cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychological Vulnerability and Gambling in Later Life.

AbstractObjectives: Because behavioral problems often emerge from maladaptive coping methods, we investigated whether unmet basic psychological needs evolve toward a level of psychological vulnerability that puts older adults who gamble at risk for becoming problem gamblers. Methods: Data from a community sample of 379 adults ages 60 and above were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Participants responded to items regarding their demographics, gambling frequency, engagement in at-risk gambling behaviors, and the extent to which their basic psychological needs were met. Results: Satisfaction of basic psychological needs among older adults who gamble was negatively associated with their being at risk for developing a gambling problem. Satisfaction of basic psychological needs also mediated the negative effect of socioeconomic status on at-risk gambling behavior. Conclusion: Social workers should become mindful of how older adults, who are confronting psychological vulnerabilities in later life, mi...
Analysis of Levee Design in a Mountain River Using Two-Dimensional Flow Modeling

The South Branch of the Potomac River experienced extreme flooding in November 1985. A flood with an estimated return period of 400 years caused $33 million in damage in Petersburg, West Virginia. Subsequently, a local flood protection study was conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate options for flood protection (USACE 1990). A key component of that study was the use of HEC-2 to simulate water surface elevations for a variety of flow magnitudes under existing and pre-flood conditions. Three major goals are pursued in this study. The first is to use the two-dimensional numerical model, RMA2, to simulate water surface elevation and flow velocity for the 50-yr, 100-yr, and 400-yr floods in order to compare the results of the two-dimensional model with those previously obtained using the one-dimensional HEC-2 model. Our purpose is to evaluate what additional information useful for the design of flood protection plans may be obtained from the two-dimensional simulations. The second goal is to examine the effect of proposed levees on flow during the 50-yr, 100-yr, and 400-yr floods. Finally, an objective is to examine the interaction between river and flood plain morphology and the spatial variation in flow during flooding, and in particular, to explore the effect of alternating expansions and contractions in the width of the flood plain.
Integrated Carbon Capture and Conversion To Produce Syngas: Novel Process Design, Intensification, and Optimization

An integrated, modular, and multifunctional process is conceptually designed, simulated, and optimized for direct utilization of CO2 from dilute flue gas to produce high-quality syngas, a precursor for many value-added chemicals and liquid transportation fuels. The process is intensified to simultaneously capture and convert CO2 using methane, natural gas, or excess fuel gas from the same plant, or using nearby unconventional methane from biogas or landfill gas. It is an integrated adsorption-purge-reaction system where CO2 is first adsorbed and then desorbed using methane-rich feed leading to a mixture suitable for dry-reforming. The merging of concentration-based CO2 desorption with the reactor feed premixing step eliminates the need for pressure or temperature swings and significantly reduces the energy penalty and cost of CO2 capture and utilization. The process is simulated at different conditions using a high-fidelity process model to elucidate the effects of key decision variables as well as the tr...
Wide variation in cost of surgical care for parathyroidectomy: is there a need for standardization of practice?

Abstract Background Identifying hospital and provider variation in surgical cost is a potent method for controlling rising healthcare expenditure and delivering cost-effective care. The purpose of this study was to examine the variation of hospital cost by providers for parathyroidectomy in a single academic institution. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 894 consecutive parathyroidectomies under 8 surgeons in our institution between September 2011 and July 2016. Total duration of stay and cost were evaluated using nonparametric tests. Categorical variables were evaluated with χ2. Results The median total hospital cost for parathyroidectomy was $4,863.28 (interquartile range: 4,196–5,764), but the median costs per provider varied widely from $4,522.30 to $12,072.87. The median duration of stay was 0 days (IQR: 0–1) and demonstrated a wide variation among providers. Longer duration of practice was associated with lower cost. Despite the variation, only 2% was readmitted after discharge with no patient mortality. Conclusion We found substantial variation in hospital cost among providers for parathyroidectomy despite practicing in the same academic institution, with some surgeons spending 4 time more for the same operation. Implementing institutional standards of practice could be a method to decrease variation and costs of surgical care.
Public architecture as performance space in the prehispanic central southwest

