cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subduction Zones in the Oceans

The formation of new oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges requires a complementary mechanism by means of which lithospheric plates are consumed. The required destruction of lithospheric plates takes place in subduction zones located in the oceans and along the margins of some continents. Subduction zones are places where oceanic lithosphere sinks or is dragged back into the mantle and where magma is produced by partial melting within the mantle wedge above the descending lithospheric plate and/or in the plate itself. The resulting volcanic activity in the ocean basins is manifested by the formation of island arcs, whereas continental margins along which oceanic lithosphere is subducted under continental crust are uplifted and contain volcanic mountain ranges. All active subduction zones are sources of earthquakes that originate primarily within the Benioff zone associated with the down-going slab.
Teaching a tracheotomy handoff tool to pediatric first responders.

Abstract Introduction The Critical Airway Risk Evaluation (CARE) system is an airway classification system we designed to improve handoffs between caregivers by describing the risk of a patient's airway above the tracheotomy tube, and therefore the correct resuscitation maneuvers in the event of an airway emergency. It is designed to quickly communicate 3 categories: 1-easily intubatable; 2-intubatable with specialized techniques or equipment; or 3-not intubatable. We have demonstrated previously that the system is easily taught to and used by pediatric otolaryngologists. For this system to be useful, it must be usable by a broader group, including first responders to a tracheostomy related airway emergency. The objective of this study is to analyze the reliability of teaching and ease of learning the CARE system among practicing otolaryngologists, otolaryngology residents, and pediatric residents. Methods A brief tutorial was designed to introduce the scale and was presented to practicing otolaryngologists, otolaryngology residents, and pediatrics residents. A 30-point questionnaire was administered in which patient's airways and airway management techniques were described. Participants were asked to classify each example according to the CARE system. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test and Fleiss' kappa reliability. Results A total of 66 physicians participated in the study. The pediatric residents correctly identified the patients' airway class 89% of the time (26.6/30 ± SD = 2.9). Otolaryngology attendings and residents answered correctly 92% of the time (27.7/30 ± SD = 2.9), which was not statistically different (p = 0.23). Inter-rater reliability was also substantial among all groups, with a Fleiss' kappa greater than 0.7 for all groups. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the system can be taught to pediatrics residents as effectively as it can be taught to otolaryngology residents and practicing otolaryngologists and, therefore, can be effectively utilized in inter-disciplinary handoffs to facilitate information transfer to potential first responders.
The Medical Cannabis Expectancy Questionnaire: Adult medical marijuana users' expectancies associated with combustible, vaporized, and edible cannabis use for medical purposes

Measures of medical cannabis (MC) use are lacking. This study details the development and psychometric evaluation of The Medical Cannabis Expectancy Questionnaire (MCEQ), a novel measure of positive and negative expectations associated with using combustible, vaporizable, and edible MC. 333 adult MC users completed a 30-minute online survey in Spring 2017 (64.0% female, 82.3% White, mean age 32.77[±10.19] years). Participants reported on demographics, product preference, MCEs, frequency of MC use, quality of life, and negative cannabis use consequences. Psychometric analyses included evaluations of latent factor structure, measurement invariance, between-groups differences in MCEs, and test-criterion relationships with MC outcomes. The 27-item MCEQ evidenced a 2-factor structure (positive/negative). MCEs were scalar invariant by product type, sex, and reasons for MC use (medical only vs medical/recreational). Participants held more positive MCEs for combustibles than for vaporizables or edibles and more negative MCEs for combustibles and edibles than for vaporizables. MCEs did not differ by sex. Participants who also used cannabis recreationally reported stronger positive MCEs for all MC products. MCEs also differed by product preference. Additionally, preference for and more positive MCEs associated with using a specific product were associated with more frequent use of that product. Positive MCEs for all products also were associated with increased quality of life, but these relationships failed to reach statistical significance after accounting for covariates. Finally, negative MCEs for combustibles and edibles were associated with more negative consequences. The MCEQ is the first psychometrically promising measure of MC expectancies, and it uniquely distinguishes among expectations associated with using combustible, vaporizable, and edible MC. As MC use continues to proliferate, having measures dedicated to MC (versus recreational cannabis) may better inform research and clinical efforts. Further, differentiating between product types is important given established differences among them (e.g., duration of effect onset).
Does Peacekeeping Really Bring Peace? Peacekeepers and Combatant-perpetrated Sexual Violence in Civil Wars:

Peacekeeping mitigates killing, but nonlethal violence also influences both positive peace and stability. We evaluate peacekeepers’ effect on one such type of abuse, sexual violence. We posit that ...
Effect of antibiotic treatment in preweaned Holstein calves after experimental bacterial challenge with Pasteurella multocida

