cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The influence of the type of gas on the reduction of skin friction drag by microbubble injection

The influence of the type of gas on the performance of microbubble skin friction reduction was investigated on an axisymmetric body. Gases were selected which covered a wide range of densities and solubilities. Integrated skin friction measurements, which span a range of velocities (U∞) from roughly 10 to 20 m/s and tunnel pressures from 1 to 2.6 atm, are presented as a function of gas flow rate. All gases show qualitatively similar behavior. The gas volume flowrate, referenced to injector ambient conditions (tunnel temperature and pressure), is shown to correlate the drag reducing behavior of all the gases at one velocity, independent of pressure. A normalization based on the volume flowrate through the turbulent boundary layer is shown to nearly collapse all the results independent of velocity or pressure. The results indicate that high ambient pressures may degrade the drag reducing capabilities of highly soluble gases.
Membrane-less and mediator-free enzymatic biofuel cell using carbon nanotube/porous silicon electrodes

Abstract Membrane-less and mediator-free direct electron transfer enzymatic biofuel cells (BFCs) with bioelectrodes comprised of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) deposited by two methods on porous silicon (pSi) substrates, are reported. In one method the SWNTs were grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and then functionalized with carboxylic groups, and in the second method, pre-synthesized carboxylated SWNTs (c-SWNTs) were electrophoretically deposited on gold-coated pSi. Anodic glucose oxidase (GOx) and cathodic laccase (Lac) were immobilized on the pSi/SWNT substrates to form BFCs in pH 7 phosphate buffer solution. A peak power density of 1.38 μW/cm 2 (with a lifetime of 24 h) down to 0.3 μW/cm 2 was obtained for a BFC comprised of c-SWNT/enzyme electrodes in 4 mM glucose solution as fuel, corresponding to normal blood sugar concentration, and air as oxidant. BFCs of this relatively simple architecture have the potential for further optimization of power output and lifetime.
A cross-cultural comparison of perceived fairness and satisfaction in the context of hotel room pricing.

Abstract In this study, we examined the role of culture in influencing customer reactions to differential pricing policies. Specifically, we investigated how two factors, price outcome (worse/same/better price) and information on the hotel's pricing policy, influence perceived fairness and satisfaction judgments of customers from two different cultures—USA (Western, individualistic culture) and South Korea (Eastern, collectivist culture). Our results indicate that US consumers seem to prefer equitable outcomes to better or worse price. Moreover, offering information on the hotel's pricing policy had a more positive impact on Korean travelers than their American counterparts.
Effects of some organic solvents on the reactivity of sodium plus potassium ion-transport ATPase

Abstract 1. 1. Organic solvents including aliphatic alcohols, acetone, diethyl ether and chloroform inhibited (Na + + K + )-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) of the plasma membranes of guinea pig kidney. Inhibition was uncompetitive with respect to ATP if the ATP concentration was larger than 5 μM. Below this concentration of ATP, K + inhibits rather than stimulates the Na + -dependent splitting of ATP by the native enzyme. The tested organic solvents converted this K + inhibition into K + stimulation. In the presence of these solvents, the apparent affinity of the enzyme increased for Na + and ATP and decreased for K + as estimated by the kinetics of ATP hydrolysis. Apparent homotropic allosteric interaction between the Na + and K + sites increased. 2. 2. Organic solvents interfered with different steps of the transient phosphorylation of the enzyme. As estimated by pulse labeling, organic solvents enhanced interaction of ATP with the enzyme prior to phosphorylation both in the absence or in the presence of K + . The solvents decreased the rate of dephosphorylation of the phospho-enzyme either in the presence of K + (native enzyme) or in the presence of ADP ( N -ethylmaleimide-treated enzyme) but they did not affect the ratio of the ADP-sensitive form of the native phospho-enzyme to the K + -sensitive form. Rephosphorylation by ATP of the dephospho-enzyme, formed by adding Rb + , was accelerated by organic solvents. 3. 3. Interaction of the enzyme with these organic solvents appeared to be primarily hydrophobic, as the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of these solvents correlated with their octanol-water partition coefficients and with the length of the hydrophobic side chain in the series of homologous aliphatic alcohols. 4. 4. It is considered that these modifications of (Na + + K + )-ATPase were due partly to conformational changes of the enzyme, and partly to changes in the water structure around the active center which is proposed to be in a hydrophobic environment.
Solution structure and hydration patterns of a pyrimidine.purine.pyrimidine DNA triplex containing a novel T.CG base-triple.

