cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of disinfection detection results in nursery institution from 2008 to 2010

Objective:To understand the disinfection quality of nursery institutions and to provide scientific basis for guiding disinfection.Methods:Disinfection detection results of nursery institutions from 2008 to 2010.Results:During 2008 to 2010,3269 samples collected from indoor air and catering appliance were detected,the pass rate was 84.46%(2761/3269).The highest pass rate was found in 2008(88.27%),while the lowest was in 2010(82.17%).The qualified rates of samples from high to low were surface of the objects such as dining-table,tools and towels(91.73%),indoor air(85.28%),tableware(81.98%) and hands of the staff(67.65%).In different quarters,the qualified rates from high to low were the first quarter(93.91%),the fourth quarter(87.28%),the second quarter(81.94%),the third quarter(79.30%) in turn.Conclusion:The disinfection quality in nursery institutions decreased year by year,especially the hands of the staff and tableware should be attached more importance.
Configuration Robustness Analysis of the Optimal Design of Cable-Driven Manipulators

Designing an effective cable architecture for a cable-driven robot becomes challenging as the number of cables and degrees of freedom of the robot increase. A methodology has been previously developed to identify the optimal design of a cable driven robot for a given task using stochastic optimization. This approach is effective in providing an optimal solution for robots with high-dimension design spaces, but does not provide insights into the robustness of the optimal solution to errors in the configuration parameters that arise in the implementation of a design. In this work, a methodology is developed to analyze the robustness of the performance of an optimal design to changes in the configuration parameters. This robustness analysis can be used to inform the implementation of the optimal design into a robot while taking into account the precision and tolerances of the implementation. An optimized cable-driven robot leg is used as a motivating example to illustrate the application of the configuration robustness analysis. Following the methodology, the effect on robot performance due to design variations is analyzed, and a modified design is developed which minimizes the potential performance degradations due to implementation errors in the design parameters. A robot leg is constructed and is used to validate the robustness analysis by demonstrating the predicted effects of variations in the design parameters on the performance of the robot.
Peter Viereck: Reverent Conservative

This chapter focuses on the political ideas of Peter Viereck, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and distinguished professor of history. A post-war conservative thinker who made a splash as a young man in the 1950s, Viereck quickly became a marginalized figure in the conservative world, especially after expressing his contempt for McCarthyism and laissez faire and his support for the New Deal and Adlai Stevenson. Never having taken to Buckley and the National Review crowd, he made the case for a pragmatic conservatism that eschewed ideology and simplistic thinking. Though an idiosyncratic figure whose ideas never attracted a large following, Viereck presented a powerful, and consciously Burkean, alternative to the conservative orthodoxy formed by Buckley and others in the post-war era.
An embedded system approach for energy monitoring and analysis in industrial processes

Abstract This paper presents the development of a low cost embedded system targeted to energy management in industrial environments. The main objective of this study is a methodology for monitoring, acquisition and analysis of electrical parameters using digital signal processing (DSP) techniques. For this task, a system (hardware and software) responsible for the acquisition records the input signals using low cost technologies, such as microcontrollers, DSP platforms and embedded system like ARM System-on-Chip (SoC) Architecture. Finally, for data analysis, two applications were created: one using the Matlab ® software, and another derived from the first, to run on the embedded device. Both applications used Discrete Wavelet Transform as primary technique of disturbances detection. As a result, it is shown a complete system for monitoring and analysis of electrical parameters, serving as a tool to aid the energy management in industrial processes.
School Segregation and Racial Academic Achievement Gaps

Although it is clear that racial segregation is linked to academic achievement gaps, the mechanisms underlying this link have been debated since James Coleman published his eponymous 1966 report. In this paper, I examine sixteen distinct measures of segregation to determine which is most strongly associated with academic achievement gaps. I find clear evidence that one aspect of segregation in particular—the disparity in average school poverty rates between white and black students’ schools—is consistently the single most powerful correlate of achievement gaps, a pattern that holds in both bivariate and multivariate analyses. This implies that high-poverty schools are, on average, much less effective than lower-poverty schools and suggests that strategies that reduce the differential exposure of black, Hispanic, and white students to poor schoolmates may lead to meaningful reductions in academic achievement gaps.
Center-point-clamped ac-ac direct power converter with considerations for input side filter

A novel topology for direct ac-ac power conversion has been introduced recently. This topology employs a clamping structure so as to reduce the voltage stress on the switching power semiconductor devices. This paper analyzes the dynamics of this center-point-clamped converter by taking the input filter components into consideration. Simulation results presented in the paper verify the efficacy of the designed input and output filter in attenuating the current harmonics in the input side and the voltage harmonics in the output side. A small scale laboratory prototype has been built to prove the practical realization. Experimental waveforms obtained also confirm the already obtained analytical and simulation results.
Heterogeneous dislocation loop formation near grain boundaries in a neutron-irradiated commercial FeCrAl alloy

