cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Consumer microwave use of melt-blown material for fat reduction

Consumers, who use their microwave oven to heat bacon, were asked to heat either bacon or sausage on non-woven, melt-blown material and on paper towels in the microwave oven. The consumers were surveyed about their concerns for fat and cholesterol in the diet. The panelists also were asked to evaluate the appearance, greasiness, ease of use and overall acceptability. A survey of the consumers indicated that they were concerned about fat and cholesterol in the diet and purchased items lower in fat. However, 28% of these individuals save and re-use bacon fat. Panelists liked the appearance of bacon heated in the melt-blown pad better than on the paper towels and found it easier to use. Sausage heated in the melt-blown pad was found to be less greasy and more acceptable than that heated on paper towels.
Reversible palmitoylation of signaling proteins

Palmitoylation is unique among lipid modifications of proteins in that it is reversible and regulable. Recent advances in the study of palmitoylation include the following: the correlation of this modification with the localization of a signaling protein to specific membrane subdomains; the demonstration of a specific protein-protein interaction that is promoted by palmitoylation; and the identification, characterization, and purification of enzymes catalyzing this modification.
Focal Oral Warty Dyskeratoma

: A 49-year-old white man developed focal oral warty dyskeratoma, which is a solitary, elevated nodule with a keratotic umbilicated center. The term “focal oral warty dyskeratoma” was suggested to distinguish these lesions from the histologically similar oral lesions found in Darier's disease. This paper reviews previously published reports of the lesion and presents an additional case. The average age of patients was 52.2 years, and a slight male predilection was noted. In almost all cases, the lesion was found in tissue overlying bone, with the maxillary alveolar ridge and palate being the most common locations. When the side of involvement was given, all lesions were noted to be on the left side. No evidence of a viral presence was seen with light or electron microscopic study, but the possibility of chronic irritation, such as tobacco usage, exists as an etiologic agent.
Parents modify thumbsucking: A case study

Abstract A child's thumbsucking was treated through parents applying aversive consequences. Thumbsucking occured only during daily television viewing and sleep. Treatment consisted of a five minute time-out from TV, and applying a medication to inhibit thumbsucking. The combined use of these measures resulted in decreases of the behavior to a level acceptable for orthodontia for malocclusion.
Factors influencing successful discharge after outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Advanced laparoscopic and laser technologies have revolutionized the treatment of gallbladder disease. A new treatment, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, allows direct visualization of the abdominal cavity by means of a laparoscope and the removal of the gallbladder with only four small 0.5-inch incisions. For the majority of laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients, this service is provided in an ambulatory surgery or free-standing outpatient surgery center. Ambulatory surgery pateints must meet established criteria before being discharged, but not all patients are successful in meeting discharge criteria. Many must be admitted overnight for further observation and treatment. Problems delaying discharge at one facility related to pain control, inability to ambulate, or uncontrolled nausea. This inability of patients to be discharged impacted on unit staffing, hospital productivity and cost, and patient satisfaction. This article discusses the factors that influenced the discharge outcome of patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery at an ambulatory surgery center in an urban community hospital. Contributing factors included time of surgical procedure, comorbidity, premedication for pain (preemptive analgesia), and incisional local anesthesia. This information is important to providers caring for this patient population. Careful screening processes and development of treatment protocols related to the contributing factors will enhance the ability to safely discharge laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients.
From earwigs to humans

Both direct, and evolved, behavior-based approaches to mobile robots have yielded a number of interesting demonstrations of robots that navigate, map, plan and operate in the real world. The work can best be described as attempts to emulate insect-level locomotion and navigation, with very little work on behavior-based non-trivial manipulation of the world. There have been some behavior-based attempts at exploring social interactions, but these too have been modeled after the sorts of social interactions we see in insects. But thinking how to scale from all this insect-level work to full human-level intelligence and social interactions leads to a synthesis that is very different from that imagined in traditional Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science. We report on work towards that goal.
Modeling microalgal growth in an airlift-driven raceway reactor.

Abstract In previous proof-of-concept studies, feasibility of a new airlift-raceway configuration and its energetic advantage and improved CO2 utilization efficiency over the traditional raceways and photobioreactors have been documented. In the current study, a mathematical model for predicting biomass growth in the airlift-raceway reactor is presented, which includes supply and transfer of CO2 and the synergetic effects of light, CO2, nitrogen, and temperature. The model was calibrated and validated with data from prototype scale versions of the reactor on two test species: Nannochloropsis salina and Scenedesmus sp., cultivated under indoor and outdoor conditions. Predictions of biomass concentrations by the proposed model agreed well with the temporal trend of the experimental data, with r2 ranging from 0.96 to 0.98, p
Naming games in two-dimensional and small-world-connected random geometric networks.

