cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interbody fusion with allograft and rhBMP-2 leads to consistent fusion but early subsidence

We carried out a prospective study to determine whether the addition of a recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) to a machined allograft spacer would improve the rate of intervertebral body fusion in the spine. We studied 77 patients who were to undergo an interbody fusion with allograft and instrumentation. The first 36 patients received allograft with adjuvant rhBMP-2 (allograft/rhBMP-2 group), and the next 41, allograft and demineralised bone matrix (allograft/demineralised bone matrix group). Each patient was assessed clinically and radiologically both pre-operatively and at each follow-up visit using standard methods. Follow-up continued for two years. Every patient in the allograft/rhBMP-2 group had fused by six months. However, early graft lucency and significant (> 10%) subsidence were seen radiologically in 27 of 55 levels in this group. The mean graft height subsidence was 27% (13% to 42%) for anterior lumbar interbody fusion, 24% (13% to 40%) for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, and 53% (40% to 58%) for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Those who had undergone fusion using allograft and demineralised bone matrix lost only a mean of 4.6% (0% to 15%) of their graft height. Although a high rate of fusion (100%) was achieved with rhBMP-2, significant subsidence occurred in more than half of the levels (23 of 37) in the lumbar spine and 33% (6 of 18) in the cervical spine. A 98% fusion rate (62 of 63 levels) was achieved without rhBMP-2 and without the associated graft subsidence. Consequently, we no longer use rhBMP-2 with allograft in our practice if the allograft has to provide significant structural support.
Non-traditional interaction environments for information exploration

Summary form only given. Developments in technology are providing new opportunities for interaction techniques. A decade ago, virtual reality spaces became more readily available. This gave researchers the opportunity to experiment with physical movement and gesture as interface elements for data exploration and navigation in both physical and abstract information spaces. Subsequent developments in projector and camera technologies, and computer vision algorithms, have opened up possibilities for brighter work environments and optically tracked user interaction. Current trends in technology include robust wireless networks, a plethora of personal information access devices, and auto-identification technologies. Computing technology is rapidly becoming smaller and cheaper, suggesting that computing capability can be embedded throughout the physical world in which we live. As we populate a physical space with computing devices, we can create interaction spaces that are aware of our presence, aware of our activities, and proactive in assisting us with our tasks. This talk reflects on the ongoing evolution that moves us beyond traditional desktop computer interfaces towards smart interaction spaces.
Dinitrogen complexes of sulfur-ligated iron.

We report a unique class of dinitrogen complexes of iron featuring sulfur donors in the ancillary ligand. The ligands utilized are related to the recently studied tris(phosphino)silyl ligands (2-R2PC6H4)3Si (R = Ph, iPr) but have one or two phosphine arms replaced with thioether donors. Depending on the number of phosphine arms replaced, both mononuclear and dinuclear iron complexes with dinitrogen are accessible. These complexes contribute to a desirable class of model complexes that possess both dinitrogen and sulfur ligands in the immediate iron coordination sphere.
Squid: Enabling search in DHT-based systems

A fundamental problem in large scale, decentralized distributed systems is the efficient discovery of information. This paper presents Squid, a peer-to-peer information discovery system that supports flexible searches and provides search guarantees. The fundamental concept underlying the approach is the definition of multi-dimensional information spaces and the maintenance of locality in these spaces. The key innovation is a dimensionality reducing indexing scheme that effectively maps the multi-dimensional information space to physical peers while preserving lexical locality. Squid supports complex queries containing partial keywords, wildcards and ranges. Analytical and simulation results show that Squid is scalable and efficient.
Augmented Immunoglobulin E Synthesis in Primary Immunodeficiency

In addition to evidence presented in the preceding chapters that IgE biosynthesis is increased in the atopic allergic diseases, there is increasing documentation that augmented IgE production often occurs in certain of the primary immunodeficiency disorders. The association of allergy with immunodeficiency has been suspected on clinical grounds for some time, although it seems more likely that many symptoms in immunodeficient patients thought to be allergic in nature merely mimic them, such as the “wheezing” of patients with pneumonia or the “hay fever” in others with infectious nasopharyngitis. In this regard, earlier claims of the frequent occurrence of “hay fever,” “asthma” (Goldfarb and Fudenberg, 1961), and “eczema” (Peterson et al., 1962) in agammaglobulinemic patients have not been supported by observations in larger groups of such patients, by results of skin tests for reaginic antibody, or by serum IgE concentrations, which have usually been extremely low (Figure 1 and Table 1) (Polmar et al., 1972b; Buckley and Fiscus, 1975). Similarly, the “eczema” reported in patients with ataxiatelangiectasia did not have the typical clinical features of atopic dermatitis (Reed et al., 1966), and serum IgE concentrations are uniformly very low in these patients (Polmar et al.,1972a; Buckley and Fiscus, 1975).
Unfractionated heparin dose requirements targeting intermediate intensity antifactor Xa concentration during pregnancy.

