cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intelligent Telemetry for Freight Trains

Within the North American freight railroad industry, there is currently an effort to enable more intelligent telemetry for freight trains. By enabling greater visibility of their rolling stock, including locomotives and railroad cars, railroad companies hope to improve their asset utilization, operational safety, and business profitability. Different communication and sensing technologies are being explored and one candidate technology is wireless sensor networks (WSN). In this article, we present Sensor-Enabled Ambient-Intelligent Telemetry for Trains (SEAIT), which is a WSN-based approach to supporting sensing and communications for advanced freight transportation scenarios. As part of a proof-of-technology exploration, SEAIT was designed to address key requirements of industry proposed applications. We introduce several of these applications and highlight the challenges, which include high end-to-end reliability over many hops, low-latency delivery of emergency alerts, and accurate identification of train composition. We present the architecture of SEAIT and evaluate it against these requirements using an experimental deployment.
Clinical Breast Examination and Breast Self-Examination

Historically, clinical breast examination (CBE) was a used as a diagnostic tool both to recognize and to diagnose breast cancer. CBE is no longer used to diagnose breast cancer, but rather is currently used as a screening test that can identify areas that might be breast cancer. Many of the observations that students are taught regarding CBE are more appropriate to advanced cancers that were common a century ago than to the smaller cancers seen in current practice. While CBE is less sensitive than mammography, it is nonetheless the primary mode of detecting the 15% of breast cancers that are missed by mammography.
Functional Zone Identification by Biophysical Techniques: The Interaction of Calmodulin with Regulatory Peptides

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the interaction of calmodulin with regulatory peptides. It discusses the structures of the complexes formed by calmodulin with Phkl3, and Phk5 and presents their comparison. The kinds of information sought are the zones of contact of the peptides with calmodulin, their conformations within the complex, and the effect of complex formation upon aspects of the conformation of calmodulin such as its spatial extension and molecular rigidity. The trypsin digestion studies, and the experiments with tryptic and thrombic fragments suggest that while both the N- and C-terminal lobes of CaM in addition to the connecting strand are involved in the interaction with Phkl3, the environment of the connecting strand must be more open than in the case of such amphipathic peptides as melittin, so that it is more exposed to the action of proteolytic enzymes. While both C-terminal half-molecule produced by trypsin digestion and the TM1 fragment formed by thrombin digestion combine with Phkl3, the binding is reduced in each case, indicating that both the N-, and C-terminal domains, including Ca 2+ -binding domain IV, make a contribution to the stabilization of the complex.
Whiteness or Resilience? Placing Terror by Studying the Charleston, South Carolina Mother Emanuel Church Shooting

ABSTRACTHow do ideas of place support the development of racialized identities in times of terror violence? We situate this paper in the “deep” south via the shooting of 9 black churchgoers by a white supremacist. We explore how the community mobilized after the massacre, and in what ways it relied on ideas of place. While many claimed that the community exemplified resilience, we demonstrate a process of re-racialization. We analyzed local media to document place framing. This frame was recirculated in reporting of residents’ expressions about the tragedy. We conducted interviews with community leaders to deepen our understanding. We find that while place played a powerful role in the resilience narrative, the resilience was ultimately one of a city of whiteness. We advance several points: (1) whiteness adapts in times of terror; (2) place is important in the security studies; and (3) place also plays a role in attenuating fear.
Outcomes of pleomorphic lobular carcinoma versus invasive lobular carcinoma.

Abstract Purpose Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma (PLC) is a rare histologic variant of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) that has been associated with worse clinical outcomes than classic ILC. Owing to its rarity, high-volume studies of its clinical characteristics and prognosis are lacking. The purpose of this study was to use a large, contemporary cancer database to investigate the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes for patients with PLC. Methods The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for women with cT1-4N1-3M0 breast cancer with either ILC or PLC histology having received definitive surgical therapy. Chi-squared analysis was performed to determine differences between the cohorts. Kaplan-Meier analysis evaluated overall survival (OS) between all patients and between patients when stratifying by age and subtype. Cox proportional hazards modeling determined variables associated with OS. Results A total of 115,260 patients met the study criteria; of these, 114,859 (99.6%) had ILC, while 401 (0.4%) had PLC. A greater proportion of patients with PLC had T3-4 and node-positive disease, and were more likely to have ER- and HER2+ disease. PLC histology was associated with worse OS on both univariate and multivariate analysis (p Conclusions Patients with PLC, who were more likely to have ER- and HER2+ disease, experienced worse OS than patients with ILC, which may be limited to patients with more advanced clinical stage and ER + disease. Further work is needed to determine the optimal treatment for this more aggressive form of breast cancer.
Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines on the Role of Prophylactic Anticonvulsants in the Treatment of Adults with Metastatic Brain Tumors.