Abstract The solution structure of a pyrimidine?purine?pyrimidine DNA triplex containing a novel T?CG base-triple has been determined via two and three-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and restrained molecular dynamics simulations incorporating explicit solvent and counter-ions. The T?CG triple, which expands the triplex code, is stabilized by a single hydrogen bond between the O-2 atom of thymine and the free amino proton of cytosine in the Watson-Crick C?G base-pair. This hydrogen bonding alignment produces large variations in helical twist at the dinucleotide steps involving the thymine residue. Localized structural perturbations in the purine-rich strand of the molecule are observed around the cytosine residue in the T?CG triple. Globally, the triplex resembles the solution structure of a previously solved pyrimidine?purine?pyrimidine DNA triplex containing an unusual G?TA triple. Also conserved are the sites and patterns of hydration in the two triplexes.
Plasmodium vivax malaria complicated by splenic infarct

An 11-year-old girl presented with Plasmodium vivax malaria complicated by shock and acute renal failure. The diagnosis of malaria was based on demonstration of trophozoites of P. vivax in the peripheral blood smear and a positive rapid malarial antigen test for P. vivax but negative for P. falciparum. She responded to parenteral artesunate and supportive care. During the course of her infection, she developed pain in her left hypochondrium. Ultrasonography showed multiple hypo-echoic lesions in the spleen and CT scan revealed multiple splenic infarcts. Management was restricted to close clinical monitoring and analgesia. We consider that this is the first report of splenic infarct complicating the course of childhood P. vivax malaria in the English literature. Physicians should suspect and investigate for this rare complication if a patient with malaria complains of left upper quadrant abdominal pain, pleuritic left lower chest pain and/or enlarging tender splenomegaly during the course of malaria infection.
Characterization of perchlorate in a new frozen human urine standard reference material

Perchlorate, an inorganic anion, has recently been recognized as an environmental contaminant by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Urine is the preferred matrix for assessment of human exposure to perchlorate. Although the measurement technique for perchlorate in urine was developed in 2005, the calibration and quality assurance aspects of the metrology infrastructure for perchlorate are still lacking in that there is no certified reference material (CRM) traceable to the International System of Units. To meet the quality assurance needs in biomonitoring measurements of perchlorate and the related anions that affect thyroid health, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), developed Standard Reference Material (SRM) 3668 Mercury, Perchlorate, and Iodide in Frozen Human Urine. SRM 3668 consists of perchlorate, nitrate, thiocyanate, iodine, and mercury in urine at two levels that represent the 50th and 95th percentiles, respectively, of the concentrations (with some adjustments) in the US population. It is the first CRM being certified for perchlorate. Measurements leading to the certification of perchlorate were made collaboratively at NIST and CDC using three methods based on liquid or ion chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Potential sources of bias were analyzed, and results were compared for the three methods. Perchlorate in SRM 3668 Level I urine was certified to be 2.70 ± 0.21 μg L(-1), and for SRM 3668 Level II urine, the certified value is 13.47 ± 0.96 μg L(-1).
Coronary Microvascular Rarefaction and Myocardial Fibrosis in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background—Characterization of myocardial structural changes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has been hindered by the limited availability of human cardiac tissue. Cardiac hypertrophy, coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary microvascular rarefaction, and myocardial fibrosis may contribute to HFpEF pathophysiology. Methods and Results—We identified HFpEF patients (n=124) and age-appropriate control subjects (noncardiac death, no heart failure diagnosis; n=104) who underwent autopsy. Heart weight and CAD severity were obtained from the autopsy reports. With the use of whole-field digital microscopy and automated analysis algorithms in full-thickness left ventricular sections, microvascular density (MVD), myocardial fibrosis, and their relationship were quantified. Subjects with HFpEF had heavier hearts (median, 538 g; 169% of age-, sex-, and body size–expected heart weight versus 335 g; 112% in controls), more severe CAD (65% with ≥1 vessel with >50% diameter stenosis in HFpEF ver...
Radiometric ratio characterization for low-to-mid CPV modules operating in variable irradiance conditions

In this work, a concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) design methodology is proposed which aims to maximize system efficiency for a given irradiance condition. In this technique, the acceptance angle of the system is radiometrically matched to the angular spread of the site’s average irradiance conditions using a simple geometric ratio. The optical efficiency of CPV systems from flat-plate to high-concentration is plotted at all irradiance conditions. Concentrator systems are measured outdoors in various irradiance conditions to test the methodology. This modeling technique is valuable at the design stage to determine the ideal level of concentration for a CPV module. It requires only two inputs: the acceptance angle profile of the system and the site’s average direct and diffuse irradiance fractions. Acceptance angle can be determined by raytracing or testing a fabricated prototype in the lab with a solar simulator. The average irradiance conditions can be found in the Typical Metrological Year (TMY3) database. Additionally, the information gained from this technique can be used to determine tracking tolerance, quantify power loss during an isolated weather event, and do more sophisticated analysis such as I-V curve simulation.
Distal Humerus Fractures

Fractures of the distal humerus in adults have traditionally presented a treatment challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. The combination of anatomic complexity, multifragmentary comminution, and a short distal segment, often in the setting of osteoporotic bone, renders these fractures difficult to treat successfully and often make a full restoration of function uncertain. Multiple methods of treatment for these fractures have been described, including bracing, internal fixation, hemiarthroplasty, and total elbow arthroplasty. This article reviews the epidemiology and classification of these injuries and the numerous described fixation and arthroplasty techniques. The current treatment algorithm and authors' preferred method of internal fixation are also illustrated. Additionally, the treatment of these injuries in the elderly population and the complications of surgical treatment are reviewed.
A general NMR method for the assay of racemase activity with optically active or optically inactive substrates.

