cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A workflow to estimate shale gas permeability variations during the production process

Abstract Gas flow behavior in the tight shale porous matrix is complex due to the involvement of multiple physical processes. Pore size reduces as the effective stress increases during the production process, which will reduce the intrinsic permeability of the porous media. Slip flow and pore diffusion enhance gas apparent permeability, especially under low reservoir pressure. Adsorption not only increases original gas in place (OGIP) but also influences gas flow behavior because of the pore size reduction when the molecule size is comparable with the pore size along with the induced surface diffusion. Surface diffusion between the free gas phase and adsorption phase enhances gas permeability. Pore size reduction and the adsorption layer both have complex impacts on gas apparent permeability, plus the non-Darcy flow component make shale gas permeability look mysterious. These physical processes are difficult to couple with fluid flow, and previous research is generally incomplete. This work proposes a methodology to take these various effects into account simultaneously. Our results show that the geomechanical effect significantly reduces the intrinsic permeability of shale gas. However, slip flow and pore diffusion begin to overwhelm the geomechanical effect at reservoir pressure of 500 psi and below. As for the adsorption layer, it changes little of shale gas permeability but its induced surface diffusion might increase gas flow capacity significantly at low pressure, and the influence depends on the value of surface diffusivity. The workflow proposed in this study is considered to be useful to describe shale gas permeability evolution considering these physics together.
Multidimensional Family Therapy as a community-based alternative to residential treatment for adolescents with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders

Abstract This randomized clinical trial (RCT) compared Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) with residential treatment (RT) for adolescents with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders on substance use, delinquency, and mental health symptoms. Using an intent-to-treat design, 113 adolescents who had been referred for residential treatment were randomly assigned to either RT or MDFT in the home/community. The sample was primarily male (75%) and Hispanic (68%) with an average age of 15.4 years. Seventy-one percent of youth had at least one previous residential treatment placement. Participants were assessed at baseline and at 2, 4, 12 and 18 months post-baseline. During the early phase of treatment (baseline to 2 months), youth in both treatments showed significant reductions in substance use [substance use problems (d = 1.10), frequency of use (d = 1.36)], delinquent behaviors (d = 0.18) and externalizing symptoms (d = 0.77), and youth receiving MDFT reported significantly greater reductions in internalizing symptoms than youth receiving RT (d = 0.42). In phase 2, from 2 to 18 months after baseline, youth in MDFT maintained their early treatment decreases in substance use problems (d = 0.51), frequency of use (d = 0.24), and delinquent behaviors (d = 0.42) more effectively than youth in RT. During this period, there were no significant treatment differences in maintenance of gains for externalizing and internalizing symptoms. Results suggest that Multidimensional Family Therapy is a promising alternative to residential treatment for youth with substance use and co-occurring disorders. The results, if supported through replication, are important because they challenge the prevailing assumption that adolescents who meet criteria for residential treatment cannot be adequately managed in a non-residential setting.
Nonstandard Advance Directives in Emergency Medicine: What Should We Do?

Abstract Background Critically ill or injured emergency department or prehospital patients who lack decision-making capacity sometimes present with a non-standard advance directive, such as a “Do Not Resuscitate” tattoo or medallion. Emergency clinicians must immediately address the question of whether to withhold treatment based on what may or may not be a valid patient directive. Discussion Advance directives have been standardized for a good reason. Emergency department or prehospital healthcare providers must be able to immediately interpret and act on them without needing a legal interpretation. When faced with non-standard directives, physicians can follow them, ignore them, or simply use them as an additional piece of information about the individual’s wishes for some situations at one point in his or her life. Absent the patient’s input or that of aknowledgeable surrogate, both the patient’s initial reasons for their non-standard directive and his or her present wishes concerning resuscitation cannot be independently known. Therefore, healthcare providers must initiate treatment while they buy time, attempt to return the patient to lucidity, and search for probative information regarding their current wishes concerning medical treatment. Without such additional information, the moral weight will always favor initiating treatment, since withholding treatment is often irreversible and any treatment instituted can later be withdrawn.
Learning Online: A Guide to Success in the Virtual Classroom

Whether taking classes in school, college or university, or in a corporate training setting, it is likely that learners will be expected to do at least part of their studies via the computer. This book provides realistic guidelines to ensure their success in the virtual learning environment. From detailing tools such as WebCT and Blackboard, to overcoming personal barriers to success in distance learning, this handy text deals with issues that readers of any age, stage or situation are likely to encounter by: * demystifying terms and concepts common to online learning* addressing issues of online ethics such as netiquette, plagiarism and software piracy* offering practical advice on interacting effectively online, submitting assignments and doing research* furnishing numerous links to Web pages and other resources for further study and research. The author offers serious and humorous anecdotes to help readers avoid the pitfalls and capitalize on opportunities that will help them become a successful online student. Current and prospective online learners will greatly benefit from this practical book filled with clear, detailed assistance for learning online.
User Acceptance of E-Collaboration Technology: An Extension of the Technology Acceptance Model

