cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Weight reduction of heavy-duty truck components through hollow geometry and intensive quenching

Abstract Increasing environmental awareness has put pressure on heavy duty truck manufacturers to improve the fuel economy and reduce the emissions of their vehicles. Light weighting efforts are a useful tool in meeting these goals. As a demonstration of how light weighting practices can be applied to the power trains of heavy duty vehicles, this paper focuses on reducing the weight of the rear axle shaft. Two methods are focused on, i) hollow shaft geometry and ii) intensive quenching, as possible avenues to shed mass from the shaft. Load mapping is used to establish a finite element model which can be used to evaluate the light weight designs and techniques proposed in the paper. It is discovered that weight savings of around 26% can be achieved by changing the traditionally solid axle shaft into a hollow shaft. The intensive quenching process is shown to be superior to the oil quenching process in regards to both residual stresses and strength, allowing for material removal accounting for 3% of the shaft weight. Additionally, the compressive residual stresses created on the surface of the part during the intensive quenching process may also serve to slow crack initiation and increase fatigue life. Further optimization of the intensive quenching process may provide additional weight reduction opportunities.
Patterns of Recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding to Diagnostic Radiology Departments: Analysis Using the NIH RePORTER System.

Rationale and Objectives This study aimed to characterize recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for diagnostic radiology departments at US medical schools. Materials and Methods This retrospective study did not use private identifiable information and thus did not constitute human subjects research. The public NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditure and Results system was used to extract information regarding 887 NIH awards in 2015 to departments of “Radiation-Diagnostic/Oncology.” Internet searches were conducted to identify each primary investigator (PI)'s university web page, which was used to identify the PI's departmental affiliation, gender, degree, and academic rank. A total of 649 awards to diagnostic radiology departments, based on these web searches, were included; awards to radiation oncology departments were excluded. Characteristics were summarized descriptively. Results A total of 61 unique institutions received awards. The top five funded institutions represented 33.6% of all funding. The most common institutes administering these awards were the National Cancer Institute (29.0%) and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (21.6%). Women received 15.9% of awards and 13.3% of funding, with average funding per award of $353,512 compared to $434,572 for men. PhDs received 77.7% of all awards, with average funding per award of $457,413 compared to $505,516 for MDs. Full professors received 51.2% of awards (average funding per award of $532,668), compared to assistant professors who received 18.4% of awards ($260,177). Average funding was $499,859 for multiple-PI awards vs. $397,932 for single-PI awards. Common spending categories included “neurosciences,” “cancer,” “prevention,” and “aging.” Conclusions NIH funding for diagnostic radiology departments has largely been awarded to senior-ranking male PhD investigators, commonly at large major academic medical centers. Initiatives are warranted to address such disparities and promote greater diversity in NIH funding among diagnostic radiology investigators.
Coping with Emotional Pain: Getting Help for Yourself and Colleagues

The burnout rate among my vocation of orthopedic surgery is inordinately high (Arora et al., ANZ J Surg 83:512–515, 2013), and the steady erosion of autonomy has taken its toll on the psychological well-being of all medical practitioners. Higher levels of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are becoming manifest in the medical profession (Aach et al., Ann Intern Med 116:245–254, 1992). Indeed, these are challenging times to be a physician (Fig. 11.1). Certainly, most of us have personally endured substantial emotional pain at some point during our careers. I am confident most of us have witnessed a fellow attending physician or resident in emotional distress. Whether it is perfectionism or emotional detachment, physicians are at particular risk for emotional strife.
COLLAPSE OF LIGHTLY CONFINED REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMES DURING EARTHQUAKES

Post earthquake studies show that the primary cause of reinforced concrete building collapse during earthquakes is the loss of vertical-load-carrying capacity in critical building components leading to cascading vertical collapse, rather than loss of lateral-load capacity. In cast-in-place beam-column frames, the most common cause of collapse is failure of columns, beam-column joints, or both. Once axial failure occurs in one or more components, vertical loads arising from both gravity and inertial effects are transferred to adjacent framing components. The ability of the frame to continue to support vertical loads depends on both the capacity of the framing system to transfer these loads to adjacent components and the capacity of the adjacent components to support the additional load. When one of these conditions is deficient, progressive failure of the building can ensue. Post-earthquake reconnaissance of reinforced concrete buildings provides some insight into the prevalence of collapse among populations of heavily shaken buildings. Otani (1999) reports damage statistics of reinforced concrete buildings, with damage defined in three categories:
Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation in the Office Setting: Real-world Experience of Over 100 Patients.