The primary objective of this randomized controlled challenge study was to investigate the effect of ampicillin on ultrasonographic (US) lung consolidation after experimental challenge with Pasteurella multocida in preweaned dairy calves. The secondary objectives were to determine whether ampicillin affected respiratory score, gross consolidation, or the detection of P. multocida in lung tissue at postmortem exam (PME). Holstein bull calves (n = 39) were transported to the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine isolation facility at the mean (±SD) age of 52 ± 6 d. After a 7-d acclimation period, 30 calves were inoculated intratracheally with 1010 cfu of ampicillin-sensitive P. multocida. Lung US and respiratory scoring were performed 2, 6, 12, and 24 h post-challenge, then US once daily and respiratory scoring twice daily until d 14. Calves were randomized to receive ampicillin [n = 17, treatment (TX), 6.6 mg/kg i.m. once daily for 3 d] or placebo [n = 11, control (CON), saline, equal volume, i.m. once daily for 3 d] when ≥1 cm2 of lung consolidation was observed and ≥6 h had elapsed since challenge. Lung lesions ≥1 cm2 were considered positive for consolidation. Calves were respiratory score positive if ≥2 in 2 or more categories based on the Wisconsin respiratory health score chart. Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for US score and respiratory score as a proxy for time with consolidation and clinical respiratory disease, respectively. Gross lung lesions and pathogens were quantified following PME. At the time of first treatment, consolidation had developed in 28/30 calves (TX, n = 17; CON, n = 11) and 6% (1 out of 17) of TX and 9% (1 out of 11) of CON calves had a positive respiratory score. The TX calves had a significantly lower median (interquartile range given in parentheses) AUC for US score [TX: 23 (20, 29), CON: 47 (33, 53)], whereas mean AUC for respiratory score was not different between groups (TX: 93 ± 28, CON: 96 ± 17). On d 14, 70% (12 out of 17) of TX and 100% (11 out of 11) of CON calves had lung consolidation, and 24% (4 out of 17) of TX and 27% (3 out of 11) of CON calves had clinical respiratory disease. On PME, median consolidation was 10% (6, 15) for TX and 10% (2, 28) for CON calves. Lung cultures were positive for P. multocida in 77% (13 out of 17) of TX and 91% (10 out of 11) of CON calves. Lung health benefited from a 3-d ampicillin therapy, but benefits were short-lived. Treatment failures might be due to incomplete resolution of the initial lung infection. Future studies are needed to optimize TX strategies to improve long-term lung health.
Colloidal quantum wells for optoelectronic devices

Colloidal quantum wells, also called nanoplatelets, are nanoscopic materials displaying quantum confinement in two dimensions. Unlike colloidal quantum dots, colloidal quantum well ensembles have no inhomogeneous broadening due to an atomically-precise definition of the short axis, a fact which results in much narrower ensemble absorption and emission. Thus, colloidal quantum wells can translate many advantages of colloidal nanocrsytals or other solution-processable materials, such as scalable synthesis and substrate-agnostic deposition (particularly compared to epitaxial quantum wells), without sacrificing material uniformity. Due to very narrow photoluminescnece peaks, these materials have found a home in applications involving light emission, such as downconversion enhancement films, light-emitting diodes, and lasers, in which they represent some of the best performers among solution-cast materials. As argued in this review, the full spectrum of epitaxial quantum well devices offers a roadmap to other potential applications, such as detection, electronics, electro-optics, non-linear optics, or intersubband devices, in which only nascent efforts have been made.
Writing about Amish women and singlehood

This manuscript explores the various ways that Amish society negotiates singlehood for women. Through a narrative analysis of a decade of writings by singles and about singlehood in an Amish youth ...
Excision and Reconstruction of Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Involving the Achilles Tendon in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report.

CASE We describe a case of a 9-year-old boy who presented with a left calf mass consistent with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma involving the Achilles tendon. The patient underwent radical resection of the Achilles tendon and Achilles tendon allograft reconstruction. At 2.5-year follow-up, the child had full ankle range of motion and strength and no signs of disease. CONCLUSIONS Radical resection of Achilles tendon in the setting of malignancy and reconstruction with allograft is a rare procedure that has not been previously described in the pediatric population. Orthopaedic oncologists can consider this option for the rare malignancies involving the Achilles tendon.
Pilot mass rapid antigen testing for the diagnosis of a COVID-19 infection in Slovakia

The author explains pilot testing for Covid-19 infection in Slovakia using rapid antigen tests. Mass testing campaigns are an alternative way to identify infectious individuals and allow targeting of interventions without much added burden to those uninfectious. However, they have been limited until recently by the dependence on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of a SARS-CoV-2 infection. While laboratory capacities have been upscaled in record time, PCR testing remains expensive and can seldom achieve a turnaround time of less than one day. In comparison, recently developed rapid antigen tests are cheap and can be quickly produced in large quantities offering results on site in 15-30 mins without the need for a laboratory. They are less sensitive in detecting infections with low viral load but have been found to detect the vast majority of infectious infections, and hence may make mass testing a viable part of the portfolio of nonpharmaceutical interventions.Key words: Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2 virus, rapid antigen test, Slovakia, diagnostic.
Reliable Millimeter Wave Communication for IoT Devices

