cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lung Cancer Stem Cells

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality and novel therapies are desperately needed to treat metastatic and recurrent disease. The cancer stem cell hypothesis is based on data that within each tumor there is a small sub-population of cancer stem cells that display the stem cell properties of self-renewal, pluripotency, a high proliferative capacity, and the ability to resist chemotherapy and radiation. These cancer stem cells are a likely cause of tumor resurgence after initial response to treatment and are an important therapeutic target. Distinct populations of epithelial cells in the airway and lung have been identified as the cells of origin for the major types of lung cancer: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell cancer, and small cell lung cancer. As we develop new therapies that target these cancer stem cell populations important work is underway to identify reliable cancer stem cell markers and to better understand the major pathways that fuel cancer stem cells. There is great interest in developing antibodies and small molecule inhibitors to the Wnt, Sonic Hedgehog, and Notch pathways to target cancer stem cells in lung and other malignancies, and multiple new drugs are in various stages of clinical trials. Lung cancer stem cells are a promising therapeutic target and important work remains to be done to better understand the role that lung cancer stem cells play in tumor development and recurrence.
Study on the Heat Pump Technique to Reclaim Circulating Water Waste Heat in Thermal Power Plant

Heat pump is the device which can transform low grade heat energy into high grade heat energy.There is a lot of waste heat from circulating cooling water in thermal power plants,the heat pump has the ability to recover the waste heat to provide hot water or preheat the condensate.The five schemes of using circulating water or turbine exhaust steam as heat resource were introduced,then three generating units with the rating loads of 200MW,300MW and 600MW were selected as examples for analysis in aspects of heat recovery in exhaust steam latent and circulating water.Energy conservation is analyzed by the scheme of replacing the low pressure heaters condenser.The results showed the heat pump technology have the double effects on energy saving and environmental protection,and the higher working load,the more distinct effects of energy saving.
In sickness and in death: Assessing frailty in human skeletal remains.

Stress plays an important role in the etiology of multiple morbid and mortal outcomes among the living. Drawing on health paradigms constructed among the living augments our evolving knowledge of relationships between stress and health. Therefore, elucidating relationships between stress and both chronic and acute skeletal lesions may help clarify our understanding of long-term health trends in the past. In this study, we propose an index of "skeletal frailty," based on models of frailty used to evaluate the life-long effects of stress on health among living populations. Here, we assess the possible applicability of frailty to archaeological populations. The skeletal frailty index (SFI) is proposed as a methodological liaison between advances made by biological anthropologists studying relationships between stress and health among the living and bioarchaeologists studying stress and health among the dead. In a case study examining skeletal stress in Medieval London, the SFI is applied to nonmonastic (N = 60) and monastic (N = 74) samples. We used analysis of variance/analysis of covariance to compare SFI values between nonmonastic-monastic groups, sexes, and age cohorts. Results indicate higher lifetime morbidity among monastic groups. These results complement previous bioarchaeological findings on the same London populations, wherein lower risks of mortality and longer lifespans were observed for monastic populations. SFI data reflect the morbidity-mortality paradox observed in modern populations and accompany recent findings in bioarchaeology of variation in Medieval monastic and nonmonastic "health." Ultimately, this study demonstrates the SFI's utility in bioarchaeology, through its application of commonly assessed skeletal biomarkers, its ease of applicability, and its potential usefulness for assessing changes in skeletal health over time and across specific geographies.
Safety of the 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14 seasonal influenza vaccines in pregnancy: Preterm delivery and specific malformations, a study from the case-control arm of VAMPSS.

Abstract Background Pregnant women have higher risks of influenza complications, but vaccine coverage is incomplete. Because concern about fetal harm limits uptake, we investigated risks for preterm delivery (PTD) and specific birth defects following vaccination in the 2011–12 through 2013–14 influenza seasons. Methods We used data from the Slone Epidemiology Center’s Birth Defects Study. For PTD, propensity score-adjusted time-varying hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for exposure anytime in pregnancy and for each trimester. For 42 specific major birth defects or birth defect categories, propensity score-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Results For PTD (1803 fullterm deliveries, 107 PTD for all seasons combined), an elevated adjusted risk was observed for only the 2nd trimester of the 2011–12 season (HR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.21, 5.61) – a reduction in gestational length of 1.0. For each season separately, only one elevated OR had a lower 95% CI >1.0: omphalocele in 2011–12 (OR = 5.19, 95% CI 1.44, 18.7). Conclusions Our results regarding risks for PTD and birth defects are generally reassuring. The few risks that were observed are compatible with chance, but warrant testing in other data. Given that vaccine components and manufacturing processes vary, continuing studies are needed to evaluate risks and safety of each season’s vaccine and specific products.
Law: Lex vs. Ius

