cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A molecular dynamics investigation of rapid fracture mechanics

Abstract Dynamic fracture is investigated for two-dimensional notched solids under tension using million atom systems. Brittle material and ductile material are modeled through the choice of interatomic potential functions which are Lennard-Jones and embedded-atom potentials, respectively. Numerical calculations are carried out on the IBN SP parallel computer and molecular dynamics is implemented using a spatial-decomposition algorithm. Many recent laboratory findings occur in our simulation experiments. A detailed comparison between laboratory and computer experiments is presented, and microscopic processes are identified. For rapid brittle fracture, the dynamic instability of the crack growth is observed as the crack velocity approaches one-third of the Rayleigh wave speed. At higher crack velocity, the crack either follows a wavy path or branches and the anisotropy due to the large deformation at the crack tip plays the governing role in determining the crack path. Limited comparison of rapid brittle fracture process with the rapid ductile fracture process is made.
Surgery for Lone Atrial Fibrillation: Present State-of-the-Art.

For two decades, the cut-and-sew Cox-Maze III procedure was the gold standard for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), and proved to be effective at curing lone AF and preventing its most dreaded complication, stroke. However, this procedure was not widely adopted due to its complexity and technical difficulty. Over the last 5–10 years, the introduction of new ablation technology has led to the development of the Cox-Maze IV procedure, as well as, more limited lesion sets, with the ultimate goal of performing a minimally-invasive lesion set on the beating heart, without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. This review summarizes the current state of the art and future directions in the surgical treatment of lone atrial fibrillation. The hope is that as we learn more about the mechanisms of AF and develop preoperative diagnostic technologies capable of precisely locating the areas responsible for AF, it will become possible to tailor specific lesion sets and ablation modalities to individual patients, making the surgical treatment of lone AF available to a larger population of patients.
Primary hepatic non-Hodgkin lymphoma presenting as acute hepatitis in a 2-year-old male

Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Ther 2(1) First Quarter 2009 hemoncstem.edmgr.com 299 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the third most common childhood malignancy with an overall incidence of 10.5 per million.1 Its incidence is higher in the Middle East as a result of an increased incidence of endemic Burkitt lymphoma. It is usually restricted to lymphoid tissue such as lymph modes, Peyer patches, and the spleen.1 Primary hepatic NHL is very rare in the pediatric age range. It may be asymptomatic and discovered accidentally or present with non-specific symptoms like abdominal discomfort and/or pain with some constitutional manifestation.2 We report a rare case of primary hepatic NHL presenting as acute hepatitis in a child aged 2.5 years who responded to chemotherapy.
Improvement in tool life of coated high speed steel drills using the activated reactive evaporation process

Abstract Type M-10 high speed steel drills of diameter 0.25 in were coated with TiC and TiN using the activated reactive evaporation process. The coated drills were tested by drilling holes into plates of AISI 4150 steel of thickness 1 in at a hardness level of 300 HB. The speed used was 900 rev min -1 and the feed rate was 0.007 in rev -1 . For comparison, uncoated and the standard black-oxide-coated drills were also tested using the same conditions. The average number of holes to failure was seven for uncoated drills, 33 for black-oxide-coated drills and 141 for the TiC- and TiN- coated drills. These results show that the TiC- and TiN-coated drills have tool lives of 20 times that of uncoated drills and 4.2 times that of black-oxide-coated drills under these test conditions. Torque and thrust measurements were made during the drilling test of same steel plates at 770 rev min -1 and a feed rate of 0.008 in rev -1 at Lockheed Company of California, Burbank. The TiC- and TiN-coated drills showed 15%-18% less thrust, 10%-23% less torque and eight to ten times the tool life of uncoated drills under these conditions. They also showed 15%-18% less thrust and 2.5 to three times the tool life in relation to the black-oxide-coated drills.
PITUITARY-G0NAD INTERACTION IN IMMATURE FEMALE PARABIOTIC RATS1

WHEN a normal immature female rat is united in parabiosis with an ovariectomized partner the ovaries of the intact rat undergo hypertrophy. This has been demonstrated by Kallas (1930), Hertz and Meyer (1937), Bunster and Meyer (1938), Biddulph, Meyer and Gumbreck (1940), and others. This ovarian stimulation has been attributed to the hypersecretion of pituitary gonadotrophic hormones which follows gonad removal. According to Zeckwer (1940), the typical castration changes in the pituitary gland of the castrated partner are unaltered by parabiosis, while the normal partner shows varying degrees of degranulation of both acidophil and basophil cells. The parabiosis technique has been used as a method for determining the effect of injected gonadal hormones on the secretory activity of the pituitary gland, and also to ascertain the natural hormonal interactions of pituitary gland and gonads.
Shared research dataset to support development of keystroke authentication

