cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new arch bar for oral surgery

A new universal arch bar for intermaxillary fixation has been developed. This arch bar was fabricated as a wave-shaped, thin metal plate with soldered buttons on the bucco-labial aspect. It is light and flexible, yet strong enough to provide excellent fixation in the treatment of fractures of the maxilla and/or mandible. It is a universal bar: the superior and inferior borders are identical. Clinical application has been broad including trauma and cases of orthognathic surgery.
Effect of Acetyl-Salicylic Acid and Oxytetracycline on the Performance of White Leghorn Breeders and Broiler Chicks

Abstract CONSIDERABLE evidence has appeared in the literature to indicate a number of adverse effects associated with high environmental temperatures. Decreased rates of production were reported by Wilham (1931), Hutt (1938) and Hinds (1949) during periods of high summer temperature. Reductions in egg weight associated with increased environmental temperatures have been reported by Bruckner (1936), Bennion and Warren (1933), Skogland et al. (1951) and Hutchinson (1953). Additional effects have included decreased shell thickness (Warren and Schnepel, 1940) and lowered feed consumption (Wilson, 1949; Lee et al., 1945). Mueller (1961) reported that a constant temperature of 90°F. resulted in depressed egg production, feed intake, egg weight and shell quality as compared with a constant temperature of 50°F. A number of papers have indicated that the body temperature of laying hens was elevated by 0.5–1.5°F. at environmental temperatures of 90°F. or above (Heywang, 1938; Lee et al., 1945; Wilson, 1948). Yeates et…
Hyperfine state-changing collisions of Cs ( 6 P 1 ∕ 2 ) atoms with argon perturbers

A two-step excitation experiment has been employed to measure the collisional rate coefficients and to study the velocity distribution of $\mathrm{Cs}(6{P}_{1∕2})$ atoms that have undergone a single hyperfine state-changing collision with Ar. In addition, argon pressure broadening rates and shifts of the cesium $6{P}_{1∕2}({F}^{\ensuremath{'}})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}8{S}_{1∕2}({F}^{\ensuremath{''}})$ transitions have been determined. In the experiment, a single mode, cw Ti:sapphire laser is tuned to line center of the $6{S}_{1∕2}(F=4)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6{P}_{1∕2}$(${F}^{\ensuremath{'}}=3$ or 4) transition. Then, the frequency of a single mode cw dye laser is scanned over the $6{P}_{1∕2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}8{S}_{1∕2}$ manifold to probe the populations of the $6{P}_{1∕2}$ hyperfine levels. Absorption of probe laser photons is monitored by detecting $8{S}_{1∕2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6{P}_{3∕2}$ fluorescence. The experiment is conducted at room temperature, where the Cs density is low $(n\ensuremath{\sim}3.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{10}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{atoms}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3})$, and thus the probability of a $\mathrm{Cs}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Cs}$ collision is negligible during the $\mathrm{Cs}(6{P}_{1∕2})$ radiative lifetime. The Ar pressure is varied from 0 to $1.52\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Torr}$, and $\mathrm{Cs}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Ar}$ collisions cause population to be transferred from the directly excited $6{P}_{1∕2}({F}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ level to the other $6{P}_{1∕2}$ hyperfine level. The data are analyzed using a density matrix formalism to yield the rate coefficients for $\mathrm{Cs}(6{P}_{1∕2})\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Ar}$ hyperfine state-changing collisions. In addition, the one-dimensional velocity changing collision kernel for $\mathrm{Cs}(6{P}_{1∕2})$ atoms prepared with ${v}_{z}=0$ that undergo ${F}^{\ensuremath{'}}=3\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}{F}^{\ensuremath{'}}=4$ hyperfine state-changing collisions with argon is reported.
Determining Differences Between Archival Staff and Restorers Ranking of Training Topics for Disaster Restoration Projects

In the pursuit of new and actionable knowledge, the author conducted fieldwork in New Orleans four years following Hurricane Katrina. Since archival staff and restorers can be involved in moderate to major catastrophic disasters in archival institutions, differences in priorities between archival staff and restorers provide insight into each group's procedural preferences for ranking training topics. When 185 archival staff and 52 restorer respondents ranked training topics for importance, statistically significant differences were exhibited in five out of twenty-one training topics (α = .05). Since both groups have different job-specific skills, there exist reasons for differences in training topic rankings.
Superfluid density and viscosity measurements in liquid 3He

Abstract We have employed the torsional pendulum method developed originally by Andronikashvili for the measurement of the superfluid density and viscosity of superfluid 3 He. In the A phase the orientation of the 1-vector is controlled through the use of an external magnetic field. The anisotropy of the A phase superfluid density tensor can then be seen.
Na 32P-32D line broadening by Ne, Ar, and Xe

