cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tissue mimicking materials for ultrasound phantoms

Up until now, no material has been found whose attenuation and speed of sound properties not only mimic those of human soft tissue, but are controllable in magnitude. We have discovered such a material in the form of water-based pharmaceutical gels containing uniform distributions of graphite powder and known concentrations of alcohol. The magnitude of the attenuation coefficient can be controlled easily between 0.2 and 1.5 dB/cm at 1 MHz, by varying the concentration of graphite. These attenuation coefficients are nearly proportional to the frequency. The speed of sound varies between 1520 and 1650 m/s at room temperature, depending primarily upon the concentration of alcohol. Bacterial invasion has been prevented by sterilization procedures and the introduction of appropriate preservatives. The ultrasonic properties exhibit temporal stability and change little over the range of room temperatures.
Expression of mRNAs for pore-forming protein and two serine esterases in murine primary and cloned effector lymphocytes.

The cDNAs encoding several proteins present in the granules of cytolytic effector lymphocytes have now been cloned. These included the cytolytic pore-forming protein (PFP) or perforin, and at least six serine esterases (SE), also called granzymes. The cDNA probes for PFP, SE-1, and SE-2 are used here to study the expression of these proteins in murine primary effector lymphocytes. Among the stimuli effective in inducing the expression of PFP, SE-1, and SE-2 were recombinant interleukin-2, the lectin concanavalin A in the presence of phorbol esters, and allogeneic cells in mixed lymphocyte cultures. Some correlation was seen between the levels of PFP and SE mRNAs and cytotoxicity measured in a standard 51Cr release assay. We also examined a panel of 13 cloned cytotoxic T Lymphocyte (CTL) lines and found that mRNAs for PFP and SE-2 were expressed in all CTL lines, including some that were previously considered not to produce PFP. Twelve of the 13 CTL lines also proved to possess the mRNA for SE-1. One thymoma cell line, TIMI.4, did not express mRNA for PFP, although it expressed mRNA for SE-1 and SE-2.
Analysis of a full spectrum hybrid lighting system

Hybrid lighting is a new approach to lighting that integrates light from natural and electric sources. A two-axis tracking concentrator collects beam radiation which is reflected onto a mirror that divides the solar radiation into infrared and visible spectra. The visible light is distributed through optical fibers and combined with fluorescent lighting in specially designed luminaires. The infrared portion of the spectrum is used to generate electricity using a thermal photovoltaic array. A simulation of a hybrid lighting system has been created using the TRNSYS transient simulation program. The simulation incorporates the spectral properties of the hybrid lighting components as well as the spectral distribution of the incoming solar radiation that is based upon output from the SMARTS atmospheric transmittance model. An office building model is coupled with the hybrid lighting simulation to predict the annual energy impact upon lighting, heating, and cooling loads. Simulations were performed in six locations within the United States. Hybrid lighting systems performed best in Honolulu, HI and Tucson, AZ justifying system capital costs of $2410 and $1995 per module, respectively, based on a 10 year payback period.
Risk factors affecting infiltration of peripheral venous lines in infants.

The influence of 11 variables on the infiltration of peripheral venous lines (PVLs) was evaluated during 151 infusions in patients younger than 1 year of age. Infusions were followed from the time of cannula placement to discontinuation. Fifty-elght percent of PVLs were infiltrated by 36.30±33.53 hours (mean±SD; median 40 hours, range 10 to 187 hours). No difference between infiltrated and noninfiltrated PVLs was noted with regard to patient age, gender, welght, cannula type, cannula gauge, cannula site, infusion device, potassium or dextrose concentration, medications, or rate of solution administration (P >0.05). Infiltration was observed more often in black than in white infants (P=0.03) and in patients with lower controller solution head heights (P=0.01). The time to infiltration was decreased significantly for steel verus Tefion cannulas (P=0.02), for administration of intravenous medication versus no administration of medication (P=0.03), for peripheral parenteral nutrition solutions compared with 5% or 10% dextrose solutions (P=0.014), and with increasing cannula gauge (P=0.05). The time to infiltration did not differ significantly for gravity-controlled versus positive-pressure infusion device delivery (P=0.51) or for potassium concentrations ≤20 mEq/L versus >20 mEq/L (P=0.13). Infusion device occlusion alarms were associated with only 19% of infiltrations. No sloughing of skin or necrosis of tissue occurred related to infiltration.
Solvatons. II. Aqueous dissociation of hydrides in the MINDOS approximation

A simple electrostatic model of solvation is presented which allows the interaction with solvent to be included systematically within semiempirical SCF calculations. Solvent effects are incorporated into the Hamiltonian for a solute molecule through a series of imaginary particles, solvatons, which represent the oriented solvent distribution around the solute.
Particle stability in polymer-assisted reverse colorimetric DNA assays.

