cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The detonation wave from solid explosives

Abstract It has been shown that the detonation wave from a solid explosive changes in velocity after leaving the explosive. In the case of some low-velocity explosives, e.g., about 2400 metres per second, the velocity of the detonation wave increases by approximately 100–200 metres per second. With other high-velocity explosives, 5000–6000 m./sec., the velocity may decrease to around 4400 metres in some cases. Careful measurements have shown that a zone of uniform velocity exists beyond the surface of the explosive, the dimensions of the zone depending on the diameter of the sphere of the explosive or the diameter of the cartridge detonated. In the case of a 1 1 4 -inch dynamite cartridge, the zone of uniform velocity extended for about ten inches, while, with a sphere of explosive four inches in diameter, the zone extended for about 25 inches. An explanation of the reason for the high velocity of the detonation wave in the gaseous medium is suggested, linking it up with either the velocity of sound at the temperatures prevailing or the kinetic velocity of the gaseous particles themselves, the latter explanation appearing to be more in accordance with the determined facts. Such an explanation implies the assumption of extremely high momentary temperatures at the wave front, in some cases of over 40,000° C. These extremely high temperatures are due partly to the heat of combustion of the explosive ingredients but more to the heating effect resulting from the enormous pressures developed at the moment of explosion, as previously applied by Berthelot and Dixon in the study of gaseous explosions. Adiabatic conditions are assumed in such calculations. With such an explanation, reasonable agreement between theory and fact is obtained for a number of explosives, and the discrepancies that exist are in cases where discrepancies might be expected.
Group communication in multichannel networks with staircase interconnection topologies

Recently, multichannel networks composed of several parallel, medium-speed channels multiplexed on a single high-speed medium have been proposed as a practical way to harness the high bandwidths of optical fibers. In order to limit the cost of network interfaces, a partially-connected multichannel network allows each node access to only a proper subset of the channels, its channel set. Staircase interconnection topologies constitute a family of partially-connected multichannel networks in which every node can still send messages directly to every other node.Group-based computer applications composed of cooperative processing entities are proliferating. The communication among processes in group-based applications typically involves multiple destinations and is often symmetric and temporally local. In this paper, we investigate the problem of supporting group communication in staircase multichannel networks. We analyze those properties of staircase topologies that benefit temporally local multicast communication. We then develop an adaptive protocol that permits nodes to dynamically change their channel sets. These changes are based on recent network traffic history, thus enabling the topology to conform to network traffic patterns and, specifically, group locality. Analytical and simulation results are presented.
Crystallization during polymerization of poly‐p‐xylylene

Crystallization during polymerization of p-xylylene from the gas phase has been studied between 200 and −196°C. From room temperature to −17°C the polymer crystal morphology changes in that the crystallinity decreases. In this range the process is thought to be of the successive polymerization and crystallization type. The morphology is in agreement with this mechanism, of the folded-chain β-polymorph type with proper epitactic orientation of the chains with respect to the support surface. At −78°C an intermediate, poorly crystallized polymer results. At 196°C the reaction is most likely of the simultaneous polymerization and crystallization type. The morphology is, in agreement with the changed mechanism, of a metastable, irregularly folded β-polymorph type with no orientation of the chains relative to the support surface. No significant changes in molecular weight were observed in the polymers produced between 26 and −196°C.
Cation self-diffusion in disordered VOx

The diffusion of 48V in disordered VOx, crystals has been measured by a serial-sectioning technique as a function of temperature (1100–1500°C) over the homogeneity range 0.78 < x < 1.28. The temperature dependence of the cation tracer diffusivity at each fixed composition is characterized by an Arrhenius behavior in the temperature range 1100–1500°C. The Arrhenius parameters decrease rather sharply near the stoichiometric composition as the composition increases from the metal-rich to the metal-deficient regime; the activation energy for diffusion decreases from ~71 kcalmole to ~48 kcalmole, and the frequency factor decreases by nearly two orders of magnitude (from ~5 cm2s to ~0.05 cm2s). It is concluded that the significant difference in the cation self-diffusion behavior between the metal-rich and the metal-deficient VOx may be attributed to the significant differences in the defect structures of the two regimes. The various possible diffusion mechanisms are explored, and comparisons of the cation diffusion behavior in VOx, with that of the related transition-metal monoxides TiOx and Fe1−δO are made. It is concluded that the experimental results for the entire composition range are consistent with the process of diffusion occurring by the migration of monovacancies in equilibrium with defect clusters, the nature of the clusters being different for x < 1 and x #62;; 1.
Ceasing futile resuscitation in the field: ethical considerations.