Abstract The normalized emission intensity in the wings of the optically thin Na 3 2 P -3 2 D lines broadened by Ne, Ar, and Xe has been measured in emission from a high-pressure discharge. A blended satellite occurs about 80 cm -1 into the Na-Xe red wing and a progression of increasing red wing intensity from Ne to Ar to Xe is observed. Xe densities of 2.5 and 9.1 × 10 19 cm -3 were used, and the pressure dependence of the NaXe line shape indicates that multiple perturber interactions are important in the far wing at the higher noble gas densities.
Development of dimensionally scalable IPMC materials

Recent advances in the study of electroactive polymer have created a unique opportunity to accommodate greater flexibility and new degrees of freedom in the design of soft robots. An ionic electroactive polymer, generally known as Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite (IPMC), has shown many new possibilities in soft-robotic actuation technology due to its low voltage requirement, large deformation, and omni-directional shape-changing capability. The scalable IPMC materials are made using the following process: A precursory procedure creates the SO 2 F form to be used in the scalable membrane. A proper amount of the formula is put into a mold and pressed after preheating. The polymer in the SO 2 F form does not have the cation-exchange capabilities and must be chemically treated to make it cation-exchangeable before the electrode-plating process. To achieve this, the membrane is hydrolyzed. In this study, we introduce a new IPMC named “UNR-IPMC”. The thickness of the UNR-IPMC is controlled upto approximately 1 mm. This paper presents the measured general properties of the UNR-IPMC including its thermal, mechanical, electrochemical, and dynamic characteristics. Additionally, a concept of twistable UNR-IPMCs, mimicking locomotion, is introduced.
Reconfigurable Streaming Architectures for Embedded Smart Cameras

Smart cameras using FPGAs require an automation method to simplify the design process and to ensure both computation and memory performance are met. Reconfigurable logic allows exploration of different hardware accelerators and memory-hierarchy configurations based on application needs. This paper presents a streaming architecture template that is generated from high level program descriptions. A smart camera development platform, the software architecture, and demonstration template are also described.
Epistemic Information in Stratified M-Spaces

Information is usually related to knowledge. However, the recent development of information theory demonstrated that information is a much broader concept, being actually present in and virtually related to everything. As a result, many unknown types and kinds of information have been discovered. Nevertheless, information that acts on knowledge, bringing new and updating existing knowledge, is of primary importance to people. It is called epistemic information, which is studied in this paper based on the general theory of information and further developing its mathematical stratum. As a synthetic approach, which reveals the essence of information, organizing and encompassing all main directions in information theory, the general theory of information provides efficient means for such a study. Different types of information dynamics representation use tools of mathematical disciplines such as the theory of categories, functional analysis, mathematical logic and algebra. Here we employ algebraic structures for exploration of information and knowledge dynamics. In Introduction (Section 1), we discuss previous studies of epistemic information. Section 2 gives a compressed description of the parametric phenomenological definition of information in the general theory of information. In Section 3, anthropic information, which is received, exchanged, processed and used by people is singled out and studied based on the Componential Triune Brain model. One of the basic forms of anthropic information called epistemic information, which is related to knowledge, is analyzed in Section 4. Mathematical models of epistemic information are studied in Section 5. In Conclusion, some open problems related to epistemic information are given.
Robot-assisted stenting of a high-grade anastomotic pulmonary artery stenosis following single lung transplantation.

Purpose:To report robot-assisted stenting of a stenosis at the pulmonary artery anastomosis following lung transplantation, a rare complication that conveys poor prognosis even after surgical corre...
Bad sushi or bad merchant? The "dead fish poisoning incident" of 1852.

The strange affair began innocuously enough. In the summer of 1851, Zeniya Gohei, a prominent merchant in Kaga han, started a land reclamation project on Kahoku inlet, which lies about three miles northwest of Kanazawa upon the Sea of Japan. Early in the eighth month of 1852, a large number of dead fish floated to the surface of the inlet near the construction site. Within weeks, there were reports of several local residents who apparently died from having eaten the dead fish. In the ensuing flurry of accusations, speculations, and indictments Gohei and his family members were deemed responsible and imprisoned. By the end of the eleventh month of 1852, the eighty-year old Gohei succumbed to 'urinary blockage' and died in captivity. Despite its seemingly simple sequence, the so-called 'dead fish poisoning incident' (Shigyo chadokujiken) is a complex convergence of several perspectives, each offering its own sub-narrative. Perhaps the most obvious is the dramatic fall of a man and his family fortune. Only months before his ignominious death, so eminent was Gohei's stature in his han that it inspired the saying, 'Shall one speak of
Statistical Mechanics of Complex Systems for Pattern Identification

This paper presents a statistical mechanics concept for identification of behavioral patterns in complex systems based on measurements (e.g., time series data) of macroscopically observable parameters and their operational characteristics. The tools of statistical mechanics, which provide a link between the microscopic (i.e., detailed) and macroscopic (i.e., aggregated) properties of a complex system are used to capture the emerging information and to identify the quasi-stationary evolution of behavioral patterns. The underlying theory is built upon thermodynamic formalism of symbol sequences in the setting of a generalized Ising model (GIM) of lattice-spin systems. In this context, transfer matrix analysis facilitates construction of pattern vectors from observed sequences. The proposed concept is experimentally validated on a richly instrumented laboratory apparatus that is operated under oscillating load for identification of evolving microstructural changes in polycrystalline alloys.
Laboratory testing and microanalysis of colloidal mobilization from a glacial till

