cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of monobutyl phosphate and dibutyl phosphate in mixed hazardous wastes by ion-pair chromatography

Ion-pair chromatography was tested for its applicability in determining monobutyl phosphate (MBP) and dibutyl phosphate (DBP), which are degradation products of tributyl phosphate, in Hanford tank wastes. In tests with simulant waste mixtures, tetrahexylammonium bromide, an ion-pairing agent, was used to complex with all three phosphate species. Recovery studies indicated that ion-pairing chromatography is quantitative for determining the analytes in spiked samples. Initial results demonstrated that DBP could be detected easily and was fairly well separated from other peaks, but MBP was frequently lost due to large negative peaks. Then a preconcentration column procedure was used to clean up the waste-sample matrix, and the negative peaks disappeared. Results indicated that 80% of MBP and 90% of DBP could be recovered. Most of the radioactivity was removed from actual waste tank samples so that additional sample preparation could be performed safely in a fume hood rather than a hot cell. Dibutyl phosphate was identified in an actual tank waste, but MBP was not found; this result was confimed by ion chromatography with conductivity detection.
Forced vibrations of a shell inside a narrow water annulus

Abstract The response of a shell to pulsating pressure in a narrow water-filled annulus is determined. The analysis is patterned after Penzes, according to which the imposed pump pressure over a portion of the outer periphery of the water annulus is replaced by an equivalent body force of appropriate thickness. While the amplitude of the response is smaller than that obtained by Penzes by a factor of about 8, the mode shapes agree closely with his results.
Surgical treatment of the divided flexor digitorum profundus tendon in zone 2, delayed more than 6 weeks, by tendon grafting in 50 cases

The surgical treatment of the divided FDP tendon, more than 6 weeks old, in zone 2 is reviewed in 50 patients. The method used was the excision of the divided FDP tendon and the insertion of a thin tendon graft. There were 50 patients in this study; 36 were male and 14 female, aged from 18 to 60 years. All patients were markedly disabled because of loss of strength of the involved finger. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 25 years following tendon grafting. In 35 patients plantaris tendon was used and in 15 patients palmaris longus. Definite advantages were found in using the tendon grafting procedure; strength, dexterity, pinch and grasp were markedly improved. Functional results were evaluated by the Boyes method, with the Pulvertaft method as a secondary assessment. Among the 50 patients, 80% had excellent and good results (excellent 32%, good 48%) and 20% fair.
Status Characteristics and Performance Expectations: A Reformulation

Status characteristics theory predicts the emergence and structure of power and prestige orders in task groups from members' status attributes. This paper argues that application of the burden of proof assumption, central to the theory, is inconsistent with a key concept, generalized expectation state. A reformulation is proposed that eliminates the inconsistency and gives competing predictions for a wide range of situations. The reformulation predicts that, when not directly relevant to task performance, specific characteristics (e.g., athletic or analytical ability) have less impact than diffuse characteristics (race, gender, or education) on performance expectations. The original formulation predicts equal effects. Critical tests are proposed and the paper concludes with additional comparisons of the two formulations on the grounds of parsimony and implications for intervention in settings characterized by status-based inequalities.
The fossil record of Phasmida (Insecta: Neoptera)

A review of the Phasmida fossil record is provided. No fossils of Timema Scudder are known. Euphasmida fossils include: Agathemera reclusa Scudder, Electrobaculum gracilis Sharov, Eophasma oregonense Sellick, Eophasma minor Sellick, Eophasmina manchesteri Sellick, Pseudoperla gracilipes Pictet, Pseudoperla lineata Pictet and various unclassified species from Grube Messel, Baltic amber, and Dominican Republic amber. The oldest documented Euphasmida fossils are 44-49 million years old; molecular clock dating underestimates the origin of the sister group Timema by at least 24 million years.
Approximation of the solution of inverse problem of scattering of electromagnetic waves on plane dielectrics

We propose a method for the determination of the material parameters of dielectric coatings according to the measured values of scattered electromagnetic fields which enables us to introduce an efficient procedure of processing of the data of measurements in the methods of nondestructive testing. As a specific feature of the proposed method for the solution of the formulated inverse problem, we can mention the possibility of reconstruction of piecewise continuous profiles of dielectric permittivity for laminated materials. The procedure of reconstruction is based on the method of integral equations. The solution of the problem is obtained approximately. The measured values of the coefficient of reflection of plane electromagnetic waves are extrapolated to the high-frequency region, which enables us to guarantee higher accuracy of reconstruction of the functions of dielectric permittivity for the analyzed structures.
257 DEVELOPMENT OF HEAT-STRESSED OVA MATURED IN THE PRESENCE OF A PROSTAGLANDIN F2ALPHA RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST

Studies in the literature have shown that cumulus–oocyte complexes produce PGF2α, that ova and cumulus cells have PGF2α receptors, and that PGF2α addition to maturing ova, above what would normally be produced, decreases blastocyst development. Because previous studies have shown elevated systemic and tissue levels of PGF2α as a consequence of heat stress, it was hypothesized that detrimental effects of exposing maturing ova to elevated temperatures may be mediated in part through heat-induced increases in PGF2α. To test this hypothesis, cumulus–oocyte complexes were matured at 38.5 or 41.0°C in the presence of a PGF2α receptor antagonist (AL-8810). Preattachment embryo development of AL-8810-treated ova was compared with development of ova matured in media with or without diluent (DMSO added at the same concentration as AL-8810; diluent and developmental controls, respectively), resulting in 6 total treatment combinations. Data were analyzed as a randomized block design (blocking on oocyte collection date) with fixed effects of maturation temperature, AL-8810, and the respective interaction included in the statistical model. In experimental replicates in which the effects of heat stress decreased blastocyst development greater than 10% (n = 14), a significant maturation temperature × AL-8810 interaction was noted when evaluating blastocyst development (P = 0.05). Specifically, when ova were heat stressed during the first 12 h of in vitro maturation, blastocyst development was reduced in developmental and diluent controls (26.2 v. 18.8 and 24.4 v. 19.9, respectively; SEM = 1.6). In contrast, when ova were matured under the same conditions but in the presence of a PGF2α receptor antagonist, the effects of heat stress to reduce blastocyst development after in vitro fertilization were no longer observed (22.5 v. 22.5; SEM = 1.6). When using abattoir-derived ovaries, it is not uncommon to collect, on occasion, ova that are developmentally challenged (i.e. blastocyst development is less than the 20 to 50% expected). In this experiment, this occurred on 5 occasions. Data from these experimental replicates were analyzed and reported separately because previous efforts had shown that the responsiveness of ova to changes in culture environment differs depending on the level of developmental competence. Relevant to this study, addition of AL-8810 to developmentally challenged ova matured under thermoneutral conditions increased cleavage (60.4 v. 55.4%, respectively; P = 0.06) and blastocyst development (17.7 v. 13.7%, respectively; P = 0.07). In summary, data illustrate that developmentally challenged ova, heat-stressed or otherwise, are susceptible to detrimental effects of PGF2α. The ability to increase blastocyst development approaching or exceeding the values expected for competent ova suggests the usefulness of a PGF2α receptor antagonist during in vitro maturation to improve the efficiency of in vitro production procedures.
Shock tube study of carbon disulfide oxidation

The induction zone of shock-initiated explosions of carbon disulfide-oxygen-argon mixtures was studied using the reflected wave end-on method. Profiles of chemiluminescence at 490 nm, attributed to SO2o, and infrared emission at 5 μm, attributed to CS2 and CO, were analyzed to deterrine the characteristic branched-chain growth rates and ignition delay times over the temperature range 1400–2100 K for CS2:O2 ratios varying from 1:9 to 3:10 with various dilutions in argon. Computer modelling in terms of a conventional mechanisms for the CS2−O2 reaction was able to account for the ignition delay times under a variety of assumptions about the high temperature rate constants, but no adjustments of the mechanism or the rate constants were found that were capable of giving satisfactorily correct models of the qualitative forms of the visible emission profiles or the mixture dependence of the growth rates.
The electronic properties of Ce in CeFe4P12

Abstract An investigation of the bonding behaviours of selected rare earth (R) containing filled skutterudite samples (RFe4P12) is reported. X-ray diffraction and magnetic properties of CeFe4P12 are compared with those previously published. The electronic structure and bonding properties of the R  La, Ce and Pr members of this series are probed by X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES), and compared with the L3 edges of selected trivalent and tetravalent standards. We find that the Ce XANES is complex, indicating that although the Ce is primarily trivalent, there is evidence of complex electronic behaviour in CeFe4P12. A comparison of the L3 edges of LaFe4P12, and PrFe4P12, as well as CeFe4P12, with those obtained from ionic model compounds reveals some bonding between the f-ion and the FeP framework in all cases.
“The Wealth of Nations Shall Come to You”: Light, Tribute, and Implacement in Isaiah 60

I draw on spatial theory, and particularly Edward Casey’s concept of “implacement,” to investigate the rhetoric of Isaiah 60. Implacement means being concretely placed. I argue that Isaiah 60 uses the motifs of light and tribute to “implace” Jerusalem for its audience. It uses these motifs to acknowledge Jerusalem’s degraded state in the early fifth century and to imagine the means by which the city’s restoration will occur. Drawing on Wells’ work on inner-Isaianic allusion and Strawn’s argument that Isa 60 incorporates and subverts Persian iconography, I argue that, in Isa 60, the motif of light implaces Jerusalem by marking it out as the cosmic center and by drawing the nations to the city. The motif of tribute, meanwhile, actually transfers the implacedness of the nations to Jerusalem. The rhetoric of the text encourages its audience to re-imagine the Jerusalem of their experience in its restored and glorified future state.
Games and simulations: Creative educational alternatives