We investigate a prototypical agent-based model, the Naming Game, on two-dimensional random geometric networks. The Naming Game [A. Baronchelli et al., J. Stat. Mech.: Theory Exp. (2006) P06014.] is a minimal model, employing local communications that captures the emergence of shared communication schemes (languages) in a population of autonomous semiotic agents. Implementing the Naming Games with local broadcasts on random geometric graphs, serves as a model for agreement dynamics in large-scale, autonomously operating wireless sensor networks. Further, it captures essential features of the scaling properties of the agreement process for spatiallyembedded autonomous agents. Among the relevant observables capturing the temporal properties of the agreement process, we investigate the cluster-size distribution and the distribution of the agreement times, both exhibiting dynamic scaling. We also present results for the case when a small density of long-range communication links are added on top of the random geometric graph, resulting in a “small-world”-like network and yielding a significantly reduced time to reach global agreement. We construct a finite-size scaling analysis for the agreement times in this case.
Adverse Reactions to Iodinated Contrast Media Administered at the Time of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Adverse reactions after intravascular administration of iodine contrast media are common and prophylactic regiments consisting of the use of steroids and low osmolality contrast media are highly effective in significantly decreasing the adverse reactions rate. The same type of contrast media are also used for opacification of the biliary tree and the pancreatic duct at the time of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Systemic absorption of contrast media after ERCP routinely occurs. Although the adverse reaction rate appears to be very low the exact incidence remains unknown due to the retrospective nature of all reports. Despite the lack of formal recommendations, numerous prophylactic regiments are routinely used prior to ERCP in patients with history of prior reaction to intravascular contrast media. Moreover, the use of prophylaxis has even expanded to patients with no prior reaction to intravascular contrast media who are somehow perceived to be at increase risk (e.g. shellfish allergy). Recently, the first large scale prospective study reported exceedingly low incidence of adverse reaction to high oslmolality iodine-containing contrast media administered at the time of ERCP done without prophylactic premedication even in patients considered to be at the highest risk (prior severe reaction to intravascular contrast media administration). These data suggest that the use of prophylactic regiments prior to ERCP appears to be unnecessary.
Efficient single phase power factor improvement strategy for microgrid operation

A strategy to improve the power factor (PF) at the point of common coupling (PCC) for microgrid applications is presented in this paper. The position of the compensating unit is selected to correct the power factor and reduce the harmonic levels of the grid current and PCC voltage in microgrid connected distributed renewable energy sources. The proposed compensation system for power factor improvement (PFI) can be operated dynamically for both linear and nonlinear loads. Fast and efficient algorithm for phase detection in the presence of harmonics has been incorporated to the proposed system. Finally simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the effectiveness of proposed compensation unit.
Microcrack nucleation in marble

In this study it has been found that in marble the inhomogeneous nature of plastic flow on the scale of the grain size can result in the nucleation of microcracks. Specimens of Tennessee marble were deformed in compression at confining pressures of 0–46 MN/m2 and at a strain rate of 10−5/sec. Four types of microcrack nucleation mechanisms have been identified. Types I and II operate at the intersections of glide lamellae with grain boundaries. The crack forms at a high angle to the lamellae in the type I case, and parallel to the lamellae in the type II case. The microcrack resulting from the operation of a type III mechanism forms at the intersections of lamellae; that from a type IV is caused by a wedging action of a combination of weak and strong grains. Mechanisms I, III and IV lead to microcracks subparallel to the direction of maximum compression. Mechanism II produces a crack lying in a plane of high shear stress. Faults are composed of en echelon arrays of subaxial cracks connected by packets of inclined twin lamellae.
Ion modulated electroactivity in thin-film polymers derived from bipyridyl and phenanthroline complexes of iron

Abstract : Profound changes in the metal-centered electroactivity of thin-film redox polymer/electrolyte systems accompany the replacement of a conventional electrolyte solution (aqueous tetraethylammonium perchlorate) by any of several aq. CH3(CH2)SO3-Na(+) solutions. For example for a poly-Fe(4-methyl-4'-vinyl-2, 2'-bipyridine)3m+ film in contact with an aq. sodium decanesulfonate solution: (a) the overall redox capacity decreases by roughly half an order of magnitude, (b) the rate of hopping-based electron transport during charging decreases by 20-fold, and (c) the thermodynamic potential for metallopolymer oxidation moves to a significantly less positive value, in comparison to films equilibrated with conventional solutions. Further experiments show that the modulation behavior is associated with the uptake and release of charge-compensating anions during film oxidation and reduction (i.e. cations are excluded), that the degree of modulation increases with increasing counter anion size, and that the modulation phenomenon is chemically reversible. These unusual effects are tentatively attributed to polymer-based steric constraints on large alkanesulfonate ion incorporation, together with hydrophobic partitioning effects. These factors apparently conspire to couple film-based electron motion strongly to counter- anion motion. Finally, spectroelectrochemical measurements show that CH3(CH2) 9SO3-containing-films are reversibly confined to a predominantly mixed-valent form (Fe(II)+Fe(III)), even at electrochemical potentials for removed from the formal potential for redox processes in the film.
Surgical treatment of gunshot injuries to the mandible.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to review and identify risk factors for complications from treatment of mandible fractures due to gunshot wounds.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a retrospective revi...
DAILY GROWTH OF MAIZE

