cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automated symbolic reachability analysis: with application to delta-notch signaling automata

This paper describes the implementation of predicate abstraction techniques to automatically compute symbolic backward reachable sets of high dimensional piecewise affine hybrid automata, used to model Delta-Notch biological cell signaling networks. These automata are analyzed by creating an abstraction of the hybrid model, which is a finite state discrete transition system, and then performing the computation on the abstracted system. All the steps, from model generation to the simplification of the reachable set, have been automated using a variety of decision procedure and theorem-proving tools. The concluding example computes the reach set for a four cell network with 8 continuous and 256 discrete states. This demonstrates the feasibility of using these tools to compute on high dimensional hybrid automata, to provide deeper insight into realistic biological systems.
The Control of Hemoglobin Function in Blood Stored for Transfusion Purposes

Hemoglobin in the intact red cell has a lower oxygen affinity than hemoglobin in free solution. The main reason for this difference is 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate (2, 3-DPG), but this was not obvious for many years after 2, 3-DPG was found in unusually high concentrations in mammalian red cells (Greenwald, 1925) and in human red cells (Rapoport, 1941). In other cells 2, 3-DPG condentrations are very low. Because the association of hemoglobin with 2, 3-DPG has been established only recently, a brief review of important studies is given in the following paragraph.
Escherichia coli Enterotoxin-Induced Steroidogenesis in Cultured Adrenal Tumor Cells

Abstract A heat-labile, Pronase-sensitive factor has been partially purified from cell-free culture filtrates of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. The partially purified factor contains both protein and carbohydrate moieties and appears to be E. coli enterotoxin (ECT). ECT binds to cultured adrenal tumor cells rapidly and irreversibly leads to adenosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate formation and steroidogenesis after a 60-min lag phase. Further studies indicate that it interacts with the cholera toxin receptor site on adrenal cells rather than the adrenocorticotropin receptor to activate adenyl cyclase. Mixed gangliosides block stimulation of steroidogenesis in response to both E. coli and cholera enterotoxin. In contrast to adrenocorticotropin, ECT has no additive effect on cholera toxin-induced steroidogenesis. The protein moiety of ECT is similar to cholera enterotoxin because horse serum anticholeragenoid prevented stimulation of steroidogenesis by either enterotoxin. Cultured adrenal cells provide a quantitative assay system that has facilitated the purification and characterization of E. coli enterotoxin.
Selective avoidance of cycles in irregular LDPC code construction

This letter explains the effect of graph connectivity on error-floor performance of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes under message-passing decoding. A new metric, called extrinsic message degree (EMD), measures cycle connectivity in bipartite graphs of LDPC codes. Using an easily computed estimate of EMD, we propose a Viterbi-like algorithm that selectively avoids small cycle clusters that are isolated from the rest of the graph. This algorithm is different from conventional girth conditioning by emphasizing the connectivity as well as the length of cycles. The algorithm yields codes with error floors that are orders of magnitude below those of random codes with very small degradation in capacity-approaching capability.
Porphyrins and phthalocyanines in solar photovoltaic cells

This review summarizes recent advances in the use of porphyrins, phthalocyanines, and related compounds as components of solar cells, including organic molecular solar cells, polymer cells, and dye-sensitized solar cells. The recent report of a porphyrin dye that achieves 11% power conversion efficiency in a dye-sensitized solar cell indicates that these classes of compounds can be as efficient as the more commonly used ruthenium bipyridyl derivatives.
A technique for assessing an organization's ability to change

The U.S. Shipbuilding Industry, while producing the finest ships for combat, are generally not competitive when it comes to commercial ships. However, when questioned many U.S. Shipyards seemed to believe that their status quo was good enough to compete in the present and future. They did not seem to know that they needed to change in order to compete for commercial business. What was needed was a method which could assess their ability to change. Then, if they were in that group that was not open to change, they would know it. What was developed to address that need was a computer-based questionnaire which results in an assessment of the organization's ability to change. The perceptions of the participants are captured through analysis of their answers gathered through individual input to a personal computer. The measurements are then used as the basis of a dialogue with the participants which leads to a valid self-assessment. The results are generally presented in a single plot referred to as the organization "radar plot." In the beta tests, the visual plot was successfully used to develop an informative self-assessment of the organizations strengths and weaknesses. The ability to develop meaningful dialogue about a company's ability to change is the strength of this method.
When the smoke clears: expertise, learning and policy diffusion

In federal systems, governments have the opportunity to learn from the policy experiments – and the potential successes – of other governments. Whether they seize such opportunities, however, may depend on the expertise or past experiences of policymakers. Based on an analysis of a dataset on state-level adoptions of youth access antismoking adoptions, we find that states are more likely to emulate other states that have demonstrated the ability to successfully limit youth smoking. In addition, we find that political expertise (as captured by legislative professionalism) and policy expertise (as captured by previous youth access policy experiments at the local level) enhance the likelihood of emulating policy successes found in other states.
Administrative Support for Mainstreaming Learning Disabled Students

