cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The distribution of manganese in the Pacific Ocean

Abstract This report presents the vertical distributions of “total dissolvable manganese” at 13 stations in the Pacific. Manganese concentrations vary with depth in a unique way. There is commonly a maximum concentration at the surface and a minimum at the top of the thermocline. At stations where the oxygen in the oxygen minimum falls below 100 μmol/kg, there is a manganese maximum in the oxygen minimum. At stations where the oxygen minimum is so intense that nitrate reduction occurs, especially high manganese concentrations are observed in the zone of nitrate reduction. This maximum in the O 2 minimum is believed to originate either as reduction of Mn oxides in nearshore sediments and subsequent advection or by seawater equilibrium with a metastable oxide similar to hausmannite (Mn 3 O 4 ). Surface water values range from about 3 to about 0.3 nmol/kg. The surface concentrations show a general correlation with 210 Pb, suggesting that the major source of manganese to the surface waters of the Pacific is desorption from atmospheric particulates. The residence time of Mn in surface waters is 5 to 25 years.
Extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma: Diagnosis and management

Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas (EAPs) may arise in any portion of the paraganglion system, though they most commonly occur below the diaphragm, frequently in the organ of Zuckerkandl. EAPs probably represent at least 15% of adult and 30% of childhood pheochromocytomas, as opposed to the traditional teaching that 10% of all pheochromocytomas are at extra-adrenal sites. They may be malignant in up to 40% of the cases, though conflicting data add to the uncertainty of this point. Patients with EAPs may present with headache, palpitations, sweating, or hypertension. A small percent of patients may also be asymptomatic at presentation due to nonfunctional tumors. The diagnosis is confirmed by demonstrating elevated blood and urine levels of catecholamines and their metabolites. Imaging studies to evaluate for EAPs include CT, MRI, and (131)I-labelled metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy. Preoperative pharmacologic preparation, attentive intraoperative monitoring, and aggressive surgical therapy have important roles in achieving successful outcomes. Recent reports suggest that a laparoscopic approach, along with intraoperative ultrasound, can safely remove these tumors. EAPs recur and metastasize more often than their adrenal counterparts, making lifelong follow-up essential.
Multifunctional Optical In Situ Monitoring of Semiconductor Film Growth

We have modified a normal-incidence optical reflectance spectroscopy system to allow rapid switching between the measurement of sample reflectance and sample emission. The resulting optical system is capable of “smart” pyrometry, in which sample emissivity is measured rather than assumed. The emissivity measurement makes use of the principle of detailed balance, which states that for specular, opaque samples, the sum of the emissivity and reflectance at each wavelength is equal to 1. We present data based on multilayer III-V semiconductor structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy, but the optical system would function equally well in any growth or deposition system with optical access to the substrate. The “smart” pyrometry temperatures we measure typically differs from conventional pyrometry by 5 to 10°C, and occasionally as much as 20°C, for multilayer structures of AIGaAs and GaAs. We present details of the optical components and arrangement that minimize the effect of sample wobble and allow the system operator regular visual access to the sample. Calibration techniques for the combined system are also discussed.
Clusters of stimuli based on subjective ratio scale information

Abstract Conceptual stimuli were grouped according to a unidimensional subjective-similarity model. A modified correlational cluster analysis procedure was used to group stimuli. The developed stimulus clusters, in two separate investigations, appeared to be psychologically meaningful. A suggestion was made that, in particular situations, the scale value of the cluster of stimuli, to which a stimulus belongs, should be regarded as a more reliable estimate of the stimulus scale value than the individual scale value of the stimulus itself.
Emotional Indicators on the Bender-Gestalt and the Devereux Child Behavior Rating Scale.

A heterogeneous group of elementary school children referred for psychoeducational diagnosis were rated on the Devereux Child Behavior Rating Scale and the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test, scoring for Koppitz Emotional Indicators. Projective implications of the EIs were not supported by the DCB factors; however, five DCB factors correlated significantly with total number of EIs. This finding suggests that cerain DCB factors may be more predictive of emotional problems than others in the scale.
Annual modulation of the galactic binary confusion noise background and LISA data analysis

We study the anisotropies of the galactic confusion noise background and its effects on LISA data analysis. LISA has two data streams of gravitational wave signals relevant for the low frequency regime. Because of the anisotropies of the background, the matrix for their confusion noises has off-diagonal components and depends strongly on the orientation of the detector plane. We find that the sky-averaged confusion noise level $\sqrt{S(f)}$ could change by a factor of 2 in 3 months and would be minimum when the orbital position of LISA is around either the spring or autumn equinox.
Augmentation therapy reduces frequency of lung infections in antitrypsin deficiency: a new hypothesis with supporting data.

