cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thromboprophylaxis in traumatic and elective spinal surgery: analysis of questionnaire response and current practice of spine trauma surgeons.

Study Design. A survey on thromboprophylaxis in spinal surgery and trauma was conducted among spine trauma surgeons. Objective. Neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons from the Spinal Trauma Study Group were surveyed in an attempt to understand current practices in the perioperative administration of thromboprophylaxis in spinal surgery. Summary of Background Data. Although much research has been invested in the prevention of thromboembolic events following surgical procedures, there have been few investigations specific to spinal surgery, especially in the context of trauma. Methods. A total of 47 spine surgeons were provided with a 24-question survey pertaining to deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis in spine surgical patients. There was 100% response to the survey, and 46 of the 47 physicians (98%) responded to the case scenarios. Results. Institutional protocols for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis existed for 42 (89%) of the respondents; however, only 27 (57%) indicated that these protocols included spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Before surgery, no prophylaxis or mechanical prophylactic measures for SCI and non-SCI spinal fracture patients were routinely used by 36 (77%) and 40 (85%) respondents, respectively. After surgery, pharmacologic prophylaxis was prescribed by 42 (91%) and 28 (62%) surgeons for SCI and non-SCI spinal fracture patients, respectively. There was a statistically significant tendency to use more intensive prophylactic measures for patients with SCI (x 2 , 10.86; P < 0.01) as well as a statistically significant longer duration of proposed thromboprophylaxis (x 2 , 24.62; P < 0.001). Postoperative pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis for elective anterior thoracolumbar spine surgery was reported by 23 (51%) of the respondents, whereas only 18 (40%) used pharmacological prophylaxis in elective posterior thoracolumbar spine cases. Spine complications from low-molecular weight heparin were reported by 22 (47%) surgeons, including fatal pulmonary embolism by 19 (40%) surgeons. Conclusion. A basis for a consensus protocol on thromboprophylaxis in spinal trauma was attempted. No more than mechanical prophylaxis was recommended before surgery for non-SCI patients or after surgery for elective cervical spine cases. Chemical prophylaxis was commonly used after surgery in patients with SCI and in patients with elective anterior thoracolumbar surgery.
Modeling of Scour-Inducing Ice Effects at Melvin Price Lock and Dam

A numerical model was used to better understand ice-related scour processes at a large lock and dam. Large scour holes in front of Melvin Price Lock and Dam, the largest navigation structure on the Mississippi River, present a unique opportunity to explore this effect because the scour has been so severe and well documented. Likely scenarios for river ice accumulation and passage were identified based on historical flows and observations. For all simulations, the ice accumulated upstream of the gates as observed in the field and the ice thicknesses were found to match well with the general shape of the scour surveys. Ice thicknesses as large as 5.9 m and under-ice depth-averaged water velocities as great as 6.6 m/s were observed in the simulations. By using a shear stress criterion, the rock size necessary to prevent the scour exceeded the original rock size of 0.33 m for six of the seven cases. This study demonstrates that the presence of a localized thick ice accumulation increases the potential for be...
Resonance Raman spectra and reaction kinetics of anisole and para-methylanisole cation radicals in aqueous solution

Abstract Transient Raman spectra of anisole cation (C6H5OCH+3) and its para methyl derivative are reported. These radicals were prepared on the 100 ns time scale electron transfer reactions in aqueous solution. The structural contents in these Raman spectra are much more extensive than in the recently studied RE2PC2CI spectra of phenetole cation (C6H5OC2H5)+ in molecular beams. On microsecond times, 4,4′-dimethoxybenzene cation, (C6H4OCH3)+2, was seen as a transient product of the reaction of anisole cation, but not of p-methylanisole cation. The latter radical was observed to react in basic solutions with OH− at a rate constant of ≈ 5 × 108 M−1 s−1.
Detection of chemical contraband using spectroscopic microwave imaging

We have developed and demonstrated a microwave technique for detecting high explosives, illegal drugs, and other chemical contraband in checked airline baggage. Our technique isolates suspicious materials using microwave tomography and identifies chemical contraband using microwave spectroscopy. Measurements in the frequency range 2 - 18 GHz indicate that microwave energy will penetrate nonmetallic suitcases and that contraband materials feature distinct dielectric spectra at these wavelengths. We have also formed microwave images of a soft-sided suitcase and its contents. After manually segmenting the microwave imagery, we successfully identified chemical simulants for both high explosives and illegal drugs.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Normal field instability and patterns in pools of ferrofluid

Abstract The normal field instability of ferrofluids and the associated pattern formation have been studied both theoretically and experimentally. Nonlinear stability and bifurcation analyses predict the experimentally observed first-order excitation accompanied by hysteresis in peak height. The effect of imperfections in instability evolution and pattern regularity has also been examined.
Paying for assistive technology: a study of Hispanics.

