cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion on Reimbursement in Emergency General Surgery

Kentucky had one of the nation’s largest increases in insurance coverage with the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Medicaid expansion, quadrupling the proportion of Kentuckians with insurance coverage. This study compares reimbursement rates for surgical procedures performed by emergency general surgery (EGS) services at the University of Kentucky (UK) before and after Medicaid expansion in January 2014. This IRB-approved, single-institution study retrospectively evaluated all patients undergoing surgical treatment by our EGS team from 1/1/2011 to 12/31/2016. We queried operative records for the most frequently performed procedures by the EGS service. We reviewed patient electronic medical records and hospital financial records to identify insurance status, diagnosis codes, and expected hospital reimbursements, based on UK Hospital’s procedure/payer accounting models. Four thousand six hundred ninety-three patient procedures met inclusion criteria; 46.5% of these came before ACA expansion and 53.5% after expansion. The most frequent procedures performed were incision and drainage, laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and exploratory laparotomy. After ACA expansion, the proportion of patients with Medicaid nearly doubled (19.8% vs. 35.6%, p < 0.001). Concomitantly, there was a more than fivefold decrease in the uninsured patient population after expansion (23.3% vs. 4.6%, p < 0.001), and mean hospital reimbursement increased for laparoscopic appendectomy (13.7%, p < 0.001), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (50.7%, p < 0.001), and incision and drainage (70.2%, p < 0.001). After ACA expansion, there was a sustained decrease in proportion of uninsured patients and a concomitant sustained increase in proportion of patients with access to Medicaid services in the EGS operative population, leading to increased mean hospital reimbursements and decreased patient financial burden.
Structural Aspects of Auxin Signaling

Auxin signaling regulates growth and developmental processes in plants. The core of nuclear auxin signaling relies on just three components: TIR1/AFBs, Aux/IAAs, and ARFs. Each component is itself made up of several domains, all of which contribute to the regulation of auxin signaling. Studies of the structural aspects of these three core signaling components have deepened our understanding of auxin signaling dynamics and regulation. In addition to the structured domains of these components, intrinsically disordered regions within the proteins also impact auxin signaling outcomes. New research is beginning to uncover the role intrinsic disorder plays in auxin-regulated degradation and subcellular localization. Structured and intrinsically disordered domains affect auxin perception, protein degradation dynamics, and DNA binding. Taken together, subtle differences within the domains and motifs of each class of auxin signaling component affect signaling outcomes and specificity.
Molecular markers of brain cholesterol homeostasis are unchanged despite a smaller brain mass in a mouse model of cholesteryl ester storage disease.

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL), encoded by the gene LIPA, facilitates the intracellular processing of lipids by hydrolyzing cholesteryl esters and triacylglycerols present in newly internalized lipoproteins. Loss-of-function mutations in LIPA result in cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD) or Wolman disease when mutations cause complete loss of LAL activity. Although the phenotype of a mouse CESD model has been extensively characterized, there has not been a focus on the brain at different stages of disease progression. In the current studies, whole-brain mass and the concentrations of cholesterol in both the esterified (EC) and unesterified (UC) fractions were measured in Lal-/- and matching Lal+/+ mice (FVB-N strain) at ages ranging from 14 up to 280 days after birth. Compared to Lal+/+ controls at 50, 68-76, 140-142, and 230-280 days of age, Lal-/- mice had brain weights that averaged approximately 6%, 7%, 18%, and 20% less, respectively. Brain EC levels were higher in the Lal-/- mice at every age, being elevated 27-fold at 230-280 days. Brain UC concentrations did not show a genotypic difference at any age. The elevated brain EC levels in the Lal-/- mice did not reflect EC in residual blood. An mRNA expression analysis for an array of genes involved in the synthesis, catabolism, storage, and transport of cholesterol in the brains of 141-day old mice did not detect any genotypic differences although the relative mRNA levels for several markers of inflammation were moderately elevated in the Lal-/- mice. The possible sites of EC accretion in the central nervous system are discussed.
Effect of Passage, Sorting, and Media on Differentiation Capacity and Marker Expression in Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells

Amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFSC) represent a promising source for tissue engineering applications; however, wide variation exists in the methods and medium used in AFSC culture. To address the maintenance of stem cell markers and differentiation capacity of AFSC, both c-kit sorted and unfractionated adherent AFSC from human patient samples were cultured in a variety of media and evaluated over six passages. Medium supplements included Chang medium, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and both bFGF and EGF. Protein and gene expression of pluripotency markers, including c-kit, SSEA4, Sox2, Oct4, and cMyc were measured in undifferentiated AFSC. Differentiation capacities of AFSC towards endothelial, osteogenic, and neurogenic lineages were analyzed at passages 5 and 6. Expression of c-kit was higher in c-kit sorted cells compared to unfractionated cells; however, SSEA4, Sox2, cMyc, Tra-1-60, and Tra-1-81 were higher in the unfractionated population. Pluripotency marker expression was significantly lower at passage 6 than earlier passages. Correspondingly, cells differentiated more efficiently at passage 5 than passage 6. Media had distinct effects on differentiation towards each lineage. These results indicate that AFSC should be utilized prior to passage 6 and that optimal isolation and culture conditions depend on final differentiation intent.
SERVICE LOAD AND FATIGUE TESTS ON TRUSS BRIDGES

