cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of misregistration between SPECT and CT for attenuation-corrected myocardial perfusion SPECT

Background Nonuniform attenuation artifacts may reduce the diagnostic accuracy of cardiac single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies. Compensation strategies using an attenuation map (eg, from x-ray tomography) have been reported to improve accuracy. Because the computed tomography (CT) and SPECT images are obtained sequentially, misregistration of the emission and transmission scans can occur. Our objective was to qualitatively assess these misregistration errors. Methods and Results This study included 60 patients who consecutively underwent CT attenuation-corrected myocardial perfusion studies acquired on a SPECT/CT system equipped with a nondiagnostic CT scanner. The cardiac SPECT/CT and fused images were reviewed and qualitatively assessed for misregistration of the heart between the CT and emission image data sets. The degree of misregistration was qualitatively rated on a 5-point scale. Misregistration was judged to be none in 4 of 55 patients, minimal in 9, mild in 19, moderate in 21, and severe in 2 patients. Five studies could not be assessed because of severe artifacts on CT. Conclusions Forty-two percent of the CT attenuation-corrected myocardial perfusion studies had moderate to severe cardiac misregistration qualitatively. Our data suggest that careful review of attenuation correction maps and registration is needed to avoid reconstruction artifacts due to misregistration.
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products alter the holobiome and development of a medically important mosquito

The increasing demand for fresh water has forced many countries to use reclaimed wastewater for agricultural purposes. This water contains pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) that remain biologically active following passage through wastewater treatment plants. Run-off from farms and contaminated water from treatment facilities exposes aquatic ecosystems to PPCPs. This study examined the effects of PPCPs on a lower trophic organism. Culex quinquefasciatus larvae were reared in water contaminated with environmentally relevant concentrations of common PPCPs. Acetaminophen alone and a mixture of contaminants were found to increase developmental time of larvae. Susceptibility to Bti increased in larvae exposed to antibiotics, acetaminophen, or a mixture of PPCPs. Antibiotics, hormones, and the mixture altered the mosquito bacterial microbiome. Overall, the results indicate that at environmentally relevant concentrations, PPCPs in reclaimed water can have biologically important effects on an ecologically and medically important lower trophic level insect.
Suction rectal biopsy in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease and chronic constipation

Suction rectal biopsy has gained in- creased acceptance as the means of definitively diagnosing Hirschsprung's disease as well as ex- cluding this diagnosis when evaluating the child with chronic constipation. During the 11-year pe- riod from 1 July 1974 through 30 June 1985 at the University of Michigan, Mott Children's Hospi- tal, 309 suction rectal biopsy specimens were eval- uated. Of these, 293 were done for the evaluation of chronic constipation and/or Hirschsprung's disease. The remaining 16 were performed as a part of the work-up in patients with neuromuscu- lar, glycogen storage, inflammatory bowel, or other diseases. Forty-two (14%) of the 293 patients were diagnosed as having Hirschsprung's disease at an average age of 14.4 months. This diagnosis was ruled out in the remaining 251 patients, whose age at biopsy averaged 2.7 years. There was one false-negative reading representing an inci- dence of 0.3%, with no false-positives. There were no complications. The suction rectal biopsy is a bedside or clinic procedure that reliably provides pathologic material adequate for the accurate di- agnosis or exclusion of Hirschsprung's disease and offers a number of advantages over mano- metric, radiographic, histochemical, and open, full-thickness biopsy techniques.
Discussing Gender and Sexuality in a Context-Appropriate Way: Queer Narratives in an EFL College Classroom in Japan

This article recounts my search for a context-appropriate way of exploring gender and sexuality issues in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom. The first half of the article explains why and how I sought a pedagogic strategy that would be educationally effective, institutionally viable, and culturally appropriate-in my case, for EFL students in a cultural studies course at a Christian women's college in western Japan. I sought an approach that would harmonize with the sociocultural context and with principles of effective language learning, as well as affirm the identities and rights of queer-identifying individuals but without reinforcing static sexual-identity stereotypes. The second half of the article illustrates how I used life-history narratives of local Japanese individuals to generate classroom inquiry about issues of gender and sexuality. It presents excerpts from audio-taped class discussions about the experiences of a lesbian university student (Naomi), a gay high school teacher (Ka...
Redeeming the failed promise of democracy in Eritrea

In 1991, after a long, arduous and highly dynamic struggle that transformed many of the bases of their society, the Eritrean people won their freedom. The attempt began to reconstruct their war-ravaged society. But, following the renewal of conflict with Ethiopia in 1998 and continuation of hostilities, many of those earlier gains have been set back and the movement towards popular democracy reversed. The nature of Eritrea’s post-independence state, the earlier struggle for gender equality and the current crackdown on dissent are here illuminated.
Breast-feeding Attitudes and Behavior Among WIC Mothers in Texas

