cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of SMAP Soil Moisture Relative to Five Other Satellite Products Using the Climate Reference Network Measurements Over USA

Satellite platforms provide a unique opportunity to retrieve global soil moisture. The Level 3 soil moisture (L3SMP), enhanced Level 3 soil moisture (L3SMP-E) and Level 4 surface soil moisture (L4SM) products of the latest soil moisture satellite mission, Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP), are evaluated relative to five other satellite products using the Climate Reference Network (CRN) with more than 110 stations (each with three in situ probes) over USA from 2009 to present. This large number of stations allows for the categorization of SMAP performance based on land cover types, complementing prior efforts based on the few core validation areas with many in situ observations within a single satellite pixel. The SMAP as well as Aquarius products clearly outperform the other products. Over all land cover types, L3SMP, L3SMP-E, and L4SM are better in the summer than in the winter and they perform best over short vegetation. L4SM has higher correlations compared with CRN than L3SMP over tall and short vegetation whereas L3SMP has higher correlations over crops. On average, L3SMP-E performs as well as L3SMP. There is a mismatch between the point in situ measurements and satellite pixel retrievals driven by subpixel precipitation variability, and its impact on these results is also assessed.
The Respiratory Burst in Activated Macrophages: Studies of Its Molecular Basis and Evidence for Downregulation in Chronic Infection

Macrophages (Ko) elicited by injection of inflammatory agents or obtained from animals infected with intracellular parasites are primed so that they respond to phagocytosis or exposure to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) with a marked increase in the respiratory burst (1). Unstimulated Mo release little if any reactive oxygen metabolites; stimulation is required to demonstrate the primed state. This capacity for an increased stimulated release of reactive oxygen metabolites appears to play an essential role in the increased microhicidal capacity of activated Mo (2–4). Priming is a manifestation of Mo activation, but it is not the same as activation; i.e., priming may not always reflect the fully activated state (5).
Differences in Morbidity and Mortality with Percutaneous versus Open Surgical Drainage of Postoperative Intra-abdominal Infections: A Review of 686 Cases

Intra-abdominal infections following surgical procedures result from organ-space surgical site infections, visceral perforations, or anastomotic leaks. We hypothesized that open surgical drainage is associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality compared with percutaneous drainage. A single-institution, prospectively collected database over a 13-year period revealed 2776 intra-abdominal infections, 686 of which required an intervention after the index operation. Percutaneous procedures (simple aspiration or catheter placement) were compared with all other open procedures by univariate and multivariate analyses. Analysis revealed 327 infections in 240 patients undergoing open surgical drainage and 359 infections in 260 patients receiving percutaneous drainage. Those undergoing open drainage had significantly higher Acute Physiology Score (APS) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores and were more likely to be immunosuppressed, require intensive care unit treatment, and have longer hospital stays. Mortality was higher in the open group: 14.6 versus 4.2 per cent (P = 0.0001). Variables independently associated with death by multivariate analysis were APACHE II, dialysis, intensive care unit (ICU) care, age, immunosuppression, and drainage method. Open intervention for postsurgical intra-abdominal infections is associated with increased mortality compared with percutaneous drainage even after controlling for severity of illness by multivariate analysis. Although some patients are not candidates for percutaneous drainage, it should be considered the preferential treatment in eligible patients.
Power and energy management: a user-centered system-of-systems engineering approach

Energy is considered a resource for survival. The demand and supply of natural resources used to generate, transmit, and consume the power make the puzzle for the human race even more complex. Other physical elements like water, copper wiring, electric cars, nuclear power plants, oil platforms, consumer tablets, and buildings to name a few are attached to the energy ecosystem adding mass confusion to a system failing to keep up with the global changes. This paper deals with a methodology for designing a smarter power and energy management system, following the V-cycle. It focuses on building a model using systems modeling language (SysML). The application of systems engineering process in power and energy is presented in this paper as well as the devices in the systems which are going to have a software component enveloping the digitization and proliferation of better, faster, and more effective ways of reusing our best practices in systems engineering. This paper introduces a system-of-systems engineering approach codified in client power management software needed for the urgent transformation of global power systems.
Randomized Experiments from Non-random Selection in U.S. House Elections

Abstract This paper establishes the relatively weak conditions under which causal inferences from a regression–discontinuity (RD) analysis can be as credible as those from a randomized experiment, and hence under which the validity of the RD design can be tested by examining whether or not there is a discontinuity in any pre-determined (or “baseline”) variables at the RD threshold. Specifically, consider a standard treatment evaluation problem in which treatment is assigned to an individual if and only if V > v 0 , but where v 0 is a known threshold, and V is observable. V can depend on the individual's characteristics and choices, but there is also a random chance element: for each individual, there exists a well-defined probability distribution for V. The density function—allowed to differ arbitrarily across the population—is assumed to be continuous. It is formally established that treatment status here is as good as randomized in a local neighborhood of V = v 0 . These ideas are illustrated in an analysis of U.S. House elections, where the inherent uncertainty in the final vote count is plausible, which would imply that the party that wins is essentially randomized among elections decided by a narrow margin. The evidence is consistent with this prediction, which is then used to generate “near-experimental” causal estimates of the electoral advantage to incumbency.
Superovulation and Intrauterine Insemination

