cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phase transitions and phase decomposition of La1−xSrxCoO3−δ in low oxygen partial pressures

Abstract High-temperature X-ray diffraction has been used to investigate the phase stability of lanthanum strontium cobalt oxide (LSC) for a range of materials with the formula La1−xSrxCoO3−δ (x = 0.7, 0.4, and 0.2). The stability of LSC increases with La content in low oxygen partial pressures at high temperature. Oxygen vacancy ordering has been observed for all three compositions in either low oxygen pressure or under reducing gas, as evidenced by the formation of the brownmillerite phase. The crystal structure of the vacancy-ordered phase was determined using Rietveld analysis of synchrotron X-ray diffraction data. The decomposition products under low oxygen pressure and in reducing conditions have been identified and characterized, including the phase transition and thermal expansion of the primary decomposition products, LaSrCoO4 and LaSrCoO3.5.
Trajectories of PTSD symptoms following sexual assault: Is resilience the modal outcome?

Theoretical frameworks positing qualitatively distinct trajectories of posttrauma outcome have received initial empirical support, but have not been investigated in cases of severe interpersonal trauma. To address this limitation, we conducted latent class growth analysis with longitudinal data collected from 119 female sexual assault survivors at 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-months postassault. Participants' mean age was 33 years; 63% were White. We hypothesized that given the severity of exposure associated with sexual assault, resilience would not be the modal course of adaptation. Four distinct PTSD growth trajectories, representing unique latent classes of participants, best fit the data: a high chronic trajectory, a moderate chronic trajectory, a moderate recovery trajectory, and a marked recovery trajectory. Contrary to previous studies and recent theoretical models, resilience and resistance trajectories were not observed, as high levels of distress were evident in nearly all participants at 1-month postassault. These results suggest that theoretical models of posttrauma response positing resilience as the modal outcome may not generalize to cases of sexual assault.
High-temperature stability of San Carlos olivine

A suite of heat-treatment experiments have been performed to test the high-temperature stability of San Carlos olivine within the theoretical \({\text{p}}_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} } \) stability field at one atmosphere total pressure. Exsolution or contamination products did not form on the surfaces of samples which were surrounded by olivine, magnesia, or alumina. In contrast, silica-rich phases developed on the surfaces of samples which were in line-of-sight contact with silica or platinum. These silica-rich phases result from interaction of the olivine with silica or platinum in the furnace environment via vapor phase transport or surface diffusion, rather than from diffusion of excess silica from the bulk to the surface as suggested by Jaoul et al. (1984, 1985). This conclusion is consistent with the reported slow rate of diffusion of silicon in olivine and with the lack of internal precipitation of silica-rich phases. Consequently, it is concluded that San Carlos olivine does not contain silica in excess of the solubility limit under conditions which are within the \({\text{p}}_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} } \)-T stability field for this (Mg,Fe,Ni)-olivine.
Drug Supply and Demand The Dynamics of the American Drug Market and Some Aspects of Colombian and Mexican Drug Trafficking

The article considers the role of governments and their agencies in controlling and containing cross-border drug trafficking. In essence, government law enforcement stands as an intrusive middleman...
Adventitious reinforcement in free-operant discrimination

The discriminative performance of rats trained under conditions in which their responses to S− postponed the appearance of S+, both for themselves and for yoked-control animals, was found to be superior to the performance of the controls in two rather different experiments. The results demonstrate the pervasiveness of adventitious reinforcement in free-operant discrimination.
Comparison of two rapid cortisol radioimmunoassays for use in the fetal sheep

Cortisol radioimmunoassays (RIA's) utilizing highly specific antisera combined with a simple ethanol protein precipitation procedure (ETOH-PPT) are widely utilized to measure cortisol in human plasma. This same type of RIA has been assumed specific for measurement of cortisol in the plasma of several different species of experimental animals. In order to test this assumption as applied to fetal ovine plasma, we compared an ETOH-PPT cortisol RIA with another rapid cortisol assay which utilizes a dichloromethane extraction (DM-E) step. The DM-E assay in turn was compared with a chromatographic assay previously shown to be highly specific for measurement of fetal plasma cortisol in this species. Fetal ovine plasma cortisol concentrations determined by the DM-E method were nearly identical to the concentrations obtained by the specific chromatographic RIA procedure. On the other hand, the ETOH-PPT RIA grossly overestimated cortisol concentrations when compared with the DM-E RIA. While the rapid DM-E RIA appears to be suitable for use in fetal ovine plasma, the widely used ETOH-PPT RIA yields spuriously high and unpredictable values and must be considered unreliable. These comparisons demonstrate the need for careful reassessment of steroid assays prior to their application in experimental animals even though they have been previously documented as specific in human plasma.
Native and reformed Mycoplasma laidlawii membranes compared by freeze-etching.