Abstract Objective This study explored the influence of demographic characteristics on attitudes toward the benefits of breast-feeding, approval of public breast-feeding, and the use of infant formula. Additionally, the study examined whether attitudes were related to infant feeding practices among mothers enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Texas. Design This study used a cross-sectional design. Setting Participants completed questionnaires at WIC clinic sites across Texas. Participants Mothers of young children who were receiving WIC benefits. Main Outcome Measure(s) Attitudes toward the benefits of breast-feeding, attitudes toward public breast-feeding, attitudes toward infant formula, and the choice of infant feeding practice. Analysis Descriptive statistics, multivariate ordinary least squares regression, and multinomial logistic regression. Results A key finding was that many Hispanic mothers held favorable attitudes toward both breast milk and infant formula. Younger and less educated mothers were least likely to agree with the benefits of breast-feeding. Mothers with positive attitudes toward the benefits of breast-feeding were likely to exclusively breastfeed and use both formula and breast milk. Conclusions and Implications Attitudes toward breast-feeding, public breast-feeding, and infant formula and their influence on breast-feeding behavior should inform the curriculum of breast-feeding promotion programs.
Chemical Stability of Glass Seal Interfaces in Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

In intermediate temperature planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks, the interconnect, which is typically made from cost-effective, oxidation-resistant, high-temperature alloys, is typically sealed to the ceramic positive electrode-electrolyte-negative electrode (PEN) by a sealing glass. To maintain the structural stability and minimize the degradation of stack performance, the sealing glass has to be chemically compatible with the PEN and alloy interconnects. In the present study, the chemical compatibility of a barium-calcium-aluminosilicate (BCAS) based glass-ceramic (specifically developed as a sealant in SOFC stacks) with a number of selected oxidation resistant high temperature alloys (and the yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte) was evaluated. This paper reports the results of that study, with a particular focus on Crofer22 APU, a new ferritic stainless steel that was developed specifically for SOFC interconnect applications.
Passive Commuting and Dietary Intake in Fourth and Fifth Grade Students

Background Promoting active commuting by walking or biking to and from school could increase physical activity and reduce obesity among youth. However, exposure to the retail food environment while commuting may lead to greater dietary intake among active commuters. Purpose To examine the relationship between commute patterns and dietary intake and quality in elementary students. Methods Fourth and fifth grade students ( N =3,316) in 44 California schools reported commute modes to and from school and dietary intake for the same 24-hour period in 2012. Differences between active and passive commuters in total energy intake (kcal), energy from purchased foods, and energy from sweets and snack-type foods were compared, stratified by after-school program (ASP) participation (analysis conducted in 2013). Results Twenty-three percent of youth actively commuted to school; 27% actively commuted from school. Passive commuters, 87% of whom traveled by car, consumed 78 more kcal from purchased foods ( p p p =0.02) than active commuters. Conclusions Passive commuters consumed more sweets and snack-type foods and more purchased foods than active commuters. These results, which suggest that parents are providing unhealthy foods for their children during the school commute, reinforce the need for multilevel strategies to promote energy balance in youth.
A developmental comparison of the neurobehavioral effects of ecstasy (MDMA)

The entactogen ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) is a popular recreational drug among college, high school, and, occasionally, middle school students. Preclinical research examining the acute and long-term effects of MDMA has predominately been conducted in reproductively mature subjects but there has been increasing interest in adolescent and in utero exposure. This review examines the acute and long-term responses to MDMA during perinatal, adolescent, and adult periods. The ability of MDMA to alter core body temperature emerges gradually during ontogeny while a reduction in body weight is evident at all ages. Learning and working-memory are also altered independent of the developmental stage of exposure. Current evidence suggests adults are more sensitive to the long-term serotonin depletions following MDMA but younger ages also exhibit substantial and rapid neuroplasticity. Sexually dimorphic MDMA responses have been identified for the acute hyperthermic and motoric effects of MDMA with pubescent males being especially susceptible. Several physiological, behavioral, and neurochemical MDMA issues requiring further study are also outlined.
Dielectric Relaxations in Reduced Rutile ( Ti O 2 − x ) at Low Temperatures

The complex dielectric constant of reduced rutile, $\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{2\ensuremath{-}x}$, has been measured at frequencies between ${10}^{2}$ and ${10}^{5}$ Hz at temperatures between 1.2 and 50\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Three distinct relaxation processes have been observed: process I at temperatures around 4.0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K with activation energy $Q=1.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ eV and pre-exponential factor ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{*}={10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ sec, process II at temperatures around 15\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K with $Q=2.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ eV and ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{*}={10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}\ensuremath{-}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ sec, and process III at temperatures around 11\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K with $Q=8.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ eV and ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{*}\ensuremath{\approx}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ sec. All three relaxation processes are ascribed to polaron hopping between normal cation lattice sites around complex ionic defect cores. By increasing the concentration of trivalent impurity, the most likely ionic core responsible for process I is found to be an oxygen vacancy associated with one trivalent substitutional impurity, while the core most likely responsible for process II is an interstitial ${\mathrm{Ti}}^{+3}$ ion in association with two trivalent substitutional impurity ions. An ion core consisting of a single pentavalent substitutional impurity accounts well for process III.
A large paleolake basin at the head of Ma'adim Vallis, Mars.

