cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Autologous costochondral graft harvest in children.

Abstract Introduction Autologous costochondral grafting is a commonly employed technique in pediatric otolaryngology for reconstructing a cartilaginous or bony structure, such as the trachea, larynx, nose or mandible by harvesting rib cartilage or bone from the same patient. Complications include infection, pneumothorax, hematoma, scarring, and pleural leak, and the literature regarding these complication rates in pediatric patients undergoing this procedure is sparse. The objective of this study was to determine the donor site complication rate associated with rib graft harvest procedures performed by pediatric otolaryngologists in infants and children and to compare this to established complication rates reported in adults. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed, examing the charts of 33 patients who underwent airway, mandible, nose, or external ear reconstruction by means of autologous rib grafting between 2010 and 2018 at an urban tertiary medical center in Boston, Massachusetts. All patients were under the age of 18 years old and had undergone rib harvest and subsequent airway, mandible, nose, or external ear reconstruction by two pediatric otolaryngologists. Results Of these, 20 were female and 13 were male, with a mean age of 2.5 years at date of surgery. No patients were excluded. A total of 41 costochondral graft harvests from a total of 36 incision sites were included. Pooled donor site complication incidences were 1 intraoperative pleural leak (2.8%) and 1 incision site infection (2.8%). Drains were not utilized postoperatively; there were no incidences of postoperative hematoma or seroma. No outside specialty consults were necessary to manage these. There were 2 instances of hypertrophic scarring, both developing in patients who underwent skin excisions for skin graft harvest or scar excision from the same incision used for graft harvest (5.6%). Conclusions and Relevance Autologous rib grafting amounts to a simple, extrapleural chest wall procedure, which may be safely performed in children by pediatric otolaryngologists with acceptably low complication rates.
Tele-Assisted Behavioral Intervention for Families with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Control Trial.

Background: Telehealth is useful for both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis and treatment, but studies with a direct comparison between teletherapy and traditional in-person therapy are limited. Methods: This randomized control trial—ISRCTN (International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number) primary clinical trial registry ID ISRCTN15312724—was aimed at comparing the effect of a tele-assisted and in-person intervention based on a behavioral intervention protocol for families with children affected by ASDs. Forty-two parents with children with autism (30 months to 10 years old) were randomly assigned to 12 sessions of an applied behavioral analysis (ABA) intervention implemented in an individual and group setting, either with or without the inclusion of tele-assistance. Pre- and postintervention assessments were conducted using the Home Situation Questionnaire (HSQ-ASD) and the Parental Stress Index (PSI/SF). Results: Substantial improvements in the perception and management of children’s behavior by parents, as well as in the influence of a reduction in parent stress levels on said children’s behavior through the use of a tele-assisted intervention, were obtained. Conclusions: This randomized controlled trial demonstrates the evidence-based potential for telehealth to improve treatment of ASDs.
Urban Crime and Labor Mobility

Two municipalities within a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) determine the level of local law enforcement. Enforcement reduces and diverts crime. The former confers a spillover benefit; the latter a spillover cost. When labor is mobile, welfare necessarily declines: if enforcement is too high (low) under labor immobility, it is raised (reduced) further under mobility. If municipalities have different enforcement costs, mobility reduces welfare for the high-cost municipality and for the MSA, but the effect is ambiguous on the low-cost municipality. Finally, when residents choose between productive and criminal activities, enforcement is more likely to be overprovided.
Practical Considerations for Implementation of SARS-CoV-2 Serological Testing in the Clinical Laboratory: Experience at an Academic Medical Center

Molecular techniques, especially reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), have been the gold standard for the diagnosis of acute severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Serological tests for SARS-CoV-2 have been widely used for serosurveys, epidemiology, and identification of potential convalescent plasma donors. However, the clinical role of serologic testing is still limited and evolving. In this report, we describe the experience of selecting, validating, and implementing SARS-CoV-2 serologic testing for clinical purposes at an academic medical center in a rural state. Successful implementation involved close collaboration between pathology, infectious diseases, and outpatient clinics. The most common clinician concerns were appropriateness/utility of testing, patient charges/insurance coverage, and assay specificity. In analyzing test utilization, serologic testing in the first month after go-live was almost entirely outpatient and appeared to be strongly driven by patient interest (including health care workers and others in high-risk occupations for exposure to SARS-CoV-2), with little evidence that the results impacted clinical decision-making. Test volumes for serology declined steadily through October 31, 2020, with inpatient ordering assuming a steadily higher percentage of the total. In a 5-month period, SARS-CoV-2 serology test volumes amounted to only 1.3% of that of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Unlike reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, supply chain challenges and reagent availability were not major issues for serology testing. We also discuss the most recent challenge of requirements for SARS-CoV-2 testing in international travel protocols. Overall, our experience at an academic medical center shows that SARS-CoV-2 serology testing assumed a limited clinical role.
How Much for My Name? Privacy Perceptions and Motivations for Sharing Personal Information on Social Networking Sites

