cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
To Catch A Killer: A Data-Driven Personalized and Compliance-Aware Sepsis Alert System

Sepsis affects more than 1.5 million people annually and contributes to as many as half of all hospital deaths in the United States. Early sepsis detection and timely treatment can significantly reduce sepsis-related mortality. For timely detection, healthcare providers increasingly leverage automated sepsis alerts. In this study, we develop an alert system that personalizes alerts to individual patients and accounts for caregivers' compliance behavior. Our alert system integrates predictive approaches with prescriptive ones in a Markov decision process framework to determine when a sepsis alert should be triggered. We characterize optimal alert policies that are easy to describe, follow, compute, and hence implement in the real world. We find that personalized alerts are essential for capturing the heterogeneity of sepsis risk among patients, while compliance-aware alerts are necessary when caregivers' compliance varies during a patient's hospital stay. Using data from a large hospital system in the U.S. with a typical alert implementation, we back test and validate our alert policy by evaluating its performance against that of the hospital system. On average, our alert system detects 22% more sepsis cases than the existing system. In cases for which both the existing system and ours triggered an alert, our system alerts, on average, 39 hours earlier (ranges 29-53 hours). This time difference matters, as every hour of delay in providing proper sepsis treatment can increase mortality by up to 8%. Our findings shed light on how and when personalization of alerts and incorporation of caregivers' behavior can improve sepsis-care quality. *The paper is available upon request from authors.
Interactions among Reward Sensitivity and Fast-Food Access on Healthy Eating Index Scores in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Food cues in the environment may contribute to obesity as the consumption of unhealthy foods may reinforce reward pathways in the brain. To understand how person-level differences in reward sensitivity may be associated with diet quality, this study aimed to examine the moderating role of the availability of fast food in the environment on the relationship between reward sensitivity and diet quality in adolescents. Participants (n = 152; 55% female; Mage: 12.5 ± 0.93 y) completed the drive and reward subscales of the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS)/Behavioral Activation System (BAS) Scale to assess reward sensitivity and completed two 24 h dietary recalls from which Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores (total score and subscales of adequacy and moderation) were calculated. Fast-food environment (FFE) was operationalized as the total number of fast-food outlets within 1 km around participants’ home address. Linear regressions were used to examine the main effects and interactions between reward sensitivity and FFE in relation to HEI score. Interactions were found between FFE and BAS drive (p = 0.02) and BAS reward (p 0.01, 95% CI (0.72, 2.93)) and HEI adequacy scores. By examining reward sensitivity to potential food cues in residential neighborhood food environments, it is possible to understand which adolescents are more sensitive to environmental food cues and implement interventions to buffer these influences.
The Settings Within Lebanon

In the sectoral frame of family and personal religious jurisdiction, each pathway impacts and has important ramifications for the other and is therefore representing a duality within the child protection system; it is therefore not possible to develop an accurate picture of the national child protection system by analyzing any of these pathways in isolation. In order to genuinely strengthen the national child protection system in Lebanon, it is necessary to understand and identify the positive aspects of each of these pathways and develop strategies to build upon, coordinate and strengthen existing mechanisms in a way that is practical, coherent and acceptable to the general population, within the essential and consensual CRC and the Lebanese obligations towards the convention and its optional protocols.
The Demand for Money, Near-Money, and Treasury Bonds

Bank-created money, shadow-bank money, and Treasury bonds all satisfy investor's demand for a liquid transaction medium and safe store of value. We measure the quantity of these three forms of liquidity and their corresponding liquidity premium over a sample from 1926 to 2016. We empirically examine the links between these different assets, estimating the extent to which they are substitutes, and the amount of liquidity per-unit-of-asset delivered by each asset. We construct a new broad monetary aggregate based on our analysis and show that it helps resolves the money-demand instability and missing-money puzzles of the monetary economics literature. Our empirical results inform models of the monetary transmission mechanism running through shifts in asset supplies, such as quantitative easing policies. Our results on the substitutability of bank and shadow-bank money also inform analyses of the coexistence of the shadow-banking and regulated banking system.
Development of children’s math attitudes: Gender differences, key socializers, and intervention approaches

Abstract The relation of various math attitudes to math achievement has been extensively studied in adolescents and adults. Recently, researchers have begun to examine the math attitude-math achievement relation in young children. We review theories and research on four attitudes relevant to early math learning—math anxiety, math self-concept, mindset, and math-gender stereotype. These attitudes emerge and are related to math achievement by early elementary school. Our review suggests that early math achievement plays an important role in the initial development of either positive or negative math attitudes, which in turn, may initiate a vicious or virtuous cycle that can enhance or undermine math learning. Additionally, gender differences in math attitudes (favoring boys) emerge by early to mid-elementary school. An important future direction involves understanding how early attitudes about math relate to each other, and whether certain constellations of attitudes are prevalent. We also consider three types of math attitudes that key socializers—parents and teachers—hold: general (math-gender stereotypes and mindsets), self-relevant (math anxiety), and child-specific (expectations and value of math for their child or student). Our review highlights a link between key socializers’ math attitudes and associated behaviors, and their children’s math attitudes and math achievement. Based on these findings, we propose the Early Math Achievement-Attitude model (EMAA). An important future direction involves increasing our understanding of how key socializers with different math attitude constellations engage with children around math. Finally, based on our review of these topics as well as intervention studies, we discuss intervention approaches that hold promise for improving young children’s math achievement and math attitudes.
Family Archiving in the Digital Age