Study Objective. To describe unfractionated heparin (UFH) dosing requirements and monitoring parameters to achieve target antifactor Xa concentrations in pregnant women receiving intermediate-dose UFH therapy. Design. Retrospective cohort analysis. Setting. Centralized anticoagulation service in an integrated health care delivery system. Patients. Twenty-five pregnant women (who had 27 pregnancies) who received intermediate-dose UFH between January 1, 1998, and March 31, 2005. Measurements and Main Results. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved by using an integrated electronic medical, pharmacy, and laboratory records system. The primary outcome was the required UFH dose at the time of first target antifactor Xa level achieved. Antifactor Xa levels were measured at the mid-dosing interval for UFH. An antifactor Xa assay concentration of 0.1–0.3 unit/ml was used as the target range for intermediate-dose UFH for antithrombotic management of pregnant women as described in the American College of Chest Physicians clinical practice guidelines. The mean UFH dose required to achieve this target antifactor Xa range was 236.9 units/kg/day. The UFH doses required to achieve target antifactor Xa levels correlated significantly with patient weight (r = 0.682, p 0.05) when adjusted for weight. However, the total daily amount of UFH did increase by the end of pregnancy (21,889 vs 19,320 units, p=0.02). There was an average of 7.9 antifactor Xa determinations and 3.1 dosage modifications during the mean of 19 weeks of antenatal UFH therapy. Most (62%) antifactor Xa levels were within the target range. No thromboembolic events, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, or osteopenic fracture occurred. There was one hemorrhagic complication that resolved with temporary withdrawal of UFH. Conclusions. Pregnant women required a mean UFH dose of 236.9 units/kg/day to achieve the targeted antifactor Xa level of 0.1–0.3 unit/ml. The required UFH doses correlated with patient weight, and most antifactor Xa levels were within the desired target range. These findings may assist clinicians in more precisely initiating and monitoring intermediate-dose UFH in pregnant patients.
USE OF TIDAL MARSH AND UPLAND HABITATS BY THE MARSH RICE RAT (ORYZOMYS PALUSTRIS)

Marsh rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) inhabit wetlands and occasionally occupy adjacent uplands. I hypothesized that demographic factors, environmental factors, and/or prey availability influenced their use of upland habitats. Rice rats were monitored on livetrap grids that extended from low marsh through upland habitats near Galveston, Texas. Diet was determined from fecal samples, and regression models evaluated influence of environmental factors on upland use. Density was highest in wetlands during summer and autumn and highest in uplands during winter and spring when tides were high and temperatures low. Adults were more common in wetlands, and juveniles were more frequent in uplands, whereas abundance of subadults was similar in wetlands and uplands. Rice rats ate primarily aquatic organisms and wetland vegetation in both habitats; upland plants were a minor component of the diet of rice rats in uplands. I conclude that uplands were not primary foraging areas but served as sink habitats for dispersers and as refuges during high tides. Given the highly fragmented nature of these wetlands, uplands may have significant conservation value as sinks in a metapopulation. These results support views that current laws for wetland delineation are ecologically incomplete because uplands are not protected and that buffer habitats or transitional areas adjacent to wetlands should be included in legislation and management plans.
Distinguishing joint actions from collective actions

This paper argues that the intentional actions of collective entities, such as corporations and agencies, are not necessarily joint intentional actions by several members of those collectives. I briefly summarize the social action theories of John Searle, Michael Bratman, Margaret Gilbert, Raimo Tuomela, and Seumas Miller, which I argue are all theories of joint action. I then describe a case based loosely on events from the 2008 financial crisis in which an intentional collective action is performed by a corporation due to the actions of two employees who have no knowledge of one another, and therefore cannot be engaged in a joint intentional action. I argue that this shows that, contrary to what joint action theorists are committed to, every intentional collective action does not entail the existence of a joint intentional action. Finally, I suggest that we should look for a weaker notion of coordination than that employed by joint action theories, and that this might be provided by examining the command structures of organizations.
Microstructural Changes in High-Protein Nutrition Bars Formulated with Extruded or Toasted Milk Protein Concentrate

Milk protein concentrates with more than 80% protein (that is, MPC80) are underutilized as the primary protein source in high-protein nutrition bars as they impart crumbliness and cause hardening during storage. High-protein nutrition bar texture changes are often associated with internal protein aggregations and macronutrient phase separation. These changes were investigated in model high-protein nutrition bars formulated with MPC80 and physically modified MPC80s. High-protein nutrition bars formulated with extruded MPC80s hardened slower than those formulated with toasted or unmodified MPC80. Extruded MPC80 had reduced free sulfhydryl group exposure, whereas measurable increases were seen in the toasted MPC80. High-protein nutrition bar textural performance may be related to the number of exposed free sulfhydryl groups in MPC80. Protein aggregations resulting from ingredient modification and high-protein nutrition bar storage were studied with sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Disulfide-based protein aggregations and changes in free sulfhydryl concentration were not consistently relatable to high-protein nutrition bar texture change. However, the high-protein nutrition bars formulated with extruded MPC80 were less prone to phase separations, as depicted by confocal laser scanning microscopy, and underwent less texture change during storage than those formulated with toasted or unmodified MPC80.
Beyond Code: Prioritizing Issues, Sharing Knowledge, and Establishing Identity at Hackathons for Science

