cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural Changes Preceding Rapid Intensification in Tropical Cyclones as Shown in a Large Ensemble of Idealized Simulations

AbstractStructural changes that precede rapid intensification (RI) of tropical cyclones (TCs) are examined in a full-physics model by conducting a large ensemble (270) of idealized TC simulations. The processes leading to RI in a representative case with moderate shear are consistent with previous studies for weakly sheared cases. The most distinct changes are that the vortex tilt and the vortex size begin to decrease more rapidly 6 h before the onset of RI. A vorticity budget analysis for the upper layer around the low-level center reveals that the vertical vorticity is increased by vertical advection, stretching, and tilting terms before RI, whereas the horizontal advection is small. Thus, the upright vortex structure is not achieved through a vortex alignment process but rather is built upward by deep convection.The ensemble simulations are generated by changing the intensity and size of the initial vortex, the magnitude of vertical wind shear, and the translation speed. The ensemble members that show ...
Results of a three evaporator cryogenic helium Pulsating Heat Pipe

Abstract A three stage Pulsating Heat Pipe has been successfully operated using helium as the working fluid at fill ratios ranging from 20% to 90%. More than 2000 test runs were performed and results showed that an optimal thermal performance was achieved at a fill ratio of 69.5%, producing a maximum effective thermal conductivity keff around 50,000 W/m-K. The PHP was operated in a vertical orientation where the condenser section is located at the top position. The condenser section of the PHP was thermally anchored to a cryocooler with a cooling capacity of 1 W at 4.2 K and was operated from 2.9 K to 5.1 K. A total of 9 germanium type GR-200A and one Cernox® model CX-1050 were used to measure the temperature distribution, and a pressure transducer was used to record the fluid’s pressure oscillations. Each PHP section consists of 14 turns and an adiabatic length of 300 mm. This innovative design consists of two sub-evaporator sections for each PHP, resulting in a total number of six evaporators. This configuration was chosen in order for future testing in a varied heat load arrangement. This paper presents results based on equal heat load distribution throughout the evaporator sections.
Computer-Mediated Friendship Networks

Social networks have been around since the dawn of civilization. What is unique about social networks today is that a large part of these social networks is computer-mediated. Computer-mediated friendship networks (CMFNs) are a prime example of IT that matters. This research-in-progress focuses on the antecedents to CMFN usage based on Self-Determination Theory and Socio-Emotional Selectivity Theory. Findings show that Perceived Intrinsic Value, Perceptions of Homophily, and Perceptions of Emotional Support as well as Stage of Life impact CMFN usage in interesting ways. Contributions of this study include 1) showcasing the important role that friendship style plays in CMFNs, 2) empirically demonstrating the role of intrinsic motivation in an information system which has been unsuccessful previously, and 3) extending the literature on computer-mediated social networking by defining and analyzing a particular category of computer-mediated social networks, namely, the CMFN, which has not been examined previously in the literature.
Modeling and analysis of energy extraction circuits for triboelectric nanogenerator based vibrational energy harvesting

One major challenge to the usability of IoT devices is limited onboard battery lifetime. Integrating an energy harvester to scavenge the energy from ambient sources is a viable green option. In recent 5 years, Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENG) have gained attention for harvesting ambient vibration energy from sources ranging from ocean waves to human body motion due to their flexibility in the choice of materials and fabrication processes. However, due to the high nonlinearly varying impedance (typically in mega ohms) of TENG, standard full wave rectifier based AC to DC conversion for energy extraction is unable to provide a matching impedance needed for optimized energy transfer. In the presented work, Synchronous Charge Extraction (SCE), Parallel and Series synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (P-SSHI and S-SSHI) energy extraction circuits are mathematically modeled, analyzed, simulated, and compared with the standard full wave rectifier (FWR) circuit for the first time to the best of our knowledge. While the above-mentioned extraction schemes have been studied for piezoelectric transducers, the models (and gains) are different in the case of triboelectric transducers. For TENG with an area, 12 x 8 cm2, surface charge density 8 μC=m2, and subjected to vibration with 3 mm amplitude and 1 Hz frequency, energy gains of 2.8, 14.5, 385 over FWR were realized for P-SSHI, S-SSHI and SCE for a 5V battery load respectively. The above findings were also confirmed by SPICE-based circuit simulation.
One more time! Increasing fault detection with scan shift capture

