cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuro-oncology: gangliogliomas--what is the appropriate management strategy?

Ganglioglioma is a rare form of low-grade glioma that mainly affects children and young adults. The low incidence of this tumor has precluded prospective studies of available treatment strategies. A large retrospective study has now examined the effectiveness of these strategies, specifically the influence of postoperative radiotherapy on patient outcome.
Small break loss of coolant accidents: Bottom and side break

Abstract A loss of coolant accident (LOCA) in a nuclear reactor can be caused, e.g., by a small break in the primary cooling system. The rate of fluid escaping through such a break will define the time until the core will be uncovered. Therefore the prediction of fluid loss and pressure transient is of major importance to plan for timely action in response to such an event. Stratification of the two phases might be present upstream of the break, thus, the location of the break relative to the vapor-liquid interface and the overall upstream fluid conditions are relevant for the calculation of fluid loss. Experimental results and analyses are presented here for small breaks at the bottom or at the side of a small pressure vessel. It was found that in such a case the onset of the so-called “vapor pull through” is important but swelling at sufficient depressurization rates of the liquid due to flashing is also of significance. It was also discovered that in the bottom break the flow rate is strongly dependent on the break entrance quality of the vapor-liquid mixture. The side break can be treated similarly to the bottom break if the interface level is above the break. The analyses developed on the basis of experimental observations showed reasonable agreement of predicted and measured pressure transients. It was possible to calculate the changing interface level and mixture void fraction history in a way compatible with the behavior observed during the experiments. Even though the experiments were performed at low pressures, this work should help to get a better understanding of physical phenomena occurring in a full scale small break loss of coolant accident.
Global epigenomic analysis of primary human pancreatic islets provides insights into type 2 diabetes susceptibility loci

Identifying cis-regulatory elements is important to understanding how human pancreatic islets modulate gene expression in physiologic or pathophysiologic (e.g., diabetic) conditions. We conducted genome-wide analysis of DNase I hypersensitive sites, histone H3 lysine methylation modifications (K4me1, K4me3, K79me2), and CCCTC factor (CTCF) binding in human islets. This identified ∼18,000 putative promoters (several hundred unannotated and islet-active). Surprisingly, active promoter modifications were absent at genes encoding islet-specific hormones, suggesting a distinct regulatory mechanism. Of 34,039 distal (nonpromoter) regulatory elements, 47% are islet unique and 22% are CTCF bound. In the 18 type 2 diabetes (T2D)-associated loci, we identified 118 putative regulatory elements and confirmed enhancer activity for 12 of 33 tested. Among six regulatory elements harboring T2D-associated variants, two exhibit significant allele-specific differences in activity. These findings present a global snapshot of the human islet epigenome and should provide functional context for noncoding variants emerging from genetic studies of T2D and other islet disorders.
Model-based segmentation of the brain from 3-D MRI using active surfaces

Traditional segmentation approaches have proven inadequate when faced with the anatomical complexity and variability exhibited by biological structures such as the brain. A 3-D extension to the 'snakes' algorithm has been implemented and used to segment the brain surface from MRI image volumes of the head in an effort to investigate model-based, top-down segmentation strategies. These active surfaces allow closed surfaces of complex objects to be recovered using a priori knowledge in the form of initial conditions and applied external forces. Preliminary results suggest that active surfaces may be initialized according to a preconceived model and adaptively deformed by image data to recover the desired object surface. >
Biodegradation of lignin-carbohydrate complexes

Covalent lignin-carbohydrate (LC) linkages exist in lignocellulose from wood and groups herbaceous plants. In wood, they consist of ester and ether linkages through sugar hydroxyl to the α-carbanol of phenylpropane subunits in lignin. In grasses, ferulic and p-coumaric acids are esterified to hemicelluloses and lignin, respectively. Hemicelluloses also contain substitutents and side groups that restrict enzymatic attack. Watersoluble lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) often precipitate during digestion with polysaccharidases, and the residual sugars are more diverse than the bulk hemicellulose. A number of microbial esterases and hemicellulose polysaccharidases including acetyl xylan esterase, ferulic acid esterase, and p-coumaric esterase attack hemicellulose side chains. Accessory hemicellulases include α-l-arabinofuranosidase and α-methyl-glucuranosidase. Both of these side chains are involved in LC bonds. β-Glucosidase will attach sugar residues to lignin degradation products and when carbohydrate is attached to lignin, lignin peroxidase will depolymerize the lignin more readily.
Vulvitis circumscripta plasmacellularis

