cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Outcome Effects, Decision Aid Usage, and Intolerance of Ambiguity on Evaluations of Professional Audit Judgement

Auditors' performance is evaluated in a variety of contexts and at various time intervals following professional conduct. Outcome knowledge is often available prior to evaluation, and accordingly, evaluations may reflect hindsight biases. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of outcome knowledge on evaluations of professional audit judgement. Specifically, we hypothesize that outcome effects will be altered by two factors: (1) conduct that involves the incomplete use (truncated application) of available decision aids and (2) the degree to which evaluators exhibit intolerance of ambiguity. We also examined the interaction of these two factors. Results of our experiment confirmed our hypotheses regarding the influence of decision aid usage and individuals' intolerance of ambiguity on outcome effects. Negative, non-normative outcome effects were strongest when available analytical procedures decision aids were only partially utilized; participants who were intolerant of ambiguity were subject to hindsight biases, while tolerant subjects were not. Implications are discussed in terms relating to (internal) performance evaluations and extensions to external legal liability.
Collaborative chronic care model implementation within outpatient behavioral health care teams: qualitative results from a multisite trial using implementation facilitation

This paper reports on a qualitative evaluation of a hybrid type II stepped-wedge, cluster randomized trial using implementation facilitation to implement team-based care in the form of the collaborative chronic care model (CCM) in interdisciplinary outpatient mental health teams. The objective of this analysis is to compare the alignment of sites’ clinical processes with the CCM elements at baseline (time 1) and after 12 months of implementation facilitation (time 2) from the perspective of providers. We conducted semi-structured interviews to assess the extent to which six CCM elements were in place: work role redesign, patient self-management support, provider decision support, clinical information systems, linkages to community resources, and organizational/leadership support. Interviews were transcribed and a priori CCM elements were coded using a directed content analysis approach at times 1 and 2. We sought consensus on, and compared, the extent to which each CCM element was in place at times 1 and 2. We conducted 27 and 31 telephone interviews at times 1 and 2, respectively, with outpatient mental health providers at nine participating sites. At time 1 and time 2, three CCM elements were most frequently present across the sites: work role redesign, patient self-management support, and provider decision support. The CCM elements with increased implementation from time 1 to time 2 were work role redesign, patient self-management support, and clinical information systems. For two CCM elements, linkages to community resources and organizational/leadership support, some sites had increased implementation at time 2 compared to time 1, while others had reductions. For the provider decision support element, we saw little change in the extent of its implementation. Sites increased the extent of implementation on several CCM elements. The most progress was made in the CCM elements where sites had CCM-aligned processes in place at time 1. Teams made progress on elements they could more easily control, such as work role redesign. Our results suggest that maximizing the benefits of CCM-based outpatient mental health care may require targeting resources and training toward specific CCM elements—especially in the use of clinical information systems and linking with community resources. Clinical Trials NCT02543840 .
Prevalence of Adenomas on Surveillance Colonoscopies for Patients with a History of Colonic Polyps of Unknown Histology.

Guidelines for surveillance colonoscopy depend on polyp histology. When patients present to a new healthcare system and report a personal history of “colon polyps,” however, information on polyp histology is frequently unavailable. To assess adenoma prevalence in patients with a history of colonic polyps of unknown histology and to compare it to patients undergoing either screening colonoscopy or surveillance colonoscopy for known adenomatous polyps. This cohort study evaluated colonoscopies of patients ≥ 50 years of age over a 14-year period at a single institution. The exposure of interest was colonoscopy indication, categorized into three groups: screening colonoscopy, surveillance colonoscopy for history of colonic polyp(s) of unknown histology, and surveillance colonoscopy for history of adenoma(s). The primary outcome was adenoma detection rate. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between colonoscopy indication and adenoma detection rate. Of 31,856 colonoscopies, the adenoma prevalence was 26.1% for patients undergoing screening colonoscopy, 32.9% for patients with a history of polyps of unknown histology, and 41.9% for patients with a history of known adenomatous polyps. Relative to screening colonoscopies, there were higher odds of adenoma detection in surveillance colonoscopies for polyps of unknown histology (aOR compared to screening 1.42, 95% CI 1.30–1.55) and even higher odds among surveillance colonoscopies for a history of adenoma (aOR compared to screening 1.89, 95% CI 1.75–2.05). The adenoma prevalence on surveillance colonoscopy for patients with polyps of unknown histology was higher than that of screening colonoscopies but lower than that of surveillance colonoscopies for patients with adenomatous polyps.
Structural Modeling and in planta Complementation Studies Link Mutated Residues of the Medicago truncatula Nitrate Transporter NPF1.7 to Functionality in Root Nodules

