cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parameter Identification of Nonlinear Hybrid Parameter Multibody Dynamic System With Contacts Using a Polynomial Interpolated Taylor Series Method

This research work is in the area of structural health monitoring and structural damage mitigation. It advances the method of parameter identification of structures with significant nonlinear response dynamics. The method integrates a nonlinear hybrid parameter multi-body dynamic system (HPMBS) modeling technique with a parameter identification scheme based on a polynomial interpolated Taylor series (PITS) methodology. This work advances the model based structural health monitoring state-of-the-art, by providing a tool to accurately estimate damaged structure parameters through significant nonlinear damage. The significant nonlinear damage implied includes effects from loose bolted joints, dry frictional damping, large articulated motions, etc. Note that currently most damage detection algorithms in structures are based on finding changed stiffness parameters and generally do not address other parameters such as mass, length, damping and joint gaps. The scope of work is the extension of damage detection practice from linear structure to nonlinear structures in civil and aerospace applications. To experimentally validate the developed methodology, we have built a nonlinear HPMBS structure. This structure is used as a test-bed to fine-tune the modeling and parameter identification algorithms. Also, it can be used to simulate bolted joints in aircraft wings, expansion joints of bridges, or the interlocking structures in a space frame. The developed technique has the ability to identify unique damage, such as systematic isolated and noise induced damage that exists in group members and isolated elements. Here, not just the damage parameters such as Young’s modulus are identified, but other structural parameters, such as distributed mass, damping and friction coefficients, can also be identified.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Human rights and health--the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 50.

War, famine, pestilence, and poverty have had obvious and devastating effects on health throughout human history. In recent times, human rights have come to be viewed as essential to freedom and individual development. But it is only since the end of World War II that the link between human rights and these causes of disease and death has been recognized.1–3 The 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — signed on December 10, 1948 — provides an opportunity to review its genesis, to explore the contemporary link between health and human rights, and to develop effective human-rights . . .
Delaying radical cystectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer results in worse pathological stage.

ABSTRACTPurpose: While radical cystectomy remains the treatment of choice for invasive transitional cell carcinoma, the importance of its timing has been increasingly scrutinized. We determined whether the interval between diagnosis of muscle invasion and definitive radical cystectomy influenced pathological staging outcome.Materials and Methods: Of the 303 patients who underwent radical cystectomy from January 1998 to December 2001, 153 were diagnosed with muscle invasive transitional cell carcinoma at transurethral resection. Charts were reviewed for pathological stage, demographics and time between diagnosis of muscle invasion and radical cystectomy.Results: Mean patient age was 67.2 years (range 35 to 88) with the majority (121 of 153, 79%) being male. At the time of cystectomy, 68 of 153 (44%) patients had organ confined disease (pT2B or lower), while node positive disease was found in 58 of 153 patients (38%). Mean time from transurethral resection diagnosis of muscle invasive disease until cystecto...
The links between international parity conditions and Granger causality: a study of exchange rates and prices

This article investigates Granger causality between exchange rates and prices for the US and four of its trading partners: Canada, Germany, Japan and the UK. We emphasize the distinction between direct and indirect Granger causality: exchange rates directly cause prices if movements in exchange rates lead movement in prices, and exchange rates indirectly cause prices if deviations from the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) condition can help forecast movement in prices. But only by including the interest-rate differential in our error correction model do we obtain results that align with economic theory. The economic theory of PPP suggests that exchange rates and prices are cointegrated, with exchange rates moving proportionally to prices in the long run. In general, we find either direct or indirect feedback mechanisms between exchange rates and prices.
The sliding-helix voltage sensor: Mesoscale views of a robust structure-function relationship

The voltage sensor (VS) domain of voltage-gated ion channels underlies the electrical excitability of living cells. We simulate a mesoscale model of the VS domain to determine the functional consequences of some of its physical elements. Our mesoscale model is based on VS charges, linear dielectrics, and whole-body motion, applied to an S4 “sliding helix.” The electrostatics under voltage-clamped boundary conditions are solved consistently using a boundary-element method. Based on electrostatic configurational energy, statistical-mechanical expectations of the experimentally observable relation between displaced charge and membrane voltage are predicted. Consequences of the model are investigated for variations of S4 configuration (α- and 310-helical), countercharge alignment with S4 charges, protein polarizability, geometry of the gating canal, screening of S4 charges by the baths, and fixed charges located at the bath interfaces. The sliding-helix VS domain has an inherent electrostatic stability in the explored parameter space: countercharges present in the region of weak dielectric always retain an equivalent S4 charge in that region but allow sliding movements displacing 3–4 e 0. That movement is sensitive to small energy variations (<2 kT) along the path dependent on a number of electrostatic parameters tested in our simulations. These simulations show how the slope of the relation between displaced charge and voltage could be tuned in a channel.
Effects of cardiac glycosides upon the electrical activity of single ventricular fibers of the frog heart, and their relation to the digitalis effect of the electrocardiogram.