“Reverse” colorimetric DNA detection by the formation of core-shell particles upon DNA hybridization is described. Specifically, the assay is based on a strategy to covalently link polymer reaction initiators to suspended nanoparticles upon DNA hybridization. These initiators then prompt polymer chain growth to form a thick polymer shell outside of particles, acting as the physical barrier to keep Au particles apart. Particles without DNA hybridization aggregate, accompanied by a pronounced solution color change from red to blue. The focus of this report is to address reaction kinetics of two co-occurring processes: polymer growth and particle aggregation during the reverse colorimetric DNA assay. The results show that Cu ions used as the polymerization catalyst bind strongly to the bases in DNA molecules, resulting in crosslinking of DNA-attached gold nanoparticles and their subsequent precipitation. Both Cu-ion-assisted particle aggregation and polymer growth are found to depend strongly on Cu ion concentration, salt concentration, and reaction temperature. Under the optimized conditions, faster polymer chain growth on the surface overcomes particle aggregation and preserves particle stability via steric stabilization.
Redesigning Training for Internal Medicine

As the single largest group of physicians, internists represent the backbone of the health care system. They not only diagnose and treat diseases of adults but also coordinate health care and play a critical role in preventing disease and promoting health and well-being. Internists practice in a variety of settings, ranging from outpatient offices and clinics to inpatient acute care hospitals to longterm care facilities. Their expertise and scopes of practice extend from a broad base of internal medicine (encompassing all organ systems) to highly specialized clinical areas. In addition to direct patient care, internists are also involved in many other types and combinations of activities, including teaching, research, administration, and health care policy. Over several years, educational leaders in internal medicine have become increasingly concerned about whether current residency training is appropriately designed to train internists for these varied roles and for practice in the 21st century (1‐5). Optimizing training in the context of the current health care system is important for trainees, for patients, and for the well-being and attractiveness of internal medicine. Reform of residency training must ensure the following: 1) the quality and relevance of the educational experience and the associated satisfaction of trainees with that experience, 2) the effectiveness of the educational process in facilitating residents’ acquisition of competencies needed to provide the best possible patient care, and 3) the ability of internists to understand and adapt to changes in the rapidly evolving system of health care delivery and to remain current with the expanding body of medical knowledge. This paper synthesizes 2 American College of Physician (ACP) position papers on redesign of training, each of which was based on a combination of literature review and expert opinion. Both position papers were written by staff and members of the ACP’s Education Committee, with input from the ACP Council of Associates and the Council of Student Members, and were approved by ACP’s Education Committee and Board of Regents. Recommendations were made by consensus, with agreement to concentrate on the high-priority issues related to training. Several factors support the need to redesign training in internal medicine. Tables 1 and 2 summarize these concerns, together with related goals and proposals for training redesign. In addition, concern exists about the declining numbers of residents entering general internal medicine careers. Analysis of data from residents completing the Resident Survey during the Internal Medicine In-Training Examination showed that the proportion of third-year residents (PGY3) intending to pursue generalist careers decreased from 54% to 27% over the 5-year period from 1998 to 2003 (6). Although this decline undoubtedly can be attributed to many reasons unrelated to training, it is likely that stress during residency training, inadequate ambulatory medicine experiences, and the exposure of medical students and junior residents to unhappy supervising resi
A Summary of Results on Mean Distance in Shapes

The average or mean of the distances between pairs of vertices in a connected graph is a natural measure of the compactness of that graph. Using graphs to represent shapes, or corridor arrangements, we arrive, through a limiting process, at a concept for mean distance in shapes. This paper gives the mean distance for eight specific shapes and six infinite families of shapes.
OA01.02. Associations between complementary and alternative medicine and conventional medical care utilization, access and quality of care

Methods Data sources used were the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS, n=9,417), the linked file of the 2007 NHIS to the 2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (n=2,411) and the 2009/10 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN; n=40,243). Multivariate analyses were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AOR), controlling for children’s chronic condition and special needs status and demographic characteristics.
High temperature lubrication of combined rolling/sliding contacts via directed hydrocarbon gas streams

Abstract Extended duration solid lubrication of rolling/sliding contacts, typical of gear teeth, comprised of self-mated steel at high temperature (540 °C) by carbon deposits continuously replenished through pyrolysis of acetylene feed gases, has been confirmed using a WAM-1 test machine. Adequate lubrication, denoted by a low traction coefficient (μ 0.25) and scuffing will occur. Through tests initiated under adequate lubrication conditions, the balance of rates of deposition and removal is found to be adversely affected by decreased temperature or precursor gas feed rate, or by increased normal load or sliding speed. Gradual excursions in the controlled test variables produce transitions to inadequate lubrication and scuffing as demarcated by rapid increases in traction coefficient.
Disease-modifying agents in the Sonya Slifka Longitudinal Multiple Sclerosis Study.

