cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Simple AIMD Approach to Derive Atomic Charges for Condensed Phase Simulation of Ionic Liquids

The atomic charges for two ionic liquids (ILs), 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([EMIM][PF6]), were derived from periodic crystal phase calculations with density functional theory (DFT) and plane wave basis sets (denoted as “AIMD-c charge”). For both ILs, the total charge was found to be ±0.8 e for the cation and anion, respectively, due to the charge transfer between ions and polarization caused by the environment. These atomic charges were used in a force field developed within the general Amber force field framework. Using this force field, static, dynamic, and thermodynamic properties were computed for the two ILs using molecular dynamics simulation. The results were compared against results obtained using the same Amber force field but four different sets of partial charges, denoted as full charge, scaled charge, AIMD-l charge, and AIMD-b charge, respectively. The full charge was derived from quantum chemistry calcula...
System Effects on Educational Achievement: A British–American Comparison☆

Abstract Societal variations in the organization of educational institutions are thought to affect the distribution of students into levels of educational achievement. This paper analyzes the diverging achievements of British and American cohorts as they pass through secondary and post-secondary education. The ways students' locations in the systems' structures deflect their achievements are charted, and the cumulative effects of those deflections between the ages of 16 and 28 are estimated. Despite the more stratified and standardized organization of the British educational system, and despite its sharper differentiation between academic and vocational credentials, the cumulative deflections during these years are greater in the United States. Explaining this outcome requires an understanding of both organizational and normative differences between the two systems.
Wound healing, cell communication, and DNA synthesis during imaginal disc regeneration in Drosophila.

Wound healing, gap-junctional cell communication, and DNA synthesis were studied in 34 fragments of the imaginal wing disc of Drosophila melanogaster cultured in the female adult abdomen. Such fragments regenerate the missing sector by cell proliferation over a period of several days. Individual cells were marked in the starting fragment by intracellular injection of high-molecular-weight lysinated rhodamine dextran, and the positions of the marked cells were determined by fluorescence microscopy before and after various culture times. These experiments showed that cells along the two wound edges were brought together by wound healing during the first day of the culture period. The marked cells then gradually moved apart over the next 3 days as new cells were added between them by intercalary regeneration. Gap-junctional cell communication across the healed wound, assessed by the movement of intracellularly injected small fluorescent dye molecules, was not detectable after 1 day of culture. After 2 days there was some dye transfer into the growth zone but not as much as in other directions. After 3 days there was significant dye transfer into the growth zone. DNA synthesis, detected by immunolocalization of incorporated bromodeoxyuridine, was first apparent at 18 hr after the beginning of the culture period; at this time as well as at later times it occurred only in the immediate vicinity of the healed wound. DNA synthesis was stimulated over a distance of several cell diameters from the wound, and for one of the cuts it was much more prevalent on one side of the wound than on the other. The results indicate that wound healing brings together cells from distant positions in the disc, and that the response to this is local DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Gap-junctional communication across the wound does not appear to be necessary for stimulating this cell proliferation, although the timing of the reappearance of gap-junctional communication suggests that it may be involved in terminating proliferation.
Periodicity within reaction time distributions and electromyograms

This study investigates a periodic component in reaction time frequency distributions, that is, a tendency for responses to occur at regular, discrete intervals of time after stimulus presentation. Reaction time frequency distributions were plotted by a Computer of Average Transients and were obtained under stimulus conditions varying in sense modality stimulated (auditory and visual), and the intensity, colour, and duration of stimulation. The results indicated that there was periodicity in reaction time frequency distributions with a modal period of approximately 25 msec. It was found that the periodicty (a) was most evident when there was considerable variability in reaction time, and (b) tended to attenuate when a large number of reaction times were grouped. Other stimulus conditions appeared to have little effect on the periodicity. A significant correlation was found between the frequency of periodicity in the reaction time distributions and the electromyograms, both having a modal period of 25 msec...
Social relationships among persons who have experienced serious mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness: Implications for recovery.

The new paradigm of recovery has highlighted the importance of positive social relationships, but little is known about their role in recovery among homeless individuals with serious mental illness and comorbid substance abuse. This study used within- and across-case analyses of longitudinal data from qualitative interviews with 41 dually diagnosed individuals entering residential programs to exit homelessness and receive needed services. Thematic findings include (a) “loner talk” and the need for privacy; (b) family ties as “good news, bad news”; (c) when it comes to a partner, other things come first; and (d) in search of positive people. Analyses of change in individual trajectories revealed that stronger social relationships did not coincide exactly with positive outcomes. Although positive life changes were gradual, negative changes could be precipitous. Social relationships were threatened by concentrated disadvantage, that is, a lack of social and economic currency. Findings are discussed with implications for improving services for the most vulnerable individuals who stand to benefit from the era of recovery.
Steganography using Gibbs random fields

