cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morton's interdigital neuroma: a clinical review of its etiology, treatment, and results

Morton's neuroma is most likely a mechanically induced degenerative neuropathy which has a strong predilection for the third common digital nerve in middle-aged women. The excessive motion between the third and fourth metatarsals, the tethered third common digital nerve in the third web space, the third and fourth metatarsal heads flanking the third common digital nerve, the stout third transverse intermetatarsal ligament overlying the third common digital nerve, and excessive weightbearing stress on the forefoot, particularly by wearing pointed and high-heeled shoes, can collectively produce microdamage to the third common digital nerve. If allowed to continue for a long period of time, this can become manifested microscopically by nerve fiber degeneration and excessive intraneural and juxtaneural reparative fibrous tissue formation resulting in a significantly enlarged nerve. Such enlargement can create further trauma, and therefore become even more symptomatic. When nonsurgical means fail to relieve patient's symptoms, surgical removal of this offending neuroma through a dorsal approach can produce dramatic relief of symptoms. In addition, when a painful recurring Morton's neuroma does not respond to conservative treatments, removal of this lesion through a plantar approach can provide lasting relief.
Optimal motion control for teleoperated surgical robots

This paper addresses the problem of optimal motion control for teleoperated surgical robots, which must maneuver in constrained workspaces. The control problem is determining how best to use the available degrees of freedom of a surgical robot to accomplish a particular task, while respecting geometric constraints on the work volume, robot mechanism, and the specific task requirements. We present a method of formulating desired motions in the task space (task space goals) as instances of a quadratic optimization problem, optionally subject to additional linear constraints. The control formalism applies both to kinematically deficient as well as kinematically redundant mechanisms. Specifically, we discuss the problem as it relates to a representative set of tasks in teleoperated navigation of a laparoscopic camera attached to a surgical robot.
Euthanizing the Value of a Statistical Life

AbstractFor economists, the term “value of a statistical life” (VSL) is an eminently reasonable label for the concept it describes. However, outside our discipline, this terminology has been singul...
Capacity, Dielectric Constant, and Power Factor of Fiber Assemblies:

The behavior of an air-fiber mixture is discussed. Measurements of the effective dielectric constant and power factor of yarns wound between cones have been made for a number of materials at variou...
Calculation of the Entropies of Lattice Defects

The entropy of lattice defects are here considered in somewhat greater detail than previously. Calculations are out to estimate the intrinsic entropies associated with such lattice defects as interstitialcies and vacancies, and with the activated complexes of vacancy and ring diffusion. The present application is to fcc metals and a very simplified force model representing only the closed-shell, ion-core repulsions of copper has been used. The problem consists in evaluating the change of lattice vibrations with the introduction of each defect. The method is in a first approximation to consider vibrations localized around the defect as separate from elastic vibrations at appreciable distance from the defect. Only in the region far from the defect is the entropy contribution always positive. The surface condition of zero pressure introduces a term which reduces the effect of the "localized" vibrations. In general the intrinsic entropy is less positive for those configurations where there is crowding of the atoms than for those configurations where the atoms have greater free volume.
Regional Collectivism in Appalachia and Academic Attitudes

Prior research on Appalachian students has noted key differences in academic performance compared to the general population, but few researchers have examined the influence of cultural values on ac...
Gradients in elastic modulus for improved contact-damage resistance. Part I: The silicon nitride–oxynitride glass system

Abstract Silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 )-based graded materials were fabricated with controlled, unidirectional gradients in elastic modulus from the surface to the interior. This was accomplished by infiltrating a low modulus silicon oxynitride glass into a dense, higher modulus, Si 3 N 4 ceramic. Elastic Hertzian indentation (spherical indenter) experiments were performed on both the graded and the monolithic Si 3 N 4 . While Hertzian indentation of the monolithic ceramic resulted in classical cone cracks, such cracks were completely suppressed in the graded materials at comparable load levels, despite the lower strength and lower toughness of the surface layer comprising glass. Finite element analysis (FEA) of the stresses associated with the indentation was also performed to gain insight into the mechanism for the enhanced contact damage resistance in the graded materials. The computational analysis revealed that the maximum tensile stresses outside the Hertzian contact circle, which drive the cone-cracks, are reduced by approximately 30% relative to those present in the monolithic silicon nitride. This reduction in the tensile stresses more than compensates for the lower toughness at the graded material surfaces, relative to the monolithic Si 3 N 4 . The FEA also allowed us to develop some strategies for elastic–modulus-gradients that would lead to further improvements in the cone-crack suppression characteristics of graded materials in general.
Satisfying and altering edaphic requirements for acidophilic plants

