cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
One year mortality of patients treated with naloxone for opioid overdose by emergency medical services.

Study objective: Prehospital use of naloxone for presumed opioid overdose has increased markedly in recent years because of the current opioid overdose epidemic. In this study, we determine the 1-y...
Force-Averaging DLVO Model Predictions of the Adhesion Strengths Quantified for Pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes EGDe Grown under Variable pH Stresses.

The roles of the bacterial surface biopolymers of pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes EGDe grown under variable pH conditions in governing their adhesion to a model surface of silicon nitride were in...
Multi-scale assimilation of simulated SWOT observations

Abstract We use an Observing System Simulation Experiment (OSSE) to quantify improvements in ocean state estimation due to the assimilation of simulated Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) observations using a multi-scale 3DVAR approach. The sequential multi-scale assimilation first generates a large-scale analysis and then updates that analysis with smaller scale corrections. Since we use temperature and salinity depth profiles as proxies for sea surface height (SSH) observations, the results are idealized. Skill metrics consistently show that the multi-scale analysis is superior to the single-scale analysis, specifically because it improves small-scale skill without sacrificing skill at larger scales. The analysis skill over a range of spatial scales is determined using wavenumber spectral analysis of 100 m temperature, SSH, and mixed layer depth (MLD). For MLD, the multi-scale assimilation of SWOT data reduces the minimum constrained wavelength from 158 km to 122 km, a 36 km reduction, compared to a single-scale assimilation of the same data. For SSH, the multi-scale approach only reduces constrained scales from 73 km to 72 km, a 1 km reduction. This small increase in skill is caused by the steep wavenumber spectral slope associated with SSH, which suggests that SSH variability is concentrated at long wavelengths. Ultimately, the small-scale update in the multi-scale assimilation has less to correct for SSH. In contrast, MLD has a relatively flat spectral slope. The multi-scale solution can make a more substantial update to the MLD field because it has more small-scale variability. Thus, our results suggest that the magnitude of the skill improvement provided by the multi-scale solution is negatively correlated with the spectral slope of the ocean variable.
The environmental pollutant and tobacco smoke constituent dibenzo[def,p]chrysene is a co-factor for malignant progression of mouse oral papillomavirus infections.

Abstract HPV infections in the oral cavity that progress to cancer are on the increase in the USA. Model systems to study co-factors for progression of these infections are lacking as HPVs are species-restricted and cannot grow in preclinical animal models. We have recently developed a mouse papillomavirus (MmuPV1) oral mucosal infection model that provides opportunities to test, for the first time, the hypothesis that tobacco carcinogens are co-factors that can impact the progression of oral papillomas to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Four cohorts of mice per sex were included: (1) infected with MmuPV1 and treated orally with DMSO-saline; (2) infected with MmuPV1 and treated orally with the tobacco carcinogen, dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBP); (3) uninfected and treated orally with DMSO-saline, and (4) uninfected and treated orally with DBP. Oral swabs were collected monthly for subsequent assessment of viral load. Oral tissues were collected for in situ viral DNA/RNA detection, viral protein staining, and pathological assessment for hyperplasia, papillomas and SCC at study termination. We observed increased rates of SCC in oral tissue infected with MmuPV1 and treated with DBP when compared to mice treated with DBP or virus individually, each of which showed minimal disease. Virally-infected epithelium showed strong levels of viral DNA/RNA and viral protein E4/L1 staining. In contrast, areas of SCC showed reduced viral DNA staining indicative of lower viral copy per nucleus but strong RNA signals. Several host markers (p120 ctn, p53, S100A9) were also examined in the mouse oral tissues; of particular significance, p120 ctn discriminated normal un-infected epithelium from SCC or papilloma epithelium. In summary, we have confirmed that our infection model is an excellent platform to assess the impact of co-factors including tobacco carcinogens for oral PV cancerous progression. Our findings can assist in the design of novel prevention/treatment strategies for HPV positive vs. HPV negative disease.
Ursodeoxycholic Acid Decreases Incidence of Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Biliary Complications After Liver Transplantation: A Meta-Analysis.

After liver transplantation (LT), the role of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is not well characterized. We examine the effect of UDCA after LT in the prophylaxis of biliary complications (BCs) in all-comers for LT and the prevention of recurrent primary biliary cholangitis (rPBC) in patients transplanted for PBC. Two authors searched PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase from January 1990 through December 2018 to identify all studies that evaluate the effectiveness of UDCA prophylaxis after LT for BCs in all LT recipients and rPBC after LT in patients transplanted for PBC. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for endpoints of the BC study. Pooled recurrence rates were calculated for rPBC. The study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. A total of 15 studies were included, comprising 530 patients in the analysis for BCs and 1727 patients in the analysis for rPBC. UDCA was associated with decreased odds of BCs (OR, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.93; P = 0.01) and biliary stones and sludge (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.24-0.77; P = 0.004). Prophylactic use of UDCA did not affect the odds of biliary stricture. For patients transplanted for PBC, the rate of rPBC was lower with the prophylactic use of UDCA (IR 16.7%; 95% CI, 0.114%-22.0%; I2 = 36.1%) compared with not using prophylactic UDCA (IR 23.1%; 95% CI, 16.9%-29.3%; I2 = 86.7%). UDCA after LT reduces the odds of BC and bile stones and sludge in all-comer LT recipients and reduces or delays the incidence of rPBC in patients transplanted for PBC. UDCA use after LT could be considered in all LT recipients to reduce the odds of BC and may be particularly beneficial for patients transplanted for PBC by reducing the incidence of rPBC.
Race, Inclusiveness and Transformation of Legal Education in South Africa

