cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circulatory effects of electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus nerves in man.

The effects of carotid sinus nerve (CSN) stimulation were studied at rest and during a mild level of supine bicycle exercise in seven patients in whom CSN stimulators had been implanted for the treatment of angina pectoris. At rest, CSN stimulation produced a fall in mean arterial pressure (MAP) averaging 23% and an 8% decrease in cardiac output (CO). Total peripheral resistance (TPR) fell by 14% and forearm vascular resistance (FVR) by 16%. During exercise, MAP fell 16%, but no significant change occurred in CO. Thus, the fall in MAP could be attributed to a reflexly induced decrease in peripheral vascular resistance. Only small decreases occurred in heart rate. No changes in venous tone, central venous pressure, or the maximum transverse end-diastolic diameter of the heart were produced by stimulation either at rest or during exercise. Thus, at rest, CSN stimulation reduces MAP by reflexly decreasing both vascular resistance and CO; during exercise, the diminution in CO no longer occurs. Finally, the ve...
Change-point detection in neuronal spike train activity

Abstract Animals respond to changes in their environment based on the information encoded in neuronal spike activity. One key issue is to determine how quickly and reliably the system can detect that a behaviorally relevant change has taken place. What are the neural mechanisms and computational principles that allow fast, reliable detection of changes in spike activity? Here we present an optimal statistical signal-processing algorithm for change-point detection, known as the cumulative sum (CUSUM) algorithm. We then show that the performance of a simple neuron model with leaky-integrate-and-fire dynamics can approach theoretically optimal performance limits under certain conditions.
Landscape structure and plague occurrence in black-tailed prairie dogs on grasslands of the western USA

Landscape structure influences the abundance and distribution of many species, including pathogens that cause infectious diseases. Black-tailed prairie dogs in the western USA have declined precipitously over the past 100 years, most recently due to grassland conversion and their susceptibility to sylvatic plague. We assembled and analyzed two long-term data sets on plague occurrence in black-tailed prairie dogs to explore the hypotheses that plague occurrence is associated with colony characteristics and landscape context. Our two study areas (Boulder County, Colorado, and Phillips County, Montana) differed markedly in degree of urbanization and other landscape characteristics. In both study areas, we found associations between plague occurrence and landscape and colony characteristics such as the amount of roads, streams and lakes surrounding a prairie dog colony, the area covered by the colony and its neighbors, and the distance to the nearest plague-positive colony. Logistic regression models were similar between the two study areas, with the best models predicting positive effects of proximity to plague-positive colonies and negative effects of road, stream and lake cover on plague occurrence. Taken together, these results suggest that roads, streams and lakes may serve as barriers to plague in black-tailed prairie dog colonies by affecting movement of or habitat quality for plague hosts or for fleas that serve as vectors for the pathogen. The similarity in plague correlates between urban and rural study areas suggests that the correlates of plague are not altered by uniquely urban stressors.
Implementation of IEEE 1451.1 conformance/functionality testing using LabView

Sensor networks have been deployed for many applications. The ability for the sensors or actuators to have transducer data sheets will allow the "plug-and-play" of 1451-compatible sensors and actuators for different control networks. Implementation of an intelligent sensor network testbed is in progress to perform research and investigation of smart sensors, and the investigation and verification of interfacing options from smart sensors with the sensor networking bus. There has been some development and integration of IEEE 1451.1 communication; however, after research of products available that are IEEE 1451 capable, only products relating specifically to IEEE 1451.2 were available in development and starter kits. No products were available that depicted the IEEE 1451.1 standard for communication between the smart sensor nodes of a network. Therefore, a 1451.1 compatible NCAP has been developed and integrated into a testbed. This paper will present the development of the IEEE 1451.1 NCAP-NCAP communication using the LabView 8.2 Programming Language. Furthermore, testing of message conformance and functionality of the 1451 communication on the network has been accomplished.
Finite plane strain deformations of nonlinear viscoelastic rubber-covered rolls