Abstract Public or religious architecture in non-state societies has traditionally been interpreted as integrative, an assumption that has limited the ability of archaeologists to study religious change in these settings. We argue that considering such structures within their local historical contexts offers a better approach to understanding diversity in religious architecture. This study examines great kivas, large public or religious buildings in the prehispanic U.S. Southwest, as potential performance spaces, using structure size to estimate audience capacity relative to community size. We compare circular great kivas present along the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau with rectangular great kivas used in the Transition Zone to the south between the 11th and 14th centuries CE. The two traditions share certain similarities, and some great kivas in the area where the two traditions meet appear to be “hybrids.” However, examining great kivas as potential performance venues in relationship to the surrounding settlements suggests that the social roles played by rectangular and circular great kivas followed notably different historical trajectories. Although settlement size increased in both areas, circular great kivas became less restricted and more accessible through time, while the latest rectangular great kivas were probably less accessible and more exclusive than their forebears.
Abstract 18368: Characterization of Myofibril Mechanics in Pediatric and Adult Patients With Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Introduction: We studied mechanical properties of myofibrils from children and adults with and without HF to determine: 1) baseline myofibril characteristics, 2) differences between children and adults, 3) myofibril mechanics in the setting of HF. Hypothesis: Myofibril mechanics are different between adults and children. Methods: Myofibrils were obtained from pediatric and adult patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) undergoing cardiac transplantation. Unused donor hearts were used as non-failing control (NF). Written informed consent was obtained and experiments were approved by the University of Colorado Institutional Review Board. Myofibril mechanical properties measured were: resting sarcomere length (SL, μm), resting and maximal tension (RT, T max , mN/mm 2 ); rate constant of tension development ( k ACT , S -1 ); duration of linear relaxation ( t LIN , mSec), rate constant of linear and exponential relaxation (linear and exponential k REL , S -1 ). Mechanical parameters ± SEM are shown. Results: Compared to NF adults, myofibrils from NF pediatric hearts had shorter SL (2.04±0.01 μm vs 2.10±0.01, P 2 vs 10.3±0.7 P t LIN (192.4±7.5 msec vs 153.4±3.7, P k REL (7.8±0.4 S -1 vs 15.4±0.8, P max , k ACT , and linear k REL were similar. In the adult group, IDC myofibrils showed slower k ACT (0.45±0.02 S -1 vs 0.57±0.03, P k REL (11.9±0.7 S -1 vs 15.4+0.8, P max , t LIN, and linear k REL were similar. In the pediatric group, IDC myofibrils developed lower T max (35.3±2.5 mN/mm 2 vs 57.5+4.4, P t LIN (136.6±3.2 msec vs 202.3±8.9, P k REL (0.36±0.03 vs 0.57±0.06 P k ACT and exponential k REL were similar. Conclusions: NF myofibrils from children have shorter resting SL and slower relaxation kinetics than NF adults. While myofibrils from adult IDC display slower activation and exponential relaxation kinetics, children with IDC display altered linear relaxation kinetics and reduced tension generation. These results show that myofibrils from children have fundamental differences in mechanical characteristics at baseline and in response to heart failure.
Mathematical Modeling of the In Vitro Cyanobacterial Circadian Oscillator

This chapter describes recent attempts to formulate and validate mathematical models of the in vitro KaiABC oscillator from cyanobacteria. A variety of proposed mathematical models are discussed and compared, with a brief overview of recent experimental data relevant to the construction of these models and the constraints they must satisfy. A generic model is introduced which accounts for the hexameric structure of KaiC, intermediate states of hexamer phosphorylation, site- dependent reactions, stoichiometry, and monomer exchange.
LASSO model adaptation for automatic speech recognition

 Inspired by the success of least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) in statistical learning, we propose an regularized maximum likelihood linear regression (MLLR) to estimate models with only a limited set of adaptation data to improve accuracy for automatic speech recognition, by regularizing the standard MLLR objective function with an constraint. The so-called LASSO MLLR is a natural solution to the data insufficiency problem because the constraint regularizes some parameters to exactly 0 and reduces the number of free parameters to estimate. Tested on the 5kWSJ0 task, the proposed LASSO MLLR gives significant word error rate reduction from the errors obtained with the standard MLLR in an utterance-by-utterance unsupervised adaptation scenario.
Individual Differences in Revising (and Maintaining) Accurate and Inaccurate Beliefs about Childhood Vaccinations.

This study examined relationships between several individual differences measures and belief revision after reading a text refuting common misconceptions about childhood vaccinations. Individual di...
Last word: A call to develop specific medical treatment guidelines for adolescent males with eating disorders

