PAH Medications

The Ask the Expert column highlights challenges faced in caring for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Commentary in this issue focuses on obtaining financial approvals for therap...
In Situ Thermal Atomic Layer Etching for Sub-5 nm InGaAs Multigate MOSFETs.

Thermal atomic layer etching (ALE) was demonstrated on ternary III–V compound semiconductors. In particular, thermal ALE on InGaAs and InAlAs was achieved with sequential, self-limiting fluorinatio...
Body Disapproval Among Adolescent Male Sexual Offenders: Prevalence and Links to Treatment

Using a large sample of male youth adjudicated for sexual crimes (N = 306), we examined the relationship between body disapproval, childhood sexual abuse, and sexually aggressive behaviors using four different linear regression models. In the models we explored different aspects of sexually aggressive behavior including victim age, level of sexual perpetration, use of threats, and total number of victims. We found a clinically significant statistical trend of the effect of body disapproval on victim age (p = .067). In addition, childhood sexual abuse was significantly related to all aspects of sexually aggressive behaviors (p < .05). Overall, 19.6 % of the sample youth self-reported at least clinically concerning levels of body disapproval. These clinically important results indicate that the incorporation of body disapproval treatment may be useful in the overall treatment of some male youth who have perpetrated sexual crimes. The prevalence of concerning body disapproval among this vulnerable population of youth makes further research on body disapproval treatment of the upmost importance.
Chapter 13 – Logging

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses various facilities to perform log related tasks in Instant Virtual Extranet (IVE). The IVE maintains different log files for different log categories. Each log type is broken down into an intuitive category, which makes the job of investigating IVE events much easier. IVE contains multiple log files for different types of activity, such as Event, User Access, Admin, NC Packet, Client Upload, and Sensor. Licensing plays an important role regarding what features are available for logging. Advanced license provides the Central Management capabilities. With the Central Management feature set, one can perform extensive log filtering and save such data queries for future user. Central Manager allows one to perform advanced features, such as altering the log format for log exporting. The IVE contains statistics about the peak number of users who are logged into the IVE at different hours of the day for an entire week. It is found that the Central Management feature set allows one to view additional resource graphs on the dashboard, such as information relating to the Central Processing Unit and memory statistics, throughput, and users logged in.
Transforming Smallholder Agriculture to Achieve the SDGs

There is overwhelming historical evidence from the developed world and from the newly emerging economies of the developing world that indicates that agricultural growth has been the primary engine of overall economic growth. The transformation of economies around the world, from predominantly agricultural to industrial, was kick-started by rapid agricultural productivity growth. Does the growth in agricultural productivity have to necessarily come from the small farm sector? Rapid improvement in small farm productivity is one of the primary mechanisms by which dramatic rural poverty reductions can be achieved as shown by the Green Revolution experience in Asia and more recently in sub-Saharan Africa. Economic growth policies that are inclusive of smallholder farmers directly contribute to the SDG 2 that is focused on ending hunger, achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture. Past efforts at small farm productivity improvement were focused on staple grains, looking ahead one needs to take a food systems perspective and encourage diversification into nutrition-rich legumes, pulses, horticulture crops and livestock. Investment in rural market infrastructure allows smallholders to commercialise and enhance the supply of perishable products. Linking small farms to urban food value chains is also a promising new avenue for rural poverty reduction.
Is Compliance With Guideline Recommended Follow-Up After Aortic Dissection Associated With Survival?

Abstract Background Patients with acute aortic dissection (AD) remain at risk for long-term complications and thus are recommended to adhere closely to American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association aorta guideline-based follow-up imaging and clinic visits. The long-term outcomes of compliance with such a model are not well understood. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients at a regional AD center who survived hospital discharge for AD and who were analyzed by compliance with initial follow-up at 3 months and long term after AD. The primary end point was death. Results A total of 172 (66% type A; 33% type B) patients survived hospitalization and were followed up over 48 months (interquartile range [IQR], 21, 88 months). Of these patients, 122 (71%) attended the first follow-up appointment, and 90 (52%) attended more than two-thirds of recommended appointments. Patients who attended the first follow-up visit had improved long-term follow-up compliance (75% [IQR, 50%, 91%]) compared with patients who did not attend the first visit (18% [IQR, 0%, 57%]). Noncompliance with the scheduled long-term follow-up was associated with a 50% increase in the risk of death (hazard ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.2, 2.1; P Conclusions Nearly one-third of patients with AD do not attend the first recommended follow-up visit, and such failure was associated with later noncompliance with subsequent follow-up. Low-compliant patients have double the lifetime risk of death after AD than do high-compliant patients.
Surfactant and dilatational viscosity effects on the deformation of liquid droplets in an electric field.

