cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fault diagnosis method based on the EWMA dynamic kernel principal component analysis

As widely used method for multivariate statistical process monitoring and fault diagnosis, the conventional principal component analysis (PCA) method is limited to the application of linear and time-invariant systems, and it canpsilat handle the sequence related question of the data. To handle the nonlinear and time-varying characteristics of the real processes, and the sequence related question of the data, a new monitoring and fault diagnosis method based on the EWMA dynamic kernel PCA (EKPCA) for nonlinear process is proposed in this paper. The simulation results for monitoring and fault diagnosis of three water tank system show the effectiveness of this method.
Tubular reactor design—II A modified one dimensional model

Abstract A modified one-dimensional model (MODM) is developed for tubular packed reactors with exothermic reactions. The radial temperature and conversion profiles are represented by equations whose parameters are functions of axial position. The parameters depend upon the centerline temperature and conversion, the mean temperature and conversion, and the conversion at the reactor wall. These five variables are represented in terms of five ordinary differential equations which are solved simultaneously. The heat loss to the surroundings is determined from the temperature gradient and the thermal conductivity at the pipe wall. The heat generation due to reaction is obtained from a cross-sectional average reaction rate. The model is used to simulate the oxidation of sulfur dioxide and the oxidation of naphthalene to phthalicanhydride. Although the MODM requires about half the computer time required for the two-dimensional model, it was nevertheless found to yield results of comparable accuracy for both the systems. The average values of conversion and temperature from the new model are also shown to be more accurate than those obtained with the conventional one-dimensional model (CODM). Furthermore the new model also accurately predicts the heat loss at the wall and provides information on the hot spot temperature and location whereas the CODM does not.
High-frequency noise in RF active CMOS mixers

A new analytical model for high-frequency noise in RF active CMOS mixers such as single-balanced and double-balanced architectures is presnted. The analysis includes the contribution of non-white gate-induced noise at the output as well as the spot noise figure (NF) of the RF CMOS mixer, while accounting for the non-zero correlation between the gate-induced noise and the channel thermal noise. The noise contribution of the RF transconductor as well as the switching pair on the output noise is discussed. The analytical model predicts that the output noise and NF are both a strong function of the LO frequency at gigahertz range of frequencies. Simulation results verify the accuracy of the analytical model.
Kerogen chemistry. 2: Low-temperature anhydride formation in kerogens

Bakken kerogens react rapidly when heated at temperatures of 40−180 °C to form carboxylic acid anhydrides and water from carboxylic acids. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) shows a pronounced irreversible endotherm over this temperature range, demonstrating the occurrence of an endothermic chemical reaction. The fact that this reaction is the formation of an acid anhydride was demonstrated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The amount of anhydride formed can be estimated by measuring the enthalpy of the process using DSC. Approximately 20% of the anhydride is hydrolyzed when the reacted kerogen has been allowed to stand in air at room temperature for three weeks, demonstrating that water has access predominantly to the kerogen surface during this time. Exposure of the kerogen to water vapor at 150 °C for 48 h results in complete anhydride hydrolysis. Swelling the kerogen with 95 vol% tetrahydrofuran (THF)−5 vol% water also results in only partial hydrolysis of the anhydride; howev...
“Through the looking glass: envisioning new library technologies” securing your digital library with encryption

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to provide context for understanding why encryption is important and provide some examples of applications designed to make it easier than ever to control who has access to the information transmitted by the technology used. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides an overview of the topic. Findings – It is important for libraries to take an active role in understanding the encryption technology being provided to their patrons and used by their staff. It can be easily assumed that information held by these technologies is secure in ways that it is not. Originality/value – Information that is transmitted online is almost always done so in a way that can be easily intercepted. The easiest way to keep it secure is not to avoid having it be intercepted, but to encrypt it so that it is unintelligible when it is intercepted.
Life-history traits and shell morphology in the genus Leptoxis Rafinesque, 1819 (Gastropoda: Cerithioidea: Pleuroceridae)

Life histories of the imperilled freshwater gastropod genus Leptoxis are poorly known, and this information is required to achieve a basic understanding of the evolution of this diverse group and to develop management strategies for species conservation and recovery. We describe egg-laying behaviours and associated traits for all 13 extant Leptoxis species. We also explore patterns of shell growth and assess the extent to which intraspecific shell variation is a result of phenotypic plasticity or genetic differences. Each Leptoxis species exhibits one of three distinct oviposition strategies: deposition of single eggs, deposition of eggs in a single line or deposition in circular clutches. Temperature cues for initiating egg laying varied from 12 to 26 8C depending on the species. There were significant differences in clutch size among species and between populations of L. ampla and L. taeniata. Furthermore, 1- and 2-year-old female L. foremani laid significantly fewer eggs per clutch than females 4 years or older. Finally, discrete shell morphologies that are characteristic of any given species are genetically controlled and not an ecophenotypic response. Clutch egg laying likely represents increased parental investment compared with other behaviours and clutches may provide individual eggs protection from predation or passive dislodgement. Data from this study, including necessary conditions for successful culturing and period of oviposition for each species, can inform captive propagation efforts for imperilled Leptoxis species and aid in predicting how they will respond to future habitat alteration and climate change.
MAINTAINING QUALITY CONTROL DURING THE “CRUNCH” IN SERVICE FIRMS