Many steganographic algorithms for empirical covers are designed to minimize embedding distortion. In this work, we provide a general framework and practical methods for embedding with an arbitrary distortion function that does not have to be additive over pixels and thus can consider interactions among embedding changes. The framework evolves naturally from a parallel made between steganography and statistical physics. The Gibbs sampler is the key tool for simulating the impact of optimal embedding and for constructing practical embedding algorithms. The proposed framework reduces the design of secure steganography in empirical covers to the problem of finding suitable local potentials for the distortion function that correlate with statistical detectability in practice. We work out the proposed methodology in detail for a specific choice of the distortion function and validate the approach through experiments.
Test scenario generation from a structured requirements specification

A brief overview of the requirements engineering, its history and state of practice are given. A semi-formal method to structure the behavioral requirements for real-time embedded systems is presented. This method is based on a set of forms that contain both informal text based descriptions and formally defined language constructs. After documentation of requirements into these forms, an algorithm to automatically generate event scenarios is presented. This algorithm extracts the needed information from the requirements forms and produces a set of scenarios that can be used to test transaction oriented systems. A design example is presented that is used to illustrate the process of converting text based requirements onto the structured requirements form and to illustrate the operation of the scenario generation algorithm.
Chromosome or chromatin condensation leads to meiosis or apoptosis in stationary yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells

When starved of essential nutrients, yeast cells cease mitotic division and enter an alternative state called the ‘stationary phase’. In this paper, we report that stationary cells enter two major pathways: meiosis and apoptosis. Using transmission electron microscopy, five types of cell were identified in the stationary phase: (1) cells with chromosome condensed nuclei; (2) cells with normal, homogeneously stained nuclei; (3) sporulated cells; (4) apoptotic cells, in which chromatin, but not individual chromosomes, was condensed; and (5) dead cells, in which nuclei and cytoplasm were degraded. Further evidence using live cell imaging and mutation analysis suggested that cells with condensed chromosomes underwent meiosis, whereas chromatin condensed cells underwent apoptotic cell death. Cells with homogeneous nuclei are believed to be in the true resting state and undergo cell death when starvation continues. Chromosome or chromatin condensation may serve as a hallmark of life or death for stationary cells.
A digital receiver design for AM stereo signals using a general purpose digital signal processor

Digital signal processing (DSP) techniques are becoming the standard for high quality digital sound on compact disks and digital audio tapes in consumer audio entertainment systems. Incorporating DSP technology to improve the quality of AM (amplitude modulation) and FM (frequency modulation) stereo radio reception assures high fidelity performance for all radio functions. The paper only deals with the AM stereo problem. It discusses the compatible quadrature amplitude modulation AM stereo decoding and how it can be digitally implemented on a general purpose digital signal processor (GPDSP). >
Plasmodium vivax ookinetes in human peripheral blood.

Abstract Microscopic examination of a peripheral blood smear revealed ookinetes of Plasmodium vivax. This unusual finding was probably due to an excessive delay between blood collection and smear preparation. Ookinete formation normally occurs in the mosquito gut. When seen in blood smears, it can cause confusion and misidentification of the parasite.
Taking Stock: Equity-Based Compensation and the Evolution of Managerial Ownership

We investigate the impact of stock-based compensation on managerial ownership. We find that equity compensation succeeds in increasing incentives of lowerownership managers, but higher-ownership managers negate much of its impact by selling previously owned shares. When executives exercise options to acquire stock, nearly all of the shares are sold. Our results illuminate dynamic aspects of managerial ownership arising from divergent goals of boards of directors, who use equity compensation for incentives, and managers, who respond by selling shares for diversification. The findings cast doubt on the frequent and important theoretical assumption that managers cannot hedge the risks of these awards. WE INVESTIGATE THE IMPACT OF STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION, including options and restricted stock, on the ownership of U.S. executives. Equity-based pay spread at explosive rates in the United States during the 1990s. Morgenson ~1998! reports that in 1997, the 200 largest U.S. companies had reserved more than 13 percent of their common shares for compensation awards to managers, up from less than seven percent eight years earlier. Institutional investors and shareholder activists have tolerated and even encouraged this diversion of equity to executives, believing that managerial ownership may reduce agency problems. Boards’ compensation committees routinely cite the goal of increasing managerial ownership as the rationale for equity-based pay. 1 Although boards state that they intend stock options and other awards to boost the ownership of managers, executives are not likely to have the same goal. Modern portfolio theory predicts that managers receiving additional stock in their firms should sell these shares or, equivalently, sell other shares
Molecular characterization of a variant rhinovirus from an outbreak associated with uncommonly high mortality.