In our June/July Feature, “The Kids-in-Between: Some Solutions,'' section editor Harry Chandler introduced three articles concerned with education of the marginally handicapped children. One article on mainstreaming, by Gayle and Don Smith, described a curriculum model designed to serve those in the “gray'' area. Termed the Parallel Alternate Curriculum, this program is in the administative control (and protection) of Dr. Harold McGrady, the Mesa Arizona district's Director of Special Education. His article, providing an administrator's perspective on such programs, was inadvertently deleted from the three-piece set. Those who missed reading the June/July issue may wish to consult pages 368-372 in conjunction with reading Dr. McGrady's comments which follow.—GMSCritics of public school education claim that research based innovations fail, that schools should not change but remain the way they were forty years or more ago. New ideas in teaching do fail, not because the ideas are necessarily bad but because...
Speaking of speech with the disciplines Collaborative discussions about collaborative speech

As Lecturer of Speech in the Institute for Writing and Rhetoric at Dartmouth College, I have joined an ongoing conversation about speech that spans disciplines. This article takes a step back from looking at communication across the curriculum as a program and instead looks at one of the earliest stages of the process — conversations about speech with the disciplines. Exploring our meta-communication — our speaking with the disciplines about speech — highlights some of the discoveries we have made about speech through our conversations.
Why was this music desirable? On a critical explanation of the avant-garde

In the introduction to his Oxford History of Western Music (2005), Richard Taruskin writes that his account of music history is based in the work of individual people, their statements, and their actions, as opposed to the power of ideas, teleologies, and romantic attachments to style criticism. He also claims that a “true history” of music can overcome the survey genre by offering causal explanations of historical events. In his discussion of the Cold War avant-garde, however, Taruskin points the way toward a slightly different kind of historiography by employing what I call a critical explanation. It is based in a causal question—Why was this desirable?—but the ensuing explanation resembles the hermeneutics of suspicion typically associated with thinkers such as Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud, all of whom were skeptical of the view that individuals are agents of their actions. I argue that Taruskin’s approach to the era has a methodological upshot, enabling readers to evaluate how the Cold War avant-garde might be linked with social and intellectual history in new ways. To demonstrate this, the article begins with a theoretical discussion of causality and its complex relationship to empiricism, proceeds through a survey of Taruskin’s use of existentialism as a critical explanation of the Cold War avant-garde, and ends with an account of some historical details concerning the era’s intellectual actors that expands on a few of the issues his critical explanation presents.
Relaxed matching for stabilization of relative equilibria of mechanical systems

Relaxed matching techniques for stabilization of relative equilibria are developed for continuous-time mechanical systems with symmetry that fail to satisfy classical matching conditions. New terms in the controlled shape equations necessary for carrying out relaxed matching are introduced. The theory is illustrated with the problem of stabilization of the steady-state motions of an inverted pendulum on a rotor arm.
Time and time again: The effects of biological rhythms on human health and performance

With rhythms existing at all levels of biological organization, from subcellular structures to ecological systems, and exhibiting a variety of frequencies, from the millisecond cycles of sensory neurons to the 11 year cycles in lynx and hare populations found in northeastern North America, a number of different mechanisms can be inferred. However, whole organism rhythms of behavior and physiology are often mediated by self-sustaining oscillators of clocks and this paper focuses on these kinds of cycles. The topics discussed include: exogenous and endogenous rhythms; circa-rhythms; circadian clocks; and the role of rhythms in health and performance (seasonal affective disorder, jet travel; shiftwork; temporal patterns in risk and susceptibility) and circadian management of cancer.
Epigenetic regulator Lid maintains germline stem cells through regulating JAK-STAT signaling pathway activity

Signaling pathways and epigenetic mechanisms have both been shown to play essential roles in regulating stem cell activity. While the role of either mechanism in this regulation is well established in multiple stem cell lineages, how the two mechanisms interact to regulate stem cell activity is not as well understood. Here we report that in the Drosophila testis, an H3K4me3-specific histone demethylase encoded by little imaginal discs (lid) maintains germline stem cell (GSC) mitotic index and prevents GSC premature differentiation. Lid is required in germ cells for proper expression of the Stat92E transcription factor, the downstream effector of the Janus kinase signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway. Our findings support a germ cell autonomous role for the JAK-STAT pathway in maintaining GSCs and place Lid as an upstream regulator of this pathway. Our study provides new insights into the biological functions of a histone demethylase in vivo and sheds light on the interaction between epigenetic mechanisms and signaling pathways in regulating stem cell activities.
La participación política del pueblo chileno en la vida nacional: un sueño sin despertar

Despues de precisar el concepto de participacion politica, se describe su curso progresivo a traves de cuatro etapas de la participacion de la ciudadania en la historia nacional y se formula un analisis critico sobre la escasez de vias de participacion politica ciudadana en el ordenamiento constitucional chileno.
Osteogenic protein-1 downregulates endothelin A receptors in primary rat osteoblasts