Rather than seeing law as a vague norm or overly precise and possibly untenable rights this article argues for a simpler functionalist definition of law as a set of conditionals associated with imperatives. As such it hopes to bypass two fruitless parallel debates which however do not address each other: 1) the nature of norms 2) the nature of rights.
Patient education, engagement and shared decision making: APM patients need to have skin in the game

Abstract Total joint replacement remains a highly cost-effective procedure with the potential to improve patient's quality of life and long-term health. Bundled payment programs require increased alignment between hospitals, surgeons, and patients in order to obtain improved outcomes. Many of the desired care processes and steps needed to cost-effectively achieve the optimal outcome require active patient participation. Therefore, patient engagement throughout the entire episode is critical and efforts to improve and maximize that are needed. Shared decision-making combined with an accurate portrayal of patient risk and the benefits of risk factor modification are discussed.
Introduction to Neurophysiology

Neurophysiology is a critical and exciting topic to study and understand in great detail for those working in any field associated with neuroengineering—basic or applied research, device design and development, and/or neurology or neurosurgical clinical subspecialties. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a general introduction to neurophysiology with more detailed information on several selected topics and to offer a high level overview of the workings of the human central nervous system (CNS). One can explore other sources to find in-depth discussions related to many of the topics introduced in this chapter, as well as learn the specifics of state-of-the-art neuroengineering concepts related to each topic.
A Note on the Representation of Cosserat Rotation

This brief article provides an independent derivation of a formula given by Kafadar and Eringen (1971) connecting two distinct Cosserat spins. The first of these, the logarithmic spin represents the time rate of change of the vector defining finite Cosserat rotation, whereas the second, the instantaneous spin, gives the local angular velocity representing the infinitesimal generator of that rotation. While the formula of Kadafar and Eringen has since been identified by Iserles et al. (2000) as the differential of the Lie-group exponential, the present work provides an independent derivation based on quaternions. As such, it serves to bring together certain scattered results on quaternionic algebra, which is currently employed as a computational tool for representing rigid-body rotation in various branches of physics, structural and robotic dynamics, and computer graphics.
State capital improvement programs and institutional arrangements for capital budgeting: The case of illinois

This study describes the Illinois State capital budget process and explains why traditional capital planning has not been adopted in Illinois. The state uses non-accounting techniques and multi-attribute judgment criteria, including political and social values, to make decisions. The case suggests that regardless of their sophistication, accounting methods are, relatively, not useful in ranking capital projects across functions. The methods compare "pples" and "oranges." A comparison of capital projects across functions may be impossible with any set of methods. Intelligent sub-optimization within given functions may be the best academics and practitioners can hope for in rationalizing project choice and maintenance, particularly in large cities or state governments. Public capital-budgeting educators might shift their focus in training prospective public budgeters, from accounting methods to critical thinking, through multi-attribute analysis methods.
Preoperative assessment of computerized tomography angiography to predict success for crossing long Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus D lesions using the optical coherence tomography catheter.

Objectives Optical coherence tomography chronic total occlusion catheter, the Ocelot (Avinger Inc., Redwood City, CA), has been utilized to cross Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus D lesions. This study evaluated the preoperative computerized tomography angiography of chronic total occlusions in the superficial femoral artery to predict clinical success. Methods We reviewed all patients who underwent lower extremity procedures with the Ocelot catheter from June 2014 to August 2016. Patients who had a preoperative computerized tomography angiography were evaluated. Final outcomes, plaque morphology, lesion length, calcium surface area, lesion location, and patient characteristics were analyzed. Results A total of 107 patients underwent lower extremity interventions with the Ocelot catheter. Seventy patients had a preoperative computerized tomography angiography scan prior to lower extremity intervention and 77% (54) had Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus D lesions that were crossed. Mean age was 62.8 years and 68.6% were male. Mean chronic total occlusion length was 182.7 mm (170.8 mm crossed vs. 222.6 mm uncrossed, p = 0.03). Calcium distribution differed significantly ( p<.01): circumferential (14.8 vs. 12.5%); eccentric (85 vs. 62.5%); and complete calcium occlusion (0 vs. 25%) for lesions that were crossed and uncrossed, respectively. Significant differences ( p<.0001) were found when calcium occlusion was less than 50% (87 vs. 31%), 51-75% (9.3 vs. 31.2%), and 76-100% (3.7 vs. 37.5%). Total calcium length in crossed lesion was 51.6 mm, and 92.8 mm in uncrossed lesions ( p = 0.10). No significant differences were noted for patient gender, occlusion location (proximal, middle, and distal superficial femoral artery), and kidney function. Conclusion The Ocelot catheter is an effective method to cross long Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus D lesions. Superficial femoral artery lesions longer than 17 cm and focal plaque morphology, specifically a total cross-sectional area of calcium and a calcium surface area greater than 50% were most predictive of failure to cross Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus D superficial femoral artery lesions. Computerized tomography angiography is an effective tool to predict success for crossing chronic total occlusions using optical coherence tomography technology and a critical consideration for patient selection.
Radical Resilience: Autonomous Self-management in Post-disaster Recovery Planning and Practice

