cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF THE 3M BRAND AUTOMATIC COLONY COUNTER1,2

The 3M Brand Automatic Colony Counter, Model 620, was evaluated and compared with three laboratory technicians on raw milk Standard Plate Count (SPC) cultures over the range of counts from 0–300 colonies per culture plate. Overall, the estimated total variance for the three technicians was 15.07, for the 3M unit 17.82. On plates averaging greater than 150 colonies the 3M unit and hand counts were about equal in Variability. On lower counts the 3M device was somewhat more variable, although within what would appear to be acceptable limits. For the range of data studied, 99.4% of the variance (for the average of three counts by either method) could be accounted for by a similar average of observations using the other method. The 3M unit averaged 2.33 counts higher than technician counts.
Utilizing Knowledge Graphs in Text-centric Information Retrieval

The past decade has witnessed the emergence of several publicly available and proprietary knowledge graphs (KGs). The increasing depth and breadth of content in KGs makes them not only rich sources of structured knowledge by themselves but also valuable resources for search systems. A surge of recent developments in entity linking and retrieval methods gave rise to a new line of research that aims at utilizing KGs for text-centric retrieval applications, making this an ideal time to pause and report current findings to the community, summarizing successful approaches, and soliciting new ideas. This tutorial is the first to disseminate the progress in this emerging field to researchers and practitioners. All tutorial resources are available online at http://github.com/laura-dietz/tutorial-utilizing-kg
116-P: EVALUATION OF ENGRAFTMENT MONITORING FOR ALLOGENEIC AND DOUBLE CORD BLOOD HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS USING REAL-TIME qPCR

Aim To evaluate and validate utilization of the more sensitive engraftment monitoring method, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), in detecting chimerism levels during early stages of relapse or rejection. Methods Twenty-four samples from 22 stem cell recipients (14 male; 8 female) were used for this study. The average age of recipients was 54.9 ± 12.6 years. Samples used for analysis were obtained from peripheral blood (n=14) or bone marrow (n=10) and were 274.2 ± 302.7 days post-transplant. Sixteen received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants and 6 received double cord transplants. Samples were tested for inter- and intra-assay variation. Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis was performed using the AmpFLSTR® Identifiler® PCR Amplification Kit (Life Technologies). qPCR was performed using the AlleleSEQR® Chimerism Assay (Celera Corporation). Results Initial studies with contrived mixtures confirmed the sensitivity of the qPCR to be lower than 0.5%. Based on these studies, we chose to run 2 informative qPCR markers, unique for the minor population, in our clinical assays. These markers should demonstrate the lowest delta Ct values and should not be located on the same chromosome or on chromosomes with known disease-related abnormalities. qPCR results were comparable with STR results for 22 of the 24 samples. Concordance was poor when the pre-determined “minor population” tested at greater than 50%. Reproducibility of the screen and quantitative qPCR assays using informative markers chosen by each method was also demonstrated. Conclusions Validation studies were successful. The sensitivity of the qPCR assay is excellent in the lower ranges of chimerism (below 30-40%), but the accuracy can be reduced when the “minor population” levels increase. The increased sensitivity of the qPCR assay can be useful in evaluating double cord blood recipients, particularly in the early times post-transplant.
Junior faculty core curriculum to enhance faculty development.

INTRODUCTION Senior Instructors and Assistant Professors in their first academic appointment may not have all the tools for an efficient start to their careers. Although many institutions provide access to mentoring programs and seminars on faculty development, the timing and format of the offerings often conflict with ongoing responsibilities of the faculty, particularly clinical faculty. METHODS We established a collaboration between the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and the University of Rochester Medical Center Office for Faculty Development with the goal of developing a week-long Junior Faculty Core Curriculum that would better suit faculty schedules. We convened focus groups and with their help, identified themes for inclusion in the course. Speakers were identified from among local senior faculty. University leadership was enlisted in promoting the course. Individual speakers and course content were evaluated daily, at the end of the week-long course, and 6 months later. Planning for subsequent years incorporated the feedback. Yearly evaluations and subsequent course modification continued. RESULTS Junior faculty from nearly every department in the Medical Center were represented. There was high learner satisfaction and participation however several limitations were identified and addressed in subsequent years. The focus on principles and available resources, not specific skills or content was appropriate. Daily interactions among participants from a wide variety of departments fostered networking among faculty who may not otherwise have met and discussed common interests. CONCLUSIONS The ultimate value of such an early, intensive faculty development program will depend on whether it equips junior faculty to organize, develop, and achieve their academic goals better than alternative formats. This will require further study.
Review essay: introducing students to the field of public history

Colleges and Universities in the United States have offered courses in applied history, a precursor to Public History, for at least one hundred years. Originally, the impulse to train historians fo...
Editorial Commentary: Danger Zone: The Posteromedial Elbow: Don't Go Looking for Trouble and It Won't Find You! Arthroscopic Management of the Arthritis Elbow.

