cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pin-Ended Gabled Frames

Method for solving pin-ended, 1 or 2 span, gabled frames by method of consistent deformations; it utilizes moment distribution coefficients but does not require actual distribution of moments; solution does not require two simultaneous equations of moment distribution solution for single span frame, but it requires same number, three, for 2 span frame.
Dual-Specificity Phosphatase 4 Overexpression in Cells Prevents Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Apoptosis via the Upregulation of eNOS

MAPK signaling cascades regulate several cellular functions, including differentiation, proliferation, survival and apoptosis. The duration and magnitude of phosphorylation of these MAPKs are decisive determinants of their physiological functions. DUSPs exert kinetic control over these signaling cascades. Previously, we demonstrated that DUSP4-/- hearts sustain a larger infarct and have poor functional recovery, when isolated hearts were subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Uncontrolled p38 activation and up-regulation of Nox4 expression are the main effectors for this functional alteration. Here, DUSP4 over-expression in endothelial cells was used to investigate the role of DUSP4 on the modulation of ROS generation and vascular function, when cells were subjected to hypoxia/re-oxygenation (H/R) insult. Immunostaining with cleaved caspase-3 revealed that DUSP4 over-expression prevents caspase-3 activation and apoptosis after H/R. The beneficial effects occur via modulating p38 activity, increased NO bioavailability, and reduced oxidative stress. More importantly, DUSP4 over-expression up-regulates eNOS protein expression (1.62  0.33 versus 0.65  0.16) during H/R-induced stress. NO is a critical small molecule involved in regulating vascular tone, vascular growth, platelet aggregation, and modulation of inflammation. The level of NO generation determined using DAF-2 fluorescence demonstrated that DUSP4 over-expression augments NO production, and thus improves vascular function. The level of superoxide generated from cells after being subjected to H/R was determined using DHE-HPLC method. The results suggested that DUSP4 over-expression in cells decreases H/R-induced superoxide generation (1.56 ± 0.14 versus 1.19 ± 0.05) and thus reduces oxidant stress. This also correlates to the reduction in the total protein S-glutathionylation, an indicator of protein oxidation. These results further support our hypothesis that DUSP4 is an antioxidant gene and a key phosphatase in modulating MAPKs, especially p38, during oxidative stress; which regulates ROS generation and eNOS expression and thus protects against oxidant-induced injury or apoptosis. Overall, DUSP4 may serve as an excellent molecular target for the treatment of ischemic heart disease.
Latino Sexual Beliefs Scale: An Exploratory Factor Analysis of Latino Men Who Have Sex With Men

The catalyzing forces behind risky sexual behavior are a rich area of interest for public health researchers concerned with reducing HIV risk. Social cognitive theory would suggest that sexual beliefs are a viable example of one such influential agent. Recognizing that culture plays an important role in forming such sexual beliefs, and seeking to understand the unique HIV risks present for Latino men who have sex with men (MSM), this article presents an exploratory factor analysis of the 13-item Latino Sexual Beliefs Scale (LSBS) created as part of a larger study to investigate predictors of condom use among a sample of 482 MSM born in Brazil, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic and living in the U.S. The current analysis identified two psychometric factors in the LSBS as Romantic Exigency (containing six items with a mean loading of .62) and Sexual Acquiescence (containing seven items with a mean loading of .57). This is the first factor analysis conducted on the 13-item LSBS and represents the first known quantitative measure of Latino cultural sexual beliefs related to condom use for Latino MSM. Implications for future research include further validation, use in studies exploring the role of sexual beliefs on condom use, and possible thematic targets in HIV risk reduction interventions.
The Dental Professional.

The author discusses his decision to serve Medicaid patients despite the tendency for quality dentists to deny Medicaid patients dental care.
The Behavior of One-Story Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls

Results of investigation to develop data on resistance of shear walls could be used in design of structures to resist atomic blast loads; approximate relationships suggested for predicting load deflection curves for walls.
Divergent PAM Specificity of a Highly-Similar SpCas9 Ortholog

RNA-guided DNA endonucleases of the CRISPR-Cas system are widely used for genome engineering and thus have numerous applications in a wide variety of fields. The range of sequences that CRISPR endonucleases can recognize, however, is constrained by the need for a specific protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) flanking the target site. In this study, we demonstrate the natural PAM plasticity of a highly-similar, yet previously uncharacterized, Cas9 from Streptococcus canis (ScCas9) through rational manipulation of distinguishing motif insertions. To this end, we report a divergent affinity to 59-NNGT-39 PAM sequences and demonstrate the editing capabilities of the ortholog in both bacterial and human cells. Finally, we build an automated bioinformatics pipeline, the S earch for PAM s by AL ignment O f T argets (SPAMALOT), which further explores the microbial PAM diversity of otherwise-overlooked Streptococcus Cas9 orthologs. Our results establish that ScCas9 can be utilized both as an alternative genome editing tool and as a functional platform to discover novel Streptococcus PAM specificities.
Novel Therapy for Male Hypogonadism

