cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plug-in Electric Vehicle Market Research on Consumer in Six Cities in China

China’s Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PEV) market’s recent surge makes it the world’s largest PEV stock. A series of supportive policies in China contributed greatly to the rapid PEV adoption. However, what role these policies play in encouraging consumers to purchase PEVs rather than conventional vehicles is unknown. Additionally, factors other than incentives that may help maintain the current adoption trend are still unclear. The latter are especially critical in understanding how the market reacts to phasing out subsidies while aiming to achieve the next goal of 5 million PEVs on Chinese roads by 2020. Therefore, in this study we employed both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore these research questions through a cross-sectional study of the current PEV consumer market in six cities in China. The sample size of this study is by far the largest survey of PEV users ever conducted in China. Additionally, to the best of our knowledge, it is the first study focusing on PEV adoption in third-tier cities in China, where there is much room for PEV sale improvement. Further, collective attitudes toward micro-scale electric vehicles, which have not received much attention due to their smaller market share in big cities, were captured in this study for the first time. The results altogether provide meaningful insights into ways to increase PEV adoption in China and internationally.
Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Assessments for Sustainable Rare Earth Recovery from Coal Byproducts using Biosorption

Coal byproducts could be a promising feedstock to alleviate the supply risk of critical rare earth elements (REEs) due to their abundance and REE content. Herein, we investigated the economic and e...
Rapid Improvement Project: Improving Caregivers' Understanding of Safety Recommendations for Neurosurgical Devices.

There has been a proliferation in the development of indwelling neuromodulatory devices with varied safety recommendations, making it difficult for providers to remain up-to-date. This deficit presents an opportunity for significant improvement in patient safety. Methods We performed a search for monopolar electrocautery and magnetic resonance imaging safety recommendations for several indwelling neuromodulatory devices. We developed a questionnaire followed by an educational compendium and a posttest for 50 care providers. Results Overall, there was a poor performance on the pretest (mean 39%, SD 19%) but significant improvement on the posttest (mean 71%, SD 16%), P < 0.0001. We placed the educational compendium that included all manufacturer recommendations in the operating room for easy reference. A 2.4 times decrease in the case start times of vagus nerve stimulator cases is evidence of its effectiveness. Conclusions The authors highlight the lack of knowledge about manufacturer safety recommendations for indwelling neurosurgical devices, which led to the creation of operating room supplements and educational devices.
Role of Non-coding RNA in Acetaminophen-induced Liver Injury

Genomic and transcriptomic analyses have well established that the major fraction of the mammalian genome is transcribed into different classes of RNAs ranging in size from a few nucleotides to hundreds of thousands of nucleotides, which do not encode any protein. Some of these noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are directly or indirectly linked to the regulation of expression or functions of 25,000 proteins coded by 200 nucleotides are termed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are newly identified lncRNA members that are generated by back-splicing of primary transcripts. The functions of ncRNAs in modulating liver toxicity of xenobiotics are emerging only recently. Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-para-aminophenol, paracetamol or APAP) is a safe analgesic and antipyretic drug at the therapeutic dose. However, it can cause severe liver toxicity that may lead to liver failure if overdosed or combined with alcohol, herbs, or other xenobiotics. This review discusses the role of ncRNAs in acetaminophen metabolism, toxicity, and liver regeneration after APAP-induced liver injury (AILI).
Preemption Up in Smoke: Should States Be Allowed a Voice in Scheduling Under the Controlled Substances Act?

The original intent of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), according to some scholars, was to be a reform package that sought to harmonize the country’s approach to drug policy. As part of a Nixon-era set of reforms, the CSA was not intended to be a harsh, punitive approach but in the intervening years, the CSA lost its original purpose as political winds changed in ways that focused more on punitive approaches to a uniform approach to drug policy. Today, the CSA is conflicting with states’ interest in regulating certain drugs—namely marijuana—as states consider whether to decriminalize certain drugs for medical and recreational purposes. Proponents of marijuana legalization have pursued a number of regulatory and legal remedies unsuccessfully, and despite the seeming popularity of legalization, it has so far failed to advance off the “policy plateau” as evidenced by the inability to advance the Marijuana Justice Act and similar legislation. This proposed paper would explore the history of the CSA, its impact on marijuana legalization, and the ability of states to work within the regulatory structure of the CSA.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous heritable connective tissue disorders (Yeowell and Pinnell 1993) affecting the skin, ligaments, joints, blood vessels, and internal organs. EDS is characterized by skin extensibility, joint hypermobility (JHM), and tissue fragility. EDS results from mutations in genes involved in extracellular matrix formation and organization, leading to a predisposition for loss of structural integrity in tissues within multiple organ systems (Barabas 1967). The prevalence of EDS is estimated to be about 1 in 5,000 births (Steinmann et al. 1993).
Comparison of clinical performance of Ambu Aura40 laryngeal mask airway with Classic laryngeal mask airway for spontaneous ventilation during elective surgeries under general anaesthesia