With the construction of the Saylorville Dam and Reservoir on the Des Moines River in Iowa, six highway bridges were scheduled for removal. Two of these were incorporated into a comprehensive test program to study the behavior of old pin-connected high-truss single-lane bridges. The test program consisted of ultimate load tests, service load tests, and a supplementary static and fatigue testing program of selected members. The results reported in this paper cover the service load tests on the two bridges as well as the supplementary tests, both static and fatigue, of eyebar members taken from the two bridges at the time of removal. The field test results of the service loading are compared with theoretical results of the truss analysis.
Acts of Living

The Drama of Everyday Life. Karl E. Scheibe. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 2000. 295 pp. $25.95, £15.50. ISBN 0-674-00231-8. Scheibe blends drama and psychology in an attempt to illuminate the connections between our everyday lives and our psychological processes.
Conversion of a Surface Model of a Structure of Interest into a Volume Model for Medical Image Retrieval

Volumetric medical image datasets contain vital information for noninvasive diagnosis, treatment planning and prognosis. However, direct and unlimited query of such datasets is hindered due to the unstructured nature of the imaging data. This study is a step towards the unlimited query of medical image datasets by focusing on specific Structures of Interest (SOI). A requirement in achieving this objective is having both the surface and volume models of the SOI. However, typically, only the surface model is available. Therefore, this study focuses on creating a fast method to convert a surface model to a volume model. Three methods (1D, 2D and 3D) are proposed and evaluated using simulated and real data of Deep Perisylvian Area (DPSA) within the human brain. The 1D method takes 80 msec for DPSA model; about 4 times faster than 2D method and 7.4 fold faster than 3D method, with over 97% accuracy. The proposed 1D method is feasible for surface to volume conversion in computer aided diagnosis, treatment planning and prognosis systems containing large amounts of unstructured medical images.
Let's think analog

In the area of testing ICs, once an IC has failed a traditional go/no-go test, it needs to be tested further to determine if it can support error-tolerant operation for one or more high volume customers. This test must be very efficient since many chips will probably fail, and those that pass will be sold at a discount. We have already developed several efficient test procedures to support error-tolerance. One is a built-in self-test methodology that can sort chips into various bins based on their error-rate, just like resistors are sorted into 1%, 5% and 10% bins (Breuer, 2004). Digital systems designers have almost always focused on the concept of exact computational capability. Error-tolerant VLSI chips are a step in this direction using today's technologies, addressing current computational needs, and accepting present realities of scale and yield.
The Snow Lion and the Dragon: China, Tibet, and the Dalai Lama

The Snow Lion and the Dragon: China, Tibet, and the Dalai Lama. Melvyn C. Goldstein. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1997.152 pp.
A New Technique for Isolation and Visualization of the Xenopus Egg Cortex Reveals a Complex Cytoskeleton

This paper demonstrates the first images of the isolated cortex of the Xenopus laevis egg viewed as a whole mount. The cortex was isolated by mechanically restraining it in a folding hexagonal mesh electron microscopy grid, dried by passage through the carbon dioxide critical point, and viewed in an intermediate voltage electron microscope at 400 kV. Using this approach, we have obtained new views of the Xenopus egg cortex that demonstrate a complex cytoskeleton. Stereo micrographs demonstrate three-dimensional views of the cortical organelles and their interaction with the cytoskeleton. These images demonstrate the presence of a dense meshwork of filaments located just beneath the plasma membrane, referred to as the submembranous cytoskeleton. In addition, there is an array of filaments interconnecting the organelles and securing them to the submembranous cytoskeleton and plasma membrane. The development of this technique for visualization of the egg cortex will facilitate further analysis of the role of the cortical cytoskeleton in fertilization and early embryogenesis.
SU‐D‐105‐04: Automated QA Analysis of VMAT Delivery Errors Using Trajectory Log Files

Purpose: To investigate the sensitivity of trajectory log analysis for detecting small VMAT delivery errors with an automated program. Methods: For each treatment, Varian TrueBeam™ generates a set of trajectory log files that record accumulated MU, MLC positions, and gantry angle every 10 ms during delivery. An automated computer program analyzes discrepancies between planned and actual leaf positions. Any leaf that exceeds 0.5 mm discrepancy for >15% of the total beam-on time is flagged and an alert sent to a physicist for further investigation. To validate the method, 6 different “induced-error” VMAT plans were generated by modifying a lung VMAT plan with an intended error: gantry angle error of 0.5 and 1.0 deg, position error of one leaf of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm. All plans were delivered and trajectory logs were collected. The dosimetric effect of the induced errors was evaluated by reconstructing dose distributions from the trajectory logs and comparing to the original error-free plan. Results: The proposed method is sensitive and can detect gantry error down to 0.5 deg and MLC leaf error of 0.5 mm without any false positives (i.e. no error detected for other leaves). No dose difference was observed for gantry angle errors of 0.5–1.0 deg, while the maximum dose discrepancy from a MLC position error of 0.5 mm was 1% and increased to 3% for a leaf error of 2 mm, with a passing rate of 99.6% and 97.7% for gamma analysis (1%/0 mm), respectively. Conclusion: Analysis of trajectory log files is highly sensitive and provides an efficient and accurate method of detecting treatment delivery errors down to sub-millimeters. The automated program can be run daily for treatment validation and can be used also as a pre-treatment QA tool. Research grant from Varian Medical Systems.
Hispanic-Serving Community Colleges