In a recent article marketers in service firms identified demand fluctuation as a problem that produces major concern for them. In fact, while other problems commonly associated with services marketing (such as inability to “mass produce”) were viewed as relevant for less than one‐quarter of the practitioners surveyed, a full 47 percent viewed demand fluctuation as a problem.
Juvenile xanthogranuloma of the tongue

Oral juvenile xanthogranuloma is a rare condition, with only 10 histologically proven cases previously described. A histologically unusual variant is reported here, diagnosis of which was aided by the use of immunohistochemical stains. Previously reported cases are reviewed, and their characteristics are tabulated and discussed.
Imprints of short distance physics on inflationary cosmology

We analyze the impact of certain modifications to short distance physics on the inflationary perturbation spectrum. For the specific case of power-law inflation, we find distinctive---and possibly observable---effects on the spectrum of density perturbations.
Establishment of a radiation- and estrogen-induced breast cancer model

It is well accepted that cancer arises in a multistep fashion in which exposure to environmental carcinogens is a major etiological factor. The aim of this work was to establish an experimental breast cancer model in order to understand the mechanism of neoplastic transformation induced by high LET radiation in the presence of 17beta-estradiol (E). Immortalized human breast cells (MCF-10F) were exposed to low doses of high LET alpha particles (150 keV/microm) and subsequently cultured in the presence or absence of E for periods of up to 10 months post-irradiation. MCF-10F cells irradiated with either a single 60 cGy dose or 60/60 cGy doses of alpha particles showed gradual phenotypic changes including altered morphology, increase in cell proliferation relative to the control, anchorage-independent growth and invasive capability before becoming tumorigenic in nude mice. In alpha particle-irradiated cells and in those cells subsequently cultured in the presence of E, increased BRCA1, BRCA2 and RAD51 expression were detected by immunofluorescence staining and quantified by confocal microscopy. These studies showed that high LET radiation such as that emitted by radon progeny, in the presence of estrogen, induced a cascade of events indicative of cell transformation and tumorigenicity in human breast epithelial cells.
Identification by Integrated Computer Modeling and Light Scattering Studies of an Electrostatic Serum Albumin-Hyaluronic Acid Binding Site

Dynamic light scattering and turbidimetry, carried out on solutions of hyaluronic acid (HA) and bovine or human serum albumin (SA) at fixed ionic strength (I), revealed a critical pH corresponding to the onset of HA-SA soluble complex formation. Subsequent reduction of pH below pHc, corresponding to an increase in protein net positive charge, results in phase separation of the complex. The sensitivity of pH c to I indicated the primacy of electrostatic interactions in this process. Since pH c was always above the pKa of HA, these effects could be attributed to the influence of protein charge. The electrostatic potential around HSA was modeled using DelPhi (MSI) under pH, I conditions corresponding to incipient binding, phase separation, and noninteraction. At all incipient binding conditions (i.e., pH c, at varying I), an identical region of positive potential 5 A from the protein van der Waals surface appeared. This unique domain intensified with a decrease in pH or I (corresponding to stronger binding), and diminished with an increase in pH or I (i.e., at noninteracting conditions). The size and low curvature of this domain could readily accommodate a 12 nm (decamer) sequence of HA. Simple electrostatic considerations indicate an electrostatic binding energy for the formation of this complex of ca. 1 kT, consistent with the condition of incipient complex formation. We suggest that such weak electrostatic binding may characterize nonspecific interactions for other proteingylcosaminoglycan pairs.
Wordspotter training using figure-of-merit back propagation

A new approach to wordspotter training is presented which directly maximizes the figure of merit (FOM) defined as the average detection rate over a specified range of false alarm rates. This systematic approach to discriminant training for wordspotters eliminates the necessity of ad hoc thresholds and tuning. It improves the FOM of wordspotters tested using cross-validation on the credit-card speech corpus training conversations by 4 to 5 percentage points to roughly 70%. This improved performance requires little extra complexity during wordspotting and only two extra passes through the training data during training. The FOM gradient is computed analytically for each putative hit, back-propagated through HMM word models using the Viterbi alignment, and used to adjust RBF hidden node centers and state-weights associated with every node in HMM keyword models. >
Environmental dechlorination of PCBs

The polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediment and/or fish samples from at least five different locations show changes in gas chromatographic (GC) peak distribution indicative of reductive dechlorination. Several different dechlorination processes, each presumably mediated by a different population of anaerobic bacteria with its own distinctive pattern of PCB congener selectivity, appear to be operating. Six of these processes have been characterized in detail as to the changes occurring in each of the 126 individual PCB congeners or isomer groups detectable by capillary GC or GC-MS on a DB-1 column. The patterns of congener reactivity indicate that the observed transformation processes fall into two broad categories: o,m,p-dechlorinations, which remove chlorine atoms from ortho, meta, and para positions, with congener reactivities primarily determined by reduction potential; and m,p-dechlorinations, which take chlorines from meta and para positions only, with relative reactivities determined mainly by molecular shape. Both types of dechlorination preferentially remove PCB congeners of toxicological concern, and both produce lower congeners that are biodegradable by environmental aerobes. Thus, dechlorination in anaerobic sediments permits the detoxification and eventual degradation of environmental PCBs.
Image Registration using Polar Wavelets

To deal with the large amounts of data generated in 21st century applications such as multi-level, cross-domain representation of multi-modal signals (e.g. video, images, hyperspectral) for efficient transmission, storage, manipulation, multi-modal data mining, and machine learning; identification of signals (friendly, threat, etc.), streaming video, and 3-D image processing, new methods of information analysis and data storage are needed. With the large amount of noisy 3-D data generated in these 21st century applications and the use of 3-D memory to store this large amount of data, the power of 3-D wavelets for confirmatory image processing shape detection is needed.
Active control of building seismic response by energy dissipation

Active energy dissipation is proved to be very effective for abating seismic effects on buildings. The implementation of this concept in seismic design of buildings is studied by response simulations of a single storey building subjected to earthquake motion. Active energy dissipaters can be installed as part of the building lateral load bracing, and they regulate the strength and stiffness of the bracing during the building's response to the seismic events. The energy is dissipated when the bracing load exceeds the axial strength provided by the dissipater, and the bracing telescopes in and out. The design parameters of active energy dissipaters are described using the simulated response of a single storey building to ground pulse and harmonic ground excitation. The feasibility of the energy dissipater is demonstrated by the development and construction of a full-scale prototype device called an Active Slip Bracing Device (ASBD). The device utilizes Coulomb friction. The active characteristics are implemented by a computer controlled clamping mechanism on the friction interface. The ASBD's control of the strength and stiffness is investigated.
Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair surveillance may not be necessary for the first 3 years after an initially normal duplex postoperative study

Objective We have previously shown that duplex ultrasonography (DU) may replace computed tomography angiography (CTA) as the primary surveillance tool for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Current Society for Vascular Surgery practice guidelines suggest that if CTA does not document endoleak, aneurysm sac enlargement, or limb stenosis by 12 months after EVAR, surveillance studies may be performed annually. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the time to the second surveillance DU study can be safely postponed to 3 years after EVAR if the initial study finding is normal. Methods Between 1998 and 2013, DU surveillance was performed in our accredited noninvasive vascular laboratory at 1 week, 6 months, and annually after 410 EVARs (follow-up: mean, 35 months; range, 0.5-151 months). DU was used to measure sac diameter, intrasac endoleak peak systolic velocities (PSVs), and PSVs within endograft limbs. If an endoleak, limb stenosis, or increase in sac size was documented, DU surveillance was performed more frequently or CTA was performed, followed by intervention if appropriate. Results On the basis of DU surveillance, 113 patients (28%) were diagnosed with either endoleak or graft limb stenosis during the follow-up period. There were 95 patients (23%) with 118 endoleaks (15 [13%] type I, 90 [76%] type II, 11 [9%] type III, 2 [2%] type IV). There were 18 (4%) patients with limb stenosis defined as PSV >300 cm/s. Intervention was performed in 32 (28%) of the 113 patients with endoleak or limb stenosis, or in 8% of the total group (32 of 410), during the follow-up period of 0.5 to 151 months. Only 2.2% of the patients (7 of 325) with an initially normal finding on post-EVAR DU went on to develop endoleak or limb stenosis that required intervention during 3-year follow-up compared with 25% of patients (21 of 85) with an initially abnormal finding on post-EVAR DU ( P = .0001). Conclusions These findings suggest that follow-up DU surveillance can be postponed until 3 years after EVAR if the initial result of surveillance DU is normal (no endoleak, sac enlargement, stenosis), with minimal risk of an adverse clinical event.
Wood-fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites: Evaluation of the physicomechanical and morphological properties

This article presents the results of a study of the processing and physicomechanical properties of environmentally friendly wood-fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites that were produced with a microcompounding molding system. Wood-fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites were also processed under similar conditions and were compared to wood-fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites. The mechanical, thermomechanical, and morphological properties of these composites were studied. In terms of the mechanical properties, the wood-fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites were comparable to conventional polypropylene-based thermoplastic composites. The mechanical properties of the wood-fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites were significantly higher than those of the virgin resin. The flexural modulus (8.9 GPa) of the wood-fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composite (30 wt % fiber) was comparable to that of traditional (i.e., wood-fiber-reinforced polypropylene) composites (3.4 GPa). The incorporation of the wood fibers into poly(lactic acid) resulted in a considerable increase in the storage modulus (stiffness) of the resin. The addition of the maleated polypropylene coupling agent improved the mechanical properties of the composites. Microstructure studies using scanning electron microscopy indicated significant interfacial bonding between the matrix and the wood fibers. The specific performance evidenced by the wood-fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites may hint at potential applications in, for example, the automotive and packaging industries. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 4856–4869, 2006
On outcome-dependent sampling designs for longitudinal binary response data with time-varying covariates

