cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Survey of Consumer Buying Intent

I SUSPECT that, in the beginning, we were sure that the war was going to be but an interlude; that afterwards there would be only the usual economic adjustments; and that the old civilization would draw together again. It is now evident, however, that this war, like wars generally, will terminate with very unequal expansion in different parts of the economy, and with very uneven shifts in all walks of our endeavor. There are many problems which our economy will face with war's end: reemployment of displaced workers; adjustments in shifted populations; reconversion of plants to peace-time production; the disposition of war plants; the orderly marketing of surplus government supplies; satisfactory settlement of cancelled war contracts; the utilization of natural resources to best advantage; stable international exchange rates; and the avoidance of both postwar economic slumps and of inflationary spirals. And we should know by this time, that in the postwar period we shall face enormous public debts, the growth of Statism, the concentration of power, and more and more Government touching more and more phases of our lives. In addition, we shall face problems involving food, clothing, shelter, wages and salaries, goods and services-all material, but necessary aspects of the world of industry and commerce. We of the National Chamber are trying to face these problems realistically. We are aware that all our efforts at weighing postwar values may fall far short of the mark. But we believe that we
Identification of a Delivery-Related Influence on Proximal Tubular Reabsorption during Expansion with Hyperoncotic Albumin in the Rat

1. Proximal tubular fluid flow rate was deliberately reduced to control values in rats after acute volume expansion with hyperoncotic albumin, to determine if the depression of reabsorption by albumin-induced expansion could be uncovered by preventing the associated increase in filtrate delivery. Tubular fluid flow was reduced either by reducing renal perfusion pressures or by diverting fluid from early proximal tubular sites. 2. In the absence of controlled delivery, expansion with hyperoncotic albumin increased nephron filtration rate, reduced the TF/P inulin ratio, but had no effect on absolute reabsorptive rate. When proximal tubular flow rate was returned to control values by a simultaneous early collection, fractional reabsorption remained depressed. By contrast, when tubular flow was maintained at control values by reducing renal perfusion pressure, the large fall in fractional reabsorption was blocked. 3. The results indicate that expansion with hyperoncotic albumin depresses proximal tubular reabsorption independently of delivery rate into the proximal tubule, but that this effect can be reversed by a reduction in renal perfusion pressure. These observations unify the results of previous studies and indicate the presence of a delivery-related influence on proximal reabsorption. The inability to detect a reduction in absolute reabsorption when nephron filtration rate is increased during expansion with hyperoncotic albumin is probably due to the countervailing influence of increased delivery rate, which raised reabsorptive rate.
The Evaluation Model,Method and Algorithm of Government Performance Evaluated by Multi-Participants

Regaiding the problem of government performance evaluation by multi-participants,we first discuss its basic model,and then analyze the question of information dealing in multi-structure which is provided by various types of evaluators.Accordingly,we develop a new method of information processing and analyze its solution algorithm,which is suitable to the above government performance evaluation problem.In this method,we first classify all the evaluation information by evaluator's identification,and then the information in the same category is connected according to the traditional evaluation process to form the integrated framework composed of information streams.Then,the stochastic simulation method is used to solve the integrated framework in order to get the priority degree matrix,and the objects ordering with possibility is deduced from the matrix.At last,a simulation case is given to illustrate the application of this method.
Thinking About Institutional Language in New Ways

This chapter offers several innovative ways to craft institutional language so that it is more inclusive, flexible, and sustainable. Mayock examines speeches and informal messages generated by institutional leaders to suggest ways in which the institution can implement consistent messages in original ways.
Diagnosis of fetal death in utero with amniotic fluid creatine kinase

There is a need for a widely available and accurate method for diagnosing fetal death in utero. The accepted standard technique for making this diagnosis is real-time ultrasonography, but this procedure is not available at all hospitals. However, almost every hospital laboratory has the capability of measuring creatine kinase in body fluids. One hundred eight pregnant women underwent real-time ultrasonography and analysis of amniotic fluid for creatine kinase. Ninety-one women with conditions that required amniocentesis during the second and third trimesters had a live fetus by ultrasonographic examination and a low level of amniotic fluid creatine kinase (0 to 3 sigma units per milliliter). Seventeen women with a dead fetus by ultrasonographlc examination had an abnormally high level of amniotic fluid creatine kinase (5 to 9,800 sigma units per milliliter). The only erroneous diagnosis in this series involved a set of twins, one of whom was shown by real-time ultrasonography to be alive and the other dead. Both sacs contained abnormally high, although different, levels of creatine kinase. Analysis of creatine kinase in amniotic fluid is a reliable technique for diagnosing fetal death.
Comparison of Low-, Moderate-, and High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic Acid Injections in Delaying Time to Knee Surgery.