In this paper, we propose a nearest line-of-sight relay (NLR) selection technique for internet of things (IoT) devices in millimeter wave (mmWave) relaying systems. We present a tractable analytical framework to characterize the network connectivity for the proposed technique using tools from stochastic geometry. Moreover, we investigate the impact of the relay-selected region and the distance between the base station and IoT device on the network connectivity of mmWave relaying systems. The analytical results unveil a high degree of accuracy which is confirmed by extensive simulations at different relay densities, blockage densities, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) thresholds. Results obtained via both simulations and analyses reveal the trade-off between the network connectivity and the energy consumption of IoT devices. Results also reveal a significant impact of blockage density and controlling the relay-selected region on the network connectivity and energy consumption.
The design of acoustic resonant chambers by numerical simulation

Publisher Summary The pressure and velocity fields within a resonant chamber are calculated with a finite element and the linear fluid/structure interaction code ATILA™. This chapter presents a paper, the objective of which is to create a standing wave of pressure strong enough to produce cavitation at the bulk of the fluid and understand the effect of ultrasonic-induced cavitation pressures on the transport of drugs through biological membranes. This chapter investigates the bladder of a frog. An acoustic chamber, which resonates at a desired frequency, can be designed to get controlled cavitation. The acoustic field is produced using a piezoceramic transducer. This transducer is driven by a wave generator through an audio amplifier. The acoustic test chamber can be immersed in the bladder of a frog, which is filled with a mild salt-water solution. The chamber is designed with a system that enables flow circulation. This chapter shows that simulations exist for a complex chamber designed to explore the effects of cavitation on the drug permeability of tissues.
Beethoven's Century: Essays on Composers and Themes

In 'Beethoven's Century: Essays on Composers and Themes', world-renowned musicologist Hugh Macdonald draws together many of his richest essays on music from Beethoven's time into the early twentieth century. The essays are here revised and updated, and some are printed in English for the first time. 'Beethoven's Century' addresses perennial questions of what music meant to the composer and his audiences, how it was intended to be played, and how today's audiences can usefully approach it. Opening with a revealing analysis of Beethoven's not always generous regard for his listeners, the essays probe aspects of Schubert's musical personality, the brief friendship between Berlioz and Schumann, Liszt's abilities as a conductor, and Viennese views of Wagner as expressed by Hugo Wolf. Essays on comic opera and trends in French opera librettos in the late nineteenth century reflect the author's long-standing sympathy for French music, and strikingly eccentric personalities in the world of music, such as Paganini, Alkan, Skryabin, and Janacek, are brought to life. 'Beethoven's Century' concludes with a wry look at some startling developments in early twentieth-century music that have often been overlooked. Hugh Macdonald has taught music at the universities of Cambridge, Oxford, and Glasgow, and since 1987 has been Avis H. Blewett Distinguished Professor of Music at Washington University, St. Louis. He has written books on Skryabin and Berlioz, and is a regular pre-concert speaker for the Boston and St. Louis Symphony Orchestras.
Rigorous Computer Solutions of Infinite-Dimensional Inverse Problems

It is safe to say that almost all practical inverse problems are plagued by nonuniqueness. Regularization and other techniques for picking a particular solution fitting the data are useful for construction, but not usually for inference: the “true” model may bear little or no resemblance to the particular model the technique constructs. “Confidence set inference” or “strict bounds” works by looking at properties shared by all a priori acceptable models that fit the data adequately; i.e. it constructs confidence intervals for functionals of the unknown model. Constructing the confidence intervals involves solving certain infinite-dimensional constrained optimization problems in the model space. The usual way of solving these problems approximates the infinite-dimensional problems in a finite-dimensional subspace of the model space, so that the resulting problem can be solved by computer. Clearly, this can produce confidence intervals that are too short. This report uses Lagrangian duality to show how some of these optimization problems may be solved on a computer to get confidence intervals of the correct length.
Inpatient Outcomes and Postoperative Complications After Primary Versus Revision Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgeries for Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease: A National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample Analysis, 2002–2011

Introduction The present study investigates outcomes in patients undergoing elective primary versus revision fusion surgery for lumbar degenerative pathologies with the use of a large population based database. Methods A total of 126,044 patients registered in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database were identified to have undergone elective fusion of the lumbar spine (primary fusion: 94%; redo fusion: 6%) for degenerative pathologies, between 2002 and 2011. A multivariable logistic regression model was built that adjusted for patient demographics and clinical and hospital characteristics to explore clinical outcomes and postoperative complications. Results The mean age of the cohort was 54.91 ± 13.98 years, and 58% were women. Multivariable regression analysis revealed patients undergoing redo lumbar fusion had a greater likelihood for an unfavorable discharge (odds ratio [OR] 1.17; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.08–1.26; P P P P P P P P P = 0.016), compared with patients undergoing a primary lumbar fusion procedure. Conclusions The association of a likely postoperative complication in patients undergoing revision lumbar spine fusion compared with those undergoing primary fusion procedures at the same region of the spine is quantified. Our analysis provides baseline estimates that could aid in preoperative risk stratification and as an adjunct in patient education and counseling, and policy makers for higher reimbursements for these sicker patients.
Temperature dependence of dynamics of hydrated myoglobin. Comparison of force field calculations with neutron scattering data.

