cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for neonatal sepsis

Objective To determine the associations between maternal characteristics, intrapartum events, and neonatal sepsis by multivariate analysis. Methods We enrolled 823 women from a high-risk population and analyzed maternal and neonatal demographic and outcome variables with univariate analysis and multivariate logistic modeling. Results Two-hundred sixteen women (26%) were colonized with group B streptococci, 82 (10%) developed chorioamnionitis, and 141 (17%) delivered prematurely. Culture-proven neonatal sepsis or meningitis was found in 15 of 833 (1.8%) neonates, and 101 of the remaining 818 (12.3%) infants were suspected to have sepsis or pneumonia. Multivariate analysis of risk factors for proven neonatal sepsis demonstrated a statistically significant association with decreasing gestational age, duration of internal monitoring for more than 12 hours (odds ratio [OR] 7.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-32.2), maternal group B streptococcal infection (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.4-13.1), chorioamnionitis (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.2-16.1), and endometritis (OR 6.4, 95% CI 1.2-34.2). Conclusion Through the use of multivariate modeling, we determined that chorioamnionitis or endometritis, preterm delivery, group B streptococcal colonization, and a prolonged duration of internal monitoring are independent risk factors for neonatal sepsis. We postulate that the presence of a foreign body that traverses the birth canal may facilitate ascending peripartal infection.
Alfalfa nodulation and growth on soil from a raw septage land application site

Abstract Sewage disposal is a serious problem for many communities. Land application is the most economical disposal method, but concerns exist about the effects of sewage on public health, water quality, and agricultural crops. This study was done to determine if long‐term, raw septage application to alfalfa cropland affected alfalfa nodulation and growth. Seedlings grown for 6 weeks in the greenhouse were 96.2% nodulated in the control and 100% in all other treatments on the soil receiving septage, indicating that a large native population of rhizobia existed in that soil even though its pH was 5.7. Only 3.8 and 1.4% of the plants grown on the soil not receiving septage were nodulated in the uninoculated control and in the inoculated treatment plus 55 kg N‐1 ha respectively. Simple inoculation and inoculation plus lime pelleting of seed increased nodulation to 68.5 and 62.4%, respectively, on the nonseptage‐soil (pH 5.4). Plant shoot and root weights were consistently higher on the soil with septage, co...
Influence of ovarian stage on transcript profiles in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) ovary tissue

Interpretation of toxicogenomic experiments conducted with ovary tissue from asynchronous-spawning small fish species is complicated by background variation in the relative abundance and proportion of follicles at different stages within the ovary tissue sample. This study employed both real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and a 15,000 gene oligonucleotide microarray to examine variation in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) ovarian transcriptional profile as a function of quantitative and qualitative differences in ovarian histology. The objectives were to provide data that could potentially aid interpretation of future toxicogenomics experiments, identify putative stage-related transcriptional markers, and generate insights into basic biological regulation of asynchronous oocyte development. Multiple lines of evidence from the present study indicate that variation in the transcriptional profile is primarily dependent on the relative abundance of previtellogenic versus vitellogenic follicles in the ovary. Due to the relatively small proportions of mature ovulated follicles or atretic follicles in the overall follicle population, few potential transcriptional markers of maturation, ovulation, or atresia could be identified. However, among the 460 differentially expressed genes identified in the present study, several targets, including HtrA serine peptidase 3 (htra3), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (timp3), aquaporin 8 (aqp8), transgelin 2 like (tagln2), Nedd4 family interacting protein 2 (ndfip2), chemokine ligand 12a (cxcl12a), midkine-related growth factor (mdka), and jagged 1b (jag 1b) exhibited responses and functional properties that support them as candidate molecular markers of significant shift in gross ovarian stage. Genes associated with a diversity of functions including cellular development, morphogenesis, coated vesicle transport, sexual reproduction, and neuron development, among others, were statistically enriched within the list of 460 genes differentially expressed among different ovarian classes. Overall, results of this study provide insights into background variation in ovary transcript profiles that should aid and enhance the interpretation of toxicogenomic data generated in experiments conducted with small, asynchronous-spawning fish species.
The professional Competencies Movement and Special Education

The teacher competencies movement in Australia is part of the larger national movement which is concerned about competencies statements for all trades and professions. Special educators are not exempt so that professional competencies statements or lists either are, or will be, developed for this profession. In the formulation process several issues and challenges will need to be addressed: the definition of the term “competencies”; the question of generic versus lists re specific disabilities; the purpose(s) of these lists; their dangers and benefits. We would do well to consider these issues now. We should also consider whether such lists or statements can encapsulate the essence of what good special education teaching is about.
Placement of dosimeters and radiation-sensitive indicators

