cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determining Market Perceptions on Contamination of Residential Property Buyers Using Contingent Valuation Surveys

This study reports the results of contingent valuation (CV) studies conducted in eight states in the United States. Over 1,100 telephone interviews examined valuation effects on residential properties impacted by Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST). Negative discounts for marginal bidders with affected ground water were quite consistent, varying from 25% to 33%. ANOVA established that bidding patterns from six of the seven states were statistically similar while male bidders, those over 40 years of age and those with no high school degree were more likely to bid; those with higher incomes and those bidding on certain, rather than suspected contamination, were less likely to bid. Contingent valuation results benchmark reasonably close to but higher than revealed preference outcomes for residential LUST sites in Ohio.
Low-temperature specific heat of LaAl$sub 2$:Gd in magnetic fields up to 4900 Oe

The specific heat of LaAl$sub 2$:Gd was measured between 1.3 and 6$sup 0$K for Gd concentrations of 0, 2.0, 3.0, and 6.0 at. percent in various applied magnetic fields up to 4900 Oe. Broad peaks associated with spin glass transitions in zero field were shifted to higher temperatures by the applied field. The field dependence of the magnetic specific heat follows a law of corresponding states and exhibits several characteristics predicted by molecular- field theories based on the Ruderman--Kittel--Kasuya--Yosida interaction. For no value of applied field were the results consistent with the absence of magnetic order as suggested by nuclear relaxation measurements. (auth)
Firing recoilless weapons from enclosures.

The problem Recoilless weapons commonly release a great deal of energy rearward in the immediate vicinity of the crew. If such weapons are fired from within structures, there is concern that in addition to the acoustic hazard to the ear or other organs, there might be hazard associated with flying debris or even structural collapse. Studies Two studies were conducted to evaluate such hazards by remotely firing a total of 24 rounds from the 90 mm recoilless rifle, LAW, TOW, and DRAGON weapons systems from within enclosures (Price, 1978; Shank & Garinther, 1975). The structures, selected from available buildings, were made of various materials (reinforced concrete, masonry, sandbags, and wood) and ranged in volume from 14m3 to 161 m3 with venting areas from 2.9 m2 to 11 m2. Data included pressure histories, motion pictures of the structures and small objects placed in the room, and physiological data from 32 goats (tissue/organ system damage) and 8 cats (hearing loss measures). Results and conclusions At the firer's locations, peak pressures ranged from 178 to 189 dB and B-durations ranged from 28 to 376 msec. Although the firings commonly produced some structural damage, none of the firings caused structural collapse or induced tissue damage to nonauditory organs. Ear drum rupture did occur in 5 goats and the cat ears exposed with no hearing protection did show permanent hearing losses. Of the cat ears exposed with hearing protection (EAR plugs), only one showed a permanent loss.
Conducting Polymer Wires in Mesopore Hosts

Nanometer-size conducting structures are of great interest in view of fundamental issues and potential applications. We explore the inclusion chemistry of conjugated polymers and graphite-like materials as a means to create such structures. Novel mesoporous materials with pore diameters in the 3 nm range (MCM-41) are used as hosts. Monomer molecules are introduced via vapor or solution transfer and polymerized either by included or external reagents. The properties of the conjugated systems are studied while encapsulated or after dissolution of the host. In the case of polyaniline formed on oxidation of aniline with persulfate, microwave absorption shows the presence of conducting filaments in the host channels. The above systems are compared with graphite-type material encapsulated in MCM-41 by first forming a precursor polymer such as polyacrylonitrile that is pyrolyzed at 500-800°C. These polymer chains are the first nanometer-size conducting filaments stabilized in a well-defined channel host.
Data Vases: 2D and 3D Plots for Visualizing Multiple Time Series

One challenge associated with the visualization of time-dep- endent data is to develop graphical representations that are effective for exploring multiple time-varying quantities. Many existing solutions are limited either because they are primarily applicable for visualizing non-negative values or because they sacrifice the display of overall trends in favor of value-based comparisons. We present a two-dimensional representation we call Data Vases that yields a compact pictorial display of a large number of numeric values varying over time. Our method is based on an intuitive and flexible but less widely-used display technique called a "kite diagram." We show how our interactive two-dimensional method, while not limited to time-dependent problems, effectively uses shape and color for investigating temporal data. In addition, we extended our method to three dimensions for visualizing time-dependent data on cartographic maps.
Hemicentral Retinal Vein Occlusion

In 1980, I first described the clinical entity of hemicentral retinal vein occlusion (hemi-CRVO) and its pathogenesis, clinical features, and natural history [1]. Since then there have been several reports about this type of retinal vein occlusion, though most did not distinguish it from “retinal vein occlusion” in general. Before 1980 it was described simply as a “major branch retinal vein occlusion” which involved half of the retina, and usually called “hemispheric retinal vein occlusion.” In major branch retinal vein occlusion, the site of blockage is at the arteriovenous crossing but not so in hemi-CRVO, and its pathogenesis is very different from that of branch retinal vein occlusion. I have further investigated various aspects of this disease in different studies [2–10]. The following account is based on those studies and review of relevant studies in the literature.
Chromatographic analysis of glutamic acid decarboxylase in biological samples