More stringent defect detection requirements have led to the creation of new fault models, such as the cell-aware fault model, that attempt to model defects that might be missed by traditional test sets. Unfortunately, the resulting test sets can be long, and thus we have explored a DFT-based approach to reduce test time by harnessing scan shift cycles for defect detection. However, even advanced fault models may still miss some defects (for example, defects between standard cells). The n-detect test approach attempts to detect such defects fortuitously by increasing the number of times that simpler faults (e.g. stuck-at faults) are detected. In this paper, we investigate the ability of our DFT circuitry to provide multiple stuck-at fault detections of the hardest to detect stuck-at faults during scan shift. We will show that significant additional fault detections are possible in the circuits studied, even when only a subset of all scan chain flops are used for scan shift capture.
The Subjective Experience of Patients Undergoing Shunt Surgery for Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Objective The counseling of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is difficult; there is variability in the diagnostic criteria, and a definitive diagnosis can be made only postoperatively. A patient's clinical response to shunting is also difficult to predict. This study examines the subjective experience of patients treated for iNPH, to identify the challenges patients face and to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Methods We reviewed a consecutive series of patients diagnosed with iNPH who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery between January 2012 and March 2016 at our institution. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with 31 patients. Interviews were analyzed using the principles of grounded theory. Results Thirty-one patients who underwent shunt surgery for iNPH were interviewed to reach saturation of themes. Seven themes were identified: 1) long preoperative course causes morbidity; 2) the decision to have shunt surgery is easy to make; 3) patients primarily desire to gain independence; 4) patients show variable levels of anxiety; 5) comorbid conditions interfere with postoperative assessment; 6) patients stand by their decision to have shunt surgery; and 7) outside information is used before surgery. Conclusions Patients often present to the neurosurgeon frustrated and desperate after a long preoperative course. It is important to acknowledge the uncertainty regarding diagnosis and response to shunting when counseling patients. Comorbid conditions interfere with the ability to assess progression of iNPH and the effectiveness of the shunt. Patient caregivers play a large role in decision making and clinical course and should be included when counseling patients.
Editorial: Progressive Skill Development and Progressive Clinical Experience Responsibility

The concept of progressive resistive exercise (PRE) is one of the major principles of athletic training. Development of strength and other physical elements during conditioning and orthopedic injury rehabilitation depends on proper application of the P RE principle. A related concept, progressive skill development (PSD) is essential in educating athletic training students. Indeed we might say that the competence (strength) of a new graduate depends on proper application of the progressive skill development principle. Would any competent professional say to a client o r patient, “You need to be stronger, go lift weights?” No; they would set up a specific program, usually written, that included specific exercises, specific days to lift, specific number o f sets and repetitions to perform, and specific amounts of weight to be lifted. The AT would then demonstrate how to perform each lift, watch the patient/client practice each of t he lifts, correct t heir p erformance as n ecessary, and then send them to the weight room for supervised lifting. As strength de velops, the am ount of weight would be increased and perhaps more difficult or complex exercises would be added. Clinical skill development must occur similarly.
The High Rate of Noncompliance for Post-Vasectomy Semen Examination: Medical and Legal Considerations

AbstractThe records of 1,029 consecutive patients undergoing bilateral vasectomy were reviewed. Of the 1,029 patients 375 (36%) never returned postoperatively and the partners of 2 of these 375 later became pregnant. A total of 560 patients (54%) was followed until the recommended demonstration of azoospermia occurred on 2 consecutive occasions. There were 84 patients (8%) who did not return after the first demonstration of azoospermia, while 7 (1%) still had sperm in the semen at the last examination. Three other patients had persistent nonmotile sperm postoperatively; 2 of them underwent repeat vasectomy followed by azoospermia and 1 was placed in a special clearance category of sterility as described. We discuss practical and legal considerations regarding the management of noncompliant patients. (J. Urol., 144: 284-286, 1990)
Structured and Semistructured Inventories

Structured and semistructured interviews are methods of collecting data on psychiatric disorders according to specific diagnostic criteria. They are used primarily for research, but clinicians also find them helpful in clarifying psychiatric diagnoses. The interviews are particularly important because they are the means by which the data are systematically collected for much of modern psychiatric research. Moreover, the validity of research results in many instances depends on the effectiveness of these instruments.
MAMMALIAN PARASYMPATHETIC GANGLIA FIRE SPONTANEOUS ACTION POTENTIALS AND TRANSMIT SLOW SYNAPTIC POTENTIALS

Publisher Summary In sympathetic ganglia, slow synaptic potentials have been recorded after nicotinic receptor blockade and repetitive preganglionic stimulation. Under similar conditions, namely 5 × 10−4 M hexamethonium and preganglionic train stimulation, slow synaptic potentials could also be recorded in vesical ganglia. In the autonomie nervous system, the sympathetic ganglion has long been used to study diverse synaptic mechanisms and possible integration capabilities that occur during ganglionic transmission . In contrast, parasympathetic ganglionic transmission has been investigated infrequently. The chapter discusses a study to demonstrate multiple mechanisms involved in transmission in parasympathetic ganglia. In 48% of the cells, only a slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential was recorded. Both an S-IPSP and a slow excitatory postsynaptic potential were recorded in 31% of the neurons. It is found that only an S-EPSP was recorded in 13% of the cells. No slow potentials were observed in 8% of the cells. Both the S-IPSP and the S-EPSP could be mimicked by iontophoretic application of ACh. In cells with only a nerve evoked S-IPSP, ACh would only hyperpolarize the membrane potential. On the other hand, in cells where both an S-IPSP as well as an S-EPSP were present ACh would hyperpolarize and then depolarize the membrane potential.
Can minocycline ameliorate symptom burden in patients with pancreatic cancer? A phase II randomized trial.

