cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extending Academic Analytics to Engineering Education

This Innovative Practice Category Work In Progress paper presents an application of machine learning and data mining to student performance data in an undergraduate electrical engineering program. We are developing an analytical approach to enhance retention in the program especially among underrepresented groups. Our approach will provide quantitative assessment of student performance in courses. Specifically, by hierarchically mapping the content of assignments to course learning objectives, we can better decipher which concepts a particular student is struggling with and, with the help of peer mentors, create tailored intervention techniques to help the student be successful in the program. These results will also be useful to academic advisors who can work with the student to determine class schedules that promote success in the program. In addition, students can take a proactive approach to their learning. In our approach, data from our learning management system and other available sources will be used to predict several outcomes for individuals such as when a student is beginning to have trouble with the material or if factors outside of the classroom are affecting their success. Here, we present our initial database schema and preliminary results relating number of class re-takes to time-to-graduation.
Krylov Smoothing for Fully-Coupled AMG Preconditioners for VMS Resistive MHD

This study explores the use of a Krylov iterative method (GMRES) as a smoother for an algebraic multigrid (AMG) preconditioned Newton–Krylov iterative solution approach for a fully-implicit variational multiscale (VMS) finite element (FE) resistive magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) formulation. The efficiency of this approach is critically dependent on the scalability and performance of the AMG preconditioner for the linear solutions and the performance of the smoothers play an essential role. Krylov smoothers are considered an attempt to reduce the time and memory requirements of existing robust smoothers based on additive Schwarz domain decomposition (DD) with incomplete LU factorization solves on each subdomain. This brief study presents three time dependent resistive MHD test cases to evaluate the method. The results demonstrate that the GMRES smoother can be faster due to a decrease in the preconditioner setup time and a reduction in outer GMRESR solver iterations, and requires less memory (typically 35% less memory for global GMRES smoother) than the DD ILU smoother.
A fluidic demultiplexer for controlling large arrays of soft actuators

The field of soft robotics endeavors to create robots that are mostly, if not entirely, soft. While there have been significant advances in both soft actuators and soft sensors, there has been relatively little work done in the development of soft control systems. This work proposes a soft microfluidic demultiplexer as a potential control system for soft robotics. Demultiplexers enable the control of many outputs with just a few inputs, increasing a soft robot's complexity while minimizing its reliance on external valves and other off-board components. The demultiplexer in this work improves upon earlier microfluidic demultiplexers with its nearly two-fold reduction of inputs, a design feature that simplifies control and increases efficiency. Additionally, the demultiplexer in this work is designed to accommodate the high pressures and flow rates that soft robotics demands. The demultiplexer is characterized from the level of individual valves to full system parameters, and its functionality is demonstrated by controlling an array of individually addressable soft actuators.
Extravascular Albumin in Human Tissues

1. Extravascular albumin in human tissue was determined by direct immunochemical analysis. Samples of muscle, skin and intestinal tract obtained at surgery were extracted with a solution of 0· 9% sodium chloride plus 0· 1% desoxycholate and total albumin of the extracts was determined by radial diffusion in agarose plates containing antibody to human albumin. Occluded blood in tissues was estimated from the haemoglobin content of the extracts and the albumin due to blood calculated. This was used to obtain by difference the extravascular albumin content of the tissues. The extravascular albumin content of muscle and skin from seven patients was (mean and range) 3·6 (2·7–6·4) and 8·4 (6·5–12) mg/g, respectively. The albumin content of intestinal tissue (five patients) ranged from 4·3 to 9·0 mg/g (mean 6·3), and of stomach wall (three patients), from 3·5 to 5·4 mg/g (mean 4·4). Total extravascular albumin in humans is estimated to be at least 4 g/kg. 2. The extravascular (EV) albumin of human tissue is similar to that of rats. It is concluded that calculation of the extravascular albumin from the intercepts and slopes of the decay curve of injected radioactive iodine-labelled albumin leads to underestimation of the extravascular mass by 20–40%. The validity of the conventional multicompartmental model of albumin metabolism in the human is questioned.
Early life failures and services of industrial asset fleets

Abstract In the service market targeting fleets of industrial assets (e.g., aircraft, jet engines, wind turbines, etc.), original equipment manufacturers and service providers compete with one another through offers covering day-to-day service as well as major maintenance and repairs over. Since decision-making is highly guided by reliability models, it is safe to say that services profitability dependents on the ability to understand the complex stochastic interactions between operating conditions and component capability. Unfortunately, factors such as aggressive mission mixes introduced by operators, exposure to a harsh environment, inadequate maintenance, and problems with mass production can lead to large discrepancies between predicted and observed useful lives. This paper focuses on the quantification of the infant mortality impact on fleets of industrial assets. A numerical experiment is used to study how the number of failure observations and fleet size impacts the modeling of fleet reliability. Dynamic Bayesian networks implementing physics-based models are used to model fleet unreliability considering the effects of bad batch of materials.The results demonstrate that material capability, penetration of bad batch of material in the fleet, and fleet size drastically influence the model accuracy. Therefore, small fleet operators, which naturally observe a lownumber of failures, have to deal with larger uncertainties when quantifying infant mortality. This negatively impacts their ability to allocate resources such as inventory, labor, and account for the loss of productivity while servicing their fleet. With large fleet operators, on the other hand, large number of failure observations can cause high financial burden. Nevertheless, it also allows for reduced uncertainty in building/updating the reliability models, which can help their ability to forecast future failures and make provisions for service and maintenance. Finally, the results also show that measures such as recommissioning of the fleet and inspection campaigns can mitigate the effects of fleet-wide early life problems.
Evaluating autofocusing metrics for plankton holographic microscope image reconstruction

