cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanical properties and strengthening of a Ni25Mo8Cr alloy containing Ni2(Mo,Cr) precipitates

Abstract The mechanical properties and mechanisms of deformation and strengthening of Haynes Alloy 242tm, a nominal Ni25Mo8Cr (in wt%) containing Ni2(Mo,Cr) precipitates in a face-centered cubic matrix, are reported. Both solution treated, as well as aged samples (550–750°C, 1–1200 h) were deformed to permanent strains of 1 and 6% in compression and to failure in tension. The deformation structures were observed by transmission electron microscopy. A two-fold increase in strength and tremendous strain hardening are observed as the short-range (SRO) to long-range ordering (LRO) transformation proceeds, although ductility remains high even in well-aged samples. Major contribution to strengthening and strain hardening comes from the precipitation of a high volume fraction of Ni2(Mo,Cr) precipitates, with hardening in the solution treated samples and those aged for short periods being associated with the presence of SRO in the matrix. A transition in deformation mode, from glide of unit dislocations in planar arrays to profuse twinning, is observed as a function of aging time and imposed strain, twinning being observed in samples containing Ni2(Mo,Cr) precipitates. A semi-quantitative model developed on the basis of precipitate size and mode of deformation (shearing, twinning, bypassing) is able to satisfactorily account for this transition. A presentation and discussion of these results, as well as those of the mechanisms of strengthening and strain hardening, are provided.
Radiological abnormalities among sheet-metal workers in the construction industry in the United States and Canada: relationship to asbestos exposure.

Abstract We investigated the possible adverse health effects to sheet-metal workers who had past exposure to asbestos. A cross-sectional medical examination of 1 330 workers was conducted during 1986 and 1987 in seven cities in the United States and Canada. A total of 1 016 workers had been employed for at least 35 y in the industry, and the mean duration from onset of asbestos exposure was 39.5 y (SD = 7.41 y). Chest x-ray abnormalities were found in more than half of the group. Pleural fibrosis, the most frequently found abnormality, was present in 47.0% of the cases and was the only abnormality found in 27.8% of cases; parenchymal interstitial fibrosis, found in 33.1% of cases, was the only abnormality found in 16.2% of cases. Radiologic abnormalities increased as duration of exposure increased. A positive smoking history was associated with a higher prevalence of radiologically detectable parenchymal abnormalities, a finding confirmed by us and others. Dyspnea on exertion was graded by a Medical Resea...
Perpetual Creation and Decomposition: Bodies, Gender, and Desire in The Assumptions Of A Guatemalan Discourse of Mestizaje

Assumptions about bodies, gender, and desire are explored in an examination of Marta Casaus Arzu's book Guatemala: Linaje y Racismo. Widely discussed in a historic moment marked by the Columbus Quincentennial, the Christian millenium, and the U.N. timetable for implementing peace accords signed in 1996, the book looks critically at the way racism and kinship work together to maintain unequal class relations. She argues against racist discourses which view the "Indian" as physically different from the ladino in favor of embodied sameness - the mestizo body. Acknowledging this as an intervention for the common good the author asks, what is erased in mestizaje discourse? And what effects do these erasures have in ladino and Maya assumptions of identity?
A change in radioactive product distribution for recoil tritium reactions in the solid phase at −196°C

A series of experiments was performed in which recoil tritium atoms from the Li/sup 6/(n, alpha )T reaction were reacted with trans-butene-2 at 20, -- 78, and -- 196 un. Concent 85% C. The tritium distribution in the products was similar at 20 and --78 un. Concent 85% C, but the distribution at -- 196 un. Concent 85% C showed a decrease in CH/sub 3/CH = CHT and an increase in n-C/sub 4/ H/sub 9/T. Several possible causes for the changes are discussed. (D.L.C.)
Product and process patterns for agent-based modelling and simulation

Patterns have offered a powerful yet simple way to conceptualize and communicate ideas in many disciplines since Christopher Alexander introduced them in the late 1970s. Patterns in general, and de...
An on-line fault diagnosis scheme for linear processor arrays

Abstract A data-driven method for error detection and fault diagnosis in processor arrays is proposed under the assumption that data streams can only be inserted and observed through the boundary processors. The method consists of attaching tags to data streams, thereby allowing the data items to carry their own control and error information. Our goal is to detect the malfunction of a specific processor at a specific time step. A tag, which initially contains control information to activate a testing process, is changed to indicate the occurrence of an error by a checking processor detecting an inconsistency. To pinpoint a faulty processor, the front-end computer must go through the reverse process of identifying the processor that detected and signalled the inconsistency. Using two data streams, we can control every processor in the array and locate the faulty one. The resulting processor array is regular in structure, and the number of bits used to encode the control and error information is independent of the size of the array, thus leading to efficiency and scalability.
Regulated release of nitric oxide by nonhematopoietic stroma controls expansion of the activated T cell pool in lymph nodes

Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) and lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) are non-hematopoietic stromal cells of lymphoid organs. They influence the migration and homeostasis of naive T cells; however, their influence on activated T cells remains undescribed. We have recently identified that FRCs and LECs inhibited T cell proliferation through regulated nitric oxide synthase-2(NOS2)-dependent mechanism. Importantly, in vivo NOS2 expression by FRCs and LECs controlled the size of the activated T cell pool. Mechanistically, the expression of NOS2 and production of nitric oxide (NO) paralleled the activation of T cells and required IFNGR1 signaling in FRCs and LECs, and was augmented by TNF and direct contact with activated T cells. Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that various adhesion molecules and multiple components of cytokine, complement and JAK-STAT signaling pathways are upregulated in FRCs in the presence of activated T cells. Based on these data, current efforts aim to identify the molecules involved in the direct stromal cell-T cell interaction influencing NO production by FRCs. This negative regulatory feedback mechanism is likely of great relevance to regulation of immune responses either to prevent excessive T cell expansion or to avoid structural damage within LNs caused by the expanding T cell pool.
Effects of Varying the Threshold of Alarm Systems and Task Complexity on Human Performance and Perceived Workload

Using a dual-task paradigm, we examined how alarm system detection threshold and task complexity affected human performance and perceived workload. We hypothesized that using an alarm system would ...
The conjoint session in marriage therapy

The conjoint session in the treatment of persons who are married is designed to use the intense emotional feelings that exist between the partners. The situation provides transference, regressive and defensive phenomena that are readily available for therapeutic utilization. Treatment is essentially for one or both partners, secondarily for the marriage. As the conjoint session epitomizes the problems that arise when a therapist undertakes to treat both marital partners by any method, this type of session was discussed in some detail. The demands on the therapist in conjoint therapy are great. He is the witness of irrational and hostile feelings which frequently exceed in intensity those that emerge in individual psychotherapy or analysis. There is a greater amount of emotional interplay than may occur in either individual or group therapy. It becomes very easy to identify with one marriage partner against the other and thus reduce or eliminate the therapist's value to both persons in the marriage. However, the opportunity presented to the marriage partners in this triadic setting is a valuable one. The therapeutic leverage afforded by the dynamics of the marriage relationship can immeasurably increase the chances of helping both individuals as well as their marital relationship.
Extraperitoneal para-aortic lymph node evaluation for cervical cancer via pfannenstiel incision: technique and peri-operative outcomes.

Objective. To examine surgico-pathologic outcomes following extraperitoneal para-aortic lymph node dissection (EPLND) via pfannenstiel compared to paramedian incision prior to radiation in patients with cervical cancer. Methods. At our institution, patients with locally advanced cervical cancer undergo, EPLND. From 1990 to 2000, EPLND was performed via paramedian incision (PM) primarily to identify positive para-aortic lymph nodes (PALN). From 2000 to present, a complete pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed via pfannenstiel incision (PF). Records for all patients undergoing EPLND were reviewed. Pathologic findings, post-operative complications, and time to initiation of radiation (TRT) were abstracted. Results. 93 patients underwent EPLND, 48 via PF and 45 via PM incision. The mean age and body mass index did not differ between the two groups. Stage distribution was similar: IB2 8 vs. 0%; IIB 44 vs. 44%; IIIA/B 35 vs. 44%; IVA 13 vs. 11%, respectively. Positive PALN were identified in 44% of PF patients and 29% of PM patients (p=ns). TRT was not significantly different at 36.4 vs. 28.8 days, respectively. There were more complications among the PF group including cellulitis and lymphocyst formation. Pre-treatment computed tomography (CT) scan had positive and negative predictive values of only 86 and 66% for evaluation of PALN involvement. Conclusions. We present an extraperitoneal method for removal of the pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes with acceptable complications and no significant delay to initiate chemoradiation. Accurate assessment of lymphatic metastases results in modification of the radiation field, which, along with surgical debulking, may impact overall survival.
New Measures for Assessing Alcohol and Drug Abuse With the MMPI-2: The APS and AAS

We introduce two new scales for assessing substance abuse problems with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2): the Addiction Potential Scale (APS), a 39-item empirically derived scale, developed by contrasting the responses of a large residential substance abuse sample with responses from both normative and psychiatric control groups; and the Addiction Acknowledgement Scale (AAS), a 13-item face-valid scale, constructed rationally and with attention to internal consistency. Both new scales are shown to discriminate well between groups and substantially better than other selected substance abuse scales. Covariation between the scales and joint effectiveness are examined. Finally, limitations for their practical utility are expressed, and considerations for future research are identified.
Rayleigh scattering of spherical sound waves

This paper considers diffraction of spherical waves on soft, hard, and impedance spheres. Radius of the sphere is assumed to be small compared to acoustic wavelength. Simple uniform asymptotic expansions are obtained, which describe the scattered wave everywhere outside the scatterer, including a transition from the near to the far field. The new asymptotic expansions admit an intuitive interpretation in terms of image sources and reduce to the classical results due to Kelvin and Rayleigh in appropriate limiting cases.
Two generations of Sutherland’s white-collar war crime data and beyond