This study surveyed young adults in order to study their attitudes toward what personally identifiable information they deemed private and what they hoped to gain from sharing personal information on social network services. Respondents chose telephone numbers, home addresses, search history, date of birth, and online purchases most often as personal information they felt was private. As far as motivations for sharing this information, users seeking to manage friendships or entertainment on social networks were found to also spend more time on them, find them more important, and to be more willing to share information. These findings help explain what SNS users feel is private and what benefit they hope to gain from sharing it.
Dual-Band Dual-Mode Filter-Enhanced Linearity Measurement

This letter presents, for the first time, a new filter-enhanced linearity measurement technique using a dual-band and dual-mode filter. While traditional two-tone linearity tests are simple and effective, their ultimate performance is determined by the quality (dynamic range and noise floor) and cost of the employed equipment. On the other hand, the proposed method consists of a simple conventional single-tone test facilitated by a low-cost appropriately designed bandstop filter (BSF). In particular, the employed dual-band/dual-mode absorptive BSF suppresses the fundamental frequency by over 35 dB (absorptive notch) and the second harmonic by over 25 dB (reflective notch), allowing for accurate measurement of the third harmonic, and hence, IP3. The proof-of-concept system is demonstrated at 2 GHz. The filter absorbs with better than 20 dB of reflection the excitation signal at $f_{0}=2$ GHz and reflects the signal at $2f_{0}=4$ GHz. With just the insertion of the presented filter and without improving the measurement equipment, we demonstrate an improvement of over 12.7 dB in the IP3 characterization to a maximum of 81 dBm. We also demonstrate the ability to conduct this test with just a low-cost power detector in lieu of a spectrum analyzer leading to a simple scalable measurement technique.
The Card Collector Problem

Consider the well-known card collector’s problem in which each card has a different probability of being drawn. Using the principle of inclusion–exclusion we derive the probability of obtaining a complete collection and compute the expected value of the number of cards that need to be bought to complete the collection. In particular we obtain an interesting identity when the cards have equal probabilities.
Partial migration in tropical birds: the frontier of movement ecology.

A. E. Jahn, D. J. Levey, J. A. Hostetler & A. M. Mamani (2010) Determinants of partial bird migration in the Amazon Basin. Journal of Animal Ecology, 79, 983–992. Partial migration, in which only some individuals of a species migrate, might be central to the evolution of migratory behaviour and is likely to represent an evolutionary transition between sedentariness and complete migration. In one of the few detailed, individual-based migration studies of tropical birds, Jahn et al. study the partial migration system of a South American bird species for the first time. Food limitation forces the large adult males and small, young females to migrate, contrary to the expectations of the body size and dominance hypotheses. This study confirms the importance of food variability as the primary driver of migratory behaviour. There is urgent need for similar studies on the movement ecology of understudied tropical bird species, whose diversity of migratory behaviour can shed light on the evolution of bird migration.
Drug-induced hyperkinetic movement disorders by nonneuroleptic agents

Hyperkinetic movement disorders are characterized by excess movement, and include chorea, akathesia, asterixis, dystonia, tremor, myoclonus, and tics. A wide variety of pharmacologic agents may induce or exacerbate these disorders. Neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia and levodopa-induced hyperkinesia are the most common causes of medication-induced chorea. However, several nonneuroleptic agents, including antidepressants and antiepileptic medications, may also worsen hyperkinetic movement disorders. Over-the-counter medications, such as analgesics and antiheartburn medications, have also occasionally been implicated as causing hyperkinetic movement disorders. Most information regarding drug-induced hyperkinetic disorders comes from case reports and anecdotes, rather than controlled clinical trials. Further research with larger controlled trials needs to verify many of these findings.
Data engineering for intelligent inference

As advanced applications become more and more demanding, the use of the data on hand becomes more and more sophisticated. In applications such as the kind in commercial banking environment, the search for data is rather simple and precise; the time constraints are not severe; statistical applications are not often used; history data is not so important; and estimates are not performed. In short, the demand to have an intelligent DB is at best minimal.
Intermolecular energy transfer between lanthanide complexes—7: Study of the possible self-association between 1 : 1 complexes of lanthanides and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid

Abstract The nature of the complexes existing at low pH between lanthanide ions and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (DPA) was investigated to learn about the possible polymeric nature of the insoluble Ln(DPA) complex formed above pH 6.5. Studies of energy transfer from Tb(DPA) to Eu(DPA) over the pH region of 2.5–6.5 were consistant with pure collisional energy transfer only, so it was concluded that the insoluble material must be monomeric in nature. Analysis of this precipitate reveals a general formula of Na 2 Tb(DPA)(OH) 5 .
Hyperbolicity of semigroups and Fourier multipliers

We present a characterization of hyperbolicity for strongly continuous semigroups on Banach spaces in terms of Fourier multiplier properties of the resolvent of the generator. Hyperbolicity with respect to classical solutions is also considered. Our approach unifies and simplifies the M. Kaashoek-S. Verduyn Lunel theory and multiplier-type results previously obtained by S. Clark, M. Hieber, S. Montgomery-Smith, F. Rabiger, T. Randolph, and L. Weis.
The storage time, age, and erosion hazard of laterally accreted sediment on the floodplain of a simulated meandering river

