cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Frequency‐Dependent Strong Motion Duration Via Wavelets and Its Influence on Nonlinear Seismic Response

In this paper, a procedure for estimation of frequency-dependent strong motion duration (FDSMD) is developed. The proposed procedure utilizes the continuous wavelet transform and is based on the decomposition of the earthquake record into a number of component time histories (termed pseudo-details) with frequency content in a selected range. The significant strong motion duration of each pseudo-detail is calculated based on the accumulation of the Arias intensity (AI). Lastly, the FDSMD of the earthquake record in different frequency ranges is defined as the strong motion duration of the corresponding pseudo-detail scaled by a weight factor that depends on the AI of each pseudo-detail. The efficiency of this new strong motion definition as an intensity measure is evaluated using incremental dynamic analysis. Results obtained show that the proposed FDSMD influence the peak response of short-period structures with stiffness and strength degradation.
System level design of real time face recognition architecture based on composite PCA

Design and implementation of a fast parallel architecture based on an improved principal component analysis (PCA) method called Composite PCA suitable for real-time face recognition is presented in this paper. The proposed architecture performs the tasks of both feature extraction and classification. Composite PCA takes in to consideration the local features of face images, which do not vary widely between face images of the same person taken under varying expression, illumination and pose. Hence it leads to a better recognition rate than PCA. Composite PCA has more parallelism than conventional PCA and this parallelism is utilized to design an efficient architecture capable of performing real-time face recognition. The face recognition system is implemented in an FPGA environment and tested using standard databases. The system is able to recognize a person from a database of 110 images of 10 individuals in approximately 4 ms.
A Comparative Study of Canadian Parties

Useful studies of Canadian political parties are available, and doubtless others will be soon. I am not trying to add another specifically Canadian study nor even to contribute new information helpful in understanding Canada. Instead I want to use what is known about Canadian parties in order to change the comparative perspective in which we ordinarily view American parties. More particularly I am attempting to put in a new light the well-worn view of the uncohesive and nonresponsible character of American parties in contrast to British parties. The Canadian party system, itself so often described as an Anglo-American hybrid, may help explain why American parties differ from Britain's.
Decreased Contractile and Metabolic Reserve in Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor-α–Null Hearts Can Be Rescued by Increasing Glucose Transport and Utilization

Background— Downregulation of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-α (PPARα) in hypertrophied and failing hearts leads to the reappearance of the fetal metabolic pattern, ie, decreased fatty acid oxidation and increased reliance on carbohydrates. Here, we sought to elucidate the functional significance of this shift in substrate preference. Methods and Results— We assessed contractile function and substrate utilization using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-energy phosphate metabolism using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in perfused hearts isolated from genetically modified mice (PPARα−/−) that mimic the metabolic profile in myocardial hypertrophy. We found that the substrate switch from fatty acid to glucose (3-fold down) and lactate (3-fold up) in PPARα−/− hearts was sufficient for sustaining normal energy metabolism and contractile function at baseline but depleted the metabolic reserve for supporting high workload. Decreased ATP synthesis (measured by 31P magneti...
Nurses in Action: A Response to Cultural Care Challenges in a Pediatric Acute Care Setting.

Culturally congruent care is satisfying, meaningful, fits with people's daily lives, and promotes their health and wellbeing. A group of staff nurses identified specific clinical challenges they faced in providing such care for Hispanic and underserved Caucasian children and families in the pediatric medical–surgical unit of an urban regional children's hospital in the southeastern U.S. To address these challenges, an academic–practice partnership was formed between a group of nurse managers and staff nurses at the children's hospital and nursing faculty and graduate students at a local, research-intensive public university. Using the culture care theory, the partners collaborated on a research study to discover knowledge that would help the nursing staff resolve the identified clinical challenges. Twelve families and 12 healthcare providers participated. Data analysis revealed five care factors that participants identified as most valuable: family, faith, communication, care integration, and meeting basic needs. These themes were used to formulate nursing actions that, when applied in daily practice, could facilitate the provision of culturally congruent care for these children and their families. The knowledge generated by this study also has implications for healthcare organizations, nursing educators, and academic–practice partnerships that seek to ensure the delivery of equitable care for all patients.
Doctor, is a CT scan safe for my child?

