cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bilateral occipital neuropathy as a rare complication of positioning for thyroid surgery in a morbidly obese patient.

Background: Peripheral neuropathies in various locations are described as complications after anesthesia and surgery. This is the first case report of temporary bilateral occipital neuropathy from positioning for thyroid surgery in a morbidly obese patient. Methods: A 48-year-old women with a history of depression, fibro-myalgia, asthma, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus and morbid obesity (127 kg, 165 cm) underwent 4 hours anesthesia with propofol/remifentanil without muscle relaxation for thyroid surgery. The neck with a very low range of motion secondary to fat tissue needed to be extended to facilitate surgery as much as possible. The head was carefully padded and there were no episodes of hypotension or hypoxemia throughout the case or in the PACU. At post op day 1 she complained of bilateral numbness in the distribution area of both greater occipital nerves. On post op day 2 tingling sensations and improvement of numbness was noticed. The patient recovered without residual symptoms after 6 weeks. Conclusion: Pressure or shear stress to the nerve, hypoperfusion or metabolic disturbances are discussed as the leading etiology of nerve damage during surgery in the literature. Pressure from fat tissue during prolonged head extension for surgery seems to be the cause in this case and should therefore be avoided whenever possible in morbidly obese patients, especially when other risk factors for neuropathy like diabetes are present.
Mental defenses and posttraumatic stress disorder: Assessment of criminal intent

Since its formal introduction into psychiatric nomenclature more than a decade ago, the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has become firmly entrenched in the legal landscape. In part, this is because PTSD seems easy to understand. It is one of only a few mental disorders for which the psychiatric Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) describes a known cause. Since the diagnosis is usually based on patients' self-report, however, it creates the possibility of distortion aimed at avoidance of criminal punishment, and, as a result, has achieved mixed success as a criminal defense. When providing expert testimony, mental health witnesses must take care to distinguish between mere PTSD and a causal connection between PTSD and the criminal act in question. PTSD has not only been used to abrogate or diminish responsibility, but also to arrange pre-trial plea bargaining agreements or play a role in sentencing determinations. The author explores various uses and potential abuses of PTSD in criminal jurisprudence and offers suggestions regarding retrospective PTSD assessment.
Statistical yield analysis of silicon-on-insulator embedded DRAM

We study the yield of a 65nm SOI eDRAM design. The impact of random dopant fluctuations in the cell and micro sense amp is studied under different systematic corner and device type considerations. Trench capacitor variation effects and yield timing windows are evaluated. By analyzing the circuit hierarchy, we are able to understand yield trends and hence suitable design guidelines. For the first time a fast montecarlo statistical analysis approach is employed for eDRAM analysis. For this, we rely on a well-developed SRAM statistical yield analysis methodology. It is shown that a multiplicity of devices and design considerations can be critical based on the memory operating corners and conditions. It is also shown that high vt sense amp devices, unlike low Vt devices, enable sufficient design yield windows.
5-Hydroxytryptamine and the metabolism of arachidonic acid by the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase of washed human platelets.

Abstract During secondary aggregation, platelets release 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) from their dense granule stores concurrent with arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. To examine the hypothesis that released 5-HT has a modulatory effect on the metabolism of AA by platelets, we incubated nonaggregating washed human platelets with 5-HT in the presence of [ 3 H]AA. Stimulation with 10 −4 M 5-HT, followed by incubation with 3 μM AA and 1 μCi [ 3 H]AA for 5 min, resulted in a decrease in the formation of thromboxane B 2 (TxB 2 ) and 12-hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid (HHT, P −7 to 10 −4 M 5-HT resulted in an elevation of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) formation (P −4 M 5-HT, suggesting that 5-HT may act at the platelet surface. A 5-HT 1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin (DPAT, 10 −6 to 10 −4 M) stimulated the formation of platelet cyclooxygenase (CO) products, whereas (±)1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodo phenyl)-amino propane hydrochloride (DOI, 10 −6 to 10 −4 M), a 5-HT 2 receptor agonist, had no significant effect on CO product formation. In addition, the 5-HT 2 receptor antagonist ketanserin (10 −7 M) did not block the changes in CO or lipoxygenase metabolism induced by 5-HT. Since both DOI and DPAT stimulated 12-HETE formation whereas ketanserin was unable to reverse the 5-HT-enhanced 12-HETE formation, it seems unlikely that the stimulation of a 5-HT 2 receptor is responsible for this action of 5-HT on platelets. We conclude that 5-HT depresses CO product formation while increasing 12-HETE formation through interaction with a platelet serotonergic binding site other than the 5-HT 2 receptor.
Market structure and dealers’ quoting behavior in the foreign exchange market

