cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiscale modelling of open-hole composite laminates and three-dimensional woven composites

Abstract An analytical micromechanics-based multiscale model is presented, for predicting the progressive damage and failure analysis of laminated and three-dimensional woven textile composites (3DWTCs). The framework of the proposed two-scale computational method is very general and applied to two types of composites of interest and validated by experiments. The material system is IM-7/977-3 for notched, prepreg-based continuous fibre laminates and 3DWTCs are hybridized configuration of dry fibres (carbon, glass, and kevlar tows), infused with SC-15 polymer matrix. The prepeak nonlinearity, caused by matrix microdamage, is modelled at the subscale using a two-concentric cylinder model and upscaled (homogenized) to the ply level in the case of laminated composites, and the fibre tow level in the case of textile composites. At the ply level the 3D orthotropic smeared crack approach is used for modelling postpeak strain-softening behavior, caused by both fibre and matrix failure modes. Readily available 3D finite elements are used for modelling, and the input constituent properties are obtained from standard coupon level tests, by inverse analysis. The predictive capability of the proposed method is established by demonstrating the prediction of failure mechanisms, and laminate strengths, in comparison to experimental results.
Analysis of a Modified Two-Stage Approach to Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis Without Fecal Diversion in Pediatric Patients.

BackgroundFecal diversion after ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) in children with ulcerative colitis (UC) remains controversial. We hypothesize that a modified two-stage IPAA omitting diverting ...
Can Transparency and Accountability Programs Improve Health? Experimental Evidence from Indonesia and Tanzania

We assess the impact of a transparency and accountability program designed to improve maternal and newborn health (MNH) outcomes in Indonesia and Tanzania. Co-designed with local partner organizations to be community-led and non-prescriptive, the program sought to encourage community participation to address local barriers in access to high quality care for pregnant women and infants. We evaluate the impact of this program through randomized controlled trials (RCTs), involving 100 treatment and 100 control communities in each country. We find that on average, this program did not have a statistically significant impact on the use or content of maternal and newborn health services, nor the sense of civic efficacy or civic participation among recent mothers in the communities who were offered it. These findings hold in both countries and in a set of prespecified subgroups. To identify reasons for the lack of impacts, we use a mixed-method approach combining interviews, observations, surveys, focus groups, and ethnographic studies that together provide an in-depth assessment of the complex causal paths linking participation in the program to improvements in MNH outcomes. Although participation in program meetings was substantial and sustained in most communities, and most attempted at least some of what they had planned, only a minority achieved tangible improvements and fewer still saw more than one such success. Our assessment is that the main explanation for the lack of impact is that few communities were able to traverse the complex causal paths from planning actions to accomplishing tangible improvements in their access to quality health care.
Healing Tissues From the Inside Out: Infusible Biomaterial for Targeting and Treating Inflammatory Tissues via Intravascular Administration

Biomaterials, such as extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels, have been widely used in preclinical studies as injectable tissue engineering therapies; however, injectable therapies are limited as they can cause localized trauma or organ perforation. We have developed a new ECM therapy, the low molecular weight fraction derived from decellularized, digested ECM, for intravascular infusion. This new form of ECM can be infused after injury, specifically localize to injured tissues by coating the leaky microvasculature, and promote cell survival and tissue repair. In this study, we show the feasibility and targeting of intravascular ECM infusions using models of acute myocardial infarction (MI), traumatic brain injury, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Furthermore, safety and efficacy were demonstrated in small and large animal models of acute MI following intracoronary infusion, which included using a clinically-relevant catheter in the large animal model. Functional improvements, specifically reduced left ventricular volumes and improved wall motion scores were observed after ECM infusions post-MI. Genes related to tissue repair and inflammation were differential expressed in response to ECM infusions. This study shows proof-of-concept for a new paradigm of delivering pro-healing ECM biomaterials via intravascular infusion to heal tissue from the inside out.
Vaccinations, Not Vaccines, Save Lives: Quality Improvement for Newborn Vaccination

