cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mathematical modeling of thixotropic drilling mud and crude oil flow in wells and pipelines—A review

Abstract Many drilling muds and crude oils are known to be thixotropic. Under a wide range of pressures, temperatures and flow regimes, they display unusual complex flow properties when flowing through wells (crude oils and drilling muds) and during storage and pipeline transportation (crude oils). Understanding and modeling the deviation from Newtonian behavior of drilling muds and crude oils are essential in accurately and optimally designing the flow systems associated with these fluids. Despite an impressive amount of experimental and rheological modeling studies concerning the non-Newtonian drilling mud and crude oil behavior, mathematical modeling studies taking into account their thixotropic properties are rare. In addition, there was no literature review of the knowledge gained to date. Thus, a review paper on studies addressing the mathematical modeling of thixotropic drilling mud and crude oil flow in wells and pipelines will pinpoint the challenges and limitations encountered in such studies. This will hopefully trigger further development and new research topics. This review paper focuses mainly on mathematical modeling studies concerning the well and pipeline flow of thixotropic drilling muds and crude oils. After describing how thixotropy is understood today inside and outside of the petroleum industry community, several mathematical models available in the literature are examined. Finally, challenges, limitations, and potential areas for the development of these models are presented.
Joint MMSE transceiver designs and performance benchmark for CoMP transmission and reception

Coordinated Multipoint (CoMP) transmission and reception has been suggested as a key enabling technology of future cellular systems. To understand different CoMP configurations and to facilitate the configuration selection (and thus determine channel state information (CSI) feedback and data sharing requirements), performance benchmarks are needed to show what performance gains are possible. A unified approach is also needed to enable the cluster of cooperating cells to systematically take care of the transceiver design. To address these needs, the generalized iterative approach (GIA) is proposed as a unified approach for the minimum mean square error (MMSE) transceiver design of general multiple-transmitter multiple-receiver multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems subject to general linear power constraints. Moreover, the optimum decoder covariance optimization approach is proposed for downlink systems. Their optimality and relationships are established and shown numerically. Five CoMP configurations (Joint Processing-Equivalent Uplink, Joint Processing-Equivalent Downlink, Joint Processing-Equivalent Single User, Noncoordinated Multipoint, and Coordinated Beamforming) are studied and compared numerically. Physical insights, performance benchmarks, and some guidelines for CoMP configuration selection are presented.
Cryoplanation terrace orientation in alaska

Exploratory analysis of the orientation of 303 cryoplanation terraces in interior and western Alaska lends tentative support to the hypothesis that these landforms develop through localized erosion...
Interaction of polycationic polymers with supported lipid bilayers and cells: nanoscale hole formation and enhanced membrane permeability.

Interactions of polycationic polymers with supported 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) lipid bilayers and live cell membranes (KB and Rat2) have been investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM), cytosolic enzyme assays, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). Polycationic polymers poly-l-lysine (PLL), polyethylenimine (PEI), and diethylaminoethyl-dextran (DEAE-DEX) and sphere-like poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers are employed because of their importance for gene and drug delivery. AFM studies indicate that all the polycationic polymers cause the formation and/or expansion of preexisting defects in supported DMPC bilayers in the concentration range of 1−3 μg/mL. By way of contrast, hydroxyl-containing neutral linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) do not induce hole formation or expand the size of preexisting defects in the same concentration range. All polymers tested are not toxic to KB or Rat2 cells up...
Validating a Distinction Between Primary and Secondary Psychopathy With Measures of Gray's BIS and BAS Constructs.

Investigators commonly distinguish between primary and secondary psychopathy (H. Cleckley, 1976; D.T. Lykken, 1995), though there is a lack of consensus regarding the best means to achieve this distinction. To address the validity of using R. D. Hare's (2003) Psychopathy Checklist and the G. Welsh (1956) Anxiety Scale for this purpose, the authors used 2 measures of J. A. Gray's (1987) behavioral inhibition system/behavioral activation system (BIS/BAS). Following D. T. Lykken (1995) and D. C. Fowles (1980), the authors hypothesized that primary psychopathy would be associated with a weak BIS and a normal BAS, whereas secondary psychopathy would be associated with a strong BAS and a normal BIS. Results for primary psychopathy were as predicted. Results for secondary psychopathy clearly supported the strong BAS prediction but provided mixed support for the normal BIS prediction.
Autoionization resonance lines of highly ionized atoms of the Na I isoelectronic sequence

Resonance lines originating from autoionization energy levels far above ionization potential observed for highly ionized atoms of Na I isoelectronic sequence
Momentum accounting and managerial goals on impulses