At 8 to 15 kilometers wide, Ma9adim Vallis is one of the largest valleys in the martian highlands. Although a groundwater source was previously suggested, the channel originates at a spillway in the divide of a ∼3,000,000-square-kilometer closed drainage basin. The interior morphology of this source basin, including likely shoreline features following topographic contours, suggests that Ma9adim Vallis was created through catastrophic overflow of a ∼1,100,000-square-kilometer highland lake. The size, constant levels, and interior morphology of three regional paleolake basins require a warmer paleoclimate and a long-term, recharged, stable highland water table more than ∼3.5 billion years ago.
SIRT1 is decreased during relapses in patients with multiple sclerosis

SIRT1 is a member of the histone deacetylase (HDAC) class III family of proteins and is an NAD-dependent histone and protein deacetylase. SIRT1 can induce chromatin silencing through the deacetylation of histones and can modulate cell survival by regulating the transcriptional activities. We investigated the expression of SIRT1 in multiple sclerosis (MS) brains and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. We found that SIRT1 was expressed by a significant number of cells in both acute and chronic active lesions. We also found that CD4(+), CD68(+), oligodendrocytes (OLG), and glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP)(+) cells in MS plaques co-localized with SIRT1. Our results show a statistically significant decrease in SIRT1 mRNA and protein expression in PBMCs during relapses when compared to the levels in controls and stable MS patients. On the other hand, HDAC3 expression was not significantly changed during relapses in MS patients. SIRT1 expression correlated with that of histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) and methylation (H3K9me2). SIRT1 mRNA expression was significantly reduced after RGC-32 silencing, indicating a role for RGC-32 in the regulation of SIRT1 expression. Furthermore, we investigated the role of SIRT1 in the expression of FasL and found a significant increase in FasL expression and apoptosis after inhibition of SIRT1 expression. Our data suggest that SIRT1 may represent a biomarker of relapses and a potential new target for therapeutic intervention in MS.
Sulfide solubilities in alteration-controlled systems.

Solubilities of sphalerite (ZnS) and galena (PbS) were determined at 300° to 500°C and 1000 bars total pressure in a chemical environment buffered by silicate mineral equilibria. Chloride solutions and muscovite-bearing assemblages characteristic of hydrothermal wall-rock alteration were used; weak acidities at temperature were therefore involved. The metal concentrations encountered tended to be higher than those observed in high bisulfide-H 2 S systems at neutral to weakly basic p H used in most previous experimentation; the chemical conditions of the work, although not completely satisfactory, are geologically more realistic than previous experimentation done in the basic- p H region.
WS06 Antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine: clinical aspects

Objective Antimicrobial resistance is not only here, it is here to stay and it poses major threats to the effective use of antimicrobial drugs in humans and other animals. Nevertheless, a defeatist attitude is not acceptable. There is much that can and must be done to retard or prevent the emergence and spread of resistance. Clinicians and scientists from many disciplines have roles to play in combating resistance and we veterinary pharmacologists arguably have the most important role of all. As Schentag (1996) indicated 10 years ago, ‘‘The design of appropriate dosage regimens may be the single most important contribution of clinical pharmacology to the resistance problem’’. However, progress has not been rapid and as recently as 2003 Drusano commented, ‘‘One area in which there is little investigation is the use of proper dosing to help prevent emergence of resistance’’ and, again in 2005, Drusano et al. commented ‘‘little attention has been focussed on delineating the correct dose to suppress the amplification of less susceptible mutant bacterial sub-populations’’. In this Workshop we address, with the help of internationally recognised authorities, antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine, from the perspectives of basic mechanisms, epidemiology and pre-clinical and population PK-PD modelling in dosage design. In addition, we review prudent use, clinical aspects and the contribution of regulatory efforts to minimise the selection of resistant microorganisms.
Performance of long fiber reinforced thermoplastics subjected to transverse intermediate velocity blunt object impact

