cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparation and polymerization of vinyl esters of cyclic and polychloro fatty acids

Homopolymers and vinyl chloride copolymers have been prepared from the vinyl esters of mixed hydrogenated cyclized linolenic acid, 9,10-dichlorostearic acid, 9,10,12,13-tetrachlorostearic acid, 13,14-dichlorobehenic acid, 9(10)-phenylstearic acid and technical behenic acid. Vinyl 13,14-dichlorobehenate (29%)-vinyl chloride (71%) gave a copolymer with a brittle temperature of -2°C. All of the other copolymers with vinyl chloride had brittle temperatures of 16°C. or higher and behaved more like rigid plastics.
A topological approach to counting discontinuities of a real‐valued function with interval domain

Suppose f is a real‐valued function defined on an interval I. Let R be the set of removable discontinuities of f and let J be the set of jump discontinuities of f. By showing that a set of real numbers which contains no accumulation points of itself is countable, we are able to conclude that R?J is countable.
A simple approach to validation of directed-flow nose-only inhalation chambers

Directed-flow nose-only exposure systems are designed and operated so that the genuine test atmosphere is dynamically delivered to each exposure port and exhaled air from exposed animals is immediately exhausted without the possibility of other animals rebreathing this atmosphere. This technique is particularly useful for preventing uncontrolled changes of exposure atmospheres, stimulating breathing activity due to the rebreathing of exhaled carbon dioxide, and the conserving a test material that is available only in limited quantities. The intricate relationship of the delivered flow of air at each exposure port relative to the respiratory minute volume of the exposed animal appears to be critical for the state-of-the-art performance of directed-flow nose-only exposure systems. This analysis revealed that the determination of carbon dioxide concentrations at different inhalation chamber locations, including exposure ports, is a simple and cost-effective procedure to evaluate whether the rebreathing of atmospheres can be excluded. It has been shown that directed-flow systems need to be operated at an exposure air flow rate greater than 2.5 times the respiratory minute volume of the exposed animal or optimally ∼0.75 l min−1 per rat exposure port (∼3.75 times the minute volume of young adult rats) to prevent higher CO2-concentrations occurring. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Male Role Norm Endorsement and Sexism Predict Heterosexual College Men’s Attitudes Toward Casual Sex, Intoxicated Sexual Contact, and Casual Sex

This study examined whether gender roles, particularly male role beliefs and sexism, may underlie self-reported attitudes toward and participation in casual sex and intoxication prior to sexual contact in a sample of heterosexual undergraduate men from the United States. We utilized online survey methods to examine whether men’s (N = 223 from a large mid-Atlantic University) endorsement of traditional masculinity (power and status, toughness, and anti-femininity) and sexist attitudes regarding women’s roles (hostile, benevolent) were related to engagement in casual sex (i.e., number of one-time-only sex partners), and whether masculinity was related to intoxicated sexual contact (i.e., propensity to consume alcohol prior to sexual contact). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) revealed that, as expected, endorsement of the toughness male role norm was positively associated with favorable attitudes toward casual sex, and endorsement of benevolent sexism was negatively associated with favorable attitudes toward casual sex. Favorable attitudes toward casual sex, in turn, were positively associated with men’s reported number of casual sex partners, as partially mediated by intoxicated sexual contact. Further, toughness endorsement was positively associated with number of casual sex partners via its positive association with intoxicated sexual contact; whereas power and status demonstrated the opposite, negative pattern. We discuss the contribution of this research to the broader literature on gender roles and sexual behavior and the utility of the findings for interventions aimed at reducing men’s casual sex behavior and intoxication prior to sexual contact.
Passive and accurate traffic load estimation for infrastructure-mode wireless lan

The exponential increase in the deployment of IEEE 802.11-based wireless LAN (WLAN) technology has transformed it into an essential building block of the networking infrastructure of commercial enterprises. How to effectively manage these WLAN networks and stop malicious intruders are the two main barriers for further spread of this technology. At the same time, the enormous economies of scale behind IEEE 802.11-based WLAN products also result in rapid technological advances and astounding pricing efficiencies. In this paper, we describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of a scalable wireless LAN traffic monitoring system called WIreless Network senTRY (Wintry), which provides real-time visibility of the usage of an enterprise's wireless links in a way that is completely transparent to the monitored WLAN networks. Moreover, Wintry is able to leverage low-cost programmable WLAN access points and reduce the total hardware cost to the minimum. A key feature of Wintry is an accurate radio channel busy time estimation algorithm that correctly takes into account both back-off delay and corrupted packets in WLAN traffic load computation without requiring any modification to monitored WLAN devices.
Quantitative assessment of the adherence of normal human blood mononuclear cells to vascular endothelial cell monolayers