Conventional accounting measures wealth W assets and liabilities and accounts for its net change, Wt + 1-Wt, by means of income ΔWt, classified into various revenue and expense items. Proposed "momentum accounting" measures income momentum WAŒÂ‡ = dW/dt time rate at which income is being earned at a given point in time and accounts for its net change, WAŒÂ‡t + 1-WAŒÂ‡t, by means of impulses ΔWAŒÂ‡t. Here the impulses, a term borrowed from the momentum-impulse principle in mechanics, are classified into various factors, internal or external to the enterprise, that contributed to the momentum change. If conventional accounting is viewed as focusing on an odometer of a car, momentum accounting is analogous to focusing on its speedometer and attributing the change in its reading to impulses that are judged to be responsible for the change. This paper proposes impulse-based managerial goals as a substitute for currently popular income-based managerial goals, discussing problems associated with the latter that highlights short-term income achievements and that tends to reward management for the momentum created by their predecessors as it is realized as income by the mere passage of time.
The tin whistle: a rare and serious cause of penetrating oropharyngeal trauma in children.

Impalement injuries of the oral cavity are common in children and the potential for serious complications including internal carotid artery thrombosis can be unnoticed. We present a patient who sustained a penetrating injury in which a “tin whistle” caused herniation of the parotid gland which was not detected on clinical examination. We discuss the challenging clinical examination, the role of investigations, and consequences of these injuries aiming at increasing awareness and optimizing patient management.
New Organizational Forms

A definition of organizational form is proposed in terms of labor power, the object, means, and division of labor, and the control of labor at the organizational and institutional level. A number of typological approaches are then reviewed, focusing on the delineation of new organizational forms. The central hypothesis is that new organizational forms are emerging as a result of the transition from industrial to postindustrial capitalism. This hypothesis is elaborated by means of a number of historical and structural subhypotheses specifying the links between corporate dynamics and postbureaucratic organizational forms, the role of computer-integrated production in the internalization and replacement of external, bureaucratic rules by software, and the role of an ideology of responsiveness in service organizations and government agencies. Finally, six characteristics emphasizing the flexibility of postbureaucratic, technocratic organizational forms are examined: informalism, universalism, weak classificat...
Electrochemistry and electrogenerated chemiluminescence of films of silicon nanoparticles in aqueous solution

Films of octadecyl-capped Si nanoparticles (NPs) (diameter, 3.4 ± 0.7 nm) prepared by drop-coating on indium tin oxide (ITO) showed electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) for both cathodic and anodic potential sweeps in KOH solutions containing peroxydisulfate. The redox potentials of the Si NPs can be estimated as approximately −0.9 and +0.95 V (versus Ag|AgCl) based on the anodic potential for the onset of ECL minus the ECL peak energy. The ECL exhibits a relatively broad spectrum (FWHM = 160 nm) with a peak wavelength of ~670 nm (1.85 eV), similar to the photoluminescence spectra. In electrochemical studies in KOH solution in the absence of peroxydisulfate, an anodic current peak appears at about −1 V (versus Ag|AgCl) following a scan to negative potentials. A similar peak has been observed during the etching of a bulk single crystal Si electrode in alkaline aqueous solution. Unpassivated surface sites of Si NPs seem to be etched at potentials negative of the anodic oxidation peak.
Celastrol inhibits polyglutamine aggregation and toxicity though induction of the heat shock response

Heat shock proteins (hsps) are protective against the harmful effects of mutant expanded polyglutamine repeat proteins that occur in diseases such as Huntington's, prompting the search for pharmacologic compounds that increase hsp expression in cells as potential treatments for this and related diseases. In this paper, we show that celastrol, a compound recently shown to up-regulate hsp gene expression, significantly decreases killing of cells expressing mutant polyglutamine protein. This effect requires the presence of the transcription factor responsible for mediating inducible hsp gene expression, HSF1, and is correlated with decreased amounts and increased sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solubility of polyglutamine aggregates. These results suggest the potential of celastrol as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of human polyglutamine expansion diseases.
“Generalized Osteoarthritis”: A Systematic Review

Abstract Objectives Given the conflicting definitions of "generalized osteoarthritis" (GOA) in the literature, we performed a systematic review of GOA definitions, risk factors, and outcomes. Methods We searched the MEDLINE literature with the terms osteoarthritis, generalized, polyarticular, multiple joint, and multi-joint to obtain articles related to GOA, following evidence-based guidelines. Titles and abstracts of 948 articles were reviewed, with full-text review of 108. Data were extracted based on pre-specified criteria for 74 articles plus 24 identified through bibliographic review ( n = 98). Results Twenty-four large cohorts ( n ~ 30,000) were represented along with numerous clinical series ( n ~ 9000), across 22 countries and 60 years (1952–2012). No less than 15 definitions of GOA were given in 30 studies with a stated GOA definition; at least 6 groups used a summed score of joints or radiographic grades. Prevalence estimates based on these GOA definitions were 1–80%, although most were 5–25%. Increased risk and progression of GOA was associated with age, female sex, and genetic/familial factors. Associations with increased body mass index or bone mineral density were not consistent. A study estimated the heritability of GOA at 42%. Collagen biomarker levels increased with the number of involved joints. Increased OA burden was associated with increased mortality and disability, poorer health, and function. Conclusion While there remains no standard definition of GOA, this term is commonly used. The impact on health may be greater when OA is in more than one joint. A descriptive term, such as multi-joint or polyarticular OA, designating OA of multiple joints or joint groups is recommended.
Why equity cannot be separated from efficiency: the welfare economics of progressive social pricing:

Abstract Applied neoclassical microeconomists maintain that when profits are constrained, and average costs are higher than marginal costs, Ramsey “inverse elasticity” pricing optimizes static consumer welfare. However, when weighted, instead of unweighted, consumer surplus aggregation is used, the Ramsey pricing rule becomes a “progressive social pricing rule,” which suggests that under plausible conditions “direct-elasticity” rather than “inverse-elasticity” pricing is consumer welfare optimal.
Electric Field-Shaping Microdevices for Manipulation of Collections of Microscale Objects

This paper analyzes and develops new approaches for handling and shaping collections of microscale objects such as particles or cells. While traditional dielectrophoretic manipulation approaches are based on creating an energy trap, this work employs a distributed manipulation philosophy: shaping the energy field to model the point-wise forces and hence the characteristics of the field. This method offers a better perspective on the behavior, exact shape, position, and orientation of the collection of objects under manipulation. Furthermore, this research showcases devices that artificially generate planar quadratic and squeezing force fields by setting the potential at each point in space. These devices enable the positioning of particles and collections of particles to a predefined shape and orientation. Finally, we demonstrate a novel approach to distributed manipulation. We construct a 3-D potential force field by setting the boundary conditions of the differential equation describing the dynamics of a natural medium (the voltage profile in our case). This approach is illustrated by constructing cylindrical and ellipsoidal potential force fields for use in particle and cell manipulation.
Comparative pharmacology of nitric oxide and nitric oxide generators on cardiac contractility in mammalian species

Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasorelaxing agent at nanomolar concentrations. At low nanomolar concentrations, NO also inhibits platelet aggregation, attenuates leukocyte adherence to the vascular endothelium, and quenches superoxide radicals. At high nanomolar concentrations, NO attenuates smooth muscle cells growth and stimulates proliferation of vascular endothelial cells. However, even at micromolar concentrations, NO fails to significantly alter cardiac contractility in isolated rat or cat cardiac muscle. Moreover, L-arginine, even at millimolar concentrations, fails to exert a decrease in cardiac contractility significantly greater than that produced by D-arginine.
The question of rule ordering : some common fallacies

The main goal of linguistic research is to develop a theory of grammar, i.e. a set of universal principles to characterize human language. Since languages vary superficially, this goal is achieved only when it is shown that superficial differences among languages can be accounted for by the theory of grammar. Clearly, then, the more that superficial differences among languages can be accounted for by universal principles, the more the field will advance. This conclusion is best stated by Perlmutter (1971): … progress in linguistics depends on extracting as much as possible from grammars of particular languages and formulating general principles from which the facts of particular languages will follow as automatic consequences….
VMDedup: Memory De-duplication in Hypervisor

Virtualization techniques are widely used in cloud computing environments today. Such environments are installed with a large number of similar virtual instances sharing the same physical infrastructure. In this paper, we focus on the memory usage optimization across virtual machines by automatically de-duplicating the memory on per-page basis. Our approach maintains a single copy of the duplicated pages in physical memory using copy-on-write mechanism. Unlike some existing strategies, which are intended only for applications and need user configuration, VMDedup provides an automatic memory de-duplication support within the hypervisor to achieve benefits across operating system code, data as well as application binaries. We have implemented a prototype of this system within the Xen hypervisor to support both para-virtualized and fully-virtualized instances of operating systems.
The CRE-Binding Protein dCREB-A Is Required for Drosophila Embryonic Development

We have previously described the cloning of a cyclic AMP response-element (CRE)-binding protein, dCREB-A, in Drosophila melanogaster that is similar to the mammalian CRE-binding protein CREB. dCREB-A is a member of the bZIP family of transcription factors, shows specific binding to the (CRE), and can activate transcription in cell culture. In this report, we describe the gene structure for dCREB-A, protein expression patterns throughout development and the necessary role for this gene in embryogenesis. The 4.5-kb transcript is encoded in six exons that are distributed over 21 kb of DNA. There are seven start sites and no TATA consensus sequences upstream. The dCREB-A protein is expressed in the nuclei of the embryonic salivary gland, proventriculus and stomadeum. Late in embryogenesis, tracheal cell nuclei and specific nuclei within the segments show staining with anti-dCREB-A antibodies. In adult female ovaries, dCREB-A is expressed in the stage 9 through stage 11 follicle cell nuclei. Null mutations of the dCREB-A gene give rise to animals that no longer express dCREB-A protein and die late in embryogenesis before or at hatching. The absolute requirement of dCREB-A for embryogenesis demonstrates a nonredundant function for a CRE-binding protein that will be useful in studying the role of specific signal transduction cascades in development.
Colorism: Ubiquitous Yet Understudied