Abstract Background We compared the effectiveness of low molecular weight (LMWHA), moderate molecular weight (MMWHA), and high molecular weight (HMWHA) hyaluronic acid for prevention or delay of knee surgery in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods An observational cohort study using Lifelink Plus claims (2006-2015) was used. The primary outcome measure of the study included all surgical interventions of the knee. The secondary outcome measures were 1) unicompartmental (UKR) or total knee replacement (TKR) and 2) TKR only. A high dimensional propensity score (hdPS) using 1:1 matching was used to adjust for confounding. The likelihood of each outcome was assessed using Cox proportional hazard models. Results A cohort of 30,417 incident HA users with knee OA met our inclusion-exclusion criteria. There was no difference in the likelihood of composite surgical events between LMWHA users (HR: 0.939; 95%CI: 0.870-1.013) and MMWHA users (HR: 1.032; 95%CI: 0.952-1.119) when compared to HMWHA users in a matched hdPS analysis. However, a significantly lower likelihood for all outcome measures was demonstrated in LMWHA and MMWHA users compared to HMWHA users when hdPS was not used. Conclusion There was no significant difference in the likelihood of surgical interventions between LMWHA, MMWHA and HMWHA users after accounting for empirically derived confounders.
Ecoenzymes as Indicators of Compost to Suppress Rhizoctonia Solani

Reports of disease suppression by compost are inconsistent likely because there are no established standards for feedstock material, maturity age for application, and application rate. The overall ...
Virtual versus face to face peer evaluations: On the net, I may not know you, but I know your work

Peer evaluations allow individuals to express their assessment of the contributions of group members. Having this opportunity is popular in both face-to-face and online environments. Peer evaluations provide a sense of empowerment and distributive justice to individuals. The present study examines differences concerning the utilization of peer evaluations for face-to-face groups and online groups. Significant differences exist in the peer evaluations that these two groups reported. Online group members are more likely to differentiate their evaluations of fellow group members. In addition, online group members tend to differentiate peer evaluations to a greater extent. Implications for managing groups and future research are discussed.
Epistastic Interactions within the Junín Virus Envelope Glycoprotein Complex Provide an Evolutionary Barrier to Reversion in the Live-Attenuated Candid#1 Vaccine.

ABSTRACT The Candid#1 strain of Junin virus was developed using a conventional attenuation strategy of serial passage in nonhost animals and cultured cells. The live-attenuated Candid#1 vaccine is used in Argentina to protect at-risk individuals against Argentine hemorrhagic fever, but it has not been licensed in the United States. Recent studies have revealed that Candid#1 attenuation is entirely dependent on a phenylalanine-to-isoleucine substitution at position 427 in the fusion subunit (GP2) of the viral envelope glycoprotein complex (GPC), thereby raising concerns regarding the potential for reversion to virulence. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of an intragenic epistatic interaction between the attenuating F427I mutation in GP2 and a lysine-to-serine mutation at position 33 in the stable signal peptide (SSP) subunit of GPC, and we demonstrate the utility of this interaction in creating an evolutionary barrier against reversion to the pathogenic genotype. In the presence of the wild-type F427 residue, the K33S mutation abrogates the ability of ectopically expressed GPC to mediate membrane fusion at endosomal pH. This defect is rescued by the attenuating F427I mutation. We show that the recombinant Candid#1 (rCan) virus bearing K33S GPC is viable and retains its attenuated genotype under cell culture conditions that readily select for reversion in the parental rCan virus. If back-mutation to F427 offers an accessible pathway to increase fitness in rCan, reversion in K33S-GPC rCan is likely to be lethal. The epistatic interaction between K33S and F427I thus may minimize the likelihood of reversion and enhance safety in a second-generation Candid#1 vaccine. IMPORTANCE The live-attenuated Candid#1 vaccine strain of Junin virus is used to protect against Argentine hemorrhagic fever. Recent findings that a single missense mutation in the viral envelope glycoprotein complex (GPC) is responsible for attenuation raise the prospect of facile reversion to pathogenicity. Here, we characterize a genetic interaction between GPC subunits that evolutionarily forces retention of the attenuating mutation. By incorporating this secondary mutation into Candid#1 GPC, we hope to minimize the likelihood of reversion and enhance safety in a second-generation Candid#1 vaccine. A similar approach may guide the design of live-attenuated vaccines against Lassa and other arenaviral hemorrhagic fevers.
Queering Counselor Education: Situational Analysis of LGBTQ+ Competent Faculty

Research demonstrates counselor educators often lack skills and knowledge to train counselors to become lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other sexualities and gender identities (LGBTQ...
Ophthalmic Prisms: Deviant Behavior at Near