BackgroundAlthough experts recommend that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) should begin treatment with disease-modifying agents (DMAs) as soon as possible after diagnosis and continue indefinitely, many do not use these agents or discontinue them prematurely. Since DMAs reduce relapse rates and slow disease progression, and since even benign relapses and course can lead to axonal damage and permanent neurologic impairment, it is important that all appropriate candidates have access to treatment. We used a population-based sample of people with MS to determine rates, predictors, and reasons for use, non-use, and discontinuation of DMAs.MethodsWe collected data from 2156 people with MS on their use of and experience with DMAs. We used chi-squared tests to compare current, past, and never users of any DMA and ever users of individual DMAs, and logistic regression to identify predictors of use.ResultsOne-half of the participants were using a DMA at the time of the interview; 12.2% had used previously, but ...
Near-drowning: Prognoses and prevention

Abstract Drowning is a significant and preventable cause of death in children across the world. Early indicators for 2001–2 suggest that at least 251 incidents occurred in Australia, with 44 of these being children under five years old (The Royal Life Saving Society Australia, 2002). This figure is down by 25% from the previous five-year average. However, the loss of 44 young children in preventable water related incidents is 44 too many. Seventy-five percent of paediatric drowning deaths in the 0–5 year age group were due to the child falling or wandering into the water (Langley, 2001). Because children of this age are curious, the message to all is that children need to be kept under constant supervision when near water.
Characteristics of D-C rolling-mill machines

TRANSIENT, as well as the steady-state characteristics, of d-c motors and generators must be known if the rolling-mill system performance is to be thoroughly analyzed and the operating performance predicted. This digest presents the transient characteristics of the d-c machine. The constants are divided into three phases of d-c machine performance: (1) direct- or main-axis field, (2) the quadrature axis or interpolar axis, and (3) the mechanical or speed axis.
Excitation of the Delta (3,3) resonance in compressed finite nuclei from a constrained mean-field method.

In this paper we present a nonrelativistic microscopic mean-field framework for finite nuclei in which the nucleus is described as a system of A baryons where each baryon is a dynamically determined superposition of a nucleon (N) and a ..delta..(3,3) resonance. The N-N interaction is a Brueckner G matrix based on the Reid soft-core interaction while the N-..delta.. transition potentials and ..delta..-..delta.. interactions are one-boson-exchange potentials. The ground-state properties of the nuclei /sup 16/O and /sup 40/Ca are determined within the spherical Hartree-Fock approximation in a no-core basis consisting of up to six major oscillator shells. A detailed study of the zero-temperature properties of these nuclei under compression and dilation is presented in order to gain insight into the nuclear equation of state. Under certain conditions, a transition to a mixture of nucleons and deltas is found in /sup 40/Ca but not in /sup 16/O. The transition is reminiscent of a first-order phase transition.
Efficient architectures and algorithms for multicasting data in computer communication networks

This paper presents two network architectures with associated routing and multicast algorithms for improved performance under multicasting traffic conditions. A conditionally nonblocking network, referred to as a Clos network, forms the basis for the development of efficient multicast communication networks. The Clos network is first analyzed under multicast traffic conditions for blocking and multicast overflow probability. The analysis determines the overflow probability under two different multicast distribution assumptions. The first distribution assumes all packets request the same number of copies and the second distribution uses a random number of requested copies. An analysis of an extension of the presented network to multiplexed parallel planes of a network shows a significant improvement on the network performance and particularly on the carried traffic load when compared with previously published multicast architectures using different buffering strategies.
Posterior palatal seal location and preparation on the maxillary complete denture cast

Abstract A technique for the precise location and preparation of the posterior palatal seal on the master cast has been described. The technique provides a distinct landmark, which aids in finishing the posterior border of the denture and creates a posterior palatal seal that is physiologically acceptable to the patient because its depth and extent are determined by the displaceability of the tissues.
The Mimicry of Human Glycolipids and Glycosphingolipids by the Lipooligosaccharides of Pathogenic Neisseria andHaemophilus

It has been known for many years that bacteria can induce autoimmune responses in humans resulting in serious disease. Recent work has shown that a number of bacteria that colonize human mucosal surfaces exclusively express antigens on their surfaces which are molecular mimics of glycosphingolipids found on human cells. These structures are important in the pathogenesis of Neisseria and Haemophilus species for both immune evasion and in the adherence and invasion of human cells. There is no evidence that colonization or infections by these bacterial species is associated with autoimmune disease.
BIOASSAY OF RELAXIN