The effect of the dispersion and piping of clay fines — colloid mobilization — as a means of remediating subsurface contamination was investigated. Prior colloid mobility research has focused on mi...
Development of orientation selectivity in ferret visual cortex and effects of deprivation

The orientation selectivity of cells in ferret primary visual cortex was studied during normal development and in animals deprived of vision or of visual cortical activity. In normal animals from the age when visual responses were first recorded (postnatal day 23) through postnatal week 5, only about 25% of cells showed orientation-selective responses. By postnatal week 7, cortical responses had matured to an adult-like state, with approximately 75% of cells clearly selective for orientation. This development of orientation selectivity was not merely a reflection of the development of cortical cell responsiveness: at all ages studied, there was no correlation between responsiveness and selectivity. Infusion of TTX into visual cortex to silence neuronal activity completely blocked the maturation of orientation selectivity. Visual deprivation by bilateral lid suture impaired but did not completely block the normal development of orientation selectivity. We conclude that the maturation of orientation-selective responses in ferret primary visual cortex requires cortical neuronal activity, and that normal development requires visually driven activity.
Perceived barriers to children’s active commuting to school: a systematic review of empirical, methodological and theoretical evidence

Active commuting to school (ACS) may increase children’s daily physical activity and help them maintain a healthy weight. Previous studies have identified various perceived barriers related to children’s ACS. However, it is not clear whether and how these studies were methodologically sound and theoretically grounded. The purpose of this review was to critically assess the current literature on perceived barriers to children’s ACS and provide recommendations for future studies. Empirically based literature on perceived barriers to ACS was systematically searched from six databases. A methodological quality scale (MQS) and a theory utilization quality scale (TQS) were created based on previously established instruments and tailored for the current review. Among the 39 studies that met the inclusion criteria, 19 (48.7%) reported statistically significant perceived barriers to child’s ACS. The methodological and theory utilization qualities of reviewed studies varied, with MQS scores ranging between 7 and 20 (Mean =12.95, SD =2.95) and TQS scores from 1 to 7 (Mean =3.62, SD =1.74). A detailed appraisal of the literature suggests several empirical, methodological, and theoretical recommendations for future studies on perceived barriers to ACS. Empirically, increasing the diversity of study regions and samples should be a high priority, particularly in Asian and European countries, and among rural residents; more prospective and interventions studies are needed to determine the causal mechanism liking the perceived factors and ACS; future researchers should include policy-related barriers into their inquiries. Methodologically, the conceptualization of ACS should be standardized or at least well rationalized in future studies to ensure the comparability of results; researchers’ awareness need to be increased for improving the methodological rigor of studies, especially in regard to appropriate statistical analysis techniques, control variable estimation, multicollinearity testing, and reliability and validity reporting. Theoretically, future researchers need to first ground their investigations in theoretical foundations; efforts should be devoted to make sure theories are used thoroughly and correctly; important theoretical constructs, in particular, need to be conceptualized and operationalized appropriately to ensure accurate measurement. By reviewing what has been achieved, this review offered insights for more sophisticated ACS studies in the future.
Autonomic pathophysiology in heart failure: carotid baroreceptor-cardiac reflexes

We evaluated reflex cardiac responses mediated by carotid baroreceptors in 14 patients with treated congestive heart failure and 14 age-matched healthy subjects. We used a neck chamber to deliver two types of pressure change: 5 s of continuous 50-mmHg suction and an R wave triggered, ramped neck pressure-suction sequence. Reflex latencies (functions of baroreflex arc duration) were comparable in heart failure patients and healthy subjects. However, the average maximum baroreflex slope (gain) was less in heart failure patients than healthy subjects (2.0 vs. 3.5 ms/mmHg, P less than 0.010), the R-R interval response range was smaller (91 vs. 188 ms, P = 0.002), and the resting R-R interval position on stimulus-response relation (operational point) was significantly (13 vs. 40%, P = 0.001) closer to threshold. Stepwise regression analysis suggested that baseline R-R interval variability, used as an index of ongoing vagal-cardiac nerve traffic, and the inverse of antecubital vein plasma norepinephrine level, used as an index of sympathetic nerve activity, contributed significantly to the prediction of abnormal carotid baroreceptor-cardiac reflex responses. Thus our results suggest that in heart failure patients, carotid baroreceptor-cardiac reflex abnormalities are related significantly to ongoing abnormalities of vagal and sympathetic cardiovascular outflow.
Signal detection of salient visual features by the early visual pathway