Holographic reconstruction algorithms based on wave propagation typically require the object’s Z-plane location. To automate reconstruction, a focus metric is required to iteratively determine the Z-plane location. The 1951 USAF resolution test chart is often used to evaluate holographic reconstruction and focus metric performance. However, plankton present a more difficult subject, as they are dense three-dimensional objects with lower contrast and greater gray-scale variance. In addition, we are using a direct inline red laser and image sensor without optics, operating below lasing threshold to avoid speckle, resulting in modest fringe production. These factors make autofocusing more difficult. In this paper we evaluate six focus methods tested on eight classes of plankton and microfiber (n = 64), measuring Z prediction accuracy and computation time. We show that focus method performance varies with class, suggesting that best performance can be achieved by selecting the focus metric based on the specimen class of interest.
Clinical Prediction Rules

A “clinical prediction rule” is a set of variables used to assist clinicians in their evaluation of a patient at risk for a particular disease or disorder. The goal of a prediction rule is to promote efficiency, and decrease the rate of errors of omission (those resulting from omitting a necessary action) and commission (errors resulting from inappropriate action). Prediction rules are created by identifying variables (from patient history, physical examination, and selected diagnostic testing) associated with (i.e., predictive of) a particular outcome, typically with the use of multivariable analysis. Prediction rules are developed from scientific study and not by expert consensus (i.e., practice guidelines). By applying the prediction rule to patients with a particular clinical presentation, a course of action is suggested or indicated. Evaluating and treating trauma patients is prone to inefficiencies and errors because of the clinical uncertainties of caring for acutely injured patients under time constraints. This chapter outlines the development and use of clinical prediction rules in the injured patient.
30-Year Cardiovascular Disease in Type 1 Diabetes: Risk and Risk Factors Differ by Long-Term Patterns of Glycemic Control.

OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that there is heterogeneity in long-term patterns of glycemic control with respect to cardiovascular disease (CVD) development in type 1 diabetes and that risk factors for CVD differ by glycemic control pattern. Thus, we estimated associations between data-derived latent HbA1c trajectories and 30-year CVD risk in the Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications (EDC) study of childhood-onset (<17 years old) type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Participants (n = 536 with two or more HbA1c measurements [median 6] and CVD-free at baseline; mean age 27 and diabetes duration 18 years) were followed from 1986 to 1988 to 2016 to 2018 to ascertain CVD incidence (CVD death, myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization or blockage ≥50%, ischemic electrocardiogram, or angina). Latent HbA1c trajectories and their association with time-to-CVD incidence were simultaneously assessed using joint latent class mixed models. RESULTS Two HbA1c trajectories with respect to differential CVD risk were identified: low (HbA1c ∼8% [64 mmol/mol] and improving over follow-up, 76% of cohort) and high (HbA1c ∼10% [86 mmol/mol] and stable, 24%). Overall, 30-year CVD incidence was 47.4% (n = 253); major adverse cardiovascular event incidence was 31.0% (n = 176). High HbA1c was associated with threefold increased CVD risk versus low HbA1c. Both groups had similar age and diabetes duration. Non-HDL cholesterol and estimated glomerular filtration rate were associated with CVD risk only in low HbA1c; albumin excretion rate was associated with CVD risk only in high HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS These risk factor differences suggest that pathways to CVD may differ by glycemic control, potentially resulting in important implications for prognosis in type 1 diabetes.
The Most Controversial Decision: Truman, the Atomic Bombs, and the Defeat of Japan

This book explores the American use of atomic bombs and the role these weapons played in the defeat of the Japanese Empire in World War II. It focuses on President Harry S. Truman's decision-making regarding this most controversial of all his decisions. The book relies on notable archival research and the best and most recent scholarship on the subject to fashion an incisive overview that is fair and forceful in its judgments. This study addresses a subject that has been much debated among historians and it confronts head-on the highly disputed claim that the Truman administration practised 'atomic diplomacy'. The book goes beyond its central historical analysis to ask whether it was morally right for the United States to use these terrible weapons against Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It also provides a balanced evaluation of the relationship between atomic weapons and the origins of the Cold War.
Forced to Learn: Community-based Correctional Education