Edwin Sutherland published his famous White Collar Crime in 1949 where he excoriated leaders of American firms for their war crimes. The names of all corporations were deleted, however, from the book by the threat of legal action. The unabridged version was published in 1983 when the Sutherland files at Indiana University were unsealed. These files can now be compared with both the 1949 and 1983 book, as well as with other evidence of corporate war crimes during World War II.
Host shift to an invasive plant triggers rapid animal hybrid speciation

Speciation in animals is almost always envisioned as the split of an existing lineage into an ancestral and a derived species. An alternative speciation route is homoploid hybrid speciation1 in which two ancestral taxa give rise to a third, derived, species by hybridization without a change in chromosome number. Although theoretically possible it has been regarded as rare1 and hence of little importance in animals. On the basis of molecular and chromosomal evidence, hybridization is the best explanation for the origin of a handful of extant diploid bisexual animal taxa2,3,4,5,6. Here we report the first case in which hybridization between two host-specific animals (tephritid fruitflies) is clearly associated with the shift to a new resource. Such a hybrid host shift presents an ecologically robust scenario for animal hybrid speciation because it offers a potential mechanism for reproductive isolation through differential adaptation to a new ecological niche7. The necessary conditions for this mechanism of speciation7 are common in parasitic animals, which represent much of animal diversity8. The frequency of homoploid hybrid speciation in animals may therefore be higher than previously assumed.
An Examination of the Reliability, Data Screening Procedures, and Extreme Response Patterns for the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey.

Abstract This article explores psychometric characteristics of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey (YRBS), one of the most widely used instruments to assess the prevalence of violent and other high-risk behaviors in secondary school settings. Response patterns were analyzed for a subset of 414 youths who indicated that they had carried a weapon to school six or more times during the preceding 30 days, and were compared to a matched sample of youths randomly selected from the 13,610 participants in the 2001 national administration of the YRBS. Results indicated that extreme responders to the weapon-carrying item were considerably more likely than their counterparts to respond in an extreme fashion to all YRBS items, including risk items pertaining to school (e.g., physical fights on school property) and outside school (e.g., alcohol consumption) factors, as well as positive health behaviors (e.g., healthy eating habits). Overall, the results suggest an ex-treme response bias among some participants...
Comparison of Availability of Ions from Sodium Salicylate and Salicylic Acid Tablets

The in vitro release of the drug components from salicylic acid and sodium salicylate tablets was studied. Comparisons were made concerning the availability of sodium ions and salicylate ions from typically formulated tablets containing the salt of the drug. Similarly formulated salicylic acid tablets were also compared. The availability of sodium from the sodium salicylate tablets, while unaffected by pH, was substantially different from that of the salicylate ion and would represent the inherent disintegration-deaggregation-dissolution behavior due to the tablet formulation itself.
Prediction of local extinction and re-ignition effects in non-premixed turbulent combustion using a flamelet/progress variable approach

Abstract The flamelet/progress variable approach (FPVA) has been proposed by Pierce and Moin as a model for turbulent non-premixed combustion in large-eddy simulation. The filtered chemical source term in this model appears in unclosed form, and is modeled by a presumed probability density function (PDF) for the joint PDF of the mixture fraction Z and a flamelet parameter λ. While the marginal PDF of Z can be reasonably approximated by a beta distribution, a model for the conditional PDF of the flamelet parameter needs to be developed. Further, the ability of FPVA to predict extinction and re-ignition has also not been assessed. In this paper, we address these aspects of the model using the DNS database of Sripakagorn et al. It is first shown that the steady flamelet assumption in the context of FPVA leads to good predictions even for high levels of local extinction. Three different models for the conditional PDF of the flamelet parameter are tested in an a priori sense. Results obtained using a delta function to model the conditional PDF of λ lead to an overprediction of the mean temperature, even with only moderate extinction levels. It is shown that if the conditional PDF of λ is modeled by a beta distribution conditioned on Z, then FPVA can predict extinction and re-ignition effects, and good agreement between the model and DNS data for the mean temperature is observed.
The molecular weight of rat brain hexokinases.

The soluble hexokinase (ATP:D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) has been found to aggregate under conditions of low ionic strength. It is suggested that such aggregation offers an explanation for the heterogeneity in sedimentation velocity observed by Teichgraber and Biesold [J. Neurochem., 19, 895 (1972)], which is in contrast to the homogeneous sedimentation properties observed in our laboratory. When aggregation is precluded, the soluble hexokinase sediments with a velocity compatible with a molecular weight of approximately 98 000, which is also the molecular weight of the purified particulate hexokinase. Other evidence supporting the essential similarity of the soluble and particulate enzymes is reviewed.
Small distortion properties of lung parenchyma as a compressible continuum