Males with eating disorders are underdiagnosed and undertreated, which may be a result of inadequate guidance and training to assess and treat eating disorders for medical professionals. This may b...
Education Increases Disposal of Unused Opioids After Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND Unused opioid pills are a danger to patients and their loved ones as they may be diverted for abuse or misuse. The purpose of this study was to determine the baseline rate of proper disposal of unused opioids among patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty and to determine how education impacts disposal rates. METHODS In this study, 563 patients undergoing primary total joint arthroplasty (183 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, 293 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty, and 87 patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty) were cluster-randomized to groups that received no education, educational pamphlets, or educational pamphlets plus text messages. Patients were randomized by education class and were blinded to participation to avoid behavioral modifications. Patients were surveyed at 6 weeks postoperatively to determine if they disposed of their unused opioid pills using a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-recommended method, which was the primary outcome. Assuming a 15% difference in opioid disposal rates as clinically relevant, power analysis determined that 76 patients with unused opioids were required per group (228 total). An as-treated analysis was conducted with the Fisher exact text and analysis of variance with alpha = 0.05. RESULTS A total of 539 patients (95.7%) completed the survey, and 342 patients (63.5%) had unused opioid pills at 6 weeks postoperatively: 89 patients in the no education group, 128 patients in the pamphlet group, and 125 patients in the pamphlet and text message group. Of these 342 patients, 9.0% of patients in the no education group, 32.8% of patients in the pamphlet group, and 38.4% of patients in the pamphlet and text message group properly disposed of their unused opioids (p = 0.001 for each educational intervention compared with no education). Unused opioid pills were kept by 82.0% of patients in the no education group, 64.1% of patients in the pamphlet group, and 54.4% of patients in the pamphlet and text message group (p < 0.001 for the no education group compared with either educational strategy group). Patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty were more likely to properly dispose of their unused opioids compared with those who underwent total knee arthroplasty (odds ratio, 2.1; p = 0.005). There were no demographic differences between groups, including inpatient opioid use, refills, and preoperative opioid use, other than sex (41.5% male patients in the no education group, 55.0% male patients in the pamphlet group, and 37.4% male patients in the pamphlet and text message group; p = 0.001), suggesting appropriate randomization. CONCLUSIONS The rate of opioid disposal is very low after total joint arthroplasty. Education on opioid disposal more than triples opioid disposal rates compared with no education. To help to prevent diversion of unused opioid pills, all patients who undergo total joint arthroplasty should be educated on the proper disposal of unused opioids.
Note: The Value of Health and Wealth: Economic Theory, Administration, and Valuation methods for Capping the Employer Sponsored Insurance Tax Exemption

The recent passage of health reform introduces a tax that many policy wonks love but much of the public hates. This initiative is the so-called Cadillac Tax on high-value health insurance plans. For years, economists have argued that the exclusion of employment sponsored insurance (“ESI”) from taxable income represents a major distortion in the tax code that incentivizes overinsurance, which in turn causes overutilization of medical ser- vices and rising health costs. They tout the tax as a tool to help control costs and end inefficient distortions. They also claim that the tax is beneficial for lower- and middle-income individuals because the ESI exclusion in the Internal Revenue Code (“I.R.C.”) § 106 disproportionately benefits the wealthy. However, there are problems with the Cadillac Tax. Since the inception of ESI, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) have excluded it from income to avoid the complex matter of valuing health insurance. There are numerous other concerns involving the administration and proper drafting of the I.R.C. provisions pertaining to the ESI tax, since § 106—the section of the code which excludes ESI—links to many other parts of the fractured Code. While most of the policy debate focused on the economic gains and revenue raising power of the Cadillac Tax, few considered these problems. Yet, ease of administration is another important factor that one must consider in any tax debate, especially one involving an uncharted area like this one. The provisions in the recently enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”)1 and the Reconciliation legislation2 embrace the benefits of taxing ESI. However, the PPACA uses a flat excise tax with few adjustments across the board. While this approach is easy to administer, it fails to push as effectively toward equity and efficiency gains that a cap on the § 106 exclusion could provide, another tool for reforming ESI taxation that will be discussed throughout this Note. Thus, the so-called Cadillac Tax is a good idea that has been poorly legislated. This Note seeks to outline the key points in the debate involving the PPACA Cadillac Tax and attempts to establish a framework for analyzing valuation methods. While the Note finds the PPACA’s approach administratively simple, it finds the tax lacking in that it veers too far from the goals of efficiency and equity that an ESI cap might achieve. Two ESI cap proposals are analyzed: one based on premium value adjustments and the other based on actuarial values. Both are difficult to administer, but each seeks to achieve more equitable outcomes than those provided by the Cadillac Tax. Of the two proposals outlined, actuarial valuation holds the greatest promise at succeeding in the balancing act between efficiency, equity, and administration.
Abstract 75: BCL-xL inhibition enhances therapeutic response of MTORC1/2 inhibition and induction of apoptosis in PIK3CA mutant colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer related death with PIK3CA mutations occurring in ~18% of all cases. Mutations in this gene lead to constitutive activation of the phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) oncogene. Previously we9ve shown that MTORC1/2 inhibition is sufficient to induce a therapeutic response both in vitro and in vivo with minimal induction of apoptosis. BCL-xL is a well-known negative regulator of apoptosis in solid tumors. We therefore investigated whether inhibition of the BCL-2 family, and more specifically BCL-xL, would enhance therapeutic response and induction of apoptosis. Murine-derived cancer organoids (MDCOs) were generated from invasive colon adenocarcinomas of Apc and Pik3ca transgenic mice (F1 (FVBxB6) Apcfl/+ Pik3caH1047R). MDCOs were allowed to mature for 24 hours, baseline brightfield imaging performed and therapeutic agents added at concentrations outlined below. Median relative change in organoid diameter after 48 hours of treatment was determined. In vivo response was measured in F1 (FVBxB6) Apcfl/+ Pik3caP110* mice as change in endoscopic tumor lumen occlusion over 14 days. Immunoblotting (IB) and immunofluorescence (IF) were utilized to evaluate for induction of apoptosis. Navitoclax (BCL-2/BCL-xL/BCL-w inhibitor, 250nM) was evaluated alone and in combination with a panel of MTORC1/2 inhibitors (BEZ-235 (BEZ), TAK-228 (TAK), copanlisib (Cop), 200nM). Navitoclax did not induce a treatment response as a single agent. Enhanced response was seen with the combination compared to the MTORC1/2 inhibitors alone (Bez 56% vs combo -100%, p Citation Format: Rebecca A. DeStefanis, Alyssa DeZeeuw, Gioia Sha, Susan N. Payne, Christopher P. Babiarz, Devon Miller, Demetra K. Korkos, Cheri A. Pasch, Linda Clipson, Kristina Matkowskyj, Dustin A. Deming. BCL-xL inhibition enhances therapeutic response of MTORC1/2 inhibition and induction of apoptosis in PIK3CA mutant colorectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 75.
MED19 Regulates Adipogenesis and Maintenance of White Adipose Tissue Mass by Mediating PPARγ-Dependent Gene Expression.