Keystroke authentication can help significantly improve computer security by hardening passwords or offering active, continuous authentication. Over the years, many keystroke authentication algorithms have been reported to produce promising results. However, these results are tested on proprietary datasets with varying numbers of subjects and amounts of text, making it difficult to compare and improve the state of art. We describe a new dataset that we have developed with the goal to serve as a shared common testbed to enable future improvements. The new dataset includes keystroke data for short pass-phrases, fixed text (transcription of long proses), and free text. It also includes video of a subject’s facial expression and hand movement during the data collection sessions, allowing for a deeper understanding of why an algorithm works the way it does, for example, by finding out whether a subject is a touchtypist or not. As a baseline for benchmarking, we also include the results of replicating two existing algorithms using the new dataset.
Global Climate Change: Benefit-Cost Analysis vs. the Precautionary Principle

The precautionary principle appears to be directly applicable to the prospect that human activities will cause substantial changes to global climate. The magnitude and characteristics of the change in climate and its effects on human activities and unmanaged ecosystems are highly uncertain, potentially catastrophic, and nearly irreversible on human time scales. Nevertheless, the precautionary principle adds little to benefit cost analysis for evaluating climate policies. Benefit cost analysis can incorporate aversion to uncertainty about future outcomes, and also provides a method for balancing this concern against concern for uncertain near term policy costs. The policies favored by setting constraints on future outcomes, such as atmospheric stabilization and tolerable windows, may be less precautionary than the policies favored by benefit cost analysis, as benefit cost analysis can more readily accommodate concerns for moderate as well as severe harms. Concerns about possible climate catastrophes can al...
Activation of hepatic sympathetic nerves during hypoxic, hypotensive and glucopenic stress

Abstract To investigate the potential for neural regulation of liver function, we sought to determine whether hepatic sympathetic nerves are activated during stress. Hepatic norepinephrine spillover (HNESO) was measured in halothane-anesthetized dogs before, during and after glucopenia, hypoxia and hemorrhage. HNESO increased during 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG, 600 mg/kg plus 13.5 mg/kg/min, IV)-induced glucopenia from a baseline of 9±3 ng/min to 83±24 ng/min (Δ=+74±23 ng/min, p
Gulf of Mexico hydrocarbon seep communities—I. Regional distribution of hydrocarbon seepage and associated fauna

Abstract A series of otter trawls demonstrate that communities based on chemosynthesis are broadly distributed across the northwestern Gulf of Mexico continental slope in hydrocarbon seep areas. Thirty-nine trawls were taken at 33 locations reported to exhibit transparent or chaotic seismic “wipe-out” zones. The sites, in water depths from 180 to 900 m, span an area from offshore the Mississippi River delta to the upper Texas continental slope. Endosymbiont-containing organisms or their remains (either tube worms, mussels and/or clams) were recovered at 21 sites on the northern Gulf of Mexico slope. Tube worms, clams and mussels known to be associated with symbionts were retreived at 18, 12 and 5 sites, respectively. Carbon isotope analysis of selected animal tissues confirmed the chemosynthetic association. Animals containing isotopically light chemosynthetic carbon were collected at 21 sites. Piston cores at each site were used to determine the presence of mature hydrocarbons. Nine of 30 piston cores were visibly oil-stained. Trawl collections at locations where visibly oil-stained cores were recovered contained at least one species of chemosynthetic-associated organism and generally represented the most abundant catches of endosymbiont-containing animals. The chemical environment (oil and gas seepage) necessary to support chemosynthetic-based ecosystems is widespread on the northern Gulf of Mexico continental slope.
Image of China tourism and sustainability issues in Western media: an investigation of National Geographic

Purpose – The current study aims at exploring China’s tourism sustainability issues as indicated in magazine articles related to China tourism. China’s environmental, socio-cultural and economic sustainability has been frequently discussed in Western media. Design/methodology/approach – Both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used to content analyze the textual data in one of the most popular US travel magazine – National Geographic in the past ten years (2003-2012). Findings – This study presents the changes of topics on China tourism image conveyed by Western media in the past ten years (2013-2012). In addition, themes on China tourism sustainability issues are extracted from the China tourism image messages. The results reveal China tourism sustainability issues in two levels: sustainability issues directly related to China tourism with two dimensions of environmental sustainability and socio-cultural sustainability, and sustainability issues indirectly related to China tourism wi...
Statistics vs safety factors and scientific judgment in the evaluation of safety for man.

