cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variable-step truncation error estimates for Runge-Kutta methods of order 4 or less

Abstract One of the primary drawbacks in the use of Runge-Kutta for the solution of the initial-value problem for ordinary differential equations is the high price one must pay in computer time in order to gain an accurate estimate of the local truncation error. A very common practice with Runge-Kutta is to do the calculations with a given step-size h and simultaneously do the calculations with step-size 2h. A combination of the two answers thus produced is then used to control step-size. In this paper we derive and test some estimates for variable step-size Runge-Kutta which are accurate and which do not require any other function evaluations than those normally used by Runge-Kutta. In addition, one method for using these estimates is presented along with numerical results.
Drug information update: paliperidone palmitate for schizophrenia

Aims and method To review the evidence for the use of paliperidone palmitate for people with schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like illnesses. We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group Specialised Register and contacted the manufacturer of paliperidone palmitate, the US Food and Drug Administration, and the authors of papers that reported study results. Results Based on the evidence from five short-term, placebo-controlled studies, paliperidone palmitate is efficacious as an antipsychotic. Its adverse effects are similar to those of the closely related compounds paliperidone and risperidone. Extrapyramidal side-effects, weight gain and tachycardia are more common with paliperidone palmitate than placebo. Paliperidone palmitate was associated with substantial increases in serum prolactin but not with increased sexual side-effects in these studies. In two studies paliperidone palmitate was similar to depot risperidone. Clinical implications Paliperidone palmitate is an effective antipsychotic whose optimal dose appears to be between 39 and 234 mg every 4 weeks. We have no data assessing its long-term effectiveness or comparing it with any long-acting injected antipsychotic other than depot risperidone.
Predictors of Thrombotic Complications After Placement of the Flexible Coil Stent

The balloon-expandable, stainless steel, flexible coil stent is a useful device for managing acute or threatened closure after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.1–5 Use of the device is associated with thrombosis of the stented vessel in a small but important group of patients.3,6–10 The clinical, angiographic, and procedural factors associated with stent thrombosis with this device are still unknown. The objective of this study was to define predictors of stent thrombosis occurring within the ftrst month after stenting with this device.
Intraprocedural Cortisol Levels in the Evaluation of Proper Catheter Placement in Adrenal Venous Sampling

Abstract Purpose Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is limited by technical failures that result from incorrect catheter placement or failure to catheterize the right adrenal vein. The existence of an inadequate sample may not be recognized at the time of the procedure, which can lead to nondiagnostic results. Rapid assay of serum cortisol levels allows for intraprocedural evaluation of the ratio of adrenal and peripheral cortisol concentrations and confirmation of adequate sampling. Materials and Methods Retrospective review was performed of 64 AVS procedures, 36 performed with digital subtraction venography (DSV) guidance alone and 28 performed with DSV guidance plus intraprocedural quantitative determinations of plasma cortisol levels. Results Technical success was achieved in 26 of 28 procedures (93%) that included intraprocedural cortisol measurements in addition to DSV. Analysis of cortisol ratios (adrenal vein cortisol level divided by inferior vena cava cortisol level) revealed technical success in 29 of 36 procedures (81%) that used DSV alone ( P = .16). Procedure note indication of successful/unsuccessful sampling coincided with cortisol ratios in 28 of 28 cases (100%) that included cortisol measurement and 29 of 36 cases (81%) that did not ( P = .01).The feedback provided by the measurement of cortisol levels allowed the operator to salvage three of five inadequate AVS procedures (60%), increasing the overall technical success rate from 82% to 93%. Conclusions Intraprocedural measurement of cortisol with rapid results allows for prediction of successful adrenal vein catheterization, which may increase the technical success rate of AVS.
Catastrophe model for the exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other accidents in health care settings

Catastrophe models, which describe and predict discontinuous changes in system state variables, were used to model the exposure to blood and bodily fluids and more conventional occupational accidents among 1708 health care workers. Workers at three hospitals completed a survey measuring HIV-relevant exposures (needlesticks, cuts, splashes, contact with open wounds), the accident rate for broadly-defined injuries, and several occupationally relevant themes: safety climate, shift work, depression symptoms, work pace, verbal abuse, and professional group membership. A cusp (cubic polynomial) model predicting HIV-relevant exposures specifically was more accurate (R2 = 0.56) than a comparable linear model containing the same variables (R2 = 0.07). Some of the foregoing variables predisposed workers to greater differences in HIV-relevant and general accident exposures: shiftwork, climate, depressive symptoms, and work pace. Other variables governed how close an individual was to a critical threshold where a harmful incident would take place: verbal abuse, professional group membership. Similarly, a cusp model for accident incidents predicted from HIV-relevant exposures and occupational variables was also more accurate (R2 = 0.75) than comparison models. Two variables predisposed the worker to a greater accident risk: depression symptoms and shift work. Four other variables predisposed the worker to lesser accident risk: job satisfaction, safety climate, environmental stressors, and work pace. Compliance with the universal precautions and HIV-related training were not relevant to either of the models.
Epstein-Barr virus and molecular mimicry in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) is a complex disease with a multifactoral etiology, with genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences. Molecular mimicry as a result of viral infectio...
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) project

