cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TU-FG-209-11: Validation of a Channelized Hotelling Observer to Optimize Chest Radiography Image Processing for Nodule Detection: A Human Observer Study

Purpose: To validate the use of a Channelized Hotelling Observer (CHO) model for guiding image processing parameter selection and enable improved nodule detection in digital chest radiography. Methods: In a previous study, an anthropomorphic chest phantom was imaged with and without PMMA simulated nodules using a GE Discovery XR656 digital radiography system. The impact of image processing parameters was then explored using a CHO with 10 Laguerre-Gauss channels. In this work, we validate the CHO’s trend in nodule detectability as a function of two processing parameters by conducting a signal-known-exactly, multi-reader-multi-case (MRMC) ROC observer study. Five naive readers scored confidence of nodule visualization in 384 images with 50% nodule prevalence. The image backgrounds were regions-of-interest extracted from 6 normal patient scans, and the digitally inserted simulated nodules were obtained from phantom data in previous work. Each patient image was processed with both a near-optimal and a worst-case parameter combination, as determined by the CHO for nodule detection. The same 192 ROIs were used for each image processing method, with 32 randomly selected lung ROIs per patient image. Finally, the MRMC data was analyzed using the freely available iMRMC software of Gallas et al. Results: The image processing parameters which were optimized for the CHO led to a statistically significant improvement (p=0.049) in human observer AUC from 0.78 to 0.86, relative to the image processing implementation which produced the lowest CHO performance. Conclusion: Differences in user-selectable image processing methods on a commercially available digital radiography system were shown to have a marked impact on performance of human observers in the task of lung nodule detection. Further, the effect of processing on humans was similar to the effect on CHO performance. Future work will expand this study to include a wider range of detection/classification tasks and more observers, including experienced chest radiologists.
Evolutionary Methods for Improving the Production of Biorenewable Fuels and Chemicals

Evolutionary methods to improve strain performance are a powerful complement to rational, predictive strain engineering. These evolutionary methods can consist of serial transfers or engineered methods, such as global transcription machinery engineering and the SCALEs expression libraries. The type of improvements achieved in strain performance include increasing the tolerance to inhibitory products, such as alcohols and carboxylic acids, and increasing the tolerance and utilization of biomass-derived sugars, such as pentose sugars and biomass hydrolysate. In some cases, the selective pressure applied during the evolutionary process has enabled co-selection of growth and strain performance. This approach has proven successful for the production of ethanol, lactic acid, succinate and alanine. In other cases, strains are evolved for tolerance to exogenously supplied inhibitors, with the intention of increasing production by increasing tolerance. This has been successful in some cases, particularly in regards to ethanol production. Identification of the mutations that enable the evolved phenotype and understanding the molecular basis of their contribution to strain fitness and performance can reveal novel strategies for increasing tolerance. In this manner, our knowledge of possible design schemes and our understanding of our workhorse biocatalysts are increased. Reverse engineering has provided rational design strategies for increasing tolerance to isobutanol, furfural, and ethanol as well as increasing the production of succinate.
Thermal Conductivity of Gas – Organic Compounds

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the values of thermal conductivity of gas (organic compounds) in tabular form. For the tabulation, an equation is selected for thermal conductivity of gas as a function of temperature. The tabulation is arranged by carbon number such as C, C2, and C3 to provide ease of use in quickly locating the data by using the chemical formula. The compound name and chemical abstracts registry number (CAS No) are also provided in tabular form. Values for regression coefficients are given in the adjacent columns. The temperature range for use is also given in the columns (TMIN and TMAX). The equation should not be used for temperatures outside this range. The next column provides the code for the tabulation. The last three columns provide values for thermal conductivity of gas at representative temperatures. The tabulation is applicable to gas at low pressure. Very limited experimental data are available for highly polar and high molecular weight compounds. Also, very few experimental data are available at high temperatures above 600 K. Thus, the values in the regions of melting and critical point temperatures should be considered rough approximations. A comparison of calculated and data values is also shown for a representative compound. The graph shows favorable agreement of equation and data.
Extended nuclear quadrupole resonance study of the heavy-fermion superconductor PuCoGa 5

${\mathrm{PuCoGa}}_{5}$ has emerged as a prototypical heavy-fermion superconductor, with its transition temperature (${T}_{c}\ensuremath{\simeq}18.5$ K) being the highest amongst such materials. Nonetheless, a clear description as to what drives the superconducting pairing is still lacking, rendered complicated by the notoriously intricate nature of plutonium's $5f$ valence electrons. Here, we present a detailed $^{69,71}\mathrm{Ga}$ nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) study of ${\mathrm{PuCoGa}}_{5}$, concentrating on the system's normal state properties near to ${T}_{c}$ and aiming to detect distinct signatures of possible pairing mechanisms. In particular, the quadrupole frequency and spin-lattice relaxation rate were measured for the two crystallographically inequivalent Ga sites and for both Ga isotopes, in the temperature range 1.6--300 K. No evidence of significant charge fluctuations is found from the NQR observables. On the contrary, the low-energy dynamics is dominated by anisotropic spin fluctuations with strong, nearly critical, in-plane character, which are effectively identical to the case of the sister compound ${\mathrm{PuCoIn}}_{5}$. These findings are discussed within the context of different theoretical proposals for the unconventional pairing mechanism in heavy-fermion superconductors.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice — 2016 Year in Review

