cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Exploratory Examination of the Relationship between a Short Form of the Keirsey Temperament Sorter and Success in an Introductory Accounting Course: A Research Note

This Research Note examines the relationship between specific questions in the Keirsey Temperament Sorter personality preferences test and performance in an entry level accounting course. It develops a structural equation model linking specific questions in the Keirsey Temperament Sorter personality preferences test to grades obtained by majors in business disciplines other than accounting enrolled in an introductory accounting course at one mid-sized, public university located in the USA. The results indicate that six (6) questions in the Keirsey Temperament Sorter may be associated with success in the introductory accounting course. Those teaching an introductory accounting course may elect to take a few minutes to administer these six questions at the beginning of their first class period. Students who, through their responses to these six questions, do not demonstrate a predisposition for accounting could then be counseled as to what steps they may need to take in to succeed in the course.
The Future of Nursing: Understanding Who Nurses Are

The Institute of Medicine report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health highlights the need for more information about the nursing workforce. Without attention to the problem, OR nursing is likely to continue to experience the nursing shortage more acutely than other practice areas. By changing how they acquire and use nursing data, and by advocating for improved exchange of data between federal and state governments and nursing schools, facilities can be better prepared for future workforce challenges.
Continuum fusion: a new methodology for creating hyperspectral detection algorithms

A new formalism has been developed for producing detection algorithms in model-based problems, in which one or more parameter values is unknown. Continuum fusion can be used to generate different flavors of algorithm for any composite hypothesis testing problem. The method is defined by a fusion logic that can be translated into a set of partial differential relations. However, some important hyperspectral models can be solved with purely geometrical means, one of which is described. The new methodology affords a new interpretation of the orthodox solution, the generalized likelihood ratio test, which is revealed as but one point in a spectrum of fusion methods.
The relationship between adolescent nonmarital childbearing and educational expectations: a cohort and period comparison.

Prior research on the relationship between adolescent childbearing and later life outcomes is deficient in two respects. First it has focused almost exclusively on socioeconomic outcomes failing to consider the possible effect of a birth on social psychological outcomes. Second it generally has not considered whether the relationship between adolescent childbearing and outcomes has changed across cohorts and over time. This study attempts to fill these two gaps by estimating and comparing the effects of nonmarital childbearing on change in a social psychological variable educational expectations over the period between the sophomore year in high school and two years later using longitudinal data for the sophomore cohorts of High School and Beyond 1980 and the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988. Findings for both cohorts indicate that adolescent girls tend to reduce their educational expectations following a nonmarital pregnancy or birth. In addition adolescent girls with low educational expectations are at greater risk of a nonmarital pregnancy or birth than adolescent girls with high educational expectations. (authors)
Basis and Exchange Rate Risk in Offshore Futures Trading

Although virtually every country in the world participates in agricultural commodity trade, only the United States has developed a substantial network of commodity futures exchanges. According to the International Commodities Clearing House, over 80% of the volume of international futures trading takes place on U.S. exchanges, and for grains (especially wheat) the proportion of futures trading accounted for by U.S. exchanges approaches 100%. Concentration of futures exchanges within the United States suggests that a substantial proportion of hedging activity may potentially come from traders (both buyers and sellers) who are located offshore. In the case of wheat, major exporters such as Australia, Canada, France, and Argentina may desire to hedge price risks on U.S. futures exchanges in the same manner as U.S. grain traders. Major importers such as China, USSR, and Egypt may also seek opportunities for price risk management through U.S. futures markets. Despite the potential significance of offshore participants on U.S. futures exchanges, there has been little examination of the factors influencing the hedging decisions of an offshore trader. For an individual trader, offshore hedging decisions generally will involve more complex considerations than those of a U.S. trader, and there is no reason to expect that the degree of futures participation will be the same in both cases. From an aggregate perspective, an understanding of the determinants of total futures market participation will have bearing on the efficiency with which markets perform the functions of risk transfer and price discovery. As noted recently by Phillips, futures trading has the potential to become a much more important risk management tool in increasing international trade, but this belief will be validated only if the market provides incentives for participation by traders who are located outside of the United States. The purpose of this paper is to provide a perspective on the major factors which influence futures market participation by offshore commodity traders and to identify research gaps in this field. Information on the extent of futures market activity accounted for by foreign traders is presented in the next section. Following this it is argued that two of the main decision problems to be faced by offshore traders are the management of complex basis risk and the implications of currency exchange fluctuations. Finally, a review of some empirical evidence is presented, indicating the extent to which these factors may influence offshore hedging decisions.
Metformin improves endothelial function in type 1 diabetic subjects: a pilot, placebo-controlled randomized study

