cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of positive family history with survival of patients with lung cancer

Summary Background Risk factors for development of lung cancer include a family history of the disease. The effect of family history on lung cancer outcomes is unknown. A study was conducted to investigate this. Methods The medical records of all patients with lung cancer seen in an academic medical oncology lung cancer clinic between 1999 and 2006 were reviewed for outcomes and family history of lung cancer. χ2-test and Wilcoxon test were used for univariate comparisons, while Cox Proportional Hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate the adjusted risk of death. Univariate probability of survival was computed using Kaplan–Meier estimate and compared using the log-rank test. Results Of the 560 patients evaluated, 289 (51%) were male and 519 (93%) had a smoking history. Of the 148 patients (26%) with a family history of lung cancer, 115 had an affected first-degree relative. No association between family history and histology or stage at diagnosis was detected. Median survival in patients with a family history of lung cancer was 53 months compared to 58 months in patients without such a history (p = 0.06). Patients with a positive family history had an adjusted relative risk of death of 1.65 (95% CI: 1.07–2.56; p = 0.02) compared to those without a family history. This risk was especially increased in those with an affected first-degree relative (RR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.08–2.75, p = 0.02). Conclusions Lung cancer patients with a first-degree relative with lung cancer have a poorer outcome than those without such a history.
Predicting Total Digestible Nutrients and Estimated Net Energy of Dairy Cow Rations from Chemical Components

Abstract Fourteen rations varying in composition were fed in measured quantities to satisfy appetites of Holstein cows from calving through 6 or more mo of lactation. Milk yield and energy intake increased as available energy content of rations increased, but intake of dry matter was not related to milk production. The requirements for total digestible nutrients and estimated net energy of the average cow fed each ration were calculated from published requirement factors. Energy requirements were divided by amounts of dry matter consumed to calculate the total digestible nutrients and estimated net energy of dry matter consumed for each of the 14 rations. These energy values were regressed on crude fiber contents of rations either alone or with the crude protein contents to derive prediction formulas to calculate the total digestible energy or estimated net energy of rations. The following formulas had squared multiple correlation coefficients .89, .95, .85, and .93, respectively:(1) Total digestible nutrients \( % of dry matter \) = 90.25 − 1.175 % crude fiber (2) Total digestible nutrients \( % of dry matter \) = 79.56 − .3353 % crude fiber + .7006 % crude protein − .0538 \( % crude fiber × % crude protein \) (3) Estimated net energy \( Mcal / kg dry matter \) = 2.043 − .0245 % crude fiber (4) Estimated net energy \( Mcal / kg dry matter \) = 1.837 − .0057 % crude fiber + .0131 % crude protein − .0012 \( % crude fiber × % crude protein \) Estimated net energy is estimated net energy as the average megacalories/kilogram of ration dry matter to support all energy needs.
Cobalt(III) Complexes Of Polydentate Schiff Base Ligands

Abstract Cobalt(III) complexes incorporating polydentate Schiff base ligands have been prepared via iodine oxidation of a series of cobalt(II) precursors. Magnetic susceptibility and visible spectral measurements suggest that the materials are diamagnetic cobalt(III) complexes wherein the cobalt ion is in an octahedral or a pseudooctahedral environment.
Importance of Aromatic Anchor Residue Identity and Location for the Tilt and Dynamics of Transmembrane Peptides

Aromatic or polar amino acid residues often flank each side of a membrane-spanning alpha helix, whether in an integral membrane protein or a model peptide. The aromatic residues Trp, Tyr and to a lesser extent Phe tend to partition to the membrane-water interface and act as â€œanchorsâ€ to stabilize the transmembrane orientation. The synthetic model peptide, GWALP23 (acetyl-GGALW5(LA)6LW19LAGA-[ethanol]amide), has proven valuable for experimentation, with only one Trp â€œanchorâ€ near each end of the transmembrane sequence. Indeed, with relatively minimal complications from the peptide dynamics, the average tilt of GWALP23 has been shown to vary systematically in lipid bilayer membranes of different thickness (see J. Biol. Chem. 285, 31723). We have employed 2H-alanines and solid-state NMR spectroscopy to investigate the consequences of moving or replacing W5 or W19 in GWALP23 with selected Tyr, Phe or Trp residues at the same or nearby locations. We find that GWALP23 peptides having Y5, F5 or W5 exhibit essentially the same average tilt in bilayer membranes of DOPC, DMPC or DLPC; with somewhat increased dynamics for the F5 peptide. When â€œdoubleâ€ anchors are present in Y4,5GWALP23 or F4,5GWALP23, the peptides appear less responsive to the bilayer thickness, as the dynamics become dramatically more extensive. Moving W19 to position 18, a 100° radial change, alters the direction of the helix tilt, as expected. We conclude that, in the absence of other functional groups, the aromatic residues determine the preferred orientations and dynamics of transmembrane peptides. Increased dynamics are observed when the ring hydrogen bonding is removed (Phe), or when two aromatic anchors are present on one side of the core transmembrane sequence.
Intravascular Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction without Detectable Antibodies: A Case Report and Review of Literature