SUMMARY ~ Finite deformations of a nonlinear viscoelastic rubber layer bonded to a uniformly rotating rigid cylinder and indented by anoth~r rigid cylinder are studied by the finite element method. The problem formulation includes both material and geometric nonlinearities. The effect of the change in the thickness of the layer, its speed of rotation and its material properties on the pressure distribution at the contact surface, and other aspects of the deformation of the layer, are studied. ( I q l' INTRODUCTION I Rubber-covered roll covers similar~o}he,set-up shown in Figure I are used in the paper-mill industry and the textile industry. In these and other applications of the roll covers, a relatively thin rubberlike layer bonded to a cylindrical. core made of a consiqerably harder material is indented by another cylinder also made ofa hard material. Typically, the iridentot and the core are made of steel or granite. The maximum principal strain induced in the rubberlike layer in these applications seems to exceed 20 per cent. Also, depending upon how the rubber was cured and other factors (such as the environmental temperature), the rubberlike layer may behave viscoelastically. Earlier, Batra2 studied the deformations of these roll covers wherein the rubber has been modelled as a nonlinear elastic material. Herein we assume that the rubberlike layer can be modelled as a nonlinear viscoelastic material and study its finite deformations. We assume that sufficient time has e1apsed since the start-up of the operation for the transient effects to die down and consequently we study the steady-state problem wherein the rubberlike layer has a constant angular velocity of.o rad/sec. We briefly review some of the previous work done on this and other related problems. For the case of infinitesimal deformations of the rubberlike layer presumed to be made of a Hookean material, Hahn and Levinson2 used the Airy stress function to solve the problem. They also showed that the effect of Coulomb friction at the contact surface on the deformations of the layer was negligible for moderate values of the coefficient of friction. Soong and Li3 used the same Airy stress function, but used the point-matching method rather than the Gralil-Schmidt . orthonormalization method used by Hahn and Levinson. In a later paper,4 Soong and Li
Symptoms, Respirator Use, and Pulmonary Function Changes Among New York City Firefighters Responding to the World Trade Center Disaster*

Context New York City firefighters responding to the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster on September 11, 2001, were exposed to numerous hazards. A medical screening program was conducted 3 weeks after the disaster on a sample of firefighters. Objectives To determine whether arrival time at the WTC and other exposure variables (including respirator use) were associated with symptoms and changes in pulmonary function (after exposure − before exposure). Design A cross-sectional comparison of firefighters representing the following groups: (1) firefighters who arrived before/during the WTC collapse, (2) firefighters who arrived 1 to 2 days after the collapse, (3) firefighters who arrived 3 to 7 days after the collapse, and (4) unexposed firefighters. Setting Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) Bureau of Health Services on October 1 to 5, 2001. Population A stratified random sample of 362 of 398 recruited working firefighters (91%). Of these, 149 firefighters (41%) were present at the WTC collapse, 142 firefighters (39%) arrived after the collapse but within 48 h, 28 firefighters (8%) arrived 3 to 7 days after the collapse, and 43 firefighters (12%) were unexposed. Main outcome measures New/worsening symptoms involving the eyes, skin, respiratory system, and nose and throat (NT), and changes in spirometry from before to after exposure. Results During the first 2 weeks at the WTC site, 19% of study firefighters reported not using a respirator; 50% reported using a respirator but only rarely. Prevalence ratios (PRs) for skin, eye, respiratory, and NT symptoms showed a dose-response pattern between exposure groups based on time of arrival at the WTC site, with PRs between 2.6 and 11.4 with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) excluding 1.0 for all but skin symptoms. For those spending > 7 days at the site, the PR for respiratory symptoms was 1.32 (95% CI, 1.13 to 1.55), compared with those who were exposed for 1 . These reductions were greater than the annual reductions measured in a referent population of incumbent FDNY firefighters prior to September 11 (p ≤ 0.05 ). There was a 60% increased risk of a decline of ≥ 450 mL in FEV 1 in those arriving during the first 48 h compared to the referent (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions The symptoms and pulmonary function changes following exposure at the WTC demonstrate the need for improvements in respirators and their use, as well as long-term medical monitoring of rescue workers.
Testing Linear Properties: Some general themes

The last two decades have seen enormous progress in the development of sublinear-time algorithms — i.e., algorithms that examine/reveal properties of “data” in less time than it would take to read all of the data. A large, and important, subclass of such properties turn out to be “linear”. In particular, these developments have contributed to the rich theory of probabilistically checkable proofs (PCPs) and locally testable codes (LTCs). In this survey, we focus on some of the general technical themes at work behind the many results in this area.
Phase transition in a one-dimensional system.

We give an examnple here illustrating a very simple way to obtain a first-order phase transition in a one-dimensional system. We consider "discrete" cases in this paper (which follow from the use of a step intermolecular potential). "Continuous" cases (from a "smooth" intermolecular potential) will be discussed in a second paper.1 One can also introduice length and tension as additional thermodynamic variables (here, tension = 0). Although the basic idea occurred to us in connection with allosteric effects2 in biological macromolecules, it turns out to have been exploited somewhat already in solid-state physics (three-dimensional systems).' The feature of main interest here is not any relation to real one-dimensional systems (the model is quite artificial), but rather the extreme simplicity of the model, which can be treated easily and exactly. Our system consists of a regular one-dimensional lattice ("Einstein crystal") of N1 (N1 -- oo) component 1 molecules, which produce a lattice (samne spacing) of N, sites for the adsorption of N2 ? N1 component 2 molecules, at most one per site. The component 2 molecules form a conventional one-dimensional Ising system4 (lattice gas) with nearest-neighbor interactions only. The essential qualitative feature of the model is that the optimal lattice spacing (component 1) does not match the optimal nearest-neighbor spacing (component 2). Hence, adsorption leads to adjustment in the lattice spacing, in amount sufficient to extremalize the appropriate thermodynamic poteintial of the binary system. The artificiality in the model, referred to above and necessary for the phase transition, arises from an imposed restraint of uniform, though variable, lattice spacilig through the whole linear system. As we shall see at the end of the paper, if local (i.e., nonuniform) variations in lattice spacing are allowed-in response to adsorption-no phase transition occurs. The fact that the lattice spacing is restrained to be uniform implies a kind of long-range interaction between component 1 molecules. Statistical Mechanics of the Model.-The nearest-neighbor interaction potential between two adsorbed molecules is denoted by w2(r). For simplicity, we assume that lattice molecules also have, among themselves, nearest-neighbor interactions only with pair potential w1(r). Also, for simplicity, we assume that the partition functions ql(T) and q2(T) (not including e -W1kT and e w2/k17) for individual type 1 and type 2 molecules, respectively, are unaffected by the amount of adsorption or by a change in lattice spacing. The two cases considered in this paper (they can be treated together) are shown
Preliminary results of the Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment

The Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment (ASE) operates onboard the Earth Orbiter 1 mission in 2004. The ASE software uses onboard continuous planning, robust task and goal-based execution, and onboard machine learning and pattern recognition to radically increase science return by enabling intelligent downlink selection and autonomous retargeting. In This work we discuss how these AI technologies are synergistically integrated in multi-layer control architecture to enable a virtual spacecraft science agent. We also present the preliminary results from flight validation of this experiment. This software demonstrates the potential for space missions to use onboard decision-making to detect, analyze, and respond to science events, and to downlink only the highest value science data. As a result, ground-based mission planning and analysis functions were simplified, thus reducing operations cost.
Control of Catalytic Activity Via Porosity, Chemical Composition, and Morphology of Nanostructured Porous Manganese Oxide Materials

This review concerns a summary of synthesis, characterization, and applications of octahedral molecular sieve (OMS) materials. These OMS systems have been the focus of our research program for over 20 years. This review primarily covers the past 10 years with an emphasis on the most recent developments in this area. Some current areas of concern include the systematic synthesis of well ordered materials, control of particle sizes, generation of nano-size particles, and development of new synthetic methods like pulse laser deposition and epitaxial growth of oxidic materials. Applications include use of OMS in environmental catalysis, adsorption, clean energy materials, activation of the Greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, and selective oxidations. OMS catalysts are outstanding selective oxidation catalysts and can also drive total oxidations. The highly selective of OMS systems may be related to redox cycling and redox catalysis.
Functions of lipoprotein receptors in neurons

The LDL receptor (LDLR) family is comprised of several multifunctional cell surface proteins that bind and endocytose ligands with diverse biological functions. One ligand common to all LDLR family members is apolipoprotein E (apoE), a lipid transport protein that also plays a central role in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. This review discusses the role of apoE and its receptors in the central nervous system and, in particular, the signaling mechanisms by which two members of the LDLR gene family, apoE receptor-2 and VLDL receptor, control brain development, normal neuronal positioning, and neurotransmission in the adult brain.
Inside Interrogation: The Lie, The Bluff, and False Confessions

Using a less deceptive variant of the false evidence ploy, interrogators often use the bluff tactic, whereby they pretend to have evidence to be tested without further claiming that it necessarily implicates the suspect. Three experiments were conducted to assess the impact of the bluff on confession rates. Using the Kassin and Kiechel (Psychol Sci 7:125–128, 1996) computer crash paradigm, Experiment 1 indicated that bluffing increases false confessions comparable to the effect produced by the presentation of false evidence. Experiment 2 replicated the bluff effect and provided self-reports indicating that innocent participants saw the bluff as a promise of future exoneration which, paradoxically, made it easier to confess. Using a variant of the Russano et al. (Psychol Sci 16:481–486, 2005) cheating paradigm, Experiment 3 replicated the bluff effect on innocent suspects once again, though a ceiling effect was obtained in the guilty condition. Results suggest that the phenomenology of innocence can lead innocents to confess even in response to relatively benign interrogation tactics.
Molecular analysis of the TK locus in L5178Y large and small colony mouse lymphoma cell mutants induced by hycanthone methanesulfonate

Abstract Mouse lymphoma cells of the L5178Y TK +/−3.7.2C line were exposed to varying concentrations of the anti-schistosomal drug hycanthone methanesulfonate. The trifluorothymidine (TFT)-resistant cells fell into two classes based on colony size. Southern blot analyses were performed using Nco I-digested DNA from a number of large and small mutant colonies from each treatment group. Two different restriction fragment banding patterns were identified in these analyses, those colonies that contained the 6.4 kb Nco I restriction fragment and those that did not. A total of 471 mutant colonies were analyzed and 84.5% (398) of these colonies did not exhibit the 6.4 kb fragment. There did not appear to be a hycanthone methanesulfonate dose response effect in the number of colonies that did not contain the 6.4 kb fragment among the treated groups. In addition, 82% (154 out of 188) of spontaneous mutants did not contain the 6.4 kb fragment. The results imply that greater than 80% of all spontaneous mutations found in the mouse lymphoma assay regardless of colony size do not contain the 6.4 kb fragment and each may be considered to be a large scale mutation. In addition, greater than 80% of the hycanthone induced mutations in the mouse lymphoma assay do not contain the 6.4 kb fragment and thus may be considered to be a large scale mutation.
Atomic phase delay in a rubidium atomic clock