Active participation is the foundation of learning through the media of games and simulations. The actual doing by the students is the important element. Games and simulations, if properly designed and applied, can meet a variety of classroom objectives. A vast array of educational games and simulations has been designed and many are available commercially. However, a skilled and innovative instructor can apply certain guidelines to custom design activities for the individual classroom. Involving students in the design and modification of games and simulations is recommended.
A preliminary description of nonschool-based friendship in young high-risk children

This study explored friendships in a sample of 51 high-risk preschool-aged children. Thirty-eight children were placed in foster care (25 placed with their siblings and 13 separated from their siblings). Thirteen children, receiving preventive services, were living at home with their biological parents and siblings. Chi-square, ANOVA, and paired t-tests were used to test for between-group and within-subject differences in the target children's friendships. The results demonstrated that the majority of the high-risk children had a ''best friend." However, the foster children all had friends who could be described as quasi-siblings. The results suggest that foster care placement and the presence of siblings may influence the nature of a child's interactions with nonrelated peers. Language: en
Mechanisms of corrosion fatigue crack propagation in Al-Zn-Mg alloys

Corrosion fatigue crack propagation tests were performed on commercial 7075 alloys. Testing was done in a 3.5 pct sodium chloride solution under constant impressed potential and under reversed anodic-cathodic current conditions. Results indicated that a cathodic potential of -1.400 V vs SCE was sufficient to reduce corrosion fatigue crack growth rates to the level observed in dry argon. By alternately impressing anodic and cathodic currents, it was shown that anodic potentials enhance the crystallographic dependence of the fracture mode, resulting in brittle striations, while cathodic potentials result in ductile striations formed by shear. Modification of the alloy chemistry and lower impurity content resulted in a two-fold reduction in crack growth rates. Thermomechanical treatment of these alloys to refine the grain size proved detrimental. Adding an inhibitor to the sodium chloride solution was found to be the most effective means for reducing corrosion fatigue crack growth rates. A model for the environment-surface interaction is suggested.
Computation of zeros of linear multivariable systems

Several algorithms have been proposed in the literature for the computation of the zeros of a linear system described by a state-space model {$\lambda$I - A,B,C,D}. In this report we discuss the numerical properties of a new algorithm and compare it with some earlier techniques of computing zeros. The new approach to shown to handle both nonsquare and/or degenerate systems without difficulties whereas earlier methods would either fail or would require special treatment fo r these cases. The method is also shown to be backward stable in a rigorous sense. Several numerical examples are given in order to compare speed and accuracy of the algorithm with its nearest competitors.
Strain selection and cell isolation of Ulvaria oxysperma (Kuetz.) Bliding (Chlorophyta) for net cultivation

North Carolina and Bermuda isolates of the green seaweed Ulvaria oxysperma (Kuetz.) Bliding were grown in cross-gradient light-temperature culture to determine the effects of varied photon fluence rates, temperature and photoperiod on their growth and reproduction. Results indicated significant genetic-based variation between the two populations. Spheroplast were obtained from the vegetative thallus of the North Carolina isolate following enzymatic digestion with abalone gut extract and maceration. Single cell isolates developed new cell walls in 2–3 days and attached to nylon net substrate. Cultured isolates regenerated into juvenile plants with normal development and morphology. Results are discussed in terms of the suitability of this economically important species for land-based mariculture.
Application of the delphi method in identifying characteristics big eight firms seek in entry-level accountants

Abstract A panel of Big Eight partners and managers participated in a three-round Delphi questionnaire during which they analyzed and refined a set of characteristics which they considered to be important for entry-level accountants. The panel concluded that a high grade point average, attendance at a quality university, attractive personality characteristics, participation and leadership in organizations, and a professional appearance and presence were the important characteristics they were seeking in entry-level accountants. Academic aptitude, all references, and membership in organizations were among the factors that most panel members considered to be of lesser importance.
Topological representations of thermodynamic systems—I. Basic concepts

Abstract This paper describes the development of a generalized topological representation for thermodynamic systems. The elements and topology of the representation provide a conceptual reticulation of the real system into elements drawn from a set of ideal, but physically realizable, lumped-parameter components. The representation is in the form of bond-graph notation. This notation leads to a graphical description of a dynamic system (very much resembling a chemical bond diagram in appearance) that can be manipulated in an algorithmic fashion to produce the system differential equations, a computer simulation algorithm or a topological (circuit) graph of the system. There is no restriction to linearity in the representation. The reticulated structure represents a conceptual separation of the energy storage and dissipative processes within the system and a description of all the energetic interactions of the system. The ideal components used in the model generalize the familiar electric circuit elements—resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers—but, unlike electrical circuit diagrams, a reticulation into several components does not necessarily imply any physical separation in the actual system. Bond-graph notation is utilized because it was found to be particularly well suited for dealing with systems involving multiple energy domains with identifiable couplings between them. The thermodynamic systems of general interest comprise ionic flows, fluid flows, chemical reactions, heat flows, etc. with coupling and transduction between all energy modes. Specific applications dealt with here are electro-chemical phenomena. Case studies are presented for relaxation oscillations and rectification in electrolytic systems with multiple ionic flows, chemical reaction and ion-exchange membranes, coupled with electrical circuitry.
Recovery of non-ferrous metals by means of permanent magnets