Abstract Background Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are the most frequent cause of acute upper respiratory tract infection, however, they are also known to replicate in the lower respiratory tract and associate with more severe respiratory illnesses. An outbreak of HRV occurred in a long-term facility in Santa Cruz, California with unusually high morbidity and mortality. Objectives To identify viral characteristics associated with this unique outbreak, genetic relationships between these clinical isolates (SCRVs) and prototype strains of rhinovirus were investigated. Study design Sequence homology and phylogenetic analyses of the SCRV VP4/VP2 region were performed in conjunction with all HRV prototypes. Due to the importance of the 5′noncoding region (NCR) and the structural genes to viral replication and host immune responses, respectively, we focused on a segment of the HRV genome which includes these regions. Molecular models of SCRV were also assessed. Results SCRV showed closest similarity to HRV82 with some divergence from the prototype. Amino acid differences were concentrated within predicted neutralization epitopes within VP2, VP3 and VP1. Conclusion Sequence analyses and differences in cell culture growth characteristics suggest that this virus is a variant of HRV which has distinctive properties from its respective prototype strain.
Reduced susceptibility of mice overexpressing transforming growth factor alpha to dextran sodium sulphate induced colitis.

Background—Transforming growth factor AE (TGF-AE) knockout mice have increased susceptibility to dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) induced colitis. Aim—To substantiate the findings that TGF-AE is a key mediator of colonic mucosal protection and/or repair mechanisms by evaluating the susceptibility of mice overexpressing TGF-AE to DSS induced colitis. Methods—TGF-AE overexpression was induced in transgenic mice by ZnSO4 administration in drinking water (TG+). Three groups were used as controls: one transgenic group without ZnSO4 administration (TG˛), and two non-transgenic littermate groups receiving ZnSO4 (NonTG+) or only water (Non-TG˛). Acute colitis was induced in all groups by administration of DSS (5%, w/v) in drinking water for six days ad libitum. Results—About 35‐39% of the entire colonic mucosa was destroyed in Non-TG˛, Non-TG+, and TG˛ animals compared with 9% in TG+ mice. The crypt damage score was 18.7 (0.9), 18.2 (1.0), 18.9 (0.8), and 6.8 (1.5) (means (SEM)) in Non-TG˛, Non-TG+, TG˛, and TG+ mice respectively. Mucin and bromodeoxyuridine staining were markedly enhanced in colons of TG+ mice compared with controls, indicating increased mucosal protection and regeneration. Conclusions—The significantly reduced susceptibility of mice overexpressing TGF-AE to DSS further substantiates that endogenous TGF-AE is a pivotal mediator of protection and/or healing mechanisms in the colon. (Gut 1998;43:64‐70)
Transmission Electron Microscopy Study on the Annealing of YBa2Cu3O7‐δ

Anneal in oxygen-rich atmosphere at temperatures between 400{degrees} and 600{degrees} C is an important step in the manufacture of superconducting YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{delta}}. The symmetry of the orthorhombic phase requires that if more than one type of twin plane is present within a grain, a distorted region should exist inside the multiple twinned grain. This distorted region hinders the tetragonal-to-orthorhombic transformation and may account for some retained tetragonal phase inside an otherwise orthorhombic grain. A physical model is presented describing the formation of such regions and their eventual transformation into low-angle grain boundaries after long annealing. Extended annealing at intermediate temperatures apparently leads to the formation of planar faults in off-stoichiometric samples. Transmission electron microscope image contrast and energy dispersive x-ray analyses of highly defective regions suggest these defects are CuO{sub {ital x}} ({ital x} = 1,2) extra layers. These extra layers tend to from near grain boundaries or free surfaces, where oxygen is readily available.
Nursing ethics and its relation with power and work organization

Difficulties faced in the nursing routine, mainly in hospitals, have been reported without the resulting ethical implications to workers and especially to clients, been sufficiently questioned. The work organization can be the main source of suffering to nursing workers, related to the exercise of power of different actors involved in the health institutions, which can potentially cause multiple problems and distress of ethical order. This study aims to make a critical reflection about some relations between the nursing work organization, power relations and its ethical dimension. Strategies for an ethical performance of nurses and other nursing professionals in the organization of work in the healthcare institutions point to the need of these professionals exercise power in an ethical way.
An Information Extraction Strategy for Medical Imaging Diagnostic Report

A text information extraction strategy for medical imaging diagnostic report is proposed in this paper. The knowledge used by this strategy is represented as base-element and composite-element. Under the control of knowledge base, diagnostic reports would be transformed into structured information. The strategy makes full use of the extensibility of Extenics to extend existing knowledge. Experimental results show that the strategy is one of efficient and effective methods to solve the problems of information extraction.
A comparison of two sieves, I

