cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dietary energetics of the insectivorous Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) during pregnancy and lactation.

Stomach content analysis of 20 pregnant (x body mass=13.4 g) and 18 lactating (x body mass=11.5 g) female Tadarida brasiliensis revealed that the diet, expressed as percent volume, consists largely of lepidopterans, coleopterans, hymenopterans, and dipterans, in decreasing order of importance. We found no significant difference in the diet of pregnant and lactating females when expressed as percent volume. However, when expressed as percent frequency, proportionately more pregnant females fed on lepidopterans, coleopterans, and dipterans than did lactating bats, and proportionately more lactating females fed on hymenopterans. We found no significant differences in the percentages of water, lean dry mass, fat, and energy density in the stomach contents of pregnant and lactating females. Water in stomach contents averaged 62.7% and fat and lean dry mass averaged 22.2% and 15.2%, respectively (expressed as percentage of wet mass); energy density averaged 31.2 kJ g−1 dry mass. This relatively high energy density of stomach contents, as compared to whole insects, can be attributed to the consumption of insects high in fat (especially flying ants) and the abdomens only of moths and beetles (other body parts being discarded). Estimates of nightly food intake increased markedly from mid- to late pregnancy, stabilized or decreased during late pregnancy, and increased again during early to mid-lactation. Average nightly feeding rate doubled from pregnancy to lactation and increased threefold during the first half of lactation. By adjusting our gravimetric estimates of nightly feeding rate upwards by 40% (based on estimates of field metabolic rate), we estimate that the average nightly energy intake of female T. brasiliensis ranges from 57 kJ day−1 in early lactation to 104 kJ day−1 in mid-lactation. These estimates represent nightly feeding rates averaging 39% and 73% of a female's body mass in the period from early to mid-lactation, respectively.
Permutation tests for random effects in linear mixed models.

Summary Inference regarding the inclusion or exclusion of random effects in linear mixed models is challenging because the variance components are located on the boundary of their parameter space under the usual null hypothesis. As a result, the asymptotic null distribution of the Wald, score, and likelihood ratio tests will not have the typical χ2 distribution. Although it has been proved that the correct asymptotic distribution is a mixture of χ2 distributions, the appropriate mixture distribution is rather cumbersome and nonintuitive when the null and alternative hypotheses differ by more than one random effect. As alternatives, we present two permutation tests, one that is based on the best linear unbiased predictors and one that is based on the restricted likelihood ratio test statistic. Both methods involve weighted residuals, with the weights determined by the among- and within-subject variance components. The null permutation distributions of our statistics are computed by permuting the residuals both within and among subjects and are valid both asymptotically and in small samples. We examine the size and power of our tests via simulation under a variety of settings and apply our test to a published data set of chronic myelogenous leukemia patients.
A formalized and validated executable model of the SIP-based presence protocol for mobile applications

Presence information is one of the key aspects of mobile computing. Depending on the type of presence information, a variety of services can be built on top of a basic presence architecture. These can range from simple notification services and context-aware computing to more complex dynamic discovery and load balancing in mobile environments such as airborne web services (AWS). This paper gives details of a validated presence architecture based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). Although SIP is viewed as an internet telephony protocol, in reality SIP applications go much beyond basic telephone services. This makes a SIP based Presence architecture even more attractive. By using the modular and hierarchy mechanism of our adopted modeling approach, other services and applications for mobile computations that make use of presence can be easily built on the top of the presented model and analyzed.
Arrest and incarceration of civil commitment candidates.

To gauge whether more stringent civil commitment criteria have led to the criminalization of mentally ill Persons, forcing them into jails and prisons instead of treating them, a statewide sample of 1,226 civil commitment candidates in North Carolina was tracked for six months after their commitment hearings. Only 72 sample members were arrested during the period, mostly for burglary or larceny (22 arrests), simple or aggravated assault (17 arrests), and minor offenses (40 arrests), including drunkenness, trespassing, and traffic violations. Fourteen sample members were jailed, and two were sent to prison. The mentally ill who were not involuntarily hospitalized or who were hospitalized for only short periods were seldom arrested; when they were arrested, the charges were generally for nondangerous offenses.
Loss of yolk platelets and yolk glycoproteins during larval development of the sea urchin embryo.

