cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping the Mars Canal Mania: Cartographic Projection and the Creation of a Popular Icon

At the turn of the twentieth century, a popular mania developed around the idea that Mars was inhabited by intelligent beings. This obsession was originally based in the science of the time, but it outlasted astronomers' certainty regarding the red planet's conditions of habitability. Cartography was vital to the popular construction of Mars as an inhabited world and created a powerful landscape icon that differed significantly from the observations of astronomers. Acceptance of a Martian civilization began to wane only when cartography's status as an objective representational format was weakened by new photographic technology in the early 1900s. Although the processes and formats of cartography are rarely considered primary factors in the Mars mania, they were integral to the origin, development and expiration of the conceptualization of Mars as a world that was possibly inhabited. Dr Maria Lane is an assistant instructor in the Department of Geography and the Environment, University of Texas at Austin.
An experimental study of surface-tension induced convection at reduced gravity

Fluid motions are induced by surface-tension gradients on the free surface of a liquid in a cylindrical container which is in free fall in a drop tower. Identical experiments are conducted in a normal gravitational environment. The motion in that case is due to natural convection. The ratio of surface-tension to buoyancy forces in the tests is of the order of 104 at reduced gravity conditions and 0·13 under normal gravity. In each case a two way flow occurs throughout most of the liquid. Comparison of the results from the two types of experiments is made in order to indicate differences in the flow details.
Computing risk profiles for composite low-probability high-consequence events

Low-probability high-consequence events play an important role is assessing the risk of catastrophic loss. Their risk profiles, however, can be difficult to obtain. This paper obtains the risk profiles of low-probability high-consequence events where the final consequence results from a number of intermediate events. Called composite events, these events occur, for example, in accidents releasing hazardous material. The structure of composite events is described and risk profile equations developed, both on a per-event and per-annum basis. The many extremely low valued terms, especially in the tail of the risk profile, make calculation nontrivial. Accordingly, algorithms are developed to compute these equations. In addition, formulae for means and variances are obtained, and an illustrative example is provided.
Government and Politics of Uruguay

Description and analysis of political phenomena in Uruguay are presented here in a context of friendly, but critical concern. Supporting and illustrative material is cited in the footnotes as well as in the bibliography.
Engaging Students through Extended Simulations.

This article describes a simulation that fulfills many of the goals of a scholar/apprentice model—one that requires a sustained period of time during which an apprentice practices a set of discipline-specific skills under the guidance of his or her mentor. Such an extended simulation differs from shorter exercises in several ways, such as the necessity of including numerous checkpoints for monitoring student progress and of utilizing objective and systematic assessment tools. In particular, students must know that they will be assessed on the basis of both group results and their individual contributions. The simulation discussed in this article pays explicit attention to these two issues—the importance of “deliverables” and the need for dual-pronged, objective assessment instruments—as well as to the desirability of coordinated college-wide instructional support.
Predictors of functional disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. Using the World Health Organization's classification system of the consequences of disease, this study sought to examine the impact of physical and psychological impairment variables, beyond that contributed by social, demographic, and disease variables, on the functional disability of a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sample. Data collected during an acute episode were used to predict concurrent and future disability status. Method. A secondary data analysis of 85 adults hospitalized for exacerbations in arthritis was undertaken. Disability was assessed with the Health Assessment Questionnaire. Physical impairment was measured with the Keitel Function Test and Pain Analog Scales, and psychological impairment was measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale for People with Arthritis. Results. Our findings indicated that physical impairment, demographic, and disease variables accounted for 64% of the explained variance in disability during the concurrent episode. Psychological impairment as well as demographic and disease variables accounted for 49% of the explained variance in future disability status. Conclusion. The combined influence of demographic characteristics and the consequences of the pathology of RA experienced as physical and psychological impairments contributed differentially to disability during concurrent and future time periods.
The distribution of low-threshold TTX-resistant Na⁺ currents in rat trigeminal ganglion cells.

Abstract The distribution of low-threshold tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-r) Na + current and its co-expression with high-threshold TTX-r Na + current were studied in randomly selected acutely dissociated rat trigeminal ganglion (non-identified TG cells) and TG cells serving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ-TG cells). Conditions previously shown to enhance Na V 1.9 channel-mediated currents (holding potential (HP) −80 mV, 130-mM fluoride internally) were employed to amplify the low-threshold Na + current. Under these conditions, detectable low-threshold Na + current was exhibited by 16 out of 21 non-identified TG cells (average, 1810 ± 358 pA), and by nine of 14 TMJ-TG cells (average, 959 ± 525 pA). The low-threshold Na + current began to activate around −55 mV and was inactivated by holding TG cells at −60 mV and delivering 40-ms test potentials (TPs) to 0 mV. The inactivation was long lasting, recovering only 8 ± 3% over a 5-min period after the HP was returned to −80 mV. Following low-threshold Na + current inactivation, high-threshold TTX-r Na + current, evoked from HP −60 mV, was observed. High-threshold Na + current amplitude averaged 16,592 ± 3913 pA for TPs to 0 mV, was first detectable at an average TP of −34 ± 1.3 mV, and was ½ activated at −7.1 ± 2.3 mV. In TG cells expressing prominent low-threshold Na + currents, changing the external solution to one containing 0 mM Na + reduced the amount of current required to hold the cells at −80 mV through −50 mV, the peak effect being observed at HP −60 mV. TG cells recorded from with a more physiological pipette solution containing chloride instead of fluoride exhibited small low-threshold Na + currents, which were greatly increased upon superfusion of the TG cells with the adenylyl cyclase (AC) activator forskolin. These data suggest two hypotheses: (1) low- and high-threshold Na V 1.9 and Na V 1.8 channels, respectively, are frequently co-expressed in TG neurons serving the TMJ and other structures, and (2), Na V 1.9 channel-mediated currents are small under physiological conditions, but may be enhanced by inflammatory mediators that increase AC activity, and may mediate an inward leak that depolarizes TG neurons, increasing their excitability.
Sports injuries of the hip