This paper’s purpose is to develop a concept of radical resilience. We do so by drawing from both agonistic and anarchist planning theory. Radical resilience exists when people mobilize their abili...
How Project Management Overlaps with Lean Six Sigma

This article seeks to discuss how project management can help the Lean Six Sigma methodology impact project outcomes. It is found that projects managers play a vital role in the successful implementation of the LSS tools and on meeting customer requirements. This article analyzes and identifies the factors and constraints that projects face with the implementation of Lean Six Sigma methodology within the project management perspective. Further, this study provides a comparative analysis of different studies based on LSS tools and analyzes their applicability in different industries. This study found that there is a strong need for project management concepts and tools in the LSS methodology and vice versa. The article also identifies specific concepts and tools of project management that can help to improve the likelihood of success of LSS projects and initiatives. This article discusses how these project specific concepts and tools can be effectively used in LSS environments.
Modeling gold nanoparticle biodistribution after arterial infusion into perfused tissue: effects of surface coating, size and protein corona.

A detailed understanding of the factors governing nanomaterial biodistribution is needed to rationally design safe nanomedicines. This research details the pharmacokinetics of gold nanoparticle (Au...
Controversies Regarding Postvasectomy Management

Vasectomy remains among the safest, easiest, and surest methods of male sterilization. As such, it is one of the most popular methods of permanent contraception worldwide. However, despite the popularity of the technique itself, there has been a notable lack of consensus on the appropriate management of patients after vasectomy. We recommend waiting at least 3 months after vasectomy to assess azoospermia on semen analysis. A semen analysis indicating the complete absence of spermatozoa or the presence of only rare nonmotile spermatozoa is considered a marker of vasectomy success. Routine centrifugation of azoospermic semen to detect rare nonmotile spermatozoa is not currently considered the clinical standard of care in the United States.
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: Who, When, Why, and How

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is commonly used to provide renal support for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury, particularly patients who are hemodynamically unstable. A variety of techniques that differ in their mode of solute clearance may be used, including continuous venovenous hemofiltration with predominantly convective solute clearance, continuous venovenous hemodialysis with predominantly diffusive solute clearance, and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration, which combines both dialysis and hemofiltration. The present article compares CRRT with other modalities of renal support and reviews indications for initiation of renal replacement therapy, as well as dosing and technical aspects in the management of CRRT.
Calibration of White-Box Whole-Building Energy Models Using a Systems-Identification Approach

This paper builds a case for the importance of building energy models. It goes on to study the current techniques in calibration and their strengths and flaws. Ultimately a new method to identify the most influential parameters in building energy simulation is proposed. Through an RMSE based method of calibration, these parameters are calibrated and interpreted for reinforcing the reliability of the method and pointing out the weaknesses of the model. This process is also a starting step in the development of future aid packages for building operators and smart fault detector systems in buildings.
Cerebral Radiation Necrosis: Incidence, Pathogenesis, Diagnostic Challenges, and Future Opportunities

Cerebral radiation necrosis (CRN) is a major dose-limiting adverse event of radiotherapy. The incidence rate of RN varies with the radiotherapy modality, total dose, dose fractionation, and the nature of the lesion being targeted. In addition to these known and controllable features, there is a stochastic component to the occurrence of CRN—the genetic profile of the host or the lesion and their role in the development of CRN. Recent studies provide some insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying radiation-induced brain injury. In addition to these incompletely understood host factors, the diagnostic criteria for CRN using structural and functional imaging are also not clear, though multiple structural and functional imaging modalities exist, a combination of which may prove to be the ideal diagnostic imaging approach. As the utilization of novel molecular therapies and immunotherapy increases, the incidence of CRN is expected to increase and its diagnosis will become more challenging. Tissue biopsies can be insensitive and suffer from sampling biases and procedural risks. Liquid biopsies represent a promising, accurate, and non-invasive diagnostic strategy, though this modality is currently in its infancy. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of CRN will expand and optimize the diagnosis and management of CRN by better utilizing existing treatment options including bevacizumab, pentoxifylline, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and laser interstitial thermal therapy.
Advanced Solar Power Technology-Multiple Junction Photovoltaics