The phase delay that exists between the oscillating atomic system and the probing microwave field in a rubidium atomic clock is examined. This phase delay must be accounted for in the feedback control circuitry of the clock in order to maximize the device's short-term stability. It is found both experimentally and theoretically that the atomic phase delay can vary by more than 100/spl deg/, and that in the regime of normal clock operation it is a rapidly changing function of microwave power. Defining P/sub 0/ as the normal operating power entering the clock cavity, it is shown that at P/sub 0/ the phase-delay sensitivity to microwave power variations is maximized and on the order of ten degrees per dB. It is unadvisable to try to operate the clock at some different microwave power where this sensitivity is smaller, since the amplitude of the first harmonic signal is also maximized at P/sub 0/. >
Chromatic masking in the (ΔL/L, ΔM/M) plane of cone-contrast space reveals only two detection mechanisms

Abstract The post-receptoral mechanisms that mediate detection of stimuli in the (ΔL/L, ΔM/M) plane of color space were characterized using noise masking. Chromatic masking noises of different chromaticities and spatial configurations were used, and threshold contours for the detection of Gaussian and Gabor tests were measured. The results do not show masking that is narrowly-selective for the chromaticity of the noise. On the contrary, our findings suggest that detection of these tests is mediated only by an opponent chromatic mechanism (a red-green mechanism) and a non-opponent luminance mechanism. These results are not consistent with the hypothesis of multiple chromatic mechanisms mediating detection in this color plane [1] .
Segmenting molecular surfaces

This paper presents a new method for segmentation of molecular surfaces. Topological analysis of a scalar function defined on the surface and its associated gradient field reveals the relationship between the features of interest and critical points of the scalar function. The segmentation is obtained by associating segments with local minima/maxima. Controlled simplification of the function merges segments resulting in a hierarchical segmentation of the molecular surface. This segmentation is used to identify rigid components of protein molecules and to study the role of cavities and protrusions in protein-protein interactions.
The Use of Current Gain as an Indicator for the Formation of Hot Spots Due to Current Crowding in Power Transistors

Under some power transistor operating conditions, current crowding leads to a region of localized power dissipation. Such hot spot operation should be avoided because it produces excessive localized junction temperatures that degrade electrical performance of devices and cause thermal fatigue. Its presence may indicate an abnormally high susceptibility to second breakdown. A non-destructive screening technique has been developed to cull out power transistors with hot spots due to current crowding. The technique is based on the use of d-c current gain, hFE, measured as a function of collector voltage with the collector current, IC, held constant. In this procedure, the base current of the transistor under test is measured as a function of collector voltage while the collector current and case temperature are held constant. Under these conditions, base current is proportional to the reciprocal of hFE. Hot spot formation is indicated by an increase in the base current, which normally decreases with increasing collector voltage. Hot spots were often found to occur within the published maximum ratings of the transistors, under operating conditions well below those leading to second breakdown. Typical examples are presented of base current (proportional to l/hFE) as a function of collectoremitter voltage for a variety of operating conditions under which hot spot formation occurs. Data are presented comparing the use of thermal resistance, emitter-base voltage, and hFE to indicate the formation of hot spots.
Analyses of the Interaction between the Origin Binding Domain from Simian Virus 40 T Antigen and Single-Stranded DNA Provide Insights into DNA Unwinding and Initiation of DNA Replication

DNA helicases are essential for DNA metabolism; however, at the molecular level little is known about how they assemble or function. Therefore, as a model for a eukaryotic helicase, we are analyzing T antigen (T-ag) the helicase encoded by simian virus 40. In this study, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods were used to investigate the transit of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) through the T-ag origin-binding domain (T-ag OBD). When the residues that interact with ssDNA are viewed in terms of the structure of a hexamer of the T-ag OBD, comprised of residues 131 to 260, they indicate that ssDNA passes over one face of the T-ag OBD and then transits through a gap in the open ring structure. The NMR-based conclusions are supported by an analysis of previously described mutations that disrupt critical steps during the initiation of DNA replication. These and related observations are discussed in terms of the threading of DNA through T-ag hexamers and the initiation of viral DNA replication.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for perioperative evaluation of sternal eversion for pectus excavatum