Abstract For radiation processing of food or the sterilization of medical products and whenever government regulations are involved, it is extremely important that proper dosimetry be performed using calibrated dosimeters and internationally accepted procedures. Unfortunately, there is often a desire to place dosimeters on every box or package so that an inspector can verify that the proper treatment has been achieved. This is not practical, however, and in fact, having a dosimeter on each package may provide misleading results. The use of radiation-sensitive indicators is also discouraged because they do not have the reproducibility or the insensitivity to environmental conditions required of real dosimeters to verify absorbed dose. Therefore they only show when the product has received some radiation.
Radar Observations of the Corona and Mariner II Measurements of the Flux in the Solar Wind

Radar observations of the corona can be used with a specified model of the corona to derive the particle flux in the solar wind at Earth. The most plausible model considered gives good agreement with the results obtained directly by the Mariner II plasma probe.
Dialogical Masculinities: Diverse Youth Resisting Dominant Masculinity

The meaning of the construct “masculinity” differs culturally and changes over time. Although cultural constructions of the phenomenon change, at any given time hegemonic pressures promote participants’ compliance to masculinity norms. This hegemonic process often results in the underlying assumptions that masculinity is an essentialized unitary phenomenon and that conforming to cultural requisites is adaptive and healthy. In the field of psychology, past research investigating resistance to this hegemony and diverse constructions of masculinities categorized resistance as pathological and problematic. More recently, researchers have turned their attention to ways in which conforming to dominant hegemonic masculinity norms can be problematic and maladaptive, allowing for an understanding of the adaptive qualities that come with resisting and negotiating with hegemony. Specifically, there has been an interest in understanding diverse discourse constructions as sources of resistance to hegemonic masculinity...
High-sensitivity FM spectroscopy with a lead-salt diode laser

We report the demonstration of near-quantum-noise-limited sensitivity with a lead-salt diode laser using FM spectroscopy and high-speed sweep integration. Using both single-tone and two-tone techniques, we demonstrated an absorption sensitivity of ~2 × 10−7 in a 2.44-Hz bandwidth from a Doppler-broadened NO line at 1856.5 cm−1. The sensitivity in our experiments was limited by laser excess noise, which was about four times the expected quantum-noise level.
Trazodone and triazolam: acute subject-rated and performance-impairing effects in healthy volunteers.

The present study compared the acute subject-rated and performance-impairing effects of trazodone and triazolam in seven healthy humans. Trazodone (50, 100 and 200 mg), triazolam (0.125, 0.25, 0.50 mg) and placebo were administered orally in a double-blind, crossover design. Drug effects were measured approximately 30 min before drug administration and repeatedly afterwards for 6 h. Trazodone and triazolam produced dose-related increases in subject-ratings of drug effect and sedation. The absolute magnitude of trazodone”s and triazolam”s effects was comparable across these measures, which suggests the doses tested were equivalent on some behavioral dimension. By contrast, triazolam, but not trazodone, increased subject ratings of “dizzy”, “excited”, “nervous”, “restless”, “stomach turning” and “itchy skin”. Triazolam, but not trazodone, significantly impaired learning, recall and performance. The present findings suggest trazodone may be a viable alternative to benzodiazepine hypnotics like triazolam, especially when needing to minimize drug-induced impairment. Future research could extend the present findings by replicating them in a clinically relevant population such as individuals with histories of drug abuse.
TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF DICHLORODIFLUOROMETHANE IN THE TEMPERATURE RANGE OF 280-450 K

Abstract Thermal conductivity of research grade pure dichlorodifluoromethane is measured in the temperature range 280-450 K employing the thermal conductivity column method. These data are compared with the most probable recommended values based on several data sets which scatter appreciably from each other. The molecular kinetic theory in conjunction with the Lennard-Jones (12-6) potential is employed to predict all the three transport properties of this gas. The inter-relations between the kinetic theory expressions for the viscosity and diffusion coefficients, which are essentially independent of the choice of intermolecular potential, are also used to predict these two properties.
SU-HH-AUD C-07: Classification of Breast Carcinoma Subtypes Using Computer-Extracted Morphological and Kinetic Features in DCE-MRI

