cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adolescent and young adult women's recommendations for establishing comfort with family planning providers' communication about and assessment for intimate partner violence.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem that disproportionately affects adolescent women seeking family planning services. Current clinical guidelines recomme...
Reactively Sputtered Zn(O,S) Buffer Layer Suitable for Roll-to-Roll Fabrication of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Devices

One promising pathway to lower the dollar-per-watt ($/W) cost of CIGS PV is by transitioning the entire device fabrication process to high-throughput roll-to-roll (R2R) or sheet-to-sheet manufacturing. For the full realization of this goal, it is essential that each layer and process in the CIGS stack be optimized for throughput, uniformity, and low-cost operation and maintenance. In this work, Zn(O,S) films are deposited by RF reactive magnetron sputtering for evaluation as an R2R-suitable alternative buffer layer and compared to the industry standard CdS buffer layer deposited by chemical bath. ZnOS films are grown under a range of conditions and characterized by AES, UV-Vis, and XRD. A set of 35 10 cm × 10 cm 3-stage co-evaporated CIGS layers were grown on Mo coated soda lime glass (SLG) and split in half, with one half receiving a sputtered Zn(O,S) buffer layer, and the other half a baseline CdS deposited by chemical bath and a sputtered intrinsic ZnO (i-ZnO) bilayer. The devices were completed with Al:ZnO and Ni/Al grids, with no antireflective coating, then mechanically scribed to isolate 0.43 cm2 area sized cells. Analysis of the completed devices includes IV testing under simulated AM1.5 irradiance. Shunt resistance and series resistance are approximated based on IV curve data. The highest efficiency Zn(O,S) based device measured 10.0% while its control pair measured 12.8% with a CdS/i-ZnO bilayer.
Impact of Alcohol Use on Pain

Lifetime prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) ranges between 15% and 30%. In the pain setting, alcohol is known to provide short-term analgesic effects, however excessive long-term use is associated with notable health consequences including neurotoxic effects on the peripheral and central nervous system and poorer health outcomes. The etiology of an alcohol use and pain disorder is multifactorial involving overlapping biological, psychological, and social components. Patients may be motivated to use alcohol as a coping mechanism for chronic pain and therefore an integrated assessment and treatment approach for co-occurring pain and AUD is warranted to optimize outcomes.
Designing Sensory-Inclusive Virtual Play Spaces for Children

In this work in progress, I explore five interaction designs for the highly variable sensory needs of three neurodiverse children. I aim to create a repertoire of interactions that can be employed in future systems aimed at inclusive play. The three children in this work have educational labels of neurotypical, ADHD, and autism, but rather than design for their general labels or IQ scores, I designed for their individual sensory profiles. Based on clinical tools for sensory integration, I take the next step in a long-term project---this is the second stage where I explore three users' experience with five high fidelity VR prototypes across 26 user sessions. I aim to understand how virtual environments and user interactions can support sensory needs---and thus how to make future collaborative VR systems "sensory-accessible". I contribute empirical findings for accommodating sensory differences for neurodiverse children regarding interaction design for children by tying clinically-supported design features to sensory-inclusive techniques.
Th(IV) complexes with cis -ethylenebis(diphenylphosphine oxide): X-ray structures and NMR solution studies

Abstract The complexation of Th(NO3)4 with the rigid diphosphoryl ligand cis-ethylenebis(diphenylphosphine oxide) has been investigated using X-ray crystallography, IR, NMR and CHN analysis. Three crystal polymorphs were grown out of methanolic solution where the 1:3 Th(IV)–ligand complex is ten-coordinate, and the metal is bound by three bidentate ligands and two nitrato groups. An additional metal–ligand complex with similar geometry was also grown from the non-coordinating solvent CHCl3. Analysis of CD3OD and CDCl3 solutions of this complex using 1H and 31P NMR reveals that ligand exchange rates are fast on the NMR time scale in methanol-d4, and slow on the NMR time scale in chloroform-d. Further, three additional crystal structures are reported describing the 1:1 and 1:2 Th(IV)–ligand complex, the 1:3 Th(IV)–ligand complex with an extra aqua ligand, and a serendipitous 1:3 Th(IV)–ligand structure where one ligand bears an epoxide.
Cause Analysis of Brazing Joint Breaking for 500kV Transformer Axial Combined Wire Windings

This paper analyzes the reasons for the overheating and breaking of a 500kV transformer′s TPU winding brazing joints,and points out the defects in such processes as product quality,control and inspection,as well as the brazing temperature,brazing gap and induction frequency.Finally,it is recommended to improve quality and inspect products of the same batch and same types.
Clinical Reasoning: Progressive proximal weakness in a 56-year-old man with bone pain

A 56-year-old man was admitted to an outside hospital for worsening weakness and fatigue in the setting of upper respiratory infection. He had noticed gradually progressive weakness over the last year. Initially, he experienced difficulty lifting both arms above his shoulder; this progressed to difficulty walking, getting up from a low seated position, and climbing stairs for the last 6 months. In addition, he endorsed worsening bone and joint pain that had started approximately 1.5 years ago. The patient was a current smoker and had …
Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of teledermatology: Where are we now, and what are the barriers to adoption?

