cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MRI safety: RF-induced heating near straight wires

The aim of this study was to develop an effective mathematical model for MR induced heating of metallic implants and to validate it with measurements. Bare and insulated wires were used to simulate biomedical implants. Current is induced in the wire by the electric field E/sub 0/ induced by the RF magnetic field. The Galerkin technique was used to determine the induced surface current on the bare or insulated wire. An integral equation was solved based on a reaction integral by using a piecewise sinusoidal approximation to determine the current as a function of distance z along the wire. The electric field in the medium with conductivity /spl sigma/ = 0.27 S/m and relative dielectric constant /spl epsiv//sub r/ = 77 at the 64 MHz was determined from the current distribution along the wire. In order to test the computation by the moment method, RF induced heating was measured in a gelled saline phantom in an MRI body coil. The RF magnetic field was applied CW at 64 MHz. Temperature vs. time was measured with fiber optic probes. For the bare wire, the maximal temperature rise occurs at a length of 20 cm. For the insulated sires, the temperature rise increases with increasing length. The calculations are effective in predicting the heating as function of wire lengths. The study showed that there is no resonance length for insulated wires and the relative heating for capped and uncapped insulating wires depends on the insulation thickness.
Statistical characterization of the indoor MIMO channel based on LOS/NLOS measurements

Measurements taken at the campus of Brigham Young University (BYU) are used to investigate the statistical properties of the indoor MIMO channel. The Rician K parameter is estimated along a path in both LOS and NLOS. These values are related to the received power and the spatial spectrum calculated using the conventional beamformer. Furthermore, statistical tests are applied to investigate if the data belongs to a multivariate normal distribution. It is found that the univariate statistics can be approximated by a complex normal distribution but only small MIMO systems may be approximated as multivariate normally distributed.
The development and persistence of bronchial‐gland hypertrophy and goblet‐cell hyper‐plasia in the pig after injection of isopren‐aline

Pigs were injected i.m. with isoprenaline sulphate on 6 consecutive days. In the bronchial mucosa of animals killed 24 hr after the sixth injection there was a significant increase in the ratio of submucosal gland thickness to bronchial-wall thickness, indicating glandular hypertrophy. The hypertrophy was due to an increase in size of mucous cells, which were filled with secretion. There was also a much higher proportion of acid glycoprotein in the mucous acini of IPN-treated pigs compared with those of controls. This acid glycoprotein was predominantly sialomucin, but a small quantity of sulphomucin, not present in the normal animal, was observed. IPN also caused a significant increase in the number of goblet cells in the bronchial epithelium, but there was no change in their glycoprotein type, most containing exclusively sialomucin. IPN produced a significant increase in the weight of the salivary and adrenal glands, and of the heart, in which the right and left ventricles were hypertrophied equally. Examination of pigs killed up to 3 mth after IPN showed that the submucosal gland hypertrophy persisted for about 1 mth and the goblet cell hyperplasia persisted for 2 mth.
A method for the preparation of steroid-protein antigens for use in immunoassay of steroids

Abstract A general method for the preparation of steroid-protein conjugates coupled through carbon 6 of Δ 4 steroids was demonstrated using 6β Br-testosterone acetate and 6β Br-progesterone covalently bound to sulfhydryl-group-enriched bovine serum albumin. The antigenicity of the conjugates and the specificity of the antibodies were evaluated. With anti-progesterone the assay accuracy was determined to be 10.3%, the intra-assay precision was 8.7% and the inter-assay precision was 12.6%. The material was used to assay the progesterone content of normal human male and female serum as well as the changes in this hormone following corpora lutea induction in constant-estrus androgenized female rats.
Understanding the role of mediating risk factors and proxy effects in the association between socio-economic status and untreated hypertension

The association between socio-economic status (SES) and untreated hypertension varies according to a country's level of development and racial/ethnic group. We sought to confirm this variation in women from China and the United States (US) as well as to investigate the impact of SES on several mediating risk factors. We also investigate the extent to which SES explains racial/ethnic differences in untreated hypertension in the US. We used cross-sectional data from 1814 non-pregnant women in China (China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), 1997) and 3266 non-pregnant women in the United States (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), 1988-1994) respectively. A variety of statistical modelling techniques was used to predict untreated hypertension as a function of several mediating factors and to simulate the impact of changes in SES. The age-adjusted prevalence of untreated hypertension was significantly higher (p<0.01) for low-income White and Black women compared to Mexican American or Chinese women. Untreated hypertension was not significantly associated with income or education in Mexican Americans or women in China. Obesity and light physical activity had the largest mediating effect on the association between SES and untreated hypertension for all racial/ethnic groups. However, this effect was not as strong as the proxy effect of income and education. SES did not completely explain racial/ethnic differences in hypertension in the US. While SES was more strongly associated with hypertension in Blacks than Whites, Blacks were still 1.97 (95% CI 1.47-2.64) times more likely to have untreated hypertension than Whites after adjusting for SES differences. The association between SES and untreated hypertension varied by country and racial/ethnic group. An important explanation for this variation was the differential effect of SES on mediating risk factors. SES disparities between Whites and Blacks in the US partly explain differences in the prevalence of untreated hypertension between these racial/ethnic groups.
On the 600 MHz HTS Insert for a 1.3 GHz NMR Magnet