Number theoretic applications of the Diamond-Halberstam-Richert (DHR) sieves have yielded results that are in most cases better than those of Ankeny-Onishi (AO) and in no case worse. For each value of the sieve parameter k, the DHR upper and lower estimation functions agree with those of AO for small arguments. It is likely that the DHR estimates are better than those of AO from some point onward, but it appears difficult to show this theoretically. Here we show the interrelation between some measures of the quality of the sieves, show that the DHR upper sieve is at most of the size of that of AO at the point where the upper estimates first can deviate, and obtain a new lower bound for the sieving limit of the DHR sieve for large values of k.
Right-sided valvular endocarditis: Etiology, diagnosis, and an approach to therapy

Right- and left-sided endocarditis are two distinct entities, both clinically and experimentally. As such, they require different clinical approaches. The accurate diagnosis of right-sided endocarditis rests largely on a high index of suspicion which is often raised in the case of an intravenous drug abuser with fever, especially when pulmonary infiltrates are detected. Two-dimensional echocardiography can be expected to confirm the diagnosis in approximately 80% of the cases. Measurement of the echocardiographically visualized vegetation provides both prognostic and therapeutic information. When the vegetation is less than 1.0 cm in diameter, antibiotic therapy can be reasonably expected to cure the infection. Despite a prolonged fever, we recommend continued medical management in these cases, as lack of response to medical management is almost exclusively seen in cases in which echocardiographically determined vegetation size is greater than or equal to 1.0 cm, perhaps because of the slower metabolic rate of bacterial colonies within these large vegetations. If, however, after 3 weeks of antibiotic therapy, fevers persist in a patient in whom two-dimensional echocardiography reveals a vegetation of greater than or equal to 1.0 cm, surgical intervention should be contemplated. Prior to such intervention, the physician must be careful to exclude other sources of fever, such as abscesses, phlebitis, and drug reactions, as indicated in Table III. Also, adequate antibiotic levels should be documented prior to surgical intervention. Because of the adverse effect on vegetation size upon the response to antibiotics, there may be a role for anticoagulation in order to potentiate the effects of the antibiotic therapy; however, this is purely speculative at present.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The use of interferon alfa-2a for life-threatening hemangiomas.

Hemangiomas common benign neoplasm in the neonatal period. While most small hemangiomas involute spontaneously, up to 20% may grow to a massive size and never completely involute. Massive hemangiomas are also frequently associated with life-threatening complications, such as airway obstruction, platelet trapping (Kasabach-Merritt syndrome), and high-output heart failure. The use of interferon alfa-2a for the treatment of massive hemangiomas not responsive to traditional therapy has recently been reported. We present the successful use of interferon alfa-2a in a series of five patients with massive hemangiomas complicated by airway compromise, congestive heart failure, need for tracheotomy, Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, and failure to thrive, despite traditional therapy. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995;121:690-693)
Platelets, endothelial cells, inflammatory chemokines, and restenosis: complex signaling in the vascular play book.

Adhesive and signaling interactions between endothelial cells and leukocytes are key mechanisms that mediate both targeting of the blood cells to specific sites and information transfer that results in change in their phenotypes and function.1 These events are beneficial in defense against microbes and wound surveillance and repair; however, in dysregulated inflammatory conditions such as atherosclerosis and its complications, including acute coronary syndromes and restenosis after interventional procedures, accumulation and activation of leukocytes can injure the host. The cell–cell interactions and signaling mechanisms are complex in the game of inflammation, and there are a number of players. In addition to endothelial cells and leukocytes, platelets contribute to leukocyte accumulation and to changes in their behavior in both physiological and pathological conditions,2,3,4⇓⇓ emphasizing the intimate relationship between the thrombotic and inflammatory systems. See p 1523 One mechanism involves direct adhesion of activated platelets to monocytes, neutrophils, or other leukocyte subclasses and binding of chemokines or lipid signaling molecules that are released from the platelets or displayed in a juxtacrine fashion on their surfaces (see below), to receptors on the leukocyte plasma membrane.3,5⇓ In this issue of Circulation , Schober and co-workers6 report a different play in the inflammatory repertoire: platelets interacting with inflamed endothelial cells donate the CC chemokine regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed presumed secreted (RANTES) to the endothelial surface, where it acts as a cell-associated signal for adhesion of monocytes. A number of the observations were made with cultured endothelial monolayers, incubated under conditions of stasis or flow, and isolated leukocytes; a caveat is that these experiments were done with proprietary endothelial cells and a monocytic cell line rather than primary leukocytes. In addition, however, other strategies added to the findings. Receptor blocking experiments indicated that RANTES signaling contributes to …
Best-first search for treewidth