e21636Background: In patients with newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer, symptom burden can be driven by both rapid disease progression and aggressive cancer therapy. Abatement of symptoms is a highly...
Current and Emerging Medical Therapies for Advanced Disease in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Biliary tract cancers are rare cancers with traditionally dismal clinical outcomes. Systemic chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment for patients with advanced disease. Combination therapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine is the current standard of care. Recent advancements in genomic profiling and next-generation sequencing technologies have led to a growing understanding of the true heterogeneity within this disease. Large mutational profiling studies have identified key genomic differences among intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma. Understanding these genomic alterations and identifying targetable mutations will be critical to developing effective biomarker and targeted therapy options. In this chapter, we will review current and emerging systemic treatment options for cholangiocarcinoma.
Posaconazole versus voriconazole as antifungal prophylaxis during induction therapy for acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome.

ObjectivePatients with acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome undergoing induction chemotherapy are at increased risk of invasive fungal infection due to prolonged, severe neutropen...
Triclosan export from low-volume sources in an urban to rural watershed.

Abstract Triclosan (TCS), an emerging contaminant linked to antimicrobial resistance, has been the focus of many surface water studies to date. However, these initial studies have predominantly used sampling locations downstream of large volume (i.e., >0.5 million gallons per day) wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This approach overlooks potential inputs from their low volume counterparts as well as non-point sources, such as sewage network leaks, biosolid application to agricultural fields and leach fields associated with septic systems. Here we examine the range of concentrations, overall loading, and potential controls on TCS delivery to the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek (EBBC), a rural to suburban watershed located in southeastern Pennsylvania. TCS measurements were collected from 13 locations in the EBBC during baseflow conditions and immediately following a storm event. A regulatory database review identified WWTP density an order of magnitude greater than the national average, thereby confirming their pervasiveness in rural to urban systems. Detectable concentrations of TCS in the EBBC ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 ng/L during baseflow conditions and 0.5 to over 1000 ng/L following a storm event. The lack of a statistical relationship between TCS concentrations and yields with the number of upstream WWTPs and/or volume of treated effluent during both sampling periods confirm the importance of individual WWTP practices and the volume of the receiving water body, while a positive statistically-significant relationship between TCS concentrations and upstream developed open space following the storm event was likely influenced by runoff of spray-applied treated wastewater and/or sewage network leaks. Furthermore, the presence of detectable concentrations of TCS in sub-watersheds with no WWTP systems implies field applied biosolids or treated wastewater, as well as septic tank related leach fields are all viable sources of TCS. These findings suggest we must greatly expand our consideration of sources for emerging contaminants in waterways.
Treating Outpatient Suicidal Adolescents: Guidelines from the Empirical Literature

Mental health counselors identify treating suicidal clients as one of the most stressful aspects of their work. Treating suicidal adolescents poses a range of additional challenges. Literature on suicidal behavior continues to grow and potentially efficacious treatments are being developed, however clinicians in the field are provided few guidelines for treating suicidal clients. In this paper we provide a brief review of evidenced-based treatments with suicidal adolescents and offer guidelines for the treatment of suicidal adolescents within outpatient settings. We conclude with a brief overview of special considerations for treating adolescents who are suicidal.
Gender, Race, and Experiences of Workplace Incivility in Public Organizations:

Workplace incivility can have deleterious effects on individuals and organizations such as decreased job satisfaction and commitment, employee turnover, and reductions in morale and performance. Mo...
Systems Thinking for Energy and the Economy: Size and Structure

In Chapter 5 the book shifts from exploring data trends and stories to a synthesis of how the trends relate to each other. The chapter begins by describing the concept of systems as a method of thinking and modeling before summarizing the philosophy of naturalism as a means for understanding the world in which we live. The chapter describes concept of net energy, or how much energy it takes to extract energy from the environment, as a concept for understanding the feedback of energy costs to economic growth. The idea of distribution networks is used to compare observed trends in biological organisms to that of the economy. The chapter uses the concept of growing systems to explain a 150-year-old idea that explains how more efficient energy consumption in cars, homes, and other types of capital and machines leads to more energy consumption within the overall economy, not less. The chapter ends with explaining research and data on growth cycles (e.g., of population) of pre-industrial civilizations and societies such that we can consider analogies to our present fossil-fueled industrial civilization.
Attacking Alcohol‐Related Liver Disease by Taxing Alcohol Sales

The public health impact of ALD is large and growing (Liangpunsakul et al., 2016). The incidence of cirrhosis due to ALD is rising, driven in part by recent and historically unparalleled increases among young people (Mellinger et al., 2018, Flemming et al., 2018). In parallel, mortality and liver transplantation rates for persons with ALD have risen substantially (Tapper and Parikh, 2018, Mellinger et al., 2018, Lee et al., 2019).
"The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House": Ten Critical Lessons for Black and Other Health Equity Researchers of Color.

