cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating cannulation strategies used during second courses of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a large cohort of pediatric patients

Abstract Purpose After a successful course of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), patients can deteriorate and a second ECMO course may be contemplated. When a second ECMO course becomes necessary in pediatric patients, survival rates comparable to the first ECMO course are possible. The perceived difficulties involved in recannulation after an initial ECMO course can prevent clinicians from reliably offering a second ECMO run to an eligible pediatric patient. We hypothesized that national ECMO registry data could provide cannulation templates for pediatric patients requiring a second ECMO course. Methods We obtained data from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry (1981-2007) on patients 1 to 18 years old who required single-run ECMO (SRE) or multiple-run ECMO (MRE). Primary outcome measures were complications and survival. Cannulation-specific variables were compared using χ 2 methods (Fisher exact, McNemar's). Statistical significance was assumed at P Results A total of 3810 (96.8%) children underwent SRE and 127 (3.2%) required MRE. Survival was similar in both groups (49% vs 44%; P = .28). Cannulation data were available in 2539 SRE (67%) and 88 MRE (69%) cases. Compared with SRE, first ECMO courses in MRE patients consisted of fewer cervical (52.3% vs 71.7%; P P = .01) and central (27.3% vs 17.6%; P = .02) cannulations. In MRE patients, central cannulation was more frequent in second vs first ECMO courses (43.0% vs 27.3%; P = .03). Multiple-run ECMO survival was unaffected by cannulation strategy. Multiple-run ECMO patients with unchanged cannulation sites between first and second ECMO courses had fewer total complications than those requiring new cannulation sites (3.7 vs 5.1; P = .04). Conclusions Second ECMO courses in pediatric patients can achieve survival comparable to the first course, but more often require central cannulation. Reusing cannulation sites for a second ECMO course is associated with fewer total complications than cannulating at new sites. These data provide guidance when considering cannulation strategies for second ECMO courses in pediatric patients.
Synthesis of pH-Degradable Nonionic Surfactants and Their Applications in Microemulsions

An oil-soluble pH-degradable nonionic surfactant with poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether as the hydrophile and a cyclic ketal as the hydrophobe was synthesized for use in microemulsion-based protein extraction. The surfactant solubilized water in isooctane. Dynamic light-scattering measurements showed formation of fairly monodisperse water-in-oil microemulsions of radii 4−6 nm, with very strong intermicellar attractive interactions. The ternary phase diagram for the system surfactant/water/isooctane at 23 °C consists of one-, two-, and three-phase regions as well as gel-like phases. The well-known “fish” pattern occurred for the phase diagram of temperature vs surfactant concentration at a fixed ratio of water-to-oil (1/1 g/g). The surfactant remained stable at neutral pH for several days but degraded rapidly when a mildly acidic phosphate buffer (pH = 5) was encapsulated in the water-in-oil microemulsion solution. Degradation occurred more rapidly when the microemulsion solution was brought in contac...
A 275 MHz quadrature modulator in 0.18-µm CMOS

A new digital modulator has a very efficient implementation. A 0.18-µm CMOS prototype, fabricated at TSMC, runs at clock-rates up to 275 MHz and dissipates less than 40 mW. At the 250 MHz design target, it dissipates 34.2 mW.
Individual pebble temperature peaking factor due to local pebble arrangement in a pebble bed reactor core

Scientists at the German AVR pebble bed nuclear reactor discovered that the surface temperature of some of the pebbles in the AVR core were at least 200 K higher than previously predicted by reactor core analysis calculations. The goal of this research paper is to determine whether a similar unexpected fuel temperature increase of 200 K can be attributed solely or mostly to elevated power production resulting from exceptional configurations of pebbles. If it were caused by excessive pebble-to-pebble local power peaking, there could be implications for the need for core physics monitoring which is not now being considered for pebble bed reactors. The PBMR-400 core design was used as the basis for evaluating pebble bed reactor safety. Through exhaustive Monte Carlo modeling of a PBMR-400 pebble environment, no simple pebble-to-pebble burn-up conditions were found to cause a sufficiently high local power peaking to lead to a 200 K temperature increase. Simple thermal hydraulics analysis was performed which showed that a significant core coolant flow anomalies such as higher than expected core bypass flows, local pebble flow variation or even local flow blockage would be needed to account for such an increase in fuel temperature. The identified worst case scenarios are presented and discussed in detail. The conclusion of this work is that the stochastic nature of the pebble bed cannot lead to highly elevated fuel temperatures but rather local or core-wide coolant flow reductions are the likely cause.
Final-state rule and the absorption spectra of 3d ferromagnets.