The article examines student tuition, ad valorem property taxes, and state appropriations utilizing a revenue-per-contact-hour model to identify disparities in the Texas' community college funding mechanism. Methodology is presented to identify differences between and among Caucasian-serving, African-American-serving, Hispanic-serving, and other public community colleges. Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilized to conduct multiple-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) on the data set. The statistical testing utilized a significance level of 0.05. Posthoc tests were performed where necessary.
Development of an integrative process model for universal design and an empirical evaluation with hospital patient apparel

This study proposed an integrative three-stage process model (integrative process model for universal design [IPM-UD]) as guidance for universal design practices, particularly for apparel. The IPM-UD consolidated the universal design principles and the functional–expressive–aesthetic attributes. The model validity was evaluated with an empirical design case of hospital patient apparel. To identify specific user needs, survey data were collected from 173 patients and healthcare providers at 2 large hospitals located in the Midwestern region of the USA, and guided the creative design process. Computer-aided illustration and digital textile printing assisted rapid prototyping of the designed solutions. Prototypes of the patient apparel were evaluated by potential user groups through focus group interviews. The outcome of the empirical design demonstrated potential benefits of the IPM-UD to be a valuable tool for successful practices of inclusive apparel design for users with diverse needs.
Integrated RNAV procedure design: City-pair analysis

Potential benefits of Area Navigation (RNAV) to operating costs, airspace capacity, and environmental impact are well known. Unfortunately, several real-world RNAV implementations have underperformed benefits expectations. Integrated procedure design seeks to capitalize on the benefits of RNAV and mitigate some of the effects that reduce benefit. This paper focuses on integrating upstream and downstream constraints into procedure design to achieve this goal. It explains a general methodology for combining techniques, such as diverging departures and Q-routes during route development. The method considers net capacity impact from one or more procedure revisions, using an origin-to-destination view. Some procedure modifications specifically considered include runway efficiency changes, additional egress points, and RNAV-based Q-routes. We present a specific case study with the method and show how it can account for mixed equipage, variable aircraft weight categories, and downstream route merging.
Stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions in human newborns

This study presents the first reported measurements of stimulus frequency emissions (SFOAEs) in 15 human newborns and compares their magnitudes and phase-gradient delays to those reported in adults. SFOAEs in newborns were measured at stimulus levels as low as 15 dB sound pressure level (SPL). Responses were compared between adults and newborns at stimulus levels where SFOAEs in both age groups demonstrated approximately linear growth (<40 dB SPL for newborns, <25 dB SPL for adults). Neonates had adult-like SFOAE delays when compared in this fashion, which compensates for newborn middle ear inefficiencies.
The Presacral Space and its Impact on Sacral Neuromodulator Implantation

Purpose: We describe the presacral space and its potential impact on sacral neuromodulator implantation and bowel injury.Materials and Methods: Parasagittal images containing bilateral sacral foramina (S2–S4) were examined on 45 pelvic magnetic resonance images. Images were excluded from analysis if they were poor quality or had any history causing distortion of normal anatomy. We measured the natural angle between the foramina and the dorsal skin to approximate the needle angulation during neuromodulator electrode placement. Using these angles we measured the distance from the skin to any bowel (D1), the skin to the dorsal sacrum (D2) and then calculated the distance from the dorsal sacrum to any bowel (D3).Results: Mean subject age was 45 years (range 19 to 78) and body mass index was 27.9 kg/m2 (range 18.6 to 56.2). At S3 the mean foraminal angle and D3 were 46 ± 8.4 degrees and 27.4 ± 11.7 mm, respectively. Increasing age was moderately correlated to widening D3 at each foramina (r = 0.3, Pearson's p ...
Pubertal height gain: male-female and interpopulation comparisons.