Unpredictability in strabismus surgery results may be due in part to errors in the measurement of strabismic deviations. Whenever measuring strabismic deviations with a fixation target at near, the distance from the eye to the prism must be taken into account to measure the true deviation. For example, when a prism is held 4 cm from the cornea of an eye deviating 50 prism diopters from a fixation target at 33 cm, the measured deviation is 62 prism diopters. The required prism power needed to neutralize a deviation with fixation at near will be increased, the further the prism is held from the cornea. This may lead to surgical overcorrections if the surgery is based on the near measurement. The deviation neutralized by a prism held in any angular position, the effect of prism measurements at near, and the measurement of deviations over Fresnel prisms can be calculated and the appropriate corrections made.
Nanotechnology in Cancer Drug Therapy: A Biocomputational Approach

Although the clinical arsenal in treating cancer has been greatly extended in recent years with the application of new drugs and therapeutic modalities, the three basic approaches continue to be (in order of success) surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. The latter treatment modality is primarily directed at metastatic cancer, which generally has a poor prognosis. A significant proportion of research investment is focused on improving the efficacy of chemotherapy, which is often the only hope in treating a cancer patient. Yet the challenges with chemotherapy are many. They include drug resistance by tumor cells, toxic effects on healthy tissue, inadequate targeting, and impaired transport to the tumor. Determination of proper drug dosage and scheduling, and optimal drug concentration can also be difficult. Finally, drug release kinetics at the tumor site is an important aspect of chemotherapy.
A Predictive Numerical Thermodynamic Model of Mixed Nonionic Surfactant Sorption in Natural Systems: 2. Application to Broadly Distributed Mixtures

Because most commercially available surfactants consist of mixtures of surfactant components, an understanding of mixed surfactant sorption behavior in the presence of natural materials may be essential for optimal design of surfactant-based industrial processes or environmental remediation applications. This paper demonstrates the application of a new numerical thermodynamic model to the prediction of the mixed sorption behavior of broadly distributed nonionic surfactant mixtures. The model is found to provide excellent agreement with experimental observations for two different ethoxylated nonionic surfactant mixtures, one containing 41 components. In addition, the model is demonstrated to be able to qualitatively and quantitatively duplicate the influence on mixed sorption of variation in sorbent surface area. Procedures for determining model parameters for broadly distributed surfactant mixtures are discussed, and applications for the model are described. Tabulated model parameters that can be used to predict sorption of ethoxylated nonylphenol surfactants to silica are presented. Procedures for applying these parameters to the prediction of the sorption of ethoxylated nonylphenol mixtures on other natural silicate materials are discussed.
Robotic Resection of Type IV-A Choledochal Malformation with Complete Extra-hepatic Bile Duct Resection and En Bloc Left Hepatectomy, with Roux-en-Y Right Hepaticojejunostomy

Abstract Background: Complete surgical resection of choledochal malformations is recommended due to an 11% overall risk of developing malignancy, as well as attendant symptoms arising from poor bil...
Clearing the Air: The McCubbin/Noll/Weingast Hypothesis and The Clean Air Act

McCubbins, Noll and Weingast (McNollgast) argue that the history of the Clean Air Act's Prevention of Significant Deterioration program helps prove their theses about the relationship between administrative agencies and Congress in this piece, I question their reading of the history of the program, and suggest an alternative way of analyzing the relationship.
World reconstruction in psychotherapy.

The purpose of this article is to articulate how we, as psychotherapists, can transform the worlds of our clients. In part one of the article, the concept of “world,” the dynamics of how worlds ope...
Patient Perceptions of Survivorship Care Plans: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation.

Purpose To understand the perceptions of patients with cancer regarding the role and purpose of a survivorship care plan (SCP) to inform content and delivery opportunities. Participants & setting A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted among patients at a survivorship clinic for high-risk survivors of sarcomas in an academic medical center. Methodologic approach An electronic survey was administered, followed by qualitative telephone interviews. Findings 51 surveys were delivered, and 23 surveys were completed. Eight telephone interviews were completed. Content analysis revealed that participants value the SCP as a health management tool to address information needs and reduce fear of recurrence. Few participants shared their SCP with other healthcare providers. Implications for nursing Patients use their SCP as a health management tool to understand the details of their cancer history and treatment and to manage their health concerns. Nurses who care for patients with cancer are well positioned to use the SCP as a patient education tool.
The human right to environmental information

This chapter traces the history of right to environmental information, situating the emergence of this right in the broader global trend towards recognizing environmental rights as human rights. It begins with the compelling need for access to environmental information in order to protect human rights. The chapter then describes the emergence of a right of access to environmental information, and demonstrates how the right to environmental information has become an integral part of the human rights landscape. It defines a robust right of access to information to include a State obligation to create and actively disseminate environmental information. This chapter also traces the complex relationship between achieving substantive environmental outcomes and fulfilling information rights.
Pregnancy Intendedness by Maternal Disability Status and Type in the United States.