Abstract This article examines how differently the same dealer quotes in the inter-dealer and customer foreign exchange markets that have different market structures. The model first predicts that customer spreads are generally wider than inter-dealer ones due to less transparency in the customer market. The model also predicts that since customers are believed to be less informed than dealers, the differential between customer and inter-dealer spreads tends to fall with the rise in order sizes. In addition, the dealer's mid-quotes are shown to be the same in the two markets. Empirical evidence based on data collected from a FX dealer supports these theoretical findings.
Inhomogeneous radiation degradation in polymers studied with a density gradient column

Abstract Radiation dose-rate effects are known to exist in many polymers and are typically caused by oxidation reactions. Since the buildup of oxidation products often leads to an increase in polymer density, a density gradient column was used in a novel way to study the mechanisms responsible for dose-rate effects in a commercial ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) electrical cable insulation material. After various aging conditions, density profiles of samples were obtained by measuring the density of small pieces cut successively from the outside to the inside of the approximately 1-mm thick insulation. By monitoring density profiles as a function of dose rate and total radiation dose, two inhomogeneous mechanisms were found to be responsible for the observed dose-rate effects in this EPR material. At high dose rates, oxygen-diffusion-limited degradation was identified, as evidenced by a density profile which showed increased density near the air-exposed surfaces of the insulation but little change in density in the interior of the sample. As the dose rate was lowered, the oxidation region spread inward until it encompassed the entire sample at dose rates below about 100 krad/hr. The second mechanism, responsible for continuing the dose-rate effects at lower dose rates, appears to involve copper-catalyzed oxidation. This mechanism is often found to be significant in thermal aging studies; evidence that it may also be significant under room-temperature, radiation-aging conditions came from the density profile results, which revealed large increases in density as the inside of the insulation (near the tinned-copper conductor) was approached. For the same total radiation dose, this increase became larger as the dose rate was lowered. Preliminary chemical analysis profiling techniques indicate significantly enhanced copper and tin concentrations as the inside of the insulation is approached, even for insulation stripped from the metallic conductor before aging. This implies that these metals diffused into the insulation during the high-temperature processing conditions necessary for extruding the cable and/or during storage at room temperature. The discovery of evidence for important copper-catalyzed oxidation occurring under room-temperature, radiation-aging conditions points out the potential dangers inherent in material degradation studies on compression molded sheets of material, since such studies may overlook important interactions between materials. The results of this study also show the potential of the density gradient technique for elucidating mechanisms of radiation degradation in polymers and for assessing the validity of accelerated-aging exposures by comparing density profiles of accelerated-aged samples with real-time aged samples.
Nursing resources in accident and emergency departments.

Accident and emergency (A & E) departments need to be able to respond quickly to any person seeking their services, 24 hours a day. The underlying philosophy of starring A & E departments may be incongruent to today's nurse managers when attempting to provide a high quality, but cost-effective nursing service. Accident and emergency departments, by their very nature, have an unpredictable, demand-led workload, making the issue of effective staff utilization a complex one. A descriptive, comparative survey of issues affecting nurse staffing levels in A & E departments is presented. Personal, semi-structured interviews were conducted with A & E nurse managers, and with senior clinical nurses. The study examines a wide range of variables, and their effect on nursing resources in A & E. It also identifies the complexities surrounding the calculation of nursing establishments in A & E, and provides a snapshot picture of how departments were staffed at the time of the survey. The study successfully highlights the key factors to be contemplated when deciding upon nursing resources in A & E, and the uncertainty and disparity which currently exist on the subject.
Extensions of the Dirichlet-Jordan Criterion to a general class of orthogonal polynomial expansions

The well-known Dirichlet-Jordan convergence criterion for Fourier series states that the trigonometric Fourier series of a 2x-periodic function f having bounded variation converges to f {f(x + 0) + f(x - 0)} for every x and this convergence is uniform on every closed interval on which f is continuous [ 14, Theorem 2.8.11. A generalization of this criterion was given by Hardy and Littlewood who proved the following:
Surface damage growth mitigation on KDP/DKDP optics using single-crystal diamond micromachining

A process whereby laser-initiated surface damage on KDP/DKDP optics is removed by spot micro-machining using a high-speed drill and a single-crystal diamond bit, is shown to mitigate damage growth for subsequent laser shots. Our tests show that machined dimples on both surfaces of an AR coated doubler (KDP) crystal are stable, for 526 nm, ~3.2 ns pulses at ~12 J/cm2 fluences. Other tests also confirmed that the machined dimples on both surfaces of an AR coated tripler (DKDP) crystal are stable, for 351 nm, ~3 ns pulses at ~8 J/cm2. We have demonstrated successful mitigation of laser-initiated surface damage sites as large as 0.14 mm diameter on DKDP, for up to 1000 shots at 351 nm, 13 J/cm2, ~11 ns pulse length, and up to 10 shots at 351 nm, 8 J/cm2, 3 ns. Details of the method are presented, including estimates for the heat generated during micromachining and a plan to implement this method to treat pre-initiated or retrieved-from-service, large-scale optics for use in high-peak-power laser applications.
Isotope-enriched protein standards for computational amide I spectroscopy