Data are not available as to the exact age of the start of the pubertal growth spurt (or age at its conclusion) in various populations. As an initial approach, contribution of the pubertal gain to overall height was examined, using age 9 as the start of puberty in girls and age 11 in boys. Data were analyzed from 11 reports (single assays on five populations, two studies on a group analyzed 30 years apart, and four studies of a population spread over 31 years. Using the percent contribution to overall height, pubertal growth showed a close agreement between the populations as well as between male and female values (overall p < 0.003). Results for both sexes clustered around a narrow range. Pubertal growth for the 50th percentile, expressed as a percent contribution to overall height, may approach a biologic invariant. The value of percent contribution of pubertal growth to final height, did not show a secular trend.
Similarity-Based Retrieval of Temporal Specifications and its Application to the Retrieval of Multimedia Documents

In this paper, we describe a similarity-based retrieval framework for temporal information, such as multimedia presentations. We develop techniques that allow users to query and retrieve multimedia documents, based on their temporal content. For this purpose, we describe different temporal data models and a set of similarity metrics applicable for different retrieval tasks. We develop algorithms that efficiently compute these metrics and report on experiment results. We also develop algorithms that efficiently index temporal structures based on these measures and show that the proposed variant of multi dimensional scaling is efficient and provides high quality retrieval of temporal specifications.
A validated model for predicting outcome after liver transplantation: implications on transplanting the extremely sick

Given the organ shortage, there is a need to optimize outcome after liver transplantation (LT). We defined posttransplant hospital length of stay > 60 days (LOS > 60) as a surrogate of suboptimal outcome. In the first phase of the study, a 'Study cohort' (SC) of 643 patients was used to identify risk factors and construct a mathematical model to identify recipients with anticipated inferior results. In the second phase, a cohort of 417 patients was used for validation of the model ['Validation Cohort' (VC)]. In the SC, 65 patients (10.1%) had LOS > 60 days. One- and 3-year patient/graft survival rates were 81.9%/76.1% and 73.4%/67.4%, respectively. Patient and graft survival rates of those with LOS > 60 days were inferior (P 60 days [ROC curve - 0.75 (95% CI 0.70, 0.81)]. In the VC, 53 patients (12.7%) were expected to have adverse outcome by the model. These patients had longer LOS (P < 0.0001), higher cost (<0.0001), and inferior patient and graft survival (P < 0.007).
Mass spectrometry of modified nucleic acid bases and nucleosides. 2. Class II mesoionic nucleosides and bases derived from thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-5,7-diones†‡

The mass spectral characteristics of novel Class II mesoionic heterocyclic bases and nucleosides based on the thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-5,7-dione system have been examined using low and high resolution mass spectrometry and metastable ion analysis. The mass spectra of these Class II mesoionic nucleosides differ significantly from the spectra of “normal” nucleosides by the absence of fragment ions associated with the base plus portions of the sugar. The difference in fragmentation is rationalized on the basis of exclusive localization of the radical-charge site in the aglycone, a result of the mesoionic structure of these molecules. The fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectra of a Class I mesoionic nucleoside, 7-methylguanosine, is compared to the FAB mass spectra of the Class II mesoionic nucleosides.
Corrosion Properties of Magnetron Sputtered Al-Mg Alloy Coatings on High-Speed Electro-Galvanizing Steel

The Al-Mg coatings were deposited on high-speed electro-galvanizing steel by using double-target DC magnetron sputtering. Numerous Al-Mg coatings were prepared with a range of different Mg-target power at different substrate temperatures. The morphologies and compositions were analyzed by SEM, EDS and XRD, the corrosion-resistance properties with different sputtering parameters were discussed by electrochemical measurement. It was found that with the substrate temperature increasing, the porosity decreased, meanwhile, higher substrate temperature resulted in more granular particles and an increased average particle size, but that did not affect corrosion properties obviously. The corrosion-resistance properties were found to be significantly affected by the targets power. As the power of Al-target and Mg-target were 900W and 200W respectively, the film acted the best corrosion-resistance property. Corrosion current density was approximately 4μA/cm2, decreased significantly compared with galvanized sheet. After analysis, the coating was mainly composed of Al12Mg17 which afforded sacrificial anode protection. As the Mg-target power over high relative to Al-target, the coating was composed of Al12Mg17 and MgZn2, the latter can cause micro-galvanic acceleration of corrosion.
The Role of Opsonins in Recovery from Experimental Pneumococcal Pneumonia

The opsonization of type 1 and type 25 pneumococci in the rabbit lung early in the course of experimental pneumonia was studied. Bacteria washed from the lungs of animals with type 1 pneumonia were coated with IgG, IgA, and complement within 24 hr of infection; these bacteria were not phagocytized. Both type 1 and type 25 pneumococci, when incubatd in concentrates of nonimmune bronchopulmonary washings (BPC), adsorbed IgG, IgA, and C3, but neither type of pneumococci was opsonized. Killing of pneumococci by surface phagocytosis, with or without the use of nonimmune BPC, was not demonstrated. When nonimmune serum was used, opsonization of type 25 pneumococci depended on the presence of heat-labile adsorbable factors, and when immune serum and immune BPC were used, opsonization was dependent on adsorbable factors. Depletion of serum complement with cobra venom factor before infection with type 25 pneumococci resulted in severe bacteremic pneumonia in the rabbit, but immunization before complement depletion allowed animals to clear type 25 pneumococci from the blood and lungs within 24 hr. Thus, opsonization is required for efficient clearance of pneumococci from the lung, and in the nonimmune animal, complement is also required for clearance.
Oil, erucic acid, and glucosinolate contents in winter hardy rapeseed germplasms.