Molecular dynamics is used to probe the atomic motions of the carboxy-myoglobin protein as a function of temperature. Simulations of 150 picoseconds in length are carried out on the protein at 20, 60, 100, 180, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320 and 340 K. The simulations attempt to mimic neutron scattering experiments very closely by including a partial hydration shell around the protein. Theoretical elastic, quasielastic and inelastic neutron scattering data are derived from the trajectories and directly compared with experiment. Compared to experiment, the simulation-derived elastic scattering curves show a decrease in intensity as a function of the scattering waverector, q2. The inelastic and quasielastic spectra show that the inelastic peak is shifted to lower frequency than the experimental value, while quasielastic behavior is in good agreement with experiment. This suggests that the theoretical model is too flexible in the harmonic limit (low temperature), but accurately reproduces high-temperature behavior. Time correlation functions of the intermediate scattering function are determined. At low temperature there is one fast decay process, and at high temperatures there is an additional slow relaxation process that is due to quasielastic scattering. The average atomic fluctuations show that the protein behaves harmonically at low temperatures. At approximately 210 K, a glass-like transition in atomic fluctuations is seen. Above the transition temperature, the atomic fluctuations exhibit both harmonic and anharmonic behavior. Comparison of protein mobility behavior with experiment indicate the fluctuations derived from simulations are larger in the harmonic region. However, the anharmonic region agrees very well with experiment. The anharmonicity is large at all temperatures, with a gradual monotonic increase from 0·5 at 20 K to >0·7 at 340 K without a noticeable change at the glass transition temperature. Heavy-atom dihedral transitions are monitored as a function of temperature. Trends in the type of dihedral transitions that occur with temperature are clearly visible. Dihedral transitions involving backbone atoms occur only above the glass transition temperature. The overall protein behavior results suggest that at low temperatures there is purely vibrational motion with one fast decay process, and above the glass transition temperature there is more anharmonic motion with a fast and a slower relaxation process occurring simultaneously. The greater anharmonic motion above the glass transition temperature is in part due to, and possibly dominated by, torsional jumping between substates, and is in accord with recent suggestions from neutron scattering experiments.
Impact of Single-Sex Instruction on Student Motivation to Learn Spanish.

Abstract To increase male motivation to learn additional languages studies have suggested teaching males in single-sex second and foreign language classes (Carr & Pauwels, 2006; Chambers, 2005). Despite the reported benefits of this unique arrangement, a review of literature found no related research conducted in Canada or the United States. To address this lack of research, a study was conducted in the spring of 2008 to investigate the impact of single-sex instruction on student motivation to learn Spanish. Using Gardner's model of second language motivation (1985), 57 high-school students studying Spanish in either single-sex or coeducational classes completed a pre and post questionnaire to gauge their motivation to learn the language. Follow-up interviews were also conducted with both students and teachers. Results indicated that while both sexes enjoyed some educational advantages from the single-sex environment, the benefits appeared to be greater for the males than the females. Resume Afin d'accroitre la motivation des garcons pour l'apprentissage des langues, certaines etudes ont suggere d'enseigner les langues secondes ou etrangeres a des classes de garcons exclusivement (Carr & Pauwels, 2006; Chambers, 2005). Malgre le benefice confirme d'un tel contexte, il n'existe aucune recherche similaire connue sur ce sujet au Canada ou aux Etats Unis. Pour remedier a cette lacune, on a conduit au printemps 2008 une etude portant sur l'impact de l'enseignement non mixte sur la motivation des eleves a apprendre l'espagnol. Selon le modele de Gardner quant a la motivation dans l'apprentissage d'une langue seconde (1985), 57 eleves au niveau secondaire apprenant l'espagnol dans des classes mixtes et non mixtes ont rempli avant et apres le cours, des questionnaires destines a mesurer leur motivation. Le suivi a ete assure par le biais d' entrevues avec eleves et professeurs. Les resultats montrent que si les eleves des deux sexes beneficiaient d' un environnement educatif non-mixte, les garcons semblaient en tirer plus d'avantages.
The domains of life and their evolutionary implications