Aims Several studies have investigated the effects of metformin treatment in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). No study has hitherto examined its effects on endothelial function in these patients. In this study we sought to evaluate the effect of metformin on endothelial function in type 1 diabetic patients. Methods Forty-two uncomplicated T1DM patients were randomized in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, 6-month trial to treatment with either metformin or placebo. Glycometabolic and clinical parameters as well as flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and nitrate-mediated dilation (NMD) of the right brachial artery were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Glycaemic variability (GV, calculated from continuous glucose monitoring data) and a biomarker of oxidative stress [urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α)] were also assessed. Results Baseline data were similar in the two groups. Compared with placebo, metformin significantly reduced body weight [−2.27 kg (95% confidence interval: −3.99; −0.54); p = 0.012] whilst improved FMD [1.32% (0.30; 2.43); p = 0.013] and increased PGF2α [149 pg/mg creatinine (50; 248); p = 0.004]. Notably, the improvement of FMD did not correlate with the decrease of body weight (r2 < 1%). NMD, haemoglobin A1c, GV, daily insulin dose and other parameters did not significantly change after the treatment comparing the two groups. Conclusions Our pilot trial showed that, in uncomplicated type 1 diabetic subjects, metformin improved FMD and increased PGF2α, a marker of oxidative stress, irrespective of its effects on glycaemic control and body weight. Randomized, blinded clinical trials are needed to evaluate the benefits and risks of metformin added to insulin in type 1 diabetes.
A numerical scheme for Euler–Lagrange simulation of bubbly flows in complex systems

An Eulerian–Lagrangian approach is developed for the simulation of turbulent bubbly flows in complex systems. The liquid phase is treated as a continuum and the Navier–Stokes equations are solved in an unstructured grid, finite volume framework for turbulent flows. The dynamics of the disperse phase is modeled in a Lagrangian frame and includes models for the motion of each individual bubble, bubble size variations due to the local pressure changes, and interactions among the bubbles and with boundaries. The bubble growth/collapse is modeled by the Rayleigh–Plesset (RP) equation. Three modeling approaches are considered: (a) one-way coupling, where the influence of the bubble on the fluid flow is neglected, (b) two-way coupling, where the momentum-exchange between the fluid and the bubbles is modeled, and (c) volumetric coupling, where the volumetric displacement of the fluid by the bubble motion and the momentum-exchange are modeled. A novel adaptive time-stepping scheme based on stability-analysis of the non-linear bubble dynamics equations is developed. The numerical approach is verified for various single bubble test cases to show second-order accuracy. Interactions of multiple bubbles with vortical flows are simulated to study the effectiveness of the volumetric coupling approach in predicting the flow features observed experimentally. Finally, the numerical approach is used to perform a large-eddy simulation in two configurations: (i) flow over a cavity to predict small-scale cavitation and inception and (ii) a rising dense bubble plume in a stationary water column. The results show good predictive capability of the numerical algorithm in capturing complex flow features. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validity of the MMPI-2 and Beck Depression Inventory for making decisions of organ allocation in renal transplantation.

Psychosocial factors are presented which affect clinical decision-making regarding the allocation of renal organs. Patients were rated as being either High Risk or Low Risk transplant candidates High Risk candidates were scored as being significantly different from the Low Risk candidates on many psychosocial variables. Interestingly, significant differences were not found between these two groups on either the MMPI–2 or the Beck Depression Inventory. The validity of using information from these inventories to allocate organs is discussed.
Childhood neglect is associated with reduced corpus callosum area

Abstract Background Childhood abuse has been associated with abnormalities in brain development, particularly corpus callosum (CC) morphology. The impact of neglect has not been assessed, though it is the most prevalent form of childhood maltreatment. Methods Regional CC area was measured from magnetic resonance imaging scans in 26 boys and 25 girls admitted for psychiatric evaluation (28 with abuse or neglect) and compared with CC area in 115 healthy control subjects. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance, with age and midsagittal area as covariates. Results Total CC area of the abused/neglected patients was 17% smaller than in control subjects (p = .0001) and 11% smaller than in psychiatric patients who had not been abused or neglected (contrast group; p = .01). Control subjects and the contrast group did not differ in total CC area. Neglect was the strongest experiential factor and was associated with a 15%–18% reduction in CC regions 3, 4, 5, and 7 (all p Conclusions These data are consistent with animal research that demonstrated reduced CC size in nursery-reared compared with semi-naturally reared primates. Early experience might also affect the development of the human CC.
Postpartum hemorrhage treated with a massive transfusion protocol at a tertiary obstetric center: a retrospective study.