With the increasing emphasis on physical activity and physical fitness, the human body is being subjected to an increasing number of stresses, leading to a variety of injuries to the musculoskeletal system. These may be the result of direct trauma to the soft tissues or bony skeleton or may be seen as the result of continued subclinical trauma and stresses (fatigue fractures), or the effects of forceful contraction of muscles (avulsion injuries). Since much of the physical activity involves the lower limbs, stresses on or around the hip are producing, in ever-increasing numbers, sports-related injuries of which the physician and radiologist should be aware. This article explores a variety of sports-related injuries around the hip and identifies the various methods of investigation that may be used in their diagnosis as well as their characteristic radiographic appearance.
Cutaneous Plasmacytomas in Myeloma: Relationship to Tumor Cell Burden

• Solitary cutaneous plasmacytomas may occur as benign tumors that are confined to the skin, whereas multiple lesions are generally associated with systemic plasma cell disease. Cutaneous plasmacytomas developed in two patients with documented multiple myeloma; this development occurred late in the course of their disease at a time when their systemic plasma cell tumor burden was large—approximately 3 kg in mass, which represented 2 to 3 × 1012cells. The occurrence of cutaneous plasmacytomas in patients with multiple myeloma is generally late in the course of the disease and should be considered as a bad prognostic sign. (Arch Dermatol114:1784-1787, 1978)
The relationship between the surface tensions and energies of liquid metals and their critical temperatures

Abstract It is shown that a general relationship exists between the surface tension (σ) and surface energy (σ A )of a liquid metal and its critical temperature ( T c ) and atomic volume ( V A ). The relationship (except for Hg, Cd and Zn) is: σ A ° = σ ° · V A ° ij = 0·64(ergs/gramme atom ij ). T c (in °K), where the superscript o refers to the extrapolated value at 0°K.
Probe three-dimensional structure of soft organized surfactants at solid–liquid interface with an AFM in MAC Mode and contact mode

Atomic force microscopy provides a unique direct-visualization tool to study the three-dimensional structure of adsorbed surfactants on solid surfaces. Ionic surfactant molecules spontaneously adsorbed onto hydrophilic surfaces from aqueous solution above the critical micelle concentration (cmc) have been imaged using an atomic force microscope in magnetic ac mode (MAC Mode) and contact mode. It was found that the soft organized surfactants were highly compressible and therefore showed a wide range of corrugations depending on imaging forces. When using gentle MAC Mode, corrugations of the organized surfactants around half of the estimated height of the proposed surfactant aggregate cylinders on mica have been stably observed. Traditional contact mode operating in the pre-contact double-layer electrostatic interaction region, however, showed significantly reduced height of the organized molecules.
Online Word Games for Semantic Data Collection

Obtaining labeled data is a significant obstacle for many NLP tasks. Recently, online games have been proposed as a new way of obtaining labeled data; games attract users by being fun to play. In this paper, we consider the application of this idea to collecting semantic relations between words, such as hypernym/hyponym relationships. We built three online games, inspired by the real-life games of Scattergories™ and Taboo™. As of June 2008, players have entered nearly 800,000 data instances, in two categories. The first type of data consists of category/answer pairs ("Types of vehicle","car"), while the second is essentially free association data ("submarine","underwater"). We analyze both types of data in detail and discuss potential uses of the data. We show that we can extract from our data set a significant number of new hypernym/hyponym pairs not already found in WordNet.
Milrinone Improves Pulmonary Hemodynamics and Right Ventricular Function in Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension

Abstract Background . Right ventricular failure after cardiac transplantation is commonly related to preexisting recipient pulmonary hypertension. This study was designed to investigate the effects of intravenous milrinone on pulmonary hemodynamic indices and right ventricular function in a canine model of monocrotaline pyrrole–induced chronic pulmonary hypertension. Methods . Eight mongrel dogs underwent pulmonary artery catheterization to measure right-sided hemodynamic indices before and 6 weeks after a right atrial injection of monocrotaline pyrrole. Six weeks after injection, all hearts were instrumented with a pulmonary artery flow probe, ultrasonic dimension transducers, and micromanometers. Data were collected at baseline and after milrinone infusion. Results . Six weeks after monocrotaline pyrrole injection, significant increases in the pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were observed. Milrinone led to significant increases in right ventricular function as well as significant improvements in pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary blood flow, and left ventricular filling. Conclusions . This investigation demonstrates the well-known hemodynamic and inotropic effects of milrinone which, in the setting of monocrotaline pyrrole–induced pulmonary hypertension, were also associated with significant increases in pulmonary blood flow and left ventricular filling.
Robust H∞ identification of linear periodic discrete-time systems

System identification algorithms for linear time-invariant (LTI) systems have been developed recently, which provide induced norm bounds on the difference between the true system and the identified one. The error bounds then allow the use of robust control design techniques with guarantees on performance of the real system. This note concerns the adaptation of robust H∞ identification techniques to linear periodic discrete-time (LPDT) systems. The paper focuses on the algorithm proposed by Helmicki et al.13 and is based on a frequency-domain approach to LPDT systems.
JNK signaling coordinates integrin and actin functions during Drosophila embryogenesis

Epithelial movements are key morphogenetic events in animal development. They are driven by multiple mechanisms, including signal-dependent changes in cytoskeletal organization and in cell adhesion. Such processes must be controlled precisely and coordinated to accurately sculpt the three-dimensional form of the developing organism. By observing the Drosophila epidermis during embryonic development using confocal time-lapse microscopy, we have investigated how signaling through the Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway governs the tissue sheet movements that result in dorsal closure (DC). We find that JNK controls the polymerization of actin into a cable at the epidermal leading edge as previously suggested, as well as the joining (zipping) of the contralateral epithelial cell sheets. Here, we show that zipping is mediated by regulation of the integrins myospheroid and scab. Our data demonstrate that JNK signaling regulates a set of target genes that cooperate to facilitate epithelial movement and closure.
An analysis of Folsom projectile point resharpening using quantitative comparisons of form and allometry

A sample of Folsom points from the Southern Plains of Texas and New Mexico is analyzed quantitatively in order to assess patterns of point resharpening in relation to distance to raw material source area and evaluate models of how resharpening was accomplished in terms of point design. A newly developed digitizing method is used to capture 12 interlandmark characters from coordinate data to describe point form. Principal components analysis is used to investigate size and shape variation in point form, and the symmetry and allometry of characters are used to explore the effects of resharpening on point dimensions. Size allometry illustrates the degree of association of relative point proportions, and other aspects of point form, with point size. Blade length, the leading edge of the weapon, was found to be isometric with point size, suggesting that this character was critical to the proper functioning of weapon tips. The regulation of blade length to point size supports a fixed-in-haft model for Folsom point resharpening. Multivariate analyses show that reduction in point forms do not correlate with distance-to-source but are more consistent with the model of the cyclical resharpening and replacement of points. This research illustrates that multivariate and allometric analyses are useful methods for investigating models of technological organization and the effects of resharpening on point form.
Treatment of mucocutaneous herpes simplex infections

Abstract Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are common, unpleasant, and occasionally dangerous. This has led patients and their doctors to try almost anything to shorten episodes or suppress recurrences. Despite occasionally positive anecdotal experiences, it has been difficult to assess the efficacy of many of these treatments because of the highly variable severity, duration, and frequency of episodes of herpes in individual patients, 1–5 the enormous placebo effect of any new therapy, 6,7 and the unreliability of patient perceptions of drug efficacy. The natural history of genital and orofacial HSV infections has only recently been elucidated and many of the early therapeutic trials failed to take into account such features as the differences in duration and severity of primary, initial, and recurrent infection (Table 1). There has also been considerable variability in the choice of parameters of healing used in the various studies. Some trials relied solely on patient observations of severity or duration of lesions while others, more appropriately, have required frequent examination by physicians and/or frequent viral cultures to document resolution of infection. Many therapeutic modalities have been tried in both oral and genital HSV infections. Most agents have been used in an effort to shorten or ameliorate recurrences, although some trials have focused on prevention of primary infection, treatment of first episodes, or suppression of recurrences. The many attempted approaches to therapy of these infections can be divided into several categories: palliation of symptoms, psychosocial support, enhancement of immunity for suppression of recurrences, specific vaccines to prevent primary or recurrent infection, and antiviral agents to prevent or abbreviate virus replication. In addition to these approaches, a wide variety of surfactants, nutritional therapies, and mechanical devices has been used.
Progressive loss of mitochondrial creatine phosphokinase activity in muscular dystrophy

