cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gas evolution in a flow-assisted zinc-nickel oxide battery

Abstract An experimental study on hydrogen and oxygen evolution was carried out in a sealed zinc–nickel oxide battery. The effects of flowing electrolyte on gas evolution were quantitatively evaluated. The results show that both the hydrogen and oxygen evolution are suppressed by making the electrolyte flow on a regular cycle. This is due to increased cell polarization in the non-flowing case attributed to the concentration boundary layer of zinc (zincate) ion near the anode surfaces. Though the Coulombic efficiency in the flowing case was higher than that in the non-flowing case, the fraction of gas evolution against Coulombic loss was the same for both the cases. When deeply discharging the cell, more hydrogen is evolved in the flowing case than in the non-flowing case.
Theatrical reform and the emergence of mass culture in Spain

The early twentieth century in Spain saw a series of initiatives designed to reform the institutions of the theatre (and musical theatre in particular), prompted by the desire to regenerate politics and society following defeat in the Spanish-American War. This desire for regeneration had an unintended effect: while regeneration was supposed to make Spanish institutions more responsive to the populace, theatre shifted away from its traditional position in Spanish popular culture and became an elite institution; this in turn made room for new forms of popular culture such as cinema, cabaret and sporting events to flourish. Government-mandated reforms tended to alienate popular audiences by not taking their demands into account. Formalized copyright control only protected elite, conservatory-trained theatrical composers and not artists working in popular entertainment. Ironically, these reforms – designed to save Spanish theatre from a decline into frivolity and meaninglessness – ended up marginalizing the ...
Neuroendocrine Carcinomas of the Thymus

Primary thymic neuroendocrine carcinomas are tumors of rare occurrence. The histopathological features present in this family of tumors recapitulate those seen in other organs such as the lung or the gastrointestinal system. The criterion for diagnosis is the same as the one used in other areas where these tumors are more common. In addition, the classification of these tumors has been reported to have meaningful impact when stratified into tumors of low-grade, intermediate-grade, and high-grade malignancy. Nevertheless, a more recent classification of tumors by the World Health Organization divided these tumors into two categories of low- and high-grade malignancy. This presentation on thymic neuroendocrine carcinomas highlights the important issues around proper classification of these thymic tumors as well as the most important differential diagnosis of neuroendocrine carcinomas from other tumors, particularly primary mediastinal tumors that may also share similar immunophenotype.
Structural and Functional Interactions between Hsp90 and the Cholera Toxin A1 Subunit

Cholera toxin (CT) moves from the cell surface to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where the catalytic CTA1 subunit separates from the holotoxin and unfolds due to its intrinsic instability. Unfolded CTA1 then moves through an ER translocon pore to reach its cytosolic target. Due to the instability of CTA1, it must be actively refolded in the cytosol to achieve the proper conformation for modification of its G protein target. The cytosolic heat shock protein Hsp90 is involved with the ER-to-cytosol translocation of CTA1, yet the mechanistic role of Hsp90 in CTA1 translocation remains unknown. Potential post-translocation roles for Hsp90 in modulating the activity of cytosolic CTA1 are also unknown. Here, we show by isotope-edited Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy that Hsp90 induces a gain-of-function in disordered CTA1 at physiological temperature. Only the ATP-bound form of Hsp90 interacts with disordered CTA1, and its refolding of CTA1 is dependent upon ATP hydrolysis. Surface plasmon resonance experiments found that Hsp90 does not release CTA1, even after ATP hydrolysis and the return of CTA1 to a folded conformation. The interaction with Hsp90 allowed disordered CTA1 to attain an active state and did not prevent further stimulation of toxin activity by ADP-ribosylation factor 6, a host cofactor for CTA1. Our studies suggest CTA1 translocation involves a ratchet mechanism which couples the Hsp90-mediated refolding of CTA1 with CTA1 extraction from the ER. Continued association of Hsp90 with refolded CTA1 allows the cytosolic toxin to attain an active conformation but does not protect it from proteasomal degradation.
Hospital networking. Comparing the work of nurses with flexible and traditional schedules.