Abstract The US industry uses ≈18 million kg of high erucic acid oil annually, mostly from imports. Therefore, a large overall market potential exists for development of annually renewable domestic sources of erucic acid. The present research was conducted to characterize the winter hardy rapeseed germplasm for oil, erucic acid, and glucosinolate contents for use in breeding programs to develop commercial production of rapeseed. Significant variation existed among the 455 accessions of Brassica napus L. and the 44 accessions of Brassica rapa L. for oil, erucic acid, and glucosinolate contents. B. napus had significantly higher mean oil content in the seeds (37.4%) than the Brassica rapa (36.6%). The glucosinolate content was higher in napus than the rapa meal (49.2 vs. 43.8 μmol/g). The erucic acid content was higher in rapa (32.6%) than the napus accessions (26.1%). Within species, the correlation between oil and glucosinolate contents was significantly negative among the napus accessions (−0.14), but was significantly positive among rapa accessions (+0.39). The results indicate that plant material from either napus or rapa species could be used in breeding for increasing erucic acid content. Accessions with high, medium, and low contents of oil, erucic acid, and glucosinolate contents were identified.
Avoiding an EST Monopoly: Toward a Pluralism of Philosophies and Methods

We contend in this article that the EST movement is becoming an ideological and economic monopoly through the exclusive use of one philosophy of science—empiricism. This epistemology monopolizes the methods that produce the EST’s. We provide lists of the values and assumptions that other scholars have demonstrated is endemic to empirical research, and we provide here an in-depth discussion about one central, uninvestigated value of such research. We, then, show the impact of this value—bias and favoritism—not only on the research itself but also on what is deemed an EST. This is followed by a discussion of a non-monopolistic alternative, an alternative that disallows the relativism and “anything goes” of psychotherapy’s history but avoids the dogmatism of an exclusive ideology.
The effect of incidental experiences of regulatory fit on trust

Two experiments provide support for the hypothesis that when people assess how much they trust another person, feelings of rightness from an initial, brief experience of regulatory fit (consistency between prevention or promotion regulatory focus of goals and strategic means) can suggest the other person is trustworthy, relative to feelings of wrongness from regulatory nonfit. This regulatory-fit effect on trust was stronger for acquaintances than for individuals participants knew well (Experiment 1) and was eliminated by drawing participants' attention to how right the earlier, trust judgment-irrelevant event made them feel (Experiment 2). Implications are discussed for regulatory-fit theory, possible applications to applied settings and to other populations, and possible effects of other types of regulatory fit.
Maize root response to N in the greenhouse and field

Root growth and morphology were compared between seven week old maize plants grown in the greenhouse and in the field. The plants were similar in shoot dry weight and the partioning of N and dry matter to roots were similar except for the field grown plants in 1983. Field grown plants had greater root mass per length and greater calculated diameter than greenhouse plants. Nitrogen fertilization decreased N and dry matter partitioning to the root system in all three environments.
Deciphering Cholesterol Treatment Guidelines: A Clinician’s Perspective

The publication of cholesterol treatment guidelines by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA)1 immediately met with considerable support as well some criticism related to their applicability in practice. The criticism was based primarily on 2 issues: eliminating numerical targets for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non–HDL-C) and debate about the value of the new pooled risk calculator for treatment initiation decisions.2,3 Several additional treatment guidelines from established organizations were published in the past year, including from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE),4 the National Lipid Association (NLA),5 and, most recently, the American Diabetes Association (ADA).6 All of these current guidelines emphasize the need for life style changes and to intensify statin therapy as the highly preferred regimen in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) or those at very high risk of developing CVD. However, there are important differences in the criteria for risk assessment and treatment, particularly for primary prevention in the population with or without diabetes (Table). For instance, there are notable differences in approaches to patient selection and treatment proposed by the NLA, whereas the ADA endorses much of the ACC/AHA guidelines, with the major exception of type 1 diabetes, and NICE provides a unique perspective in certain areas. Despite these differences, each of these guidelines has considerable merit when making treatment decisions. Table Key Similarities and Differences Among Major Cholesterol Guidelines
Effect of dopant addition on oxygen sorption properties of La-Sr-Co-Fe-O perovskite type oxide

The paper reports on effect of doping Ag+, Ni2+, Ca2+, Ba2+ or Zr4+ in La0.1Sr0.9Co0.9Fe0.1O3−δ (LSCF1991) on its oxygen sorption capacity and desorption rate. The dopant can be incorporated into LSCF1991 matrix causing lattice expansion. The oxygen sorption capacity and tendency for the disordered perovskite to ordered brownmillerite phase transition for these samples decrease in the order: LSCF1991 > LSCF-Ag > LSCF-Ni > LSCF-Ca > LSCF-Ba > LSCF-Zr. The oxygen desorption rate also decreases in the same order for the doped samples. Doping increases the tendency of the disorder to order phase transition and enhances oxygen desorption rate during oxygen desorption step. Doping Ag and Ni provides more pronounced enhancement in oxygen desorption rate. The results suggest that Ag and Ni doped LSCF1991 samples are promising sorbents for use in a high temperature sorption process for air separation.
An explanation of the light curve of Iapetus