Background: Introduction of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has revolutionised the practice of anaesthesia. This study compares the clinical performance of Ambu Aura40 LMA with Classic LMA in anaesthetised spontaneously breathing patients in terms of its ease of use and side effects. Patients and Methods: In this prospective randomised controlled study, 176 patients were allocated to either the Classic LMA or Ambu Aura40 LMA group according to a pregenerated block randomisation number sequence with concealment method. The allocated LMA was placed under general anaesthesia without muscle relaxant. The time and ease of insertion were noted in addition to any adverse events. Results: It was observed that Ambu Aura40 LMA and the Classic LMA were positioned successfully in the first attempt in 94% and 81% of patients respectively. The Ambu Aura40 LMA was placed in
Reducing Constipation-Related Admissions: The Effectiveness of Antegrade Continence Enema Procedures in Children.

IntroductionConstipation in pediatrics remains a common problem. Antegrade continence enema (ACE) procedures have been shown to decrease the distress of daily therapy. Patients are able to administ...
Bias in Higher Education Disability Accommodation Services

For students with disabilities, educational success often depends on the accommodations provided by their colleges. We study the decision-making process for disability accommodations in higher education by implementing a large-scale survey experiment with staff who work in disability services at U.S. colleges. We find evidence of disability specific bias – against those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as opposed to a vision impairment. This bias appears in respondents’ attitudes toward students and their expectations about which students will receive accommodations. We offer evidence that perceptions of work ethic underlie the disability bias. Our exploration into racial bias arrives at a nuanced picture – we find evidence of racial bias but it is concentrated only among staff who report not having taken a racial bias training course. We conclude with a discussion of possible steps to minimize bias and move towards a more equitable allocation of disability services.
Clia Waiver Pharmacy Growth: How Does Broadening Scope of Practice Affect the Pharmacist Labor Market?

The United States faces a forecast of continuing growth in the demand for health care and an insufficient supply of primary care physicians to meet this need. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) grant pharmacies the ability to apply for a waiver (CLIA waiver) to perform routine medical testing on patients without direct physician supervision. In this study, we estimate the effect that the spread of CLIA waiver pharmacies has had on the labor markets for pharmacists and lab technicians. Our results suggest that the spread of waivers has had no measurable impact on the pharmacist and lab technician labor markets. Our results suggest that pharmacists and lab technicians are able to accommodate basic testing into their existing workload without needing to work more hours. If pharmacies can accommodate routine testing with little disruption, broadening the scope of practice for pharmacists may alleviate rising costs of providing health care in the United States.
The Impact of Mutual Fund Family Membership on Investor Risk

Many investors confine their mutual fund holdings to a single fund family either for simplicity or through restrictions placed by their retirement savings plan. We find evidence that mutual fund returns are more closely correlated within than between fund families. As a result, restricting investment to one fund family leads to a greater total portfolio risk than diversifying across fund families. We examine the sources of this increased correlation and find that it is due primarily to common stock holdings, but is also more generally related to families having similar exposures to economic sectors or industries. Fund families also show a propensity to focus on high or low risk strategies, which leads to a greater dispersion of risk across restricted investors. An investor considering adding an additional fund, either in the same family or outside the family, would need to believe the inside fund offered an extra 50 to 70 basis points to have the same Sharpe ratio.
Association of limited English proficiency and increased pediatric emergency department revisits.

Objective Limited English proficiency (LEP) is a risk factor for health care inequity and an important focus for improving communication and care quality. This study examines the association between LEP and pediatric emergency department (ED) revisits. Methods This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients 0 to 21 years old discharged home after an initial visit from an academic, tertiary care pediatric ED from January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018. We calculated rates of ED revisits within 72 h resulting in discharge or hospitalization and assessed rate differences between LEP and English-proficient (EP) patients. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the association between revisits and LEP status controlling for age, race, ethnicity, triage acuity, clinical complexity, and ED arrival time. Sensitivity models including insurance were also conducted. Results There were 63,601 index visits in the study period; 12,986 (20%) were by patients with LEP. There were 2,387 (3.8%) revisits within 72 h of initial ED visit. Among LEP and EP patient visits, there were 4.53 and 3.55 revisits/100 initial ED visits, respectively (rate difference = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.58 to 1.37). In the multivariable analyses, LEP was associated with increased odds of revisits resulting in discharge (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.30) and in hospitalization (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.58). Sensitivity analyses additionally adjusting for insurance status attenuated these results. Conclusions These results suggest that LEP was associated with increased pediatric ED revisits. Improved understanding of language barrier effects on clinical care is important for decreasing health care disparities in the ED.
Biology and Dynamics of Age Structure