Community-based correctional education has received scant attention in adult literacy research yet mandatory education is a growing part of the legal system and is fueled by research that suggests a link between correctional education and lower rates of recidivism. Growth in alternative to prison programs affects local ABE and GED programs. Adults who attend community-based correctional programs as a condition of their probation or parole face many challenges. The purpose of this existential-phenomenological study was to understand the experience of those adults. Findings describe students’ experiences of being forced to attend a GED program. Opening a space for these stories may help adult educators in community-based programs improve their practice by understanding how students experience the GED program.
Falling into Holes in Our Sentences

This body holds its protective walls around us, it watches us whenever we walk out. Each step we take in conversation with our friends, moving slowly or flying, the body watches us, calling us into what is possible, into what is not said, into the shuckheap of ruined arrowheads, or the old man with missing fingers. We take our first step in words each day, and instantly fall into a hole in our sounds. Overly sane afternoons in a room during our twenties come back to us in the form of a son who is mad, every longing another person had that we failed to see the body returns to us as a squinting of the eyes when we talk, and no sentimentality, only the ruthless body performing its magic, transforming each of our confrontations into energy, changing our scholarly labors over white-haired books into certainty and healing power, and our cruelties into an old man with missing fingers. We talk all morning of the confusion of others, and in daylight the car slides off the road, I give advice in public as if I were mature, that night in a dream I see a policeman holding a gun to the head of a frightened girl, who is blindfolded, the priest talks easily of death, and opening a National Geographic sees an old woman lying with her mouth open.
Antigen specific immunotherapy of multiple sclerosis

The development of antigen specific therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) involves specifically suppressing undesired immune responses targeting the myelin sheath and underlying axon. We have recently reported some success with altered peptide ligands for a major target of the autoimmune response in MS. Antigen specific therapy has the potential to suppress undesirable autoimmunity, while leaving the rest of the immune system intact. Induction of an antigen specific Th1-to-Th2 shift could achieve this aim, once side effects, such as allergic responses, are minimized with optimal dosing.
Separation of Scales in the More Effective Field Theory and Moszkowski-Scott Methods

We compare the momentum-space decimation procedure used to construct the low momentum nucleon-nucleon interaction V(low-k) with the configuration-space separation method of Moszkowski and Scott. Each procedure defines a separation of scales in the nuclear many-body problem, and the extent to which these two scales coincide is studied. By studying the effects of the separation method on the relative S-state Kallio-Kolltveit potential, it is found that close agreement with V(low-k) is obtained as the configuration-space cutoff is lowered to ~ 1.0 fm.
The Metabolism of Vitamin D3 in the Chick

Abstract Physiological doses of radioactive vitamin D3 are administered to vitamin D-deficient chicks 16 hours prior to the preparation of lipid extracts of small intestine, plasma, kidney, and bone. Analysis of the vitamin D metabolite pattern is carried out via column chromatography on silicic acid, Sephadex LH-20, and Celite (liquid-liquid partition), countercurrent distribution and treatment with periodic acid. The predominant form of the vitamin in the intestine is a polar metabolite (Peak 4Bi) which is homogeneous in all four separation systems, migrates in the area of known dihydroxy-D3-vitamins, loses 46% of its tritium in the course of metabolic formation from [1α, 2α-3H2]vitamin D3 and is insensitive to cleavage by periodate. These data are consistent with the recent identification of Peak 4Bi as 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 by Holick, Schnoes, and DeLuca (1971) (Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 68, 803) and the original proposal by Haussler, Myrtle, and Norman (1968) (J. Biol. Chem. 243, 4055) that this metabolite is the active form of vitamin D in the intestine. The major metabolite present in plasma, kidney, and bone is 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3, but significant amounts of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 are detected in all three sites. The plasma dihydroxy-vitamin D3-metabolite profile differs markedly from that of the kidney and bone in that the predominant species is 25, 26-dihydroxy-vitamin D3, with 21,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 also being present in measurable quantities. Virtually all dihydroxy-vitamin D3 in kidney and bone exists as the 1,25-dihydroxy derivative. The presence of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 in kidney strengthens the proposal that it is produced metabolically from 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 by a renal enzyme. The association of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 with bone and its considerable activity in promoting skeletal dissolution, raises the question as to whether 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 or the 1,25-dihydroxy-sterol represents the active form directing bone resorption.
A Web services environment for Internet-scale sensor computing

We present a Web-services framework for publishing, browsing, and analyzing real-time sensor data. Existing work, based on database technologies, assumes a known set of sensors, deployed for a specific application, intended for a group of users who are aware of the application. In contrast, our work provides a new environment for publishing real-time sensor data, and sharing sensor-based applications with unsolicited users over the Internet. Providers register their sensors with a UDDI registry where any user can discover them over the Internet. Once the desired sensors are located, the user can employ two new communication protocols, namely SSCP and SSTP, to control the incoming sensor streams. As the data arrive at the user browser software, a corresponding plug-in such as a data animation module is activated to allow the user to "see" the data stream presented in an intelligible way.
Detection of tumor cells in body cavity fluids by multiparametric flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry.

