cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of morbid obesity on medical expenditures in adults

Morbid obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2) is associated with substantially increased morbidity and mortality from chronic health conditions and with poorer health-related quality of life; however, less is known about the impact of morbid obesity on healthcare expenditures. To examine the impact of morbid obesity on healthcare expenditures using a nationally representative sample of US adults. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 16 262 adults from the 2000 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative survey of the noninstitutionalized civilian population of the United States. Per capita healthcare expenditures were calculated for National Institutes of Health BMI categories, based on self-reported height and weight, using a two-part, multivariable model adjusted for age, gender, race, income, education level, type of health insurance, marital status, and smoking status. Odds of incurring any healthcare expenditure and per capita healthcare expenditures associated with morbid obesity in 2000. When compared with normal-weight adults, the odds of incurring any healthcare expenditure in 2000 were two-fold greater among adults with morbid obesity. Per capita healthcare expenditures for morbidly obese adults were 81% (95% confidence interval (CI): 48–121%) greater than normal-weight adults, 65% (95% CI: 37–110%) greater than overweight adults, and 47% (95% CI: 11–96%) greater than adults with class I obesity. Excess costs among morbidly obese adults resulted from greater expenditures for office-based visits, outpatient hospital care, in-patient care, and prescription drugs. Aggregate US healthcare expenditures associated with excess body weight among morbidly obese US adults exceeded $11 billion in 2000. The economic burden of morbid obesity among US adults is substantial. Further research is needed to identify interventions to reduce the incidence and prevalence of morbid obesity and improve the health and economic outcomes of morbidly obese adults.
Influence of seedling roots, environmental factors and soil characteristics on soil CO2 efflux rates in a 2-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation in the Virginia Piedmont.

To understand the role of managed forests in carbon sequestration an understanding of factors controlling soil CO2 efflux will be necessary. This study examined the influence of seedling roots, environmental factors, nutrient availability, and soil characteristics on soil CO2 efflux patterns in a 2-year-old pine plantation in the Virginia Piedmont. Efflux rates were measured both near the base of seedlings and midway between rows in plots that had received fertilization and mulch treatments in a factorial combination. Soil CO2 efflux rates were consistently higher near the base of seedlings, fertilization increased seedling growth with no significant effect on rates, and mulching increased winter efflux rates. In a regression analysis of seasonal soil CO2 efflux, soil temperature explained 42.2% of the variance followed by the interaction of soil temperature and moisture and of soil temperature and plot position, which together explained an additional 9.8% of the observed variance in seasonal rates. During March 2000 measurements, the spatial pattern of soil CO2 efflux between plots was most influenced by differences in soil nitrogen and pine root biomass. Furthermore, spatial differences observed in mean annual efflux rates were found to be highly influenced by the amount of soil coarse fragments in the upper soil profile.
Titania nanorods curve to lower their energy

Spontaneous formation of curved nanorods is generally unexpected, since curvature introduces strain energy. However, electron microscopy shows that under hydrothermal conditions, some nanorods grown by oriented attachment of small anatase particles on {101} surfaces are curved and dislocation free. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the lattice energy of a curved anatase rod is actually lower than that of a linear rod due to more attractive long-range interatomic Coulombic interactions among atoms in the curved rod. The thermodynamic driving force stemming from lattice energy could be harnessed to produce asymmetric morphologies unexpected from classical Ostwald ripening with unusual shapes and properties.
CORTICOTROPIN-RELEASING FACTOR (CRF): CENTRAL EFFECTS ON MEAN ARTERIAL PRESSURE AND HEART RATE IN RATS.

Intracerebroventricular administration of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) produces elevations in mean arterial pressure and heart rate in conscious freely-moving rats. Pretreatment with the ganglionic blocker, chlorisondamine, completely prevents the CRF-induced cardiovascular changes. These results suggest that CRF acts within the brain to stimulate sympathetic nervous activity which in turn influences cardiovascular function.
Decay of 6.7 h 135I to levels of 135Xe

Abstract The levels of 135Xe have been investigated by studying the β and γ-rays from 6.7 h 135I produced in thermal-neutron fission of 235U. A decay scheme has been constructed consisting of 27 levels and including 63 of the 66 γ-rays attributed to 6.7 h 135I. The levels are compared with the results of nuclear reaction studies and with the levels of other odd-mass Xe isotopes.
Radiative-decay systematics and flavor-symmetry breaking from heavy quarks

Radiative transitions between vector and pseudoscalar mesons are analyzed in a model utilizing SU(N)-flavor symmetry plus breaking from unequal-quark masses, gluon annihilation channels, and particle mixing. Best fits from the light-quark sector propagate terms into the charm sector which require fine-tuning of parameters to remain consistent with data. We conclude that it is unlikely that such models can survive similar extensions to the t- and b-quark sectors without substantial modification.
Some Effects of Various Methods of Processing on the Characteristics of Tumbled Cured Beef