Increase in size in plants is the result of cell division and cell enlargement, and growth as it is commonly measured is affected by all of the internal and external factors which influence these two processes. Cell division involves the formation of protoplasm in water-saturated cells (Priestley, I929), and the rate of cell division depends upon the supply of synthesized protoplasm building materials, upon the accelerating effect of temperature, and upon a liberal water supply at the growing point. Cell elongation is caused (Priestley, I929) by the absorption of water into young, plastic-walled cells. The accumulation of sugars will increase the osmotic absorption of water, but may result in such a rapid thickening and decrease of plasticity in the walls of the elongating cells as to check the growth rate. From the nature of the reactions involved, we may assume that growth will be accelerated by: (a) quantities of synthesized protein materials with a relatively high ratio of proteins to sugars; (b) higher temperatures within the approximate range 50C. to 350C.; and (c) liberal moisture supplies for the active cells with their relatively low osmotic value. Growth experiments with maize have given interesting data on the effect and interrelation of temperature and moisture supply on the growth of this plant.
The Genesis of a Pandemic Influenza Virus

Pandemic influenza viruses pose a significant threat to public health worldwide. In a recent Nature paper, Taubenberger et al. (2005) now report remarkable similarities between the polymerase genes of the influenza virus that caused the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic and those of avian influenza viruses. Meanwhile, Tumpey et al. (2005) reporting in Science show that the reconstructed 1918 Spanish influenza virus kills mice faster than any other influenza virus so far tested.
Economic Education and Student Performance in the Business Discipline: Implications for Curriculum Planning

The authors conducted an empirical examination of the relationship between extra-normal ability (inability) in principles of economics courses and student performance in the various areas of the business discipline such as finance, marketing, management, and accounting. Extra-normal ability is defined as the part of an economics grade that cannot be explained by a student's general academic ability. The authors found the relationships to be disparate. Performances in finance and management were found to be related to extra-normal ability in both micro- and macroeconomic principles; for marketing, performance was found to be related only to microeconomics, and it was found to be unrelated in accounting and economics principles. The authors argue that effective curriculum designs should involve variation of economics emphasis across the different business concentrations.
Melanosomal and lysosomal alterations in murine melanocytes following transfection with the v-rasHa oncogene.

Melanomas exhibiting mutated ras genes are frequently invasive and amelanotic. Transfecting melanocytes with ras oncogenes causes transformation and a loss of visible pigmentation. We analyzed murine melanocytes rendered amelanotic by transfection with the v-ras Ha oncogene. Consistent with previous reports, tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) were not expressed by transformed cells. In addition, lack of expression of TRP-2 and the product of the silver locus was documented. Levels of melanosomal matrix antigens, the pinkeyed dilution locus protein and lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 were markedly reduced. Residual matrix antigens were localized by immunofluorescence to large vacuoles distributed peri-nuclearly in transfected cells. Electron microscopy demonstrated the absence of typical melanosomes and the presence of large vacuolar structures, also in a peri-nuclear distribution. Although levels of lysosomal hydrolases, such as beta-glucuronidase and cathepsin D, were diminished, marked elevations were observed in the expression of cathepsins B and L, 2 thiol proteases implicated in the acquisition of invasiveness. Our data demonstrate that transfection of melanocytes with v-ras Ha is sufficient to disrupt the biogenesis of melanosomes and to upregulate thiol protease synthesis, providing insights into the amelanotic and invasive nature of melanomas exhibiting mutations in ras genes.
Complex karyotype predicts for inferior outcomes following reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic transplant for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Complex karyotype (CK) on metaphase cytogenetics discriminates poor outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients undergoing salvage treatment; we hypothesized that it might provide prognostic information for patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant. Fifty-one CLL patients were analysed following transplant; 18-month overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and cumulative incidence of progression estimates were 35%, 14% and 63%, respectively, in patients with CK (n = 19) versus 83%, 68% and 29% in patients without (n = 32) (P ≤ 0·0001, P ≤ 0·0001, and P = 0·02). In patients with high-risk interphase cytogenetics, CK remained predictive of worse OS (P = 0·02) and EFS (P = 0·009). These findings support further evaluation of metaphase karyotype in transplant risk assessment.
The effect of locomotion on the mobilization of minerals from the maternal skeleton.