We agree whole-heartedly with Ruggs et al. (2013) call to focus more research attention on the workplace experiences of marginalized employees. Indeed, the authors raised many valid points concerning the needed contributions of industrial and organizational (I–O) psychology to both research and public policy as it relates to marginalized groups. However, we believe that the authors also missed an opportunity to highlight the workplace discrimination experienced by those individuals who are marginalized by their darker skin tones. This form of discrimination is more commonly known as colorism. Subsequently, our commentary focuses on defining this form of discrimination that is not well known among I–O psychologists, explaining why our field should be concerned with studying colorism, and making recommendations regarding how our field can better study colorism, affect jurisprudence on the issue, and ameliorate colorism's effects in workplace settings.
Mavuno: a scalable and effective Hadoop-based paraphrase acquisition system

Paraphrase acquisition is an important natural language processing (NLP) task that has received a great deal of interest recently. Proposed solutions to the problem have ranged from simple approaches that make minimal use of NLP tools to more complex approaches that heavily rely on numerous language-dependent resources. Despite all of the work, there are no publicly available toolkits to support large-scale paraphrase mining research. There has also never been a direct empirical evaluation comparing the merits of simple, scalable approaches and those that make extensive use of expensive NLP resources. This paper introduces Mavuno, a Hadoop-based paraphrase acquisition toolkit that is both scalable and robust. Within the context of Mavuno, we empirically examine the tradeoffs between simple and sophisticated paraphrase acquisition approaches to help shed light on their strengths and weaknesses. Our evaluation reveals that simple approaches have many advantages, including strong effectiveness, good coverage, low redundancy, and ability to handle noisy data.
Adiposity and the development of diabetes in mouse genetic models.

: While it is certain from the analysis of transgenic models of lipodystrophy that a critical mass of adipose tissue is necessary to prevent the development of diabetes, the reasons why diabetes develops in one obese individual and not in another need to be further investigated. This is also one of the major questions associated with the current obesity epidemic and the development of the metabolic syndrome. The severe lipodystrophic models do not really address this big problem. In this presentation, we point out that models exist among inbred strains of mice that can contribute towards finding answers to the diabetes found in the metabolic syndrome. The differences responsible for the phenotypic variations are undoubtedly multifactorial and involve many genes, but there are powerful genetic resources to investigate these problems.
The Family Daily Hassles Inventory: A Preliminary Investigation of Reliability and Validity

This study investigated the preliminary reliability and validity of a new family daily hassles assessment using two well-established instruments that measure daily hassles and health status. Participants (140 mothers) completed a self-administered survey. The results indicated adequate reliability of the new assessment and supported the concurrent and construct validity of the scores obtained with the new assessment as a measure of daily hassles.
Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channels are involved in body temperature regulation

Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8) is activated by cold temperature in vitro and has been demonstrated to act as a ‘cold temperature sensor’ in vivo. Although it is known that agonists of this ‘cold temperature sensor’, such as menthol and icilin, cause a transient increase in body temperature (Tb), it is not known if TRPM8 plays a role in Tb regulation. Since TRPM8 has been considered as a potential target for chronic pain therapeutics, we have investigated the role of TRPM8 in Tb regulation. We characterized five chemically distinct compounds (AMG0635, AMG2850, AMG8788, AMG9678, and Compound 496) as potent and selective antagonists of TRPM8 and tested their effects on Tb in rats and mice implanted with radiotelemetry probes. All five antagonists used in the study caused a transient decrease in Tb (maximum decrease of 0.98°C). Since thermoregulation is a homeostatic process that maintains Tb about 37°C, we further evaluated whether repeated administration of an antagonist attenuated the decrease in Tb. Indeed, repeated daily administration of AMG9678 for four consecutive days showed a reduction in the magnitude of the Tb decrease Day 2 onwards. The data reported here demonstrate that TRPM8 channels play a role in Tb regulation. Further, a reduction of magnitude in Tb decrease after repeated dosing of an antagonist suggests that TRPM8’s role in Tb maintenance may not pose an issue for developing TRPM8 antagonists as therapeutics.
Antimitotic NovoTTF Therapy for a Progressive Glioblastoma Patient with Fournier Gangrene: Non-Interference with Wound Healing and Why It Works (P3.129)

