cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Claiming the employer‐provided child care credit

Providing child care facilities for employees who need it is the smart thing to do. And you can also claim a tax credit. Here's how. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simulation and Computer-Animated Devices: The New Minimally Invasive Skills Training Paradigm

Complex surgical technologies, restricted resident work hours, and limited case volumes in surgical practice have created new challenges to surgical education. At the same time, maintenance of established skills and development of new skills are becoming increasingly important for surgeons, especially skills related to technically challenging minimally invasive surgical therapies. In addition, minimally invasive therapies are highly dependent on uniquely specialized teams of health care workers. For all of these reasons, simulation is gaining attention in surgical education for the development and refinement of minimally invasive surgical skills and technique. This article summarizes developments and challenges related to simulation in surgical education, especially as it relates to minimally invasive surgical therapies in the field of urology.
An adaptive emission model for Monte Carlo simulations in highly inhomogeneous media represented by stochastic particle fields

Abstract Traditional Monte Carlo ray-tracing (MCRT) methods for continuous participating media are not applicable in media represented by point masses (or stochastic particles) frequently encountered in combustion modeling. In the authors’ previous work several ray models and particle models have been proposed for radiation simulations in such media. In the present paper an efficient emission scheme is developed for MCRT in highly inhomogeneous media represented by particle fields. Ray energies are limited to a narrow range to reduce statistical error, by having particles emit numbers of photons proportional to their emissive power (including combination of weak particles). A method to evaluate the radiative heat source, required by the overall energy equation, is also developed. A particle field representing the highly inhomogeneous medium in a turbulent jet flame is employed to test the proposed methods.
Post-reinforcement electrocortical synchronization and facilitation of cortical auditory evoked potentials in appetitive instrumental conditioning

Abstract Food deprived cats trained to press a lever on a variable interval schedule for milk reward displayed bursts of relatively large amplitude spindle ECoG activity topographically restricted to the parieto-occipital region during the consumption of reward. An attempt was made to explore the mechanisms involved in these ECoG phenomena known as post-reinforcement synchronization (PRS). When each lever press was rewarded, the parieto-occipital cortex displayed almost continuous spindle bursts whereas the somato-sensory cortex remained desyncronized. In trained subjects both milk or water produced identical PRS. However, when water was substituted for milk during the course of an experiment, PRS was completely suppressed and overt signs of emotionality appeared. Subjects allowed to drink milk from a bowl displayed a similar topographically restricted ECoG synchronization. Both types of consummatory ECoG synchronization were suppressed in darkness or by novel environmental stimuli, and both were indiscernible from sleep-spindle ECoG activity recorded from the same region in satiated subjects, although during sleep the occurrence of spindles did not depend on the presence of light and their cortical distribution was more diffuse. Subjects were habituated to a tone (850 c/sec) or click which did not disrupt their performance and the occurrence of PRS or sleep. The primary and secondary evoked potentials recorded from various cortical projections during bursts of PRS were conspicuously augmented. Their amplitude, much greater than that recorded during relaxed wakefulness in satiated subjects, was comparable to that observed during spindle-slow wave sleep. The evoked potentials recorded after non-rewarded lever pressing; i.e. , during desynchronized ECoG activity were poorly developed; they were comparable to those observed during emotional excitement. Considering the similarity of PRS patterns and sleep ECoG synchronization and assuming that the amplitude of auditory evoked potentials produced by an irrelevant stimulus reflects the fluctuations in the tonus of the reticular activating system (RAS), our results suggest that: (1) PRS is triggered by a transient depression of RAS; and (2) there is a functional overlap between reward centers and hypnogenic ( i.e. , synchronizing) influences.
Chern-Simons matrix model: Coherent states and relation to Laughlin wave functions

Using a coherent state representation we derive many-body probability distributions and wave functions for the Chern-Simons matrix model proposed by Polychronakos and compare them to the Laughlin ones. We analyze two different coherent state representations, corresponding to different choices for electron coordinate bases. In both cases we find that the resulting probability distributions do not quite agree with the Laughlin ones. There is agreement on the long distance behavior, but the short distance behavior is different.
Defect annihilation at grain boundaries in alpha-Fe

Understanding radiation responses of Fe-based metals is essential to develop radiation tolerant steels for longer and safer life cycles in harsh reactor environments. Nanograined metals have been explored as self-healing materials due to point-defect recombination at grain boundaries. The fundamental defect-boundary interactions, however, are not yet well understood. We discover that the interactions are always mediated by formation and annealing of chain-like defects, which consist of alternately positioned interstitials and vacancies. These chain-like defects are closely correlated to the patterns of defect formation energy minima on the grain boundary, which depend on specific boundary configurations. Through chain-like defects, a point defect effectively translates large distances, to annihilate with its opposite, thus grain boundaries act as highly efficient defect sinks that cannot saturate under extreme radiation conditions.
Some problems in determination of gap-state density in amorphous silicon