Abstract Recent work on the soil/root interface has increased our understanding of fundamental mechanisms of ion uptake and responses to edaphic situations. Although there still remain many areas where our knowledge is scant, most of this work to date has used agronomic crop species as test plants. A significant family of plants for horticulturists is the Ericaceae which contains the ornamentally important azaleas and rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.) plus the edible‐fruit‐bearing blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) and cranberry (V. macrocarpon L.). These plants are known for their “acid‐loving”; character, sensitivity to fertilizer input and specific edaphic requirements. This review presents a basic understanding of the root system of these acidophilic plants from the aspect of ion‐stress response, particularly calcium, manganese and aluminum nutrition, and the role of organic amendments. This information will not only add to our store of knowledge but also enable us to adapt these species to unique edaphic sit...
Scalar mixing in a forced non-reactive plane shear layer using a thermal analogue to species concentration

Scalar composition and mixing rates within a non-reactive plane shear layer between two uniform water streams were manipulated by surface actuators on the highspeed side of the flow partition. The scalar concentrations were assessed using a thermal analogue by maintaining a time-invariant temperature difference between the uniform streams upstream of the flow partition. The ratio of the smallest velocity and temperature scales was governed by the Prandtl number. Because in water Pr 7 while the Schmidt number Sc for dyes and reactants is O(1000), temperature concentrations in water are a better representation of scalar mixing in air in which Sc = O(1). The effects of spanwise-uniform and -non-uniform actuation programs were investigated using arrays of discrete, individually controlled thin-film resistive heating elements that were surface-mounted on the flow partition. Spatial and temporal temperature distributions were measured phase-locked to the actuation waveform using a cross-stream array of closely spaced cold-wire sensors. These data were used to infer both the mixedness and the composition through the onset of mixing transition and quantify local and integral cross-stream mixing performance measures
Evaluation of Postharvest Burning and Fungicides to Reduce the Polyetic Rate of Increase of Choke Disease in Orchardgrass Seed Production.

Epichloe typhina, causal agent of choke disease, is detrimental to orchardgrass seed production. The fungus grows systemically, persists indefinitely as an endophyte within the perennial host, and produces a stroma bearing conidia and ascospores at the time of host flowering. The ascospores or conidia are thought to infect plants through the cut ends of tillers after swathing at harvest. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of systemic fungicides and postharvest treatments (burning and reclipping) to reduce the rate of increase of choke disease among plants. The fungicides propiconazole and azoxystrobin reduced germination of conidia of E. typhina in vitro, but had no effect on development of stroma or viability of conidia produced on infected plants. In field tests, fungicides applied to the cut ends of tillers after harvest were ineffective at reducing the rate of increase in disease. Likewise, reclipping of orchardgrass stubble after harvest, in an attempt to remove incipient infections in the tillers, did not reduce the rate of disease increase in the stand. However, propane-assisted burning of postharvest stubble did reduce the polyetic epidemic rate to 2.7% per year, compared with approximately 9.2% per year in plots receiving the fungicide, reclipping, or control treatments. The results suggest that postharvest burning may be useful in controlling choke disease and raise the possibility that there are infection courts other than the pith of cut reproductive tillers.
Black locust as a bioenergy feedstock: a review.

Short rotation woody bioenergy crops (SRWC) could contribute a substantial portion of the biomass required to meet federal mandates and offset carbon emissions. One SRWC with strong bioenergy potential is black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), planted extensively for wood and energy applications globally, but under-studied in its native US. This member of the Fabaceae family can fix nitrogen, tolerate stress, and sequester carbon while generating biomass yields up to 14 Mg ha-1 yr-1. This article offers a comprehensive state-of-the-art review of production practices, biomass and energy yield estimates, environmental risks and benefits, and economic considerations for this promising feedstock.
Measuring the Power of Hierarchical Cluster Analysis

Abstract The concept of power for monotone invariant clustering procedures is developed via the possible partitions of objects at each iteration level in the obtained hierarchy. At a given level, the probability of rejecting the randomness hypothesis is obtained empirically for the possible types of partitions of the n objects employed. The results indicate that the power of a particular hierarchical clustering procedure is a function of the type of partition. The additional problem of estimating a “true” partition at a certain level of a hierarchy is discussed briefly.
C4B deficiency: a risk factor for bacteremia with encapsulated organisms.