The final-state rule within the local-density approximation is used to explore the effects on the x-ray absorption spectra of a static-spin-polarized core hole in the 2[ital p][sub 3/2] states of 3[ital d]-transition-metal ferromagnets. The excited atom with a core hole is treated as a single impurity in a lattice within the supercell geometry approach. We have found that the photoelectron localizes on the impurity site mostly as a minority spin substantially reducing the local spin magnetic moment. The position and the shape of the [ital L][sub 3] white line'' of absorption spectrum changes shape with respect to that calculated for the initial state rule, i.e., without the core hole.
A step activity monitoring program improves real world walking activity post stroke

AbstractPurpose: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the walking activity of persons with stroke could be increased through participation in a step activity monitoring program and to assess whether this occurred through a change in the structure of walking activity. Method: Sixteen individuals living with chronic stroke (>6 months post-stroke) wore a StepWatch Activity Monitor (SAM) and completed a four-week goal centered activity monitoring program. Descriptors of step activity were averaged across baseline and the last week of monitoring, and were used to analyze the changes. Descriptors of step activity included: steps per day, bouts per day, steps per bout, total time walking per day, and the number of short ( 500 steps) walking bouts. Results: As a group, the number of steps per day significantly increased over the four weeks of activity monitoring (p = 0.005). Subjects also demonstrated a significant improvement in the total time walking (p =...
Alloparenting experience affects future parental behavior and reproductive success in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain the function of alloparental behavior in cooperatively breeding species. We examined whether alloparental experience as juveniles enhanced later parental care and reproductive success in the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), a cooperatively breeding rodent. Juveniles cared for one litter of siblings (1EX), two litters of siblings (2EX) or no siblings (0EX). As adults, these individuals were mated to other 0EX, 1EX or 2EX voles, yielding seven different pair combinations, and we recorded measures of parental behaviors, reproductive success, and pup development. As juveniles, individuals caring for siblings for the first time were more alloparental; and as adults, 0EX females paired with 0EX males spent more time in the nest with their pups. Taken together, these results suggest that inexperienced animals spend more time in infant care. As parents, 1EX males spent more time licking their pups than 2EX and 0EX males. Pups with either a 1EX or 2EX parent gained weight faster than pups with 0EX parents during certain developmental periods. While inexperienced animals may spend more time in pup care, long-term benefits of alloparenting may become apparent in the display of certain, particularly important parental behaviors such as licking pups, and in faster weight gain of offspring.
Identity crisis of Th17 cells: Many forms, many functions, many questions

Th17 cells are a subset of CD4(+) effector T cells characterized by expression of the IL-17-family cytokines, IL-17A and IL-17F. Since their discovery nearly a decade ago, Th17 cells have been implicated in the regulation of dozens of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and cancer. However, attempts to clarify the development and function of Th17 cells in human health and disease have generated as many questions as answers. On one hand, cytokine expression in Th17 cells appears to be remarkably dynamic and is subject to extensive regulation (both positive and negative) in tissue microenvironments. On the other hand, accumulating evidence suggests that the human Th17 subset is a heterogeneous population composed of several distinct pro- and anti-inflammatory subsets. Clearly, Th17 cells as originally conceived no longer neatly fit the long-standing paradigm of stable and irrepressible effector T cell function. Here we review current concepts surrounding human Th17 cells, with an emphasis on their plasticity, heterogeneity, and their many, tissue-specific functions. In spite of the challenges ahead, a comprehensive understanding of Th17 cells and their relationship to human disease is key to ongoing efforts to develop safer and more selective anti-inflammatory medicines.
Report of Committee on Land-Erosion, 1943–44

The Committee on Land-Erosion, consisting of William H. Hobbs (resigned), C. W. Thornthwaite and myself, has not had time to do much thus far. The Chairman only recently returned from China when he was informed of the appointment of this Committee. But plans are under way to begin a comprehensive examination of the complex dynamics of land-erosion. We are pleased to report that in 1941 your Chairman arranged for the Symposium on Dynamics of Land-Erosion for the General Meeting of the Annual Assembly of the American Geophysical Union [see Trans. Amer. Geophys, Union, Part II, pp. 236–320, 1941]. In this symposium, the following papers have laid important groundwork for further development of this subject: (1) Geomorphic aspects of normal and accelerated erosion, by C. F. STEWART SHARPE; (2) Land-erosion—normal and accelerated— in the semiarid west, by REED W. BAILEY; (3) Recent developments in the dynamics of wind-erosion, by FRANK J. MALINA; (4) Dynamics of water-erosion on land-surfaces, by LEONARD SCHIFF and ROBERT E. YODER; (5) Dynamics of entrainment of erosional debris and sedimentation by CARL B. BROWN; (6) Physiographic engineering: Land-erosion controls, by W. C. LOWDERMILK.
The role of the potential distribution at the electrode interface in determining the electron transfer rate constant