Abstract Measurement techniques of gap-state density in amorphous silicon (a-Si) are briefly reviewed and discussed. Especially, their applicability to a-Si which possesses rather high densities of states in the gap, when, e.g., deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), is discussed. The a-Si produced by CVD is pure and thus exhibits properties relating only to positional disorder, in contrast with hydrogenated a-Si produced by glow discharge. When a-Si involves high gap-state density, hopping conduction through the gap states usually predominates and must be taken into account in the analysis of gap-state density. In this paper, two ways to measure gap-state density in CVD a-Si are described. One of them is basically an improvement of the field-effect method, and the other is the high-frequency capacitance-voltage method. Results of such measurements of the gap-state density in CVD a-Si are presented.
Buckling analysis of geometrically imperfect stiffened cylinders under axial compression

The buckling analysis of an imperfect, thin, circular, cylindrical, stiffened shell under uniform axial compression and for various end conditions is investigated. A methodology is presented for predicting critical conditions for such configurations. This methodology is based on the smeared technique and the von KarmanDonnell nonlinear kinematic relations in the presence of geometric imperfections. The computational procedure employs a Fourier series type of separated solution, and through the Galerkin procedure the field equations are reduced to a system of ordinary differential equations. These equations are solved by the finite-difference scheme. Numerical results for numerous stiffened and unstiffened configurations are presented.
Über elektrencephalographische Beobachtungen beim Insulinschock

Das Verhalten der Hirnrindenpotentiale wurde uber der frontalen, hochfrontalen, zentralen und occipitalen Region 4fach unipolar fortlaufend wahrend 7 Insulinschocks registriert. Es zeigte sich, das gleichartige Veranderungen unter Insulinschockwirkung bei allen Probanden auftraten.
Herpesviridae in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells of the proximal aorta in arteriosclerotic patients

Punch-biopsy specimens were obtained from uninvolved areas of the proximal aorta of each of 60 patients with atherosclerosis undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Electron microscopic study of the smooth muscle and endothelial cells of the aortas showed cellular hyperplasia, nuclear and nucleolar atypia. Virions of the Herpesviridae family were observed in ten of the patients. They were detected in occasional smooth muscle and rare endothelial cells. Specimens were taken from three separate sites of each aorta and distributed into five blocks for each patient. In only a single block from each of the ten positive patients could virus be identified. Nine of the ten virus-positive patients also exhibited intracytoplasmic microtubular inclusions. In four patients only the microtubular inclusions were seen. Microcapillaries were observed in the midportion of the media, which we consider to be an attempt of a repair process.
Vortex Characterization for Engineering Applications

Realistic engineering simulation data often have features that are not optimally resolved due to practical limitations on mesh resolution. To be useful to application engineers, vortex characterization techniques must be sufficiently robust to handle realistic data with complex vortex topologies. In this paper, we present enhancements to the vortex topology identification component of an existing vortex characterization algorithm. The modified techniques are demonstrated by application to three realistic data sets that illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of our approach.
Linking Theory and Evidence in an Archaeology of Human Agency: Iconography, Style, and Theories of Embodiment

Many of the theories that inspire agency approaches in archaeology identify deep philosophical problems with other lines of thought. This creates challenges for identifying methods: do radical theories require radical methods? Choosing as a case study one of agency’s interpretive frameworks (embodiment) and, further, a single class of evidence (anthropomorphic imagery), I argue that the answer is “no.” In this case, familiar art historical methods, deliberately played off one against the other, provide a middle range framework for linking theory and evidence.
Hydrogen bonding Part 53. Correlation of differential scanning calorimetric data with IR and dissociation vapor pressure studies of transitions of hexamethonium chloride and bromide dihydrates and hexamethonium bromide monohydrate

Abstract Differential scanning calorimetry of hexamethonium chloride dihydrate shows an endothermic transition of 2.70 kcal mol−1 at 36.81°C. This correlates well with the temperatures observed by IR spectra (36°C) and equilibrium dissociation vapor pressure studies (37°C) for the transition between Type I planar cluster and Type II extended linear HOH⋯Cl− hydrogen bonding, and with the value of 2.77 kcal mol−1 for this transition derived by Hess' law treatment of dissociation vapor pressure data. Differential scanning calorimetry of hexamethonium bromide shows a rapid endothermic transition of 2.38 kcal mol−1 at 35.15°C and a very slow endothermic transition of about 12–13 kcal mol−1 centered near 50°C. This latter endotherm corresponds to the transition between Type I and Type II HOH⋯Br− hydrogen bonding observed by IR and vapor pressure studies at 49°C. The nature of the 35.15°C endotherm is not known. Hexamethonium bromide also shows a third endotherm at 142.91°C, which presumably results from melting of hydrate in the sealed DSC cell. Combined analysis of differential scanning calorimetry and dissociation vapor pressure data predicts a value of about −13 kcal mol−1 for an exothermic disproportionation at 52°C of two hexamethonium bromide monohydrate to Type II dihydrate and anhydrous bromide.
Epigenetic Mechanisms may Underlie the Aetiology of Sex Differences in Mental Health Risk and Resilience