Abstract A technique for recovery of non-ferrous metals from municipal solid waste has been demonstrated. The technique may also be applied to separating non-ferrous metals from each other or to separating non-ferrous metals contained in automobile scrap. The apparatus has no moving parts and consumes no electrical power. It consists of an inclined ramp on which non-ferrous metals are deflected to one side as they slide down. Deflection results from eddy currents induced by permanent magnets embedded in the ramp surface. A detailed theory has been developed that allows to predict the deflection of metallic particles from the straight-down path as a function of all the relevant physical parameters. The deflection was measured on circular discs of aluminum, copper, zinc, brass, lead, and stainless steel as a function of the ramp inclination, disc thickness, disc diameter, distance of the discs to the magnet face, and initial velocity. Good agreement with theoretical predictions is observed in all cases. Tests have also been conducted on the heavy-fraction remaining after air classification of municipal solid waste. A laboratory separator has been tested at heavy fraction feed rates of 1 ton per hour which correspond to a feed rate of 15 tons per hour of municipal solid waste to a resource recovery plant. The concentration of non-ferrous metals contained in the heavy fraction is increased from 15 percent to 90 percent in a single pass with corresponding recovery efficiencies of 80 percent. Separator efficiency is given as a function of feed rate and moisture content.
Triangular truncation and finding the norm of a Hadamard multiplier

For B a fixed matrix, we study the problem of using a criterion of Haagerup to find the norm of the map A ↦ A · B, where · is the Hadamard or entrywise product of matrices. The techniques developed are applied to triangular truncation, and it is proved that if Kn is the norm of triangular truncation of n×n matrices, then Knlogn→π−1.
Resolution and reconstitution of Rhodospirillum rubrum pyridine dinucleotide transhydrogenase. II. Solubilization of the membrane-bound component.

The Rhodospirillum rubrum pyridine dinucleotide transhydrogenase system is comprised of a membrane-bound component and an easily dissociable soluble factor. Active transhydrogenase complex was solubilized by extraction of chromatophores with lysolecithin. The membrane component was also extracted from membranes depleted of soluble factor. The solubilized membrane component reconstituted transhydrogenase activity upon addition of soluble factor. Various other ionic and non-ionic detergents, including Triton X-100, Lubrol WX, deoxycholate, and digitonin, were ineffectual for solubilization and/or inhibited the enzyme at higher concentrations. The solubilized membrane component was significantly less thermal stable than the membrane-bound component. None of the pyridine dinucleotide substrate affected the thermostability of the solubilized membrane-bound component, whereas NADP+ and NADPH afforded protection to membrane-bound component. NADPH stimulated trypsin inactivation of membrane-bound component to a greater extent than NADP+, but inactivation of solubilized membrane component was stimulated to the same extent by both pyridine dinucleotides. The solubilized membrane component appears to have a slightly higher affinity for soluble factor than does the membrane-bound component.
Coherent detection techniques to eliminate power fading in optical subcarrier systems

Optical coherent techniques are used to eliminate power fading found in optical subcarrier multiplexed systems. In a double-side band optical subcarrier system with direct detection the signal experiences a periodic power fading that is dependent on the fiber dispersion and subcarrier frequency. This power fading results from interference between the two side-bands following the square-law photodetector. It is shown that the use of an appropriately modulated optical local oscillator to coherently detect the subcarrier channel can eliminate this power fading as well as phase error that gives rise to eye distortion. For homodyne detection an optical local oscillator, centered at the optical carrier, is double-sideband suppressed-carrier (DSB-SC) amplitude modulated by the subcarrier frequency of interest. By independently controlling the phases of the optical local oscillator and the DSB-SC modulation both the phase error and power fading of the detected subcarrier channel can be eliminated. This technique also allows the subcarrier to be selected optically, before the optical-to-electrical conversion.
Importance of colonization site in the current epidemic of staphylococcal skin abscesses.