Audre Lorde’s provocative admonishment, “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house,” is a fitting caution for Black and other scholars of color who seek to use traditional social a...
Using the Microsoft Translator Hub at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints undertook an extensive effort at the beginning of this year to deploy machine translation (MT) in the translation workflow for the content on its principal website, www.lds.org. The objective of this effort is to reduce by at least 50% the time required by human translators to translate English content into nine other languages and publish it on this site. This paper documents the experience to date, including selection of the MT system, preparation and use of data to customize the system, initial deployment of the system in the Church’s translation workflow, post-editing training for translators, the resulting productivity improvements, and plans for future deployments.
Evaluating smart charging strategies using real-world data from optimized plugin electric vehicles

Abstract Management of electric vehicle (EV) charging is likely to be critical in avoiding large increases in peak electricity demand and subsequent build outs of generation and distribution infrastructure. Additionally, management of EV charging can help to more effectively utilize renewable energy resources. This study analyzed charging data from a real-world pilot program, the largest household-based study to date to analyze the effectiveness of different smart charging use cases at reducing charging costs and increasing utilization of renewable energy. The study included six different use cases that featured varying optimization signals and driver incentives. Study results suggest that the optimizations are effective at shifting load from times of high grid costs and congestion, most notably during early evening hours, to times of lower grid costs in the early morning and midday. The study finds that 15–20% of charge was shifted out of any given hour and 20–30% of charge was shifted into a given hour in the most effective use cases. In addition to shifting charging across time periods, charging events were also effectively shifted to different locations during some use cases, such as from overnight at households to during the day at workplaces.
Anterolateral papillary muscle ventricular tachycardia

1547-5271/$-see front matter B 2014 Heart Rhythm Society. All rights reserved. on nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging. Twenty-four-hour Holter monitoring revealed 58,612 monomorphic ectopic ventricular beats (50.8% of all beats), with series of ventricular tachycardia up to 91 beats in duration. Betablockers, calcium-channel blockers, and flecainide were unsuccessful in treating PVCs and symptoms. Echocardiography revealed a left ventricular ejection fraction (during sinus beats) of 32%. An earlier catheter ablation attempt to target the site of earliest ventricular activation preceding the PVCs was unsuccessful. Intracardiac electrode contact and mapping via both the retrograde aortic approach and a transseptal puncture had proved difficult. The earliest site of activation covered a large area of myocardium and preceded the surface ventricular activation only by 10– 15 ms. The PVC morphology (Figure 1A) suggested an
Recommendations for Teacher Education Programs to Prepare Practitioners for Diverse Urban Schools

The focus of this article is to provide teacher education programs with recommendations for meeting the educational needs of students with emotional behavior disorders (EBD) and learning disabiliti...
Ignatian Pedagogy and Its Alignment with the New Teacher Bar Exam (edTPA) and Action Research Frameworks

Teacher Preparation Programs are subject to increasing demands on their curriculums, with no corresponding increases in contact time or duration of programs. As new high-stakes pre-service teacher assessments come online, programs must prepare candidates for success with them while still honoring other elements, such as research in accelerated graduate programs and university identities through specialized pedagogies. Programs face the challenge of teaching it all, and doing so in a coherent manner. This article addresses the alignment across components of edTPA (pre-service education Teacher Performance Assessment), action research, and Ignatian pedagogy, providing a table that aligns the three frameworks.
La représentation cinématographique de l’ethnicité en France : stigmatisation, reconnaissance et banalisation

Le cinema « beur » et le cinema dit de la banlieue marquent l’eclosion des ethnicites post-coloniales dans le cinema francais. Cependant, la plupart de ces films restent relativement marginaux par rapport aux grands circuits de distribution ; en outre, les etiquettes qu’on leur appose sont de nature a renforcer cette relegation des minorites, issues de l’immigration post-coloniale, dans une zone secondaire de la production cinematographique francaise. Pourtant, depuis quelques annees, des producteurs et acteurs issus de l’immigration investissent le cinema grand public. Leur presence grandissante fait preuve d’une diversite croissante, non seulement eu egard aux acteurs visibles a l’ecran, mais aussi aux roles que ceux-ci interpretent, ce qui va dans le sens de ce que les Anglo-saxons appellent integrated casting.
Retinoic Acid Suppresses the Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway in Embryonic Stem Cells and Activates the Noncanonical Wnt Signaling Pathway

