cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparing bicyclists who use smartphone apps to record rides with those who do not: Implications for representativeness and selection bias

Increasing population levels of cycling has the potential to improve public health by increasing physical activity. As cyclists have begun using smartphone apps to record trips, researchers have begun using data generated from these apps to monitor cycling levels and evaluate cycling-related interventions. The goal of this research is to assess the extent to which app-using cyclists represent the broader cycling population to inform whether use of app-generated data in bike-infrastructure intervention research may bias effect estimates. Using an intercept survey, we asked 95 cyclists throughout Atlanta, Georgia, USA about their use of GPS-based smartphone apps to record bike rides. We asked respondents to draw their common bike routes, from which we assessed the proportion of ridership captured by app-generated data sources overall and on types of bicycle infrastructure. We measured socio-demographics and bike-riding habits, including cyclist type, ride frequency, and most common ride purpose. Cyclists who used smartphone apps to record their bike rides differed from those who did not across some but not all socio-demographic characteristics and differed in several bike-riding attributes. App users rode more frequently, self-classified as stronger riders, and rode proportionately more for leisure. Although groups had similar infrastructure preferences at the person level, differences appeared at the level of the estimated ride, where, for example, the proportion of ridership captured by an app on protected bike lanes was lower than the overall proportion of ridership captured. A sample calculation illustrated how such differences may induce selection bias in smartphone-data-based research on infrastructure and motor-vehicle-cyclist crash risk. We illustrate in the sample scenario how the bias can be corrected, assuming inverse-probability-of-selection weights can be accurately specified. The presented bias-adjustment method may be useful for future bike-infrastructure research using smartphone-generated data.
Compensation of Accelerometer Displacement for Sensor Fusion Systems

Sensor fusion has become an important technique in robotics and control systems, but an important source of error has been largely overlooked when fusing inertial acceleration measurements with data from other sensors. Rotational motion causes the acceleration experienced by other sensors mounted to a rigid body to differ from the acceleration measured by the accelerometer. This paper will discuss a method for measuring and compensating for this error.
Testing Partnership: Columbia, the Space Station, and Crisis Response

Abstract The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest and most complex international science and technology program in history. As such, it is a laboratory for a myriad of important policy issues. These include crisis decision-making. Begun by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, as Freedom, it was rechristened ISS in 1993 by President Bill Clinton. Completed in 2011 under President Barack Obama, it continues to this day and is likely to extend to 2028 and beyond. The ISS represents an international partnership of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); Roscosmos, the Russian space agency; the European Space Agency, itself a partnership of 11 nations; the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency; and the Canadian Space Agency. With NASA as the “managing partner,” the ISS coalition has endured many crises over its long history. One of the most severe came in 2003 when the Columbia Shuttle disintegrated, killing all seven astronauts aboard and grounding the shuttle fleet indefinitely. A crew was on the space station at the time. What was the partnership to do? The Columbia crisis might have torn the partnership apart. It did not and thus presents an opportunity to analyze critical factors in collaboration under stress. The following article uses a process approach to discuss key decisions in the crisis period, from 2003 through 2004. It points to a certain style of leadership as vital, along with several other factors, including interdependency, urgency, rapid decision-making, a plan of action, and political support. These and other elements held the partnership together and kept it going in a common direction. Given the fact that continuing space exploration carries grave risks and is likely to be done through international partnerships, it is highly desirable to draw policy lessons from the shuttle/ISS experience as a guide for the future.
Using hydrogen peroxide to supplement oxygen for nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands

Abstract Nitrification is often the main mechanism to remove ammonium in constructed wetlands. An important factor hindering this biochemical process in constructed wetlands is the availability of dissolved oxygen. This study introduced hydrogen peroxide-based chemical oxygenation to saturated vertical flow constructed wetlands for removal of nitrogen. Hydrogen peroxide is decomposed into water and oxygen in the presence of catalase. Three hydrogen peroxide concentrations, 0.6%, 1% and 2% (w/v), were applied over three operating periods at the same dosage to test the effects of hydrogen peroxide concentration on nitrogen removal and growth of wetland plants in secondary effluent. More than 92% ammonia was removed in all the three periods. Ammonia removal via nitrification was not adversely affected by hydrogen peroxide at the tested concentrations. As hydrogen peroxide dosing concentration was increased, concentration of nitrate in the effluent decreased substantially due to stimulated plant growth and plant uptake of nitrate instead of ammonia. Dosing hydrogen peroxide to constructed wetlands extended ammonia removal via nitrification to total inorganic nitrogen removal by nitrification and stimulated plant uptake of nitrate. The optimum dosing solution appeared to be 1–2% hydrogen peroxide.
Blooming alleys for better health: Exploring impacts of small-scale greenspaces on neighborhood wellbeing

