cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Karhunen-Loeve based adaptive analog/digital subspace beamforming

The authors propose a new hybrid approach in which A/D conversion at the front end of the sensor array is bypassed. They stay in the analog domain and adapt using the coefficients obtained in the truncated Karhunen-Loeve expansion of the received signal. It is demonstrated via computer simulations that for the same subspace dimension, the new approach outperforms the all-digital fully adaptive and the all-digital subspace approach for large time-bandwidth products. >
Generalized Gabor expansions of discrete-time signals in l/sup 2/(Z) via biorthogonal-like sequences

In this paper, a biorthogonal-like sequences (BLS) theory and its application to the generalized Gabor expansions (equivalently, the generalized short-time Fourier transform/filterbank summation) are presented. A pair of BLS's are defined to be two sequences satisfying a biorthogonal-like condition (BLC), which is a moment equation and equivalent to a linear difference equation. We show that two collections in a Hilbert space generated by a pair of BLS's in the joint time-frequency domain are complete, either can be used as an analysis filter, and the other can be used as a synthesis filter for a generalized Gabor expansion of discrete-time signals. A sufficient and necessary condition on the existence of BLS's based on the moment equation is presented, which is simpler to use than frame theory. Given a filter generating a frame, its BLS's also generate frames. The dual frame is one of them. Given a FIR analysis/synthesis filter, there is a FIR synthesis/analysis filter if BLS's exist. The algorithm to compute FIR analysis and synthesis filters based on the linear difference equation is presented in this paper, which is simpler than frame operator.
Node addition procedures for network design

A new method for introducing active devices directly into a given network is presented. The purpose of this method is to modify in a systematic manner the elements of the nodal admittance matrix of a given network in order to realize filters, oscillators, and other circuits useful for signal processing. Two examples of the application of this method are provided. In addition, this method is compared with a node expansion process previously developed.
Labor Study on Virginia Dairy Farms Employing Full Time Workers

Abstract Data on 376 farms were acquired in 1966 from a direct mail questionnaire containing 31 questions. The dairymen on these farms were on a production testing program and employed one or more full time workers who spent 50% or more of their time with the herd. The average worker was 38.6 years of age, had 6.8 years of schooling and 5.9 years of dairy experience before his last employment. About 80% of the workers were married and had an average of 3.6 children. Reasons why they left dairy farms and where they went f or employment were compiled on 262 workers. The average farm had 69 cows and 1.9 hired workers; 78% had loose housing for herd, 71%, pipeline milkers, 55%, mechanical manure handling, and 32% had mechanical silage feeding. Average starting time was 5:00 am; hours worked per day 9.75; days off per month, three; wages per month $230.48; and benefits per month $81.65. Additional incentives were provided by 37%; annual leave, 63%; and advancement opportunities, 94%.
Glutamate dehydrogenase concentration as a determinant in the effect of purine nucleotides on enzymatic activity.

Abstract The properties of bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase with respect to the effects of purine nucleotides have been examined over a wide range of enzyme concentrations. Kinetic studies, with enzyme concentration up to 1 mg per ml have been performed with both guanosine triphosphate and diphosphate as inhibitors and adenosine diphosphate as an activator of the enzyme. Direct binding experiments have been performed to examine GTP binding in the presence of reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide over the range of 0.1 to 14.7 mg per ml. Both the kinetic and direct binding studies support the conclusion that, in the presence of coenzyme, GTP and GDP bind less tightly to the associated polymeric form (which has a molecular weight of 1.6 to 2 x 106 and is formed as a result of a concentration-dependent association reaction) than they do to the monomeric form of the enzyme (molecular weight, 4 x 105). The preferential binding of these nucleotides to monomer gives rise to an apparent cooperative interaction between inhibitor sites (either GTP or GDP) at enzyme concentrations greater than 0.1 mg per ml. No such effects exist at lower enzyme levels (l0.01 mg per ml), presumably because no polymer is present. In contrast to these results, ADP, which activates the reaction, has been found in the presence of reduced pyridine nucleotide to bind preferentially to the polymer rather than to the monomer. It is postulated that DPNII and reduced triphosphopyridine nucleotide alone behave in the same manner as ADP. Experiments have been performed to evaluate the effect of both ADP and GTP (or GDP) simultaneously on the kinetic properties at high enzyme concentrations. Kinetic data and theory are presented for the situation where the enzyme concentration is larger than the dissociation constant for one of the ligands (that is, where the free and total ligand concentration cannot be considered to be equivalent) as is the case for inhibition by GTP. The theory is shown to be valid for a chemically modified glutamate dehydrogenase which is enzymatically normal in all respects but which cannot undergo association hat high enzyme concentrations. The theory presented here, however, is not adequate for native glutamate dehydrogenase presumably because of the preferential binding of GTP to the monomeric form of the enzyme. The consequence of preferential binding of purine nucleotides to different molecular weight species is discussed. It is noted that the ability of an enzyme to undergo association may be an important factor in relation to the effect of substrate or allosteric ligands on enzyme activity. Finally, it is shown by stop flow experiments that the specific activity of the enzyme in the absence of purine nucleotides is essentially independent of enzyme concentration.
A new 3-GSPS 65-GOPS UHF digital radar receiver and its performance characteristics