. A case of intravascular hemolytic transfusion reaction without detectable antibodies occurring in a 55-year-old male is reported. Specificity for the C antigen in the Rh system was demonstrated by technetium-99m red cell survival studies. A cell-mediated mechanism of hemolysis was suspected and investigated. Previously reported cases are reviewed and discussed. The entity of intravascular hemolytic transfusion reaction associated with minimal symptoms and no detectable antibodies deserves further investigation.
Rod Vision: Pathways and Processing in the Mammalian Retina

Bipolar cells in the mammalian retina are postsynaptic to either rod or cone photoreceptors, thereby segregating their respective signals into parallel vertical streams. In contrast to the cone pathways, only one type of rod bipolar cell exists, apparently limiting the routes available for the propagation of rod signals. However, due to numerous interactions between the rod and cone circuitry, there is now strong evidence for the existence of up to three different pathways for the transmission of scotopic visual information. Here we survey work over the last decade or so that have defined the structure and function of the interneurons subserving the rod pathways in the mammalian retina. We have focused on: (1) the synaptic ultrastructure of the interneurons; (2) their light-evoked physiologies; (3) localization of specific transmitter receptor subtypes; (4) plasticity of gap junctions related to changes in adaptational state; and (5) the functional implications of the existence of multiple rod pathways. Special emphasis has been placed on defining the circuits underlying the different response components of the AII amacrine cell, a central element in the transmission of scotopic signals.
Conceptualizing and Measuring Ethical Work Climate: Development and Validation of the Ethical Climate Index

This article describes the development of a new theory and measure of ethical work climate. Three studies are conducted to construct the Ethical Climate Index (ECI) and measure the ethical work cli...
Synthesis and Electrochemistry of Carboranylpyrroles. Toward the Preparation of Electrochemically and Thermally Resistant Conjugated Polymers

Pyrrole derivatives covalently linked to a neutral ortho- or anionic nido-carborane cage via a methylene or ethylene spacer arm have been synthesized. Their electrochemical study showed that only the neutral compounds yielded anodically conducting 3-substituted polypyrrole films. In contrast, the anodic oxidation of the anionic derivatives underwent the passivation of the electrode surface. The pyrrole with a two-carbon linkage was the most efficiently electropolymerized, and the relevant polymer films exhibited the best electroactive and conducting properties. These were resistant to highly positive potentials owing to the hydrophobic nature and the electron-withdrawing character of the attached carborane cage. Moreover, this material was more thermally stable than unsubstituted polypyrrole.
The construction of free–free flexibility matrices as generalized stiffness inverses

Abstract We present generalizations of the classical structural flexibility matrix. Direct or indirect computation of flexibilities as ‘influence coefficients’ has traditionally required pre-removal of rigid body modes by imposing appropriate support conditions. Here the flexibility of an individual element or substructure is directly obtained as a particular generalized inverse of the free–free stiffness matrix. This entity is called a free–free flexibility matrix. It preserves exactly the rigid body modes. The definition is element independent. It only involves access to the stiffness generated by a standard finite element program as well as a separate geometric construction of the rigid body modes. With this information, the computation of the free–free flexibility can be done by solving linear equations and does not require the solution of an eigenvalue problem or performing a singular value decomposition. Flexibility expressions for symmetric and unsymmetric free–free stiffnesses are studied. For the unsymmetric case two flexibilities, one preserving the Penrose conditions and the other the spectral properties, are examined. The two versions coalesce for symmetric matrices.
Can the randomized controlled trial literature generalize to nonrandomized patients

To determine the extent to which published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of psychotherapy can be generalized to a sample of outpatients, the authors matched information obtained from charts of patients who had been screened out of RCTs to inclusion and exclusion criteria from published RCT studies. Most of the patients in the sample who had primary diagnoses represented in the RCT literature were judged eligible for at least 1 RCT. However, many patients in the sample with substance use disorders or social anxiety disorder were not eligible for at least 2 RCTs. Common reasons that patients did not match with at least 2 published RCTs for psychotherapy included (a) patients were in partial remission, (b) patients failed to meet minimum severity or duration criteria, (c) patients were being treated with antidepressant medication, and (d) the disorder being studied was not primary (mostly for social anxiety patients). The implications of these findings for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
The Measurement and Further Conceptualization of Teacher Communication Concern.