Solar energy is the primary energy source for human civilization on earth. It is estimated that less than 5% of solar energy arriving earth stays through photosynthesis and earth surface heating which causes wind and weather fluctuations. However, it was reported that even with a 160 km square area solar photovoltaics (PV) installation in Nevada, the generated power would have been sufficient for the entire power need in the USA. Although the world cumulative PV installation has reached 415 GW as of the end of 2017, this is far from being a noticeable power source for our daily activities. Increasing renewable energy shares in our total energy consumptions is crucial to reducing air pollution from fossil fuel power plants. To speed up PV installations, high solar efficiency solar cells must be used, and the installation cost must be lowered. The development of high-efficiency solar cell technology is essential for the satisfactory adoption of solar power in our society. To become the primary power source, solar power industry must also resolve the no power generation situation during evening and rainy days. Low-cost energy storage technology can provide a solution for such conditions. Presently, the most efficient solar PV system is of multiple junction solar cells. The best multiple junction solar cell in the laboratory was reported to be 46% by Fraunhofer. It is expected that a 50% cell be developed in the next few years. We have analyzed the best possible multiple junction design and reached a conclusion that the theoretical efficiency of a multiple junction cell can be as high as more than 70%.
Thinking Anthropologically for the Theologically and Missiologically Engaged

The attitude and ability to think anthropologically is both the most basic and most sophisticated aspect of contemporary anthropology. Thinking anthropologically is putting humans at the center by asking what it is to be human in different places and relationships, and in how we engage with the world around us. Thinking anthropologically is keeping human commonality and cultural and social diversity in balance. Thinking anthropologically is learning to be reflexive by thinking about ourselves and others, as well as thinking about the way we think. Thinking anthropologically is a great asset whenever we are faced with other humans, and thus provides the starting point for those who are theologically and missiologically engaged by providing a basis for all anthropological, theological and missiological reflection and activity.
Use of perioperative variables to determine the requirement for repeat celiotomy in horses with postoperative reflux after small intestinal surgery.

Objective To determine whether perioperative variables can be used to differentiate a medical vs a surgical reason for postoperative reflux (POR) after small intestinal (SI) surgery in horses. Study design Retrospective study. Sample population Horses >1 year of age that recovered from SI surgery and had POR. Methods Medical records of horses that underwent SI surgery and developed POR from 2009-2015 were reviewed. Surgical reasons for POR were defined as an anastomosis complication, mechanical obstruction, or nonviable intestine identified at repeat celiotomy/necropsy. A medical reason for POR was presumed when the POR improved with medical treatment or when no surgical reasons were identified at repeat celiotomy/necropsy. Perioperative variables were analyzed and used to develop a logistic regression model. Results Fifty-one horses had POR after SI surgery. After initial SI surgery, 14 horses had surgical reasons for POR diagnosed at repeat celiotomy or necropsy. Thirty-seven horses were considered to have medical reasons for POR because their POR resolved with medical management or functional ileus was diagnosed at repeat celiotomy/necropsy. A greater volume and a greater duration of POR were not associated with a surgical reason for POR. Rather, a postoperative (PO) fever and the timing of colic in the PO period were associated with a surgical reason for POR. Conclusion Horses that developed a fever and colic in the PO period after SI surgery were more likely to have a surgical reason for POR. Clinical significance These findings may provide guidance for clinicians when they are making decisions about repeat celiotomy in horses with POR after SI surgery.
Comparison of Mean Survival Time Between Yttrium-90 & Chemoembolization

2701 Objectives The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the mean survival times of subjects with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) when treated with Yttrium-90 microspheres versus chemoembolization. Methods Twenty-five deceased male chemoembolization subjects with primary HCC were selected, with ages ranging from 53 to 76 years old. The treatment range for the subjects was one to ten treatments with eight subjects also receiving radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatments. Fifteen-deceased male Y-90 microsphere therapy subjects with primary HCC were selected, with ages ranging from 55 to 83 years old. The treatment range was one to two treatments with two receiving RFA treatments and one receiving a bland embolization treatment. The two groups had similar Child-Pugh liver disease classifications, and similar anatomic distributions of tumor. Mean survival time after completion of therapy was analyzed using a two-sample t-test assuming unequal variance. In addition, regression analysis was performed to determine if the number of treatments in each group correlated with mean survival time. Results The mean survival time was 19.36 months (SD 12.79) for chemoembolization and 5.13 months (SD 3.42) for the Y-90 microsphere therapy. The p-value was 1.2404E-05. The R squared value, comparing the number of treatments and months lived after therapy, was 0.2522 for chemoembolization and 0.3338 for Y-90 microsphere therapy. Conclusions Chemoembolization has a higher mean survival time than Y-90 microsphere therapy. There was little correlation between number of treatments and mean survival time.
Direct carotid puncture in acute ischaemic stroke intervention