Abstract Background A massive transfusion protocol may offer major advantages for management of postpartum hemorrhage. The etiology of postpartum hemorrhage, transfusion outcomes and laboratory indices in obstetric cases requiring the massive transfusion protocol were retrospectively evaluated in a tertiary obstetric center. Methods We reviewed medical records of obstetric patients requiring the massive transfusion protocol over a 31-month period. Demographic, obstetric, transfusion, laboratory data and adverse maternal outcomes were abstracted. Results Massive transfusion protocol activation occurred in 31 patients (0.26% of deliveries): 19 patients (61%) had cesarean delivery, 10 patients (32%) had vaginal delivery, and 2 patients (7%) had dilation and evacuation. Twenty-six patients (84%) were transfused with blood products from the massive transfusion protocol. The protocol was activated within 2h of delivery for 17 patients (58%). Median [IQR] total estimated blood loss value was 2842 [800–8000]mL. Median [IQR] number of units of red blood cells, plasma and platelets from the massive transfusion protocol were: 3 [1.75–7], 3 [1.5–5.5], and 1 [0–2.5] units, respectively. Mean (SD) post-resuscitation hematologic indices were: hemoglobin 10.3 (2.4)g/dL, platelet count 126 (44)×10 9 /L, and fibrinogen 325 (125)mg/dL. The incidence of intensive care admission and peripartum hysterectomy was 61% and 19%, respectively. Conclusions Our massive transfusion protocol provides early access to red blood cells, plasma and platelets for patients experiencing unanticipated or severe postpartum hemorrhage. Favorable hematologic indices were observed post resuscitation. Future outcomes-based studies are needed to compare massive transfusion protocol and non-protocol based transfusion strategies for the management of hemorrhage.
OPTIONS FOR LONG-TERM VENTILATORY SUPPORT

Long-term mechanical ventilator support for patients with chronic respiratory failure is becoming more common. This article reviews the common causes for chronic ventilator dependence, and offers an approach to weaning these patients from the ventilator. In addition, the details for preparing these patients for prolonged mechanical ventilation outside of the acute-care hospital setting are discussed. Appropriate education of the patient's caregivers is key to the success of long-term ventilatory support outside of the acute-care hospital.
Effective Lagrangians associated with massive gauge field

Abstract An earlier discussion of a massive gauge field interacting with a massless fermion field is extended to include the possibility that the fermion field is also massive. The pseudoscalar particles, which are associated with the massive vector and may be transformed away when the fermion is massless, can no longer be transformed away when the latter is massive. The present procedure very strongly determines a chiral invariant Lagrangian similar to forms considered by other authors. The usual low energy results are obtained, but in addition the nonlinearities are treated exactly and succinctly with the aid of the group geometrical techniques introduced in our earlier work.
Interaction between Simian Virus 40 Large T Antigen and Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 Is Disrupted by the K1 Mutation, Resulting in the Loss of Large T Antigen-Mediated Phosphorylation of Akt

The cellular kinase Akt is a key controller of cellular metabolism, growth, and proliferation. Many viruses activate Akt due to its beneficial effects on viral replication. We previously showed that wild-type (WT) simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen (TAg) inhibits apoptosis via the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling. Here we show that WT TAg expressed from recombinant adenoviruses in U2OS cells induced the phosphorylation of Akt at both T308 and S473. In contrast, Akt phosphorylation was eliminated by the K1 mutation (E107K) within the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) binding motif of TAg. This suggested that Akt phosphorylation may depend on TAg binding to Rb or one of its family members. However, in Rb-negative SAOS2 cells depleted of p107 and p130 by using small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), WT TAg still mediated Akt phosphorylation. These results suggested that the K1 mutation affects another TAg function. WT-TAg-mediated phosphorylation of Akt was inhibited by a PI3K inhibitor, suggesting that the effects of TAg originated upstream of PI3K; thus, we examined the requirement for insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), which binds and activates PI3K. Depletion of IRS1 by shRNAs abolished the WT-TAg-mediated phosphorylation of Akt. Immunoprecipitation studies showed that the known interaction between TAg and IRS1 is significantly weakened by the K1 mutation. These data indicate that the K1 mutation disrupts not only Rb binding but also IRS1 binding, contributing to the loss of activation of PI3K/Akt signaling.
Biosynthesis and degradation of meprins, kidney brush border proteinases.

Abstract Meprins, which are cell surface metalloendopeptidases, consist of two types of subunits, α and β. Genetic factors determine which subunits and oligomeric forms of the enzyme exist in kidney in different strains of mice. In order to further explore factors that determine the concentration and activity of meprins, the rates of biosynthesis and degradation of the meprin subunits were determined in an organ culture system using ICR and C3H/He mouse kidneys. In biosynthesis experiments, the rate of incorporation of radiolabeled amino acids into immunoprecipitable forms of the α and β subunits was determined. The rate of loss of radiolabel from the subunits was measured in pulse-chase experiments to determine the half-lives of the subunits. The rate of synthesis of the α subunit was twofold greater than that of the β subunit: 861 ± 32 vs 361 ± 23 dpm/μg subunit protein/min for α vs β. The rate of synthesis for total kidney protein in both strains was approximately 700 dpm/μg/min. The half-life for α was 8.9 ± 0.24 h compared to 12.1 ± 0.7 h for β; the half-life for total protein in kidney was approximately 35 h. Thus, the half-lives of α and β were similar and shorter than the half-lives of the average protein in kidney cells. The higher rate of synthesis of α is probably responsible for the greater abundance of this protein compared to β in microvillus membranes.
Long-time shallow-water equations with a varying bottom