Hypogonadism and the treatment of low testosterone is increasingly a subject of medical inquiry and controversy. The few treatments that are FDA-approved such as testosterone topicals, injections, and pellets create significant demand from patients for treatments with more convenient means of administration, fewer adverse effects, and the ability to maintain male fertility. Off-label drugs are in abundant use for low testosterone, including selective estrogen receptor modulators, gonadotropins, and aromatase inhibitors. In this review, we summarize the evidence in support of commonly used treatments for male hypogonadism, as well as discuss recent updates in the development of novel therapeutics. New therapies include nasal testosterone, new oral testosterone formulations, anabolic-androgenic steroids, and selective androgen receptor modulators.
A vector-borne contamination model to assess food-borne outbreak intervention strategies

Abstract Food-borne illness occurs through the consumption of food that has been tainted at some point in the food supply chain. While most contamination is accidental, there is some evidence of intentional food adulteration. This study explores the relationship between food safety practices and consumer behavior in a two-stage food supply chain. We use a vector-borne model to represent the spread of contaminated food through the supply chain. Based on our computational study,we determine the number of consumers that become ill as a result of a contamination event, describe the effect of consumer consumption and purchase behavior on the spread of food-borne illness, and evaluate the effects of various intervention strategies on consumer illness.
Automated metrology and geometric analysis of additively manufactured lattice structures

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) enables the fabrication of complex lattice structures, for which a single part may have hundreds or thousands of individual geometric features. Conventional methods for measuring part geometry and performing quality control, which typically use a small number of low-dimensional measurements, are not well suited for lattice structures. This paper describes a method for scanning and automatically extracting individual features of the lattice and applies this method to characterize AM lattice structures in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional lattices. The research measured 94 lattice parts fabricated from 3 materials in 9 different designs using either a high-resolution document scanner or X-ray computed tomography (CT). A statistical analysis considered manufacturing variances as a function of material type and part design on a subset of the data, comprising the size and location of over 15,000 individual features. We studied the geometric variations of these struts in uniform, hierarchical and gradated parts. For a single design and material, the standard deviation of lattice feature size is quite small. For example, a lattice strut with thickness 0.5 mm has a standard deviation of 30 μm. However, when the same process is used to manufacture multiple parts having different designs and from different materials, the standard deviation of feature size can be larger by 2X or more. This type of automated measurement and analysis may allow for rigorous monitoring, qualification and control of AM lattice parts in production.
Hyperspectral Leaf Reflectance as Proxy for Photosynthetic Capacities: An Ensemble Approach Based on Multiple Machine Learning Algorithms.

Global agriculture production is challenged by increasing demands from a rising population and changing climate, which may be alleviated through development of genetically improved crop cultivars. Research into increasing photosynthetic energy conversion efficiency has proposed many strategies to improve production but has yet to yield solutions, largely because of a phenotyping bottleneck. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) is a statistical technique that is increasingly used to relate hyperspectral reflectance to key photosynthetic capacities associated with carbon uptake (maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco, Vc,max) and conversion of light energy (maximum electron transport rate supporting RuBP regeneration, Jmax) to alleviate this bottleneck. However, its performance varies across different plant species, regions, and growth environments. Thus, to cope with the heterogenious performances of PLSR, this study develops a new approach to estimate photosynthetic capacities. A framework was developed that combines six machine learning algorithms, including artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), random forest (RF), Gaussian process (GP), and PLSR to optimize high-throughput analysis of the two photosynthetic variables. Six tobacco genotypes with a range of photosynthetic capacities were used to test the framework. Leaf reflectance spectra were measured from 400-2500 nm using a high-spectral-resolution spectroradiometer. Corresponding photosynthesis vs. intercellular CO2 concentration response curves were measured for each leaf using a leaf gas-exchange system. Results suggested that the mean R2 value of the six regression techniques for predicting Vc,max (Jmax) ranged from 0.60 (0.45) to 0.65 (0.56) with the mean RMSE value varying from 47.1 (40.1) to 54.0 (44.7) µmol m-2 s-1. Regression stacking for Vc,max (Jmax) performed better than the individual regression techniques with increases in R2 of 0.1 (0.08) and decreases in RMSE by 4.1 (6.6) µmol m-2 s-1, equal to 8% (15%) reduction in RMSE. Better predictive performance of the regression stacking is likely attributed to the varying coefficients (or weights) in the level-2 model (the LASSO model) and the diverse ability of each individual regression technique to utilize spectral information for the best modeling performance. Further refinements can be made apply this stacked regression technique to other plant phenotypic traits.
Objective digital phenotypes of worry severity, pain severity and pain chronicity in persons living with HIV.