Abstract An understanding of long fiber reinforced thermoplastic (LFT) behavior while undergoing high energy, high strain rate impact is essential in promoting its use in automotive and other markets. In this work, damage tolerance of polypropylene (PP)/E-glass LFTs subjected to transverse blunt object impact (BOI) was investigated, treated from an experimental standpoint, in order to characterize energy dissipation and damage modes. LFT subjected to BOI exhibited high impact energy dissipation, which increased linearly with increasing areal density. The average impact energy dissipation at the critical velocity (ballistic limit) was 167 J and 121 J for a 4.61 g cm −2 specimen impacted by flat and conically shaped projectiles, respectively. The fiber orientation also played a large role in energy dissipation; failure appeared to occur along planes of preferential fiber orientation. The critical energy for specimen perforation did not vary with the mass of the impactor, i.e. strain rate, in the range investigated. This overall work advances the state-of-the-art in LFTs with an automotive focus.
The Effects of Gender and Family, Friend, and Media Influences on Eating Behaviors and Body Image During Adolescence

The current study expands upon body image research to examine how gender, self-esteem, social support, teasing, and family, friend, and media pressures relate to body image and eating-related attitudes and behaviors among male and female adolescents (N = 177). Results indicated that adolescents were dissatisfied with their current bodies: males were concerned with increasing their upper body, whereas females wanted to decrease the overall size of their body. Low self-esteem and social support, weight-related teasing, and greater pressures to lose weight were associated with adolescents’ negative body esteem, body image, and eating attitudes. Females displayed more high risk eating behaviors—which were associated with more psychosocial risk factors—than males, whose high risk attitudes and behaviors were only associated with low parental support and greater pressure to be muscular. Reducing adolescents’ perceptions of appearance-related pressure from family and friends may be key for enhancing body image and decreasing links between low self-esteem and negative eating behaviors and weight-related perceptions.
OLFACTORY CILIA IN THE FROG

Olfactory epithelium from the frog was examined in the living state by light microscopy and in the fixed state by electron microscopy. Particular attention was paid to the layer of cilia and mucus which covers the surface of the epithelium. The olfactory cilia differed from typical cilia in that they (a) arose from bipolar neurons and had centrioles near their basal bodies, (b) were up to 200 microns in length, of which the greater part was a distal segment containing an atypical array of ciliary fibers, (c) were often immotile, (d) had their distal segments arranged in parallel rows near the surface of the mucus, and (e) had many vesicles along their shafts and had splits in the array of fibers in their distal segments. These specializations make the olfactory cilia similar to cilia found on other sensory cells and support the theory that they are the locus where electrical excitation in the olfactory organ is initiated by contact with odorous substances.
Emotional Expression at Work and at Home: Domain, Status, or Individual Characteristics?

Using the emotions module of the 1996 General Social Survey, we examine strategies that individuals use to express emotion. We focus on anger, one of the emotions most problematic or potentially di...
Design considerations for DC charging station for plug-in vehicles

This paper looks at the optimizing the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) design for level 3 DC charging stations. By studying the power demand of the charging station, we conclude that the size of the grid tie can be reduced substantially by sizing for average rather than the peak power demand. Therefore the charging station architecture with a single AC/DC conversion and a DC distribution to DC/DC charging units is proposed. An energy storage system connected to the DC bus is used to supply power when the demand exceeds the capability of the grid tie. Specifically, this paper looks at the integration of energy storage on the DC bus to (1) provide power to the chargers in instances when their requirements exceed the grid tie capability (2) eliminate DC side ripple and (3) eliminate AC side harmonics.
Thermal Conductivity of Plasma-Sprayed Monolithic and Multilayer Coatings of Alumina and Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia

The temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity of plasma-spray-deposited monolithic coatings, as well as multilayer coatings that consisted of Al2O3 and ZrO2 that was stabilized by 8% Y2O3 (YSZ), was investigated. The coatings exhibited a large reduction in thermal conductivity at all temperatures, when compared to the bulk monolithic Al2O3 and YSZ. This reduction was due to porosity as well as thermal resistance that was caused by interfaces in the coatings. The largest decrease in the thermal conductivity of the coatings, relative to monolithic fully dense materials, was due to splat interfaces within each layer, as well as the coating/substrate interface. On the other hand, the multilayer coatings showed little variation in the thermal conductivity, relative to the number of layers, which suggests that the influence of interlayer interfaces on heat transfer is relatively small. A one-dimensional analysis of steady-state heat transfer has been presented to illustrate the significance of porosity, splat interfaces, and interlayer interfaces, with respect to the overall thermal conductivity of multilayer coatings.
Topology for a DSP based beam control system in the AGS booster

The AGS Booster supports beams of ions and protons with a wide range of energies on a pulse-by-pulse modulation basis. This requires an agile beam control system highly integrated with its controls. To implement this system digital techniques in the form of: Digital Signal Processors, Direct Digital Synthesizers, digital receivers and high speed Analog to Digital Converters are used. Signals from the beam and cavity pick-ups, as well as measurements of magnetic field strength in the ring dipoles are processed in real time. To facilitate this a multi-processor topology with high bandwidth data links is being designed.
Quasi-phase-matched second harmonic generation: tuning and tolerances