The Mediator complex relays regulatory signals from gene-specific transcription factors to the basal transcriptional machinery. However, the role of individual Mediator subunits in different tissues remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that MED19 is essential for adipogenesis and maintenance of white adipose tissue (WAT) by mediating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) transcriptional activity. MED19 knockdown blocks white adipogenesis, but not brown adipogenesis or C2C12 myoblast differentiation. Adipose-specific MED19 knockout (KO) in mice results in a striking loss of WAT, whitening of brown fat, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance. Inducible adipose-specific MED19 KO in adult animals also results in lipodystrophy, demonstrating its requirement for WAT maintenance. Global gene expression analysis reveals induction of genes involved in apoptosis and inflammation and impaired expression of adipose-specific genes, resulting from decreased PPARγ residency on adipocyte gene promoters and reduced association of PPARγ with RNA polymerase II. These results identify MED19 as a crucial facilitator of PPARγ-mediated gene expression in adipose tissue.
A Derivative of the D5 Monoclonal Antibody That Targets the gp41 N-Heptad Repeat of HIV-1 with Broad Tier-2-Neutralizing Activity.

HIV-1 infection is initiated by the viral glycoprotein Env, which, after interaction with cellular coreceptors, adopts a transient conformation known as the pre-hairpin intermediate (PHI). The N-heptad repeat (NHR) is a highly conserved region of gp41 exposed in the PHI; it is the target of the FDA-approved drug enfuvirtide and of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). However, to date these mAbs have only been weakly effective against tier-1 HIV-1 strains, which are most sensitive to neutralizing antibodies. Here, we engineered and tested 11 IgG variants of D5, an anti-NHR mAb, by recombining previously described mutations in four of D5's six antibody complementarity-determining regions. One variant, D5_AR, demonstrated 6-fold enhancement in ID50 against lentivirus pseudotyped with HXB2 Env. D5_AR exhibited weak cross-clade neutralizing activity against a diverse set of tier-2 HIV-1 viruses, which are less sensitive to neutralizing antibodies than tier-1 viruses and are the target of current antibody-based vaccine efforts. In addition, the neutralization potency of D5_AR IgG was greatly enhanced in target cells expressing FcγRI, with ID50 values below 0.1 μg/mL; this immunoglobulin receptor is expressed on macrophages and dendritic cells, which are implicated in the early stages of HIV-1 infection of mucosal surfaces. D5 and D5_AR have equivalent neutralization potency in IgG, Fab, and scFv formats, indicating that neutralization is not impacted by steric hindrance. Taken together, these results provide support for vaccine strategies that target the PHI by eliciting antibodies against the gp41 NHR and support investigation of anti-NHR mAbs in non-human primate passive immunization studies.ImportanceDespite advances in anti-retroviral therapy, HIV remains a global epidemic and has claimed more than 32 million lives. Accordingly, developing an effective HIV vaccine remains an urgent public health need. The gp41 N-heptad repeat (NHR) of the HIV-1 pre-hairpin intermediate (PHI) is highly conserved (>90%) and is inhibited by the FDA-approved drug enfuvirtide, making it an attractive vaccine target. However, to date anti-NHR antibodies have not been potent. Here, we engineered D5_AR, a more potent variant of the anti-NHR antibody D5, and established its ability to inhibit HIV-1 strains that are more difficult to neutralize and are more representative of circulating strains (tier-2 strains). The neutralizing activity of D5_AR was greatly potentiated in cells expressing FcγRI; FcγRI is expressed on cells that are implicated at the earliest stages of sexual HIV-1 transmission. Taken together, these results bolster efforts to target the gp41 NHR and the PHI for vaccine development.
Some aspects of fission and quasifission processes

