cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radium attenuation and mobilization in stream sediments following oil and gas wastewater disposal in western Pennsylvania

Abstract Centralized waste treatment facilities (CWTs) in Pennsylvania discharged wastewater from conventional and unconventional oil and gas (O&G) wells into surface waters until 2011, when a voluntary request from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) encouraged recycling rather than treating and discharging unconventional O&G wastewater. To determine the effect of this request on the occurrence of radium in streams, we sampled sediments at five CWTs that processed conventional O&G wastewater from 2011 to 2017 and compared results to published data. Despite the policy change in 2011 that reduced disposal of unconventional wastes (i.e., Marcellus) to surface water in Pennsylvania, the continued disposal of conventional O&G wastewater led to elevated radium activities in sediments at the point of discharge that were often hundreds of times higher than background. While these elevated activities were also present in downstream sediments (1.5× higher than background), the elimination of unconventional O&G wastewater disposal through the CWTs since 2011 decreased radium loading to the stream by approximately 95%. Sequential extractions and geochemical modeling using PHREEQC indicate that radium likely co-precipitates with barite or barite-celestite solid solutions and accumulates in the sediment as treated O&G effluent enters the stream. Adsorption of “exchangeable” radium, barium, and strontium on hydrous iron and manganese oxide coatings on fine-grained stream sediments is an important radium sequestration mechanism further downstream that can decrease the cation concentrations and potential for radio-barite co-precipitation. Radium downstream of CWTs was more abundant and more available for dissolution and desorption than radium in upstream sediments.
Introduction: At Last, Together

This chapter first establishes preliminary connections between the fields of social indicators–quality of life research and dance. I then outline some of the historical, social, and cultural forces that have kept dance from being taken seriously as a “fine art,” an area of education and scholarship, and a constituent of quality of life, particularly highlighting religion, sex, gender, and economics. Finally, “At Last, Together” provides background to the topic and its treatment in the volume as a whole, followed by brief introductions to each of its eight sections and 31 chapters.
Sensitivity Analysis of Cooperating Multi-agent Systems with Uncertain Connection Weights

The interaction parameters in a system of interconnected cooperative agents (e.g. communication links) are susceptible to uncertainties. This paper provides systematic uncertainty quantification technique to study the effect of random inputs in the system of multiple agents governed by single integrator dynamics. In essence, the paper tries to answer the following question, “Who is the weakest link?” Sparse grid-based stochastic collocation in generalized polynomial chaos expansion framework is employed. Further, variance-based sensitivity indices are computed and analyzed to understand the significance of random variables on the probability distribution of the system responses. Numerical simulations are performed for uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis in the consensus and reference tracking problems as applied to multiagent systems.
Campus Visits: Impact of a College Outreach Strategy on Student STEM Aspirations.

Campus visits are widely used outreach strategies, yet there are few empirical studies examining their impacts. This retrospective cohort study of 27 colleges and universities considers data from 1...
Employee Tumover: Implications for Hotel Managers

The hotel industry has been experiencing a severe labor shortage in recent years. The need for organizations to attempt to retain current employees has increased as a direct result of this shortage. An area that has not received as much attention in industry literature is to look at what may be the determinants and the predictors of the turnover process. The authors’ discuss the role of specific intentions, reasoned action, and job satisfaction and the implications of these factors for hotel managers.
Sonographic signs and patterns of COVID-19 pneumonia

The pandemic of COVID-19 is seriously challenging the medical organization in many parts of the world. This novel corona virus SARS-CoV-2 has a specific tropism for the low respiratory airways, but causes severe pneumonia in a low percentage of patients. However, the rapid spread of the infection during this pandemic is causing the need to hospitalize a high number of patients. Pneumonia in COVID-19 has peculiar features and can be studied by lung ultrasound in the early approach to suspected patients. The sonographic signs are non-specific when considered alone, but observation of some aspects of vertical artifacts can enhance the diagnostic power of the ultrasound examination. Also, the combination of sonographic signs in patterns and their correlation with blood exams in different phenotypes of the disease may allow for a reliable characterization and be of help in triaging and admitting patients.
Storage and Querying of Large Provenance Graphs Using NoSQL DSE

Provenance metadata captures history of derivation of an entity, such as a dataset obtained through numerous data transformations. It is of great importance for science, among other fields, as it enables reproducibility and greater intelligibility of research results. With the avalanche of provenance produced by today’s society, there is a pressing need for storing and low-latency querying of large provenance graphs. To address this need, in this paper we present a scalable approach to storing and querying provenance graphs using a popular NoSQL column family database system called DataStax Enterprise (DSE). Specifically, we i) propose a storage scheme, including two novel indices that enable efficient traversal of provenance graphs along causality lines, ii) present an algorithm for building our proposed indices for a given provenance graph, iii) implement our algorithm and conduct a performance study in which we store and query a provenance graph with over five million vertices using a DSE cluster running in AWS cloud. Our performance study results further validate scalability and performance efficiency of our approach.
Regulation and Recent Trends in High-Interest Credit Markets