This chapter addresses the following issues: The adoption of the South African Constitution was about upending and disrupting a colonial and racist legal system, thereby mandating a fundamental paradigm shift. The express goal was to transform the content, patterns, processes, symbols, and meaning of law and the Constitution for all South Africans, but especially for the majority black population for whom the impact of the Constitution was expected to be most profound. Consequent to that mandate, my chapter examines whether a paradigm shift implicit in the post-apartheid Constitution impelled legal education sufficiently to transform its major tenets and operations. In investigating this paradigm shift I apply an analysis centred on critical race theory. This chapter is written against the backdrop of extraordinary changes and shifts within the legal profession globally, resulting from the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, the globalisation of legal services, including the outsourcing of legal services, and technology. These changes have significantly weighed upon legal education, indeed has transformed legal education, and have been documented in some detail. These changes will in time have a broader impact on South African legal education. Because I concern myself solely with the contemporary South African context, however, the issues of the 2008 global financial crisis, globalisation and technology and their impact on legal education are not considered for this chapter.
Accuracy of Robotic-Assisted Spinal Surgery-Comparison to TJR Robotics, da Vinci Robotics, and Optoelectronic Laboratory Robotics.

ABSTRACT Background: The optoelectronic camera source and data interpolation serve as the foundation for navigational integrity in the robotic-assisted surgical platform. The objective of the current systematic review serves to provide a basis for the numerical disparity that exists when comparing the intrinsic accuracy of optoelectronic cameras: accuracy observed in the laboratory setting versus accuracy in the clinical operative environment. It is postulated that there exists a greater number of connections in the optoelectronic kinematic chain when analyzing the clinical operative environment to the laboratory setting. This increase in data interpolation, coupled with intraoperative workflow challenges, reduces the degree of accuracy based on surgical application and to that observed in controlled musculoskeletal kinematic laboratory investigations. Methods: Review of the PubMed and Cochrane Library research databases was performed. The exhaustive literature compilation obtained was then vetted to reduce redundancies and categorized into topics of intrinsic optoelectronic accuracy, registration accuracy, musculoskeletal kinematic platforms, and clinical operative platforms. Results: A total of 147 references make up the basis for the current analysis. Regardless of application, the common denominators affecting overall optoelectronic accuracy are intrinsic accuracy, registration accuracy, and application accuracy. Intrinsic accuracy of optoelectronic tracking equaled or was less than 0.1 mm of translation and 0.1° of rotation per fiducial. Controlled laboratory platforms reported 0.1 to 0.5 mm of translation and 0.1°–1.0° of rotation per array. There is a huge falloff in clinical applications: accuracy in robotic-assisted spinal surgery reported 1.5 to 6.0 mm of translation and 1.5° to 5.0° of rotation when comparing planned to final implant position. Total Joint Robotics and da Vinci urologic robotics computed accuracy, as predicted, lies between these two extremes—1.02 mm for da Vinci and 2 mm for MAKO. Conclusions: Navigational integrity and maintenance of fidelity of optoelectronic data is the cornerstone of robotic-assisted spinal surgery. Transitioning from controlled laboratory to clinical operative environments requires an increased number of steps in the optoelectronic kinematic chain and error potential. Diligence in planning, fiducial positioning, system registration, and intraoperative workflow have the potential to improve accuracy and decrease disparity between planned and final implant position. The key determining factors limiting navigation resolution accuracy are highlighted by this Cochrane research analysis.
McNary Dam - Coordination of Project Design and Construction

Four basic factors controlling overall scheduling: navigation; frequency and magnitude of annual floods; temporary fish passage; power on line requirement.
Energy Release in Nuclear Reactions, Neutrons, Fission, and Characteristics of Fission

This introductory chapter covers the background nuclear physics necessary for understanding later calculations of critical mass, nuclear weapon efficiency and yield, and how fissile materials are produced. It describes how the energy released in nuclear reactions can be calculated, how artificially-produced nuclear transmutations were discovered, the discovery of the neutron, artificially-produced radioactivity, the discovery and interpretation of neutron-induced nuclear fission, why only certain isotopes of uranium and plutonium are feasible for use in nuclear weapons, and how nuclear reactors differ from nuclear weapons.
Prevalence of thoracic scoliosis in adults 25 to 64 years of age detected during routine chest radiographs.

