cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Drag reduction using surfactants in a rotating cylinder geometry

Turbulent Couette flow between two circular cylinders has been used for drag reduction experiments using surfactants. In the experiments presented here, only the outer cylinder rotates, the inner cylinder remains at rest and accurate measurements of the torque at the inner cylinder are measured. Water is used as a reference fluid. A drag reducing surfactant called Arquad S-50 (Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry LLC, Chicago, Ill., USA) (5 mM)+NaSal (12.5 mM) was used as the drag reduction agent. This surfactant can reduce the drag up to 70% (a Reynolds number of about 70,000–150,000) as measured by pressure drop in a pipe flow. Experiments in Couette flow also show drag reduction in the turbulent range. Two arrangements were used, (1) one small trip-wire on the inner cylinder, and (2) four larger trip-wires on the outer cylinder. These trips reduce the critical Reynolds number for transition from laminar to turbulent flow. In case (1), we obtained 18% drag reduction at 5,000<Re<15,000 and in case (2), we obtained an average reduction of about 20% at 2,000<Re<10,000, increasing up to 30% at Re=15,000. The paper also discusses two important problems. First, the shear rate is not constant in the radial gap in circular Couette flow. For non-Newtonian fluids, where the molecular viscosity is a function of the shear rate, this effect must be considered. Second, which viscosity should be used in the Reynolds number? For pipe flow measurements, most authors use the viscosity of the solvent (generally water and Newtonian). For measurements in the Couette flow, we use a different approach, which is described in this paper. We conclude that Couette flow is a useful method for drag reduction investigations. Its advantage is the much smaller geometry in comparison to those of conventional test facilities such as wind tunnels, water, or oil channels or in tubes.
Charge transfer between benzene-1,3-diamidoethanethiol (BDET) and metal sulfides affect efficiency of acid mine drainage treatment

Abstract Acid mine drainage (AMD) from metal sulfides that result in heavy metal leaching into the environment is a prevalent problem. Coating natural pyrite (FeS2/SiO2) and galena (PbS) mineral surfaces with benzene-1,3-diamidoethanethiol (BDET) was found to be an effective method for preventing heavy metal leaching into aqueous media. The natural pyrite examined was found to have a significant amount of quartz in its matrix that influenced its ability to bind with BDET. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) core level shifts of the S 2p, N1s, Fe 2p and Pb 4f orbitals upon complexation revealed that greater BDET binding to these metal sulfides correlated with ligand-to-metal (LMCT) charge transfer. Improved binding of BDET to FeS2 over PbS was observed as the concentration of metal in the supernatant dramatically decreased. Stronger BDET binding to FeS2/SiO2 was attributed to LMCT from the open shell Fe absent in the corresponding metal in galena (Pb), which had a closed shell configuration. Comparison of N 1s spectra in control experiments show that SiO2 resulted in a reduced number of N 1s oxidation states, improving anti-leaching properties. Coverage of BDET complexed to FeS2/SiO2 was markedly greater than that for PbS, in agreement with inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) data. Photoelectron spectroscopy data revealed that the electronic shell structure of the sulfide metal is a contributing factor in BDET’s ability to inhibit heavy metal leaching.
String field theory from Weyl invariance

We consider the quantization of strings in general massive background fields. Imposing Weyl invariance leads to equations that generalize the β-function equations of the massless theory. Considering in detail the open string we show how the requirement of Weyl invariance produces the linearized string field theory equations of motion possessing a partial gauge invariance. Weyl anomaly contributions of the correlation functions are important for this correspondence. We also display how ghost type vertex operators can couple in the background 2D σ-model.
Equitable choices in bargaining games with joint production

Abstract In an experiment, we investigate two simple bargaining games with advance production: the ultimatum game and a symmetric demand game. After first choosing individual production levels, the two players determine how the“pie” is to be distributed. We determine several equity standards and propose a behavioral model which generates testable predictions. While game theory explains the observed decisions rather poorly, our behavioral model is supported by the data.
Schumpeter and public choice, Part I: Precursor to public choice?

What Schumpeter might have done had he lived, say, another twenty years, cannot be known. Whether he might have continued the line of thought initiated in Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, or returned to pure economics cannot be ascertained. Likewise, whether he would have shown interest in and how he might have responded to modern public choice is unknowable. Still, it does seem possible to develop logical implications of his theories. That is what I propose to do. One other preliminary point needs emphasis: The fact that no Schumpeterian school of public choice has been initiated by 'followers' is not without importance and requires an explanation. That a very distinctive public choice has been developed by others, only one of whom (Downs) has indicated any Schumpeterian influence is, perhaps, of greater significance. Schumpeter is difficult to categorize for he was not only a methodological deviant within the Austrian school of economics, but a deviant as well from their general normative strictures about capitalism, socialism, and democracy. In any event, a Schumpeterian public choice would be distinctive and likely to combine highly disparate themes, methods, and his usual fascinating paradoxes. I begin by characterizing those features of modern public choice that would either be downplayed or rejected and, then, attempt a sketch of the positive content of a Schumpeterian public choice.
Symptomatic High Grade Heart Block in Lyme Disease