IN 1926 Hisaw first demonstrated experimentally the relaxation of the pelvic ligaments of guinea pigs during estrus following the injection of blood serum from pregnant rabbits. Later work indicated a specific hormone, designated as relaxin, was responsible for the looseness of the symphysis pubis, since the effect was also observed following injection of extracts of sow corpora lutea into castrated guinea pigs provided the animals were pretreated with estrogen. Since that time, most of the experimental work on relaxin has been based upon bioassays with this allor- none pelvic looseness endpoint determined by manual palpation. During this assay procedure, the possibility of traumatizing the loosened tissue of the pubic symphysis or exaggerating the hormone-induced separation cannot be excluded. The radiographic measurement of the inter-pubic gap would seem desirable because not only would this provide an objective record but the determination of the actual interpubic distance might provide a more sensitiv...
(Re)Expressions of African/Caribbean Cultural Roots in Canada:

This qualitative article examines the importance of collectivism expressed by both newcomers and established Ghanaian and Jamaican immigrants in Canada. Toronto residents (N = 32) participated in structured face-to-face interviews consisting of 32 open-ended questions examining individualism— collectivism and cultural orientation. Results indicated that the majority of participants maintained a collectivistic cultural orientation, despite their length of residency in Canada, as a result of three major factors. First, participants' social networks facilitate the migration and adaptation of newcomers and thus perpetuate collectivistic principles. Second, as a symbol of identity, participants actively value and promote their collectivistic cultural attributes. Finally, participants' cultural collectivism encourages the establishment of highly interwoven transnational ties that reinforces collectivistic orientational interactions. The findings suggest that conscious engagement is a necessary component of coll...
Optimizing the noise performance of a magneto-optic read channel

In a magneto-optic head with differential detection, the light level on the data detectors is determined by the ratio of a semi-polarizing beam splitter. This paper presents a way of measuring the various noise sources with a common set of values and uses this data to choose the beam splitter ratio that optimizes the SNR.
Adaptive control of modal properties of optical beams using photothermal effects

We present an experimental demonstration of adaptive control of modal properties of optical beams. The control is achieved via heat-induced photothermal actuation of transmissive optical elements. We apply the heat using four electrical heaters in thermal contact with the element. The system is capable of controlling both symmetrical and astigmatic aberrations providing a powerful means for in situ correction and control of thermal aberrations in high power laser systems. We demonstrate a tunable lens with a focusing power varying from minus infinity to −10 m along two axes using SF57 optical glass. Applications of the proposed system include laser material processing, thermal compensation of high laser power radiation, and optical beam steering.
Monitoring angiogenesis in brain using steady-state quantification of ΔR2 with MION infusion

An MRI method for quantification of cerebral blood volume (CBV) in time-course studies of angiogenesis is described. Angiogenesis was stimulated by acclimation to hypoxia. The change in relaxation rate, R2, which is relatively sensitive to the microvasculature, was quantified before and after infusion of a superparamagnetic vascular contrast agent (MION). The DeltaR2 was measured in serum and brain parenchyma with a multiecho sequence. In vitro and in vivo calibration curves of MION concentration vs. R2 were approximated by a linear function. CBV was 3.14 +/- 0.32% (mean +/- SE, n=13) and 6.42 +/- 0.54% (n=4) before and after acclimation. A second acclimated group was hemodiluted to control for polycythemia. CBV was not significantly different between hemodiluted and nonhemodiluted groups. In animals where NMR measurements were taken before and after acclimation, there was a 120% increase in CBV. The NMR technique was validated using quantitative morphometrics, which showed an increase of 147% in CBV with acclimation. We found a linear correlation between MRI and the morphometric results for CBV, as well as demonstrating a quantitative equivalence for relative changes in CBV. This article describes a simple, repeatable method of imaging brain microvascular volume using a plasma-based contrast agent that can be applied to longitudinal studies of angiogenesis.
Pricing exports: a cross-country study

Abstract This paper applies cointegration and error correction analysis to estimate the long-run steady state and short-run dynamic relationships between the exchange rate and export prices in industrial and newly industrializing economies. The data-coherent analysis allowing the endogeneity of domestic cost and the exchange rate shows that the exchange rate has smaller effects on the export price than previous studies would indicate. It contradicts some widely-accepted relationships— e.g. , smaller, more open countries have greater coefficients of pass-through. The results also exhibit important differences among the USA, Japan, and Germany in their export pricing behavior. (JEL F30, F31)
Love as Redemption: The American Dream Myth and the Celebrity Biopic

This research documents the American Dream in two popular biopics: Ray (2004) and Walk the Line (2005). In both films, the American Dream, framed by the ideology of individuality, follows a particu...
Lateral and Vertical Transistors Using the AlGaN/GaN Heterostructure