Medical professionals and international organizations have promoted radiation protection for patients since the early 1900s when organizations such as the British Roentgen Society and American Roentgen Ray Society were founded.1 However, it was the 2007 article by Brenner and Hall2 and the release of such publications as the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement's Report 160 that prompted the much needed public debate in the media and by the public on increasing radiation exposure from CT scans.3,4 Within the past 15 months, three large epidemiological studies, including the most recent one by Miglioretti et al,5 have assessed the risk of cancer due to CT imaging in children.6,7 The purpose of this commentary is to consider whether the Miglioretti article and the other two research studies on radiation protection in children should impact parents' perception of CT safety for their child. Do these articles help answer a parent's most common and difficult question, “Doctor, is a CT scan safe for my child?” The Miglioretti study had 3 main findings: estimates of the rates of CT scan use in children younger than 15 years from a population comprising 4 857 736 child-years; estimates of organ and effective doses using a credible new measure based on sex- and age-specific computational anatomic phantoms in a subpopulation of 744 randomly selected CT scans; and assessment of the projected excess lifetime cancer risk attributed to CT scans in this population.5
Constructing the Service-worthy Homeless Through Narrative Editing:

Using data from participant observations, shelter documents, and intake interviews, this article examines the social construction of service-worthy clients at an emergency shelter for the homeless....
Fe-Ti-P-rich rocks and massif anorthosite; problems of interpretation illustrated from the Labrieville and St-Urbain plutons, Quebec

Rocks containing h.igh concentrations of iron, titanium and phosphorus, known by a variety of names such as jotunite, ferrodiorite, monzonorite, etc., are associated spatially and tenaporally with massif anorthosites worldwide. We report new results on the geology, mineralogy and chenoistry of a distinctive group of such FXP ,r<rcks, which we term ortde-apotite gabbronorite (0AGN), found with the Labrieville (LBV) and st-urbain (STU) anorthosites, Quebec. OAGNs occur at the margins of both massifs, and also within country rock adjacent to,{he I-BV body. These three occurrences of OAGN are similar in nrany respects, but each has unique properties that complicate any generalized model for their petrogenesis. OAGNs vary from porphyritic varieties consisting of cm-sized plagioclase grains or aggxegates (-An34 at.LBV, -An44 at STU), set in an anastomosing, finer-grained matrix of ortho- and clinoplroxene, il menife, rnagnetite, apatite and minor plagioclase, to types with more homogeneous textures. Significant amounts of K-feldspar and quartz also occur in many samples. Bulk compositions vary widely (e.9., SiO2 -27-42 wtq0, total iron,expressed as Fe2o3 - 19-42 wt9o, Tio2 -. 4-10 wt9o, P205 -3-6 wt9o, Sc -20-40 ppm, Sr - 160-10@ ppm, Ba -10-860 ppm), but for the most part vary systernatically with Al2O3, primarily reflecting variations in plagioclase content. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns &re broadly similar for all occurrences, being enriched and fractionated (Lay = 7O-260x, LuN = 7-24x), with negligible to small negative Eu-anomalies, OAGNs lack structures that could be ascribed to cumulus processes, and appear to have intruded their host rocks in a highly fluid state, as evidenced by gross discordances, presence of apophyses and schlieren-like textures, and disaggregated xenolithic blocks of anorthosite, leuconorile and country-rock gneiss. We interpret the overall structure and composition of OAGNs to reflect the emplacernent of Fe-, Ti- and P-enriched (FTP) magrnas into anorthosite or country rock. The source of the postulated FTP rnagmas is uncertain, Although links to airorthosite are plausible, derivation from an alternative source, such as mangerite, is easier to reconcile with mosl aspects of the field relations, mineralogy and chemical compositions. In either case, OAGNS are not related to ilmenite ore deposits that are found in both massifs, as revealed by differences in mineral assemblage and mineral composition. The presence of two different types of Fe-Ti oxide-rich rocks at both LBV and STU provides further support for a separate source for the OAGNS.
Computing the log concave NPMLE for interval censored data

In analyzing interval censored data, a non-parametric estimator is often desired due to difficulties in assessing model fits. Because of this, the non-parametric maximum likelihood estimator (NPMLE) is often the default estimator. However, the estimates for values of interest of the survival function, such as the quantiles, have very large standard errors due to the jagged form of the estimator. By forcing the estimator to be constrained to the class of log concave functions, the estimator is ensured to have a smooth survival estimate which has much better operating characteristics than the unconstrained NPMLE, without needing to specify a parametric family or smoothing parameter. In this paper, we first prove that the likelihood can be maximized under a finite set of parameters under mild conditions, although the log likelihood function is not strictly concave. We then present an efficient algorithm for computing a local maximum of the likelihood function. Using our fast new algorithm, we present evidence from simulated current status data suggesting that the rate of convergence of the log-concave estimator is faster (between $$n^{2/5}$$n2/5 and $$n^{1/2}$$n1/2) than the unconstrained NPMLE (between $$n^{1/3}$$n1/3 and $$n^{1/2}$$n1/2).
Localities, Distribution and Stratigraphical Context of the Late Devonian Tetrapods of East Greenland, by Henning Blom, Jennifer A. Clack, and Per E. Ahlberg

Among the most tantalizing paleontologic discoveries in the 20th century were the Late Devonian (ca. 370 million-year-old) tetrapods Ichthyostega and Acanthostega from East Greenland in the Arctic....
ET-05INTRANASAL DELIVERY OF NEURAL STEM CELLS LOADED WITH ONCOLYTIC ADENOVIRUS EXTENDS SURVIVAL OF MICE WITH INTRACRANIAL GLIOMA

