cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical study of the effect of propped surface area and fracture conductivity on shale gas production: Application for multi-size proppant pumping schedule design

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing is a technique extensively used in the oil and gas industry, where water, proppant (sand) and additives are injected into unconventional reservoirs to enhance the recovery of shale hydrocarbon. Although some previous studies have developed pumping schedules that maximize gas production for a single-size proppant, there are very few studies that consider the effect of varying proppant diameters across pumping stages on shale gas production. Motivated by this, we carried out an extensive sensitivity analysis to determine the effect of different proppant diameters on the average fracture conductivity (FC), average propped surface area (PSA) and cumulative shale gas production volume. We found out that the cumulative shale gas production volume depends on both the average PSA and average FC. We also found out that small-diameter proppant resulted in higher average PSA and lower average FC, whereas large-diameter proppant resulted in lower average PSA and higher average FC. Hence, we designed a multi-size proppant pumping schedule considering both of these parameters into account for simultaneously propagating multiple fractures to maximize shale gas production from unconventional reservoirs. Since the size of injected proppant particles determines the average PSA and average FC for the propped hydraulic fractures, we developed a novel framework called Sequentially Interlinked Modeling Structure (SIMS) to predict the average PSA, average FC and cumulative shale gas production volume at the end of 10 years for a given pumping schedule. Then, we used this SIMS framework to obtain a multi-size proppant pumping schedule that maximizes shale gas production. Finally, we demonstrated that the obtained pumping schedule gives a cumulative shale gas production volume greater than the values obtained from the existing pumping schedules.
Heterogeneity of antidiabetic treatment effect on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We explored whether clinically relevant baseline characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes can modify the effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). We investigated Medline and EMBASE through June 2019. We included randomized clinical trials reporting the effect of GLP-1 RA or SGLT-2i on MACE in subgroups of patients with type 2 diabetes, identified through key baseline factors: established cardiovascular disease; heart failure; chronic kidney disease; uncontrolled diabetes; duration of diabetes; hypertension; obesity; age; gender and race. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from trials were meta-analyzed using random-effects models. Ten trials enrolling 89,790 patients were included in the analyses. Subgroup meta-analyses showed a 14% risk reduction of MACE in patients with established cardiovascular disease [GLP1-RA: HR, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.80–0.93); SGLT-2i: 0.86 (0.80–0.93)], and no effect in at-risk patients without history of cardiovascular events [GLP1-RA: 0.94 (0.82–1.07); SGLT-2i: 1.00 (0.87–1.16)]. We observed a trend toward larger treatment benefits with SGLT-2i among patients with chronic kidney disease [0.82 (0.69–0.97)], and patients with uncontrolled diabetes for both GLP1-RA or SGLT-2i [GLP1-RA: 0.82 (0.71–0.95); SGLT-2i: 0.84 (0.75–0.95)]. Uncontrolled hypertension, obesity, gender, age and race did not appear to modify the effect of these drugs. In this exploratory analysis, history of cardiovascular disease appeared to modify the treatment effect of SGLT2i or GLP1-RA on MACE. Chronic kidney disease and uncontrolled diabetes should be further investigated as potential effect modifiers.
Variations in War Crimes During the Sierra Leone Civil War

This article explores the nature of, and variation within, war crimes committed during the Sierra Leone civil war. Drawing upon testimonies given before the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Co...
Musical pantophagy: Is there an effect on changes in preference resulting from repeated exposure?:

The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of musical pantophagy, classical music consumption, and initial receptivity to select musical examples on changes in preference rating result...
Translating 6 key insights from research on leadership and management in times of crisis

Background Certain leadership behaviours are particularly helpful for healthcare teams remain effective through crisis situations, such as the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper summarizes evidence-based insights based on their importance and prevalence in the crisis leadership literature to provide recommendations that apply to medical team leaders broadly construed. We recommend that leaders adopt these behaviours in conditions of intense difficulty, uncertainty, as well as physical and psychological peril. Results We draw from research on workplace resilience, as well as leadership literature (ie, team leadership, transformational leadership, shared leadership, and crisis leadership) to provide six key insights along with evidence and practical guidance for healthcare leaders to help their teams in the midst of a crisis: (1) remain optimistic when communicating a vision, (2) adapt to the changing situation by deferring to team members’ expertise, (3) support organizational resilience by providing relational resources, (4) be present to signal commitment, (5) be empathetic to help prevent burnout, and (6) be transparent in order to remain trustworthy.
Comment on “Kosterlitz-Thouless-type caging-uncaging transition in a quasi-one-dimensional hard disk system”

Huerta et al. [Phys. Rev. Research 2, 033351 (2020)] report a power-law decay of positional order in numerical simulations of hard disks confined within hard parallel walls, which they interpret as a Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT)-type caging-uncaging transition. The proposed existence of such a transition in a quasi-one-dimensional system, however, contradicts long-held physical expectations. To clarify if the proposed ordering persists in the thermodynamic limit, we introduce an exact transfer matrix approach to expeditiously generate configurations of very large subsystems that are typical of equilibrium thermodynamic (infinite-size) systems. The power-law decay of positional order is found to extend only over finite distances. We conclude that the numerical simulation results reported are associated with a crossover unrelated to KT-type physics, and not with a proper thermodynamic phase transition.
Neuroimaging as a biomarker in symptom validity and performance validity testing