Abstract FeCrAl alloys are an attractive class of materials for nuclear power applications because of their increased environmental compatibility compared with more traditional nuclear materials. Preliminary studies into the radiation tolerance of FeCrAl alloys under accelerated neutron testing between 300 and 400 °C have shown post-irradiation microstructures containing dislocation loops and a Cr-rich α′ phase. Although these initial studies established the post-irradiation microstructures, there was little to no focus on understanding the influence of pre-irradiation microstructures on this response. In this study, a well-annealed commercial FeCrAl alloy, Alkrothal 720, was neutron irradiated to 1.8 displacements per atom (dpa) at 382 °C and then the effect of random high-angle grain boundaries on the spatial distribution and size of a〈100〉 dislocation loops, a/2〈111〉 dislocation loops, and black dot damage was analyzed using on-zone scanning transmission electron microscopy. Results showed a clear heterogeneous dislocation loop formation with a/2〈111〉 dislocation loops showing an increased number density and size, black dot damage showing a significant number density decrease, and a〈100〉 dislocation loops exhibiting an increased size in the vicinity of the grain boundary. These results suggest the importance of the pre-irradiation microstructure and, specifically, defect sink density spacing to the radiation tolerance of FeCrAl alloys.
Predictors of 30-Day Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with Clostridium difficile Infection.

Objectives Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality and is the most common nosocomial infection in the United States, with associated annual costs of approximately $3 billion. The epidemiology of CDI has changed with the identification of novel risk factors for incident and recurrent CDI. The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of 30-day mortality in hospitalized patients with CDI. Methods We identified all of the patients diagnosed as having CDI from January 2011 to December 2014 at our university-setting hospital. Data were extracted using electronic medical records and chart review. The data of all of the patients who died within 30 days of incident CDI were compared with those who survived beyond 30 days of incident CDI. A multivariable logistic regression model was created for mortality after finding a subset of significant predictor variables by making bivariate comparisons also using logistic regression. Results A total of 893 patients were diagnosed as having CDI during the study period. The mean age was 62 years and 49.5% were women. The mean length of hospital stay was 11.73 days. Of the 893 patients with CDI, 98 (10.97%) died within 30 days of incident CDI. CDI recurrence was noted in 76 patients (8.51%). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, peptic ulcer disease, advanced age, Charlson comorbidity index, and intensive care unit status were found to be significantly associated with 30-day mortality. There was no significant association between acid suppression and CDI mortality. Conclusions Advanced age, Charlson comorbidity index, intensive care unit status, and peptic ulcer disease are predictors of all-cause 30-day mortality in hospitalized patients with CDI.
The genetics of the traits determining adaptability to abiotic stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Most of rice cultivation areas in Russia are characterized by unfavorable soil conditions: salinity of varying degrees and types, alkalinization, and lack of mineral nutrition elements. Furthermore, in the Kuban, in one of the northernmost rice-growing regions, during the vegetation period of rice both high, above 40°C, and low, down to 0°C, temperatures have been noted. Consequently, the increase in crop production is less related to the increase in potential productivity but more related to the stability of the harvest and the complex resistance to stress. This paper presents data on the polymorphism and molecular marking of the traits that determine adaptability to various abiotic stresses.
In-Hospital Mortality Following Traumatic Brain Injury Among Older Medicare Beneficiaries, Comparing Statin Users With Nonusers

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health concern for older adults. Small-scale human studies have suggested pre-TBI statin use is associated with decreased in-hospita...
Design of an activated carbon equipped-cyclone separator and its performance on particulate matter removal

This study focuses on the design, fabrication, and operation of an integrated air pollution control (APC) device composed of a cyclone equipped with an activated carbon for effective reduction of p...
Adverse childhood experiences and neuroinflammatory biomarkers-The role of sex.

Despite the growing interest in adverse childhood experiences and biomarkers, less attention has been paid to multiple biomarkers as representing interrelated systems among college students. Guided by the neuroinflammatory pathway hypothesis, the current project takes the initial step in examining the link between three types of childhood adversity and biomarkers of neuroplasticity (brain-derived neurotropic factor [BDNF]) and low-grade inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP]) in an overarching model and whether this link may differ in men and women. Undergraduate students (n = 85) were recruited through multiple departments from a state university. The participants responded to the detailed online survey questionnaire on childhood adversity and provided one blood sample via venous blood draw. Given that CRP and BDNF represent two interrelated systems, structural equation models were considered the most suitable for the analyses. The findings partially support neural and inflammatory pathways, such that childhood adversity and particularly family dysfunction have a significant positive effect on BDNF (b = 30.41, p < .01). The link between family dysfunction and CRP was stronger in female students (b = 0.57, p < .05). Results suggest that interventions for college students with family dysfunctions may need to target different physiological and behavioral outcomes for male and female students.
False-positive Troponin I Assay elevation due to occult Mixed Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis

A 53-year-old man with active hepatitis C and cirrhosis presented with a vasculitic rash, myalgias, and fatigue, and was found to have an elevated cardiac troponin I up to 15.7 ng/mL with normal electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and coronary angiogram prior to being discharged. Subsequently, during a similar presentation to another academically affiliated hospital, the patient had a normal cardiac troponin T (< 0.01 ng/mL). Upon his third presentation with significantly elevated troponin I to 15.98 ng/mL, the patient was found to have cryoglobulinemic vasculitis and elevated rheumatoid factor due to active hepatitis C, causing interference with the troponin I immunoassay. In conclusion, troponin I assays may have high false-positive values due to interference by rheumatoid factor and/or a polyclonal antibody found in cryoglobulinemia.
Comparison of ultrasound-guided lumbar plexus and sciatic nerve blocks with ropivacaine and sham blocks with saline on perianesthetic analgesia and recovery in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy surgery

Abstract Objective To assess the effects of ultrasound-guided lumbar plexus and sciatic nerve blocks on perianesthetic analgesia and recovery quality in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Animals A group of twenty 20 dogs. Study design Prospective, randomized, blinded, clinical study. Methods Dogs were administered lumbar plexus and sciatic nerve blocks with ropivacaine (1.5 mg kg–1; group RA) or sham blocks with saline (group CON). Dogs were administered hydromorphone (0.2 mg kg–1) and atropine (0.02 mg kg–1) subcutaneously before anesthesia was induced with intravenous propofol and maintained with isoflurane. Variables included duration to perform nerve blocks, intraoperative rescue analgesia, recovery score, postoperative pain scores (modified University of Melbourne, Colorado State University and visual analog pain scales), postoperative rescue analgesia-sedation and complications observed. Two-tailed Student t test, Mann–Whitney test, repeated measures analysis of variance, Friedman test and Fisher exact test were used for comparison. Significance was p Results Time to perform nerve blocks was [median (range)] 4.3 (2.6–6.1) minutes after aseptic skin preparation. Total fentanyl requirements were 14.2 ± 9 μg kg–1 and 25.4 ± 10 μg kg–1 (p = 0.02) and incidence of hypotension (mean arterial pressure Conclusion and clinical relevance As part of a multimodal analgesia regimen, ultrasound-guided lumbar plexus and sciatic nerve blocks provided greater analgesia and improved recovery quality in dogs during TPLO surgery.
Multivariate Base Rates of Low Scores and Reliable Decline on ImPACT in Healthy Collegiate Athletes Using CARE Consortium Norms.

Objectives: To describe multivariate base rates (MBRs) of low scores and reliable change (decline) scores on Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) in college athletes at baseline, as well as to assess MBR differences among demographic and medical history subpopulations. Methods: Data were reported on 15,909 participants (46.5% female) from the NCAA/DoD CARE Consortium. MBRs of ImPACT composite scores were derived using published CARE normative data and reliability metrics. MBRs of sex-corrected low scores were reported at <25th percentile (Low Average), <10th percentile (Borderline), and ≤2nd percentile (Impaired). MBRs of reliable decline scores were reported at the 75%, 90%, 95%, and 99% confidence intervals. We analyzed subgroups by sex, race, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and/or learning disability (ADHD/LD), anxiety/depression, and concussion history using chi-square analyses. Results: Base rates of low scores and reliable decline scores on individual composites approximated the normative distribution. Athletes obtained ≥1 low score with frequencies of 63.4% (Low Average), 32.0% (Borderline), and 9.1% (Impaired). Athletes obtained ≥1 reliable decline score with frequencies of 66.8%, 32.2%, 18%, and 3.8%, respectively. Comparatively few athletes had low scores or reliable decline on ≥2 composite scores. Black/African American athletes and athletes with ADHD/LD had higher rates of low scores, while greater concussion history was associated with lower MBRs (p < .01). MBRs of reliable decline were not associated with demographic or medical factors. Conclusions: Clinical interpretation of low scores and reliable decline on ImPACT depends on the strictness of the low score cutoff, the reliable change criterion, and the number of scores exceeding these cutoffs. Race and ADHD influence the frequency of low scores at all cutoffs cross-sectionally.
Measures to reduce end-of-case wound contamination: the impact of intra-wound vancomycin powder and betadine irrigation on surgical site infections in posterior spinal fusion.