As editors, we concluded that it would be helpful to our readers to write a Year in Review article that highlights the Review, Original, and Clinical Communication articles published in 2016 in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. We summarized articles on the topics of asthma, rhinitis/rhinosinusitis, food allergy, anaphylaxis, drug allergy, urticarial/angioedema, eosinophilic disorders, and immunodeficiency. Within each topic, epidemiologic findings are presented, relevant aspects of prevention are described, and diagnostic and therapeutic advances are enumerated. Diagnostic tools described include history, skin tests, and in vitro tests. Treatments discussed include behavioral therapy, allergen avoidance therapy, positive and negative effects of pharmacologic therapy, and various forms of immunologic and desensitization management. We hope this review will help you, our readers, consolidate and use this extensive and practical knowledge for the benefit of your patients.
Bridged Difurans: Stabilizing Furan with p-Block Elements

Thiophene is one of the most commonly used moieties in conjugated materials, whereas its oxygen congener, furan, is much less frequently encountered due to the susceptibility of furan toward light- and oxygen-induced degradation. In an effort to stabilize furans, three difurans, bridged by Ph2Si, Ph2Ge, and PhP(O), were synthesized. Each bridged difuran has Me3Si groups at the 2- and 6-positions. All of the bridged difurans were found to be stable under ambient conditions. Since it is known that electron-deficient furans exhibit improved stability, the stability of the bridged difurans is attributed, in part, to the p-block elements, which lower the LUMO levels of the molecules through σ*−π* conjugation. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the phosphorus-bridged species showed that the structure is similar to that of the known thiophene analogue, but with bond lengths consistent with the reduced aromaticity of furan. All of the p-block bridged difurans show strong absorption in the UV region and i...
“What Am I Gonna Be Losing?” School Culture and the Family-Based College-Going Dilemmas of Black and Latino Adolescent Boys:

As educators and service providers in urban schools encourage student college going at higher rates than ever, policy and practice on school improvement discourses would benefit from incorporating ...
Population pharmacokinetic meta-analysis of ramucirumab in cancer patients.

Aims Ramucirumab is a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that specifically binds vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and blocks binding of VEGF-A, VEGF-C and VEGF-D. The objective of the analysis was to characterize the clinical pharmacology profile of ramucirumab using a population pharmacokinetic approach. Methods A total of 1639 patients with 6427 serum concentrations from 11 Phase 1b, 2 and 3 clinical trials in patients with various cancer indications were included in the analysis. Ramucirumab was administered as an intravenous infusion over 1 h at 8 mg kg−1 every 2 weeks or 10 mg kg−1 every 3 weeks. A series of pharmacostatistical models were developed to describe the concentration data. The best model was used to evaluate patient factors for their effect on ramucirumab pharmacokinetics. Results The pharmacokinetics of ramucirumab were well characterized by a two-compartment model. Mean population estimates of clearance, volume of distribution and half-life for a typical 68-kg patient were 0.0148 l h−1, 5.30 l and 13.4 days, respectively. A modest relationship was observed between body weight and ramucirumab disposition; clearance and central compartment volume increased with body weight. No other patient characteristics were shown to influence the disposition of ramucirumab in this patient population. Conclusions The final model adequately described the concentration–time profile of ramucirumab in patients with a range of cancer indications. The model confirmed that a weight-normalized dosing regimen is appropriate for ramucirumab therapy. Dose adjustment was not required for patients with mild to moderate renal impairment or mild hepatic impairment.
The penalty for privacy violations: How privacy violations impact trust online

Abstract With information misuse as a particularly salient form of risk online, respecting privacy is often closely tied to trust in consumer surveys. This study uses factorial vignette survey methodology to measure the relative importance of violating privacy expectations to consumers' trust in a website. The findings suggest consumers find violations of privacy expectations, specifically the secondary uses of information, to diminish trust in a website. Firms that violate privacy expectations are penalized twice: violations of privacy (1) impact trust directly and (2) diminish the importance of trust factors such as integrity and ability on trust. In addition, consumers with greater technology savvy place greater importance on privacy factors than respondents with less knowledge. Violations of privacy may place firms in a downward trust spiral by decreasing not only trust in the website but also the impact of possible mechanisms to rebuild trust such as a firm's integrity and ability.
Key Concepts, Definitions, and Frameworks