Across the world, in medical journals, news media, social media, and personal discussions, one of the hottest topics of discussion is the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. The rapid development of effective vaccines for COVID-19 is a remarkable success story of modern science, and it is a reminder for all of us about the significant health benefits of vaccines in general, benefits we often take for granted. Although the COVID-19 vaccine is the media star of the day, children receive numerous other routine vaccinations, including the hepatitis B vaccine, which significantly reduces the risk of hepatitis B virus infection. However, with all vaccines, including the hepatitis B vaccine, there are significant gaps in coverage, with high percentages of eligible children either not receiving the vaccine at all or receiving it late, thus exposing them to the risk of infectious diseases. A quotation from Orenstein1 has recently surfaced in discussions about the COVID-19 vaccine: “vaccines don’t save lives, vaccinations save lives.” Gaps in vaccine coverage generate the need for quality improvement (QI) projects to close these gaps. In this issue of the journal, Sarathy et al2 describe the results of a QI project in which they aimed to increase the monthly percentage of eligible newborn infants receiving the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of life to ≥80% within 9 months of project initiation. This article contains some important lessons that deserve to be highlighted about the conduct, description, and publication of QI projects. In 2008, the Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE) guidelines were first published. They were updated in 2015 as the SQUIRE …
Perioperative Opioid Requirements in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Study Objective To evaluate postoperative opioid use and the impact of a patient educational intervention regarding the opioid epidemic and proper opioid use/disposal after benign MIGS procedures. Design Prospective Cohort Study Setting Academic hospital center Patients or Participants Adult patients undergoing benign MIGS procedures were enrolled 1/1/2019-1/1/2020. Exclusion criteria: conversion to laparotomy, preoperative opioid use, incapable of written informed consent, non-English speaking. Interventions Educational pamphlets were provided preoperatively. Patients underwent hysterectomy(HYS), myomectomy(MYO), or other laparoscopic(LSC) procedures. Opioid prescriptions were standardized with 25 tablets oxycodone 5mg for HYS/MYO, 10 tablets oxycodone 5mg for LSC (oral morphine equivalents [OME] were maintained for alternative options). Pill diaries were reviewed and patient surveys completed during postoperative visits. Measurements and Main Results Of 106 consented patients, 65(61%) completed their pill diaries (36 HYS, 17 MYO, 12 LSC). Median opioid use was 35 OME for HYS (∼5 oxycodone tablets; IQR 11.25-102.5), 30 OME for MYO (∼4 tablets; IQR 15-75), and 18.75 OME for LSC (∼3 tablets; IQR 7.5-48.75). Median last post-operative day(d) of use was 3d for HYS (IQR 2, 8), 4d for MYO (IQR 1, 7), and 2d for LSC (IQR 0.5-3.5). One patient (MYO) required a refill of 5mg oxycodone (10 tablets). No difference was found between total opioid use and presence of pelvic pain, chronic pain disorders, or psychiatric co-morbidities. Overall satisfaction with pain control (≥4 on a 5-point Likert scale) was 91% for HYS, 100% for MYO, 83% for LSC. Of the 33 patients who read the pamphlet, 32(97%) felt it increased their awareness/knowledge. Conclusion The vast majority of patients required
Gray wolf (Canis lupus) predation patterns following recent recolonization in a multi-predator, multi-prey system

Predator–prey interactions are among the most fundamental of ecological relationships. Recolonizing gray wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) populations present new challenges for wildlife management...
A Game Theoretic Approach to a Problem in Polymatroid Maximization.

We consider the problem of maximizing the minimum (weighted) value of all components of a vector over a polymatroid. This is a special case of the lexicographically optimal base problem introduced and solved by Fujishige. We give an alternative formulation of the problem as a zero-sum game between a maximizing player whose mixed strategy set is the base of the polymatroid and a minimizing player whose mixed strategy set is a simplex. We show that this game and three variations of it unify several problems in search, sequential testing and queuing. We give a new, short derivation of optimal strategies for both players and an expression for the value of the game. Furthermore, we give a characterization of the set of optimal strategies for the minimizing player and we consider special cases for which optimal strategies can be found particularly easily.
Structural consequences of electron-transfer reactions: Part XIV. Fast charge-transfer reactions of binuclear complexes undergoing large changes in metalmetal bond lengths

Abstract Heterogeneous electron-transfer rates have been measured for three binuclear complexes, Cp 2 Fe 2 (CO) 2 (μ-SMe) 2 , 1 , Cp 2 Fe 2 (CO) 2 (μ-PPh 2 ) 2 , 2 , and Cp 2 Mo 2 (μ-SMe) 4 , 3 . Dahl and co-workers had shown previously that the cations of the two iron complexes display significant shortening of the metalmetal distance (47 pm and 36 pm, respectively, for 1 and 2 ) due to removal of an electron from an antibonding MM orbital from the neutral compounds. By comparison, the structure of 3 is virtually unchanged upon one-electron oxidation. Surprisingly, the greater structural changes of 1 and 2 do not lead to lower heterogeneous electron-transfer rates than 3 . In acetonitrile at Pt or mercury electrodes all three complexes have k s values, measured by cyclic voltammetry, of ca. 0.2 cm s −1 . Several possible reasons for this behavior are discussed.
Effectiveness of Denuding the Intestinal Mucosa by Submucosal Injection in the Porcine Model

Intestinal augmentation as a treatment for neurogenic bladder dysfunction is frequently complicated by infections, mucous production, stone formation, electrolyte imbalance, and worsening renal function.11,15,16,19 Removing the problematic intestinal mucosa avoids these complications but frequently results in scarring and contraction of the augment.12,21 With recent advances in tissue engineering, we now have the ability to seed denuded bowel segments with urothelial cells, which should maintain the healthy, expansile properties of a mucosalized bowel segment, but avoid the absorptive and mucous-related complications.8,20,23 Preliminary studies of the technique involving the use of urothelial cells grafted onto denuded bowel for bladder augmentation, however, have been problematic due to competitive regrowth of intestinal mucosa.
Short Introduction to Network Monitoring, Troubleshooting, and Network Optimization