[1] A sediment particle traversing the fluvial system may spend the majority of the total transit time at rest, stored in various sedimentary deposits. Floodplains are among the most important of these deposits, with the potential to store large amounts of sediment for long periods of time. The virtual velocity of a sediment grain depends strongly on the amount of time spent in storage, but little is known about sediment storage times. Measurements of floodplain vegetation age have suggested that storage times are exponentially distributed, a case that arises when all the sediment on a floodplain is equally vulnerable to erosion in a given interval. This assumption has been incorporated into sediment routing models, despite some evidence that younger sediment is more likely to be eroded from floodplains than older sediment. We investigate the relationship between sediment age and erosion, which we term the “erosion hazard,” with a model of a meandering river that constructs its floodplain by lateral accretion. We find that the erosion hazard decreases with sediment age, leading to a storage time distribution that is not exponential. We propose an alternate model that requires that channel motion is approximately diffusive and results in a heavy tailed distribution of storage time. The model applies to timescales over which the direction of channel motion is uncorrelated. We speculate that the lower end of this range of time is set by the meander cutoff timescale and the upper end is set by processes that limit the width of the meander belt.
Criminal Securities Fraud and the Lower Materiality Standard

First, this essay argues that the materiality standard is lower under the relatively new criminal securities fraud provision, § 807 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1348, than under the traditional securities fraud provision, § 10(b) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. In particular, in the context of alleged misrepresentations, § 1348 probably imposes a subjective materiality standard rather than an objective standard. In the context of insider trading, § 1348 probably imposes a source-oriented standard rather than an investor-oriented standard. Next, this essay considers the implications of this lower materiality standard in criminal securities fraud prosecutions under § 1348, including the chilling of legitimate market behavior, undue prosecutorial discretion, and disruption of the ordinary relationship between civil and criminal liability. Although these aforementioned concerns are also implicated by the mail and wire fraud statutes, this essay contends that § 1348 imposes a marginal impact. Finally, in light of these implications and this marginal impact, this essay offers guidance to market participants when engaging in behavior that might be within the broader scope of § 1348, to courts when interpreting § 1348, and to Congress when considering the appropriate incentives to encourage voluntary disclosure, securities analysis, and corporate transactions.
Scout view in pediatric CT neuroradiological evaluation: do not underestimate!

Purpose Computed tomography (CT) is an important firstline imaging tool in pediatric neuroradiology. The scout view (SV) is essential for planning the CT study. It is frequently underestimated for its diagnostic value but may harbor important diagnostic clues. We present and discuss the role of SVin the accurate interpretation of pediatric neuroradiological CT studies. Methods CT studies have been collected over 12 months by an experienced pediatric neuroradiologist. Retrospective evaluation of SV and axial CT images was performed in nine children, where the SV gave important diagnostic information. Abnormalities on SV were classified as (1) located outside the field of view as imaged by the cross-sectional CT slices or (2) located in the plane of the cross-sectional CT slices or orthogonal to it. Results Five male and four female patients were included. The mean age at CTwas 9.86 years (range, 0.75 to 19 years). Abnormalities on SV were located outside of the field of view as imaged by cross-sectional CT slices in six out of nine children and were within the plane of the CTslices or orthogonal to it in three out of nine children. Conclusions A thorough and accurate evaluation of the SV may add valuable, clinically relevant information and should be a routine part of the interpretation of each pediatric neuroradiological CT study.
The Effect of Computer Simulation Training on Ability to Administer an Informal Reading Inventory

AbstractThis study examined the effect of computer simulation training on elementary teacher trainees’ ability to administer an Informal Reading Inventory (IRI) to a child and interpret it. After initial in-class instruction for all trainees, the experimental group participated in the simulation and then gave an IRI to a child. The order of these steps was reversed for the control group. Analysis of results showed no significant differences between groups in ability to administer the IRI accurately, but the experimental group scored significantly higher (p > .02) in their ability to diagnose reading skill weaknesses correctly. The experimental group also had a more favorable attitude (p > .03) toward developing lesson plans based on skills weaknesses identified by the IRI.
The effect of atropine sulfate, morphine sulfate, pilocarpine hydrochloride, prostigmine methylsulfate, sodium salt of dehydrocholic acid and secretin on the gastric and duodenal secretions of normal persons when fasting