Objective To examine the outcomes and compliance with percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. Methods Adults who had PTNS from June 30, 2011, to October 8, 2015, were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, copay, travel distance, employment status, history, symptoms, and treatments used before, during, and after PTNS. Pearson chi-square test, Fisher exact test, Wilcoxon rank and paired t test were performed. Results Of 113 patients (mean age 75 ± 12 years), most were women (65.5%), married (78.1%), and retired or unemployed (80.2%). The median distance to the clinic was 8.1 mi, and the median copay was $0. The most common indication for PTNS was nocturia (92.9%) followed by OAB with urgency urinary incontinence (75.2%) and urinary urgency and/or frequency (24.8%). Prior treatments included anticholinergics (75.2%), mirabegron (36.6%), behavioral modification (29.2%), pelvic floor physical therapy (18.6%), and others (19.5%). Patients completed a mean of 10.5 ± 3 of 12 planned weekly PTNS treatments. Of 105 patients, 40 (38.1%) used concomitant treatments (most commonly anticholinergics). Of 87 patients, 62 (71.3%) had decreased symptoms at 6 weeks, and of 85 patients, 60 (70.6%) had decreased symptoms at 12 weeks. The majority (82; 75.6%) completed all 12 weekly treatments and 45 (54.9%) completed 3 (median) monthly maintenance treatments. The most common reason for noncompliance was lack of efficacy. Visit copay, employment status, and distance to the clinic were not associated with failure to complete weekly treatments or progression to monthly maintenance. Conclusion Although most patients' symptoms decreased after weekly PTNS, nonadherence to maintenance and lack of efficacy may limit long-term feasibility. Copay and distance traveled were not associated with noncompliance.
Multivariate Stochastic Volatility Via Wishart Random Processes

Financial models for asset and derivatives pricing, risk management, portfolio optimization, and asset allocation rely on volatility forecasts. Time-varying volatility models, such as GARCH and Stochastic Volatility (SVOL), have been successful in improving forecasts over constant volatility models. We develop a new multivariate SVOL framework for modeling financial data that assumes covariance matrices stochastically varying through a Wishart process. In our formulation, scalar variances naturally extend to covariance matrices rather than vectors of variances as in traditional SVOL models. Model fitting is performed using Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation from the posterior distribution. Due to the complexity of the model, an efficiently designed Gibbs sampler is described that produces inferences with a manageable amount of computation. Our approach is illustrated on a multivariate time series of monthly industry portfolio returns. In a test of the economic value of our model, minimum-variance portfolios based on our SVOL covariance forecasts outperform out-of-sample portfolios based on alternative covariance models such as Dynamic Conditional Correlations and factor-based covariances.
Who calls the shots? The ethics of adolescentself-consent for HPV vaccination.

While the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is medically indicated to reduce the risk of genital warts and certain types of cancer, rates of HPV vaccination repeatedly fall short of public health goals. Individual-level factors contributing to low vaccination rates are well documented. However, system-level barriers, particularly the need for parental consent, have been less explored. To date, there is no legal or ethical consensus in the USA regarding whether adolescents might permissibly self-consent to the HPV vaccine. Consequently, there is considerable variability in medical practice at the provider and state level. In this essay, we explore the ethical acceptability of vaccinating adolescents for HPV without parental consent. We argue that the same ethical considerations that justify permitting minors to consent to treatment for sexual and reproductive health care—namely, public health benefit and adolescents’ developing autonomy—similarly justify permitting minors to consent to HPV vaccination. Based on this analysis, we conclude that allowing adolescents to self-consent to the HPV vaccine is ethically justifiable and should be reflected in US state policies.
Toward an Understanding of Gene Expression in Plants

Gene expression results from a complex series of biochemical steps that include: (1) transcription of the DNA; (2) processing of the RNA transcript into its final form and transport from the nucleus to the cytoplasm; (3) translation of the RNA (in the case of the messenger RNAs) to produce a protein product; (4) post-translational modification of the protein product. Factors that can modify these processes include those that control the rates of transcription and/or translation, and that control the turnover rate of the transcript or protein. Most research dealing with gene expression in plants includes simply quantitating molecules that result from expression, i.e., RNA, proteins, catalytic reaction products, or rates or transcription and translation. Only recently, with the advent of gene transplantation and genetic engineering experiments, has it been possible to site-direct the mutation of specific DNA sequences as a means to address the fundamental processes that control the expression of genes. The following discussion presents examples of such studies in plant biology which, hopefully, will lead to a better understanding of how plants control the expression of their complex nuclear genome.
Fighting Fire with Fire? Adjusting Regulatory Regimes and Forest Product Markets to Mitigate Southern United States Wildfire Risk

Climate change will exacerbate disaster events in the U.S. South, and in particular wildfires. This article details the emergent climate-induced wildfire risks facing the U.S. South, describes how addressing those risks is particularly challenging in this region of the U.S., and provides some policy and market-driven approaches for doing so.
Reinforcement learning based schemes to manage client activities in large distributed control systems