To investigate the prevalence of thoracic scoliosis and determine the effect of both age and gender on coronal curve magnitude among asymptomatic adults aged 25–64 years old, using standing posterior-anterior chest radiographs. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study evaluating 500 randomly selected digital posterior-anterior chest radiographs taken at a single institution on an outpatient basis between January 2010 and December 2011. Males (n = 184) and females (n = 316) ranged in age from 25 to 64 years. Patients with symptoms of back pain; including a history of back pain, spinal instrumentation, or known pre-existing spinal disease were excluded. Radiographs were evaluated using Centricity PACS Web Diagnostic 2.1 system (General Electric Co. Fairfield, CT). Coronal Cobb angle measurements of the thoracic spine were quantified by the authors, with scoliosis defined as coronal curves greater than 10°. Curvatures were subdivided into groups: a control group with coronal curves less than 10°, curves measuring 10° to 19°, 20° to 29°, and greater than 30°. The effect of age and gender on curve magnitude was examined using Pearson correlation analysis and linear regression analysis. There was a 13.4 % (67 patients) prevalence of thoracic scoliosis. The prevalence among asymptomatic males was 10.9 %, while the prevalence among asymptomatic females was 14.9 %. 11.6 % demonstrated a coronal curvature between 10° and 19° (58 patients), 1.6 % between 20° and 29° (8 patients), and 0.2 % greater than 30° (1 patient). Age and gender were not found to be significant independent predictors of curve severity. We found a 13.4 % prevalence of thoracic scoliosis among asymptomatic adults aged 25–64 years on routine outpatient chest radiographs. 11.6 % of patients demonstrated a coronal curvature between 10° and 19°. Unlike prior studies evaluating asymptomatic thoracic curves in elderly patients, age and gender did not significantly affect curve magnitude in our younger cohort. These data may provide a reference point to help clinicians counsel asymptomatic patients diagnosed with thoracic scoliosis on routine chest radiographs.
Role of dairy in the carbon footprint of US beef

In PNAS, Eshel et al. (1) present a novel methodology for calculating a suite of ecological impacts from livestock and poultry production in the United States. The authors acknowledge two complementary and valuable approaches in ecological accounting: bottom up and top down. Top-down analyses, however, are only valuable insofar as they adequately represent the structure of the study system. By neglecting the role of the dairy system in beef production, Eshel et al. dramatically overestimate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions attributable to beef.
Polymerization of the triphosphates of ara-C, 2’,2’-difluorodeoxycytidine and OSI-7836 (4’-thio-ara-C, S-ara-C) by human DNA polymerase α and DNA primase

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 2973 OSI-7836, a nucleoside analog in development for the treatment of solid tumors, may act by affecting DNA synthesis. These studies were undertaken to assess and compare the ability of human polymerase α (pol α) to incorporate ara-CTP, dFdCTP, or the triphosphate of OSI-7836 into DNA using either a synthetic DNA primer or an RNA primer generated by pol α primase. The ability to synthesize over these nucleoside lesions when they are in the DNA was also investigated. Pol α incorporated all three compounds into DNA. In general, these compounds increased the KM ‘s and decreased the VMAX ’s as compared to dCTP. Based on the calculated misinsertion frequencies, pol α would insert 1-OSI-7836TP for every 9-dCTP, 1 ara-CTP for every 24-dCTP and 1-dFdCTP for every 83-dCTP’s. All three triphosphates inhibited α primase synthesis following incorporation of the modified nucleoside, with OSI-7836 being the most potent. OSI-7836TP was a better substrate for α primase than ara-CTP, which in turn was superior to CTP (i.e. OSI-7836 > ara-CTP > CTP). In the coupled reaction in terms of inhibiting elongation, OSI-7836TP was superior to ara-CTP, which was also superior to dFdCTP (i.e.OSI-7836TP >> ara-CTP >> dFdCTP). In addition, ara-CTP and dFdCTP were both incorporated and elongated whereas OSI-7836TP was incorporated but led to chain termination. Pol α synthesized over ara-C, dFdC, or OSI-7836 when the lesion was present in a DNA template, but synthesis was altered in a lesion specific manner. When ara-C was present in the template, there was major pausing of translesion synthesis at the base just before the ara-C lesion. When dFdC was present in the DNA template, there was some pausing of translesion synthesis across from the dFdC lesion. When OSI-7836 was present in the DNA template, there was major pausing of translesion synthesis across from the OSI-7836 lesion. These studies showed that human pol α can polymerize ara-CTP, dFdCTP, and OSI-7836TP into DNA; that, in vitro , OSI-7836TP and ara-CTP are chain terminators, while dFdCTP is not; that OSI-7836-TP cannot be used by pol α primase in a coupled reaction with pol α; and that translesion synthesis is slowed when ara-C, dFdC, or OSI-7836 was present in the template DNA, in a lesion specific manner.
Transfer RNA and cell differentiation.