How neuropsychological assessment findings are deemed valid has been a topic of numerous articles but few have addressed any role that neuroimaging studies could provide. Within military and various clinical samples of individuals undergoing neuropsychological evaluations, high levels of failure on measures of symptom validity testing (SVT) and/or performance validity testing (PVT) have been reported. Where ‘failure’ is defined as a below cut-score performance on some pre-determined set-point on a SVT/PVT measure, are such failures always indicative of invalid test findings or are there other explanations, especially based on informative neuroimaging findings? This review starts with the premise that even though the SVT/PVT task is designed to be simple and easy to perform, it nonetheless requires intact frontoparietal attention, working memory and task engagement (motivation) networks. If there is damage or pathology within any aspect of these networks as demonstrated by neuroimaging findings, the patient may perform below the cut-point as a result of the underlying damage or pathophysiology. The argument is made that neuroimaging findings should be considered as to where SVT/PVT cut-points are established and there should be much greater flexibility in SVT/PVT measures based on other personal, demographic and neuroimaging information. Several case studies are used to demonstrate these points.
Dynamic acceleration of nonlinear iterations

Many large and complicated production codes require iteration to the solution of a system of nonlinear equations. For example, the solution to a time-dependent partial differential equation may require the solution of a nonlinear system at each time step. Unfortunately, these codes often implement suboptimal methods and convergence is very slow.
Hydraulic Jump Assisted by Cross-Jet

A new method of controlling a hydraulic jump is developed herein. Utilizing a submerged cross-jet, instead of solid chute blocks and baffle piers, to furrow and lift the supercritical approaching flow, a hydraulic jump is produced which requires a smaller tailwater depth and provides greater energy dissipation. The analytical analysis of the characteristics of the jet-forced hydraulic jump is based on the basic momentum and continuity principles and the conservation of energy. The results are verified experimentally. In the case where the jet flow is provided by the same source which provides the approaching flow, better control of the jump is expected.
Structure and stability of triangle-free set systems

We define the notion of stability for a monotone property of set systems. This phenomenon encompasses some classical results in combinatorics, foremost among them the Erdos-Simonovits stability theorem. A triangle is a family of three sets A, B, C such that An B, B ∩ C, C ∩ A are each nonempty, and A ∩ B n C = 0. We prove the following new theorem about the stability of triangle-free set systems. Fix r > 3. For every δ > 0, there exist e > 0 and no = n 0 (e, r) such that the following holds for all n > no: if |X| = n and G is a triangle-free family of r-sets of X containing at least (1 - e)( n-1 r-1 ) members, then there exists an (n - 1)-set S C X which contains fewer than δ( n-1 r-1 ) members of G. This is one of the first stability theorems for a nontrivial problem in extremal set theory. Indeed, the corresponding extremal result, that for n > 3r/2 > 4 every triangle-free family G of r-sets of X has size at most ( n-1 r-1 ), was a longstanding conjecture of Erdos (open since 1971) that was only recently settled by Mubayi and Verstraete (2005) for all n > 3r/2.
DNA: A‐, B‐, and Z‐

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Basic Features of NMR Spectra of DNA 3 Assignments of DNA Spectra 4 Couplings and Conformation 5 Motion and Hydration 6 Summary 7 Biographical Sketch Related Articles
Toxicity of Trichloroethylene to Pseudomonas putida F1 Is Mediated by Toluene Dioxygenase

Trichloroethylene was metabolically activated by toluene dioxygenase to produce toxic effects in Pseudomonas putida F1. Cytotoxicity was indicated by growth inhibition and by the covalent modification of cellular molecules in P. putida F1 exposed to [14C]trichloroethylene. With a toluene dioxygenase mutant, neither growth inhibition nor alkylation of intracellular molecules was observed.
Genetic studies of membrane excitability in Drosophila: lethal interaction between two temperature-sensitive paralytic mutations.