This chapter explores the worldviews that underlie intervention effectiveness research, quality improvement, and program evaluation, and explains the similarities and differences between these perspectives. At the heart of all perspectives is the need to know if an efficacious or research-based intervention is effective in a real-world setting, producing the intended and desired outcomes. Understanding how these worldviews arose and converge provides a basis for conducting intervention effectiveness research, quality improvement activities, or program evaluation using rigorous methods, correctly interpreting findings, and disseminating results. Definitions of these terms and other related terms such as translational research and comparative effectiveness research are provided in order to clearly establish the scope of the guidance provided within this book.
Comparison of dislocation content measured with transmission electron microscopy and micro-Laue diffraction based streak analysis

Abstract The subsurface dislocation content in a Ti-5Al-2.5Sn (wt%) uniaxial tension sample deformed at ambient temperature was characterized by peak streak analysis of micro-Laue diffraction patterns collected non-destructively by differential aperture X-ray microscopy, and with focused ion beam transmission electron microscopy of material in the same volume. This comparison reveals that micro-Laue diffraction streak analysis based on an edge dislocation assumption can accurately identify the dominant dislocation slip system history (Burgers vector and plane observed by TEM), despite the fact that dislocations have predominantly screw character. Other dislocations identified by TEM were not convincingly discernible from the peak streak analysis.
Extended Hückel Calculations on Solids Using the Avogadro Molecular Editor and Visualizer

The “Yet Another extended Huckel Molecular Orbital Package” (YAeHMOP) has been merged with theAvogadro open-source molecular editor and visualizer. It is now possible to perform YAeHMOP calculations directly from the Avogadro graphical user interface for materials that are periodic in one, two, or three dimensions, and to visualize band structures, total and projected density of states, and crystal orbital overlap/Hamilton populations (COOPs/COHPs). Calculations on graphite, silicon, sodium, and a one-dimensional hydrogen chain are provided to illustrate the functionality. Similar exercises have been carried out in an upper-level undergraduate quantum theory course.
Apheloria polychroma, a new species of millipede from the Cumberland Mountains (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae).

Millipedes of the genus Apheloria Chamberlin, 1921 occur in temperate broadleaf forests throughout eastern North America and west of the Mississippi River in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains. Chemically defended with toxins made up of cyanide and benzaldehyde, the genus is part of a community of xystodesmid millipedes that compose several Mullerian mimicry rings in the Appalachian Mountains. We describe a model species of these mimicry rings, Apheloria polychroma n. sp., one of the most variable in coloration of all species of Diplopoda with more than six color morphs, each associated with a separate mimicry ring.
Systematic literature review on self-regulated learning in massive open online courses

Despite arguments about the importance of self-regulated learning (SRL) in massive open online courses (MOOCs) (Terras & Ramsay, 2015), understanding of the topic is limited. This study offers a systematic review of empirical research on SRL in MOOCs. It revealed that the body of literature on SRL in MOOCs has grown from 2014 to 2016. The content analysis findings show that SRL was a factor positively influencing learning in MOOCs. SRL strategies were identified, including motivational regulation strategies, specifically self-efficacy, task value, and goal setting. Particular cognitive regulation strategies were not identified, and goal setting was found as a metacognitive regulation strategy. Regarding behavioural and contextual regulation strategies, help seeking, time management, and effort regulation were identified. In addition, several MOOC designs and SRL interventions that consider unique characteristics of MOOCs were proposed to promote SRL. Implications of these findings and future research are discussed.
Speckle-free imaging with nanosecond-scale acquisition using microlens-stabilized laser arrays

A novel light source comprising as many as 4,000 independent lasers has been developed for speckle-free illumination. Visible-light and near-infrared imaging with exposure time as short as five nanoseconds has been demonstrated.
CHESS upgrade 1995: Improved radiation shielding (abstract)

The Cornell Electron Storage Ring (CESR) stores electrons and positrons at 5.3 GeV for the production and study of B mesons, and, in addition, it supplies synchrotron radiation for CHESS. The machine has been upgraded for 300 mA operation. It is planned that each beam will be injected in about 5 minutes and that particle beam lifetimes will be several hours. In a cooperative effort, staff members at CHESS and LNS have studied sources in CESR that produce radiation in the user areas. The group has been responsible for the development and realization of new tunnel shielding walls that provide a level of radiation protection from 20 to ≳100 times what was previously available. Our experience has indicated that a major contribution to the environmental radiation is not from photons, but results from neutrons that are generated by particle beam loss in the ring. Neutrons are stopped by inelastic scattering and absorption in thick materials such as heavy concrete. The design for the upgraded walls, the developm...
Finite Difference Methods and MATLAB