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 5150 In the present study, cells from body cavity fluids were examined for nuclear DNA and protein content, nuclear volume and receptor expression by multiparametric flow cytometry (FCM), immunocytochemistry (ICC) utilizing epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), and by conventional cytology. Out of 130 pleural and peritoneal fluids examined, 30 were identified by cytology to contain malignant or “suspicious” cells. 12 of these (40.0%) had DNA index (DI) of >1.2 (henceforth referred to as aneuploid). Eight samples with aneuploid cells were from patients with cirrhosis or end stage liver disease who did not have any malignancy. Analysis of nuclear volume vs. DNA content or protein content vs. DNA content could differentiate between subpopulations with diploid DNA content. Ninety-six samples in which we had data from cytology, ICC and FCM were used for statistical analysis. Data from cytology and ICC had the best agreement with a moderate kappa value (overall agreement relative to expected agreement by chance alone) of 0.585. Agreement was low between cytology and FCM (kappa = 0.200) and between ICC and FCM (kappa = 0.205). ICC had significantly higher sensitivity than cytology (79.4% v. 58.8%, p=0.016) or FCM (79.4% v. 38.2%, p=0.001). Cytology had significantly higher specificity than FCM (96.8% vs. 82.3%, p=0.012). The differences in specificity between IHC and FCM (87.1% v. 82.3%, p=0.607) or ICC and cytology (87.1% v.96.8%, p=0.109) were not statistically significant. Sensitivity increased significantly for the combinations cytology + ICC (79.4%, p=0.016) and cytology + FCM (Se=73.5%, p=0.004) as compared to cytology alone (Se= 58.8%). Also, the combination cytology + FCM had higher sensitivity than FCM alone (73.5% v. 38.2%, p<0.0001). By using high resolution flow cytometric analysis of DNA aneuploidy, nuclear volume and expression of markers such as epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), it may be possible to decrease the 50% false negative rate of conventional cytology for detection of malignant cells in body cavity fluids. In addition we may be able to determine the site of common primary tumors such as breast and lung by using ICC and FCM for estrogen receptor and thyroid transcription factor-1(TTF-I) expression, respectively. Grant support NIH CA09733.
Low-Cost Secure Server Connection with Limited-Privilege Clients

In this paper we describe a low-cost method of establishing a secure client-server connection. A commonly used Web procedure is to establish a secure link and then authenticate the client. By reversing the order and authenticating the client before the secure connection is established, we save resources of the server.
Syntactic constructions involving verbs of elocution in West Greenlandic

This article seeks to demonstrate, on the basis of textual evidence in the historical period of West Greenlandic, that there exists an indirect speech construction in this language, even if there is a marked preference for direct speech strategies.
Spectral estimation using level-crossing data

Conventional signal sampling is with uniform time-step, variable amplitude. This paper considers level-crossing samples, in which the amplitude is uniform and the time-step is variable. Time-varying spectral observer techniques are applied to the problem of determining the spectrum of a suitably bandlimited signal from its level-crossings.
Progesterone does not alter osmotic regulation of AVP.

To test the hypothesis that progesterone, independent of estrogen, decreases the plasma osmotic threshold for arginine vasopressin (AVP) release and thirst onset, we compared AVP and thirst respons...
Revisiting Omnicare: What Does Its Status 10 Years Later Tell Us?

At the time it was decided, Omnicare was among the most controversial decisions to come out of the Delaware Supreme Court. Many disagreed with the court’s holdings, and there has been much scholarship evaluating the court’s opinion and predicting its impact on corporate law and the mergers and acquisitions landscape. Ten years later, Omnicare is still considered to be one of the most important and controversial corporate law decisions. In revisiting and re-evaluating Omnicare, this Article reviews some of the transactional and decisional developments from the past decade to determine whether the criticisms were overstated or confirmed, and whether there are any lasting lessons from Omnicare. Examining post-Omnicare merger transactions and case law, this Article concludes that the answer is “yes” on all counts. Most of the predictions regarding the detrimental impact the decision would have on the merger and acquisition market never came to pass, while criticism of the opinion’s doctrinal foundation and efficacy seem to be confirmed. At the same time, the past decade has provided some new insight into Omnicare’s lasting effect on corporate law.
Do environmental cues prompt attempts to stop smoking? A prospective natural history study.

Abstract Introduction We prospectively tested whether environmental cues prompts attempts to stop smoking. Methods We recruited 134 smokers who intended to quit in the next 3 months to complete nightly calls to report cues as well as smoking status, intentions to smoke or not on the next day, and quit attempts over 12 weeks. We provided no treatment. Results Participants averaged 6.5 cues/week. The most common cues were embarrassment, cost of cigarettes and messages in the media. The number of cues over a 7-day period predicted the incidence of a quit attempt on the eighth day (e.g. from 1.5% when no cues occurred to 3% when 7 cues occurred during the 7 days). This effect was dose-dependent and was due to both between and within-subject predictors. Five cues predicted quit attempts. A cue that made smokers concerned about the cost of cigarettes appeared to be the strongest cue. Cues on the day prior were not more powerful predictors than more distal cues. Intention to not smoke the next day on the evening prior to the eighth day was a partial mediator of the effect of cues on quit attempts. Retrospective recall of cues was poor. Conclusions Our results suggest the occurrence of cues may be a cause of quit attempts and that programs to increase the frequency of cues may increase quit attempts. Further research should examine whether environmental cues and introspective states (e.g. self-efficacy) interact to prompt quit attempts.
Injury patterns and outcomes of open fractures of the proximal ulna do not differ from closed fractures