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to compare rectal and nasal Staphylococcus aureus colonization rates and S aureus pulsed-field types (PFTs) for children with S aureus skin and soft-tissue abscesses and normal control subjects. METHODS: Sixty consecutive children with S aureus skin and soft-tissue abscesses that required surgical drainage and 90 control subjects were enrolled. Cultures of the nares and rectum were taken in both groups. S aureus isolates from all sites were characterized through multiple-locus, variable-number, tandem-repeat analysis, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec typing for methicillin-resistant S aureus isolates, and determination of the presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes. RESULTS: S aureus was detected significantly more often in the rectum of children with abscesses (47%) compared with those in the control group (1%; P = .0001). Rates of nasal colonization with S aureus were equivalent for children with abscesses (27%) and control subjects (20%; P = .33). S aureus recovered from the rectum was identical to S aureus in the abscess in 88% of cases, compared with 75% of nasal isolates. PFT USA300, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type IV, and Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes were significantly increased in the S aureus isolates from children with abscesses compared with those from control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Skin and soft-tissue abscesses in the current epidemic of community-associated staphylococcal disease are strongly associated with rectal colonization by PFT USA300. Nasal colonization in children does not seem to be a risk factor.
Local and remote microvascular changes in excitotoxin-induced focal brain lesions

We have examined the changes in the microvascular diameter, number/mm2 (NA) and area (AAi%) which occur after local brain lesions by the excitotoxin ibotenic acid (IBO). Rats (n=18) were anesthetized with halothane. IBO (10 μg in 1 μl of phosphate buffer) or vehicle was microinjected in a target region of the parietal cortex via glass micropipettes stereotaxically placed and animals were allowed to recover. Four, 9, 15 and 30 days later rats were sacrificed and their brains removed, sectioned (thickness: 20 μm) and processed for the microvascular marker alkaline phosphatase. AAi%, NA and diameter were measured in the area of the lesion and in the homotopic contralateral cortical area by computer-assisted image analysis. In the lesion, AAi% increased by 83% at day 4, reached its maximum at day 9 (+227%) and then declined. Vascular diameter and NA also increased. However while diameter peaked at day 9 (+75%), Na reached its maximum at day 15 (+50%), at a time when AAi% was declining. In the contralateral cortex diameter increased at day 9 (+21%) but NA decreased (−35%) resulting in unchanged vascular area. Thus, focal brain lesions by excitotoxins produce substantial local and remote microvascular changes which have different patterns and may be mediated by distinct cellular and molecular mechanisms.
134 Variability of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Work Exposures, and Conditions by Employment Setting Among United States Certified Athletic Trainers

Objectives In addition to colleges and schools, certified athletic trainers (ATs) are now found in hospitals, clinics and other settings including industry. We describe ATs musculoskeletal symptoms, and work exposures and conditions in different settings. Methods We administered online surveys to a random sample of 10,000 US ATs. Participants (n = 1826) estimated the frequency they performed selected work tasks and rated task-related stress [scale 0 (no problem) to 10 (major problem)]. Musculoskeletal symptoms (MS) that interfered or prevented work in the last year was reported by body region as well as frequency with which ten protective strategies were used to reduce work-related physical strain [scale 1 (never) to 5 (always)]. Results ATs commonly worked in schools (67%) and clinics or hospitals (20%). Prevalence of MS that interfered/prevented work was 27.2% (95% CI: 25.1%, 29.3%); prevalence was highest in the low back (13.7%) and wrist/hand (7.0%). Back pain was higher in schools (14.7%) and other (12.9%) settings compared to clinics/hospitals (9.7%). ATs in schools more frequently performed taping/wrapping, used treatment modalities, handled/moved equipment, cared for multiple patients at once, worked under time constraints, awkward positions or sustained positions, and inclement weather conditions. School ATs rated physical stress of handling/moving equipment (mean = 4.9), working in same position (4.8), inclement weather conditions (4.0), being short staffed (5.0) and work scheduling issues (5.4) higher than clinic/hospital ATs. Mental stress due to understaffing (mean = 4.9), increased workload (5.0), irregular schedules (5.1), and long work weeks (5.8) were also rated higher by school ATs. School ATs reported always or almost always getting help with patient transfers, asking others to perform physically stressful tasks, and using electrotherapy instead of manual techniques to avoid injury aggravation. Conclusions Work tasks, physical and mental stressors, and use of protective strategies varied by work setting. Preventive measures need to consider variability across work settings.
Congenital dyserythropoietic anemias: III's a charm

In this issue of Blood , Liljeholm et al show that congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA) type III is caused by a missense mutation in KIF23 , which encodes a ubiquitous protein that regulates daughter cell separation during mitosis.[1][1] ![Figure][2] (A) Microtubule and DNA
Orbital metastasis mimicking subperiosteal abscess.

