cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Plateau Best Predicts Early Death in Heart Failure

Background The responses of oxygen uptake efficiency (ie, oxygen uptake/ventilation = o 2 /e) and its highest plateau (OUEP) during incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients with chronic left heart failure (HF) have not been previously reported. We planned to test the hypothesis that OUEP during CPET is the best single predictor of early death in HF. Methods We evaluated OUEP, slope of o 2 to log(e) (oxygen uptake efficiency slope), oscillatory breathing, and all usual resting and CPET measurements in 508 patients with low-ejection-fraction ( 24 h cardiac hospitalization). Statistical analyses included area under curve of receiver operating characteristics, ORs, univariate and multivariate Cox regression, and Kaplan-Meier plots. Results OUEP, which requires only moderate exercise, was often reduced in patients with HF. A low % predicted OUEP was the single best predictor of mortality ( P P Conclusions OUEP is often reduced in patients with HF. Low % predicted OUEP (
Patient-rated alliance as a measure of therapist performance in two clinical settings

Objective The ability to form a strong therapeutic alliance is considered a foundational skill across psychotherapies. Patient-rated measures of the alliance are now being used to make judgments about a therapist's tendency to build alliances with their patients. However, whether a patient-rated alliance measure provides a useful index of a therapist's tendency to have strong alliances is not clear. Method We examined therapist differences in patient ratings of the alliance obtained from an HMO that included 2 samples--an internal HMO clinic (n = 3287, 3781 ratings, therapist n = 72) and an independent practice (IP) based sample (n = 1320, 1690 ratings, therapist n = 93). First, we estimated the amount of variability in alliance scores due to therapist, including the consistency of estimated differences across 2 samples and using a cross-validation strategy. Second, we used a multivariate multilevel model to examine the convergent and discriminant validity of therapist differences in patient alliance ratings in items theoretically related (e.g., satisfaction) and unrelated (e.g., patient ratings of scheduling staff) to the therapist and alliance. Results Therapists accounted for between 1.74% and 6.93% of the variability in alliance ratings, with greater differences among IP therapists. Therapist differences were generally stable and unaffected by case mix. In addition, therapist differences in alliance were correlated with therapist differences in similar items but were relatively unrelated to theoretically distinct items. Conclusions Therapist differences in the alliance were small but, with a sufficient number of ratings, may provide reliable information regarding a therapist's tendency to form strong alliances with their patients.
Is There Transplacental Transfer of Asbestos? A Study of 40 Stillborn Infants

An autopsy study was conducted to investigate whether there is transplacental transfer of asbestos in humans. The asbestos burden of lung, liver, skeletal muscle, and placenta digests of 40 stillborn infants was determined using a bleach digestion method. The fibers detected in the tissue digests were characterized as to the type of asbestos, using electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray analysis, and selected-area diffraction analysis. Placental digests of 45 full-term, liveborn infants were similarly processed as controls. Low levels of small, thin, uncoated asbestos fibers were detected in the placentas and organs of 37.5% of the stillborn infants (15 of 40). The fiber sizes ranged from 0.05 to 5.0μm in length and 0.03 to 0.3μm in width, with a mean length of 1.15μm and a mean width of 0.069 μm. Maximum numbers of fibers were found in the lungs (mean 235,400 fibers/g; n = 10), followed by liver (mean 212,833 fibers/g; n = 6), placenta (mean 164,500 fibers/g; n = 4), and skeletal muscle (80,000 fib...
CFD verification of supersonic retropropulsion for a central and peripheral configuration

Supersonic retropropulsion (SRP) is a potential enabling technology for deceleration of high mass vehicles at Mars. 12Previous sub-scale testing, performed during the 1960s and 1970s to explore and characterize various decelerator technologies, focused on SRP configurations with a single central nozzle located along the axis of a vehicle; however, some multiple nozzle configurations were examined. Only one of these tests showed a peripheral configuration with nozzles outboard of the vehicle centerline. Recent computational efforts have been initiated to examine the capability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to capture the complex SRP flow fields. This study assesses the accuracy of a CFD tool over a range of thrust conditions for both a central and peripheral configuration. Included is a discussion of the agreement between the CFD simulations and available wind tunnel data as well as a discussion of computational impacts on SRP simulation.
Fathers' involvement in their children's healthcare.

Abstract Fathers' involvement in the routine healthcare of young children was investigated, and fathers' relative participation in two tasks, staying home with a sick child and taking the child to the doctor or dentist, was assessed. The relationships between fathers' involvement in healthcare and several other measures, including mothers' employment status, fathers' attitudes toward women's rights and roles, the amount of time fathers spent at work, and fathers' involvement in housework, were also examined. The subjects were 50 fathers of young children in intact, White, middle-class families. Both staying home with a sick child and taking a child to the doctor or dentist were usually performed by mothers, but when mothers were employed, fathers were significantly more involved, regardless of the child's sex. Staying home with a sick child and taking a child to the doctor or dentist were positively related to fathers' involvement in housework. Fathers' staying home with a sick child was significantly cor...
Preoperative diagnosis of infection in patients with nonunions.