Abstract Arthroscopy for elbow arthritis has been used by this author for 30 years. There are many benefits to arthroscopic management of the arthritic elbow. A complete understanding of the pathology is essential to correct surgical management. Excision of spurs and osteophytes, deepening of the coronoid or olecranon fossa, removal of loose bodies, and synovectomy are essential. Arthritis is usually not a capsular problem, so the releases needed for post-traumatic ankylosis takedown are not usually necessary in the arthritic elbow.
Measuring Influenza Neutralizing Antibody Responses to A(H3N2) Viruses in Human Sera by Microneutralization Assays Using MDCK-SIAT1 Cells

Neutralizing antibodies against hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza viruses are considered the main immune mechanism that correlates with protection for influenza infections. Microneutralization (MN) assays are often used to measure neutralizing antibody responses in human sera after influenza vaccination or infection. Madine Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells are the commonly used cell substrate for MN assays. However, currently circulating 3C.2a and 3C.3a A(H3N2) influenza viruses have acquired altered receptor binding specificity. The MDCK-SIAT1 cell line with increased α-2,6 sialic galactose moieties on the surface has proven to provide improved infectivity and more faithful replications than conventional MDCK cells for these contemporary A(H3N2) viruses. Here, we describe a MN assay using MDCK-SIAT1 cells that has been optimized to quantify neutralizing antibody titers to these contemporary A(H3N2) viruses. In this protocol, heat inactivated sera containing neutralizing antibodies are first serially diluted, then incubated with 100 TCID50/well of influenza A(H3N2) viruses to allow antibodies in the sera to bind to the viruses. MDCK-SIAT1 cells are then added to the virus-antibody mixture, and incubated for 18 - 20 h at 37 °C, 5% CO2 to allow A(H3N2) viruses to infect MDCK-SIAT1 cells. After overnight incubation, plates are fixed and the amount of virus in each well is quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using anti-influenza A nucleoprotein (NP) monoclonal antibodies. Neutralizing antibody titer is defined as the reciprocal of the highest serum dilution that provides ≥50% inhibition of virus infectivity.
Comparison of protein expression between human livers and the hepatic cell lines HepG2, Hep3B, and Huh7 using SWATH and MRM-HR proteomics: Focusing on drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Abstract Human hepatic cell lines are widely used as an in vitro model for the study of drug metabolism and liver toxicity. However, the validity of this model is still a subject of debate because the expressions of various proteins in the cell lines, including drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs), can differ significantly from those in human livers. In the present study, we first conducted an untargeted proteomics analysis of the microsomes of the cell lines HepG2, Hep3B, and Huh7, and compared them to human livers using a sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH) method. Furthermore, high-resolution multiple reaction monitoring (MRM-HR), a targeted proteomic approach, was utilized to compare the expressions of pre-selected DMEs between human livers and the cell lines. In general, the SWATH quantifications were in good agreement with the MRM-HR analysis. Over 3000 protein groups were quantified in the cells and human livers, and the proteome profiles of human livers significantly differed from the cell lines. Among the 101 DMEs quantified with MRM-HR, most were expressed at substantially lower levels in the cell lines. Thus, appropriate caution must be exercised when using these cell lines for the study of hepatic drug metabolism and toxicity.
Relationship Conflict, Work Conditions, and the Health of Mothers With Young Children.

Past research has shown that marital conflict is associated with poorer health among women and that new children come with declines in relationship quality and increased stress. The primary aim of ...
Wittgenstein and Our Philosophic Tradition

Although Wittgenstein’s so-called “later philosophy” began, as we have seen, somewhat inauspiciously, it nevertheless contained and went on to explore ideas of great promise. In what has just preceded I have tried to uncover the wider significance and inherent interest of one or two of the more neglected of these ideas and insights. Without trying to add to them further here I should like, in this final chapter, to define what I believe is their over-all tendency, and I should like to do this by viewing them in the larger context of our philosophic tradition. To put it briefly, what I should like to do is to consider whether Wittgenstein’s later linguistic philosophy does not after all, despite all that has been said about it by both its friends and foes, form as integral a part of our philosophic tradition as, say, Existentialism.
The relationship between size and maturation in vitro in the unstimulated human oocyte