We have developed a method to reliably quantitate the in vitro adherence of 51Cr-labeled blood mononuclear leukocytes to cultured monolayers of vascular endothelial cells from human umbilical veins. Normal mononuclear leukocytes adhered to endothelial cells more than to cover glass at all studied time periods over 4 hr with major differences seen at 2 hr (9.7 ± 1.2% vs 3.7 ± 1.1%; P < 0.01). Only a minority of cells adhering to endothelium were esterase positive. Similar patterns of binding were seen using varying concentrations of suspended mononuclear cells (1–4 × 106/ml) simulating that occurring in vivo in different clinical states. This approach shows promise for in vitro approaches to lymphocyte-vascular endothelial interactions in human immune/inflammatory disorders.
Psychosocial Interventions for School Refusal Behavior in Children and Adolescents

This article reviews empirical evidence for the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for school refusal behavior. Data corresponding to eight experimental single-case and seven group-design studies are presented. Across studies, behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatments emerged as promising lines of intervention. These interventions produced improvements in school attendance and youths'symptom levels (e.g., anxiety, fear, depression, anger) based on this study's examination of effect sizes. The article concludes with suggestions for interventionists, researchers, and policymakers attempting to deal with the problem of school refusal.
Novel α4-integrin ligands on an endothelial cell line

The unique combination of adhesion molecules expressed on endothelial cells is thought to mediate the specificity of leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions. In this study, murine endothelial cell ...
Bronchoconstrictor Activities of NPγ and NPK in Anaesthetized Guinea-pigs: Effect of NEP Inhibition

Abstract Summary: The effects of rapid intravenous infusions of γ-preprotachykinin-(72-92)-peptide amide (neuropeptide γ) or β-preprotachykinin-(72-107)-peptide amide (neuropeptide K), two N-terminally extended forms of neurokinin A (NKA), on pulmonary mechanics were examined in anaesthetized mechanically ventilated guinea-pigs. Neuropeptide γ (NPγ) and neuropeptide K (NPK) each caused dose-related decreases in pulmonary conductance ( G L ). The rank order of potency as bronchoconstrictors for the three peptides was NPK > NPγ > NKA. Pretreatment of guinea-pigs with the neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitor SCH32615 (1 mg/kg iv) decreased the doses of NPγ and NKA required to cause a 50% decrease in G L by 3.8- and 4.9-fold respectively, but did not significantly alter NPK-induced bronchoconstriction. In animals without SCH32615, the time course of bronchoconstriction was similar for NKA and NPγ, but NPK caused significantly more prolonged changes in G L . SCH32615 did not alter the time course of bronchoconstriction induced by NKA or NPK, but prolonged the changes in G L induced by NPγ. The results indicate that post-translational processing of γ- and β-preprotachykinin mRNAs to yield NPγ and NPK instead of NKA results in an enhanced duration of effect and an increase in bronchoconstrictor potency.
Model-based simulation of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging signals

Abstract This paper presents a model-based method to efficiently simulate dynamic magnetic resonance imaging signals. Using an analytical spatiotemporal object model, the method can approximate time-varying k-space signals such as those from objects in motion and/or during dynamic contrast enhancement. Both rigid-body and non-rigid-body motions can be simulated using the proposed method. In addition, it can simulate data with arbitrary data sampling order and/or non-uniform k-space trajectory. A set of simulated images were compared with real data acquired from a rat model on a 4.7 T scanner to verify the model. The efficient simulation method is expected to be useful for rapid testing of various imaging and image analysis algorithms such as image reconstruction, image registration, motion compensation, and kinetic parameter mapping.
Long time scales in traveling wave convection patterns

Abstract Rayleigh-Benard experiments using an ethanol-water mixture in an annular cell, have shown that the patterns which occur at the onset of traveling wave convection can evolve in a complex fashion over hundreds of hours. We describe a 500 hour transition from a group of three convecting roll pairs to thirty-nine pairs which filled the cell.
Mechanism for Light Emission During Fracture of a Zr-Ti-Cu-Ni-Be Bulk Metallic Glass: Temperature Measurements in Air and Nitrogen

Light emitted during rupture of Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5 Ni10Be22.5 (at%) bulk metallic glass has been investigated. Charpy V-notch specimens fractured in a pendulum impact apparatus were used to excite light emission. Spectra acquired from rupture in air exhibited a single broad peak and were fit to a blackbody temperature of ~3175 K. In nitrogen, however, light emission was no longer visible to the eye. In this case, the captured light was at least four orders of magnitude less intense, and spectra were shifted to the red with an effective blackbody temperature of ~1400 K. Fracture surfaces generated in both air and nitrogen exhibited local melting, providing further evidence of intense heating during fracture. Based on these observations we argue that the intense light emission in air is associated with pyrolysis of fresh material exposed during rupture. Results were compared to preliminary observations of light emission from ribbons of a Zr57Nb5Ni12.6Cu15.4Al10 (at%) glass.
Association of acute pancreatitis or high level of serum pancreatic enzymes in patients with acute spinal cord injury: a prospective study

Association of acute pancreatitis or high level of serum pancreatic enzymes in patients with acute spinal cord injury: a prospective study
Generation and spectral engineering of pulsed polarization entangled states

The quantum state of the photon pair generated from type-II spontaneous parametric down-conversion pumped by a ultrafast laser pulse exhibits strong decoherence in its polarization entanglement, an effect which can be attributed to the clock effect of the pump pulse or, equivalently, to distinguishing spectral information in the two-photon state. Here, we discuss novel spectral engineering techniques to eliminate these detrimental decoherence effects. In addition, spectral engineering provides a means for generating polarization entangled states with novel spectral characteristics: the frequency-correlated state and the frequency-uncorrelated state. Such states may find usefulness in experimental quantum information science and quantum metrology applications.
Visceral torso computed tomography for clearance of the thoracolumbar spine in trauma: a review of the literature.

