cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A REVIEW OF THE EMPIRICAL LITERATURE ON FARMER COOPERATIVES: PERFORMANCE, OWNERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE, FINANCE, AND MEMBER ATTITUDE

The empirical literature on farmer cooperatives is now fast emerging and developing in the areas of performance, ownership and governance, finance, and member attitude. We discuss 56 peer‐reviewed publications to illustrate the main findings and conclusions while outlining challenges and opportunities for future research. Generally, cooperative membership is found to positively impact price, yield, input adoption, income, and other indicators of member performance, yet there is growing evidence of an uneven distribution of benefits for small and large producers. In terms of structure, evidence of a causal relationship of ownership and governance to performance has been elusive, yet there are now many findings of inherent equity and long‐term debt constraints, often in the context of consolidation to drive scale and scope economies. Further inefficiency is observed to be driven by increased heterogeneity in member attitudes and objectives, in particular in terms of commitment and participation. Thus, overall, empirical work portrays farmer cooperatives as flawed and complex business organizations which nonetheless have a strong positive impact on its members. While applied research may progress in various directions, a general improvement in empirical methodologies is needed to allow robust analysis of mixed objectives in dynamic environments.
Chemical synthesis of perfectly isotactic and high melting bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) from bio-sourced racemic cyclic diolide.

Bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) is a perfectly isotactic, crystalline material possessing properties suitable for substituting petroleum plastics, but high costs and low volumes of its production are impractical for commodity applications. The chemical synthesis of P3HB via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of racemic β-butyrolactone has attracted intensive efforts since the 1960s, but not yet produced P3HB with high isotacticity and molecular weight. Here, we report a route utilizing racemic cyclic diolide (rac-DL) derived from bio-sourced succinate. With stereoselective racemic catalysts, the ROP of rac-DL under ambient conditions produces rapidly P3HB with perfect isotacticity ([mm] > 99%), high melting temperature (Tm = 171 °C), and high molecular weight (Mn = 1.54 × 105 g mol−1, Đ = 1.01). With enantiomeric catalysts, kinetic resolution polymerizations of rac-DL automatically stops at 50% conversion and yields enantiopure (R,R)-DL and (S,S)-DL with >99% e.e. and the corresponding poly[(S)-3HB] and poly[(R)-3HB] with high Tm = 175 °C.
A compact energy-efficient pseudo-static camouflaged logic family

Protecting hardware IP from reverse engineering threats is becoming increasingly challenging with advances in reverse engineering techniques. Different camouflaged logic families based on multi-Vt transistors have been recently proposed to combat reverse engineering threats. While multi-Vt based camouflaged logic gates offer cells that have an identical layout with multiple functionalities, they typically incur significant overheads in power, area, and delay. Moreover, amplifying the threshold voltage difference to logic levels while maintaining the noise margins needs careful analysis of PVT variations and mismatch. In this paper, a Pseudo-Static Camouflaged (PS-CAMO) logic family is proposed to improve the energy overheads of camouflaged logic gates while maintaining the reliability and yields of static CMOS logic gates. Post-layout simulations of a high-performance fully camouflaged S-box in a 65nm industrial CMOS process shows a 42% reduction in energy and a 26% reduction in area compared to a previously proposed Threshold Voltage Defined (TVD) camouflaged logic family.
Harmonic medicine: the influence of music over mind and medical practice.

The Yale Medical Orchestra displayed exceptional talent and inspiration as it performed a timeless composition to celebrate Yale School of Medicine’s bicentennial anniversary during a December 2010 concert. Under the leadership of musical directors Robert Smith and Adrian Slywotzky, the richly emotional meditations of Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Schubert, and Yale’s own Thomas C. Duffy filled the minds and hearts of an audience as diverse as the orchestra. I intend to retrace the steps of that melodic journey in this essay, fully aware of the limits imposed on me to recreate the aural art form through the medium of text. While these symbols can be pale representations of the beauty and complexity of the music, I hope they will be the building blocks for the emotional experience of the audience. I describe the works’ inception and their salient musical features and then review what we know about the effects of melody, meter, and timbre on our brains. My intentions are to provide evidence to encourage the further use of music as a tool in medical practice, provide interest in the works explored by the Yale orchestra, support the orchestra itself, and investigate a personal passion.
Modernity, patrimony policies: the 'Cultural Corridor' in Rio de Janeiro