In this paper we present what is apparently the tenth published case of vulvitis circumscripta plasmacellularis (loon). The patient had eroded, red-brown, asymptomatic vulvar lesions that were recalcitrant to treatment. The characteristic histopathology—dense plasma cell infiltrate and deposition of hemosiderin—was present.
Iron and cardiac disease in the end-stage renal disease setting

Abstract Erythropoietin (EPO) therapy and appropriate iron administration are important aspects for managing the anemia of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Achieving target hemoglobin levels of 11 to 12 g/dL and optimizing iron balance should improve clinical outcomes and increase patient quality of life. However, concerns have been raised about parenteral iron supplementation leading to excessively high iron levels, which may induce increased oxidative stress and risk for cardiovascular disease. Increased oxidative stress is often already present in patients with chronic renal disease and in patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis. The ″iron hypothesis” proposes that excess iron is associated with increased risk for cardiac disease. While some studies have found an association between high iron levels or increased iron consumption with elevated risk for cardiac disease in subjects without renal disease, others have not found this association. Indeed, several studies suggest that achievement of target hematocrit levels in ESRD patients improves several clinical outcomes and that anemia itself is a risk factor for cardiac disease. Well-designed prospective studies are needed before the relationship between supplemental iron administration, excess iron, and cardiac disease can be firmly established. Am J Kidney Dis 34:s18-s24, 1999. Copyright © 1999 by National Kidney Foundation
A STUDY OF THE BACTERICIDAL ACTION OF ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT II. THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND CONDITIONS

1. Wide differences in the intensity of incident ultra violet energy are not accurately compensated by corresponding changes in the exposure time, so that the Bunsen-Roscoe reciprocity law does not hold, strictly, especially for bactericidal action on young, metabolically and genetically active bacteria. In the present series of experiments, however, the energies used at various wave lengths did not differ by so much as to cause a significant error in the reported reactions. 2. The longer wave length limit of a direct bactericidal action on S. aureus was found to be between 302 and 313 mmicro. The shorter limit was not determined because the long exposures required vitiate quantitative results. Bactericidal action was observed at lambda225 mmicro. 3. The temperature coefficient of the bactericidal reaction approaches 1 and thus furnishes empirical evidence that the direct action of ultra violet light on bacteria is essentially physical or photochemical in character. 4. The hydrogen ion concentration of the environment has no appreciable effect upon the bactericidal reaction between the limits of pH 4.5 and 7.5. At pH 9 and 10 evidence of a slight but definite increase in bacterial susceptibility was noted, but this difference may have been due to a less favorable environment for subsequent recovery and multiplication of injured organisms. 5. Plane polarization of incident ultra violet radiation has no demonstrable effect upon its bactericidal action. In a third paper of this group the ratios of incident to absorbed ultra violet energy at various wave lengths and the significance of these relations in an analysis of the bactericidal reaction will be discussed.
Vacuum Hot-Pressing of Magnesium Aluminate Spinel

Densification kinetics of magnesium aluminate spinel during vacuum hot pressing using rate equation for strain rate and porosity relationship
Information, Promotion, and the Adoption of Innovative Consumer Durables*

The diffusion of innovative new products is critically dependent on the transmission of relevant information to potential adopters. Existing research indicates that the relative effectiveness of different communication tools depends on the type of information being communicated. Written and verbal communication tools can be effective when consumers make adoption decisions based on search attributes. However, when adoption depends on experience attributes, marketers must find ways to effectively expose consumers to these attributes. In this paper the authors explore the effectiveness of promotional incentives in motivating consumers to engage in behaviors that should increase their understanding of an innovation's experience attributes. To the authors' knowledge, the research described here is the first published study of the relative effectiveness of different promotional vehicles in stimulating adoption of a consumer durable. The empirical analysis is based on data collected in a real-world experiment involving 614 households. Just over half of these households received a free DVD movie disc as an incentive to participate in the study. The authors assigned the participating households to four treatment groups of 100 households each and a control group of 214 households. The households in the treatment groups received one of four promotional offers that featured some form of a $50 monetary incentive. These promotional offers differed in the degree to which they encouraged behavior that exposed consumers to the experience attributes of a DVD player. After one month the authors surveyed these households again to determine how many purchased a DVD player in the preceding month. An analysis of this experimental data reveals that all four monetary promotions significantly enhanced the probability of adoption. In particular, the average adoption rate among the households receiving one of the monetary incentives was 41%. In contrast, none of the households in the control group reported purchasing a DVD player. Promotions that paid consumers for specific behaviors that precede purchase were no less effective than a coupon that reduces the purchase price by an equivalent amount. In addition, promotions that directly exposed consumers to experience attributes were more effective than promotions that simply provided consumers with the opportunity to learn about experience attributes. Finally, the gift of a free complementary product (a DVD movie) enhanced the effectiveness of three of the four monetary promotions. The authors close with a discussion of managerial implications and directions for future search.
Charm Mixing and CP-violations - Theory