Abstract Volume dependent mechanical properties of lung parenchyma are derived from a homogeneous, compressible, initially isotropic elastic model subjected to small distortion superimposed on large deformation. The model is based on experimental data for excised dog lungs. General linear constitutive equations are derived for each finite intermediate state of stress. Constraints needed for the deduction of a strain energy function of the parenchyma as a compressible continuum are considered. Properties are defined for each isotropic intermediate state of stress. These are given in terms of physical constants which provide the basis for modeling a variety of problems in lung elasticity. An example of such a problem is illustrated.
Abdominal wall defects and congenital heart disease

Objectives To determine the incidence of cardiac disease associated with abdominal wall defects of fetuses and associated parameters including maternal age, sex, gestational age at delivery, outcome, karyotypes, Apgar scores and associated congenital anomalies. Methods This was a retrospective study of fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis or omphalocele. The Maternal–Fetal Medicine Fetal Therapy (MFM) database was reviewed for all fetuses with abdominal wall defects identified prenatally. All available MFM records, fetal echocardiograms, neonatal echocardiograms and neonatal charts were reviewed for the types of abdominal wall defects and associated cardiac disease identified by ultrasound. Other parameters reviewed included: maternal age, sex, gestational age at delivery, outcome, karyotypes (when available), Apgar scores and associated congenital abnormalities. Results Forty-eight fetuses with an abdominal wall defect and cardiac disease findings were identified. Of these fetuses 26 had gastroschisis and 22 had omphalocele. The mean maternal age was 24.0 ± 5.40 years in the gastroschisis and 29.2 ± 7.23 years in the omphalocele group (P < 0.01). Differences in mean gestational age at delivery, mean birth weight and median Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min were not statistically significant. Abnormal cardiac findings were seen in 4/26 (15%) cases of gastroschisis and included one case of peripheral pulmonary stenosis, two cases of supraventricular tachycardia and one case of persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) of the newborn. Abnormal cardiac findings were seen in 10/22 (45%) cases of omphalocele and included one muscular ventricular septal defect, two atrial septal defects of the secundum variety, one ectopia cordis, one coarctation of the aorta, one dysplasia of the tricuspid valve, one large pericardial effusion and four cases of PPHN. Conclusions Fetuses with omphalocele appear to have an increased risk not only of congenital heart disease (CHD) but also of perinatal cardiac abnormalities, especially PPHN. A prenatal maternal hyperoxia test may be of predictive value in determining which patients may develop PPHN. The fact that both CHD and PPHN are increased in fetuses with abdominal wall defects may be of value in counseling parents prenatally, and stresses the importance of performing echocardiography both prenatally and postnatally in these cases. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Direction and Rate of Ear-Canal Pressure Changes on Tympanometric Measures

The effects of the direction (ascending and descending) and rate (12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 daPa/s) of ear-canal pressure changes on three tympanometric measures (peak static admittance, shape, and typa...
Antibacterial and Hemolytic Activities of Quaternary Pyridinium Functionalized Polynorbornenes

In this study, amphiphilic polyoxanorbornene with different quaternary alkyl pyridinium side chains were synthesized. The biological efficiencies of these polymers, with various alkyl substituents, were determined by bacterial growth inhibition assays and hemolytic activity (HC 50 ) against human red blood cells (RBCs) to provide selectivity of these polymers for bacterial over mammalian cells. A series of polymers with different alkyl substituents (ethyl, butyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl and phenylethyl) and two different molecular weights (3 and 10 kDa) were prepared. The impact of alkyl chain length divided the biological activity into two different cases: those with an alkyl substituent containing four or fewer carbons had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 200 μg. mL -1 and a HC 50 greater than 1650 μg. mL -1 , while those with six or more carbons had lower MICs < 12.5 μg. mL -1 and HC 50 ≤ 250 μg. mL -1 . Using MSI-78, the potent Magainin derivative which has an MIC=12.0 μg·mL -1 and HC 50 = 120 μg·mL -1 , as a comparison, the polymers with alkyl substituents ≤C 4 (four carbons) were not very potent, but did show selectivity values greater than or equal to MSI-78. In contrast, those with alkyl substituents ≥C 6 were as potent, or more potent, than MSI-78 and in three specific cases demonstrated selectivity values similar to, or better than, MSI-78. To understand if these polymers were membrane active, polymer induced lipid membrane disruption activities were evaluated by dye leakage experiments. Lipid composition and polymer hydrophobicity were found to be important factors for dye release.
Numerical solutions to the smoluchowski aggregation—fragmentation equation

Abstract We numerically solved the Smoluchowski rate equation for different combinations of fragmentation and aggregation kernels. The average cluster size, number of clusters, and cluster size distribution were calculated as functions of time and found to reach equilibrium values. Scaling and functional form of the cluster size distribution have been obtained. Detailed comparison with previously reported analytical predictions was made and satisfactory agreement was found.
Microstructure and magnetic properties of FeTaN films

This paper investigates single layer dc magnetron sputtered FeTaN films of varying nitrogen content and thickness. Crystallographic aspects of [110] plane disorientation, lattice deformation and their relationship to coercive force and anisotropy field are analyzed. >
Atomoxetine resulting in Takotsubo syndrome: is the locally-released norepinephrine from the autonomic sympathetic cardiac nerves or the blood-borne catecholamines the cause?