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO), a USA National Science Foundation sponsored project being performed jointly by the California Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is one of a new class of astronomical instruments designed to probe the Universe by detecting gravitational waves. Signal characteristics and expected event rates for these sources are discussed. A brief history of interferometric gravitational wave detectors and reference to ongoing and collaborative international projects is also provided. LIGO will consist of two widely separated sites at which L-shaped vacuum systems, each with two 4 km long arms, will house interferometers for coincident detection of gravitational waves. The initial LIGO detector consists of 3 interferometers, two at one site and one at the other. Each interferometer measures the motion of freely suspended and seismically isolated masses induced by a GW. Correlations among the three interferometers will be used to eliminate events due to terrestrial noise. The LIGO facilities are designed to be extensible with the intent to add and upgrade interferometers in the future.
Readability and Prestige in Scientific J ournals

As HTM suggest, better measures would help But this is unlikely to occur, given the vast effort already devoted to this issue of assessing readability. I believe it is more important to study situations that will allow for further tests of the bafflegab hypothesis. Results from these studies should then be included with the prior studies using meta-analysis in an attempt to determine the conditions under which the bafflegab hypothesis is true. Certainly there must be situations where scientists should write clearly. One possibility is that they should write clearly when they have something important to say.
Empirical Evidence for Site Coefficients in Building Code Provisions

Abstract Site-response coefficients, Fa and Fv, used in U.S. building code provisions are based on empirical data for motions up to 0.1 g. For larger motions they are based on theoretical and laboratory results. The Northridge earthquake of 17 January 1994 provided a significant new set of empirical data up to 0.5 g. These data together with recent site characterizations based on shear-wave velocity measurements provide empirical estimates of the site coefficients at base accelerations up to 0.5 g for Site Classes C and D. These empirical estimates of Fa and Fv as well as their decrease with increasing base acceleration level are consistent at the 95 percent confidence level with those in present building code provisions, with the exception of estimates for Fa at levels of 0.1 and 0.2 g, which are less than the lower confidence bound by amounts up to 13 percent. The site-coefficient estimates are consistent at the 95 percent confidence level with those of several other investigators for base accelerations...
The Physics of Tablet Compression XII*: Extrusion and Flow Studies on Tablet Ingredients

A method for determining the force required to extrude materials through a hole in a tablet die by means of a high force hydraulic press is presented. Extrusion forces are given for various simple inorganic electrolytes and common tablet lubricants. Extrusion of organic tablet constituents was impossible with two exceptions. Either no extrusion could be obtained at the maximum force of the press, or implosion occurred. Mixtures of sodium chloride and potassium chloride, and sodium chloride and magnesium stearate were extruded and semiempirical equations expressing behavior were evolved. Resistance to extrusion seems to correlate with the hardness of the materials under test.
Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot with Absent Pulmonary Valve Syndrome

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with absent pulmonary valve syndrome (APVS) occurs in 5% of patients with TOF. TOF-APVS includes an anterior malalignment ventricular septal defect (VSD) similar to TOF with pulmonary stenosis. The right ventricle is hypertrophied and may contain obstructing muscle bands in addition to infundibular narrowing. The pulmonary annulus is mildly to moderately hypoplastic with vestigial nubbins of nonfunctional myxomatous tissue rather than developed valve leaflets. The size of the main pulmonary artery ranges from normal to aneurysmal depending on the severity of the anomaly, whereas the branch pulmonary arteries are markedly aneurysmal, often two to three times their normal diameters. The hilar portions of the pulmonary arteries may also be dilated. The segmental branches are of normal size and appear as multiple orifices arising from the dilated portion of the artery when viewed from inside the vessel. A patent ductus arteriosus is never present in TOF-APVS. The combination of a VSD, pulmonary insufficiency, and a patent ductus arteriosus would potentially produce physiologic aortic insufficiency: left ventricular output could flow retrograde through the ductus, into the right ventricle, across theVSD,andbackintotheleftventricle.Ithasbeenproposed that the absence of a pulmonary valve influences premature closure of the ductus, or the fetus would not survive. The highly pulsatile flow through the pulmonary arteries may result in the aneurysmal dilation. 1,2 Patients with TOF-APVS can be divided into two groups. The first group presents in the neonatal period with respiratory distress, attributed to compression of the tracheobronchial tree by the aneurysmal pulmonary arteries. These patients require early surgery to avoid morbidity and death from respiratory distress and heart failure. The second group of patients is less symptomatic in infancy and may be identified later in life with symptoms of congestive heart failure, or classic TOF cyanotic spells. These patients can be managed similarly to other patients with TOF and undergo elective repair. There are two major debated issues regarding the surgical management of neonates with TOF-APVS: management of the aneurysmal pulmonary arteries, and placement of a pulmonary valve in the right ventricular outflow tract. Multiple operations have been proposed to address these issues. 3-10 In the operation we describe below, we remove the maximal amount of abnormal pulmonary arterial tissue and place a right ventricular to pulmonary artery homograft conduit. Complete excision of the main and branch pulmonary arteriesremovesalmostallaneurysmaltissue,therebyminimizing any chance of persistent tracheobronchial compression. Use of a homograft places a valve in the pulmonary outflow tract, which simplifies the postoperative management of pulmonary hypertension.
Combination of Gene Delivery and DNA Vaccination to Protect from and Reverse Th1 Autoimmune Disease via Deviation to the Th2 Pathway

