cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of Peroxynitrite-Mediated Nitration of Tyrosine

The mechanisms of tyrosine nitration by peroxynitrous acid or nitrosoperoxycarbonate were investigated with the CBS-QB3 method. Either the protonation of peroxynitrite or a reaction with carbon dioxide gives a reactive peroxide intermediate. Peroxynitrous acid-mediated nitration of phenol occurs via unimolecular decomposition to give nitrogen dioxide and hydroxyl radicals. Nitrosoperoxycarbonate also undergoes unimolecular decomposition to give carbonate and nitrogen dioxide radicals. The reactions of tyrosine with the hydroxyl or carbonate radicals give a phenoxy radical intermediate. The reaction of the nitrogen dioxide with this radical intermediate followed by tautomerization gives nitrated tyrosine in both cases. According to CBS-QB3 calculations, the rate-limiting step for the nitration of phenol is the decomposition of peroxynitrous acid or nitrosoperoxycarbonate.
Some aspects of the thermal annealing process in a phenol-formaldehyde resin char

Abstract It is well known that chars and carbons lose reactivity as a function of the severity of their heat treatment in inert environments. In this study, phenol-formaldehyde resins of low impurity contents were prepared and heat treated at heat treatment temperatures (HTT) ranging from 1273 K to 1673 K. The low-temperature oxygen reactivity of the chars was then measured, both in the oxygen chemisorption regime (423 K, 101 kPa O2) and the oxygen gasification regime (573–673 K, 0.5 to 101 kPa O2). The oxygen gasification reactivity varied with heat treatment by an order of magnitude. It was concluded that this was not entirely attributable to changes in total surface area with heat treatment. The variation of the reactivity to active surface ares (ASA) ratio with burnoff was small in 1273 K char and large in 1673 K char. The kinetics of annealing were explored, and it was found that a single firstorder deactivation reaction model was unable to describe the variation of either reactivity or ASA with HTT. A first-order distributed activation energy model was found to fit the data reasonably, and implied that the deactivation reactions that are of relevance under these conditions have a preexponential factor of between 1013 and 1014 s−1, and activation energies in excess of 450 kJ/mole.
Sulfate radical-advanced oxidation process (SR-AOP) for simultaneous removal of refractory organic contaminants and ammonia in landfill leachate

Typically, a mature landfill leachate contains high levels of non-biodegradable organics and ammonia nitrogen. Simultaneous removal of the both persistent leachate pollutants is a significant challenge. This paper reports the first scientific study to apply a sulfate radical (SO(4)(·-)) - based advanced oxidation process (SR-AOP) to treat a mature leachate, with an emphasis of concurrent removal of refractory organics and ammonia. In this study, all the experiments were run in a batch reactor with temperature control. In the thermal persulfate oxidation (TPO) process, persulfate (S(2)O(8)(2-)) was activated by heat to produce powerful oxidants, SO(4)(·-) (E(o) = 2.6 V). Three factors affecting the removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia nitrogen were investigated, including initial solution pH (3-8.3), temperature (27-50 °C), and chemical dose (S(2)O(8)(2-):12COD(0) = 0.25-2.0). Typically, acidic pH (3-4), higher temperature, and higher dose favored the removal of COD and ammonia. At S(2)O(8)(2-):12COD(0) = 2 and 50 °C, the COD removal rates were 79% and 91% at pH 8.3 (no pH adjustment) and 4, respectively; and the ammonia nitrogen removal reached 100% at pH 8.3 or 4. SR-AOP appears to be more advantageous over hydroxyl radical (OH∙)-based advanced oxidation processes (HR-AOPs) because OH∙ almost does not oxidize ammonia. Furthermore, compared with Fenton treatment of the same batch leachate sample, the TPO could achieve a higher COD removal at an identical chemical dose. For example, COD removal was 40% at H(2)O(2):2.125COD(0) = 2 during Fenton treatment (pH 3), but 91% at S(2)O(8)(2-):12COD(0) = 2 during TPO (pH 4). These findings demonstrate that SR-AOP is a promising landfill leachate treatment method.
Impaired syntactic comprehension and production in Broca's aphasia: CT lesion localization and recovery patterns

Three of 50 patients with left hemisphere stroke manifested Broca9s aphasia associated with deficits in syntactic processing. CT demonstrated anterior infarcts in two patients and a posterior infarct in the third. Two years later, all three patients showed improved syntactic production, but only the patient with the posterior lesion performed significantly above chance on a sentence comprehension test requiring syntactic manipulations in the absence of semantic constraints. Prospective investigations combining psycholinguistic analyses and brain imaging techniques may provide empiric data relevant to neurologic models of language and ultimately may contribute to patient prognostication and rehabilitation.
Acoustic amplification: does it help language impaired preschool children?