Abstract 1. 1. The ultrastructure of native and reformed Mycoplasma laidlawii membranes was compared by the freeze-etching technique. 2. 2. Reformed membranes were prepared by dialysis of M. laidlawii membrane material solubilized in sodium dodecyl sulfate against buffer containing 5 or 20 mM Mg 2+ . 3. 3. Both the convex and concave fracture faces of freeze-cleaved native M. laidlawii membranes showed large areas studded with numerous globular particles, approx. 75–150 A in diameter. 4. 4. The reformed membranes produced with 5 mM Mg 2+ appeared mostly as long membranous sheets, while those produced with 20 mM Mg 2+ usually had a vesicular appearance. 5. 5. The fracture faces of the reformed membranes were relatively smooth and did not contain the globular particles seen in cleaved native membranes. 6. 6. This finding indicates that the ultrastructural organization of the reformed membranes differs from that of native M. laidlawii membranes.
Impact Potential of New Power Electronic Technologies

New technological advances in the area of power electronics are having an increasing impact on the design of aerospace control systems. These next generation power components promise improved system performance through increased electronic efficiencies. Applying state-of-the-art packaging concepts as an integral part of the system design will allow these devices to be utilized in a space efficient and reliable manner. The first portion of this paper looks at two such next generation components. The first is a High Voltage Integrated Circuit (HVIC) that provides a bridge between the low voltage controller logic and the high voltage motor winding invertor. This device achieves size reduction and an increase in reliability through integration of low and high voltage logic networks on a single integrated circuit. The second is the Insulated Gate Transistor (IGT). This device provides a high voltage switch with MOS-like drive characteristics. The present and future expectations of these power devices are discussed. This paper then looks at new packaging techniques for power devices. The impact of parasitic circuit effects have significant impact on power circuit performance. Finally, this paper looks at an example control application. The design is that of a permanent magnet motor driven actuator. The drive motor uses 270 vdc for supply voltage. Within the intelligent system controller, is the capability to control the current demands of the motor. The new power electronics devices are making the design feasible in both thermal and volume efficiency. This topic includes projected controller sizing into the 1990s.
Dewetting behavior of a block copolymer/homopolymer thin film on an immiscible homopolymer substrate.

Numerous previous studies have established that the addition of a microphase-ordered AB diblock copolymer to a thin homopolymer A (hA) film can slow, if not altogether prevent, film rupture and subsequent film dewetting on a hard substrate such as silica. However, only a few reports have examined comparable phenomena when the hA/AB blend resides on a soft B-selective surface, such as homopolymer B (hB). In this work, the dewetting kinetics of thin films composed of polystyrene (PS) and a symmetric poly(styrene-b-methyl methacrylate) (SM) diblock copolymer on a poly(methyl methacrylate) substrate is investigated by hot-stage light microscopy. Without the SM copolymer, the dewetting rate of the PS layer is constant under isothermal conditions and exhibits Arrhenius behavior with an apparent activation energy of ∼180 kJ/mol. Addition of the copolymer promotes a crossover from early- to late-stage dewetting kinetics, as evidenced by measurably different dewetting rates. Transmission electron microscopy reveal...
The effect of ECS on extinction

Sixty naive male albino rats were trained to leverpress for sucrose on either a continuous reinforcement schedule (CRF), fixed ratio (FR), or variable ratio (VR). Following acquisition, half of Ss in each group experienced ECS, while the other half experienced no ECS. Results of an extinction test 24 h after treatment showed that ECS produced a significantly increased rate of responding for CRF-trained Ss, and a nonsignificant increased rate of responding for Ss trained on ratio schedules.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome on computed tomography perfusion in a patient on "Triple H" therapy.

Introduction: This article reports a case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome on compyted tomography (CT) perfusion in a patient on “Triple H” (hypertension, hypervolemia, and hemodilution) therapy following aneurysmal rupture repair. Case Report: “Triple H” therapy is used in the postoperative course for treatment of vasospasm to prevent stroke and hemorrhage by maintaining cerebral perfusion pressure. Discussion: A potential complication includes vasogenic edema from dysfunction of cerebral blood vessel autoregulation. CT perfusion can detect alterations in cerebral blood flow and volume caused by these hemodynamic changes.
Family of reduced-order models for linear multivariable systems

A new reduction procedure based on the construction of a modified Hankel matrix from Markov parameters is proposed. The reduced model is in terms of an arbitrary parameter a. Thus, different reduced models of the same order can be obtained by substituting different values of a.
Comparison of Methods for Quantitating Melanophore Responses.