Using a combination of local gene delivery and tolerizing DNA vaccination, we demonstrate that codelivery of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene and a DNA vaccine encoding the self-peptide proteolipid protein 139-151 (PLP139-151) provides protective immunity against experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We provide evidence for a mechanism whereby IL-4 expressed from the naked DNA is secreted and acts locally on autoreactive T cells via activation of STAT6 to shift their cytokine profile to T helper 2. We also show that DNA vaccines can be used to reverse established EAE by covaccination with the genes for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein and IL-4. This treatment strategy combines the antigen-specific effects of DNA vaccination and the beneficial effects of local gene delivery.
Signalling substitutions in the periplasmic domain of chemoreceptor Trg induce or reduce helical sliding in the transmembrane domain.

We used in vivo oxidative cross-linking of engineered cysteine pairs to assess conformational changes in the four-helix transmembrane domain of chemoreceptor Trg. Extending previous work, we searched for and found a fourth cross-linking pair that spanned the intrasubunit interface between transmembrane helix 1 (TM1) and its partner TM2. We determined the effects of ligand occupancy on cross-linking rate constants for all four TM1–TM2 diagnostic pairs in conditions that allowed the formation of receptor–kinase complexes for the entire cellular complement of Trg. Occupancy altered all four rates in a pattern that implicated sliding of TM2 relative to TM1 towards the cytoplasm as the transmembrane signalling movement in receptor–kinase complexes. Transmembrane signalling can be reduced or induced by single amino acid substitutions in the ligand-binding region of the periplasmic domain of Trg. We determined the effects of these substitutions on conformation in the transmembrane domain and on ligand-induced changes using the diagnostic TM1–TM2 cysteine pairs. Effects on rates of in vivo cross-linking showed that induced signalling substitutions altered the relative positions of TM1 and TM2 in the same way as ligand binding, and reduced signalling substitutions blocked or attenuated the ligand-induced shift. These results provide strong support for the helical sliding model of transmembrane signalling.
Double Potential Well Regimes in Collisionless Spherical Discharges

The study of potential profiles in glow discharges initiated between concentric spherical electrodes is motivated by the experimental investigations of inertial electrostatic confinement devices, which have the potential to be used as compact neutron generators. Here, we explore double potential well regimes within the cathode of such devices, utilizing a previously developed collisionless model. This is accomplished in an efficient manner by creating contour plots of the double well depth (DWD) and the double well radius, "width," with respect to the spreads in angular energy of electrons and ions, and with respect to the ion perveance and ratio of ion to electron perveance. These plots expand our knowledge of the DWD behavior beyond the previous understandings, both qualitatively and quantitatively. In addition, we consider the relationship of these results with the experimental results of Gu and Miley and the theoretical results of Matsuura in an effort to better understand the results of Gu and Miley
Louis Leon Thurstone in Monte Carlo: Creating error bars for the method of paired comparison

The method of paired comparison is often used in experiments where perceptual scale values for a collection of stimuli are desired, such as in experiments analyzing image quality. Thurstone's Case V of his Law of Comparative Judgments is often used as the basis for analyzing data produced in paired comparison experiments. However, methods for determining confidence intervals and critical distances for significant differences based on Thurstone's Law have been elusive leading some to abandon the simple analysis provided by Thurstone's formulation. In order to provide insight into this problem of determining error, Monte Carlo simulations of paired comparison experiments were performed based on the assumptions of uniformly normal, independent, and uncorrelated responses from stimulus pair presentations. The results from these multiple simulations show that the variation in the distribution of experimental results of paired comparison experiments can be well predicted as a function of stimulus number and the number of observations. Using these results, confidence intervals and critical values for comparisons can be made using traditional statistical methods. In addition the results from simulations can be used to analyze goodness-of-fit techniques.
A fast, efficiency-preserving system for simultaneous compression & encryption

Methods for embedment of stream cipher rules into compressive Elias-type entropy coders are presented. Such systems have the ability to simultaneously compress and encrypt input data; thereby providing a fast and secure means for data compression. Procedures for maintaining compressive performance are articulated with focus on further compression optimizations. Furthermore, a novel method is proposed which exploits the compression process to hide cipherstream information in the case of a known plaintext attack. Simulations were performed on images from a variety of classes in order to grade and compare the compressive and computational costs of the novel system relative to traditional compression-followed-by-encryption methods.
Structural studies on the triterpene obliquol.