Effects of the following processing methods: (A) pumped whole muscle, (B) masserated muscle with curing solution added, or (C) ground muscle with the curing solution added, on the characteristics of tumbled cure beef were investigated. Product A exhibited higher (P<0.05) yields than either products B or C. However, both products B and C were of higher quality as noted by fewer (P<0.05) voids and pinholes and thus B and Chad higher overall appearance scores than A. Product C also contained more (P<0.05) moisture. Although both methods B and C produced acceptable products, method C is recommended for greater ease of processing.
A theoretical framework for solving the optimal admissions control with sigmoidal utility functions

This paper describes a social welfare maximization oriented admissions control over users who adopt their utility functions in the form of x(t)·f(x(t)) with x(t) being a quantity and f(x(t)) being a sigmoidal function. An optimal admissions control problem is first formulated into a network utility maximization (NUM) problem with the constraints of satisfying the utility targets. Finding a solution to the optimal admission control problem is to find a partition of a divisible resource such that the aggregate utility is maximized while ensuring the admitted users to satisfy the utility targets. Partitioning a divisible resource into appropriate bundle sizes would lead to a vast combinatorial space in which the complexity of finding a solution is NP-complete. In the NUM framework, finding a maximizer to the optimal admission control problem is to equivalent to find an optimal price. This paper describes a linear-time algorithm to search for the optimal price. The process of approaching the optimal price is formulated into a multi-round auction mechanism.
Differential passage of [14C]sucrose and [3H]inulin across rat blood-brain barrier after cerebral ischemia.

The biophysical nature of blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening after ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke or traumatic brain injury is unresolved. Ultrastructural (electron micrograph) investigations of experimental BBB injury commonly indicate the abnormal presence of vesicles or tubular structures in cerebrovascular endothelial cells, suggesting the likelihood of convective, fluid-phase transport of blood substances into brain. We measured transfer constants (Kis) for the simultaneous passage of two intravenously delivered tracers ([14C]sucrose, mol wt=342; [3H]inulin ≈5,000) across the intact BBB in the rat, and 24 h after global cerebral ischemia (16–20 min duration) or 24, 48 or 72 h after focal ischemia (2 h duration). In both ischemia models, the upward increment in Ki (ΔKi) for sucrose, indicating the extra injury-related tracer flux into brain, significantly exceeded that for inulin, as might be expected with faster diffusion of the smaller molecule through injury pores or channels. This inequality of ΔKis did not suggest a major role for convective, fluid-phase transport by endothelial vesicular or tubular structures and a predominance of diffusional transport was indicated.
Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions for the pressure Poisson equation of incompressible flow

SUMMARY In a recent paper Gresho and Sani' showed that Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions for the pressure Poisson equation give the same solution. The purpose of this paper is to confirm this (for one case at least) by numerically solving the pressure equation with Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions for the inviscid stagnation point flow problem. The Dirichlet boundary condition is obtained by integrating the tangential component of the momentum equation along the boundary. The Neumann boundary condition is obtained by applying the normal component of the momentum equation at the boundary. In this work solutions for the Neumann problem exist only if a compatibility condition is satisfied. A consistent finite difference procedure which satisfies this condition on non-staggered grids is used for the solution of the pressure equation with Neumann conditions. Two test cases are computed. In the first case the velocity field is given from the analytical solution and the pressure is recovered from the solution of the associated Poisson equation. The computed results are identical for both Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions. However, the Dirichlet problem converges faster than the Neumann case. In the second test case the velocity field is computed from the momentum equations, which are solved iteratively with the pressure Poisson equation. In this case the Neumann problem converges faster than the Dirichlet problem.
Novel CSF biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment

Altered levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) peptides related to Alzheimer's disease (AD) are associated with pathologic AD diagnosis, although cognitively normal subjects can also have abnormal levels of these AD biomarkers. To identify novel CSF biomarkers that distinguish pathologically confirmed AD from cognitively normal subjects and patients with other neurodegenerative disorders, we collected antemortem CSF samples from 66 AD patients and 25 patients with other neurodegenerative dementias followed longitudinally to neuropathologic confirmation, plus CSF from 33 cognitively normal subjects. We measured levels of 151 novel analytes via a targeted multiplex panel enriched in cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, as well as established AD CSF biomarkers (levels of Abeta42, tau and p-tau(181)). Two categories of biomarkers were identified: (1) analytes that specifically distinguished AD (especially CSF Abeta42 levels) from cognitively normal subjects and other disorders; and (2) analytes altered in multiple diseases (NrCAM, PDGF, C3, IL-1alpha), but not in cognitively normal subjects. A multi-prong analytical approach showed AD patients were best distinguished from non-AD cases (including cognitively normal subjects and patients with other neurodegenerative disorders) by a combination of traditional AD biomarkers and novel multiplex biomarkers. Six novel biomarkers (C3, CgA, IL-1alpha, I-309, NrCAM and VEGF) were correlated with the severity of cognitive impairment at CSF collection, and altered levels of IL-1alpha and TECK associated with subsequent cognitive decline in 38 longitudinally followed subjects with mild cognitive impairment. In summary, our targeted proteomic screen revealed novel CSF biomarkers that can improve the distinction between AD and non-AD cases by established biomarkers alone.
Modular total chemical synthesis of a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease

As part of our ongoing studies of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease enzyme, we set out to develop a modular chemical synthesis of the protein from multiple peptide segments. Our initial attempts were frustrated by the insolubility of intermediate peptide products. To overcome this problem, we designed a synthetic strategy combining the solubility-enhancing properties of C-terminal (Arg)n tags and the biological phenomenon of autoprocessing of the Gag-Pol polyprotein that occurs during maturation of the HIV-1 virus in vivo. Synthesis of a 119-residue peptide chain containing 10 residues of the reverse transcriptase (RT) open reading frame plus an (Arg)(10) tag at the C-terminus was straightforward by native chemical ligation followed by conversion of the Cys residues to Ala by Raney nickel desulfurization. The product polypeptide itself completed the final synthetic step by removing the C-terminal modification under folding conditions, to give the mature 99-residue polypeptide. High-purity homodimeric HIV-1 protease protein was obtained in excellent yield and had full enzymatic activity; the structure of the synthetic enzyme was confirmed by X-ray crystallography to a resolution of 1.07 A. This efficient modular synthesis by a biomimetic autoprocessing strategy will enable the facile synthesis of unique chemical analogues of the HIV-1 protease to further elucidate the molecular basis of enzyme catalysis.
Bacterial Polyesters: Biosynthesis, Biodegradable Plastics and Biotechnology

The discovery and chemical identification, in the 1920s, of the aliphatic polyester: poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, as a granular component in bacterial cells proceeded without any of the controversies which marked the recognition of macromolecules by Staudinger. Some thirty years after its discovery, PHB was recognized as the prototypical biodegradable thermoplastic to solve the waste disposal challenge. The development effort led by Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd., encouraged interdisciplinary research from genetic engineering and biotechnology to the study of enzymes involved in biosynthesis and biodegradation. From the simple PHB homopolyester discovered by Maurice Lemoigne in the mid-twenties, a family of over 100 different aliphatic polyesters of the same general structure has been discovered. Depending on bacterial species and substrates, these high molecular weight stereoregular polyesters have emerged as a new family of natural polymers ranking with nucleic acids, polyamides, polyisoprenoids, polyphenols, polyphosphates, and polysaccharides. In this historical review, the chemical, biochemical and microbial highlights are linked to personalities and locations involved with the events covering a discovery timespan of 75 years.
G433(P) Kikuchi disease with multisystem involvement: a case report

Introduction Kikuchi disease (histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis) first described in Japan (1972) is a self–limited disorder of unknown aetiology, characterised by focal painful lymphadenitis, fever, malaise and weight loss. 1 Kikuchi disease affects a wide age range of patients (2–75 years) but typically affects young adults (mean age, 20–30 years). 2 It has been reported predominantly in Asian population and occurs sporadically outside Asia. We report a case of Kikuchi disease with multisystem involvement in a 14–year–old Chinese boy. Case report Child was admitted to our hospital with 3 weeks of fever (daily spikes > 39°C), intermittent frontal headaches, rash, weight loss (2 kg) and oral ulcers for one week. No travel history. Clinical examination : Febrile child with left cervical and left submandibular lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly and maculopapular rash. Rest of the examination was unremarkable. Child was investigated for fever of unknown origin and treated with intravenous antibiotics (ceftriaxone and clindamycin). Investigations : Blood, stool, urine cultures, Rickettsia, Toxoplasmosis, EBV, CMV, Salmonella serology, HSV PCR, TB (T –spot test), ANA and anti dsDNA negative. Raised ASOT (800 units), LDH 524 (170–283 U/L), ESR (170 mm/hr) and CRP (46 mg/l). Bone Marrow showed no evidence of malignancy. Lymph node biopsy was consistent with Kikuchi’s lymphadenitis. Child was discharged after 12 days with oral prednisolone but readmitted 4 days later with seizures requiring anticonvulsants and ventilation. Child was diagnosed with Kikuchi’s disease with multisystem involvement (aseptic meningitis, raised liver transaminases, DCT positive anaemia, and interface dermatitis). MRI/MRA brain was normal. CSF cultures were negative. Child was treated with intravenous antibiotics and methylprednisolone followed by oral steroids and antibiotics on discharge. Child has remained well on follow up clinic visits. Conclusions Clinical differential diagnosis for Kikuchi disease includes infectious mononucleosis, bacterial lymphadenitis, cat scratch disease, mycobacterium tuberculosis, CMV disease, toxoplasmosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), malignancy and kawasaki disease. 1 Diagnosis of Kikuchi’s disease is confirmed by lymph node biopsy showing histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (similar to SLE); however, association of Kikuchi disease with SLE remains unclear. Corticosteroid therapy may speed up recovery in patients with kikuchi disease 1 . The prognosis for kikuchi is generally optimistic; however, a concurrent autoimmune disease or the risk of developing an autoimmune disease needs careful monitoring. 3 References Feder HM, Liu J, Rezuke WN. Kikuchi disease in connecticut. J Pediatr. 2014;164:196–200 Chaitanya BN, Sindura CS. Kikuchi’s disease. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2010;14(1):6–9 Cheng CY, Sheng WH, Lo YC, et alet al. Clinical presentations, laboratory results and outcomes of patients with Kikuchi’s disease. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2010;43(5):366–71
Twenty-first Century Ethical Challenges for Psychology.