OBJECTIVES: Pectus excavatum is associated with varying degrees of exercise intolerance and symptomatology. Various forms of evaluation have been inconsistent in identifying objective data for correlation with symptoms. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging provides a promising method for delineating the anatomical and physiological components of pectus excavatum as well as measuring the results of surgical repair. METHODS: Six patients with symptomatic pectus excavatum underwent preoperative evaluation with CMR. All patients had successful, uncomplicated repair of pectus excavatum using the sternal eversion technique. At the first postoperative visit, all patients underwent postoperative evaluation with CMR. Pre- and postoperative CMR measurements were compared for each patient. RESULTS: Preoperative CMR demonstrated evidence of anatomical and dynamical compression of the heart in all patients. After surgery, all patients showed improvement on postoperative CMR. Five of the 6 (83%) patients had complete relief of right ventricular compression, and 5 of the 6 (83%) patients had relief of left atrial compression. The degree of antero-posterior chest wall narrowing was also markedly improved, with an average postoperative vs preoperative Haller index of 3.2 (range, 2.7–3.8) vs 5.0 (range, 4.0–5.9). CONCLUSIONS: After surgical correction of pectus excavatum with the sternal eversion technique, CMR demonstrates improvement in both anatomical chest wall contour and cardiac performance. Sternal eversion provides the most complete anatomical correction and greatest relief of internal cardiac compression. We recommend CMR as the definitive modality for evaluation of patients with pectus excavatum, as this modality shows that the primary underlying physiological abnormality in pectus excavatum is cardiac compression.
Hemoptysis Due to Breath-Hold Diving Following Chemotherapy and Lung Irradiation

Breath-hold diving, also known as free-diving, describes the practice of intentional immersion under water without an external supply of oxygen. Pulmonary hemorrhage with hemoptysis has been reported as a complication of immersion and breath-hold diving in young healthy athletes. We report the case of a 60-year-old man with a history of radiation and chemotherapy for breast carcinoma, who developed the abrupt onset of hemoptysis in the setting of swimming and breath-hold diving. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest demonstrated an area of ground glass opacification, suggestive of pulmonary hemorrhage, superimposed on a background of reticular opacities within the prior radiation field. A follow-up CT scan of the chest, obtained 2 months after presentation, demonstrated resolution of the ground glass opacification, but persistence of fibrotic features attributable to prior radiation therapy. We postulate that prior irradiation of the chest resulted in lung injury and fibrosis which, in turn, rendered the affected region of the lung susceptible to “stress failure,” due to an increase in the transcapillary pressure gradient arising from immersion and breath-hold diving. Patients with a history of lung injury resulting from chest irradiation should be cautioned about pulmonary hemorrhage and hemoptysis as a potential complication of swimming and breath-hold diving.
A micro-architecturally biomimetic collagen template for mesenchymal condensation based cartilage regeneration.

Abstract The unique arcade-like orientation of collagen fibers enables cartilage to bear mechanical loads. In this study continuous-length aligned collagen threads were woven to emulate the interdigitated arcade structure of the cartilage. The weaving pattern provided a macropore network within which micromass cell pellets were seeded to take advantage of mesenchymal condensation driven chondrogenesis. Compression tests showed that the baseline scaffold had a modulus of 0.83 ± 0.39 MPa at a porosity of 80%. The modulus of pellet seeded scaffolds increased by 60% to 1.33 ± 0.37 MPa after 28 days of culture, converging to the modulus of the native cartilage. The scaffolds displayed duress under displacement controlled low-cycle fatigue at 15% strain amplitude such that load reduction stabilized at 8% after 4500 cycles of loading. The woven structure demonstrated a substantial elastic recoil where 40% mechanical strain was close to completely recovered following unloading. A robust chondrogenesis was observed as evidenced by positive staining for GAGs and type II collagen and aggrecan. Dimethyl methylene blue and sircol assays showed GAGs and collagen productions to increase from 3.36 ± 1.24 and 31.46 ± 3.22 at day 3 to 56.61 ± 12.12 and 136.70 ± 12.29 μg/μg of DNA at day 28 of culture. This woven collagen scaffold holds a significant potential for cartilage regeneration with shorter in vitro culture periods due to functionally sufficient mechanical robustness at the baseline. In conclusion, the mimicry of cartilage’s arcade architecture resulted in substantial improvement of mechanical function while enabling one of the first pellet delivery platforms enabled by a macroporous network. Statement of significance Mesenchymal condensation is critical for driving chondrogenesis, making high density cell seeding a standard in cartilage tissue engineering. Efforts to date have utilized scaffold free delivery of MSCs in pellet form. This study developed a macroporous scaffold that is fabricated by weaving highly aligned collagen threads. The scaffold can deliver high density cell condensates while providing mechanical stiffness comparable to that of cartilage. The scaffold also mimicked the arcade-like orientation of collagen fibers in cartilage. A highly robust chondrogenesis was observed in this mesenchymal cell pellet delivery system. Baseline mechanical robustness of this scaffold system will enable delivery of cell pellets as early as three days.
Endowment heterogeneity and peer punishment in a public good experiment: Cooperation and normative conflict