We present a systematic isotope labeling study of the protein G mutant NuG2b as a step toward the production of reliable, structurally stable, experimental standards for amide I infrared spectroscopic simulations. By introducing isotope enriched amino acids into a minimal growth medium during bacterial expression, we induce uniform labeling of the amide bonds following specific amino acids, avoiding the need for chemical peptide synthesis. We use experimental data to test several common amide I frequency maps and explore the influence of various factors on map performance. Comparison of the predicted absorption frequencies for the four maps tested with empirical assignments to our experimental spectra yields a root-mean-square error of 6-12 cm−1, with outliers of at least 12 cm−1 in all models. This means that the predictions may be useful for predicting general trends such as changes in hydrogen bonding configuration; however, for finer structural constraints or absolute frequency assignments, the models are unreliable. The results indicate the need for careful testing of existing literature maps and shed light on possible next steps for the development of quantitative spectral maps.
The relationship between the pubo-urethral ligaments and the urogenital diaphragm in the human female.

The connective tissue supports of the human female urethra have been investigated in 14 cadavers and 20 fetuses. In all cases the urethra was found to be suspended from the pubic bone by bilaterally symmetrical anterior, posterior and intermediate pubo-urethral ligaments. The anterior and posterior ligaments were formed by reflections of the inferior and superior fascial layers of the urogenital diaphragm. The intermediate ligament represented a fusion of these fascial layers and no transverse perineal ligament was found. It is suggested that the term pubovesical ligament is a misnomer since this band of connective tissue passes from the pubic bone to the urethra and not to the bladder. It is thus analogous to the puboprostatic ligament of the male. An anatomical defect in the pubo-urethral ligaments might be a contributing factor to urinary stress incontinence in the female.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 247

Abstract The available nuclear structure information for all nuclei with mass number A=247 is presented. Various decay and reaction data are evaluated and compared. Adopted data, levels, and spin and state assignments are given.
Modeling of γ/γ′ phase equilibrium in the nickel-aluminum system

Abstract A theoretical model is proposed for the determination of phase equilibrium in alloys taking into consideration dissimilar lattice parameters. Volume dependent pair interactions are introduced by means of phenomenological Lennard-Jones potentials and the configurational entropy of the system is treated in the tetrahedron approximation of the cluster variation method. The model is applied to the superalloy relevant nickel-rich, γ/γ′ phase region of the Ni-Al phase diagram. The model predicts reasonable values for the lattice parameters and the enthalpy of formation as a function of composition, and the calculated phase diagram closely approximates the experimental diagram.
Metallurgical aspects in welding Cr–Mo–V turbine rotor steels Part 1 Evaluation of base material and heat affected zone

AbstractA metallurgical evaluation of the weldability of a high pressure/intermediate pressure turbine rotor has been undertaken to determine whether AS1M A470 (class 8) rotors can be weld repaired. The work was carried out using a retired rotor that had been in service for over 20 years. The rotor base material was found to have experienced embrittlement during service. It was determined that no heat treatment was necessary before welding, as long as a post-weld heat treatment at 677°C was performed. The coarse grained bainitic structure and embrittled condition of the rotor material were metallurgical factors for possible reheat cracking of the heat affected zone (HAZ) in this type of rotor. However, the grain refinement experienced by the HAZ and the coarsening of carbides in the coarse grain HAZ improved the toughness greatly and eliminated or reduced the susceptibility of reheat cracking. The weldment produced shows good room temperature mechanical properties; however, the stress rupture properties o...
Don't Call Me That: A Techno-Feminist Critique of the Term Mommy Blogger

This article argues that although the act of mommy blogging may be empowering, the term itself reinforces women's hegemonic normative roles as nurturers, thrusting women who blog about their children into a form of digital domesticity in the blogosphere. Drawing on 29 blogs posts women wrote debating the term mommy blogger and 649 comments posted on these blogs, the author uses Judith Butler's concept of performativity to rhetorically analyze the term, using a techno-feminist lens and cyber-ethnographic approach. The author asserts that the use of the term mommy blogger continues the culturally ingrained performance of motherhood women learned since childhood, and, in so doing, holds women captive in this subjective norm that may not fit them. The use of mommy, versus mother, highlights the nurturing aspect of motherhood and conjures a prototype of the ideal mother, further marginalizing women by focusing on one attribute that does not apply to all women or even all mothers.
Mental health among a nationally representative sample of United States Military Reserve Component Personnel