There has been rapid growth in teledermatology over the past decade, and teledermatology services are increasingly being used to support patient care across a variety of care settings. Teledermatology has the potential to increase access to high-quality dermatologic care while maintaining clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Recent expansions in telemedicine reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ensure that teledermatology will play an increasingly prominent role in patient care. Therefore, it is important that dermatologists be well informed of both the promises of teledermatology and the potential practice challenges a continuously evolving mode of care delivery brings. In this article, we will review the evidence on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of teledermatology and we will discuss system-level and practice-level barriers to successful teledermatology implementation as well as potential implications for dermatologists.
A Survey to Define and Predict Difficult Vascular Access in the Pediatric Perioperative Population

Background Various criteria exist for defining difficult peripheral intravenous (DPIV) cannulation in infants and children. With the help of a survey tool, the characteristics perceived to increase the likelihood of DPIV cannulation amongst anesthesia providers were assessed. Methods An individualized survey regarding DPIV which included pediatric anesthesiology faculty and certified registered nurse anesthetists at Nationwide Children's Hospital and anesthesiology faculty members of Wake-up Safe was conducted. Anesthesia provider, patient, and procedural characteristics were expressed as a count and percentage, and compared according to group (faculty, certified registered nurse anesthetists, Wake-up Safe faculty) using analysis of variance. Results Of the 48 local respondents, 33 (69%) reported age as a contributing factor to DPIV, and 32 (67%) reported weight as a factor. Of the 22 Wake-up Safe respondents, 14 (63%) reported age, and 16 (73%) reported weight as a factor. Patient and procedural characteristics perceived to increased likelihood of DPIV cannulation did not differ by respondent role. The factors most commonly mentioned by local respondents as contributing to DPIV included trisomy 21, neuromuscular disorders, and history of many prior IV cannulations. Among the Wake-up Safe faculty respondents, the most commonly mentioned factors were neuromuscular disorders, trisomy 21, and skin injuries or conditions. Conclusion Age and weight were the two most commonly reported factors from both groups of respondents. Other factors contributing to DPIV included prior history of DPIV, neuromuscular disorders, trisomy 21 and American Society of Anesthesiology status ≥4. Patient and procedural characteristics were perceived to increase the likelihood of DPIV cannulation with no difference among respondents.
5G as a wireless power grid.

5G has been designed for blazing fast and low-latency communications. To do so, mm-wave frequencies were adopted and allowed unprecedently high radiated power densities by the FCC. Unknowingly, the architects of 5G have, thereby, created a wireless power grid capable of powering devices at ranges far exceeding the capabilities of any existing technologies. However, this potential could only be realized if a fundamental trade-off in wireless energy harvesting could be circumvented. Here, we propose a solution that breaks the usual paradigm, imprisoned in the trade-off between rectenna angular coverage and turn-on sensitivity. The concept relies on the implementation of a Rotman lens between the antennas and the rectifiers. The printed, flexible mm-wave lens allows robust and bending-resilient operation over more than 20 GHz of gain and angular bandwidths. Antenna sub-arrays, rectifiers and DC combiners are then added to the structure to demonstrate its combination of large angular coverage and turn-on sensitivity—in both planar and bent conditions—and a harvesting ability up to a distance of 2.83 m in its current configuration and exceeding 180 m using state-of-the-art rectifiers enabling the harvesting of several μW of DC power (around 6 μW at 180 m with 75 dBm EIRP).
Integration of offset-free control framework with Koopman Lyapunov-based model predictive control

Koopman operator is an infinite-dimensional linear operator that governs the evolution of observable functions along trajectories of a given nonlinear dynamical system. Recently, several predictive control methods utilizing data-driven approximation of Koopman operator have been developed and applied in various fields. However, since a finite-dimensional approximation of Koopman operator cannot fully represent nonlinear dynamics of the original system, the performance of Koopman-based model predictive control (KMPC) system has been negatively impacted by inherent plant-model mismatch. In this study, we present offset-free Koopman Lyapunov-based MPC (KLMPC) to address the inherent plant-model mismatch while guaranteeing feasibility and stability of the control system. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is demonstrated by a numerical example. Additionally, the zero steady-state offset condition of the proposed method is mathematically analyzed.
Preliminary Note to a Tentative Nepophylogeny of Trombiculids