Abstract This paper seeks a simple explanation for the large-amplitude (∼ 2 mag) periodic light curve of Saturn's satellite Iapetus, which, as the light curve shows, apparently rotates synchronously. We point out that the mean densities of Saturn's satellites increase from ∼ 1 gm cm −3 for the innermost to ∼ 3 gm cm −3 for Iapetus, a fact suggesting that frozen H 2 O, now quite certainly established as a major constituent of Saturn's rings, forms a much larger fraction of the inner satellites than of the outer. We thus assume that Iapetus was once covered by a thin ice or snow layer, which, we show, has been more subject to erosion by meteoroidal bombardment on the “leading” hemisphere of the satellite in its orbit than on the “trailing” one. If the “initial” ice layer was ∼ 1 m thick and the interplanetary meteoroidal density has not changed much during most of the age of the solar system, then erosion by meteoroidal bombardment would produce the currently observed light curve and also account for the similar colors of the bright and faint hemispheres if the bare surface has sufficiently low reflectivity.
Comparable perceptual learning with and without feedback in non-stationary context: Data and model

A small but persistent response asymmetry favors the background orientation.The criterion control mechanism compensates for most of this natural imbalance, but not all. For context-congruent targets, accuracy (Pcorrect) decreases slightly with increasing Gabor contrast; for incongruent targets it increases greatly. As the congruent "channel" is compromised by noise, the system assigns greater weights to the incongruent one. Coupled with the compressive nonlinearities in the representations, this "off-channel looking" explains the counterintuitive reversal for congruent stimuli. A fully implemented, biologically plausible model takes images as inputs and produces discrimination responses as outputs. The stimuli are first processed by standard orientation and frequency tuned units, divisively normalized. Learning occurs only in the "read-out" connections to the decision unit; the stimulus representations never change. An incremental Hebbian rule tracks the external feedback when available, or else reinforces the model's own response. An a priori bias to equalize the response frequencies stabilizes the model across switches. The excellent quantitative fits to a challenging data set demonstrate that Hebbian channel reweighting, with no change in the early visual representations, is sufficiently powerful to account for perceptual learning. The model handles both the feedback and the no-feedback data with essentially the same parameters, demonstrating that self-supervised learning can successfully compensate for the lack of environmental feedback in perceptual tasks. The main empirical results, and their interpretation, are: Fixed Early Representations + Hebbian Learning
Viscosity and apparent molal volumes of aqueous triethylenediamine

The relative viscositiesn r and apparent molal volumes Φv of aqueous triethylenediamine (or 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2] octane) solution have been measured as a function of concentration at 15 and 25°C and at pH 5.8 and 12.1. The solute is in the hydrochloride form at pH 5.8 and in the free base form at pH 12.1. The viscosity data were treated to yield values ofB andD coefficients in the extended Jones-Dole equation,n r = 1 + Ac1/2 + Bc + Dc2. Based on the obtained sign and magnitude of (B · 0.00025V 2 ° ) anddB/dT, where V 2 ° is the partial molal volume of the solute at infinite dilution andT the temperature, the hydrochloride is found to be a weak water-structure breaker, while the free base interacts with water and enhances the structure markedly. The effect of protonation on the triethylenediamine is to cause a large decrease in the partial molal volume (by about 11.8 ml-mole−1) and a considerable disruption of water structure surrounding the organic molecule [indicated by the decrease in the value of (Bi · 0.00025V 2i ° ) by 0.138 at 25°C and by 0.179 at 15°C]. Our results are in agreement with the water-proton chemical shift measurements and the dielectric relaxation studies.
A cool anomaly off northern California: An investigation using IR imagery and in situ data

The OPTOMA (Ocean Prediction Through Observation, Modeling and Analysis) program is developing an ocean descriptive-predictive system for four-dimensional data assimilation. It is presently concerned with the mesoscale variability in the California Current System (CCS). The present paper has the objective to assess the relationship of surface temperature structure to subsurface temperature structure and flow fields. Surface temperature anomalies are related to the mesoscale horizontal advective and subsurface mass fields. The cool anomaly off northern California in summer 1982 is discussed, taking into account the temperature structure along transects, T-S variations and inferred water masses, variation of horizontal temperature patterns with depth, and synoptic information from IR data.
Linearity of a Ge(Li) detector in the range 0.5 to 10 MeV

Abstract The linearity of an annular germanium lithium drifted gamma detector has been measured to be
Compact Electroexplosive Fuses for Explosively Driven Pulsed Power