We describe an unusual and remediable form of heart block which developed in the course of Lyme disease. The diagnosis of Lyme disease requires a careful clinical history pertaining to epidemiologic geography or a history of erythema chronicum migrans. In this case, a highly selective cardiac abnormality responded promptly to systemic steroids.
The Developmental Association of Relationship Quality, Hormonal Contraceptive Choice and Condom Non-Use among Adolescent Women

Abstract Purpose Consistent condom use is critical to efforts to prevent sexually transmitted infections among adolescents, but condom use may decline as relationships and contraceptive needs change. The purpose of this research is to assess changes in condom non-use longitudinally in the context of changes in relationship quality, coital frequency and hormonal contraceptive choice. Methods Participants were women (aged 14–17 years at enrollment) recruited from three urban adolescent medicine clinics. Data were collected at three-month intervals using a face-to-face structured interview. Participants were able to contribute up to 10 interviews, but on average contributed 4.2 interviews over the 27-month period. Independent variables assessed partner-specific relationship quality (five items; scale range 5–25; α = .92, e.g., this partner is a very important person to me ); and, number of coital events with a specific partner. Additional items assessed experience with oral contraceptive pills (OCP) use and injected depo medroxy-progesterone acetate (DMPA). The outcome variable was number of coital events without condom use during the past three months. Analyses were conducted as a three-level hierarchical linear growth curve model using HLM 6. The Level 1 predictor was time, to test the hypothesis that condom non-use increases over time. Level 2 predictors assessed relationship quality and coital frequency across all partners to assess hypotheses that participants' condom non-use increases over time as a function of relationship quality and coital frequency. Level 3 predictors assessed the participant-level influence of OCP or DMPA experience on time-related changes in condom non-use. Results A total of 176 women reported 279 sex partners and contributed 478 visits. Both average coital frequency and average condom non-use linearly increased during the 27-month follow-up. At any given follow-up, about 35% reported recent OCP use, and 65% reported DMPA use. HLM analyses showed that condom non-use increased as a function of time (β = .12; p = .03, Level 1 analysis). Increased condom non-use over time was primarily a function of increased coital frequency (β = .01; p = .00), although higher levels of relationship quality were associated with increased condom non-use at enrollment (β = .44; p = .00, Level 2 analysis). The temporal rise in condom non-use significantly increased among DMPA users (β = .06; p = .00) but not OCP users (Level 3 analysis) (β = −.04; p = .06). Conclusions Developmentally, relationship characteristics and coital frequency appear to have increasing weight in decisions about condom use. Hormonal contraceptive methods are not equivalently associated with the overall temporal decline in condom use. Future research associated with dual contraceptive/condom use should address differential factors associated condom use in combination with different hormonal methods.
Village Voices: Coexistence and Communication in a Rural Community in Central France

Village Voices: Coexistence and Communication in a Rural Community in Central France. PERLE MOHL. Copenhagen: Museum Tusculanuum Press, University of Copenhagen, 1997 pp., illustrations, bibliography, index.
Groundwater mixing, nutrient diagenesis, and discharges across a sandy beachface, Cape Henlopen, Delaware (USA)

Abstract Groundwater and associated nutrients discharge from the beachface to the Delaware Estuary at Cape Henlopen, Delaware, and appear to contribute significantly to the ecological structure of the adjacent intertidal and subtidal benthic communities. The cross-sectional distributions of salinity and nutrient concentrations at one seepage site indicate that there are two distinct groundwater masses that mix with seawater in the sandy beachface during discharge. The dissolved nutrient concentrations in the beachface at this site are substantially higher than those found in the adjacent estuarine surface water. Nutrient concentrations and distribution in the beachface water reflect: (1) the discharge of nutrient-rich upland water; (2) mixing between nutrient-rich groundwater and estuarine water; and (3) diagenetic recycling of estuarine organic material in the beachface mixing zone. Simple mixing and hydrological models are used to determine the relative magnitude of upland and diagenetic contributions and to estimate absolute nutrient discharges across the beachface. Nutrient fluxes during the summer at this site are sufficient to support carbon fixation rates of 4–17 mol C/m/year along the beachface. These nutrient fluxes are substantially higher than can be supported by the upland discharge alone. This suggests that beachfaces serve as traps and reservoirs of estuarine particulate matter and associated nutrient elements. During the summer, when samples were collected at the Cape Henlopen site, nutrient concentrations in the estuary are low and the remineralization of particles in the beachface may contribute significantly to the productivity of the dense plant and animal communities found adjacent to the beachface.
Thermal boundary resistance predictions from molecular dynamics simulations and theoretical calculations