Endovascular intervention for acute ischaemic stroke care is mostly performed in older patients, often with unfavourable aortic and supra-aortic anatomy, as well as cardiovascular comorbidities. A significant subset of them may benefit from transcervical access as the initial approach for mechanical thrombectomy. In fact, direct carotid artery puncture in these cases has the advantage to bypass the anatomical obstacles and achieve faster reperfusion. Caution is advised when common carotid artery access is pursued in order to avoid adverse events, including haematoma formation, iatrogenic arterial dissection and sheath kinking. In spite of potential complications, direct carotid puncture in acute ischaemic stroke intervention overcomes challenging angioarchitecture and may reduce the rate of poor clinical outcomes associated with delayed revascularisation in certain cases.
Smart Specialisation: insights from the North American periphery

Smart Specialisation (S3) has been the driving force behind the European Union's regional innovation strategy for the last seven years. However, criticism has been levelled at the policy as lacking...
A Smart Mask for Active Defense Against Coronaviruses and Other Airborne Pathogens

Face masks provide effective, easy-to-use, and low-cost protection against airborne pathogens or infectious agents, including SARS-CoV-2. Existing masks are all passive in nature, i.e., simply act as air filters for the nasal passage and/or mouth. This article presents a new “active mask” paradigm, in which the wearable device is equipped with smart sensors and actuators to both detect the presence of airborne pathogens in real time and take appropriate action to mitigate the threat. The proposed approach is based on a closed-loop control system that senses airborne particles of different sizes near the mask and then makes intelligent decisions to reduce their concentrations. In the current implementation, an on-board controller determines ambient air quality via a commercial particulate matter sensor, and if necessary activates a piezoelectric actuator that generates a mist spray to load these particles, thus causing them to fall to the ground. The system communicates with the user via a smart phone application that provides various alerts, including the need to recharge and/or decontaminate the mask prior to reuse. The application also enables a user to override the on-board control system and manually control the mist generator if necessary. Experimental results from a functional prototype demonstrate significant reduction in airborne PM counts near the mask when the active protection system is enabled.
How Common is Essential Tremor? Update on the Worldwide Prevalence of Essential Tremor.

Background Essential tremor (ET) is among the most prevalent movement disorders. Comprehensive reviews of disease prevalence were published in 1998 and 2010 but not since then. We reviewed the prevalence of ET in population-based epidemiological studies, derived a precise summary estimate of prevalence from these studies, and examined differences in prevalence across studies. We used two methods: a descriptive-analytical approach and a meta-analysis. Methods A PUBMED search yielded 14 published papers since the 2010 review. Results There were 42 population-based prevalence studies (23 countries and 6 continents). In a meta-analysis, pooled prevalence (all ages) = 1.33%, with statistically significant heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 99.3%, p 20%. The prevalence increased by 74% for every decade increase in age (p < 0.0001). Gender did not impact the prevalence of ET (p = 0.90). Discussion Precise prevalence estimates are important because they form the numerical basis for public health initiatives and offer clues about underlying biological factors of mechanistic importance. The prevalence of ET among those age ≥ 65 is similar to that reported for Alzheimer's disease in elders, suggesting that ET may be the most common neurodegenerative disease.
Analysis of hypercube cache performance using address traces generated by TRAPEDS

The authors utilize a recently developed software method of capturing and analyzing address traces, known as TRAPEDS (TRAce Producing Execution Driven Simulation), to provide address traces for cache performance evaluation on a hypercube multicomputer. Utilizing TRAPEDS user code traces obtained from the implementations of several parallel algorithms on the Intel iPSC/2 hypercube, the authors simulate the cache performance effects of changing cache size, line size, and set associativity. Particular attention is devoted to the effect on cache performance of changing the dimension of the hypercube for a particular program and to the variation in cache statistics among the nodes of the hypercube.
Preventing Patent Hold up: An Economic Assessment of Ex Ante Licensing Negotiations in Standard Setting

The quote in the title refers to a recurring principle in the Antitrust Guidelines for the Licensing of Intellectual Property, issued jointly by the US Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission in 1995. That report states that The Agencies' general approach in analyzing a licensing restraint under the rule of reason is to inquire whether the restraint is likely to have anticompetitive effects and, if so, whether the restraint is reasonably necessary to achieve procompetitive benefits that outweigh those anticompetitive effects. We apply this standard of evaluation to recent proposals for joint licensing negotiations in standard setting contexts, which have been offered as a solution to the problem of opportunistic licensing and patent hold up. We find that, to the contrary, joint negotiations are not reasonably necessary to prevent hold up. Instead, other more moderate policy solutions that take advantage of existing institutional features within standard setting bodies have a greater likelihood of preventing hold up without running the risk of anticompetitive licensee collusion that is present with joint negotiations. In particular, we posit that standard setting bodies should set voting rules to obtain majority support in the selection of technologies for a standard and should consider means of encouraging ex ante bilateral negotiations. In addition, competition authorities could focus on the enforcement of non-discriminatory licensing as a means of preventing anticompetitive opportunistic hold up.
Lamb wave excitation in piezoelectric plates