We update here on the status of one of the main components of a 1.3 GHz NMR magnet currently being developed at the MIT Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory (FBML): the 600 MHz HTS insert coil. Started in 2000 as a 3-phase program and currently in its final phase (Phase 3A), the HTS insert will first be installed in the bore of a 500 MHz all LTS magnet, generating a field of 25.8 T (1.1 GHz). In Phase 3B, we will place the HTS insert in the bore of a 700 MHz LTS magnet, achieving our ultimate goal of completing a high-resolution 1.3 GHz magnet. The HTS insert, built as a stack of double pancakes (DP), consists of two concentric stack of coils, the inner coil wound with YBCO tape and the outer coil with Bi2223/Ag tape. The series-connected coils, immersed in a bath of liquid helium at atmospheric pressure, will be operated in driven mode. The paper describes detailed aspects of: 1) design and fabrication of both coils, 2) testing of individual DPs at 77 K to characterize the current carrying capabilities and magnetic performance of each DP coil, 3) techniques and elements utilized in the DP-to-DP splice procedure and, 4) splice dissipation.
Integrating simulation with activity-based management to evaluate manufacturing cell part sequencing

Abstract This paper presents an integrated simulation and activity-based management approach for determining the best sequencing scheme for processing a part family through a manufacturing cell. The integration is illustrated on a loop or U-shaped manufacturing cell and a part family consisting of four part types (A, B, C, and D). Production requirements for the cell demand that part batches be processed one type at a time. For example, all part A’s are processed until weekly demand is met, then part B’s, etc. The objective of this example is to determine the best part sequence (e.g., ABCD, DCBA or CABD). In addition to traditional measures, the simulation model produces detailed activity-based costing estimates. Analysis of cost and performance parameters that indicates part sequence CDBA provides the best overall choice. This sequence achieves a low per unit manufacturing cost, minimizes average time in the system and in-cell inventory cost, and maximizes unused production capacity. Although the scope of this effort was restricted to a small scale manufacturing cell, the costing concepts have general applicability to manufacturing operations at all levels.
Using Constraint Logic Programming to Analyze theChronology in ``A Rose for Emily''

William Faulkner's non-chronological story tellingstyle has long been a challenge to critics and apuzzle to beginning literature students. ``A Rose forEmily,'' one of Faulkner's most frequently anthologizedstories, exemplifies the complexity of Faulkner'streatment of time. In this paper, we apply aconstraint-based problem solving method to an analysisof the chronology of ``A Rose for Emily.'' Constraintlogic programming is a declarative programminglanguage paradigm that solves problems by enforcingconstraints among variables. CLP's ability to sortnumeric variables that do not yet have definite valuesmakes it possible to sort the events of ``A Rose forEmily'' with only fragmented and relative timeinformation. In attempting to sort the events of thestory, we find an inconsistency in the temporalreferences scattered throughout the narrative. Afterremoving this inconsistency, we are able to compareour chronology with earlier ones and discuss thethematic relevance of Faulkner's nonlinear plots.
Automated information distribution in bandwidth-constrained environments

In spite of the incredible advances in computing, battlefield information distribution and processing remains archaic because of the common pitfall of simply automating manual techniques. New technologies have been developed to thwart the propagation of this practice and provide automated information distribution between computers using the limited and constantly varying bandwidth of standard combat net radios. The new technologies are based on three major tenets, namely, exchange data (1) in its most general form, (2) only when truly necessary, and (3) in an efficient manner. >
Comparison of tetrodotoxin and procaine in internally perfused squid giant axons.

Squid giant axons were internally perfused with tetrodotoxin and procaine, and excitability and electrical properties were studied by means of current-clamp and sucrose-gap voltage-clamp methods. Internally perfused tetrodotoxin was virtually without effect on the resting potential, the action potential, the early transient membrane ionic current, and the late steady-state membrane ionic current even at very high concentrations (1,000–10,000 nM) for a long period of time (up to 36 min). Externally applied tetrodotoxin at a concentration of 100 nM blocked the action potential and the early transient current in 2–3 min. Internally perfused procaine at concentrations of 1–10 mM reversibly depressed or blocked the action potential with an accompanying hyperpolarization of 2–4 mv, and inhibited both the early transient and late steady-state currents to the same extent. The time to peak early transient current was increased. The present results and the insolubility of tetrodotoxin in lipids have led to the conclusion that the gate controlling the flow of sodium ions through channels is located on the outer surface of the nerve membrane.
The effect of periphyton stoichiometry and light on biological phosphorus immobilization and release in streams

