cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Software Effort Estimation and Productivity

Publisher Summary This chapter is concerned about effort and cost estimation models which are appropriate for software project development. Project development is meant to include life cycle phases from project design, through system integration, to testing and software delivery. It discusses and evaluates several models for software effort estimation and performance of these models is compared on sets of projects for which some information is available. The models are categorized into (1) historical-experiential models, (2) statistically-based models, (3) theoretically-based models, and (4) composite models. There is some hope that effort and cost models so restricted can be developed which are transportable from one organization to another. The chapter concludes that further experimentation, the gathering of more data, and the combining and enhancing of models will be necessary in order to allow computer scientists to explain and better control the software development process.
The Relevance of Real Estate in Solving Climate Change

Sustainable real estate provides an opportunity to tackle climate change while achieving better financial outcomes. Given the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, we know that climate change cannot be solved without addressing energy efficiency in buildings. Moreover, sustainable real estate provides an opportunity for better financial outcomes and thus presents a major investment opportunity over at least the next two decades. Yet we lack a true and robust picture of what is necessary of buildings on a global basis. This chapter aims to provide a roadmap of the many sustainable real estate strategies that are imperative to reaching our collective global emissions reduction goals.
Zintl phases with group 15 elements and the transition metals: A brief overview of pnictides with diverse and complex structures

Abstract Chemical combinations of metals with group 15 elements result in compounds demonstrating a plethora of crystal structures. Many such compounds, referred to as pnictides, can be rationalized using simple electron counting rules, originally developed for main-group-element systems. These schemes constitute the essence of the Zintl concept, widely applied in solid state chemistry. Transition-metal-containing Zintl phases with pnictogens evoke particular interest, since many of these compounds, being narrow-gap semiconductors, are regarded as promising materials for thermoelectric applications. This review article summarizes literature data for a number of reported transition-metal-bearing Zintl pnictides with the focus on their crystal structures.
Orb weaver glycoprotein is a smart biological material, capable of repeated adhesion cycles

Orb weavers produce webs that trap prey using a capture spiral formed of regularly spaced glue droplets supported by protein fibers. Each droplet consists of an outer aqueous layer and an adhesive, viscoelastic glycoprotein core. Organic and inorganic compounds in the aqueous layer make droplets hygroscopic and cause droplet features to change with environmental humidity. When droplets contact a surface, they adhere and extend as an insect struggles. Thus, a droplet’s extensibility is as important for prey capture as its adhesion. Cursory observations show that droplets can adhere, extend, and pull off from a surface several times, a process called cycling. Our study cycled individual droplets of four species—Argiope aurantia, Neoscona crucifera, Verrucosa arenata, and Larinioides cornutus. Droplets were subjected to 40 cycles at two humidities to determine how humidity affected droplet performance. We hypothesized that droplets would continue to perform, but that performance would decrease. Droplet performance was characterized by filament length and force on droplets at pull-off, aqueous volume, and glycoprotein volume. As hypothesized, cycling decreased performance, notably extensibility and aqueous volume. However, humidity did not impact the response to cycling. In a natural context, droplets are not subjected to extensive cycling, but reusability is advantageous for orb-weaving spiders. Moreover, the ability to cycle, combined with their environmental responsiveness, allows us to characterize orb weaver droplets as smart materials for the first time.
Stochastic prediction of fractured caprock by history matching pressure monitoring data

Abstract In this study, a novel method to stochastically characterize the effective permeability of a fractured caprock (typically fine-grained sedimentary rock or natural mudstones) is presented. The method requires pressure monitoring data from above and below the caprock, which are used in combination with other readily-available data from laboratory and outcrop observations in a history-matching process that maintains the distribution of underlying fracture attributes to characterize the spatial variation in permeability of the caprock. A “best-fitting” geological model of caprock, representing a most-likely scenario, is selected from an ensemble of stochastic realizations generated using optimized parameters. The method is demonstrated using a representative, moderately permeable, heterogeneous caprock, as a reference “truth” to compare accuracy of caprock predicted using pressures from injection and post-injection phases. The accuracy of “best-fitting” caprock is assessed by studying its sensitivity to four variables, which are caprock thickness, leakage intensity, time length of available pressure history, and injection rate. Improved characterization of effective caprock permeability allows more confident prediction of flux through the sealing interval, over time. That information is useful in quantifying potential impacts of fluid migration, evaluating monitoring designs, and designing mitigation alternatives, should they be needed. It has value both during active injection and in building confidence that a site can be safely closed after injection is complete.
Prevalence and Long-term Consequences of Vocal Fold Hemorrhage in Patients who Underwent Microscopic Laryngeal Surgery or Type I Thyroplasty.

