cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of the Yield-to-Tensile Strength Ratio on the Failure Assessment of Corroded Pipelines

It is well known that both the yield strength and the tensile strength of a material have significant effect on the failure behavior of pipelines. Thus it can be anticipated that the yield-to-tensile strength (Y/T) is closely related to the strain hardening behavior of the material, and it also influences the failure behavior. This paper theoretically explores the influence of T/Y (the inverse of Y/T) ratio on the failure pressure of pipelines with or without corrosion defects. Based on the instability of deformation and finite strain theory, a plastic collapse criterion for close-ended pipes without corrosion defects is developed first. The constitutive behavior of line pipes is characterized by a power-law strain hardening relation, while the plastic deformation obeys the Mises yield criterion and the associated deformation theory of plasticity. An approximate relationship between the T/Y ratio and the strain hardening exponent n is obtained, and a closed-form solution to the limit pressure of pipe based on T/Y is derived. This plastic instability model is extended to predict the failure pressure of pipelines with corrosion defects, and validated by the PCRI experimental database. The results show that (a) the T/Y ratio is simply proportional to the strain hardening exponent n, which is almost independent of the yield strain and affected by the definition of the yield stress; (b) the failure pressure predicted by the present plastic instability model increases as the T/Y ratio decreases; and (c) as T/Y → 1, the present solution approaches to that predicted by the Mises strength criterion based on the nominal hoop and axial stresses.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Eye movements when reading implausible sentences: Investigating potential structural influences on semantic integration

The disruption that occurs in response to reading about implausible events in unambiguous sentences can be informative about the time course of semantic interpretation (e.g., Hagoort, Hald, Bastiaansen, & Petersson, 2004; Nieuwland & Van Berkum, 2006; Warren & McConnell, 2007). Two eye-tracking studies used implausible sentences to investigate whether local factors like the structural relationships and the distance between words cueing a plausibility violation influence how quickly those words are integrated into a global semantic interpretation. Experiment 1 suggested that eye-movement disruption was unaffected by the number of words intervening between the words cueing the implausibility. Experiment 2 demonstrated that eye-movement disruption to implausibility occurred along the same time course regardless of whether the words cueing the implausibility were in a theta-assigning relation or not. These results suggest that these local structural factors do not influence how quickly new words are integrate...
Determination of Lithium in the NRCC Marine Sediments: MESS‐1, BCSS‐1, PACS‐1 and the NIST River Sediment: SRM 2704

NRCC marine sediment reference materials: MESS-1, BCSS-1, PACS-1 and the NIST river sediment: SRM 2704 have been analyzed in replicate for lithium (Li) by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Precision (% coefficient of variation) for the NRCC SRM's was <1.5%, and the NIST SRM was 4.3%. Results from replicate acid dissolution of the SRM's in Teflon bombs using boiling water and microwave heating showed no difference in Li concentration between the two methods.
Experimental philosophy and philosophical significance

Kauppinen argues that experimental philosophy cannot help us to address questions about the semantics of our concepts and that it therefore has little to contribute to the discipline of philosophy. This argument raises fascinating questions in the philosophy of language, but it is simply a red herring in the present context. Most researchers in experimental philosophy were not trying to resolve semantic questions in the first place. Their aim was rather to address a more traditional sort of question, the sort of question that was regarded as absolutely central in the period before the rise of analytic philosophy.
Accounting for Nonrandomly Sampled Data in Nonlinear Regression

This article presents an analysis of data that is "cherry picked" (i.e., nonrandomly sampled) from a population and is then used for regression modeling and prediction. Nonrandom data is encountered in numerous situations, and the application ..
Role of esophageal body function in gastroesophageal reflux disease: implications for surgical management.

Abstract Background: Effective esophageal peristalsis is a major determinant of esophageal clearance function. The relation of esophageal body function with a mechanically defective lower esophageal sphincter and the development of esophageal mucosal injury in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease is unclear. Study Design: We analyzed the relations among the manometrically determined esophageal clearance function, lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction, esophageal acid exposure, and the presence and severity of esophageal mucosal injury in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Normal values for the manometric assessment of esophageal clearance function were established in 50 normal volunteers and subsequently applied to 160 symptomatic patients with increased esophageal exposure to gastric juice and various grades of esophageal mucosal injury (no minimal surgery, esophagitis, stricture, and Barrett's esophagus). Results: Defective clearance function was present in 47.5% of the patients; a defective lower esophageal sphincter was documented in 63.1%. Compromised esophageal clearance function was significantly more common in patients with a defective lower esophageal sphincter than in those with normal sphincter function (55% versus 33.8%). Esophageal acid exposure time and the prevalence and severity of esophageal mucosal injury were highest in patients with a defective sphincter and compromised clearance function. Conclusions: These data show that esophageal motor function deteriorates with increasing severity of mucosal injury. This appears to be due to persistent reflux of gastric juice across a mechanically defective lower esophageal sphincter. This may influence the choice and outcome of antireflux surgery. Surgical correction of a mechanically defective sphincter before the loss of esophageal body function is advocated.
Traveling Medical Collection: An Evaluation