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to learn about the methods that Hispanics utilise to pay for assistive technology (AT) and how these compare with a National sample of non-Hispanic participants who answered the same survey in a previous project.Method. This secondary analysis combined two studies – a National Study and a targeted study of Hispanics – a follow-up study that purposively sought out Hispanics, due to their lower representation in the national sample.Results. This study found that Hispanics pay for AT out of their own pocket or relied on extended family rather than government programmes. The study also found that Hispanics utilised private insurance less than their counterparts in the National study.Conclusions. This study raises questions about the reach of government programmes, meant to enhance the access of underrepresented groups to AT, established by the AT legislation. Further studies are needed to explore whether participants are not accessing this programmes or are failing to ide...
Selective Emitters for Thermophotovoltaic Power Systems for Use in Aerospace Applications

Thermophotovoltaics is the term applied to the technique for energy conversion whereby the energy emitted by an incandescent source is converted to electrical energy by a photovoltaic cell. There are three approaches currently being investigated for practical devices. These are 1) selective filtering, 2) multibandgap conversion, and 3) selective emission. This article will concentrate on selective emission. The selective emitters are made from oxides of the rare Earths such as erbia, holmia, ytterbia, and neodemia. Large area emitters are made through a specialized series of processes that begin with nitrates of the rare Earth and end with rare-Earth oxide filaments. A special requirement for these applications is the need for a robust large area emitter that could take the shock and vibration of space launch or those associated with Army applications. Conventional paper-making techniques have been used to combine materials suitable as binders with the radiating material. As a result, this technique allows the fabrication of large area robust emitters that were heretofore unobtainable. These emitters will be described in some detail, both for fabrication and performance. Nomenclature c{ = first radiation constant, 3.742 x 10 8 W /x,m 4/m2 c2 = second radiation constant, 1.439 x 10 4 //,m K P = power density, W/m2 Px = spectral emissive power/m2/m wavelength interval T = temperature, K e = emissivity A = wavelength cr = Stefan-Boltzmann constant
Helicity-independent optical pumping of nuclear magnetization in bulk CdTe

We report on the observation of optically pumped nuclear spin polarization in samples of CdTe at high magnetic field using $^{125}\text{T}\text{e}$ NMR. We find strong enhancement both in bulk material as well as in a molecular beam epitaxy grown, $2\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}$ thick epilayer. Contrary to prior results, however, we observe that the magnitude and orientation of the nuclear spin alignment is independent of laser helicity. Further, we find that after its onset at sub-bandgap energies, the nuclear polarization rapidly increases to reach $\ensuremath{\sim}3%$ and remains virtually unchanged as higher energies are scanned. Comparison with additional data from a semi-insulating GaAs crystal points to a polarization mechanism different from that typically dominant, possibly driven by surface spin-dependent recombination.
One‐step synthesis of 3‐amino‐2,4‐imidazolinediones (3‐aminohydantoins) from α‐amino acids

α-Amino acids melted with ethyl or t-butyl carbazate or, preferably, refluxed with t-butyl carbazate in quinoline gave high yields of 3-amino-2,4-imidazolidinediones (3-aminohydantoins).
Indications for spine surgery: validation of an administrative coding algorithm to classify degenerative diagnoses.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective analysis of Medicare claims linked to a multicenter clinical trial. OBJECTIVE The Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) provided a unique opportunity to examine the validity of a claims-based algorithm for grouping patients by surgical indication. SPORT enrolled patients for lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis. We compared the surgical indication derived from Medicare claims with that provided by SPORT surgeons, the "gold standard." SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Administrative data are frequently used to report procedure rates, surgical safety outcomes, and costs in the management of spinal surgery. However, the accuracy of using diagnosis codes to classify patients by surgical indication has not been examined. METHODS Medicare claims were link to beneficiaries enrolled in SPORT. The sensitivity and specificity of 3 claims-based approaches to group patients on the basis of surgical indications were examined: (1) using the first listed diagnosis; (2) using all diagnoses independently; and (3) using a diagnosis hierarchy on the basis of the support for fusion surgery. RESULTS Medicare claims were obtained from 376 SPORT participants, including 21 with disc herniation, 183 with spinal stenosis, and 172 with degenerative spondylolisthesis. The hierarchical coding algorithm was the most accurate approach for classifying patients by surgical indication, with sensitivities of 76.2%, 88.1%, and 84.3% for disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis cohorts, respectively. The specificity was 98.3% for disc herniation, 83.2% for spinal stenosis, and 90.7% for degenerative spondylolisthesis. Misclassifications were primarily due to codes attributing more complex pathology to the case. CONCLUSION Standardized approaches for using claims data to group patients accurately by surgical indications have widespread interest. We found that a hierarchical coding approach correctly classified more than 90% of spine patients into their respective SPORT cohorts. Therefore, claims data seem to be a reasonably valid approach to classifying patients by surgical indication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Closed-form bound-state effective potential and exact solutions for dynamical symmetry breaking in a 4D gauge theory

