cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fracture Properties of Particle Filled Polymer Composites

Fracture behavior of particle filled epoxy and polyester polymer composite (PC) systems was investigated in Mode I fracture using single edge notched beams with varying notch depth. Influence of polymer content and polymer properties on the fracture behavior of polymer composite at room temperature were studied using a uniform sand. The results are analyzed to examine the applicability of fracture parameters such as critical stress intensity factor (KIC) and critical J-integral (JIC) to the PC systems. Epoxy PC and polyester PC are notch sensitive materials. At the same polymer content, the epoxy PC has better fracture properties than the polyester PC. The KIC and JIC for epoxy PC and polyester PC increases with increase in polymer content and PC flexural strength. The fracture parameters of PC systems are represented in terms of polymer content, polymer strength and PC strength. Also the relationship between KIC and JIC for the two PC systems has been investigated.
Characteristics of fire loads in office buildings

A study was made to determine the effects of various parameters on the fire load characteristics of office buildings. This and future studies are expected to form the basis for improving fire resistant design requirements.
Synthesis of polyaniline using horseradish peroxidase immobilized on plasma‐functionalized polyethylene surfaces as initiator

The doping of semiconducting conjugated polymers (e.g., polyaniline, PANI) can result in the elimination of the bandgap, leading to high electrical conductivities (comparable to metals). Doped PANI is totally insoluble and thus nonprocessable, which considerably limits its practical applications. Synthesis of PANI using immobilized horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a catalyst in aqueous solutions can open up additional possibilities for applications through the direct synthesis of controlled-thickness PANI layers on various substrate surfaces. The RF plasma-enhanced surface functionalization of polyethylene and the covalent immobilization of HRP are discussed, and the polymerization of aniline initiated by immobilized HRP is presented. The nature of plasma-grafted surface functionalities on the substrate surfaces and the formation of PANI are demonstrated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. The molecular weight distribution of PANI is evaluated with gel permeation chromatography, and the activity of the immobilized enzyme is monitored using UV spectroscopy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 369–379, 2003
Impact of a new curriculum on medical students' interpersonal and interviewing skills

OBJECTIVES In 1998 we reported on the rise and fall of medical student communication skills during the 4 years of medical school. Since then, the University of Connecticut School of Medicine has completed a major curriculum renewal project with an emphasis on early clinical work, lifelong learning and more ambulatory training. The goals of this study were to compare students' interviewing and interpersonal skills in standardised patient (SP) assessments in the old and new curricula and to assess the success of the new curriculum in preventing a decline in student skills in this domain. METHODS The clinical skills of 202 students were measured longitudinally during encounters with SPs in each of their 4 years of medical school. Students in this study and the earlier study were evaluated using the Arizona Clinical Interviewing Rating (ACIR) Scale. RESULTS Compared with students from the previous curriculum, students on the new curriculum in this study showed an improvement in ACIR scores. Year 1 mean ACIR scores (1 = poor to 5 = excellent) were, respectively, 3.6 for the old curriculum cohort and 4.0 for the new curriculum group. In Year 4 the mean score for the old curriculum cohort was 3.7 and that for the new curriculum group was 3.8. Students on the new curriculum still showed a decline in ACIR scores from Years 1 to 4, but it was not as severe a decline as it had been previously. CONCLUSIONS Pre-clinical medical students perform better on measures of interpersonal communication than their clinical counterparts. The students who participated in the new curriculum demonstrated an earlier acquisition of and a less steep decline in interviewing and interpersonal skills during the course of medical school.
Electron Microscopy Of Atoms

Paper not available for publication© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Adaptation of airway stretch receptors in newborn and adult dogs

Abstract We studied the adaptive properties of tracheal and bronchial slowly adapting mechanoreceptors as an index of their dynamic responsiveness in newborn and adult dogs. The receptors studied exhibited a marked rate dependency in their adaptive characteristics: faster inflations leading to a higher adaptation, a behavior typically found in other mechanoreceptors. During inflatiions of comparable rate airway slowly adapting mechanoreceptors of newborn dogs reach initial firing rates (Fi) that are lower than those of adult dogs. These increments in activity appear to be reduced in proportion to their lower static discharge (Fs). Therefore when adaptation is represented as adaptation index (A.I. = (Fi − Fs)/Fi × 100), i.e., in relative terms, it does not differ between age groups. Tracheal and bronchial slowly adapting mechanoreceptors do not differ in their adaptation for either of the age groups. In conclusion, since the dynamic sensitivity is lower in newborns, it cannot be a factor contributing to their higher breathing rate. Nevertheless, since newborns breathe faster than adults, the activation of their stretch receptors should be greater than it would have otherwise been, perhaps contributing to their faster rate of breathing.
Notes On the Behavior of Some North American Gulls. Ii: Non-Aerial Hostile Behavior of Adults