Retrospective descriptive, single-center study. To determine the effect of standardized intrawound vancomycin powder and betadine irrigation on surgical site infection (SSI) rates after posterior spinal fusion (PSF) in idiopathic scoliosis. Since 2005, our pediatric spine center has implemented a series of changes to lower the risk of SSI. The most recent interventions—intrawound vancomycin powder and betadine irrigation—are applied just before closure, aiming to reduce the culture-positive bacterial contamination known to occur in many cases. We sought to determine the impact of these end-of-case measures on our center’s SSI rate. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent PSF for idiopathic scoliosis at our institution from January 1, 2010, to June 30, 2018, identifying all cases that returned to the operating room for surgical debridement within 90 days of PSF. Cases were surgeon-audited to ensure inclusion of all infections that met Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for acute SSI. Vertical expandable prosthetic titanium ribs, growing rods, staged procedures, and nonidiopathic cases were excluded. Annual rates of SSIs were correlated with the initiation of each SSI prevention measure. Among 740 cases of PSF for idiopathic scoliosis from 2010 to 2018, the overall acute SSI rate by CDC criteria was 0.68%. The idiopathic SSI rate dropped significantly, from 1.70 to 0.20%, after the standardized introduction of intrawound vancomycin powder and betadine irrigation before closure (p < 0.04). The implementation of these end-of-case measures in 2012–2013 was soon followed by an institution best 3.5-year SSI-free period for idiopathic cases. Since intrawound vancomycin powder and betadine irrigation were added to our SSI prevention bundle, we have seen a significantly lower SSI rate after PSFs for idiopathic scoliosis. These findings suggest that anti-SSI interventions to reduce wound contamination at the end of the case may have a particularly positive impact on SSI reduction. Level III, therapeutic.
Gromov-Wasserstein optimal transport to align single-cell multi-omics data

Data integration of single-cell measurements is critical for understanding cell development and disease, but the lack of correspondence between different types of measurements makes such efforts challenging. Several unsupervised algorithms can align heterogeneous single-cell measurements in a shared space, enabling the creation of mappings between single cells in different data domains. However, these algorithms require hyperparameter tuning for high-quality alignments, which is difficult in an unsupervised setting without correspondence information for validation. We present Single-Cell alignment using Optimal Transport (SCOT), an unsupervised learning algorithm that uses Gromov Wasserstein-based optimal transport to align single-cell multi-omics datasets. We compare the alignment performance of SCOT with state-of-the-art algorithms on four simulated and two real-world datasets. SCOT performs on par with state-of-the-art methods but is faster and requires tuning fewer hyperparameters. Furthermore, we provide an algorithm for SCOT to use Gromov Wasserstein distance to guide the parameter selection. Thus, unlike previous methods, SCOT aligns well without using any orthogonal correspondence information to pick the hyperparameters. Our source code and scripts for replicating the results are available at: https://github.com/rsinghlab/SCOT.
Speaking Up: Women and Dissenting Behavior in the Supreme Court of Canada

The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) has stronger norms of consensus and preferences for unanimous decisions than its American counterpart. Given this powerful preference for collegial and unanimous d...
Guiding Principles for Trench Schottky Barrier Diodes Based on Ultrawide Bandgap Semiconductors: A Case Study in Ga₂O₃

Ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductors such as $\beta $ -Ga2O3 can support a much higher electric field than traditional wide bandgap semiconductors, thus promising an unprecedentedly low conduction loss. However, the maximum electric field in regular Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) is limited due to the constraint set by the reverse leakage current. On the other hand, a trench SBD structure allows for a much higher electric field to be sustained thanks to the reduced surface field (RESURF) effect. In this article, the guiding principles for trench SBDs are investigated through a case study in Ga2O3. The advantages of trench SBDs are discussed both by quantitative analysis of the ON-state voltage drop ( ${V}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}$ ), as well as by a review of the state-of-the-art Ga2O3 device performance. It is found that for kilovolt-class operation, the trench SBD structure is not only preferred but arguably necessary for high-efficiency Ga2O3 rectifiers. In addition, the effects of fin/trench geometry on the specific ON-resistance and the electric-field profile are investigated. A design flow oriented toward device performance targets is presented, together with an example design of a 1375-V Ga2O3 trench SBD, showing that a ${V}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}$ (defined at 100 A/cm2) of below 1 V can be obtained. These results highlight the importance in harnessing the high breakdown field of UWBG semiconductors through trench SBDs for efficient power rectifiers, and provide valuable insights into the device design and optimization.
Game semantics of Martin-L\"of type theory, part III: its consistency with Church's thesis

We prove consistency of intensional Martin-Lof type theory (MLTT) with formal Church's thesis (CT), which was open for at least fifteen years. The difficulty in proving the consistency is that a standard method of realizability a la Kleene does not work for the consistency, though it validates CT, as it does not model MLTT; specifically, the realizability does not validate MLTT's congruence rule on pi-types (known as the $\xi$-rule). We overcome this point and prove the consistency by novel realizability a la game semantics, which is based on the author's previous work.
Reserves as a Matter of Course: The History and Necessity of Academic Law Library Course Reserves

This article concerns the history and continued importance of course reserve systems in academic law libraries. By examining the development of law library reserve systems and the current obstacles...
Defensive Issue Linkage: Exploring the Origins of Environmental Content in Trade Agreements

This paper suggests a novel mechanism behind issue linkage in international relations: As the scope of an issue area expands, touching upon an increasing number of policies, previously uninterested actors mobilize due to worries of interference. These actors seek carve-outs from new rules, and attempt to exert more direct influence on the expanding issue area. To demonstrate this mechanism, I focus on the example of trade and environmental policy, where political linkages have risen sharply since the 1990s. Drawing on historical evidence from the U.S. and interviews in Europe, I show that environmental groups have been important drivers of the emerging political linkage. These groups mobilized when trade policy expanded in scope, out of a perception of threat. In addition, quantitative analysis of PTA content finds that the presence of environmental civil society groups is positively associated with environmental clauses and that this relationship is moderated by agreements' economic scope
TFIDF-Random Forest: Prediction of Aptamer-Protein Interacting Pairs.