This study reported the development of a set of scales to measure the self, task, and impact dimensions of teacher communication concern. Three stages of instrument development were described: item construction, testing of the hypothesized factor structure, and reliability and validity information. The result was a 15-item instrument with three subscales. In an effort to refine the conceptualization of teacher communication concern, a secondary purpose of the study was to examine the relationship of teacher communication concern to two variables: anxiety about teaching and attitude toward teaching as a career. Results were that teacher communication concern was not related to anxiety about teaching, but was positively related to attitude about teaching.
A robust baseline removal method for guided wave damage localization

Guided waves can propagate long distances and are sensitive to subtle structural damage. Guided-wave based damage localization often requires extracting the scatter signal(s) produced by damage, which is typically obtained by subtracting an intact baseline record from a record to be tested. However, in practical applications, environmental and operational conditions (EOC) dramatically affect guided wave signals. In this case, the baseline subtraction process can no longer perfectly remove the baseline, thereby defeating localization algorithms. In previous work, we showed that singular value decomposition (SVD) can be used to detect the presence of damage under large EOC variations, because it can differentiate the trends of damage from other EOC variations. This capability of differentiation implies that SVD can also robustly extract a scatter signal, originating from damage in the structure, that is not affected by temperature variation. This process allows us to extract a scatterer signal without the challenges associated with traditional temperature compensation and baseline subtraction routines. . In this work, we use to approach to localize structural damage in large, spatially and temporally varying EOCs. We collect pitch-catch records from randomly placed PZT transducers on an aluminum plate while undergoing temperature variations. Damage is introduced to the plate during the monitoring period. We then use our SVD method to extract the scatter signal from the records, and use the scatter signal to localize damage using the delay-and-sum method. To compare results, we also apply several temperature compensation methods to the records and then perform baseline subtraction. We show that our SVD-based approach successfully localize damage while current temperature-compensated baseline subtraction methods fail.
Quantitation of RNA polymerase subunits in Escherichia coli during exponential growth and after bacteriophage T4 infection

A method was developed to measure the amounts of RNA polymerase subunits, α, β, β′ and σ in crude extracts of Escherichia coli. The proteins were labelled by growing the cells in 35S-sulphate containing media. For measuring β and β′, the cell lysate was electrophoresed on 6% polyacrylamide gels containing SDS and the β and β′ bands cut out and counted. For measuring α and σ, the cell lysate was co-electrophoresed with dansylated RNA polymerase on 8% polyacrylamide gels containing SDS. The fluorescent bands were cut out, the proteins eluted, and the α and σ subunits further purified on polyacrylamide gels containing 8 molar urea. The results are: (1) β′ is the subunit of the core RNA polymerase which is present in limiting amount. (2) The core enzyme, as measured by β′, constitutes a constant fraction of total cellular protein (0.9%), independent of the bacterial growth rate. (3) The α subunit is made in excess and is probably regulated independently. (4) The σ subunit is present in 0.3–0.4 times the amount of the core enzyme. (5) All four subunits are fully conserved after bacteriophage T4 infection.
Effects of acebutolol on paroxysmal atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia in patients with manifest or concealed accessory pathways.

Eletrophysiologic studies before and after administration of 50 mg of intravenous (IV) acebutolol were performed in 20 patients. Four of the 20 had persistent preexcitation, two had intermittent preexcitation, and 14 had a concealed retrogradely conducting accessory pathway (AP). Acebutolol depressed anterograde AP conduction with loss of preexcitation in one patient and increased the effective refractory period of AP in the remaining three; in most, it depressed anterograde normal pathway conduction. The longest atrial paced cycle length producing atrioventricular (AV) nodal block increased from 290 ± 7 to 319 ± 6 msec (mean ± SEM) after acebutolol (p
A ganglion cyst causing lumbar radiculopathy in a baseball pitcher: A case report

Abstract Lee J, Wisneski RJ, Lutz GE. A ganglion cyst causing lumbar radiculopathy in a baseball pitcher: a case report. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81:837-9. This report describes a case of a professional baseball pitcher who developed acute left lumbar radicular symptoms after a baseball game and was subsequently sidelined for the rest of the season. Physical examination revealed depressed reflexes in the left posterior tibialis and left medial hamstring muscles, mild weakness in the left extensor hallucis longus, and positive dural tension signs. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an ovoid mass at the L4-L5 level, causing compression of the dura. Surgical resection of the mass resulted in resolution of his symptoms. Pathology revealed that the mass was a ganglion cyst. A ganglion cyst is a rare cause of lumbar radiculopathy and should be considered in the differential diagnosis if a patient with lumbar radiculopathy fails to respond to conservative treatment. © 2000 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
A frequency based approach to dynamic stress intensity analysis

A hybrid finite element/modal analysis/spectral analysis method is presented for the extraction of frequency dependent strain energy release rates and stress intensity factors. The approach is based on the crack closure technique and is formulated directly in the frequency domain. It is demonstrated for a center cracked panel subject to static in-plane and acoustic loading.
Relaxation of metastable semiconductor strained-layer structures by plastic flow

