cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamics of Crystals — 1982

After a terse review of highlights in recent calorimetric developments in solid state calorimetry and the crises in Gibbs energy at phase and especially melting transitions, as well as the currently much pursued study of orientational disorder in crystals (“ODIC”), several systems of quite diverse nature will be considered in depth. These will include: the plastically crystalline state the π - π molecular complexes — typical molecular crystals with sandwich-stacked structures and interesting vibrational orientational disorder. the uranium intermetallic compounds UM3 where elucidation of electronic structure and derealization of electrons are in question, and the salts of organic acids with much metastability and many surprises.
Low-Tech Coconut Shell Activated Charcoal Production

Water treatment technologies in the developing world typically focus on removing two types of impurities from water sources: suspended, particulate materials and microbial pathogens. However, as industrialization and high-input agriculture has expanded into the developing world, a third type of impurity has increased in importance. Chemical impurities such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers have found their way into drinking water supplies and have been linked to severe health-related issues. Activated carbon has the capacity to remove these problematic chemicals from water sources. The possibility of producing a low-tech, inexpensive, and effective activated carbon from local agricultural waste by-products was assessed for the community of Bluefields, Nicaragua. Coconut shell charcoal was produced on site, and various chemical activation steps were then investigated. Ultimately, it was discovered that sodium chloride (common table salt) could successfully activate the coconut shell-based charcoal. The adsorption capacity of three separate chemically activated coconut shell charcoals was analyzed, with common table salt being the most inexpensive and feasible option.
Subsidence Warming as an Underappreciated Ingredient in Tropical Cyclogenesis. Part I: Aircraft Observations

AbstractThe development of a compact warm core extending from the mid-upper levels to the lower troposphere and related surface pressure falls leading to tropical cyclogenesis (TC genesis) is not well understood. This study documents the evolution of the three-dimensional thermal structure during the early developing stages of Typhoons Fanapi and Megi using aircraft dropsonde observations from the Impact of Typhoons on the Ocean in the Pacific (ITOP) field campaign in 2010. Prior to TC genesis, the precursor disturbances were characterized by warm (cool) anomalies above (below) the melting level (~550 hPa) with small surface pressure perturbations. Onion-shaped skew T–logp profiles, which are a known signature of mesoscale subsidence warming induced by organized mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), are ubiquitous throughout the ITOP aircraft missions from the precursor disturbance to the tropical storm stages. The warming partially erodes the lower-troposphere (850–600 hPa) cool anomalies. This warming re...
Interaction of copper(II) oxide with monobasic mineral acids under model conditions and in the presence of metallic copper

It was determined that the heterogeneous heterophase interaction of copper(II) oxide with concentrated solutions of mineral acids occurs under diffusion control and involves dissolution of the product (rate-limiting stage), imitation of the behavior of homogeneous reactions of simple types, and self-termination once the liquid phase of the system transforms to a saturated solution of the dominant product. The forming basic and neutral copper(II) salts in acidified solutions or suspensions easily and rapidly oxidize copper and its alloys.
An events-study approach to detecting income-smoothing activities: Some evidence from multinational corporations

Abstract This study expands the income-smoothing literature by employing an events-study methodology to detect smoothing activities. The focus of the investigation is insider trading volume activity of companies that elected early adoption of SFAS No. 52. This methodology avoids design problems found in other income-smoothing research. It does not rely upon an arbitrarily selected “normal level” for the object of smoothing. Rather, it links smoothing activities with managerial incentives and detects smoothing by observing managerial behavior. A positive theory of accounting is used to explain why managers would engage in income smoothing. Specifically, managers believe that reducing the variability of reported earnings will increase stock value and they can capture some of this increase by purchasing additional shares of stock. Results show that insiders were significant net buyers of their firm's stock around the announcement date of the revised exposure draft for SFAS No. 52. These stock purchases provide an observable effect of the smoothing activity. Further cross-sectional regression analysis shows positive correlations between abnormal insider trading volume and firm leverage and control-type variables. Explanations are presented in the paper to show that these results are consistent with the income-smoothing hypothesis.
The Health Reform Monitoring Survey: Addressing Data Gaps To Provide Timely Insights Into The Affordable Care Act

The Health Reform Monitoring Survey (HRMS) was launched in 2013 as a mechanism to obtain timely information on the ACA during the period before federal survey data will be available. The HRMS provides quarterly data on insurance coverage, access to health care, and health care affordability, along with changing topics of relevance to current policy and program issues. For example, data from summer 2013 show that more than 60 percent of those targeted by the health insurance exchanges struggle with understanding key health insurance concepts, raising concerns about their ability to evaluate trade-offs when choosing coverage.
Genes in sweeping competition.