Abstract A number of non-chromatographic and chromatographic methods for analysis of GAD avtivity in biological tissues have been described. The majority of these chromatographic methods utilize the analysis of GABA formed from incubation homogenates. Depending upon the analytical technique selected, limit of detection range from nanogram to pictogram levels of GABA. Also discussed have been some of the commonly associated problems and their resolution with sample collection, postmortem changes and alternative pathways of Co 2 and GABA production which can lead to errors in accurate determination of GAD activity in biological samples.
Effects of Ro 15-1788 and CGS 8216 in diazepam-dependent baboons.

Abstract Baboons received continuous intragastric infusion of diazepam (20 mg/kg per day) one or more months. While diazepam treatment continued, baboons received intragastric doses of Ro 15-1788 (0.032–32.0 mg/kg) or CGS 8216 (1.0–100.0 mg/kg) at intervals of two or more weeks. Baboons were observed following administration of these antagonists for the presence of precipitated withdrawal signs. The following results were obtained: (1) both Ro 15-1788 and CGS 8216 produced signs of precipitated withdrawal in the baboon; (2) a more severe overall withdrawal syndrome was precipitated with Ro 15-1788 than with CGS 8216 at testable doses; (3) Ro 15-1788 produced dose-related increases in the overall severity of withdrawal, while CGS 8216 did not produce a clear dose-related increase in the overall severity of withdrawal; (4) dose-effect curves for Ro 15-1788 for certain signs (e.g. limb-tremor) were monotonicly increasing, while for other signs dose-effect curves plateaued at lower doses of Ro 15-1788 (e.g. retching and vomiting) or were an inverted U-shape (e.g. scratching). CGS 8216 precipitated withdrawal signs were less clearly dose-dependent; (5) onset of Ro 15-1788 precipitated withdrawal signs were rapid (5–15 min) and reliable, while the onset of CGS 8216 precipitated withdrawal signs were generally slower (approximately 30 min) and more variable; (6) at doses of Ro 15-1788 and CGS 8216 that produced equal levels of vomiting and retching, Ro 15-1788 produced more limb-tremor than CGS 8216. These studies indicate that Ro 15-1788 and CGS 8216 may produce quantitatively and qualitatively different precipitated withdrawal syndromes.
92: A single portable measuring device for both recumbent length and stature

A device is presented, with illustrations of required techniques, that is used in one arrangement for the measurement of recumbent length, and in another of stature. The presentation includes the device's practicality, portability, suitability for use in the field or clinic, and data on replication of measurements. The need for, and desirability of, obtaining reasonably accurate international data on length and height in greatly differing samples of infants, children, and adolescents is presented.
Surgical relief work in Haiti: a practical resident learning experience.

Introduction A once-a-year, week-long surgical missionary trip to Haiti has become incorporated into our residency experience on a voluntary basis since 2007. The purpose of this article is to describe our experience with this mission effort during the last 4 years. Methods Since 2007, at least one PGY 3–5 surgical resident from our program has traveled to the Hopital Sacre Coeur in Milot, Haiti for a voluntary, week-long surgical mission working with the local health care providers. Their personal and clinical experiences in Haiti, in the surgical clinics, and in the operating room, were recorded. Results Since 2007, 6 surgical residents and members of the surgical staff have traveled to Haiti for this surgical mission. During that time, a total of 247 patients were observed in the clinic and 184 surgical cases were performed. The case distribution covered a wide range of defined categories, including head and neck, breast, hernia, abdominal, biliary, stomach, small and large bowel, colorectal, skin and soft tissue, and urology. The personal aspect of this experience could not be quantitated but was profound. Conclusions We feel that the surgical missionary trip to Haiti is an asset to our program. It provides humanitarian surgical care to patients in need, teaching and infrastructure support to the local health care providers, a clinical and operative experience to our residents, and an invaluable personal experience.
Microscopy of some interactions between Botryosphaeriaceae species and grapevine tissues

This study investigated the endophytic interactions between Botryosphaeriaceae pathogens and their woody hosts and the role of wounds in development of infection of green tissues. At 2 and 3 months after inoculating trunks of 2 year old grapevine plants with Neofusiciccum australe, N. luteum, N. parvum or Diplodia mutila, sap samples provided no evidence of pathogen propagules, indicating that the dieback symptoms observed at a distance from the lesions on inoculated sections of the trunks were not due to internally transmitted propagules. However, longitudinal sections cut from beyond trunk lesions showed hyphae of the four fungi grew within xylem vessels, which was consistent with endophytic fungal development observed in previous experiments. When conidia of N. luteum were inoculated onto green shoots and leaves of potted grapevines, which were wounded or non-wounded, and excised or attached to living plants, scanning electron microscope studies showed that conidial development was significantly affected by the condition of tissues. On detached and wounded leaf and shoot surfaces, most conidia had germinated by 3 h after inoculation and by 24 h had developed into networks of mycelium. On attached and wounded leaf and shoot surfaces it took 24 h for most conidia to germinate. However, when green tissues were attached and non-wounded, conidia did not adhere or germinate, all conidia being shed from the tissues within 24 h. These studies have provided explanations for phenomena observed during infection studies and have demonstrated that the pathogen-host interactions are complex, warranting further examination of the physiology of the interactions.
Single site electronic spectra of free base porphin in an n-octane crystal at 5 K