Aptamers are short, single-stranded oligonucleotides or peptides generated from in vitro selection to selectively bind with various molecules. Due to their molecular recognition capability for proteins, aptamers are becoming promising reagents in new drug development. Aptamers can fold into specific spatial configuration that bind to certain targets with extremely high specificity. The ability of aptamers to reversibly bind proteins has generated increasing interest in using them to facilitate controlled release of therapeutic biomolecules. In-vitro selection experiments to produce the aptamer-protein binding pairs is very complex and MD/MM in-silico experiments can be computationally expensive. In this study, we introduce a natural language processing approach for data-driven computational selection. We compared our method to the sequential model with the embedding layer, applied in the literature. We transformed the DNA/RNA and proteins sequences into text format using a sliding window approach. This methodology showed and efficiency was notably higher observations from the literature. This indicates that our preliminary model is marked improvement over previous models which brings us closer to a data-driven computational selection method.
Poor relationships between NEON Airborne Observation Platform data and field-based vegetation traits at a mesic grassland.

Understanding spatial and temporal variation in plant traits is needed to accurately predict how communities and ecosystems will respond to global change. The National Observatory Ecological Network (NEON) Airborne Observation Platform (AOP) provides hyperspectral images and associated data products at numerous field sites at 1 m spatial resolution, potentially allowing high-resolution trait mapping. We tested the accuracy of NEON's readily available AOP derived data products - Leaf Area Index, Total biomass, Ecosystem structure (Canopy height model; CHM), and Canopy Nitrogen by comparing them to spatially extensive field measurements from a mesic tallgrass prairie. Correlations with AOP data products exhibited generally weak or no relationships with corresponding field measurements. The strongest relationships were between AOP LAI and ground-measured LAI (r = 0.32) and AOP Total biomass and ground-measured biomass (r = 0.23). We also examined how well the full reflectance spectra (380-2500 nm), as opposed to derived products, could predict vegetation traits using partial least-squares regression models. Only one of the eight traits examined, Nitrogen, had a validation R2 of more than 0.25. For all vegetation traits, validation R2 ranged from 0.08-0.29 and the root mean square error of prediction ranged from 14-64%. Our results suggest that currently available AOP derived data products should not be used without extensive ground-based validation. Relationships using the full reflectance spectra may be more promising, although careful consideration of field and AOP data mismatches in space and/or time, biases in field-based measurements or AOP algorithms, and model uncertainty are needed. Finally, grassland sites may be especially challenging for airborne spectroscopy because of their high species diversity within a small area, mixed functional types of plant communities, and heterogenous mosaics of disturbance and resource availability. Remote sensing observations are one of the most promising approaches to understanding ecological patterns across space and time, yet the opportunity to engage a diverse community of NEON data users will depend on establishing rigorous links with in-situ field measurements across a diversity of sites.
Exponential family sparse coding with applications to self-taught learning

Sparse coding is an unsupervised learning algorithm for finding concise, slightly higher-level representations of inputs, and has been successfully applied to self-taught learning, where the goal is to use unlabeled data to help on a supervised learning task, even if the unlabeled data cannot be associated with the labels of the supervised task [Raina et al., 2007]. However, sparse coding uses a Gaussian noise model and a quadratic loss function, and thus performs poorly if applied to binary valued, integer valued, or other non-Gaussian data, such as text. Drawing on ideas from generalized linear models (GLMs), we present a generalization of sparse coding to learning with data drawn from any exponential family distribution (such as Bernoulli, Poisson, etc). This gives a method that we argue is much better suited to model other data types than Gaussian. We present an algorithm for solving the L1- regularized optimization problem defined by this model, and show that it is especially efficient when the optimal solution is sparse. We also show that the new model results in significantly improved self-taught learning performance when applied to text classification and to a robotic perception task.
Assessing Students’ Mathematical Proficiencies on the Common Core

The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics presents challenges and opportunities to contribute to a common understanding of the mathematical proficiencies expected of our students. This paper discusses the movement to establish multi-state assessment consortia in the United States based in the standards movement set in motion by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the increased accountability of student learning through the No Child Left Behind Act. The consortia intend to assess the full range of student learning expectations to include both standards for mathematical content and mathematical practices through construction of comprehensive systems of assessments that accurately measure student progress toward college and career readiness. The systems are to include interim and summative assessments primarily taken in an online environment that allows for automated or timely scoring.
Obesity and people with disabilities: the implications for health care expenditures.