The fourth component of complement (C4) is crucial to the activation of the classical complement pathway, a key defense against invading microorganisms. The two isotypes of C4, C4A and C4B, have very different in vitro activities. An increased incidence of total C4B deficiency was found in white patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Neisseria meningitidis infection (14% of bacteremic children vs. 2% of race-matched controls, P = .02). In black patients, however, there was no difference in incidence of C4B deficiency between bacteremic patients and race-matched controls (7% and 5%, respectively, P greater than .5). These data suggest that, at least in whites, total C4B deficiency is a risk factor for invasive disease with these three encapsulated organisms.
Succinic dehydrogenase content of individual muscle fibers at different ages and stages of growth

Abstract Succinic dehydrogenase was measured cytophotometrically in muscle fibers from mice of different ages. For a short time after birth the concentration of enzyme within the fibers increased. However, the concentration of the enzyme within fibers of mature muscles was entirely dependent on the size of the fiber. Fibers that had undergone further growth had approximately the same total amount but the concentration of enzyme was much decreased because the mitochondrial content of the fiber had apparently been diluted four or five times by additional myofibrillar material. When different anatomical muscles were compared, fibers of the same size were found to have approximately the same enzyme concentration irrespective of what muscle they belonged to. This was so even for the soleus muscle which is a typical mammalian ‘red muscle’, although in this muscle there were no large fibers and therefore the concentration of succinic dehydrogenase in the muscle as a whole was considerably greater. Measurements on fibers from dystrophic mice revealed that most of the fibers were small and degenerating and had a lower enzyme content than normal. However a few large fibers, particularly the exceptionally large fibers found in the dystrophic biceps brachii, had a greater concentration than normal.
Stimulated acoustic emissions in the ear canal of the gerbil.

Abstract Ear-canal sound pressure and cochlear potentials were monitored in the anesthetized gerbil to study the origins of acoustic emissions produced by transient and continuous stimuli. No evidence was found of any delayed emissions (echoes) originating within the cochlea in the acoustic or cochlear microphonic (CM) waveforms. However, strong acoustic and CM distortion products occurred when two primary tones of moderate levels were presented to the ear; the site of origin of these products was traced to the cochlea. Further, the levels of distortion followed a complex time course after anoxia, often becoming stronger after animal death for up to one hour, then decaying to the noise floor of the system. The disappearance of the distortion products was coincident with elimination of both the negative endocochlear potential and the CM response to a fundamental tone.
Growth and characterization of AlGaAs/GaAs quantum well lasers

Abstract Quantum well heterostructure (QWH) lasers have unique and desirable characteristics. A review of a variety of QWH lasers, including infrared and visible, single and multiple stripe devices, will be discussed. Emphasis will be on advances made in the last three years, including broad band tuning with an external grating, wavelength modification by annealing, and index-guiding by impurity-induced disordering.
Experimental verification of a computational technique for determining ground reactions in human bipedal stance.

Abstract We have developed a three-dimensional (3D) biomechanical model of human standing that enables us to study the mechanisms of posture and balance simultaneously in various directions in space. Since the two feet are on the ground, the system defines a kinematically closed-chain which has redundancy problems that cannot be resolved using the laws of mechanics alone. We have developed a computational (optimization) technique that avoids the problems with the closed-chain formulation thus giving users of such models the ability to make predictions of joint moments, and potentially, muscle activations using more sophisticated musculoskeletal models. This paper describes the experimental verification of the computational technique that is used to estimate the ground reaction vector acting on an unconstrained foot while the other foot is attached to the ground, thus allowing human bipedal standing to be analyzed as an open-chain system. The computational approach was verified in terms of its ability to predict lower extremity joint moments derived from inverse dynamic simulations performed on data acquired from four able-bodied volunteers standing in various postures on force platforms. Sensitivity analyses performed with model simulations indicated which ground reaction force (GRF) and center of pressure (COP) components were most critical for providing better estimates of the joint moments. Overall, the joint moments predicted by the optimization approach are strongly correlated with the joint moments computed using the experimentally measured GRF and COP ( 0.78 ⩽ r 2 ⩽ 0.99 , median , 0.96 ) with a best-fit that was not statistically different from a straight line with unity slope (experimental=computational results) for postures of the four subjects examined. These results indicate that this model-based technique can be relied upon to predict reasonable and consistent estimates of the joint moments using the predicted GRF and COP for most standing postures.
Introduction to Statistical Methods for Analyzing Large Data Sets: Gene-Set Enrichment Analysis

This Teaching Resource provides lecture notes, slides, and a problem set for a series of lectures introducing the mathematical concepts behind gene-set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and were part of a course entitled “Systems Biology: Biomedical Modeling.” GSEA is a statistical functional enrichment analysis commonly applied to identify enrichment of biological functional categories in sets of ranked differentially expressed genes from genome-wide mRNA expression data sets.
Kink band formation and band broadening in fiber composites under compressive loading

Various stages of kink band formation, propagation and band width broadening were recorded by a high resolution video camera. Based on these observations, the easiest modes of deformation have been identified and these form the basis of a new kinematic model for kinking. Theoretical predictions for kink band orientation and compression strength under steady-state band broadening are made. The conditions at incipient kinking and the incipient kinking stress are investigated. The relevance of the incipient kinking stress and the band broadening stress are discussed.
Kindergarten Bibliophiles in Their Own words: How They Learned to Read