This article explores ethical decision making in the prehospital emergency setting with particular attention to emergency cardiac care. The first sections argue in support of current efforts to develop portable do-not-resuscitate (DNR) policies enabling patients' wishes to be honored outside the hospital setting. We then turn to the topic of futile resuscitation, and elaborate and defend a proposal to allow emergency personnel to cease futile resuscitation in the field. We submit that unlike the decision to write a DNR order, the judgment that resuscitation is futile ought not to depend on a patient's prior wishes. Instead, it should reflect a professional consensus and receive support from reliable empirical data. Finally, we acknowledge the difficulty of rendering reliable determinations of futility in the field, and show through case examples and empirical studies how effective policies can be implemented. In emergency situations it is sometimes assumed that health care providers must use
Oxidative damage to behavior during aging

The proposition that free radicals may be an important factor in aging remains to be rigorously proven; but the presence of increased amounts of oxidized proteins in aging biological systems supports the notion. The results of new experiments in Mongolian gerbils indicate that the accumulation of oxidatively damaged proteins during aging may be a cause of behavioral deficits in aging experimental animals and that this chronic oxidation may be reversible with compounds that react with and stabilize free radicals. PBN (N-tert-butyl-{alpha}-phenyl nitrone), a spin-trapping compound, reacts with free radicals and yields a stable nitroxyl product. PBN offers protection from, and traps free radicals during, ischemia-reperfusion-mediated injury to heart and brain of experimental animals. Daily administration of PBN to old gerbils causes a decrease in the amount of oxidized protein and an increase in both glutamine synthetase and neutral protease activity in brain, as well as a decrease in the number of errors made in the radial-arm maze test for memory. In other words, PBN administration reversed the chemical and behavioral parameters of the older gerbils to nearly those values observed in the younger gerbils. Furthermore, after cessation of PBN administration, the amount of both oxidized protein as well as glutaminemore » synthetase and neutral protease activities gradually returned to the values found in normal, older gerbils. PBN did not have these effects in young gerbils.« less
GLUCOSE PHOSPHORYLATION AS A BARRIER TO MUSCLE GLUCOSE UPTAKE

1. Glucose phosphorylation is the first irreversible step of the muscle glucose uptake pathway and is catalysed by a hexokinase isozyme. 2. While glucose transport is the primary barrier to muscle glucose uptake during basal conditions, glucose phosphorylation becomes an important barrier to muscle glucose uptake during stimulated conditions such as hyperinsulinaemia or exercise. 3. High fat feeding markedly impairs insulin- and exercise-stimulated muscle glucose uptake. As hexokinase II overexpression corrects this dietary-induced deficit during exercise, glucose phosphorylation is a site of impairment following high fat feeding. 4. Exercise is an important tool for diagnosing deficits in glucose phosphorylation.
Radiographic Analysis of the Anterior to Posterior Open Mouth (APOM) Cervical Spine View: Frequency of Atlas Transverse Process Overlap of the Inferior Tip of the Mastoid Process

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to measure the frequency with which the atlas transverse process is overlapped by the inferior tip of the mastoid process based upon radiographic analysis of the anterior to posterior open mouth (APOM) cervical spine view. Methods This is a retrospective study. Anterior to posterior open mouth radiographs (N = 120) were obtained from patient files at a chiropractic clinic. Dimensions were bilaterally measured: the vertical distance from the inferior mastoid to the superior margin of the C1 transverse process (C1TP) and the vertical distance from the inferior mastoid to the inferior margin of the C1TP. The percentage of the C1TP occluded by the mastoid process was calculated by determining the occlusal distance. These percentages were grouped into 4 categories: no occlusion, 1% to 50%, 50% to 99%, and 100%. Results The occlusal distance for the left and right ranged from − 7.1 to 19.0 mm and − 7.5 to 19.5 mm, respectively. The mean occlusal distance was identical on the left and right sides (4.6 [SD, 5.1 mm] and 4.7 mm [SD, 5.0 mm], respectively). The percentage of occlusion for the left and right transverse processes ranged from 0% to 80% and 0% to 100%, respectively. The mean percentage was 6.4% (SD, 16.4) on the left and 6.2% (SD, 16.3) on the right. Conclusion This study shows that the occlusal distance for the left and right ranged from − 7.1 to 19.0 mm and − 7.5 to 19.5 mm, respectively. A total occlusion of the C1TP occurred in 1 side of 120 participants in this sample.
Vector competence in West African Aedes aegypti Is Flavivirus species and genotype dependent.