Simultaneous electrochemical impedance (EI) and electroreflectance (ER) measurements were performed on ‘bare’ gold, N-acetyl-l-cysteine(NAC) modified gold, and cytochrome c (cyt c) adsorbed on a NAC modified gold electrode. The electrical impedance of the electrode interface was modeled by a series connection of a constant phase element (CPE), a capacitor, and a resistor. The analysis of the combined EI and ER data yielded the heterogeneous electron transfer (ET) rate constant at each frequency of the modulating potential. This is in contrast to previous techniques which used the frequency dependence of the EI or ER response to obtain a value of the rate constant. Assuming that the Faradaic potential was equal to the potential at the nodes of the three element impedance model yielded frequency dependent rate constants. A small modification of the three element impedance model was needed to obtain a frequency independent rate constant of 850±80 s−1. This suggests that the distribution of the potential at the electrode interface (reflected in the choice of the electrical impedance model) is an important factor in the determination of the ET rate constant.
Renal complications after heart transplantation.

THE PATHOGENESIS of chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity is unknown, although experimentally a model has been produced that mimics the clinical pathologic features of this lesion. This model is produced by salt depletion in a rat or mouse even with modest doses of cyclosporine. Said another way, clinically relevant cyclosporine doses in a salt-depleted animal can produce chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity, while massive pharmacologic doses in a salt-replete animal produces hemodynamic change without pathologic lesions. There is now a considerable body of evidence that the renin angiotensin system is involved directly or indirectly in the renal scarring process as well as the vascular lesions. Blockade of the renin angiotensin system with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists can reverse the vasculopathy and interstitial fibrosis independent of changes in the glomerular filtration rate. There is also substantial evidence that angiotensin stimulates the production of increased interstitial matrix by its effects on transforming growth factor beta and its inhibition of matrix breakdown. Furthermore, cyclosporine and probably tacrolimus are known to reduce constitutive nitric oxide formation. Cyclosporine nephrotoxicity of the chronic variety is worsened by nitric oxide synthase inhibitors and is markedly improved by the infusion or administration of L-arginine. Finally, it has been shown recently that cyclosporine may induce renal tubular cell apoptosis by activation of the fas, fas-ligand pathway with the ultimate formation of caspases, which result in cell dropout and disappearance. How all of these pathways relate to clinical renal disease is best seen in successful heart transplant recipients. The frequency of cyclosporine nephrotoxicity is unknown and is very difficult to study in a renal transplant situation where rejection is always a confounding variable.
Effect of Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition on Bleeding Time in Humans

Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is a potent in vitro inhibitor of platelet adhesion and aggregation, but its role in regulating platelet reactivity in vivo and in humans in particular is undefined. Our primary objective was to determine whether the in vivo inhibition of NO production shortens template bleeding time (BT). The hemodynamic and platelet effects of NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), an NO synthase inhibitor, were studied in 12 normal volunteers. Forearm template BT was determined before and 15 min after the intravenous (i.v.) infusion of 4.3 mg/kg L-NMMA. L-NMMA infusion increased mean arterial pressure from 88 +/- 4 to 99 +/- 3 mm Hg (p = 0.0001). Plasma NO levels, determined by chemiluminescence, decreased 65 +/- 10% from basal values (p < 0.05), confirming inhibition of endogenous NO production. Intravenous L-NMMA shortened BT from 5.5 +/- 0.9 to 4.0 +/- 0.6 min (p = 0.026), or by 24 +/- 8% (p = 0.008). L-NMMA infusion did not significantly change ex vivo platelet aggregation. To determine whether vasoconstriction affected BT, we investigated forearm blood flow (FBF; determined by venous occlusion plethymography), and template BT in 3 subjects after the local infusion of L-NMMA (2-4 mg/min intraarterially, i.a.). Intraarterial administration of L-NMMA caused a 39 +/- 3% (p = 0.006) reduction in FBF in the infused arm but did not change BT. These data show that systemic inhibition of NO production shortens BT in humans. However, the precise mechanism by which L-NMMA shortens BT is not completely defined.
Notes on the care, restoration and repair of microsurgical instruments

The high cost of microsurgical instruments is multiplied by failure to care for them appropriately. This paper describes effective practical measures for the care of microsurgical instruments; and shows detailed procedures for restoring and repairing the instruments most often damaged: jewelers' forceps and scissors.
Poor appetite in the newborn and young infant

Summary 1. Poor appetite without demonstrable organic basis is occasionally observed in newborn and young infants. So far as is known these individuals develop normally. 2. Apparently there are inborn differences in appetite which must be considered in assessing the factors leading to poor appetite during childhood.
Introduction. Walt Disney: Its Persuasive Products and Cultural Contexts

(1996). Introduction. Walt Disney: Its Persuasive Products and Cultural Contexts. Journal of Popular Film and Television: Vol. 24, Walt Disney, pp. 50-52.
When Physical and Vocal Attractiveness Differ: Effects on Favorability of Interpersonal Impressions