I begin by commenting on the most recent experimental compilation of D^0 mixing data, emphasizing the so-called 'strong phase' issue. This is followed by a review of the theory underlying charm mixing, both Standard Model and New Physics. The mechanism of R_p-violation is used to illustrate the methodology for New Physics contributions and the relation of this to rare D^0 decays is pointed out. Finally, I address the subject of CP-violating asymmetries by describing some suggestions for future experimental studies and a recent theoretical analysis of New Physics contributions.
Product development benchmarking versus customer focus in applications of quality function deployment

The study explores the tradeoff between efforts to benchmark on product-development practices and be customer focused in the implementation of a quality-improvement method. The results of a survey of thirty-three firms' experience with quality function deployment (QFD) reveal that benchmarking on how competitors, peers, or role models develop products facilitates process improvement but hinders customer focus. Smaller firms are also shown to gain more customer focus and process-improvement benefits from QFD than larger firms.
English as a second language, a second chance, or second class membership: Exploring the costs and opportunities of Latina immigrants' narratives:

Speaking a language is a socially and historically situated action through which speakers define themselves in relation to others. Using interviews collected from 15 Latina women attending an ESL program, this study examined how gender and ethnicity frame students’ practices related to the study of English as a second language. Positioning analysis was used to identify the multiple roles the speakers enact in their immigrant and host communities, and describe how they strategically manage and combine these positionings to achieve multiple goals. The results show that ESL study serves disparate and sometimes contradictory purposes in the lives of immigrant students, depending on processes through which agency and vulnerability is achieved. Linking Peirce’s conceptualization of student motivation as “investment” to socio-cultural theory, this study fosters a broader view of the dynamics shaping individual language use and language acquisition. By examining second language study as a cultural tool, students’...
Graduate Student Marriages:An Organizational/Interactional View†

This article describes an organizational/interactional model for understanding and working with graduate student marriages. The model first distinguishes symmetrical (student/student) from asymmetrical (student/working spouse) marriages. Then, the major focus is on asymmetrical marriages and the disengagement process that is typical among these couples. Asymmetrical organization, especially within today's ethos of equal roles and equal responsibilities, presents graduate student couples with several dilemmas: (a) it promotes hierarchical confusion, (b) it makes for a problematic marital quid pro quo, and (c) it fosters contextual gaps between the two partners. When these inherent difficulties are misconstrued and mishandled, dysfunctional sequences lead the couple into progressive disengagement. Even as dissatisfaction in the marriage increases, graduate student couples have a tendency to postpone and suspend negotiations. Over time, there is an intensification of the coupIe's unhappiness but, at the same time, the relationship remains structurally unchanged. The building tension in the marriage typically culminates in a crisis when a milestone in the student's course of work precipitates a major disorganization of the system. Clinical implications of the model are outlined with recommendations for focused interventions.
Productivity Loss Associated with Substance Use, Physical Health, and Mental Health

Because the military depends on the productivity of individuals and teams of personnel for successful mission accomplishment, it is vital to understand and minimize factors contributing to productivity loss. This chapter examines the extent to which work productivity is impacted by substance use, physical health, and mental health problems. It first presents trends in overall productivity loss as well as trends in productivity loss associated with substance use, physical health, and mental health from 1995 to 2008. It then introduces and examines a health and behavioral health model of productivity loss that integrates the key concepts and measures of substance abuse, physical health, and mental health considered in Chaps. 3, 4, and 5 with an emphasis on how they relate and converge to impact productivity among active duty personnel. The model provides a comprehensive assessment of how health and behavioral factors, taken together, affect productivity in the military. The chapter concludes with a recap of the overall picture of productivity loss in the military and implications for resources and force readiness.
Inventing Pan-Africanism in Ghana (the Gold Coast): Sierra Leonean Influences in the 19th Century