In this article we review the contested effects of traditional payday loans on borrowers and describe recent regulatory changes to the product. We then provide detail on the institutional features ...
Engineering high-yield biopolymer secretion creates an extracellular protein matrix for living materials

ABSTRACT The bacterial extracellular matrix forms autonomously, giving rise to complex material properties and multicellular behaviors. Synthetic matrix analogues can replicate these functions, but require exogenously added material or have limited programmability. Here we design a two-strain bacterial system that self-synthesizes and structures a synthetic extracellular matrix of proteins. We engineered Caulobacter crescentus to secrete an extracellular matrix protein composed of elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) hydrogel fused to Supercharged SpyCatcher (SC(-)). This biopolymer was secreted at levels of 60 mg/L, an unprecedented level of biopolymer secretion by a gram-negative bacterium. The ELP domain was swapped with either a crosslinkable variant of ELP or resilin-like polypeptide, demonstrating this system is flexible. The SC(-)-ELP matrix protein bound specifically and covalently to the cell surface of a C. crescentus strain that displays a high-density array of SpyTag peptides via its engineered Surface-layer. Our work develops protein design rules for Type I secretion in C. crescentus, and demonstrates the autonomous secretion and assembly of programmable extracellular protein matrices, offering a path forward towards the formation of cohesive engineered living materials. IMPORTANCE Engineered living materials (ELM) aim to mimic characteristics of natural occurring systems, bringing the benefits of self-healing, synthesis, autonomous assembly, and responsiveness to traditional materials. Previous research has shown the potential of replicating the bacterial extracellular matrix (ECM) to mimic biofilms. However, these efforts require energy intensive processing or have limited tunability. We propose a bacterially-synthesized system that manipulates the protein content of the ECM, allowing for programmable interactions and autonomous material formation. To achieve this, we engineered a two-strain system to secrete a synthetic extracellular protein matrix (sEPM). This work is a step towards understanding the necessary parameters to engineering living cells to autonomously construct ELMs.
Phase effects from strong gravitational lensing of gravitational waves

Assessing the probability that two or more gravitational wave (GW) events are lensed images of the same source requires an understanding of the properties of the lensed images. For short enough wavelengths where wave effects can be neglected, lensed images will generically have a fixed relative phase shift that needs to be taken into account in the lensing hypothesis. For nonprecessing, circular binaries dominated by quadrupole radiation, these lensing phase shifts are degenerate with either a shift in the coalescence phase or a detector and inclination-dependent shift in the orientation angle. This degeneracy is broken by the presence of higher harmonic modes with $|m|\ensuremath{\ne}2$ in the former and $|m|\ensuremath{\ne}l$ in the latter. The presence of precession or eccentricity will also break this degeneracy. This implies that a lensed GW image will not necessarily be consistent with (unlensed) predictions from general relativity (GR). Therefore, unlike the conventional scenario of electromagnetic waves, strong lensing of GWs can lead to images with a modified phase evolution that can be observed. However, we find that for a wide range of parameters, the lensed (phase modified) waveform is similar enough to an unlensed (GR) waveform that GW detection pipelines will still find it. In particular, for present detectors, we find that templates with a shifted detector-dependent orientation angle have a signal-to-noise ratio differences of less than 1% for mass ratios up to 0.1, and less than 5% for precession parameters up to 0.5 and eccentricities up to 0.4 at 20 Hz. In these ranges, the mismatch is lower than 10% with the alternative detector-independent coalescence phase shift. Nonetheless, for a loud enough source, even with only one image it may be possible to directly identify it as a strongly lensed image from its non-GR, phase-shifted waveform. In more extreme cases, lensing may lead to considerable distortions, and the lensed images may even be undetected with current searches. Nevertheless, an exact template with a phase shift in Fourier space can always be constructed to fit any lensed image. We conclude that an optimal strong lensing search strategy would incorporate phase information in all stages of the identification of strong lensing, with an exact treatment in the final assessment of the probability of multiple lensed events. This work clarifies the role that strong lensing plays in the phase evolution of GWs: how it can lead to apparent deviations from GR, how it can affect the detectability of GW events, and how it can be exploited to help identify cases of strong gravitational lensing of gravitational wave sources.
Accuracy of Physical Exam in Covid Era