A new UHF direct RF sampling digital radar receiver was developed for an airborne early warning application. The digital receiver samples the input directly at RF frequencies with an 8-bit 3 billion samples per second analog-to-digital converter and performs the down-conversion in the digital domain. In order to meet the computational throughput requirement associated with the high-speed digital down-conversion, a 65 billion operations per second full custom signal processor chip-set was developed using the bit-level systolic array architecture. The design considerations and the performance measurements of the prototype digital receiver and its subcomponents are presented.
Is aerosol formation in cirrus clouds possible

The recent observation of ultrafine aerosol particles in cirrus clouds has raised the question whether aerosol formation within cirrus clouds is possible, and if so, what mechanisms are involved. We have developed an aerosol parcel model of neutral and charged H 2 SO 4 /H 2 O aerosol processes, including nucleation from the gas phase and loss onto cirrus ice particles. Laboratory thermodynamic data for sulfuric acid uptake and loss by small neutral and charged clusters are used, allowing for a reliable description of both neutral and charged nucleation down to the very low temperatures occurring in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The model implements a first order scheme for resolving the aerosol size distribution within its geometric size sections, which efficiently suppresses numerical diffusion. We operate the model offline on trajectories generated with a detailed 1D cirrus model which describes ice crystal nucleation, deposition growth, vertical advection of ice crystals and water vapor, and ice crystal sedimentation. In this paper we explore the possibility of aerosol formation within non-convective cirrus clouds and draw conclusions for aerosol formation in anvil cirrus. We find that sulfate aerosol formation within cirrus clouds can proceed even at high ice surface area concentrations, and depends strongly on the size of the cirrus ice crystals and on the surface area concentration of preexisting aerosol particles.
Mathematical foundations for error estimation in numerical solutions of integral equations in electromagnetics

The problem of error estimation in the numerical solution of integral equations that arise in electromagnetics is addressed. The direct method (Green's theorem or field approach) and the indirect method (layer ansatz or source approach) lead to well-known integral equations both of the first kind [electric field integral equations (EFIE)] and the second kind [magnetic field integral equations (MFIE)]. These equations are analyzed systematically in terms of the mapping properties of the integral operators. It is shown how the assumption that field quantities have finite energy leads naturally to describing the mapping properties in appropriate Sobolev spaces. These function spaces are demystified through simple examples which also are used to demonstrate the importance of knowing in which space the given data lives and in which space the solution should be sought. It is further shown how the method of moments (or Galerkin method) is formulated in these function spaces and how residual error can be used to estimate actual error in these spaces. The condition number of all of the impedance matrices that result from discretizing the integral equations, including first kind equations, is shown to be bounded when the elements are computed appropriately. Finally, the consequences of carrying out all computations in the space of square integrable functions, a particularly friendly Sobolev space, are explained.
Molecular pathways controlling inhibitory receptor expression

Epilepsy is a disease of complex etiology and multiple molecular mechanisms contribute to its development. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) may result from an initial precipitating event such as hypoxia, head injury, or prolonged seizure (i.e., status epilepticus (SE)), that is followed by a latent period of months to years before spontaneous seizures occur. GABAA receptor (GABAAR) subunits changes occur during this latent period and may persist following the onset of spontaneous seizures. Research into the molecular mechanisms regulating these changes and potential targets for intervention to reverse GABAAR subunit alterations have uncovered seizure-induced pathways that contribute to epileptogenesis. Several growth or transcription factors are known to be activated by SE, including (but not limited to): Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), Inducible cAMP Early Repressor (ICER), and Early Growth Response factors (Egrs). Results of multiple studies suggest that these factors transcriptionally regulate GABAAR subunit gene expression in a way that is pertinent to the development of epilepsy. This article will focus on these signaling elements and describe their possible roles in gene regulatory pathways that may be critical in the development of chronic epilepsy.
183-GHz and 425-GHz passive microwave spectrometers on the NPOESS Aircraft Sounder Testbed-Microwave (NAST-M)

The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Aircraft Sounder Testbed-Microwave, or NAST-M , has added two spectrometers to its original suite of spectrometers operating near the oxygen lines at 50-57 GHz and the oxygen line at 118.75 GHz. The NAST-M suite now includes a spectrometer that is centered on the water vapor absorption line at 183.31 GHz, and another that is centered on the oxygen absorption line at 424.76 GHz. This addition has increases the ability of NAST-M to retrieve humidity profiles and to sense smaller-diameter hydrometeors. All four of the spectrometers' horns are collocated, have 3-dB (full-width at half-max) points of 7.5/spl deg/, and are directed at a single scanning mirror, which produces a cross-track scan beneath the aircraft with a swath width of approximately 100 km. Aircraft carrying NAST-M cruise at altitudes of 17 to 20 km, yielding a nadir surface spatial resolution of /spl sim/ 2.6 km.
Corticosteroid clearance by the gastrointestinal tract in dogs and monkeys.