This paper examines the interactions between Sierra Leonean and Fante (Gold Coast) political activists living in the Gold Coast during the 1860s and 1870s. The development of Fante nationalist ideas among educated men and traditional rulers in this period has largely been attributed to the growing influence of British culture and education. This paper seeks to show how other foreign influences — Sierra Leonean and, by extension, African-American — were also part of that evolution. Africanus Horton arrived on the Gold Coast in 1859 with a consciousness of African identity and an interest in “vindicating the African race” in response to the racist ideologies governing the British empire. These meshed with local Fante political traditions of autonomy and independence that had developed over the previous century as the Fante had defended themselves against both Asante and British threats of conquest. The combined effect of interactions between Horton and politically-active Fantes (such as George Kuntu Blankson, John Sarbah, J.P. Brown, R. J. Ghartey, W.E.G. Sekyi) was the Fanti Confederation and Mankessim Constitution, which should be seen as products of the nascent pan-Africanist movement not simply the beginnings of Gold Coast nationalism.
Byron's Speculative Turn: Visions of Posthuman Life in Cain

In his closet-drama Cain, Byron connects extinction to a nascent, and surprising, catastrophic evolutionism that argues the world's current human inhabitants will gradually destroy the whole of their own species and be replaced with newer, updated life forms of an entirely different, unknown sort. As I show, an unaccounted for aspect of the play—Cain's moral outrage over the sacrifice of animals—offers a possible intervention in this cataclysmic cycle. For Byron, it seems, ontological replacement will only occur if humans refuse to stop killing non-humans as represented by the animal sacrifices that induce Cain's fratricide, actions that humans nonetheless seem ironically incapable of ending. Examining how Agamben's biopolitics help frame Cain's actions, I explicate how Cain's actions also point out the limits of Agamben's conceptualization of biopolitics and push into speculative realist territory. The play ultimately offers a non-anthropocentric vision of life on earth.
Prognostic factors (PF) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (AHCC): Multivariate analysis and comparison between staging systems (SS) in patients (pts) treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)

4601 Background: Several SS have been proposed in hepatocellular carcinoma. These include TNM, Okuda, Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP), Chinese University Prognostic Index (CUPI), and Bar...
Steroids Versus Steroids Plus Additional Agent in Frontline Treatment of Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Abstract Despite extensive research in the last few decades, progress in treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), a common complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), has been limited and steroids continue to be the standard frontline treatment. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have failed to find a beneficial effect of escalating immunosuppression using additional agents. Considering the small number of RCTs, limited sample sizes, and frequent early termination because of anticipated futility, we conducted a systematic review and an aggregate data meta-analysis to explore whether a true efficacy signal has been missed because of the limitations of individual RCTs. Seven reports met our inclusion criteria. The control arm in all studies was 2 mg/kg/day prednisone (or equivalent). The additional agent(s) used in the experimental arm(s) were higher-dose steroids, antithymocyte globulin, infliximab, anti-interleukin-2 receptor antibody (daclizumab and BT563), CD5-specific immunotoxin, and mycophenolate mofetil. Random effects meta-analysis revealed no efficacy signal in pooled response rates at various times points. Overall survival at 100 days was significantly worse in the experimental arm (relative risk [RR], .83; 95% confidence interval [CI], .74 to .94; P = .004, data from 3 studies) and showed a similar trend (albeit not statistically significantly) at 1 year as well (RR, .86; 95% CI, .68 to 1.09; P = .21, data from 5 studies). In conclusion, these results argue against the value of augmented generic immunosuppression beyond steroids for frontline treatment of aGVHD and emphasize the importance of developing alternative strategies. Novel forms of immunomodulation and targeted therapies against non–immune-related pathways may enhance the efficacy of steroids in this setting, and early predictive and prognostic biomarkers can help identify the subgroup of patients who would likely need treatments other than (or in addition to) generic immunosuppression.
Changes in carbohydrate and nitrogen fractions and digestibility of forages: method of sample processing.

NUTRITIONAL evaluation of fresh forages is often difficult because of problems involved in sampling and preparation of the fresh plant material. Thus, the tendency in forage research has been to analyze oven-dried plant material to determine the chemical composition of the fresh plant. Couchman (1959a, b) and Melvin (1963) reported that temperature affects the chemical composition of stored forage. Their data suggest that changes in chemical composition may result from one or more of the following: (1) loss of components, such as ammonia and carbon dioxide; (2) degradation of carbohydrates; (3) enrichment of nonvolatile fractions; and (4) formation of protein-carbohydrate artifacts not originally present in the forage. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of sample handling and drying on the carbohydrate and nitrogen fractions and digestibility of fresh and ensiled forages
Vortical Flow Prediction of the AVT-183 Diamond Wing