Periphyton stoichiometry can vary substantially as a result of differences in stream nutrient availability. A decrease in the periphyton carbon to phosphorus (C:P) ratio should decrease the demand for new P to be immobilized from stream water, but no studies to our knowledge have explored the relationship between periphyton stoichiometry and net P immobilization and release by periphyton. We sought to model biological P immobilization and release (flux) in streams by measuring periphyton stoichiometry and light availability. We measured P flux to and from intact periphyton on stream cobbles (20–100 mm diameter) in 1 L microcosms incubated with streamwater under variable light conditions. Net P immobilization occurred in 75% of microcosms, net P release occurred in only 5% of microcosms, and 20% of microcosms had neither net immobilization nor net release. When normalized to stream conditions, net P immobilization was highest when light availability was high ( 60% canopy attenuation) and the periphyton C:P ratio was also low. A multiple regression model that included both periphyton stoichiometry and light availability from the growing season only, and the interaction term of these two variables, explained 99% of the variation in daily periphyton P flux observed in the study. These results indicate that in order to predict periphyton P immobilization, periphyton stoichiometry and light availability should be considered together. Furthermore, the results indicate that net P immobilization occurs even in very P-rich periphyton, which can act as a P sink when light availability is high.
Characterization of model bile using fluorescence energy transfer from dehydroergosterol to dansylated lecithin

Abstract Fluorescence energy transfer from dehydroergosterol (DHE) to dansylated lecithin (DL) was used to characterize lecithin-cholesterol vesicles in the presence of the bile salt, sodium taurocholate. At lipid concentrations approximating physiological levels, exposure of fluorescently labeled vesicles to the bile salt led to a dose-dependent increase in the DHE-to-DL fluorescence ratio during the first 24 h after mixing. The initial changes in the fluorescence ratio correlated well with conventional turbidity measurements that quantify partial micellization of vesicles as a function of bile salt loading. In addition, fluorescence energy transfer from DHE to DL revealed cholesterol enrichment of vesicles and re-vesiculation of micelles at bile salt loadings for which vesicles and micelles coexisted. Samples containing the cholesterol-enriched vesicle fraction exhibited further increases in the DHE-to-DL fluorescence ratio during a 4-week observation period but only after a significant lag period of several days. The lag period decreased with cholesterol loading, and the increase in the fluorescence ratio always preceded the appearance of microscopic, birefringent, either needlelike or platelike, cholesterol crystals, in samples that were initially supersaturated with cholesterol. Cholesterol crystals were not observed, and the fluorescence ratio did not increase, for any sample that was undersaturated with cholesterol. Taken together, these results suggest that the latter changes in fluorescence are the result of cholesterol nucleation. Fluorescence energy transfer from DHE to DL is therefore a promising technique for the characterization of model bile and, possibly, provides a direct measurement of cholesterol nucleation. —Wrenn, S. P., M. Gudheti, A. N. Veleva, E. W. Kaler, and S. P. Lee. Characterization of model bile using fluorescence energy transfer from dehydroergosterol to dansylated lecithin.
A unified full-rate STBC design with reduced-complexity coherent and differential ML decoding

We propose a new full-rate space-time block code (STBC) for two transmit antennas which can be designed to achieve maximum diversity or maximum capacity while enjoying optimized coding gain and reduced-complexity maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding. The maximum transmit diversity (MTD) construction provides a diversity order of 2N r for any number of receive antennas N r at the cost of channel capacity loss. The maximum channel capacity (MCC) construction preserves the mutual information between the transmit and the received vectors while sacrificing diversity. Both constructions enjoy low-complexity ML decoding proportional to the square of the signal constellation size making them attractive alternatives to existing full-diversity full-rate STBCs in [6], [3] which have high ML decoding complexity proportional to the fourth order of the signal constellation size. Furthermore, we design a differential transmission scheme for our proposed STBC, derive the exact ML differential decoding rule, and compare its performance with competitive schemes. Finally, we investigate transceiver design and performance of our proposed STBC over frequency-selective channels.
Longitudinal Research: Considerations for Augmentative and Alternative Communication

This forum paper, based on an invited paper on longitudinal research for the Second ISAAC Research Symposium in Augmentative and Alternative Communication, discusses the application of longitudinal research designs and methods to the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Challenges faced by researchers employing longitudinal designs are discussed along with issues specific to AAC research.
Pharmacology of the ovine uterine artery and umbilical blood vessels: Serotonergic and α- adrenergic mechanisms

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a potent constrictor of the ovine umbilical artery and contracts the vessel via activation of 5-HT2 receptors. The present studies were designed to investigate whether 5-HT induces the hydrolysis of phosphoinositide in the ovine umbilical artery. Segments of the ovine umbilical artery were preincubated with [^H]inositol prior to determining the time-course and concentration-response relationship to 5-HT. Inositol
Conventions in Court