Abstract Mitochondria were isolated from the pectoralis and gastrocnemius muscles of chickens with a hereditary muscular dystrophy, and age-matched controls. In the pectoralis, for dystrophic birds aged 0.12, 0.25, 0.55, and 1.55 yr, the creatine phosphokinase activity of the intact mitochondria, expressed in terms of pellet protein, was 69%, 45%, 24%, and 13% as great, respectively, as that of the controls. The corresponding figures for the gastrocnemius were 79%, 46%, 51%, and 28%. The mitochondria from dystrophic muscles exhibited satisfactory respiratory control ratios, P:0 ratios, and state 3 respiratory rates. To check whether their apparent loss of creatine phosphokinase activity was due to the presence of increasing amounts of non-mitochondrial pellet protein, the state 3 respiratory rate was used as a mitochondrial marker; the rates per mg protein were similar in mitochondria from normal and dystrophic muscles of each age group.
Improving color rendition in solid state white lighting through the use of quantum dots

Quantum dots have the potential to be used in solid state white lighting applications as an additional down-converting component to better represent wavelengths in the red spectral region, leading to higher quality white light with improved color rendering. In this contribution, we report on color characteristics of phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes that utilize inorganic garnet-based phosphors, with quantum dots incorporated appropriately. Devices were fabricated using red-emitting CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (λem = 560 nm or λem = 590 nm) in conjunction with yellow-emitting Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ or green-emitting Lu3Al5O12:Ce3+ and a blue-emitting InGaN LED (λem = 450 nm). Several phosphor/quantum dot geometries were examined, including encapsulating the phosphor powder and quantum dots together in silicone resin, or in two separate layers of silicone resin, with either the quantum dots closest to the LED or the phosphor particles closest to the LED. The quantum dots were most efficient when encapsulated with the phosphor particles in the resin. Devices with Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ and quantum dots (λem = 590 nm) achieved a correlated color temperature of 4000 K, color rendering index of 81, and luminous efficacy of 57 lm W−1, while devices with Lu3Al5O12:Ce3+ and quantum dots (λem = 590 nm) achieved a correlated color temperature of 5700 K, a color rendering index of 90, and luminous efficacy of 22 lm W−1. The results obtained suggest that the use of quantum dots may allow for solid state white lighting devices with high color rendition.
Theophrastus on Lyngurium: medieval and early modern lore from the classical lapidary tradition.

The ancient philosopher Theophrastus (c. 371-285 BC) described a gemstone called lyngurium, purported to be solidified lynx urine, in his work De lapidibus ('On Stones'). Knowledge of the stone passed from him to other classical authors and into the medieval lapidary tradition, but there it was almost always linked to the 'learned master Theophrastus'. Although no physical example of the stone appears to have been seen or touched in ancient, medieval, or early modern times, its physical and medicinal properties were continually reiterated and elaborated as if it did 'exist'. By the seventeenth century, it began to disappear from lapidaries, but with no attempt to explain previous authors' errors since it had never 'existed' anyway. In tracing the career of lyngurium, this study sheds some light on the transmission of knowledge from the classical world to the Renaissance and the changing criteria by which such knowledge was judged.
Some aspects of the pharmacology of ethyl‐4‐phenyl‐1‐[2‐(phenylamino)ethyl]‐piperidine‐4‐carboxylate (win 13,797)

The pharmacological activity of an analog of meperidine has been compared With morphine and meperidine and its effects evaluated when tested for toxicity, On toothpulp thresholds, respiration, the gastrointestinal tract, and circulation. It is concluded that Win 13,797 is much more active than morphine on a milligram basis but otherwise is qualitatively similar.
Measurement of CNS HIV burden and its association with neurologic damage

AIDS dementia complex affects between 20 and 30% of terminally ill AIDS patients. The histopathologic substrate of this clinical syndrome is chronic HIV infection of the nervous system termed HIV encephalitis. We hypothesize that the abundance and length of time that HIV is present in the CNS determines the severity of neurologic damage. We compared three different methods of assessing HIV burden in the CNS. While the assays vary in sensitivity, each provides a quantitative estimate of viral burden that can be compared between laboratories. Assays of provirus were readily divided into two groups, while protein assays showed a wider range. HIV-mediated neurotoxicity might be expected to more closely depend upon productive infection.
Stress and alcohol consumption in heavily drinking men: 2 years of daily data using interactive voice response.

Background: The relationship between stress and alcohol consumption has been shown in recent research to be more complex than originally thought. Cross-sectional and short-term longitudinal studies may not provide adequate data to address subtle but important relationships that impact consumption frequency and/or quantity. Methods: Participants were 33 males recruited from local bars who reported their alcohol consumption, stress, and other related variables every day for 2 years. Reports were provided by automated telephone to a computer-based interactive voice response (IVR) system. By closely monitoring call completion, we were able to collect over 95% of the daily calls. Results: Using hierarchical linear modeling, daily stress was found to be associated with daily alcohol consumption, but in the opposite direction than would be predicted by a “drinking to cope” hypothesis. That is, same-day stress was found to be inversely related to consumption levels. Prior day's stress was not significantly associated with subsequent day's consumption; however, prior day's consumption was predictive of subsequent stress for up to 2 days. Similar analyses using week, rather than day, as the unit of measure paralleled these findings. Conclusions: This study highlights the utility of using long-term daily process data to address important research and clinical questions in the alcohol field.
Calcium-Induced Calcium Release (CICR) Triggers Fusion of Individual Synaptic Vesicles in Rod Terminals

