cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Guar-based monolithic matrix systems: effect of ionizable and non-ionizable substances and excipients on gel dynamics and release kinetics*

The effect of ionic and non-ionic excipients and additives as modulators of swelling and erosion kinetics and verapamil HCl release from guar-based matrix tablets was investigated. Tablet dissolution, erosion and water uptake studies were carried out using a modified USP 23 Apparatus 2 method. The kinetics of gel strength and texture development were studied by textural analysis. Near linear drug release over 24 h was obtained from formulations containing water soluble, ionizable sodium chloride and glycine. The contribution of Fickian release to overall drug release was lowest for these formulations and was correlated with greater gel strength and lower water uptake in the early time period. For soluble sugars (lactose and sucrose) the Fickian contribution to overall drug release was large and associated with pronounced curvilinear profiles. Water uptake was greatest for these additives (450% in 6 h). The lowest water uptake and negligible matrix erosion was observed for microcrystalline cellulose. Release from this formulation was predominantly Fickian. It was found that the physico-chemical nature of added excipients significantly influences the release kinetics from guar-based formulations. Ionic, water soluble materials (sodium chloride, glycine) reduce initial hydration of the matrix and thus have the ability to limit the initial rapid diffusion of drug and to sustain near linear release over 24 h.
An example of a working molecular charge sensitive ion conductor

We present here a working example of an organic Charge Sensitive Ion Conductor (CSIC) based on the photogating of hydrophobic ion currents across a 5-6 nm lipid bilayer membrane, and present strategies for improving its stability and sensitivity
Measurement of thermal expansion in liquid succinonitrile and pivalic acid

Abstract We present here, the experimental measurement of the thermal expansion of 99.99% pure, liquid succinonitrile (SCN), and pivalic acid (PVA). The optical transparency and convenient melting temperatures of these materials, allows in situ observation of solidifying morphological structures, which makes these substances valuable for use as “model” materials in the experimental investigation of solidification processes in bcc (SCN) and fcc (PVA) systems. The thermal expansion coefficient in these pure melts provides information which is needed in the development of complimentary numerical and analytical models describing the solidification process and the influence of natural convection.
Formulation considerations for the development of medications with abuse potential

The availability of increasingly sophisticated drug formulations and delivery devices has created new opportunities in drug development. These newer approaches can result in improved drug bioavailability, or they can alter key pharmacokinetic parameters in such a way as to decrease dosing interval, decrease variability, or blunt maximal concentrations that are associated with adverse events of particular concern. Special formulations or devices can also provide for easier or more convenient dosing in subpopulations of interest, such as children or the elderly. Although the key principles of abuse potential assessment and the underlying neurochemistry and pharmacology are relatively well understood, evaluation of the influences of drug formulation have received much less study. Because dose and formulation - and even the therapeutic indication - are refined over the course of development, it is usually difficult to conduct more than a cursory evaluation of the influence of formulation on the underlying abuse potential of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. Industrial sponsors would benefit from further research in areas of formulation science and pharmacokinetics that would improve the predictability of prescription drug abuse. In particular, validation of new pharmacokinetic parameters and standardization of methods to understand the consequences of product tampering could assist in gaining a better assessment of risk for controlled release formulations. Such methods could apply not only to innovator products, but also to those wishing to develop generic versions with similar pharmaceutical performance. This article proposes several factors that may be of use to industrial sponsors in making formulation choices for drugs with the potential for abuse.
Electrophysiological effects of a cannabinoid on neural activity in the globus pallidus

The globus pallidus contains a dense distribution of cannabinoid receptors and appears to be a site of action of cannabinoids in the production of catalepsy. Single unit electrophysiology was used to explore the role of cannabinoid receptors in the globus pallidus of the rat. Intravenous injections of the potent and selective synthetic cannabinoid (R)-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[(4-morpholinyl)methyl]-pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl](1-napthalenyl) methanone (WIN 55,212-2; up to 0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) inhibited the spontaneous firing of neurons in the globus pallidus. In a second set of experiments, WIN 55,212-2 antagonized the inhibition of pallidal firing produced by electrical stimulation of the striatum. The pharmacological specificity of the effects of WIN 55,212-2 on basal and evoked activity in the globus pallidus was demonstrated by the lack of effect of the inactive enantiomer WIN 55,212-3. These results indicate that cannabinoids may produce functionally opposite effects on spontaneous and evoked activity in the globus pallidus: a decrease in spontaneous firing and a decrease in the inhibition of firing produced by the striatopallidal projection.
Sparse Bayesian learning using approximate message passing

We use the approximate message passing framework (AMP) [1] to address the problem of recovering a sparse vector from undersampled noisy measurements. We propose an algorithm based on Sparse Bayesian learning (SBL) [2]. Unlike the original EM based SBL that requires matrix inversions, the proposed algorithm has linear complexity, which makes it well suited for large scale problems. Compared to other message passing techniques, the algorithm requires fewer approximations, due to the conditional Gaussian prior assumption on the original vector. Numerical results show that the proposed algorithm has comparable and in many cases better performance than existing algorithms despite significant reduction in complexity.
The thrill of victory, the complexity of defeat: self-esteem and people's emotional reactions to success and failure.