ConclusionIt is concluded that the method employing intact frogs is superior to that in which strips of frog skin are used for assay of melanophore stimulating hormone.
Search for isotopic anomalies in oldhamite (CaS) from unequilibrated (E3) enstatite chondrites

The Ca isotopic compositions of 32 oldhamite (CaS) grains from the Qingzhen (EH3), MAC88136 (EL3), and Indarch (EH4) enstatite chondrites were determined by ion microprobe mass spectrometry. Also measured were the S isotopic compositions of eight oldhamite, two niningerite (MgS), and seven troilite (FeS) grains. The S isotopic compositions of all minerals are normal, but oldhamite grains of the first two meteorites exhibit apparent small Ca-48 excesses and deficits that are correlated with isotopic mass fractionation as determined from the Ca-40-Ca-44 pair. The interpretation of these results is complicated by the fact that none of the established mass fractionation laws can account for the data in the Norton County oldhamite standard. The method of analysis is carefully scrutinized for experimental artifacts. Neither interferences nor any known mass frationation effect can satisfactorily explain the observed small deviations from normal isotopic composition. If these are truly isotopic anomalies, they are much smaller than those observed in hibonite. The nucleosynthetic origin of Ca isotopes is discussed.
Mechanical properties of a bio-inspired robotic knifefish with an undulatory propulsor

South American electric knifefish are a leading model system within neurobiology. Recent efforts have focused on understanding their biomechanics and relating this to their neural processing strategies. Knifefish swim by means of an undulatory fin that runs most of the length of their body, affixed to the belly. Propelling themselves with this fin enables them to keep their body relatively straight while swimming, enabling straightforward robotic implementation with a rigid hull. In this study, we examined the basic properties of undulatory swimming through use of a robot that was similar in some key respects to the knifefish. As we varied critical fin kinematic variables such as frequency, amplitude, and wavelength of sinusoidal traveling waves, we measured the force generated by the robot when it swam against a stationary sensor, and its velocity while swimming freely within a flow tunnel system. Our results show that there is an optimal operational region in the fin’s kinematic parameter space. The optimal actuation parameters found for the robotic knifefish are similar to previously observed parameters for the black ghost knifefish, Apteronotus albifrons. Finally, we used our experimental results to show how the force generated by the robotic fin can be decomposed into thrust and drag terms. Our findings are useful for future bio-inspired underwater vehicles as well as for understanding the mechanics of knifefish swimming.
Numerical simulation of coupler cavities for linacs

We present the numerical procedures involved in the evaluation of the performance of coupler cavities for linacs. The MAFIA code is used to simulate an X-Band accelerator section in the time domain. The input/output coupler cavities for the structure are of the symmetrical double-input design. We calculate the transmission properties of the coupler and compare the results with measurements. We compare the performance of the symmetrical double-input design with that of the conventional single-input type by evaluating the field amplitude and phase asymmetries. We also evaluate the peak field gradient in the coupler. >
Representations and identities in tourism map spaces

Tourism maps remain underexamined in geography. Despite recent trends in critical cartography and tourism studies that redefine the relationship between space and representa- tion, these geographic texts are rarely explored for their intertextual relationships with the spaces they claim to represent. In this article, we argue that tourism maps and other representa- tions play an important role in the production of tourism spaces. We begin with an examination of the parallel trends in critical cartography and tourism studies and then push these intial theoretics further by integrating theories of identity, space and representation. We define tourism maps, spaces and identities as inter-related processes rather than final products. The creation of maps as processes inevitably includes the ambiguities introduced in the production of spaces and the formation of identities by changing social contexts. These ambiguities are readable in maps and they permit us, and potentially other map readers, to understand the spaces and identities of tourism in ways not fully circumscribed by a map's immediate production context and purpose. To explore this theoretical argument further we read one tourism map for the inter-related, ambiguous and therefore contested processes reproducing, but never fully fixing, tourism spaces and identities.
CFD Modeling of Particulate Matter Fate and Pressure Drop in a Storm-Water Radial Filter

This study examined a common form of filtration, a passive radial cartridge filter (RCF) system, to physically separate hetero-disperse particulate matter in rainfall-runoff. The RCF tested utilizes aluminum-oxide coated media with a uniform pumice substrate ( d50m =3.56 mm) gradation. To examine the RCF, this study applied laser diffraction and real-time pressure sensor measurements to validate a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to predict particle separation and filter head loss for hetero-disperse particulate matter (PM). Filter hydrodynamics are resolved using a macroscopic approach for the porous media with a k-e turbulence model coupled with the Ergun equation. PM fate was resolved using a discrete phase model. CFD results closely followed measured data for filtration and head-loss response for all flow rates. With influent PM at 200 mg∕L ( d50m =16.3 μm) , effluent PM ranged from 32 to 57 mg∕L for surface loading rates of 24 to 189 L∕ m2 min , respectively. There was agreement between measu...
Wound Care After Office Procedures

A knowledge of wound healing physiology and how it is influenced by wound dressings is valuable information for all dermatologists. Such knowledge enables the dermatologist to give authoritative advice on postoperative wound care and more importantly, to use wound dressings as a complement to good planning and surgical technique in order to optimize the conditions for rapid healing following office surgical procedures.
Role of Rare-Earth Oxide Additives on Mechanical Properties and Oxidation Behavior of Si3N4/BN Fibrous Monolith Ceramics