Abstract Hypothesis A conducting droplet suspended in an insulating continuous phase, e.g. an aqueous electrolyte in an oil, is deformed by an applied electric field to nonspherical equilibrium shapes, and can even break-up under strong fields. Many technologies use electro-deformation to manipulate fluid dispersions, with surfactants present on the droplet interfaces forming stabilizing monolayers. While surfactants lower the interface tension which facilitates electro-deformation, the monolayer elasticity resists deformation. High molecular weight surfactants, with large dilatational viscosities, can potentially retard the deformation dynamics. Numerics A boundary integral method simulates the dynamic interfacial deformation of a perfectly conducting droplet in a dielectric in a uniform field. The interface contains an insoluble monolayer which is a Newtonian fluid with constant dilatational viscosity obeying a Langmuir state equation. A range of initial surfactant surface concentrations are studied, with elasticity proportional to concentration. Findings Equilibrium drop deformations, unaffected by surface viscosity, are strongly resisted by elasticity at high surface concentrations, and field strengths necessary for break-up increase with elasticity. Dilatational viscosity scales with the ratio, κ ∗ , the surface viscosity (divided by the droplet radius) to the bulk viscosity, and can extend the deformation time. Extended times are described by a time rescaling proportional to κ ∗ .
The Role of State Tax Incentives in Attracting and Retaining Business: A View From New York

Historically, states have attempted to influence economic activity with tax policy. New York has endeavored to attract and maintain businesses through tax credits and other special provisions. This article describes the results of a study by the New York Tax Study Commission regarding the effectiveness of tax incentives. This study concluded that business tax incentives are not a major factor in business relocation decisions, and explains ten reasons for this conclusion. The next part of the article criticizes tax incentives for causing a loss of revenue and erosion of public services. Nonetheless, tax incentives remain attractive to legislators for political reasons. The article proposes a more precise accounting of forgone revenue caused by tax incentives, and a regular review of their effectiveness. The article concludes by explaining that focusing on tax policy as a substantial part of an economic development plan almost certainly will not have the impact that proponents claim.
Rethinking Arctic sustainable development agenda through indigenizing UN sustainable development goals

The year 2020 has urged Humanity to rethink the sustainable development agenda. The COVID-19 pandemic rearticulated the gaps in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to benefit remo...
The Economic Impact of an Electronic Journal Collection on an Academic Library

This paper provides information on the economic impact of the transition from print to electronic journals in an academic library. The technological orientation of the university and a robust network infrastructure have made it possible for Drexel to make this transition more quickly than most, if not all, U.S. academic libraries. Shifts in costs occur in all budget areas: capital (space and network infrastructure), staffing, purchased services, materials, supplies and equipment. Overall, costs are higher, but preliminary data indicates that in Drexel's case per journal and per article costs are lower.
Ultrafast stimulus error removal algorithm for ADC linearity test

Linearity test of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can be very challenging because it requires a signal generator substantially more linear than the ADC under test. For high performance ADCs, the overall manufacturing cost could be dominated by the long test time and the high-precision test instruments. This paper introduces the ultrafast stimulus error removal and segmented model identification of linearity errors (USER-SMILE) method for high resolution ADC linearity test, allowing the stimulus signal's linearity requirement to be significantly relaxed and the test time to be reduced by orders of magnitude compared to the state-of-art histogram method. The USER-SMILE algorithm uses two nonlinear but functionally related input signals as ADC excitations and uses a stimulus error removal technique to recover test accuracy. The USER-SMILE algorithm also uses the ultrafast segmented model identification of linearity errors (uSMILE) approach to dramatically reduce test time while achieving test accuracy and coverage superior to the histogram method. The USER-SMILE algorithm is validated by extensive simulation with different types of ADCs, different resolution levels, and different types of input signals including nonlinear ramps, nonlinear sine waves and even random input signals. Statistical simulation results show that for a 16-bit SAR ADC, with two 1 hit/code nonlinear ramp signals, the INL test error is within +/− 0.4LSB.
Urine uric acid to creatinine ratio—a screening test for inberited disorders of purine metabolism