Introduction Physical examination remains central to the management of heart failure patients. The assessment of volume status guides medical management and estimation of prognosis. Jugular venous pressure (JVP) estimation is the most important and accurate part of the physical examination in heart failure patients to assess volume status. Telemedicine visits are now a common place across the nation due to the current pandemic. In this unique situation we conducted a study to assess the accuracy of JVP estimation during a telemedicine visit. Methods This is a retrospective observational study. All the patients who were seen via telemedicine visit in the advanced heart failure, LVAD and transplant clinics were considered. The patients who underwent a right heart catheterization (RHC) within two weeks of the telemedicine clinic visit were included in the study. JVP measured by physical examination was obtained from chart review. Invasive hemodynamic data was obtained from RHC. JVP assessment was done via tele assessment with the patient in sitting position. For the purpose of this study JVP on examination was estimated by the clinician as either a numerical number or by distance in relation to the clavicle and jaw. Majority of the patients were male (n = 10) and had a mean age of 57 years. Mean BMI of the patients was 30. Eight of the eleven were post heart transplant patients. Two patients had a left ventricular assist device (Heartmate II and HVAD devices) placed as Destination therapy. Results From April 1st 2020 to May 21st 2020 twenty patients were identified who underwent RHC two weeks after their telemedicine visit. Of these eleven patients had JVP documented at the time of telemedicine visit and were included in the study. Seven patients had JVD not detectable above the level of clavicle on examination. 85% (n = 6) of these patients had mean RA pressure less than 7 mm Hg on RHC. One patient had mean RA pressure 8 mm Hg. Two patients were documented to have a JVP of 10 cm H2O. Both these patients had JVP of 8 mm Hg on RHC. Two patients were documented to have JVP of more than 10 cm H20 and both these patients had mean RA pressure more than or equal to 12 mm Hg on RHC.90% (n = 10) of patients had accurate assessment of right-sided filling pressures by examination via tele visit.
Bend Loss in Negative Curvature Fibers with Truncated Cladding Tubes

We study negative curvature fibers with truncated cladding tubes. The fiber with truncated cladding tubes has lower bend loss compared to the un-truncated fiber when the bend radius is between 4 cm and 7 cm.
The Geopolitics of Major Power Interventions in Civil Wars

What factors influence third parties to intervene in civil wars? Our focus on major powers, which are disproportionately more likely than other states to intervene in civil conflicts, directs us to...
Infant biological sensitivity to father engagement in low-income Mexican American families.

Despite a sizeable literature documenting meaningful contributions of father involvement to child health and development, researchers have paid little attention to biological characteristics that may render a child more or less sensitive to fathering behavior. The identification of child and paternal characteristics that promote child behavioral health is particularly critical in the context of sociocultural risk. We hypothesized that respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) measured during infancy would moderate the impact of father engagement in caregiving activities on child behavioral health. In a sample of 181 Mexican American families, we evaluated the impact of infant RSA at 6 weeks, mother- and father-reported father engagement in caregiving activities at 15 and 21 weeks, and their interaction on toddler social or emotional behavior problems and competence at 2 years of age. Only infants with average or higher RSA exhibited more behavior problems in the context of low father engagement (p = .021). Neither RSA nor father engagement predicted behavioral competence. The results are consistent with a stress-diathesis process such that higher infant RSA increases vulnerability to suboptimal father involvement, but does not enhance the benefits of high father involvement.
Who Moves After SCI? Individual, Health, and Neighborhood Predictors of Residential Mobility Among Participants in the National Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Database

Abstract Objective To investigate residential mobility among community-living adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) and the individual, health, and neighborhood factors associated with the propensity to relocate. Design Retrospective analysis of data from the National SCI Model Systems (SCIMS) Database collected between 2006 and 2018 and linked with the American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Setting Community. Interventions Not applicable. Participants People with traumatic SCI (N=4599) who participated in 2 waves of follow-up and had residential geographic identifiers at the census tract level. Main Outcome Measures Moving was a binary measure reflecting change in residential locations over a 5-year interval. Move distance distinguished nonmovers from local movers (different tracts within the same county) and long-distance movers (to different county or state). Move quality included 4 categories: stayed/low poverty tract, stayed/high poverty tract, moved/low poverty tract, and moved/high poverty tract. Results One in 4 people moved within a 5-year interval (n=1175). Of the movers, 55% relocated to a different census tract within the same county and 45% relocated to a different county or state. Thirty-five percent of all movers relocated to a high poverty census tract. Racial and ethnic minorities, people from low-income households, and younger adults were more likely to move, move locally, and relocate to a high poverty neighborhood. High poverty and racial/ethnic segregation in the origin neighborhood predicted an increased risk for remaining in or moving to a high poverty neighborhood. Conclusions Although people with SCI relocated at a lower rate than has been reported in the general population, moving was a frequent occurrence postinjury. People from vulnerable groups were more likely to remain in or relocate to socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods, thus increasing the risk for health disparities and poorer long-term outcomes among minorities and people from low-income households. These findings inform policy makers’ considerations of housing, health care, and employment initiatives for individuals with SCI and other chronic disabilities.
COVID-19: How Will Historically Underrepresented Groups Fair in the Job Market?