The relaxation of misfit strain in metastable structures by plastic flow is described using a continuum model based on Haasen's picture of plastic flow in bulk diamond-phase semiconductors and the concept of excess strain. This model provides a unified explanation of the equilibrium critical thickness, the relaxation behavior of metastable strained-layer structures, and the ''metastable'' critical thicknesses reported in many semiconductor strained-layer geometries. 11 refs., 3 figs.
Multiscale Approach to Determination of Thermal Properties and Changes in Free Energy: Application to Reconstruction of Dislocations in Silicon

We introduce an approach to exploit the existence of multiple levels of description of a physical system to radically accelerate the determination of thermodynamic quantities. We first give a proof of principle of the method using two empirical interatomic potential functions. We then apply the technique to feed information from an interatomic potential into otherwise inaccessible quantum mechanical tight-binding calculations of the reconstruction of partial dislocations in silicon at finite temperature. With this approach, comprehensive ab initio studies at finite temperature will now be possible.
Effect of population size and unbalanced data sets on QTL detection using genome-wide association mapping in barley breeding germplasm

Over the past two decades many quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been detected; however, very few have been incorporated into breeding programs. The recent development of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in plants provides the opportunity to detect QTL in germplasm collections such as unstructured populations from breeding programs. The overall goal of the barley Coordinated Agricultural Project was to conduct GWAS with the intent to couple QTL detection and breeding. The basic idea is that breeding programs generate a vast amount of phenotypic data and combined with cheap genotyping it should be possible to use GWAS to detect QTL that would be immediately accessible and used by breeding programs. There are several constraints to using breeding program-derived phenotype data for conducting GWAS namely: limited population size and unbalanced data sets. We chose the highly heritable trait heading date to study these two variables. We examined 766 spring barley breeding lines (panel #1) grown in balanced trials and a subset of 384 spring barley breeding lines (panel #2) grown in balanced and unbalanced trials. In panel #1, we detected three major QTL for heading date that have been detected in previous bi-parental mapping studies. Simulation studies showed that population sizes greater than 384 individuals are required to consistently detect QTL. We also showed that unbalanced data sets from panel #2 can be used to detect the three major QTL. However, unbalanced data sets resulted in an increase in the false-positive rate. Interestingly, one-step analysis performed better than two-step analysis in reducing the false-positive rate. The results of this work show that it is possible to use phenotypic data from breeding programs to detect QTL, but that careful consideration of population size and experimental design are required.
A context-free language for binary multinomial processing tree models

Abstract This paper provides a new formalization for the class of binary multinomial processing tree (BMPT) models, and theorems for the class are developed using the formalism. MPT models are a popular class of information processing models for categorical data in specific cognitive paradigms. They have a recursive structure that is productively described with the tools of formal language and computation theory. We provide an axiomatization that characterizes BMPT models as strings in a context-free language, and then we add model-theoretic axioms and definitions to interpret the strings as parameterized probabilistic models for categorical data. The language for BMPT models is related to the Full Binary Tree language, a well-studied context-free language. Once BMPT models are viewed from the perspective of the Full Binary Tree language, a number of theoretical and computational results can be developed. In particular, we have a number of results concerning the enumerations of BMPT models as well as the identifiability of subclasses of these models.
Lattice strain and damage evolution of 9-12%Cr ferritic/martensitic steel during in situ tensile test by X-ray diffraction and small angle scattering

In situ X-ray diffraction and small angle scattering measurements during tensile tests were performed on 9-12% Cr ferritic/martensitic steels. The lattice strains in both particle and matrix phases, along two principal directions, were directly measured. The load transfer between particle and matrix was calculated based on matrix/particle elastic mismatch, matrix plasticity and interface decohesion. In addition, the void or damage evolution during the test was measured using small angle X-ray scattering. By combining stress and void evolution during deformation, the critical interfacial strength for void nucleation was determined, and compared with pre-existing void nucleation criteria. These comparisons show that models overestimate the measured critical strength, and require a larger particle size than measured to match the X-ray observations.
Influence of zinc on Bacillus Calmette-Guerin cell wall skeleton induced suppression of concanavalin-A stimulated DNA-synthesis of rat splenic T-lymphocytes.

Abstract Weanling male Lewis rats consuming a Low-Zn (ZnD) diet (2 ug/g) for 21 days and injected seven days prior to completion of dietary regimen with either incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) or IFA containing Bacillus Calmette-Guerin cell wall skeleton (BCGcws) showed reduced growth and serum Zn. IFA treated rats fed a restricted amount (PF) of adequate-Zn (ZnA) diet (20 ug/g) showed reduced growth. BCGcws injection caused reduced food intake, growth and serum Zn in rats fed the ZnA diet ad libitum, and reduced serum Zn in PF rats. BCGcws injection caused reduced concanavalin-A (Con-A) induced DNA-synthesis of splenic T-lymphocytes from rats of each dietary group. Suppressed mitogenic reactivity of splenic T-lymphocytes to Con-A and enhanced phagocytic activity of spleen lymphoid cells from BCGcws injected rats were normalized after removal of lymphoid cells which adhere to plastic (macrophage like). The present study shows that low-zinc fed rats maintain mitogenic reactivity of T-lymphocytes to Con-A, and suppressor activity of splenic macrophages, stimulated in vivo with BCGcws, on Con-A stimulated blastogenesis of splenic T-lymphocytes.
Cognitive reappraisal of negative affect: converging evidence from EMG and self-report.