The ratio of uric acid to creatinine (UA/C) in morning samples of urine provides a screening test for detection of the syndrome of choreoathetosis, mental retardation, self-mutilation, and hyperuricemia (Lesch-Nyhan syndrome) which is associated with virtually complete absence of activity of the enzyme phosphoribosyltransferase (PRT). This same ratio can be used on 24 hour urine samples from adult patients with gout for detection of patients with partial deficiency of the same enzyme. Data concerning UA/C from over 1,500 subjects are presented. Normal mean UA/C is 1.55 in the first week of life and declines to 0.61 at age 10. Mean for adults on normal diets is 0.49. Thirteen children with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome had a mean UA/C of 3.19, and 8 patients with gout and partial deficiency of PRT had mean UA/C of 1.06. Correlations of the ratio with age, sex, diet, and time of day, and values of UA/C in patients with gout and other disorders of purine metabolism are presented and discussed.
Gifted Asian American Adolescent Males: Portraits of Cultural Dilemmas

Many gifted Asian American adolescent males face cultural issues that may impact their success. This article presents important cultural dilemmas faced by 2 gifted Asian American young men. Through a qualitative approach, the acculturation experiences of John and Matt, gifted Taiwanese, second generation immigrants, are described. Intergenerational cultural conflict in the families of the young men is examined. Implications for supporting Asian parents in nurturing their sons' social, emotional, and intellectual development are discussed.
The extended auricle1 ( eta1 ) Gene Is Essential for the Genetic Network Controlling Postinitiation Maize Leaf Development

The maize leaf is composed of distinct regions with clear morphological boundaries. The ligule and auricle mark the boundary between distal blade and proximal sheath and are amenable to genetic study due to the array of mutants that affect their formation without severely affecting viability. Herein, we describe the novel maize gene extended auricle1 (eta1), which is essential for proper formation of the blade/sheath boundary. Homozygous eta1 individuals have a wavy overgrowth of auricle tissue and the blade/sheath boundary is diffuse. Double-mutant combinations of eta1 with genes in the knox and liguleless pathways result in synergistic and, in some cases, dosage-dependent interactions. While the phenotype of eta1 mutant individuals resembles that of dominant knox overexpression phenotypes, eta1 mutant leaves do not ectopically express knox genes. In addition, eta1 interacts synergistically with lg1 and lg2, but does not directly affect the transcription of either gene in leaf primordia. We present evidence based on genetic and molecular analyses that eta1 provides a downstream link between the knox and liguleless pathways.
Stabilization/solidification of selenium-impacted soils using Portland cement and cement kiln dust

Stabilization/solidification (S/S) processes were utilized to immobilize selenium (Se) as selenite (SeO(3)(2-)) and selenate (SeO(4)(2-)). Artificially contaminated soils were prepared by individually spiking kaolinite, montmorillonite and dredged material (DM; an organic silt) with 1000 mg/kg of each selenium compound. After mellowing for 7 days, the Se-impacted soils were each stabilized with 5, 10 and 15% Type I/II Portland cement (P) and cement kiln dust (C) and then were cured for 7 and 28 days. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the S/S treatments. At 28 days curing, P doses of 10 and 15% produced five out of six TCLP-Se(IV) concentrations below 10mg/L, whereas only the 15% C in DM had a TCLP-Se(IV) concentration <10mg/L. Several treatments satisfied the USEPA TCLP best demonstrated available technology (BDAT) limits (5.7 mg/L) for selenium at pozzolan doses up to 10 times less than the treatments that established the BDAT. Neither pozzolan was capable of reducing the TCLP-Se(VI) concentrations below 25mg/L. Se-soil-cement slurries aged for 30 days enabled the identification of Se precipitates by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). XRD and SEM-EDX analyses of the Se(IV)- and Se(VI)-soil-cement slurries revealed that the key selenium bearing phases for all three soil-cement slurries were calcium selenite hydrate (CaSeO(3).H(2)O) and selenate substituted ettringite (Ca(6)Al(2)(SeO(4))(3)(OH)(12).26H(2)O), respectively.
Radio-fluorogenic dosimetry with violet diode laser-induced fluorescence

