cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dose-Dependent Suppression of Norepinephrine Appearance Rate in Plasma by Clonidine in Man

Clonidine is an alpha 2-receptor agonist which lowers both blood pressure and plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels in man. To determine whether the clonidine-induced fall in plasma NE is due to decreased NE appearance into plasma or increased NE clearance from plasma, NE infusions [( 3H]NE; 15 microCi/m2 bolus and 0.35 microCi/m2 X min infusion) were performed in 10 normal subjects, aged 25-56 yr. Arterialized plasma samples were obtained for measurements of steady state [3H]NE specific activity and plasma NE to allow calculation of plasma NE appearance rate and NE clearance before and 120-140 min after 1.5 and 5.0 micrograms/kg oral clonidine. Using an identical protocol, responses were compared in 4 subjects after placebo administration. Clonidine produced a dose-related reduction in mean arterial blood pressure, but no significant change in heart rate. The basal supine plasma NE concentration of 204 +/- 21 pg/ml (mean +/- SEM) fell by 27% (P less than 0.02) after low dose clonidine and by 51% (P less than 0.001) after high dose clonidine. There was no change in plasma epinephrine levels. The basal plasma NE appearance rate of 0.25 +/- 0.03 microgram/m2 X min was reduced by 32% (P less than 0.01) after low dose clonidine and by 52% (P less than 0.001) after high dose clonidine. The basal plasma NE clearance of 1.2 +/- 0.08 liters/m2 X min was unchanged after clonidine treatment. There was no change in mean plasma NE levels, plasma NE appearance rate, or mean arterial pressure after placebo administration. These findings demonstrate that the clonidine-induced fall in plasma NE levels is due to a dose-dependent suppression of plasma NE appearance rate and provide evidence for alpha 2-adrenergic inhibition of sympathetic nervous system activity in normotensive subjects.
Flow Through Coated Coronary Stented Arteries: A Review

This paper reviews the recent literature on the stent applications and their recent advancements due to some controversies. The paper consists of two parts flow modeling of stents and a comparison between normal and stenosed artery. It also includes a comparison of stent geometries to determine hemodynamically favorable stents. In spite of many advantages bare metal stents are found to be unfavorable. However the study of stents based on flow and design recommend stent coatings. In comparison with bare metal stents, metal coated stents proved to be more efficient in terms of restenosis. Most of the metal coatings have less fluoroscopic visibility and low tensile strengths and hence drug eluting stents were studied. Although drug eluting stents were proved to be efficient in controlling restenosis, they have issues in patients with co-morbidities. For this reason, polymer and carbon coatings were studied in detail which showed better results than drug eluting stents. Biodegradable stents on the other hand inhibit smooth muscle cell proliferation and a decrease in neointimal proliferation. At present research on polymer, carbon and biodegradable stents are actively pursued for stent therapy applications.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Links and broken chains: evidence of human-caused changes in land cover in remotely sensed images

Abstract Land use intensification on shrinking forage resources characterizes many livestock producing communities. Remotely sensed images can show land cover change, but how household decision making is reflected in images had not been synthesized. For eight areas in the US, Africa, and Mongolia (>340,000 km 2 ), we ranked constraints in decision making, and quantified vegetation greenness trends from 1981 to 2004 and land cover change using 1990 and 2000 Landsat images. Constraints in decision making varied across the sites, but ecological settings ranked highest. Five sites showed increasing greenness (2.4–8.0% increase per decade; P ≤ 0.01); the African sites showed no change or declining greenness (−2.5%; P = 0.048). Land cover change in the US sites was modest, with most sites suitable for cultivation already converted by 1990. Cover change was minor in Mongolia, despite profound changes in government and economy. The Kenyan site showed the largest change in land cover. We hypothesize a humped relationship, where households in undeveloped regions lack the resources to convert land cover. Developed regions have reached some stasis in land use. Developing regions with high human population growth and residents with access to machinery show the greatest land cover change.
A suspended microchannel with integrated temperature sensors for high-pressure flow studies

A freestanding microchannel, with integrated temperature sensors, has been developed for high-pressure flow studies. These microchannels are approximately 20 /spl mu/m/spl times/2 /spl mu/m/spl times/4400 /spl mu/m, and are suspended above 80 /spl mu/m deep cavities, bulk micromachined using BrF/sub 3/ dry etch. The calibration of the lightly boron-doped thermistor-type sensors shows that the resistance sensitivity of these integrated sensors is parabolic with respect to temperature and linear with respect to pressure. Volumetric flow rates of NZ in the microchannel were measured at inlet pressures up to 578 psig. The discrepancy between the data and theory results from the flow acceleration in a channel, the nonparabolic velocity profile, and the bulging of the channel. Bulging effects were evaluated by using incompressible water flow measurements, which also measures 1.045/spl times/10/sup -3/N-s/m/sup 2/ for the viscosity of DI water. The temperature data from sensors on the channel shows the heating of the channel due to the friction generated by the high-pressure flow inside.
The Economic Impact of Rural Family Physicians Practicing Obstetrics

