cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Counterpropagating entangled photons from a waveguide with periodic nonlinearity

The conditions required for spontaneous parametric down-conversion in a waveguide with periodic nonlinearity in the presence of an unguided pump field are established. Control of the periodic nonlinearity and the physical properties of the waveguide permits the quasiphase matching equations that describe counterpropagating guided signal and idler beams to be satisfied. We compare the tuning curves and spectral properties of such counterpropagating beams to those for copropagating beams under typical experimental conditions. We find that the counterpropagating beams exhibit a narrow bandwidth, permitting the generation of quantum states that possess discrete-frequency entanglement. Such states may be useful for experiments in quantum optics and technologies that benefit from frequency entanglement.
Ferrous sulfate dosimetry in heavy water

Abstract A comparison is made of ferric ion yields for the radiolysis of heavy water and light water Fricke dosimeter solutions by 14.6 MeV neutrons and 60 Co gamma rays.
Sewing symplectic volumes for flat connections over compact surfaces

Abstract A formula is derived which expresses the symplectic volume measure on the moduli space of flat connections over a closed Riemann surface Σ in terms of the corresponding volume measures for the surfaces Σ 1 and Σ 2 , when the latter have one boundary component each.
Consumer Oriented and Operated [Health Care] Plans An Alternative for Employers’ Sponsored Health Care

Given the recent passing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA or ACA), the current environment represents an opportunity for employers to reevaluate their approaches to health care provision. In this vein, the aim of this article is to explore a possibly significant source of innovation in the provision of health care benefits, the financing of health care coverage and the delivery of health care services: the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP), which is a new choice for employers arising from the PPACA. This article examines whether employers will continue to offer health insurance as a benefit, whether nonprofit employers will develop CO-OPs and whether all employers will encourage their employees to sign up for CO-OPs from among the health plan alternatives in the public exchanges. CO-OPs are found to be a potentially attractive health care alternative that should be considered by various types of organizations.
A relational differential outcomes effect: pigeons can classify outcomes as “good” and “better”

In a conditional discrimination each of two sample stimuli indicates which of two comparison stimuli is correct. When correct choice following each conditional stimulus is followed by a different outcome (one kind of food following one, a different kind of food following the other) it often facilitates acquisition and improves memory. In transfer designs, in which two different conditional discriminations are followed by the same two differential outcomes, outcome expectation can be shown to be sufficient for comparison choice. That is, the samples from one conditional discrimination are matched to comparisons from the other conditional discrimination based on the common outcomes alone. In the present study we asked if for pigeons the relative value of the differential outcomes (higher versus lower value) can serve as the basis for comparison choice, independent of other characteristics of the outcomes and of differential sample responding. That is, would different outcomes that could be described as “good” and “better” form two stimulus classes. For one conditional discrimination, the differential outcomes involved differential probability of reinforcement for choice of the correct comparison stimulus (0.80 vs. 0.20 for correct choice of the two comparisons, respectively). For the other conditional discrimination, the differential outcomes involved differential responding to the two comparison stimuli (5 pecks vs. 20 pecks to the correct comparisons, respectively). On test trials, when conditional stimuli from the two conditional discriminations were interchanged and the relative value of the differential outcomes could serve as the only basis for comparison choice, we found positive transfer. The results indicate that relational attributes of outcomes can serve as effective cues for comparison choice.
Theoretical analysis of 157-nm hard pellicle system purification via a cyclic purge'fill process

Optical lithography with 157-nm light is expected to bridge the gap between 193-nm technology and next-generation lithography. One important practical difficulty facing the implementation of 157-nm tech- nology is gas absorption of 157-nm light. The exposure process for 193-nm technology is carried out in an air environment, but oxygen gas and water vapor severely attenuate 157-nm radiation. However, 157-nm exposure can be carried out in a nitrogen environment, which can be achieved by purging. A challenging aspect of the nitrogen purging pro- cess is the evacuation of the volume delineated by the pellicle frame, and the 800-mm-thick hard pellicle plate, which can fracture when sub- jected to an excessive pressure difference. A technique for pellicle puri- fication via a cyclic purging and filling process is investigated. A theoret- ical analysis of the gas flow and pressure variation in the system is presented. The maximum stress induced in the hard pellicle during the process is predicted using finite element modeling. The minimum time for purification without causing excessive stress in the pellicle plate is estimated for a nominal set of conditions. Finally, a parametric analysis of important geometric variables including the size and number of purg- ing holes as well as the filter resistance is presented. © 2004 Society of
Novel calibration method for structured-light system with an out-of-focus projector