The discovery of nuclear fission in 1938–1939 had a profound influence on the field of nuclear physics and it brought this branch of physics into the forefront as it was recognized for having the potential for its seminal influence on modern society. Although many of the basic features of actinide fission were described in a ground-breaking paper by Bohr and Wheeler only six months after the discovery, the fission process is very complex and it has been a challenge for both experimentalists and theorists to achieve a complete and satisfactory understanding of this phenomenon. Many aspects of nuclear physics are involved in fission and it continues to be a subject of intense study even three quarters of a century after its discovery. In this talk, I will review an incomplete subset of the major milestones in fission research, and briefly discuss some of the topics that I have been involved in during my career. These include studies of vibrational resonances and fission isomers that are caused by the second minimum in the fission barrier in actinide nuclei, studies of heavy-ion-induced fission in terms of the angular distributions and the mass–angle correlations of fission fragments. Some of these studies provided evidence for the importance of the quasifission process and the attendant suppression of the complete fusion process. Finally, some of the circumstances around the establishment of large-scale nuclear research in India will be discussed.
A new approach to VQ-based compression and classification of sensor data

The size and power resource constraints associated with the airborne platforms of various sensor systems require that sensor data be transmitted to ground based automatic target recognition (ATR) processing stations. However, the bandwidth limitations of feasible communication channels restrict the amount of data that can be reliably transmitted. This presentation gives an overview of a new technology that permits efficient clipping service on board the airframe that is based on the use of vector quantization (VQ). The new technology generates a mathematical decomposition of sensor data called "direct sum successive approximations" (DSSA). DSSA technologies permit low-level ATR functions to be combined with VQ data compression functions to form an intelligent clipping service.
Laboratory Maintenance of Pathogenic Leptospira

Analysis of Leptospira requires use of specialized media for growth, maintenance, and storage of viable bacteria that can be used in experimental protocols in a predictable manner. However, pathogenic Leptospira are fastidious bacteria with unusual nutritional requirements. These problems make primary isolation, routine propagation, and storage of Leptospira difficult. Defined and complex media are available for routine growth of pathogenic Leptospira, and each medium has unique characteristics that favor the growth or isolation of some strains, while not supporting the growth of others. This unit will describe the preparation of Leptospira media and methods for isolation and storage of these bacteria.
Further evidence for an anomalous interaction between the electromagnetic and gravitational fields

Due to the fact that the interplanetary time delay and radio-frequency quasar deflection results appear to be at variance with the hypothesis of the frequency dependence of the speed of light in a gravitational field, the data from the optical-frequency deflection experiments are re-analysed to see if the gravitational-electromagnetic field interaction is a function of the electromagnetic and gravitational field intensities. This analysis and a statistical investigation designed to test the physical significance of the results of the analysis indicate that it is probable that the field intensities, as well as the frequency of the electromagnetic field, are parameters of the interaction. It is noted that Duchesne and Vigier’s recent work which suggests that the photon has a finite rest mass supports the frequency-dependence hypothesis.
Ethics and Public Policy: A Philosophical Inquiry

Jonathan Wolff’s Ethics and Public Policy: A Philosophical Inquiry takes the reader on an intellectual tour of some of the most hotly contested policy topics of the current era. Wolff’s practical e...
Scale Model Simulation of Hydraulic Fracturing for EGS Reservoir Creation Using a Heated True-Triaxial Apparatus

Geothermal energy technology has successfully provided a means of generating stable base load electricity for many years. However, implementation has been spatially limited to rare high quality traditional resources possessing the combination of a shallow high heat flow anomaly and an aquifer with sufficient permeability and fluid recharge. Enhanced Geother‐ mal Systems (EGS) technology has been proposed as a potential solution to enable addition‐ al energy production from the much more common non-traditional resources. To advance this technology development, a heated true triaxial load cell with a high pressure fluid injec‐ tion system has been developed to simulate an EGS system from stimulation to production. This apparatus is capable of loading a 30x30x30 cm3 rock sample with independent princi‐ pal stresses up to 13 MPa while simultaneously providing heating up to 180 oC. Multiple ori‐ entated boreholes of 5 to 10 mm diameter may be drilled into the sample while at reservoir conditions. This allows for simulation of borehole damage as well as injector-producer schemes. Dual 70 MPa syringe pumps set to flow rates between 10 nL/min and 60 mL/min injecting into a partially cased borehole allow for fully contained fracturing treatments. A six sensor acoustic emission (AE) array is used for geometric fracture location estimation during intercept borehole drilling operations. Hydraulic pressure sensors and a thermocouple array allow for additional monitoring and data collection as relevant to computer model valida‐ tion as well as field test comparisons. The results of the scale model hydraulic fracturing tests demonstrate the functionality of the equipment while also providing some novel data on the propagation and flow characteristics of hydraulic fractures. Fully characterized test sample materials used in the scale model tests include generic cement grout, custom high © 2013 Frash et al.; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. performance concrete, granite, and acrylic. Fracturing fluids used include water, brine, and Valvoline® DuraBlend® SAE 80W90 oil.
The King of Rockingham County and the Original Bridge to Nowhere