This study investigates the applicability of Davis' Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in the user acceptance of electronic collaboration technology. A courseware management tool is used to test the various findings of TAM. Perceived usefulness of the technology emerges as a positive impact on perceived usefulness, and usefulness, in turn, has a negative relationship with system usage. Additionally, certain aspects of system usage influenced student performance in the course. Prior use of the system also affected system use.
Strontium and Platelet Function

Of the different activities of human blood platelets aggregation, adhesion, and clot retraction require the presence of Ca2+ in the medium, while shape change and secretion can take place in EDTA medium (1–3). It is proposed, however, that all platelet activities are regulated by the intracellular Ca2+ level, similar to other cells (4,5). This is difficult to examine in platelets, since there seems to be no exchange between cytoplasmic and extracellular Ca2+. There are several indications that such an exchange can take place between the extracellular medium and membrane stores of Ca2+, but whether these membrane stores in their course are exchangeable with internal Ca2+ is completely unknown. The very rapid reactions resulting from activation of platelets are most likely to be caused by mobilization of easily accessible Ca2+—if indeed Ca is the regulator of such reactions in platelets. Whether or not we can obtain additional ion movement after the activation of platelet functions is irrelevant if these movements are not part of the platelets’ natural activation mechanism.
Abstract 4662: Comparing 2D and 3D culture models for in vitro therapeutic screening of paclitaxel loaded micelles co-administered with iRGD peptide

Clinical efficacy of paclitaxel, a potent chemotherapeutic agent, is limited by its nonspecificity that leads to toxic side effects. Polymeric micellar formulations of paclitaxel were designed with the long term goals of decreasing toxicity by tumor targeting, increasing circulation time, and enhancing permeability and retention in solid tumors. Biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymers that self assemble into micelles were used to entrap hydrophobic paclitaxel in the core. Traditional 2D cell culture models are standard for cytotoxicity assays. However, they lack the diffusion gradient and cell to cell interactions present in solid tumors which 3D multicellular tumor spheroids are capable of providing. We evaluated the in vitro cytotoxicity of polymeric micelles entrapping paclitaxel in 3D multicellular tumor spheroids of triple negative breast cancer cells and compared it with the standard 2D model. We added the cell penetrating iRGD peptide with the expectation that the iRGD peptide will increase the cellular uptake of the paclitaxel micelles. Particle uptake is enhanced due to the interaction of the iRGD peptide with the highly expressed integrin receptor on the cell surface, followed by neuropilin receptor binding which mediates an active transport system for deep tumor permeation. Paclitaxel loaded micelles were prepared and the drug content was analyzed. The cytotoxicity of the micellar paclitaxel nanocarrier system was studied in both the 2D and 3D cell culture models. Micellar paclitaxel induced cytotoxicity was significantly higher than free paclitaxel for the same concentrations of paclitaxel. Furthermore, a synergistic growth inhibitory response was observed upon coadministration of iRGD compared to treatment with the paclitaxel loaded nanocarriers on their own. Significantly higher concentration of the drug was needed in the 3D cultures to achieve comparable levels of cytotoxicity to the 2D cell culture models. This suggested that multicellular tumor spheroids exhibit higher resistance to anticancer drugs, supporting the fact that 3D culture is the better model to study in vitro cytotoxicity and likely to produce biorelevant data. Citation Format: Nayela N. Chowdhury, Nandita G. Das, Sudip K. Das. Comparing 2D and 3D culture models for in vitro therapeutic screening of paclitaxel loaded micelles co-administered with iRGD peptide [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4662.
Abstract P3047: Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Stimulators And Activators Inhibit Hypoxia-induced Placental Sflt-1 Levels

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific disease characterized by placental ischemia, maternal endothelial dysfunction, and hypertension. The ischemic placenta releases anti-angiogenic factors, su...
Semiconductor-Based Galvanic Isolation: Touch Current Suppression

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the generation mechanism and suppression methods of common-mode (CM) touch current when employing semiconductor-based galvanic isolation (SGI). SGI achieves galvanic isolation by utilizing semiconductor switches to deliver differential-mode (DM) power during their on states while sustaining CM isolation voltage during their off states. In SGI converters, the touch current (TC) is generated as the switch output capacitance is charged by the CM voltage during each turn- on transient. The TC rises as the switching frequency increases, which limits the system power density. This process is modeled by the proposed high-frequency pulse current model and the low-frequency equivalent resistance-based average model. Passive TC suppression approaches are reviewed, and an active TC compensation method has been proposed. A 2-kW EV battery charger with a GaN-based Totem-pole power factor correction stage and an SGI-based dc/dc stage has been built and tested. The touch current has been effectively reduced by 27 dB. It allows the converter to operate at a higher switching frequency to achieve higher power density while meeting the safety standards’ touch current requirement.
Teaching Video NeuroImages: Reflexive movement in brain death: Challenges on clinical examination.