Summary Objective Examine incidence of postoperative vocal fold (VF) hemorrhage (PVFH) in patients who underwent microscopic laryngeal surgery and type I thyroplasty and determine the long-term consequences of hemorrhage on the outcome of the surgery. Study design Retrospective study. Patients and methods Medical records of patients from a quaternary care laryngology practice who underwent microdirect laryngoscopy (MDL) or type I thyroplasty between November 2015 and December 2018 were reviewed as a consecutive sample. MDL procedures not performed on the VF were excluded. Demographic and medical history data associated with risk of bleeding were collected, and records were reviewed for the incidence of PVFH and long-term consequences of PVFH through Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and preoperative and postoperative videostroboscopic findings. We considered each VF surgery as one procedure. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square analysis for categorical data and a student t test for means. A P value of 0.05 or less was considered significant. Result Total 155 patients were enrolled. The patients underwent 182 MDL surgeries, (122 bilateral and 60 unilateral), and 60 Type 1 thyroplasty surgeries (13 bilateral and 47 unilateral). In the MDL group, 34 of 304 procedures (11%) resulted in VFH. In the thyroplasty group, 10 of 73 procedures (13.7%) were associated with PVFH. Bilateral MDL procedures were associated with a higher incidence of PVFH in comparison with unilateral procedures (P= 0.03), but bilateral thyroplasties were not (P= 0.33). None of the demographic factors significantly increased or decreased risk of PVFH. Comparing the difference between preoperative and 3–6 month postoperative VF mucosal function, and preoperative and 3–6 month postoperative VHI-10 in both MDL and thyroplasty groups, no statistically significant difference was found between patients who had experienced PVFH and those who had not. Conclusion This is the largest investigation into the incidence and long-term consequences of the PVFH. 11% of the patients in the MDL group experienced PVFH; the vibratory margin of the VF was involved in only 1.3%.; and 13.7 % of the procedures in the thyroplasty group resulted in PVFH. However, PVFH was not associated with significant increase in VHI-10 or decrease in VF vibratory function during 3–6 month postoperative follow-up visits. The incidence of PVFH was related significantly to postoperative phonotrauma and upper respiratory infection, but not to gender, age, history of smoking and alcohol consumption, pulmonary and cardiovascular comorbidities, or pre-existing VF varicosities or ectasias.
An Insect-scale Untethered Laser-powered Jumping Microrobot

We present the design of an insect-sized jumping microrobot measuring 17mm$\times$6mm$\times$14mm and weighing 75 milligrams. The microrobot consumes 6.4mW of power to jump up by 8mm in height. The tethered version of the robot can jump 6 times per minute each time landing perfectly on its feet. The untethered version of the robot is powered using onboard photovoltaic cells illuminated by an external infrared laser source. It is, to the best of our knowledge, the lightest untethered jumping microrobot with onboard power source that has been reported yet.
Prolonged Postoperative Intubation After Spinal Fusion in Cerebral Palsy: Are There Modifiable Risk Factors and Associated Consequences?

BACKGROUND Instrumented spinal fusion is performed to correct severe spinal deformity that commonly complicates cerebral palsy (CP). Prolonged intubation (PI) is a common perioperative complication, though little is known about the risk factors and consequences of this phenomenon. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES The purpose of this study was to determine (1) the preoperative and intraoperative risk factors associated with PI after spine surgery for CP; (2) the perioperative and postoperative complications associated with PI; and (3) any long-term impacts of PI with respect to health-related quality of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective case-control analysis of prospectively collected, multicenter data was performed on patients with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) 4 or 5 CP who underwent instrumented spinal fusion. Patients extubated on postoperative day (POD) 0 were in the early extubation (EE) cohort and those extubated on POD 3 or later were in the PI cohort. Comparisons were made between PI and EE groups with respect to several preoperative and intraoperative variables to identify risk factors for PI. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of this outcome. The postoperative hospital course, rate of complications, and health-related quality of life at 2 years were also compared. RESULTS This study included 217 patients (52% male individuals; mean age, 14.0±2.8 y) who underwent spinal fusion for CP. In this cohort, 52 patients (24%) had EE and 58 patients (27%) had PI. There were several independent predictors of PI including history of pneumonia [odds ratio (OR), 6.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.6-24.3; P=0.01], estimated blood loss of >3000 mL (OR, 16.5; 95% CI, 2.0-134; P=0.01), weight of <37 kg (OR, 6.4; 95% CI, 1.5-27.1), and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD) Communication and Social Interaction score of <15 (OR, 10.8; 95% CI, 1.1-107.3; P=0.04). In addition, PI was associated with a higher rate of perioperative and postoperative respiratory (P<0.001), cardiovascular (P=0.014), gastrointestinal (P<0.001), and surgical site (0.027) complications, in addition to prolonged hospitalization (P<0.001) and intensive care unit stay (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Surgeons should seek to optimize nutritional status and pulmonary function, and minimize blood loss in patients with CP to decrease the risk of PI after spinal fusion. Efforts should be made to extubate patients on POD 0 to decrease the risk of complications associated with PI.
Radical SAM Enzyme HydE Generates Adenosylated Fe(I) Intermediates En Route to the [FeFe]-Hydrogenase Catalytic H-Cluster