Osteogenesis is a complex process whereby growth factors and mediators from both local and systemic sources modulate the bone-forming activities of osteoblasts. In the present study we utilized primary cultures of fetal rat calvarial cells to characterize osteoblast responsiveness to the vascular mediator endothelin-1 (ET-1) and to investigate whether ET-1 responses are regulated by osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1). We found that a 1- to 2-day exposure to OP-1 diminished ET-1 receptor ligand binding and signal transduction by downregulating ET-1 receptor mRNA expression. ET-1-mediated calcium signaling and ligand binding were completely abolished by the ETA receptor antagonist BQ-123, suggesting that ET-1 effects are mediated by this receptor. Northern analysis of total RNA revealed that ETA mRNA expression was inhibited approximately 50% by OP-1 treatment, whereas ETB receptor mRNA was not detected by this method of analysis. In OP-1-treated cultures, the magnitude and duration of ET-1 calcium signals varied among individual cells. This finding may be related to a heterogeneous OP-1 response, indicated by alkaline phosphatase induction in only a subpopulation of cells. These results suggest that modulation of osteoblast function by ET-1 occurs during distinct periods of phenotypic development and imply that downregulation of ET-1 responsiveness may be necessary for optimal bone formation in vivo.
Effects of Resin Particle Size and Solution Temperature on SuperLig(R) 644 Resin Performance with AN-105 Simulate

The performance of the SuperLig(R) 644 resin loading and elution was evaluated at 25, 35, and 45 degree C using a single-column containing 2.25 g of oven-dry, hydrogen form of SuperLig(R) 664 resin. A simulated Envelope A solution was used to mimic the composition of low-activity waste solution from Tank 241-AN-105 supernate in the Hanford Site waste tank. The simulant was spiked with small quantities of trace metals (cadmium, chromium, iron, and lead) to evaluate the effects of these metals on cesium sorption. The results from column tests performed at 25, 35, and 45 degree C showed that more than 100 BVs of simulated Envelope A solution could be processed at each temperature before 50 percent breakthrough of the cesium occurred.
A note on short term selection for birth weight in mice

A short-term selection experiment was undertaken to estimate the realized heritability for birth weight in mice. A cross of two strains was used as a base population, from which heaviest and lightest birth weight individuals were selected to initiate an up (JU) and a down (JD) selected line. Selection was applied on a within-litter basis for six generations. By the end of the experiment, the two lines differed by 0·20 ± 0·01 g. The heritability, estimated from the regression of cumulative response on cumulative selection differentials and adjusted to that of individual values, was 0·14 ± 0·02. Six-week body weight, averaged over both sexes, was higher in line JU than in JD by 1·0 ± 0·3 g at generation 6. Litter size was higher in line JU in every generation, the regression of the divergence between JU and JD on generation number being 0·13 ± 0·03.
Investigation of detergent residue in disinfected tablewares in Tongxiang city

Objective:To investigate the detergent residue of disinfected tableware in Tongxiang city and provide technical basis for supervision and management.Methods:Sterilized tableware was sampled randomly from part of tableware sterilization manufacturers and residue of alkyl benzene sulfonate was detected.Results:152 samples from kinds of disinfected tableware were detected,with the total qualified rate of 98.03%.The qualified rate and residue of alkyl benzene sulfonate for chopsticks were 89.66% and 0.057 mg/100 cm2,respectively.The qualified rates for spoons,glasses,bowls and cups were all 100%,and the residue of alkyl benzene sulfonate for them were 0.032,0.030,0.028 and 0.033 mg/100 cm2,respectively.Conclusion:The detergent residue of disinfected tableware in Tongxiang city was relatively good in summary,but there were still sanitary problems for chopsticks.The health supervision and management should be strengthened further.
Application of multislice spiral CT in diagnosis of tracheobronchial foreign body

OBJECTIVE To investigate the value of multislice spiral CT(MSCT)in diagnosis of tracheobronchial foreign bodies.METHODS The clinical data of 159 cases with tracheobronchial foreign bodies treated in our department in recent 2 years were retrospectively studied.MSCT were performed in 155 cases.All the cases performed bronchoscopy assisted with fiberoptic bronchoscopy within 24 hours.Thirty five cases were performed chest x-rays and MSCT.RESULTS Among 155 cases with tracheobronchial foreign bodies performed MSCT,2 cases were misdiagnosed,one case was miss diagnosed,and 152 cases were diagnosed correctly.The MSCT showed foreign body image directly in 149 cases(96.1%),emphysema in 128 cases(82.6%),atelectasis in 14 cases(9.0%),pneumonia in 55 cases(35.5%)and mediastinal emphesema in 5 cases(3.2%).Among 35 cases with doubtful tracheobronchial foreign bodies performed chest x-rays,2 cases were misdiagnosed and 3 cases were miss diagnosed.CONCLUSION The MSCT scanning has more value than chest x-rays in diagnosis of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children.
Combined-modality therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer : Paclitaxel and thoracic irradiation

