cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Managing responsiveness in the emergency department: Comparing dynamic priority queue with fast track

Abstract Emergency Departments (EDs) commonly face capacity imbalances and long wait times in a service system handling patients with different priorities. These problems are particularly important for low-priority patients who often remain in the queue for extended periods. We investigate two distinct approaches to address these challenges: fast track (FT) and dynamic priority queue (DPQ). Traditionally, EDs have prioritized patients using an Emergency Severity Index (ESI), in conjunction with FT, to strictly or partially dedicate resources to different ESI patient classes. With our proposed DPQ, patients are prioritized using ESI and additional real-time operational information about the patient, specifically the amount of accumulated wait time and flow time. Using an empirical simulation, we compare the impact of different resource allocation and prioritization approaches on patient length of stay (LOS), including the existing system at the ED, FT with strict and partial dedication and the possibility of shorter and less variable service times, and versions of the proposed DPQ using simple dynamic prioritization. Our main results are that: (i) the DPQ approach dominates the other approaches tested; (ii) for various ED sizes, FT with strict and partial dedication do not reduce average LOS of low-priority patients without significantly increasing average LOS of high-priority patients, unless service time mean and variance are reduced; (iii) DPQ using accumulated wait time or accumulated flow time improves performance. The results are robust to changes in the proportion of patients in each priority level. Overall, expanding decision making about patient prioritization from only considering the patient's clinical condition to also including operational data can improve performance dramatically, even without improved service times.
The time-varying nature of cache utilization: A case study on the Mantevo and Apex benchmarks

Computer architects have been utilizing cache hierarchies to improve performance by minimizing latency of main memory accesses via caching frequently used data closer to the core. The majority of prior research focuses on measuring cache hit rates and data movement for the entire run of an application. We present cache performance metrics as they vary with the execution progression of the application, and show how these metrics can provide improved insight about application behavior. In this work, we present runtime cache utilization, as well as, conventional performance metrics that illustrate a holistic understanding of cache behavior. We built and incorporated a memory simulator into the Structural Simulation Toolkit (SST). We measure and analyze the performance for several scientific mini-applications from the APEX and Mantevo suites. This characterization can help identify the critical program points in benchmarks that may reduce the overall simulation time while testing new designs. Moreover, this introductory work enables us to quantify cache behavior for our work that proposes an on-chip memory with dynamic adaptive cache line size that is expected to reduce power consumption.
Selecting and Evaluating School-Based Interventions

A primary goal of school consultation is to help teachers select, implement, and evaluate intervention programs for children’s learning and adjustment problems. Accomplishing this goal requires that school consultants go beyond assessment and diagnosis of problems and participate in the treatment process. From our experiences as school consultants and from supervising psychologists-in-training, we realize that being involved in treatment decisions can be both rewarding and challenging. The rewards come from helping a teacher successfully implement an intervention program and seeing dramatic improvements in children’s behavior as a result. The challenging aspects of treatment stem from making what are often difficult decisions about program alternatives, tailoring programs to individual case needs, and soliciting judgments of program effectiveness from teachers, parents, and other school personnel.
Formation and Maintenance of Spiral Structure in Galaxies

The formation and maintenance of spiral structure in galaxies is discussed in terms of spiral modes with a general perception consistent with the hypothesis of quasi-stationary spiral structure. The latter is explained in some detail to give it the original proper perspective and to contrast it with recent studies of non-stationary spiral structures. We again emphasize the possible coexistence of fast-evolving spiral features and slow-evolving spiral grand designs. Spiral modes are described in terms of three categories of propagating waves. The reason is given why isolated non-barred galaxies with spiral grand design are found to be mostly two-armed. Some suggestions are made for future research.
Basic Housing Models

In this chapter, I restructure the model of housing services and the housing market presented in Chapter 1, so as to be able to consider some of the more complex situations encountered in the housing market. In Chapter 1,1 treated housing as a regular good whose provision and factor proportions in production respond instantly to price changes. This implies that a city's spatial design and building heights will be costlessly and instantly adjusted in response only to current population, income, and price variables. Housing capital is thus perfectly malleable and mobile, like so many building blocks. While it may be reasonable to describe long-run spatial equilibrium in a city under the assumptions of perfect malleability and mobility of capital, for many problems it is essential to incorporate the fact that housing is a durable good. It is provided in a dynamic context, and is long-lived and immobile, adjusting in quantity through depreciation, maintenance, demolition, and reconstruction. In Section 1 of this chapter, I outline a model of the housing market and analyze the investment and maintenance decisions of individual landowners. In doing so I isolate the time dimension of the problem from the spatial dimension and focus on the traditional model of firm investment decisions. In Section 2,1 combine spatial and time dimensions and reanalyze the problem in Chapter 1, examining the elements of a spatial model of a monocentric city with durable immobile capital. Finally, in Section 3,1 conclude by noting alternative ways in the literature of modeling durable housing. In the next chapter I turn to modeling a variety of housing problems building upon the concepts developed in this chapter.
Advances in determining signaling mechanisms of ceramide and role in disease