Purpose: To assess the performance of computer‐extracted morphological and kinetic features in differentiating different types of breast lesions, specifically ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), in DCE‐MRI. Method and Materials: Breast MR images were obtained with a T1‐weighted SPGR sequence using Gd‐DTPA on a 1.5T GEMRI scanner. Each case has one precontrast and five postcontrast series at intervals of 68 seconds, and each series contains 60 coronal slices. The database contains 83 benign breast lesions and 98 malignant breast lesions including 24 DCIS, 32 IDC, 18 combined DCIS/IDC, 10 invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and 14 non‐categorizable lesions. All lesions were verified pathologically. Only pure DCIS and IDC lesions were used. Each lesion was segmented and its characteristic kinetic curve was extracted using the fuzzy c‐means method. Twenty‐nine features including textural, morphological, kinetic, and variance kinetic features were extracted and stepwise linear discriminant analysis using a Wilks lambda cost function was used for feature selection. The selected features were merged using round‐robin Bayesianneural network and the classification performance was evaluated using receiver‐operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Results: Distinguishing DCIS lesions from IDC lesions using selected features gave an AUC value of 0.95. AUC values of 0.85 and 0.87 were obtained in differentiating between DCIS and benign lesions, and between IDC and benign lesions with merged features, respectively. Conclusion: Computer‐aided diagnosis for breast MRI can be extended from malignant vs. benign classification to distinguishing different subcategories of breast carcinomas, in particular DCIS and IDC.
SHIFTS IN CELL-TYPE EXPRESSION ACCOMPANY A DIMINISHING ROLE OF SPINAL P38-MAPKINASE ACTIVATION OVER TIME DURING PROLONGED POSTOPERATIVE PAIN

BACKGROUND Surgery often causes prolonged post-operative pain for which the mechanisms are unknown. Here we investigate the role of p38, a pain-associated Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase, in induction and maintenance of such pain.
Particulate Matter Soiling of Exterior Paints at a Rural Site

A soiling study was performed at an air monitoring site operated by the Research Triangle Institute in the relatively rural environmental conditions within Research Triangle Park, N.C. The study was designed to determine how various environmental factors contribute to the rate of soiling of white painted surfaces. Significant factors that were monitored were hourly rainfall and wind speed, and weekly data for dichotomous sampler measurements and total suspended matter concentrations. Gloss and flat white paints on hard-board were exposed vertically and horizontally, both protected and unprotected from rain for 16 wk. Measurements of exposed samples were taken at 2, 4, 8, and 16 wk. Reflectance was measured and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) stubs, which had been flush-mounted into the hardboard prior to painting, were removed at these times. Particle size distributions were determined by scanning electron microscopy. Major findings were: 1) reflectance change on sheltered surfaces was proportional to ...
Racial Differences in Mental Health Service Utilization Among Low-Income Women

The authors present data on mental health outpatient services in non-specialty settings in a sample of low-income women by exploring service use in the general medical sector, specialty mental health/substance services, the human service sector, and self-help groups. Findings are reported from 668 African American and White women in the Mothers' Well-Being Study (MWS). The MWS measured a range of psychiatric and substance dependence disorders using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, Version 2.1 (CIDI2.1). The MWS also gathered data regarding outpatient mental health service utilization. In the year preceding the study, 43.9% of the White respondents and 39.0% of the African American respondents had at least one of the mental health disorders measured in the MWS. There were no significant differences in the frequency of any of the disorders by race. However, White respondents with disorders received more treatment than African American women in the general medical sector. In the year prior to the interview, nearly a quarter (22.4%) of White women with any diagnosis received care in the general medical sector compared to only 9.1% of African American women. The racial disparity in mental health treatment in the general medical sector may indicate that African American low-income women are not receiving the same level of care as White women. The authors discuss the implications of this disparity and suggest ways of expanding access to care for African American women in the general medical setting.
Does High School Performance Predict College Math Placement

Predicting student success has long been a question of interest for postsecondary admission counselors throughout the United States. Past research has examined the validity of several methods designed for predicting undergraduate success. High school record, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and combinations of all three have historically been successful predictors. However, in recent years, standardized test scores have become less effective for placing students in lower level mathematics courses; placement exams such as Accuplacer® have taken their place, especially in community colleges where no standardized test scores are necessary for admissions. This paper comprises a literature review of past research devoted to predicting community college success. Various state high school graduation requirements were examined as well as the issues surrounding high school mathematics proficiency and its lack of connection to college readiness. Academic aptitude factors—gleaned from high schoo...
Image analysis for all.

The availability of user-friendly scientific image analysis software for the Macintosh II has made the application of digital imaging techniques both practical and cost-effective in many areas of research.
Fingerprint Readers: Vulnerabilities to Front- and Back- end Attacks

Fingerprints, one of the most common biometrics used for security today, face unique challenges for acceptance, not the least of which is the threat of permanent identity theft. The concept of stealing fingerprints for replay attacks is a popular one and has been validated as a realistic vulnerability. The technology used for sensors and fingerprint processing has matured but vulnerabilities still persist as described in this paper. Matsumoto's 80% success rate for replay attacks may not be as achievable today but his methodology can still bypass modern fingerprint sensor technology. Additionally, the ever-present risk of insecure software poses just as much of a risk. This paper addresses the maturity of modern fingerprint sensors and their resilience to both front-and back-end biometric attacks.
Microwave Double-Photon Transitions in C D 3 CN and P F 3

The microwave double-photon transitions $J=3\ensuremath{\twoheadleftarrow}2$ and $J=2\ensuremath{\twoheadleftarrow}0$ have been observed for the symmetric-top molecules C${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$CN and P${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$ using high-power microwave double resonance. The pumping of the $J=2\ensuremath{\twoheadleftarrow}0$ transition of C${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$CN was so efficient in the low-pressure region that a negative temperature was established between the $J=1$ and the $J=0$ levels, and induced emission $J=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ was observed. The pressure variation of the efficiency of the double-photon pumping agreed quantitiatively with theoretical values calculated using the G\"oppert-Mayer formula for the relevant dipole matrix element and Karplus and Schwinger's formula for saturation. The experiment provides interesting information on collision-induced transitions in C${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$CN.
A factor analysis of chronic fatigue symptoms in a community-based sample.