This chapter, published in Contracts Stories (Foundation Press 2007), reveals the story - the clash of personalities, the economic tensions, and the political significance - behind Rockingham County v. Luten Bridge Co.
Parallel effects of temperature on the male cricket calling song, phonotaxis of the female and the auditory responses of the L3 neurone

Sender–receiver coupling is a fundamental aspect of sexual communication systems, especially when the signal must travel over significant distances. In the cricket Acheta domesticus L., both the syllable period of the calling songs of males and the syllable periods that are most attractive to females are negatively correlated with temperature. However, the range of syllable periods that females respond to phonotactically extends beyond the range of males' calling songs at all temperatures tested. In habitats occupied by crickets, surface temperatures of the ground vary considerably. The cricket's body temperature changes rather quickly based on the amount of direct solar radiation encountered (7 °C in 1 min). The responses by females to calling songs with syllable periods outside of the males' range might be advantageous in countering the effects of local variations in temperature caused by variations in the microhabitat. A temperature shift in the response to syllable period of the L3 auditory neurone parallels the temperature shift seen in the phonotactic response over a similar temperature range. These similarities support the model of the involvement of L3 in the phonotactic response and its modulation by temperature.
What Factors Predict Marital Success Amongst Americans? The Impacts of Age, Race, and Premarital Children

Marital success questionnaires were administered to people. Through convenience sampling I recruited forty married participants and requested that they fill-out a marriage questionnaire form. The purpose of this research project is to examine different underlying risk factors that influence the success or failure in marriage. For the purposes of this research, marital success was determined by the number of years of marriage. Risk factors examined in this research include age, race, and the presence of premarital children. Findings indicate that (a) those who marry between the ages of twenty-six and twenty-nine have the highest number of years of marriage; (b) Caucasians have higher number of years of marriage; and (c) individuals without 'premarital children have more years of marriage. It appears that age, race, and the presence of premarital children are all underlying risk factors in the success or failure in marriage.
Shock capturing with entropy-based artificial viscosity for staggered grid discontinuous spectral element method

Abstract This paper presents a shock capturing technique for a staggered grid discontinuous spectral element method (DSEM), which adds localized and smooth artificial viscosity to systems of nonlinear conservation laws. The artificial diffusivity model used in this work is a modified form of the entropy viscosity (EV) presented by Guermond et al. (2011). We extend the application of this method to high-order discontinuous schemes for the simulation of high speed flows with discontinuities on staggered grids. Direct implementation of the entropy viscosity method in DSEM leads to a non-smooth artificial viscosity, which in turn leads to oscillations and instability of the solution. To smoothen the artificial viscosity, the EV method is coupled with a spectral filter and an interface treatment technique. The resulting artificial viscosity is locally large near discontinuities and transitions smoothly to zero in smooth flow regions. The method enables using elements with orders higher than unity while avoiding adaptive mesh refinement and preserving the locality and compactness of the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) scheme. The method is implemented for the inviscid compressible Euler equations in two space dimensions and its effectiveness is demonstrated through its application to a series of benchmark problems.
Nonvenereal transmission of gonococcal infections to children

T H E I N c I D E N 12 E of gonorrheal infections among adults has increased markedly in recent years? Branch and Paxton ~ have called attention to a concurrent rise among young children in an urban area. A high incidence of gonorrhea is found in the general population of southwestern Alaska? Concurrently, an unusually high incidence of gonococcal infections has been observed in young children. In contrast to previous reports of gonococcal infections in children,2, ~, s we have found that under certain environmental conditions, indirect or nonvenereal contact with an infected adult, rather than sexual contact, may play a significant role in the transmission of gonococcal infections to young children. The purpose of this report is to alert physicians to the increasing incidence of gonococcal infections in children, as well as to the possibility of an unusual mode of transmission.
Bacillus cereus foodborne disease

Summary Although B. cereus foodborne disease is not a serious illness and may occur infrequently in the United States, more attention should be given to those illnesses that are similar to C. perfringens and staphylococcal food poisoning but in which C. perfringens and staphylococci cannot be isolated. The chances are good that B. cereus organisms may be responsible for many of these outbreaks.
The impact of college selectivity on income for men and women

In this study a large national data set was used to assess the causal influence of college selectivity on earnings after controlling for a variety of background variables such as family background, financial considerations, academic ability, and degree aspirations. Using a recursive structural equation model, it was found that for both genders selectivity had a significant direct and indirect effect on earnings; however, selectivity could explain only a minute percentage of variance in income above and beyond the controls. Males and females differed slightly on the total effect of selectivity on earnings, but the indirect effect was twice as large for women as for men.
A retrospective comparison of ring pessary and multicomponent behavioral therapy in managing overactive bladder

