cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controlled synthesis of hydroxyapatite-based coatings for biomedical application

Abstract Here we report the controlled synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAP) HAP/Ti–alloy composite thin films using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. A KrF excimer laser (wavelength 248 nm, 25 ns pulse duration, 2–3 J/cm 2 ) was used to grow thin films at a base vacuum of ∼ 10 − 6 mbar, and substrate temperatures ranging from room temperature to 500 °C. Films were deposited on Si (100) and Sapphire (0001) single crystal substrates. Selected films were annealed in air at 400 °C, or nitrogen/water vapor at 550 °C to study crystallization properties. Fourier transform infrared ipectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization techniques were employed in the study of the films after deposition and after annealing. All as-deposited thin films were amorphous as seen by XRD and FTIR. AFM showed all films contained micron sized particles embedded into them. Density distribution and size of embedded particles was found to be much less for HAP/Ti–alloy composite thin films compared to pure HAP Films. In between the embedded particles the films were quite smooth. Root mean squared (RMS) roughness of pure HAP films was ∼ 100 nm and decreased to ∼ 50 nm as Ti–alloy content increased. Film roughness in between particles remained smooth to within 1 nm. Annealing of thin films on Si (100) at 400 °C in air resulted in very limited crystallization. However, annealing of thin films on sapphire at 550 °C in nitrogen/water vapor resulted in significant crystallization as seen in both XRD and FTIR with the added features of probable texturing resulting in the prominent presence of (002), and (112) diffraction peaks.
Characterization of passive embryonic myocardium by quasi-linear viscoelasticity theory

Abstract The mechanical properties of embryonic cardiac tissue, an important link between from and function, are largely unknown. This study provides new information on the viscoelastic behavior of the stage-16 and stage-18 ( 21 2 and 3 d) chick ventricle. The cylindrical ventricles were removed from the embryo, arrested in diastole, and mounted between two small wires in a specially designed experimental workstation. After preconditioning, ramp-and-hold stress relaxation tests were performed at 10, 20 and 40% stretch. The resulting reduced relaxation functions were fit by graphical approach with a quasi-linear viscoelastic representation. All functions were highly linear with natural log time between 1 and 60 s; mean slopes were −0.051 to −0.067. Other mean values were: fast time constant τ1, 0.037 – 0.052 s; slow time constant τ2, 296–486 s; and final relaxation G(∞), 0.38 – 0.59. These results agree closely with those of adult tissue. The differences in parameters were not significant either between stretch levels within stage or between stages at the same stretch level. An extrapolation/renormalization procedure increased agreement in slope between stretch levels but decreased agreement in G(∞). Events occurring on the short time scale may represent extracellular fluid filtration while final relaxation may be a function of true tissue viscoelasticity. These results will provide a baseline for extension to later developmental stages in cases of both normal and altered growth.
Cardiac thin filament regulation

Myocardial contraction is initiated upon the release of calcium into the cytosol from the sarcoplasmic reticulum following membrane depolarization. The fundamental physiological role of the heart is to pump an amount blood that is determined by the prevailing requirements of the body. The physiological control systems employed to accomplish this task include regulation of heart rate, the amount of calcium release, and the response of the cardiac myofilaments to activator calcium ions. Thin filament activation and relaxation dynamics has emerged as a pivotal regulatory system tuning myofilament function to the beat-to-beat regulation of cardiac output. Maladaptation of thin filament dynamics, in addition to dysfunctional calcium cycling, is now recognized as an important cellular mechanism causing reduced cardiac pump function in a variety of cardiac diseases. Here, we review current knowledge regarding protein–protein interactions involved in the dynamics of thin filament activation and relaxation and the regulation of these processes by protein kinase-mediated phosphorylation.
Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Inhibits C-Type Natriuretic Peptide Activation of Guanylyl Cyclase B (GC-B/NPR-B)

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) binds and activates the transmembrane guanylyl cyclase B receptor (NPR-B), which decreases vascular tone and inhibits cell proliferation and migration. In contrast, the bioactive lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) elicits the opposite physiological effects. Here, we demonstrate a potent acute inhibitory effect of S1P on NPR-B activity in NIH3T3 fibroblasts and A10 vascular smooth muscle cells. In fibroblasts, S1P reduced CNP-dependent cGMP elevations to the same levels as 10% fetal bovine serum, the most potent NPR-B desensitizing agent known. The reduction was dose-dependent (IC50=0.08 micromol/L) and due to decreased NPR-B activity because CNP-dependent guanylyl cyclase activities were markedly diminished in membranes prepared from S1P-treated cells. Similarly, in A10 cells, S1P inhibition was rapid (t1/2=2 to 5 minutes), dose-dependent (IC50=0.3 micromol/L S1P), and mediated by a cell surface receptor. The mechanism of the S1P-dependent desensitization in A10 cells did not require NPR-B degradation or protein kinase C activation, but did require elevated calcium concentrations because a nonspecific calcium ionophore also inhibited NPR-B and an intracellular calcium chelator blocked a significant portion of the S1P response. These are the first data demonstrating cross-talk between the natriuretic peptide and S1P signaling systems. They suggest that the effects of S1P on vascular disease and wound healing may be mediated in part through inhibition of NPR-B.
String matching on multicontext FPGAs using self-reconfiguration