Abstract The single site fluorescence and excitation spectra of free base porphin in an n-octane crystal at 5 K are reported. The vibrational frequencies of the ground and excited states (Qx, Qy and B bands) have been determined from the spectra. The Qx region is very similar to the previously reported results from supersonic jet expansion. However, the Qy region is quite different in the jet and mixed crystal; the crystal spectrum exhibits extensive vibronic coupling. The Soret band shows little vibronic structure.
Total seed oil and fatty acid methyl ester contents of Cuphea accessions

Many Cuphea species have been identified as potential new sources of unique fatty acids for both the lubricant and soap and detergent industries. Current breeding programs have focused on improving agronomic traits to make Cuphea suitable for commercial production. Breeding programs are now focusing on altering total oil and fatty acid content with a special interest in lauric and capric acids. Accessions identified as high in oil content and rich in single fatty acids will be introgressed into the current agronomically sound breeding lines. The objective of this study was to develop a reliable and efficient method for evaluating Cuphea accessions for their total oil and fatty acid content in Cuphea seed. One hundred and eighty-five accessions of Cuphea were screened for their total oil and fatty acid content. Total oil content was determined by nondestructive pulsed NMR on whole Cuphea seed. Previous extraction and derivatization procedures were combined and optimized to minimize time and complexity in extracting medium-chain triglycerides and derivatizing them into fatty acid methyl esters for gas chromatographic analysis. Extraction and derivatization procedures were validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, and sample stability. Total oil content ranged from 10.1% in Cuphea llavea to 39.5% in Cuphea wrightii var. wrightii with a 2.5% relative standard deviation. C. llavea had the highest levels of capric acid at 92.0%. The highest levels of lauric acid were present in C. wrightii var. wrightii at 72.8%. Samples were stable for 24 h at room temperature. Recoveries for methyl caprate and methyl laurate were 98%. Relative standard deviations for methyl caprate and methyl laurate were 2.9% and 6.1%, respectively. Validation results demonstrated that the extraction, derivatization, and gas chromatographic analysis produced reliable and reproducible results. The Cuphea species identified in this study can serve as potential new sources for high seed oil content and fatty acids to be introduced into the current advanced breeding lines.
The Dyadic Adjustment Scale: A Reliability Generalization Meta-Analysis

We conducted a reliability generalization meta-analysis to examine the internal consistency of Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS; Spanier, 1976) scores across 91 published studies with 128 samples and 25,035 participants. The DAS was found to produce total and Dyadic cohesion, Consensus, and Satisfaction scores of acceptable internal consistency, although lower than those originally reported by Spanier (1976). Reliability estimates of these scores did not differ by the sexual orientation, gender, marital status, or ethnicity of the sample. The Affective Expression subscale was found to produce scores with poor Cronbach’s alpha across studies. Reliability estimates of Affective Expression scores were highly influenced by sample characteristics. The implications of these results are discussed as they relate to the use of the DAS in research.
SIMULATION OF THE GROWTH RESPONSE OF DRYLAND AND IRRIGATED CORN

This paper studies the complex relationship between plant growth and the variables affecting that growth. The author has developed several growth models, with soil moisture being a primary explanatory variable in the models. The relationship of plant growth to moisture is demonstrated by the sensitivity of a corn plant to moisture at different periods in its growth. Ce papier fail une etudes des relations complexes entre la croissance des plantes et les variables qui influent cette croissance. ľauteur a construit plusieurs modeles de croissance en se servant de ľhumidite du sol comme variable primaire explicalif La connexite entre la croissance des plantes el ľhumidile est demonstee en utilisant une plante de ble d;inde ei en montrant comment sensible aľhumidite est cette plante a differentes etapes de sa maturation.
Oncoplastic Breast Reduction: Maximizing Aesthetics and Surgical Margins

Oncoplastic breast reduction combines oncologically sound concepts of cancer removal with aesthetically maximized approaches for breast reduction. Numerous incision patterns and types of pedicles can be used for purposes of oncoplastic reduction, each tailored for size and location of tumor. A team approach between reconstructive and breast surgeons produces positive long-term oncologic results as well as satisfactory cosmetic and functional outcomes, rendering oncoplastic breast reduction a favorable treatment option for certain patients with breast cancer.
"Rightsizing" use of upper endoscopy.