The accuracies of two theoretical expressions for thermal boundary resistance are assessed by comparing their predictions to independent predictions from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In one expression $({R}_{E})$, the phonon distributions are assumed to follow the equilibrium, Bose-Einstein distribution, while in the other expression $({R}_{NE})$, the phonons are assumed to have nonequilibrium, but bulk-like distributions. The phonon properties are obtained using lattice dynamics-based methods, which assume that the phonon interface scattering is specular and elastic. We consider (i) a symmetrically strained Si/Ge interface, and (ii) a series of interfaces between Si and ``heavy-Si,'' which differs from Si only in mass. All of the interfaces are perfect, justifying the assumption of specular scattering. The MD-predicted Si/Ge thermal boundary resistance is temperature independent and equal to $3.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}9}\text{ }{\text{m}}^{2}\text{-K}/\text{W}$ below a temperature of $\ensuremath{\sim}500\text{ }\text{K}$, indicating that the phonon scattering is elastic, as required for the validity of the theoretical calculations. At higher-temperatures, the MD-predicted Si/Ge thermal boundary resistance decreases with increasing temperature, a trend we attribute to inelastic scattering. For the Si/Ge interface and the Si/heavy-Si interfaces with mass ratios greater than two, ${R}_{E}$ is in good agreement with the corresponding MD-predicted values at temperatures where the interface scattering is elastic. When applied to a system containing no interface, ${R}_{E}$ is erroneously nonzero due to the assumption of equilibrium phonon distributions on either side of the interface. While ${R}_{NE}$ is zero for a system containing no interface, it is 40%--60% less than the corresponding MD-predicted values for the Si/Ge interface and the Si/heavy-Si interfaces at temperatures where the interface scattering is elastic. This inaccuracy is attributed to the assumption of bulk-like phonon distributions on either side of the interface.
Response to the comments of Nutt and King on the bond strength measurements of Gupta et al.

Abstract In the early 1990s a laser spallation experiment was developed by us (Gupta et al.) for the unambiguous measurement of tensile strength between hard elastic coatings of micron thickness and non-dissipative elastic substrates—all characteristic of systems used in metal matrix and ceramic matrix composites. The methodology, the choice of material properties, the results and the level of professionalism of the above work was criticized by Nutt and King in this journal. In what follows we respond to their criticisms and demonstrate on the basis of new fully analytic simulations and clarification of the experimental conditions, that the results of Gupta et al. stand without any need for modification.
The growth of viral plaques during the enlargement phase.

Abstract The kinetics of the enlargement phase of plaque development are considered. It is shown that the plaque diameter increases linearly and depends primarily on the square root of the diffusion constant divided by the square root of the lag period. Additional theoretical treatment of the shielding influence of the recipient cells is presented. Literature observations made with bacterial, animal, and plant viruses are then compared with the theory.
Electron Recombination in Atomic Hydrogen

The absolute intensity of radiation of the continuum associated with the Balmer lines has been measured in a region of zero electric field by observing the expanding plasma in a shock tube. It is shown that the corresponding continuum energy can be explained by assuming that it is composed of the recombination and affinity spectrum of atomic hydrogen at a certain electron temperature. Values of the electron recombination coefficients can be derived which agree with those calculated by Cillie and disagree with those obtained from other measurements.
A derivative of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) UL3.5 lacking the last forty amino acids inhibits replication of BoHV-1

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) UL3.5 is a tegument protein that interacts with BoHV-1 α-transinducing factor αBTIF). In this report, we show that a truncated UL3.5 lacking the last 40 amino acids (C40UL3.5) inhibited replication of BoHV-1. Stable expression of C40UL3.5 in MDBK cells inhibited replication of BoHV-1 300- to 500-fold in plaque assays. This inhibitory effect was specific for BoHV-1 as cells expressing C40UL3.5 supported replication of pseudorabies virus (species Suid herpesvirus 1, SuHV-1) and herpes simplex virus (species Human herpesvirus 1, HHV-1) to normal levels. In contrast, a truncated UL3.5 which lacked the first 20 amino acids and did not interact with αBTIF did not inhibit BoHV-1 replication. In the C40UL3.5-expressing cells infected with BoHV-1, expression of the viral immediate early gene BICP4 and the early protein gB were reduced and delayed. C40UL3.5, when either transiently or stably expressed, inhibited αBTIF-mediated transactivation of a BoHV-1 immediate-early promoter. C40UL3.5 may be useful for constructing transgenic cattle resistant to infection by BoHV-1.
Monitoring Patients on Enteral Tube Feeds

Patients initiated on enteral nutrition support should be monitored systematically to ensure tolerance, to meet the goals of the nutrition support regimen, and to prevent potential complications. Multiple clinical factors must be considered in determining tolerance to enteral feeding. Unfortunately, commonly used bedside markers of tolerance have considerable limitations. In practice, overemphasis on any one marker, especially gastric residuals, often leads to premature interruption and inappropriate cessation of tube feeds. The use of strict tube feeding protocols may help to improve the appropriateness of physician orders and to ensure adequate delivery of enteral nutrition. Potential issues related to tolerance of enteral feeding include segmental contractility of the gastrointestinal tract, ischemia, aspiration, diarrhea, and metabolic derangement. The clinical significance of each of these issues is, discussed in this review, along with preventive strategies.
Amphetamine toxicity: experience with 127 cases

We present a retrospective study of 127 cases of amphetamine toxicity in an emergency department (ED). The most common presenting symptoms seen were agitation, hallucinations, suicidal behavior, and chest pain. Toxicologic analysis showed amphetamines are generally not mixed with other stimulants. The vast majority of patients did not require pharmacologic treatment in the ED. Thirteen patients (10%) required admission to the hospital. Toxic medical effects of amphetamine-related compounds seen in our patients are discussed.
Comparing the effects of atamestane, toremifene and tamoxifen alone and in combination, on bone, serum lipids and uterus in ovariectomized rats.