Background: The economic impact of a family physician practicing family medicine in rural Alabama is $1,000,000 a year in economic benefit to the community. The economic benefit of those rural family physicians practicing obstetrics has not been studied. This study was designed to determine whether there was any added economic benefit of rural family physicians practicing obstetrics in rural, underserved Alabama. The Alabama Family Practice Rural Health Board has funded the University of Alabama Family Medicine Obstetrics Fellowship since its beginning in 1986. Methods: Family medicine obstetrics fellowship graduates who practice obstetrics in rural, underserved areas were sent questionnaires and asked to participate in the study. The questions included the most common types and average annual numbers of obstetrics/gynecological procedures they performed. Results: Ten physicians, or 77% of the graduates asked to participate in the study, returned the questionnaire. Fourteen common obstetrics/gynecological procedures performed by the graduates were identified. A mean of 115 deliveries were performed. The full-time equivalent reduction in family medicine time to practice obstetrics was 20%. Conclusions: A family physician practicing obstetrics in a rural area adds an additional $488,560 in economic benefit to the community in addition to the $1,000,000 from practicing family medicine, producing a total annual benefit of $1,488,560. The investment of $616,385 from the Alabama Family Practice Rural Health Board resulted in a $399 benefit to the community for every dollar invested. The cumulative effect of fellowship graduates practicing both family medicine and obstetrics in rural, underserved areas over the 26 years studied was $246,047,120.
Torque ripple analysis of a permanent magnet brushless DC motor using finite element method

Three-phase trapezoidal back-EMF PM machines are widely used. As a function of the rotor position, the torque produced by these machines has a pulsating component in addition to the DC component. This pulsating torque has a fundamental frequency corresponding to 6 pulses per electrical revolution of the motor. The shape of the torque waveform and thus the frequency content of the waveform can be influenced by several factors in the motor design and construction. This paper addresses the various motor design parameters that influence the torque wave shape. It is shown that in addition to the basic induced back-EMF wave shape, accuracy in the skewing is also a key factor in determining the torque wave shape. Computer simulation using the finite element technique has been conducted to study the torque waveform. Simulation results successfully duplicated the torque waveforms measured in experiments under different excitation currents.
Simulations of the electron cloud buildups and suppressions in tevatron and main injector

To assess the effects of the electron cloud on Main Injector intensity upgrades, simulations of the cloud buildup were carried out using POSINST and compared with ECLOUD. Results indicate that even assuming an optimistic 1.3 maximum secondary electron yield, the electron cloud remains a serious concern for the planned future operational of mode of 500 bunches, 3ell proton per bunch. Electron cloud buildup can be mitigated in various ways. We consider a plausible scenario involving solenoids in straight section and a single clearing strip electrode (like SNEG in Tevatron) held at a potential of 500 V. Simulations with parameters corresponding to Tevatron and Main Injector operating conditions at locations where special electron cloud detectors have been installed have been carried out and are in satisfactory agreement with preliminary measurements.
Additive Noise for Storm-Scale Ensemble Data Assimilation

Abstract An “additive noise” method for initializing ensemble forecasts of convective storms and maintaining ensemble spread during data assimilation is developed and tested for a simplified numerical cloud model (no radiation, terrain, or surface fluxes) and radar observations of the 8 May 2003 Oklahoma City supercell. Every 5 min during a 90-min data-assimilation window, local perturbations in the wind, temperature, and water-vapor fields are added to each ensemble member where the reflectivity observations indicate precipitation. These perturbations are random but have been smoothed so that they have correlation length scales of a few kilometers. An ensemble Kalman filter technique is used to assimilate Doppler velocity observations into the cloud model. The supercell and other nearby cells that develop in the model are qualitatively similar to those that were observed. Relative to previous storm-scale ensemble methods, the additive-noise technique reduces the number of spurious cells and their negativ...
Fatty Acid use in Diving Mammals: More than Merely Fuel