In this review, we propose that experiential and hormonal influences on biological sex during development may produce differences in the epigenome, and that these differences play an important role in gating risk or resilience to a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders. One intriguing hypothesis is that the framework belying sex differences in the brain creates differences in methylation and demethylation patterns, and these in turn confer risk and resilience to mental health disorders. Here, we discuss these concepts with regard to social behaviour in rodent models and briefly discuss their possible relevance to human disease.
Medical school application interview score has limited predictive validity for performance on a fourth year clinical practice examination.

Background and purpose: Data supporting the predictive validity of the medical school admission interview are mixed. This study tested the hypothesis that the admission interview is predictive of interpersonal interactions between medical students and standardized patients.
Novel Approach to Soldier Flame Protection

The U.S. Army desires low cost combat uniform fabrics that provide flame protection, visual and near infrared camouflage, comfort, and durability. Prior to material development, the flame threat and hazard was investigated and characterized. Flammability related test methods were reviewed and pass/fail criteria for instrumented manikin testing was established based on military medical doctrine. Various fibers, fiber blends, and functional finishes were investigated and novel blend materials were developed. Textile manufacturing methods not traditionally used in military protective clothing such as core-spun yarn spinning and direct fiber-to-fabric non-woven technologies were also investigated. When compared to the standard issue combat uniform, the best performing protective clothing configuration demonstrated a reduction in total body burn from 88% to 8%. Safe exposure limits of up to 5 s were established.
Should patients with Cowden syndrome undergo prophylactic thyroidectomy

Background Cowden syndrome (CS) is dominantly inherited and predisposes patients to tumors in multiple organs. We characterized CS-associated malignant and benign thyroid disease. Methods Of data from 3,477 prospectively recruited CS patients with known genetic analysis, we analyzed 225 PTEN mutation+ patients whose treatment occurred at our center ( n = 25) or other hospitals nationwide ( n = 200). Results A total of 32 of 225 PTEN mutation+ patients (14%) had thyroid cancer: 52% papillary, 28% follicular-variant papillary, 14% follicular, and 6% anaplastic. Median age at diagnosis was 35 years compared with 49 years for Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results population data. Initial thyroid ultrasonography in 16 of 25 patients revealed thyroiditis/goiters in all >13 years age, leading to FNA in 7 (64%), thyroidectomy in 3 (27%), and new cancer diagnosis in 2 (18%). Three with severe autism required intraoperative sedation for ultrasonography. A total of 9 of 25 patients were monitored after multiple partial thyroidectomies for goiters by age 42 ( n = 5), thyroiditis, or cancer detected by age 36 ( n = 3). Conclusion PTEN mutation+ patients with CS have an enormous prevalence of thyroid disease. Earlier screening may be advisable because thyroiditis and nodules are seen by the time patients reach adolescence, and cancer diagnosis occurs on average 14 years earlier than expected. Furthermore, the risks observed may justify prophylactic total thyroidectomy in select, if not all, patients, particularly those with developmental disorders.
Oxidative stress defense mechanisms to counter iron-promoted DNA damage in Helicobacter pylori

Iron, a key element in Fenton chemistry, causes oxygen-related toxicity to cells of most living organisms. Helicobacter pylori is a microaerophilic bacterium that infects human gastric mucosa and causes a series of gastric diseases. Exposure of H. pylori cells to air for 2 h elevated the level of free iron by about 4-fold as measured by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. H. pylori cells accumulated more free iron as they approached stationary phase growth, and they concomitantly suffered more DNA damage as indicated by DNA fragmentation analysis. Relationships between the intracellular free iron level, specific oxidative stress enzymes, and DNA damage were identified, and new roles for three oxidative stress-combating enzymes in H. pylori are proposed. Mutant cells defective in either catalase (KatA), in superoxide dismutase (SodB) or in alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpC) were more sensitive to oxidative stress conditions; and they accumulated more free (toxic) iron; and they suffered more DNA fragmentation compared to wild type cells. A significant proportion of cells of sodB, ahpC, or katA mutant strains developed into the stress-induced coccoid form or lysed; they also contained significantly higher amounts of 8-oxo-guanine associated with their DNA, compared to wild type cells.
Are circulating cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α involved in chlorpyrifos-induced fever?