Estimate prevalence of lifetime, current year, and current month depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among US military reservists. Structured interviews were performed with a nationally representative military reserve sample (n = 2,003). Sociodemographic characteristics, military experiences, lifetime stressors, and psychiatric conditions were assessed. Depression was measured with the PHQ-9, and PTSD (deployment and non-deployment related) was assessed with the PCL-C. Depression (21.63 % lifetime, 14.31 % current year, and 5.99 % current month) was more common than either deployment-related PTSD (5.49 % lifetime, 4.98 % current year, and 3.62 % current month) or non-deployment-related PTSD (5.40 % lifetime, 3.91 % current year, and 2.32 % current month), and branch-related differences were found. Non-deployment-related trauma was associated with non-deployment-related PTSD and depression in a dose–response fashion; deployment-related trauma was associated with deployment-related PTSD and depression in a dose–response fashion. The study reveals notable differences in PTSD and depression prevalence by service branch that may be attributable to a combination of factors including greater lifetime trauma exposures and differing operational military experiences. Our findings suggest that service branch and organizational differences are related to key protective and/or risk factors, which may prove useful in guiding prevention and treatment efforts among reservists.
Experimental Estimation of J-R Curves from Load-CMOD Record for SE(B) Specimens

Fracture resistance of ductile materials is often characterized by a J-R curve, and measured using the fracture toughness testing standard ASTM E1820 (Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fracture Toughness). The recommended elastic unloading compliance method or resistance curve test method requires simultaneous measurements of applied load (P), load-line displacement (LLD), and crack-mouth opening displacement (CMOD) from a single test for the single-edge notched bend [SE(B)] specimen. The P-CMOD record is used to determine crack extension, and the P-LLD record in conjunction with the crack extension is used to calculate the J-integral. However, it is well known that while highly accurate CMOD measurements can be made, the measurement of LLD is less accurate and more difficult because of transducer mounting difficulties, specimen load point indentions and load train deflections, or a combination thereof. Extensive finite element analyses showed that the LLD-based J equation may give inaccurate results for a shallow-cracked SE(B) specimen because its geometry factor η may depend on the strain hardening exponent. In contrast for the same geometry, the CMOD-based η factor is insensitive to the hardening exponent, and thus a CMOD-based J equation could be more accurate to be used in the determination of J-R curves. Based on the energy principle, this paper proposes a CMOD-based J equation for a growing crack using an incremental function similar to the present ASTM E1820-06 formulation that is applicable to the J calculations for a J-R curve testing. The proposed CMOD-based J formulation contains two geometry factors, i.e., CMOD-based η and γ, and can consider the crack growth correction. The solutions of four geometry factors are presented for the SE(B) specimens with a wide range of crack length. The proposed formulation is then applied to determine J-R curves for HY80 steel using the load-CMOD record for SE(B) specimens, and the results are compared with those using the traditional LLD-based formulation. The comparison shows close agreement between these two formulations. It is recommended that the proposed formulation be used in ASTM E1820 to determine more accurate J-R curves and reduce test costs as well.
Work at Church and Church-Based Emotional Support Among Older Whites, Blacks, and Mexican Americans

This study aims to assess how social relationships form at church. The data are from older whites, older blacks, and older Mexican Americans. Our conceptual model proposes that: (1) conservative Protestants are more committed to their faith; (2) people who are more religiously committed attend worship services more often; (3) individuals who go to church more often perform more volunteer work; and (4) people who perform more work at church will receive more emotional support from their fellow church members. Support was found for these hypotheses. Several race differences emerged. The most important race difference suggests that the relationship between work at church and social support is strongest for older whites.
Are Change Readiness Strategies Overrated? A Commentary on Boundary Conditions

Change readiness of employees is a familiar notion about how organizations can enhance their chances for success from an organizational change initiative. At the core of readiness themes is the formation of beliefs within change recipients that engender a willingness to positively engage the change. The purpose of this article is to examine the themes of readiness models with respect to boundary conditions on change readiness theory and practice. First, the article identifies limitations that are inherent in the assumptions underlying the six readiness themes. Second, the article discusses four issues concerning change itself that may provide substitutes for readiness strategies, make readiness not necessary or make readiness strategies necessary, but not sufficient. The four issues are attributions for change, the scope and genesis of change, specific change management within the context of broader leadership practices, and individual differences that may make a focus on readiness by change agents less n...
Control of crystal phase switching and orientation by soluble mollusc-shell proteins