Foreseeable social and technological changes will force us to reevaluate our thinking about ethically appropriate ways to fulfill our mission of using psychology to advance human health and welfare in the twenty-first century. Three categories of challenge related to societal and technological changes have become particularly evident. First, increasing patterns of delivering services over substantial distances by electronic means (i.e., telepsychology) demand consideration. Second, we must parse our ethical obligations to individuals, to groups, and to society at large as our influence working behind the scenes as "invisible" psychologists grows. Finally, as we witness the accelerating demise of psychiatry, we must take care not to follow a similar path. As we face new ethical challenges, we must continually ask ourselves where our responsibilities lie as individuals and as a profession. We must learn not to repeat the mistakes of the past and focus instead on optimizing the future for a science and practice of psychology focused on human health and welfare.
The Fluid Dynamics of Tornadoes

Because of the difficulty in making measurements under controlled conditions, most of what is known about the fluid dynamics of tornadoes comes from laboratory experiments that produce vortices with features similar to those observed in a tornado. Numerical simulation of laboratory experiments has become a valuable analytical tool owing to the greater ease of extracting data. The success of the numerical simulations has inspired better-defined numerical experiments capable of quantitatively describing the basic features of observed tornado vortices and has motivated simple fluid dynamical explanations. The present article reviews the state of knowledge concerning the fluid dynamics of tornadoes as found in laboratory and numerical analogs.
Choosing the brain(s) of an embedded system

Embedded processors are fundamentally different from desktop processors -costs are too tight for fancy chip sets and expensive packaging. So if you're new to embedded processors, the marketplace is foreign. Worse, so are the design decisions. When you consider purchasing an embedded microprocessor, look carefully at the direct memory access engine.
Simultaneous anterior-posterior approach through a costotransversectomy for the treatment of congenital kyphosis and acquired kyphoscoliotic deformities.

BACKGROUND Congenital kyphosis and acquired kyphoscoliotic deformities are uncommon but are potentially serious because of the risk of progressive deformity and possible paraplegia with growth. Our current approach for the treatment of these deformities is to use a single posterior incision and costotransversectomy to provide access for simultaneous anterior and posterior resection of a hemivertebra or spinal osteotomy, followed by anterior and/or posterior instrumentation and arthrodesis. To our knowledge, this approach has not been reported previously. METHODS The medical records and radiographs for sixteen patients who had been managed at our institution for the treatment of congenital kyphosis and acquired kyphoscoliosis between 1988 and 2002 were analyzed. The mean age at the time of surgery was twelve years. The diagnosis was congenital kyphosis for fourteen patients and acquired kyphoscoliotic deformities following failed previous surgery for two. The mean preoperative kyphotic deformity was 65 degrees (range, 25 degrees to 160 degrees ), and the mean scoliotic deformity was 47 degrees (range, 7 degrees to 160 degrees ). Fifteen patients were managed with vertebral resection or osteotomy through a single posterior approach and costotransversectomy, anterior and posterior arthrodesis, and posterior segmental spinal instrumentation. The other patient was too small for spinal instrumentation at the time of vertebral resection. A simplified outcome score was created to evaluate the results. RESULTS The mean duration of follow-up was 60.1 months. The mean correction of the major kyphotic deformity was 31 degrees (range, 0 degrees to 82 degrees ), and the mean correction of the major scoliotic deformity was 25 degrees (range, 0 degrees to 68 degrees ). Complications occurred in four patients; the complications included failure of posterior fixation requiring revision (one patient), lower extremity dysesthesias (one patient), and late progressive pelvic obliquity caudad to the fusion (two patients). The outcome, which was determined with use of a simplified outcomes score on the basis of patient satisfaction, was rated as satisfactory for thirteen patients, fair for two patients, and poor for one patient. CONCLUSIONS A simultaneous anterior and posterior approach through a costotransversectomy is a challenging but safe, versatile, and effective approach for the treatment of complex kyphotic deformities of the thoracic spine, and it minimizes the risk of neurologic injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level IV.
Beyond the lab report: The place of student-designed research and visual communication in a mechanical engineering fundamentals course