Differences in concentration in aortic and portal venous blood of dogs and monkeys showed clearance of corticosteroid by the gut. Percentage of corticosteroid removed was higher in animals during shock than in controls. There was a linear relationship between the amount removed and arterial corticosteroid concentrations. (Endocrinology 87: 206, 1970)
Is prospective memory a dissociable cognitive function in HIV infection

An emerging literature indicates that HIV infection is associated with deficits in prospective memory (ProM), or the ability to execute a future intention. This literature offers evidence of neurobiological dissociability of ProM from other cognitive abilities and its incremental ecological validity as a predictor of poorer everyday functioning outcomes (e.g., medication nonadherence). The present study evaluated the hypothesis that ProM represents a unique cognitive construct in HIV disease. A confirmatory 4-factor structural equation model was tested on data derived from 162 participants with HIV. The model posited that measures of ProM comprise a unique factor, apart from standard clinical tests of retrospective memory, executive functions, and motor skills. The fit of the model was evaluated using the Bollen-Stine bootstrap method and indicated that a 4-factor model with measures of ProM loading on a unique factor fit the data well, and better than a model with a single common factor hypothesized to drive cognitive performance. The results of this study lend further evidence to the dissociability of ProM in HIV infection, are consistent with prior studies in healthy adults, and contribute to a growing literature on the construct validity of ProM in HIV disease.
Selective knockdown of ceramide synthases reveals complex interregulation of sphingolipid metabolism

Mammalian ceramide synthases 1 to 6 (CerS1–6) generate Cer in an acyl-CoA-dependent manner, and expression of individual CerS has been shown to enhance the synthesis of ceramides with particular acyl chain lengths. However, the contribution of each CerS to steady-state levels of specific Cer species has not been evaluated. We investigated the knockdown of individual CerS in the MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cell line by using small-interfering RNA (siRNA). We found that siRNA-induced downregulation of each CerS resulted in counter-regulation of nontargeted CerS. Additionally, each CerS knockdown produced unique effects on the levels of multiple sphingolipid species. For example, downregulation of CerS2 decreased very long-chain Cer but increased levels of CerS4, CerS5, and CerS6 expression and upregulated long-chain and medium-long-chain sphingolipids. Conversely, CerS6 knockdown decreased C16:0-Cer but increased CerS5 expression and caused non-C16:0 sphingolipids to be upregulated. Knockdown of individual CerS failed to decrease total sphingolipids or upregulate sphingoid bases. Treatment with siRNAs targeting combined CerS, CerS2, CerS5, and CerS6, did not change overall Cer or sphingomyelin mass but caused upregulation of dihydroceramide and hexosyl­ceramide and promoted endoplasmic reticulum stress. These data suggest that sphingolipid metabolism is robustly regulated by both redundancy in CerS-mediated Cer synthesis and counter-regulation of CerS expression.
The acute effects of caffeine on evoked response, vigilance, and activity level in hyperkinetic children

Seventeen hyperkinetic children who had previously responded to sympathomimetic amines were given three different dosages of caffeine in counterbalanced order (placebo, and low and high doses equivalent to one and three cups of coffee). One hour following ingestions they were tested, double-blind on measures of visual evoked response, alpha time, vigilance, and activity level. There was a significant effect on evoked response. The behavioral measures tended to be affected in a dose-related manner but not to a statistically significant degree. It is concluded that although centrally active, caffeine does not show the congruence between behavioral and central effects that other stimulants useful in behavioral management have shown.
Computed Results on Tundish Systems

In the previous chapters we discussed the principles of mathematical and physical modeling as applied to tundish operations and have also shown some selected physical modeling results. In this chapter we shall develop a general mathematical formulation describing the flow behavior of tundish systems and then will present a selection of computed results. These results were so chosen as to provide a good overall insight into tundish behavior. Regarding the organization of this chapter, Section 4.1 will contain the general formulation; the computed fluid flow results, including tracer dispersion and inclusion behavior, will be presented in Section 4.2; the behavior of nonisothermal tundishes will be described in Section 4.3; and the effect of externally imposed magnetic fields will be given in Section 4.4. Shallow tundishes will be described in Section 4.5, while wave formation in tundish systems will be treated in Section 4.6.
Gang Activity on Campus: A Crisis Response Case Study