The inability of college students to traditionally interact with post-secondary personnel might have unintended limitations on career readiness and post-graduation outcomes. Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) persists as a healthcare concern; however, it has and continues to impact various sectors. In higher education, the global pandemic has affected university operations from in-person to virtual based support. However, little is known about the unintended consequences of collegiate support services’ virtual operations, such as career services. This conceptual paper will objectively analyze the potential inequities of the COVID-19 pandemic on job prospects and social capital for students of color. Recommendations for the economic and social factors are discussed. In addition, this paper may contribute to disrupting the overlooked consequences of offering college services remotely.
Enveloped Virus Maturation at Restricted Membrane Domains

Synthesis and assembly of the envelope proteins of lipid-containing viruses require the biosynthetic and transport processes involved in cellular membrane biogenesis, and such viruses have therefore been used extensively for investigation of these processes. With the exception of poxviruses, which assemble their membranes de novo in the cytoplasm, the assembly of enveloped viruses takes place on preformed cellular membranes. The precise location at which assembly occurs is a distinctive characteristic that is highly conserved among structurally similar viruses. Herpesvirus maturation occurs by budding at the inner nuclear membrane. Coronaviruses are assembled at the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and bunyaviruses bud at membranes of the Golgi complex. Virus particles of several other families are formed by budding at the plasma membrane. Polarized epithelial cells exhibit distinct apical and basolateral surface domains separated by tight junctions, and it has been observed that assembly of enveloped viruses occurs at one or the other of these membrane domains. Thus, with the exception of mitochondrial membranes, any membrane of the cell is known to be capable of serving as a virus maturation site.
Supplemental Forms of Intellectual Property Protection for Plants

A new hierarchy of intellectual property protection for plant innovation is emerging. Utility patent protection is poised to become the dominant intellectual property mechanism for plants in the U.S. and perhaps elsewhere. Plant breeder’s rights systems continue to garner a dedicated following, especially in developing countries, as a means for complying with international intellectual property treaty obligations. But while utility patent and plant breeder’s rights regimes have come to occupy the first tier of the intellectual property hierarchy for plants, other forms of intellectual property protection remain important, albeit in a supplemental role. This article surveys supplemental intellectual property strategies for plants in three areas: trade secrets (Section II); trademarks and unfair competition (Section III); and post-sale license restrictions (Section IV).
Imaging characteristics of neoplasms and other lesions of the jawbones: part 1. Odontogenic tumors and tumorlike lesions.

Obtaining an accurate diagnosis of odontogenic tumor-mimickers (nonodontogenic lesions masquerading as odontogenic lesions) and tumor-like lesions of the jawbones can be difficult and requires a multidisciplinary approach. Lack of familiarity with these disease processes may lead to uncertainty and errors in diagnosis, which increase the possibility of errors in treatment. Radiologists should be aware of the imaging appearances of lesions affecting the jawbones in order to provide a complete differential diagnosis and to guide clinicians in proper patient treatment. The morphologic characteristics of tumors and tumor-like lesions of the jawbones may provide key diagnostic information regarding the aggressive or nonaggressive biologic behavior of such lesions. In addition to imaging findings, thorough physical examination and, often, histologic analysis of biopsy specimens are required.
Dependence of ricin toxoid vaccine efficacy on the structure of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microparticle carriers

Biodegradable microparticles made of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) were used for protracted and pulsed-release of the incorporated ricin toxoid (RT) vaccine to reduce the multiple immunization doses and the time required to induce complete protection against lethal aerosol-borne ricin challenge. The release rate of RT encapsulated in PLG microparticles was controlled by polymer selection and varying the preparation procedures, which allowed us to control microparticle size and the distribution of the vaccine in the polymeric matrix. PLG-microparticles in which RT vaccine was distributed heterogeneously in small pockets stimulated a rapid antibody response which was independent of the polymeric composition of the carriers. PLG-microparticles in which RT vaccine was distributed homogeneously throughout the polymeric matrix induced a slower antibody response, which depended on the polymeric composition of the carriers. Administration of RT in homogeneous microparticles made from 50/50 PLG or 100% polylactide stimulated two distinct anti-ricin IgG peaks, while RT in heterogeneous microparticles stimulated identical IgG peaks. An early (3 weeks) and long-lasting (1 year or longer) anti-ricin antibody response was evoked by a single administration of encapsulated RT vaccine when prepared by the above-mentioned conditions. In contrast, three administrations of the aqueous RT were required to stimulate similar antibody response. Reduction of immunization time from 6 to 4 weeks was achieved with RT encapsulated in small homogeneous microparticles but not with homogeneous large microparticles. These results demonstrated the usefulness of biodegradable microparticles to improve the efficacy of immunization with RT vaccine and probably many other vaccines as well.
A parallel multi-unit resource deadlock detection algorithm with O(log2(min(m,n))) overall run-time complexity

