cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantifying knots by image analysis and modeling their effects on the mechanical properties of loblolly pine lumber

Automated grading machines that quantify knots are increasingly deployed by lumber mills, however their use in mill studies that assess lumber quality have been limited. The objective here was to develop a method to evaluate the knots of loblolly pine lumber using image analysis and to develop models to predict modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) from 171 pieces of dimension lumber. Lumber was photographed on the wide faces and individual knots were identified using the k-means clustering algorithm. The percentage of wood made up of knots on the wide faces (Knot%) was calculated by summing the individual knot areas over the total surface area, as well as on a sub-section of the lumber span which was optimized separately for MOE (Knot%MOE) and MOR (Knot%MOR). Models were built using the knot measurements and compared to models built using specific gravity (SG) and acoustic velocity squared (AV2). Knot% explained 30% of the variation in MOE and 39% of the variation in MOR. Incorporating Knot%MOE into a model with SG and AV2 did not appreciably improve model performance (R2 = 0.75, RMSE = 1.1 GPa) over the base SG and AV2 model (R2 = 0.74, RMSE = 1.2 GPa). Incorporating Knot%MOR into a model with SG and AV2 significantly improved the prediction (R2 = 0.65, RMSE = 7.2 MPa) compared to the base SG and AV2 model (R2 = 0.56, RMSE = 8.0 MPa). This study demonstrates the feasibility of using image analysis to assess knot information in lumber to improve predictions of mechanical properties.
Properties of the Radii of Stability and Instability

The radius of stability and the radius of instability of the zero solution of the differential equation x’ = f (t, x) were introduced by Salvadori and Visentin [9], [10]. These radii in some sense provide a measure of the “region” of stability or instability of the zero solution. This knowledge has been used in the study of small solutions x p (t)of perturbations of the differential equation x’ = f (t, x) given by x’ = f(t, x p ) + h(t, x p ). In particular a relationship between the radius of stability of the zero solution of x’ = f (t, x) and its total stability was also introduced in [9] and [10]. Having been motivated by mechanical systems subject to conservative perturbations these authors analyzed the total stability of x’ = f (t, x) using the perturbed differential equation x’ = g (t, x, λ,) where g (t, x, 0) = f (t, x) and λ is a parameter in some Banach Space β. In this paper we often will assume β is the real line.
Appling Fuzzy Comprehensive Judge Method to Identify Well and Lay of Being Adjust Injection Profile

It is unavoided to bring about that the oil-well contains moisture or part of the oil-wells be flooded by the means of water injection to keep the oil layer pressure to develop the unhomogeneity oil reserve.While the water flee enter the oil-well,whether the lower permeated layers have been developed or not,most of the water will enter into the higher permeated layer,and then the oil extraction speed of the lower permeated layers will be very slow or not go into operation basically.In order to control water cone breakthrough and water cut anabatic trend Measures of profile control and water shutoff must be taken to improve the effect of water driving oil and enhance oil recovery.we set up a mathematical model that appling fuzzy comprehensive judge method to optimize the wells and layers from profile control wells in heterogeneous reservoir.Through analysis of living example,it is shown that it is an objective and effective method which is convenient to calculate and easy to manipulate and popularize.
Analysis of Non-Stationary Radiometer Gain Via Ensemble Detection

Although considered as stationary and Gaussian in general, radiometer gain is usually a fluctuating signal with non-stationary properties. Analyses of such non-stationary features is challenging as the radiometer signal cannot be observed independently. On the other hand, time series of post-gain voltages constitute an ensemble set for the radiometer gain which can be used to characterize the radiometer gain. This paper presents a novel technique called "Ensemble Detection" which can analytically retrieve the standard deviation of stationary Gaussian radiometer gain or find an equivalent stationary Gaussian process which represents the non-stationary radiometer gain under different calibration schemes. It has been found that the equivalent Gaussian process for non-stationary radiometer gain heavily depends on the calibration structure and the observation times of the measurand and the calibration references.
Drinking and responses to antidrinking messages among young adults: An fMRI study

Young adults consume most of their alcohol by binge drinking, and more than one-third report binge drinking in the past month. Some will transition out of excessive drinking, while others will maintain or increase alcohol use into adulthood. Public health campaigns depicting negative consequences of drinking have shown some efficacy at reducing this behavior. However, substance use in dependent individuals is governed in part by automatic or habitual responses to drug cues rather than the consequences. This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure neural responses to drinking cues and drinking cues paired with antidrinking messages among young adults who binge drink (N = 30). This study also explored responses to smoking cues and antismoking messages. Neural responses were also compared between drinking/smoking and neutral cues. Self-reported drinking and smoking were collected at baseline, postscan, and 1 month. Results indicate that activity in the ventral striatum-implicated in reward processing-was lower for drinking cues paired with antidrinking messages than drinking cues. This difference was less pronounced in young adults who reported greater baseline past month drinking quantity. Past month drinking quantity decreased from baseline to 1 month. Further, young adults who showed higher activity during antidrinking messages in the medial prefrontal cortex-implicated in processing message self-relevance- reported a greater decrease in past month drinking frequency from baseline to 1 month. Findings may help to identify young adults who are at risk for continued heavy drinking in adulthood and inform interventions aimed to reduce drinking and reward in young adults.
Signatures of topological ground state degeneracy in Majorana islands