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation is a complex and regulated process that takes place in root nodules of legumes and allows legumes to grow in soils that lack nitrogen. Nitrogen is mostly acquired from the soil as nitrate and its level in the soil affects nodulation and nitrogen fixation. The mechanism(s) by which legumes modulate nitrate uptake to regulate nodule symbiosis remain unclear. In Medicago truncatula, the MtNPF1.7 transporter has been shown to control nodulation, symbiosis, and root architecture. MtNPF1.7 belongs to the nitrate/peptide transporter family and is a symporter with nitrate transport driven by proton(s). In this study we combined in silico structural predictions with in planta complementation of the severely defective mtnip-1 mutant plants to understand the role of a series of distinct amino acids in the transporter's function. Our results support hypotheses about the functional importance of the ExxE(R/K) motif including an essential role for the first glutamic acid of the motif in proton(s) and possibly substrate transport. Results reveal that Motif A, a motif conserved among major facilitator transport (MFS) proteins, is essential for function. We hypothesize that it participates in intradomain packing of transmembrane helices and stabilizing one conformation during transport. Our results also question the existence of a putative TMH4-TMH10 salt bridge. These results are discussed in the context of potential nutrient transport functions for MtNPF1.7. Our findings add to the knowledge of the mechanism of alternative conformational changes as well as symport transport in NPFs and enhance our knowledge of the mechanisms for nitrate signaling.
Addressing Legal and Contractual Matters in Construction Using Natural Language Processing: A Critical Review

AbstractClaims, disputes, and litigations are major legal issues in construction projects, which often result in cost overruns, delays, and adverse working relationships among the contracting parti...
sEEG for Expansion of a Surgical Epilepsy Program: Safety and Efficacy in 152 Consecutive Cases

OBJECTIVE Stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) is an intracranial encephalography method of expanding use. The need for increased epilepsy surgery access has led to the consideration of sEEG adoption by new or expanding surgical epilepsy programs. Data regarding safety and efficacy are uncommon outside of high-volume, well-established centers, which may be less applicable to newer or low-volume centers. The objective of this study was to add to the sEEG outcomes in the literature from the perspective of a rapidly expanding center. METHODS A retrospective chart review of consecutive sEEG cases from January 2016 to December 2019 was performed. Data extraction included demographic data, surgical data, and outcome data, which pertinently examined surgical method, progression to therapeutic procedure, clinically significant adverse events, and Engel outcomes. RESULTS One hundred and fifty-two sEEG procedures were performed on 131 patients. Procedures averaged 10.5 electrodes for a total of 1603 electrodes. The majority (84%) of patients progressed to a therapeutic procedure. Six clinically significant complications occurred: three retained electrodes, two hemorrhages, and one failure to complete investigation. Only one complication resulted in a permanent deficit. Engel 1 outcome was achieved in 63.3% of patients reaching one-year follow-up after a curative procedure. SIGNIFICANCE New or expanding epilepsy surgery centers can appropriately consider the use of sEEG. The complication rate is low and the majority of patients progress to therapeutic surgery. Procedural safety, progression to therapeutic intervention, and Engel outcomes are comparable to cohorts from long-established epilepsy surgery programs.
Survey of the extracellular matrix architecture across the rat arterial tree

Abstract Objective To understand arterial remodeling and the pathophysiology of arterial diseases, it is necessary to understand the baseline qualities and variations in arterial structure. Arteries could differ in wall thickness, laminar structure, and laminar fenestration depending on their position within the arterial tree. We endeavored to evaluate and compare the extracellular matrix structure of different arteries throughout the arterial tree, from the aorta to the adductor muscle arteriole, with a particular focus on the internal elastic lamina (IEL). Methods Arterial segments were harvested from male Sprague-Dawley rats and imaged using multiple modalities. En face scans by multiphoton microscopy were used to compare native-state adventitial collagen undulation and IEL fenestration. Results Collagen undulation was similar across most arteries but straighter in the skeletal muscle arterioles (P Conclusions We found that vessels at different locations along the arterial tree differ in structure. The SMA, PFA, and intramuscular arterioles have fundamental differences in the extracellular matrix structure compared with other arteries. Location-specific features such as the medial lamellae number and elastic laminar structure might have relevance to physiology and confer vulnerabilities to the development of pathology.
Optimal allocation of resources to healthcare workers or the general populace: a modelling study.