The role of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus in visual encoding remains an open question. Visual stimulation of the LGN produces two distinct types of responses: tonic and burst. It has been suggested that these two modes of response could serve to transmit high fidelity features of the visual world (tonic) or robustly detect salient features of the visual world (burst). Here, we use a combination of experimental and simulated LGN responses to natural scene movies to investigate the specificity of burst generation, and their role in signaling salient features of the visual scene. LGN responses to excitatory stimulus features were simulated with and without bursts and analyzed using signal detection theory. We find that bursts enhance detection of the onset of excitatory features as compared to purely tonic firing, and that algorithms inspired by this type of framework can enhance the transmission of visual information in situations with limited bandwidth
Neuroimaging as a Guide to Predict Outcomes for Patients with Coccidioidal Meningitis

Sixty-two patients with coccidioidal meningitis underwent neuroimaging. Magnetic resonance imaging detected neuroimaging abnormalities in 76% of patients, and computed tomography scanning detected neuroimaging abnormalities in 41.6%. The most common abnormal neuroimaging findings were hydrocephalus (51.6%), basilar meningitis (46.8%), and cerebral infarction (38.7%). Significantly elevated mortality rates were associated with hydrocephalus and hydrocephalus coexisting with infarction. Basilar meningitis did not influence outcome. Patients without neuroimaging abnormalities had a mortality rate of 7.7%.
Phosphorylation at intrinsically disordered regions of PAM2 motif-containing proteins modulates their interactions with PABPC1 and influences mRNA fate

Cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) C1 recruits different interacting partners to regulate mRNA fate. The majority of PABP-interacting proteins contain a PAM2 motif to mediate their interactions with PABPC1. However, little is known about the regulation of these interactions or the corresponding functional consequences. Through in silico analysis, we found that PAM2 motifs are generally embedded within an extended intrinsic disorder region (IDR) and are located next to cluster(s) of potential serine (Ser) or threonine (Thr) phosphorylation sites within the IDR. We hypothesized that phosphorylation at these Ser/Thr sites regulates the interactions between PAM2-containing proteins and PABPC1. In the present study, we have tested this hypothesis using complementary approaches to increase or decrease phosphorylation. The results indicate that changing the extent of phosphorylation of three PAM2-containing proteins (Tob2, Pan3, and Tnrc6c) alters their ability to interact with PABPC1. Results from experiments using phospho-blocking or phosphomimetic mutants in PAM2-containing proteins further support our hypothesis. Moreover, the phosphomimetic mutations appreciably affected the functions of these proteins in mRNA turnover and gene silencing. Taken together, these results provide a new framework for understanding the roles of intrinsically disordered proteins in the dynamic and signal-dependent control of cytoplasmic mRNA functions.
How Much Privatization

Although it is widely assumed that there has been a surge in the use of alternative service delivery methods, few empirical studies have examined the degree to which privatization actually has increased. This study examines the levels of privatization in cities over a 10–year period. The findings suggest that the use of privatization increased significantly between 1982 and 1992 for the 596 cities included in this inquiry.
Performance of dual-gate GaAs MESFETs as gain-controlled low-noise amplifiers and high-speed modulators

A dual-gate GaAs MESFET with maximum gain of 18 dB at 10 GHz and minimum noise figure of 4 dB with 12 dB associated gain will be described. Variation of second gate potential has been found to yield gain modulation with a 44 dB dynamic range and 70 ps risetime.
Cluster K Mycobacteriophages: Insights into the Evolutionary Origins of Mycobacteriophage TM4

Five newly isolated mycobacteriophages –Angelica, CrimD, Adephagia, Anaya, and Pixie – have similar genomic architectures to mycobacteriophage TM4, a previously characterized phage that is widely used in mycobacterial genetics. The nucleotide sequence similarities warrant grouping these into Cluster K, with subdivision into three subclusters: K1, K2, and K3. Although the overall genome architectures of these phages are similar, TM4 appears to have lost at least two segments of its genome, a central region containing the integration apparatus, and a segment at the right end. This suggests that TM4 is a recent derivative of a temperate parent, resolving a long-standing conundrum about its biology, in that it was reportedly recovered from a lysogenic strain of Mycobacterium avium, but it is not capable of forming lysogens in any mycobacterial host. Like TM4, all of the Cluster K phages infect both fast- and slow-growing mycobacteria, and all of them – with the exception of TM4 – form stable lysogens in both Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis; immunity assays show that all five of these phages share the same immune specificity. TM4 infects these lysogens suggesting that it was either derived from a heteroimmune temperate parent or that it has acquired a virulent phenotype. We have also characterized a widely-used conditionally replicating derivative of TM4 and identified mutations conferring the temperature-sensitive phenotype. All of the Cluster K phages contain a series of well conserved 13 bp repeats associated with the translation initiation sites of a subset of the genes; approximately one half of these contain an additional sequence feature composed of imperfectly conserved 17 bp inverted repeats separated by a variable spacer. The K1 phages integrate into the host tmRNA and the Cluster K phages represent potential new tools for the genetics of M. tuberculosis and related species.
Simple voting systems and majority rule