In the Commonwealth nations, a constitutional “convention” denotes an unwritten but obligatory constitutional custom or norm. The question I will address is whether public law in the United States should be understood to permit, require or forbid federal courts to incorporate conventions into their decisions. My major claim is that public law should adopt an approach that has achieved consensus status in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth – what I will call the “modern Commonwealth view.” This approach holds that while courts may and should recognize conventions, they may not and should not enforce them. The main strength of the modern Commonwealth view is that it is not either of two other leading views, which I will call the “classical Diceyan view” and the “incorporationist view” respectively. I will argue that the two competing views are untenable and undesirable, and that the modern Commonwealth view triumphs faute de mieux – for lack of a better, or even any feasible, alternative. Moreover, I will claim that in important cases, especially recent cases, the U.S. Supreme Court has implicitly moved toward just this approach.
SOLUTION BEHAVIOR OF ALPHA -CHYMOTRYPSIN DISSOLVED IN NONPOLAR ORGANIC SOLVENTS VIA HYDROPHOBIC ION PAIRING

Dissolution of α-chymotrypsin in nonpolar organic solvents can be achieved using hydrophobic ion pairing, whereby the polar counterions are replaced by a stoichiometric number of detergent molecules. Using Aerosol OT[AOT, sodium bis(2-octyl)sulfosuccinate], it is possible to partition significant amounts of the enzyme into alkanes and chlorocarbons. Apparent solubility in isooctane is greater than 1 mg/mL (80 μM). Necessary conditions for achieving effective partitioning of α-chymotrypsin into these solvents are described. Using CD spectroscopy, it can be shown that the AOT–α-chymotrypsin (CMT) complex retains its native secondary and tertiary structure when dissolved in alkanes, and that the globular structure is stable to more than 100°C. In contrast, α-chymotrypsin unfolds at 54°C in aqueous solution. The relative solubility of the AOT–CMT complex in a variety of alkanes and chlorocarbons is also reported. The native structure of α-chymotrypsin is maintained in carbon tetrachloride, but not in methylene chloride or chloroform. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
UNSPEAKABLE GEORGE ELIOT

The very idea of Victorian cosmopolitanism might at first glance seem an oxymoron. Historically bracketed by a Romanticism that took political inspiration from France and intellectual cues from Germany and by a modernism whose most prominent “English” personnel were largely from overseas, the Victorians can look decidedly parochial. The most incisive recent attempts to link cosmopolitan thinking to specific formal or stylistic innovations have tended to leave the Victorians out of the picture. A recent essay by David Simpson, for example, nominates what he terms the Romantic “historical-geographical epic” as a critically cosmopolitan genre – one whose barrage of footnotes ruptures the surface of the text and ensures that even in surveying the exotic Other, Romantic epics guarantee that “the pleasure of poetry sits uneasily but inescapably alongside the burden of critique” (150). On the modernist side, Rebecca Walkowitz's Cosmopolitan Style (2006) has compellingly excavated the links between a host of modernist experimental practices and the project of thinking creatively outside national boundaries – reaching the conclusion that “there is no critical cosmopolitanism without modernist practices” (18). Neither Simpson nor Walkowitz deals with the Victorians in depth, but a certain idea of nineteenth-century realism hovers as the implicit contrast to the genres and practices they catalogue.
Diastolic wall strain: a simple marker of abnormal cardiac mechanics

Diastolic wall strain (DWS), defined using posterior wall thickness (PWT) measurements from standard echocardiographic images (DWS = [PWT(systole)-PWT(diastole)]/PWT(systole)), has been proposed as a marker of left ventricular (LV) diastolic stiffness. However, the equation for DWS is closely related to systolic radial strain, and whether DWS is associated with abnormal cardiac mechanics (reduced systolic strains and diastolic tissue velocities) is unknown. We sought to determine the relationship between DWS and systolic and diastolic cardiac mechanics. We calculated DWS and performed speckle-tracking analysis in a large population- and family-based study (Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Network [HyperGEN]; N = 1907 after excluding patients with ejection fraction [EF] < 50% or posterior wall motion abnormalities). We measured global longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain (GLS, GCS, and GRS, respectively) and early diastolic (e’) tissue velocities, and we determined the independent association of DWS with cardiac mechanics using linear mixed effects models to account for relatedness among study participants. We also prospectively performed receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of DWS for the detection of abnormal cardiac mechanics in a separate, prospective validation study (N = 35). In HyperGEN (age 51 ± 14 years, 59% female, 45% African-American, 57% hypertensive), mean DWS was 0.38 ± 0.05. DWS decreased with increasing comorbidity burden (β-coefficient -0.013 [95% CI -0.015, -0.011]; P < 0.0001). DWS was independently associated with GLS, GCS, GRS, and e’ velocity (adjusted P < 0.05) but not LV chamber compliance (EDV20, P = 0.97). On prospective speckle-tracking analysis, DWS correlated well with GLS, GCS, and GRS (R = 0.61, 0.57, and 0.73, respectively; P < 0.001 for all comparisons). C-statistics for DWS as a diagnostic test for abnormal GLS, GCS, and GRS were: 0.78, 0.79, and 0.84, respectively. DWS, a simple parameter than can be calculated from routine 2D echocardiography, is closely associated with systolic strain parameters and early diastolic (e’) tissue velocities but not LV chamber compliance.
The Crusade against Aragon