A typical longitudinal study prospectively collects both repeated measures of a health status outcome as well as covariates that are used either as the primary predictor of interest or as important adjustment factors. In many situations, all covariates are measured on the entire study cohort. However, in some scenarios the primary covariates are time dependent yet may be ascertained retrospectively after completion of the study. One common example would be covariate measurements based on stored biological specimens such as blood plasma. While authors have previously proposed generalizations of the standard case-control design in which the clustered outcome measurements are used to selectively ascertain covariates (Neuhaus and Jewell, 1990) and therefore provide resource efficient collection of information, these designs do not appear to be commonly used. One potential barrier to the use of longitudinal outcome-dependent sampling designs would be the lack of a flexible class of likelihood-based analysis methods. With the relatively recent development of flexible and practical methods such as generalized linear mixed models (Breslow and Clayton, 1993) and marginalized models for categorical longitudinal data (see Heagerty and Zeger, 2000, for an overview), the class of likelihood-based methods is now sufficiently well developed to capture the major forms of longitudinal correlation found in biomedical repeated measures data. Therefore, the goal of this manuscript is to promote the consideration of outcome-dependent longitudinal sampling designs and to both outline and evaluate the basic conditional likelihood analysis allowing for valid statistical inference.
Incorporating the sense of smell into patient and haptic surgical simulators

It is widely recognized that the sense of smell plays an important role in the field of medicine. The sense of smell not only assists the physician in the diagnosis of certain disorders, but it also plays a surgical role as well. Historically, learning this skill was mostly contingent upon some level of clinical exposure to medically related odors. The advent of computerized scent production devices could change this. This article proposes a surgical simulation model that incorporates olfactory technologies into existing patient and haptic surgical simulators. If incorporated into virtual educational settings such as these, computerized scent production devices could be used not only as a novel way to enhance the virtual experience, but also as a way for medical students to begin to recognize the important role that the sense of smell plays during both diagnosis and surgery
The thermal change in the nondispersive infrared refractive index of optical materials.

An apparatus designed and built to measure the infrared refractive index of an optical material as a function of wavelength and temperature is described. The values obtained for the thermal change in refractive index of a Si–As–Te glass, a Ge–Sb–Se glass, As2S2 glass, and Kodak Irtran 4 are presented. Treatment of these data and literature values for other ir optical materials from a molar refraction standpoint, were used to establish an empirical relationship for predicting unknown ΔN/ΔT°C values of new optical materials. Measured values range from +300 × 10−5/°C for covalent single crystal germanium to −235 × 10−6/°C for ionic polycrystalline KRS–5.
Jazzing up the Psychological Contract.

Helping students and practitioners to understand and utilize the Psychological Contract is often a difficult task. Unlike fault-finding research, this paper presents the PC as a positive, vibrant and valuable tool. In an effort to make the concept less elusive, the paper draws upon the metaphor of jazz. The metaphor is an accepted tool of learning. Both jazz and the P sychological Contract build upon new themes and accept occasional dissonance and are able to benefit from creative tension.
Fathers, daughters, and anorexia nervosa.

PURPOSE. The study described the nature and meaning of the father–daughter relationship throughout the daughter's (N = 11) life from the perspective of the daughter, who has been in a 2-year recovery from anorexia nervosa (AN). Particular consideration was given to the changes over time. DESIGN AND METHODS. A narrative analysis method was used to examine the daughter's stories. FINDINGS. Several patterns emerged. This study is an exploration of the paths and processes that lead to, through, and into recovery from AN with regard to the father–daughter relationship. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. The results have implications for nursing practice, research, and health policy.
Alternatively spliced forms of the Drosophila alphaPS2 subunit of integrin are sufficient for viability and can replace the function of the alphaPS1 subunit of integrin in the retina

The Drosophila inflated (if) gene encodes the alphaPS2 subunit of the PS family of integrins. The if transcript is spliced such that alphaPS2 is found in two alternative forms, alphaPS2(C) and alphaPS2(m8), which differ by 25 amino acid residues in a region shown to affect cation requirements and ligand specificity. In this study, we examine the functional significance of the protein isoforms of if by analyzing the ability of transgenes producing only one isoform to rescue developmental abnormalities associated with complete loss of PS2 integrin. We find that either form of alphaPS2 is sufficient to rescue if- animals to viability; however, the alphaPS2(C) form promotes higher survival of the organism. Furthermore, these studies suggest distinct roles for alphaPS2(C) and alphaPS2(m8) during development. When expressed in the developing wing, alphaPS2(m8) is more efficient at rescuing the if wing blister phenotype than is alphaPS2(C). Expression of alphaPS2(C) in the eye produces dominant disruption of photoreceptor organization. We have also examined the ability of alphaPS2 and alphaPS1 to maintain photoreceptor organization in the Drosophila retina. Clonal analysis of sectioned eyes suggests a requirement for alphaPS1, but not alphaPS2. However, ectopic expression of if(m8) or if(C) shows that either splice form Of alphaPS2 can functionally replace alphaPS1 and rescue the mew eye phenotype.
Resultados da política educacional brasileira em 1980.