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common adult primary brain tumor, is in need of better and effective therapeutic options. In this study, we hypothesized that neural stem cells (NSCs) loaded with CRAd-S-pK7 oncolytic adenovirus (OV) can be successfully delivered via nasal application (IN) and will impart therapeutic efficacy in a murine model of human glioma. Recently, we demonstrated that radiation therapy increases the expression of CXCL12 in glioma xenografts, thus contributing to the enhanced migration of stem cells to the tumor site. We now show that hypoxic preconditioning of NSCs for 24h (1% oxygen) results in the two-fold increase of the CXCR4 expression on the surface of NSCs and doubles the rate of their migration towards glioma cells (p < 0.001) compared to untreated group. Hypoxic preconditioning of NSCs did not alter the OV replication as measured by E1A copy number. For in vivo studies, a patient derived GBM43 glioma cells were intracranially inoculated in nude mice. One week later, mice were treated with fractioned dose of irradiation at 2Gy for 5 days. NSCs (5x105) cultured under normoxic and hypoxic conditions were loaded with OV at 50 viral particles per cell, and IN inoculated 24h following the completion of the radiation. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that irradiation resulted in 44% improvement (p < 0.001) in median survival versus non-treated group. Survival of irradiated mice was not affected by either NSC's or OV-loaded NSCs, but was extended (p < 0.05) another 25% in the group of animals treated with OV-loaded NSCs cultured under hypoxic conditions. Thus, our data further validate the IN delivery as a novel route for the stem cell-based anti-glioma therapy, and suggest that modification of NSCs by enhancing their ability to migrate might significantly increase their therapeutic potential for IN delivery to target GBM.
Clinical Features and Epidemiological Characteristics of Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis Caused by Serogroup C in Wuhu city

Objective In order to search the clinical features and epidemiological characteristics of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis caused by serogroup C in Wuhu city and develop the strategy its prevention and control.Methods All the cases of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis reported by the disease reporting information system were collected and the data were analyzed.Results The epidemic situation was an outbreak caused by Neisseria meningitides of serological group C.Students in middle school(age between 13 to 17 years old) were most frequently affected age group,accounted for 68.18% and fatal rate was relatively high.The main infect source was the carrier of the bacterium.No case cluster was found in classes or families which were attacked.During the epidemic,the disease spread to the surrounding areas from local outbreak.It showed a tendency to spread to pupil,low age children and adult from the middle school students.The fatal rate of epidemic meningitis caused by serogroup C was relatively high(22.73%).The cases whose age was under ten were badly sick.Skin bleeding spot,silt spots and ecchymosis were found in 54.55% cases.WBC of half of the cases exceeded 20×109/L,accounted for 80.33%.Neutrophil ratio of 88.33% cases exceeded 80%,of them,a few exceeded 90%.Conclusions Most epidemic meningitis cases caused by serological C were relatively severe,especially in the children under ten years old.Course of the disease in these children showed fast progress and higher fatal rate.Thus,when epidemic situation happens,timely and standard treatment is needed for the cases.Aggregation activities of the population should be avoided.Immunization should be provided to key population.
REVIEW OF THE CENTURY ACHIEVEMENTS OF RAILWAY ENGINEERING GEOLOGY IN THE NORTHWEST RESEARCH INTITUTE OF CHINA RAILWAY ENGINEERING CORPORATION

The paper reviewed briefly the achievements,which were obtained by the Northwest Research In- stitute standing as a professional research institution engaged in special geological subgrade and geological disaster control technique,in the special geological fields of landslide control,frozen soil,salt lake,loess sub- grade and foundation,fissure clay(expensive soil),and sand prevention and control as well as in the preserva- tion of cultural relics and environment protection by doing pioneering work and developing for more than 40 years.It also reviewed the contribution made by the institute to the safety of railway transportation,the con- struction of new railway lines and the disaster prevention and reduction of the country.
Abstract C160: An RNAi kinome screen identifies YES1 as a potential target for glioblastoma

Glioblastoma stem like cells (GSC) are known to have gene expression patterns and growth phenotypes more similar to the tumor of origin than do traditional glioma cell lines grown in serum. They also exhibit increased resistance to drugs and radiation and are likely to be responsible for tumor recurrence following therapy. As a result, it is important to identify therapeutic targets for these cells. Toward this end, we have conducted RNAi kinome screens in GSCs to identify genes that are required for their growth and survival. In addition, glioblastomas (GBM) often have significant regions of hypoxia and GSCs tend to be resistant to hypoxia. We have therefore conducted shRNA screens in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions and screened three independent patient derived GSC lines. Of 501 kinases screened, 8-11% were scored as hits with at least 2 shRNAs per kinase in each cell line, but only ∼2% were common hits for all the cell lines in both oxygen conditions. The majority of the hits were shared in both oxygen conditions, but about one sixth were specific to hypoxia in each of the cell lines. However, none of the hypoxia specific hits were common to all three cell lines. Several genes well known to have a role in GBM such as EGFR, CDK4 and KDR were scored as common hits. The non-receptor associated tyrosine kinase YES1 was scored as a novel hit common to all the three cell lines in both the oxygen conditions. YES1 is overexpressed in GBM and several other solid tumors. Depletion of YES1 expression by shRNA and CRISPR was found to be strongly growth inhibitory in GSCs suggesting that it could be a therapeutic target for GBM. Ongoing experiments include studying the mechanism of YES1 associated cell death. Citation Format: Surbhi Goel- Bhattacharya, Sejuti Sengupta, Brent H. Cochran. An RNAi kinome screen identifies YES1 as a potential target for glioblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr C160.
Gender, race & the veteran wage gap