1285 October: a half-starved French army plods through the passes of the eastern Pyrenees, lashed by the first rains of autumn, harassed by the last raids of its victorious opponent, the king of Aragon. Ahead lies Perpignan not yet French, but at least the possession of an ally of France. Perpignan is food, shelter, safety for most of the army. But not for the commander, the soldier of God and the Pope, Philip III of France. Sick at heart over the failure of his crusade against Aragon, sick in body ever since the retreat began, Perpignan for him is the last stage of the earthly pilgiimage, the place where he can die quietly, decently and piously, as befits a prince of his house. There the end comes on 5 October Philip the Bold has died on crusade, as did his father and grandfather before him. As an episode in military history the crusade of 1285 is scarcely worth noticing. It produced no great battles, no innovations in strategy or tactics, no significant alteration of frontiers. The whole campaign could be summed up in a slightly modified version of the old nursery rhyme:
Habitat and Vegetation Variables Are Not Enough When Predicting Tick Populations in the Southeastern United States

Two tick-borne diseases with expanding case and vector distributions are ehrlichiosis (transmitted by Amblyomma americanum) and rickettiosis (transmitted by A. maculatum and Dermacentor variabilis). There is a critical need to identify the specific habitats where each of these species is likely to be encountered to classify and pinpoint risk areas. Consequently, an in-depth tick prevalence study was conducted on the dominant ticks in the southeast. Vegetation, soil, and remote sensing data were used to test the hypothesis that habitat and vegetation variables can predict tick abundances. No variables were significant predictors of A. americanum adult and nymph tick abundance, and no clustering was evident because this species was found throughout the study area. For A. maculatum adult tick abundance was predicted by NDVI and by the interaction between habitat type and plant diversity; two significant population clusters were identified in a heterogeneous area suitable for quail habitat. For D. variabilis no environmental variables were significant predictors of adult abundance; however, D. variabilis collections clustered in three significant areas best described as agriculture areas with defined edges. This study identified few landscape and vegetation variables associated with tick presence. While some variables were significantly associated with tick populations, the amount of explained variation was not useful for predicting reliably where ticks occur; consequently, additional research that includes multiple sampling seasons and locations throughout the southeast are warranted. This low amount of explained variation may also be due to the use of hosts for dispersal, and potentially to other abiotic and biotic variables. Host species play a large role in the establishment, maintenance, and dispersal of a tick species, as well as the maintenance of disease cycles, dispersal to new areas, and identification of risk areas.
Driving with pets and motor vehicle collision involvement among older drivers: A prospective population-based study

OBJECTIVE: Distracted driving is a major cause of motor vehicle collision (MVC) involvement. Pets have been identified as potential distraction to drivers, particularly in the front. This type of distraction could be worse for those with impairment in the cognitive aspects of visual processing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between driving with pets and rates of motor vehicle collision involvement in a cohort of older drivers. METHODS: A three-year prospective study was conducted in a population-based sample of 2000 licensed drivers aged 70 years and older. At the baseline visit, a trained interviewer asked participants about pet ownership, whether they drive with pets, how frequently, and where the pet sits in the vehicle. Motor vehicle collision (MVC) involvement during the three-year study period was obtained from the Alabama Department of Public Safety. At-fault status was determined by the police officer who arrived on the scene. Participants were followed until the earliest of death, driving cessation, or end of the study period. Poisson regression was used to calculate crude and adjusted rate ratios (RR) examining the association between pet ownership, presence of a pet in a vehicle, frequency of driving with a pet, and location of the pet inside with vehicle with any and at-fault MVC involvement. We examined whether the associations differed by higher order visual processing impairment status, as measured by Useful Field of View, Trails B, and Motor-free Visual Perception Test. RESULTS: Rates of crash involvement were similar for older adults who have ever driven with a pet compared to those who never drove with their pet (RR=1.15, 95% CI 0.76-1.75). Drivers who reported always or sometimes driving with their pet had higher MVC rates compared to pet owners who never drive with a pet, but this association was not statistically significant (RR=1.39, 95% CI 0.86-2.24). In terms of location, those reporting having a pet frequently ride in the front of the vehicle had similar rates of MVC involvement compared to those who did not drive with a pet in the front. A similar pattern of results was observed for at-fault MVCs. This association was not modified by visual processing impairment status. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates a positive but non-significant association between frequently driving with pets and MVC involvement. More research is needed, particularly on restraint use and whether the pet was in the car at the time of the crash, to help characterize the public safety benefit of regulations on driving with pets. Keywords: Driver distraction; Language: en
Regimes of Remittance Dependency: Global Structures and Trajectories of the Former Soviet ‘Bloc’