The H-cluster of [FeFe]-hydrogenase consists of a [4Fe-4S]H-subcluster linked by a cysteinyl bridge to a unique organometallic [2Fe]H-subcluster assigned as the site of interconversion between protons and molecular hydrogen. This [2Fe]H-subcluster is assembled by a set of Fe-S maturase enzymes HydG, HydE and HydF. Here we show that the HydG product [FeII(Cys)(CO)2(CN)] synthon is the substrate of the radical SAM enzyme HydE, with the generated 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical attacking the cysteine S to form a C5'-S bond concomitant with reduction of the central low-spin Fe(II) to the Fe(I) oxidation state. This leads to the cleavage of the cysteine C3-S bond, producing a mononuclear [FeI(CO)2(CN)S] species that serves as the precursor to the dinuclear Fe(I)Fe(I) center of the [2Fe]H-subcluster. This work unveils the role played by HydE in the enzymatic assembly of the H-cluster and expands the scope of radical SAM enzyme chemistry.
3D-Printed Conductive Carbon-Infused Thermoplastic Polyurethane

3D printable, flexible, and conductive composites are prepared by incorporating a thermoplastic elastomer and electrically conductive carbon fillers. The advantageous printability, workability, chemical resistance, electrical conductivity, and biocompatibility components allowed for an enabling of 3D-printed electronics, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, static elimination, and biomedical sensors. Carbon-infused thermoplastic polyurethane (C/TPU) composites have been demonstrated to possess right-strained sensing abilities and are the candidate in fields such as smart textiles and biomedical sensing. Flexible and conductive composites were prepared by a mechanical blending of biocompatible TPU and carbons. 3D structures that exhibit mechanical flexibility and electric conductivity were successfully printed. Three different types of C/TPU composites, carbon nanotube (CNT), carbon black (CCB), and graphite (G) were prepared with differentiating sizes and composition of filaments. The conductivity of TPU/CNT and TPU/CCB composite filaments increased rapidly when the loading amount of carbon fillers exceeded the filtration threshold of 8%–10% weight. Biocompatible G did not form a conductive pathway in the TPU; resistance to indentation deformation of the TPU matrix was maintained by weight by 40%. Adding a carbon material to the TPU improved the mechanical properties of the composites, and carbon fillers could improve electrical conductivity without losing biocompatibility. For the practical use of the manufactured filaments, optimal printing parameters were determined, and an FDM printing condition was adjusted. Through this process, a variety of soft 3D-printed C/TPU structures exhibiting flexible and robust features were built and tested to investigate the performance of the possible application of 3D-printed electronics and medical scaffolds.
Initial Evaluation of Polydipsia and Polyuria

Polydipsia and polyuria can be frequent complaints in a pediatrician’s office. Eliciting a detailed history of greater than 2 L/m2/day of fluid intake or urinary output is a critical first step in the diagnostic evaluation and can help to exclude other common pediatric complaints such as dehydration, urinary tract infections, and behavioral etiologies. The most common endocrine conditions associated with polydipsia and polyuria are diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Here we review key elements of the history, physical examination, and basic laboratory evaluation to guide a general pediatrician in the initial diagnosis and management of these conditions until the child can be evaluated by a pediatric endocrinologist.
The Cluster LX-σ Relation Has Implications for Scale-Free Cosmologies

I show that the cluster LX-σ relation should be sensitive to cosmologies with a scale-free power spectrum of initial density fluctuations, P(k) ∝ kn. I derive the dependence and argue that a conservative interpretation of current observations implies n < -2.0 and n < -1.1 at the one-sided 90% and 99% confidence levels, respectively. This result, which agrees with constraints on n from the X-ray cluster temperature function, should be roughly independent of the value of Ω or Λ.
Beyond Realism: The Study of Grand Strategy

Grand strategic assessments focusing only on the narrow constituents of realism – material power, changes in its distribution, and external threat – are radically incomplete and do not account for what nations actually do. Grand strategy is public policy and reflects a nation’s mechanisms for arriving at social choices. Such strategies typically require the commitment, extraction, and mobilization of societal resources. Domestic groups, social ideas, the character of constitutions, economic constraints (sometimes expressed through international interdependence), historical social tendencies, and domestic political pressures play an important, indeed, a pivotal, role in the selection of a grand strategy and, therefore, in the prospects for international conﬂict and cooperation.
Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis: A Unique Case of Familial PAM Complicated by Transplant Rejection.