Background This study examined characteristics of fatigue in individuals with chronic fatigue from a community-based study. Most studies of chronic fatigue have been based on patients recruited from primary or tertiary care settings. Samples such as these might not be representative of patients within the general population. The purpose of this study was to determine the factor structure of participants' symptoms in a random community sample of individuals with chronic fatigue. Method A random sample of 18,675 respondents in Chicago received a brief telephone questionnaire designed to identify individuals with chronic fatigue. A group of 780 (4.2 %) with chronic fatigue received further interview via telephone questionnaire involving characteristics of their fatigue. The analyses for this study were based on those people identified with having chronic fatigue. A factor analysis was conducted on responses to questionnaire items, and a four-factor solution emerged. Mean factor scores were derived and analyzed in relation to sociodemographic characteristics and sample subgroups. Results The four factors were labeled: Lack of Energy, Physical Exertion, Cognitive Functioning, and Fatigue and Rest. Conclusions Results indicated that individuals with chronic fatigue have symptoms that can be differentiated into theoretically distinct factors.
Urban Middle-School Students' Attitudes Toward a Defined Science

Recent studies have shown that urban students and students of color have exceptionally negative attitudes toward school science and their futures in that field as compared with white students and nonurban students. In this paper we summarize research findings on students' attitudes toward science. We note that most of the studies of students' attitudes toward science that have been conducted so far have measured students' attitudes against the backdrop of a “generalized science.” Thus, we develop a detailed argument for why science needs to be more clearly defined in attitude instruments. We report on our development of this instrument as well as our initial findings. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed88:197–222, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/sce.10110
Attacking the flu: neutralizing antibodies may lead to 'universal' vaccine.

Flu remains a major killer because of imperfect vaccines and widespread resistance to existing antivirals—problems particularly acute during a pandemic. New findings at the bedside and at the bench could lead to improvements on both fronts. Grace Chen and Kanta Subbarao discuss the implications of research identifying human antibodies than can neutralize a range of viral subtypes. The findings may help lead to a 'universal' vaccine against these diverse and rapidly evolving viruses. Estanislao Nistal-Villan and Adolfo Garcia-Sastre examine two recent studies that reveal the crystal structure of a promising viral drug target, the unique endonuclease domain of the viral polymerase. The findings open the door to the rational design of new influenza virus inhibitors.
Tidal asymmetry and residual circulation over linear sandbanks and their implication on sediment transport: A process‐oriented numerical study

Received 12 January 2007; revised 24 July 2007; accepted 17 September 2007; published 22 December 2007. [1] A series of process-oriented numerical simulations is carried out in order to evaluate the relative role of locally generated residual flow and overtides on net sediment transport over linear sandbanks. The idealized bathymetry and forcing are similar to those present in the Norfolk Sandbanks, North Sea. The importance of bottom drag parameterization and bank orientation with respect to the ambient flow is examined in terms of residual flow and overtide generation, and subsequent sediment transport implications are discussed. The results show that although the magnitudes of residual flow and overtides are sensitive to bottom roughness parameterization and bank orientation, the magnitude of the generated residual flow is always larger than that of the locally generated overtides. Also, net sediment transport is always dominated by the nonlinear interaction of the residual flow and the semidiurnal tidal currents, although cross-bank sediment transport can occur even in the absence of a cross-shore residual flow. On the other hand, net sediment divergence/convergence increases as the bottom drag decreases and as bank orientation increases. The sediment erosion/deposition is not symmetric about the crest of the bank, suggesting that originally symmetric banks would have the tendency to become asymmetric.
Identifiablity under approximation for an elliptic boundary value problem

Necessary and sufficient conditions for identifiability of the diffusion coefficient in Galerkin approximations to a two point boundary value problem are derived for various choices of Galerkin subspaces. The results are further used to investigate output least squares identifiability and output least squares stability of the diffusion coefficient.
Quantitative measurements of coal solubilization by fungi

A quantitative method for measurement of coal solubilization by fungi is described. The method was applied to comparative assays of lignite solubilization by four fungal strains isolated from weathered coal outcrops.
What Does Political Development Mean in Africa