Objective This research study was conducted to contrast workplace socialization of nurses working flexible (flex) and traditional schedules in an acute care setting. The study illustrates the types of social networks used by both types of nurses in a reengineered healthcare environment. Summary background data Reengineering strategies, such as flex nurse staffing, add a new dimension to workplace change and adaptation. Few studies have examined the similarities and differences between nurses working flex and traditional schedules. The research literature shows that workplace socialization significantly affects job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and retention. No studies have examined how the process of socialization--forming social networks--differs for nurses working traditional or flex schedules. Methods and subjects A convenience sample of 120 nurses working traditional schedules and 46 nurses working flex schedules from a pediatric, tertiary care setting completed the Social Network Questionnaire (SNQ), a standardized instrument that records individuals' social network composition and function. Results No significant differences were found in the nurses' social network composition. Both types of nurses constructed peer-based networks and nurse managers were also present in their networks. Nurses working traditional schedules used significantly more peer members for different types of emotional support, such as reassurance and handling emotional upsets. Conclusions Workplace networks are important to both types of nurses. Nurses on flex schedules may form less social attachments in order to manage the increased demands of moving among multiple units. This group of nurses can provide clues for adaptive change in reengineered environments.
Composition of coronary atherosclerotic plaque in the intima and media affects intravascular ultrasound measurements of intimal thickness

Abstract Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how intravascular ultrasound-determined thickness and reflectivity of the inner echogenic layer of coronary artery plaque is affected by changes in collagen, elastin, proteoglycan, calcium and lipid content in the intima and media. Background. Coronary artery plaque often results in disruption of the internal elastic lamina and in increased collagen in the media as well as increased intimal lipid, calcium and proteoglycan content. How these factors affect intravascular ultrasound-derived measurements of intimal thickness are unknown. Methods. Twenty-one coronary artery segments from 10 patients with varying degrees of coronary artery disease were obtained fresh and unfixed at autopsy. Instravascular ultrasound (30-MHz, 3.5F catheter) was performed at regions in the vessel where a three-layered region was evident. Quantitative measurements of inner echogenic and deeper echolucent layer thickness were determined as well as estimates of ultrasound reflectivity and compared with histologic measurments of intimal and medial thickness and collagen, proteoglycan, lipid and calcium content. Results. In plaque >300 μm thick and equivalent histologic levels of collagen, inner echogenic layer reflectivity was greater in regions with a greater amount of calcium and proteoglycan and lesser amounts of lipid. Inner echogenic layer thickness correlated well with intimal thickness but had the best correlation with intimal and medial thickness when medial collagen content was increased (r = 0.89). The median observed difference between intimal and inner echogenic thickness was 160 (p Conclusions. The inner echogenic layer of human coronary artery plaque may represent both intima and media. The echolucent layer by ultrasound may represent only the basal section of the media that does not contain high collagen contest.
Desmoid tumor of the sternum presenting as an anterior mediastinal mass

A 20-year-old man with a large, asymptomatic mediastinal mass was found to have desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF) by needle biopsy. The tumor arose from the internal periosteum of the sternum and mimicked an anterior mediastinal mass. A wide resection of the sternum, including portions of the clavicles and costal cartilages, and reconstruction with a Gore-Tex soft tissue patch were performed. Although extremely rare, desmoid tumor of the sternum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of anterior mediastinal tumors.
On the economics of taut plans

Abstract Targets issued to enterprises in centrally planned economies are frequently taut. The literature on tautness has neglected the aggregate effects of taut plans. Since the outputs of some enterprises are inputs to others, taut plans allow for more intensive use of available resources, but coordination of taut plans is made difficult by incomplete information about the capacity constraints of various enterprises. We derive an aggregate relationship between the tautness of plans and total output.
A successive order of scattering model for solving vector radiative transfer in the atmosphere

Abstract A full vector radiative transfer model for vertically inhomogeneous plane–parallel media has been developed by using the successive order of scattering approach. In this model, a fast analytical expansion of Fourier decomposition is implemented and an exponent-linear assumption is used for vertical integration. An analytic angular interpolation method of post-processing source function is also implemented to accurately interpolate the Stokes vector at arbitrary angles for a given solution. It has been tested against the benchmarks for the case of randomly orientated oblate spheroids, illustrating a good agreement for each stokes vector (within 0.01%). Sensitivity tests have been conducted to illustrate the accuracy of vertical integration and angle interpolation approaches. The contribution of each scattering order for different optical depths and single scattering albedos are also analyzed.
PERFORMANCE OF ROADHEADERS AT HARLAN, KY, DIVERSION TUNNELS

Abstract Four side-by-side tunnels have recently been completed for the purpose of flood control for the town of Harlan, Kentucky. The inverted “U” shaped tunnels average 590 m (1935 ft) in length and are 9.75 m (32 ft) high by 10.4 m (34 ft) wide. They were constructed utilizing roadheaders through massive siltstone containing an average of 58 percent quartz and having an average unconfined compressive strength of 46.9 MPa (6800 psi). Two machines of different manufacture and size were used for the construction of the top heading and the performance of each has been documented. A comparison to drill and blast is possible since the bottom heading was excavated in this manner.
Psychological problems resulting from parent-to-adolescent renal transplantation