The objective of this paper is to assess the potential and limitations of current practice in computational fluid dynamic modeling for predicting vortical flowfields over a generic 53degree swept diamond wing with rounded leading edges. This wing was designed under STO AVT Task Group 183 and is based on the SACCON UCAV geometry, which is a lambda wing with complex span-wise distributions of thickness and leading edge radius and with a linear twist outboard of the first trailing edge break. The SACCON wing trailing-edge was swept forward by 26.5-degrees to form a diamond-shaped planform that is used in this study. This new wing also has a constant NACA 64A-006 airfoil section with a leading edge radius of 0.264 percent chord and has no twist. CFD simulations were performed for various angles of attack at a Mach number of 0.15 and a Reynolds number of 2.7× 10 based on the mean aerodynamic chord to match experiments. CFD simulations were run with different turbulence models and with a limited assessment of Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation. The wind tunnel experiments of the diamond wing were carried out in the Institute of Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics of the Technische Universitat Munchen, Germany and include aerodynamic lift, drag, and pitch moment measurements as well as span-wise pressure distributions at different chord-wise locations. This data set is used to validate the CFD results. The results presented demonstrate that the CFD compare well with the experiments at small angles of attack; the pitch moment predicted by the SARC turbulence model provide a better match to experimental results than the SA model at moderate angles of attack; and at high angles of attack, CFD predictions are not as good. The flow visualization results show that a leading-edge vortex is formed above the upper surface of the wing at an angle of attack of about eight degrees. This vortex becomes larger and stronger when the angle of attack is increased. With increasing angle of attack, the vortex formation point moves upstream and the vortex core moves inboard towards the wing center. Finally, the results show that the flow over the diamond wing is steady throughout the range of angles of attack.
SELF-RATED EXPECTATIONS OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR PREDICT FUTURE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AMONG ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY PATIENTS

BACKGROUND: This study's purpose was to examine the predictive validity and clinical utility of a brief measure assessing youths' own expectations of their future risk of suicidal behavior, administered in a psychiatric emergency (PE) department; and determine if youths' ratings improve upon a clinician-administered assessment of suicidal ideation severity. The outcome was suicide attempts up to 18 months later. METHODS: In this medical record review study, 340 consecutively presenting youths (ages 13-24) seeking PE services over a 7-month period were included. Subsequent PE visits and suicide attempts were retrospectively tracked for up to 18 months. The 3-item scale assessing patients' perception of their own suicidal behavior risk and the clinician-administered ideation severity scale were used routinely at the study site. RESULTS: Cox regression results showed that youths' expectations of suicidal behavior were independently associated with increased risk of suicide attempts, even after adjusting for key covariates. RESULTS were not moderated by sex, suicide attempt history, or age. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analyses indicated that self-assessed expectations of risk improved the predictive accuracy of the clinician-administered suicidal ideation measure. CONCLUSIONS: Youths' ratings indicative of lower confidence in maintaining safety uniquely predicted follow-up attempts and provided incremental validity over and above the clinician-administered assessment and improved its accuracy, suggesting their potential for augmenting suicide risk formulation. Assessing youths' own perceptions of suicide risk appears to be clinically useful, feasible to implement in PE settings, and, if replicated, promising for improving identification of youth at risk for suicidal behavior.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
Automatic quality improvement reports in the intensive care unit: One step closer toward meaningful use.

Automatic quality improvement reports in the intensive care unit: One step closer toward meaningful use
Study of Situation Presentation Technology in Strategic Decision Simulation

The technology of situation representation in situation decision simulation was discussed. Strategic situation TimeWall model and dynamic representation model were studied and implemented, which represent situation data by combining multiple medias. And those models were demonstrated. It proves that this technology of situation representation can provide realistic decision environment for decision-makers and be used well in practical teaching and training.
Lessons from September 8,2011 Southwest America Blackout for Prevention and Control of Cascading Outages

Based on the 2011 Southwest America blackout inquiry report,this paper presents a description of the event evolution and an analysis of technical causes leading to the cascade development from the point of view of prevention and control of cascading outages,including ineffectiveness of security analysis and preventive control,inadequacy of real-time situational awareness,unreasonability of protection relay settings,inappropriateness of control system design and lack of coordination between protection and control.It concludes that several fundamental measures need to be strengthened,including a complete,thorough and timely understanding of system dynamic characteristics,coordination of protection and control actions,and improvement of simulation analysis.
Monitoring intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma by postoperative urinary cytology.