Abstract Complete estrogen blockade remains under investigation as a means to optimize anti-estrogen therapy in breast cancer thus both the efficacy and end-organ toxicities are of interest with combinations. We hypothesized that a steroidal aromatase inhibitor (AI) atamestane (ATA) alone, and in combination with the anti-estrogens tamoxifen (TAM) or toremifene (TOR) would have beneficial effects in ovariectomized (OVX) rats on key end-organ functions including bone and lipid metabolism and on the endometrium. Significant positive effects on bone were noted with ATA, TOR, TAM, ATA + TOR, or ATA + TAM. TOR, TAM, ATA + TOR, or ATA + TAM caused significant decreases in serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol whereas ATA had no effect. Uterine weight and epithelium lining height were not increased by ATA but were by TOR and TAM. No significant differences were found in the key parameters outlined above between OVX rats given TOR and ATA + TOR, or TAM and ATA + TAM. Our data show that ATA in combination with TOR or TAM is equivalent to TOR or TAM alone in terms of end-organ effects within a range of clinically relevant doses. Further studies of combinations of AIs with anti-estrogens on end-organ function are merited.
1004-60 Atheromas at the LAD Origin Develop Opposite the Flow Divider: Implications Regarding the Role of Hemodynamic Shear in Atherogenesis Derived from Intravascular Ultrasound

The role of hemodynamic shear stresses in atherogenesis remains uncertain. Necropsy studies suggest that atherosclerotic lesions at the origin of the LAD form opposite the circumflex takeoff, ratherthan in the high-velocity high-shear bifurcation flow divider(FD) region. To determine whether this atheroma location occurs in vivo and is maintained across a range of disease severity, we analyzed high quality intracoronary ultrasound (IVUS) studies from 22 consecutive pts with disease somewhere in the LAD demonstrated by angiography. Atherosclerotic lesions at the LAD origin were present in all pts by IVUS and ranged from 30% to 78% stenosis. Percent area stenosis (%S) and maximum (MXT), minimum (MNT) and flow divider (FDT) intimalmedial thicknesses of the LAD were measured immediately after the takeoff of the circumflex. The angle (A) formed by the midpoint of the FD, the lumen center of gravity and the MXT was determined so as to position the lesion relative to the FD. Results %S FDT (mm) MNT (mm) MXT (mm) A Mean ± SD 51 ± 14 O.25 ± 0.16 015 ± 0.08 1.52 ± 0.51 175 ± 48° MXT spared the arterial wall segment containing the FD in 100% of cases. Measurements of A indicated that maximal lesion size was located opposite the center of the FD segment. Lesion circumferential location and eccentricity (expressed as the MXT/MNT ratio) were unrelated to absolute plaque area or %S. Thus, we observed that atherosclerotic lesions at the origin of the LAD are located opposite the circumflex takeoff, spare the flow divider, and maintain this asymmetry across a wide range of lesion severity. These in-vivo data support the concept that hemodynamic shear stresses are important in atherogenesis, and that atherosclerotic plaques at arterial bifurcations are more likely to occur in areas believed to be low rather than high-shear.
Olanzapine in ED patients: differential effects on oxygenation in patients with alcohol intoxication

Abstract Introduction Agitation has significant consequences for patients and staff. When verbal techniques fail, expert guidelines recommend the use of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). Perhaps out of familiarity with haloperidol and benzodiazepines, emergency department (ED) clinicians often pair SGAs with benzodiazepines as well. Use of SGAs such as olanzapine in alcohol-intoxicated (ETOH+) patients or with benzodiazepines is not well studied and may be associated with vital sign abnormalities. Methods This is a structured chart review of all patient visits who received either oral or intramuscular (IM) olanzapine in an academic ED from 2004 to 2010 and who had systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation documented before medication administration and within 4 hours afterwards. Results Four hundred eighty-two patient visits received olanzapine; 275 patient visits (225 oral, 50 IM) had vital signs documented. Neither route of administration, concurrent benzodiazepines, nor ingestion of ETOH were associated with significant decreases in systolic BP or heart rate (P = ns for all comparisons). Decreases in oxygen saturations, however, were significantly larger in ETOH+ patients who received IM olanzapine or IM olanzapine + benzodiazepines. Route of administration, concurrent benzodiazepines, nor ingestion of ETOH was associated with significant decreases in systolic blood pressure or heart rate (p = ns for all comparisons). Decreases in oxygen saturations, however, were significantly larger in ETOH+ patients who received IM olanzapine or IM olanzapine + benzodiazepines. Conclusions Oral olanzapine was not associated with significant vital sign changes in ED patients. Intramuscular olanzapine also was not associated with vital sign changes in ETOH− patients. In ETOH+ patients, IM olanzapine was associated with significant oxygen desaturations. In ETOH+ ED patients, oral olanzapine (with or without benzodiazepines) or haloperidol may be safer choices. ETOH+ patients may have differential effects with the use of IM SGAs such as olanzapine and should be studied separately in drug trials.
Handing Over Patient Care: Is it Just the Old Broken Telephone Game?