Student-designed research projects are more meaningful and more similar to professional experiences when they are embedded in a sequence of technical and communication tasks that approximate the evolution of a real-world research project. Instructors part of a mechanical engineering fundamentals course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology describe an innovative, semester-long student project known as “Go Forth and Measure,” which prompts students to design, propose, and conduct an original study and communicate its progress and findings through several professional genres interspersed through the term. Sound data and error analysis, effective graphic communication, and professional practices are emphasized in all tasks. Lab instructors and communication instructors, led by technical faculty, coordinate the teaching of a thoughtful sequence of activities. Approaches to teaching the deliberate crafting of the story of data — in a figure, in a research poster — are described here, and preliminary observations on student work and their experience are summarized.
Further Investigation of the Delamination Theory of Wear

The wear mechanisms of metals under low-speed sliding conditions have been investigated experimentally in order to check the validity of the delamination theory of wear. The subsurface damage done under the wear track is documented using nine different metals with various chemical compositions and microstructures under an argon atmosphere. The experimental results show that the predominant wear mechanism is the wear by delamination of sheets. The wear sheet is generated by a subsurface crack extending over a distance which is in general, one to two orders of magnitude longer than the diameter of the asperity contact. Voids are nucleated around inclusions during plastic deformation. In metals without inclusions the void nucleation rate is low and so is the wear rate, even when they have very low hardness. All these observations substantiate the predictions of the delamination theory of wear. It is postulated that a tangential load which is greater than that predicted by the adhesion theory can be transmitted by a “plowing” mechanism between the sliding surfaces. A new wear equation is presented, which complements the model presented in a previous paper.
I am 80 going on 18: exercise and the fountain of youth

aging is associated with physiological decline. To slow or reverse this decline, humans have searched for various “fountains of youth” since the dawn of history ([4][1]). Most recently, aging has become medicalized and interventions, such as caloric restriction, stem cells, hormonal anti-aging
Poisonous Plants: When They Are a Threat to Children

1. Ruth A. Lawrence, MD 1. Professor of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY. 1. Pediatricians need to be aware of potential hazards posed by poisonous plants. 2. Pediatricians should know where to obtain timely and reliable information about plant toxins. 3. Exposure to plant toxins should be part of the differential diagnosis of unexplained signs and symptoms. 4. Pediatricians should be knowledgeable about appropriate management of exposures to toxic plants. 5. By providing appropriate anticipatory guidance, pediatricians can reduce morbidity from exposure to toxic plants. Plant ingestions among children in the United States are common. National data compiled from poison information centers across the country suggest that 5% to 10% of calls are about plant exposures and that most of these involve children younger than 6 years of age. A surprising number of ingestions occur in children 12 months and younger because of the proximity of household plants to their highchairs and playpens or because berries and leaves have dropped to the floor. Group exposures occur when older children explore their environment and eat berries because they look good or because of peer pressure. The clinical effects of the ingestions on the child can range from mildly irritating to nearly fatal, depending on the plant and the dose. The key to the problem, as with any exposure, is prevention. Knowledge about the proper identification and edibility of plants is paramount. It is not possible to compile a complete list of hazardous plants, in large part because some plants have both edible and toxic parts, such as the potato (sprouts and vine are toxic), tomato (roots and vine are toxic), rhubarb (leaves are toxic), asparagus (all but the tender shoots are toxic), and poke weed (only the early shoots are safe). The entire plant kingdom can be divided into those species that are totally safe, those that cause contact dermatitis, those that cause mechanical injury (thorns, barbs), and those …
Trajectory Design of Autonomous Vehicles Based on Motion Primitives and Heuristic Cost-to-Go Functions

The task of trajectory design of autonomous vehicles is typically two-fold. First, it needs to take into account the intrinsic dynamics of the vehicle, which are sometimes termed local constraints. Second, on a higher level, the designed trajectories must allow the vehicle to achieve some application-specific task. The specification of the task results in the so-called global constraints. Both of these two components of trajectory design are generally nontrivial problems, and very often, they are pursued as two parallel areas. When the results drawn from the two areas are applied in conjunction, the synthesis is usually somewhat arbitrary. In this paper, we assume some optimal control strategy that addresses the vehicle dynamics is available as a set of motion primitives. The trajectories that achieve the task are determined solely through the primitives and do not reference the vehicle dynamics directly. For the higher level, we translate the task into a very special type of cost-to-go function, which is partially specified artificially, and partially determined by an admissibility condition imposed by the set of primitives. The optimality feature of the primitives is formally extended to the final trajectory design. We illustrate our result with the example of a mobile robot retrieving an object, which is an interesting problem of its own right. In this case, the cost-to-go function for the task is specified arbitrarily for all vehicle positions and zero velocity, and determined automatically elsewhere in the position-velocity space.
Fuzzy Modeling of Skin Permeability Coefficients