Two mutants of Drosophila melanogaster, para ts1 (1-53.9) and napts (2-56.2) both display similar temperature-sensitive paralysis associated with blockage in the conduction of nerve action potentials, suggesting that the two gene products have a similar function. This idea is supported by the observation that the double mutant is unconditionally lethal. Genetic analysis of this synergistic interaction has revealed the following: 1) it specifically involves the para and nap loci; (2) all para alleles interact with napts, but the strength of the interaction varies in an allele-dependent fashion; (3) lethality of the double mutant occurs during the first larval instar with parats1 but differs with other para alleles; (4) hypodosage of para + causes lethality in a napts background. These results together with previous electrophysiological, behavioral and pharmacological studies of these mutants suggest that both para and nap affect sodium channels and possibly encode different subunits.
Innovative Work and Citizenship Behaviors from Information Technology Professionals: Effects of Their Psychological Contract

Little is known about the effects of the level of fulfillment of the IT professional's psychological contract on their innovative work and organizational citizenship behaviors. Using psychological contract and social information processing theories, this article proposes to answer the research question: How does the level of fulfillment of the IT professionals' psychological contract affect their organizational citizenship and innovative work behaviors? Survey data were collected from 209 IT professionals using groupadministered paper and online surveys. Results show positive relationships with the level of fulfillment of the IT professional's psychological contract and their innovative work behavior, as well as four of their organizational citizenship behaviors, specifically loyalty, advocacy participation, obedience, and functional participation. Extending the body of knowledge, the dimensional approach of the psychological contract was used resulting in the scope, focus, and tangibility dimensions being the most significant predictors of the organizational behaviors.
Families of Children with Down Syndrome: Responding to "A Change in Plans" with Resilience

The purpose of the present investigation, which was guided by the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation, was twofold: (a) to describe maternal perceptions of parental and family adaptation in families raising a child with Down syndrome, and (b) to examine linkages between family demands, family resources, family problem solving and coping, and family adaptation in families of children with Down syndrome. Seventy-six mothers completed mailed questionnaires. Seventy percent of the mothers rated their family's overall functioning as either a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale (1 = poor; 5 = excellent). In their written comments, most mothers reported that their family was doing well or very well. Three family variables (i.e., family demands, family resources, and family problem-solving communication) were significantly associated with family adaptation. These results provide support for the belief that many families of children with Down syndrome respond to "a change of plans" with resilience. That is, they are able to endure, survive, and even thrive in the face of ongoing challenges associated with raising a child with Down syndrome.
Glioma-associated antigens defined by monoclonal antibodies against an avian sarcoma virus-induced rat astrocytoma.

Abstract S69-c15 is a highly immunogenic cell line derived from an avian sarcoma virus (ASV)-induced astrocytoma in F-344 rats. Monoclonal antibody (Mab) production was attempted by fusing F-344 rat splenocytes and mouse P3 × 63/Ag8.653 myeloma cells after a syngeneic immunization protocol. 336 fusion clones were screened by cell surface radioimmunoassay (CS-RIA) against the immunizing line S69-c15, rat kidney fibroblast line S203-c11 and Walker rat carcinoma line. Mabs 7G4, 9F1, 10E3 and 10E7 which reacted only with S69-c15 were chosen. Further analysis demonstrated that these Mabs reacted only with rat ( 13 24 astrocytomas, 2 4 gliomas, 1 11 neurinomas) or mouse ( 2 10 astrocytomas) neurogenic tumor cells induced by both viral and chemical agents. Reciprocal competition assays suggested that 7G4, 9F1 and 10E3 recognized the same epitope and that 10E7 reacted with a spatially close determinant. Antigen activity could not be found in adult rat tissues (brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, thymus, intestine, muscle and peripheral nerve) and fetal brain (8, 12, 20 days gestation) by either absorption analysis or tissue staining. Preliminary characterization indicated that the epitope may be polypeptide-associated. Further antigen purification and tumor localization can be attempted with these Mabs.
A hybrid 802.16/802.11 network architecture for a United States coastal area network

This paper presents a concept for a United States Coastal Area Network (U-SCAN) that is comprised of IEEE 802.11, 802.16, and satellite communications technologies. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) on behalf of the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) has tasked The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) to perform an architectural study into the establishment of a United States Coastal Area Network (U-SCAN). The goal of this study is to define a wireless network architecture that can be deployed to enable contiguous coastal area network coverage for scientific, commercial, and homeland security (e.g. Coast Guard) applications within the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), in a manner that is flexible, manageable, and affordable. The JHU/APL study will ultimately provide recommendations to NOPP regarding potential network architectures and technologies that could provide the desired capability, with a particular focus on commercial (both existing and emerging) technologies. This paper presents the envisioned U-SCAN architecture, and presents the envisioned technical capabilities and shortcomings of the component candidate technologies.
The platelet aggregation score and its correlation to β-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 levels

We describe a new method of interpreting platelet aggregometry results and its correlation to platelet secretory protein levels. We studied 123 healthy male volunteers, 37-85 years of age. The aggr...
Potential impact of USPSTF recommendations on early diagnosis of breast cancer.