This paper investigates the degree to which single ballot weighted voting procedures for multiple alternative elections select the simple majority alternative when it exists. Emphasis is placed on procedures which are easiest for voters to respond to, namely those which ask the voter to indicate, with or without ranking, his most preferred alternatives. A simulation based on randomly generated preference orders is used to estimate agreement between the weighted rules and majority rule. The results obtained may provide useful input to the design of voting systems in situations where majority rule is felt to be a desirable ideal but where practical considerations weigh against a system which attempts to determine whether there is a simple majority alternative and, if so, which alternative it is.
Dissection of the thrombopoietic transcriptome using a platelet specific microarray

Human blood platelets function in wound healing, inflammation, and clot formation. Despite significant progress molecular mechanisms of megakaryocyte maturation remain poorly characterized. We have applied a customized, platelet-specific oligonucleotide gene chip to dissect the molecular events of megakaryopoiesis. CD34 hematopoietic stem cells obtained from 2 distinct adult human donors were differentiated in vitro for 21 days along the megakaryocyte lineage Cell samples were fixed and screened each day for one-color FACS analysis of GPIIB megakaryocyte-specific events (CD41 marker). In parallel, a daily sample was taken for MK-isolation using magnetically labeled CD61 antibodies (MK GPIllA-specific). Both CD61 and CD61- cells were processed for total RNA purification and samples were hybridized to platelet microarrays. Filtering/analysis of microarray data revealed six genes that respond to administration of cytokines and are differentially expressed between early and late stages of the differentiation experiment (2 fold change, p <0.05). Of these 6 genes, MA , surfactant (pulmonary associated protein B), and integrin alpha2B transcripts were significantly upregulated between early and late stages of differentiation. While integrin alpha2B (GPIIB) is a known marker on platelets and mature MKs, possible roles of the MA protein and surfactant in MK maturation and proplatelet formation are being investigated.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans

This Viewpoint summarizes the updated recommendations of the US Department of Health and Human Services’ recently released 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
The Cost of Clarity: The Case for a Strict Approach to the Designation of Foreign Terrorist Organizations

In August 2012, the United States Congress directed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to determine whether the Haqqani organization, a militant faction loosely associated with the Taliban and based in the tribal region of Pakistan, met criteria for designation as a terrorist organization.The Haqqani organization has grown to be the predominate force attacking United States military and Afghan civilians in the years since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and toppling of the Taliban regime. The issue now forced by Congress has drawn a line in the sand between two distinct camps in United States foreign policy. Proponents of the designation of the Haqqani network as a foreign terrorist organization argue that this designation is necessary to force Pakistani compliance with targeting the group, and also to achieve secondary effects such as isolating and attacking the economic capabilities and alliances available to the organization. Opponents to the designation cite the risk that the United States runs in alienating powerful opposition elements that have the capability and growing desire to negotiate a lasting peace in the region, expediting to an eventual withdrawal of United States forces. This article, then, argues that a hard line approach to organizations under scrutiny as foreign terrorist entities will best achieve the objective of maintaining international peace and security. In contrast, a softer approach, hedged on aspirations of reconciliation, yields results directly counter, with organizations dedicated to the targeting of United States interests to continue violence free of consequences.Specifically, application of this hard line approach to designation of foreign terrorist organizations will provide a clear line of demarcation for groups targeting United States interests. It will add clarity to the twilight zone that currently exists between when the United States will and will not entertain negotiations with elements seeking concessions adverse to stated United States policy. Part I of this article describes the situation that currently exists in which extremist organizations are able to exploit the gap in US designations of groups as foreign terrorist organizations. In Part II, the article explains how a hard line approach would yield beneficial results when dealing with organizations adverse to US foreign policy goals, exploring the trade in consequences of designating a terrorist organization early and consistently versus later and without fidelity. Finally, Part III, the article demonstrates why early and consistent designation of terrorist organizations furthers international peace and security objectives by eliminating the ability of these organizations to mature into threats of international significance.
Sharecropper Finance: Using the Justice System as a Public Revenue Source

Fines and fees charged to lower-income people, mostly African Americans, have long been a mainstay of the revenue stream for the city of Ferguson, Missouri, and other local governments. One outcome of this practice is financial dependency that limits the life-choices of the affected population. This current policy issue shares characteristics with the much older technique of sharecropping, suggesting a long-term pattern of financial exploitation based on race. The authors use a critical race theory framework to examine the question of administrative ethics raised by this practice.
Modification of Melt-Spun Isotactic Polypropylene and Poly(lactic acid) Bicomponent Filaments with a Premade Block Copolymer