A set of experiments is described with radio-fluorogenic detectors and violet diode lasers. Radio-fluorogenic dosimetry is the measurement of absorbed dose by quantification of fluorescent products formed in response to ionizing radiation. Relative dosimetry was accomplished with 405nm violet diode laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and digital imaging. Aqueous and gelatin-based solutions of radio-fluorogenic detectors were fabricated, irradiated with medical radiation devices, and pixel intensity values of digital images analyzed. The potential to use RFD to characterize spatial dose distributions with violet diode LIF is demonstrated.
The electromagnetic transport coefficients of gapless clean type-II superconductors

Abstract The response of clean ( l ⪢ ξ 0 where l is the electron mean-free path and ξ 0 is the pure superconductor coherence length) type-II superconductors to an external perturbing ac field has been calculated for the case when the applied dc magnetic field is of the order of H c 2 , the upper critical field. The method used in the calculation relies on an expansion of the transport coefficients in powers of the average order parameter Δ(r) . It is shown that when k c l ⪢ 1, where k c = (2eH) 1 2 is the characteristic wave vector of the vortex lattice when H ≲ H c 2 , such expansions converge even if ω Δ provided that ( k c l ) 2 { [H c 2 (T) − H] H c 2 } ⪡ 1 . Particular attention is paid to a calculation of the attenuation coefficient of longitudinal sound. It is shown that resonant absorption associated with the periodic nature of the flux line lattice is of negligible amplitude. When the discrete lattice of the mixed state is replaced by a continuous distribution function it is found that the calculated attenuation coefficient is consistent with experiment within the regime of validity of the theory. Finally, in the limit of infinite mean-free path, the result previously derived by Cyrot and Maki is recovered.
Shoreline variability via empirical orthogonal function analysis: Part II relationship to nearshore conditions

The method of empirical orthogonal function (EOF) or principal component analysis (PCA) was used to investigate the spatial and temporal variability of shoreline data sets from Duck, North Carolina, the Gold Coast, Australia, and the United States Pacific Northwest. In the present work, an attempt is made to relate the individual modes of shoreline variability identified by the EOF analyses to select parameterizations of the nearshore environment. The parameters considered include the wave energy (E), the cross-shore and longshore wave energy fluxes (Fx and Fy), the wave steepness (Ho/Lo), the non-dimensional fall velocity parameter (Ω), the profile parameter (P), the surf-similarity parameter (ζ), and a surfzone Froude number (Fr). Correlation analyses were used to evaluate the linear relationship between each of these parameters and the temporal eigenfunctions, ck(t), associated with individual modes of shoreline change. Typically, strong correlations were observed between longshore uniform modes and the monthly means of several of the nearshore parameters.
Vowel Use of Phonologically Disordered Identical Twin Boys: A Case Study:

Very little is known about the vowel systems of phonologically disordered children. This study provides longitudinal data regarding vowel use of identical twin boys between the ages of 3;5 and 4;9. The boys were identified as phonologically disordered; however, their parents chose not to enroll them in therapy. Vowel-use information was taken from spontaneous language samples. It was discovered that initially their phonological disorder also affected their vowel systems, but as their phonological skills increased so did correct use of vowels and their vowel use tended to follow normal developmental trends.
Improving access to primary care for a growing Latino population: the role of safety net providers in the rural Midwest.

ABSTRACT: Context: Many rural Midwestern communities are experiencing rapid growth in Latino populations with low rates of health insurance coverage, limited financial resources, language and cultural differences, and special health care needs. Purpose: We report on 2-day site visits conducted in 2001 and 2002 in 3 communities (Marshalltown, Iowa; Great Bend, Kansas; and Norfolk, Nebraska) to document successful strategies to meet Latino health care needs. Methods: We interviewed key informants to identify successful community strategies for dealing with health care access challenges facing the growing Latino population in the Midwest. Findings: Interventions have been developed to meet new demands including (1) use of free clinics, (2) school health programs, (3) outreach by public health, social services and religious organizations, and (4) health care providers' efforts to communicate with patients in Spanish. Strain on safety net services for Latinos is due in part to a complicated and unstable mix of public and private funds, a large but overtaxed volunteer provider base, the dependence on a limited number of community leaders, and limited time for coordination and documentation of activities. Conclusions: We suggest the development of a Rural Safety Net Support System to provide targeted funding to rural areas with growing immigrant populations. Federal community health center support could be redirected to new and existing safety net providers to support the development of a safety net monitoring system.
Nuclear monochromator by grazing incidence antireflection films of 119SnO2