The rare-earth oxides ytterbium oxide (Yb2O3) and lanthanum oxide (La2O3) were used as additives in fibrous monolithic (FM) Si3N4/BN composites to study their individual effect on flexural strength and oxidation behavior of the composite. Two compositions were prepared: 20 vol% BN/80 vol% Si3N4 with additives for the Si3N4 and BN being either 8 wt%Yb2O3 or 8 wt% La2O3. Four-point flexural testing and static oxidation experiments at 1400°C in dry air for 10 h were performed. The material with Yb2O3 showed a high flexural strength, graceful failure, and comparable strength to reported Si3N4/BN FMs with 6 wt% Y2O3 and 2 wt% Al2O3. The material with La2O3 showed lower flexural strength and brittle failure in the majority of the samples; this was believed to be related to the hydration of La2O3 from the rare-earth apatite phase, La5Si3O12N, resulting in lanthanum hydrate crystals on the side surfaces of the samples and disintegration of the material. The surface of the FMLA sample after oxidation showed severe oxidation. In contrast, the oxidation test of the FMs with Yb2O3 revealed a thin oxide scale containing small Yb2Si2O7 on the Si3N4 cells but large Yb2Si2O7 on the BN cell boundary. Also, microscopic analysis showed ∼100 μm recession in the BN cell boundary and an ∼4 μm oxide scale on Si3N4 cells.
WALK-IN SINGLE SESSION TEAM THERAPY: A STUDY OF CLIENT SATISFACTION

This is a study of client satisfaction with walk-in single session team therapy, a clinical delivery system that offers immediate accessibility at moments in time determined by the client. Individual adults, couples, or family members over the age of 18 (N = 403) responded to questionnaires, given immediately after the therapy session, aimed at assessing client satisfaction with their walk-in single session team therapy. Client satisfaction was assessed in five variables: satisfaction with the overall walk-in single session team therapy service, the reception service, intake paperwork, explanation of confidentiality, and consulting team approach. Results indicate 81.9% of the clients reported overall high satisfaction with the walk-in single session team therapy service, with the greatest strengths of the service reported being immediate accessibility and the caring attitude of the therapist. Higher satisfaction was reported for some presenting concerns (sexual abuse/assault, self-esteem, and child behavior issues) than for others (anxiety and stress). Written feedback regarding the perceived strengths and recommended changes for the service is also reported. The article concludes with a discussion of how walk-in single session team therapy has utility in the overall clinical delivery system.
A New Route to Cycloheptane-Fused Butyrolactones Based on Cyclopropylcarbinol Solvolysis

Abstract A sizeable number of naturally occurring hydroazulenes feature a γ-lactone-fused cycloheptane ring.1 These substances have attracted widespread interest in recent years both as potential chemotherapeutic agents2 and as challenging synthetic targets. In connection with a program directed toward the synthesis of sesquiterpene lactones we have examined a number of synthetic routes to prototypes of the cycloheptane class. The scheme reported in this communication is based on the expected participation of an appropriately substituted carboxylic ester function in the solvolysis of a cyclopropylcarbinyl system.3 As shown below, the hypothetical reaction could a priori follow two pathways to give either a γ-lactone (Path A) or a δ-lactone (Path B). From the standpoint of natural products synthesis, both pathways would be of great interest.4
Hydraulic conductivity fields: Gaussian or not?

[1] Hydraulic conductivity (K) fields are used to parameterize groundwater flow and transport models. Numerical simulations require a detailed representation of the K field, synthesized to interpolate between available data. Several recent studies introduced high-resolution K data (HRK) at the Macro Dispersion Experiment (MADE) site, and used ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to delineate the main structural features of the aquifer. This paper describes a statistical analysis of these data, and the implications for K field modeling in alluvial aquifers. Two striking observations have emerged from this analysis. The first is that a simple fractional difference filter can have a profound effect on data histograms, organizing non-Gaussian ln K data into a coherent distribution. The second is that using GPR facies allows us to reproduce the significantly non-Gaussian shape seen in real HRK data profiles, using a simulated Gaussian ln K field in each facies. This illuminates a current controversy in the literature, between those who favor Gaussian ln K models, and those who observe non-Gaussian ln K fields. Both camps are correct, but at different scales.
Scattering of Ice Particles at Microwave Frequencies: A Physically Based Parameterization

Abstract This paper presents a new, purely physical approach to simulate ice-particle scattering at microwave frequencies. Temperature-dependent ice particle size distributions measured by aircraft in midlatitude frontal systems are used to represent the distribution of precipitation-sized frozen hydrometeors above the freezing level through derived radar reflectivity–snow water content (Z–M) relationships. The discrete dipole approximation is employed to calculate optical properties of selected types of idealized nonspherical ice particles (hexagonal columns, four-arm rosettes, and six-arm rosettes). Based on those assumptions, passive microwave optical properties are calculated using radar observations from Gotland Island in the Baltic Sea. These forward-simulated brightness temperatures are compared with observed data from both the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E) and the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-B (AMSU-B). Results show that the new ice scattering/microphysics model is able to g...
A QFT design methodology for neutrally stable plants under input amplitude saturation