Forty-four children, identified by their kindergarten teachers as independent readers upon public school entrance, were interviewed to assess their perceptions of how and when they learned to read. In addition to interviews, the children's literacy behaviors were observed in their normal classroom settings and in individual shared book experiences with fictional and non-fictional texts. Findings revealed commonalities in children's perceptions about how they learned to read, confirming research about the impact of the home environment on emergent literacy development. The children exhibited positive attitudes toward reading in all aspects of classroom instructional activities.
Direction of the Friction Force

IT is universally assumed that the force resisting the sliding of one body over another acts in a direction opposite to the relative velocity. However, no recent test of this law appears to have been carried out, and it seemed worth while setting up a simple experiment to measure any possible transverse component of the friction force.
A laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh technique for the repair of an indirect inguinal hernia.

ObjectiveThis study was done (1) to determine whether congenital indirect inguinal hernias in male pigs could be repaired by placing a polypropylene mesh prosthesis over the defect intra-abdominally, (2) to measure the incidence of adhesions between intra-abdominal viscera and the prosthesis with an
Undergraduate research and teaching with a small tandem accelerator

Abstract The U.S. Naval Academy is developing an accelerator laboratory to support undergraduate research and teaching. The laboratory includes a 1.7-MV tandem electrostatic accelerator, an rf charge-exchange negative ion source, and a beamline containing a scattering chamber and an external-beam ion milliprobe. The milliprobe was built as part of one senior honors project, and is being used in another to study archeological samples by in-air PIXE. The laboratory has been used in a senior-level nuclear physics course to demonstrate resonant scattering of protons from 12 C and in a junior-level atomic physics course to demonstrate Moseley's law and the principles of PIXE analysis. This paper describes the laboratory and its applications during the first year of operation.
Dynamical Regge Trajectories from the Multiperipheral Model

A multiperipheral model, based on one-pion-exchange dominance of low-momentum-transfer processes, is used to study the dynamical origin of the leading Regge trajectories which are coupled to the two-pion system. A Bethe-Salpeter technique is used to calculate the leading singularities in the angular-momentum plane from an input interaction that is determined by the observed low-energy pion-pion scattering amplitude plus the high-energy contribution of the Pomeranchon. The solution results in a partial bootstrap system in which the parameters of the Pomeranchon are determined self-consistently. The output trajectories are found to correspond to what we conjecture are effective Regge trajectories, which in reality correspond to both Regge-pole and cut contributions. The trajectories and coupling constants obtained seem to be in reasonable agreement with the values allowed by experiment.
Stereotactic posterioventral pallidotomy improves balance control as assessed by computerized posturography.

Postural instability is arguably the most debilitating symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recently, posterioventral pallidotomy/pallidoansotomy (PVP) has been advocated to improve a multitude of sym
MO‐E‐I‐609‐06: Squared Contrast‐Noise Ratio Per Dose and Rh‐Filter Thickness for Digital Mammography

Purpose: Increase detection sensitivity of breast carcinoma is greatly needed for digital mammography. We show that the tissue‐lesion contrast‐noise ratio (CNR) at a given dose level can be improved by increasing the Rh‐filter thickness used for the Rh‐target in digital mammography.Method and materials: Currently a 25μm‐Rh filtration is the standard in digital mammography for all the modes with a Rh‐target. To test if this standard filter‐thickness is optimal, we studied how the contrast‐noise ratio between breast and infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) of 5mm‐size embedded a 6cm‐thick breast changes with Rh‐filter thickness for Rh‐target. We performed imaging experiments by modifying the filter wheel of a GE Senographe 2000D unit with Rh‐filters of 25μm, 37μm, 50μm, 62μm and 75μm. Before imaging a phantom the x‐ray HVL values at 29 kVp and radiation outputs were measured for each Rh‐filter thickness ranging from 25μm to 75μm. A 50%‐glandular and 50%‐adipose breast phantom of 6cm with an infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC)‐simulating insert of 5mm in size was used as the phantom for all the cases. The CNR's between the breast phantom and the IDC‐insert were measured, and average glandular doses were calculated by using a filtration‐dependent x‐ray spectra model and a breast‐dosimetry model based on a validated Monte Carlo simulation. The exposure times were recorded as well. Results: In contrast to conventional wisdom, the tissue‐lesion CNR at a given dose level increases with increasing Rh‐filter thickness from 25μm to 75μm. The measured squared CNR per dose were increased by 7%, 13%, 18% and 21% for 37μm, 50μm, 62μm and 75&μm Rh‐filters compared to that for the standard 25μm Rh‐filter, respectively. Conclusions: Increasing Rh‐filter thickness for Rh‐target from 25μm to 50μm can increase tissue‐lesion squared CNR per dose by 13% with a tolerable increase of exposure duration.
Analyzing technology adoption using microstudies: limitations, challenges, and opportunities for improvement