Prior psychophysiological studies of cognitive reappraisal have generally focused on the down-regulation of negative affect, and have demonstrated either changes in self-reports of affective experience, or changes in facial EMG, but not both. Unfortunately, when taken separately, these measures are vulnerable to different sources of bias, and alternative explanations might account for changes in these indicators of negative affect. What is needed is a study that (1) obtains measures of self-reported affect together with facial EMG, and (2) examines the use of reappraisal to regulate externally and internally generated affective responses. In the present study, participants up- or down-regulated negative affect in the context of both negative and neutral pictures. Up-regulation led to greater self reports of negative affect, as well as greater corrugator and startle responses to both negative and neutral stimuli. Down-regulation led to lesser reports of negative affect, and lesser corrugator responses to negative and neutral stimuli. These results extend prior research by (1) showing simultaneous effects on multiple measures of affect, and (2) demonstrating that cognitive reappraisal may be used both to regulate responses to negative stimuli and to manufacture a negative response to neutral stimuli.
Coastal habitat restoration planning in louisiana: Lessons from the greenhill‐timbalier bay oil spill case

The restoration of marine and coastal habitat has become important because of the frequency of petroleum spills and certain other toxic inputs into the marine environment. Each oil spill must be cleaned up and compensation is sought by federal and state trustees for the restoration of any natural resources injured. This case history details a 1992 well blowout and oil spill in Timbalier Bay, Louisiana, and the assessment and restoration activities that have been associated with the incident. Emphasis is placed on the post‐spill activities to demonstrate the increasing relevance and implementation of habitat restoration efforts under the marine trustee authority of federal, state, and other governments. The Timbalier Bay resource trustees negotiated a restoration‐based administrative settlement to compensate for the injured natural resources. A habitat replacement analysis was conducted to determine the appropriate compensation acreage to be created for the restoration project. The administrative settlemen...
High-speed dynamic programmable logic array chip

This paper describes the circuit design of a programmable logic array chip using four-phase dynamic circuits, operating at a nominal cycle time of 230 nanoseconds. Bootstrap circuit techniques are used to obtain high function and performance by satisfying some special requirements of PLA designs. These include a simple means for two-bit partitioning of the data inputs, a noninverting buffer circuit between precharged arrays, and a fast, compact on-chip driver for heavily loaded arrays. Multiphase clocking enables the use of master/slave type JK flip-flops with minimum circuitry and power dissipation. A polarity hold function is provided at the outputs to allow interfacing the dynamic design to static output circuits.
MWIR LED performance enhancement by nano-plasmon layer

We report a significant increase in electroluminescence from GaSb based mid-wave infrared inter band cascade (IC) LED device through coupling with localized surface plasmon layer. Thin Au Plasmon layer of 20 nm thickness is deposited on top anode electrode by e-beam evaporation technique. Surface Plasmon enhancement effects result is 100% increase in light output for 50 μm square mesa device. We fabricated an IC LED device with nine cascade active/injection layers with InAs/Ga1-xInxSb/InAs quantum well (QW) active region.
Service Reliability Measurement Using Automated Fare Card Data: Application to the London Underground

This paper explores the potential of using automated fare card data to quantify the reliability of service as experienced by passengers of rail transit systems. The distribution of individual passenger journey times can be accurately estimated for those systems requiring both entry and exit fare card validation. With the use of this information, a set of service reliability measures is developed that can be used to routinely monitor performance, gain insights into the causes of unreliability, and serve as an input into the evaluation of transit service. An estimation methodology is proposed that classifies performance into typical and nonrecurring conditions, which allows analysts to estimate the level of unreliability attributable to incidents. The proposed measures are used to characterize the reliability of one line in the London Underground under typical and incident-affected conditions with the use of data from the Oyster smartcard system for the morning peak period. A validation of the methodology w...
Optimal moving grids for time-dependent partial differential equations

Various adaptive moving grid techniques for the numerical solution of time-dependent partial differential equations were proposed. The precise criterion for grid motion varies, but most techniques will attempt to give grids on which the solution of the partial differential equation can be well represented. Moving grids are investigated on which the solutions of the linear heat conduction and viscous Burgers' equation in one space dimension are optimally approximated. Precisely, the results of numerical calculations of optimal moving grids for piecewise linear finite element approximation of PDE solutions in the least-squares norm are reported.
Measurements and visualizations of transient and steady-state vertical natural convection flow in cold water