Bone is a dynamic tissue from which minerals are deposited or withdrawn according to the body’s demand. During late pregnancy and lactation, female mammals mobilize mineral from bone to support the ossification of offspring skeleton(s). Conversely, in response to mechanical loading, minerals are deposited in bone enabling it to develop a stronger architecture. Despite their central importance to reproductive performance and skeletal integrity, the interactions between these potentially opposing forces remains poorly understood. It is possible that inter-individual differences in the loading imposed by different forms of locomotion may alter the amount of mineral mobilized during reproduction. Here, the impact of vertical versus horizontal locomotion on bone mobilization was examined during reproduction in the laboratory mouse. The vertical, or climbing, group had access to a 60-cm tower, increasing strain on their appendicular skeleton. The horizontal, or tunnel, group had access to a 100-cm tunnel, which encouraged movements within the horizontal plane. Form of locomotion did not impact the amount of bone females mobilized during reproduction or the amount of mineral females deposited in the litter, but maternal bone architecture differed between groups. The climbing group displayed more trabeculae than the tunnel group, whereas the tunnel group displayed greater cortical bone mineral density mid-shaft. Interestingly, pups born to mothers in the climbing group had a higher concentration of total body calcium at 16 days than pups of mothers in the tunnel group. As maternal total body calcium composition and the amount of calcium invested in the full litter were not different between groups, the difference in the relative calcium content of pups between groups is not suspected to reflect difference in mineral allocation. Future research should consider the impact of maternal activity on the efficiency of offspring skeletal ossification via hormones and other bioactive factors transferred in utero and in milk.
Anti-American and Anti-Alliance Sentiments in South Korea

The strain between the U.S. and the ROK is often seen as a result of South Korea's anti-Americanism. However, alliance strain and anti-Americanism have not necessarily changed together. This conceptual disparity calls for the need to specify, rather than assume, causality. We utilize newly collected data from two major Korean dailies to show this need.
Bi 2 Te 1.6 S 1.4 : A topological insulator in the tetradymite family

We describe the crystal growth, crystal structure, and basic electrical properties of Bi${}_{2}$Te${}_{1.6}$S${}_{1.4}$, which incorporates both S and Te in its tetradymite quintuple layers in the motif -[Te${}_{0.8}$S${}_{0.2}$]-Bi-S-Bi-[Te${}_{0.8}$S${}_{0.2}$]-. This material differs from other tetradymites studied as topological insulators due to the increased ionic character that arises from its significant S content. Bi${}_{2}$Te${}_{1.6}$S${}_{1.4}$ forms high quality crystals from the melt and is the S-rich limit of the ternary Bi-Te-S \ensuremath{\gamma}-tetradymite phase at the melting point. The native material is $n$ type with a low resistivity; Sb substitution, and with adjustment of the Te to S ratio, results in a crossover to $p$ type and resistive behavior at low temperatures. An angle-resolved photoemission study shows that topological surface states are present, with the Dirac point more exposed than it is in Bi${}_{2}$Te${}_{3}$ and similar to that seen in Bi${}_{2}$Te${}_{2}$Se. Single crystal structure determination indicates that the S in the outer chalcogen layers is closer to the Bi than the Te, and therefore that the layers supporting the surface states are corrugated on the atomic scale.
Visually cued action timing in the primary visual cortex

Summary Most behaviors are generated in three steps: sensing the external world, processing that information to instruct decision-making, and producing a motor action. Sensory areas, especially primary sensory cortices, have long been held to be involved only in the first step of this sequence. Here, we develop a visually cued interval timing task that requires rats to decide when to perform an action following a brief visual stimulus. Using single-unit recordings and optogenetics in this task, we show that activity generated by the primary visual cortex (V1) embodies the target interval and may instruct the decision to time the action on a trial-by-trial basis. A spiking neuronal model of local recurrent connections in V1 produces neural responses that predict and drive the timing of future actions, rationalizing our observations. Our data demonstrate that the primary visual cortex may contribute to the instruction of visually cued timed actions. Video Abstract
Fibronectin attachment is permissive for IL-1 mediated gene regulation

This study examines the effect of cell-matrix interaction on IL-1 induced gene regulation. In fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells attached to fibronectin, IL-1 caused a pronounced reduction in proteoglycan synthesis, while no reduction occurred in cells plated on bare plastic. Further, fibronectin attachment was permissive for IL-1 mediated suppression of both versican and collagen mRNA levels, initially noted after 4–6 h of IL-1 incubation. Attachment to vitronectin was less potent in influencing regulation, and collagen had no effect, suggesting specificity of the matrix modulation of the IL-1 induced response. Similar fibronectin induced dependence was demonstrated for IL-1 regulation of IL-6 gene expression, supporting the notion of a general effect of fibronectin receptor engagement on IL-1 induced signal transduction.
Academic Time at a Level 1 Trauma Center: No Resident, No Problem?