Publisher Summary This chapter explores that cell differentiation involves drastic changes in cell metabolism. Thus, the synthesis of many proteins is stopped and that of new ones has begun. This type of regulation could be called macroregulation in contrast to microregulation, in which the synthesis of a particular protein, or set of proteins in an operon, is specifically regulated by induction and repression. The chapter deals with the possibility of tRNA involvement as a critical factor in cell differentiation at the macroregulation level. Various mechanisms for macroregulation can be visualized. The translation of mRNA into protein involves various components, such as ribosomes, initiation and termination factors, chain elongation factors, tRNA and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. Among these components for code translation, tRNA is the one most likely to be involved in macroregulation because of the unique feature of being multiple for each amino acid and yet ubiquitous for the synthesis of various proteins of the cell. Controls are likely to be operating at both levels. Degeneracy of the code and degeneracy of corresponding adaptors (tRNA) have been established. On the other hand, there is generally a single aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase for each amino acid in bacteria, although, some contradictory results have been reported. In higher organisms, the mitochondria1 system seems to have its own synthetases and tRNA's in addition to cytoplasmic synthetases and tRNA's.
Hybrid plasmonic nanoantennas: Fabrication, characterization and application

III ACKNOWLEDGMENTS V TABLE OF CONTENTS VII LIST OF TABLES IIX LIST OF FIGURES X INTRODUCTION . ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. CHAPTER 1 1.1 RF antenna and Nanoantenna 1 1.2 Evolution of Nanoantenna Research 2 1.3 Nanoantenna Manufacturing 2 1.4 Techniques used in Nanoantenna Characterization 5 1.5 Nanoantenna Simulations 6 1.6 Nanoantenna Applications 7 1.7 Organization of the Dissertation 8 PRINSCIPLES OF NANOANTENNAS 10 CHAPTER 2 2.1 Surface Plasmon Resoance 11 2.2 Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) 22 2.2.1 Conditions for the Existence of LSPR 24 2.2.2 The mechanism for excitation of LSPR 26 2.2.3 Tunable Raditive Properties 27 2.2.4 Effects of Geometries 28 2.2.4.1 Effects of MNPs size 28 2.2.4.2 Effects of MNPs shape 29 2.2.5 Effects of Metal Nanoshell 30 2.2.6 Periodic Structures 31 2.3 The Coupling beween LSPR and SPR Modes 34 2.3.1 Mechanism of SPR and LSPR Coupling Enhancement Detection 35 PLASMANIC NANOANTENNAS:DESIGN AND FABRICATION CHAPTER 3 40 3.
Robust model comparison disfavors power law cosmology

Late-time power law expansion has been proposed as an alternative to the standard cosmological model and shown to be consistent with some low-redshift data. We test power law expansion against the standard flat $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}\mathrm{CDM}$ cosmology using goodness-of-fit and model comparison criteria. We consider type Ia supernova (SN Ia) data from two current compilations (JLA and Union2.1) along with a current set of baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) measurements that includes the high-redshift Lyman-$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ forest measurements from BOSS quasars. We find that neither power law expansion nor $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}\mathrm{CDM}$ is strongly preferred over the other when the SN Ia and BAO data are analyzed separately but that power law expansion is strongly disfavored by the combination. We treat the ${R}_{\mathrm{h}}=ct$ cosmology (a constant rate of expansion) separately and find that it is conclusively disfavored by all combinations of data that include SN Ia observations and a poor overall fit when systematic errors in the SN Ia measurements are ignored, despite a recent claim to the contrary. We discuss this claim and some concerns regarding hidden model dependence in the SN Ia data.
Graduate Teacher Training in the U.S.: Snapshots from the landscape

Los EE.UU no tienen una certificacion federal en el nivel universitario que ordene una formacion pedagogica para la ensenanza en los niveles de grado. Sin embargo, el ambito de la Formacion para los Graduate Assistant (asistentes de Grado) esta creciendo en los Estados Unidos y ha producido varios modelos que se ajustan a una variedad de contextos institucionales. Este texto analiza los modelos de formacion en tres instituciones: la Universidad Estatal de Kennesaw, la Universidad Carnegie Mellon y la Universidad de Colorado-Boulder. A partir de estos modelos, extrapolamos los exitos y los puntos comunes a algunas cuestiones no resueltas, que caracterizan el paisaje de EE.UU. ABSTRACT The U.S. does not have a federal certification for teaching at the university level mandating graduate-level training in pedagogy. Nevertheless, the field of Graduate Assistant Training is thriving in America and has produced several models that fit a variety of institutional contexts. This chapter reviews training models at 3 institutions: Kennesaw State University, Carnegie Mellon University, and University of Colorado–Boulder. From these models, we extrapolate common successes and point out some unresolved issues that characterize the U.S. landscape.
Smart Growth and Urban Development Pattern: A Comparative Study

This article evaluates the efficacy of smart growth instruments in bringing forth compact urban development and neotraditional neighborhood design. The article first sets forth a set of quantitative measures that operationalize five dimensions of compact urban development and neotraditional neighborhood design: street network connectivity, density, land use mix, accessibility, and pedestrian walkability. Using these measures, three study areas are evaluated to determine how well their urban development patterns meet smart growth principles. These study areas are Portland, Oregon; Orange County, Florida; and Montgomery County, Maryland. Findings indicate that all three areas have quite similar development patterns. Findings also suggest that smart growth instruments have altered subdivision design, which is a traditional aspect of physical urban planning. However, smart growth plans have not branched out into non-traditional aspects of planning to encourage mixed land uses and to improve regional accessibi...
Dissecting the genetic architecture of behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

