cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transient pressure analysis of horizontal well with nonorthogonal transverse fractures and drainage volume characterization using Fast Marching Method

Abstract Horizontal well drilling and multistage hydraulic fracturing are essential to economic recovery of unconventional tight/shale reservoirs. Multiple transverse fractures are ideally supposed to be perpendicular to the minimum stress direction, but nonorthogonal transverse fractures might be seen in practice, which might bring a better connection between wellbore and fractures. However, for the same fracture half-length, the stimulated reservoir area might be less. Thus, the well performance with these nonorthogonal transverse fractures is full of uncertainty. Little research work is currently conducted on the nonorthogonal transverse fracture scenario. Our transient pressure analysis of horizontal well performance with nonorthogonal transverse hydraulic fractures utilizes the concept of rate-normalized pressure and transient productivity index. The novel Fast Marching Method (FMM) is adopted to characterize the drainage volume evolution for multi-stage horizontal wells and validate the proposed methodology. Sensitivity studies contrast transient pressure behavior and productivity index for azimuth angles from 15 to 90°, e.g. from nearly longitudinal to truly transverse fracture angles. Additionally, transient pressure behavior and long-term reservoir performance of horizontal well for different scenarios are investigated, such as reservoir anisotropy and different proppant allocation strategies under the constraints of given horizontal well spacing and total proppant amount. Contrast to what we are usually expecting, results show that for the same fracture spacing, and the same total proppant amount, the well with nonorthogonal transverse fractures will have a higher productivity index than that for truly transverse fractures. Different from productivity index, the long-term reservoir performance, however, turns out to play a different game, given specific horizontal well spacing and the same total proppant amount. Reservoir performance for horizontal well with nonorthogonal transverse fractures can be significantly improved by optimally allocating the proppant and designing hydraulic fracture placement strategies through this research.
Quantitative FDG-PET/CT assessment of alterations in global hepatic metabolism due to cirrhosis

1367 Objectives To quantify alterations in global hepatic metabolic activity due to cirrhosis through FDG-PET/CT. Methods Thirty three subjects were included in this retrospective study. Group 1 (n=11) had no malignancy or cirrhosis, group 2 (n=10) had extrahepatic malignancy but no cirrhosis, and group 3 (n=12) had extrahepatic malignancy and cirrhosis. Subjects with malignancy did not receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy within 6 months prior to FDG-PET/CT. 2D ROIs were drawn around the liver on each transaxial slice passing through the liver, and SUVmean and ROI area from each slice were recorded. Average hepatic SUVmean was calculated as the average of SUVmean from all ROIs in each subject. The products [ROI area × slice thickness] and [ROI area × slice thickness × ROI SUVmean] were calculated for each slice and summed over to generate hepatic volume (HV) and mean hepatic metabolic-volumetric-product (HMVPmean). Unpaired t-testing was used to compare average hepatic SUVmean, HV, and HMVP between groups. Results Subjects with cirrhosis (group 3) had significantly lower hepatic SUVmean (1.55±0.29) and HMVP (2238.29±903.60cc) (p Conclusions Through quantitative assessment of the liver on FDG-PET/CT, we have demonstrated that global hepatic metabolic activity is significantly decreased in the cirrhotic liver compared to the non-cirrhotic liver, which is probably related to a combination of decreased hepatocyte function and increased hepatic fibrosis. This approach may be useful to assess global hepatic function in patients with cirrhosis and other conditions
Primary hepatic low-grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) associated with primary biliary cirrhosis

We describe a case of low-grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) arising in the liver of a patient with early-stage primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The patient, a 62-year old woman, presented with abnormal liver function tests, a positive antimitochondrial antibody titer (1:160), and a liver mass. The resected mass, 6.0 x 5.0 x 4.0 cm, had the features of MALT-type lymphoma. The neoplastic cells were small lymphoid cells of B-cell lineage that surrounded reactive lymphoid follicles and infiltrated bile ductules to form lymphoepithelial lesions. The uninvolved liver had histologic evidence of early stage PBC, characterized by segmental duct destruction with granulomata and an inflammatory infiltrate in the portal triads composed of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and occasional eosinophils. A periportal lymph node showed histologic features of the hyaline-vascular type of Castleman's disease, without evidence of malignant lymphoma. Low-grade B-cell lymphomas of the MALT type rarely arise in the liver and, to our knowledge, have not been reported previously in association with PBC. The association in this case suggests that chronic antigenic stimulation as a result of PBC induced the accumulation of acquired MALT, which subsequently transformed to low-grade B-cell lymphoma.
A constraint satisfaction approach to makespan scheduling