Oxidation studies have indicated that the two hydroxyl groups of obliquol are secondary, one of which exhibits some hindrance as in the Oppenauer oxidation. Nuclear magnetic resonance studies have supported the chemical evidence that the second hydroxyl group is in the 12 position in obliquol. The C-18 methyl peak of obliquol diacetate has shifted downfield from the corresponding peak in lanosterol acetate due to perturbation by the 12-acetyl group. Therefore, it was concluded that obliquol has the structure I. The complete NMR spectra of obliquol, lanosterol, and their acetates are interpreted.
Humoral autoimmunity as a mediator of CNS repair

Autoimmune responses directed against the central nervous system (CNS) have generally been considered pathogenic in nature. Although there are several well understood conditions in which this is the case, there is also a growing body of experimental evidence to show that both the cellular and humoral immune responses can promote tissue repair following CNS injury and disease. Our laboratory has used a mouse model of chronic demyelinating disease to characterize a class of polyreactive IgM autoantibodies that react with oligodendrocyte surface antigens and promote myelin repair. By screening a large number of human monoclonal antibodies, we have found that IgM antibodies that react with CNS tissue are relatively common. Autoreactive IgM antibodies might constitute an endogenous system for tissue repair, and therefore these antibodies could be of value as therapeutic reagents.
We're the same… but different: addressing academic divides in the study of brain and behavior

How the brain mediates behavior is a question relevant to a broad range of disciplines including evolutionary biology, basic neuroscience, psychiatry, and population health. Experiments in animals have traditionally used two distinct approaches to explore brain–behavior relationships; one uses naturally existing behavioral models while the other focuses on the creation and investigation of medically oriented models using existing laboratory-amenable organisms. Scientists using the first approach are often referred to and self identify as “neuroethologists,” while the second category spans a variety of other sub-disciplines but is often referred to broadly as “behavioral neuroscience.” Despite an overall common scientific goal – the elucidation of the neural basis of behavior – members of these two groups often come from different scientific lineages, seek different sources of funding, and make their homes in different departments or colleges. The separation of these groups is also fostered by their attendance at different scientific conferences and publication records that reflect different journal preferences. Bridging this divide represents an opportunity to explore previously unanswerable questions and foster rapid scientific advances. This article explores the reasons for this divide and proposes measures that could help increase technology transfer and communication between these groups, potentially overcoming both physical and ideological gaps.
Secure Range Queries in Tiered Sensor Networks

We envision a two-tier sensor network which consists of resource-rich master nodes at the upper tier and resource- poor sensor nodes at the lower tier. Master nodes collect data from sensor nodes and answer the queries from the network owner. The reliance on master nodes for data storage and query processing raises concerns about both data confidentiality and query-result correctness in hostile environments. In particular, a compromised master node may leak hosted sensitive data to the adversary; it may also return juggled or incomplete data in response to a query. This paper presents a novel spatiotemporal crosscheck approach to ensure secure range queries in event- driven two-tier sensor networks. It offers data confidentiality by preventing master nodes from reading hosted data and also enables efficient range-query processing. More importantly, it allows the network owner to verify with very high probability whether a query result is authentic and complete by examining the spatial and temporal relationships among the returned data. The high efficacy and efficiency of our approach are confirmed by detailed performance evaluations.
Time to recover consciousness in patients with diffuse axonal injury : assessment with reference to magnetic resonance grading.

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the correlation between the degrees of injury on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the time interval to recovery of consciousness in patients with diffuse axonal injury. Methods : From January 2004 to December 2008, 25 patients with diffuse axonal injury were treated at our hospital. We retrospectively investigated the patients’ medical records and radiological findings. We divided the patients into three groups according to the grade of MRI finding : grade I, small scattered lesions on the white matter of the cerebral hemisphere; grade II, focal lesions on the corpus callosum; and grade III, additional focal lesions on the brain stem. Result : Seven patients belonged to the grade I group; 10 to the grade II group; and 8 to the grade III group. The mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of all patients at the time of admission was 7.28. Recovery of consciousness was observed in 23 of the 25 patients; the remaining two patients never regained consciousness. The time interval to recovery of consciousness (awake status) ranged from 1 day to 125 days (mean 22.1 days) : grade I group patients, within approximately 1 week (mean 3.7 days); grade II group patients, within approximately 2 weeks (mean 12.5 days); and grade III group patients, within approximately 2 months (mean 59.5 days). Conclusion : Our study results suggest a correlation between the mean time interval to recovery of consciousness in patients with diffuse axonal injuries and the degrees of brain injuries seen on MRI. Patients with grade I and II diffuse axonal injuries recovered consciousness within 2 weeks, while patients with grade III injuries required approximately 2 months.
Sequential Deletion of the Integrase (Gag-Pol) Carboxyl Terminus Reveals Distinct Phenotypic Classes of Defective HIV-1