This paper deals with the ways in which the psychological responses of renal transplant donors and recipients interfere with the developmental tasks of adolescence. The characteristic responses of donors and recipients in general are briefly reviewed. The special problems of the adolescent who has received a transplant from a parent are considered. Interference with the separation-individuation process is discussed. Also considered is the difficulty posed to the development of sexual identity. Excerpts from brief therapy are presented that illustrate the characteristic psychological conflicts described.
Treatment of chronic non-cancer pain

Chronic pain is a pervasive problem that affects the patient, their significant others, and society in many ways. The past decade has seen advances in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying pain and in the availability of technically advanced diagnostic procedures; however, the most notable therapeutic changes have not been the development of novel evidenced-based methods, but rather changing trends in applications and practices within the available clinical armamentarium. We provide a general overview of empirical evidence for the most commonly used interventions in the management of chronic non-cancer pain, including pharmacological, interventional, physical, psychological, rehabilitative, and alternative modalities. Overall, currently available treatments provide modest improvements in pain and minimum improvements in physical and emotional functioning. The quality of evidence is mediocre and has not improved substantially during the past decade. There is a crucial need for assessment of combination treatments, identification of indicators of treatment response, and assessment of the benefit of matching of treatments to patient characteristics.
Fine Scale Movements and Habitat Use of Black Brant During the Flightless Wing Molt in Arctic Alaska

Abstract. Thousands of Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) migrate annually to the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area (TLSA), Alaska, to undergo the flightless wing molt on tundra lakes and wetlands. GPS transmitters were attached to Brant over two summers (2007–2008) to examine patterns of movement and habitat use of molting Brant, including variation by habitat type, year and body mass. Molting Brant were located an average of 31 ± 1 m (SE) from shore and this distance did not vary across any of the explanatory variables. Brant moved an average of 123 ± 3 m hr-1 while flightless. Movement rates varied by year, averaging 22 ± 12 m hr-1 faster in 2008, and across habitat types, averaging 22 ± 13 m hr-1 faster in inland versus coastal and estuarine habitats. Two kernel home ranges were estimated: entire home range, which encompassed the complete 95% probability contour, and shoreline home range, which included only shoreline areas used by molting Brant. Entire home range (x bar = 15.1 ± 2.2 km2) was negativel...
Effect of Lung Volume Reduction Surgery on Pulmonary Diffusion Capacity in a Rabbit Model of Emphysema

Abstract Background.While there is renewed interest in lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) for treatment of emphysema, many aspects of the operation such as patient selection and surgical end points of excision are uncertain. We studied the effects of LVRS on measured lung volumes and diffusion capacity in an animal model to investigate optimal resection volumes.Methods.Emphysema was induced in 32 New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits using aerosolized elastase. Helium dilution lung volumes and single breath DLCO were measured concurrently at baseline, following induction of emphysema (preop), and 1 week postoperatively (postop) following LVRS. Bilateral upper and middle lobe stapled lung resections were performed through midline sternotomies with excision of variable amounts of lung tissue from 1.8 to 5.8 g.Results.FRC increased following induction of emphysema and decreased postoperatively. DLCO improved with increasing lung tissue resection up to 3 g of tissue and then decreased as even greater amounts were removed (r= 0.54).Conclusions.Measured lung volumes increase with development of emphysema and appropriately decrease in response to LVRS in this rabbit model. DLCO improves with moderate resection but then decreases with excessive excision of lung quantities and may help define one physiologic operative end point. In this rabbit model, excision of approximately 30% of lung volume was optimal and prevented further decrease in diffusion capacity.
Special report: symposium on transformational change in health sciences libraries: space, collections, and roles.

In November 2003, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) cosponsored a symposium, “The Library as Place: Building and Revitalizing Health Sciences Libraries in the Digital Age,” focusing on the question: “What is the role of the library in the twenty-first century?” After two days of presentations and discussions, symposium participants concluded “that both the print and the virtual electronic library are here to stay.” As Deanna Marcum observed, “The library will certainly change. And its need for space may significantly shrink. But the digital era, far from ending the physical library, may free it to facilitate learning rather than to house shelves—and may free those who work within the library spaces to do less book processing and more learning facilitation” [1]. In the summer of 2008, the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM), Middle Atlantic Region (MAR), as a follow-up to the NLM/AAHSL symposium, announced their intention to fund a regional conference about library space planning and solicited applications for their Library Space and Its Impact Conference Award. In response to this solicitation, the George T. Harrell Health Sciences Library (Harrell HSL) applied for and received the award. The announcement proved to be timely: The Harrell HSL was in the process of repurposing 10,000 square feet of library space into the new Penn State Hershey Clinical Simulation Center [2, 3]. The Harrell HSL experience provided a firsthand, real-life example of the issues faced by libraries in a rapidly changing environment. The award funded a one-day library space planning conference, held in April 2009, which was offered to librarians both regionally and nationally.
Clinical Eye: A Tool for Augmented Browsing in the Health Domain