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have both the ability to self-renew and to differentiate into various cell lineages. Retinoic acid (RA), a metabolite of Vitamin A, has a critical function in initiating lineage differentiation of ESCs through binding to the retinoic acid receptors. Additionally, the Wnt signaling pathway plays a role in pluripotency and differentiation, depending on the activation status of the canonical and noncanonical pathways. The activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, which requires the nuclear accumulation of β-catenin and its interaction with Tcf1/Lef at Wnt response elements, is involved in ESC stemness maintenance. The noncanonical Wnt signaling pathway, through actions of Tcf3, can antagonize the canonical pathway. We show that RA activates the noncanonical Wnt signaling pathway, while concomitantly inhibiting the canonical pathway. RA increases the expression of ligands and receptors of the noncanonical Wnt pathway (Wnt 5a, 7a, Fzd2 and Fzd6), downstream signaling, and Tcf3 expression. RA reduces the phosphorylated β-catenin levels by fourfold, although total β-catenin levels do not change. We show that RA signaling increases the dissociation of Tcf1 and the association of Tcf3 at promoters of genes that regulate stemness (e.g., NR5A2, Lrh-1) or differentiation (e.g. Cyr61, Zic5). Knockdown of Tcf3 increases Lrh-1 transcript levels in mESCs and prevents the RA-associated, fourfold increase in Zic5, indicating that RA requires Tcf3 to effect changes in Zic5 levels. We demonstrate a novel role for RA in altering the activation of these two Wnt signaling pathways and show that Tcf3 mediates some actions of RA during differentiation.
To see and to be seen in the virtual beer garden: a gaze behavior system for intelligent virtual agents in a 3D environment

Aiming to increase the believability of intelligent virtual agents, this paper describes the implementation of a parameterizable gaze behavior system based on psychological notions of human gaze. The resulting gaze patterns and agent behaviors cover a wide range of possible uses due to this parametrization. We also show how we integrated and used the system within a virtual environment.
Conformal cryogenic tank trade study for reusable launch vehicles

Future reusable launch vehicles may be lifting bodies with non-circular cross section like the proposed Lockheed-Martin VentureStar(tm). Current designs for the cryogenic tanks of these vehicles are dual-lobed and quad-lobed tanks which are packaged more efficiently than circular tanks, but still have low packaging efficiencies with large gaps existing between the vehicle outer mold line and the outer surfaces of the tanks. In this study, tanks that conform to the outer mold line of a non-circular vehicle were investigated. Four structural concepts for conformal cryogenic tanks and a quad-lobed tank concept were optimized for minimum weight designs. The conformal tank concepts included a sandwich tank stiffened with axial tension webs, a sandwich tank stiffened with transverse tension webs, a sandwich tank stiffened with rings and tension ties, and a sandwich tank stiffened with orthogrid stiffeners and tension ties. For each concept, geometric parameters (such as ring frame spacing, the number and spacing of tension ties or webs, and tank corner radius) and internal pressure loads were varied and the structure was optimized using a finite-element-based optimization procedure. Theoretical volumetric weights were calculated by dividing the weight of the barrel section of the tank concept and its associated frames, webs and tension ties by the volume it circumscribes. This paper describes the four conformal tank concepts and the design assumptions utilized in their optimization. The conformal tank optimization results included theoretical weights, trends and comparisons between the concepts, are also presented, along with results from the optimization of a quad-lobed tank. Also, the effects of minimum gauge values and non-optimum weights on the weight of the optimized structure are described in this paper.
Peptide aptamers: dominant "genetic" agents for forward and reverse analysis of cellular processes.

Peptide aptamers are the newest in the class of “genetic” agents that aid in the analysis of cellular processes. Peptide aptamers interact with and can inactivate gene products, but don't mutate the DNA that encodes them. Reverse analysis with peptide aptamers involves isolating aptamers that interact with a specific protein and monitoring the resulting aptamer-induced phenotype. Conversely, forward analysis with peptide aptamers involves expressing combinatorial libraries of aptamers within an organism and screening for aptamer-induced variations in their phenotypes. The two-hybrid system is used in both processes to help identify the protein interactions, and variations from the basic procedure as described in unit Unavailable are presented here.
Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Patients with Bloodstream Infection: Frequencies of Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (United States and Canada, 1997)