This study investigated the effectiveness of expressive language therapy utilizing acoustic amplification on six preverbal prekindergarten chil dren with hearing-related specific language impairments. A multiple baseline single-subject design was used to compare the differences between measures of attention span and mean length of utterance (MLU) during individual language therapy under conditions of am plification and no amplification. No difference was identified for length of attention span. But increased MLUs were found under amplified therapy conditions for all the children.
SU‐FF‐T‐246: Implementation of Helical CT Source in DOSXYZnrc/EGSnrc Monte Carlo Code

Purpose: To implement and verify a new source type — phase‐space source in helical mode in DOSXYZnrc/EGSnrc Monte Carlo(MC) code. Method and Materials: To implement a new source type — “phase space source in helical mode” in DOSXYZnrc/EGSnrc, we modified the mortran and macro files related with DOSXYZnrc user code; dosxyznrc.mortan, srcxyznrc.mortran and srcxyznrc.macro. This source was implemented based on the source type 8 in DOSXYZnrc (isource=8: phase‐space source from multiple directions). Different with other researcher's approach (i.e. random sampling of possible particle locations with coordinate transformation in a spiral band) we introduced a step method which calculates the isocenter displacement in each step with a new parameter of table travel distance into srcxyznrc.mortran file. Conceptually this is easier to be comprehended and implementation is simpler. Accompanying with modifying the DOSXYZnrc source code, we also changed the GUI tcl/tk files of DOSXYZnrc to make users easy to build input files for MC simulations. To validate this new source geometrically, we established the Monte Carlo model of GE lightspeed RT using BEAMnrc/EGSnrc and simulated the helical beams to PMMA cylinder phantom using DOSXYZnrc. We have tested our source model with various pitch sizes and we have used DOSXYZ_SHOW to check whether the helical irradiation field is correct or not. Results: By performing the distance measurements of isocenters in an axial irradiation field using DOSXYZ_SHOW, we found that the source model worked well without any geometrical errors. Conclusion: In this study, we have implemented a new source model — phase‐space source in helical mode in DOSXYZnrc/EGSnrc Monte Carlo(MC) code and verified the model using DOSXYZ_SHOW. In future, we will perform the dosimetric evaluations of this source with physical measurements.
Bodies, borders, and letters: Gloria Anzaldúa's “Speaking in tongues: A letter to 3rd world women writers”

Anzaldua argues that all writing should be connected and personalized like letters. Both the content and the form of Anzaldua's letter make it a text worthy of attention as well as a text suitable for challenging Euro‐Americans to rethink their approach to texts by people of color. This paper argues that a letter is a distinct rhetorical form that enables an author to suspend the non‐addressed audience in an a‐critical position, and that an alternative approach to rhetoric is to understand communication as embodied.
Fourier transform infrared study of high-purity maceral types

Abstract A suite of density-differentiated macerals from several coals was analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to obtain information on the nature and magnitude of the variations exhibited by the various maceral fractions. The most characteristic change between maceral groups was the variation in aliphatic hydrogen content, with exinite ⪢ vitrinite ⪢ inertinite. Since the separation technique (density gradient centrifugation) generally provided a number of fractions within a maceral group region, some of these were also analysed. In a series of density fractions from a low rank vitrinite, it was found that the aliphatic hydrogen content decreased as the density increased. The inertinites also exhibited a decrease in aliphatic hydrogen. The inertinite C—O bands had extinction coefficients different from those of vitrinites or exinites. The data suggest that quite profound variations in organic structure as determined by FT-i.r. spectroscopy can exist within a maceral group, so that for the most critical work on coals it is necessary to take this into account.
Plasmid delivery in Vivo from porous tissue-engineering scaffolds : Transgene expression and cellular transfection

Tissue engineering scaffolds capable of sustained plasmid release can promote gene transfer locally and stimulate new tissue formation. We have investigated the scaffold design parameters that influence the extent and duration of transgene expression and have characterized the distribution of transfected cells. Porous scaffolds with encapsulated plasmid were fabricated from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) with a gas foaming procedure, with wet granulation employed to mix the components homogeneously prior to foaming. Wet granulation enhanced plasmid incorporation relative to standard procedures and also enhanced in vivo transgene expression, possibly through the increased loading and maintenance of the scaffold pore structure. The plasmid loading regulated the quantity and duration of transgene expression, with expression for 105 days achieved at the highest dosage. Expression was localized to the implantation site, though the distribution of transfected cells varied with time. Transfected cells were initially observed at the scaffold periphery (day 3), then within the pores and adjacent to the polymer (day 17), and finally throughout the scaffold interior (day 126). Delivery of a plasmid encoding VEGF increased the blood vessel density relative to control. Correlating scaffold design with gene transfer efficiency and tissue formation will facilitate application of plasmid-releasing scaffolds to multiple tissues.
Human brain high Km aldehyde dehydrogenase: purification, characterization, and identification as NAD+-dependent succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase

NAD-dependent succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.24) has been purified to homogeneity from human brain via ion-exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography employing Blue Sepharose and 5'-AMP Sepharose. Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase was never previously purified to homogeneity from any species; this preparation therefore allows the determination of its molecular weight, subunit molecular weight, subunit composition, isoelectric points, and substrate specificity for the first time. The enzyme is a tetramer of Mr230,000 to 245,000 and consists of weight-nonidentical subunits (Mr 61,000 and 63,000). On isoelectric focusing the enzyme separates into five bands with the following isoelectric points: 6.3, 6.6, 6.8, 6.95, and 7.15. Its substrates include glutaric semialdehyde, nitrobenzaldehyde, and short chain aliphatic aldehydes in addition to succinic semialdehyde which is the best substrate. The Km values for succinic semialdehyde, acetaldehyde, and propionaldehyde are 1,875, and 580 microM, respectively. The enzyme is inactive with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde and indole-3-acetaldehyde as substrates. Its subcellular localization is in the mitochondrial fraction. Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase is sensitive to inhibition by disulfiram (a drug used therapeutically to produce alcohol aversion) resembling, in this respect, aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3). It does not, however, interact with the antibody developed in the rabbit vs aldehyde dehydrogenase, suggesting that the two enzymes are structurally distinct.
A case for the study of ethics in professional recreation education and practice

(1984). A case for the study of ethics in professional recreation education and practice. Leisure Sciences: Vol. 6, Essays on Park and Recreation Education, pp. 375-385.
Effect of Aquaphor Ointment on Wound Healing

The effect of Aquaphor and petrolatum ointments on the healing of open granulating wounds in rats was studied. Wounds were observed up to ten days after wounding. The rate of wound contraction and epithelization was measured. Aquaphor- and petrolatum-treated wounds were significantly smaller by day ten. The rate of epithelization was retarded in treated wounds observed six days after wounding, but returned to normal by day ten.
A practical nondiverging filter

A Kalmaii filter, and in fact all filters based on the usual approaches, have the troublesome problem that although they are convergent if the models and the statistics of the disturbances are correctly known, divergence can result when such knowledge is not available. This paper describes a method to remedy this problem by weighing past observations by a progressively small number. The result is a filter with an algorithm which differs from the Kalman filter in just one additional multiplication by a fixed scalar at each observation time. Examples document the improvements obtainable with the modified filter.
Interfacial Barriers in Interphase Transport III: Transport of Cholesterol and Other Organic Solutes into Hexadecane–Gelatin–Water Matrices

Abstract The purpose of this study was to quantitate the transport behavior of several organic solutes in matrix systems composed of micron-size hexadecane droplets dispersed in an aqueous gelatin gel where the oil-water interfacial barrier to transport was expected to play an important role. Two interrelated experiments were conducted. The first was the one-dimensional aqueous uptake of the solute by the matrix which was a continuous layer placed at the bottom of a beaker. The other experiment was solute uptake and release from aggregates of oil droplets suspended in an aqueous medium. Solutes investigated were 14 C-labeled cholesterol, diethylphthalate, 14 C-labeled octanol, and 14 C-labeled progesterone. The data have been analyzed by various physical models. It was found that cholesterol transport essentially was controlled by the oil-water interfacial barrier in both kinds of experiments—even when the matrix thickness was as large as 3.7 mm. For the other solutes, the oil-water interfacial barriers were found to be controlling in the experiments with aggregates (10-1000 μ). However, in the experiments with the continuous matrix layers, bulk matrix diffusion factors as well as the oil-water interphase transport were found to be important for these solutes. The techniques developed in this investigation should be useful: ( a ) in the quantitation of interfacial barriers in oil-water interphase transport of solutes, and ( b ) in the separation of various bulk diffusional resistances from interfacial resistances in complex multiphase matrices.
Microstrain characteristics of isostatically hot-pressed beryllium

Abstract Polycrystalline beryllium specimens were fabricated from powders by using significantly higher pressures and lower temperatures than are normally employed for commercially-compacted beryllium. The procedures involved encasement of a partially-compacted powder in a collapsible steel container; the container was externally isostatically pressurized by (a) hot gas (helium), or (b) a solid pressure-transmitting medium (steel or Al 2 O 3 , etc.) enclosed in a cavity and acted upon by the ram of a forging press. A finer initial powder-particle size and distribution were found to result in a smaller as-fabricated grain size. Microyield strength of as-fabricated, low-oxide beryllium decreased with decreasing grain size. However, upon heat treating at 924 °C for 30 min after pressing, microyield strength increased with decreasing grain size. Microyield strength also increased with decreased processing temperature, increased beryllium oxide content, and small alloying additions of chromium or silver. Flow stress of isostatically pressed beryllium was found to be a parabolic function of microstrain. The flow curves were characterized by three distinct ranges of microstrain, viz. , 1. (1) heterogeneous basal glide at low microstrains, 2. (2) dispersion hardening, most probably by a dislocation pile-up mechanism at intermediate levels of microstrain, and 3. (3) prismatic glide and cross-slip at microstrains greater than 50 × 10 −6 . Microflow behavior of isoforged beryllium was a sensitive function of the time held at pressure during final consolidation, probably due to the effect of pressure on the solubility of precipitates.
The intrinsic viscosity of graft copolymers in mixed solvents

Abstract A number of well characterized graft copolymers of styrene and 2-vinyl pyridine have been prepared with the two components both as backbones and side chains. The intrinsic viscosities of the graft polymers and the corresponding homopolymers were determined in mixtures of ethanol and toluene which are good and non-solvents for poly(2-vinyl) pyridine and polystyrene respectively. Clear maxima were displayed with the graft copolymers in about a 20–80 ethanol-toluene mixture. The intrinsic viscosities of the grafts with the polystyrene backbone were all higher than those of either homopolymer whereas those with the polyvinyl pyridine backbones were lower than those of the corresponding backbone. The results are interpreted in terms of side chain and backbone expansions and contractions with the changes in solvent power.
Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy for monitoring stratospheric gases: an analysis.