In this paper, we consider the application a constraint satisfaction problem solving (CSP) framework recently developed for deadline scheduling to more commonly studied problems of schedule optimization. Our hypothesis is two-fold: (1) that CSP scheduling techniques can provide a basis for developing high-performance approximate solution procedures in optimization contexts, and (2) that the representational assumptions underlying CSP models allow these procedures to naturally accommodate the idiosyncratic constraints that complicate most real-world applications. We focus specifically on the objective criterion of makespan minimization, which has received the most attention within the job shop scheduling literature. We define an extended solution procedure somewhat unconventionally by reformulating the makespan problem as one of solving a series of different but related deadline scheduling problems, and embedding a simple CSP procedure as the subproblem solver. We summarize results of an empirical evaluation of our procedure performed on a range of previously studied benchmark problems. Our procedure is found to provide strong cost/performance, producing solutions competitive with those obtained using recently reported shifting bottleneck search procedures at reduced computational expense. To demonstrate generality, we also consider application of our procedure to a more complicated, multi-product hoist scheduling problem. With only minor adjustments, our procedure is found to significantly outperform previously published procedures for solving this problem across a range of input assumptions.
Advanced Middleware Technologies

The previous three chapters have described the basic middleware building blocks that can be used to implement distributed systems architectures for large-scale enterprise systems. Sometimes, however, these building blocks are not sufficient to enable developers to easily design and build complex architectures. In such cases, more advanced tools and designs are needed, which make it possible to address architectural issues with more powerful middleware technologies. This chapter describes two of these, namely message brokers and workflow engines, and analyses the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches.
Potential Role of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System in Atherosclerosis: Aspects of a Protein Quality Disease

Misfolded or damaged proteins are recognized intracellularly by protein quality mechanisms. These include chaperones and the ubiquitin-proteasome system, which aim at restoration of protein function and protein removal, respectively. A number of studies have outlined the functional significance of the ubiquitin-proteasome system for the heart and, as of recently, for the vascular system. This review summarizes these recent findings with a focus on atherosclerosis. In particular, this paper reflects on the viewpoint of atherosclerosis as a protein quality disease.
The Social Context of Educational Evaluation in Latin America

In the mid-1990s, a Deputy Secretary of Education in a country in Latin America convened a meeting of some of the best educational researchers in the country. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss preliminary results of the evaluation of student achievement which had been undertaken as part of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). The performance of students in this country was below that of students in most other participating countries. The Deputy Secretary asked the researchers to comment on how the results might be interpreted by the larger research community and by the public. After listening for the better part of the meeting, he asked all participants to return the draft presenting the results and said that the meeting should not be discussed; in fact, it could be considered as not having taken place. The results would be held in the strictest secrecy. The country informed the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) that it was withdrawing from the study and that no one could use or disseminate the data collected. The Director General of Evaluation was asked to keep the data secure and to prevent dissemination and utilization of the information.
An Integrated Approach to Recognize Potential Protective Effects of Culinary Herbs Against Chronic Diseases

Secondary metabolites in plants have been of interest to humans for their wide variety of functions, including its use as dye, drugs, or perfumes. They are increasingly recognized as potential sources of new natural drugs and antibiotics. More recently, gut-associated microbes have been found to fulfill important functions in human health. However, our knowledge about the impact of secondary metabolites from culinary herbs on gut microbiome is limited. The present study was conducted to access the availability of computational resources relating to secondary metabolites and bioactive compounds in culinary herbs. A graph-based database HerbMicrobeDataBase (HMDB) was developed using Neo4j framework. It integrates knowledge from key biological entities associated in maintaining gut health and provides efficient storage/retrieval and graphical presentation of botanical, biochemical, and pharmacological data for culinary herbs and the human microbiome. We demonstrate the utility of this resource in understanding the molecular mechanism of metabolite production as well as their therapeutic or toxicological effects on gut microbes.
SAT0657 Microwave radiometry-derived thermal changes of sacroiliac joints as a biomarker of sacroiliitis in patients with spondyloarthropathy