Family homes are replete with “stuff”—physical artifacts and collections of objects that say something about the people who live in that home, who they are, and what they are about. At the same time, increasingly, the stuff that we keep is digital, whether or not this is generated deliberately (as in photos and videos), or simply the result of our activities in the online world. This burgeoning archive of digital data offers up many new and challenging issues for how we create archives of value for ourselves, our families, and as a legacy in future. Further, there may be interesting new opportunities for combining digital data with physical objects to create new heterogeneous kinds of archives for the family. This chapter examines these issues drawing on existing research, and projects into the future through an exploration of new kinds of technologies to support archiving in the home of the future.
Kantian and Consequentialist Ethics: The Gap Can Be Bridged

Richard Hare argues that the fundamental assumptions of Kant's ethical system should have led Kant to utilitarianism, had Kant not confused a norm's generality with its universality, and hence adopted rigorist, deontological norms. Several authors, including Jens Timmermann, have argued contra Hare that the gap between Kantian and utilitarian/consequentialist ethics is fundamental and cannot be bridged. This article shows that Timmermann's claims rely on a systematic failure to separate normative and metaethical aspects of each view, and that Hare's attempt to bridge the gap between Kantian and consequentialist ethics is immune to Timmermann's criticisms. Furthermore, the term “Kantian ethics” is often misleading, and should typically be qualified as either “Kantian rationalism” or “Kantian deontology” in order to avoid confusions of the sort Timmermann falls into.
Mutual interactions of elements in the hydride technique in atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract The interference from selenium(IV) on the determination of arsenic(III) and -(V) by hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometry is removed if copper is added to the sample solution. This prevents the evolution of selenium hydride but has no influence — up to certain copper concentrations — on the formation of arsine. The possible interference mechanism is discussed. Interferences on selenium determinations are also described.
Analysis of Dynamic Structures for Efficient Parallel Execution

This paper presents a new structure analysis technique handling references and dynamic structures which enables precise analysis of infinite recursive data structures. The precise analysis depends on an enhancement of Chase et al.'s Storage Shape Graph (SSG) called the Abstract Storage Graph (ASG) which extends SSG's with choice nodes, identity paths, and specialized storage nodes and references. These extensions allow ASG's to precisely describe singly- and multiply-linked lists as well as a number of other pointer structures such as octrees, and to analyze programs which manipulate them.
Mitochondrial endonuclease activities specific for apurinic/apyrimidinic sites in DNA from mouse cells

Endonuclease activity which specifically cleaves baseless (apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP] sites in supercoiled DNA has been purified from mitochondria of the mouse plasmacytoma cell line, MPC-11. Two variant forms separate upon purification; these have small but reproducible differences in catalytic and chromatographic properties, but similar physical properties. Both have a sedimentation coefficient of 4.0, corresponding to a molecular weight of 61,000 (assuming a globular configuration) and a peptide molecular weight of about 65,000 as determined by immunoblot analysis with antiserum raised against the major AP endonuclease from HeLa cells. Thus mitochondrial AP endonuclease appears to be a monomer of about 65 kDa, making it distinguishable from the major AP endonuclease of MPC-11 cells which, like those of other mammalian cells, appears to be a monomer of about 41 kDa. A possible 82-kDa precursor form was also detected by immunoblot analysis of a crude mitochondrial fraction. Mitochondrial AP endonuclease activity is greatly stimulated by divalent cations, has a pH optimum between 6.5 and 8.5, and cleaves the AP site by a class II mechanism to generate a 3'-OH nucleotide residue. These properties resemble those of the major mammalian AP endonucleases but, unlike those enzymes, mitochondrial AP endonuclease activity is neither inhibited by adenine or NAD+ nor stimulated by Triton X-100. Since the mitochondrial activity generates active primer termini for DNA synthesis, it could function in base excision DNA repair; alternatively, it might have a role in eliminating damaged mitochondrial genomes from the gene pool.
A PERMANENT ROOT TIP SMEAR METHOD