Background Globally, the compliance of resident work-hour restrictions has no impact on trauma outcome. However, the effect of protected education time (PET), during which residents are unavailable to respond to trauma patients, has not been studied. We hypothesized that PET has no impact on the outcome of trauma patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of relevant patients at an academic level I trauma center. During PET, a trauma attending and advanced practice providers (APPs) responded to trauma activations. PGY1, 3, and 4 residents were also available at all other times. The outcome of new trauma patient activations during Thursday morning 3-hours resident PET was compared with same time period on other weekdays (non-PET) using a univariate and multivariate analysis. Results From January 2005 to April 2010, a total of 5968 trauma patients were entered in the registry. Of these, 178 patients (2.98%) were included for study (37 PET and 141 non-PET). The mean injury severity score (ISS) was 16.2. Although no significant difference were identified in mortality, complications, or length of stay (LOS), we do see that length of emergency department stay (ED-LOS) tends to be longer during PET, although not significantly (314 vs 381 minutes, p = 0.74). On the multiple logistic regression model, PET was not a significant factor of complications, LOS, or ED-LOS. Conclusions Few trauma activations occur during PET. New trauma activations can be staffed safely by trauma activations and APPs. However, there could be some delays in transferring patients to appropriate disposition. Additional study is required to determine the effect of PET on existing trauma inpatients.
The family environment of sexual abuse: A comparison of natal and stepfather abuse☆

Data from 17 states, drawn from the 1983 National Study on Child Neglect and Reporting, were used to compare families in which a daughter had been sexually abused by a natal father or stepfather. While broad comparisons are made in terms of age and race of victims, as well as household composition, the primary focus is on familial stress factors. Given the lower incidence of natal father abuse and the assumption that natal fathers have stronger emotional links to their children and greater commitment to the father role, we predicted that when they did engage in sexual abuse, it would be in a family environment characterized by relatively high levels of personal, social, and economic stress. This was confirmed to the extent that natal father abuser families showed significantly higher levels of drug and/or alcohol abuse, marital problems, and insufficient income than did stepfather abuser families.
Getting it Right: Making Corporate–Community Relations Work

Luc Zandvliet and Mary B. Anderson Getting it Right: Making Corporate–Community Relations Work Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 13:9781906093198, 229 pp. The authors of this book, are a...
Quantified Modal Logic and the Plural De Re

within a language whose only modal operators are the box and the diamond; other modal idioms cannot be expressed within such a language at all. Nonetheless, quantified modal logic has enjoyed considerable success in uncovering and explaining ambiguities in modal sentences and fallacies in modal reasoning. A prime example of this success is the now standard analysis of the distinction between modality de dido and modality de re. The analysis has been applied first and foremost to modal sentences containing definite descriptions. Such sentences are often ambiguous between an interpretation de dicto, according to which a modal property is attributed to a proposition (or, on some views, a sentence), and an interpretation de re, according to which a modal property is attributed to an individual. When these sentences are translated into the language of quantified modal logic, the de dicfo/de re ambiguity turns out to involve an ambiguity of scope. If the definite description is within the scope of the modal operator, then the operator attaches to a complete sentence, and the resulting sentence is de dicto. If the definite description is outside the scope of the modal operator, then the operator attaches to a predicate to form a modal predicate, and the resulting sentence is de re. Quantified modal logic has the resources to clarify and disambiguate English modal sentences containing definite descriptions. In this paper, I explore to what extent the analysis in terms of scope can be applied to modal sentences containing denoting phrases other than definite descriptions, phrases such as ‘some F’ and ‘every F.1 I will focus upon categorical modal sentences of the following two forms: mo s a1 idioms must be artificially restructured if they are to be expressed
Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndromes

Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNS) are mostly immune-mediated disorders that occur in patients with cancer. Because the same neurologic syndromes may occur without a cancer association it is important to know the likelihood of PNS, which is based in part on the syndrome and the patient's demographics and risk factors for cancer. The presence of specific antineuronal antibodies can facilitate the diagnosis and suggest treatment strategies. Although some PNS are rarely responsive to therapies, other disorders are highly treatment responsive.
Mass transport effects on the kinetics of nitrobenzene reduction by iron metal.

To evaluate the importance of external mass transport on the overall rates of contaminant reduction by iron metal (Fe0), we have compared measured rates of surface reaction for nitrobenzene (ArNO2) to estimated rates of external mass transport in a permeable reactive barrier (PRB). The rate of surface reaction was measured at a polished Fe0 rotating disk electrode (RDE) in an electrochemical cell, and the rate of mass transport was estimated from a correlation for mass transport in packed-bed reactors. The kinetics of ArNO2 reduction were studied in pH 8.4 borate buffer at a potential below which an oxide film would form. The cathodic current measured in this system was dependent on the electrode rotation rate, and the measured first-order heterogeneous rate coefficient for surface reaction [krxn = (1.7 ± 0.2) × 10-3 cm s-1] was about 10 times faster than the first-order mass transport rate coefficient (kmt ≈ 2 × 10-4 cm s-1) estimated for PRBs. The similarity between rates of surface reaction and mass tr...
Development of capillary zone electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry for the determination of lamotrigine in human plasma