The application of Doppler-free two-photon electronic spectroscopy for the in situ monitoring of stratospheric gases has been analyzed. Expressions have been derived for the optimum detection pressure and maximum volumetric sensitivity. The results indicate that detection limits of the order of 105 to 107 molecules/cm3 are feasible for molecular species with strong two-photon uv transitions that undergo efficient radiative relaxation from the excited state. The minimum detectable concentration of trace gas has been plotted vs altitude.
A Compact, High Isolation and Wide Bandwidth Antenna Array for Long Term Evolution Wireless Devices

A compact dual-port, multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) antenna array for handheld devices is introduced. The antenna structure consists of two quarter wavelength monopole slots etched on the ground plane of a printed circuit board (PCB) and a meandered slot cut between them. The meandered slot not only reduces the coupling between the two slot antennas, but also improves the bandwidth and efficiency of the array by acting as a radiating parasitic element. Simulated and measured results show that the meandered isolating slot allows the antennas to achieve wider bandwidth, higher efficiency, higher isolation and better diversity performance, compared to other types of isolating slots.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Oral and Intravenous Cimetidine in Seriously III Patients

This study was done to determine if the pharmacokinetics and gastric pH response of intravenous cimetidine are superior to oral dosing in seriously ill patients. A paired study of intravenous followed by oral liquid cimetidine was given to eight men and two women who were inpatients in a VA Hospital. Treatment was prescribed for either upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding or prophylaxis against GI bleeding. All patients received cimetidine 300 mg every 6 hours intravenously on day 1 and orally on day 2. After the fourth dose each day, venous blood samples and gastric pH measurements were taken serially for 6 hours. Peak serum cimetidine concentration was 2.0 +/- 0.5 mg/L for the intravenous dose and 1.5 +/- 0.3 mg/L for the oral dose (P = .001). Area under the curve (AUC) of cimetidine concentration was 3.81 +/- 1.1 mg/hr/L for the intravenous dose and 4.19 +/- 1.22 mg/hr/L for the oral dose (P greater than .30). Bioavailability (AUCpo/AUCiv) was 1.13 +/- 0.25, demonstrating complete oral absorption. The time during a 6-hour dosing interval that the gastric pH remained above 3.0 was 3.3 +/- 2.1 hours for the intravenous dose and 2.5 +/- 2.3 hours for the oral dose, P = .171). The time that the serum cimetidine concentration remained above 0.5 mg/L was 2.0 +/- 0.9 hours for the intravenous dose and 2.7 +/- 1.0 hours for the oral dose (P = .055). We concluded that bioavailability, time that gastric pH is maintained greater 3.0, and time that the serum cimetidine concentration is greater than 0.5 mg/L for intravenous cimetidine are not significantly different from oral cimetidine in seriously ill patients.
d-LSD binding to brain homogenates: possible relationship to serotonin receptors.

Abstract Using a rapid filtration technique we find stereospecific high-affinity d -LSD binding (4 × 10−9M, half-saturation) in brain fractions from a number of subcortical as well as cortical brain regions. Among the putative neurotransmitters tested only serotonin effectively displaces d -LSD from this specific binding site. Moreover, only the serotonin-displaceable component of binding is saturable in a high-affinity range. No change is observed in specific d -LSD binding in forebrain homogenates from rats in which ascending serotonergic pathways are destroyed by lesions in the raphe nucleus. We conclude that a vast majority of the d -LSD binding sites may be associated with a postsynaptic serotonin receptor rather than a presynaptic receptor associated with serotonergic (raphe) inputs.
Dietary deficiency increases presenilin expression, gamma-secretase activity and Abeta levels: potentiation by ApoE genotype and alleviation by S-adenosyl methionine

Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Whether this risk arises from a deficient function of E4 or the lack of protection provided by E2 or E3 is unclear. Previous studies demonstrate that deprivation of folate and vitamin E, coupled with dietary iron as a pro-oxidant, for 1 month displayed increased presenilin 1 (PS-1) expression, gamma-secretase, and Abeta generation in mice lacking ApoE (ApoE-/- mice). While ApoE-/- mice are a model for ApoE deficiency, they may not reflect the entire range of consequences of E4 expression. We therefore compared herein the impact of the above deficient diet on mice expressing human E2, E3, or E4. As folate deficiency is accompanied by a decrease in the major methyl donor, S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), additional mice received the deficient diet plus SAM. E2 was more protective than murine ApoE or E3 and E4. Surprisingly, PS-1 and gamma-secretase were over-expressed in E3 to the same extent as in E4 even under a complete diet, and were not alleviated by SAM supplementation. Abeta increased only in E4 mice maintained under the complete diet, and was alleviated by SAM supplementation. These findings suggest dietary compromise can potentiate latent risk factors for AD.
Simple Process Equations, Fixed-Point Methods, and Chaos