Abstract A rapid and sensitive method is described for determining the activity of alanine racemase (5.1.1.1) with its substrates. Alanine racemase from Bacillus subtilis catalyzes the exchange of the α hydrogen of l and d alanine, a racemic mixture of alanine as well as both the α hydrogens of glycine with D 2 O. The rate of exchange which can be followed by NMR spectroscopy is proportional to the enzyme concentration. This assay has been used to test a wide variety of possible substrates and thus determine the specificity of the enzyme.
Terrorism, Posttraumatic Stress, Spiritual Coping, and Mental Health

This study examines stress and coping in relation to mental health and spiritual outcomes following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In November 2001, a survey was mailed to a stratified, randomized sample of registered voters from six communities in Massachusetts (n = 231) and New York City (n = 58). The Short PTSD Rating Interview (SPRINT) posttraumatic stress scale, positive and negative spiritual coping, spiritual outcomes, the Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) Health Survey Mental Health subscale, and measures of prayer, church attendance and seeking social support comprised the questionnaire. Residents averaged between partial to full levels of posttraumatic stress, highest in New York City residents, but unrelated to knowing someone injured/killed in the tragedy. Seeking time with family and friends, positive spiritual coping attitudes, prayer, and attending a religious service were strongly related to positive spiritual outcomes. A decreased mental health score correlated with high stress score and negative sp...
Identifying Justifications in Written Dialogs

In written dialog, discourse participants need to justify claims they make, to convince the reader the claim is true and/or relevant to the discourse. This paper presents a new task (with an associated corpus), namely detecting such justifications. We investigate the nature of such justifications, and observe that the justifications themselves often contain discourse structure. We therefore develop a method to detect the existence of certain types of discourse relations, which helps us classify whether a segment is a justification or not. Our task is novel, and our work is novel in that it uses a large set of connectives (which we call indicators), and in that it uses a large set of discourse relations, without choosing among them.
Understanding Meta-Analysis: A Review of the Methodological Literature

Meta-analysis is a quantitative technique that uses specific measures (e.g., an effect size) to indicate the strength of variable relationships for the studies included in the analysis. The technique emphasizes results across multiple studies as opposed to results from a single investigation. This article provides an introduction to the meta-analysis literature and discusses the challenges of applying meta-analysis to human dimensions research. Specifically, we review the definitions of meta-analysis techniques, the steps in conducting a meta-analysis, and the advantages and disadvantages of meta-analysis.
Pesticides and hypospadias: a meta-analysis.

Abstract Objective To use meta-analytic techniques to synthesize the findings of the current body of published literature regarding the risk of hypospadias resulting from parental exposure to pesticides. Materials and methods A search of Pub Med for original research published in English from January 1966 through March 2008 identified 552 studies, 90 of which were reviewed in detail. Nine studies met all study inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently abstracted data from each included study. Any disagreements were resolved by consensus. Pooled risk ratios (PRRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using both random and fixed effects models, along with statistical tests of homogeneity. Results Elevated but marginally significant risks of hypospadias were associated with maternal occupational exposure (PRR of 1.36, CI = 1.04–1.77), and paternal occupational exposure (PRR of 1.19, CI = 1.00–1.41). Subgroup analyses provided insights into needed designs for future studies. Notably, exposure assessment using a job-exposure matrix resulted in slightly higher estimated risk than agricultural occupation in fathers; but this effect was reversed in mothers, suggesting the importance of indirect and residential pesticide exposures in this group. Conclusions Despite potential exposure misclassification, which would tend to diminish observed associations, the previous literature indicates a modestly increased risk of hypospadias associated with pesticide exposure.
Modeling of α-MSH conformations with implicit solvent

A conformational search for the most probable structures of the hormone alpha-MSH in aqueous solution was performed in order to help determine the structural features necessary for biological activity. The free-energy surface was modeled using methods from integral equation theory, and high-temperature molecular dynamics was used to enhance conformational sampling. Families of low free-energy structures have been found. The minimum energy structure shows a stable beta-turn conformation in the putative message region that is stabilized by a salt bridge between Glu5 and Lys11. The orientation of the side chains reflects the amphiphilic nature of the peptide, and a close interaction between the side chains of the His6, Phe7 and Trp9 was observed. Several structural features observed in the minimum energy structure agree well with experimental results. The conformational features led to a hypothesis of a receptor-hormone interaction model in which the hydrophobic side chains of Phe7 and Trp9 interact with the transmembrane portion of the human melanocortin (MC1) receptor. Also, the positively charged side chain of Arg8 and the imidazole side chain of His6 may interact with the negatively charged portions of the receptor which may even be on the receptor's extracellular loops.
Four-loop vacuum energy beta function in O(N) symmetric scalar theory.