Analysis of DNA variation is a powerful tool for detecting adaptation at the genomic level. The contribution of adaptive evolution is evident from examples of rapidly evolving genes, which represent the likely targets for strong selection. More subtle adaptation is also an integral component of routine maintenance of gene performance, continuously applied to every gene. Adaptive changes in the population are accomplished through selective sweeps, i.e. complete or partial fixation of beneficial alleles. The evidence is accumulating that selective sweeps are quite frequent events which, together with associated genetic hitchhiking, represent dominant forces that influence molecular evolution by shaping the variability pattern in the genome.
Performance of erroneously filled sevoflurane, enflurane and other agent-specific vaporizers.

Objective. Erroneous filling of an agent-specific anesthesia vaporizer may result in concentration and potency outputs that are very different from those expected from the concentration dial setting. Enflurane and sevoflurane have relatively similar saturated vapor pressures (SVPs 175 mmHg and 160 mmHg, respectively, at 20°C) and potencies (MACS 1.68% and 2%, respectively). We derived an equation to relate the vapor concentration output of an agent-specific vaporizer to the gas inflow splitting ratio (SR) created by the vaporizer and the SVP of the potent inhaled agent.Methods. To test the validity of this equation, we filled an Enfluratec 4 enflurane vaporizer with sevoflurane and a Penlon PPV Sigma sevoflurane vaporizer with enflurane and compared the vapor concentration outputs with our predictions.Results. The equation accurately predicted the vapor concentration outputs of the erroneously filled enflurane and sevoflurane vaporizers. The potency (MAC) output of the erroneously filled Enfluratec 4 vaporizer decreased by 22%–33%, and that of the Penlon PPV Sigma sevoflurane vaporizer increased by 21%–31% from those expected from the concentration dial settings.Conclusion. When an agent-specific variable bypass vaporizer is erroneously filled, the vapor concentration outputs can be predicted from the splitting ratio created by setting the vaporizer concentration dial and the SVP of the agent.
Environmental Review & Case Study: Evaluating the Significance of Certain Pharmaceuticals and Emerging Pathogens in Raw Water Supplies

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are environmental contaminants introduced by the activities of man. PPCPs are not new or emerging from the perspective of knowing about them, but they are of growing interest due to reports in the popular media on occurrence and environmental impacts. As a result, PPCPs may be deemed as emerging issues by the public and utilities. Likewise, the biological constituents are not new—but, for reasons that are unclear, certain ones appear to pose a greater risk to consumers today than they have in the past. Similarly, Cryptosporidium parvum did not appear to pose a risk until 400,000 people became ill, and approximately 100 people died of cryptosporidiosis in Milwaukee's water service area in 1993. Today, regulators and public health scientists are trying to identify microbes that pose a similar risk in the future. If these constituents occur in raw water supplies, they may need monitoring and treatment prior to these waters entering the potable water distribution system. The Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) developed by United States Environmental Protection Agency outlines a series of biological contaminants of concern that are not currently regulated but may pose a threat. Should these contaminants move from the CCL to a regulatory framework, water supply utilities will incur added monitoring and testing of their water supply sources, and potentially added monitoring and treatment costs in their operations.Environmental Practice 13:198–215 (2011)
Do male African elephants, Loxodonta africana, signal musth via urine dribbling?

The phenomenon of musth in male elephants involves increased sexual activity, heightened aggression and nearly continuous dribbling of pungent smelling urine. Urine chemistry during musth is altered, suggesting that urine may signal the musth status of the individual. Signalling musth remotely may benefit individuals if it reduces the likelihood of physical confrontation between males, which can lead to injury and even death. Few studies, however, have asked whether and how male elephants respond to urine of other males. We tested two predictions of the hypothesis that urine signals musth status to male conspecifics: (1) that male African elephants differentiate musth and nonmusth urine, and (2) that males differentiate between urine dribbled during early and late musth. The second prediction stems from the observation that males lose weight and presumably body condition during musth. We conducted two related bioassays with 26 captive nonmusth males ranging from 13 to 52 years of age. In each assay, subjects were simultaneously presented with three urine samples (nonmusth, early musth, late musth), each from a different donor male, and a control. We found that subjects differentiated between musth and nonmusth samples using their vomeronasal organ system, but did not discriminate between the samples using their main olfactory system. Males did not differentiate early from late musth. In addition, we found that subject contextual factors, specifically age, dominance status and social grouping, significantly predicted response. We discuss these results within the framework of male elephant longevity and social relationships and their importance to reproductive success.
Cellular mechanisms of mutations in Kv7.1: auditory functions in Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome vs. Romano–Ward syndrome