Purpose: To report a case of prostate cancer metastatic to the orbit that was initially misdiagnosed as orbital cellulitis with a subperiosteal abscess.Method: Case report.Conclusion: Metastatic disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of orbital cellulitis, especially when key clinical features such as sinusitis are absent.
Solute permeability of the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane

Abstract The permeability of in vitro rabbit corneal endothelium to seven radioactive substances of various molecular weights, ranging from chloride (atomic weight 35·5) to dextran B (molecular weight 60,000–90,000), was measured. The permeability varied proportionally with the molecular weight, and linearly with respect to molecular radius. The permeability of the endothelium alone was calculated from data on the permeability of stroma and Descemet's membrane, a preparation identical to that used for endothelial determinations except for the absence of endothelium, and it was found that the endothelium comprises only 40–80% of the total resistance of the stroma, Descemet's membrane and endothelial preparation. A newly designed lucite chamber was used and a simple corneal layer removal technique devised. Electron microscopy of completely denuded stroma, and of the separation of endothelium, with or without Descemet's membrane from the stroma showed that such layer removal was complete. The permeability to mannitol of stroma alone and stroma plus Descemet's membrane at high (90%) and near-normal (76%) hydration was identical. The permeability of stroma alone and stroma plus Descemet's membrane to inulin was also equal at any specific hydration, indicating that Descemet's membrane offers no resistance to the passage of these two nonelectrolytes. A significant difference was found between the inulin permeability at high and near-normal stromal hydration (with or without Descemet's membrane) with increased permeability occurring at high hydration. This increased permeability is presumably a reflection of the widening of the collagen interfibrillar distance. At near-normal hydration, the permeability of the denuded stroma alone and stroma plus Descemet's membrane to inulin or mannitol is at least 54% (inulin) to 85% (mannitol) greater than that of the endothelium.
Reconstruction of the High Urogenital Sinus: Early Perineal Prone Approach Without Division of the Rectum

AbstractPurpose: Reconstruction of the vagina and external genitalia in the infant is quite challenging, particularly when a urogenital sinus is associated with high confluence of the vagina and urethra. Many surgeons believe that children with such a malformation should undergo staged or delayed reconstruction, so that vaginoplasty is done when the child is older and larger. Vaginoplasty early in life is thought to be difficult due to patient size and poor visualization. The posterior sagittal approach has been beneficial for acquiring exposure to high urogenital sinus anomalies but it has been thought to require splitting of the rectum and temporary colostomy. We report a modification of this technique.Materials and Methods: In the last 5 years all patients with urogenital sinus anomalies underwent reconstruction using a single stage approach regardless of the level of confluence. In 8 patients with a high level of confluence reconstruction was performed using a perineal prone approach. Exposure was ach...
The Benefits from Marriage and Religion in the United States: A Comparative Analysis.

This commentary presents a socioeconomic and demographic view of the research literature on the benefits of marriage and religious participation in the United States. We compare religion and marriage as social institutions, both clearly on everyone’s short list of “most important institutions.” Marriage is an either–or status. But marital unions differ in a multitude of ways, including the characteristics, such as education, earnings, religion, and cultural background, of each of the partners, and the homogamy of their match on these characteristics. Similarly, religion has multiple aspects. These include religious affiliation, a particular set of theological beliefs and practices, and religiosity. Religiosity may be manifested in various levels and forms of religious participation (attendance at religious services within a congregation, family observance, individual devotion) and in terms of the salience of religion, that is, the importance of religious beliefs as a guide for one’s life. Our focus here is on broad comparisons between marriage (being married versus not) and religiosity (having some involvement in religious activities versus not). We argue that both marriage and religiosity generally have far-reaching, positive effects; that they influence similar domains of life; and that there are important parallels in the pathways through which each achieves these outcomes. Where applicable, we refer to other dimensions of marriage and religion, including the quality of the marital relationship and the type of religious affiliation. We begin with a comparison of the effects associated with marriage and involvement in religious activities, based on a literature review, followed by a comparison of the major channels through which each operates. We then discuss qualifications and important exceptions to the general conclusion that marriage and religious involvement have beneficial effects. We conclude with a consideration of the intersection between marriage and religion and suggestions for future research.
Spatial interaction modeling using artificial neural networks

Abstract Artificial neural networks using traditional gravity model components are proposed as an alternative to the fully constrained gravity model. Drawn primarily from the cognitive science area of artificial intelligence, these non-linear models are exceptionally good at recognizing patterns in data. At the same time these neural network models are more flexible and more accurate. When used with the traditional components of the gravity model, neural network models require the estimation of far fewer coefficients than fully constrained gravity models. In comparison with those latter models, the application of the gravity artificial neural network (GANN) models to seven sets of commodity flows yields errors that are 30% to 50% smaller. Questions of input significance and network autocorrelation are also addressed.
Multiple unit activity recorded from amygdala central nucleus during Pavlovian heart rate conditioning in rabbit

Using a Pavlovian heart rate conditioning paradigm, a rapid development of short latency increases in the multiple unit activity of the amygdala central nucleus were observed in response to a tone conditioned stimulus. In some cases the increase in multiple unit response showed a parallel development with the conditioned decelerative heart rate response and were significantly correlated with it. These results suggest a direct role for the central nucleus in the expression of conditioned heart rate responding in rabbit.
Partial nephrectomy for renal tumors: lack of correlation between margin status and local recurrence.