A structured-light system with a binary defocusing technique has the potential to have more extensive application due to its high speeds, gamma-calibration-free nature, and lack of rigid synchronization requirements between the camera and projector. However, the existing calibration methods fail to achieve high accuracy for a structured-light system with an out-of-focus projector. This paper proposes a method that can accurately calibrate a structured-light system even when the projector is not in focus, making it possible for high-accuracy and high-speed measurement with the binary defocusing method. Experiments demonstrate that our calibration approach performs consistently under different defocusing degrees, and a root-mean-square error of about 73 μm can be achieved with a calibration volume of 150(H) mm×250(W) mm×200(D)mm.
Damage to the Optic Radiation in Multiple Sclerosis Is Associated With Retinal Injury and Visual Disability

Objective To determine whether damage to the optic radiation (OR) in multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with optic nerve injury and visual dysfunction. Design Case-control study. Setting Referral center. Participants Ninety referred patients with MS and 29 healthy volunteers. Main Outcome Measures Magnetic resonance imaging indices along the OR were reconstructed with diffusion tensor tractography. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and visual acuity at high and low contrast were measured in a subset of the MS group (n = 36). Results All tested magnetic resonance imaging indices (fractional anisotropy [FA]; mean, parallel, and perpendicular [λ⊥] diffusivity; T2 relaxation time; and magnetization transfer ratio) were significantly abnormal in patients with MS. Mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was significantly correlated with FA (r = 0.55;P 80 μm), letter acuity scores at 2.5% contrast were correlated with OR-specific FA (r = 0.55;P = .004), λ⊥(r = −0.40;P = .04), and magnetization transfer ratio (r = 0.54;P = .01), as well as the fraction of OR volume made up of lesions (r = −0.69;P Conclusions Fractional anisotropy and λ⊥are potentially useful quantitative magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers of OR-specific damage in MS. Such damage is associated with retinal injury and visual disability.
Effects of display configuration on attentional sampling performance

An empirical study was conducted to determine the ability of naive subjects to sample information from different display configurations. Simple line drawings circumscribed areas shaped like squares, rectangles, `Ts,' `Ls,' and `+,' among others. Each such `area' was presented for one second followed after a brief interstimulus interval (ISI) by a 12-letter (3 X 4) matrix. The subjects' task was to report all the letters that would have been surrounded by the area, if the line drawing of the area were superimposd on the letter matrix. The effects of display configuration on attentional sampling performance were thus assessed for an arbitrary set of 36 configurations. The results indicated that single, spatially contiguous areas could be monitored better than separate areas, and simple configurations were better than more complex ones. These results have implications for Heads-up Displays (HUDs) and for the optimal spatial configuration of salient gauges and instruments within a vehicle or airplane cockpit.
Validating an Artificial Intelligence Human Proximity Operations System with Test Cases

An artificial intelligence-controlled robot (AICR) operating in close proximity to humans poses risk to these humans. Validating the performance of an AICR is an ill posed problem, due to the complexity introduced by the erratic (noncomputer) actors. In order to prove the AICR’s usefulness, test cases must be generated to simulate the actions of these actors. This paper discusses AICR’s performance validation in the context of a common human activity, moving through a crowded corridor, using test cases created by an AI use case producer. This test is a two-dimensional simplification relevant to autonomous UAV navigation in the national airspace.
Distributed simulation of parallel DSP architectures on workstation clusters

The limits of sequential processing continue to be overcome with parallel and distributed architectures and algorithms. In particular, the use of parallel processing for high-performance signal processing and other grand-challenge applications is becoming the norm. However, the costs associated with such systems make it critical to be able to forecast system behavior before a hardware prototype is constructed. Processor libraries and other functional modeling and simulation techniques allow the complexities of actual systems to be portrayed in the form of software-based prototypes with significantly more accuracy than traditional simulation methods. Although the simulation times often grow beyond practical limits, distributed simulation methods have the potential to reduce these times in a scalable fashion. One such method is to implement processor library models with a parallel programming language on perhaps the most flexible, available, cost-effective, and practical of all parallel computing platforms,...
Selection of file organization using an analytic model

The problems associated with file design have recently received increased attention. One approach to their solution has been the development of file models. These models can be employed to study alternate file structures and aid the file design process. In this paper, a single model and cost function is developed to characterize most of the file structure alternatives and the selection of file structures for a design problem is automated. A file design system is developed that can be used by a file designer to select good file organizations from a large number of alternatives. The computer program which implements the model uses analytic optimization techniques to select file organizations. The output of the design system is a class of file structures specified by its average characteristics and the details of the actual file structure can be determined by simulation or other techniques.
Dose of propofol for laryngeal mask airway insertion in children: effect of premedication with midazolam.