The method of continuous aspiration of gastric and duodenal contents has been applied in the study of volume and pH of the gastric and duodenal contents. The volume and pH of the gastric and duodenal contents have been determined without and after the administration of atropine sulfate (1/100 grain or 0.00065 gm., subcutaneously), morphine sulfate (1/6 grain, or 0.01 gm., subcutaneously), pilocarpine hydrochloride (1/10 grain, or 0.006 gm., subcutaneously), prostigmine methylsulfate (1 mg. subcutaneously), sodium salt of dehydrocholic acid (10 c.c. of a 20 per cent solution intravenously) and secretin (1 clinical unit per kilogram of body weight, intravenously). Two types of observation were carried out. In the first type of observation the gastric and duodenal contents were aspirated simultaneously but separately; in the second type the gastric contents were allowed to enter the duodenal cavity and the mixed gastric and duodenal contents were aspirated. In observations in which gastric and duodenal contents were aspirated separately and no drugs were given, the mean volumes of duodenal and gastric contents for twenty minute periods were, respectively, 6.1 and 23 c.c. The mean pH of duodeal contents was 7.6 and of gastric contents 1.6 in the same type of observations. In observations in which gastric contents were allowed to enter the duodenum and the mixed gastric and duodenal contents were aspirated and no drugs were given, the mean volume of the duodenal contents for periods of twenty minutes was 29 c.c. and the mean pH of the duodenal contents 5.53. In spite of continuous aspiration of the duodenal contents, the acid gastric juice apparently remained in the duodenal cavity long enough to stimulate the hormonal mechanism controlling the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice and raise the mean pH values of the gastric contents to levels well above those (1.81) found when the duodenal and gastric contents are aspirated separately and then mixed. In observations in which the gastric and duodenal contents were aspirated simultaneously but separately, the volume of gastric contents was markedly decreased by both atropine sulfate and morphine sulfate, was apparently unaffected by sodium salt of dehydrocholic acid but was increased both by pilocarpine hydrochloride and prostigmine methylsulfate. The pH of the gastric contents were elevated by atropine sulfate, by pilocarpine hydrochloride during the first hour after stimulation and were unaffected significantly by prostigmine methylsulfate and sodium salt of dehydrocholic acid.
Effects of a prostaglandin antagonist, polyphloretin phosphate, on basal and stimulated thyroid function.

Abstract Polyphloretin phosphate [PPP], a phosphorylated polyanionic phloridzin derivative, antagonizes prostaglandin E2 [PGE2] effects on several physiologic systems. We examined the effects of PPP on thyrotropin- [TSH] and PGE2-stimulated thyroid function. PPP, 1 to 25 μg/ml [⋍10−8 to 10−7 M], did not affect basal adenyl cyclase activity in isolated bovine thyroid cells [ITC] but markedly inhibited both TSH [1 to 100 mU/ml] and PGE2 [10−7 to 10−5 M] stimulation thereof. PPP, 10 to 100 μg/ml, stimulated [I31I]-iodide trapping in ITC [27% to 80% increase over control, approximating response to 10 to 100 mU/ml TSH]. PPP effects on iodide trapping were additive with those of TSH or dibutyryl cyclic AMP [DBcAMP], whereas competitive interaction was seen when PPP and PGE2 were combined. PPP, 25 to 100 μg/ml, stimulated ITC phagocytosis of latex beads [maximum response = 100% to 130% increase over control, approximating response to 200 mU/ml TSH], whereas the stimulatory effects of PGE2 but not those of TSH or DBcAMP were consistently antagonized by PPP, 5 μg/ml. PPP was resolved into high and low molecular weight components by Sephadex G-25 column chromatography. The low molecular weight components were responsible for PPP antagonism of TSH- and PGE2-induced adenyl cyclase activation, whereas the stimulatory effects on iodide trapping and bead phagocytosis were due to high molecular weight fractions.
Pulmonary hypertension adversely affects short- and long-term survival after mitral valve operation for mitral regurgitation: implications for timing of surgery.

Objective We investigated the impact of preoperative pulmonary hypertension (PH) on early and late outcomes after mitral valve operation for mitral regurgitation. Methods Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) was measured before operation in 873 consecutive patients who underwent mitral valve surgery for mitral regurgitation between January 2002 and January 2010. PH was classified as none (sPAP Results Increased preoperative sPAP was associated with greater left ventricular dysfunction and dilation, left atrial enlargement, more atrial fibrillation, and tricuspid regurgitation. Operative mortality was correlated with the degree of preoperative PH (2%, 3%, 8%, and 12% for none, mild, moderate, and severe PH, respectively, P P P = .0270) and late death (hazard ratio, 1.018 per 1 mm Hg increase; 95% confidence interval, 1.007–1.028; P = .001). Among 284 patients with isolated degenerative mitral regurgitation due to leaflet prolapse, actuarial survival was 97.5%, 91.2%, and 80.5% for none, mild, and moderate to severe PH, respectively ( P = .0002). Conclusions Preoperative sPAP is a powerful predictor of early and late survival after mitral valve operation for mitral regurgitation. Even modest increases in sPAP adversely affect outcomes. Mitral valve operation should be performed before the development of PH.
Epitaxial ZnO/Pt layered structures and ZnO-Pt nanodot composites on sapphire (0001)