Finite difference approximations are the foundation of computer-based numerical solutions of differential equations. Numerical solutions, also known as numerical methods, are essential to solve non-linear differential equations. The state-space representation of dynamic systems requires numerical solution. The Euler method is the simplest finite difference method and is used to introduce the concepts. The more accurate Runge–Kutta algorithm is also more involved. Fortunately, the use of the Runge–Kutta method is straightforward. The Appendix to the chapter is a brief introduction to computer programming and programming in MATLAB for those who need it.
Evidence Based Management of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Prior to the use of thrombolytic therapy, therapy for acute myocardial infarction consisted of pain relief, electrocardiographic and blood pressure monitoring, treatment of ventricular arrhythmias, and the management of acute heart failure. The general measures of treatment are listed in Table 1.
Why Did Europe Conquer the World

This generally well-written and well-structured, though otherwise problematic, work, aims to provide a revisionist explanation why Europe rose to global dominance in the period 1500–1800, and why E...
Bullous disorders associated with anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 therapy: A retrospective analysis evaluating the clinical and histopathologic features, frequency, and impact on cancer therapy.

Background Bullous disorders associated with anti–programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy are increasingly reported and may pose distinct therapeutic challenges. Their frequency and impact on cancer therapy are not well established. Objective To evaluate the clinical and histopathologic findings, frequency, and impact on cancer therapy of bullous eruptions due to anti–PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients evaluated by the oncodermatology clinic and consultative service of Yale New Haven Hospital from 2016 to 2018. Results We identified 9 of 853 patients who developed bullous eruptions (∼1%) that were treated with anti–PD-1/PD-L1 therapy at our institution during the study period: 7 presented with bullous pemphigoid, 1 presented with bullous lichenoid dermatitis, and 1 presented with linear IgA bullous dermatosis in the context of vancomycin therapy. In all, 8 patients required systemic steroids, 5 required maintenance therapy, and 8 required interruption of immunotherapy. All 9 patients had an initial positive tumor response or stable disease, but 4 went on to develop disease progression. Limitations This was a retrospective study from a single tertiary care center. Conclusions Bullous disorders developed in approximately 1% of patients treated with anti–PD-1/PD-L1 therapy at our institution and frequently resulted in interruption of immune therapy and management with systemic corticosteroids and occasionally steroid-sparing agents.
The application of Method of Manufactured Solutions to method of characteristics in planar geometry

Abstract The Method of Manufactured Solutions (MMS) is an effective code verification method for assessing the correctness of numerical algorithms and software implementation. It has great flexibility in verifying computational functionalities of a computer code and has seen wide applications in many engineering fields. It has been used for the radiation transport equation but has had limited success in determining whether the observed rate of convergence is consistent with the expected value due to the coupled errors in space and angle. There have also been only limited applications of MMS to eigenvalue problems and very little published research has been performed on applying MMS to multiphysics problems. In this work, MMS is applied to both flat-source and linear-source method of characteristics (MoC) in planar geometry for source problems and eigenvalue problems. A method is developed which allows the angular error to be decoupled from the spatial error, enabling the assessment of the convergence rate with spatial resolution. The angular error removal technique is also applicable to eigenvalue problems. Additionally, two independent approaches to applying MMS to eigenvalue problems are developed, one using an inhomogeneous manufactured source and the other using manufactured cross sections. When the neutronics solver is coupled to a thermal conduction code, MMS is used to investigate the overall order of accuracy of the coupled multiphysics system. Comprehensive tests are devised with a variety of solution structures to verify the theoretical convergence rates. Numerical results show that both the eigenvalue k and the cell-averaged scalar fluxes exhibit orders of accuracy consistent with theoretical predictions, namely, second order for flat-source MoC and fourth order for linear-source MoC. However, for a multiphysics problem coupling neutronics with thermal hydraulics, the overall order of accuracy is limited by the solution field with the slowest rate of convergence.
Direct gaze, eye movements, and covert and overt social attention processes

The present study is a replication and extension of previous research examining the effects of others' gaze direction and gaze shifts on both participants' (N = 32) manual responses, as an indicator of covert processes, and their visual attention, as an indicator of overt processes, within an experimental response time (RT) paradigm, under both fixed- and free-viewing instructions. Participants viewed arrays of faces displaying direct or averted gaze, which shifted or held their gaze, concurrent with the presentation of a target letter that participants had to identify overlaid on one face, all while their gaze was recorded with an eye-tracking system. Participants' RTs and eye movements both revealed faster responses when the target face displayed either direct or shifted gaze, and especially when its gaze had shifted from averted to direct, though these effects were modulated by the viewing instructions. Thus, the findings replicate and extend previous research by revealing that direct gaze and dynamic motion onset affect both covert and overt attention.
Potty Training: Nonhuman Inspection in Public Washrooms