A 49-year-old woman found in cardiac arrest at home was resuscitated after 30 minutes. Brain CT revealed diffuse anoxic injury. After 72 hours of targeted temperature management, brainstem examination, EEG, and apnea testing were consistent with brain death. However, with applied nail bed pressure on the left hand, finger flexion was observed (video 1). This movement was deemed a spinal cord–mediated reflex, not inconsistent with brain death.1 No other spinal reflexes were observed. In a series of brain-dead patients, 13.4% had spinal reflexes elicited.2 Recognizing the semiology of these reflexes can prevent delay in diagnosis and avoid family and physician confusion.
Increased levels of methylated intermediates of phosphatidylcholine lead to enhanced phospholipase D activity.

Previous work from this laboratory and others has shown that neurotransmitters can activate phospholipase D. Unlike the phospholipase C that specifically hydrolyzes inositol-containing phospholipids, phospholipase D in neuronal tissue specifically hydrolyzes phosphatidylcholine. One route for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, is via methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine. Using an in vitro assay, we have previously shown that methylated intermediates are also good substrates for phospholipase D (1). In this manuscript we demonstrate that these intermediates are also substrates in the intact PC 12 cells. Cells incubated with methyl and dimethylethanolamine incorporate more [3H]palmitic acid into the corresponding phospholipid, phosphatidyl-N-methylethanolamine and phosphatidyl-N,N-dimethylethanolamine. In these cells bradykinin causes a greater increase in [3H]phosphatidylethanol production. Elevated levels of [3H]phosphatidylcholine do not enhance bradykinin-stimulated [3H]phosphatidylethanol production, therefore, this effect is specific for the methylated intermediates. Finally, this effect is not due to some generalized enhancement of receptor coupling because incubation of the cells with methylethanolamine does not lead to an increase in bradykinin stimulated inositol phosphate production.
Equine Embryo Mobility. A Friend of Theriogenologists.

Abstract Equine embryo mobility and cessation of mobility (fixation) provide explanations to several enigmas in reproductive biology of the pregnant mare and provide an efficient solution to the twinning problem, the bane of brood-mare owners. Embryo mobility is maximum on Days 12 to 15 (Day 0 = ovulation) while the spherical embryo is growing from 9 to 23 mm in diameter. During mobility, the embryo can be anywhere in the uterine lumen regardless of side of ovulation. Mobility solved the enigmas of how a small embryo can block luteolysis in a relatively massive uterus and why the side of ovulation does not determine the side of the initial placental attachment. Fixation occurs on ∼ Day 16 at a bend or flexure in a uterine horn that has a cross sectional diameter of the endometrium that is similar to diameter of the embryo. The occurrence of fixation in the horn with smaller diameter solved several enigmas involving side of fixation such as (1) greater frequency of postpartum fixation in the formerly nongravid horn and (2) later fixation in a horse than in a pony; horses and ponies have a similar embryo diameter but horses have a larger uterus. Unilateral fixation of twins is associated with a high frequency (e.g., 85%) of natural embryo reduction (elimination of one member of a twin set) whereas bilateral fixation precludes natural embryo reduction. The theriogenologist can efficiently solve the twinning problem by compressing one mobile or bilaterally fixed embryo with finger/thumb or with the ultrasound probe.
Evaluating Tribological Properties of Materials for Total Joint Replacements Using Scanning Probe Microscopy

Scanning probe methods have been utilized to reveal useful information regarding the tribological phenomena of total joint replacement materials. In particular, studies on the effect of synovial fluid constituents on the tribological response of polymeric materials and the effect of residual stresses on the fretting response of metallic materials are described. The studies show that an adsorbed layer of proteins causes an increase in friction behavior of hydrophobic ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) owing to denaturation upon adsorption. Changing the crystallinity of UHMWPE can affect the friction behavior and have ramifications formechanisms of protein adsorption. Studies on fretting behavior ofmetallic (CoCrMo) implant materials showed that significant plastic deformation of the metal may not be a prerequisite for oxide fracture. In addition, results suggest that nearly neutral boundary lubricants may provide significant protection against the onset of fretting. Finally, the chapter concludes with an outlook on how scanning probe methods can be used to provide greater insight into the design of biomaterials.
Real-Time Tracking of Articulated Human Models Using a 3D Shape-from-Silhouette Method

This paper describes a system, which acquires 3D data and tracks an eleven degree of freedom human model in real-time. Using four cameras we create a time-varying volumetric image (a visual hull) of anything moving in the space observed by all four cameras. The sensor is currently operating in a volume of approximately 500,000 voxels (1.5 inch cubes) at a rate of 25 Hz. The system is able to track the upper body dynamics of a human (x,y position of the body, a torso rotation, and four rotations per arm). Both data acquisition and tracking occur on one computer at a rate of 16 Hz. We also developed a calibration procedure, which allows the system to be moved and be recalibrated quickly. Furthermore we display in real-time, either the data overlaid with the joint locations or a human avatar. Lastly our system has been implemented to perform crane gesture recognition.
The Aesthetics of Punk Rock