Os objetivos deste estudo descritivo, baseado nos dados publicados pelo Censo de 1980, sao os seguintes: (a) descrever o mais fielmente quanto possivel o aspecto quantitativo das redes particular e publica de ensino... (b) identificar as regioes socio-economicas que lideram as estatisticas...(c) comparar o crescimento de rede de ensino com o crescimento da clientela destinadas aos diferentes niveis...(d) oferecer recomendacoes para a tomada de decisao bem informada em materia educacional.
Editorial: Balance in the Business Ebucation Curriculum

(1976). Editorial: Balance in the Business Ebucation Curriculum. The Journal of Business Education: Vol. 51, No. 6, pp. 250-251.
Are Genetic Tests for Atherosclerosis Ready for Routine Clinical Use

In this review, we lay out 3 areas currently being evaluated for incorporation of genetic information into clinical practice related to atherosclerosis. The first, familial hypercholesterolemia, is the clearest case for utility of genetic testing in diagnosis and potentially guiding treatment. Already in use for confirmatory testing of familial hypercholesterolemia and for cascade screening of relatives, genetic testing is likely to expand to help establish diagnoses and facilitate research related to most effective therapies, including new agents, such as PCSK9 inhibitors. The second area, adding genetic information to cardiovascular risk prediction for primary prevention, is not currently recommended. Although identification of additional variants may add substantially to prediction in the future, combining known variants has not yet demonstrated sufficient improvement in prediction for incorporation into commonly used risk scores. The third area, pharmacogenetics, has utility for some therapies today. Future utility for pharmacogenetics will wax or wane depending on the nature of available drugs and therapeutic strategies.
Predation by Goldfish (Carassius auratus) on Eggs and Larvae of the Eastern Long-Toed Salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum columbianum)

MASON, R. T. 1992. Reptilian pheromones. In C. Gans and D. Crews (eds.), Biology of the Reptilia. Vol. 18. Brain, Hormones, and Behavior, pp. 114-228. Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago. MASON, R. T., AND W. H. N. GUTZKE. 1990. Sex recognition in the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius (Sauria: Gekkonidae). Possible mediation by skin derived semiochemicals. J. Chem. Ecol. 16:2736. QUALLS, C. P., AND R. G. JAEGER. 1991. Dear enemy recognition in Anolis carolinensis. J. Herpetol. 25: 361-363. RICE, W. R. 1989. Analyzing tables of statistical tests. Evolution 43:223-225.
Investigation of Structural and Mechanical Properties of Laser Deposited Microlaminate Hard Coatings

Nitride and carbide are superhard material with a high potential for applications in different fields. A new group of coatings are the multilayered/microlaminate coatings, which have shown very interesting properties. Single and microlaminate films were coated on Silicon (Si) substrates using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. Films were deposited at different substrate temperatures in order to study the microstructure evolution and their effect on the mechanical properties of these microlaminate films. Structure of the films was characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Surface morphology and roughness of the films were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Hardness and modulus of the films were investigated using nanoindentation technique. It has been demonstrated that using boron carbide as a bottom layer increases the hardness and Young’s modulus values of carbide composite coatings. Microlaminates of boron carbide/titanium carbides have shown higher hardness and modulus as compared to the microlaminates of nitride coatings.
Sonicated vascular catheter tip cultures. Quantitative association with catheter-related sepsis and the non-utility of an adjuvant cytocentrifuge Gram stain

Microbial quantification of potentially infected intravenous catheters is used to determine whether the removed device may be the source of sepsis. In this study, the authors defined a clinically significant colony count using the sonication technique to implicate the catheter as the source of sepsis. The utility of a cytocentrifuge-prepared Gram's stain of sonication broth as a rapid test for the accurate diagnosis of catheter-related bacteremia and fungemia was also evaluated. Initially, 230 consecutive vascular catheter cultures were performed. In 14 patients, the blood culture was found to grow in the same organism as the catheter culture. The eight blood-culture positive patients with probable catheter-related sepsis had four catheters with 10(4)-10(5), and four with more than 10(5) CFU derived from the catheter sonication broth. Six bacteremias not catheter related showed three catheters with 10(5) CFU. One catheter-related bacteremia had a negative culture. A subsequent validation study on 175 catheter specimens using 1,000 CFU as a cut-off between a positive and negative test fully separated eight patients with catheter-related bacteremia from six patients with infection at a distant site. Cytospin Gram stain, studied in the initial evaluation, was positive in 17 catheters with 10(5) CFU in the sonication broth. No correlation was found between this test and catheter-related sepsis. From these results, the authors concluded that those catheters with counts below 10(3) CFU in the catheter sonication broth do not appear to have an association with catheter-related sepsis, and that a Cytospin Gram stain done with the sonication technique does not correlate with the presence of catheter sepsis.
OptoMEA: A Platform for Analyzing Signaling Efficiency of Neuronal Circuits using Multi-Location Extracellular Electrophysiology, Optical Imaging and Optogenetics