Oral exposure to chlorpyrifos (CHP) in the rat results in an initial hypothermic response followed by a delayed fever. Fever from infection is mediated by the release of cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha). This study determined if the CHP-induced fever involves cytokine-mediated mechanisms similar to that of infectious fevers. Long-Evans rats were gavaged with the corn oil vehicle or CHP (10-50 mg/kg). The rats were euthanized and blood collected at various times that corresponded with the hypothermic and febrile effects of CHP. Plasma IL-6, TNF alpha, cholinesterase activity (ChE), total iron, unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC), and zinc were measured. ChE activity was reduced by approximately 50% 4 h after CHP. There was no effect of CHP on IL-6 when measured during the period of CHP-induced hypothermia or fever. TNF alpha levels nearly doubled in female rats 48 h after 25 mg/kg CHP. The changes in plasma cytokine levels following CHP were relatively small when compared to > 1000-fold increase in IL-6 and > 10-fold rise in TNF alpha following lipopolysaccharide (E. coli; 50 microg/kg; i.p.)-induced fever. This does not preclude a role of cytokines in CHP-induced fever. Nonetheless, the data suggest that the delayed fever from CHP is unique, involving mechanisms other than TNF alpha and IL-6 release into the circulation characteristic of infectious fevers.
Surface-enhanced vibrational investigation of adsorbed analgesics

Abstract Adsorption properties of acetylsalicylic acid (AA), ibuprofen and acetaminophen deposited from volatile solvents with varying protic/aprotic properties on vacuum-evaporated silver films were characterized using surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). SERS preferentially enhances monolayer Raman shifts, while SEIRA can enhance the infrared absorbance of the monolayer and multilayers. To our best knowledge, this is the first reported study of these molecules using a combination of SERS/SEIRA. SERS revealed that AA and ibuprofen adsorbed ionically in monolayers, independent of the deposition solvents used in the process. SEIRA experiments showed that AA multilayers condensed molecularly using a deposition solvent with polar bonds. However, when an alkane deposition solvent with non-polar bonds such as n-heptane was used, AA adsorbed as acetylsalicylate ions in the first few multilayers, while ibuprofen always adsorbed as the free acid in the multilayer. These ionization trends depend upon the affinity of AA and ibuprofen for the underlying silver film. TPD experiments on silver powders further demonstrated that ibuprofen affinity for silver was less than AA. Furthermore, SEIRA indicated that acetaminophen adsorbed as multilayers of metastable polymorphs using protic or polar aprotic deposition solvents. Protic deposition solvents gave higher quality SERS spectra of an acetaminophen monolayer in comparison to polar aprotic deposition solvents. Such studies could find significant applications in biochemical and nanotechnology processes such as drug delivery, catalysis, and tissue engineering and will contribute to the understanding of the impact and fate of analgesics released into the environment.
Theoretical interpretation of the ground-based photometry of Saturn's B ring

Small tilt angle photographic photometry obtained during 1979 and 1981 apparitions is combined with previous data to derive physical parameters for the Saturn B ring in red and blue colors. The value of the volume density is 0.020 + or - 0.004, with no indication of dependence on either the color or the tilt for values between 6 and 26 deg. For the geometric albedo of a single particle, the derived values of 0.61 + or - 0.04 in the red and 0.41 + or - 0.03 in the blue are superior to earlier estimates lacking the most recent data. The present results indicate that the ground-based photometry is fully consistent with the classical, many-particle-thick ring model.
Evidence for a heritable component in death resulting from aortic and mitral valve diseases.

Background— Cardiac valvular diseases contribute to >42 000 deaths yearly in the United States, but the role of genetics in these deaths is unknown. This study evaluated the familiality of death resulting from aortic, mitral, and all valvular diseases using a population-based genealogy linked to death records. Methods and Results— The Utah Population Database contains >2 million individual records with genealogy data and 250 000 linked death certificates. Nonrheumatic aortic (n=932), mitral (n=1165), and all valvular (n=2504) disease deaths and rheumatic heart disease deaths (n=4713) were studied. Familial relative risks (FRRs) were assessed for first- and second-degree relatives. Familiality was also evaluated with the genealogical index of familiality, which considers all relationships in the Utah Population Database. FRRs were increased only for mitral valve death in both first-degree (FRR, 2.55; P<0.0001) and second-degree (FRR, 1.67; P<0.0001) relatives. Genealogical index of familiality analysis sho...
Reducing lead time for modeling in CAD simulation softwares

Flexible components, such as rubber hoses, are subject to large elastic deformations during movement of the rigid components to which they are attached. Currently, there is no inherent capability in any solid modeling software to accurately depict the shape of the hose between any two attachment points. Keil (2001) made the hose model in ADAMS/View simulation software. Keil (2002) stated that it is a very time consuming and cumbersome process to set up the model with the flexible beams and its associated joints for modeling of a flexible body without any user errors. This paper presents a method to automatically build a flexible element model using the principles of spatial orientation and vector mathematics. These accurate mathematical principles would maintain the precision in the flexible element model as suggested by Keil while reducing the time for building a hose model to minutes from hours.
Labour Force Status and Sexual Orientation