We determined the dose-response curves and effective doses of propofol for insertion of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in 50 unpremedicated children and in 60 children premedicated with midazolam, aged 3-12 yr. One of several doses of propofol was administered i.v. over 15 s to groups of 10 children, and conditions for LMA insertion were assessed at 60 s. The dose-response curves were parallel (P = 0.94), but the curve for premedicated children was shifted significantly to the left of that for unpremedicated children and propofol requirements were reduced by one-third (P
Screening tools for child sexual abuse.

The medical diagnosis of child sexual abuse can be problematic; any opportunity to simplify strengthen or streamline the assessment process is desirable. Screening has been defined as the presumptive identification of unrecognized disease or defect by the application of tests examinations or other procedures which can be carried out rapidly with the goal of sorting out apparently well persons who probably have a disease from those who do not. Screening for child sexual abuse is potentially helpful by either identifying victims in general pediatric populations where no concerns have previously arisen or by providing pediatricians with additional information to direct their diagnostic process for children presenting with symptoms of potential sexual abuse. A screening test is itself not intended to be diagnostic and a national task force in the United States found insufficient evidence to recommend for or against routine screening of parents or guardians for family violence. (excerpt)
Dystocia, stillbirth, gestation length, and birth weight in Holstein, Jersey, and reciprocal crosses from a planned experiment

Holstein and Jersey cows were mated to 4 Holstein (H) bulls and 4 Jersey (J) bulls to create HH, HJ, JH, and JJ genetic groups (sire breed listed first) in a diallele crossbreeding scheme. Calvings (n = 756) occurred in research herds in Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina with 243, 166, 194, and 153 calvings in the HH, HJ, JH, and JJ groups, respectively. Birth weights (BW), dystocia scores (0 for unassisted and 1 for assisted), and stillbirth (0 for alive or 1 for dead within 48 h) were recorded at calving. Gestation lengths (GL) were determined from breeding dates. An animal model was used to analyze BW and GL, and an animal model with logistic regression was used for dystocia and stillbirth. Fixed effects considered for model inclusion were genetic group, herd-year-season, sex, parity (primiparous or multiparous), twin status, and gestation length. Genetic group and effects significant in the model building process were kept in the final model for each trait. Heifer calves had lower BW, shorter GL, and had a lower odds ratio (0.53) for dystocia than bull calves. Twins had lower BW, shorter GL, were 3.86 times more likely to experience dystocia, and 7.80 times more likely to be stillborn than single births. Primiparous cows had calves with lower BW, shorter GL, were 2.50 times more likely to require assistance at birth, and were 2.35 times more likely to produce stillborns than calves from multiparous cows. Genetic group did not affect GL. Least squares means (kg) for BW were 37.7 +/- 1.1, 29.1 +/- 1.1, 30.3 +/- 1.0, and 22.5 +/- 1.3 for HH, HJ, JH, and JJ, respectively. Animals in HH weighed more than animals of other genetic groups; the JJ group had the smallest BW, with no differences for BW between HJ and JH. Probability of dystocia in JJ and JH were 5.73% and 18.98% of HH. Calves in HJ and HH were not different for dystocia. Calves in HJ were 3.38 times more likely to be stillborn than calves in JH, but no other genetic group differences were significant for probability of stillbirth. Groups HJ and JH differed for calving traits, with JH crosses experiencing less dystocia than HJ; JJ showed no indication of dystocia. No differences were observed between HH and JJ for stillbirths. Additional investigation of stillbirths in Jerseys is justified.
p-Tricyanovinyl-N,N-dimethylaniline

p-Tricyanovinyl-N,N-dimethylaniline product: p-Tricyanovinyl-N,N-dimethylaniline Keywords: alkylation, C-alkylation; hydrogen cyanide; tetracyanoethylene, skin irritant; rubber dam
How We Hurt The Ones We Love

Paradoxically, the practical necessity of love seems to combine the personal character of psychological necessity with the inescapable and authoritative quality of moral necessity. Traditionally, philosophers have avoided this paradox by treating love as an amalgam of impersonal evaluative judgments and affective responses. On my account, love participates in a different form of practical necessity, one characterized by a non-moral yet normative type of expectation. This expectation is best understood as a kind of second-personal address that does not support derivative third-personal demands. It is revealed when we react with hurt feelings instead of resentment upon its disappointment.
Surface switching characteristics of variable permittivity dielectrics