The theory of quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation is presented in both the space domain and the wave vector mismatch domain. Departures from ideal quasi-phase matching in periodicity, wavelength, angle of propagation, and temperature are examined to determine the tuning properties and acceptance bandwidths for second-harmonic generation in periodic structures. Numerical examples are tabulated for periodically poled lithium niobate. Various types of errors in the periodicity of these structures are then analyzed to find their effects on the conversion efficiency and on the shape of the tuning curve. This analysis is useful for establishing fabrication tolerances for practical quasi-phase-matched devices. A method of designing structures having desired phase-matching tuning curve shapes is also described. The method makes use of varying domain lengths to establish a varying effective nonlinear coefficient along the interaction length. >
Social policy and family relations: Choices for change

This article examines the relationship between social security policies and the trend toward greater equality in family life. The declining birth rate and increasing labour-force participation of women, among other factors, have altered the traditional division of labour in family life on which many social security policies were originally predicated. As the traditional guidelines dissolve, two schools of feminist thought suggest alternative ways that husbands and wives should divide their labour to fulfil domestic responsibilities. These perspectives on gender equality in family life are analysed in terms of their implications for social security policies. The merits of these approaches to policy are assessed in light of their impact on social choice, independence, self-realization, and family stability.
CFD Prediction of M910 Projectile Aerodynamics: Unsteady Wake Effect on Magnus Moment

The aerodynamic coefficients of the 25-mm M910 training projectile were characterized using computational fluid dynamic computations. The results were validated with archival experimental data that were re-processed with modern data reduction software, providing a more exact representation of the aerodynamic coefficients. The present study was an extension of previous work and re-affirmed that the prediction of the M910 Magnus moment in the subsonic and transonic regimes was improved using time-accurate, hybrid RANS/LES computations, while other aerodynamic coefficients were adequately predicted via conventional steady-state RANS computations. Force and moment distributions showed that the effects on Magnus were confined to the rear end of the projectile. These effects include both angle of attack nonlinearity and differences between the steady-state RANS and unsteady RANS/LES predictions.
On a micromachined fluidic inclinometer

We have demonstrated the fabrication of a micromachined fluidic inclinometer for the first time. The micromachined fluidic inclinometer uses capacitance to detect the angle of inclination, and it is capable of measuring inclination with greater than 1/spl deg/ resolution. Several fluidic systems and geometries are tested to optimize speed of response and linearity. The most successful realization of the device uses amphiphilic molecules that self-assemble at the air-fluid interface to reduce surface tension, while maintaining a large dielectric constant difference. In order to increase the capacitance change due to tilt, the electrodes are interdigitated. Initial tests of the prototype devices indicated more than 1/spl deg/ of resolution with 1.38/spl deg/ repeatability, and approximately 21.9 ms response time per one degree of inclination angle change.
Accumbens neurochemical adaptations produced by binge-like alcohol consumption

The Scheduled High Alcohol Consumption (SHAC) binge drinking model is a simple, partial murine model with which to investigate some of the neurobiological underpinnings of alcoholism. The SHAC model was used to characterize monoamine and amino acid adaptations produced in the nucleus accumbens (NAC) by repeated bouts of high alcohol consumption. In vivo microdialysis was conducted in the NAC of C57BL/6J (B6) mice during consumption of water, a 5% alcohol (v/v) solution for the first time (SHAC1) or a 5% alcohol solution for the sixth time (SHAC6). A second set of microdialysis experiments assessed the neurotransmitter response to an alcohol challenge injection (1.5 or 2 g/kg, IP). In both drinking experiments, SHAC1 and SHAC6 mice consumed comparable amounts of alcohol during the 40-min period of alcohol availability (~1.5 g/kg) and total fluid intake was similar between water and SHAC1/6 mice. Despite the similarity in alcohol consumption, alcohol-mediated increases in the extracellular concentration of GABA and serotonin were reduced, but glutamate was increased in the NAC of SHAC6 mice, relative to SHAC1 animals. No differences were observed in extracellular dopamine between SHAC1 and SHAC6 mice during alcohol consumption. After alcohol injection, SHAC6 mice also exhibited sensitized glutamate release, but did not differ from water or SHAC1 animals for any of the other neurotransmitters examined. Brain alcohol concentrations did not differ between groups after injection. Repeated bouts of high alcohol consumption induce an imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission within the NAC that may drive excessive drinking behavior.
Low profile, cavity backed spiral on thin ferrite ground plane for high power operation above 200MHz