Superovulation is an empiric treatment for infertility that serves to increase the numbers of oocytes ovulated, correct subtle ovulatory abnormalities, and, combined with sperm separation techniques and intrauterine insemination, increases the number of motile sperm available for fertilization.
Atypical Local and Distal Patterns of Occipito-frontal Functional Connectivity are Related to Symptom Severity in Autism

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are increasingly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by sociocommunicative impairments. Growing consensus indicates that neurobehavioral abnormalities require explanation in terms of interconnected networks. Despite theoretical speculations about increased local and reduced distal connectivity, links between local and distal functional connectivity have not been systematically investigated in ASDs. Specifically, it remains open whether hypothesized local overconnectivity may reflect isolated versus overly integrative processing. Resting state functional MRI data from 57 children and adolescents with ASDs and 51 typically developing (TD) participants were included. In regional homogeneity (ReHo) analyses, pericalcarine visual cortex was found be locally overconnected (ASD > TD). Using this region as seed in whole-brain analyses, we observed overconnectivity in distal regions, specifically middle frontal gyri, for an ASD subgroup identified through k-means clustering. While in this subgroup local occipital to distal frontal overconnectivity was associated with greater symptom severity, a second subgroup showed the opposite pattern of connectivity and symptom severity correlations. Our findings suggest that increased local connectivity in ASDs is region-specific and may be partially associated with more integrative long-distance connectivity. Results also highlight the need to test for subtypes, as differential patterns of brain-behavior links were observed in two distinct subgroups of our ASD cohort.
An Analysis of Contributors, Institutions, and Content of Accounting and the Public Interest 2001–2015

ABSTRACT This paper explores the contribution of the AAA Public Interest Section academic journal, Accounting and the Public Interest, to socially responsive and responsible accounting scholarship....
Laboratory baffled-column flotation of mixed Lower/Middle Kittanning seam bituminous coal

The separating efficiency of a flotation column is largely limited by the degree of back mixing of tailings into the froth zone, and the recovery is limited by the degree of short-circuiting of feed to the tailings. Current columns are typically constructed very tall (30 to 40 ft) to limit the effects of back mixing and short-circuiting. These effects can also be reduced in a much shorter column, provided that the flow in the column approaches plug-flow. In this work, horizontal baffles were shown to improve the performance of a 6-ft laboratory-scale flotation column treating a poorly floatable coal. Tests with variations in the baffle positions showed that baffles are needed both above and below the feed inlet to achieve the greatest benefit. Tracer tests with a fluorescent dye in water showed that baffles reduce the amount of feed water entrained in the froth at any given coal recovery.
Storm-Induced Morphology Changes along Barrier Islands and Poststorm Recovery

Abstract Barrier islands, or narrow strips of sand islands in the sea, have the distinction of being among the most vulnerable, yet most desirable sites for human habitation. Vulnerabilities of barrier islands include risks associated with sea-level rise, as well as energetic ocean events, such as tsunamis and storms, the latter of which are crucial in reshaping barrier islands. This chapter discusses barrier-island morphology and subenvironments, storm impacts to barrier-island morphology, and short-term, poststorm recovery of barrier islands, focusing particularly on tropical storms. Sallenger (2000) identified four levels of storm impacts to barrier-island morphology. From the weakest to the strongest, they are swash regime, collision regime, overwash regime, and inundation regime. This chapter describes various examples of each impact scale in terms of morphology changes in each subenvironment. In addition, morphology changes caused by seaward-directed flows associated with ebbing storm surge are reviewed. Beach recovery initiates as the storm energy subsides, generally in the morphologic form of ridge and runnel development. Continued beach recovery includes increased elevation of the ridge crest, that is, growth of beach berm, and overwash deposits in the runnel, eventually welding the ridge.
By Whose Authority: A Political Argument for God's Existence

In The Problem of Political Authority, Michael Huemer argues that the contractarian and consequentialist groundings of political authority are unsuccessful, and, in fact, that there are no adequate contemporary accounts of political authority. As such, the modern state is illegitimate and we have reasons to affirm political anarchism. We disagree with Huemer’s conclusion. But we consider Huemer’s critiques of contractarianism and consequentialism to be compelling. Here we will juxtapose, alongside Huemer’s critiques, a theistic account of political authority from Nicholas Wolterstorff’s book The Mighty and the Almighty. We think that Wolterstorff’s model does better than contractarianism and consequentialism at answering Huemer’s critiques. We also think that an abductive basis for God’s existence emerges from the inadequate authority accounts that Huemer surveys.
Multidisciplinary Simulation Activity Effectively Prepares Residents for Participation in Patient Safety Activities.