Introduction and hypothesis Overactive bladder (OAB) is a physically, psychologically, and socially disabling condition that affects millions of women worldwide and is especially prevalent postmenopause. The objective of our study was to compare the cure rates of ring pessary with those of multicomponent behavioral therapy in managing overactive bladder.
JAK2 V617F Mutation Testing in Polycythemia Vera: Use and Impact in an Academic Practice

ABSTRACT Background The observation that a mutation in JAK2 (JAK2 V617F) is present in more than 90% of cases of polycythemia vera (PV) has altered the diagnostic approach to this disease. However, most studies of the utility of JAK2 V617F have been performed in large PV populations; most hematologists or hematologist-oncologists have relatively few PV patients in their individual practices. Approach To assess its impact in a practice of more typical size, the use of JAK2 V617F testing was reviewed in 5 individual clinics in an academic practice after a total of 16 patients carrying an established or presumed diagnosis of PV. Results Nine patients were tested for JAK2 V617F mutation. The majority (6 of 9) were tested near diagnosis. Two of the 3 established patients tested did not meet PV diagnostic criteria fully. Most patients not tested met World Health Organization criteria for PV. Of the 9 patients tested, 7 had a mutation detected (5 tested at diagnosis). Results of mutation testing changed the diagnosis in 2 cases. Conclusions In a PV population similar in size to what an individual or small group practice might follow, JAK2 V617F mutation testing was primarily used in the early evaluation of suspected PV. Mutation testing was infrequently used in continuing patients where the physician considered the diagnosis clearly established or where a change in diagnosis would not alter management.
Extraction and Activity of Carnosine, a Naturally Occurring Antioxidant in Beef Muscle

Several methods were tested to produce a carnosine-containing antioxidant extract from beef muscle. Heat treatments, ultrafiltration and demineralization decreased total iron and hemin concentrations and increased antioxidant activity of a beef extract (2:l; water:muscle). Antioxidant activity of treated extracts was affected little by freeze-drying but was increased by vacuum oven-drying. Vacuum oven-dried (VOD), demineralized, 100°C heated extract had the greatest antioxidant activity followed by VOD ultrafiltration permeate and VOD 100°C heated extract. A beef extract high in carnosine and low in prooxidants could have potential as a natural antioxidant.
On the Luminescent Properties of the Rare Earth Vanadates

X‐ray examination of several systems indicated that compounds of the type are the only ones formed by the rare earth sesquioxides and vanadium pentoxide. On the basis of this finding, we developed a flux‐growing technique employing a melt for the preparation of all rare earth vanadates in single crystalline form. With such monocrystals as well as with polycrystalline material we studied the fluorescent emission of the rare earth vanadates, and these data are reported and discussed.
Imaging response criteria for recurrent gliomas treated with bevacizumab: Role of diffusion weighted imaging as an imaging biomarker

The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of diffusion weighted imaging as an additional imaging biomarker for treatment response in recurrent/progressive malignant gliomas treated with bevacizumab alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents. Twenty patients treated with bevacizumab alone or concurrent chemotherapy were followed up with serial MR imaging. Volume and ADC values of contrast enhancing lesion (CELvol, CELADC) and also of non-enhancing lesion (NELvol, NELADC) were obtained. CELvol showed a progressive decrease in non-progressors with a median percentage change of −73.2% (P = 0.001) as compared to −33.4% for progressors by 1 year/last imaging (P = 0.382). NELvol also showed a decrease in non-progressors on follow up imaging though only significant for 3 months follow up (P = 0.042). In progressors, CELvol and NELvol showed initial decrease followed by slight increase by 1 year/last imaging though not significant (P value of 0.382 and 0.46, respectively). CELADC and NELADC in non-progressors did not show any statistically significant change though there was slight trend for positive percent change especially for CELADC by 1 year/last imaging follow up study (P value of 0.077 and 0.339, respectively). Progressors showed a progressive negative percent change of CELADC and NELADC. In progressors, NELADC decreased at 6 weeks (P = 0.054), 3 months (P = 0.023) and 1 year/last (P = 0.078) as compared to baseline study and was also statistically significant as compared to non-progressors at 6 weeks (P = 0.047) and 3 months (P = 0.025). CELADC and NELADC appear to follow different trends over time for non-progressors and progressors with a stable to slightly progressive increase in non-progressors and a progressive decrease in progressors, especially early on. These findings suggest that DWI may be used as an additional imaging biomarker for early treatment response.
Use of compliant interconnects for drop impact isolation