Background Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare lung disease characterized by the deposition of calcium phosphate microliths or calcospherites, within the alveolar airspace. Typical imaging findings demonstrate a "sandstorm" appearance due to bilateral, interstitial sand-like micronodularities with basal predominance. Methods and results We describe an unusual case of a 48-year-old male with severe, familial PAM ultimately treated with a bilateral lung transplant. Conclusions PAM is a rare lung disease caused by a mutation in the SLC34A2 gene, which encodes for a sodium-phosphate cotransporter in type II alveolar cells, leading to accumulation of intra-alveolar phosphate causing microlith formation. PAM has an indolent course but can progress to chronic hypoxic respiratory failure, ultimately requiring lung transplant, the only known effective treatment.
Trusting records in the cloud: edited by Luciana Duranti and Corinne Rogers, London, Facet, 2019, XXI + 306 pp., £69.95 (paperback), ISBN 9781783304035

Trusting Records in the Cloud is a compilation of the most recent research generated by the research project of the International Research on Permanent Authentic Records in Electronic Systems (Inte...
A Histone H3 Methyltransferase Controls DNA Methylation in Neurospora Crassa

DNA methylation is involved in epigenetic processes such as X-chromosome inactivation, imprinting and silencing of transposons. We have demonstrated previously that dim-2 encodes a DNA methyltransferase that is responsible for all known cytosine methylation in Neurospora crassa. Here we report that another Neurospora gene, dim-5, is required for DNA methylation, as well as for normal growth and full fertility. We mapped dim-5 and identified it by transformation with a candidate gene. The mutant has a nonsense mutation in a SET domain of a gene related to histone methyltransferases that are involved in heterochromatin formation in other organisms. Transformation of a wild-type strain with a segment of dim-5 reactivated a silenced hph gene, apparently by 'quelling' of dim-5. We demonstrate that recombinant DIM-5 protein specifically methylates histone H3 and that replacement of lysine 9 in histone H3 with either a leucine or an arginine phenocopies the dim-5 mutation. We conclude that DNA methylation depends on histone methylation.
Spondylolysis of C-2 in 2 athletically active individuals: Case report

Cervical spondylolysis is an uncommon disorder involving a cleft at the pars interarticularis. It is most often found at the C-6 level, and clinical presentations have included incidental radiographic findings, neck pain, and rarely neurological compromise. Although subaxial cervical spondylolysis has been described in 150 patients, defects at the C-2 pedicles are rare. The authors present 2 new cases of C-2 spondylolysis in athletically active young persons who did not demonstrate instability or neurological deficits, were able to remain active, and are being managed conservatively with serial examinations and imaging. They also discuss the results of 22 previously reported cases of C-2 spondylolysis. Based on the literature and their own experience, the authors conclude that most patients with C-2 spondylolysis remain neurologically intact, maintain stability despite the bony defect, and can be managed conservatively. Surgery is reserved for patients who demonstrate severe instability or spinal cord compromise due to stenosis.
Modelling the rural community library: Characteristics of the Kitengesa Library in rural Uganda

Purpose – To provide background on how the Kitengesa Community Library in rural Uganda, which serves as both a community library and a school library, might be seen as a model for other similar libraries in developing countries. To use a case study of the library to highlight certain characteristics of rural libraries as developed by B.J. Mostert and presented in his 1998 article.Design/methodology/approach – The information in the article comes from a two‐year study of the Kitengesa Community Library. The methodology included focus groups, interviews, door‐to‐door visits, questionnaires, examination of library circulation information, and many hours of observation. Information from the study was then used to support the comparison to Mostert's characteristics of the rural community library. A review of the professional literature is also provided.Findings – Findings indicate that the Kitengesa Community Library is a successful working model that might be used in other similar rural villages to serve both...
Green Supply Chain

This chapter discusses the background, characteristics, and requirements/constraints of supply chains. A major focus is how they have been developing towards more green performance. Several case studies are given documenting the activities of companies that have taken leadership in green supply chain, material reuse, and recycling. Problems associated with implementing green supply chains are discussed.
Cell Psychology: An Evolutionary Approach to the Symbol-Matter Problem

I describe the simplest living organism, the cell, as a symbol-matter system―an observable case of how a natural representation using a word processing format constrains the real-time behavior of a material organism. My purpose is not to model cognition or language at the brain level, which cells have achieved only after some three billion years of evolution. Rather, I use this primeval embodiment of a symbol-matter system as an exercise in mental hygiene for cognitive scientists to test, and hopefully improve, the clarity of their fundamental explanatory concepts. I focus on the assumptions of information processing and direct perception approaches as specific examples of inadequate theories for understanding even simple symbol-matter systems. Based on the genetic organization of cells, I propose a semantic closure principle that requires both the physical constraints of direct perception and the syntactic constraints of information processing for explanation of symbol-matter systems. This exercise is motivated by the belief that if we expect to get anywhere with the mind-body problem at the brain level, then our concepts must at least be adequate in scope and precision to explain the symbol-matter relation in single cells where it all started.
de Mayo reaction