Using microelectrodes having an external diameter of less than 1 , µ, potential variations of single cardiac fibers were obtained from frog ventricular muscle in situ. The normal membrane potential consists of a rapid depolarization and slow recovery, the latter occurring in three distinct phases. Digitalis glycosides alter profoundly the slopes of these various phases and drastically shorten the entire period of recovery. The characteristic cardiac action potential is thus converted into a spike which resembles the electrical events recorded for skeletal muscle or nerve. These changes occur independently of mechanical systole which remains essentially unaltered. The deformation of the action potential occurs uniformly throughout the ventricular muscle. They are related to the RS-T segment depression of the surface electrocardiogram which in this instance cannot be explained as being caused by a failure of the diastolic repolarization of the endocardial surface but must be an expression of uniform shortening of the entire process of recovery.
Managing asthma: past, present, and future.

th century following the development of epinephrine and the demonstration of its effectiveness for acute symptoms of asthma. Progressive development of this class of bronchodilator medication has provided greater β2 specificity and longer duration of action. Corticosteroids were introduced about 50 years ago. As a systemic medication, they provided anti-inflammatory activity that continues to be essential for exacerbations of symptoms that are unresponsive to a bronchodilator. Corticosteroids were subsequently developed as inhaled agents for long-term maintenance therapy. The availability of corticosteroids with high topical effect has permitted the use of smaller doses with minimal systemic effect; therefore, the inhaled corticosteroids have become the most effective monotherapeutic agents for chronic asthma. Both theophylline and long-acting β2 agonists (e.g., salmeterol) provide additive clinical effect to small doses of inhaled corticosteroids. This effect is greater than that achieved with larger doses of the inhaled steroid used alone. A new approach to managing allergic asthma is now available in the form of a monoclonal antibody directed against immunoglobulin E (IgE). This agent, omalizumab, binds to circulating IgE, thereby preventing IgE from binding to mast cells. This subsequently prevents the release of mediators for bronchospasm and inflammation. Under investigation are monoclonal antibodies to modify the effects of interleukins involved in the inflammatory process of asthma. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors that are more specific than theophylline and monoclonal antibodies that prevent the attachment of rhinovirus to respiratory mucosa are being studied. Since rhinoviruses are major causes of acute exacerbations of asthma, these and other measures to prevent or modify the common cold provide great potential for further improvement in the outcome of asthma.
A study on the physical mechanism in the recovery of gate capacitance to C/sub ox/ in implanted polysilicon MOS structures

The anomalous CV characteristics of MOS capacitor structures with implanted n/sup +/ polysilicon gate and p-type silicon substrate are studied through physical device simulation and experimental characterization over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures ranging from 100 to 250 K. It is shown that this anomalous CV behavior can be fully explained by the depletion of electrons and the formation of a hole inversion layer in the polysilicon gate due to energy band bending. The use of transistor structures for characterizing the polysilicon gate electrode is proposed. The results suggest thermal generation rather than impact ionization to be the dominant physical mechanism in supplying holes required by the inversion layer at the polysilicon-SiO/sub 2/ interface. This result also implies that hot-hole injection from the polysilicon gate into the SiO/sub 2/ gate dielectric should not present a serious problem in device reliability. >
The technology and application of free-space power transmission by microwave beam

The point-to-point transfer of power by a microwave beam is an emerging technology with several unique characteristics and applications. The technology is examined in terms of the microwave beam itself, and the conversion technology between microwaves and dc power at either end of the system. The existing efficiencies and the projected efficiencies for the overall system and its elements are emphasized. The procedure for designing a highly efficient microwave beam power transfer system of arbitrary length starting from the microwave generator and terminating with the receiving aperture is given. The potential applications are discussed in terms of the unique characteristics of microwave power transmission. The successful experimental work on microwave-powered helicopters is reviewed. A potential application to bring down power from space is examined.
Biology and Management of the Sugarcane Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Turfgrass

The sugarcane beetle, Euetheola humilis (Burmeister), traditionally a pest of agricultural crops, has become a sporadic, but serious, pest of turfgrass on golf courses, athletic fields, home lawns, sod farms, and in pastures. Initially confined to the southeastern United States it has, in recent years, spread as far north as Maryland, west into Texas, and south into Florida. Little is known about sugarcane beetle ecology and behavior in turfgrass, including dispersal and feeding behaviors and the impact of damage to turf. Our research helped confirm previous ecological studies of this pest on sugarcane and other agronomic crops relative to life cycle, biology, and behavior to further develop better management approaches. Additional research concerning this insect is summarized and discussed relative to the current pest status of this insect and potential management strategies.
NO Differentially Regulates Neurotransmission to Premotor Cardiac Vagal Neurons in the Nucleus Ambiguus