Most of this paper is a description and analysis of the hostile behavior patterns of adult Ring-billed Gulls and Franklin's Gulls on the ground or water. Both species have elaborate repertories of these patterns, including a variety of unritualized reactions and an even larger number of ritualized displays. The causation of these patterns is analyzed in terms of their motivation. All of them appear to be produced by simultaneous activation of the attack and escape drives; each pattern being produced by its own particular combination, i.e. relative and actual strength, of these drives, (with the addition of other drives, such as sex, in some cases). An attempt is also made to trace the derivation and social signal function(s) of the display patterns. A few of the corresponding patterns of the California Gull and Bonaparte's Gull are described very briefly. The comparative, evolutionary, implications of some of the displays are discussed at greater length, as they seem to be particularly suggestive, (more so than most of the aerial hostile patterns). The non-aerial hostile repertory of adult Ring-bills is very reminiscent of the other "typical Larus" gulls; but it does include a few peculiar features which have not been found in either the Herring Gull or the Common Gull. The California Gull is also very similar; and some of its displays are almost exactly intermediate in form between the homologous displays of the Herring Gull and the Ring-bill. The adult non-aerial hostile displays of Franklin's Gull are more distinctive. They are most reminiscent of the Laughing Gull; but the repertories of the two species are strikingly different in several important features. The repertories of the Ring-bill and Franklin's Gull are rather more similar than would be expected in view of the great morphological and ecological differences between the two species. This might suggest that the displays they hold in common are primitive in the family Laridae, (and the arrangement of these displays may also be primitive). It is possible, in fact, to make a tentative and hypothetical reconstruction of the probable complete hostile repertory, both aerial and non-aerial, of the ancestral gull, based upon comparison of the adults of all species whose behavior has been described in this and other publications.
Compliance in the real world.

Until 1994, rates of noncompliance for lipid-lowering therapies were largely drawn from clinical trials and showed favorable risks for drug discontinuation, ranging from 4–15% for 1-year risk to 11–30% for 5-year risk. Although cross-study comparisons are difficult to make because of variations in study design and measures collected, when evaluating compliance to antihyperlipidemic drugs in primary care settings, results in general show substantially higher rates of discontinuation than those reported from randomized clinical trials. Recent studies from the United States, Australia, and Canada support the conclusion that adherence to lipid-lowering drugs is very poor in primary care settings.
Multiple origins of linear dunes on Earth and Titan

The formation of dunes is controlled by the direction of the prevailing winds and the characteristics of the sediments. Linear dunes in the Qaidam Basin, China, are shown to form from cohesive sediments, a model that could be applicable to dunes on Titan.
Impact of Photovoltaic Distributed Generation on Generation Resource Allocation

Various aspects of electricity generation resource allocation and planning are presented in this study on a hypothetical example of the generation resource pool of the state of Georgia augmented by a substantial amount of photovoltaic renewable generation, likely to happen in the next several years due to increased proliferation of PV, supported by both technological advances (higher efficiency cells) and economic benefits (lower prices due to the economics of scale).
SHRINES AND TALISMANS: DOMESTIC ISLAM IN THE PILGRIMAGE PAINTINGS OF EGYPT

The subjects of sacred space and pilgrimage are key topics in the comparative and critical study of religion. These phenomena are unquestionably evident in Islamic contexts,1 where-as is widely known-pilgrimage to Mecca is a religious requirement, and visitations to sacred sites in Medina, Jerusalem, Karbala, and many lesser shrines from Africa to Indonesia are so commonly practiced. Recent studies and events demonstrate that in modern times the feelings Muslims hold for their religious centers have remained constant, to say the least, and are even waxing noticeably.2 This article explores several types of significance Muslims today assign to the pilgrimage centers of Mecca and Medina. In particular,
Mechanistic studies of Agmatine Deiminase from multiple bacterial species

One subfamily of guanidino group-modifying enzymes (GMEs) consists of the agmatine deiminases (AgDs). These enzymes catalyze the conversion of agmatine (decarboxylated arginine) to N-carbamoyl putrescine and ammonia. In plants, viruses, and bacteria, these enzymes are thought to be involved in energy production, biosynthesis of polyamines, and biofilm formation. In particular, we are interested in the role that this enzyme plays in pathogenic bacteria. Previously, we reported the initial kinetic characterization of the agmatine deiminase from Helicobacter pylori and described the synthesis and characterization the two most potent AgD inactivators. Herein, we have expanded our initial efforts to characterize the catalytic mechanisms of AgD from H. pylori as well as Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Through the use of pH rate profiles, pK(a) measurements of the active site cysteine, solvent isotope effects, and solvent viscosity effects, we have determined that the AgDs, like PADs 1 and 4, utilize a reverse protonation mechanism.
Extranets: A tool for cost control in a value chain framework