The intimacies, privacies, and taboos of the public washroom render it almost inaccessible for direct human inspection. Especially with the decline of attendants and thus loss of a human policeman, nonhuman fixtures are set in place to do the dirty work. Moreover, in the United States, or at least in Buffalo, New York, where I have done fieldwork (and which is typical of American cities in these respects), government officials make only rare appearances on the toilet scene. Consequently, washroom inspection mostly takes place through the design of automated fixtures. Instead of placing a human policeman to make sure that the user flushes after every use – which might constitute an illegal, immoral, and also economically impractical act in the context of the public washroom – a nonhuman thing performs the task. Automated flushing, rinsing, soaping, and drying devices – and recently also automated doors – are the authorities. This spatially mandated public hygiene constitutes morality in practice, one that doesn’t always resonate well with the public. Perhaps unsurprisingly, various forms of human resistance to these impositions have mushroomed here and there: acts of vandalism directed at automated fixtures, their routine avoidance, or strategies of finagling how they operate.
Gratitude Conversations: An Experimental Trial of an Online Parenting Tool.

Gratitude is associated with a host of positive outcomes; yet, little is understood about the ways in which parents may foster gratitude in their children. The current study allows for the examinat...
A pilot study of decision factors influencing over-the-counter medication selection and use by older adults.

Abstract Background and objectives Despite their availability without prescription, OTC medications pose a risk for significant harm for older adults due to higher likelihood of polypharmacy, drug interactions, and age-related physiological changes. The purpose of this study is to identify the individual decision factors that influence how older adults select and use over-the-counter medications. Methods A pilot study was conducted with 20 community-dwelling older adults. Older adults met the interviewer at a regional mass merchandise store where they were given both pain and insomnia standardized scenarios. Participants described how they would select and then hypothetically use a given medication to treat the problem described in the scenario. Results OTC medication selection and reported use were influenced by several person-level decision-making factors including: personal beliefs/knowledge about OTCs, assessment of the ailment, and medical constraints. Conclusion The findings from this investigation provide direction for interventions to address unsafe OTC medication selection by older adults.
Continuity and change in a Second Cold War

A Second Cold War, although not inevitable, would likely have important differences and similarities with the First if it were to occur. The main opponents are likely the same, but the relationships within the opposing sides will surely be different. The main continuity is the mobilization of the United States, which because of the First Cold War has large standing forces, a global presence, and a technology development system focused on maintaining American military dominance. Challenging Pax Americana will require the East in a new contest to agree on a new hierarchy, develop expeditionary forces, and match the military innovation capabilities of the United States. All difficult tasks.
A Stable Generalized/eXtended p-hierarchical FEM for three-dimensional linear elastic fracture mechanics

Abstract In this paper, the quadratic Stable Generalized Finite Element Method (SGFEM) proposed in Sanchez-Rivadeneira and Duarte (2019) is extended to 3-D fracture problems with non-planar crack surfaces and curved crack fronts. This SGFEM is based on p -hierarchical FEM enrichments and its approximation space is the same as in its GFEM counterpart. Singular enrichments are modified using a discontinuous finite element interpolant for conditioning control. This leads, with the proper choice of enrichments, to stiffness matrices with a scaled condition number of O ( h − 2 ) — the same order as in the standard FEM. The robustness of the method with respect to the position of a crack relative to the mesh is demonstrated. A scalar implementation of singular enrichments that can exactly reproduce the first term of the Mode I, II, and III of the asymptotic expansion of the elasticity solution is presented. Improved approximations of signed distance functions based on integration sub-elements are also presented. Convergence studies of a fully 3-D fracture problem with a non-planar crack surface and a curved crack front are presented. They show that the convergence rate of the proposed method on a sequence of uniform meshes is three times higher than quadratic quarter-point finite elements.
RESPONSE: Collaboration Is the Key in Cardio-Rheumatology.

Dr. Yoo comprehensively summarizes the need for specialized clinical training for the management of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in patients with chronic autoimmune disease (CAID). Due to advances in medical treatment, patients with CAID, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, human immunodeficiency
Degradation of RDX (Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) in contrasting coastal marine habitats: Subtidal non-vegetated (sand), subtidal vegetated (silt/eel grass), and intertidal marsh