Philosophers should listen to punk rock. Though largely ignored in analytic aesthetics, punk can shed light on the nature, limits, and value of art. Here, I will begin with an overview of punk aesthetics and then extrapolate two lessons. First, punk intentionally violates widely held aesthetic norms, thus raising questions about the plasticity of taste. Second, punk music is associated with accompanying visual styles, fashion, and attitudes; this points to a relationship between art and identity. Together, these lessons suggest that art appreciation is not just about finding beauty or aesthetic worth but is also about constructing a self.
The Political CEO: An Event Study Comparing Consumer Attributions of CEO Behavior*

Objective We sought to establish a relationship between negative political behavior of key firm members and consumer evaluations of the firm through an attribution theories extension. Method We sample and code approximately 1,500 Tweets surrounding Dan Cathy's political beliefs about marriage and Taco Bell's response to a lawsuit regarding beef. Results Consumers are more likely to attribute a volitional event (CEO political disapproval) toward the firm than toward societal elements. However, consumers experienced a greater degree of negative affect following the situational than the volitional event. Conclusion While none of the consumers who attributed this situation toward Taco Bell also communicated decisions to no longer return for Taco Bell products, approximately 15 percent of the consumers who attributed Dan Cathy's political beliefs toward Chick-fil-A communicated intentions to no longer return to Chick-fil-A. A firm operated by a political CEO could lose 15 percent of all its consumers.
Optimizing Quality of Service Using Fuzzy Control

The rapidgro wth of eCommerce increasingly means business revenues depend on providing good quality of service (QoS) for web site interactions. Traditionally, system administrators have been responsible for optimizing tuning parameters, a process that is time-consuming and skills-in tensive, and therefore high cost. This paper describes an approach to automating parameter tuning using a fuzzy controller that employs rules incorporating qualitative knowledge of the effect of tuning parameters. An example of such qualitative knowledge in the Apache web server is "MaxClients has a concave upward effect on response times." Our studies using a real Apache web server suggest that such a scheme can improve performance without human intervention. Further, we show that the controller can automatically adapt to changes in workloads.
Arteriosclerotic heart disease in a favored community

Abstract A report on deaths in 1955–1961 indicated that the incidence of arteriosclerotic heart disease is unusually low in the small town of Roseto, Pennsylvania, and an ECG survey in 1963 was offered in support. It was concluded that this singularity was not attributable to a low-fat diet but may be due to a favourable psycho-social environment. Analysis of the death data for arteriosclerotic heart disease in Roseto shows no significant difference from U.S. averages, though the men in other nearby towns may have unusually high death rates. Possible bias from population movements and physician selection cannot be excluded. The 1963 ECG data actually indicate a high prevalence of myocardial infarction in Roseto which is identical with that in the other towns. Consideration of the dietary information suggests that if the Rosetans were, indeed, protected from arteriosclerotic heart disease in 1955–1961, this would be explicable from the diet over the years of development of the disease.
Intraoperative real-time localization of brain tumors

Intraoperative real—time localization of brain tumorsMajeed Kadi', Lucia Zamarano',Zhaowei Jiang', Nulte Lutz2'Wayne State University, Neurological Surgery Department2Wayne State University, Bioengineering DepartmentBS TRACTIn stereotactic neurosurgery several localizing systems suchas robotic or articulated arms and sonic digitizers cancorrelate on—site surgical points with precaptured multi—modalityimages. We discuss a strategy for intraoperative real—timelocalization of brain tumors using an opto—electronic system withlight emitting diodes (LED).2. THE MOTION ANALYSIS SYSTEMThe motion of rigid bodies, the skull—stereotactic frameunit, and various surgical instruments are tracked by the LED—based three—dimensional (3—D) motion analysis system (Optotrak 3DBar, Northern Digital, Waterloo, Canada) .
Competition and coexistence of bond and charge orders in (TMTTF) 2 AsF 6

$(\mathrm{TMTTF}{)}_{2}{\mathrm{AsF}}_{6}$ undergoes two phase transitions upon cooling from 300 K. At ${T}_{\mathrm{CO}}=103 \mathrm{K}$ a charge ordering (CO) occurs, and at ${T}_{\mathrm{SP}}(B=9 \mathrm{T})=11 \mathrm{K}$ the material undergoes a spin-Peierls transition. Within the intermediate, CO phase, the charge disproportionation ratio is found to be at least 3:1 from ${}^{13}\mathrm{C}$ NMR ${T}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ measurements on spin-labeled samples. Above ${T}_{\mathrm{SP}}$ up to about ${3T}_{\mathrm{SP}}$ ${T}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ is independent of temperature, indicative of low-dimensional magnetic correlations. With the application of about 0.15 GPa pressure, ${T}_{\mathrm{SP}}$ increases substantially, while ${T}_{\mathrm{CO}}$ is rapidly suppressed, demonstrating that the two orders are competing. The experiments are compared to results obtained from calculations on the one-dimensional extended Peierls-Hubbard model.
Continuous optimal infeed control for cylindrical plunge grinding, part 2: Controller design and implementation