Results of an experimental investigation of transient natural convection flow and transport development adjacent to a suddenly heated, 1.27-m-high, vertical surface in cold water are given. These measurements determine the effects of the anomalous behavior of cold water on transient convective response and on the eventual steady-state heat transfer characteristics. The range of ambient temperatures studied is 1.2 ⩽ t∞ ⩽ 6.8°C, for surface heating rates in the range 587–1870 W m−2. The transient and resulting eventual flows were visualized and local surface temperatures measured. For the lowest ambient temperature and heating conditions, t∞ = 1.2°C and 587 W m−2, the established flow resembled a downward flowing boundary layer. As t∞ and the heating rate are increased, the flow is not of simple boundary region form. A vigorous turbulent downflow, away from the surface, and intermittent upflow, very near the surface, was seen. Further increase in t∞ and heating rate results in yet stronger inner upflows. The outer downflow existed at all times. However, it arose only intermittently for t∞ = 3.1°C and heating rates of 1140 and 1870 W m−2. For these conditions, the flows resembled an upward flowing boundary layer. These changes in transport regime are confirmed by local surface temperature measurements. Surface height-averaged temperature, tL, was used in the evaluation of NuL and GrL near the extremum temperature tM. Average steady-state heat transfer data are best correlated by NuLGrL14 = 1.35 ¦R − 0.26 ¦0.165 outside 0.23 < R < 0.29, where R = (tm − t∞)(tL − t∞). Within 0.23 < R < 0.29 a minimum in heat transfer rate is observed. Details of flow and transport evolution during the transient, starting from quiescence were also studied. Early one-dimensional conduction transport is followed by entrainment development. Both unidirectional and bidirectional entrainment development were seen, depending upon the ambient and surface-heating conditions. Bidirectional transient flows were found to be unstable, resulting eventually in turbulent flow. Transition to turbulence occurred simultaneously at all downstream distances. The persistence of one-dimensional transport was determined, at various downstream locations, for all ambient and heating conditions. The measurements show the qualitative changes in flow regimes and also the actual variation of the Nusselt number in the density extremum region. These characteristics are quite different from those found in the well-studied Boussinesq behavior.
Interband Mid-IR Semiconductor Lasers

Significant advances in the room-temperature (RT) continuous-wave (CW) output power of both type-l quantum-well (QW) active-layer lasers and interband cascade lasers have been reported within the 3-4-?m wavelength region in 2009. Recent developments on the growth of highly strained QWs and low-defect-density lattice-mismatched materials also demonstrate potential for realizing high-performance mid-infrared (IR) lasers on conventional substrates such as Si, GaAs, and inP.
Neural Network Modeling Techniques for the Real-Time Rendering of the Geometry and Elasticity of 3D Objects

The paper reviews measurement and neural networks modeling techniques developed by the authors for the real-time rendering of the geometry and elastic properties of 3D objects.
Sex ratios among infants with birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2009

A small number of population-based studies have examined sex differences among infants with birth defects. This study presents estimates of sex ratio for both isolated cases and those with multiple congenital anomalies, as well as by race/ethnicity. Male–female sex ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated for 25,952 clinically reviewed case infants included in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (1997–2009), a large population-based case-control study of birth defects. The highest elevations in sex ratios (i.e., male preponderance) among isolated non-cardiac defects were for craniosynostosis (2.12), cleft lip with cleft palate (2.01), and cleft lip without cleft palate (1.78); the lowest sex ratios (female preponderance) were for choanal atresia (0.45), cloacal exstrophy (0.46), and holoprosencephaly (0.64). Among isolated cardiac defects, the highest sex ratios were for aortic stenosis (2.88), coarctation of the aorta (2.51), and d-transposition of the great arteries (2.34); the lowest were multiple ventricular septal defects (0.52), truncus arteriosus (0.63), and heterotaxia with congenital heart defect (0.64). Differences were observed by race/ethnicity for some but not for most types of birth defects. The sex differences we observed for specific defects, between those with isolated versus multiple defects, as well as by race/ethnicity, demonstrate patterns that may suggest etiology and improve classification. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A General Definition of the Coördinate Number of a Meteoritic Fall

A general definition of the coordinate number (C.N.) of a meteoritic fall is given, and, in view of that definition, certain recommendations concerning the use of C.N.'s are made; also, simple notations for indicating negativity in C.N.'s are proposed.
Preliminary results on non-bernoulli distribution of perturbations for simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation

Simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation (SPSA) has proven to be an efficient algorithm for recursive optimization. SPSA uses a centered difference approximation to the gradient based on only two function evaluations regardless of the dimension of the problem. Typically, the Bernoulli ±1 distribution is used for perturbation vectors and theory has been established to prove the asymptotic optimality of this distribution. However, efficiency of the Bernoulli distribution may not be guaranteed for small-samples. In this paper, we investigate the performance of segmented uniform distribution for perturbation vectors. For smallsamples, we show that the Bernoulli distribution may not be the best for a certain choice of parameters.
A model of organizational power: Analysis and significance to nursing