Ceramide is a critical bioactive lipid involved in diverse cellular processes. It has been proposed to regulate cellular processes by influencing membrane properties and by directly interacting with effector proteins. Advances over the past decade have improved our understanding of ceramide as a bioactive lipid. Generation and characterization of ceramide-metabolizing enzyme KO mice, development of specific inhibitors and ceramide-specific antibodies, use of advanced microscopy and mass spectrometry, and design of synthetic ceramide derivatives have all provided insight into the signaling mechanisms of ceramide and its implications in disease. As a result, the role of ceramide in biological functions and disease are now better understood, with promise for development of therapeutic strategies to treat ceramide-regulated diseases.
Effect of chromium tripicolinate on growth, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, plasma metabolites, and growth hormone in pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of Cr as Cr tripicolinate (CrPic) on growth, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, plasma metabolites, and growth hormone (GH) in pigs. Pigs were fed a control diet or a diet supplemented with 200 μg of Cr/kg of diet as CrPic. Thirty (15 per diet, initial BW was 21.3 kg) and 24 (12 per diet, initial BW was 24.9 kg) crossbred barrows were used in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. The diets were formulated to provide 120% of the lysine requirement for 20- to 50-kg pigs. A glucose tolerance test (IVGTT; 500 mg of glucose/kg BW) and an insulin challenge test (IVICT;.1 IU of porcine insulin/kg BW) were conducted. In addition, during Exp. 1, a GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) challenge was conducted. All data were pooled across experiments, except where noted. Average daily gain, ADFI, gain/feed, and fasting (15 to 18 h) plasma glucose and total protein concentrations were not affected (P >.10) by dietary treatment. Fasting plasma cholesterol (P .10). During the GHRH challenge, pigs fed CrPic had decreased (P .10) of CrPic on GH concentrations prior to administration of GHRH. The results of this study indicate that dietary Cr as CrPic increases glucose k and decreases glucose t 1/2 in growing pigs
Relationships between Oral and Written Language

Research and clinical studies have identified many relationships between various oral language processes and written language. This article provides an overview of findings regarding auditory recep...
Synthesis of 7‐ethyl‐4,7‐dihydro‐4‐oxo‐2‐(4‐pyridinyl)thieno[2,3‐b]pyridine‐5‐carboxylic acid

7-Ethyl-4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-2-(4-pyridinyl)thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid (4), an analog of nalidixic acid, was synthesized in seven steps starting from commercially available 4-methylpyridine. Bacterial susceptibility to compound 4 was tested and the title compound was found to exhibit only weak antibacterial activity against a variety of pathogens including S. Aureus, E. Coli and P. Aeruginosa.
Term operations in $$\mathcal {V}(N_5)$$ V ( N 5 )

Define a lattice to be order endoprimal if every order preserving operation on the lattice which is preserved by all endomorphisms is a term operation. We prove that every lattice in the variety generated by $$\mathbf{N}_5$$ is order endoprimal.
Mega-Gifts: Hijacking Administrative Discretion?

Blending organizational types enables public agencies to seek alternative resources, sometimes yielding mega-gifts large enough to transform the public institution and its agenda. Administrative di...
A 10-year ACS-NSQIP Analysis of Trends in Esophagectomy Practices.

Abstract Background Esophagectomy practices have evolved over time in response to new technologies and refinements in technique. Using the National Safety and Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, we aimed to describe trends for esophagectomy in terms of approach, surgeon specialty, and associated outcomes. Materials and methods Adult patients undergoing esophagectomy were identified within the 2007-2017 NSQIP database. The proportion of cases performed using different approaches was trended over time. Outcomes were compared with chi-squared and t-tests. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with outcomes and provide risk-adjusted measures. Results A total of 10,383 esophagectomies were included; 6347 (61.1%) were performed for cancer. The proportion of esophagectomies performed via the Ivor Lewis approach (ILE) increased between 2007 (37.0%) and 2017 (62.4%). Simultaneously, transhiatal esophagectomies (THEs) decreased from 41.1% to 21.5% (P Conclusions ILE has emerged as the predominant approach for esophagectomy nationwide among NSQIP-participating institutions and may be associated with lower complication rates than THE. The use of MCK esophagectomy has remained stable but is associated with increased complications.
A Comparison of Salmonella Survival and Detection Using an Enrichment Technique in Dry- and Wet-Inoculated Rendered Chicken Fat Treated with Sodium Bisulfate.