FPGAs can perform better than ASICs if the logic mapped onto them is optimized for each problem instance. Unfortunately, this advantage is often canceled by the long time needed by CAD tools to generate problem instance dependent logic and the time required to configure the FPGAs. In this paper, a novel approach for runtime mapping is proposed that utilizes self-reconfigurability of multicontext FPGAs to achieve very high speedups over existing approaches. The key idea is to design and map logic onto a multicontext FPGA that in turn maps problem instance dependent logic onto other contexts of the same FPGA. As a result, CAD tools need to be used just once for each problem and not once for every problem instance as is usually done. To demonstrate the feasibility of our approach, a detailed implementation of the KMP string matching algorithm is presented which involves runtime construction of a finite state machine. We implement the KMP algorithm on a conventional FPGA (Xilinx XC 6216) and use it to obtain accurate estimates of performance on a multicontext device. Speedups in mapping time of ≈ 10⁶ over CAD tools and more than 1800 over a program written specifically for FSM generation were obtained. Significant speedups were obtained in overall execution time as well, including a speedup ranging from 3 to 16 times over a software implementation of the KMP algorithm running on a Sun Ultra 1 Model 140 workstation.
Communities, modules and large-scale structure in networks

Networks have proved to be useful representations of complex systems. Within these networks, there are typically a number of subsystems defined by only a subset of nodes and edges. Detecting these structures often provides important information about the organization and functioning of the overall network. Here, progress towards quantifying medium- and large-scale structures within complex networks is reviewed.
Axiomatic approach to electromagnetic and gravitational radiation reaction of particles in curved spacetime

The problem of determining the electromagnetic and gravitational ``self-force'' on a particle in a curved spacetime is investigated using an axiomatic approach. In the electromagnetic case, our key postulate is a ``comparison axiom,'' which states that whenever two particles of the same charge $e$ have the same magnitude of acceleration, the difference in their self-force is given by the ordinary Lorentz force of the difference in their (suitably compared) electromagnetic fields. We thereby derive an expression for the electromagnetic self-force which agrees with that of DeWitt and Brehme as corrected by Hobbs. Despite several important differences, our analysis of the gravitational self-force proceeds in close parallel with the electromagnetic case. In the gravitational case, our final expression for the (reduced order) equations of motion shows that the deviation from geodesic motion arises entirely from a ``tail term,'' in agreement with recent results of Mino et al. Throughout the paper, we take the view that ``point particles'' do not make sense as fundamental objects, but that ``point particle equations of motion'' do make sense as means of encoding information about the motion of an extended body in the limit where not only the size but also the charge and mass of the body go to zero at a suitable rate. Plausibility arguments for the validity of our comparison axiom are given by considering the limiting behavior of the self-force on extended bodies.
Loss of HSulf-1 up-regulates heparin-binding growth factor signaling in cancer.

Emerging data suggest that signaling by heparin-binding growth factors is influenced by the sulfation state of N-acetylglucosamine residues of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). Here we report that the recently identified protein HSulf-1, a heparin-degrading endosulfatase, encodes a cell surface-associated enzyme that diminishes sulfation of cell surface HSPGs. The message encoding this enzyme is readily detectable in a variety of normal tissues, including normal ovarian surface epithelial cells, but is undetectable in 5 of 7 ovarian carcinoma cell lines and markedly diminished or undetectable in ∼75% of ovarian cancers. Similar down-regulation is also observed in breast, pancreatic, renal cells, and hepatocellular carcinoma lines. Re-expression of HSulf-1 in ovarian cancer cell lines resulted in diminished HSPG sulfation, diminished phosphorylation of receptor tyrosine kinases that require sulfated HSPGs as co-receptors for their cognate ligands, and diminished downstream signaling through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway after treatment with fibroblast growth factor-2 or heparin-binding epidermal growth factor. Consistent with these changes, HSulf-1 re-expression resulted in reduced proliferation as well as sensitivity to induction of apoptosis by the broad spectrum kinase inhibitor staurosporine and the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. Collectively, these observations provide evidence that HSulf-1 modulates signaling by heparin-binding growth factors, and HSulf-1 down-regulation represents a novel mechanism by which cancer cells can enhance growth factor signaling.
Memory and Translation