Target populations Adults with solid brain metastases who have not experienced a seizure. Question 1 Do prophylactic antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) decrease the risk of seizures in nonsurgical patients with brain metastases who are otherwise seizure-free? Recommendation Level 3: Prophylactic AEDs are not recommended for patients with brain metastases who did not undergo surgical resection and are otherwise seizure-free. Question 2 Do prophylactic AEDs decrease the risk of seizures in patients with brain metastases and no prior history of seizures in the postoperative setting? Recommendation Level 3: Routine postcraniotomy AED use for seizure-free patients with brain metastases is not recommended.The full guideline can be found at: https://www.cns.org/guidelines/guidelines-treatment-adults-metastatic-brain-tumors/chapter_8.
Leadership aspirations among residents in obstetrics and gynecology in the United States: a cross-sectional analysis

Most residents and faculty in obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) are women. However, only a third of Ob/Gyn academic leadership positions are held by women in the United States. This is an IRB-approved cross-sectional study of leadership aspirations among Ob/Gyn residents in the U.S. as related to gender and mentorship using an electronic survey distributed nationwide in 2017. The primary outcome was resident interest in academic leadership. Mediator variables included demographics and training environment characteristics. Descriptive statistics and comparative analyses were performed using SPSS. We received 202 completed surveys, for a representative cross-section of 4% of all Ob/Gyn residents in the U.S. The majority (86%) of respondents were women (n = 174), reflecting the same gender distribution of all Ob/Gyn residents in training. Sixty-seven percent of all respondents reported an interest in pursuing academic leadership (n = 133). Women reported leadership aspirations less often than men (64% vs 86%, p < 0.05) and reported lower mean Likert scores (3.73 vs 4.14, p < 0.05) regarding interest in leadership. A marginal difference between mean Likert scores was observed between women and men when controlled for other demographics (coefficient − 0.344, SE 0.186; p = 0.066). No difference in leadership aspirations was noted between women and men when controlled for mentorship, presence of female program director, and presence of three or more female leaders in a program. Gender disparity in goal-setting toward leadership is identified as early as residency training in Ob/Gyn. This imbalance in leadership aspirations can be addressed with targeted mentorship.
The Destruction of the Earth

All that we think, imagine, desire, remember, all that we do and everything that we are, comes from the earth, the beautiful blue orb that we share with all other living beings, in an intricate and interdependent biotic community. Even thoughts of heaven are idealized versions of the earth—springtime, flowers blooming, birds chirping, peace, and tranquility.
Comparative Effectiveness Between Primary and Revision Foraminotomy for the Treatment of Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis

ABSTRACT Background Foraminotomy has demonstrated clinical benefit in patients with lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS), as evidenced by several small retrospective investigations. However, there is a subset of patients who have recurrent symptoms following the operation and therefore require revision surgery. Yet, despite this phenomenon, the relative efficacy of revision foraminotomy (RF) is not well elucidated due to limited literature on the quality of life (QOL) outcomes and cost associated with primary foraminotomy (PF) and RF. Purpose To compare the effectiveness of PF and RF in terms of QOL outcomes and relative costs. Study Design/Setting This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at a single tertiary-care institution. The patient sample consisted of patients undergoing foraminotomy for the treatment of LFS between 2008 and 2016. The primary outcome measure was improvement in postoperative QOL, as measured by EuroQol 5-Dimensions (EQ-5D), and secondary outcome measures included Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) perioperative cost as well as minimum clinically important difference (MCID). Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify individuals who underwent PF or RF for LFS and to collect clinical, operative, and demographic data. QOL scores (EQ-5D, PDQ, and PHQ-9) were collected between 2008 and 2016, and perioperative financial data were extracted via the institution9s cost utilization engine. Paired t tests were used to assess changes within treatment groups, and Fisher exact tests were used for intercohort comparisons. Results Five hundred seventy-nine procedures were eligible: 476 (82%) PF and 103 (18%) RF. A significantly higher proportion of males underwent RF than PF (71% versus 59%, P = .03), and PF was done on a significantly higher number of vertebral levels (2.2 versus 2.0, P = .04). There were no other significant differences in demographics. Preoperatively, mean PDQ-Functional scores (50 versus 54, P = .04) demonstrated significantly poorer QOL in the RF cohort. Postoperatively, EQ-5D index showed significant improvement in both the PF (0.547→0.648, P Conclusions Both PF and RF produced significant improvement in nearly all measures in patients with LFS. There was no significant difference in cost between PF and RF, but both PF and RF showed postoperative QOL improvements as compared with preoperative scores, indicating that RF remains a reasonable treatment option for patients with recurrent symptoms of LFS.
Dogme ELT Practice for Enhancing Conversation