We present and discuss new shallow-water equations that model the long-time effects of slowly varying bottom topography and weak hydrostatic imbalance on the vertically averaged horizontal velocity of an incompressible fluid possessing a free surface and moving under the force of gravity. We consider the regime where the Froude number e is much smaller than the aspect ratio δ of the shallow domain. The new equations are obtained from the e→0 limit of the Euler equations (the rigid-lid approximation) at the first order of an asymptotic expansion in δ2. These equations possess local conservation laws of energy and vorticity which reflect exact layer mean conservation laws of the three-dimensional Euler equations. In addition, they convect potential vorticity and have a Hamilton's principle formulation. We contrast them with the Green–Naghdi equations.
Dual effects of bradykinin on prostaglandin metabolism: relationship to the dissimilar vascular actions of kinins.

Abstract Generation of a prostaglandin of the F series by bovine mesenteric veins in response to bradykinin may depend on increased synthesis of PGE and conversion of the latter to PGF after activation of PGE 9-ketoreductase by the kinin. The prostaglandin then mediates the constrictor action of bradykinin on the bovine mesenteric vein. A high speed supernatant (HSS) fraction of bovine mesenteric blood vessels contains the highest activity of PGE 9-ketoreductase. Incubation of PGE 2 with HSS at 37°C in the presence of a NADPH generating system resulted in time-dependent conversion of PGE 2 to PGF 2α . Bradykinin (0.01mM) more than doubled conversion of PGE 2 to PGF 2α by the PGE 9-ketoreductase obtained from mesenteric veins whereas the kinin had little effect on enzymic activity of the HSS fraction of mesenteric arteries. However, after inhibition of kininase catabolism, bradykinin increased PGE 9-ketoreductase activity of arteries and veins to the same degree. Prostaglandin release from veins by bradykinin appears essential to contraction of mesenteric venous strips evoked by the polypeptide as indomethacin treatment abolished this effect. PGE 9-ketoreductase may be an important prostaglandin regulatory mechanism of the vascular wall whereby the functional consequences of changes in rates of prostaglandin synthesis are governed by determining the ratio of PGE to PGF within vascular tissue. Constriction of bovine mesenteric veins evoked by bradykinin may, therefore, depend on increased prostaglandin synthesis and conversion of newly formed PGE to PGF, both steps being affected by the kinin.
Colorimetric measurement of retroreflecting materials. II. Daytime conditions

An international intercomparison of the results of chromaticity and photometric measurements on retroreflecting materials was made to assess the accuracy of such measurements with current laboratory techniques. A representative group of 44 samples in six colours, including both enclosed and encapsulated constructions, was circulated to ten laboratories in Europe and the USA for measurement under closely defined conditions simulating nighttime use. A selection of 15 of the samples was also measured under simulated daytime conditions. This paper describes the daytime measurements and complements and earlier paper which gave the nighttime results. The measured chromaticities show a large overall spread covering an appreciable fraction of the chromaticity regions likely to be permitted in specifications. Spectrophotometric methods gave results in closer agreement than tristimulus measurements. Research into improved measuring techniques is needed to reduce the spread between laboratories to an acceptable level.
In Vivo Intravascular Imaging with OCT: Comparison with Ultrasound

A true clinical need exists for a high resolution imaging modality to characterize coronary microstructure. In this study, OCT imaging was performed of the in in vivo rabbit aorta examining clot, atherosclerosis, and intravascular stents. The performance of OCT was superior to that of high frequency ultrasound.
Time-series forecasting using GA-tuned radial basis functions

Abstract In this paper we provide a nonlinear auto-regressive (NAR) time-series model for forecasting applications. The nonlinearity is introduced by using radial basis functions. RBF networks are widely used in time-series analysis. Three main parameter sets are involved in RBF learning process. They are the centers and widths of the radial functions, and their weights. Although the selection of the RBF centers and widths is important, most reported research has dealt only with the problem of weight optimization by making assumptions about the centers and widths. Therefore, there is no guarantee for finding the global optimum with respect to all sets of parameters. In this paper we use genetic algorithms (GAs) to simultaneously optimize all of the RBF parameters so that an effective time-series is designed and used for forecasting. An example is presented with promising results.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations of Particle Deposition in Large-Scale, Multigenerational Lung Models