[2 + 2]-Photochemical cyclization of enones with olefins is followed by a retroaldol reaction to give 1,5-diketones.
The Early Anthropogenic Hypothesis a Year Later

Ruddiman (2003) introduced a three-part hypothesis on early anthropogenic influences on late Holocene climate. He proposed that humans reversed a natural decrease in atmospheric CO2 values 8000 years ago by starting to clear forests for farms, that they reversed a natural methane decrease after 5000 years ago mainly by beginning to irrigate rice, and that they caused an anthropogenic warming sufficient to counter most of a natural cooling and avoided the onset of a new glaciation within the last several thousand years. This hypothesis has attracted considerable attention and some criticism (Joos et al., 2004; EPICA Community members, 2004). In this note, I comment on the current status of the hypothesis in the context of the issues raised by the two accompanying papers (Claussen et al., this volume; Crucufix et al., this volume). I conclude that the critics have not refuted the central argument of the hypothesis.
False Aneurysm in the Groin Following Coronary Angioplasty

A 70-year-old female with a history of hypertension developed chest pain and came to the Emergency Room. Her electrocardiogram showed ST segment elevation. The patient was administered aspirin, clopidogrel, and intravenous heparin. Within 60 min, she underwent coronary angiography, which showed a critical stenosis of the left anterior descending artery. The lesion was treated with angioplasty and stent placement. The right femoral artery sheath was left in place overnight, and heparin was continued. The following morning after stopping heparin, the sheath was removed and a FemoStop device was placed over the groin for 4 h. Heparin was then restarted.
Fairness in Law and Economics: Introduction

This introduction, prepared for an edited volume, offers some observations on the importance — indeed, inescapability — of fairness concerns in law and economics. The relationship between fairness and the economic concept of efficiency is usually cast as an adversarial one. Rational choice economics typically describes human behavior as motivated by simple self-interest, rather than by concerns of morality, justice, or fairness. But we have found that the connections between concepts of fairness and the economic analysis of law are robust and diverse. After discussing some of these linkages, we describe the organization and content of the volume we have compiled. In it, economics engages with fairness, challenging the idea that the two concepts are alien to each other.
Oxidative toxicity in models of neurodegeneration: Responses to melatonin

In this brief review the antioxidative actions of melatonin are summarized and they are discussed relative to several models of oxidative neurotoxicity. Melatonin is a ubiquitously acting antioxidant. It has been shown to scavenge the hydroxyl radical, peroxyl radical, singlet oxygen and the peroxynitrite anion; secondarily, it also scavenges the superoxide anion radical. In addition, melatonin reportedly stimulates a number of antioxidative enzymes including glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. On the other hand, melatonin inhibits the pro-oxidative enzyme nitric oxide synthase. Besides these actions which help to resist oxidative damage, melatonin prevents membrane rigidity, reduces polymorphonuclear cell infiltration into damaged tissue, limits the adhesion of leucocytes to endothelial cells, thereby increasing blood flow and reducing edema. Some or all of these actions may have been operative in the experimental models of oxidative neurotoxicity that were improved by melatonin treatment. In brief, melatonin has been found to protect the CNS from beta-amyloid toxicity, experimental models of Parkinsonism, excitotoxicity, nitric oxide toxicity, aminolevulinic acid, lipopolysaccharide, hyperbaric hyperoxia, L-cysteine, cyanide and ischemia/reperfusion injury.
The Distributional Burden of Instant Lottery Ticket Expenditures: An Analysis by Price Point

This article examines the distributional burden of different price-point instant lottery games. Theoretical reasons exist for expecting higher-priced instant lottery games to be less regressive than lower-priced instant games. Using county-level data on sales by price point for six states, the empirical results show that higher-priced instant games are less regressive than lower-priced games. In addition, regressivity is rejected in favor of proportionality for some instant lottery games. The analysis also reveals that counties having a higher-percentage of low-income households have higher sales of lower-priced instant games, but differences in the distribution of household income have no significant impact on higher-priced instant sales. Taken together, the findings suggest that large differences in the distributional burden of individual instant games are masked if aggregated instant-lottery sales data are used.
Universal scaling laws for hierarchical complexity in languages, organisms, behaviors and other combinatorial systems.