This article briefly discusses the Brazilian national policies for the National Patrimony privileging the analysis of the last two decades of the twentieth century For that the concepts contemplated in the discussion were those of modernity and identity and the emphasis of the research falls on the quot cultural corridor quot of the city of Rio de Janeiro The text makes a passage through the history and institutionalization of the national projects for the Patrimony its bond with the construction of a National State and the characteristics of the periods Again we emphasize that the focus falls on the final years of the twentieth century As a research methodology we will use the analysis of secondary sources and primary sources namely literature review and heritage documents
Pseudo-Cushing’s Syndrome: Alcohol Abuse, Obesity, and Psychiatric Disorders

Physiologic/non-neoplastic causes of hypercortisolism, called pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome, are common and include alcohol abuse, obesity, OSA, and psychiatric diseases. Distinguishing physiologic from pathological/neoplastic causes of Cushing’s syndrome is challenging because of the potential overlap in clinical presentations and screening test abnormalities.
Mechanics of the confined functionally graded porous arch reinforced by graphene platelets

Abstract This paper presents the stability mechanism of the confined functionally graded porous (FGP) arch reinforced by graphene platelets (GPLs). The Halpin-Tsai micromechanics theory is used to evaluate the distribution of Young’s modulus in the cross-section of the arch. The Gaussian random field is employed to describe the porosity coefficient and mass density. Both pores and GPLs are distributed symmetrically to the mid-surface of the arch. Theoretical predictions are obtained to express the buckling load (load bearing capacity) based on the nonlinear thin-walled shell theory. Excellent numerical verification is obtained by comparing the buckling load, as well as the equilibrium paths with the theoretical predictions. Moreover, a confinement factor is defined to quantize the confinement effect between the confined and unconfined arches. Finally, the buckling load may be influenced by the following parameters: thermal rise field, porosity coefficient, central angle of the arch, weight fraction and geometric parameters of GPLs, friction coefficient, deformability of the medium. These parameters are analyzed and discussed.
The evolution of psychology as a science and field of professional practice

Abstract Although psychology is a young academic discipline, it has already been very successful. Nonetheless, it is also well known for confusion and conflicts between theoretical camps and schools of thought. To understand the complicated development of the field, one needs to understand the nature of science and the nature of the traditional theoretical orientations that historically were used to practice health service psychology. Various epistemological perspectives are reviewed, and the scientific approach to understanding human psychology is contrasted with the traditional theoretical orientations in the field. Many of the historical conflicts and controversies that plagued the field are becoming irrelevant as the scientific approach to understanding human psychology and practicing health service psychology strengthens and solidifies.
CHAPTER 10 – POULTRY

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the composition and structure of poultry; the quality attributes of poultry; the processing and preservation of poultry; and the influence of cooking methods on the quality of poultry. Increased consumption of poultry may be related to price in comparison to other meats and recommendations to reduce dietary intake of fat. Increased consumption may also be related to the availability of a reliable supply of fresh and frozen poultry products. Commercial practices are designed to ensure tenderness by freezing poultry at the appropriate time. Holding inadequately aged poultry at freezer temperatures does not improve its tenderness but holding it at 1.7°C after frozen storage has as much tenderizing effect as an equal period before freezing. The chapter describes the steps involved in inspecting, grading, and processing of poultry. To meet consumer demands for convenient food products, the poultry industry processes poultry, primarily turkey, into a variety of products.
Asymmetrical Load Modulated Balanced Amplifier With Continuum of Modulation Ratio and Dual-Octave Bandwidth

This article presents a new load-modulation power amplifier (PA) architecture—asymmetrical load-modulated balanced amplifier (ALMBA). It is for the first time discovered that the control amplifier (CA) of LMBA can be designed with arbitrary load modulation (LM) ratio by offsetting the symmetry of two sub-amplifiers (BA1 and BA2) in the balanced topology. The rigorous analytical derivation reveals a unification of the quadrature-coupler-based LM PA theory, which inclusively covers the recently reported LMBA within this generalized framework. Through pseudo-Doherty (PD) biasing of the asymmetric BA1 & BA2 (peaking) and the CA (carrier) combined with proper amplitude and phase controls, the optimal LM behaviors of three amplifiers can be achieved independently overextended power back-off range and ultrawide RF bandwidth. Importantly, the LM of CA effectively mitigates the over-driving issue imposed on symmetrical PD-LMBA, leading to enhanced overall reliability and linearity. Based on the proposed theory, an RF-input PD-ALMBA is designed and implemented using commercial GaN transistors. The developed prototype experimentally demonstrates dual-octave bandwidth from 0.55 to 2.2 GHz, which is the widest bandwidth ever reported for load-modulation PAs. The measurement exhibits an efficiency of 49–82% for peak output power and 40–64% for 10-dB OBO within the design bandwidth. When stimulated by a 20-MHz long-term evolution (LTE) signal with 10.5-dB peak to average power ratio (PAPR), an average efficiency of 47–63% is measured over the entire bandwidth at an average output power around 33 dBm.
Geographic disparities and socio-demographic predictors of pertussis risk in Florida.