This is the second of two papers concerned with on-line optimization of cylindrical plunge grinding cycles with continuously varying infeed control. In the first paper [1], dynamic programming was applied to a simulation of the cylindrical grinding process in order to explore the characteristics of optimal grinding cycles. Optimal cycles were found to consist of distinct segments each with predominant constraints. An optimal control policy was formulated with the infeed rate within each segment determined according to the prevailing constraint. The present paper is concerned with the design of the controller and its implementation. The control system to implement the optimization policy is described together with provisions to enhance robustness to modeling uncertainty and measurement noise. Robustness provisions include model adaptation by parameter estimation from on-line measurements of size and power, and incorporation of safety margins in the optimization process. Problems associated with practical implementation of the control system, stemming from power limitations and wheel wear, are also discussed. The controller performance is demonstrated on an instrumented internal cylindrical grinding machine.
Modeling top height growth of red alder plantations

Abstract Height growth equations for dominant trees are needed for growth and yield projections, to determine appropriate silvicultural regimes, and to estimate site index. Red alder [Alnus rubra Bong.] is a fast-growing hardwood species that is widely planted in the Pacific Northwest, USA. However, red alder dominant height growth equations used currently have been determined using stem analysis trees from natural stands rather than repeated measurements of stand-level top height from plantations, which may cause them to be biased. A regional dataset of red alder plantations was complied and used to construct a dynamic base-age invariant top height growth equation. Ten anamorphic and polymorphic Generalized Algebraic Difference Approach (GADA) forms were fit using the forward difference approach. The Chapman–Richards anamorphic and Schumacher anamorphic model forms were the only ones with statistically significant parameters that yielded biologically reasonable predictions across a full range of the available data. The Schumacher model form performed better on three independent datasets and, therefore, was selected as the final model. The resulting top height growth equations differed appreciably from tree-level dominant height growth equations developed using data from natural stands, particularly at the younger ages and on lower site indices. Both the rate and shape parameters of the Schumacher function were not influenced by initial planting density. However, this analysis indicates that the asymptote, which is related to site index, may be reduced for plantations with initial planting density below 500 trees ha−1. The final equation can be used for predictions of top height (and thus) site index for red alder plantations across a range of different growing conditions.
Dental panoramic radiographic evaluation in bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws

Objectives: To determine the extent to which clinical and radiographic features of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BONJ) are correlated. Design: Retrospective case review. Methods: The records of 39 patients diagnosed with BONJ and examined by panoramic radiography were retrospectively evaluated. The arches were divided into sextants (n = 234) and evaluated for the following signs: sclerosis, surface irregularity, sockets, fragmentation and lysis. Main outcome measures: The McNemar, Kruskall–Wallis and equivalency tests were performed to analyze the association between clinical and radiographic signs and BONJ severity. Results: Sixty-two out of 234 sextants were abnormal by clinical criteria and 61 out of 234 sextants demonstrated at least one radiographic abnormality. There was agreement between clinical and radiographic detection in 41 sextants. The data showed equivalency between BONJ diagnosis and both sclerosis and surface irregularity. The correlation between number of clinical sites and any radiographic finding was significant in the maxilla (P < 0.001) but not in the mandible (P = 0.178). The total number of radiographic signs per patient increased with BONJ stage. Conclusion: Focal panoramic radiographic findings of sclerosis and surface irregularity correlate with clinical sites of BONJ. This may be a useful and reliable tool to detect early changes of BONJ or to confirm a clinical diagnosis.
Effect of ultraviolet radiation-induced inflammation on epidermal wound healing

To examine the influence of ultraviolet radiation, a potent inducer of interleukin-1 and other growth factors, on the rate of epidermal migration, we used a porcine model of wound healing. Wounds were treated in one of the following treatment groups: (1) two minimal erythema doses of ultraviolet radiation once daily for 2 days before wounding, (2) two minimal erythema doses of ultraviolet radiation once daily for 2 days before wounding followed with continuous treatment until all wounds were 100% epithelized, (3) or no ultraviolet radiation treatment until healing was complete. Using a macroscopic salt-split technique, we examined epidermal specimens macroscopically for epithelialization. Treatment both before and after ultraviolet radiation significantly enhanced epithelialization when compared with non-ultraviolet radiation-treated control wounds. These experiments show that ultraviolet radiation treatment can augment the rate of healing of partial-thickness wounds.
Measurement of Townsend's first ionization coefficient α in time resolved avalanche studies in oxygen