The purpose of this research is to show through a case study how the extranet has been used by one specific company to significantly reduce operating costs. The activities of the company are analyzed within the framework of the value chain concept developed by Porter. This, it is felt, will provide a greater insight into how the extranet can be used to improve profit margins. Prior research in this area has either been of a conceptual nature (explaining theoretically how the extranet should be employed) or of a survey nature (examining, by means of a survey instrument, the benefits accruing to companies that have adopted the extranet). This study is different in that it examines in detail, by means of a case study, how the extranet influences a retail company’s chain of activities and reduces the attendant costs thereon.
Accurate estimation with one order statistic

Estimating parameters from certain survival distributions is shown to suffer little loss of accuracy in the presence of left censoring. The variance of maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) in the presence of type II right-censoring is almost un-degraded if there also is heavy left-censoring when estimating certain parameters. In fact, if only a single data point, the rth recorded failure time, is available, the MLE estimates using the one data point are similar in variance to the estimates using all r failure points for all but the most extreme values of r. Analytic results are presented for the case of the exponential and Rayleigh distributions, to include the exact distributions of the estimators for the parameters. Simulated results are also presented for the gamma distribution. Implications in life test design and cost savings are explained as a result. Also computational considerations for finding analytic results as well as simulated results in a computer algebra system are discussed.
Opportunities for Biotechnology in Food Processing

Les applications des procedes biotechnologiques a l'obtention des matieres premieres pour l'industrie alimentaire (culture de cellules vegetales), aux modifications enzymatiques et au traitement et a la valorisation des dechets
A critique of dosing strategies for beta-2 adrenergic agents and theophylline

Bronchodilator therapy today presents the practitioner with many choices in the use of theophylline compounds and beta-2 adrenergic agents. There is a logical progression in combining these agents as the disease severity increases. Clinical studies support the use of an inhaled beta-2 agent (when feasible) on a regular schedule as the primary therapy. The technique of sequential inhalation maximizes its effect. Combination with a systemic bronchodilator may provide further bronchodilation. A further escalation of therapy is obtained by combining oral theophylline with an oral beta-2 agent, advancing to full doses of each as needed and as tolerated. However, the combination of suboptimal doses of each produces considerable bronchodilation at a minimum of risk. Theophylline can be prescribed at “full” doses when attention is paid to host factors that influence its metabolism. Guidelines are listed for its acute and chronic use and serum theophylline determinations recommended to facilitate this. Low trough levels of rapidly absorbed oral bronchodilators, particularly beta-2 agents, pose a danger to certain severe asthmatics, especially when the night-time hiatus of a “q.i.d.” or “t.i.d.” dosing schedule coincides with marked circadian nocturnal bronchospasm. This problem deserves better kinetic definition and more attention. The use of sustained-release preparations or more frequent dosing of smaller amounts will reduce this danger. Other problems discussed are the questions of beta tachyphylaxis or tolerance, treatment of the life-threatening asthma attack, and the use of bronchodilators in the COPD patient with “fixed” obstruction.
A MINDO/3 study of a substituted benzo[b] isoquinolizinium salt ⇆ benzo[b] quinolizine system

Abstract Dihydropyridine ⇆ pyridinium salt redox systems of biologically important molecules were studied using a MINDO/3 technique. The systems investigated broadly resembled many pharmacologically-active agents which are applicable to brain specific drug delivery. In particular a model for the protoberbine anticancer alkaloid berberine was considered. Optimized geometries, charge densities and other molecular properties were generated for the model and this information was compared to a simple pyridinium salt ⇆ dihydropyridine system. These values were found to correlate well with experimental chemical and biological data.
Femto-Newton force sensitivity quartz tuning fork sensor

We describe a quartz tuning fork resonator that is smaller in size than previously reported sensors of the same shape. Smaller dimensions result in the reduced spring constant of the tuning fork resonator with important potential performance improvements in scanning probe microscopes and force sensing instruments. The spring constant of 480 N/m and mechanical quality factor Q of 27,500 are nearly optimal values needed for frequency modulated atomic force microscopy. The tuning fork resonator force noise floor of 6.5 fN/√Hz provides better force sensitivity than previously reported larger size quartz tuning forks.
Surface membrane enzyme, chemotactic peptide binding activities, and chemotactic responsiveness of rabbit peripheral and peritoneal neutrophils.