The Trombiculidae and Leeuwenhoekidae are two strong and thriving families, stubbornly defensive and brilliantly aggressive. They follow a straight orthogenesis, favored by advantageous faculties of adaption, a good capacity of survival and an undeniable perenniality. No marked deviations and few cases of regression. Their generous nature, their aptitude to change hosts at opportune times, and the large range of their hosts — spreading from molluscs to any kind of vertebrates, passing through arthropods — open the doors of the world to their unlimited dispersion.This being so, it is common sense to admit that their classification would be only slightly influenced by contingencies barriers, and other limits applied to other animal groups. In other words, once the morphological and ecological identities are duly established, differences in location will constitute only a minor segregative reason. However, one must face the exception of bat parasites, that the peculiar biology of their hosts destines them to a diversifying confinement (see the Trisetica line).
F87Transvaginal sonography in prediction of preterm delivery in patients presenting with signs and symptoms of preterm labor

Background The purpose of the study was to assess the clinical value of transvaginal sonography in the group of women presenting with preterm contractions and cervical changes. Methods We prospectively evaluated 82 patients between 23 and 34 weeks of gestation presenting in our Department with signs and symptoms of preterm labor, intact membranes and cervical dilatation < 3 cm. In all cases transvaginal sonography was performed. Results The rate of preterm delivery ( 28 days from examination, was noticed only for the functional canal length (21.6 mm vs. 30.1 mm; P < 0.001). The analysis of ROC curves showed that functional canal length had the highest diagnostic capability. Two important thresholds were found – 20 mm and 31 mm. For predicting delivery ≤ 28 days the functional canal length ≤ 20 mm had sensitivity of 57.1%, specificity of 92.6%, PPV of 61.5% and NPV of 91.3%. The cutoff value of 31 mm had sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 47.1%, PPV of 28% and NPV of 100%. In multiple logistic regression analysis only FCL ≤ 20 mm (OR 8.18; P = 0.027) was independently associated with PTD. Conclusions The shortening of the functional canal length (≤ 20 mm) is predictive of impending preterm delivery and the functional canal length > 31 mm is the indicator of the absence of labor.
[Treatment of mucormycosis with adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen: five cases treated at the same institution and review of the literature].

INTRODUCTION: Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection that affects decompensated diabetics, immunosupressed patients and occasionally healthy individuals. Despite advances in anti-fungal therapy and surgical techniques, the morbidity and mortality remain high. Adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) has been proposed based on pathophysiology and several favorable clinical reports. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A chart review of mucormycosis patients referred to the HBO service was performed. Also an electronic search in Medline of relevant literature was undertaken. RESULTS: Five mucormycosis patients referred for HBO had complete charts available. Four had craniofacial involvement and one had left upper extremity involvement. The predisposing diseases were leukemia (n = 3), diabetes mellitus plus sarcoidosis (n = 1), and trauma (n = 1). All patients were managed with amphotericin B, surgical debridement and HBO. Survival was 60% (3/5) three months after the diagnosis was established. The literature was scarce but favors HBO. CONCLUSION: Considering the pathophysiology of mucormycosis adjuvant HBO therapy seems reasonable. However, the clinical experience is still too limited to make HBO part of the standard of care. Prospective, randomized, controlled trials will help to define the role of HBO in this devastating infection.
Performance Evaluation of TCP Congestion Control Mechanisms

There are many congestion control mechanisms of TCP reported in the literature. Examples of these mechanisms are additive increase/multiplicative decrease, slow start, fast retransmit and fast recovery, and selective acknowledgement. Different versions of TCP have been implemented that include the previous mechanisms. Examples of these versions are TCP/Reno, TCP/Vegas, TCP/Sack, and TCP/Fack.
Seeing in three dimensions: correlation and triangulation of Mars Exploration Rover imagery

The Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) uses a man-in-the-loop system for control in most cases. While capable of some autonomous driving, all arm operations and most drives are planned on the ground. Planning these operations requires a precise knowledge of the terrain surrounding of the rover: where are the rocks, the sand, and the hazards. This terrain is derived from images taken by stereoscopic cameras. This paper describes in detail the middle parts of the ground-based terrain derivation process: correlation, which finds matching points in the stereo pair, and triangulation, which converts those points to XYZ coordinates. The algorithms and free parameters are described, followed by a discussion of the results obtained, the problems encountered, and possible avenues for future development.
Results of coronary bypass more than 5 years after operation in 434 patients. Clinical, treadmill exercise and angiographic correlations.

Abstract The long-term fate of 434 consecutive patients operated on between 1968 and 1971 was assessed. All patients were followed up for more than 60 months after operation (mean 70.7 months). Of the initial 434 patients, 98 died 0 to 74 (mean 31.1) months postoperatively. Of the 336 survivors, 152 reentered the hospital and underwent standardized clinical assessment. Angina was lessened in 93.4 percent (255 of 273) and absent in 51.3 percent (140 of 273) of these patients. Of patients under 65 years of age, 79.2 percent (152 of 192) were still working. Treadmill exercise tests performed in 107 patients showed an ischemic response in 44.9 percent (48 of 107) and an indeterminate response in 9.3 percent (10 of 107). The duration of the exercise, maximal pulse rate and double product all correlated well with the completeness of revascularization. In 176 patients with 256 grafts evaluated angiographically, the patency rate was 86.3 percent (221 of 256), and 94.3 percent of patients (166 of 176) had at least one patent graft. The average crude annual attrition rate after the first year was 2.3 percent per year, which approximates that of the general U.S. population after correction for age and sex. In the next 677 consecutive patients the survival rate after 5 years was 91.4 percent (including 4.7 percent operative mortality rate) compared with the survival rate of a similar normal population of 92.7 percent. The operative mortality rate of 7.1 percent in this early experience has been reduced to less than 2 percent in current experience. These results suggest that the coronary bypass procedure provides sustained symptomatic relief and may prolong life.
Collisional aggregation of fine estuarial sediment