We consider a model that distinguishes susceptible; infected, but not yet infectious; pre-symptomatic, symptomatic, asymptomatic, and hospitalized infectious; recovered and dead members of two grou...
Real-time alerting system for COVID-19 and other stress events using wearable data

Early detection of infectious diseases is crucial for reducing transmission and facilitating early intervention. In this study, we built a real-time smartwatch-based alerting system that detects aberrant physiological and activity signals (heart rates and steps) associated with the onset of early infection and implemented this system in a prospective study. In a cohort of 3,318 participants, of whom 84 were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), this system generated alerts for pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in 67 (80%) of the infected individuals. Pre-symptomatic signals were observed at a median of 3 days before symptom onset. Examination of detailed survey responses provided by the participants revealed that other respiratory infections as well as events not associated with infection, such as stress, alcohol consumption and travel, could also trigger alerts, albeit at a much lower mean frequency (1.15 alert days per person compared to 3.42 alert days per person for coronavirus disease 2019 cases). Thus, analysis of smartwatch signals by an online detection algorithm provides advance warning of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a high percentage of cases. This study shows that a real-time alerting system can be used for early detection of infection and other stressors and employed on an open-source platform that is scalable to millions of users.
Chapter 5 – Walking

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an analysis of walking. The capacity for walking appears to be innate. The form that walking takes at any given time depends on the terrain on which one treads and the speed with which one wishes to reach one's destination. These features illustrate ways in which ongoing feedback interacts with built-in neural capacities. Another striking feature of locomotion is that it takes many forms. Trotting, galloping, strutting, creeping, limping, and swimming with various strokes all belong to the same broad performance class as walking. All these behaviors are characterized by rhythmic, alternating activity of limbs on opposing sides of the body, usually carried out for purposes of propelling the body forward. Walking and related forms of locomotion are remarkably flexible. Based on incoming perceptual information, one can speed up or slow down, turn, step up, step down, and even walk backward. The ease with which one can switch from one of these behaviors to another points to a sophisticated mechanism for selecting and initiating different patterns of locomotion. The flexibility of walking is not entirely dictated by the external environment, however. Through internal decisions, people can readily adopt different gaits, including stylized, theatrical patterns such as limping, marching, and dancing.
Photodissociation Processes in Diatomic Molecules of Astrophysical Interest

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the photodissociation processes in diatomic molecules of astrophysical interest. In contrast to direct photodissociation involving continuous absorption and therefore can occur over a range of wavelengths, the indirect photodissociation mechanisms involve discrete transitions to bound vibrational levels of an excited electronic state as a first step. This has profound implications for the transfer of radiation because line absorption can be saturated much more readily than continuous absorption. Whereas the photodissociation cross section of a molecule and its isotopes are very similar in the direct process, substantial differences may be observed for the isotopes in the indirect mechanisms due to sensitivities in the coupling matrix elements to small shifts in the vibrational energy levels. In most molecules, spontaneous radiative dissociation must be considered a possible dissociation channel, but its significance in terms of the total photodissociation process depends on several factors. First, because it is a line absorption process, the species can rapidly become self-shielded. In addition, for absorptions with large oscillator strengths, the most probable radiative decay route is radiation back to the bound vibrational levels of the ground state. In transitions to excited states that have small absorption oscillator strengths with the ground state, decay to a lower lying repulsive state that is coupled by a large transition moment to the excited state may be quite favorable.
High resolution simulation of tropical storm Ivan (2004) in the Southern Appalachians: role of planetary boundary-layer schemes and cumulus parametrization

The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was used to simulate the evolution of tropical storm Ivan (2004) in the southeast United States using both the Yonsei University (YSU) and Mellor–Yamada–Janjic (MYJ) boundary-layer parametrizations. In contrast to tropical cyclone (TC) simulations over the ocean, the effect of the surface layer becomes secondary for a dissipating hurricane along its terrestrial track. Although these two schemes can reproduce Ivan reasonably well, our results suggest that the mixing properties for damped mechanical turbulent conditions (weakly stable) are strongly underestimated by both parametrizations. This underestimation impacts the thermodynamic properties of the storm, leading to significant differences in the storm areal extent and the simulated precipitation fields. Suggestions for further improvements are provided. An evaluation of the impact of using or not using a convective parametrization, specifically the Kain–Fritsch (KF) scheme, at 3 km grid spacing shows marginal impact on storm coverage, intensity and precipitation, except for the presence of widespread light rainfall in the Piedmont east of the mountains when the KF is employed. Analysis of the thermal structure of the simulated storm indicates that, in the inner-storm region, the KF is either not activated or primarily produces (parametrized) shallow convection. As a result, the net heating tendency associated with adiabatic and diabatic processes is almost unaltered inside the storm, together with a nearly equivalent surface momentum sink, leading to similar storm areal extent and intensity. Light rainfall to the east of the mountains can be due to the trigger mechanism of KF, which depends on boundary-layer convergence, forcing parametrized deep convection near the coast, where surface roughness changes enhance convergence.
Predicting Intended Movement Direction Using EEG from Human Posterior Parietal Cortex

The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) plays an important role in motor planning and execution. Here, we investigated whether noninvasive electroencephalographic (EEG) signals recorded from the human PPC can be used to decode intended movement direction. To this end, we recorded whole-head EEG with a delayed saccade-or-reach task and found direction-related modulation of event-related potentials (ERPs) in the PPC. Using parietal EEG components extracted by independent component analysis (ICA), we obtained an average accuracy of 80.25% on four subjects in binary single-trial EEG classification (left versusright ). These results show that in the PPC, neuronal activity associated with different movement directions can be distinguished using EEG recording and might, thus, be used to drive a noninvasive brain-machine interface (BMI).
Optimisation of business processes using Petri nets and dynamic programming