Abstract The extension of the information obtained in animal toxicology experiments to evaluate hazard and predict safety in the use of chemicals for man is discussed. Illustrations are presented of the inapplicability of exaggerated or improperly designed animal tests. The many factors that influence the slope or shape of dose-response curves are illustrated, primarily using cancer as the response. These include duration and regimen of dosing, type of resulting neoplasm, strain, sex, nutritional status and age of the animal. Variation in slope of dose-response curves, even in 1 experimental design, single peroral dose, is extreme. Extrapolation to an LD35, an interval close to the LD50 midpoint, while theoretically applicable, was illustrated to be highly inaccurate. Therefore, the establishment of the shape of the low-response end of a dose-response curve by the use of large numbers of animals, and the statistical extrapolation of this information to predict a safe level for man, is deprecated. However, the applicability of a suitably large safety factor, e.g., 1 5000 of the lowest-effect dose level for cancer, is recommended by the author when the use of a material is deemed important. The size of the safety factor and the potential use of a chemical should be established by properly informed, scientific judgment.
Signal processing for determining water height in steam pipes with dynamic surface conditions

An enhanced signal processing method based on the filtered Hilbert envelope of the auto-correlation function of the wave signal has been developed to monitor the height of condensed water through the steel wall of steam pipes with dynamic surface conditions. The developed signal processing algorithm can also be used to estimate the thickness of the pipe to determine the cut-off frequency for the low pass filter frequency of the Hilbert Envelope. Testing and analysis results by using the developed technique for dynamic surface conditions are presented. A multiple array of transducers setup and methodology are proposed for both the pulse-echo and pitch-catch signals to monitor the fluctuation of the water height due to disturbance, water flow, and other anomaly conditions.
PROSTATE CANCER: Re-focusing on Androgen Receptor Signaling

Prostate cancer is the most common, non-dermatologic cancer in men. Since prostate cancer is highly associated with increased age, the incidence of this disease is expected to increase as the population ages. In its initial stages prostate cancer depends upon the actions of androgen, and androgen deprivation therapy induces tumor regression. Currently, androgen deprivation is achieved by either surgical or chemical androgen blockade. Unfortunately, nearly all prostate cancer patients develop tumors that grow despite androgen blockade and ultimately relapse. Many alterations in prostate cancer cells contribute to this state. Although chemotherapy induces short remissions in some patients, there are no curative therapies for metastatic disease. This review summarizes our current understanding in androgen signaling and the mechanisms that allow tumor cells to bypass androgen manipulation therapy. The identification of novel survival pathways and effector molecules that drive androgen independent growth is necessary to develop effective therapies for advanced prostate cancers.
OFDM location-based routing protocols in ad-hoc networks

Traditional ad hoc network routing formulations abstract the lower level phenomena. While this simplifies the routing formulations, it is well known that jointly optimized systems routinely outperform their singularly optimized brethren. In this paper we improve upon traditional ad-hoc routing by defining the cross layer joint optimization of an ad-hoc wireless network in the context of a 3GPP long term evolution OFDMA wireless link. Our novel methods incorporate new non-GPS OFDM based geometric aided routing protocols utilizing upon observable time difference of arrival via OFDM physical layer transceiver nodes.
Medical Paternalism – Part 1

Medical clinicians – doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners etc. – are charged to act for the good of their patients. But not all ways of acting for a patient's good are on par: some are paternalistic; others are not. What does it mean to act paternalistically, both in general and specifically in a medical context? And when, if ever, is it permissible for a clinician to act paternalistically? This paper deals with the first question, with a special focus on paternalism in medicine. While it is easy to give a rough characterization of paternalism (i.e. acting for another's good against that person's will), it is surprisingly difficult to provide a unified account of the myriad of actions that seem to count as paternalistic. After surveying four accounts of paternalism, I argue that two – what I call the authority and beneficence accounts – are the strongest on offer. According to the authority account, a clinician acts paternalistically when, for her patient's good, she usurps his decision-making authority. According to the beneficence account, a clinician acts paternalistically when, for her patient's good, she acts only or overrindingly out of concern for his good. I show how the difference between these accounts matters (in part) for how we should think about the nature of surrogate decision making in medicine. I argue that there are reasons – albeit hardly decisive – to prefer the beneficence account to the authority account. I conclude by considering whether attempts by clinicians to rationally persuade their patients to pursue a particular course of action should be thought of as paternalistic.
Menetrier's disease presenting with iron deficiency anemia

Menetrier's disease (MD) or polyadenomes en nappe is a form of hypertrophic gastropathy occurring primarily in middle-aged males. Patients generally present clinically with dyspepsia and, on occasion, with hypoproteinemic edema and anemia. The latter feature, when combined with the radiographic appearance of the stomach in MD, can lend to confusion with carcinoma and malignant lymphoma. To illustrate this diagnostic problem, a case is reported of a 41-year-old female who initially presented to her family physician with symptoms of easy fatigue and dyspnea on exertion and signs of pallor and ankle edema. Pertinent laboratory findings included a hemoglobin of 2.8 g/dL, hematocrit of 10.3 percent, mean corpuscular volume of 63.4 mu 3, a serum albumin of 2.7 g/dL, and heme positive stools. Endoscopic examination revealed a circumferential polypoid mass involving the cardia and fundus of the stomach with relative sparing of the antrum. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed a large mass in the stomach which the radiologists and gastroenterologists believed probably represented a lymphoma or gastric carcinoma. A total gastrectomy specimen exhibited features of MD. Routine bright-field microscopy and immunohistochemical reactivity for transforming growth factor-alpha confirmed the diagnosis of MD. Moreover, ulceration of the tips of some of the hypertrophied gastric folds provided an explantation for the iron deficiency anemia. Awareness that MD may present with anemia will help in the differential diagnosis with lymphoma and carcinoma.
An options-based method to solve the composability problem in sequential auctions