Background:Accurate screening of the thoracolumbar spine (TLS) remains problematic in the care of trauma patients. The current standard of care for TLS screening is not clearly defined. In trauma patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) of the chest and or abdomen, compelling supportive evidence
Lesions of the inferior olivary complex cause extinction of the classically conditioned eyeblink response

The dentate-interpositus nuclei of the cerebellum are known to be critically involved in the production of the classically conditioned eyeblink response in the rabbit. The rostro-medial portions of the inferior olivary complex (rmIO) project to these nuclei as well as receive projections from the fifth sensory nuclei. Lesions of the rmIO caused a previously classically conditioned eyeblink response to slowly decrease in amplitude and frequency with continued paired conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus (CS-UCS) training in a manner which was identical to extinction of the learned response in control animals. The lesion had no effect on the performance of the unconditioned response. Lesions of the rmIO before training prevented learning from occurring. Lesions of other portions of the IO or of the reticular formation did not specifically affect the learned response. We conclude that the rmIO is critically involved in the learning and maintenance of the classically conditioned eyeblink response. We propose that the rmIO may serve as a pathway for information from the unconditioned stimulus to reach the cerebellum, and as such may in fact be the essential reinforcing or teaching input for the learning of classically conditioned responses. These results support the hypothesis that the cerebellum contains neuronal changes which are a critical portion of the memory trace for the conditioned response.
Understanding the lethargy of Sudan's periphery-originated insurgencies

The assumption that an insurgency effort must culminate in the seizure of state power became the go-to cliche of the twentieth-century understandings of the Civil War. However, historical counterfactuals about Sudan's civil wars have cavilled at the accuracy of this postulate. This article argues that Sudan constitutes an outlier which does not perfectly fit this established convention. In essence, many factors have combined to be the sources of Sudan's intractable, periphery-originated civil wars. Since the Torit Mutiny in August 1955, virtually all these uprisings have exhibited deep failings in inducing a complete change in the centre; or separating any part of the country through military means. Succinctly put, they have, with no exception, ended in a negotiated settlement rather than through a decisive military victory by the rebels. Based on the findings of this study, state violence, ethnic politics, and power struggle among the rebels, as well as geography, geopolitics, and the permeability of the...
Net triglyceride synthesis by rabbit cornea in vitro

1. 1. Incubation of rabbit cornea in a sodium oleate-serum mixture was found by silicic acid chromatography of the extracted lipid to increase markedly the triglyceride content of this tissue. In the presence of 7 μmoles of sodium oleate per ml of serum the cornea was observed to synthesize triglyceride at the rate of approx. 10 μmoles/g of wet tissue/48 h. 2. 2. Use of sodium [I-14C]oleate and [14C6]glucose established these compounds as precursors in this synthetic process. An isotope dilution effect was noted with [I-14C]-oleate.
Localizing value of MEG in refractory partial epilepsy: Surgical outcomes

Abstract A retrospective review was carried out on epilepsy surgery patients with at least 2 years of post surgical outcome data who had MEG scans to localize epileptic foci to determine whether or not MEG had a significant impact on localization and improving likelihood of a seizure free outcome. Brain activity was recorded with 148-channel MEG system and a 32-channel EEG system. Ninety patients (Male = 41, Female = 49; age range 8–66 years) had MEG and MRI scans prior to full presurgical evaluation. Prolonged intracranial (ECoG) recordings were also performed on all patients. Interictal activity was localized in the MEG data in patients using the single equivalent current dipole (ECD) technique. Only patients with Engel Class I or II outcome (N = 75) were included, with the rare exception of patients who had well localized intracranial ictal patterns, but resection was limited due to overlap with eloquent cortex or multiple independent foci. MEG data, compared to surgical resection or well localized intracranial ictal patterns, were concordant in 22 patients (29%). MEG data provided supplemental information in 10 patients (13%) and novel data in 11 patients (15%). Of the 75 patients in this analysis, 43 (57%) had MEG data that provided additional information for the surgeon. Four of the patients (5%) had data contaminated with artifact. In 25 patients, no spike or sharp activity was seen in MEG data. No age and gender effects were detected. The results show that MEG is useful in localizing the epileptogenic zone as a non-invasive technique before surgical resection. These results provide further evidence that epileptiform activity can be detected non-invasively with MEG, and provide localization information to the surgeon. Thus in 18 of the 75 patients (24%) with Engle Class I or II outcome, MEG provided unique information critical to successful outcome.
Infrared spectra of alkanesulfonic acids, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, and their derivatives

The infrared spectra of methane, n-butane-, and n-dodecane-sulfonic acids, their esters, alkali metal, silver and amine salts, amides, and chlorides are compared with analogous structures derived from chlorinated and chlorosulfonated polyethylenes. The Bellamy and William's linear relationship between vSO2 (asym.) and vSO2 (sym.) is valid for both the simple alkane sulfonic acid derivatives and those of chlorinated and chlorosulfonated polyethylenes.
Part-time training in general surgery: results of a web-based survey.