In this issue, Pohl and colleagues analyzed the use of repeated upper endoscopy in the Medicare population between 2004 and 2006. The editorialist discusses potential reasons for overuse of this pr...
Operation of an associative memory

Abstract This paper describes the operation of an associative memory (LYAM) governed by only ordinary differential equations, useful for pattern clustering. Several computer simulations illustrate its operation as an unsupervised classifier, vector quantizer, and content-addressable memory.
Router authentication, key management, and adjacency management for securing inter-router control messages

To build secure network-based systems, it is important to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the inter-router control message exchanges. Authenticating neighbors and ensuring the legitimacy of the neighbor relationships is essential. Current manual keying methods used to secure router control messages are error prone, not scalable, and result in keys being changed infrequently (or not at all) due to lack of authorized personnel. We propose an automated key management system to automatically generate, distribute and update keys for a collection of 'keying groups', each of which is the subset of routers sharing the same key. The proposed protocol for key management ensures security in the form of authentication, integrity, confidentiality, protection against replay attacks, and robustness across reboots. It has been designed to handle a wide variety of keying groups. In addition, it makes provision for adjacency management. In this paper, we describe the threat model and security requirements for the key management system. Further, we explain in detail a formal validation that we have carried out in order to verify the security of the system. Thereby we clearly show how our design meets the requirements specified.
Semidefinite relaxations of chance constrained algebraic problems

In this paper, we present preliminary results on a general approach to chance constrained algebraic problems. In this type of problems, one aims at maximizing the probability of a set defined by polynomial inequalities. These problems are, in general, nonconvex and computationally complex. With the objective of developing systematic numerical procedures to solve such problems, a sequence of convex relaxations is provided, whose optimal value is shown to converge to solution of the original problem. In other words, we provide a sequence of semidefinite programs of increasing dimension and complexity which can arbitrarily approximate the solution of the probability maximization problem. Two numerical examples are presented to illustrate preliminary results on the numerical performance of the proposed approach.
Shared cache architectures for decision support systems

In this paper we evaluate two shared-cache architectures for small-scale multiprocessors. We vary shared cache sizes from 8MB to 1GB, under various block sizes, cache organizations and sizes, and strategies for IO transactions. We use 12 bus trace samples obtained during the execution of a 100GB TPC-H on an eight-way multiprocessor.To deal with the cold-start misses at the beginning of each sample, we identify the sure misses which are known to be misses in the full trace. The difference between the total number of misses and the number of sure misses is the zone of uncertainly, which may be hits or misses in the full trace. It turns out that the zone of uncertainty is small enough in most cases that useful conclusions can be drawn.Our conclusions are that a single-cluster configuration with a shared cache--even a very small one--can be very effective for TPC-H. We also show that the coherence traffic between shared caches in a multiple cluster system is very high in the context of TPC-H.
Nanostructured Absorber and Emitter for Solar Thermo-Photovoltaics Exceeding the Shockley-Queisser Limit

We present a tungsten-based nanostructured absorber and emitter pair designed for solar thermo-photovoltaic (STPV) applications. The pair enables STPV systems with efficiencies exceeding the Shockley-Queisser limit.
Effects of changing body position upon improved ventilation-perfusion relationships.

Ventilation-perfusion relationships were studied in patients in the lateral and supine positions by monitoring blood gas tensions of peripheral arterial and pulmonary vein blood samples. West observed in erect subjects that the apex of the lung, while oxygenating less blood than the base, effected a higher Poo2. This study shows that in patients not in the erect position the nondependent lung, lobe or portion of lung achieved higher Poo2 values than the dependent. The supine position was found to be associated with low peripheral arterial oxygen tensions. The simple maneuver of having the patient turn to a lateral position was found to increase oxygen tensions to satisfactory levels.
The benzol-adrenalin test as a reliable method of estimating changes in the sensitivity of the dog's ventricles to fibrillation. Application of the method to the study of quinidine sulfate

Abstract 1. 1. A new method of ascertaining repeatedly, in the same animal, the sensitivity of the dog's ventricles to fibrillation is presented. 2. 2. This method is easier to perform than the “fibrillation threshold test”, and yet it is critical. However, it does not quantitate the sensitivity to fibrillation. The procedure consists in comparing the reaction of the same dog to the combination of benzol-adrenalin before and after the intervention of some factor under study, such as a drug. This is done by ascertaining whether or not benzol-adrenalin, which induces fibrillation before the administration of the drug to be studied, still does so after the administration of the drug. Whether or not the sensitivity of the heart to the benzol-adrenalin fibrillation could be quantitated by ascertaining the amount of adrenalin required to produce fibrillation remains to be studied. 3. 3. Quinidine sulfate protects the dog's ventricles against benzol-adrenalin and prevents the benzol-adrenalin fibrillation, which confirms the results we obtained by the fibrillation threshold method. 4. 4. The protection exists whether or not the dose of quinidine sulfate administered diminishes the increase of blood pressure which normally occurs during a control benzol-adrenalin test.
Substorms at Jupiter: Galileo observations of transient reconnection in the near tail