Background: The surgical treatment of a fracture nonunion is complicated in the presence of infection. The purpose of the present study is to report on the utility of a standardized protocol to rule out infection in high-risk patients and to evaluate the efficacy of each component of the protocol. Methods: A single protocol of preoperative laboratory tests (white blood-cell count, C-reactive protein level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and a combined white blood cell/sulfur colloid scan were performed for patients with a high risk of fracture nonunion. Infection was diagnosed on the basis of positive intraoperative cultures, evidence of gross infection at the time of the procedure, or evidence of gross infection during the immediate postoperative period. With use of infection as the end point, univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to compare tests. A risk stratification method was used to combine tests. Results: Ninety-three patients with ninety-five nonunions were evaluated. Thirty of the ninety-five nonunions were ultimately diagnosed as being infected. With use of a combination of elevated white blood-cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein level and a positive scan, the predicted probabilities of infection associated with zero, one, two, and three positive tests were 18%, 24%, 50%, and 86%, respectively. With the elimination of the nuclear scan, the predicted probabilities for zero, one, two, and three risk factors were 20%, 19%, 56%, and 100%. Conclusions: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the C-reactive protein level were both independently accurate predictors of infection. Use of a risk stratification method showed that the likelihood of infection increased with each additional positive test. A combined white blood cell/sulfur colloid scan was the least predictive method of revealing infection and is not cost effective, even as part of a stratification scheme. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Unusual coordination of tetrylenes to molybdenum carbonyl fragments.

Reactions of the tetrylenes Ge(SArMe6)2 (1) (ArMe6 = C6H3-2,6(C6H2-2,4,6-Me3)2), and Sn(SArMe6)2 (2) with (Mo(CO)4(NBD) (NBD = bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene) gave three new, unusual complexes [Mo(THF)(CO)3{Ge(SArMe6)2}] (3), [Mo(THF)(CO)3{Ge(SArMe6)2}] (4) and [Mo(CO)4{Sn(SArMe6)2}] (5) which display no significant Ge/Sn–Mo bonding. Instead the ligands are coordinated to molybdenum in a bidentate fashion via the thiolato sulfurs.
Drift-Diffusion Modeling for Impurity Photovoltaic Devices

A 1-D drift-diffusion modeling for impurity photovoltaics is presented. The model is based on the self-consistent solution of Poisson's equation and carrier continuity equations incorporating generation and recombination mechanisms including the intermediate states. The model is applied to a prototypical solar cell device, where strong space charge effects and reduced conversion efficiency are identified for the case of lightly doped absorption regions. A doping compensation scheme is proposed to mitigate the space charge effects, with optimal doping corresponding to one-half the concentration of the intermediate states. The compensated doping device design provides calculated conversion efficiencies of approximately 40%, which is similar to the maximum expected values from prior 0-D models. The carrier transport between intermediate levels is shown to be noncritical for achieving the efficiency limit predicted by 0-D models. The qualitative behavior of the model is compared to existing experimental data on quantum dot solar cells.
Capability of THz sources based on Schottky diode frequency multiplier chains

We have developed and tested a number of fixed-tuned GaAs Schottky diode frequency doubler and tripler designs covering over 50% of the 100 - 2000 GHz band, with best measured 120 K peak efficiencies ranging from 39% for a 190 GHz doubler to 0.94% for 1800 GHz tripler. We find that the efficiencies across this broad range of frequency and performance can be well-described by a simple empirical exponential decay model. This model can be used to predict achievable performance for Schottky diode frequency multipliers and multiplier chains, and gives an indication of what chain configurations are most likely to produce optimal results to reach a given frequency range. Extrapolating the models beyond the highest frequencies tested predicts that cooled Schottky diode frequency multiplier chains are capable of producing at least 1 /spl mu/W at 2.5 THz.
A Quantitative Angiocardiographic Study of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and the Electrocardiogram

The QRS amplitude, duration, and mean axis direction of the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram were compared with left ventricular mass, volume, wall thickness, and stroke work in 112 adult patients. These patients had normal left ventricles or various degrees of left ventricular dilatation or hypertrophy. Left ventricular volumes and mass were determined by a quantitative angiocardiographic method. A significant but not a close correlation between left ventricular mass and ECG voltage was found. Enddiastolic volume, stroke volume, stroke work, wall thickness, and "total left ventricular volume" (volume of left ventricular muscle and cavity at end-diastole) had generally lesser degrees of correlation with the QRS amplitude than did the mass alone. Subgrouping of patients into those with pressure overload on the left ventricle, volume overload, aortic valve disease, or anatomic left ventricular hypertrophy did not improve correlations. The left ventricular hypertrophy voltage criteria of Sokolow and of Grant were assessed; respectively, 68% and 67% of 75 patients with anatomic hypertrophy had hypervoltage. The direction of the anatomic long axis of the left ventricle was not significantly related to the mean QRS-vector direction.
Life Beneath the Surfaces of Active Jurassic Dunes: Burrows from the Entrada Sandstone of South-Central Utah