As a result of cell-specific functions of voltage-activated K+ channels, such as Kv7.1, mutations in this channel produce profound cardiac and auditory defects. At the same time, the massive diversity of K+ channels allows for compensatory substitution of mutant channels by other functional channels of their type to minimize defective phenotypes. Kv7.1 represents a clear example of such functional dichotomy. While several point mutations in the channel result in a cardio-auditory syndrome called Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS), about 100-fold mutations result in long QT syndrome (LQTS) denoted as Romano–Ward syndrome (RWS), which has an intact auditory phenotype. To determine whether the cellular mechanisms for the diverse phenotypic outcome of Kv7.1 mutations, are dependent on the tissue-specific function of the channel and/or specialized functions of the channel, we made series of point mutations in hKv7.1 ascribed to JLNS and RWS. For JLNS mutations, all except W248F yielded non-functional channels when expressed alone. Although W248F at the end of the S4 domain yielded a functional current, it underwent marked inactivation at positive voltages, rendering the channel non-functional. We demonstrate that by definition, none of the JLNS mutants operated in a dominant negative (DN) fashion. Instead, the JLNS mutants have impaired membrane trafficking, trapped in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Cis-Golgi. The RWS mutants exhibited varied functional phenotypes. However, they can be summed up as exhibiting DN effects. Phenotypic differences between JLNS and RWS may stem from tissue-specific functional requirements of cardiac versus inner ear non-sensory cells.
Althusser's Mirror

Jacques Lacan significantly influenced Althusser's accounts of ideology and the subject. Althusser's belief that science is a discourse without a subject parallels Lacan's belief that in the Symbolic Order the Subject and the Other are alienated. Althusser's account of interpellation, which explains how ideology recognizes individuals as subjects, takes for granted Lacan's notion of the mirror stage. Althusser repudiates the plenitude of the subject, whose interpellation conceals its lack; Lacan shows that the subject's failure to express itself in language makes the subject a void. However, Althusser, whose subject is too much like Lacan's ego, fails to distinguish between the "I" of the split subject and the "ego" of the subject's imaginary self-identity. What is more, Althusser rejects the self-consciousness implied by the subject's lack of plenitude and its suturing interpellation. This article is available in Studies in 20th Century Literature: http://newprairiepress.org/sttcl/vol18/iss1/7
Treating hepatitis C infection by targeting the host

More than 130 million people worldwide are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although recently approved HCV NS3-4A protease inhibitors significantly improve treatment response rates, current HCV treatment is still frequently limited by side effects and by the low genetic barrier to viral resistance against direct-acting antiviral agents. A complementary strategy is to target the host cellular factors that support the HCV life cycle. Several studies, including RNA interference screens, demonstrated that HCV depends on dozens, if not hundreds, of cellular proteins to complete its life cycle. A better understanding of the interactions between HCV proteins and host factors may help to identify host targets for antiviral therapy. In this review, we highlight some of the host factors that are particularly attractive targets for the treatment of HCV.
BCG Vaccination of Student Nurses: A Ten Year Experience

1.Seventy per cent of our student nurses were tuberculin negative on admission to nurses training. 2.One BCG vaccination "sensitized" 73 per cent of the tuberculin negative student nurses. 3.Thirty per cent of the sensitized students were found to have reverted to tuberculin negative status after two years. 4.With a program of BCG administration frequent chest x-ray films are needed in order to find early tuberculous lesions. Excessive radiation may result especially if photoroentgenograms are used for this purpose. 5.We feel that under present conditions, student nurses who are in good health, with good living conditions can be safely managed through a training period of general nursing and tuberculosis nursing with a minimum of danger. Rather than vaccination, measures utilizing early case finding techniques such as frequent skin testing plus regular chest x-ray films when indicated, are needed. Detection and eradication of previously unsuspected sources of infection, early and adequate treatment of tuberculosis when discovered, and isolation of individuals in the communicable phase of their disease are still our most important means for the prevention of tuberculosis.
Impact of a current treatment protocol on outcome of high-risk congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Abstract Background There is considerable debate regarding the optimal management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in high-risk infants (those cases presenting with respiratory distress within 2 hours of birth or those diagnosed prenatally). The aim of this study was to analyze patient outcomes using a new treatment protocol for CDH in a tertiary care non-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) neonatal unit. Methods The records of 78 consecutive neonates with CDH presenting to Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital from 1996 to 2001 were analyzed retrospectively. Of these infants, 70 high-risk patients were identified (prenatal diagnosis or respiratory distress requiring intubation and assisted ventilation within 2 hours after birth), regardless of associated anomalies, medical condition on presentation, or degree of pulmonary hypoplasia. A prenatal diagnosis was made in 46 of 70 (66%) patients. Associated lethal malformations were present in 6 of the children (8.5%). The patients were placed in 3 historical groups: group 1, 19 patients from 1996 to 1997, group 2, 22 patients from 1998 to 1999, and group 3, 29 patients from 2000 to 2001. In the first 2 groups, a new protocol was introduced using inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and high-frequency oxygen ventilation (HFOV). In the third group, gentle ventilation and permissive hypercarbia were also used routinely. Mortality and severe morbidity—defined as O 2 requirement at discharge, need for a tracheostomy, neurologic impairment, or bilateral hearing loss—were evaluated when the patients were at 6 months old. Univariate analysis was performed. Results The 3 groups were comparable with respect to predictive risk factors such as side of hernia, prenatal diagnosis, polyhydramnios, stomach and liver in the thorax, associated lethal malformations, and patch. Overall survival rate significantly increased from 47% (9 of 19) in group 1 and 50% (11 of 22) in group 2 to 90% (26 of 29) in group 3 ( P = .02). None of the 19 patients in group 1 had severe morbidity compared with 2 of 22 (9%) patients in group 2 and 2 of 29 (7%) patients in group 3. Hearing loss was observed in 4 patients. Mortality rate and preoperative pneumothorax significantly decreased in group 3 compared with groups 1 and 2 ( P = .03 and P = .00, respectively). Conclusions (1) The application of new treatment protocol for CDH, using gentle ventilation and permissive hypercarbia, produced a significant increase in survival with concomitant decrease in morbidity. (2) The rate of pneumothorax was significantly decreased by the introduction of permissive hypercarbia and gentle ventilation. (3) As more infants survive CDH without the use of ECMO, severe long-term sequelae of CDH can be recognized in these children.
A Multivariate Extension of the Correlation Ratio