Abstract The fate of the yolk platelets and their constituent yolk glycoproteins was studied in Stronglyocentrotus purpuratus eggs and embryos cultured through the larval stage. Previous studies have shown that the yolk glycoproteins undergo limited proteolysis during early embryonic development. We present evidence that the yolk glycoproteins stored in the yolk platelets exist as large, disulfide-linked complexes that are maintained even after limited proteolysis has occurred. We provide additional evidence that acidification of the yolk platelet may activate a latent thiol protease in the yolk platelet that is capable of correctly processing the major yolk glycoprotein into the smaller yolk glycoproteins. Because we previously showed that these yolk glycoproteins are not catabolized during early embryonic development, it was of interest to study their fate during larval development. Using a specific polyclonal antibody to a yolk glycoprotein, we found that both yolk glycoproteins and the yolk platelets disappeared in feeding, Day 7, larval stage embryos, but that starvation did not significantly affect the levels of the yolk glycoproteins. We also found that the yolk glycoproteins reappeared in 30-day-old premetamorphosis larvae.
The Crystalline Components of Dental Calculi: Human vs. Dog

Dental calculus from the dog was found to consist principally of the calcite form of calcium carbonate mixed with small amounts of apatite; other calcium phosphates, consistently present in human calculus, were not present in dog calculus. Precipitable calcium salts from human saliva were mainly apatite; for the dog the principal precipitated salt was calcium carbonate (calcite form).
Three Visions of Masculine Success on American Farms

Anthropological, sociological, historical, and psychological approaches are combined to explore three divergent orientations to masculine success among American farmers. With a focus on the moral e...
Note on determining the limiting susceptible population in an epidemic model

Abstract A method is given for finding the asymptotic limit of the susceptible population in an epidemic model where the rate of first exposures of susceptibles to infectives is proportional to the number of infectives and where infection occurs after a threshold dosage has been accumulated. The limiting susceptible population is positive except in the carrier case, when it is zero.
Low-dose magnetic-field-immune biplanar fluoroscopy for neurosurgery

The imaging chain of a bi-planar fluoroscopic system is described for a new neurosurgical technique: the Video Tumor Fighter (VTF). The VTF manipulates a small intracranially implanted magnet, called a thermoseed, by a large external magnetic field gradient. The thermoseed is heated by rf-induction to kill proximal tumor cells. For accurately guiding the seed through the brain, the x-ray tubes are alternately pulsed up to four times per second, each for as much as two hours. Radio-opaque reference markers, attached to the skull, enable the thermoseed's three dimensional position to be determined and then projected onto a displayed MRI brain scan. The imaging approach, similar to systems at the University of Arizona and the Mayo Clinic, includes a 20 cm diameter phosphor screen viewed by a proximity focused microchannel plate image intensifier coupled via fiberoptic taper to a solid state camera. The most important performance specifications are magnetic field immunity and, due to the procedure duration, low dosage per image. A preliminary arrangement designed in the laboratories yielded usable images at approximately 100 (mu) R exposure per frame. In this paper, the results of a series of studies of the effects of magnetic fields on microchannel plate image intensifiers used in the image detection chain are presented.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An astronomical tuning strategy for Pliocene sections: implications for global-scale correlation and phase relationships

Astronomical tuning plays a central role in developing the chronostratigraphy of marine sediment sections. For Pleistocene sections, tuning is typically accomplished by matching the 41 and 23ka components of oxygen isotopes (δ18O−41, δ18O−23) to orbital obliquity and precession with constant phase lags of 69 degrees and 78 degrees, respectively (depleted (δ18O−41 lags maximum obliquity by 7.8ka, while depleted δ18O−23 lags minimum precession by 5ka). This approach places all records on the same time–scale relative to one another and relative to insolation forcing because Pleistocene δ18O is globally correlative. Thus, lead and lag relationships among climate variables measured at globally distributed sites can be assessed in an effort to understand the underlying physics of climate change. For Pleistocene sections, variables such as dust content, magnetic susceptibility, colour reflectance, and gamma–ray attenuation porosity evaluator (GRAPE) are typically tuned directly to precession or to a precession–dominated insolation target. Unlike Pleistocene δ18O, these variables are not globally correlative and few have unambiguous models linking them to insolation forcing. Consequently, the capacity to compare Pliocene lead and lag relationships among climate variables from different sites is considerably diminished, as is the capacity to evaluate the climate response to orbital forcing. Here a Pliocene tuning strategy is presented which builds on the precession–based approach by incorporating a final tuning step involving (δ18O−41. Results from application to Site 659 and the Mediterranean Rossello Composite Section suggest qualified success. Application to other Pliocene sections is required to verify the utility of this astronomical tuning approach.
From the imperial examination to the national college entrance examination: The dynamics of political centralism in China's educational enterprise

This paper examines the relationships between political centralism and the Imperial Examination in imperial China and the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) in the People's Republic of China. A brief history of the two systems is given. The purposes, characteristics, strengths and limits of the two systems are discussed. The relationships between the two systems and Chinese education, the relationships between the two systems and Chinese political systems, and the relationships between the two systems and the common people in different historical periods are also discussed. These discussions lead to the understanding that the two systems have served the political needs of both the ruling classes and the commoners (although it has been limited for the latter), and contributed to the continuity of political centralism. The NCEE is still indispensable but it needs reform.
Finding the Equivalent Transportation Formulations for Constrained Transportation Problems