Persons living with HIV report experiencing disproportionally severe and chronic pain and worry. However, no objective biomarkers of these subjective experiences have been developed. To address the lack of objective measures and assist in treatment planning, this study examined whether digital biomarkers of pain severity, pain chronicity and worry could be developed, using passive wearable sensors that continuously monitor movement. Results suggest that digital biomarkers can predict pain severity (r[35] = 0.690), pain chronicity (74.63% accuracy) and worry severity (r[65] = 0.642) with high precision, suggesting that objective digital biomarkers alone accurately capture internal symptom experiences in persons living with HIV. Declaration of interest N.C.J. is the owner of a free application published on the Google Play Store entitled ‘Mood Triggers’. He does not receive any direct or indirect revenue from his ownership of the application (i.e. the application is free, there are no advertisements and the data is only being used for research purposes). C.O. has no conflicts to declare.
Commentary: Inclusion and a Discipline

This commentary advocates for strategies of mindful inclusiveness and intersectionality for organizational leaders, editors, reviewers, and individual authors in making the discipline of communicat...
Assessment of Flexion Strength Following Single- Versus Double-Hamstring Tendon Harvest for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Purpose To compare isometric hamstring strength deficits, knee laxity, functional outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes between patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with doubled semitendinosus and gracilis tendon autograft (ST/G) versus quadrupled semitendinosus autograft (ST), at a minimum follow-up of 1-year postoperatively. Methods Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with ST/G or ST hamstring autografts were retrospectively identified. Isometric hamstring strength was tested with a hand-held dynamometer at 30, 60, and 90° of knee flexion. Anterior knee laxity was assessed using a KT-1000 arthrometer. Functional outcomes were collected using the single-leg hop test and single-leg squat test. Side-to-side differences were determined and compared between the ST/G and ST groups. Patient-reported outcomes were collected on all patients. Results Eighty-four patients who underwent ST/G (n = 34) or ST (n = 50) autograft ACL reconstruction were recruited to participate in this study. There was no difference in knee laxity between the groups. Side-to-side hamstring strength deficits increased with increased flexion angles. At 90° of flexion, the ST/G group had a significantly greater flexion strength deficit compared with the ST group (37.8 ± 15.1% vs 24.7 ± 12.5%, P Conclusions Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with ST/G compared with ST autograft have a significantly greater isometric flexion strength deficit at 90° of flexion. Future investigations are required to determine the clinical relevance of this difference and whether specialized therapy protocols can mitigate this deficit. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Understanding Body Image and Appearance Management Behaviors Among Adult Women in South Korea Within a Sociocultural Context: A Review

Body image has been widely examined in Western societies such as the United States, yet far less is known about body image in other cultures. A country with a booming plastic surgery industry, whic...
Glaucoma and Driving

Loss of the ability to drive is highly associated with depressive symptoms in older persons. There are many reasons why an individual may give up driving, poor vision being an important one. Given the high prevalence of glaucoma in this population and the critical role that vision plays in the ability to drive, it is therefore important to consider how glaucomatous vision loss plays into the ability to drive safely. In this review article, we will summarize the literature on the topic of glaucoma and driving and the studies that have been done to evaluate this topic. Studies of both the self-perceived impact of glaucomatous visual field loss on driving as well as studies that include on-road and simulated driving experiments will be reviewed. We will discuss how patients with glaucoma may be assessed for their driving safety and review how we treat and evaluate these patients in our own practices.
Multiple duplications of the superficial femoral artery - Case report and review of the literature.

ObjectivesLower extremity arterial anatomic variations are rare, with duplication of the superficial femoral artery being an extremely uncommon variant with few prior reports in the literature.Meth...
STUDIES ON THE MODE OF ACTION OF DIPHTHERIA TOXIN : I. PHOSPHORYLATED INTERMEDIATES IN NORMAL AND INTOXICATED HELA CELLS

Intracellular levels of ATP, GTP, and hexose phosphates have been determined in HeLa cells at intervals after exposure to saturating doses of diphtheria toxin. Toxin causes no significant change in the level of any of these phosphorylated intermediates either in the presence or absence of glucose over a period of at least 5 to 6 hours. It is concluded that the inhibition of protein synthesis which occurs in HeLa cells at about 2 hours after the addition of saturating doses of toxin, does not result from an effect of toxin on energy metabolism.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of effects of psychosocial interventions on spiritual well-being in adults with cancer.