Power conversion losses are endemic in all areas of electricity consumption, including motion control, lighting, air conditioning, and information technology. Si, the workhorse of the industry, has reached its material limits. Increasingly, the lateral AlGaN/GaN HEMT based on gallium nitride (GaN-on-Si) is becoming the device of choice for medium power electronics as it enables high-power conversion efficiency and reduced form factor at attractive pricing for wide market penetration. The reduced form factor enabled by high-efficiency operation at high frequency further enables significant system price reduction because of savings in bulky extensive passive elements and heat sink costs. The high-power market, however, still remains unaddressed by lateral GaN devices. The current and voltage demand for high power conversion application makes the chip area in a lateral topology so large that it becomes more difficult to manufacture. Vertical GaN devices would play a big role alongside of silicon carbide (SiC) to address the high power conversion needs. In this paper, the development, performance, and status of lateral and vertical GaN devices are discussed.
Dialysis time, survival, and dose-targeting bias

Dialysis time is increasingly being appreciated as an important measure of dialysis adequacy. Increased dialysis time leads to better control of volume excess, to reduced occurrence of intradialytic hypotension, and to better control of serum phosphorus. Nevertheless, the amount of benefit obtainable by moderate increases in dialysis time in patients following a three-times-per-week schedule has not been well established, and the analysis is confounded by associations between prescribed and/or delivered dialysis time and factors related to patient mortality.
Sexual dimorphism of auditory function and structure in praying mantises (Mantodea; Dictyoptera)

Sexual dimorphism of tympanate auditory systems in insects has bees described in only a few taxonomically isolated cases. However, widespread sexual dimorphism occurs in the ultrasound-sensitive, midline ear of the praying mantis. In dimorphic species, it is always the female mantis that shows a reduction in ultrasonic hearing. The dimorphism may be mild—a difference in tuning and small reduction in sensitivity—or extreme with no evidence of audition in the female. In all but the mildest cases, the reduction in hearing is accompanied by significant anatomical divergence from the male ear structure. Two distinct metathoracic groove (‘ear’) types are linked to hearing reduction in the females. Anatomical evidence of auditory sexual dimorphism appears in 34% of the 183 mantis genera examined. The dimorphic genera are widely but non-uniformly distributed within three of the four largest mantis families. Auditory sexual dimorphism is closely correlated with dimorphism in wing length. In general, mantises with functional wings have sensitive ultrasonic hearing while those with short wings do not. These findings support the hypothesis that ultrasonic hearing in mantises is part of a defensive system against attack by echolocating bats.
A statistical model for static fatigue of multi-filament strands

Abstract Based on the statistical stress-rupture behavior of single filaments, a model is developed to account for the stress-rupture behavior of an idealized multi-filament strand. Fracture of filaments within the strand is considered according to two processes: (1) the filament fracture is ‘progressive’; that is, failure progresses from the weakest to the strongest filaments; and (2) the filament fracture is ‘random’; that is, a filament of any strength is vulnerable to sudden failure. The model accounts for effects of variability in the filaments and predicts fraction of filaments surviving at any time, the ‘true’ stress in these intact filaments, the strength retained by the strand and the expected life of the strand. Assumptions consistent with experiment produce Weibull Distributions for both strength and life. The analytical results may find application in other areas such as creep, or in fracture analysis; however, certain additional factors would need to be considered, such as the effect of non-uniform loading of the filaments, interaction between filaments, and time-varying boundary conditions. Detailed prediction of this and similar models can be tested by using fiber-optic reinforcing filaments and monitoring the process of gradual filament failure. Such experiments are under way and briefly described here.
Ursodeoxycholic acid as adjunctive therapy for problematic type 1 autoimmune hepatitis: A randomized placebo-controlled treatment trial

To evaluate the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid as adjunctive therapy in type 1 autoimmune hepatitis, 37 patients who had experienced treatment failure, repeated relapse, or incomplete response were randomized to ursodeoxycholic acid (13-15 mg/kg daily) or placebo for 6 months in addition to their usual corticosteroid schedule. Serum aspartate transaminase (70% vs. 31%, P =.04) and alkaline phosphatase (47% vs. 7%, P =.02) levels improved more commonly in the 21 patients randomized to ursodeoxycholic acid. Mean serum levels, however, were similar before and after the treatment period. The frequency of dose reduction or corticosteroid withdrawal was comparable in both groups (29% versus 31%, P >.9), and clinical improvement (48% vs. 44%, P >.9) or its absence (52% vs. 56%, P >.9) occurred as commonly in patients receiving ursodeoxycholic acid or placebo. The modified histological activity score (3.5 +/- 0.8 vs. 3. 5 +/- 0.9) and the modified fibrosis score (2.4 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.4 +/- 0.4) were similar before and after treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid and no different than after placebo therapy. We conclude that ursodeoxycholic acid can improve certain laboratory tests in problematic patients with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis when administered adjunctively for 6 months. Short-term therapy, however, does not facilitate reduction in the dose of corticosteroids or its withdrawal, affect clinical outcome, or reduce histological activity.
TESTING THE ENVIRONMENT‐STRATEGY LINKAGE IN TRANSITION ECONOMIES: A STUDY OF RUSSIAN MANAGERS