A measure of the magnitude of the effect in a one-factor multivariate analysis of variance design is considered. Cooley and Lohnes have proposed the use of the quantity (1 — |W|/|T|) as a multivariate extension of the correlation ratio, where |W| is the determinant of the within-groups cross-products matrix and | T| is the determinant of the total cross-products matrix. The measure is based on the use of |W| as the estimate of a generalized measure of within-groups variation and |T| as the estimate of a generalized measure of total variation. If a multivariate correlation ratio is defined as the proportion of variance in the multivariate domain predictable from the factor, it is argued that crM = 1 - Tr(WW-1)/ Tr(TW -1) is a more suitable multivariate generalization of the univariate correlation ratio.
Contrarian approach to and ultimate solution for 193-nm reticle haze

Despite ample phenomenological evidence of reticle haze in IC manufacturing fabs, the mechanism of reticle haze formation is not well understood. Many attempts to control reticle haze formations are driven by trial-and-error approach and results are frequently contradicting and confusing. The authors apply extensive expertise of airborne molecular contamination (AMC) measurement and control and DUV optics protection [1,2] to develop a potential solution to the issue of 193-nm reticle haze. The authors outline the common mechanism of reticle haze formation and show that chemical modification of the reticle surface during mask manufacturing procedure is largely responsible for mask reticle susceptibility to AMC and surface molecular contamination (SMC). A proposed mechanism well explains available experimental and phenomenological data and the differences seen in chemical compositions of the haze particles observed at different fabs. The authors propose a single elegant solution for controlling multiple types of haze. Effectiveness of this solution is demonstrated through the field data obtained from production fabs.
A UK strategy for combined heat and power

The UK Government has offered support and encouragement for the development of combined heat and power (CHP) over many years. In 1996, the Government published a UK strategy for CHP. This document summarised the development of CHP in the UK, the barriers to further progress and the opportunities for the future. A copy of the strategy, with revised market data, is appended to this colloquium paper.
Profile measurements of particle mass transfer at the air-water interface

Abstract In the context of a study to determine trace element loading to Lake Michigan, a limited profile method was used to compare particle mass transfer with momentum transfer. Four profile data sets are considered in detail. Nine additional data sets taken during moderate wind speeds of 2.4–8.2 m s−1 resulted in a ratio of the profile measured particle deposition velocity vdp to the momentum transfer velocity v d of 0.48 ± 0.22. It was also found that this ratio, averaged across these nine data sets, varied by only two-fold in the particle diameter range 0.1–2.0 μm. Nine remaining moderate wind speed data sets showed no deposition trend. The overall mean ratio of v dp to v d for a total of 20 moderate wind speed profile data sets is 0.28. This rather large ratio is not in agreement with expectations. One explanation is that fluctuating wind speed and direction may cause the water's roughness elements to protrude through the viscous sublayer with the resultant surface resistance to particle transfer substantially reduced. In any event, fairly large transfer rates of atmospheric particles to open water bodies are suggested by these limited profile measurements.
Time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays with monoclonal antibodies for rapid identification of parainfluenza type 4 and mumps viruses

Monoclonal antibodies were prepared to the F and M proteins of parainfluenza 4A and 4B and to mumpsvirus to obtain reagents that could be configured into type-specific yet broadly-reactive IFA, EIA, and TR-FIA tests. Several antibodies to parainfluenza 4A also detected subtype 4B, although to a somewhat lower signal, and thus were well suited to generic parainfluenza type 4 tests that were comparable to similar tests previously described for parainfluenza types 1, 2, and 3. Monoclonals to subtype 4B were less able to detect 4A because of high background problems in one or another test. Monoclonals to mumpsvirus F protein were completely type-specific. These antibodies were screened by IFA and EIA for broad reactivity with diverse strains of each virus and were configured into optimized EIA and TR-FIA tests. The all-monoclonal tests were then compared to polyclonal tests in terms of their ability to detect virus in clinical specimens. The all-monoclonal TR-FIA was uniformly the most sensitive, detecting virus in 80% of culture-positive parainfluenza 4A specimens, 67% of parainfluenza 4B specimens, and 90% of mumps specimens, compared to 40–67% for the monoclonal EIA tests and 33–60% for the polyclonal EIA tests. For parainfluenza 4 TR-FIA, mean P/N values were 379 for subtype 4A cell culture fluids (228 for subtype 4B cultures) and 57 for 4A clinical specimens (43 for 4B specimens). For mumpsvirus TR-FIA, mean P/N values were 27 for culture fluids and 32 for clinical specimens. The sensitivities of the TR-FIA were determined with purified virus to be 0.28 ng virus per well for parainfluenza 4A and 0.70 ng virus per well for mumpsvirus.
Graphene electronics: thinking outside the silicon box.