A requisite step in the life cycle of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the insertion of the viral genome into that of the host cell, a process catalyzed by the 288-amino-acid (32-kDa) viral integrase (IN). IN recognizes and cleaves the ends of reverse-transcribed viral DNA and directs its insertion into the chromosomal DNA of the target cell. IN function, however, is not limited to integration, as the protein is required for other aspects of viral replication, including assembly, virion maturation, and reverse transcription. Previous studies demonstrated that IN is comprised of three domains: the N-terminal domain (NTD), catalytic core domain (CCD), and C-terminal domain (CTD). Whereas the CCD is mainly responsible for providing the structural framework for catalysis, the roles of the other two domains remain enigmatic. This study aimed to elucidate the primary and subsidiary roles that the CTD has in protein function. To this end, we generated and tested a nested set of IN C-terminal deletion mutants in measurable assays of virologic function. We discovered that removal of up to 15 residues (IN 273) resulted in incremental diminution of enzymatic function and infectivity and that removal of the next three residues resulted in a loss of infectivity. However, replication competency was surprisingly reestablished with one further truncation, corresponding to IN 269 and coinciding with partial restoration of integration activity, but it was lost permanently for all truncations extending N terminal to this position. Our analyses of these replication-competent and -incompetent truncation mutants suggest potential roles for the IN CTD in precursor protein processing, reverse transcription, integration, and IN multimerization.
Chimeric del20q in a case of chronic neutrophilic leukemia.

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) is a rare myeloproliferative disorder in which recurrent abnormalities of chromosome 20 have been reported. We report the case of a 76-year-old woman with CNL with partial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 20 in a subset of bone marrow metaphases, suggesting coexistence of a clonal stem cell disorder and normal hematopoiesis. Review of the literature suggests that such mosaicism is common in CNL, possibly accounting for the favorable prognosis observed in many patients with this disorder.
Identification of co-regulated transcripts affecting male body size in Drosophila

Factor analysis is an analytic approach that describes the covariation among a set of genes through the estimation of 'factors', which may be, for example, transcription factors, microRNAs (miRNAs), and so on, by which the genes are co-regulated. Factor analysis gives a direct mechanism by which to relate gene networks to complex traits. Using simulated data, we found that factor analysis clearly identifies the number and structure of factors and outperforms hierarchical cluster analysis. Noise genes, genes that are not correlated with any factor, can be distinguished even when factor structure is complex. Applied to body size in Drosophila simulans, an evolutionarily important complex trait, a factor was directly associated with body size.
Calculations of the Stratospheric Quasi-Biennial Oscillation for Time-Varying Wave Forcing

Abstract One-dimensional calculations are carried out for the time evolution of the equatorial lower stratospheric mean zonal wind forced by time-varying equatorial Kelvin and mixed Rossby–gravity waves. If the time variation of the wave momentum forcing is given by a steady forcing plus a sinusoidal modulation, a tendency toward phase locking between the period of the wave forcing’s modulation and the period of the resulting mean wind oscillation is found in some cases, depending on the period and magnitude of the wave forcing as well as the phase difference between variations of the easterly and westerly momentum fluxes. Regime diagrams are shown to make these dependences clearer. If the wave forcings are irregularly modulated, the resulting time variation of the wind oscillation shows no resemblance to the imposed time variation of the wave forcing. These simple calculations are used to indicate that for nonlinear phenomena, such as the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), one cannot conclude that a lack ...
(Anti-)Metaphysics in the Thirties And Why Should Anyone Care Now?

We live in a metaphysical age. And I do not mean just that too many people still believe The Prophecies of Nostradamus and/or the horoscopes found in most local newspapers. It is a metaphysical age among philosophers – even among those who shun horoscopes and are frankly embarrassed to fi nd Nostradamus so prominently displayed in the metaphysics section of their campus bookstore. Nowadays, distinguished philosophers in prestigious departments proudly call themselves metaphysicians. They all know, of course, that Carnap and his Viennese friends campaigned in the late twenties and early thirties against metaphysics.
Green Movement Against Green Water