This paper begins with the following question: What is the relation between memory and translation? If a computer, which can be given a very large amount of memory, stored millions and millions of documents and their human translations would that computer then be able to translate just like a human? The paper then explores a limitation to automatic translation based on memory. This limitation is explained in terms of the Black Box Myth of translation. However, despite this limitation, the usefulness of computers is explored as productivity tools for human translators. Then the study asks what properties might be needed in a computer, besides memory, in order to allow it to translate like a human and how to tell whether a computer has acquired human translation skills. A variation of the Turing Test is proposed as a diagnostic, along with various intermediate translation-based tests for theories of meaning. The paper ends with some philosophical speculation about the possible role of free will in language,...
Genetics of atherosclerosis: Some strategies for studies of apolipoprotein E

Many genes are hypothesized to be involved in determining an individual's risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). Recent efforts have focused on the genetic architecture of quantitative traits related to risk for CAD. Studies relating genetic variation in the structural gene for apolipoprotein E to plasma levels of apolipoprotein E illustrate strategies to begin to understand the genetic architecture of plasma levels of apolipoprotein E. Studies using a measured gene approach suggest that variability in the isoforms of apolipoprotein E explain some, but not all, of the variability in plasma levels of apolipoprotein E. Products of other genes may be associated with plasma apolipoprotein E variability. No studies to date have presented findings from an unmeasured gene approach to plasma levels of apolipoprotein E. Models most often used in the unmeasured gene approach are not appropriate for studies of plasma levels of apolipoprotein E and perhaps are inappropriate for the study of other traits. Variations of the models are suggested to ask if a single unmeasured gene is the same gene defined by the apolipoprotein E isoforms. Another model can be used to ask if there is evidence for genes influencing levels of apolipoprotein E after accounting for the effects of the isoforms. Both the measured gene and unmeasured gene strategies have limitations. The failure of most models to allow for the complexity of genotype-phenotype relationships or the heterogeneity of genetic causes will slow the progress to understand the genetic architecture of quantitative traits associated with risk for CAD. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Global Regulation by gidA in Pseudomonas syringae

Analysis of two virulence mutants of Pseudomonas syringae B728a revealed that the Tn 5 sites of insertion were within the gidA open reading frame (ORF). These mutations were pleiotropic, affecting diverse phenotypic traits, such as lipodepsipeptide (syringomycin and syringopeptin) antibiotic production, swarming, presence of fluorescent pigment, and virulence. Site-specific recombination of a disrupted gidA gene into the chromosome resulted in the same phenotypic pattern as transposon insertion. Mutant phenotypes were restored by the gidA ORF on a plasmid. The salA gene, a copy number suppressor of the syringomycin-deficient phenotype in gacS and gacA mutants, was also found to suppress the antibiotic-negative phenotypes of gidA mutants, suggesting that gidA might play some role in salA regulation. Reporter studies with chromosomal salA-lacZ translational fusions confirmed that salA reporter expression decreased approximately fivefold in a gidA mutant background, with a concurrent decrease in the expression of the syringomycin biosynthetic reporter fusion syrB-lacZ. Wild-type levels of reporter expression were restored by supplying an intact gidA gene on a plasmid. Often described as being involved in cell division, more recent evidence suggests a role for gidA in moderating translational fidelity, suggesting a mechanism by which global regulation might occur. The gidA gene is essentially universal in the domains Bacteria and Eucarya but has no counterparts in Archaea, probably reflecting specific differences in the translational machinery between the former and latter domains.
Labor market flexibility and poverty dynamics

Abstract The past two decades have witnessed a rapid growth in flexible work arrangements that, in some instances, could expose workers to a higher poverty risk via limited job stability, few advancement opportunities, and low wages. Nowhere in the world has this increase in flexible work arrangements being more evident than in Spain, where about a third of the wage and salary workforce holds fixed-term contracts. Using Spanish panel data and maximum-likelihood binary models that account for state dependence and unobserved heterogeneity, we examine the poverty implications of past and present temporary employment. Our findings suggest that fixed-term contracts are linked to a greater poverty exposure among women and older men relative to open-ended contracts. Furthermore, this greater poverty exposure can last several years due to feedback effects operating via job instability or via the transition to work statuses characterized by higher poverty hazards. Finally, the adverse impact of temporary employment is linked to the short duration of some contracts, thus signaling the importance of work attachment.
A new trawl-resistant bottom mount to support hydrographic current measurement requirements

The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVO-CEANO) has utilized trawl-resistant bottom mounts (TRBMs) of various configurations since 1992. Deployment weight of some initial packages was 2,850 pounds confined within a 13.5-feet length, truncated pyramid design. Since 1998, cone-shaped units of 375 pounds and 7 feet in diameter have been more frequently utilized. Design of the earlier TRBMs was based on optimal trawl resistance and the available doppler current profiler technology. Acquiring current measurements to support hydrography with those packages was limited due to specialized deployment equipment and space required on the hydrographic vessels. The solution was to design a miniaturized TRBM, utilizing the RD Instruments Workhorse Monitor Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (WHM-ADCP) and a separate battery pack lying sideways. Initially, the miniaturized TRBM will be used to acquire current measurements to meet International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Class A standards aboard the hydrographic ships USNS JOHN MCDONNELL (T-AGS 51) and USNS LITTLEHALES (T-AGS 52).
TEMPORAL AND ANGULAR PROPERTIES OF GAMMA-RAY BURST JETS EMERGING FROM MASSIVE STARS