Study objectives To propose an hypothesis thatantiprotease augmentation therapy reduces the incidence of lunginfections in α 1 -antitrypsin (AAT)-deficient patients,and to present supporting data. Design Theproposed concept is based on a survey taken via the Internet ofpatients receiving augmentation therapy for 1 to 10 years compared tosimilar patients not receiving such therapy. Setting A questionnaire was submitted to patients with a ZZ phenotype for AATdeficiency to determine whether those receiving antitrypsinaugmentation therapy were aware of any personal benefit, and whetherthe therapy had an effect on the frequency of lung infections. Patients Ninety-six adult patients receiving humanα 1 -proteinase inhibitor (α 1 -PI) responded,as did 47 similar patients not receiving augmentation therapy. Results Seventy-four of 89 patients who had receivedα 1 -PI infusions for > 1 year believed that they haddefinitely benefited from such therapy. Fifty-six of the 74 patientsclaiming a benefit attributed this to a reduction in the number of lunginfections since starting therapy with α 1 -PI infusions.Before starting α 1 -PI, the majority of patients had threeto five infections per year, dropping to zero to one infection per yearduring α 1 -PI therapy (p Conclusions Replacement therapy for AATdeficiency-associated emphysema appears to be associated with a markedreduction in the frequency and severity of lung infections. Thisassociation must be evaluated further in future, more rigid,prospective studies of AAT augmentation therapy. Findings support thehypothesis that antiprotease therapy with α 1 -PI reducesthe incidence of lung infections in addition to slowing thedeterioration of lung function and causing a reduction inmortality.
Tracking the polio virus down the Congo River: a case study on the use of Google Earth™ in public health planning and mapping

The use of GIS in public health is growing, a consequence of a rapidly evolving technology and increasing accessibility to a wider audience. Google Earth™ (GE) is becoming an important mapping infrastructure for public health. However, generating traditional public health maps for GE is still beyond the reach of most public health professionals. In this paper, we explain, through the example of polio eradication activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, how we used GE Earth as a planning tool and we share the methods used to generate public health maps. The use of GE improved field operations and resulted in better dispatch of vaccination teams and allocation of resources. It also allowed the creation of maps of high quality for advocacy, training and to help understand the spatiotemporal relationship between all the entities involved in the polio outbreak and response. GE has the potential of making mapping available to a new set of public health users in developing countries. High quality and free satellite imagery, rich features including Keyhole Markup Language or image overlay provide a flexible but yet powerful platform that set it apart from traditional GIS tools and this power is still to be fully harnessed by public health professionals.
Spherical Aberration Correction in Aplanatic Solid Immersion Imaging with Adaptive Optics

We have developed a wavefront precompensation technique in aplanatic SIL imaging to increase the tolerance of substrate thickness for IC inspection. Spherical aberrations due to the thickness error are corrected using a MEMS deformable mirror.
Some aspects of sodium efflux from single barnacle muscle fibres

This mini-review attempts to summarize information about the efflux of 22Na from single barnacle muscle fibres, based on the use of the microinjection technique. The view is put forward that the Na efflux consists of three components: an ouabain-sensitive component, an ouabain-insensitive component (representing secondary active transport), and an Na-Na exchange diffusion component. Evidence is brought forward which supports the view that the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux is divisible operationally into 3 phases: (i) the cyclic nucleotide-sensitive phase, (ii) the Cai-sensitive phase, and (iii) the pHe-sensitive phase. It is shown how the barnacle muscle fibre preparation has yielded information about the validity of the cAMP-protein kinase hypothesis and how it can be used to shed some light on the post-translational mechanism of aldosterone action.
Ovarian regulation of the corpus allatum in the housefly, Musca domestica

Abstract Corpus allatum area in the housefly, Musca domestica L., decreased before vitellogenesis occurred in the ovaries and then increased in area by stage 5 or 6 of ovarian development. Both ovariectomy and oviposition resulted in a drop in corpus allatum area. It was concluded that a small corpus allatum released juvenile hormone, whereas a large gland stored hormone. Injection of extract containing oostatic hormone into ovariectomized flies increased the area of the corpus allatum; 26 μg of extract maintained a large corpus allatum for 32 hr. A humorally mediated inhibitory feedback mechanism exists between the ovaries and the corpus allatum.
Intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy for previously irradiated advanced head and neck malignancies