The re-integration of the societies of the erstwhile state socialist bloc into global flows of capitalism is emerging as a major issue in the sociology of labour migration. Changes in the magnitudes of migrant remittances can be of crucial social and political importance. In this study, I link a conceptual contribution with a three-step empirical inquiry. First, I conceptualize migrant remittances as a form of external economic dependency. Next, I describe recent changes in the strength of the empirical relationship between migrant remittances as percentages of the GDP and per capita GDP for all societies of the world utilizing data from two online data sets. Employing what Charles Tilly (1984) called “variation-finding comparison,” I examine, next, the – as it turns out, quite sizeable – residual variation in the relative magnitude of remittances that remains after controlling for per capita GDP, and interpret it as a marker for patterns of remittance dependency. Finally, I trace the recent trajectories of the societies that had, until one generation ago, constituted the Soviet “bloc” against the backdrop of the global distribution in remittance dependency.
Conjugated polymers for thin film coating process

In this paper, we present the syntheses of the conjugated polymers of different “effective molecular weights.” The goal is to be able to optimize the thin film coating process without compromising the electronic, optical and electroactive properties. Our strategy for controlling the effective molecular weight is to synthesize a double-strand conducting polymer that is an inter-polymer complex of a polymeric dopant and a conjugated polymer. The first strand of the two-strand complex is either a polyaniline or a polypyrrole chain, while the second strand is a poly(acrylic acid). The molecular weight of poly(acrylic acid) is used as a parameter for adjusting the coating and film-forming properties. We found that the inter-polymer complexes are dispersible in water. The dispersion stability is strongly dependent on the molecular weight of the poly(acrylic acid) strand. The dispersion is more stable for polymers synthesized with higher molecular weight of poly(acrylic acid). We also found that the particle size and particle morphology are dependent on the effective molecular weight.
COMPLEX ROBOTICALLY-ASSISTED PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTIONS: REASONS FOR PARTIAL MANUAL ASSISTANCE OR MANUAL CONVERSION

Robotic percutaneous coronary intervention (R-PCI) (CorPath 200, Corindus, Boston, MA) is safe and feasible for simple coronary lesions. This study was designed to determine the frequency and reasons for partial manual assistance or manual conversion during complex R-PCI. Consecutive R-PCI
Environment Sensitive Embedding Energies Of Impurities, and Grain Boundary Stability in Tantalum

Metalloid impurities have a very low solubility in Tantalum, and therefore prefer to segregate at the grain boundaries (GBs). In order to analyze the energetics of the impurities on the Tantalum GB, the LMTO calculations were performed on a simple 8-atom supercell emulating a typical (capped trigonal prism) GB environment. The so-called “environment-sensitive embedding energies” were calculated for Hydrogen, Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulphur, as a function of the electron charge density due to the host atoms at the impurity site. The calculations showed that, at the electron density typical of a GB, Carbon has the lowest energy (followed by Nitrogen and Boron) and thus would compete with the other impurities for the site on the GB, tending to displace them from the GB. The above energies were then used in a modified Finnis-Sinclair embedded atom approach for calculating the cohesive energies and the equilibrium interplanar distances in the vicinity of a (111) Σ3 tilt GB plane, both for the clean GB and that with an impurity. These distances were found to oscillate, returning to the value corresponding to the equilibrium spacing between (111) planes in bulk BCC Tantalum by the 10th-12th plane off the GB. Carbon, Nitrogen and Boron somewhat dampen the deformation wave (making the oscillations less than in the clean GB), while Oxygen, Phosphorus and Sulphur result in an increase of the oscillations. The cohesive energies follow the same trend, the GB with Carbon being the most stable. Thus, Carbon, Nitrogen and Boron may be thought of as being cohesion enhancers, while Oxygen, Phosphorus and Sulphur result in decohesion effects.
Kapton polyimide film in rotating machinery

Several important motor manufacturers report Kapton polyimide film offers major design advantages, especially in large formed-coil machines, traction motors and precision rotating equipment where a tough, thin, high temperature resistant, high dieledric insulation is required. A heat-sealable modification, Kapton Type HF, provides a moisture and dust harrier as well as arc and track resistance. The functionality of Kapton permits larger copper conductors in armature slots, resulting in increased horsepower without corresponding increases in frame size. Faster heat dissipation allows cool operation or further upgrading in horsepower, whichever is desired. Coils can be wrapped easily before bending, resulting in production cost savings. Field performance data have been accumulated to illustrate these insulation systems advantages.
Adrenal function in the cat: comparison of the effects of cosyntropin (synthetic ACTH) and corticotropin gel stimulation.