Background Microwave Radiometry (MR) is a rapid, easy-to-perform, non-invasive method that detects in-depth tissue temperatures. In a proof-of-concept study we found that an increased knee joint temperature detected by MR reflects the presence of subclinical synovial inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.1 Objectives To test the hypothesis that MR-derived increased temperature of sacroiliac (SI) joints is a biomarker of local inflammation in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) in a cross-sectional study. Methods Sixty patients with SpA (32 with ankylosing spondylitis, 24 with psoriatic arthritis, 4 with enteropathic arthritis) underwent clinical and laboratory assessments, magnetic resonance, X-ray imaging, and MR measurements of SI joints. All MR measurements were performed by a physician who was blinded to the clinical evaluations. Patients were classified as having active sacroiliitis (pain and/or tenderness and/or bone marrow oedema on magnetic resonance, n=23), inactive sacroiliitis (n=19), whereas signs/symptoms of a present/past SI joint involvement were absent in the remaining 18 patients. Twenty five age-matched healthy individuals served as controls. Three MR measurements were performed along each SI joint and a number was calculated for each patient denoting the difference (ΔΤ) in temperature between the warmest point in either SI joint and a control point, which was the iliac bone. Results A lower ΔΤ, indicative of a warmer joint, was found in patients with either active or inactive sacroiliitis compared to patients without sacroiliitis [mean (SD) ΔΤ of 0.1 (0.5) vs. 0.6 (0.5), respectively, p=0.001] or healthy controls [mean (SD) ΔΤ of 0.60 (0.55), p=0.003]. A warmer SI joint was not significantly associated with the presence of local tenderness or pain, the patient visualised analogue pain scale for SI joints, the BASDAI score, the New York radiological grading of SI lesions, or C-reactive protein levels. Notably, all 20 patients with increased SI joint temperature (ΔΤ Conclusions MR-derived increased in-depth temperature indicative of local inflammation of SI joints may serve as an additional diagnostic marker in axial SpA Reference [1] Zampeli EI, et al. “Detection of subclinical synovial inflammation by microwave radiometry,”PLoS ONE2013May;8(5):e64606. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Optimizing Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) in the Packaging Industry Managing for Indefinite Constraints and Forecasting Uncertainty

In a competitive industry like corrugated packaging, companies are constantly looking for opportunities to increase the efficiency of operations while maintaining high standards of customer service. This paper presents a multi-faceted approach to a large player in this industry, incorporating demand trends for different packaging specifications to optimize raw material and tooling dimensions, and rebalance production costs and wastage at the conversion facility. Given the market dynamics, a value-creating solution needs to be able to capture fluctuations in demand including unexpected orders from key customers requiring individual treatment. We propose a process-driven solution incorporating both a supply chain communications methodology and a simulation-based tool that managers can rely on to guide the selection of tooled SKUs to be maintained in the production line. To provide the user with realistic optionality, both assumptions and sensitivities are employed surrounding parameters such as service level, lead time, and cost variances. The resultant suite combines a series of optimization algorithms that are aligned with inventory management best practices and produce an application that is relevant, applicable, and flexible enough for business managers to make decisions on the fly and reach an optimal solution given the restrictions imposed by the operation.
Robust, Informative Human-in-the-Loop Predictions via Empirical Reachable Sets

In order to develop safe autonomous systems, accurate and precise models of human behavior must be developed. For intelligent vehicles, one can imagine the need for predicting driver behavior to develop minimally invasive active safety systems or to safely interact with human drivers on the road. We present an optimization-based method for approximating the stochastic reachable set for human-in-the-loop systems. This method identifies the most precise subset of states that a human driven vehicle may enter, given some data set of observed trajectories. We phrase this problem as a mixed integer linear program, solved via branch and bound methods. The resulting model uncovers the most representative set that encapsulates the likely trajectories, up to some probability threshold, by optimally rejecting outliers in the data set. This tool provides set predictions consisting of trajectories observed from the nonlinear dynamics and behaviors of the human driven car, and can account for modes of behavior, like the driver state or intent. This method is applied to predict lane changing behavior, achieving $\sim$ 90% accuracy over long time horizons. This flexible algorithm is to handle realistic complex human driving data and provide a robust and informative prediction of driver behavior.
Predictors of discharge destination after complex abdominal wall reconstruction

Complex ventral hernia repair is a common operation performed in a diverse population. Post-operatively, patients may have a prolonged length of stay pending facility placement. With increasing in-patient volumes, the authors aim to identify risk factors for non-home discharge to expedite placement applications and decrease length of stay. The ACS-NSQIP database was queried for all ventral hernia repairs with separation of components performed between 2005 and 2016, excluding patients that left against medical advice or expired. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors for discharge to a facility as well as the risk for post-discharge complications following discharge to a facility after univariate analysis to compare demographics, comorbidities, and complications. Independent sample t test was done to compare mean age, body mass index and length of stay. 4549 patients met inclusion criteria. Pre-operative factors significantly associated with non-home discharge on multivariate analysis were female gender, history of diabetes, history of hypertension, older age (60+), presence of pre-operative wound infection/contaminated wound, sepsis, and dependent functional status. Intra-operative factors included ASA classification of 3 or 4 and longer operative time. Our study was able to identify several predictive factors, mostly pre-operative, that increase the likelihood that a patient will require discharge to a facility after complex ventral hernia repair. Identification of these factors can expedite patient discharge disposition resulting in decreased length of stay, less hospital-acquired conditions, and minimized health care costs.
Additive manufacturing of soft and hard magnetic materials used in electrical machines