Background Pertussis is a toxin-mediated respiratory illness caused by Bordetella pertussis that can result in severe complications and death, particularly in infants. Between 2008 and 2011, children less than 3 months old accounted for 83% of the pertussis deaths in the United States. Understanding the geographic disparities in the distribution of pertussis risk and identifying high risk geographic areas is necessary for guiding resource allocation and public health control strategies. Therefore, this study investigated geographic disparities and temporal changes in pertussis risk in Florida from 2010 to 2018. It also investigated socioeconomic and demographic predictors of the identified disparities. Methods Pertussis data covering the time period 2010-2018 were obtained from Florida HealthCHARTS web interface. Spatial patterns and temporal changes in geographic distribution of pertussis risk were assessed using county-level choropleth maps for the time periods 2010-2012, 2013-2015, 2016-2018 and 2010-2018. Tango's flexible spatial scan statistics were used to identify high-risk spatial clusters which were displayed in maps. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used to identify significant predictors of county-level risk. Residuals of the OLS model were assessed for model assumptions including spatial autocorrelation. Results County-level pertussis risk varied from 0 to 116.31 cases per 100,000 people during the study period. A total of 11 significant (p < 0.05) spatial clusters were identified with risk ratios ranging from 1.5 to 5.8. Geographic distribution remained relatively consistent over time with areas of high risk persisting in the western panhandle, northeastern coast, and along the western coast. Although county level pertussis risks generally increased from 2010-2012 to 2013-2015, risk tended to be lower during the 2016-2018 time period. Significant predictors of county-level pertussis risk were rurality, percentage of females, and median income. Counties with high pertussis risk tended to be rural (p = 0.021), those with high median incomes (p = 0.039), and those with high percentages of females (p < 0.001). Conclusion There is evidence that geographic disparities exist and have persisted over time in Florida. This study highlights the application and importance of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and spatial statistical/epidemiological tools in identifying areas of highest disease risk so as to guide resource allocation to reduce health disparities and improve health for all.
The Use of Liquid Oxygen for High-Altitude Flying

A method and apparatus is described to produce gaseous oxygen for use in high-altitude flying, from liquid oxygen. The elimination of the danger of discontinuity of oxygen boiling and provision for securing the required volume of oxygen gas is accomplished by keeping the liquid oxygen under a predetermined pressure and supplementing the normal evaporation by spilling a necessary amount of liquid oxygen in the gas contained. Fast evaporation takes place to maintain a constant supply of oxygen gas inside the apparatus which is connected with a second-stage reducing valve of a B-L-B oxygen mask as developed by the Mayo Foundation. To secure the spilling of liquid oxygen into the gas container, a n absolute pressure valve is provided in the gas contained to keep a predetermined pressure of gas in the liquid container. The liquid container does not require the use of a vacuum bottle. Although no at tempt is made to design the apparatus for any specific airplane, the mechanism is flexible for adaptation to meet any specific requirements of oxygen supply. Apparatus for handling and storing liquid oxygen and the possibilities of a portable liquid oxygen producing plant are discussed.
BrightDark: A Smartphone App Utilizing e-fotonovela and Text Messages to Increase Energy Conservation Awareness

Global energy consumption is rapidly increasing, while natural energy resources are shrinking. Household energy consumption accounts for 22% of total energy consumption in U.S. Almost half of household energy consumption is electricity use. In the U.S., households spent on average $1,419 annually for electricity and it is accountable for over 70% of household CO2 emissions. Households are looking to reduce their electricity consumption. In this paper, we present a novel persuasive approach, by using e-fotonovela (art-based research) and text messages to provide household with a customized motivation and awareness solution to reduce their electricity consumption based on either cost or environmental concern. Findings provide significant results for the efficacy of the customized e-fotonovela and text messages in motivating and raising households’ awareness toward electricity conservation.
Perineural invasion in cancer: A review of the literature