Abstract : The paper describes a procedure for determining if constrained transportation problems (i.e., transportation problems with additional linear constraints) can be transformed into equivalent pure transportation problems by a linear transformation involving the node constraints and the extra constraints. The results extend procedures for problems in which the extra constraints consist of bounding certain partial sums of variables.
Psychiatric, legal, and moral issues of herpes simplex infections

When patients first realize that they have genital herpes, they are likely to have a series of psychiatric reactions that include (1) denial, (2) a belief that there is a cure, (3) realization that they do have herpes, (4) loneliness, (5) anger toward their sexual partners, (6) fear of sexual deprivation, and (7) development of a poor self-image. One of the best coping mechanisms is to develop a social support system. Despite many concerns about sexual activities, the patient's work performance often goes on as before. By 1985, law suits by'patients against those who allegedly gave them herpes had not resulted in awards at the Appeals Court level and one malpractice suit against physicians was not awarded. Genital infections in children must be regarded as potential child abuse by physicians. Morally, it is right for an infected person to disclose the existence of herpes to a potential partner but this is not always done for fear of compromising a relationship in its early phases. Because one's original infection may be asymptomatic, relating the time of acquisition of an infection to an act of infidelity cannot be judged solely on the basis of the time of the herpetic breakout.
Periodic solutions of population models in a periodically fluctuating environment

A periodically fluctuating environment is assumed in a population-modeling process that generates nonautonomous difference equations. The existence and uniqueness of periodic solutions are studied. A sufficient condition for existence and a necessary condition for uniqueness are obtained. Stability of the periodic solutions is investigated. Several numerical examples are given to illustrate the basic results, and a brief discussion is presented.
Coronary artery thrombus resulting in sudden cardiac death in an infant with Kawasaki disease and giant coronary artery aneurysms

We report a case of a six-month-old Hispanic male infant who had Kawasaki disease and coronary artery aneurysms on echocardiography. He died suddenly five months later in spite of aggressive medical therapy. Autopsy showed extensive coronary artery thrombosis. Giant coronary artery aneurysms need diligent follow up as they pose significant risks including risk of thrombus, myocardial infarction and sudden death.
Engraftment Syndrome After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma

Engraftment syndrome (ES) after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is defined by the presence of a new fever (> 38°C) without clinical or microbiologic documentation of infection or response to antimicrobial agents; an erythrodermatous rash involving > 25% of the body surface area and not attributable to a medication; and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, manifested by diffuse pulmonary infiltrates and hypoxia.1 Engraftment syndrome is believed to be caused by the release of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor– , and interferon, resulting in systemic tissue injury. Local injury is reflected by sequestration of neutrophils in the lungs, although systemic symptoms can be represented by fever and a diffuse increase in capillary permeability.2 The onset of ES typically occurs approximately 7 days after AHSCT, with a median duration of 11 days.3 The incidence of ES varies from 7% to 59%. Engraftment syndrome is usually a self-limited process but can be associated with an increase in the duration of hospitalization. The awareness of posttransplantation ES has resulted in the implementation of early steroid therapy and a rapid reversal of the disorder. Engraftment syndrome is not commonly seen in multiple myeloma.4 We report our retrospective observations in 90 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma who underwent autologous stem cell transplantation after high-dose melphalan therapy from 2002 to 2004 at a single institution. We identified 9 cases of ES, for an overall incidence of 10%. The characteristics of ES in these 9 patients are shown in Table 1. All 9 patients developed a fever (temperature > 100.4°F). Eight of 9 patients (89%) developed noninfectious diarrhea. Rash was present in 4 of 9 patients (44%), and 6 of 9 patients (66%) demonstrated pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiograph. Four patients were given steroids for hypoxia associated with ES, with prompt responses in 3 patients. One patient failed to respond to high-dose steroids and died from multisystem failure. It is not clear whether this patient had ES or if another clinically similar entity led to the patient’s death. Also, steroids in that case were given late in the course (day 17). Engraftment syndrome remains an important entity to recognize in patients undergoing AHSCT, because early recognition leads to prompt treatment and recovery. We report a 10% incidence of ES in multiple myeloma, a much higher frequency than previously reported. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Nonexponential solvation dynamics of simple liquids and mixtures

Abstract Novel measurements on the microscopic solvation dynamics of coumarin probes in several simple polar solvents and solvent mixtures have been made using the time dependent fluorescence Stokes shift technique. The microscopic solvent relaxation function, C(t), is observed to be poorly modeled by a single exponential decay in many cases. The average experimental solvation times, , for pure solvents and binary solvent mixtures are close to values predicted by dielectric continuum theory, but in many cases, the observed C(t) shape does not agree with that predicted by dielectric continuum theory. The results suggest that molecular motion of solvent molecules near the solute can be responsible for microscopic solvation components of C(t) that are not predicted using bulk dielectric data of the neat solvent and the dielectric continuum theory. In addition to the solvation dynamics results, some potential sources of probe molecule non-ideality are examined, and it is shown that these effects are not significant contributors to experimental error for these C(t) measurements.
Employer-provided retiree health insurance: Who is covered?☆