We report the epitaxial growth and properties of ZnO-Pt layered structures and ZnO-Pt nanodot composites on sapphire (0001) substrates fabricated by using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. Heteroepitaxial growth of these structures was accomplished by using domain-matching epitaxy. The heterostructures were characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), optical transmittance, photoluminescence, and electrical resistivity measurements. XRD and HRTEM experiments revealed the epitaxial nature of these structures, with orientation relationship between ZnO and Pt, as [0001]ZnO∥[111]Pt and [\(\bar 2\)110]ZnO∥[011]Pt, which is equivalent to no rotation between ZnO and Pt. For Pt epitaxy on (0001) sapphire, the epitaxial relationship was determined to be [001]Pt∥[0001]Sap and [110]Pt∥[01\(\bar 1\)0]Sap, which is equivalent to a 30° rotation in the basal plane. Electrical and optical measurements showed that these heterostructures exhibit very high electrical conductivity and at the same time possess interesting optical transmittance spectra and exhibit room temperature photoluminescence characteristics.
The orbital period and variability of the dwarf nova ES Draconis

Abstract A radial velocity study of the cataclysmic variable ES Dra (PG 1524+622) is presented. ES Dra is found to have an orbital period of 0.17660 ± 0.00006 day (4.2384 ± 0.0014 h). The mass-losing secondary star of ES Dra is detectable in the spectrum, and it has a spectral type of M2 ± 1. From this, we estimate the absolute magnitude of ES Dra during our spectroscopic observations to have been MR = 6.5 ± 0.5, and its distance to be 720 ± 150 pc. The long-term light curve of ES Dra compiled by the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) shows that ES Dra is a Z Cam star, which between 1995 and 2009 spent most of its time in standstill.
Exploratory analysis of public perceptions of innovative financing for infrastructure systems in the U.S.

While traditional financing approaches such as federal and state grants funded by taxation are insufficient to address the existing need, innovative financing such as novel public private partnership models, credit enhancement tools, and new bonding instruments has emerged to expand the fiscal space of public agencies for infrastructure development. Formulating innovative financing approaches is one of the challenges faced by policymakers to address the ever growing need for restoring the failing civil infrastructure in the U.S. Public support/opposition is one of the major drivers/disruptors of innovative financing. Assessment of public perceptions is a major component towards gaining public support and developing sustainable infrastructure financing policies. The objective of this study is to investigate the determinants of public perceptions of innovative financing. Data obtained from public survey of 616 individuals from 50 states in the U.S. is analyzed to investigate the effects of: (a) economic factors, (b) infrastructure conditions, and (c) personal characteristics of the public on the knowledge, awareness, perceptions, and attitudes of the public towards innovative financing. The findings reveal that the likelihood of public support of innovative financing is insensitive to economic conditions and is affected by the factors related to infrastructure condition such as the level of need for infrastructure renewal, the ability to protect the public against natural disasters, and the history of using innovative financing for infrastructure renewal. The findings also show that 57% of the sample population in the U.S. were not knowledgeable about different methods for financing infrastructure projects and 77% of the sample population in the U.S. were not aware of the activities of public organizations for finding innovative financing solutions for infrastructure projects. Based on the findings, two main strategies have been proposed for infrastructure agencies to enhance their efforts towards gaining public acceptance of innovative financing: (i) enhance strategies to facilitate learning for the public about innovative financing in infrastructure projects and (ii) improve marketing and citizen involvement strategies to get the public to buy-in to innovative financing methods. The findings can enhance the current efforts of public agencies related to educating the public and citizen involvement strategies by incorporating public preferences in policy development to enhance the likelihood of public support of innovative financing methods. Potential improvements can be made in changing the key messages in educating the public, using more effective strategies for communicating complicated financing concepts, and highlighting the success stories and benefits of innovative financing in other states and countries.
The SAFOD Pilot Hole seismic array: Wave propagation effects as a function of sensor depth and source location

[1] In July 2002 we installed a vertical array of seismometers in the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) Pilot Hole (PH). The bottom of this 32 level, 1240 m long array of 3- components is located at a depth of ∼2100 m below ground. Surface-explosion and microearthquake seismograms recorded by the array give valuable insights into the structure of the SAFOD site. The ratios of P- and S-wave velocities (Vp/Vs) along the array suggest the presence of two faults intersecting the PH. The Vp/Vs ratios also depend on source location, with high values to the NW, and lower ones to the SE, correlating with high and low creep rates along the SAF, respectively. Since higher ratios can be produced by increasing fluid saturation, we suggest that this effect might account for both our observations and their correlation with the creep distribution.
Nonsingular Dirac particles in spacetime with torsion