IN the initial stages of the biomineralization of abalone shells, a primer layer of oriented calcite crystals grows on a nucleating protein sheet1,2. The deposition of this primer is followed by an abrupt transition to c-axis-oriented crystals of aragonite, another crystalline form of calcium carbonate. The formation of each of the two crystal types is accompanied by the synthesis of specific polyanionic proteins1–3, suggesting that cooperative interactions between these proteins and the inorganic ions during crystal nucleation and growth control the phase of the deposited mineral and that differential expression of the proteins allows the organism to induce phase changes. It is known that soluble shell proteins can control crystal morphology4–10, but it has been suspected that the switch in phase—from calcite to aragonite—might require the deposition of a new nucleating protein sheet. Here we describe in vitro studies of the crystallization of calcium carbonate in the presence of soluble polyanionic proteins extracted from abalone shell. We find that these proteins alone are sufficient to control the crystal phase, allowing us to switch abruptly and sequentially between aragonite and calcite without the need for deposition of an intervening protein sheet. These results show that soluble organic components can exert greater control over hierarchical biomineral growth than hitherto suspected, offering the prospect of similar phase control in materials chemistry.
The relationship of moral judgment, self-awareness, and sex to complicance behavior

Abstract Sixty male and sixty female college students, representing three of Kohlberg's stages of moral judgment, were exposed to a complicance situation in which their personal count of a series of metronome clicks was contradicted by a unanimous group. Group differences were either one or two steps from veridical. For half of the subjects self-awareness was experimentally increased. The results indicated that subjects in moral judgment Stages 3 and 4 complied significantly more than Stage 5 subjects. The self-awareness manipulation produced a complex pattern of results in the form of a three way interaction with moral judgment and type of compliance. Finally, sex differences in compliance behavior were significant, with females complying more than males. The results were discussed in terms of a cognition-behavior relationship.
The adenylate cyclase system and prostaglandin production in human decidua parietalis

Abstract We studied the β-adrenergic system in the human decidua and its effect on prostaglandin E2 and F2a release from dispersed decidual cells in culture. β-adrenergic receptors in decidual membranes were partially characterized using (+)[125I]HYP. Specific binding was demonstrated with maximum binding capacity (Bmax) of 70 ± 10. 6 fmol/mg and an affinity (KD) of 20.85 ± 1.86 pmol. cAMP dependent phosphoproteins in decidual cytosol were also identified. Two phosphoproteins of Mr 42 000 and 22 000 were seen in all preparations. Three others (Mr 39 000, 23 000 and 21000) were identified in only some of the preparations. Phosphoproteins of similar Mr to those seen in cytosol prepared from decidual homogenates were also identified in cytosol ofcultured decidual cells. Phosphorylation of the 42 000 Mr and 22 000 Mr proteins was maximal (3.04 ± 0.35 fold and 5.7 ± 0.68 fold) with 10−6 m cAMP. Cultured decidual cells produced prostaglandin E2 and F2a which increased in a dose-dependent manner in response to dbcAMP, forskolin or isoproterenol. The decidua contains an intact β-adrenergic system that, when activated, is capable of phosphorylating specific proteins and modulating prostaglandin release.
Gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary.

Abstract A case of gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary in which Spiegelberg's criteria are met is presented. The primacy of such a lesion is discussed. The distinction between nongestational and gestational ovarian choriocarcinoma is described.
Polonium-210: A Volatile Radioelement in Cigarettes

Polonium-210, which emits alpha particles, is a natural contaminant of tobacco. For an individual smoking two packages of cigarettes a day, the radiation dose to bronchial epithelium from Po(210) inhaled in cigarette smoke probably is at least seven times that from background sources, and in localized areas may be up to 1000 rem or more in 25 years. Radiation from this source may, therefore, be significant in the genesis of bronchial cancer in smokers.
Controversies in soft tissue injury: Impairment and disability assessment

Assessment of impairment and disability has often been based on a subjective history from the patient along with subjective complaints to provocative tests.The physical examination should distinguish between subjective complaints and objective findings.The factors affecting impairment and disability are outlined, and a thorough evaluation of the patient’s medical, work, and social history is reported. A step-by-step process is outlined for impairment assessment, including pain evaluation, medical history, history of the hand injury, job description, and physical examination. The controversial "cumulative trauma disorders" including incidence, definition, epidemiology, diagnosis, media and physicians’ roles, and expense are discussed. The determination of causation should be based on sound epidemiologic evidence. If the opinion is based only on the physician’s personal opinion and not on the literature, it should be stated as such.
Effect of Antibiotic Supplements to Diets Containing Rye on Chick Growth

Abstract THE results of experiments in which rye has been used to replace other cereal grains of the diet have usually shown rye to have a very low nutritional value. Growth of chicks fed high levels of rye is generally greatly depressed and the droppings of chicks are very abnormal. Efforts to improve the nutritional value of rye have met with only limited success. Fry et al. (1958) showed that a water treatment involving the wetting of ground rye with an equal weight of water and followed by drying in an oven at 70° C. gave a significant improvement in chick growth. This treatment did not, however, increase chick growth to levels obtained with other cereal grains such as corn or barley. Smith and McIntire (1960) failed to obtain an improvement in chick growth by water treating rye. Moran et al. (1969) have recently reviewed the literature on the value of…
Azo Polymer Multilayer Films by Electrostatic Self-Assembly and Layer-by-Layer Post Azo Functionalization