The rate of estuarial fine sediment aggregation is related to the frequency of particle collisions, which is a function of fluid, flow and particle characteristics plus the number concentration of particles. Most are two-body collisions, but three-body collisions can play a significant role in high-concentration suspensions and can be calculated from standard statistical theory. Experimental data suggest that the efficiency of aggregation, i.e., that fraction of collisions resulting in a bond between the colliding particles, spans five orders of magnitude; however, a new formulation replaces the traditional efficiency. This formulation partitions the efficiency through a non-dimensional analysis of the significant parameters in collision, aggregation, and disaggredation. Analysis shows that the new formulation successfully reproduces some of the limited aggregation rate data available.
Psychological skill training and the aggressive adolescent

The structured learning approach with aggressive adolescents is described as an example of one of several contemporary approaches to psychological skill training. Thirty evaluation-oriented studies...
Factors Influencing Choices of Contextualized Versus Traditional Practices With Children and Adolescents Who Have Traumatic Brain Injury.

Purpose This preliminary investigation examined speech-language pathologists' (SLPs') use of contextualized practices (i.e., functional, personally relevant, nonhierarchical, and collaborative) compared with traditional practices (i.e., clinical, generic, hierarchical, and expert driven) with school-age children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods An electronic survey asked SLPs about their use of clinical activities described as more or less contextualized. Research questions focused on frequency of using contextualized practices and factors associated with their use or nonuse. Results Seventy responses met criteria for analysis; 98% of these participants reported using at least 1 contextualized practice. Higher use of contextualized practices was associated with working in schools compared to health care settings, access to experts, and greater experience with TBI. Most frequently cited reasons for not using contextualized practices included not fitting the student and scheduling ...
Several Transcription Factors Are Recruited to the Glucose-6-Phosphatase Gene Promoter in Response to Palmitate in Rat Hepatocytes and H4IIE Cells

Fatty acids and glucose are strong modulators of the expression of glucose-6-phosphatase (Glc-6-Pase), an enzyme that plays a key role in glucose homeostasis. PUFA inhibit, whereas SFA and monounsaturated fatty acids induce the expression of the Glc-6-Pase gene. Palmitate and oleate are the most abundant fatty acid species in circulation during food deprivation in mammals. Although dietary fats have been shown to modulate the expression of genes involved in both lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in liver, little is known regarding the molecular mechanism of transcriptional response of the Glc-6-Pase gene to long-chain fatty acids. Using H4IIE hepatoma cells and hepatocytes from adult rats, we investigated the mechanism of the induction of this gene by palmitate and oleate. Both of these fatty acids stimulated Glc-6-Pase gene transcription but did not affect the stability of its mRNA. In transient transfection assays, transcription from the Glc-6-Pase gene promoter was markedly enhanced by both palmitate and oleate but not by arachidonate. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis was used to show that palmitate induced the recruitment of an array of transcription factors viz hepatic nuclear factor(NF)-4alpha, CAAT/enhancer binding proteinbeta, PPARalpha, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor (COUP-TF), cAMP regulatory element binding protein, and NF-kappaB to this gene promoter. Although it is presently unclear how these various transcription factors interact at this promoter, the data are consistent with the view that multiple regulatory elements in the Glc-6-Pase gene promoter are responsible for the modulation of gene transcription by fatty acids.
Sinking rates of fecal pellets from the marine copepod Pontella meadii

Sinking rates of fecal pellets produced by the marine copepod Pontella meadii, grazing on 4 different phytoplankton diets, ranged from 15 to 153 m/day, with a mean of 66 m/day. Sinking rates, in general, were directly related to fecal pellet volumes, but unrelated to the diets used to produce the fecal pellets. There were two-to-threefold variations in sinking rates between fecal pellets of the same volumes, often produced on the same diets. Twenty repetitions of timed sinking of a single fecal pellet revealed sinking rates varying from 33 to 79 m/day, as well as variations in sinking rates within the course of individual descents. It is suggested that copepod fecal pellets are of such small volumes and densities that their sinking rates are subject to microstructural variations in the most carefully controlled water columns. Scanning electron microscope observations revealed lack of structural damage to some of the diatom frustules in the fecal pellets, suggesting that superfluous feeding may have occurred. Thus, the accelerated sinking rates of copepod fecal pellets may provide a mechanism for nutritional enrichment of the deep-sea ecosystem with organic parcels containing incompletely-assimilated plant material.
Assessment of head injury risk associated with feet-first free falls in 12-month-old children using an anthropomorphic test device.