We consider a mesoscopic superconducting island hosting multiple pairs of Majorana zero-energy modes. The Majorana island consists of multiple p-wave wires connected together by a s-wave superconducting backbone and is characterized by an overall charging energy Ec; the wires are coupled to normal-metal leads via tunnel junctions. We calculate the average charge on the island as well as non-local conductance matrix as a function of a p-wave pairing gap ΔP, charging energy Ec and dimensionless junction conductances gi. We find that the presence of a topological ground-state degeneracy in the island dramatically enhances charge fluctuations and leads to the suppression of Coulomb blockade effects in electron tunneling.
Correction: Depolymerization of polystyrene under ambient conditions

Correction for ‘Depolymerization of polystyrene under ambient conditions’ by Viktor P. Balema et al., New J. Chem., 2021, 45, 2935–2938, DOI: 10.1039/D0NJ05984F.
A machine learning approach to medical data identification through principal component analysis

There has been a sharp rise in the amount of data available for analysis in many professional fields in recent years. In the medical sector, this significant increase in data can help detect and confirm underlying symptoms in patients that would otherwise remain undetected. Machine learning techniques have been applied in the medical sector and can help diagnose irregularities when data is provided for the specific area on which the system has been trained. Leveraging the newfound amount of big data and advanced diagnostic techniques, higher dimensional data feature extraction can be better analyzed. The algorithm presented in this paper utilizes a convolutional neural network to categorize electrocardiogram (ECG) data by processing the original data implementing the fast Fourier transform (FFT) and principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce dimensionality while maintaining performance. The paper proposes three intelligent identification algorithms that can be fed into another specialized machine learning system or analyzed using traditional diagnostic procedures.
Outcomes of a Metaintervention to Improve Treatment Engagement Among Young Adults With Serious Mental Illnesses: Application of a Pilot Randomized Explanatory Design.

Abstract Purpose The objective of this study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of a new young adult–centered metaintervention to improve treatment engagement among those with serious mental illness. Methods Young adults, clinic staff, and policy makers provided feedback on the intervention, which is a two-module engagement program provided by a clinician and person with lived experience (peer) during intake. A two-group pilot randomized explanatory trial design was conducted, comparing treatment as usual with treatment as usual plus the engagement program, Just Do You. The primary outcomes were treatment engagement and presumed mediators of program effects measured at 3 months after baseline. Results The randomized explanatory trial indicated that young adults in Just Do You were more engaged in treatment than treatment as usual and that changes in several mediators of engagement occurred. Mechanisms that demonstrated between-group differences were stigma, perceived expertise of providers, trust in providers, and beliefs about the benefits of treatment. Results also provide diagnostic information on mediators that the program failed to change, such as hope, self-efficacy, and emotional reactions to treatment. These results inform next steps in the development of this promising intervention. Conclusions Just Do You illustrated feasibility, acceptability and preliminary impact. It represents an innovative metaintervention that has promise for improving treatment engagement in mental health services among young adults who have a history of poor engagement.
Toward a Theoretical Framework for Mail Survey Response

A survey was employed as an exploratory, partial test of a theoretical framework for predicting/describing response to mail surveys. This framework suggests that in order for individuals to respond to a mail survey, they must have sufficient justification. Justification is defined as perceived benefits minus perceived costs. In order to provide a preliminary test of this framework, 10c incentives were employed as one factor from within the frameworks and follow-up was employed as one factor from outside the framework. The results indicate that a different segment of the population is induced to respond with dime incentives than is induced to respond with follow-up. The best response rate (86%) was produced by both including a dime and sending a follow-up questionnaire. However, the inclusion of a dime with no follow-up questionnaire had a response rate (70%) which compared very favorably -- but cost only half as much per sample member -- with the dime plus follow-up.
Adding simulation capability to early-stage ship design

The Navy's early-stage ship design tools do not currently include an inherent simulation capability. Under Navy direction, the Electric Ship Research and Development Consortium (ESRDC) has worked to develop a simulation tool that can be used to determine functionality of ship systems at the early stages of design. This paper describes the current capabilities of the simulation tool and the process and status of the efforts to integrate this tool with the Navy's design tools.
The Reasonable Compensation Rule