Flashover voltage, lifetimes, and switch performance of insulators utilizing square thin and thick film electrodes were examined to determine the viability of using thin electrodes for reliable surface discharge switching. Gold, silver, and platinum were sputtered (0.25 /spl mu/m) and screen printed (15 /spl mu/m) onto Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/, TiO/sub 2/, and modified BaTiO/sub 3/ (MBT), then tested in air at 10/sup 5/ Pa, under vacuum (10/sup -3/ torr), and while immersed in an insulating fluid, SF-2 (manufactured by 3M). For the measured range of 0.5 to 3 mm in air, the flashover voltage for all three insulators was found to have a linear dependence on the electrode separation distance with 15 /spl mu/m thick screen printed electrodes and a square root dependence with 0.25 /spl mu/m thick sputtered electrodes. Delay times of approximately 20 ns with a corresponding jitter of 6 ns were observed across all three insulators under triggered flashover. Insulators in air with sputtered electrodes had lifetimes of approximately 5 flashovers for dc flashover and 40 for triggered flashover. Screen printed TiO/sub 2/ and MBT had dc lifetimes of approximately 10 flashovers in air, and 3 flashovers in vacuum and SF-2. Screen printed TiO/sub 2/ and MBT had triggered lifetimes of greater than 200 flashovers in air, and <3 flashovers in vacuum and SF-2. Screen printed Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ had dc and triggered lifetimes of greater than 200 flashovers in air, vacuum and SF-2. Insulator failure during dc flashover was determined to be due to the formation of a conductive channel between the anode and cathode. Formation of the channel was attributed to insulator thermal and dielectric properties and the presence of vaporized electrode species in the gap region during flashover.
Adaptive Changes in Adipocyte Gene Expression Differ in AKR/J and SWR/J Mice during Diet-Induced Obesity

Obesity-prone (AKR/J) and obesity-resistant (SWR/J) mice were weaned onto low (LF) or high fat (HF) diets to identify adaptive changes in adipocyte gene expression that are associated with differences between the strains in fat deposition. Food consumption was monitored at weekly intervals and all mice were evaluated after consuming their respective diets for 4 wk for analysis of mRNA levels of selected metabolic genes. Despite similar food consumption, body weight and fat deposition were significantly greater in AKR/J than in SWR/J mice, and this difference was greatly accentuated by the HF diet. The HF diet produced distinct differences between strains in gene expression patterns among fat depots. In AKR/J mice, UCP1 mRNA was decreased 10-fold in interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) and four- to fivefold in retroperitoneal and inguinal white adipose tissue (WAT). The HF diet also decreased PGC-1 and β 3 -adrenergic receptor mRNA by two- and ninefold in BAT from AKR/J mice. In contrast, the HF diet either increased uncoupling protein (UCP)1 in BAT or had no effect on expression of these genes in adipose tissues from SWR/J mice. UCP2 mRNA was fourfold higher in WAT from AKR/J compared with SWR/J mice and increased by an additional twofold in WAT from AKR/J mice fed the HF diet. UCP2 was unaffected by diet in SWR/J mice. These studies show that the diet-induced obesity of AKR/J mice is characterized by increased metabolic efficiency and is associated with changes in adipocyte gene expression that limit the adaptive thermogenic response to increased energy density.
Investigating Transactions Among Motives, Emotional Regulation Related to Testing, and Test Emotions

The authors examined the relationships among achievement motives, emotional regulation, and emotions. They collected data from 425 college undergraduates (110 men, 315 women) and used several scales, including the Achievement Motives Scales (K. Hagtvet & L. Zou, 2000), the Emotional Regulation During Testing Scale (P. A. Schutz, C. DiStefano, J. Benson, & H. A. Davis, 2004), and the Regensburg Academic Emotions Questionnaire (R. Pekrun, T. Goetz, R. P. Perry, K. Kramer, & M. Hochstadt, 2004). Findings suggest that approach—avoidance motives were related to different academic emotions (i.e., pleasant and unpleasant) in the expected directions. Approach—avoidance variables, cognitive-appraisal processes, and during-testing processes explained significant amounts of variance in both test hope and test pride, and several categories of students emerged, including those of high approach—low avoidance, low approach—high avoidance, moderate approach—high avoidance, high approach—moderate avoidance, and moderate a...
Competition makes observers remember faces as more aggressive

People use facial appearance to predict social behavior, but can social context also influence face perception? Leveraging a link between competition and aggression, we investigated the effects of competitive interactions with confederates on participants’ performance in a face reconstruction task. Participants played a game either in competition or cooperation with confederates and were then asked to create facial portraits of these confederates by arranging their component features into their best estimate of an accurate configuration. Across 2 experiments, participants who played in a competitive context reconstructed faces in a more aggressive configuration—with higher width-to-height ratios—than did participants who played cooperatively or alone. This result demonstrates that the social perception of faces is not merely a feed-forward process, but instead that the social contexts in which people interact can shape memory for faces.
Monitoring occupancy and office equipment energy consumption using real-time location system and wireless energy meters