Abstract Using August 1988 Current Population Survey data, this study finds employer-provided retiree health insurance coverage is higher among workers who are covered by a union contract, in industries with large firms, in the public sector, male; highly paid, and full-time.
PERINATAL DEATH: COMPARISON OF CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL ANALYSES

The value of autopsies following perinatal death is debated by both pathologists and perinatologists. In order to determine the extent to which autopsies contribute to understanding fetal and neonatal deaths, we prospectively compared information gained by a specific autopsy protocol (Manchester and Shikes, Clinical Obstet. and Gynecol. 23: 1125, 1980) with that gained by review of clinical data by perinatal specialists. Our results document that perinatal autopsies provide important information not otherwise obtainable. Furthermore, they do so at a rate twice that reported for autopsies in adults.
Management Briefs: Use of Ultrasonic Images for Rapid Nonlethal Determination of Sex and Maturity of Pacific Herring

Abstract We investigated the feasibility of using ultrasonic images to rapidly sort Pacific herring Clupea harengus pallasi by sex and state of maturity and found that this could be done with a high degree of accuracy. We first compared low-resolution ultrasound images of 64 Pacific herring to dissections to learn how to interpret the images. We then examined 112 other fish to evaluate the accuracy of the technique. All of 21 males with gonads weighing more than 2.9 g (ratio of gonad weight to body weight, or gonadosomatic index, 4.5) and 22 females with gonads weighing more than 8.5 g (gonadosomatic index, 12.0) were correctly sorted to sex with the ultrasound scanner. In 69 other fish, gonads weighed less than 2.9 g, and sex was indistinguishable.
Intimal sarcoma of the aorta.

1289 ntimal sarcoma of the aorta is a rare and aggressive tumor with a propensity to metastasize to bone and visceral organs, including the liver, kid- neys, adrenal glands, and lung. The most common modes of presentation are embolic phenomena, which often require emergent surgical intervention. When the diagnosis is confirmed, surgical resection can be curative; however, most cases are diagnosed at au- topsy (1). The prognosis is dismal, with death resulting in most patients. We describe a case of intimal sarcoma of the aortic arch with embolus to the brain, ultimately result- ing in the patient's demise. imaging and MR angiography of the brain showed a left-sided occlusion of the M 1 seg- ment of the middle cerebral artery with in- farction of the parasylvian cortex and deep white matter of the frontal lobe. Carotid MR angiography showed no evidence of occlu- sion, dissection, or stenosis of the intracranial carotid arteries. The report of transesophageal echocardiog- raphy that had been performed at another hospital described a diffuse 0.5-cm-thick aortic atheroma in the distal aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta. MR imaging of the chest was performed and showed a 4.2 〈 2.2 〈 1.5 cm lobulated mass along the right inferior aspect of the aortic arch. The mass occupied 70% of the arch lumen and displayed peripheral contrast enhancement after IV gadolinium administration (Figs. 1A-1C). Differential diagnosis included a hy- povascular neoplasm such as leiomyoma or leiomyosarcoma, aortic sarcoma, organizing or mycotic thrombus, and angiosarcoma. Organiz- ing thrombus was believed to be less likely be- cause of the peripheral enhancement and the lobulated contour of the lesion. Angiosarcoma was believed to be less likely because of the lack of central enhancement. Left atrial myx- oma with embolization to the aortic arch was also believed to be unlikely because of the ab- sence of abnormality within the heart. High- grade stenosis and occlusion of the left subcla- vian and left common carotid arteries were present proximally, as was a 3-cm splenic mass thought to represent hemangioma or metastasis. Before further evaluation could be per- formed, the patient developed hemorrhagic transformation of her brain infarction and died. Autopsy revealed a large aortic arch mass with tissue characteristics consistent with an intimal sarcoma (Fig. 1D). Intraarterial tumor throm- bus was present in the left subclavian, left common carotid, and right brachiocephalic ar- teries. Left middle cerebral artery infarction caused by embolus was seen with resulting hemorrhage and brain herniation. Multifocal splenic infarction caused by intraarterial tumor thrombus was also found, as well as a coinci- dental renal cell carcinoma.
The Transnasal Esophagoscopy Documentation Dilemma