The chymotrypsin-like esterase activity of plasma membrane and the ecto-5'-nucleotidase and ecto-ρ-nitrophenyl phosphatase activities in peritoneal neutrophils are 2- and 3-fold higher than peripheral blood neutrophils. The binding of the chemotactic peptide, formyl norleucyl-leucyl-phenylalanine to peritoneal neutrophils is 6- to 7-fold higher than to peripheral blood neutrophils. The chemotactic responsiveness of peritoneal neutrophils to the chemotactic peptide is 5-fold greater than peripheral blood neutrophils. However, there was no significant difference in the chemotactic responsiveness to complement component C5a between the blood and peritoneal cells.
Excessiveness of harmonic functions for certain diffusions

In an earlier paper(4) the author has shown that a diffusion process whose potential kernel satisfies certain analytic conditions has all of its excessive harmonic functions, which are not identically infinite, continuous. This paper shows that under these conditions (concerning its potential kernel), the excessiveness of its nonnegative harmonic functions isautomatic.
Are PFCAs Bioaccumulative? A Critical Review and Comparison with Regulatory Criteria and Persistent Lipophilic Compounds

Perfluorinated acids, including perfluorinated carboxylates (PFCAs), and perfluorinated sulfonates (PFASs), are environmentally persistent and have been detected in a variety of wildlife across the globe. The most commonly detected PFAS, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), has been classified as a persistent and bioaccumulative substance. Similarities in chemical structure and environmental behavior of PFOS and the PFCAs that have been detected in wildlife have generated concerns about the bioaccumulation potential of PFCAs. Differences between partitioning behavior of perfluorinated acids and persistent lipophilic compounds complicate the understanding of PFCA bioaccumulation and the subsequent classification of the bioaccumulation potential of PFCAs according to existing regulatory criteria. Based on available research on the bioaccumulation of perfluorinated acids, five key points are highlighted in this review: (1) bioconcentration and bioaccumulation of perfluorinated acids are directly related to the ...
Stability and Performance Limits of Interaction Controllers

Theoretical performance limits of controlled systems which interact with dynamic environments are analyzed from consideration of simple, single-axis mass-spring-damper systems. A measure of interaction control performance is defined which is independent of environment dynamics. It is shown that unmodelled dynamics between actuators and sensors places severe constraints on interaction control performance. An ultimate performance limit to guaranteed-stable interaction control is derived
Pediatric obesity at renal transplantation: A single center experience

Obesity is a major issue affecting health care delivery. While studies have been done in adults with end-stage renal disease, similar studies are lacking in pediatric patients with this disease. We retrospectively analyzed our renal transplant database from 1978 to 2002, to identify prevalence and predisposing factors to obesity in a pediatric end-stage renal disease population. Obesity, particularly in younger individuals, was found to be prevalent at transplantation.
An Error Analysis of Digital Equalizing Filters

Present day computer systems allow computation of an approximate Wiener operator for the time-domain filtering and smoothing of signals of finite (and short) length. However, the memory capacity of a particular computer storage introduces a constraint on the length of the operator and signal. To produce the least mean-square-error, it was helpful to know the extent to which the length of the operator whould be compromised by including additional information (sample points) of the signal. If N is the number of samples of the signal to be equalized and T is the number of points in the optimum digital operator, then the system imposes the constraint that KN + f ( T ) M where M is the free capacity of the computer memory and K is the number of multiples of signal length required for the correlations. To find out whether an optimum relation between T and N exists, a program to determine the digital operator and to compute the mean-square-error between the filtered result and the desired signal was written for an IBM 7090 computer. The computed errors for some typical seismic signals are presented as a function of operator length, signal length, signal-to-noise ratio, and the number of records used to determine averages. The results suggest that equalization occurs both as a process of signal shaping and of noise-reduction, but not necessarily simultaneously.
A Preliminary Investigation Into Geometric and Spatial Characteristics of Interacting Fields for Shipboard CP Systems

Electrical fields generated from cathodic protection systems occur not only on the structure’s surface but in the surrounding electrolyte. The value of off-board and on-board fields are determined by the combined effects of strength and spatial orientation of sources and sinks on the structure and in the surrounding region. Typically shipboard ICCP system analysis, either computational or experimental, deals with a single ship far from any sources and sinks that are not directly attached to the ship structure. In this work the authors use boundary element methods to generate preliminary analyses of the effects of a source in the surrounding media on both the calculated fields on the structure and the off-board fields measured near the structure. This work is scoping analyses designed to help design experimental work investigating the effects of off-board sources.
Note on Assessing a Mentor Program

To clarify the literature on mentor programs, self-esteem and grade point average after such a program were assessed for 30 boys and 46 girls in Grade 11 from 2 high schools. Mixed findings were discussed in terms of possible influences.
Penile fracture: preoperative evaluation and surgical technique for optimal patient outcome.