The serum Cortisol responses of 10 normal cats to natural adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) gel and synthetic ACTH (cosyntropin) were evaluated and compared. Following administration of either ACTH gel or cosyntropin, mean serum Cortisol concentrations increased significantly (P
Survey of diurnal weight gain and urine volume in chronic schizophrenia.

We found diurnal weight gain to be abnormal among 39 chronic schizophrenic patients. The patients were weighed and urine samples obtained weekly for three weeks at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. We normalized the dirunal weight gain (NDWG) as a percentage by subtracting the 7 a.m. weight from the 4 p.m. weight, multiplying the difference by 100, and then dividing the result by the 7 a.m. weight. NDWG was 2.075 +/- 1.331% for the 38 study patients, .631 +/- .405% for 16 acutely psychotic controls and .511 +/- .351% for 29 normals. Seventy-seven percent of the study patients had abnormal NDWG values and 62% were polyuric. NDWG related to urine volume (n = 39, r = .356, p = .026) with the variability in urine excretion explaining 13% of the variability in NDWG. We discuss factors that may have contributed to our findings.
The psychological well-being of grandparents who provide supplementary grandchild care: a systematic review

ABSTRACTThis systematic review examines theoretical and empirical research on the psychological well-being of grandparents who provide supplementary care for their grandchildren. The review included 15 articles that met inclusion criteria. Seven of these studies examined the association of the provision of supplementary grandchild care to grandparents’ psychological well-being, and the other eight studies analyzed the relations between specific characteristics of grandparents providing supplementary childcare and their own psychological well-being. The results suggested that the relationship between the provision of supplementary grandchild care and psychological well-being varies according to grandparents’ socio-demographic characteristics (e.g. race and co-residence with adult children), caregiving situations (e.g. types of care and activities with grandchildren), and indicators of social capital (e.g. familial relationships and social supports). This paper highlights the limitations of the theoretical ...
On data collection, graph construction, and sampling in Twitter

We present a detailed study on data collection, graph construction, and sampling in Twitter. We observe that sampling on semantic graphs (i.e., graphs with multiple edge types) presents fundamentally distinct challenges from sampling on traditional graphs. The purpose of our work is to present new challenges and initial solutions for sampling semantic graphs. Novel elements of our work include the following: (1) We provide a thorough discussion of problems encountered with naive breadth-first search on semantic graphs. We argue that common sampling methods such as breadth-first search face specific challenges on semantic graphs that are not encountered on graphs with homogeneous edge types. (2) We present two competing methods for creating semantic graphs from data collects, corresponding to the interactions between sampling of different edge types. (3) We discuss new metrics specific to graphs with multiple edge types, and discuss the effect of the sampling method on these metrics. (4) We discuss issues and potential solutions pertaining to sampling semantic graphs.
Bowel Preparation Is Associated with Reduced Morbidity in Elderly Patients Undergoing Elective Colectomy.

Bowel preparation in elderly patients is associated with physiologic derangements that may result in postoperative complications. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of bowel preparation on postoperative outcomes in elderly patients. Patients age 75 years and older who underwent elective colectomy were identified from the 2012–2014 American College of National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP database). Patients were grouped into no bowel preparation, mechanical bowel preparation (MBP), oral antibiotic preparation (OABP), or combined MBP + OABP. Logistic regression modeling was conducted to calculate risk-adjusted 30-day outcomes. There were 4829 patients included in the analysis. Morbidity was 34.3% in no bowel prep, 32.4% in MBP, 24.8% in OABP, and 24.6% in MBP + OABP groups (p < 0.001). The MBP + OABP group compared with no bowel prep was associated with reduced rates of anastomotic leak, ileus, superficial surgical site infection (SSI), organ space SSI, respiratory compromise, and reduced length of stay. There was no difference in the rate of acute kidney injury between the groups. MBP + OABP was associated with reduced morbidity compared with no bowel preparation in elderly patients undergoing elective colorectal resection. MBP alone was not associated with differences in outcomes compared with no bowel preparation. The use of MBP + OABP is safe and effective in elderly patients undergoing elective colectomy.
Wild Fish and Expected Utility

It’s difficult to process the number of fish killed annually by the fishing industry. Nevertheless, governments are encouraging people to eat even more fish—see, e.g., the USDA dietary guidelines—and although animal advocates certainly don’t concur with this advice, they generally haven’t prioritized fish in their lobbying efforts. Given the influence of utilitarianism on animal advocacy, the odds are good that this is motivated by an expected utility calculation. For those concerned about fish, is there any way to defend them against this calculation? I argue for an affirmative answer: once you factor in an asymmetry between fishing and terrestrial animal agriculture, the expected utility calculation comes out in favor of devoting resources to reducing fishing.
Zeolite and Prehnite - Pumpellyite Facies Metamorphism: Progressive Mineral Changes

Though considerable amounts of petrographic and synthetic data are available on zeolites, they have not given a clear picture of the progressive changes in zeolite assemblages. It is regrettable that most existing descriptions are of individual zeolites and not of zeolite-bearing assemblages.
2004: The Electronic Sitar Controller