Objective: Spiritual well-being (SpWb) is an important dimension of health-related quality of life for many cancer patients. Accordingly, an increasing number of psychosocial intervention studies have included SpWb as a study endpoint, and may improve SpWb even if not designed explicitly to do so. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated effects of psychosocial interventions on SpWb in adults with cancer and tested potential moderators of intervention effects. Methods: Six literature databases were systematically searched to identify RCTs of psychosocial interventions in which SpWb was an outcome. Doctoral-level rater pairs extracted data using Covidence following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Standard meta-analytic techniques were applied, including meta-regression with robust variance estimation and risk-of-bias sensitivity analysis. Results: Forty-one RCTs were identified, encompassing 88 treatment effects among 3883 survivors. Interventions were associated with significant improvements in SpWb (g = 0.22, 95% CI [0.14, 0.29], p < 0.0001). Studies assessing the FACIT-Sp demonstrated larger effect sizes than did those using other measures of SpWb (g = 0.25, 95% CI [0.17, 0.34], vs. g = 0.10, 95% CI [-0.02, 0.23], p = 0.03]. No other intervention, clinical, or demographic characteristics significantly moderated effect size. Conclusions: Psychosocial interventions are associated with small-to-medium-sized effects on SpWb among cancer survivors. Future research should focus on conceptually coherent interventions explicitly targeting SpWb and evaluate interventions in samples that are diverse with respect to race and ethnicity, sex and cancer type.
An Empirical Analysis of Image-Based Learning Techniques for Malware Classification

In this chapter, we consider malware classification using deep learning techniques and image-based features. We employ a wide variety of deep learning techniques, including multilayer perceptrons (MLP), convolutional neural networks (CNN), long short-term memory (LSTM), and gated recurrent units (GRU). Among our CNN experiments, transfer learning plays a prominent role—specifically, we test the VGG-19 and ResNet152 models. As compared to previous work, the results presented in this chapter are based on a larger and more diverse malware dataset, we consider a wider array of features, and we experiment with a much greater variety of learning techniques. Consequently, our results are the most comprehensive and complete that have yet been published.
Modification of Charge Transport in Nanostructured TiO2-xSchottky Diodes via Post Fabrication Annealing.

An ordered, crack-free array of anatase TiO2nanotubes were prepared via anodization and annealing at 550 °C. Oxygen vacancies are known to improve photocatalytic activity in TiO2and were introduced using a facile low vacuum annealing. Stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric films were followed by a conformal Pt deposition at 250 °C using atomic layer deposition resulting in a current rectifying device, or Schottky diode. Here, we investigated the current-voltage effects of a post thermal treatment using 350 °C and 400 °C. This paper presents reproducible improvements in the charge transport behavior after a 350 °C post-fabrication annealing process. Oxygen vacancies resulted in the formation of a shunt resistance behavior of 105Ω and no overall performance improvements compared to stoichiometric films. Additionally, thermal treatments offered trap-based shifts from multiple trap distributions to a single trap distribution. This work hereby provides valuable experimental observations into understanding the effects of oxygen vacancies and effectively modifying the electronic properties of a conformal Pt/TiO2-xnanostructured junction using a facile post-thermal treatment.
Evaluating Herd Reproductive Status

The realization that herd reproductive performance limits herd production and profits has made reproductive herd health programs increasingly popular with dairy clients for the last 25 years. We must ensure that reproductive health programs continue to contribute to farm profits. To do this we must continually measure and monitor herd reproductive performance. Many indices of reproductive performance have been described, so it may be difficult and confusing to decide which indices to use and how to use them. This paper describes relationships between reproductive performance, production and farm incomes. It considers some indices of reproduction and how they are used to monitor herd reproductive performance to keep it profitable. To provide a benchmark for normal values of these indices, average 1984 / 5 indices for 21 typical Minnesota and Wisconsin herds are presented. These herds had used the DairyCHAMP Computerized Health and Management Program for a sufficient time to allow a correct analysis in 1986.
Design and Optimization of the High Frequency Transformer for 100kW CLLC Converter

The CLLC converter is widely used in the power electronic applications as a DC transformer, which can provide galvanic isolation, bidirectional power flow and an adjustable output voltage with the use of proper controls. As the most critical component in the CLLC converter, the high frequency (HF) transformer should be optimized according to the design targets, such as efficiency and power density. Starting with the analysis of the CLLC operating characteristics, this paper proposes a formal approach to design the HF transformer of a 100kW CLLC converter for a grid-tied application. The optimization method for the HF transformer is presented and the effect of the resonant inductor is analyzed. The optimized transformer is simulated with the finite element analysis (FEA) and Matlab/Simulink.
The neuropsychology of visual art: conferring capacity.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the enhancing effects of brain damage on artistic production. These observations are subject to significant selection biases. The effects of brain damage on the capacity to produce visual art stand in sharp contrast to many other human capacities. Diseases of the brain can impair the ability to speak or comprehend language, coordinate movements, recognize objects, apprehend emotions, and make logical decisions. The chapter reviews the ways in which neurological disorders can create a disposition to produce visual art, provide artists with a unique visual vocabulary, add to artists' descriptive accuracy, and enhance their expressive powers. These alterations are predicated on the brain damage not producing the kind of motor weakness that would make graphic expression impossible. Further, this chapter highlights the ways in which brain-damaged artists manifest deficits, such as achromatopsia, unilateral spatial neglect, visual agnosias, and asymbolias, similar to nonartists, albeit more eloquently.
Formal Analysis of Hierarchical State Machines