BACKGROUND: Short distance falls are a common false history provided in cases of child abuse. Falls are also a common occurrence in ambulating young children. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of head injury in short distance feet-first free falls for a 12-month-old child. METHODS: Feet-first free falls were simulated using an anthropomorphic test device. Three fall heights and five surfaces were tested to determine whether changing fall environment characteristics leads to differences in head injury risk outcomes. Linear head accelerations were measured and angular head accelerations in the anterior-posterior direction were determined. Head injury criteria values and impact durations were also determined for each fall. RESULTS: The mean peak linear head acceleration across all trials was 52.2g. HIC15 values were all below the injury assessment reference value. The mean peak angular head acceleration across all trials was 4,246 rad/s2. Impact durations ranged from 12.1 milliseconds to 27.8 milliseconds. In general, head accelerations were greater and impact durations were lower for surfaces with lower coefficients of restitution (a measure of resiliency). In falls onto wood and linoleum over concrete, the ground-based fall was associated with greater accelerations than the two higher fall heights. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that fall dynamics play an important role in head injury outcome measures. Different fall heights and impact surfaces led to differences in head injury risk, but the risk of severe head injury across all tested scenarios was low for a 12-month-old child in feet-first free falls. Language: en
What's half a lung worth? Civil jurors' accounts of their award decision making.

Jury awards are often criticized as being arbitrary and excessive. This paper speaks to that controversy, reporting data from interviews with civil jurors' accounts of the strategies that juries use and the factors that they consider in arriving at a collective award. Jurors reported difficulty in deciding on awards, describing it as “the hardest part” of jury service and were surprised the court did not provide more guidance to them. Relatively few jurors entered the jury deliberation room with a specific award figure in mind. Once in the deliberation room, however, they reported discussing a variety of relevant factors such as the seriousness of the injury, the plaintiff's age, and occasionally even more esoteric items such as the impact of inflation. Two frequent topics of discussion, attorneys' fees and insurance, suggest that jurors attempt to estimate the actual impact of an award on both defendant and plaintiff. This descriptive account may help to inform the debate about whether jurors require additional guidance or information in the award process.
Changes in Perceptions of Ford and Carter following the First Presidential Debate

Sumwry.-Perceptions of presidential candidates Ford and Carter were assessed both before and after their first presidential debate from a sample of 31 subjects of voting age in upstate New York. Significant changes in perceptions of the candidates' sociability, emotional control, aggressiveness and moral judgment were found as a result of the debate. Carter was seen as more like the "ideal president" prior to the debate. However no significant difference between the degree to which the perception of either candidate was associated with the perception of the "ideal president" was found following the debate. 5
Random low vinyl styrene-isoprene copolymers

Abstract The present work is to the syntheses and characterization of random, low vinyl copolymers containing styrene and isoprene (SIR’s). The content of these SIR’s ranged from 10% styrene/90% isoprene to 60% styrene/40% isoprene, and all were soluble in hexane solvent. The anionic polymerization of these SIR’s was initiated by a catalyst system of various sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) to n -butyllithium ( n -BuLi) ratios. The SDBS allowed for styrene to become randomly incorporated onto the polyisoprene chain without any increase in the 3,4-unit of the isoprene. The glass transition temperature of the resulting polymers could be controlled by the styrene content and microstructure (blocky versus random) in the polymer chain. Kinetic data confirmed that styrene and isoprene have similar reaction kinetics. NMR and ozonolysis confirmed that random, low vinyl SIR’s were indeed being synthesized. The unique features of this system are that it does not metallate the polymers as was seen in the previous publication using the sodium and potassium alkoxides. Molecular weight differences due to SDBS are discussed. Finally, rubber process analyzer (RPA) results were presented for various styrenes content SIR’s.
Antimicrobial mesh versus vaginal wall sling: a comparative outcomes analysis.

Purpose: We prospectively compared transvaginal antimicrobial mesh (MycroMesh**W. L. Gore & Associates, Newark, Delaware.) and anterior vaginal wall slings using an outcomes analysis.Materials and Methods: Between August 1997 and November 1998 we implanted transvaginal slings in 40 consecutive women randomized to a synthetic mesh (20) or vaginal wall (20) group. All patients had documented stress urinary incontinence on preoperative urodynamics. We prospectively compared postoperative outcomes data obtained from pelvic examinations, cough stress test, cotton swab test and validated patient questionnaires using a visual analog scale.Results: Complete followup was available in all patients. Mean followup was 22 months (range 12 to 27). Stress incontinence was cured in 95% of the mesh and 70% of the vaginal wall group, and pelvic prolapse was cured in 100% and 95%, respectively. Transient de novo urge incontinence was noted in 12.5% of the mesh and 14.3% of the vaginal wall group. Mean postoperative cotton s...
Ginseng: America’s botanical drug connection to the orient