Photoreceptor light responses are encoded by changes in synaptic vesicle release. Release from rods is triggered by the opening of calcium channels beneath plate-like synaptic ribbons. Maintained depolarization can activate CICR and enhance release. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) to visualize release of single synaptic vesicles, we tested whether CICR enhances release from rods by stimulating fusion at non-ribbon sites.Rods from salamander retina were loaded with activity-dependent dyes, FM1-43 or dextran-conjugated pHrodo, and visualized by TIRFM. Rods were depolarized with steps to −10 mV under voltage-clamp or by puff application of 50 mM KCl. CICR was activated with 10 μM ryanodine and inhibited with 100 μM ryanodine. Ribbon locations were identified with a fluorescent ribbon-binding peptide or from hot spots of depolarization-evoked calcium entry visualized with Fluo5F.In terminals loaded with FM1-43 or pHrodo, depolarization stimulated rapid disappearance of vesicles with kinetics similar to that measured electrophysiologically. Additionally, stimulation-evoked vesicle disappearance was blocked by Cd2+, indicating that it was due to calcium-dependent exocytosis. Vesicles docked for about 200 ms before fusion. Most release events occurred close to ribbons, but some also occurred further away. Activation of CICR with 10 μM ryanodine stimulated intracellular calcium increases and vesicle release. Ryanodine-evoked release events were less clustered than release evoked by depolarization, consistent with greater non-ribbon release. The spread of calcium evoked by 500 ms steps (but not 50 ms steps) was inhibited by blocking CICR with 100 μM ryanodine in the patch pipette. Release evoked by 500 ms steps also involved sites further from the ribbon than release evoked by 50 ms steps. These results indicate that the stimulation of CICR by maintained depolarization enhances release from rods by triggering fusion of vesicles at non-ribbon sites.
The Long and the Short of It: Relational Memory Impairments in Amnesia, Even at Short Lags

Classic studies of amnesia led to characterizations of hippocampal function emphasizing involvement in long-term memory rather than short-term (or working) memory. In two experiments, we show that when memory for relations among co-occurring items is tested, hippocampal amnesia results in a deficit even at very short lags. Hence, we find evidence for hippocampal involvement in relational memory, even at short lags normally considered the province of working memory.
Fluorescence of Tb 3+ in CaF 2

The three groups of fluorescent line spectra of Tb3+ in CaF2 “spectrum I” between the crystal-field split levels of the 5D4 and the 7F3, 7F4, and 7F5 free-ion states have been combined into energy-level schemes which tend to support a cubic crystal field symmetry and which give information on the crystal-field split-leve representations and energies to 5 cm−1 for a thin crystal.
Vibrational excitation of H2 by electron impact: An energy-dependent vibrational-frame-transformation approach.

An energy-dependent rovibrational-frame-transformation method, combined with the multichannel quantum-defect theory, has been applied to study the vibrational excitations of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ by electron collision in the energy range below 5 eV. A class of nonadiabatic effects resulting from large collision time delay has been accounted for. Using a special set of short-range Born-Oppenheimer eigenstates, this approach does not explicitly introduce electron-molecule compound states. We show that the body-frame quantum-defect function ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{\mathit{l}=1}$(\ensuremath{\varepsilon},R), containing the information about the dynamical coupling of the incident electron and the molecular target, is all one needs to describe the scattering properties of the system.
Conduction calorimetric investigation of the effect of retarders on the hydration of Portland cement

Abstract Eleven potential retarders, calcium gluconate, glucose, glycolic acid, molasses, sodium borate, sodium citrate, sodium heptonate, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, sugar-free calcium lignosulfonate and sucrose, were added to Portland cement in dosages ranging from 0.025% to 1.2%, at a constant water: cement ratio of 0.5 and their conduction calorimetric behavior was investigated for periods up to 72 h. All retarders increased the induction period, from about 4 h to 55 h. Less than 0.15% of the most efficient retarders were needed to extend effectively the induction period to 40 h. They included Ca-gluconate, Na-heptonate and sucrose. The least effective retarders such as Ca-lignosulfonate (sugar-free), Na-pyrophosphate, Na-hexametaphosphate, Na-borate and glycolic acid had to be added at levels above 0.5% to attain an induction period of 40 h. Others such as glucose, molasses and Na-citrate were designated as moderately retarding admixtures. In most instances the degree of extension of the induction period was approximately linear with respect to the dosage of retarders, but the slopes were different.
Analysis and measurement of lumbar trunk loads in tasks involving bends and twists