After almost a century in virtual stasis, Darwin's world, the world of biology as fundamentally an expression of the evolutionary process, is once again emerging at the forefront of the discipline of biology. This has followed a century in which biology was perceived in mechanistic, reductionist terms, and the gene was effectively taken as the be-all and end-all of biology. The evolutionary renaissance is the result of intra- and interdisciplinary factors. On the one hand, the molecular paradigm, which so successfully guided biology during the twentieth century, is being recognized for what it was; an incomplete, superficial (and now failed) conception of the living world. In addition to this, the advent of genome sequencing (in the last decade of the 1990s) has provided huge amounts of information that require evolutionary explanation. On the other hand, developments in the physical sciences and mathematics over the past 50 years have shown us that classical physics (which served as the basis for the twentieth century view of biology), is far from a complete world view, and with the aid of computers, we have come to appreciate and begin to understand the vast “nonlinear” side of reality. The fact that evolution is fundamentally a nonlinear (complex dynamic) process explains why: (1) it was neglected (not recognized as important) during the twentieth century and (2) it is now reemerging as the essence of biology. Keywords: evolution; phylogeny; Darwin; molecular evolution; variation; horizontal gene transfer (HGT)
ACR White Paper–Based Comprehensive Dose Reduction Initiative Is Associated With a Reversal of the Upward Trend in Radiation Dose for Chest CT

Abstract Purpose In 2010, the authors' department implemented a comprehensive dose reduction strategy based on the ACR white paper on radiation dose in medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the dose reduction program. Methods In total, 1,234 adult chest CT scans from 2007 to 2012 were analyzed retrospectively, with institutional review board approval and a waiver of the requirement for informed consent. The primary outcome was effective dose in millisieverts during the three-year periods before (2007-2009) and after (2010-2012) dose reduction implementation. Dose trends were analyzed by fitted linear modeling. The use and effects on total exposure of dose reduction strategies (high pitch, adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction [ASIR], and low tube voltage) were analyzed. Results The overall mean dose for chest CT was 7.3 ± 5.1 mSv. The mean dose decreased by 30%, from 9.2 mSv (2007-2009) to 6.5 mSv (2010-2012) ( P P P Conclusions Reductions in radiation exposure from medical imaging rely on ongoing technical developments and consistent, vigilant use of dose reduction strategies. This comprehensive dose reduction strategy significantly reduced radiation exposure from chest CT. Annual increases in radiation dose reversed after the strategy was implemented and continued to decline over the study period.
Whole-brain N-acetylaspartate: a marker of the severity of mild head trauma.

Most of us have experienced some minor head trauma (MHT), sometimes due to ineptitude, sometimes as a purely accidental event. Also, as parents, we are always worried about head trauma (even minor) and its consequences in our children. Most patients with MHT have a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 13–
Autocrine and paracrine signaling through neuropeptide receptors in human cancer

Autocrine and paracrine signaling leading to stimulation of tumor cell growth is a common theme in human cancers. In addition to polypeptide growth factors such as EGF family members which signal through receptor tyrosine kinases, accumulating evidence supports the autocrine and paracrine involvement of specific neuropeptides with defined physiologic actions as neurotransmitters and gut hormones in lung, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic and prostatic cancers. These neuropeptides, including gastrin-releasing peptide, neuromedin B, neurotensin, gastrin, cholecystokinin and arginine vasopressin bind seven transmembrane-spanning receptors that couple to heterotrimeric G proteins. Studies with human small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells support a requirement for balanced signaling through G(q) and G(12/13) proteins leading to intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, PKC activation and regulation of the ERK and JNK MAP kinase pathways. While specific neuropeptide antagonists offer promise for interrupting the single neuropeptide autocrine systems operating in pancreatic and prostatic cancers, SCLC is exemplified by multiple, redundant neuropeptide autocrine systems such that tumor growth cannot be inhibited with a single specific antagonist. However, a novel class of neuropeptide derivatives based on the substance P sequence have been defined that exhibit broad specificity for neuropeptide receptors and induce apoptosis in SCLC by functioning as biased agonists that stimulate discordant signal transduction. Thus, interruption of autocrine and paracrine neuropeptide signaling with specific antagonists or broad-spectrum biased agonists offer promising new therapeutic approaches to the treatment of human cancers.
Regional Advantage of Cluster Development: A Case Study of the San Diego Biotechnology Cluster

AbstractThe concept of “clusters” has become central to regional economic development strategies, especially in the high-technology and biotechnology industries. Numerous studies have examined the significance of industrial clusters and their components, but comparatively less attention has been directed towards understanding the roots and processes of industrial localization. In particular, emerging biotechnology clusters such as that in San Diego have not drawn adequate scholarly attention given their policy implications with regard to clustering and regional development. Based on in-depth interviews, historical archives and participatory observations, this paper examines how the San Diego biotechnology cluster emerged and grew into an entrepreneurial habitat that has nurtured hundreds of biotechnology companies that have produced a series of innovative products. The author suggests that the regional context of the existence of a number of small biotechnology companies rather than a group of large firms...
Modified Nukiyama–Tanasawa and Rizk–Lefebvre models to predict droplet size for microconcentric nebulizers with aqueous and organic solvents