Large distributed control systems typically can be modeled by a hierarchical structure with two physical layers: console level computers (CLCs) layer and front end computers (FECs) layer. The control system of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) consists of more than 500 FECs, each acting as a server providing services to a large number of clients. Hence the interactions between the server and its clients become crucial to the overall system performance. There are different scenarios of the interactions. For instance, there are cases where the server has a limited processing ability and is queried by a large number of clients. Such cases can put a bottleneck in the system, as heavy traffic can slow down or even crash a system, making it momentarily unresponsive. Also, there are cases where the server has adequate ability to process all the traffic from its clients. We pursue different goals in those cases. For the first case, we would like to manage clients' activities so that their requests are processed by the server as much as possible and the server remains operational. For the second case, we would like to explore an operation point at which the server's resources get utilized efficiently. Moreover, we consider a real-world time constraint to the above case. The time constraint states that clients expect the responses from the server within a time window. In this work, we analyze those cases from a game theory perspective. We model the underlying interactions as a repeated game between clients, which is carried out in discrete time slots. For clients' activity management, we apply a reinforcement learning procedure as a baseline to regulate clients' behaviors. Then we propose a memory scheme to improve its performance. Next, depending on different scenarios, we design corresponding reward functions to stimulate clients in a proper way so that they can learn to optimize different goals. Through extensive simulations, we show that first, the memory structure improves the learning ability of the baseline procedure significantly. Second, by applying appropriate reward functions, clients' activities can be effectively managed to achieve different optimization goals.
Effect of Post Deposition Annealing on the Structural and Electrical Properties of NbTiN Thin Films Deposited by Reactive Bias Target Ion Beam Deposition Technique

Nb-based superconducting alloys, such as NbN and NbTiN, can have a superconducting energy gap near twice that of elemental Nb, thus, being ideal candidates for low-loss superconducting circuits operating above the gap frequency of Nb. We are particularly interested in these materials for THz-frequency superconducting-insulating-superconducting (SIS) mixers, kinetic inductance detectors, and traveling wave kinetic inductance parametric amplifier devices. We recently reported the use of an alternative synthesis technique, reactive bias target ion beam deposition (RBTIBD), used to realize high-quality NbTiN films and high-energy gap NbTiN/AlN/NbTiN SIS heterostructures. In this paper, the effect of post-deposition annealing on the electrical and structural properties of room temperature deposited RBTIBD NbTiN was investigated. Our room temperature RBTIBD NbTiN films were annealed using rapid thermal annealing from 200 to 1000 °C. The change in structural and electrical properties was characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and four-point probe measurements. The annealed films demonstrated an enhancement in transition temperature (T c ), increased crystallinity, larger grain size, and significantly reduced intrinsic stress.
Clinical Outcomes Following Surgical Ligation of Cerebrospinal Fluid-Venous Fistula in Patients With Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: A Prospective Case Series.

BACKGROUND Cerebrospinal fluid-venous fistula (CVF) is a recently described cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). Surgical ligation of CVF has been reported, but clinical outcomes are not well described. OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical efficacy of surgical ligation for treatment of CVF. METHODS Outcomes metrics were collected in this prospective, single-arm, cross-sectional investigation. Inclusion criteria were as follows: diagnosis of SIH, demonstration of CVF on myelography, and surgical treatment of CVF. Pre- and postoperative headache severity was assessed with the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), a validated headache scale ranging from 36 (asymptomatic) to 78 (most severe). Patient satisfaction with treatment was measured with Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). RESULTS Twenty subjects were enrolled, with mean postoperative follow-up at 16.0 ± 9.7 mo. All CVFs were located in the thoracic region (between T4 and T12). Pretreatment headache severity was high (mean HIT-6 scores 65 ± 6). Surgical treatment resulted in marked improvement in headache severity (mean HIT-6 change of -21 ± -9, mean postoperative HIT-6 of 44 ± 8). Of subjects with baseline headache scores in the most severe category, 83% showed a major improvement in severity (transition to the lowest 2 severity categories) after surgery. All subjects (100%) reported clinically significant levels of satisfaction with treatment (PGIC score 6 or 7); 90% reported the highest level of satisfaction. There were no short- or long-term complications or 30-d readmissions. CONCLUSION Surgical ligation is highly effective for the treatment of SIH due to CVF. Larger controlled trials with longer follow-up period are indicated to better assess its long-term efficacy and safety profile.
Monitoring Aging and Deactivation of Emission Abatement Catalysts for Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOx

Titania/vanadia, zeolite, and noble metal catalysts are utilized for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO x using ammonia as the reductant in different temperature ranges. Studies of aging have been carried out to probe deactivation rates and mechanisms. Periodic laboratory testing of samples of NO x reduction catalysts from multi-layer reactors, such as those utilized at electric power plants, allows prediction of catalyst life-times. Testing has been carried out under protocol conditions with monolith, plate-type, and pelleted catalysts so that relative NO reduction rates can be compared, with or without the presence of SO2. The catalysts were analyzed by surface analysis techniques, including electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, to probe surface morphology, loss of active components, presence of poisons, and blocking of pores and active sites by ammonium bisulfate to determine the dominant mode(s) of gradual deactivation.
IMU Sensor Fusion Algorithm for Monitoring Knee Kinematics in ACL Reconstructed Patients