Kill root tips in 1 part glacial acetic acid to 3 parba RB Solute alcohol for 12 or more hours. Remove from king fluid a d place for 5 to 10 minutes in a solution consisting of 1 part 95% alcohol to 1 part concentrated HC1. Transfer to Carnoy's fluid for 5 minutes or longer. Cut a small piece (0.5 mm. or less) off the tip of the root Press directly on the piece of root with a small fiat scalpel; the cells will now separate and float free in the stain. Place cover slip over the drop of stain and apply gentle pressure. Heat carefully by paseing the slide 3 or 4 times thru the flame of an alcohol lamp. Seal with heated mixture of 1 part Parowax to 1 part gum mastie. Make permanent by the McClintock permanent method. and place on a clean slide in a small drop of iron-ace-sinin.
Searching for transition states: The line–then–plane (LTP) approach

A procedure for finding transition states (TS) that does not require the evaluation of the second derivatives during the search is proposed. The procedure is based on connecting a series of points representing products P{sub i} and reactants R{sub i} and taking conservative steps along the difference vector from P{sub i} toward R{sub i} and from R{sub i} toward P{sub i} until the two points coalesce. Although the points P{sub o} and R{sub o} represent the product and reactant specifically, other P{sub i} and R{sub i} are determined by minimization in hyperplanes perpendicular to P{sub i-1} and R{sub i-1}. We apply this technique to six well-known potential functions and compare these results with those obtained from other well-known procedures. 25 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.
Eustachian tube function and allergy in otitis media.

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is one of the most common diseases of childhood. Acute OME is usually of the suppurative type, although it may be serous, while chronic OME has many synonyms, including "serous otitis media," "mucoid otitis," "nonsuppurative otitis media," "glue ear," and "allergic otitis media." The following discussion is a review of some of the factors that influence the etiology and pathogenesis of OME in general, and more specifically the role of Eustachian tube (ET) function and allergy in the disease process of OME. The pathogenesis of OME appears to be related to abnormal function of the ET. Investigation into the exact nature of this dysfunction requires an understanding of the system constituted by the palate, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, ET, middle ear, and mastoid air cells. Within this system the ET has at least three physiologic functions with respect to the middle ear: protection from nasopharyngeal sound pressure and secretions, clearance into the nasopharynx of secretions produced within the middle ear, and ventilation of the middle ear to equilibrate air pressure in the middle ear with atmospheric pressure and to replenish oxygen which has been absorbed (Fig. 1). ROENTGENOGRAPHIC STUDIES The protective and clearance functions of the ET have been assessed by a radiographic technique.1,2 Radiopaque material was instilled through the nose of patients in order to observe the retrograde flow of the medium from the nasopharynx into the ET. Patients were considered to have normal protective function when radiopaque material entered only the nasopharyngeal or isthmic portion of the tube but did not enter the bony portion of the tube or middle ear cavity.
Finite-Element Panel Flutter in Three-Dimensional Supersonic Unsteady Potential Flow

A finite-element formulation and solution procedure are developed for flutter prediction of rectangular panels with one surface exposed to three-dimensi onal supersonic unsteady potential flow. Each element is divided into several Mach boxes. The aerodynamic influence coefficients between each pair of sending and receiving boxes are computed by the method of Gaussian quadrature. The aerodynamic matrix is based on the numerically computed velocity potentials for all boxes. The effect of in-plane force is included. This development is particularly useful in the low supersonic range for panels with chord-span ratio less than about one, where the piston theory does not give satisfactory accuracy. Examples are demonstrated by using the 16 d.o.f. rectangular plate element. Results for flutter boundaries for the unstressed panels agree well with an alternative Galerkin's modal solution. The examples demonstrate that flutter boundaries are dominated by higher modes for panels with higher chord-span ratio. They also demonstrate that the dominating flutter boundaries abruptly change modes as the Mach number is varied. The beneficial effect of in-plane tension is demonstrated.
Political Manhood: Red Bloods, Mollycoddles, and the Politics of Progressive Era Reform – By Kevin P. Murphy

Historians have offered numerous explanations for the Progressive Era reform impulse. In this book, the author presents a startlingly fresh interpretation based on three decades of work in men's st...
The international workshop on meibomian gland dysfunction: introduction.

There are rare occasions in a field of science when significant advances occur in leaps and bounds, rather than in small, deliberate steps. This moment is imminent in the field of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)—and therefore in dry eye disease. The goals of the International Workshop on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction were twofold: first, to develop a consensus understanding of the meibomian gland in health and disease; second, to disseminate the knowledge broadly to further the field.
Male-Male Clasping May Be Part of an Alternative Reproductive Tactic in Xenopus laevis