Abstract Purpose: This is a retrospective review to evaluate the role of surgery and intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy (IOERT) in the treatment of patients with previously irradiated advanced head and neck cancers. Methods and Materials: Between January 1992 and March 1997, 38 patients (31 males, 7 females; median age of 62 years) with recurrent head and neck cancer were treated with maximal resection and IOERT at the Ohio State University (OSU). All had been previously treated with full-course radiotherapy (median 65.1 Gy, range 50–74.4 Gy). Twenty-nine patients (76%) had previously undergone one or more surgical procedures. After maximal surgery the tumor bed was treated with IOERT (single field in 36 patients and 2 fields in 2 patients), most commonly with 6 MeV electrons (87%). The dose administered (at 90% isodose line) was 15 Gy for close or microscopically positive margins in 34 patients and 20 Gy for gross disease in 1 patient. Further external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) was not given. Results: After a median follow-up of 30 months (range 8–39 months), 24 of the 38 patients (66%) recurred within the IOERT field. Median time to IOERT failure was 6 months (95% CI: 4.3–7.7). The 6-month, 1-, and 2-year control rates within the IOERT volume were 41%, 19%, and 13 %, respectively. Thirty of the 38 patients (79%) recurred in locoregional areas. Median time to locoregional failure was 4 months (95% CI: 3.3–4.7). The 6-month, 1-, and 2-year locoregional control rates were 33%, 11%, and 4%, respectively. Distant metastases ocurred in 7 patients, 5 in association with IOERT failure and 2 with locoregional failure. Median overall survival was 7 months (95% CI: 4.7–9.3). The 6-month, 1-, 2-, and 3-year actuarial survival rates were 51%, 21%, 21%, and 8%, respectively. Major treatment-related complications occurred in 6 patients (16%). Conclusion: IOERT alone, at the dose used, is not sufficient for control of recurrent, previously irradiated head and neck cancers. Since higher IOERT doses are associated with high morbidity, we are currently evaluating the addition of limited EBRT dose and/or brachytherapy to improve the local control of these poor prognostic recurrent tumors, with acceptable morbidity.
A note on mean orientation

The procedure of calculating the mean orientation considered by Humbert et al. [J. Appl. Cryst. (1996), 29, 662–666] is reformulated in terms of quaternions of unit magnitude. The problem is reduced to the calculation of an eigenvector of a certain symmetric 4 × 4 matrix.
A quantitative description of the interspecies diversity of belowground structure in savanna woody plants

The relative importance of resource competition and disturbance in limiting woody cover is one of the most basic questions in savanna ecology. Modeling approaches that seek to address this question are limited in their ability to accurately represent resource competition, which occurs belowground, by the limited detail of existing data on root system structure. Using compressed air, we excavated individual trees and shrubs and mapped their coarse roots on a three-dimensional grid system up to 1.5 m depth. We excavated four woody savanna species at three sites spanning a climate gradient on the Kalahari Transect in southern Africa and determined functions to describe the distribution of root biomass within the root systems. Overall, most of the variation in both large-scale and small-scale characteristics of root system structure was related to species. The species excavated fell into two groups that coexisted across the climate gradient. Acacia mellifera and Terminalia sericea had straight roots in a laterally extensive system that was shallow relative to the aggregate root profile for woody plants at the sites. Boscia albitrunca and Ochna pulchra had sinuous roots that were mostly concentrated beneath the canopy and were more prevalent in deep than near-surface soil layers, departing from the conventional model of decreasing root abundance with depth. Based on our results, we suggest a reframing of the theoretical characterization of the root zone used in modeling approaches to consider diversity within the woody plant community.
Pilot study of college student laptop usage for energy efficiency

The energy consumption of consumer electronics has skyrocketed. According to IEA (International Energy Agency), it will triple over the next two decades, reaching a level equivalent to the present total home electricity consumption of the U.S. and Japan combined. Therefore, improving the energy efficiency of these devices has become critical. Our project, called ugreen, seeks to motivate power consumption awareness and behavioral change among laptop computer users via human-computer interaction (HCI) feedback mechanisms with college students as the initial target group. We have chosen college students because they are avid laptop users with 87.7% of them reporting laptop ownership [1], and user behaviors play an important role in the total laptop system power consumption [2].
A non‐radioactive and two radioactive assays for selenophosphate synthetase activity

Selenophosphate synthetase catalyzes the formation of monoselenophosphate (SePO3(3-)) from ATP and selenide (reaction 1). [formula: see text] In one assay frequently used, [8-14C]AMP formation from [8-14C]ATP is estimated after separation of the nucleotides by thinlayer chromatography. An alternative non-radioactive assay in which the AMP product is estimated using AMP deaminase is described. The highly oxygen-labile selenophosphate product can be estimated in an assay employing [gamma-32P]ATP. The 32P-labeled selenophosphate is converted to [32P]orthophosphate by treatment with iodine and estimated after removal of residual [32P]ATP on charcoal.
The Psychology and Management of Pain Gate Control as Theory and Symbol