Current auctions often expose bidding agents to two difficult, yet common, problems. First, bidding agents often have the opportunity to participate in successive auctions selling the same good, with no dominant bidding strategy in any single auction. Second, bidding agents often need to acquire a bundle of goods by bidding in multiple auctions, again with no dominant bidding strategy in any single auction. This paper introduces an options-based infrastructure that respects the autonomy of individual sellers but still enables bidders to utilize a dominant, truthful strategy across multiple auctions.
The Implications Of Expensing Stock Options On Corporate Governance

This paper examines the roots of the abuse of stock options, finding it centered on a principal/agent problem that arises when employee stock options are not required to be expensed in the income statement. The failure of corporate governance, including the proper oversight of executive compensation, and the failure of FASB to require expensing stock options, leads to a management-centric organization whose motives diverge from the interests of shareholders.
The “Why’s” of Class Size: Student Behavior in Small Classes

Small classes in the elementary grades have been shown to boost students’ academic performance. However, researchers continue to seek a consistent, integrated explanation of “why” small classes have positive effects. This article forwards the hypothesis that when class sizes are reduced, major changes occur in students’ engagement in the classroom. Engagement is composed of “learning behavior” and pro- and antisocial behavior. Both are highly related to academic performance. We first review research on the relationship between class size and student engagement. Second, we review sociological and psychological theory about the behavior of individuals in groups to explain how student behavior can be affected by changes in class size. Both theory and empirical findings support our hypothesis, although additional research is required. High-priority questions needing further research are identified in the conclusion.
Characterization of Thermoplastic Blends as Binders for Ceramics

Molded ceramics with simple poly(ethylene–ethylacryate) thermoplastic binders suffer severe distortion during heating associated with relaxation of polymer conformations, but blends of poly(ethylene–ethylacrylate) containing poly(isobutyl methacrylate) resins and polyethylene glycol and mineral additives do not suffer distortions. The polymer blends are characterized using polarized light microscopy and thermal analysis. Crystallinity and spherulite size of the binder are reduced by blending and by the addition of ceramic powder. Plasticizer additives polyethylene glycol and mineral oil phase separate in poly(ethylene–ethyacrylate), but are compatablized by additions of poly(isobutyl methacrylate). The compatibalized plasticizers are able to relax the polymer conformations after molding, avoiding distortion on subsequent heating.
Spectroscopic measurement of solid solubility in supercritical fluids

Different in situ spectroscopic techniques, including infrared, ultraviolet, and fluorescence, were developed to measure the solubility of organic solids in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ). These techniques are applicable over a wide range of concentrations, as low as 10 -6 or 10 -7 mol fraction, where the conventional flow method is ineffective and less accurate. No separate calibration is required; in fact, the molar absorptivity is determined at the saturation point as an additional benefit. While this technique requires more time per data point, it is more accurate and unbiased than traditional methods at lower concentrations. The Patel-Teja equation of state was used to correlate the data and expand the data for the ternary system. Data are reported for anthracene, 1,4-naphthoquinone, and 2-naphthol in scCO 2 and CO 2 with methanol cosolvent at 313 K and a pressure range from 7 to 21 MPa.
Undercooling Behavior of Liquid Metals

The undercooling of liquid metals is observed often, but is restricted by the catalysis of the most potent heterogeneous nucleation site in contact with the liquid. An experimental approach that yields large undercoolings involves the slow cooling from the melt of a dispersion of stabilized fine (5–20µ) liquid droplets. Droplet studies have extended measurements of the undercooling limit for low melting point metals to the range of 0.3 to 0.4Tm. In droplets, surface coating and size characteristics usually limit the undercooling and control the uniformity of crystallization behavior. A nonuniform undercooling behavior can produce microstructural variations in powder samples with respect to metastable phases and solute segregation, but these variations can be diminished for isenthalpic solidification of hypercooled liquids. In alloys the trend in nucleation temperature can follow a similar pattern as the composition dependence of the liquidus. With highly undercooled droplets and even at modest AT (AT ≤ 0.1Tm) with known heterogeneous sites, structural modifications such as extended solid solutions and metastable intermediate phases can be generated which are similar to those produced by rapid quenching techniques. These features highlight the importance of a high liquid undercooling as well as a high cooling rate in promoting effective rapid solidification processing treatments.
A Profession of Faith