The magnetic flux content of the Jovian magnetosphere is set by the internal dynamo, but those magnetic field lines are constantly being loaded by heavy ions at the orbit of lo and dragged inexorably outward by the centrifugal force. Vasyliunas has proposed a steady state reconnecting magnetospheric model that sheds plasma islands of zero net magnetic flux and returns nearly empty flux tubes to the inner magnetosphere. The Galileo observations indicate that beyond 40 Rj the current sheet begins to tear and beyond 50 Rj on the nightside explosively reconnects as the tearing site reaches the low density lobe region above and below the current sheet. Small events occur irregularly but on average about every 4 hours and large events about once a day. The magnetic flux reconnected in such events amounts up to about 70,000 Webers/sec and is sufficient to return the outwardly convected magnetic flux to the inner magnetosphere. Since this process releases plasmoids into the jovian tail, as do terrestrial substorms; since this process involves explosive reconnection across the current sheet on the nightside of the planet, as do terrestrial substorms; and since the process is a key in closing the circulation pattern of the magnetic and plasma flux, as it is in terrestrial substorms; we refer to these events as jovian substorms.
Nuclear Quadrupole Interactions in Several Rare-Earth Iron Garnets

The quadrupole coupling constants associated with two inequivalent iron sites in several rare-earth iron garnets have been estimated following a method outlined previously. We present some details of the theory and compare our results with the available experimental data.
Water Absorption of Rubber Compounds

Abstract It seems advisable to await further experimental evidence before attempting a theoretical explanation of the results obtained. Further work should be done on the effect of softeners, accelerators, immersion at elevated temperatures, and source of pigment. Water absorption of the uncured compound is often important. Additional work will show whether the observations made here hold for different types of compounds containing combinations of pigments, reclaims, and accelerators. The fact that the control without pigment shows water absorption of about the same range as some of the pigments would indicate that water absorption when pigments are present is more or less independent of the tendency for these pigments to absorb moisture. Higher water absorption for the undercures may be due to porosity, the compound becoming denser with increasing time of cure; the increase in water absorption after the optimum cure may be due to a chemical change of the protein during vulcanization. A consideration of t...
I Was a Teenage Vegan: Motivation and Maintenance of Lifestyle Movements†

Recent research has pointed to the rise of socially conscious consumption and of lifestyle movements or social movements that focus on changing one's everyday lifestyle choices as a form of protest. Much of this research addresses how adults maintain socially conscious consumption practices. Using interviews with youths who are vegan—strict vegetarians who exclude all animal products from their diet and lifestyle—I isolate the factors influencing recruitment into and retention of veganism as a lifestyle movement. I show that initial recruitment requires learning, reflection, and identity work, and that subsequent retention requires two factors: social support from friends and family, and cultural tools that provide the skills and motivation to maintain lifestyle activism. I also show how participation in the punk subculture further facilitated these processes. This work contributes to studies of youth subcultures and social movements by showing how the two intersect in lifestyle movement activism.
Evidence and Knowledge

According to Williamson, your evidence consists of all and only what you know (E = K). According to his critics, it doesn’t. While E = K calls for revision, the revisions it calls for are minor. E = K gets this much right. Only true propositions can constitute evidence and anything you know non-inferentially is part of your evidence. In this paper, I defend these two theses about evidence and its possession from Williamson’s critics who think we should break more radically from E = K.
Probing nonnucleoside inhibitor-induced active-site distortion in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by transient kinetic analyses

Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) are a group of structurally diverse compounds that bind to a single site in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), termed the NNRTI-binding pocket (NNRTI-BP). NNRTI binding to RT induces conformational changes in the enzyme that affect key elements of the polymerase active site and also the association between the two protein subunits. To determine which conformational changes contribute to the mechanism of inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcription, we used transient kinetic analyses to probe the catalytic events that occur directly at the enzyme's polymerase active site when the NNRTI-BP was occupied by nevirapine, efavirenz, or delavirdine. Our results demonstrate that all NNRTI-RT-template/primer (NNRTI-RT-T/P) complexes displayed a metal-dependent increase in dNTP binding affinity (K(d) ) and a metal-independent decrease in the maximum rate of dNTP incorporation (k (pol)). The magnitude of the decrease in k (pol) was dependent on the NNRTI used in the assay: Efavirenz caused the largest decrease followed by delavirdine and then nevirapine. Analyses that were designed to probe direct effects on phosphodiester bond formation suggested that the NNRTI mediate their effects on the chemistry step of the DNA polymerization reaction via an indirect manner. Because each of the NNRTI analyzed in this study exerted largely similar phenotypic effects on single nucleotide addition reactions, whereas each of them are known to exert differential effects on RT dimerization, we conclude that the NNRTI effects on subunit association do not directly contribute to the kinetic mechanism of inhibition of DNA polymerization.
Is Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score associated with quality of life after liver transplantation?