Abstract We use the Papapetrou method of multipole expansion to show that a Dirac field in the Einstein–Cartan–Kibble–Sciama (ECKS) theory of gravity cannot form singular configurations concentrated on one- or two-dimensional surfaces in spacetime. Instead, such a field describes a nonsingular particle whose spatial dimension is at least on the order of its Cartan radius. In particular, torsion modifies Burinskii's model of the Dirac electron as a Kerr–Newman singular ring of the Compton size, by replacing the ring with a toroidal structure with the outer radius of the Compton size and the inner radius of the Cartan size. We conjecture that torsion produced by spin prevents the formation of singularities from matter composed of quarks and leptons. We expect that the Cartan radius of an electron, ∼ 10 − 27 m , introduces an effective ultraviolet cutoff in quantum field theory for fermions in the ECKS spacetime. We also estimate a maximum density of matter to be on the order of the corresponding Cartan density, ∼ 10 51 kg m − 3 , which gives a lower limit for black-hole masses ∼ 10 16 kg . This limit corresponds to energy ∼ 10 43 GeV which is 39 orders of magnitude larger than the maximum beam energy currently available at the LHC. Thus, if torsion exists and the ECKS theory of gravity is correct, the LHC cannot produce micro black holes.
Comparison of Ceramic, Metal and Polymer Crevice Formers on the Crevice Corrosopn Behavior of Ni-CR-Mo Alloy C22

A necessary condition for crevice corrosion is that a crevice former create a sufficiently tight, restricted geometry on the metal surface to support the development of critical crevice chemistry. Crevice corrosion is affected by the crevice geometry (tightness) and the properties of the crevice former. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of the crevice former material on the evolution of localized corrosion-damage. A standard crevice corrosion test method is modified by (a) the use of ceramic, metal or polymer materials as the crevice former and (b) the variation of size and shape of the crevice. This study focuses on the post initiation stage of crevice corrosion and addresses factors that may limit the initiation of localized corrosion and also slow or stop the continued propagation of corrosion. Controlled crevice corrosion tests are performed under aggressive, accelerated conditions on Ni-Cr-Mo alloy C-22 and other alloys for comparison. Multiple techniques are used to examine the crevice corrosion damage evolution. Current measurements during the test provide a direct measure of the corrosion rate and indicate the initiation and any stifling or arrest. The localized corrosion is found to be stifled or arrested under several test conditions. The corrosion damagemore » volume and profile are quantitatively measured with optical and SEM 3D reconstruction methods. Analysis by SEMIEDS, XPS and AES show that the corrosion products within the damaged crevice area are enriched in W, Mo, 0 , while being depleted in Cr, Ni, Fe. The results on C-22, SS3 16 and other alloys show that a PTFE tape covered ceramic was the most active crevice former, solid polymer crevice formers (PTFE or Kel-F) are less active, while no distinguishable crevice corrosion was observed with a ceramic material only as the crevice former in direct contact with the metal. The affects are important to the determination of the penetration rate and extent of corrosion damage by localized corrosion.« less
Delayed initiation of DNA synthesis in irradiated human diploid cells.

MOST studies of the effects of ionizing radiation on the mitotic cycle in mammalian cells have been carried out with rapidly multiplying cells. In vitro systems have included primarily established cell lines or tumour cells. I describe here experiments on morphologically pure cultures of human diploid cells; these cells differ in that they were freshly explanted from normal tissue, and have a very long generation time in vitro. The initiation of DNA synthesis (as measured by thymidine incorporation) appears to be a highly radiosensitive process in these cells, the entry of cells into the synthetic phase being significantly slowed by exposures as low as 10 r. and completely blocked by those over 300 r.
On the natural history of trigeminal neuralgia.

Objective Trigeminal neuralgia is usually considered a separate entity from atypical trigeminal neuralgia. The exact relationship among these two and several other syndromes of facial pain remains unknown. There is no long-term prospective study of the natural history of trigeminal neuralgia nor any explanation for the existence of different, albeit somewhat similar, facial pain syndromes. Description of concept On the basis of our clinical experience, we propose a theory that may explain different facial pain syndromes as sequential stages of the same disease process. Typical trigeminal neuralgia caused by microvascular compression of the trigeminal nerve root in the posterior fossa may become transformed over time into atypical trigeminal neuralgia, if left untreated. This transformation involves change in the character of pain and development of sensory impairment. Two representative cases are presented to support this theory. Conclusion If the theory of progressive change in character of pain and degree of sensory impairment in the course of otherwise typical trigeminal neuralgia is correct, trigeminal neuralgia, atypical neuralgia, and trigeminal neuropathic pain may represent different degrees of injury to the trigeminal nerve, therefore comprising a continuous spectrum rather than discrete diagnoses.
Rational Design and Generation of a Bimodal Bifunctional Ligand for Antibody-Targeted Radiation Cancer Therapy

An antibody-targeted radiation therapy (radioimmunotherapy, RIT) employs a bifunctional ligand that can effectively hold a cytotoxic metal with clinically acceptable complexation kinetics and stability while being attached to a tumor-specific antibody. Clinical exploration of the therapeutic potential of RIT has been challenged by the absence of adequate ligand, a critical component for enhancing the efficacy of the cancer therapy. To address this deficiency, the bifunctional ligand C-NETA in a unique structural class possessing both a macrocyclic cavity and a flexible acyclic moiety was designed. The practical, reproducible, and readily scalable synthetic route to C-NETA was developed, and its potential as the chelator of (212)Bi, (213)Bi, and (177)Lu for RIT was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. C-NETA rapidly binds both Lu(III) and Bi(III), and the respective metal complexes remain extremely stable in serum for 14 days. (177)Lu -C-NETA and (205/6)Bi -C-NETA possess an excellent or acceptable in vivo biodistribution profile.
Attributes of Engineering Graduates and Their Impact on Curriculum Design