The theory and treatment of pain have undergone major changes since 1950. Significant has been the gate control theory of pain, first described in 1965. This theory symbolizes a new epistemology and praxis of pain by redefining pain as a process. The redefinition legitimated new treatment possibilities for pain, making all of a patient's existence fair game for professional management. Social uses of the new psychology of pain are examined, in the context of a critique of the object of medical knowledge and power, the patient as a `person'. In the name of overcoming Cartesian dualism (which today carries a negative value), the new theory and treatment possibilities (which are holistic, therefore `better') promote a greater technical management of human suffering.
Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting using Single Crystal Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O 3-xPbTiO3 (PMN-PT) Device

We present the analytical and experimental studies of a piezoelectric energy harvesting device that can be used as a standalone energy source for powering microsensors and electronics. Single cryst...
Phase I and Pharmacokinetic Study of Pemetrexed with High-Dose Folic Acid Supplementation or Multivitamin Supplementation in Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Cancer

Purpose: This phase I study evaluated the effect of folate supplementation on the toxicity, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of pemetrexed in patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer. It also examined two different types of vitamin supplementation and whether the extent of prior myelosuppressive therapy affected pemetrexed tolerability. Patients and Methods: Patients received a 10-min infusion of 600 to 14,00 mg/m 2 pemetrexed every 3 weeks. Patients were stratified into cohorts by pretreatment status [lightly pretreated (LPT) or heavily pretreated (HPT)] and were supplemented with intermittent high-dose folic acid (HDFA) or with continuous daily multivitamins (MVI) containing nutritional doses of folic acid. Pemetrexed plasma pharmacokinetics were evaluated for cycle 1. Results: Sixty-two HDFA patients (28 HPT and 34 LPT) were treated with 204 cycles of pemetrexed, and 43 MVI patients (20 HPT and 23 LPT) were treated with 182 cycles. Hematologic dose-limiting toxicities included grade 4 neutropenia (5 of 105 patients), grade 4 thrombocytopenia (4 of 105 patients), and febrile neutropenia (3 of 105 patients). Nonhematologic toxicities included fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Pemetrexed doses of 800 and 1,050 mg/m 2 were well tolerated when administered with vitamin supplementation to HPT and LPT patients, respectively. There were no clinically relevant differences in toxicities or pemetrexed pharmacokinetics for LPT versus HPT patients or for patients receiving HDFA versus daily MVI supplementation. Conclusions: The pemetrexed doses tolerated in this study with vitamin supplementation were significantly higher than those tolerated in earlier studies without supplementation, and toxicities were independent of the type of vitamin supplementation or prior myelosuppressive treatment. The recommended dose of pemetrexed is 1,050 mg/m 2 in LPT patients and 800 mg/m 2 in HPT patients, irrespective of the type of vitamin supplementation.
Parameter optimization for sensorless position and speed control of permanent magnet motor at low speed using genetic algorithm

The optimization of injected high frequency voltage signal is complicated for position and speed sensorless control of permanent magnet machine at low speed. This is due to presence of non linearities and uncertainties in the sensorless control system. In this paper, we propose an optimization method based on genetic algorithm that can optimize the two parameters associated with high frequency voltage signal; namely injected frequency and injected voltage. A highly accurate finite element based phase variable model is utilized for the machine model. The results verify that dynamic and steady state characteristics of position and speed estimation can be improved using optimization method based on genetic algorithm.
Na9K16Tl~25: A New Phase Containing Naked Icosahedral Cluster Fragments Tl99−

The phase Na9K16Tl25.25(2) was synthesized by fusion of the elements in sealed Ta containers followed by quenching and annealing at 250°C. The structure established by single crystal X-ray diffraction means (P63/m, Z = 2, a = 19.376(3) A, c = 11.480(2) A) features Tl9 9− clusters. These are well separated by cations that bridge between, faces, edges, and vertices of the clusters; sodium appears to be essential in this role. This is the third compound known to contain Tl9 clusters, but here two of nine sites are partially occupied, which can be interpreted as a 70:30 mixture of Tl9 and Tl7 units in the same cavity. This Tl9 example also displays lower symmetry (C s ) but requires the same 2n skeletal electrons. EHTB electronic structure calculations indicate that the Fermi level intersects a finite densities-of-states (DOS), and only some bonds are optimized at EF, giving some insight regarding the site of Tl deficiency. Direct geometric relationships are found among Tl13, Tl9, Tl7 and Tl5 clusters through systematic removal of vertices.
Change in spatial coherence of light on refraction and on reflection

A theory of refraction and reflection of partially coherent electromagnetic beams has been recently developed. In this paper, we apply it to study the change in spatial coherence caused by refraction and by reflection more fully. By considering a Gaussian Schell-model beam, we show that the change is, in general, dependent on the angle of incidence.
The nuclear protein p34SEI-1 regulates the kinase activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 in a concentration-dependent manner.