This article examines the curious approach taken by courts to a long-standing precept of federal tax law, which declares that a company may deduct no more than "reasonable" compensation paid its employees. Straightforward on its face, this principle has been applied in a way that bears slight resemblance to the rule's literal content: Although the requirement as usually cited would authorize universal government regulation of employee pay (and therefore by its terms ought to be of interest, for example, for the current vigorous public debate surrounding executive compensation levels), in fact the rule has been used only to ensure that small, closely held corporations not disguise a nondeductible payment (such as a dividend) as deductible "compensation." The rule would thus be more accurately known as the "genuine compensation" requirement. More interesting than this result itself (which the article demonstrates is in fact required by tax policy and legislative history) is the process used - apparently unconsciously - by courts to achieve that result. While expressly denying any such purpose, courts have effectively interpreted the words of the rule in ways that are inconsistent with normal usage, but that tend to produce acceptable outcomes. The reasonable compensation requirement thus serves as a case study in the mutable, result-driven process of judicial interpretation of even the simplest and most familiar rules.
Combustion Dynamics of Swirling Turbulent Flames

A generalized Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) methodology has been developed to simulate premixed and non-premixed gas-phase and two-phase combustion in complex flows such as those typically encountered in gas-turbine combustors. This formulation allows the study and analysis of the fundamental physics involved in such flows, i.e., vortex/flame interaction, combustion dynamics and stability, fuel-air mixing, droplet vaporization, and other aspects of combustion. Results for swirling premixed combustion undergoing combustion instability and for swirling spray combustion in full-scale gas turbine engines are discussed here. Results show that swirl can stabilize combustion in premixed system and can reduce the magnitude of the amplitude of the pressure oscillation. In two-phase systems, significant modification to the high shear regions due to vaporization of droplets is observed. Droplets are also seen to concentrate in regions of low vorticity and when they vaporize, the gaseous fuel gets entrained into regions of high vorticity. This process plays a major role in fuel-air mixing and combustion processes in two-phase systems.
An Exact Formula for the Average Run Length to False Alarm of the Generalized Shiryaev–Roberts Procedure for Change-Point Detection under Exponential Observations

We derive analytically an exact closed-form formula for the standard minimax Average Run Length (ARL) to false alarm delivered by the Generalized Shiryaev–Roberts (GSR) change-point detection procedure devised to detect a shift in the baseline mean of a sequence of independent exponentially distributed observations. Specifically, the formula is found through direct solution of the respective integral (renewal) equation, and is a general result in that the GSR procedure’s nonnegativ headstart is not restricted to a bounded range, nor is there a “ceiling” value for the detection threshold. Apart from the theoretical significance (in change-point detection, exact closed-form performance formulae are typically either difficult or impossible altogether to get, especially for the GSR procedure), the obtained formula is also useful to a practitioner: in cases of practical interest, the formula is a function linear in both the detection threshold and the headstart, and, therefore, the ARL to false alarm of the GSR procedure can be easily computed.
The neuroendocrine system of Hyalophora cecropia (L.) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae): I. The anatomy and histology of the ecdysial glands

Abstract The ecdysial (prothoracic) glands of the silkmoth, Hyalophora cecropia , were examined anatomically and histologically during the fourth and fifth larval instars and in the pupal and adult stages. Female gland cells were larger and, unlike those of males, usually contained prominent nucleoli. All gland cells were characterized by a peripheral “striated border” that appeared to be an area concerned with the release of the secretory product. Complete degeneration of the glands occurred shortly after adult emergence. The innervation of the glands is described, and the possible significance of this innervation is discussed. Cycles of activity, characterized by nuclear alterations that preceded cytoplasmic vacuolization, were correlated with the initiation of molting activity in each stage. In addition, secretory activity appeared to occur at a low level in young pupae and at higher levels in older pupae. The histological variations occurring in the gland cells during any single molting cycle were similar to, but not exactly duplicated by, those occurring in any other cycle. These latter findings suggested an alteration in the glandular control system during the several cycles examined.
Slug expression inhibits calcitriol-mediated sensitivity to radiation in colorectal cancer.

Recently, a reciprocal relationship between calcitriol and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition has been described. Therefore, we hypothesized that calcitriol (1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) would enhance radiation sensitivity in colorectal cancer regulated by epithelial mesenchymal transition. Vitamin-D receptor, E-cadherin and vimentin protein as well as E-cadherin, Snail and Slug mRNA levels were assessed in a panel of human colorectal cancer cell lines at baseline and in response calcitriol. We defined cell lines as calcitriol sensitive based on demonstrating an enhanced epithelial phenotype with increased E-cadherin, reduced vimentin and decreased expression of Snail and Slug as well as decreased cellular migration in response to calcitriol. In calcitriol sensitive cells, including DLD-1 and HCT116, 24 h calcitriol pre-treatment enhanced the radiation sensitivity by 2.3- and 2.6-fold, respectively, at 4 Gy (P < 0.05). In contrast, SW620 cells with high baseline mesenchymal features including high Slug and vimentin expression with low E-cadherin expression demonstrated no significant radiation sensitizing response to calcitriol treatment. Similarly, transfection of Slug in the calcitriol sensitive colon cancer cell lines, DLD-1 and HCT 116, completely inhibited the radiation sensitizing effect of calcitriol. Collectively, we demonstrate that calcitriol can enhance the therapeutic effects of radiation in colon cancer cells and Slug expression mitigates this observed effect potentially representing an effective biomarker for calcitriol therapy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
QPOs and firehose instabilities in neutron star magnetospheres in accreting systems