Perineural invasion (PNI) is the process of neoplastic invasion of nerves and is an under-recognized route of metastatic spread. It is emerging as an important pathologic feature of many malignancies, including those of the pancreas, colon and rectum, prostate, head and neck, biliary tract, and stomach. For many of these malignancies, PNI is a marker of poor outcome and a harbinger of decreased survival. PNI is a distinct pathologic entity that can be observed in the absence of lymphatic or vascular invasion. It can be a source of distant tumor spread well beyond the extent of any local invasion; and, for some tumors, PNI may be the sole route of metastatic spread. Despite increasing recognition of this metastatic process, there has been little progress in the understanding of molecular mechanisms behind PNI and, to date, no targeted treatment modalities aimed at this pathologic entity. The objectives of this review were to lay out a clear definition of PNI to highlight its significance in those malignancies in which it has been studied best. The authors also summarized current theories on the molecular mediators and pathogenesis of PNI and introduced current research models that are leading to advancements in the understanding of this metastatic process.
The Problem of Observables in Models of Biological Organizations

Physical theories have come to be the epitome of models for all levels of complexity, including living organizations, even though these theories are observer-independent and the observables in physical theories are relatively simple compared with those of biological and social models. In spite of this relative simplicity of observables, experimental physicists must spend most of their efforts designing and constructing complex devices to ground these observables by measurements. Theoretical physicists also invent non-observable constructs, and spend much of their efforts formalizing these imaginative constructs in syntactically unambiguous mathematical laws. For different levels of organization physicists choose different observables and laws, but at all levels the structure of physical theories sharply separates the observables from the constructs, and the measurement of observables from the computation of laws. Biological and social models are generally not observer-independent, nor do they separate their observables and constructs so clearly. I discuss the inadequacy of the physical model paradigm for modeling organizations that are complex enough to themselves be observers and modelers of their world. I explain why concurrent, distributed networks now used to model cognitive activity are a more appropriate paradigm for strongly interconnected, observer-dependent living organizations.
Water Yield Model Using SCS Curve Numbers

A model was developed to predict daily runoff from agricultural watersheds with areas up to 2,590 km². The model is based on the SCS runoff curve number procedure and a soil moisture index. It was designed to have general applicability, computational efficiency, simple inputs, and good prediction accuracy. The model has one parameter, uses a 1-day time interval, and only outputs runoff volume. Inputs are an estimate of the II-condition SCS runoff curve number, measured monthly runoff, daily rainfall, and average monthly lake evaporation. The model is calibrated on a gaged watershed and can be used to extend short periods of record for the calibrated watershed or to predict water yield for nearby ungaged watersheds. In tests with data from 47 watersheds in Texas, the model simulated runoff fairly accurately. Applications include reservoir design, water quality modeling, and flood-control evaluation.
Bilharzial asthma: Bronchial asthma in Schistosoma infection

Abstract Three cases of bilharzial asthma are described as a type of allergic reaction dependent on constitutional factors and substances liberated by Schistosoma (haematobium or mansoni). One of these cases showed febrile asthma with simultaneous urticarial rashes. The two other observations concerned blood relations (uncle and nephew). It was possible to prove that the asthmatic paroxysms had no relation to lesions of the lungs brought about by the parasite, the pulmonary bilharziasis. In all kinds of infections with S. haematobium and mansoni X-ray examination constantly reveals pulmonary involvement. The causal relationship between bilharzia infection and asthma is demonstrated by the complete parallelism in the course of both diseases subsequent to specific therapy. The allergic nature of this kind of asthma has been proved by its association with urticaria and the constitutional and hereditary character of this allergy, which is very infrequently encountered, by its occurrence in relatives. The resistance of the atypical bilharziasis of the liver and lungs to fuadin treatment is noted.
Effect of control of blood glucose on plasma insulin responses to various stimuli in secondary failures to oral hypoglycemic agents and in newly diagnosed, maturity onset, ketosis-resistant diabetics.