We study the long-term evolution of relativistic jets in collapsars and examine the effects of viewing angle on the subsequent gamma-ray bursts. We carry out a series of high-resolution simulations of a jet propagating through a stellar envelope in 2D cylindrical coordinates using the FLASH relativistic hydrodynamics module. For the first time, simulations are carried out using an adaptive mesh that allows for a large dynamic range inside the star while still being efficient enough to follow the evolution of the jet long after it breaks out from the star. We single out three phases in the jet evolution: a precursor phase in which relativistic material turbulently shed from the head of the jet first emerges from the star, a shocked-jet phase where a fully shocked jet of material is emerging, and an unshocked-jet phase where the jet consists of a free-streaming, unshocked core surrounded by a thin boundary layer of shocked-jet material. The appearance of these phases will be different to observers at different angles. The precursor has a wide opening angle, the shocked phase has a relatively narrow opening angle, and in the unshocked phase the opening angle increases logarithmically with time. As a consequence, some observers see prolonged dead times of emission even for constant properties of the jet injected in the stellar core. We also present an analytic model that is able to reproduce the overall properties of the jet and its evolution. In an appendix, we present 1D and 2D tests of the FLASH relativistic hydrodynamics module.
Analysis of proposals for a minimum subordinated debt requirement

Abstract Increasing market discipline has emerged as a major policy issue for banking regulators. The most prominent proposals for increasing market discipline would require banks to issue subordinated debt to the public. This paper explores the fundamental rationale behind mandatory subordinated debt proposals and their advantages and disadvantages. Our analysis indicates that a subordinated debt requirement will only modestly increase the risk sensitivity of bank costs at most large banks; however, we argue that there are substantial benefits to using subordinated debt as a market-based trigger for regulatory action.
"Recovery Characteristics of Ionic Drift Induced Failures under Time/Temperature Stress"

A model has been presented by Hofstein which characterizes drift of free sodium ions through silicon dioxide under positive and negative bias. This investigation examines the model to determine if it is applicable to drift recovery under zero bias conditions. A modified model is presented for the time/temperature relationship of unbiased drift recovery.
Motion and structure from two perspective views: algorithms, error analysis, and error estimation

Deals with estimating motion parameters and the structure of the scene from point (or feature) correspondences between two perspective views. An algorithm is presented that gives a closed-form solution for motion parameters and the structure of the scene. The algorithm utilizes redundancy in the data to obtain more reliable estimates in the presence of noise. An approach is introduced to estimating the errors in the motion parameters computed by the algorithm. Specifically, standard deviation of the error is estimated in terms of the variance of the errors in the image coordinates of the corresponding points. The estimated errors indicate the reliability of the solution as well as any degeneracy or near degeneracy that causes the failure of the motion estimation algorithm. The presented approach to error estimation applies to a wide variety of problems that involve least-squares optimization or pseudoinverse. Finally the relationships between errors and the parameters of motion and imaging system are analyzed. The results of the analysis show, among other things, that the errors are very sensitive to the translation direction and the range of field view. Simulations are conducted to demonstrate the performance of the algorithms and error estimation as well as the relationships between the errors and the parameters of motion and imaging systems. The algorithms are tested on images of real-world scenes with point of correspondences computed automatically. >
Infectious Causes of Posterior Uveitis

A variety of infectious agents may cause posterior uveitis. The origin, ocular findings, diagnostic tests, and therapy for these conditions are reviewed. Accurate diagnosis of an infectious cause of posterior uveitis is important because specific antimicrobial therapy may prevent irreversible ocular damage.
The Effect of Age at School Entry on Reading Achievement Scores Among South Carolina Students