Health information oriented toward the consumer has long been scarce. Online databases and health information directories have been geared to the health professional. Many libraries have responded to the consumer's desire for and right to health information, but most have not, except indirectly, as participants in consumer health information consortiums. As McClaskey states:
Leucine and α-Ketoisocaproic Acid, but Not Norleucine, Stimulate Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis in Neonatal Pigs

The branched-chain amino acid, leucine, acts as a nutrient signal to stimulate protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of young pigs. However, the chemical structure responsible for this effect has not been identified. We have shown that the other branched-chain amino acids, isoleucine and valine, are not able to stimulate protein synthesis when raised in plasma to levels within the postprandial range. In this study, we evaluated the effect of leucine, alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC), and norleucine infusion (0 or 400 micromol kg(-1) h(-1) for 60 min) on protein synthesis and activation of translation initiation factors in piglets. Infusion of leucine, KIC, and norleucine raised plasma levels of each compound compared with controls. KIC also increased (P < 0.01) and norleucine reduced (P < 0.02) plasma levels of leucine compared with controls. Administration of leucine and KIC resulted in greater (P < 0.006) phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E binding protein-1 (4E-BP1) and eIF4G, lower (P < 0.04) abundance of the inactive 4E-BP1.eIF4E complex, and greater (P < 0.05) active eIF4G.eIF4E complex formation in skeletal muscle compared with controls. Protein synthesis in skeletal muscle was greater (P < 0.02) in leucine- and KIC-infused pigs than in those in the control group. Norleucine infusion did not affect muscle protein synthesis or translation initiation factor activation. In liver, neither protein synthesis nor activation of translation initiation factors was affected by treatment. These results suggest that the ability of leucine to act as a nutrient signal to stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis is specific for leucine and/or its metabolite, KIC.
Promoting Higher Level Thinking in Psychology: Is Active Learning the Answer?

The goal of this study was to investigate which common instructional methods (active vs. direct) best promote higher level thinking in a psychology course. Over a 5-week period, 71 undergraduates w...
Geometry of crustal faults: Identification from seismicity and implications for slip and stress transfer models

[1] Geometric complexities of faults and fault systems are first-order effects that complicate the mechanics of faulting and physics of earthquakes. We investigate the importance of this complexity using relocated seismicity from a catalog of events for the Joshua Tree–Landers earthquake sequence and present a new method to locate faults or fault systems in clouds of seismicity. The abundance and ever improved accuracy of earthquake and microseismic location of such events permits a better understanding of the geometric intricacies of fault systems. The proposed method assumes that seismicity is most abundant in the central fault zone and the spatial density of seismicity is used to locate finite width fault zones and construct fault surfaces from the seismicity. The method is different from statistical fits (e.g., L1- and L2-norm fits) in that it does not suppose a decay of seismicity from the central fault zone and that it identifies the tiplines of faults from the fault zone seismicity directly. In the Joshua Tree–Landers earthquake catalog, the method identifies 10 separate fault segments ranging in average strike from north-south to east-west that compare well with surface trace fault maps. These faults exhibit significant nonplanarity with the Joshua Tree fault departing from a planar approximation by more than 2000 m. The mechanical effects of the geometrically complex fault surfaces are illustrated by inverting for coseismic slip using surface displacements and when compared to slip inversions on planar faults reveal a more complicated pattern of slip on the fault. The low RMS error in surface displacement, the good match to geodetic moment, and robust estimates of maximum slip compare well to the results for planar faults. The inverted slip distributions are used to solve the quasi-static fault stress transfer problem and estimate the tractions changes by slip on the Joshua Tree fault on the fault segments involved in the Landers earthquake. We find that the propensity for slip on the Landers faults increased in regions of initiation and largest slip during the subsequent event. The geometrically complex models predict greater likelihood for slip along the northern faults involved in the Landers earthquake than the commonly used planar and vertical four-fault models.
The forecasting performance of implied volatility from live cattle options contracts: Implications for agribusiness risk management

This research examines the forecasting performance of implied volatility derived from nearby live cattle options contracts in predicting 1-week volatility of nearby live cattle futures prices. Forecast evaluation is conducted from the perspective of an agribusiness risk manager. The methodology employed avoids overlapping forecast horizons and focuses on forecast errors, minimizing interpretive issues. Results suggest that implied volatility is a biased and inefficient forecast of 1-week nearby live cattle futures price volatility. However, implied volatility encompasses all information provided by a time series alternative, and it has improved as a forecast over time. These findings provide insight to agribusiness risk managers on how to adjust for bias and inefficiency of implied volatility, and provide insight into their information content. lJEL|EconLit citations: Q130, Q140, G130.r © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 20: 217-230, 2004.
Software Effort, Quality, and Cycle Time: A Study of CMM Level 5 Projects