In hierarchical state machines, the states can be ordinary states or superstates which are state machines themselves. The notion of hierarchical state machines was popularized by the introduction of Statecharts, and exists in various object-oriented software development methodologies. This paper surveys results concerning the impact of hierarchy for formal specification and verification. We present a systematic study of the complexity of model checking problems in presence of hierarchy, the succinctness afforded by hierarchy from a language-theoretic perspective, and heuristics for exploiting hierarchy in model checking tools.
Pedestrian detection from non-smooth motion

Pedestrian detection has been intensively studied based on appearances for driving safety. Only a few works have explored between-frame optical flow as one of features for human classification. In this paper, however, a new point of view is taken to watch a longer period for non-smooth movement. We explore the pedestrian detection purely based on motion, which is common and intrinsic for all pedestrians regardless of their shape, color, background, etc. We found unique motion characteristics of humans different from rigid objects in motion profiles. Based on the explicit analysis of spatial-temporal behaviors of pedestrians, non-smooth motion points are detected at the motion trajectories of limbs and body. This method works for driving video where both pedestrians and background are moving, and it yields good results as it is less influenced from pedestrian variations in shape and environment. The method also has low computational cost and it can be combined with a shape-based method as pre-screening tool for accuracy and speed.
Mathematical Counterstory and African American Male Students: Urban Mathematics Education from a Critical Race Theory Perspective

In this article, the author argues that the persistent underachievement of many African American male students in urban school districts requires pedagogical interventions designed to re-engage and re-orient students to mathematics as a critical cultural activity. While counterstory, a critical race theory construct, has wide application across educational research, few researchers have explored its relevance for urban mathematics education. Here, the author provides a grounded operationalization of counterstory by examining the pedagogy embedded in African American narrative on literacy. Using data from a participatory action research project involving male African Americans in South Los Angeles, the author then demonstrates how counterstory is embedded in the mathematical activity associated with graphical representation and trend analysis of data. Through the theorized approach to counterstory presented, the author provides useful direction for education researchers interested in counterstory, and for mathematics educators attempting to broaden their pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning mathematics.
RG-SRAM: a low gate leakage memory design

The gate oxide thickness in sub-70nm process technologies approaches the limit where direct gate tunneling current starts to play a significant role in both off-state and on-state transistors. In this paper, we present a novel reduced-gate SRAM (RG-SRAM) that uses two additional PMOS pass transistors to decrease the gate leakage dissipation in very deep sub-micron (VDSM) cache and embedded memories.
Bosch etching for the creation of a 3D nanoelectroporation system for high throughput gene delivery

In order to create a high-throughput electroporation based cell transfection system, it is required that each cell has localized delivery and minimal membrane damage to ensure optimal transfection and longevity post-biomolecule delivery. To meet these requirements, a three-dimensional (3D) nanochannel device was fabricated on a Si platform due its ease of etching, wide industrial availability, and mechanical stability. The device is designed to shoot desired biomolecules into a seated array of target cells to achieve the high-throughput of bulk electroporation, but with greatly reduced cell mortality. To accomplish this, a wafer-scale Bosch etching process was optimized to etch a 3D array of channels consisting of larger microchannels feeding into smaller nanochannels that cells are ultimately seated on for transfection. The microchannel array consists of 50 μm wells spaced 50 μm apart, which are etched from the “back side.” The wafer is then flipped over to etch the smaller 650 nm channels on the “front ...
Stable inversion of nonlinear non-minimum phase systems

Output tracking control of non-minimum phase systems is a highly challenging problem encountered in the control of flexible manipulators, space structures, and elsewhere. Classical inversion provides exact output tracking but leads to internal instability, while recent nonlinear regulation provides stable asymptotic tracking but admits large transient errors. As a first step to solve this problem, this paper addresses the stable inversion of non-minimum phase nonlinear systems. Using the notions of zero dynamics and stable/unstable manifolds, an invertibility condition is established for a class of systems. A stable but non-causal inverse is obtained offline that can be incorporated into a stabilizing controller for dead-beat output tracking. This inverse contrasts with the causal inverse proposed by Hirschorn where unstable zero dynamics result in unbounded inverse solutions. Our results reduce to those of Hirschorn for minimum phase systems, however. In a numerical example, the stable inverse has achiev...
Infection control: Consultation provides new frontier