Background Vector competence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes is a quantitative genetic trait that varies among geographic locations and among different flavivirus species and genotypes within species. The subspecies Ae. aegypti formosus, found mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, is considered to be refractory to both dengue (DENV) and yellow fever viruses (YFV) compared to the more globally distributed Ae. aegypti aegypti. Within Senegal, vector competence varies with collection site and DENV-2 viral isolate, but knowledge about the interaction of West African Ae. aegypti with different flaviviruses is lacking. The current study utilizes low passage isolates of dengue-2 (DENV-2-75505 sylvatic genotype) and yellow fever (YFV BA-55 -West African Genotype I, or YFV DAK 1279-West African Genotype II) from West Africa and field derived Ae. aegypti collected throughout Senegal to determine whether vector competence is flavivirus or virus genotype dependent. Methodology/Principal Findings Eight collections of 20–30 mosquitoes from different sites were fed a bloodmeal containing either DENV-2 or either isolate of YFV. Midgut and disseminated infection phenotypes were determined 14 days post infection. Collections varied significantly in the rate and intensity of midgut and disseminated infection among the three viruses. Conclusions/Significance Overall, vector competence was dependent upon both viral and vector strains. Importantly, contrary to previous studies, sylvatic collections of Ae. aegypti showed high levels of disseminated infection for local isolates of both DENV-2 and YFV.
Combined hysteroscopy and laparoscopy in the treatment of interstitial pregnancy

Traditional management of interstitial pregnancy involves laparotomy with cornual resection. Increasingly sensitive human chorionic gonadotropin assays and ultrasonography has led to earlier diagnosis of interstitial pregnancy. We report two cases of interstitial pregnancy treated with a combined hysteroscopic and laparoscopic approach. Early diagnosis of interstitial pregnancy can lead to conservative treatment options.
Effects of Auditory Feedback Deprivation on Expressive Piano Performance

Previous studies have suggested that elimination of auditory feedback has no significant effect on the accuracy of keyboard performance. In the present study, this issue was investigated further by focusing specifically on parameters of expression in piano performance: horizontal and vertical timing, horizontal and vertical dynamics, and pedaling. Six pianists performed a short musical excerpt (bars 1-5 of Chopin9s Etude in E Major, op. 10, no. 3) 10 times on a digital piano in each of four conditions: expressive with and without feedback, and metronomic with and without feedback. The data analyses revealed significant effects of feedback deprivation on all expressive parameters in both expressive and metronomic performance. However, these effects were very small, except for some substantial changes in pedaling by some pianists. To determine the perceptual and aesthetic significance of these effects, a group of pianist listeners was presented with a forced- choice test in which expressive performances produced with and without feedback were paired with each other. The listeners correctly identified the performance played without feedback on only 63.5% of the trials, which confirms the relative subtlety of the effects of feedback deprivation. Although expression seems to be controlled primarily by an internal representation of the music, auditory feedback may be important in fine-tuning a performance and in the control of pedaling. However, it is also possible that the effects of auditory feedback deprivation merely reflect a lack of motivation to play expressively in the absence of sound.
Utilization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance Among American Patients: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND Although surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is recommended in high-risk patients, several studies have suggested it is being underutilized in clinical practice. The aim of our study was to quantify utilization rates for HCC surveillance among patients with cirrhosis and summarize patterns of association between utilization rates and patient socio-demographic characteristics.
Investigation of the free amino acid metabolism in the embryo of the milkweed bug: Oncopeltus fasciatus

Abstract 1. 1. Paper chromatography was used to ascertain the amino acid levels in the developing eggs of the milkweed bug: Oncopeltus fasciatus. 2. 2. There were varitions in the concentrations of the amino acids: cystine, proline, alanine, serine, tyrosine and valine-leucine. 3. 3. Serine, tyrosine and valine-leucine increased with time, while alanine and cystine stayed at a relatively steady level. 4. 4. In addition to the amino acid some ultraviolet-emitting substances and possible peptides were found.
Prefrontal asymmetry and parent-rated temperament in infants.

Indicators of temperament appear early in infancy and remain relatively stable over time. Despite a great deal of interest in biological indices of temperament, most studies of infant temperament rely on parental reports or behavioral tasks. Thus, the extent to which commonly used temperament measures relate to potential biological indicators of infant temperament is still relatively unknown. The current experiment examines the relationship between a common parental report measure of temperament – the Infant Behavior Questionnaire – Revised (IBQ-R) – and measures of frontal EEG asymmetry in infants. We examined associations between the subscales of the IBQ-R and frontal EEG asymmetry scores recorded during a combined series of neutral attentional and putatively emotional recording conditions in infants between 7 and 9 months of age. We predicted that approach-related subscales of the IBQ-R (e.g., Approach, Soothability) would be related to greater left prefrontal asymmetry, while withdrawal-related subscales (e.g., Distress to Limitations, Fear, Falling Reactivity, Perceptual Sensitivity) would be related to greater right prefrontal asymmetry. In the mid- and lateral-frontal regions, Approach, Distress to Limitations, Fear, Soothability, and Perceptual Sensitivity were generally associated with greater left frontal activation (rs≥.23, ps<0.05), while only Falling Reactivity was associated with greater right frontal activation (rs≤−.44, ps<0.05). Results suggest that variability in frontal EEG asymmetry is robustly associated with parental report measures of temperament in infancy.
Computer science: a proposed alternative track—applied computing