Context Societal views about sexuality and parenting among people with disabilities may limit these individuals' access to sex education and the full range of reproductive health services, and put them at increased risk for -unintended pregnancies. To date, however, no national population-based studies have examined pregnancy -intendedness among U.S. women with disabilities. Methods Cross-sectional analyses of data from the 2011-2013 and 2013-2015 waves of the National Survey of Family Growth were conducted; the sample included 5,861 pregnancies reported by 3,089 women. The proportion of pregnancies described as unintended was calculated for women with any type of disability, women with each of five types of disabilities and women with no disabilities. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship of disability status and type with pregnancy intendedness while adjusting for covariates. Results A higher proportion of pregnancies were unintended among women with disabilities than among women without disabilities (53% vs. 36%). Women with independent living disability had the highest proportion of unintended pregnancies (62%). In regression analyses, the odds that a pregnancy was unintended were greater among women with any type of disability than among women without disabilities (odds ratio, 1.4), and were also elevated among women with hearing disability, cognitive disability or independent living disability (1.5-1.9). Conclusions Further research is needed to understand differences in unintended pregnancy by type and extent of disability. People with disabilities should be fully included in sex education, and their routine care should incorporate discussion of reproductive planning.
P836 Trends in anogenital warts since introduction of human papillomavirus vaccines in connecticut, USA

Background HPV vaccines have been available in the US since 2006 and have the potential to prevent ≥90% of anogenital warts (AGW). Monitoring trends in AGW is important to assess progress of immunization programs. Methods Two datasets for Connecticut (population 3.6 million) were used. Data for residents with private insurance were available for 2012–2017 from a multi-payer claims database (∼1 million covered individuals per year). Data for residents with Medicaid insurance were available for 2009–2013 (∼512,000 individuals per year). Results Among privately insured women, the annual incidence rate (IR) of AGW declined from 104 to 68 per 100,000 during 2012–2017. Significant declines were observed for women aged 15–19 (p for trend=.03, average annual percent change (AAPC) -11%), 20–24 (p Conclusion In Connecticut, significant and substantial declines in AGW have occurred in women during both periods (2009–2013 and 2012–2017). In men, declines occurred during 2012–2017 but not during 2009–2013, perhaps due in part to the later routine recommendation for males in 2011 compared to females in 2006. Greater declines in younger populations are consistent with HPV vaccine impact. These reductions have been achieved in a setting of moderate HPV vaccine uptake and could be further reduced with higher coverage. Disclosure No significant relationships.
Work team identification associated with less stress and burnout among front-line emergency department staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed front-line healthcare workers to unprecedented risks and stressors threatening both physical and mental health. Prior work in the military has found that team identification, or the sense that one was a part of a team, can help reduce stress and prevent burnout during prolonged stress. Methods We conducted repeated cross-sectional surveys embedded within emergency department workflow to understand whether team identification was associated with reduced reports of stress and burnout among front-line workers. Results During the 10-week study which spanned the first wave of COVID-19, 327 of 431 (76%) front-line healthcare workers responded to at least one round of the survey. Higher team identification was associated with significantly less work stress (B=−0.60, 95% CI −0.84 to to -0.40, p Conclusion This work suggests work team identification is a key buffering factor against feelings of stress and burnout. Efforts to promote team identification may offer a promising way for leaders to support front-line healthcare workers’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. These results can inform ongoing COVID-19 operational and quality improvement initiatives.
A hydrodynamical approach to CMB μ-distortion from primordial perturbations

Spectral distortion of the cosmic microwave background provides a unique opportunity to probe primordial perturbations on very small scales by performing large-scale measurements. We discuss in a systematic and pedagogic way all the relevant physical phenomena involved in the production and evolution of the μ-type spectral distortion. Our main results agree with previous estimates (in particular we show that a recently found factor of 3/4 arises from relativistic corrections to the wave energy). We also discuss several subleading corrections such as adiabatic cooling and the effects of bulk viscosity, baryon loading and photon heat conduction. Finally we provide formulae for the spatial dependence of μ-distortions and its transfer function between the end of the μ-era and now.
An Atypical Case of Transverse Diverticulitis and the Changing Management of Diverticular Disease.

Diverticulitis is an inflammation of an out pouching of the lower gastrointestinal tract, particularly in the large intestine. Although the condition is taught to medical students as typically occurring in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen, right-sided and transverse forms diverticulitis can occur. Uncomplicated, e.g., non-perforated, diverticulitis is usually treated with antibiotics. Complicated, e.g. perforated, is usually treated with surgery. The purpose of this case report is to present an atypical case of perforated diverticulitis and review current recommendations for this condition. This was a case of transverse diverticulitis in a man in his late 40’s who recovered with non-operative treatment. The widespread use of computerized tomography (CT) scans makes diagnosing diverticular disease relatively simple, but treatment is evolving. The case summarized here shows that less invasive measures can be used in treating both complicated and uncomplicated diverticular disease. After an uncomplicated in-patient admission for intravenous antibiotics, the patient was discharged in stable condition with a prescription for oral antibiotics and clinic follow-up. Classic medical school teaching concerning treatments for complicated and uncomplicated forms of diverticulitis have been updated but require further research testing.
Disaster Recovery Planning: Untapped Success Factor in an Organization