Current US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines recommend against routine screening mammography in women aged 40–49 years. However, diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer relies on mammographic screening for detection. We hypothesized that screening at younger age may be important for detecting earlier and more treatable cancers for women in different demographic groups. All women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or T1N0 breast cancer between 2004 and 2008 in the California Cancer Registry were evaluated. Patients were divided into: (1) women aged 40–49 years, who would be excluded from USPSTF recommendations for screening, and (2) women aged 50–74 years, who are recommended for screening. Patients in the two age groups were compared by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and hormone receptor (HR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), and triple-negative (TN) status. Of 46,691 patients identified, 22.6% were aged 40–49 years, and 77.4% were aged 50–74 years. Younger women with DCIS had statistically higher odds of being HR positive and having higher SES, and Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander (PI) race/ethnicity, while younger women diagnosed with T1N0 breast cancer had higher odds of being HR positive, HER-2 positive, and triple negative and of having higher SES and non-white race/ethnicity. Young Hispanic, Asian/PI, and non-Hispanic (NH) Black women in California have greater odds of being diagnosed with early breast cancer than their older counterparts. Excluding 40–49-year-old women from screening could impact early diagnosis of HR-positive, HER-2-positive, and TN tumors. Implementation of USPSTF recommendations could disproportionately impact non-white women and potentially lead to more advanced presentation at diagnosis.
Cognitive Multipath Multi-Channel Routing Protocol for Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

This paper introduces a novel cognitive multipath multi-channel routing protocol (CMMRP) for mobile ad-hoc networks. It is designed for a multi-channel environment where nodes can simultaneously use multiple interfaces to transmit packets over different frequencies. It employs cognitive functions to make nodes intelligently select multiple node-disjoint, edge-disjoint and frequency- disjoint paths. Neural network machine learning is adopted to make nodes aware of history. CMMRP employs a modified path discovery protocol which can be divided into two parts, a space discovery and spectrum discovery. Simulation results show that CMMRP significantly improves network reliability and performance.
Gill tissue O2 uptake in crustaceans: Application to the Fick principle for estimating blood flow

Abstract 1. 1. Since gill tissues receive their O 2 supply directly from the ambient medium, gill O 2 consumption in crustaceans should be excluded from total O 2 uptake for estimating blood flow by the Fick principle. 2. 2. Gill O 2 consumption in two crustaceans accounts for 5–6% of total O 2 consumed. 3. 3. Behavioral and environmental variables are likely to affect the quantitative relation between gill respiration and total O 2 uptake.
Decay of correlations in vibrational relaxation

We investigate the decay of initial vibrational correlations in a dilute gas mixture of diatomic molecules and structureless particles. We use the techniques of Davis and Oppenheim to derive an equation for vibrational relaxation which is suitable for correlated systems. We then use the Landau-Teller transition probabilities and solve for the one-and two-molecule distribution functions and the two-molecule correlation functions. We find that the correlations decay faster than the distribution functions, which agrees with the results of Oppenheim, Shuler,et al. for other systems.
Identification of proteins according to biological activity following separation by two-dimensional isoelectric focusing/sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis: analysis of human exocrine pancreatic proteins.

A novel procedure is described whereby proteins can be identified according to their biological activity after their separation in two dimensions using isoelectric focusing and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate (G. Scheele, 1975, J. Biol. Chem., 250, 5375–5385). This procedure includes an optimal staining method for the visualization of two-dimensional gel spots, which avoids the use of chemical fixatives, and a one-step method for elution and renaturation of proteins. Fifteen out of the twenty discrete proteins separated from human pancreatic juice by the two-dimensional gel method were successfully identified by this procedure.
Accelerated partial breast irradiation via brachytherapy: a patterns-of-care analysis with ASTRO consensus statement groupings.

Purpose The 2002 Food and Drug Administration approval of the MammoSite catheter (Hologic, Inc., Beford, MA) led to a surge of interest in accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). Until recently, guidelines as to the optimal candidates for this treatment were unavailable. We performed a patterns-of-care analysis for patients undergoing breast brachytherapy and compared these results with the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) consensus statement. Methods and Materials The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to examine female breast cancer patients treated with brachytherapy between 2002 and 2007. The patients were then categorized into suitable, cautionary, and unsuitable groups based on the ASTRO guidelines. Results We identified 4172 female breast cancer patients treated within the stated years. The number of brachytherapy cases increased nearly 10-fold over the time period studied from 163 in 2002 to 1427 in 2007 (p < 0.0001). Patients with data missing were excluded, leaving a total of 3593 patients available for analysis. The mean patient age was 64 years. Most patients had small (<2 cm in 80.9%) estrogen receptor–positive (86.7%) invasive (88.6%) tumors. The percentage of patients treated for ductal carcinoma in situ increased with time (p < 0.001), whereas the percentage of patients treated with positive lymph nodes decreased with time (p < 0.001). Using the data available, 1369 (38.1%), 1563 (43.5%), and 661 (18.3%) patients were characterized as suitable, cautionary, and unsuitable, respectively. Conclusions More than 60% of patients who received APBI via brachytherapy would fall into the ASTRO cautionary or unsuitable groupings. This is the largest patterns-of-care analysis for APBI patients and serves as a baseline for future comparison.
Investigation of solute-fluid interactions in supercritical CF3H: A multifrequency phase and modulation fluorescence study☆