A traditional computer science program, in the liberal arts tradition and environment, has been in existence at Allegheny College for many years. The program was designed and adopted in 1979 [6] and the ideas and structure of that program became a substantial contribution to the LACS "Model Curriculum" developed in the early '80s and reported in [12]. In both of these cases, a concerted effort was made to identify and establish just what computer science is and design a curriculum to ensure that its graduates were well grounded in basic concepts and skills, the central core of the discipline, and some advanced or application areas. The Allegheny curriculum underwent minor changes in 1990 in conjunction with the College's adoption of a new base curriculum and calendar. The LACS model curriculum was revisited in the early '90s following publication of ACM's Computing Curricula 1991 [1] resulting in a "Revised Model Curriculum" published in late 1996. [16].All of these efforts were based on the certainty that computer science had "evolved into an important academic discipline with a unique core of knowledge, a set of basic questions and problems, and a distinct method of approach to analysis of those problems." [6], p. 1. The Allegheny and LACS models were specifically designed to fit into and enhance a traditional liberal arts curriculum [7]. To this end, the goals or objectives of these programs were, above all, to provide for a good liberal education in computer science as a discipline. In particular, the programs were designed to ensure that the student obtains a solid academic base for further study or upon which to build a long-term successful career in computing. Specifically, successful completion of a course of study in computer science following these curricular guidelines ought to:1. enable the graduate to understand the capabilities, limitations, and ramifications of computing, the state of the art, and current research and development in computer science and related areas;2. to provide the potential for creative contribution to the art;3. to facilitate adaptation to changes in hardware and/or software technology and to new and changing applications areas;4. to prepare one for further study in computer science at the graduate level; and5. to prepare a student for distinguished professional development in a career in computing, or, in fact, many other areas. [6], p 8.
A predictive risk probability approach for microarray data with survival as an endpoint.

Gene expression profiling has played an important role in cancer risk classification and has shown promising results. Since gene expression profiling often involves determination of a set of top rank genes for analysis, it is important to evaluate how modeling performance varies with the number of selected top ranked genes incorporated in the model. We used a colon data set collected at Moffitt Cancer Center as an example of the study, and ranked genes based on the univariate Cox proportional hazards model. A set of top ranked genes was selected for evaluation. The selection was done by choosing the top k ranked genes for k = 1 to 12,500. An analysis indicated a considerable variation of classification outcomes when the number of top ranked genes was changed. We developed a predictive risk probability approach to accommodate this variation by identifying a range number of top ranked genes. For each number of top ranked genes, the procedure classifies each patient as having high risk (score = 1) or low ri...
Low back symptoms among hospital nurses, associations to individual factors and pain in multiple body regions

Abstract Nursing personnel (n = 263) employed in three hospitals in the United States completed questionnaires investigating musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) in multiple body regions. The aims of this study were to: i) determine prevalence rates and significant associations between multiple MSS in the lower back and other body regions and ii) investigate significant associations between MSS in multiple body regions and individual/lifestyle factors. Results showed high prevalence rates of symptoms in the lower back, shoulders, and lower extremities. Significant associations were found between multiple MSS in the lower back and; i) upper back, neck, and shoulders and ii) lower extremities. Smoking, body mass index and work experience were found to be significantly associated with MSS in multiple body regions. In conclusion, symptoms in the lower back may lead to problems in other body areas possibly due to awkward postures, unintentional disregard for safe practices or transfer of pain due to biological factors. Interventionists should conduct periodic assessments to detect early symptoms and increase awareness to avoid proliferation of symptoms, comorbidity and chronicity. Relevance to industry The possibility that symptoms in one body region may be related to symptoms elsewhere emphasizes the importance of conducting periodic assessments on nursing personnel rather than wait for annual evaluations. Symptom reporting at the time of initial back pain can identify individuals at higher risk for developing chronic or comorbid musculoskeletal disorders.
Non-State Transnational Transfers: Types and Characteristics