Objective To determine if the size of human oocytes at collection from unstimulated ovaries is related to their ability to resume meiosis and undergo maturation in vitro. Design A comparative study of oocyte diameter at collection. Setting Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Medical School. Patients Women age 25 to 39 years of age undergoing gynecological procedures yielding oophorectomy specimens. Intervention Oocytes obtained from ovarian tissue were cultured in Ham's F-10 and fetal bovine serum for 72 hours and observed two times per day. Main Outcome Measure The oocytes ability to resume meiosis and complete maturation based on their diameter at collection. Results Chi-squared analysis revealed a significant difference in oocytes measuring 86 to 105 μ m versus those measuring 106 to 125 μ m. Conclusion The unstimulated human oocyte appears to have a size-dependent ability to resume meiosis and complete maturation.
Interpersonal behavior in couple therapy: Concurrent and prospective associations with depressive symptoms and relationship distress

Objective: This study investigated associations between couples’ interpersonal behavior, depressive symptoms, and relationship distress over the course of couple psychotherapy. Method: After every ...
Impact of bariatric surgery in patients with HIV infection: a nationwide inpatient sample analysis, 2004-2014

OBJECTIVE Despite rising rates of obesity among patients with HIV, the potential role for weight loss surgery in this population remains less clear. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the role of bariatric surgery on relevant clinical outcomes among hospitalized obese patients with HIV. DESIGN Retrospective analysis using the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2004 to 2014. Using Poisson regression, adjusted incidence risk ratios (IRR) were derived for clinical outcomes in patients with prior-bariatric surgery compared with those without bariatric surgery. PATIENTS Patients with discharge co-diagnoses of morbid obesity and HIV. INTERVENTION Bariatric surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included renal failure, urinary tract infection, malnutrition, sepsis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, thromboembolic events, gastrointestinal strictures, micronutrient deficiency, length of stay, and hospitalization costs. RESULTS Among 7803 patients with discharge diagnoses of HIV and morbid obesity, 346 patients (4.4%) had bariatric surgery. The proportion of bariatric surgery in obese patients with HIV initially declined by -0.10% per year from 2004 to 2009 (Ptrend < 0.05), then increased at an annual rate of +0.33% from 2012 to 2014 (Ptrend < 0.05). On multivariable analysis, bariatric surgery did not influence mortality (P = 0.98). Bariatric surgery was associated with decreased risk for renal failure, respiratory failure, and sepsis (all P < 0.001). However, bariatric surgery increased the risk for postoperative strictures (IRR 2.5; 95% CI 1.5-4.5; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION Though initially underutilized, bariatric surgery in morbidly obese HIV patients is increasing and appears to be well tolerated and effective in significantly reducing life-threatening morbidity.
Room-Temperature Ferromagnetic Insulating State in Cation-Ordered Double-Perovskite Sr 2 Fe 1+ x Re 1- x O 6 Films.

Ferromagnetic insulators (FMIs) are one of the most important components in developing dissipationless electronic and spintronic devices. However, FMIs are innately rare to find in nature as ferromagnetism generally accompanies metallicity. Here, novel room-temperature FMI films that are epitaxially synthesized by deliberate control of the ratio between two B-site cations in the double perovskite Sr2 Fe1+ x Re1- x O6 (-0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) are reported. In contrast to the known FM metallic phase in stoichiometric Sr2 FeReO6 , an FMI state with a high Curie temperature (Tc ≈ 400 K) and a large saturation magnetization (MS ≈ 1.8 µB f.u.-1 ) is found in highly cation-ordered Fe-rich phases. The stabilization of the FMI state is attributed to the formation of extra Fe3+ Fe3+ and Fe3+ Re6+ bonding states, which originate from the relatively excess Fe ions owing to the deficiency in Re ions. The emerging FMI state created by controlling cations in the oxide double perovskites opens the door to developing novel oxide quantum materials and spintronic devices.
Dispatching Sonic Hedgehog: Molecular Mechanisms Controlling Deployment

The Hedgehog (Hh) family of morphogens direct cell fate decisions during embryogenesis and signal to maintain tissue homeostasis after birth. Hh ligands harbor dual lipid modifications that anchor the proteins into producing cell membranes, effectively preventing ligand release. The transporter-like protein Dispatched (Disp) functions to release these membrane tethers and mobilize Hh ligands to travel toward distant cellular targets. The molecular mechanisms by which Disp achieves Hh deployment are not yet fully understood, but a number of recent publications provide insight into the complex process of Hh release. Herein we review this literature, integrate key discoveries, and discuss some of the open questions that will drive future studies aimed at understanding Disp-mediated Hh ligand deployment.
Freeway Truck Traffic Safety in Wyoming: Crash Characteristics and Prediction Models:

The State of Wyoming experiences a high percentage of truck traffic along all its highways, especially Interstate 80 (I-80). The increased interactions between trucks and other vehicles have raised...
Sensitive field-effect transistor sensors with atomically thin black phosphorus nanosheets