Investigation of network level dynamics from neuronal circuits requires technologies that can probe many neurons simultaneously. Traditionally, multi-electrode array (MEA) recording and calcium imaging have been used for this purpose. We combined these two technologies to overcome some of their intrinsic shortcomings, and have recently established an investigative tool - OptoMEA - that allows for optical stimulation of channelrhodopsin-2 expressing neuronal networks with blue light pulses, and simultaneous electrophysiological and optical readout of neuronal activity from multiple locations of the network. For measuring optical response from these networks, we are using RCaMPh, a genetically encoded calcium sensor that fluoresces in red and is excitable by green light. We have successfully used this combinatorial platform to simultaneously examine dynamics of many single cells and the entire neuronal network in which these cells are embedded with good spatio-temporal resolution. We are using this approach to induce, detect and track short- and long-term changes in spontaneous and light-evoked electrical activity and calcium response in neuronal circuits. Additionally, we have developed several multi-parametric assays for determination of signaling efficiency from neuronal circuits exposed to various perturbations, image analysis codes, and algorithms for characterization of frequency specific neuronal dynamics and network synchronization. The OptoMEA platform has enabled us to connect the signaling efficiency of a neuronal network to its “health”. As proof-of-concept demonstration of this technology, we have generated comparative large-scale network circuit data from normal and diseased neuronal networks. We have used an in vitro network model of neuronal inflammation and neurodegeneration for this study. Our results indicate that diseased networks show compromised evoked electrical response to optogenetic stimulation and markedly different calcium dynamics.
Improving precision of tissue shear modulus quantification within the region of acoustic radiation force excitation with compounded displacement estimates

The time-to-peak (TTP) displacement within the region of acoustic radiation force excitation (ROE) is directly related to the tissue shear modulus. It has previously been shown that the ROE TTP can be directly converted to shear modulus using a look-up table (LUT) for a given radiation force excitation focal configuration. While this method has the advantages of requiring less input data for stiffness reconstruction, ease of experimental implementation, and high spatial resolution, it suffers from lack of precision due to jitter in ultrasonically tracked TTP displacement estimates. To reduce the variance of TTP measurements, compounding of TTP values obtained using different receive apertures was investigated. A previously validated 3D FEM model was used to calculate tissue displacement from impulsive radiation force excitation using the Siemens CH4–1 transducer and a fixed focal configuration (focal depth 49 mm, f/2, 2.2 MHz). Tissue was modeled as a linear elastic isotropic material with shear modulus from 1.5–20 kPa. Ultrasonic tracking of this displacement field in the ROE was simulated in FIELD II using a receive spatial compounding beamforming technique. A single f/2 transmit aperture using 52 elements with a focal depth of 49 mm and 3.1 MHz center frequency was used. A total of 96 elements were used for receive. These were grouped to form 9 overlapping receive apertures each of 32 elements. The magnitude of TTP jitter after averaging TTP values from all 9 receive apertures was 0.25±0.02 ms for a simulated shear modulus of 1.5 kPa and 0.12 mm displacement tracking kernel. In comparison, the TTP jitter without compounding using all 96 elements in a single receive aperture was 0.56±0.07 ms. By using these compounded TTP values, the average ROE TTP stiffness reconstruction error was 0.3 kPa, compared to 1.0 kPa without compounding. Compounding TTP values from the different receive apertures achieved TTP jitter reduction despite the fact that 1) speckle observed by the different apertures is not fully decorrelated, and 2) receive aperture locations offset from the ROE axis have inherently higher TTP jitter. Moreover, this technique does not compromise spatial resolution, and can be experimentally implemented on a scanner capable of parallel beamforming without reduction of pulse repetition frequency (PRF).
Aggregation Bias and the Analysis of Necessary and Sufficient Conditions in fsQCA

Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) has become one of the most prominent methods in the social sciences for capturing causal complexity, especially for scholars with small- and medium-N data sets. This research note explores two key assumptions in fsQCA’s methodology for testing for necessary and sufficient conditions—the cumulation assumption and the triangular data assumption—and argues that, in combination, they produce a form of aggregation bias that has not been recognized in the fsQCA literature. It also offers a straightforward test to help researchers answer the question of whether their findings are plausibly the result of aggregation bias.
Thermosensitive Ni-based magnetic particles for self-controlled hyperthermia applications