We show that the interaction of an accretion disk with the magnetosphere of a neutron star can excite resonant shear Alfven waves with Hz-kHz frequencies in a region of enhanced density gradients. This is the the region where accretion material flows along the magnetic field lines in the magnetosphere. We argue that due to the pressure anisotropy produced by the plasma flow, firehose instabilities are likely to occur. Furthermore, for a dipolar field topology, we show that a new instability develops due to both magnetic field curvature and the plasma flow.
How Lay Cognition Constrains Scientific Cognition

Scientific cognitionisa hard-wonachievement, bothfroma historical pointofview and a developmental point of view. Here, I review seven facets of lay cognition that run counter to, and often impede, scientific cognition: incompatible folk theories, missing ontologies, tolerance for shallow explanations, tolerance for contradictory explanations, privileging explanation over empirical data, privileging testimony over empirical data, and misconceiving the nature of science itself. Most of these facets have been investigated independent of the others, and I propose directions for future research that might integrate them so as to explore potential commonalities among seemingly disparate obstacles to science learning, as well as potential strategies for bridging lay cognition and scientific cognition in the context of science education.
ROBERT PARK'S HUMAN ECOLOGY AND HUMAN GEOGRPHY∗

In describing the position of human ecology within the system of sciences, Robert Park was concerned with establishing the logical independence of ecology from geography. He used arguments of neo-Kantian philosophy, and to a lesser exten Comtean positivism, to accomplish his goal. The study of the philosophical context of Park's arguments on human science suggests that his views were more compatible with those of the regional geographers of his period than with those of the urban and social geographers who rediscovered his work.
Scheduling for machining and assembly in a job-shop environment

The problem of scheduling n assembly jobs in a job-shop environment is addressed. Each job is characterized by multiple parts that must themselves be scheduled for processing through the shop. The individual parts combine at assembly stations to form sub-assemblies or final assemblies. Sub-assemblies combine with other subassemblies to form final assemblies. The objective pursued in the developed model is to maximize the machine utilization subject to satisfying job due date requirements. Essentially, one must consider machine availability, the amount of work on each machine for each operation, the precedence constraints, and the dispatching criteria to perform scheduling in this kind of environment. A heuristic algorithm is developed to solve the problem. The application of the algorithm is demonstrated with an example problem.
Multi-layer coating design architecture for optimum particulate erosion resistance

Abstract The hard particle, erosion resistance of multi-layer, magnetron-sputtered, physical vapor deposited (PVD), titanium nitride/titanium (TiN/Ti) coatings for protection of AM355 steel turbine components was investigated. Multi-layer coatings, of 25 μm total thickness, were deposited on AM355 substrates with variable numbers and thicknesses (equivalent to volume fractions) of the TiN and Ti layers. The coatings were eroded using glass beads, quartz and alumina media with particle velocities ranging from 75 to 180 m/s. Erosion performance was found to depend strongly on the TiN/Ti PVD coating multi-layer design architecture and the erosion conditions. The results showed that coatings with two layers, one of TiN, and a low volume fraction of metal gave optimal erosion performance against the alumina erodent, whereas coatings with 32 layers, (16 each of TiN and Ti), offered the best erosion performance against the glass beads. These results explain the variability of coating erosion performance described in the literature, and provide guidance in the design of optimal multi-layer coating systems for a range of particle erosion conditions.
Time study of patient movement through the emergency department: Sources of delay in relation to patient acuity

A continuous observation time study was used to track 1,568 patients through various stages of emergency department care in order to identify sources of delay. Patients initially were assigned to one of four categories of decreasing acuity, and flow profiles were compared for each category. Patients with lowest acuity level experienced long delays in moving through the ED, although the actual evaluation and treatment time was brief. Urinalyses, procedures, radiographs, and blood tests had an increasing impact on treatment times (45 minutes, 63 minutes, 65 minutes, and 126 minutes, respectively, compared to 31 minutes with no tests or procedures). Patients of increasing acuity moved more quickly, but with a longer evaluation and treatment time. The most critical patients moved most quickly but with a brief evaluation and treatment time due to a rapid disposition from the ED or death. This relationship suggests an emergency care system that is oriented toward the efficient care of high-acuity patients but that is less effective for low-acuity patients. This occurs despite the fact that low-acuity patients comprise the vast majority of the ED census, and represent a group for whom delay is a frequent source of patient dissatisfaction.
An improved Synthesis for Dihydrazinechromium(II) chloride and other chromium(II) compounds