This paper introduces a web-based semantic tool that provides more detailed information about a term selected by the user of a web browser, the Clinical Eye. This tool was initially designed for the medical area of cardiology, which is still controversial in terms of vocabularies. An ontology has been developed as a reference base where those different vocabularies converge. The information supplied by the tool was taken from specialized medical web pages and technical documents. It is a tool of low interference for ongoing activities, so it can be used during a clinical activity. It has been designed according to requirements raised by studies in various medical communities which pointed the use of internet during consultations and medical needs for deep information.
Sex in primetime television: An analysis of content trends, context categories, and sampling considerations

This study provides a replication and extension of previous content analyses of sex in primetime television, following a five‐year period of increased consumer activism directed through advertiser influence on programming content. It also addressed the issue of sample size in analyses designed to track such trends. Results indicated distinct differences from trends reported in previous studies, with a substantial decrease in the quantity as well as changes in the quality of sexual behavior and references between the 1988–89 and 1993–94 television seasons. Although a minimum of one intact or constructed week of programming has been considered essential for such studies, comparative analyses of full and half‐sample data provided evidence that overall trends can be accurately mapped using a reasonably selected stratified subsample of a constructed week of programming.
The absorption spectrum of reduced and oxidized Cypridina luciferin, isolated by a new method.

Abstract Luciferin, involved in the luminescence of the marine ostracod crustacea, Cypridina hilgendorfii , was isolated in a chromatographically pure form. The visible and ultraviolet absorption spectra of the compound were measured in methanol, acetone, 0.1 M HCl, distilled water, and dilute NaOH. Comparison of the spectra of luciferin, prepared by the present method and by Anderson's procedure (subsequently chromatographed), dissolved in 0.1 M HCl, show many similarities as well as some differences. The spectrum of luciferin, after biolumineseent oxidation with luciferase, was also measured in distilled water. It was found that luminescence resulted in the disappearance of the broad absorption peak at 430 mμ, a reduction in the shoulder at 300–310 mμ, and the formation of a new peak at about 365 mμ. The spectral changes of luciferin oxidized by luciferase, by air, and by ferricyanide seem to be identical.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Derivatization of Hyperbranched Polyfluorinated Polymers

A hyperbranched polyfluorinated benzyl ether polymer was prepared from the A2B monomer 3,5-bis[(pentafluorobenzyl)oxy]benzyl alcohol. The polymerization was based upon deprotonation of the benzylic alcohol (B), followed by nucleophilic substitution of the p-fluorines of the two pentafluorophenyl (A) groups to form tetrafluorophenyl benzyl ether linkages. Optimized reaction conditions for the polymerization involved the addition of sodium metal (<0.1 mm particle size, 30 wt % suspension in toluene) to a solution of monomer (0.3 M) in THF heated at reflux. The molecular weight and molecular-weight distribution of the resulting polymer were affected by the surface area of the sodium particles, the concentration of the monomer, and the polymerization temperature. An average of one pentafluorophenyl chain end per repeat unit plus one pentafluorophenyl end group was present within the hyperbranched polymer, which allowed for chemical modification by nucleophilic displacement reactions upon the p-fluorines, to a...
Demographics of a large cohort of urban chronic hepatitis C patients.

Purpose Recent studies suggest that African Americans (AA) with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) differ from non-Hispanic whites (NHW) with respect to the natural history and mortality resulting from the complications of chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to examine the demographics of a large cohort of CHC patients and identify potential differences between AA and NHW.
A comparison of the thermal characteristics of active lava flows and forest fires

Landsat TM data of active lava flows from Kilauea Volcano Hawaii (7/23/91) and forest fires within Yellowstone National Park (9/8/88) are compared to show the differences in the spectral and spatial distribution of radiance. At visible wavelengths, smoke from forest fires obscures terrain features, while active eruptions show little degassing at breakouts (ruptured lava tubes). Lava flows exhibit a gradual increase in infrared radiance (>2 µm) from the edge of an emplaced flow to the central breakout. The hottest parts of the forest fire (which radiate similar amounts of energy to flow breakouts) are located within 90 m of the edge of the burn scar with the interior portions exhibiting sharp decreases in infrared radiance. The radiance measured at 10.4–12.4 µm relative to that at near-infrared wavelengths (2.08–2.35 µm) suggests that the surface cracks exposing molten lava anneal proportionately with the progressive thickening of the flow crust, while burn scars, produced by forest fires, cool to pre-burn background temperatures rapidly with only small areas of high-temperature embers remaining. These differences will be important for the implementation of an automatic thermal-anomaly detection system using satellite data.
Dielectric tensor and the local electric field in naphthalene