In this paper we propose a sensor embedded knee brace to monitor knee flexion and extension and other lower limb joint kinematics after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The system can be easily attached to a standard post-surgical brace and uses a novel sensor fusion algorithm that does not require calibration. The wearable system and the sensor fusion algorithm were validated for various physical therapy exercises against a validated motion capture system. The proposed sensor fusion algorithm demonstrated significantly lower root-mean-square error (RMSE) than the benchmark Kalman filtering algorithm and excellent correlation coefficients (CCC and ICC). The demonstrated error for most exercises was lower than other devices in the literature. The quantitative measures obtained by this system can be used to obtain longitudinal range-of-motion and functional biomarkers. These biomarkers can be used to improve patient outcomes through the early detection of at-risk patients, tracking patient function outside of the clinic, and the identification of relationships between patient presentation, intervention, and outcomes.
The Collaborative Career Adjustment Project (CCAP): A Model to Recruit and Retain Speech-Language Pathologists in Rural Communities.

The Collaborative Career Adjustment Project (CCAP) is a program that was developed in 1990 to provide the required undergraduate Communication Disorders leveling courses to Master's degree students...
Repeated Evolution of Divergent Modes of Herbivory in Non-avian Dinosaurs.

Summary The importance of adaptation [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ] versus organizational constraints [ 5 , 6 , 7 ] in shaping common macroevolutionary trends remains unclear [ 8 ]. The fossil record is key to this problem, as it provides data on repetitive trait evolution between lineages [ 4 , 8 ]. However, quantitative analyses investigating these dynamics with fossil data are rare [ 8 ]. Herbivory evolved multiple times within Mesozoic dinosaurs [ 9 , 10 ], allowing analysis of common phenotypic responses to dietary evolution. Whereas repeated patterns of character acquisition [ 9 ] and functional changes [ 11 , 12 , 13 ] are observed between some herbivorous dinosaur clades, biomechanical studies resolve significant differences between morphologically similar taxa [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. However, previous biomechanical analyses have not accounted for phylogenetic non-independence (e.g., [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]) or been restricted to individual clades (e.g., [ 11 , 12 , 16 ]). Here, we use multivariate analysis of biomechanical characters, within a robust phylogenetic context, to investigate functional pathways to herbivory in a large sample of non-avian dinosaurs. Results demonstrate multiple solutions to herbivory. Notably, two fundamentally different modes are observed to evolve independently multiple times, with morphofunctional changes in the skull co-varying with digestive strategy. These modes distinguish between gut-processing sauropodomorphs and theropods tending toward gracile crania and low bite forces and ornithischian taxa exhibiting character complexes associated with extensive oral processing. Although convergence within these subsets of taxa is common, it is not observed between them due to functional constraints imposed during the early evolution of each group. This highlights the hierarchical nature of evolution, with adaptation driving convergence within regions of morphospace delimited by phylogenetic contingency.
Bricolage Within the Imperial Divide: Introduction to Iftikhar Dadi and Elizabeth Dadi's Jugaad

Jugaad continues Iftikhar and Elizabeth Dadi's extended artistic investigation of informality in the Global South, which arguably constitutes the majority experience of this vast region. Developmen...
Graphene-Based Aqueous Drilling Muds as Efficient, Durable, and Environmentally Friendly Alternatives for Oil-Based Muds

Despite intense studies for numerous scenarios, the potential of graphene as a lubricant additive for oil and gas drilling applications remains rarely investigated. This study investigates the infl...
A chimeric nuclease substitutes CRISPR-Cas: A phage weaponizes laterally acquired specificity to destroy subviral parasites

Mobile genetic elements, elements that can move horizontally between genomes, have profound effects on their hosts fitness. The PLE is a mobile element that integrates into the chromosome of Vibrio cholerae and parasitizes the bacteriophage ICP1 to move between cells. This parasitism by PLE is such that it abolishes the production of ICP1 progeny and provides a defensive boon to the host cell population. In response to the severe parasitism imposed by PLE, ICP1 has acquired an adaptive CRISPR-Cas system that targets the PLE genome during infection. However, ICP1 isolates that naturally lack CRISPR-Cas are still able to overcome certain PLE variants, and the mechanism of this immunity against PLE has thus far remained unknown. Here we show that ICP1 isolates that lack CRISPR-Cas encode an endonuclease in the same locus, and that the endonuclease provides ICP1 with immunity to a subset of PLEs. Further analysis shows that this endonuclease is of chimeric origin, incorporating a DNA binding domain that is highly similar to some PLE replication origin binding proteins. This similarity allows the endonuclease to bind and cleave PLE origins of replication. The endonuclease appears to exert considerable selective pressure on PLEs and may drive PLE replication module swapping and origin restructuring as mechanisms of escape. This work demonstrates that new genome defense systems can arise through domain shuffling and provides a greater understanding of the evolutionary forces driving genome modularity and temporal succession in mobile elements.
Disentangling management factors influencing nitrogen balance in producer fields in the western Corn Belt