The federal government instituted major changes in health care reimbursement for Medicare patients in 1983 with introduction of the prospective payment system. As a result, health care is faced with a new challenge that is more dramatic than any recently experienced. The prospective payment system promises to affect all facets of health care. No hospital department or program will escape scrutiny as administrators search for strategies to stretch the shrinking health care dollar. Infection control (IC) departments and programs are no exception. Changes in reimbursement practices are reshaping the practice of IC. Hospitals may even be forced to reduce IC personnel along with other staff in attempts to provide less costly alternative health care.’ Previous payment systems were designed to encourage expansion of health care and unlimited patient access to it. In this atmosphere of limitless spending, many procedures crept into IC practice that had no proved benefit in reducing nosocomial infections.’ As resources become scarcer, IC departments will be required to justify their existence. In some cases, IC departments may be requested to produce revenues to support themselves. One recent report3 projects that providers will find it increasingly important to join with other providers in gaining approval to introduce and operate new medical technologies and
Optimal Through-Thickness Temperature Gradients for Control of Interlaminar Stresses in Composites

Analytical solutions are sought for optimal temperature distributions to control the interlaminar stresses near the free edges of composite laminates subjected to uniaxial loading. Optimal through-thickness temperature gradients are obtained by minimizing appropriate performance indices that are functions of the far-field properties, with respect to the through-thickness temperature differences. Through the application of these temperatures, effects of local mismatches as well as global mismatches in two of the elastic properties, the Poisson's ratio and coefficient of mutual influence, are minimized. Numerical examples are given for several lay-ups made of graphite epoxy. It is shown that for a cross- or angle-ply laminate a uniform temperature rise or drop can completely eliminate all of the interlaminar stresses, whereas for other laminates nonuniform temperature distributions must be applied to minimize the stresses.
Clinical intervention to reduce central obesity and menopausal symptoms in women aged 35 to 55 years.

Objective Central obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Women commonly increase central fat deposition during the menopausal transition. The purpose of this demonstration project was to determine whether a personalized sex-specific intervention, WAIPointes (WAI stands for Who Am I), could reduce central obesity in women undergoing perimenopausal transition. Methods Eighty-three of 103 women aged 35 to 55 years and experiencing symptoms of the menopausal transition completed a 6-month WAIPointes demonstration project; 75 consented to data review.Sex-specific history was obtained on visit 1; directed physical examination for body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and blood pressure were performed at each of four or five subsequent monthly visits. Other tests were ordered as necessary to determine risk stratification.Participants were assessed for menopause status, and they reported activity and menopausal symptoms at each visit. Personalized strategies for health improvement were developed in partnership. Women served as their own controls. Data from visit 2 were compared with data from visit 4. Results The intervention reduced waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure and improved self-reported menopausal symptoms and physical activity levels. Conclusions Although further study is needed, findings suggest that the WAIPointes program offers potential as an effective office-based clinical intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk factors and symptoms of menopause in women during the menopausal transition.
Selective activation of dopamine transmission in the shell of the nucleus accumbens by stress

A microdialysis probe was placed in either the shell or core compartment of the nucleus accumbens and rats were exposed to mild footshock. Extracellular dopamine levels in the shell of the nucleus accumbens were elevated during the 20-min collection period immediately after discontinuing footshock. In contrast, the levels of dopamine remained unaltered in the core of the nucleus accumbens.
Work Reinforcers and Explanatory Style for Women Aged 40 to 75 Years

Abstract We examined the relationship between explanatory style and work rein-forcers, that is, specific sources in the work environment that appear to promote job satisfaction. Our subjects were 135 employed women aged 40 to 75 years who were asked to complete the Attributional Style Questionnaire (Peterson et al., 1982) and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (Weiss, Dawis, England, & Lofquist, 1967). Using Pearson's product-moment correlational analysis, weak but significant relationships were found between explanatory style and the work reinforcers of ability utilization, activity, and creativity. Individuals with a depressive explanatory style experienced less job satisfaction in areas related to these reinforcers.
Sensitivity analysis for the effects of meteorological and radioactive release conditions on radiation doses from nuclear power plant accidents

This paper briefly reviews several large-scale modeling systems for nuclear power plant accidents in the United States, and summarizes our recent modeling results for the effects of key meteorological conditions, radioactive release characteristics, and evacuation strategies on radiation doses. This work was intended to be useful in the formulation of emergency plans for nuclear power plant accidents. The sensitivity analyses establish a scale for comparing impacts at various locations and over time depending on the variation of those key parameters, and have clear implications for emergency planning.
Diverse functions for the semaphorin receptor PlexinD1 in development and disease