The excitation of ultrasonic Lamb waves by an interdigital transducer (IDT) deposited on a piezoelectric plate is analyzed using the Green's function method. The amplitudes of the generated waves are obtained in terms of the charge density on transducer electrodes. An electrostatic analysis that neglects piezoelectric coupling is used to relate this charge density to the voltage applied across the IDT. The analysis has been used to calculate the input conductance of an IDT as well as the coupling coefficient between the IDT and the various Lamb wave modes. It is found that when the plate is more than a few acoustic wavelengths thick the lowest order symmetric and antisymmetric Lamb modes are almost equally generated. The slight difference in the velocities of these modes gives rise to the beating effect whereby energy launched by the IDT on one surface transfers periodically back and forth between the two surfaces as a sinusoidal function of the distance traveled. >
Their Views Matter: Frontline Regulators' Perceptions of the Regulated Community in Ohio

Frontline regulators are largely responsible for the implementation and ongoing compliance with environmental laws. Yet, as with other frontline worker populations, environmental regulators are routinely overlooked. Existing acknowledgment of these regulators typically only extends to the regulatory enforcement strategy their agency employs. Missing in these conversations is a focused study on regulators themselves and their perceptions of the regulated community that they interact with daily. Understanding these perceptions will provide insights into how regulators approach their interactions and how they ensure regulatory compliance. This research reports on one-on-one interviews and a statewide survey of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency frontline regulators and their perceptions of the regulated community. Findings from this survey reveal generally positive perceptions of the regulated community in Ohio and experiences with them. These findings call attention to a neglected population and emphasize the importance of regulators' perceptions in their regulatory approach.
Teaching Good Programming Style to COBOL Students

AbstractPedagogically significant results from an experiment which analyzed over 600 student COBOL programs for style provide evidence supportive of the use of good programming style. This paper presents some approaches which will aid instructors in the task of teaching good programming style to COBOL students. Specifically, the use of a style analyzer is discussed, a ranking of the style characteristics most often abused by COBOL students is presented, and classroom techniques for teaching good programming style are suggested.
Introduction to Formula SAE® Suspension and Frame Design

This paper is an introduction to Formula SAE (FSAE) suspension and frame design based on the experience of the design team at UM-Rolla. The basic theories and methodologies for designing these systems are presented so that new teams will have a baseline for their first FSAE design. Examples will be given based on UM-Rolla’s 1996 FSAE entry.
Control of Thin Film Processing Behavior Through Precursor Structural Modifications

In the sol-gel processing of ceramic thin films it has been frequently noted that the processing behavior, microstructure and properties of the films are dependent on the nature of the coating solution. In an attempt to understand such thin film processing-property relationships, the authors have systematically investigated the effects of varying the precursor nature on thin film densification and crystallization for ZrO{sub 2} and TiO{sub 2} films. Metal alkoxide starting compounds, e.g., zirconium n-butoxide{center_dot}n-butanol and titanium i-propoxide, were reacted with acetic acid and 2,4-pentanedione to prepare coating solutions for thin film deposition. The use of these chelating ligands resulted in solution oligomeric species of different nature. Studies of thin film processing indicated that film processing characteristics, i.e., consolidation, densification and crystallization, were strongly dependent on solution precursor nature. Ligand steric size, pyrolysis behavior, extent of chelation, and precursor reactivity were found to be key variables in controlling film processing characteristics.
Passive equalization of four 2.5-Gbit/s WDM channels over 1,000 km using notch filters

Summary form only given. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate passive equalization of the nonuniform gain of cascaded Er-doped fiber amplifers (EDFAs) for which a newly-generated gain peak appears near 1560 nm. The passive equalization is accomplished over a 7.4-nm wavelength range by periodically using notch filters along a 1000-km transmission link. Our results show that the signal power differential among the four WDM channels is reduced from 19 dB to 4 dB and that the 10/sup -9/ BER receiver sensitivity differential among the channels is decreased from 7.5 dB to only 3 dB.
Some numerical challenges in control theory