HYPOTHESIS: The recent increase in female medical school enrollment and emphasis on lifestyle considerations for both men and women pose challenges for residency recruitment and retention. This study was designed to assess interest in part-time surgical training. We hypothesized that more women than men would be interested in this option. DESIGN: A Web-based survey soliciting demographic information and opinions about training priorities was distributed to medical students, surgery residents, fellows, and trained surgeons. Respondents were asked to express on a 5-point Likert scale interest in (and deterrents to) substituting 1 or more years of standard residency with a shorter workweek ( 40 hours) in exchange for a proportionately overall longer length of training. SETTING: The survey was located on the American College of Surgeons Web site. PARTICIPANTS: Medical students (482), surgical residents (789), fellows (179), and fully trained surgeons (2858) affiliated with at least 1 of 4 major surgical societies. RESULTS: There were 4308 respondents (76% male). Of physician respondents, 9.1% had taken time out of residency for nonresearch reasons. Thirty-six percent of female and 24% of male students agreed to increased interest in surgical careers if part-time training were an option (P = .005). Twenty-five percent of female and 13% of male residents (P<.001) expressed interest in this option. Prolonged training was cited as the primary deterrent. CONCLUSIONS: Eleven percent to 36% of total male and female respondents expressed interest in pursuing part-time training. Significantly more women than men favored a part-time option.
The dual role of pyruvate and the energy requirement in nitrogen fixation

Abstract The optimum fixation of elemental nitrogen by cell-free extracts of Clostridium pasteurianum requires high levels of either α-ketobutyrate or pyruvate (0.11 M) ( Carnahan, et al. 1960 ), while the efficiency of this reaction is only 3–6%. These observations suggest that in addition to furnishing reducing power, pyruvate has another role. The major pathway of pyruvate metabolism in this organism is a phosphoroclastic reaction, and a steady-state level of acetyl coenzyme A, acetyl phosphate and ATP is produced. McNarry and Burris (1962) have shown inhibition of N 2 -fixation with arsenate or glucose and suggested that high-energy phosphate is required for fixation. However, Carnahan, et al. (1960) and McNarry and Burris (1962) found that addition of acetyl phosphate or ATP inhibited rather than stimulated nitrogen fixation. Mortenson (1963) attributes the glucose inhibition to depletion of inorganic phosphate and suggests that high-energy phosphate may not be required for nitrogen fixation. The involvement of activated phosphate in nitrogen fixation is demonstrated in the present report, and for the first time pyruvate has been replaced by the combination of an ATP-generator and a reductant, KBH 4 .
Evolving management of pancreatic injury.

Purpose of reviewIn this study we present a concise review of the evolving management of traumatic injury to the pancreas, including diagnostic approaches and options for operative and nonoperative intervention.Recent findingsNew diagnostic adjuncts can be used for the evaluation of injury to the pa
Development of an in vitro model of acquired resistance to toceranib phosphate (Palladia®) in canine mast cell tumor

Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are the most common skin tumors in dogs and exhibit variable biologic behavior. Mutations in the c-kit proto-oncogene are associated with the tumorigenesis of MCTs, resulting in growth factor-independent and constitutive phosphorylation of the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). Toceranib (TOC) phosphate (Palladia®) is a KIT RTK inhibitor that has biological activity against MCTs. Despite these benefits, patients ultimately develop resistance to TOC. Therefore, there is a need to identify distinguishing clinical and molecular features of resistance in this population. The canine C2 mastocytoma cell line contains an activating mutation in c-kit. Three TOC-resistant C2 sublines (TR1, TR2, TR3) were established over seven months by growing cells in increasing concentrations of TOC. TOC inhibited KIT phosphorylation and cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in the treatment-naive, parental C2 line (IC50 1,000 nM) and phosphorylation of the KIT receptor was less inhibited compared to the TOC-sensitive C2 cells. Interestingly, sensitivity to three structurally distinct KIT RTK inhibitors was variable among the sublines, and all 3 sublines retained sensitivity to the cytotoxic agents vinblastine and lomustine. Sequencing of c-kit revealed secondary mutations in the juxtamembrane and tyrosine kinase domains of the resistant sublines. These included point mutations in TR1 (Q574R, M835T), TR2 (K724R), and TR3 (K580R, R584G, A620S). Additionally, chronic TOC exposure resulted in c-kit mRNA and KIT protein overexpression in the TOC-resistant sublines compared to the parental line. C2, TR1, TR2, and TR3 cells demonstrated minimal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity and no functional P-gp. This study demonstrates the development of an in vitro model of acquired resistance to targeted therapy in canine MCTs harboring a c-kit-activating mutation. This model may be used to investigate the molecular basis of and strategies to overcome TOC resistance.
Secondary brain changes following lesions: a new paradigm for lesion experimentation.