Low self-esteem people are assumed to have more severe emotional reactions to failure than are high self-esteem people, but this assumption has not received consistent empirical support. In this article the authors report 2 investigations that found that self-esteem differences of this sort emerge for emotions that directly implicate the self (e.g., pride, humiliation) but not for emotions that do not directly implicate the self (e.g., happiness, unhappiness). Additional evidence suggested that this occurs, in part, because low self-esteem people overgeneralize the negative implications of failure. The relevance of these findings for understanding the nature and functions of self-esteem is considered.
Disparate In Vitro Inhibition of Adhesion of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli RDEC-1 by Mucins Isolated from Various Regions of the Intestinal Tract

ABSTRACT: Escherichia coli RDEC-1 (serotype O15:H-) is a rabbit enteropathogen in which in vivo enteroadherence is both site specific and age related. To determine whether these differences could be related to mucins, we evaluated inhibition of binding of AF/R1 piliated RDEC-1 by mucins isolated from various segments of intestine of rabbits at different ages. Mucin was purified from intestinal crude mucus by cesium chloride serial ultracentrifugation. RDEC-1 was grown to promote the expression of hydrophobic mannose-resistant AF/R1 pili. Quantitation of in vitro bacterial binding was determined using a crystal violet colorimetric assay. In postweanling rabbits, inhibition of RDEC-1 binding by purified mucin derived from ileal segments (45.1 ± 2.6%, mean ± SEM) and proximal colonic segments (46.0 ± 5.5%) was less than purified mucins derived from jejunal segments (70.0 ± 2.0%) and distal colonic segments (71.0 ± 3.7%, p < 0.05) of the intestinal tract. In all age groups, mucins derived from jejunal segments inhibited RDEC-1 binding to a greater level than mucins derived from ileal segments. In addition, inhibition of binding by mucin derived from proximal small intestine of postweanling rabbits (70.0 ± 2.0%) was greater than that of weanling rabbits (55.2 ± 3.5%, p < 0.05) with suckling rabbit inhibition (62.1 ± 3.5%) between these two levels. We conclude that mucin inhibition of RDEC-1 adhesion is both age and region related and therefore may contribute to both age-related and site localization of bacterial infections of the intestinal tract.
Training a sigmoidal node is hard

This article proves that the task of computing near-optimal weights for sigmoidal nodes under the L1 regression norm is NP-Hard. For the special case where the sigmoid is piecewise linear, we prove a slightly stronger result: that computing the optimal weights is NP-Hard. These results parallel that for the one-node pattern recognition problem—that determining the optimal weights for a threshold logic node is also intractable. Our results have important consequences for constructive algorithms that build a regression model one node at a time. It suggests that although such methods are (in principle) capable of producing efficient size representations (Barron, 1993; Jones, 1992), finding such representations may be computationally intractable. These results holds only in the deterministic sense; that is, they do not exclude the possibility that such representations may be found efficiently with high probability. In fact it motivates the use of heuristic or randomized algorithms for this problem.
Nearly optimal control laws for nonlinear systems with saturating actuators using a neural network HJB approach

The Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation corresponding to constrained control is formulated using a suitable nonquadratic functional. It is shown that the constrained optimal control law has the largest region of asymptotic stability (RAS). The value function of this HJB equation is solved for by solving for a sequence of cost functions satisfying a sequence of Lyapunov equations (LE). A neural network is used to approximate the cost function associated with each LE using the method of least-squares on a well-defined region of attraction of an initial stabilizing controller. As the order of the neural network is increased, the least-squares solution of the HJB equation converges uniformly to the exact solution of the inherently nonlinear HJB equation associated with the saturating control inputs. The result is a nearly optimal constrained state feedback controller that has been tuned a priori off-line.
Modeling and Performance Evaluation of Optical Burst Switched Ring Networks with Efficient Adaptive Routing

We proposed earlier three novel adaptive routing schemes which aimed to improve both loss fairness among bursts with various hop counts and overall burst loss performance in optical burst switched networks. This paper presents a reduced load fixed point approximation analysis to evaluate burst loss probabilities for symmetrical ring networks operating under the previously proposed routing. The analysis is based on a two-dimensional Markov chain model and its accuracy is validated by simulation.
The Project Literature: An Elizabethan Example

Professor Muchmore analyzes and edits an interesting Elizabethan document typical of a large body of economic literature in Tudor-Stuart England.
Central City/Suburban Status Differences: Fifty Years of Change*

Changes in the relative status of central cities compared to their suburban rings are investigated for the periods 1920 to 1950, and 1950 to 1970. Longitudinal alterations in the relative statuses of the two components across metropolitan areas have primarily involved the suburban ring. Somewhat different processes of change were evident in the two time periods, particularly when metropolitan areas are distinguished by their age. In the 1920 to 1950 period, the oldest metropolitan areas evolved toward higher suburban than central city status, while newer metropolitan areas evolved toward higher central city than suburban status. In the 1950 to 1970 period, metropolitan areas generally moved toward a pattern of higher suburban than central city status, regardless of their individual characteristics such as age or period of development.
The anatomy of a disparity in infant mortality.