This chapter shall give some practical tips and tricks regarding network monitoring, troubleshooting, and network optimization. The emphasis is on general ideas that help to operate and optimize the network. It must always be kept in mind that configurations and resource planning differs from manufacturer to manufacturer and from operator to operator. Also customerspecific information must be treated as confidential and cannot be published. For this reason not every gap analysis can be drilled down as deep as possible.
Domestic Violence Protective Orders: A Qualitative Examination of Judges’ Decision-Making Processes

Approximately one in three women in the United States experience intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV is associated with long-term negative health consequences; therefore, there is a need to examine potential prevention strategies. Evidence suggests that domestic violence protective orders (DVPOs), a legal intervention that prevents contact between two parties for up to 12 months, are an effective secondary prevention tool. However, because judges have relative autonomy in granting or denying DVPOs, research is needed to examine the processes they use to guide their decisions. The aim of the study was to investigate how District Court judges decide whether to issue a DVPO. Using in-depth interviews with 20 North Carolina District Court judges, the present study addressed three research questions: (a) what factors influence judges' decisions to grant or deny a DVPO, (b) what heuristics or cognitive shortcuts potentially guide their decisions, and (c) what judges worry about when making decisions. Three themes emerged from the data analyses: (a) violent incidents must reach a certain threshold, (b) the presence of children creates competing concerns, and (c) judges worry about the negative impact their decisions may have on the lives of those involved. Recommendations for improving the DVPO issuance process are also discussed.
VIS: A System for Verification and Synthesis

ion Manual abstraction can be performed by giving a file containing the names of variables to abstract. For each variable appearing in the file, a new primary input node is created to drive all the nodes that were previously driven by the variable. Abstracting a net effectively allows it to take any value in its range, at every clock cycle. Fair CTL model checking and language emptiness check VIS performs fair CTL model checking under Buchi fairness constraints. In addition, VIS can perform language emptiness checking by model checking the formula EG true. The language of a design is given by sequences over the set of reachable states that do not violate the fairness constraint. The language emptiness check can be used to perform language containment by expressing the set of bad behaviors as another component of the system. If model checking or language emptiness fail, VIS reports the failure with a counterexample, (i.e., behavior seen in the system that does not satisfy the property for model checking, or valid behavior seen in the system for language emptiness). This is called the “debug” trace. Debug traces list a set of states that are on a path to a fair cycle and fail the CTL formula. Equivalence checking VIS provides the capability to check the combinational equivalence of two designs. An important usage of combinational equivalence is to provide a sanity check when re-synthesizing portions of a network. VIS also provides the capability to test the sequential equivalence of two designs. Sequential verification is done by building the product finite state machine, and checking whether a state where the values of two corresponding outputs differ, can be reached from the set of initial states of the product machine. If this happens, a debug trace is provided. Both combinational and sequential verification are implemented using BDD-based routines. Simulation VIS also provides traditionaldesign verification in the form of a cycle-based simulator that uses BDD techniques. Since VIS performs both formal verification and simulation using the same data structures, consistency between them is ensured. VIS can generate random input patterns or accept user-specified input patterns. Any subtree of the specified hierarchy may be simulated.
Optimizing Emergency Transportation through Multicommodity Quickest Paths

Abstract In transportation networks with limited capacities and travel times on the arcs, a class of problems attracting a growing scientific interest is represented by the optimal routing and scheduling of given amounts of flow to be transshipped from the origin points to the specific destinations in minimum time. Such problems are of particular concern to emergency transportation where evacuation plans seek to minimize the time evacuees need to clear the affected area and reach the safe zones. Flows over time approaches are among the most suitable mathematical tools to provide a modelling representation of these problems from a macroscopic point of view. Among them, the Quickest Path Problem (QPP), requires an origin-destination flow to be routed on a single path while taking into account inflow limits on the arcs and minimizing the makespan, namely, the time instant when the last unit of flow reaches its destination. In the context of emergency transport, the QPP represents a relevant modelling tool, since its solutions are based on unsplittable dynamic flows that can support the development of evacuation plans which are very easy to be correctly implemented, assigning one single evacuation path to a whole population. This way it is possible to prevent interferences, turbulence, and congestions that may affect the transportation process, worsening the overall clearing time. Nevertheless, the current state-of-the-art presents a lack of studies on multicommodity generalizations of the QPP, where network flows refer to various populations, possibly with different origins and destinations. In this paper we provide a contribution to fill this gap, by considering the Multicommodity Quickest Path Problem (MCQPP), where multiple commodities, each with its own origin, destination and demand, must be routed on a capacitated network with travel times on the arcs, while minimizing the overall makespan and allowing the flow associated to each commodity to be routed on a single path. For this optimization problem, we provide the first mathematical formulation in the scientific literature, based on mixed integer programming and encompassing specific features aimed at empowering the suitability of the arising solutions in real emergency transportation plans. A computational experience performed on a set of benchmark instances is then presented to provide a proof-of-concept for our original model and to evaluate the quality and suitability of the provided solutions together with the required computational effort. Most of the instances are solved at the optimum by a commercial MIP solver, fed with a lower bound deriving from the optimal makespan of a splittable-flow relaxation of the MCQPP.
The role of prostacyclin in lung cancer