Within the Middle Jurassic Entrada Sandstone of south-central Utah, cylindrical burrows, 15–95 mm diameter, are abundant in large-scale, eolian cross-strata. Burrows are oriented at a high angle to stratification and commonly extend more than 30 cm below their surface termini. They are rarely inclined more steeply than 22°. Many are sinuous, and they sometimes branch (∼120°) at bends. Burrows terminate upward against flat-topped cones of structureless sandstone that are up to 15 cm deep and present at numerous, closely spaced stratigraphic horizons. Entrada eolian dune deposits also host abundant burrows likely produced by small insects. Both large and small burrows are most numerous in the uppermost parts of very thick (up to 35 m) compound sets of cross-strata generated by superimposed dunes migrating along the lee slopes of giant dune ridges. The size and morphology of the large burrows and the nature of their fills suggest that they were excavated by vertebrates, possibly insectivores, but the possibility that scorpions or spiders dug the burrows cannot be ruled out. In modern dunes, the top 20 cm of rain-moistened sand dries quickly, but underlying sediment can remain moist for long periods. Conical pits formed on the dry surface of Jurassic dunes at the tops of burrows that were primarily excavated in underlying moist sand. Cones composed of structureless sandstone are active fills produced when burrowers pushed moist sand to the surface, forming spoil piles. Most cylindrical portions of the burrows were also actively backfilled; remaining parts were passively filled when burrow walls collapsed. Cones at burrow tops now delineate thin (∼5–10-cm-thick) packages of cross-strata that record slow (seasonal?) dune migration. Rainfall on dune surfaces allowed scattered plants, insects, and insectivorous vertebrates to inhabit the Entrada sand sea. Burrows provided animals with refuge from the hot, desiccating surface conditions.
Chunking and Consolidation: A Theoretical Synthesis of Semantic Networks, Configuring in Conditioning, S-R versus Cognitive Learning, Normal Forgetting, the Amnesic Syndrome, and the Hippocampal Arousal System.

Horizontal versus vertical associative memory concepts are denned. Vertical associative memory involves chunking: the specification of new (previously free) nodes to represent combinations of old (bound) nodes. Chunking is the basis of semantic memory, configuring in conditioning, and cognitive (as opposed to stimulus-response) learning. The cortex has the capacity for chunking, but the hippocampal (limbic) arousal system plays a critical role in this chunking process by differentiall y priming (partially activating) free, as opposed to bound, neurons. Binding a neuron produces negatively accelerated repression of its connections to the hippocampal arousal system, consolidating the memory by protecting the newly bound neuron from diffuse hippocampal input and thus retarding forgetting. Disruption of the hippocampal arousal system produces the amnesic syndrome of an inability to do new chunking (cognitive learning)—anterograde amnesia—and an inability to retrieve recently specified chunks—retrograde amnesia.
Current Molecularly Targeting Therapies in NSCLC and Melanoma

Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the traditional options to control tumor progression. However, these strategies are fraught with harmful side effects and are ineffective in metastatic and advanced cancers. Biomarkers that are overexpressed in cancers and are involved in cell growth, proliferation, migration, and survival have recently become the focus of new molecular targeting therapies. Novel therapies targeting biomarkers have roles in tumorigenesis that are overexpressed in cancers may be more efficacious and less toxic in comparison to traditional therapies. These therapies include the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer. However, the efficacy of these therapies is limited due to the development of drug resistance after prolonged treatment. Current research is focused on understanding mechanisms of resistance to overcome the barriers limiting the use of these targeting therapies in the treatment of cancer. In this review, we will discuss the clinical status of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies against several prevalent biomarkers that are candidates for therapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma.
COMPLETION OF LATTICES OF SEMI-CONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS

If U and V are topologies on an abstract set X, then the triple (X, U, V) is a bitopological space. Using the theorem of Priestley on the representation of distributive lattices, results of Dilworth concerning the normal completion of the lattice of bounded, continuous, realvalued functions on a topological space are extended to include the lattice of bounded, semi-continuous, real-valued functions on certain bitopological spaces. The distributivity of certain lattices is investigated, and the theorem of Funayama on distributive normal completions is generalized.
Aldose reductase inhibitors: therapeutic implications for diabetic complications.