Despite advances in the modalities used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the frequency of locoregional and distant relapses necessitates further enhancement of the therapeutic program. Paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) has demonstrated clinical efficacy against NSCLC and in vitro studies support its role as a radiation potentiator at concentrations achievable in vivo. Thus, a phase I study of weekly paclitaxel and daily concurrent thoracic radiation was conducted in patients with advanced NSCLC to determine (1) the maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel administered on an outpatient basis for 6 consecutive weeks with daily radiation and (2) the toxicities of the paclitaxel/radiation combination. Paclitaxel was administered as a 3-hour infusion, repeated weekly for 6 weeks with the usual premedication regimen for hypersensitivity prophylaxis. The starting dose of paclitaxel was 10 mg/m2/wk, which was increased by 10 mg/m2 in successive cohorts of three new patients, as tolerated. Radiation therapy was delivered as 40 Gy in 20 fractions to the original volume with a boost of 20 Gy in 10 fractions to the primary tumor. Doses were escalated from 10 to 70 mg/m2/wk. Of the 23 patients evaluable for response, one had stage II NSCLC, four had stage IIIA, 17 had stage IIIB, and one had stage IV. Severe esophagitis (grade 4) occurred in two of the three patients treated at 70 mg/m2 and was dose limiting. One patient discontinued therapy due to hypersensitivity, two developed grade 3 neutropenia, and one developed radiation pneumonitis. With a median follow-up of 7 months, 15 of the 23 patients remain alive. Four had a complete response and 13 had a partial response, for an overall response rate of 74% (95% confidence interval, 52% to 90%). The schedule of weekly paclitaxel and daily thoracic radiation appears active in NSCLC and can be delivered safely in the outpatient setting. The principal dose-limiting toxicity is esophagitis, and the maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel for this schedule is 60 mg/m2/wk. A phase II trial of weekly paclitaxel 60 mg/m2 and radiation has been initiated in patients with NSCLC.
Historical Overview of Accounting Information Systems

In this chapter, we provide a broad overview of accounting history commencing from 8000 BC, when simple tokens recorded evidence on transactions, through the ancient civilizations, where clay and papyrus were used, to the invention of the first printing press in the fifteenth century to modern times. We focus on how accounting philosophy developed to take into account legal, competitive, and especially technological changes in the environment. From the development of the Abacus in around 3000 BC to present day sophisticated accounting software, we discuss how accounting has changed and adapted to environmental needs.
A Classified Advertisement Framework to Support Niche and other Targeted Markets

Classified advertisement sites often follow two different approaches to filter classified advertisement data to customers and potential customers. The first approach is to reach out to the broader market, allowing the customers to filter to their target market on the classified website. The downside of this approach is that it lacks the customization and specialization people in a niche market tend to prefer. The second approach is to create classified advertisement websites that are customized to meet the needs of a target or niche market. This specialization is more appealing to niche market customers. However, the second approach is more focused. Therefore, the customer base is smaller, and expanding to more markets requires building more websites, which can be costly in time, money and effort. In this paper the authors propose a framework that allows website developers to quickly and efficiently create targeted market websites. The framework proposed enables website developers to quickly customize text, context and features offered on the newly created targeted market website. In addition, the framework overcomes the entry barrier new websites face by obtaining the starting classified listings required to make a new classified website viable to potential buyers and sellers.
Application of fast isogeometric L2 projection solver for tumor growth simulations

Abstract To employ computer models of tumor proliferation for planning cancer treatment, extremely fast numerical solvers are in high demand at least for two reasons: data adaptation and multiscale character of growth dynamics. The number of complex and non-linear phenomena influencing tumor dynamics involves hundreds of variable parameters. Its matching using incoming data requires reverse optimization or learning procedures, which are very demanding computationally. We present here the fast algorithm for isogeometric L2 projection, which we propose as a numerical engine for tumor modeling. First, we introduce the continuous–discrete model of melanoma described by the system of PDEs in a simplified computational layout of a fragment of skin. Apart from the continuous density fields such as tumor cell density, flux pressure, extracellular and degraded extracellular matrices, we also introduce a discrete model of the vasculature, which is the source of oxygen and nutrients. The discrete vasculature is coupled every given time interval with the continuous model influencing the vasculature remodeling. Our tests and the results of 2-D simulations of melanoma progression clearly show that isogeometric L2 projection utilizing the alternating directions solver is superior over classical approaches in terms of computational complexity, what makes it an excellent candidate for a numerical engine for continuous–discrete models of complex biological systems.
Risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very low birth weight infants