Abstract Multifrequency phase-modulation fluorescence spectroscopy is used to study the photophysics of a polar, environmentally-sensitive fluorescent probe, 6-propiony1-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene (PRODAN), in near- and supercritical CF 3 H. The results show evidence for the simultaneous existence of an array of molecular environments about the PRODAN probe. In turn this indicates that the CF 3 H clusters or aggregates, that form in the highly compressible region near the critical point, do not exist in a discrete form, that is, there may be an ensemble of cluster sizes being investigated by the PRODAN probe. These results demonstrate for the first time: 1) the use of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy as a tool to determine the dynamics of solute-fluid interactions in supercritical fluids and 2) evidence of lifetime distributions for a simple fluorophore dissolved in a neat solvent system.
The Ubuntu Paradigm: Psychology's Next Force?:

This article examines the need for the development of new paradigms within humanistic psychology that are less ethnocentric and individualistic. The underlying, yet often unacknowledged, commitment of humanistic psychology to the importance of “self in relation to others” is explored, along with a comparison of Western individualistic worldviews and those rooted in African humanism. This article advocates for the adoption of a new humanistic psychological paradigm based on the principles and values of the African collectivistic philosophy of Ubuntu. Finally, practical applications for the adoption of Ubuntu programming within treatment milieus, particularly child and adolescent residential treatment facilities, are presented as promising alternatives to presently utilized therapeutic modalities.
Status of the Space Station power system

The major requirements and guidelines that affect the manned Space Station configuration and the power systems are explained. The evolution of the Space Station power system from the NASA program development feasibility phase through the current preliminary design phase is described. Several early station concepts are described and linked to the present concept. The recently completed phase B tradeoff study selections of photovoltaic system technologies are described. The present solar dynamic and power management and distribution systems are also summarized for completeness.
Laser-heating of a conoidal plasma in a magnetic field

Abstract A self-similar plasma model is used to investigate the heating and the confinement of laser-produced plasmas in a strong magnetic field. Using the Runge-Kutta method, numerical values of plasma temperature, displacement, absorption and velocity as a function of time are obtained for a wide range of experimental conditions using a high power pulsed CO2 laser incident on a solid target.
TAR RNA Recognition by a Cyclic Peptidomimetic of Tat Protein

The search for new antiviral drugs that repress HIV viral replication by blocking transactivation of viral RNA transcription has long been advocated as an approach to novel antiviral therapy. However, research in this area has so far failed to yield attractive lead compounds because of the insufficient development of RNA-based medicinal chemistry. One difficulty in efforts to inhibit protein−RNA interactions using small druglike molecules is the large surface areas typically found at these interfaces. To overcome this problem, we sought to identify constrained peptidomimetic inhibitors that would provide potential new drug leads. We previously reported the discovery of a cyclic peptide mimic of the RNA-binding domain of BIV Tat protein based on a designed β-hairpin scaffold. We demonstrated that the cyclic peptide bound BIV TAR RNA with an affinity comparable to that of the RNA-binding domain of the Tat protein and inhibited protein binding to the RNA. In this study, we report the structure of the complex...
Membrane Topology of the C. elegans SEL-12 Presenilin

Mutant presenilins cause Alzheimer's disease. Presenilins have multiple hydrophobic regions that could theoretically span a membrane, and a knowledge of the membrane topology is crucial for deducing the mechanism of presenilin function. By analyzing the activity of beta-galactosidase hybrid proteins expressed in C. elegans, we show that the C. elegans SEL-12 presenilin has eight transmembrane domains and that there is a cleavage site after the sixth transmembrane domain. We examine the presenilin sequence in view of the predicted topology and discuss possible mechanisms for presenilin function.
Invited Commentary: Childhood and Adolescent Obesity: Psychological and Behavioral Issues in Weight Loss Treatment

The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity has tripled in the past three decades. This increase has been accompanied by a dramatic rise in obesity-related health complications among American youth. Thus, many obese youth are now experiencing illnesses that will threaten their life expectancy in the absence of significant weight loss. Despite these concerns, a relatively modest body of research has focused on the treatment of adolescent obesity. Results from trials investigating the efficacy of behavioral and pharmacological treatments, like studies of these interventions with adults, suggest that individuals typically lose 5–10% of their initial weight. Unfortunately, weight regain is common. Given the increase in the number of obese adolescents, coupled with the modest results from more conservative treatment approaches, it is not surprising that bariatric surgery for adolescents who suffer from extreme obesity has grown in popularity. The weight losses after surgery are impressive and many adolescents, like adults, experience significant improvements in their physical and mental health postoperatively. However, only a small fraction of adolescents and adults who are heavy enough for bariatric surgery present for surgical treatment. Among those who undergo surgery, a significant minority appear to struggle with a number of behavioral and psychosocial issues that threaten their lifelong success. With all of this in mind, the current obesity problem in the United States and other Westernized countries likely will present a significant challenge to both current and future medical and mental health professionals who work with adolescents and young adults.
GM-CSF versus G-CSF: engraftment characteristics, resource utilization, and cost following autologous PBSC transplantation.