Abstract CONTEXT The nitrogen (N) balance provides an indication of the risk for N losses into the environment. Previous studies have shown large variation in N balance among producer maize fields in the US Corn Belt, even within the same region and year. However, little is known about the soil and management factors explaining variation in N balance and to what extent the influence of these factors on N balance occurs via grain yield, N inputs, or both. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to disentangle interactions among yield, management practices, and soil factors to identify which have the greatest influence on N balance in producer maize fields in Nebraska (USA). METHODS The database used contains yield and management records from 311 producer irrigated and rainfed fields sown with maize for two years (2010−2011). The N balance was estimated as the difference between N inputs (from fertilizer and applied irrigation) and grain N removal. Random forest regression and path analysis were used to assess the influence of soil and management factors on the N balance via either grain yield or N inputs for irrigated and rainfed fields. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Analysis based on combination of advanced statistics showed that soil organic matter (SOM), seeding rate, sowing date, and in-season N sidedress influenced N balance, mostly via N inputs application and, to a lesser degree, grain yield. In many cases, producer risk behavior explained the relationship between N balance and soil and management factors. For example, N application was higher in fields that have lower SOM or received in-season N sidedress, without any yield advantage. The findings suggest that efforts are needed to help producers manage N inputs more efficiently and deal with the associated risks. SIGNIFICANCE Our study performed a novel field level assessment of factors influencing N balance which provides useful information in prioritization of agricultural research and extension programs to avoid large N balances and associated negative environmental impact.
Certain Listeria monocytogenes plasmids contribute to increased UVC ultraviolet light stress.

Listeria monocytogenes is the causative agent of the highly fatal foodborne disease listeriosis and can persist in food production environments. Recent research highlights the involvement of L. monocytogenes plasmids in different stress response mechanisms, which contribute to its survival in food production facilities. Ultraviolet (UV) light in the UVC spectrum (200-280 nm) is used in food production to control microbial contamination. Although plasmid-encoded UV resistance mechanisms have been described in other bacteria, no research indicates that L. monocytogenes plasmids contribute to the UV stress response. The plasmids of L. monocytogenes strains 6179, 4KSM and R479a are genetically distinct and were utilized to study the roles of plasmids in the UV response. Wild-type and plasmid-cured variant cells were grown to logarithmic or late-stationary phase, plated on agar plates and exposed to UVC for 60 or 90 s, and colony-forming units (CFUs) were determined. CFUs of 6179 and 4KSM, bearing pLM6179 and p4KSM, respectively, were significantly (P-value < 0.05) higher than those of the plasmid-cured strains in both logarithmic and stationary phases. No difference in survival was observed for the R479a strain. Our data show for the first time that certain L. monocytogenes plasmids contribute to the survival of UVC light stress.
Evolution of Holocene Eolian Landscapes in the Glacial Lake Hind Basin, Manitoba

Stratigraphic investigations into dune fields in Glacial Lake Hind basin reveal three lithologic units: a lake basin unit, a lower eolian unit, and an upper eolian unit. The lake basin unit contains gleyed silty clays representing a low energy lake environment, and coarse sands and black shale gravels representing higher energy depositional environments. The lower eolian unit contains sedimentary and organic laminations and no buried soils. The upper eolian unit does not have laminations, but contains multiple buried soil profiles. Preservation of organic laminations and presence of redoximorphic colouring in the lower eolian unit suggest that it has been preserved by groundwater. The upper eolian unit contains four soil profile types that appear in sequence with an interdunal profile at the bottom and a dune profile at the top. Radiocarbon ages of soils in the upper eolian unit (2350 ± 50 and 1100 ± 40 BP) indicate regional synchronicity with soil forming periods across the northeastern Great Plains. However, the morphology of a buried soil profile depended on the site’s location on the paleolandscape during development.
Echoic flow for radar and sonar

Introduced is radar and sonar echoic flow as the counterpart to its better-known cousin, optical flow. Echoic flow can be computed in a number of forms, the simplest being the ratio of range to range rate. This provides a direct measure of the time to collision between a radar/sonar system and a detected object. Its derivative is a measure of collision intensity. Thus, together, these two quantities provide a powerful basis for autonomous navigation and related applications. The origins of echoic flow are explained and it is shown through simulation how it can be used as a basis for radar-based autonomous navigation.
Student veterans returning to a community college: Understanding their transitions