The chaotic behavior of fixed-point methods for steady-state process simulation is studied. It is shown that direct substitution and Newton’s method exhibit all of the rich structure of chaos (period doubling, aperiodicity, fractal basin boundaries, and related properties) on simple process examples. These examples include finding roots to the SoaveRedlich-Kwong and Underwood equations, dew point and flash calculations for heterogeneous mixtures, and a simple process flowsheet. For single variable problems, it is shown that direct substitution follows a classical period-doubling route to chaos. On the other hand, the chaotic behavior of direct substitution and Newton’s method on multivariable problems is considerably more complex, and can give the appearance that no organized route to chaos is followed. For example, for the dew point problems, truncated period doubling, odd periodic cycles, and chaotic behavior can be observed, within which are embedded narrow regions of global convergence. Many numerical results and geometric illustrations are presented.
Climate sensitivity of tropical and subtropical marine low cloud amount to ENSO and global warming due to doubled CO2

[1] In this study, we systematically analyzed the sensitivity of tropical and subtropical marine low cloud amount to the short-term climate anomaly associated with the 1997–1998 El Nino and the long-term climate change caused by doubled CO2 using the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) cloud measurements, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) reanalyses, and the sea surface temperature (SST) forced and coupled simulations performed by the latest version of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) climate models. It is found that the changes in low cloud amount associated with the 1997–1998 El Nino and the doubled CO2 induced climate change have different characteristics and are controlled by different physical processes. Most reduction in low cloud amount related to the 1997–1998 El Nino occurs in the eastern tropical Pacific associated with an upward large-scale motion and a weak atmospheric stability measured by the 500 hPa vertical velocity and the potential temperature difference between 700 hPa and the surface, and is negatively correlated to the local SST anomaly. In addition to the other mechanisms suggested by the previous studies, our analyses based on the ISCCP observations indicate that the change in atmospheric convective activities in these regions is one of the reasons responsible for the change in low cloud amount. In contrast, most increase in low cloud amount due to doubled CO2 simulated by the NCAR and GFDL models occurs in the subtropical subsidence regimes associated with a strong atmospheric stability, and is closely related to the spatial change pattern of SST consistent with previous studies. The increase in low cloud amount appears to favor the location where SST is less increased. After removing the background mean SST increase due to doubled CO2, the results show a clear negative correlation between the change in low cloud and the SST change. An analysis based on the simple atmospheric mixed layer model demonstrates a thermodynamic reason for such a change. The increase in the above-inversion atmospheric stratification due to doubled CO2 tends to reduce the mixed layer depth in the areas with a small temperature increase, which helps to trap the moisture within the mixed layer, thus, favors low cloud formation.
Ultrastructure of axillary glands of the toadfishOpsanus tau

The toadfish axillary glands are flattened pouchs bilaterally situated close to the surface of the skin, in the axil of pectoral fins. Each gland has a large lumen opening to the external environment. The epithelial lining is thrown into folds and consists of mucous cells, epithelial cells, and huge flask-shaped clavate cells. Deep to the luminal lining is dense connective tissue containing blood vessels and nerves.
RLSM: Remote Excimer Laser Micro-Machining Services Model

In this paper, we discuss an Internet based excimer-laser-micro-machining services model that allows multiple users to collaboratively design and fabricate laser micromachining features. This model implements the client-server architecture to support design and editing of features by multiple clients. The client side needs minimum software installation and is made intelligent by incorporating feature verification algorithms to ensure speed and efficiency of the design process. The server side supports solid modeling, solving of geometric constraints, data management and synchronization of clients. JSDT Interface links the server and the client sides. The remote laser micro-machining services model (RLSM) provides a collection of laser micro-machining features such as through-cuts, channels and pockets and different polymer materials such as PMMA, Kapton® , PET and Uplex® for the user to choose from. These design variables from the user are mapped to the corresponding technological parameters for laser micro-machining. The manufacturing feasibility is then assessed with respect to the system capabilities by implementing intelligent algorithms on the client side. In developing this services model we provide a distributed collaborative architecture that incorporates the manufacturing constraints of laser micro-machining in the design stage. The remote service center operation is further integrated with automated path generation for laser micromachining of the features. To our knowledge this is the first attempt towards developing a collaborative environment for design and manufacturing of MEMS components. The importance of such a model in the manufacturing arena is also discussed.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Effect of maltreatment on preschoolers' narrative representations of responses to relieve distress and of role reversal.