Previous research has shown that targets whose physical and vocal attractiveness do not match (one channel being high and the other being low in attractiveness) elicit more negative impressions. The present study replicated this result and showed that the mediator and, hence, the reason for this effect is not simply a perception that the face and voice are discrepant but rather some disappointment with the less attractive channel. The finding that perceivers are overly disappointed with the less attractive channel is consistent with a large literature indicating that effects of negative events such as unattractive face or voice are stronger than effects of positive events.
Evidence for two catabolic endoglycosidase activities in β-mannosidase-deficient goat fibroblasts

Abstract Cultured skin fibroblasts derived from Nubian goats deficient in lysosomal β-mannosidase, which had previously been shown to accumulate storage oligosaccharides with the structures Manβ4GlcNAcβ4GlcNAc and Manβ4GlcNAc (in the ratio of 2.7:1) were evaluated for their ability to catabolize exogenous [ 3 H]GlcN-labelled glycoproteins isolated from the secretions of cultured goat or human fibroblasts. Regardless of the source of exogenous labelled glycoprotein, affected goat fibroblasts took up the labelled glycoprotein from the culture medium and subsequently accumulated the same major labelled oligosaccharide, identified as Manβ4GlcNAcβ4GlcNAc; no such oligosaccharide accumulated in normal goat fibroblasts under the same conditions. Tunicamycin-treated affected fibroblasts also took up labelled exogenous glycoprotein and accumulated labelled storage trisaccharide, further suggesting the direct accumulation of storage trisaccharide from impaired glycoprotein-associated oligosaccharide catabolism. Treatment of metabolically labelled affected fibroblasts with leupeptin, an inhibitor of lysosomal cathepsins, resulted in the 2- to 6-fold inhibition of trisaccharide accumulation, while having little effect on the uptake of [ 3 H]GlcN or the accumulation of labelled disaccharide. The results are most consistent with the presence of two endoglycosidases, an endo- β - N -acetylglucosaminidase and an endo-aspartylglucosaminidase, in goat fibroblasts. These two activities, rather than heterogeneous core oligosaccharide structures, are responsible for the ultimate accumulation of storage oligosaccharides with one and two GlcNAc residues at their reducing terminus.
Rectovaginal fistula after Posterior Intravaginal Slingplasty and Polypropylene mesh augmented rectocele repair

Posterior Intravaginal Slingplasty and mesh augmented rectocele repairs are procedures promoted for correction of vaginal relaxation. There is little data on the complications of these procedures alone or in combination. The first report of rectovaginal fistula after Posterior Intravaginal Slingplasty with graft augmented rectocele repair is presented. A 60-year-old female developed a rectovaginal fistula 3 months after undergoing a Posterior Intravaginal Slingplasty and mesh augmented rectocele repair for prolapse. Two attempts at correcting the fistula failed and there was a recurrence of her vault prolapse. She may now require diverting colostomy and repeat repair of her vault prolapse. The case report highlights the difficulties in treating a rectovaginal fistula that developed after Posterior Intravaginal Slingplasty and mesh augmented rectocele repair for vaginal vault prolapse. More data regarding complications associated with use of these procedures is needed prior to widespread use.
An Investigation of the Coauthor Graph.

The structure of coauthor graphs and the statistical validity of the associated author partitions are investigated as a function of productivity and collaborative thresholds. The productivity threshold determines the number of authors (points) in a coauthor graph, and the collaborative threshold determines the number of coauthor pairs (lines) in the graph. The statistical validity of author partitions is determined by the random‐graph hypothesis. The results show that for “small” databases, statistically preferred partitions occur when all authors and coauthor pairs appear in the graph. For “large” databases, statistically preferred partitions occur when authors and coauthor pairs who publish only one article are excluded from the graph. Unlike other bibliometric relationships, the highly selective nature of the collaborative relationship produces a wide range of threshold values for which the associated partitions are statistically valid. It remains to be shown how the statistical validity of partitions is related to the empirical significance of the same partitions. © 1987 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Questions about the cardiovascular safety of rosiglitazone and the place in therapy of the thiazolidinedione class have been raised in recent literature. Despite warnings from regulatory agencies, specific guidelines for the use of these agents are lacking. In order to make rational clinical
The Use of DFP32 as a Red Cell Tag with and without Simultaneous Tagging with Chromium51 in Certain Animals in the Presence or Absence of Random Destruction

DFP32, used to label erythrocytes in vitro, combines with cell constituents in two stages, the first almost immediate and involving tributyrinase inactivation, the second slower (more than 40 minutes) involving cholinesterase inactivation. Raising the DFP concentration increases the amount irreversibly bound, but increases even more the immediate post-transfusion elution, and DFP is unsuited for investigating erythrocyte viability of stored samples. In vivo tagging by intramuscular injection is satisfactory and normal survival curves are linear since the sample tagged has normal age distribution of cells in absence of random destruction. Here DFP32 curves are easier to interpret than Cr51 curves. In sheep, chromium elution occurs at two different rates producing a rapid initial drop followed by a slower one of about 3 per cent daily. Random destruction alters cell age distribution. New equations are derived for cases in which this is constant both with and without chromium elution; they were applied satisfactorily to dog and sheep blood. Analysis of such curves is difficult; approximate values for random destruction rates can be obtained though not potential life spans. Chromium curves can be analyzed only with the help of DFP32 or similar curves, and yield little additional information. DFP32 and chromium can be used simultaneously to provide controls.
Isolation of thermally sensitive aptamers on a microchip