This study explores the probabilities of being employed, unemployed, and not in the labour force, for men and women in same-sex couples and married and unmarried opposite-sex couples. Same-sex partners were more likely to be unemployed than married opposite-sex partners but less likely than unmarried oppositesex partners. Laws prohibiting sexual orientation discrimination had positive and larger effects on unemployment for same-sex partners than for other partners. The presence of young children increased the probability of being out of the labour force more for male same-sex partners than for other men, and less for female same-sex partners than for other women.
Pupillometry and Memory: External Signals of Metacognitive Control

For centuries, researchers have examined the dynamics of pupil dilation and constriction, as it is well known that pupil size is affected by many physical stimuli, including ambient lighting and temperature (e.g., Fontana, Dei moti dell’iride, 1765). Less well known is that the pupils also dilate in response to nonphysical stimuli, such as emotions and thoughts. These latter changes, phasic pupillary reflexes, follow the onset of cognitive processing. The neurophysiological mechanisms of these reflexes have been attributed to autonomic nervous system activity, including parasympathetic nervous system areas that are controlled by the locus coeruleus–norepinephrine (LC-NE) system of the brain. Tight correspondences between single-cell firing rates in the monkey LC-NE system and concomitant pupil dilation/constriction suggest that the LC-NE system is critically involved in controlling phasic pupillary changes. Relevant to students of memory, the LC-NE system is also involved in memory consolidation, and is active during retrieval. Animal models reveal close correspondence between accurate learning and memory and the involvement of the autonomic system, and stimulation of the vagus nerve is associated with memory formation and consolidation. Because of the connection between pupillary reflexes and neuroanatomical structures related to memory, researchers have recently used pupillometry to investigate questions of human memory. In this chapter, we review that evidence, and discuss phasic pupillary reflexes in relation to subjective feelings of memory, including feelings of future memory during learning. Such findings suggest a tight connection between pupillary changes and self-regulated cognition, and point toward new approaches to study the motivation–cognition interface.
Sugar maple seedling carbon assimilation at the northern limit of its range: the importance of seasonal light

Using in situ light curves and understory seasonal light measurements the importance of canopy avoidance was evaluated for a population of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) seedlings living at th...
Suicide Attempt Self-Injury Interview (SASII): Development, Reliability, and Validity of a Scale to Assess Suicide Attempts and Intentional Self-Injury

The authors describe the development of the Suicide Attempt Self-Injury Interview (SASII), an instrument designed to assess the factors involved in nonfatal suicide attempts and intentional self-injury. Using 4 cohorts of participants, authors generated SASII items and evaluated them with factor and content analyses and internal consistency statistics. The final measure was assessed for reliability and validity with collateral measures. The SASII assesses variables related to method, lethality and impulsivity of the act, likelihood of rescue, suicide intent or ambivalence and other motivations, consequences, and habitual self-injury. The SASII was found to have very good interrater reliability and adequate validity.
Child Mortality, Women's Status, Economic Dependency, and State Strength: A Cross-National Study of Less Developed Countries

Many cross-national studies of child mortality emphasize predictors linked to industrialism theory; a smaller number consider those linked to dependency theory. This study introduces two new perspectives to the analysis of cross-national differences in child mortality rates: developmental state theory andgender stratification theory. Panel regression (1960 to 1991) and LISREL models are used with a sample of 86 less developed countries. Wefind thatforeign investment and debt dependency have adverse indirect effects on child mortality. These effects are mediated by variables linked to industrialism theory and gender stratification theory. Women's education, health, and reproductive autonomy all play roles as mediating variables as does rate of economic growth. State strength has a substantial beneficial direct effect on child mortality rate. Child mortality rate, for children under age 5, is one of the best indicators of the physical well-being of children in less developed countries (LDCs), and it is also considered one of best indicators of social development more generally (UNICEF 1989). Comparative sociologists have long been interested in the relationship between indicators of social and economic development associated with industrialism theory and a variety of mortality-related
Using agent-based simulation to reduce collateral damage during military operations

Modeling collateral damage has challenged military simulation officers for some time. Past equations-based models calculate attrition of forces and battlefield effects but do not model complex environments [Delaney 2003]. Thus they do not approximate the interactive nature of crowds, information operations, communications infrastructure effects on battlefield performance, and long-term attitudes towards military operations. This effort demonstrates that the U.S. Air Force's agent-based systems effectiveness analysis simulation (SEAS) tool can model collateral damage. By creating and testing two distinct scenarios under different rules of engagement, a tradeoff between collateral damage and mission effectiveness was demonstrated. Future research includes modifying SEAS to better model urban conflict and dynamically updating agent behavior
Atmospheric neutrino flux above 1 GeV