In this article a causal model of the process of interorganizational power is presented with results of one test using survey data from 39 non-nursing organizations. The model argues that interaction strategies of organizations are outcomes of the relative basis and use of resources in interorganizational transactions. Multiple regression and multiple-partial correlation analyses were used to analyze the data. The findings partially support the model and indicate that it holds promise for development and refinement. Conclusions are that the model should be tested with nursing organizations and used to conceptualize additional aspects of the power process that nursing can foster.
Organizational learning in open-source software projects: an analysis of debugging data

This paper studies organizational learning effects in open-source programming projects. Working with data from the Apache and Mozilla projects, the study focuses on three aspects of open-source development. The first is the use of the open-source approach as a hedge against system complexity. The second is the adaptive learning mechanisms realized by the debugging process. The last is the learning curve effects of project-specific experience on bug cycle times. The results indicate that while open-source development is subject to positive learning effects, these effects are not universal, with some projects deriving more benefit than others.
Amino Acid δ13C Analysis Shows Flexibility in the Routing of Dietary Protein and Lipids to the Tissue of an Omnivore

Stable-isotope analysis (SIA) has revolutionized animal ecology by providing time-integrated estimates of the use of resources and/or habitats. SIA is based on the premise that the isotopic composition of a consumer's tissues originates from its food, but is offset by trophic-discrimination (enrichment) factors controlled by metabolic processes associated with the assimilation of nutrients and the biosynthesis of tissues. Laboratory preparation protocols dictate that tissues both of consumers and of their potential prey be lipid-extracted prior to analysis, because (1) lipids have carbon isotope (δ(13)C) values that are lower by approximately 3-8‰ than associated proteins and (2) amino acids in consumers' proteinaceous tissues are assumed to be completely routed from dietary protein. In contrast, models of stable-isotope mixing assume that dietary macromolecules are broken into their elemental constituents from which non-essential amino acids are resynthesized to build tissues. Here, we show that carbon from non-protein dietary macromolecules, namely lipids, was used to synthesize muscle tissue in an omnivorous rodent (Mus musculus). We traced the influence of dietary lipids on the synthesis of consumers' tissues by inversely varying the dietary proportion of C4-based lipids and C3-based protein while keeping carbohydrate content constant in four dietary treatments, and analyzing the δ(13)C values of amino acids in mouse muscle after 4 months of feeding. The influence of dietary lipids on non-essential amino acids varied as function of biosynthetic pathway. The source of carbon in ketogenic amino acids synthesized through the Krebs cycle was highly sensitive to dietary lipid content, with significant increases of approximately 2-4‰ in Glutamate and Aspartate δ(13)C values from the 5% to 15% dietary lipid treatment. Glucogenic amino acids (Glycine and Serine) were less sensitive to dietary lipid, but increased by approximately 3-4‰ from the 25% to 40% lipid diet. As expected, the δ(13)C values of essential amino acids did not vary significantly among diets. Although lipids provide a calorie-rich resource that fuels energy requirements, our results show that they also can be an important elemental source of carbon that contributes to the non-essential amino acids used to build structural tissue like muscle. As such, the calculation of trophic-discrimination factors for animals that consume a lipid-rich diet should consider lipid carbon as a building block for proteinaceous tissues. Careful consideration of the macromolecular composition in the diet of the consumer of interest will help to further refine the use of SIA to study animal ecology and physiology.
Social-cognitive correlates of CPAP adherence in experienced users

Abstract Background and purposes Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition with serious medical and psychosocial consequences. However, poor adherence with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment limits the effectiveness of treatment. Behavior change factors offer one avenue of research to better understand the correlates of CPAP adherence. Patients and methods Fifty-eight participants who had been diagnosed with OSA and prescribed CPAP treatment agreed to complete questionnaires that assessed sleep apnea symptoms, behavior change factors, and CPAP side effects, and to have their CPAP data downloaded. Behavior change factors from both social cognitive theory (SCT) and the transtheoretical model (TM) were assessed. The primary aim of the study was to examine the relationship between these social-cognitive factors and objectively measured CPAP adherence. Results Participants had been using CPAP for a mean of 2.1 years. SCT variables (adjusted R 2 =0.115, P =.008) and TM variables (adjusted R 2 =0.157, P Conclusions The results suggest that social-cognitive factors may be associated with CPAP adherence in experienced CPAP users. The principal advantage to these theory-driven and empirically validated factors is that they are modifiable and can provide the basis for effective interventions to increase CPAP adherence.
Photolithography of Polytetrafluoroethylene for Tailored Adhesion