A total of 80 low-socioeconomic status maltreated preschoolers were contrasted with 27 nonmaltreated preschoolers on their narrative representations. The children completed story stems, taken from the MacArthur Story-Stem Battery (MSSB; I. Bretherton, D. Oppenheim, H. Buchsbaum, R. N. Emde, & the MacArthur Narrative Group, 1990), that introduced stressful family situations. Using the MacArthur narrative coding manual (J. Robinson, L. Mantz-Simmons, J. Macfie, & the MacArthur Narrative Group, 1992), coders rated portrayals of parental and child character responses, as well as participant responses, to relieve children's distress. They also rated role reversal (children caretaking their parents) from the narrative emotion coding manual (S. L. Warren, L. Mantz-Simmons, & R. N. Emde, 1993). Maltreated preschoolers portrayed parents and children as responding less often--yet themselves as stepping into the story more often to relieve children's distress--than did nonmaltreated preschoolers. Abused children (sexually, physically, or both) portrayed the most participant responses, and neglected children (with no abuse) portrayed the fewest child responses. Role reversal was associated with physical abuse. Language: en
Laser-induced fluorescence spectrum of nitrogen dioxide in the neighborhood of 6125 Å☆

Abstract The resonance fluorescence spectrum of nitrogen dioxide has been excited by a tunable, cw dye laser in the neighborhood of 6125 A. The rotational constants of the 2 B 2 upper electronic state are determined as follows, in units of cm −1 : A v ′ = 7.2 ± 0.6; B v ′ = 0.454 ± 0.015 ; B v ′ = 0.496 ± 0.046; C v ′ = 0.412 ± 0.019. The band origin is at 16 325.1 ± 1.8. Quoted error limits are standard deviations obtained from the fit of the data. The vibrational assignment of the upper state is (0, 5, 0), and by combination with the data of other workers, we estimate for its vibrational constants, in cm −1 : ω 1 ′ + x 11 ′ = 1425.7; ω 2 ′ = 876.6; x 22 ′ = −0.83; x 12 ′ = −8.1. The molecular geometry in the upper state is briefly discussed.
Sliding wear mechanism of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and PTFE composites

Abstract The previous literature regarding the wear of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is discussed, as are the mechanistic theories proposed to date for wear reduction via fillers. The mild-severe transition for unfilled PTFE is investigated as a function of sliding speed and temperature, and guidelines for maintenance of mild wear are developed. A fracture-based model describes the onset of severe wear and attendant changes in debris morphology. The wear-reducing effectiveness of three fillers is investigated as a function of speed. Under severe sliding conditions (when fillers are most effective) it is proposed that fillers reduce wear by interrupting subsurface deformation and crack propagation which would otherwise lead to large wear sheets.
Trend-cycle decomposition allowing for multiple smooth structural changes in the trend of US real GDP

Abstract A key feature of Flexible Fourier Form (FFF) is that the essential characteristics of multiple structural changes can be captured using a small number of low frequency components from a Fourier approximation. We introduce a variant of the FFF into the trend function of US real GDP in order to allow for gradual effects of unknown numbers of structural changes occurring at unknown dates. We find that the hypothesis of no changes can be rejected, and the Fourier components are significant. Our new cycle matches the NBER chronology very well, especially for the Great Recession of 2009.
The Ethics and Politics of Dwelling

Emmanuel Levinas argues that Heidegger's ontology, and the ethics it entails, fall short because while Dasein relates to the Other as being, Dasein fails to care for the Other as a “pure individual.” Heidegger's preoccupation with Being, Levinas thinks, diverts Heidegger's attention from the empirical, ethical claim made by the Other. On the political front, some argue that Heidegger's preoccupation with Being gives rise to political forces of nationalism and totalitarian politics. I argue that Heidegger's philosophy prepares the way for an alternative approach to ethics. Expressed in the way that Dasein comes-to-presence are the ontological relationships that reveal Dasein's ethical being-with-one-another. However, I contend that Heidegger's ontology becomes ethically complete when Derrida's notion of differance is added to the analysis. On my reading, Derrida's differance does not efface Heidegger's existential analytic of Dasein, but rather differance furthers the ethical insight revealed in Dasein's disclosure through the process of presencing–absencing. Interpreting differance in light of Heidegger's understanding of presencing–absencing reveals the ethical significance in language, extends ethical responsibility to the Other, and deepens Heidegger's notion of dwelling. In addition, such a reading helps guard against the pernicious political possibilities some find in Heidegger's philosophy.
Factors Associated With Being Pleased With a Female Partner Pregnancy Among Sexually Active U.S. Adolescent Males.