This case study challenges readers to consider a contemporary issue for campus threat assessment and emergency preparedness: gang presence on college campuses. A body of research examining the presence of gangs and gang activity on college campuses has developed, revealing that gangs pose a viable threat for institutions of higher education. The question of whether and how to confront this issue raises questions regarding student safety, success and retention, as well as violence on campus. This case study presents a developing scenario, in which readers are asked to make decisions prior to more information unfolding. It is designed to address the question of campus safety, and focus current and future campus administrators on the complexities of the emergency response process.
Exhaust System Manifold Development Enhancement Through Multi-Attribute System Design Optimization

Recently, in the automotive industry, the pressure to improve profitability has been increasing sharply. We argue that, long-term profitable growth requires going beyond a simple cost cutting operation to holistically redesign man-centric processes and tools that eliminate waste and increase operational efficiency for the maximization of the value added to products. Product Development Computerization (PDC), i.e. the design activity carried out semi-automatically by CAx software, is believed to bring significant (about 50%) development cost and time savings and to enable unprecedented levels of business agility. In the present work, PDC has been applied to an exhaust manifold including a catalytic converter. The approach features a multi-disciplinary optimization executed in a highly integrated concurrent engineering software framework. Results are remarkably promising: projected development cost and time savings are higher than 70%, with important side effects of increased flexibility and product innovation. Technical challenges include the integration of disparate analysis codes as well as overcoming geometrical infeasibility of parametrized system designs. It was found that the Hooke-Jeeves algorithm was best equipped to explore the channels of feasibility in this problem.
Microdetermination of acetylable steroids in plasma.

SummaryA method is described which employs a combination of paper chromatographic and radioactive isotope technics. It is applicable to a wide number of hydroxylated steroids and is specific and sensitive to less than 0.1 μg quantities of steroids. The sensitivity is dependent upon the number of hydroxyl groups and specific activity of the radioactive acetic anhydride which is used to label the steroid. It has been applied successfully to the analysis of steroids in blood, urine, and a variety of tissues.
Protective Factors for Deviance: A Comparison of Rural and Urban Youth

ABSTRACTBased on data from the 2010, 2012, and 2014 Communities that Care Youth Survey, the authors examine the protective factors associated with rural and urban students in grades 6 through 12 across several domains. This research is based on the literature that associates rural areas with a more protective environment and resulting lower rates of deviance. Findings were mixed, but overall rural youth had higher protective factor scores. A summary of all 84 protective factor scores follows: 26 factors shown no significant different between rural and urban students; on 42 protective factors rural youth had higher scores, as opposed to urban youth with higher protective scores on only 16 factors. Implications of findings for crime and delinquency are discussed.
How do client and therapists in online text therapy experience their exchanges and relationship

The impact of online therapy text exchanges and the client-therapist alliance was compared to previously published means and standard deviations on face-to-face therapy using an aggregate benchmarking strategy. Further, the moderating effects of 4 participant factors found significant in the face-to-face therapy literature was investigated using mixed modeling analytic techniques. Thirty therapists and 30 clients visited an online site to report weekly to complete session impact and therapeutic alliance measures for a minimum of six weeks, which allowed for a naturalistic and nuanced examination of the process of online text psychotherapy. The impact of exchanges and client-therapist alliance in text therapy were similar to but in some respects more positive than previous evaluations of face-to-face therapy. A notable exception was substantially lower Arousal scores replicating the previously-observed online calming effect. The significance of participant factors previously found to influence impact and alliance in face-to-face therapy was not replicated except that therapists with the more symptomatic clients rated their text exchanges as less smooth and comfortable.
Investigating Hydrologic Connectivity of a Drained Prairie Pothole Region Wetland Complex using a Fully Integrated, Physically-Based Model

A fully integrated, physically-based model of a drained and farmed wetland complex in the Prairie Pothole Region of Iowa (termed Ellsworth #2) was developed to investigate hydrologic connectivity of surface and groundwater sources. The model is based on the code HydroGeoSphere, which solves surface and subsurface flow and the interaction between these domains. Physical processes governing the hydrologic response of a wetland, precipitation, plant transpiration, and surface and subsurface evaporation, were included in the model. The model was run for 6 years and predicted water table location was compared against measurements. Results indicated that intermittent ponding was observed in pothole depressions but hydrologic connectivity among three pothole depressions via surface water ponding was rarely established. Extensive subsurface tile drainage system simulated in the model removed a substantial volume of water and reduced the amount and duration of ponding. Groundwater discharge contributed to some degree during nearly all ponding events in the pothole depressions as exfiltration ranged from 1.7 to 23.6 % of annual precipitation. Despite simplifications, the model captures the interactions among hydrologic processes and provides important information for scientists and decision makers to effectively plan for current and future management of these drained and farmed wetland complexes.
Improving postural control through integration of sensory inputs and visual biofeedback.