Background Handing over patient care remains a poorly understood process and remains a leading cause of medical error. We sought to examine how hand off delivery methods affect hand off quality and whether improvement would occur over time without formal training. Design Three simulated-patient hand offs were developed; each with a distinct delivery method: in-person (IP), video-based (VB), and screen-based (SB). Participants were evaluated up to 4 times, each 6 months apart. During evaluations, residents received the 3 hand offs, answered a sleep and preference questionnaire, and proceeded to hand off the same 3 patients. Sessions were video-reviewed and hand offs scored for quality measures: word accuracy, errors of omission or commission, and appropriateness of clinical judgment. Quality measures among delivery methods and changes over time were compared. Results Sixty-eight General Surgery residents (postgraduate year [PGY] 1-2) participated in at least 2 testing sessions, with 13 participating in 4. The IP method was superior to VB and SB for most hand off quality measures (each p 0.05). Most trainees preferred the IP method (73% vs 5% VB, 15% SB, 7% other; p Conclusions There is a need to provide formal training in hand off quality early in residency training. General surgery trainees clearly prefer and performed better, though not perfect, hand offs with the in-person method.
Fabrication And Characterization of Thermoelectric Generators From SiGe Thin Films

Thermoelectric materials are being important due to their application in both thermoelectric power generation and microelectronic cooling. The thermoelectric power generations convert the heat change to electricity. The waste of heat could be useful if the thermoelectric power generation is applied. Effective thermoelectric materials have a low thermal conductivity and a high electrical conductivity. A high thermal conductivity causes too much heat leakage through heat conduction. The performance of the thermoelectric materials and devices is shown by a dimensionless figure of merit, ZT = S2σT/K, where S is the Seebeck coefficient, σ is the electrical conductivity, T is the absolute temperature and K is the thermal conductivity. ZT can be increased by increasing S, increasing σ, or decreasing K. In this study, we prepared thermoelectric generator devices of SiGe at the thickness of 112 nm using the ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) system. Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) analysis was used for the elemental analysis. The 5 MeV Si ion bombardment was performed using the AAMU Pelletron ion beam accelerator to make quantum clusters in the film to decrease the cross plane thermal conductivity, increase the cross plane Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity. To characterize the thermoelectric generator devices before and after Si ion bombardment we measured the cross plane Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity by Van der Pauw method, and thermal conductivity by 3w method for different fluences.
A salt bridge between an N-terminal coiled coil of gp41 and an antiviral agent targeted to the gp41 core is important for anti-HIV-1 activity.

HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein transmembrane subunit gp41 play a critical role in the fusion of viral and target cell membranes. The gp41 C-terminal heptad repeat region interacts with the N-terminal coiled-coil region to form a six-stranded core structure. Peptides derived from gp41 C-terminal heptad repeat region (C-peptides) are potent HIV-1 entry inhibitors by binding to gp41 N-terminal coiled-coil region. Most recently, we have identified two small organic compounds that inhibit HIV-1-mediated membrane fusion by blocking the formation of gp41 core. These two active compounds contain both hydrophobic and acidic groups while the inactive compounds only have hydrophobic groups. Analysis by computer modeling indicate that the acidic groups in the active compounds can form salt bridge with Lys 574 in the N-terminal coiled-coil region of gp41. Asp 632 in a C-peptide can also form a salt bridge with Lys 574. Replacement of Asp 632 with positively charged residues or hydrophobic residues resulted in significant decrease of HIV-1 inhibitory activity. These results suggest that a salt bridge between an N-terminal coiled coil of the gp41 and an antiviral agent targeted to the gp41 core is important for anti-HIV-1 activity.
A Device to Record Infant Head Position.

The device described is a system to indicate left-to-right head position. It is limited to indicating relative left-right movements without vertical or up-down discrimination. Although developed for use with newborn infants, the system can be applied to older subjects as well by using a large holding device for the infant. A light detection system consists of two l-in. diameter selenium photocells. These two photocells are connected in a series aiding configuration with a 10 K potentiometer. The signal output from the system is measured between the two photocells and the center arm of the potentiometer. The cells and neoprene tube (Fig. 1) are mounted in a specially fabricated foam rubber chair and positioned so that ambient light will differentially affect the cells as the subject’s head moves between them. The
The Laminate Analogy for 2 and 3 Dimensional Composite Materials