This paper analyzes earnings outcomes of Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans. We utilize the 2009-2013 American Community Survey and a worker-matching methodology to decompose wage differences between veteran and non-veteran workers. Among fully-employed, 25-40 year-olds, veteran workers make 3% less than non-veteran workers. While male veterans make 9% less than non-veterans, female and black veterans experience a wage premium (2% and 7% respectively). Decomposition of the earnings gap identifies some of its sources. Relatively higher rates of disability and lower rates of educational attainment serve to increase the overall wage penalty against veterans. However, veterans work less in low-paying occupations than non-veterans, serving to reduce the wage penalty. Finally, among male and white subgroups, non-veterans earn more in the top quintile due largely to having higher educational attainment and greater representation in higher-paying occupations, such as management.
Nonpharmacologic Treatment of Pain

Pain is a complex biopsychosocial experience that is influenced by neurological processes and psychosocial factors. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials of psychological interventions have demonstrated evidence for psychological approaches in treating procedural pain and multiple types of chronic pain, including headaches, abdominal pain, and musculoskeletal pain. This article is directed toward clinicians and would provide an overview of cognitive-behavioral therapy, including specific cognitive-behavioral techniques for pediatric pain. A review is provided of preparation and psychoeducation, distraction, exposure and psychological desensitization, relaxation techniques, additional cognitive and behavioral therapy, exercise and alternative options, use of technology, multicomponent approaches, and final considerations in treating acute and chronic pain. It is important to consider multiple characteristics of the child when selecting an intervention for chronic pain, which are reviewed in the article.
Brachytherapy Combined with CpG ODN Enhances Development of a Tumor Antigen-Specific CD8 Response.

Background: CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) are TLR9 agonists that have potent immunostimulatory effects and function well as immune adjuvants. Preliminary data suggests that combining CpG ODN with apoptosis-inducing agents can enhance the development of a tumor specific immune response. We hypothesize that administration, in a temporally and spatially coordinated fashion, of a therapy that induces apoptosis of lymphoma cells with an immunostimulatory agent such as CpG ODN will enhance the development of an anti-lymphoma T-cell response. Methods: C57Bl/6 mice were inoculated subcutaneously with 2x10^6 EG7 lymphoma cells (EL4 murine T cell lymphoma line with an Ova transgene). On day 11 mice were treated with brachytherapy (radiation therapy administered by temporary placement of an 125-I pellet within the tumor), intra-tumor CpG-ODN or both CpG ODN and brachytherapy. A standard radiation dose equivalent to exposure to a 5 mCi pellet for 10 minutes was used as brachytherapy for each mouse. Sham radiation (placement of a non-radioactive seed in the tumor) and control (non-CpG) ODN were used as controls. Seven days after treatment, spleens were harvested and stained with CD8a-FITC and Ova-tetramer-PE to identify Ova-specific CD8 cells. Non-specific tetramer binding was detected using LCMV-tetramer-PE as a control. Results: The combination of brachytherapy and CpG ODN led to the development of an enhanced Ova-specific CD8 response as measured by the percent of CD8(+) cells that were positive for Ova-tetramer minus the percent that were positive for the control tetramer. Percent of CD8 Cells that Stain with Ova Tetramer | | No CpG ODN | CpG ODN | |:------------ | ---------- | ------- | | No Radiation | 0.6 | 4.1 | | Radiation | 0.7 | 10.0 | Similar results were found in repeated experiments where brachytherapy and CpG ODN were administered daily times three. Conclusions: Brachytherapy administered via temporary placement of a radioactive seed in a lymphoma, followed immediately by injection of immunostimulatory CpG ODN into the same tumor bed, results in enhanced development of a tumor antigen specific T-cell response. Ongoing studies are exploring the anti-tumor activity of this response, how it compares to the combination of external beam radiation and CpG ODN, whether such responses can be induced against native antigens, and how CpG ODN compare to other immunostimulatory agents when used in this capacity.
Investigation into State-of-Health Impedance Diagnostic for 26650 4P1S Battery Packs