There are many complex systems in nature where components, or "words", are combined together to make expressions, or "sentences". Such combinatorial systems include: (1) human language, where sentences are composed of words; (2) bird vocalization, where songs are built from syllables; (3) organisms, where organism-expressions (e.g. the tonsil) are made out of cells; (4) behavioral repertoire, where mammalian behavior consists of a temporal arrangement of muscle contractions; (5) universities, where student academic degrees are comprised of departmental concentrations; and (6) electronic devices, where the device's actions are implemented via strings of button-presses. My central aim here is to discover how combinatorial systems accommodate greater numbers of expressions; that is, what changes do combinatorial systems undergo when they "say more things?" Are there general laws characterizing the properties of combinatorial systems as the number of expressions increases? If so, what are they? My main result is that, in all the kinds of combinatorial system mentioned above, there appear to be general laws describing how combinatorial systems change as they become more expressive. In particular, in each of these cases, increase in expression complexity (i.e. number of expressions the combinatorial system allows) is achieved, at least in part, by increasing the number of component types. Each kind of system follows one of two kinds of scaling law. In the first kind of scaling law, expression complexity increase is carried out exclusively by increasing the number of component types; the number of components per expression (i.e. the expression length) remains invariant. This applies to human language over history, bird vocalization, organisms in phylogeny and ontogeny, and universities. In the second kind of scaling law, expression complexity is accomplished by increasing in a law-like manner both the number of component types and the expression length. This applies to two cases of the ontogeny of language-the development of words and sentences, and the development of phonemes and morphemes-and to mammalian behavior. By treating these diverse systems as combinatorial systems we, in addition to elucidating general principles underlying such systems, gain insight into each kind of system mentioned.
Cluster of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on an oncology unit: Identification, investigation, and correction

BACKGROUND: This 450-bed acute care facility in Portland, Oregon, was alerted to a significant increase in hospital-associated MRSA isolates resistant to clindamycin from various sources from May through June 2004. OBJECTIVES: Identify processes putting patients at risk, correct process breakdowns, and share information for future prevention with other clinical staff. Prevent this organism from becoming endemic on the oncology unit. METHODS: Data-mining services are provided to the hospital. Monthly reports are generated to detect unsuspected patterns of infection within the hospital and community. In June 2004, infection control (IC) received an alert describing the emergence of non-duplicate hospital-associated, clindamycin-resistant MRSA isolates from multiple sources in patients on the oncology unit. Following receipt of the pattern, the staff and manager of this unit were notified of the emerging trend. The IC team discovered one additional patient on oncology with clindamycin-sensitive MRSA. Suggested interventions were presented, concurrently with a graph demonstrating the MRSA increase. The full staff was scheduled for mandatory inservices, including a review of isolation precautions. Bimonthly updates of MRSA incidence were generated electronically and presented to the staff for review. RESULTS: Continuing electronic surveillance for hospital-associated MRSA isolates revealed only one isolate every 2 months in the subsequent 8 months following the implementation of corrective measures. CONCLUSION: Investigation of a cluster of clindamycin-resistant MRSA isolates yielded opportunities for staff to improve their processes for MRSA precautions. Providing suggestions for interventions at the same time that an issue is pointed out facilitates active staff participation in resolution.
Selective trapping of SNO-BSA and GSNO by benzenesulfinic acid sodium salt: mechanistic study of thiosulfonate formation and feasibility as a protein S-nitrosothiol detection strategy

Abstract The conversion of S-nitrosothiols to thiosulfonates by reaction with the sodium salt of benzenesulfinic acid (PhSO2Na) has been examined in detail with the exemplary substrates S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and S-nitrosylated bovine serum albumin (SNO-BSA). The reaction stoichiometry (2:1, PhSO2Na:RSNO) and the rate law (first order in both PhSO2Na and RSNO) have been determined under mild acidic conditions (pH 4.0). The products have been identified as the corresponding thiosulfonates (GSSO2Ph and BSA-SSO2Ph) along with PhSO2NHOH obtained in a 1:1 ratio. GSH, GSSG, and BSA were unreactive to PhSO2Na.
A Davis-Bacon musicale: Symphony orchestras as migrant labor

One of the original arguments in support of the Davis-Bacon Act was that local construction labor would be protected from wage-busting on federal projects by “ruthless non-local contractors” using low-wage, itinerant labor. A related, current claim is that Davis-Bacon prevents lower quality non-local firms from winning contracts by underbidding local labor; thus, Davis-Bacon helps to ensure the quality of construction. This paper first evaluates whether the use of itinerant non-local firmsnecessarily results in lower quality output. Using the “traveling” symphony orchestra as an analogy, the answer is clearly “no.” Second, if higher quality output may be produced by non-local firms, is this likely to happen in construction? Third, does a Davis-Bacon type of wage floor ensure that local projects will be built by local firms or crews?
Development of a plastic dosimeter for industrial use with high doses

Abstract We developed the new high dose plastic dosimeters using the phenomenon of hydrogen-chloride generation from PVC under irradiation, which indicates pH change in the color of a dye contained in the PVC.
Evaluation of classical potential functions for hydrogen bonding in 7-azaindole and 1-azacarbazole complexes

Abstract The accuracy of classical potential functions for representing the hydrogen bonding between 7-azaindole and 1-azacarbazole and various complexing partners is evaluated by comparison to ab initio calculations and experimental data in dilute solution. The potential functions utilize standard Lennard-Jones parameters along with charges derived from electrostatic potential fits to ab initio wavefunctions of the monomers. For the cases examined such classical potentials reproduce ab initio calculations and available experimental data on 1:1 complexes of 7-AI and 1-AC with various hydrogen-bonding partners to an accuracy of ±3.8 kJ/mol or ±13% without adjustment of parameters.
Levitation-melting and americium-reduction techniques for preparation of thorium-americium alloys☆

Abstract Levitation melting as a technique for melting metallic materials was proposed in 1923 but has not been widely applied for small quantities of material, because it is time-consuming and somewhat complicated. For the thorium-americium alloys described, for use as Mossbauer sources, it offered advantages over the more conventional methods, such as arc melting. The problem of crucible contamination was eliminated, and the alloy was more homogeneous.
The Influence of Malaria Chills on the Trypanocidal Action of the Serum.