The reduction of [Cr(H2O)4Cl2]Cl · 2 H2O in 3 N hydrochloric acid by means of 0.2% sodium amalgam under a nitrogen atmosphere, followed by addition of aqueous N2H4 provides a quick, convenient, and high-yield synthesis for polymeric Cr(N2H4)Cl2. The product was identified by analysis, infra red spectra, and physical and chemical properties. With appropriate modifications, the method is applicable to the preparation of other chromium(II) compounds. Die Reduktion von [Cr(H2O)4Cl2]Cl · 2 H2O in 3 N salzsaurer Losung durch 0,2% Natriumamalgam unter Stickstoffatmosphare unter anschliesendem Zusatz von N2H4 liefert mit hoher Ausbeute eine rasche, gunstige Synthese fur polymeres Cr(N2H4)2Cl2. Das Produkt wurde durch Analyse, Infrarotspektren und physikalische und chemische Eigenschaften identifiziert. Mit zweckmasigen Veranderungen ist diese Methode auf die Darstellung von anderen Chrom(II)-Verbindungen anwendbar.
The digital and social media journalist: A comparative analysis of journalists in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru

This study examines how journalists in Latin America, specifically in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, view their professional roles in today’s digital media landscape. This study is p...
Articular Pharmacokinetics of Protein-Bound Antirheumatic Agents

By what mechanism do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) move from plasma into synovial fluid and back, and how does binding to plasma albumin in vitro relate to articular transport in vivo? To evaluate these issues, concurrent plasma and synovial fluid data of 8 different NSAIDs from 10 single-dose trials were analysed by a simple compartmental model incorporating intra-articular volume, synovial plasma flow rates and protein transport. All pharmacological and physiological data were taken from published studies of chronic knee effusions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The analysis shows that these protein-bound NSAIDs readily leave the vasculature and enter synovial fluid during each transit of synovial microvessels. The mean rate of transport, 0.23 min-1, is consistent with passive diffusion at rates far in excess of those attributable to movement of albumin-bound drug or of the small, free-drug fraction found by equilibrium dialysis. These findings are explained by association and dissociation of NSAIDs and albumin that occur far more rapidly than vascular transit. Ongoing dissociation makes bound drug available for transvascular exchange and thereby diminishes the pharmacokinetic significance of binding data obtained in vitro.
A nondedicated mini computer system for comprehensive gamma camera image processing and analysis.

Abstract A tape-oriented PDP-12 computer has been adapted for data collection and analysis of gamma camera radioisotope scans. Since the computer performs numerous other daily tasks and resides some 450 ft from the patient study site, certain restrictions and economies had to be observed. The operating system, GAMMA, was designed to allow data recording and manipulation by general medical personnel unfamiliar with computers and programming. Several capabilities are presently incorporated including correction of gamma camera irregularities, isometric displays, isocontour plotting, shades-of-gray displays, data smoothing, and inertial moment analysis. Although originally developed for pulmonary ventilation and perfusion scanning, the system is easily adaptable for isotopic study of other organs. Addition of a disk operating system greatly expands the capacity and speed of all operational phases.
Development of Star Polymers as Unimolecular Containers for Nanomaterials

Star polymers containing one central core surrounded by multiple radiating arms represent an intriguing type of globular platform to be used as unimolecular containers and reactors. The core domain can encapsulate guest “cargos”, whereas protective shell and chain ends can be functionalized with reactive groups and ligands. This Feature Article highlights the recent development on using core-shell structured amphiphilic star polymers as unimolecular containers for applications in drug delivery, catalysis, and template of hybrid nanomaterials. As compared with dendrimers, star polymers enjoy advantages of facile synthesis, fl exible compositions, and tunable sizes, which allow them being able to carry more and multiple “cargos” within one molecule.
Ferromagnetism in molecular decamethylferrocenium tetracyanoethenide (DMeFc TCNE)

The temperature and magnetic field dependence of the magnetization and susceptibility of single-crystal decamethylferrocenium tetracyanoethenide (DMeFc TCNE) demonstrate that this material is the first molecular compound with a ferromagnetic ground state. A spontaneous magnetization is observed for Tl4.8 K. The results are consistent with a crossover from a dominance of one-dimensional ferromagnetic exchange interaction to a 3D mean-field-like interaction at \ensuremath{\sim}16 K. The critical exponents are in accord with mean-field behavior. A generalized Hubbard model is proposed to account for the unusual ferromagnetic exchange interactions in this system.
Fabrication challenges associated with conformal optics

A conformal optic is typically an optical window that conforms smoothly to the external shape of a system platform to improve aerodynamics. Conformal optics can be on-axis, such as an ogive missile dome, or off-axis, such as in a free form airplane wing. A common example of conformal optics is the automotive head light window that conforms to the body of the car aerodynamics and aesthetics. The unusual shape of conformal optics creates tremendous challenges for design, manufacturing, and testing. This paper will discuss fabrication methods that have been successfully demonstrated to produce conformal missile domes and associated wavefront corrector elements. It will identify challenges foreseen with more complex free-form configurations. Work presented in this paper was directed by the Precision Conformal Optics Consortium (PCOT). PCOT is comprised of both industrial and academic members who teamed to develop and demonstrate conformal optical systems suitable for insertion into future military programs. The consortium was funded under DARPA agreement number MDA972-96-9-08000.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Sedation in emergency situations.