Male Xenopus laevis frogs have been observed to clasp other males in a sustained, amplectant position, the purpose of which is unknown. We examined three possible hypotheses for this counter-intuitive behavior: 1) clasping males fail to discriminate the sex of the frogs they clasp; 2) male-male clasping is an aggressive or dominant behavior; or 3) that males clasp other males to gain proximity to breeding events and possibly engage in sperm competition. Our data, gathered through a series of behavioral experiments in the laboratory, refute the first two hypotheses. We found that males did not clasp indiscriminately, but showed a sex preference, with most males preferentially clasping a female, but a proportion preferentially clasping another male. Males that clasped another male when there was no female present were less likely to “win” reproductive access in a male-male-female triad, indicating that they did not establish dominance through clasping. However, those males did gain proximity to oviposition by continued male-male clasping in the presence of the female. Thus, our findings are consistent with, but cannot confirm, the third hypothesis of male-male clasping as an alternative reproductive tactic.
Plasma formation in the intense pulsed neutron source (IPNS) rapid cycling synchrotron (RCS)

Summary form only given. The intense pulsed neutron source (IPNS) rapid cycling synchrotron (RCS) accelerates a single bunch of 3times10 12 protons from 50 to 450 MeV, 30 times per second. The acceleration period from injection to extraction is approximately 14 ms. Peak beam current near extraction is 10 Amps. Typically, the average background gas density in the synchrotron vacuum vessel is two orders of magnitude greater than the average beam density. The cross section for ionization in the background gas (mainly nitrogen and water vapor), especially near injection energy, is large enough such that the DC beam neutralization time, taun=(nglangsigmavrang)-1 is approximately 0.5 ms. Some positive ions are ejected from the beam path by the positive space charge of the bunched beam; however, simulation shows that ionization of the background gas leads to a buildup of ions in the beam path. Many electrons are present to neutralize the positive background space charge leading to plasma formation. Confinement time is enhanced in the combined-function dipole magnets in the synchrotron. The magnet region occupies just over one-half of the beam path within the RCS. The consequence of plasma formation on beam properties such as focusing and damping is explored
The Notch Sensitivity of Boron Film Reinforced Composites

The notch sensitivity of boron film (B/PI) reinforced graphite fiber composites was compared to the behavior of fiber-only material by means of uniaxial tests on tensile coupons with two sizes of holes (.052 and .104 in.) drilled at midgage length, and on undrilled control coupons. The re sults indicated that B/PI additions to graphite fiber laminates reduced the notch sensitivity, while at the same time substantially raising both the tensile strength and the work-to-fracture of the material.
Treatment of ion–atom collisions using a partial-wave expansion of the projectile wavefunction

We present calculations of ion–atom collisions using a partial-wave expansion of the projectile wavefunction. Most calculations of ion–atom collisions have typically used classical or plane-wave approximations for the projectile wavefunction, since partial-wave expansions are expected to require prohibitively large numbers of terms to converge scattering quantities. Here we show that such calculations are possible using modern high-performance computing. We demonstrate the utility of our method by examining elastic scattering of protons by hydrogen and helium atoms, problems familiar to undergraduate students of atomic scattering. Application to ionization of helium using partial-wave expansions of the projectile wavefunction, which has long been desirable in heavy-ion collision physics, is thus quite feasible.
SOME MOTIVATIONAL ASPECTS OF IMAGERY MNEMONICS

A great amount of research has been conducted on the cognitive aspects of mnemonics. The present research began the exploration of some motivational aspects of mnemonics—factors that can affect how much people might want to use mnemonics. College students used the rhyming Peg mnemonic to learn 12 sayings (e.g., Curiosity killed the cat), or used the Link mnemonic to learn 22 errands (e.g., get a haircut). Under some conditions the mnemonic students rated the two tasks as being less difficult and requiring less effort than did control students. They also rated the tasks as being more interesting and more enjoyable than did control students. The results suggest that mnemonics do have potential motivational properties that may be worth investigating further.
trans-Acetyl­dicarbon­yl(η5-cyclo­penta­dien­yl)[tris­(furan-2-yl)phosphane-κP]molybdenum(II)

The title compound, [Mo(C5H5)(C2H3O)(C12H9O3P)(CO)2], was prepared by reaction of [Mo(C5H5)(CO)3(CH3)] with tris­(furan-2-yl)phosphane. The MoII atom exhibits a four-legged piano-stool coordination geometry with the acetyl and phosphine ligands trans to each other. The O atom of the acetyl ligand points down, away from the Cp ring. In the crystal, mol­ecules form centrosymmetrical dimers via π–π inter­actions between furyl rings [the centroid–centroid distance is 3.396 (4) A]. The dimers are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into layers parallel to (100).
Organization and physical properties of the giant extracellular homoglobin of the clam, Astarte castanea