While numerous studies have investigated the effect of adding a block copolymer as a macromolecular surfactant to immiscible polymer blends, no such efforts have sought to alter the properties of melt-spun bicomponent core–sheath filaments with a nonreactive compatibilizing agent. In this study, we examine the effect of adding poly[styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene] (SEBS) triblock copolymer to core–sheath filaments consisting of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Incorporation of the copolymer into blends of iPP/PLA is observed to reduce the size scale of phase separation. Interfacial slip between molten iPP and PLA layers is evaluated by rheology under steady-shear conditions. Addition of SEBS to the PLA sheath during filament formation reduces the tendency of PLA sheaths to crack prior to iPP core failure during tensile testing. In reversed filament configurations, the copolymer does not hinder the development of molecular orientation, related to fiber strength, during ...
Extraction and Bioassay of, and Effect of Solvents on, the Sex Pheromone of the Yellow Scale

A sex pheromone of the female yellow scale, Aonidiella citrina (Coquillett) (Homoptera: Diaspididae), obtained by Soxhlet extraction with diethyl ether of homogenized virgin females or by cold trap condensate liquid:liquid extraction and by steam distillation in diethyl ether, caused attracted males to display the same copulatory behavior as they did toward live mature virgin females. However, the cold trap condensate extractions lured the most males and the steam distillation extracted more total sex pheromore than liquid:liquid extraction. Sex pheromone volatilized more uniformly from chloroform than from diethyl ether; however, the difference in male response to pheromone in the 2 solvents was not consistently significant.
Novel treatment strategies for smooth muscle disorders: Targeting Kv7 potassium channels

Smooth muscle cells provide crucial contractile functions in visceral, vascular, and lung tissues. The contractile state of smooth muscle is largely determined by their electrical excitability, which is in turn influenced by the activity of potassium channels. The activity of potassium channels sustains smooth muscle cell membrane hyperpolarization, reducing cellular excitability and thereby promoting smooth muscle relaxation. Research over the past decade has indicated an important role for Kv7 (KCNQ) voltage-gated potassium channels in the regulation of the excitability of smooth muscle cells. Expression of multiple Kv7 channel subtypes has been demonstrated in smooth muscle cells from viscera (gastrointestinal, bladder, myometrial), from the systemic and pulmonary vasculature, and from the airways of the lung, from multiple species, including humans. A number of clinically used drugs, some of which were developed to target Kv7 channels in other tissues, have been found to exert robust effects on smooth muscle Kv7 channels. Functional studies have indicated that Kv7 channel activators and inhibitors have the ability to relax and contact smooth muscle preparations, respectively, suggesting a wide range of novel applications for the pharmacological tool set. This review summarizes recent findings regarding the physiological functions of Kv7 channels in smooth muscle, and highlights potential therapeutic applications based on pharmacological targeting of smooth muscle Kv7 channels throughout the body.
Characteristics of loads on shallow-buried structures under the ground explosions

In order to make certain the distribution of the compress wave in the soil and the characteristics of the ground shock loads produced by surface explosion the main design loads of shallow-buried structures the example of shallow-buried structurs under the ground explosions was presented.With the numerical simulation,FEM software LS-DYNA and relative test data by Alekseewko,the distribution of near ground wave field and the loads on the buried structure were studied under the ground explosions.The result shows that the roof mainly withstand the indirect ground shock caused by the air shock wave and the sidewall mainly withstand the direct ground shock.
Application of design patterns in database access permission system

Development of database technology has an effective support to organization,storage and management of data,however the security problem of accessing to data in database applications must be addressed firstly,and database permission management and access control technology is one of the most important means to achieve database security problem.Aiming at the traditional permission management and access control methods cannot meet the growing requirements,this paper focused on the application of Bridge pattern,Abstract Factory pattern and Facade pattern in the object-oriented software design patterns in the database access permissions system,and based on ADO.NET database access technology proposed a design of database access permissions system.On the basis of the above technology,this paper preliminarily realized the database access permissions system,and improved reusability and expansibility of system to realize the maximum software reuse.
OPTICAL METHODS IN THE STUDY OF PASSIVE FILMS

A discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of several optical techniques useful in studying the passive film is presented. The paper deals primarily with the methodology rather than interpretation. Examples from the literature and the authors research are used for illustration.
Molecular Mechanisms of Thyroid Hormone Action

This review summarizes our current understanding of the mechanisms of thyroid hormone action. Topics included are the structures of thyroid hormone response elements (TREs), thyroid hormone receptor (TR)-TRE interactions, and TR association with other proteins to illustrate their importance in modulating both positive and negative transcriptional activation of specific genes. Certain studies focusing on other members of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily are covered to provide a current view of how this class of receptors stabilizes transcription initiation complexes.
Low Birth Weight and Preterm Infants: Nutritional Management