Prostanoids are bioactive lipids that interact with 7-membrane-spanning G-protein–coupled receptors on target cells to impart their biologic effects. 1 They include prostaglandins, prostacyclin, and thromboxane. Prostanoids are widely distributed; mediate several diverse biologic effects like platelet aggregation and smooth-muscle contraction; and are known to be involved in allergies, acquired immunity, and cancer metastasis. 2 Prostanoids have also been associated with breast and endometrial cancer promotion, and with the inhibition of melanoma. The role of prostanoids in the development of lung disease has been poorly understood. In particular, prostacyclin possesses significant anti-inflammatory and antimetastatic properties and is the main product of cyclooxygenase-2 activity in the lung. In fact, the balance of the various members of the prostanoids family, specifically the prosoglandins PGE 2 and prostacyclin (PGI 2 ), seems to play an increasingly important role in the development of lung cancer. Gaining a better understanding of prostanoids and their associated pathways is critical to the future development of molecular-based and pharmaceutical treatments of lung disease.
The Founding Fathers of American Sociology: An Examination of Their Sociological Theories of Race Relations

Until the 1930s, American social scientists viewed Blacks as innately inferior. Social Darwinism provided the supporting cornerstone for this approach in sociology. Modern-day sociologists have tried to alleviate these racist myths, although arguments of "Black inferiority" continue to be recurring themes in the theories of Jensen, Schockley, and other bigoted scientists. It would be theoretically interesting to look at how these myths are perpetrated and what function they serve at any given point in U.S. history. Social scientists are now beginning to take more seriously the connection between capitalism and racism: in terms of the content of this paper, it would prove useful to see how the sociological theories concerning race relations fit into this particular network. I do not intend to do this in this article because of the time and complexity of the work involved; however, I do believe that by raising the question of the relationship between social theories, racism, and capitalism, I am thereby able to justify why I feel it is so important to go back and look at the founding fathers of American sociology and how they approached the subject of race relations. The conclusions I draw from examining the race theories of William G. Sumner, Lester Frank Ward, Franklin Henry Giddings, Robert E. Park, Edward A. Ross, and Charles A. Colley are bound to have heavy implications for any further research I may do in the area of the above raised question.
Efficient Waste? Why Farmers Over-Apply Nutrients and the Implications for Policy Design

Understanding why farmers over-apply fertilizer is essential to designing effective agroenvironmental policy. If farmers are simply inefficient, possibilities exist for simultaneously improving farm profits and the environment. If not, costly trade-offs are necessary. This article examines why farmer perceptions of agronomic advice, input substitutability, hidden opportunity costs, uncertainty, and risk aversion can make it economically rational to "waste" fertilizer by applying it above agronomically recommended rates. I use this information to evaluate the relative merits of policy responses such as insurance, education, cost-shares, regulation, taxes, and land retirement. Nutrients in surface and groundwater pose well-documented risks to ecological and human health (Ribaudo). Agricultural fertilizer is a leading source of these nutrients (Daberkow, Taylor, and Huang). In most cases, fertilizer is costly to farmers. So why do farmers "waste" money by applying more nutrients than crops can use? In this article, I examine reasons why agronomically optimal fertilizer application rates are not necessarily economically optimal. Drawing upon this analysis, I discuss the implications for the effectiveness of common policies designed to influence farmers' nutrient management decisions.
Transient Modeling of Anode-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

An isothermal 2-D transient model is developed for an anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell. The model takes into account the transient effects of both charge migration and species transport in PEN assembly. Due to the lack of transient experimental data, the transient model, under steady state operating conditions, is validated using experimental results from open literature. Numerical results show that the cell can obtain very quick transient current response when subjected to a step voltage change, followed by a slow current transient period due to species diffusion effects within porous electrodes. It is also found that the transient response of the cell current is sensitive to oxygen concentration change at cathode/channel interface, whereas the current response is slow when step change of hydrogen concentration is applied at anode/channel interface. The cell transient performance can be improved by increasing porosity or decreasing tortuosity of electrodes.
Factors in Becoming a Proactive Elementary School Teacher: a preliminary study of selected novices