AbstractPostural control is an essential component to be considered in the rehabilitation of stroke survivors. This article attempts to provide the clinician with terminology and frameworks for classification in order to provide a more focused intervention. There is a comparison of some of the available assessments of impairment and disability. Treatment emphasizing the specific use of visual biofeedback to improve postural control is described. Control of the sensory environment during treatment to challenge a patient's ability to integrate available sensory information to perform balance activities is described. A case study incorporating treatment ideas is included
Decreased T-Helper/T-Suppressor Ratios in Homosexual Men: A Nonspecific Finding

Although decreased T-lymphocyte helper/suppressor ratios are uniformly present in homosexuals with AIDS, this finding is not specific for AIDS and has been documented in many asymptomatic homosexuals. In AIDS patients, the abnormal ratio is due to a decrease in both the percentage and absolute number of lymphocytes staining with OKT4 (Leu 3) and an increased percentage of cells positive for OKT8 (Leu 2). The total number of T lymphocytes is diminished. Other conditions or variables to which certain homosexuals are exposed (venereal, viral, and parasitic pathogens and recreational drugs) may result in a decreased T-helper T-suppressor ratio secondary to increased numbers of suppressor cells with normal or increased total numbers of T lymphocytes.
Elastic Properties of Chimpanzee Craniofacial Cortical Bone

Relatively few assessments of cranial biomechanics formally take into account variation in the material properties of cranial cortical bone. Our aim was to characterize the elastic properties of chimpanzee craniofacial cortical bone and compare these to the elastic properties of dentate human craniofacial cortical bone. From seven cranial regions, 27 cylindrical samples were harvested from each of five chimpanzee crania. Assuming orthotropy, axes of maximum stiffness in the plane of the cortical plate were derived using modified equations of Hooke's law in a Mathcad program. Consistent orientations among individuals were observed in the zygomatic arch and alveolus. The density of cortical bone showed significant regional variation (P E2 > E1 . Shear moduli were significantly different among regions (P < 0.001). The pattern by which chimpanzee cranial cortical bone varies in elastic properties resembled that seen in humans, perhaps suggesting that the elastic properties of craniofacial bone in fossil hominins can be estimated with at least some degree of confidence. Anat Rec, 299:1718-1733, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Students as pinners: A multimodal analysis of a course activity involving curation on a social networking site

Abstract This study examined how Pinterest , a multimodal social networking site, was used as a tool in a graduate course to allow students to explore interesting language use in everyday life for a class assignment. The findings indicated that pinners' collection on the Pinterest board celebrated various uses of language and multimodal signifiers as different examples of language use. Thus, pins revealed pinners' interpretation of what made particular instances of language use “psycholinguistic examples.” The affordances of the Pinterest board as a public site allowed pinners to engage in on-going communication with their fellow pinners and the greater Internet public. Both images and accompanying messages revealed pinners' intentions to express their thoughts about noteworthy language use and to invite their audience to pay attention to what they had shared. The Pinterest activity as digital curation created a participatory culture that encouraged students' collaboration and informal learning.
Thyroid Eye Disease

Thyroid eye disease or Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) is an orbital autoimmune disease that develops in association with Graves’ hyperthyroidism. The clinical presentation of GO ranges from mild orbital inflammation to sight-threatening disease. Multiple factors have been shown to contribute to disease development, including thyroid dysfunction, mechanical forces, smoking, and radioiodine treatment. The volume of the orbital adipose/connective tissue compartment and extraocular muscles are characteristically expanded in GO. Studies of GO pathogenesis implicate the fibroblast as the cell against which the orbital autoimmune process is directed and the thyrotropin and the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptors on these cells as important autoantigens.
Biosynthesis of Complex Saccharides

Publisher Summary Carbohydrates are generally considered to be the main ultimate products of carbon dioxide transformation in the plant by the photosynthetic process. The monosaccharides, which are produced in a series of stepwise reactions, appear to serve two major functions: (1) they are partially consumed in respiration with the production of energy, which is utilized for the numerous metabolic reactions of the plant and (2) they also serve as building units in being combined by various enzymes, or enzymatic systems, to form complex saccharides such as sucrose, maltose, lactose, glycogen, starch, and cellulose. This chapter discusses the mechanisms involved in the synthesis and degradation of complex saccharides from monosaccharides. of the chapter highlights the present state of knowledge of the intermediate compounds that are formed in plants after reduction of the carbon dioxide by photosynthesizing plants up to the time of the appearance of the monosaccharides.
Loan pricing under estimation risk