The SENTRY Program was established in January 1997 to measure the predominant pathogens and antimicrobial resistance patterns of nosocomial and community-acquired infections over a broad network of sentinel hospitals in the United States (30 sites), Canada (8 sites), South America (10 sites), and Europe (24 sites). During the first 6-month study period (January to June 1997), a total of 5,058 bloodstream infections (BSI) were reported by North American SENTRY participants (4,119 from the United States and 939 from Canada). In both the United States and Canada, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the most common BSI isolates, followed by coagulase-negative staphylococci and enterococci. Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and beta-hemolytic streptococci were also among the 10 most frequently reported species in both the United States and Canada. Although the rank orders of pathogens in the United States and Canada were similar, distinct differences were noted in the antimicrobial susceptibilities of several pathogens. Overall, U.S. isolates were considerably more resistant than those from Canada. The differences in the proportions of oxacillin-resistant S. aureus isolates (26.2 versus 2.7% for U.S. and Canadian isolates, respectively), vancomycin-resistant enterococcal isolates (17.7 versus 0% for U.S. and Canadian isolates, respectively), and ceftazidime-resistant Enterobacter sp. isolates (30.6 versus 6.2% for U.S. and Canadian isolates, respectively) dramatically emphasize the relative lack of specific antimicrobial resistance genes (mecA, vanA, and vanB) in the Canadian microbial population. Among U.S. isolates, resistance to oxacillin among staphylococci, to vancomycin among enterococci, to penicillin among pneumococci, and to ceftazidime among Enterobacter spp. was observed in both nosocomial and community-acquired pathogens, although in almost every instance the proportion of resistant strains was higher among nosocomial isolates. Antimicrobial resistance continues to increase, and ongoing surveillance of microbial pathogens and resistance profiles is essential on national and international scales.
Phase relationships in presence of a synthetic large-scale in a turbulent boundary layer

A synthetic spanwise-constant spatio-temporal mode is excited in a flat plate turbulent boundary layer through a spatially impulsive patch of dynamic wall-roughness. The streamwise wavelength of the synthetic mode approximately corresponds to the very large-scale motions present in high Reynolds number wall turbulence. Hot wire anemometer measurements made downstream of the roughness forcing reveal the nature of the two dimensional synthetic large-scale and its influence on the small-scale turbulence. A clear phase organizing effect on the small-scales is noticed in presence of the synthetic large-scale. A thorough understanding of these phase relations lays the foundation for a framework that allows for practical manipulation of energetic small-scale turbulence through large-scale inputs by utilizing the inherent non-linear coupling present in the governing Navier-Stokes equations.
Using the Consumer Expenditure Survey to Teach Poverty Measurement

Poverty measurement is often controversial, but good public policy relies crucially on a broadly supported and understood poverty measure. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau announced it would begin regular reporting of a new supplemental poverty measure in October 2011. The present article provides background information for a student exercise (available, on request, from the author) on alternative poverty measurement techniques. The exercise allows students to use current data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey (available through the Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://www.bls.gov/cex/; U.S. Department of Labor 2010) and other sources to calculate and compare several absolute and relative poverty thresholds. The exercise invites students to draw their own conclusions about the pros and cons of different measures, including the new supplemental measure. Data sources are easily updated as new information becomes available.
Growth hormone (GH)-associated nitration of Janus kinase-2 at the 1007Y-1008Y epitope impedes phosphorylation at this site: mechanism for and impact of a GH, AKT, and nitric oxide synthase axis on GH signal transduction.

A generalized increase in liver protein tyrosine nitration (3′-nitrotyrosine, 3′-NT) occurs after GH injection in a time frame consistent with observed acute GH hyporesponsiveness. Here we investigated whether the GH-associated nitration process might be targeted to the 1007Y-1008Y-phosphorylation epitope of Janus kinase (JAK)-2 because of its homology to a defined peptide nitration motif. Using antibodies we developed to the 3′NT-substituted peptide analog of the 1007Y-1008Y-JAK2 site (nitro-JAK2), we demonstrated a rapid increase in membrane-associated nitro-JAK2 after GH. In vivo (bovine liver) and in vitro (porcine hepatocytes), GH-induced cellular levels of nitro-1007Y-1008Y-JAK2 persisted significantly longer after a stimulatory GH pulse than did levels of phospho-JAK2. Treatment of cultured cells with inhibitors of AKT or endothelial nitric oxide synthase prior to GH challenge attenuated the increases in nitro-JAK2 predominantly in the membrane subcellular fraction. In instances in which GH effecte...
Mechanisms of convection-induced modulation of passive tracer interhemispheric transport interannual variability

[1] Interannual variations of tropical convection impact atmospheric circulation and influence year-to-year variations of the transport of trace constituents in the troposphere. This study examines how two modes of convective variability, anomalous intensification and meridional displacement of centers of tropical convection, impact interhemispheric transport (IHT) interannual variability. Two modeling frameworks are employed, an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) and a chemical transport model (CTM) forced with a realistic, interannually varying circulation field, to investigate the zonally averaged and regional-scale influences of the modes of convective variability on passive tracer IHT. Both convective modes are found to modulate IHT interannual variability. While convective displacement appears to be the more quantitatively significant mode within the AGCM framework, anomalous convective intensity and displacement are of equal importance in the CTM framework. The results suggest that the modeling of atmospheric tracer transport interannual variability requires accurate representation of multiple aspects of convective variability.
Syneretic Response to Incremental Pressures in Calf Lenses