Variation in behaviors in natural populations arises from complex networks of multiple segregating polymorphic alleles whose expression can be modulated by the environment. Since behaviors reflect dynamic interactions between organisms and their environments, they are central targets for adaptive evolution. Drosophila melanogaster presents a powerful system for dissecting the genetic basis of behavioral phenotypes, since both the genetic background and environmental conditions can be controlled and behaviors accurately quantified. Single gene mutational analyses can identify the roles of individual genes within cellular pathways, whereas systems genetic approaches that exploit natural variation can construct genetic networks that underlie phenotypic variation. Combining these approaches with emerging technologies, such as genome editing, is likely to yield a comprehensive understanding of the neurogenetic underpinnings that orchestrate the manifestation of behaviors.
Complexation of cryptand-222 and 18-crown-6 with some alkali metal ions in several dioxane-water solvent mixtures

Abstract The complexation of cryptand-222 and 18-crown-6 with some alkali metal ions in several dioxane-water solvent mixtures was investigated by a competitive calorimetric titration method. The stabilities of the resulting metal ion complexes in the solvent mixtures are discussed in terms of ligand structural features and preferential solvation properties. The results showed that the macrobicyclic diaza polyether with a three-dimensional cavity has a larger capability than 18-crown-6 to encapsulate ionic species and to screen the interactions between encapsulated cations and solvent molecules. Formation of cryptates was both enthalpy and entropy stabilized, whereas the complexes of 18-crown-6 were only enthalpy stabilized.
Thermal acclimation and whole-plant carbon balance in Zostera marina L. (eelgrass)

Thermal acclimation in eelgrass Zostera marina L. was investigated in laboratory experiments after growing plants at 10 and 20°C for 21 days under a 12:12 L:D regime. Metabolic rates showed significant shifts in short-term response to temperature in leaves and roots. Growth rates, tissue carbohydrate concentrations and metabolic rates measured at the two growth temperatures were statistically identical, indicating that thermal acclimation was essentially complete at these temperatures. When measured at pO2 values high enough to achieve capacity rates of respiration, thermal responses of respiration (Q10) were lower than previously reported while the thermal response of photosynthesis (measured at pO2 below air saturation) was similar to previous reports. Daily C budgets constructed from metabolic rate data indicated that Hsat periods required for photosynthesis to balance C demand can vary from 3 to > 12 h, depending on the ratios of net photosynthesis: respiration (Pnet: R) and shoot: root. Since Z. marina. shows evidence of thermal acclimation, seasonal changes in ambient temperature may not significantly affect Hsat requirements and whole-plant C balance. Rapid mortality at high temperatures during summer may result instead from thermal disruption of metabolism while internal C reserves may be important in meeting C demand during winter periods of low light availability, particularly among high-latitude populations.
Lexicographically optimal smoothing for broadband traffic multiplexing

We investigate the problem of smoothing multiplexed network traffic, when either a streaming server transmits data to multiple clients, or a server accesses data from multiple storage devices or other servers. We introduce efficient algorithms for lexicographically optimally smoothing the aggregate bandwidth requirements over a shared network link. In the data transmission problem, we consider the case in which the clients have different buffer capacities but no bandwidth constraints, or no buffer capacities but different bandwidth constraints. For the data access problem, we handle the general case of a shared buffer capacity and individual network bandwidth constraints. Previous approaches in the literature for the data access problem handled either the case of only a single stream or did not compute the lexicographically optimal schedule.Lexicographically optimal smoothing (lexopt smoothing) has several advantages. By provably minimizing the variance of the required aggregate bandwidth, maximum resource requirements within the network become more predictable, and useful resource utilization increases. Fairness in sharing a network link by multiple users can be improved, and new requests from future clients are more likely to be successfully admitted without the need for frequently rescheduling previously accepted traffic. Efficient resource management at the network edges can better meet quality of service requirements without restricting the scalability of the system.
Real-World Projects Reinforce Fundamentals in the Classroom

In academia, achieving a balance between teaching fundamental principles and the application of those principles continues to be a challenge. One of the purposes of education is to teach fundamental principles and the thought process. Graduating engineers, however, also need experience and competence in real–world engineering problems. All engineering courses should be based on fundamental principles, but some courses should also demonstrate how to apply engineering concepts to practical engineering problems. This paper is directed primarily at courses that are more applied in nature. One of the factors complicating the implementation of applied courses is the lack of practical engineering experience by some faculty. If the faculty member goes from graduate student to assistant professor without experience in the profession, it may be difficult for the faculty member to generate meaningful classroom examples. Quality, real-world design problems can often be gleaned from research projects, consulting projects, or supplied by engineering firms. Another challenge is finding appropriate textbooks that address practical problems encountered in real-world engineering.
Asymptotic analysis of the boundary layer for the Reissner-Mindlin plate model