Policy makers and interest groups have many questions about the use of improved technologies in developing country agriculture. These include the roles of policies, institutions, and infrastructure in the adoption of improved technologies and their impact on productivity and welfare. Most micro-level adoption studies, however, cannot address these important policy issues. Drawing on an extensive review of the literature on the adoption of agricultural technologies, this article suggests alternative approaches for designing technology adoption studies to make them useful for policy makers. It explores the generic limitations of cross-sectional adoption studies carried out in small numbers of communities and discusses some problems faced in conducting such studies. Recommendations include the use of sampling approaches that allow data from microstudies to be generalized to higher levels of aggregation, adherence to clearly defined terms that are standardized across studies, and careful examination of the assumptions that often underlie such studies.
Indexicality, binding, anaphora and a priori truth

Indexicals are linguistic expressions whose meaning remains stable while their reference shifts from utterance to utterance. Paradigmatic cases in English are ‘I’, ‘here’, and ‘now’. Recently, a number of authors have argued that various constructions in our language harbour hidden indexicals. We say ‘hidden’ because these indexicals are unpronounced, even though they are alleged to be real linguistic components. Constructions taken by some authors to be associated, or to ‘cohabit’, with hidden indexicals include: definite descriptions and quantifiers more generally (hidden indexical refers to a domain – Davies (1981), Westerstahl (1985), Higginbotham (1988), Stanley and Williamson (1995)), propositional attitude verbs (hidden indexical refers to a mode of presentation – Richard (1990)), comparative adjectives (hidden indexical refers to comparison classes – Partee (1989), Kamp (1975), Ludlow (1989)). An interesting recent addition is the view that all nouns are associated with a hidden indexical referring to a domain restriction (Stanley and Szabo (2000), Stanley (2002)).1 We are sceptical of such posits, first, because evidence typically proffered to support their existence is better accounted for, we believe, in other ways;2 and secondly, because each alleged case familiar to us is flawed, or so we will argue. We begin by concentrating on a recent, influential argument for hidden indexicals – the so-called Argument from Binding. We present a reductio of it. We then present two requirements any indexical – hidden or otherwise – should satisfy, illustrating how various alleged ANALYSIS 62.4 OCTOBER 2002
Stress in the life course: a life history approach.

This article examines the relationship between stress and distress in the life course, emphasizing the time elapsed between the event and measurement of psychological distress. Stressors are concep...
Geoarchaeological perspectives on paleolandscapes and regional subsurface archaeology

This paper explores geoarchaeological approaches to regional-scale research in dynamic landscapes. Landscape element, a spatial concept from landscape ecology, and the archaeological notion of place are integrated with geomorphological models of landscape evolution. A distributional or non-site approach to the subsurface archaeological record is argued to be most consist with a dynamic view of landscapes. Regional geomorphological studies are shown to be crucial, given the volume of sediment that needs to be searched, in developing efficient subsurface sampling strategies. Various subsurface recovery techniques are reviewed, including the potential use of microartifacts to increase the effectiveness of small bulk samples in sampling the buried archaeological record.
ELECTRON MULTIPLICATION PROCESS IN PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS

The electron multiplication process in proportional counters has been investigated by observing the counter response to single electrons in a manner similar to the original experiment of Curran, Cockroft, and Angus. The single-electron pulse-height spectrum has been measured over a range of anode voltages for a number of different argon-methane counter gas mixtures. The behavior of the gas amplification as a function of anode voltage is used as a criterion to determine proper proportional counter operation. The single-electron pulse-height spectrum obtained in the present measurements is not constant but depends upon the average final number of electrons in the avalanche. This behavior is attributed to the fact that the electron branching process in proportional counters is non-Markovian. Two non-Markovian branching models are introduced and the asymptotic behavior of these models is compared with experimental results.
The Toroidal Magnet of FM-1

The construction features of the toroidal field coil for the FM-1 device are described. The coil is rated at 1.5 × 106 ampere-turns steady and has a field volume of 49 cubic meters. The stored energy of the field is nearly 2 MJ. The coil must be taken apart for insertion of a superconducting ring; the techniques for accomplishing this are described.
Coalition coordination for tightly coupled multirobot tasks with sensor constraints

Although many approaches have been developed to form robot coalitions that can achieve a multirobot task, no general methods exist to execute these coalitions, especially when the coordination among the robots is tightly coupled. In this paper, we propose a coordination mechanism as the first step to address coalition execution; it provides a flexible method to reason about synergies with overlapping coalitions (thus enabling multi-tasking robots in multi-robot tasks), which not only improves efficiency, but also reduces resource requirements in task execution. This means that our approach enables tasks that cannot be easily handled before, especially when critical resources are rare but commonly required. Our approach is based on the concept of sensor constraint, which is introduced by the tight coupling (e.g., information sharing) between the robots. We show that our algorithm is sound and complete in finding a coordination solution given a few assumptions, and discuss a distributed implementation. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the capabilities of this new approach.
Effect of electrolyte and sample concentraton on the relatioship between sensitivity and resolution in capillary zone electrophoresis using conductivity detection