Higher education and the military have been linked throughout history in the United States. Now, with the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq the higher education community is beginning to realize again the importance of understanding student veterans‘ transition experiences into college and providing appropriate support programs. However, the experiences of war veterans making the transition from servicemember to college student are not clearly understood. Consequently, community colleges and other institutions of higher education may not possess the information necessary to assist these students effectively. The purpose of this phenomenological, qualitative research study was to explore the nature of the transition experiences of student war veterans who had re-enrolled in a community college following military deployments. Using Schlossberg‘s Theory of Transition (Goodman, Schlossberg, & Anderson, 2006) as the theoretical framework and a three-interview series (Seidman, 2006) as the primary method of data collection, four themes characterized participants‘ transition experiences: (a) negotiating the transition, (b) interactions and connections with others, (c) increased maturity and changes in perspective, and (d) re-situating and negotiating identities. These findings could be used to help community colleges and other institutions of higher education to understand more clearly the experiences of student veterans. They could also help to inform student affairs professionals, administrators, and faculty as they make policy and programming decisions related to student veteran populations.
Conus medullaris syndrome without lower-extremity involvement in L-1 burst fractures: Report of four cases

Conus medullaris injury from burst fractures is known to occur in conjunction with other neurological deficits, including lower-extremity motor weakness or sensory changes. Rarely does an isolated conus medullaris injury occur from an extradural cause without other neurological deficits. The authors report four cases of L-1 burst fractures in which conus medullaris dysfunction was the sole neurological injury in the absence of lower-extremity involvement.
Adaptation in the env Gene of HIV-1 and Evolutionary Theories of Disease Progression

The exact mechanisms by which HIV overwhelms the immune system remain poorly understood. Among the several explanations of HIV disease progression, most include adaptation of the viral genome to the host environment as a causal factor. Therefore, quantifying the rate and pattern of adaptive evolution within infected patients is critical to understanding the development of AIDS. Using sequence data from infected individuals sampled at multiple time points, I estimate the within-host adaptation rate of the HIV-1 env gene for viral populations from 50 different patients. I find that, averaging across patients, one adaptive substitution occurs every 3.3 months. Also, one adaptive mutation is driven to a high frequency (>50% but <100%) every 2.5 months. Taken together, such adaptive events occur once every 25 viral generations, which is the fastest adaptation rate ever recorded for a single protein-coding gene. Within the entire env gene, I estimate that a majority ( approximately 55%) of both nonsynonymous substitutions and high-frequency polymorphisms are adaptive. Further, in the C2-V5 region of env, I find that patients with longer asymptomatic periods have virus populations with higher adaptation rates, corroborating the notion that a broad, strong immune response against epitopes in the env gene product leads to longer asymptomatic periods. I conclude by discussing the distribution of nonsynonymous changes over the env gene.
Partial rescue of ethanol-induced neuronal apoptosis by growth factor activation of phosphoinositol-3-kinase.

Background: Ethanol inhibition of insulin signaling pathways may contribute to impaired central nervous system (CNS) development in the fetal alcohol syndrome and brain atrophy associated with alcoholic neurodegeneration. Previous studies demonstrated ethanol inhibition of insulin-stimulated growth in PNET2 CNS-derived proliferative (immature) neuronal cells. We now provide evidence that the growth-inhibitory effect of ethanol in insulin-stimulated PNET2 cells is partly due to apoptosis. Methods: Control and ethanol-treated PNET2 cells were stimulated with insulin and analyzed for viability, apoptosis, activation of pro-apoptosis and survival gene expression and signaling pathways, and evidence of caspase activation. Results: Ethanol-treated PNET2 neuronal cells exhibited increased apoptosis mediated by increased levels of p53 and phospho-amino-terminal c-jun kinase (phospho-JNK), and reduced levels of Bcl-2, phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3 K), and intact (∼116 kD) poly (ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP), a deoxyribonucleic acid repair enzyme and important substrate for caspase 3. Partial rescue from ethanol-induced neuronal cell death was effected by culturing the cells in medium that contained 2% fetal calf serum instead of insulin, or insulin plus either insulin-like growth factor type 1 or nerve growth factor. The resulting enhanced viability was associated with reduced levels of p53 and phospho-JNK and increased levels of PI3 K and intact PARP. Conclusions: The findings suggest that ethanol-induced apoptosis of insulin-stimulated neuronal cells can be reduced by activating PI3 K and inhibiting pro-apoptosis gene expression and intracellular signaling through non-insulin-dependent pathways.
Recording of dorsal raphe unit activity in vitro.

Abstract The spontaneous electrical activity of single neurons of the midbrain dorsal raphe nucleus in the rat was recorded in vitro in 400 μm thick slices. The majority of raphe neurons exhibited the slow and regular discharge pattern that characterizes the activity of raphe neurons when recorded in vivo. The viability of these neurons in vitro thus provides a preparation for analyzing endogenous and exogenous factors that regulate the activity of these serotonin-containing neurons.
Investigation of effect of phase transformations on mechanical behavior of AISI 1010 steel in laser forming