We investigate the structure of the solution of the Reissner–Mindlin plate equations in its dependence on the plate thickness in the cases of soft and hard clamped, soft and hard simply supported, and traction free boundary conditions. For the transverse displacement, rotation, and shear stress, we develop asymptotic expansions in powers of the plate thickness. These expansions are uniform up to the boundary for the transverse displacement, but for the other variables there is a boundary layer, which is stronger for the soft simply supported and traction-free plate and weaker for the soft clamped plate than for the hard clamped and hard simply supported plate. We give rigorous error bounds for the errors in the expansions in Sobolev norms. As an application, we derive new regularity results for the solutions and new estimates for the difference between the Reissner–Mindlin solution and the solution to the corresponding biharmonic model.
Protegrin-1 (PG-1), An Antimicrobial Peptide Forms Ion Channels: Atomic Force Microscopy, Channel Conductance, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are an emerging class of antibiotics being investigated in search for safer and effective means to manage emerging antibiotic-resistant microbial strains. An extensive body of work makes protegrin-1 (PG-1) a model antibiotic candidate among β-hairpin AMPs. 3D structural substrate and the mechanism underlying AMPs' ability to disrupt cell membrane defense are not completely understood. We present computational and experimental evidence showing that the β-hairpin PG-1 aggregates and forms ion channels in target cell membranes. We used complementary approaches, including Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) imaging, Planar Lipid Bilayer (PLB) reconstitution and cellular toxicity measurements. MD simulations indicate that PG-1 does not form fibrillar structures on the surface of DOPS/POPE bilayers. However, PG-1 aggregates into channel-like structures with loosely attached subunits when inserted into anionic lipid bilayers. AFM images show no PG-1 fibril formations on the lipid bilayers. However, on a negative non permeable surface, PG-1 formed fibrils that bear some resemblance to amyloids fibers. On the other hand, AFM images show channel-like structures formed by PG-1 when reconstituted in DOPS/POPE bilayers. In PLB electrical conductance measurements, we observed multiple single channel conductances consistent with the heterogeneous oligomeric channel structures seen in AFM images. In addition, PG-1 channel formation seems to be lipid-dependent: PG-1 does not form channels in PC membranes, but forms channels in membranes rich in PE, PG or PS. Unlike amyloid channels, Zn2+ does not inhibit PG-1 channel conductance. Microbial cells treated with PG-1 showed antimicrobial activity consistent with ion leakage. The combined results support a model where the β-hairpin PG-1 antibiotic permeates membranes by forming ion conductive channel-like structures and cause cell injury.Supported by NIH (NIA) and NCI Contract HHSN261200800001E.
Competitive employment: Assessing employee reactivity to naturalistic observation

This study assessed the work behavior of five mentally retarded dishwashers. An ABCBC design was utilized with special educators initially observing the dishwashers (Overt measures). During the B phases these educators observed the same dishwashers' work behavior while a second group of observers, posing as kitchen laborers (coworkers), assessed work behavior, during other periods of the day (Overt or Covert). Finally, during C phases, special educators and coworkers recorded dishwashers working at the same time (Overt and Covert). Results indicated dishwashers worked more when educators observed them. Dishwashers spent less time working when these educators were absent. During the “Overt and Covert” observation phases (Phase C), where covert measures were taken in addition to overt measures (i.e., at the same time and on the same person), covert measures covaried with educators' measures of work performance. These results are discussed with suggestions to initiate a program of research to investigate the use of coworkers in the administration of behavior change methods, in work settings.
A Complete Nonparametric Event Study Approach

Event studies have been used to examine the direction, magnitude, and speed of security price reactions to various phenomenon. Concerns over the lack of normality in stock return distributions motivated the introduction of nonparametric test statistics in the event study literature. A parametric procedure (OLS), however, has been extensively employed in the estimation of parameters for the market model. This paper, in contrast, applies Theil's nonparametric regression in the estimation of abnormal returns; an approach which is distribution free and provides a complete nonparametric approach for the detection of abnormal performance. Simulation results indicate Theil's estimation procedure offers a slight improvement in power in the detection of abnormal performance over the traditionally employed methodology. The results suggest employing Theil's nonparametric estimation procedure combined with the rank statistic. This complete nonparametric combination offers similar power with fewer underlying assumptions.
Calcium ionophore X-537A increases spontaneous and phasic quantal release of acetylcholine at frog neuromuscular junction.