A method of coupling capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) detection has been developed for monitoring an antiepileptic drug, lamotrigine (LTG) in human plasma. The CZE-MS was developed in three stages: (i) CZE separation and ESI-MS detection of LTG and tyramine (TRM, internal standard) were simultaneously optimized by studying the influence of CZE background electrolyte (BGE) pH, BGE ionic strength, and nebulizer pressure of the MS sprayer; (ii) sheath liquid parameters, such as pH, ionic strength, organic modifier content, and flow rate of the sheath liquid, were systematically varied under optimum CZE-MS conditions developed in the first stage; (iii) MS sprayer chamber parameters (drying gas temperature and drying gas flow rate) were varied for the best MS detection of LTG. The developed assay was finally applied for the determination of LTG in plasma samples. The linear range of LTG in plasma sample assay was between 0.1-5.0 microg/mL with a limit of detection as low as 0.05 microg/mL and run time less than 6 min. Finally, the concentration-time profile of LTG in human plasma sample was found to correlate well when CZE-ESI-MS was compared to a more established method of high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.
The continuing importance of agriculture in american rural development

Abstract One of the more significant demographic changes in American society during the past two decades has been the movement of population away from major urban centers and into non-metropolitan areas. This reversal of population patterns has prompted an analysis of the demographics and policy needs of rural America. This paper analyzes the observed changes within the context of local governmental decision-making. Specifically, we assess the perceptions of rural officials concerning economic development in their counties and regions. Our results indicate that rather than undergoing massive modernization and change, non-metropolitan economies are now and will continue to be based upon agriculture. This suggests that a more cautious interpretation and policy course may be appropriate in dealing with the ‘new’ phenomenon of non-metropolitan growth.
Modeling and Quantification of the Electroplastic Effect When Bending Stainless Steel Sheet Metal

Automotive manufacturers are continuously striving to meet economic demands by designing and manufacturing more efficient and better performing vehicles. To aid this effort, many manufacturers are using different design strategies such to reduce the overall size/weight of certain automotive components without compromising strength or durability. Stainless steel is a popular material for such uses (i.e. bumpers and fuel tanks) since it possesses both high strength and ductility, and it is relatively light for its strength. However, with current forming processes (e.g., hot working, incremental forming, and superplastic forming), extremely complex components cannot always be easily produced, thus, limiting the potential weight-saving and performance benefits that could be achieved otherwise. Electrically-Assisted Manufacturing (EAM) is an emerging manufacturing technique that has been proven capable of significantly increasing the formability of many automotive alloys, hence the “electroplastic effect”. In this technique, electricity can be applied in many ways (e.g., pulsed, cycled, or continuous) to metals undergoing different types of deformation (e.g., compression, tension, bending). When applied, the electricity lowers the required deformation forces, increases part displacement or elongation, and can reduce or eliminate springback in formed parts. Within this study, the effects of EAM on the bending of 304 Stainless Steel sheet metal will be characterized and modeled for different die widths and electrical flux densities. In previous works, EAM has proven to be highly successful on this particular material. Comparison of 3-point bending force profiles for non-electrical baseline tests and various EAM tests will help to illustrate electricity’s effectiveness. An electroplastic bending coefficient will be introduced and used for modeling an electrically-assisted bending process. Additionally, the springback reductions attained from EAM will be quantified and compared. From this work, a better overall understanding of the effects and benefits of EAM on bending processes will be explained.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Negotiating the “Resemblances of Surfaces”: Painterly Abstract Painting and Consumer Culture, circa 1945-1965

During the middle of the twentieth century, members of the American art world, academics from the arts and sciences, and cultural commentators all used concepts from the economy and consumer culture to describe and evaluate the meaning and significance of vanguard painterly abstract painting. Restaging their discourse reveals they perceived that consumer culture was determining the forms, uses, and values of art. However, there were alternatives, as evidenced by the early sculpture of Claes Oldenburg.
Reconsidering Indian Schools

These autobiographies, both published posthumously, give insight into the workings of the schools operated by the United States Indian Office at the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries. Richard Henry Pratt (1840-1924) was the dynamic and controversial founder of Carlisle Indian Industrial School and its superintendent for a quarter century. More than anyone else of his time, he spread the word that American Indians could be educated and take their place alongside other Americans as citizens rather than being exiled to isolated Indian reservations as members of a vanishing "lower race." His autobiography was first published by Yale University Press in 1964 and has now been reissued by the University of Oklahoma Press. Chalcraft's autobiography, which focuses on his life as a superintendent of western boarding schools and school inspector, is new and provides a valuable complement to Pratt's memoirs. Robert M. Utley edited and wrote the introduction for Pratt's autobiography, and David Wallace Adams has added a useful forward to the new edition. Cary C. Collins has written an extensive and valuable introduction to Chalcraft's autobiography. Pratt fought for the North in the Civil War and served eight years commanding Indian scouts and black cavalry, the Buffalo Soldiers, in the West. The English-speaking, educated Cherokee scouts he commanded impressed him. In April 1875 he volunteered to be in charge of transporting seventy-two Kiowas, Comanches, Cheyennes, and Arapahoes, who were
Background subtraction for the moving camera: A geometric approach