The Capability Maturity Model (CMM) has become a popular methodology for improving software development processes with the goal of developing high-quality software within budget and planned cycle time. Prior research literature, while not exclusively focusing on CMM level 5 projects, has identified a host of factors as determinants of software development effort, quality, and cycle time. In this study, we focus exclusively on CMM level 5 projects from multiple organizations to study the impacts of highly mature processes on effort, quality, and cycle time. Using a linear regression model based on data collected from 37 CMM level 5 projects of four organizations, we find that high levels of process maturity, as indicated by CMM level 5 rating, reduce the effects of most factors that were previously believed to impact software development effort, quality, and cycle time. The only factor found to be significant in determining effort, cycle time, and quality was software size. On the average, the developed models predicted effort and cycle time around 12 percent and defects to about 49 percent of the actuals, across organizations. Overall, the results in this paper indicate that some of the biggest rewards from high levels of process maturity come from the reduction in variance of software development outcomes that were caused by factors other than software size
Synthesis of Iron Pyrite Film through Low Temperature Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition

Pyrite phase of FeS2 has attracted substantial attention in the field of thin film solar technology because of its high optical absorption coefficient (~5 × 105 cm−1 at hv > 1.3eV) and the band gap of 0.95 eV. In this research, we have grown highly pure iron pyrite films using a low temperature atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition technique. The synthesis temperature is in the range of 375-400°C and Di-fert-butyl disulfide (TBDS) is used as the sulfur precursor. TBDS is a safe and low cost sulfur source unlike H2S, which is highly toxic and requires extreme care in handling. The films obtained were uniform and free from common impurity phases such as troilite and marcasite. The FeS2 films grown earlier with CVD synthesis and sulfurized using H2S had pinholes and contained secondary phases like marcasite and troilite. The FeS2 pyrite phase was confirmed using various characterization techniques that included SEM, EDS, XRD and XPS.
Additive Weighted Ordered Weighted Average

This paper presents a simplified version of Tora's Weighted Ordered Weighted Average based on restricting the Ordered Weighted Average component to a Soft Hurwicz Rule. It provides an easily understood, easily implemented tool that respects both the relative inherent importance of criteria and the degree to which tradeoffs among them are appropriate.
RESPONSE OF NEBRASKA SAND HILLS NATURAL VEGETATION TO DROUGHT, FIRE, GRAZING, AND PLANT FUNCTIONAL TYPE SHIFTS AS SIMULATED BY THE CENTURY MODEL

The Nebraska Sand Hills exist in a semi-arid climatic environment and the land surface is grassland growing on sandy soils. These soils have been periodically active throughout the Holocene, but are currently stabilized by the vegetation. However, a shift in climate could cause grassland death and eventual sand dune remobilization. Our studies used the CENTURY nutrient cycling and ecosys- tem model to investigate the impacts of drought, plant functional type, fire, grazing, and erosion on Nebraska Sand Hills vegetation and dune stability. Fire and grazing alone had little impact on the vegetation, but when combined with mild drought, biomass decreased. Overall biomass increased if one plant functional type was allowed to dominate the ecosystem. Addition of as little as 1 mm of erosion per year under current climate conditions decreases vegetation as much as a drought 20 percent drier than the worst of the 1930s drought years in Nebraska.
A Parallel Local Search Algorithm for Euclidean Steiner Tree Problem

This paper presented a parallel local search algorithm for the Steiner tree problem. The main contribution of this work is the o(n^2 \log^2 n+\log n(\frac{n}{{\log n}})) parallel local search algorithm for computing Steiner tree on the Euclidean plane. The algorithmused proximity structures from computational geometry like, Voronoi diagram, Delaunay triangulation, Gabriel graph, and relative neighborhood graphs to compute additional or Steiner points.
DISCRETE PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION FOR THE ORIENTEERING PROBLEM

Discrete particle swarm optimization (DPSO) is gaining popularity in the area of combinatorial optimization in the recent past due to its simplicity in coding and consistency in performance. A DPSO algorithm has been developed for orienteering problem (OP) which has been shown to have many practical applications. It uses reduced variable neighborhood search as a local search tool. The DPSO algorithm was compared with ten heuristic models from the literature using benchmark problems. The results show that the DPSO algorithm is a robust algorithm that can optimally solve the well known OP test problems.
Is early postoperative duplex scan surveillance of leg bypass grafts clinically important