This paper presents the findings of an Engineering Curriculum Task Force of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Arizona State University. The Task Force's charge was to explore changes that would better prepare baccalaureate-level engineers for the practice of their profession in the next decade. The generic data developed in the process used by the Task Force are given here. For example, a set of ten important attributes deemed desirable for newly graduated engineers and produced by education, is presented. Also, the rankings by industry, alumni, students, and faculty, of the relative importance of each of these ten attributes and the performance of new graduates in each, are given. Generic curriculum features necessary for successful generation of these attributes are discussed. Finally, the results of an alumni survey are presented which show the overwhelming support for a broad-based undergraduate program by graduates of all degree programs.
Fixed-fee liscensing of innovations and collusion

Unlike other types of licensing agreements, such as those with output restrictions, market division clauses, or output royalties, licensing contracts with only a fixed-fee have been perceived as having no anticompetitive consequences. This paper illustrates that fixed-fee licensing may facilitate collusion by enhancing the licensee's ability to credibly punish deviations from the collusive outcome on the part of the licenser. Antitrust implications of the result and potential ways of detecting collusion-motivated licenses are discussed. Copyright 1996 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Attentional capture triggers an attentional blink

Two experiments examined the possibility that attention directed to a distractor during rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) can produce an attentional blink (AB). A to-be-ignored distractor (D1) preceded a target word (T2) by a variable lag in RSVP streams of black false-font distractors. D1 was highlighted by color and was a word, a string of consonants, a string of digits, or a string of false-font characters. Recall of T2 was significantly suppressed at short D1-T2 lags (the AB) but only when D1 contained letters; the AB was completely absent when D1 was composed of digits or false-font characters. Thus, the AB can be triggered by a highlighted distractor if the distractor shares features with a target.
Meditation-induced changes in high-frequency heart rate variability predict smoking outcomes

Background: High-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) is a measure of parasympathetic nervous system output that has been associated with enhanced self-regulation. Low resting levels of HF-HRV are associated with nicotine dependence and blunted stress-related changes in HF-HRV are associated with decreased ability to resist smoking. Meditation has been shown to increase HF-HRV. However, it is unknown whether tonic levels of HF-HRV or acute changes in HF-HRV during meditation predict treatment responses in addictive behaviors such as smoking cessation. Purpose: To investigate the relationship between HF-HRV and subsequent smoking outcomes. Methods: HF-HRV during resting baseline and during mindfulness meditation was measured within two weeks of completing a 4-week smoking cessation intervention in a sample of 31 community participants. Self-report measures of smoking were obtained at a follow up 17-weeks after the initiation of treatment. Results: Regression analyses indicated that individuals exhibiting acute increases in HF-HRV from resting baseline to meditation smoked fewer cigarettes at follow-up than those who exhibited acute decreases in HF-HRV (b=-4.94, p=.009). Conclusion: Acute changes in HF-HRV in response to meditation may be a useful tool to predict smoking cessation treatment response.
Early and advanced glycation end-products are increased in dietary copper deficiency.

The hypothesis that nonenzymatic glycosylation of proteins (glycation) contributes to damage associated with dietary copper deficiency has depended largely on indirect evidence. Thus far, the observation of an elevated percentage of glycated hemoglobin in copper-deficient rats has provided the only direct evidence of an increase in glycation. We sought further direct evidence of increased glycation in copper deficiency. Male weanling rats were fed a copper-adequate (CuA, 6.4 mg Cu/kg diet) or copper-deficient diet (CuD, 0.4 mg Cu/kg diet) for 5 weeks. Rats fed the CuD diet were copper deficient as judged by depressed organ copper concentrations and a variety of indirect indices. Measurements of hemoglobin A1 and serum fructosamine (both early glycation end-products) as well as serum pentosidine (an advanced glycation end-product) indicated that all three compounds were elevated in CuD rats relative to CuA rats. This finding further supports the view that glycation is enhanced and thus may contribute to defects associated with dietary copper deficiency.
Stability and bifurcation in network traffic flow: A Poincaré map approach