▪ Abstract This article suggests that while disparities in infant mortality have been longstanding, the mechanisms of disparity creation are undergoing intense change. This dynamic character is explored by first developing an analytic model that examines the interaction between social factors and the public health and clinical capacity to intervene. Disparities in infant mortality are then broken down into their component parts and linked to specific arenas of intervention. Disparities in postneonatal mortality are being shaped by differential access to interventions designed to prevent infant death from congenital anomalies and the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Disparities in neonatal mortality are primarily determined by factors that influence the birthrate of extremely premature infants and access to specialized obstetrical and pediatric care. This analysis suggests that the epidemiology and social meaning of disparities in infant mortality are intensely dynamic and increasingly reflect the interaction...
Averaged and sampled-data models for current mode control: a re-examination

A correction to the usual derivation of state-space averaged models for constant frequency, current mode controlled converters produces average models. Using a buck-boost example, the authors compare frequency responses of the model, the usual model, and an exact sampled-data model. Approximate sampled-data models, often written down but seldom exploited, are highlighted. >
Examination of hospital characteristics and patient quality outcomes using four inpatient quality indicators and 30-day all-cause mortality.

The study objective was to examine hospital mortality outcomes and structure using 2008 patient-level discharges from general community hospitals. Discharges from Florida administrative files were merged to the state mortality registry. A cross-sectional analysis of inpatient mortality was conducted using Inpatient Quality Indicators (IQIs) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), congestive heart failure (CHF), stroke, pneumonia, and all-payer 30-day postdischarge mortality. Structural characteristics included bed size, volume, ownership, teaching status, and system affiliation. Outcomes were risk adjusted using 3M APR-DRG. Volume was inversely correlated with AMI, CHF, stroke, and 30-day mortality. Similarities and differences in the direction and magnitude of the relationship of structural characteristics to 30-day postdischarge and IQI mortality measures were observed. Hospital volume was inversely correlated with inpatient mortality outcomes. Other hospital characteristics were associated with some mor...
A Scalable Architecture for Montgomery Multiplication

This paper describes the methodology and design of a scalable Montgomery multiplication module. There is no limitation on the maximum number of bits manipulated by the multiplier, and the selection of the word-size is made according to the available area and/or desired performance. We describe the general view of the new architecture, analyze hardware organization for its parallel computation, and discuss design tradeoffs which are useful to identify the best hardware configuration.
The dentin substrate: structure and properties related to bonding.

Abstract Objectives: Dentin is a vital, hydrated composite material with structural components and properties that vary with location. These variations are reviewed along with alterations by physiological and pathological changes that allow classification into various forms of dentin. Structural characteristics and mechanical properties are reviewed and the limitations of our understanding of structure-property relationships for normal and modified forms of dentin are discussed with respect to their impact on dentin bonding. Recent progress in methods available to study dentin and its demineralization are emphasized with their promise to increase our understanding of dentin properties and structure. Data sources: Recent microstructural studies, focusing on scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray tomographic microscopy are included. A review of fundamental studies with emphasis on microstructurally sensitive methods, and prior reviews of basic mechanical properties are included with discussion of their correlation to composition and structure. Study selection and conclusions: Emphasis in this work was placed on the major structural components of the tissue, including the collagen based organic matrix and its mineral reinforcement, the distribution of these components and their microstructural organization as related to mechanical properties and response to demineralization. Little information is included on biochemical and developmental studies or on non-collagenous proteins and other organic components for which limited understanding is available with respect to their role in structure-property relations and influence on bonding. In spite of the fact that the complexity of dentin precluded a comprehensive review, it is clear that local structural variations influence properties and impact nearly all preventive and restorative dental treatments. Much more work is needed in order to understand differences between vital and non-vital dentin, and dentin from extracted teeth. Although our knowledge is rudimentary in certain areas, increasingly sophisticated methods of studying dentin should provide the necessary information to model structure-property relations, optimize dentin bonding, and improve many aspects of preventive and restorative dentistry.
Acquisition of multicarrier spread spectrum signals with correlated Rayleigh fading among its subcarriers

Multicarrier (MC) code division multiple access (CDMA) is an attractive way of implementing wideband CDMA systems while being backward-compatible with the existing narrowband CDMA systems. Initial acquisition in MC-CDMA has been studied for the case where the subcarriers experience independent fades. For many of scenarios, the assumption about the independence is unreasonable. We relax this assumption, and employ a realistic model for frequency correlation. We obtain an optimum receiver for initial acquisition that accounts for the frequency correlation, and present a technique for the analysis of this receiver. Finally, we study, by simulation, the tradeoff between the diversity gain available and noncoherent loss incurred as the number of subcarriers is increased.
GLUTARIC ACID: A POTENTIAL FOOD ACIDULANT