Purpose. The purpose of this work was to determine whether a new modeling methodology using fuzzy logic can predict skin permeability coefficients that are given compound descriptors that have been proven to affect percutaneous penetration.
Hyporheic Exchange and Water Chemistry of Two Arctic Tundra Streams of Contrasting Geomorphology

Received 11 July 2007; revised 29 December 2007; accepted 7 March 2008; published 11 June 2008. [1] The North Slope of Alaska’s Brooks Range is underlain by continuous permafrost, but an active layer of thawed sediments develops at the tundra surface and beneath streambeds during the summer, facilitating hyporheic exchange. Our goal was to understand how active layer extent and stream geomorphology influence hyporheic exchange and nutrient chemistry. We studied two arctic tundra streams of contrasting geomorphology: a highgradient, alluvial stream with riffle-pool sequences and a low-gradient, peat-bottomed stream with large deep pools connected by deep runs. Hyporheic exchange occurred to � 50 cm beneath the alluvial streambed and to only � 15 cm beneath the peat streambed. The thaw bulb was deeper than the hyporheic exchange zone in both stream types. The hyporheic zone was a net source of ammonium and soluble reactive phosphorus in both stream types. The hyporheic zone was a net source of nitrate in the alluvial stream, but a net nitrate sink in the peat stream. The mass flux of nutrients regenerated from the hyporheic zones in these two streams was a small portion of the surface water mass flux. Although small, hyporheic sources of regenerated nutrients help maintain the in-stream nutrient balance. If future warming in the arctic increases the depth of the thaw bulb, it may not increase the vertical extent of hyporheic exchange. The greater impacts on annual contributions of hyporheic regeneration are likely to be due to longer thawed seasons, increased sediment temperatures or changes in geomorphology.
Newborn screening: the genomic challenge

We have just celebrated the 50th anniversary of mandatory newborn screening (NBS). Beyond any question, NBS has been a huge success. It has virtually eliminated the tragedy of intellectual disability from phenylketonuria (PKU) and congenital hypothyroidism in the developed world. It has eliminated death or profound neurologic sequelae from neonatal sepsis in galactosemia and in salt-wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia and sickle cell disease. The clinical complications of biotinidase deficiency are now rarely encountered. Sudden death from the fatty acid oxidation disorders is almost a thing of the past. Children with homocystinuria and maple syrup urine disease can achieve their full potentials and grow into productive adults. If this can be accomplished for the metabolic and endocrine disorders, could there be even greater benefit from NBS for genetic disorders in general, including nonmetabolic genetic disorders? True, we do not have preventive therapies for chromosomal aberrations or most other genetic abnormalities but there could be many other benefits from neonatal diagnosis, such as information for the family to prepare for progressive disability in the child, for genetic counseling for family planning, for prenatal or preconceptual diagnosis in future pregnancies, for prevention of needless and expensive diagnostic odysseys in the child, and still other potential benefits (Landau et al. 2014). So, why not expand NBS into genetic screening? This probably can be done. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) could allow examination of the entire genome. The cost of the sequencing is rapidly decreasing and may soon be low enough to accommodate NBS. Potentially, every genetic alteration could be identified within a few days after birth by testing the current NBS specimen or perhaps even earlier by screening umbilical cord blood. If screening included identifications of variations considered to increased risk for common diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, or Parkinson's, the infant would also be a proxy for family members leading to their testing for at-risk variations. Newborn genetic screening sounds like a “no-brainer.”
The Effect of Feed Withdrawal Duration on the Responsiveness of Broiler Pectoralis to Rigor Mortis Acceleration

Abstract This experiment was conducted to examine the effect of the duration of preslaughter feed withdrawal on the responsiveness of chicken muscle tissue to rigor mortis acceleration. Rigor mortis was accelerated by combining electrical stimulation and high temperature conditioning immediately post-mortem. At 1 h post-mortem, one breast fillet from each carcass was removed, frozen, and analyzed for metabolic and structural characteristics. The other fillet was excised, aged for 23 h, cooked, and sheared. As duration of feed withdrawal increased, muscle glycogen decreased. Shear value and pH decreases were most pronounced after 5 h of feed withdrawal. The feed withdrawal period did not affect R value, fragmentation index, or sarcomere length. Rigor mortis acceleration resulted in longer sarcomeres and increases in R value and fragmentation index.
Programming with fractional linear objective functions

Programming problems with linear constraints and certain objective functions containing fractions of linear functions are reduced to parametric linear programming problems by treating the value of one of the linear forms in the objective function as a parameter. Conditions for extrema are derived and the possibilities for local and global extrema are discussed.
Conservative management of priapism in acute spinal cord injury.