How do you start a green movement in a country where people have no interest in knowing where their water ends up at the end of the pipe? Why would people in Guatemala want to put a septic tank on their property knowing that their neighbors upstream will be dumping their sewage directly into the river? This thesis probes strategies that promote a symbiotic relationship between human development and ecological regeneration and management practices that support resilience. This research characterizes the watershed of lake Amatitlan in Guatemala, looks at the contaminants and issues affecting it, evaluates remediation strategies currently being used and suggests alternative strategies based on ecological restoration design. These strategies were inspired by case studies of various modern practices used for filtration, remediation, management and environmental education. Additionally, the design of a reconstructed wetland near the lake will demonstrate how natural processes can be used to filter polluted effluents and provide habitat for underrepresented fauna and flora. This proposed wetland will become a park that provides an educational and aesthetically pleasing environment where people can enjoy nature and take part in an emerging green movement in Guatemala.
Learning to Manage NextGen Environments: Do Student Controllers Prefer to Use Datalink or Voice?

The Next Generation Air Transportation (NextGen) system will introduce new automation tools to help air traffic controllers manage the projected increase in air traffic. As automation tools are gradually implemented, there will be a period of time where some air traffic will be managed with traditional voice-based tools and others will be managed with automation tools. The present study examined whether ATCo students prefer to use voice or Datalink more often to solve conflicts, and determine if there were any situations where Datalink was particularly beneficial to students. The present study is an archival analysis of data collected from 50 student ATCos who took part in one of four semesters of an ATCo training internship offered by the Center for Human Factors in Advanced Aeronautics Technologies (CHAAT). We found that students were more likely to use Datalink to resolve conflicts during the midterm than at the final, suggesting early reliance on tools during learning. However, at the final exam, students used voice and Datalink equally often, and indicated that they preferred voice over Datalink. The preference for voice is likely due to it being a more efficient method of controller-pilot communication than Datalink.
Nurses' role in medical error recovery: an integrative review

Aims and objectives The aim of this study was to conduct an integrative review of the literature to fully understand nurses' role in medical error recovery. Background Despite focused efforts on error prevention, the prevalence of medical errors occurring in the health care system remains a concern. Patient harm can be reduced or prevented by adequate recovery processes that include identifying, interrupting and correcting medical errors in a timely fashion. Both medical error prevention and recovery are critical components in advancing patient safety, yet little is known about nurses' role in medical error recovery. Design An integrative review of the literature, guided by Whittmore and Knafl's (Journal of Advanced Nursing, 5, 2005, 546) five-step process, was conducted for the period between 2000-2015. A comprehensive search yielded twelve articles for this review. Methods The level and quality of evidence of the included articles was rated using a five-level rating system and the Johns Hopkins Nursing Quality of Evidence Appraisal developed by ©The Johns Hopkins Hospital/The Johns Hopkins University. Results The medical error recovery rate varied across specialty nursing populations with nurses recovering, on average, as many as one error per shift to as few as one error per week. Nurses rely on knowing the patient, environment and plan of care to aid in medical error recovery. Conclusions Nurses play a unique yet invisible role in identifying, interrupting and recovering medical errors. Individual and organisational factors influencing nurses' ability to recover medical errors remain unclear. Relevance to clinical practice Greater understanding of nurse characteristics and organisational factors that influence error recovery can foster the development of effective strategies to detect and correct medical errors and enable organisations to reduce negative outcomes.
Ion exchange procedures : IV. Separation of 234Th (UX1) from uranyl nitrate solutions

Abstract A cation exchange procedure is described for recovering microcurie amounts of carrier-free UX1 (234Th) from uranyl nitrate solution. Two ion exchange columns are employed, one for initial concentration and the other for final purification.
Quantitative Raman characterization of cross-linked collagen thin films as a model system for diagnosing early osteoarthritis

The onset of osteoarthritis (OA)in articular cartilage is characterized by degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Specifically, breakage of cross-links between collagen fibrils in the articular cartilage leads to loss of structural integrity of the bulk tissue. Since there are no broadly accepted, non-invasive, label-free tools for diagnosing OA at its early stage, Raman spectroscopyis therefore proposed in this work as a novel, non-destructive diagnostic tool. In this study, collagen thin films were employed to act as a simplified model system of the cartilage collagen extracellular matrix. Cross-link formation was controlled via exposure to glutaraldehyde (GA), by varying exposure time and concentration levels, and Raman spectral information was collected to quantitatively characterize the cross-link assignments imparted to the collagen thin films during treatment. A novel, quantitative method was developed to analyze the Raman signal obtained from collagen thin films. Segments of Raman signal were decomposed and modeled as the sum of individual bands, providing an optimization function for subsequent curve fitting against experimental findings. Relative changes in the concentration of the GA-induced pyridinium cross-links were extracted from the model, as a function of the exposure to GA. Spatially resolved characterization enabled construction of spectral maps of the collagen thin films, which provided detailed information about the variation of cross-link formation at various locations on the specimen. Results showed that Raman spectral data correlate with glutaraldehyde treatment and therefore may be used as a proxy by which to measure loss of collagen cross-links in vivo. This study proposes a promising system of identifying onset of OA and may enable early intervention treatments that may serve to slow or prevent osteoarthritis progression.
The Fate of Dietary Wax Esters in the Rat.