Background G-CSF and GM-CSF have both been shown to decrease the time to hematopoietic recovery when administered after autologous BM or peripheral stem cell re-infusion. However, few studies have compared G-CSF and GM-CSF to determine which is the preferred myeloid growth factor. Methods This study compares a prospectively accrued cohort of 22 patients receiving GM-CSF with a historical cohort of patients who received G-CSF commencing Day + 6 after autologous PBSC transplantation. Patients were matched based on disease type and stage, CD34 + cell dose/kg, conditioning regimen, and prior treatment. Time to myeloid engraftment, growth factor utilization, antibiotic utilization, fever incidence, and cost were compared. Results The median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was similar in the two groups (ANC > 500/mm 3 , GM-CSF 12 versus G-CSF 11, P=0.69). There was a trend towards more days of temperature > 38.0°C (six versus three, P=0.05) and febrile neutropenia (three versus two, P=0.06) in the GM-CSF arm. There was a trend towards increased use of i.v. antibiotics in the GM-CSF cohort (7.6 days versus 5.5 days, P 5 0.06). More chest X-rays (1.5 versus 1.0, P=0.03) were ordered, and more blood cultures drawn (4.2 versus 2.7, P=0.05) as part of fever evaluation in the group treated with GM-CSF. Resource utilization based on actual wholesale pricing (AWP) favored the G-CSF cohort. Applying a sensitivity analysis, GM-CSF became cost-effective when priced below $94 per 250μg, despite greater resource utilization. Discussion This study suggests that engraftment characteristics are similar with GM-CSF and G-CSF following PBSC transplantation. Resource utilization for fever treatment and evaluation may be greater with GM-CSF. Determination of which agent is more cost-effective depends on institutional acquisition costs.
The male sterility and histoincompatibility (mshi) mutation in mice is a natural variant of microtubule-associated protein 7 (Mtap7).

Abstract Males homozygous for the mouse male sterility and histoincompatibility ( mshi ) mutation exhibit small testes and produce no sperm. In addition, mshi generates an "antigen-loss" histoincompatibility barrier, such that homozygous mutants reject skin grafts from wild type co-isogenic BALB/cByJ donors. To facilitate the molecular characterization of the pleiotropic mshi mutation, we genetically mapped mshi into a 0.68 megabasepair region which contains fewer than 10 candidate genes. Complementation testing showed that one of these, Mtap7 , is disrupted in mshi mice. Sequence analysis has revealed a 13 kilobasepair deletion in BALB/cByJ- mshi /J mice that begins in Intron 10–11 of Mtap7 , and ends less than 2000 base pairs downstream of the wild type gene. Analysis of the mutant cDNA predicts that Mtap7 mshi encodes a 457 amino acid protein, the first 423 of which are identical to wild type, and the last 34 of which are due to aberrant mRNA splicing with two cryptic exons in the Mtap7 to P04Rik intergenic region. This molecular assignment for the mshi mutation further supports an essential role for microtubule stabilization in spermatogenesis and indicates a new role in allograft transplantation.
Primary gastric candidiasis in uncompromised subjects.

The authors share unique observations in 2 otherwise well patients of focal infection of gastric mucosa by Candida albicans
PRESOLAR DIAMOND, SIC, AND GRAPHITE IN PRIMITIVE CHONDRITES : ABUNDANCES AS A FUNCTION OF METEORITE CLASS AND PETROLOGIC TYPE

Abstract Acid-resistant residues were prepared for eighteen meteorites from seven chondrite classes, using improved procedures designed to minimize loss of presolar grains. Noble gases were measured by stepped pyrolysis, and the abundances of five exotic noble-gas components were used to determine abundances of diamond, SiC, and graphite. Diamond separates were prepared to check diamond abundances determined from noble gases. Diamond and SiC were found in unmetamorphosed members of all seven chondrite classes and evidence for graphite was found in Orgued (CI) and LL3.0–3.1 chondrites. Our data and noble-gas and stable-isotope data in the literature show that presolar grains were incorporated into all chondrite classes. The grains are sited in the fine-grained matrix, and their abundances within the matrix reflect mainly the degree of metamorphism suffered by the host meteorite. The pattern of metamorphic destruction differs from class to class. In unequilibrated ordinary chondrites (UOCs), graphite is most easily destroyed, followed by SiC and then diamond. No presolar grains remain in UOCs of petrologic type > 3.8, whose matrices have been completely recrystallized. In EH chondrites, diamond and SiC survive much more severe metamorphism than in UOCs, with SiC apparently more stable than diamond. Presolar graphite was not detected. In CV3 and C03 chondrites, diamond appears to be more stable than SiC and graphite again is missing. Inferred premetamorphic diamond abundances (matrix normalized) vary by a factor of ∼2.2 between classes, with EH, CV, and CO chondrites having higher initial abundances than Orgueil. Similar diamond/SiC ratios are observed in most classes and differences in the ratio can be tied to secondary processing, suggesting that all chondrite classes sampled the same solar-system-wide reservoir of presolar grains. Differences in initial abundances between classes appear to correlate with chemical and physical properties of the host meteorites. These bulk properties and variations in presolar-grain abundances both may be the result of thermal processing of presolar dust in the accretion disk.
Mathematical Models in Information Science