Abstract The heterodont clam Astarte castanea has a large extracellular hemoglobin. The native protein appears in the electron microscope as a rod 20–100 nm long and 20–30 nm wide, and has an apparent molecular weight of 8·10 6 by gel chromatography. These molecules are somewhat heterogeneous in sedimentation velocity, with a mean s 20,w of about 110 S. The native protein has high affinity for O 2 ( p 50 = 7.1 mmHg at pH 8, decreasing to 4.5 mmHg at pH 8.5), but lacks cooperativity. It is similar in amino acid composition to the hemoglobin of Cardita borealis , a clam in a separate taxonomic family. The native protein dissociates into a single protomer when the pH is raised above 9 in the absence of Ca 2+ . After purification by gel filtration, sedimentation equilibrium gives an estimate of 335 000 for the protomer molecular weight. The protomer has s 20,w 0 = 11.3 S and [ η ] = 6.87 cm 3 / g ; these values indicate a somewhat asymmetric molecular structure. The protomer is not broken down to a smaller entity by boiling in SDS and β-mercaptoethanol; the molecular weight by SDS-gel electrophoresis is approx. 290 000. By raising the pH and/or removing Ca 2+ , intermediates in the disassembly of the native (110 S) protein can he obtained. These have sedimentation coefficients of about 30 S and 15 S. The former is a heterogeneous mixture; the latter is homogeneous in sedimentation, and probably corresponds to a dimer of the protomer. Digestion of protomers with subtilisin yields a series of heme-containing fragments at integral multiples of approximately 16 000 daltons. This suggests that the protomer is organized into a linear sequence of about 20 heme domains.
Identification of Catostomid Larvae in Pyramid Lake and the Truckee River, Nevada

Abstract As adults, mountain suckers Catostomus platyrhynchus inhabit the Truckee River, Tahoe suckers Catostomus tahoensis both the river and Pyramid Lake, and the endangered cui-ui Chasmistes cujus the lake only, except during the spawning season. All spawn in the river and under certain conditions the latter two species also spawn in the lake. Diagnostic characters useful in identifying most larvae and early juveniles include differences in pigmentation, size at the onset of specific developmental events, and gut and mouth morphologies. Fin-ray counts, myomere counts, and morphometric characters are very similar and of little diagnostic value. Based on these criteria, larvae of the cui-ui were identified in Pyramid Lake collections, and larvae and juveniles of the mountain and Tahoe suckers were identified in both lake and river collections.
Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanone. Synthesis, thermal chemistry, and photochemistry

Synthese du compose du titre par ozonolyse du phenyl-2 bicyclo [1.1.1] pentanol-2. La pyrolyse conduit par cycloreversion a l'allylcetene. La photolyse conduit par decarboxylation au bicyclobutane
Species diversity : prey refuges modify the interactive effects of predation and competition

Abstract We explore the effects of interactive variation in predation, interspecific competition, and the availability of absolute, spatial prey refuges on the local diversity of a sessile prey assemblage potentially competing for space. Prey diversity responds to increasing predation intensity in a characteristic pattern, called a “prey-diversity response.” Previous theoretical and empirical studies have demonstrated three prey-diversity responses: negative, unimodal, and bimodal. Using simple simulations involving two to five prey species, we examine four scenarios: (1) Given a negative response in a simple habitat, such that diversity only decreases as predation intensity increases, increasing the proportion of the habitat that is safe from predation should result in a gradual flattening of the negatively sloped diversity-response curve. (2) Given a unimodal prey-diversity response where the dominant competitor persists over most predation intensities, such that diversity initially increases and subsequently decreases as predation increases from zero, the effects of refuges are more complex. As the proportion of prey-refuge space increases at low predation intensities, prey diversity should decrease monotonically. However, at high predation intensities, prey diversity should initially increase and subsequently decrease as refuge space increases. Consequently, the shape of the prey diversity-response curve should change progressively from a unimodal function, with the peak shifting to the right, to a monotonically increasing function which gradually flattens. (3) Given a system where the dominant is extirpated at low predation intensity, but a unimodal prey-diversity response occurs nonetheless, increasing refuge space should result in diversity initially increasing and subsequently decreasing at most predation intensities. In this case, the position of the peak of the unimodal curve should not shift along the abscissa. (4) Combining the previous two patterns, prey refuges can transform a bimodal response into a unimodal response. Although no explicit tests if these models are currently available, data from three published experimental studies of sessile marine benthos are consistent with some of these predictions.
TIME-CONSISTENT PRESSURE RELAXATION PROCEDURE FOR COMPRESSIBLE REDUCED NAVIER-STOKES EQUATIONS

A time-consistent global pressure relaxation procedure for the unsteady, compressible, reduced Navier-Stokes equations is presented. The shock-capturing capability of the procedure is investigated with different forms of pressure gradient splitting. An efficient conservative method for capturing shocks is detailed. The transient behaviour of laminar, high Reynolds number, low subsonic flow past a sine-wave airfoil geometry is analysed using the new reduced Navier-Stokes based algorithm. These solutions are compared with steady and unsteady results previously obtained with a modified interacting boundary-layer procedure. The strong influence of grid refinement and the type of differencing of the streamwise convection term on the existence or stability of separated laminar solutions is reaffirmed. More stable turbulent flow results are also presented. Finally, an unsteady solution for the flow past a finite flat plate at incidence is described in order to demonstrate the time accuracy of the algorithm.
Facile growth factor immobilization platform based on engineered phage matrices