Abstract Rapid urbanization has decreased opportunities for nature contact while increasing stressors from pollution, strenuous commutes, and sedentary work environments. With an additional 2.5 billion people expected to reside in cities by 2050, novel solutions are required to integrate urban natures. Urban parks and greenways provide opportunities for restorative nature experiences, but the benefits of small-scale greenspace remain relatively unstudied. Subsequently, this study explores perceived wellbeing associated with residing near ‘green alleys.’ Focus groups and interviews revealed most respondents did not identify specific mental health impacts, but factors known to contribute to mental wellbeing emerged. Results indicate that green-alley residents receive health benefits regardless of their explicit recognition. Implications for urban planners include the need for increased intentional greening of small-scale urban spaces with consideration to residents’ aesthetic preferences.
The Incentive Relation in Implementation

The paper introduces the concepts of incentive relation and implementation relation, discussing them in the context of agent-principal relationships. The incentives literature relevant to implementation is reviewed, as well as relevant literature on individual behavior in organizations and on inter-organizational behavior. We then construct a framework for an incentive system theory and, from that basis, a model of incentive systems in organizations. We then analyze the literature on public policy implementation using the incentive system model. Finally, we present a seven-stage model for analyzing incentive systems, including frame selection, mapping, dependency analysis, contingency analysis, intervention strategy selection, intervention implementation, and intervention assessment. This copy available from SSRN contains several corrections of errors introduced by the printer when the paper was originally published in Public Policy Implementation (1984).
Market Philosophy in the Legal Tension between Childrens's Autonomy and Parental Authority

Focuses on the family as a model or method of social organization. Explores the dynamics of decision making and resource control.
Early Medical Students’ Experiences as System Navigators: Results of a Qualitative Study

To explore how early meaningful experiential learning in community settings impacted medical students’ application of systems thinking, their perceptions of systems navigation, and their professional identity as health system change agents. Following an immersive Health Systems Science course, first-year medical students partnered with veterans or newly arrived refugee families and served as health system patient navigators embedded within primary care teams for a year. Across two cohorts, fifty-six students participated in the elective. Three voluntary focus groups were conducted each year for a total of six groups with 50 patient navigator students. Inductive content analysis of focus group transcripts was conducted. Qualitative analysis produced three major themes: program impact on students, student impact on patients, and student perceptions of the role of healthcare providers. Students reported a rich understanding of social determinants of health. By improving patient awareness of health and well-being, building capacity to understand medical issues, and increasing medication adherence through teaching, students recognized their impact on patient care. The importance of interprofessional collaboration with social workers also emerged and helped shape students’ understanding of how they as physicians are part of a coordinated team working toward better patient care. The Case Western Reserve University WR2 curriculum teaches students how to address complex determinants of health and how to consider their role in dynamic health systems. This study highlights rich themes that emerged from students as they recognized the context that creates health for both individuals and communities. It underscores the role of such experiences in reinforcing systems thinking and development of change agency, both contributing to their professional identity formation as physicians.
Soot and house dust mite allergen cause eosinophilic laryngitis in an animal model

Objectives/Hypothesis Chronic laryngitis (CL) is common and costly. One of the most common causes of CL is thought to be laryngopharyngeal reflux, although a significant percentage of individuals fail to get better with acid suppressive therapy. The role of other potential causes of CL such as allergy and environmental pollution has not been thoroughly investigated. Purpose To evaluate the association between iron soot, house dust mite allergen (HDMA), and CL in an established animal model. Methods Twenty-four guinea pigs were separated into four 6-week exposure groups: 1) saline (allergen control) + filtered air (pollution control); 2) HDMA (Dermatophygoides farinae) + filtered air; 3) saline + combustion particulates; or 4) HDMA + combustion particulates. The primary outcome measure was mean eosinophil profile (MEP) in glottic, subglottic, and trachea epithelium and submucosa. Results The combination of iron soot and HDMA caused eosinophilia (elevated MEP) in the glottic (P < 0.06), subglottic (P < 0.05), and trachea (P < 0.05) submucosa and epithelium (P < 0.05). Conclusion The combination of HDMA and iron soot resulted in laryngeal eosinophilia in an established guinea pig model of CL. The data support the notion that factors other than reflux may cause CL. Further investigation into eosinophilic laryngitis as a distinct clinical entity caused by exposure to environmental allergen and pollution is warranted. Level of Evidence N/A. Laryngoscope, 2015
Education at the Crossroads: Online Teaching and Students' Perspectives on Distance Learning

AbstractThe Internet offers colleges and universities new opportunities to act on a potential watershed—online learning. Online learning offers students and institutions great flexibility, and thus, online courses are increasing in number and scope. This article taps the perspectives of preservice teachers enrolled at an urban university. The majority of students in traditional courses favor online courses but are less likely to enroll in them. Implications are that instructors must address student perceptions that online courses are not as effective in preparing them to teach. The majority of students taking online courses find that they meet their academic needs and improve their technological skills.
EMC effect, short-range nuclear correlations, neutron stars