Vue d'ensemble sur les modeles mathematiques employes en sciences de l'information, en recherche d'information en particulier.
Differential induction of apoptosis in demyelinating and nondemyelinating infection by mouse hepatitis virus

The role of apoptosis in mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) infection is still controversial. To better assess the role of apoptosis in MHV infection, we used three different biologic phenotypes of MHV to examine their differential effect on the induction of apoptosis. MHV-A59 produces acute hepatitis, meningoencephalitis, and chronic demyelination. MHV-2 causes only acute hepatitis and meningitis, whereas Penn98-1 produces acute hepatitis and meningoencephalitis without demyelination. We detected TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining in the livers and meninges of MHV-A59-, MHV-2-, and Penn98-1-infected mice. TUNEL staining in brain parenchyma was only detected in MHV-A59- and Penn98-1-infected mice. We detected apoptosis by electron-microscopy in olfactory neurons during acute infection with MHV-A59. The kinetics and distribution of TUNEL staining correlated with the pathologic damage and colocalized with viral antigen in some cells. At 1 month, TUNEL staining was found exclusively in areas of demyelination in the spinal cord of MHV-A59-infected mice; however, it was not found in nondemyelinated mice infected with MHV-2 or Penn98-1, or in mock-infected mice. TUNEL-positive cells were identified as macrophage/microglial cells, some astrocytes, and some oligodendrocytes, by colabeling with cell-specific markers. The presence of TUNEL staining in oligodendrocytes suggests that apoptosis may play an important role in MHV-induced demyelination.
Multiple Grammars and Second Language Representation

This paper presents an extension of the Multiple Grammars Theory (Roeper, 1999) to provide a formal mechanism that can serve as a generative-based alternative to current descriptive models of interlanguage. The theory extends historical work by Kroch and Taylor (1997), and has been taken into a computational direction by Yang (2003). The proposal is based on the idea that any human grammar readily accommodates sets of rules in sub-grammars that can seem (apparently) contradictory. We discuss the rationale behind this proposal and establish a dialogue with recent research in SLA, multilingualism, L3 acquisition, and L2 processing. We compare the Multiple Grammars explanation to optionality in L2 to other current proposals, and provide experimental results that can demonstrate the existence of active sub-grammars in the linguistic representation of L2 speakers.
When Technologies Makes Good People Do Bad Things: Another Argument Against the Value-Neutrality of Technologies

Although many scientists and engineers insist that technologies are value-neutral, philosophers of technology have long argued that they are wrong. In this paper, I introduce a new argument against the claim that technologies are value-neutral. This argument complements and extends, rather than replaces, existing arguments against value-neutrality. I formulate the Value-Neutrality Thesis, roughly, as the claim that a technological innovation can have bad effects, on balance, only if its users have “vicious” or condemnable preferences. After sketching a microeconomic model for explaining or predicting a technology’s impact on individuals’ behavior, I argue that a particular technological innovation can create or exacerbate collective action problems, even in the absence of vicious preferences. Technologies do this by increasing the net utility of refusing to cooperate. I also argue that a particular technological innovation can induce short-sighted behavior because of humans’ tendency to discount future benefits too steeply. I suggest some possible extensions of my microeconomic model of technological impacts. These extensions would enable philosophers of technology to consider agents with mixed motives—i.e., agents who harbor some vicious preferences but also some aversion to acting on them—and to apply the model to questions about the professional responsibilities of engineers, scientists, and other inventors.
Effects of weathering on the RbSr and KAr ages of biotite from the Morton Gneiss, Minnesota

Abstract Weathering has drastically reduced the Rb Sr and, to a lesser extent, the K Ar age of biotite from the Morton Gneiss of southwestern Minnesota. The ages are approximately 75% and 25% lower than the corresponding ages for biotite from the fresh gneiss. The effects of even incipient weathering cannot be neglected in Rb Sr dating of biotite and, by analogy, of feldspar and whole-rock samples.
Erratum to: “Distinguished varieties”

In the article “Distinguished varieties”, Lemma 4.6 was incorrect. We prove a different lemma that can then be used to prove the original Theorem 4.1.
Analysis: Measuring Fructosamine at Home