Abstract The findings of an interpretive field study into the socialization of proactive, elementary novice teachers are reported. The way the novice teachers implemented their goals during their first semester of inservice teaching and the key factors that facilitated or constrained the development of these proactive teachers are described. School‐based teacher induction programs are discussed in light of the study's findings.
A sociology of the unmarked : Redirecting our focus

This article suggests that American sociology has developed a de facto tradition in the sociology of the marked that devotes greater epistemological attention to “politically salient” and “ontologically uncommon” features of social life. Although the “unmarked” comprises the vast majority of social life, the “marked” commands a disproportionate share of attention from sociologists. Since the marked already draws more attention within the general culture, social scientists contribute to re-marking and the reproduction of common-sense images of social reality. This has important analytic consequences. This article argues for developing a stronger tradition in a sociology of the unmarked that explicitly foregrounds “politically unnoticed” and taken-for-granted elements of social reality. Three strategies are proposed toward this end: (1) reversing conventional patterns of markedness to foreground what typically remains unnamed and implicit, (2) marking everything by filling in all the shades of social contin...
STEM and ICT instructional worlds: the 3d experience

North and South Carolina state agencies and universities, local school districts, and various businesses are working together to teach Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to middle school students through the use of 3 dimensional (3D) immersive virtual technologies. The project is being implemented over a three-year period during summer sessions. Results indicate that the project is producing positive results for both students and teachers.
Minor planets and related objects. XIII - Long-term orbital evolution of /1685/ Toro.

The orbital evolution of (1685) Toro has been investigated over 5000 yr. The asteroid exhibits a locked resonance through an 8:5 commensurability with the earth for the first 3400 yr of integration and a locked resonance with Venus through a 13:5 commensurability for the last 1000 yr. Control of these resonances passes from the earth to Venus as the distance from the earth's orbit gets greater and the distance to Venus' orbit gets closer as a consequence of the precession of the argument of perihelion. The double resonance may give Toro the ability to avoid collisions with the earth and Venus at the present time but this is still uncertain. Mars perturbations could remove Toro from the deepest part of the resonance in about 3,000,000 yrs.
Effects of mental stress on brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation in healthy normal individuals.

Background Mental stress is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events, possibly because of acute increases in endogenous catecholamines. Recently, brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation has been used for noninvasive assessment of macrovascular endothelial function. The effect of mental stress and its associated changes in sympathetic activation on brachial artery endothelium-dependent vasomotor tone in vivo remains unknown. Methods and Results Two-dimensional ultrasound was used to measure brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation before and after mental stress (provoked by a standard arithmetic challenge) in 21 healthy individuals (10 men, 11 women; average age 23.5 years). The flow stimulus resulted from a 3-minute cuff occlusion of distal forearm blood flow, causing distal hyperemia and a transient 2- to 3-fold increase in brachial artery blood flow on cuff release. During mental stress, heart rate increased on average by 29.6% and blood pressure increased on average by 17.9%. The sympathetic stimulus resulted in a 64% average increase in flow-mediated vasodilator response (P < .001). The enhanced vasodilator response during mental stress was similar for men and women. Conclusions Mental stress can have marked effects on endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated vasodilation in healthy, normal individuals. Similar studies in individuals with impaired endothelial function may further our understanding of the role of mental stress in the development of cardiovascular events.
Contextualizing or decontextualizing? The peril of using Western social capital scales in China

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to promote Chinese indigenous research by examining a case in which adopting social capital (SC) scales developed in the Western context for Chinese samples can decontextualize inter-firm guanxi management in the Chinese context. Design/methodology/approach – Adopting the existing Western scales to measure SC, we collected data from Chinese executives participating in executive master of business administration programs on buyer–supplier relationship. Using the same items and data source, we identified post hoc factors representing guanxi dimensions. Ordinary least squared regressions were used for both guanxi and SC dimensions to test the hypotheses. Findings – Our analysis showed that Chinese natives responded to the Western SC items according to their understanding and mindsets rooted in guanxi. This was evidenced by the results from the post hoc-derived guanxi dimensions with the same data, which show better regression results for the hypotheses tested, although ...
Dynamic Braking Control of D-C Series Motors-Calculation of Stability Limit

This paper presents an extension of the conventional method of calculating speed-torque curves for d-c series motors used with dynamic braking controllers, which permits determination of the stability limit with overhauling loads such as occur on crane hoists. It is shown that such stability limit can be increased by the addition of series resistance.
Preference Judgment for Dynamic Symmetry

In the manner of Fechner, this study employed a novel psychophysics methodology and a novel geometric construction task to verify the results of preference judgments for dynamic symmetry (i.e., the...
Vaginal paravaginal repair with an AlloDerm graft: Long-term outcomes.