In laser forming, phase transformations in the heat affected zone take place under steep cooling rates and temperature gradients, and have a significant affect on the laser forming process and final mechanical properties of products. In this work, phase transformations during laser forming of AISI 1010 steel are experimentally and numerically investigated and the transient volume fraction of each available phase is calculated by coupling the thermal history from finite element analysis with a phase transformation kinetic model. Consequently, the flow stresses of material are obtained from the constitutive relationship of the phases, and the laser forming process is modeled considering the effect of work hardening, recrystallization and phase transformation. A series of carefully controlled experiments are also conducted to validate the theoretically predicted results.
Simple method of obtaining Si(Li) detector efficiency

Abstract The efficiency of a semi-conductor detector is measured by compairing its response with that of an NaI(Tl) detector of known efficiency when both are exposed to the same flux of gamma-excited fluorescent X-rays. The experimental procedure is outlined and corrections and limitations are discussed. The technique is an inexpensive and convenient way of determining semi-conductor efficiency up to about 100 keV using a single radionuclide source of modest activity and readily-available fluorescers.
Crystallization and Transformation of Acetaminophen Trihydrate

Acetaminophen is both polymorphic and prone to the formation of a trihydrate. The recently discovered trihydrate is a lath-like crystalline form that is highly metastable with respect to conversion to the thermodynamically stable form I polymorph. While the trihydrate is physically stable in ice-cold aqueous suspension (with up to 50% propylene glycol or glycerol), conversion of trihydrate takes place at temperatures above 5 °C via a solution-mediated transformation pathway to produce form I. On drying, the optically transparent trihydrate laths transform to an opaque, micronized form I. The metastable trihydrate is characterized as a maximally solvated form that appears to defy Ostwald's rule of stages and thus behaves fundamentally differently from the highly metastable polymorph form III.
Halothane and Cardiac Autonomic Control in Infants: Assessment with Quantitative Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia

In comparison to adults, infants undergoing halothane anesthesia have an increased incidence of clinically significant episodes of bradycardia, hypotension, and cardiac arrest. To examine potential cardiac autonomic regulatory mechanisms that may account for these observations, the relationship between respiratory activity and short-term variations of heart rate was quantified in 10 healthy term nonpremedicated infants (28.4 ± 0.6 wk old) undergoing elective surgery with halothane and low caudal anesthesia. Quantitative respiratory activity, heart rate, and cuff blood pressure data were obtained during the preoperative awake period, and at three depths of halothane-1, 1.3, and 2.0 mean alveolar concentration (MAC). Time and frequency domain analyses were performed on two 2.2-min epochs of data from each condition to yield mean values, spectral measures of low (0.02-0.15 Hz) and high (0.15-0.80 Hz) frequency power (LF and HF), and the LF/HF ratio. The sympathetic (As) and parasympathetic(Ap) components of respiratory sinus arrhythmia were quantified using the transfer relations between respiration and heart rate to derive gain factors As andAp, respectively. Mean heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory activity all decreased with halothane exposure (p< 0.01), but did not differ by halothane dose. Similarly, LF, HF, LF/HF, and respiratory powers all decreased with halothane, but not between doses. When the effects of respiratory activity on heart rate were accounted for,As decreased at 1.3 and 2.0 MAC only, butAp remained unchanged. Decreased LF and HF power suggests that halothane altered both sympathetic and parasympathetic heart rate control; however, when the ratio between LF and HF and the quantitative effects of respiration are accounted for, halothane appears to cause a reduction in respiratory related sympathetic heart rate control, without a significant change in parasympathetic control.
Assessment of cardiac RF ablation lesions by DCE-MRI

Background Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of myocardial tissue is a clinically acceptable therapy for atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. LGE-MRI has been used to assess immediately post-ablation RF lesions. It was shown that appearance of acute lesions in LGE-MRI changes with time after contrast injection [1,2]. Dickfeld, et al. [1] studied ventricular RF lesions delivered epicardially. They have shown that lesion core corresponds to regions of no-reflow with enhancement only at the boundaries in early LGE. Enhancement was shown to propagate inside lesion core in late LGE scans. Whereas, presence of considerable enhancement in regions of edema surrounding the no-reflow core of acute atrial lesions was shown in [2]. This obvious difference between these works was investigated and correspondence between acute no-reflow and 3 months post ablation scar was studied. Methods
The Eusebian Text of Matthew

This paper presents an analysis of the text of the Gospel of Matthew used by Eusebius of Caesarea. It is based upon citations of Matt. found in six important works written by the Caesarean bishop and historian. The works included are the Onomasticon, Contra Marcellum, de Ecclesiastica Theologia, Ecclesiastical History, Praeparatio Evangelica, and Eclogae Propheticae. 1) The treatment will deal primarily with fifty-nine non-Byzantine variants. It will be pointed out, however, that Eusebius' agreements with the Textus Receptus (TR) 2) also contribute to our understanding of his text of Matt. The strong support of the Old Latin (OL) version for Eusebius' variants from the TR of Matt. constituted the most interesting discovery of the present investigation. The OL agrees with Eusebius' fifty-nine non-Byzantine variants thirty-four times or in 57.6
Measurement of gas temperature gradients using Raman scattering spectroscopy