Atomically thin black phosphorus (BP) field-effect transistors have excellent potential for sensing applications. However, commercial scaling of PFET sensors is still in the early stage due to various technical challenges, such as tedious fabrication, low response% caused by rapid oxidation, non-ideal response output (spike/bidirectional), and large device variation due to poor control over layer thickness among devices. Attempts have been made to address these issues. First, a theoretical model for response% dependence on the number of layers is developed to show the role of atomically thin BP for better responses. A position-tracked, selected-area-exfoliation method has been developed to rapidly produce thin BP layers with a narrow distribution (∼1–7 layers), which can harness excellent gate control over the PFET channel. The typical current on/off ratio is in the range of ∼300–500. The cysteine-modified Al2O3-gated PFET sensors show high responses (∼30–900%) toward a wide detection range (∼1–400 ppb) of lead ions in water with a typical response time of ∼10–30 s. A strategy to minimize device variation is proposed by correlating PFETs’ on/off ratio with sensitivity parameters. The thickness variation of the gate oxide is investigated to explain non-ideal and ideal response transient kinetics.
Effect of dietary coarse corn inclusion on broiler live performance, litter characteristics, and ammonia emission.

Abstract Ammonia (NH3) emission from nondigested nutrients in poultry creates additional adverse environmental impacts on soil, water, air, and health. Mitigating NH3 emission has become vital for the poultry industry to remain sustainable. As the presence of large particles in the feed stimulates the broiler gizzard to retain ingesta in the gastrointestinal tract longer and improve digestive efficiency, the inclusion of large particles in feed may lead to less nitrogen (N) and moisture content (MC) in feces such that lower NH3 production would be expected. This chamber study investigated the effects of dietary coarse corn (CC) inclusion on broiler live performance, litter characteristics, and NH3 emission. One hundred eighty female broilers (Ross 344 × 708 strains) at day 21 were randomly placed in 6 chambers with 2 dietary treatments (0% CC and 50% CC), with 3 chambers per treatment and 30 birds per chamber for 3 wks. The results showed that the 50% CC inclusion (1) decreased broiler feed intake and BW without affecting mortality-adjusted feed conversion ratio from day 21 to 42; (2) increased gizzard weight and decreased proventriculus weight; (3) decreased N content and MC in litter; and (4) decreased NH3 concentrations in the chambers, as well as NH3 emission from the chambers. Dietary CC inclusion could be an effective way to mitigate broiler litter N content and MC as well as NH3 emission.
When Is Corporate Governance Research Relevant to Accounting? Evidence from JAR 2002–2018

In this review, we focus on corporate governance-related research published in the Journal of Accounting Research (JAR) over the 2002-2018 period. Our main objective is not to provide an in-depth critical review of these papers, but rather to identify when and why corporate governance studies are relevant to accounting research and thus of interest to accounting journals – a question we often struggle with in our roles as authors, editors and reviewers. After a brief review of studies on executive pay (traditionally considered to be part of accounting research), we offer the following taxonomy for the rest of governance studies: (i) studies where a governance mechanism is the central determinant and an accounting construct is the outcome of interest (“governance-as-determinant” studies); (ii) studies where a governance “shock” is used to address an accounting question (“governance-as-shock” studies); (iii) studies where the governance mechanism is the construct of interest, but the mechanism itself is an accounting one (e.g. the audit committee); and, (iv) studies where a (non-accounting) governance mechanism is the construct of interest and the research question is fundamentally a governance question (“pure governance studies”). The relevance of studies that fall in the last sub-group to accounting research is not as obvious. Thus, we devote special attention to these papers, trying to identify why they were appealing to an accounting journal. We hope our review provides editors and reviewers at JAR and other accounting journals with a framework to assess the relevance of governance studies to accounting research, while also helping authors in successfully framing such studies.
Estimating US Antidumping/Countervailing Duty Enforcement Benefits

Dumping is the unfair trade practice of a foreign firm exporting its goods at a price below the sales price in its home market or below its production cost plus markup. Dumping displaces production of similar commodities in the importing country, because its domestic producers have difficulty competing with the lower import price. Antidumping (AD) is a major Priority Trade Issue of concern to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and its enforcement is undertaken in parallel with that of countervailing duties (CVD), tariffs on imported goods that offset subsidies for these goods in the exporting country.
An overview of big data analytics application in supply chain management published in 2010-2019