Conversation is the default form of language. Children acquire their mother tongue only through conversation with their parents and siblings. Conversation is therefore an interactive communication between two people and it emphasises the fact that it is social, dialogic, and dynamic. It is a means of language learning and socialization and not the end product of language learning. It is this medium through which people conduct their daily affairs. It is capable of solving most of the life issues. It is the base means for people to socially relate themselves with others and it is important for career growth. This paper argues that Dogme ELT can enhance conversational skills through certain self-motivating language tasks that demand almost nil textbook materials by instilling confidence in learners. It also locates conversational skills within General English as opposed to cognitive academic language proficiency.
Alternatives to the Beta Distribution in Assumed PDF Methods for Turbulent Reactive Flow

This work addresses a shortcoming of the beta distribution when applied to assumed probability density function (PDF) methods for reactive flow, such as the flamelet-progress variable method. Regardless of parameter values, the beta distribution contains the entire sample space of a conserved scalar, which can be shown to violate the strong maximum principle of partial differential equations. To remedy this, a new class of probability distributions is introduced and tested on several conserved scalar mixing problems. The new distributions do not violate the strong maximum principle, and are in better quantitative agreement with transported PDF and DNS solutions than the beta distribution. The effects of filter width and residence time are examined, and extensions to multiple mixture fractions are outlined.
Thermodynamic speed limits for multiple, co-evolving systems

The thermodynamic speed limit theorems (SLTs) provide lower bounds on the time required for a system to evolve between any two given distributions, in terms of the system's total entropy production along the path with which its distribution evolves. Previously derived versions of the SLTs apply to a single physical system without regard to its internal structure. However, many systems of interest are multipartite, comprising a set of co-evolving subsystems. Here we derive three strengthened versions of the SLT that reflect the multipartite nature of such systems. The first is guaranteed to be at least as strong as the conventional "global" SLT. While the other two do not always have this guarantee, in many cases they are stronger than the first of our new SLTs. We demonstrate our results with a numerical example involving a cell sensing its environment.
Effects of Cu(II) and Zn(II) on PbO2 Reductive Dissolution under Drinking Water Conditions: Short-term Inhibition and Long-term Enhancement.

Lead oxide (PbO2) has the lowest solubility with free chlorine among Pb corrosion products, but depletion of free chlorine or a switch from free chlorine to monochloramine can cause its reductive dissolution. We previously reported that Cu(II) and Zn(II) inhibited PbO2 reductive dissolution within 12 h. Here, we expanded on this work by performing longer duration experiments and further exploring the underlying mechanisms. Between 12 and 48 h, Cu(II) and Zn(II) had no discernible effect on PbO2 reductive dissolution. From 48 to 192 h, Cu(II) and Zn(II) enhanced PbO2 reductive dissolution. Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations followed the same trends as PbO2 reductive dissolution, indicating that the DO was produced by PbO2 reductive dissolution. On the basis of extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra, we hypothesize that the inhibitory effect of Cu(II) and Zn(II) on PbO2 reductive dissolution ( 48 h) may be caused by competitive adsorption of Cu(II) and Zn(II) with Pb(II), which could limit the adsorption of Pb(II) onto PbO2 that could otherwise inhibit reductive dissolution. This study indicates that stagnation time plays a vital role in determining cations' effects on the stability of Pb corrosion products.
A Hole in the Head: More Tales in the History of Neuroscience

Neuroscientist Charles Gross has been interested in the history of his field since his days as an undergraduate. A Hole in the Head is the second collection of essays in which he illuminates the study of the brain with fascinating episodes from the past. This volume's tales range from the history of trepanation (drilling a hole in the skull) to neurosurgery as painted by Hieronymus Bosch to the discovery that bats navigate using echolocation. The emphasis is on blind alleys and errors as well as triumphs and discoveries, with ancient practices connected to recent developments and controversies. Gross first reaches back into the beginnings of neuroscience, then takes up the interaction of art and neuroscience, exploring, among other things, Rembrandt's "Anatomy Lesson" paintings, and finally, examines discoveries by scientists whose work was scorned in their own time but proven correct in later eras.
AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS IN THE 80'S

Electronic engine controls (EEC's) are reviewed in terms of key developmental factors, basic subsystems, control parameters, and advantages over mechanical systems. Historical background is given on Ford Motor Co.'s EEC systems. The EEC III EFI (electronic fuel injection) system, introduced in the 1980 model 5.0-L engine Lincoln/Mark IV car lines, is described in detail. The system interrelates all four basic engine operating parameters (ignition timing, air/fuel ratio, exhaust gas recirculation, and secondary air). Its electronic control assembly, sensors, and actuators are detailed. Future EEC developments are indicated: more powerful, low-cost electronics (microprocessors); expanded system functions; new sensors; and new control algorithms.
The Bayley-III Adaptive Behavior Scale