TRANSMITTER release from nerve endings is believed to be triggered by the influx of Ca2+, which is thought to enter the terminal as a result of an increase in conductance produced by the action potential1. At the neuromuscular junction the evidence for the role of Ca2+ is largely indirect, based on changes in endplate potential (e.p.p.) amplitude following variations in [Ca2+]0. Miledi2 showed that microinjection of Ca2+ into the presynaptic terminal at the synapse of the squid giant axon causes a brief period of enhanced quantal release. Ca2+ also affects the rate of spontaneous quantal release at the neuromuscular junction; miniature end-plate potential (m.e.p.p.) frequencies are very low in solutions with reduced Ca2+ (ref. 3–5) The mode of action of Ca2+ within the terminal remains largely a matter of speculation. Now a new tool has become available: an ionophore, X-537A, that transfers both univalent and divalent cations across lipid bilayers and cell membranes6–10. Using X-537A it may be possible to change intracellular Ca2+ levels while observing changes in quantal release. The ionophore might also be used to transfer other divalent metal ions into the terminal, to see how effective they are compared with Ca2+.
Pediatric Minor Closed Head Injury

Many studies have found conflicting evidence over the use of clinical indicators to predict intracranial injury in pediatric mild head injury. Although altered mental status, loss of consciousness, and abnormal neurologic examination have all been found to be more prevalent among head-injured children, studies have observed inconsistent results over their specificity and predictive value. Children older than 2 years have been evaluated, managed, and studied differently than those less than 2 years old. Evidence strongly supports a lower threshold to perform a CT scan in younger children because they have a higher risk of significant brain injury after blunt head trauma.
SU‐E‐I‐71: Effective Dose and Thyroid Dose in Interventional Neuroradiology

Purpose: To investigate the effects of x‐ray tube voltage and projection angle on the effective dose and thyroid gland dose from Interventional Neuroradiology (INR) procedures performed in the head and neck as a function of the Kerma Area Product. Methods: X‐ray tube voltage, image size, and projection angle data were collected on 68 adult INR procedures conducted during a one‐month period. These procedures consisted of diagnostic, and treatments for aneurysm, AVM, and stroke. A commercial patient Dosimetrysoftware package (PCXMC 2.0.1) was used to simulate typical radiation beam geometries established from the collected data at a series of projections in the Posteroanterior (PA) and Lateral (L) planes to estimate effective dose (E) and thyroid gland dose (DT). For a given projection and beam quality normalized E and DT were obtained by dividing by the Kerma Area Product (KAP) (ie. mSv, or mGy, per mGy‐cm2). Results: The typical x‐ray tube voltages ranged between 95 to 105 kV in the PA plane, and were more varied in the L plane with the two most common voltages at 72 and 102 kV. The PA plane showed greater variability in the image size than the L plane by a factor of 1.8, and ranged from 11 cm to 32 cm. Projections angles ranged up to 40 degrees from the centerline in both planes. Projection angle changes in the PA showed an increase in the DT/KAP by a factor of 2 when greater than 30 degrees. Conclusions: Patient radiation doses are reduced in the PA compared with the L projections, and lower when the majority of the imaging is centered in the head versus the neck region. E is ∼30% greater for imaging done in the neck than the head, and DT is 4 times greater in the L than the PA projection.
Interpretation of Highly Intelastic Proton-Proton Interactions at 10, 20, and 30 BeV/ c

A phenomenological analysis of the proton spectra resulting from inelastic proton-proton interactions is presented which suggests the existence of a bremsstrahlung-type process of pion production for highly inelastic collisions. A relation $\overline{n}=\frac{{{p}_{0}}^{*}{sin\ensuremath{\theta}}^{*}}{0.4}$ is found between the implied average number of produced pions $\overline{n}$, the c.m. angle of scatter of the proton ${\ensuremath{\theta}}^{*}$, and the c.m. incident-proton momentum ${{p}_{0}}^{*}$. A simple expression for the differential cross section for secondary protons yields excellent agreement with data over a wide range of angle, momenta, and incident-proton momenta.
Comparing temporal aspects of visual, tactile, and microstimulation feedback for motor control

Objectives. Current brain−computer interfaces (BCIs) rely on visual feedback, requiring sustained visual attention to use the device. Improvements to BCIs may stem from the development of an effective way to provide quick feedback independent of vision. Tactile stimuli, either delivered on the skin surface, or directly to the brain via microstimulation in somatosensory cortex, could serve that purpose. We examined the effectiveness of vibrotactile stimuli and microstimulation as a means of non-visual feedback by using a fundamental element of feedback: the ability to react to a stimulus while already in motion. Approach. Human and monkey subjects performed a center-out reach task which was, on occasion, interrupted with a stimulus cue that instructed a change in reach target. Main results. Subjects generally responded faster to tactile cues than to visual cues. However, when we delivered cues via microstimuation in a monkey, its response was slower on average than for both tactile and visual cues. Significance. Tactile and microstimulation feedback can be used to rapidly adjust movements mid-flight. The relatively slow speed of microstimulation is surprising and warrants further investigation. Overall, these results highlight the importance of considering temporal aspects of feedback when designing alternative forms of feedback for BCIs.
Concept demonstration of modal damping, a nonlinear structural vibration control scheme applied to a small scale vibrating aluminum cantilever model