There is disagreement among analysts about political development in Africa. Debate over the meaning of political development is not confined to those concerned with Africa, of course. Once the question, What does political development mean? is reformulated as, What do we mean by political development? there is no dearth of people willing to provide definitions and to free us from value-laden concepts.1 The lack of consensus on definitions is neither more nor less profound among those who study African politics than among those who concentrate their inquiry elsewhere, and the major ingredients of dispute are present in both groups in approximately the same mixture.
Correlates of Loneliness among Widows Bereaved in a Mining Disaster

From interviews with 44 widows of victims of the 1972 Sunshine Mine disaster (Idaho) and comparison samples of wives of survivors of the fire and of miners employed in other mines two types of lone...
P1B-1 Optimization of Power Distributions Produced by Ultrasound Phased Arrays through Waveform Diversity

The objective of hyperthermia cancer therapy is to elevate the tumor temperature to approximately 43degC while maintaining normal temperature in healthy tissue. This goal can be achieved through a waveform diversity method that optimizes the covariance matrix of the excitation signals applied to array elements. This paper presents the computer simulation of a cylindrical section ultrasound phased array using the waveform diversity method to heat a spherical tumor embedded in a 3D biological tissue model. With this hearing strategy, optimal excitation sequences are obtained and desirable power depositions and temperature distributions are achieved.
Exploring Masquerade Dress at Trinidad Carnival: Bikinis, Beads, and Feathers and the Emergence of the Popular Pretty Mas

Over the past several decades, there has been a considerable shift in the form of masquerade costumes worn during Trinidad Carnival. With the growing popularity of Carnival, there are increasing concerns about whether the modern style of costume will lead to the disappearance of Carnival s traditional meanings. This study employs an ethnographic methodology to understand dress at Carnival in the context of a 21st century global society. Data collection took place in Trinidad during the Carnival season and employed the methods of participant observation, depth interviews, and photographic documentation. Data were analyzed for emergent themes, and an interpretation of the significance of changes in masquerade costume for understanding Carnival was developed. Further research on the role of the dressed body at Trinidad Carnival is needed to fully examine the power of dress to define Carnival and shed more light on its importance.
Symbol for the nonsyllabic postvocalic R of general American: An essay in phonetic methodology

(1950). Symbol for the nonsyllabic postvocalic R of general American: An essay in phonetic methodology. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 189-201.
Pathophysiology of chronic venous insufficiency in adults with a Fontan circulation (a pre-defined substudy of the CALF investigation)

Abstract Objectives To investigate the pathophysiology of chronic venous insufficiency in adults with a Fontan circulation. Background Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is prevalent in adults with a Fontan circulation, however the underlying pathophysiology has not been identified. We defined the prevalence of venous reflux and obstruction in a Fontan population, identified associated factors, and assessed the hypothesis that venous reflux correlates with clinical CVI in adults with a Fontan circulation. Methods Fifty-one adult Fontan subjects from the Congenital Heart Disease in Adults: Lower Extremity Systemic Venous Health in Fontan Patients (CALF) study, ten control subjects without cardiac disease, and ten comparator subjects with repaired tetralogy of Fallot underwent lower extremity Doppler venous ultrasound. We investigated 10 venous segments in each subject for venous obstruction and reflux. Results The prevalence of venous reflux was significantly greater in the Fontan population compared to healthy controls (51% vs. 10%, p=0.03). Venous flow patterns demonstrated a range of pulsatility and biphasic flow in many subjects. There was no evidence of venous obstruction in any subject. Venous reflux did not correlate with clinical venous insufficiency; 49% of Fontan subjects with observed venous reflux demonstrated no clinical signs of venous disease. Predictors of venous reflux in multivariate analysis were single right ventricle (p=0.03), use of anti-arrhythmic medications (p=0.04), and family history of venous disease (p=0.003). Conclusions Venous reflux is highly prevalent and venous obstruction is absent in adults with a Fontan circulation. Clinical CVI underestimates pathophysiologic venous insufficiency in adults with a Fontan circulation.
Interfacial Design of Silicon/Polypyrrole Junctions

Hydrogen-terminated silicon surfaces exposing a molecular film of covalently grafted pyrrole units were formed by a solution-phase reaction using the organolithium reagent 5-(N-pyrrolyl)pentyllithium. Electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole onto native hydrogen-terminated silicon surfaces and these chemically modified supports produced silicon/polypyrrole junctions that showed diode-like characteristics, with those formed on the latter substrate exhibiting higher current densities and better ideality factors. The presence of the grafted pyrrole films on silicon provided a better electrochemical control over the polymerization process and yielded smoother polypyrrole films than on the native hydrogen-terminated silicon supports. Impedance measurements revealed that the electrical improvements to the silicon/polypyrrole junctions were a consequence of incorporating sites on the silicon surface for direct contact between the conducting polymer and the semiconductor, as the barrier height of the junction appeared to be unaffected by the chemical modification.
An expert systems approach in engineering management