Background The incidence and injury patterns of open fractures of the proximal ulna are poorly elucidated and little evidence exists to guide management.
Sharing cost information: a counterexample

Several recent studies have analyzed the effects of agreements among firms to exchange private information about either their demands (Novshek and Sonnenschein (1982), Clarke (1983), Vives (1984), and Gal -Or (1985)), or their costs (Fried (1984), Ga l -Or (1986), and Shapiro (1986)). The latter studies all show that, if the firms are Cournot competitors, then all firms' expected profits are greater when cost information is shared. The purpose of this note is to show that this result depends critically on the assumption, made in all these studies, that all firms in the market survive (produce) with or without information sharing. One situation in which this assumption may not hold is the introduction of a new process. If only one firm adopts a new process that is drastic (see Arrow (1962)), then all other firms in the industry must shut down. This point is worth making because it does not seem to be understood. For example, Shapiro (1986, p. 445) asserts that the possibility of shut down "makes information sharing even more favorable relative to private information." This note demonstrates that this assertion is not correct. Because I seek a counterexample, I keep the model as simple as possible. Two firms produce a homogeneous good. Firm l 's cost of production is common knowledge, but firm 2's cost is private information. Its cost can be the same as firm l 's or lower, where p is the common knowledge prior probability that firm 2 has lower cost. I further assume that firm 1 must shut down if it is common knowledge that firm 2 has lower cost. In this case, firm 1 does benefit if cost information is shared. However, firm 2 does not have an incentive to share information when the probability that it has lower cost is high enough. The intuition is straightforward. If firm 1 shuts down when it knows firm 2 has lower cost, then it also shuts down when it does not know firm 2's true cost and its belief that firm 2 has lower cost is high enough. In this event firm 2 becomes a monopolist whether it has lower cost or
LIGHT ENVIRONMENT AS A FACTOR IN GROWTH AND FEED EFFICIENCY OF MEAT-TYPE CHICKENS.

Abstract NUMEROUS investigations have demonstrated that meat-type chickens exposed to continuous light are heavier at broiler age than those given periods of light and darkness (e.g. Moore, 1957; Shutze et al., 1960; Krueger et al., 1962; Beane et al., 1962). Data obtained by the above investigators suggest that, although there are diurnal rhythms in feeding activity (Siegel and Guhl, 1956; Siegel et al., 1962), continuous illumination provides an advantage of increased feeding time for chickens with a rapid growth potential. This advantage was shown by Siegel and Wood (1964) who found that under continuous light chicks restricted in feeding time weighed less than those fed ad libitum. If however, the sole function of light, in the maximum expression of juvenile growth, is through the facilitation of time for food consumption, then growth at several light intensities during a day should be comparable to that at a single intensity. Shutze et al.…
Practice pattern of urologists in the Rocky Mountains region with regard to use of urodynamic studies.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the patterns of urodynamic studies (UDS) use among community urologists. Much controversy exists with regard to the need and indications for UDS in the clinical evaluation of urinary incontinence (UI) and voiding dysfunction (VD). Methods A one-page questionnaire containing 11 questions was mailed to urologists practicing in the Rocky Mountains region. Physicians were asked about (a) their type of practice; (b) the number of patients with UI and VD they see per week; (c) the number of office procedures they perform on these patients; (d) the percentage of patients with UI and VD for whom they use UDS for diagnostic clarification; and (e) the limiting factors to more frequent use of UDS. Results Of the 127 questionnaires mailed, 51 (40%) were returned, and 49 (39%) of these were returned “completely filled out.” No follow-up letter was sent nor was a telephone interview done. Most urologists (n = 38; 76%) indicated they are in private practice, 5 (10%) are in academics, 3 (6%) are in multispeciality groups, 2 (4%) are affiliated with a health maintenance organization (HMO), and 1 is in a hospital-based practice. Twelve (24%) see fewer than 5 UI patients per week, 21 (43%) see 5 to 10 UI patients per week, and 16 (32%) see more than 10 UI patients per week. The respective numbers for VD patients seen per week are 4 (8%), 12 (24%), and 33 (67%). Thirty (61%) and 32 (65%) of respondents use UDS in fewer than 5% of patients seen with UI or VD, respectively. Thirty-seven (76%) use cystoscopy in more than 5% of patients seen with UI or VD. Regarding limiting factors for more frequent use of UDS (of those 35 urologists giving single answers), 60% believed there was a lack of indication and 40% noted that UDS are too time-consuming or not cost-effective (20%), difficult to interpret (5.7%), or that they had no access to such equipment (14%). Conclusions This study shows that the majority of urologists perform cystoscopy more frequently than UDS for diagnostic clarification of patients with UI and VD, and 40% of urologists do not perform UDS for reasons other than lack of indication. These results may indicate a need for more access to, and additional training in, UDS among urologists for management of UI and VD.
The Holographic Honeycomb Microlens