To the Editor. The comparative study of 2 sedation protocols for orthopedic emergencies by Kennedy et al1 addresses an important issue—how to sedate children for painful procedures both safely and effectively. For many, this study provides some insight into whether these types of procedures may be done with deep sedation as safely and effectively as might be accomplished with general anesthesia administered by an anesthesiologist. In this study, the authors comment, “No subject reached general anesthesia.” The policy statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)2 is cited by the authors as distinguishing deep sedation as “responsive to painful stimuli only” and general anesthesia as “unresponsive to painful stimuli.” However, no such distinction may be found in these guidelines. In fact, the guidelines state, “Deep sedation and general anesthesia are virtually inseparable for purposes of monitoring.”2Furthermore, the definition of general anesthesia by the AAP's Committee on Drugs describes a medically controlled state that can be identical to a patient under deep sedation who is both unconscious with a complete loss of protective reflexes. By the definitions given by the AAP's Committee on Drugs, general anesthesia can be a state that exists as a subset of patients under deep sedation. And by definition, states of general anesthesia and deep sedation can only be distinguished in a subset of deep sedation cases by consciousness.2 Even patients under general anesthesia frequently respond to painful stimuli with cardiorespiratory responses and, infrequently, movement. Perhaps the authors had in mind a statement by the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Sedation and Analgesia by Non-Anesthesiologists that states, “Patients whose …
Consequences of tadpole shrimp predation on mayflies in some Californian ponds

SUMMARY. 1. During two, 1-month studies, the abundance of mayfly nymphs, Callibaetis californicus Banks, in small ponds that contained the tadpole shrimp, Triops longicaudatus (LeConte), often was significantly lower than in ponds without tadpole shrimps. Mayfly abundance was either positively correlated or not significantly associated with that of predacious insects. 2. Larger mayfly nymphs were a greater fraction of the population in ponds with Triops than in ponds without tadpole shrimps. Between 2 and 3 weeks after ponds were flooded, the smallest mayfly nymphs were absent from ponds in which T. longicaudatus densities were >5 individuals per square metre during the summer and >15 individuals per square metre during the autumn. 3. In prey-choice trials, T. longicaudatus consumed predominantly small C. californicus nymphs (mean headwidth ± 1 SD: 0.44 ± 0.05 mm). After encounters with tadpole shrimps, small mayfly nymphs moved relatively shorl distances, were easily overtaken, and were, consequently, more susceptible to tadpole shrimps than larger-sized nymphs.
Effect of pH on PtRu electrocatalysts prepared via a polyol process on carbon nanotubes

This paper reports a study on the pH effects on the PtRu nanoparticles synthesized in a polyol process that were deposited on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by reducing metal salts using ethylene glycol at various pHs. It was found that the nanoparticle size, composition, and catalytic activity all were sensitive to pH. The nanoparticles decreased in size as the preparation pH increased from 1.6 to 10.0, with the largest size at 2.47 nm and the smallest at 1.13 nm. An exception was found for pH at 0.7, which resulted in an average size of only 1.01 nm. Preparation pH was found to affect polyol reaction mechanisms, which are believed to be dominated by direct metal reduction at low pH and by both direct metal reduction and hydroxide reduction at high pH. However, at high pH the reactions were limited by hydroxide reductions, and longer reaction durations were needed to fully deposit the metals. To study the pH effect on the electrochemical activity of the catalysts, CO stripping techniques were used to determine peak potentials and active surface areas. Together with cyclic voltammetry in the electro-oxidation of methanol, it was found that the catalyst prepared at pH 8.4 has the best performance.
Relative efficiency of several atomization and sample introduction systems in analytical atomic spectrometry

Abstract Flame atomic emission and atomic absorption detection limits are compared on an absolute basis for the easily determined element, copper. Remarkably similar detection limits are obtained with a variety of atomization and sample introduction system combinations. Heated graphite atomizers offer significantly lower minimum detectable quantities.
Cotton Competition and the Post-Bellum Recovery of the American South

As evidence has accumulated on the prosperity of the American South under slavery prior to the Civil War, attention has turned to a search for explanations for the apparent stagnation of the southern economy after the Civil War. One class of explanations involves the argument that the South experienced special difficulties in recovering her place in the international cotton market during the late 1860's and 1870's. In one version of this hypothesis, the presence of “new” sources of supply, stimulated by the cotton famine of 1861–65, acted to displace American cotton in world markets during this period. A second version, recently proposed by Mark Aldrich, argues that appreciation of the dollar resulting from capital imports and northern economic expansion forced American cotton to compete with the rest of the world on unfavorable terms prior to the resumption of specie payments in 1879.
Foreign Direct Investment in the Czech Republic: The Role of Origin Effects and Government Promotion Abroad