Buildings are one of the major energy consumers because of the need to meet occupants requirements. The commercial/institutional sector accounted for 14% of total energy consumption in Canada in 2009 while office buildings consumed 35% of this amount. Auxiliary equipment used 19% of the total energy consumed in office buildings. Previous studies showed the impact of occupancy behavior on IT equipment energy consumption. This paper proposes a new method for monitoring occupant behavior and energy consumption of IT equipment. Analyzing the resulting data can help evaluating the occupancy behavior impact on energy saving. Two wireless sensor technologies are investigated to collect the required data and to build an occupancy behavior estimation profile: Ultra-Wideband Real-Time Location System for occupancy location monitoring and Zigbee wireless energy meters for monitoring the energy consumption of IT equipment. The occupancy behavior estimation profile can be used to reduce energy consumption based on real-time occupants' information.
Avalanche Photodiode Arrays Enable Large-Area Measurements of Medium-Energy Electrons

We demonstrate the performance of a large-area avalanche photodiode array as a medium-energy electron detector. This avalanche photodiode array is composed of eight pixels with 1.2 cm2 of total active area. The energy resolution (DeltaE/E) is as low as 4.5% in full width at half maximum for 25-keV electrons, and the linearity is excellent. Monte Carlo modeling by Geant4 shows that the detection efficiency of this device is appropriate for the detection of electrons ranging from 200 keV. This new device can be coupled with magnetic deflectors, electrostatic analyzers, and other physics instruments requiring position-sensitive or large-area solutions for the detection of electrons in this energy range.
Vehicle detection from aerial imagery

Vehicle detection from aerial images is becoming an increasingly important research topic in surveillance, traffic monitoring and military applications. The system described in this paper focuses on vehicle detection in rural environments and its applications to oil and gas pipeline threat detection. Automatic vehicle detection by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) will replace current pipeline patrol services that rely on pilot visual inspection of the pipeline from low altitude high risk flights that are often restricted by weather conditions. Our research compares a set of feature extraction methods applied for this specific task and four classification techniques. The best system achieves an average 85% vehicle detection rate and 1800 false alarms per flight hour over a large variety of areas including vegetation, rural roads and buildings, lakes and rivers collected during several day time illuminations and seasonal changes over one year
Exploring the Use of Sonographic Evaluation of the Glenohumeral Labrum A Preclinical Replication

Glenohumeral (GH) dislocations of the shoulder are prevalent in young male subjects and appear to be increasing in incidence. The classic diagnostic evaluation of labral injuries such as this involves the use of clinical testing as well as imaging modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and radiography, none of which provides a dynamic evaluation. This study was done to replicate sonographic evaluation of the glenoid labrum in a preclinical model and use the axillary scanning approach to specifically assess the integrity of the anterior inferior labrum. Using sonographic guidance, minimal amounts of differently colored dyes were injected into regions of the glenoid labrum. This replication was able to image only the posterior superior, posterior inferior, and anterior inferior aspects of the GH labrum. Bankart lesions were identified in two shoulders, confirmed on dissection. The presence of dyes in the target areas within and around the labrum was visually confirmed. These fin...
Educating Somali Immigrant and Refugee Students: A Review of Cultural-Historical Issues and Related Psychoeducational Supports

Somali immigrants and refugees have entered the United States with increasing frequency due to civil war-induced violence and instability in their native country. The resultant increase of Somali students is of particular relevance to educators and school psychologists because Somali youth possess unique cultural backgrounds. In addition, refugee youth are at an elevated risk for mental health and academic difficulties due to their pre-immigration exposure to traumatic events and lack of formal education. In this article, we provide an overview of Somali history and culture, recent immigrant trends, and the challenges faced by Somali children and youth in the United States. Then, we describe the research on school-based supports for the academic and social-emotional needs of this population, and discuss implications for school psychological services and applied research.
Spectroscopy of the 29 Si ( p , γ ) reaction for E p = 1.00 –1.75 MeV

The ${}^{29}$Si$(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})$ reaction has been studied in the range ${E}_{p}=1.00$--1.75 MeV. Three previously unknown states in ${}^{30}$P were identified, and one state previously assigned to ${}^{30}$P was identified as a state in ${}^{14}$N. Gamma-ray strengths were determined for the three new levels, and branching ratios were measured for 17 resonances. Revised ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}};T$ assignments were made for nine of these states.
Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS): FDA Perspective on What Physicians Need to Know.