Soft and hard magnetic materials were fabricated using additive manufacturing (AM) for use in 3D electrical machines. The effect of the characteristics and the nature of the magnetic feedstock powders was evaluated for both the cold spray (CS) and the fused filament fabrication (FFF) processes. 3D finite element analysis (FEA) was used to develop new motor topologies based on the advantages offered by AM. FEA optimization also allowed the identification of the most critical material properties and is thus a powerful tool to facilitate material development.
The Effects of Opioid Use on Thromboembolic Complications, Readmission Rates, and 90-Day Episode of Care Costs After Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to investigate whether opioid use disorder (OUD) patients are at greater odds than non–opioid use disorder (NUD) patients in developing (1) thromboembolic complications; (2) readmission rates; and (3) costs of care. Methods All patients with a 90-day history of OUD before total hip arthroplasty (THA) were identified from a national database. Patients were matched 1:5 to controls by age, gender, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index scores, and high-risk medical comorbidities, yielding 38,821 patients with (n = 6398) and without (n = 31,883) OUD. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to compare the risks of developing venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism) 90 days after the index procedure, 90-day readmission rates, and total global 90-day episode of care costs. Results Patients with a history of OUD were found to be at greater risk for 90-day venous thromboembolisms (2.38 vs. 1.07%; OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.86-2.73, P Conclusion These findings demonstrate that primary THA patients with a history of OUD are at greater risks for thromboembolic complications, readmissions, and higher costs of care in the 90-day postoperative period.
Doping-Dependent Nonlinear Electron Mobility in GaAs|InxGa1 –xAs Coupled Quantum-Well Pseudo-Morphic MODFET Structure

We analyze the asymmetric delta-doping dependence of nonlinear electron mobility μ of GaAs|InxGa1 –xAs double quantum-well pseudo-morphic modulation doped field-effect transistor structure. We solve the Schrodinger and Poisson’s equations self-consistently to obtain the sub-band energy levels and wave functions. We consider scatterings due to the ionized impurities (IMP), alloy disorder (AL), and interface roughness (IR) to calculate μ for a system having double sub-band occupancy, in which the inter-sub-band effects play an important role. Considering the doping concentrations in the barriers towards the substrate and surface sides as Nd1 and Nd2, respectively, we show that variation of Nd1 leads to a dip in μ near Nd1 = Nd2, at which the resonance of the sub-band states occurs. A similar dip in μ as a function of Nd1 is also obtained at Nd1 = Nd2 by keeping (Nd1 + Nd2) unchanged. By increasing the central barrier width and well width, the dip in μ becomes sharp. We note that even though the overall μ is governed by the IMP- and AL-scatterings, the dip in μ is mostly affected through substantial variation of the sub-band mobilities due to IR-scattering near the resonance. Our results of nonlinear electron mobility near the resonance of sub-band states can be utilized for the performance analysis of GaAs|InGaAs pseudo-morphic quantum-well field-effect transistors.
A Cognitive-Behavioral Family-Based Protocol for the Primary Presentations of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Case Examples and Clinical Research Findings

Abstract Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a feeding and eating disorder with evidence for distinct but overlapping presentations characterized by avoidance of eating or narrow dietary range related to poor appetite, selective eating, or fear of aversive consequences of eating. The current paper describes a flexible, cognitive-behavioral, family-oriented treatment approach that has been applied to each of these ARFID presentations within a larger partial hospitalization program (PHP) for eating disorders. We provide composite case examples for the presentations and retrospective outcome data on a sample of 81 patients treated with the protocol. Overall, patients with ARFID exhibited significant increases in body weight and the number of foods accepted, and significant decreases on measures assessing food fears, oral control behavior, anxiety, and depression. At baseline, patients with co-occurring poor appetite and selective eating exhibited significantly lower body weight than those with fear of aversive consequences, while the latter group of patients were eating significantly fewer foods and feared a larger number of foods according to parent report. Patients with the fear of aversive consequences presentation also experienced greater increases in the number of foods they were willing to eat and greater decreases in the number of foods they feared over the course of treatment relative to the other two groups. Our findings provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of our family-centered, cognitive-behavioral PHP for children and adolescents with ARFID. Future studies with more sophisticated methods, including randomized controlled designs and ARFID-specific measures, are recommended to help establish evidence-based psychosocial interventions for this clinical population.
'Doc, will I ever eat steak again?': diagnosis and management of alpha-gal syndrome.