Abstract Purpose: The typical leg bypass surveillance program begins with a duplex scan evaluation of the vein graft 3 months after surgery; studies are repeated every 3 months during the first year of follow-up and are fully reimbursed by our Medicare carrier. Some authors have recommended early (before discharge or first postoperative visit) duplex scanning to identify high-risk grafts. However, the natural history of velocity disturbances detected with early scans is unclear, and furthermore, such studies are not reimbursed by Medicare. Methods: We reviewed all infrainguinal vein bypass grafts prospectively entered into a surveillance protocol that included an early ( Results: Early duplex scans were performed in 224 bypass grafts placed in 204 patients. Early scans were abnormal (peak systolic velocity [PSV], >200 cm/s) in 58 grafts (26%). Six grafts of the 58 (10.3%; 2.7%) with an early abnormal duplex scan and unrepaired defects occluded during the follow-up period. Thirty grafts were revised on the basis of the initial early scan; 23 of these revisions were performed for critical or rapidly progressive lesions in the first 3 postoperative months. Seven lesions progressed more slowly and were repaired at a mean of 8 months after surgery. Interestingly, 22 flow abnormalities (37%) resolved or stabilized despite a PSV of more than 300 cm/s in six cases (27%). Clear duplex scan evidence of regression or progression of these early flow abnormalities occurred within 3 months in 51/58 cases (88%). A total of 68 grafts (30%) were revised during the entire study period; 30 of these (44%) were on the basis of the early abnormal scan. Conclusion: Despite normal completion arteriography, early graft velocity abnormalities are strikingly common and were detected in 26% of the 224 infrainguinal vein grafts in this series. These lesions were clinically important because 52% necessitated revision. Surprisingly, however, 38% of these early flow disturbances resolved, despite a PSV of more than 300 cm/s in 27% of cases. Early duplex scan surveillance singularly detects a clinically significant subgroup of grafts that need revision. The possible origin of these early lesions deserves further inquiry, but on the basis of its clinical yield, we recommend that early duplex scan surveillance of infrainguinal bypass grafts should be routine and should be considered for Medicare reimbursement. (J Vasc Surg 2003;37:495-500.)
New Developments in the Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Thin-Layer Materials

The vibrating-membrane configuration represents an important new approach to the dynamic mechanical analysis of thin-layer materials. The method offers a convenient capability for high-resolution stress measurements over a wide temperature range, and can be combined if desired with internal friction measurements for the detection of defect-related relaxation peaks. Illustrative results are given for the thermomechanical behavior of silicon, silicon carbide, and synthetic diamond membranes, and for the moisture swelling of polyimide films. A detailed study of hydrogen-boron point defects in silicon is in progress, using both internal stress and internal friction measurements, and work on membranes has been supplemented significantly by the use of vibrating-string and ultra-thin vibrating-reed samples.
MEN'S RESPONSES TO FEMINISM AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY

This article examines the variety of men's responses to feminism in late nineteenthand early twentieth-century United States through texts that addressed the claims raised by the turn-of-the-century women's movements. Antifeminist texts relied on traditional arguments, as well as Social Darwinist and natural law notions, to reassert the patriarchal family and to oppose women's suffrage and participation in the public sphere. Masculinist texts sought to combat the purported feminization of American manhood by proposing islands of masculinity, untainted by feminizing forces; proscribed homosociality was also cast as an effective antidote to homosexuality. Profeminist texts openly embraced women's claims for changes in public participation and private and family life, both out of a sense of justice and the conviction that such changes would benefit men and challenge the emerging industrial capitalist order. Parallels to contemporary men's responses to the women's movement are suggested.
A Unity Quantum Efficiency Photodiode Using Porous Silicon Film

A highly sensitive photodiode was fabricated with a metal-porous silicon junction. The spectral response was measured for the wavelength range from 400 nm to 1.075 μn. It was demonstrated that close to unity quantum efficiency could be obtained in the wavelength range of 630 to 900 nm without any anti-reflective coating. The detector response time is about 2 ns for a 9 volts reverse bias. The acceptance angle of photodiode is 2 times better than that of conventional Si detectors. The uniformity and stability were also studied. Possible mechanisms are discussed.
Laminar Flame Speeds and Strain Sensitivities of Mixtures of H2 With CO, CO2and N2 at Elevated Temperatures