Abstract Hundreds of explosive-contaminated marine sites exist globally, many of which contain the common munitions constituent hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). Quantitative information about RDX transformation in coastal ecosystems is essential for management of many of these sites. Isotopically labelled RDX containing 15N in all 3 nitro groups was used to track the fate of RDX in three coastal ecosystem types. Flow-through mesocosms representing subtidal vegetated (silt/eel grass), subtidal non-vegetated (sand) and intertidal marsh ecosystems were continuously loaded with isotopically labelled RDX for 16–17 days. Sediment, pore-water and overlying surface water were analyzed to determine the distribution of RDX, nitroso-triazine transformation products (NXs) and nitrogen containing complete mineralization products, including ammonium, nitrate+nitrite, nitrous oxide and nitrogen gas. The marsh, silt, and sand ecotypes transformed 94%, 90% and 76% of supplied RDX, respectively. Total dissolved NXs accounted for 2%–4% of the transformed 15N-RDX. The majority of RDX transformation in the water column was by mineralization to inorganic N (dissolved and evaded; 64%–78% of transformed 15N-RDX). RDX was mineralized primarily to N2O (62–74% of transformed 15N-RDX) and secondarily to N2 (1–2% of transformed 15N-RDX) which exchanged with the atmosphere. Transformation of RDX was favored in carbon-rich lower redox potential sediments of the silt and marsh mesocosms where anaerobic processes of iron and sulfate reduction were most prevalent. RDX was most persistent in the carbon-poor sand mesocosm. Partitioning of 15N derived from RDX onto sediment and suspended particulates was negligible in the overall mass balance of RDX transformation (2%–3% of transformed 15N-RDX). The fraction of 15N derived from RDX that was sorbed or assimilated in sediment was largest in the marsh mesocosm (most organic carbon), and smallest in the sand mesocosm (largest grain size and least organic carbon). Sediment redox conditions and available organic carbon stores affect the fate of RDX in different coastal marine habitats.
Circuit Averaging, Averaged Switch Modeling, and Simulation

Circuit averaging is another well-known technique for derivation of converter equivalent circuits. Rather than averaging the converter state equations, with the circuit averaging technique we average the converter waveforms directly. All manipulations are performed on the circuit diagram, instead of on its equations, and hence the circuit averaging technique gives a more physical interpretation to the model. Since circuit averaging involves averaging and small-signal linearization, it is equivalent to state-space averaging. However, in many cases circuit averaging is easier to apply, and allows the small-signal ac model to be written almost by inspection. The circuit averaging technique can also be applied directly to a number of different types of converters and switch elements, including phase-controlled rectifiers, PWM converters operated in discontinuous conduction mode or with current programming, and quasi-resonant converters—these are described in later chapters.
Atrioventricular Reentry Tachycardia

Atrioventricular reentry tachycardia (AVRT) is the second most common type of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and requires an accessory pathway (AP) that bypasses conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node. The manifestation of ventricular preexcitation in sinus rhythm with paroxysmal tachycardia is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. However, AVRT may occur in the absence of ventricular preexcitation using APs that conduct only in the retrograde direction. In the past century, we have elucidated the anatomic basis of AVRT which furthered our understanding of the mechanism and clinical implications. In the electrophysiology laboratory, often pacing maneuvers are required to differentiate atrioventricular reentry tachycardia from other forms of narrow complex tachycardia such as atrioventricular nodal reentrant, atrial, or junctional tachycardia as well as unusual AP variants. The success rate for catheter ablation is more than 90% for most accessory pathway locations and has become the first-line therapy for symptomatic patients.
Particle Size Distributions in Clean Rooms

Measurements of particle size distributions smaller than 0.1 μm in Class 100 clean rooms are summarized. The size distributions were measured in operational rooms during periods of time with little activity—the so-called "at rest" conditions. A simple particle number balance model is proposed, illustrating the importance of filter penetration and atmospheric aerosol on the concentration of submicrometer particles. Preliminary calculations are used to explain the absence of < 0.1 μm diameter particles in the clean rooms tested. A ratio of condensation nucleus counter concentration to optical particle counter concentration is suggested as a parameter to provide an indication of changes in clean room particle size distribution.
ECM-mediated positional cues are able to induce pattern, but not new positional information, during axolotl limb regeneration

The Mexican Axolotl is able to regenerate missing limb structures in any position along the limb axis throughout its life and serves as an excellent model to understand the basic mechanisms of endogenous regeneration. How the new pattern of the regenerating axolotl limb is established has not been completely resolved. An accumulating body of evidence indicates that pattern formation occurs in a hierarchical fashion, which consists of two different types of positional communications. The first type (Type 1) of communication occurs between connective tissue cells, which retain memory of their original pattern information and use this memory to generate the pattern of the regenerate. The second type (Type 2) of communication occurs from connective tissue cells to other cell types in the regenerate, which don’t retain positional memory themselves and arrange themselves according to these positional cues. Previous studies suggest that molecules within the extracellular matrix (ECM) participate in pattern formation in developing and regenerating limbs. However, it is unclear whether these molecules play a role in Type 1 or Type 2 positional communications. Utilizing the Accessory Limb Model, a regenerative assay, and transcriptomic analyses in regenerates that have been reprogrammed by treatment with Retinoic Acid, our data indicates that the ECM likely facilities Type-2 positional communications during limb regeneration.
Type of fiducial marker and clinical outcomes in stereotactic body radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer.