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the long-term objective and subjective outcomes after vaginal paravaginal repair with AlloDerm graft (LifeCell, Branchburg, NJ). Study Design Thirty-three women with either recurrent stage II or primary or recurrent stage III-IV anterior vaginal wall prolapse underwent a vaginal paravaginal repair with AlloDerm graft between November 1998 and April 2002. Postoperative follow-up was obtained on an annual basis. Objective failure was defined as a stage II or greater anterior wall defect. Descriptive statistics were performed. Results Long-term follow-up was obtained on 24/33 subjects (72.7%). The mean length of follow-up for the 24 women was 52.0 months (range, 18-86 months). Fourteen of the 24 subjects (58.3%) had recurrent stage II prolapse in the anterior compartment, of which only 4 of 14 (28.6%) were symptomatic. Conclusions Long-term evaluation of vaginal paravaginal repairs with AlloDerm graft reveals good subjective success, despite a moderate rate of objective failure within the first 24 months.
Solvation in mixed aqueous solvents from a thermodynamic cycle approach.

A novel approach is presented for interpreting and potentially predicting values of the isothermal, isobaric transfer free energy, entropy, and enthalpy (Δ, Δs, and Δ) for a solute between water and water−cosolvent mixtures. The approach explicitly accounts for volumetric properties of the solvent and solute (the equation of state, EoS) and casts the overall transfer process as a thermodynamic cycle with two stages: (1) isothermal solvent exchange from pure water to the cosolvent composition of interest at fixed mass density; (2) isothermal expansion or compression at the final solvent composition to recover the pressure of the initial state. Using molecular simulations with methane as the solute, the analysis is illustrated over a wide range of cosolvent concentrations for sorbitol−, ethanol−, and methanol−water binary mixtures. The EoS contribution semiquantitatively or quantitatively captures Δ, Δ, and Δin almost all cases tested, highlighting the importance of considering the effects of changes in so...
Electronic structure of metal hydrides. VI. Photoemission studies and band theory of VH, NbH, and TaH

The electronic structures of $\mathrm{V}{\mathrm{H}}_{x}$, $\mathrm{Nb}{\mathrm{H}}_{x}$, and $\mathrm{Ta}{\mathrm{H}}_{x}(0.6\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}1.0)$ have been studied with the use of photoemission spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation ($10\ensuremath{\le}h\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\le}100$ eV). Two hydrogen-derived features are observed at \ensuremath{\sim}5.5- and 7.5-eV binding energies, and the metal $d$ bands are shown to be modified by the hydrogen interaction. These results show no agreement with rigid-band models based on the density of states of the pure metals and relatively poor agreement with previous band-structure calculations for monohydrides. We have calculated the energy bands of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-phase NbH (self-consistently) and of Nb${\mathrm{H}}_{0}$ and Nb${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ (nonself-consistently). Together, the calculations and experiments show how the metal-hydrogen interaction alters the electronic properties of the bcc metals.
Simulation-based endovascular skills assessment: the future of credentialing?

Objectives Simulator-based endovascular skills training measurably improves performance in catheter-based image-guided interventions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether structured global performance assessment during endovascular simulation correlated well with trainee-reported procedural skill and prior experience level. Methods Fourth-year and fifth-year general surgery residents interviewing for vascular fellowship training provided detailed information regarding prior open vascular and endovascular operative experience. The pretest questionnaire responses were used to separate subjects into low ( Results Seventeen surgical residents from 15 training programs completed questionnaires before and after the exercise and performed a renal angioplasty/stent procedure on the endovascular simulator. The beginner group (n = 8) reported prior experience of a median of eight endovascular cases (interquartile range [IQR], 6.5-17.8; range, 4-20), and intermediate group (n = 9) had previously completed a median of 42 cases (IQR, 31-44; range, 25-89, P = .01). The two groups had similar prior open vascular experience (79 cases vs 75, P = .60). The mean score on the structured global assessment scale for the low experience group was 2.68 of 5.0 possible compared with 3.60 for the intermediate group (P = .03). Scores for subcategories of the global assessment score for target vessel catheterization (P = .02) and the interventional procedure (P = .05) contributed more to the differentiation between the two experience groups. Total procedure time, fluoroscopy time, average contrast used, percentage of lesion covered by the stent, placement accuracy, residual stenosis rates, and number of cine loops utilized were similar between the two groups (P > .05). Conclusion Structured endovascular skills assessment correlates well with prior procedural experience within a high-fidelity simulation environment. In addition to improving endovascular training, simulators may prove useful in determining procedural competency and credentialing standards for endovascular surgeons.
The Supreme Court Decision on Obama Care Part III: The Unintended Consequences on the Already Insured

Corresponding author: Gilbert Berdine MD Contact Information: Gilbert.Berdine@ttuhsc.edu DOI: 10.12746/swrccc 2013. 0103.029 Part I of this series discussed the direct legal consequences of the Supreme Court Decision on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Part II predicted that proposed cost savings would not, in fact, be realized by the expansion of insurance coverage. Part III discusses the unintended consequences of ACA on those people who are already insured and are content with their coverage.
Accuracy of Surgeon-performed Ultrasound in Parathyroid Localization