Abstract The provision of public goods motivates the creation of institutions designed to compel individuals to cooperate. Peer punishment mechanisms have garnered particular attention and suggest that groups are able to self-govern. Research suggests that the effectiveness of peer punishment depends on a group’s capacity to establish and enforce contribution norms. This paper investigates the effectiveness of such institutions when normative conflict makes contribution norms ambiguous. In an interior solution public good experiment, endowment heterogeneity and peer punishment are interacted. Results suggest that peer punishment induces greater contributions when endowments are homogeneous but does not increase contributions when endowments are heterogeneous. Across the payoff equivalent endowment conditions with the opportunity to punish, contributions and earnings are significantly lower when endowments are heterogeneous. This research suggests that the capacity of groups to self-govern is limited when normative conflict makes contribution norms ambiguous.
Materials Enhanced Design: The Materials Engineering Perspective to Product Design and Manufacturing

In this bound volume the specific author makes every possible effort to cover the most appropriate and relevant materials considerations that are required to improve the likelihood of designing, de...
Estimating the non-homogeneous elastic modulus distribution from surface deformations

Abstract We present a novel approach to solve the inverse problem in finite elasticity for the non-homogeneous shear modulus distribution solely from known surface deformation fields. The inverse problem is posed as a constrained optimization problem under regularization and solved utilizing the adjoint equations. Hypothetical “measured” surface displacement fields are created, by inducing indentations on the exterior of the specimen. These surface displacement fields are used to test the inverse strategy on a problem domain consisting of a stiff circular inclusion in a softer homogeneous background. We observe that the shear modulus reconstruction as well as the shape of the circular inclusion improves with an increasing number of surface displacement fields. Furthermore, with increasing noise level in the surface displacement field, the contrast of the reconstructions decreases.
Les activités de Framatome ANP dans le Contrôle Commande

Dans le domaine du controle-commande des reacteurs nucleaires, ou les technologies numeriques se sont imposees, Framatome ANP developpe deux produits adaptes aux filieres PWR, BWR et WER. Au-dela des realisations actuelles, d'importants projets se precisent pour la modernisation de reacteurs dans les pays de l'Europe de l'Est et aux Etats-Unis. La realisation de nouvelles tranches, notamment en Chine et en Finlande, ouvre egalement des perspectives...
Mixing and Mass Exchange for Cavities in Supersonic Flows

The ability of wall-mounted cavities to facilitate flameholding is largely dependent on local conditions within the recirculation region, that are, generally, vastly different from the adjacent supersonic flow. The local stoichiometry depends on the mixing within the flameholder and the mass exchange with the core flow. These processes are integrally linked to fuel injection location and its coupling with the recirculation region flow field. In the present study planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) was used to obtain a twodimensional image of the streamwise fuel distribution in a non-reacting, directly-fueled cavity in a Mach 2.2 flow. Fuel was injected from two different locations within the cavity chosen to result in parallel and counterflow mixing with respect to the primary cavity circulation. Injection from both locations resulted in a largely fuel rich recirculation region. Parallel injection from the cavity step was characterized by pooling of fuel within the cavity’s trapped vortices with the majority of mixing occurring in the shear layer and along the cavity walls. Counterflow injection from the cavity floor resulted in a leaner flow field attributed to enhanced mixing with the impinging shear layer, larger quantities of fuel escaping the recirculation region and limited mass exchange between the trapped vortices. The local concentration fields generated by both fueling schemes suggested that under analogous reacting conditions the region around the shear layer would serve as the most probable flame anchoring location.
The electrolysis of Al2S3 in AlCl3-MgCl2-NaCl-KCl melts

The electrolysis of Al2S3 has been investigated in AlCl3-MgCl2-NaCl-KCl melts. Experimental results obtained at 1023 K show that dissolved Al2S3 can be electrolysed to give aluminium and elemental sulphur. It has been found that the limiting current density for the electrolysis of Al2S3 in these melts is that at the anode and it increases with increasing Al2S3 concentration. It appears that within the current density range 0.2 to 1.2 A cm−2, the cathodic current efficiency of the electrolysis of 5 wt % Al2S3 does not vary significantly with the current density. Within that current density range, current efficiencies of about 75 to 85% are obtained.
A case-control study on risk factors of measles among adults in Fengtai district of Beijing

Objective To discuss the risk factors of measles among adults in Fengtai district of Beijing,and to provide evidence for disease prevent and control. Methods A paired case-control study was conducted among53 adult measles cases and 53 controls collected from March to July 2013 in Fengtai at 1∶1paired of same gender,similar age(±1year old)and close residing places(building or yard).Conditional logistic regression method was used for data analysis. Results Single variable analysis showed that factors as non-local resident,flat-share,low income,leaving Beijing or being in crowded enclosed places 7-21 days before measles attack were related to adult measles(P0.05).Multivariate analysis revealed that the odds ratio of presence in crowded enclosed places over 3times was 12.48(95%CI:1.38-113.14,P0.05).The risk of contracting measles for nonlocal individuals was higher than local residents(OR=8.43,95%CI:1.05-67.41). Conclusions Improving measles vaccination coverage among non-local residents may help control the measles epidemic in Fengtai district.Personal protection might reduce the incidence of measles.
Size of stage IIIA primary lung cancers and survival: A surveillance, epidemiology and end results database analysis