This paper describes the idea of improving the simulation-based optimization of business processes using the dynamic programming. The Petri Nets scalability together with the concept of dynamic programming is used in attempt to reduce the number of necessary computations while applying the changes into the process.
Resonance of human brain under head acceleration

Although safety standards have reduced fatal head trauma due to single severe head impacts, mild trauma from repeated head exposures may carry risks of long-term chronic changes in the brain's function and structure. To study the physical sensitivities of the brain to mild head impacts, we developed the first dynamic model of the skull-brain based on in vivo MRI data. We showed that the motion of the brain can be described by a rigid-body with constrained kinematics. We further demonstrated that skull-brain dynamics can be approximated by an under-damped system with a low-frequency resonance at around 15 Hz. Furthermore, from our previous field measurements, we found that head motions in a variety of activities, including contact sports, show a primary frequency of less than 20 Hz. This implies that typical head exposures may drive the brain dangerously close to its mechanical resonance and lead to amplified brain-skull relative motions. Our results suggest a possible cause for mild brain trauma, which could occur due to repetitive low-acceleration head oscillations in a variety of recreational and occupational activities.
Temperature and stress effects in the creep of aramid fibers under transient moisture conditions and discussions on the mechanisms

In a previous study, a mechanosorptive phenomenon in poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) fibers was reported. In this article, the mechanosorptive creep mechanism of aramid fibers and the temperature and stress influences on the mechanosorptive creep behavior of aramid fibers are addressed. Test results indicate that logarithmic creep rates and the mechanosorptive effects increase with temperature. The creep activation energies of the fibers tested are: 20 kJ/mole for the cyclic moisture condition, 4.4 kJ/mole for a high equilibrium moisture condition (RH = 95%), and 7.8 kJ/mole for a low equilibrium moisture condition (RH = 5%). Increase in stress may increase the logarithmic creep rates but may reduce the mechanosorptive effect. Aramid fibers contain hydrogen bonds between rodlike crystallites oriented at small angles relative to the fiber axis. Transient moisture conditions may cause slippage of hydrogen bonded elements and result in accelerated crystallite rotations due to breakage of hydrogen bonds, thus causing increases in logarithmic creep rate. The obtained activation energies and the reduction in fiber elastic compliance due to creep deformation support the proposed mechanisms. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Kinetic analysis of the guanine nucleotide exchange activity of TRAPP, a multimeric Ypt1p exchange factor.

Abstract TRAPP complexes, which are large multimeric assemblies that function in membrane traffic, are guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) that activate the Rab GTPase Ypt1p. Here we measured rate and equilibrium constants that define the interaction of Ypt1p with guanine nucleotide (guanosine 5'-diphosphate and guanosine 5'-triphosphate/guanosine 5′-(β,γ-imido)triphosphate) and the core TRAPP subunits required for GEF activity. These parameters allowed us to identify the kinetic and thermodynamic bases by which TRAPP catalyzes nucleotide exchange from Ypt1p. Nucleotide dissociation from Ypt1p is slow (∼ 10− 4 s− 1) and accelerated > 1000-fold by TRAPP. Acceleration of nucleotide exchange by TRAPP occurs via a predominantly Mg2+-independent pathway. Thermodynamic linkage analysis indicates that TRAPP weakens nucleotide affinity by
Frequency response of a fixed–fixed pipe immersed in viscous fluids, conveying internal steady flow

Abstract Novel methods are desired to harvest and store power in harsh environments, like those found at the bottom of production wells, to power commercially available monitoring devices. These systems must not only be mechanically robust but also operationally resilient, capable of sufficient power output under the widely varying conditions expected over the service life of a well. Since energy harvesting systems are heavily dependent on natural frequency, this broad range of conditions and/or well configurations makes the design of a suitable energy harvester challenging. Although the American Petroleum Institute (API) has set standards on some of the system variables, other variables are less well defined and may be time dependent. A first step towards the design of an energy harvesting system, then, is to investigate the changes in the natural frequency of a well by varying those inputs possessing moderate to high uncertainty. An analytical model is formed using Euler–Bernoulli beam theory to model the coupled fluid-structural system found in a producing well. A hydrodynamic function is included in the formulation to model the effects of the viscous fluid filled annulus. Due to the form of the hydrodynamic function, the systems natural frequency is solved in the frequency domain using the spectral element method; a method for calculating the displacement response to an external force is also provided. A parametric study is performed to determine the effect various inputs have on a systems first natural frequency. The key inputs considered are the axial force in the production tube, the conveyed fluid velocity, and the hydrodynamic function, itself a function of the annulus fluid viscosity and geometry. The study׳s results are in-line with expectations based on previous publications investigating component wise analogous systems. The inclusion of an axial force shifts the natural frequency of the system and the conveyed fluid velocity at which divergence occurs. The added mass introduced by the real part of the hydrodynamic function causes a shift in natural frequency but not in the bifurcation point. Viscous effects generated by the imaginary part of the hydrodynamic function act to shift the natural frequency of the system and the bifurcation point (This publication approved by sponsor for release, LA-UR-14-27597)..
Managing Pet Owners’ Guilt and Grief in Veterinary Euthanasia Encounters:

Through examining the emotion-laden encounters between veterinarians and bereaved pet owners, this study focuses attention on a group of medical professionals who manage the emotions of their clients in light of opposing contextual goals. While negotiating possible outcomes for animal patients, veterinary emotion work is designed to assuage guilt and grief to facilitate timely and rational decisions. However, after clients make the difficult decision to euthanize their pet, veterinary emotion work is geared toward creating “safe” emotional space for grieving clients. This study illustrates that veterinarians have a growing commitment to comforting the owners of euthanized animals and to validating their feelings of grief, pain, and sorrow. On a broader, theoretical level, this study also applies and extends concepts developed in previous sociological analyses of emotion management and human–animal relationships.
Effect of metallic ions on the antibacterial activity of boseimycin.

Summary An enhancement of the antibacterial activity of boseimycin against Staphylococcus aureus was observed in the presence of Zn2+ and Co2+ on a double gradient agar plate, but the activity was suppressed to a small extent by Ca2+. With Bacillus subtilis the enhancement effects were more pronounced, but there was no suppression with Ca2+.
Insertion of Mu into the Shrunken 1 gene of maize affects transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of Sh1 RNA.

Insertion of a Mu transposable element at the Shrunken 1 (Sh1) locus of maize has resulted in kernels with the typical collapsed appearance of sh mutants. Molecular analysis of the mutant gene has revealed the presence of a 1.4 kb insertion immediately upstream from the normal transcriptional start site. Mu insertion has brought about a series of changes in gene expression: the mRNA cap site has been shifted downstream so that it now lies inside the Mu element; transcription is reduced approximately sixfold. and the sh mRNA steady-state level is less than 4% of that found in the nonmutant. This disparity reflects a mutational defect in post-transcriptional regulation which is manifested as a decrease in Sh RNA abundance.
Development in Information Society as Reflected in the Online Abstracts of The Information Society (1983–2000)

L'article explore les concepts de societe de l'information et de developpement ainsi que leurs relations. La transformation du monde en une vaste societe de l'information favorise-t-elle ou au contraire entrave-t-elle le processus de developpement ? L'analyse de 40 resumes issus du journal Information Society permet d'etudier la maniere dont le developpement est reflete dans les etudes sur la societe de l'information. L'introduction des technologies de l'information et de la communication dans les pays moins developpes exige prealablement des soins particuliers et la prise en compte des conditions locales.
Large-sample theory for standardized time series: an overview

There are two basic approaches to constructing confidence intervals for steady-state parameters from a single simul t on run. The fir t s to consistently estimate the variance constant in the relevant central limit theorem. This is the approach used in the regenerative, spectral, and autoregressive methods. The second approach (standardized time series, STS) due to SCHRUBEN [10] is to “cancel out” the variance constant. This second approach contains the batch means method as a special case. Our goal in this paper is to discuss the large-simple properties of the confidence intervals generated by the STS method. In particular, the asymptotic (as run size becomes large) expected value and variance of the length of these confidence intervals is studied and shown to be inferior to the behavior manifested by intervals constructed using the first approach.
Solving the semi-desirable facility location problem using bi-objective particle swarm

In this paper, a new model for the semi-obnoxious facility location problem is introduced. The new model is composed of a weighted minisum function to represent the transportation costs and a distance-based piecewise function to represent the obnoxious effects of the facility. A single-objective particle swarm optimizer (PSO) and a bi-objective PSO are devised to solve the problem. Results are compared on a suite of test problems and show that the bi-objective PSO produces a diverse set of non-dominated solutions more efficiently than the single-objective PSO and is competitive with the best results from the literature. Computational complexity analysis estimates only a linear increase in effort with problem size.
Pen-based styling design of 3D geometry using concept sketches and template models

This paper describes a new approach to industrial styling design that combines the advantages of pen-based sketching with concepts from variational design to facilitate rapid and fluid development of 3D geometry. The approach is particularly useful for designing products that are primarily stylistic variations of existing ones. The input to the system is a 2D concept sketch of the object, and a generic 3D wireframe template. In the first step, the underlying template is aligned with the input sketch using a camera calibration algorithm. Next, the user traces the feature edges of the sketch on the computer screen; user's 2D strokes are processed and interpreted in 3D to modify the edges of the template. The resulting wireframe is then surfaced, followed by a user-controlled refinement of the initial surfaces using physically-based deformation techniques. Finally, new design edges can be added and manipulated through direct sketching over existing surfaces. Our preliminary evaluation involving several industrial products have demonstrated that with the proposed system, design times can be significantly reduced compared to those obtained through conventional software.
Japanese election forecasting: Classic tests of a hard case