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has emerged as a useful tool for the prediction of airflow and particle transport within the human lung airway. Several published studies have demonstrated the use of Eulerian finite-volume CFD simulations coupled with Lagrangian particle tracking methods to determine local and regional particle deposition rates in small subsections of the bronchopulmonary tree. However, the simulation of particle transport and deposition in large-scale models encompassing more than a few generations is less common, due in part to the sheer size and complexity of the human lung airway. Highly resolved, fully coupled flowfield solution and particle tracking in the entire lung, for example, is currently an intractable problem and will remain so for the foreseeable future. This paper adopts a previously reported methodology for simulating large-scale regions of the lung airway (Walters, D. K., and Luke, W. H., 2010, "A Method for Three-Dimensional Navier―Stokes Simulations of Large-Scale Regions of the Human Lung Airway, " ASME J. Fluids Eng., 132(5), p. 051101), which was shown to produce results similar to fully resolved geometries using approximate, reduced geometry models. The methodology is extended here to particle transport and deposition simulations. Lagrangian particle tracking simulations are performed in combination with Eulerian simulations of the airflow in an idealized representation of the human lung airway tree. Results using the reduced models are compared with those using the fully resolved models for an eight-generation region of the conducting zone. The agreement between fully resolved and reduced geometry simulations indicates that the new method can provide an accurate alternative for large-scale CFD simulations while potentially reducing the computational cost of these simulations by several orders of magnitude.
Time scales and mechanisms of estuarine variability, a synthesis from studies of San Francisco Bay

This review of the preceding papers suggests that temporal variability in San Francisco Bay can be characterized by four time scales (hours, days-weeks, months, years) and associated with at least four mechanisms (variations in freshwater inflow, tides, wind, and exchange with coastal waters). The best understood component of temporal variability is the annual cycle, which is most obviously influenced by seasonal variations in freshwater inflow. The winter season of high river discharge is characterized by: large-scale redistribution of the salinity field (e.g. the upper estuary becomes a riverine system); enhanced density stratification and gravitational circulation with shortened residence times in the bay; decreased tissue concentrations of some contaminants (e.g. copper) in resident bivalves; increased estuarine inputs of river-borne materials such as dissolved inorganic nutrients (N, P, Si), suspended sediments, and humic materials; radical redistributions of pelagic organisms such as copepods and fish; low phytoplankton biomass and primary productivity in the upper estuary; and elimination of freshwater-intolerant species of macroalgae and benthic infauna from the upper estuary. Other mechanisms modulate this river-driven annual cycle: (1) wind speed is highly seasonal (strongest in summer) and causes seasonal variations in atmosphere-water column exchange of dissolved gases, resuspension, and the texture of surficial sediments; (2) seasonal variations in the coastal ocean (e.g. the spring-summer upwelling season) influence species composition of plankton and nutrient concentrations that are advected into the bay; and (3) the annual temperature cycle influences a few selected features (e.g. production and hatching of copepod resting eggs). Much of the interannual variability in San Francisco Bay is also correlated with freshwater inflow: wet years with persistently high river discharge are characterized by persistent winter-type conditions.
Coherent Averaging Effects in Magnetic Resonance

A theory is developed to describe the slow component of the transient decay of transverse spin magnetization, and the central component of the slow-passage absorption spectrum, of a system of spins which is subjected to a periodic and cyclic perturbation. The theory is used to analyze and compare various schemes for high-resolution NMR of solids, including the spinning of the sample about an axis oriented at the "magic angle," the rotating-frame magic-angle experiment of Lee and Goldburg, pulsed versions of the latter, and a number of new pulsed-NMR experiments recently developed in this laboratory. Attention is focused on the factors, both theoretical and practical, which are important in obtaining optimal suppression of static dipole-dipole interactions and quadrupole splittings, and retention of chemical and Knight shifts and scalar spin-spin interactions. Several new experiments are proposed.
Traveling wave fronts for generalized Fisher equations with spatio-temporal delays

We study the existence of traveling wave fronts for a reaction–diffusion equation with spatio-temporal delays and small parameters. The equation reduces to a generalized Fisher equation if small parameters are zero. We present two results. In the first one, we deal with the equation with very general kernels and show the persistence of Fisher wave fronts for all sufficiently small parameters. In the second one, we deal with some particular kernels, with which the nonlocal equation can be reduced to a system of singularly perturbed ODEs, and we are then able to apply the geometric singular perturbation theory and phase plane arguments to this system to show the existence of the minimal wave speed, the existence of a continuum of wave fronts, and the global uniqueness of the physical wave front with each wave speed.
Do patients with low-risk and intermediate-risk prostate cancer benefit from androgen deprivation?

Do patients with low-risk and intermediate-risk prostate cancer benefit from androgen deprivation?
Extracting Constitutive Stress–Strain Behavior of Microscopic Phases by Micropillar Compression