Objective: To determine radiographically the anatomic length difference between the nasal and oral aerodigestive tracts and to clarify gaps in the literature regarding standardized landmark measurements and documentation techniques in transnasal esophagoscopy, as opposed to traditional transoral esophagoscopy. Study Design: This is a prospective radiographic cohort study. Methods: Digital computerized tomography measurement techniques were used to determine the difference in length between the nasal and oral aerodigestive tracts. Using sagittal plane images from consecutive patients, the mean nares-cricoid (NC) distance, upper incisor-cricoid (IC) distance, and their mean differences were determined. Male, female, and overall distances and differences were calculated. Standard deviations, 95% confidence intervals, and 90% prediction intervals were also calculated. Mean difference data were applied to reported standard oral esophagoscopy landmark measurements to convert to standard landmark measurements from the nares. Results: Overall mean NC and IC distances were 175.4 mm and 147.5 mm, respectively. For males, these mean distances were 185.5 mm and 155.0 mm, respectively. For females, these mean distances were 165.3 mm and 140.0 mm, respectively. Overall mean NC to IC difference was 27.9 mm. The mean NC to IC difference for males and females was 30.5 mm and 25.2 mm, respectively. Conclusions: Historically, landmark and report measurements in esophagoscopy have been measured and standardized from the upper incisor. This study demonstrates and clarifies the inherent anatomic length difference of the nasal and oral aerodigestive tracts and the resultant documentation dilemma produced by transnasal esophagoscopy techniques. These data provide easy conversion of esophagoscopy measurements reported from the incisors or nares, providing better communication between endoscopists of different disciplines and techniques.
Guanidine-Containing Methacrylamide (Co)polymers via aRAFT: Toward a Cell-Penetrating Peptide Mimic

We report the synthesis and controlled radical homopolymerization and block copolymerization of 3-guanidinopropyl methacrylamide (GPMA) utilizing aqueous reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (aRAFT) polymerization. The resulting homopolymer and block copolymer with N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) were prepared to mimic the behavior of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and poly(arginine) (>6 units), which have been shown to cross cell membranes. The homopolymerization mediated by 4-cyano-4-(ethylsulfanylthiocarbonylsulfanyl)pentanoic acid (CEP) in aqueous buffer exhibited pseudo-first-order kinetics and linear growth of molecular weight with conversion. Retention of the “living” thiocarbonylthio ω-end group was demonstrated through successful chain extension of the GPMA macroCTA yielding GPMA37-b-GPMA61 (Mw/Mn = 1.05). Block copolymers of GPMA with the nonimmunogenic, biocompatible HPMA were synthesized yielding HPMA271-b-GPMA13 (Mw/Mn = 1.15). Notably, intracellular uptake was confirm...
Relative sensitivity of echocardiography and systolic time intervals for assessing acute positive inotropic interventions in normal human subjects

Abstract The relative ability of M-mode echocardiography (EC) and systolic time intervals (STIs) to quantify acute positive inotropic interventions (PI) concurrently validated by hemodynamic measurements is unknown. Thus we studied the response of eight patients with normal coronary arteriography and LV function to successive incremental infusions of dobutamine (D-1, D-2) during cardiac catheterization. During D-1 with heart rate, arterial pressure and LV end-diastolic pressure unchanged, dPdt max increased 65% ( p ≤ 0.001), QS 2 decreased 12% ( p ≤ 0.01), DEP decreased 24% ( p ≤ 0.001), LVET and PEPLVET were not significantly changed, while EC %ΔD and mean Vcf increased by 22% and 33% (both p ≤ 0.01). During D-2 with heart rate increased (↑33%, p ≤ 0.001), EC Vcf (↑66%, p ≤ 0.01) and PEP (↓33%, p ≤ 0.001) exhibited the greatest changes of the noninvasive parameters. The observed decreases in QS 2 and LVET but not PEP were considerably attenuated after normalization for heart rate. Our data suggest: (1) echo and STIs are complementary in assessing PI; (2) PEP is more sensitive than QS 2 in quantitating PI, particularly when large increases in contractile enhancement have occurred; and (3) both noninvasive techniques are less sensitive than dPdt in detecting positive inotropic action.
Life-time effect on the Auger-electron spectra of metals

Abstract Electron interaction effects on the Auger-electron spectrum of sodium has been calculated. The resulting spectrum shows considerable modification and has a low energy secondary peak possibly due to a plasmaron excitation in the metal.
Low-energy electron diffraction study of the thermal expansion of Ag(111)

The temperature dependence of the first three interlayer distances of the Ag(111) surface was studied by low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) over the temperature range 128K to 723 K. The first three interlayer spacings and the effective Debye temperatures were extracted from the LEED analysis. At the lowest temperature, the first two interlayer spacings are slightly (0.5 percent) contracted. All three interlayer spacings increase with temperature, finally reaching expansions relative to the bulk of about 0.8 percent at the highest temperature studied. The effective surface Debye temperature is lowest for the outermost layer, increasing toward the bulk value for successive layers.
Daylight Savings: An endogenous law