Current MPSoCs typically consist of less than a dozen processing units. Future MPSoCs are likely to integrate many more. With this trend, dozens of applications can be running on an MPSoC concurrently and application deadlock on MPSoCs will become a severe problem. To address the application deadlock problem in current and future MPSoCs, this article proposes a parallel multi-unit resource deadlock detection algorithm, incorporating four contributions: (1) a classification of resource events that enables each category of events to be handled efficiently, (2) a parallel node hopping mechanism that explores the entire graph exponentially in parallel to obtain information about reachable processes of every resource, (3) an innovative hardware implementation of the node hopping mechanism using bit-wise computations, and (4) proofs of correctness and run-time complexity of the proposed algorithm. Based on information about reachable processes as well as sink nodes in the graph, the proposed algorithm detects deadlock in O(1) run-time. Compared with the worst case run-time of any previous algorithm, which employs a single scheme to handle all resource events, ours is considerably reduced to O(log"2(min(m,n))) when implemented in hardware, where m and n are the number of processes and resources, respectively.
Crowd-Training Machine Learning Systems for Human Rights Abuse Documentation

In this talk I will describe efforts being undertaken in a collaboration between human rights advocates and computer scientists at Carnegie Mellon University to develop tools, methods and algorithms that will make it easier to semi-automate the process of video forensics for human rights purposes.
Persistence of native fishes in small streams of the urbanized San Francisco Estuary, California: acknowledging the role of urban streams in native fish conservation

Urbanization is known to have pernicious consequences for native stream fishes globally. The San Francisco Estuary (SFE), California, is one of the largest, most urbanized estuaries in North America and non-native freshwater fishes are widespread in many of its catchments. Nevertheless, a diverse native and endemic freshwater fish species assemblage remains in this region. Historical records (1854–2007) were reviewed and sampling conducted throughout SFE catchments to determine the distribution of stream fishes. Native stream fishes were classified by zoogeographic type, habitat preferences, physiological tolerances, and whether native fishes utilized reservoirs during their life cycle. From 1993–1999, stream fishes were sampled at 270 sites distributed in 23 SFE catchments to assess the overall status and distribution of native stream fishes, and illuminate drivers of persistence. In 2009, stream fishes were sampled at 65 sites within the largest estuary catchment, Alameda Creek, to further explore distributional patterns and drivers of native fish persistence. Native stream fishes persist in the urbanized SFE because of several interacting factors, including the existence of extensive undeveloped landscapes in the headwaters of many catchments, the prevalence of saltwater dispersant native stream fishes, the wide physiological tolerances of native species, the presence of saltwater barriers between catchments that presumably reduces the spread of non-native fishes, and the existence of reservoirs that function as habitat for several native species. These results emerged from both the SFE-wide and the Alameda Creek analyses, suggesting they are somewhat general for this region. Study results show that streams in spatially complex urban settings retain important conservation benefits to native stream fishes, despite significant perturbations and the establishment of non-native fishes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Frequency-tunable continuous-wave terahertz sources based on GaAs plasmonic photomixers

We present frequency-tunable, continuous-wave terahertz sources based on GaAs plasmonic photomixers, which offer high terahertz radiation power levels at 50% radiation duty cycle. The use of plasmonic contact electrodes enhances photomixer quantum efficiency while maintaining its ultrafast operation by concentrating a large number of photocarriers in close proximity to the device contact electrodes. Additionally, the relatively high thermal conductivity and high resistivity of GaAs allow operation under high optical pump power levels and long duty cycles without reaching the thermal breakdown limit of the photomixer. We experimentally demonstrate continuous-wave terahertz radiation with a radiation frequency tuning range of more than 2 THz and a record-high radiation power of 17 μW at 1 THz through plasmonic photomixers fabricated on a low temperature grown GaAs substrate at 50% radiation duty cycle.
Making Sense of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

Abstract A useful approach to answering the Next Generation Science Standards' call for teaching students to demonstrate understanding using mathematical representations is use of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (H-W eq). This article is focused on the meaning of H-W eq and its application, rather than mathematical manipulation. Typical textbook problems are critiqued, and a model problem is presented.
Embryological staging of the Zebra Finch, Taeniopygia guttata.

Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata) are the most commonly used laboratory songbird species, yet their embryological development has been poorly characterized. Most studies to date apply Hamburger and Hamilton stages derived from chicken development; however, significant differences in development between precocial and altricial species suggest that they may not be directly comparable. We provide the first detailed description of embryological development in the Zebra Finch under standard artificial incubation. These descriptions confirm that some of the features used to classify chicken embryos into stages are not applicable in an altricial bird such as the Zebra Finch. This staging protocol will help to standardize future studies of embryological development in the Zebra Finch. J. Morphol. 274:1090–1110, 2013. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Morphology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Psychotherapy Outcome Research

Between-group outcome research is a scientific approach to evaluating the effectiveness of psychotherapy and the mechanisms of change associated with those treatments for psychological disorders. This area of research is replete with important methodological issues that need to be considered in order for investigators to draw the strongest, most specific cause-and-effect conclusions about the active components of treatments, human behavior, and the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. In this chapter, we present the various methodological considerations associated with these experiments. The chapter begins with a description of the different experimental designs from which investigators may choose in designing a therapy outcome study. These designs include the no-treatment and common factors comparison designs, as well as the dismantling, additive, catalytic, and parametric designs. We also present the methodological, client/participant, and therapist concerns that must be taken into account in the design stage of a treatment outcome investigation. Following this, we discuss the measurement of change, starting with the considerations surrounding dependent variables and ending with methods of analyzing data and assessing clinically significant change. Finally, after a presentation on small-N experimental designs, we discuss the importance of scientific research in naturalistic settings. Keywords: design; methodology; naturalistic; outcome; psychotherapy; therapy
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Statistical Analysis

The impressive high resolution of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), its large dynamic range, and especially robust reproducibility lend themselves to advanced statistical methods that can be harnessed to analyze a large variety of complex samples. The primary example of this approach is in the rapidly expanding field of metabolomics that is focused on better understanding systems biology and for the identification of biomarkers of various biological states. In metabolomics, a large number of small-molecule metabolites from body fluids or tissues are detected quantitatively in a single step, and then analyzed with multivariate statistical methods to yield information that is essential for systems biology, drug discovery, early disease diagnosis, toxicology, food and nutrition sciences, and other studies. NMR-based metabolomic studies have been very successful due to the high quality and reliability of the methodology. In this article, we summarize the major experimental and statistical methods used in combining NMR and advanced statistical analyses especially in metabolomics along with a description of some important applications. Keywords: NMR spectroscopy; multivariate statistical analysis; metabolomics; metabonomics; metabolic profiling; biomarker; early detection
Animal product consumption and mortality because of all causes combined, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer in Seventh-day Adventists

This report reviews, contrasts, and illustrates previously published findings from a cohort of 27,529 California Seventh-day Adventist adults who completed questionnaires in 1960 and were followed for mortality between 1960 and 1980. Within this population, meat consumption was positively associated with mortality because of all causes of death combined (in males), coronary heart disease (in males and females), and diabetes (in males). Egg consumption was positively associated with mortality because of all causes combined (in females), coronary heart disease (in females), and cancers of the colon (in males and females combined) and ovary. Milk consumption was positively associated with only prostate cancer mortality, and cheese consumption did not have a clear relationship with any cause of death. The consumption of meat, eggs, milk, and cheese did not have negative associations with any of the causes of death investigated.
Rapid Regulation of an Anthranilate Synthase Aggregate by Hysteresis

The anthranilate synthase aggregate from Bacillus subtilis is composed of two nonidentical subunits, denoted E and X, which are readily associated or dissociated. A complex of subunit E and X can utilize glutamine or ammonia as substrates in the formation of anthranilate. Partially purified subunit E is capable of using only ammonia as the amide donor in the anthranilate synthase reaction. The stability of the EX complex is strongly influenced by glutamine and by the concentrations of the subunits. Glutamine stabilizes the aggregate as a molecular species in which the velocity of the glutamine-reactive anthranilate synthase is a linear function of protein concentration. In the absence of glutamine the aggregate is readily dissociated following dilution of the extract; that is, velocity concaves upward as a function of increasing protein concentration. Reassociation of the EX complex is characterized by a velocity lag (or hysteretic response) before steady-state velocity for the glutamine-reactive anthranilate synthase is reached. We propose that association and dissociation of the anthranilate synthase aggregate may be physiologically significant and provide a control mechanism whereby repression or derepression causes disproportionate losses or gains in activity by virtue of protein-protein interactions between subunits E and X.
Lattice–fluid model for gas–liquid chromatography