Previous studies have shown that p34SEI-1, also known as TRIP−Br1, is involved in cell cycle regulations by interacting with a number of important proteins including CDK4. However, the detailed mechanism and structural basis of the interaction remains to be determined. We report the use of in vitro studies to address these problems. First, it was shown that p34SEI-1 binds to CDK4 directly, and the binding does not compete directly with p16. In the presence of p16, a quaternary complex is formed between p34SEI-1, CDK4, cyclin D2, and p16. Second, it was found that p34SEI-1 activates the kinase activity of CDK4 at lower concentrations (reaching the maximum at 500 nM) but inhibits the same activity at higher concentrations, implying that p34SEI-1-mediated CDK4 activation is dose-dependent. Again, the effects of p34SEI-1 and p16 are independent of each other. Third, it was shown that p34SEI-1 possesses a LexA-mediated transactivation activity. Finally, a set of truncation mutants were used to dissect the stru...
The Genus Aeromonas: Taxonomy, Pathogenicity, and Infection

Summary: Over the past decade, the genus Aeromonas has undergone a number of significant changes of practical importance to clinical microbiologists and scientists alike. In parallel with the molecular revolution in microbiology, several new species have been identified on a phylogenetic basis, and the genome of the type species, A. hydrophila ATCC 7966, has been sequenced. In addition to established disease associations, Aeromonas has been shown to be a significant cause of infections associated with natural disasters (hurricanes, tsunamis, and earthquakes) and has been linked to emerging or new illnesses, including near-drowning events, prostatitis, and hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Despite these achievements, issues still remain regarding the role that Aeromonas plays in bacterial gastroenteritis, the extent to which species identification should be attempted in the clinical laboratory, and laboratory reporting of test results from contaminated body sites containing aeromonads. This article provides an extensive review of these topics, in addition to others, such as taxonomic issues, microbial pathogenicity, and antimicrobial resistance markers.
Hemihyperplasia in a 4-Month-Old

A 4-month-old female infant with no current medical complaints was seen for a routine 4-month-old wellchild appointment. She was brought to the appointment by her new foster parents, who had taken over her care 1 month prior to presentation. They reported no major illnesses, but did note that her right arm and leg seemed larger than her left; a difference that they felt was particularly noticeable in the upper extremities. Other than this size discrepancy they reported no other current problems. Development was appropriate for age, with the child laughing, cooing, grabbing for objects, and able to roll from front to back on her own. There were no reported constitutional symptoms and weight gain was appropriate; the patient had no easy bruising, no jaundice, no pallor, and had appropriate formula intake and urine output. The patient was born to an HIV-positive mother who was on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the patient was treated with zidovudine for the first 6 weeks of life. Her HIV-PCR-DNA assays at 2 weeks and 4 weeks, and testing during the present visit at 4 months of age were all negative, documenting that she was not infected. Physical examination revealed a well-nourished, normal-appearing, happy female infant in no apparent distress. Vital signs were as follows: weight 7 kg (90th percentile), length 65 cm (90th percentile), head circumference 42 cm (75th percentile), temperature 97.9°F, heart rate 119 bpm, respiratory rate 24 breaths/min, and blood pressure 85/56 mm Hg. Oropharyngeal examination revealed moist mucus membranes with a normal sized tongue and no pharyngeal erythema or exudate; the anterior fontanelle was open, soft, and flat, and pupils were equal, round, and reactive to light. There was no cervical, auricular, axillary, or inguinal adenopathy. Heart and lung examinations were within normal limits, and the abdomen was soft, nontender, nondistended, with nor moactive bowel sounds, and without any palpated organomegaly. Measurements were obtained and showed a subtle difference between the left and right side in both upper and lower extremities (Table 1). Tone and range of motion were appropriate for age. The limbs on the right were auscultated, with no bruits appreciable. Given the association between hemihyperplasia (hemihypertrophy) and malignancy, the decision was made to obtain an abdominal ultrasound of the liver and kidneys to rule out an abdominal neoplasm.
PRIMS: an interactive system for the design of hybrid circuit layout

PRIMS is an interactive system to be used in the layout of hybrid circuits. The layout involves positioning integrated circuit chips and resistors on a substrate surface. Conducting paths are then defined in order to make interconnections between chips, external connection pads positioned around the edge of the substrate, etc.PRIMS is actually a language which includes commands for defining regions corresponding to integrated circuit chips, and for causing the system to define a tree of conducting paths to interconnect a set of points. There are also commands for displaying a partial layout, for editing the layout, and for generating plotter code for the final layout.
Faster Phrase-Based Decoding by Refining Feature State