Abstract The surgically-induced lesion has traditionally been used to study the localization of functions in the brain. The basic tenets for its use are that (1) functions are represented in discrete brain structures such as nuclei and fiber tracts and that (2) lesions disrupt function by removal of functional tissue in circumscribed sites in the brain. Contrary to this traditional view, there is growing evidence that the secondary changes in the brain which are induced by a lesion, both directly (necrosis, anterograde and retrograde degeneration) and indirectly (transneuronal degeneration, regeneration and sprouting, denervation supersensitivity, alteration of neurochemical pools, vascular disruption, diaschisis), may comprise the more significant neurological changes which can account for alteration of behavior in a lesion experiment. This evidence is reviewed and a new strategy of research utilizing lesions is proposed, suggesting that greater emphasis be placed on the a posteriori assessment of secondary changes in the brain as they are correlated with changes in behavior. The implications of such considerations for establishing brain-behavior relationships are discussed.
The Zodiacal Light at a Total Solar Eclipse

In connexion with the interesting note1 from Prof. F. J. M. Stratton concerning the eclipse observations of Mr. Honda at Hokkaido on June 19, 1936, may I point out that S. P. Langley and S. Newcomb apparently observed a similar phenomenon at the eclipse of July 29, 1878. In his description of this eclipse in “The New Astronomy”, Langley says: The most extraordinary thing, however, was a beam of light, inclined at an angle of 45 degrees, about as wide as the sun, and extending to the distance of nearly six diameters on one side and over twelve on the other ; on one side alone, that is, to the amazing distance of over ten million miles from its body. Substantially the same observation was made, as it appeared later, by Prof. Simon Newcomb at a lower level. The direction, when more carefully measured, it was interesting to note, coincided closely with that of the Zodiacal Light and a faint central rib added to its resemblance to that body."
Reducing smoking among distracted individuals: a preliminary investigation.

INTRODUCTION According to the attentional myopia model, salient cues that serve to inhibit behavior can be especially effective under conditions of limited attention. A small field study tested the implications of this model for smoking reduction. METHODS Twenty-three undergraduate smokers were exposed to a prominent health warning for 2 5-day experimental phases, with phase order counterbalanced across participants. During one phase, participants simply viewed the warning at regular intervals. During the other phase, participants viewed the warning for the same duration but also simultaneously performed a distracting cognitive load task. RESULTS Participants in the phase that combined a health warning with cognitive load reported smoking significantly fewer cigarettes and taking significantly fewer puffs of smoke as compared to a baseline comparison phase-a reduction in smoking not observed in the absence of cognitive load. CONCLUSIONS Sources of attentional distraction may heighten the impact of salient smoking warnings, resulting in significant reductions in smoking.
Environmental carcinogens and p53 tumor-suppressor gene interactions in a transgenic mouse model for mammary carcinogenesis.

Mouse mammary tumorigenesis is greatly influenced by a variety of exogenous agents, such as MMTV, chemical carcinogens (i.e., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and radiation, as well as by endogenous/physiological factors, such as steroid hormones, tumor-suppressor genes (i.e., Brca 1/2, p53), and gene products of modifier genes. In the mouse model, the most frequently used chemical carcinogen has been 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), which activates the Ha-ras gene but does not alter the p53 tumor-suppressor gene. However, on an existing background of p53 gene alteration, low doses of DMBA are strongly cocarcinogenic. Using a transgenic model system, in which the p53 gene was deleted in the mammary gland, we examined the carcinogenic effects of a variety of external agents and internal factors given at either low doses or physiological doses. These agents/factors included DMBA, γ-radiation, Brca2 heterozygosity, and steroid hormones. All agents/factors increased the tumorigenic response of the p53 null mammary cells, even under conditions where no tumorigenic response was observed in the p53 wildtype mammary cell. The strongest cocarcinogenic effect was observed with the steroid hormone progesterone. The majority of tumors were highly aneuploid and composed of nuclear igh-grade cells. The mechanism for the aneuploidy and secondary events associated with high tumorigenicity were examined using array technology. These results demonstrate that, on a background of underlying genetic instability, very low doses of environmental mutagens and mitogens can produce strong cocarcinogenic effects.
Holistically Twig Matching in Probabilistic XML