The disaster recovery planning forms to be an important component of any organization to overcome unplanned adversity. To function the successful organization or business model, the structuring of different sectors plays an important role and disaster planning becomes one such core element. Well before the catastrophic event occurs, an organized planned disaster management strategy can overcome the unexpected event and help to recover. In most organization, are equipped with the latest technological fronts but lacks disaster recovery plan management which may often lead to crisis. Even in the current scenario, where a large number of unexpected events are encountered, scanty measures are being implemented to equipped with disaster recovery plan management. Hence, based on these facts, the present study emphasis, the importance, components, and planning strategies of disaster recovery. Though a large number of reports highlight the structuring and functioning of an organization, only small studies have shed light on the presented topic which became the subject of investigation and study in this mini-review.
An Analysis of Mutual Fund Design: The Case of Investing in Small-Cap Stocks

In 1982, Dimensional Fund Advisors launched a mutual fund intended to capture the returns of small-cap stocks. The "9-10 Fund" is based on the CRSP 9-10 Index, an index of small-cap stocks comprising the 9th and 10th deciles of NYSE market capitalization. Although linked to the CRSP 9-10 Index, the design of the 9-10 Fund incorporates investment rules and a trading strategy that are aimed at minimizing the potentially excessive trade costs associated with such illiquid stocks. This design causes the Fund's security weightings to deviate from the CRSP 9-10 weightings. The resulting return deviations between the 9-10 Fund and the CRSP 9-10 Index are sometimes large. On average, the 9-10 Fund provided a 2.2% premium over the 9-10 Index over the 1982-95 period. This paper decomposes the return difference between the 9-10 Fund and the CRSP 9-10 Index. We show that both the investment rules and the trade strategy components of the Fund's design contribute significantly to the return difference, although the magnitude and significance of their relative impacts vary over the life of the Fund.
Newly diagnosed cardiovascular disease in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a retrospective analysis of patients at an academic tertiary care center.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a novel class of anticancer agents that have demonstrated clinical response for both solid and hematological malignancies. ICIs are associated with development of immune-related adverse events including cardiotoxicity. We estimated the incidence of newly diagnosed cardiovascular disease in patients treated with ICIs at a large, tertiary care center. All patients with a cancer diagnosis who received any ICI treatment in the University of Florida’s Integrated Data Repository from 2011 to 2017 were included. Cardiovascular disease was defined as a new ICD diagnosis code for cardiomyopathy, heart failure, arrhythmia, heart block, pericardial disease, or myocarditis after initiation of ICI treatment. Of 102,701 patients with a diagnosis of malignancy, 424 patients received at least one ICI. Sixty-two (14.6%) patients were diagnosed with at least one new cardiovascular disease after initiation of ICI therapy. Of the 374 patients receiving one ICI, 21 (5.6%) developed heart failure. Of the 49 patients who received two ICIs sequentially, three (6.1%) developed heart failure and/or cardiomyopathy. Incident cardiovascular disease was diagnosed at a median of 63 days after initial ICI exposure. One patient developed myocarditis 28 days after receiving nivolumab. Mortality in ICI treated patients with a concomitant diagnosis of incident cardiovascular disease was higher compared to those who did not (66.1% vs. 41.4%, odds ratio = 2.77, 1.55–4.95, p = 0.0006). This study suggests a high incidence of newly diagnosed cardiovascular disease after the initiation of ICI therapy in a real-world clinical setting.
Conflicts between Principals and Agents: Evidence from Residential Brokerage

In residential real estate an agent is often hired when an owner decides to sell his property. The seller may have less information than his agent and thus may be at a disadvantage in setting the asking price and negotiating the final selling price. The purpose of this study is to offer empirical evidence on whether the percentage commission structure in the real estate brokerage industry creates agency problems. The unique data set allows for the identification of residential properties that were owned by a real estate agent. This enables us to investigate whether the owner-agents are able to use their information advantage to either sell their property more quickly or obtain a higher price for their own properties relative to their clients' properties. The empirical results confirm the predictions of our theoretical model and the presence of agency problems. Using a sample of over 300,000 listings and 193,007 sales, we find that agent-owned houses sell no faster than client-owned houses, but they do sell at a price premium of approximately 4.5 percent.
Building Digital Walls and Making Speech and Internet Freedom (or Chinese Technology) Pay for It