The macroscopic behavior of metallic materials is a complex function of microstructure. The size, morphology, volume fraction, crystallography, and distribution of a 2nd phase within a surrounding matrix all control the mechanical properties. Understanding the contributions of the individual microconstituents to the mechanical behavior of multiphase materials has proven difficult due to the inability to obtain accurate constitutive relationships of each individual constituent. In dual-phase steels, for example, the properties of martensite or ferrite in bulk form are not representative of their behavior at the microscale. In this study, micropillar compression was employed to determine the mechanical properties of individual microconstituents in metallic materials with “composite” microstructures, consisting of two distinct microconstituents: (I) a Mg–Al alloy with pure Mg dendrites and eutectic regions and (II) a powder metallurgy steel with ferrite and martensite constituents. The approach is first demonstrated in a Mg–Al directionally solidified alloy where the representative stress–strain behavior of the matrix and eutectic phases was obtained. The work is then extended to a dual-phase steel where the constitutive behavior of the ferrite and martensite were obtained. Here, the results were also incorporated into a modified rule-of-mixtures approach to predict the composite behavior of the steel. The constitutive behavior of the ferrite and martensite phases developed from micropillar compression was coupled with existing strength–porosity models from the literature to predict the ultimate tensile strength of the steel. Direct comparisons of the predictions with tensile tests of the bulk dual-phase steel were conducted and the correlations were quite good.
Diffusion of news about an anticipated major news event

The “two‐step flow” theory of mass communication may be thought of simply as the practice of informing opinion leaders, who in turn relay the information to the larger audience. Discussion of and research into this principle is a preoccupation of many social scientists today, and is one of the most fruitful areas on the frontiers of mass communication research. Previous articles in the Journal on this topic have included “Broadcast vs. Personal Sources of Information in Emergent Public Crises: The Presidential Assassination,” by Harold Mendelsohn, “Mass Media vs. Personal Sources of Information about the Presidential Assassination: A Comparison of Six Investigations” by Stephen P. Spitzer, and a “Comment on Spitzer's ‘. . . A Comparison of Six Investigations'” by Harold Mendelsohn.
Changing process priorities when firing alternate fuels

A presentation is given on process modifications to accommodate alternate fuels and firing methods. Discussion is made on process control strategy that makes combustion control the priority, burner modification to boost flame temperature, and the addition of energy for mixing of the combustion gasses to minimize excess air requirements. The implementation of these process modifications considers clinker quality, emissions and high alternate fuel substitution. Results from several facilities are included.
Cross talk between cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts: from multiscale investigative approaches to mechanisms and functional consequences

The heart is comprised of a syncytium of cardiac myocytes (CM) and surrounding nonmyocytes, the majority of which are cardiac fibroblasts (CF). CM and CF are highly interspersed in the myocardium with one CM being surrounded by one or more CF. Bidirectional cross talk between CM and CF plays important roles in determining cardiac mechanical and electrical function in both normal and diseased hearts. Genetically engineered animal models and in vitro studies have provided evidence that CM and CF can regulate each other's function. Their cross talk contributes to structural and electrical remodeling in both atria and ventricles and appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of various heart diseases that lead to heart failure and arrhythmia disorders. Mechanisms of CM-CF cross talk, which are not yet fully understood, include release of paracrine factors, direct cell-cell interactions via gap junctions and potentially adherens junctions and nanotubes, and cell interactions with the extracellular matrix. In this article, we provide an overview of the existing multiscale experimental and computational approaches for the investigation of cross talk between CM and CF and review recent progress in our understanding of the functional consequences and underlying mechanisms. Targeting cross talk between CM and CF could potentially be used therapeutically for the modulation of the cardiac remodeling response in the diseased heart and may lead to new strategies for the treatment of heart failure or rhythm disturbances.
An Assessment of Burnout in Graduate Assistant Certified Athletic Trainers

Context: Graduate assistant athletic trainers (GAATs) must balance the demands of clinical care and the academic load of graduate-level students. Objective: To examine burnout among GAATs with clin...
Size competitive meshing without large angles

We present a new meshing algorithm for the plane, Overlay Stitch Meshing (OSM), accepting as input an arbitrary Planar Straight Line Graph and producing a triangulation with all angles smaller than 170°. The output triangulation has competitive size with any optimal size mesh having equally bounded largest angle. The competitive ratio is O(log(L/s)) where L and s are respectively the largest and smallest features in the input. OSM runs in O(n log(L/s) +m) time/work where n is the input size and m is the output size. The algorithm first uses Sparse Voronoi Refinement to compute a quality overlay mesh of the input points alone. This triangulation is then combined with the input edges to give the final mesh.
Developing an Online Certification Program for Nutrition Education Assistants.

Abstract Objective To develop an online certification program for nutrition education paraprofessionals to increase knowledge and confidence and to overcome training barriers of programming time and travel expenses. Design An online interactive certification course based on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program core competencies was delivered to employees of both programs. Traditional vs online training was compared. Course content validity was determined through expert review by registered dietitians. Parameters studied included increase of nutrition knowledge and teaching technique/ability, educator satisfaction, and programming costs related to training. Setting Utah State University Extension. Participants Twenty-two Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program educators in Utah. Main Outcome Measures Knowledge and skills were measured using pre/posttest statistics. Participant satisfaction was measured with a survey. Analysis Paired t test; satisfaction survey. Results The change in paraprofessional knowledge score was statistically significant (P Conclusions and Implications This interactive online program is a cost-effective way to increase paraprofessional knowledge and job satisfaction.
Application of Q-measure Techniques to Adaptive Nonlinear Digital Filtering