The premature infant is at nutritional risk due to minimal nutrient stores, abrupt disconnection of the maternal nutrient supply at birth, and the highest nutritional needs ever in the lifecycle to prevent catabolism, support a high metabolic rate, and promote growth. Their immature gastrointestinal tract often requires parenteral nutrition (PN) to supply nutrition support, with the gradual transition to full enteral nutrition. Aggressive PN and enteral nutrition must be initiated as soon as possible after birth and carefully and continuously assessed to ensure that the best possible calories, protein, and micronutrients are provided to promote optimal growth and subsequent developmental outcomes.
Dielectric relaxation spectrum and conductivity of ice crystals doped with ionic impurities

Transport and storage of charge in the ice/water system play a role in cloud discharge, condensation, and precipitation processes. We report the effects of specific solutes on the dielectric relaxation spectrum (20 Hz to 100 KHz) and the conductivity of ice single crystals. Solute concentrations are given as moles per liter of melted ice. The experimental techniques have been outlined elsewhere.1,2 Most ice samples were sandwiched between Teflon foils of either 0. 005 cm or 0. 024 cm thickness. Measurements with these blocking electrodes suppress space charge effects and surface conduction; they yield a dc conductivity derived from an associated relaxation time; they facilitate the separation of the spectrum into a small number of components,3 each characterized by a single relaxation time.
Vulnerability of Feedthroughs Operated at a Low-Impedance Point on DIII-D

Two vacuum feedthrough ceramics failed in separate incidents on DIII-D when operating at high power with the feedthrough near a low-voltage point in the transmission line. In each case a sustained arc in the feedthrough was not detected by the arc protection circuit because the impedance seen by directional couplers upstream was nearly the same as that observed with no arc. A different arc detection methodology is needed when operating with the vacuum feedthrough at a low-voltage point than the more usual situation with the vacuum feedthrough at high-voltage
Student perceptions of global knowledge and skills acquired during a five-week study abroad program

The purposes of this Work-in-Progress paper are to describe the evolution of a faculty-led, summer-based study abroad program and its impact on the development of student global competency skills; and to describe an on-going research study to determine students' expectations for global skills learning before going abroad and perceptions of skills actually learned while abroad. The results are being used to further improve the study abroad program so as to increase student awareness and development of the knowledge and skills that will serve them in the increasingly global engineering workplace. Currently, the principal program assessment instrument is retention rates: virtually every student who has participated in the program since its inception in 2012 (77 students) has either graduated or is on track to do so.
Hysteretic behavior of contact force response in triboelectric nanogenerator

Abstract The hysteretic behavior of contact force response in a triboelectric nanogenerator is analyzed as the output performance in response to the applied contact force is found to be dependent on previous contact force history. The counterclockwise hysteresis curve of the contact force versus output power originates from the asymmetric time constant between triboelectric charging and natural discharging, because the charges due to contact electrification do not immediately disappear but gradually decay over a period of hours. Therefore, a low contact force followed immediately after a high contact force results in enhanced output performance but not the reverse order. However, if the intermission time becomes too long, the benefit due to charge balance gets degraded. The experimental results on sweep range and discharging time dependencies agree well with theoretical expectations.
Comparing guests' key attributes of peer-to-peer accommodations and hotels: mixed-methods approach.

As peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodations have grown exponentially, it is critical to understand motivations for guests to choose a P2P accommodation instead of a hotel. The current study seeks to understand these motivations by using mixed-methods approach to compare online reviews for P2P accommodations and hotels. Through quantitative analysis, thematic analysis, and text mining, this study provides analysis of 800 reviews from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston. The results consistently show that guests in P2P emphasize relationships with hosts, whilst hotel guests place more values on room attributes.
2,6-Di­bromo-4-nitro­benzo­nitrile

Mol­ecules of the title compound, C7H2Br2N2O2, have C2v symmetry and each lie on a twofold axis that bis­ects the benzene ring and its nitro and cyano substituents. The cyano N atom is bis­ected by two CN⋯Br contacts, and the nitro O atoms participate in weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. These inter­actions form a planar sheet structure that stacks about a glide plane. This stacking mode has not been previously reported with cyano-halo-derived sheets of this type.
Conformable fractional approximations by max-product operators using convexity

Here, we consider the approximation of functions by a large variety of max-product operators under conformable fractional differentiability and using convexity. These are positive sublinear operators. Our study relies on our general results about positive sublinear operators. We derive Jackson-type inequalities under conformable fractional initial conditions and convexity. So our approach is quantitative by obtaining inequalities where their right hand sides involve the modulus of continuity of a high-order conformable fractional derivative of the function under approximation. Due to the convexity assumptions, our inequalities are compact and elegant with small constants.
Work/Think/Play in Doctoral Education:

This article is the introduction to the special issue, “Work/Think/Play in Doctoral Education.” Similar to its companion issue titled, “Work/Think/Play in Qualitative and Postqualitative Inquiry,” the goal of this issue is not to define, categorize, stabilize, or normalize the processes and practices of inquiry that remain behind-the-scenes of research reports and dissertations. Nor is it to make visible what researchers do when we say we are doing (and learning to do) qualitative and postqualitative research. Instead, we hope the articles in this volume open up conversations about scholars’ work/think/play that goes beyond the scope of the dissertation study and contribute to the continuous re-creation of teaching, learning, and doing postqualitative and qualitative research.
Coupled elasticity, plastic slip, and twinning in single crystal titanium loaded by split-Hopkinson pressure bar