Purpose In 2017, The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) issued Common Program Requirements that stipulated residents must participate in real or simulated interprofessional patient safety activities, such as root cause analyses (RCA). The requirements also stated that residents should have the opportunity to participate in the disclosure of patient safety events. Our institution supports a large graduate medical education (GME) cohort with approximately 1400 GME learners in more than 100 ACGME programs. Knowing that our university hospital system conducts approximately 15 RCA's per year, our GME leadership charged the Dean of Simulation with developing a pilot simulation activity that would satisfy these educational needs. Methods Four departments (Anesthesia, Emergency Medicine, OB/GYN, and Surgery) assigned a total of 39 learners to participate in the pilot simulation. Learners were divided into groups of 5 to 8 participants representing at least 3 departments. Before the simulation, learners were asked to complete a preactivity questionnaire rating their comfort with the learning objectives and a 10-question multiple choice quiz assessing knowledge of RCA principles. The simulation was 1-hour long and consisted of 2 parts. First, learners participated in a high-fidelity, mannequin-based resuscitation scenario that was scripted to include systems barriers to effective resuscitation. Second, our University Hospital's Vice President of Quality and Safety led participants in a simulated RCA analyzing the systems issues encountered. Finally, all learners completed a postactivity questionnaire and quiz. Preactivity and postactivity data were compared with repeated measures t-tests with p Results Complete data were available for 38 learners. We observed significant improvements in quiz performance and learners’ self-reported abilities to perform tasks related to patient safety and RCA. The simulation activity did not affect learners’ anxiety regarding potential participation in an RCA. Conclusions Our data indicate that a 1-hour, introductory-level simulation improved residents’ confidence and knowledge related patient safety activities. This training format is efficient, effective, and consistent with the expectations of the new ACGME Common Program Requirement.
Case reports of envenomation and venom composition differences between two Arizona populations of the Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake, Crotalus pyrrhus (Cope, 1867)

Envenomations by the Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus pyrrhus) are fairly rare. Previous descriptions in the literature do not include locality, an important factor in the clinical symptoms or syndromes of snakebites resulting from geographic variation in venom composition. Here, we describe two cases of envenoming by C. pyrrhus from two Arizona localities (Tinajas Altas Mountains, Yuma County, and Phoenix Mountains, Maricopa County). Both patients experienced swelling, but neither demonstrated coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia, or hypofibrinogenemia. The Phoenix Mountains patient developed hemorrhagic bullae and tissue damage in his bitten extremity, necessitating the amputation of the distal portion of his middle finger. Treatment for both consisted of medication for pain, isotonic crystalloid, and antivenom therapy with recovery in each case. Based on visual inspection of 1D-gels and RP-HPLC chromatograms, venom samples were largely similar but appeared to differ quantitatively for several toxin families between and within populations.
Assessing Differences in Cancer Surgeon Approaches to Patient-Centered Decision-Making Using Vignette-Based Methodology.

The objective of this study is to assess surgeon–patient-centered decision-making (PCDM) strategies relative to surgeon and patient factors. Approaches to PCDM were evaluated using a cross-sectional survey based on clinical vignettes assessing surgeon likeliness (0 = not at all likely, 100 = very likely) to utilize PCDM strategies. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures mixed-effects linear regression. Adjusted estimates are provided as least-squares mean (LSM) values. The final analytic sample consisted of 208 respondents (58.5% response rate); the majority of respondents were male (67.7%) and Caucasian (82.0%) with an average age of 51.6 years (standard deviation, SD = 9.9 years, range 34.0–78.0 years). Specialties included breast (18.9%), hepatopancreatobiliary (21.4%), and other (59.7%). Surgeons practicing at academic (versus nonacademic) hospitals were less likely to be directive (LSM: 66.2 vs. 70.3, p = 0.004), spend equal time discussing all treatment options (LSM: 77.9 vs. 82.3, p = 0.001), and make explicit treatment recommendations (LSM: 67.7 vs. 71.7, p = 0.005). Surgeons who specialized in breast cancer (versus other specialties), in practice 10+ years (versus < 10 years), and female (versus male) were more likely to spend time discussing all treatment options (LSM: 82.8 vs. 77.3; 81.6 vs. 78.6; and 82.1 vs. 78.0, all p < 0.05). Surgeons perceived patients who had blue-collar (versus white-collar) jobs as less likely to want active participation in decision-making (LSM: 62.9 vs. 65.6, p = 0.02). Surgeon approaches to PCDM varied based on a number of surgeon and patient characteristics. Further studies are needed to understand how surgeon PCDM strategies can be tailored to specific care contexts and patient needs.
Medical Student Experiences in Operation Bushmaster 2019: "I Now See Myself as Equal Parts Physician and Leader."