Compact electroexplosive fuses (EEFs) as part of an explosively driven system are of interest for the one-time single-shot generation of high-power pulses. For instance, the transition from a very large driving current produced by an explosively driven flux compression generator (FCG), i.e., low impedance, to a large voltage spike delivered to the load, i.e., high impedance, can be done using an inductive storage system and an EEF. Typically, the EEF can be as large as, if not larger than, the current driver attached to it, thus making it one of the largest components in the system. Reduction in the size of the fuse will allow for size reductions of the entire high-power microwave (HPM) system. The goal of optimizing an EEF as an opening switch is to produce the greatest voltage multiplication possible to drive a load under physical size constraints. To optimize the fuse, several parameters are taken into account, including, but not limited to, fuse material, fuse length, fuse shape, and quenching medium. Individual optimization of these parameters will lead to complete optimization of an EEF, therefore resulting in a compact fuse capable of consistently producing maximum voltage multiplication for HPM systems.
Effect of lidocaine vs ketorolac tromethamine on postoperative laparoscopy pain control: a randomized study.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of intraperitoneal lidocaine and intramuscular ketorolac tromethamine for immediate and delayed postoperative pain management in patients undergoing laparoscopy. Methods: Design—Seventy-four patients were prospectively randomized into four groups: intraperitoneal lidocaine; intramuscular ketorolac; both drugs; neither drug. Setting—Community Teaching Hospital Outpatient Surgery Center. Patients—Private and clinic patients needing operative laparoscopy. Intervention—One hundred milligrams of lidocaine was instilled into the peritoneal cavity just before the laparoscopy was completed. Sixty milligrams of ketorolac tromethamine was administered intramuscularly approximately 30 minutes before laparoscopy was completed. Main Outcome Measurements—The amount of analgesic used, the time required in postanesthesia recovery area, and a pain intensity score were used to evaluate the postoperative pain. Results: Pain intensity scores reported by those women receiving ketorolac and both medications were less than scores of untreated controls. Groups receiving either ketorolac, lidocaine, or both drugs required less morphine postoperatively. Conclusion: Both intraperitoneal lidocaine or intramuscular ketorolac are effective in reducing the perception of pain and the amount of morphine required postoperatively.
Comparison of Ethyl Acetate with Hexane for Oil Extraction from Various Oilseeds

The aim of the current research was to determine a less hazardous, cheaper and less toxic alternative solvent for hexane for extraction of oil from different oilseeds showing equivalent oil yield and oil quality. A full factorial design with three levels of extraction temperature (80, 100 and 120 °C) and three levels of extraction time (40, 65 and 90 min) with constant solvent to seed ratio value of 4:1 was used to extract the oil. Maximum oil was recovered from canola followed by flax, mustard and camelina. The oil content of canola was found in range of 21.08–36.44, and 25.12–40.38 % for hexane and ethyl acetate, respectively. The heating values of oil extracted from all oilseeds using hexane and ethyl acetate were found in the range of 38.04–39.98 and 37.98–39.37 MJ/kg, respectively. Least viscosity was found for flax seed using hexane followed by camelina, canola and mustard as compared to ethyl acetate. Viscosity of flax oil ranged from 27.23–37.19, and 31.16–55.52 cP for hexane and ethyl acetate solvents, respectively. Considering human safety, less environmental impact, comparable oil yield and quality parameters, ethyl acetate can be a promising alternative to hexane.
Comparative development of Copidosoma truncatellum (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and its host, Pseudoplusia includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on resistant and susceptible soybean genotypes.

The resistant soybean, Glycine max (L.), genotype PI 227687, and the susceptible cultivar ‘Davis’ were evaluated for their effects on development of Copidosoma truncatellum (Dalman) and its host, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker). Parasitized and nonparasitized larvae were fed either ‘Davis’ (susceptible cultivar) or PI 227687 (resistant genotype). Parasitized P. includens fed ‘Davis’ consumed 40.7% more leaf area than nonparasitized larvae fed ‘Davis’. Parasitized P. includens larvae fed PI 227687 consumed 46.4% more leaf area than nonparasitized larvae on the resistant genotype. Feeding period of parasitized larval P. includens was 2 days longer than that of nonparasitized larvae. One-day-old pupal weights of nonparasitized P. includens fed PI 227687 were significantly lower than for those fed ‘Davis’. Parasitized P. includens fed ‘Davis’ had significantly greater 1-day-old mummy weights than those fed PI 227687. There was no significant difference in number of parasitoids emerging from host mummies between treatments. Pupation period of C. truncatellum was significantly longer for parasitoids that developed in P. includens fed PI 227687 than for those from larvae fed ‘Davis’. There was no significant difference in time required for pupation of P. includens on either host plant. Overall mortality of nonparasitized P. includens fed ‘Davis’ was 10%, and nonparasitized P. includens fed PI 227687 had an overall mortality of 70%. Parasitized P. includens fed both soybean genotypes experienced 100% mortality. Even though the number of parasitoids able to develop per host is not significantly altered, the high mortality of host larvae before pupation of C. truncatellum may adversely affect population levels of this parasitoid in fields of resistant soybean.
Toward a Conceptualization of Mentoring

Anderson and Shannon argue that effec tive mentoring programs must be grounded on a clear and strong concep tual foundation. Such a foundation in cludes a carefully articulated approach to mentorin...
An X-Ray photoelectron study of nonstoichiometric lutetium monosulfides