Abstract Paper aims This study reviews the available literature regarding big data analytics applications in supply chain management and provides insight on topics that received a good deal of attention and topics that still require investigation. This review considers the expansion of big data analytics in supply chain management from 2010 to 2019. Originality Beyond displaying the increasing frequency of using big data analytics in supply chain management, the authors also aim to develop a useful categorization of applying business analytics in supply chain management and define opportunities for future research in the field. Research method This paper briefly discusses big data applications in supply chain management. Four common steps in review papers are performed: collecting articles (Thomson Reuters Web of Science), descriptive analysis, defining categories, and evaluating the material. Main findings According to both information technology development trends and the availability of data, more companies are using big data analytics in their supply chains. About 60% of the research on big data applications in supply chain management were published after 2017. These publications have increasingly focused on big data applications in predictive analysis, rather than in the other three types of data analysis: descriptive analysis, diagnostic analysis, and prescriptive analysis. Implications for theory and practice This review shows that the collected data by many companies can be analyzed using big data analytics methods to develop the business growth plan, market direction forecast, manufacturing process simulation, delivery optimization, inventory management, and marketing and sales processes, among many other activities in a supply chain. The number of articles using case studies in the literature is greater than the number of theoretical publications. This shows that big data analytics has now been properly developed for practical applications, rather than just being a theoretical concept.
Radiologic response of chemotherapy alone versus radiation and chemotherapy in the treatment of locally-advanced or advanced thymic epithelial tumors.

BACKGROUND Here, we investigated radiological responses following chemotherapy alone as compared to both radiation/chemotherapy (chemoRT) in patients with thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) who did not receive upfront surgery. METHODS TETs treated at a tertiary academic cancer center between January 2007 and July 2018 were identified. Patients received chemotherapy or chemoRT as initial therapy and pre- and post-treatment scans were available. Student's t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and Cox proportional hazards method were used to compare clinical details and survival between groups. The primary outcome was change in tumor size, which was compared between groups using linear mixed-effects regression models, adjusting for baseline tumor size, age, and histology. RESULTS A total of 24 of 114 patients with TETs identified met the inclusion criteria. The majority of patients had 67% thymoma (67%, n = 16) and AJCC8 III-IVA disease (58%, n = 14). Median age was 58.5 years (range: 33-76), median initial tumor volume was 187.1 cc (range: 28.7-653.6) and diameter was 8.5 cm (range: 4.5-14.3). Half of the patients received upfront chemotherapy (n = 12: 83% cisplatin/adriamycin/cyclophosphamide) or chemoRT (n = 12: 58% carboplatin/paclitaxel; median RT dose: 63 Gy [range: 60-70 Gy]). At a median imaging follow-up of 15 months (range: 0-86): ChemoRT was associated with increased average radiological response compared to chemotherapy alone (volume: -47.0 cc more, P < 0.001; diameter: -0.8 cm more, P = 0.03). In eight patients who received chemotherapy, 33% saw further tumor shrinkage (median volume: -42.3%, P = 0.03; diameter: -3.0%, P = 0.049) with additional radiation/chemoradiation. Median survival increased for patients ultimately receiving surgery versus those who did not (46 month, range: 16-127 vs. 14 month, range: 6-82; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS ChemoRT produced a greater radiologic response compared to chemotherapy alone in patients with TETs not suitable for upfront resection. KEY POINTS SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: We found that chemoRT was associated with a greater radiologic response compared to patients who received chemotherapy alone. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS What this study adds: In patients with TET not amenable to upfront resection, chemoRT may be a feasible strategy for cytoreduction.
Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship to reduce antimicrobial drug resistance.

Antimicrobial drug resistance, partly due to inappropriate use of antimicrobials, is a global health problem that causes high morbidity and mortality and inflicts enormous economic burden worldwide...
On Shapley Credit Allocation for Interpretability.

We emphasize the importance of asking the right question when interpreting the decisions of a learning model. We discuss a natural extension of the theoretical machinery from Janzing et. al. 2020, which answers the question "Why did my model predict a person has cancer?" for answering a more involved question, "What caused my model to predict a person has cancer?" While the former quantifies the direct effects of variables on the model, the latter also accounts for indirect effects, thereby providing meaningful insights wherever human beings can reason in terms of cause and effect. We propose three broad categories for interpretations: observational, model-specific and causal each of which are significant in their own right. Furthermore, this paper quantifies feature relevance by weaving different natures of interpretations together with different measures as characteristic functions for Shapley symmetrization. Besides the widely used expected value of the model, we also discuss measures of statistical uncertainty and dispersion as informative candidates, and their merits in generating explanations for each data point, some of which are used in this context for the first time. These measures are not only useful for studying the influence of variables on the model output, but also on the predictive performance of the model, and for that we propose relevant characteristic functions that are also used for the first time.
Some Specific Applications of Disjunctive Programming Problems

In Chapter I we discussed in general the major applications of disjunctive programming problems. These included the generalized lattice point and related problems, the cardinality constrained problem, the extreme point programming problem and the binary mixed integer linear programming problem. In this chapter, we will present some specific applications which are subsumed under these general classes of problems.
Teacher Bonuses and Teacher Retention in Low-Performing Schools: Evidence from the North Carolina $1,800 Teacher Bonus Program