Aerosols characteristic of several organic solvents (hexane, acetone, xylene, toluene, methanol, and ethanol) produced by a direct injection high efficiency nebulizer (DIHEN) are measured using a phase Doppler particle analyzer (PDPA) over a wide range of operating conditions (nebulizer gas = 0.2–1.0 L min−1, solvent flow rate = 10–500 μL min−1). The Sauter mean diameter, defined as the volume-to-surface area ratio (D3,2), and cumulative count percent of organic aerosol are measured and compared with those of aqueous droplets. These parameters are chosen because the performance of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) as an excitation and ionization source is affected by the size of the introduced droplets, particularly in the case of direct injection nebulizers where the primary aerosol is directly introduced to the plasma without being filtered by the spray chamber. The size distribution of the droplets demonstrates a notable shift toward smaller droplets, and is generally narrower when organic solvents are used instead of water. This effect is more pronounced for hexane and acetone, having a considerably lower surface tension and viscosity, respectively, compared with water. A D3,2 of 4.6 μm is obtained for hexane, compared with 7.2 μm for aqueous solutions at a nebulizer gas flow rate of 0.2 L min−1 and a solution uptake rate of 50 μL min−1. This decrease in droplet size is less significant for ethanol, methanol, toluene and xylene. Experimental results are also compared to D3,2 values calculated by the Nukiyama–Tanasawa (N–T) equation and Rizk–Lefebvre (R–L) model. While the cited models correctly predict the trend in size variation as a function of nebulizer gas flow rate, and to some extent solvent characteristics, an overestimation and an underestimation of D3,2 is observed for all tested solvents at low nebulizer gas flow rates for the N–T model and the R–L model, respectively. Modified equations are proposed which are capable of predicting D3,2 values for several solvents with greater accuracy.
Marketing and supply chain management: A collaborative research agenda

Purpose – This paper aims to establish a two‐part research agenda for marketing in supply chain management (SCM) through the application of an interdisciplinary model, using marketing, operations, logistics/purchasing, and information technology as the nodes for a model.Design/methodology/approach – After generating a list of the highly ranked and relevant journals in each of the four disciplines, an exhaustive search was conducted of the literature published from January 1999 through December 2002, using the keywords supply chain and supply chain management. The keywords were searched for in any field (i.e. title or abstract). The authors also conducted a Delphi study of experts to identify relevant journals in each field. The resulting articles were sorted by topic and mapped to one of the other remaining three functional disciplines. This yielded six intersections between functions, three of which are examined in this manuscript as dyads with marketing. Thus, it was possible to identify current overlap...
Metaheuristics for assortment problems with multiple quality levels

The assortment planning problem involves choosing an optimal product line, as defined by a set of products with specific attributes, to offer consumers. Under a locational choice model in which products are differentiated both horizontally (by variety attributes) and vertically (by quality attributes), an optimal assortment, whose attributes have only been partially characterized, may consist of multiple quality levels. Using previous analytical results, we approximate the optimal assortment for make-to-order and static substitution environments. We test the appropriateness and compare the performance of three metaheuristic methods. These metaheuristics can easily be modified to accommodate different consumer preference distribution assumptions.
An explicit cue improves creative analogical reasoning

Abstract Creativity is likely to be related to intelligence, though the nature of this relationship remains largely unresolved and few studies have examined creativity in the context of measures traditionally related to intelligence. Like intelligence, creativity has often been studied as a static trait or as subject to change over long durations through training or education. By contrast, creativity as a dynamic state, particularly as a state that is subject to conscious augmentation within short time durations, has been less well-studied. Here, we tested the hypothesis that performance on a task of creative intelligence (creative analogical reasoning) can be improved through the deliberate effort to be creative. Specifically, we tested whether an explicit cue to “think creatively” would elicit better identification of creative analogies among 40 participants performing a four-term verbal analogical reasoning task. Consistent with our hypothesis, on creativity cue trials, the participants were 1) more likely to accurately identify highly creative analogies as valid, and 2) no more likely to inaccurately identify false analogies as valid. This pattern of results indicates that, consistent with a widely accepted standard for measuring creativity, the cue was successful in eliciting responses that were not only novel (divergent) but were also appropriate (bounded by task constraints). The findings show, in a within-subjects design, that deliberately attempting to augment creative state can enhance performance on a reasoning task with objective criteria. These findings are discussed with respect to the state vs. trait distinction in creativity and likely neural mechanisms of creative reasoning.
Isopiestic studies of aqueous solutions at elevated temperatures. XI: {(1-y)CsCl+yBaCl2}(aq)