To the Editor, The case report byYamaguchi et al. published on line ahead of print on November 14, 2013 in the Journal [5] about an 11year-old boy with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treated for 2 years with atomoxetine, who suffered Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), implicating this drug, is of interest to clinicians managing patients with ADHD and for a possible TTS pathophysiological connotation. Atomoxetine, as the authors state, is a noncentral nerve-stimulating agent blocking reuptake of noradrenalin, and, as such, it can lead to cardiac responses similar to the ones resulting from intense efferent autonomic cardiac sympathetic nerve stimulation [2]. The pathophysiology of TTS is still elusive, but the currently prevailing theory implicates high catecholamines (both epinephrine and norepinephrine) as mediators for the resulting cardiomyocyte toxicity/injury [1, 3, 4]. There is a variation in the opinion about the exact pathomechanism in the sense that it is believed that either blood-borne catecholamines, resulting from the “spillover” from the autonomic cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals and the adrenal secretion [1, 3, 4]; or norepinephrine secreted locally by the autonomic cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals [2] is causing the cardiomyocyte toxicity/ injury. The clinical picture of the patient in this report, showing initially tachycardia and hypotension and subsequently bradycardia, electrocardiogram (ECG) T wave inversions, QTc interval prolongations, and multiple premature ventricular contractions, is exactly what has been described in human experiences and animal experiments, as a result of autonomic cardiac sympathetic nerve hyperactivity [2]. The fact that these injurious effects on the heart were not prevented by adrenalectomy in animal models of TTS [2] supports the primacy of the direct sympathetic cardiac nerve hyperactivity, with its local consequences (norepinephrine release) on the cardiomyocytes as opposed to blood-borne catecholamines as the mediator for the TTS phenotype. While this remains to be settled in the future, pediatricians and psychiatrists should be vigilant in monitoring their patients with ADHD treated with atomoxetine for a possible adverse effect of this drug with a similar outcome as the one in this reported case. Accordingly, hypertension, tachycardia, and extrasystoles, evaluated during history taking and physical examination, most probably, should be considered as harbingers of a possible impending attack of TTS, since the ECGmanifestations (ST elevations, T wave inversions, bradycardia, and QTc prolongation) are manifested after the disease is already in progress. However, recording an ECG, as the authors advise [5], to evaluate whether a child has a prolonged QTc syndrome before the initiation of therapy with atomoxetine or before an increase of its dose is sensible.
Studies on the Production of Aortic Hemorrhage in Growing Turkeys with Beta-aminopropionitrile

ABSTRACT DURING the past decade, turkey growers have been experiencing increasing losses due to aortic rupture and consequent hemorrhage in their growing turkeys. In 1952, Durrell, Pomeroy, Carr and Jerstad reported observing this problem in various sections of the United States. A detailed report of this condition was made by McSherry et al. (1954). More recent reports by Carnaghan (1955) and Gibson and de Gruchy (1955) enlarge upon the occurrence and histopathology of the disorder. Following its chemical isolation and the demonstration that beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) produced odoratism in rats (McKay et al. 1954; and Shilling and Strong, 1954), Barnett, Bird, Lalich and Strong (1957) demonstrated that BAPN produced a syndrome in turkey poults characterized by hock and toe deformity, pericardial hemorrhage, aortic rupture, and growth depression. The present report confirms that of Barnett et al. with young poults and presents additional information on the effect of BAPN on growing turkeys. EXPERIMENTAL
Fully Reversed Cyclic Loading of Shear Walls Fastened with Engineered Nails

Fifteen shear walls, each constructed with either conventional or engineered sheathing nails, were tested under fully reversed cyclic loads. Four types of conventional nails (named 0.113, 0.113R, 0.131, and 0.148 nails) and three types of engineered nails (named EN1, EN2L, and EN2H nails) were used. Walls with EN1 nails exhibited the highest ultimate load capacity; walls with 0.148 and 0.131 nails had 18 and 26% reduction in load capacity when compared to walls with EN1 nails. The ultimate load of walls with EN2H nails, though 15% less than that of walls with EN1 nails was greater than that of any other wall. The load capacity of walls with EN2H nails was 8% greater than that of walls with EN2L nails and greater than that of walls with 0.113 and 0.131 nails by 24 and 14%, respectively. Walls with 0.113 and 0.113R had basically the same load capacity. The stiffest walls were those with 0.148 nails with stiffness 10% greater than those with EN1 nails. The stiffness of walls with EN1 nails was effectively equal to that of walls with 0.131 nails. The stiffnesses of walls with EN2L and EN2H nails were basically the same. The stiffness of walls with EN2 nails was 20 and 26% smaller than that of walls with 0.113 and 0.131 nails, respectively. Walls with 0.113R were the least stiff walls; their stiffness was 44% lower than that of walls with 0.148 nails. The displacement capacity of walls with EN1 nails was 89 and 97% of that of walls with 0.131 and 0.148 nails, respectively. Walls with 0.113 and 0.131 nails had essentially the same displacement capacity. Compared to walls with 0.113 and 0.131 nails, walls with EN2L nails had an 8% increase while walls with EN2H nails had a 4% decrease in displacement capacity. Walls with 0.113R nails exhibited the lowest displacement capacity, only 75% of that of walls with EN1 nails. Walls with EN1 nails dissipated slightly more energy than those with 0.148 nails; they dissipated approximately 16% more energy than those walls with 0.131 nails. Walls with EN2H and 0.131 nails dissipated basically the same amount of energy. Walls with EN2L nails dissipated 5% less energy than walls with EN2H and 0.131 nails. Walls with EN2L and EN2H nails dissipated, respectively, 5 and 10% more energy than walls with 0.113 nails. Walls with 0.113R nails dissipated the lowest amount of energy, 75% of that dissipated by walls with EN1 nails.
Comparison of catalytic activity of aluminum oxide and silica gel for decomposition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a plasmacatalytic Reactor