It would be hard to imagine a much simpler experimental system. Place some flour and yeast in a glass container with a few graminivorous beetles. Keep the container in a dark incubator at a constant temperature and humidity. At regular intervals, count the beetles and change the flour. An incubator, a scale, and a few plates and sifters are all that is needed. Yet despite its simplicity, this experimental system has the potential for producing a variety of interesting population phenomena including stable equilibria, Hopf bifurcations, multiple attractors, and stable limit cycles. How the physiology and behavior of flour beetles of the genus Tribolium can lead to these topics is the subject of this chapter and the next.
The Marrow of Human Experience: Essays on Folklore

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: William A. Wilson Year: 2006 Pages: 328 Publisher: Utah State University Press ISBN: 0-87421-653-2 (soft cover). Prices: $24.95 USD(soft cover).
Rating Scales for Depression

Over the past few decades, a number of clinician-rated and patient-rated instruments have been developed as primary efficacy measures in depression clinical trials. All those scales have relative strengths and weaknesses and some of them have been more successful than others, and have become the gold standards for depression clinical research. With all these measures available and with the evidence of their variable performance in clinical trials, it is becoming increasingly important to select primary efficacy measures that are reliable, valid, and that fit well within the aims of depression clinical trials. This article will review the main considerations that investigators need to make when choosing a primary efficacy measure for major depressive disorder (MDD). There is a clear need for a thorough discussion of the methodological issues concerning the use of these scales, as suggested also by Demyttenaere and De Fruyt in a recent review [1], because clinical trials researchers in depression continue to struggle with the ability to detect signals of the efficacy of antidepressant agents.
Human genomic variation

The recent completion and assembly of the first draft of the human genome, which combines samples from several ethnically diverse males and females, provides preliminary data on the extent of human genetic variation.
Theories for the interaction of electromagnetic and oceanic waves — A review

This paper reviews analytical methods in electromagnetic scattering theory (i.e., geometrical and physical optics, perturbation, iteration, and integral-equation) which are applicable to the problems of remote sensing of the ocean. In dealing with Earth's surface (in this case, the weakly non-linear ocean), it is not possible to have a complete and exact description of its spatial and temporal statistics. Only the first few moments are generally available; and in the linear approximation the statistics are assumed homogeneous, stationary and Gaussian. For this case, the high-frequency methods (geometrical and physical optics) and perturbation (Rayleigh-Rice), or a combination of them, provide tractable analytical results (i.e., the specular-point, the slightly-rough Bragg scattering and the composite-surface models). The applicability and limitations of these models are discussed. At grazing incidence and for higher frequencies, other scattering mechanisms become significant; and shadowing, diffraction and trapping must be considered. The more exact methods (integral-equation and Green's function) have not been as successful in yielding tractable analytical solutions, although they have the potential to provide improved theoretical scattering results in the future.
The strict anaerobe Bacteroides fragilis grows in and benefits from nanomolar concentrations of oxygen

Strict anaerobes cannot grow in the presence of greater than 5 micro M dissolved oxygen. Despite this growth inhibition, many strict anaerobes of the Bacteroides class of eubacteria can survive in oxygenated environments until the partial pressure of O2 (PO2) is sufficiently reduced. For example, the periodontal pathogens Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythensis colonize subgingival plaques of mammals, whereas several other Bacteroides species colonize the gastrointestinal tract of animals. It has been suggested that pre-colonization of these sites by facultative anaerobes is essential for reduction of the PO2 and subsequent colonization by strict anaerobes. However, this model is inconsistent with the observation that Bacteroides fragilis can colonize the colon in the absence of facultative anaerobes. Thus, this strict anaerobe may have a role in reduction of the environmental PO2. Although some strictly anaerobic bacteria can consume oxygen through an integral membrane electron transport system, the physiological role of this system has not been established in these organisms. Here we demonstrate that B. fragilis encodes a cytochrome bd oxidase that is essential for O2 consumption and is required, under some conditions, for the stimulation of growth in the presence of nanomolar concentrations of O2. Furthermore, our data suggest that this property is conserved in many other organisms that have been described as strict anaerobes.
A theory of credit bureaus

When both the buyer and seller have the potential to exercise opportunistic behavior some balancing of these mal-incentives must be found. Seller financing has the potential to work as a quality assurance device because the lien holder is clearly at risk when mortgaged property fails. The buyer is at risk in the amount of the down payment and installments if the property is abused. Credit bureaus act as arbitrators. Our model accurately predicts the shifting in contract terms to account for relative opportunism and the incidence of this contract based on changes in the relative costs and benefits.
Ionospheric effects of stratospheric warming, despite high solar activity