Editor's Note: If McDonald's franchises, Chinese toys, and Indian call centers recall globalization's noisy surface features, then migrant remittances must capture its quieter underside. At some $300 billion a year, global remittances represent a leading example of transnational value-transfer. Supplementing family savings and foreign exchange, remittances rank among the most sizeable, stable, and counter-cyclical financial flows to developing economies. Yet, remittances invite special attention mainly because they represent neither commercial transactions nor official aid. Unlike much non-state finance or goods and services crisscrossing national borders, remittances reflect unrequited, unidirectional flows of value. With remittances constituting so prominent a fixture in today's global economy one is prompted to wonder: do there exist other, significant categories of “private,” or, less ambiguously, “non-state” transnational transfers? Can such transfers be analyzed as a coherent set of distinct activities and social processes? These questions are debated in this Forum, which is reflective of a conference on the topic sponsored by the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University in October 2007. The articles assembled here highlight an increasingly prominent, albeit underappreciated, segment of “globalization.” This spectrum of activities involves non-state actors—a short list would include individuals, faith-based charities, philanthropic foundations, professional associations, universities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and (sometimes) corporations—who transfer something of value—money, goods and services, expertise, technology, or norms—transnationally. Because unidirectional flows are involved, these non-state transnational transfers are distinguishable from (quid pro quo) transactions . In addition , while this universe also excludes official transfers such as foreign aid or debt relief, issues of sovereignty invariably arise nonetheless. For example, governments may avoid social unrest by capitalizing on non-state transnational transfers or, alternatively, sacrifice legitimacy through failure to provide what (foreign) private actors seem so capable of furnishing. In addition, non-state transnational transfers can impact democratic citizenship with …
Molecular interactions between ribosomal proteins: A study of the S6-S18 interaction☆

Abstract The proteins S6 and S18 from the 30 S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli were isolated to a purity of greater than 95%, characterized in solution, and investigated by sedimentation equilibrium for possible intermolecular interactions in a dilute salt reconstitution buffer. It was observed that neither protein S6 nor S18 has a tendency to self-associate in the concentration range studied. An analysis of solution mixtures containing proteins S6 and S18 revealed a species of molecular weight greater than either of the proteins. Proteins S6 and S18 were found to interact with an equilibrium constant of association of 6.6 ± 4.2 × 10 4 m −1 at 3 °C with a Gibbs free energy of interaction, Δ G ° = −6.1 kcal/mol. These data are part of those collected to help in building a map of the energetics in the 30 S ribosomal subunit, which provides for the stabilization of the structure.
Memory Models for the Electrical Properties of Local Cardiac Systems

A series of related new models for the local dynamics of cardiac tissue is introduced. The models are based on a simple memory-like quantity that is used to determine the relationship among the durations and amplitudes of the stimulated action potentials. The first of these models produces period-doubling and chaos, consistent with constant pacing experiments, when standard restitution dynamics would predict stability of the primary 1:1 pattern. Analysis of the associated one-dimensional map suggests how various physiological parameters affect the period-doubling sequence. Many of these relationships have been observed in experiments. The remaining models extend the formalism of the first to account for the Hopf bifurcation of 2:2 patterns observed in experiments. One of these models reproduces the bifurcation sequence, 1:1, 2:2, Hopf bifurcation of 2:2, 2:2 and 2:1 seen in experiments as the pacing interval is decreased. The models clarify the dynamics involved in determining the amplitudes and durations of successive action potentials. Results from these models together with comparison with the experiment strongly suggest that quantities with time constants of the order of 50 and 400 ms exist and affect action potential formation in heart tissue.
Variations in the monocular components of fixation disparity

Measurements of the monocular components of fixation disparity through small amounts of lateral prism show changes in the proportional contribution of each eye with changing vergence stimuli. Prism does not usually alter the independence of the activity of each eye during binocular viewing. This independence allows the monocular shares to fluctuate from moment to moment. Responses to prism include fixating with one eye or the other, shifting both eyes laterally in the same direction, and distributing the deviations between the two eyes. Some of these strategies reduce the deviation and are therefore adaptive. Others appear to maintain a fairly stable state which frequently involves resorting to the equivalence of a monocular form of localization. Prism adaptation follows decidedly different time courses and occurs to differing extents for the different subjects and for the different conditions tested. It is not uncommon for many of these changes to occur unilaterally. Voluntary activity seems to be an important factor in the processes associated with adaptation to prism.
Organizing Debt Relief: The Need for a New Institution

the banks, they extended large short-term credits to Mexico, then put pressure on the banks to reschedule Mexican debt and lend more to Mexico, once the International Monetary Fund had endorsed the policies that Mexico would follow to deal with its problems. This was the birth of the case-by-case approach to the debt problem. It was predicated implicitly on the belief that debtors faced a short-term problem arising from an unusual combination of worldwide recession and high interest rates brought on by a shift in the policy stance of the major industrial countries. On this view, it was eminently sensible for debtors to take on more debt temporarily in order to pay interest on their existing debts.' The problem was still with us three years later, however, and the case-by-case approach was in trouble. The world economy was growing again and interest rates had fallen, but the debtor's export earnings were not growing, and their governments were increasingly reluctant to deal with the IMF, which was asking for more austerity but providing less Fund credit. The banks were willing to reschedule larger amounts of debt for longer intervals but would put up new money only for the largest debtors.
A review of malignant meningiomas: diagnosis, characteristics, and treatment.