In this paper we extend an earlier calculation of the flux of atmospheric neutrinos to higher energy. The earlier calculation of the neutrino flux below 3 GeV has been used for calculation of the rate of contained neutrino interactions in deep underground detectors. The fluxes are needed up to neutrino energies of 10 TeV to calculate the expected rate of neutrino-induced muons passing into and through large, deep detectors. We compare our results with several other calculations, and we evaluate the uncertainty in the rate of neutrino-induced muons due to uncertainties in the neutrino flux. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Invariants and canonical forms for output feedback

In this paper we announce some new results on the problem of classifying linear systems up to equivalence under change of bases in the input and output spaces and transformations by output feedback. In classical, root-locus terminology, we now know that a scalar system is completely characterized, modulo feedback, by the locations of its zeroes and its real and complex "break-away" points. In the multivariable case, a classification by such a complete set of invariants is out of the question, but we do give positive results for a generic class of systems - the class of nondegenerate systems which were introduced in the study of root-loci and output feedback pole-assignment in the late 1970's and early 1980's.
Higher-Order Accurate Computations of Maneuvering Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle Configurations

In this paper a well-validated and robust high-order technique is used to solve the unsteady, three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations for a 50.. sweep delta wing undergoing dynamic motion. A higher-order overset mesh technique is used to represent complex geometric details and accomplish efficient parallel implementation via a domain decomposition approach. A novel hybrid RANS/ILES approach is investigated for modeling the massively separated, turbulent flows over this low sweep wing. Initial computations for a constant rate pitching motion and a sinusoidally oscillating plunging motion are performed. Vortex reformation is demonstrated as a result of the sinusoidal plunging motion.
Pre-Menopausal Women, Classified as Hypo- or Hyper-Responders, do not Alter their LDL/HDL Ratio Following a High Dietary Cholesterol Challenge

Background: Cholesterol is the dietary component that has elicited the most public interest in conjunction with coronary heart disease. However, the impact of excess dietary cholesterol intake on plasma cholesterol levels cannot be accurately predicted; therefore, its role in disease progression is not straightforward. Individual response variation can be due to factors such as ethnicity, hormonal status, obesity and genetic predisposition.Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences that occur within the plasma compartment of normolipidemic pre-menopausal women, classified based on their response to a high dietary cholesterol challenge.Design: We recruited 51 pre-menopausal women (29 Caucasian and 22 of Hispanic origin) aged 18 to 49 years with initial plasma cholesterol concentrations ranging from 3.62 to 5.17 mmol/L. Using a cross-over research design, women were randomly allocated to an egg (640 mg additional dietary cholesterol per day) or placebo group (0 mg additional dietar...
A prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of acetaminophen and diphenhydramine pretransfusion medication versus placebo for the prevention of transfusion reactions

BACKGROUND: Acetaminophen and diphenhydramine are commonly used as pretransfusion medications to prevent transfusion reactions. The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare the risk of transfusion reactions in hematology/oncology patients who receive acetaminophen with diphenhydramine or placebo before transfusion. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled transfusion reaction study of 315 eligible patients was performed. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 18 to 65 years admitted to the leukemia or bone marrow transplant (BMT) services. Patients were excluded if they had a known allergy to either acetaminophen or diphenhydramine or had a documented history of a febrile or allergic transfusion reaction. All blood products were administered using a leukofilter. Study medications were given 30 minutes before transfusions and no other acetaminophen or diphenhydramine was given within 4 hours of administration of the study medications. Patients were monitored for the development of reaction symptoms within 4 hours after the transfusion. RESULTS: A total of 154 active drug patients were compared to 161 placebo patients. There was no significant difference in the overall risk of transfusion reactions between the two groups. However, analysis of specific reaction types revealed a significant decrease in the risk of febrile reactions when pretransfusion medication is used in addition to bedside leukoreduction. CONCLUSIONS: Pretransfusion medication of leukemia or BMT patients without a history of transfusion reaction does not decrease the overall risk of transfusion reactions. However, pretransfusion medication may decrease the risk of febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions to leukoreduced blood products.
Comparison of square and radial geometries for high intensity laser power beaming receivers