There is a small but growing literature concerned with the causes of laws as well as their effects.1 This note extends the literature on endogenous laws by treating a particular law as caused by the characteristics of a locality but not causing them in return. In the case of Daylight Savings, this approach is justified by the peculiar exogeneity of locational variables, especially those geographic attributes determining seasonal changes in the length of day. Prior to the 1966 Uniform Time Act, substantial diversity existed in Daylight Savings observance, with Northern states typically observing, and Southern states typically not observing. It is the purpose of this note to demonstrate that the pattern of observance can be explained by variation in net benefits across localities. Since Daylight Savings shifts daylight by one hour towards the evening over the summer months, it is likely to create some sacrifice of morning daylight devoted to work or school, in return for additional evening daylight, usually devoted to leisure.2 It is clear that the sacrifice of morning daylight per hour of evening daylight gained is larger and adoption less likely, the further south is the location, the further west it is relative to the standard meridian of the given time zone, the longer is the work day in the area, and the greater is the sensitivity of accident risk to changes in daytime work hours. More southerly locations involve larger sacrifice because the sun rises later in summer months in comparison to the start of the work day. Similarly, western locations experience later sunrise than do eastern locations. Third, longer work days shift the beginning of work towards sunrise; and finally, greater sensitivity of accident risk causes expected losses to increase
Microsurgical removal of intramedullary spinal cord gliomas in a rat spinal cord decreases onset to paresis, an animal model for intramedullary tumor treatment

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCT) pose significant challenges given their recurrence rate and limited treatment options. Using our previously described rat model of IMSCT, we describe a technique for microsurgical tumor resection and present the functional and histopathological analysis of tumor progression. Twenty-four Fischer 344 rats were randomized into two groups. All animals received a 5-μl intramedullary injection of 9L gliosarcoma cells. Animals were evaluated daily for signs of paralysis using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale. Group 1 continued with daily assessments using the BBB scale following tumor implantation, but received no further treatment. Group 2 underwent surgical removal of intramedullary tumor on postoperative day five. At a BBB score less than 5 (e.g., functional paraplegia), all animals of both groups were killed and sent for histopathological analysis. Group 1 had a median onset of functional hind limb paraplegia at 15 ± 1.0 days. Group 2 had a median onset of hind limb paresis at 53 ± 0.46 days. Hematoxylin–eosin cross-sections confirmed the presence of intramedullary 9L tumor invading the spinal cord in both groups. Animals with 9L IMSCTs consistently developed hind limb paraplegia in a reliable and reproducible manner. Animals undergoing microsurgical resection of IMSCT had a significant delay in the onset of functional paraplegia compared to the untreated controls. These findings suggest that this model may mimic the behavior of IMSCTs following operative resection in humans and thus may be used to examine efficacy of new treatment options for high-grade intramedullary tumors.
Revisiting the latent structure of eating disorders: Taxometric analyses with nonbehavioral indicators.

Researchers have debated whether clinical eating disorders are best conceptualized as one extreme along a continuum of degree or as qualitatively different from less severe eating disturbances. Taxometric analysis, a set of procedures that assess the structure of a given disorder by detecting whether a latent taxon exists among its indicators, has just begun to be applied to eating disorder research. Its application to this domain may clarify whether eating disorders best conform to a dimensional (i.e., continuum) or taxonic model. The latent structure of eating disorders was examined in a sample of 532 college women by using 2 popular taxometric procedures (i.e., maximum covariance analysis and latent mode analysis) with 5 nonbehavioral indicators of eating disorder symptomatology. Results across procedures suggest that the data are more indicative of a dimensional solution, as no latent taxon was uncovered.
The Space-Time CE/SE Method for the Navier-Stokes Equations in Three Spatial Dimensions

In this paper, we report an extension of the SpaceTime CE/SE Method for the three dimensional Navier-Stokes equations. In the setting of space-time flux calculation by the CE/SE method, various methods for calculating the viscous flux terms were tried. One of the most robust methods is based on the midpoint rule, which is used in the numerical examples shown here. The newly developed threedimensional Navier Stokes solver retains all favorable features of the original CE/SE method, i.e., high fidelity resolution of unsteady flows, easy implementation of non-reflective boundary conditions, simple computational logic, and efficient numerical operation count. Numerical results of a three-dimensional driven cavity flow and a swirling jet are reported. For such low-speed flows, no preconditioning is applied to the flow equations, and the new solver is robust for flows at all speeds.
Computational enhancement of an unsymmetric block Lanczos algorithm

An unsymmetric block Lanczos algorithm has been employed for the dynamic analysis of a large system which has arbitrary damping and/or repeated (or closely spaced) eigenvalues. In the algorithm development, the right and left Lanczos vectors are all theoretically biorthogonal to each other. However, these vectors may lose the biorthogonality owing to cancellation and roundoff errors. For the unsymmetric case there can be a breakdown, even without numerical errors. This paper describes computational techniques which have led to a robust unsymmetric block Lanczos algorithm.
Plate waves produced by transverse matrix cracking