Introduction Operation Bushmaster, a 5-day high-fidelity medical practicum bringing together fourth-year medical students, graduate nursing students, international students, and physicians and other medical professionals in emergency and operational medicine from across the world, is the capstone event of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences's Military Unique Curriculum. It is designed to simultaneously test students' medical knowledge, leadership skills, and grace under fire. For many students, this experience represents one of the first times that they concurrently inhabit the dual roles of military officer and (soon-to-be) physician. This is likely the most "tactical" and stressful military simulation that many students have experienced. Methods In this qualitative study, we analyzed a data set of 49 de-identified reflective articles written by fourth-year medical students following the completion of Bushmaster, in order to understand what students gained from the experience. Additionally, we evaluated students' responses through the lens of the threshold concept, looking for ontological shifts, integration, discursiveness, and troublesomeness during students' Bushmaster experiences. Results We identified 10 themes throughout the essays that highlighted the lessons learned during the Bushmaster experience, including its importance in guiding professional identity formation and students' deepened understanding of the unique responsibilities and pressures of the role of military physician. Conclusion One of the resulting themes, "the military physician," met our criteria for a threshold concept, in that it was transformative, integrative, and troublesome. Before Bushmaster, many of the students saw themselves simply as medical students rather than as almost doctors. Following the field practicum, some identified more strongly with the role of military physician, while others continued to overestimate the amount of time remaining to complete the transformation from student to doctor or to integrate the roles of physician and military officer. Moreover, we identified the entirety of Bushmaster as a threshold experience. This work serves to further describe the liminal space in which military medical students reside on their journey to physician, as well as the moment of realization by many that becoming a military physician encompasses more than simply the sum of the roles of physician and military officer.
An International Criminal Tribunal after the First Gulf War: What Should Have Been

After the First Gulf War in 1991, President George H. W. Bush called for creating an ad hoc criminal tribunal similar to the Nuremberg Trial that prosecuted the Nazi Major War Criminals at the conclusion of World War II, to prosecute Saddam Hussein and other Ba’ath Party leaders for crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. Excluding the United Kingdom, the idea of an international criminal tribunal to prosecute Saddam did not gain strong support in the international community and eventually the United States’ initiative diminished. After years of human rights atrocities and the belief of possession of weapons of mass destruction, the United States, along with the United Kingdom and other supporting states, invaded Iraq in March 2003. As a result, the moral authority of the invading states, particularly the United States, has become jeopardized throughout the international community. This article reviews the historical events of the First Gulf War, the consideration of an international criminal tribunal to prosecute Saddam Hussein by the United States from 1991-2002, and how the moral reputation of the United States in the international society may be different today if an international criminal tribunal for Iraq had been created after the First Gulf War.
Paradise Lost: Impacts of Ethnic Nationalism in Sri Lanka and the Tamil Secessionist Movement

The ethnic discontents in the post-colonial Sri Lanka resulted in a civil war between Sinhalese majority and the Tamil ethnic minority, which lasted for 30 years. Even after defeating Tamil separatist movement militarily, Sri Lankan government still grapples with ethnic dilemmas in the country without providing a feasible solution for the ethnic conflict. This chapter examines the historical factors behind the separatist movement and analyses how an island nation like Sri Lanka became ethnically divided in its socio-political aspirations creating a separatist movement; this chapter will also trace the constitutional developments in colonial and post-colonial Sri Lanka. The constitutional ambiguities emerged from the Sinhalese-dominated political hegemony in post-independent Sri Lanka further legitimised the cause of secession among the Tamil minority, which eventually transformed into a military struggle.
Techniques of genital examination and vesical catheterization in female children

Simplistically, the examination of the genitalia of the female child is uncomplicated, as is vesical catheterization, and should be. However, without attention to gentleness, understanding, and a well-thoughtout uncomplicated plan of action, the examination and manipulation can be an ordeal for the child, the parent, and the examiner. Adherence to the techniques of examination and instrumentation as described should obviate trauma to the child, both psychologically and physically, and greatly improve the diagnostic value of the procedures.
Commentary: Addiction, Stigma, and Neurodiversity.