This paper presents a small, low profile, 2” thick and 14” in aperture, spiral antenna backed by a thin ferrite ground plane. The antenna is intended to cover Satellite (UHF TacSat (earth to LEO, 243-318 MHz)) and Radio (PRC-148, PRC-117F, PSC-5D (243-512 MHz)) communications. Miniaturization, ground plane treatment, and resistive loading techniques are considered, and a design optimization is carried out to determine the several material, shape and geometry parameters for best performance. In this paper, we carry out step-by-step design to achieve the challenging goals: RHCP gain ≫0 dBi at θ = 0°; Bandwidth 220-500 MHz; VSWR ≪2:1; Low LHCP (cross-pol) gain (≪−10 dBi); Low profile (2”) and High power capability (50 W).
Data summary of the national fire protection association's BLEVE tests

In conjunction with the production of a new film entitled BLEVE Update®2, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sponsored a series of six Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) tests using 1.893 m3 propane tanks. The purpose of the experiments was to obtain film footage of BLEVEs and to compile test data and documentation that might help to better define failure mechanisms and other important physical processes involved. The experiments included tests with simulated pool fires and tests with liquid and gaseous flame jets. The fill level of each tank was varied for the six experiments. The tanks were instrumented with thermocouples and pressure transducers in both the liquid and vapor space. This paper describes the test setup and summarizes the data measurements obtained.
Modulation of traumatic brain injury using progesterone and the role of glial cells on its neuroprotective actions

TBI is a complex disease process caused by a cascade of systemic events. Attention is now turning to drugs that act on multiple pathways to enhance survival and functional outcomes. Progesterone has been found to be beneficial in several animal species, different models of brain injury, and in two preliminary human clinical trials. It holds promise as a treatment for TBI. Progesterone's multiple mechanisms of action may work synergistically to prevent the death of neurons and glia, leading to reduced morbidity and mortality. This review highlights the importance of glial cells as mediators of progesterone's actions on the CNS and describes progesterone's pleiotrophic effects on immune enhancement and neuroprotection in TBI.
The influence on patients' pain intensity ratings of antecedent reinforcement of pain talk or well talk.

Abstract This study sought to determine whether positive verbal reinforcement for pain talk or well talk could effectively influence chronic pain patients' subsequent ratings of pain intensity. Four female chronic pain inpatients were each exposed over seven consecutive days to two conditions within an alternating treatments design. Inter-rater reliability analysis from the audiotapes on occurences of pain and well talk, verbal reinforcement and appropriate reinforcement of verbal behavior across conditions resulted in agreement values from 91 to 100%. Findings revealed that subjects' pain intensity ratings were consistently and significantly lower after verbally reinforcing well talk compared with verbally reinforcing pain talk.
Age-related slowing in mental rotation of three-dimensional objects.

Abstract Twenty-four old (M = 70.9 years) and 24 young (M = 21.7 years) adults performed a mental rotation task in which stimuli were pairs of three-dimensional objects (toy cowboy figures). Participants were presented with one pair of figures on each trial and were required to make a “yes/no” decision as to whether the figures were in identical (“yes”) or mirror image (“no”) poses. A significant interactive effect of age and rotation angle on response time suggested slower rates of mental rotation for old vs. young adults, as did significant age differences in mean slope and intercept values based on individual subjects' linear equations for response time over rotation angle. Findings were consistent with those of previous studies which have reported significant age-related slowing in mental rotation.
INTENTION AND IRONY: THE MISSED ENCOUNTER BETWEEN HAYDEN WHITE AND QUENTIN SKINNER

No contemporary intellectual historian has produced more influential reflections on the historian's craft than Hayden White and Quentin Skinner, yet their legacy has never been meaningfully compared. Doing so reveals a surprising complementarity in their approach, at least to the extent that Skinner's stress on recovering the intentionality of authors fits well with White's observation that irony is the dominant rhetorical mode of historical narrative in our day. Irony itself, to be sure, has to be divided broadly speaking into its dramatic or Socratic variants and the unstable and paradoxical alternative defended by poststructuralist critics. The latter produced in White an anxiety about the anarchistic implications of an allegedly inherent undecidability in historical interpretation and narration, which threatened to conflate history entirely with fiction. By recovering the necessary role of intentionality as a prerequisite for a more moderate version of Socratic and dramatic irony—in which hindsight provides some purchase on a truth denied actors at the time history is made—it is possible to rescue an ironic attitude that can register the frequency of unintended consequences without surrendering to the conclusion that no explanation or interpretation is superior to another. Against yet a third alternative, which tries to reconstruct the past rationally as a prelude to the present, acknowledging the ironic undermining of intentions avoids giving all the power to the contemporary historian and restores a dialogic balance between actors in the past and their present-day interpreters.
Dynamic Parallel 3D Delaunay Triangulation