Objective This study estimates additional average health care expenditures for overweight and obesity for adults with disabilities vs. without. Design and Methods Descriptive and multivariate methods were used to estimate additional health expenditures by service type, age group, and payer using 2004–2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data. Results In 2007, 37% of community-dwelling Americans with disabilities were obese vs. 27% of the total population. People with disabilities had almost three times ($2,459) the additional average obesity cost of people without disabilities ($889). Prescription drug expenditures for obese people with disabilities were three times as high and outpatient expenditures were 74% higher. People with disabilities in the 45- to 64-year age group had the highest obesity expenditures. Medicare had the highest additional average obesity expenditures among payers. Among people with prescription drug expenditures, obese people with disabilities had nine times the prevalence of diabetes as normal weight people with disabilities. Overweight people with and without disabilities had lower expenditures than normal-weight people with and without disabilities. Conclusions Obesity results in substantial additional health care expenditures for people with disabilities. These additional expenditures pose a serious current and future problem, given the potential for higher obesity prevalence in the coming decade.
FTIR and31P-NMR Spectroscopic Analyses of Surface Species in Phosphate-Catalyzed Lactic Acid Conversion

The surface species present on silica/alumina-supported sodium phosphates, active catalysts for the conversion of lactic acid to acrylic acid and 2,3-pentanedione, are examined by pre- and postreaction MAS31P-NMR and FTIR spectroscopies. Species present following lactic acid conversion are identified by transmission FTIR of phosphates supported on silicon disks (as a model catalyst system) and verified by31P-NMR and diffuse reflectance IR spectroscopy of actual catalysts used in reaction. Monosodium phosphate (NaH2PO4) condenses to a mixture of sodium polyphosphate (NaPO3)nand sodium trimetaphosphate (Na3P3O9), which exhibit little catalytic activity for converting lactic acid to desired products. Disodium phosphate (Na2HPO4) condenses to tetrasodium pyrophosphate (Na4P2O7), and proton transfer from lactic acid to pyrophosphate results in the formation of sodium lactate. Trisodium phosphate (Na3PO4) accepts a proton from lactic acid to form sodium lactate and disodium phosphate, which condenses to pyrophosphate. The presence of pyrophosphate and sodium lactate on supported disodium and trisodium phosphates explains their similar catalytic properties; the larger quantity of sodium lactate present on trisodium phosphate leads to higher conversions at lower temperatures.
The effect of troponin C removal on the Ca2+-sensitive binding of Mg2+ AMPPNP to myofibrils.

Abstract It was previously shown that when rabbit skeletal myofibrils are titrated with Mg 2+ AMPPNP under conditions that result in the dissociation of cross-bridges from the thin filaments (i.e. 50% ethylene glycol, O°C), Ca 2+ -sensitive, biphasic binding is observed. These titrations have been repeated using myofibrils from which the troponin C has been selectively removed. The disappearance of both Ca 2+ sensitivity and biphasic binding is taken as evidence that the Ca 2+ sensitivity is due to Ca 2+ binding to troponin C and the biphasic binding of Mg 2+ AMPPNP observed in intact myofibrils is not due to packing constraints or steric hindrance.
Relativistic klystron amplifier II: high-frequency operation

The operation of the Relativistic Klystron Amplifier (RKA) was extended to higher frequencies. A 5 kA, 4 cm-diameter, 0.5 MeV Intense Relativistic Electron Beam (IREB) was fully modulated at 3.5 GHz. The RF from this IREB was extracted into a coaxial transmission line, in a TEM mode, and subsequently converted adiabatically into a rectangular TE11 mode. Finally, the RF was radiated into the atmosphere through a rectagular horn sealed with a lucite vacuum window. In a related experiment a 5 kA IREB was self-modulated by a mechanism similar to the RKA at a frequency of 8 GHz.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Desmarestia antarctica (Desmarestiales, Phaeophyceae), a new ligulate Antarctic species with an endophytic gametophyte

Desmarestia antarcticaMoe & Silva, a new species from the Antarctic Peninsula and the Scotia Arc, is distinguished from all other ligulate members of the genus by the arrangement of zoosporangia, which are produced together with paraphyses in a raised sorus. Among all species in the genus, onlyD. ancepsMontagne shares this feature.Desmarestia antarctica is the first species of the genus for which an endophytic gametophyte is demonstrated, the usual host beingCurdiea racovitzaeDe Wildeman, a red alga of the familyGracilariaceae. The sporophyte contains only a moderate concentration of acid compared to Northern Hemisphere ligulate species, while physodes that probably contain polyphenolic compounds form noticeable speckles and dark margins in preserved plants. Often more than one axis arises from a single holdfast, probably as the result of compounding rather than proliferation.
Time-dependent service-load behavior of wood floors: analytical model