INTRODUCTION Although the stated objective of a hackathon is to write code, code is not the only outcome. In this position paper, we argue that “hackathons for science,” hackathons used to advance infrastructure for science, facilitate the circulation of important knowledge, such as the scientific community’s priorities, technical know-how, and social connections. We support this position by drawing from scientific literature on hackathons, summaries and descriptions posted online by hackathon participants, and interviews that we conducted with bioinformatics scientists who have attended hackathons for science.
Response of estuarine phytoplankton to nutrient and spatio-temporal pattern of physico-chemical water quality parameters in Little Vermilion Bay, Louisiana

Abstract We studied the response pattern of phytoplankton to nutrient concentrations in Little Vermilion Bay, Louisiana in July and November 2013. It is important to understand the response of phytoplankton to nutrient concentrations in order to find impacts of eutrophication and improve the water quality for survival of fish and other aquatic life. Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus were measured in Little Vermillion Bay at several sampling locations along with some other water quality parameters and response of phytoplankton biomass was evaluated. The spatial–temporal pattern of water quality parameters in the study area was assessed using a spatial interpolation method. Phytoplankton biomass was positively correlated with nutrient enrichment in Little Vermillion Bay. Chlorophyll a concentrations were found to be strongly dependent on Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus in the water column. Nutrient concentration in the water column has a strong control over phytoplankton biomass and primary production. The TN:TP ratio was evaluated to establish the limiting nutrient for eutrophication in the study area. Both nitrogen and phosphorus were found to have strong relationships with phytoplankton growth and a growth limiting nutrient was not established for Little Vermilion Bay.
Anisotropy and anisotropic reentry in myocardial infarction

The structure of a healing myocardial infarct is an important cause of ventricular arrhythmias. Survival of muscle bundles in an area of infarction can form a nonuniform anisotropic conduction medium. Slow and irregular propagation transverse to the long axis of the muscle bundles enables the occurrence of reentrant excitation, called anisotropic reentry.
Strained InGaAs/GaAs Multiple Quantum Wells Grown on Planar and Pre-Patterned GaAs(100) Substrates VIA Molecular Beam Epitaxy: Applications to Light Modulators and Detectors

We report the realization of high quality strained InGaAs/GaAs multiple quantum wells (MQW) grown on planar GaAs (100) substrates through optimization of molecular beam epitaxical (MBE) growth conditions and structure. Such MQWs containing ≈11% In have lead to the realization of an asymmetric Fabry-Perot (ASFP) reflection modulator with a room temperature contrast ratio of 66:1 and an on-state reflectivity of 30%. For In composition ≥ 0.2, the improved optical quality for very thick (gt;2µm) InGaAs/GaAs MQWs grown on pre-patterned substrates is demonstrated via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and micro-absorption measurements.
SELECTION OF DISPOSAL AREAS FOR SPOIL FROM BALTIMORE HARBOR

Selection of sites for the diked disposal of 100 million cubic yards of spoil dredged from Baltimore Harbor presented a formidable problem Fifty percent of this spoil will be derived from harbor improvement m the next ten years The remainder will result from maintenance dredging and some private dredging over a 20 to 25 year period The number of sites available for diked disposal areas, the various methods used for dredging and the fact that the dike material required transportation to site gave rise to a number of variables The decision making process was facilitated by an econometric model Concentrations of metals such as chromium, cadium, zinc, lead, and copper have been found in the sediments of Chesapeake Bay An investigation as to the mode of their occurrence m the material to be dredged was made to appraise any possibility of toxic concentrations occurring m filter feeders such as oysters for shellfish constitute a sizeable industry in the Chesapeake Bay Stabilization of the deposited dredged spoil was investigated m order to determine whether the unstable loosely-deposited fine gram material extending over a three to five square mile area could be economically converted to a firm foundation material suitable for industrial parks, harbor terminals or water-oriented parks.
A novel mixed ligand complex from the cocondensation of cobalt vapor with a mixture of the monodentate ligand (CH3)2NPF2 and the bidentate ligand CH3N(PF2)2: The X-ray crystal structure of [CH3N(PF2)2]3Co2[PF2N(CH3)2]2

Aufgrund unterschiedlicher Koordinationsneigungen der Titelphosphinoamine gelingt es durch Cokondensation von Co-Dampf und einem Uberschus einer l z4-Mischung des Diphosphinoamins und des Phosphinoamins, den Titelkomplex (I) zu synthetisieren.
Measurements of fluid viscosity using a miniature ball drop device