A highly adaptive nonlinear digital filtering technique called the Q-Filter is described. The Q-Filter is defined as a Choquet integral with respect to a Q-Measure over a finite window of observations. In addition to robustness, the advantage of the Q-Filter is that it can behave as a combination of different filters, so that a single Q-Filter can be used instead of applying an expensive sequence of conventional filtering operations. In this paper we present the Q-Filter in application to a real-valued signal processing task, with a regression algorithm, so that the parameters of the filter can be tuned automatically. This algorithm also resolves the signal scaling and shifting issues associated with the direct filtering operation. The Q-Filter model is tested on acoustic heartbeat sound data. The experiments show that the proposed model can be used to map input signals to their corresponding target signals through learning.
Lemierre's syndrome.

Lemierre’s syndrome is a condition characterized by thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and bacteremia caused by primarily anaerobic organisms, following a recent oropharyngeal infection. This has been an uncommon illness in the era of antibiotic therapy, though it has been reported with increasing frequency in the past 15 years. Lemierre’s syndrome should be suspected in young healthy patients with prolonged symptoms of pharyngitis followed by symptoms of septicemia or pneumonia, or an atypical lateral neck pain. Diagnosis is often confirmed by identification of thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and growth of anaerobic bacteria on blood culture. Treatment involves prolonged antibiotic therapy occasionally combined with anticoagulation. We review the literature and a case of a child with Lemierre’s syndrome.
Rationale for Proton Therapy in Pediatric Malignancies

Proton therapy (PT) is being applied with increasing frequency in the treatment of pediatric malignancies. The principal rationale, selected published clinical results, and remaining challenges will be presented.
The ultrastructure of the otolithic membrane and otolith in the juvenile mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus.

The sagitta otolithic membrane of Fundulus heteroclitus consists of two different zones. A structured zone (gelatinous layer), which usually exhibits a reticulated or honeycomb-like architecture, is composed of tightly arranged fibrous material and covers only the sensory region of the macula. The gelatinous layer extends from the otolith surface to the tips of the sensory hairs, and probably functions primarily as a mechanoreceptor. The arrangement of this zone is closely associated with specific overlying structural features of the otolith surface and may also influence the pattern of mineral deposition to some degree. A nonstructured zone (subcupular meshwork) consists of fibers in very loose networks and covers both sensory and nonsensory regions of the macula. Over the sensory region, some of this fibrous material extends from the epithelial surface, through pores in the gelatinous layer, to the surface of the overlying otolith. In the nonsensory region, fibers of the subcupular meshwork are relatively more numerous and extend around the peripheral margin of the otolith. Evidence is presented which suggests that the fibrous material of the subcupular meshwork is incorporated into the otolith as an organic matrix constituent. New aspects on the ultrastructure of the otolith are presented and discussed.
The Built Environment and Car Use in Mexico City Is the Relationship Changing over Time

This article explores differences in the relationship between the built environment and households’ car use in Mexico City in 1994 and 2007. After controlling for income and other household attributes, population and job density, transit and highway proximity, destination diversity, intersection density, and accessibility are statistically correlated with households’ weekday car travel in Mexico City. These correlations are generally stronger than those found in studies from U.S. cities and fairly stable over time. Where correlations have changed, they have strengthened. Findings suggest that land use planning can play a modest and growing role in reducing car travel in Mexico City.
Digestive proteinases in Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)

The cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius), is a common pest of stored foods. A study of digestive proteinases in L. serricorne was performed to identify potential targets for proteinaceous biopesticides, such as proteinase inhibitors. Optimal casein hydrolysis by luminal proteinases of L. serricorne was in pH 8.5–9.0 buffers, although the pH of luminal contents was slightly acidic. Results from substrate and inhibitor analyses indicated that the primary digestive proteinases were serine proteinases. The most effective inhibitors of caseinolytic hydrolysis were from soybean (both Bowman Birk and Kunitz), with some inhibition by chymostatin, N-TOSYL-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone, and leupeptin. Casein zymogram analysis identified at least eight proteolytic activities. Activity blot analyses indicated one major proteinase activity that hydrolysed the trypsin substrate N-α-benzoyl-L-arginine ρ-nitroanilide, and three major proteinase activities that hydrolysed the chymotrypsin substrate N-succinyl ala-ala-pro-phe ρ-nitroanilide. The absence of cysteine, aspartic, and metallo proteinases in L. serricorne digestion was evidenced by the lack of activation by thiol reagents, alkaline pH optima, and the results from class-specific proteinase inhibitors. The data suggest that protein digestion in L. serricorne is primarily dependent on trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like proteinases.
Small GTP-binding Protein TC10 Differentially Regulates Two Distinct Populations of Filamentous Actin in 3T3L1 Adipocytes