Abstract A number of ferromagnetic alloys in the bulk-form “thermoseeds” have been investigated for localized self-controlled hyperthermia treatment of cancer by substituting V, Mo, Cu, and Ga for Ni. The samples were prepared by arc-melting technique and annealed at 1223 K (950 °C) for 12 h in sealed quartz tubes. The structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties of the samples were studied, using room temperature X-ray diffraction and a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer. The magnetocaloric parameters (magnetic entropy changes, refrigeration capacity (RC), and hysteretic effects) have been calculated. It has been shown that recrystallization, i.e., annealing time and temperature, is crucial for controlling the heating characteristics of the seeds. A linear decrease in Curie temperature (TC) from 380 K (107 °C) to 200 K (−73 °C) was observed with increasing substitution of Ni by V, Mo, Cu, and Ga, while the magnetization value remained nearly constant for all substitutions. The optimal composition of these Ni-based alloys has been determined in order to allow self-controlling hyperthermia, implying a Curie temperature near the therapeutic level, 315–318 K (41–45 °C). The results showed that an extraordinary self-regulating heating effect has been achieved in Ni-based magnetic materials, which may create new vistas for hyperthermia cancer treatment.
High power, widely tunable synchronously pumped fiber-based optical parametric oscillator

We demonstrate a synchronously pumped fiber optical parametric oscillator tunable from 795 nm to 860 nm. The FOPO operates in the normal dispersion regime and generates highly chirped pulses at the output allowing for significant pulse energy scaling without pulse breaking. The FOPO was able to generate up to 3.9 nJ pulses compressible to 173 fs by a photonic crystal fiber compressor.
Winter climate change and fine root biogenic silica in sugar maple trees (Acer saccharum): Implications for silica in the Anthropocene

Winter temperatures are projected to increase over the next century, leading to reductions in winter snowpack, and increased frequency of soil freezing in many northern forest ecosystems. Here we examine biogenic silica (BSi) concentrations in sugar maple (Acer saccharum) fine roots collected from a snow manipulation experiment at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (New Hampshire, USA). Increased soil freezing significantly lowered the BSi content of sugar maple fine roots potentially decreasing their capacity to take up water and dissolved nutrients. The reduced silica uptake (8 ± 1 kmol silica km-2) by sugar maple fine roots is comparable to silica export from temperate forest watersheds. We estimate that fine roots account for 29% of sugar maple BSi, despite accounting for only 4% of their biomass. These results suggest increased frequency of soil freezing will reduce silica uptake by temperate tree roots, thereby changing silica availability in downstream receiving waters.
A comparison of healthcare professional and school personnel perceptions and familiarity of academic adjustments for concussed adolescents

Objective To compare healthcare professionals (HCPs) and school personnel (SP) perceptions of and familiarity with academic adjustments for adolescents following a concussion. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Self-reported online survey. Subjects 4,376 participants (1,095 males, 2,003 females, 1,278 missing sex; 2,209 HCPs, 2,156 SP; age=47.5 ± 14.8) from a convenience sample of 51,507 individuals (8.5% response rate) completed the Beliefs, Attitudes, and Knowledge of Paediatric Athletes with Concussions (BAKPAC) survey. Outcome measures The independent variable was role (2 levels: HCP, SP). The dependent variables were participants’ responses to the survey items. Mann Whitney U tests ( P Results Both HCPs and SP agreed that concussions can affect school performance (3.7/4.0±0.9; P =0.08) and that concussed adolescents are eligible for consideration under the Americans with Disabilities Act (3.0/4.0±1.0; P =0.81). 57.3% of HCPs and 57.0% of SP reported that they have managed a concussed adolescent who experienced decreased school performance, while 61.0% of HCPs and 57.5% of SP noted concussed adolescents received academic adjustments. Familiarity with individualised education plans (IEPs; P ≤.001) and 504-plans ( P ≤.001) differed among groups. SP were moderately to extremely familiar with IEPs (3.5/4.0±0.71) and 504-plans (3.3/4.0±0.91), while HCPs were only minimally to moderately familiar (IEP: 2.8/4.0±1.2; 504-plans: 2.6/4.0±1.4). Conclusions HCPs and SP must collaborate to ensure proper concussion management for concussed adolescents. These results suggest the need for targeted education for HCPs and SP concerning academic adjustments to promote a safe return-to-learn. Competing interests None.
A high-fidelity method for genomic sequencing of single somatic cells reveals a very high mutational burden.