We present a microchip for isolation of aptamers that bind to target ligands at prespecified temperatures. The device uses integrated resistive heaters and sensors to control the temperatures of (poly)dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchambers for temperature-specific selection and bead-based amplification of aptamers. Aptamers are isolated from a randomized DNA library at specified temperatures, and amplified onto microbeads using bead-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). As a proof of concept, the device was used to isolate aptamers for human immunoglobulin E (IgE), with the enriched pool of candidate aptamers exhibiting a much higher and temperature-dependent affinity for the target protein. The procedure was performed with significantly less reagent use in a much shorter time period (4 hours) than with conventional devices (up to 2 days).
Association of television violence exposure with executive functioning and white matter volume in young adult males

Prior research has indicated that self-reported violent media exposure is associated with poorer performance on some neuropsychological tests in adolescents. This study aimed to examine the relationship of executive functioning to violent television viewing in healthy young adult males and examine how brain structure is associated with media exposure measures. Sixty-five healthy adult males (ages 18-29) with minimal video game experience estimated their television viewing habits over the past year and, during the subsequent week, recorded television viewing time and characteristics in a daily media diary. Participants then completed a battery of neuropsychological laboratory tests quantifying executive functions and underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Aggregate measures of executive functioning were not associated with measures of overall television viewing (any content type) during the past week or year. However, the amount of television viewing of violent content only, as indicated by both past-year and daily diary measures, was associated with poorer scores on an aggregate score of inhibition, interference control and attention, with no relationship to a composite working memory score. In addition, violent television exposure, as measured with daily media diaries, was associated with reduced frontoparietal white matter volume. Future longitudinal work is necessary to resolve whether individuals with poor executive function and slower white matter growth are more drawn to violent programming, or if extensive media violence exposure modifies cognitive control mechanisms mediated primarily via prefrontal cortex. Impaired inhibitory mechanisms may be related to reported increases in aggression with higher media violence exposure.
A note on polynomial splines with free knots

It is observed that the tangent spaces to sets of splines with free knots can often be characterized as spaces of splines with fixed knots. It follows that some recent theorems on nonlinear approximation are applicable in this setting.
I-Dialogue: information extraction from informal discourse

Speech is a fundamental means of human communication. Design and construction are social activities. We argue that designers and builders generate and develop concepts through dialogue. These communicative events are typically not captured. Consequently, knowledge transfer and reuse opportunities are missed. Our objective is to capture and mine rich, contextual, social communicative events for further knowledge reuse. We present a methodology and prototype called I-Dialogue that: (1) captures the knowledge generated during informal communicative events through dialogue, sketching and gestures in the form of unstructured digital design knowledge corpus; (2) adds structure to the unstructured digital knowledge corpus; and (3) processes the corpus using an innovative notion disambiguation algorithm in support of knowledge retrieval. The paper concludes with results of evaluation experiments with I-Dialogue using a testbed of design–construction projects.
Risk factors for venous thromboembolism in nursing home residents.

OBJECTIVE To determine risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) among nursing home (NH) residents. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS This population-based historical cohort study used Minnesota Case Mix Review Program (MCMRP) Public Research Files to identify all unique Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents in any local NH from January 1, 1988, through December 31, 1994. Cases were defined as residents with a VTE diagnosis at any NH assessment. For each case, we identified 2 age- and sex-matched controls, defined as NH residents who did not have VTE but were assessed in the year of the case's earliest VTE diagnosis (ie, index assessment). Cases and controls were compared for preindex assessment characteristics. Accuracy of MCMRP VTE ascertainment was explored by comparing MCMRP cases with members of the Rochester Epidemiology Project incident cohort who were objectively diagnosed with VTE from January 1, 1988, through December 31, 1994, while residing in an Olmsted County NH. RESULTS At the preindex assessment, cases were more likely than controls to have returned from hospital; to require assistance with grooming, toileting, transferring, bed positioning, or wheelchair use; or to need physical therapy, rehabilitation, clinical monitoring, or wound care and were less likely to have neurologic disease. There were 53 MCMRP VTE cases vs 161 Rochester Epidemiology Project NH VTE cases; the proportion with pulmonary embolism was 21% vs 62%; 1-year mortality was 24% vs 55%. CONCLUSION Administrative data from NHs reveal important VTE risk factors not routinely documented in hospital or ambulatory records. However, ascertainment of VTE from NH administrative data appears biased toward surviving cases, highlighting concerns about using such data to assess provider quality and pointing to the need for studies that track individuals through multiple data sources across institutional settings.
Addressing Sulfate-Induced Heave in Lime Treated Soils