A nuclear monochromator using grazing incidence anti-reflection (GIAR) films of 119SnO2 coated on a Pd backing mirror was designed, fabricated and characterized. 119SnO2/Pd/quartz GIAR films were synthesized by a magnetron reactive sputtering technique. The films were characterized by x-ray scattering of 23.87 keV synchrotron radiation source. From the measurement of off-resonance reflectivity and the simulation of the resonant nuclear reflectivity, approximately 0.8 reflectivity with 10-2 electronic reflectivity and an energy band width approximately 100 (Gamma) where (Gamma) is a natural line width, at a 2 mrad incident beam angle would be expected. The requirements and alternative methods to improve performance of a GIAR film nuclear monochromator were discussed.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Factors influencing macroinvertebrate assemblages in artificial subtropical ponds of Taiwan

Macroinvertebrate assemblages and its association with environmental factors at the 11 artificial subtropical ponds of Taiwan were examined using the multivariate analysis software STATICO. The aims of the study were to determine whether spatial and seasonal variation of macroinvertebrate assemblages changed seasonally, to examine which environmental factors determined the spatial and temporal structure of maroinvertebrate assemblages, and to compare between-pond variations in the taxon composition of macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrates were collected seasonally by a corer and a sweep net in 2007, and 13 physical and chemical factors were measured at the same time. A total of 31 macroinvertebrate taxa were collected during the sampling period, and the most dominant taxa were Chironomidae (31.7% of total animal abundance) and Tubificidae (22.4%). STATICO identified pond size, pond depth, sediment depth, and altitude as the major abiotic factors and Bufo melanostictus (Amphibia) as the major biotic factor to influence macroinvertebrate assemblages at these ponds. These factors changed with seasonality. For example, the abundance of B. melanostictus was the most important factor during the spring but became much less important in other seasons. According to the spatial distribution patterns of macroinvertebrate assemblages, macroinvertebrates could be split into two groups based on their dispersal. The active dispersers, such as insect taxa, were strongly associated with pond size and the passive dispersers, such as non-insect taxa, were strongly associated with the pond depth and/or sediment depth. The results of this study suggested that pond size might influence macroinvertebrate assemblages through their dispersal mechanisms and that the environmental factors which influenced the macroinvertebrate assemblages most changed with seasons in this study area.
Experimental and Theoretical Diffusivities of Cd and Sr in Hydrous Ferric Oxide

Oxides of manganese, aluminum, and especially iron are important sorbents for inorganic contaminants. The sorption process can be characterized by two steps. The first step is a rapid, reversible reaction between the bulk aqueous phase and external surfaces. The slow, second step is the rate limiting mechanism wherein the contaminant diffuses through small pores along surface sites. Isotherm and constant boundary condition studies were conducted to evaluate the sorption process. Best fit experimental surface diffusivities ranged from 10−14to 6 × 10−13cm2/s. Using site activation theory and assuming a sinusoidal potential field along the pore surface, theoretical surface diffusion coefficients were estimated from the adsorption enthalpy.
Utility of Electronic Medical Records to Assess the Relationship Between Parenteral Nutrition and Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections in Adult Hospitalized Patients

Background: Parenteral nutrition is associated with increased central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Electronic databases are important for identifying independent risk factors for prevention strategies. Our aims were to evaluate the utility of using electronic data sources to identify risk factors for CLABSIs, including parenteral nutrition (PN), and to assess the association between CLABSI and PN administration. Methods: Data were obtained for all discharges of adult patients in whom a central line was inserted between September 1, 2007, and December 31, 2008, in a large, academically affiliated hospital in New York City. CLABSI was defined electronically using a modified definition from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A manual chart review was also undertaken to assess validity/reliability of the electronic database and gather additional information. Risk factors for CLABSI were examined using logistic regression. Results: Among 4840 patients, there were 220 CLABSIs, ...
Healthy lifestyle in the primordial prevention of cardiovascular disease among young women.