NO is involved in the neural control of heart rate, and NO synthase expressing neurons and terminals have been localized in the nucleus ambiguus where parasympathetic cardiac vagal preganglionic neurons are located; however, little is known about the mechanisms by which NO alters the activity of premotor cardiac vagal neurons. This study examines whether the NO donor sodium nitroprusside ([SNP] 100 μmol/L) and precursor, l-arginine (10 mmol/L), modulate excitatory and inhibitory synaptic neurotransmission to cardiac vagal preganglionic neurons. Glutamatergic, GABAergic, and glycinergic activity to cardiac vagal neurons was examined using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in an in vitro brain slice preparation in rats. Both SNP, as well as l-arginine, increased the frequency of GABAergic neurotransmission to cardiac vagal preganglionic neurons but decreased the amplitude of GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents. In contrast, both l-arginine and SNP inhibited the frequency of glutamatergic and glycinergic synaptic events in cardiac vagal preganglionic neurons. SNP and l-arginine also decreased glycinergic inhibitory postsynaptic current amplitude, and this response persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin. Inclusion of the NO synthase inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (100 μmol/L) prevented the l-arginine–evoked responses. These results demonstrate that NO differentially regulates excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, facilitating GABAergic and diminishing glutamatergic and glycinergic neurotransmission to cardiac vagal neurons.
An exploration into improving DNA motif inference by looking for highly conserved core regions

Although most verified functional elements in non-coding DNA contain a highly conserved core region, this concept is not generally incorporated into de novo motif inference systems. In this work, we explore the utility of adding the notion of conserved core regions into a comparative genomics approach for the search for putative functional elements in noncoding DNA. By modifying the scoring function for GAMI, Genetic Algorithms for Motif Inference, we investigate tradeoffs between the strength of conservation of the full motif vs. the strength of conservation of a core region. This work illustrates that incorporating information about the structure of transcription factor binding sites can be helpful in identifying biologically functional elements.
Development of Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Protein and Messenger RNA in Monkey Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

Adolescent cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia and with impairments in cognitive processes reliant on the circuitry of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Additionally, maternal cannabis use is associated with cognitive dysfunction in offspring. The effects of cannabis are mediated by the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R), which is present in high density in the primate DLPFC. In order to determine how developmental changes in CB1Rs might render DLPFC circuitry vulnerable to cannabis exposure, we examined the density and innervation patterns of CB1R-immunoreactive (IR) axons and the expression of CB1R mRNA in the DLPFC from 81 macaque monkeys, ranging in age from embryonic 82 days to 18 years. Overall CB1R immunoreactivity in the gray matter robustly increased during the perinatal period and achieved adult levels by 1 week postnatal. However, laminar analyses revealed that CB1R-IR axon density significantly decreased with age in layers 1-2 but significantly increased in layer 4, especially during adolescence. In contrast, CB1R mRNA levels were highest 1 week postnatal, declined over the next 2 months, and then remained unchanged into adulthood. These findings provide a potential substrate for discrete, age-dependent effects of cannabis exposure on the maturation of primate DLPFC circuitry.
Superior vena cava syndrome arising from a solitary metastasis to an indwelling catheter.

We report the case of a 51-year-old woman with a past history of acute myeloid leukaemia and a malignant fibrous histiocytoma who presented with superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) secondary to an isolated metastasis that originated from her indwelling central venous catheter. This is the first documented case of a solitary sarcomatous metastasis to a catheter. We discuss the clinical evaluation, radiographic findings, and the current literature.
Design and analysis of delimiters for selection-action pen gesture phrases in scriboli

We present a quantitative analysis of delimiters for pen gestures. A delimiter is "something different" in the input stream that a computer can use to determine the structure of input phrases. We study four techniques for delimiting a selection-action gesture phrase consisting of lasso selection plus marking-menu-based command activation. Pigtail is a new technique that uses a small loop to delimit lasso selection from marking (Fig. 1). Handle adds a box to the end of the lasso, from which the user makes a second stroke for marking. Timeout uses dwelling with the pen to delimit the lasso from the mark. Button uses a button press to signal when to delimit the gesture. We describe the role of delimiters in our Scriboli pen interaction testbed, and show how Pigtail supports scope selection, command activation, and direct manipulation all in a single fluid pen gesture.
Further improvement of phosphite dehydrogenase thermostability by saturation mutagenesis