This paper describes the design of an Electronic Sitar controller, a digitally modified version of Saraswati’s (the Hindu Goddess of Music) 19-stringed, pumpkin shelled, traditional North Indian instrument. The ESitar uses sensor technology to extract gestural information from a performer, deducing music information such as pitch, pluck timing, thumb pressure, and 3-axes of head tilt to trigger real-time sounds and graphics. It allows for a variety of traditional sitar technique as well as new performance methods. Graphical feedback allows for artistic display and pedagogical feedback. The ESitar uses a programmable Atmel microprocessor which outputs control messages via a standard MIDI jack.
Detailed Investigation of Filtration and Regeneration Processes in a Diesel Particulate Filter System

This experimental work focuses on examining the detailed filtration and regeneration processes of diesel particulate filter (DPF) system under reaction with various gas emissions. To visualize these processes, we fabricated a unique thermal reactor visualized through a quartz plate, in which a 2-inch diameter × 6-inch long cordierite filter was placed. The cylindrical filter was bisected to examine internal microstructures. Other major components consist of a series of 6 kW electric heater units and a microscopic imaging system. This bench-scale DPF system is connected to the engine exhaust pipe, from where engine-out exhaust emissions were bypassed to the DPF system at a constant flow rate. The filtration and regeneration processes were then visualized to examine soot loading and oxidation phenomena on the channel surfaces, along with measurements of pressure drops across the filter. The mass of soot loading was accurately measured at the DPF inlet by a tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM). As a result, three consecutive filtration stages were identified from the pressure drop data and soot loading video images: (1) deep-bed filtration in which the pressure drop significantly increased, (2) transitional filtration, and (3) soot cake formation in which the pressure drop gradually increased to the end of filtration. The mass of soot loading was also measured at each stage. In the DPF regeneration experiment followed by the completion of soot loading, three different regeneration stages were identified, where the degree of pressure drop tended to be different each other. For regeneration, both raw exhaust emissions and NO2-added exhaust emissions were used as reactants for soot. The regeneration with NO2-added emissions was performed at two different DPF inlet temperatures, 400 and 500 °C. The results showed that the NO2-added exhaust emissions significantly enhanced regeneration by reducing the total regeneration time, while overall regeneration behaviours turn out to be similar between the two different reactant mixtures, both cases showing three different regeneration stages and a similar pressure drop trend.
Hybrid Polymorphic Logic Gate with 5-Terminal Magnetic Domain Wall Motion Device

In this paper, a key-controlled hybrid spin-CMOS polymorphic logic gate using a novel 5 terminal magnetic domain wall motion device is proposed. The proposed hybrid polymorphic gate is able to perform a full set of 2-input Boolean logic functions (i.e. AND/NAND, OR/NOR, NOT, XOR/XNOR) by configuring the applied keys. The SPICE device-circuit co-simulation indicates that a full adder design using our proposed polymorphic logic gate shows 74.23% power reduction and 7.14% transistor count reduction compared with traditional CMOS full adder design. Our proposed polymorphic gate could be a promising hardware security primitive to address IC counterfeiting or reverse engineering by logic locking and polymorphic transformation. To summarize, by providing zero leakage power, low dynamic power consumption, compactness and polymorphism to logic circuits, our proposed design can thrive a new paradigm for future power efficient and secured computing platform.
Beyond the brotherhood: Skoal Bandits' role in the evolution of marketing moist smokeless tobacco pouches.

Since 2006, “snus” smokeless tobacco has been sold in the U.S.. However, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco (USST) and Swedish Match developed and marketed pouched moist snuff tobacco (MST) since 1973. Analysis of previously secret tobacco documents, advertisements and trade press. USST partnered with Swedish Match, forming United Scandia International to develop pouch products as part of the “Lotus Project.” Pouched MST was not commonly used, either in Sweden or the U.S. prior to the Lotus Project’s innovation in 1973. The project aimed to transform smokeless tobacco from being perceived as an “unsightly habit of old men” into a relevant, socially acceptable urban activity, targeting 15–35 year-old men. While USST’s initial pouched product “Good Luck,” never gained mainstream traction, Skoal Bandits captured significant market share after its 1983 introduction. Internal market research found that smokers generally used Skoal Bandits in smokefree environments, yet continued to smoke cigarettes in other contexts. Over time, pouch products increasingly featured increased flavor, size, nicotine strength and user imagery variation. Marlboro and Camel Snus advertising mirrors historical advertising for Skoal Bandits, designed to recruit new users and smokers subjected to smokefree places. Despite serious efforts, pouched MST marketing has been unable to dispel its association with traditional smokeless tobacco stereotypes as macho and rural. Public education efforts to discourage new users and dual use of MST and cigarettes should emphasize that “new” pouch products are simply repackaging “old” smokeless tobacco.