ABSTRACT The differences in the recovery of Salmonella from rendered chicken fat treated with sodium bisulfate (SBS) when inoculated with a dry versus wet inoculum were evaluated. Food-grade rendered chicken fat was inoculated with a dry inoculum and a wet inoculum containing a cocktail of Salmonella serovars (Enteritidis, Heidelberg, and Typhimurium). In addition, the effect of an antimicrobial treatment (SBS) against Salmonella in both the aqueous phase and fat phase of the chicken fat was evaluated. The untreated control samples in the aqueous phase had a consistent level of Salmonella (∼7 log) when both the dry and wet inocula were used. In the SBS-treated aqueous phase, Salmonella pathogens were not detectable after 6 h when the wet inoculum was used; when the dry inoculum was used, Salmonella pathogens were not detectable at 24 h. Salmonella pathogens were detected for up to 6 h in the SBS-treated fat phase when the dry inoculum was used compared with 2 h with the wet inoculum. The 24-h fat samples that failed to show growth on Trypticase soy agar were enriched for Salmonella isolation, followed by confirmation by PCR using primers for the invA gene. SBS-treated and control samples from the dry-inoculated rendered chicken fat and the inoculated control from the wet-inoculated rendered chicken fat tested positive for Salmonella. However, the SBS-treated sample from the wet-inoculated fat was negative for Salmonella. The use of dry SBS powder against dry Salmonella inoculum in the fat matrix caused only ∼2.8-log reduction after 24 h compared with ∼2.2-log reduction in the positive control. However, the recovery of Salmonella from untreated control fat was lower and was not different (P > 0.05) from that recovered from the SBS-treated fat. The results suggest that viable but nonculturable states of Salmonella may develop in rendered chicken fat or that injured cells may be present, which indicates that testing should include an enrichment and appropriate molecular confirmation instead of agar plating alone. HIGHLIGHTS
Endosomal Sorting Drives the Formation of Mutant Prion Endoggresomes

Abstract Intra-axonal misfolded protein aggregates are a pathological feature of neurodegenerative diseases. How aggregates are formed and cleared is key to maintaining proteostasis. By systematically analyzing the trafficking itinerary of a misfolded GPI-anchored prion protein (PrP) mutant, we unveil endocytic pathways that drive its immediate degradation in the soma, versus its aggregation in axons inside endosomal structures we termed endoggresomes. Axonal sorting occurs post-Golgi, by association of mutant PrP vesicles with Arl8b/kinesin-1/HOPS, a complex that earmarks them for axonal entry, fusion, and aggregation via a mechanism of axonal rapid endosomal sorting and transport-dependent aggregation (ARESTA). Endoggresomes persist in axons due to transport and lysosomal deficits, impairing calcium dynamics and accelerating neuronal death. Reducing ARESTA inhibits endoggresome formation and circumvents these defects. These data identify the endo-lysosomal system as critical for the sorting of misfolded PrP, and ARESTA as an actionable anti-aggregation target that can ameliorate axonal dysfunction in the prionopathies.
A Chandra High-Energy Transition Grating Spectrometer Observation of the Quasar H1821+643 and Its Surrounding Cluster

We present the high-resolution X-ray spectrum of the low-redshift quasar H1821+643 and its surrounding hot cluster observed with the Chandra High-Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer. An iron emission line attributed to the quasar at ~6.43 keV (rest frame) is clearly resolved, with an equivalent width of ~100 eV. Although we cannot rule out contributions to the line from a putative torus, the DISKLINE model provides an acceptable fit to this iron line. We also detect a weak emission feature at ~6.9 keV (rest frame). We suggest that both lines could originate in an accretion disk composed of a highly ionized optically thin atmosphere sitting atop a mostly neutral disk. We search for absorption features from a warm/hot component of the intergalactic medium (IGM) along the ~1.5 h-1 Gpc line of sight to the quasar. No absorption features are detected at or above the 3 σ level, while a total of six O VI intervening absorption systems have been detected with the Hubble Space Telescope and Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer. Based on the lack of O VII and O VIII absorption lines and by assuming collisionally ionization, we constrain the gas temperature of a typical O VI absorber to 105 K < T < 106 K, which is consistent with the results from hydrodynamic simulations of the IGM. The zeroth-order image reveals the extended emission from the surrounding cluster. We have been able to separate the moderate CCD X-ray spectrum of the surrounding cluster from the central quasar and find that this is a hot cluster with a temperature of ~10 keV and a metal abundance of ~0.3 Z☉. We also independently obtain the redshift of the cluster, which is consistent with the optical results. We estimate that the cluster makes negligible contributions to the 6.9 keV iron K-line flux.
Analysis of the effects of microstructure heterogeneity on the mechanical behavior of additively manufactured Ti6Al4V using mechanics of structure genome

Abstract In this paper, the mechanics of structure genome (MSG) is introduced as a computationally efficient multiscale modeling approach to predict the effects of heterogeneous microstructure on the mechanical properties of AMed Ti6Al4V. Homogenization using MSG is conducted on a structure genome (SG) that incorporates the basic building details of the heterogeneous microstructure from the grain level and the modeling is carried out using the constitutive behaviors of the constituent phases with the evolution of microstructure without redoing homogenization. The microstructure-based MSG was employed to simulate the compression and tensile behaviors of AMed Ti6Al4V based on their microstructures. The predicted true stress-strain curves were then compared to the corresponding curves acquired from experimental testing. The simulation results matched well with the experimental results and showed the existence of martensite to be the reason behind the high strength in the AMed Ti6Al4V and the reduced ductility. Additionally, the inclusion of the microstructure in the SG allowed the MSG simulations to conform to the experiments in showing the reductions in the strengths and improvements in the maximum elongations in the AMed+heat treated Ti6Al4V due to grain coarsening and absence of martensite.
Finding the self through others: exploring fandom, identification, and self-concept clarity among U.S. adolescents