The ‘late complications’ of diabetes mellitus, i.e., nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy are firmly rooted in inadequate control of blood glucose: hyperglycaemia. Hyperglycaemia causes elevated cytosolic glucose and/or rates of glucose metabolism, i.e., ‘hyperglysolia,’ within cells of vulnerable tissues. Although the molecular basis for the pathogenic effects of hyperglysolia remains to be proven, substantial evidence points to a key role for increased glucose metabolism through a cytosolic enzyme, aldose reductase (AR). Recent human genetic and biochemical data link polymorphisms of the AR gene (technically called the AR2 gene) and elevated tissue levels of AR with strongly altered risks for diabetic complications. Despite several genetic reports failing to confirm such an association, there are now ten concordant reports from five continents that certain polymorphisms of the AR gene are associated with an ~ 3- to 20-fold higher risk for diabetic complications. Moreover, in US and European diabetic ...
Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients with Impaired Left Ventricular Function: The Role of Propafenone

The combined occurrence of left ventricular dysfunction and -ventricular tachyarrhythmias portends a high annual mortality. Anti arrhythmic drugs can ameliorate ventricular arrhythmia and may reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death. We administered propafenone to 15 patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias and left ventricular ejection fractions 40%. Propafenone significantly reduced isolated ventricular premature depolarizations, couplets, and ventricular tachycardia on ambulatory monitoring. Propafenone eliminated all exercise provocable ventricular tachycardia. Propafenone additionally abolished ventricular tachycardia inducible by programmed stimulation in 4 of 7 patients. In 8 patients studied before and during therapy, there was no significant change in left ventricular ejection fraction as determined by nuclear ventriculography. Propafenone was discontinued in 4 patients due to side effects. Seven patients receiving continuing propafenone therapy remain alive with only one patient suffering arrhythmia recurrence. Propafenone is an effective drug for the management of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and may be used for patients with impaired left ventricular function.
Soy Bean Oilmeal and Ground Soy Beans as Protein Supplements in Dairy Rations

I t has been a problem to develop on Indiana farms crops which would supply sufficient protein in the dairy ration. Up to this time cottonseed meal, linseed oilmeM and gluten meal have been the chief ~igh protein concentrates that have been used in the dairy ration. As all of these feeds must be purchased and brought to the farm, a much smaller quantity of them has been fed than that which should be fed. Recently there has been considerable interest in the growing of soy beans on Indiana farms, and inquiries have been very frequently made by Indiana dairymen as to whether soy beans could be used as protein supplements in the dairy ration. A number of early feeding trials have been made comparing soy bean oilmeal and soy bean cake with cottonseed meal as a protein supplement in the dairy ration, and they were found equal to or superior to cottonseed meal for production. Similar results have been obtained with ground soy beans (1) (2) (3). At the Indiana station (4), it has been found that ground soy beans together with a mineral mixture might be supplemented with good results for purchased protein concentrates in the ration of hogs. Feeding trials conducted recently (5) indicate that ground soy beans can be supplemented for linseed oilmeal in the dairy ration, and that soy bean oilmeal has practically the same feeding vaiue as linseed oilmeal for milk production. I t has been suggested by some feed manufacturers interested in soy bean products, that farmers might send their soy beans to the mills where the oil would be extracted and the oilmeal returned to the farmers, the miller accepting the oil for his part of the transaction. In the feeding of ground soy .beans, the preparation of this feed
Arithmetic walsh transform of quadratic boolean functions

Recently an arithmetic or "with carry" analog of the Walsh-Hadamard transform of Boolean functions was defined. In this paper we compute the arithmetic Walsh transforms of quadratic functions. We find that, as with traditional Walsh-Hadamard transform, the arithmetic Walsh spectrum of quadratic functions is very flat.
Proton Spin Relaxation and Thermal History Effects in Organic Molecular Solids

We present a preliminary report on a study of the effect of thermal history on the solid state proton spin relaxation (SSPSR) rate in organic molecular solids. In the present case, the SSPSR technique uses the reorientation of methyl groups as a dynamic probe of the local environment. We can learn about the effect of the local electrostatic anisotropies as the state of the solid changes with time and temperature. The solid used in this study is 1,3,5-tri-t-butylbenzene (TTB). It is a highly symmetric molecule and it serves as a model system for a Van der Waals solid. The SSPSR rates are extremely sensitive to local and long-range structure (via the distribution of local structure) and the goal is to correlate the observed SSPSR rate with the structure at the nearestneighbor-molecule level, the several-molecule level and the macroscopic state of the solid. We are able to prepare TTB in a reproducible manner in a variety of as yet unknown states, presumably ranging from various crystalline states to various amorphous states, by carefully controlling the thermal history.
Capital Movements and Environmental Harms

The authors engage appropriate macrosociological theorization and employ quantitative comparative methods to assess the extent to which various forms of environmental degradation in less-developed countries are tied to inward foreign direct investment in the primary and secondary sectors. Analyzed outcomes include carbon dioxide emissions, industrial organic water pollution, and deforestation. Such forms of environmental harms are known to partially shape migration processes as well as other social dynamics. Results of longitudinal analyses indicate that all three forms of environmental degradation are positively associated with sector-level inward foreign direct investment, which provides broad support for the engaged theoretical orientation.
Tales of Diversity: What Lawyers Say About Racial Equity in Private Firms