The best applications of graphene will be those that exploit its basic characteristics, rather than try to change them.
Evidence for a Role of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Rat Embryonic Growth and Differentiation

The possibility that basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) plays a role in the regulation of mammalian embryogenesis was investigated. When transplanted under the renal capsule of syngeneic juvenile hosts, 10-day-old rat embryos grow rapidly, and tissue differentiation occurs in an essentially normal manner. Infusion of antiserum to bovine FGF into the renal artery of kidneys bearing such transplants significantly retarded their growth, and differentiation of all tissues of endodermal and some of those of mesodermal origin was completely suppressed; differentiation of other tissues of mesodermal origin was partially inhibited. Infusion of nonimmune serum had no such effects. Infusion of recombinant bovine FGF into the renal artery stimulated growth of embryo transplants on the infused kidney, but not of those under the renal capsule of the contralateral kidney, and it did not affect growth of the infused kidney itself. These results suggest that FGF may be important for growth and differentiation of endodermal and some mesodermal tissues of mammalian embryos.
The perceived importance of paramedic skills and the emphasis they receive during ems education programs

Objective. The National Standard Curriculum for paramedics is currently being revised. There is little scientific evidence of what does and what does not work in prehospital care, and of whether the National Standard Curriculum prepares paramedics for the field. To provide some basis for the current revisions to the National Standard Curriculum, the authors determined which prehospital skills are perceived by paramedics to be the most important, and whether the emphasis placed on those skills during initial and continuing education programs corresponds with the perceived importance.Methods. Surveys listing 21 paramedic skills were mailed to the directors of 41 EMS agencies who agreed to participate in the study. The directors distributed the surveys to 1,364 paramedics affiliated with their organizations. The participants were asked to rate the importance of each skill, and the emphasis placed on each skill during their initial and continuing education. Skills were ranked on a scale of 0 to 4, with 0 repr...
Rates and possible causes of neotectonic vertical crustal movements of the emerged southeastern United States Atlantic Coastal Plain

Emerged Pliocene and Pleistocene shorelines and associated marine deposits were used to determine the magnitude and rate of vertical crustal movement during the past 3 m.y. in the United States Atlantic Coastal Plain of South and North Carolina. On the basis of a new regional ostracode assemblage zonation, planktic biostratigraphic data, and radiometric data, emerged marine deposits were determined to be primarily interglacial and can tentatively be correlated with hemispheric warm intervals in evidence from deep-sea data. The paleontologic evidence indicates a primary glacio-eustatic component to the local sea-level record and a secondary tectonic component. Net vertical uplift rates averaging 1 to 3 cm/1,000 yr, but perhaps as high as 5 to 10 cm/1,000 yr, are in evidence for the emerged Coastal Plain. Although details of the timing of regional rheological events remain obscure, the trend of net uplift contrasts with general subsidence rates of about 2 to 4 cm/1,000 yr since the Cretaceous in submerged parts of the continental margin near subsiding sedimentary troughs. Hydro-isostatic crustal response to multiple deglaciation events may have periodically uplifted the coast, but long-term lithospheric flexural upwarping in response to sediment loading offshore is a more plausible mechanism to explain the present positions of shorelines above present mean sea level. A eustatic sea-level model is proposed for interglacial high stands of the past 3.0 m.y.
Pharmacology of Nasal Provocation with Bradykinin: Studies of Tachyphylaxis, Cyclooxygenase Inhibition, α-Adrenergic Stimulation, and Receptor Subtype

We have evaluated mechanisms by which nasal provocation with bradykinin may induce symptoms of rhinitis. Repeated nasal challenges with 100 micrograms of bradykinin led to reproducible increases in symptoms and in vascular permeability. Premedication with aspirin did not alter bradykinin-induced responses. Topical application of the alpha-adrenergic agonist oxymetazoline significantly reduced bradykinin-induced subjective nasal congestion scores, but did not lead to a significant decrease in total symptoms or in vascular permeability. Finally, the B1 kinin receptor agonist des-Arg9-bradykinin (1 mg) was totally ineffective in inducing symptoms or increasing vascular permeability. Thus, nasal provocation with bradykinin leads to induction of symptoms and increased vascular permeability, presumably via stimulation of B2 kinin receptors, and is not dependent on prostanoid generation.
TU‐E‐304A‐02: Characterizing Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor MOSFET) Radiation Detectors In a Scatter Medium Using CT Radiation Beam Delivery System