Purpose of review Alpha-gal syndrome encompasses a constellation of symptoms associated with immune-mediated hypersensitivity responses to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal). The purpose of this review is to discuss our current understanding of the etiology, clinical symptoms, natural history, epidemiology, and management of alpha-gal syndrome. Recent findings Sensitization to alpha-gal is associated with bites from ectoparasites like the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum. Allergic reactions in alpha-gal syndrome are often delayed and inconsistent. The magnitude of the allergic response depends on co-factors like exercise and alcohol consumption and the amount of alpha-gal and fat present in the food. Assaying alpha-gal-specific IgE in the serum is the primary diagnostic test used to confirm the allergy. Long-term management of the condition involves avoidance of both mammalian food products and tick bites. Summary Alpha-gal syndrome disrupts the current paradigm for understanding food allergy. Exposure to an ectoparasite is critical for the development of specific IgE antibodies underlying sensitization, and allergic reactions depend on the activation of mast cells and basophils sensitized with IgE against a carbohydrate rather than a protein. Research in this field may lead to the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic tools that can revolutionize the management of patients with alpha-gal syndrome.
The negative impact of barriers to entry on income inequality

Barriers to entry such as fees, licensing, or educational requirements make it more difficult to start businesses. Problematically, many barriers to entry are due to regulatory capture and serve only to benefit incumbent firms. These regulations, which are created by government, often make it exceedingly difficult for low‐income individuals to start new businesses, denying individuals access to higher‐paying occupations. I estimate two models and find that barriers to entry increase income inequality. A one‐point decrease in the World Bank's ease of starting a business score equates to a 0.15–1.25‐point increase in the Gini coefficient.
Abstract P271: Influenza and Herpes Zoster Vaccination in United States Stroke Survivors: A Nationwide Analysis

Introduction: Patients with stroke face an increased risk of contracting influenza and herpes zoster. We compared vaccination rates in stroke survivors versus the general United States population. ...
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass: Still the Gold Standard?

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has been considered the gold standard bariatric procedure for decades. The surgical technique for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and perioperative management for patients who undergo the procedure are still being improved for better clinical outcomes, shorter hospitalization, and faster return to normal activity. In the past 15 years there have been similar improvements and further development of novel surgical weight loss procedures. As data on other surgical alternatives emerge, the data need to be compared with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to determine noninferiority. Further long-term investigations are needed to determine superiority of one bariatric procedure over another.
Brain Malformation and Hydrocephalus

There are several types of brain anomalies. It is an important issue with respect to auditory function whether children with brain anomaly but with a preserved brainstem and thalamus are able to hear. If they can hear certain sounds how can this pathophysiology be understood?
The impact of medical student research as a discussion topic during the residency interview process.

BACKGROUND Students with a greater number of research experiences are more successful in the National Residency Match Program (NRMP.) As a result, approximately two-thirds of allopathic medical schools have implemented a scholarly research project (SP) as a part of their curriculum. While inclusion of an SP in the medical school curriculum increases research productivity, literature to date has not investigated the frequency with which it is a discussion topic during residency interviews. METHODS One hundred twenty-three students from the graduating class of 2019 and 2020 at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix (UACOMP) completed a 17-question survey examining the student's SP and whether they completed additional research, with an overall response rate of 82.6%. Survey participants were asked to quantify how many residency interviewers asked about their SP or additional research during the interview process. RESULTS Twenty-seven percent of interviewers asked students about their SP and 41% of interviewers asked students about additional non-SP research. 40% of interviewers asked about research overall to include SP and/or non-SP research. A greater percentage of interviewers (50%) asked students about their SP if they had undertaken additional research compared to interviewers of students who did not undertake additional research (29%, p = 0.0237). A greater percentage of interviewers at academic institutions (31%) asked students about their SP, compared with a smaller percentage of interviewers at predominantly non-academic programs (22%, p = 0.0054). There were no significant differences in the proportion of interviewers asking about the SP based on the type of specialty, competitiveness of specialty, relatedness project topic to specialty, and publication/presentation status of project. CONCLUSION Student research experiences may serve as a frequent discussion topic during the residency interview. Approximately one-quarter of interviewers ask about the SP regardless of specialty, research topic, and publication/presentation status of the project. Students with additional research experiences beyond their SP may experience a higher percentage of interviewers asking about their SP. Also, students applying to predominantly academic programs may experience a higher proportion of interview questions about research compared to peers interviewing at non-academic programs.
Self-assembly of stimuli-responsive coiled-coil fibrous hydrogels