In January 2013, a strong burst of sudden stratospheric warming hit the atmosphere of the Arctic, driving altered weather patterns across the Northern Hemisphere. Sudden stratospheric warming is sparked when large atmospheric Rossby waves push through the tropopause into the stratosphere. Beyond the effects felt in the polar stratosphere and at the surface, however, the January 2013 event also had a strong influence on the behavior of the low-latitude ionosphere. For the 40 days of the stratospheric warming event, Goncharenko et al. report vertical ion drift and total electron content strongly varied in the ionosphere. These changes aligned well with previous observations made during a January 2009 sudden stratospheric warming event.
An ultrastructural survey of the genus Prototheca with special reference to plastids

An ultrastructural investigation of six different species of Prototheca showed that all of them contained starch grains enclosed in double-membrane-bounded structures recognized as plastids. It is concluded that these unicellular species of Prototheca must be considered as non-photosynthetic algae.
Interactive audiovisual learning session chair's overview

Interactive AudioVisual Learning (IAVL) is a dynamic branch of computer-assisted instruction that integrates the interactive potential of a computer with the added dimensions of sight and sound. With the advent of low cost computers, interfaces to a variety of audiovisual devices, and authoring systems, more and more people in the health sciences are exploring the role of this new technology in teaching. Because IAVL is flexible in terms of instructional design, it can be used in the education and training of patients, physicians and other health science professionals. The number of applications of this technology is growing, and IAVL has the potential to become a major educational tool.
Experimental and theoretical study of critical heat flux in vertical upflow with inlet vapor void

Abstract This study explores the mechanism of flow boiling critical heat flux (CHF) for FC-72 in a 2.5 mm × 5 mm vertical upflow channel that is heated along its 2.5 mm sidewall downstream of an adiabatic development section. Unlike most prior CHF studies, where the working fluid enters the channel in liquid state, the present study concerns saturated inlet conditions with finite vapor void. Temperature measurements and high-speed video imaging techniques are used to investigate the influence of the inlet vapor void on interfacial behavior at heat fluxes up to CHF as well during the CHF transient. The flow entering the heated portion of the channel consists of a thin liquid layer covering the entire perimeter surrounding a large central vapor core. Just prior to CHF, a fairly continuous wavy vapor layer begins to develop between the liquid layer covering the heated wall and the heated wall itself, resulting in a complex four-layer flow consisting of the liquid layer covering the insulated walls, the central vapor core, the now separated liquid layer adjacent to the heated wall, and the newly formed wavy vapor layer along the heated wall. This behavior in captured in a new separated control-volume-based model that facilities the determination of axial variations of thicknesses and mean velocities of the four layers. Incorporating the results of this model in a modified form of the Interfacial Lift-off CHF Model is shown to provide fairly good predictions of CHF data for mass velocities between 185 and 1600 kg/m2 s, evidenced by a mean absolute error of 24.52%.
Thermoregulatory responses to intraventricular norepinephrine in normal and hypothalamic-damaged rats.

Abstract We examined the effects of intraventricular injection of low doses of norepinephrine (NE) on internal temperature and on behavioral and reflexive thermoregulatory responses in unrestrained rats. NE lowered the body temperature of the rats in cold and neutral environments but had little effect in the heat. The hypothermia was blocked by α-adrenergic antagonists but unchanged by β-adrenergic antagonists. In the cold, the hypothermia was caused primarily by a lowered metabolic rate. At ambient temperature 25 °C, it was caused primarily by vasodilation while temperature. Behavioral responding compensated for the hypothermia. In the cold, rats increased responding to get heat after NE. In a warm environment, they did not increase responding to escape heat. Thus, both reflexive and behavioral results support the idea that the set-point is unchanged after intraventricular NE. Wherever in the brain the NE may be acting, it is not in the preoptic-anterior hypothalamic area, because when this area was ablated, the hypothermia in response to intraventricular NE was greatly exaggerated.
Complete set of solutions of the generalized Bloch equation

The genuine multireference approaches, including multireference coupled-cluster (MRCC) methods of the state-universal and valence-universal type, are based on the generalized Bloch equation. Unlike the Schrodinger equation, the Bloch equation is nonlinear and has multiple solutions. In this study, the homotopy method is used to obtain complete sets of solutions of the exact and approximate Bloch equations for a four-electron model system consisting of four hydrogen atoms. Different geometries of the model and different choices of the multidimensional reference space are investigated. The rigorous relationships between the solutions of the Bloch equation corresponding to approximate and exact cases are established by extending the procedure of β-nested equations to multireference case. It is argued that the nonlinear nature of the Bloch equation and the asymmetric treatment of the excitation manifolds corresponding to different reference configurations in the Bloch wave operator formalism are the primary reasons for the emergence of various problems plaguing genuine MRCC calculations, including the recently discovered intruder solution problem [K. Kowalski and P. Piecuch, Phys. Rev. A 61, 052506 (2000)]. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 80: 757–781, 2000
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide is a potent vasodilator and oedema potentiator in rabbit skin in vivo