Traditional databases manage only deterministic information, but now many applications that use databases involve uncertain data. For example, it is infeasible for a sensor database to contain only the exact value of each sensor at all points in time. The uncertainty is inherent in these systems due to measurement and sampling errors, and resource limitations. This paper aims at the query processing algorithm of twig patterns on probabilistic XML documents. The existing algorithms evaluate twig patterns in a traversal way. The main shortcoming of this way is scanning the whole probabilistic XML document to get the final results. In this paper, we first represent a probabilistic XML document in the form of probabilistic tag streams and then match them in a holistic way. Extensive experiments are conducted and show that the proposed holistic way has the higher performance than the traversal way.
Impact of High Pressure Processing on the Functional Aspects of Beef Muscle Injected with Salt and/or Sodium Phosphates

This study aimed to determine the interactions among salt (NaCl), sodium phosphate (SP) and mild high pressure processing (HPP) in brine-injected beef. Beef strip loin segments were injected to 10% over initial weight with solutions containing water and various levels of salt (0, 2 or 4% of solution) and/or SP (0 or 4% of solution). Pieces from the loin sections were exposed to varying pressure levels (0.1, 152 or 303 MPa) and evaluated for selected quality and biochemical characteristics. Use of SP and pressure application increased pH by ∼0.2 units. L* values were increased by pressure and decreased by SP. Redness (a*) increased at 303 MPa. Purge increases due to pressure were mitigated by SP. Pressure application at 303 MPa reduced total and sarcoplasmic protein solubility by 24 and 32%, respectively. There were no beneficial interactions among salt or SP and HPP. However, results indicate SP may prevent yield loss due to HPP. Practical Application This study has demonstrated that beneficial interactions between HPP and salt are not achieved in brine-injected whole muscle beef when salt levels are at or below 0.4% of final product weight. However, use of sodium phosphates prevented reduced yields and alleviated some of the color change incurred by HPP at mild pressures.
The actuation of IPMC artificial muscle and online identification methods

In the paper, the actuation behaviors of IPMC artificial muscle stimulated by sine wave, triangle wave, ramp wave and step wave are studied. Also, the materialpsilas hysteresis characterization is analysed and explained. Finally, the actuation is estimated based on online identification using multi-innovation least squares methods. The result proves the unknown parameters can converge in time and the precision is high.
Age-related distance esotropia.

Purpose: To describe a form of acquired esotropia occurring in older adults, which here is termed age-related distance esotropia. Methods: A retrospective consecutive case series of 26 patients with this condition was reviewed. Results: The patients ranged in age from 62 to 91 years old with a median age of 77 years. The distance deviation varied from 4 prism diopters (PD) ET (esotropia) to 20 PD ET, with a median angle of 9 PD ET. At near fixation, the measurements ranged from 9 PD ET′ to 10 PD X′ (exophoria), with a median deviation of 3 PD ET′. Ductions and versions were full, with no evidence of lateral rectus paresis. None of these patients had an obvious underlying neurologic disorder, such as tumor or stroke. Treatment consisted of prescribing the minimum prismatic correction that eliminated distance diplopia, which was then incorporated into the patients' current spectacles. This treatment successfully eliminated the symptoms in all patients. No patient in this study required surgery. Conclusion: A distinctive form of strabismus occurs in older adults that is characterized by esotropia greater at distance than near fixation. The etiology of this disorder is unknown, but it is likely secondary to anatomical changes in the orbit and/or muscles associated with aging. Most patients are readily corrected by prisms but, surgical correction might be required in some cases.
Color image based sorter for separating red and white wheat

A simple imaging system was developed to inspect and sort wheat samples and other grains at mod- erate feed-rates (30 kernels/s or 3.5 kg wheat/h). A single camera captured color images of three sides of each kernel by using mirrors, and the images were processed using a personal computer (PC). Real time image acquisition and processing was enabled on an ordinary PC under Windows XP operating system using the IEEE 1394 data transfer protocol, DirectX application software, and dual-core computer processor. Image acquisition and transfer to the PC required approximately 17 ms per kernel, and an additional 1.5 ms was required for image processing. After classification, the computer could output a signal from the parallel port to activate an air valve to divert (sort) kernels into a secondary container. Hard red and hard white wheat kernels were used in this study to test and demonstrate sorter capability. Simple image statistics and histograms were used as features. Discriminant analysis was per- formed with one, two, or three features to demonstrate classification improvements with increased numbers of features. The sorter was able to separate hard red kernels from hard white kernels with 95 to 99% accuracy, depending on the wheat varieties, feed-rate, and number of classification features. The system is an economical and useful instrument for sorting wheat and other grains with high accuracy.
A Clarkson's sector integration routine for personal computers

A Clarkson's sector integration scheme has been implemented on a personal computer to calculate mean scatter-air ratio (SAR) and mean tissue-air ratio (TAR) for external photon beams of irregular shape. To find where a given radial line from the point of interest intersects the edge of the radiation field, polygon clipping algorithms have been adapted from the field of image processing. The program has calculation run times of approximately 1 s on an 80387 with a math coprocessor for an integration of 36 sectors. The software was validated by comparison to program IRREG, where for various squares and clinical shapes, the agreement was typically 0.7%. The source code is available from the authors.
Principles, Promises, and a Personal Plea What Is an Evaluator to Do?