Finding the exact treewidth of a graph is central to many operations in a variety of areas, including probabilistic reasoning and constraint satisfaction. Treewidth can be found by searching over the space of vertex elimination orders. This search space differs from those where best-first search is typically applied, because a solution path is evaluated by its maximum edge cost instead of the sum of its edge costs. We show how to make best-first search admissible on max-cost problem spaces. We also employ breadth-first heuristic search to reduce the memory requirement while still eliminating all duplicate nodes in the search space. Our empirical results show that our algorithms find the exact treewidth an order of magnitude faster than the previous state-of-the-art algorithm on hard benchmark graphs.
Production of greenhouse-grown biocrust mosses and associated cyanobacteria to rehabilitate dryland soil function

Mosses are an often-overlooked component of dryland ecosystems, yet they are common members of biological soil crust communities (biocrusts) and provide key ecosystem services, including soil stabilization, water retention, carbon fixation, and housing of N2 fixing cyanobacteria. Mosses are able to survive long dry periods, respond rapidly to precipitation, and reproduce vegetatively. With these qualities, dryland mosses have the potential to be an excellent dryland restoration material. Unfortunately, dryland mosses are often slow growing in nature, and ex situ cultivation methods are needed to enhance their utility. Our goal was to determine how to rapidly produce, vegetatively, Syntrichia caninervis and S. ruralis, common and abundant moss species in drylands of North America and elsewhere, in a greenhouse. We manipulated the length of hydration on a weekly schedule (5, 4, 3, or 2 days continuous hydration per week), crossed with fertilization (once at the beginning, monthly, biweekly, or not at all). Moss biomass increased sixfold for both species in 4 months, an increase that would require years under dryland field conditions. Both moss species preferred short hydration and monthly fertilizer. Remarkably, we also unintentionally cultured a variety of other important biocrust organisms, including cyanobacteria and lichens. In only 6 months, we produced functionally mature biocrusts, as evidenced by high productivity and ecosystem-relevant levels of N2 fixation. Our results suggest that biocrust mosses might be the ideal candidate for biocrust cultivation for restoration purposes. With optimization, these methods are the first step in developing a moss-based biocrust rehabilitation technology.
Substrate stiffness effect and chromosome missegregation in hIPS cells

Background Ensuring genetic stability in pluripotent stem cell (PSC) cultures is essential for the development of successful cell therapies. Although most instances lead to failed experiments and go unreported in the literature, many laboratories have found the emergence of genetic abnormalities in PSCs when cultured in vitro for prolonged amounts of time. These cells are primarily cultured in non-physiological stiff substrates like tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) which raises the possibility that the cause of these abnormalities may be influenced by substrate mechanics.
Genesis of Topographic and Cellular Diversity in the Primate Retina

The retina in the developing macaque monkey is an unexcelled model system for the analysis of cellular events and the mechanisms that govern formation of the human eye. Application of the powerful methods of modern neurobiology applied to either normal embryos, or mature animals with altered visual systems, suggests that the emergence of cell classes and their segregation into primate-specific functional domains emerges as a result of multiple factors operating at each retinal layer during successive developmental stages. The available data are compatible with the hypothesis that, at early developmental stages, intrinsic mechanisms operating within the retina predominate, while at later stages reciprocal interactions with the visual centers refines the numerical cellular relationships and synaptic architecture. These studies may provide insight into the development of normal and abnormal vision in humans.
Mechanical Necks with Humanlike Responses

A viscoelastic neck structure that responds to impact environments in a manner similar to the human neck is described. The neck structure consists of four ball-jointed segments and one pin-connected "nodding- " segment with viscoelastic resistive elements inserted between segments that provide bending resistance as well as the required energy dissipation. Primary emphasis was placed on developing appropriate flexion and extension responses with secondary emphasis placed on axial, lateral, and rotational characteristics. The methods used to design the resistance elements for the neck structure are discussed. Three variations of the resistive elements have been developed that meet the response characteristics specified by Mertz and Patrick. However, no single resistive element has satisfied the flexion and extension characteristics simultaneously, but such an element appears to be feasible. Additional efforts are required to assure proper performance when used in conjunction with a total dummy structure under a wider range of test conditions and to establish the durability required for this neck to serve as an adequate compliance test device.
A simple fluorometric method for glucose determination in nanoliter samples

In micropuncture study of the kidney, it is necessary to analyze renal tubule fluid samples in nanoliter quantities. Although microanalytical methods for glucose in such volumes have been described [1], these require special designs of microcuvettes as well as expensive equipment that may not be readily available to many laboratories. Here, a simple fluorometric hexokinase method for glucose is described using commercially available devices and relatively inexpensive equipment.
Efficacy of mensural characters in discriminating among species of Naucoridae (Insecta: Hemiptera): multivariate approaches and ontogenetic perspectives