The development of a PC-based decision tool for the engineering manager to use in evaluating and selecting the computer-aided process planning (CAPP) system most appropriate for the manager's manufacturing environment is presented. This decision aid is being developed using an object-oriented expert system shell, and has the potential of being a valuable tool in acquiring this computer-aided engineering-and-manufacturing software. >
Numerical Equivalence of Advection in Flux and Advective Forms and Quadratically Conservative High-Order Advection Schemes

Abstract In finite-difference representations of the conservation equations, the flux form of the advection terms is often preferred to the advective form because of the immediate conservation of advected quantity. The scheme can be designed to further conserve higher-order moments, for example, the kinetic energy, which is important to the suppression of nonlinear instability. It is pointed out here that in most cases an advective form that is numerically equivalent to the flux form can be found, for schemes based on centered difference. This is also true for higher-order schemes and is not restricted to a particular grid type. An advection scheme that is fourth-order accurate in space for uniform advective flows is proposed that conserves both first and second moments of the advected variable in a nonhydrostatic framework. The role of the elastic correction term in addition to the pure flux term in compressible nonhydrostatic models is also discussed.
Effects of low-cycle fatigue on a 10-storey steel building

Following the Northridge Earthquake in 1994, the SAC project was initiated as a joint venture between Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC), Applied Technology Council (ATC), and Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake engineering (CUREe) to investigate the causes of widespread damage observed in the connections of steel moment frame buildings. The published results of these studies concentrated on local connection defects that potentially initiated the observed cracks. It was also considered that much of the observed connection damage was the result of yielding of the material in the connection region and the formation of plastic hinges. However, damage to some buildings could not be reconciled by the use of these failure mechanisms. This has led to a renewed interest in the effects of low-cycle fatigue on the members and connections in steel buildings that are either elastic or have been driven into the weakly nonlinear range. The current paper is focused on the effect of low-cycle fatigue in the connection damage observed in a 10-storey steel building following the Northridge Earthquake. A comprehensive fatigue analysis procedure is developed based on the Palmgren–Miner method and S–N curves established for the high-cycle fatigue range are extended to the low-cycle region using the limited test results that are available. Fatigue analysis is performed at critical locations of a representative moment frame using the established procedure. Finally, the pattern of cumulative fatigue at critical connections and the observed damage are compared. Results of this analytical study indicate that the effect of low-cycle fatigue may be significant in evaluating and predicting various types of connection damage similar to that observed in the steel moment frames following the Northridge Earthquake. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geometric filtering of pairwise atomic interactions applied to the design of efficient statistical potentials

Distance-dependent, pairwise, statistical potentials are based on the concept that the packing observed in known protein structures can be used as a reference for comparing different 3D models for a protein. Here, packing refers to the set of all pairs of atoms in the molecule. Among all methods developed to assess three-dimensional models, statistical potentials are subject both to praise for their power of discrimination, and to criticism for the weaknesses of their theoretical foundations. Classical derivations of pairwise potentials assume statistical independence of all pairs of atoms. This assumption, however, is not valid in general. We show that we can filter the list of all interactions in a protein to generate a much smaller subset of pairs that retains most of the structural information contained in proteins. The filter is based on a geometric method called alpha shapes that captures the packing in a conformation. Statistical scoring functions derived from such subsets perform as well as scoring functions derived from the set of all pairwise interactions.
Grid Resolution Study of a Drag Prediction Workshop Configuration Using the NSU3D Unstructured Mesh Solver

topologies near the trailing edge region, substantially dierent results are obtained. The results indicate that sensitivity to discretization errors is dominant over sensitivity to the particular modeling errors considered in this study, and that eects such as spanwise grid stretching may have substantial repercussions on overall simulation accuracy even at very high levels of resolution.
Synthesizing memory-level parallelism aware miniature clones for SPEC CPU2006 and ImplantBench workloads

We generate and provide miniature synthetic benchmark clones for modern workloads to solve two pre-silicon design challenges, namely: 1) huge simulation time (weeks to months) when using complete runs of modern workloads like SPEC CPU2006 having trillions of instructions on pre-silicon design models 2) unavailability of access to their specific target applications for computer architects, as some of them are proprietary in nature and vendors hesitate to share them. We first provide a detailed characterization of the SPEC CPU2006 and the ImplantBench suites based on microarchitecture-independent metrics. Our metrics include the Memory Level Parallelism (MLP) of these workloads to estimate the burstiness of accesses to the main memory. Secondly, our proposed framework, that uses this characterized information (including MLP) to generate synthetic clones is explained and evaluated. We provide the synthetic clones generated for CPU2006 workloads for download and use. The efficacy of the synthetic clones for CPU2006 and ImplantBench is demonstrated by comparing their performance and power characteristics with their original counterparts. We show that the synthetic clones generated using our MLP-aware methodology have an error of only 2.8% in terms of Instruction Per Cycle (IPC) as compared to an error of 15.3% when using the previous MLP-unaware approaches for CPU2006. We also evaluate their effectiveness in assessing the change in performance and power consumption for various microarchitecture design changes. For CPU2006, with synthetics limited to 1 million dynamic instructions, the average correlation coefficient for assessing design changes for IPC is 0.95 (0.98 for power-per-cycle). For ImplantBench, we have an average error of 2.9% in assessing the IPC and the correlation coefficient for assessing design changes is 0.94 (0.97 for power-per-cycle).
Epidemiology of Esophageal Cancer