During their experiments on the natural immunity of man against the trypanosomes, which are pathogenic to animals, Laveran and Mesnil1 discovered the trypanocidal action of the human serum. The serum does not destroy the trypanosomes in vitro, but it protects mice for from 1 to 2 weeks against an infection, which otherwise would cause death within a few days. It delays, therefore, only the development of the trypanosomes in the mouse. A complete protection is rare.The trypanocidal substances are scanty in or absent from the serum of the newborn (Rosenthal and Nossen,2 Platau,3 Leichtentritt,4 Neumark and Pogorschelsky5). In healthy children they appear after the 11th to 15th week and persist throughout life, although individual differences as to their strength exist. According to Rosenthal and Kleeman6 the trypanocidal substances are increased in the later part of pregnancy. Under certain abnormal conditions they disappear more or less completely. Leichtentritt and Zielaskowsky7 found a marked decrease in...
The effect of spike redistribution in a reciprocally connected pair of neurons with spike timing-dependent plasticity

Abstract This work considers a system of two spike-response cells, mutually connected by excitatory synapses that modify according to a multiplicative form of spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP). The units are driven by independent external inputs and one common input, representing a global cortical rhythm. Our simulations show that the synaptic weights converge to attractors that encode input and plasticity parameters, independent of initial conditions. In certain parameter regimes, the temporal correlation induced by coupling and the shared cortical signal lead to redistribution of spikes to favor doublets. When this occurs, the weight changes associated with these doublets dominate convergence of weights to their attractors. Thus, spike timing-dependent plasticity can allow subsets of spikes to play a predominant role in the evolution of synaptic weights.
A four-compartment metabolomics analysis of the liver, muscle, serum, and urine response to polytrauma with hemorrhagic shock following carbohydrate prefeed.

Objective Hemorrhagic shock accompanied by injury represents a major physiologic stress. Fasted animals are often used to study hemorrhagic shock (with injury). A fasted state is not guaranteed in the general human population. The objective of this study was to determine if fed animals would exhibit a different metabolic profile in response to hemorrhagic shock with trauma when compared to fasted animals. Methods Proton (1H) NMR spectroscopy was used to determine concentrations of metabolites from four different compartments (liver, muscle, serum, urine) taken at defined time points throughout shock/injury and resuscitation. PLS-DA was performed and VIP lists established for baseline, shock and resuscitation (10 metabolites for each compartment at each time interval) on metabolomics data from surviving animals. Results Fed status prior to the occurrence of hemorrhagic shock with injury alters the metabolic course of this trauma and potentially affects mortality. The death rate for CPF animals is higher than FS animals (47 vs 28%). The majority of deaths occur post-resuscitation suggesting reperfusion injury. The metabolomics response to shock reflects priorities evident at baseline. FS animals raise the baseline degree of proteolysis to provide additional amino acids for energy production while CPF animals rely on both glucose and, to a lesser extent, amino acids. During early resuscitation levels of metabolites associated with energy production drop, suggesting diminished demand. Conclusions Feeding status prior to the occurrence of hemorrhagic shock with injury alters the metabolic course of this trauma and potentially affects mortality. The response to shock reflects metabolic priorities at baseline.
Some explicit solutions for a class of one-phase Stefan problems

Salva and Tarzia, [N.N. Salva, D.A. Tarzia, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 379 (2011) 240 - 244], gave explicit solutions of a similarity type for a class of free boundary problem for a semi-infinite material. In this paper, through an elementary approach and less stringent assumption on data, we obtain more general results than those given by their central result, and thereby construct explicit solutions for a wider class of Stefan problems with a type of variable heat flux boundary conditions. Further, explicit solutions of certain forced one-phase Stefan problems are given.
Conversion of soybean oil into ion exchange resins: Removal of copper (II), nickel (II), and cobalt (II) ions from dilute aqueous solution using carboxylate-containing resin †