We contribute a faster decoding algorithm for phrase-based machine translation. Translation hypotheses keep track of state, such as context for the language model and coverage of words in the source sentence. Most features depend upon only part of the state, but traditional algorithms, including cube pruning, handle state atomically. For example, cube pruning will repeatedly query the language model with hypotheses that differ only in source coverage, despite the fact that source coverage is irrelevant to the language model. Our key contribution avoids this behavior by placing hypotheses into equivalence classes, masking the parts of state that matter least to the score. Moreover, we exploit shared words in hypotheses to iteratively refine language model scores rather than handling language model state atomically. Since our algorithm and cube pruning are both approximate, improvement can be used to increase speed or accuracy. When tuned to attain the same accuracy, our algorithm is 4.0‐7.7 times as fast as the Moses decoder with cube pruning.
Automated Multiscale Fracture Analysis

A procedure for automated crack propagation analysis in heterogeneous materials is presented. The system uses automated multiscale analysis which explicitly represents the microstructure in the vicinity of the crack front while using homogenized material properties elsewhere.
Modeling Complex Clickstream Data by Stochastic Models: Theory and Methods

As the website is a primary customer touch-point, millions are spent to gather web data about customer visits. Sadly, the trove of data and corresponding analytics have not lived up to the promise. Current marketing practice relies on ambiguous summary statistics or small-sample usability studies. Idiosyncratic browsing and low conversion (browser-to-buyer) make modeling hard. In this paper, we model browsing patterns (sequence of clicks) via Markov chain theory to predict users' propensity to buy within a session. We focus on model complexity, imputing missing values, data augmentation, and other attendant issues that impact performance. The paper addresses the following aspects; (1) Determine appropriate order of the Markov chain (assess the influence of prior history in prediction), (2) Impute missing transitions by exploiting the inherent link structure in the page sequences, (3) predict the likelihood of a purchase based on variable-length page sequences, and (4) Augment the training set of buyers (which is typically very small: 2% by viewing the page transitions as a graph and exploiting its link structure to improve performance. The cocktail of solutions address important issues in practical digital marketing. Extensive analysis of data applied to a large commercial web-site shows that Markov chain based classifiers are useful predictors of user intent.
Children with lower respiratory tract infections and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels: A case-control study.

SummaryBackground Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children under age of 5 years worldwide. The role of vitamin D in respiratory infections including pneumonia is unclear; therefore, we aimed to determine if children with lower respiratory tract infections had low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Methods We performed a case–control study of children ages 3–60 months from the Guatemala City metropolitan area, hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia between September and December 2012. Controls were selected from the well-baby/care immunization clinics serving the population from which cases emerged. We analyzed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels and conducted parental interviews to assess subject age, sex, race, feeding type, vitamin D supplementation, frequency of sun exposure, and maternal education. Height and weight were ascertained from medical records. Complete information was available for 70 (83%) of 84 eligible cases and 68 (60%) of 113 eligible controls. Results The median (IQR) serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration for cases was 23.2 ng/ml (14.4–29.9) compared to 27.5 ng/ml (21.4–32.3) in controls (P = 0.006). Multiple regression analysis using an a priori cut-point for vitamin D of <20 ng/ml showed that children with lower respiratory tract infections were more likely to have low 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels than controls (adjusted odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.1–5.2, P = 0.02). Conclusions Children with lower respiratory tract infections in Guatemala had low 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:1080–1087. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Building an Adaptive Sales Force Through Sales Control Synergies

Personal selling is arguably the most effective marketing communication vehicle because it allows salespeople to tailor messages to fit individual customers’ needs and preferences. In other words, the sales encounter renders a unique opportunity for salespeople to practice adaptive selling-“the altering of sales behaviors during a customer interaction or across customer interactions based on perceived information about the nature of the selling situation” (Spiro and Weitz 1990, p.62). Although previous empirical research generally confirms the positive effect of adaptive selling on salesperson performance (Franke and Park 2006), firm level antecedents to adaptive selling have not received consistent empirical support and are relatively understudied. For example, while Roman and Iacobucci (2010) report that firm-level customer orientation has a positive impact on salesperson’s adaptive selling, Spiro and Weitz (1990) find no support for the presumed relationships between management styles (i.e., initiation of structure, production emphasis, and tolerance of freedom) and adaptive selling. Therefore, what can firms do to nurture adaptive selling of their sales force warrants further investigation.
Laboratory demonstration of a dual-stage vortex coronagraph

While an ideal optical vortex coronagraph operating behind a clear, circular, unaberrated telescope aperture can theoretically provide perfect rejection of the incident plane wave from an unresolved star, use of a telescope with an on-axis secondary mirror limits the rejection. In theory, a dual-stage vortex coronagraph can provide improved starlight rejection for an on-axis telescope, and here we provide experimental confirmation of the predicted distribution of the residual light in the output pupil plane of a dual-stage vortex coronagraph. In addition, a simple method of further improving the rejection of such a coronagraph is suggested: by slightly oversizing the first Lyot stop and phase-shifting the light within the exposed annulus by half a wave, the residual starlight within the pupil can be canceled to deeper levels.
Pain in Hospice Patients With Dementia: The Informal Caregiver Experience.