Lattice-fluid models describe molecular ensembles in terms of the number of lattice sites occupied by molecular species (r-mers) and the interactions between neighboring molecules. The lattice-fluid model proposed by Sanchez and Lacombe (Macromolecules, 1978;11:1145-1156) was used to model specific retention volume data for a series of n-alkane solutes with n-alkane, polystyrene, and poly(dimethylsiloxane) stationary liquid phases. Theoretical equations were derived for the specific retention volume and also for the temperature dependence and limiting (high temperature) values for the specific retention volume. The model was used to predict retention volumes within 10% for the n-alkanes phases; 22% for polystyrene; and from 20 to 70% for PDMS using no adjustable parameters. The temperature derivative (enthalpy) could be calculated within 5% for all of the solutes in nine stationary liquid phases. The limiting value for the specific retention volume at high temperature (entropy controlled state) could be calculated within 10% for all of the systems. The limiting data also provided a new chromatographic method to measure the size parameter, r, for any chromatographic solute using characteristic and size parameters for the stationary phase only. The calculated size parameters of the solutes were consistent, i.e. independent of the stationary phase and agreed within experimental error with the size parameters previously reported from saturated vapor pressure, latent heat of vaporization or density data.
Valve deformity and balloon mechanics in percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy.

Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) using balloon catheters has emerged as an alternative therapeutic modality for patients with mitral stenosis. When used initially in the United States, a single balloon, designed for peripheral arterial angioplasty, was passed across the intraatrial septum for mitral dilatation. The results were less than ideal, with resultant valve areas between 1.0 and 1.5 cm2. Double balloon dilatation was introduced and yielded valve areas between 1.5 and over 2.0 cm2. However, the double balloon technique is substantially more cumbersome, requires passage of two catheters through the atrial septum with an incidence of atrial septal defect, and results in significant hemodynamic sequelae during the procedure. This report describes a novel single balloon for PTMC. In contrast to the more conventionally used peripheral arterial balloons, this device was specifically designed for mitral stenosis. Results in 25 patients (mean age 60 ± 5 years; range 29 to 87 years) showed an increase in value area from 0.9 ± 0.2 cm2 to 1.6 ± 0.5 cm2 (p < 0.001). In contrast to the results reported with conventional balloon dilatation, there was no difference in the resultant valve area or in the incidence of complications among patients with more severely deformed valves compared with patients with more “ideal” valves for commissurotomy. An in vitro comparison of the pressure-volume characteristics of the conventional versus the Inoue balloon showed the latter to be more compliant, reaching nominal inflated diameter at 2.0 ± 0.4 atm versus 3.3 ± 0.5 atm for conventional balloons (p < 0.005). The acceptable results of PTMC with this device in patients with severe valve deformity may be related to these balloon compliance characteristics.
Developing and transfering technology in state S&T programs: Assessing performance

By 1996, all states had established a program focusing on the development of technology and technology-based economic development. As more agencies move to performance-based management, state S&T programs are increasingly under pressure to report outcome and output data for their programmatic activities. This paper presents findings on the extent and use of performance measurement and evaluation efforts in state science and technology programs. The 1995–96 study was based on a series of eight case studies and a mail survey of science and technology-based programs in all fifty states. The findings show that three groups of measures emerged as most important to state science and technology programs: employment-related data, leveraged or matching fund data, and anecdotal evidence. State programs are especially pressured to report short-term outcomes, yet show economic benefits. Many state program managers find value in performance data—the reseacch shows that the primary reason that many states assess their performance is the value of performance information as a management tool.
A Bland-Altman comparison of the Lead Care® System and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for detecting low-level lead in child whole blood samples

Chronic childhood lead exposure, yielding blood lead levels consistently below 10 μg/dL, remains a major public health concern. Low neurotoxic effect thresholds have not yet been established. Progress requires accurate, efficient, and cost-effective methods for testing large numbers of children. The LeadCare® System (LCS) may provide one ready option. The comparability of this system to the “gold standard” method of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the purpose of detecting blood lead levels below 10 μg/dL has not yet been examined. Paired blood samples from 177 children ages 5.2–12.8 years were tested with LCS and ICP-MS. Triplicate repeat tests confirmed that LCS and ICP-MS had comparable repeatability. As compared with ICP-MS, LCS had a negative bias of 0.457 μg/dL with an average variability of 1.0 μg/dL. The reproducibility and precision of the LCS is appropriate for the evaluation and monitoring of blood lead levels of individual children in a clinical setting. Recent research however has suggested that increments as small as 0.5 μg/dL may distinguish those at risk of low-level lead-induced neurotoxicity. Thus, we also conclude that the LCS is not useful for research applications attempting to identify neurotoxic effect thresholds for chronic lowest level lead exposure in children. For these types of research applications, a convenient and low-cost device is needed for the precise detection of child blood lead levels below 10 μg/dL.
Modeling interlamellar interactions in angle-ply biologic laminates for annulus fibrosus tissue engineering