Some physical and chemical properties of glutaric acid which pertain to its potential use as a food acid were studied. Comparisons were made between it and some approved food acids regarding solubility, hygroscopicity, acidity and rate of sucrose inversion. Results reveal favorable chemical and physical properties, making it an attractive prospect for a new food acidulant.
Performance Prediction of the Interacting Multiple Model Algorithm

The Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) algorithm has been shown to be one of the most cost-effective hybrid state estimation schemes. Its performance, however, could only be evaluated via expensive Monte-Carlo simulations. An effective approach to the performance evaluation without recourse to simulations is presented in this paper. This approach is based on a performance measure of hybrid nature in the sense that it is a continuous-valued matrix function of a discrete-valued sequence - the system mode sequence. This system mode sequence is an essential description of the scenario of the problem on which the performance of the algorithm is dependent and being predicted. The performance measure is efficiently calculated in an off-line recursion. The capability of this approach in predicting quantitatively the average performance of the algorithm is illustrated via two important examples: a generic Air Traffic Control tracking problem and a nonstationary noise identification problem.
AENEID: a generic lithography-friendly detailed router based on post-RET data learning and hotspot detection

In the era of deep sub-wavelength lithography for nanometer VLSI designs, manufacturability and yield issues are critical and need to be addressed during the key physical design implementation stage, in particular detailed routing. However, most existing studies for lithography-friendly routing suffer from either huge run-time due to the intensive lithographic computations involved, or severe loss of quality of results because of the inaccurate predictive models. In this paper, we propose AENEID - a fast, generic and high performance lithography-friendly detailed router for enhanced manufacturability. AENEID combines novel hotspot detection and routing path prediction techniques through modern data learning methods and applies them at the detailed routing stage to drive high fidelity lithography-friendly routing. Compared with existing litho-friendly routing works, AENEID demonstrates 26% to 66% (avg. 50%) of lithography hotspot reduction at the cost of only 18%-38% (avg. 30%) of run-time overhead.
Examining QRS amplitude criteria for electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy in recommendations for screening criteria in athletes.

Abstract Background Current guidelines for interpretation of the ECGs of athletes recommend that isolated R and S wave amplitudes that exceed traditional criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy be accepted as a physiological response to exercise training. This is based on training and echocardiographic studies but not on long term follow up. Demonstration of the prognostic characteristics of the amplitude criteria in a non-athletic population could support the current guidelines. Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of the R and S wave voltage criteria for electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) in an ambulatory clinical population. Subjects and methods The target population consisted of 20,903 ambulatory subjects who had ECGs recorded between 1987 and 1999 and were followed for cardiovascular death until 2013. During the mean follow up of 17 years, there were 881 cardiovascular deaths. Results The mean age was 43 ± 10, 91% were male and 16% were African American. Of the 2482 (12%) subjects who met the Sokolow–Lyon criteria, 241 (1.2%) subjects with left ventricular (LV) strain had an HR of 5.4 (95% CI 4.1–7.2, p Conclusions This study demonstrates that the R and S wave voltage criteria components of most of the original classification schema for electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy are not predictive of CV mortality. Our findings support the current guidelines for electrocardiographic screening of athletes.
Philosophy, Dogma, and Exegesis in Medieval Ashkenazic Judaism: The Evidence of Sefer Hadrat Qodesh

During the Middle Ages, each Mediterranean land, from one end of the sea to the other, had its Jewish philosophers. There was one region and one Jewish culture, however, that made no contribution at all to the writing of medieval Jewish philosophy. That was Ashkenazic or Northern European Judaism, the culture of the Jews of England, Northern France, Germany, and Eastern Europe north of the Balkans.
A two-stage two-phase double-forward converter for pulsed-load applications

Design of the two-stage two-phase double-forward converter for pulsed-load radar applications is presented. This topology provides an optimum combination of fast output-current buildup time and low RMS current in the switching transistors. An equivalent small-signal circuit of this multiphase converter based on the single-stage model is developed. Results of the converter simulation under dynamic load conditions are shown along with experimental results. >
Distribution of myosin heavy chain mRNA in embryonic muscle tissue visualized by ultrastructural in situ hybridization

We have localized myosin heavy chain (MHC) mRNAs in cells of intact embryonic chick muscle using high resolution in situ hybridization. Blocks of muscle were aldehyde-fixed prior to detergent treatment and hybridized with a biotinated cDNA probe, followed by colloidal gold-labeled antibodies, before embedment. Labeling was determined to represent MHC mRNA by extensive quantitative comparisons of electron micrographs from experimental and four different types of control samples. MHC mRNA was localized primarily to peripheral regions of 14-day chick pectoral muscle cells, where the majority of developing myofibrils were found. MHC mRNAs were consistently associated with the nonmyofibrillar cytoskeletal filaments which had diameters ranging from 4 to 10 nm. They were often oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cell. The resolution of the ultrastructural approach allowed us to demonstrate that the mRNA molecules visualized were not directly associated with myofilaments, suggesting that nascent chains read from those messages do not assemble directly into myofilaments simultaneous with translation.
Contemporary Pacemakers: What the Primary Care Physician Needs to Know