To determine the degree of association of age at school entry with reading failure, the Basic Skills Assessment Program (BSAP) reading test scores for all South Carolina students in Grades 1, 2, 3, and 6 were analyzed. The study found that the proportions of students failing to meet the standards on BSAP reading tests were higher for younger, male, black, and lunch-assisted students than for older, female, non-black, and full-paying students. Adjusted odds ratios from logistic regression indicated that risk of failure for younger students was greater than for older students in all grades when controlled for race, sex, and lunch-payment status (α = .05). However, the odds ratios as well as estimates of attributable risk showed that the effect of age at school entry, though significant through Grade 6, was minor compared to the risk associated with race, sex, or lunch-payment status.
Genital and anal injuries requiring surgical repair in females less than 21 years of age.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The injuries of sexually abused and assaulted girls seldom require surgical repair, and genital and anal injuries due to other causes appear to require repair uncommonly. We sought to determine the causes of genital and anorectal injuries requiring surgical repair in relation to such variables as injury sites and severity. DESIGN: Retrospective study SETTING: A large tertiary care children's hospital PARTICIPANTS: Forty-four girls less than 21 years of age who required surgical repair of genital injuries between June 1986 and April 2007 were identified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Information collected included the victims' ages, trauma mechanisms, and sites and severity of injuries. RESULTS: Injuries requiring repair of the genital and anal areas were uncommon in the 20 year period of this study. Although most injuries were due to straddle and impalement mechanisms, sexual abuse or assault was identified in 25% of the girls. The remaining 11% were victims of motor vehicle accidents. Straddle/impalement injuries involved only the external genitalia, vestibule, perineum, or posterior fourchette of 21 of the 28 girls (76%) with those injuries. The injuries of 9 of the 11 sexually abused/assaulted girls (82%) also involved the hymen, vagina, anus, or rectum. Injuries due to sexual abuse/assault and motor vehicle accidents (MVA) had average severity scores of 2.1 and 2.2, respectively, while straddle injuries had an average severity score of 1.4. (Exact Pearson chi-square P Language: en
Medicalization in psychiatry: the medical model, descriptive diagnosis, and lost knowledge.

Medicalization was the theme of the 29th European Conference on Philosophy of Medicine and Health Care that included a panel session on the DSM and mental health. Philosophical critiques of the medical model in psychiatry suffer from endemic assumptions that fail to acknowledge the real world challenges of psychiatric nosology. The descriptive model of classification of the DSM 3-5 serves a valid purpose in the absence of known etiologies for the majority of psychiatric conditions. However, a consequence of the “atheoretical” approach of the DSM is rampant epistemological confusion, a shortcoming that can be ameliorated by importing perspectives from the work of Jaspers and McHugh. Finally, contemporary psychiatry’s over-reliance on neuroscience and pharmacotherapy has led to a reductionist agenda that is antagonistic to the inherently pluralistic nature of psychiatry. As a result, the field has suffered a loss of knowledge that may be difficult to recover.
Malignant Hyperthermia During Double-Lung Transplantation.

MALIGNANT HYPERTHERMIA (MH) is an uncommon, life-threatening hypermetabolic response to the exposure of halogenated anesthetic gases and/or succinylcholine. Larach et al introduced the clinical rating scale on which the features of this hypermetabolic response are ranked. The authors report here the perioperative course of a patient who developed MH during lung transplantation. Signs of MH include sinus tachycardia, profound hyperthermia, ventricular tachycardia requiring multiple cardioversions, metabolic and respiratory acidosis, and elevated serum myoglobin. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was beneficial and enabled the successful lung transplant. A discussion of the complicated intraoperative diagnostic and therapeutic considerations, including mechanical circulatory support, follows.
A High Efficiency E-Band CMOS Frequency Doubler With a Compensated Transformer-Based Balun for Matching Enhancement

This letter presents a broadband high efficiency frequency doubler based on a new and effective compensation technique. A transformer based input balun achieves good balanced performance and input matching by the newly invented central capacitor based compensation technique. It demonstrates a peak conversion gain (CG) of $-$ 2.5 dB and peak efficiency of 9.7% with a saturated output power of 2.5 dBm at 74 GHz. The doubler exhibits a 3 dB CG bandwidth of 28 GHz from 62 to 90 GHz. The fundamental rejection is larger than 20 dB. The doubler is fabricated in a 65 nm CMOS technology with chip area of $0.6\times 0.45\ {\rm mm}^{2}$ and consumes 9–14 mW power.
Economic Openness and Subnational Borrowing

Using a panel dataset of 206 non-U.S. subnational governments from 31 countries between 2004 and 2010, this study investigates the relationship between economic openness and sub-sovereign borrowings. We find that financial openness generates a positive impact on the size of subnational obligations in developing countries but a negative effect in developed countries. It also improves the credit ratings of subnational jurisdictions regardless of the country's development status. However, trade openness does not show any effects on subnational borrowings. To account for these findings that cannot be fully explained by existing theories, we propose a new efficiency hypothesis.
Abstract 363: Class I HDAC Inhibition Causes Selective Activation of Pro-Survival Kinases at Reperfusion in Post-Ischemic Hearts

Background: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes inhibit gene expression through chromatin compaction and exacerbate myocyte death following ischemia-reperfusion (IR) in the heart. In our prior study, disinhibition of antioxidant gene and protein expression was achieved through 24 hour pretreatment with entinostat, a class I HDAC inhibitor, and was correlated with improved heart contractile recovery from IR. Additionally, ERK1/2 was phosphorylated, indicating activation of the reperfusion injury survival kinase (RISK) pathway. HDAC inhibitors also enhance posttranslational acetylation of nonhistone proteins through unmasking of acetyltransferase activity, which may influence heart survival from injury. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that inhibition of class I HDACs during reperfusion in postischemic hearts would activate the RISK pathway and improve contractile recovery. Methods: Hearts from male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=4/group) were isolated and perfused in Langendorff mode. Global ischemia was induced by cess...
Brains–Computers–Machines: Neural Engineering in Science Classrooms