SummaryOleyl palmitate fed to rats as 15% of the diet was partly absorbed and partly excreted as a mixture of wax ester, free fatty acid, and free alcohol. Because of purgative effects, animals caged together contaminated each other's fur with fecal lipid, giving them an appearance of seborrhea. Animals given oleyl alcohol as 4% of the diet did not show purgative effects but excreted lipid which was similar in composition to that excreted by rats given wax esters. Thus both hydrolysis and synthesis of waxes can occur in the intestine. Similar reactions have been carried out in vitro in the presence of a pancreatic enzyme. Wax ester and free oleyl alcohol were detected in the liver after feeding either compound, and in both cases the predominant ester was oleyl palmitate. The question of whether oleyl alcohol is absorbed in the free or esterified form was not satisfactorily resolved.
Short-Term Movement of Neoaplectana spp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) and Heterorhabditis “HP-88” Strain (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) Through Turfgrass Thatch

Turfgrass thatch was a major impediment to the downward movement of the entomogenous nematodes ( Neoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser (=Steinernema feltiae) “Breton” and “All” strains, N. bibionis Bovien, and Heterorhabditis strain “HP-88.” Only 6.0-14.6% and 10.4-17.3% of the nematodes applied to the surface were recovered in leachate after three irrigation treatments of 0.32 and 0.64 cm, respectively, over a 48-h period. A significant increase in thatch penetration was observed when the irrigation rate was increased from 0.32 to 0.64 cm for only Heterorhabditis strain “HP-88” and N. bibionis . Results of this study indicate that a method to bypass the thatch layer may increase nematode efficacy.
The Art of Distribution: Video on Demand

An account of the rise of Video on Demand as a method of distribution for arthouse and independent films, focusing on the IFC Films and Magnolia Pictures companies, and charting the growing success of streaming video as opposed to DVD and theatrical releasing.
Infantile Hemangiomas: Pathogenesis and Review of Propranolol Use.

Background:Infantile hemangiomas are complex benign vascular tumors that present after birth. Hemangioma lesions have a predictable course of growth, but little is understood about the mechanism behind their development. Infantile hemangiomas are considered proliferative lesions of the endothelial c
Effects of cardiac lymphatic obstruction on coronary arteries.

A study was undertaken to determine whether changes occurred in the coronary arteries of dogs after obstruction of the cardiac lymphatics. Other investigators have described changes in the walls of coronary arteries after cardiac lymphatic obstruction that caused compromise of the lumen. Adult mongrel dogs were subjected to an operation which occluded the cardiac lymphatics. Several days later, a second operation was done to remove specimens of the terminal branches of the coronary arteries. The specimens were studied by light and election microscopy. There was no gross or microscopic evidence of altered morphology of the coronary arterial walls.
Rule-Governed Behavior: A Potential Theoretical Framework for Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy

The emergence and increasingly wide acceptance of cognitively based treat-ments are major developments in behavior therapy. In recent years there has been the formation of a new journal, Cognitive Therapy and Research, and a special interest group within the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy devoted to cognitive-behavioral therapy (Dowd, 1978), as well as the appearance of several major books in the area (Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979; Kendall & Hollon, 1979, 1981; Mahoney, 1974; Meichenbaum, 1977).
Statistical modeling to better understand the dynamics of student populations in CS: keynote address

While educational data mining has often focused on modeling behavior at the level of individual students, we consider developing statistical models to give us insight into the dynamics of student populations. In this talk, we consider two case studies in this vein.
Efficient cryogenic mid-IR and eye-safe Er:YAG laser

We report the first diode-pumped, continuous-wave cascaded dual-wavelength operation of an Er3+:YAG cryogenic laser emitting simultaneously at ∼ mid-IR 2.7 and eye-safe 1.6 μm. The laser is capable of delivering 45 and 10 W at 1.62 and 2.73 μm wavelength, with slope efficiencies ∼15% and 55%, respectively. The overall efficiency with respect to the absorbed ∼960 nm pump power was 71%. Detailed analysis of the output power, efficiency, wavelengths, and relevant spectroscopic data is also presented.
A high temperature wideband low noise amplifier for downhole applications