Phosphite dehydrogenase represents a new enzymatic system for regenerating reduced nicotinamide cofactors for industrial biocatalysis. We previously engine- ered a variant of phosphite dehydrogenase with relaxed cofactor specificity and significantly increased activity and stability. Here we performed one round of random muta- genesis followed by comprehensive saturation mutagenesis to further improve the enzyme thermostability while main- taining its activity. Two new thermostabilizing mutations were identified. These, along with the 12 mutations pre- viously identified, were subjected to saturation mutagenesis using the parent enzyme or the engineered thermostable variant 12� as a template, followed by screening of variants with increased thermostability. Of the 12 previously identi- fied sites, 6 yielded new variants with improved stability over the parent enzyme. Several mutations were found to be context-dependent. On the basis of molecular modeling and biochemical analysis, various mechanisms of thermostabi- lization were identified. Combining the most thermostabi- lizing mutation at each site resulted in a variant that showed a 100-fold increase in half-life at 628C over the 12� mutant. The final mutant has improved the half-life of thermal inactivation at 458C by 23,000-fold over the parent enzyme. The engineered phosphite dehydrogenase will be useful in NAD(P)H regeneration. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;99: 268-274.
Variation in Child Care Quality and Its Implications for Children

The “first wave” of day care research, asking whether the development of children in day care and home-reared children differs, has gradually given way to a “second wave” of research, asking what are the implications for children's development of variation in day care quality. Although this second wave of day care research is still actively underway, it is a fruitful time to evaluate how far we have come in our understanding of day care quality. This article examines how research defines and operationalizes quality, and it assesses the evidence for four questions: Does variation in day care quality have implications for children's daily experiences in day care? Do cognitive and socioemotional development vary with day care quality while children are still in care? Is there any evidence of enduring implications of day care quality for children's development? And how are family socioeconomic and psychological factors and day care quality linked?
Treating depression in primary care: An innovative role for mental health nurses

Abstract Late-life depression is common in primary care. However, because of barriers such as stigma and the assumption that depression in older adults is a normal part of aging, it is often underrecognized and undertreated. Further, most primary care providers do not have the time or resources to provide adequate follow-up depression care. By integrating a depression clinical specialist into the primary care setting, many of these barriers to effective treatment can be addressed. In this paper, a collaborative, stepped care treatment program with registered nurses practicing as depression clinical specialists is described. Additionally, three case reports illustrate the model. This intervention program offers a unique opportunity for mental health nurses to practice collaboratively in the primary care setting and to provide much needed care to an underserved population. (J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc [2002]. 8, 159-67.)
Experiences with preparing an undergraduate biomedical engineering program for accreditation under EC2000

To many involved in engineering undergraduate education ABET's Engineering Criteria 2000 CEC2000) reform is both a welcome innovation and an unwelcome chore. Northwestern University's engineering programs face review by ABET in the 1999-2000 academic year and the authors' school has elected to be judged under the EC2000 guidelines. The authors' school was generally prepared for the transition from the ABET's rules preceding EC2000 to the current guidelines. They have been using survey instruments and other measures to assess the success of their programs for a number of decades. Even so the author's school has found many places where it has been possible to refine and improve these processes. Overall, the author is an advocate for the EC2000 initiative. He views it as a spring cleaning opportunity for his undergraduate program in biomedical engineering, providing him with a chance to create greater cohesiveness in his curriculum. It has forced the author's faculty to reflect upon what they are attempting to accomplish and how well they are doing at this. For an interdisciplinary and relatively new field like biomedical engineering, this is a very valuable exercise. This fall will be the author's second experience of an ABET review. His school was reviewed last in the fall of 1993, under the old ABET guidelines. The Self-Study document that he prepared at that time had perhaps one tenth of the narrative contained in the Self-Study document he prepared for review this year. Certainly, the new document provides a Program Evaluator with a richer view of the program. The same may be said for the array of supporting documentation that will be assembled for the Program Evaluator to sift through during his or her visit to the author's school this fall. This explosive growth in documentation will doubtless cause ABET to refine its review process, since the workload associated with Program Evaluation rises presumably in direct proportion to the magnitude of the materials to review. Hopefully, the commendable aspects of EC2000 will not get lost in a backlash against its record-keeping excesses.
The common obesity variant near MC4R gene is associated with higher intakes of total energy and dietary fat, weight change and diabetes risk in women

Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) plays critical roles in regulating food intake and energy balance. Recent genome wide scans found common variants near MC4R were related to obesity and insulin resistance. We examined the associations of the reported variants rs17782313 (T>C) and rs17700633 (G>A) with dietary intakes, weight change and diabetes risk in 5724 women (1533 with type 2 diabetes) from a prospective cohort. Under an additive inheritance model, SNP rs17782313 was significantly associated with high intakes of total energy (P = 0.028), total fat (P = 0.008) and protein (P = 0.003). Adjustment for age, BMI, diabetes status and other covariates did not appreciably change the associations. The SNP was also associated with significantly increasing trend of percentage of energy from total fat (P for trend = 0.037). The associations between SNP rs17782313 and higher BMI (P = 0.002) were independent of dietary intakes. In addition, carriers of allele-C had 0.2 kg/m2 greater 10-year increase in BMI from cohort baseline 1976 to 1986 (P = 0.028) compared with the non-carriers. Moreover, per allele-C of rs17782313 was associated with 14% (2–32%) increased risk of type 2 diabetes, adjusting for BMI and other covariates. SNP rs1770833 was not significantly associated with either dietary intakes or obesity traits. In conclusion, the common SNP rs17782313 near MC4R gene was significantly associated with higher intakes of total energy and dietary fat. In addition, the SNP was related to greater long-term weight change and increased risk of diabetes in women.
Effects of drought on nitrogen fixation in soybean root nodules