The primary developmental task of adolescence (12–18 years old) is identity development. During this time, adolescents individuate from their parents and may instead use media models for social gui...
The ever-changing face of Chinese Interpreting Studies

As the discipline of Translation and Interpreting Studies (TIS) has continued to expand rapidly over the past twenty years, scientometric research has been applied increasingly often to analyse its trends and patterns. Drawing inspiration from Social Network Analysis (SNA), this study aims to quantify academic research impact and identify patterns of influence at an institutional level in Chinese Interpreting Studies (CIS), by seeking answers to the following questions: Which are the most influential publications? Which institutions carry the most weight? How have their respective levels of influence evolved over time? By analysing a near-exhaustive corpus of 59,303 citations from CIS literature, the study reveals that the majority of influential publications are monographs and theoretical in nature, though many Chinese textbooks on interpreting are also highly influential. It also finds that an institution�s ranking in research productivity does not necessarily translate into high academic influence.
Field Guide to Cacti & Other Succulents of Arizona. 2nd edition

Peter Breslin, Rob Romero, Greg Starr, & Vonn Watkins (with Doug Dawson, Matt Johnson, A. Dean Stock, Blake Wellard, & David Yetman). Edited by Thomas Staudt. 2017. Field Guide to Cacti & Other Succulents of Arizona. 2nd edition. (ISBN-13: 978-0-692-78405-1, pbk). Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society, P.O. Box 64759, Tucson, Arizona 85728, U.S.A. (Orders: www.tucsoncactus.org). $25.95 US, 302 pp., color photographs, 6" × 9".
Designing Technology for Single Fathers using Human-Centered Design Approach

In this paper, we present a preliminary inquiry into the designing of support interventions for single fathers. We hope that a potential intervention would help them cope with the daily stressors of parenting. Currently, support solutions specifically designed for single fathers are scarce. This research uses the Human-centered design methodology to engaged single fathers in multiple research activities to gain insight into their support needs to inform potential designs for support interventions.
A new genus and species of the deep-sea family coronarctidae (Tardigrada) from a submarine cave with a deep-sea like condition

A new genus and species of the deep-sea family Coronarctidae (Tardigrada, Arthrotardigrada), collected from a sublittoral submarine cave in the French Mediterranean Sea, is described and illustrate...
HeiRAT: The Heidelberg Resource Administration Technique Design Philosophy and Goals

HeiRAT, the Heidelberg Resource Administration Technique, is a resource management subsystem being developed and implemented as part of a distributed multimedia platform for networked workstations.
Teaching Tools, Applications, and Infrastructure for Digital Curation Through the Use of a Virtual Lab

Paper accompanying a poster presentation for the 2013 International iConference. This paper discusses teaching tools, applications, and infrastructure for digital curation through the use of a virtual lab.
Notes on the KMT Brownian Bridge Approximation to the Uniform Empirical Process

Komlόs, Major, and Tusnady [KMT] (1975) published a Brownian bridge approximation to the uniform empirical process. However, the majority of the often very technical details of the proof were left to the reader. This has sometimes discouraged the acceptance and informed use of this very powerful approximation tool. The aim of these notes is to gain a wider audience for this beautiful result by making its proof more accessible. This is done by providing the details of the proof and pointing the reader to published work where they can be found.
The Puzzling Persistence of the Single Entity Argument for Sports Leagues: American Needle and the Supreme Court's Opportunity to Reject a Flawed Defense

Later this term, the Supreme Court will hear American Needle v. National Football League, a case that might fundamentally change professional sports and rewrite sports antitrust law. In American Needle, the Seventh Circuit held that the National Football League (NFL) acts as a single entity when licensing its intellectual property and thus is immune from scrutiny under Section 1of the Sherman Act. Although the Seventh Circuit is the first circuit court to hold that a sports league is a single entity, the argument that leagues act as single entities has persisted for decades. Leagues view the single entity defense as the antitrust “holy grail,” because it shields them from Section 1 attack and costly antitrust litigation. Section 1 explicitly requires an agreement, and an agreement requires more than one entity. Thus, as a matter of law, a single entity cannot violate Section 1. This Article argues that a single entity classification for sports leagues divorces antitrust immunity from the fundamental purpose of the antitrust laws and is theoretically unsupportable. Antitrust law is designed to act as a gatekeeper, filtering out net anticompetitive conduct. The Seventh Circuit’s single entity approach ignores the competitive effects of league conduct and distorts the basic rationale for distinguishing between single and multiple entity conduct. In doing so, it vests sports leagues with virtually free rein to engage in anticompetitive behavior. This Article also brings to light evidence of actual economic competition between NFL teams that proves that the Seventh Circuit’s single entity analysis in American Needle is factually unsupportable. This Article thus concludes that the Supreme Court should definitively put an end to the single entity defense for professional sports leagues. The Article also proposes a model for streamlining the rule of reason analysis and reducing the litigation burden on sports leagues.
Self-shielding Effects on the Column Density Distribution of Damped Lyα Systems