This paper attempts to apply an organizational adaptation model to Russian firms in order to assess whether Western strategic models can be used to understand the behavior of firms in transition economies. A modification of Miles and Snow strategic postures was used to assess the relationship between environmental uncertainty and strategic adaptation. Support was found for the environment‐strategy relationship; the direction of the relationship was similar to that found in Western free‐market economies. In this application, the Reactor appeared to be a viable strategy. The linkage to performance, however, was not confirmed.
Specialized Care for Twin Gestations: Improving Newborn Outcomes and Reducing Costs

Objective To compare newborn outcomes and costs of hospital stays for twins born to mothers receiving care in a specialized twin clinic with a research-based care protocol and one consistent caregiver versus twins whose mothers received standard prenatal care. Design and Setting A retrospective, historical cohort study conducted in a high-risk obstetric clinic in central Texas. Patients Thirty women pregnant with twins received specialized care. The comparison group consisted of 41 women pregnant with twins who received standard care. Interventions An advanced practice nurse provided prenatal care, which included weekly clinic visits, home visits, and 24-hour availability for phone support. Outcome Measures Gestational age at birth, birth weight, length of stay in the neonatal intensive- care unit (NICU), and hospital charges for the newborns. Results No newborns of less than 30 weeks gestation were born to women in the specialized care group, the mean birth weight was 249 g ( SD ± 77) higher, days in the NICU were reduced from a mean of 17 to 7, and hospital charges were $30,000 less per infant. Conclusions Newborn outcomes were improved and length of stay and hospital charges were significantly reduced for newborns whose mothers had received care in the specialized twin clinic. JOGNN, 30, 52-60; 2001.
Hydraulic fracturing and the management, disposal, and reuse of frac flowback waters: Views from the public in the Marcellus Shale

a b s t r a c t Issues associated with the public's views on hydraulic fracturing and the management, disposal, and reuse of frac flowback wastewaters are empirically examined in this paper. The data used in the analyses were collected in a general population survey from a random sample drawn from 21 counties located in the geological Central Core and Tier 1 of the Marcellus Shale region in Pennsylvania. Differences in the information reported by survey respondents living in high well-density counties (20 or more wells per 100 square miles) and their counterparts living in low well-density counties (fewer than 20 wells per 100 square miles) were examined. Substantive findings from the overall sample, as well as statistically significant differences between the two groups of respondents, are reported. The results contained in this paper should prove beneficial to members of the general public, community leaders, oil and gas industry representatives, government and regulatory agency personnel, environmental and non-governmental organization representatives, and other interested stakeholders.
Real time Optofluidic Microscopy

This paper demonstrates the design of a two dimensional nanoholes array opto-fluidic microscopy (OFM). Contrary to previous OFM designs, our design captures accurate real-time images of biological samples flowing in a microfluidic channel. In addition, the enhanced design allows us to monitor the flow of micro-organisms by continuously acquiring images with acceptable frame rate. Details of the enhanced OFM structure as well as the analysis that proves its feasibility and simulations that illustrates its advantages are all presented.
A comparison of bloat control methods for genetic programming

Genetic programming has highlighted the problem of bloat, the uncontrolled growth of the average size of an individual in the population. The most common approach to dealing with bloat in tree-based genetic programming individuals is to limit their maximal allowed depth. An alternative to depth limiting is to punish individuals in some way based on excess size, and our experiments have shown that the combination of depth limiting with such a punitive method is generally more effective than either alone. Which such combinations are most effective at reducing bloat? In this article we augment depth limiting with nine bloat control methods and compare them with one another. These methods are chosen from past literature and from techniques of our own devising, esting with four genetic programming problems, we identify where each bloat control method performs well on a per-problem basis, and under what settings various methods are effective independent of problem. We report on the results of these tests, and discover an unexpected winner in the cross-platform category.
Evolution of the light organ system in ponyfishes (Teleostei: Leiognathidae).

Members of the leiognathid subfamily Gazzinae, comprising approximately two-thirds of ponyfish species, are sexually dimorphic with regard to features of the light organ system (LOS). In Gazzinae, the circumesophageal light organ (LO) of males is enlarged and varies in shape compared with similarly sized conspecific females. In association with male species-specific translucent external patches on the head and flank, these sexually dimorphic LO features are hypothesized to be correlated with species-specific luminescence displays. Anatomical differences in LO shape, volume, and orientation, and its association with the gas bladder and other internal structures that function in light emission, are compared to observations of luminescence displays for every major lineage within Leiognathidae. We reconstruct the character evolution of both internal and external morphological features of the LOS to investigate the evolution of LO sexual dimorphism and morphology. Both internal and external sexual dimorphism in the ponyfish LOs were recovered as most likely to have evolved in the common ancestor of Leiognathidae, and likelihood-based correlation analyses indicate that the evolution of internal and external dimorphism in males is statistically correlated. Magnetic resonance imaging technology was applied to examine the unique internal LOs of ponyfishes in situ, which provides a new metric (LO index) for comparison of LO structure across lineages. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Stable Coexistence and Bi-stability for Competitive Systems on Ordered Banach Spaces