OBJECTIVE To review the preoperative diagnostic evaluation and surgical treatment of penile fracture, as the condition is a urological emergency that requires immediate surgical exploration and repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between January 2003 and October 2007 eight patients presented to the emergency department with penile fracture after sexual intercourse. The clinical presentation, preoperative evaluation and imaging, surgical technique, and postoperative care were assessed to determine the optimal patient outcome. RESULTS Seven of the eight patients were treated surgically and one refused surgical intervention. Four cases involved unilateral corporal injury, two involved unilateral corporal injury with an associated urethral injury, and one involved bilateral corporal injury with an associated urethral injury. Although retrograde urethrogram were taken of all three urethral injuries, none of them revealed the injury. Diagnostic cavernosography or magnetic resonance imaging were not used in any of the patients. No complications occurred in the patients treated surgically. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative imaging should not delay surgical repair. If an associated urethral injury is suspected, flexible cystoscopy is recommended in the operating room, as opposed to a retrograde urethrogram. A subcoronal circumcising incision is recommended to deglove the entire penile shaft and have complete access to all three corporal bodies, as well as the neurovascular bundle. Saline mixed with indigo carmine can be injected both into the corpora cavernosum or corpus spongiosum via the glans penis, after a tourniquet is placed at the base of the penis, to evaluate the surgical repair and to determine if there are any missed injuries.
Is fondaparinux safer than enoxaparin for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Is fondaparinux safer than enoxaparin for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention?
Magnetic and tribological evaluation of metal particle and metal-evaporated tapes in a linear tape drive:

AbstractImproving the performance of computer tape drives is an ongoing process that has recently involved the utilization of metal-evaporated (ME) tapes. The magnetic and tribological performance of the current metal particle (MP) tape and a new dual-magnetic-layer ME tape were evaluated in a Quantum DLT 4000 linear tape drive. Head output, drop-outs and head-tape interface friction were monitored during high-tension (1.7 N) high-speed (4 m/s) short-pass (10 m) shuttling tests without stepping the head. The severe MP test never showed signs of failure, but wear of the head's outriggers is believed to impact the stability of the head output signal. MP tape significantly outperformed ME tape; ME even performed poorly at nominal tension (0.8 N) and speed (2.5 m/s) conditions. ME tape lubricant was stripped away by corners on the DLT head, resulting in increased friction, wear and exposure of the relatively brittle diamond-like carbon layer. A high-tension high-speed MP test with head stepping was also perfo...
Petrophysical characterization and natural fracturing in an olivine-dolerite aquifer

As part of a study investigating the naturally-occurring fractures in mafic rocks, two holes were drilled 450 m apart through the Palisades dolerite sill in New York. Well-2 is 229 m deep and Well-3 was drilled to 305 m, both penetrating through the sill and into the underlying Triassic sediments of the Newark Basin. Both holes were logged with downhole geophysical tools, including the BHTV, which acoustically images fractures intersecting the well. Understanding the fracture pattern, density, and porosity in the sill is essential for identifying possible zones of active fluid flow and high permeability. Using the BHTV logs, 96 and 203 fractures were digitally mapped within the sill in Well-2 and Well-3, respectively. Most fractures appear to dip steeply (76-78°). There is a shift in fracture orientation, however, and these fractures may or may not be continuous over the short lateral distance between Well-2 and Well-3. The lithology of the sill as identified by drill chips is nevertheless continuous between the holes. Both intersect a 7 m thick olivine-rich layer about 15 m above the bottom of the sill.
CeMOx-Promoted Ketonization of Biomass-Derived Carboxylic Acids in the Condensed Phase

Ketonization of the model bio-oil compound acetic acid was performed in a toluene-solvent condensed phase using five different CeMOx catalysts. The catalysts were characterized using a number of different techniques both before and after reaction testing to gain understanding of how material traits influence their catalytic performance. A number of potentially important catalytic properties were found to be of little importance for the respective reaction. For instance, it was discovered that there was no direct correlation between prereaction surface area with activity for ketonization at high or at low temperatures. Furthermore, better reducibility of the oxide did not appear to correlate with improved ketonization rates. XRD of postreaction materials used at different temperatures demonstrated the reaction temperature regime influenced whether the crystal structure of the fresh mixed oxide was disrupted. The precise temperature regimes were different, depending on composition of the catalytic material....
Cloning and tissue distribution of the human G protein β5 cDNA

Abstract Heterotrimeric G proteins integrate signals between receptors and effector proteins. We have cloned the human β 5 subunit from a human brain cDNA library. The clone has a 1059 bp open reading frame and is highly homologous to the murine clone. In contrast to the brain specific mouse β 5, northern analysis showed it to be expressed in multiple tissues.
Gene-Expression Variation Within and Among Human Populations

Understanding patterns of gene-expression variation within and among human populations will provide important insights into the molecular basis of phenotypic diversity and the interpretation of patterns of expression variation in disease. However, little is known about how gene-expression variation is apportioned within and among human populations. Here, we characterize patterns of natural gene-expression variation in 16 individuals of European and African ancestry. We find extensive variation in gene-expression levels and estimate that ∼83% of genes are differentially expressed among individuals and that ∼17% of genes are differentially expressed among populations. By decomposing total gene-expression variation into within- versus among-population components, we find that most expression variation is due to variation among individuals rather than among populations, which parallels observations of extant patterns of human genetic variation. Finally, we performed allele-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction to demonstrate that cis-regulatory variation in the lymphocyte adaptor protein (SH2B adapter protein 3) contributes to differential expression between European and African samples. These results provide the first insight into how human population structure manifests itself in gene-expression levels and will help guide the search for regulatory quantitative trait loci.
A quark signature in the nuclear fireball model of heavy ion collisions