Diving mammals, are under extreme pressure to conserve oxygen as well as produce adequate energy through aerobic pathways during breath-hold diving. Typically a major source of energy, lipids participate in structural and regulatory roles and have an important influence on the physiological functions of an organism. At the stoichiometric level, the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) utilizes less oxygen than metabolizing either monounsaturated fatty acids or saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and yields fewer ATP per same length fatty acid. However, there is evidence that indicates the cellular metabolic rate is directly correlated to the lipid composition of the membranes such that the greater the PUFA concentration in the membranes the greater the metabolic rate. These findings appear to be incompatible with diving mammals that ingest and metabolize high levels of unsaturated fatty acids while relying on stored oxygen. Growing evidence from birds to mammals including recent evidence in Weddell seals also indicates that at the whole animal level the utilization of PUFAs to fuel their metabolism actually conserves oxygen. In this paper, we make an initial attempt to ascertain the beneficial adaptations or limitations of lipids constituents and potential trade-offs in diving mammals. We discuss how changes in Antarctic climate are predicted to have numerous different environmental effects; such potential shifts in the availability of certain prey species or even changes in the lipid composition (increased SFA) of numerous fish species with increasing water temperatures and how this may impact the diving ability of Weddell seals.
Acid Sphingomyelinase Gene Deficiency Ameliorates the Hyperhomocysteinemia-Induced Glomerular Injury in Mice

Hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcys) enhances ceramide production, leading to the activation of NADPH oxidase and consequent glomerular oxidative stress and sclerosis. The present study was performed to determine whether acid sphingomyelinase (Asm), a ceramide-producing enzyme, is implicated in the development of hHcys-induced glomerular oxidative stress and injury. Uninephrectomized Asm-knockout (Asm−/−) and wild-type (Asm+/+) mice, with or without Asm short hairpin RNA (shRNA) transfection, were fed a folate-free (FF) diet for 8 weeks, which significantly elevated the plasma Hcys level compared with mice fed normal chow. By using in vivo molecular imaging, we found that transfected shRNAs were expressed in the renal cortex starting on day 3 and continued for 24 days. The FF diet significantly increased renal ceramide production, Asm mRNA and activity, urinary total protein and albumin excretion, glomerular damage index, and NADPH-dependent superoxide production in the renal cortex from Asm+/+ mice compared with that from Asm−/− or Asm shRNA-transfected wild-type mice. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the FF diet decreased the expression of podocin but increased desmin and ceramide levels in glomeruli from Asm+/+ mice but not in those from Asm−/− and Asm shRNA-transfected wild-type mice. In conclusion, our observations reveal that Asm plays a pivotal role in mediating podocyte injury and glomerular sclerosis associated with NADPH oxidase–associated local oxidative stress during hHcys.
A study of the routing capacity regions of networks

The routing capacity region of networks with multiple unicast sessions can be characterized using Farkas' lemma as an infinite set of linear inequalities. In this paper this result is sharpened by exploiting properties of the solution satisfied by each rate-tuple on the boundary of the capacity region, and a finite description of the routing capacity region which depends on network parameters is offered. For the special case of undirected ring networks additional results on the complexity of the description are provided.
On regulation of linear systems over rings by dynamic output feedback

A general algebraic solution to the problem of regulation of linear systems over arbitrary commutative rings by dynamic output feedback is given. This extends the theory of regulation for such systems. Furthermore, the notion of row (column) regularity for polynomial matrices over Bezout domains is introduced. This concept simplifies the regulation problem considerably for these rings.
Endotoxin‐induced abortion in mice is mediated by activated fetal macrophages

Leukocyte numbers and function were assessed in uterus, placenta, and fetus during endo- toxin-induced abortion. Tissues initially contained high numbers of macrophages but no granulocytes or lymphocytes. Endotoxin treatment resulted in rapid, transient neutrophil accumulation in uterus and placenta. Moderate increases in macrophage numbers occurred in the uterus but there were no changes in tissue distribution. Myometrial, endothe- lial, and epithelial cells were unaffected by endo- toxin but proliferating, differentiated fibroblasts that made up the primary decidua disappeared. As abor- tion progressed, the proportional representation of macrophages in placenta and embryo increased until, during the late stages of fetal resorption, they constituted nearly all viable fetal cells. At the same time, overall expression of class II major histocom- patibility complex gene products increased in mater- nal and fetal tissue. Leukocyte distribution and macrophage activation data suggested that endotoxin- induced fetal failure is mediated by products of activated maternal and fetal macrophages acting in concert to destroy actively proliferating maternal and fetal cells. J. Leukoc. Biol. 63: 40-50; 1997.
COMPOSITE SHEAR STUD STRENGTH AT EARLY CONCRETE AGES

Composite action between a reinforced concrete deck and steel girders is usually achieved by making use of welded headed shear studs. The mechanics of shear studs embedded in mature concrete has been investigated extensively in the past. Current literature, however, lacks experimental evidence of steel-concrete interface behavior at early concrete ages. This information is useful in under- standing the behavior of bridges during construction. Current testing methods are not suitable for determining the response of shear studs embedded in early-age concrete. In order to avoid this limitation, a new pushout test setup has been developed. A total of 24 pushout tests were performed at concrete ages ranging fro m4ht o 28days. Test results were used to develop load-slip curves and strength expressions. Furthermore, the variation of concrete properties with time and the applicability of the existing code equations for predicting early-age concrete stiffness were examined. Test results revealed that shear transfer is achieved at very early concrete ages and rate of stiffness gain of concrete is greater than that of strength.
CEFIXIME: A PHARMACOECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE

Abstract Cefixime, the first oral third-generation cephalosporin available, is commonly used for the treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, otitis media, sinusitis, urinary tract infections, and gonorrhea. The drug has a number of characteristics that make it effective when administered once or twice daily: a half-life of 3 to 4 hours, activity against most common pathogens involved in the infections for which it is indicated, and serum and interstitial concentrations greater than the minimum inhibitory concentration of most of the common pathogens of these infections for up to 24 hours after a 400-mg dose. In a meta-analysis of both clinical and postmarketing studies, short-course therapy with cefixime has been shown to be as effective as other drugs (eg, ofloxacin and amoxicillin) often used for the treatment of respiratory infections, cystitis, and gonorrhea. In the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, cefixime has been shown to be effective in transitional therapy, where by clinically stable patients are converted from parenteral third-generation cephalosporins to this agent, resulting in the reduction of both direct and indirect costs. In the current health care environment in many countries, another advantage of short course or transitional therapy with cefixime is the resulting reduction in both direct and indirect costs.
PCR-based assays for detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 3, 14, 19F and 23F in respiratory specimens.

Current culture-based assays are insensitive for detection of simultaneous respiratory tract colonization by more than one pneumococcal serotype. Separate single-tube, nested PCR-based assays have been developed to detect Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 3, 14, 19F and 23F by amplifying unique DNA sequences in the capsular polysaccharide gene cluster of each serotype. Pairs of 27–32-base outer primers and 20–21-base inner primers and a 20–22-base probe were designed to amplify and detect a 200–221-base sequence by dot blotting using the labelled probe. Sensitivity of the assays was 0.01–10 fg using chromosomal DNA and ⩽ 1 viable cell using DNA extracted from exponential-phase bacteria. Each serotype-specific assay detected chromosomal DNA from all of five to ten clinical isolates of the homologous type and did not detect DNA sequences from any of 190–204 strains from 51–52 different serotypes or 28 non-pneumococcal bacterial strains. Sixteen throat swabs from children that had been cultured for S. pneumoniae were tested in PCR assays following DNA extraction. All of six that grew S. pneumoniae serotype 3, 14, 19F or 23F were positive in the PCR assay for the homologous serotype (and in a PCR assay for sequences in lytA, present in all pneumococci) and were negative in assays for other serotypes. Of eight culture-negative specimens in children not receiving antimicrobials, three were positive for both the lytA assay and an assay for one of the four serotypes, suggesting true positive results; in three others all five PCR assays were negative and, in the remaining two, the lytA assay was positive but each of the four assays for individual serotypes was negative, suggesting either false-positive results or presence of DNA sequences from an S. pneumoniae serotype other than 3, 14, 19F or 23F. These preliminary clinical data suggest that these PCR-based assays are sensitive and specific for detection of individual serotypes of pneumococci and may be used with respiratory tract specimens.
Comparison of Mandibular Phenotypic and Genetic Integration between Baboon and Mouse