Abstract By maintaining the same ratio of ion analyte concentration to background electrolyte concentration while diluting the latter, it is shown to be possibble to increase substantially the detection sensitivity without altering the resolution in capillary zone eletrophorectic separations with on-line conductivity detection. Using a mixture of carboxylic acids, the limits of detection are extended to 10−6M.
Evidence for Systematic Temporal Variation In 24‐Hour Urinary Creatinine Excretion

Five hundred fifty-seven 24-hour urinary creatinine specimens from eight healthy males collected in six-day sequences separated by two- to ten-week intervals over six to ten months were analyzed for factors contributing to the large observed standard deviation and range (14% and 50% of the total mean, respectively). Subject means correlated significantly with weight and surface area. Between-sequence differences were significantly greater than within-sequence differences in all subjects. Statistically significant linear and/or curvilinear time dependences were found in each subject. Elimination of subject variation and pooling yielded one cycle of a biphasic function, approximately 12 months in duration, oscillating about the mean with an amplitude approximately 6% of the mean; the maximum and minimum exhibited a seasonal correspondence. Upper limits to sources of eror are estimated as measurement +/- 3%, biological +/- 6%, mixed biologic-temporal +/- 6%, and random +/- 5%.
An Algorithm for Constructing Orthogonal and Nearly Orthogonal Arrays with Mixed Levels and Small Runs

Orthogonal arrays are used widely in manufacturing and high-technology industries for quality and productivity improvement experiments. For reasons of run size economy or flexibility, nearly-orthogonal arrays are also used. The construction of orthogonal or nearly-orthogonal arrays can be quite challenging. Most existing methods are complex and produce limited types of arrays. This article describes a simple and effective algorithm for constructing mixed-level orthogonal and nearly-orthogonal arrays that can construct a variety of small-run designs with good statistical properties efficiently.
Educational reform and educational crisis

Even though the sciences may deserve an important and enhanced place in the curriculum, it is crucial that educators situate reforms in science education in the larger social context in which educational reforms are taking place. How and by whom reform is defined and carried out will have a significant impact on who benefits from the process. I argue that education in general has increasingly become dominated by economic interests that can lead not to enhancing equality but to its opposite. There are important ideological shifts that are occurring not only in what education is for, but in the content and control of curriculum and teaching. This has also been accompanied by an attempt to not only increase the influence of economic needs on schools, but to make education itself an economic product like all others. This will have a major impact on science education in particular, because both science and technology are seen as high-status in the transformation of education into solely an economic tool.
Comparison of protective immunity and inflammatory responses of pigs following immunization with different Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae preparations with and without adjuvants

Three experiments were performed to evaluate the inflammatory response, the antibody response and protection from experimental challenge of various Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 5 (Ap5) vaccines in swine. In the first experiment, subcutaneous injections of either a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion or Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) caused lesions at the site of injection, while intraperitoneal injection of the W/O emulsion caused no lesions. In the second experiment, intraperitoneal (IP) injection of a W/O emulsion containing unwashed Ap5 cells (6-h culture) and/or supernates from a 24-h culture resulted in severe peritoneal lesions, while W/O emulsion containing PBS-washed Ap5 cells resulted in minimal peritoneal lesions. Ap5 alone or W/O alone failed to cause peritoneal lesions. The third experiment compared the antibody response and protection from challenge of pigs immunized with either 6-h PBS-washed Ap5 cells emulsified in oil - IP, 6-hour Ap5 cells adjuvanted with dimethyl diodacyl ammonium bromide - IP, Ap5 antigen alone - IP, a commercial vaccine - subcutaneously or saline - IP. All groups, except the saline-treated group, responded with high antibody titers to Ap5 2 weeks following vaccination; however, titers from the W/O plus antigen group were significantly higher than the three other groups (P less than 0.05). Following intranasal challenge with Ap5, all animals responded with increased antibody titers. All pigs were euthanized 10 days after challenge and evaluated for pneumonia and the lungs cultured for bacteria. The lungs of all pigs, excepting the W/O plus antigen group, contained pneumonic lesions and A. pleuropneumoniae was cultured from these lesions. These results, along with results from other groups, suggest that intraperitoneal immunization using oil-adjuvanted vaccine may be an effective method for protecting pigs from pneumonia due to A. pleuropneumoniae. Its efficacy may be due to stimulation of local respiratory mucosal immunity.
Metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect‐transistor substrate current during Fowler–Nordheim tunneling stress and silicon dioxide reliability