Abstract We have found a closed-form expression for the bound-state effective potential or a large class of models of dynamical symmetry breaking. Exact solutions to a Schwinger-Dyson equation and the corresponding Bethe-Salpeter equations are found. This enables one to compute the effective potential in a non-trivial four-dimensional gauge model of chiral breaking for an arbitrary coupling constant and gauge parameter.
Detection of Leptonic Dark Matter

Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are among the favored candidates for cold dark matter in the universe. The phenomenology of supersymmetric WIMPs has been quite developed during recent years. However, there are other possibilities which have not been discussed as much. One example is a right-handed massive neutrino, which has recently been proposed in the context of a version of the Zee model for massive neutrinos. This TeV-scale, leptonic WIMP (or LIMP, for short) may at first sight appear to be essentially undetectable. However, we point out that the radiatively induced annihilation rate into leptons and photons is bound to be substantial, and provides a conspicuous gamma-ray signature for annihilations in the galactic halo. This gives a window of opportunity for Air \ifmmode \check{C}\else \v{C}\fi{}erenkov Telescopes with the ability to observe the galactic center, such as the HESS and CANGAROO arrays, and also for the GLAST space telescope. In addition, the contribution to the positron cosmic ray flux is in principle detectable, but this would require very strong local density enhancements in the dark matter halo distribution.
Stimulating energy conservation in commercial buildings A simulation analysis of alternative policies

Abstract Using an engineering-economic model, this paper examines three alternative policies for stimulating energy conservation in the US commercial sector. The policies were constructed so that each would result in equivalent annual levels of energy use in 2000. This formulation results in a description of the level of tax credits or fuel taxes which result in annual energy use equivalent to a given set of efficiency standards. Of the three policies examined, the tax on fuel results in the lowest cost of resources (fuel and capital) over the period. However this policy also results in reduced amenity levels over the simulation period (1980–2000) and a less efficient stock of building in place at the end of the period.
Ocean observation from NOAA National Data Buoy Center's platforms

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) has three major real-time ocean observing networks: (1) Weather and Ocean Platform (WxOP) Network, (2) Tropical Atmosphere/Ocean (TAO) Buoy Network, and (3) Tsunameter Buoy Network. The WxOP Platform network includes 111 moored buoys and 49 land-based Coastal-Marine Automated Network (C-MAN) stations. NDBC's moored buoys are deployed in the coastal and offshore waters from the Western Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean around Hawai'i, and from the Bering Sea to the South Pacific (including Great Lakes). C-MAN stations are usually located near the U.S. coastal water. The TAO buoy network, designed for the study of year-to-year climate variations related to El Nino and the Southern Oscillation (ENSO), consists of 55 moored ocean surface buoys and 4 sub-surface moorings along the equatorial Pacific Ocean region extending from 9°N Latitude to 8°S Latitude and 95°W Longitude to 165°E Longitude. The Tsunameter Buoy Network consists of 39 tsunameter buoy systems in the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic. This paper describes NDBC's 250+ ocean observing platforms/systems and presents some examples of data collected by these platforms and systems.
A kinetic study of methanol oxidation in supercritical water

The oxidation rate of methanol in supercritical water at 253 bar and temperatures between 673 and 773 K is investigated using an isothermal, isobaric plug-flow tubular reactor and GC/FID and GC/TCD chromatographic methods. Experiments are conducted at a nominal methanol feed concentration of 0.88 mol % (1.53 wt %) using H2O2 as an initial oxidant. In some experiments, the O2/MeOH molar ratios are varied from 1.5 to 3.0 and show that the rate of methanol oxidation is independent of the oxygen initial feed concentration. Overall first-order rate constants calculated from the data lead to Arrhenius parameters of A = 1011.8 s-1 and Ea = 178 kJ/mol (42.5 kcal/mol). The identified reaction products are mainly CO and CO2. The temporal variation of the CO yield exhibits a maximum at temperatures of 723 and 748 K, whereas the CO2 yield increases monotonically over the experimental range of residence time (3−50 s). The experimental data are consistent with a set of consecutive first-order reactions CH3OH → CO → CO2...
The sputter-generation of negative ion beams: Analytical modeling

Abstract The secondary negative ion generation process is examined through the use of energy-dependent analytical models. Nonlinear least-squares fit parameters for the models are determined from fits to the experimental data of Yu. These models are used to illustrate the effect of the work function on the energy distributions of negative ions sputter-ejected from a polycrystalline molybdenum surface covered with fractional layers of cesium. Predictions are also made of the functional dependence of the probability for negative ion formation on cesium coverage.
The structure of rights in the context of private property