The complete dielectric tensor of naphthalene single crystals has been measured by a low‐frequency capacitative technique at 295 °K. The principal components are 2.25 ± 0.07, 2.87 ± 0.05, and 3.43 ± 0.08, with the 1 axis making an angle of 28 ± 2.5° with the + a axis. These results are consistent with previous results for anthracene, though different from an earlier set of results used in analysing Hall measurements. The effect of this difference on the results of this Hall analysis is probably small. The measured dielectric tensor has been used to calculate the average local electric field, which resembles that in anthracene but is more anisotropic. The local field has in turn been used to calculate the off‐diagonal drift mobility component for electrons and holes from the various experimental diagonal components. An expression has also been derived for the local‐field correction required in comparing theoretical hopping Hall mobilities with experiment.
From practice to policy: the intersection of government and law (what's in a name?).

An introduction is presented for this issue which notes the "American Journal of Public Health" separated the journal's Government, Politics, and Law department into two sections which are Government, Law, and Public Health Practice and Public Health Policy Briefs.
Explorers. Christopher Columbus and Leonardo da Vinci.

THE PRACTICE of medicine in western Europe and in the now Americas in 1492 was quite similar—herbal medicine, purging, rudimentary surgery, and reliance on the supernatural. This was the time of the Renaissance, a turning point for Western civilization. The spirit of inquiry, experimentation, and willingness to challenge orthodoxy that characterized the Renaissance is represented by two contemporaries, Christopher Columbus and Leonardo da Vinci. One was an explorer of this planet and the other of the human body. Columbus greatly expanded our knowledge of the world. Leonardo's extensive anatomical dissections initiated the modern study of human biology. The spirit that motivated Christopher Columbus and Leonardo da Vinci is with us today—witness the recent conquest of space and the successful transplantation of tissue from one human to another. The 100th scientific session of the Western Surgical Association was held in San Antonio, Tex, a major center of Spanish colonial influence, and
The ultrastructure of the spermatheca in the red spotted newt

Sperm from the male spermatophore in the red spotted newt are held indefinitely in convoluted, tubular outpocketings of the female cloaca called, collectively, a spermatheca. Each outpocketing, or tubule, when studied in thin section with the electron microscope showed a wall consisting of two components, a continuous inner or lining layer of epithelial cells and an outer covering layer of myoepithelial cells. The myoepithelial layer is penetrated by occasional openings or intercellular spaces through which the epithelial cells make contact with a basal lamina that bounds the tubule. The myoepithelial cells resemble smooth muscle cells displaying filaments (mean diameter = 75 A ± 1 S.E.) that are probably constituted of actin, dense bodies and prominent caveolae. They are sparsely supplied with mitochondria, ribosomes, Golgi complexes and, sometimes, particles of glycogen. Typically the epithelial cells contain secretion granules, numerous mitochondria and ribosomes. They contain some fibers similar to those of the myoepithelial cells but with mean diameters that are significantly larger (90 A ± 2 S.E.). Occasional profiles of Golgi complexes are evident and glycogen particles are abundant throughout the cytosomes of spermathecal tubules from adult animals bearing sperm. Secretory granules and glycogen are extremely rare or lacking in the spermathecae of efts that have not attained sexual maturity and in animals with ablated or involuted ovaries. In such animals large electron-lucid vesicles appear at or near luminal borders. Glycogen is absent and secretory granules show signs of dissolution in the spermathecal cells of gravid females induced to ovulate by the injection of chorionic gonadotropin. It is indicated that the epithelial cells provide nourishment for the sperm while they are retained within the spermathecal tubules, that the discharge of sperm from the spermatheca is facilitated by the contraction of the myoepithelial cells and that gonadal hormones act in the regulation of spermathecal function.
Adoption of corporate social responsibility codes by multinational companies

Abstract Multinational companies (MNCs) increasingly publicize their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and advertise their Codes of conduct. These CSR Codes are the result of genuine corporate intent as well as external pressure. We underline the risks of corporate self-regulation for shareholders as well as stakeholders. In a competitive environment, MNCs’ managers have no incentive to adopt codes that truly limit corporate externalities. Regulation by public authorities or at the industry level provides better safeguards than regulation by the individual company itself.
Polystyrene-Newspaper Composites Part I. Degradation of Polymer during Processing

Newsprint reinforced polystyrene was prepared, and the effect of process ing conditions on viscosity (in terms of torque) and molecular weight of polystyrene was studied. Polystyrene was melted in an intensive mixer. The influence of processing tem perature, time, and roller speed was evaluated. Subsequently, newsprint fiber was added to the polymer melt, and the effect of fiber concentration on viscosity and molecular weight of polystyrene was evaluated. A significant decrease in torque and molecular weight was observed when the processing time was longer than 40 minutes. The process ing temperature exhibited discernible effects on torque, specific energy, and degradation of polymer. Torque increased slightly as the roller speed increased from 10 to 20 rpm and then decreased thereafter. However, roller speed appeared to have little effect on polymer properties. Drastic changes in torque, specific energy and polymer degradation were observed with increase of fiber concentration.
Financial Impact of Obesity and Bariatric Surgery