Publisher Summary The 1986 amendment to Public Law 99-457, the Education of Handicapped Children Act, and its subsequent iterations require assessments of infants and young children at risk for disabilities to be comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and focus on functional abilities. Therefore, understanding the adaptive skills present in early childhood is essential in any assessment of young children. Adaptive behavior encompasses the key functional developmental tasks accomplished during the first years of life. In many ways these tasks are critical to a child's survival, and include activities such as communicating basic needs, learning to feed oneself, crawling, walking, and toileting. This chapter provides an overview of adaptive behavior in young children, and briefly discusses theory related to adaptive skills in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The content, administration, scoring, and interpretation of the Adaptive Behavior Scale of the Bayley-III are discussed, including its strengths and concerns regarding the use of this scale. Next, the use of the Adaptive Behavior Scale with clinical populations is discussed. A case study illustrates an evaluation of a 21-month-old child with the use of the Bayley-III.
Some Properties of the Catalytic Sites of Imidazoleglycerol Phosphate Dehydratase-Histidinol Phosphate Phosphatase, a Bifunctional Enzyme from Salmonella typhimurium

Abstract Kinetic and aggregatory properties of a partially purified preparation of d-erythro-imidazoleglycerol phosphate dehydratase-histidinol phosphate phosphatase from a derepressed mutant of Salmonella typhimurium (his01242) have been investigated. The molecular weight in crude extracts is 300,000. Purification of the enzyme causes disaggregation, the main component being 75,000 in molecular weight. Addition of MnCl2 causes reaggregation resulting in a molecular weight greater than 300,000. Aminotriazole (Ki = 3.2 µm) and phosphate ion (Ki = 1.3 mm) competitively inhibited only the dehydratase activity. Zinc chloride, at micromolar concentrations, inhibits only the dehydratase activity. Both histidinol (Ki = 52 µm) and histidine (Ki = 10 mm) are competitive inhibitors of only the phosphatase activity. Heating at 54° results in a very rapid loss of only the phosphatase activity, T1/2 = 2 min; the dehydratase activity is stable under these conditions. Imidazoleglycerol phosphate is not hydrolyzed and does not inhibit the phosphatase activity. Histidinol phosphate does not affect the dehydratase activity. We conclude that the dehydratase and phosphatase active sites are separate and distinct, although they appear to reside in a single protein. The energies of activation for both substrates were determined to be 15,100 cal per mole for the hydrolysis of histidinol phosphate and 14,700 cal per mole for the dehydration of imidazoleglycerol phosphate. The optimum pH for phosphatase activity was 6.5 to 7 and was near pH 7.5 for the dehydratase activity.
Lythgoe's visual stereophenomenon in the natural environment: a possible factor in air and highway accidents

The path of a horizontally moving object, when viewed binocularly, appears distorted in depth if a light shines in only one of the observer's eyes. The image in the lighted eye has a shorter visual latency period than the image in the other eye, and this temporal difference between image latencies translates into an apparent spatial difference between image positions-binocular disparity-which results in the apparent depth displacement of the moving object. In the natural visual environment, one eye can be lighted by the sun while the other is shaded by the nose, and thus distortions may be produced in the apparent paths of airplanes, or of traffic moving on the ground. The roles than such distortions may play in some air and highway accidents have not been considered previously.
Explicit formulas for local factors in the Euler products for Eisenstein series

Our objective is to prove that certain Dirichlet series (in our variable q −s ) , which are defined by infinite sums, can be expressed as a product of an explicit rational function in q −s times an unknown polynomial M in q −s Moreover we show that M(q −s ) is 1 if a simple condition is met. The Dirichlet series appear in the Euler products of Fourier coefficients for Eisenstein series. The series discussed below generalize the functions α 0 (N, q −s ) used by Shimura in [12], and the theorem is an extension of Kitaoka’s result [5].
Systemic inflammatory reaction after pneumococcal vaccine: a case series.

Background: Fever, leukocytosis, and large local reactions following the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PS23) have been described only in isolated case reports in the adult literature. Such a...
Chapter 14 The syndromes of excessive daytime somnolence (excluding narcolepsy and sleep-related breathing disorders)

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the syndromes of excessive daytime somnolence (excluding narcolepsy and sleep-related breathing disorders). Somnolence (or the synonymous terms “sleepiness” or “drowsiness”) may be defined in several ways. Some definitions of sleepiness are “a manifestation of a physiological drive for sleep (having) objective and subjective components,” and “the subjective feeling state of sleep need.” Broughton has suggested that, in fact, there may be three types of sleepiness: NREM sleepiness, REM sleepiness, and de-arousal sleepiness, respectively arising from NREM sleep pressure, REM sleep pressure, and impaired reticulocortical waking processes. While the state of somnolence may be defined along subjective or behavioral lines, it may also be characterized by several associated physiologic changes. Breathing slows and becomes more regular, and the heart rate, blood pressure, and core body temperature tend to decrease; there is a trend toward decreased sympathetic and increased parasympathetic activity, and saccadic eye movements decrease as slow eye movements increase.
Comparative Planetary Atmospheres of the Galilean Satellites