AbstractWe studied 51 patients with superficial bladder carcinoma who had been treated with transurethral resection of all gross tumor followed by intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin weekly for 6 weeks. Within 72 hours of either the first or second quarterly cystoscopic surveillance examination after bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy, a conventional cytology study was obtained. Of these patients 8 (15.7 per cent) had positive, 9 (17.6 per cent) suspicious and 34 (66.7 per cent) negative postoperative cytology studies. Subsequent tumor recurrence was defined as a positive biopsy or visible papillary tumors on cystoscopic examination. All 8 patients with a positive postoperative cytology study had tumor recurrence at a median interval of 4 months. Of the 9 patients with a suspicious study 7 (77.8 per cent) had recurrent tumor at a median interval of 7 months and 2 (22.2 per cent) had no evidence of disease at 16 and 19 months, respectively. Of the 34 patients with a negative postoperative cytology study 13...
What is different in operative dentistry

There have been both large and small changes in operative dentistry in the last 30 years. Extension for prevention is no longer the mantra. The design features of amalgam preparations have moved into the smallest preparations possible to gain full access to the carious dentin. The default Class 2 amalgam or resin composite is a slot preparation with no preparation of the occlusal fissures. Class 1 fissure caries once implied the entire fissure system was to be cut out. Now only the known carious portions of the fissure are cut away, the tooth is restored, and the remaining fissures in that tooth are sealed. Resin composite preparations have no depth requirements and saucer shaped boxes are more favorable for lowering shrinkage strains on the bonded walls. Re-mineralization of proximal lesions that can be seen on a radiograph is now a proven successful service for many lesions that are at or just into the dentin by radiographic interpretation. The largest paradigm shift has been in the decision that in vital teeth with normal pulps soft dentin can be left over a vital asymptomatic pulp with every expectation that the direct restoration will be successful long term.
The Effect of Oxygen Enrichment on Soot Formation and Thermal Radiation in Turbulent Non-Premixed Methane Flames.

Abstract Non-premixed oxy-fuel combustion of natural gas is used in industrial applications where high-intensity heat is required, such as glass manufacturing and metal forging and shaping. In these applications, the high flame temperatures achieved by oxy-fuel combustion increase radiative heat transfer to the surfaces of interest and soot formation within the flame is desired for further augmentation of radiation. However, the high cost of cryogenic air separation has limited the penetration of oxy-fuel combustion technologies. New approaches to air separation are being developed that may reduce oxygen production costs, but only for intermediate levels of oxygen enrichment of air. To determine the influence of oxygen enrichment on soot formation and radiation, we developed a non-premixed coannular burner in which oxygen concentrations and oxidizer flow rates can be independently varied, to distinguish the effects of turbulent mixing intensity from oxygen enrichment on soot formation and flame radiation. Local radiation intensities, soot concentrations, and soot temperatures have been measured using a thin-film thermopile, planar laser-induced incandescence (LII), and two-color imaging pyrometry, respectively. The measurements show that soot formation increases as the oxygen concentration decreases from 100% to 50%, helping to moderate a decrease in overall flame radiation. An increase in turbulence intensity has a marked effect on flame height, soot formation and thermal radiation, leading to decreases in all of these. The soot temperature decreases with a decrease in the oxygen concentration and increases with an increase in turbulent mixing intensity. Overall, the results suggest that properly designed oxygen-enriched burners that enhance soot formation for intermediate levels of oxygen purity may be able to achieve thermal radiation intensities as high as 85% of traditional oxy-fuel burners utilizing high-purity oxygen.
Facilitating academic performance in college: understanding the role of clear and organized instruction

Extensive research on college impact has identified a range of practices that enhance students’ academic outcomes. One practice—clear and organized instruction—has received increasing attention in recent research. While a number of studies have shown that clear and organized instruction is related to a range of postsecondary outcomes, researchers have not considered the mechanisms that link this educational practice to student outcomes. In this study, we draw on the constructivist theory of learning to identify potential mechanisms that may explain the relationship between clear and organized instruction and academic performance. Results from the Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education, including an analytical sample of 7116 students attending 38 four-year institutions in the USA, indicate that three mechanisms examined—faculty interest in teaching and student development, academic motivation, and academic engagement—explain almost two-thirds of the relationship between clear and organized instruction and first-year GPA. When students experience greater exposure to clear and organized instruction, they perceive their faculty as being more invested in their learning and development, and they report being more academically motivated and engaged in their studies. Moreover, students who enter college less academically prepared benefit more from exposure to clear and organized instruction.
Light-transmitting fiber optic posts: An in vitro evaluation