Obesity constitutes a major health problem with serious social and economic consequences worldwide. In North America, nearly one third of the population is obese, and this figure includes children and adolescents who are likely to become obese adults. Obesity carries a great financial impact on society; consequently, treating morbidly obese patients with surgery may offer substantial economic savings. This article summarizes the financial burdens of obesity and the economics of treating obesity in North America. It addresses the medical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery and the new regulations and accreditations for bariatric surgery programs.
The use of computers in fermentation: Versatility and user-orientation in control technology

Abstract Computers and microprocessors are now being applied in every area of control technology. Generally, this aims to improve the quality and quantity of control, but this is not always so. Various approaches to the degree of digitisation have been used and most control systems are now of the distributed type. Fermenter manufacturers, however, tend to lag behind other process equipment suppliers in the application of digital techniques. The area of adaptive or artificial intelligence control — of great significance for the future of biological control — is currently a growth area, where computers play a vital role.
A Rank Correlation Coefficient Resistant to Outliers

Abstract In this article, a nonparametric correlation coefficient is defined that is based on the principle of maximum deviations. This new correlation coefficient, Rg , is easy to compute by hand for small to medium sample sizes. In comparing it with existing correlation coefficients, it was found to be superior in a sampling situation that we call “biased outliers,” and hence appears to be more resistant to outliers than the Pearson, Spearman, and Kendall correlation coefficients. In a correlational study not included in this article of some social data consisting of five variables for each of 51 observations, Rg was compared with the other three correlation coefficients. There was agreement on 8 of the 10 possible correlations, but in one case, Rg was significant when the others were not, and in yet another case, Rg was not significant when the others were. A further analysis of this data set indicated that there were three to six data points that were anomalies and had a severe effect on the other cor...
Ultrathin Perfluoropolyether Films—Influence of Anchoring and Mobility of Polymers on the Tribological Properties

The tribological behavior of ultrathin films of hydroxyl terminated perfluoropolyethers attached to smooth silicon surfaces was studied in pin-on-disk experiments. The frictional properties of the films, which consisted of either physically adsorbed or chemically bonded polymer or a combination of both, was measured in sliding contact and lubricant loss was studied simultaneously by scanning microellipsometry. Prior to these experiments the kinetics of attachment of the polymer to silicon surfaces and the behavior of the polymer at high temperatures was investigated in order to obtain reproducible conditions for the deposition of the lubricant films and to rule out the occurrence of thermal degradation during film deposition. The tribological investigations showed that the lifetime of the surfaces with the attached boundary lubricant was strongly dependent on the mode of attachment of the polymer. The best tribological behavior was observed in films which contained both chemisorbed and physically adsorbed material.
Obstacles to instructional innovation according to college science and mathematics faculty

Numerous studies have documented the infrequent use of learner-centered instruction in college science and mathematics classrooms and its negative effects on undergraduate learning and motivation. The present research deepened understanding of why. Specifically, an Internet survey was constructed that explored obstacles, supports, and incentives for instructional innovation in the classroom and was sent out to college science and mathematics faculty of Louisiana. Results revealed that colleges generally were perceived to assign little or an indeterminate weight to instruction in personnel decision making. Faculty members generally have little training in pedagogy; but when they do, they are more likely to consult sources of instructional innovation and consider teaching an important part of their professional identities. Data concerning the most common sources of instructional innovation information are presented. Several suggestions are made for institutional reform that if enacted might contribute to systemic improvement in the quality of instruction undergraduates receive. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach
Hypothalamic amenorrhea in young women with underlying polycystic ovary syndrome

The purpose of this study was to compare the hormonal/clinical profiles and markers of bone health of women with hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) to women with suspected HA and underlying polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The results indicate that compared to women with HA, women with HA and underlying PCOS exhibit higher body mass index (BMI), bone mineral densities, and incidence of hyperandrogenism, that they may exhibit increased hyperandrogenism and irregular menses with weight gain, and that they remain at similar risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Probing the Superconducting Proximity Effect in NbSe2 by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy.

Cryogenic scanning tunneling microscopy has been used as a local probe of the superconducting proximity effect across a normal metal--superconductor interface of a short coherence length superconductor. Both the topography and the local electronic density of states were measured on a superconducting NbS${\mathrm{e}}_{2}$ crystal decorated with nanometer-size Au islands. The presence of a quasiparticle bound state could be inferred even when the probe was located directly on the bare NbS${\mathrm{e}}_{2}$ surface near an Au island, indicating a severe depression of the pair potential inside the superconductor due to the proximity effect.
Neutrons and carcinogenesis: a cautionary tale.