The addictions are subject to a great deal of stigma, the constituents of which include negative attributions such as being immoral, weak-willed, or sick. Negative outcomes include exclusion from p...
Surgical outcomes between temporal, extratemporal epilepsies and hypothalamic hamartoma: systematic review and meta-analysis of MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy

Background Approximately 1/3 of patients with epilepsy have drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) and require surgical interventions. This meta-analysis aimed to review the effectiveness of MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) in DRE. Methods The Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcome approach and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were followed. PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were systematically searched for English language publications from 2012 to Nov 2020. Data on the prevalence outcome using the Engel Epilepsy Surgery Outcome Scale (Class I–IV), and postoperative complications were analysed with 95% CIs. Results Twenty-eight studies that included a total of 559 patients with DRE were identified. The overall prevalence of Engel class I outcome was 56% (95% CI 0.52% to 0.60%). Hypothalamic hamartomas (HH) patients had the highest seizure freedom rate of 67% (95% CI 0.57% to 0.76%) and outcome was overall comparable between mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) (56%, 95% CI 0.50% to 0.61%) and extratemporal epilepsy (50% 95% CI 0.40% to 0.59%). The mTLE cases with mesial temporal sclerosis had better outcome vs non-lesional cases of mTLE. The prevalence of postoperative adverse events was 19% (95% CI 0.14% to 0.25%) and the most common adverse event was visual field deficits. The reoperation rate was 9% (95% CI 0.05% to 0.14%), which included repeat ablation and open resection. Conclusion MRgLITT is an effective and safe intervention for DRE with different disease aetiologies. The seizure freedom outcome is overall comparable in between extratemporal and temporal lobe epilepsy; and highest with HH. Trail registration number The study protocol was registered with the National Institute for Health Research (CRD42019126365), which serves as a prospective register of systematic reviews. It is an international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews with a focus on health-related outcomes. Details about the protocol can be found at https://wwwcrdyorkacuk/PROSPERO/.
Modeling of sand particle crushing in split Hopkinson pressure bar tests using the discrete element method

Abstract The discrete element method (DEM) has been extensively used to study the micro-mechanical behavior of sand subjected to quasi-static strain rates. In most of these studies, the sand specimens were prepared with an upscaled particle size distribution (PSD) to reduce the computational cost. However, the effectiveness of this upscaling approach in replicating the dynamic sand response is not well understood, especially at high stresses where significant particle breakage occurs. In this paper, several split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests reported in literature are modeled in DEM using two methodologies: 1) applying the reported strain rates directly to the DEM specimen without accounting for wave propagation in the incident and transmission bars; and 2) modeling the complete SHPB test setup including the incident and transmission bars. The results show that with well-calibrated parameters for contact behavior and particle crushing, specimens with upscaled PSD provide similar dynamic stress-strain response and PSD evolution as those reported in literature. This study shows the importance of particle breakage in the stress-strain response under high stresses as the specimens without particle breakage provide a much stiffer response compared to the specimens with particle breakage. The developed DEM model may be a useful tool to model the complete SHPB test setup as the incident, reflected and transmitted stress waves can be accurately replicated.
Cell-free DNA diagnostics in transplantation utilizing next generation sequencing.

Abstract The use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to interrogate cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a transplant diagnostic provides a crucial step in improving the accuracy of post-transplant monitoring of allograft health. cfDNA interrogation provides a powerful, yet minimally invasive, biomarker for disease and tissue injury. cfDNA can be isolated from a variety of body fluids and analyzed using bioinformatics to unlock its origins. Furthermore, cfDNA characteristics can reveal the mechanisms and conditions under which it was generated and released. In transplantation, donor-derived cfDNA monitoring provides a tool for identifying active allograft injury at the time of transplant, infection, and rejection. Multiple detection and interrogation methods for cfDNA detection are now being evaluated for clinical validity and hold the promise to provide minimally invasive, quantitative, and reproducible measures of allograft injury across organ types.
Yeast surface 2-hybrid to detect protein-protein interactions via the secretory pathway as a platform for antibody discovery

High throughput methods to measure protein-protein interactions will facilitate uncovering pairs of unknown interactions as well as designing new interactions. We have developed a platform to detect protein interactions on the surface of yeast, where one protein (bait) is covalently anchored to the cell wall and the other (prey) is expressed in secretory form. The prey is released either outside of the cells or remains on the cell surface by its binding to the bait. The strength of their interaction is measured by antibody binding to the epitope tag fused to the prey or direct readout of split fluorescence protein complementation. Our novel 'yeast surface 2-hybrid' system was found to differentiate 6-log difference in binding affinities between coiled coil associations and to measure specific interactions of antibodies and antigens. We demonstrate the use of YS2H in exploring activation allostery in integrins and isolating heavy chain only antibodies against botulinum neurotoxin.
National disparities in minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer

Social and racial disparities have been identified as factors contributing to differences in access to care and oncologic outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate national disparities in minimally invasive surgery (MIS), both laparoscopic and robotic, across different racial, socioeconomic and geographic populations of patients with rectal cancer. We utilized the American College of Surgeons National Cancer Database to identify patients with rectal cancer from 2004 to 2011 who had undergone definitive surgical procedures through either an open, laparoscopic or robotic approach. Inclusion criteria included only one malignancy and no adjuvant therapy. Multivariate analysis was performed to investigate differences in age, gender, race, income, education, insurance coverage, geographic setting and hospital type in relation to the surgical approach. A total of 8633 patients were identified. The initial surgical approach included 46.5 % open (4016), 50.9 % laparoscopic (4393) and 2.6 % robotic (224). In evaluating type of insurance coverage, patients with private insurance were most likely to undergo laparoscopic surgery [OR (odds ratio) 1.637, 95 % CI 1.178–2.275], although there was a less statistically significant association with robotic surgery (OR 2.167, 95 % CI 0.663–7.087). Patients who had incomes greater than $46,000 and received treatment at an academic center were more likely to undergo MIS (either laparoscopic or robotic). Race, education and geographic setting were not statistically significant characteristics for surgical approach in patients with rectal cancer. Minimally invasive approaches for rectal cancer comprise approximately 53 % of surgical procedures in patients not treated with adjuvant therapy. Robotics is associated with patients who have higher incomes and private insurance and undergo surgery in academic centers.
Hydrogen purification of synthetic water gas shift gases using microstructured palladium membranes

Abstract Novel microstructured palladium composite membranes are fabricated using microfabrication technologies. The membranes have a thickness of 1 micron, and are supported by a microstructured nickel lattice 10 micron in thickness. The membranes' flux versus hydrogen partial pressure are evaluated, and a linear correlation found, indicating a deviation from Sieverts Law due to their relative thinness. The permeance of the membrane are found to be approximately 3 × 10 −6 mol*m −2 *s −1 *Pa −1 . The membranes are tested under Department of Energy specified synthetic water gas shift mixtures at temperatures of 320 °C and 380 °C and exhibited fluxes between 0.2 and 0.4 mol*m −2 *s at 275 kPa g (40 psig). The membranes have stable performance at 320 °C, while alloying of the palladium and nickel support slowly occurs at 380 °C, causing a decline in flux. A permeance selectivity of 458:1 H 2 :He is observed at a pressure gradient of 1.37 MPa g (205 psig) and 380 °C, however a true ‘burst pressure’ is unable to be determined due to the maximum output limitations of the pressure regulator. Hydrogen sulfide reduces membrane performance, as expected of a pure palladium membrane.
LETRAMIENTO Y MESTIZAJE EN EL NUEVO REINO DE GRANADA, SIGLOS XVI Y XVII

El acto de clasificacion sociorracial y la atribucion de la calidad de indio, mestizo, negro o espanol a un individuo era una performance mediada por la alfabetizacion (el letramiento) en la Colonia temprana. Este articulo analiza la escritura como un conjunto de practicas y relaciones sociales que, mediante su desenvolvimiento en el espacio social, categorizaba a los habitantes del Nuevo Reino de Granada (hoy, Colombia). Por lo tanto, se entiende el letramiento como un proceso social y no exclusivamente como una tecnica; por igual, se entiende la clasificacion sociorracial como un acto situado en una relacion social e institucional y en un contexto burocractico-legal.
Deficits in muscle mass, muscle density, and modified associations with fat in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To quantify muscle outcomes, independent of fat mass, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared to healthy controls. Methods Quantitative computed tomography scans measured calf muscle and fat cross-sectional area (CSA) and muscle density (an index of intramuscular adipose tissue), and isometric dynamometry was used to measure ankle muscle strength in 50 participants with RA ages 18–70 years and 500 healthy controls. Multivariable linear regression models assessed muscle deficits in RA after adjusting for group differences in adiposity and assessing for an altered muscle–fat association. Associations between RA disease characteristics and fat-adjusted muscle outcomes were also assessed. Results Compared to controls, RA subjects had significantly greater body mass index (BMI) and fat area, and lower muscle area, muscle density, and muscle strength (P < 0.001 for all). Strength deficits were eliminated with adjustment for the smaller muscle area. The magnitude of muscle deficits, relative to controls, was significantly greater (P < 0.03 for interaction) in participants with lower fat area and BMI. Among those in the lower tertiles of adiposity, RA subjects demonstrated more significant deficits compared to controls with similar adiposity. In contrast, among those in the highest tertile for adiposity, RA was not associated with muscle deficits. Among RA, greater Sharp/van der Heijde scores were associated with lower muscle CSA and muscle density. Greater disease activity and disability were associated with low muscle density. Conclusion Deficits in muscle area and muscle density are present in RA patients compared to controls and are most pronounced in subjects with low fat mass. Greater joint destruction is associated with greater muscle deficits.
Devices, systems, and methods for automated monitoring enabling precision agriculture

Addressing the challenges of feeding the burgeoning world population with limited resources requires innovation in sustainable, efficient farming. The practice of precision agriculture offers many benefits towards addressing these challenges, such as improved yield and efficient use of such resources as water, fertilizer and pesticides. We describe the design and development of a light-weight, multi-spectral 3D imaging device that can be used for automated monitoring in precision agriculture. The sensor suite consists of a laser range scanner, multi-spectral cameras, a thermal imaging camera, and navigational sensors. We present techniques to extract four key data products — plant morphology, canopy volume, leaf area index, and fruit counts — using the sensor suite. We demonstrate its use with two systems: multi-rotor micro aerial vehicles and on a human-carried, shoulder-mounted harness. We show results of field experiments conducted in collaboration with growers and agronomists in vineyards, apple orchards and orange groves.
Strength Decay of RC Columns under Shear Reversals