Abstract Background Overall mortality rates from coronary heart disease (CHD) in the United States have declined in recent decades, but the rate has plateaued among younger women. The potential for further reductions in mortality rates among young women through changes in lifestyle is unknown. Objectives The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of CHD cases and clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among young women that might be attributable to poor adherence to a healthy lifestyle. Methods A prospective analysis was conducted among 88,940 women ages 27 to 44 years at baseline in the Nurses’ Health Study II who were followed from 1991 to 2011. Lifestyle factors were updated repeatedly by questionnaire. A healthy lifestyle was defined as not smoking, a normal body mass index, physical activity ≥ 2.5 h/week, television viewing ≤ 7 h/week, diet in the top 40% of the Alternative Healthy Eating Index–2010, and 0.1 to 14.9 g/day of alcohol. To estimate the proportion of CHD and clinical CVD risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia) that could be attributed to poor adherence to a healthy lifestyle, we calculated the population-attributable risk percent. Results During 20 years of follow-up, we documented 456 incident CHD cases. In multivariable-adjusted models, nonsmoking, a healthy body mass index, exercise, and a healthy diet were independently and significantly associated with lower CHD risk. Compared with women with no healthy lifestyle factors, the hazard ratio for CHD for women with 6 lifestyle factors was 0.08 (95% confidence interval: 0.03 to 0.22). Approximately 73% (95% confidence interval: 39% to 89%) of CHD cases were attributable to poor adherence to a healthy lifestyle. Similarly, 46% (95% confidence interval: 43% to 49%) of clinical CVD risk factor cases were attributable to a poor lifestyle. Conclusions Primordial prevention through maintenance of a healthy lifestyle among young women may substantially lower the burden of CVD.
A Closed-Form Approach to Tracking Control of Nonlinear Uncertain Systems Using the Fundamental Equation

In this paper a new approach to tracking control problems for nonlinear uncertain systems is proposed. Real-life complex multi-body systems are usually uncertain, the uncertainties arising from the lack of precise knowledge in modeling the systems. These uncertainties, which we assume to be time varying and unknown yet bounded, are considered in this paper. The uncertainties being unknown, what is available in hand is therefore just the so-called `nominal system,' which is simply our best assessment and description of the actual real-life situation. The aim in this paper is to develop a general control methodology that when applied to an actual real-life uncertain system, causes this system to track a desired reference trajectory that is pre-specified for the nominal system to follow. Our control methodology is developed in two steps. First, we utilize the fundamental equation that provides a nonlinear optimal controller for the nonlinear nominal system so that the reference trajectory is exactly tracked. No approximations/linearizations are done related to the nonlinear nature of the system. In the next step, we ensure that the unknown, uncertain system tracks this reference trajectory by augmenting an additional controller—based on the idea of sliding mode control—to the fundamental equation, providing a general approach for obtaining the equations of motion for a nonlinear uncertain constrained mechanical system. While based on the idea of a sliding surface, the approach permits the use of a large class of control laws that can be adapted to the specific real-life practical limitations of a given, particular controller being used. Thus, in sum, a methodology is developed to obtain a set of closed-form controllers for nonlinear uncertain multi-body systems that can track a desired reference trajectory that the nominal system is required to follow. The set of controllers shows good transient behavior and is robust with respect to the uncertainties involved in the description of the real-life system.
Tumorigenesis of Carcinogenic Environmental Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Strain A/J Mice: Linkage to DNA Adducts and Mutations in Oncogenes

Abstract Five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), benzo[b]fluoranthene (B[b]F), dibenz[a,h]anthracene (DBA), 5-methylchrysene (5MC), and cyclopenta[cd]pyrene (CPP) were examined for their lung tumorigenic activities in strain A/J mice, their ability to form DNA adducts in lung tissues, and their ability to mutate the Ki-ras oncogene in tumors. PAHs were administered by i.p. injection to male strain A/J mice and sacrificed after 8 months. The dose response data for each PAH was modeled to obtain potency values relative to B[a]P. DNA adducts were measured by 32P-postlabeling on DNA from lungs of mice treated with these PAHs, and all PAHs were found to adduct to guanine. Ki-ras codon 12 mutation analysis of PAH induced tumor DNA indicated high proportions of TGT mutations from B[a]P, B[b]F, and 5MC induced tumors and CGT mutations from CPP tumors. DBA produced no mutations in Ki-ras codon 12 above spontaneous levels. We conclude from the DNA adduct and Ki-ras mutation studies tha...
DENIAL, VICTIMS, AND SURVIVORS: POST-TRAUMATIC IDENTITY FORMATION AND MONUMENTS IN HEAVEN