Abstract Measurements of Townsend's first ionization coefficient α in oxygen are reported. Account is made of the various reactions of the negative ions involved (O - , O - 2 , O - 3 ). The resulting α-values are smaller than those obtained previously.
WHAT DO WOMEN WANT TO KNOW AFTER CHILDBIRTH

: Background: Postpartum women have demonstrated a variety of health care concerns. This study, conducted in Washington state in 1991, investigated predictors of primiparas' and multiparas' desire to receive more information about 18 self-care and baby care topics at 7 weeks postpartum in relation to prenatal class attendance, short postpartum hospital stay, and other variables. Methods: Data from 1161 women who completed a survey were analyzed. Percentages of women desiring more information on each topic were calculated stratified by parity: mean numbers of chosen health topics were calculated in relation to prenatal education, length of postpartum hospitalization, maternal age, education, social support, and type of delivery; and associations between desire for more information on specific topics and length of postpartum hospitalization, maternal age, maternal education, and social support were calculated. Results: Over three-fourths of women wanted more information on at least one topic, and the highest percentage wanted more information on exercise, diet, and nutrition; getting along with their other children; and recognizing infant illness. Primiparas and multiparas who desired more information were under 25 years of age and had low levels of social support; in addition, multiparas with unmet information needs had low education and short postpartum stays. Prenatal education was unrelated to postpartum desire for more information. Conclusion: Most postpartum women want self-care and baby care information, a need that is not completely met by prenatal or postpartum education. Postpartum follow-up programs with a strong educational component and special targeting of high-risk women may enable health caregivers to better address this need.
Amalgamated free products of weakly rigid factors and calculation of their symmetry groups

We consider amalgamated free product II1 factors M = M1*BM2*B… and use “deformation/rigidity” and “intertwining” techniques to prove that any relatively rigid von Neumann subalgebra Q ⊂ M can be unitarily conjugated into one of the Mi’s. We apply this to the case where the Mi’s are w-rigid II1 factors, with B equal to either C, to a Cartan subalgebra A in Mi, or to a regular hyperfinite II1 subfactor R in Mi, to obtain the following type of unique decomposition results, ala Bass–Serre: If M = (N1 * CN2*C…)t, for some t > 0 and some other similar inclusions of algebras C ⊂ Ni then, after a permutation of indices, (B ⊂ Mi) is inner conjugate to (C ⊂ Ni)t, for all i. Taking B = C and \( M_{i} = {\left( {L{\left( {Z^{2} \rtimes F_{2} } \right)}} \right)}^{{t_{i} }} \), with {ti}i⩾1 = S a given countable subgroup of R+*, we obtain continuously many non-stably isomorphic factors M with fundamental group \( {\user1{\mathcal{F}}}{\left( M \right)} \) equal to S. For B = A, we obtain a new class of factors M with unique Cartan subalgebra decomposition, with a large subclass satisfying \( {\user1{\mathcal{F}}}{\left( M \right)} = {\left\{ 1 \right\}} \) and Out(M) abelian and calculable. Taking B = R, we get examples of factors with \( {\user1{\mathcal{F}}}{\left( M \right)} = {\left\{ 1 \right\}} \), Out(M) = K, for any given separable compact abelian group K.
Prey preference and gregarious attacks by the invasive flatworm Platydemus manokwari.

The flatworm Platydemus manokwari (Tricladida: Rhynchodemidae) preys on various species of land snail, and its introduction to areas outside of its native range is thought to have caused the extinction of native land snails on several Pacific islands. Platydemus manokwari occurs in areas where land snails have been absent since its invasion, suggesting that the flatworm can prey on animals other than land snails. To identify the alternative prey and prey preferences of P. manokwari, I examined the feeding ecology of P. manokwari under field and laboratory conditions. Individuals were observed attacking live earthworms in a forest where land snails are already extinct, on Chichijima, Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands, Japan. I also observed them attacking earthworms and a species of isopod and land snail in the lab. To prey on the worm, similar to other earthworm-eating flatworms, P. manokwari wrapped itself around the prey and fed on it by inserting its pharynx into the earthworm’s body. Large earthworms were able to escape P. manokwari attacks by autotomy, but the autotomized body parts were eaten. Several P. manokwari individuals together attacked earthworms that were larger than themselves. The laboratory experiments showed that such gregarious attacks increased predation success on both large earthworms and land snails. The flatworms also attacked the isopods, although the predation rate was low. These results demonstrate that P. manokwari is a polyphagous predator of slow-moving soil invertebrates (land snails, slugs, earthworms, and isopods) and that invasion by P. manokwari may directly and indirectly impact native soil fauna.
Methyl sulfides as intermediates in the anaerobic oxidation of methane.