The {beta} function of the vacuum energy density is computed at the four-loop level in massive O({ital N}) symmetric {phi}{sup 4} theory. Dimensional regularization is used in conjunction with the MS scheme and all calculations are in momentum space in the massive theory. The result is {beta}{sub {ital v}}=({ital N}/4){ital g}+[{ital N}({ital N}+2)/96]{ital g}{sup 3}+{l_brace}{ital N}({ital N}+2)({ital N}+8)[12{zeta}(3){minus}25]/1296{r_brace}{ital g}{sup 4}+{ital O}({ital g}{sup 5}). {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers: effects of heating on modal characteristics and threshold current

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have unique properties that distinguish them from conventional edge-emitting semiconductor lasers and render them very attractive for a number of novel applications. In addition to those distinguishing features, due to intense heating the role of thermal effects in VCSELs is by far more prominent than in edge emitters. In this paper, a brief review is given of some of VCSEL properties influenced by temperature. Effects of temperature on spectral device characteristics are discussed, including the temperature dependence of the longitudinal mode spectra and the transverse-mode structure. A new condition is formulated for thermal matching of the Bragg mirrors and the spacer region. Temperature sensitivity of threshold current is also considered, and the dominant role of the gain peak/cavity resonance detuning is described.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparison of Promoter Hypermethylation Pattern in Salivary Rinses Collected with and without an Exfoliating Brush from Patients with HNSCC

Background Salivary rinses have been recently proposed as a valuable resource for the development of epigenetic biomarkers for detection and monitoring of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Both salivary rinses collected with and without an exfoliating brush from patients with HNSCC are used in detection of promoter hypermethylation, yet their correlation of promoter hypermethylation has not been evaluated. This study was to evaluate the concordance of promoter hypermethylation between salivary rinses collected with and without an exfoliating brush from patients with HNSCC.
Formation of alkanes from fatty acids in the presence of CaCO3

Abstract Experiments show that degradation of fatty acids to alkanes is promoted by the presence of CaCO3. The distribution of reaction products suggests that the primary reaction involves beta cleavage of the fatty acid. The formation of some alkanes in carbonate rocks may be promoted during burial by thermal-catalytic effects of the carbonates themselves.
Effect of Microbial Phytase on Nitrogen and Amino Acid Digestibility and Nitrogen Retention of Turkey Poults Fed Corn-Soybean Meal Diets

Abstract The effect of microbial phytase on N and amino acid (AA) digestibility and N retention was investigated in a 29-d trial using 480 Nicholas Large White Turkey female poults fed corn-soybean meal diets. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used with 0.45 and 0.60% nonphytate P (nP), 22.5 and 28.0% CP, and 0 and 750 U of microbial phytase/kg of diet. At 0.45% nP, adding phytase to either 22.5 or 28.0% CP diets increased BW gain (P 0.10) than observed for 0.45% nP and inconsistent. Apparent and true ileal digestibility of N and AA was estimated by using chromic oxide as an indicator at Day 24. At 0.45% nP, adding phytase to 22.5% CP diets tended to improve the apparent and true ileal digestibility of N and AA, except cysteine or methionine; adding phytase to 28.0% CP diets increased the digestibility of N and most of the AA (P
Microwave exposure levels encountered by police traffic radar operators

The microwave exposure levels encountered by police traffic radar operators for different radar models and different antenna mounting configurations were studied. Measurements were made at the antenna aperture of 5000 radar devices over a 10-year period. Free-space power-density patterns and actual power densities encountered by radar operators for different antenna configurations were measured and analyzed. This analysis leads to the development of a simple model that can be used to estimate exposure levels encountered by radar operators for virtually every existing radar device, and it provides a framework for predicting exposure levels for future devices as well. The basic conclusion of this research is that, when the radar device is being operated properly, the microwave exposure levels encountered by radar operators are less than 50 mu W/cm/sup 2/, i.e., less than 1% of the maximum exposure level of the current safety standards. >
Two NP-hard interchangeable terminal problems