This paper examines country-of-origin effects accounting for the Czech Republic's accumulation of $60 billion in FDI during the years surrounding accession to the European Union. Careful attention is paid to CzechInvest's assertive marketing through offices abroad. Government promotion initially drew investment from firms in countries relatively less familiar with the Czech Republic, and while its importance is confirmed empirically, it remains inferior to agglomeration and trade flows, and is followed by EU membership. The inquiry yields substantial consistency across model specifications with variables that eclipse other conventional explanations of FDI including market factors, exchange rates, and geographical distance.
Prehistoric landscapes of the sonoran desert Hohokam

The Hohokam of southern Arizona are noted for greater duration of settlement than other major agricultural traditions in the archaeological record of the southwestern United States, including the Anasazi and Mogollon. The 40,000 square mile area inhabited by the Hohokam is marked by low elevation desert basins, but encompasses a range of topographic and climatic variability that shaped opportunities for prehistoric farming technologies. Irrigation from rivers was frequently associated with the longterm persistence of individual sites, while floodwater farming along ephemeral drainages was more often correlated with continuous occupation of hydrologically favored zones. Renewal of fields by waterborne nutrients and efficient practices in the use of natural resources countered the limited mobility options afforded by the Hohokam environment.
Influence of body mass index on quantitative 24-hour urine chemistry studies in children with nephrolithiasis.

Purpose: A high body mass index increases the risk of nephrolithiasis in adults. Despite the growing problem of pediatric obesity, little is known about the relationship between body mass index and risk of nephrolithiasis in children. We examined the association between body mass index and 24-hour urine chemistry studies in children with a history of nephrolithiasis.Materials and Methods: A total of 43 children were included in the study. We retrospectively reviewed a database of 24-hour urine chemistry studies. We calculated body mass index for each individual and cases were then stratified by percentile. The 24-hour urine chemistry studies were adjusted for daily creatinine excretion, urine volume was adjusted for age, and pH and urine supersaturations were unadjusted.Results: Body mass index percentile was below the 25th percentile in 8 cases, 25th to 49th percentile in 7, 50th to 74th percentile in 5 and 75th percentile or above in 14. On multivariate analysis the only 24-hour urine parameters with a ...
Plastic oscillators and fixed rhythms: Changes in the phase of clock-gene rhythms in the PVN are not reflected in the phase of the melatonin rhythm of grass rats

The same clock-genes, including Period (PER) 1 and 2, that show rhythmic expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) are also rhythmically expressed in other brain regions that serve as extra-SCN oscillators. Outside the hypothalamus, the phase of these extra-SCN oscillators appears to be reversed when diurnal and nocturnal mammals are compared. Based on mRNA data, PER1 protein is expected to peak in the late night in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) of nocturnal laboratory rats, but comparable data are not available for a diurnal species. Here we use the diurnal grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus) to describe rhythms of PER1 and 2 proteins in the PVN of animals that either show the species-typical day-active (DA) profile, or that adopt a night-active (NA) profile when given access to running wheels. For DA animals housed with or without wheels, significant rhythms of PER1 or PER2 protein expression featured peaks in the late morning; NA animals showed patterns similar to those expected from nocturnal laboratory rats. Since the PVN is part of the circuit that controls pineal rhythms, we also measured circulating levels of melatonin during the day and night in DA animals with and without wheels and in NA wheel runners. All three groups showed elevated levels of melatonin at night, with higher levels during both the day and night being associated with the levels of activity displayed by each group. The differential phase of rhythms in the clock-gene protein in the PVN of diurnal and nocturnal animals presents a possible mechanism for explaining species differences in the phase of autonomic rhythms controlled, in part, by the PVN. The present study suggests that the phase of the oscillator of the PVN does not determine that of the melatonin rhythm in diurnal and nocturnal species or in diurnal and nocturnal chronotypes within a species.
Distance dependence of heterogeneous electron transfer through the nonadiabatic and adiabatic regimes

Abstract The Landau–Zener formalism, which is strictly valid for a two-state system, is extended to multistate systems by assuming that the electronic interaction between the redox moiety and a given energy level in the electrode is independent of the energy of the level and of the neighboring levels. The resultant electron transmission coefficient, κel,m, over the full range (nonadiabatic to adiabatic regimes) is defined by κ el , m = 2 ( 1 - exp [ - ( ν el , m 0 / 2 ν n ) exp [ - β ( r - r 0 ) ] ] ) / ( 2 - exp [ - ( ν el , m 0 / 2 ν n ) exp [ - β ( r - r 0 ) ] ] ) where r (cm) is the distance between the electrode and the redox moiety, r0 (cm) is the distance between the electrode and the plane of closest approach for the redox moieties, νn (s−1) is the effective nuclear vibration frequency, ν el , m 0 ( s - 1 ) is the energy-independent electron-hopping frequency when r = r0 and when the reactants and products have the same nuclear configurations and energies, and β (cm−1) is the decay constant for electronic coupling. This relationship is shown to be an adequate approximation of the more rigorously derived results of Kuznetsov et al. [J. Electroanal. Chem. 532 (2002) 171] which is valid from weakly coupled (nonadiabatic, ν el , m 0 / ν n ≪ 1 ) to strongly coupled (adiabatic, ν el , m 0 / ν n ≫ 1 ) regimes. We also show that the distance dependence of κel,m is consistent with the experimental observations of Smalley et al. [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125 (2003) 2004]. The expression for κel,m also leads to a remarkably simple description of khet (units: cm s−1), the rate constant for heterogeneous electron transfer between an electrode and redox species in solution: k het = ( ν n κ n , m / β ) ln ( 1 + ν el , m 0 / ν n ) where κn,m is the nuclear reorganization factor.
Ganglioside GT1b Induces Keratinocyte Differentiation without Activating Protein Kinase C