State-of-Health (SoH) is a critical parameter for determining the safe operating area of a battery cell and battery packs to avoid abuse and prevent failure and accidents. Experiments were performed at the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) on a 4P1S cell array using pulsed discharge and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) to determine a single-point SoH frequency for the array as a whole. Individual cell EIS measurements were taken, as well as measurements of the array as a whole. This work will discuss experimental results to date.
State-of-the-art of DC components for secondary power distribution on space station Freedom

State-of-the-art components and subsystems for the space station Freedom are examined in terms of performance, size, and topology. One objective is to inform the users of Freedom about what is available in power supplies and power control devices. The other objective is to stimulate interest in the component industry so that more focused product development can be started. Based on results of this study, it is estimated that, with some redesign, modifications, and space qualification, many of these components may be applied to space station Freedom needs. >
Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Spiritual/Religious Coping

In the present investigation, increased levels of spiritual discontent religious coping were associated with increased nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among study participants. Spiritual discontent religious coping is a negative religious coping style that involves beliefs about being abandoned and ignored by God or a higher power during times of stress. We examined the bivariate and multivariate relationships between NSSI and four types of spiritual/religious coping. While three types of spiritual/religious coping were associated with NSSI in bivariate correlation analyses, only one type of coping—spiritual discontent religious coping—was associated with NSSI in a hierarchical regression analysis. We discuss the research and mental health counseling implications of these findings.
Numerical electromagnetic frequency domain analysis with discrete exterior calculus

Abstract In this paper, we perform a numerical analysis in frequency domain for various electromagnetic problems based on discrete exterior calculus (DEC) with an arbitrary 2-D triangular or 3-D tetrahedral mesh. We formulate the governing equations in terms of DEC for 3-D and 2-D inhomogeneous structures, and also show that the charge continuity relation is naturally satisfied. Then we introduce a general construction for signed dual volume to incorporate material information and take into account the case when circumcenters fall outside triangles or tetrahedrons, which may lead to negative dual volume without Delaunay triangulation. Then we examine the boundary terms induced by the dual mesh and provide a systematical treatment of various boundary conditions, including perfect magnetic conductor (PMC), perfect electric conductor (PEC), Dirichlet, periodic, and absorbing boundary conditions (ABC) within this method. An excellent agreement is achieved through the numerical calculation of several problems, including homogeneous waveguides, microstructured fibers, photonic crystals, scattering by a 2-D PEC, and resonant cavities.
Yield and Consumer Acceptability of ‘Evangeline’ Sweetpotato for Production in North Carolina

Studies were conducted in 2012 and 2013 to compare Evangeline to various sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) varieties (Bayou Belle, Beauregard, Bonita, Covington, NC05-198, and Orleans) for commercial production in North Carolina. In another study, microwaved and oven-baked ‘Evangeline’ and ‘Covington’ sweetpotato roots were subjected to analysis of chemical and physical properties [color, dry matter (DM), texture, and sugar] and to sensory evaluation for determining consumer acceptance. ‘NC05-198’ produced the highest no. 1 grade sweetpotato 600 bushels [bu (50 lb)] per acre and total marketable storage root yield was similar to ‘Bayou Belle’ and ‘Beauregard’ (841, 775, and 759 bu/acre, respectively). No. 1 and marketable root yields were similar between ‘Orleans’ and ‘Beauregard’. However, ‘Orleans’ produced more uniform roots than ‘Beauregard’, in which the latter had higher cull production. ‘Evangeline’ was comparable to no. 1 yield of ‘Bayou Belle’, ‘Orleans’, and ‘Covington’, which indicates the ability of this variety to produce acceptable yields in North Carolina conditions. ‘Covington’ had slightly higher DM than ‘Evangeline’, but instrumental texture analysis showed that these varieties did not differ significantly in firmness after cooking. However, microwaved roots were measurably firmer than oven-baked roots for both varieties. In this study, ‘Evangeline’ had higher levels of fructose and glucose, with similar levels of sucrose and maltose to ‘Covington’. Consumers (n = 100) indicated no difference between varieties in their ‘‘just about right’’ moisture level, texture, and flavor ratings, but showed a preference for Evangeline flesh color over Covington. Consumers in this study preferred oven-baked over microwaved sweetpotato (regardless of variety) and indicated that Evangeline is as acceptable as the standard variety Covington when grown in the North Carolina environment.
A Digital Processing System for Acousto-Optic Visualization of Sound Fields

The visualization of sound fields provides an important tool to aid in the design of transducers for sonar and medical applications, the study of sound scattering and radiation from objects, or the non-destructive evaluation of materials. The ability to see the sound image through its interaction with light has remained primarily qualitative as the process of constructing a quantitative acoustic image is complex. This work describes how a sensitive schlieren imaging system has been applied to the quantitative presentation and modeling of sound field data under various conditions. This reconstruction process is aided by an interactive digital video processing facility capable of acquiring, correcting, and displaying experimental camera data. Frames can be processed, and if necessary, digitally corrected and enhanced. The added capability afforded by the computational system can be used to mathematically simulate and test under controlled conditions practical models for the sound interaction process. This combined simulation system, together with the experimental imaging system, serves to quantify processes arising from fluctuations, field irregularities, etc. in an absolute fashion. This approach can easily be extended to other than the schlieren imaging as an instructive tool provided one maintains a raster scan format.
Reactions of Allylmagnesium Halides with Carbonyl Compounds: Reactivity, Structure, and Mechanism