Owing to their tunable properties, hydrogels comprised of stimuli-sensitive polymers are one of the most appealing scaffolds with applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery and other biomedical fields. We previously reported a thermoresponsive hydrogel formed using a coiled-coil protein, Q. Here, we expand our studies to identify the gelation of Q protein at distinct pH conditions, creating a protein hydrogel system that is sensitive to temperature and pH. Through secondary structure analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and rheology, we observed that Q self-assembles and forms fiber-based hydrogels exhibiting upper critical solution temperature behavior with increased elastic properties at pH 7.4 and pH 10. At pH 6, however, Q forms polydisperse nanoparticles, which do not further self-assemble and undergo gelation. The high net positive charge of Q at pH 6 creates significant electrostatic repulsion, preventing its gelation. This study will potentially guide the development of novel scaffolds and functional biomaterials that are sensitive towards biologically relevant stimuli.
Intentionality and the Myths of the Given: Between Pragmatism and Phenomenology

Introduction: Why a New Account of Intentionality? 1 Intentionality and the Problem of Transcendental Friction 2 The Epistemic Given and the Semantic Given in C I Lewis 3 Discursive Intentionality and 'Nonconceptual Content' in Sellars 4 The Retreat from Nonconceptualism: Discourse and Experience in Brandom and McDowell 5 Somatic Intentionality and Habitual Normativity in Merleau-Ponty's Account of Lived Embodiment 6 The Possibilities and Problems of Bifurcated Intentionality Conclusion Appendix: Is Phenomenology Committed to the Myth of the Given?
Effects of thermal annealing on GaInNAs QDs grown on GaAs [001]

The effects of thermal annealing on optical properties of GaInNAs QDs were studied. QD samples were grown on GaAS [001] substrates by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy (GSMBE) equipped with a rf plasma nitrogen source. The PL spectra of GaInNAs QDs with RTA treatment at 600, 700, and 800 /spl deg/c annealing for 10s.
Structural damage in gamma-irradiated lysozyme.

Abstract The distribution of the different kinetic classes of exchangeable hydrogens have been measured for γ-irradiated lysozyme (mucopeptide N -acetylmuramylhydrolase, EC 3.4.1.17). Class I hydrogen, associated with fully exposed structures, did not show significant alterations as a function of radiation dose. Class II hydrogen, associated with relatively unhindered peptide groups, showed an increase which is function of radiation doses. Class III and IV hydrogen presented an almost equal rate of decrease that is exponentially related to the dose. The decrease of Class III and IV hydrogens seems to indicate a disruption of structures such as α-helical and β-structures, and destruction of hydrophobic regions which maintain the tertiary structure of the protein. Difference-spectra studies corroborate these results, presenting the more damaged fractions a higher degree of tryptophan exposure as compared to native lysozyme. Spectroscopic studies in presence of guanidine hydrochloride have revealed new chromophore(s) group which seems to be originated from tryptophan. The relationship between the damage of hydrophobic groups and structural damage is discussed.
Ultratrace Speciation and Biogenesis of Methyltin Transport Species in Estuarine Waters

Environmental tin, widely dispersed at low concentrations in waters, sediments, and biota, is shown to be a bioactive element susceptible to methylation and even hydridization by marine bacteria. The redox cycle of tin in natural waters is poorly understood and recent advances in tin-specific molecular characterization fail to speciate Sn(II) and Sn(IV) reliably. Nonetheless, such rapid developments in speciation methodology now permit growing numbers of studies of organotin distributions in aquatic systems, raising the question of the “natural” biogeochemical flux of methylstannanes in relation to increased anthropogenic organo-tin influx from industry and shipping. New methods for direct speciation of aquated or involatile organotins by liquid chromatography are compared with advances in purge-and-trap sampling of volatile or hydrophobic organotins speciated by gas chromatography. The work in our laboratory indicates that effective models for estuarine formation and transport may ultimately be developed, but that basic roadblocks to progress stem from inadequate descriptive aqueous organometallic chemistry and knowledge of critical kinetic parameters for the lifetimes of key organotin species in sea water, occurring at sub-nanomolar concentrations.
Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases constitute an important class of health conditions that are not directly transmitted from one person to another and commonly involve hereditary predispositions, environmental exposures, lifestyle factors, gender, aging, birth defects, and malnutrition (including deficiencies and overeating). Also of importance are socioeconomic status and the social conditions that impact the behavior aspects of many diseases. “Non-communicable disease” and “chronic disease” are not synonymous terms because some infectious disease can become chronic (e.g., HIV infection). Among the most impactful non-communicable diseases are cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, asthma, chronic kidney disease, arthritis, allergies, cataracts, osteoporosis, and mental illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease. Four of these – cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes – are the primary causes of death from non-communicable disease globally. Keywords: asthma; cancer; chronic disease; diabetes; heart disease
Experimental comparison of a novel, simple, neural network controller and linear model based controllers

This paper demonstrates a novel approach for process control that uses neural networks to model the steady-state inverse of an electrically heated feed preheater. It is compared to conventional proportional-integral internal model and model predictive controllers.
Hypomorphic bimA(APC3) alleles cause errors in chromosome metabolism that activate the DNA damage checkpoint blocking cytokinesis in Aspergillus nidulans.