While it is clear that microbial consortia containing Archaea and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) can mediate the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM), the interplay between these microorganisms remains unknown. The leading explanation of the AOM metabolism is ‘reverse methanogenesis’ by which a methanogenesis substrate is produced and transferred between species. Conceptually, the reversal of methanogenesis requires low H_2 concentrations for energetic favourability. We used ^(13)C-labelled CH_4 as a tracer to test the effects of elevated H_2 pressures on incubations of active AOM sediments from both the Eel River basin and Hydrate Ridge. In the presence of H_2, we observed a minimal reduction in the rate of CH_4 oxidation, and conclude H_2 does not play an interspecies role in AOM. Based on these results, as well as previous work, we propose a new model for substrate transfer in AOM. In this model, methyl sulfides produced by the Archaea from both CH_4 oxidation and CO_2 reduction are transferred to the SRB. Metabolically, CH_4 oxidation provides electrons for the energy-yielding reduction of CO_2 to a methyl group (‘methylogenesis’). Methylogenesis is a dominantly reductive pathway utilizing most methanogenesis enzymes in their forward direction. Incubations of seep sediments demonstrate, as would be expected from this model, that methanethiol inhibits AOM and that CO can be substituted for CH_4 as the electron donor for methylogenesis.
Factor analysis of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) in a brain-damaged sample.

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) was factor analyzed for a sample of 100 diagnostically heterogeneous brain-damaged patients. Subjects were from two VA Medical Centers located in the Midwest with means for age, education, and Full Scale IQ of 52.31 (SD = 14.41), 11.37 (SD = 2.57), and 86.72 (SD = 10.78), respectively. A principal factor analysis followed by Varimax rotation provided evidence for the existence of three factors underlying the WAIS-R (i.e., Performance, Verbal, and Freedom from Distractibility). The present results are consistent with earlier studies that employed the 1939 and 1955 versions of Wechsler's Adult Intelligence Scale with neurologically impaired subjects.
Soft-Core in TV Time: The Political Economy of a ''Cultural Trend''

This essay deconstructs popular notions that “sex sells” in an increasingly sexualized U.S. popular culture by examining the specific political, social, and economic forces behind the creation and expansion of Girls Gone Wild, a home video series marketed through television infomercials. The crackdown on hard-core pornography, followed by the opening of television infomercial markets, paved the way for the series’ creator to bring together the structural organization of a new soft-core video industry with the marketing aims of a cable industry eager to sell young, male ratings.
Photoinduced grafting of ultrafiltration membranes: comparison of poly(ether sulfone) and poly(sulfone)

Using UV-assisted graft polymerization of three hydrophilic monomers, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NVP), 2-acrylamidoglycolic acid monohydrate (AAG) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AAP), both poly(ether sulfone) (PES) and poly(sulfone) (PSf) 50 kDa ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were modified using the dip method with 300 nm wavelength lamps. The concentration of monomer and irradiation energy supplied to the membranes was varied. The modified membranes were characterized physicochemically by their degree of grafting using attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectra (ATR-FTIR) and by their wettability using a captive air bubble technique. They were also characterized by their filtration performance with a 0.1 wt.% bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 20±2°C and at pH 7.4. The filtration protocol gave several measures of performance including the initial water permeability, the protein solution permeability and the water permeability after flushing with DI water. Four different modification conditions were found that gave modified UF membranes with superior filtration performance than the base unmodified PES, the base unmodified PSf, or a regenerated cellulose (RC) control membrane. Slightly compromised protein solution permeabilities were compensated for with low fouling modified membranes that exhibited excellent cleaning characteristics. All the best cases were at the highest monomer concentrations (5 wt.%) and lowest irradiation energy (<65 mJ/cm2 for PES and <130 mJ/cm2 for PSf). This work also suggests that low degrees of grafting (DG<0.53) and intermediate wettabilities () were sufficient to obtain attractive non-fouling membranes. Since BSA is strongly negatively charged at pH 7.4, it is not surprising that AAP was the monomer that exhibited best performance for two of the four best cases. An important finding was that PES is far more sensitive to UV-assisted graft polymerization and, thus, requires far less energy to attain a desired degree of grafting than PSf.
Folding of two large nucleotide chains

We have already described the FOLD-A code designed for folding mRNA's and single stranded DNA molecules (Nussinov & Pieczenik, 1984). In this paper we describe its application to two long polynucleotide chains: the A protein gene of the MS2 RNA and the whole genome of the phi X 174 phage. The folded form of the single stranded DNA of the phi X 174 is a six armed star with the origin of replication in its center.
Glycerol is not a physiologic signal in the control of food intake in rats

Abstract Rats were given two daily subcutaneous injections of either 40, 80 or 160 mg/kg of glycerol or control injections of glucose. Glycerol injections did not reliably affect body weight gain at any dose tested whether animals were maintained in constant light or a 12 hr light/dark cycle. Only injections of 160 mg/kg of glycerol given twice daily significantly reduced daily food intake; however, this dose also raised plasma glycerol concentrations briefly to an unphysiologic level. Continuous intraveous infusions of 390 or 780 mg/rat/day of glycerol had no effect on food intake, even though plasma glycerol levels increased markedly within the normal range. These findings indicate that reductions of food intake and body weight after administration of glycerol are probably responses to a treatment which is not physiologic.
Automating software evolution