Civil engineers are at times required to stabilize sulfate-bearing clay soils with calcium-based stabilizers. Deleterious heaving in these stabilized soils may result over time. This paper addresses critical questions regarding the consequences of treating sulfate laden soils with calcium-based stabilizers. The authors describe the nature (chemistry and structure) of the minerals (ettringite/thaumasite) blamed for deleterious reactions and explain why these structures may lead to damage. The writers also describe the mechanisms of the mineral growth, and the extent of mineral growth based on the amount of sulfate minerals present in the soil. The writers explain why the rate of ettringite growth in treated soils should not be expected to follow a controlled rate of ettringite development such as that which normally occurs in portland cement concrete. The writers compare the rate and degree of ettringite development in soils to the classical model of nucleation and growth typical of most crystal structures. Finally, the writers evaluate the role of soil mineralogy in controlling soil behavior at varying sulfate contents and verify the existence of a threshold level of soluble sulfates in soils that can trigger substantial ettringite growth.
Experimental synthesis of seismic horizontal free-field motion of soil in finite-domain simulations with absorbing boundary

Abstract In this paper, a fundamental assessment of the method of physical wave-absorbing boundary and centrifuge modeling is presented in the context of experimental simulations of seismic free-field ground motion. Focusing on the characteristics of a sand stratum, a series of seismic tests on models of uniform density and a large width-to-depth ratio with Duxseal as the side boundary were performed using an in-box shake-table system. By means of the transfer function approach in the frequency domain, the complex three-dimensional nature of the dynamic response of the finite soil model with the boundary treatment is demonstrated in terms of its variable resonant frequency distribution at different g-levels. Apart from being helpful in quantifying the difficulty in interpreting the finite-domain response simulations using one-dimensional theories or homogenized representations, the measured data substantiates the need and usefulness of coupling the Duxseal boundary approach with a three-dimensional elastodynamic synthesis. With the aid of a corresponding boundary element implementation, the feasibility of identifying the soil's in-flight shear modulus variation, Poisson's ratio and horizontal-to-vertical earth pressure ratio from the centrifuge model's free-field measurements is also explored.
Cerebral cortical neurons with activity linked to central neurogenic spontaneous and evoked elevations in cerebral blood flow

We recorded neurons in rat cerebral cortex with activity relating to the neurogenic elevations in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) coupled to stereotyped bursts of EEG activity, burst-cerebrovascular wave complexes, appearing spontaneously or evoked by electrical stimulation of rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVL) or fastigial nucleus (FN). Of 333 spontaneously active neurons only 15 (5%), in layers 5-6, consistently (P < 0.05, chi-square) increased their activity during the earliest potential of the complex, approximately 1.3 s before the rise of rCBF, and during the minutes-long elevation of rCBF elicited by 10 s of stimulation of RVL or FN. The results indicate the presence of a small population of neurons in deep cortical laminae whose activity correlates with neurogenic elevations of rCBF. These neurons may function to transduce afferent neuronal signals into vasodilation.
Assessing a land surface model's improvements with GRACE estimates

[1] The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites have produced an unprecedented data set of terrestrial water storage (TWS) change in large-scale river basins. Recent research has found that monthly variations of soil moisture and snow water simulated by land surface models compared favorably with the GRACE-derived TWS change. Compared to the GRACE data, the standard version of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Land Model (CLM) produces a weaker TWS variability in tropical and mid-latitudes but a stronger TWS variation in high latitudes. However, a modified version of CLM that includes more realistic interception, runoff, and frozen soil processes improves the simulation of TWS change in global river basins of various scales. In addition, the modified CLM improves the modeling of evapotranspiration through the improvements in the modeling of TWS variation and runoff in the Amazon River basin. Along this line of research, this paper shows that such GRACE data can be used as a means of evaluating the hydrological schemes in a land surface model.
Single robot - Multiple human interaction via intelligent user interfaces

This project addresses some research issues concerning design of intelligent user interfaces for improving human-robot interaction. In some critical applications, users interact with robots via Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs), which usually contain standard components considering a large number of users. Some of these user interface components may be redundant and sometimes confusing for some users depending on their preferences, capabilities, and the context robots are used in. This paper describes an adaptive system that enables a mobile robot to learn its users' preferences and capabilities so that it can offer a dynamic and efficient GUI for each user rather than a standard GUI for all users. The system predicts future actions of the users by generating models based on the users' previous interactions with the robot. The system was implemented and evaluated on a Pioneer 3-AT mobile robot. About 20 participants who were assessed on spatial ability directed the robot in simple spatial navigation tasks to evaluate effectiveness of the adaptive interface. Time to complete the task, the number of steps, and the number of errors were collected. The results showed that although spatial reasoning ability plays an important role in mobile robot navigation, it is less important in the robot control with adaptive interfaces compared to that of the non-adaptive.
What is an atom in a molecule