In this study we compare patterns of mandibular integration between mice and baboons using both phenotypic and quantitative genetic data. Specifically, we test how well each species fits with the mosaic model of mandibular integration suggested by Atchley and Hall (Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 66:101–157, 1991) based on developmental modules. We hypothesize that patterns of integration will be similar for mice and baboons and that both species will show strong integration within developmental modules and weaker integration between modules. Corresponding landmark data were collected from the hemi-mandibles of an advanced intercross mouse sample (N = 1239) and mandibles from a baboon sample of known pedigree from the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (N = 430). We used four methods of analysis to quantify and compare the degree of mandibular integration between species including two methods based on a priori assumptions, and two a posteriori analyses. We found that patterns of integration are broadly similar for baboon and mouse mandibles, with both species displaying a modular pattern of integration. While there is a general trend of similarity in integration patterns between species, there were some marked differences. Mice are strongly correlated among distances within the coronoid process and the incisive alveolar region, whereas baboons are strongly integrated within the condylar process. We discuss the potential evolutionary implications of the similar patterns of integration between these species with an emphasis on the role of modularity.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Incision and Drainage Versus Ultrasonographically Guided Needle Aspiration for Skin Abscesses and the Effect of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Study objective The incidence of skin and soft tissue infections has increased dramatically during the last decade, in part because of increased prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). Incision and drainage is considered the primary intervention; however, some clinicians prefer ultrasonographically guided needle aspiration because it represents a less invasive alternative. Our hypothesis is that ultrasonographically guided needle aspiration is equivalent to incision and drainage in treating simple skin and soft tissue abscesses. Methods This study was a nonblinded randomized controlled trial. Patients with uncomplicated superficial abscesses were randomized to incision and drainage with packing or ultrasonographically guided needle aspiration. Purulence obtained from the abscess was cultured to identify the causative organism. Bedside ultrasonography was performed pre- and postintervention to confirm the presence or absence of an abscess cavity. Patients were followed up at 48 hours (in person by a clinician) and on day 7 (telephone follow-up by research staff). The primary outcome was a combination of sonographic resolution and clinical resolution of the signs and symptoms of ongoing infection at day 7. The signs and symptoms of ongoing infection include increasing pain, erythema, and the presence of pus. Resolution was assessed with both sonographic resolution (day 0 and day 2) and improvement of clinical symptoms (day 2) and resolution of clinical symptoms (day 7) without further intervention. Results A total of 101 patients were enrolled, 54 incision and drainage and 47 ultrasonographically guided needle aspiration patients. At initial presentation, 60% (95% confidence interval [CI] 45% to 70%) of needle aspirations yielded little or no purulence, despite sonographic visualization of an abscess cavity and sonographic guidance during the procedure. The overall success of ultrasonographically guided needle aspiration was 26% (95% CI 18% to 44%) compared with 80% (95% CI 66% to 89%) success in patients randomized to incision and drainage. The difference between groups was 54% (95% CI 35% to 69%). Overall success of both incision and drainage and ultrasonographically guided needle aspiration was lower in patients with CA-MRSA. Patients with CA-MRSA (n=33) were less likely to receive successful drainage with needle aspiration (8% versus 55%) or incision and drainage (61% versus 89%). The difference for needle aspiration and incision and drainage was 47% (95% CI 15% to 57%) and 28% (95% CI 4% to 45%), respectively. Conclusion Ultrasonographically guided needle aspiration is insufficient therapy for skin abscesses. The presence of CA-MRSA decreases the success of both incision and drainage and ultrasonographically guided needle aspiration.
Using the concept of transient complex for affinity predictions in CAPRI rounds 20-27 and beyond.

Predictions of protein-protein binders and binding affinities have traditionally focused on features pertaining to the native complexes. In developing a computational method for predicting protein-protein association rate constants, we introduced the concept of transient complex after mapping the interaction energy surface. The transient complex is located at the outer boundary of the bound-state energy well, having near-native separation and relative orientation between the subunits but not yet formed most of the short-range native interactions. We found that the width of the binding funnel and the electrostatic interaction energy of the transient complex are among the features predictive of binders and binding affinities. These ideas were very promising for the five affinity-related targets (T43–45, 55, and 56) of CAPRI rounds 20–27. For T43, we ranked the single crystallographic complex as number 1 and were one of only two groups that clearly identified that complex as a true binder; for T44, we ranked the only design with measurable binding affinity as number 4. For the nine docking targets, continuing on our success in previous CAPRI rounds, we produced 10 medium-quality models for T47 and acceptable models for T48 and T49. We conclude that the interaction energy landscape and the transient complex in particular will complement existing features in leading to better prediction of binding affinities.
Are Hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg)–Positive Chronic Hepatitis B and HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B Distinct Diseases?

The current algorithm for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B is primarily dependent on 3 factors: (1) hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels, (2) alanine aminotransferase levels, and (3) hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status [1, 2]. The presence of HBeAg is pivotal for deciding whether to start and when to stop antiviral therapy. For HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B, current guidelines recommend treatment if the serum HBV DNA level is >20,000 IU/mL and the alanine aminotransferase level is elevated or if there is significant liver disease found by examination of a liver biopsy specimen. Treatment with oral antiviral medication is continued until
Boundary Feedback Control Using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Models

Reduced-order boundary feedback controls are obtained through weak formulations of proper orthogonal decomposition system models. Control gain information is used to determine model fidelity. A fixed-point iteration scheme is used to incorporate the reduced-order control in the full-order simulation for validation. The effectiveness of the reduced-order control on the reduced and full-order models is demonstrated.
A Block Rotation in Community Health and Child Advocacy: Improved Competency of Pediatric Residency Graduates

Context.—Despite increasing recognition of the importance of community health and child advocacy activities by pediatricians, residency programs have had little experience providing this education. There are no known reports examining the effects of such training on residency graduates. Objective.—To determine whether a program for educating residents in community health and child advocacy, Pediatric Links With the Community (PLC), improved attitudes and competencies of residency graduates. Design.—Survey of all graduates of the Rochester Pediatric Residency Program from 1991–2001. Graduates before institution of PLC (pre-PLC) were compared with graduates after institution of PLC (post-PLC). Participants.—A total of 137 (81%) of 169 graduates participated; 78 (85%) of 92 were in the pre-PLC group and 59 (77%) of 77 were in the post-PLC group. Intervention.—PLC provides all pediatric residents with a 2-week rotation working with multiple community-based organizations. Outcome Measures.—Differences between pre-PLC and post-PLC graduates in self-reported attitudes and competencies in multiple community health and child advocacy activities on 4-point Likert scales. Results.—The pre-PLC and post-PLC groups' attitudes toward community health activities were equally positive (3.4 vs 3.5, P = .08). The post-PLC group rated its competency higher in 8 of 12 activities (P Conclusions.—Although all pediatricians surveyed had positive attitudes toward community health and child advocacy activities, those who participated in PLC had higher self-perceived competency in most activities. Residency training programs can increase graduates' competence in community health skills.
Pathways for ATP release by bovine ciliary epithelial cells, the initial step in purinergic regulation of aqueous humor inflow