Abstract A preceding companion paper [1] examined the experimental time-dependent service-load response of wood joist floor systems, including an assessment of time-dependent deflections and load distribution. The results of the experimental program are used herein to develop an analytical model for the time-dependent response of wood joist floors. Time-dependent component (i.e. joist, sheathing and connection) models are developed from component tests. These component models are then integrated into a system model. The focus of this paper is to present the theoretical basis for the time-dependent system model, and illustrate its predictive capabilities. The system model approximates the time-dependent system creep of parallel-member wood systems to an acceptable degree of accuracy. Moreover, the model requires relatively little computer time, thus making it suitable for use in a Monte Carlo simulation
Method for determining differential secretory function of isolated cells in vitro: chloride movement in isolated parietal cells

Abstract A method is presented whereby the differential secretion of isolated parietal cells was studied. The evidence demonstrated that chloride ion is moved in a directional manner across the parietal cell. A more general application of the method to the study of secretory cells is discussed.
Fatigue in aluminum–steel and steel–steel composite foams

Abstract The compression–compression fatigue behavior of two classes of composite metal foams (CMF) manufactured using different processing techniques, was investigated experimentally. Aluminum–steel composite foam processed using gravity casting technique comprises of steel hollow spheres and a solid aluminum alloy matrix. Steel–steel composite foam, processed using powder metallurgy (PM) technique consists of steel hollow spheres packed in a steel matrix. Under compression fatigue loading, the composite foam samples showed a high cyclic stability at maximum stress levels as high as 90 MPa. The deformation of the composite foam samples was divided into three stages – linear increase in strain with fatigue cycles (stage I), minimal strain accumulation in large number of cycles (stage II) and rapid strain accumulation within few cycles culminating in complete failure (stage III). Composite foams under cyclic loading undergo a uniform distribution of deformation, unlike the regular metal foams, which deform by forming collapse bands at weaker sections. As a result, the features controlling the fatigue life of the composite metal foams have been considered as sphere wall thickness and diameter, sphere and matrix materials, processing techniques and the bonding strength between the spheres and matrix.
Spin-orbit configuration-interaction study of valence and Rydberg states of LiBe

Ab initio spin–orbit full configuration‐interaction calculations in the context of relativistic effective core potentials are reported for the weakly bound metal dimer LiBe, a three‐valence‐electron system. The effects of basis set on the energies of valence and Rydberg states of the cluster are discussed, as are the effects of configuration space selection on the energy of the latter states. Results at the dissociative limit are compared to the experimental atomic spectra. Potential‐energy curves and spectroscopic constants are presented for the ground state and fourteen excited states, which includes the Li and Be 2p valence states, the Li 3s, 3p, 3d, and 4s Rydberg states, as well as three low‐lying states of the molecular cation.
Bounded controllers for robust exponential convergence

We consider the problem of stabilizing an uncertain system when the norm of the control input is bounded by a prespecified constant. We treat continuous-time dynamical systems whose nominal part is linear and whose uncertain part is norm-bounded by a known affine function of the norm of the system state and the norm of the control input. Given a prespecified rate of convergence and a ball containing the origin of the state space, we present controllers which guarantee that, for all allowable uncertainties and nonlinearities, there is a region of attraction from which all solutions converge to the given ball with the prespecified convergence rate.
Adrenergic deficiency leads to impaired electrical conduction and increased arrhythmic potential in the embryonic mouse heart.

Abstract To determine if adrenergic hormones play a critical role in the functional development of the cardiac pacemaking and conduction system, we employed a mouse model where adrenergic hormone production was blocked due to targeted disruption of the dopamine β - hydroxylase ( Dbh ) gene. Immunofluorescent histochemical evaluation of the major gap junction protein, connexin 43, revealed that its expression was substantially decreased in adrenergic-deficient ( Dbh −/− ) relative to adrenergic-competent ( Dbh +/+ and Dbh +/− ) mouse hearts at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5), whereas pacemaker and structural protein staining appeared similar. To evaluate cardiac electrical conduction in these hearts, we cultured them on microelectrode arrays (8 × 8, 200 μm apart). Our results show a significant slowing of atrioventricular conduction in adrenergic-deficient hearts compared to controls (31.4 ± 6.4 vs. 15.4 ± 1.7 ms, respectively, p ex vivo at E10.5, and heart rates were measured before and after challenge with the β-adrenergic receptor agonist, isoproterenol (0.5 μM). On average, all hearts showed increased heart rate responses following isoproterenol challenge, but a significant ( p
Electrocatalytic estimation of electron self-exchange rates of highly oxidizing methyl-substituted benzenes and their cation radicals

Donnees fondees sur les reactions electrochimiques des complexes de ruthenium: RuL 3 2+ avec L=bipyridine-2,2 ou chloro-5 phenanthroline-9,10, jouant le role de mediateurs de transfert d'electrons et sur les reactions electrochimiques de tetramethyl-1,2,4,5- et de pentamethyl-benzene
Sprites as Luminous Columns of Ionization Produced by Quasi-Electrostatic Thundercloud Fields

Quasi-electrostatic (QE) fields which exist above thunderclouds after lightning discharges can lead to the formation of columnar channels of breakdown ionization and carrot-like vertical luminous structures with typical transverse dimension approximately 5-10 km spaning an altitude range from approximately 80 km to well below approximately 50 km. The carrot-like forms closely resemble those observed in sprites. Results indicate that the appearance of optical emissions can be significantly delayed in time (approx. 1-20 ms) with respect to the causative lightning discharge.
The role of CD4(+) T helper cells in the cytotoxic T lymphocyte response to HIV-1.