Between 2001 and 2004, the state of North Carolina gave an annual salary bonus of $1,800 to certified math, science, and special education teachers in a set of low-performing and/or high-poverty secondary schools. Eligible teachers were to continue receiving the bonus as long as they continued in the school. In a survey of teachers and principals, the authors find evidence that school personnel favor the use of monetary incentives to increase the attractiveness of their workplace but were skeptical that the amount of the bonus would be sufficient to reduce the high turnover rates in their schools. Preliminary evidence on turnover rates supports this skepticism. Given that the survey evidence reveals widespread misunderstanding of the retention incentives incorporated into the program, the authors conclude that the bonus program was hampered by a series of flaws in design and implementation.
Numerical Simulations of Cable/seabed Interaction

This paper contributes a method to model the interactions of lowtension cables with the seabed. The cable is modeled as an elastica, and can support tension, torsion and two-axis bending. It is subjected to hydrodynamic forces as well as self-weight, buoyancy, and seabed contact. The seabed is modeled as an elastic foundation with linear damping and prescribed topology. A numerical algorithm is briefly described and then used to simulate cable laying. Several examples are studied including a cable towed in deep water, dropped on an uneven seabed, and finally, towed across an uneven seabed.
Clinical Performance and Skill Retention after Simulation-based Education for Nephrology Fellows

We previously demonstrated that simulation-based education (SBE) improved temporary hemodialysis catheter (THDC) insertion skills by nephrology fellows. SBE, featuring deliberate practice and rigorous achievement standards, was a powerful method to enhance THDC insertion skills in nephrology fellows. However, experts have called for further research to evaluate skill transfer from the simulated environment to actual clinical care and skill retention. This is a prospective observational cohort study of THDC insertion skills. Twelve nephrology fellows from three academic centers in Chicago were evaluated using a skills checklist from July 2008 to June 2009. Simulator-trained fellows were tested after the SBE intervention and expected to meet or exceed a minimum passing score (MPS) set by an expert panel. To assess transfer of skill to clinical care, three simulator-trained fellows were assessed at 6 months on actual patient THDC insertions using the checklist. To assess retention of skill, 11 of 12 simulator-trained fellows were reassessed at 1 year using the checklist and central venous catheter simulator. Outcomes were determined by THDC insertion skill performance. Simulator-trained fellows scored similarly during 6-month THDC insertions on actual patients and immediate posttest (M = 86.2%, SD = 22.3% vs. M = 93.5%, SD = 5.3%, p = 0.32). However, 1 year after SBE, simulated THDC insertion scores were significantly lower than at immediate posttest (M = 73.4%, SD = 22.2% vs. M = 93.5%, SD = 5.3%, p = 0.01). Our results show that nephrology fellows who completed SBE displayed high levels of performance during THDC insertions on actual patients 6 months later. At 1 year, there was statistically significant skills decay. We recommend booster training at 6 months.
Effect of intrathecal morphine on the fate of glucose. Comparison with effects of insulin and xanthan gum in mice.

Abstract The hypoglycemie effect of morphine (40μg) injected intrathecally (i.t.) was studied with regard to disposition of i.v. [14C]glucose and [3H]2-deoxyglucose and was compared with the effects of two other hypoglycemie agents, insulin (1 IU kg , s.c.) and xanthan gum (50 mg kg , i.p.). Mice given i.t. morphine or s.c. insulin exhaled a greater amount of 14CO2 from i.v. [14C]glucose than did control mice given i.t. saline, whereas there was less 14CO2 expiration in xanthan-treated mice. In morphinetreated mice there was less 14C in liver, brain and blood, and more 3H in kidney and hindleg muscle than in control mice. Insulin-treated mice had more 14C in muscle, less 14C in liver, brain, kidney and blood, and less 3H in liver and blood. In xanthan-treated mice, levels of both radiolabeis were higher in liver, brain and kidney. Much lower glycogen content in muscle and depletion of liver glycogen occurred in morphine-treated mice, compared with control mice. Spinal transection completely inhibited the hypoglycemic effect of morphine, whereas adrenalectomy caused no inhibition. Morphine, insulin and xanthan appear to be acting by different mechanisms, although the hypoglycemic effects of both morphine and insulin appear to be due largely to an increased glucose uptake by muscle.
A novel approach to traffic engineering for ad-hoc networks

This paper addresses the problem of optimal traffic engineering in a connectionless network. Based on Nonlinear Control Theory, the approach taken in this paper provides a family of optimal adaptation laws. These laws enable each node in the network to independently distribute traffic in an optimal way, as measured by a given utility function of a general form. Furthermore, this approach not only allows for multiple paths but also multiple Classes of Service. Moreover, the decentralized control scheme provided enables optimal traffic redistribution in the case of link failures. Suboptimal control laws are also presented in an effort to reduce the computational burden imposed on the nodes of the network.
Hepatitis B infection in the United States: Recent trends and future strategies for control