Ginseng has long been one of this country’s major botanical drugs in foreign trade. Once harvested only in the forests of the Eastern frontiers, it became a domesticated crop in the late 1800s and now is raised largely in northcentral Wisconsin. Growers there produce an estimated 90% of the cultivated ginseng in the United States. Most American ginseng has been consumed in the Orient, as is reflected in export records dating back to 1821. Over 95% of the nearly 21,000 metric tons (T) shipped in the period 1821–1983 went to the Far East. Hong Kong has served as the center for re-exporting ginseng to China and Southeast Asia. Ginseng has been used in Asia for many purposes, mostly as a curative agent. It has also gained increasing acceptance elsewhere in the world for its alleged value.
Partial characterization of the microsomal and solubilized hypothalamic progesterone 5α-reductase

Abstract Microsomal progesterone 5α-reductase activity from female rat hypothalamus has been solubilized and partially characterized in terms of kinetic and physical properties. The solubilization of progesterone 5α-reductase has been accomplished through the use of a digitonin/KCL-extraction. Both the microsomal and solubilized enzyme activities exhibit similar kinetic and physical characteristics. These include their apparent K m for progesterone (Microsomal K m = 113 ± 11 nM ; solubilized K m = 144 ± 20 nM ) and their affinity (~7nM) for the 5α-dihydroprogesterone analog, 4-aza-4-methyl-5α-pregnane-3,20-dione, which is a potent inhibitor of progesterone 5α-reduction. Both activities are inhibited by divalent cations (Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ ) and the sulfhydryl-blocking agent p -chloromercuribenzoic acid. Studies aimed at optimizing isolation and assay conditions for the hypothalamic progesterone 5α-reductase indicate that the microsomal activity is enhanced in the presence of monovalent cations (particularly K + and Li + ) and the metal chelator EDTA, but is unaffected by the sulfhydryl reducing agent dithiothreitol. The activity of the solubilized enzyme is also enhanced by EDTA but slightly stimulated by dithiothreitol. Analysis of hypothalamic progesterone 5α-reduction for possible flavin involvement (as a hydride carrier between NADPH and the steroid) indicates that the enzyme activity is decreased by high levels of flavins, flavin analogs and riboflavin deficiency.
Wideband reflectors with zero-contrast gratings

We present wideband resonant reflectors designed with gratings in which the grating ridges are matched to an identical material, thereby eliminating local reflections and phase changes. This critical interface thus possesses zero refractive-index contrast; hence “zero-contrast gratings.” We design reflectors with zero-contrast gratings and high-contrast gratings and compare the results. For simple gratings with two-part periods, we show that zero-contrast grating reflectors outperform comparable high-contrast grating reflectors. An example silicon-on-glass reflector exhibits a 99% reflectance bandwidth of ∼700 nm for zero refractive-index contrast Δn=0, whereas a high-contrast device with Δn=2 yields a bandwidth of ∼600 nm. It follows that local Fabry–Perot modes residing in the grating ridges and reflecting off a high-contrast interface are not the root cause of wideband reflection.
Protective effects of free radical scavengers and antioxidants against smokeless tobacco extract (STE)-induced oxidative stress in macrophage J774A.1 cell cultures.

Previous studies have demonstrated that an aqueous smokeless tobacco extract (STE) administered in an acute oral dose to rats induces an enhanced induction of hepatic mitochondrial and microsomal lipid peroxidation, hepatic nuclear DNA single strand breaks, enhanced excretion of urinary lipid metabolites, including malondialdehyde, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone, and increased production of nitric oxide (NO) by peritoneal macrophage cells. These observations indicate that STE induces the production of oxygen free radicals. We have therefore examined the in vitro incubation of cultured J774A.1 macrophage cells with STE on the release of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) into the media as an indicator of cellular membrane damage and cytotoxicity. The amount of LDH released by STE was both concentration- and time-dependent. The cytotoxicity of STE to macrophage J774A.1 cells in culture was further determined from percent viability after various periods of incubation. The addition of 250 μg STE/ml to the cultured J774A.1 cells resulted in a 2.9-fold increase in the release of LDH. Individual coincubation with superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, mannitol, and allopurinol had no significant effect on the release of LDH into the culture medium, while a combination of the four free radical scavengers resulted in a 59% decrease in the STE-induced release of LDH. At 75 μM concentrations of viramine E and vitamin E succinate, approximately 28% and 41% inhibitions were observed in STE-induced LDH leakage, respectively. Taken together with previous studies, the results indicate that STE activates macrophage cells, resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species. These oxygen free radicals may be responsible for tissue damaging effects including membrane damage, and selected oxygen free radical scavengers and antioxidants can attenuate these tissue damaging effects.
Striking Gold: Historic Preservation and LEED