Isopiestic results were obtained for the common-ion mixture {(1−yCsCl+yBaCl2}(aq) over the temperature range 383 K to 524 K. NaCl(aq) served as the reference electrolyte for the calculation of excess thermodynamic properties. The ion-interaction model, as applied to mixed electrolytes, gave an excellent description of the experimental results. In contrast to mixtures of the alkali-metal cations, the present mixture of unlike-charge types required both binary and ternary mixing parameters. Mixing contributions were very important, amounting to as much as 50 per cent of the trace activity coefficient of BaCl2. The excess enthalpy indicates a change in the nature of the solute-solvent interaction at about 475 K. Derived activity coefficients depend significantly on using or omitting the theoretical mixing terms and also on the value of the parameter α.
Empiric bayes estimation of binomial probability

An empirical Bayes estimator of a binomial parameter, based on orthogonal polynomials on (0,1), is introduced. The resulting estimator of the prior density is asymptotically optimal. The method allows one to combine Bayes and empiric Bayes methods with smoothing in a natural way.
Welfare and child support: Complements, not substitutes

In most states, child support paid on behalf of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants is used to offset TANF and child support administrative expenditures; this policy primarily benefits taxpayers. In contrast, Wisconsin allowed most custodial parents to keep all support paid on their behalf. This policy, which treats welfare and child support as complements, was evaluated through an experimental design. This paper reports the key results of the experimental evaluation, using state administrative data to examine the effects on child support outcomes and governmental cost. We find that when custodial mothers keep all child support paid on their behalf, paternity establishment occurs more quickly, noncustodial fathers are more likely to pay support, and custodial families receive more support. These outcomes are achieved at no significant governmental cost. © 2008 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Molecular imaging and therapy of cancer with radiolabeled nanoparticles

This review summarizes the current state-of-the-art of radiolabeled nanoparticles for molecular imaging and internal radiotherapy applications targeting cancer. With the capacity to provide enormous flexibility, radiolabeled nanoparticles have the potential to profoundly impact disease diagnosis and patient management in the near future. Currently, the major challenges facing the research on radiolabeled nanoparticles are desirable (tumor) targeting efficacy, robust chemistry for both radionuclide encapsulation/incorporation and targeting ligand conjugation, favorable safety profile, as well as certain commercial and regulatory hurdles.
Percolation, phase separation, and gelation in fluids and mixtures of spheres and rods.

The relationship between kinetic arrest, connectivity percolation, structure and phase separation in protein, nanoparticle, and colloidal suspensions is a rich and complex problem. Using a combination of integral equation theory, connectivity percolation methods, naive mode coupling theory, and the activated dynamics nonlinear Langevin equation approach, we study this problem for isotropic one-component fluids of spheres and variable aspect ratio rigid rods, and also percolation in rod-sphere mixtures. The key control parameters are interparticle attraction strength and its (short) spatial range, total packing fraction, and mixture composition. For spherical particles, formation of a homogeneous one-phase kinetically stable and percolated physical gel is predicted to be possible, but depends on non-universal factors. On the other hand, the dynamic crossover to activated dynamics and physical bond formation, which signals discrete cluster formation below the percolation threshold, almost always occurs in the one phase region. Rods more easily gel in the homogeneous isotropic regime, but whether a percolation or kinetic arrest boundary is reached first upon increasing interparticle attraction depends sensitively on packing fraction, rod aspect ratio and attraction range. Overall, the connectivity percolation threshold is much more sensitive to attraction range than either the kinetic arrest or phase separation boundaries. Our results appear to be qualitatively consistent with recent experiments on polymer-colloid depletion systems and brush mediated attractive nanoparticle suspensions.
International Marketing Margins for Agricultural Products: Effects of Some Nontariff Trade Barriers

Trade uncertainty occurs when quality changes or when Administrative Trade Barriers (ATBs) cause a chance that a commodity will not enter the import market. Trade uncertainty adversely affects marketing firms and commodity trade. But arbitrage still precludes the distribution of rents to middlemen. An exporter subsidy may correct price distortions and expand trade towards the highest world welfare. The case for intervention appears strongest in thin markets with a low number of trade transactions and perishable commodities. Nonetheless, promoting trade liberalization before other interventions may still make sense when ATBs are present because reduced trade uncertainty also improves world welfare.
Endothelin in human congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUNDAlthough recent investigations report the elevation of plasma endothelin (ET) in congestive heart failure (CHF), it remains unclear if this elevation is that of the biologically active peptide ET-1 or of its precursor big-ET. Furthermore, it is unclear if such elevation is associated with increased myocardial ET and if the molecular form from cardiac tissue is altered ET. Last, it remains to be established whether circulating ET is increased at the earliest stage of CHF in patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction and correlates with the magnitude of ventricular dysfunction.METHODS AND RESULTSThe present study was designed to investigate concentrations and molecular forms of ET in plasma and cardiac tissue in healthy subjects and CHF patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I through IV using cardiac radionuclide angiogram, cardiac myocardial biopsy, radioimmunoassay, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and immunohistochemical staining (IHCS). Plasma ET was increased ...
Centrality-Based Connected Dominating Sets for Complex Network Graphs