The efficacy of a suite of 15 morphometric variables was evaluated as a species-specific discriminator throughout the ontogeny of eight species of New World Naucoridae. In concert, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), discriminant function analysis, and univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA, a posteriori contrasts) statistical tests demonstrated that each species is morphometrically distinguishable from all other species within age-sex groups. Although females are larger than males with respect to all characters that exhibit significance from a univariate perspective, the magnitude of dimorphism in adults is species-specific (significant species by sex interaction in the two-way MANOVA and in 7 of 15 two-way ANOVAs). Assessment of morphological trajectories during ontogeny (vectors connecting centroids for age-sex groups in each species) suggests that morphogenesis can provide critical diagnostic information of systematic importance. On average, only 8.1 characters per instar (15 maximum) differed significantly between Usingerina moapensis La Rivers and Limnocoris lutzi La Rivers, whereas the congeners Limnocoris sp. and L. lutzi were different on average for 14.3 characters per instar. Moreover, considerable morphometric overlap (principal components analysis) occurred between U. moapensis and L. lutzi throughout ontogeny. On the basis of these and other factors, the genus Usingerina La Rivers is placed in synonymy with Limnocoris Stal.
The role of the digital computer in pediatric cardiology

A digital computer system is described which allows the real-time processing of all physiological signals obtained during a heart catheterization procedure and which makes all relevant results and informations available immediately during the investigation. In addition, special electronic units and programs have been developed in our institution for the automated extraction of morphological criteria from biplane angiocardiograms. Thereby right and left ventricular volume, shape and contraction pattern can be quantitated and used to characterize the performance of the heart as muscle and pump in physical terms. Recently, complete digital processing of videoangiocardiograms has been achieved in a stroboscopic mode, each videofield in real time. Application of image enhancement, subtraction, integration and restoration techniques leads to a fundamentally improved angiocardiographic image quality for a given amount of injected contrast material. Based on eight years of experience with digital computer application in pediatric cardiology, computer technologies are considered likely to become the method of choice in the future.
No Burmese Returning: Economics Across Myanmar-Thailand Border

As Myanmar’s national politics change from a military authoritarian regime toward civilian rule, this paper seeks to understand whether Burmese emigrants abroad are starting to return home. By placing the specific case study of net migration flows across the Myanmar-Thailand land border into a larger study of all of net migration flows across all other land borders around the globe, a comparison can be made as to the direction and the amount of these net migration flows. We argue that, regardless of the political ituation, when surveying the top large-scale net migration flows of over 350,000 people, fairly simple economic indicators help us to predict that, ceteris paribus, the direction of any net igration flow will move from poorer to wealthier country. Material differences in wealth, however, do not help to predict the amount of that net migration flow. We conclude that because of prevailing magnitudes of material difference between Myanmar and Thailand, we see othing that suggests that Burmese migrants have started to return home in any large numbers.
Ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, human menopausal gonadotropin versus pure human follicle stimulating hormone: a randomized prospective study.

A randomized, prospective study was conducted to compare ovarian stimulation with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and human follicle-stimulating hormone (hFSH) in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program. Minimal inclusion criteria included age ≤ 37, tubal infertility, regular menstrual cycles before IVF, and a normal semen analysis. Equivalent doses (225 IU/day) of either hMG (N = 20) or hFSH (N = 20) were administered, and the patients followed by serum estradiol (E 2 ) levels and pelvic ultrasound. Parameters related to the ovarian response to therapy, the number and quality of ova recovered, and the cycle outcome were compared in the two groups using the Student’s t -test and chi-square analysis. No difference was detected between the groups in peak E 2 levels (828 ± 78 versus 819 ± 79 in the hMG and hFSH groups, respectively), day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration (9.3 ± 0.3 versus 9.7 ± 1.01), occurrence of spontaneous luteinizing hormone (LH) surge (44% versus 27%, P > 0.05, chi square analysis), average number of ova recovered (5.0 ± 0.7 versus 5.6 ± 1), ova maturation (7.5% versus 12.7% rate of immature ova), rate of normal and abnormal fertilization (9.2% versus 8.1% polyspermic fertilization), cleavage stage at transfer (3.6 ± 0.4 versus 3.4 ± 0.7 cells per embryos), the number of embryos transferred (2.5 ± 0.3 versus 2.6 ± 0.3), or the occurrence of pregnancy (1 in the hMG group and 2 in the hFSH group). In conclusion, this study could not demonstrate a difference in the population studied between hFSH and hMG when used for ovarian stimulation in IVFET.
LAMINAR FLOW IN A UNIFORMLY POROUS CHANNEL

The problem of laminar channel flow has been investigated for the case of uniform fluid suction or injection through the channel walls. The solutlon can be divided into three steps: (a) A judicious choice of stream function reduces the Navier-Stokes equations to an ordinary, fourth-order, nonlinear differential equation, which contains a free parameter R, the Reynolds number based upon fluid velocity through the wall. (b) Since general analysis of this equation is intractable, the parameter R is eliminated by a sultable transformation. (c) The transformed, nonparametric equatlon yields to a series solutlon, valid and absolutely convergent for all R. From this general solution, expressions are developed for velocity components, pressure distribution, and wall-friction coefficient. (auth)
Fascism and Authoritarianism in The Plumed Serpent