Author's Summary— Foreign language instruction is being attacked by the uninformed laymen, the advocate of social sciences, and the specialist in education. Of these, the most insidious is the education specialist. Language specialists must reaffirm their faith in the value of their subject and bear constantly in mind that worthwhile improvements can come only from within the profession itself.)
Entry flow in a channel

A uniformly valid asymptotic solution for large Reynolds number is constructed for plane steady laminar flow of a liquid into the channel between two semi-infinite parallel plates. The entry condition is taken as either that for a cascade of plates in a uniform oncoming stream, or uniform flow directly at the inlet. A paradox in the standard solution of Schlichting—that near the inlet the flow due to displacement would not be the accelerated uniform core on which his expansion is based—is resolved by showing that his series for small as well as large distance actually applies only to conditions far downstream, and matches with another expansion valid near the inlet. Good agreement is found with three independent numerical solutions of the full Navier-Stokes equations, except for a discrepancy in one solution for uniform entry that is traced to erroneous neglect of inlet vorticity.
Interpretation of the Tadpole VV29 Merging Galaxy System using Hydro-Gravitational Theory

Hubble Space Telescope (HST/ACS) images of the galaxy merger Tadpole are interpreted using the hydro-gravitational theory of Gibson 1996-2000 (HGT) that predicts galaxy masses within about 100 kpc are dominated by dark halos of planetary mass primordial-fog-particles (PFPs) in dark proto-globular-star-clusters (PGCs). According to our interpretation, stars and young-globular-clusters (YGCs) appear out of the dark as merging galaxy components VV29cdef move through the baryonic-dark-matter halo of the larger galaxy VV29a creating luminous star-wakes. Frozen PFP planets are evaporated by radiation and tidal forces of the intruders. Friction from the gas accelerates an accretional cascade of PFPs to form larger planets, stars and YGCs of the filamentary galaxy VV29b. Star-wakes show that galaxy VV29c, identified as a blue dwarf by radio telescope observations of gas density and velocity (Briggs et al. 2001), with companions VV29def entered the dark halo of the larger VV29a galaxy at a radius 130 kpc and then spiraled in on different tracks toward frictional capture by the VV29a core. A previously dark dwarf galaxy is identified from a Keck spectrographic study showing a VV29c star-wake dense cluster of YGCs aligned to 1 degree in a close straight row (Tran et al. 2003).
Variability among institutional review boards' decisions within the context of a multicenter trial

Background: Institutional review boards (IRBs) are given discretion to interpret and apply the federal regulations governing the protection of human subjects in research. Objective: To determine the extent of the variability among different IRBs on their approved research practices and informed consent forms within the context of a multicenter trial that used a common protocol. Design: Descriptive analysis of survey information and informed consent forms. Setting and Participants: Sixteen IRBs from the institutions participating in a multicenter trial comparing lower vs. traditional tidal volume ventilation in patients with acute lung injury. Measurements: Analysis of survey information on IRBs’ approved research practices. Analysis of informed consent forms for the presence and the adequacy of description of each basic element of informed consent specified in the federal regulations. Reading levels of informed consent forms. Main Results: Surveys and IRB-approved consent forms were obtained from all of the contacted IRBs (n 5 16). Variability was observed among several of the research practices; one IRB waived the requirement for informed consent, five IRBs permitted telephone consent, and three IRBs allowed prisoners to be enrolled. Three consent forms contained all of the basic elements of informed consent outlined in the federal regulations, and 13 forms had varying numbers of these elements absent (six forms without one element, four without two, one without three, and two without four). Reading levels of the consent forms ranged from grades 8.2 to 13.4 (mean 6 SD was 11.6 6 1.2 grade level). Conclusions: Within a multicenter trial, IRBs reviewing a common protocol varied in several of their approved research practices and in the extent to which the basic elements of informed consent were included in their consent forms. (Crit Care Med 2001; 29:235‐241)
Through a Glass Darkly The Persistence of Race in Education Research & Scholarship

Although education researchers understand that race is a problematic concept of spurious value, the concept persists in our research and scholarship. Each of the social sciences that contribute to the field of education has a history of racialized understandings that make their way to both our research and practice. Until we begin to carefully examine the way race and racialized thinking influence our work, we will continue to perpetuate destructive thinking about the capabilities of learners based on race.
Enhanced polysaccharide recovery from agricultural residues and perennial grasses treated with alkaline hydrogen peroxide