This work focuses on the development of a novel method for molecular level assembly and processing of multilayer azo polymer films. Poly(acrylic acid)-based precursor anilino-functional polymer was...
Automated Quantification of Pancreatic β-cell Mass

β-Cell mass is a parameter commonly measured in studies of islet biology and diabetes. However, the rigorous quantification of pancreatic β-cell mass using conventional histological methods is a time-consuming process. Rapidly evolving virtual slide technology with high-resolution slide scanners and newly developed image analysis tools has the potential to transform β-cell mass measurement. To test the effectiveness and accuracy of this new approach, we assessed pancreata from normal C57Bl/6J mice and from mouse models of β-cell ablation (streptozotocin-treated mice) and β-cell hyperplasia (leptin-deficient mice), using a standardized systematic sampling of pancreatic specimens. Our data indicate that automated analysis of virtual pancreatic slides is highly reliable and yields results consistent with those obtained by conventional morphometric analysis. This new methodology will allow investigators to dramatically reduce the time required for β-cell mass measurement by automating high-resolution image capture and analysis of entire pancreatic sections.
On a combinatorial theorem related to a theorem of G. Szegö

Abstract In 1954, M. Kac discovered a probabilistic interpretation of a theorem of G. Szego of Toeplitz matrices and demonstrated that this theorem can be provedin an elementary way by using a combinatorial identify of G. A. Hunt. In this paper Hunt's combinatorial identity is derived from a more general combinatorial result.
The role of the van der Waals force in the agglomeration of powders containing submicron particles

Abstract A model has been developed which relates the tensile strength and packing density of powder compacts containing submicron particles to the interparticle force. Hamaker's expression for the van der Waals force and the law of corresponding states are used to develop an expression for the reduced inter-particle force R which is used to evaluate an energy parameter ϵ o for a given powder on an absolute scale. The tensile strength of several carbon black and titanium dioxide powders was measured using a split-cell apparatus. Analysis of plots of R against separation distance for the carbon blacks gives an average value of ϵ o = 2.1 × 10 −19 J which compares favorably with the literature value of 1.09 × 10 −19 J for the Hamaker constant. This is taken as confirmation that the van der Waals force is dominant in agglomerates of submicron carbon black particles. Similar plots for titanium dioxide powders give values of ϵ o that are much higher than that attributed to the van der Waals force alone; the extra force may be due to water on the particle surfaces in the form of adsorbed layers or liquid bridges.
Mating Induces Shrinking and Death in Caenorhabditis Mothers

Interactions between the germ line and the soma help optimize reproductive success. We discovered a phenomenon linking reproductive status to longevity: In both hermaphroditic and gonochoristic Caenorhabditis, mating leads to female shrinking and death, compressing postreproductive life span. Male sperm induces germline- and DAF-9/DAF-12-dependent shrinking, osmotic stress susceptibility, and subsequent life-span decrease, whereas seminal fluid induces DAF-16-dependent life-span decrease and fat loss. Our study provides insight into the communication between males and the female germ line and soma to regulate reproduction and longevity, revealing a high-reproduction, low-life-span state induced by mating. Postmating somatic collapse may be an example of the sexually antagonistic influence that males in many species exert on female behavior to maximize their own reproductive success.
Toward a Black Studies Paradigm: An Assessment and Some Directions

The idea of a discipline of study is directly related to subject matter and methodology. In fact, the basic assumptions of any paradigm determine the subject matter and the appropriate methodology. The basic assumptions of the field variously called Black Studies, African American, and Africana Studies revolve around the concept of Afrocentricity.' Afrocentricity means using the life experiences of all people of African descent as the center of analysis. It emphasizes an analysis rooted in the historical reality of Black people. It does not negate or minimize the experience of other groups; rather its emphasis is on how those experiences have helped shape Black reality and vice versa. With that in mind, the following are suggested as the basic assumptions of the Black Studies discipline:
Incorporating the 2007 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiation Protection into the J-value analysis of nuclear safety systems

The newly released findings by the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP) led to a review of the lifetime risk coefficients for fatal cancer used in J-value analysis of nuclear safety systems. The change in life expectancy a safety system brings about by averting a radiation exposure needs to be estimated in order to calculate the safety system's J-value, and this is done following the ICRP's practice of using risk coefficients that are uniform across both genders and all ages in the defined population group (either workers or the general population). The ICRP predicted uniformly lower radiation risks in 2007 than in 1990 on a like-for-like basis, but it was found that the ICRP's new risk coefficients needed to be multiplied by a compensating factor specific to each population when used in calculating the radiation-induced change in life expectancy. Incorporating the new compensating factor leads to a decrease in the J-value calculated of about 5% for workers and 15% for the general population compared with earlier, reported results. These adjustments are not large compared with the uncertainties associated with radiation harm and the economics of installing a safety system, but will strengthen slightly the case for spending on a nuclear safety measure.
Synthesis, structure and properties of monomeric strontium and barium complexes containing terminal η2-3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato ligands