Laminar flame speed and strain sensitivities have been measured for mixtures of H 2 /CO/CO 2 /N 2 /O 2 using with a wall stagnation flame technique at high preheat temperature (700 K) and lean conditions. The measurements are compared with numerical predictions based on two reaction mechanisms: GRI Mech 3.0 and Davis et al. a H 2 /CO mechanism (Davis et al.) For H 2 :CO 50:50 fuel mixtures, the both models tend to over predict the temperature dependence of the flame speed especially at very lean conditions, which confirms the trend predicted found in anby earlier study with employing a Bunsen flame technique. The predicted strain sensitivities are in good agreement with the measurements. When this For 50:50 H 2 :CO fuel mixtures is diluted with 40% CO 2 , the amount of over prediction by the models are is about the same levels as in the undiluted case, which suggests that the radiation absorption/emission effects of associated with CO 2 addition is are not important for this mixture at highly preheated lean condition. For low H 2 content (5 to 20%) H 2 /CO fuel mixtures at 5 atm pressure and fuel lean condition, the predicted unstrained flame speeds is are in excellent agreement with the measurements, while but the models fails to predicted the strain sensitivity as the amount of H 2 increases to 20%. Experiments have also been conducted Results are also presented for pure H 2 with highly N 2 diluted air (O 2 :N 2 1:9) over a range of equivalence ratios. At lean conditions, the models over predict the measured flame speed by as much as 30%, and the amount of over prediction decreases as the equivalence ratio increases to stoichiometric and rich condition. The measured strain sensitivities are three times higher than that of the models predictions at lean conditions. and mMore importantly, the predicted strain sensitivities do not change with equivalence ratio for both models, while the measurements reveal a clear trend (shows a clear decreasing and then increasing) trend as the fuel-air ratio Ф increases changes from lean to rich.
Can you keep a secret? Confidentiality in psychotherapy

Confidentiality is the secret-keeping duty that arises from the establishment of the professional relationship psychologists develop with their clients. It is a duty created by the professional relationship, it is set forth in the American Psychological Association's (2002) Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct, and it is codified in many state regulations. However, the difference between confidentiality and legal privilege; how, why, and when it can be violated; and the reasons for so doing are not well understood by many practitioners. While on the surface confidentiality might seem to be an easy concept to apply to professional practice, in fact it is quite complex and filled with exceptions that frequently differ from circumstance to circumstance and from state to state. A lack of respect for and a lack of familiarity with the significance of these exceptions could have dire professional consequences. This article reviews the ethical imperative of confidentiality and then provides examples of legal cases that help to better understand its complexity. Then, we offer strategies designed to help metal health practitioners when they are confronted with questions regarding confidentiality and privilege.
The effect of differential overtraining of the positive and negative stimulus on the aversiveness of the negative stimulus

Six discrimination-sophisticated monkeys were trained on 18 problems, each of which contained intermixed trials on two discriminations. In six problems, the ratio of trials of the two discriminations was 4 to 1. Following training, a single test trial was given, which consisted of choice between the more trained (MT) and less trained (LT) negative stimuli. No consistent preference for either stimulus was demonstrated. In the remaining problems, either the negative or positive stimulus of one discrimination was overtrained. In the former condition, on test trials, the LT negative stimuli were preferred, while in the latter, the MT negative stimuli were preferred. These results could be accounted for by the relative frequency during training of nonrewarded responses to the MT and LT negative stimuli.
Length-Dependent Gametic CAG Repeat Instability in the Huntington's Disease Knock-in Mouse

The CAG repeats in the human Huntington's disease (HD) gene exhibit striking length-dependent intergenerational instability, typically small size increases or decreases of one to a few CAGs, but little variation in somatic tissues. In a subset of male transmissions, larger size increases occur to produce extreme HD alleles that display somatic instability and cause juvenile onset of the disorder. Initial efforts to reproduce these features in a mouse model transgenic for HD exon 1 with 48 CAG repeats revealed only mild intergenerational instability ( approximately 2% of meioses). A similar pattern was obtained when this repeat was inserted into exon 1 of the mouse Hdh gene. However, lengthening the repeats in Hdh to 90 and 109 units produced a graded increase in the mutation frequency to >70%, with instability being more evident in female transmissions. No large jumps in CAG length were detected in either male or female transmissions. Instead, size changes were modest increases and decreases, with expansions typically emanating from males and contractions from females. Limited CAG variation in the somatic tissues gave way to marked mosaicism in liver and striatum for the longest repeats in older mice. These results indicate that gametogenesis is the primary source of inherited instability in the Hdh knock-in mouse, as it is in man, but that the underlying repeat length-dependent mechanism, which may or may not be related in the two species, operates at higher CAG numbers. Moreover, the large CAG repeat increases seen in a subset of male HD transmissions are not reproduced in the mouse, suggesting that these arise by a different fundamental mechanism than the small size fluctuations that are frequent during gametogenesis in both species.
Laser trackers for large-scale dimensional metrology: A review

Abstract Thirty years since their invention, laser trackers are now recognized as the measurement tool of choice in the manufacture and assembly of large components. The general design of laser trackers, i.e., a ranging unit on a two-axis gimbal, has not changed significantly over the years. However, innovations in ranging technology, for example, the emergence of increasingly accurate absolute distance meters (ADMs), are providing users with an alternative to interferometers (IFMs). Hand-held accessories such as touch probes and line scanners are expanding the scope and applicability of laser trackers. In this paper, we survey the literature in all areas of laser trackers as applied to large-scale dimensional metrology (LSDM), with emphasis on error modeling, measurement uncertainty, performance evaluation and standardization.
Effect of Calcifications on Breast Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography: An Investigational Study.