Ten subjects performed isometric weight-holding and force-resisting work tasks while standing upright, both with and without a twist of the trunk; with the trunk bent laterally; and in postures involving combinations of bending and twisting. The lumbar trunk muscle contraction forces and the lumbar spine compression and shear forces imposed by these tasks were predicted using a biomechanical model. Myoelectric activity was recorded quantitatively at eight locations over the back muscles and at four locations over the abdominal wall muscles. Correlation coefficients from 0.67 to 0.88 were found between the predicted muscle contraction forces and the measured myoelectric activities when the predictions were made so as to minimize muscle contraction force per unit area. Trunk twisting and lateral bending were found to load the spine and trunk muscles less than trunk flexion or holding of weights in front of the body.
Estimation of Forage Nutritive Value from In Vitro Cellulose Digestion

Abstract Studies were conducted on the use of in vitro cellulose digestion (IVCD) as an estimate of in vivo forage nutritive value in terms of forage intake and energy availability. IVCD rate studies indicated that lag-time differences between forages were evident at 6, 12, and 18 hr, whereas incubation beyond 24 hr was essentially a measure of total digestion. An 18-hr value was used as an index of IVCD rate and a 30-hr value as a measure of total digestion. Within-trial variation associated with fermentation times (18 and 30 hr) and days was not significantly different (P>.05). A significantly (P
6.5.2 Modeling and Analysis Framework for Risk‐Informed Decision Making for FAA NextGen

This paper discusses an analysis and modeling framework that is being developed to support risk-informed decision-making for the Federal Aviation Administration Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Discussions with over 60 stakeholders identified challenges for those responsible for planning, developing, and deploying NextGen capabilities. There are a confluence of technical and non-technical factors that are important to effectively roll out capabilities. People's internal knowledge is much greater than what is captured externally or formally. Additionally, this knowledge and the causal relationships to program factors are not formalized in a way to support this complex decision-making process. The paper describes a Bayesian network-based analysis and modeling framework with usage scenarios for calculating cost, schedule and benefit risks to support collaborative decision-making throughout the phases of the FAA's acquisition lifecycle process.
Long-term management of diverticulitis in young patients.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the natural history of documented diverticulitis that resolves after treatment with intravenous antibiotics and bowel rest in patients under the age of 50. METHODS: Records of 40 patients aged 50 or under who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of acute diverticulitis between 1980 and 1984 were reviewed to obtain data regarding how the diagnosis was made. Patients successfully treated with antibiotics were contacted five to nine years after their attack and surveyedviatelephone questionnaire about symptoms, recurrent attacks, and surgical interventions. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were included in the study. Ten patients (25 percent) required surgery during initial admission, and 30 patients were discharged with resolution of their symptoms after treatment with intravenous antibiotics and bowel rest. A five-year to nine-year follow-up was obtained on patients treated medically, one-third of whom underwent operation for diverticulitis during this period, and two-thirds of whom did not require surgery during the follow-up period. All operations were elective with single-stage resections. CONCLUSION: Based on our data, we do not recommend surgery in this population after a single episode of diverticulitis that resolves after treatment with antibiotics.
Vocal and Facial Biomarkers of Depression based on Motor Incoordination and Timing

In individuals with major depressive disorder, neurophysiological changes often alter motor control and thus affect the mechanisms controlling speech production and facial expression. These changes are typically associated with psychomotor retardation, a condition marked by slowed neuromotor output that is behaviorally manifested as altered coordination and timing across multiple motor-based properties. Changes in motor outputs can be inferred from vocal acoustics and facial movements as individuals speak. We derive novel multi-scale correlation structure and timing feature sets from audio-based vocal features and video-based facial action units from recordings provided by the 4th International Audio/Video Emotion Challenge (AVEC). The feature sets enable detection of changes in coordination, movement, and timing of vocal and facial gestures that are potentially symptomatic of depression. Combining complementary features in Gaussian mixture model and extreme learning machine classifiers, our multivariate regression scheme predicts Beck depression inventory ratings on the AVEC test set with a root-mean-square error of 8.12 and mean absolute error of 6.31. Future work calls for continued study into detection of neurological disorders based on altered coordination and timing across audio and video modalities.
Isotopic estimates of new carbon inputs into litter and soils in a four-year climate change experiment with Douglas-fir

Because soil is a major reservoir of terrestrial carbon and a potential sink for atmospheric CO2, determining plant inputs to soil carbon is critical for understanding ecosystem carbon dynamics. We present a modified method to quantify the effects of global climate change on plant inputs of carbon to soil based on 13C:12C ratio (δ13C) analyses that accounts for isotopic fractionation between inputs and newly created soil carbon. In a four-year study, the effects of elevated CO2 and temperature were determined for reconstructed Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga mensiezii (Mirb.) Franco) ecosystems in which native soil of low nitrogen content was used. The δ13C patterns in litter and mineral soil horizons were measured and compared to δ13C patterns in live needles, fine roots, and coarse roots. From regression analyses, we calculated the isotopic enrichment in 13C of newly incorporated soil carbon relative to needle and root carbon at 4‰ and 2‰, respectively. These enrichments must be considered when using shifts in soil δ13C to calculate inputs of plant carbon into the soil, and are probably a major factor in the progressive enrichment in 13C with increasing depth in soil profiles. Relative to the total carbon in each layer, the proportion of new carbon from recent photosynthate in each soil layer was 13–15% in the A horizon, 7–9% in litter layers, and 4% in the B2 and C horizons. New carbon in the A horizon was estimated at 370 g C m−2. Carbon concentrations and new carbon in A horizons were correlated (r 2=0.78, n=12), but with a slope of 0.356, indicating that about 36% of net carbon accumulation in the A horizon was from inputs via roots, root exudates or mycorrhizal fungi and 64% of carbon was derived from surface litter decomposition. Under the nitrogen-limited growth conditions used in this study, neither elevated CO2 nor temperature affected soil carbon sequestration patterns.
Galactic positron annihilation radiation