414Background: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for pancreatic cancers has been shown to improve local control, and is an important option for treatment, especially for unresectable disea...
The Asian Military Revolution: Japan and the wars of unification

Unlike the other Asian polities discussed in this book, Japan emerged as a modern, militarily powerful nation in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. It avoided the plague of Western colonialism that so badly disrupted many societies around the world, and handily absorbed the technological developments of the Industrial Revolution. But in most respects Japan's reaction to the introduction of firearms was similar to the rest of Asia. Firearms were revolutionary in Japanese warfare, becoming indispensable weapons for armies soon after the Portuguese introduced them in 1543. They fit extremely well within the already missile-oriented mode of Japanese warfare. The Portuguese arquebus, and the far more widely available Japanese reproductions of it, became prominent at just the time when Oda Nobunaga began to unify Japan. Toyotomi Hideyoshi completed that unification, and the coincidence of the introduction of new military technology and political change seems to imply causality; we shall see that this was not the case, in the same way that Japan's avoidance of the full effects of colonialism was due not to culture, but to geography and economics. It was political and social development that allowed the arquebus to be taken up and used effectively, not the technology that initiated political and social development. Indeed, both Hideyoshi and the man who truly gained the benefits of Japan's unification, Tokugawa Ieyasu, successfully altered the direction of social development exactly contrary to where the technology seemed to drive it.
The industrial minerals

Publisher Summary This chapter offers information on various types of industrial minerals, which also include a number of synthetic materials. “Asbestos” is a generic term applied to six minerals that occur in nature as strong, flexible, heat-resistant fibers, and nearly all commercial asbestos are the mineral chrysotile. Chrysotile is differentiated from the other five asbestos minerals by its tubular serpentine rather than ribbon-like amphibole structure, its generally greater fiber flexibility and strength, its lower heat resistance, its greater surface area and positive surface charge, its lower refractive index, and its greater susceptibility to decomposition by strong acids. Approximately 3.5 million metric tons of asbestos is produced annually and its major producers are the former Soviet Union (60%) and Canada (17%). Most processed barite (90%) is used as a weighting agent in well drilling fluids. Its physical and chemical properties assume more importance for its filler applications and for its use as a source of barium. The commercial significance of barite is related almost entirely to its high specific gravity. Processing of barite depends upon ore purity and the nature of associated minerals. Barite for well drilling fluids is typically a 200 mesh product with specific gravity of at least 4.2, and filler uses for barite generally require high brightness, high purity, and fine particle size. Calcite is the major or sole constituent of most commercial calcium carbonate products, which include natural limestone, marble, and chalk, plus most precipitated calcium carbonate. Filler uses for calcium carbonate generally require white color and a high degree of mineralogical purity, plus control of particle size and shape, surface area, and liquid absorptivity.
Sliding Mode Control in Discrete Time Linear Systems

Abstract Due to the sample/hold processes in a discrete time system, a number of properties, which are valid in continuous time systems, no longer hold. For sliding mode control, the discrete time matching condition will not be satisfied in general even if the continuous time version holds. Yet one still can maintain the states in the vicinity of the sliding manifolds up to at least O ( T 2 ) at each sampling instant, where T is the sampling period. Moreover, for disturbances with sufficient smoothness, the accuracy can be promoted to O ( ( T r ) 2 ) ( r being an interger ) (r being an integer) if additional switchings in between measured samplings are allowed. It is seen that the system uncertainties due to exogenous disturbances can be rejected within O ( T 2 ) to O ( ( T r ) 2 ) ( r being an interger ) accuracy and that the effect caused by parameter variations will be attenuated to zero asymptotically.
The treatment of carcinoma of the cervix.

The technique of radiation therapy has undergone a gradual evolution during the past ‘thirty-five years; with increase of knowledge of the physics of radiation and the biologic reaction of tissues to this form of therapy it is rare indeed to see the needless destruction of tissue which was formerly referred to as “the usual radium slough. ” In most clinics at the present time treatment with Ihigh voltage x-ray precedes the local application of radium. This has the fourfold advantage of devitalizing the cancer cells before local manipulation may cause their dissemination, at least partial sealing of lymphatic channels, clearing up the ever present local infection, and an amazing restoraCon of the cancerdistorted anatomic relationships.
Chapter 7 Gangliosides as modulators of neuronal calcium