If Lawrence views the working classes as portrayed in Aaron’s Rod (1922) in a primarily positive and sympathetic manner, he has become more ambivalent toward them by the time he writes Kangaroo (1923). In Aaron’s Rod he praises the Italian peasants’ “looseness”; in Kangaroo he still shows the working men of Australia as friendly and open on the one hand, but also as overly assertive and bullying on the other. By the time Lawrence wrote The Plumed Serpent (1926), however, a more pervasive change of view had occurred: Kate shows contempt and fear for the Mexican peasant who sits on her feet at the bull fight, and her perception would also appear to be Lawrence’s at this point.
Implementing Service-Learning in a Human Resource Management Course

Service-learning is an experiential learning approach that allows students to apply theory and coursework in a real-life setting with a non-profit or community organization. Service-learning provides many pedagogical benefits. However, integrating service-learning into a course is often challenging for instructors. This paper provides guidance for implementing servicelearning group projects in an undergraduate human resource management course.
Pilot-Scale Continuous-Flow Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Filamentous Fungi

This study examined the potential of using the filamentous fungus Rhizopus oligosporus as a feedstock for hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). The fungal biomass, cultivated in thin stillage from a corn ethanol plant, was processed at pilot-scale using a 1.5-L capacity continuous-flow HTL system. HTL operating conditions of 300–400 °C at 27 MPa for 12–30 min were tested. Biocrude yields ranging from 48.2 to 60.9% were obtained. At low reaction temperatures (300 °C), yields as high as 59.9% could still be achieved. Aside from the least severe reaction condition studied (300 °C, 12 min), neither the yield nor elemental composition of the biocrude was significantly impacted by residence time or temperature, as is typically seen with batch reactors. Similarities in the biochemical and elemental composition between R. oligosporus and microalgae resulted in biocrude yields that were comparable to those previously reported for continuous-flow systems using microalgae. These findings demonstrate the viability of usin...
Determination of glass transitions in boiled candies by capacitance based thermal analysis (CTA) and genetic algorithm (GA)

The glass transition temperature (Tg) is an important property that influences the processing and textural characteristics of candy. Measurement of Tg is done by comparably expensive and complex instruments. In this study, we tested a new system which uses capacitance thermal analysis (CTA) of candy trapped between stainless plates, as the system is caused to heat at an uncontrolled rate. The data of capacitance as a function of temperature were processed by a genetic algorithm (GA), and fitted to a three-section model to determine Tg. Tg of the candies were independently measured by DSC as a reference. The results showed that when the Tg of the candy was below ∼15 °C, the measurement from the GA-CTA was higher (2–3 °C) than that from DSC. However, if Tg of the candy was higher than 15 °C, the two methods gave similar values. GA based CTA provides a feasible new way to measure phase transitions in candies with relatively inexpensive equipment, and with less need for user interpretation of data.
Synthesis and characterization of lignin carbon fiber and composites

Abstract In this study, continuous lignin fibers from switchgrass have been successfully synthesized via multifilament melt-spinning and converted to carbon fibers using optimized stabilization and carbonization techniques. Unidirectional lignin carbon fiber reinforced composites are produced using a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process for the first time. Produced lignin carbon fiber is evaluated in mechanical, interfacial, and microstructural areas. Single fiber mechanical properties are characterized using a unique MTS Bionix Nano-UTM. Interfacial properties and resin/fiber behavior are evaluated using single fiber fragmentation. Microstructural properties are determined using wide-angle x-ray diffraction. Mechanical results indicated an initial tensile modulus along fiber axis of 36 GPa and a failure stress of 600 MPa for single carbon fibers. Lignin carbon fibers demonstrate a nonlinear increase in modulus with applied tensile strain similar to recently observed for commercial poly-acrylonitrile (PAN) carbon fibers. Microscopy revealed few defects within and along the lignin carbon fibers, and the processed lignin fibers demonstrated minimal crystalline regions and crystallite alignment when compared to commercial PAN based fibers. Interfacial shear strength with epoxy resin was found to be 17 MPa with a fiber fracture length of 228 μm. Unidirectional composite coupons achieved tensile modulus of 9 GPa and a failure strength of 85 MPa at 1% failure strain. Lignin carbon fiber and composites produced are targeted for non-structural applications as mechanical properties are currently less than PAN carbon fibers and therefore are not suitable to replace PAN carbon fiber at this stage. Relatively low composite strength is the likely result of fiber layup, fiber fusing, and non-continuous fibers across the gage length of the composite. Nano-tensile and interface shear strength results presented here have important implications for lignin carbon fiber composite development to optimize fiber/resin bonding. In addition, composite manufacturing procedures detailed here are a major step forward in the development of sustainable carbon fiber composite production.
Labeling Eating Disorders: Weighing Costs and Benefits