Plexins are a family of single-pass transmembrane proteins that serve as cell surface receptors for Semaphorins during the embryonic development of animals. Semaphorin–Plexin signaling is critical for many cellular aspects of organogenesis, including cell migration, proliferation and survival. Until recently, little was known about the function of PlexinD1, the sole member of the vertebrate-specific PlexinD (PlxnD1) subfamily. Here we review novel findings about PlxnD1's roles in the development of the cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems and salivary gland branching morphogenesis and discuss new insights concerning the molecular mechanisms of PlxnD1 activity.
Spectrum of Au i in the infrared using a Fourier-transform spectrometer

High-resolution Fourier-transform spectra of a gold hollow cathode in the 1–5.3-μm region have been used to improve the energy-level analysis of Au i. The analysis of 29 new near-infrared lines also yielded hyperfine-splitting constants for three Au i levels.
Impact of Culling on Modified Contemporary Comparison Sire Evaluations

Abstract Sire evaluations by Modified Contemporary Comparison routinely are calculated separately for first and later lactations. The published proofs, based on all lactations, are a function of information from these two evaluations. Four data sets from daughters of 200 widely used Holstein sires were used to examine the impact of selection on Modified Contemporary Comparisons. Set 1 contained over 670,000 daughters with first and second records in the herd where the first was initiated. Sets 2 to 4 contained these same first records but only second records from the best 90, 80, and 70% of daughters based on Modified Contemporary Deviations for milk in first lactation. Means for Predicted Difference milk based on second records increased from 367 to 476, 573, and 670 kg as elimination of second records increased from none to 10, 20, and 30% with corresponding standard deviations of 274, 250, 238, and 228 kg. Correlations between Predicted Difference milk from first and second lactations declined as culling intensity increased (.85, .81, .77, and .73) for no, 10, 20, and 30% culling of seconds. Regression of second lactation milk proof on first declined with increased culling (.87, .75, .68, and .62). Adjustment for selection of second lactation proofs from files subjected to culling produced means and standard deviations similar to second lactation proofs from files where all daughters had a second record (mean = 367, 359, 359, and 360 kg, standard deviation = 274, 273, 272, and 272 kg). Adjusted second lactation evaluations from culled data sets produced sire ranks nearly identical to those from unculled records.
Alkaloid‐Studien LII. Die Alkaloide aus Vallesia dichotoma RUIZet PAV

A total of 28 indole and dihydroindole alkaloids have so far been isolated from the bark or leaves of Vallesia dichotoma RUIZet PAV. All but seven of these alkaloids have been characterized largely through the combined use of UV.-, IR.- and NMR.-spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry. Their structures are listed together with other data in a table.
Exact eigenvalue equation for a finite and infinite collection of muffin-tin potentials.

The integral eigenvalue equation of the Hamiltonian with a finite-range potential is transformed so as to explicitly take into account the particular structure of a potential consisting of a finite collection of nonoverlapping, muffin-tin\char21{}type individual potentials (scatterers). The separation between structure and potential, thought to be obtained as an exact result in the framework of multiple-scattering theory, is found to represent an approximation which originates in having considered what is only a necessary condition to be both necessary and sufficient. As an application, the equation for the energy levels of a muffin-tin periodic potential is discussed and shown to be represented by the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker equation only as an approximate result.
Morphology of cholesterylester-rich inclusions in lesions of atherosclerosis in man

Summary Cholesteryl ester-rich inclusions, isolated from fatty streak and fibrous plaque lesions and examined by scanning electron microscopy, showed a spherical shape, and frequent lack of substance evidenced by a variety of defects in their surface. The occurrence of these defects may explain some of the inclusions' puzzling pleomorphism observed by transmission electron microscopy.
Oak-Leaf Shot-Hole Caused by Japanagromyza viridula

A type of shot-hole injury to oak foliage caused by a fly, Japanagromyza viridula (Coquillett), is described. Adult feeding activity of this agromyzid fly was observed on juvenile leaves of red oak sprouts. Numerous ovipositor punctures through the upper epidermis of young, tender leaves, about 25 mm long, are made for feeding purposes only. These feeding injuries initiate holes which expand in direct proportion to subsequent leaf growth. Resulting holes, which average 4.4 mm in diameter in mature leaves, are about 6 times larger than the actual injury made in the juvenile leaf.
Integration of photoperiodic and food cues to time changes in reproductive physiology by an opportunistic breeder, the red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra (Aves: Carduelinae)