1. The effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) on microvascular blood flow and plasma protein leakage were investigated in rabbit skin in vivo. 2. Intradermal injection of PACAP38, the 38 amino acid form of the peptide, caused a dose-dependent increase in blood flow measured by a 133Xe clearance technique. An equivalent increase in blood flow was induced by 10(-12) mol per site of PACAP38, 10(-12) mol per site of human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and 10(-10) mol per site of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). 3. The vasodilator activity of PACAP38 was not significantly different from that of the 27 amino acid form of the peptide, PACAP27, when measured with a laser Doppler flow meter, causing a 104 +/- 14% compared with 110 +/- 18% increase above basal blood flow at 10(-12) mol per site respectively. 4. At 10(-12) mol per site the effect of PACAP38 was longer lasting than that of CGRP. Blood flow remained significantly increased above control at 2 h with PACAP38 (P less than 0.05) whereas blood flow after intradermal CGRP had returned to control values by this time. 5. PACAP38 injected alone had no significant effect on microvascular leakage of 125I-labelled albumin. However, PACAP38 significantly potentiated bradykinin-induced oedema where it was approximately 100 fold more potent than VIP. 6. Oedema potentiation induced by PACAP38 was not inhibited by indomethacin at a dose which did inhibit potentiation of bradykinin-induced oedema by arachidonic acid.7. PACAP38 is at least as potent as other peptides which have been postulated to be involved in the inflammatory response when tested in rabbit skin in vivo. PACAP may contribute to both the hyperaemia and oedema components of inflammation.
The Forkhead Transcription Factor Foxo1: A Possible Link between Obesity and Insulin Resistance

The forkhead transcription factor Foxo1 has previously been shown to be a mediator of insulin action in liver and pancreas. New data from Nakae et al. (2003) demonstrate that it also functions in adipose cells to couple insulin signaling to adipogenesis, which involves switching preadipocytes from proliferation to terminal differentiation.
Vibro-Acoustic Modulation Utilizing a Swept Probing Signal for Robust Crack Detection

One practical issue that must be addressed prior to the implementation of a vibration-based structural health monitoring system is the influence that variations in the structure’s environmental and boundary conditions can have on the vibration response of the structure. This issue is especially prominent in the structural health monitoring of aircraft, which operate in a wide variety of different environmental conditions and possess complex structural components connected through various boundary conditions. However, many types of damage introduce nonlinear stiffness and damping restoring forces, which may be used to detect damage even in the midst of these varying conditions. Vibro-acoustic modulation is a nondestructive evaluation technique that is highly sensitivity to the presence of nonlinearities. One factor that complicates the use of vibro-acoustic modulation as a structural health monitoring technique is that the amount of measured modulation has been shown to be dependent on the frequency of the...
Establishment of substituent effects in the DNA binding subunit of CBI analogues of the duocarmycins and CC-1065

Abstract An extensive series of CBI analogues of the duocarmycins and CC-1065 exploring substituent effects within the first indole DNA binding subunit is detailed. In general, substitution at the indole C5 position led to cytotoxic potency enhancements that can be ≥1000-fold providing simplified analogues containing a single DNA binding subunit that are more potent (IC50=2–3 pM) than CBI-TMI, duocarmycin SA, or CC-1065.
Synergism observed in polybenzoxazine and poly(ε-caprolactone) blends by dynamic mechanical and thermogravimetric analysis

Abstract Benzoxazine resins and poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) are melt blended and the properties of the blends in the range of 0–15 wt.% of PCL are studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The Tgs of the benzoxazine blends in the presence of PCL are found to be slightly lower than that of neat polybenzoxazine resin. The blends show improved mechanical properties, including higher crosslink densities, rubbery plateau moduli, and flexural strengths compared to pure polybenzoxazine. Moreover, the thermal stabilities at middle temperature range in the presence of PCL modifiers are also enhanced, which is evident from the delayed onset decomposition temperature and the disappearance of the first degradation event.
Characterization of the pulsed discharge electron capture detector.

A new version of the pulsed discharge electron capture detector (PDECD) has been developed and characterized. Changes to the old version include a slightly altered detector geometry, replacement of the polymer insulation with sapphire and quartz, and the use of methane dopant gas instead of nitrogen or hydrogen. Various operating parameters have been investigated and optimized, including discharge current, dopant gas, bias voltage, and sample introduction position. The resulting detector is more inert and more sensitive (a limit of 36 fg for lindane) and capable of operation at temperatures as high as 400 °C. By running 23 halocarbon compounds on the improved PDECD and on a 63Ni-ECD using the same GC system, we find that the PDECD is superior to 63Ni-ECD in terms of sensitivity, linearity, and response time. We attribute the enhanced sensitivity to a lower positive ion concentration, which in turn lowers the electron−positive ion rate of recombination. Pesticides (including some real-world samples) have a...
Infrared imaging: making progress in fulfilling its medical promise