Abstract It seems possible that a definite quark matter signature may be observed in the near future in nuclear heavy ion collisions. For example, in experiments yielding a fireball temperature of at least 180 MeV, a lab energy of ∼ 11 GeV/nucleon must be reached for a 20 Ne + U collision. These energies should be sufficient to produce quark matter in the fireball. The signature of this transition is observed by comparing particle spectra at higher energies. It is expected that once quark matter is reached the spectrum will remain constant at temperature greater than ∼ 180 MeV, rather than continue to change with energy.
The effects of graduated driver licensing on hospitalization rates and charges for 16-and 17-year-olds in North Carolina.

Objective. To mitigate the high risk of motor vehicle crashes for young beginning drivers, over 40 states and the District of Columbia have implemented graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems that gradually and systematically ease teen drivers into higher risk driving conditions. Evaluations of GDL programs using motor vehicle crash data have demonstrated marked declines in crashes. The objective of this study is to examine the association between the implementation of the North Carolina GDL program and the rate of hospitalization, as well as hospital charges, for 16-and 17-year-old drivers. Methods. Data were obtained from the North Carolina Hospital Discharge Database for the 26 months before and 46 months after the December 1, 1997, implementation of the GDL program. ARIMA interrupted time series analyses were used to model monthly hospitalization rates, controlling for the hospitalization rates of 25-to 54-year-old drivers. ARIMA analyses were also used to determine whether changes occurred in monthl...
Mutagenic evaluation of carcinogens and non-carcinogens in the L5178Y/TK assay utilizing postmitochondrial fractions (S9) from normal rat liver

Abstract As part of a continuing effort to investigate various metabolic activation procedures in the L5178Y TK +/− → TK −/− mutation assay, a series of 18 chemicals including both carcinogens and non-carcinogens selected from 7 chemical classes were tested in the presence of 5% (v/v) 9000 × g postmitochondrial supernatant fraction (S9) prepared from the livers of untreated Sprague-Dawley rats. Excepting ethyl carbamate and thioacetamide, 8 of 10 carcinogens tested produced mutant counts significantly greater than controls when the results were analyzed by a 2-sample log e t -test. Of 8 non-carcinogens assayed, treatment with p -aminophenol and chloroacetic acid yielded mutant counts significantly greater than control levels in at least one test with S9 while styrene oxide, an Ames positive mutagen, produced mutagenic activity in the absence of S9. These results indicate the L5178Y TK +/− → TK −/− mutation assay coupled with 5% (v/v) liver homogenate from normal rodent liver and applied to 18 chemicals correctly distinguished the majority of carcinogens from structurally related non-carcinogens on the basis of chemically-induced gene mutations.
Distillation of bose-einstein condensates in a double-well potential

Bose-Einstein condensates of sodium atoms, prepared in an optical dipole trap, were distilled into a second empty dipole trap adjacent to the first one. The distillation was driven by thermal atoms spilling over the potential barrier separating the two wells and then forming a new condensate. This process serves as a model system for metastability in condensates, provides a test for quantum kinetic theories of condensate formation, and also represents a novel technique for creating or replenishing condensates in new locations.
Infrared Reflection Spectroscopy Of As-Anodized And Passivated 6H And 4H Porous Silicon Carbide

We present a study of the infrared reflectance of porous silicon carbide (PSC) formed by the electrochemical dissolution of silicon carbide substrates of both 6H and 4H polytypes. The formation of porous silicon carbide from a 4H-SiC substrate is reported for the first time, as is the reflectance from n-PSC, both as-anodized and passivated. The passivation of PSC has been accomplished using a short thermal oxidation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) reflectance spectroscopy is employed ex situ after different stages of the thermal oxidation process. The characteristics of the reststrahlen band normally observed in bulk SiC are altered by anodization; further changes in the reflectance spectra occur following oxidation for different short periods of time. An effective medium theory model which includes air, SiC and SiO2 as component materials is shown to characterize the observed changes in the reflectance spectra after different stages of PSC oxidation.
Chondrocyte calcium signaling in response to fluid flow is regulated by matrix adhesion in 3-D alginate scaffolds