This paper reports on what a narrative study of the legal profession has revealed about diversity in private law firms. Since 1995 I have taught a course about the legal profession that revolves around interviews with lawyers representing the breadth of the legal profession. Over nine iterations, I have completed over 100 such interviews. They have yielded narratives on such topics as how various kinds of practice groups work, how legal careers evolve, how lawyers' professional and personal lives interact, how lawyers feel about their profession, and what they believe are their most difficult moral and ethical challenges. The topic of diversity in various practice settings has also figured prominently in most of the interviews. All of the lawyers interviewed have expressed enthusiasm for diversity as a value to be pursued. However, almost without exception, private-firm lawyers have admitted that their respective organizations have made unsatisfactory progress. When asked to analyze their firm's performance, most provide explanations that do not augur well for the diversification of the private bar in the near future. Their narratives implicate as causal factors the history of individual firms, the nature of intimate business associations, the profession's dominant hiring and promotion models, and, in most cases, the absence of external pressures to diversify.
Current-algebra calculation of the decay tau. -->. 3. pi nu

A fit to the integrated rate and $3\ensuremath{\pi}$ mass distribution of the decay mode ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ has been performed using hard-pion current algebra, including the approximate imposition of unitarity. We find that the existence of an ${A}_{1}$ with low mass (${m}_{A}=1.1$ GeV) and narrow width [${{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{A}}^{\mathrm{tot}}=150$ MeV, $\ensuremath{\Gamma}({A}_{1}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\pi})=100$ MeV] is consistent with the data if there is an appreciable non-$\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\pi}$ contribution to the matrix element $〈3\ensuremath{\pi}|{A}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}|0〉$. Such a contact term is predicted to exist by current algebra.
Molybdenum, Tungsten, and Rhenium d2 Complexes That Contain the [(C6F5NCH2CH2)2NMe]2- Ligand

The reaction between (C6F5NHCH2CH2)2NH and methyl iodide in the presence of base leads to (C6F5NHCH2CH2)2NMe (H2[ArFNMe]) in good yield. Reactions between H2[ArFNMe] and MCl4 (M = Mo or W) in the presence of NEt3 yield pseudooctahedral paramagnetic compounds of the type [Et3NH]{[ArFNMe]MCl3}. The reaction between 3 equiv of MeMgCl and [Et3NH]{[ArFNMe]MoCl3} produced paramagnetic trigonal bipyramidal [ArFNMe]MoMe2. The reaction between H2[ArFNMe] and Mo(NMe2)4 produced paramagnetic seven-coordinate [(C6F4(NMe2)NCH2CH2)2NMe]MoF2 instead of five-coordinate [(C6F5NCH2CH2)2NMe]Mo(NMe2)2, while the reaction between H2[ArFNMe], [NEt4]2[Re(O)Cl5], and NEt3 produced diamagnetic trigonal bipyramidal [ArFNMe]Re(O)Cl. X-ray studies confirmed the structures of [Et3NH]{[ArFNMe]MoCl3}, [ArFNMe]MoMe2, [(C6F4(NMe2)NCH2CH2)2NMe]MoF2, and [ArFNMe]Re(O)Cl.
Nest Architecture and Reproductive Performance in Tree Swallows (Tachycineta Bicolor)

ABSTMACT.-Nests are an important component of parental effort in birds. From 1988 to 1990, I compared the architecture of nests built by subadult and adult female Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) in boxes in southeastern Michigan in order to determine if there were age-related differences in nest architecture and if these differences were associated with agerelated differences in reproductive performance. Nests built by Tree Swallows were composed of a mat of dry grasses and a nest cup lined with feathers. On average, nest material filled approximately 30% of a nest box. I observed few age-related differences in nest architecture. However, nests built by subadult females were significantly less well feathered than nests built by adult females, but feather score was not correlated with the production of nestlings or fledglings. There were age-related and within-season variations in reproductive performance associated with variations in nest architecture, especially later in the season. Among subadult females that bred later in the season (i.e. after the population median date of clutch initiation), those females that built larger nests (as indicated by total nest volume, depth of material beneath the nest cup, and percentage of nest box filled with material) hatched more eggs per clutch. In 1990, subadult females that bred later in the season and built larger nests (as indicated by depth of material beneath nest cup and percentage of nest box filled with material) produced significantly more hatchlings but significantly fewer fledglings. Among adult females that bred later in the season, those females that built nests that filled a larger percentage of the nest box hatched fewer eggs. Adult females with nests having larger cups produced significantly more fledglings, but those with cups crowded with nestlings (as indicated by a cup index [total egg volume/nest cup volume]) produced significantly fewer fledglings. In 1990, adult females that bred later in the season and built larger nests (as indicated by depth of nest material, total nest volume, percentage of nest box filled with material) and had more-crowded nest cups produced fewer hatchlings and fledged a significantly smaller proportion of hatchlings. These results suggest that nestling hyperthermia in well-insulated nests may affect the reproductive performance of Tree Swallows that breed late in the season. Received 11 January 1993, accepted 1 July 1993.
A derivation of the multivariate singular skew-normal density function