OBJECTIVE: To identify determinants of response to NovoTTF Therapy in a patient with progressive glioblastoma and necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier gangrene). BACKGROUND: Fournier gangrene is a urologic emergency that requires extensive surgical debridements and antibiotics. Management of progressive glioblastoma in this setting is challenging because cytotoxic chemotherapy and antiangiogensis treatment are contraindicated. NovoTTF Therapy utilizes alternating electric fields to treat dividing glioblastoma cells without interference with this patient’s wound healing process. METHODS: The case report is based on retrospective chart review. RESULTS: This patient at age 31 years with a left frontal periventricular glioblastoma was initially treated at another major teaching hospital in Boston with radiotherapy and concomitant daily temozolomide chemotherapy, followed by bevacizumab and adjuvant temozolomide at progression. Dexamethasone, which was prescribed at 16 mg daily during radiation, was progressively weaned to 2 mg daily after initiation of bevacizumab. During the adjuvant phase of chemotherapy, he developed scrotal pain and presented to our emergency department with crepitus at his right groin and scrotum. Antibiotics were initiated and the wound aggressively debrided from the perineum to the right inguinal crease. Subsequent debridements included a right hemiscrotectomy, deep perianal debridement and diverting colostomy. The remaining dexamethasone was discontinued and celecoxib 400 mg BID was added. The entire healing process took 4 months. During this time, NK and CD4+ cells increased from 58 (5[percnt]) and 464 (45[percnt]) to 216 (16[percnt]) and 606 (43[percnt]), respectively. Six months after initiation of NovoTTF Therapy the patient had a radiographic response. CONCLUSIONS: The objective response seen in this patient was likely a function of his young age with ample T-cell reserve, discontinuation of dexamethasone that allowed recovery of immune effector function to augment NovoTTF Therapy, and the location of glioblastoma near the lateral ventricle permitting exposure to the maximal density of electric fields. Disclosure: Dr. Wong has received research support from AstraZeneca, Geron, Novartis, Novocure, and Northwest Biotherapeutics. Dr. Barron has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hwong has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wagner has nothing to disclose.
The Impact of Reasoning Weaknesses on the Ability of Postsecondary Students with Learning Disabilities to Select a College Major

We used the Learning Disabilities Diagnostic Inventory (LDDI) (Hammill & Bryant, 1998) to examine the reasoning ability of freshmen with learning disabilities. Relevant components of the LDDI Reasoning scale include items on generalization, problem solving, executive functioning, and understanding consequences. These components impact the self-determination skills necessary for making informed decisions. Students with learning disabilities indicated increased but intermittent intrinsic processing weaknesses in reasoning. We examine the plausible impact of the reasoning weaknesses on a student's ability to select a major. We also identify resources that advisors can use to facilitate the student's ability to select an appropriate college major.
The Role of Capital Gains Taxes in the Housing Bubble

Capital gain taxes are integrated into an excess-bid model to develop an analytical narrative of the housing market crash. Housing data is used to support the narrative. The paper concludes that sudden changes in capital gains tax rates can cause formed bubbles to burst. Research recommends gradual changes in capital gain taxes rather than one-time changes.
Advances in Anticogulants

Utilizing the previously discussed in vitro and in vivo models for the evaluation of new anticoagulants resulted in recent advances in the development of novel oral anticoagulants (NOA). Major advances in the development of NOA progressed well, with the goal of developing safe and effective oral anticoagulants that do not require frequent monitoring or dose adjustment along with minimal food/drug interactions. Indirect inhibitors such as low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and the pentasaccharide fondaparinux represent improvements over traditional drugs such as unfractionated heparin for acute treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) with more targeted anticoagulant approaches, predictable pharmacokinetic profiles, and lack of need for monitoring. Vitamin K antagonist, with its inherent limitations of multiple food and drug interactions and frequent need for monitoring, remains the only oral anticoagulant approved for long-term secondary thromboprophylaxis in VTE. The oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran was withdrawn from the world market due to safety concerns. Newer anticoagulant drugs such as injectables (fondaparinux, idraparinux), oral direct thrombin inhibitors (dabigatran), oral direct factor Xa inhibitors (rivaroxaban, apixaban, and others), and tissue factor/factor VIIa complex inhibitors are “tailormade” to target specific procoagulant complexes and have the potential to greatly expand oral antithrombotic targets for both acute and S.A. Mousa (*) The Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY, USA e-mail: shaker.mousa@acphs.edu
Concordance of Demographic Characteristics, Sexual Behaviors, and Relationship Attributes Among Sex Dyads of Black and White Men Who Have Sex with Men

Differences in individual behaviors have failed to explain racial disparities between Black and White men who have sex with men (MSM). However, reporting of behaviors and partner characteristics are assumed to be non-differentially reported by race. From 314 participants, this study used the two-sided data-where sexual partners provide information on each other and their relationship-of 127 dyads of Black and White MSM from Atlanta, GA, to assess the reliability of partner-reported demographic characteristics and the concordance of sexual behaviors and partnership attributes by race. We compared proportions of concordance by race using a modified kappa (K m) to assess chance-corrected agreement. The median difference in age between self- and partner-reports was 0 (0-1) years. Compared to self-reports, 97 % of the partners of Black participants and 96 % of the partners of White participants correctly classified their race. We observed poor agreement on pre-sexual discussion (K m = 0.18) and being in an ongoing relationship (K m = 0.13), with no differences by race (p = 0.11). Although not statistically significant, Black MSM dyads had lower levels of concordance for unprotected anal intercourse in the previous 12 months (68 %) compared to White dyads (90 %), with fair agreement among Black dyads (K m = 0.26). Measures of partner-reported age and race are likely accurate; however, certain self-reported sexual behaviors and partnership attributes may be unreliable and differentially reported by race. Our findings highlight the need to assess the validity of measures used to estimate HIV transmission and inform racial disparities research.
High-refractive-index tin sulfide core–shell spheres for photonic applications