Objectives To evaluate the relationship between a positive resection margin in partial nephrectomy (PN) and local recurrence. Methods From January 2005 through December 2012, there were 473 PNs in 466 patients at the University of Chicago. A positive margin was defined as tumor extending to the inked specimen edge, either the parenchymal interface or the peripheral fibroadipose tissue. A local recurrence was defined as an ipsilateral tumor of identical histologic type. Results Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounted for 406 tumors: 243 clear cell RCCs (CRCCs), 77 papillary RCCs (PRCCs), and 47 chromophobe RCCs (CHRCCs). Sixty-one RCCs had positive margins: 43 CRCCs, six PRCCs, nine CHRCCs, and three miscellaneous cell types. Of the 61 positive margins, four CRCCs (all originally multifocal) had a local recurrence, two of which occurred in the same patient. One translocation RCC also recurred. Six cases with negative resection margins had a recurrence. Conclusions A literature review of 3,803 cases, including our study, shows positive margins in 173, of which 13 recurred; however, 39 with negative margins also recurred. A positive margin in PN seldom correlates with a local recurrence. However, protection from recurrence is not ensured by a negative margin.
HydraDB: a resilient RDMA-driven key-value middleware for in-memory cluster computing

In this paper, we describe our experiences and lessons learned from building a general-purpose in-memory key-value middleware, called HydraDB. HydraDB synthesizes a collection of state-of-the-art techniques, including continuous fault-tolerance, Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA), as well as awareness for multicore systems, etc, to deliver a high-throughput, low-latency access service in a reliable manner for cluster computing applications. The uniqueness of HydraDB mainly lies in its design commitment to fully exploit the RDMA protocol to comprehensively optimize various aspects of a general-purpose key-value store, including latency-critical operations, read enhancement, and data replications for high-availability service, etc. At the same time, HydraDB strives to efficiently utilize multicore systems to prevent data manipulation on the servers from curbing the potential of RDMA. Many teams in our organization have adopted HydraDB to improve the execution of their cluster computing frameworks, including Hadoop, Spark, Sensemaking analytics, and Call Record Processing. In addition, our performance evaluation with a variety of YCSB workloads also shows that HydraDB can substantially outperform several existing in-memory key-value stores by an order of magnitude. Our detailed performance evaluation further corroborates our design choices.
Design and Characterization of $W$ -Band SiGe RFICs for Passive Millimeter-Wave Imaging

This paper describes the design and measurement of a wideband (W-band) passive radiometer chip developed in a standard 0.12-?m SiGe BiCMOS technology (IBM8HP, ft /fmax = 200/265 GHz). Design equations, simulations, and measurements are presented for a 94-GHz square-law detector and wideband low noise amplifier, and an 80-110-GHz single-pole double-throw switch. A total-power radiometer is presented, which can achieve a temperature resolution of ? 0.69 K (30-ms integration time) with periodic calibration or chopping above 10 kHz. A switched Dicke radiometer chip is also presented, which addresses the 1/f noise of the total-power radiometer, and can achieve a temperature resolution of 0.83 K with a 30-ms integration time. This performance is comparable to current III-V imaging modules, and demonstrates, to our knowledge, the first implementation of a SiGe or CMOS W -band radiometer on a single chip.
Direct Waveform Inversion Via Iterative Inverse Propagation

Seismic waves are the most sensitive probe of the Earth’s interior we have. With the dense data sets available in exploration, images of subsurface structures can be obtained through processes such as migration. Unfortunately, relating these surface recordings to actual Earth properties is non-trivial. Tomographic techniques use only a small amount of the information contained in the full seismogram and result in relatively low resolution images. Other methods use a larger amount of the seismogram but are based on either linearization of the problem, an expensive statistical search over a limited range of models, or both. We present the development of a new approach to full waveform inversion, i.e., inversion which uses the complete seismogram. This new method, which falls under the general category of inverse scattering, is based on a highly non-linear Fredholm integral equation relating the Earth structure to itself and to the recorded seismograms. An iterative solution to this equation is proposed. The resulting algorithm is numerically intensive but is deterministic, i.e., random searches of model space are not required and no misfit function is needed. Impressive numerical results in 1D are shown for several test cases.
Endorectal diffusion-weighted imaging in prostate cancer to differentiate malignant and benign peripheral zone tissue.

Purpose To determine if the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) can discriminate benign from malignant peripheral zone (PZ) tissue in patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer that have undergone endorectal diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the prostate. Materials and Methods Ten patients with prostate cancer underwent endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to DWI. A two-dimensional grid was placed over the axial images, and each voxel was graded by a 4-point rating scale to discriminate nonmalignant from malignant PZ tissue based on MR images alone. ADC was then determined for each voxel and plotted for nonmalignant and malignant voxels for the entire patient set. Second, with the radiologist aware of biopsy locations, any previously assigned voxel grade that was inconsistent with biopsy data was regrouped and ADCs were replotted. Results For the entire patient set, without and with knowledge of the biopsy data, the mean ADCs for nonmalignant and malignant tissue were 1.61 ± 0.27 and 1.34 ± 0.38 × 10−3 mm2/second (P = 0.002) and 1.61 ± 0.26 and 1.27 ± 0.37 × 10−3 mm2/second (P = 0.0005), respectively. Conclusion DWI of the prostate is possible with an endorectal coil. The mean ADC for malignant PZ tissue is less than nonmalignant tissue, although there is overlap in individual values. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:654–661. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ein Vergleich verschiedener Kupplungsmethoden bei der Darstellung des N‐terminalen Nonapeptides der Schafinsulin‐A‐Kette durch Fragmentkondensation am polymeren Träger