We calculate the column density distribution of damped Lyα systems, modeled as spherical isothermal gaseous halos ionized by the external cosmic background. The effects of self-shielding introduce a hump in this distribution, at a column density of N ~ 1.6 × 1017X-1 cm-2, where X is the neutral fraction at the radius where self-shielding starts being important. The most recent compilation of the column density distribution, by Storrie-Lombardi & Wolfe, shows marginal evidence for the detection of this feature owing to self-shielding, suggesting a value of X 10-3. Assuming a photoionization rate of Γ 10-12 s-1 from the external ionizing background, the radius where self-shielding occurs is inferred to be ~3.8 kpc. If damped Lyα systems consist of a clumpy medium, this should be interpreted as the typical size of the gas clumps in the region where they become self-shielding. Clumps of this size with typical column densities of NH ~ 3 × 1020 cm-2 would be gravitationally confined at the characteristic photoionization temperature of ~104 K if they do not contain dark matter. Since this size is similar to the overall radius of damped Lyα systems in cold dark matter models, where all halos are assumed to contain similar gas clouds producing damped absorbers, this suggests that the gas in damped absorbers is in fact not highly clumped.
Analysis of biodegradation and bacterial transport: Comparison of models with kinetic and equilibrium bacterial adsorption

An advection/dispersion/sorption model incorporating Monod kinetics (modified to describe bacterial growth near threshold concentrations of the contaminant) was used to analyze breakthrough curve and concentration profile data from soil column experiments previously reported for degradation of 1,2-dichlorobenzene by Pseudomonas P51. Two models for bacterial sorption in the column were compared: one assumed an equilibrium process and the other used first-order kinetics for adsorption and desorption. Numerical solutions of both models using reasonable parameter values represented the column concentration profile data well. The two adsorption models yielded qualitatively and quantitatively similar results for contaminant concentration data. However, significant differences in bacteria distributions and breakthrough curves were predicted from the two adsorption models. These are important considerations for distinguishing between various models of bacterial migration for field-scale applications.
Cyclopentane: Molecular vibrational analysis

Abstract Normal coordinate calculations for cyclopentane, which took into account the puckered configuration of the ring, were made with force constants transferred from n -paraffins. The vibrational assignment based thereon differs some-what from any proposed previously but is consistent with calorimetric data.
Phosphorylation of Elk-1 by MEK/ERK Pathway is Necessary for c-fos Gene Activation During Cardiac Myocyte Hypertrophy

Cardiac hypertrophy is associated with specific alterations in myocardial gene expression; however, the exact mechanisms responsible for altered gene expression are poorly defined. The goal of this study was to investigate whether signaling kinases that are activated during cardiac hypertrophy directly modulate transcription factor activity and regulate gene expression. In an effort to understand this process, we focused our studies on the transcriptional activation of c-fos gene through the serum response element (SRE)/ternary complex factor (TCF) element, during phenylephrine-induced myocyte hypertrophy. In this study, we show that phosphorylated Elk-1, a TCF, binds to c-fos SRE and its binding to SRE is increased upon phenylephrine stimulation. Phenylephrine treatment activates phosphorylation of Elk-1 in the nucleus within five minutes and Elk-1-dependent transcriptional activation is abolished by inhibitors selective for MEK/ERK kinases. These studies implicate that phosphorylation of Elk-1 by ERK kinase pathway is important for early gene activation during phenylephrine-induced myocyte hypertrophy.
Seeing pitch : Visual information for lexical tones of Mandarin-Chinese

Mandarin perceivers were tested in visual lexical-tone identification before and after learning. Baseline performance was only slightly above chance, although there appeared to be some visual information in the speakers’ neck and head movements. When participants were taught to use this visible information in two experiments, visual tone identification improved significantly. There appears to be a relationship between the production of lexical tones and the visible movements of the neck, head, and mouth, and this information can be effectively used after a short training session.
Changes in Bombesin, Calcitonin, and Serotonin Immunoreactive Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Cells In Cystic Fibrosis and after Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

Increases in bombesin, calcitonin, and serotonin immunoreactive pulmonary neuroendocrine cells have been documented in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. As some of the secretory products of these postulated airway chemoreceptors are known to adversely affect pulmonary vasomotor and bronchomotor tone, the present study was undertaken to determine if similar changes occur in the lungs of older pediatric patients with chronic respiratory disease. Immunoreactive cells were identified using the antibody-peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique and expressed as immunoreactive bronchioles/cm2 of lung tissue. In subjects dying an accidental or noncardiopulmonary death (control group: n = 48, zero to 24 yr of age), the total number of bombesin, calcitonin, and serotonin immunoreactive bronchioles/cm2 was greatest at birth, then decreased rapidly to extremely low levels after the first year of life. In the cystic fibrosis (n = 55, 3 days to 29 yr of age) and prolonged ventilation (n = 24, 4 months to 18 yr of age...
Growth behavior of NH4ClH2O mixtures