The derivation of the Hirshfeld atoms in molecules from information theory is clarified. The importance for chemistry of the concept of atoms in molecules (AIM) is stressed, and it is argued that this concept, while highly useful, constitutes a noumenon in the sense of Kant.
Dynamic Response of Thin-Walled Composite Material Timoshenko Beams

Presentation of the beam theory for thin-walled composite beams, used extensively in the offshore industry in applications ranging from marine risers to platforms and frames. This new theory, based on Timoshenko beam theory, can be incorporated into existing codes
Paying the Price? The Impact of Controversial Governance Practices on Managerial Reputation

This study directly examines the reputational penalties that managers pay when they engage in controversial governance practices that raise questions about managerial self-interest. These penalties...
Gene interactions and modifiers in epilepsy

The onset, progression, and severity of epilepsy vary between family members with identical mutations in primary disease genes. The background of genetic variation unique to each individual genome contributes to clinical variation. Known examples of gene interactions in human families and mouse models provide insight into underlying molecular mechanisms. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper's Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press. (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Chemical control of breathing in the lizard, Varanus exanthematicus

1. 1. In Varanus exanthematicus, alterations of inspired and end-tidal gas pressures resulted in rapid ventilatory responses. This, as well as other physiological characteristics, contributes to a homeostatic ability unusual for a reptile. 2. 2. In contrast to the lizard Lacerta, the varanid showed a positive ventilatory response to hypoxia. 3. 3. Whereas CO2 breathing depressed breathing frequency in other lizards, both tidal volume and frequency increased in Varanus. 4. 4. End-tidal Pco2 increased significantly after feeding, presumably compensating for an alkaline “tide” of digestion. The increased end-tidal Pco2 not due to a decrease in ventilation.
Spirituality in the Counselor Education Curriculum: A National Survey of Student Perceptions

Interns (N= 335) from 36 programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs completed a survey about their preparation to integrate the 9 Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Issues in Counseling (ASERVIC) Spiritual Competencies into their counseling practice. Most respondents felt prepared to integrate all but 1 of ASERVIC's competencies. Spiritual topics of wellness, meaning, hope, and faith were addressed most frequently in course work and were associated with feeling prepared to integrate 8 of the competencies. Classroom discussion, experiential activities, and reading were the modalities most useful for learning about spirituality.
Plif imaging of hypersonic reactive flow around blunt bodies

Qualitative OH planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging experiments of supersonic reactive flows over a 40° wedge and a 19-mm-diameter blunted cylinder are reported. Hydrogen-, ethylene-, and methane-based mixtures have been used in this work. Three different free stream conditions. M ∞ =6.7, 5.2 and 4.2, were used to study the combustion modes around the wedge and blunted cylinder. Separate schlieren imaging results were also obtained for several of the test cases, providing complementary shock wave visualization. In several cases for the wedge, shock-induced combustion was observed a finite distance behind the nonreacting oblique shock wave. For the most sensitive hydrogen mixture, an oblique detonation occurred in which the shock wave and combustion front were fully coupled. In the experiments with the blunted cylinder, two different regimes of combustion were observed. When the velocity of the flow was larger than the CJ velocity of the mixture, the mode was that of an adiabatic shock followed by a smooth combustion front. For cases of flow velocity similar to the CJ velocity or less, regular oscillations were observed on the image and in the stagnation pressure history. These observations are qualitatively consistent with previous work.
A DWT-based robust semi-blind image watermarking algorithm using two bands

Robust image watermarking is the process of embedding an invisible watermark in an image with the purpose of keeping the watermark intact after intentional attacks and normal audio/visual processes. A recent DWT image watermarking paper embeds a PRN sequence as a watermark in three bands, excluding the low pass subband, using coefficients that are higher than a given threshold T 1 . During watermark detection, all the coefficients higher than another threshold T 2 are chosen for correlation with the original watermark. In this paper, we extend the idea to embed the same watermark in two bands (LL and HH). Our experiments show that for one group of attacks, the correlation with the real watermark is higher than the threshold in the LL band, and for another group of attacks, the correlation with the real watermark is higher than the threshold in the HH band.
A simple methodology for constructing extensible and high-fidelity TCP/IP network simulators