Abstract Some rights to resources adhere to individuals on the basis of ascribed characteristics—these are rights of person. These rights are not subject to voluntary alienation. And there are rights that adhere to specific characteristics of resources and are subject to alienation. These are rights in property. However, there has been a systematic tendency to promote property rights at the expense of the rights of person and, in so doing, confound the analysis of the commons, of common property, and of private property. Given a delineation of fundamental concepts, this paper examines critically the foundational works of Demsetz and Coase and shows that their theoretical arguments depend on an implicit denial of all rights of person. It is shown, however, that rights of person are not properly analyzable by the standards that apply to rights in property and that the optimal policy to pursue in contemporary society is to determine a desired configuration rights and responsibilities in combination with rights in property.
Calculation of the exchange constants of antiferromagnetic oligomers: dependence of J on the degree of oligomerization

Abstract The exchange constants for oligomers are calculated using a Heitler-London approach. Each oligomer is composed of metal-ligand monomers such as CuCl4 with 4 + 2 coordination. It is first assumed that all bond parameters are the same for the three oligomers considered which are dimers, trimers, and tetramers. Next the assumption is made that the single electron terms in the Hamiltonian are dominant, resulting in antiferromagnetic exchange constants. Subject to the above assumptions, the addition of a monomer to an oligomer makes the oligomer more antiferromagnetic.
Solution structure of a novel zinc finger motif in the SAP30 polypeptide of the Sin3 corepressor complex and its potential role in nucleic acid recognition

Giant chromatin-modifying complexes regulate gene transcription in eukaryotes by acting on chromatin substrates and 'setting' the histone code. The histone deacetylase (HDAC)-associated mammalian Sin3 corepressor complex regulates a wide variety of genes involved in all aspects of cellular physiology. The recruitment of the corepressor complex by transcription factors to specific regions of the genome is mediated by Sin3 as well as 10 distinct polypeptides that comprise the corepressor complex. Here we report the solution structure of a novel CCCH zinc finger (ZnF) motif in the SAP30 polypeptide, a key component of the corepressor complex. The structure represents a novel fold comprising two beta-strands and two alpha-helices with the zinc organizing center showing remote resemblance to the treble clef motif. In silico analysis of the structure revealed a highly conserved surface that is dominated by basic residues. NMR-based analysis of potential ligands for the SAP30 ZnF motif indicated a strong preference for nucleic acid substrates. We propose that the SAP30 ZnF functions as a double-stranded DNA-binding motif, thereby expanding the known functions of both SAP30 and the mammalian Sin3 corepressor complex. Our results also call into question the common assumption about the exclusion of DNA-binding core subunits within chromatin-modifying/remodeling complexes.
A new class of temperature conditional lethal mutants of bacteriophage T4D.

Abstract 100 mutants, able to grow on a K strain of E. coli at 42° but not at 25°, were isolated. These mutants were not uniform with respect to their responses to temperature on several other different strains of E. coli . When tested at 25° and 42° on E. coli KC112, CR63, B/5, and S/6/5, 12 different response patterns were evident. Complementation tests revealed 9 functional groups among 75 mutants tested. Further tests against amber mutants in known genes showed that mutants in 5 of these groups were defective in genes 17, 18, 20, 23, or 37 respectively. Genetic mapping by recombination confirmed these locations. Crosses also placed two mutants representing two groups, tentatively in gene 19, although certain anomalous behavior involving these mutats makes exact location uncertain. One group, consisting of 13 mutants, mapped close to gene 1 and appears to represent a previously undiscovered gene. The final group, containing 52 mutants, mapped 7.5 map units from an amber mutants in gene 42 although they complement with mutants in the gene. The non-random distribution of these mutants indicates that mutation to low temperature sensitivity on E. coli K is characteristic of particular genes, some of which are clustered on the genetic map.
Feedback stabilization of linear autonomous time lag systems

A stabilization theory which employs well-established finite-dimensional control system tools is developed for the stabilization of linear autonomous time lag systems. The main ideas include 1) a set whose elements are matrices each of which is a left zero of the system characteristic quasi-polynomial matrix, and 2) a linear transformation which reduces the delay system to a delay-free system whose state matrix is a direct sum of N elements of the matrix set where N is some positive integer. From the definition of this matrix set, it is shown that each of its elements inherits its spectrum from that of the delay system so that by design, the system unstable poles may be embedded in the spectrum of the delay-free system. Under the assumption of spectral stabilizability, it is then shown how to obtain a stabilizing feedback control law on the basis of the delay-free system. Numerical examples are presented to confirm the theory.
Selling Merit Down the River