A control system design methodology for neutrally stable plants under input amplitude saturation is presented. Based on Horowitz's (1983) original 3 DOF design and extensions developed in Wu and Jayasuriya (1999, 2000) and Wu (2000), this approach concentrates on neutrally stable, type n /spl ges/ 1, plants. Again, the 3 DOF non-interfering loop structure is used for synthesis, along with the proposed structure of the additional loop transmission around the saturating element to design the third degree of freedom H(s). Robust stability and performance are investigated. The circle criterion, describing function, and non-overshooting conditions are utilized to obtain design constraints. Finally, all these design constraints are expressed in frequency domain bounds and synthesis follows from loop shaping methods such as QFT.
The Meaning of Open Standards

This paper develops the argument that many Information Technology standardization processes are in transition from being controlled by standards creators to being controlled by standards implementers. The users of standardized implementations also have rights that they wish addressed. Ten basic rights of standards creators, implementers and users are identified and quantified. Each of these ten rights represents an aspect of Open Standards. Only when all ten rights are supported will standards be open to all.
Androgen receptor defects : Historical, clinical, and molecular perspectives

I. Introduction IN 1953 lohn Morris, an obstetrician at Yale University, reported a series of 82 individuals (80 cases collated from the literature and two cases of his own) who had a female phenotype despite the presence of bilateral testes (1). Since his initial description, studies of the endocrinology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology of the androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) have provided insights into the role of androgens in male sex differentiation, the mechanisms of androgen action, and aspects of the structure/function relationships of the androgen receptor. AIS is an archetypal example of a hormone resistance disorder. Androgens are secreted by the testes of these 46,XY individuals in normal or increased amounts; however, due to defective androgen receptor (AR1) function, there is loss of target organ response to the hormone, and the effects of androgens are reduced or absent. Clinical disorders of the AR are reported far more commonly than resistance disorders of other m...
Harnessing parallel disks to solve Rubik's cube

The number of moves required to solve any configuration of Rubik's cube has held a fascination for over 25 years. A new upper bound of 26 is produced. More important, a new methodology is described for finding upper bounds. The novelty is two-fold. First, parallel disks are employed. This allows 1.4x10^1^2 states representing symmetrized cosets to be enumerated in seven terabytes. Second, a faster table-based multiplication is described for symmetrized cosets that attempts to keep most tables in the CPU cache. This enables the product of a symmetrized coset by a generator at a rate of 10 million moves per second.
Silicon-oxycarbide based thin film anodes for lithium ion batteries

Abstract We show that anodes made by depositing thin films of polymer-derived silicon oxycarbide (SiCO) on copper have properties that are comparable to, or better than that of powder-based SiCO anodes. The great advantage of the thin film architecture is its simplicity, both in manufacturing and in application. The films are produced by spraying a film of the liquid polymer-precursor on copper, and then converting it into SiCO by heating at ∼1000 °C; at this point they are ready for constructing electrochemical cells. They show a capacity of ∼1000 mA h g −1 , 100% coulombic efficiency, good capacity at very high C-rates, and minimal fading at ∼60 cycles. However, if the films are thick they delaminate due to the volume change as lithium is cycled in and out. The transition from thin-film to thick-film behavior occurs when the SiCO films are approximately 1 μm thick. An analytical method for estimating this transition is presented.
Identifying operant functions for tics in children with mental retardation

Functional analyses were used to assess the effects of environmental consequences on occurrences of repetitive vocal behavior that had been diagnosed as chronic vocal tics in two adolescent males with mental retardation. The functional analyses indicated that one participant's tics were sensitive to positive reinforcement in the form of caregiver attention, while the second participant's tics occurred independent of social consequences. The results are discussed in terms of using functional analysis methodology during assessment, diagnosis, and treatment selection for suspected tics. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complementarities and fit strategy, structure, and organizational change in manufacturing

Abstract The theories of supermodular optimization and games provide a framework for the analysis of systems marked by complementarity. We summarize the principal results of these theories and indicate their usefulness by applying them to study the shift to ‘modern manufacturing’. We also use them to analyze the characteristic features of the Lincoln Electric Company's strategy and structure.
Radiation and hot-electron hardness of SiO/sub 2//Si grown in O/sub 2/ with trichloroethane additive

The effects of 1,1,1,-trichloroethane (TCA) in the silicon thermal oxidation environment on the hardness of the resulting SiO/sub 2//Si structures to damages caused by ionizing radiation and hot electron injection have been investigated. Using small amounts of TCA during the initial stage of oxidation, it is possible to improve the hardness of the interface. When excess amounts of TCA are used, however, the hardness degrades. In the range typically used in industry, the hardness goes down monotonically with increasing amount of TCA. The use of TCA also causes a significant change in the gate-size dependence of the radiation or hot electron induced interface traps. This dependence is almost completely suppressed in devices where maximum hardness of the oxide is achieved by optimizing the amount of TCA. These results are examined in terms of the effects of Cl on the interfacial strain near the SiO/sub 2//Si transition region. >
Preoperative Erectile Function Is an Independent Predictor for Decision to Spare Cavernous Nerves During Radical Prostatectomy