Size of early-stage lung cancer is important in the prognosis of patients. We examined the large population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database to determine if tumor size was an independent risk factor of survival in patients undergoing lobectomy for N2 positive Stage IIIA nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study identified 1971 patients diagnosed with N2 positive Stage IIIA NSCLC, from 1998 to 2007, and who underwent lobectomy. Five tumor groups based on the seventh edition TNM lung cancer staging system (pathologic T1a 2 cm or less; T1b greater than 2 cm and 3 cm or less; T2a greater than 3 cm and 5 cm or less; T2b greater than 5 cm and 7 cm or less; T3 greater than 7 cm) were analyzed. Survival was reduced in patients with T3, T2a, and T2b tumors compared with patients with T1a and T1b (P < 0.001). Survival estimates correlated with tumor size with poorer survival in T3 followed by T2b, T2a, and then T1b and T1a. Cohorts with T1a (hazard ratio [HR], 0.53; P = 0.01) and T1b (HR, 0.54; P = 0.01) were both found to have decreased hazard of death. Negative predictors of survival, in addition to increasing tumor size, included age and male gender, whereas positive predictors included tumor Grade I and upper lobe location. Increasing size of tumor is an independent negative risk factor for survival in patients undergoing lobectomy for N2 positive Stage IIIA NSCLC.
Lymphknotenstaging bei gastrointestinalen Karzinomen

Das histopathologische Lymphknotenstaging stellt nach wie vor den wichtigsten Parameter zur Prognoseabschatzung und Therapieplanung bei Karzinomerkrankungen des Verdauungstrakts dar. In der Praxis werden die empfohlenen Mindestzahlen zu untersuchender Lymphknoten haufig jedoch nicht erreicht. Die methylenblauassistierte Lymphknotenpraparation stellt hier eine einfache und effiziente Methode zur Verbesserung der Lymphknotenausbeute dar. Die Technik ist kostengunstig, verursacht keine Zeitverzogerung und erfordert keine toxischen Substanzen. In den durchgefuhrten Studien ergab sich stets eine hochsignifikant verbesserte Lymphknotenausbeute im Vergleich zur konventionellen Technik. Daruber hinaus kann diese Technik mit einer neuen Ex-vivo-Sentinellymphknotenmarkierung kombiniert werden, die erstmals auf der histologischen Detektion der Sentinellymphknoten beruht. Die hier vorgestellte Methode zeigt mit konventionellen Sentineltechniken vergleichbare Erfolgsraten und ermoglicht so den effizienten Einsatz von erweiterten Untersuchungstechniken wie Immunhistochemie oder Polymerasekettenreaktion.
Effectiveness of certified nurse-midwives. A prospective evaluation study.

A prospective evaluation study of the effectiveness of the services of certified nurse-midwives demonstrated that in a hospital setting the care of low-risk maternity patients provided by nurse-midwives was as effective as that provided by house staff physicians. A total of 438 low-risk maternity patients were studied. Selected outcomes pertaining to the prenatal period, labor and delivery, and early infancy demonstrated, with two exceptions, no significant differences. The two exceptions were: (1) overcompliance with appointment attendance was more common among the nurse-midwifery group of patients; (2) a higher rate of forceps delivery was reported among the house staff group of patients.
Renal arteriovenous aneurysm masquerading as a gallstone.

AbstractA case of renal artery aneurysm and arteriovenous fistula with surgical preservation of renal parenchyma is reported.
Overview of Spinal Cord Tumor Epidemiology

Abstract Spinal cord tumors (SCT) encompass a diverse group of neoplasms that usually arise from tissues within the spinal cord parenchyma or in the region of the spinal canal. Rarely, parenchymal tumors can occur as a metastatic deposit from a systemic malignancy. Primary SCT comprise 0.5% of newly diagnosed tumors and 5–12% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms. They are classified according to their cell of origin and location within the spinal canal. Extramedullary SCT are most commonly diagnosed in adults (85%), with schwannomas and meningiomas accounting for 55–60% of this group. Intramedullary tumors are less frequent (10–12%), and most often consist of ependymomas and astrocytomas. Intramedullary spinal cord metastases (ISCM) are a rare complication of systemic cancer, usually arising from a primary tumor of the lung or breast, or melanoma. ISCM affect between 0.5% and 2% of all patients with cancer and represent only 8.5% of all CNS metastases.
Distance Delivery of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Distance delivery of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) offers an innovative opportunity to provide therapy to people who would otherwise be unable to receive treatment for depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses, particularly those with co-morbid chronic illness. Among other benefits, distance delivery by telephone or Internet can eliminate barriers to attending MBCT sessions that are related to transportation, mobility limitations, or stigma. However, distance delivery can also create challenges including technology issues, professional practice and confidentiality concerns, and limitations upon interpersonal communication. Studies suggest that distance delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy can be as effective as face-to-face delivery. Project UPLIFT is a distance-delivered intervention based in MBCT. In two randomized, controlled trials, Project UPLIFT was demonstrated to be effective for increasing mindfulness-based knowledge and skills, reducing depression, and increasing satisfaction with life among people with epilepsy. MBCT is particularly well-suited to distance delivery because many of the exercises are designed to be verbally led by the facilitator.
Parallel Programming with Pictures in a Snap