ATP release by nonpigmented (NPE) and pigmented (PE) ciliary epithelial cells is the enabling step in purinergic regulation of aqueous humor formation, but the release pathways are unknown. We meas...
Convention in joint activity

Abstract Conventional behaviors develop from practice for regularly occurring problems of coordination within a community of actors. Reusing and extending conventional methods for coordinating behavior is the task of everyday reasoning. The computational model presented in the paper details the emergence of convention in circumstances where there is no ruling body of knowledge developed by prior generations of actors within the community to guide behavior. The framework we assume combines social theories of cognition with human information processing models that have been developed within Cognitive Science. The model presented reflects both elements of the framework. Conventional behaviors are partially coded in the predisposition of participants in a joint activity to expect certain points of coordination to develop during the course of the activity. The expected points of coordination that are commonly assumed form a design for an activity. Because of uncertainty, interruptions, and numerous other opportunities to get off-track and out-of-synch, the participants must work jointly and continuously to achieve conventional coordination. One feature of the model is that the community improves its performance despite the fact that individual actors reason independently about their experiences. Another important feature of the model is that the mechanisms for improving behavior are tied to the memory function of individual actors. A third important feature is that the social interaction among the participants simplifies and drives the everyday reasoning processes. An analysis of a large set of computational experiments supports the theoretical position that is developed regarding everyday reasoning and convention.
Effects of aspect ratio and sidewall boundary-layer in airfoil testing

A correction to account for the sidewall boundary-layer effects in two-dimensional airfoil testing is presented by taking into consideration the nonlinear variation of the crossflow velocity across the width of the tunnel. The crossflow effects in the wind tunnel are represented in an empirical manner by considering the inviscid, compressible flow between a straight and a wavy wall. The analysis shows significant reduction in sidewall boundary-layer effects on airfoil midspan measurements with increasing aspect ratio of the model. Application of the correction to wind-tunnel data on airfoils demonstrated the method to be satisfactory in correlating shock location and also in giving good agreement between the measured pressure distribution and computed free air predictions. shed due to loss of lift in the boundary layer and a consequent change in the effective angle of incidence. The second approach, proposed independently by Barn well2 and Winter and Smith,3 assumes the changes in the boundary-layer thickness due to model-induced pressure field to have a significant effect on the flow over the airfoil. Using the small disturbance equation and accounting for the changes in the width of the flow passage, Barnwell presented a simplified correction for the measured forces in the form of a modified Prandtl-Glauret rule to account for the attached sidewall boundary-layer effects. Barn well's correction gave good agreement with the experiments of Bernard-Guell e4 at low Mach numbers. Sewall5 extended Barn well's approach to transonic speeds using the von Karman similarity parameter. Recently, an alternative simpler form of the correction encompassing both the Barnwell and Sewall methods has been proposed by Murthy.6 The Barnwell-Sewall correction appears to be effective in giving a satisfactory comparison between the measured and calculated pressure distributions on several airfoils tested in the NASA Langley 0.3-m Transonic Cryo- genic Tunnel.7"9 These studies suggest that the change in the sidewall boundary-layer thickness due to the airfoil pressure field can be a significant source of blockage correction, particularly at transonic speeds. The Barnwell-Sewall correction has been derived under certain assumptions of simplified boundary-layer treatment and linear variation of the crossflow velocity across the width of the tunnel. These assumptions imply that the airfoil chord is sufficiently large so that the effect of the sidewall boundary layers can be considered to be quasi-one-dimensional. Barn- well10 has shown recently that the linear crossflow assumption is justified provided (4d*/b)(b/c)2 is small. Hence, this assumption is likely to become less accurate when the width of the tunnel is much larger than the airfoil chord (i.e., for high- aspect-ratio models).
Universal Human Rights and the Problem of Unbounded Cultural Meanings

Freedom from violence stands as an important candidate for a universal human right. By definition, however, such rights apply only to phenomena that are universally perceived and experienced and take predictable expression, a possibility that many contemporary interpretations of cultural theory reject. Yet people who live dramatically different lives—on tourist islands in the West Indies or as hunter-gatherers and reindeer herders in Arctic regions—agree about components that comprise a unitary phenomenon legitimately called "violence." This is consistent with findings from cognitive and neruological science and with a more Geertzian theory that culture understood as meaning is not a thing, cultural variability occurs between individuals, and cultural consensus emerges as a necessary consequence of social interaction among people who participate in common social fields, who engage in common social discourse.
‘Cheaper than a CD, plus we really mean it’: Bay Area underground hip hop tapes as subcultural artefacts