The River Pilots are at it again. And they are as confused as ever. Their latest endeavor, Taming the River (River III, 2009), offers a detailed analysis of the results of two sets of questionnaires given to a representative sample of college students at twenty-eight selective colleges and universities who matriculated as freshmen in the fall of 1999. Like their earlier work, The Source of the River (River II, 2003), which examined the achievement of these same students to the midpoint of their freshman year, this newest installment looks at a blinding complexity of student characteristics and attitudes and their relationship to various outcome variables including school retention and student grades traced further on into the students’ college life. This ongoing longitudinal study was inspired by The Shape of the River (River I, 1998), written by former Princeton president William Bowen and former Harvard president Derek Bok, which used a different database—the College and Beyond Survey—to analyze the progress of students who had attended more than two dozen selective American colleges and universities. All three River books, although they have multiple authors and despite the fact that River I specifically claims not to have any policy agenda but to be merely gathering facts relevant to a more informed public debate, are written from the standpoint of those who passionately, even desperately, want to retain current racial preference policies in American universities and to minimize or refute the claims of the policies’ many critics. This attempt at refutation is particularly aimed at people like Thomas Sowell and Shelby Steele, Acad. Quest. (2009) 22:521–529 DOI 10.1007/s12129-009-9140-8
Subtest scatter and Kaufman regroupings on the WISC‐R in non‐learning‐disabled and learning‐disabled children

The present study was undertaken to examine scatter analysis and Kaufman regroupings of WISC-R scores. Thirty-one non-learning-disabled children (NLD) and 29 learning-disabled children (LD) determined by individual IQ and achievement scores served as subjects. Scatter indices were computed within the Verbal and Performance subtests as well as between the Verbal and Performance IQ scales. Also, the regrouping categories proposed by Kaufman (1979) were examined. A significant difference in Verbal and Performance IQs was found between the LD and NLD group. Significantly more students in the LD group exhibited the Kaufman regrouping pattern than in the NLD group (p < .01). These results suggest that Kaufman regroupings and Verbal-Performance scatter analysis may be used to assist in diagnosing LD children.
Part 2: Homosexuality Uncured: Reflections of a Former Analysand

In Part 1 of this article, the author provides an overview of the history of psychoanalytic treatment of those identifying as homosexual. In Part 2, the author interviews “Rob” to more fully demonstrate the corrosive effects over a lifetime of analytic and psychotherapeutic treatment, as it had once been practiced. Rob, a man primarily attracted to men, spent many years in treatment with different therapists and analysts during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Now in his early eighties, Rob is married and remains closeted to all but a few close associates. When Rob entered treatment many years ago, he was told that his homosexual attractions were symptoms of an illness and with treatment he could change. Rob's experience is uncannily similar to multiple reports that exist in the professional and lay literature. Rob knows that nothing can undo the damage he suffered, yet it remains his wish that the psychoanalytic community would acknowledge, and even apologize, to all those who were harmed—including the many ...
Transient versus enduring depression among alcoholics in inpatient treatment

The purposes of this study are (1) to determine the incidence of significant clinical depression among alcoholics at treatment intake at a Veterans Medical Center, (2) to subdivide alcoholics who show significant clinical depression into enduring and transient depressive subgroups, and (3) to identify demographic and psychometric variables useful in discriminating between these two subgroups. Results indicate that of the 60% of VA inpatient alcoholics who showed evidence of significant clinical depression at intake, approximately equal numbers met criteria for inclusion in transient and enduring depressive subgroups. Patients with enduring and transient depression, as defined in this study, were differentiated on the basis of age, drinking pattern, and selected scales from two psychometric instruments which measure depression, confused and disorganized thinking, and an avoidant personality style. These findings may be useful in assisting clinicians in differentiating between alcoholic patients with transitory depression associated with alcohol consumption and/or withdrawal and alcoholic patients with more serious and enduring depression, which may require additional pharmacologic and/or psychotherapeutic intervention.
Model experiment to study sonic boom propagation through turbulence. Part III: Validation of sonic boom propagation models

In previous papers, we have shown that model experiments are successful in simulating the propagation of sonic booms through the atmospheric turbulent boundary layer. The results from the model experiment, pressure wave forms of spark-produced N waves and turbulence characteristics of the plane jet, are used to test various sonic boom models for propagation through turbulence. Both wave form distortion models and rise time prediction models are tested. Pierce's model [A. D. Pierce, "Statistical theory of atmospheric turbulence effects on sonic boom rise times," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 49, 906-924 (1971)] based on the wave front folding mechanism at a caustic yields an accurate prediction for the rise time of the mean wave form after propagation through the turbulence.
Experimental data on aluminum dissolution in KOH electrolytes