We prove the existence of a multivariate singular skew-normal density function, derive its moment generating function, and demonstrate that the skewness parameter-vector is confined to the column space of the singular dispersion matrix.
Accident Analysis and Treament of a Heating Steam Turbine Generator Set Rotor Bending

This paper analyzes the process of the rotor bending accident of the heating steam turbine generator set.It was confirmed that the main reason of rotor bending is rubbing and the direct reason of cause rubbing is large difference temperature of up and down of cylinder.After the bending rotor straightened and rotors low –speed dynamic balanced and the coupler end face restored,the units was started and combined to the grid smoothly,each bearing vibration achieves good level.
Mindfulness-of-breathing exercise modulates EEG alpha activity during cognitive performance

The present study investigated whether engaging in a mindful breathing exercise would affect EEG oscillatory activity associated with self-monitoring processes, based on the notion that mindfulness enhances attentional awareness. Participants were assigned to either an audio exercise in mindful breathing or an audio control condition, and then completed a Stroop task while EEG was recorded. The primary EEG measure of interest was error-related alpha suppression (ERAS), an index of self-monitoring in which alpha power is reduced, suggesting mental engagement, following errors compared to correct responses. Participants in the mindful-breathing condition showed increased alpha power during the listening exercise and enhanced ERAS during the subsequent Stroop task. These results indicate enhanced error-monitoring among those in the mindful-breathing group.
The pragmatics of language: theoretical and applied issues.

The paper reviews the contributions made paradigm shift which has occurred in our discipline. Comments are also made from the broader perspective of the philosophy of science.
Cell swelling increases intracellular free [Ca] in cultured toad bladder cells.

We examined the effect of cell swelling on intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca]i) in cultured toad bladder cells (TB-M) grown as a polarized monolayer on collagen-coated filters. [Ca]i was measured by use of fura-2, fluorescence microscopy, and simple video imaging. In preliminary experiments we determined that reducing ionic strength by 15% had no effect on the Kd of fura-2, indicating that the dye could be used to examine the effects of cell swelling on [Ca]i. Reducing the osmolality of the serosal bathing medium by 15% caused [Ca]i to increase within 10 s from 97 +/- 9 to 354 +/- 88 nM (n = 5). By 2 min [Ca]i had declined to 163 +/- 22 nM. The increase in [Ca]i was not caused by a fall in Na concentration ([Na]) because isosmotic reduction of serosal [Na] did not result in an increase in [Ca]i. The swelling-induced increase in [Ca]i could be abolished by lowering serosal [Ca] to 200 nM and by addition of lanthanum. The calcium-channel blockers nitrendipine and verapamil also inhibited the swe...
A mechanism for shattering microexplosions and dispersive boiling phenomena in aluminum–lithium alloy based solid propellant

Abstract The microexplosive nature of multicomponent liquid fuels has been both studied and fielded to decrease droplet residence times and increase completeness of combustion. However, little work has focused on investigating microexplosive metal fuels to enhance the metal fuel combustion efficiency in traditional energetic material formulations. Microscopic surface videography was performed on two solid propellant formulations, one using aluminum (baseline) and the other with 80/20 wt% Al–Li alloy as fuel additives. It was observed that the propellant combustion with neat aluminum formed large molten droplets at the surface as aluminum particles agglomerate, which is a well-known problem with aluminized propellants. In contrast, the Al–Li propellant formed an Al–Li melt-layer on the propellant surface during combustion. Droplets were ejected from the surface melt-layer through dispersive boiling. Above the surface, further dispersive boiling is observed from the ejected droplets and droplet-shattering microexplosions are also observed. These dynamics are thought to be a result of a large disparity in volatility (i.e., boiling points) between the metals in the molten alloy and the large Lewis number in the droplet, so that superheating occurs before the more volatile component (here Li) can diffuse to the surface. A Lewis number of 7440 was estimated for molten 80/20 wt% Al–Li alloy, which is nearly three orders of magnitude larger than typical multicomponent liquid hydrocarbon droplets that microexplode, suggesting a higher propensity for molten droplet microexplosions. This would also indicate that a smaller amount of the volatile component might be necessary for microexplosions and dispersive boiling than observed for liquid hydrocarbon fuels. These dynamics are important for metal fuel applications, because injectors cannot be used to decrease droplet size in a metallized energetic material formulation.
Presentation and diagnostic delay in ataxia telangiectasia (A-T)