Abstract Objectives To perform a retrospective chart review of priapism as a complication of spinal cord injury and review the management and follow-up. Priapism is a known complication of acute spinal cord injury, but little has been written concerning the management of this condition. Methods A retrospective chart review (1992 through 2002) was performed for all patients with a diagnosis of priapism. Of these patients, 6 had priapism in the setting of acute spinal cord injury without pelvic trauma. We reviewed the management of the priapism in these cases, and follow-up was attempted in each case. Results Of the 6 patients with spinal cord injury-related priapism, 4 had spinal cord injury located at C5–C7, 1 at C5–C6, and 1 at T12. The prolonged erections were managed conservatively in 4 patients and irrigated with intracorporeal phenylephrine in 2. All patients with corporal blood gas measurement (n = 4) had nonischemic priapism. All 4 patients who underwent no intervention had the priapism resolve within 5 hours. Four patients (two treated conservatively and two who underwent irrigation) had recurrent episodes during the same admission that resolved spontaneously. Long-term outcomes were obtained by telephone from all 6 patients. Of the 6 patients, 5 had maintained spontaneous erections to date (range 3 to 10 years). Conclusions The results of our study have shown that priapism related to acute spinal cord injury is nonischemic and may be managed conservatively because of the high likelihood of resolution. Corporal blood gas measurement is important because the results can guide further management decisions. Our results suggests that conservative management of priapism related to spinal cord injury has a low rate of causing long-term erectile dysfunction.
Untangling triangulations through local explorations

The problem of maintaining a valid mesh (triangulation) within a certain domain that deforms over time arises in many applications. During a period for which the underlying mesh topology remains unchanged, the deformation moves vertices of the mesh and thus potentially turns a mesh invalid, or as we call it, tangled. We introduce the notion of locally removable regions, which are certain tangled regions in the mesh that allow for local removal and re-meshing. We present an algorithm that is able to quickly compute, through local explorations, a minimum locally removable region containing a "seed" tangled region in an invalid mesh. By re-meshing within this area, the "seed" tangled region can then be removed from the mesh without introducing any new tangled region. The algorithm is output-sensitive in the sense that it never explores outside the output region.
Extension of the Rejection Sensitivity Construct to the Interpersonal Functioning of Gay Men

On the basis of recent evidence suggesting that gay men are particularly likely to fear interpersonal rejection, the authors set out to extend the rejection sensitivity construct to the mental health concerns of gay men. After establishing a reliable and valid measure of the gay-related rejection sensitivity construct, the authors use this to test the mediating effect of internalized homophobia on the relationship between parental rejection of one's sexual orientation and sensitivity to future gay-related rejection. The present data support this mediational model and also establish rejection sensitivity's unique contribution to unassertive interpersonal behavior in the context of internalized homophobia and parental rejection. The authors conclude that gay-related rejection sensitivity is a useful construct for clinicians working with gay men given the impact that past gay-related rejection can have on their gay clients' present cognitive-affective-behavioral functioning. The authors discuss the possibility of revising rejection-prone schemas in clinical work with gay men. Future research is necessary to further examine the internal processing and interpersonal functioning of gay men by using existing constructs (or modifications of them) that are likely to be particularly relevant to the unique concerns of this population.
Stochastic control in economic theory and economic systems

This paper argues, by means of several examples, that system theory and stochastic control theory are useful and even essential to solve some problems in microeconomics and macroeconomics. It also briefly indicates some potential areas of applications of stochastic control theory to problems in economic theory and regulation of economics.
NBTI: An Atomic-Scale Defect Perspective

We utilize a combination of MOSFET-gate controlled diode DC-IV measurements and a very sensitive electrically-detected electron spin resonance technique called spin-dependent recombination to observe and identify defect centers generated during NBTI in fully processed SiO2 and plasma nitrided oxide (PNO)-based pMOSFETs. In SiO 2 devices, we observe the NBTI-induced generation of two Si/SiO2 interface silicon dangling bond centers (Pb0 and Pb1) and very likely an oxide silicon dangling bond center (E'). Our observations indicate that both Pb0 and Pb1 defects play major roles in these SiO2-based devices and also suggest that E' centers could play an important role. In PNO devices, we observed the NBTI-induced generation of a new defect center which is fundamentally different from the Pb0/Pb1 defects generated during NBTI in SiO2 devices. Our results indicate that it plays a dominating role in NBTI-induced interface state generation in thin PNO devices and also exhibits a post-negative bias temperature stress (NBTS) recovery. Although we observe different interface state defects, we observed essentially equivalent activation energies in both the SiO2 and PNO devices
Rehnquist and Federal Habeas Corpus