Two subproblems that arise when routing channels with interchangeable terminals are shown to be NP-hard. These problems are: (1) determining whether there is a net-to-terminal assignment that results in an acyclic vertical and constraint graph and (2) for instances with acyclic vertical constraint graphs, obtaining net-to-terminal assignments for which the length of the longest path in the vertical constraint graph is minimum. >
The WHO-DAS II: Psychometric Properties in the Measurement of Functional Health Status in Adults With Acquired Hearing Loss

The World Health Organization's (WHO) Disability Assessment Scale II (WHO-DAS II) is a generic health-status instrument firmly grounded in the WHO's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO-ICF). As such, it assesses functioning for six domains: communication, mobility, self-care, interpersonal, life activities, and participation. Domain scores aggregate to a total score. Because the WHO-DAS II contains questions relevant to hearing and communication, it has good face validity for use as an outcome measure for audiologic intervention. The purpose of the present study was to determine the psychometric properties of the WHO-DAS II on a sample of individuals with adult-onset hearing loss, including convergent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest stability. Convergent validity was established by examining correlations between the WHO-DAS II (domain and total scores) and the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and the Hearing Aid Handicap for the Elderly (HHIE), two disease-specific measures, as well as with the Short Form-36 for veterans (SF-36V), a second generic measure. Data on all four measures were collected from 380 older individuals with adult-onset hearing loss who were not hearing aid users. The results of the convergent validity analysis revealed that the WHODAS II communication domain score was moderately and significantly correlated with scores on the APHAB and the HHIE. WHO-DAS II interpersonal and participation domain scores and the total scores were also moderately and significantly correlated with HHIE scores. These findings support the validity of using the WHO-DAS II for assessing activity limitations and participation restrictions of adult-onset hearing loss. Several WHO-DAS II domain scores and the total score were also significantly and moderately-markedly correlated with scores from the SF-36V. These findings support the validity of the WHO-DAS II as a generic health-status instrument. Internal consistency reliability for all the domain scores was adequate for all but the interpersonal domain. Test-retest stability for all the domain scores was adequate. Critical difference values were calculated for use in clinical application of the WHO-DAS II. From these findings, we concluded that the WHO-DAS II communication, participation, and total scores can be used to examine the effects of adult-onset hearing loss on functional health status. Further work examining the utility of the WHO-DAS II as an outcome measure for hearing aid intervention is warranted.
No Child Left Behind and Administrative Costs: A Resource Dependence Study of Local School Districts.

This study considers the impact of federal funding on the administrative expenditures of local school districts since the passage of the No-Child-Left-Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001. Under NCLB, federal education funds were made contingent upon a variety of accountability and reporting standards, creating new administrative costs and challenges for local school districts. According to the premises of resource dependence theory, these increases in administrative costs will likely be most pronounced among those local districts with the greatest reliance on federal revenue. Repeated measures models are constructed for a multi-state sample of public school districts to test the extent to which these policy changes may be influencing administrative expenditures at the local level. While effect sizes are small, the results do demonstrate a significant resource dependence effect, suggesting that districts with greater reliance on federal revenue are experiencing larger increases in administrative expenditures over time.
Monoclonal secretory immunoglobulin A protects mice against oral challenge with the invasive pathogen Salmonella typhimurium.

Hybridomas producing monoclonal immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies against Salmonella typhimurium were generated by mucosal immunization of BALB/c mice with attenuated strains of S. typhimurium and subsequent fusion of Peyer9s patch lymphoblasts with myeloma cells. To test the role of secretory IgA (sIgA) in protection against Salmonella sp., we analyzed in detail the protective capacity of a monoclonal IgA, Sal4, produced in polymeric as well as monomeric forms, that is directed against a carbohydrate epitope exposed on the surface of S. typhimurium. BALB/c mice bearing subcutaneous Sal4 hybridoma tumors and secreting monoclonal sIgA into their gastrointestinal tracts were protected against oral challenge with S. typhimurium. This protection was directly dependent on specific recognition by the monoclonal IgA, since mice secreting Sal4 IgA from hybridoma tumors were not protected against a fully virulent mutant that lacks the Sal4 epitope. Although monoclonal Sal4 IgA was present in the bloodstreams and tissues of tumor-bearing mice, it did not protect against intraperitoneal challenge and did not possess complement-fixing or bacteriocidal activity in vitro. Taken together, these results indicate that secretion of sIgA alone can prevent infection by an invasive enteric pathogen, presumably by immune exclusion at the mucosal surface. Images
The farmers and the state: Agricultural interests in West German Politics

The comparative inefficiency of the agricultural sector of the West German economy required farmers to organise politically in order to protect their interests. The German Farmers’ Union (DBV) actively sought political influence, and it especially made use of the Free Democratic Party and the FDP's traditional role as a ‘balancer’ in German politics. The DBV pressed for the continuation of the longstanding protection from foreign competition as well as for the inception of parity incomes policy. After the implementation of the EEC's Common Agricultural Policy, the DB V's strategy of influence continued through its hold on a pivotally important segment of the FDP electorate. In effect, the DBV has been able to control West German agricultural policies both domestically and within the EEC.
The longitudinal relationship between quality of life and survival in advanced stage cancer.