We discuss a number of novel issues in the interdisciplinary area of numerical linear algebra and control theory. Although we do not claim to be exhaustive we give a number of problems which we believe will play an important role in the near future. These are: sparse matrices, structured matrices, novel matrix decompositions and numerical shortcuts. Each of those is presented in relation to a particular (class of) control problems. These are respectively: large scale control systems, polynomial system models, control of periodic systems, and normalized coprime factorizations in robust control.
Heat transport and recirculating flow distribution behind a normal blockage, with application to LMFBRS

Abstract To achieve an understanding of the changes which occur in the recirculating, intermediate, and far flow fields behind a simple bluff body in an open fluid channel, a solution to the momentum equation of the modified Oseen type was developed. The velocity flow field predictions obtained from this equation provide a description of the changes in the flow distribution due to variations in the Reynolds number. An empirical modification to this solution is presented, such that the predicted solutions agree qualitatively as well as quantitatively with experimental recirculating flow data. This flow model is used as an input parameter in a wake thermal prediction model, which is capable of providing a framework for a relatively rapid first estimate prediction of the detailed wake temperature distribution.
Properties of accommodation models

The properties of physically realistic scalar accommodation models are discussed using a new Preisach-based model. Such properties include the absence of accommodation in the major loop and the existence of a threshold field below which no accommodation occurs. Three types of accommodation processes are classified and discussed. >
Isolation of the brain and rhythmicity in earthworms

1. In earthworms, Lumbricus terrestris L., the connectives between the supraesophageal and the subesophageal ganglia were severed. For these worms, locomotion and light-withdrawal were timed during periods starting at 12:00 and 19:00, E.S.T. 2. The average time taken to crawl 10 cm at 12:00 was 10.6 seconds and at 19:00, it was 11.1 seconds. The average withdrawal time at midday was 9.9 seconds and at 19:00, it was 10.3 seconds. 3. Therefore, the variations between midday and evening performances of normal worms (Bennett and Reinschmidt, 1965a and 1965b) were abolished by cutting the connectives as they were by the removal of the brain (Bennett and Willis, 1966).
Clomipramine challenge responses covary with tridimensional personality questionnaire scores in healthy subjects

Cloninger's Unified Biosocial Theory of Personality postulates a relationship between the relative functional activity of central serotonergic, dopaminergic, and noradrenergic neurotransmitter systems, and the strength of three elemental dimensions of personality. These dimensions are Harm Avoidance, Novelty Seeking, and Reward Dependence, respectively. Accordingly, we predicted that neuroendocrine responses to serotonergic challenge would correlate with Harm Avoidance scores, but not with Novelty Seeking or Reward Dependence scores. We examined the relationship between the prolactin and cortisol responses to a 12.5-mg intravenous clomipramine challenge and these personality dimensions as measured by Cloninger's Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire in 32 healthy subjects. The cortisol response correlated only with Harm Avoidance scores, as predicted; however, prolactin response did not correlate with Harm Avoidance scores. Instead, it demonstrated an inverse relationship with Novelty Seeking scores. There was a positive relationship of baseline prolactin with Harm Avoidance in a post hoc analysis. Cortisol response to serotonergic challenge may be a better indicator for responsivity of serotonergic systems as they relate to the personality dimension of Harm Avoidance than is prolactin. Prolactin responses may be overly affected by dopaminergic influences; however, baseline prolactin may still be a valid indicator of serotonergic tone.
LDPC codes generated by conics in the classical projective plane

We construct various classes of low-density parity-check codes using point-line incidence structures in the classical projective plane PG(2,q). Each incidence structure is based on the various classes of points and lines created by the geometry of a conic in the plane. For each class, we prove various properties about dimension and minimum distance. Some arguments involve the geometry of two conics in the plane. As a result, we prove, under mild conditions, the existence of two conics, one entirely internal or external to the other. We conclude with some simulation data to exhibit the effectiveness of our codes.
Positive Resolution of Childhood Sexual Abuse Experiences: The Role of Coping, Benefit-Finding and Meaning-Making

Resolution of the trauma of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and the current adjustment of 60 adult female CSA survivors were explored through qualitative and quantitative analyses of their coping strategies, perceived benefits, and meaning-making attempts. While the majority of the women (87%) perceived at least some benefit resulting from coping with the CSA experience, many (29%) found it impossible to make any meaning of their trauma. Specific benefits that were associated with various aspects of positive adjustment (marital satisfaction, better physical health, less isolation) included improved relationships with others, religious or spiritual growth, and improved parenting skills. Some perceived benefits were actually associated with a negative outcome. Increased knowledge of sexual abuse was associated with more isolation and lower marital satisfaction. When positive meaning could be derived from the coping process, the women reported less isolation. Avoidant coping was strongly associated with more depressive symptoms and poorer resolution of abuse issues. Results highlight the importance of considering coping strategies and cognitive restructuring efforts in designing therapeutic interventions with this population.
Effects of the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist Propranolol on dyskinesia and L-DOPA-induced striatal DA efflux in the hemi-parkinsonian rat