Background subtraction is a commonly used technique in computer vision for detecting objects. While there is an extensive literature regarding background subtraction, most of the existing methods assume that the camera is stationary. This assumption limits their applicability to moving camera scenarios. In this paper, we approach the background subtraction problem from a geometric perspective to overcome this limitation. In particular, we introduce a 2.5D background model that describes the scene in terms of both its appearance and geometry. Unlike previous methods, the proposed algorithm does not rely on certain camera motions or assumptions about the scene geometry. The scene is represented as a stack of parallel hypothetical planes each of which is associated with a homography transform. A pixel that belongs to a background scene consistently maps between the consecutive frames based on its transformation with respect to the ''hypothetical plane'' it lies on. This observation disambiguates moving objects from the background. Experiments show that the proposed method, when compared to the recent literature, can successfully detect moving objects in complex scenes and with significant camera motion.
High-power pulse-modulated helium ICP for analytical excitation/ionization source

Summary form only given, as follows. An atmospheric helium inductively coupled plasma (He-ICP) has been studied as a new plasma source for elemental analysis because it has sufficient ionization ability even for halogens. In this study, to apply a more higher-power pulse (over 2 kW), a new externally air-cooled ICP torch was designed and manufactured. The design of this torch is based on our vortex flow enhanced He-ICP torch. It has a discharge tube of 14 mm i d and 1 mm thickness, which is surrounded with an air cooling jacket of 18 mm i d and 1 mm thickness. The plasma properties of the high-power pulse-modulated He-ICP were measured using a spectroscopic method. The emission intensity of He atomic lines (447 148 nm) were measured.
Computer simulation of uterine contraction dynamics

The aim of this study is to simulate the contraction phenomena in pregnant uterine. Differential equations are used to model the uterine contractions for three states, namely contracting, refractory, and resting. Since verification and validation are vital for simulation systems, we compared our model with uterine magnetomyogram (MMG) data which are recorded non-invasively using SQUID-Array for Reproductive Assessment (SARA) system at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). It is possible to identify the contraction locations from the data via Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT). Two simulations were done; first one was based on the mathematical model and the second one was based on the contraction data. Comparison between those simulations revealed similar characteristics.
Another Look at Race, Roll‐Off, and the Straight‐Ticket Option

In an article published in the September, 2007 issue of Politics and Policy, “Race, Roll-Off, and the Straight-Ticket Option,” this author reported that African-American voters are less likely than white voters to roll off (or drop off) for lower-level offices if the straight-ticket option is available. That surprising result was traced to the finding that black voters were much more likely than white voters to use that option (which eliminates roll-off for lower-level offices). However, that finding was based on just one election in a Southern state. This article extends this research by exploring the race-roll-off-straight-ticket option relationship in three racially diverse Midwestern jurisdictions, and also by exploring it when votes for ballot measures are considered. It confirms the earlier result regarding elections for lower-level office but finds that the option leads to increased roll-off on ballot measures and, consequently, to even more roll-off among black voters than white voters on ballot measures. En el articulo “Race, Roll-Off, and the Straight-Ticket Option,” publicado en el numero de Septiembre de 2007 de Politics & Policy, este autor reporto que en comparacion con los votantes blancos, es mas probable que los votantes afroamericanos ejerzan su voto a favor de todos los contendientes de su partido preferido si la opcion de straight-ticket fuera implementada. Esta opcion implica que el elector puede votar en una sola boleta por todos los candidatos del mismo partido que estan contendiendo por puestos de eleccion popular, esto en lugar de llenar una boleta por cada puesto (presidente, senador, diputado, y asi respectivamente). Sin embargo, el hallazgo sobre la mayor predisposicion de la poblacion afroamericana a recurrir a dicha opcion se baso en investigacion realizada en un solo estado sureno. El presente articulo va mas alla al explorar la relacion entre raza y la opcion straight–ticket en tres jurisdicciones racialmente diversas del medio-oeste, y al explorarlas tambien cuando los votos son considerados para referenda. Esta investigacion confirma el hallazgo de la investigacion anterior sobre la preferencia afroamericana por el straight–ticket pero descubre que hay menor preferencia por dicha opcion por parte de los afroamericanos respecto a los blancos cuando esta involucra decidir asuntos de referenda de acuerdo a las posiciones del partido preferido.
Effects of magnesium and fluoride on ion exchange and acid resistance of enamel