The client of a student evaluation team has requested that the evaluators provide confidential identifying information gathered in the course of the evaluation. Here, the authors consider their response to the client’s request. Specifically, they draw from professional principles developed to guide ethical decision making for evaluators and educators to consider the advantages and disadvantages of denying or meeting this request from a variety of stakeholder perspectives. The authors then use this stakeholder analysis to engage in imaginative thinking about the possible responses from which the student evaluation team can select. They conclude with a review of lessons learned from this challenging situation.
Electrical contact resistance as a diagnostic tool for MEMS contact interfaces

The electrical contact resistance (ECR) was evaluated as an in situ diagnostic tool for the contact interface behavior of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Special polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) MEMS devices fabricated by surface micromachining were used to study polysilicon/native oxide/polysilicon contact interfaces. ECR measurements obtained during monotonic contact loading and unloading and cyclic contact loading are interpreted in the context of a previous ECR theory. For monotonic contact loading and unloading, the ECR was measured as a function of apparent contact pressure and was found to be on the order of 10/sup 5/ /spl Omega/. The fairly moderate decrease of the ECR with the increase of the contact load is attributed to the intrinsic nonohmic behavior of the native oxide film. Experimental ECR results are correlated with analytical solutions to determine the oxide film thickness. The results indicate that the oxide film remains nearly intact under monotonic contact loading and unloading. Differences in the ECR behavior during unloading are discussed in light of the statistical distribution of asperity nanocontacts and the prevailing deformation mode. During cyclic contact loading, rupture of the oxide film leads to the formation of polysilicon/polysilicon nanocontacts, which produces ECR values in the range of 10/sup 2/-10/sup 3/ /spl Omega/. The erratic behavior of the ECR during cyclic contact loading is related to the pronounced effects of the insulating oxide film and oxide debris trapped at the contact interface.
Are Empirical Evidence Claims A Priori

Rejetant la these a priori de l'evidence, selon laquelle le seul fait empirique qui puisse affecter la verite d'une affirmation evidente et objective du type e est une evidence pour h est la verite de e, l'A. defend une conception empirique de l'evidence, selon laquelle l'evidence e qui confirme l'hypothese h est un fait empirique et non a priori
Electrical properties of some thin-film semiconductor alloys

The Muller technique of flash evaporating powdered compound semiconductors was used to form polycrystalline thin-film solid solutions of CdSe-CdS and CdSe-CdTe onto heated glass substrates. The composition of each alloy was varied from 10 to 90 percent of one compound by weight. X-ray diffractometer was used to determine their crystalline structures and lattice parameters. The results show that all CdSe-CdS alloys have a hexagonal structure regardless of their composition and that CdSe-CdTe alloys have both cubic and hexagonal structures depending on the composition of the constituent compounds. The lattice parameters were found to vary linearly with the composition for each alloy. Electrical properties of these thin-film alloys in terms of Hall mobility and carrier concentration were determined at room temperature as a function of substrate temperature which ranged from 50°C to 200°C. The results indicate that the film properties depend heavily on the preparation conditions, such as evaporation rate, vacuum pressure, and substrate temperature. The latter factor appeared to have dominated their properties to a great extent. Films prepared at higher substrate temperatures tended to have both low carrier mobility and concentration. All films, however, show an n-type conduction regardless of their composition and preparation conditions. Measurements of dark current versus temperature were also carried out in nitrogen atmosphere. From these measurements, the imperfection ionization energies of films prepared at various substrate temperatures were determined.
Evaluation of Near Infrared Fluorescent Labeling of Monoclonal Antibodies as a Tool for Tissue Distribution

The pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is influenced by target-mediated drug disposition, off-target effects, antidrug antibody-mediated clearance, and interaction with fragment-crystallizable domain (Fc) receptors such as neonatal Fc receptor. All of these interactions hold the potential to impact mAb biodistribution. Near infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes offer an approach complementary to radionuclides to characterize drug disposition. Notably, the use of FDA-approved IRDye800 (IR800; LI-COR, Lincoln, NE) as a protein-labeling agent in preclinical work holds the potential for quantitative tissue analysis. Here, we tested the utility of the IR800 dye as a quantitative mAb tracer during pharmacokinetic analysis in both plasma and tissues using a model mouse monoclonal IgG1 (8C2) labeled with ≤1.5 molecules of IR800. The plasma PK parameters derived from a mixture of IR800-8C2 and 8C2 dosed intravenously to C57BL/6 mice at 8 mg/kg exhibited a large discrepancy in exposure depending on the method of quantitation [CLplasma = 8.4 ml/d per kilogram (NIR fluorescence detection) versus 2.5 ml/d per kilogram (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)]. The disagreement between measurements suggests that the PK of 8C2 is altered by addition of the IR800 dye. Additionally, direct fluorescence analysis of homogenized tissues revealed several large differences in IR800-8C2 tissue uptake when compared with a previously published study using [(125)I]8C2, most notably an over 4-fold increase in liver concentration. Finally, the utility of IR800 in combination with whole body imaging was examined by comparison of IR800-8C2 levels observed in animal sagittal cross-sections to those measured in homogenized tissues. Our results represent the first PK analysis in both mouse plasma and tissues of an IR800-mAb conjugate and suggest that mAb disposition is significantly altered by IR800 conjugation to 8C2.
Strategies in Pain Management: New and Potential Indications for COX-2 Specific Inhibitors