The additions of allylmagnesium reagents to carbonyl compounds are important methods in synthetic organic chemistry, but the mechanisms of these reactions are likely to be distinct from mechanisms followed by other organomagnesium reagents. Additions to alkyl aldehydes and ketones are likely to be concerted, proceeding through six-membered-ring transition states. These highly reactive reagents appear to react at rates that approach the diffusion limit, so chemoselectivity is generally low. Furthermore, reactions of allylmagnesium halides with carbonyl compounds are unlikely to follow stereochemical models that require differentiation between competing transition states. This Short Review discusses the current state of understanding of these reactions, including the structure of the reagent and unique aspects of the reactivity of allylmagnesium reagents. 1 Introduction 2 Reactions with Carbonyl Compounds 2.1 Reactivity of Allylmagnesium Halides 2.2 Selectivity of Addition 3 Structure of Allylmagnesium Reagents 3.1 Schlenk Equilibrium and Aggregation 3.2 Spectroscopic Studies 3.3 X-ray Crystallographic Studies 3.4 Computational Studies of Structure 4 Reaction Mechanism 4.1 Substrate-Dependent Mechanisms 4.2 Concerted Mechanisms 4.3 Single-Electron Transfer Mechanisms 4.4 Open, SE2′-Like Transition State 4.5 Computational Studies of Mechanism 5 Conclusion
Rate of displacement for Jakob Type 1 lateral condyle fractures treated with a cast.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this retrospective study is to report the rate of displacement of Jakob Type 1 lateral condyle fractures that were initially treated in a cast. Methods We performed a re...
Project Appraisal — Improved Methods

Development projects need to stay focused on the achievement of economic development objectives, and need to use monetary valuations of project performance only in a meaningful context. This chapter provides a brief overview of current methods of project appraisal, role of costs and benefits, role of information and transaction costs, and incommensurability of some of the objectives of project appraisal. The focus here is to address some of the important issues that are relevant in the context of development finance. For a full account of details of project appraisal methodology, see for example, Layard and Gleister (1994). Project appraisal, using methods of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) involves essentially a comparative analysis of costs and benefits ‘with’ the project and ‘without’ the project, rather than ‘before’ and ‘after’ (since the latter approach fails to account for changes in production/consumption that would occur without the project). An important aspect of project appraisal in development projects is to comprehend multiple criteria of development effectiveness, in addition to the conventional monetary assessment of costs and benefits over a relevant time horizon.
Asymmetry and Robustness in Stabilisation Policy for Imperfect Commodity Markets

Recent theoretical discussions of commodity stabilisation policy through buffer fund and/or international commodity agreements have stressed three new aspects of the policy problem which are of great importance for the less developed countries (LDCs) and the North—South trade. The first aspect refers to the role of dominant producers in imperfect or cartelised markets, which may be significantly different from the competitive frameworks. Thus Newbery (1984) has developed the hypothesis that if demand is linear, then dominant producers find it optimal to undertake significantly more storage than is competitively justified and this storage policy increases price stability in proportion to the market share of the dominant producers. The second aspect deals with the risk sensitivity of buffer stock intervention rules and the extent to which conventional decision rules could be improved so as to protect the producers of primary commodities in LDCs against the uncertainty of future export earnings. Several features of this problem have been analysed by Brown (1975), Goreux (1978), Nguyen (1980) and Hughes Hallett (1986). The contributions by Nguyen (1980) and Hughes Hallett (1986) specifically introduce the need for minimising the variance of export earnings as a goal to be pursued by the buffer fund authority and in the framework of linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) model of optimal control this introduces robustness into a buffer stock policy. This has been stressed by Whittle (1981) as a risk sensitive generalisation of the traditional LQG optimal control rule.
Slow Crack Growth in Post-Consumer Recycled High-Density Polyethylene

An experimental study of slow crack growth behavior ofpost-consumer recycled high-density polyethylene blended with virginhigh-density polyethylene copolymer has been done. The study has beenperformed under constant load and in baths of distilled water at 40, 60,80°C. The specimen used is notched with sidegrooves. The test results of crack growth have been analyzed usinglinear fracture mechanics and the rate process theory. The results showthat the resistance to crack growth increases monotonically with theamount of virgin material. The activation energy of the slow crackpropagation is independent of the blend composition and agrees with theenergy required by a known mechanism of pull out of tie molecules fromcrystalline lamellae.
Use of carbohydrases in corn–soybean meal-based nursery diets