Abstract We look at the substantive theory behind political forecasting models, which are generally based on theories of electoral behavior. We argue that the theory relied on for developing forecasting models should be as non-controversial as possible; what we call “core theory”. We take the lessons of theory and practice in forecasting of western democracies and apply them to the unexplored Japanese case. We discover that, in fact, Japanese elections are quite amenable to forecasting. We observe the continuing cross-democracy generalizability of the core political economy model, a model that has bound together so much election forecasting work.
Thermodynamics and kinetics of complexation of iron(III) ion by picolinic and dipicolinic acids

Abstract The complexation reactions of iron(III) with 2-pyridine carboxylic acia (picolinic acid) and 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (dipicolinic acid) in aqueous solutions have been studied by spectrophotometric and stopped flow techniques. Equilibrium constants were determined for the 1 : 1 complexes at temperatures between 25 and 80°C. The values obtained are: Picolinic Acid (HL): Fe3++ H2L+⇌ FeHL3++H+(K1 = 2.8,ΔH = 2 kcal mole−1 at 25°C, μ = 2.67 M) Dipicolinic Acid (H2D): Fe3++H2D⇌ FeD++2H+(K1K1A= 227 M, ΔH = 3.4 kcal mole−1 at 25°C,μ = 1.0 M). The rate constants for the formation of these complexes are also given. The results are used to evaluate the effects of these two acids upon the rate of dissolution of iron(III) from its oxides.
MCoRe: an adaptive scheme for rerouting multicast connections in mobile ATM networks

In this paper we propose multicast connection rerouting (MCoRe), a novel scheme for efficient multicasting in mobile asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks. We investigate and evaluate McoRe's performance in mobile ATM networks in the presence of mobile source fand/or receivers. In the past, multicasting from and to mobile hosts in mobile ATM networks has not received much attention from researchers. MCoRe is based on active network (AN) technologies, where the computation required for rerouting connections is performed at switches. Due to intra-network processing, MCoRe is efficient, requires minimal buffer requirements, has low handoff latency and high reuse, and incurs low signaling overheads. Apart from that, MCoRe preserves cell ordering, prevents cell duplication and minimizes cell loss during source or receiver migration. We show how shortest path tree adapts to source migration without incurring high signaling overheads. With MCoRe, source migration is transparent to the multicast group members and does not entail reconstruction of existing multicast tree. We also show how receiver migration is achieved and how cell ordering is preserved, when the receiver rejoins the multicast session.
Risk drinking and contraception effectiveness among college women

Risk drinking, especially binge drinking, and unprotected sex may co-occur in college women and increase the risks of STI exposure and pregnancy, but the relationships among these behaviors are incompletely understood. A survey was administered to 2012 women of ages 18-24 enrolled in a public urban university. One-quarter of the college women (23%) drank eight or more drinks per week on average, and 63% binged in the past 90 days, with 64% meeting criteria for risk drinking. Nearly all sexually active women used some form of contraception (94%), but 18% used their method ineffectively and were potentially at risk for pregnancy. Forty-four percent were potentially at risk for STIs due to ineffective or absent condom usage. Ineffective contraception odds were increased by the use of barrier methods of contraception, reliance on a partner's decision to use contraception, and risk drinking, but were decreased by the use of barrier with hormonal contraception, being White, and later age to initiate contraception. In contrast, ineffective condom use was increased by reliance on a partner's decision to use condoms, the use of condoms for STI prevention only, and by risk drinking. Thirteen percent of university women were risk drinkers and using ineffective contraception, and 31% were risk drinkers and failing to use condoms consistently. Risk drinking is related to ineffective contraception and condom use. Colleges should promote effective contraception and condom use for STI prevention and consider coordinating their programs to reduce drinking with programs for reproductive health. Emphasizing the use of condoms for both pregnancy prevention and STI prevention may maximize women's interest in using them.
Distinct element modeling of laser assisted milling of silicon nitride ceramics

Laser assisted milling (LAMill) of ceramics shows some complicated characteristics such as discontinuous chips, crack formation, propagation and coalescence. In this paper, numerical simulation is conducted to explore the machining mechanism of LAMill. The distinct element method (or discrete element method, DEM) is applied to model the microstructure of a β-type silicon nitride ceramic. Clusters are used to simulate the real grain shape of the silicon nitride ceramic and parallel bonds are employed to represent the connections between intergranular glass phase and grains. Numerical tests (compression, bending and fracture toughness tests) are performed to evaluate the macroproperties of the synthetic material, thus matching the corresponding physical properties of the real silicon nitride. Moreover, a temperature-dependent synthetic DEM specimen is created and then used in simulations of LAMill. The DEM model is validated through comparing the simulation results with the experimental ones in terms of the cutting forces and subsurface damage under different depths of cut. It is shown that the model can successfully predict the subsurface damage in LAMill.
Bariatric Surgery: Past and Present