Viral hepatitis is the second most common reportable infectious disease in the United States, with hepatitis B accounting for about 45 percent of cases. Although approximately 25,000 cases of hepatitis B are reported to the Centers for Disease Control each year, it is estimated that there are actually about 300,000 annual infections (up from 200,000 in the early 1980s). This increase has occurred despite the availability of a safe and effective hepatitis B vaccine since 1982. Hepatitis B occurs primarily in young adults because of lifestyle or occupationally related exposure. Reported cases in homosexual men have decreased, probably because of changes in behavior related to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic. Cases due to heterosexual transmission and intravenous drug use are increasing. The proportion of cases in health care workers has decreased, possibly because 30 to 40 percent of high-risk health care workers have been vaccinated. Because of the increase in hepatitis B infection, the strategy of controlling this disease by vaccinating high-risk groups must be reconsidered. Alternative strategies include selective or universal immunization of infants or adolescents. Although integrating hepatitis B vaccine into infant immunization programs takes advantage of the existing system, it would not lead to measurable disease reduction for two decades. Immunizing adolescents would more rapidly reduce the incidence of hepatitis B, but currently no structured health care setting reaches them.
Sialic acid-dependent adhesion of Mycoplasma pneumoniae to purified glycoproteins.

Several purified glycoproteins including laminin, fetuin, and human chorionic gonadotropin promote dose-dependent and saturable adhesion of Mycoplasma pneumoniae when adsorbed on plastic. Adhesion to the proteins is energy dependent as no attachment occurs in media without glucose. Adhesion to all of the proteins requires sialic acid, and only those proteins with α 2–3-linked sialic acid are active. The α-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin also promotes attachment, suggesting that a simple biantennary asparagine-linked oligosaccharide is sufficient for binding. Soluble laminin, asparagine-linked sialyloligosaccharides from fetuin, and 3′-sialyllactose but not 6′-sialyllactose inhibit attachment of M. pneumoniae to laminin. M. pneumoniae also bind to sulfatide adsorbed on plastic. Dextran sulfate, which inhibits M. pneumoniae binding to sulfatide, does not inhibit attachment on laminin, and 3′-sialyllactose does not inhibit binding to sulfatide, suggesting that two distinct receptor specificities mediate binding to these two carbohydrate receptors. Both 3′-sialyllactose and dextran sulfate partially inhibit M. pneumoniae adhesion to a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (WiDr) at concentrations that completely inhibit binding to laminin or sulfatide, respectively, and in combination they inhibit binding of M. pneumoniae to these cells by 90%. Thus, both receptor specificities contribute to M. pneumoniae adhesion to cultured human cells.
Seasonal cycle of N2O: Analysis of data

We carried out a systematic study of the seasonal cycle and its latitudinal variation in the nitrous oxide (N_2O) data collected by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration–Global Monitoring Division (NOAA-GMD) and the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE). In order to confirm the weak seasonal signal in the observations, we applied the multitaper method for the spectrum analysis and studied the stations with significant seasonal cycle. In addition, the measurement errors must be small compared with the seasonal cycle. The N_2O seasonal cycles from seven stations satisfied these criteria and were analyzed in detail. The stations are Alert (82°N, 62°W), Barrow (71°N, 157°W), Mace Head (53°N, 10°W), Cape Kumukahi (19°N, 155°W), Cape Matatula (14°S, 171°W), Cape Grim (41°S, 145°E) and South Pole (90°S, 102°W). The amplitude (peak to peak) of the seasonal cycle of N_2O varies from 0.29 ppb (parts-per-billion by mole fraction in dry air) at the South Pole to 1.15 ppb at Alert. The month at which the seasonal cycle is at a minimum varies monotonically from April (South Pole) to September (Alert). The seasonal cycle in the Northern Hemisphere shows the influence of the stratosphere; the seasonal cycle of N_2O in the Southern Hemisphere suggests greater influence from surface sources. Preliminary estimates are obtained for the magnitude of the seasonally varying sources needed to account for the observations.
Introduction to 2009 Symposium on Alternative Methods of Controlling Pests and Diseases