Three experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that supplementing nursery pig diets with a mixture of carbohydrases (CS) will improve pig performance and nutrient digestibility. The CS used in these experiments contained 7 units/g of alpha-1,6-galactosidase, 22 units/g of beta-1,4-mannanase, beta-1,4 mannosidase, and trace amounts of other enzymes. In Exp. 1, 108 pigs weaned at d 21 of age were fed one of three diets containing 0 (control), 0.1, or 0.2% CS for 5 wk, based on a three-phase feeding program (1, 2, and 2 wk). Over the entire 35-d period, ADG was not affected (P > 0.05) by treatment, but supplementing 0.1% CS increased (P < 0.05) gain:feed by 9%. Experiment 2 used 10 gilts fitted with simple T-cannula in the terminal ileum at 3 wk of age. After cannulation, pigs were fed the same control Phase I and II diets, but the Phase III diet contained either 0 or 0.1% CS. Ileal samples were collected for the 3 d following the 5-d adjustment period during Phase III. Apparent ileal digestibility of GE, lysine, threonine, and tryptophan was greater (P < 0.05) in the CS diet. In Exp. 3, 90 pigs weaned at 21 d of age were fed the same control Phase I and II diets, but the Phase III diet contained either 0 or 0.1% CS. Phase III diets were fed for 3 wk. Average daily gain of the CS group was greater (P < 0.05) than the control group during wk 3. Gain:feed ratio was greater (P < 0.05) for the carbohydrase group during the entire Phase III period. Four pigs per treatment were killed at the end of Exp. 3 to measure villus height and to determine the concentration of raffinose and stachyose in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Average villus height was greater (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the CS diet. Carbohydrase supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) the concentration of stachyose in freeze-dried digesta from the proximal and distal small intestine. Raffinose concentration, on the other hand, was decreased (P < 0.05) by CS supplementation only in the distal small intestine. These lower concentrations suggest that CS improved the digestibility of carbohydrate in soybean meal. In conclusion, the addition of CS to Phase I and Phase II nursery diets containing low levels of soybean meal did not improve pig performance, but its addition to corn-soybean meal-based Phase III nursery diets improved gain:feed ratio and energy and AA digestibility.
The Explosive Volcanic Eruption Record in Northern Hemisphere Temperature Records

Any attempt to evaluate the effect of explosive volcanic eruptions on climate is made difficult by the inadequacies of both climatic and volcanic data which are available. To obtain the best set of temperature data for the northern hemisphere land areas, a project was recently initiated to compile all available high quality, long-term temperature records and to adjust them for homogeneity where necessary (Bradley et al., 1985; Jones et al., 1985a, b). The data base which was produced represents the optimum large-scale network available with which to evaluate the influence of explosive volcanic eruptions on climate. Data were interpolated to a 5° latitude by 10° longitude grid and used to compute time series of annual and seasonal temperature variations for the northern hemisphere as a whole and for selected zonal bands.
The Role of Ethics Consultation in Enhancing Family-Centered Care

An ethics consult is appropriate when there are questions regarding continuation of treatments at the end of life either due to uncertainty of prognosis or conflict of values regarding which actions should be taken. Accordingly, an ethics consult may be requested to help resolve uncertainty for an individual or between members of a family unit or help facilitate conflicts among multiple parties, e.g., between families and the healthcare team, between different members of the families, or between different groups of healthcare professionals. Limited research suggests beneficial effects of ethics consult for end-of-life decision-making in terms of improved quality of care for patients and enhanced family satisfaction. Future research should investigate how best to integrate ethics expertise in the ICU.
Molecular control of macroscopic forces drives formation of the vertebrate hindgut

The embryonic gut tube is a cylindrical structure from which the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts develop1. Although the early emergence of the endoderm as an epithelial sheet2,3 and later morphogenesis of the definitive digestive and respiratory organs4-6 have been investigated, the intervening process of gut tube formation remains relatively understudied7,8. Here we investigate the molecular control of macroscopic forces underlying early morphogenesis of the gut tube in the chick embryo. The gut tube has been described as forming from two endodermal invaginations-the anterior intestinal portal (AIP) towards the rostral end of the embryo and the caudal intestinal portal (CIP) at the caudal end-that migrate towards one another, internalizing the endoderm until they meet at the yolk stalk (umbilicus in mammals)1,6. Migration of the AIP to form foregut has been descriptively characterized8,9, but the hindgut is likely to form by a distinct mechanism that has not been fully explained10. We find that the hindgut is formed by collective cell movements through a stationary CIP, rather than by movement of the CIP itself. Further, combining in vivo imaging, biophysics and mathematical modelling with molecular and embryological approaches, we identify a contractile force gradient that drives cell movements in the hindgut-forming endoderm, enabling tissue-scale posterior extension of the forming hindgut tube. The force gradient, in turn, is established in response to a morphogenic gradient of fibroblast growth factor signalling. As a result, we propose that an important positive feedback arises, whereby contracting cells draw passive cells from low to high fibroblast growth factor levels, recruiting them to contract and pull more cells into the elongating hindgut. In addition to providing insight into the early gut development, these findings illustrate how large-scale tissue level forces can be traced to developmental signals during vertebrate morphogenesis.
Motor cortex signals corresponding to the two arms are shared across hemispheres, mixed among neurons, yet partitioned within the population response