Irradiation of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with Mg(Ka) X-rays is shown to protect the surface against the chemical etching steps used to prepare PTFE for adhesion. Pre-irradiated etched samples of PTFE have adhesion strengths of less than 3% of that for non-irradiated etched samples. The major portion of this decrease in adhesion strength occurs for X-ray exposures of less than 10 min (∼4.8×103 mrads) and failure in every case occurs in PTFE and not in the bonded transition region. XPS measurements (20 A sampling depth) show little difference in F content between irradiated and non-irradiated samples, but thermal desorption shows increasing fluorocarbon desorption with irradiation time. These results are consistent with the known radiation chemistry of PTFE. Irradiation produced free radicals lead to branching and/or cross-linking, and a surface rich in low molecular weight fluorocarbons. The more rigid cross-linked surface is resistant to deep (10,000 A) chemical attack and the bond formed is with a surface rich in short chain fluorocarbons. Both a thin boundary region and bonding to short chain species is expected to lead to weak adhesive bonding. Electron irradiation is shown to lead to protection against chemical etching comparable to that obtained with X-rays. With electrons one has the capability of rastering the electron beam and drawing low adhesion strength patterns with resolution limited by the beam diameter.
Trends in the Rate and Type of Antipsychotic Medications Prescribed to Persons With Schizophrenia

This article examines trends in antipsychotic medication use in a treated population of publicly funded patients with schizophrenia between 1991 and 1996. Findings from administrative claims data show that antipsychotic prescription rates increased from 79 percent to 83 percent between 1991 and 1996. Atypical antipsychotics were used by 39 percent of the population and comprised 41 percent of all antipsychotic agents prescribed compared to 59 percent for typical agents. Duration on a typical agent was 8 months versus 7.4 months for newer atypicals, with duration 11 months for those on clozapine. The highest switching behavior is found in users of atypicals (58% versus 25% for those on typicals) as is the percent of those who received an antidepressant concurrently with an antipsychotic, which was 44 percent for newer atypical users versus 31 percent for typical users. The lowest antidepressant use was among clozapine users (28%). Atypical users were more likely to be younger Caucasian men with higher use of inpatient and ambulatory mental health services compared to those on typical medications. The newer antipsychotic medications appear to be displacing traditional medications; however, contrary to what the literature suggests, duration is shorter and switching behavior and concurrent use of antidepressants is higher than in typical users.
The Psychological Well-Being of Divorced and Widowed Men and Women: An Empirical Analysis

In this article we focus on the psychological well-being of the widowed and divorced. The data are from a national stratified probability sample in which the divorced and widowed, particularly divorced and widowed males, were oversampled. Seven different indicators of psychological well-being are used. Compared to the married and, to a lesser extent the never married, the psychological well-being of the divorced and widowed is poor. Overall the psychological well-being of divorced males, divorced females and widowed females is roughly comparable and better than the psychological well-being of widowed males.
A surgeon for the brain

HARVEY CUSHING. A LIFE IN SURGERY By Michael Bliss 2005. New York: Oxford University Press Price $40.00/£23.99. ISBN: 0-19-516989-1 In the fall of 1901, Harvey Cushing (1869–1939) returned to Baltimore and joined the faculty of William Halsted's Department of Surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Medical School. Before his European sojourn of 1900–1901, Cushing had trained there in 1896–1900 (Fig. 1). Toward the end of his training, Cushing began to take an interest in neurological problems, and most of his laboratory time in Europe was spent on intracranial research. While he was still in Europe, Cushing apparently thought that he would take charge of the ‘brain cases’ upon his return. However, when Cushing got to Baltimore in September 1901, the senior staff at Hopkins had not yet reassembled after their usual exodus from the wretched summer weather. It was mid-October before the erratic Halsted agreed to Cushing's appointment on Cushing's terms. Those terms included taking charge of ‘the neurological side of the [surgical] Clinic,’ and the opportunity to ‘work in the neurological dispensary mornings with [the neurologist] Dr [Henry M.] Thomas and try to learn something in general about nerve cases’ (Fulton, 1946, p. 204). In other words, he needed to learn some clinical neurology, and he was eager to do it. Fig. 1 Harvey Cushing 1899. Courtesy of The Alan Mason Chesney Medical Archives of The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. Halsted's reservations about Cushing's terms were actually well founded. In 1901, the outlook was dismal for the specialty that we now call neurosurgery. For starters, Halsted worried that Cushing would not be able to make a living on ‘head cases’—there had been very few and none successful at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in its 12 years of existence. More to the point, mortality rates for operations on brain tumour …
Determination of Arsenic, Antimony, Molybdenum, Thorium and Tungsten in Silicates by Thermal Neutron Activation and Inorganic ion Exchange

Abstract Ion exchange on Al2O3 columns has been used to quantitatively measure As, Sb, Mo, Th and W in silicate rocks. This procedure requires hour long thermal neutron irradiations, rapid ion exchange after the rocks are brought into solution by peroxide fusion, and short γ-ray counts on a Ge(Li) detector. Detection limits of 10 ppb have been achieved for As, Sb, Th and W. The best detection limit observed for Mo is 3 ppm.