Purpose: To study MOSFET radiation response characteristics for CTorgandosimetry applications in a scatter medium (phantom), using multi slice CT as radiation source.Method & Materials: We used five Thomsen‐Nielsen MOSFETs with reader and wireless communication system to a laptop computer, GE Light Speed VCT‐64 scanner, Radcal 9095 dosimeter with 0.6 cc ionization chamber and kVp sensor, 10 cm Acrylic phantom with Acrylic rods. Each MOSFET was placed separately at isocenter, inside the acrylic phantom for characterization. An exposure of approximately 1000 mR (1006.6 mR to 1011.8 mR) was delivered to each MOSFET. Exposures were determined using 0.6 cc ionization chamber placed inside the phantom, at isocenter with CT tube in rotate mode as well as parked at various angles. MOSFET energy dependence, linearity of response and sensitivity with CT X‐ray tube in rotate mode were studied. Angular dependency of MOSFETS response was studied with tube parked at various angles in 45 degree increments. Results: MOSFET response (in mV, averaged for 5 MOSFETS) changed by 14% when kilovoltage varied from 80 through 140 kVp. Linearity of response was very good for all the energies selected. Sensitivity was obtained in the range of 25.6 mV/R to 28.8 mV/R for all the MOSFETs studied. The averaged maximum variation of all MOSFETs as a function of tube angle was about 5% and no statistically significant angular dependence was observed. Conclusion: Calibrating MOSFETs inside scatter media with CT X‐ray tube in rotate mode is recommended for MOSFET use in organdosimetry applications with multislice CT scanners.
Teaching design and project management with lego RCX robots

In traditional CS 1 classes students may not develop an appreciation for the planning process in software development. Current IDEs provide such immediate feedback that students can complete courses without an appreciation for the need to plan in advance and design thoughtfully. The course unit described here took time out from a Java-based CS 1 course to give students practical experience in programming a small robot in a highly restricted setting. Outcomes are described in detail. They are based on instructor's notes, and on analysis of both videotaped student demonstrations and student summative essays.
The Effects Of Triphenylphosphate and Recorcinolbis(Diphenylphosphate) on the Thermal Degradation Of Polycarbonate in Air

Abstract The thermal degradation of polycarbonate/triphenylphosphate (PC/TPP) and PC/resocinolbis(diphenylphosphate) (PC/RDP) in air has been studied using TGA/FTIR and GC/MS. In PC/phosphate blends, the phosphate stabilizes the carbonate group of polycarbonate from alcoholysis between the alcohol products of polycarbonate degradation and the carbonate linkage. Thus, the evolution of bisphenol A, which is mainly produced via hydrolysis/alcoholysis of the carbonate linkage, is significantly reduced, while, the evolution of various alkylphenols and diarylcarbonates increases. The bonds that are broken first in the thermal degradation of both the carbonate and isopropylidene linkages of polycarbonate are the weakest bonds in each, when a phosphate is present. Triphenylphosphate and resocinolbis(diphenyl-phosphate), even though they exhibit a significant difference in their volatilization temperature, appear to play a similar role in the degradation pathway of polycarbonate.
Control of systems subject to sudden change in character

Dynamic models in which the coefficient processes exhibit sudden changes at random time points can be used to make manifest the influences of subsystem failures or rapid changes in the environment in which a system must operate. Control and regulation of such systems is complicated by the uncertainty which surrounds the effect of future events on system behavior. A satisfactory control policy must quantitatively discount these events of uncertain occurrence to provide good performance for a variety of operating conditions. This paper describes controller synthesis procedures for specific classes of such systems and gives some of the ways in which these controllers differ from those derived under the assumption of perfect knowledge of future plant behavior.
Nonlinear Interactions of Three Wave Packets in an Inhomogeneous Medium

Solutions for the nonlinear evolution of the one-dimensional space-time and two-dimensional steady-state interaction of three wave packets in an inhomogeneous medium are presented. A transformation of the nonlinear equations allows the use of an inverse scattering transform for finding exact time-asymptotic properties of the interaction. Inhomogeneity gives a decreased action transfer in both decay and backscattering, and suppresses explosive instabilities and soliton decay above a certain threshold.
“The Captain”: the travelogues and twisted science of Thorstein Veblen