The Trump Administration’s bans on TikTok and WeChat were the culmination in a line of escalating moves between the US and China that resulted in America raising digital walls at home, in contrast to longstanding American foreign policy favoring Internet Freedom. This article examines the US government’s cited rationale for these digital walls, including threats of Chinese government access to American consumer data, the possibility of Chinese censorship on apps used by Americans, Chinese access to American government employees’ data and military networks, and the ability for the Chinese government to interfere in American elections and spread disinformation. Our analysis suggests that of these threats, only the threat of access to government employees’ data and military networks is sufficiently narrow and acutely rooted in reality that the threat would possibly legally justify banning a foreign technology, but even that analysis is close and rife with uncertainties. More broadly, the tools at the US government’s disposal—IEEPA, Congressional lawmaking authority, and CFIUS review—encourage the use of such flimsy rationale and a lack of transparency, which ultimately promotes such broad bans. And the costs of these bans are dear. There may be First Amendment implications, and at the very least a chilling of speech. There are also significant impacts to American foreign policy, from legitimizing the Chinese strategy of cyber sovereignty and government regulation, to the creation of incentives to localize data in a manner that might undermine American law enforcement efforts.
Finally a Double-Mode RR Lyrae Model?

It is shown that in a certain range of physical parameters a proper choice of the artificial viscosity parameters can lead to double-mode pulsation of RR Lyrae models. Here we present one such model and exhibit its double-mode behavior both through the stability analysis of the periodic limit cycles and through straightforward numerical integrations.
The Effectiveness of Haptic Cues as an Assistive Technology for Human Memory

Many people experience difficulty recalling and recognizing information during everyday tasks. Prior assistive technology has leveraged audio and video cues, but this approach is often disruptive and inappropriate in socially-sensitive situations. Our work explores vibro-tactile feedback as an alternative that unobtrusively aids human memory. We conducted several user studies comparing within-participant performance on memory tasks without haptic cues (control) and tasks augmented with tactile stimuli (intervention). Our studies employed a bracelet prototype that emits vibratory pulses, which are uniquely mapped to audio and visual information. Results show interaction between performance on control and intervention conditions. Poor performers on unaided tasks improve recognition by more than 20% (p<0.05) when haptic cues are employed. Thus, we suggest vibro-tactile feedback as an effective memory aid for users with impaired memory, and offer several design recommendations for integrating haptic cues into wearable devices.
Water management in the Arabian Gulf region and a partial solution to water shortages

Abstract Even with the most stringent conservation measures on water use—agriculturally, domestically and commercially—there remains a deficit in all the Gulf countries. The most likely solution to overcome the deficit at the present time is the vastly increased production of desalinated water. Water management policies must be developed nationally to co-ordinate production, distribution and use with the necessary legislative background to deal with potential social, economic issues which can arise out of decisions on the distribution, allocation and charging for water. One by-product of the hydrocarbons used as the energy source for desalination is the release of pollutants, largely carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. However the accession to significant volumes of pollutant gases runs contrary to the terms of the Kyoto accord. This can be avoided by use of solar energy as an alternate energy source. Of the techniques currently available, wind power has the greatest potential, and has been proven in the western US as well as on the plains of Northern Europe. It offers possibilities for both large and small scale operating units.
Embedding Algebras with Solvable Word Problems in Simple Algebras - Some Boone-Higman Type Theorems

Publisher Summary Boone and Higman have recently proved that a finitely generated group has a solvable word problem if and only if (iff) it can be embedded in a simple group, which, is in turn, embeddable in a finitely presented group. The Boone–Higman theorem is a variation and mild extension of the universal algebraic result that a finitely presented simple algebra has a solvable word problem. This chapter presents a general framework for particular results. The purpose of the chapter is to give the universal algebraic version of the first half of the Boone–Higman result and give, for some particular algebra, the analogue of the second half up to but not including the embedding in a finitely presented algebra.
Differentiated services and scheduling scheme in optical burst-switched WDM networks

Optical burst switching (OBS) is one of the most important switching technologies in the future optical WDM networks and Internet. The differentiated services model and architecture are proposed for optical burst-switched WDM networks. A new data burst scheduling scheme "differentiated scheduling" (DS) is designed to support OBS differentiated services. By dynamically choosing the early differentiation time, each OBS node can adjust the data burst loss rates for different classes of bursts and satisfy differentiated QoS requirement with the available resources.
Real time determination of road coefficient of friction for IVHS and advanced vehicle control

This paper presents methods for estimating road coefficient of friction (/spl mu/) in real time using an extended Kalman filter (EKF) and Bayesian decision making. The EKF estimates the motion and tire forces of an eight degree-of-freedom vehicle based on vehicle-mounted sensors. The filter requires no a priori knowledge of /spl mu/ and does not require a tire force model. The resulting tire force, slip, and slip angle estimates are compared statistically with those that result from a nominal tire model to select the most likely coefficient of friction from a set of hypothesized values. The /spl mu/ identification and EKF tasks are separate; therefore, EKF state estimates can be used for feedback control while /spl mu/ is identified, /spl mu/ identification results can be used for IVHS decision making and for determining controller setpoints. Simulation results show excellent convergence and accuracy of the /spl mu/ estimates. Computation and sensor requirements, and robustness of the /spl mu/ identification algorithm are considered.
Modeling of the coupled kinetics and transport in the organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy of cadmium telluride