For some drugs, risk mitigation measures beyond FDA-approved labeling are deemed necessary. Learn more about these Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS).
A quality improvement project to improve early sepsis care in the emergency department

Background Sepsis causes substantial morbidity and mortality in hospitalised patients. Although many studies describe the use of protocols in the management of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, few have addressed emergency department (ED) screening and management for patients initially presenting with uncomplicated sepsis (ie, patients without organ failure or hypotension). Objective A quality improvement task force at a large, quaternary care referral hospital sought to develop a protocol focusing on early identification of patients with uncomplicated sepsis, in addition to severe sepsis and septic shock. Intervention The three-tiered intervention consisted of (1) a nurse-driven screening tool and management protocol to identify and initiate early treatment of patients with sepsis, (2) a computer-assisted screening algorithm that generated a ‘Sepsis Alert’ pop-up screen in the electronic medical record for treating clinical healthcare providers and (3) automated suggested sepsis-specific order sets for initial workup and resuscitation, antibiotic selection and goal-directed therapy. Design A before and after retrospective cohort study was undertaken to determine the intervention9s impact on compliance with recommended sepsis management, including serum lactate measured in the ED, 2 L of intravenous fluid administered within 2 h of triage, antibiotics administered within 3 h of triage and blood cultures drawn before antibiotic administration. Mortality rates for patients in the ED with a sepsis-designated ICD-9 code present on admission were also analysed. Results Overall bundle compliance increased by 154%, from 28% at baseline to 71% in the last quarter of the study (p Conclusions The new protocol demonstrates that early screening interventions can lead to expedited delivery of care to patients with sepsis in the ED and could serve as a model for other facilities. Mortality was not significantly improved by our intervention, which included patients with uncomplicated sepsis.
Permanent Magnet Materials and their Application: Magnetic circuit design

Introduction Analytical techniques, such as finite element analysis, provide accurate solutions for two- or three-dimensional field distributions in complex geometries, which in turn may be used to predict device performance with similar precision. However, these techniques require a detailed definition of the geometry and boundary conditions to be solved, which assumes that an initial design already exists. While providing an accurate field solution for a defined geometry, they will not optimize it - suggestions for changes to dimensions, materials, excitations, etc. must come from the designer, to be analyzed via a field solution. Consequently, while computer-based field analysis is an effective tool for simulating a known device, it is too cumbersome for design optimization. Preliminary designs are usually performed using a magnetic circuit model of the device in which each component or magnetic flux path is represented by a discrete element. Equations representing the magnetic circuit components are derived in this Chapter, and the elements they define are used in an equivalent circuit (similar in many respects to an electrical analog circuit). This is a simple model, which can be easily optimized for any performance requirements. Thereafter, field analysis may be employed to verify the operation of the device, and to fine-tune the design.
Christian Witness on Abortion: The Examples of Paul Ramsey and Stanley Hauerwas

Paul Ramsey and Stanley Hauerwas are arguably the most prominent United Methodist thinkers to date to write extensively on abortion. This article takes up a ripe and illuminating task neglected by ...
Improving clinical practice through doctor-patient communication

Objective:To realize the problems faced with medical students in doctor-patient communication,and to find out the ways to improve the clinical teaching through doctor-patient communication.Methods: The problems faced with medical students in doctor-patient communication were researched by questionnaire for their possible solution.Results: 73% of the interns have their initiative communication with their patients,and 67.3% of the interns have made preparations for the intercommunication,62% of them have accepted doctor-patient communication as beneficial to their clinical practice though short of knowledge and confidence from patients are the most difficult problem.Conclusion: Doctor-patient communication is the important approach to cultivate eligible medical talents who adapt to the contemporary medical pattern in clinical teaching.
Pathology of Struma Ovarii: Single Institutional Experience With 93 Cases

Thyroid tissue is a relatively frequent component of mature teratoma, which can be found in 5-20% of cases. Struma ovarii is defined as ovarian goiter that is composed either entirely or predominantly of thyroid tissue (>50%). This definition also encompasses cases of mature teratoma with less than 50% thyroid tissue that contains …
Complex demographic responses of a common small mammal to a plant invasion

Context Invasions by non-native plants can alter the abundance and distribution of resources that can affect habitat quality for native animals. Aims We sought to understand the demographic consequences of a plant invasion on a functionally and numerically important rodent in a grassland ecosystem. Specifically, we evaluated how abundance, survival, reproductive activity and population structure of Arizona cotton rats (Sigmodon arizonae) varied across a gradient of invasion by Eragrostis lehmanniana (Lehmann lovegrass), a bunchgrass native to Africa that has invaded grasslands in North America. Methods Over a four-year period, we used capture–recapture methods to survey small mammals on 54 1-ha plots between 10 and 13 times. We used vegetation data collected each autumn to quantify biomass of non-native grass, total biomass and vegetation heterogeneity to characterise vegetation structure on each plot. Key results We captured 1344 individual cotton rats during 106 560 trap-nights across all sampling periods. In areas dominated by non-native grass, abundance of cotton rats increased 7- to 10-fold and survival increased by 117% relative to areas dominated by native grasses. In contrast, reproductive activity of adults decreased by 62% for females and 28% for males, and the proportion of adults in the population decreased by 20% in these same areas. Conclusions Demography of Arizona cotton rats differed markedly in areas invaded by a non-native plant relative to native grasslands, supporting the long-held idea that life histories can reflect local environmental conditions. Because distributions of many non-native plants are predicted to increase in response to future changes in natural and anthropogenic drivers, the potential breadth of these complex effects on communities of native animal is immense. Implications The complex variation in demographic responses across the invasion gradient suggests that it may be necessary to evaluate a suite of vital rates to fully understand the consequences of plant invasions on animals. This is especially important for species of conservation concern because single demographic parameters, which are used frequently as targets to gauge the success of conservation and management activities, could be misleading.
Effect of feeding fungal endophyte (Acremonium coenophialum )-infected tall fescue seed on reproductive performance in CD-1 mice through continuous breeding.