Neural engineering is an emerging field of high relevance to students, teachers, and the general public. This Feature presents online resources that educators and scientists can use to introduce st...
Efficient and Effective Quality Assessment of As-Is Building Information Models and 3D Laser-Scanned Data

Documenting as-is conditions of buildings using 3D laser scanning and Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology is being adopted as a practice for enhancing effective management of facilities. Many service providers generate as-is BIMs based on laser-scanned data. It is necessary to conduct timely and comprehensive assessments of the quality of the laser-scanned data and the as-is BIM generated from the data before using them for making decisions about facilities. This paper presents the data and as-is BIM QA requirements of civil engineers and demonstrates that the required QA information can be derived by analyzing the patterns in the deviations between the data and the as-is BIMs. We formalized this idea as a deviation analysis method for efficient and effective QA of the data and as-is BIMs. A preliminary evaluation of the results obtained through this approach show the potential of this method for achieving timely, detailed, comprehensive, and quantitative assessment of various types of data/model quality issues.
The petrogenesis of impact basin melt rocks in lunar meteorite Shişr 161

This study explores the petrogenesis of Shisr 161, an immature lunar regolith breccia meteorite with low abundances of incompatible elements, a feldspathic affinity, and a significant magnesian component. Our approach was to identify all clasts >0.5 mm in size in a thin section, characterize their mineral and melt components, and reconstruct their bulk major and minor element compositions. Trace element concentrations in representative clasts of different textural and compositional types indicate that the clast inventory of Shisr 161 is dominated by impact melts that include slowly cooled cumulate melt rocks with mafic magnesian mineral assemblages. Minor exotic components are incompatible-element-rich melt spherules and glass fragments, and a gas-associated spheroidal precipitate. Our hypothesis for the petrologic setting of Shisr 161 is that the crystallized melt clasts originate from the upper ~1 km of the melt sheet of a 300 to 500 km diameter lunar impact basin in the Moon’s feldspathic highlands. This hypothesis is based on size requirements for cumulate impact melts and the incorporation of magnesian components that we interpret to be mantle-derived. The glassy melts likely formed during the excavation of the melt sheet assemblage, by an impact that produced a >15 km diameter crater. The assembly of Shisr 161 occurred in a proximal ejecta deposit of this excavation event. A later impact into this ejecta deposit then launched Shisr 161 from the Moon. Our geochemical modeling of remote sensing data combined with the petrographic and chemical characterization of Shisr 161 reveals a preferred provenance on the Moon’s surface that is close to pre-Nectarian Riemann-Fabry basin.
PRELIMINARY COMMUNICATION ON THE SURVIVAL, THE SITES HARBORING VIRUS AND GENETIC STABILITY OF POLIOVIRUS IN COCKROACHES.

SummarySabin's attenuated strain of poliovirus type 3 persisted in cockroaches (Blaberus discoidalis) after experimental infection for as long as 51 days. No evidence was obtained indicating multip...
NMR Diffusion Editing for D?T2 Maps: Application to Recognition of Wettability Change

The inclusion of diffusion information with relaxation information has the potential to make contributions to the interpretation of NMR well logs. The results of NMR experiments can be displayed as a two-dimensional map or distribution of intrinsic diffusion coefficient (D) versus transverse relaxation time (T 2 ) called a D-T 2 map. These maps have already been proven useful as tools for fluid characterization, but there are other benefits to employing D-T 2 maps for interpretation. Divergence of the measured diffusion coefficient from bulk fluid values can give information about the system in which diffusion is occurring. For example, diffusion coefficient values above the bulk fluid diffusivity indicate the presence of internal field gradients, while values below bulk suggest the presence of restricted diffusion. The fluid characterization available with diffusion information also allows the observation of wettability alteration. When an oil phase relaxes and diffuses as bulk oil, the response will appear on the line corresponding to the correlation of diffusivity and relaxation time for hydrocarbons. Departure of the oil response from this line to shorter relaxation time is usually due to surface relaxation of the oil phase, indicating a change in wettability from water-wet conditions. This change can also be indicated by the water phase relaxation time shifting towards the bulk value, a phenomenon more easily monitored when oil saturations are low. The naturally oil-wet character of West Texas dolomites, as well as the wettability alteration due to oil-base drilling mud additives in Berea Sandstones, were both interpreted with Diffusion Editing NMR sequences. In these samples, the interpretation must be qualified with the condition that internal gradients will also result in departure of the oil response from the line for hydrocarbons. These examples will illustrate the process of generating and interpreting D-T 2 maps to observe internal gradients, multiple fluid saturations, and wettability changes.
Influence of Gelatin-Thrombin Matrix Tissue Sealant on Bacterial Colony Formation and Risk of Pelvic Infection