We describe the fabrication of core–shell colloidal spheres composed of a shell of tin sulfide and a core of polystyrene. The tin sulfide shell is deposited on micrometer-sized latex spheres using a sonochemical technique. By angle-dependent light scattering and electron microscopy, we find that the refractive index of the shell is 3.0 at a wave length of 1064 nm, and the shell’s thickness is controllable in the range of 30–60 nm. The resulting spheres have a narrow distribution of sizes, are stable in aqueous suspension, and are very strong scatterers in the near infrared with potential application in photonic band gap materials or other photonic devices.
Acid Phosphatase in the Stable Fly, Stomoxys calcitrans

The biochemical characteristics of an acid phosphatase from tissue homogenates of adult stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), have been studied. Activity was based on the colorimetric determination at 390 m μ of p -nitrophenol liberated from disodium p -nitrophenyl phosphate. Acid phosphatase from the stable fly has an optimum pH of 4.4, a Michaelis constant of 9.77 × 10−4 M, zero order kinetics, a temperature optimum of 40° C for 30 minutes incubation and a Q10 of 2.1 between 20° and 30° C.
Missouri Municipal Ethics Survey: Do Ethics Measures Work at the Municipal Level?

This article addresses the marked lack of scholarly work correlating common measures meant to improve ethical performance in local government (ethics codes and training) with actual levels of unethical behavior. Analyzing data from a survey specifically optimized to encourage honest reporting on ethical infractions, and administered to local government officials and employees in Missouri, this study is the first of its kind to adopt Lasthuizen’s typology of governmental ethical infractions. Results suggest that ethics training regimens (but not ethics codes by themselves) are correlated with measurable drops in reported levels of several of the most commonly observed ethical infraction types, though the relationship is more complex than previously reported. A surprising finding is that larger municipalities were subject to higher infraction rates, but were not more likely to implement ethics measures, indicating that these are the lowest-hanging fruit regarding ethics reforms. Further implications are dis...
Research on the Reform of Sports Events Management Mode:A Case Study of Shanghai

Through the research methods of expert interview,literature review and logical analysis,the present thesis makes an in-depth research and analysis around the reform and innovation of the sports events management mode in Shanghai,which include standard,scale,quantity,category,quality,sources of fund,main expenditure index and the opportunities and challenges in the future.The results show that the present"3+X"mode proposed by the Shanghai government is in accordance with the trends and requirements of the economic and social development in China,and is an effective measure of further deepening the reform of"separating the functions of government regulation and business operation"in the field of sports events.The quantity and quality of the sports events in Shanghai have witnessed considerable improvement ever since.According to the research,the expenditure index system of sports events can be divided into 12 categories.Except some policy support,the seven brand sports events in Shanghai hardly receive any financial support in terms of funding.Shanghai has yet set up specific policies of classified management and differential treatment with regard to sports events of various types and standards.It is suggested to further study on how the government should fund and support especially the public welfare sports events.
Construction of interactive virtual experiment environment based on VRML

With the development of computer technology,realizing the distance experiment education through using virtual reality technology is becoming important composing part of network education and building experiment resource.This paper deals with several key technologies in constructing interactive virtual experiment environment by VRML and Java.Having taken the experiment of computer composition and maintenance as example,the paper built the model of static experiment equipment through exerting VRML and three-DS MAX,and developed the three-dimensional interactive virtual experiment environment by VRML and Java.
Cancer surgery of the skull base.

Squamous-cell carcinomas are the most common type of malignant tumors arising in the region of the tonsils and palatine arch. This article describes surgical resection of such tumors with extension to the nasopharynx. The author’s experience with over 40 patients confirms the safety of the procedure.
American College of Surgeons Level I trauma centers outcomes do not correlate with patients' perception of hospital experience.