The decay in shear strength of tied reinforced concrete columns during earthquake loading was investigated by subjecting 12 column specimens to several reversals of loading to deflections larger than the yield deflection. The principal variables of the test program were the axial load, the transverse reinforcement ratio, and the total deflection per cycle. The test specimens were able to develop the expected yield moment in the first quarter cycle and maintain that load for some inelastic deflection. However, the repetition of these deflections resulted in a decay in the strength of the member. Experimental data are used to examine the mechanism of strength decay, which is related to crushing and spalling of the shell concrete, yielding of the transverse reinforcement, and abrasive rubbing of concrete along inclined cracks. The results of this investigation indicate that the transverse reinforcement must be proportioned to carry the total shear required to develop the ultimate moment capacity of the column.
Non-Linear Analysis of the Flow Around Partially or Super-Cavitating Hydrofoils by a Potential Based Panel Method

The problem of analyzing the flow around a partially or super-cavitating hydrofoil in an ideal fluid is addressed by employing a low order perturbation potential based panel method. The cavity surface is determined as a part of the solution in an iterative manner. As a first iteration in determining the final cavity surface, the foil beneath the cavity is used in the case of partially cavitating hydrofoils, and the cavity shape from linear theory is used in the case of super-cavitating hydrofoils. The numerical scheme is shown to be very robust and to converge to the final cavity shape quicker than a previous numerical scheme based on a surface vorticity velocity based panel method.
Excessive Sympathetic Nervous System Activity Decreases Myocardial Contractility

The objective of this study was to determine whether myocardial contractility is depressed by intense activation of the sympathetic nervous system. A massive sympathetic discharge was produced by injecting veratrine or sodium citrate into the cisterna magna of anesthetized rabbits (n = 10). Two and one-half hr later, the hearts were isolated and their left ventricular (LV) performance evaluated and compared with the LV performance of hearts isolated from control animals (n = 10). LV performance was evaluated from steady-state peak isovolumic systolic and end-diastolic pressures that were generated at various end-diastolic volumes (LV function curves). The relationship between peak LV systolic pressure (or the average peak developed LV wall stress) and LV end-diastolic volume was rotated downward (P less than 0.01) in the hearts removed from rabbits treated with veratrine or citrate. The LV end-diastolic pressure or LV end-diastolic wall stress of these hearts was not different from control at any end-diastolic volume. The diminished ability of the experimental hearts to develop systolic pressure or wall stress suggests that intense sympathetic activation depressed contractility. Severely damaged myofibers, located largely in the subendocardium, were found in these hearts. Furthermore, the depressed contractility was not related to pulmonary edema since only 2 of 10 rabbits developed edema.
Clonidine Toxicity Revisited

The incidence of clonidine overdose is increasing, yet there is a paucity of new information regarding treatment options for clonidine toxicity. Reported treatment approaches vary widely, demonstrating the lack of science on which current treatment is based. Available research needs to be reassessed. Neurotransmitters, receptors, endogenous opioids, and baseline sympathetic tone determine the clinical response to clonidine as well as the potential response to drug therapy following clonidine overdose. This article reviews aspects of clonidine toxicity that need to be further investigated. Multicenter research trials will be required to evaluate new treatment options.
Differences in water relations among the citrus leafminer and two different populations of its parasitoid inhabiting the same apparent microhabitat

The water balance relationships of adult females and pupae of two populations (Australian and Taiwan) of the parasitic wasp Ageniaspis citricola, a biological control agent of the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella, were compared to determine whether habitat preferences might differ between them. No differences were detected between Australian and Taiwan strains of the wasp during the pupal stage, but adult females from the Australian strain had lower net water loss rates than the parasitoid adults from Taiwan. This implies a greater moisture requirement by adults of the Taiwan strain, which should be considered before they are released into a new environment in classical biological control programs.
Clinical applications of bone graft substitutes in spine surgery: consideration of mineralized and demineralized preparations and growth factor supplementation

Bone graft substitutes may be broadly classified as mineralized and demineralized preparations. This article reviews the basic science and biology underlying each preparation. A review of the clinical and experimental applications of each preparation follows. The text concludes with a review of growth factors as biological supplements.
Estimating Fires When a Product is the Primary Fuel But Not the First Fuel, With an Application to Upholstered Furniture