Abstract Treatment of Ba(N(SiMe3)2)2(THF)2 with tetraglyme or triglyme (1 equiv) followed by 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazole (2 equiv) in toluene afforded bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)(tetraglyme)barium (68%) and bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)(triglyme)barium (32%) as colorless solids after crystallization from hexane. Similar treatment of Sr(N(SiMe3)2)2(THF)2 with tetraglyme, triglyme or N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) (1 equiv) followed by 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazole (2 equiv) in toluene afforded bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)(tetraglyme)strontium (50%), bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)(triglyme)strontium (73%) and bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)(PMDETA)strontium(II) (64%), respectively, as colorless solids. The X-ray crystal structures of these complexes revealed monomeric molecules in which each metal coordination sphere is capped by one neutral polydentate ligand and two terminal η2-pyrazolato ligands. Volatility studies showed that these complexes fail to sublime, and rather decompose under sublimation conditions with neutral ligand loss for the barium complexes and loss of the neutral ligands and 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazole for the strontium complexes.
The development of radiotracer methods for laminar flow measurements in small channels—III. The liquid tracer method

Abstract A neutrally buoyant, radioactive tracer method is proposed, developed, and demonstrated for laminar flow measurements. The method consists of: (1) using controlled, syringe-type impulse tracer injections, (2) subsequent external monitoring of the downstream tracer concentration, and (3) use of the experimental data with a mathematical model to extract measurements of volumetric flow rate and flow channel volume by a non-linear least-squares method. The initial condition for syringe-type impulse tracer injections was found by dye and radioactive tracer experiments to be characterized by the sum of two simple, radially symmetrical pencil-like shapes superimposed on one another. Further tracer experiments yielded empirical correlations for all the parameters pertinent to the description of the initial condition for the range of flow conditions of interest in venous blood flow. The resulting method is demonstrated for the laminar flow of water in straight, vertical channels of constant circular cross sectional area in the range of conditions pertinent to blood flow.
Plexiglas-Roofed City Highways/Roadways Can Eliminate Snow/Ice/ Rain-Associated Deaths, Deicing Salt-Induced Environmental Damage, and Hypertension-Promoting Salinization of Water:

Snowstorms/ice storms cause (a) road deaths/ injuries/property damage (b) environmental damage from deicing salt/contaminant highway runoff (c) drinking water contamination from deicing salt-runoff, with potential implications for human health (d) lost revenue from road deaths/injuries/damages/salting highways and snow removal (e) productivity/ school attendance loss consequent to nonpassable roadways (f) salt-induced damage to roads/automobiles/wildlife/plants/birds/pets and (g) lack of access to emergency medical care. Stretches of intracity highways and important roads/bridges covered with a " " shaped, ventilator-fitted Plexiglas roof will keep roads snow/ice free. Plexiglas roofing would help eliminate the need for salting roads and snow removal. This would help alleviate environmental damage, groundwater contamination, and human health interactions, particularly salt intake and hypertension and other diseases. Roofed-roads would reduce rain-related accidents, help prevent corrosion of roads/bridges due to road-salt/rain/acid rain and water freeze/thaw-related road/bridge damage. Covered local roads and intracity highways would be a boon to commuters in icy/rainy road conditions.
A new technique for observing the morphology of a melt-solid interface

Abstract A technique has been developed for gently decanting the melt from a solid surface. This technique involves placing a bubble of argon gas on the surface of a crystal which is in contact with its melt, and then incorporating the bubble into the crystal by subsequent growth. After growth has been completed, and the crystal cooled down to room temperature, the top of the bubble is exposed by cleavage and studied by optical microscopy and also by high resolution methods. This paper describes the experimental technique and proves that this method reveals the solid-liquid interface.
The social construction of contested illness legitimacy: a grounded theory analysis

This study examines the social influences that shape how individuals come to believe they have a contested illness and the explanations of illness legitimacy that result. Chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivities, and Gulf War syndrome have all been identified as contested illnesses because their etiology, diagnosis, and prevalence are controversial. Narratives from in-depth interviews with 22 individuals who identified themselves as having these illnesses were analysed using a grounded theory approach. Findings indicate that claiming medical legitimacy for a contested illness involves a difficult and protracted process in which sufferers develop social representations of the etiology, diagnostic criteria, trajectory, and treatment of their illnesses. Study results shed light on the role of sufferers in the social construction of the medical and cultural legitimacy of emerging illnesses.
Emergency medicine: the growth of training programs and residency positions 1971–2001