Financial product prices often depend on unknown parameters. Their estimation introduces the risk that a better informed counterparty may strategically pick mispriced products. Understanding estimation risk, and how to properly price it, is essential. We discuss how total estimation risk can be minimized by selecting a probability model of appropriate complexity. We show that conditional estimation risk can be measured only if the probability model predictions have little bias. We illustrate how a premium for conditional estimation risk may be determined when one counterparty is better informed than the other, but a market collapse is to be avoided, using a simple example from pricing regime credit scoring. We empirically examine the approach on a panel data set from a German credit bureau, where we also study dynamic dependencies such as prior rating migrations and defaults.
Reliance on and Reliability of the Engineer’s Estimate in Heavy Civil Projects

To the contractor, the engineer’s estimate is the target number to aim for, and the basis for a contractor to evaluate the accuracy of their estimate. To the owner, the engineer’s estimate is the basis for funding, evaluation of bids, and for predicting project costs. As such the engineer’s estimate is the benchmark. This research sought to investigate the reliance on, and the reliability of the engineer’s estimate in heavy civil cost estimate. The research objective was to characterize the engineer’s estimate and allow owners and contractors re-evaluate or affirm their reliance on the engineer’s estimate. A literature review was conducted to understand the reliance on the engineer’s estimate, and secondary data from Washington State Department of Transportation was used to investigate the reliability of the engineer’s estimate. The findings show the need for practitioners to re-evaluate their reliance on the engineer’s estimate. The empirical data showed that, within various contexts, the engineer’s estimate fell outside the expected accuracy range of the low bids or the cost to complete projects. The study recommends direct tracking of costs by project owners while projects are under construction, the use of a second estimate to improve the accuracy of their estimates, and use of the cost estimating practices found in highly reputable construction companies.
Joint Discrete-Continuous Model of Travel Mode and Departure Time Choices:

This paper presents a cluster-based joint modeling approach to investigating heterogeneous travelers’ behavior toward trip mode and departure time choices by considering those choices as a joint decision. First, a two-step clustering algorithm was applied to classify travelers into six distinct clusters to account for the heterogeneity in their decision-making behavior. Then, a joint discrete-continuous model was proposed for each cluster, in which the travel mode and departure time were estimated by a multinomial logit and a log-linear regression model, respectively. These two models were jointly estimated with a copula approach. For an investigation of the performance of the proposed approach, its results were compared with an aggregate joint model on all nonclustered observations to assess the potential benefits of population clustering. The goodness-of-fit measures and prediction accuracy results demonstrated that the proposed cluster-based joint model significantly outperformed the aggregate joint mo...
Patterns of Care of Node-Positive Prostate Cancer Patients Across the United States: A National Cancer Data Base Analysis.

Abstract Background Twelve percent of newly diagnosed prostate cancers in the United States are node-positive. In a setting of disparate treatment guideline recommendations for node-positive disease, this study describes the treatment patterns for clinical node-positive (cN+) and pathologic node-positive (pN+) patients across the United States. Materials and Methods Using the National Cancer Data Base, men diagnosed with cN+ or pN+ disease were identified from 2006 to 2011. For each cohort, the proportion of patients who received radiotherapy (RT), androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), and other treatments was analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine patient and clinical factors associated with use of definitive treatment (RT or prostatectomy) in cN+ patients, and postprostatectomy RT in pN+ patients. Results A total of 8464 cN+ and 4890 pN+ patients were identified. For cN+ disease, ADT alone was the most common treatment used (3892 patients, 46.0%) followed by RT with or without ADT (2657 patients, 31.4%). Men with older age, higher prostate-specific antigen at diagnosis, or higher biopsy Gleason score were less likely to receive curative treatment (RT or prostatectomy), whereas those with higher clinical T stage were more likely. For pN+ disease, 2948 patients (60.3%) received no adjuvant treatment and 833 patients (17.0%) received RT following prostatectomy. Patients with older age, negative margin, and comorbidities were less likely to undergo RT after prostatectomy, whereas those with higher pathologic T-stage were more likely. Conclusion Many patients with cN+ or pN+ prostate cancer do not receive RT, despite the possibility of long-term control and cure. Randomized trials are needed to guide treatment decisions in this patient population.
Effect of lipopolysaccharide on the expression of inflammatory mRNAs and microRNAs in the mouse oviduct.