Abstract Autonomous and asymptotically autonomous semiflows modeling two species competition are studied which are strongly order preserving on a convex subset of a Banach space with competitive order. Conditions are derived for stable coexistence, bi-stability, and competitive exclusion. A complete classification of all possible outcomes is obtained in case that there is at most one positive steady state representing coexistence of both species.
Structure and Photochemical Isomerization of the Dinuclear Gold(I) Halide Bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethylene Complexes: Correlation Between Quantum Yield and Aurophilicity

The crystal structures for cis-(Ph2PCH=CHPPh2)(AuI)2 and trans-(Ph2PCH=CHPPh2)(AuI)2 are reported. The structure of cis-(Ph2PCH=CHPPh2)(AuI)2 reveals a short intramolecular Au–Au distance of 2.9526(5) A, while the structure of trans-(Ph2PCH=CHPPh2)(AuI)2 shows intermolecular Au–Au distances of 3.2292(7) A. Structural data for the iodide complexes are compared to previously reported crystal structural data for cis- and trans-(Ph2PCH=CHPPh2)(AuCl)2 and dppbz(AuCl)2. The quantum yields for the photochemical isomerization of cis-(Ph2PCH=CHPPh2)(AuX)2 with 334-nm light, Φ(cis trans), are 0.204, 0.269, and 0.363 for X = Cl, Br, and I, respectively. Prior results from ab initio calculations on the model cis- and trans-Au2X2C2H2(PH2)2 complexes aid in the interpretation of the correlation between the quantum yield for isomerization and the calculated aurophilic attraction potential V(Re). (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Mapping the structure of macromolecular assemblies by combining chemical modification and separation methods

Several examples will be described in which powerful separation methods are combined with relatively simple chemical modification techniques to provide structural information on complex macromolecular assemblies. Ribosomal RNA structure has been examined by crosslinking, separating individual crosslinked species by gel electrophoresis, and enzymatic methods for determination of crosslink positions in the nucleotide sequence. Chromatin structure has been examined by footprinting the location of individual nucleo- somes by a combination of chemical nicking and DNA separations. Virus structure can be examined by using breakable crosslinkers analyzed with diagonal gel electrophoresis. Ultimately such methods may allow structural information to be obtained on systems even as complex as whole chromosomes.
Multilevel Coding for Spectrally Efficient Noncoherent Optical Transmission

Transmitter and receiver configurations suitable for M-ary DPSK/differential QAM noncoherent optical transmission are proposed. It is shown that multilevel coding based on lowdensity parity-check codes as component codes is an efficient approach to achieve high-spectrally efficient noncoherent optical transmission. The multilevel coding scheme with 2 bits/s/Hz spectral efficiency based on block-circulant component codes provides the coding gain of 12.3 dB compared to uncoded 8-DPSK, and 8.3 dB compared to uncoded QDPSK.
Retrospective on optimization

In this paper, we provide a general classification of mathematical optimization problems, followed by a matrix of applications that shows the areas in which these problems have been typically applied in process systems engineering. We then provide a review of solution methods of the major types of optimization problems for continuous and discrete variable optimization, particularly nonlinear and mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP). We also review their extensions to dynamic optimization and optimization under uncertainty. While these areas are still subject to significant research efforts, the emphasis in this paper is on major developments that have taken place over the last 25 years.
Delta1 expression during avian hair cell regeneration

Postembryonic production of hair cells, the highly specialized receptors for hearing, balance and motion detection, occurs in a precisely controlled manner in select species, including avians. Notch1, Delta1 and Serrate1 mediate cell specification in several tissues and species. We examined expression of the chicken homologs of these genes in the normal and drug-damaged chick inner ear to determine if signaling through this pathway changes during hair cell regeneration. In untreated post-hatch chicks, Delta1 mRNA is abundant in a subpopulation of cells in the utricle, which undergoes continual postembryonic hair cell production, but it is absent from all cells in the basilar papilla, which is mitotically quiescent. By 3 days after drug-induced hair cell injury, Delta1 expression is highly upregulated in areas of cell proliferation in both the utricle and basilar papilla. Delta1 mRNA levels are elevated in progenitor cells during DNA synthesis and/or gap 2 phases of the cell cycle and expression is maintained in both daughter cells immediately after mitosis. Delta1 expression remains upregulated in cells that differentiate into hair cells and is downregulated in cells that do not acquire the hair cell fate. Delta1 mRNA levels return to normal by 10 days after hair cell injury. Serrate1 is expressed in both hair cells and support cells in the utricle and basilar papilla, and its expression does not change during the course of drug-induced hair cell regeneration. In contrast, Notch1 expression, which is limited to support cells in the quiescent epithelium, is increased in post-M-phase cell pairs during hair cell regeneration. This study provides initial evidence that Delta-Notch signaling may be involved in maintaining the correct cell types and patterns during postembryonic replacement of sensory epithelial cells in the chick inner ear.
Precise orbit determination for COSMIC satellites using GPS data from two on-board antennas