Anaplastic or malignant meningiomas (WHO Grade III) represent the most rare but aggressive subtype, accounting for 1–3% of all intracranial meningiomas. Due in large part to their scarcity, malignant meningiomas have been understudied and therefore represent an area where significant clinical advances may be made. To this point, our understanding of the genetic and histologic attributes of these lesions has grown, though the management and treatment of these aggressive tumors is less well elucidated and thus has room for further study. In this review, we describe the current understanding of malignant meningiomas in terms of their genetic alterations and unique histologic markers. Using this as a foundation, we will then discuss the current therapeutic strategies for managing these lesions and the future direction that such interventions may take.
Alterations in the formation of rat dentine and enamel induced by various ions.

Abstract A large number of ions have been found to induce alterations in the mineralization of rat incisor dentine and enamel when injected subcutaneously. Hypomineralized layers, and in a few cases hypermineralized layers, were observed in dentine and/or enamel using microradiography. The effect of most of the ions was temporary and normal dentine and enamel were formed after completion of the altered layers. Many ions consistently altered either dentine or enamel predominantly or both tissues to a similar degree. These three classes of ions include: cobalt, stannous, ferrous, stannic, molybdate, borate and bisulphate ions predominantly affecting enamel; mercurous, cadmium, thallous, iridium, nickel, uranium, cupric, zinc, beryllium, bismuth, yttrium, caesium, lead, citrate, phosphate (PO 4 and HPO 4 ) and bicarbonate ions predominantly affecting dentine; manganous, antimony, rubidium, barium, strontium, chromic, lithium, magnesium, aluminum, selenate, bifluoride, fluoride, oxalate, iodide, bromide and phosphate (H 2 PO 4 ) ions disturbing both dentine and enamel similarly. Four major categories of ion activity are discussed: non-specific effects; interference with specific cells, matrices or enzymes; effects on crystal nucleation, growth and structure; other factors, such as changes in serum calcium and phosphate levels.
Community and personalization

In a sense, information technology has come of age. Although not all of the necessary infrastructure is in place, the capacity for efficient distribution of information electronically is a fait accompli. But do we use this capacity to communicate effectively? Providing access to content is not sufficient to guarantee effective message passing. A message delivered but ignored, or a message ingested but not digested, is not useful. In order to inform, the "recipient" must find the message content engaging and relevant. It is the contention of the News in the Future group at the MIT Media Laboratory that effective communication requires distribution of messages that are rich in description. These descriptions, when taken with consideration of the context of both the individuals and the communities receiving them, can result in messages that are both engaging and useful.
Effect of Position on the Resting and Postexercise Phonocardiogram

Phonocardiograms were recorded at the maximum apical impulse in the left lateral decubitus position at rest and after a double Master two-step test in 100 normal subjects, mean age 51, in whom this procedure was previously performed in the supine position. In the left lateral decubitus position, 36 of the 100 normal subjects (36 percent) had a resting fourth heart sound, and 61 of these 100 subjects (61 percent) had a postexercise fourth heart sound. In the left lateral decubitus position, 19 of the 100 normal subjects (19 percent) had a resting third heart sound, and 46 of the 100 subjects (46 percent) had a postexercise third heart sound. Resting and postexercise fourth and third heart sounds are more frequently recorded in normal subjects in the left lateral decubitus position than in the supine position.
Arts-Based Inquiry in QI: Seven Years From Crisis to Guerrilla Warfare

This commentary reconsiders emerging standards for evaluation of the field of practice of qualitative inquiry and arts-based approaches. Specifically, this is a review of the dialogue around issues of standards that has continued through the first seven volumes of Qualitative Inquiry (QI), from March 1995 through June 2001, and is inclusive of this special issue of QI devoted to arts-based inquiry. What has emerged in QI is an action-oriented worldview among qualitative researchers who value inquiry for its usefulness within the community where it originates. In this way, QI has contributed greatly to the construction of still emerging practices within a newly formed tradition of participatory, critical action research based on an ethics of human relationships. Arts-based inquiry is one aspect of this emerging tradition.
Development of multilayered sintered microsphere coatings to create unique delivery profiles

A cascade of endogenous growth factors plays a role in bone healing following fracture. Including growth factors with time-variant concentrations in tissue-implant sites may improve healing response and prosthesis fixation. Biodegradable polymer coatings can be used to deliver osteotropic biomolecules. By nonuniformly immobilizing growth factors in device coatings, time-variant release profiles can be created. Multilayered coatings were fabricated by pressure-sintering protein-loaded microspheres. Protein release was strongly dependent on polymer degradation. Significant increases in protein delivery from 6 to 16 days were accomplished by varying the thickness of protein-loaded layers and by using additional coating layers to vary pathlength.
SPACs as an Asset Class