Objectives Quality of Life (QoL) at baseline is frequently found to be a prognostic factor in cancer studies. However, little is known about the relationship of the trajectory of QoL and survival in patients with advanced cancer. This study evaluates the effects of both level and change of QoL on survival to explore the potential of utilizing longitudinal information of QoL for prognosis. Methods A series of joint models were used in a sample (N = 512) of patients diagnosed with advanced cancer (sample consisted of nine different cancer sites) with assessments of QoL across six time points and with survival information recorded up to 28 months after diagnosis. We used FACT-G as the QoL measure, and we evaluated the effects of change in QoL controlling for the time-dependent effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Results The median survival for patients was 14.2 months, and 10% of the sample had survived beyond 28 months after the diagnosis of advanced cancer. The effect of change of QoL on survival was significant (hazard ratio = 0.98; p < 0.001) controlling for time-dependent treatment effects. Also, the slope of the trajectory in QoL was found to be a significant predictor of survival (hazard ratio = 0.18; p < 0.001). Conclusion These preliminary findings suggest that the patient's longitudinal experience in QoL may be a significant prognostic factor of survival, a novel finding with potentially important implications in medical decision making. Longitudinal information on QoL can be used for updating the patient's prognosis of survival. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microwave Packaging for Voltage Standard Applications

Improved packages for Josephson Voltage Standard (JVS) circuits have increased operating margins, reliability, and longevity of JVS systems. By using the ldquoflip-chip-on-flexrdquo technique, reliable chip and cryoprobe mounting have been demonstrated. The microwave structures on these packages have been improved such that more power can be delivered to the JVS chip over a wider frequency range: DC to over 30 GHz. Detailed finite-element simulations were performed to optimize the chip-to-flex launches as well as the on-flex transmission lines. It was found that coplanar waveguide transmission line designs had improved insertion and return losses compared to those of the microstrip transmission line designs, in large part due to the large discontinuities associated with through-substrate vias for microstrip ground connections. The improved coplanar-waveguide package/probe yielded insertion loss dominated by the ~ 0.25 dB/GHz cable loss and VSWR better than 2:1 for the entire 0-30 GHz band. Substantially larger JVS system operating margins were measured using the coplanar-waveguide package; for a 5120 junction array a quantized voltage step greater than 1 mA bias current range is shown for a 10-30 GHz band.
A global, myosin light chain kinase-dependent increase in myosin II contractility accompanies the metaphase-anaphase transition in sea urchin eggs.

Myosin II is the force-generating motor for cytokinesis, and although it is accepted that myosin contractility is greatest at the cell equator, the temporal and spatial cues that direct equatorial contractility are not known. Dividing sea urchin eggs were placed under compression to study myosin II-based contractile dynamics, and cells manipulated in this manner underwent an abrupt, global increase in cortical contractility concomitant with the metaphase–anaphase transition, followed by a brief relaxation and the onset of furrowing. Prefurrow cortical contractility both preceded and was independent of astral microtubule elongation, suggesting that the initial activation of myosin II preceded cleavage plane specification. The initial rise in contractility required myosin light chain kinase but not Rho-kinase, but both signaling pathways were required for successful cytokinesis. Last, mobilization of intracellular calcium during metaphase induced a contractile response, suggesting that calcium transients may be partially responsible for the timing of this initial contractile event. Together, these findings suggest that myosin II-based contractility is initiated at the metaphase–anaphase transition by Ca2+-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) activity and is maintained through cytokinesis by both MLCK- and Rho-dependent signaling. Moreover, the signals that initiate myosin II contractility respond to specific cell cycle transitions independently of the microtubule-dependent cleavage stimulus.
Indivo: a personally controlled health record for health information exchange and communication.

Background: Personally controlled health records (PCHRs), a subset of personal health records (PHRs), enable a patient to assemble, maintain and manage a secure copy of his or her medical data. Indivo (formerly PING) is an open source, open standards PCHR with an open application programming interface (API). Results: We describe how the PCHR platform can provide standard building blocks for networked PHR applications. Indivo allows the ready integration of diverse sources of medical data under a patient's control through the use of standards-based communication protocols and APIs for connecting PCHRs to existing and future health information systems. Conclusion: The strict and transparent personal control model is designed to encourage widespread participation by patients, healthcare providers and institutions, thus creating the ecosystem for development of innovative, consumer-focused healthcare applications.
A new screw pullout test incorporating the effects of stress relaxation