As the oil industry continues to drill deeper to reach new wells, electronics are required to operate at extreme pressures and temperatures. Coupled with substantial real-time data targets, the need for robust high speed electronics is quickly on the rise. This paper presents a high temperature wideband low noise amplifier (LNA) with zero temperature coefficient maximum available gain (ZTCMAG) biasing for a downhole communication system. The proposed LNA is designed and prototyped using 0.25 μm GaN on SiC RF transistor technology, which is chosen due to the high junction temperature capability. Measurements show that the proposed LNA can operate reliably up to an ambient temperature of 230 C with a minimum noise figure (NF) of 2.0 dB, average gain of 16.1 dB, and input P1dB of 4.0 dBm from 230.5–285.5 MHz. The maximum variation with temperature from 25°C to 230°C is 1.53 dB for NF and 0.65 dB for gain.
Our Neighborhood: A Place for Heightening Emotional Energy in Science Education

A growing body of educational research suggests science studied in one’s neighborhood becomes a valuable venue for fostering not only students’ conceptual understanding but also a connection to their place. In this chapter, we discuss this research, as well as present authentic examples from our own case studies that provide further understanding of how place-based pedagogy affects students’ emotional energy in the science classroom. More specifically, we illustrate the (1) emotional connections that result from place-based experiences, (2) value students place on solidarity-building interactions, and (3) barriers to realizing the potential of place-based pedagogy in terms of fostering students’ engagement with the community. These understandings are supported and discussed in a manner that provides science teacher educators who are interested in enhancing emotional engagement through place-based instruction with practical applications and theoretical underpinnings that could enhance their own practice or research efforts.
Folding Pedagogy: Thinking Between Spaces

In this chapter, Richardson reflects on a graduate art education course he co-taught that had students reflect on the philosophical ideas developed by Deleuze and Guattari as the foundation for igniting discussion and producing artworks. The pedagogical process that produced in-depth conversations and unique artworks belied easy categorization. Deleuze and Guattari’s ideas opened students to novel thinking and unique approaches to artmaking in ways that conventional pedagogical approaches to studio art practices seem unable to replicate. This chapter seeks to articulate a pedagogical approach to teaching and learning corresponding to Deleuze’s concept of the fold as an endlessly connected plane of experience, what the author refers to as a folding pedagogy that presupposes no particular outcome, but rather opens students to thinking produced within endless encounter.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis protease MarP activates a peptidoglycan hydrolase during acid stress

Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) can persist in the human host in a latent state for decades, in part because it has the ability to withstand numerous stresses imposed by host immunity. Prior studies have established the essentiality of the periplasmic protease MarP for Mtb to survive in acidified phagosomes and establish and maintain infection in mice. However, the proteolytic substrates of MarP that mediate these phenotypes were unknown. Here, we used biochemical methods coupled with supravital chemical probes that facilitate imaging of nascent peptidoglycan to demonstrate that during acid stress MarP cleaves the peptidoglycan hydrolase RipA, a process required for RipA9s activation. Failure of RipA processing in MarP‐deficient cells leads to cell elongation and chain formation, a hallmark of progeny cell separation arrest. Our results suggest that sustaining peptidoglycan hydrolysis, a process required for cell elongation, separation of progeny cells, and cell wall homeostasis in growing cells, may also be essential for Mtb9s survival in acidic conditions.
Chapter 6 – Special Cases

This chapter provides various tricks, tips, and troubleshooting solutions regarding nonstandard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cases, such as “long PCR,” randomly amplified of polymorphic DNA PCR, and quantitative PCR. Optimization information is given on how to amplify very long PCR products, as well as how to amplify DNA targets for which the DNA sequence might be unknown (randomly amplified of polymorphic DNA PCR). In addition, quantitative PCR is described and a guide for detecting potential problems and troubleshooting is provided.
Pre-College Computing Outreach Research: Towards Improving the Practice

Europe, Australia, and North America face two similar challenges with respect to computing--there have not been enough students matriculating to keep up with demand and the lack of diversity remains an issue. To address these challenges, private and public resources have been allocated to educate primary and secondary students in computing. Previous meta-studies on these often segregated outreach efforts within the United States indicate that research on their impact remains spotty, short-term, and inconsistent, leaving a gap in the ability to evaluate their long-term impact. Building upon previous research focused in the U.S., this study examines similarities and differences in the results of 17 formal, peer-reviewed computing education research journals and conferences across Australia, Europe, and North America during 2009-2015. Results indicate that a lacuna exists in international research, paralleling results of the more narrowly focused study of U.S. venues. The paper further defines the major issues researchers face in conducting assessment studies for outreach and recommendations for addressing this gap.
The Trump Administration’s Policy Options in International Procurement

The year 2016 saw a radical break from the free-market norms that have marked international procurement markets since World War II. In both the United Kingdom, with the Brexit referendum, and in the United States with the election of Donald Trump, major electoral shifts meant that international trade in procurement may well face new barriers. This piece first reviews developments in the United States, including the 2016 U.S. elections and the Trump administration’s approach to international procurement. The piece then discusses some of the Trump administration’s policy options, and concludes by summarizing, in a rough matrix of costs and benefits, those options.