One of the key battlefields on which the modern war of federalism has been fought is federal habeas corpus. In the 1960's, led by Justice William J. Brennan, the Supreme Court expanded the availability of federal habeas for convicted state criminal defendants who claimed that their federal constitutional rights had been violated. This expansion was based on Brennan's fundamental distrust of state courts to vindicate federal rights. The practical impact of the expansion was felt most strongly in the special realm of capital cases, where extensive federal habeas review made it difficult for the states to implement the ultimate punishment. As soon as Justice William Rehnquist joined the Court in 1972, he set out to reverse the Brennan-led expansion of federal habeas. Over the course of his career, Rehnquist managed to roll back that expansion in almost every respect. Beginning with Wainwright v. Sykes (1977), which overturned the core of Brennan's famous habeas opinion in Fay v. Noia (1963), Rehnquist gradually succeeded in persuading the Court to adopt a narrower view of the role of the federal courts - one that was more deferential to the state courts, and more protective of the public's interest in punishing criminals. The Rehnquistian vision of limited federal habeas corpus ultimately prevailed on such issues as habeas jurisdiction, the right to counsel, procedural default, the role of actual innocence, harmless error, retroactivity, and the proper standard of review in habeas. The only area where Rehnquist failed to implement his vision of federal habeas was the scope of habeas review, and by the end, this lone failure may not even have mattered very much. Today, the law of federal habeas has returned to the way it was before the 1960's, and the ongoing fight over the death penalty has largely shifted from the federal habeas courts to the broader political and social worlds.
Exploring the Efficacy of Human Rights Models for Economic and Social Rights: The Case of the Right to Food

Much of the human rights literature assumes that it is analytically useful to think about “human rights norms” as of the same type. Risse, Ropp, and Sikkink (1999), for example, wrote one of the foundational texts for the human rights literature arguing that they created a model of “human rights change” which mapped the socialization process of “human rights norms” in a way that was “generalizable across cases irrespective of cultural, political, or economic differences of the countries” (pp. 3 & 6). Yet the specific human rights campaigns they examined were generally of one type - they were generally addressing political or civil human rights. A closer look at the literature reveals that these scholars are not alone in addressing “human rights norms” as of one type. And yet, economic and social rights, or human rights which require the government to act to solve an economic or social problem (i.e. right to food, right to clean water, right to health care) are different in several important ways from civil and political rights. This paper examines these key analytic differences and explores how well some of our current models (specifically Risse, Ropp, and Sikkink’s “spiral model” and Keck and Sikkink’s “boomerang model” might hold up when explaining the trajectory of one specific economic and social human rights campaign - the right to food. It finds that the diffusion of blame and the increased coordination costs behind defining, measuring, and implementing the right result in different campaign trajectories to those mapped in the spiral and boomerang models. Finally, if there are important differences between human rights campaign trajectories, which I argue is the case, what then? How should we think about economic and social human rights and the progression of their campaigns?
Ploidy Distribution of the Harmful Bloom Forming Macroalgae Ulva spp. in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA, Using Flow Cytometry Methods

Macroalgal blooms occur worldwide and have the potential to cause severe ecological and economic damage. Narragansett Bay, RI is a eutrophic system that experiences summer macroalgal blooms composed mostly of Ulva compressa and Ulva rigida, which have biphasic life cycles with separate haploid and diploid phases. In this study, we used flow cytometry to assess ploidy levels of U. compressa and U. rigida populations from five sites in Narragansett Bay, RI, USA, to assess the relative contribution of both phases to bloom formation. Both haploid gametophytes and diploid sporophytes were present for both species. Sites ranged from a relative overabundance of gametophytes to a relative overabundance of sporophytes, compared to the null model prediction of √2 gametophytes: 1 sporophyte. We found significant differences in cell area between ploidy levels for each species, with sporophyte cells significantly larger than gametophyte cells in U. compressa and U. rigida. We found no differences in relative growth rate between ploidy levels for each species. Our results indicate the presence of both phases of each of the two dominant bloom forming species throughout the bloom season, and represent one of the first studies of in situ Ulva life cycle dynamics.
EVALUATION OF BRUSH SEAL PERFORMANCE FOR OIL SEALING APPLICATIONS

Oil sealing at high speeds is one of the major problems engineers should address in turbomachinery design. High temperatures faced in oil sumps in aircraft engines, and large seal sizes typical in land based turbine applications further complicate the problem. Labyrinth seals can overcome problems faced with carbon seals in high temperature and large size applications. On the other hand, use of labyrinth seals may result in high leakage rates leading to increased oil consumption, unintended oil contamination in some flow cavities, early oil degradation or even fires in some cases. Successful engine secondary flow path applications of brush seals lead to questions of their applicability for oil sealing. Because brush seals are contact seals, oil temperature rise and coking become major issues in addition to leakage performance. This paper presents an investigative study of brush seal leakage and coking performance using common lube oil. Both metallic and non-metallic prototypes have been tested under static and dynamic conditions. It has been concluded that properly designed brush seals can achieve lower leakage rates than labyrinth seals without causing coking problems.