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials with alkaline hydrogen peroxide greatly increases their susceptibility to enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis. During the course of the pretreatment reaction (18 hours), the pH rises slowly, increasing from pH 11.5 to a final pH greater than 12. As a result, most of the hemicellulose in the lignocellulosic substrate becomes solubilized. Maintaining the reaction pH near the optimum of 11.5 prevents hemicellulose solubilization and decreases the time required for effective pretreatment to about 6 hours. Alkaline peroxide pretreatment is most effective on lignocellulose from monocotyledonous plants, especially members of the family Gramineae. Enzymatic saccharification efficiencies greater than 90% of theoretical were attained from high yielding perennial grasses such as big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) after alkaline peroxide pretreatment. 13 references.
Evaluation of collagen-elastin hybrid tissue engineered vascular constructs

Collagen-based tissue engineered replacements for small diameter blood vessels have been investigated for many years but typically lack the elasticity and tensile strength necessary for implantation. In this study, we have incorporated elastin with an organized structural architecture into tubular cell-seeded collagen constructs using two different reconstituted collagen sources. We evaluated the mechanical, chemical, and biological properties of these collagen-only and collagen-elastin hybrid grafts. Gel compaction quantification and live/dead staining revealed that cells in all matrix combinations were viable and able to rapidly compact their surrounding matrix. Compared to controls, uniaxial tensile testing revealed an increase in ultimate tensile strength and linear modulus for elastin hybrid constructs and for constructs formed with bovine dermal type I collagen. Histological assessment showed the unique composite structure of the elastin hybrid construct as well as the cell and extracellular matrix organization in all constructs studied. A discussion of these findings and their importance to vascular tissue engineering is discussed.
The selection of cases of thrombo-angiitis obliterans and other circulatory diseases of the extremities for sympathetic ganglionectomy

Abstract Sixty-seven cases of thrombo-angiitis obliterans have been studied to determine the prognostic value and relation of the peripheral vasodilatation attained with systemic fever to the increase of surface temperature following sympathetic ganglionectomy. A close approximation is shown. This correlation is higher in the feet than in the hands. Other factors in the selection of cases of this form of vascular disease for operation are important, particularly those of the integrity of the coronary arteries, the rate of progression and stage of the disease, and the ability to demonstrate healing and relief of pain by medical measures. About one-third of the cases are suitable for operation. Preoperative determinations of the vasomotor component are less essential in the pure vasomotor disorders and in arthritis. Maximal grades of vasodilatation will result if the operation is complete.
Brachiopods and chemosymbiotic bivalves in Phanerozoic hydrothermal vent and cold seep environments

A compilation of 37 fossiliferous Phanerozoic marine deposits interpreted to represent ancient hydrothermal vent or cold seep habitats reveals that articulate brachiopods, particularly rhynchonellides and terebratulides, were relatively common constituents of these chemosynthetic settings from the Devonian through the Early Cretaceous but were rare in such paleoenvironments from the Late Cretaceous to the present. Late Devonian vent and seep settings were dominated by rhynchonellides ( Dzieduszyckia, ?Eoperegrinella ) morphologically similar to Cretaceous seep-restricted Peregrinella, all of which are purported to be closely related phylogenetically. Bivalve genera with extant chemosymbiotic descendants first appeared in vent-seep deposits during the Late Jurassic and were prevalent therein after the Early Cretaceous. These bivalves include members of five families (Vesicomyidae, Mytilidae, Solemyidae, Thyasiridae, Lucinidae); lucinids and thyasirids are the dominant groups represented. Ancient hydrothermal vent and cold seep settings may provide clues to delineate better which factors (e.g., biotic interactions, differential recovery following the Permian-Triassic mass extinction) have influenced overall evolutionary patterns of dominance among brachiopods and bivalves through the Phanerozoic.
EXPECTED UNCERTAIN UTILITY THEORY

We introduce and analyze expected uncertain utility (EUU) theory. A prior and an interval utility characterize an EUU decision maker. The decision maker transforms each uncertain prospect into an interval-valued prospect that assigns an interval of prizes to each state. She then ranks prospects according to their expected interval utilities. We define uncertainty aversion for EUU, use the EUU model to address the Ellsberg Paradox and other ambiguity evidence, and relate EUU theory to existing models.
Perturbation methods for interactive specular reflections

We describe an approach for interactively approximating specular reflections in arbitrary curved surfaces. The technique is applicable to any smooth implicitly defined reflecting surface that is equipped with a ray intersection procedure; it is also extremely efficient as it employs local perturbations to interpolate point samples analytically. After ray tracing a sparse set of reflection paths with respect to a given vantage point and static reflecting surfaces, the algorithm rapidly approximates reflections of arbitrary points in 3-space by expressing them as perturbations of nearby points with known reflections. The reflection of each new point is approximated to second-order accuracy by applying a closed-form perturbation formula to one or more nearby reflection paths. This formula is derived from the Taylor expansion of a reflection path and is based on first and second-order path derivatives. After preprocessing, the approach is fast enough to compute reflections of tessellated diffuse objects in arbitrary curved surfaces at interactive rates using standard graphics hardware. The resulting images are nearly indistinguishable from ray traced images that take several orders of magnitude longer to generate.
Evidence that Agulhas Current transport is maintained during a meander