Introduction:At the end of life, patients with dementia often experience high levels of pain due to complex interplay of disease processes and numerous barriers to symptom management. In the hospice setting, informal caregivers play an essential role in pain management. This study describes their experience managing pain in hospice patients with dementia.Methods:We conducted a qualitative analysis of audio-recorded interviews with informal caregivers of hospice patients with dementia who had chosen pain as the challenge they wanted to work on within a problem-solving therapy intervention.Results:The thematic analysis of sessions with 51 caregivers identified 4 themes: difficulty in communicating with patients, lack of consistent guidance from health-care professionals, perceived uncertainty about the etiology of pain, and secondary suffering.Discussion:Our findings indicate the possible need for increased support for caregivers, including educational interventions targeting pain etiology and assessment, a...
Sexual Orientation Differences in Complementary Health Approaches Among Young Adults in the United States

Abstract Purpose Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) young adults experience a wide range of health disparities, compared to heterosexuals. However, LGBs also experience many barriers to conventional health care, including social stigma, lack of LGB-specific knowledge among providers, and lower rates of health insurance coverage, which may limit utilization of conventional health services. Complementary health approaches (CHA) may represent an alternative to conventional care, but very little is currently known about CHA use in this population. We examined whether and how LGB young adults differed from heterosexual young adults in use of CHA. Methods Data were from Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (2001–2002). Fifteen types of CHA were considered. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed using design-based F tests, and logistic regression was used. Analyses were weighted and gender stratified. Results Almost 46% of gay/bisexual men used CHA in the past 12 months versus 26% of heterosexual men ( p ≤ .001) and 50% of lesbian/bisexual women versus 30% of heterosexual women ( p ≤ .001). LGBs also differed significantly on demographics, access to conventional care, and health behaviors. Multivariate results showed higher odds of CHA among LGBs relative to heterosexuals (adjusted odds ratio = 2.37 for men; adjusted odds ratio = 1.98 for women; both p ≤ .001). Conclusions This is the first study to systematically demonstrate sexual orientation differences in CHA in a nationally representative sample of young adults. Public health wellness initiatives for sexual minorities should include evidence-based CHA in addition to conventional health services.
Reductive Catalytic Fractionation of Corn Stover Lignin

Reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) has emerged as an effective biomass pretreatment strategy to depolymerize lignin into tractable fragments in high yields. We investigate the RCF of corn stover, a highly abundant herbaceous feedstock, using carbon-supported Ru and Ni catalysts at 200 and 250 °C in methanol and, in the presence or absence of an acid cocatalyst (H3PO4 or an acidified carbon support). Three key performance variables were studied: (1) the effectiveness of lignin extraction as measured by the yield of lignin oil, (2) the yield of monomers in the lignin oil, and (3) the carbohydrate retention in the residual solids after RCF. The monomers included methyl coumarate/ferulate, propyl guaiacol/syringol, and ethyl guaiacol/syringol. The Ru and Ni catalysts performed similarly in terms of product distribution and monomer yields. The monomer yields increased monotonically as a function of time for both temperatures. At 6 h, monomer yields of 27.2 and 28.3% were obtained at 250 and 200 °C, respec...
Cardiopulmonary Complications of Hemodialysis Access

Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The etiology and pathogenesis of the cardiovascular issues are multifactorial. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) demonstrate altered pulmonary and cardiac status even prior to beginning hemodialysis, as compared to non-CKD patients. Factors, other than the typical comorbidities, have been implicated as playing a role in the higher than expected rate of cardiovascular complications in the CKD population, including volume overload, anemia, and uremia. Interestingly, arteriovenous (AV) access construction is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death. Renal transplant has been shown to drastically improve the clinical picture, even if the access is not ligated. This chapter discusses the cardiopulmonary limitations of hemodialysis access.
Bronchoscopy for Foreign Body Removal

Suspected airway foreign body aspiration is an important indication for bronchoscopy. The clinical presentation of airway foreign body aspiration varies from asymptomatic and incidental finding to acute and life-threatening central airway obstruction. Most cases of foreign body aspiration are encountered in children and elderly patients. Several comorbid conditions such as alcohol intoxication, dementia, and other chronic neurological disorders increase the risk of foreign body aspiration. A high index of suspicion is essential in order to avoid delay in diagnosis. Bronchoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis and management of patients with suspected aspiration of foreign bodies. Rigid bronchoscope is superior to flexible bronchoscope in removal of large airway foreign bodies, especially in pediatric patients. However, due to lack of training and expertise in rigid bronchoscopy, it is usual to employ flexible bronchoscope for airway foreign body removal, especially in adult patients. Several accessory instruments are available to facilitate removal of foreign objects from the airways using flexible bronchoscope. In recent years, the cryoprobe has become a useful adjunct for removal of organic foreign bodies. Experienced and skillful operators are able to remove the majority of airway foreign bodies using the flexible scope. In this chapter, we discuss the clinical presentation, accessory instruments, and technical aspects of airway foreign body removal using flexible bronchoscope.
Neutral Ion Beam Figuring Of Large Optical Surfaces