Infection with Gram-negative bacteria is a major cause of aberrant inflammation in the oviduct; consequences can include tubal-based infertility and/or ectopic pregnancy. Understanding the inflammatory response is necessary for the development of novel treatment options that counter inflammation-induced infertility. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of Escherichia coli-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the acute expression of inflammatory mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) in the oviduct. On the day of oestrus, 6- to 8-week-old CD1 mice were injected i.p. with 0, 2 or 10µg LPS in 100μL phosphate-buffered saline. Mice were killed 24h later and the oviducts collected for gene expression analyses. The effect of treatment on the expression of mRNAs and miRNAs was evaluated by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with treatment means of differentially expressed (P<0.05) transcripts separated using Scheffe's test. LPS treatment affected 49 of 179 targeted inflammatory mRNAs and 51 of 578 miRNAs (P<0.05). The identity of differentially expressed miRNAs predicted as regulators of chemokine and interleukin ligand mRNAs was then extracted using the microRNA.org database. The results of the present study indicate that systemic treatment with LPS induces a robust inflammatory response in the oviducts of mice, and identify key mRNAs and putative miRNAs modulating this effect.
Serial assessment of brain natriuretic peptide in single ventricle patients with a hybrid stage 1 palliation

Abstract Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been used as a marker for heart failure. Cross-sectional studies have documented differences in BNP levels in patients with single ventricle physiology but the utility of longitudinal samples has not been established. We hypothesized that change in BNP would correlate with change in clinical status in single ventricle patients palliated with a hybrid stage 1 palliation. Retrospective Ross heart failure score, inotrope score, lactate, and creatinine were obtained at time of each BNP. Events requiring CPR or intubation were noted in relationship to BNP. Data was analyzed with non-parametric statistics with p 14 patients (11 with serial values) had BNP values obtained primarily in the inpatient setting between 9/2010 and 9/2012. BNP values were obtained at a median age of 38 days (range 1–170 days) in patients with hypoplastic left heart palliated with a hybrid palliation. There was no correlation between BNP and inotrope score, age at time of BNP or systemic saturation. BNP correlated with lactate (p = 0.002, r2 = 0.12) and Ross score (p We conclude that serial measurements of BNP values may help to predict worsening heart failure in infants with single ventricle physiology palliated by a hybrid stage 1 procedure.
Von Saher v. Norton Simon Museum of Art

In von Saher v. Norton Simon Museum of Art, the heirs of Jacques Goudstikker sueds to recover a Cranach diptych taken from his Amsterdam gallery by Hermann Goring, which eventually made its way to the Norton Simon Museum in California. This chapter examines the adjudication of the case, which has confronted the courts with a series of problems in constitutional law, conflicts of law, and foreign property law.
Heart Failure in Pediatric Oncologic Disease

Abstract Children diagnosed with cancer are now living longer, thanks to advances in treatment. However, though cured of cancer, they are at risk for chronic health conditions. Cardiovascular diseases are among the most common cause of morbidity and mortality after recurrence and secondary malignancies. Cardiotoxicity is associated with certain cancer treatments, such as anthracyclines and radiation, and if left undetected or untreated can lead to heart failure, heart transplant, or death. This chapter will provide the latest evidence on risk factors, preventative strategies, screening, and treatment of cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer survivors. Though advances have been made, particularly in prevention by use of the cardioprotectant dexrazoxane, there is still much to be done to find a balance between oncologic efficacy and cardiotoxic late effects.
Overview of Chest Trauma

The guiding principles behind acute management of patients suffering thoracic trauma have changed little in the past three decades. All patients should be evaluated and triaged according to the guidelines presented in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). The majority of patients will be managed without requiring operative intervention. Stable patients with periclavicular and transmediastinal gunshot wounds should have a CT angiogram as part of their evaluation. Unstable patients with penetrating chest wounds have a high likelihood of requiring massive transfusion (>10 U PRBC in 24 h), and such a situation should be anticipated. Although the indications for performing a resuscitative thoracotomy have evolved since its inception, this procedure should be reserved for victims of penetrating trauma with witnessed physiologic parameters arriving to the trauma center within 15 min of EMS arrival. The incision of choice for patients requiring an urgent exploration will be determined by mechanism, trajectory, and anticipated injuries. Following completion of their operation, patients should be managed in the ICU, warmed, and have their coagulopathy corrected to prevent further blood loss and deterioration.
Perspectives on the opioid crisis from pain medicine clinicians.

Abstract Patients experiencing a terminal drug related event reflect a sentinel event. If this pharmacotherapy is a widely used agent, it may be viewed as a catastrophic problem. If patients are dying from illegal drug use when the medical establishment fails them by withdrawing or minimizing their medically prescribed medication, then the burden rests with their health care providers, legislation, and insurance carriers to actively participate in a collegial fashion to achieve parity. Causing a decay in functionality in previously functional patients, may occur with appropriately prescribed opioid medications addressing non-cancer pain when withdrawing or diminishing either with or without patient consent. The members of the medical profession have diminished their prescribing of opioids for their patients out of apparent fear of reprisal, state or federal government sanctions, and other concerned groups. Diminishing former dosages or deleting the opioid medication, preferably in concert with the patient, often results in inequitable patient care. Enforcing sanctioned decreases or ceasing to prescribe from their former required/established opioid medications precipitate patient discord. In absence of opioid misuse, abuse, diversion or addiction based upon medical “guidelines” and with a poor foundation of Evidence Based Medicine the CDC guidelines, it may be masked as a true guideline reflecting a decrement of clinical judgment, wisdom, and compassion. This article also discusses the role of pharmacy chains, insurance carriers, and their pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) contribution to this multidimensional problem. There may be a potential solution, identified in this paper, if all the associated political, medical and insurance groups work cohesively to improve patient care. This article and the CDC guidelines are not focused at hospice, palliative, end of life care pain management.
Black-white differences in happiness, 1972-2014.