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, or SPACs, have grown into one of the largest segments of the U.S. IPO market, raising more than $20 billion in gross proceeds since 2003. SPACs bear a strong resemblence to private equity funds, yet are largely free of the selection and survivorship biases that are often present in private equity datasets. I find that a portfolio of SPACs resembling "public LBOs" has a market beta near unity despite an average leverage multiple of nearly two, yielding new evidence regarding the systematic risk of leveraged buyouts. I also find that SPACs' highly predictable lifecycle yields highly predictable returns, with a monthly four-factor portfolio alpha of approximately 2% following the announcement of an acquisition and -2% after an acquisition has been completed. Finally, I provide evidence of a persistent discount in SPAC prices prior to the completion of an acquistion, which I attribute to fragmentation within SPACs' unique shareholder base.
Six-month test-retest reliability of MRI-defined PET measures of regional cerebral glucose metabolic rate in selected subcortical structures.

Test-retest reliability of resting regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (rCMR) was examined in selected subcortical structures: the amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, and anterior caudate nucleus. Findings from previous studies examining reliability of rCMR suggest that rCMR in small subcortical structures may be more variable than in larger cortical regions. We chose to study these subcortical regions because of their particular interest to our laboratory in its investigations of the neurocircuitry of emotion and depression. Twelve normal subjects (seven female, mean age 5 32.42 years, range 21- 48 years) underwent two FDG-PET scans separated by approximately 6 months (mean 5 25 weeks, range 17-35 weeks). A region-of-interest approach with PET-MRI coregistration was used for analysis of rCMR reliability. Good test-retest reliability was found in the left amygdala, right and left hippocampus, right and left thalamus, and right and left anterior caudate nucleus. However, rCMR in the right amygdala did not show good test-retest reliability. The implications of these data and their import for studies that include a repeat-test design are considered. Hum.
Paperless manufacturing for IC assembly

The ongoing paperless manufacturing programs in application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) assembly operations are described. Drawbacks of paperwork and approaches to paperwork elimination are discussed. Two projects related to paperless manufacturing in ASIC assembly are presented: an automated marking system project, which minimized operator input during product marking operation, and an electronic specification system project, which facilitated point-of-use specification retrieval. Some aspects of an integrated shop floor control system that addresses process control and lot tracking issues are discussed. >
Media additives for protecting freely suspended animal cells against agitation and aeration damage

Over the past 30 years, several different additives have been used to protect freely suspended animal cells in culture from agitation and aeration damage. These include pluronic polyols, various derivatized celluloses and starches, protein mixtures, polyvinyl-pyrrolidones, dextrans, and, more recently, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinyl alcohol. The protective mechanisms of these additives are not yet fully understood, but recent studies suggest both fluid-mechanical and biological mechanisms of protection.
Coronal plane ankle alignment, gait, and end-stage ankle osteoarthritis.

Summary Objective Unilateral ankle osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating condition which may lead to limb deformity, severe pain, and functional disability due to tibiotalar malalignment and gait dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to determine if coronal plane alignment (varus, valgus, or neutral) of the ankle resulted in different spatial-temporal gait mechanics, clinically-assessed function, and self-reported function in patients with end-stage ankle OA. Methods Following informed consent, 96 patients with end-stage unilateral ankle OA were radiographically categorized as having varus, valgus, or neutral tibiotalar alignment. Each subject completed the foot and ankle disability index (FADI) questionnaire to assess self-reported function. The spatial-temporal parameters of interest (stance time, step length, stride length, stride width, single-support time, double support time, and walking speed) were assessed while the subject walked at a self-selected speed. Results The varus group performed the timed up and go test significantly faster than the other groups ( P =0.05). All other variables were similar between the three alignment groups. Conclusion There was little difference in gait mechanics and function between patients with end-stage OA based on coronal plane ankle alignment suggesting that factors other than coronal plane alignment contribute to diminished function.
A full description of a simple and scalable fabrication process for electrowetting displays

Electrowetting displays provide a high white state reflectance of >50% and have attracted substantial world-wide interest, yet are primarily an industrially led effort with few details on preferred materials and fabrication processes. Reported herein is the first complete description of the electrowetting display fabrication process. The description includes materials selection, purification and all fabrication steps from substrate selection to sealing. Challenging materials and fabrication processes include dielectric optimization, fluoropolymer selection, hydrophilic grid patterning, liquid dosing, dye purification and liquid ionic content. The process described herein has produced pixel arrays that were switched at <15 V on active-matrix backplanes, and which have individual sub-pixel areas of <50 × 150 µm2. The majority of fabrication processes can conform to liquid-crystal style manufacturing equipment, and therefore can be readily adopted by many display practitioners. Also presented are additional tips and techniques, such as controlling the onset of oil film break-up in an electrowetting display. This paper should enable anyone skilled in displays or microfabrication to quickly and successfully set up research and fabrication of electrowetting displays.
Prioritizing system-reliability prediction improvements