Abstract The rotating aluminum cylinder electrode has been used to study the kinetics of aluminum dissolution in different hydroxide ion concentrations, aluminate concentrations and temperatures. This study indicated that the effects of KOH concentration, aluminate concentration and temperature on the polarization characteristics are significant, but that there is no effect due to mass transfer. A unity reaction order with respect to hydroxide ion is found for the aluminum dissolution at 60°C. The extraordinarily high Tafel slope found in this work is consistent with the presence of a film on the aluminum electrode surface.
Introduction to D-Wave Superconductivity

After a brief survey on experiments supporting d-wave superconductivity in the hole-doped high-Tacuprates, we present the weak-coupling theory for d-wave superconductors. Remarkable effects of impurity scattering in d-wave superconductors are also reviewed.
Evaluation of the Stress Intensity Factor of Brittle Polymers Based on the Crack Arrest Concept

One of the commonly used criteria for characterizing the fracture resistance of brittle glassy polymers or their composites is the critical stress intensity factor or crack resistance. Specimen geometries such as single edge notch (SEN), compact tension, and three-point bend etc., are conventionally used for this purpose. On this basis, the critical stress intensity factor is evaluated at the onset of crack propagation by using the length of the initial notch. Plastics in general experience a slow crack growth regime before the avalanche-like fracture, which is not taken into consideration in the calculation of the critical stress intensity factor. Hence, serious errors are encountered in the evaluation of the resistance of plastics to crack propagation based on the critical stress intensity factor concept, when standard test geometries are employed.
Social work in a home-care program.

Abstract This paper has described some of the special problems that face the social worker on a home-care program, such as difficulties in conducting casework interviews in the home and in evaluating family relationships and strengths prior to accepting a patient on the program. It is the social worker's role to evaluate the effect of illness on the family and to recognize the importance of cultural factors. The aged, chronically ill patient presents a problem to home-care programs. The social worker finds himself in a position of authority and responsibility in accepting these patients and maintaining them on the program. He must assess the physical and emotional health of other members of the family and make a particularly careful study of a home in which there are children. The social worker must stand by a home-care case, offering continued casework help as indicated or stepping in if a new problem arises. Some patients are accepted on home-care and their course is uneventful as medical care is well controlled. In other homes there are crises which can be very obvious or quite subtle but require constant observation and guidance. Differences in social values are not unique to home-care programs but often become quite pronounced, and the treatment team has to adjust itself to the status quo of the family. The social worker can be very helpful in dealing with this problem and can be very effective in group discussions. It is clear from the case discussions that casework on a home-care program is often very difficult and challenging, but there is little doubt that the value of the service that is given to these patients. As more home-care programs are set up it will be necessary for social workers to examine their practice and functions and further refine their skills in selecting patients and in meeting the needs of the patient group.
A /sup 252/Cf neutron irradiator for testing electronic components for the Large Hadron Collider

The radiation levels inside the experiments at the LHC will be very high. To ensure that all the electronics components used in the detectors will survive for the life the experiments, they will all be thoroughly tested for radiation hardness with neutrons and gammas. The CMS Electromagnetic Calorimeter has a dedicated neutron irradiator at the University of Minnesota to perform neutron irradiation of all electronic components that will be mounted on the detector. The irradiator uses 11.5 mg of /sup 252/Cf for the source, with a neutron flux of /spl ap/ 9.5 /spl times/ 10/sup 13/ neutrons/h. In this paper the design, construction, and operations of the Californium Neutron Irradiator will be described.
Eigenvectors of strongly anharmonic intrinsic gap modes in three-dimensional ionic crystals

Abstract An artificial dynamical simulated annealing technique of the Car-Parrinello-type is used to demonstrate that anharmonic localization of lattice vibrations in a perfect 3D diatomic ionic crystal can occur. Molecular dynamics simulations with the rigid-ion two-body potential model make possible a study of the properties of intrinsic gap mode eigenvectors for different crystal structures. These eigenvectors consist of two very different parts with axial symmetries: an AC vibrational component and a DC distortion of the lattice. For the same crystal potential model intrinsic gap model form more readily for the lower symmetry zinc-blende structure than for the higher symmetry fcc one.
Resource abundance constraints on the early post-contact Cherokee population

We present the combination of an analysis of resource demand by the early post-contact (1721) Cherokee population with spatially explicit estimates of production for five key resources: architectural land, agricultural land, firewood, hard mast, and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We combine a recent synthesis of village location and population, a map of recognized Cherokee territory, digital terrain data, estimates of per capita demand, and productive capacity for each resource. Average, high, and low demands were estimated for each resource and assigned based on a weighted function of terrain and distance from each village. We conclude that Cherokee demands for architectural and agricultural land, hard mast, and fuelwood were easily met within a short proximity to each town under all combinations of production and demand. These resources were likely not limiting, and were satisfied for the entire Cherokee population by less than 1% of the entire recognized Cherokee territory in 1721. These resources likely exceeded demand even when sources were restricted to the convex hull of the Cherokee territory, or to near stream, flat regions. Deer resources were likely harvested over a much larger area and to a much greater extent. Our best estimate of deer resource demand was 32% of annual sustainable production in the Cherokee territory, with from 16 to 48% of estimated sustainable production harvested for low and high demand estimates, respectively. Our estimates vary in response to uncertainties in deer production, harvest proportion, deer density, and sustainable harvest rates. Deer demand was substantially higher under all combinations of conditions than that available within the convex hull of Cherokee villages, indicating significant travel was needed to furnish deer requirements. Spatially explicit models that consider terrain- and distance-related tradeoffs suggest that Cherokee demand for deer drove harvest over areas consisting of over half the recognized Cherokee territory.
Taking the fight outside