The Aspergillus nidulans sepI + gene has been implicated in the coordination of septation with nuclear division and cell growth. We find that the temperature-sensitive (ts) sepI1 mutation represents a novel allele of bimA APC3 , which encodes a conserved component of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C). We have characterized the septation, nuclear division, cell-cycle checkpoint defects, and DNA sequence alterations of sepI1 (renamed bimA10 ) and two other ts lethal bimA APC3 alleles, bimA1 and bimA9. Our observations that bimA9 and bimA10 strains had morphologically abnormal nuclei, chromosome segregation defects, synthetic phenotypes with mutations in the DNA damage checkpoint genes uvsB MEC1/rad3 or uvsD + , and enhanced sensitivity to hydroxyurea strongly suggest that these strains accumulate errors in DNA metabolism. We found that the aseptate phenotype of bimA9 and bimA10 strains was substantially relieved by mutations in uvsB MEC1/rad3 or uvsD + , suggesting that the presence of a functional DNA damage checkpoint inhibits septation in these bimA APC3 strains. Our results demonstrate that mutations in bimA APC3 lead to errors in DNA metabolism that indirectly block septation.
Congenital heterotopic gastrointestinal cyst of the oral cavity in a neonate: case report and review of literature.

Abstract Heterotopic gastrointestinal cysts of the oral cavity are rare benign lesions which may mimic both benign and malignant neoplasms. These cysts are usually discovered during infancy, but may not appear until well into adulthood. This lesion involves the tongue and floor of the mouth in 97% of cases and has a male predilection. The cyst may range in size from less than 1 cm to 9 cm, with most lesions being 1–3 cm in size. About 30% of affected individuals have symptoms related to difficulties with feeding, swallowing and respiration. The epithelial lining is quite variable, but all cysts have an enteric lining. The histogenesis is related to entrapment of undifferentiated, noncommitted endoderm within the oral cavity during the 3rd–4th week of fetal life. The purpose of this paper is to report a congenital heterotopic gastrointestinal cyst of the oral cavity presenting in a neonate. The clinical and histopathologic features of this cyst are reviewed, as well as the histogenesis of this lesion.
Shape recognition from multiple joint comparative normalized measures

Object shape in an image can vary for many reasons. Therefore, a goal of object recognition research is to create algorithms that are able to accurately recognize objects with variability in shape. This paper suggests recognizing shape through an assessment of different measures. There are two primary approaches to measuring shape variations for recognition: measure, compare, and match; and compare, measure, and match. In the first approach, attributes of the object shape are measured and compared with the same measured attributes of the template shape. This paper focuses on the second approach, which first compares the object and template jointly and then creates a normalized measure for matching. This approach is called multiple joint comparative normalized measures (MJCNM). Confidence in the match is shown to be better against certain shape variabilities on using MJCNM than on using just one shape measure. In particular, the MJCNM approach here uses matched-filter, Procrustes, partial-directed Hausdorff, and percent-pixels-same measures. An experimental result is given that demonstrates the implementation and usefulness of that approach.
Variation in nuclear DNA concentrations during urination

: This study examined the cellular origin and concentration of nuclear DNA in human urine. Ten subjects provided two entire, first-morning voids: one as a single specimen and one as a consecutive series of samples. The serial samples were centrifuged, organically extracted, and quantified by slot-blot analysis. Total DNA concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 21.3 ng/mL for the males and 25.0 to 96.9 ng/mL for the females. The female samples were found to contain numerous vaginal epithelial cells. DNA was detected in all of the serial samples of nine subjects; however, the DNA concentrations varied considerably. With six subjects, the DNA concentration of the first serial sample was at least three times greater than that of the entire void. DNA was only detected in the first 21% of the void from one male subject. The results of this study have implications for the collection of urine samples.
Approximating expected warranty costs

In this paper, we survey a portion of the literature in the analysis of warranty costs. In order to compare the price of different warranty policies, we review a framework which leads to expressing the expected costs in terms of complex functions arising in renewal theory. These functions and several approximations are discussed. In particular, a straight line approximation performs well.
The vascular mechanism of action of betahistine in the inner ear of the guinea pig