Objective. Gelatin-thrombin matrix (GTM) tissue sealant use was previously identified as an independent predictor of pelvic infection following hysterectomies. We aim to elucidate contributing factors by assessing influence of GTM on bacterial colony formation and characterizing bacteria present at the vaginal cuff. Methods. Escherichia coli was incubated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and pelvic washings with and without GTM to assess influence on colony formation. Pelvic washings of the vaginal cuff were collected from hysterectomies occurring from June through October 2015. In vitro techniques, 16S rRNA gene qPCR, and 16S amplicon sequencing were performed with washings to characterize bacteria at the vaginal cuff. Results. Mean bacterial colony formation in PBS was greater for E. coli incubated in the presence of GTM (1.48 × 10(7) CFU/mL) versus without (9.95 × 10(5) CFU/mL) following 20-hour incubation (p = 0.001). Out of 61 pelvic washings samples, 3 were culture positive (≥5000 CFU/mL) with Enterococcus faecalis. Conclusion. In vitro experiments support a facilitating role of GTM on colony formation of E. coli in PBS. However, given the negative results of surgical site washings following adequate disinfection, the role of GTM in promoting posthysterectomy pelvic infections may be limited. Analysis of pelvic washings revealed presence of E. faecalis, but results were inconclusive. Further studies are recommended.
Research on CVT Error Installation of Wind Farm in Liaoning and the Eastern Part of Inner Mongolia Region

This article briefly describes the basic principles and characteristics of the capacitive voltage transformer( CVT). As CVT is one of the electricity metering devices at gateways in the wind farm,the error of which has great impact on the accuracy of the overall energy metering device. According to general measuring problem of out-of-tolerance error caused by CVT error installation of wind farm in Liaoning and the eastern part of inner Mongolia region,this paper makes a detailed theoretical analysis and a large number of field test. The theoretical and exprimental data have both proved that CVT error installation would greatly change its measurement error, leading to inaccurate measurement result and cause dispute over electricity billing between wind power plants and power grid.
Low Density Sub-Critical CO2-Blown Solid-State PLA Foams:

This paper presents a characterization of the PLA-CO 2 system for solid-state foaming process with a particular goal of producing low density foams. The diffusivity ofCO 2 in PLA increases with increasing saturation pressures. The results show that low relatively density (lower than 10%) can be achieved in a wide processing window. The cell size can vary from tens of microns to several hundreds of microns depending on the solid-state foaming process parameters. There are significant differences in relative density and cell size for 2 and 3 MPa saturation cases, which are likely due to the much higher crystallinity at 3 MPa (26.4%) compared to 2 MPa (9.7%). Foams with cell size of around 300 μm and relative density of 3% were produced at 2 MPa saturation. It was observed that the higher the gas pressure, the higher the rate of gas-induced crystallization. Further, the gas-induced crystallization as well as the gas concentration in PLA during sorption reach their respective maximum values at approximately the same time for all gas pressures explored. For specimens saturated at 2 MPa, there is a substantial jump in crystallinity (from 5.2% to 23.4%) after foaming.
Weight stigma and eating behaviors on a college campus: Are students immune to stigma's effects?

College populations are groups of emerging adults undergoing significant transitions in eating and diet, being exposed to new social influences; many experience weight gain. Theoretically, college campuses should be places where weight stigma is evident and matters for dietary decision-making. We present the findings from two studies conducted within the same college population at a large public university, including anthropometric measures of body mass. Study 1 included two different measures of weight stigma (implicit and explicit) and measures of weight-control eating behaviors and fruit and vegetable consumption in a randomized representative sample of 204 students. Study 2 included a measure of weight responsibility and multiple measures of eating (food frequency, alcohol intake, and 24-hour dietary recalls), among freshman students (n = 202, n = 157 with 24-hour dietary recalls). Study 1 showed that the three types of stigmas were prevalent. Study 2 had a high prevalence of weight stigma attitudes and demonstrated the occurrence of unhealthful eating and binge drinking behaviors. Both studies found no relationship between weight stigma/responsibility and eating behaviors regardless of weight status. Beyond considering limitations of the study design, we propose two possible reasons for college students' relative immunity to the effects of weight stigma. Those with very high levels of stigma could be suppressing stigmatizing attitudes based on what they think others think is acceptable in a liberal college setting, or the chaotic form of “normal” eating in this population hides the effects of weight stigma.
The Pauli Principle and Pair Creation/Annihilation

The field variable representing a single body in quantum mechanics is the wave function Ψ(x), whose absolute square is interpreted as the probability density for locating a particle at the place x. The extension to many particles of matter leads to the many-body wave function Ψ, depending on the wave functions of the individual bodies, Ψ 1(x 1), Ψ 2(x 2), ...,Ψ n (x n ), for an n-body system of matter, where x n denotes the location of the n th body.
The Value of Addressing Patient Preferences