The altered patterns of expression of gangliosides during density-dependent growth inhibition, oncogenic transformation, and embryogenesis suggest that gangliosides, sialylated membrane glycolipids, may affect cellular proliferation and differentiation. Gangliosides of the "b" pathway of ganglioside synthesis, including GM3, GD3, and GD1b, inhibit the proliferation of cultured keratinocytes without increasing differentiation. We have examined the effect on keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation of supplemental ganglioside GT1b, a more highly sialylated ganglioside of the "b" synthetic pathway that is also present in cultured keratinocytes. In contrast to the lack of effect on differentiation of these other gangliosides, we noted significant induction of keratinocyte differentiation by GT1b, as evidenced by early desmosome formation, and increased cornified envelope formation and expression of involucrin and of the differentiation-specific keratin K1. The addition of GT1b did not cause a shift in intracellular free calcium or alter protein kinase C activity. Alterations in the membrane concentration of ganglioside GT1b, a minor ganglioside component of the keratinocyte membrane, may participate in regulating keratinocyte differentiation.
Self-Consistent Model of Concentration and Temperature Dependence of Permeability in Rubbery Polymers

A model describing the concentration and temperature dependences of gas and vapor permeability in rubbery polymers is presented. The solubility and permeability of propane in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), a commercially used vapor separation membrane material, were determined over a wide range of temperatures and pressures to test the model. The model describes propane permeability in PDMS with an average error of 8.2%. The model also accurately predicts a decrease in propane permeability in PDMS with decreasing permeate pressure at fixed feed pressure. The model has also been tested satisfactorily using literature data for transport of condensable penetrants in PDMS and poly(ethylene).
Impact of depressive symptoms on hospitalization risk in community-dwelling older persons

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether depressive symptoms in older adults are associated with an increased risk for hospitalization. DESIGN: A 6 month cohort study. SETTING: Five counties in the northern Piedmont of North Carolina from the Duke University site of the Established Populations for Epidemiological Studies of the Elderly project. PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 3486 community-dwelling adults, aged 65 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Crude risk ratios for the effect of depressive symptoms on 6 month risk for hospitalization were calculated, followed by a multivariable analysis controlling for demographics and health status. RESULTS: Three hundred participants were hospitalized during the 6 month follow-up period. The crude risk ratio for the effect of depressive symptoms on hospitalization was 1.95 (95% CI = 1.47–2.58). Subgroup analysis showed significant positive risk ratios for men aged 65 to 74 and ≥75, and women aged 65 to 74. After a multivariable analysis, however, these associations remained significant only among men ≥75 (RR = 3.43; 95% CI = 1.33–8.86). CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms were independently associated with a more than threefold increased risk for hospitalization among men aged ≥75. This result reflects differences in the effects of depressive symptoms across age and gender groups, and emphasizes that symptoms of depression influence overall health and medical utilization among, at the very least, the oldest subset of men.
Building Care Systems to Improve Access for High-Risk and Vulnerable Veteran Populations

BACKGROUND For many high-risk patients, accessing primary care is challenged by competing needs and priorities, socioeconomics, and other circumstances. The resulting lack of treatment engagement makes these vulnerable patient populations susceptible to poor health outcomes and an over-reliance on emergency department-based care.
Interindustry Goods Market Networks and Industry Lobbying for Trade Policy

This study investigates how interindustry goods market networks influence industry lobbying as foreign firms' direct investment and local production increase in the United States. The goods market networks consist of each sector's procurement of inputs from other sectors and the sectoral destinations of its outputs. I found that domestic upstream sectors modify their lobbying in ways dissimilar to those of downstream sectors when foreign firms' local production and sales increase. Upstream sectors lobby more when US affiliates of foreign firms that procure inputs from their own supply chains gain market share at the expense of domestic firms in investment-receiving sectors. In contrast, downstream sectors lobby less when they save input procurement costs as domestic and foreign firms compete to produce quality goods at a lower price. The empirical results imply that goods market networks provide another theoretical framework, in addition to that provided by factor or sector models, in the analysis of demand side of trade policy.