A previously developed laminate analogy for predicting the elastic stiffness and thermal expansion properties of a randomly oriented short fiber composite is extended to include a large class of fiber reinforced composites possessing very complex geometry. In particular, the stiffness and thermal expansion coefficients of short fiber com posites having biased filaments, misaligned filaments, and variable fiber aspect ratios are determined from a laminate analogy. In addition, the laminate analogy is extended to 2 and 3 dimensional woven fabric composites. Theoretical results for the short fiber com posites show excellent agreement with experimental results, while theoretical results for the woven fabric composites are shown to be qualitatively correct.
Getting comfortable with the numbers: Auditing and the micro-production of macro-order

Abstract Field observations of two audit engagements are used to interpret auditing as a ritual which transforms the financial statements of corporate management from an inherently untrustworthy state into a form that the auditors and the public can be comfortable with. The analysis draws on Collins' theory of interaction ritual chains (American Journal of Sociology, 1981, pp. 984–1014) to create an interpretative theory of auditing which offers insights into both the micro-level interactions within the audit team and the macro-level role of auditing in the economic order.
On Cyclical Phase Transformations in Driven Alloy Systems

Cyclical phase transformations occurring in driven materials syntheses such as ball milling are described in terms of a free energy minimization process of participant phases. The oscillatory flow behavior of metals with low stacking fault energies during hot working is taken as a prototype in which a ductile crystalline phase sustains undulation in its free energy, due to the alternate succession of work-hardening and work-softening mechanisms. A time-dependent, oscillatory free energy function is then obtained by solving a delay differential equation (DDE), which accounts for a time lag due to diffusion. To understand cyclical transitions on an atomistic scale, work is extended to molecular dynamics simulations. Under shear deformation, a two-dimensional nanocrystal shows cyclical transitions between an equilibrium rhombus and a nonequilibrium square phase. Three-dimensional simulations show crystalline-to-glass transitions at high strain rates, but very high shear strain rates are found to lead to a latticelike network structure in the plane perpendicular to the shear direction, with strings of atoms parallel to the shear direction.
Ethnic differences in hemodynamic responses to stress in hypertensive men and women

Hemodynamic response patterns to three laboratory stressors were compared in 63 mildly hypertensive black and white men and women. Ethnic groups were matched for age, body mass index, and casual blood pressures. Stressors included a mental arithmetic task, a simulated public speaking task, and a forehead cold pressor test. Blood pressure increases during the stressors were similar in the two ethnic groups. However, the pressor responses were mediated by greater vascular tone in black compared to white subjects. These differences persisted whether the hemodynamic response pattern was associated with an overall fall (speech task) or rise (cold pressor) in systemic vascular resistance. Gender differences in the hemodynamic basis of pressor responding were also observed. Women, compared to men, exhibited greater increases in heart rate and smaller vascular contributions to their blood pressure increases during stress. Ethnic and gender differences are discussed in terms of the neurohumoral mechanisms mediating the cardiovascular stress response. The findings are consistent with converging evidence suggesting that beta-adrenergic receptor down-regulation is characteristic of hypertension in whites, whereas heightened vascular alpha-receptor sensitivity or early vascular hypertrophy may be a feature of hypertension in blacks.
PREDICTING MORTALITY AMONG INDEPENDENTLY LIVING RURAL ELDERLY: A 20-Year Longitudinal Study

The problem of predicting mortality among rural [U.S.] elderly (65 years and older) living independently is examined using 20-year panel data derived from a random multistage cluster sample. Fifteen independent variables including social networks age sex and health status were hypothesized on theoretical and empirical grounds to predict mortality. Face-to-face structured interviews were conducted with the same respondents in 1966 1974 and 1986/87. Logistic regression establishes that a model comprising age sex participation in formal organizations relative and children association and general health status is a powerful predictor of mortality. The authors conclude that the more heterogeneous formal or secondary social networks which may enhance self esteem are most functional for the elderly. (EXCERPT)
Absence of a Dilated Duct Predicts Benign Disease in Suspected Pancreas Cancer: A Simple Clinical Rule

Background Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to diagnose. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies may be negative even when malignancy is present.
Effects of electron beam irradiation of cellulose acetate cigarette filters

Abstract A method to reduce the molecular weight of cellulose acetate used in cigarette filters by using electron beam irradiation is demonstrated. Radiation levels easily obtained with commercially available electron accelerators result in a decrease in average molecular weight of about six-times with no embrittlement, or significant change in the elastic behavior of the filter. Since a first step in the biodegradation of cigarette filters is reduction in the filter material's molecular weight this invention has the potential to allow the production of significantly faster degrading filters.
Absence of denervation supersensitivity to neurokinin A in the rat vas deferens

1. Unilateral denervation of the rat vas deferens (RVD) was performed under anesthesia. The animals were allowed to recover 4 or 10 days and then concentration-effect (C-E) curves to noradrenaline (NA) and neurokinin A (NKA) were constructed in denervated and control RVD. 2. Tissues denervated 4 or 10 days produced NA responses shifted 20-fold to the left with maxima 130% of control. 3. NKA C-E curves in denervated RVD were not significantly different from control. 4. Phenylephrine exhibited a 6-fold increase in tissue sensitivity after denervation. 5. Chronic denervation of the vas deferens resulted in significant postsynaptic supersensitivity to alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists but not to NKA.
Recruitment of healthy adults into a study of overnight sleep monitoring in the home: experience of the Sleep Heart Health Study.

The Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS) is a prospective cohort study using participants from several ongoing cardiovascular and respiratory disease research projects to investigate the relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and cardiovascular disease. This study design required unusual and different recruiting techniques to meet the study’s enrollment goal of between 6000 and 6600 participants. Individuals were recruited to undergo an overnight home polysomnogram, completion of several questionnaires, and collection of a small amount of physical examination data. This article describes the methods used to recruit these participants and how these procedures influenced the final participation rate and the representativeness of SHHS to its parent cohorts. Of 30,773 people eligible for recruitment into SHHS, attempts were made to enroll 11,145 (36%). Of those contacted, 6441 ultimately agreed to participate (58%). Recruitment rates (38 to 91%) varied among sites. SHHS participants were slightly younger (63.0 vs. 65.0 years, p < 0.001), had more years of education (14.1 vs. 13.7, p < 0.001), more likely to snore (34% vs. 23%, p < 0.001), had higher Epworth sleepiness scores (7.7 vs. 6.5, p < 0.001), slightly higher higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures (127.6/73.9 vs. 127.2/72.1, p < 0.001 for diastolic only), and a slightly higher body mass index (BMI) (28.5 vs. 27.5, p < 0.001). We conclude that it is feasible to recruit existing participants from one large-scale epidemiologic study into another with a high degree of success. However, the characteristics of the new cohort may vary in several respects from their original cohorts and therefore interpretation of study results will have to consider these differences.
Spinal cord lesions and disability in Hispanics with multiple sclerosis

Longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions (LESCLs) are believed to occur predominantly with opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS) and are associated with disability. The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence and patterns of spinal cord lesions in Hispanics with multiple sclerosis (MS) and OSMS and their association with disability. A cross-sectional study of 164 patients with complete MRIs was used. In each case the spinal cord was classified: LESCLs, scattered spinal cord lesions (sSCLs) or no spinal cord lesions (noSCLs). Clinical course was defined as classical MS or OSMS. Risk of disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale ≥4.0) was adjusted for age, disease duration and sex using logistic regression. A total of 125/164 (73 %) MS patients had spinal cord lesions (sSCLs, 57 %; LESCLs, 19 %), but only 11 (7 %) had OSMS. LESCLs were associated with disability (p < 0.0001), longer disease duration (p < 0.0001) and MS (n = 21 vs. n = 10 OSMS; p < 0.0001). LESCLs were also associated with the greatest risk to disability (OR 7.3, 95 % CIs 1.9–26.5; p = 0.003; sSCLs OR 2.5, 95 % CIs 0.9–7.1; p = 0.09) compared with noSCLs. LESCLs are more common than OSMS and are associated with worse disability even in patients with MS. These results suggest that LESCLs are a more important marker of disability in MS than OSMS and may be an early indicator of more aggressive disease in this population.
Performance mapping of a 30 cm engineering model thruster

A 30 cm thruster representative of the engineering model design has been tested over a wide range of operating parameters to document performance characteristics such as electrical and propellant efficiencies, double ion and beam divergence thrust loss, component equilibrium temperatures, operational stability, etc. Data obtained show that optimum power throttling, in terms of maximum thruster efficiency, is not highly sensitive to parameter selection. Consequently, considerations of stability, discharge chamber erosion, thrust losses, etc. can be made the determining factors for parameter selection in power throttling operations. Options in parameter selection based on these considerations are discussed.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance stress perfusion imaging predicts 1 year outcomes following equivocal stress testing

Summary We tested the hypothesis that cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) stress perfusion can predict 1 year outcomes in individuals with equivocal or uncertain prior stress testing. Background Individuals with equivocal nuclear stress test results are at higher risk for cardiac events compared to those with normal studies. CMR stress perfusion imaging identifies individuals with coronary artery disease with high sensitivity and specificity, with excellent spatial resolution, and without ionizing radiation. The utility of CMR stress testing is uncertain in individuals with prior equivocal stress results. Methods We selected all participants in a CMR registry who were clinically referred for pharmacologic CMR perfusion testing due to recent nuclear stress perfusion study (6 months if outpatient, same admission if inpatient) from 2009-2010 with equivocal or uncertain results. Studies were defined as equivocal if the results were qualified by the mention of significant artifact or other technical difficulty. Studies were defined as uncertain if the referring physician documented suspicion of false positive or false negative results in the medi cal record. The presence of ischemia reported by each modality, as well as any description of uncertainty, was determined by a clinical nurse reviewer and 2 cardiologists (all blinded to the downstream clinical course of each subject). Any disagreement in assessment was arbitrated by majority vote. The clinical course of each subject was followed through chart review. Adverse outcome was defined as hospitalization for suspected or definite myocardial infarction.
On the Interpretation of the Electronic Spectra of Complexes Containing the Molybdenyl Ion