Each of the six COSMIC satellites carries one GPS receiver with two antennas for orbit determination (OD) and another two antennas for radio occultation. In this paper we describe the features of the GPS data associated with COSMIC satellite attitude. Method and results of the precise orbit determination for the COSMIC satellites using the tracking data from both OD GPS antennas are presented. Special issues in satellite orbit determination with multiple GPS antennas are discussed. Orbit precision is evaluated and the effects of multipath errors are investigated.
Velocity effects on the profiles of Hα and two FeI lines

Profiles are computed for Ha and two Fei lines for a differentially moving atmosphere. The results show that the profiles are asymmetric and that velocity measurements made in the Doppler cores will often lead to erroneous results when the velocity gradient is significant in the regions of the atmosphere where the core forms.
Distributed shared arrays: A distributed virtual machine with mobility support for reconfiguration

Distributed Shared Arrays (DSA) is a distributed virtual machine that supports Java-compliant multithreaded programming with mobility support for system reconfiguration in distributed environments. The DSA programming model allows programmers to explicitly control data distribution so as to take advantage of the deep memory hierarchy, while relieving them from error-prone orchestration of communication and synchronization at run-time. The DSA system is developed as an integral component of mobility support middleware for Grid computing so that DSA-based virtual machines can be reconfigured to adapt to the varying resource supplies or demand over the course of a computation. The DSA runtime system also features a directory-based cache coherence protocol in support of replication of user-defined sharing granularity and a communication proxy mechanism for reducing network contention. System reconfiguration is achieved by a DSA service migration mechanism, which moves the DSA service and residing computational agents between physical servers for load balancing and fault resilience. We demonstrate the programmability of the model in a number of parallel applications and evaluate its performance by application benchmark programs, in particular, the impact of the coherence granularity and service migration overhead.
Geology of the Baluchistan (Pakistan) Portion of the Southern Margin of the Tethys Sea

The South Tethyan suture zone in Baluchistan has two distinct tectonic segments. That North-South portion along the Axial belt from Karachi to the Pamirs has primarily a strike-slip motion. Volcanic agglomerates, flows, and breccia in the Parh Formation of Maastrictian age on which ophiolites are obducted are reported to be basaltic. Preliminary microprobe analyses of pyroxenes from agglomerates and flows indicate the volcanic rocks are “within plate alkali basalts”.
Beyond the Protocol: Recent Trends in Employment Arbitration

The Employment Due Process Protocol, drafted in 1995, set minimum procedural safeguards for inclusion in all employment arbitration agreements. However, the Protocol no longer provides the degree of prospective guidance that it once did, because courts now are faced with issues the Protocol's drafters never anticipated. While the Protocol was originally intended as a guidepost for employers rather than the judiciary, it has commendably functioned in both roles. Permitting the Protocol to fade into obsolescence would be a considerable loss. This article describes recent case law developments (focusing on cases decided in 2006 and early 2007) on several critical issues that either the Protocol did not address or that might profitably be reconsidered. These issues are grouped into five categories: contract-formation issues, barriers to access, process issues, remedies issues, and judicial review. The article then argues that the Employment Protocol should be updated in some form to provide prospective guidance to employers, courts, and arbitrators on a set of baseline rules designed to ensure arbitral fairness. This could be accomplished by amending the Protocol, drafting a successor to the Protocol, persuading the major arbitral service providers (perhaps in combination with the National Academy of Arbitrators) to adopt a joint Statement of Principles, or by drafting an Arbitral Bill of Rights to be presented to Congress. This article was written for the conference Beyond the Protocol: The Future of Due Process in Workplace Dispute Resolution, sponsored by the National Academy of Arbitrators, and hosted by the Institute for Law and the Workplace, Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Appels d’Europe à l’est de la Méditerranée (Call from Europe to the East of the Mediterranean)

Many are the obstacles to all democrats in the Middle East! Internal difficulties are obvious: just look at the range of dictators, kings and other Arab potentates whose main concern is to stay in power, though citizens cannot participate in any way in choosing their leaders. Other difficulties are regional crises and multiply on a background of violence that knows no respite. The call to Europe as a model in contrast is even stronger. But barriers also exist on the north shore of the Mediterranean, although of a different nature, since European governments are democratic. This brief analysis attempts to identify underlying factors in the request to the Middle East (PMO) to be more like Europe and the importance in the eyes of the latter to be heard in the region, make it difficult to achieve double call, fleeting and disappointing. Some barriers are old, some are more recent.