Compliant interconnects are able to mechanically decouple die from substrate and are helpful in reducing thermally-induced stresses in the die. In this paper, we report drop-test modeling of die-substrate assemblies with compliant interconnects. Simulations using explicit ANSYS/LS-DYNA® solver were carried out to mimic typical experimental conditions and to gain a better understanding of the overall response of the compliant interconnects under shock and impact loading. The finite-element models simulated dropping of die-substrate assemblies with compliant interconnects from different heights. The results from these simulations were compared against drop simulations of die-substrate assemblies with bump interconnects. The simulation results show that the compliant interconnects can significantly reduce the strains in the die under drop testing, while the bump interconnect does not have such an advantage.
A note on efficiencies for estimators in varying environments

Abstract The distribution, as the initial population size grows large, of the maximum likelihood estimator of the time average reproduction mean in a branching process with varying environments is compared with that of the classical estimator proposed under the assumption that the environments are constant in time.
Integrated human-machine intelligence in space systems.

The integration of human and machine intelligence in space systems is outlined with respect to the contributions of artificial intelligence. The current state-of-the-art in intelligent assistant systems (IASs) is reviewed, and the requirements of some real-world applications of the technologies are discussed. A concept of integrated human-machine intelligence is examined in the contexts of: (1) interactive systems that tolerate human errors; (2) systems for the relief of workloads; and (3) interactive systems for solving problems in abnormal situations. Key issues in the development of IASs include the compatibility of the systems with astronauts in terms of inputs/outputs, processing, real-time AI, and knowledge-based system validation. Real-world applications are suggested such as the diagnosis, planning, and control of enginnered systems.
THE EFFECTS OF PITUITARY AND NON-PITUITARY GLAND FACTORS ON THE FORMATION OF INTRACELLULAR COLLOID DROPLETS IN THE THYROID EPITHELIUM OF HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RATS1

The presence of droplets of colloid within the thyroid epithelium was first described in 1872 by Verson in fresh tissue. They were soon after described in fixed thyroid tissue by Gutknecht (1885) and Biondi (1888, 1892). Early workers described their occurrence following the injection of various chemicals (Andersson, 1894; Hurthle, 1894; Galeoti, 1897), or after certain operative procedures unrelated to the thyroid or pituitary glands (Hurthle, 1894; Thomas, 1934). More recent work established a relationship between the formation of intracellular colloid droplets and thyrotrophic hormone. Droplets form promptly after the administration of exogenous thyrotrophic hormone to intact animals (Grant, 1930, 1931; Severinghaus, 1933; Uhlenhuth, 1936; Okkels, 1934; Ponse, 1938; Aleschin, 1935, 1939; Ponse and Altschuler, 1940; De Robertis, 1941, 1942) with dosages of hormone smaller than those needed to increase thyroid cell height of gland weight (De Robertis and Del Conte, 1944; Dvoskin, 1947b). They appear also...
Kolsky Bar Wave Separation Using a Photon Doppler Velocimeter

A method to permit wave separation with a Kolsky bar is described. A photon Doppler velocimeter (PDV) is used to measure particle velocity at the location of each strain-gage. These measurements are used with the measured strain to separate wave-trains that in general exist in each bar (for example, an incident and reflected pulse) even when they are superimposed at the gage location. This can extend the duration of the experiment and permit more freedom in the types of loadings that can be applied to a specimen. It was found that the PDV measurement of particle velocity often contains a significant component due to bending waves. A method to account for bending is described but requires multiple PDV measurements at each gage position.
Effect of surgery resident change of shift on trauma resuscitations and outcomes.

Introduction The ability of surgery residents to provide continuity of care has come under scrutiny with work hour restrictions. The impact of the surgery resident sign-out period (6-8 am and 6-8 pm ) on trauma outcomes remains unknown. We hypothesize that during shift change, resuscitation times are prolonged with worse outcomes. Methods Records of patients treated at a university-based urban trauma center during 2008 and 2009 were reviewed. Patients were separated into a shift change group (6-8 am and 6-8 pm ) and a control group of all other time periods and compared using ANOVA, chi square, and unpaired t-tests. Results We reviewed the charts of 4361 consecutive trauma patients. There was no difference in gender, acuity, resuscitation times, Glasgow Coma Scale, revised trauma score, injury severity score (ISS), or probability of survival score between patients arriving during shift change compared to other times (p>0.2). There was no difference in total emergency department time for patients arriving during shift change (p = 0.07), even when stratified by ISS (ISS 15, p = 0.2). Length of stay was increased for patients arriving during shift change compared to other times (5 vs 4 days, p 15 (16 vs 11 days, p = 0.03); however, there was no impact on intensive care unit length of stay, ventilator days, and mortality (p>0.3) regardless of ISS. Conclusions Trauma outcomes are generally unaffected by patient arrival during shift change when resident sign-outs occur. Although adaptations are being made to accommodate trauma patient arrival during these times, we need to continue paying close attention, especially to seriously injured patients, to ensure that there are no delays in care that may potentially affect patient outcomes.