TC10 is a member of the Rho family of small GTP-binding proteins that has previously been implicated in the regulation of insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation in adipocytes. In a manner similar to Cdc42-stimulated actin-based motility, we have observed that constitutively active TC10 (TC10/Q75L) can induce actin comet tails in Xenopus oocyte extracts in vitro and extensive actin polymerization in the perinuclear region when expressed in 3T3L1 adipocytes. In contrast, expression of TC10/Q75L completely disrupted adipocyte cortical actin, which was specific for TC10, because expression of constitutively active Cdc42 was without effect. The effect of TC10/Q75L to disrupt cortical actin was abrogated after deletion of the amino terminal extension (ΔN-TC10/Q75L), whereas this deletion retained the ability to induce perinuclear actin polymerization. In addition, alteration of perinuclear actin by expression of TC10/Q75L, a dominant-interfering TC10/T31N mutant or a mutant N-WASP protein (N-WASP/ΔVCA) reduced the rate of VSV G protein trafficking to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, TC10 directly bound to Golgi COPI coat proteins through a dilysine motif in the carboxyl terminal domain consistent with a role for TC10 regulating actin polymerization on membrane transport vesicles. Together, these data demonstrate that TC10 can differentially regulate two types of filamentous actin in adipocytes dependent on distinct functional domains and its subcellular compartmentalization.
Morbidity after Total Gastrectomy: Analysis of 238 Patients

Background Surgical quality improvement requires well-defined benchmarks and accurate reporting of postoperative adverse events, which have not been well defined for total gastrectomy. Study Design Detailed postoperative outcomes on 238 patients who underwent total gastrectomy with curative intent, from 2003 to 2012, were reviewed by a dedicated surgeon chart reviewer to establish 90-day patterns of adverse events. Results Of the 238 patients with stage I to III gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent curative-intent total gastrectomy, the median age was 66 years, and 68% were male. Median body mass index was 28 kg/m 2 , and 68% of patients had at least 1 medical comorbidity. Forty-three percent of our patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 34% received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Over the 90-day study period, 30-day mortality was 2.5% (6 of 238), and 90-day mortality was 2.9% (7 of 238). At least 1 postoperative adverse event was documented in 62% of patients, with 28% of patients experiencing a major adverse event requiring invasive intervention. The readmission rate was 20%. Anemia was the most common adverse event (20%), followed by wound complications (18%). The most common major adverse event was esophageal anastomotic leak, which required invasive intervention in 10% of patients. Conclusions This analysis has defined comprehensive 90-day patterns in postoperative adverse events after total gastrectomy with curative intent in a Western population. This benchmark allows surgeons to measure, compare, and improve outcomes and informed consent for this surgical procedure.
Science Signaling Podcast: 3 February 2015

This Podcast features an interview with Ben Major and Matthew Walker, authors of a Research Article that appears in the 3 February 2015 issue of Science Signaling , about a transcription factor that enhances Wnt signaling in lymphoma. The transcription factor FOXP1 influences stem and progenitor cell identity and cell proliferation. FOXP1 is overexpressed in a subset of diffuse large B cell lymphomas, and the increased abundance of FOXP1 correlates with resistance to standard therapy and poor patient prognosis. Walker et al . found that FOXP1 enhances Wnt signaling and that this may be why lymphomas overexpressing FOXP1 are particularly difficult to treat. Cultured lymphoma cells and xenografts overexpressing FOXP1 were sensitive to Wnt inhibitors, suggesting that blocking Wnt signaling may be an effective treatment for patients with FOXP1 -overexpressing lymphomas.
Cimetidine protects against acetaminophen toxicity

Generally, acetaminophen (APAP) overdoses with elimination half-lives over 4 hr. sustain liver damage. In the following cases, cimetidine (C) seems to have protected against APAP toxicity. An 18 yr. old, 64 kg female smoker presented 6 hr. after taking 10Rg APAP, 1200+ mg C, and small amounts of flurazepam and Sleepeze (methaprilene + scopolamine). Three plasma APAP levels (by HPLC) revealed an elimination half-life of 4.4 hr. C did not interfere with the APAP assay. Despite the long half-life in a patient with microsomal enzymes induced by smoking, no evidence of hepatotoxicity developed. A month later, the same patient overdosed with APAP alone. Three plasma levels revealed a 3.3 hr. half-life. Lack of toxicity in the presence of a long elimination half-life may indicate a protective action of C in APAP overdoses.
Central Nervous System Infections in Hydrocephalus or Myelodysplasia Factors Which Influence Mortality and Recovery

Review of the literature and experience with 19 CNS infections in infants with CNS malformations suggest prognosis is not worse with neonates with mal formations and is directly related to virulence of the infecting organism. Re covery is also dependent on treatment that will provide bacteriocidal levels of antibiotic into the infected tissue and fluids and on correction of disturbed in tracranial fluid dynamics, both tissue fluid (edema) and cerebrospinal fluid.