Dramatically different patterns of occurrence are observed for esophageal cancers in different parts of the world, among different ethnic groups, and between males and females. While the clues to the origin of this neoplasm are myriad, they defy explanation within a unifying etiological framework. Clinically, esophageal cancer presents a distinctive picture, which facilitates its diagnosis even in the face of limited diagnostic technology. The commonest presenting feature, dysphagia, occurs in virtually all cases. Often the patient is able to identify the site of the tumor by localizing thedysphagia. Obstruction progresses with increasing dysphagia, regurgitation, and aspiration. This sequence, followed by a rapid downhill course, is so characteristic that in areas where cancer of the esophagus is hyperendemic, the symptoms and outcome are well known to the population.
Sensitivity Testing of Indicators of Ecosystem Health

ABSTRACT The sensitivities of three indicators of ecosystem health were evaluated at several sites in the Jornada Basin of the Chihuahuan Desert in southern New Mexico. The size of bare patches, proportion of total grass cover contributed by long-lived perennial grasses, and soil stability are interdependent indicators of ecosystem functions related to the retention and use of water and nutrients. Sensitivity tests were chosen using data collected along disturbance gradients and then tested using independent, ungrazed exclosures and adjacent grazed pastures. The mean size of bare soil patches was sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance. When bare soil patch data were transformed using natural logarithms, the skewness of the frequency distribution weighted by mean bare patch size could be used to indicate early disturbance to the ecosystem. The proportion of total vegetation that was long lived also was sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance and appears to be a good indicator of ecosystem degradation. The slake test for soil surface stability was extremely sensitive to disturbance and may serve as an early-warning indicator of soil degradation for the coarse-textured soils that were evaluated.
Single-antenna ATSC passive radar observations with remodulation and keystone formatting

This paper describes passive radar observations using the ATSC digital television signal as an illuminator. The system has two unique attributes. First, it recovers the reference signal by remodulation of the surveillance channel, a process which permits a compact single-antenna receiver. Second, it is shown that keystone formatting of the cross-ambiguity data mitigates range walk of moving targets and allows meaningful increases to the integration time and sensitivity.
Effects of Competition, Predation, and Dispersal on Species Richness at Local and Regional Scales

This study explores the consequences of predator-mediated coexistence among competitors for patterns of incidence and diversity at local and regional scales. We develop a model that draws on elements of metapopulation models of competitors and food chains by allowing competitors to coexist locally in the presence of predators but not in their absence. The model predicts that predators promote regional coexistence by greatly expanding the range of conditions under which two competitors persist at equilibrium. Predators could have positive or negative effects on mean local diversity within the region depending on their dispersal rates, those of the prey, and their effects on prey extinction rates. The presence of predators increased the abundance of inferior competitors, thereby expanding the conditions for positive relationships between local and regional diversity. The model also predicted positive correlations between local diversity of predators and prey. These predictions were supported by patterns of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish species richness among lakes. The model may help to resolve the apparent contrast between linear patterns of local and regional richness and experimental evidence for strong invasion resistance and rapid dispersal in zooplankton.
Water quality modeling in the dead end sections of drinking water distribution networks

Dead-end sections of drinking water distribution networks are known to be problematic zones in terms of water quality degradation. Extended residence time due to water stagnation leads to rapid reduction of disinfectant residuals allowing the regrowth of microbial pathogens. Water quality models developed so far apply spatial aggregation and temporal averaging techniques for hydraulic parameters by assigning hourly averaged water demands to the main nodes of the network. Although this practice has generally resulted in minimal loss of accuracy for the predicted disinfectant concentrations in main water transmission lines, this is not the case for the peripheries of the distribution network. This study proposes a new approach for simulating disinfectant residuals in dead end pipes while accounting for both spatial and temporal variability in hydraulic and transport parameters. A stochastic demand generator was developed to represent residential water pulses based on a non-homogenous Poisson process. Dispersive solute transport was considered using highly dynamic dispersion rates. A genetic algorithm was used to calibrate the axial hydraulic profile of the dead-end pipe based on the different demand shares of the withdrawal nodes. A parametric sensitivity analysis was done to assess the model performance under variation of different simulation parameters. A group of Monte-Carlo ensembles was carried out to investigate the influence of spatial and temporal variations in flow demands on the simulation accuracy. A set of three correction factors were analytically derived to adjust residence time, dispersion rate and wall demand to overcome simulation error caused by spatial aggregation approximation. The current model results show better agreement with field-measured concentrations of conservative fluoride tracer and free chlorine disinfectant than the simulations of recent advection dispersion reaction models published in the literature. Accuracy of the simulated concentration profiles showed significant dependence on the spatial distribution of the flow demands compared to temporal variation.
Robot-Assisted Epigastric Artery Harvest: A Novel Technique for Penile Revascularization