A discontinuity in the growth velocity, as a function of undercooling, was reported for tin alloys by Nikonova and Temkin and also for boron doped nickel by Eckler et al. A similar discontinuity in the growth rate as a function of undercooling of ammonium-chloride-water solutions is reported. While the dendritic growth behavior of several alloys has been successfully modeled, the observed discontinuity in the growth rate of ammonium chloride crystals cannot be fit using the same equations. Since the samples used in this work have large concentrations of the second component, water, the observed discontinuity is attributed to some other mechanism.
Effect of 1 year of an intentional weight loss intervention on bone mineral density in type 2 diabetes: Results from the look AHEAD randomized trial†

Intentional weight loss is an important component of treatment for overweight patients with type 2 diabetes, but the effects on bone density are not known. We used data from the Look AHEAD trial to determine the impact of an intensive lifestyle weight loss intervention (ILI) compared with diabetes support and education (DSE) on changes in bone mineral density (BMD) over 12 months. Overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to ILI or DSE. In a substudy of BMD conducted at 5 of 16 clinical centers, hip, spine, and whole body dual X-ray absorptiometry scans were obtained at baseline and 1-year later on 642 of 739 ILI and 632 of 740 DSE participants. At baseline, mean age was 58.4 years, and average body mass index was 35.2 kg/m(2). Total hip BMD T-score was <-2.5 in 1% and <-1.0 in 8%. At 1 year, weight loss was greater in ILI than DSE (-8.6% versus -0.7%), and glycemic control and fitness were also improved. Bone loss over 1 year was greater in ILI at the total hip (-1.4% versus -0.4%; p < 0.001) and femoral neck (-1.5% versus -0.8%; p = 0.009), but change in BMD for the lumbar spine and whole body did not differ between groups. In ILI, bone loss at the total hip was independently associated with weight loss in men and women and with poorer glycemic control in men, but was not associated with changes in fitness. One year of an intensive lifestyle intervention in adults with type 2 diabetes, resulting in weight loss, was associated with a modest increase in hip bone loss despite improved fitness and glycemic control.
Therapeutic modalities in the management of nonspecific neck pain

This article has surveyed several therapeutic modalities, including physical modalities, thermal modalities, electrical modalities, exercise therapy, behavioral therapy, education, and laser therapy. Of these, exercise, mobilization, and manipulation have the greatest support in the literature, whereas thermal treatments (including therapeutic ultrasound), and electrical therapies (including TENS) have little evidence of effectiveness and no evidence for more than a transient benefit. There is a need for well-controlled studies of educational programs and behavioral interventions specifically for patients with chronic neck pain, particularly because these interventions are often employed as part of a multimodal treatment program. Low-power laser treatment and magnetic therapy require some well-controlled studies before they can be recommended to neck pain patients or discarded as worthless interventions. Cervical traction and soft collars seem to be generally ineffective for nonspecific neck pain.
Traditional and Evaluative Aspects of Flexibility in Gender Roles, Social Conventions, Moral Rules, and Physical Laws.

Traditional and evaluative aspects of flexibility regarding transgressions across several domains (masculine and feminine gender roles, moral rules, social etiquette, and physical law) were assessed in 24 4-year-olds, 40 8-year-olds, and 46 college undergraduates. Traditional and evaluative aspects of flexibility yielded distinctly different patterns of response. Data indicated an age-related increase in flexibility on traditional measures (i.e., traditional rule flexibility, cultural relativity) for transgressions in all domains, except physical laws. In contrast, subjects in all age groups were consistently negative in their evaluations of transgressions in moral rules, etiquette, and masculine gender roles. Female subjects viewed masculine gender role transgressions with greater flexibility and less negativity than did male subjects. Results demonstrate the multidimensional character of flexibility development in different social and physical domains. Results suggest that masculine and feminine gender roles and social etiquette may not fall within a common domain of social convention.
Vagus nerve stimulation in children less than 3 years with medically intractable epilepsy

Abstract Objective To describe the characteristics of children less than three years of age with medically intractable epilepsy, who underwent Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) therapy at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh between 2004 and 2011. Methods: Retrospective chart review. Results: Seventeen patients were identified; adequate follow-up was available for 15. Median follow up duration was 4.3 years (1.4–10.2 years). 12/15 (80%) had a known etiology for their epilepsy. All patients had more than 1 seizure per week prior to VNS and a history of status epilepticus was frequent (40%, 6/15). Five patients (33%) reported improved seizure frequency at one year after VNS. A normal MRI was associated with seizure improvement ( p =0.007). No patient had status epilepticus after VNS at one-year follow-up. At three years after VNS, four patients had experienced status epilepticus with only one patient experiencing multiple episodes. Complications were seen in 2/15 (13%) patients and in 2/21 (9.5%) procedures. Significance: A normal MRI was associated with seizure improvement at one year in children less than three years of age at the time of VNS implant. The degree of overall seizure reduction was modest, but the frequency of status epilepticus was decreased after VNS implant. VNS was tolerated well in this age group.
Axonal transport of glutamic acid decarboxylase in crayfish peripheral nerve: dependence on contact between soma and axon.