Summary The best estimates for radiation induced cancer and leukemia are based on the Japanese survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With the earlier dosimetry systems of the 1960s, it was possible to derive an RBE (relative biological effectiveness) for neutrons from the Japanese data, because it was thought that there was a significant neutron dose at Hiroshima compared with Nagasaki. The estimated RBE of about 20 was consistent with laboratory estimates for oncogenic transformation in vitro and tumors in animals. The revised dosimetry of the 1980s [DS 86] essentially eliminated the neutron component at Hiroshima, and consequently removed the only neutron RBE estimate based on human data. However, recent neutron activation measurements indicate that there may indeed have been thermal neutrons at Hiroshima, and measurements of the ratio of inter- to intra-chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes of survivors also tend to indicate that the biologically effective dose was dominated by neutrons. Another area in which the large biological effectiveness of neutrons assumes importance is the production of photoneutrons in high energy medical linear accelerators (Linacs). An increasing number of accelerators operating in the 18 to 20 MV range are coming into routine clinical use and at this energy, photoneutrons generated largely in the collimators result in a total body dose to the patient. The increased risk of second malignancies must be balanced against the slight improvement in percentage depth doses compared with more conventional machines operating at 6 to 10 MV, below the threshold for photoneutron production.
Asteroseismological Constraints on the Structure of the ZZ Ceti Stars G117-B15A and R548

This study compares the theoretical pulsation periods from a new grid of evolutionary DA white dwarf models to the observed periods of the ZZ Ceti white dwarfs G117-B15A and R548 (≡ ZZ Ceti) in order to constrain their internal structure. Assuming that the similar periods of the two stars is the result of their having nearly identical internal structures, then they must have a hydrogen layer mass of ~10-7M or greater. If we follow Clemens's work and identify the period near 215 s as the l=1, k = 2 mode, then the hydrogen layer mass is close to 10-4M, quite close to the maximum hydrogen layer mass allowed by stellar evolution theory. Based on this analysis, G117-B15A and R548 probably have masses near 0.60 M☉ and MH ~ 10-4M, and R548 is about 0.04 M☉ less massive than G117-B15A. Alternatively, if 215 s is the k = 1 mode, then the hydrogen layer mass decreases to about 10-7M, but the stellar mass remains near 0.60 M☉. In all cases, the helium layer mass is near 10-2M, and the C/O core of both stars is oxygen rich. The existence of the 304 s mode of G117-B15A strongly restricts the allowable core structure. At 0.60 M☉, the core is either 50:50 C/O to 0.75M or 20:80 C/O to 0.83M. The fine-structure splitting of R548 is due to slow rotation, and we can duplicate the observed splitting trend and periods if the 213 s mode is k = 2, the model mass is near 0.54 M☉, and the hydrogen layer mass is near 1.5 × 10-4M.
Abstract 552: Microglia-stimulation of glioma cell invasion is dependent on EGFR and CSF1R signaling

Glioblastoma multiforme is a deadly cancer whose current treatment options are limited. The ability of glioblastoma tumor cells to infiltrate the surrounding brain parenchyma makes complete removal of these tumors nearly impossible. We investigated how microglia, the resident macrophages of the brain, stimulate glioblastoma cell invasion. We examined the ability of normal microglia from C57Bl/6J mice to stimulate GL261 glioblastoma cell invasion in vitro. The two cell populations were differentially labeled with cell tracker dyes and invasion was quantified by confocal imaging. The effect of inhibiting EGFR and CSF1R (c-fms) on microglia-stimulated glioblastoma invasion using pharmacological agents was tested. We also determined the level of EGF and CSF1 ligand expression by glioblastoma and microglial cells using ELISA, western blotting, and immunofluorescence. We found that microglia stimulate the invasion of GL261 glioblastoma cells by approximately 8 fold in an in vitro invasion assay. Pharmacological inhibition of EGFR strongly inhibited microglia-stimulated invasion. Furthermore, using a pharmacological CSF-1R kinase domain inhibitor, we showed that CSF-1R signaling is also required for microglial enhancement of glioblastoma invasion. GL261 cells were found to constitutively secrete CSF-1, the levels of which are unaffected by EGF stimulation, EGFR inhibition or coculture with microglia. We also demonstrated that microglia express EGF which is largely associated with the plasma membrane. These data indicate that during invasion, glioblastoma and microglia cells signal to each other using EGF and CSF-1. The results of this study indicate the possibility of inhibiting glioblastoma invasion by targeting glioblastoma-associated microglia. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3110. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3110
Direct Observations of the Chip-Tool Interface in the Low Speed Cutting of Pure Metals