A Comparison between Different Coupling Methods in the Synthesis of the N-terminal Nonapeptide of the Sheep Insulin-A-Chain by Fragment Condensation on a Solid Support The N-terminal protected nonapeptide of the sheep insulin-A-chain, benzyloxycarbonyl-glycyl-isoleucyl-valyl-γ-tert.-butyl -glutamyl-glutaminyl-S-benzylcysteinyl-S-benzylcysteinyl- alanyl-glycine-methylester, was prepared by 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 – P fragment condensations on a solid support by means of various coupling methods, and detached from the matrix by transesterification with methanol. The best results of the fragment couplings have been obtained by means of the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide/pentafluorphenol-complex1 and by the oxidation-reduction condensation method wich 2,2′-dipyridyldisulfide and triphenylphosphine. Using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide/hydroxybenzotriazole or EEDQ the optical purity results were insufficient and the yields of the fragment condensations much smaller in comparison with the other mentioned methods.
Covalent Functionalization of Dipole‐Modulating Molecules on Trilayer Graphene: An Avenue for Graphene‐Interfaced Molecular Machines

The molecular dipole moment plays a significant role in governing important phenomena like molecular interactions, molecular configuration, and charge transfer, which are important in several electronic, electrochemical, and optoelectronic systems. Here, the effect of the change in the dipole moment of a tethered molecule on the carrier properties of (functionalized) trilayer graphene—a stack of three layers of sp2-hybridized carbon atoms—is demonstrated. It is shown that, due to the high carrier confinement and large quantum capacitance, the trans-to-cis isomerisation of ‘covalently attached’ azobenzene molecules, with a change in dipole moment of 3D, leads to the generation of a high effective gating voltage. Consequently, 6 units of holes are produced per azobenzene molecule (hole density increases by 440 000 holes μm−2). Based on Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data, a model is outlined for outer-layer, azobenzene-functionalized trilayer graphene with current modulation in the inner sp2 matrix. Here, 0.097 V are applied by the isomerisation of the functionalized azobenzene. Further, the large measured quantum capacitance of 72.5 μF cm−2 justifies the large Dirac point in the heavily doped system. The mechanism defining the effect of dipole modulation of covalently tethered molecules on graphene will enable future sensors and molecular-machine interfaces with graphene.
A Review of “The Nature of Cities: Ecological Visions and the American Urban Professions, 1920–1960”

The policies, practices, and outcomes associated with urban renewal in post-World War II American cities have long been the subject of scholarly analysis. Advocated and implemented with aspirations...
ERPLAB: an open-source toolbox for the analysis of event-related potentials

ERPLAB Toolbox is a freely available, open-source toolbox for processing and analyzing event-related potential (ERP) data in the MATLAB environment. ERPLAB is closely integrated with EEGLAB, a popular open-source toolbox that provides many EEG preprocessing steps and an excellent user interface design. ERPLAB adds to EEGLAB’s EEG processing functions, providing additional tools for filtering, artifact detection, re-referencing, and sorting of events, among others. ERPLAB also provides robust tools for averaging EEG segments together to create averaged ERPs, for creating difference waves and other recombinations of ERP waveforms through algebraic expressions, for filtering and re-referencing the averaged ERPs, for plotting ERP waveforms and scalp maps, and for quantifying several types of amplitudes and latencies. ERPLAB’s tools can be accessed either from an easy-to-learn graphical user interface or from MATLAB scripts, and a command history function makes it easy for users with no programming experience to write scripts. Consequently, ERPLAB provides both ease of use and virtually unlimited power and flexibility, making it appropriate for the analysis of both simple and complex ERP experiments. Several forms of documentation are available, including a detailed user’s guide, a step-by-step tutorial, a scripting guide, and a set of video-based demonstrations.
Psychometric Racial and Ethnic Predictive Inequities

Recent findings have held that offender behavioral assessments unfairly predict the probation outcomes of racial/ethnic minorities. To that end, this study examines the extent and degree to which a commonly used offender risk needs assessment instrument equitably predicts probationer success and distributes predictive error. Findings suggest that the risk needs instrument predicts most equitably for “higher risked” probationers and that error is more likely for under-classified Blacks and over-classified Whites. The discussion presents issues for consideration by policy makers, practitioners, and future researchers motivated by the minimization of predictive bias.