The recent x>1 (e,e') and correlation experiments at momentum transfer Q^2 \ge 2 GeV^2 confirm presence of short-range correlations (SRC) in nuclei mostly build of nucleons. Recently we evaluated in a model independent way the dominant photon contribution to the nuclear structure. Taking into account this effect and using definition of x consistent with the exact kinematics of eA scattering (with exact sum rules) results in the significant reduction of R_A(x,Q^2)=F_{2A}(x,Q^2)/F_{2N}(x,Q^2) ratio which explains \sim 50% of the EMC effect for x\le 0.55 where Fermi motion effects are small. The remaining part of the EMC effect at $x\ge 0.5$ is consistent with dominance of the contribution of SRCs. Implications for extraction of the F_{2n}/F_{2p} ratio are discussed. Smallness of the non-nucleonic degrees of freedom in nuclei matches well the recent observation of a two-solar mass neutron star, and while large pn SRCs lead to enhancement of the neutron star cooling rate for kT\le 0.01 MeV.
Two Churchills and the Hudson's Bay Company

Both John Churchill, who became the first Duke of Marlborough, and his descendant Winston S. Churchill, Britain's wartime prime minister, held offices in the Hudson's Bay Company, which played an important role in developing the Canadian interior. John Churchill was the company's third governor early in his career, after the accession of King James II, while Winston Churchill was named its Grand Seigneur after his second prime ministry.
What If Time Priority is Not Enforced Among Traders

Do traders who place orders early necessarily trade first? In some trading systems, the answer is no. Such systems often give preference to larger orders instead. Institutional arrangements such as "preferencing" and "payment-for-order flow" also violate time priority. In an international context, too, time priority is difficult to enforce across different geographical markets. Using data from the Toronto Stock Exchange, this paper examines how violation of time priority affects trader strategies and market liquidity. I find that, without time priority, traders compete less on prices, and instead, indulge in gaming strategies to increase their chances of execution. This is especially pronounced in periods when such strategies are relatively less risky. The resultant effect on market quality is twofold: one, it widens bid-ask spreads, and second, it reduces incentives of traders to expose themselves early. The latter reduces time-weighted quoted depth. The results have important implications for trading systems, especially newer electronic systems, where multiple traders compete to offer liquidity. The analysis also provides insights into why we might expect to see diminished price competition in NASDAQ where time priority among dealers is not enforced.
Adsorption Specificity of Bacteriophage PBS1

Frankel, Ruth W. (University of Oregon Medical School, Portland), and Terence M. Joys. Adsorption specificity of bacteriophage PBS1. J. Bacteriol. 92:388-389. 1966.-By use of newly isolated nonflagellate mutants, the location of the receptor site for phage PBS1 is confirmed as being on the flagella of Bacillus subtilis. Tests with partially purified flagella isolated from a culture of susceptible organisms, and with a strain of B. subtilis possessing nonfunctional flagella, show that phage PBS1 has an adsorption specificity for active flagella.
Contention resolution with heterogeneous job sizes

We study the problem of contention resolution for different-sized jobs on a simple channel. When a job makes a run attempt, it learns only whether the attempt succeeded or failed. We first analyze binary exponential backoff, and show that it achieves a makespan of V2Θ(√logn) with high probability, where V is the total work of all n contending jobs. This bound is significantly larger than when jobs are constant sized. A variant of exponential backoff, however, achieves makespan O(V logV) with high probability. Finally, we introduce a new protocol, size-hashed backoff, specifically designed for jobs of multiple sizes that achieves makespan O(V log3logV). The error probability of the first two bounds is polynomially small in n and the latter is polynomially small in logV.
Post-translational modifications and activation of p53 by genotoxic stresses

In unstressed cells, the tumor suppressor protein p53 is present in a latent state and is maintained at low levels through targeted degradation. A variety of genotoxic stresses initiate signaling pathways that transiently stabilize the p53 protein, cause it to accumulate in the nucleus, and activate it as a transcription factor. Activation leads either to growth arrest at the G1/S or G2/M transitions of the cell cycle or to apoptosis. Recent studies point to roles for multiple post-translational modifications in mediating these events in response to genotoxic stresses through several potentially interacting but distinct pathways. The approximately 100 amino-acid N-terminal and approximately 90 amino-acid C-terminal domains are highly modified by post-translational modifications. The N-terminus is heavily phosphorylated while the C-terminus contains phosphorylated, acetylated and sumoylated residues. Antibodies that recognize p53 only when it has been modified at specific sites have been developed, and studies with these reagents show that most known post-translational modifications are induced when cells are exposed to genotoxic stresses. These recent results, coupled with biochemical and genetic studies, suggest that N-terminal phosphorylations are important for stabilizing p53 and are crucial for acetylation of C-terminal sites, which in combination lead to the full p53-mediated response to genotoxic stresses. Modifications to the C-terminus inhibit the ability of this domain to negatively regulate sequence-specific DNA binding; additionally, they modulate the stability, the oligomerization state, the nuclear import/export process and the degree of ubiquitination of p53.
MP3 Steganography Techniques