Abstract This paper examines the extent to which the black-white gap in happiness—an important indicator of subjective well-being—has narrowed over the 1972 to 2014 period. Analyzing data from the General Social Survey, we find that that the difference in levels of happiness between whites and blacks is substantial, but declined over time. Results from a decomposition analysis shed new light on the sources of change. We find that observable differences in characteristics of whites and blacks explain a significant and growing proportion of the happiness gap. The two most important characteristics are income and marital status, as both are strongly associated with race and happiness, and the proportion of the difference in the gap that they explain has generally increased over time. Overall, the declining gap in happiness is consistent with the moderate narrowing of substantial racial disparities in other realms, such as life expectancy, residential segregation, and neighborhood conditions, suggesting small steps toward equality in some realms, even as high levels of inequality persist in others.
Nurse Leader DNP Capstone Projects Evaluation: An Action Framework.

Background Little is known about available guidelines that can be used to evaluate health systems' Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) capstone projects. Objectives The twofold purpose of this study was to identify the scope of nurse executive leadership practices, as demonstrated in final health systems' DNP Projects and propose a framework to guide evaluating health systems' DNP capstone projects. Methods This qualitative study used content analysis to evaluate DNP project posters of 10 health systems' DNP students graduating from one Midwestern college of nursing. Students were engaged in activities pertinent to managerial and executive-level nurse leaders. Results Students were engaged in activities pertinent to both managerial and executive level nurse leaders and followed AONE competencies. Leadership styles were operational and transformational. Six types of activities were identified. Leadership activities and themes were organized into a framework for action that can guide curriculum. Conclusions The Framework for Action themes can be used to coach students in nurse manager or executive roles and identify developmental needs of students. Implications for nursing A specific new competency on impact is indicated. Use of simulation techniques is an opportunity in health systems education.
Effect of illumination on quantum lifetime in GaAs quantum wells

Low-temperature illumination of a two-dimensional electron gas in GaAs quantum wells is known to greatly improve the quality of high-field magnetotransport. The improvement is known to occur even when the carrier density and mobility remain unchanged, but what exactly causes it remains unclear. Here, we investigate the effect of illumination on microwave photoresistance in low magnetic fields. We find that the amplitude of microwave-induced resistance oscillations grows dramatically after illumination. Dingle analysis reveals that this growth reflects a substantial increase in the single-particle (quantum) lifetime, which likely originates from the light-induced redistribution of charge enhancing the screening capability of the doping layers.
Narratives of Architectural Education: From Student to Architect

Narratives of Architectural Education provides an overview of life as an architecture student, detailing how a layperson may develop an architectural identity. This book proposes becoming an architect as a personal narrative of professional development structured around various stages and challenges associated with identity transformation. Using a case study of aspiring architects along multiple time points of their professional education, Thompson investigates the occupational identity of architects; how individuals construct a sense of themselves as future architects and position themselves within the architectural community. This book provides previously unexamined insights into not just the academic development of an architect, but also the holistic and experiential aspects of architectural education. It would be ideal for those in the educational field of architecture, to include students, educators, interns, and mentors.
YouTube as a source of patient education in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a media content analysis

Purpose: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a common cause of pulmonary fibrosis, with millions of individuals affected in the world. Patients may use multiple resources to educate themselves regarding their illness, including popular social media video hosting site YouTube. We set out to determine the quality of patient education material discussing IPF available on YouTube. Methods: 100 consecutive videos were surveyed for review, of which 59 were included in the final analysis. Three independent blinded reviewers were assigned to score each video on a scoring system designed along patient education material available publicly at the American Thoracic Society and the American College of Chest Physicians. Scores by each reviewer were compared to others using means, standard deviation, Cohen's Kappa, and intra-class reliability. Results: Video content had a mean score of 5.9, SD 3.96 out of a maximum of 20 points. Cohen's Kappa between the three raters was calculated to a value of 0.92 and Interclass reliability was 0.79 (0.70-0.86, 95% CI) indicating appropriateness of comparison between the three raters. Conclusion: Patient education material regarding IPF on YouTube was found deficient in quantity and quality. Providers should be aware of the best information resources available and utilize these to educate their patients.