The origin of the substrate current of a metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistor when the gate oxide undergoes Fowler–Nordheim stress is investigated. It is also shown that anode hole injection current predicts the breakdown of silicon dioxide between 25 and 130 A and 2.4 and 12 V. While the measured substrate current is entirely due to anode hole injection for oxides thicker than 55 A, tunneling by valence‐band electrons contributes to the substrate current in thinner oxides. Valence‐band electron tunneling current is shown to increase with oxide stressing similar to low‐voltage gate oxide leakage; apparently, both are enhanced by trap‐assisted tunneling. For oxides of thickness between 25 and 130 A, the theory of anode hole injection directly verified for oxides thicker than 55 A is able to model silicon dioxide breakdown accurately.
Control-oriented modeling for open-cathode fuel cell systems

Due to numerous advantages of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEMFCs), they are becoming the mainstream fuel cell of choice for different applications. Open-cathode PEMFCs, in particular, are gaining increased popularity in low to medium power applications due to their simple structure and low parasitic losses. However, in order to achieve safe operation, increased durability and optimal performance, advanced control algorithms, which typically require control-oriented models, need to be implemented on open-cathode fuel cell systems. The open-cathode fuel cell system includes the fuel cell stack and all of the auxiliary components that are vital for its operation. In this paper, control-oriented nonlinear models are developed for individual components of air-forced open-cathode fuel cell systems. The models incorporate electrical, thermal, anode, and cathode system dynamics in addition to the interactions between different subsystems. Specifically, control-oriented purge modeling is given special attention in this paper due to lack of sufficient research in this area and in spite of its important role in the fuel cell performance. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first work focusing on developing control-oriented models which are capable of capturing important open-cathode fuel cell dynamics and the interactions between them. All of these models are validated experimentally on a small scale open-cathode fuel cell system. Finally, control challenges that can be formulated using the proposed models are discussed.
Non-perturbative collective field theory

Abstract We present a non-perturbative framework for collective field theory. Two methods are given. In the first exact Fock space states diagonalizing the hamiltonian are described. Based on these, effective lagrangians are introduced. An extra single-particle branch is pointed out. It is shown that the states of this new branch correspond to solitons, the semiclassical soliton solutions are seen to take the form of a single eigenvalue effect. In general we argue that single (complex) eigenvalues will lead to solitons while real eigenvalues give instanton configurations.
Aging and Selective Attention: An Issue of Complexity or Multiple Mechanisms?

Previous studies have shown age-associated deficits in selective attention that vary as a function of task demands. The present study was conducted to dissociate the effect of task complexity on age-related performance differences from qualitative differences in cognitive demands. Twenty-four young and 24 older adults were administered two versions of the Stroop Test (Hartley, 1993). The Color-Block version required identifying the color of a box while ignoring the name of a color printed either above or below the box. The Color-Word version required naming the color of a word while ignoring the semantic meaning of the word (a color name). Each version of the task included a two- and four-color choice condition as a manipulation of task complexity. Old and young adults performed comparably on the Color-Block Task, but older adults were significantly impaired on both conditions of the Color-Word Task, particularly in the four-choice condition. Results suggest age-related differences in the distinct attentional processes demanded by each task are not attributable to general slowing.
Hot-atom initiated chemical laser study of the H* + SF6 reaction

Abstract Chemical laser methods have been used to study the “hot-atom” reaction H* + SF 6 → products at KE rel −1 . Collision-induced dissociation of SF 6 by H* is the dominant reaction channel. Internal excitation of SF 6 may be required to promote the abstraction reaction: H + SF 6 → HF + SF 5 .
Natural growth codes: Partial recovery under random network coding

Growth codes (GC) improve the disruption tolerance of zero-configuration sensor networks by providing graceful data recovery. Here, we highlight the existence of periphery monitoring topologies which are conducive for graceful recovery. In such networks, the performance of random network coding (RNC) is observed to be superior to that of GCs. RNC increases the data persistence, while maintaining a lower delay.
An Estimate of Resource Expenditures on Transfer Activity in the United States

This paper details resource expenditures on nonexchange, noncharity transfer activity in the United States in 1985. Expenditures designed to facilitate and inhibit nonexchange transfers, executed privately or through the state, are reported. The numbers indicate that individuals plausibly invested nearly a trillion dollars in transfer activity that year. Nominal GNP in 1985 was just over $4 trillion, which includes numerous transfer-related resource investments that arguably should be subtracted out. Transfer activity thus apparently constitutes a much larger fraction of all economic activity conducted in the United States than previously recognized.
Hepatitis B virus management to prevent reactivation after chemotherapy: a review