The interaction between chondrocytes and their surrounding extracellular matrix plays an important role in regulating cartilage metabolism in response to environmental cues. This study characterized the role of cell adhesion on the calcium signaling response of chondrocytes to fluid flow. Bovine chondrocytes were suspended in alginate hydrogels functionalized with RGD at concentrations of 0-400μM. The hydrogels were perfused and the calcium signaling response of the cells was measured over a range of fluid velocities from 0 to 68μm/s. Attachment to RGD-alginate doubled the sensitivity of chondrocytes to flows in the range of 8-13μm/s, but at higher fluid velocities, the contribution of cell adhesion to the observed calcium signaling response was no longer apparent. The enhanced sensitivity to flow was dependent on the density of RGD-ligand present in the scaffolds. The RGD-enhanced sensitivity to flow was completely inhibited by the addition of soluble RGD which acted as a competitive inhibitor. The results of this study indicate a role for matrix adhesion in regulating chondrocyte response to fluid flow through a calcium dependent mechanism.
Hydrologic equilibrium status of a disturbed Eastern North Carolina watershed

Evaluation of the impacts of artificial drainage systems on wetlands requires an assessment of the hydrologic equilibrium status of the surface hydrologic system. Hydrologic equilibrium is characterised by a high correlation between surplus moisture (as calculated by Thornthwaite's methodology) and stream discharge. A qualitative stability analysis shows that deterioration of artificial drainage channels is the process allowing the surface hydrologic system to adjust to the disturbances. The model is tested by examining the correlation between surplus and discharge for a small watershed altered by forestry drainage which is periodically rehabilitated. With hydrologic equilibeium arbitrarily defined as a surplus-discharge correlation coefficient ≽ 0.8, it is shown that the original, largely undisturbed watershed was in hydrologic equilibrium. Disequilibrium was induced by artificial drainage-ways, with a return to equilibrium over time. Subsequent renovations of ditches and canals were associated with a recurrence of disequilibrium. The surface hydrologic system is metastable, and cannot be expected to return to previously-existing states following a disturbance. Consistently maintained artificial drainage system appears to preclude any return to any type of hydrologic equilibrium.
Anesthetic management and perioperative surveillance

The intraoperative management of the high-risk patient has received a great deal of attention and research during the past decade. Based on the available evidence, there appears to be no one best anesthetic technique or agent. More importantly, the goals of intraoperative management are to avoid myocardial ischemia, which include preventing tachycardia, and maintaining normothermia and adequate hematocrit. Perioperative monitoring includes transesophageal echocardiography, pulmonary artery catheter and ST segment monitoring. Perioperative pharmacological treatment with α-2 agonists and β-adrenergic blocking agents are associated with a reduced incidence of perioperative myocardial ischemia and improved long-term survival, respectively. Future research will be required to determine whether prophylactic therapy or early treatment of perioperative myocardial ischemia will lead to improved outcome.
On the analysis of electron diffraction patterns from twist grain boundaries

Abstract In a recent paper an electron diffraction technique was developed to study the structure of high angle 〈001〉 twist boundaries. Extra reflections (0-reflections) were observed which were attributed to diffraction from a periodic displacement field in the boundaries. In order to demonstrate that these reflections were not produced by double diffraction by the two crystals adjoining the boundary, a limited analysis of the double diffraction possibilities was performed. In order to put this technique on a firmer footing a more general analysis is developed in the present work which considers the contribution by double diffraction of all possible combinations of crystal reflections to the experimentally observed 0-reflections. It is shown that for all twist boundaries it is geometrically possible for double diffraction to contribute to the 0-reflections, under the assumption of an Ewald sphere of infinite radius. It is then demonstrated that when the curvature of the Ewald sphere is taken into account...
Experimental human exposure to methylene chloride.

Inhalation of methylene chloride vapor In concentrations of 500 to 1,000 ppm for one to two hours was followed promptly by a sustained elevation of carboxyhemoglobin level in all 11 subjects studied. The evidence suggests that carbon monoxide may fee a metabolite of methylene chloride and that exposure to concentrations of methylene chloride that do not exceed the Industrial Threshold Limit Value for that solvent may result in a carboxyhemoglobin saturation level in excess of that allowable from carbon monoxide itself. In addition, methylene chloride produced signs and symptoms of central nervous system depression in subjects exposed to vapor concentrations of 1,000 ppm.
Protease-insensitive sea urchin embryo cell adhesions become protease sensitive in the presence of azide or cytochalasin B

To understand the nature of the cell adhesions that must be modified during sea urchin embryo primary mesenchyme formation, we are studying the adhesive components of the hatched blastula stage embryo of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Pronase treatment conditions have been defined that leave the cells intact and able to recover from the effects of the protease upon its removal. Under these conditions, adhesion of the cells to tissue culture plates is totally eliminated, but cell-cell adhesion formation is only partially inhibited. Analysis of iodinated cell surface proteins indicates that most are affected by the pronase. Further studies of pronase effects found that sodium azide-treated cells are slightly adhesive and that pronase treatment of azide-treated cells totally eliminates cell-cell adhesions.
Multiphoton ionization spectra of two caged amines