Abstract “How can historic preservation be green?” “Can efforts toward a sustainable future embrace and respect historic preservation?” While adherents to the preservation movement and the environm...
Policy Moderation or Conflicting Expectations? Testing the Intentional Models of Split-Ticket Voting

In this article, the authors examine two models of the electoral origins of divided government. One model is the policy-moderation model, advocated originally by Fiorina. The other model (proposed by Jacobson) focuses on the different expectations voters have concerning the legislative and executive branches of government, as well as the different electoral contexts in which voters make decisions. Using individual-level survey data, the authors test various hypotheses derived from each model. The empirical results give little support to the policy-moderation model. However, the second model has strong empirical support. The authors conclude with a discussion of their results in relation to empirical and normative studies of divided control of government.
Processing Multilevel Secure Objects

The paper describes an architecture for processing multilevel objects in a multilevel secure environment, and discusses the inherent problems involved. A multilevel intelligent terminal is proposed as a practical application for the proposed architecture.
Mammalian dental function and wear: A review

Abstract This paper presents a brief synopsis of work on relationships between mammalian tooth form and function, and considers the role of dental wear in studies of mammal teeth. Mammalian teeth function both as guides for chewing and as tools for initiating and propagating cracks through food items. They tend to vary in form and structure with the mechanical properties of foods a species has evolved to eat; and we can learn a lot about relationships between teeth and diet by comparing species. One area of special interest is tooth wear. Dental structure and chemistry combine in ways that lead wear to sculpt occlusal surfaces so a tooth can develop or maintain its functional efficiency. Dental wear, especially that on microscopic scales, can also serve as a proxy for diet in fossil species, as specific types of food leave distinctive patterns.
Preventive Detention: The Impact of the 1984 Bail Reform Act in the Eastern Federal District of California

Utilizing a longitudinal research design, this study evaluates the impact of the 1984 Bail Reform Act in the Eastern Federal District of California. Contrary to other experiments with preventive de...
HEMATURIA IN CHILDREN

Children with hematuria require a thorough history and physical examination. Not all children with hematuria require the same investigations. The only laboratory test uniformly required for children with the various presentations of hematuria is a complete urinalysis with a microscopic examination. The rest of the evaluation is tailored according to the pertinent history, physical examination, and other abnormalities on the urinalysis. This article has provided a brief summary of the more common causes of pediatric hematuria and suggestions for tailoring the patient's evaluation according to the presentation. Most causes of hematuria in pediatrics represent medical conditions that often require referral to a pediatric nephrologist. Indications for referral to a urologist are more limited and include stones that do not pass spontaneously or are more than 5 mm in diameter, renal injury from trauma, anatomic abnormalities, or gross hematuria that seems to originate from the urinary tract and is without an identified cause.
Interpretation of dark-field contrast and particle-size selectivity in grating interferometers.

In grating-based x-ray phase sensitive imaging, dark-field contrast refers to the extinction of the interference fringes due to small-angle scattering. For configurations where the sample is placed before the beamsplitter grating, the dark-field contrast has been quantified with theoretical wave propagation models. Yet when the grating is placed before the sample, the dark-field contrast has only been modeled in the geometric optics regime. Here we attempt to quantify the dark-field effect in the grating-before-sample geometry with first-principle wave calculations and understand the associated particle-size selectivity. We obtain an expression for the dark-field effect in terms of the sample material’s complex refractive index, which can be verified experimentally without fitting parameters. A dark-field computed tomography experiment shows that the particle-size selectivity can be used to differentiate materials of identical x-ray absorption.
Optimizing Binary Trees Grown with a Sorting Algorithm

Items can be retrieved from binary trees grown with a form of the Algorithm Quicksort in an average time proportional to log n, where n is the number of items in the tree. The binary trees grown by this algorithm sometimes have some branches longer than others; therefore, it is possible to reduce the average retrieval time by restructuring the tree to make the branches as uniform in length as possible. An algorithm to do this is presented. The use of this algorithm is discussed, and it is compared with another which restructures the tree after each new item is added.
Factors affecting CO 2 storage capacity and efficiency with water withdrawal in shallow saline aquifers

Carbon sequestration in shallow aquifers can be facilitated by water withdrawal. The factors that optimize the injection/withdrawal balance to minimize potential environmental impacts have been studied, including reservoir size, well pattern, injection rate, reservoir heterogeneity, anisotropy ratio, and permeability sequence. The effects of these factors on CO2 storage capacity and efficiency were studied using a compositional simulator Computer Modeling Group-General Equation of State Model, which modeled features including residual gas trapping, CO2 solubility, and mineralization reactions. Two terms, storage efficiency and CO2 relative breakthrough time, were introduced to better describe the problem. The simulation results show that simultaneous water withdrawal during CO2 injection greatly improves CO2 storage capacity and efficiency. A certain degree of heterogeneity or anisotropy benefits CO2 storage. A high injection rate favors storage capacity, but reduces the storage efficiency and CO2 breakthrough time, which in turn limits the total amount of CO2 injected.
Performance measurement of parallel Ada: an applications based approach