Purpose Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection after chemotherapy can lead to liver failure and death. Conflicting recommendations regarding HBV screening in cancer patients awaiting chemotherapy mean that some patients at risk for HBV reactivation are not being identified and treated with prophylactic antiviral therapy.
Modernist and postmodernist orientations in ethnographic studies: A comparative review

Gottlieb, Alma. Under the Kapok Tree: Identity and Difference in Beng Thought. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1992. xvii + 184 pp. including chapter references and index. $25.00 cloth. Barnard, Alan. Hunters and Herders of Southern Africa: A Comparative Ethnography of the Khoisan Peoples. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992. xxv + 349 pp. including chapter references and index. $19.95 paper.
Contextual cues and depth of processing in short prose passages

Abstract Two experiments compared context and depth-of-processing strategies applied to the learning of short aurally presented prose passages. In the first study, contextual orientation led to significantly higher recall than a continue-paragraph condition, and both strategy groups performed significantly better than a nonstrategy control group. In the second experiment, continuing paragraphs was superior to generating contextual theme statements, with both strategies again superior to the controls. These results were discussed in terms of the ways in which processing demands effect memory for connected discourse.
Reduced Graphene Oxide/Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) Supramolecular Composites

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) supramolecular structures are fabricated on P3HT-dispersed reduced graphene oxide (RGO) monolayers and surfactant-free RGO monolayers. P3HT is able to disperse RGO in hot anisole/N,N-dimethylformamide solvents, and forms nanowires on RGO surfaces through a RGO induced crystallization process. The TEM and AFM investigation of the resultant P3HT/RGO composites shows that P3HT nanowires grow from RGO, and connect individual RGO monolayers. Raman spectroscopy confirms the interaction between P3HT and RGO, which allows the manipulation of the RGO electrical properties. Such a bottom-up approach provides interesting graphene-based composites for nanometer-scale electronics.
Is American Health Care Entering the ‘Country Club’ Era?: How Capitation May Transform Health Care Management in the U.S.

This article examines the scope of change which is likely to be brought about in the American health care industry due to the emergence of capitated reimbursement systems. As we will see, the goals, the terminology, and the operations of hospitals in the United States will be greatly affected as the shift to capitation occurs. This article explores the underlying cause of the movement of hospitals toward capitation and examines the impact of capitation on hospital management practices.
Prom Dreams and Prom Reality: Girls Negotiating “Perfection” at the High School Prom*

Adolescent girls are often assumed to be extremely vulnerable to media influences; however, this study argues that girls actually negotiate meaning from media texts. Content analysis of teen prom magazines is combined with ethnography to explore how magazine texts operate within their readers’ worlds. This article argues against two commonly accepted dictates. First, I propose that popular magazines for adolescent girls are more complicated than previously acknowledged and do not rely on a singular message of perfection derived from beauty and heterosexual romance. And second, how girls engage with the magazines is more complicated than prior research has argued; girls use “strategic selectivity” (a term proposed to explain how girls make meaning of cultural texts) to negotiate the dominant meanings found in prom magazines and other cultural texts.
Safety of Cosmetic Procedures in Elderly and Octogenarian Patients.

Background The proportion of elderly patients in North America is increasing. This has resulted in an increased number of elderly patients undergoing cosmetic procedures. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of postoperative complications in elderly patients (age ≥65) undergoing elective aesthetic plastic surgical procedures compared with younger patients. Methods A total of 183,914 cosmetic surgical procedures were reviewed using the prospectively enrolled cohort of patients in the CosmetAssure database. Comorbidities and postoperative complications in elderly and younger patient groups were recorded and compared. A separate analysis of postoperative complications was performed in the octogenarian subgroup (age ≥80). Results A total of 6786 elderly patients who underwent cosmetic procedures were included in the study. Mean ages (±standard deviation) in elderly and younger patients were 69.1 ± 4.1 and 39.2 ± 12.5 years, respectively. The elderly patient population had more men, a higher mean body mass index (BMI), a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), and fewer smokers compared with the younger patients. The overall postoperative complication rate was not significantly different between elderly and younger patients. When stratified by type of cosmetic procedure, only abdominoplasty was associated with a higher postoperative complication rate in elderly compared with younger patients. The most common postoperative complications in elderly patients were hematoma and infection. The overall postoperative complication rate in octogenarians was 2.2%, which was not significantly different from the younger population. Conclusions Cosmetic procedures in elderly patients, including octogenarians, remain safe with an acceptable complication rate compared to younger patients. Level of Evidence 3![Graphic][1] Risk [10.1093/asj/sjv071][2] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1093/asj/sjv071
High-speed ultrawideband compressed sensing of sparse radio frequency signals

Using chirp processing of ultrafast laser pulses to perform pseudorandom measurements for compressed sensing, we successfully reconstruct multi-tone sparse-frequency microwave signals with an effective sampling rate well beyond the electronic limit.