Context—The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) is used to predict short-term mortality of patients on the liver transplant waiting list and to allocate deceased donor livers for transplantation.Objective—To examine the relationship between MELD score before transplant and quality of life and other functional status indicators after transplant. Design, Setting, and Patients—Two-hundred sixty-five adults from 2 transplant programs completed quality-of-life measures 1 year after transplantation. A subcohort (n = 115) also completed quality-of-life assessments before transplant. Clinical parameters at the time of transplantation were collected from their medical records.Main Outcome Measures—Short Form-36 Health Survey, version 2; Transplant Symptom Frequency Questionnaire.Results—Patients with MELD scores greater than 25 at transplantation had significantly higher scores on the Short Form-36 general health (P = .004) and physical component summary (P = .02) than did patients with MELD scores of 25 or l...
Bladder carcinoma Results with preoperative radiation therapy and radical cystectomy

Abstract The records of 159 patients treated with preoperative radiotherapy and radical cystectomy were reviewed to ascertain the influence on survival rates and disease free intervals of tumor stage, tumor grade, tumor appearance, lymphatic permeation, history of previous bladder tumors,and downstaging (pathologic stage
Entering the circle of trust: developer initiation as committers in open-source projects

The success of an open-source project depends to a large degree on the proactive and constructive participation by the developer community. An important role that developers play in a project is that of a code committer. However, code-commit privilege is typically restricted to the core group of a project. In this paper, we study the phenomenon of the induction of external developers as code committers. The trustworthiness of an external developer is one of the key factors that determines the granting of commit privileges. Therefore, we formulate different hypotheses to explain how the trust is established in practice. To investigate our hypotheses, we developed an automated approach based on mining code repositories and bug-tracking systems. We implemented the approach and performed an empirical study, using the Eclipse projects, to test the hypotheses. Our results indicate that, most frequently, developers establish trust and credibility in a project by contributing to the project in a non-committer role. Moreover, the employing organization of a developer is another factor--although a less significant one--that influences trust.
Patterns in pharyngeal airflow associated with sleep-disordered breathing

Objective: To establish the feasibility of a noninvasive method to identify pharyngeal airflow characteristics in sleep-disordered breathing.Methods: Four patients with sleep-disordered breathing who underwent surgery or used positive airway pressure devices and four normal healthy controls were studied. Three-dimensional CT imaging and computational fluid dynamics modeling with standard steady-state numerical formulation were used to characterize pharyngeal airflow behavior in normals and pre-and post-treatment in patients. Dynamic flow simulations using an unsteady approach were performed in one patient.Results: The pre-treatment pharyngeal airway below the minimum cross-sectional area obstruction site showed airflow separation. This generated recirculation airflow regions and enhanced turbulence zones where vortices developed. This interaction induced large fluctuations in airflow variables and increased aerodynamic forces acting on the pharyngeal wall. At post-treatment, for the same volumetric flow rate, airflow field instabilities vanished and airflow characteristics improved. Mean maximum airflow velocity during inspiration reduced from 18.3 ± 5.7 m/s pre-treatment to 6.3 ± 4.5 m/s post-treatment (P = 0.002), leading to a reduction in maximum wall shear stress from 4.8 ± 1.7 Pa pre-treatment to 0.9 ± 1.0 Pa post-treatment (P = 0.01). The airway resistance improved from 4.3 ± 1.4 Pa/L/min at pre-treatment to 0.7 ± 0.7 Pa/L/min at post-treatment (P = 0.004). Post-treatment airflow characteristics were not different from normal controls (all P ⩾ 0.39).Conclusions: This study demonstrates that pharyngeal airflow variables may be derived from CT imaging and computational fluid dynamics modeling, resulting in high quality visualizations of airflow characteristics of axial velocity, static pressure, and wall shear stress in sleep-disordered breathing.
National identities in multinational worlds: engineers and 'engineering cultures'

An important contemporary change in engineering practice is the increasing internationalisation of work, both through the expansion of multinational organisations and increasing mobility of engineers. International work can break assumed links between working for one's employer, one's country, humanity in general, and oneself. The recent expansion in continuing engineering education (CEE) has generally not included attention to issues in transnational careers. This paper introduces and summarises assessments of 'Engineering Cultures', a liberal arts approach to cross-cultural training for engineers through multimedia modules. These country-based modules examine how what counts as an engineer and engineering knowledge has varied over time and from place to place.
Nusta Juira's Gift of Quinoa: Peasants, Trademarks, and Intermediaries in the Transformation of a Bolivian Commodity Economy

Farmers and activists in the Los Lipez region of Bolivia have created a symbolic commons that links their identity, quinoa crop, and work. Since 2005, farmers have worked with regional activists and marketers to create a denomination of origin in order to project their work and connection with quinoa into international markets for their crop. Yet sales certified with the denomination of origin trademark have not significantly displaced other sales to buyers for the national cooperatives or to local intermediaries. Based on 4 months of ethnographic research with growers, local resellers, and leaders of the denomination of origin initiative, this case documents how the Bolivian quinoa market is a composite of varied market channels, interests, and values that inhibit the full realization of any single development approach. However, the complexity that actor agency introduces into commodity circulation results in earnings at different scales, the movement of multiple qualities of quinoa, transactions in formal and informal settings, and a more resilient life sphere of agricultural production.
Direct conversion of thermonuclear plasma energy by high magnetic compression and expansion