Labial surfaces of bovine incisor enamel, after weak acid demineralization, were exposed for 24 h in solutions that contained trace levels of calcium as 45Ca, 0.4 mM NaF, and 1.0 mM MgCl2 at pH 7.0. The solutions approached saturation with apatites in the absence of NaF, and saturation with fluorapatites in the presence of NaF. NaF greatly increased the exchange of 45Ca. MgCl2 decreased 45Ca exchange, but had no effect on F- exchange in the surface minerals. MgCl2 decreased, while NaF increased the acid resistance of the exchanged surface minerals on later exposure to 10 mM acetic acid at pH 4.5. These results indicated that magnesium in oral fluids and tooth minerals may promote caries.
Phytochemical correlates of herbivory in a community of native and naturalized cruciferae

Abstract Oviposition and larval feeding behaviors of the crucifer specialist Pieris napi macdunnoughii correlate with leaf glucosinolate profils of plant species in a natural community. Profiles are species-specific in this group of eight Cruciferae, but particular glucosinolates are shared by subsets of the community. Pieris accepts two lethal naturalized weeds whose glucosinolate profiles resemble that of an indigenous foodplant. The results suggest that specific glucosinolates constitute insect behavioral cues which are only loosely linked evolutionarily to foodplant suitability, and further suggest that allelochemically similar community associates influence the coevolution of individual plant species with insect herbivores.
Novel mid-infrared lasers with compressively strained InAsSb active regions

Mid-infrared lasers grown by MOCVD with AlAsSb claddings and strained InAsSb active regions are reported. A 3.8--3.9 {micro}m injection laser with a pseudomorphic InAsSb multiple quantum well active region lased at 210 K under pulsed operation. A semi-metal layer acts as an internal electron source for the injection laser. An optically pumped laser with an InAsSb/InAsP strained-layer superlattice active region was demonstrated at 3.7 {micro}m, 240 K.
C-H Bond Activation by [{(Diimine)Pd(μ-OH)}2]2+ Dimers: Mechanism-Guided Catalytic Improvement

These conclusions—that the hydroxy-bridged dimer 1b is the most reactive species in the Pd system, considerably more reactive than either 2a or 2b towards C-H bond activation, and that there is an important solvent-assisted component in the rate law—suggest a way to substantially improve the catalytic conversion of cyclohexene into benzene [Eq. (3)]. Our previous studies involved 2b (or mixtures of 1b and 2b) in the noncoordinating solvent dichloroethane. In a typical experiment, after 24 h under 1 atm of O2 with 5 mol% of 2b as the catalyst, 8% of the cyclohexene had been converted into benzene; furthermore, there was an initiation period before any reaction occurred, and competing disproportionation of cyclohexene to benzene and cyclohexane was a major side reaction.[3] In contrast, under the same conditions but using only 1 mol% of pure 1b as the catalyst and TFE as solvent, conversion was 25% after 24 h, with no induction period or competing isomerization.[7]
Deep-inelastic scattering beyond the leading order in asymptotically free gauge theories

We calculate the full order-${g}^{2}$ corrections to the coefficient functions which determine the ${Q}^{2}$ dependence of the moments of deep-inelastic structure functions. The calculation is performed in the minimal-subtraction scheme of 't Hooft. The results are combined with the recent two-loop calculations of anomalous dimensions by Floratos, Ross, and Sachrajda to give the full ${\overline{g}}^{2}$ corrections to the leading order of asymptotic freedom. We present results for ${C}_{n}(1,{\overline{g}}^{2})$ relevant for electroproduction and neutrino reactions for both nonsinglet and singlet combinations of the structure functions. Phenomenological consequences of the full ${\overline{g}}^{2}$ corrections to the nonsinglet structure function are discussed. The corrections to the Gross-Llewellyn Smith and Bjorken sum rules are estimated to be of the order of 15%.
Media Filters for Microirrigation

Media (sometimes called sand) filters are well suited for removal of either organic or inorganic particles. Due to their three-dimensional nature, media filters have the ability to entrap large amounts of contaminants. They do not seal off as easily and therefore will not clog as often as filters that trap particles on their surface, such as screen filters. Media filters consist of fine gravel and “sand” (that actually is crashed granite or silica) of selected sizes placed in pressurized tanks. The main body of the tank contains sand, which is the active filtering ingredient. The sand is placed on top of a thin layer of gravel that separates it from an outlet screen. Sharp-edged sand or crushed rocks are recommended for the filtering media since the corners catch soft algal tissue. Crushed granite or silica graded into specific sizes for a particular system are commonly used porous media. Media filters are cleaned by backwashing. This operation consists of reversing the direction of water flow in the tank. Automatic back flush systems will eliminate sudden changes in water quality that can create problems if a filter is washed only at regular intervals. Keywords: drip irrigation; trickle irrigation; micro irrigation; filtration emitter; clogging; plugging; irrigation water quality; filtering media