An experimental study of the chip-tool interface and its evolution in the low speed cutting of metals has been carried out. Specially prepared transparent glass and sapphire tools have been used to cut commercially pure metals such as lead, aluminum and copper. The chip-tool interface has been observed in situ using optical microscopy and recorded on film and video tape. By observing the motion of inhomogeneities in the chip, and profilometry of the chip and tool surfaces, it has been established that there is intimate sliding contact between the chip and the tool at and near the cutting edge. Farther away from the cutting edge and close to the end of the chip-tool contact, metal transfer and sticking are observed between the chip and tool surfaces. It has been shown that metal deposition on the rake face initially occurs near the point at which the chip curls out of contact with the tool and progressively extends outward and away from the cutting edge in conjunction with an increase in the length of contact as cutting progresses. The sticking and sliding zones are unchanged when these pure metals are machined with tungsten carbide tools. @DOI: 10.1115/1.1398546#
Linguistic summarization of sensor data for eldercare

Ubiquitous passive, as well as active, monitoring of elders is a growing field of research and development with the goal of allowing seniors to live safe active independent lives with minimal intrusion. Much useful information, fall detection, fall risk assessment, activity recognition, early illness detection, etc. can be inferred from the mountain of data. Healthcare must be human centric and human friendly, and so, methods to consolidate the data into linguistic summaries for enhanced communication and problem detection with elders, family and healthcare providers is essential. Long term trends can be most easily identified using summarized information. This paper explores the soft computing methodology of protoforms to produce linguistic summaries of one dimensional data, motion and restlessness. The technique is demonstrated on a 15 month sensor collection for an elder participant.
Broadening the focus: the need to address the social determinants of health.

ditures rose by 5.7%. 2 Annual per capita medical care expenditures in the U.S. are higher than those in any other nation, and if current trends continue medical care costs in the U.S. will reach more than 19% of the Gross Domestic Product by 2019. Although recent reforms should help many Americans obtain and keep coverage, the costs of medical care and insurance remain out of reach for many households. These costs also affect employers, threatening the bottom line of many American businesses and deterring job creation. Medical care spending at the local, state, and federal level limits government investments in other crucial areas including infrastructure and education. The rising costs of providing care to aging baby-boomers and the growing number of obese Americans will further strain public and private budgets. Despite spending more on medical care than any other
Methyl bromide and phosphine as fumigants for some Acarid mites.

Abstract The toxicity of methyl bromide and phosphine to eggs and adults of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) and Caloglyphus berlesei (Mich.) was determined in the laboratory. The effects of temperature and dosage of the fumigant on the egg and adult mite were also studied. The egg stage was more resistant to fumigants than the adult stage. Toxicity was generally enhanced with higher temperatures, and conversely, lower temperatures were responsible for reduced toxicity, particularly with phosphine. C. berlesei was found to differ from T. putrescentiae in the response to phosphine. Methyl bromide proved to be a more effective fumigant than phosphine.
Calibration of song learning targets during vocal ontogeny in swamp sparrows, Melospiza georgiana

Song learning in songbirds often includes an extended sensorimotor phase, in which birds gradually refine their vocal output to produce accurate copies of previously memorized song models. Increasing accuracy of song model reproduction during this phase occurs as birds refine the neural substrates that underlie vocal control, and as they develop proficiency with the vocal apparatus. We here test the hypothesis that sensorimotor learning also provides birds with an opportunity to calibrate their vocal learning targets, in the event that a bird's own vocal proficiency differs from that required to successfully reproduce song models to which it is exposed. We tutored hand-reared male swamp sparrows with song models that we manipulated to vary in how challenging they would be to reproduce, and then tracked patterns of song development. The calibration hypothesis was supported by two lines of evidence. First, we found that copies of manipulated models underwent comparatively large-scale modifications in syntax and note composition over development, in directions consistent with expectations about motor proficiency relative to the structure of learned models. Second, we found that birds tended to retain selectively, in their crystallized repertoires, song types that appeared to be comparatively easy to produce. Our results are consistent with an ‘active’ model of song learning, and also suggest a specific mechanism by which learning can act as a creative or a stabilizing force in song evolution.
Heterogeneity of myocardial blood flow

Myocardial blood flow is heterogeneous, whether considered by chamber, by layers of the ventricular walls, or by microregions within layers. There is also variability of myocardial flow reserve, particularly in layers and microregions, even when the heart is arrested. The variability of flow during arrest may be associated with the resistance pathways to each region, but the variability of flows in the beating heart with vascular tone is probably due to regional differences in work and thus oxygen demand. Heterogeneity by layer may be responsible for the subendocardial ischemia that is common to many forms of heart disease. Microheterogeneity may account for the patchy necrosis that occurs with chronic ischemia.