Bariatric operations are either restrictive, limiting the amount of food ingested; malabsorptive, limiting the amount of nutrient absorbed; or a combination of both. Bariatric surgery dates back to the 1950s when jejunoileal bypass was introduced. Since then, numerous improvements have been made in procedures and techniques. Currently, the two most common bariatric procedures performed are laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Both of these operations provide excellent results, with the majority of patients losing more than 50% of their excess weight and with most obesity-related comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension reversed or prevented. Morbidly obese patients considering such operations have to meet strict criteria and must be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. They need to commit to long-term dietary changes, behavioral modifications, and medical supervision. The choice of procedure is guided by multiple factors, including the patient's and the surgeon's preference.
Inhibition of host connective tissue growth factor expression: a novel Trypanosoma cruzi-mediated response

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a secreted cytokine that plays a fundamental role in the development of tissue fibrosis by mediating many of the profibrotic effects of TGF-β. We present the novel finding that the intracellular pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi elicits immediate and sustained repression of basal CTGF expression in dermal fibroblasts, followed by down-regulation of the extracellular matrix proteins, fibronectin, and collagen I α1. To address mechanisms underlying this response, the major CTGF-regulating pathways were investigated. We report that both T. cruzi trypomastigotes and secreted parasite factor(s) antagonize TGF-β-dependent induction of CTGF in fibroblasts. Of the TGF-β-dependent signaling pathways required for CTGF expression, we demonstrate that T. cruzi interferes with cellular Erk1/2 phosphorylation but not Smad3 signaling. While increased stimulation of Erk phosphorylation alone was insufficient to override the parasite-mediated repression of CTGF, stimulation of fibroblast...
Barrier Island Formation

Empirical data fail to substantiate classical theories of barrier island formation from offshore bars. Specifically, the absence of open ocean beach and neritic sediments landward of barrier islands suggests that barriers have not developed from offshore bars. Formation of barrier islands from emergent bars is also rejected, because evidence from many areas of the world does not support a sea level higher than present during the Holocene. Also unacceptable is the hypothesis of continuous barrier development throughout the Holocene submergence because it does not explain the original formation. Barrier islands which form from barrier spits or, in some instances, from bars are accepted, but these methods are not regarded as the general mechanism of barrier island formation. The hypothesis proposed here maintains that a barrier island is initiated by the building of a ridge immediately landward of the shoreline from wind-or water-deposited sediments. Slow submergence, as during the late Holocene, floods the area landward of the ridge forming a barrier and a lagoon. Once formed, the island may migrate parallel, or normal, to the coast or may remain stationary depending on sediment supply, local hydrodynamic conditions, and land-sea stability. The width of the lagoon depends on the slope of the mainland surface, amount of submergence, sediment infilling, and erosion. Slow submergence or negligible sedimentation is necessary to maintain the lagoon. Emergence in excess of lagoonal depth terminates the barrier system.
Synthesis, spectroscopic studies, and crystal structure of the first monopyridinium salt of 1,1'-bis-(2-naphthol) sulfone, C25H19NO4S

The crystal and molecular structure of 1,1′-bis-(2-naphthol) sulfone monopyridine (3) determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction is reported. C25H19NO4S crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupC2/c (No. 15) witha=17.095(4),b=14.574(2),c=18.731(2) A,β=116.29(2)°,Z=8,D x =1.364 Mg m−3,D m =1.353(8) Mg m−3. The phase problem was solved by direct methods and the final reliability factor obtained from full-matrix least-squares refinement of 2306 independent reflections is 0.067. The unit cell contains eight molecules with intramolecular hydrogen bonding and the molecules in the crystal lattice are held together by van der Waals forces. Conoscopic, infrared, and1H and C13 NMR analyses have been performed. Details of the structural content and selected bond lengths and angles are discussed.
Pump System for Improving Runoff Records During Winter

: Freezing winter temperatures can cause icing of outdoor weirs used to measure surface runoff. Ice typically forms in the notch and on the crests of short-crested V-notch weirs, causing incorrect gage heights to be measured. A method for reducing the effects of ice formation on weirs and weir pools using a pump is presented and evaluated. Warmer water from the bottom of the weir pool is pumped to the surface, reducing the opportunity for the water surface to freeze. The pump is shown to work except under extremely cold conditions, improving runoff records from 27 percent to 60 percent. The pump system has no practical effect on measured gage height. Frequency distributions of flow rates and air temperatures under measured ice-free and other weir conditions are presented. Suggestions for use of the pump system under temperature conditions other than those in this study are given.
A novel function of RIP1 in postnatal development and immune homeostasis by protecting against RIP3-dependent necroptosis and FADD-mediated apoptosis