Abstract Statement of problem The clinical challenge of adhering cement to intracanal dentin is transmitting light to the most apical parts of root canals to allow more efficient polymerization of the cement. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the cement-polymerizing ability, microstructure, and radiopacity of a new fiber optic post (iLumi fiber optic Post) with a clinically successful fiber post (DT Light Post). Material and methods Polymerizing ability was compared using a modified depth-of-polymerization protocol. A split aluminum mold with a 12-mm cylindrical hole (diameter=4.7 mm) was filled with light-polymerized resin cement (Variolink Esthetic LC). Each fiber post (n=12) was positioned and light-polymerized on the coronal end for 60 seconds with a light-emitting diode polymerization light. Unpolymerized resin was dissolved with an organic solvent, and the weight and length of the polymerized resin cement were measured. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine vertical and horizontal cross-sections. The radiopacity values of both the posts and 5 additional reference posts were evaluated using an aluminum step wedge. Results The weight and length of the polymerized resin cement were significantly greater ( P Conclusions The iLumi fiber optic posts have a unique structural fiber composition and excellent radiopacity and light-transmitting ability that produce more complete polymerization of the resin cement than the DT Light posts.
Introduction: Spacetime and Quantum Gravity

The search for a theory of quantum gravity is the pursuit of a more unified picture of the world. It is a quest to push beyond what is known—one that perhaps leads into the inaccessible. It is a journey guided by principles rather than experiment: principles gleaned from known physics, but which we cannot be sure will carry us as far as we want to travel. One of these principles states that we must be able to return from our journey—if we reach a theory from which we cannot arrive back at the firm ground of established physics, then, whatever we have reached, it is not quantum gravity.
Communicative interaction and rhetorical status in Harriet Ann Jacobs’ slave narrative

The potency of speech and nonverbal signs depends vitally on rhetorical status, or one's relative standing in communication with others. The record of dialogue in Harriet Ann Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl demonstrates how persons of low social standing can achieve high rhetorical status through advantages of character and clever initiatives. Jacobs successfully resisted the coercive sexual advances of her master, Dr. James Norcom, and eventually gained her freedom by capitalizing on advantages that elevated her rhetorical status, relative to his, and by exploiting Norcom's rhetorical vulnerabilities.
The Drive for a Monolingual Order: Segregation and Democracy in Our Time

This paper explores the changing contours of politics and democracy in our times by examining the ways in which populations and privileges are increasingly being distributed in cities and countries...
Coordination and Substitution of DNA Polymerases in Response to Genomic Obstacles

The ability for DNA polymerases (Pols) to overcome a variety of obstacles in its path to maintain genomic stability during replication is a complex endeavor. It requires the coordination of multiple Pols with differing specificities through molecular control and access to the replisome. Although a number of contacts directly between Pols and to accessory proteins have been identified forming the basis of a variety of holoenzyme (HE) complexes, the dynamics of Pol active site substitutions remain uncharacterized. Substitutions can occur externally by recruiting new Pols to replisome complexes through an ‘exchange’ of enzyme binding, or internally through a ‘switch’ in the engagement of DNA from preformed associated enzymes contained within supraholoenzyme (SHE) complexes. Models for how high fidelity (HiFi) replication Pols can be substituted by translesion synthesis (TLS) Pols at sites of damage during active replication will be discussed. These substitution mechanisms may be as diverse as the number of P...
Mentorship for Those Whom the Operating Room Is No Longer Their Theater

One-third of active operating surgeons are over the age of 55. Mandatory retirement is not recommended, but technical and cognitive skills diminish significantly after the age of 65 and can begin albeit unnoticed earlier. The decision to stop operating is difficult. Individual competence and functional ability should be the limiting factors. Mentorship for the senior surgeon transitioning from operating to not operating but still able to contribute is a challenge. This transition can only be successfully accomplished by antecedent planning and definition of expectations. Without mentorship, the experience of a surgical lifetime will be lost to the next generation.
Adding electrical stimulation during standard rehabilitation after stroke to improve motor function. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Background Clinical studies have shown that sensory input improves motor function when added to active training after neurological injuries in the spinal cord. Objective We aimed to determine the effect on motor function of extremities of adding an electrical sensory modality without motor recruitment before or with routine rehabilitation for hemiparesis after stroke by a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We searched databases including MEDLINE via PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from 1978 to the end of November 2017 for reports of randomized controlled trials or controlled studies of patients with a clinical diagnosis of stroke who underwent 1) transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or peripheral electromyography-triggered sensory stimulation over a peripheral nerve and associated muscles or 2) acupuncture to areas that produced sensory effects, without motor recruitment, along with routine rehabilitation. Outcome measures were motor impairment, activity, and participation outcomes defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Results The search yielded 11 studies with data that could be included in a meta-analysis. Electrical sensory inputs, when paired with routine therapy, improved peak torque dorsiflexion (mean difference [MD] 2.44 Nm, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26–4.63). On subgroup analysis, the combined therapy yielded a significant difference in terms of sensory stimulation without motor recruitment only on the Timed Up and Go test in the chronic phase of stroke (MD 3.51 sec, 95% CI 3.05–3.98). The spasticity score was reduced but not significantly (MD − 0.83 points, 95% CI -1.77 − 0.10). Conclusion Electrical sensory input can contribute to routine rehabilitation to improve early post-stroke lower-extremity impairment and late motor function, with no change in spasticity. Prolonged periods of sensory stimulation such as TENS combined with activity can have beneficial effects on impairment and function after stroke.
Evaluation of a Positive Autologous Control in Pretransfusion Testing