Summary form only given. Toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from industrial emissions are removed by several methods including adsorption and catalytic decomposition. However, these methods are less effective and inefficient when dealing with very dilute VOCs. Electrical discharge (plasma) reactors are being developed for decomposing dilute VOCs, because in these reactors, electrical energy is selectively channeled to energize free electrons, which, in turn, initiate the desired chemical reactions in the plasma. Our recent research has proven that some suitable materials, such as alumina and silica gel, can favorably alter the plasma properties of the reactor for the decomposition of VOCs. These plasmacatalytic materials also adsorb and retain the pollutants in the reactor until they are decomposed completely to environmentally benign products, such as H/sub 2/O and CO/sub 2/. In the present study, comparisons are made among the catalytic activities of glass beads, alpha-alumina, gamma-alumina, and silica gel for the decomposition of toluene and methane in air in a pulsed corona discharge reactor. It has been found that these materials significantly enhance the decomposition efficiency of the pollutants and improve the energy efficiency of the system. Further, these materials were found to affect the concentration of plasma by-products, such as ozone, to a different extent. This characteristic provides an additional parameter to control the by-products in the air cleaning system.
Posterior knee dislocation.

A 38-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department (ED) after a motorcycle crash. The patient was unable to walk because of isolated left knee pain. There were multiple abrasions over his left anterior tibia and a deformity of the left knee (Figure 1). The patient had very limited range of motion of his knee because of pain. His pedal pulses were normal bilaterally. The lateral view of the left knee showed a posterior knee dislocation (Figure 2). The patient’s knee was relocated in the ED, and serial ankle-brachial indices were monitored as an inpatient. No angiography was performed. An MRI showed significant ligamentous damage, including tears of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligament (ACL, PCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The medial collateral ligament (MCL) was intact. The patient received an external fixator of the knee in the operating room and was discharged home with close orthopedics follow up. Figure 1. Lateral view of left knee. Photo courtesy of Sandi Ma Figure 2. Plain film lateral view of left knee showing posterior knee dislocation Knee dislocations are high-energy injuries. It is supported by the ACL and PCL, as well as the MCL and LCL. The disruption of all or most of these structures are required in knee dislocations. Complications include ligamentous and meniscal injuries, in addition to popliteal artery, popliteal vein, and peroneal nerve injuries. Concurrent popliteal artery injury has been reported to be 10–40%.1 Traditionally routine arteriography has been recommended for all patients with knee dislocations regardless of a normal distal vascular exam, because of the risk of an occult popliteal artery injury and thus potential risk for limb amputation. Recently this recommendation has been challenged.2 Early studies suggest Doppler ultrasonography and serial ankle-brachial indices may adequately rule-out arterial injury.3 Management is early knee relocation using longitudinal traction and prompt orthopedic referral. Arteriography should be performed for knee dislocations, suspicious for any popliteal arterial injury.
Retesting software during development and maintenance

As most software continually evolves and changes during development and maintenance, it is necessary to test new and modified parts and retest existing parts that might have been affected by the changes. This activity is called regression testing and can account for a large percentage of the overall cost of software development. For this reason, much research has been (and is still being) performed on regression testing. This paper presents an overview of the major issues involved in software regression testing, an analysis of the state of the research and the state of the practice in regression testing in both academia and industry, and a discussion of the main open challenges for regression testing.
3-Ketoacyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Synthase III from Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) Is Not Similar to Other Condensing Enzymes of Fatty Acid Synthase