Immobilized growth factors on tissue matrices play a critical role in controlling cell growth processes and cell morphology. We report a strategy for immobilizing growth factors on genetically engineered phage matrices for tissue regeneration. We modified M13 phages to express biotin-like peptides (HPQ) and/or integrin binding peptides (RGD) on their major and minor coat proteins. The resulting phages formed nanofibrous matrices that could easily immobilize growth factors FGFb and NGF. We demonstrated the synergistic roles of the growth factors and integrin binding peptides in controlling cell morphologies and growth. Our phage matrices, which can be easily functionalized with various ligands and growth factors, can be used as a convenient test bed for investigating the functions of various biochemical stimulants of numerous cell types.
An Evaluation of the Use of X-ray Residual Stress Determination as a Means of Characterizing Oxidation Damage of Nickel-Based, Cr2O3-Forming Superalloys Subjected to Various Oxidizing Conditions

The use of X-ray residual stress determination as a technique for evaluating the damage incurred by nickel-based, Cr2O3-forming superalloy materials under various service conditions (isothermal heating, thermal cycling, applied stress, stressed and cycled) was investigated. Large and small compressive residual stresses were observed for the oxides and the near surface substrates, respectively. It was expected that the applied stresses and thermal cycling would cause an enhanced degree of oxidation damage that would translate into appreciable differences in residual stress values. Differences in the magnitude of residual stress values were not appreciable condition-to-condition, however. An increase in the severity of the oxidizing conditions in the form of longer oxidation times, higher oxidizing temperatures, and a much greater frequency of thermal cycling is suggested for future studies.
Multiple primary tumours in women following breast cancer, 1973-2000.

We investigated the predictors of the risk of developing a second primary cancer after breast cancer, this occurring in about 12% of affected women. The analysis included 335 191 females, registered in the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Observed numbers of subsequent cancers in the SEER database with a first breast cancer diagnosed from 1973 to 2000 were compared with the expected numbers based on age-adjusted incidence rates to calculate standardised incidence ratios. Kaplan–Meier curves were conducted to determine the median time until the second primary cancer diagnosis. Average number of years until diagnosis varied by site and by age as well as median years until second cancer diagnosis. Most cancer risks decreased with age, but there was an increase in aging-related cancers such as lung cancer. The median years of follow-up were well beyond the 5-year mark. Breast cancer survivors should be advised of their increased risk for developing certain cancers in their lifetime.
The exterior algebra for Wiemann manifolds

Abstract We discuss the theory of infinite-dimensional manifolds from the point of view of establishing a widely applicable framework for generalization of the finite-dimensional Hodge theory. The principal result is the development of an exterior algebra based on a weakened definition of differentiation, so that “ C ∞ ” partitions of unity are available for paracompact manifolds modelled on arbitrary real separable Banach spaces. We prove a Poincare lemma for our new notion of exterior differentiation, and go on to discuss the relationship of the exterior derivative with current research efforts toward the definition of an infinite-dimensional Laplace-Beltrami operator.
Assessing Phosphorus BMP Effectiveness in the Cannonsville Watershed Using SWAT2000

Assessing best management practice (BMP) effectiveness in large basins is complicated by hydrologic variability, ecosystem complexity, and issues of scaling. A traditional approach to assessing BMP effectiveness in large watersheds is to forecast several BMP scenarios and compare their performance relative to a baseline scenario. While this approach may provide insight into the effectiveness of future BMP scenarios, it does not quantify the impact of BMPs that have already been implemented. The authors propose that a continuous water quality model may be used as a pseudo-control watershed in order to determine BMP effectiveness in large catchments. Preliminary results using this approach suggest that agricultural BMPs have reduced dissolved phosphorus loads to the Cannonsville Reservoir in Upstate New York. Future work will involve the implementation of sophisticated analyses to confirm the statistical significance of reductions in dissolved phosphorus loads to the reservoir.
Microcomputer application diagnostic system for identification and evaluation of user satisfaction factors of purchasing software

Abstract The selection of a purchasing software (PS) system is a complicated process. The overall satisfaction derived from a system depends on many variables. This study analyzes the influence of PS predictor variables on overall satisfaction. This study confirms the theories that suggest that ease of operation, computer reliability, and technical support are the major determinants of overal computer user satisfaction. The factors identified were used in the design of a PS Microcomputer Diagnostic System.
Model Analysis of Response of Corn Silage to Applied Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium

Forage production is influenced by such factors as applied nutrients, water availability, and harvest interval (for perennials). Logistic models have been developed for response to single and multiple elements such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). This analysis focuses on response of corn (Zea mays L.) for silage to applied N, P, and K. The three elements were applied in fixed proportion in the field study, which presents particular challenge for parameter estimation. The multiple logistic model is shown to describe the data rather well. A step‐wise procedure is outlined for parameter evaluation. Dry matter yield showed greatest response to applied N, but plant K concentration was quite sensitive to applied K.
An upper limit to rotational cooling in superfluid helium

Abstract We present the results of a calculation and experiment which show that rotation of He II in packed powder will not produce a decrease in temperature greater than 2 × 10-5 ° K. This is in contrast to a recent prediction.
Preprotachykinin and preproenkephalin mRNA expression within striatal subregions in response to altered serotonin transmission

Abstract The effects of lowered serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) neurotransmission on preprotachykinin (PPT) and preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA levels were examined in subregions of the striatum. Adult male rats were treated systemically with para-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA; 350 mg/kg single i.p. injection) which reduced forebrain 5-HT amounts to approximately 20% of saline-injected controls at 24 and 48 h. As measured by Northern analysis, PPT and PPE mRNA levels were elevated 50% and 160% respectively in the anterior ventromedial striatum (region included nucleus accumbens). PPT mRNA levels were raised 90% in posterior striatum (at the level of the globus pallidus) by 48 h post-pCPA injection. To determine if increased PPT and PPE mRNA levels represented a transient response to brief 5-HT inhibition, additional experiments were performed to provide continual suppression of 5-HT within the striatum. First, rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of saline or the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT (1 mg/kg), for 7 days to reduce 5-HT release from raphestriatal terminals. In a parallel experiment, the serotonin neurotoxin, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT, 5 μg), was stereotaxically injected into the striatum as a means to permanently remove 5-HT terminals. Although levels of each mRNA species were differentially sensitive to 5,7-DHT or 8-OH-DPAT, PPT and PPE mRNAs were lowered between 30–55% within the anterior dorsolateral and ventromedial striatum. Although these results support previous studies suggesting an overall positive regulatory role of serotonin on striatal tachykinin biosynthesis, PPT and PPE gene regulation in certain striatal subregions may be differentially sensitive to lowered 5-HT neurotransmission. This suggestion is supported by observations that acute systemic stimulation of 5-HT2A/C receptors with DOI (7 mg/kg single i.p. injection) raised PPT and PPE mRNA levels within anterior dorsolateral (30–60%) and posterior (100–200%) striata, but not within the anterior ventromedial striatum.
Social marketing meets interactive media: lessons for the advertising community

Advertisers involved with social marketing are beginning to recognise the sea change that is coming due to the spread of interactive media usage throughout many subpopulations of interest. Unfortun...
Migration and household/family structure: Puerto Ricans in the United States.

The analyses in this research were intended to demonstrate the advantages of utilizing microdata from [U.S.] census sources for examining migration status and related household and family structures. By asking for the self-identification of ethnic origin in this case Spanish/Hispanic origin a census is able to trace not only first generation migrants by different durations of residence but also later generations. The flexibility afforded by microdata tape files enables [the authors] to further examine multilevel effects of migration and family patterns. In this present example the widespread nature of family instability among persons of Puerto Rican origin in the New York/New Jersey area has been noted. (summary in FRE SPA) (EXCERPT)
The relationship between anogenital distance and age.

In humans, recent studies have correlated anogenital distance (AGD) in adult men to intrinsic testicular function. Although rodent studies suggest that AGD is determined in utero and remains constant in adult life, it is not certain if AGD remains constant across a man's adult life. We sought to determine if adult male AGD varies based on age. A cross-sectional study of men being evaluated at a men's health clinic. Anogenital distance (the distance from the posterior aspect of the scrotum to the anal verge) and penile length (PL) were measured using digital callipers. anova and linear regression were used to determine correlations between AGD, fatherhood status and age. In all, 473 men were included in the analysis with a mean age of 43 ± 13 years. The mean AGD for the group was 39 ± 13 mm. Anogenital distance did not vary between age categories for the entire group, for fathers, and for childless men. Moreover, penile length also remained constant across age categories. On adjusted analyses stratified by fatherhood status, there was no relationship between AGDp and age. The current cross-sectional study demonstrates that anogenital distance, defined as the distance from the posterior scrotum to the anal verge, is similar for men of different ages. As such, AGD may provide a measure for genital development and function throughout adult life. However, confirmation with longitudinal studies is needed.
Prevalence of geographic tongue, fissured tongue, median rhomboid glossitis and hairy tongue among 3,611 Minnesota schoolchildren