Abstract Previous studies have shown that, in a diverge-merge network with two intermediate links (the DM network), the kinematic wave model always admits stationary solutions under constant boundary conditions, but periodic oscillations can develop from empty initial conditions. Such contradictory observations suggest that the stationary states be unstable. In this study we develop a systematic approach to investigate the stability property of stationary states in this and other networks within the framework of network kinematic wave theories. Based on the observation that kinematic waves propagate in a circular path when only one of the two intermediate links is congested, we derive a one-dimensional, discrete Poincare map in the out-flux at a Poincare section. We then prove that the fixed points of the Poincare map correspond to stationary flow-rates on the two links. With Lyapunov’s first method, we demonstrate that the Poincare map can be finite-time stable, asymptotically stable, or unstable. When unstable, the map is found to have periodical points of period two, but no chaotic solutions. We further analyze the bifurcation in the stability of the Poincare map caused by varying route choice proportions. We apply the Poincare map approach to analyzing traffic patterns in more general (DM)n and beltway networks, which are sufficient and necessary structures for network-induced unstable traffic and gridlock, respectively. This study demonstrates that the Poincare map approach can be efficiently applied to analyze traffic dynamics in any road networks with circular information propagation and provides new insights into unstable traffic dynamics caused by interactions among network bottlenecks.
The Impact of Moderate Intensity Physical Activity on Cardiac Structure and Performance in Older Sedentary Adults

Background Sedentary aging leads to adverse changes in vascular function and cardiac performance. We published improvements in vascular function with moderate intensity physical activity (PA) in continuous bouts. Whether moderate intensity PA also impacts cardiac structure and cardiovascular performance of the aging left ventricle (LV) is unknown.
Suspended load and bed-load transport of particle-laden gravity currents: the role of particle–bed interaction

The development of particle-enriched regions (bed-load) at the base of particle-laden gravity currents has been widely observed, yet the controls and relative partitioning of material into the bed-load is poorly understood. We examine particle-laden gravity currents whose initial mixture (particle and fluid) density is greater than the ambient fluid, but whose interstitial fluid density is less than the ambient fluid (such as occurs in pyroclastic flows produced during volcanic eruptions or when sediment-enriched river discharge enters the ocean, generating hyperpycnal turbidity currents). A multifluid numerical approach is employed to assess suspended load and bed-load transport in particle-laden gravity currents under varying boundary conditions. Particle-laden flows that traverse denser fluid (such as pyroclastic flows crossing water) have leaky boundaries that provide the conceptual framework to study suspended load in isolation from bed-load transport. We develop leaky and saltation boundary conditions to study the influence of flow substrate on the development of bed-load. Flows with saltating boundaries develop particle–enriched basal layers (bed-load) where momentum transfer is primarily a result of particle–particle collisions. The grain size distribution is more homogeneous in the bed-load and the saltation boundaries increase the run-out distance and residence time of particles in the flow by as much as 25% over leaky boundary conditions. Transport over a leaky substrate removes particles that reach the bottom boundary and only the suspended load remains. Particle transport to the boundary is proportional to the settling velocity of particles, and flow dilution results in shear and buoyancy instabilities at the upper interface of these flows. These instabilities entrain ambient fluid, and the continued dilution ultimately results in these currents becoming less dense than the ambient fluid. A unifying concept is energy dissipation due to particle–boundary interaction: leaky boundaries dissipate energy more efficiently at the boundary than their saltating counterparts and have smaller run-out distance.
Use of the Omniprint™ 1000 alternate light source to produce fluorescence in cyanoacrylate-developed latent fingerprints stained with biological stains and commercial fabric dyes

Abstract The development of latent fingerprints by cyanoacrylate fuming is a commonly used technique. Unfortunately, the white color of the developed latent fingerprints makes it difficult to see or photograph them when they occur on light colored surfaces. Many different stains and dyes have been tested on cyanoacrylate-developed fingerprints to improve the contrast between the fingerprint ridges and the background surfaces. A panel of biological stains and commercial fabric dyes was used to stain cyanoacrylate-developed latent fingerprints. The stained latent fingerprints were then tested for fluorescence using the Omniprint™ 1000 alternate light source. Cyanoacrylate-developed latent fingerprints stained with Nile Blue A, Acid Fuchsin and Safranin Bluish fluoresced when illuminated with wavelengths in the range 450 nm to 530 nm, while fingerprints stained with Rit® fabric dye Cardinal Red #9 fluoresced when illuminated with light having wavelengths 485 nm and 525 nm.
Liquid-Liquid contacting in unbaffled, agitated vessels

Drop size and dispersed-phase holdup were measured for liquid dispersions in covered, unbaffled agitated vessels with no gas-liquid interface and hence no vortex for batch and continous flow. Vessel diameters of 0.245 and 0.372 m, turbine impellers of diameters 0.0762 and 0.127 m in two locations, four organic- and three water-dispersed systems of a wide range of properties, and a wide range of operating conditions were studied. The data for average drop diameter and dispersed-phase holdup, from which specific interfacial area may be computed, were successfully correlated through modification of the theories of maximum drop size in an isotropically turbulent fluid.
Superfluid helium quantum interference devices (SHeQUIDs): principles and performance

We describe recent progress in developing a superfluid helium analog of the superconducting dc-SQUID. The devices tested thus far are sensitive detectors of rotation as well as useful probes for studies of superfluidity. The key ingredients of the superfluid helium quantum interference device (SHeQUID) involve commercially available technology and modest cryogenic facilities.