BACKGROUNDThe Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey is a data collection methodology for measuring a patient’s perception of his/her hospital experience, and it has been selected by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services as the validated and transpar
Electrolytic Extraction of Copper, Molybdenum and Rhenium from Molten Sulfide Electrolyte

Abstract The validity of the electrochemical series for metal sulfides decomposition in their standard state has been tested experimentally at 1500 K for La2S3, Cu2S, MoS2, and ReS2 in a molten electrolyte with the following molar composition: (BaS)54-(Cu2S)31-(La2S3)15 (electrolyte B). Voltammetry measurements indicated the presence of faradaic reactions in the investigated electrolyte with and without the addition of MoS2 and/or ReS2. Electrolysis experiments showed that the addition of La2S3 to BaS-Cu2S increases the faradaic efficiency for liquid copper production with respect to a previously studied (BaS)54-(Cu2S)46 electrolyte, and enabled isolation of elemental sulfur as the anodic product. Electrochemical measurements suggested the need to take into account the activity of dissolved Cu2S in order to explain the observed cell voltage during electrolysis. Electrolysis in the presence and absence of ReS2 and/or MoS2 confirmed their relative stability as predicted by assuming decomposition in their standard states. Analysis of the metal products electrowon from an electrolyte containing Cu2S, MoS2, and ReS2 indicated the simultaneous production of solid and liquid phases with nonequilibrium compositions.
MapReduce and Spark-Based Analytic Framework Using Social Media Data for Earlier Flu Outbreak Detection

Influenza and flu can be serious problems, and can lead to death, as hundred thousands of people die every year due to seasonal flu. An early warning may help to prevent the spread of flu in the population. This kind of warning can be achieved by using social media data and big data tools and techniques. In this paper, a MapReduce and Spark-based analytic framework (MRSAF) using Twitter data is presented for faster flu outbreak detection. Different analysis cases are implemented using Apache Spark, Hadoop Systems and Hadoop Eco Systems to predict flu trends in different locations using Twitter data. The data was collected using a developed crawler which works together with the Twitter API to stream and filter the tweets based on flu-related keywords. The crawler is also designed to pre-process and clean the unintended attributes of the retrieved tweets. The results of the proposed solution show a strong relationship with the weekly Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.
Abstract 73: Selective Inhibition of COX-1 & 2 Results in Reprogramming of Adipocyte Gene Expression and Adipogenesis in Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Role of 20-HETE-derived 20-OH-PGE2

Eicosanoids are increasingly recognized to play a central role in modulating the process of adipogenesis in human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) where prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been shown to negatively regulate adipogenesis. 20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), a product of the cytochrome P450 (CYP)-catalyzed ω-hydroxylation of arachidonic acid, induces oxidative stress, and in clinical studies, is associated with increased BMI and metabolic syndrome. In this study we sought to characterize the effects of exogenous 20-HETE on MSC-derived adipogenesis. 20-HETE dose-dependently (0.01-1 μM) increased (p
Linearization of excitatory synaptic integration at no extra cost

In many theories of neural computation, linearly summed synaptic activation is a pervasive assumption for the computations performed by individual neurons. Indeed, for certain nominally optimal models, linear summation is required. However, the biophysical mechanisms needed to produce linear summation may add to the energy-cost of neural processing. Thus, the benefits provided by linear summation may be outweighed by the energy-costs. Using voltage-gated conductances in a relatively simple neuron model, this paper quantifies the cost of linearizing dendritically localized synaptic activation. Different combinations of voltage-gated conductances were examined, and many are found to produce linearization; here, four of these models are presented. Comparing the energy-costs to a purely passive model, reveals minimal or even no additional costs in some cases.
Uranium Solubility of Carbonate-Rich Uranium-Contaminated Soils

A 300 d solubility study involving two carbonate-rich, uranium-contaminated soils from the Department of Energy's Fernald Environmental Management Project site was conducted to predict the behavior of uranium during on-site remediation of these soils. Geochemical modeling was performed on the aqueous species dissolved from these soils following the solubility measurements to predict the on-site uranium leaching and transport potential. Results showed that the soluble levels of the major components (total uranium, calcium, magnesium, and carbonate) increased continually for the first 4 weeks. After the first 4 weeks, these components either reached a steady-state or continued to increase linearly throughout the study. Soluble uranium levels of both soils and their correlation with alkalinity was strongly mediated by the source term of the contamination. Geochemical modeling predicted and anion exchange experiments confirmed that uranyl-carbonate complexes were the most stable and abundant complexes. Further modeling showed that uranium solubility in these soils and in onsite groundwater wells is controlled by UO2(H2PO4)2, but is also mediated by complexation with carbonate and the oxidation state of the uranium. For assessing the risk related to off-site transport of uranium, it should be recognized that the solubility of uranium-bearing minerals is the critical factor in controlling uranium solubility of these soils rather than sorption/desorption processes as measured by the uranium distribution coefficient (Kd) in these soils.
Hypocalciuric Effect of Lithium in Man

Lithium has been shown to inhibit the adenylate cyclase, cyclic-AMP responses to arginine vasopressin in both in vivo (1–3) as well as in vitro assay systems (3–5). Alternatively, it has been shown that lithium may potentiate the cyclic AMP responses to other polypeptide hormones (6–7) although these effects have not been consistent (8). Additionally, lithium has been reported to have divergent effects on urinary calcium excretion in experimental animals (7–10) and man (11). Consequently, we studied the effects of chronic lithium administration on the renal handling of calcium and the renal response to the administration of parathyroid hormone. Though we demonstrated neither a potentiating nor inhibiting effect of lithium on the renal response to parathyroid hormone, we did observe a significant reduction in basal twenty-four hour urinary calcium excretion during lithium therapy.
How to do almost everything