Delaunay meshing is a popular technique for mesh generation. Usually, the mesh has to be refined so that certain fidelity and quality criteria are met. Delaunay refinement is achieved by dynamically inserting and removing points in/from a Delaunay triangulation. In this paper, we present a robust parallel algorithm for computing Delaunay triangulations in three dimensions. Our triangulator offers fully dynamic parallel insertions and removals of points and is thus suitable for mesh refinement. As far as we know, ours is the first method that parallelizes point removals, an operation that significantly slows refinement down. Our shared memory implementation makes use of a custom memory manager and light-weight locks which greatly reduce the communication and synchronization cost. We also employ a contention policy which is able to accelerate the execution times even in the presence of high number of rollbacks. Evaluation on synthetic and real data shows the effectiveness of our method on widely used multi-core SMPs.
Hydrodynamics of swimming in stingrays: numerical simulations and the role of the leading-edge vortex

Stingrays, in contrast with many other aquatic animals, have flattened disk-shaped bodies with expanded pectoral ‘wings’, which are used for locomotion in water. To discover the key features of stingray locomotion, large-eddy simulations of a self-propelled stingray, modelled closely after the freshwater stingray, Potamotrygon orbignyi, are performed. The stingray’s body motion was prescribed based on three-dimensional experimental measurement of wing and body kinematics in live stingrays at two different swimming speeds of 1.5 and ( is the disk length of the stingray). The swimming speeds predicted by the self-propelled simulations were within 12 % of the nominal swimming speeds in the experiments. It was found that the fast-swimming stingray (Reynolds number and Strouhal number ) is approximately 12 % more efficient than the slow-swimming one ( , ). This is related to the wake of the fast- and slow-swimming stingrays, which was visualized along with the pressure on the stingray’s body. A horseshoe vortex was discovered to be present at the anterior margin of the stingray, creating a low-pressure region that enhances thrust for both fast and slow swimming speeds. Furthermore, it was found that a leading-edge vortex (LEV) on the pectoral disk of swimming stingrays generates a low-pressure region in the fast-swimming stingray, whereas the low- and high-pressure regions in the slow-swimming one are in the back half of the wing and not close to any vortical structures. The undulatory motion creates thrust by accelerating the adjacent fluid (the added-mass mechanism), which is maximized in the back of the wing because of higher undulations and velocities in the back. However, the thrust enhancement by the LEV occurs in the front portion of the wing. By computing the forces on the front half and the back half of the wing, it was found that the contribution of the back half of the wing to thrust in a slow-swimming stingray is several-fold higher than in the fast-swimming one. This indicates that the LEV enhances thrust in fast-swimming stingrays and improves the efficiency of swimming.
Actinomycosis of the temporal bone and brain: case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES Actinomycosis is a rare disease with a typically indolent course in the head and neck. During the modern era, only 12 cases within the ear and temporal bone and 75 intracranial cases have been reported. We present a case of actinomycosis of the petrous apex that led to meningitis and encephalitis. METHODS The patient was a 12-year-old girl who presented with mental status changes. After 48 hours of treatment with empiric antibiotics for meningitis without improvement, imaging revealed an enhancing mass in the right petrous apex, destruction of the cochlea, meningeal enhancement, and left temporoparietal encephalitis. RESULTS The initial therapy included broad-spectrum antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral agents, as well as myringotomy and tympanostomy tube placement. When the patient's clinical status worsened, she underwent subtotal petrosectomy with drainage of the petrous apex. The final pathologic findings were consistent with actinomycosis. CONCLUSIONS Actinomycosis is a rare infection in the temporal bone and central nervous system that can have a high mortality risk if not treated appropriately. Often, these bacteria do not grow well in culture, and diagnosis must be made on the basis of histopathologic features. Good clinical outcomes can be obtained with surgical debridement followed by long-term antibiotic treatment.
o-Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid Excretion in the Phenylalanine Tolerance Test For Carriers of Phenylketonuria.

Summaryo-Hydroxyphenylacetic acid is an abnormal urinary metabolite of phenylalanine found in phenylketonuria and after phenylalanine dosage in heterozygotes of phenylketonuria. It is also formed by normal individuals with comparably elevated phenylalanine blood levels. It must be formed by enzyme systems other than the one disturbed in phenylketonuria.
Modeling of Coarsening Processes In Patterned Systems

Although particle coarsening has been studied for over a century, it remains an active area of materials science research. The current work presents a theoretical analysis of the degradation of regular arrays of spherical particles through diffusional interaction. In order to understand the onset of coarsening, a linear stability analysis is performed on a simple square lattice of particles. It is predicted that particles will dissolve in a spatially ordered manner. The active transport mechanism plays a strong role in the selection of the coherent growth modes.
Enhanced release of small molecules from near-infrared light responsive polymer-nanorod composites.