The clinical usefulness of autologous control (AC) in pretransfusion testing was evaluated. The records of 515 blood samples with positive direct antiglobulin tests detected by positive AC were reviewed. This represents 3.5% of 14,548 pretransfusion samples tested during a one-year period. One hundred ninety-four of 515 samples required further elution studies, and the results were 114 nonreactive, 18 autoantibodies, 52 ABO isoagglutinins, 5 transfusion-induced alloantibodies, and 5 unidentifiable antibodies. All alloantibodies also were detected in the serum. Therefore, AC and the elution results provided no further information in selecting blood for compatibility testing. By reviewing the patients' records, the authors determined that, only in five cases, the report of positive AC and elution results changed diagnosis or therapeutic course. The information of positive AC rarely was used in either assuring compatibility of blood or management of the patients clinically.
The Lord of the Rings: Mythopoesis, Heroism, and Providence

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings has truly become an icon of popular culture since it was published in 1954-55. This paper argues that The Lord of the Rings is a work of “great literature” because it explores key dimensions of human nature in an artistically subtle and compelling manner. In doing so it addresses something essentially missing from popular culture—and this is exactly its main source of appeal. Tolkien was able to reach a contemporary audience because he virtually created a new genre of “fantasy” and through that medium (an epic within the framework of myth) opened up the reader to a larger, richer world in which took place a primordial drama of good versus evil by the individual acts of moral will played on a larger stage of the spirit.
Number and cost of hospitalizations with principal and secondary diagnoses of tuberculosis, United States.

Objective To estimate the number and cost of hospitalizations with a diagnosis of active tuberculosis (TB) disease in the United States. Methods We analyzed the 2014 National In-Patient Sample using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9) codes to identify hospitalizations with a principal (TB-PD) or any secondary discharge (TB-SD) TB diagnosis. We used a generalized linear model with log link and gamma distribution to estimate the cost per TB-PD and TB-SD episode adjusted for patient demographics, insurer, clinical elements, and hospital characteristics. Results We estimated 4985 TB-PD and 6080 TB-SD hospitalizations nationwide. TB-PD adjusted averaged $16 695 per episode (95%CI $16 168-$17 221). The average for miliary/disseminated TB ($22 498, 95%CI $21 067-$23 929) or TB of the central nervous system ($28 338, 95%CI $25 836-$30 840) was significantly greater than for pulmonary TB ($14 819, 95%CI $14 284-$15 354). The most common principal diagnoses for TB-SD were septicemia (n = 965 hospitalizations), human immunodeficiency virus infection (n = 610), pneumonia (n = 565), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchiectasis (COPD-B, n = 150). The adjusted average cost per TB-SD episode was $15 909 (95%CI $15 337-$16 481), varying between $8687 (95%CI $8337-$9036) for COPD-B and $23 335 (95%CI $21 979-$24 690) for septicemia. TB-PD cost the US health care system $123.4 million (95%CI $106.3-$140.5) and TB-SD cost $141.9 million ($128.4-$155.5), of which Medicaid/Medicare covered respectively 67.2% and 69.7%. Conclusions TB hospitalizations result in substantial costs within the US health care system.
Structure- and Temperature-Dependence of Pt-Catalyzed Ammonia Oxidation Rates and Selectivities

Ammonia oxidation is operated at different temperatures over Pt catalysts of different structures to recover different products. In this work, we elucidate the dependency of ammonia oxidation rates and selectivities on both Pt structure and temperature. We perform density functional theory (DFT) computations to compare the reaction and activation energies of elementary reactions on Pt(211) and Pt(111). We develop a microkinetic model parametrized with the DFT results. We show that barriers to product formation are lower on stepped Pt than on terrace, leading to a much higher step rate at low temperature to selectively oxidize ammonia to nitrogen. At high temperature, however, both step and terrace perform comparably in rate to selectively produce nitric oxide. While N2 is always the thermodynamic product, relative N and O coverages interact to make NO the kinetic product at high temperature. The predicted rate and selectivity are consistent with experiments. We further show rate-controlling steps on the t...