We know that each of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter has a tenuous atmosphere by terrestrial standards. Io’s SO 2 equatorial atmosphere and, perhaps, Callisto’s atmosphere inferred from its large ionospheric densities are measured in nanobars, whereas the atmospheres of Europa and Ganymede produced by ion sputtering of the water ice surfaces only reach picobar pressures and are comprised mostly of O 2 . Io’s polar atmosphere is probably an order of magnitude less dense than its equatorial atmosphere. Europa and Ganymede have O 2 atmospheres with column densities in the range of (1-10)×10 14 cm −2 . These atmospheres, on the basis of their inferred production and loss rates, are estimated to have short residence times of ~2-3 days.
Intracellular and Juxtacellular Staining with Biocytin

Many physiological studies require microscopic examination of the recorded neuron for identification. This unit describes how intracellular and extracellular recording can be combined with single-neuron staining to enable sequential physiological and morphological studies.
How do adults and children process referentially ambiguous pronouns

In two eye-tracking experiments, we investigate adults' and children's on-line processing of referentially ambiguous English pronouns. Sixteen adults and 16 four-to-seven-year-olds listened to sentences with either an unambiguous reflexive (himself) or an ambiguous pronoun (him) and chose a picture with two characters that corresponded to those in the sentence. For adults, behavioural data, responses and reaction times indicate that pronouns are referentially ambiguous. Adults' eye movements show a competition between the looks to sentence-internal and -external referents for pronouns, but not for reflexives. Children overwhelmingly prefer the sentence-internal referent in the off-line picture selection task. However, their eye movements reveal implicit awareness of referential ambiguity that develops earlier than their explicit knowledge in the picture selection task. This discrepancy between performance on a looking measure and a pointing measure in the children's processing system is explained by a general dissociation between implicit and explicit knowledge proposed in recent literature on cognitive development.
Reproducibility and ferroelectric fatigue of lead zirconate titanate thin films deposited directly on copper via a composite gel architecture

Integrating ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films directly on copper metal foils has high commercialization potential. PZT films on copper foils eliminate costly noble metal or conductive oxide electrodes and make available a flexible substrate technology that can be readily laminated into printed wiring boards. Unlike noble metals, copper substrates are potentially reactive, and therefore susceptible to processing fluctuations that offer negligible consequences to noble metal-based systems. Herein, the reliability of the composite gel architecture route for synthesizing PZT thin films directly on copper foils is explored. Reproducibility in film properties and avoidance of solution aging effects are demonstrated. Fatigue cycling is used to evaluate electrical durability. Ferroelectric switching with polarization saturation is demonstrated after 1 billion cycles. Loss in spontaneous polarization is recovered with postfatigue annealing demonstrating the high material integrity necessary for commercial device performance, and distinct similarity to the behavior over time with noble metal electrode capacitors.
Pharmacist Impact on Ischemic Stroke Care in the Emergency Department.

Abstract Background The Froedtert Acute Stroke Team (FAST) is composed of various health professionals who respond to stroke calls, but it does not formally include a pharmacist at this time. However, emergency department (ED) pharmacists have been actively involved in patient evaluation and facilitation of i.v. recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) preparation and administration in the ED. ED pharmacists are qualified to dose and prepare rtPA, as well as screen for contraindications to therapy. Objective The primary objective was to compare the accuracy of rtPA dosing, mean door-to-rtPA time, and identification of contraindications to rtPA therapy when a pharmacist was present vs. absent in the ED. Methods This is a retrospective study of 105 patients who received rtPA for acute ischemic stroke in the ED at a comprehensive stroke center from January 1, 2008 to October 1, 2012. Results A total of 105 patients were included in this study. Dosing accuracy was similar when a pharmacist was present vs. absent (96.6% vs. 95.6%; p = 0.8953). The median door-to-rtPA time when a pharmacist was present was statistically significantly shorter than when a pharmacist was absent (69.5 vs. 89.5 min; p = 0.0027). When a pharmacist was present, a door-to-rtPA time of p = 0.1087). Conclusions Pharmacist involvement on stroke teams may have a beneficial effect on door-to-rtPA time and patient care in the ED.
Relating Electrospray Ionization Response to Nonpolar Character of Small Peptides

Nonpolar regions in biological molecules are investigated as a determining factor governing their electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometric response. Response is compared for a series of peptides whose C-terminal residue is varied among amino acids with increasingly nonpolar side chains. Increased ESI response is observed for peptides with more extensive nonpolar regions. The basis for this increase is examined by comparing values of nonpolar surface area and Gibbs free energy of transfer for the different amino acid residues. Comparisons of response with octadecylamine are also made, and this highly surface-active ion is observed to outcompete all other analytes in ESI response. These observations are rationalized on the basis of the equilibrium partitioning model, which is used successfully to fit experimental data throughout the concentration range for several two-analyte systems. This model suggests that because excess charge exists on ESI droplet surfaces, an analyte's relative affinity for th...
Water sorption and transport in blends of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and polysulfone