Purpose: Syneretic response to pressure variation of 1 atm or more has been demonstrated previously in bovine and human lenses with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation measurements. This study is designed to prove that a similar response is observable in smaller pressure increments closer to the normal physiological range. Methods: Excised calf eyes were enucleated, the lenses dissected out, and immersed in medium. The lenses were exposed to incremental pressures ranging from 1 to 3 atm. At each pressure increment, a series of T1-weighted and spin echo images were acquired. Each image was segmented into seven regions of interest and tabulated. Longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxation times were calculated from numerical fits of the experimental values to a one-term exponential expression. Results: The relaxation parameters were obtained from fitting the image intensities to exponential equations, which yielded a relaxation time T and a pre-exponential factor M. The relaxation times and the...
Sternoclavicular osteoradionecrosis following treatment for head and neck cancer.

Abstract Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a well described complication of radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC), with a past reported incidence as high as 10–18% [5] , [1] , [4] mostly involving the mandible. ORN rarely involves the sternoclavicular complex in HNC patients treated with RT. Here, we present a case of HNC treated with combined (cytotoxic) chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CCRT) complicated by ORN and osteomyelitis of the sternoclavicular complex involving large segments of both clavicles, the sternum, and the trachea.
Visioplasticity techniques in axisymmetric extrusion

AbstractAn improved method for the flow-function analysis of visioplasticty data is presented in which the use of techniques for the smoothing of raw data is reduced. It is shown theoretically, and experimentally verified, that under the assumptions of flow-function analysis the final axial, radial, and circumferential normal strains in the extruded material are fixed solely by the reduction ratio. Velocity fields computed from analysis of axial grid-line data are shown to predict accurately the experimental positions of corresponding transverse grid lines. From the velocity fields strain rates are computed. Transformation equations are developed relating the deformation in the spatial co-ordinate system to a more easily interpreted material co-ordinate system. By use of these equations excellent agreement is obtained with experimental normal strains by integrating the calculated strain rates through the deformation zone. Very good agreement is also obtained with the final angles between axial and transve...
A study of the scientific interests of dwellers in small towns and in the country

The investigation reported in this paper represents an attempt to secure data relative to the scientific interests of pupils enrolled in the ninth grade in small high schools and of adults living in small towns and in the country. Two similar studies of.scientific interests have already appeared: Pollock's study,1 in which he analyzed 3,500 questions secured from pupils studying general science in the eighth grade in 13 high schools of Columbus, Ohio; and the author's study,2 in which he analyzed 3,330 questions obtained from 687 pupils studying general science in the ninth grade in 10 high schools in New York City, Okmulgee (Oklahoma), Portland and Salem (Oregon), and 3,232 questions secured from 705 of the parents of these pupils. Two criticisms, especially, have been made of these two studies by those interested in evaluating them for curricular purposes: (1) The subjects under consideration, even though considerable in number, represent a selective sampling, because they were all city dwellers; and (2) suggestion, operating in the model questions, had a large part in conditioning the responses made. The purpose of the investigation here reported, therefore, is primarily to ascertain whether the scientific interests of country dwellers differ from those of city dwellers, and, further, to secure evidence relative to the extent to which the suggestive factor, operating through the model questions, influences the responses. METHOD
Software security assurance tools, techniques and metrics (SSATTM)

The purpose of the workshop is to convene researchers, developers, and government and industrial users of software security assurance (SSA) tools to refine the taxonomy of flaws and the taxonomy of SSA tool functions, converge on which SSA functions should first have specifications and tests developed, gather SSA tool developers for "target practice" on the reference datasets, and identify gaps or requirements for research in SSA functions. There are contributions describing basic research, novel applications, and experience relevant to SSA tools and their evaluation. The reference datasets are code with known flaws and vulnerabilities, with corresponding correct versions, to be used as references for tool testing, to make research easier, and to be a standard of evaluation. Tools ranging from commercial products to university projects "shoot holes" in the datasets to suggest extensions, improvements, etc. This is a U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology SAMATE (http://samate.nist.gov/) workshop.
The effects of cigarette smoking on human sexual potency

Forty-two male cigarette smokers, age 18 to 44, were randomly assigned to high-nicotine, low-nicotine, or control groups in a study relating cigarette smoking to sexual response. Subjects watched erotic film segments while their penile diameters, heart rates, and finger pulse amplitudes were continuously recorded by a polygraph. Subjects in the smoking groups smoked relatively high-nicotine (.9 mg) or very low-nicotine (.002 mg) cigarettes prior to watching the last two films, while control subjects ate candy. Smoking two high-nicotine cigarettes in immediate succession significantly decreased the rate of penile diameter change relative to the other conditions. These effects were not seen after a single cigarette was smoked. High-nicotine cigarettes caused significantly more vasoconstriction and heart rate increase than did low-nicotine cigarettes, which did not differ from control conditions.
Evaluation of Computational Techniques for Solving the Boltzmann Transport Equation for Lattice Thermal Conductivity Calculations