In the 1980’s and 90’s, much of the clinical therapeutic literature (including books and articles in pastoral care and counseling) advocated that persons with a history of abuse or other personal trauma be helped to move from a position of denial of abuse (“Nothing bad ever happened to me” or “I’m done with it”) to the dependent or helpless identity of “victim,” to finally arriving at an identity of empowered survivor. In the same decades, debate emerged in theology and philosophy around themes of trauma, memory, and forgiveness (Ricoeur, Volf, Keshgegian, Serene Jones, Edward and Wendy Farley), in which some writers embraced the importance of remembrance (Ricoeur, Keshgegian), while others envisioned an eschatological fulfillment in which all suffering would be forgotten and all injury reconciled by grace (especially Volf),—a future heaven without monuments. Drawing on recet writers in both relational psychoanalysis (Benjamin, Flax) and pastoral theology (Cooper-White, Hoeft), I will argue that there is no single healthy identity to be achieved, or normative psychological “position” that characterizes recovery from trauma. On the contrary, I will suggest that the effort to remain in a singular identity or regulative position is problematic for mental and emotional health and healing. Theologically, to honor the identity-complexity of both trauma and healing, there must be monuments in our Heaven(s).
A Diffusion of Innovations Approach to Gerontological Curriculum Enrichment: Institutionalizing and Sustaining Curricular Change

Abstract This article describes a gerontological enrichment model for institutionalizing and sustaining curricular change utilizing Rogers' (1995, 2003) diffusion of innovations approach to organizational change. The goal of the project, funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation, is to transform the social work curriculum at a major state university so that age and intergenerational connections are important organizing principles in the diversity emphasis of the program. Components of the model include: (1) increasing faculty competence; (2) infusing gerontological/ geriatric competencies into all foundation courses; (3) community partner involvement; (4) intergenerational service-learning; (5) developing field and practicum sites; and (6) evaluation. Implications for gerontological/geriatric education are discussed.
Performance comparison of target maneuver onset detection algorithms

This paper compares six different algorithms for target maneuver detection in a number of typical maneuvering target tracking scenarios. Measurement residual based chi-square test, input estimate based chi-square test, input estimate based significance test, generalized likelihood ratio, cumulative sum, and marginalized likelihood ratio detectors are examined. Maneuver onset detection times and ROC curves are presented and performance measures are discussed through simulations. Further, the effect of different window sizes on detection performance is evaluated.
New piggybacking algorithm in VoIP using enhanced G.722.2 codec with larger frames

In this paper, we present the design of a new piggybacking algorithm for VoIP implemented using the G.722.2 codec. In piggybacking, multiple speech frames that include those transmitted in the past are encapsulated in a single packet. Because redundant copies of each frame are transmitted to the receiver, the receiver can recover those lost frames when one or more packets are lost or arrive late in their transmission. In this paper, we have enhanced the G.722.2 codec by removing further redundancies in the multiple frames encapsulated in piggybacking and by having only one set of LP coefficients for all the subframes encapsulated. We create multiple versions of the codec, each using a different frame size. Our new codec can encode the multiple frames with little degradation in PESQ, while having substantial bit savings. Its performance is evaluated against the original method of piggybacking over random losses, as well as that using packet traces collected in the PlanetLab.
Side-Channel Analysis of MAC-Keccak

NIST recently completed the SHA-3 competition with the selection of Keccak as the new standard for crypto-graphic hashing. In this paper, we present a comprehensive Side-Channel Analysis of Keccak, when it is used with a secret key to generate a Message Authentication Code (MAC) (MAC-Keccak). Our analysis covers all the variations of the algorithm. We show that the side-channel resistance of the MAC-Keccak depends on the key-length used, and we derive the optimum key-length as ((n * rate) - 1), where (n ∈ [2 : ∞]) and rate is the Keccak input block size. Finally, the paper demonstrates the feasibility of our side-channel analysis with a practical attack against MAC-Keccak implemented on a 32-bit Microblaze processor.
Evolution from transplants between genetically distinct populations of freshwater snails