Abstract Assignments of the electronic transitions responsible for the two relatively weak visible-absorption systems in the spectra of tetragonal molybdenyl ions, MoO3+, are considered in the light of available experimental data. Solution spectra of sulfato, phosphate, and chloro molybdenyl complexes as well as studies of the low temperature polarized spectra of MoOCI− 4 in a single crystal establish that the two transitions are 2E(xz, yz) → 2B2(xy) (∼15 500 cm−1) and 2B2 (x2 -y2 ) → 2B2 (xy) (∼22500 cm−1).
Stereoscopic Depth Sensitivity Differences between the Crossed and Uncrossed Directions

This study investigated the temporal sensitivity of crossed and uncrossed stereoscopic mechanisms of 48 observers using stimuli created from dynamic random-dot stereograms. The results showed thresholds were lower and depth was more veridical in the crossed than in the uncrossed direction.
The Evolving Role and Value of Libraries and Librarians in Health Care

Changes in medical information and technology are revolutionizing health care. As clinicians try to incorporate research into practice through comparative effectiveness research and decision support, they increasingly depend on technology to bring evidence to the bedside to improve quality and patient outcomes. Integrating current information into the processes of shared decision making and continuous learning supports the application of evidence in clinical decision making. Health sciences libraries and librarians have an increasingly important role in providing that information to clinicians as well as to patients and their families.
The kinetics of the formation of a G2 block from tritiated thymidine in phytohemagglutinin‐stimulated human lymphocytes

Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to monitor the radiation effects promoted by incorporated tritiated thymidine (/sup 3/H-TdR) on phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes stained with propidium iodide (PI). Lymphocyte microcultures were continuously labeled or pulse-labeled for various periods of time with different /sup 3/H-TdR concentrations. Two types of DNA histogram analyses were performed on unperturbed and /sup 3/H)TdR perturbed lymphocytes. The data analyses consisted of statistical analyses between averaged groups of histograms (nonparametric analysis) and cell cycle analyses (parametric analysis) to determine the percentages of cells in G0 + G1, S and G2 + M. The results showed that (a) /sup 3/H-TdR when added to proliferating lymphocytes under certain conditions (both short-term continuous and pulse-labeling) caused a highly significant increase in the proportion of tetraploid (4C) cells by FCM, (b) the increase in the proportion of 4C cells represented a block in G2 and (c) the relative increase in the percentage of 4C cells was proportional to /sup 3/H-TdR incorporation which was proportional to labeling time and concentration. Therefore, it was concluded that short labeling times be used to minimize adverse radiation effects when /sup 3/H-TdR is used to assay substances affecting lymphocyte proliferation or in the estimation ofmore » cell cycle time.« less
Hormonal evidence supports the theory of selection in utero.

Objectives Antagonists in the debate over whether the maternal stress response during pregnancy damages or culls fetuses have invoked the theory of selection in utero to support opposing positions. We describe how these opposing arguments arise from the same theory and offer a novel test to discriminate between them. Our test, rooted in reports from population endocrinology that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) signals fetal fitness, contributes not only to the debate over the fetal origins of illness, but also to the more basic literature concerned with whether and how natural selection in utero affects contemporary human populations. Methods We linked maternal serum hCG measurements from prenatal screening tests with data from the California Department of Public Health birth registry for the years 2001–2007. We used time series analysis to test the association between the number of live born male singletons and median hCG concentration among males in monthly gestational cohorts. Results Among the 1.56 million gestations in our analysis, we find that median hCG levels among male survivors of monthly conception cohorts rise as the number of male survivors falls. Conclusions Elevated median hCG among relatively small male birth cohorts supports the theory of selection in utero and suggests that the maternal stress response culls cohorts in gestation by raising the fitness criterion for survival to birth.
Total Power Optimization for Combinational Logic Using Genetic Algorithms

Power consumption is a top priority in high performance circuit design today. Many low power techniques have been proposed to tackle the ever serious, highly pressing power consumption problem, which is composed of both dynamic and static power in the nanometer era. The static power consumption nowadays receives even more attention than that of dynamic power consumption when technology scales below 100 nm. In order to mitigate the aggressive power consumption, various existing low power techniques are often used; however, they are often applied independently or combined with two or at most three different techniques together, and that is not sufficient to address the escalating power issue. In this paper, we present a power optimization framework for the minimization of total power consumption in combinational logic through multiple V dd assignment, multiple V th assignment, device sizing, and stack forcing, while maintaining performance requirements. These four power reduction techniques are properly encoded into the genetic algorithm and evaluated simultaneously. The overhead imposed by the insertion of level converters is also taken into account. The effectiveness of each power reduction mechanism is verified, as are the combinations of different approaches. Experimental results are presented for a number of 65 nm benchmark circuits that span typical circuit topologies, including inverter chains, SRAM decoders, multiplier, and a 32 bit carry adder. Our experiments show that the combination of four low power techniques is the effective way to achieve low power budget. The framework is general and can be easily extended to include other design-time low power techniques, such as multiple gate length or multiple gate oxide thickness.