Background: A-T is a rare multisystem disease with high early mortality from lung disease and cancer, and is the subject of an ERS task force on respiratory management. Families and carers of children with rare diseases experience significant diagnostic delays, and difficulty accessing appropriate health care( Zurynski ADC 2008;1071–4 ). Aim: To identify points in the diagnostic pathway that contribute to the delay in the diagnosis and suggest areas for improvement. Methods: Retrospective case note review at the National Paediatric clinic to identify presentation (the nature of and age at initial symptoms, age at first presentation to a health care professional),and diagnostic delays (age at measurement of alpha fetoprotein[AFP]-a high level is an important diagnostic biomarker and at genetic confirmation of diagnosis). Siblings of index cases were excluded from analysis of delayed diagnosis. Results: Data was collected from 79 children. There were 9 sibling pairs. At presentation 71 children(90%) had ataxia, 13(16%) had recurrent or persistent infections, 4(5%) had ocular telangiectasia and 3(4%) had malignancy. | | Median(Range)age in years | || | Initial symptoms | 1.5 (0.5-2) | | First presentation | 2.4 (0.8-10.6) | | Presentation delay | 0.67 (0-9.8) | | AFP measured | 5 (1.9-18.4) | | Genetic confirmation | 4.3 (2.1-14.8) | | Diagnostic delay | 1 (1-9.1) | Age at presentation and diagnosis Conclusions: There is a significant delay in presentation and diagnostic confirmation.In France the median age(3.3 years)and time to diagnosis (2 years) of A-T has decreased among patients born since 2000( Micol. JACI 2011:382-9 ). Earlier measurement of AFP in children with symptoms suggestive of A-T and increased awareness of the condition may help facilitate an earlier diagnosis.
Structural Assignments of Sulfur-Containing Compounds in Crude Oil Using Ion Mobility Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry

Through proof-of-concept experiments, a preliminary structural characterization of isomeric and isobaric sulfur-containing compounds in petroleum is presented. Silver attachment to sulfur atom has been used for ionization enhancement of these compounds, which are less accessible by positive-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Here, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is combined with the enhanced ionization approach and MS to characterize sulfur compounds in crude oil. The silver isotopes, being of nearly equal abundance and having a similar effect upon ion mobilities, provide a fingerprint for assignments of sulfur-containing ions in two-dimensional (2D) plots of mass-to-charge (m/z) vs drift time (tD). Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) MS has been employed for the determination of molecular formulas for these ions. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) data are utilized to complement collision cross section (CCS) comparisons for candidate structures obtained from high mas...
“Ziffern im Schein der Wunderlampe”: Neo-Liberal and Neo-Colonial Fictions in Dieter Kühn’s Und der Sultan von Oman

This article examines economic and narrative crises through the lens of Dieter Kuhn’s 1979 novel Und der Sultan von Oman. It argues that the oil crisis of 1973 set in motion an exploration of neo-liberal capitalism together with its inherent neo-colonial traits. More specifically, this essay contends that this moment of economic, epistemological, and representational crisis discloses both the fictionalization and mediatization of economics and post-colonial depictions of Other worlds in the West German novel. In this way, literature not only becomes complicit in the narrative structures of the neo-liberal economy but is also capable of making economic crises representable and understandable because of this very culpability.
Determining Power and Sample Size for Simple and Complex Mediation Models

Mediation analyses abound in social and personality psychology. Current recommendations for assessing power and sample size in mediation models include using a Monte Carlo power analysis simulation and testing the indirect effect with a bootstrapped confidence interval. Unfortunately, these methods have rarely been adopted by researchers due to limited software options and the computational time needed. We propose a new method and convenient tools for determining sample size and power in mediation models. We demonstrate our new method through an easy-to-use application that implements the method. These developments will allow researchers to quickly and easily determine power and sample size for simple and complex mediation models.
Training methods and assessment in endoscopic ultrasound

Abstract Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic procedure widely available in the United States. Expanding indications for its use have led to an increased interest in performing the procedure and a demand for training opportunities among both experienced endoscopists and fellowship trainees. Training most commonly occurs in supervised, structured, hands-on settings, with competency being assessed using procedure numbers and subjective assessments. Other means of training are available but are recommended only as an adjunct to closely supervised training. Recently, methods for standardized assessment of procedural competency have been studied, and show that the absolute procedure numbers are a suboptimal method for assessing competency, and that trainees achieve competency at different rates. Published guidelines from national societies are available regarding competency and credentialing for EUS, and propose minimum case numbers before competency can be assessed. This article will focus on training pathways available in EUS, the most current national guidelines for competency assessment, a review of available evidence regarding competency assessment and learning curves for EUS trainees, and a review of the evolving quality indicators in EUS performance.
Thrombosed Infected Graft