Ultrasound is one of the preferred modalities for localization of abnormal parathyroids. Accuracy of ultrasound is technician-dependent. This study was undertaken to determine the accuracy of surgeon-performed ultrasound (SPU) for the localization of parathyroid tumors in comparison to radiology-performed ultrasound (RPU) and nuclear scintigraphy (NS). In this series 74 consecutive patients with untreated primary hyperparathyroidism underwent SPU at the initial clinic visit; 21 of these patients did not undergo surgery and are excluded from the analysis. Of the 53 patients remaining, RPU was obtained in 26, and 52 patients underwent NS. Directed parathyroidectomy was performed with use of the intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay (IOPTH). In all, 46 patients had a single adenoma as indicated by IOPTH and final pathology. Two patients had double gland disease, and 5 patients had multi-gland hyperplasia. The sensitivity of SPU was 82% and the specificity was 90% in detecting the diseased glands on the correct side (right versus left). The sensitivity for RPU was 42% and the specificity was 92% (n = 26). The sensitivity of NS was 44% and the specificity was 98% (n = 52). In only one case did RPU or NS detect a gland not found by SPU. SPU can be done with accuracy comparable to other ultrasound series in the literature, and it may be superior to RPU or NS in some institutions. It is important for surgeons to be aware of local institutional expertise when relying on RPU and NS during preoperative evaluation prior to directed parathyroidectomy.
SPINAL TRAUMAS: SOME POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

Abstract Animals with severe spinal traumas show paraplegic syndrome and various somatic and autonomie dysfunctions. Of the various dysfunctions those related to hypothermia, bladder problems, and autophagia are of serious nature. The condition of animals with these complications deteriorates rapidly, and the animals are sacrificed for histological and pathological analyses. The findings show that the postoperative complications are related to the degree of severity of the trauma, and that 50–80% animals are lost due to these complications. Most of these animals are lost during the first two weeks after the surgery, and the remaining at later stages. Transplantation of neural tissue at the site of lesion does not ameliorate these postoperative complications and improve the survival rate of the animals.
Direct injection analysis of chlorzoxazone and its major metabolite 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone in human serum using a semipermeable surface (SPS) HPLC column.

A semipermeable surface (SPS) HPLC column has been used to develop a direct injection method for the simultaneous determination of chlorzoxazone and its 6-hydroxy metabolite in serum. Spiked serum was filtered and 20 microL injected directly onto the SPS column. The separation was achieved within 25 min using a mobile phase of 20:80 v/v acetonitrile-aqueous 0.05 M phosphate buffer pH 7 with detection at 230 nm. The method was linear in the concentration range 0.5-20 micrograms/mL (r > 0.999, n = 6) with an RSD 3), respectively, for both drug and metabolite. Intraday and interday reproducibility was 94%.
The Effect of Examiner Social Behavior on Children’s Articulation Test Performance

Forty-eight first- and second-grade children with /r/ or /s/ errors met with an articulation examiner once a week for three consecutive weeks. During each session, the investigator role-played soci...
Differential white blood cell values of the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) across different ages and reproductive states.

Differential white blood cell counts were recorded for adult mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) of both sexes during several stages of reproduction: pre-egg laying, egg laying, incubating, molting, and postreproductive. Similar counts were made for young birds from 5 to 60 days of age. No significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences amongst the cell ratios due to sex or reproductive state of the adult birds were noted. Nonlaying and laying birds had similar numbers of thrombocytes which were significantly greater than thrombocyte numbers of incubating, molting or postreproductive birds. Young birds had a decrease in the percent lymphocytes from 50 to >60 days of age and a concomitant, compensating increase in percent heterophils. Thrombocyte numbers increased from 5 days of age to a peak at 18 days of age, after which they did not vary significantly.
A modified shake algorithm for maintaining rigid bonds in molecular dynamics simulations of large molecules

Abstract We present a new modification of the SHAKE algorithm, MSHAKE, that maintains fixed distances in molecular dynamics simulations of polyatomic molecules. The MSHAKE algorithm, which is applied by modifying the leapfrog algorithm to include forces of constraint, computes an initial estimate of constraint forces, then iteratively corrects the constraint forces required to maintain the fixed distances. Thus MSHAKE should always converge more rapidly than SHAKE. Further, the explicit determination of the constraint forces at each timestep makes MSHAKE convenient for use in molecular dynamics simulations where bond stress is a significant dynamical quantity.
Eliminating the scattering ambiguity in multifocal, multimodal, multiphoton imaging systems.