Abstract Coupled elasticity, plastic slip, and twinning in high-purity single crystal titanium loaded by split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) are investigated, in the framework of large deformation and by utilizing the finite element method (FEM). A thermodynamically consistent system of equations for combined plastic slip and twinning is formulated. Novel kinematics is proposed to develop the driving forces for slip and twinning processes and to consider plastic slip in twins. Dislocation based crystal plasticity is proposed, with an emphasis on the interactions among all slip modes in multi-variant/multiphase heterogeneous materials. A mechanism for dislocation density evolution during twinning is proposed. The impact loading along the [0001] and [ 10 1 ¯ 1 ] directions of single crystal high purity titanium is investigated. The evolution of stress-strain field, dislocation density, and volume fraction for each variant in the sample during the entire loading process are obtained and discussed in detail. Results in simulations show that for the [0001] specimen due to the existence of six symmetry primary twin variants with respect to the loading direction and fifteen different slip systems in each variant, the fields of stress and dislocation density are very homogenous in the sample. The simulation results are compared with experimental data for the [0001] and [ 10 1 ¯ 1 ] specimens. The experimental results are explained and interpreted for both specimens, which include the pole figures, the stress-strain curves, and volume fraction of variants. The simulation results provide an important insight into mechanical responses of high-purity single crystal titanium under high rate loading, and this paper advances the mesoscale modeling and simulations in coupled plastic slip and twinning.
IMPROVING QUINACRINE FEMALE STERILIZATION WITH SUSTAINED RELEASE TABLETS: A LETHAL DOSE STUDY IN RATS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses intraperitoneal lethal dose curves for rats surgically implanted with quinacrine tablets. Quinacrine tablets used in this study described in the chapter are dimensionally similar to those used clinically. These tablets can be inserted into the uterus by the same procedure as an intrauterine device insertion. Tablets having three different release rates (10, 100 and 800 minutes) were prepared. Lethal dose curves were determined in the mature female rat for three different quinacrine hydrochloride tablet potencies. The three lethal dose curves plotted on the arithmetic scale were estimated assuming the logit model. Each curve is restricted to the dose range used in the estimation. The point and interval estimates (95%) for the LD-50 associated with 10, 100 and 800 minute release rates are respectively, 110 mg/kg (94–128 mg/kg), 132 mg/kg (123–141 mg/kg) and 181 mg/kg (167–196 mg/kg). Assuming a worse-case accident of uterine perforation and exposure to intraperitoneal quinacrine, the LD-50 doses extrapolated to a 45 kg women would be 5.0, 6.0 and 8.1 gm respectively for the 10, 100 and 800 minute tablets. These LD-50 doses are 20 times or more than intrauterine sterilization doses used clinically. Sustained release not only improves the therapeutic ratio, but also the divergence of the 10 and 100 minute curves indicates that the safety margin for the 100 minute tablets becomes even greater as the risk level is lowered. Preliminary data indicate that 100 minute dissolution may be most effective clinically.
Securitization of Real Estate Assets

One of the most significant financial innovations of the twentieth century was the introduction of securitization. Securitization involves pooling individual, usually illiquid, assets and using the pool as collateral for the issuance of an entirely new set of financial securities. People that invest in the new securities are promised a proportionate share of the cash flows produced by the pool of assets.
Evaluation of wastewater tracers to predict pharmaceutical distributions and behavior in the Long Island Sound estuary.

Abstract Urban estuaries receive large volumes of effluents from municipal wastewater treatment facilities containing numerous contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals residues. Water was sampled for 16 highly prescribed pharmaceuticals at 17 sites along the Long Island Sound (LIS) estuary located in the Northeastern U.S. Pharmaceutical concentrations were highest in western LIS, ranging from non-detect to 71 ng L−1 and declining steadily eastward, while river samples from four major tributaries ranged from non-detect to 83 ng L−1. Two tracers, sucralose and caffeine, accurately predicted pharmaceutical behavior in LIS while only sucralose was effective at the river sites. Sucralose also tracked well with the salinity gradient in LIS, exhibiting conservative behavior along the transect. Attenuation factors were determined for measurable pharmaceuticals and compared against sucralose to estimate the magnitude of decline in concentrations that may be attributable to in situ degradation and partitioning. The results demonstrate sucralose's effectiveness as a tracer of wastewater-borne contaminants under estuarine conditions.
Memory Consolidation during Waking Rest

Recent studies show that brief periods of rest after learning facilitate consolidation of new memories. This effect is associated with memory-related brain activity during quiet rest and suggests that in our daily lives, moments of unoccupied rest may serve an essential cognitive function.