Abstract Introduction Cavernous nerve sparing (NS) is critical for recovery of erectile function (EF) as well as erectile tissue preservation following radical prostatectomy (RP). Clinical experience suggests that surgeons may opt for non‐NS RP in patients with impaired baseline EF. Aim This study was performed to define if baseline EF is an independent predictor of NS status during RP. Methods A total of 2,323 mean (mean age 59 ± 7 years) who underwent RP at a tertiary referral academic medical center were retrospectively evaluated. Patients who underwent preoperative radiation therapy or androgen deprivation treatment were excluded. Main Outcome Measures Preoperative parameters evaluated included biopsy pathological characteristics, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, patient age, and EF. Baseline EF was graded on a validated five‐point patient reported scale. NSS was graded intraoperatively by the surgeon, using a four‐point NS score assigned to each nerve where 1 = fully preserved, 2 = partially preserved, 3 = minimally preserved, and 4 = resected. NS surgery was defined as NSS of 1 or 2 on both sides, and nerve resection surgery was defined as NSS of 3 or greater on both sides. Results On univariate analysis, factors related to nerve resection surgery included (all P r = 0.16), Gleason score ( r = 0.19), EF score ( r = 0.21), percentage biopsy cores positive ( r = 0.11), higher preoperative PSA (relative risk [RR] 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–2.40), and clinical stage ≥T2 (RR 2.17, 95% CI 1.68–2.78). On multivariable analysis, factors independently predicting for non‐NS surgery included (all P Conclusions While unfavorable clinical and prostate biopsy characteristics predict less NS, we have shown that poorer baseline EF also independently predicts for nerve resection RP. For every point increase in EF score (that is, worsening EF) the odds of not receiving NS during surgery increase by a factor of 1.5. Although NS is not associated with worse cancer outcomes in appropriately selected patients, failure to spare nerves is associated with poor post‐operative EF, urinary continence, and increased severity of cavernous venous leak. Patient anxiety related to cancer diagnosis and impending treatment may lead to falsely‐worsened apparent EF when recent erections are assessed during a pre‐operative planning visit. For these reasons prostatectomists should consider NS based solely on factors other than patient's baseline EF, even when it is impaired. Stember DS, Nelson CJ, and Mulhall JP. Preoperative erectile function is an independent predictor for decision to spare cavernous nerves during radical prostatectomy. J Sex Med 2013;10:2101-2107.
Organizational Change through Metaphorical Expression of Values.

Organizational values, as a subset of organizational culture, provide behavioral guidelines for employees in organizations. This article proposes that metaphorical imagery can heighten the usefulness of corporate values as guideposts for behavior. The concepts which govern thought also govern everyday action. Metaphor can dominate thought by positioning perception, causing individuals to see some things to the exclusion of others. Managerial implications for the implementation of change are noted, and a process for change is suggested.
On time diagnosis of discrete event systems

A formulation and solution methodology for on-time fault diagnosis in discrete event systems is presented. This formulation and solution methodology captures the timeliness aspect of fault diagnosis and is therefore different from all other approaches to fault diagnosis in discrete event systems which are asymptotic in nature. A monitor observes a projection of the events that occur in the system. After each observation it can either raise an alarm and shut down the system or allow the system to continue. If the system is stopped when no fault had occurred, a false alarm penalty is incurred; on the other hand if a fault had occurred, a delayed detection penalty is incurred. Both these penalties are trace dependent. The on-time diagnosis problem is formulated as a minimax optimization problem where the objective is to choose a monitoring rule which minimizes the worst case cost along all traces of the language describing the discrete event system. An optimal diagnosis rule is determined using a dynamic programming algorithm. An example is presented which illustrates our methodology and high lights the difference between our formulation of on-time diagnosis with existing results on asymptotic diagnosis of discrete event systems.
Twenty-fold acquisition time improvement in 3D projection reconstruction MPI