Pacemaker therapy is most commonly initiated because of symptomatic bradycardia, usually resulting from sinus node disease. Randomized multicenter trials assessing the relative benefits of different pacing modes have made possible an evidence-based approach to the treatment of bradyarrhythmias. During the past several decades, major advances in technology and in our understanding of cardiac pathophysiology have led to the development of new pacing techniques for the treatment of heart failure in the absence of bradycardia. Left ventricular or biventricular pacing may improve symptoms of heart failure and objective measurements of left ventricular systolic dysfunction by resynchronizing cardiac contraction. However, emerging clinical data suggest that long-term right ventricular apical pacing may have harmful effects. As the complexity of cardiac pacing devices continues to grow, physicians need to have a basic understanding of device indications, device function, and common problems encountered by patients with devices in the medical and home environment.
The Oculocardiac Reflex in an Adult with a Non-Displaced Orbital Floor Fracture

The current dogma is that the oculocardiac reflex from orbital trapdoor fractures occurs only in children and young adults. We present the occurrence of the oculocardiac reflex in an adult with a non-displaced orbital floor fracture. CT demonstrated the adventitia surrounding the inferior rectus trapped in and below the orbital floor fracture. The patient's oculocardiac reflex resolved by early next morning, presumably from the tissue escaping from the orbital floor defect.
Exploring Contexts of Place: The Role of Setting and Activity in a High-amenity Tourism Community

Abstract Sense of place is built upon the meanings people create as they experience the places in which they play, work and live. These place meanings can be setting-based, representing actual places of interaction; or they can be activity-based, characterizing places where people recreate. This paper uses a methodological approach based on a quantitative analysis of resident-employed photography to explore these two contexts and their role in the construction of sense of place. Specifically, we conduct a series of multiple discriminant analyses of two distinct photographic data sets – one gathered from residents of a high-amenity, tourism-dependent community in Southern Alaska (representing the setting context), and one gathered from a group of volunteers in a recreational natural resource management programme (representing the activity context).
Metabolism of erythropoietin in conscious pregnant rats

Circulating erythropoietin (EPO) concentration increases during human and rat gestation, thereby contributing to the expansion of red cell mass. However, the mechanism(s) underlying gestational increases of the hormone is unknown. Our objective was to define whether the elevated EPO levels are secondary to decreased metabolic clearance or to enhanced production. The half-life of the hormone was also measured. A bolus and a constant infusion of 125I-labeled recombinant human EPO (125I-rhEPO) were administered to chronically instrumented conscious pregnant and virgin rats. The metabolic clearance rate of the 125I-rhEPO was slightly but significantly higher in gravid rats than in the virgin control animals (0.13 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.10 +/- 0.01 ml/min). The plasma half-life of 125I-rhEPO was 2.9 +/- 0.1 h for the pregnant rats and 2.9 +/- 0.2 h for the virgin controls. To confirm these results obtained by using 125I-rhEPO, EPO-rich plasma was generated in anemic rats and administered to another group of conscious virgin and pregnant rats. The half-life of homologous EPO was 2.9 +/- 0.5 and 3.3 +/- 0.1 h for gravid and virgin rats, respectively (P = NS). We conclude that elevated circulating EPO in rat gestation is secondary to increased biosynthesis and not to decreased metabolic clearance.
Cavour, l'Italia e l'Europa

Umberto Levra, ed. (2011) Cavour, l'Italia e l'Europa (Bologna: Il Mulino), 268 pp., ISBN9788815150448, [euro]20.00, soft cover True to its title, this book offers eleven pieces by experts which fo...
The safety of cesarean sections.

Abstract A series of 2,316 cesareans has been presented with no maternal deaths in the perinatal period. These are a part of a series of 38,445 deliveries in which only one mother's death occurred. This record has been made possible by the usual safeguards with a few other factors which we have found important at Memorial Hospital. These have been described in detail.
Bezpośrednia diagnostyka kompozytowych elementów lotniczych z wykorzystaniem struktur inteligentnych