The figuring of large optical components using mechanical techniques is a time and money consuming operation. Neutral Ion Beam Figuring (IBF) is shown to be a practical and flexible alternative to mechanical figuring. Ion Beam Figuring is performed by directing a broad beam high current ion source (Kaufman type) onto an optic in a carefully controlled manner, removing substrate material by ion beam sputtering, and resulting in a specified surface figure. The IBF technique is shown to have some interesting performance advantages over other methods, including very high removal rates, minimal surface damage, and no edge effects. Practical issues involving IBF are discussed and experimental results using the UNM prototype IBF machine to figure a 30cm fused silica optic are presented. Scaling problems are identified and discussed.
Determination of mechanical behavior of U3Si2 nuclear fuel by microindentation method

Abstract Purpose U3Si2 is under investigation as an accident tolerant fuel due to its advantageous thermo-physical properties, including; high uranium density, high thermal conductivity, and high melting temperature. However, mechanical data available for the fuel is limited. Vickers micro-indentation characterization was used to evaluate the mechanical properties of U3Si2 specimens of varying microstructure in order to determine the effect of sintering conditions on mechanical behavior. Methods A chemical etchant was applied in order to observe grain boundaries in the material. The microstructure surrounding the indentations was investigated using polarized light optical microscopy imaging, scanning electron microscopy imaging, and elemental analysis techniques. Results All U3Si2 samples cracked in a brittle manner with cracks adjacent to the indents. Cracks tend to propagate through grains rather than along grain boundaries. The Vickers hardness of the U3Si2 samples was between 414 HV and 678 HV. High porosity in the sample was associated with a lower hardness. The toughness of the samples was roughly the same amongst all U3Si2 samples, ∼1 MPa√m. Conclusions The hardness and fracture toughness of U3Si2 was found to be comparable to that of unirradiated UO2. Given that UO2 has a history of good experience in the nuclear industry, U3Si2's comparable cracking behavior and mechanical properties speak favorably for its anticipated performance in reactor.
Patients With Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators on Social Media Report More Shock Anxiety Than Clinic Patients: Results From an Online Survey

Background: Coping with heart disease and the potential for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks challenges the psychological adjustment of patients with ICDs. Social media use may be used to seek education and support from others. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the content of information sought online and whether a social media sample of patients with ICDs report more device-specific anxiety than clinic-based normative samples. Methods: A total of 196 participants were recruited via social media messages and invited to complete an online survey. Results: It was found that the information most often sought by online users (62.4%, 123/196) involved both emotional support (eg, gaining emotional support from other patients with ICDs) and technical information (52.6%, 103/196) (eg, dealing with magnetic interference). The online sample reported more shock anxiety than a typical clinical sample with mean values of 22.75 (SD 10.06) and 15.18 (SD 6.50), respectively (P<.001). Conclusions: Collectively, these results suggest that patients with ICDs that are online are seeking emotional information and support, and that they report increased shock anxiety relative to typical clinic-based patients. Future research should examine how online information and clinical-based information form a composite understanding and adjustment for patients ICDs.
Biofluid biomarkers of traumatic brain injury

Primary objective: The purpose of this paper is to review the clinical and research utility and applications of blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and cerebral microdialysis biomarkers in traumatic ...
Alienation and Mysticism (1909–1912)

Young Lukacs’ attempt to contain his quest for “ultimate meaning” within the confines of the essay as a form of literary expression proved unsuccessful. Lukacs’ “form” disintegrated under the pressures of his spiritual problems and he transcended the essay. Understanding the significance of this disintegration of “form” in Lukacs’ intellectual development will help us understand the nature and origin of his Marxism which grows out of it.
A Prediction-Correction Method for Model Predictive Control

In this work we adapt a prediction-correction algorithm for continuous time-varying convex optimization problems to solve dynamic programs arising from Model Predictive Control (MPC). The algorithm proposed is computationally efficient since it finds an approximate solution of the problem with only two Hessian inversions per iteration. The error in the approximation as compared to solving the MPC problem exactly is of the order of the square of the sampling time. This computationally efficient solution allows to extend the applicability of Model Predictive Control to systems with faster dynamics and less computational power. Numerical examples where we consider a highly nonlinear system support the theoretical conclusions.
Confluence model of sexual aggression in college males: examining polyvictimization

Abstract Sexual assault or coercion is a pervasive problem on college campuses. The confluence model of sexual aggression identifies two pathways that can independently or synergistically predict s...