Purpose To investigate the effects of macrocalcifications and clustered microcalcifications associated with benign breast masses on shear wave elastography (SWE). Methods SuperSonic Imagine (SSI) and comb-push ultrasound shear elastography (CUSE) were performed on three sets of phantoms to investigate how calcifications of different sizes and distributions influence measured elasticity. To demonstrate the effect in vivo, three female patients with benign breast masses associated with mammographically-identified calcifications were evaluated by CUSE. Results Apparent maximum elasticity (Emax) estimates resulting from individual macrocalcifications (with diameters of 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, 6mm, 9mm, 11mm, and 15mm) showed values over 50 kPa for all cases, which represents more than 100% increase over background (~21kPa). We considered a 2cm-diameter circular region of interest for all phantom experiments. Mean elasticity (Emean) values varied from 26 kPa to 73 kPa, depending on the macrocalcification size. Highly dense clusters of microcalcifications showed higher Emax values than clusters of microcalcification with low concentrations, but the difference in Emean values was not significant. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the presence of large isolated macrocalcifications and highly concentrated clusters of microcalcifications can introduce areas with apparent high elasticity in SWE. Considering that benign breast masses normally have significantly lower elasticity values than malignant tumors, such areas with high elasticity appearing due to presence of calcification in benign breast masses may lead to misdiagnosis.
A single institution experience of lung cancer treatment in octogenarians

18141 Background: In the NCI’s SEER database nearly 15% of NSCLC patients were = 80 years during the years 1973–2003. As the “elderly” population increases, the percentage of octogenarians with NSC...
Arctic ground squirrel neuronal progenitor cells resist oxygen and glucose deprivation-induced death.

Arctic ground squirrel neuronal progenitor cells resist oxygen and glucose deprivation-induced death
Compatibility of Rhinocyllus conicus and 2,4-D (LVA) for Musk Thistle Control

Herbicidal effect on Rhinocyllus conicus Froet., a thistle head weevil, was studied by examining the mortality, emergence rates and weights of weevils developing from plants treated with 2,4-D (LVA). Infested heads, obtained by caging ovipositing R. conicus on primary heads of musk thistle ( Carduus nutans L.) (resembles C. thoermeri Weinmann), were treated with 2,4-D at 1.68 kg/ha 0–3 wk after oviposition. Mortalities of larvae developing from untreated plants and those plants sprayed 1–3 wk were significantly lower than mortality from plants sprayed within 48 h of oviposition. The latter failed to support larval development beyond the 2nd instar. Developmental times and weights of weevils that emerged from blooms sprayed at 1, 2, and 3 wk were not significantly different from controls. Plants sprayed up to 2 wk after oviposition (late-bud to early-bloom) did not produce viable seeds, but treatments at 3 wk after oviposition (full-bloom) allowed 10% germination of seeds not damaged by R. conicus in primary heads, and plants survived to produce additional heads. Treatment of musk thistles with 2,4-D at late-bud to early-bloom stage of the primary heads prevented formation of viable seeds without adversely affecting R. conicus development.
Research Note: Effects of Slaframine on Circulating Concentrations of Growth Hormone and Glucose

The ability of slaframine (SF), a parasympathomimetic, to alter blood growth hormone (GH) and glucose concentrations in broiler chicks was investigated. Eighty male broiler chicks (average weight 225 g) were divided into 10 groups and dosed with either saline (control) or 1 mg SF/kg of body weight by oral intubation. Plasma samples were obtained from separate groups of chicks at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 hr after SF administration and analyzed for growth hormone and glucose. One hour after SF administration, glucose increased (P less than .05) 21.4% compared with controls. Growth hormone increased (P less than .05) 449 to 948% from 8 to 12 hr after SF administration. Administration of SF at 1 mg/kg of body weight was associated with increased plasma GH.
Guided Bomb Accessible Region Quantitative Reduction Method Based on Hit Probability

Since the objective existence of errors and interference in guided bomb practical delivery process, the accessible region calculated by the ideal trajectory model cannot ensure the necessary hit probability.The influence of some typical errors and interference to the hit probability of guided bomb was studied, the substaintial characteristic of accessible region was described in the view of hit probability distribution via Monte-Carlo target practice simulation in integrated interference.A quantitative reduction method was proposed, which could increase the hit probability of guided bomb in practical delivery environment.Simulation showed that the method is simple and has high generality and feasibility.
Isotropic covariance matrix polynomials on spheres

ABSTRACTThis article characterizes the covariance matrix function of a Gaussian or elliptically contoured vector random field that is stationary, isotropic, and mean square continuous on the sphere. By applying the characterization to examine the validity of a matrix function whose entries are polynomials of degrees up to 4, we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the polynomial matrix to be an isotropic covariance matrix function on the sphere.
Nonlinear optics: prehistory and future