Water sorption and transport properties for a series of miscible blends of hydrophobic bisphenol A polysulfone and hydrophilic poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) are reported. Study was restricted to blends that remained homogeneous after exposure to liquid water. The solubility of water in the blend films increased with increasing hydrophilic polymer content. Equilibrium sorption isotherms show dual-mode behavior at low activities and swelling behavior at high activities. The sorption kinetics are generally Fickian for blends containing 20% poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) or less, but exhibit two-stage behavior in blends containing 40% poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). Diffusion coefficients extrapolated to zero concentration decrease with increasing poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) content, owing to a decrease in the fractional free volume. However, the diffusion coefficient becomes a greater function of activity as the composition of hydrophilic polymer in the blend is increased, due to plasticization of the material by large levels of sorbed water. Permeability coefficients generally decrease with increasing poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) content for blends containing 20% poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) or less because the decrease in the diffusion coefficient is greater than the increase in the solubility coefficient. Blends containing 40% poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) have permeability coefficients greater than those of polysulfone due to high water solubility. The permeability coefficients depend on water concentration in approximately the same way for all blends. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys, 35: 655–674, 1997
Some anomalies of the curved bar problem in classical elasticity

The classical formulation of the ‘homogeneous’ problem of a curved bar loaded only by and end force involves the assumption of an appropriate stress function with four arbitrary constants and the determination of these constants from the boundary conditions. Since there are five boundary conditions, four on the curved edge and one at the end, the solution is only possible because the coefficient matrix of the resulting algebraic equations is singular. This in turn means that certain inhomogeneous problems in which the curved edges are loaded by sinusoidally varying tractions cannot be solved using apparently appropriate stress functions. Additional stress functions which resolve this difficulty are introduced and an example problem is solved, which exhibits qualitatively different behavior from that in more general cases of loading. The problem is then reconsidered as a limiting case of sinusoidal loading of arbitrary wavelength. It is shown that the solution of the latter problem appears to become unbounded as the special case is approached, but that when the end conditions have been correctly satisfied by superposing an appropriate multiple of the end-loaded solution, the limit can be approached regularly and the correct special solution is recovered. The limiting process reveals a general procedure for determining the additional stress functions required for the special case. Similar relationships between homogeneous and inhomogeneous solutions for other common geometries are discussed.
Advances in Tourette Syndrome: Diagnoses and Treatment

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by multiple motor tics and at least one vocal or phonic tic, and often one or more comorbid psychiatric disorders. Premonitory sensory urges before tic execution and desire for "just-right" perception are central features. The pathophysiology involves cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits and possibly dopaminergic system. TS is considered a genetic disorder but the genetics is complex and likely involves rare mutations, common variants, and environmental and epigenetic factors. Treatment is multimodal and includes education and reassurance, behavioral interventions, pharmacologic, and rarely, surgical interventions.
Automated solutions of breathing pattern optimizations

Abstract A numerical procedure which allows the convenient exploration of various optimization hypotheses of breathing pattern regulation is described. The method is based on the calculus of variations and uses a novel technique for the automatic evaluation of all required derivatives. Advantages of this approach include: exact calculation of all derivatives, parsimonious computer code, and speed of execution. By eliminating the need for hand calculation of derivatives, a major reduction was made in the tedium involved in exploring various optimization strategies. Examples are presented of determining the optimal breathing pattern characteristics for minimum work or force (pressure) required for breathing, based on linear and nonlinear models of respiratory mechanics. The developed procedure can be used to predict the optimal volume-time trajectory and breathing frequency which minimizes a criterion function subject to constraints.
Dimensions of mother-infant interaction: Measurement, stability, and predictive validity☆