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism and site of action of betahistine dihydrochloride in the inner ear of the guinea pig. Betahistine-evoked increases in cochlear blood flow (CBF) have been presumed to be due to the drug effect on the later wall capillary bed or larger feeding vessels in the cochlea vascular system. As such, the mechanism of action could be due to inhibition of H3 receptors. Betahistine may also have a direct effect on postsynaptic H1/H2 receptors and/or an effect modulated by other autonomic receptors. Betahistine-evoked CBF responses were assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry in the presence of an H3 agonist (αN-methylhistamine dihydrochloride), an H3 antagonist (thioperamide), an H2 antagonist (cimetidine) or an α2 antagonist (idazoxan). The effects of betahistine on circulation in the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) and ipsilateral stria vascularis (SV) were assessed using intravital microscopy (IVM). Findings showed that betahistine increased CBF and reduced systemic blood pressure (BP). In contrast, αN-methylhistamine dihydrochloride had no effect on baseline CBF or BP and did not influence betahistine-induced increases in CBF. Thioperamide reversed the effects of betahistine on CBF, but had no effect on baseline CBF or BP. Cimetidine had no marked effect on baseline CBF or betahistine-induced increases in CBF Idazoxan had no consistent effects on baseline CBF, but abolished the effect of betahistine on CBF. The mean increase of red blood cell velocity in SV capillaries was 15% and occurred without a demonstrable change in capillary diameters. In contrast, the diameter of the AICA increased by 17–20%, indicating that betahistine-evoked increases in CBF resulted primarily from vasodilatation of the AICA. We suggest that this effect may be mediated via presynaptic H3 heteroreceptors and autonomic α2 receptors.
Enhanced rectal absorption of theophylline, lidocaine, cefmetazole, and levodopa by several adjuvants

Ten potential adjuvants for rectal absorption which are structurally similar to salicylate have been examined using an in situ perfusion of the rat rectum technique as well as an in vivo absorption method from microenemas. All of the adjuvants studied readily disappeared from the perfusate at pH 4.5; however, several were not absorbed well at pH 7.4. Only those that were lost rapidly from the perfusate at pH 7.4 were effective in enhancing the disappearance of the drugs (theophylline, lidocaine, cefmetazole, and levodopa) at either a pH of 4.5 or 7.4. The compounds that were effective in promoting the disappearance of drugs from the rectal perfusate all had hydroxy and carboxy groups. Those substances lacking a hydroxy group were not effective. The binding of these potential adjuvants and salicylates to rat rectum tissue was studied by equilibrium dialysis. Those adjuvants with relatively high binding to rat rectal tissue were better absorbed themselves and promoted the disappearance of drugs more than those substances exhibiting little binding. Thus, adjuvant binding to some feature of the rectal membrane appears to be important in the enhanced absorption of drugs from the rectum under the conditions of this study.
Incorporating stakeholder input into transport project selection – A step towards urban prosperity in developing countries?

Abstract In 2013, UN-Habitat released the State of The World's Cities 2012/2013 report introducing the City Prosperity Index (CPI) as a measure to guide urban decision makers. The report asserts that urban prosperity is one of the key human development issues facing the world. Transport is a basic component of urban infrastructure and is essential to urban prosperity. Urban transport system users in a given area comprise people with diverse background and socioeconomic characteristics including different ages, genders, income ranges, employment status, and experiential knowledge. Effective involvement of diverse urban populations is a necessary prerequisite to sustainable urban transport planning. This paper describes the development of a proposed framework, the Localized Sustainability Score (LSS), for screening urban transport projects based. Specifically, the framework assesses the relative importance of various locally applicable sustainability criteria and maps the ability of candidate urban transport projects to positively impact them. The development of the LSS is described via a case study in Accra, Ghana. Ultimately, the proposed LSS is seen as a useful means of relating transport infrastructure to various sustainability/urban prosperity measures. More specifically, the LSS framework can used to rank and priorities urban transport projects as part of a stakeholder-driven decision-making process. Development and application of the LSS framework does not require extensive collection of quantitative data; it is particularly suited to relating qualitative information (such as that contained in urban prosperity measurements) to the capabilities of urban transport projects to impact them. Continued development and application of the LSS can be used to develop richer understandings of various indices and how they reflect the lives of different demographic groups that make up an urban population. It is hoped that exploratory efforts like the development of the LSS and large-scale programs such as the CPI development by UN-Habitat will continue to draw attention to the need (and indeed capacity) to comprehensively approach urban development issues with a view to increasing urban prosperity.
Undergraduate Teaching of Management in Agricultural Economics Department: Discussion

The nineties have been a time of major change for agricultural economics departments, with budget pressures and cuts, downsizing and consolidation of programs, increasing accountability, and a greater relative emphasis upon teaching. Departments have been increasingly called upon to demonstrate their relative worth to the overall mission of colleges of agriculture. Consequently, the undergraduate teaching of management is a timely and worthy topic for the association annual meeting.
Group Development in the Natural Environment Expectations, Outcomes, and Techniques

Implicit in many programs featuring a human-natural environment interaction has been the belief that group development is a desirable outcome. This study investigated the effectiveness of one natur...