An ion-exchange resin containing carboxylic acid groups was prepared by reaction of epoxidized soybean oil with triethylene tetramine, followed by hydrolysis of glycerides by using sodium hydroxide solution. The cation exchange capacity of the resins was determined to be 3.50 mequiv/g. The adsorption capacity for Cu2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ on the obtained resin at pH 5.0 was found to be 192, 96, and 78 mg/g, respectively. Effect of pH on the adsorption capacity for copper (II), nickel (II), and cobalt (II) ions were also studied. Cu2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ were adsorbed at a pH above 3. These metal ions adsorbed on the resin are easily eluted by using 1N HCl solution. The selectivity of the resin for Cu2+ from mixtures containing Cu2+/Co2+/Ni2+ ions in the presence of sodium chloride was also investigated © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2386–2396, 2002
Root interactions of plants

"The roots of plants are the least known, least understood and least appreciated part of the plant."-Weaver and Bruner. As one surveys the monumental literature dealing with crop production, the small fraction thereof devoted to roots and the absorptive processes seems entirely out of proportion to their importance. Though actually meagre, our knowledge of root structure and development (59, 404, 405) is, nevertheless, much more comprehensive than existing information about the physiological activities and functional interrelationships of roots, especially as these are influenced by other organisms. Though ecologists and soil scientists have long stressed the necessity of regarding the soil as a biological unit, of which the growing plant is only a part, it is but recently that we have acquired sufficient explicit information on root interaction and activity of the soil microflora in relation to crop production for it to be of practical significance in determining agricultural practice. Gratifying as the advance in our knowledge of root processes has been in late years, it is modest indeed as compared to what may well be expected, once current diversified but unrelated research becomes coordinated and its results integrated. Consciousness of the need for information along these lines has long existed, as evidenced by more than a century of such research, but the data have been more descriptive than experimental, due largely to the hitherto insuperable technical obstacles attending control of the numerous variable factors necessarily involved under field conditions. Modern scientific investigations have disclosed that the development and activity of the root are more largely conditioned by the metabolism of contiguous roots and soil organisms than heretofore realized. These important problems have of late, however, received considerable attention as a result of the existing world-wide interest in soil fertility and attempts to establish permanent systems of agriculture, activities which perhaps justify an attempt to survey the outstanding advances of recent years. The scattered contributions on root interaction are conveniently brought together under the headings of toxic and non-toxic secretions, the latter topic being subdivided for purposes of clarity. 195
Future Research on Endolymphatic Hydrops

Today we commemorate the retirement of a Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology at Fukuoka University School of Medicine. He was a member of the Board of Directors and served as the President of the Society of Otorhinolaryngology of Japan. He has been very active in the research of evoked responses to auditory and olfactory stimuli. This is the time for us to honor his numerous accomplishments and express our deep gratitude for his contribution to the society. I dedicate this paper to Professor Soda.
Water management studies in PEM fuel cells, part III: Dynamic breakthrough and intermittent drainage characteristics from GDLs with and without MPLs

The transport of liquid water and gaseous reactants through a gas diffusion layer (GDL) is one of the most important water management issues in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). In this work, the liquid water breakthrough dynamics, characterized by the capillary pressure and water saturation, across GDLs with and without a microporous layer (MPL) are studied in an ex-situ setup which closely simulates a real fuel cell configuration and operating conditions. The results reveal that recurrent breakthroughs are observed for all of the GDL samples tested, indicating the presence of an intermittent water drainage mechanism in the GDL. This is accounted for by the breakdown and redevelopment of the continuous water paths during water drainage as demonstrated by Haines jumps. For GDL samples without MPL, a dynamic change of breakthrough locations is observed, which originates from the rearrangement of the water configuration in the GDL following the drainage. For GDL samples with MPL, no dynamic change of breakthrough location can be found and the water saturation is significantly lower than the samples without MPL. These results suggest that the MPL not only limits the number of water entry locations into the GDL (such that the water saturation is drastically reduced), but also stabilizes the water paths (or morphology). The effect of MPL on the two-phase flow dynamics in gas channels is also studied with multi-channel flow experiments. The most important result is that GDL without MPL promotes film flow and shifts the slug-to-film flow transition to lower air flow rates, compared with the case of GDL with MPL. This is closely related to the larger number of water breakthrough locations through GDL without MPL, which promotes the formation of water film.
Effect of hydrogen concentration on superconductivity and clustering in palladium hydride

Abstract A method of preparing superconducting palladium hybride by electrolysis is described. The relationship of the superconducting transition temperature to hydrogen concentration and the behavior of the hydrogen clustering temperature at high concentrations are reported.
Lethality Distribution within Particles in the Holding Section of an Aseptic Processing System

Residence time distribution (RTD) affected lethal effects of heat on 1.27 cm diameter particles in the holding section of an aseptic processing system. The variations in particle center and particle surface F0 were determined as a function of particle density, flow rate, and particle to fluid heat transfer coefficient, hfp. Particles with density ratios of 1.00-1.04 relative to the carrier fluid showed diverse RTD characteristics in the hold tube. Particles with density ratio of 1.01 had the least residence time. The distribution of the particle center F0 value increased with increase in the hfp.