Pros and cons of labeling eating disorders are presented along with recommendations for minimizing potential negative consequences.
Obesity paradox in group 1 pulmonary hypertension: analysis of the NIH-Pulmonary Hypertension registry

The ‘obesity paradox’ refers to the fact that obese patients have better outcomes than normal weight patients. This has been observed in multiple cardiovascular conditions, but evidence for obesity paradox in pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains sparse. We categorized 267 patients from the National Institute of Health-PH registry into five groups based on body mass index (BMI): underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese and morbidly obese. Mortality was compared in BMI groups using the χ2 statistic. Five-year probability of death using the PH connection (PHC) risk equation was calculated, and the model was compared with BMI groups using Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan–Meier (KM) survival curves. Patients had a median age of 39 years (interquartile range 30–50 years), a median BMI of 23.4 kg m−2 (21.0–26.8 kg m−2) and an overall mortality at 5 years of 50.2%. We found a U-shaped relationship between survival and 1-year mortality with the best 1-year survival in overweight patients. KM curves showed the best survival in the overweight, followed by obese and morbidly obese patients, and the worst survival in normal weight and underweight patients (log-rank P=0.0008). In a Cox proportional hazards analysis, increasing BMI was a highly significant predictor of improved survival even after adjustment for the PHC risk equation with a hazard ratio for death of 0.921 per kg m−2 (95% confidence interval: 0.886–0.954) (P<0.0001). We observed that the best survival was in the overweight patients, making this more of an ‘overweight paradox’ than an ‘obesity paradox’. This has implications for risk stratification and prognosis in group 1 PH patients.
Analytical performance prediction of parallel systems

The need for more computing power for many computer applications has increased beyond the capabilities of traditional von Neumann architectures. This has generated interest in using parallel computers to improve processing power. Because of the high cost of implementing parallel computers, accurate and efficient tools are needed to predict the performance of parallel computer designs to determine which designs should be built. This thesis presents an analytical technique for predicting the performance of parallel algorithms realized on parallel architectures. The technique models arbitrary non-deterministic task execution times, explicit precedence constraints, resource contention, and a variety of resource scheduling policies. The program model used by this technique is a task graph. The nodes of a task graph represent parts of a parallel algorithm that require service from resources. The edges connecting nodes represent precedence constraints. Each task is assigned a random variable representing its execution time. The technique approximates arbitrarily distributed task execution time random variables with simple random variables. The different sequences of events that can occur due to resource contention are represented in a sequencing tree. A fully constructed sequencing tree represents all the possible sequences of events that can occur during the execution of a task graph. The technique allows the user to trade accuracy for efficiency by basing performance predictions on partial constructions of the sequencing trees. The technique is implemented in a program called ES. ES predicts both the mean and standard deviation of the execution time of a task graph representing a parallel algorithm. ES predictions are compared to predictions of simulations and timings of real parallel algorithms executing on a real parallel computer. Two mergesort algorithms were implemented on a hypercube multicomputer. ES estimates of the mean execution times of these algorithms differ by at most 7.0% from the mean execution times measured on the hypercube. ES estimates of the execution time of an FFT algorithm are compared to estimates obtained from execution-driven simulations. The ES estimates are within $\pm$0.15% of the estimates predicted by simulation.
Noise Control Capability of Structurally Integrated Resonator Arrays in a Foam-Treated Cylinder

Corrugated-core sandwich structures with integrated acoustic resonator arrays have been of recent interest for launch vehicle noise control applications. Previous tests and analyses have demonstrated the ability of this concept to increase sound absorption and reduce sound transmission at low frequencies. However, commercial aircraft manufacturers often require fibrous or foam blanket treatments for broadband noise control and thermal insulation. Consequently, it is of interest to further explore the noise control benefit and trade-offs of structurally integrated resonators when combined with various degrees of blanket noise treatment in an aircraft-representative cylindrical fuselage system. In this study, numerical models were developed to predict the effect of broadband and multi-tone structurally integrated resonator arrays on the interior noise level of cylindrical vibroacoustic systems. Foam layers with a range of thicknesses were applied near the inside surface of the cylinder to represent different degrees of conventional blanket treatments. Excitations including point force as well as harmonic and random fluctuating pressure fields were considered. The results suggest that structurally integrated resonators can be tuned to address a variety of noise control requirements and effectively used in conjunction with foam blanket noise treatments, but their relative benefit is reduced when thicker foam treatments are used.