Abstract This study was designed to assess the effect of endophyte-infected ( Acremonium coenophialum ) tall fescue (KY-31) seed (80% infected) on reproductive performance in CD-1 mice by continuous breeding. Twenty-four pairs of 70-d-old CD-1 mice were randomly allocated to four diets: 1) mouse chow ad libitum; 2) 40% infected fescue seed and 60% chow (w/w); 3) reduced intake (100% chow) similar to the intake, adjusted daily, in Diet 2; and 4) 60% infected fescue seed and 40% chow. Males and females were randomly paired (six pairs/treatment) and placed on the above diets. The mice were fed the corresponding diets for 80 d, although the pairs were separated on Day 60 (prior to the birth of the 3rd litter) and the females were monitored for one additional gestation period (20 d). The pregnancy data (litters produced) among the four treatments were 100.0 (18), 77.8 (14), 100.0 (18) and 80.0% (12) respectively. Similarly, the average number of pups born per litter among the four treatments was 11.8, 9.3, 10.1, and 9.8. When the chow treatment (1 and 3) and the fescue treatments (2 and 4) were pooled and compared, the percent pregnancy was 100.0 (n = 36) and 78.8 (n = 26), and the pups born per litter (means ± SEM) were 11.0 ± 0.5 and 9.5 ± 0.6, respectively. Also the intervals between the three litters born during the 60-d cohabitation period were 21.6 ± 1.1 and 24.5 ± 0.9 d for the chow and fescue treatments, respectively. The results point out that 40 and 60% infected fescue seed in the diet of mice does influence (P
Varicella-zoster Virus Infection of T cells and Skin in the SCID-hu Mouse Model

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a severe combined immunodeficiency-human (SCID-hu) mouse model of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection of T cells and skin. This model provides a new system for analyzing the relationships between viral gene expression and human cell tropism, by using naturally arising VZV variants and recombinant VZV strains that carry directed mutations. In this model, the male homozygous CB-17 scid/scid mice are bred, maintained, and implanted with human fetal tissues. When the mice are 8 weeks old, co-implants of human fetal thymus and liver tissue from 18–23 week fetuses are introduced under the kidney capsule as a conjoint implant by using an 18 G trocar. The thymus/liver implants develop for 6–8 weeks before use and human skin is introduced subcutaneously as full-thickness dermal grafts and is allowed to engraft for 3–5 weeks before use. Due to the impaired immunity of SCID-hu mice, the bedding, food, and water are sterilized by autoclaving before use. In addition, SCID-hu mice receive trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole in the drinking water for 3 days of each week to prevent opportunistic infection by Pneumocystis carinii and other parasites. The thymus/liver tissue under the kidney capsule or subcutaneous skin tissue implanted in SCID-hu mice is surgically exposed, then VZV-infected cells are injected into the implant to initiate virus replication in the human tissue. The mice remain free of disease during the course of the experiment. The extent of VZV infection is determined by the titration of infected T cells in an infectious focus assay and by FACS analysis using VZV-specific antibodies and conjugates to T-cell markers such as CD3, CD4, and CD8.
Energetic 4,4'-oxybis[3,3'-(1-hydroxytetrazolyl)]furazan and its salts

Energetic compounds that incorporate multiple nitrogen-rich heterocycles are of great interest for high-density energetic materials. A facile synthetic strategy to combine an oxy bridge and furazan groups, as well as tetrazole-ols, into a molecule (5) was found. Some energetic salts based on 5 were prepared by neutralization. All of the compounds were fully characterized. Additionally, the structure of 7 has been elucidated by single-crystal XRD analysis. Physicochemical and energetic properties were also studied; these show that these newly designed energetic salts exhibit good thermal stabilities. Hydroxylammonium salt (6) has a detonation performance and sensitivities comparable with those of 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX).
Guided ion beam and theoretical studies of the reactions of Re+, Os+, and Ir+ with CO.