Soybean plants [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were grown in silica sand and were drought stressed for a 4 week period during reproductive development and without any mineral N supply in order to maximize demand for fixed nitrogen. A strain of Bradyrhizobium japonicum that forms large quantities of polysaccharide in nodules was used to determine whether or not the supply of reduced carbon to bacteroids limits nitrogenase activity. A depression of 30-40% in nitrogen content in leaves and pods of stressed plants indicated a marked decline in nitrogen fixation activity during the drought period. A 50% increase in the accumulation of bacterial polysaccharide in nodules accompanied this major decrease in nitrogen fixation activity and this result indicates that the negative impact of drought on nodules was not due to a depression of carbon supply to bacteroids. The drought treatment resulted in a statistically significant increase in N concentration in leaves and pods. Because N concentration and chlorophyll concentration in leaves were not depressed, there was no evidence of nitrogen deficiency in drought-stressed plants, and this result indicates that the negative impact of drought on nodule function was not the cause of the depression of shoot growth. At the end of the drought period, the concentration of carbohydrates, amino nitrogen, and ureides was significantly increased in nodules on drought-stressed plants. The overall results support the view that, under drought conditions, nitrogen fixation activity in nodules was depressed because demand for fixed N to support growth was lower.
Tissue slice technology for assessing alterations in fish hepatic phase I and phase II XME activity

Alterations to hepatic xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) is an important biomarker of contaminant exposure in aquatic toxicology. Measurement of XMEs in jsh liver slices in vitro is an emerging tool for examining enzyme activity and response within the intact 3-D architecture of the liver tissue. We examined integrated phase I/phase II, and phase II metabolism of XMEs from liver slices in control and B[a]P-treated rainbow trout and channel catfish. Fluorescent assay substrates to measure rates of metabolism included 7-methoxycoumarin (7-MC), 7-ethoxycoumarin (7-EC) and 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC) . Time-dependent increases in metabolism, and a lower rate of 7-MC metabolism compared with 7-EC metabolism, were observed at all time points for both jish species. In rainbow trout, Bra/P pretreatment caused a IO-fold increase in phase I metabolism of both 7-MC and 7-EC, and a 1.6fold increase in phase II metabolism qf 7-HC. Phase I activity in channel catfish was not notably altered by B[a]P pretreatment. However, B(a]P pretreatment in channel catfish caused a 48% decrease in phase II metabolism of 7-HC. These results indicate d@erences in baseline and B[a]P-altered XME profiles between rainbow trout and channel catjish. 0 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Effects of travel technique on cognition in virtual environments

We compared four different methods of travel in an immersive virtual environment and their effect on cognition using a between-subjects experimental design. The task was to answer a set of questions based on Crook's condensation of Bloom's taxonomy to assess the participants' cognition of a virtual room with respect to knowledge, understanding and application, and higher mental processes. Participants were also asked to draw a sketch map of the testing virtual environment and the objects within it. Users' sense of presence was measured using the Steed-Usoh-Slater presence questionnaire. Our results suggest that for applications where problem solving and interpretation of material is important, or where opportunity to train is minimal, then having a large tracked space so that the participant can physically walk around the virtual environment provides benefits over common virtual travel techniques.
Acidic polyanion poly(acrylic acid) prevents calcium oxalate crystal deposition

Acidic macromolecules inhibit calcium oxalate nucleation, growth, aggregation and attachment to cells in vitro . To test for such an effect in vivo we used osmotic minipumps to continuously infuse several doses of the 5.1kDa poly(acrylic acid) (pAA 5.1 ) into rats fed a diet which causes renal calcium oxalate crystal deposition. Although kidneys of rats receiving the saline control contained calcium oxalate crystals, measured by polarized light microscopy, those of animals given pAA 5.1 had significantly lower numbers of crystals in various zones of the kidney. Delivery of pAA 5.1 to urine was confirmed by measuring excretion of infused biotinylated pAA 5.1 . Both the derivatized and unlabelled pAA 5.1 had the same effects on crystallization in vitro . Our study shows that acidic polymers hold promise as effective therapies for kidney stones likely through prevention of calcium oxalate crystal aggregate formation.
Automated computation and consistency checking of physical dimensions and units in scientific programs