A cDNA clone encoding spinach (Spinacia oleracea) 3-ketoacylacyl carrier protein synthase III (KAS III), which catalyzes the initial condensing reaction in fatty acid biosynthesis, was isolated. Based on the amino acid sequence of tryptic digests of purified spinach KAS III, degenerate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were designed and used to amplify a 612-bp fragment from first-strand cDNA of spinach leaf RNA. A root cDNA library was probed with the PCR fragment, and a 1920-bp clone was isolated. Its deduced amino acid sequence matched the sequences of the tryptic digests obtained from the purified KAS III. Northern analysis confirmed that it was expressed in both leaf and root. The clone contained a 1218-bp open reading frame coding for 405 amino acids. The identity of the clone was confirmed by expression in Escherichia coli BL 21 as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein. The deduced amino acid sequence was 48 and 45% identical with the putative KAS III of Porphyra umbilicalis and KAS III of E. coli, respectively. It also had a strong local homology to the plant chalcone synthases but had little homology with other KAS isoforms from plants, bacteria, or animals.
A biologically inspired connectionist architecture for directing attention to salient visual field objects

In an attempt to incorporate basic visual attention abilities into existing artificial vision systems, a neural model of the bidirectional interactions within and between the brain regions believed to be involved in human visual attention has been developed. This model currently gives an artificial vision system the ability to attend to "salient", or "pop-out" features and objects within the vision system's field of view. After a review of the physiology of human visual attention, a network model of the aforementioned neural interactions is presented, followed by a demonstration of its performance.
Interleukin 17: An example for gene therapy as a tool to study cytokine mediated regulation of hematopoiesis

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is an essential proinflammatory T-cell derived cytokine with various biological actions. IL-17 was found to have a pivotal role in microbial host defense by interconnecting lymphoid and myeloid host defense. It also acts as a stimulatory hematopoietic cytokine by expanding myeloid progenitors and initiating proliferation of mature neutrophils. This article summarizes results to date on IL-17 research and discusses gene therapy based strategies that were employed to determine its biological functions and significance. A comprehensive working model for IL-17 is introduced. J. Cell. Biochem. Suppl. 38: 88–95, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
General Regression Models

In this chapter we consider dependent data but move from the linear models of Chap.8 to general regression models. As in Chap.6, we consider generalized linear models (GLMs) and, more briefly, nonlinear models. We first give an outline of this chapter. In Sect.9.2 we describe three motivating datasets to which we return throughout the chapter. The GLMs discussed in Sect.6.3 can be extended to incorporate dependences in observations on the same unit; as with the linear model, an obvious way to carry out modeling in this case is to introduce unit-specific random effects. Within a GLM a natural approach is for these random effects to be included on the linear predictor scale. The resultant conditional models are known as generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs), and these are introduced in Sect.9.3. In Sects.9.4 and9.5 we describe likelihood and conditional likelihood methods of estimation, with Sect.9.6 devoted to a Bayesian treatment. Section9.7 illustrates some of the flexibility of GLMMs by describing and applying a particular model for spatial dependence. An alternative random effects specification, based on conjugacy, is described in Sect.9.8. An important approach to the modeling and analysis of dependent data that is philosophically different from the random effects formulation is via marginal models and generalized estimating equations (GEE), and these are the subject of Sect.9.9. In Sect.9.10, a second GEE approach is described in which the estimating equations for the mean are supplemented with a second set for the variances/covariances. For GLMMs, extra care must be taken with parameter interpretation, and Sect.9.11 discusses this issue, emphasizing how interpretation differs between conditional and marginal models. In PartII of the book, which focused on independent data, Chap.7 was devoted to models for binary data. For dependent data, models binary data are less well developed, and so we do not devote a complete chapter to their description. However, Sect.9.12 introduces the modeling of dependent binary data, and, subsequently, Sects.9.13 and 9.14 describe conditional (mixed) and marginal models for binary data. Section 9.15 considers how nonlinear models, as defined in Sect.6.10, can be extended to the dependent data case. For such models, many applications concentrate on inference for units, and so the introduction of random effects is again suggested. We refer to the resultant class of models as nonlinear mixed models (NLMMs). Section9.16 considers issues related to the parameterization of the nonlinear model. Inference for nonlinear mixed models via likelihood and Bayes approaches is covered in Sects.9.17 and9.18, while GEE is briefly considered in Sect.9.19. The assessment of assumptions for general regression models is described in Sect.9.20, with concluding comments contained in Sect.9.21. Additional references appear in Sect.9.22.
Progress in MR Imaging of the Venous System

This article reviews the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/magnetic resonance venography (MRV) in the assessment of common venous problems. There is a brief synopsis of current MRI/MRV techniques used for such purposes. This is followed by a review of application of these techniques to specific diagnoses. In short, MRV is quite useful for assessing venous pathology.
A rational approach to the clinical use of cumulative effective dose estimates.