I was at the height of my powers in the 1960’s—which may be interpreted as saying that, having reached and passed the maximum I was capable of, I was over the hill. The height of your powers takes an in stant to attain; from then on it’s down the rest of the way. I have spent all my life with one value system—research is all—and height therefore refers to theorems, or, in a better word, insights.
Playing with Fire: Chemical Safety Expertise Required

Over the past 20 years 164 children and educators have been reported as injured in demonstrations using flammable solvents. The injuries were the result of flash fires, flame jets, and projectiles which occurred once control was lost by the presenter. “The rainbow demonstration” using methanol as the solvent has by far been the most problematic. Numerous stakeholders and concerned individuals have sounded the alarm for years in an effort to increase awareness in the educational community about the substantial risks associated with performing demonstrations using solvents, but reaching the target audience has proved difficult. Punitive damages such as monetary awards for those injured and job terminations have held schools and teachers accountable, but more effective safety training and substantive safety education in the K–12 preteacher curriculum is also needed. This article seeks to present the totality of issues surrounding the problem and create a reference document that can be easily disseminated to ...
Tunneling wave function of the universe

The tunneling wave function of the universe is investigated in a minisuperspace framework of a de Sitter universe with a quantum scalar field, treated as a perturbation. We consider three different approaches to defining the tunneling wave function: (1) tunneling boundary conditions in superspace, (2) Lorentzian path integral, and (3) quantum tunneling from initial universe of a vanishing size. We show that the superspace approach requires Robin boundary conditions for the scalar field modes, the path integral approach requires adding an appropriate boundary term to the scalar field action, and the initial universe approach requires the initial quantum state of the scalar field to be Euclidean vacuum. We find that all three approaches yield identical wave functions and that scalar field fluctuations are well behaved, contrary to earlier claims in the literature.
A General Kinematic Modeling Framework for a 3D Compliant Micromechanism

Exploiting engineering compliance in microrobotics has been a breakthrough approach for navigating well-known tradeoffs related to precision, fabrication, and control challenges at small scales. However, modeling of compliant, multi-body, 3 dimensional microrobots is considerably more difficult than traditional rigid-body robot kinematics. In this paper, we formulate a kinematic modeling methodology applicable to a broad class of compliant microrobots. Such models can be used prior to fabrication to evaluate mechanism dexterity, precision and sensitivity to dimensional tolerances. They can also be used for microrobot visualization, control synthesis and for fast parametric optimization. We exemplify our approach by modeling the AFAM, an Articulated Four Axes Microrobot, constructed via 3D microassembly from Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) compliant building blocks. The AFAM is a novel mm-scale microrobot designed for nano-positioning tasks in future wafer-scale microfactories. We derive the kinematic model of the AFAM using a computationally scalable constraint optimization approach that can be used equally effectively for both forward and inverse kinematics. Simulation results using the robot operating system (ROS) programming framework are presented in the paper.
Flexible and Scalable Photovoltaic Curve Tracer

Current vs voltages (I-V) curves are needed to understand the electrical characteristics of photovoltaic (PV) materials. Whereas the researcher may be concerned with a temperature-compensated laboratory-grade setup for an individual cell, the practitioner may be interested in validating operation of a large PV plant. PV curve tracers exist on the commercial market for each of these market segments. However, for researchers working with small modules, the cell-level testers may not have adequate voltage and current range, or may not physical accommodate more than a single cell; units designed for large-scale PV plants may not have sufficient resolution or flexibility for low-power modules. Curve tracers for these two markets also tend to be specialized for the particular use-case and relatively expensive. The aim of this paper is to present a curve tracer that is based on off-the-shelf components but is flexible and scalable to accommodate a range of voltage and current levels, number of specimen, and connecting / disconnecting the specimen to other circuitry such as a DC/DC converter. As such, the system can be used for a few cells to large modules and can accommodate an arbitrary number of specimen, which is beneficial to perform comparative testing. It can also be used to validate the maximum power point tracking efficacy of a DC/DC power optimizer by disconnecting the converter, performing the I-V sweep, and then re-connecting to the converter. The system uses a Keithley 2461 Source Meter Unit (SMU) and one or more relay modules, all controlled by MATLAB. The SMU is responsible for generating the voltage sweep and measuring the resulting current. Using commercial equipment alleviates the user from having to custom design and built a curve-tracer. In addition, the SMU can be calibrated to ensure accurate and reliable data. If multiple specimen are to be tested, multiple relay modules can be added to enable multiplexing of many PV specimen to the SMU. Custom software running in MATLAB configures the relays; setups, triggers, and downloads data from the source meter; and saves the data and creates the plots.