In July, 1979, a series of 12 transplant experiments was begun using Goniobasis proxima (Say), a freshwater snail living in highly isolated populations in the southern Appalachians. At each site, 500 native snails were removed and replaced with 500 snails from a second population in which different alleles were fixed at one or two enzyme loci. The sites were resampled in 1983 to identify populations where the introduced genome had in fact become established. Only two of the twelve introductions were successful. Introduced genes have spread about 15–20 meters per year upstream and 5–10 meters per year downstream. Considering observed population sizes and age-specific survivorships, it appears that the observed frequencies of the introduced genomes at both sites are significantly greater than expected from simple diffusion. A selective advantage for the introduced snails or their F1 progeny seems likely. This implies that the genetic differences between G. proxima populations may in some cases be due to random processes.
The bZIP-like motif of hnRNP C directs the nuclear accumulation of pre-mRNA and lethality in yeast.

Abstract The hnRNP C protein tetramer cooperatively binds 230 nt increments of pre-mRNA in vitro in a salt-resistant manner and is located along the length of vertebrate transcripts in vivo . Based on these and other findings it has been suggested that hnRNP C functions as a chaperonin to maintain long lengths of RNA topologically single-stranded and accessible to splicing factors. We report here that human C protein is lethal when expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Through a series of fluorescent immunolocalization studies, lethality was observed to be associated with the rapid nuclear accumulation of both C protein and yeast pre-mRNA. Studies using various protein constructs and the two hybrid assay reveal that these events are dependent on the basic 40 residue high-affinity RNA binding domain and its contiguous leucine zipper-like motif (the bZLM, residues 140-214). Additionally, equilibrium binding studies have shown that the bZLM is the determinant of C protein’s salt-resistant RNA binding mode. Taken together, these findings further distinguish the bZIP-like domain as the major determinant of C protein’s high-affinity interaction with RNA, oligomerization, and its highly cooperative RNA binding activity. Finally, these findings indicate that yeast and vertebrates may possess a conserved mechanism for general import of RNP although a true homolog to vertebrate C protein appears not to exist in yeast. Lethality is likely due to the absence in yeast of specific mechanisms for the removal of human C protein from nascent transcripts.
Business students' perception of the image of accounting

The purpose of this study is to determine whether, in the presence of the 150‐hour requirement, the image of accounting continues to deter high‐quality students from choosing accounting as a major. This study uses the cognitive theory of planned behavior as the framework to investigate the factors that limit students' interest in a 150‐hour accounting major. According to the data, while the image of accounting continues to suffer in the presence of the 150‐hour requirement, the accounting major is attracting the type of student the profession desires. This finding suggests that the profession will have to explore additional means beyond the 150‐hour mandate by which to improve the image of accounting in order to achieve its goal of attracting high‐performing, otherwise non‐accounting, students to the accounting major. On the other hand, this finding is encouraging, given the profession's concern about losing access to high‐performing students.
Hydrogen Embrittlement of Metals: A Primer for the Failure Analyst

Hydrogen reduces the service life of many metallic components. Such reductions may be manifested as blisters, as a decrease in fatigue resistance, as enhanced creep, as the precipitation of a hydride phase, and, most commonly, as unexpected, macroscopically brittle failure. This unexpected brittle fracture is commonly termed hydrogen embrittlement. Frequently, hydrogen embrittlement occurs after the component has been in service for a period of time and much of the resulting fracture surface is distinctly intergranular. Many failures, particularly of high-strength steels, are attributed to hydrogen embrittlement simply because the failure analyst sees intergranular fracture in a component that served adequately for a significant period of time. Unfortunately, simply determining that a failure is due to hydrogen embrittlement or some other form of hydrogen-induced damage is of no particular help to the customer unless that determination is coupled with recommendations that provide pathways to avoid such damage in future applications. This article presents qualitative and phenomenological descriptions of the hydrogen damage processes and outlines several metallurgical recommendations that may help reduce the susceptibility of a particular alloy, component, or system to the various forms of hydrogen damage.
The Computer as a Tool in Creative Music Making

This study is an exploratory observation of optimal conditions for creative music making as illustrated by two boys who composed music utilizing a researcher designed computer program. The purposes...
Energy parameter and the free-atom behavior of Auger spectra

Abstract The L 3 M 45 M 45 spectra of V and Cr do not exhibit free atom behavior, in sharp contrast to those of Cu and Zn. An energy difference parameter, Δ ϵ, derived entirely from observable energies, has been introduced to correlate with the extent of electron localization and free-atom behavior in Auger transitions.