In an effort to further advance a realizable form of wireless power transmission (WPT), high intensity laser power beaming (HILPB) has been developed for both space and terrestrial applications. Unique optical-to-electrical receivers are employed with near infrared (IR-A) continuous-wave (CW) semiconductor lasers to experimentally investigate the HILPB system. In this paper, parasitic feedback, uneven illumination and the implications of receiver array geometries are considered and experimental hardware results for HILPB are presented. The TEM 00 Gaussian energy profile of the laser beam presents a challenge to the effectiveness of the receiver to perform efficient photoelectric conversion, due to the resulting non-uniform illumination of the photovoltaic cell arrays. In this investigation, the geometry of the receiver is considered as a technique to tailor the receiver design to accommodate the Gaussian beam profile, and in doing so it is demonstrated that such a methodology is successful in generating bulk receiver output power levels reaching 25 W from 7.2 cm2 of photovoltaic cells. These results are scalable, and may be realized by implementing receiver arraying and utilizing higher power source lasers to achieve a 1.0 m2 receiver capable of generating over 30 kW of electrical power. This type of system would enable long range optical ‘refueling’ of electric platforms, such as MUAV's, airships, robotic exploration missions and provide power to spacecraft platforms which may utilize it to drive electric means of propulsion. In addition, a smaller HILPB receiver aperture size could be utilized to establish a robust optical communications link within environments containing high levels of background radiance, to achieve high signal to noise ratios.
A surface precipitation model for the sorption of cations on metal oxides

Abstract A new model for the sorption of cations on metal oxides is formulated which allows for a continuum between surface reactions and precipitation. The model extends the surface complexation approach by considering precipitation on the solid to be described by the formation of a solid solution whose composition varies continuously between that of the original solid and a pure precipitate of the sorbing cation. The ability of the surface precipitation model to describe the equilibrium sorption of metal cations on amorphous iron hydroxide is demonstrated. The model can also be extended to describe cation competition and anion sorption.
Stretch-activated neuronal pathways to longitudinal and circular muscle in guinea pig distal colon

The role of the longitudinal muscle (LM) layer during the peristaltic reflex in the small and large intestine is unclear. In this study, we have made double and quadruple simultaneous intracellular...
The separation and explicit declaration of model control structures in support of object-oriented simulation

The author introduces concepts for the separation of model logic control structures from simulation models in support of the object-oriented simulation of manufacturing systems. A three-part separation of simulation model structures is proposed to support and enhance object-oriented simulation of manufacturing systems. The three-part structural separation is made to enhance flexibility, extensibility, modularity, reusability, and understandability. The process of partitioning a simulation model into these three parts utilizes systems modeling and object-oriented modeling principles. These modeling principles enable definition of the individual modules which represent the natural partitioned structure and dynamics which should be present in an object-oriented simulation model. >
Inhibition of CMP-sialic acid transport into Golgi vesicles by nucleoside monophosphates.

We examined the interactions of nucleotides with the CMP-sialic acid transporter in order to better understand which features play a role in binding and to investigate the relationship between binding and subsequent transport. With respect to the sugar, the transporter requires a complete ribose ring for tight binding, and the 2‘-ara hydrogen makes an important contact. The enzyme exhibits little specificity with respect to the 2‘- and 3‘-hydroxyls, as it tolerated substitutions ranging from fluorine to an azido group. In the base, the C4 amine and C2 carbonyl groups make important contacts, while the N3 nitrogen does not. However, adding a methyl group to N3 dramatically reduced binding, indicating that mass at this position sterically hinders binding. Adding a group at C5 had either no effect or slightly enhanced binding. To determine if the transporter recognizes these CMP analogues as substrates, we assayed them for their ability to trans stimulate CMP-sialic acid import. These data suggest that the e...
Evolution of plastic anisotropy in amorphous polymers during finite straining

The large strain deformation response of amorphous polymers results primarily from orientation of the polymer chains during plastic straining. Through mechanical testing the nature of the evolution of chain orientation under different conditions of temperature and state of strain is developed. A rubber elasticity spring system which is capable of capturing the state of deformation dependence of hardening is used to develop a tensorial internal state variable model of the evolving anisotropic polymer response. This fully three-dimensional constitutive model is shown to be successfully predictive of our uniaxial compression, plane strain compression and uniaxial tension experiments on polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate over a range of strain rates and temperatures.
Essentials of sepsis management.

Abstract Despite remarkable advances in the knowledge of infection and human response to it, sepsis continues to be one of the most common challenges surgeons and critical care providers face. Surgeons confront the problem of infection every day, in treating established infections or reacting to a consequence of surgical intervention. Infections after surgery continue to be a problem despite massive efforts to prevent them. Patients rely on the surgeon's ability to recognize infection and treat it. Also, preventing nosocomial infection and antibiotic resistance is a primary responsibility. This article describes diagnostic and therapeutic measures for sepsis in the perioperative surgical patient.
Herpes Zoster and Post-herpetic Neuralgia