Objective To investigate the risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in very low birth weight infant.Methods The clinical data of 49 very low birth weight infants in our NICU from Sep 2006 to Sep 2009 were reviewed,and divided into BPD group(n =15)and without BPD group(n =34).The risk factors of BPD were analysed.Results Compared with the infants without BPD,there were significant differences in gestational age[(29.30 ± 1.48)week vs(30.54 ± 1.60)week],hospital-acquired infection(9 cases vs 10 cases),intrauterine infection(9 cases vs 8 cases),the time for continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP)[(12.47 ± 5.83)d vs(4.24 ± 4.19)d],the time for hyperoxia[(1.47 ± 1.41)d vs (0.18 ±0.63)d],patent ductus arteriosus(5 cases vs 1 cases)(P＜0.05).Logistic regression revealed that intrauterine infection and the time for CPAP were independent risk factors of BPD(P ＜0.05).Conclusion Prophylaxis of intrauterine infection may decrease the mortality and severity of BPD.The prolonged time for CPAP may predict the risk of BPD. Key words: Very low birth weight infant; Bronchopulmonary dysplasia; Risk factors; Infant, newborn
Visualizing malaria spread under climate variability

In order to better control and prevent the infectious diseases, measures of vulnerability and risk to increased infectious disease outbreaks have been explored. Research investigating possible links between variations in climate and transmission of infectious diseases has led to a variety of predictive models for estimating the future impact of infectious disease under projected climate change. Underlying all of these approaches is the connection of multiple data sources and the need for computational models that can capture the spatio-temporal dynamics of emerging infectious diseases and climate variability, especially as the impact of climate variability on the land surface is becoming increasingly critical in predicting the geo-temporal evolution of infectious disease outbreaks. This paper presents an initial visualization prototype that combines data from population and climate simulations as inputs to a patch-based mosquito spread model for analyzing potential disease spread vectors and their relationship to climate variability.
Time-of-day variation in sustained attentional control

Sustained attention is a fundamental cognitive function underlying many activities in daily life including workplace safety, but its natural variation throughout the day is incompletely characterized. To examine time-of-day variation, we collected a large online data set (N = 6,363) with participation throughout the day and around the world on the gradual-onset continuous performance task, a sensitive measure of sustained attention. This allowed us to examine accuracy, attentional stability, and strategy. Results show that both accuracy and attentional stability peak between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. and progressively decline throughout the day, whereas strategy is more stable.
Learning Proficiency and the Navigation of New Business Domains by Internal Corporate Ventures

The novelty of new business domains demands that the managers of internal corporate ventures (ICVs) exhibit an ability to acquire and apply valuable strategy- and operations-related knowledge over ...
Nonlinear analysis of ionic polymer–metal composite beams using the von Kármán strains

Abstract In this study, nonlinear analysis of ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) strips using the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory with the von Karman nonlinear strain is presented. The governing equations are derived using a variational formulation based on a thermodynamic framework. The nonlinear extensions to the linear theory are made in such a way that the resulting form of the coupling between deformation and solvent concentration remains simple. A hybrid finite element–finite volume numerical solution and a operator-split time stepping scheme are formulated for obtaining numerical solutions of the transient electromechanical response. The model is phenomenological, but it is capable of simulating the transient response of IPMC strips under general loading conditions, and it would be useful in the design of mechanisms with IPMC strips as components. The results of the nonlinear analysis are compared with the corresponding linear results for a cantilever beam like IPMC strip. Significant differences in simulation results of tip deflection, solvent concentration, and beam configurations are observed between the linear and the nonlinear beam theory. The differences are due to coupling between the bending and the axial stiffness as properly formulated in the proposed nonlinear theory.
The Obvious Fraud Revisited: The Admission-Seeking Interview

E.Z. Pickens Conglomerate, S.A. is a large, multi-national manufacturing organization. Approximately six months ago an anonymous tip was left on the company’s fraud hotline. The tip pertained to a division manager of the company who had allegedly perpetrated a fraudulent vendor scheme in collaboration with their significant other. Your company’s internal audit department conducted a review of the vendor file, corroborated the allegation, and forwarded their findings to your department. You supervised a complete investigation into the matter which will now culminate with an admission-seeking interview of the fraudster. Your task is to review the investigative file, prepare to confront the alleged perpetrator, and then conduct the admission-seeking interview to obtain an oral and written confession.
Associations between black tea and coffee consumption and risk of lung cancer among current and former smokers.

3718 Although cigarette smoking is a clear risk factor for lung cancer, the other determinants of lung cancer risk among smokers are less clear. Tea and coffee contain many phytochemicals, including catechins and flavonoids, which have been shown to exhibit anti-carcinogenic properties. The current study investigated the effects of regular consumption of black tea and coffee on lung cancer risk among 993 current and former smokers with primary, incident lung cancer and 986 age, sex, and smoking matched hospital controls with non-neoplastic conditions. All participants received medical services at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and agreed to complete a comprehensive epidemiologic questionnaire. Results indicated that lung cancer risk was not different for those with the highest black tea consumption (≥2 cups/day) compared to non-drinkers of tea [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–1.26]. However, elevated lung cancer risk was observed for participants who consumed 2–3 cups of regular coffee daily (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 0.97–1.77) or ≥4 cups of regular coffee daily (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.06–1.91). When analyses were stratified by histology, the elevated risk for coffee drinking persisted in all subtypes except adenocarcinoma. These results do not suggest that black tea consumption is involved in the chemoprevention of lung cancer. The observed increase in risk among individuals with the highest coffee consumption may be the result of uncontrolled residual confounding by smoking.
Using Argumentative, Semantic Grammar for Capture of Design Rationale