Four images of Drosophila Melanogaster antennal lobe structure labeled with red fluorescent protein. The images are separated axially by 7 μm in depth, and were all acquired simultaneously from a single-element detector.
On the Use of the Self-consistent-Field Method in the Construction of Models for Rapidly Rotating Main-Sequence Stars

A new formulation of the self-consistent-field (SCF) method for computing models of rapidly, differentially rotating stars is described. The angular velocity is assumed to depend only on the distance from the axis of rotation. In the modified SCF iterative scheme, normalized distributions of two thermodynamic variables—pressure and temperature—are used as trial functions, while the central values of the pressure and temperature are adjusted by a Newton-Raphson iteration. A two-dimensional trial density distribution, which is needed to compute the gravitational potential, is readily obtained from the pressure and temperature through the equation of state in conjunction with a third trial function specifying the two-dimensional shape of the constant-density surfaces. Rotating models of chemically homogeneous main-sequence stars have been computed as necessary in order to illustrate the algorithm and to make comparisons with existing models. Unlike previous implementations of the SCF method, the method described here is not limited to the upper main sequence: it converges for all main-sequence masses, including those well below 9 M⊙. Moreover, the method converges for values of the parameter t = T/|W| (the ratio of rotational kinetic energy to gravitational potential energy) that are at least as high as those obtained by Clement's relaxation technique. The method is also capable of producing models with deep concavities about the poles as well as models with extreme oblateness (far greater than that possible in uniformly rotating stars). For cases with moderate degrees of differential rotation (say for Ω0/Ωe < 10, where Ω0 and Ωe denote the angular velocity at the center and at the equator, respectively), the method has been found to be remarkably robust. For higher degrees of differential rotation, models are restricted to a portion of parameter space away from two regions of nonconvergence, inside which some of the models evidently develop toroidal level surfaces.
Engendering Citizenship, Feminizing Civil Society: The Case of the Middle East and North Africa

Abstract In this paper, I describe how feminists in countries of the Middle East and North Africa are challenging their second-class citizenship largely institutionalized in patriarchal family laws-and are calling for an extension of their civil, political, and social rights. I use the term “feminist” to denote de jureand de factofeminists working to advance women's rights. The paper seeks to make theoretical sense of contemporary rights-based movements and discourses in the region through an application of theories of citizenship. It highlights the role of women's organizations in the regional call for democratization, civil society, and citizenship and it provides an empirical content to the discussion of citizenship, state, and civil society. Data and information are gleaned from a close reading of the literature by and on women's organizations in the region, and from personal observations and interviews.
Size effects and charge-density-wave pinning in NbSe3.

We report measurements of the impurity-concentration and crystal-size dependences of the threshold field ${E}_{T}$ for charge-density-wave (CDW) depinning in ${\mathrm{NbSe}}_{3}$. These measurements establish that CDW's in Ta-doped ${\mathrm{NbSe}}_{3}$ are weakly pinned. Size dependence of ${E}_{T}$ occurs when the transverse crystal dimensions become comparable to the transverse CDW phase-phase correlation length, resulting in a crossover from 3D to 2D weak pinning. A divergence of the T=4.2-K Ohmic resistance with decreasing sample thickness is attributed to diffuse scattering by crystal surfaces.
Instrument to measure the thermal conductivity of gases

Abstract The paper describes a new high-precision instrument to measure the thermal conductivity of gases up to 800°C and 400 atm in an absolute way. The instrument works on the hot-wire principle with a 5 μm platinum wire, and operates in the transient regime thus eliminating completely the effects of natural convection. The design parameters combined with an end-effects compensator ensure that the instrument performs almost exactly like a line source in an infinite fluid, thus permitting us to calculate the thermal conductivity from the slope of a ΔT, log t diagram on which 36–42 conjugate pairs of these quantities have been determined with great precision. The reproducibility of the instrument is several parts in ten thousand, the precision as well as the accuracy being estimated at 0.2% near room temperature. Preliminary results on helium at 300 K and up to 350 atm are given. Equally preliminary measurements on the noble gases Ar, Ne, Kr combined with our best measurements of viscosity, all extrapolated to q = 0, yield Eucken factors at 300 K which do not differ from the theoretical value by more than 0.4%. This allows us to state that the accuracy of each measurement is of the order of 0.2%.
Ultimate Compressive Strength of Aluminum Plate Elements

In general, the elastic local buckling of a slender plate that is part of a cross section does not represent the limit of the load carrying capacity of the element or member. Aluminum alloy members may be cast, extruded, forged, or built up from plates joined together by any number of techniques, including welding. In order to study the ultimate strength of thin aluminum plates, finite element simulation of a series of stub columns was conducted. Slenderness of the plate elements that comprise the column varied in an effort to study the buckling behavior of plate elements with realistic boundary conditions. In some instances, parent metal stub columns were analyzed, and in other cases, simulations were conducted on stub columns joined together by welding including the effects of material softening in the heat-affected zones and residual stresses. Analytical results were compared to experimental data found in the literature and design recommendations found in the aluminum design manual.