Primary motor cortex (M1) has lateralized outputs, yet M1 neurons can be active during movements of either arm. What is the nature and role of activity in the two hemispheres? When one arm moves, are the contralateral and ipsilateral cortices performing similar or different computations? When both hemispheres are active, how does the brain avoid moving the "wrong" arm? We recorded muscle and neural activity bilaterally while two male monkeys (Macaca mulatta) performed a cycling task with one or the other arm. Neurons in both hemispheres were active during movements of either arm. Yet response patterns were arm-dependent, raising two possibilities. First, the nature of neural signals may differ (e.g., be high versus low-level) depending on whether the ipsilateral or contralateral arm is used. Second, the same population-level signals may be present regardless of the arm being used, but be reflected differently at the individual-neuron level. The data supported this second hypothesis. Muscle activity could be predicted by neural activity in either hemisphere. More broadly, we failed to find signals unique to the hemisphere contralateral to the moving arm. Yet if the same signals are shared across hemispheres, how do they avoid impacting the wrong arm? We found that activity related to the two arms occupied distinct, orthogonal subspaces of population activity. As a consequence, a linear decode of contralateral muscle activity naturally ignored signals related to the ipsilateral arm. Thus, information regarding the two arms is shared across hemispheres and neurons, but partitioned at the population level.
Rapid Inverse Modeling of Integrated Circuit Layout in Both Frequency and Time Domain

In this paper, starting from full-wave Maxwell’s equations where E and H are coupled, we derive a closed-form model of the inverse of the Maxwell’s system of equations in the physical layout of an integrated circuit, package, and board. In this model, we decompose the inverse rigorously into R-, C-, L- and full-wave components, with neither numerical computation nor approximation, and for an arbitrary physical layout. As a result, each component can be found independently, and then superposed to obtain the total response of a layout to any circuit stimuli. The time marching and point-by-point frequency sweeping are also avoided for the RC-component as its time and frequency dependence is analytically revealed in the proposed model. Moreover, the full-wave component is efficiently represented by a small number of high-frequency modes of the curl-curl operator, which are analytically derived. Using the proposed model, not only many accuracy issues related to existing layout modeling can be addressed, but also we drastically speed up layout modeling and simulation, and provide circuit designers with an effective model for layout automation. In addition, we develop fast and large-scale algorithms to find each component of the inverse in optimal (linear) complexity, where many steps are made analytical, thus further saving CPU run time. The proposed work has been applied to large-scale layout extraction and analysis. Superior performance has been demonstrated in accuracy, efficiency, and capacity.
Intensive longitudinal methods for studying the role of self-regulation strategies in substance use behavior change.

Many psychosocial interventions for substance use disorders (SUDs) focus on teaching self-regulation strategies. Research using intensive longitudinal methods (ILM), such as ecological momentary assessment and daily diaries, is critical for elucidating if and how these strategies function as mechanisms of change among individuals with SUDs. We review this emerging area of research. We found a small number of studies using ILM to study self-regulation strategies in SUD (n = 18 studies), with most conducted among college student drinkers (n = 9) and cigarette smokers (n = 7), and few among treatment-engaged individuals, and those with other drug use disorders. There is preliminary evidence that the use of specific self-regulation strategies commonly taught in psychosocial interventions for SUDs (i.e., cognitive reappraisal, problem-solving, stimulus control, harm reduction) is associated with decreased momentary or daily substance use, at the within-person level. There is a need for further ILM research on self-regulation strategies as mechanisms of substance use behavior change. Such research can inform the development, refinement, and personalization of interventions that teach self-regulation strategies, including mobile interventions that facilitate strategy use in the moment. One key next step is developing psychometrically validated ILM assessments of self-regulation strategy use.
A Machine Learning Approach for Understanding Power Distribution System Congestion

This study proposes a novel method for learning the congestion level of the power distribution system which designates the loading of a distribution feeder. A machine learning approach is proposed here to find a relating function between substation feeder power and local voltage. This model is, then, used to estimate real-time substation feeder power consumption using current local voltage measurements. This fully decentralized estimation of substation power consumption could facilitate more electric vehicle integration into the distribution grid without the need for real-time centralized control by a system aggregator. The concept is tested with real power loading data of a feeder located in the state of Alabama. The local voltage measurement data of a typical house residing in the downstream of the network of the same feeder is used to develop the learning algorithm.
Hemoglobin Target and Transfusion Modality for Adult Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Acute Chest Syndrome.

Background:Despite the importance of transfusion in treating sickle cell disease acute chest syndrome, the target hemoglobin and optimal modality for transfusion remain unknown.Objectives:To compar...