Opportunistic breeders presumably use short-term cues (e.g., food) instead of photoperiod to time breeding. This view cannot explain regulation of reproductive patterns in one opportunist, the red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra). Captive crossbills held on natural photoperiod, constant temperature, and ad libitum food express cycles of gonadal development, secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), fat deposition, body mass, hematocrit, and molt. This shows that changing food availability (presumed to drive reproduction in these birds) is not necessary for expression of a seasonal cycle. However, changes in food availability can modulate this seasonal pattern. Reduced food intake attenuates long day induced LH secretion. Furthermore, long day stimulated birds show greater testicular development if shifted from restricted to ad libitum food than if provided ad libitum food continuously. Ad libitum food alone does not stimulate complete reproductive development in winter, when crossbills often breed opportunistically in the wild. Additional stimulation by other factors (e.g., social interactions) is critical at this time. Thus, crossbills regulate their basic annual cycle with photoperiod and superimpose opportunistic responses to supplementary cues (e.g., food and social factors) on this underlying seasonality. This permits crossbills to adjust to both seasonally predictable and unpredictable changes in their environment. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
New equations for binary gas transport in porous media,: Part 1: equation development

A rigorous understanding of the mass and momentum conservation equations for gas transport in porous media is vital for many environmental and industrial applications. We utilize the method of volume averaging to derive Darcy-scale, closure-level coupled equations for mass and momentum conservation. The up-scaled expressions for both the gas-phase advective velocity and the mass transport contain novel terms which may be significant under flow regimes of environmental significance. New terms in the velocity expression arise from the inclusion of a slip boundary condition and closure-level coupling to the mass transport equation. A new term in the mass conservation equation, due to the closure-level coupling, may significantly affect advective transport. Order of magnitude estimates based on the closure equations indicate that one or more of these new terms will be significant in many cases of gas flow in porous media.
Experience Using Real-Time Television In Diagnostic Radiology: Advantages And Disadvantages

The use of television to visualize images at a distance from the source of the images offers diagnostic radiology the promise of revolutionizing the manner in which the medical speciality of radiology is practiced.© (1974) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Sensory Dysfunction Following Stroke: Incidence, Significance, Examination, and Intervention

Recent studies have provided evidence of the widespread incidence of sensory dysfunction following stroke. The importance of these findings lies in the association between sensory loss poststroke and poorer outcomes in motor capacity, functional abilities, length of inpatient stay, and quality of life. Since literature suggests that clinicians can use information about clients’ sensory status to predict rehabilitation outcomes and select appropriate interventions, the accuracy of somatosensory assessment is extremely clinically relevant. However, many of the clinical tests that are commonly used to examine sensation have not been found to be valid or reliable. Emerging evidence supports the efficacy of several interventions that target the sensory systems. This article reviews the incidence, significance, examination, and interventions for sensory dysfunction following stroke and summarizes the important characteristics of interventions directed at somatosensation.
A day in the life of an inpatient: An experiential game to promote empathy for individuals in a psychiatric hospital

The attitudes of hospital staff toward individuals with mental illness have been investigated, described in the literature, and discussed at national conferences. It has been suggested that attitudes are the precursors or determinants of behavior. Although the precise effect of staff attitude on patients is unclear, attitudes of the staff do appear to be related to their behavior and to have an impact on patients and their subsequent recovery. There are few precise answers on how to promote positive attitudes. While hospital policies and procedures can prescribe behaviors of staff, attitude cannot be dictated. Some studies have evaluated the effect of training and participation in milieu programs on the attitude of psychiatric staff. Simulation games recently have been explored as a possible way to influence the attitude of staff toward those with mental illness. This article describes an attempt at one state psychiatric hospital to influence in a positive way the attitude of the staff by using a simulation game called, A Day in the Life of an Inpatient. Adapted from Into Aging by Hoffman and Reif (1978), the game used by the authors provides a microcosmic experience for staff of a hospitalized patient's ward experience.
CFD modeling and experimental validation of sulfur trioxide decomposition in bayonet type heat exchanger and chemical decomposer for different packed bed designs

Abstract The growth of global energy demand during the 21st century, combined with the necessity to master greenhouse gas emissions has lead to the introduction of a new and universal energy carrier: hydrogen. The Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative was investigating thermochemical cycles for hydrogen production using high-temperature heat exchangers. In this study a three-dimensional computational model of high-temperature heat exchanger and decomposer for decomposition of sulfur trioxide by the sulfur–iodine thermochemical water-splitting cycle with different packed bed designs has been done. The decomposer region of the bayonet heat exchanger also called as silicon carbide integrated decomposer (SID) is designed as the packed bed region. Cylindrical, spherical, cubical and hollow cylindrical pellets have been arranged inside the packed bed. The engineering design of the packed bed was very much influenced by the structure of the packing matrix, which was governed by the shape, dimension and the loading of the constituent particles. Staggered and regular packing methods are used for packing the pellets in the packed bed region. The numerical model is created using GAMBIT and fluid, thermal and chemical analyses were performed using FLUENT. The decomposition percentage of sulfur trioxide is found for the packed bed region with different pellets and the numerical results obtained is compared with the experimental results. A comparison is made for the decomposition percentage of SO 3 for the packed bed approach and the porous media approach.