Purpose – Thorstein Veblen, though recognized as a “classic” author, has been since his death in 1929 virtually ignored by the public (academic and otherwise). In light of the fact that he may possibly have been the most important social scientist of the modern era, such neglect is a shame that needs to be erased. This article, a conceptual paper, aims to focus on the particular philosophical view that supports the whole edifice of Veblen's social frescoes.Design/methodology/approach – The article argues that the extraordinary tenor of Veblen's economic investigation stems from a semi‐hidden fascination of the author with “occult agencies,” that is, with the invisible realms of idolatry, devout belief, and national “genius.”Findings – Veblen, the article maintains, is the first modern, unconfessed, explorer of the spiritual world, whose uncharted domains he mapped for laying the foundations of economic analysis. A radical, unique turn in the history of thought, whose effects, however, have suffered the mo...
Factors Influencing Korean International Students’ Preferences for Mental Health Professionals: A Conjoint Analysis

Asian students comprise over half of all international students in the United States, yet little is known about their help-seeking behaviors and preferences for mental health professionals. The purpose of this study was to use conjoint analysis to examine characteristics of mental health professionals influencing Korean international students’ preferences when choosing a mental health professional. Korean international students from three universities in the United States were recruited on a volunteer basis to participate in this study (N = 114). Results indicated that mental health professional characteristics, including ethnicity, age, professional identity, and training institution, were significant factors in students’ preference formation; however, gender of the mental health professional was not found to be a significant factor in the present study. Ethnic similarity was the most powerful predictor of preference formation. Implications for promoting help-seeking and mental health service utilization among Asian international students are discussed.
Basic and translational research in neonatal pharmacology

Pharmacologic study is needed in the extremely immature newborns who currently survive. Study is needed of both the drug treatment previously established in more mature neonates and of novel drug therapy. Carefully controlled studies are needed to identify accurately both beneficial and harmful drug therapy and the mechanisms of that toxicity. Careful pharmacologic study of drug disposition and its mechanisms might lead to dosing paradigms or patient selection that minimize toxicity and maximize efficacy. In vivo, translational models of neonatal diseases are limited, but can be used to identify novel treatments and study mechanisms of established, successful therapy. Findings from such studies can generate hypotheses for study in humans leading to a continuing scientific interchange from bedside to bench to bedside. Similarly, clinical observations can generate hypotheses for study in translational models where more invasive analyses are possible. Specific areas of drug treatment should focus on neonatal disorders with long-term, adverse outcomes, such as chronic lung disease, that is amenable to translational study with animal models. National data show a progressive decrease in the clinician-scientist pool entering biomedical research. The future of neonatal pharmacology studies requires an increase in training programs for the physician-scientist whose clinical education in neonatology can be complemented by rigorous basic-science training. Success as a clinician-scientist will require collaboration with full-time basic scientists who can continue studies during periods of clinical work and provide critical study methodology to the overall study design. Such a work environment must be supported by academic institutions and may require more flexibility in the promotion and tenure schedule and process, such as the nature of what it rewards. To complement this, the NIH could modify its grant reporting process to identify co-investigators in studies who may provide unique input to the study concepts and design, such as clinical correlations or clinical investigations.
Embedding Number-Combinations Practice Within Word-Problem Tutoring

Two aspects of mathematics with which students with mathematics learning difficulty (MLD) often struggle are word problems and number-combination skills. This article describes a math program in which students receive instruction on using algebraic equations to represent the underlying problem structure for three word-problem types. Students also learn counting strategies for answering number combinations that they cannot retrieve from memory. Results from randomized-control trials indicated that embedding the counting strategies for number combinations produces superior word-problem and number-combination outcomes for students with MLD beyond tutoring programs that focus exclusively on number combinations or word problems.
Ocean optics phase-function inverse equations

Equations are obtained for determining the Legendre polynomial expansion coefficients of the phase function from angular or angular-spatial integrals of the radiance measured either in water or at the surface.
What Are the Consequences of Relying upon Self-Reports of Sexually Transmitted Diseases? Lessons Learned about Recanting in a Longitudinal Study

Abstract Purpose Self-reports are the standard measure of STD history used in survey research. We explored to what extent self-reports of ever having an STD are recanted in a follow-up data collection. Methods Using the National Survey of Adolescent Males (NSAM), we assessed consistency over time in self-reports of ever having an STD in a sample of young men transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood (aged 15–26 years), a population in which STDs are particularly prevalent. Results Approximately 7% of all sexually experienced young men rescinded STD self-reports over time. Thus, self-reports at one point in time likely underestimate true STD history, using earlier self-reports as the criterion. Among men who ever report an STD, 94-98% recant their reports in later waves. Conclusions Knowledge of the extent of underreporting can potentially be used to adjust cross-sectional estimates of STDs based on survey self-reports. These study findings move us one step closer to estimating just how much underreporting of STDs in self-reports is.
Cooperative mobile agents search using beehive partitioned structure and Tabu Random search algorithm