Postzygotic mutations in somatic cells lead to genome mosaicism and can be the cause of cancer, possibly other human diseases and aging. Somatic mutations are difficult to detect in bulk tissue sam...
Red Christmases: the Sandinistas, indigenous rebellion, and the origins of the Nicaraguan civil war, 1981–82

AbstractIn December 1981, Nicaragua’s Sandinista government forcibly resettled some 8,500 Miskito Indians, killing dozens and displacing thousands in a controversy known as la Navidad Roja – the Red Christmas. Two starkly contrasting narratives exist around this episode: one which viewed the affair as a domestic one driven by longstanding ethnic tensions, and another which saw a CIA plot behind the violence. This article explores the chasm between those narratives and traces the breakdown in the FSLN–Miskito relations in 1981, ultimately showing how both indigenous action and Latin American state interventions played an understudied role at the onset of the Nicaraguan Civil War.
Neuropsychological subtypes of incident mild cognitive impairment in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging

Abstract Introduction We evaluated whether incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subtypes could be empirically derived in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. Methods We performed cluster analysis on neuropsychological data from 506 participants with incident MCI. Results The 3-cluster solution resulted in (1) amnestic, (2) dysexecutive, (3) dysnomic subtypes. The 4-cluster solution produced these same three groups and a fourth group with subtle cognitive impairment (SCI). The SCI cluster was a subset of the amnestic cluster and distinct from well-matched cognitively unimpaired participants based on memory and global z-score area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses and probability of progression to MCI/dementia. Discussion We empirically identified three neuropsychological subtypes of MCI that share some features with MCI subtypes identified in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. The fourth subtype with SCI in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging differed from the fourth cluster-derived normal group in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and could represent a group to target with early interventions.
Skin Cancers Associated with Lymphoid Malignancies

Lymphoid malignancies, in particular chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small cell lymphoma, are associated with an increased rate of secondary malignancy development. Skin cancers can occur eightfold more often in the setting of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small cell lymphoma. Not only does cutaneous malignancy occur more often in the setting of lymphoid malignancies, these skin cancers have a tendency toward a more aggressive nature, with higher recurrence rates and increased metastatic potential, especially with squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. In fact, melanoma is found to occur anywhere from two to six times more often in patients with lymphoma, and in patients with a prior history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, there is a 2.8 times higher chance of death due to metastatic melanoma. Merkel cell carcinoma also occurs more often in patients with lymphoid malignancies and is associated with a 3.8 times higher chance of death due to metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma in patients with a prior history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Youth engagement in the community: the ethics of inclusion and exclusion

This study focuses on the engagement of children and youth in their communities and the ways they are included in and excluded from community life. Using a content analysis of a small town United States newspaper over a one-year period, examples of engagement were identified and classified into 12 categories: programs, clubs and special events; fundraising and community service; business and community support; participation in community events; school events; athletic and other performances; employment; involvement in local planning and decision making; serving as a community representative; visibility and recognition; criminal activity and accidents; and use of public space. Examples of community exclusion were identified as well. Young people were engaged primarily through activities that were adult-directed or supervised, or organized through schools, churches, and youth clubs. There was little involvement in local planning, decision making, or activism. Some evidence existed of peer teaching, leadership, and self-initiated activities, as well as intentional efforts by adults to give youth a greater voice in community activities. Implications include several ethical issues regarding the role of young people in community life, particularly young children, and the need for greater awareness on the part of communities of the contributions young people can make.
Structures and Functions of the Nitrogenase Proteins

The biological conversion of dinitrogen to ammonia is catalyzed by the nitrogenase enzyme system found in nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Burgess, 1984; Orme-Johnson, 1985; Smith and Eady, 1992). The conventional nitrogenase consists of two component proteins, the iron (Fe-) protein and the molybdenum-iron (MoFe-) protein, that together mediate the ATP dependent reduction of substrates such as dinitrogen and H+ to products. Substrate reduction by nitrogenase involves three basic types of reactions: the reduction of Fe-protein by electron carriers such as flavodoxin; the ATP dependent transfer of single electrons from Fe-protein to MoFe-protein, with a minimal stoichiometry of two molecules of MgATP hydrolyzed per electron transferred; and electron and proton transfer to the substrate, which is almost certainly bound to the FeMo-cofactor of MoFe-protein.
An Improved Empirical Permeability Estimator From Mercury Injection For Tight Clastic Rocks

Estimating permeability from mercury injection data using Winland's R 35 correlation (Pittman, 1992) provides a quick and reasonable value for permeability for reservoir rocks. Critical to this approach is choosing a unique saturation point (i.e., 35% mercury saturation) from which to calculate the permeability. This is the generic problem with all such empirical methods. In this study we have looked into another approach to estimate the permeability from Mercury (Hg) injection data using a weighted geometric mean of the pore throat radius (R WGM ). Porosity, permeability and mercury capillary pressure were measured on one hundred fifty core samples from twelve different clastic formations. Porosity and permeability ranged from 0.5% to 30% and 0.0001 mD to 10000 mD respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to establish an empirical correlation between Klinkenberg corrected permeability, porosity and R WGM . The estimated permeability using R WGM is closer to the Klinkenberg-corrected permeability than is the permeability determined using Winland's R 35 correlation. The R WGM approach provides an improved permeability estimate at low permeability that will be important for tight sand reservoirs.