It is usually a death sentence when a tumor does not respond to therapy and cannot be surgically removed. What if instead of taking the fight to the tumor, the cancer cells came outside? Now, Jain et al. may have a solution: a device that mimics the natural cues for cancer cell migration and essentially “drains” the tumor off of malignant cells, taking the fight away from the original tumor site. Human glioblastoma cells (U87MG) form highly aggressive brain tumors by migrating along white-matter tracts and blood vessels and invading surrounding tissue. The authors engineered millimeter-sized polymer conduits that contained sheets with polycaprolactone-based fibers to act as migratory cues for the cancer cells. Jain and colleagues first built an in vitro model of the system, in which two wells filled with collagen were separated by a channel covered with laminin-coated nanofibers. The glioblastoma cells from the “source” (mimicking the tumor site) migrated along the nanofiber-coated surface toward the “sink” (a well functionalized with cyclopamine—an antitumor drug). Upon entering the sink, the cancer cells apoptosed. The authors also found that cyclopamine had minimal adverse effects on healthy cortical neurons and astrocytes. The conduits were then implanted in the rat brain harboring human U87MG tumors, with one end terminating near the tumor boundary and the other connected to a therapeutic, extracortical cyclopamine sink. Similar to in vitro studies, the glioblastoma cells migrated away from the tumor site, toward the cancer-killing sink. The authors saw that this shrunk the tumors, with minimal migration along the outside smooth surface of the conduit, suggesting that the conduit prevented them from spreading throughout the brain as they moved toward the sink. Overall, this is an approach with translational potential for treating malignant tumors at cortical sites unfavorable for surgical removal, such as speech and motor areas. Before the technology is ready for the clinic, animal studies should evaluate the efficacy of this therapeutic technique on long-term survival rates and optimize the implementation of the extracortical device in humans, with an emphasis on preventing possible infection and use of other chemotherapeutics if cyclopamine is not well tolerated. A. Jain et al. , Guiding intracortical brain tumour cells to an extracortical cytotoxic hydrogel using aligned polymeric nanofibres. Nat. Mater. , published online 20 February 2014 (10.1038/nmat3878). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://elbiruniblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2014/02/guiding-intracortical-brain-tumour.html
Evaluating Both Usability and Desirability in the Evaluation of Cell Phones: Towards an Integrated Model

The goal of human-centered product design is to create products that are useful, usable, and desirable. For many years, human factors has been about research, modeling, and evaluating the functional usefulness and usability of products and systems. In recent years, however, the role of emotion in product design has become a ‘hot topic’ for human factors professionals, and a variety of methods have been developed for identifying emotional needs and the emotional response people have to products. In this paper, a preliminary study aimed at developing an integrated understanding of the functional and emotional aspects of user experience with cell phones is discussed. A variety of techniques were employed and the combined data analyzed to develop a holistic picture of the user experience. We anticipate that the results of the study will serve as ‘proof of concept’ for future development work.
Comparison between serum values of pond and intensive raceway cultured channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Blood serum components in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were compared between raceway (with low dissolved oxygen) and pond populations. Normal limits were defined for the pond populations, for each of 18 variables, as ± two standard deviations. Carbon dioxide, blood urea nitrogen, total protein, uric acid, creatinine, sodium, and total bilirubin were all lower in fish raised in raceways. Carbon dioxide and sodium had the greatest reductions; all reductions were statistically significant. Alkaline phosphatase, inorganic phosphorus, calcium, cholesterol, and glucose values were higher in raceway fish, but only alkaline phosphatase and glucose were significantly higher.
FixingTIM: interactive exploration of sequence and structural data to identify functional mutations in protein families

Background Knowledge of the 3D structure and functionality of proteins can lead to insight into the associated cellular processes, speed up the creation of pharmaceutical products, and develop drugs that are more effective in combating disease.
Famous Classical Theorems