Numerous pests and diseases limit potato productivity, and control of weeds, insects and pathogens remains a costly part of potato production. Although conventional agrichemical pest control is generally effective, interest in non-synthetic chemical and integrated methods of pest management is driven by increasing concern over economic and environmental sustainability of potato production. The 2009 Potato Association of America Symposium entitled ‘Alternative methods of controlling pests and disease’ was organized to summarize currently used and developing alternative pest control strategies. Three speakers presented their experience with alternative measures for control of disease, insects and weeds. The final speaker described 20 years of growing organic and conventional potatoes utilizing regular field scouting and lower toxicity pesticides to enhance sustainability while obtaining acceptable yields. The diverse and timely information presented here will stimulate new thinking and new research into lower-cost, lower-impact pest control measures that maintain productivity, reduce grower costs and minimize the environmental footprint of potato production.
Triple-negative breast cancer in African-American women: disparities versus biology

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype that disproportionately affects BRCA1 mutation carriers and young women of African origin. There is evidence that African-American women with TNBC have worse clinical outcomes than women of European descent. However, it is unclear whether survival differences persist after adjusting for disparities in access to health-care treatment, co-morbid disease and income. It remains controversial whether TNBC in African-American women is a molecularly distinct disease or whether African-American women have a higher incidence of aggressive biology driven by disparities: there is evidence in support of both. Understanding the relative contributions of biology and disparities is essential for improving the poor survival rate of African-American women with TNBC.
Simvastatin Reverses Podocyte Injury but not Mesangial Expansion in Early Stage Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Statins may confer renal protection in a variety of glomerular diseases, including diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, various glomerular lesions have different etiologies and may have different responses to statins. This study was performed to determine the differential effects of simvastatin (SMV) on glomerular pathology including mesangial expansion and podocyte injury in a mouse model of early stage type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Type 2 DM was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by feeding a high fat diet (HF; 45 kcal% fat). After 22 weeks, one group of HF mice was treated with SMV (HF-SMV; 7 μg/day/g BW) and another group was treated with vehicle (HF-vehicle) for 4 weeks via osmotic mini-pump. A third group served as age-matched normal diet vehicle controls (ND-vehicle; 10 kcal% fat). At the end of treatment, glomerular morphology was evaluated in a blind manner to determine the progression of DN. Body weight, blood glucose, insulin, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, but not LDL-cholesterol, were increased in HF mice. Over the course of treatment, the 24-hour urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was unchanged in ND-vehicle. HF mice exhibited elevated UAE, which decreased with SMV, but was unchanged with vehicle. The absolute mesangial volume and the relative mesangial volume per glomerular volume increased in HF-vehicle and remained elevated with SMV treatment. The immuno-staining of nephrin, a protein marker of the integrity of podocyte slit diaphragms, was decreased in HF-vehicle; however, the nephrin quantity of the HF-SMV group was not different from ND-vehicle. It is concluded that SMV reverses podocyte damage, but does not affect mesangial expansion in the kidneys of early stage proteinuria of type 2 DM.
A comprehensive modeling procedure for the human granulopoietic system: detailed description and application to cancer chemotherapy

Abstract A mathematical modeling procedure which links the known phases of granulocyte kinetics is developed. The procedure is comprehensive enough so that it can be used to analyze the implications at the clinical level of events occuring at the cellular level. A computer simulation that incorporates the concepts and experimental data of the model is described in detail. This simulation is used to study the pattern of leukopenia seen in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. In particular, the relationship between the drug effect on marrow cells and the ensuing pattern of leukopenia in the peripheral blood is analyzed in detail.
Waste minimization opportunities at an electric arc furnace steel plant producing specialty steels

Waste reduction assessments have been carried out in the Armco, lnc. Butler, Pennsylvania electric arc furnace (EM) specialty steelmaking complex. These assessments were intended to develop waste reduction options for two hazardous waste streams at this facility: heavy metals waste and corrosive waste. Waste reduction options considered were in one of two categories: source reduction or recycling (in the same order of preference). Treatment was considered only if waste reduction options were unavailable.
Using computer networking to facilitate the acquisition of interactive competence

Abstract The main thesis of this paper is that conducting class discussions on a computer network is an effective method for increasing the interactive competence of first-year foreign language learners because it provides students with the opportunity to generate and initiate different kinds of discourse. In addition, computer-assisted class discussion (CACD) allows students to play a greater role in managing the discourse, e.g. they feel freer to suggest a new topic, follow up on someone else's idea, or request more information. Written transcripts of discourse produced by first-year German students in CACD show that learners do indeed perform a number of different interactional speech acts: they ask more questions of fellow students as well as (occasionally) of the teacher; they give feedback to others and request clarification when they have not understood someone else; they end conversations with appropriate leave-taking utterances. In general, they take the initiative more than they do in the normal classroom, since the instructor's role has been decentralized. CACD thus provides students with the opportunity to acquire and practice more varied communicative proficiency. Although this is essentially written practice, the fact that the interactional structures resemble spoken conversation suggests that this competence can gradually be transferred to the students' spoken discourse competence as well.