Discusses past, present, and future applications of infrared imaging in medicine. The topics mentioned include: breast cancer; helmet-mounted infrared for battlefield medical application; burns; image analysis and algorithm development.
Modified H-guide

A modified H-guide, also known as “fence guide”, facilitates simple design of complicated millimeter-wave circuitry on a dielectric slab and allows simple system assembly of components without connectors and flanges. A description of the waveguide and of the components made with it, and a discussion of the extensive theoretical and experimental investigations are presented.
Study of Alkaline Electrodes for Hybrid Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Hybrid polymer electrolyte fuel cells combine a proton exchange membrane (PEM) and anion exchange membrane (AEM) and exhibit unique advantages. The electrochemical performance and current limitations of a hybrid cell with an alkaline electrode fabricated on a Nafion membrane was characterized at 70°C as a function of relative humidity. To separate the individual characteristics of the AEM anode and cathode electrodes, two semihybrid cell configurations, each with an AEM and PEM electrode, were constructed and compared to a conventional PEM fuel cell. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to diagnose the cell component characteristics. In particular, low catalyst utilization in the AEM electrode was a primary factor in the performance losses in the hybrid cells.
Specialized System Identification for Parafoil and Payload Systems

There are a number of peculiar aspects to parafoil and payload systems thatmake it difficult to apply conventional system identification procedures used for aerospace systems. Parafoil and payload systems are unique because typically there is very little sensor information available, the sensors that are available are separated from the canopy by a complex network of flexible rigging, the systems are very sensitive to wind and turbulence, the systems exhibit a number of nonlinear behaviors, and the systems exhibit a high degree of variability from flight to flight. The current work describes a robust system identification procedure developed to address the specific difficulties posed by airdrop systems. By employing a two-phase approach that separately considers atmospheric winds estimation and aerodynamic coefficient estimation, a nonlinear, 6-degree-of-freedom dynamic simulation model is generated using only Global Positioning System data from the flight test. The key to this approach is the use of a simplified aerodynamic representation of the canopy, which requires identification of only the steady-state response to control input to completely define the dynamic model. The proposed procedure is demonstrated by creating a simulation model usingGlobal Positioning Systemdata fromactual flight tests. To validate the procedure, the dynamic response of the simulationmodel is then compared to inertial measurement unit data that were not used in any way to develop the simulation model, with excellent results.
On/off regulation of gene expression at the level of splicing.

Abstract The past two years have seen the discovery of three independent cases in which expression of a eukaryotic protein gene product is turned on and off by controlling splicing events necessary to produce the corresponding mRNA. Various considerations suggest that such on/off regulation at the level of splicing may be unexpectedly common.
Delay of shock-escape with and without stimulus change.

Summary.-Effects of a stimulus change presented with delay of shockescape were examined in escape conditioning. Where a stimulus change occurred with the delay, greater response rates were found before delay and lower rates during the delay. Results are interpreted as providing evidence for the efficacy of a stimulus change in maintaining behavior with delay of negative reinforcement. Results are consistent with an information account of secondary reinforcement. Data from a control procedure suggest the possibility that stimuli paired with shock termination might have two opposite properties, secondary reinforcing and conditioced aversive, depending upon the background stimulus conditions prevailing at testing. Not until recently has the effect of delay of negative reinforcement been systematically investigated (H~~ghes, 1960; Fowler & Trapold, 1962), and little work has focused on the effect of stimuli which mediate a delay. The purpose of these experiments was to determine the effect of a stimulus change during a short delay of shock escape. These studies also provide an opportunity to replicate earlier work (Milby, 1968) and to extend the generality of those findings.
Multivariate probit analysis of binary familial data using stochastic representations

The probit function is an alternative transformation to the logistic function in the analysis of binary data. However, use of the probit function is prohibitively complicated for cases of multivariate or repeated-measure binary responses, as integrations involving the multivariate normal distribution can be difficult to compute. In this paper, we propose an alternative form to stochastically represent random variables in the case of familial binary data that simplifies calculation of the multivariate normal integrals involved in the probit link. We provide examples of these stochastic representations for one- and two-parent families, and compare the performance of this methodology with that of moment estimators by calculating asymptotic relative efficiencies and through a real-life data example. Particular attention is paid to analyzing the properties of regression parameter estimates from these two methods with respect to the feasible ranges of the correlation parameters.
Growth of Cadmium Nanocrystals

Cadmium nanocrystals were synthesized by reduction of cadmium acetate in three different mediums. Transmission electron microscopy studies of the reaction products revealed a range of different shapes depending on the ratio of capping and reducing agents, the addition time of these agents, and the duration and temperature of the reaction. X-ray results confirmed the crystallinity of these faceted structures with the dominant crystal facet along the (002) direction. Optical absorption spectra showed either one or two plasmon resonances in the ultraviolet (λ = 280 nm and/or 235 nm) depending on the diameter of the spherical particles in solution. Finally, cadmium nanocrystals were converted to cadmium sulfide by addition of thiourea, TEX.
The reaction of some 3- and 4-fluorooexetanes with acids