For decades, computing speeds seemingly doubled every 24 months by increasing the clock speed and giving software a "free ride" to better performance. This free ride, however, effectively ended by the mid-to-late 2000s. With clock speeds having plateaued and computational horsepower instead increasing due to increasing the number of cores per processor, the vision for parallel computing, which started more than 40 years ago, is a revolution that has now (ubiquitously) arrived. In addition to traditional supercomputing clusters, parallel computing with multiple cores can be found in desktops, laptops, and even mobile smartphones. This ubiquitous parallelism in hardware presents at least two major challenges: (1) difficulty in easily extracting parallel performance via current software abstractions and (2) difficulty in delivering correctness -- as even without parallelism, software defects already account for up to~40 percent of system failures. Consequently, this paper presents preliminary research that reduces the learning curve to parallel programming by introducing such concepts into a visual (but currently serial) programming language called Snap!. Furthermore, the proposed visual abstractions automatically generate parallel code for the end user so as to better ensure that the resulting (text-based) code is correct.
Philosophy’s Use and Abuse of the Double: Plato and Kant

This chapter situates the problem of the double in, primarily, Plato and Kant—supplemented by aspects of Deleuze and Derrida—using them to represent the necessity of the work of the double in the history of philosophy. I set up my approach with reference to doubles in the philosophy of Sartre, and then focus here on splits and divides in Plato, both in the divided line and the allegory of the cave, but most distinctively in his attempt to define the identity of the philosopher in contrast with the elusive sophist. Finally, I turn to the sharp divisions that for Kant characterize his Copernican Revolution.
A Way Forward for Cancer Chemoprevention: Think Local

As cells progress through carcinogenesis, the associated exponential expansion of genetic and molecular aberrations and resultant heterogeneity make therapeutic success increasingly unattainable. Therapeutic intervention at early stages of carcinogenesis that occurs within the primary organ and in the face of a lower burden of molecular aberrations, constitutes a basic tenet of cancer chemoprevention, and provides a situation that favors a greater degree of therapeutic efficacy compared with that of advanced cancer. A longstanding barrier to chemoprevention relates to the requirement for essentially no systemic toxicity, and the fact that when large numbers of people are treated, the emergence of systemic toxicity is almost universal. A rational means to address this in fact relates to a second basic tenet of the chemopreventive strategy: the focus of therapeutic intervention is to disrupt a process that is in essence localized to a single organ. Based upon this consideration, a strategy which is based upon local delivery of therapeutics to an at-risk organ will achieve therapeutic efficacy while avoiding systemic delivery and its associated toxicity. This article will review the rationale for undertaking such an approach, describe successful clinical achievements based on this strategy, describe ongoing efforts to expand the impact of this approach, and together will highlight the high impact that this approach has already had on the field as well as its extremely high potential for future impact. Cancer Prev Res; 10(1); 14-35. ©2016 AACR.
The Role of Necroptosis in Atherosclerotic Disease

It is now known that cells do not always die by apoptosis, but can also undergo a process known as programmed cell necrosis, or necroptosis. In a study recently published in Science Advances, investigators reported that this proinflammatory process is active in human atherosclerosis, may promote growth of the necrotic core, and may serve as a novel molecular imaging and translational therapeutic target. These findings represent a major step in our goal to reduce coronary disease and stroke.
Agent-based modeling – Proof of concept application to membrane separation and hydrogen storage in a MOF

Abstract Modeling techniques such as molecular dynamics are often complicated and computationally expensive. This paper discusses agent-based modeling (ABM) as an alternative modeling approach that allows for any level of modeling complexity at a reasonable computational effort. The ABM framework is generally applicable for modeling complex systems. More specifically, ABM makes it possible to impose simple behaviors on individual “agents” which interact to produce an overall complex system behavior, thus facilitating the modeling of complex systems. To demonstrate the feasibility of ABM, we apply the approach to two problems: gas separation in an inorganic-organic membrane and hydrogen capture in a Metal-Organic Framework (MOF). The data collected from the models is consistent with experimental data suggesting that ABM is an effective modeling tool.