Efforts to use design rationale (DR) to improve design have been frustrated by difficulties in capturing such rationale in a format structured by a DR schema, such as PHI, QOC, or DRL. These difficulties disappear when rationale is captured as unstructured transcripts of communication among collaborating designers, but the lack of structure in such transcripts severely hinders retrieval. This problem can be solved by parsing transcripts of collaborative design using an argumentative, semantic grammar to produce PHI-structured DR. The ASGARD (Argumentative, Semantic Grammar for Analysis of Rationale for Design) software uses this technique to extract structured DR from transcripts of collaborative architectural design. Preliminary tests were made to see if ASGARD could successfully model and parse three collaborative design transcripts. Results of these tests suggest that this approach has promise for automating DR capture.
Threat sensitivity is associated with the healthcare source used most often: doctor's office, emergency room, or none at all

Abstract A significant proportion of American adults do not have a regular source of healthcare and the reasons for this shortfall are not fully understood. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between individual differences in threat sensitivity and healthcare utilization in a survey of 483 African American men. Demographics, psychological characteristics, and health behaviors were assessed. The primary outcomes were: 1) most frequent source of healthcare utilization (doctor's office or clinic vs. emergency room vs. no place), and 2) frequency of healthcare utilization (one or more vs. no healthcare visits in the previous year). Data were analyzed with multivariable logistic regression. Results showed that threat sensitivity, insurance status, and age were associated with the most frequent source of healthcare utilization. Compared to men who most commonly used a doctor's office or clinic, men who tended to use an emergency room had higher levels of threat sensitivity and those with no usual healthcare source had lower levels of threat sensitivity. These findings fit with leading neurobiological theories of personality regarding threat sensitivity. From a pragmatic standpoint, these findings may also lend insight to the tailoring of health marketing messages designed to optimize utilization of healthcare resources.
Effect of hydrostatic pressure on the electron-phonon scattering in GaAs

Electron-phonon (e-ph) interaction in semiconductors is responsible for many phenomena such as electron mobility and hot electron thermalization, which are important to compute charge transport in semiconductors. In semiconductors, the application of hydrostatic pressure modifies the character of conduction band valleys, changing the effective mass of carriers, and, consequently, changing the carrier mobility. This, in turn, may limit electron transport in the semiconductor. Here, we present the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the e-ph interaction in GaAs, which goes from a direct to an indirect bandgap semiconductor at high pressures. A detailed study of e-ph self-energy and the resulting scattering rates is presented for hydrostatic pressure ranging between 0 and 9.2 GPa. Individual contributions from phonon modes to the total scattering rates indicate that short wavelength LO phonon scattering is found to be the dominant mechanism at low pressures; and at higher pressures, acoustic as well as optic phonons contribute toward the overall e-ph scattering. Finally, relaxation times are evaluated and we find that at pressures above 2.9 GPa, electron relaxation times are an order of magnitude lower than at equilibrium. These results will influence transport properties at higher pressures.Electron-phonon (e-ph) interaction in semiconductors is responsible for many phenomena such as electron mobility and hot electron thermalization, which are important to compute charge transport in semiconductors. In semiconductors, the application of hydrostatic pressure modifies the character of conduction band valleys, changing the effective mass of carriers, and, consequently, changing the carrier mobility. This, in turn, may limit electron transport in the semiconductor. Here, we present the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the e-ph interaction in GaAs, which goes from a direct to an indirect bandgap semiconductor at high pressures. A detailed study of e-ph self-energy and the resulting scattering rates is presented for hydrostatic pressure ranging between 0 and 9.2 GPa. Individual contributions from phonon modes to the total scattering rates indicate that short wavelength LO phonon scattering is found to be the dominant mechanism at low pressures; and at higher pressures, acoustic as well as optic p...
Privacy-Preserving Economic Dispatch in Competitive Electricity Market

With the emerging of smart grid techniques, cyber attackers may be able to gain access to critical energy infrastructure data and strategic market participants may be able to identify their rivals' offers or bids. This paper discusses privacy-preserving economic dispatch (ED) in competitive electricity market, in which individual generation companies and load serving entities can mask their actual bidding and physical data using random numbers before submitting to the System Operator. This would avoid potential information leak of critical energy infrastructure and financial data of market participants. The optimal solution to the original ED could be retrieved from the optimal solution of the proposed privacy-preserving ED. Numerical studies show the effectiveness of the proposed privacy-preserving ED while guaranteeing the same optimal solution.
A Comparison of Two Ventilators Using Volume Guarantee Modes for Ventilation of the Neonate Using a Lung Model