In April 2010, full-depth hydrographic and direct velocity measurements across a solitary meander in the Agulhas Current were collected at nominally 34∘S. During a second cruise in November 2011, a transect across the nonmeandering Agulhas Current was captured. These data provide the first full-depth, in situ picture of the meandering Agulhas Current and allow us to investigate how the velocity structure and transport of the meandering current differs from its nonmeandering state. An analysis of the horizontal momentum equations show that the meander is in geostrophic balance. However, sampling bias causes large differences between geostrophic and direct velocity measurements during meandering, especially near the surface. As the current meanders offshore, its core speed weakens by more than 70 cm s−1 and its width broadens by almost 40 km. These two effects compensate so that the southwestward transport of the Agulhas current is largely unchanged during meandering. At the same time, the meander generates a strong inshore counterflow, which weakens the net Eulerian transport across the 300-km line by almost 20 Sv.
Optimal Control of Switched Homogeneous Systems

In this paper, we present a method for designing discrete-time state-feedback controllers for a class of continuous-time switched homogeneous systems which includes switched linear systems as a special case. A discrete-time approximate value iteration over a quantization of the unit sphere is used to compute an approximation of the continuous-time value function over the entire unbounded state space. Properties of the value function and its approximations are elicited and used to provide conditions under which state- feedback controllers with provable guarantees in stability and performance can be constructed. To illustrate the results, the methodology is applied to an example switched system possessing two unstable modes, one of which is nonlinear.
Suppression and Extinguishment of Boundary Layer Flame over Communication Cable by `Gas-like' Water Mist in Cross-flow

Fire suppression experiments are performed with `gas-like' water mist in cross-flow on bare (without PVC jacket) communication cables to simulate a worst-case scenario. As fine water droplets are i...
Methods and Measures Used in Gauging Community Sentiment

Building on Chap. 2, this chapter establishes the nexus between community sentiment and the law and details the various ways in which community sentiment impacts law and policy. The general paradigms (e.g., analyses of jury decisions data and public opinion polls) used to capture community sentiment are then outlined and critiqued. Because impressions of community sentiment impact law and policy decisions, it is important that the samples drawn are representative of a community and the tools used to measure it are valid. Thus, this chapter highlights some of the complexities of accurately capturing community sentiment and provides a review of some sampling and measurement concerns in gauging community sentiment. Finally, recommendations are made to help avoid common measurement pitfalls.
Therapy in Elite Religions

This chapter examines ritual curing by Buddhists and Daoists. These two religions were based on the use of written texts. The curing of medical disorders was important to both as a means of spreading the faith. They freely adapted techniques from each other as well as from medicine and popular therapy. Certain techniques were peculiar to each. Buddhists in the eleventh century used mantras, rituals of repentance, and drugs energized by incantations or by invocations of divine beings. Buddhists established early hospitals, and often staffed those set up by the government. They originated the notion of karmic disease, the result of immoralities committed in earlier incarnations. Laymen often resorted to Buddhist meditation or prayer for the relief of disease. All the emperors of the Northern Song dynasty patronized Daoist movements and included their liturgy in that of the state; Huizong attempted to make China a theocracy based on the Divine Empyrean movement. The state’s policy of registering popular temples lessened the opposition of the Daoist movements to the worship of popular gods. Daoists’ initiations made them members of the bureaucracy of the gods. They were distinct from other clergy in their use of bureaucratic documents in curing and other rites. They also employed talismans (exorcistic graphs signed with the priest’s official seal). They used their powers to diagnose sickness due to the sins of a dead father or other relative and to take action against it in the courts of the otherworld. Their great rituals sometimes also had curative aims.
The Transparent and the Invisible in Professional Pedagogical Vision for Science Teaching

Science teacher educators use examples of practice to support teacher candidates (TCs) learning to engage in new forms of science teaching. However, interpretation of these examples assumes a level of expertise about practice TCs lack. This article describes a study designed to determine some of the differences between expert teachers' and TCs' professional pedagogical vision for science teaching. Specifically, the study examines what each group attends to (highlights) in examples of science teaching and how they interpret the events they attend to (codes). Both groups were asked to analyze video of classroom science teaching. Differences were found between TCs and expert teachers in terms of both highlighting and coding of science teaching practice. Four key areas of difference are described in detail: actor focus, questions, grain size, and enactment. The implications for science teacher education are discussed, in particular a set of tools and teacher education practices to support acculturating TCs into more a sophisticated professional pedagogical vision for science teaching. This article features a Research to Practice Companion Article. Please click on the supporting information link below to access.
Graphic Relation of Intake, Length-of-Run and Time