This article looks at audiocassette tapes that are produced and circulated within the Bay Area underground hip hop scene as subcultural artefacts through which an understanding of the key activities, ideologies and sensibilities that mark subcultural identity can be grasped. Using du Gay's circuit of culture (1997) as a template for organising ethnographic data, the article demonstrates the ways in which subcultural meanings are encoded into the activities surrounding the commodification of underground hip hop cassettes. Ultimately, it argues for a reading of audiocassette tapes as unique technologies that simultaneously embrace the progressive politics of subcultural inclusion while defending subcultural boundaries against mainstream co-optation.
Treatment of the heart failure patient with atrial fibrillation: a major unmet need.

Treatment of chronic heart failure (HF) in patients with reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fractions (HFREF) has markedly improved in the last 20 years. Beginning with the success of neurohormonal inhibition in the 1990s and 2000s, the introduction of cardiac resynchronization therapy in the mid-2000s and, most recently, demonstration that heart rate (HR) slowing with ivabradine therapy (1) has beneficial effects additive to other therapies. Despite these achievements, much remains to be done, as HF continues to extract large societal tolls in terms of mortality, major morbidity, and healthcare economics.
Local Government Debt Management and Budget Stabilization

Debt can be friend or foe when it comes to budget stabilization. While short-term debt may be used to bridge temporary cash shortfalls that arise from incongruent timing of revenue receipts and expenditure payments, most state and local governments have balanced budget requirements that restrict the use of short-term debt for current (or operating) budget expenditures. Long-term debt may be used to leverage operating resources to enhance infrastructure and long-term projects. Nevertheless, excessive amounts of long-term debt will increase the fixed costs associated with debt payments, which could reduce the stability of non-debt-related expenditures. This chapter focuses predominantly on the interaction of state and local long-term debt and budget expenditures. First, we discuss historical trends in the use of long-term debt by state and local governments. We then examine aggregate fiscal data from local governments by state to demonstrate the correlation of expenditure volatility with outstanding debt balances. We find that in 20 % of the states, expenditure volatility increases as debt increases.
Using Digital Learning Platforms to Extend the Flipped Classroom

Although digital environments already play a vital role in the flipped classroom model, this research project shows that in university writing classrooms, innovative content design and delivery sys...
Effect of Competitive Outcome on State Anxiety

Two teams (ns = 9 and 10) were given Spielberger, et al.'s State Anxiety Inventory before and after they played a 25-min. game of volleyball. Winners showed reduced anxiety posttest, but not the losers, who showed some tendency toward higher scores.
Analysis on Negative DC Corona Inception Voltage of Stranded Conductors

A charge simulation method was introduced to calculate the electric field intensity of stranded conductors,and a computation model was adopted to evaluate the corona inception voltage on conductors,which was established according to the gas discharge theory.The electric field intensity of stranded conductor,which is higher than that of smooth conductor,is closer to the actual situation.Then a criterion of corona inception voltage,which determined whether the primary avalanche could produce a free electron to cause the secondary avalanches,was used to calculate the corona inception voltage of conductors.The influence of air pressure on the corona inception voltage of conductors was analyzed systematically.Corona inception voltage decreased as air pressure was lowered mainly due to the enlargement of ionization zone as a result of the increase of effective ionization coefficient.Moreover,the structural parameters of transmission lines,including conductor radius,height of conductor from ground,number of bundle conductor,and bundle spacing,were studied by the computation model.
Deconstructing the Durham Statement: The Persistence of Print Prestige During the Age of Open Access

In the seven years following the promulgation of the Durham Statement on Open Access to Legal Scholarship, law journals have largely responded to the call to make articles available in open, electronic formats, but not to the call to stop print publication and publish only in electronic format. Nearly all of the flagship law reviews at ABA-accredited institutions still insist on publishing in print, despite the massive decline in print subscribers and economic and environmental waste. The availability of a law journal in print format remains a superficial indicator of prestige and quality to law professors, student editors, and law school administrations. A shift from print publication to electronic-only publication is not as simple as having a law journal merely cancel its print runs, but rather requires several fundamental changes to the publication process. Many law journals must also greatly improve their websites before electronic-only publication can truly replace print publication. The Durham Statement was drafted by law library directors from top law schools across the country. Law librarians today must assist in facilitating the transition if we ever expect to see a world of electronic-only publication of law journals. This paper argues that the Harvard Law Review, Yale Law Journal, and Stanford Law Review must be the first law reviews to transition to electronic-only publication, after which other law journals will follow suit.
Changing Attitudes Toward Urinary Dysfunction in Myelodysplasia