This paper describes measurement of fluid viscosity using a small ball drop device. It requires as little as 100 μl of fluid. Each measurement can be performed in seconds. The experiment is designed to yield reliable viscosity values by operating at properly chosen tilt angles and with calibration using well-characterized Newtonian fluids such as mixtures of glycerol and water. It also yields dynamical viscosity of non-Newtonian fluids at moderate shear rates. The device is easy to assemble and it allows for the measurement of viscosity even when the fluid samples are too small to measure using most commercial viscometers or rheometers. Therefore, the technique is particularly useful in characterizing biological fluids such as solutions of proteins, DNA, and polymers frequently used in biomaterial applications.
Effect of fine particles on the flow behavior ofpolycrystalline ice—(II) anelastic behavior

Effects of particles on the anelasticity of polycrystalline ice have been studied by the inverse-direct loading method. The results indicated that at relatively higher frequencies (1 Hz and 10 -1 Hz), anelastic strain has a linear relationship with the stress; and at relatively lower frequency (10 -2 Hz), the stress/strain deviates from linear relationship. Particles have severe influence on the grain boundary relaxation through inhibiting grain boundary sliding at high frequency (1 Hz), and thus increase the modulus and decrease the internal friction. However, particles have no obvious influence on the dislocation relaxation. Two important parameters have been calculated through the anelastic experiments. The results indicated that K value is～0.07 Pa and α value is～0.54.
Personal Health Care Assistant/Companion in Virtual World

We propose to create a virtual personal health care assistant in the virtual world Second Life that accompanies the user, via an avatar, through interactions with healthcare databases answering the user's avatar's questions. This paper explores various ways to promote healthy in a virtual world environment by integrating several existing technologies.
Unusual aspects of urinary calculi in children.

AbstractUrinary calculous disease is unusual in children in the United States. During the last 5 years (1972 to 1977) we have examined and treated 35 children with urinary calculi. The predisposing factors to calculus formation have been established in 20 children. Metabolic screening, although mandatory, has proved unrewarding in the evaluation of children with urinary calculi. Obstructive uropathy, immobilization, urinary stasis and infection, previously undiagnosed urologic anomalies, steroid therapy, milk-alkali syndrome, iatrogenic disease and endemic disease have contributed to stone formation. The management of children with urinary calculi generally parallels that of adults but reflects a need for caution when performing transurethral extraction of lower ureteral calculi. Reduction in dairy product intake, fluid diuresis and frequent changes in position may provide adequate prophylaxis against urinary calculi in children who must be immobilized.
Cytokine influence on killing of fresh chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells by human leukocytes.

The feasibility of combining the Lym-1 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was evaluated. We used an in vitro tumor lysis model that incorporated fresh CLL cells from 21 different patients as targets for two distinct normal human leukocyte effector subsets, neutrophils, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Lym-1 antigen (Lym-1- Ag) expression varied greatly and did not correlate with the expression of other CLL-associated antigens such as CD5, CD19, or HLA-DR. CLL cells were not lysed by neutrophils alone or with IFN-gamma in the absence of Lym-1. Neutrophil Lym-1-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) in the absence of IFN-gamma was weak and inconsistent. IFN-gamma exposure induced MoAb-dependent lysis of 80% of 21 CLL targets and resulted in an eightfold augmentation of neutrophil ADCC against the remainder. Cytotoxicity correlated directly and positively with Lym-1-Ag expression. Confirmation of the need for interaction between neutrophil IgG Fc receptors (Fc gamma Rs) and the Fc portion of the Lym-1 MoAb was obtained by demonstrating that purified Staphylococcus aureus Protein A (SpA) inhibited ADCC. IFN-gamma exposure caused no consistent alternations in Lym-1-Ag expression on CLL cells so that target antigen upregulation was unlikely to account for augmentation of neutrophil ADCC. PBMCs alone, exposed to interkeukin-2 (IL-2) or IFN-gamma, or with Lym-1 in the presence or absence of IL-2 or IFN-gamma were unable to lyse CLL targets. PBMCs were able to kill Raji Burkitt lymphoma cells in conjunction with Lym-1, so their ability to interact with Lym- 1-coated targets and their lytic functions appeared intact. These results emphasize the importance of examining fresh tumor cells with different leukocyte effector subsets before designing a clinical trial that combines a therapeutic MoAb with a cytokine.
Travel Risks: Update on Traveler's Diarrhea and Other Common Problems

ABSTRACT: Patients can greatly reduce the risk of traveler's diarrhea by drinking only bottled water and eating only hot foods prepared in sanitary conditions or peelable fruits and vegetables. Antibiotic prophylaxis for traveler's diarrhea is no longer routinely recommended; reserve it for patients who may have to consume food and beverages of questionable safety, those with reduced immunity, and those likely to experience serious consequences of illness. Adequate hydration is the first step in treating traveler's diarrhea. Drug therapy-loperamide or fluoroquinolones in adults and bismuth subsalicylate or azithromycin in children-can ameliorate symptoms and speed recovery. Recommend that patients who are prone to motion sickness take an antiemetic/antivertigo agent before symptoms begin. Acetazolamide can be used both to prevent and to treat altitude sickness. Contraindications to air travel include a resting oxygen saturation of less than 90%, pregnancy of more than 36 weeks' duration, pneumothorax, recent myocardial infarction or chest or abdominal surgery, active infectious diseases, and poorly controlled seizures or sickle cell anemia.
The Misconstruction of Hofstede's Uncertainty Avoidance Dimension: The Fallacy of Ecological Operation without Construct Validity at the Individual Level