Purpose: Over the past 30 years and especially in the last decade, emergency medicine has grown rapidly. The purpose of this study is to review the diffusion and distribution of emergency residencies in the United States. Methods: Data on spatial distribution and residency numbers were obtained from the AMA Annual Directory of Graduate Medical Education. Results: The growth of emergency medicine has been substantial, encompassing 121 programs in 33 states. Currently, nearly 3,600 residents are in training, nearly double the number of trainees 10 years ago. Conclusion: The rapid growth of the pool of emergency medicine physicians is now and will be increasingly a force to reckon with in the allocation of responsibility for performance and interpretation of emergency imaging studies.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Mechanical Systems with Sectional Frictions

This paper presents mainly the nonlinear dynamics of the mechanical system with sectional frictions and combination friction coefficients. It is clear that the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of mechanical systems with sectional frictions are quite different from those of classical machinery, and have more precise and valuable in many practical projects. The expressions of various nonlinear forces are given firstly and the approximation solutions of the system are found with asymptotic method in nonlinear theory, and the combination friction coefficients and damping coefficients of the materials are obtained. Then some nonlinear dynamic characteristics of the system with sectional frictions are also discussed. The results are very important for designers of these machines.
Modular subgroups, odd spin structures, and gauge invariance in the heterotic string

Abstract We show that the heterotic string is free of gauge and gravitational anomalies by showing that (a) unless the gauge group is E 8 × E 8 or Spin(32)/Z 2 or a subgroup, the internal sector partition function vanishes so there is no consistent theory; and (b) for E 8 × E 8 and Spin(32)/Z 2 compactifications, the longitudinal modes of the massless gauge particles decouple, as required by gauge invariance. We discuss the geometric interpretation for string theory when the action is invariant under a modular subgroup, and we develop the tools needed to study string world sheets with odd spin structures.
Learning about an Infrequent Event: Evidence from Flood Insurance Take-Up in the United States

Abstract I examine the learning process that economic agents use to update their expectation of an uncertain and infrequently observed event. I use a new nation-wide panel dataset of large regional floods and flood insurance policies to show that insurance take-up spikes the year after a flood and then steadily declines to baseline. Residents in nonflooded communities in the same television media market increase take-up at one-third the rate of flooded communities. I find that insurance take-up is most consistent with a Bayesian learning model that allows for forgetting or incomplete information about past floods. (JEL D12, D83, D84, G22, Q54)
Protein Structure Visualization by Dimension Reduction and Texture Mapping

Among the biological macromolecules, proteins have attracted special attention from the scientific community due to their rich functional roles. The ability to visualize and manipulate macromolecular structures on graphical display devices has facilitated the identification and analysis of these macromolecules. Structural analyses of the proteins often provide important insights into their biochemical functions. However, such analysis is often limited by the representation of protein structures and the corresponding computational resource requirements. In this study, we focus on the molecular surface of the proteins and investigate computationally and visually effective representations to serve a number of visualization and analysis purposes. Specifically, we "unfold" the protein surface onto a planar space, while preserving the local surface features as much as possible. In contrast to classical cartographic projections, our approach is able to preserve local shape features. Several biochemical properties associated with each surface point are mapped to generate a two dimensional map of these features. The 3D-2D mapping of the surface vertices has also been utilized to texture-map an arbitrary image back onto the protein structure to facilitate the visualization of the 3D structure.
FPGA Implementation of a Support Vector Machine Based Classification System and Its Potential Application in Smart Grid

Support Vector Machines (SVMs) is a popular classification and regression prediction tool that uses supervised machine learning theory to maximize the predictive accuracy. This paper focuses on the field programmable gate array (FPGA) implementation of a Support Vector Machine classification system. Owing to the advanced parallel calculation feature provided by FPGA, a fast data classification can be achieved by the FPGA-based two-class SVM classifier. The classification system works both in linear mode and non-linear mode, depending on the dimensions of the classification. Simulated results demonstrate that the classification system is effective in fast data classification, and it is a promising technique for Smart Grid to strengthen its communication security.
Low-temperature mobility measurements on CMOS devices

The surface channel mobility of carriers in n- and p-MOS transistors fabricated in a CMOS process was accurately determined at low temperatures down to 5 K. The mobility was obtained by an accurate measurement of the inversion charge density using a split C-V technique and the conductance at low drain voltages. The split C-V technique was validated at all temperatures using a one-dimensional Poisson solver (MOSCAP) which was modified for low-temperature application. The mobility dependence on the perpendicular electric field for different substrate bias values appeared to have different temperature dependences for n- and p-channel devices. The electron mobility increased with a decrease in temperature at all gate voltages. On the other hand, the hole mobility exhibited a different temperature behavior depending upon whether the gate voltage corresponded to strong inversion or was near threshold. >