Some personal reminiscences from the years before 1960 recount how nonlinear optics could sprout immediately after the birth of the laser. The future for the applications of this young branch of science looks promising.
Analysis of Dynamic Models

In this chapter, we consider some of the most broadly applicable techniques for the analysis of discrete and continuous time dynamical systems such as Eigenvalue Methods and Phase Portraits. These methods can provide important qualitative information about the behavior of dynamical systems, even when exact analytic solutions are not obtainable. Eigenvalue method is used to analyze nonlinear dynamical systems for stability and is an appropriate application for a computer algebra system. Its methods can be applied to both continuous time dynamical systems and discrete time dynamical systems. The same concept can be used to obtain the phase portrait, which is a graphical description of the dynamics over the entire state space. A phase portrait is mapped by homeomorphism, a continuous function with a continuous inverse.
Centering prayer’s effects on psycho-spiritual outcomes: a pilot outcome study

ABSTRACTCentering prayer is a spiritual and religious form of meditation grounded in the history of Christian contemplative prayer. Despite its popularity, empirical research investigating centering prayer’s effects on psycho-spiritual outcomes is relative sparse. This pilot outcome study explored the effect of a centering prayer workshop on participants’ (N = 9) depression, anxiety, stress, spiritual transcendence, religious crisis, faith development, and mindfulness. Several significant changes were noted over the course of the six-week study, including decreased anxiety and stress, and increased faith development and mindfulness. Interestingly, we noted that participants likely also experienced a spiritual or religious struggle that follows the established spiritual development paradigm called the Dark Night of the Soul. The study did not include a control group, and so did not account for effects related to history, maturation, or regression to the mean. Nevertheless, the initial results prove promisi...
Test Fairness in Second Language Assessment.

Fairness, an essential quality of a test, has been broadly defined as equitable treatment of all testtakers during the testing process, absence of measurement bias, equitable access to the constructs being measured, and justifiable validity of test score interpretation for the intended purpose(s) (AREA, APA, & NCME, 2014). Given that test fairness is closely related to the interpretations and uses of test scores as well as the claims made from those interpretations and uses, it is critical to obtain and weigh validity evidence to support or refute the score interpretations, their uses, and the potential socio-political consequences in order to evaluate fairness (Chalhoub-Deville, 2015; Haertel & Herman, 2005; McNamara & Roever, 2006). The purpose of this article is to describe how test fairness has been conceptualized in second language assessment through the lens of validity theories. First, I will describe construct- and interpretive-argument-based validity theories and how they accommodate the integration of test fairness. Then, following Xi (2010), three major approaches to conceptualizing test fairness in relation to validity will be discussed.
Disinfection of Root Canal Systems The Treatment of Apical Periodontitis

Disinfection of root canal systems , Disinfection of root canal systems , کتابخانه دیجیتالی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی و خدمات درمانی شهید بهشتی
Microbial synthesis of a branched-chain ester platform from organic waste carboxylates

Processing of lignocellulosic biomass or organic wastes produces a plethora of chemicals such as short, linear carboxylic acids, known as carboxylates, derived from anaerobic digestion. While these carboxylates have low values and are inhibitory to microbes during fermentation, they can be biologically upgraded to high-value products. In this study, we expanded our general framework for biological upgrading of carboxylates to branched-chain esters by using three highly active alcohol acyltransferases (AATs) for alcohol and acyl CoA condensation and modulating the alcohol moiety from ethanol to isobutanol in the modular chassis cell. With this framework, we demonstrated the production of an ester library comprised of 16 out of all 18 potential esters, including acetate, propionate, butanoate, pentanoate, and hexanoate esters, from the 5 linear, saturated C2-C6 carboxylic acids. Among these esters, 5 new branched-chain esters, including isobutyl acetate, isobutyl propionate, isobutyl butyrate, isobutyl pentanoate, and isobutyl hexanoate were synthesized in vivo. During 24 h in situ fermentation and extraction, one of the engineered strains, EcDL208 harnessing the SAAT of Fragaria ananassa produced ~63 mg/L of a mixture of butyl and isobutyl butyrates from glucose and butyrate co-fermentation and ~127 mg/L of a mixture of isobutyl and pentyl pentanoates from glucose and pentanoate co-fermentation, with high specificity. These butyrate and pentanoate esters are potential drop-in liquid fuels. This study provides better understanding of functional roles of AATs for microbial biosynthesis of branched-chain esters and expands the potential use of these esters as drop-in biofuels beyond their conventional flavor, fragrance, and solvent applications.
Bonding of Metal Orthodontic Attachments to Sandblasted Porcelain and Zirconia Surfaces