Zastosowanie fal sprezystych wzbudzonych w badanym elemencie za pomocą umieszczonej na nim sieci przetwornikow piezoelektrycznych jest jednym z obiecujących kierunkow rozwoju technologii bezpośredniej diagnostyki struktur lotniczych (SHM). Mozliwości systemow SHM są związane z dwoma roznymi ściezkami rozwoju tej technologii, tj. zastosowanych rozwiązan technicznych, np. rodzaju przetwornikow PZT czy aparatury pomiarowej oraz metod analizy sygnalu rejestrowanego przez przetworniki. Do pierwszej galezi rozwoju systemow SHM nalezy m.in. dobor optymalnego rodzaju przetwornikow PZT do danego zagadnienia oraz sposob ich związania z monitorowaną strukturą. W przypadku kompozytow, oprocz związania przetwornikow z badaną powierzchnią, mozliwe jest rowniez ich wbudowanie w wewnetrzną strukture materialu. W artykule zaprezentowano przyklad wykorzystania przetwornikow PZT wbudowanych w strukture kompozytową do detekcji uszkodzen udarowych BVID. Zaprezentowano algorytm lokalizacji uszkodzen BVID oraz wyniki badan laboratoryjnych weryfikujących zaproponowane metody. Self-diagnostics of composite aerospace structures with use of inteligent materials Application of guided waves excited by a network of PZT transducers integrated with a given structure is one of the promising approaches to Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). The performance of SHM system based on PZT network is rooted in two distinct areas of the technology development, that is: the hardware and the signal analysis. The first includes is the type of transducers used to built a network and the way of their integration with a monitored structure. For composites, beside the possibility of the transducers attachment to a surface of an element, also embedding of PZTs into their internal structure is available. In the article Barely Visible Impact Damage (BVID) detection capabilitiy of the embedded PZT transducers is presented. An algorithm of damage localization is also proposed and verified in laboratory tests.
Congenital intracranial teratoma: prenatal diagnosis and vaginal delivery.

Received January 6, 2010, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota USA. Revision requested February 8, 2010. Revised manuscript accepted for publication February 25, 2010. Address correspondence to Zaraq Khan, MBBS, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA. E-mail: khan.zaraq@mayo.edu Abbreviations MRI, magnetic resonance imaging 32-year-old patient, gravida 2, para 0010, was noted to have a discrepancy in uterine size with dates. At 24 weeks’ gestation, her fundal height measured 28 cm. She had previously had a normal pregnancy course and a normal anatomy scan at 19 weeks (Figures 1 and 2). On imaging at 24 weeks’ gestation, the fetal brain had an irregular shape, and the midline was deviated to the left side (Figures 3–7). A biparietal diameter of 9.9 cm and head circumference of 35.9 cm were both greater than the 99th percentile. The differential diagnosis was a fetal cranial neoplasm versus an intracranial bleed. Results of platelet antibody tests, obtained to rule out neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, were negative. Options for pregnancy termination including cephalocentesis were discussed, and the patient chose to proceed with the pregnancy expectantly. At 27 weeks, fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a cranium of 14 × 11 cm filled with amorphous soft tissue containing multiple cysts. No identifiable brain tissue could be seen (Figure 8), consistent with a teratoma. The patient came to labor and delivery with spontaneous onset of preterm labor at 29 weeks. She was admitted at 7 cm dilation. A cephalic presentation was noted. Intrauterine fetal death was noted by abdominal sonography. Cephalocentesis was again offered to allow vaginal delivery, but the patient refused. She spontaneously dilated to 9 cm, and then artificial rupture of membranes was performed. Soon after, vaginal bleeding was noted, and fetal brain tissue began to pass from the vagina, consistent with cranial rupture. Soon thereafter, she had a vaginal delivery of the fetal body. On postmortem examination congenital intracranial teratoma was identified; no other congenital abnormalities were noted.
Exploring the magnetic phase diagram of dysprosium with neutron diffraction

With one of the highest intrinsic magnetic moments $(10.6\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}/\mathrm{atom})$ among the heavy rare-earth elements, dysprosium exhibits a rich magnetic phase diagram, including several modulated magnetic phases. Aided by the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction, the magnetic modulations propagate coherently over a long range. Neutron diffraction experiments were performed to determine the microscopic magnetic origin of the field induced phases in bulk Dy as a function of temperature, covering regions of the well-known ferromagnetic, helical antiferromagnetic, fan phases, and several possible new phases suggested by previous studies. A short-range ordered fan phase was identified as the intermediate state between ferromagnetism and long-range ordered fan. In a field of 1 T applied along the $a$ axis, the temperature range of a coexisting helix/fan phase was determined. The magnetic phase diagram of Dy was thus refined to include the detailed magnetic origin and the associated phase boundaries. Based on the period of the magnetic modulation and the average magnetization, the evolution of the spin arrangement upon heating was derived quantitatively for the modulated magnetic phases.
Efficacy and Mechanisms of Action of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Ulcerative Colitis: Pitfalls and Promises From a First Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the results of a chronic inflammatory process deriving from disequilibrium between self-microbiota composition and immune response. Methods New evidence, coming from Clostridium difficile infection, clearly showed that active and powerful modulation of microbiota composition by fecal microbiota composition (FMT) is safe, easy to perform, and efficacious, opening new frontiers in gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal diseases. FMT has been proposed also for IBD as well as other non-gastrointestinal conditions related to intestinal microbiota dysfunctions, with good preliminary data. Results In this setting, ulcerative colitis (UC) represents one of the most robust potential indications for FMT after C difficile colitis. Conclusions In the present review, we focus on FMT and its application on ulcerative colitis, clarifying mechanisms of actions and efficacy data, trough completion of a meta-analysis on available randomized, controlled trial data in UC. Because microbiota is so crucially involved in this topic, a short review of microbial alterations in UC will also be performed.
Heterogeneous photooxidation of sulfur dioxide in the presence of airborne mineral dust particles