This paper proposes a simple methodology for constructing extensible and high-fidelity TCP/IP simulators in BSD UNIX environments. A simulator constructed under this methodology will simulate multiple network nodes by re-entering the UNIX kernel of the simulation host multiple times. Generated simulation results are derived from executing the native TCP/IP protocol stack on the simulation host. They are thus more accurate than those generated from a TCP/IP network simulator that implements only an abstraction of a real-life TCP/IP implementation. By using this methodology, the simulator architecture creates an illusion for the BSD UNIX kernel that the simulated network is a real network. All existing application programs such as FTP, telnet and HTTP, and all network utilities such as route, ifconfig and tcpdump are immediately applicable to a simulated network for generating network traffic, configuring networks, gathering statistics, etc. Additionally, the network simulator provides the standard UNIX API on every node in a simulated network so that ally existing or future application program can run on any node in a simulated network. This allows a network simulator to be easily extended to study high-level network architecture and application issues.
"Effects of Gender Harassment on Organizational Trust, Workgroup Effectiveness and Cohesion"

Sexual harassment is a serious problem in the workplace. There is less research on gender harassment, a subgroup of sexual harassment behavior involving hostile and degrading jokes, statements and ...
Comparative analysis of red cell distribution width and high sensitivity C-reactive protein for coronary heart disease mortality prediction in multi-ethnic population: findings from the 1999-2004 NHANES.

Abstract Background Red cell distribution width (RDW) has been shown to predict all-cause and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality. However, the predictive ability of RDW for future coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in comparison to high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has not been assessed in a population cohort free of CVD. Methods Analysis was performed on 8,513 adult participants (age >20years) free of CVD from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999–2004. Cox-proportional hazard analyses were used to assess the role of RDW and hs-CRP in CHD mortality and in subgroups based on high and low RDW and hs-CRP. Results On adjustment for traditional risk factors (age, sex, systolic blood pressure, anti-hypertensive medication use, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipid lowering therapy, smoking, diabetes mellitus, anemia, mean corpuscular volume and nutritional deficiencies), RDW [hazard ratio (HR) 1.26 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [1.12–1.42] p 12.6%) was predictive of CHD mortality irrespective of hs-CRP status [hs-CRP ≤3mg/L (HR 1.17 95% CI [1.01–1.36] p=0.031)] and hs-CRP >3mg/L (HR 1.44 95% CI [1.23–1.68] p Conclusion RDW but not hs-CRP was associated with CHD mortality independent of traditional risk factors in a cohort with no pre-existing CVD. RDW may be considered a stronger biomarker for CHD death than hs-CRP and needs further prospective evaluation in CVD risk assessment.
Reactivity of Ru(H)(H2)Cl(PCy3)2 with Propargyl and Vinyl Chlorides: New Methodology To Give Metathesis-Active Ruthenium Carbenes

A procedure for generating the ruthenium hydride complex Ru(H)(H2)Cl(PCy3)2 in 95% yield is presented. Following a novel insertion−elimination pathway, this hydride can react with propargyl or vinyl halides to make metathesis-active vinyl and alkyl carbene species with the general formulas (PCy3)2Cl2RuCH−CHCR2 and (PCy3)2Cl2RuCHR, respectively. Tertiary propargyl chlorides work best, giving Ru−vinyl carbenes in extremely high yield.
A conversation with David E. Shaw

Stanford professor Pat Hanrahan sits down with the noted hedge fund founder, computational biochemist, and (above all) computer scientist.
The tri-pi-methane rearrangement: mechanistic and exploratory organic photochemistry(1)

The di-π-methane rearrangement is firmly established as a mode of synthesizing three-membered-ring compounds. We now report the tri-π-methane counterpart.
Resource typing in guru: (abstract only)

This paper presents a resource typing framework for the Guru verified-programming language, in which abstractions for various kinds of program resources can be defined. Implemented examples include reference-counted data, mutable arrays, and heap-allocated mutable aliased data. The approach enables efficient, type-safe programming with mutable and aliased data structures, with explicit deallocation (not garbage collection). We evaluate performance of the approach with two verified benchmarks, one involving mutable arrays, and another involving FIFO queues.
Erythrocyte destruction and reticuloendothelial function in the autoimmune hemolytic disease of NZB mice.

. New Zealand Black (NZB) mice spontaneously develop Coombs positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The pathogenesis of the hemolytic anemia was investigated through radioisotopic methods using chromium-labeled (51Cr) syngeneic erythrocytes to measure the chromium disappearance rate. Chromium disappearance was monitored in both the presence and absence of ‘bound’ autoantibodies. Technetium-labeled colloidal sulfide (99mTc) was injected i.v. to assess the phagocytic activity of the reticuloendothelial system. The mean rate of disappearance of chromium from the circulation of Coombs negative NZB mice was comparable to that of a control CBA strain. Coombs positive NZB mice had a greater destruction rate with the rate being proportional to the degree of autoantibody sensitization. The hepatic technetium uptake in Coombs positive NZB mice was about 50% greater than in Coombs negative NZB mice. The spleen and bone marrow had a greater uptake and the liver a smaller uptake of 99mTc in Coombs negative NZB mice than in a control group of mice. It is concluded that both erythrocyte autoantibodies and increased reticuloendothelial activity influence the destruction of erythrocytes in Coombs positive NZB mice.