The author proposes the use of centrality-metrics to determine connected dominating sets CDS for complex network graphs. The author hypothesizes that nodes that are highly ranked by any of these four well-known centrality metrics such as the degree centrality, eigenvector centrality, betweeness centrality and closeness centrality are likely to be located in the core of the network and could be good candidates to be part of the CDS of the network. Moreover, the author aims for a minimum-sized CDS fewer number of nodes forming the CDS and the core edges connecting the CDS nodes while using these centrality metrics. The author discusses our approach/algorithm to determine each of these four centrality metrics and run them on six real-world network graphs ranging from 34 to 332 nodes representing various domains. The author observes the betweeness centrality-based CDS to be of the smallest size in five of the six networks and the closeness centrality-based CDS to be of the smallest size in the smallest of the six networks and incur the largest size for the remaining networks.
Exercise, Weight Loss, and Effects on Inflammation

Persistent, subclinical inflammation, as indicated by higher systemic concentrations of inflammatory acute phase reactants and cytokines, is a strong risk factor for several chronic diseases. As such, the inflammatory pathway is a potential therapeutic target for lifestyle interventions designed to reduce disease and disability. The efficacy of increasing physical activity for reducing the risk of chronic disease is well recognized, but its effectiveness in reducing chronic inflammation is less established. This review summarizes the strongest evidence (i.e., randomized controlled trial data) for a role of increasing physical activity, with and without concurrent weight loss, in the reduction of chronic inflammation. The available data do not provide strong evidence that exercise training in the absence of weight loss reduces inflammatory biomarker concentrations, except in some individuals with elevated inflammation at baseline. In fact, it appears that exercise-induced weight loss is more important than improvements in aerobic fitness for determining reductions in inflammatory biomarker concentrations in response to exercise training.
Exploring the Motivation of Nascent Social Entrepreneurs

AbstractSocial entrepreneurship (SE) is an increasingly popular practice in which business solutions are applied to social problems. While empirical study of the various facets of SE is on the rise, the motivation of social entrepreneurs – a key antecedent of SE – has received little attention. In contrast, substantial theoretical and empirical work exists on the motivation of commercial entrepreneurs as well as the motivation for public–social sector work. Seeking to fill a gap in the SE literature, this paper presents qualitative findings from in-person, in-depth interviews with self-identified nascent social entrepreneurs that participated in an SE training program in the USA. The findings provide an empirical foundation for further theory development and research on SE motivation.
A Graphical Data Flow Language for Retrieval, Analysis, and Visualization of a Scientific Database

Abstract We describe the design, functionality and implementation of a data flow query language (DFQL), that graphically represents a query as a directed acyclic data flow graph. The language is well suited for application domains such as scientific databases, where data analysis and visualization need to be tightly coupled with data retrieval, and the relationships between the entities are ill-defined. DFQL differs from most query languages in that it is functional rather than declarative. By adopting a functional approach, DFQL seamlessly combines data retrieval, analysis and visualization operations into a single query. We have implemented this language for a scientific database used in a long term data-intensive pavement research project.
Amorphous photonic membranes for broadband chemical sensing applications

While there has been extensive development on integrated sensors in the near-IR region due to the maturation of Si, SOI, and III-V materials, these technologies are not easily translated into the visible and near-UV regions which are critical for the detection of many chemicals of environmental and security interest. This work focuses on the use of wide bandgap, amorphous materials, specifically, amorphous zinc oxide (a-ZnO), amorphous hafnium oxide (a-HfO 2 ) and amorphous beryllium zinc oxide (a-BeZnO), in the development of broadband chemical sensors operating at critical absorption lines spanning the near-UV (200 nm) to the near-IR (1.55 μm). The architecture employed for this research is a nanoscale membrane (typically 40 - 100 nm thick) that supports a guided low optical overlap mode (LOOM) - an optical mode in which approximately 1% of the electric field is confined to the lossy core region. The resulting extended mode has a greatly enhanced analyte overlap, yielding a device sensitivity (~70%) that is over an order of magnitude higher than current high-performance, dielectric evanescent wave sensors (~2%) as modeled by analytical and finite element methods. Due to the extended nature of the LOOM, sensing across the entire spectral range can be achieved with a single waveguide design - critical for multi-point chemical sensing architectures.
Doping of Fullerenes via Anion‐Induced Electron Transfer and Its Implication for Surfactant Facilitated High Performance Polymer Solar Cells

Simple and solution-processible tetrabutyl-ammonium salts (TBAX) can dope fullerene and its derivatives to achieve conductive thin films (σ as high as 0.56 S/m). The electron transfer between the anions of TBAXs and n-type semiconductors induces doping without encountering any harsh activation. These provide valid support for the surfactant interfacial doping of fullerene in polymer solar cells for enhanced device performance.