There are many famous theorems in mathematics. Some are known for their importance, others for their depth, usefulness, or sheer beauty. In this chapter we discuss seven of the most remarkable classical theorems; in the next chapter, we discuss three others from more recent times. Our choices for this top ten list were motivated primarily by the nature of their proofs; we apologize if we did not choose your favorite theorem. (A more representative top 40 list can be found in Appendix D at the end of the book.) Here we included theorems that are considered to have the oldest, the most well-known, the most surprising, the most elegant, and the most unsettling proofs. Some of the theorems in our list were disappointing—even angering—to mathematicians of the time, others were celebrated instantly by most.
Towards a knowledge-based system of structural biology

Many of the steps needed to put the study of structural biology on a quantitative footing have been implemented, with the ultimate goal of putting structural information in computer-readable form. The way is now open to automate or semi-automate the capture, segmentation, display, storage and retrieval of structural information. This can be achieved, in principle, through building a computerized knowledge-base in structural biology. The general framework for building such a knowledge-base and the authors' approach to the specific problem of knowledge representation are discussed briefly. The progress made to date toward these long-term goals is briefly reviewed. >
Lack of Identification of Asthmatic Players in a Youth Soccer League

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction occurs in 10% to 15% of the general population and in up to 40% of youth soccer players. Sports-induced asthma exacerbations are a well-recognized cause of death in children. The aim of this descriptive study was to determine whether coaches and managers of a youth soccer league were aware of which players on their team carried the diagnosis of asthma or used bronchodilators and whether they had an emergency asthma action plan for these players. Secondary outcomes were the coaches’ and managers’ knowledge of asthma. Data collection consisted of a multiple-choice survey that was sent to 58 volunteer parent coaches and managers of a Connecticut town soccer organization. Twenty-nine (50%) coaches and managers responded to the survey; they supervised a total of 376 children. Most coaches and managers were not sure which players on their team had asthma (16, 55%) or used inhalers (17, 59%). Five (17%) coaches and managers identified 6 children who used an inhaler; 5 of the ...
Pastures: Towards Usable Security Policy Engineering

Whether a particular computing installation meets its security goals depends on whether the administrators can create a policy that expresses these goals - security in practice requires effective policy engineering. We have found that the reigning SELinux model fares poorly in this regard, partly because typical isolation goals are not directly stated but instead are properties derivable from the type definitions by complicated analysis tools. Instead, we are experimenting with a security-policy approach based on copy-on-write "pastures", in which the sharing of resources between pastures is the fundamental security policy primitive. We argue that it has a number of properties that are better from the usability point of view. We implemented this approach as a patch for the 2.6 Linux kernel
Ion and electron energies in gated field emitter failures

In previous work (1992), the authors studied the characteristics of gated field emitter failures and developed a theory to explain failure initiation. During a failure, the voltage between the emitter tip and gate (spaced 1 mu m apart) was found to drop from -140 V to approximately=-10 V. The current density was found to be approximately 10/sup 12/ A/m/sup 2/ during the failure, and plumes of ions and electrons were injected into vacuum. The ratio of ion current to electron current was found to be 10%. Those results indicated that the failures were similar to cathodic vacuum arcs. In the present study the energies of the ions and electrons are measured using a retarding potential energy analyzer. The results show that there are ions with energies as high as 80 eV and electrons with energies of 6 eV. The high-energy ions confirm that emitter failures are cathodic vacuum arcs. >
The effects of chlorcyclizine-induced glycosaminoglycan alterations on palatal mesenchyme-basal lamina relationships in the mouse

The relationships of mesenchymal cells to the basal lamina underlying regions of the palatal-shelf epithelium that are known to increase in cell density during shelf reorientation are quantitatively different from those of cells underlying neighboring regions that do not increase in cell density. Chlorcyclizine-induced alterations of the extracellular matrix were used to investigate the possible contribution of extracellular matrix to these differences. Chlorcyclizine causes hyaluronate and the chondroitin sulfates to be degraded into pieces with smaller molecular weights and lower charge densities, with little or no effect on their synthesis, and also results in cleft palate. Pregnant CD-1 mice were gavaged with chlorcyclizine on days 10.5, 11.5, and 12.5 of gestation, and the fetuses were harvested on day 13.5. Some palatal shelves were excised immediately and fixed for electron microscopy; other heads were partially dissected and incubated for 4 hr prior to fixation. In normal heads differences in mesenchymal cell configurations are detectable after 4 hr in vitro. Electron micrographs were taken of the epithelial-mesenchymal interface in nasal and oral regions that increased in epithelial cell density and in nasal and oral regions which did not. Several variables of mesenchymal cell configuration were measured in a 500-nm-wide zone delimited on photographic prints. Chlorcyclizine-induced glycosaminoglycan alterations resulted in quantifiable, region-specific differences in mesenchymal cell relationships to the basal lamina and in the ultrastructural appearance of the zone immediately subjacent to the basal lamina. These results suggest that the epithelial-mesenchymal interface and sublaminar zone of the nasal and oral regions as well as their active and inactive segments may be constitutively different.