A honeycomb close-packed microstructure can be recorded in a positive photoresist layer by a simultaneous exposure of three coherent laser beams. The structure consists of parabolic shaped depressions in the surface. By replication and embossing techniques, it is possible to impress the mirror image of the microstructure into plastic, such that the top surface consists of parabolic shaped posts, or microlenses. The size of each microlens can be varied from around one micrometer to a millimeter or more. There are wide-ranging applications for such regularly-spaced and precise structures, extending from solar concentrators to three-dimensional imaging devices.
Evaluation of experimental and practical diets for bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and hybrid bluegill L. cyanellus x L. macrochirus

Two experiments were conducted to identify appropriate experimental and practical diets for bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and hybrid bluegill L. cyanellus × L. macrochirus reared in aquaria. In the first study, four experimental diets and five commercial diets were evaluated in juvenile hybrid bluegill initially weighing 4.8 g/fish. The experimental diets contained casein (CAS), casein + gelatin (CAWGEL), casein + L-arginine-HCI (CAS/ARG), or casein + gelatin + crystalline amino acids (CAS/AA) as sources of crude protein. The commercial diets included three diets formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and two diets formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Each diet was fed twice daily at a rate of 4% of body weigh/d to triplicate groups of fish. At the end of the 8-wk feeding trial, weight gain was significantly higher in fish fed the best commercial rainbow trout diets (205–217%) compared to fish fed diets formulated for channel catfish (87–104%). Weight gain and feed efficiency (FE) of fish fed the experimental diets (5346% and 0.19–0.32, respectively) were significantly lower than those of fish fed the commercial rainbow trout diets (143–217% and 0.49–0.64, respectively). In the second experiment, the same dietary treatments were fed for 8 wk to juvenile bluegill initially weighing 3.7 g/fish. Each diet was fed twice daily at a rate of 4% of body weight/d to triplicate groups of fish. Weight gain was significantly higher in fish fed commercial trout diets (291–402%) compared to fish fed diets formulated for channel catfish (164–191%). Weight gain and FE of fish fed CAS/ARG were significantly higher than those of fish fed the commercial catfish diets, but significantly lower than those of fish fed the best commercial trout diets. Results of this study indicate that commercial rainbow trout diets are preferable to commercial channel catfish diets for culture of bluegill and hybrid bluegill. More research is needed to identify appropriate experimental diets for this group of fishes.
Identification and simultaneous determination of anthranilic acid and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid in bovine urine*

Summary 1. The occurrence of anthranilic and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acids has been demonstrated for the first time in the urine of dairy cows. 2. An analytical method is described for the simultaneous determination of these compounds in cow urine. 3. Dairy cows on normal diets excreted 0.69 to 2.80 mg. of anthranilic acid and 0.54 to 1.69 mg. of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid per gm. of creatinine. 4. The possible relationship between bladder cancer and the urinary metabolites of tryptophan is discussed. Zusammenfassung Feststellung und gleichzeitige Bestimmung von Anthranilsaure und 3-Hydroxyanthranilsaure im Rinderharn 1. Das Vorkommen von Anthranilsaure und 3-Hydroxyanthranilsaure im Harn von Milchkuhen wird erstmalig nachgewiesen. 2. Eine analytische Methode zur gleichzeitigen Bestimmung dieser Verbindungen im Harn der Kuhe wird beschrieben. 3. Unter normalen Futterungsverhaltnissen scheiden Milchkuhe 0,69 bis 2,80 mg Anthranilsaure und 0, 54 bis 1,69 mg 3-Hydroxyanthranilsaure pro Gramm Kreatinin aus. 4. Die Moglichkeit einer Beziehung zwischen Blasenkrebs und den Harnstoffwechselprodukten des Tryptophans wird diskutiert. Resume La mise en evidence et le dosage simultane des acides anthranilique et 3-hydroxyanthranilique dans l'urine des bovides 1. Pour la premiere fois on a pu deceler la presence dans l'urine des vaches laitieres des acides anthranilique et 3-hydroxyanthraniliques. 2. Les auteurs decrivent une methode d'analyse permettant le dosage simultane de ces deux corps dans l'urine de la vache. 3. Les vaches laitieres nourries normalement eliminent de 0,69 a 2,80 mg d'acide anthranilique et de 0,54 a 1,69 mg d'acide 3-hydroxyanthranilique par g de creatinine. 4. Les relations possibles entre le cancer de la vessie et les metabolites urinaires du tryptophane sont l'objet d'une discussion. Resumen Identificacion y valoracion simultanea de los acidos antranilico y 3-hidroxiantranilico en la orina del ganado vacuno 1. Por vez primera se identifica la presencia de los acidos antranilico y 3-hidroxiantranilico en la orina de vacas lecheras. 2. Se describe un metodo analitico para la valoracion simultanea de estas combinaciones en la orina de vacas. 3. Bajo condiciones alimenticias normales, las vacas lecheras eliminan de 0,69 a 2,80 mgrs. de acido antranilico y de 0,54 a 1,69 mgrs. de acido hidroxiantranilico por gramo de creatinina. 4. Se discute la posibilidad de una relacion entre el cancer vesical y los productos del metabolismo ureico del triptofano.
Preparation and Fluxionality of a Bimetallic Platinum−Molybdenum Complex of 1,2,4,6-Cycloheptatetraene