AbstractAlternative methods to supravesical urinary diversion in myelodysplastic children, which protect the upper urinary tracts and provide urinary continence, are now available in the form of prosthetic devices and intermittent clean catheterization with or without ancillary pharmacologic agents. We believe that these alternatives deserve a trial before proceeding to supravesical urinary diversion. Short-term evaluation indicated improvements and stability in most urinary tracts treated by these methods but we recognized that, just as with the ileal conduit diversion, a longer period of followup is required before definite statements can be made about the long-term results. However, if the criteria of sterile urine and bladder emptying at physiological pressure ranges are strictly met we would suspect a favorable outcome.
Segmental trunk and head dynamics during frontal plane tilt stimuli in healthy sitting adults

Abstract A more detailed understanding of trunk behavior during upright sitting is needed to create a foundation to address functional posture impairments. Therefore, we characterized the dynamics of the trunk and head during perturbed sitting. A three-link inverted pendulum model of head and trunk segments was used to analyze kinematics of eight healthy sitting adults. Magnetic sensors were placed at the head and two locations of the trunk (C7 and T7). Six surface tilt stimuli (two spontaneous sway tests [no surface stimulus; eyes open, EO/eyes closed, EC] and four tests with continuous pseudorandom surface tilts [2 peak-to peak amplitudes of 2° or 8°; EO/EC]) were applied in the frontal plane. We used frequency-response functions (FRFs) to analyze sway across ~0.045–3 Hz and found systematic differences in sway dynamics across segments. Superior segments exhibited larger fluctuations in gain and phase values across frequencies. FRF gains in superior segments were attenuated compared to other segments only at low frequencies but were larger at the higher frequencies. We also tested the influence of stimulus amplitude and visual availability on FRFs. Across all segments, increasing stimulus amplitude and visual availability (EO) resulted in lower gains, however, these effects were most prominent in superior segments. These changes in gain were likely influenced by changes in sensory reliance across test conditions. In conclusion, these results provide a benchmark for future comparisons to segmental responses from individuals with impaired trunk control. We suggest that a frequency-based approach provides detail needed to characterize multi-segment dynamics related to sensorimotor control.
Magnetic properties of Ni-Fe films prepared by a DC triode sputtering method

The magnetic properties of Ni-Fe films with 81-wt.% Ni prepared by a DC triode sputtering method are studied as functions of sputtering parameters. Two kinds of substrates are used: one is flat and the other is patterned. In the former case sufficiently low coercive forces are obtained when both the target voltage and the Ar pressure are kept below the critical values. In the latter case, a negative substrate bias voltage is necessary to improve the magnetic properties in addition to the previous conditions. >
Race, Ethnicty and Death Due to Law Enforcement in US Men

Citizen deaths from law enforcement activities have drawn intense interest in recent years. Nationwide statistics may provide a useful perspective on this issue but have seldom been widely reported.To assess race, ethnicity and death from legal intervention in the U.S., an analysis examined U.S. vital statistics for the United States, 1999-2012. Decedents of interest were U.S. residents with underlying cause of death coded as legal intervention.Results: In the period 1999-2012, 5071 persons (age-adjusted rate 1.22 per million) died from legal intervention including 1357 blacks (2.36) and 3487 whites (1.06). Among men aged 15-54, there were 954 deaths in Hispanic whites (5.44, 95% confidence interval 4.78-5.45). Among non-Hispanics there were 1230 deaths in blacks (8.16, 7.70-8.62) and 2056 in whites (2.75, 2.63-2.87). Rates peaked at age 25-34. Rates were generally highest in the West but black/white ratio was highest in the Middle Atlantic and in large and fringe metro areas.Conclusions: Death resulting from interpersonal violence is a major public health concern. As for homicide, marked racial, ethnic and geographic disparities exist in deaths from legal intervention.
Tunable microwave pulse generation using discharge plasmas

The response of a microwave resonant cavity with a plasma discharge tube inside is (continuously or intermittently) filled with a plasma and studied both numerically and experimentally. The resonance frequency of the cavity-plasma system is sensitive to plasma densities from 1016 to 1020 m−3 corresponding to resonant frequencies of 12.3–18.3 GHz. The system is first characterized for its quasi-steady state response using a low frequency plasma discharge at 70 kHz and 125 V RMS. A plasma discharge is then driven with a high voltage pulse of 4 kV and a CW input microwave signal is converted to a pulsed output signal. The microwave pulse delay and pulse width are varied by selecting the input microwave frequency. The microwave input power is set to +20 dBm. The delay of the microwave pulse is also used as a diagnostic tool for measuring the variation of plasma density in time and, with numerical fitting, the discharge plasma recombination coefficient and diffusion timescales are estimated.