RIP1 is an adaptor kinase originally identified as being able to associate with TNFR1 and Fas, and is later shown to be involved in signaling induced by TLRs. Major signaling pathways regulated by RIP1 include necroptosis, apoptosis, and pro-survival/inflammation NF-κB activation. Previous studies show that RIP1 deficiency has no effect on mouse embryogenesis, but blocks postnatal development. This phenotype could not readily be explained, since mice lacking TNFR1, Fas, or TLRs show no apparent developmental defect. Certain types of RIP1-deficient cells are hypersensitive to TNF-induced apoptosis. However, in our previous study, deletion of the apoptotic adaptor protein, FADD, provides marginal improvement of postnatal development of rip1 (-/-) mice. Remarkably, the current data shows that haploid insufficiency of RIP3, a known mediator of necroptosis, allowed survival of rip1 (-/-) fadd (-/-) mice beyond weaning age, although the resulting rip1(-/-)fadd(-/-) rip3(+/-) mice were significant smaller in size and weight. Moreover, complete absence of RIP3 further improved postnatal development of the resulting rip1 (-/-) fadd (-/-) rip3 (-/-) mice, which display normal size and weight. In such triple knockout (TKO) mice, lymphocytes underwent normal development, but progressively accumulated as mice age. This lymphoproliferative (lpr) disease in TKO mice is, however, less severe than that of fadd(-/-)rip3 (-/-) double knockout mice. In total, the data show that the postnatal developmental defect in rip1 (-/-) mice is due in part to FADD-mediated apoptosis as well as RIP3-dependent necroptosis. Moreover, the function of RIP1 contributes to development of lpr diseases.
Physiological and molecular mechanisms of salt and water homeostasis in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Intracellular salt and water homeostasis is essential for all cellular life. Extracellular salt and water homeostasis is also important for multicellular organisms. Many fundamental mechanisms of compensation for osmotic perturbations are well defined and conserved. Alternatively, molecular mechanisms of detecting salt and water imbalances and regulating compensatory responses are generally poorly defined for animals. Throughout the last century, researchers studying vertebrates and vertebrate cells made critical contributions to our understanding of osmoregulation, especially mechanisms of salt and water transport and organic osmolyte accumulation. Researchers have more recently started using invertebrate model organisms with defined genomes and well-established methods of genetic manipulation to begin defining the genes and integrated regulatory networks that respond to osmotic stress. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is well suited to these studies. Here, I introduce osmoregulatory mechanisms in this model, discuss experimental advantages and limitations, and review important findings. Key discoveries include defining genetic mechanisms of osmolarity sensing in neurons, identifying protein damage as a sensor and principle determinant of hypertonic stress resistance, and identification of a putative sensor for hypertonic stress associated with the extracellular matrix. Many of these processes and pathways are conserved and, therefore, provide new insights into salt and water homeostasis in other animals, including mammals.
A novel bioassay approach: Direct application of the toxi-chromotest and the SOS chromotest to sediments

Routine testing of sediments or suspended sediments for toxicant or genotoxicants by the bioassay route often involves time-consuming and expensive organic extraction procedures. In most instances these extraction procedures are more time-consuming and costly than the bioassays that will be used on these extracts. A direct sediment test procedure (DSTP) was developed to alleviate the problem and thus returning bioassays to one of their original roles, i.e., short, quick, screening tests to identify priority samples for more intensive chemical analysis. The DSTP was developed in conjunction with the Toxi-Chromotest and SOS Chromotest kits. The SOS Chromotest can be used with or without S9. Our results presented in this paper indicate the sensitivity of DSTP and cost effectiveness compared to some commonly used sediment extraction procedures.
Modern management of acute otitis media

Although recent clinical trials suggest that conjugate vaccination will be less effective for the prevention of AOM than for IPD, these trials have demonstrated impressive reductions in the incidence of AOM due to invasive and antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal serotypes. These data suggest that if serotype replacement does occur in immunized children, the causative agents are likely to be less virulent than vaccine strains. Furthermore, a recent cost-effectiveness analysis projected that immunization of healthy infants with the heptavalent conjugate vaccine could prevent over one million episodes of AOM and 12,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease. Because significant reductions have been demonstrated in the incidence of frequently recurrent AOM, children with the worst disease stand to benefit most from vaccination. Based on data currently available, however, the conjugate vaccine is not going to eradicate AOM. Consequently, there will continue to be a need to scrutinize the threshold for prescribing antibiotics. In addition, there will be an ongoing need for surgery in some cases of recurrent AOM and persistent OME.