OBJECTIVE. This article will address ongoing efforts to track cumulative dose estimates of patient radiation exposure that have the potential to transform radiation protection research. CONCLUSION. There is no clear consensus on how to use this information clinically. A rational consideration of this question reveals that until the linear no-threshold model is supplanted, cumulative dose estimates are of little clinical relevance and never constitute a logical reason to avoid an imaging evaluation that is otherwise medically indicated.
Book embedding of the k-ary hypercube

Graph embeddings play an important role in interconnection network and VLSI design. Determining the number of layers required to build a VLSI chip is just one of the many areas in which graph embeddings are used. A type of embedding that is helpful in determining the number of layers is a book embedding. We develop upper and lower bounds on the pagenumber of a book embedding of the k-ary hypercube along with an upper bound on the cumulative pagewidth.
BET protein inhibitor JQ1 attenuates Myc-amplified MCC tumor growth in vivo

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine tumor of the skin currently with no cure. In this study, we have first demonstrated that c-Myc overexpression is common in MCC. By targeting c-Myc, bromodomain inhibitors have demonstrated antitumor efficacy in several preclinical human cancer models. Thus we interrogated the role of c-Myc inhibition in MCC with c-Myc amplification by employing the BET inhibitor JQ1. We have uncovered that c-Myc can be regulated by JQ1 in MCC cells with pathological c-Myc activation. Moreover, JQ1 potently abrogates c-Myc expression in MCC cells and causes marked G1 cell cycle arrest. Mechanistically, JQ1 induced cell cycle arrest coincides with downrgulation of cyclin D1 and upregulation of p21, p27 and p57, whereas JQ1 exerts no effect on apoptosis in MCC cells. Further knockdown of p21, p27 or p57 by shRNA partially protects cells from JQ1 induced cell cycle arrest. Additionally, c-Myc knockdown by shRNA generates significant cell cycle arrest, suggesting that c-Myc overexpression plays a role in MCC pathogenesis. Most importantly, JQ1 significantly attenuates tumor growth in xenograft MCC mouse models. Our results provide initial evidence indicating the potential clinical utility of BET protein inhibitors in the treatment of MCC with pathologic activation of c-Myc.
Reaction to diagnosis and parenting styles among mothers of young children with ASDs

When a child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) parents often experience a range of difficult feelings, which typically are not addressed in child-focused interventions. This study examined the relationship between a mother's acceptance of and sense of resolution regarding her child's diagnosis of an ASD and maternal interaction style, controlling for child competence, autism symptoms and maternal depression. Participants included 63 children with an ASD between 20 and 50 months of age and their mothers. Mothers who were more emotionally resolved were rated as higher in Cognitive Engagement and Supportive Engagement in play interactions, reflecting greater verbal and nonverbal scaffolding to enhance the child's play and attention to activities and greater reciprocity and mutual enjoyment. This study highlights the importance of considering a mother's resolution about her child's diagnosis, suggesting that maternal emotions and cognitions associated with the diagnosis may be potential targets for intervention.
Inertia, Density and the Structure of Organizational Populations: Entries in European Automobile Industries, 1886-1981

Existing theories of density dependence in organizational evolution treat the key processes as timeless functions of density. This paper revises the theory by specifying that the effects of density on legitimation and competition change systematically as organizational populations age. It argues that these changes in effects reflect population-level inertia due to institutionalization and the development of various forms of population structure. The proposed model of these processes implies a set of complex interactions between density and population age in effecting vital rates in organizational populations. These hypotheses are tested with data on entries of firms into the automobile indus tries of Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy during 1886-1981. These tests generally support the revised model. The pattern continues to hold when entry rates in each country are allowed to depend upon density in the whole set of countries, following Hannan et al. (1995).
Contribution of hot-melt extrusion technology to advance drug delivery in the 21st century

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Hot-melt extrusion (HME) technology is applied successfully in the plastic, rubber and food industry. HME has also emerged as an important technology for drug delivery applications in pharmaceutical research and manufacturing because of its process automation and low-cost scale-up properties, which reduce labor costs and capital investment. There are a number of commercial FDA-approved HME-derived products, signifying the commercial feasibility of this novel technique in drug delivery applications. HME is a highly efficient, solvent-free continuous processing technique for the development of solid dispersions; thus, research efforts to develop sustained, modified and targeted drug delivery systems to improve the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are of interest.Areas covered: This review focuses on both the innovations and applications of HME in the production of pharmaceutical formulations, and on the significant findings...
Nihao: A Predictive Smartphone Application Launcher

Increasingly large number of the applications installed on smartphones tends to harm the application lookup efficiency. In this paper, we introduce Nihao, a personalized intelligent app launcher system, which could help the users to find apps quickly. Nihao predicts which app the user will likely open next based on a Bayesian Network model leveraging the contextual information such as the time of day, the day of week, the user’s location and the last used app with the hypothesis that the users’ app usage pattern is context dependent. Through the field study with seven users over six weeks, we first validate the above hypothesis by comparing the prediction accuracy of Nihao with other predictors. We found that the larger UI change did not necessarily yield longer app lookup time as the app lookup time highly depended on the app icon position on screen, which suggested the prediction accuracy was the most important factor in designing such a system. At the end of the study, we conducted a user survey to evaluate Nihao qualitatively. The survey results show that five out of seven users were quite satisfied with the prediction of Nihao and thought it could help to save both app lookup and management time by ranking the app icons automatically while Nihao did not help the other two users much since they used their phones primarily for calling and texting (not for apps).