Mechanical function of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc is dictated by the composition and microstructure of its highly ordered extracellular matrix. Recent work on engineered angle-ply laminates formed from mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-seeded nanofibrous scaffolds indicates that the organization of collagen fibers into planes of alternating alignment may play an important role in annulus fibrosus tissue function. Specifically, these engineered tissues can resist tensile deformation through shearing of the interlamellar matrix as layers of collagen differentially reorient under load. In the present work, a hyperelastic constitutive model was developed to describe the role of interlamellar shearing in reinforcing the tensile response of biologic laminates, and was applied to experimental results from engineered annulus constructs formed from MSC-seeded nanofibrous scaffolds. By applying the constitutive model to uniaxial tensile stress–strain data for bilayers with three different fiber orientations, material parameters were generated that characterize the contributions of extrafibrillar matrix, fibers, and interlamellar shearing interactions. By 10 weeks of in vitro culture, interlamellar shearing accounted for nearly 50% of the total stress associated with uniaxial extension in the anatomic range of ply angle. The model successfully captured changes in function with extracellular matrix deposition through variations in the magnitude of model parameters with culture duration. This work illustrates the value of engineered tissues as tools to further our understanding of structure–function relations in native tissues and as a test-bed for the development of constitutive models to describe them.
Chronic pulmonary thromboembolism in dogs treated with tranexamic acid.

BACKGROUNDMany questions remain regarding the pathogenesis, natural history, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in patients. To answer such questions, we developed an animal model of this disorder. The brisk thrombolytic response of canines to acute embolism has, previously, prevented the establishment of such a model.METHODS AND RESULTSThe fibrinolytic inhibitor tranexamic acid was given orally to canines before, and for intervals after, pulmonary emboli were released from venous thrombi formed in vivo in femoral veins or the inferior vena cava. Preliminary studies disclosed that embolic residuals from femoral vein thrombi were not sufficient to cause significant, persistent pulmonary hypertension. With repetitive, larger thrombi embolized from the inferior vena cava, however, persistent pulmonary hypertension was achieved in most animals.CONCLUSIONSResolution of emboli in the canine can be inhibited by tranexamic acid. As in humans, a spectrum of embolic residuals ...
Bergman versus Szego via conformal mapping

We compare the Bergman and Szego projections associated to bounded, simply connected planar domains with Holder continuous boundary. It is shown that their difference gains a derivative in an appropriate range of Sobolev or Lipschitz norms.
Parenteral use of carotene in the treatment of vitamin A deficiency in albino rats

L T H O U G H it has been well known tha t ke ra toma lac i a is due to deficiency of v i t amin A in the diet, the oral t r e a t m e n t of the eye condit ion wi th substances showing v i t amin A po tency has not. p roved to be un i fo rmly effective. Among the fac tors which m a y in te r fe re wi th the efficacy of v i t amin A w h e a admin is te red oral ly m a y be mentioned d iar rhea l diseases, diseases of liver, gal lbladder and pancreas, occlusioa of the bile ducts, and other disorders which resul t i a a f au l t y metabol ism of fat.. Both I-Isa ~ and Weech 2 ment ioned the associat ion of ke ra toma lac i a wi th d ia r rhea and dysentery . Bloch 8 r epo r t ed a case of x e r o p h t h a l m i a in which periodic a t t acks of d ia r rhea were accompanied by a g g r a v a t i o n of the eye symptoms. W a g n e r ~ discussed the re la t ion of l iver funct io~ and xe roph tha lmia in a series of cases. In a clinical pa thologic repor t , Higgins and 1V[allory '~ presented the case of an infant in which keratomalacia was associatec~ with fat intoleraace and chronic pancreatitis. Particularly in patients with bi]iary occlusion, evidence has been brought forward by Parsons 7 to show that a very small amount of the ingested fat is absorbed; that is, only about 30 per cent of the fat intake, as compared to 98 per cer~t in the normal, is utilized in these subjects. In a recent article by B l a c k f a n and Wolbach G it has been po in ted out t ha t histologie changes charac ter i s t ic of ~ i tamin A deficiency were found in a number of infants, in whom congenital obl i tera t ion of the bile ducts, extensive sclerosis of the pancreas , or acute general ized infect ion were p rominen t features . F r o m exper imenta l evidence, Rownt ree 8 conclv~ded tha t the loss of ~ i tamin A runs para l le l to the e l iminat ion of fa t t h rough excre t ioa b y the bowels. F r o m these clinical da ta and exper imenta l evidence, it can be deduced tha t a n y mechanism which in te r fe res wi th the no rma l absorpt ion of fat , whe the r mechanica l ly or funct ional ly , m a y h inder the p rope r ut i l iza t ion of v i t amin A when given by mouth. The oral use of cod l iver oil dur ing ihe advaaced s tage of kera tomalac ia has been discouraging. In the experience of the wri ter , large doses, as much as 15 c.c. given three t imes a day, have fai led to check the progress of the des t ruc t ive eye lesions. I n view of the fa i lure of oral methods of t r ea tment , admin is t ra t ion by the pa ren t e r a l rou te is na tu ra l l y suggested.