Modal damping was conceived as a vibration control concept that could possibly be applied to a select set of long, flexible structures. The approach was designed to exploit damping mechanisms inherent in structures by capitalizing on distinctive dynamic properties existing among the structure’s vibration modes. Modal damping transfers vibration energy from the fundamental mode where most vibration energy of civil structures of interest resides, to higher order modes where vibration impedance was found to be more effective. The closed-loop, semi-active control concept was first investigated by way of dynamic simulation. The results reflected improved settling times and prompted a concept demonstration test using a small-scale structure that was modeled after a real-world and highly dynamic structure. The experimental results were found to corroborate those of the simulation. Of particular interest was the engineered control system designed to effect inter-modal energy transfer using motion control forces v...
Controllability implications of Newton's third law

For the mixed problem in particle dynamics, some aspects of both the motion and the system forces are specified. A solution consists of the complete specification of internal and external forces as functions of time and of the motions of the particles. Such problems may be viewed as control problems with the as-of-yet undetermined forces as controls. Controllability implications may then be used to establish whether these forces are sufficient to sustain the required motions. This viewpoint is used here to illustrate, by means of examples, that central internal forces are insufficient to sustain certain motions, whereas these same motions may be sustained by noncentral internal forces. The implications are that the postulation of the strong form of Newton's third law is too restrictive and should be dropped in favor of the weak form, which is more in keeping with Newton's original intent.
Evaluation of a 15-year experience with splenic injuries in a state trauma system

Background The management of splenic injuries has evolved with a greater emphasis on nonoperative management. Although several institutions have demonstrated that nonoperative management of splenic injuries can be performed with an increasing degree of success, the impact of this treatment shift on outcome for all patients with splenic injuries remains unknown. We hypothesized that outcomes for patients with splenic injuries have improved as the paradigm for splenic injury treatment has shifted. Methods Consecutive patients from 1987 to 2001 with splenic injuries who were entered into a state trauma registry were reviewed. Demographic variables, injury characteristics, and outcome data were collected. Results The number of patients who were diagnosed with splenic injuries increased from 1987 through 2001, despite a stable number of institutions submitting data to the registry. The number of minor injuries and severe splenic injuries remained stable, and the number of moderately severe injuries significantly increased over time. Overall mortality rate improved but primarily reflected the decreased mortality rates of moderately severe injuries; the mortality rate for severe splenic injuries was unchanged. Conclusion Trauma centers are seeing increasing numbers of splenic injuries that are less severe in magnitude, although the number of the most severe splenic injuries is stable. The increased proportion of patients with less severe splenic injuries who are being admitted to trauma centers is a significant factor in the increased use and success rate of nonoperative management.
Hypnotherapy in the management of childhood habit disorders

Hypnotherapy may sometimes be helpful in treating childhood habit disorders, provided that it is used with the same caution as are other treatment modalities. This paper clarifies some common misconceptions about hypnosis with children, notes indications and contraindications, describes a patient in whom hypnotherapy was used to treat hair pulling, and offers information about training in hypnosis and locating qualified hypnotherapists.
Acoustic Measurements in the EBR-II Reactor Primary Sodium Tank

Two sodium-immersed detectors, a microphone and an acoustic waveguide, have been developed, installed, and used for monitoring acoustic background of Experimental Breeder Reactor No. II (EBR-II). The microphone signal is free of structural resonances which appear in the signals from accelerometers mounted on the waveguide and various reactor components. Sound pressure level decreased by an order of magnitude when the primary sodium coolant flow was reduced from 100% to 50%. At full flow and independent of reactor power, the 1-millibar r.m.s. sound pressure as sensed by the sodium-immersed microphone had the characteristics of wideband noise over the frequency range 0.6 to 40 kHz.
Quantifying the proteolytic release of extracellular matrix-sequestered VEGF with a computational model

Background VEGF proteolysis by plasmin or matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is believed to play an important role in regulating vascular patterning in vivo by releasing VEGF from the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, a quantitative understanding of the kinetics of VEGF cleavage and the efficiency of cell-mediated VEGF release is currently lacking. To address these uncertainties, we develop a molecular-detailed quantitative model of VEGF proteolysis, used here in the context of an endothelial sprout.
Note on stresses and displacements in square plates and cylinders with pressurized central circular holes

Abstract Accurate elastic solutions for perforated squares subjected to internal pressure are reported for hole diameter to plate width ratios of 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.85 and 0.9. A point-matching procedure is used to generate solutions that satisfy the internal boundary conditions exactly and the external boundary conditions approximately. The degree of approximation is examined by inspection of residual tractions along the outer boundary. Plane-stress and plane-strain conditions are considered, and the superposition by which the solutions for external pressure can be obtained from the solutions for internal pressure is indicated.
Sex and Marital Status Differences in Death Anxiety

Previous research in death anxiety has suggested that marital roles, and especially the male's role as the family provider, influence the sex differences in death attitudes. This study investigated the effect of marital roles by comparing sex differences in death anxiety scores of married persons with and without children, and of single persons. In addition, twenty demographic covariates were investigated to observe their possible effect on death anxiety. The results of the multiple regression analysis indicated that marital status was not significantly related to death anxiety. However, single males were found to have significantly higher death anxiety than single females. Whether a family member or friend had died in the last year, education, race, age, and religious preference were also significantly related.