Abstract Introduction: Select urology patients with pelvic trauma and penile arteriogenic insufficiency are candidates for revascularization procedures. Traditionally, this has been performed with ...
Abstract 106: Paradoxical Increase in Office-Based Blood Pressure Measurement After a Brief Patient Rest Period

BACKGROUND: Office-based blood pressure (BP) measurement is a snapshot of a patient’s ambulatory BP, and is subject to variations which may influence management. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a brief rest period on repeat BP measurement. METHODS: Patient charts reviewed in University-based cardiology clinic identified 170 encounters which contained BP re-measurement data due to elevated initial BP of > 130/80 mmHg. BP was measured initially by a nurse, with the patient in a sitting position and the arm resting at the level of the heart. If BP was > 130/80 mmHg, it was repeated by physician after resting the patient for 15 minutes. Mean age was 64 ± 12 years. Results: Among encounters with BP re-measurement, initial systolic BP (SBP) was 153 ± 27 mmHg, and diastolic BP was 87 ± 16 mmHg. Upon re-measurement, 106 of 170 patients (62%) had lower SBP of 143 ± 23 mmHg compared with initial SBP of 162 ± 28 mmHg; a mean drop of 18 mmHg. However, 53 of 170 patients (31%) had higher SBP of 149 ± 17 mmHg compared with initial SBP of 138 ± 14 mmHg; a mean increase of 10 mmHg. Eleven patients (7%) had no BP change. In 50% (85/170) of encounters, BP re-measurement necessitated hypertensive medication changes. Compared with the remaining patients, those with paradoxical increase in BP were younger (60 ± 9 years versus 66 ± 13 years; p DISCUSSION: Hypertension is a challenging public health problem. JNC 7 guidelines recommend that prior to BP measurement, persons should be seated quietly for at least 5 minutes in a chair, with feet on the floor, and arm supported at heart level; this may decrease initially elevated BP. However, 30% of our patients exhibited a paradoxical response, with elevation of the SBP after a 15 minute period of rest. The cause of this paradox is not clear, but may have resulted from white-coat hypertension during the rest period, which may be more common in younger patients, especially females, as noted in our study. This underscores the importance of ambulatory BP monitoring, especially in subsets of patients prone to having labile or white coat hypertension, to avoid the cost and side effects of BP overtreatment.
Binge drinking in and out of college: An examination of social control and differential association on binge drinking behaviors between college students and their non-college peers

ABSTRACTExcessive drinking behavior is a common problem on college campuses but it also affects the same age group that does not attend college. This is a sociological concern because of the multitude of negative consequences associated with binge drinking. The role of peers and social control factors, including the revised routine activities approach to involvement was used to examine what factors influence alcohol consumption. Although there are differences between the drinking behavior of both groups, peer behavior was consistently the strongest predictor of individual drinking behavior for both college and non-college students. Both groups are at risk for experiencing the negative consequences of alcohol use and reduction efforts need to target peer groups.
Attraction of the German Cockroach, Blattella germanica (Orthoptera: Blatellidae), to Some Volatile Food Components

Visits to two feeding stations by individuals from a growing population of Blattella Germanica (L.) were enumerated, aided by a closed-circuit video system. The control station contained a pellet of a dry dog food diet only, whereas the other station-contained, in addition, a sample of a food component being tested for its ability to attract. Observation were recorded for 6 h per test, with each candidate substance tested once at each station. A positive response was tallied each time an individual entered the test station, and a negative response for each entry to the control station. Of the 30 substances tested, only 4 elicited 60% or more positive responses: oleyl alcohol, palmitic acid, fenugreek seed alcohol extract, and elaidic acid methyl ester. These substances were reevaluated by using a two-choice olfactometer. In these further tests cockroaches could follow one of two air flows towards its origin after one flow had passed through a source of the candidate substance. All latter tests demonstrated independence.
Repetition-Rate Multiplication Using Phase-Only Line-by-Line Pulse Shaping

We demonstrate a technique for all-optical, tunable pulse repetition-rate multiplication based on spectral line-by-line control. In particular, two to five times multiplication of a 9-GHz source is achieved.