239 PROTEINS OF PLASMA , formed elements of blood, and tissues that are in equilibrium with plasma glucose concentrations are nonenzymically glycated (or glycosylated) at rates largely determined by the concentration of glucose. Long-lived tissue proteins such as collagen can be extensively glycated over time in patients with diabetes, and this alteration contributes to many of the complications of diabetes. Hemoglobin, carried in erythrocytes, which allow free entry of glucose, is glycated over the 2to 3-month life span of the erythrocyte. Measurement of the degree of glycation of this readily accessible protein is widely used to measure the success of treatment of diabetes, based on evidence that it correlates very well with integrated glucose concentrations over the 2 months preceding measurement. Clinical assays now in use usually report glycated hemoglobin as hemoglobin A1c (Hb A1c). Shorter-lived plasma proteins are also glycated, and shortly after glycated hemoglobin was introduced as a clinical assay their measurement was also proposed for the same purpose.1 Such tests are usually described as measuring fructosamine, the main glycation product, and serum albumin is considered the main protein glycated. Several kinds of assays have been described, notably ones based on derivatization by phenylhydrazine, hydrolysis to furosine, affinity chromatography using phenylboronic acid, or reduction of thiobarbituric acid or nitroblue tetrazolium.2 Clinical studies of patients with diabetes, using these methods, have shown changes of fructosamine generally parallel to measurement of blood glucose over the preceding 1 to 3 weeks.3,4 Interfering factors have been identified, such as reducing substances other than fructosamine.5 Moreover, changes of the rate of production or clearance of plasma proteins will affect the results. For example, diabetic nephropathy with heavy proteinurea increases clearance and invalidates fructosamine results, and acute infectious or inflammatory illness may alter plasma proteins in various ways. In contrast to Hb A1c, which has become the standard by which glycemic control is measured, fructosamine assays have not been widely used. They have several excellent features. They are easily adapted to automated methods and therefore inexpensive. The span of time reflected by their results is the preceding 3 weeks, so they should detect changes of glycemic control sooner than Hb A1c, although recent evidence suggests the difference in this respect may not be as great as once thought.6 But several factors may have slowed adoption of the fructosamine test. For one, Hb A1c simply arrived first. For another, the several assay methods have not been validated and widely standardized, as Hb A1c procedures have been recently. Finally, objective validation of the benefit of using fructosamine testing to improve either glycemic control or medical outcomes is very limited. Reviews on this subject are few and cautious in their conclusions. Windeler and Kobberling7 took a skeptical position, stating, “The results of the trials to date do not suggest a highly reliable test.” Goldstein
Public perception versus results of scientific risk analysis

Abstract Using nuclear power as an example, it is shown without any controversial arguments that public perception can be completely out of touch with the results of scientific risk analysis. Evidence is presented which indicates that the direct responsibility for this is in the refusal of the media to transmit the relevant information, especially about probabilities, and the underlying responsibility is in the political agenda of environmental groups. My analysis of the reasons for this is presented. The history of the battle for public perception of nuclear power is recounted.
Distance From Home When Death Occurs: A Population-Based Study of Washington State, 1989–2002

OBJECTIVE. For patients who die in hospitals, the regionalization of tertiary health care services may be increasing the home-to-hospital distance, particularly for younger patients whose care is especially regionalized and for whom access to and use of home hospice services remains limited. The objective of this study was to test the hypotheses that the distance from home at the time of death in a hospital has increased over time and is inversely related to the age of the dying patient. METHODS. A population-based case series was conducted in Washington State of all deaths of state residents from 1989 to 2002. The main outcome measure was driving distance between home residence and location at the time of death. RESULTS. The overall mean distance from home to the hospital where death occurred has increased by 1% annually. Children who died in hospitals were much farther from home than their adult counterparts: the mean distance was 37.4 km for neonates and 50.9 km for children who were aged 1 to 9 years, compared with 19.9 km for adults who were aged 60 to 79 years and 14.0 km for patients who were older than 79 years. Disparities of distance were even greater among patients who were at the 90th percentile for distance (85.6 km for neonates compared with 30.8 for patient who were older than 79 years). CONCLUSIONS. The distance between home residence and the hospital where death occurs is greatest for children and has increased over time. Both of these findings have implications for the design of local and regional pediatric end-of-life supportive care services.
A microstructural examination of the flow behaviour of a superplastic copper alloy

There are important differences in the microstructures of specimens of a superplastic copper alloy deformed in the three regions of flow associated with superplasticity. There is very extensive dislocation activity at high strain rates in Region III, whereas at intermediate and low strain rates in Regions II and I the dislocation density is low and many of the grains appear to be dislocation-free. Measurements show that grain-boundary sliding is important in Region II but decreases in magnitude in the less superplastic Regions I and III.
Gas-liquid mass transfer in a two-stage draft tube gas-liquid-solid fluidized bed

Abstract Experiments were conducted to study the gas-liquid mass-transfer characteristics in a two-stage draft tube gas-liquid-solid fluidized bed (DTFB). The DTFB was operated at essentially zero liquid velocity and superficial gas velocities up to 250 m/h. The sodium sulphite oxidation method coupled with an analysis of the off-gas concentration was utilized to determine the mass-transfer coefficients in each of the two stages and the overall mass-transfer coefficient for the two-stage DTFB. The particles used in the study were glass beads of 300 and 600 μm diameter and activated carbon particles of 307 and 714 μm diameter. The overall mass-transfer coefficient for the two-stage DTFB was compared with that for the single stage or one-stage DTFB.