The photocatalytic effect of Arizona Test Dust (ATD) particles on SO2 oxidation was investigated in both the absence and the presence of atmospheric oxidants (e.g., NOx and O3) under varying relative humidity (RH) using a 2 m3 indoor photo-irradiation chamber. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the kinetic rate constant has been determined for heterogeneous photooxidation of SO2 in the presence of airborne mineral dust particles. Chamber-generated sulfate data, measured using a particle into liquid sampler coupled with ion chromatography, were used to estimate the kinetic uptake coefficient (γSO42−) of SO2 corresponding to sulfate production on ATD particles. The γSO42− value (γSO42−,dark) in the presence of UV light was significantly higher than that (γSO42−,dark) obtained in the dark. For example, γSO42−,light was (1.15 ± 0.17) × 10−5 and γSO42−,dark was (1.16 ± 0.11) × 10−6 at 20% RH. Both γSO42−,light and γSO42−,dark values increased exponentially as RH increased from 20% to 81%. The heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of SO2 was also considerably enhanced by both O3 and NO2. To characterize the reaction between sulfuric acid and inorganic species of dust particles, aerosol acidity ([H+]C-RUV, μmol L−1 by aerosol volume) was measured using colorimetry integrated with a reflectance UV-Visible spectrometer. Under the experimental conditions employed (sulfate : dust particle = 1 : 20 in mass), the value determined for [H+]C-RUV was much lower than the value of [H+] determined from the concentrations of sulfate and ammonium ions measured using ion chromatography, suggesting that most sulfuric acid reacted with alkaline components of ATD particles.
The Search for New International Arrangements to Deal with the Agricultural Problems of Industrialized Countries

To most observers agriculture comes the closest of any industry in modern society to meeting the conditions of competition. But, in almost every industrial country in the world there has developed a series of governmental programmes for agriculture which depart widely from the free market. This intervention is too widespread in countries where the agricultural population is a distinct minority to regard it as merely the exercise of rural political power. Instead, agricultural programmes must be regarded as a search for new institutions that will be more satisfactory than the unregulated market for the production and exchange of farm products.
Endobronchial carcinoid tumor in a Crohn disease patient treated with a TNFα inhibitor

A young patient with Crohn’s disease is presented in whom pulmonary carcinoid tumor was incidentally found. Bronchoscopy showed an endobronchial lesion and biopsy pathology was consistent with atypical carcinoid. Octeotride scan suggested primary origin of the tumor. Although patients with Crohn’s disease have been reported to have increased incidence of intestinal carcinoid, we believe this to be the second case of primary carcinoid pulmonary located in this population.
Should public and nonprofit museums have free admission? A defence of the membership model

A common pricing structure for American art museums is to offer a choice between an admission fee for a single visit, and the purchase of an annual membership that would allow the member an unlimit...
O PAPEL DA COLÔNIA DE PESCADORES NA CIDADE DE BABAÇULÂNDIA (TO): O TRABALHO E VIDA DAS COMUNIDADES RIBEIRINHAS

Nesse trabalho buscou-se analisar a importância da colonia de pescadores da cidade de Babaculândia-TO, por meio da investigacao das atribuicoes que lhes sao delegadas no manejo do pescado e na representacao dos ribeirinhos associados perante as instâncias juridicas nas lutas pela garantia de seus direitos. Assim foi quantificado um total de duzentas familias associadas, que estao sob a jurisdicao e protecao da colonia em debate. O trabalho tambem contemplou e analisou os prejuizos causados pela construcao da Usina Hidreletrica de Estreito na vida cotidiana dos ribeirinhos, tais como a diminuicao do pescado, o processo de desterritorializacao e as indenizacoes injustas. Para atingir esses objetivos foram feitas visitas a campo e a aplicacao de entrevistas a membros associados a colonia e tambem aos seus dirigentes, totalizando um total de dez entrevistas, que tiveram por fim assimilar a forma de organizacao da colonia, e verificar como os ribeirinhos veem e sentem os problemas trazidos apos a construcao da hidreletrica nas suas relacoes sociais, economicas e com o meio fisico.
Human Autonomy and Theological Ethics