Recent scientific progress is, in some cases, leading to transformative new medicines for diseases that previously had marginal or even no treatment options. This offers great promise for people affected by these diseases, but it has also placed stress on the health care system in terms of the growing cost associated with some new interventions. Effort has been taken to create tools to help patients and health care providers assess the value of new medical innovations. These tools may also provide the basis for assessing the price associated with new medical products. Given the growing expenditures in health care, value frameworks present an opportunity to evaluate new therapeutic options in the context of other treatments and potentially lead to a more economically sustainable health care system. In summary, the contribution to meaningful improvements in health outcomes is the primary focus of any assessment of the value of a new intervention. A component of such evaluations, however, should factor in timely access to new products that address an unmet medical need, as well as the magnitude of that beneficial impact. To achieve these goals, value assessment tools should allow for flexibility in clinical end points and trial designs, incorporate patient preferences, and continually evolve as new evidence, practice patterns, and medical progress advance.
In situ renal perfusion

A technique using in situ local hypothermia via renal artery perfusion for in situ partial nephrectomy is described. This technique was applied in the case of a renal-cell carcinoma in the lower half of a solitary left kidney. The patient suffered no complications and at follow-up remains normotensive, with stable serum creatinine and no evidence of recurrent carcinoma.
Relationship between the distribution of foraminifera and geologic structures of the Arica Bight, South America

Benthic foraminifera are rare on the Nazca Plate and patchy on the continental margin of the Arica Bight. The population recovered from an apparently sediment-free portion of the Peru-Chile Trench resembles assemblages from submarine canyons at shallower depth. Displaced assemblages and the geomorphology of the upper continental margin suggest widespread downward displacement of sediment. Turbidity currents are invoked as the most important mechanism for downslope transport. None of the samples indicates that benthic foraminifera restricted to deep-water environments have been tectonically uplifted. Planktonic foraminifera occur rarely in 40 core samples recovered from the Arica Bight, and the deforming South American continental margin contains no incorporated sections of pelagic sediment.
Optimizing the ULV-VFQ for Clinical Use Through Item Set Reduction: Psychometric Properties and Trade-Offs.

Purpose We examine the dimensionality of the 150-item visual functioning questionnaire for individuals with ultralow vision (ULV-VFQ) and develop representative abbreviated versions, facilitating clinical use, while retaining compatibility with a 17-item performance assessment. Methods Subsets with 50 and 23 items covering the full difficulty range were selected, with evenly spaced item measures (IMs) and good representation of visual aspects and functional domains. Person measures (PMs) for the anchored subsets were derived through Rasch analysis of data from 80 respondents. Results Fit statistics for the reduced item sets were similar to those for the full set, with reliabilities at or above 95%. Mean PMs in the reduced sets were within 0.8 standard errors (SEs) of those in the full set. SEs of the PMs increased from the SE for 150 items, roughly in inverse proportion with the square root of the set size. Unexplained variance levels (24%-27%) and variance of the first unexplained factor (3.3%-3.9%) were close to those (30% and 2.6%) for 150 items. Differential item functions for omitted items were negligible. Aspects and domains are adequately represented in the reduced sets. Conclusions Self-reported visual ability can be measured accurately using appropriately chosen anchored subsets of the ULV-VFQ. Functional ability of individuals with ULV is characterized adequately by a single dimension. Translational relevance The ULV-VFQ50 and ULV-VFQ23, using anchored IMs from the 150-item ULV-VFQ, provide an efficient and reliable self-report assessment of visual ability in individuals whose visual impairment is too severe for assessment with VFQs currently in use.
National trends in the frequency of bladder catheterization and physician-diagnosed catheter-associated urinary tract infections: Results from the Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System.

Background It is unclear if bladder catheterization and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates have changed since the implementation of public reporting in 2011. Methods We analyzed data from the Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System, a national, chart abstraction–based surveillance system, for hospitalized adults with a principal discharge diagnosis of heart failure (HF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or pneumonia and patients who had undergone certain major surgeries. We assessed bladder catheterization frequency (percentage of patients catheterized) and risk-adjusted CAUTI frequency (percentage of catheterized patients developing CAUTI) from 2009-2014. Results Bladder catheterization frequency declined significantly (6.6% for AMI patients, 8.0% for HF patients, and 5.7% for surgical patients). For pneumonia patients, there was a nonsignificant increase of 1.1%. The risk-adjusted CAUTI rate among AMI patients decreased by 9.7% each year relative to the year before. For surgical patients, the decrease was 9.1% per year. There was no significant decline among HF or pneumonia patients. The overall burden of CAUTI among surgical patients was higher than for the other conditions because surgical patients were more likely to be catheterized. Conclusions There were statistically significant declines in observed bladder catheterization frequency and adjusted CAUTI frequency in some patient populations between 2009 and 2014.