This paper reports on the development of benchmarks and performance measures for parallel Ada tasking. The focus is on the macroscopic behavior of the benchmarks across a set of load parameters because parallel processing of Ada tasks involves complex run-time behavior and side effects. An Ada program of an application with parallel processes was implemented and its tasks' execution on a multiprocessor system was studied.The chosen application was the NASREM model developed by National Bureau of Standards (NBS). The purpose of the model is to serve as a standard reference control architecture for intelligent, autonomous telerobotic systems. The control architectures of these systems have significant communication requirements as well as computational requirements. A preliminary load model of communication and computation characteristics has been made.Experiments were run on a Sequent Balance 8000 which has a tightly coupled, shared memory multiprocessor architecture and hosts a proprietary version of UNIX. The number of processors varied from 1 to 16. The software environment was a Verdix Ada compiler. A proprietary Ada run-time environment automatically scheduled Ada tasks for parallel execution on available processors.Most results show lowered communication response time as more processors were made available. However, in some cases communication response time increased as more processors were added. This appears because of system overhead.
Emergency department reported head injuries from skiing and snowboarding among children and adolescents, 1996–2010

Objectives To evaluate the incidence of snow-sports-related head injuries among children and adolescents reported to emergency departments (EDs), and to examine the trend from 1996 to 2010 in ED visits for snow-sports-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) among children and adolescents. Methods A retrospective, population-based cohort study was conducted using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for patients (aged ≤17 years) treated in EDs in the USA from 1996 to 2010, for TBIs associated with snow sports (defined as skiing or snowboarding). National estimates of snow sports participation were obtained from the National Ski Area Association and utilised to calculate incidence rates. Analyses were conducted separately for children (aged 4–12 years) and adolescents (aged 13–17 years). Results An estimated number of 78 538 (95% CI 66 350 to 90 727) snow sports-related head injuries among children and adolescents were treated in EDs during the 14-year study period. Among these, 77.2% were TBIs (intracranial injury, concussion or fracture). The annual average incidence rate of TBI was 2.24 per 10 000 resort visits for children compared with 3.13 per 10 000 visits for adolescents. The incidence of TBI increased from 1996 to 2010 among adolescents (p Conclusions Given the increasing incidence of TBI among adolescents and the increased recognition of the importance of concussions, greater awareness efforts may be needed to ensure safety, especially helmet use, as youth engage in snow sports.
Direct measurement of the intermolecular forces confining a single entangled DNA molecule

Concentrated solutions of long polymer molecules exhibit reduced molecular diffusivity and striking non-Newtonian fluid properties that arise due to intermolecular entanglements. The most successful theories for describing these properties are based on the notion that on short time scales each polymer is confined to move within a tube-shaped region following its contour. Such a confining field is proposed to arise due to collective intermolecular interactions, yet this has remained a rather vague concept since the confining forces have never been directly measured. Here, we directly measure these forces by using optical tweezers to manipulate single entangled DNA molecules. We found that the forces opposing displacement of a molecule parallel to its local contour were negligible compared with those opposing transverse displacement. A time-dependent harmonic potential opposed transverse displacement. Work per unit length of order 1 kT was required to displace the molecule by a distance roughly equal to the theoretically predicted tube radius in the calculated thermal equilibration time. The required work also decreased gradually with the rate of displacement, in accord with predictions of a recent simulation study that found that the tube radius expands with time. Following the displacement, we measured the relaxation of force acting on the molecule and observed three distinct exponential decay times of ~0.4, 5, and 34 s, which are consistent with theoretically proposed molecular relaxation mechanisms. These measurements quantify the notion of a tube-like molecular confining field assumed in reptation theories.
A relativistic temporal algebra for efficient design of distributed systems

Adequate methods for checking the specification and design of distributed systems must allow for reasoning about asynchronous activities; efficient methods must perform the reasoning in polynomial time. This paper lays the groundwork for such an efficient deductive system by providing a very general temporal relation algebra that can be used by constraint propagation techniques to perform the required reasoning. Major choices exist when selecting an appropriate temporal model: discrete/dense, linear/nonlinear, and point/interval. James Allen and others have indicated the possible atomic relations between two intervals for the dense-linear-interval model, while Anger, Ladkin, and Rodriguez have shown those needed for a dense-branching-interval model. Rodriguez and Anger further developed a dense-relativistic-interval model based on Lamport'sprecede andcan affect arrows, determining a large number of atomic relations. This paper shows that those same atomic relations are exactly the correct ones for intervals in dense relativistic space-time if intervals are taken as pairs of points (E s ,E f ) in space-time such that it is possible to move fromE s toE f at less than the speed of light. The relations are defined and named consistently with the earlier work of Rodriguez and Anger, and the relationship between the two models is pursued. The relevance of the results to the verification of distributed specifications and algorithms is discussed.