ABSTRACTUncertainty avoidance (UA) is a key cultural dimension with high relevance for international marketing. Hofstede constructed UA at a national level from the variables stress, rule orientation, and employment stability. Using the 2010 European Social Survey (N = 42,964; 27 countries), we aim to empirically cross-validate the aggregation of these three variables into one categorical bipolar dimension looking at construct validity, reliability, interrater agreement, and a pairwise comparison on the ranked country means with Ryan REGWQ. Alas, the three variables do not exhibit even minimal internal construct consistency, which makes any ecological aggregation at a higher country level meaningless. We therefore recommend not using Hofstede's UA for international marketing decisions.
Love in the Premedieval and Medieval Era

This chapter furthers the historical analysis of love among a number of civilizations throughout the world during premedieval and medieval eras that succeeded the ancient civilizations discussed in Chap. 3. Through various historical texts, this chapter looks at how romantic love is conceptualized in a number of contexts that are contingent on the cultures in which people of these times lived. Particularly, it identifies cultural similarities and differences among people of early India, China, Arabic cultures, Western cultures, Japan, Persia, and Slavic cultures.
Racial-Ethnic Differences in Sexual Risk Behaviors: The Role of Substance Use

This research investigates the impact adolescent substance use has on adult sexual risk behaviors within racial-ethnic groups. Previous research has found support for this relationship, but often relies on concurrent measures of substance use and sexual risk behavior. Therefore, the causal direction of this relationship may be unclear. The data for this study come from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a nationally representative survey that followed respondents from adolescence in 1994 to adulthood in 2008. Results show that substance use correlates with sexual risk behavior, but the impact varies by race-ethnicity.
Gnotobiotics and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), of which Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the predominant forms, afflict up to 1.5 million people in the United States and 2.2 million in Europe. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract; however the ileum and proximal colon are the most common sites, and the inflammation tends to be granulomatous and transmural, whereas ulcerative colitis is confined to the colon and rectum, and the inflammation typically is limited to the mucosa. In either case, effects on quality of life are considerable, and there is increased risk of colon cancer. It is now generally accepted that the fundamental basis of IBD is dysregulated immune and inflammatory responses to specific antigens of certain autochthonous intestinal bacteria, due to genetic susceptibility factors and nongenetic risk factors or triggers. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of IBD are far from fully understood. The number of loci associated with IBD now exceeds 160, but how they act, or interact, to contribute to disease is unknown for most. Moreover, the concordance rate among monozygotic twins for Crohn's disease is 50% or less, and for ulcerative colitis it is 20% or less, indicating the substantial role of nongenetic factors, yet these also are largely unclear. Thus, IBD is exceedingly complex and will require continued major research efforts to understand.
Financial viability and carbon payment potential of large-scale silvicultural intensification in logged dipterocarp forests in Indonesia

Abstract To sustain timber yields from selectively logged tropical forests, silvicultural treatments beyond reduced-impact logging are often recommended but seldom implemented outside of research areas. To determine the extent to which financial constraints justify the reluctance of Indonesian forest industries to intensify their silviculture at operational scales, we develop a series of scenarios to compare the financial viability of enrichment planting along cleared lines through twice logged forest (TPTJ) with the common practice of selective logging alone (TPTI). Because TPTJ also increases carbon stocks relative to the logged-only option, we consider carbon payments in some scenarios. With a discount rate of 6% and a cutting cycle of 30 years, TPTJ yields higher net present values (NPVs) than TPTI (US$442 vs $145/ha, respectively). TPTJ still provides higher NPVs than TPTI with discount rates up to 8% and cutting cycles of 25–30 years. With carbon payments of US$9.6/Mg CO 2e , TPTJ maintains a positive NPV with discount rates up to 13%. In contrast, TPTI has positive NPVs with discount rates up to 12% with cutting cycles of 25–30 years. At all discount rates with positive NPVs, TPTJ yields higher NPVs than TPTI for all comparisons with equal cutting cycle durations (US$69–3,370/ha vs. US$68–393/ha). Given its substantial impacts on forest structure and composition, the more intensive TPTJ treatment should be implemented in only small and appropriately selected portions of managed landscapes.
Engineering PhD Returners and Direct‐Pathway Students: Comparing Expectancy, Value, and Cost