In this study, we analyzed the effects of viscoelastic properties of bone such as stress relaxation on pedicle screw pullout strength. Our results primarily showed that stress relaxation, which would most likely occur in-vivo, significantly decreased the pullout strength and stiffness of the screw compared to what the standard in-vitro pullout test could predict. This highlights the fact that the stress relaxation alters the expected mechanical performance of the screw in pullout. Secondly, the results suggested that pullout rate has no significant effect on the screw holding power and stiffness in-vitro.
Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy With Children and Adolescents: An Update and Literature Review

AbstractDuring the past several years, there has been a large increase in the number of studies of equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP) with children and adolescents. However, due to the diversity of methods, samples, and publication types represented in the literature, it may be difficult for EFP practitioners to synthesize the existing research into useful guidelines and treatment recommendations for patients. This article summarizes and tabulates investigation findings by methods, theoretical underpinnings, and treatment populations. This review of 47 recent publications suggests that EFP is a useful modality with children and adolescents. In the large majority of reviewed papers, benefits were found for a variety of presenting problems and disorders. The most often studied populations were “at-risk” youth and children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. Recommendations for counselors and directions of future EFP research are made.
Timix: a distributed real-time kernel for multi-sensor robots

Timix is a distributed real-time kernel that is being developed to support multisensor robot systems. The overall structure of the kernel is described, including a hierarchy of interprocess communication primitives and a generic way to interact with external devices. A simple multisensor robot that is being implemented using Timix is also presented. Three salient aspects of Timix are as follows. First, it is possible to estimate the amount of time that a real-time process takes to execute since the execution times of system calls are bounded. Second, an hierarchy of communication methods, which differ in synchronization, time and space overheads, and bandwidth requirements, are provided to allow the programmer to choose the one most applicable to a particular application, depending on the real-time requirements. Finally, new devices, which ar directly controlled by application processes, can be integrated into the system without changing the kernel. >
Nonlinear source and drain resistance in recessed-gate heterostructure field-effect transistors

We have profiled the parasitic source and drain resistances versus current in recessed-gate HFET's with heavily-doped caps, using an InAlAs/n/sup +/-InP HFET as a vehicle. We observe a dramatic reduction in the parasitic resistances at moderate-to-high currents as significant current passes through the cap. Consequently, we note very little dependence in g, on the length of the extrinsic gate-source region. This is an experimental verification of predictions of two-layer models in the literature.
Hyperbaric oxygen technology: an overview of its applications, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness.

Objectives: To examine the growing evidence and the consensus in the medical community concerning the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2T) and to suggest future research areas to ensure the appropriate use of this technology.Methods: A literature search of articles published between 1985 and 2000 was conducted using PubMed to describe the growth of HBO2T-related articles published over the past fifteen years. In addition, articles involving the qualitative synthesis of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of HBO2T in thirteen major application areas were identified and compared with the changing view of the medical community toward the evidence of HBO2T.Results: The total number of HBO2T-related articles published annually has steadily increased over the past fifteen years. This increase has gradually contributed to a consensus in the medical community concerning the evidence of efficacy in its major application areas. However, information regarding the cost-effectiveness of HBO2T is still extremely limited.Conclusions: Although evidence concerning the efficacy of HBO2T has been growing in the past, more evidence is still needed for some of its major application areas. Moreover, there is an urgent need to shift part of the research focus on HBO2T to its cost-effectiveness to provide decision makers with relevant information to evaluate this technology objectively.
Classification of Motor Imagery Tasks by means of Time-Frequency-Spatial Analysis for Brain-Computer Interface Applications

We have developed new algorithms for classification of motor imagery tasks for brain-computer interface applications by analyzing single trial scalp EEG signals in the time-, frequency-, and space-domains. These new algorithms have been evaluated using a publically available dataset. The results are promising, suggesting that the newly developed algorithms may provide useful alternative for noninvasive brain-computer interface applications
Electronic Device Fabrication Using Electron Cyclotron Resonance Etching of Boron Doped Homoepitaxial Diamond Films

We describe the applicability of oxygen based Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) etching of diamond for the purpose of fabricating electronic test structures and recessed gate field effect transistors. Boron doped homoepitaxial diamond films grown in a microwave assisted CVD reactor were used for this study. Etch rates from 8 nm/min up to 0.5 μm/min. were achieved depending on etch parameters.
Chloroplasts in anther endothecium of Zea mays (Poaceae)