Abstract Axonal transport of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) has been examined in vitro in crayfish peripheral nerve by monitoring the time-course of enzyme accumulation proximal to ligatures. While GAD activity was seen to accumulate in a linear manner at a single ligature, no build-up was detected at either a second, more distal ligature or at a single ligature on a nerve trunk incubated in the absence of its ganglion. These results suggest that GAD transport within the axon is dependent on the functional presence of the soma.
Mössbauer effect in YbBe 13 : Mixed valence and magnetic ordering

Mossbauer effect investigations on the cubic intermetallic compound YbBe13 in the temperature range between 0.065 K and 81 K are reported. Above the magnetic ordering temperatureTNeel=1.27 K the results cannot be explained by a Γ7 groundstate of Yb3+. There is evidence for the Yb ion being in a mixed valent state and the degree of hybridisasation being dependent on the magnetic ordering. Below the magnetic ordering temperature a Γ7 groundstate of a 3+ Yb ion is found.
Hierarchical carbon foams with independently tunable mesopore and macropore size distributions

Hierarchical carbon foams with independently tunable mesopore and macropore size distributions were formed in a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) template. The HIPE consists of an internal oil phase that controls the macropore dimensions and an aqueous resorcinol-formaldehyde precursor solution external phase that directs the mesopore size distribution. Once the emulsion is formed, the precursor solution is cured, fluid elements are extracted from the monolith via solvent exchange, and then the sample is pyrolyzed to create a hierarchical open-cell foam consisting of macropores with mesoporous carbon xerogel walls. Both mesopore and macropore size distributions may be independently tuned by changing the synthesis parameters. These samples have a peak in the mesopore size distribution that may be tuned to between 5 and 8 nm and macropore average diameters that may be tuned to between 0.7 and 2.1 microm. Furthermore, the 0.7 and 2.1 microm average diameter macropores have 0.18 and 0.53 microm diameter macropore windows between adjacent pores, respectively. Pore volumes up to 5.26 cm(3)/g and electrical conductivities as high as 0.34 S/cm are observed after 1200 degrees C carbonization of the framework. These foams may have potential applications as 3-D current collectors in batteries and as fuel cell catalyst supports.
Score Structures and Applications of Core Profile Types in the Mccarthy Scales Standardization Sample

This study reports the development of a normative profile typology for showing what types of score patterns are commonplace in the standardization sample of the McCarthy Scales of Childien's Abilities (McCarthy, 1972). The benefit of such a core profile typology is that it provides necessary contrasts for testing hypotheses that children's profiles are descriptively or clinically unique. Standard scores from the battery's primary scales were grouped according to similar shape and level using sequential minimum-variance cluster analysis with independent replications. A final solution of five core profile types met all formal heuristic and statistical criteria, including (a) satisfactory internal cohesion, (b) external isolation, (c) replicability, and (d) full coverage of the sample. The five core types are described according to their score configurations and by members' age, gender, race, parental education, and family occupation levels. Typological findings for the McCarthy Scales then are related to co...
Cofiring coal and dairy biomass in a 29 kWt furnace

Abstract Cofiring biomass with fossil fuels is emerging as a viable option for promoting the use of low quality renewable biomass fuels including energy crops. In the current work, dairy biomass (DB) is evaluated as a cofiring fuel with coal in a small scale 29 kW t boiler burner facility. Two types of coal (Texas lignite, TXL and Wyoming Powder River Basin coal, WYO) and two forms of partially composted DB fuels were investigated (low ash separated solids LA-PC-SepSol-DB and high ash soil surface HA-PC-SoilSurf-DB). Proximate and ultimate analyses performed on both coals and both DBs reveal the following: higher heating value (HHV) of 28,460–29,590 kJ/kg for dry ash free (DAF) coals and 21,450 kJ/kg for DB; nitrogen loading of 0.36 and 0.48 kg/GJ for WYO and TXL, respectively and 1.50 and 2.67 kg/GJ for the LA-PC-SepSol-DB and the HA-PC-SoilSurf-DB respectively; sulfur loading of 0.15 and 0.42 kg/GJ WYO and TXL, respectively and 0.33 and 0.43 kg/GJ for the LA-PC-SepSol-DB and the HA-PC-SoilSurf-DB respectively; ash loading from 3.10 to 8.02 kg/GJ for the coals and from 11.57 to 139 kg/GJ for the DB fuels. The cofiring experiments were performed with 90:10 and 80:20 and 100:00 (mass%) coal:DB blend (96:4, 92:8, 100:00 – % on heat basis). The results revealed that the blend burns more completely in the boiler, due to the earlier release of biomass volatiles and higher amount of volatile matter. Results were obtained for burnt fraction, NO x and CO emission. Pure TXL produced 1505 ppm of CO at an equivalence ratio of 1.1. An 80:20 blend of TXL:LA-PC-SepSol-DB produced 4084 ppm of CO at the same equivalence ratio. The NO x emissions for equivalence ratio varying from 0.9 to 1.2 ranged from 0.4 to 0.13 kg/GJ for pure TXL coal. The corresponding NO x emissions are 0.8–0.10 kg/GJ for pure WYO coal. For 80:20 TXL:LA-SepS-DB blend they ranged from 0.375 to 0.05 kg/GJ over the same range. In general, the blends produced less NO x than pure coal under rich conditions even though the DB contained more nitrogen. This result is probably due to the fuel bound nitrogen in dairy biomass is mostly in the form of urea which reduces NO x to N 2 .
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the choroid plexus: a potential link between vascular pro-inflammatory mediators and the CNS during peripheral tissue inflammation.