Background Professionals who pursue a doctorate after significant post-baccalaureate work experience, a group we refer to as returners, represent an important but understudied group of engineering doctoral students. Returners are well situated to leverage their applied work experiences in their advanced engineering training. Purpose/Hypothesis We drew on results from the Graduate Student Experiences and Motivations Survey to explore the dimensionality of our scales measuring value and cost constructs. We used these scales, as well as measures of student expectancy of success, to compare returners with direct-pathway students. Design/Method We surveyed 179 returners and 297 direct-pathway domestic engineering doctoral students. We first conducted Exploratory Factor Analysis on our cost and value measures. We then used both Ordinary Least Squares and Ordinal Regression Model analyses to assess the relationships of various student characteristics and experiences (including returner status) with student expectancy of success and the emergent cost and values factors associated with doctoral study in engineering. Results Factor analysis revealed three categories of values (interest, attainment, and career utility) that were largely consistent with those in Eccles’ expectancy-value framework. A similar analysis identified three categories of costs (balance, financial, and academic) associated with pursuing a PhD. Returners felt significantly less confident in their ability to complete their degrees prior to enrolling and perceived higher levels of all cost types than direct-pathway students. Conclusions Given the differences between returning and direct-pathway students, it is important to consider how universities might best recruit and retain returners. Tracking returner status could be critical in better supporting these students.
The influence of landmarks and urban form on cognitive maps using virtual reality

Abstract To better understand the role of landmarks on cognitive maps, a framework was designed in which participants wore a virtual reality head-mounted display and traversed an unknown, hypothetical urban environment. The virtual environment featured a gridded street network measuring 5 × 5 blocks with a range of development types including residential, park, commercial and industrial districts. Participants followed navigational cues along a fixed route using a gaming controller. Along the route they were exposed to ten distinct landmarks in a unique random configuration. Following navigation, participants were administered several recall tasks which were designed to assess landmark, route, and survey knowledge. The Route and Landmark Recall tasks required participants to draw their perceived route and identify the landmark locations. Then, the Scene Recognition task required matching one of the ten landmark objects with a corresponding scene. Landmark Configuration Accuracy was found to be highly correlated with Route Recall performance and moderately correlated with scene matching scores. This suggests that, regardless of landmark type, individuals who more precisely recalled landmark locations also navigated the route and identified scenes more accurately. Landscape and urban planners can leverage these findings to advocate for the strategic inclusion of landmarks throughout an urban fabric, which we term Landmark Configuration Plans.
A Variable Stiffness Robotic Arm Using Linearly Actuated Compliant Parallel Guided Mechanism

This paper details the mechanical design and control of a human safety robotic arm with variable stiffness, starting from conceptual design to prototype. The mechanism designed is based on parallel guided beam with a roller slider actuated by a power screw and a DC motor with an encoder for position feedback. Unlike conventional robotic systems that control the stiffness in joints, this design introduces compliance to the robotic arm link itself. By controlling the slider position, the effective length of the link can be adjusted to provide the necessary stiffness change. A PID position controller is employed and the position accuracy is experimentally evaluated. The stiffness variation of the prototype is validated by experiments and FEA simulation. The overall stiffness change achieved is 20-fold.
9 – Computational Electromagnetics: The Finite-Difference Time-Domain Method

Prior to abour 1990, the modeling of electromagnetic engineering systems was primarily implemented using solution techniques for the sinusoidal steady-state Maxwell's equations. Before about 1960, the principal approaches in this area involved closed-form and infinite-series analytical solutions, with numerical results from these analyses obtained using mechanical calculators. After 1960, the increasing availability of programmable electronic digital computers permitted such frequency-domain approaches to rise markedly in sophistication. Researchers were able to take advantage of the capabilities afforded by powerful new high-level programming languages such as Fortran, rapid random-access storage of large arrags of numbers, and computational speeds that were orders of magnitude faster than possible with mechanical calculators. In this period, the principal computational approaches for Maxwell's equations included the high-frequency asymptotic methods of Keller (1962) as well as Kouyoumjian and Pathak (1974) and the integral equation techniques of Harrington (1968) .
Future Issues in Pediatric Psychology: Delphic Survey

Using a Delphic poll procedure, we surveyed pediatric psychologists who were established in either clinical practice or empirical research in pediatric psychology. Three rounds of expert responses were logically combined in order to identify domains of importance to the future of pediatric psychology and to determine to what extent research and clinical aims concur. Overall, researchers and clinicians did not differ in the types of issues deemed important to the field. The top three domains for the next decade are concerned with pediatric psychology's ability to demonstrate viability, to integrate psychologists into primary care settings, and to demonstrate need for changes in reimbursement systems within managed care. Implications of the ten priority issues are discussed.
Stochastic Systems and Input

In most stochastic problems both the system properties and the input characteristics are random. However, the degree of uncertainty in the input and the system can be very different. For example, it is common in earthquake engineering to assume that the structural system is deterministic because of the very large uncertainty in the seismic ground acceleration. Under this simplifying assumption we can evaluate the seismic performance of structural systems by the methods in Chapter 7. Similarly, developments in Chapters 6 or 8 can be applied to stochastic problems characterized by a negligible uncertainty in both the system and input or the input alone, respectively.
Assessment of groundwater quality and remediation in karst aquifers: A review