Abstract X-Ray photoelectron spectra of the nonstoichiometric lutetium monosulfides Lu3S4 and Lu2S3 were investigated. Binding energies for the S 2p, Lu 4d, and Lu 4f levels were measured. It is shown that the bonding in the monosulfide compositions and Lu3S4 is predominantly covalent, while that in Lu2S3 is relatively more ionic. Binding energies for lutetium in the pure metal and Lu2O3 are also reported.
Effects of soil moisture, no-tillage and predators on southern corn rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) survival in corn agroecosystems

Abstract Field experiments in 1987 and 1988 were conducted to discern the effects of no-tillage (NT), conventional-tillage (CT), and soil moisture (irrigated and non-irrigated) on a below-ground corn pest, the southern corn rootworm (SCR), Diabrotica undecimpunctata howwadi Barber (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and its natural enemies. Soil moisture, number of SCR eggs, and soil predators found in each system were recorded, as were observations of below-ground SCR/predator interactions. To measure the impact of SCR feeding in each treatment, root ratings, percent stand loss and grain yields were taken. There were 80% more SCR eggs in NT than CT, and 62% more eggs in irrigated systems than non-irrigated systems. Soil moisture levels were not significantly ( P > 0.05) different between any of the treatments when SCR were ovipositing in April and May. However, in early June, CT without irrigation (CT/WOI) had very low soil moisture levels, while the other three treatments had adequate to good soil moisture. Predatory arthropods were found in nearly equal numbers in April and May, but numbers decreased in June and July, then increased in August. Predator numbers fluctuated, but remained relatively high in all NT treatments and slowly decreased in CT with irrigation (CT/WI) treatments. Although the numbers of arthropods were generally the same among treatments in the early season, predator activity was greatest in NT systems, while in CT systems (including irrigated) predator activity was much lower. Seven predator species were found responsible for removing large numbers of SCR stages. Mesostigmatid and Tyrophagus putrescentiae Shrank (Acaridae: Acarinae) mites, cantharid, carabid, and staphylinid larvae, centipedes, and formicids (ants) all fed extensively on SCR immatures. Root ratings and percent stand loss showed that SCR feeding was greatest in CT systems and least in NT systems, regardless of irrigation. NT systems had greater grain yields compared with CT systems. The importance of early season SCR damage and predators and mid-to-late season water-stressed corn is discussed.
Endoscopic management of skull base defects associated with persistent pneumocephalus following previous open repair: a preliminary report.

Abstract Objective To describe the management of anterior skull base defects in patients who present with pneumocephalus after previous open neurosurgical intervention. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary referral center. Subjects and Methods Patients repaired endoscopically for symptomatic pneumocephalus between April 1, 2005, and July 1, 2008. Volumetric calculation of the amount of intracranial air based on the preoperative CT scan was performed. Results Six patients met inclusion criteria. The etiology of skull base defects was accidental trauma in two patients and surgical trauma in the remaining four. Average time from the open intervention until endoscopic repair was 28 days. Intrathecal fluorescein was utilized in five cases, but visualized at the site of the defect in only one patient. All patients were treated with a similar endoscopic technique. A simple free mucosal graft was used in four patients; a mucosal graft was placed over a layered reconstruction consisting of acellular dermal matrix in two patients, with one patient receiving septal cartilage. Closure of defects was achieved in all six patients with complete resolution of pneumocephalus in five patients after an average of 17 days; one patient had trace amounts of pneumocephalus ( Conclusion Endoscopic techniques employed in this preliminary report demonstrate promising results in managing skull base defects associated with clinically significant pneumocephalus following failed prior open neurosurgical repair. The small population size in this study, however, precludes definitive conclusions regarding efficacy.
Influence of nitrogen source and fiber levels in the ration on the freezing point and chloride content of cow's milk.

Abstract Five levels of urea (0.0, 2.15, 7.55, 12.70, and 15.00 kg/1,000kg of rations fed) were chosen and combined with five levels of fiber (11, 12, 15, 18, and 19%) in the ration and planned in a central composite two-factor rotatable design. Eighteen cows were paired at random and the nine pairs assigned at random to one of nine urea-fiber combination rations. Cows were kept on assigned rations from the eighth to the 40th week of lactation, the freezing point and chloride analyses being conducted weekly on individual morning and evening milkings during the 11th to the 35th weeks. The freezing point of the milk was found to vary significantly (P 0.05) on freezing-point depression, but fiber content did have a significant effect (P The rations had a significant effect on chloride content of the milk (P
Two unusual satellite cell-intrafusal muscle fiber relationships.

We studied the location and ultrastructure features of rat teres minor intrafusal muscle fiber satellite cells. They were abundant in myotube and polar regions, particularly near sensory nerve terminals and terminations of the spindle capsule and intrafusal muscle fibers. One satellite cell was wedged between two “paired” nuclear bag fibers in the myotube region. No basement membrane surrounded this cell. A polar satellite cell was encased by the basement membrane for only part its length. This cell contained numerous myofilaments. It terminated in the intercellular space surrounded by its own basement membrane adjacent to the host nuclear bag fiber. Recent satellite cell investigations are summarized and compared with the results of this study. We conclude there may be more than one cell type in the satellite cell position and intrafusal and extrafusal satellite cells may function in different capacities.