Abstract Several oxetanes prepared from hexafluoroacetone and hydrofluoroolefins were treated with aluminum chloride. Substitution of fluorine by chlorine occured on the 3-and 4-carbon atoms as well as cleavage of the ether leakage to give chloroalkyl carbinols or in, some cases, vinyl carbinols. Individual samples of the cis and trans -3,4-difluorooxetanes formed roughly equivalent amounts of the 3-fluoro-4-chlorooxetane stereoisomers, indicating a common carbonium intermediate. Treatment of the 4-fluorooxetane with sulfuric acid gave a dioxetane, a dioxene and an unsaturated aldehyde.
Lymphocyte transformation with bacterial antigens in intrinsic asthma

Abstract Chronic infection of the respiratory tract is often thought to play an important role in intrinsic asthma. To study this further, the response of lymphocytes from patients with intrinsic asthma was investigated by in vitro challenge with various bacterial antigens and assayed by liquid scintillation counting of 3 H-thymidine uptake. Lymphocytes from normal individuals were run in an identical manner for comparison. The mean of the unstimulated background counts from all patients with intrinsic asthma was 250 per cent above the mean of the normal control values. Upon challenge with mixed bacterial antigen, the majority of both patients and control subjects and a 300 per cent or greater increase in counts. Response to H. influenzae antigen seemed to be dose related, with some suppression of 3 H-thymidine uptake at high antigen concentration. It would appear that lymphocytes from intrinsic asthmatic patients respond to challenge with mixed bacterial antigens and also H. influenzae antigen in the same manner and degree as do controls. However, lymphocytes from some patients with intrinsic asthma seem to have a significantly higher unstimulated rate of transformation than do those from normal control subjects. The reasons for this are unknown, and further investigation is indicated.
The mas proto-oncogene is developmentally regulated in the rat central nervous system

Abstract The mas proto-oncogene encodes a protein with a predicted structure similar to members of the family of seven transmembrane domain spanning receptors. These receptors are thought to transduce extracellular signals to G-proteins. Angiotensin II and III have been reported to be the functional ligands for the mas oncogene-encoded receptor (Jackson et al., 1988). We show here using in situ hybridization histochemistry and RNase protection assays that mas mRNA is expressed in a subpopulation of neurons in both the adult and developing rat CNS. In the adult CNS, mas mRNA is most abundant in hippocampal pyramidal neurons and dentate granule cells; mas transcripts are also present at low levels in the cortex and thalamus, mas is first expressed in the developing rat CNS at postnatal day 1 (P1). Even at this early stage in CNS development the pattern of mas expression is similar to that seen in the adult. Although at P1 most neurons of the dentate gyrus are not yet generated and cells of the hippocampal CA fields are undergoing migration and synaptogeneses (Bayer 1980; Altman and Bayer, 1990a, 1990b, 1990c), mas is specifically expressed in these cell populations. This extremely restricted pattern of expression suggests that mas may function in determining the morphology and connections of specific cell types in the hippocampus. This function may in part be carried out by the ability of mas to link external cues to intracellular processes.
Nonlinearly deformed Ŵ∞ algebra and second hamiltonian structure of KP hierarchy

Abstract The characteristic nonlinearity of W N algebras, appropriate for their many applications in two-dimensional quantum physics, is lost in the usual large- N limits. In this paper we search for nonlinear extensions of the Virasoro algebra that incorporate all higher-spin currents with spin s ≥2. We show that under certain natural homogeneity requirements, the Jacobi identities lead to a unique nonlinear, centerless deformation of classical w ∞ and W∞. The latter, which we call Ŵ∞, constitutes a universal W-algebbra which is very likely to contain all W N algebras by reduction. Also it is closely related to the linear W 1+∞ by a set of interesting recursion relations, which suggests the isomorphism of Ŵ∞ to the second hamiltonian structure of the KP hierarchy proposed by Dickey. The implications for the symmetries in two-dimensional quantum gravity and noncritical c ≤ 1 stings in the context of the KP approach are discussed.
Mercury in South Carolina Fishes, USA