The MP3 audio encoding format is currently one of the most popular encoding formats in use. On average, it takes significantly less space to store than, for example, a PCM-encoded WAV file, even though it retains most of the original, uncompressed audio information. Most users of MP3 files are unaware that they can be used as carriers of steganographically-hidden information. Although it has not yet been greatly explored, there are various types of steganography techniques that exist which allow for the hiding of information within MP3 files of any type. Two of the techniques the authors studied include those implemented by MP3Stego developed by Fabien Petitcolas and MP3Stegazaurus by former Illinois Institute of Technology student Mikhail Zaturenskiy. The technique implemented by MP3Stego performs the injection of covert information during the encoding process, while the technique implemented by MP3Stegazaurus uses areas of an already-existing MP3 file known to be skipped or ignored by MP3 playing and decoding applications to store covert information. The authors have developed a tool which implements a technique allowing for the hiding of covert information within the audio information-containing portions of an MP3 file in a way that does not yet appear to have been explored. Unlike the technique implemented by MP3Stego, which involves hiding information within the audio information-containing portions of an MP3 file during the encoding process, this new technique involves hiding it after the encoding process has already taken place. This paper details the research carried out by the authors as well as how the tool that makes use of this technique works.
Diurnal hysteresis between soil CO2 and soil temperature is controlled by soil water content

[1] Recent years have seen a growing interest in measuring and modeling soil CO2 efflux, as this flux represents a large component of ecosystem respiration and is a key determinant of ecosystem carbon balance. Process-based models of soil CO2 production and efflux, commonly based on soil temperature, are limited by nonlinearities such as the observed diurnal hysteresis between soil CO2 concentration ([CO2]) and temperature. Here we quantify the degree to which hysteresis between soil [CO2] and soil temperature is controlled by soil water content in a montane conifer forest, and how this nonlinearity impacts estimates of soil CO2 efflux. A representative model that does not consider hysteresis overestimated soil CO2 efflux for the entire growing season by 19%. At high levels of soil water content, hysteresis imposes organized, daily variability in the relationship between soil [CO2] and soil temperature, and at low levels of soil water content, hysteresis is minimized.
MATERNAL DRINKING AND FETAL CLUBFOOT

We studied the prevalence of clubfoot in 129 patients with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) or Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD) aged 1-24 years. The mothers were all chronic alcoholics who abused ≥ 3 oz of absolute alcohol/day before and during pregnancy. They were divided in 2 groups: group I: alcohol abusers and group II: polydrug abusers (alcohol + narcotics ± cocaine). Group I comprised 55 mothers (40 blacks, 15 Puerto Ricans) and group II 30 (19 blacks, 11 Puerto Ricans). The socio-economic background, duration of alcoholism, average age at delivery and type of delivery were comparable in both groups. Four patients (all males, 2 blacks and 2 Puerto Ricans) were found to have talipes equinovarus, as well as other anomalies. Three had bilateral and one unilateral clubfoot. All four were seen in the nursery, where the deformities were corrected, and two were followed in clinic. Two mothers belonged to group I and two to group II. The occurrence of clubfoot in our study is significantly higher (P<0.01) than the accepted rate of 1.2/1,000. In the embryo marked equinovarus is a normal stage of development. In the newborn it means permanent growth arrest, which might have been caused by various agents: viruses, radiation, thalidomide, etc. Since narcotic addiction during pregnancy does not result in congenital malformations in the offspring we submit that alcohol, a known teratogen, should be added to the above list
Nalbuphine, acetaminophen, and their combination in postoperative pain.

In a double-blind study with the use of subjective reports of patients as indices of analgesia, we compared the analgesic effect of oral nalbuphine and acetaminophen and determined the contribution of each to the efficacy of their combination. In this parallel 2 × 2 factorial study, 129 inpatients after surgery were randomly assigned to treatment with a single oral dose of nalbuphine hydrochloride (30 mg), acetaminophen (650 mg), the combination of nalbuphine (30 mg) and acetaminophen (650 mg), or placebo. In the factorial analysis, both the nalbuphine and acetaminophen effects were significant for virtually every measure of total and peak analgesia, whereas the interaction contrast was not significant for any measure of analgesic effect. This indicates that the analgesic effect of the combination represents the additive effect of its constituents and is consistent with the results of studies of combinations of codeine and other opioids with aspirin or acetaminophen. There were few adverse effects other than sedation, which occurred twice as frequently in patients treated with nalbuphine as in those receiving acetaminophen or placebo. Our data suggest that this combination should prove at least as effective as any currently marketed narcotic-containing combination. Since nalbuphine has less dependence liability than narcotics and exhibits a ceiling on respiratory depression, its combination with acetaminophen should also be safer than comparable narcotic combinations. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1984) 35, 843–851; doi:10.1038/clpt.1984.123
Alcohol and behavioral variability with fixed-interval reinforcement