Fluxionality in the (Ph3P)2Pt/Mo(CO)3 complex of 1,2,4,6-cycloheptatetraene, 2, is rapid at 20 °C. The process is intramolecular (determined by selective isotopomer irradiation) and requires simult...
Transplant coronary vasculopathy

Because the transplanted heart is denervated, classic angina as a symptom of allograft coronary vasculopathy rarely is perceived. Any cardiac transplant patients who presents with decreased exercise capacity, shortness of breath, or syncope should be assessed thoroughly. Unfortunately, the initial presenting symptom of transplant vasculopathy may be acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, or even sudden death. Patients should be evaluated on an annual basis for the presence of transplant coronary vasculopathy in addition to when clinical suspicion warrants. Coronary angiography has been the main modality of invasive assessment, although it is insensitive. Recently, intracoronary ultrasound has been used in conjunction with angiography to detect the first evidence of transplant vasculopathy, manifested as thickening of the intimal layer of the vessel wall due to smooth muscle cell proliferation, which ultimately leads to luminal narrowing. Patients with evidence of vasculopathy should undergo functional evaluation with dobutamine echocardiography to document ischemic burden. Preventive measures include traditional coronary risk factor modification. Patients are started on statins early in the post-transplantation period and hypertension is treated aggressively using calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Because of their deleterious metabolic effects, steroids may be withdrawn under close surveillance for rejection. After transplant vasculopathy has developed, it is difficult to treat and options are limited. Patients with discrete luminal obstructions may undergo angioplasty, stenting, or coronary artery bypass. However, these procedures are palliative, and the only definitive therapy is retransplantation.
Representing calcification in distribution models for aquatic invasive species: surrogates perform as well as CaCO3 saturation state

Modeling of invasive species’ potential distributions is critical for preventing new invasions. Distribution models use environmental characteristics of observed distributions to determine the suite of conditions that allows invasion. Some variables are directly related to species’ biological needs, while others are surrogates that do not directly influence distributions. For aquatic invasive species (AIS) with calcified shells and exoskeletons, one common limiting factor is the chemical restriction on forming calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which is usually represented by conductivity or dissolved calcium. We predicted that conductivity and calcium would not serve as accurate surrogates for CaCO3 saturation state, which is more directly linked to calcification potential. To test this prediction, we fit classification trees to field surveys of northern Wisconsin lakes for three calcifying AIS—rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus), banded mystery snail (Viviparus georgianus), and Chinese mystery snail (Cipanguladina chinensis). Along with lake area, variables associated with calcification were the best predictors of species distributions. Even though saturation state is the most biologically mechanistic variable, it did not improve model predictions or explain more variability in species presence than its surrogates. Overall, surrogates are sufficient for species distribution modeling in these lakes that exhibit a wide range of chemical states.
Imido and Organometallic-Amido Titanium(IV) Complexes of a Chelating Phenanthrenediamide Ligand

New titanium(IV) complexes of the chelating ligand N,N‘-bis(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-phenanthrene-9,10-diamide (pada2-) are described. Metalation of padaH2 with TiCl4 in the presence of base afforded the six-coordinate pyridine adduct (pada)TiCl2(py)2 (1), which was used as a starting point for all further complexes presented in this work. Metathesis of 1 with LiN(SiMe3)2 afforded the four-coordinate complex (pada)TiCl[N(SiMe3)2] (2), free of coordinating pyridine. Further elaboration of 2 with MeLi, PhLi, and PhCH2MgCl provided the mixed alkyl−amido species (pada)TiR[N(SiMe3)2] (3a, R = Me; 3b, R = CH2Ph; 3c, R = Ph), which are all stable in the solid state and in solution. Dichloride 1 reacts directly with 2 equiv of PhCH2MgCl to give the five-coordinate complex (pada)Ti(CH2Ph)2(py) (4). The corresponding dimethyl- and diphenyltitanium complexes could not be isolated; however, generation of these species followed by in situ reaction with tBuNH2 afforded the new titanium imido complex (pada)Ti(NtBu)(py)2 (6)....
Triplet–triplet energy transfer studies on conformational dynamics in peptides and a protein