This study evaluates tensile bond strength (TBS) of metal orthodontic attachments to sandblasted feldspathic porcelain and zirconia with various bonding protocols. Thirty-six (36) feldspathic and 36 zirconia disc samples were prepared, glazed, embedded in acrylic blocks and sandblasted, and divided into three groups according to one or more of the following treatments: hydrofluoric acid 4% (HF), Porcelain Conditioner silane primer, Reliance Assure® primer, Reliance Assure plus® primer, and Z Prime™ plus zirconia primer. A round traction hook was bonded to each sample. Static tensile bond strength tests were performed in a universal testing machine and adhesive remnant index (ARI) scoring was done using a digital camera. One-way ANOVA and Pearson chi-square tests were used to analyze TBS (MPa) and ARI scores. No statistically significant mean differences were found in TBS among the different bonding protocols for feldspathic and zirconia, p values = 0.369 and 0.944, respectively. No statistically significant distribution of ARI scores was found among the levels of feldspathic, p value = 0.569. However, statistically significant distribution of ARI scores was found among the levels of zirconia, p value = 0.026. The study concluded that silanization following sandblasting resulted in tensile bond strengths comparable to other bonding protocols for feldspathic and zirconia surface.
Methods for detecting co-mutated pathways in cancer samples to inform treatment selection

Tumor genomes evolve through a selection of mutations. These mutations may complement each other to promote tumorigenesis. To better understand the functional interactions of different processes in cancer, we studied mutation data of a set of tumors and identified significantly co-mutated pathways. Fisher's exact test is a standard approach that can be used to assess the significance of the joint dysregulation of pathways pairs across a patient population. We developed a robust test to identify co-occurrence using DNA mutations, which overcomes deficiencies of the Fisher's exact test by taking into account the large variability in overall mutation load and sequencing depth. Applying our method to a study of six common cancer types, we identify enrichment of co-mutated signal transduction pathways such as IP3 synthesis and PI3K and pairs of co-mutated pathways involving other processes such as immunity and development. We observed enrichment of clonal co-mutation of the proteasome and apoptosis pathways in colorectal cancer, which suggests potential mechanisms for immune evasion.
New Directions in the Study of Ethnopolitics

AbstractThe field of ethnic politics has progressed rapidly as the result of new data collection efforts. While progress in the field has been hampered by the lack of clear theoretical underpinnings and sparse data, new datasets have emerged that help scholars think more critically about how ethnic power dynamics foster conflict. In the future, however, greater effort should be made to collect systematic information on the organizations that claim to represent ethnic groups.
Students’ Perceptions of Using Twitter for Learning in Social Work Courses

Incorporating social media into social work education is on the rise. Yet little research exists on the outcomes of social media in the classroom. This article examines results from a study of stud...
Blowing bubbles: Dermoscopy of bubble hair

Exposing wet hair to high temperatures can create gas bubbles within the hair shaft, leading to brittle, dry hairs in a disorder known as bubble hair abnormality. We present a case of a 61-year-old woman who presented for hair breakage over her crown. She regularly dried her damp hair with a blow dryer. Dermoscopy revealed multiple bubbles within the hair shaft, and diagnosis of bubble hair abnormality was confirmed by light microscopy. Our unusual case highlights the ease of acquisition of this abnormality by means of a common hair dryer, and the utility of dermoscopy to make a fast and accurate diagnosis within the office.
Three years of the global precipitation measurement (GPM) mission

Water is essential to our planet Earth. Knowing when, where and how precipitation falls is crucial for understanding the linkages between the Earth's water and energy cycles and is extraordinarily important for sustaining life on our planet during climate change. The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory spacecraft launched February 27, 2014, is the anchor to the GPM international satellite mission to unify and advance precipitation measurements from a constellation of research and operational sensors to provide “next-generation” precipitation products. GPM is currently a partnership between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Status and successes in terms of spacecraft, instruments, retrieval products, validation, and impacts for science and society will be presented.
Becoming a more culturally responsive teacher by identifying and reducing microaggressions in classrooms and school communities

There is more to culturally responsive teaching than selecting multicultural texts and designing inclusive lesson. This paper aims to support teachers in becoming more culturally responsive by guiding them in how to recognize and respond to microaggressions in their daily interactions with students, colleagues, and parents.,Microaggressions have been defined as “brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults toward people of color”.,When classroom interactions contain microaggressions, students are damaged in both seen and unseen ways. Interactions between teachers, students and parents afford powerful occasions to analyze classroom communication and provide windows into the nature of student–student, student–teacher and teacher–parent relationships.,Regardless of where, when, why or how they occur, these interactions provide brief opportunities for culturally responsive teachers to demonstrate that they respect their students’ home and community cultures, accept who their students are and honor the education that they receive both inside and outside of school.,Becoming more adept at recognizing and addressing microaggressions is one way that teachers can become more culturally responsive. For students, being able to identify and respond more effectively to microaggressions creates greater opportunities for all students to think critically and engage in social action.,This paper presents an original viewpoint on identifying and reducing microaggressions in classrooms and school communities.