Summary form only given. Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) commonly utilizes a Field Free Point (FFP) magnetic field gradient to localize magnetic nanoparticles [12]. With the benefits of two orders of magnitude reduced acquisition time or one order of magnitude signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement, a gradient called a Field Free Line (FFL), which localizes particles to a line instead of a point, has been theoretically developed [3-6], and experimentally demonstrated [4,6]. In this work, we use a FFL with sample rotation and projection reconstruction to demonstrate experimental images with a 20 fold improvement in acquisition time compared to the first projection reconstruction (PR) MPI results [6]. To gain this 20 fold speed up, we implement a z direction focus field coil configuration instead of the previously utilized translation stage. Our imaging system included a 2.3 T/m permanent magnet FFL, a solenoidal drive coil, two focus field x and z direction electromagnet pairs with Helmholtz configurations, a solenoidal receive coil with a gradiometer configuration, and a motor driven rotary table (see Figure 1). The system drive coil was excited to create a 22.9 kHz drive field with a 1.3 cm z partial field of view (FOV). The x slow shift (focus) field operated with a 3.3 Hz triangle wave, which produced a 5 cm x FOV. A linear ramp z focus field traversed 6 cm in 3 s, once per projection image. The drive and z shift fields summed, producing a 7.3 cm z FOV. There were 20 x axis traversals (10 cycles) per projection image. With this sequence, we acquired 40 images at linearly spaced angles over 180 degrees. The image acquisition time was 2.1 min. We collected all the necessary projection data to produce a MPI tomographic 3D volume using the above parameters. Images were reconstructed using x-space reconstruction with filtered backprojection (FBP) [5-6]. The final imaging volume was limited by bore size and the z slow shift magnets to a 4.8 cm by 4.8 cm by 7.3 cm 3D volume. The 3D volume was exported in DICOM file format and subsequently imported to Osirix (Pixmeo, Switzerland) where maximum intensity projection (MIP) images were rendered. To test our imaging sytem, we have designed a phantom with a 3D distribution of magnetic nanoparticles (see Figure 1). Polyurethane tubing with inner diameter 1.6 mm (outer diameter 3.2) filled with 43 mM Fe Micromod Nanomag-D-spio was wrapped around a cylindrical piece of acrylic with a 3.4 cm outer diameter. Resulting MIP images illustrate the ability of the FFL imager to accurately resolve nanoparticle distributions in 3D. The MIP image can be rotated to any orientation, and two such views are shown in Figure 1. In previous work, an image with a similar FOV would have taken 39 min using a translation stage [6]. The two minute acquisiton time using electromagnetic z shift demonstrates an approximately 20 fold improvement in acquisition time.
RRT-based game level analysis, visualization, and visual refinement

Automating parts of game creation benefits both professional and amateur game designers and much previous work has already made progress on this front. In this paper we tackle automating level design. We describe a general graph-based representation for game levels and present a preliminary system that leverages this representation. Our system automatically explores existing levels of a 2D platform game using the rapidly-exploring random tree (RRT) algorithm and constructs a compact graph representation from this exploration. Our system can also modify a graph representation on-the-fly to reflect user-directed changes to the existing level structure. This work constitutes an initial step toward the larger goal of automating level design in a general way.
Experiences with resin-containing plaster-of-paris.

A resin has been developed which, when dissolved in water, provides a solution into which crinoline bandages with plaster-of-Paris can be dipped and then applied to make a strong waterproof cast. More recently, the incorporation of the resin into the plaster-of-Paris bandage has obviated many of the objections (the time required to mix and prepare the plaster and disposal of unused material). One hundred and eighteen casts were applied to all parts of the body in 100 patients of all ages for varying lengths of time up to four months. One skin reaction, similar to a small second-degree burn, was found which might be attributed to sensitivity to this resin. The waterproofing and the strength of the casts are obvious advantages, particularly in instances in which prolonged application or contact with moisture exists. The cast material has also been of value when used on psychiatric patients.
Inertia Based Recognition of Daily Activities with ANNs and Spectrotemporal Features

As mobile and personal health devices gain in popularity, increasing amounts of data is collected via their embedded sensors such as heart rate monitors and accelerometers. Data analytics and more specifically machine learning algorithms can transform this data into actionable information to improve personal healthcare and quality of life. The main objective of this study is to develop an algorithmic classification framework using feed-forward multilayer perceptrons and statistically rich spectrotemporal features to recognize daily activities based on 3-axis acceleration data. A multitude of MLP topologies and setups, such as different numbers and sizes of hidden layers, supervised output structuring, etc. are tested to comprehensively analyze the clustering capabilities of the artificial neural network for a wide-range of settings. In addition, the contribution of subset of features to classification accuracy is studied to identify respective information potentials and further improve accuracy. Publicly available wrist-worn accelerometer dataset from University of California Irvine's machine learning repository is used for fair comparison with the most recent literature published using the same dataset. Results indicate a significant improvement in recognition rate where the overall accuracy over seven selected activity classes is 91% compared to 54% of the latest publication using the same dataset.
Behavior of Leishmania braziliensis s.l. in golden hamsters: Evolution of the infection under different experimental conditions

Reproducibility of Leishmania braziliensis s.l. metastatic behavior in hamsters was studied for 9 isolates of L.b. panamensis and 2 of L.b. guyanensis with a previous record of metastasis. Also, the influence of corticosteroids and trauma was evaluated. In the corticosteroid-treated group, metastases appeared earlier than in the nontreated group, and localization at the site of trauma was more frequent (4/9) than in the nontreated hamsters (1/5). Nine of the 11 strains (82%) were capable of reproducing metastatic behavior. Studies on dissemination of L. b. panamensis showed that the regional lymph node is invaded as soon as 5 days postinfection, with further nonhematic dissemination to other tissues and organs in less than 4 wk.
Analysis of Food Poisoning Events in Sichuan Province,2006-2009