Physical dimensions and units form an essential part of the specification of constants and variables occurring in scientific programs, yet no standard compilable programming language implements direct support for automated dimensional consistency checking and unit conversion. This paper describes a conceptual basis and prototype implementation for such support within the framework of the standard Fortran 90 language. This is accomplished via an external module supplying appropriate user data types and operator interfaces. Legacy Fortran 77 scientific software can be easily modified to compile and run as ‘dimension-aware’ programs utilizing the proposed enhancements. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rubber in Compression

Abstract The effects of shape and surface conditions of rubber used in compression have remained somewhat of a mystery because of the apparently conflicting results often obtained. It is to be hoped that the work herein described will: (1) explain some of the difficulties encountered; (2) establish a simple and reasonably accurate procedure for predetermining the compression stress-strain performance of many of the commonly used shapes, and (3) encourage an extension of this work to include more complicated shapes, and to provide further refinement of the results. Compression uses of rubber doubtless far exceed in number the shear and tension uses for industrial applications, and warrant much work in determining the relationships involved, at least to the extent of establishing empirical rules of sufficient scope and accuracy for practical use. The erratic nature of compression-test results has made it difficult to correlate data reported in the technical articles on this subject. It is herein indicated t...
Increased night temperatures during cotton's early reproductive stage affect leaf physiology and flower bud carbohydrate content decreasing flower bud retention

Higher than optimum temperatures during cotton's (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growing season is a common occurrence in cotton-growing areas around the world with negative consequences on productivity. According to climate projections, night temperatures are expected to increase more than day temperatures. The objective of this study was to monitor and record the effects of higher than optimum night temperatures during cotton's early reproductive stage on physiological (photosynthesis, respiration and membrane damage) and biochemical (leaf adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, as well as glutathione reductase (GR) content and soluble carbohydrate concentrations of the leaf subtending the flower buds. Number, dry weight, carbohydrate concentrations and GR levels of flower buds were also measured at the end of the experiment. Growth chamber experiments were conducted using cotton cultivar ST 5288 B2RF and treatments consisted of normal day/night temperatures (32/24 °C) and high night temperatures (32/30 °C) for 7 days at squaring (approximately 4 weeks after planting). The results indicated that high night temperatures had an immediate effect on leaf respiration rates and membrane damage by significantly increasing them compared to the control and a similar pattern was observed on leaf photosynthesis and ATP levels that were markedly decreased. Leaf GR levels were also substantially increased under conditions of high night temperatures, in contrast to flower bud GR content which remained unaffected. High night temperatures had a significant effect on leaf carbohydrate concentrations resulting in significant decreases in hexose, sucrose and starch levels. Nevertheless, flower bud sucrose content was substantially increased under conditions of high night temperatures, while hexose content was decreased and starch concentrations remained unaffected. A detrimental effect of elevated night temperatures on the number of flower buds per plant and on the dry weight of flower buds was observed, and it was concluded that high night temperatures had a negative effect on cotton flower bud production due to disruptions on flower bud carbohydrate metabolism as a result of the insufficient GR response.
The art of comic book writing; the definitive guide to outlining, scripting, and pitching your sequential art stories, by M. Kneece

This text opens by introducing the overall concept behind crafting comics. The author contends that writing and writing superbly are the main focus of putting together a really great comic. In this...
Structure and energetics of LaAlO 3 (001) surfaces

Reconstructions of the ${\mathrm{LaAlO}}_{3}$ (001) surface are studied using hybrid density functional calculations. We calculate surface energies as a function of O and Al chemical potentials for both the LaO- and ${\mathrm{AlO}}_{2}$-terminated surfaces. We find that the $(3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)$ Al adatom is the most stable reconstruction on the ${\mathrm{AlO}}_{2}$ termination, with the $(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)$ O vacancy slightly higher in energy. On the LaO termination, the $(3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)$ La vacancy is the most stable reconstruction. Overall, the LaO termination with the $(3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)$ La vacancy has the lowest surface energy, in the absence of impurities. However, our calculations also indicate that the presence of hydrogen alters the stability of the LaO versus the ${\mathrm{AlO}}_{2}$ termination. Under Al-rich conditions, H binds to an O atom forming a $(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)$ H-adatom reconstruction on the ${\mathrm{AlO}}_{2}$-terminated surface, whereas under La-rich conditions a $(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)$ OH adsorbate reconstruction forms on the LaO-terminated surface. These reconstructions are found to be the most stable terminations over a wide range of H and O chemical potentials.
Evaluation of sodium thiosulfate as an extracellular water marker in cattle.