The total amount of infiltration of surface irrigation expressed as a function of length of run and time is controlled by the advance function of stream inside the furrow (or border) and the infiltration intensity function can be expressed as a power function. There is a linear relationship between the time of advance and the opportunity time of infiltration with the total irrigation time as parameters. A simple graphic solution can be developed and used for estimating infiltration along the furrow (or border) at any given time during irrigation including the recession time. The technique is simple and requires no mathematical computation and can be used as a preliminary estimation of infiltration pattern or evaluation of an irrigation system. The shape of the infiltration pattern along the run can be used to determine the distribution efficiency and the application efficiency of surface irrigation.
Linking growth and yield and process models to estimate impact of environmental changes on growth of loblolly pine

PTAEDA2 is a distance-dependent, individual tree model that simulates the growth and yield of a plantation of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) on an annual basis. The MAESTRO model utilizes an array of trees in a stand to calculate and integrate the effects of biological and physical variables on the photosynthesis and respiration processes of a target tree on an hourly basis. PTAEDA2 sums the quantities for individual trees to obtain stand results; MAESTRO computes values for one tree at a time. These models were linked to provide a tool for further understanding stand, climatic, and edaphic effects on tree and forest productivity. PTAEDA2 predicts the characteristics of trees grown at a given stand density, on a given site, for a given length of time. These characteristics (outputs) are then used as direct inputs into MAESTRO which assesses the expected impact of environmental changes on tree function. The results from MAESTRO are fed back into PTAEDA2 to update future predictions by modifying the site index driver variable of the growth and yield model. An equation that predicts changes in site index as a function of net photosynthesis, age, and trees per unit area is the backbone of the dynamic linkage. The model changes required to link PTAEDA2 to MAESTRO were developed and reported earlier. This article reviews the earlier work and reports research results quantifying the relationships between net photosynthesis and the PTAEDA2 growth predictors, thus providing the basis for the MAESTRO to PTAEDA2 feedback process and integration of these two models. FOR. SCI. 47(1)77-82.
Comparability analysis and bias evaluation on results of TSH measured at different detection systems

Objective:To explore and evaluate the comparability and bias of the results of TSH measured in two different immune luminescence analysis systems.Methods:According to the U.S.Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards(NCCLS) EP9-A2,9 clinic samples were detected in two kinds of different analysis systems(Siemens Immulite2000 and Roche E170) respectively everyday.The testing results of total 45 samples were recorded within 5 days.The testing results derived from two analysis systems were analyzed comparatively and their biases were evaluated.Results:The TSH results between the two detection systems were significantly different(P0.01),but the correlation between them was good.The regression equation was y=0.9639x+0.0453,R2=0.998.Use Siemens Immulite2000 analysis system as a control method,the TSH anticipated bias of Roche E170 was within allowed biases,which was acceptable by clinic.Conclusion:The TSH results between the two detection systems were significantly different,but it can be accepted by clinic.
The Nineteenth-Century Anti-Benthamite Tradition

On the whole, the England of the nineteenth century provided a hospitable climate for the capitalist spirit. A proof of this is that at the Great Exhibition in London of 1851, which brought together the latest engineering products from many nations, English technological marvels won most of the prizes. Perhaps the most daring product of British capitalism was the very building that housed the exhibition: the Crystal Palace, designed by Joseph Paxton (1801–65). With 800,000 square feet of glass, 3,300 iron columns and 2,300 girders, it covered an area as large as St Peter’s Square in Rome. It was a visible symbol of capitalism; a worthy home for displaying those wonders that were alleviating human labour. England was indeed the home of industry.
Towards distributed hierarchical SDN control plane

This paper presents a concept for hierarchical distributed control of SDN networks. The proposed architecture is based on a heterogeneous control plane with a hierarchical structure that offers a general framework for building non-classical SDN deployments. This control plane organizes a group of controllers nodes, into a hierarchy, with each tier containing one or more interconnected controllers. The hierarchical approach is intended to improve scalability and increase service flexibility by distributing functionality between multiple controllers. A proof-of-concept implementation using the Floodlight SDN controller platform is described, and performance results demonstrating basic feasibility are given.
Electronic Health Records and Medical Big Data: Law and Policy

This book helps readers gain an in-depth understanding of electronic health record (EHR) systems, medical big data, and the regulations that govern them. It analyzes both the shortcomings and benefits of EHR systems, exploring the law's response to the creation of these systems, highlighting gaps in the current legal framework, and developing detailed recommendations for regulatory, policy, and technological improvements. Electronic Health Records and Medical Big Data addresses not only privacy and security concerns but also other important challenges, such as those related to data quality and data analysis. In addition, the author formulates a large body of recommendations to improve the technology's safety, security, and efficacy for both clinical and secondary (such as research) uses of medical data.
Defining the "Substantial Clinical Benefit" After Arthroscopic Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement

Background:The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) has been defined in orthopaedics and is the smallest change that a patient considers meaningful. Less is known about improvements that ...