Abstract The prevalence of four tongue conditions among 3,611 Minnesota school-children was determined and compared with the results of other surveys which were judged to be free of potentially important biases in sampling. Geographic tongue affected 1.41 per cent of the children. Analysis of this and other surveys indicates that the prevalence of this condition differs in no important respect according to age or sex, although the possibility that it may be significantly greater among the very young (2 to 3 years of age) needs exploration. Fissured tongue affected 1.08 per cent of the children, a somewhat lower prevalence than in other surveys. Age and sex differences were not significant. Three children were affected with both fissured and geographic tongue. Median rhomboid glossitis and hairy tongue were rare, affecting 0.14 and 0.06 per cent of the children, respectively. The occurrence of median rhomboid glossitis in young children is compatible with its supposed developmental etiology. Conversely, the extreme rarity of hairy tongue in ostensibly healthy children is compatible with the concept that it is frequently associated with adverse oral conditions resulting from systemic or oral disease.
The portal vein-variceal anastomosis: an important technique for establishing portal vein inflow.

Background Adequate portal vein inflow is critical to successful orthotopic liver transplantation. While an end-to-end donor to recipient portal vein anastomosis is fashioned in the majority of liver transplant recipients, approximately 2% of recipients will require a complex vascular reconstruction due to inadequate recipient portal vein inflow. In this series, we describe our experience with five patients in which porto-variceal anastomosis was used to treat extensive porto-mesenteric thrombosis. Methods Charts for patients who underwent liver transplantation from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2011, were reviewed for patients requiring porto-variceal anastomosis. Results Five patients had extensive porto-splenomesenteric thrombosis requiring utilization of a varix as portal inflow. An iliac vein graft was utilized in four patients, and a direct anastomosis was performed in one patient. The patient with the direct anastomosis required revision with the use of an iliac vein graft the following day. Follow-up imaging documented portal vein patency at a minimum of three months post-transplant. No patients suffered post-operative variceal hemorrhage and all five patients are alive with a functional primary graft at a median follow-up of 2.3 yr. Conclusions A porto-variceal anastomosis should be feasible in the majority of patients with extensive porto-mesenteric thrombosis with excellent durability.
The Role of Cross-Equatorial Tropical Cyclone Pairs in the Southern Oscillation

Abstract The locations and frequencies of cross-equatorial tropical cyclone pairs over the Pacific Ocean are compared between years of contrasting equatorial Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) and atmospheric circulation anomalies, i.e., high versus low Southern Oscillation (SO) indices, during the period 1971–79. Weak southeast trade winds associated with low SO indices allow warm (29°C) surface water in the equatorial (0–5°S) zone to extend eastward across the dateline, encouraging formation of cyclone pairs near the dateline. The cyclone pairs, in turn, provide the linkage between warm water and equatorial convection (as indicated by Canton Island rainfall) during southern summer. In general, the occurrences of cyclone pairs vary in longitude with the eastward excursions of warm equatorial water, furthermore, cyclone pairs appear to provide a positive feedback by advancing the eastward warm water extent. In 1974–75, when no cyclone pairs developed near the dateline in spite of sufficiently high SST'...
Applying fluorescence microscopy to the investigation of the behavior of foodborne pathogens on produce

In the past decade, the development of new tools to better visualize microbes at the cellular scale has spurred a renaissance in the application of microscopy to the study of bacteria in their natural environment. This renewed interest in microscopy may be largely attributable to the advent of the confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and to the discovery of the green fluorescent protein. This article provides information about the use of fluorescence microscopy combined with fluorescent labels such as GFP, DsRed, and DNA stains, with immunofluorescence, and with digital image analysis, to examine the behavior of bacteria and other microbes on plant surfaces. Some of the advantages and pitfalls of these methods will be described using practical examples derived from studies of the ecology of foodborne pathogens, namely Salmonella enterica and E. coli O157:H7, on fresh fruit and vegetables. Confocal microscopy has been a powerful approach to uncover some of the factors involved in the association of produce with epidemics caused by these human pathogens and their interaction with other microbes in their nonhost environment.
THE KINEMATICS OF AN ACTIVE ZONE DURING FATIGUE CRACK LAYER GROWTH IN POLYSTYRENE

An investigation of the kinematics of an active zone (or process zone) evolution in polystyrene during fatigue fracture is reported. Experiments were conducted on tension-tension singleedge-notched specimens of 0.25 mm thickness. Craze characterization was carried out on thinned sections of the active zone at six consecutive configurations. Analysis consisted of quantitative comparison of ratios of the inertia moments of the active zone at consecutive configurations. The results indicate that for the particular loading history considered, damage evolution can be approximated by a linear transformation of the space variables. The fracture process can be described by the translation and deformation of the active zone. Consequently, the corresponding energy release rates can be expressed by the J 1, M and N ij integrals. The results of this analysis agree with the kinematics proposed by the crack layer model.