Dopamine (DA) replacement therapy with L-DOPA continues to be the primary treatment of Parkinson's disease; however, long-term therapy is accompanied by L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias (LID). Several experimental and clinical studies have established that Propranolol, a β-adrenergic receptor antagonist, reduces LID without affecting L-DOPA's efficacy. However, the exact mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-dyskinetic profile of Propranolol against a panel of DA replacement strategies, as well as elucidate the underlying neurochemical mechanisms. Results indicated that Propranolol, in a dose-dependent manner, reduced LID, without affecting motor performance. Propranolol failed to alter dyskinesia produced by the D1 receptor agonist, SKF81297 (0.08 mg/kg, sc), or the D2 receptor agonist, Quinpirole (0.05 mg/kg, sc). These findings suggested a pre-synaptic mechanism for Propranolol's anti-dyskinetic effects, possibly through modulating L-DOPA-mediated DA efflux. To evaluate this possibility, microdialysis studies were carried out in the DA-lesioned striatum of dyskinetic rats and results indicated that co-administration of Propranolol (20 mg/kg, ip) was able to attenuate L-DOPA- (6 mg/kg, sc) induced DA efflux. Therefore, Propranolol's anti-dyskinetic properties appear to be mediated via attenuation of L-DOPA-induced extraphysiological efflux of DA.
Correlations to Predict the Streamwise Influence Regions in Supersonic Turbulent Flows

Correlation functions that can accurately predict the extent of the streamwise regions of influence for twodimensional supersonic turbulent flows over compression ramps, expansion corners, and shock-impingement flowfields have been developed. These empirically developed correlations that involve known flow parameters can be used to determine the lengths of the streamwise (upstream and downstream) regions of influence. The correlations were obtained by analyzing numerically generated compression ramp, expansion corner, and shockimpingement flowfields. These flowfields were computed using an iterative parabolized Navier‐Stokes algorithm in conjunction with the relaxation eddy-viscosity turbulence model of Shang and Hankey. Regression analysis using the least-squares approach was applied to the numerically generated data to determine the correlation functions. The accuracy of the developed correlations is demonstrated by comparing them with experimental and numerical data, and they were found to be accurate in predicting the extent of both the upstream and downstream influence regions.
Catheter-associated bloodstream infections: Looking outside of the ICU

Background Current recommendations for the prevention of central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CA-BSIs) are mostly based on data from intensive care units (ICUs). The rates of CA-BSIs appear to be higher in non-ICU wards. Until this year, no published data were available on non-ICU CA-BSIs in the United States. This article is a summary of a talk given at an industry-sponsored conference on CA-BSIs. It summarizes an original article of ours previously published in a peer-reviewed journal. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the rate of CA-BSIs in non-ICU medical patients by developing a prospective surveillance program in a major tertiary care hospital. All positive blood cultures electronically detected from April 1, 2002, to April 30, 2003, were reviewed and clinical data collected by chart review. Definitions Catheter utilization ratio = total number of days with a central venous catheter (CVC)/total number of patient-days; catheter-associated BSIs = defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, eg, a patient had to have a catheter at least 48 hours before detection of infection; CA-BSI rate = CA-BSIs/1000 catheter-days. Results The 13-month study included 7337 catheter-days and 33,174 patient-days. The overall catheter-utilization ratio was 0.22 (range, 0.19-0.25). Of 42 cases of CA-BSIs, gram-positive organisms were recovered in 24 (57%); gram-negative bacteria in 7 (17%); and Candida spp in 6 (14%). The CA-BSI rate was 5.7 (95% confidence interval: 3.4-8.0) and varied from 4.3 to 8.0. There were no significant differences in CA-BSI rates among the wards (χ 2 for linear trend, 0.42; P = .52). The overall rate of CA-BSIs decreased steadily during the study period, from 7.8 during the first 6 months to 3.9 during the following 7 months, representing a rate ratio of 0.5 (95% confidence interval: 0.27-0.93). Conclusion Benchmark data for hospital infections in the non-ICU setting are starting to become available and efforts to improve care may have greater impact here than in the ICU. Upon patient transfer out of the ICU, it should be determined whether the catheter can be removed. Educational measures targeted at non-ICU wards are warranted. First results of computer-assisted methods to facilitate surveillance of larger number of patients are promising. The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee recommends that CA-BSIs be publicly reported. CA-BSIs in non-ICU patients could soon be part of a mandatory reporting.