Background: Volume guarantee modes (VG) are used with increasing frequency for the neonatal population in an attempt to minimize lung injury and hypocarbia due to unintentional hyperventilation. Ventilator manufacturers utilize different proximal flow sensor technology and software to achieve VG, and investigation of the behavior of each ventilator is useful. This ex vivo experimental design evaluated the Vti, Vte, and PIP delivered during VG modes with the Vyasis Avea (Avea) and Drager VN500 Babylog (VN500) using the IngMar Medical ASL 5000 electronic lung simulator (ASL 5000). Methods: The ASL 5000 was programmed to model a 1-3 kg body weight neonate with normal to moderately affected lungs. ASL 5000 settings: Cst 1.5 mL/cm H2O, Raw 70 cm H2O/L/s, Pmus 0 cm H2O (passive), f zero. The EST on the Avea, and circuit check on the VN500, were completed prior to testing; the proximal flow sensors were zeroed on each ventilator. Trials were conducted at ambient temperature and humidity. Constant settings on the Avea: 30 breaths/min, PEEP 6 cm H2O, flow trigger 0.5 L/min, FIO2 0.21, Rise 5. Constant settings on the VN500: 30 breaths/min, PEEP 6 cm H2O, FIO2 0.21, slope 0.20 seconds, Pmax 50 cm H2O. Variable settings on each ventilator were: inspiratory time 0.25, 0.30 and 0.35 seconds and tidal volume to simulate an 800 g, 1 kg, 2 kg and 3 kg infant at 5 mL/kg (4, 5, 10 and 15 mL). Each ventilator was tested with each variable setting for a total of two minutes using the ASL 5000. After a stabilization period of 15 breaths, delivered Vti, Vte, and PIP were recorded continuously by the ASL 5000. The results for each parameter were then averaged over a 1-min period, and the standard deviation was calculated for each measurement. Results: The Avea and VN500 delivered similar volumes and pressures as recorded by the ASL 5000 with less than ± 0.02 standard deviation for each parameter. The Avea demonstrated wider standard deviation due to periodic spikes in Vti and PIP. The VN500 consistently delivered lower tidal volumes as measured by the ASL 5000 compared to the Avea, usually at lower measured PIP. This delta varied with each breath. Conclusions: The VN500 and Avea deliver consistent Vti, Vte, and PIP in a passive model. Measured values higher than set VG on both ventilators, and lower Vti and Vte on the VN500, may be due to variances in how each ventilator deals with the compressible volume of the breathing circuit and temperature and saturation of the inspired gas.
Stellar populations in the BAaDE survey

The BAaDE (Bulge Asymmetries and Dynamical Evolution) project is an SiO maser survey of the Galactic Plane. About 19,000 sources have been observed at 43 GHz with the VLA, and the production of spectra for each of these sources is well underway. The primary goal of the project is to collect line-of-sight velocities for all the detected masers in the sample to probe Galactic dynamics. With an expected detection rate of over 60% we should collect over 11,000 velocities to probe the Galactic potential. The survey is also a large sample of infrared sources to explore the different evolved stellar populations within the Milky Way. So far we discern three distinct groups in the BAaDE sample: the main group containing oxygen-rich, evolved stars with a high SiO maser detection rate, a much smaller population of carbon-rich evolved stars, and finally a group of likely young stellar objects with no maser emission. These populations are separated using 2MASS and MSX color-color diagrams, and we find a particularly useful cut between the young and evolved objects using the MSX [D] –[E] color. Identification of these populations will isolate BAaDE’s evolved star sample, and will more tightly define the region in IR color-color diagrams where SiO masers occur yielding a better understanding of these kinematical probes. Using our color-divisions we can also study the distribution of each of the populations within the Galactic Plane.
High fidelity simulation evaluation studies in nursing education: A review of the literature

Simulation is an experiential learning process which provides a safe environment for learning, preventing the risk of patient harm. A review of the literature was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach to explore the question: What is the state of the science on the evidence of learning outcomes in high-fidelity simulation in undergraduate nursing education? This synthesis included 20 research studies focusing on evaluating outcomes of high-fidelity simulation in undergraduate pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing students. Studies were excluded if they did not use high-fidelity simulation for the intervention group, or they evaluated faculty outcomes. Simulation design and practices are identified and discussed regarding dose and fidelity. Outcome measures reviewed include increasing levels of thinking: Remembering/Understanding/Applying (knowledge/skills), Analyzing/Perception, and Evaluating/Creating outcomes. Design of high-fidelity simulation in the nursing literature is being grounded in outcome variables with increasing levels of thinking (Bloom's Taxonomy) and based in pedagogical and nursing judgment theoretical frameworks. Reliable measurement tools are used. There is a need for a more comprehensive measurement of clinical competence that extends evaluation to clinical practice outcomes. Additional research is needed on retention of simulation learning over time and assessing transference of simulation learning into clinical nursing practice.
Chemical Transient Kinetics in Studies of the Fischer–Tropsch Reaction and Beyond