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has collected, processed, and analyzed fish tissue total mercury (Hg) since 1976. For this study, skin-on-filet data from 1993 to 2007 were examined to determine biotic, spatial and temporal trends in tissue Hg levels for SC fishes. Because of the relatively high number of tissue Hg values below the analytical detection limits interval censored regression and censored least absolute deviations were used to construct several models to characterize trends. Large pelagic, piscivorous fish species, such as bowfin (Amia calva Linnaeus 1766), had higher levels of tissue Hg than smaller omnivorous species. Estuarine species had relatively low levels of tissue Hg compared to freshwater species, while two large open ocean species, king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla Cuvier 1829) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius Linnaeus 1758), had higher tissue Hg readings. For a given fish species, length was an important predictor of tissue Hg with larger individuals having higher levels than smaller individuals. The USEPA Level III ecoregion and water body type from where the fishes were collected were important in predicting the levels of tissue Hg. The Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain ecoregion had fishes with the highest levels of tissue Hg, while the Piedmont and Southern Coastal Plain ecoregions had the lowest. For a given ecoregion, large reservoirs and regulated rivers had fish with lower levels of tissue Hg than unregulated rivers. For reservoirs, the size of the impoundment was a significant predictor of tissue mercury with small reservoirs having higher levels of tissue mercury than large reservoirs. Landuse and water chemistry accounted for differences seen in fish of various ecoregions and waterbody types. Sampling locations associated with a high percentage of wetland area had fish with high levels of tissue Hg. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between tissue Hg levels and water column iron, total organic carbon, ammonia, and total kjedahl nitrogen, and a negative relationship with alkalinity, dissolved oxygen and pH. Results from principle component analysis revealed patterns between waterbody type and water chemistry variables that suggests hydrologic modification can have profound effects on the levels of fish tissue Hg in riverine systems. From 1993 to 2007, fish tissue Hg levels have trended lower. A spike in tissue Hg levels was observed in 2003-2005. The drying and rewetting of the landscape after the 2002 drought is hypothesized to have caused an increase in the methylation efficiencies of the system.
Valdecoxib Exposures Reported to Texas Poison Centers During 2002–2004

Valdecoxib is a drug possessing anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and acts by binding to cyclo-oxygenase-2. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of valdecoxib exposures reported to Texas poison centers. Human valdecoxib exposures reported to six Texas poison centers were identified and comparisons were made between isolated and nonisolated cases with respect to various demographic and clinical factors. Of 328 human valdecoxib calls, 55% were isolated and 45% were nonisolated. Fifty-eight percent of isolated cases involved female patients while 69% of nonisolated cases involved females. Fifty-three percent of isolated cases involved patients of age less than 6 yr, whereas 71% of nonisolated cases involved patients age 20 yr or greater. Eighty-four percent of isolated cases were unintentional and 67% of nonisolated cases were intentional. The patient was managed outside of health care facilities in 84% of isolated cases and 26% of nonisolated cases. Of those cases with a kno...
Inhibition of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Replication by Epidermal Growth Factor in Human Epidermoid A-431 Cells

Here we report that epidermal growth factor (EGF) inhibits the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in human epidermoid carcinoma A-431 cells, as measured by reduction in infectious viral particle production, cell protection assay, and inhibition of viral protein synthesis. The observed antiviral effects of EGF were not apparently due to inhibitory effects on the initial events in VSV infection as postinfection treatment of cells with EGF also resulted in significant inhibition in the levels of viral proteins. The EGF-mediated inhibition of VSV protein synthesis was specific in nature as prior treatment of cells with an excess of anti-EGF receptor monoclonal antibody, which blocks EGF binding, reduced the inhibition of VSV proteins elicited by EGF. In summary, the observed antiviral action of EGF was an early effect of EGF and was mediated via an EGF-responsive cellular pathway(s) that could impair VSV replication.
Evaluation of esophageal transit of tablets and capsules in 30 cats.

We have reported tablet-induced focal esophagitis and esophageal stricture formation in cats. The proposed mechanism is thought to be abnormal esophageal tablet retention resulting in focal esophagitis with subsequent stricture formation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the passage of tablets and capsules when given alone (dry swallow) and when followed by a water bolus (wet swallow) to determine if this could, in part, explain the esophageal stricture formation we have observed in cats. Fluoroscopy was used to evaluate tablet or capsule passage after administration. The percentage of dry tablet swallows that successfully passed into the stomach was 0.0% at 30 and 60 seconds, 6.7% at 90 seconds, 13.3% at 120 seconds, 26.7% at 180 and 240 seconds, and 36.7% at 300 seconds. Wet tablet swallows successfully passed 90.0% of the time at 30 seconds, 93.3% of the time at 60 seconds, and 100.0% of the time thereafter. The percentage of dry capsule swallows that successfully passed was 16.7% at each time interval. Wet capsule swallows successfully passed 96.7% of the time at 30 seconds and 100% of the time thereafter. For each time interval, wet swallows achieved significantly greater percentage passage into the stomach when compared to dry swallows (P < .05). This study shows that tablets or capsules given by dry swallow have prolonged retention in the esophagus compared to those given by wet swallow. On the basis of this study, we recommend the routine administration of a water bolus to cats receiving tablets or capsules PO to facilitate esophageal clearance. This practice may help prevent medication-associated esophagitis or stricture formation.