The goal of the research described in this paper is to apply teleological models and reasoning to support the automated adaptation of software. Teleology is concerned with purpose, and teleological models of software integrate descriptions of the goals of software with how those goals are realized in the software. The domain to which we are applying our ideas is computer-based strategy games. We have undertaken an initial study in which we have looked at part of the history of changes to an open-source strategy game called FreeCiv. In particular, we characterized the changes made to the game to determine the extent to which teleological approaches might apply.
Esophageal perforation with mediastinal abscess in child abuse

A case of mediastinitis and mediastinal abscess due to cervical esophageal perforation in a 9 1/2 month old girl who was a victim of child abuse and possible sexual assault is reported. Injury to the hypopharynx or esophagus with child abuse as a possible etiology should be considered when an infant or young child presents with unexplained erythematous neck swelling, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and/or wide mediastinum.
Laminoplasty: a review of its role in compressive cervical myelopathy

Abstract Background context The currently accepted surgical treatments for compressive cervical myelopathy include both anterior and posterior decompression. Anterior approaches including multilevel discectomy with fusion or vertebral corpectomy with strut grafting, both with and without instrumentation, have enjoyed successful outcomes, but have been associated with select postoperative complications. Laminoplasty has been developed to decompress the spine posteriorly while avoiding the spinal destabilization seen after laminectomy. Purpose The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the various techniques, biomechanical basis, predictive value of imaging modalities, clinical outcomes, and postoperative complications associated with cervical laminoplasty. Study design A review of the literature. Methods A comprehensive literature review using Medline was performed identifying relevant articles that addressed the techniques, clinical outcomes, and complications after cervical laminoplasty, as well as preoperative radiographic predictors of outcome. Results The various modifications of cervical laminoplasty have generally been associated with excellent clinical outcomes when used for myelopathy secondary to cervical spondylosis or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Recent long-term studies have identified issues with this technique including axial neck pain, canal restenosis, nerve root palsy, diminished cervical motion, and loss of cervical lordotic alignment. Conclusions Cervical laminoplasty remains a reliable procedure for posterior decompression of the spine, but the optimal approach to cervical myelopathy must take into account both patient and disease characteristics, as well as the capabilities and experience of the surgeon.
A Layer Framework to Investigate Student Understanding and Application of the Existence and Uniqueness Theorems of Differential Equations.

The focus of this paper is on student interpretation and usage of the existence and uniqueness theorems for first-order ordinary differential equations. The inherent structure of the theorems is made explicit by the introduction of a framework of layers concepts–conditions–connectives–conclusions, and we discuss the manners in which students’ understanding of these layers construct their perception of the theorems as a whole.
The Ethics of Payday Loan Practices

This article focuses on the ethics of payday lending. We present information about the payday lending industry, a range of legal and best practices guidelines for the industry, and finally our own presentation of the most appropriate practices to be used to satisfy both legal and ethical edicts. This effort is made with the hope that business people in general, professionals in the payday lending industry, lawmakers, educators, and even potential consumers may benefit by understanding the driving economic, legal, and social guidelines that can make payday lending services a positive and efficacious addition to our lending industries.
The myth of the glass ceiling: Evidence from a stock-flow analysis of authority attainment ☆

Abstract It is apparent to even a casual observer of American society that women and minorities are underrepresented among managers, especially among top-level executives. Past studies, however, have failed to find a consistent pattern of female and minority disadvantages in actual promotions and hiring decisions to account for this underrepresentation. This study aims to resolve this incongruity. Drawing on panel data from a nationally representative sample of scientists and engineers, I analyzed transitions across authority levels for men and women of three broad racial groups: whites, Asian Americans, and underrepresented minorities. There are two main findings. First, downward mobility plays an important role in authority inequality, especially for Asian men and underrepresented minority men and women. Second, while women and minorities face lower rates of upward mobility than white men, their disadvantages are concentrated in the bottom to middle-level transitions. This pattern is inconsistent with the popular notion of a “glass ceiling,” which implies that women and minorities encounter an unbreakable obstacle in accessing top positions after they have made their way into mid-level management.
Failure Analysis of Furnace Tube

This article describes the findings of a detailed investigation into the frequent failure of ethylene furnace radiant tubes at a petrochemical plant. Thorough analyses including visual and stereoscopic examination, metallography, chemical analysis, and hardness testing show that the tube failure is attributed to creep accelerated by heavy carburization and uneven heating. The inability of the alloy to form a re-healing protective oxide scale led to accelerated carburization and nitridation. Possible factors that could adversely affect the scale protectiveness are discussed.