Abstract Goals of identifying and determining stability and predictive validity of replicated dimensions of mother-infant interaction guided analyses of data from observations during bathing, dressing, and play and from ratings of entire home visits at 4 and 12 months. Factor analyses identified dimensions of positive interaction and gentle/sensitive versus punitive/irritable at 4 and 12 months. Higher reliability and stability was found for positive interaction than for gentle/sensitive. The dimension of positive interaction was significantly correlated with child academic competence, but the less reliable and less stable dimension of gentle/sensitive was not significantly correlated with child behavior during kindergarten.
SU‐EE‐A2‐05: A Planning System for Dynamic Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Purpose: To develop a prototype planning system for dynamic Gamma Knife radiosurgery.Method and Materials: Dynamic Gamma Knife is a new concept for implementing Gamma Knife radiosurgery. It uses the spherical high dose volume created by the Gamma Knife unit is as a 3D “paintbrush”, and treatment planning becomes routing the “paintbrush” to “paint” a 3D tumor volume. We have recently finished developing an inverse planning system for dynamic Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Our planning system is a “turn‐key” solution, where the inverse planning problem is solved as a traveling salesman problem combined with constrained least square optimizations. Its input parameters include: (1) contoured anatomy and prescriptions, (2) desired delivery time, (3) APS (advanced patient positioning system) speed, and (4) amount of system memory available. The outputs include: (1) a control point sequence for the APS system together with shot configuration and beam‐on times at each control point, and (2) dose distributions and DVH plots for each structures. Results and Conclusion: We have tested simulated cases that included a spherical tumor, a C‐shaped tumor, and a C‐shaped tumor surrounding a spherical critical structure. The results of these tests showed that: (1) dynamic Gamma Knife radiosurgery is ideally suited for inverse planning, where high quality radiosurgery plans with tight isodose distributions and sharp DVH curves can be obtained in minutes of computation; (2) dynamic radiosurgery plans are more conformal and uniform than current plans and have significantly shorter delivery times; (3) dynamic Gamma Knife radiosurgery can maintain steep dose gradient (around 13% per mm) between the target volume and the surrounding critical structures; (4) with dynamic Gamma Knife radiosurgery, one can obtain a family of plans representing a tradeoff between the delivery time and the dose distributions, thus giving the clinician flexibility in choosing a plan based on the clinical situations.
Consolidation of Ni60Nb40 Metallic Glass Strips into Metal Matrix Composites

To fully utilize the promising mechanical properties of metallic glasses, consolidation techniques need to be developed to incorporate them into large bulk forms. This paper describes preliminary results on the consolidation of Ni 60 Nb 40 metallic glass strips into an aluminum alloy matrix. The consolidation was achieved without the degradation of the metallic glass by employing a superplastic aluminum alloy as the matrix material. The consolidations were accomplished at a superplastic forming temperature compatible with the metal matrix material and sufficiently below the critical 650°C crystallization temperature of the Ni 60 Nb 40 metallic glass. Initial studies employed an atuminum − 5% calcium − 5% zinc alloy as the metal matrix material.
Activation of a Na+-dependent amino acid transport system in preimplantation mouse embryos.

Abstract The uptake of l -methionine-methyl-3H and l -leucine-3H from completely defined medium into acid-soluble fractions of preimplantation mouse embryos has been studied. Late four-cell embryos and early blastocysts raised in vitro can concentrate both amino acids by processes which exhibit saturable, Michaelis-Menten type kinetics, characteristic of carrier-mediated active transport systems. This uptake is temperature-sensitive and inhibited by certain amino acids which compete for the same uptake sites. Methionine uptake seems to be mediated by a single transport system (Km = 6.25 × 10−5 M) at the four-cell stage. Complex kinetics suggest that two distinct transport systems exist at the early blastocyst stage (Km = 6.25 × 10−5 M; 8.9 × 10−4 M). Vmax values (mg/embryo/15 min) for methionine and leucine transport increase significantly from the late four-cell stage to the blastocyst stage, suggesting that additional carriers are produced or activated during development. Most importantly, leucine and methionine transport is Na+-independent at the four-cell stage, methionine transport is partially dependent at the morula stage, and both amino acids are completely Na+-dependent at the blastocyst stage. The cumulative results suggest that preimplantation embryos accumulate leucine and methionine by specific, chemically mediated, active transport systems. The qualitative and quantitative developmental changes in cell membrane function may represent preparatory steps for subsequent growth of embryonic and/or trophoblastic cells.
High‐tech or high‐touch positioning for the regional business market: the case of County Community Bank

County Community Bank (CCB), the largest community bank in the state of Mississippi, built its success in the regional business market through relationship marketing and a high‐touch approach. However, by the mid‐1990s, CCB management began to believe that its image as “a small town bank” would be detrimental to future success. To be better aligned with new national competition, an image change was undertaken whereby the bank shifted its competitive advantage to include the area of technology, eventually becoming one of the most technologically aggressive banks in the state, and even the region. Had CCB become too product‐driven in its business‐to‐business marketing decisions, or were they still customer‐driven? Had the changes resulted in the intended outcomes? Consequently, CCB commissioned a market research study in which current business customers were surveyed. The results of this study are presented. This case ends with discussion questions that will assist in guiding the instructor and students in the interpretation of the research results and, ultimately, in making recommendations to the bank regarding how best to attract and manage business customers.
Advanced Energy-Efficient Lighting Systems: Progress and Potential

From a systems perspective, energy-efficient design should strive to minimize the energy and money required to provide the desired quantity and quality of illumination. A wide spectrum of technologies, design practices, and control strategies exists to increase lighting energy efficiency. We describe the state of the art in energy-efficient lighting (emphasizing field operating conditions rather than product test results) and give an overview of its benefits. We consider existing and emerging lighting components: lamps, ballasts, fixtures, controls, and design issues as well as other building systems and features with which lighting interacts, including HVAC systems. Estimates of the societal cost-effective potential savings from improving lighting energy efficiency range from 50 to 80% of direct lighting energy use in developing and industrialized countries.
The handling of war casualties