The kinetic-energy dependences of the reactions M+ + CO where M+ = Re+, Os+, and Ir+ are studied using guided ion-beam tandem mass spectrometry. Formation of both MO+ and MC+ was observed in endothermic processes for all three metals. Modeling of the data provides thresholds that yield 0 K bond dissociation energies (BDEs, in eV) of 4.67 ± 0.09 (Re+–O), 4.82 ± 0.14 (Os+–O), 4.25 ± 0.11 (Ir+–O), 5.13 ± 0.12 (Re+–C), 6.14 ± 0.14 (Os+–C), and 6.58 ± 0.12 (Ir+–C). These BDEs agree well with literature values within experimental uncertainties demonstrating that ground state products are formed for all cases even though some of the reactions are formally spin forbidden. Quantum mechanical calculations at several levels of theory and using several basis sets were performed for MC+ and MO+ (with comparable results taken from the literature in some cases). B3LYP and CCSD(T) calculated ground state BDEs agree reasonably well with experimental values. The ground states in B3LYP and CCSD(T)/CBS calculations are Σ−3 (...
On the ultimate tensile strength of tantalum

Abstract Strain rate, temperature, and microstructure play a significant role in the mechanical response of materials. Using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations, we characterize the ductile tensile failure of a model body-centered cubic metal, tantalum, over six orders of magnitude in strain rate. Molecular dynamics calculations combined with reported experimental measurements show power-law kinetic relationships that vary as a function of dominant defect mechanism and grain size. The maximum sustained tensile stress, or spall strength, increases with increasing strain rate, before ultimately saturating at ultra-high strain rates, i.e. those approaching or exceeding the Debye frequency. The upper limit of tensile strength can be well estimated by the cohesive energy, or the energy required to separate atoms from one another. At strain rates below the Debye frequency, the spall strength of nanocrystalline Ta is less than single crystalline tantalum. This occurs in part due to the decreased flow stress of the grain boundaries; stress concentrations at grain boundaries that arise due to compatibility requirements; and the growing fraction of grain-boundary atoms as grain size is decreased into the nanocrystalline regime. In the present cases, voids nucleate at defect structures present in the microstructure. The exact makeup and distribution of defects is controlled by the initial microstructure and the plastic deformation during both compression and expansion, where grain boundaries and grain orientation play critical roles.
Psychometric Evaluation and Norms for the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) in a Clinical Eating Disorders Sample

Altered interoceptive awareness (IA) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of eating disorders; however, few comprehensive self-report measures of IA exist in eating disorders. The present study sought to validate the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), originally developed to assess IA in individuals practicing mind-body therapies, in an eating disorder sample. Adult and adolescent patients (n = 376) completed assessments upon admission to a partial hospital programme. Analyses examined the factor structure of the MAIA, scale means, scale-scale correlations, internal consistency and construct validity. Analyses also examined associations between MAIA subscales and eating disorder symptoms. Results supported the original eight-factor structure of the MAIA. Internal consistency was acceptable, and the scales converged with associated measures. Importantly, Not Distracting, Self-regulation, Body Listening and Trusting were most strongly associated with eating disorder symptoms. Results support use of the MAIA among eating disorders and provide further support for the relevance of IA in eating disorders. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Stromule branch tip detection based on accurate cell image segmentation

Based on the dynamic structure, we design a system that can perform accurate stromule image segmentation, branch tip detection and tracking automatically. We substitute the user constraints in active contour segmentation by spatial fuzzy c-means clustering for providing more precise segmentation result. Based on the segmented contour after smoothing, we create a surface normal based feature that can accurately detect the branch tips. We further combine normal information together with tip position coordinate to apply ICP to track the branch tips moving path.
Introduction to Patient-Reported Outcomes Perspectives Series.

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are defined as measurements of any aspect of a patient’s health status that come directly from the patient ( i.e. , without the interpretation of the patient’s responses by a physician or anyone else) ([1][1]). Although assessment of patient wellbeing and symptom
Applying a Biophysical Economics Approach to Developing Countries

It seems imperative that we as individuals who care about the human condition and about nature must create a new way to undertake developmental economics and perhaps economics in general. The reasons this is so important have been reviewed in previous chapters and include our dissatisfaction with the intellectual foundations of conventional economic models used in development and of the results that have occurred with their use, the general sense of many development economists themselves that conventional economics has failed, the need to do something that will work, the concern that most knowledgeable people have that the future, and especially the future of most developing nations, will be much more constrained by the «end of cheap oil,» and the need to protect whatever nature is left. We try to develop such a model in this chapter, summarizing certain approaches and even successes of the past, and use a biophysical basis to try to generate a synthesis to help the reader. We are not foolish enough to believe that we can in one fell swoop cure all the economic problems that generations of traditional economists have not been able to, but we believe that we do provide a useful basis here for beginning that process and for generating useful results now for field workers.