It is argued here that we have good reason to aspire to be autonomous in certain ways that deserve a place in the theory of virtue, but not in some of the ways that have figured most prominently in theories of moral obligation. This grounds an argument that the sorts of autonomy to which we have reason to aspire need not be enemies of theological ethics. The focus is on the relation of autonomy to obligation in sections 1-4, and on the relation of autonomy to love in section 5.
Analysis of Retinoic Acid-induced Neural Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in Two and Three-dimensional Embryoid Bodies

Mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) isolated from the inner mass of the blastocyst (typically at day E3.5), can be used as in vitro model system for studying early embryonic development. In the absence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), ESCs differentiate by default into neural precursor cells. They can be amassed into a three dimensional (3D) spherical aggregate termed embryoid body (EB) due to its similarity to the early stage embryo. EBs can be seeded on fibronectin-coated coverslips, where they expand by growing two dimensional (2D) extensions, or implanted in 3D collagen matrices where they continue growing as spheroids, and differentiate into the three germ layers: endodermal, mesodermal, and ectodermal. The 3D collagen culture mimics the in vivo environment more closely than the 2D EBs. The 2D EB culture facilitates analysis by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting to track differentiation. We have developed a two-step neural differentiation protocol. In the first step, EBs are generated by the hanging-drop technique, and, simultaneously, are induced to differentiate by exposure to retinoic acid (RA). In the second step, neural differentiation proceeds in a 2D or 3D format in the absence of RA.
Suicide by Hypothermia: A Report of Two Cases and 23-Year Retrospective Review:

Hypothermia deaths are frequently accidental and associated with impairment by alcohol, injuries, mental illness, or natural disease. Hypothermia as a method of suicide is unusual, with only nine c...
Approaches Reflected in Academic Writing MOOCs

Since it was first introduced in 2008, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have been attracting a lot of interest. Since then, MOOCs have emerged as powerful platforms for teaching and learning academic writing. However, there has been no detailed investigation of academic writing MOOCs. As a result, much uncertainty still exists about the differences of writing MOOCs compared with traditional types of writing instruction in the classroom. Drawing on historical emphases in writing instruction, five approaches are illustrated: skills, creative writing, process, social practice, and a socio-cultural perspective. This study uses data from six academic writing MOOCs to examine what approaches are revealed within their writing instructions. Focusing on a group of six academic writing MOOCs at college level, attributes and features of writing MOOCs were explored by analyzing syllabi, video lectures, and assignments. Overall, the study found that these academic writing MOOCs stick to a traditional model of teaching writing, “writing as skills.” These findings suggest that instructors who teach academic writing through online platforms showed that their immediate concerns were not a social practice or socio-cultural context. Rather, teaching and learning of grammatical accuracy and surface features of texts at college level appear to be best purpose of academic writing MOOCs.
“To Live in Hearts We Leave Behind is Not to Die.” Remembrance Sunday at Pusey House, Oxford University, A Review of Worship at Oxford University

In recent years, religious participation by students of all faiths at Universities in the United Kingdom has seen a steady increase in attendance. This brief essay is a case study of worship by members of the University Community at Pusey House at the University of Oxford, which reflects the trend. On a crisp fall, November day, the twenty-third Sunday after Trinity (8th of November 2015) I had the opportunity to attend services at Pusey House, Oxford on Remembrance Sunday while on sabbatical at The University of Oxford (St. Stephen’s House).
Chemical Pathways of Peptide Degradation. II. Kinetics of Deamidation of an Asparaginyl Residue in a Model Hexapeptide

Deamidation of Asn residues is a major chemical pathway of degradation of peptides and proteins. To understand better the external factors that influence deamidation, we studied the degradation of the hexapeptide Val–Tyr–Pro–Asn–Gly–Ala, a fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone, by HPLC. The deamidation of this model peptide showed marked dependence on pH, temperature, and buffer composition. In the pH range 5 to 12, the peptide deamidated exclusively via a cyclic imide intermediate with the formation of both the Asp- and the isoAsp-hexapeptides. Buffer catalysis was also observed in the pH range of 7 to 11. However, at acidic pH's, the pathway of deamidation involved direct hydrolysis of the amide side chain of Asn residue to produce only the Asp-hexapeptide.
Colors in French, American and British Dictionaries

Colors have senses specific to particular fields such as physics and printing, in addition to senses used in everyday life. This article examines the specialized information found in color definitions in French, American and British dictionaries. We explore whether specialized and non-specialized definitions are lumped or split, how much scientific information is included, if the information included varies diachronically and/or geographically and if dictionaries are consistent in their labeling of colors as members of a group (primary, spectral, etc.). We found that specialized and non-specialized senses of colors are typically lumped, rather than split. This is contrary to the treatment of other words with both specialized and non-specialized senses in the same dictionaries, suggesting that the line between these senses is not clear for colors. We also found that more specialized information has been included over time in French, American and British dictionaries, but that American dictionaries still include the most. Additionally, American dictionaries are more consistent than dictionaries of the other two nationalities in their labeling of colors as members of a group, both in the labels themselves and in labeling all members of a group. Based on our findings, we make suggestions for defining colors in general use dictionaries.