Objective To understand the patterns,characteristics and causes of food poisoning events in Sichuan,and provide evidence for the prevention and control of food poisoning.Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the reported data of food poisoning events in Sichuan from 2006 to 2009.Results Seventy one food poisoning events occurred in Sichuan during this period with 2634 food poisoning cases,including 51 deaths.Most food poisoning events occurred during the 2nd and 3rd quarters of a year,accounting for 63.38%.The food poisoning was mainly caused by bacteria,accounting for 82.08%,and the major causes of death were chemical and vegetant food poisoning(78.43%).Up to 39.44% of the food poisoning occurred within household,and the deaths accounted for 70.59% of the total.Conclusion It is necessary to strengthen the supervision of food safety,health education about food safety and capacity building of food safety supervision agencies,CDCs and medical institutions to response food poisoning events in order to reduce the harms induced by food poisoning.
Model systems to study the β-amyloid protein of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder that severely impairs cognitive and memory function in elderly people, is partially characterized neuropathologically by extracellular deposits of β-amyloid protein. We were interested in studying how β-amyloid may be involved in aspects of AD pathogenesis. To do this, we expressed the last 100 amino acids of the amyloid precursor protein, which contains the entire β-amyloid region, in PC12 cells and in brains of transgenic mice. We found that expression of this fragment of βPP altered cytoskeletal changes in PC12 cells following nerve growth factor treatment. Using both in vitro and in vivo systems of human βPP expression, we can study the biology of βPP and test hypotheses of how it may be involved in Alzheimer’s disease.
Basal and adenosine-mediated protein flux from isolated coronary arterioles.

We have developed a new method to quantify solute flux per unit surface area and concentration gradient (JS/S delta C) from arterioles isolated from pig hearts. The apparent permeability (Ps) was assessed from measurements of JS/S delta C for two proteins, alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-lactalb) and porcine serum albumin (PSA), labeled with the fluorescent dye tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate at a mean hydrostatic pressure of 16 +/- 1 cmH2O. Ps for alpha-lactalb (Ps alpha-lactalb) was 16.5 +/- 4.6 x 10(-7) cm/s (mean +/- SE, N = 8 pigs), a value significantly higher than Ps for PSA (PsPSA) (7.1 +/- 1.4 x 10(-7) cm/s, N = 11 pigs, P < 0.05). Suffusion of the arterioles (44 +/- 10 microns diam; n = 48 arterioles) with 10(-5) M adenosine resulted in a 35% decrease in Ps alpha-lactalb and 29% decrease in PsPSA. Data from the present study are consistent with adenosine altering arteriole Js independently from its ability to change arteriolar caliber. One implication of these results is that changes in coronary ex...
Extragonadal and Pediatric Germ Cell Tumors

This article presents a review of the spectrum of extragonadal germ cell tumors, a fascinating group of rare and biologically diverse tumors. Although like testicular germ cell tumors, these tumors are chemotherapeutically responsive, the overall prognosis is not as good. Pediatric germ cell tumors share many of the biologic characteristics of the adult tumors but are more likely to be benign. An unusual aspect of mediastinal germ cell tumors, in particular, is their association with nontreatment-related hematologic malignancies.
Neurological and Muscular Aspects of Thyroid Dysfunction in Childhood

The protean influences of thyroid hormones on human development and the clinical syndromes resulting from disordered thyroid function, particularly as they apply to childhood, are reviewed. The metabolic, physiological, biochemical, and structural correlates of human and experimental hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are discussed.
Sample Preparation Techniques for Grain Boundary Characterization of Annealed TRISO-Coated Particles

Crystallographic information about layers of silicon carbide (SiC) deposited by chemical vapor deposition is essential to understanding layer performance, especially when the the layers are in nonp...
Multiple-Valued Programmable Logic Array with Application to Pipelined Signal Processing

With its low fabrication cost and high design flexibility. multiple-valued programmable logic array (MVL PLA) has been paid more attention to, recently. This paper will present a basic type of MVL PLA, show its dimention and its complexity. A comparison between different MVL PLA will be given and a general methodology for modular design using MVL PLA will be discussed as well. The paper then will demonstrate a detailed discussion of a pipelined image processing system and its implementation based on modular design using quaternary PLA. This quatenary PLA realization has some important advantages in processing hardware such as reduction in number of modules and interconnections between these modules while facilitate design procedure, thus encouraging new applications of MVL PLA and VLSI implementation for designing highly compact signal processors in advancing digital communication systems.
Supportive home health care technology for older adults: Attitudes and implementation.

Healthcare delivered at home via telehealth technology may save on both individual and societal healthcare costs. Three studies investigated potential attitudinal barriers to home healthcare adoption. Results from the first concerning adults’ privacy concerns and mobile device preferences showed that attitudes clustered into 4 factors and that older adults, particularly males, showed less concern than younger adults about privacy. The second and third studies explored comfort with a wearable device and the role of aesthetics over 2-week and 6-month intervals. Results showed that older adults had stable ratings for comfort while wearing a watch device designed to collect data in real time and that aspects of physical comfort predicted use over a six-month time period. Taken together, the studies provide evidence that attitudes about privacy and comfort for wearable health devices are unlikely to be significant barriers to adoption, though first impressions are important for all age groups.