Three methods for computing thermal conductivity from lattice dynamics (the iterative method, the variational method, and the relaxation-time approximation) are compared for the prototypical case of solid argon. The iterative method is found to produce results in close agreement with Green-Kubo molecular-dynamics simulations, a formally correct method for computing thermal conductivity. The variational method and relaxation-time approximation are found to underestimate the thermal conductivity. The relationship among the methods is established; a combination of the iterative and variational methods is found to have a fastest convergence. Formal convergence of the iterative method is demonstrated and a simple mixing rule is shown to provide stability in practice. The ability to use these methods to provide detailed insight into the relationship between phonon properties and thermal conductivity is demonstrated.
Transaction Cost Analysis: Past, Present, and Future Applications

Over the past decade, transaction cost analysis (TCA) has received considerable attention in the marketing literature. Marketing scholars have made important contributions in extending and refining...
Laparoscopic management of female urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine through the urethra and is estimated to affect more than 12 million people in the United States, of which 80% are female. The normal continence mechanism in the female consists of an intrinsic coapting ability of the proximal urethra, a critical functional urethral length, the ability of the pelvic floor to increase urethral pressure at the time of stress, and the proper anatomic location of this sphincteric unit2 B Leakage resulting from the loss of the normal supporting backboard effect of the levator muscles and the urethral pelvic ligaments on the bladder neck and the proximal urethra is termed anatomic stress urinary incontinence. The urethral hypermobility transfers the bladder neck to a dependent position in the pelvis and facilitates funneling and opening during sudden increases in intra-abdominal pressure that results in incontinence. Inability of the sphincteric muscle to close also results in incontinence and is termed intrinsic sphincterise dysfunction. The principles of surgical correction of anatomic stress urinary incontinence include securing the anterior vaginal wall with its overlying endopelvic fascia to a strong ligamentous or bony structure anterosuperiorly in such a manner that the bladder neck and proximal urethra are elevated and secured in a retropubic position. Initial operations based on this principal were performed through an open retropubic approach, anchoring the en
Differences in training responses on cycle and rowing Ergometers in collegiate women rowers

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the differences in exercise performance on the cycle and rowing ergometers associated with training in collegiate women rowers. We postulated that improvement in a nonspecific activity, such as cycling, would predominantly reflect training adaptations in the cardiovascular system, whereas physiological gains in rowing would represent combined cardiovascular and muscular adaptations. Seven members (mean ± SD: age = 20 ± 1 yr) of the women's varsity rowing team of Dartmouth College were tested at the start (November) and completion (May) of the training season. Incremental exercise testing was performed on successive days in random order on the cycle (Monark‐Crescent AB, Varberg, Sweden) and rowing (Concept II, Morrisville, VT) ergometers. After six months of training: 1) maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) increased significantly for both cycling (+6 percent) and rowing (+12 percent); and 2) oxygen consumption (VO2) at the ventilatory threshold (VT) increased signif...
TES and THEMIS study of proposed paleolake basins within the Aeolis quadrangle of Mars

[1] Several studies have described photogeologic evidence for paleolacustrine basins on Mars, mostly within impact craters. If these basins contained persistent standing water subsequently lost through evaporation, they may have contained deposits of evaporite minerals. If still present and sufficiently exposed, these evaporites would be detectable in orbital thermal infrared spectra. Using data from Mars Orbiter–Thermal Emission Imaging System (MO-THEMIS) and Mars Global Surveyor–Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS-TES), we examined proposed paleolake basins within Aeolis quadrangle, including Gusev and Gale craters. Gusev Crater is dominated by units with a spectrally intermediate to thick layer of dust mantling the surface. TES linear deconvolutions of the low-albedo deposits, which have a thinner dust mantling, include Surface Type 1 (basalt) materials when sulfates are included in the end-member library. Otherwise, the linear deconvolution uses Surface Type 2 (andesite or weathered basalt). THEMIS surface emissivity spectra for the low-albedo deposits do not display sufficient contrast to distinguish between Surface Types. Gale Crater is relatively dust-free, except for the mound variably covered in a spectrally intermediate to thick layer of dust. TES linear deconvolutions of crater floor and less dusty portion of the mound are consistent with a mixture of Surface Types 1 and 2. THEMIS surface emissivity spectra are consistent with Surface Type 1 or a mixture of Surface Types 1 and 2 for the crater floor and surface dust for the mound. These results do not discriminate between several previously suggested origins (fluvial-lacustrine, aeolian, or volcanic deposition) for the mound layers. We find no spectral evidence for evaporite deposits that might substantiate paleolakes existed in these craters.