Publisher Summary This chapter describes some recent experiments of the author's laboratory that attempted to explore the connection between neuronal gangliosides and calcium flux. It is believed that these and related findings in other laboratories can explain at least some of the neuronotrophic properties of these molecules, including neuritogenic as well as neuroprotective effects. These studies entailed spectrofluorimetric measurement of Ca2+ during manipulation of endogenous or exogenous gangliosides as well as observation of resulting morphological changes. In an attempt to correlate the findings of many laboratories, the principal generality that emerges in regard to ganglioside function is that of protein modulation—encompassing a variety of enzymes, receptors, ion channels, and cell adhesion molecules residing in the plasma membrane. Additionally, the possibility of interaction with intracellular constituents must be considered in view of the occurrence of gangliosides and other glycosphingolipids in certain intracellular organelles.
Tensile Strengths for Laser-Fabricated Parts and Similarity Parameters for Rapid Manufacturing

This paper presents a set of process parameter selection rules to deposit a good metal part. A CO 2 laser is used to melt metal powder to achieve layer by layer deposition for fabricating three-dimensional parts. Dimensionless numbers characterizing this powder deposition process are identified using Buckingham's Π-Theorem. These dimensionless numbers are used to identify a range of values for the process parameters, such as the laser power, spot diameter, speed of the xyz stage and powder flow rate, to achieve good quality layers for different materials. The yield and ultimate strengths are examined for parts fabricated with stainless steel 304 (SS 304) powder under three different processing conditions. These stresses are correlated to the operating conditions and physical dimensions of the deposit through the dimensionless similarity parameters. Experimental data indicate that the yield strength of the part is close to the value of standard sample (250 MPa, same as wrought stainless steel SS304). It is also observed that the direction of maximum yield strength is oriented very close to the dominant direction of material solidification. The ultimate strength is found to be considerably less than the ultimate strength of wrought SS 304 (540 MPa) which may be due to the residual stresses generated in the part.
The potential role of spatial dimension in the neutrino-driving mechanism of core-collapse supernova explosions

Abstract We have hydrodynamically explored the dependence on spatial dimension of the viability of the neutrino heating mechanism of core-collapse supernova explosions and find that the tendency to explode is a monotonically increasing function of dimension. Moreover, we find that the delay to explosion for a given neutrino luminosity is always shorter in 3D than 2D, sometimes by many hundreds of milliseconds. The magnitude of this dimensional effect is much larger than the purported magnitude of a variety of other effects sometimes invoked to bridge the gap between the current ambiguous and uncertain theoretical situation and the fact of robust supernova explosions in Nature. Our finding, facilitated by access to state-of-the-art codes and large computers, may be an important step towards unraveling one of the most problematic puzzles in stellar astrophysics.
Centroid-moment tensor solutions for January–March, 1984

Abstract Centroid-moment tensor solutions are presented for 148 earthquakes that occurred during the first quarter of 1984. The solutions are obtained using corrections for aspherical Earth structure.
Association of child marriage with suicidal thoughts and attempts among adolescent girls in Ethiopia.

Abstract Purpose Little information exists on the mental health implications of child marriage in Africa. This study examined the association between child marriage and suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among girls aged 10–17 years. Methods Data were drawn from a 2007 cross-sectional survey conducted in the Amhara region, Ethiopia. Multilevel logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for suicidality. Results Approximately 5.2% of girls reported ever being married, 5.4% were promised in marriage, and 9.3% reported receiving marriage requests. Girls who were ever married (odds ratio [OR] = 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–3.18), were promised in marriage (OR = 2.35; 95% CI = 1.38–4.01) or had received marriage requests (OR = 2.29; 95% CI = 1.46–3.59) were significantly more likely than girls who were never in the marriage process to have had suicidal thoughts in the past 3 months. Residence in communities with high involvement in stopping child marriage was protective of suicidal ideation. The odds of suicide attempt were twice as high among girls with marriage requests as among those with none. Conclusions Child marriage was associated with increased odds of suicidality. Findings call for stronger community engagement in child marriage prevention and mental health support for child brides.
Measurement of biological tissue metabolism using phase modulation spectroscopic technology

Optical path lengths of photon migration in tissue can be determined directly by pulse-time measurement. This makes it possible to quantify tissue hemoglobin concentrations. However, the bulky and expensive solid state/liquid dye laser system is unsuitable for clinical studies. Thus, the design of an efficient phase modulation technology simplifies the methodology and offers continuous reading of tissue photon propagation in tissue. This report describes a 200 MHz time shared Dual Wavelength Phase modulation system, which measures the essential characteristic of light propagation in the body tissues. This system has slow drift over the 7.5 hour period has maximum of 0.04 degree(s)/hr. The noise peak to peak corresponds to 0.9 mm. Noise is maximum when the separation between transmitter and detector is 5 cm in Intralipid solution, with high voltage at 850 v. Applications of the noninvasive devices include measurement of hemoglobin deoxygenation in brain and hemoglobin and myoglobin deoxygenation in human skeletal muscle and animal models. Numerous applications to medical and biological problems now become available.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.