A catalytic reaction mechanism is proposed for the organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy of cadmium telluride. Dimethylcadmium and diethyltellurium dissociatively adsorb onto exposed metal atoms on the cadmium telluride surface. The sticking probability is given by S = 1.5×10-4(1−θR), where θR is the methyl and ethyl coverage. Subsequently, methyl and ethyl radicals desorb at a rate given by rd = 1.5×109exp(-25 [kcal/mol]RT)θR(s-1). This mechanism is consistent with surface science studies of the adso rption and decomposition of organometallic molecules on semiconductor surfaces. A boundary-layer model incorporating the catalytic reaction is used to simulate the kinetics of cadmium telluride deposition in a horizontal, cold-wall reactor. The simulations show the same dependence of the growth rate on temperature as was observed by I.B. Bhat et al. [J. Electrochem. Soc. 134 (1987) 195] on sapphire substrates. The growth rate increases exponentially with temperature below 350°C, but remains constant above 400°C. At low temperatures, the reaction is controlled by the desorption of alkyl radicals. At high temperatures, the reaction is mainly controlled by the adsorption of organometallic molecules. The growth rate changes when different substrates are used in the experiments. This suggests that the kinetics of alkyl radical desorption are influenced by the cadmium telluride surface structure.
What Makes a Good Story?: Supporting Oral Narratives of Young Children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds

(2011). What Makes a Good Story?: Supporting Oral Narratives of Young Children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds. Childhood Education: Vol. 87, No. 4, pp. 261-268.
Polarized neutron study of ferromagnetic Ni-Cu alloys: Evidence for a magnetic environment effect

We measured the magnetic diffuse scattering of polarized neutrons from ferromagnetic Ni--Cu alloys with 19.8, 29.6, and 52.5 at.% Cu at 4.2 K. The data show that the Cu atoms are not polarized and that the negative polarization exists only around the Ni sites. Assuming that the Ni moments are a function of the moments of the neighboring atoms, we obtain an analytical expression for the polarized neutron cross section which describes the data well. This magnetic environment model is also shown to reproduce the moment disturbances of other dilute Ni-based alloys. A Stoner type of calculation shows that between 20% and 40% interatomic exchange is needed to reproduce the Ni--Cu magnetization and cross sections; within the same calculation each Cu atom induces a (1--2) % moment reduction on its Ni neighbors for any given exchange field. (AIP)
Atmospheric Background And Smoke Stack Measurements And Modeling In The 3.8-5.5 µm Region

Recent ground based interferometer measurements of the spectral characteristics of natural sky radiance and the radiance emanating from the effluents of a conventional power station smoke stack are presented. The interferometer measurements were performed at a spectral resolution of 0.5 - 1 cm-1. The meteorological conditions existing at the time of the measurements was recorded as well as the operating conditions of the woke stack. Comparisons are given between calculated sky spectral radiance using meteorological data and measurements at both ground level and at 15,000 ft altitude. The calculations were performed using both a line-by-line approach and a low resolution method (LOWTRAN 4 Radiance Model). The sensitivity of both methods to uncertainties in meteorological conditions is discussed.
Endoscopic Ampullectomy: Management of Periampullary/Duodenal Adenomas in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

The majority of persons with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) develop duodenal adenomas by the seventh decade of life. Ampullary and peri-ampullary adenomas pose a significant clinical dilemma because of malignant potential and limited treatment options. Recently, clinical evidence suggests that endoscopic ampullectomy is an effective strategy for management of ampullary neoplasms. Various methods are used to perform endoscopic ampullectomy, but generally a polypectomy snare is utilized for polyp resection with or without the addition of thermal ablation to remove residual tissue. Placement of a pancreatic duct stent is recommended to decrease the risk of acute pancreatitis and is supported by recent evidence. Several clinical trials have evaluated endoscopic ampullectomy with a high efficacy rate and an acceptable complication rate that includes acute pancreatitis, bleeding, perforation, orifice stenosis, and, rarely, death. In the FAP population, routine endoscopic follow-up with repeat treatment is necessary because there is a risk of recurrence.
Energy partitioning within a micro-particle cluster due to impact with a rigid planar wall