Two studies were conducted to determine whether sodium thiosulfate (THS) can estimate extracellular water (ECW) in beef cattle in conjunction with empty body water (EBW) estimation by urea space. Experiment 1 used 24 steers (366 kg) to determine the clearance parameters for THS and urea. Blood samples were taken over 1 h. A two-component curve, Y = A1ek1(t) + A2ek2(t), (t = hours after infusion) fit the clearance of both markers; intercepts (A1, A2) and clearance coefficients (k1, k2) were 44.8, 44.4, -25.8, and -2.24 mg/dL, respectively, for THS (r2 = .98, Sy.x = 2.72, animal effects removed and 24.4, 10.5, -21.7, and -.71 mg/dL, respectively, for urea (r2 = .98, Sy.x = 1.49). Sodium thiosulfate equilibrated with ECW 5 to 10 min after infusion. Experiment 2 consisted of 22 steers (483 kg) infused with a combination solution of 20% urea, 10% THS, and 4% sodium thiocyanate (SCN; equilibration time = 28 min); half the steers were implanted with estradiol. Empty body water increased with implantation (P less than .01). Extracellular water tended to increase in implanted steers as measured by THS (12 min, P = .14) and SCN (P = .10). The estimation of ECW at 12 min was not different (P greater than .2) from the SCN estimate at 28 min (SCN = 3.7 + .873 THS; r2 = .70; P less than .001). Sodium thiosulfate gave reasonable estimates of ECW (22 to 26% of BW) and required only 0- and 12-min blood samples.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Fast men slow more than fast women in a 10 kilometer road race.

Background. Previous studies have demonstrated that men are more likely than women to slow in the marathon (footrace). This study investigated whether the sex difference in pacing occurs for a shorter race distance. Materials & Methods. Data were acquired from the Bolder Boulder 10 km road race for the years 2008–2013, which encompassed 191,693 performances. There were two pacing measures, percentage change in pace of the first 3 miles relative to the final 3.2 miles and percentage change in pace of the first mile relative to the final 5.2 miles. Pacing was analyzed as a continuous variable and as two categorical variables, as follows: “maintain the pace,” defined as slowing <5% and “marked slowing,” defined as slowing ≥10%. Results. Among the fastest (men < 48:40; women < 55:27) and second fastest (men < 53:54; women < 60:28) sex-specific finishing time sextiles, men slowed significantly more than women with both pacing measures, but there were no consistently significant sex differences in pacing among the slower four sextiles. For the fastest sextile, the odds for women were 1.96 (first pacing measure) and 1.36 (second measure) times greater than men to maintain the pace. For the fastest sextile, the odds for women were 0.46 (first measure) and 0.65 (second measure) times that of men to exhibit marked slowing. Multiple regression indicated that being older was associated with lesser slowing, but the sex difference among faster runners persisted when age was controlled. Conclusions. There was a sex difference in pacing during a 10 km race where glycogen depletion is not typically relevant. These results support the hypothesis that the sex difference in pacing partly reflects a sex difference in decision making.
The Plan of This Book

In this chapter, I provide some background that will aid the reader in following the argument of this book. This book is philosophical, yet very personal. I will state here some of the personal and professional background for the writing of the book (§1.1) as well as some of the epistemological assumptions (§1.2). I describe a core notion of the book: “expanded ‘bare’ theism” (§1.3, §1.4), the main hypothesis under scrutiny in this book.
Determining Current Insulin Pen Use Practices and Errors in the Inpatient Setting.

Article-at-a-Glance Background The use of insulin pens in the inpatient setting has continued to be a controversial decision. Insulin pens provide several advantages, but given significant reports of medication errors, several organizations have issued alerts to caution users about safety concerns. A survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of insulin pen use and current utilization trends in the inpatient setting. Methods The 31-question guided-logic survey was developed based on review of primary literature regarding insulin pen utilization and evaluated by a panel of medication safety experts from a variety of health care settings. The survey was sent electronically to subscribers of medication safety organizations. Results The survey was completed by 474 respondents. Approximately three fourths of respondents indicated insulin pens were on formulary at their institution (n = 332; 74%). Of those who have had insulin pens on formulary, 15% (n = 49) are no longer using them. The most common reasons for not utilizing pens were cost and safety concerns. Pens were reported to be stored in the pharmacy prior to administration (n = 230; 78%) and in a patient's bin (n = 202; 69%) afterward. More than half of respondents use two patient identifiers on the pen and label with a bar code. Approximately 30% reported that an insulin pen has been used on more than one patient at least once in their institution, while 6% were not sure. Conclusion Insulin pens are widely being used in the inpatient setting. Various mitigation strategies are employed to reduce the risk of harm associated with insulin pen use. Health care professionals believe insulin pens are clinically useful and can be used safely in the inpatient setting. Many organizations and expert panels disseminate best practices in an effort to help ensure their safety. Further studies are needed to assess and validate the risk mitigation strategies identified through this research.
Wrist MR imaging in children: Effect on clinical diagnosis and management