Adolescent pregnancy remains a major U.S. public health problem. Little is known about pregnancy attitudes in U.S. adolescent males. The study objective was to identify factors from different domains that are associated with sexually active U.S. adolescent males who would be pleased with a female partner pregnancy (hereafter known as pleased with a pregnancy). The National Survey of Family Growth is a nationally representative survey of those 15 to 44 years old. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed of the 2002 and 2006-2010 cycles to examine factors associated with being pleased with a pregnancy among sexually active U.S. males. Among the 1,445 sexually active U.S. adolescent males surveyed, 25% would be pleased with a pregnancy. In bivariate analyses, ever being suspended from school, having sporadic health insurance, age, and ever HIV tested were significantly associated with being pleased with a pregnancy. In final multivariable analyses, sporadic insurance was associated with almost tri...
Assessing Hospitality Programs Using Objective Criteria: An Exploratory Study

The purpose of this study was to suggest an approach to assessing bachelor's-level hospitality programs using objective criteria. This study attempted to suggest a way to solve the controversies associated with previous college ranking reports such as survey respondent bias. Only published data were used to ensure an objective measurement of program characteristics. Six variables (e.g., industry accessibility, total faculty-student ratio, terminal-degreed faculty-student ratio, and percent of faculty with terminal degrees, cost, and university resources) were used in assessing the quality of programs. Findings of this study provided an objective approach for assessing hospitality programs.
Characterization of the Oviductal Sperm Reservoir in Cattle

A reservoir for sperm has been found in the oviductal isthmus in several species. Sperm are apparently trapped in the reservoir by binding to the oviductal epithelium, although other factors may be involved. We hypothesized that binding sites for bovine sperm are limited to the isthmus and are regulated by the hormonal state of the cow. Ipsilateral oviducts were obtained from heifers that were preovulatory (in estrus), had ovulated recently (within 12 h), or were in diestrus (Day 10). The isthmic and the ampullar epithelium were milked out and incubated separately in serum-free (SFRE-199-2) medium, at 39 degrees C in 5% CO2. Frozen-thawed sperm from bulls were added to the epithelium and coincubated for 15 min. The number of spermatozoa that bound to explants was not affected by stage of cycle or by anatomic origin of the explants (p > 0.05). In an additional experiment, oviducts were infused with sperm in vivo and then prepared for scanning electron microscopy, which revealed that sperm were associated with ciliated epithelium in both the isthmus and ampulla. Thus, bovine sperm may form a reservoir in the isthmic end of the oviduct because it is the first oviductal region that they encounter.
Solution of Linear Systems as Control Problems

ABSTRACT This paper attempts to formulate both the digital iterative and analogue methods for the solution of linear systems as control problems. This lends to the result that the former and latter are respectively analogous to discrete and continuous control systems. The conditions under which these methods are stable are then indicated. Should these methods become unstable, a technique is described whereby the true solution can be obtained from the observed unstable dynamic response of these systems. The relative merits of this technique for the digital as well as the analogue procedures are discussed.
Preventing damage to arthroscopic lens during surgery.

Purpose To evaluate the relation between the relative diameter of instrument tips and the distance between the arthroscopic lens and the tips of the instruments in terms of preventing lens damage during arthroscopy. Methods By use of a custom-designed station device with 2 perpendicular portals, images of multiple-sized shaver tips (2.5, 3.5, 4.0, 5.0, and 5.5 mm) were obtained from 4 different arthroscopes (4 mm 30°, 4 mm 70°, 2.7 mm 30°, and 2.7 mm 70°) at varying distances of 0 to 10 mm at 1-mm increments. The relative diameter of the visualized instrument tips and the distance between the arthroscopic lens and the tips of the instruments were evaluated. Results The relative diameter of the shaver tips measured by 2 investigators showed excellent intraobserver and interobserver reliability. By use of 2 mm as the safe distance from the arthroscopic lens to the tip of the shaver, 13 of 14 arthroscopic lens–shaver combinations were considered safe when the visualized shaver tip was smaller than one-half of the arthroscopic visual field. Six of 14 combinations were considered unsafe when the visualized shaver tip was larger than three-fourths of the visual field. Conclusions In this experimental study, the safe distance of 2 mm could be maintained when arthroscopic instruments used during surgery (e.g., shavers and burrs) were observed to be less than one-half of the arthroscopic visual field. The relative diameter of the visualized instrument tip was a reliable guide to prevent arthroscopic lens damage. Clinical Relevance To avoid damaging the arthroscope lens during surgery, arthroscopists can maintain a safe distance by keeping the relative diameter of the instrument tip (e.g., arthroscopic burr) to less than one-half of the arthroscopic visual field.
Modification of the Use of the Pipette Filler for Reducing the Hazards of Contamination

An adaptation is described which makes the common propipette readily acceptable for repetitive use. The application of pressure from an appropriate gas to permit rapid delivery of fluids and a method by which the propipette may be used comfortably in one hand make this tool amenable to routine use in a practical attempt to reduce the risks of contamination to both the operator and his cultures.
Efficient key updates in encrypted database systems

In this paper, we investigate efficient key updates in encrypted database environments. We study the issues in the context of database-as-a-service (DAS) model that allows organizations to outsource their data management infrastructures to a database service provider. In the DAS model, a service provider employs data encryption techniques to ensure the privacy of hosted data. The security of encryption techniques relies on the confidentiality of the encryption keys. The dynamic nature of the encrypted database in the DAS model adds complexity and raises specific requirements on the key management techniques. Key updates are particularly critical because of their potential impact on overall system performance and resources usage. In this paper, we propose specialized techniques and data structures to efficiently implement the key updates along with the other key management functions to improve the systems’ concurrency performance in the DAS model.
Query suggestions for mobile search: understanding usage patterns