This method prioritizes system-reliability prediction activities once a preliminary reliability-prediction has been made. System-reliability predictions often use data and models from a variety of sources, each with differing degrees of estimation uncertainty. Since time and budgetary constraints limit the extent of analyzes and testing needed to estimate component reliability, it is necessary to allocate limited resources intelligently. A reliability-prediction prioritization index (RPPI) is defined to provide a relative ranking of components based on their potential for improving the accuracy of a system-level reliability prediction by decreasing the variance of the system-reliability estimate. If a component has a high RPPI, then additional testing or analysis should be considered to decrease the variance of the component reliability estimate. RPPI is based on a decomposition of the variance of the system-reliability or on a mean-time-to-failure estimate. Using these indexes, the effect of individual components within the system can be compared, ranked, and assigned to priority groups. The ranking is based on whether a decrease of the component-reliability estimate variance meaningfully decreases the system-reliability estimate variance. The procedure is demonstrated with two examples.
The Optics of the Compound Eye of the Honeybee (Apis mellifera)

The optical system of the compound eye of the worker honeybee, as a representative of the closed-rhabdom type of eye, was investigated and its function analyzed. Measurements of refractive indices of the elements of the optical system were made with an interference microscope. With the use of the resulting measurements, the optical system was analyzed by means of a ray-tracing procedure implemented for the IBM 7094 digital computer, and by means of the Gaussian thick lens formulae. The more detailed results of the ray-tracing technique were used for further analyses. Direct visual confirmation of the focal point was obtained. The rhabdom and the surrounding zone of lower refractive index act together as a wave guide, as demonstrated by the presence of several wave guide modes in the rhabdom. An admittance function was defined as the percentage of the rays reaching the rhabdom with respect to those entering the ommatidium. Good agreement with experimental results was found. The characterization of the visual field of an ommatidium by means of an admittance function permits the analysis of the influence of different stimuli on the eye.
The incumbency disadvantage and women's election to legislative office

Abstract An important explanation for the underrepresentation of women in legislatures may be incumbency. When the vast majority of incumbents are men, as is the case in most national legislatures, incumbency emerges as a male advantage that could hinder the election of women. However, there has been no multi-country—cross-institutional, cross-socioeconomic—study of the relationship between incumbency and women's descriptive representation. Using time-serial data on 33 national legislatures, I examine whether incumbency is a disadvantage for women's election. I find that higher retention rates lead to fewer women winning office after controlling for socioeconomic factors, gender quotas, and electoral rules. Further, term limits, although not designed to promote the election of women, have a positive side effect for women's representation.
Efficacy of a High and Accelerated Dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine in Alcoholic Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract PURPOSE: A randomized, double-blind trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of a high-dose versus standard-dose hepatitis B vaccine in alcoholic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred ten alcoholic patients were randomized to either receive the standard dose (20 μg at 0, 1, and 6 months) or a high dose (40 μg at 0, 1, 2, and 6 months) of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix-B®). Patients were monitored for relapse of drinking using self-report, serial serum carbohydrate deficient transferrin, and collateral verification. The final titer of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) was obtained 12 months after the first vaccine dose; a seroconversion was defined as a titer greater than 10 mIU/ml. RESULTS: One hundred subjects completed the study; 10 of these had clinical or pathological evidence of cirrhosis. Thirty-six out of 48 (75%) of patients administered the high-dose regimen seroconverted compared with 24 of 52 (46%) in the standard dose group ( P P P P = 0.05) but not for the other variables such as race, age, drinking during the study, serum creatinine, arm muscle circumference, and cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: A high- and accelerated-dose regimen of hepatitis B improves the serological response in alcoholic patients. This regimen (currently recommended for hemodialysis patients) should now also be considered for patients with a history of alcoholism.
“Bettering Her Education and Widening Her Sphere” Betwixt and Between Coeducational Experiences

This article is a focused response to the call for a “conscious use of crystallization,” in qualitative research. To this end, the author brings into play a full-bodied textual metaphor, the palimpsest, to stimulate the expansion of an integrated crystallization typology—comprised of woven and patched approaches. Appropriated as a textual artifact, the author uses the palimpsest to ground and figure the methodological development of palimpsestuous crystallization. The novel crystallization process places foci on the involved relationship between texts and discourses, that is, intertextuality and interdiscursivity. The author works at developing palimpsestuous crystallization by interleaving liminal coeducational experiences between interrelated texts signifying persistent and dominant discourses on postsecondary coeducation. Wholly, the article is constituent of a larger methodological undertaking in its early stages. The article emerges from a situated and personal narrative that is typified as “more tha...