Abstract During peripheral tissue inflammation, inflammatory processes in the CNS can be initiated by blood-borne pro-inflammatory mediators. The choroid plexus, the site of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production, is a highly specialized interface between the vascular system and CNS, and thus, this structure may be an important element in communication between the vascular compartment and the CNS during peripheral tissue inflammation. We investigated the potential participation of the choroid plexus in this process during peripheral tissue inflammation by examining expression of the small inducible cytokine A2 (SCYA2) gene which codes for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). MCP-1 protein was previously reported to be induced in a variety of cells during peripheral tissue inflammation. In the basal state, SCYA2 is highly expressed in the choroid plexus as compared with other rat CNS tissues. During hind paw inflammation, SCYA2 expression was significantly elevated in choroid plexus, whereas it remained unchanged in a variety of brain regions. The SCYA2-expressing cells were strongly associated with the choroid plexus as vascular depletion of blood cells by whole-body saline flush did not significantly alter SCYA2 expression in the choroid plexus. In situ hybridization suggested that the SCYA2-expressing cells were localized to the choroid plexus stroma. To elucidate potential molecular mechanisms of SCYA2 increase, we examined genes in the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling cascade including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and inhibitor of kappa B alpha (IκBα) in choroid tissue. Given that we also detected increased levels of MCP-1 protein by ELISA, we sought to identify potential downstream targets of MCP-1 and observed altered expression levels of mRNAs encoding tight junction proteins TJP2 and claudin 5. Finally, we detected a substantial up-regulation of the transcript encoding endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (E-selectin), a molecule which could participate in leukocyte recruitment to the choroid plexus along with MCP-1. Together, these results suggest that profound changes occur in the choroid plexus during peripheral tissue inflammation, likely initiated by blood-borne inflammatory mediators, which may modify events in CNS.
A new photometric method for directly determining molar absorptivity–quantum yield products of excited states: application to triplet C60

A new method is presented for calibrating excited state absorption strengths in terms of absolute densities of excited sample molecules. Beam-imaging photometry measures the profiles of an excitation laser pulse and a collinear probing beam. From these data plus the ground state absorptivity and the induced absorbance at the probing wavelength, one calculates the product of excited state molar absorptivity and formation quantum yield. This photometric method involves no comparison to reference samples. Measurements on the triplet state absorptivity of C60 agree closely with recent reports based on comparative methods, suggesting the validity of both approaches.
The Homogenized Energy Model (HEM) for Characterizing Polarization and Strains in Hysteretic Ferroelectric Materials: Implementation Algorithms and Data-Driven Parameter Estimation Techniques

Ferroelectric materials, such as lead zirconate titanate, lanthanum-doped lead zirconate titanate, lead manganese niobate, and BaTiO3, provide unique actuator and sensor capabilities for applicatio...
A restorative resin foundation material

Abstract The addition of DuraLay did not substantially detract from the conventional composite resins tested. This procedure eliminates the need to store additional special systems and is an economic advantage. It is possible that using half the amount of DuraLay powder (0.05 gm), rather than 1 gm addition used in this study, might reduce the effects on the composite resin's properties. Further research in this area is needed. A longitudinal in vivo study on this technique is to be reported at a later date by one of the authors (W.F.B.).
Effects of chemical additives on hydrocarbon disappearance and biodegradation in freshwater marsh microcosms

We determined how a cleaner and a dispersant affected hydrocarbon biodegradation in wetland soils dominated by the plant Panicum hemitomon, which occurs throughout North and South America. Microcosms received no hydrocarbons, South Louisiana crude, or diesel; and no additive, a dispersant, or a cleaner. We determined the concentration of four total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) measures and 43 target hydrocarbons in water and sediment fractions 1, 7, 31, and 186 days later. Disappearance was distinguished from biodegradation via hopane-normalization. After 186 days, TPH disappearance ranged from 24% to 97%. There was poor correlation among the four TPH measures, which indicated that each quantified a different suite of hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbon disappearance and biodegradation were unaltered by these additives under worse-case scenarios. Any use of these additives must generate benefits that outweigh the lack of effect on biodegradation demonstrated in this report, and the increase in toxicity that we reported earlier.