Entering search terms on mobile phones is a time consuming and cumbersome task. In this paper, we explore the usage patterns of query entry interfaces that display suggestions. Our primary goal is to build a usage model of query suggestions in order to provide user interface guidelines for mobile text prediction interfaces. We find that users who were asked to enter queries on a search interface with query suggestions rated their workload lower and their enjoyment higher. They also saved, on average, approximately half of the key presses compared to users who were not shown suggestions, despite no associated decrease in time to enter a query. Surprisingly, users also accepted suggestions when the process of doing so resulted in an increase in the number of total key presses.
Routine gastrostomy tube placement in children: Does preoperative screening upper gastrointestinal contrast study alter the operative plan?

Abstract Background Upper GI (UGI) studies are routinely ordered to screen for malrotation before routine placement of gastrostomy (G) tubes. However, the usefulness of this study is unknown. Methods A retrospective review of children with surgically placed G-tubes over a 2year period (2011–2013) was performed. Patients with concomitant fundoplications were excluded. Results Three hundred ninety-three patients underwent G-tube placement. Of these, 299 patients (76%) had preoperative UGI, and 11 patients (3.7%) were identified with malrotation on UGI. Five (1.7%) patients underwent a Ladd's procedure. The remaining 6 either had malrotation associated with gastroschisis (n=5) or were lost to follow-up (n=1). Children Conclusion Preoperative screening UGI before routine G-tube placement led to an unexpected diagnosis of malrotation in only 1.7%. Given the added radiation risk associated with an UGI, our data suggest that an UGI is unnecessary prior to routine G-tube placement. A larger prospective study is warranted to validate these results.
Inverse-Foley animation: synchronizing rigid-body motions to sound

In this paper, we introduce Inverse-Foley Animation, a technique for optimizing rigid-body animations so that contact events are synchronized with input sound events. A precomputed database of randomly sampled rigid-body contact events is used to build a contact-event graph, which can be searched to determine a plausible sequence of contact events synchronized with the input sound's events. To more easily find motions with matching contact times, we allow transitions between simulated contact events using a motion blending formulation based on modified contact impulses. We fine tune synchronization by slightly retiming ballistic motions. Given a sound, our system can synthesize synchronized motions using graphs built with hundreds of thousands of precomputed motions, and millions of contact events. Our system is easy to use, and has been used to plan motions for hundreds of sounds, and dozens of rigid-body models.
Probabilistic combination of text classifiers using reliability indicators: models and results

The intuition that different text classifiers behave in qualitatively different ways has long motivated attempts to build a better metaclassifier via some combination of classifiers. We introduce a probabilistic method for combining classifiers that considers the context-sensitive reliabilities of contributing classifiers. The method harnesses reliability indicators---variables that provide a valuable signal about the performance of classifiers in different situations. We provide background, present procedures for building metaclassifiers that take into consideration both reliability indicators and classifier outputs, and review a set of comparative studies undertaken to evaluate the methodology.
Low-temperature olivine rheology at high pressure

San-Carlos olivine rheology was investigated at pressure (P) up to 9 GPa and temperature (T) lower than 890 ◦ C. Six powder specimens were cold compressed and sintered into dense and compact materials, then deformed during relaxation experiments carried out at constant pressure and temperature in DIA-type cubic-anvil apparatus. Sample elastic strain was monitored during relaxation by in situ X-ray diffraction. Run product microstructures were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A new method for measuring olivine rheology at high pressure from X-ray diffraction peak
Analysis of multiple anticoagulant rodenticides in animal blood and liver tissue using principles of QuEChERS method.

A quick and easy method for the analysis of anticoagulant rodenticides in blood or tissue using principles of dispersive solidphase extraction (dSPE), commonly known as QuEChERS (short for quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe), was developed. Briefly, a combination of magnesium sulfate, PSA, florisil, and basic alumina was used to cleanup blood samples. Further, to clean up liver tissue samples, C 18 sorbent was included along with the previously mentioned.The samples were analyzed using highperformance liquid chromatography equipped with a reversedphase C 18 column (150 ￻ 4.6 mm, 5-µm particle size) and a UV and fluorescence detector.The mobile phase consisted of 0.03 M tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBA) adjusted to pH 7/methanol (1:1, v/v) as solvent A and methanol as solvent B in a gradient run.The method detection limit was as low as 10 ng/mL for brodifacoum and difenacoum in blood and 10 ng/g in liver; 50 ng/mL for bromadiolone, difethialone, and chlorphacinone in blood and similarly 50 ng/g in liver; and 100 ng/mL for coumafuryl, pindone, warfarin, and diphacinone in blood and 100 ng/g in liver samples. A number of clinical samples of both blood and liver were analyzed; the comparison of this modified QuEChERS and traditional solid-phase extraction data was found to be in close agreement.This method resulted in drastic reduction in processing time and solvent cost both in terms of consumption and disposal, thus making it an attractive alternative to the traditional solid-phase extraction.