WO factors detract from the vaIue of T reports on surgica1 experience in the first WorId War: changed methods of warfare which create new types of injuries, and the continuous progress of surgery responsibIe for modifications of oId or introduction of new therapeutic measures. However, such reports are of great interest, first, because certain fundamenta1 principIes remain unchanged and, second, because an accumuIation of data coIIected from persona1 experiences may pave the way to improvements in the treatment of war casualties. It is in this spirit that the foIIowing report, based on four years’ experience in fieId cIearing stations and mobiIe evacuation hospitaIs is submitted, with the hope that the suggestions offered may be accepted as such or may Iead to new deveIopments. coaguIum is minima1 because the bIood accumuIating in the pIeura1 cavity remains Iiquid. Three theories have been advanced to expIain this phenomenon : (I) The pIeura1 serosa is identica1 with the endothehum of bIood vesseIs which maintains the bIood in the Iiquid form. Anatomists disagree with this theory. (2) Respiratory movements of the diaphragm agitate the blood and defibrinate it. This theory does not expIain the fact that bIood remains Iiquid in injured articuIations. (3) The pIeura1 Iining secretes an anticoaguIating substance. This hypothesis has a great appea1 aIthough it has not yet been proved. As to the danger of contamination, experience shows it to be of no great importance if the customary precautions are taken.
Characterization of Tannase Activity on Tea Extracts

Assay of tannase activity was performed directly, using extracts of black tea leaf, by a pH stat method at the pH optimum of the enzyme (6.0). Reaction rates were calculated from the initial rates of the volume of titrant vs. time plots, and activity was expressed as μmoles/min. The enzyme was unstable to pH levels above 6.0 and temperatures above 40°C. Optimum temperature was 35°C. Using saturating amounts of enzyme, the pH stat was also used to determine total hydrolyzable gallate for kinetic studies and to determine the effect of gallated polyphenols on loss of solids in instant tea processing.
Coconut flour: Technology and cost of manufacture

Processing operations are described for production of oil and coconut flour from fresh coconuts. The nuts first are made into white desiccated coconuts in drying plants, and then prepressed, flaked, and hexane extracted in a central facility. White coconut flour that is produced contains 25% protein and only 0.5% oil. The process would be commercially feasible in the Philippines if a coconut flour price of $315 per metric ton were assumed.
Design and flight test of a Kevlar acoustic liner

This paper summarizes the design, fabrication, and flight evaluation of a Kevlar acoustic liner for a JT15D turbofan engine The liner was designed to suppress by a measurable amount a dominant (13,0) BPF tone This tone or spinning mode was produced for research purposes by installing 41 circumferentially distributed small diameter rods upstream of the 28 fan blades Duct liner attenuations calculated by a finite element procedure are compared to far field power (insertion) losses deduced from flight data The finite element program modeled the variable geometry of the JT15D inlet and used a uniform flow with a boundary layer roll off to model the inlet flowfield Measured far field power losses were generally greater than attenuations calculated by the finite element computer program Nomenclature outer radius at fan face speed of sound liner depth frequency a c0 d / k = free space wave number, a>/c0 Mf = Mach number at fan face ( m n ) = (circumferential, radial) mode numbers where (0,0) denotes plane wave SPL = sound pressure level t = time, e~j^ time convention x = axial coordinate /3 = acoustic admittance ratio, $R +j@f = f ~~ 1 y = wave number f = acoustic impedance ratio (normalized by characteristic impedance of air) 6 +jx £c = characteristic acoustic impedance ratio of bulk material
Differentiating the effects of maternal and peer encouragement to diet on child weight control attitudes and behaviors.

Obese and overweight youth are more at risk for engaging in frequent dieting, unhealthy weight control behaviors and report more body dissatisfaction than their normal weight peers. Previous research has indicated that peer and maternal encouragement to diet is predictive of unhealthy weight related behaviors and attitudes. The current study aims to examine if maternal and peer encouragement to diet equally mediate the relationship between youth BMI z-score and (a) unhealthy weight control behaviors, (b) diet frequency and (c) body dissatisfaction in a sample of racially diverse boys and girls. Participants were 94 children/adolescents between the ages of 8–17. Results were stratified by gender. Three bootstrapped multiple mediation models were conducted to examine each outcome variable. Results indicated that maternal encouragement to diet mediated the relationships predicting unhealthy weight control and diet frequency for girls, but not for boys. Peer encouragement to diet significantly mediated the relationship predicting unhealthy weight control behaviors, with increased peer encouragement associated with fewer unhealthy weight control behaviors for girls. Peer encouragement to diet was not a significant mediator for any of the outcomes for boys. Results suggest that maternal encouragement to diet may play a larger role than peer encouragement to diet in predicting unhealthy weight attitudes and behaviors for girls.