We consider the useful work output from the magnetic compression, decompression and α-particle energy deposition of a single cycle of a D-T θ-pinch reactor. The intrinsic thermodynamic efficiency of the direct conversion cycle from α-particle energy to work is 62%. The direct-conversion output work is available to the reactor system at essentially 100% efficiency, and has an appreciable effect on the circulating power fraction and plant efficiency.
A Benefit‐Cost Analysis of Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation1

: Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation generates benefits and costs from water quality improvements, which are rarely quantified. This analysis examines a TMDL written to address bacteria and aquatic-life-use impairments on Abrams and Opequon Creeks in Virginia. Benefits were estimated using a contingent valuation survey of local residents. Costs were based on the number and type of best management practices (BMPs) necessary to achieve TMDL pollution reduction goals. BMPs were quantified using watershed-scale water quality simulation models (Generalized Watershed Loading Function and Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN). Based on our projections, the costs to achieve TMDL induced pollution reduction goals outweigh the estimated benefits. Benefit-cost ratios ranged between 0.1 and 0.3.
SU-E-T-239: In Vivo Dosimetry with Surface Diodes during Total Body Irradiation: A Patient Thickness Factor to Correct Midline Dose

Purpose: In vivo dosimetry (IVD) assessment of treatment dose is important when delivering total body irradiation (TBI). One method is to average AP and PA surface diode measurements and compare them to prescribed midline doses. We designed phantom studies to examine the impact of patient thickness on surface IVD measurements under TBI conditions. Methods: Phantom studies were designed to assess the effects of patient thickness on diode IVD. Sun Nuclear QED diodes with inherent buildup were placed on anterior and posterior surfaces of a solid water phantom. Phantom thickness was varied between 20 and 40 cm. A PTW farmer chamber was inserted in the center of the phantom at 425 SSD to reflect prescribed midline dose, and 50 cGy was delivered to midline with 18 MV photons. Averaged entrance and exit diode doses were then compared to farmer chamber measurements of phantom midline dose. Results: A trend of increased deviation with increasing umbilicus thickness was observed between averaged surface diodes and midline farmer chamber measurements. Averaged surface diode dose ranged from 49.6 cGy (20 cm thickness) to 52.1 cGy (40 cm thickness). Interpolation of diode measurements to midline resulted in linear overestimation of delivered dose relative to farmer chamber measurements at midline, up to 6.8% at 40 cm umbilicus thickness. Conclusion: Accurate in vivo dosimetry at time of patient TBI is important to allow individual correction of MU exposure and tissue compensation. Without patient thickness correction, overresponse of surface diodes may lead to unnecessary clinical intervention to treatment MU or compensation and insufficient midline dose. Additionally, SAD setup is preferable to SSD setup to minimize thickness non‐linearity. In conclusion, thickness correction factors should be used to generate expected diode readings for patients with thickness greater than 30 cm.
A Hybrid Fuzzy Logic Approach for 8-Bit Embedded Control Applications

The real-time implementation of fuzzy logic algorithms in embedded systems typically uses two approaches: employ fuzzy specific processing hardware or adapt standard embedded controllers to implement the fuzzy logic inference process. While high speed applications may require using the more sophisticated hardware, most embedded control applications do not have such processing speed demands, nor can they justify the added expense associated with the fuzzy enhanced processing engines. A review of embedded controller fuzzy logic implementations indicates a preference for 16-bit architectures; devoting significant processing resources to perform fuzzification, rule application, and defuzzification during real-time operation. While these approaches remain faithful to the foundations of fuzzy logic control, devoting processor resources to fuzzy specific tasks can limit a controller’s ability to handle peripheral tasks, such as man-machine I/O interface. This paper describes a simplified, hybrid approach suitable for standard 8-bit microcontrollers. The generic nature of the approach allows the methodology to be readily applicable to many single input, single output systems. This paper describes the hybrid fuzzy logic approach, which is placed in context using a proof-of-concept motor speed application. System performance data and notable limitations of the prototyped system are also described.© 2007 ASME
On the connectedness of isomorphism classes

This paper is concerned with some topological properties of a notion of distance between normed linear spaces which is due to Banach and Mazur [1], We are interested in a pseudometric space associated naturally with this notion of distance, and our main result is that this pseudometric space is always pathwise connected.
Reduced C9orf72 gene expression in c9FTD/ALS is caused by histone trimethylation, an epigenetic event detectable in blood.