Abstract Transverse matrix cracks were induced in cross-ply laminate graphite/epoxy coupons by tensile loading. The resulting acoustic emission (AE) was shown to consist of plate waves. Both the extensional mode and flexural mode were detected. The extensional mode contained higher frequency components of larger amplitude than the flexural mode. By filtering out the flexural wave components, the location accuracy of the conventional AE analyser was improved by an order of magnitude. The use of a broader bandwidth, point-like transducer is discussed and conclusions are drawn about the use of pencil lead breaks for location calibration. The simplicity of the results in this paper suggests that they will have many practical applications.
SU‐DD‐A4‐02: Investigation of KV Imaging Doses in the Radiotherapy of Pediatric Cancer Patients

Purpose: To investigate kVCBCT‐induced doses to pediatric cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and strategies for optimal dose reduction. Method and Materials: Four pediatric cases were selected with patient CTs and contours exported from Eclipse TPS via DICOM and converted into EGS4 patient phantoms. An EGS4 Monte Carlo code was employed to calculate dose distributions on four patients scanned by kVCBCT. 3D dose distributions and DVHs were analyzed. In addition, distance from organ‐at‐risk (OAR) to CBCT field border, kilo‐voltage peak energy and testicular shielding have been studied for strategies to reduce doses to OARs. Results: Due to circular gantry rotations of CBCT and smaller dimensions in pediatric patients compared to adults, kVCBCT‐induced doses were quite symmetrically deposited around patient anatomy, with much higher doses to bony structures due to enhanced photoelectric effect. DVH analyses indicated mean doses induced by kVCBCT ranged from 2.9 cGy to testes to 10.5 cGy to femur heads. Increasing distances from OARs to CBCT field border would greatly cut doses to OARs, ranging from 50% reduction for spinal cord to 2300% reduction for testes. Reducing beam energy from 125 to 60 kV generally increased doses to OARs, but further reduction would yield more doses to lens and testes while less doses to other OARs. The dose reduction via a testicular shielding made of lead would be more efficient in lower energy when testes lied within CBCT field. Conclusions: kVCBCT deposits considerably large doses to critical structures in children. Increasing the distances from OARs to CBCT field border and use of a testicular shielding are effective ways to minimize the doses to testes and other critical structures. It is essential to evaluate the doses induced by kilo‐voltage beams as a part of treatment planning and choose an appropriate scanning protocol when kVCBCT is applied frequently, especially in young patients.
Process control of profile extrusion using thermal method. Part II: Closed loop control

The analytical flow model developed in Part I was applied to the online control of profile extrusion. A rubberized polystyrene was extruded through a simple L-shaped profile die with one thin section and one thick section. Take-up speed was used to control the size of the extrudate, and die temperature was used to control the shape of the extrudate. Two different control algorithms, a dual single-loop feedback PI controller and a multivariable feedforward plus feedback control method (FFC), were carried out for set point changes of the extrudate shape and size, and load disturbances of screw speed. Results showed that the PI feedback controller was satisfactory for long-term set point changes but not for load changes. The FFC worked well for load disturbances lower than 10 cycles/min. Owing to the slow dynamic response of die temperature, the shape loop can only be controlled for long-term disturbances.
The effect of paired stimuli on blink reflex latencies in normal subjects.

Introduction: In this study we assessed the effect of paired stimuli on the latencies and amplitudes of the blink reflex. Methods: Blink reflexes were performed with single and paired (5-ms interstimulus interval) stimuli in 47 patients. The changes in latencies between paired and single stimuli were calculated. Results: Paired stimulation produced two types of R1 waveform morphologies: single- and double-peaked waveforms. Increases in R1 and contralateral R2 latencies with paired stimulation were significantly higher in those with single-peaked R1 responses compared to those with double-peaked R1 responses. Conclusions: Interpreting the blink reflex latencies using paired stimulation requires visualization of the R1 waveform morphology. A double-peaked R1 response requires no change in normal latency values, but the latency of a single-peaked R1 should be interpreted from the second shock artifact. The effect on the R2 latency is variable. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Incorporation of linear multipoint constraints in domain-decomposition-based iterative solvers – Part II: Blending FETI-DP and mortar methods and assembling floating substructures

Two approaches are presented for extending the FETI-DP domain-decomposition-based iterative method to the solution of problems with Linear Multipoint Constraints (LMPCs). Both cases of arbitrary LMPCs and LMPCs generated by the mortar method for enforcing a weak continuity of the solution across non-matching finite element interfaces are considered. In the first approach, the LMPCs are addressed during the preconditioning step but enforced only at convergence. In the second approach, the LMPCs are enforced at each iteration through the solution of an auxiliary coarse problem. Both extended FETI-DP solvers are benchmarked on a parallel processor for a wide range of constrained structural mechanics problems. The obtained results reveal that both solvers are numerically scalable and complement each other from the memory and CPU performance viewpoints.
Competitive fixed-interval performance in humans