Abstract Virus-specific CD4 + T cell help and CD8 + cytotoxic T cell (CTL) responses are critical for the maintenance of effective immunity in chronic viral infections. HIV-1 infection presents a unique situation in which HIV-1-specific T helper cell responses are characteristically impaired and virus-specific CTLs wane over time as disease progresses; a relationship exists between T cell help and CTL responses in HIV-1 infection.
The zoom lens quadrupole magnets for the University of Colorado energy-loss spectrograph

Abstract The zoom lens quadrupole magnets used in the University of Colorado energy-loss spectrograph are described. Relatively deep penetration of particles between the pole tips requires that the magnets have hyperbolic pole tips. Using a rotating coil apparatus and a Hall effect plate the quadrupole magnets have been mapped. The measured magnetic fields are approximately 99.7% quadrupole with only a small amount of dodecapole ( n =6) at a position 1.25 times the pole tip radius. The virtual length of each magnet varies less than 1% as a function of radius. The primary uncertainties in the mapping results are attributed to the positioning of the field measuring devices.
Spreading of the ocean floor: new evidence

It is suggested that the entire history of the ocean basins, in terms of oceanfloor spreading,is contained frozen in the oceanic crust. Variations in the intensity and polarity of Earth's magnetic field are considered to be recorded in the remanent magnetism of the igneous rocks as they solidified and cooled through the Curie temperature at the crest of an oceanic ridge, and subsequently spread away from it at a steady rate. The hypothesis is supported by the extreme linearity and continuity of oceanic magnetic anomalies and their symmetry about the axes of ridges. If the proposed reversal time scale for the last 4 million years is combined with the model, computed anomaly profiles show remarkably good agreement with those observed, and one can deduce rates of spreading for all active parts of the midoceanic ridge system for which magnetic profilesor surveys are available. The rates obtained are in exact agreement with those needed to account for continental drift. An exceptionally high rate of spreading (approximately 4.5 cm/year) in the South Pacific enables one to deduce by extrapolation considerable details of the reversal time scale back to 11.5 million years ago. Again, this scale can be applied to other parts of the ridge system. Thus one isled to the suggestion that the crest of the East Pacific Rise in the northeast Pacific has been overridden and modified by the westward drift of North America, with the production of the anomalous width and unique features of the American cordillera in the western United States. The oceanicmagnetic anomalies also indicate that there was a change in derection of crustal spreading in this region during Pliocene time from eastwest to southeast-northwest. A profile from the crest to the boundary of the East Pacific Rise, and the difference between axial-zone and flank anomalies over ridges, suggest increase in the frequency of reversal of Earth's magnetic field, together, possibly, with decrease in its intensity, approximately 25 million years ago. Within the framework of ocean-floor spreading, it is suggested that magnetic anomaliesmay indicate the nature of oceanic fracture zones and distinguish the parts of the ridge system that are actively spreading. Thus data derived during the past year lend remarkable support to thehypothesis that magnetic anomalies may reveal the history of the ocean basins.
Recovery of rocksalt structure CdS to room pressure

Abstract : The high pressure phase of CdS was recovered to room pressure at 77K. The starting material was single crystal CdS, and the recovered material varied from powder to single crystal NaCl structure CdS. The annealing temperature of the reverse transformation of the NaCl phase was measured as was the annealing temperature of the zincblende to wurtzite phase transformation. Eg of the high pressure phase is 2.04 plus or minus 0.02 eV. (Author)
Simple nonadditive dual-resonance model

A nonadditive model with spin degrees of freedom but no internal symmetry is studied. It is necessary to work in a space of ten or more dimensions in order to obtain a Hermitian Hamiltonian. The model possesses physical-particle creation operators and, rather surprisingly for a nonadditive model, all trajectories are linear. In ten dimensions the model appears to be equivalent to the Neveu-Schwarz model, but the trajectories with half-integral intercept are obtained even though all our operators have integral $n$. The gauge conditions associated with the $L$ and $K$ algebras are almost certainly sufficient to remove all the ghosts.
Rapid dynamic changes in adult cerebral cortex

While the plasticity of cortical connections has long been known to be a property of developing cortex, a new view of cortical function reveals a substantial degree of mutability of receptive field properties and cortical topography. The most recent studies show that the dynamic properties of cortex can be observed over a time scale of minutes.