We demonstrate Chemical Transient Kinetics as a powerful tool for investigating catalytic reaction kinetics and mechanisms at atmospheric pressure. Quantitation of transient molecular flows while switching feed gas compositions allows key mechanistic steps of the Fischer–Tropsch reaction to be elucidated. Evidence is presented for a CO insertion mechanism operating under hydrogen-deficient reaction conditions. Consequently, formate/carboxylate-derived intermediates are likely involved in chain lengthening. This also agrees with the occurrence of characteristic time profiles when replacing CO by methyl formate or adding ammonia to a CO/H2 feed.
Co-hydrothermal liquefaction of wastewater-grown algae and crude glycerol: A novel strategy of bio-crude oil-aqueous separation and techno-economic analysis for bio-crude oil recovery and upgrading

Abstract Crude glycerol was introduced into hydrothermal liquefaction of wastewater-grown algae, Galdieria sulphuraria, to improve yield and energy recovery of bio-crude oil, and to enable solvent-free oil/aqueous phase separation by gravity. Co-hydrothermal liquefaction of 5, 12.5, and 20 wt% solids loading algae and crude glycerol at 350 °C for 30 min gave bio-crude oil yields of 58.8 ± 0.8, 65.5 ± 1.5 and 56.2 ± 1.5 wt%, compared to 14.6 ± 0.1 wt% and 58.1 ± 0.8 wt% for algae alone and crude glycerol alone, respectively. Solvent-free bio-crude oil was upgraded into a liquid biofuel at a yield of 48.1 ± 0.8 wt% and higher heating value of 43.7 ± 0.1 MJ/kg. Incorporation of the co-hydrothermal liquefaction experimental yields and solvent-free phase separation into a techno-economic model for biofuels from hydrothermal liquefaction of algae resulted in a calculated minimum fuel sell price of $0.38–1.24 per liter gasoline equivalent, suggesting substantial potential for co-hydrothermal liquefaction of low-lipid algae with crude glycerol as a competitive strategy for economic 3rd generation biofuel production.
Configuration and Control of a Millimeter-Wave Synthetic Aperture Measurement System with Uncertainties

This paper discusses the configuration and control of a new millimeter wave over-the-air measurement system. This system provides unparalleled measurement accuracy, flexibility, and the ability to bound uncertainties on its measurements. The system also improves upon other millimeter wave over-the-air measurement systems by providing a high level of reconfigurability making it capable of answering many of the questions that still exist around millimeter-wave propagation and communications.
First-principles calculations of metal surfaces. II. Properties of low-index platinum surfaces toward understanding electron emission

The stability of low-index platinum surfaces and their electronic properties is investigated with density functional theory, toward the goal of understanding the surface structure and electron emission, and identifying precursors to electrical breakdown, on nonideal platinum surfaces. Propensity for electron emission can be related to a local work function, which, in turn, is intimately dependent on the local surface structure. The $(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}N)$ missing row reconstruction of the Pt(110) surface is systematically examined. The $(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3)$ missing row reconstruction is found to be the lowest in energy, with the $(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)$ and $(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}4)$ slightly less stable. In the limit of large $(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}N)$ with wider (111) nanoterraces, the energy accurately approaches the asymptotic limit of the infinite Pt(111) surface. This suggests a local energetic stability of narrow (111) nanoterraces on free Pt surfaces that could be a common structural feature in the complex surface morphologies, leading to work functions consistent with those on thermally grown Pt substrates.
Golf cart injuries in children: the experience of trauma centers in a single state in the USA

Golf carts remain a source of morbidity in children. We aimed to establish the incidence and injury characteristics of pediatric patients injured due to golf cart usage over an 11-year period. This is a retrospective study using a single state trauma database of patients ages 0-17 years admitted to a trauma center and who sustained injures while a golf cart was in use. Thirteen Pediatric and Adult Trauma Centers within the state of Pennsylvania were evaluated from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2014. The inclusion criteria were met by 108 patients. The mean annual incidence of injuries was 0.35/100 000. The median age of patients was 11 years. The median hospital length of stay and injury severity score were 2 days and 9.5, respectively. The majority of the patients (75.9%) sustained at least one bone fracture. Skull fractures were more prevalent (43.5%), whereas extremity fractures were sustained by 26.9% of patients. Intracranial hemorrhages were sustained by 29.6% of patients. Ejections and rollovers accounted for 58.3% and 31.4% of patient injuries, respectively. The concussion rate was 26.9%. Neither age group nor sex was associated with a difference in fractures, intracranial hemorrhage or concussions. Golf cart injuries in pediatric patients commonly stem from ejections and rollover mechanisms resulting in skull fractures, extremity fractures, intracranial hemorrhages and concussions. The overall incidence of injury was 0.35 cases per 100 000. Further efforts are needed to increase awareness of these injuries and modify regulations regarding the use of golf carts in the pediatric population.