Rates of response were noted in rats under a fixed-interval 1-min schedule of reinforcement after repeated ethanol treatments of 0.0, 1.0, or 1.4 g/kg. Response rates of the initial and concluding segments of the interval were diminished differentially by the high dose, and a measure of response uncertainty on the last treatment day indicated reduced behavioral variability in the high-dose group throughout the session. The results are discussed as they relate to the theory of Devenport and Merriman of the general effects of alcohol upon behavior.
UTILITY OF THE DIGITAL RECTAL EXAMINATION IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT: A REVIEW

Abstract Background The digital rectal examination (DRE) has been reflexively performed to evaluate common chief complaints in the Emergency Department without knowing its true utility in diagnosis. Objective Medical literature databases were searched for the most relevant articles pertaining to: the utility of the DRE in evaluating abdominal pain and acute appendicitis, the false-positive rate of fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) from stool obtained by DRE or spontaneous passage, and the correlation between DRE and anal manometry in determining anal tone. Discussion Sixteen articles met our inclusion criteria; there were two for abdominal pain, five for appendicitis, six for anal tone, and three for fecal occult blood. The DRE was shown to add no additional diagnostic information and confounded the diagnosis in acute, undifferentiated abdominal pain. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and odds ratio for the DRE were too low to reliably diagnose acute appendicitis in children and adults. No statistical differences in the number of colonic pathologies were found between stool collection methods in those with positive FOBT. The DRE correlation with anal manometry in determining resting and squeeze anal tone ranged from 0.405 to 0.82 and 0.52 to 0.97, respectively. Conclusion We found the DRE to have a limited role in the diagnosis of acute, undifferentiated abdominal pain and acute appendicitis. Stool obtained by DRE doesn't seem to increase the false-positive rate of FOBTs, and the DRE correlated moderately well with anal manometric measurements in determining anal sphincter tone.
Spin dynamics of a J 1 -J 2 -K model for the paramagnetic phase of iron pnictides

We study the finite-temperature spin dynamics of the paramagnetic phase of iron pnictides within an antiferromagnetic ${J}_{1}$-${J}_{2}$ Heisenberg model on a square lattice with a biquadratic coupling $\ensuremath{-}K{({\mathbf{S}}_{i}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\mathbf{S}}_{j})}^{2}$ between the nearest-neighbor spins. Our focus is on the paramagnetic phase in the parameter regime of this ${J}_{1}$-${J}_{2}$-$K$ model where the ground state is a $(\ensuremath{\pi},0)$ collinear antiferromagnet. We treat the biquadratic interaction via a Hubbard-Stratonovich decomposition and study the resulting effective quadratic-coupling model using both modified spin wave and Schwinger boson mean-field theories; the results for the spin dynamics derived from the two methods are very similar. We show that the spectral weight of dynamical structure factor $\mathcal{S}(\mathbf{q},\ensuremath{\omega})$ is peaked at ellipses in the momentum space at low excitation energies. With increasing energy, the elliptic features expand towards the zone boundary and gradually split into two parts, forming a pattern around $(\ensuremath{\pi},\ensuremath{\pi})$. Finally, the spectral weight is anisotropic, being larger along the major axis of the ellipse than along its minor axis. These characteristics of the dynamical structure factor are consistent with the recent measurements of the inelastic neutron scattering spectra of BaFe${}_{2}$As${}_{2}$ and SrFe${}_{2}$As${}_{2}$.
Inequality in Health Care: Unjust, Inhumane, and Unattended!

The U.S. health care system remains largely separate and unequal. Mounting evidence shows that unequal health care based on race and ethnicity is pervasive and clinically significant. In this issue...
Reduced Amide Bond Peptidomimetics. (4S)-N-(4-Amino-5-[aminoalkyl]aminopentyl)-N‘-nitroguanidines, Potent and Highly Selective Inhibitors of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase

Selective inhibition of the isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) could be therapeutically useful in the treatment of certain disease states arising from the overproduction of nitric oxide. Recently, we reported nitroarginine-containing dipeptide amides (Huang, H; Martasek, P.; Roman, L. J.; Masters, B. S. S.; Silverman, R. B. J. Med. Chem. 1999, 42, 3147.) and some peptidomimetic analogues (Huang, H; Martasek, P.; Roman, L. J.; Silverman, R.B. J. Med Chem. 2000, 43, 2938.) as potent and selective inhibitors of neuronal NOS (nNOS). Here, reduced amide bond pseudodipeptide analogues are synthesized and evaluated for their activity. The deletion of the carbonyl group from the amide bond either preserves or improves the potency for nNOS. Significantly, the selectivities for nNOS over eNOS (endothelial NOS), and iNOS (inducible NOS) are greatly increased in these series. The most potent nNOS inhibitor among these compounds is (4S)-N-(4-amino-5-[aminoethyl]aminopentyl)-N'-nitroguanidine (7) (K(i) = 120 nM), which also shows the highest selectivity over eNOS (greater than 2500-fold) and 320-fold selectivity over iNOS. The reduced amide bond is an excellent surrogate of the amide bond, and it will facilitate the design of new potent and selective inhibitors of nNOS.
Optimizing the utilization of multiple labor shifts in construction projects

Evening and night shifts are often used in construction projects to accelerate schedules despite their negative impacts on construction cost and productivity. In order to minimize these negative impacts, this paper presents a multi-objective optimization model for scheduling multiple labor shifts in construction projects. The optimization model incorporates (1) an initialization module that initializes the scheduling optimization computations; (2) a scheduling module that develops practical multiple shift schedules and evaluates the impacts of decision variables on project performance; and (3) a multi-objective genetic algorithm module that searches for and identifies optimal/near optimal tradeoffs among minimizing project duration, reducing cost, and minimizing labor utilization in evening and night shifts. An application example is analyzed to illustrate the use of the model and demonstrate its capabilities in optimizing the planning and scheduling of multiple shifts in construction projects while complying with all job logic and labor availability constraints.
A concept of the mass center of a system of material points in the constant curvature spaces

This article demonstrates that in the Lobatchevsky space and on a sphere of arbitrary dimensions, the concept of the mass center of a system of mass points can be correctly defined. Presented are: a uniform geometric construction for defining the mass center; hyperbolic and spheric “lever rules”; the theorem of uniqueness for determining the mass center in these spaces. Among the compact manifolds, only the sphere possesses this property.
Feasibility of Stepwise Design of Multitolerant Programs

The complexity of designing programs that simultaneously tolerate multiple classes of faults, called multitolerant programs, is in part due to the conflicting nature of the fault tolerance requirements that must be met by a multitolerant program when different types of faults occur. To facilitate the design of multitolerant programs, we present sound and (deterministically) complete algorithms for stepwise design of two families of multitolerant programs in a high atomicity program model, where a process can read and write all program variables in an atomic step. We illustrate that if one needs to design failsafe (respectively, nonmasking) fault tolerance for one class of faults and masking fault tolerance for another class of faults, then a multitolerant program can be designed in separate polynomial-time (in the state space of the fault-intolerant program) steps regardless of the order of addition. This result has a significant methodological implication in that designers need not be concerned about unknown fault tolerance requirements that may arise due to unanticipated types of faults. Further, we illustrate that if one needs to design failsafe fault tolerance for one class of faults and nonmasking fault tolerance for a different class of faults, then the resulting problem is NP-complete in program state space. This is a counterintuitive result in that designing failsafe and nonmasking fault tolerance for the same class of faults can be done in polynomial time. We also present sufficient conditions for polynomial-time design of failsafe-nonmasking multitolerance. Finally, we demonstrate the stepwise design of multitolerance for a stable disk storage system, a token ring network protocol and a repetitive agreement protocol that tolerates Byzantine and transient faults. Our automatic approach decreases the design time from days to a few hours for the token ring program that is our largest example with 200 million reachable states and 8 processes.
12C(7Li, t)16O and stellar helium fusion

The reaction 12C(7Li, t)16O has been studied at E(7Li) = 34 MeV with the LASL tandem accelerator and QDDD magnetic spectrometer. Angular distributions to levels with Ex < 11 MeV have been obtained from 0° to 90°, including 0°. The results have been analyzed with finite-range distorted-wave Born approximation theory. The α-particle spectroscopic factors and reduced widths obtained are compared with those calculated with group theory (SU(3)) and other models. The analysis of data for the 7.1 and 9.6 MeV Jπ = 1− levels, which are of great importance in stellar helium buring, yields a ratio, R, of dimensionless reduced α-widths θ2a(7.1 MeV)θ2a(9.6 MeV) = 0.35b ± 0.13. The observed line width of the 9.6 MeV level (Γc.m. = 390 ± 60 keV) is less than the accepted value (Γc.m. = 510 ± 60 keV) and implies θ2a(9.6 MeV) ≈ 0.6. These results as well as data for the 6.92 MeV Jπ = 2+ and 10.35 MeV Jπ = 4+ “α-cluster” states indicate 0.09 < θ2a(7.1 MeV) < 0.33 with a mean value θ2a(7.1 MeV) = 0.14 ± 0.04. The implication for stellar helium burning is discussed.
Burrowing behaviour in the crayfish, Cambarus diogenes diogenes girard