The role of the coxibs in the management of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis has been widely discussed, but there are other potential applications for the coxibs that have received less attention. Here we consider the use of the coxibs in acute pain syndromes such as primary dysmenorrhea and the pain associated with dental extraction, as well as considering their application in chronic low back pain and cancer pain. Another area where the coxibs may prove particularly beneficial is in the management of post-surgical pain. Traditional post-surgical analgesia has involved the use of non-selective NSAIDs and opioids, but these agents can be associated with side effects such as post-operative bleeding, gastrointestinal problems, nausea, and constipation. Because the coxibs do not inhibit COX-1 dependent platelet aggregation like traditional NSAIDs, the risk of post-surgical bleeding is reduced. The careful application of coxibs as part of a multi-modal approach to pain management in the perioperative period can reduce the requirement for opioid medications and thus reduce the risk of post-operative complications such as ileus. In the future, coxibs are likely to play an important role in multi-modal perioperative analgesic regimens with the aim of reducing post-operative periods of convalescence.
A note on the aggregation of slack and shortage in centrally planned economies

This note attempts to identify the key methodological problems that remain unsolved in the controversy about the aggregation of slack and shortage in disequilibrium econometric models of centrally planned economies (CPEs). The procedure of ‘smoothing by aggregation’ implemented by Burkett (1988) is critically reviewed and found wanting, despite possible attribution to Kornai (1980) for justification. We argue that the procedure neglects the problems of resource immobility and hoarding that have prevailed in CPEs. Even from a neo-Keynesian perspective, it is at odds with a rigorous microeconomics of rationing that takes into full account the substitution and income effects of spillovers. One important issue is that saving may actually be reduced because of a tightening of the ration. These considerations throw serious doubt on the validity of the smooth trade-off between slack and shortage that forms the basis for econometric estimation and lead to concern that the Walrasian configuration cannot be identified from the estimation results.
The Ontological Interpretation of the Wave Function of the Universe

Soulevant la question de l'interpretation ontologique de l'equation de la gravite de Schrodinger et de sa relation au monde que nous experimentons, l'A. montre que la meilleure contribution a la solution du probleme de l'interpretation ontologique de la fonction ondulatoire de l'univers reside dans l'interpretation de type everettien de la mecanique quantique adoptee par C. Callender et R. Weinard dans leur article consacre a la cosmologie quantique de Bohm
Targeting Iron Homeostasis in Acute Kidney Injury

Iron is an essential metal involved in several major cellular processes required to maintain life. Because of iron's ability to cause oxidative damage, its transport, metabolism, and storage is strictly controlled in the body, especially in the small intestine, liver, and kidney. Iron plays a major role in acute kidney injury and has been a target for therapeutic intervention. However, the therapies that have been effective in animal models of acute kidney injury have not been successful in human beings. Targeting iron trafficking via ferritin, ferroportin, or hepcidin may offer new insights. This review focuses on the biology of iron, particularly in the kidney, and its implications in acute kidney injury.
Stakeholder Identification and Use Case Representation for Internet-of-Things Applications in Healthcare

We describe the initial process of eliciting requirements for an Internet-of-things (IoT) application involving a hospital emergency room. First, we discuss the process of modeling IoT systems through rich pictures and use cases. Then, we demonstrate how these can be used to model emergency room systems. Then, we create use case models for a particular situation—a patient potentially suffering from a myocardial infarction. Finally, we discuss generalization of the specific case to a broader hospital wide system. We believe that such an approach can lead to increased efficiency, increased safety, and better tracking of people, equipment, and supplies.
24/7: Late Capitalism and the Ends of Sleep

The technological society of global capitalism has corrupted our sleep. So writes art historian Jonathan Crary in 24/7. Sleep is not something we often think about. Like health, it is something we ...
The Language of Sets

This chapter explores the concept of a set, which is so fundamental that it unifies mathematics and its cognates. It has revolutionized mathematical thinking, enabling ones' expression in clear and concise terms. This chapter presents the language of sets stating the concept of a set, the various ways of describing a set, the construction of new sets from known sets, a variety of applications, and a brief introduction to fuzzy sets. It also describes the various ways of constructing new sets from known sets and highlights some of the tricky problems involved in finding out the number of positive integers, subsets, and the definition of sets of legally paired parentheses. The questions explored in this chapter include: (1) finding out the number of positive integers ≤ N and divisible by a, b, or c, (2) finding out the number of subsets in a finite set with n elements; (3) defining a set of legally paired parenthesis; and (4) finding out the number of sequences of legally paired parentheses can be formed using n pairs of left and right parentheses.