Premise of the study Although anthers of Zea mays, Oryza sativa, and Arabidopsis thaliana have been studied intensively using genetic and biochemical analyses in the past 20 years, few updates to anther anatomical and ultrastructural descriptions have been reported. For example, no transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the premeiotic maize anther have been published. Here we report the presence of chloroplasts in maize anthers. Methods TEM imaging, electron acceptor photosynthesis assay, in planta photon detection, microarray analysis, and light and fluorescence microscopy were used to investigate the presence of chloroplasts in the maize anther. Key results Most cells of the maize subepidermal endothecium have starch-containing chloroplasts that do not conduct measurable photosynthesis in vitro. Conclusions The maize anther contains chloroplasts in most subepidermal, endothecial cells. Although maize anthers receive sufficient light to photosynthesize in vivo and the maize anther transcribes >96% of photosynthesis-associated genes found in the maize leaf, no photosynthetic light reaction activity was detected in vitro. The endothecial cell layer should no longer be defined as a complete circle viewed transversely in anther lobes, because chloroplasts are observed only in cells directly beneath the epidermis and not those adjacent to the connective tissue. We propose that chloroplasts be a defining characteristic of differentiated endothecial cells and that nonsubepidermal endothecial cells that lack chloroplasts be defined as a separate cell type, the interendothecium.
Abdominal and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

Developed in early 1990s, endovascular techniques of aortic repair offer a novel alternative to open surgical repair. Progressive improvement in technology and increasing experience with technique has let to its emergence as a dominant method of aortic aneurysm repair. The relatively recent guideline, by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, recommending one-time screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is likely to increase the number of patients undergoing AAA repair in the years to come. This chapter discusses the various aspects of evaluation, decision making, technique, and outcomes following endovascular repair of aneurysms of abdominal and thoracic aorta. The outcomes following open and endovascular repair of aneurysms are reviewed towards the end of the chapter.
Nanogap-enhanced infrared spectroscopy with template-stripped wafer-scale arrays of buried plasmonic cavities.

We have combined atomic layer lithography and template stripping to produce a new class of substrates for surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy. Our structure consists of a buried and U-shaped metal–insulator–metal waveguide whose folded vertical arms efficiently couple normally incident light. The insulator is formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al2O3 and precisely defines the gap size. The buried nanocavities are protected from contamination by a silicon template until ready for use and exposed by template stripping on demand. The exposed nanocavity generates strong infrared resonances, tightly confines infrared radiation into a gap that is as small as 3 nm (λ/3300), and creates a dense array of millimeter-long hotspots. After partial removal of the insulators, the gaps are backfilled with benzenethiol molecules, generating distinct Fano resonances due to strong coupling with gap plasmons, and a SEIRA enhancement factor of 105 is observed for a 3 nm gap. Because of the wafer-s...
Value Through Venturing: Resilience Outcomes in the Wake of Potentially Traumatic Events

New ventures are value-generating mechanisms for both the venture creator and relevant stakeholders. While organizational emergence and positive organizational research has expanded beyond economic...
Dichlorvos and plastic covers affect insects infesting stored cocoa beans in dockside warehouses

Stored cocoa beans ( Theobroma cacao L.) were sampled from dockside warehouses in Norfolk, VA, to determine the effect on insect populations of using covers of plastic sheeting to contain dichlorvos in an open warehouse versus the use of the chemical in a closed warehouse, as a control measure; the correlation of insect populations with bean moisture content, relative humidity, and temperature within bags of cocoa beans; and what species of insects inhabited the cocoa beans. Most insects in the samples were Coleoptera, but Psocoptera were also numerous. Most Coleoptera were Ahasverus advena (Waltl) and Cryptolestes ferrugineusl (Stephens). Treatments of cocoa beans covered with plastic sheeting had significantly higher numbers of beetles and a significantly higher bean moisture content than treatments left uncovered. Among covered treatments, beans treated with dichlorvos had a significantly lower moisture content near the end of the test.
A randomized trial of traditional and golf-specific resistance training in amateur female golfers: Benefits beyond golf performance.

Abstract Objective Compare golf-specific resistance training (GSRT) with traditional resistance training (TRAD) with regard to golf performance and other outcome measures. Design Randomized controlled study. Setting Outpatient gym. Participants 45 female golfers were randomized into TRAD or GSRT, both of which targeted muscles active during the golf swing. Participants performed supervised training 3d . wk −1 for 10 weeks. Outcome Measures Golf performance, bone density, body composition, and physical performance tests. Results 29 individuals (58.1 ± 2.1y; 15 TRAD, 14 GSRT) completed training. Completers were older (p = 0.048) and played golf more frequently than non-completers (p = 0.002), but were not otherwise different. Training decreased whole body fat mass (p = 0.013) and visceral fat mass (p = 0.033) across groups, but did not influence lean mass (p = 0.283) or bone mineral density (p = 0.205). Training increased driver speed (p = 0.001), driver distance (p = 0.020), and 7I distance (p 2 = 0.384), and also most responsive to training (r 2 = 0.250). Conclusion 10 weeks of supervised TRAD and GSRT provided similar improvements in body composition, golf performance, and physical performance in amateur female golfers.