Since 1980, it has been possible to estimate the size of the fire problem associated with many types of burnable products when those products are the first items ignited. However, many burnable products also have a major role as the largest fuel package in the room and may be the most important fuel package even if not the first item ignited. Only in the last few years have we had enough years of fire data with coding sufficient to support sound estimates of fires where a defined product is the primary fuel but not the first fuel. This article describes a proposed methodology for making those estimates and describes the results of application of the new methodology to upholstered furniture. The application to upholstered furniture demonstrated that one-quarter of upholstered furniture fires, civilian injuries, and direct damages, and one-fifth (21 %) of associated civilian deaths are associated with fires in which upholstered furniture is the primary item contributing to fire or flame spread but not the item first ignited. The traditional focus on cigarette resistance leaves roughly half of the fire deaths from upholstered furniture fires untouched.
Skipping across the tropics: The evolutionary history of sawtail surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae: Prionurus)

Abstract Fishes described as “anti-equatorial” have disjunct distributions, inhabiting temperate habitat patches on both sides of the tropics. Several alternative hypotheses suggest how and when species with disjunct distributions crossed uninhabitable areas, including: ancient vicariant events, competitive exclusion from the tropics, and more recent dispersal during Pliocene and Pleistocene glacial periods. Surgeonfishes in the genus Prionurus can provide novel insight into this pattern as its member species have disjunct distributions inhabiting either temperate latitudes, cold-water upwellings in the tropics, or low diversity tropical reef ecosystems. Here the evolutionary history and historical biogeography of Prionurus is examined using a dataset containing both mitochondrial and nuclear data for all seven extant species. Our results indicate that Prionurus is monophyletic and Miocene in origin. Several relationships remain problematic, including the placement of the Australian P. microlepidotus, and the relationship between P. laticlavius and P. punctatus. Equatorial divergence events between temperate western Pacific habitats occurred at least twice in Prionurus: once in the Miocene and again in the late Pliocene/early Pleistocene. Three species with tropical affinities, P. laticlavius, P. punctatus, and P. biafraensis, form a clade that originated in the Pliocene. These results suggest that a variety of mechanisms may regulate the disjunct distribution of temperate fishes, and provide support for both older and younger equatorial crossing events. They also suggest that interspecific competitive exclusion may be influential in fishes with “anti-equatorial” distributions.
Kinetic study on the reactions involved in hot gas desulfurization using a regenerable iron oxide sorbent—III. Reactions of the sulfided sorbent with steam and steam-air mixtures

In continuation of the earlier studies on sorbent regeneration, reactions of the sulfided iron oxide sorbent with steam and steam-air mixtures were investigated. This paper describes experimental results on the kinetics of these reactions. As before, experiments were conducted in a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA) and conversion data for the steam reaction were correlated using the grain model, described in Part I. The intrinsic activation energy for this reaction is found to be 16.36 kcal/mol. Effects of particle size and temperature on the rate of reaction were studied to identify proper rate-controlling regimes. For the reactions with steam-air mixtures, a parallel reaction scheme is proposed and a simple equation suggested to correlate the conversion-time data. Accordingly, the overall rate is obtained by the addition of the rates of reactions of the sulfided sorbent with steam and with air. Using the earlier results for these two reactions, conversion curves are calculated and compared with the experimental data.
The effects of context and of raters' attitudes on judgments of favorableness of statements about a social group.

(1966). The Effects of Context and of Raters' Attitudes on Judgments of Favorableness of Statements about a Social Group. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 70, No. 1, pp. 11-22.
Growth measurements of terrestrial microbial species by a continuous-flow technique

A continuous nutrient flow system has been developed to measure microbial activity in soil with various concentrations of added substrate. The system consists of a thin soil layer through which substrate was added continuously over periods up to 4.5 days. Substrate utilization was determined by effluent analysis. Respiration was measured manually by injecting a sample into a gas chromatograph or automatically by coupling the growth chamber to a computer-controlled gas sampling valve. This permitted respiratory CO2 to be measured by the gas chromatograph at intervals selected by the investigator. Software controlling the valve and gas chromatograph not only automated gas phase sampling, but also provided a scan of CO2 evolution and a preliminary data summary. This included the date and time of sample, peak height, and percent CO2 in the gas phase. Data for growth on glucose using a microbial population native to a California annual grassland soil demonstrated that the direct cell count and respiratory techniques for biomass estimation give comparable results. This procedure provides the potential for detailed analyses of substrate utilization in studies of the growth and maintenance of soil microorganisms.
Susceptibility of the ∅X-like phages G4 and G14 to R · EcoRI endonuclease

Abstract Unlike ΦX174 and S13, the RF I and RF II DNA of the new ΦX-like phages G4 and G14 (Godson, 1974) are cut by the R1 R-factor restriction enzyme (Eco RI) into unit length RF III linear DNA molecules. The cut is specific and is located in the Haemophilus influenzae restriction enzyme fragments G4 HinB (900 nucleotides) and G14 HinA (1200 nucleotides) of G4 and G14, respectively. Revised sizes of the ΦX174 Hind fragments are given.