Abstract The multiphoton ionization spectra of quinuclidine (ABCO) and triethylenediamine (DABCO) have been measured. All of the observed resonances are two-proton transitions to low-lying localized Rydberg states. For ABCO the lowest energy transitions are assigned as 1A1 (3s) ← 1A1 (n) 4.84 eV, and 1E (3pxy) ← 1A1 (n), 5.42 eV. In the case of DABCO, orbitals localized on the nitrogens interact and are split into two new orbitals. In terms of the split orbitals the low energy resonances in DABCO are assigned as 1E′[3pxy(−)] ← 1A1 (n+_, 4.44 eV, and 1E″ [3pxy(+)] ← 1A1 (n+), 4.94 eV.
Representing and locating deduction rules in a semantic network

A semantic network is defined with its arcs and nodes separated into various sets. Arcs are partitioned into descending, ascending, and auxiliary arcs. Nodes are partitioned into base, variable, assertion, pattern and auxiliary nodes. Nodes can be temporary or permanent.Some pattern and assertion nodes, called rule nodes, represent propositional functions of the nodes they dominate. Rule nodes may bind the variables they dominate with any one of a set of binding relations representing quantifiers. A rule node which dominates variables all of which are bound is a constant deduction rule.Deduction rules may be viewed as pattern-invoked procedures. The type of propositional function determines the procedure, the variables bound by the rule are the local variables, and the quantifier determines the type of binding.A binding is defined as a list of variables associated with the nodes they are bound to. A binding can be used like a substitution, except it is seldom actually applied. Instead, a pattern node and a binding for it are used as a pair.A match routine is defined which is given a source node and a binding and finds target nodes, target bindings and more fully specified source bindings. Target nodes that are patterns provide entrees into relevant rules.
Nanobioelectroanalysis Based on Carbon/Inorganic Hybrid Nanoarchitectures

The emergence of nanotechnology has opened new horizons for electrochemical biosensors. This review highlights new concepts for electrochemical biosensors based on different carbon/inorganic hybrid nanoarchitectures. Particular attention will be given to hybrid nanostructures involving 1- or 2-dimensional carbon nanotubes or graphene along with inorganic nanoparticles (gold, platinum, quantum dot (QD), metal oxide). Latest advances (from 2007 onwards) in electrochemical biosensors based on such hybrids of carbon/inorganic-nanomaterial heterostructures are discussed and illustrated in connection to enzyme electrodes for blood glucose or immunoassays of cancer markers. Several strategies for using carbon/inorganic nanohybrids in such bioaffinity and biocatalytic sensing are described, including the use of hybrid nanostructures for tagging or modifying electrode transducers, use of inorganic nanomaterials as surface modifiers along with carbon nanomaterial label carriers, and carbon nanostructure-based electrode transducers along with inorganic amplification tags. The implications of these nanoscale bioconjugated hybrid materials on the development of modern electrochemical biosensors are discussed along with future prospects and challenges.
Quasi-two-dimensional excitons in selected II–VI compound semiconductor superlattices: The case of a small valence band offset

Abstract In this paper we review recent developments which have given insight into the lower dimensional exciton properties of selected wide gap II–VI compound semiconductor superlattices through optical spectroscopy. We discuss the band offset question and details of exciton binding in the CdTe/(Cd,Mn)Te heterostructure in the quantum well limit and influence of a perpendicular electric field on excitons in a ZnSe/(Zn,Mn)Se quantum well. In such instances, a small valence band offset adds its own distinct “color” to the exciton physics.
Volatile Organic Compounds in Headspace over Electrical Components at 75 to 200°C – Part 1. Identification of Constituents and Emission Rates

The identity and emission rates of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in headspace vapors over electronic components were determined at temperatures from 75 to 200°C using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The emission of VOCs may provide a basis to detect the onset of the overheating of electronic components in confined atmospheres near electronic bays on airplanes and submarines before smoldering or ignition. VOCs found in headspace vapors over components, including resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, and insulation from wires of a transformer, were composed of simple mixtures of substances with 6 to 10 carbon number from chemical families including ketones, aldehydes, substituted benzenes, alcohols, and phenols. Composition of the vapors was characteristic but not exclusive of a particular electrical component, except for phenols and methylstyrene, which were found only in a single component. Emission rates were expressed as nanogram of chemical per gram of component per minute, and increase...
A study of forced convective subcooled boiling in heated annular channels

Abstract A method is presented for the calculation of inception and subsequent development of forced convective subcooled boiling in heated annular channels at steadystate conditions. Criteria for onset of nucleate boiling and significant net vapor generation are incorporated into the formulation which is a synthesis of single-phase liquid thermal entrance region temperature field calculations and a four-equation drift-flux model representation of the liquid-vapor mixture region. Calculated vapor volume fraction values are compared with new measurements obtained with Refrigerant-113 as the working fluid, and literature data for steam-water.