This chapter discusses a patient on dialysis for 6 months with a left forearm loop graft who was referred to the dialysis access clinic with a thrombosed graft. Unexpectedly, it was found to be infected.
Search and pursuit-evasion in mobile robotics

This paper surveys recent results in pursuit-evasion and autonomous search relevant to applications in mobile robotics. We provide a taxonomy of search problems that highlights the differences resulting from varying assumptions on the searchers, targets, and the environment. We then list a number of fundamental results in the areas of pursuit-evasion and probabilistic search, and we discuss field implementations on mobile robotic systems. In addition, we highlight current open problems in the area and explore avenues for future work.
Deep learning methods for CT image-domain metal artifact reduction

Artifacts resulting from metal objects have been a persistent problem in CT images over the last four decades. A common approach to overcome their effects is to replace corrupt projection data with values synthesized from an interpolation scheme or by reprojection of a prior image. State-of-the-art correction methods, such as the interpolation- and normalization-based algorithm NMAR, often do not produce clinically satisfactory results. Residual image artifacts remain in challenging cases and even new artifacts can be introduced by the interpolation scheme. Metal artifacts continue to be a major impediment, particularly in radiation and proton therapy planning as well as orthopedic imaging. A new solution to the long-standing metal artifact reduction (MAR) problem is deep learning, which has been successfully applied to medical image processing and analysis tasks. In this study, we combine a convolutional neural network (CNN) with the state-of-the-art NMAR algorithm to reduce metal streaks in critical image regions. Training data was synthesized from CT simulation scans of a phantom derived from real patient images. The CNN is able to map metal-corrupted images to artifact-free monoenergetic images to achieve additional correction on top of NMAR for improved image quality. Our results indicate that deep learning is a novel tool to address CT reconstruction challenges, and may enable more accurate tumor volume estimation for radiation therapy planning.
Variable topology truss: Design and analysis

This paper introduces a new class of self-reconfigurable robot: the variable topology truss (VTT). Related to an existing class of robots, the variable geometry truss (VGT), variable topology trusses have the additional capability to change the topology of the truss through self-reconfiguration. The hardware necessary to achieve this is introduced, and the constraints and capabilities of this new type of robot are analyzed by introducing the concept of a topology neighbor graph. Lastly, the minimal reconfigurable VTTs, which require 18 members, are identified and their achievable topologies are enumerated.
Serving Community Faculty Through a Dedicated Liaison.

ABSTRACTCommunity-based medical schools rely heavily on volunteer faculty to provide medical education. Volunteer faculty consist of health care professionals, primarily physicians, who commit to educating medical students and residents. While these volunteer faculty are typically unpaid, many medical schools provide some benefits to them for volunteering their time. One such benefit, although rarely noted in library or medical education literature, is access to academic medical library resources and services. This article highlights a library services liaison model dedicated to the support of volunteer faculty at a community-based medical school.
Dopaminergic Neurogenetics of Sleep Disorders in Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS).

It is well known that sleep has a vital function for prevention of substance-related disorders as discussed in the DSM-V. We are cognizant that certain dopaminergic gene polymorphisms have been associated with various sleep disorders. The importance of “normal dopamine homeostasis” is tantamount for health status and quality of life for the recovering addict. Since it is now know that sleep per se has been linked with metabolic clearance of neurotoxins in the brain, it is essential to encourage continued research in sleep science, which should ultimately result in attenuation of sleep deprivation especially associated with substance related disorders.
Activation-based parsing

A model is presented that describes natural language parsing in terms of a uniform activation algorithm which operates over an interconnected, declarative structure of nodes and node instances. The algorithm directs the flow of activation and expectation using only local information and, hence, supports substantial concurrency. A representation is introduced to express node relationships and activation agreement Examples of several linguistic processes and their interrelationships are described.
Lead Exposure, Concentrated Disadvantage, and Violent Crime Rates

AbstractLead is an environmental toxin that contributes to several health and neurological development problems, with young children particularly at risk. Research shows that elevated blood lead le...
Progress on Photophoretic Trap Displays

We review the fundamentals photophoretic trap displays and discuss the possibility of creating occlusion capable image points. Anisotropic scattering is observed independently in single and double point traps.
Planar reflectionless filters

The harmful effects that standing waves may have on an electronic system are well known. The symptoms of standing waves are less direct when they occur out-of-band, but the negative impact they have on system performance is no less real or important. Problems that arise from stop-band mismatches are in some ways even more troublesome than those in-band because they are too often not fully appreciated until after the first prototype is built, by which time some critical design and packaging decisions have already been made. Reflectionless filters provide a safeguard against these concerns. This chapter looks at reflectionless network topology, scaled prototype parameter tables, planar lumped-element implementations, delta-wye transformation for reduced impedance, non-canonical filter responses, transmission-line reflectionless filters, Chebyshev and Zolotarev type I filters.