Individuals carrying (GGGGCC) expanded repeats in the C9orf72 gene represent a significant portion of patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Elucidating how these expanded repeats cause “c9FTD/ALS” has since become an important goal of the field. Toward this end, we sought to investigate whether epigenetic changes are responsible for the decrease in C9orf72 expression levels observed in c9FTD/ALS patients. We obtained brain tissue from ten c9FTD/ALS individuals, nine FTD/ALS cases without a C9orf72 repeat expansion, and nine disease control participants, and generated fibroblastoid cell lines from seven C9orf72 expanded repeat carriers and seven participants carrying normal alleles. Chromatin immunoprecipitation using antibodies for histone H3 and H4 trimethylated at lysines 9 (H3K9), 27 (H3K27), 79 (H3K79), and 20 (H4K20) revealed that these trimethylated residues bind strongly to C9orf72 expanded repeats in brain tissue, but not to non-pathogenic repeats. Our finding that C9orf72 mRNA levels are reduced in the frontal cortices and cerebella of c9FTD/ALS patients is consistent with trimethylation of these histone residues, an event known to repress gene expression. Moreover, treating repeat carrier-derived fibroblasts with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine, a DNA and histone demethylating agent, not only decreased C9orf72 binding to trimethylated histone residues, but also increased C9orf72 mRNA expression. Our results provide compelling evidence that trimethylation of lysine residues within histones H3 and H4 is a novel mechanism involved in reducing C9orf72 mRNA expression in expanded repeat carriers. Of importance, we show that mutant C9orf72 binding to trimethylated H3K9 and H3K27 is detectable in blood of c9FTD/ALS patients. Confirming these exciting results using blood from a larger cohort of patients may establish this novel epigenetic event as a biomarker for c9FTD/ALS.
Regulatory T Cell Suppressive Potency Dictates the Balance between Bacterial Proliferation and Clearance during Persistent Salmonella Infection

The pathogenesis of persistent infection is dictated by the balance between opposing immune activation and suppression signals. Herein, virulent Salmonella was used to explore the role and potential importance of Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells in dictating the natural progression of persistent bacterial infection. Two distinct phases of persistent Salmonella infection are identified. In the first 3–4 weeks after infection, progressively increasing bacterial burden was associated with delayed effector T cell activation. Reciprocally, at later time points after infection, reductions in bacterial burden were associated with robust effector T cell activation. Using Foxp3GFP reporter mice for ex vivo isolation of regulatory T cells, we demonstrate that the dichotomy in infection tempo between early and late time points is directly paralleled by drastic changes in Foxp3+ Treg suppressive potency. In complementary experiments using Foxp3DTR mice, the significance of these shifts in Treg suppressive potency on infection outcome was verified by enumerating the relative impacts of regulatory T cell ablation on bacterial burden and effector T cell activation at early and late time points during persistent Salmonella infection. Moreover, Treg expression of CTLA-4 directly paralleled changes in suppressive potency, and the relative effects of Treg ablation could be largely recapitulated by CTLA-4 in vivo blockade. Together, these results demonstrate that dynamic regulation of Treg suppressive potency dictates the course of persistent bacterial infection.
Repair of deaminated base damage by Schizosaccharomyces pombe thymine DNA glycosylase.

Abstract Thymine DNA glycosylases (TDG) in eukaryotic organisms are known for their double-stranded glycosylase activity on guanine/uracil (G/U) base pairs. Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Spo) TDG is a member of the MUG/TDG family that belongs to a uracil DNA glycosylase superfamily. This work investigates the DNA repair activity of Spo TDG on all four deaminated bases: xanthine (X) and oxanine (O) from guanine, hypoxanthine (I) from adenine, and uracil from cytosine. Unexpectedly, Spo TDG exhibits glycosylase activity on all deaminated bases in both double-stranded and single-stranded DNA in the descending order of X > I > U ≫ O. In comparison, human TDG only excises deaminated bases from G/U and, to a much lower extent, A/U and G/I base pairs. Amino acid substitutions in motifs 1 and 2 of Spo TDG show a significant impact on deaminated base repair activity. The overall mutational effects are characterized by a loss of glycosylase activity on oxanine in all five mutants. L157I in motif 1 and G288M in motif 2 retain xanthine DNA glycosylase (XDG) activity but reduce excision of hypoxanthine and uracil, in particular in C/I, single-stranded hypoxanthine (ss-I), A/U, and single-stranded uracil (ss-U). A proline substitution at I289 in motif 2 causes a significant reduction in XDG activity and a loss of activity on C/I, ss-I, A/U, C/U, G/U, and ss-U. S291G only retains reduced activity on T/I and G/I base pairs. S163A can still excise hypoxanthine and uracil in mismatched base pairs but loses XDG activity, making it the closest mutant, functionally, to human TDG. The relationship among amino acid substitutions, binding affinity and base recognition is discussed.
Administrative decision making: a contextual analysis

Administrative decision making is contextual both in terms of the type of decisions a position holder must make as well as how they should be made (style). This paper argues that the type of decision is a function of administrative level, and the style is a function of organizational culture. Significant decisions are likely to be intuitive at the executive level, compromise at the managerial level, and computational at the supervisory level. Effective decision‐making styles are likely to be dictative in paternalistic, directive in bureaucratic, and deliberative in synergistic organizational cultures.