Abstract Objectives Evaluate the impact of wrist MRI in children on clinical diagnosis and management. Materials and methods Four year retrospective analysis including demographics, MRI diagnoses, and effect on diagnoses and management were determined. Results 101 patients were included. Wrist MRI altered management in 86% (95% CI: 77–92%) and diagnosis in 46% (36–56%) of patients. MRI changed both diagnosis and management in 41% (31–51%), changed management only in 46% (35–56%), changed diagnosis only in 5% (2–12%), and had no change in diagnosis or management in 9% (95% CI: 4–17%). Conclusion Wrist MRI in children changes clinical diagnosis and management in a substantial proportion of cases.
Periodic Control of Systems with Delayed Observation Sharing Patterns 1

Abstract In this paper we present an input-output point of view of certain optimal control problems with constraints on the processing of the measurement data. In particular, we consider norm minimization optimal control problems under the so-called one-step delay observation sharing pattern. We present a Youla parametrization approach that leads to their solution by converting them to nonstandard, yet convex, model matching problems. This conversion is always possible whenever the part of the plant that relates controls to measurements possesses the same structure in its feedthrough term with the one imposed by the observation pattern on the feedthrough term of the controller, i.e., (block) diagonal. When that is not the case, it amounts to the so-called non-classical information pattern problems. For the H ∞ case, using loop-shifting ideas, a simple sufficient condition is given under which the problem can be still converted to a convex, model matching problem. We also demonstrate that there are several non trivial classes of problems satisfying this condition. Finally, we extend these ideas to the case of a N -step delay observation sharing pattern
The Overtone Violin

This paper describes the concept, design, realization and evaluation of a radically augmented musical instrument named the Overtone Violin. The rationale behind the development of the instrument is to preserve the expressive elements of the expert violinist, while incorporating the added benefits of gestural controllers via embedded sensors. There have been many examples of idiosyncratic alternate controllers in electronic music, as well as quite a few hybrid controllers that typically use sensors to capture the motions of playing a traditional instrument. However the Overtone Violin crosses these boundaries by retaining the original violin techniques and sounds as well as extending/enhancing the instrument with new methods of expression that are not inherent to the conventional technique.
Energy efficient in-network data indexing for mobile wireless sensor networks

In-network indexing is a challenging problem in wireless sensor networks (WSNs), particularly when sensor nodes are mobile. In the past, several indexing structures have been proposed for WSNs for answering in-network queries, however, their maintenance efficiency in the presence of mobile nodes is relatively less understood. Assuming that mobility of the nodes is driven by an underlying mobility control algorithm or application, we present a novel distributed protocol for efficient maintenance of distributed hierarchical indexing structures. The proposed protocol is generic, in the sense that it is applicable to any hierarchical indexing structure that uses binary space partitioning (BSP), such as k-d trees, Quadtrees and Octrees. It is based on locally expanding and shrinking convex regions such that update costs are minimized. Based on SIDnet-SWANS simulator, our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed protocol under different mobility models, mobility speeds, and query streams.
When Local is National: An analysis of interacting journalistic communities in the coverage of sea rise

This study explicates meanings of local journalism when what was traditionally treated as a local issue for local audiences—Miami’s rising seas—was thrust onto a national stage by national press and for wider audiences. Through a textual analysis of local news stories over a period of three years, this paper highlights how local journalists demarcated local and national journalistic boundaries, using national news to legitimize previous local coverage of sea-level rise, as news sources in local environmental journalism that strengthened presentations by local press as expertise on the issue, ultimately positioning national journalists as “outsiders.”
The introduction of Japanese knotweed, Reynoutria japonica, into North America1

This article presents the discovery of earliest known references to the cultivation of Japanese knotweed, Reynoutria japonica, in North America. As described in articles from 1868, 1872, and 1875 there were three distinct introductions of the plant in the 1860s, two from Europe and one from Japan. The European introductions consisted of the now widespread, seedless female clone introduced into commerce by Philipp von Siebold in the 1840s and a dwarf, seed-producing variety with reddish stems, probably also introduced by von Siebold. The introduction from Japan was sent by Thomas Hogg to his brother James's nursery in New York City and produced “an abundance of rose-colored fruits.” Serendipitously, an herbarium specimen collected from Hogg's plant in 1873 was discovered in in 2006 and its examination strongly suggests that the introduction consisted of at least one male and one female plant. Thomas Hogg's independent introduction of the species from Japan could well explain the higher levels of genetic diversity displayed by Japanese knotweed populations in eastern North America compared to those in Europe.
Sport simulation as a form of implicit motor training in a geriatric athlete after stroke: a case report.

Background and Purpose: To describe the use of sport simulation activities as a form of implicit motor learning training with a geriatric former athlete following a stroke.Case Report: An active 76...