Abstract The application of Raman scattering (inelastic light scattering) spectroscopy to the measurement of gas temperature and its gradient in hot flowing gas systems is described, using experiments on a chemical vapor deposition system as an example. Apparatus is described and data are presented showing temperature gradients in the range 280 C to 950 C with RMS deviations of 14°C on a spatial scale of 100μm. Advantages of the system are its ability to make measurements in a small well defined volume and to do this totally without perturbation of the system. The principle disadvantage is a relatively low rate of data acquisition.
A perturbation method as applied to problems of finite elastodynamic deformations

Abstract Based on the concepts of linear vibration theory, a (regular) perturbation procedure is developed to treat large elastic dynamical deformations of systems governed by a certain class of nonlinear partial differential equations. The method can be used to obtain periodic solutions for systems undergoing free vibrations. A problem concerning finite shearing oscillations of a slab made of rubber-like material is given to illustrate the use of the present method.
Universal screening for infant hearing impairment: simple, beneficial, and presently justified.

Abstract In a recent article, Bess and Paradise ( Pediatrics 93 (1994) 330–334) rejected the recommendation of the National Institutes of Health that all infants be screened for hearing loss on being released from their birthing hospital. This article responds to their objections with data from the literature and operational newborn hearing screening programs. These data show that universal newborn hearing screening is practicable, effective, cost-efficient, and safe, and concludes that such programs should be implemented without further delay.
Sex Chromatin in Mammalian Bone

The presence of a sex chromatin body similar to that reported in other tissues has been demonstrated in the nuclei of osteoblasts, osteocytes, and periosteal cells from female dogs and cats.
Paliperidone: An improvement over risperidone?

The article by Dolder et al.[1][1] on paliperidone in this issue of AJHP provides a comprehensive review of the literature on paliperidone’s receptor-binding profile, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, adverse effects, and extended-release dosage form. Potential advantages and disadvantages of
An initial analysis of the effects of face and concern for OTHER in chinese interpersonal communication

Abstract The present study investigated two of the most frequently used concepts in Chinese communication processes—face and other. A popular TV series in China was selected as the primary context in which face and other were analyzed. It was found that face and other played important roles in Chinese interpersonal communication. Specifically, the two dimensions of face, lian and mian, conveyed different messages in the everyday discourse of the Chinese. The notion of lian used in its negative form was related to a persons moral character and personal integrity. Mian, however, was used in compliance gaining, conflict mediation, and requesting. Results also revealed that the concept of other was important in self reproach, decision making, behavior regulation, and effectiveness of requests.
Misacylated Transfer RNAs Having a Chemically Removable Protecting Group.

The 4-pentenoyl group and a number of derivatives have been studied as protecting groups for Nα of the aminoacyl moiety in misacylated tRNAs. The unsubstituted 4-pentenoyl group itself was found to function as efficiently as any of the derivatives studied. Four different N-(4-pentenoyl)aminoacyl-tRNACUAs were prepared and shown to undergo deprotection readily upon admixture of aqueous iodine; the derived misacylated tRNAs all functioned well as suppressors of a nonsense codon in an in vitro protein biosynthesizing system. Also prepared were four Nα-(4-pentenoyl)aspartyl-tRNACUAs that were protected on the side chain carboxylate as the nitroveratryl ester. Following treatment with aqueous iodine, the misacylated suppressor tRNAs incorporated the aspartate derivatives into position 27 of dihydrofolate reductase by suppression of a UAG codon in the mRNA. The suppression yields were significantly better than those obtained when side chain protection was absent. The resulting “caged proteins” were inactive, bu...
An Evidence-Based Systematic Review on the Diagnostic Accuracy of Hearing Screening Instruments for Preschool- and School-Age Children

Purpose The purpose of this article is to conduct an evidence-based systematic review on the accuracy of pure-tone or otoacoustic emission (OAE) screening for identifying hearing loss in preschool-...
Does radiographic emphysema correlate with low bone mineral density

Purpose of reviewSeveral large epidemiologic studies have shown an association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and osteoporosis. Recent studies have further implied an emphysema-specific association with low bone mineral density independent of obstruction severity.Recent finding
Imidazo-pyrazine derivatives as potent CXCR3 antagonists

A general way of improving the potency of CXCR3 antagonists with fused hetero-bicyclic cores was identified. Optimization efforts led to the discovery of a series of imidazo-pyrazine derivatives with improved pharmacokinetic properties in addition to increased potency. The efficacy of the lead compound 21 is evaluated in a mouse lung inflammation model.
Modeling of an automotive fuel cell thermal system

Abstract This work develops an 8th order, non-linear thermal model of an automotive proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system. Subsystem models are developed from first principals where ever possible and validated against data from a physical system. The system model is validated against data from an automotive 120 kW fuel cell system, with good agreement. Next, a reduced order model is constructed from the full model and the performance of the two models are compared. The reduced order linear model provided an acceptable representation of the full non-linear model.