Abstract Positron annihilation radiation from the galactic center region was first detected nearly 30 years ago. Several potential sources may contribute to this emission, including: (1) β + -decay of nuclei produced in explosive objects (supernovae and novae); (2) γ-γ pair production associated with the accretion of matter onto galactic black holes; (3) positrons produced in pair cascades in pulsar magnetospheres; (4) β + -decay of radioactive nuclei synthesized in Wolf-Rayet and AGB stars and carried in their stellar winds; and (5) positrons produced by interactions of cosmic rays with the interstellar medium. Early evidence for variability of the galactic center emission suggested that one or more discrete sources dominated the emission. However, more recent SMM /GRS, COMPTON /OSSE and WIND /TGRS results indicate that the dominant emission is steady and of diffuse origin. Transient positron production associated with galactic black hole candidates has been reported; however, there are limits for at least one of these events which are in disagreement with the reports. The OSSE instrument has provided the first maps of the emission, and the discovery of a surprising excess at positive galactic latitudes above the center of the Galaxy. The history of these observations is discussed, along with the latest data available from OSSE and TGRS. We also discuss the implications of the observations on our understanding of galactic nucleosynthesis, galactic distributions of supernovae, and the study of the interstellar medium.
Chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking of furnace burner tubes

Abstract The burner tubes (316SS) of an ethylene cracking furnace in a Saudi petrochemical plant experienced repeated premature failures. One failed sample was investigated by chemical and microstructural analytical techniques to find out the failure cause and provide preventive measures. The results indicate that the burner tube failed due to chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (SCC). Chloride could be due to the contamination coming from the ambient industrial environment. The forming process (bending and drawing) of the tubes prior to installation introduced residual tensile stresses necessary for SCC. It is recommended to stress relieve (or shot peen) the tubes following the forming process, or alternatively apply protective coatings (chloride-free) to prevent contamination. Periodic cleaning of the tube exterior is necessary.
Ultra-small-angle scattering studies of complex fluids

Recent experimental results from ultra-small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering (USANS and USAXS) studies of complex fluids, including colloidal dispersions, colloidal glasses, polymer blends, and biopolymer gels, are reviewed. We focus on data analysis and interpretation in the low q regime. New notable results include the apparent existence of large-scale structure in attractive colloidal glasses, the discovery of new morphological transitions in polymer blends via USANS, and the detection of micron-scale water channels in biopolymer gels.
New Revelations about the Long-QT Syndrome

Sudden death, a devastating event for any family, strikes more than 300,000 Americans each year. Cardiac arrhythmias, particularly ventricular arrhythmias, are thought to account for about 11 perce...
Effectiveness of Fluorography Versus Cineangiography at Reducing Radiation Exposure During Diagnostic Coronary Angiography

Coronary angiography is the gold standard for defining obstructive coronary disease. However, radiation exposure remains an unwanted hazard. Patients referred for coronary angiography with abdominal circumference 60 ml/min were randomized to the fluorography (n = 25) or cineangiography (n = 25) group. Patients in the fluorography group underwent coronary angiography using retrospectively stored fluorography with repeat injection under cineangiography only when needed for better resolution per operator's discretion. Patients in the cineangiography group underwent coronary angiography using routine cineangiography. The primary end point was patient radiation exposure measured by radiochromic film. Secondary end points included the radiation output measurement of kerma-area product and air kerma at the interventional reference point (Ka,r) and operator radiation exposure measured by a dosimeter. Patient radiation exposure (158.2 mGy [76.5 to 210.2] vs 272.5 mGy [163.3 to 314.0], p = 0.001), kerma-area product (1,323 μGy·m 2 [826 to 1,765] vs 3,451 μGy·m 2 [2,464 to 4,818], p
Fixation of the Coronoid Process in Elbow Fracture-Dislocations