Abstract The crayfish, Cambarus diogenes diogenes Girard (1852) , spends most of its life cycle in individually constructed underground burrows. The architectural behavioral patterns and sequences with which adult C. d. diogenes excavate an underground chamber were evaluated. Two motor patterns (Pushing and Carrying) and three burrow stages (shallow depression, angular pit, and burrow with two openings) were identified. During the development of burrowing behaviour in juveniles, a third motor pattern (Fanning) occurred. While the three motor patterns are functional soon after hatching, crayfish may learn to orient the Carrying motor pattern for the most efficient excavation of a stage-3 burrow with two openings. The ground-water level determined the final structure of a burrow.
Sediments of Inner Continental Shelf off Northern Washington Coast: ABSTRACT

Much of the inner shelf off Washington is filled with well-sorted, positively to extremely positively skewed, and leptokurtic to extremely leptokurtic sediments having mean sizes between 2-3^phgr and 3-4^phgr. Gravel-rich sediments are common opposite and north of Cape Flattery, and at about depths 14-18 fm and 28 fm opposite Grays Harbor and at 14-28 fm opposite Quinault River. Only rarely are the sediments finer than sand size. These gravel and fine sediments are relatively poorly sorted compared with the other sediments. The pebbles constituting the gravel-rich sediments are smooth and rounded. Thin-section study of the pebbles from opposite Grays Harbor reveals the following rock types: (1) chert, (2) volcanics (many of these being altered and albitized basalt and some of them andesite--a few of these are hypersthene andesites), (3) sandstone, and (4) some granite and quartz diorite. Similar lithologic types are revealed in the gravel-rich sediments north of Cape Flattery. The heavy-mineral study shows that in much of the area the sediments have low percentages of heavy minerals, although opposite Grays Harbor at depths of 10-12 fm and Hoh River at 10-28 fm, heavy minerals are more abundant. The sediments off Cape Flattery, especially in the nearshore areas, have smaller percentages of orthopyroxene nd hornblende than do those farther south. Also, the proportions of hornblende, ilmenite, and magnetite generally are less in the present study area than in the sediments opposite Columbia River. These results suggest that many of the gravel sediments (of the offshore areas), representing the glacial drifts, and the heavy-mineral-rich sediments were deposited at sea levels lower than at present. The drift toward the north of the Columbia-derived sediment appears not to have diluted considerably the sediments supplied from other sources to the areas farther north of Grays Harbor. End_of_Article - Last_Page 461------------
A behavioral rehabilitation intervention for amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

Individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) currently have few treatment options for combating their memory loss. The Memory Support System (MSS) is a calendar and organization system with accompanying 6-week curriculum designed for individuals with progressive memory impairment. Ability to learn the MSS and its utility were assessed in 20 participants. Participants were significantly more likely to successfully use the calendar system after training. Ninety-five percent were compliant with the MSS at training completion, and 89% continued to be compliant at follow-up. Outcome measures revealed a medium effect size for improvement in functional ability. Subjects further reported improved independence, self-confidence, and mood. This initial examination of the MSS suggests that with appropriate training, individuals with amnestic MCI can and will use a memory notebook system to help compensate for memory loss. These results are encouraging that the MSS may help with the symptoms of memory decline in MCI.
Use of “2-dose” regimen of methotrexate to treat ectopic pregnancy

Objective To evaluate the safety and acceptability of a novel dosing regimen of methotrexate to treat ectopic pregnancy. Design Prospective study. Setting Three academic medical centers. Patient(s) One hundred one patients with ectopic pregnancy who elected to have medical therapy. Intervention(s) Intramuscular methotrexate 50 mg/m 2 was administered on days 0 and 4; additional doses of methotrexate were given on day 7 and/or day 11 if hCG levels did not decrease by 15% during the follow-up period. Main Outcome Measure(s) Adverse events, acceptability, and resolution of pregnancy without surgical treatment. Result(s) With this protocol, 87% of patients were treated successfully. Of those protocols that were considered failures, only 3% of patients experienced rupture of ectopic pregnancy. Treatment was well-tolerated; most side effects were reported as mild and transient. Ninety-one percent of the 61.5% of patients who responded to the satisfaction questionnaire reported satisfaction with this regimen. Conclusion(s) This "2-dose" protocol minimizes the number of injections and surveillance visits, compared with the "multiple dose" regimen, and methotrexate is administered more frequently than with the "single dose" regimen. The protocol may optimize the balance between convenience and efficacy. In a limited number of women, no safety concerns were noted with up to 4 doses of methotrexate in a 2-week period without leucovorin rescue.
OC116: Trocar‐assisted selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels

Objectives: Selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels (SLPCV) for twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) in patients with an anterior (ANT) placenta is known to be technically more challenging than in patients with posterior (POST) placentas. We describe a new trocar-assisted (TA) technique to address this issue. Methods: Four surgical techniques were used for SLPCV in ANT placentas: standard, rigid scope; flexible scope; side-firing, twoport; and TA, whereby the anastomoses were lasered from within the trocar sheath after identification with an angled diagnostic endoscope. The protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board and all patients signed informed consent. Results: SLPCV was performed in 269 patients from February 2003 to May 2005, of which 88 (47.6%) had ANT placentas. Only 7/88 (7.9%) patients with ANT placentas were treated with a flexible scope or a two-port technique and neither of these techniques was used after November 2003. Perinatal survival was independent of placental location (89.7% vs. 85.2%, POST vs. ANT placentas) or ANT placenta techniques. Gestational age at delivery (median 33.1 (range, 17.6–39.4) weeks), and incidence of premature rupture of membranes within 21 days of surgery, was no different between techniques in patients with ANT. However, operating time was significantly less in the TA group (P < 0.05). In 50/88 patients with ANT placentas available for analysis, only one had patent anastomoses in the TA group (2.9%), compared to none in the other techniques (P = 0.7). Conclusions: Laser treatment of TTTS patients with an ANT placenta that requires more than a simple rigid endoscope can be effectively achieved with a TA technique. TA allows orthogonalization of the angle of fire, eliminating the need for a two-port or flexible endoscope technique. TA is also useful in exposing the entire vessel wall in patients with POST placentas with a tangential angle of entry.
The structure of unrevealed Bads in Good/Bad risk scores

In calculating risk scores for making predictions and decisions about loan defaults, it is common practice to base assessments on a population of individuals whose loans have not yet attained a final status or trapped state of Good (G: paid in full) or Bad (B: default, bankrupt, written off, no response, etc). When active accounts are examined prior to end of loan term, we describe them as Contaminated Goods (CG) because they contain some Bads that default at a later time. In such cases, one can easily misestimate or misinterpret the eventual population odds and scores because the CG to B odds at any point in time is larger than G to B at the end of the loan. It is shown that if the risk score is a sufficient statistic and if the Information Odds score for Goods at the end-of-term is normal with variance σ 2 in a population of terminated loan accounts, then so also is the conditional score distribution for Bads; surprisingly, the theoretical means are ±0.5σ 2. When active accounts are contaminated by unrevealed Bads not yet classified as such, the conditional score distribution is a mixture of normal distributions with a variance larger than σ 2; thus, variances of Active (CG) and Bad (B) accounts are unequal and the log of fitted odds versus score is convex, departing from the traditional assumption of a linear fit.
The Benefits of Breakfast Consumption to Combat Obesity and Diabetes in Young People

The obesity epidemic, particularly in young people, is the greatest threat to public health this century. Several dietary factors have recently been identified to play a critical role in the etiolo...
Redox processes inform multivariate transdifferentiation trajectories associated with TGFβ-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Abstract Phenotype reprogramming during transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an extensive and dynamic process, orchestrated by the integration of biological signaling across multiple time scales. As part of the numerous transcriptional changes necessary for EMT, TGFβ-initiated Smad3 signaling results in remodeling of the redox environment and decreased nucleophilic tone. Because Smad3 itself is susceptible to attenuated activity through antioxidants, the possibility of a positive feedback loop exists, albeit the time scales on which these mechanisms operate are quite different. We hypothesized that the decreased nucleophilic tone acquired during EMT promotes Smad3 signaling, enhancing acquisition and stabilization of the mesenchymal phenotype. Previous findings supporting such a mechanism were characterized independent of each other; we sought to investigate these relationships within a singular experimental context. In this study, we characterized multivariate representations of phenotype as they evolved over time, specifically measuring expression of epithelial/mesenchymal differentiation, redox regulators, and Smad transcription factors. In-cell Western (ICW) assays were developed to evaluate multivariate phenotype states as they developed during EMT. Principal component analysis (PCA) extracted anticorrelations between phospho-Smad3 (pSmad3) and Smad2/Smad4, which reflected a compensatory up-regulation of Smad2 and Smad4 following cessation of TGFβ signaling. Measuring transcript expression following EMT, we identified down-regulation of numerous antioxidant genes concomitant with up-regulation of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and multiple mesenchymal phenotype markers. TGFβ treatment increased CM-H2DCF-DA oxidation, decreased H2O2 degradation rates, and increased glutathione redox potential. Our findings suggest that the decreased nucleophilic tone during EMT coincides with the acquisition of a mesenchymal phenotype over too long a time scale to enable enhanced Smad3 phosphorylation during initiation of EMT. We further challenged the mesenchymal phenotype following EMT through antioxidant and TGFβ inhibitor treatments, which failed to induce a mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). Our characterization of multivariate phenotype dynamics during EMT indicates that the decrease in nucleophilic tone occurs alongside EMT; however, maintenance of the mesenchymal phenotype following EMT is independent of both the nascent redox state and the continuous TGFβ signaling.