Two persons responded in the same session in separate cubicles, but under a single schedule of reinforcement. Each time reinforcement was programmed, only the first response to occur, that is, the response of only one of the subjects, was reinforced. “Competitive” behavior that developed under these conditions was examined in three experiments. In Experiment 1 subjects responded under fixed-interval (FI) 30-s, 60-s, and 90-s schedules of reinforcement. Under the competition condition, relative to baseline conditions, the response rates were higher and the pattern was “break-and-run.” In Experiment 2, subjects were exposed first to a conventional FI schedule and then to an FI competition schedule. Next, they were trained to respond under either a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) or fixed-ratio (FR) schedule, and finally, the initial FI competition condition was reinstated. In this second exposure to the FI competition procedure, DRL subjects responded at lower rates than were emitted during the initial exposure to that condition and FR subjects responded at higher rates. For all subjects, however, responding gradually returned to the break-and-run pattern that had occurred during the first FI competition condition. Experiment 3 assessed potential variables contributing to the effects of the competitive FI contingencies during Experiments 1 and 2. Subjects were exposed to FI schedules where (a) probability of reinforcement at completion of each fixed interval was varied, or (b) a limited hold was in effect for reinforcement. Only under the limited hold was responding similar to that observed in previous experiments.
Title IX and the School Experiences of Pregnant and Mothering Students

This article examines why pregnant and mothering students did or did not stay in high school to see whether schools violated Title IX legislation by not providing equal educational opportunities. E...
Three-dimensional simulations of air-water bubbly flows

Abstract Interfacial area transport equation (IATE) is considered promising to evaluate dynamic changes of the interfacial area concentration in gas–liquid two-phase flows, which is of significance in characterizing the interfacial structure of the flows. Efforts were made by the authors in the past on the implementation of the IATE into computational fluid dynamics codes, such as Fluent. However, it remained unclear whether the IATE model coefficients derived from one-dimensional IATE model calibrations can be applied to three-dimensional simulations. The current study aimed to examine, primarily by investigating the lateral profiles of phase distributions, the applicability of the coefficients obtained from the one-dimensional IATE model calibration to a three-dimensional simulation of bubbly flow in a pipe. In addition, effects of the lift force on the lateral phase distributions were studied. A new set of the IATE model coefficients was suggested for a three-dimensional bubbly flow simulation. Good agreement was obtained with the updated coefficients between the predicted and measured flow parameters.
Comparison of unitary and Pade sums of the perturbation series for the scattering of a spinless particle from a Yukawa potential

Alternative methods for summing the Born series for a scattering process are derived and compared. These include Pade and unitary approximations of the scattering operator and their combinations. The various approximations are applied to an attractive Yukawa potential, and it is shown that most of the unitary and Pade approximations converge much more rapidly than the Born series. A comparison of the methods provides a practical test for convergence at a particular order of the perturbation theory. (AIP)
THE APPLICATION OF CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT TO HEALTHCARE

Last month,1 we described Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), a general model for quality in any organized activity. CQI grew out of the concepts of Statistical Process Control developed in the 1930s by statistician Walter Shewhart. Shewhart believed that by measuring the outputs of any process, one could differentiate between variation from random fluctuations and variation that represented a loss of control over the process. Processes whose outputs remained within their control limits were considered to be under control. Processes that transgressed their control limits were out of statistical control, and adjustments were needed to return the process to control. The workers responsible for the processes could make the needed measurements and maintain the control charts themselves, allowing rapid detection and correction of unacceptable variation and enhancing the workers' sense of responsibility for the quality of the product. A number of theoreticians, particularly W. Edwards Deming, Joseph M. Juran, and Philip B. Crosby, built on these concepts to develop CQI (also known as total quality management, total quality control, or industrial quality control). In CQI, quality is achieved through "a continuous effort by all members of the organization to meet the needs and expectations of the customer."2 The term "customer" includes every person or group, within or outside the organization, who depends on the efforts or outputs of workers within the organization. CQI theory holds that quality must flow from the top down. Management must establish an unswerving commitment to the continuous improvement of quality and ensure that the pursuit of quality is facilitated and rewarded. Every worker must be dedicated to quality and trained how to achieve quality; but processes, not individuals, are the focus of CQI. Inasmuch as management determines the processes used (or available to be used), management, not the workers, controls the important aspects of quality. How does this principle apply to healthcare? As one of our colleagues has noted, "...healthcare professionals are already deeply committed to the highestquality work. Quality depends more on good system design, consistent long-term direction, adequate training, leadership, and followup-all management functions-than on individual motivation."3 Management must encourage the involvement of the worker in process improvement and must not set arbitrary objectives or allocate rewards or punishment based on factors beyond the control of the worker.