Stimuli-responsive materials undergo structural changes in response to an external trigger (i.e., pH, heat, or light). This process has been previously used for a range of applications in biomedicine and microdevices and has recently gained considerable attention in controlled drug release. Here, we use a near-infrared (NIR) light responsive polymer-nanorod composite whose glass transition temperature (T(g)) is in the range of body temperature to control and enhance the release of a small-molecule drug ( T(g), the polymer is rubbery and release is enhanced. We applied this heating system to trigger release of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin from both polymer films and microspheres. Multiple cycles of NIR exposure were performed and demonstrated a triggered and stepwise release behavior. Lastly, we tested the microsphere system in vitro, reporting a ∼90% reduction in the activity of T6-17 cells when the release of doxorubicin was triggered from microspheres exposed to NIR light. This overall approach can be used with numerous polymer systems to modulate molecule release toward the development of unique and clinically applicable therapies.
Clinical practice on the horizon: personalized medicine.

Abstract With the advent of the human genome project, we have never known so much about the uniqueness of individuals. Personalized medicine is poised to use this genetic and genomic information along with the impact of environment and clinical presentation to provide healthcare from an individual perspective. This offers the opportunity to improve our ability to diagnose and predict disease, provide earlier intervention, identify new treatment regimens, and address the safety and efficacy of drug use. The impact of personalized medicine to our current model of healthcare delivery is tremendous, and although strides have been made, there are still challenges and barriers to overcome before personalized medicine can be fully implemented. Advanced practice nurses may not be fully aware of the personalized medicine initiative or may not be well versed on genetic and genomic content, which is a key concept of personalized medicine. The role of advanced practice nurses is an integral part of the healthcare system, and as such, they are poised to be key providers and contributors to personalized medicine. The personalized medicine initiative is discussed along with examples of genetic and genomic information that lend to our understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, as well as the role and responsibilities of advanced practice nurses. Resources for personalized medicine and genetic and genomic content are provided.
Thermophysical Properties of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids: The Effect of Aliphatic versus Aromatic Functionality

In this work, a series of imidazolium-based ionic liquids with varying functionalities from aliphatic to aromatic groups and a fixed anion, bis[(trifluoromethane)sulfonyl]amide, were investigated. The imidazolium cations included 1-heptyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-3-methylimidazolium, 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1,3-dibenzylimidazolium, and 1-(2-naphthylmethyl)-3-methylimidazolium. Structure–property relationships were investigated regarding the substituent effects on the imidazolium cation, including n-alkyl versus cycloalkyl and aromatic versus aliphatic, as well as the effects of cation symmetry and larger aromatic polycyclic functionalities. Thermophysical properties investigated include density, thermal transition temperatures, and decomposition temperatures. The densities of the ionic liquids are governed by the substituents on the cation: n-alkyl < cycloalkyl < aromatic. The group contribution method is applicable for the density estimation of ionic liquids, and the volume paramet...
Occurrence of Poliocidal Substances in Tears, Saliva and Cerebrospinal Fluid of Normal Individuals.

While the presence of poliocidal substances in the serum of normal individuals is generally known and this fact is tentatively put in correlation with the mechanism of resistance to the disease, there are but few data to indicate the extent of distribution of similar substances in other body fluids and secretions of man. Apart from the early work of Amoss and Taylor,1 who reported neutralization of poliomyelitis virus by the nasal secretions of healthy persons and more recent observations on the inactivation of the virus by pregnancy urine, placenta extracts and various endocrine preparations,2,3 investigations in this field have been strangely neglected. Yet it is clear that the question whether or not virucidal substances may normally be found at the site of the presumable portal of every or in the vicinity of the ultimate seat of the lesions, carries far greater significance than the successful demonstration of such substances in the circulating blood. In an attempt to bridge this gap in our knowledge,...
Translocation: lights, camera, and action

The fundamental mechanics of how EF-G catalyzes translocation of the mRNA and tRNA pairs on the ribosome has been intensely studied for over three decades. Two kinetic studies now reveal the sequence of events and the timing of key conformational changes in the ribosome during translocation and identify new intermediates in this complex process.
A cross-sectional study on natural immune status of varicella among children in Fangshan district,Beijing

Objective To know natural immune status of varicella among children in Fangshan,Beijing to provide epidemiological evidence for its effective prevention and control. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out with a representative sample comprised of healthy children aged 1 ～ 14 years,with standardized structured questionnaire. Blood specimen were collected and serum varicella IgG antibody was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA). Results Positive rate of varicella IgG antibody was 44. 1 percent among 648 healthy children,with no significant difference either between boys and girls,or between children in varied household registers ( P 0. 05),while with significant difference between varied age groups and living areas (P 0. 05),lowest in children aged 3 ～ 5 years (30. 6% ) and living in mountainous areas (34. 4% ). Conclusion Positive rate of varicella IgG antibody is low in children living in mountainous areas,where no effective immune barrier for varicella is formed,especially in children aged 3 ～ 5 years. It is necessary to implement effective measures for varicella prevention and control to protect these children.