A combined finite and discrete element method is used to examine the energetics of a two-dimensional micro-particle cluster that impacts a rigid planar wall. The method combines conservation principles with an elastic-viscoplastic and friction constitutive theory to predict thermomechanical fields within particles resulting from both particle-wall and particle-particle contact. Emphasis is placed on characterizing the temporal and spatial partitioning of cluster energy with impact angle (0◦ ≤ $${\phi}$$ ≤ 80◦, where $${\phi}$$ = 0◦ corresponds to normal impact). Predictions for a close-packed cluster of well-resolved particles having an average initial radius and uniform speed of 50μm and 300 m/s indicate that particles adjacent to the wall experience the largest plastic and friction work. Friction significantly affects cluster kinetic energy, but minimally affects its elastic strain energy and plastic work. Local temperature rises in excess of 900K are predicted for $${\phi}$$ = 0◦, increasing to 4,400K for approximately $${\phi}$$ > 60◦, with most of the cluster mass (≈98%) experiencing temperature rises less than 200K due to plastic work. These predictions highlight the importance of friction work as a heating mechanism that may induce combustion of energetic clusters. Sensitivity of the cluster response to its initial packing configuration is demonstrated.
Tubularized incised-plate urethroplasty for proximal hypospadias.

Objective To report the experience of one surgeon using tubularized incised-plate (TIP) urethroplasty to repair proximal hypospadias in a consecutive series of boys. Patients and methods The records of 33 consecutive patients with midshaft to scrotal hypospadias undergoing TIP repair by one surgeon were reviewed. Dorsal plication was used as necessary for penile straightening, to preserve the urethral plate. Standard TIP urethroplasty was undertaken, and the follow-up included the selective use of neourethral calibration and urethroscopy. Results Plication was necessary in 18 (55%) patients. The incised plate had a supple appearance in all but two boys. The mean (range) follow-up was 9 (1–48) months and included calibration in 16 (48%) and urethroscopy in 13 (39%) patients. Complications were noted in 11 (33%) boys, of whom seven (21%) developed small fistulae. The two patients in whom the incised plate appeared unhealthy had dehiscence of the repair and contracture of the neourethra with recurrent penile curvature, respectively. There was one meatal stenosis and one short neourethral stricture. Conclusions TIP urethroplasty can be used to repair proximal hypospadias in the absence of severe penile curvature, and if the incised urethral plate has a supple appearance. As with distal hypospadias repair, the procedure creates a normal-appearing penis with a slit-like meatus.
Integration of virtual and physical screening

High-throughput screening (HTS) represents the dominant technique for the identification of new lead compounds in current drug discovery. It consists of physical screening (PS) of large libraries of chemicals against one or more specific biological targets. Virtual screening (VS) is a strategy for in silico evaluation of chemical libraries for a given target, and can be integrated to focus the PS process. The present work addresses the integration of both PS and VS, respectively.
Some relationships of folic acid to structurally similar metabolites.

SummaryFolic acid whether commercial or aldehyde-free inhibits guanine metabolism and endogenous respiration in rat liver homogenates. Oxidation of folic acid itself in such systems is not clearly evident.Oxidation of xanthine by a purified preparation of xanthine oxidase is strongly inhibited both by commercial and aldehyde-free folic acid. In a system containing only folic acid and the enzyme some oxidation of the folic acid appears to occur although this reaction is transient.
Genome Sizes and the Benford Distribution

Background Data on the number of Open Reading Frames (ORFs) coded by genomes from the 3 domains of Life show the presence of some notable general features. These include essential differences between the Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes, with the number of ORFs growing linearly with total genome size for the former, but only logarithmically for the latter. Results Simply by assuming that the (protein) coding and non-coding fractions of the genome must have different dynamics and that the non-coding fraction must be particularly versatile and therefore be controlled by a variety of (unspecified) probability distribution functions (pdf’s), we are able to predict that the number of ORFs for Eukaryotes follows a Benford distribution and must therefore have a specific logarithmic form. Using the data for the 1000+ genomes available to us in early 2010, we find that the Benford distribution provides excellent fits to the data over several orders of magnitude. Conclusions In its linear regime the Benford distribution produces excellent fits to the Prokaryote data, while the full non-linear form of the distribution similarly provides an excellent fit to the Eukaryote data. Furthermore, in their region of overlap the salient features are statistically congruent. This allows us to interpret the difference between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes as the manifestation of the increased demand in the biological functions required for the larger Eukaryotes, to estimate some minimal genome sizes, and to predict a maximal Prokaryote genome size on the order of 8–12 megabasepairs.These results naturally allow a mathematical interpretation in terms of maximal entropy and, therefore, most efficient information transmission.
On-Chip Substrate Noise Suppression Using Clock Randomization Methodology

We present a method for substrate coupling noise suppression that employs a pseudo-random clock. A pseudo-random sequence is utilized to randomize the pulse train of the system periodic clock effectively decorrelating its discrete spectral tones. Therefore, the discrete portion (spectral spikes) of the power spectral density of the regular clock is dispersed and the continuous (wide-band) portion of the spectrum rises as a noise floor. This work shows that there is a 22dB attenuation of the harmonic power by utilizing the clock randomization method with respect to the standard clocking scheme where the periodic clock signal is deployed.