Peptides and proteins are highly dynamic systems, which can adopt more or less stable conformations. The dynamics of these molecules, particularly those on the nanosecond to tens of microsecond time scale, are difficult to assess with conventional techniques. This review summarizes experiments using TTET, a technique that reports on van der Waals contact formation between a triplet donor and acceptor group, and which is sensitive in this time range. TTET allows to directly measure the chain dynamics of unstructured model peptides, i.e. large-amplitude fluctuations on the nanosecond time scale. Furthermore, contact formation can be used as irreversible probing reaction to study the kinetics of conformational equilibria. This approach enabled us to measure local α-helix folding and unfolding in helical peptides, which gave new insight into the equilibrium dynamics of this fundamental secondary structure element. TTET has also been applied to study the dynamics both in the native and unfolded state of a protein, the villin headpiece subdomain. The contact formation kinetics between different positions revealed an unlocking and local unfolding reaction in the native state of this model protein, and gave information about the chain dynamics in the unfolded state ensemble. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social network characteristics and risky sexual and drug related behaviors among homeless young adults

Although research finds high rates of risky sexual and drug related behavior among homeless young people, little research had examined how the characteristics of their social networks encourage or constrain risky behaviors. Based on a sample of 145 homeless young adults in the Midwestern United States, results revealed that having used alcohol with at least one of their network members and the presence of more conflict was associated with engaging in a greater number of sexual risk taking behaviors. Correlates of engaging in a greater number of substance use related behaviors included having older peers within the network, having used illicit drugs with at least one network member, and the presence of more conflict. The presence of a family member in one's network, however, was associated with fewer sexual and drug related risk behaviors. Overall, the social network characteristics of youth explained significant, additional variance beyond that of youth's own characteristics and their early family histories.
Redesigning U.S. currency

The first new design of United States currency in over 60 years will soon be issued. Its issuance will be the culmination of a 6-year effort to make U.S. currency more secure against widely available advanced reprographic technology. The cooperative effort was directed by the Advanced Counterfeit Deterrence (ACD) Steering Committee, with executive representatives from the Federal Reserve System (FRS), U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) and Treasury Department. A task force of technical experts from each agency carried out the necessary evaluations. The overall strategy to determine the new design and new features applied a comprehensive, synergistic approach to target each type of currency user and each type of counterfeiting. To maximize objectivity yet expedite final selection, deterrent and detection technologies were evaluated through several parallel channels. These efforts included an open request for feature samples through the Commerce Business Daily, in-house testing of each feature, independent evaluation by the National Research Council, in-house design development and survey of world currencies. Recommendations were submitted by the Steering Committee to the Treasury Secretary for concept approval, announced in July 1994. Beginning in 1996, new designs will be issued by denomination approximately one per year, starting with the $100 bill. Future new design efforts will include input from the recently founded Securities Technology Institute (STI) at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Input will include evaluation of existing features, development of new techniques and adversarial analysis.
Dopamine-Resistant Hypotension and Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity

Objective To examine the relationship between the cause or severity of hypotension and the development of severe ROP (sROP) (≥stage 3 or stage 2 with plus disease in zone I or II). Study design Infants ( Results Overall, 66% of infants developed hypotension (41% were dopamine responsive and 25% were dopamine resistant). sROP developed in 19% of infants. "Idiopathic" dopamine-resistant hypotension was the only cause significantly related to sROP. Of the infants with dopamine-resistant hypotension, 66% had low serum cortisol (≤10 μg/dL). Low cortisol, in the presence of dopamine-resistant hypotension, was significantly associated with sROP and accounted for the relationship between "idiopathic" hypotension and sROP. When low cortisol was included in statistical models, other known risk factors, such as immature gestation, were no longer significantly related to sROP. Conclusion Low cortisol, in the presence of dopamine-resistant hypotension, has the greatest magnitude of association with sROP.
MEMS metrology techniques

The MEMS industry currently produces over $13 billion in annual revenue, with devices in such diverse applications as blood pressure sensors, projection displays, optical switches, printers, hard drives, and gyroscopes. As production techniques improve, ever more functions may be served by MEMS, and the industry is growing at an annual rate of more than 15%. The large diversity of MEMS leads to many challenges in metrology, as each design has different critical factors which will affect its performance. Unlike traditional semiconductor devices, MEMS require characterization both in their static state and under actuation. Parameters of interest include shape, dimensions, surface roughness, sidewall angles, film thickness, residual stress, feature volumes, response times, thermal properties, resonance frequencies, stiction, environmental immunity and more. This talk will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of techniques for MEMS surface metrology. Bright- and dark-field microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, contact and non-contact surface profilometry, atomic force microscopy, laser Doppler vibrometry and digital holography are some of the primary techniques used to evaluate MEMS surfaces and motion. While no single technique can fully characterize all MEMS devices, or even one device under all conditions, the utility of each of the different types of instruments is increasing as they are pushed by MEMS and other industries to provide more characterization capability. With a broad understanding of the various metrology techniques available, the one or few critical instruments to measure a given class of devices will hopefully be more easily understood.
The psychologic costs of drowning and near drowning. Clinical issues in nursing intervention.

The Clinical Forum Department presents brief reports focused on discussion of clinical issues or innovative practice ideas and programs.