Karst aquifers, capable of storing and transmitting large amount of water, are the main source of drinking water in many regions worldwide. Their excessive permeability leads to an enhanced vulnerability to retain and spread the contamination accordingly. From sustainability perspective, the environmental, economic and social impacts of karst contamination on water resources management are gaining more attention. In this study, an overview of hydrogeological processes and concepts regarding groundwater flow and contaminant transport in karstic systems is presented, followed by a short discussion on surface water and groundwater interaction. Due to the complexity of karstic systems, different approaches have been developed by researchers for investigating and understanding hydrogeological processes and groundwater behavior in karst which are reviewed herein. Additionally, groundwater contamination issues and the most common and effective remediation techniques in karstic terrains are discussed. Lastly, modeling techniques and remote sensing methods, as beneficial and powerful tools for assessing groundwater flow and contaminant transport in karst terrains, are reviewed and evaluated. In each section, relevant research works conducted for Puerto Rico are discussed and some recommendations are presented to complement the ongoing hydrogeological investigations on this island.
Hardware and Software Combined Detection of SystemLevel ESD-Induced Soft Failures

A semi-custom microcontroller is subjected to IEC-61000-4-2 ESD. A scan chain and memory read-out programs enable identification of the hardware blocks that experience soft failures. Voltage monitors are used to correlate the occurrence of those failures with the magnitude of noise on power supplies.
Economic viability of perennial grass biomass feedstock in northern climates.

Abstract Large scale industrial biomass efforts, whether in pursuit of cellulosic bioethanol, or combustion, will require amounts of feedstock in excess of available crop residues, leading to considerations of purpose grown agricultural biomass. This study determines the yields and break-even prices of perennial grass biomass crops in the state of North Dakota using bioeconomic GIS-based simulation modelling to address the uncertainty surrounding investments in biomass feedstock, particularly in northern climates and the Northern Great Plains. Cordgrass state average yields are 4.9 t/ha with break-even prices of $274/t. Switchgrass state average yields are 5.8 t/ha with break-even prices of $271/t. Miscanthus yields average 4.0 t/ha with break-even prices of $272/t. Average yields are lower than other parts of the United States and Canada, with Miscanthus suffering from significant potential winterkill. Average break-even prices are expensive, limiting the attractiveness of industrial scale investments in perennial grass biomass in the Northern Great Plains and other northerly climates.
Percutaneous liver biopsy in Fontan patients

Patients who have undergone the Fontan operation for palliation of congenital heart disease with single-ventricle pathophysiology are at high risk for developing progressive liver fibrosis. Pathological assessment from percutaneous liver biopsy is central to the management of Fontan-associated liver disease, but liver biopsy in this vulnerable population poses unique challenges and potential risks. This retrospective study describes our experience with percutaneous liver biopsy performed to assess changes of Fontan-associated liver disease, with particular regard to procedural outcomes. Data from liver biopsy procedure reports, pathology reports, cardiac angiography pressure measurements and laboratory values of patients with single ventricle heart disease after the Fontan operation who underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy performed in interventional radiology at a pediatric tertiary care center during a 3-year period were retrospectively analyzed. Sixty-eight liver biopsies were performed in 67 patients (mean age: 20.2 years, range: 7.2–39 years). The technical success rate was 100%, and tissue was adequate for assessing liver disease in 100% of the procedures, including biopsies performed with a single pass. Anticoagulation was routinely suspended before biopsy, and no cardiac complications were encountered due to this suspension. A coaxial biopsy system using an 18-gauge (G) full-core instrument through a 17-G introducer trocar was most commonly used, in 41/68 cases (60%). The most common trough length was 2.3 cm, used in 37 cases (54%). One pass was made in 27 procedures (40%) and two passes in 30 (44%); tract embolization with gelatin sponge was performed in 52 (76%). The only complication was hemorrhage, which occurred in 5/68 (7.4%) of the biopsies, minor in four (5.9%) and major in one (1.5%) -- similar to rates reported for liver biopsy in non-Fontan patients. Hemorrhage had a delayed presentation in three of these five cases. Immediate post-biopsy hemoglobin decrease of ≥2 mg/dL showed a low sensitivity for hemorrhage. The mean Fontan pressure measured during cardiac angiography was 13.8 mmHg, and shunt pressures were not associated with an increased risk of hemorrhage. Percutaneous liver biopsy in Fontan patients can be performed safely with high technical success rates and without increased complication rates. Meticulous technique and close observation are recommended to reduce post-biopsy complications. The degree of right heart pressure elevation was not associated with hemorrhage.
MicroRNA Dysregulation and Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Prognosis.