In search and surveillance operations, deploying a team of mobile agents provides a robust solution that has multiple advantages over using a single agent in efficiency and minimizing exploration time. This paper addresses the challenge of identifying a target in a given environment when using a team of mobile agents by proposing a novel method of mapping and movement of agent teams in a cooperative manner. The approach consists of two parts. First, the region is partitioned into a hexagonal beehive structure in order to provide equidistant movements in every direction and to allow for more natural and flexible environment mapping. Additionally, in search environments that are partitioned into hexagons, mobile agents have an efficient travel path while performing searches due to this partitioning approach. Second, we use a team of mobile agents that move in a cooperative manner and utilize the Tabu Random algorithm to search for the target. Due to the ever-increasing use of robotics and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms, the field of cooperative multi-agent search has developed many applications recently that would benefit from the use of the approach presented in this work, including: search and rescue operations, surveillance, data collection, and border patrol. In this paper, the increased efficiency of the Tabu Random Search algorithm method in combination with hexagonal partitioning is simulated, analyzed, and advantages of this approach are presented and discussed.
Serial dexamethasone suppression tests in depressed patients treated only with electroconvulsive therapy

Abstract Several systematic studies have evaluated serial dexamethasone suppression tests (DST) in patients with major depression who were treated with antidepressant medications. DST changes were noted to parallel clinical improvement in most recovering patients. If serial DSTs are a valid state-related correlate of depressive pathophysiology, all types of effective antidepressant treatment should result in DST ‘normalization’. However, no treatment modalities other than antidepressant medications have been studied serially with systematic assessments. To test whether serial DSTs reflect clinical progress in depressives treated solely with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), we studied weekly DSTs and Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression (HRSD) in 22 drug-free depressed patients. We observed progressive DST ‘normalization’ in most patients and moderately high correlations between weekly DST and HRSD values throughout treatment. Most patients receiving ECT became DST suppressors. In most patients the DST appeared to reflect the severity of depressive pathophysiology, perhaps providing serial feedback to clinicians monitoring the progress of treatment with ECT.
A fast algorithm for Gaussian elimination over GF(2) and its implementation on the GAPP

Abstract A fast algorithm for Gaussian elimination over GF (2) is proposed. The proposed algorithm employs binary search technique to locate is along the columns of the large binary matrix being triangularized. The algorithm requires 2 m 2 + m log 2 n - 2 m bit operations to triangularize an n × m matrix on a bit-array with n processors and m + 2 + [log 2 n ] bits of vertical memory per processor. Details of an implementation on the Geometric Arithmetic Parallel Processor are also presented.
Structure of Hexameric DnaB Helicase and Its Complex with a Domain of DnaG Primase

The complex between the DnaB helicase and the DnaG primase unwinds duplex DNA at the eubacterial replication fork and synthesizes the Okazaki RNA primers. The crystal structures of hexameric DnaB and its complex with the helicase binding domain (HBD) of DnaG reveal that within the hexamer the two domains of DnaB pack with strikingly different symmetries to form a distinct two-layered ring structure. Each of three bound HBDs stabilizes the DnaB hexamer in a conformation that may increase its processivity. Three positive, conserved electrostatic patches on the N-terminal domain of DnaB may also serve as a binding site for DNA and thereby guide the DNA to a DnaG active site.
Plasmodium berghei ookinete formation in vitro.

Abstract Blood containing gametocytes of Plasmodium berghei (N.K. 65 strains) taken up by Anopheles stephensi during the infective blood meal and rapidly ejected during the act of engorgement induced formation of large numbers of ookinetes in vitro when the blood was subsequently kept in heparinized capillary tubes for 22–24 hours at 21 °C. A parallelism between ookinete formation in vitro and oocyst development in vivo has been observed in these studies. Aqueous extracts of A. stephensi midguts added to blood containing gametocytes of P. berghei induced fertilization and ookinete formation of P. berghei under similar experimental conditions. Extracts from blood obtained from engorged A. stephensi failed to induce any marked ookinete formation in vitro . Clumping and close adherence of ookinetes has been observed in vitro . Tightly clustered groups of macrogametocytes and macrogametes were noted both in the in vitro blood stained smears and also in some midgut preparations from infected A. stephensi , 22–24 hours after the infective blood meal. It is assumed that ookinete agglutination originates in earlier adherence and clumping of the fertilized gametes.
The differential effect of BMI on prosthetic versus autogenous breast reconstruction: a multivariate analysis of 12,986 patients.

Abstract Background The comparative safety of breast reconstruction in obese patients remains to be clearly defined. This study utilized multi-institutional data to characterize the effect of body mass index (BMI) on breast reconstruction outcomes. Methods Utilizing Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, patients undergoing tissue expander, pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap, latissimus dorsi flap, and free flap breast reconstruction were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Patients were stratified as obese (BMI ≥ 30) and non-obese (BMI Results Of 12,986 patients who underwent breast reconstruction, 3636 (28.0%) were obese. Overall morbidity was significantly elevated in obese patients across all forms of reconstruction ( p p p = 0.001 and p Conclusions The NSQIP database allows for evaluation and comparison of reconstructive outcomes in the obese population. Increased BMI was associated with higher morbidity in autologous reconstruction than tissue expander reconstruction. Among autologous procedures, latissimus flaps experienced the lowest captured 30 day morbidity.