Herpes zoster (HZ), which is commonly referred to as shingles, is a syndrome of pain and skin rash that is caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV). After primary varicella infection (chicken pox), the virus goes into latency in the spinal cord ganglia. The virus is reactivated when immunity to VZV declines as happens with aging or immunosuppression. The risk of zoster increases steeply after the age of 50 years. Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), defined as pain persisting more than 3 months after the skin rash has healed, is a serious consequence of HZ that is difficult to treat and significantly impacts quality of life. Early recognition and treatment of HZ is helpful in reducing acute symptoms but may not impact PHN. A live, attenuated zoster vaccine (Zostavax, Merck and Co. Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA) is currently recommended for adults over the age of 60 to prevent HZ and PHN. The vaccine reduces the incidence of HZ by 50 % and PHN by 67 %. It is safe and is well tolerated; most common side effects of the vaccine are minor local injection site reactions and headache. Despite being available since 2006, the vaccine remains underutilized, and by most recent estimates, less than one quarter of individuals over the age of 60 have been vaccinated. It is a live viral vaccine and is therefore contraindicated in immunocompromised individuals who comprise the patient population at highest risk of zoster. Studies are currently underway of viral subunit vaccines, and preliminary data suggests that they may be more efficacious in the elderly.
A demonstration of how to do a meta-analysis that combines single-case designs with between-groups experiments: The effects of choice making on challenging behaviors performed by people with disabilities

ABSTRACTObjective: This paper demonstrates how to conduct a meta-analysis that includes both between-group and single-case design (SCD) studies. The example studies whether choice-making interventions decrease challenging behaviors performed by people with disabilities. Methods: We used a between-case d-statistic to conduct a meta-analysis of 15 between-group and SCD studies of 70 people with a disability, who received a choice intervention or control. We used robust variance estimation to adjust for dependencies caused by multiple effect sizes per study, and conducted moderator, sensitivity, influence, and publication bias analyses. Results: The random-effects average was d = 1.02 (standard error of 0.168), so the 95% confidence interval (CI) suggests choice-making reduces challenging behaviors by 0.65 to 1.38 standard deviations. Studies that provided choice training produced a significantly larger intervention effect. Conclusion: Choice-making reduces challenging behaviors performed by people with disa...
Turbulence Measurements for Numerical Validation Acquired by Ultra High-speed Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry

Ultra high-speed image sampling is integrated with rainbow schlieren deflectometry (RSD) to obtain spacetime cross-correlation measurements in a turbulent helium jet of diameter, d = 4 mm and Reynolds number of 4000. Rainbow schlieren apparatus was configured to cover the near field axial range of 0 to 20 diameters downstream of the injector exit at pixel resolution of 124 μm, image acquisition rate of 50,000 frames per second, and image exposure time of 20 μs to capture wide range of turbulent structures. Spacetime cross-correlations of deflectometric data yield mean convection velocity profile, axial and transverse wavenumber spectra, temporal spectrum, spectral coherence, and integral length and time scales. Such information is useful from experimental validation of large eddy simulation (LES) and a step towards creating data base for LES validation is undertaken in this study. Ultra high-speed imaging integrated with RSD can provide statistics characterization of turbulence through scalar measurements to compliment velocity field information obtained by other measurement technqiues.
Being RAD:: Reference at a Distance in a Multi-Campus Institution

Upon completing a Fall 1999 sabbatical studying how reference services were being provided to library patrons at a distance, the MCCCD (Maricopa County Community College District) libraries have been piloting a collaborative live reference service since Spring 2001. This paper describes the organic evolution and current state of Maricopa's Librarians Online.
Tissue-type plasminogen activator is a modulator of the synaptic vesicle cycle.

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) is a serine proteinase that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen into plasmin. For a long time after its discovery it was thought that tPA's main source was the endothelial cell and that therefore its chief role was to generate plasmin in the vascular system. However, this concept was challenged four decades later when a group of investigators detected tPA mRNA in well-defined areas of the brain, namely the hippocampus, hipothalamus, thalamus, neocortex and cerebellum; and tPA-catalyzed proteolysis in the hippocampus, the amygdala, the thalamus and the hypothalamus (Sappino et al., 1993). Remarkably, subsequent work indicated that neurons but not endothelial cells are the main reservoir of tPA in the central nervous system, and that in the brain tPA has many functions that do not require plasminogen as a substrate (Yepes et al., 2003). Interestingly, while most of the studies on neuronal tPA have been performed either with cells cultured from the hippocampus or with hippocampal slices, fewer have investigated whether tPA has a function in cerebral cortical neurons (Wu et al., 2012, 2015).
Healing Together Family Therapy Resource and Strategies for Increasing Attachment Security in Individuals Engaging in Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has become increasingly common among teens and emerging adults. An individual may engage in NSSI for a variety of reasons from coping with emotional pain or as a distraction from difficult thoughts and painful memories. Although NSSI is a common presenting concern, those in supportive roles of clients struggle to understand the motivations to self-injure as well as how to include appropriate supportive family members in the counseling process for long-term healing. The purpose of this article is to (a) review attachment styles in conceptualizing NSSI, (b) discuss the value of including supportive caregivers/family members in treatment, and (c) provide an evidence-based summative list of suggestions for counselors to provide to caregivers. A case illustration is provided. Language: en