Background: The high rate of non-muscle–invasive bladder cancer recurrence is a major challenge in patient management. miRNAs functionally regulate tumor cell proliferation and invasion, and have strong potential as biomarkers because they are robust to degradation. The objective of this project was to identify reproducible prognostic miRNAs in resected non-muscle–invasive bladder tumor tissue that are predictive of the recurrent tumor phenotype. Methods: We utilized patients diagnosed with primary non-muscle–invasive bladder cancer in three independent cohorts for a biomarker discovery/validation approach. Baseline tumor tissue from patients with the clinically challenging, non-muscle–invasive primary low stage (Ta), high grade, and T1 tumors (tumors extending into the lamina propria) comprised the discovery cohort (n = 38). We isolated the tumor tissue RNA and assessed a panel of approximately 800 miRNAs. Results: miR-26b-5p was the top-ranking prognostic tumor tissue miRNA, with a time-to-recurrence HR 0.043 for levels above versus below median, (Padj = 0.0003). miR-26b-5p was related to a dose-response reduction in tumor recurrence, and levels above the median were also associated with reduced time-to-progression (Padj = 0.02). We used two independent longitudinal cohorts that included both low-grade and high-grade Ta and T1 tumors for validation and found a consistent relationship between miR-26b-5p and recurrence and progression. Conclusions: Our results suggest that miR-26b-5p levels may be prognostic for non-muscle–invasive bladder cancer recurrence, and can feasibly be assessed in baseline tumor tissue from a wide variety of clinical settings. Impact: Early identification of those non-muscle–invasive bladder tumor patients with refractory phenotypes would enable individualized treatment and surveillance.
A 3-Dimensional Likelihood analysis method for detecting extended sources in VERITAS

Gamma ray observations from a few hundred MeV up to tens of TeV are a valuable tool for studying particle acceleration and diffusion within our galaxy. Constructing a coherent physical picture of particle accelerators such as supernova remnants, pulsar wind nebulae, and star-forming regions requires the ability to detect extended regions of gamma ray emission, to analyze small-scale spatial variation within these regions, and to synthesize data from multiple observatories across multiple wavebands. Imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) provide fine angular resolution (<0.1$^\circ$) for gamma rays above 100 GeV. However, their limited fields of view typically make detection of extended sources challenging. Maximum likelihood methods are well-suited to simultaneous analysis of multiple fields with overlapping sources and to combining data from multiple gamma ray observatories. Such methods also offer an alternative approach to estimating the IACT cosmic ray background and consequently an enhanced sensitivity to sources that may be as large as the telescope field of view. We report here on the current status and performance of a maximum likelihood technique for the IACT VERITAS.
Scientific Substantiation of the Use of the Environmentally Safe Water-Saving Irrigation System in the Conditions of the Insufficient Wet Area of Azerbaijan

Heterocyclic amines (HCA’s) are various molecules that’s common feature is containing a nitrogen (or another non-carbon) atom in their aromatic cyclic structure..
A Lyapunov-like characterization of robustness of pointwise asymptotic stability for differential inclusions

Abstract Given a dynamical system, pointwise asymptotic stability (a.k.a. semistability) of a set requires that every point in the set be a Lyapunov stable equilibrium, and that every solution converge to one of the equilibria in the set. This note shows that robustness of this property, for a compact set in a setting of a differential inclusion subject to standard basic assumptions, can be equivalently characterized by the existence of a continuous set-valued Lyapunov function.
Self-Reconfiguration in Response to Faults in Modular Aerial Systems

We present a self-reconfiguration technique by which a modular flying platform can mitigate the impact of rotor failures. In this technique, the system adapts its configuration in response to rotor failures to be able to continue its mission while efficiently utilizing resources. A mixed integer linear program determines an optimal module-to-position allocation in the structure based on rotor faults and desired trajectories. We further propose an efficient dynamic programming algorithm that minimizes the number of disassembly and reassembly steps needed for reconfiguration. Evaluation results show that our technique can substantially increase the robustness of the system while utilizing resources efficiently, and that it can scale well with the number of modules.
Development and Clustering of Rate-Oriented Load Metrics for Customer Price-Plan Analysis

One of the few methods electric utilities can use to motivate and change customer energy consumption is through retail rate structures. Utilities are increasingly moving toward more dynamic rate plans to encourage energy conservation, utilization of onsite renewable generation, peak demand reduction and flattening of demand profiles. This paper creates a set of rate-oriented load metrics that are the determinants of customers' bills under four unique rate plans. These metrics are not only indicative of which rate structure can provide customer bill reductions based on their load profile characteristics, but also convey useful information about load consumption behavior. With these metrics, utilities can analyze their customers and identify classes that are rewarded under each rate plan. This can help inform utilities whether the customers rewarded under each rate plans are meeting their original objectives. To develop these customer classes, we calculate these rate-oriented load metrics for each customer and perform k-means clustering. The analysis is conducted on a set of 300 customer profiles, examining four different rate plans, different numbers of clusters, customer bills and cluster load profile characteristics.