Background: Terrible triad injuries consist of a posterior dislocation of the elbow, a coronoid fracture, and a radial head fracture. The coronoid plays a pivotal role as an anterior buttress, yet the optimal management of the coronoid fracture remains unknown. We hypothesize that suture lasso fixation of the coronoid fracture leads to fewer complications and improved outcomes compared with screw or suture anchor fixation techniques. Methods: A retrospective chart review performed at three tertiary care centers identified forty consecutive patients treated for terrible triad injuries of the elbow with a minimum follow-up of eighteen months (mean, twenty-four months; range, eighteen to fifty-three months). All patients were managed with a standard approach consisting of: (1) repair or replacement of the radial head; (2) repair of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) of the elbow; and (3) repair of the coronoid fracture with one of two techniques: Group I (n = 28) consisted of the “lasso” technique and Group II (n = 12) consisted of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with screws or suture anchors. Results: For the study population, the mean postoperative arc of elbow motion was 115° (range, 75° to 140°), the average Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score was 16 (range, 0 to 43), and the average Broberg-Morrey score was 90 (range, 64 to 100). For repair of the coronoid fracture, the suture lasso technique was more stable than the other techniques intraoperatively, both before (p < 0.05) and after (p < 0.05) LUCL repair, and at the final follow-up (p < 0.05). ORIF was associated with a higher prevalence of implant failure (p < 0.05), and suture anchors were associated with a higher prevalence of malunion and nonunion (p < 0.05). Conclusions: For terrible triad injuries, greater stability with fewer complications was achieved with use of the suture lasso technique for coronoid fracture fixation. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Optimum detection of Weibull-distributed targets

The backscattered power from an ocean-observing radar usually contains large, randomly spaced excursions often called sea spikes. These spikes can be considered as fluctuating targets embedded in a fluctuating background. The power returned from the fluctuating targets can be modeled as having a Weibull probability density function. The power from the fluctuating background can be modeled as an exponential probability density function. The authors examine a simple scheme for detection of the fluctuating targets in the single-hit case using a fixed-threshold detector. The detection threshold is calculated via the maximum a posteriori decision rule. >
Commentary to “Cumulative incidence of outcomes and urologic procedures after augmentation cystoplasty”

[13] Biers SM, Venn SN, Greenwell TJ. The past, present and future of augmentation cystoplasty. BJU Int 2012;109:1280e93. [14] Snodgrass WT, Elmore J, Adams R. Bladder neck sling and appendicovesicostomy without augmentation for neurogenic incontinence in children. J Urol 2007;177:1510e4. [15] Schlomer BJ, Saperston K, Baskin L. National trends in augmentation cystoplasties in the 2000s and factors associated with patient outcomes. J Urol. [Epub 2013 Apr 30]. [16] Begg CB, Riedel ER, Bach PB, Kattan MW, Schrag D, Warren JL, et al. Variations in morbidity after radical prostatectomy. N Engl J Med 2002;346:1138e44. [17] Benoit RM, Naslund MJ, Cohen JK. Complications after radical retropubic prostatectomy in the medicare population. Urology 2000;56:116e20. [18] Mongelluzzo J, Mohamad Z, Ten Have TR, Shah SS. Corticosteroids and mortality in children with bacterial meningitis. JAMA 2008;299:2048e55. [19] DeFoor W, Tackett L, Minevich E, Wacksman J, Sheldon C. Risk factors for spontaneous bladder perforation after augmentation cystoplasty. Urology 2003;62:737e41. [20] Obermayr F, Szavay P, Schaefer J, Fuchs J. Outcome of augmentation cystoplasty and bladder substitution in a pediatric age group. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2011;21:116e9. [21] Barroso U, Jednak R, Fleming P, Barthold JS, Gonzalez R. Bladder calculi in children who perform clean intermittent catheterization. BJU Int 2000;85:879e84. [22] Hensle TW, Bingham J, Lam J, Shabsigh A. Preventing reservoir calculi after augmentation cystoplasty and continent urinary diversion: the influence of an irrigation protocol. BJU Int 2004;93:585e7. [23] Palmer LS, Franco I, Kogan SJ, Reda E, Gill B, Levitt SB. Urolithiasis in children following augmentation cystoplasty. J Urol 1993;150:726e9. [24] Austin JC. Long-term risks of bladder augmentation in pediatric patients. Curr Opin Urol 2008;18:408e12. [25] Zerr DM, Garrison MM, Allpress AL, Heath J, Christakis DA. Infection control policies and hospital-associated infections among surgical patients: variability and associations in a multicenter pediatric setting. Pediatrics 2005;115:e387e92.
Interactive Design Using CFD and Virtual Engineering

Virtual engineering is a powerful concept, defined as a technology that integrates geometric models and related engineering tools such as analysis and simulation, optimization and decision-making tools, etc. within a computer generated environment that facilitates multidisciplinary and collaborative product realization [1]. Virtual engineering applications can be constructed from scratch with high-level programming languages. However, since the end-user of the virtual engineering application is most likely not a programming expert, high-level support is needed to provide the user with the capability to construct his own application in an intuitive manner and with minimal coding. In this paper, we present a framework of the virtual engineering environment and its implementation, identify the general requirements for a virtual engineering application, and summarize the architecture. A virtual engineering application on computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based interactive design is used to motivate the research as well as to evaluate the performance of the system. The sample application is related to the coal transport system of a coal-fired power plant. Finally, the topics for future research are given.