The effect of improved control of blood glucose on insulin secretion was examined in 6 patients considered secondary failures to oral hypoglycemic agents, and in 6 newly diagnosed, untreated, maturity onset, ketosis-resistant diabetics. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), a tolbutamide tolerance test and a maximal insulin stimulation test were done before and after control of hyperglycemia by constant insulin infusion. Before insulin treatment the mean fasting blood glucose values were (mean ± SE) 279 ± 11 and 306 ± 11 mg/100 ml in the 2 groups. After treatment they were 155 ± 7 and 124 ± 4 mg/100 ml, respectively. Initially the insulin response during the OGTT and the MIST were markedly decreased in all patients. Before control of the hyperglycemia, 4 newly diagnosed and 1 secondary failure patients had a normal insulin response to tolbutamide. Despite very good control of hyperglycemia, none of the secondary failures had significant improvement in their insulin response to glucose. Although 3 of the ...
Functionalization of Saturated Hydrocarbons. Part 14. Further Studies on the Mechanism of Gif-Type Systems.

The photolysis of the acyl derivatives (I) in Py-AcOH is examined to study the partitioning of sec. radicals between oxygen, pyridine, and the thione functions (results are given in the scheme only for (Ia) as an example).
Management of menstrual bleeding and cycle control after hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Menorrhagia during hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) can be a serious management complication. Therefore, many of these patients receive hormonal therapy to suppress menstruation prior to and during transplantation [1]. There remains no current standard regarding current practices among physicians for inducing amenorrhea during HSCT. As an initial step to design comparative studies of therapies for menstrual suppression, this survey was designed to assess current practices for menstrual suppression in post-menarchal HSCT recipients. Practicing HSCT physicians were identified via the websites for the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) registry, the Bone and Marrow Transplant Information network (www.bmtinfonet.org), and the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Consortium (PBMTC). A webbased survey (www.zoomerang.com; Zoomerang, San Francisco, CA, USA) was designed to obtain information regarding physicians' attitudes and practices towards menstrual regulation in HSCT patients. Of 256 email addresses, 110were active. The survey had a 46% response rate (51/110). The transplant unit demographics are summarized in Table 1. Oncologists or HSCT physicians (75%)were primarily responsible for menstrual control. These physicians chose one of the following as their preferred method: combined oral contraceptive pills (COC, 33%) dosed continuously; depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA, 29%; Depo-Provera, Pfizer, New York, NY, USA) at 150 mg every three months; or oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA, 16%; Provera, Pfizer, New York, NY, USA) at 5 to 20 mg every day for menstrual suppression prior to transplant. The preferred method did not differ by practice location (P=0.67), by age (P=0.62), or by gender (P=0.62) of the respondent (χ test). Methods to control breakthrough bleeding included increasing the dose of oral contraceptives (56%) or adding intravenous estrogen (12%). If a patient started bleeding and was not on hormonal therapy, 90% of respondents would initiate hormonal therapy with COCs (38%), DMPA (11%), or MPA (29%). During the transplant process, if patients were unable to take oral medication secondary to mucositis and/or nausea, respondents reported that they either switched patients to transdermal estradiol/norelgestromin (Ortho Evra patch, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Raritan, NJ, USA) (29%), started intravenous estrogen (22%), or held the medication until oral medication could be tolerated (29%). Most felt that these adjunctive therapies ⁎ Corresponding author. Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, USA. Tel.: +1 503 494 1543; fax: +1 503 494 0714. E-mail address: changb@ohsu.edu (B.H. Chang).
Humans as primates: The social relationships of Efe pygmy men in comparative perspective

The Efe are short-statured specialized hunger-gatherers living in the moist tropical forest in northeast Zaire. They live in small mobile groups averaging 18 individuals and practice viripatrilocal residence — what primatologists refer to as male philopatry and female dispersal. This study uses methods commonly employed by primatologists to study the social relationships of Efe men. It compares their association and affiliation patterns with those of two nonhuman primate species that show male philopatry and female transfer. The analyses of 376 hr of focal behavior observations on 16 Efe men reveal that the majority of their associations were with other adult men. Men associated preferentially with kin over non-kin, and with close kin more than with distant kin. Men's close relationships, or “companionships,”sensu Smuts' (1985) “friendships” among anubis baboons, were predominantly with other adult men; however, each man who cohabited with a woman had his strongestcompanionship by far with that woman. These quantitative measures of affinity are consistent with the Efe's pattern of viripatrilocal residence, where-by males remain in their natal group with their close male kin and females join or are recruited from other patriclans. The social relationships of Efe men are similar in some respects to those of hamadryas and chimpanzees; however, Efe men's social networks are larger and more fluid. We speculate that the explanation proposed for male philopatry and female dispersal among nonhuman primates also applies to the Efe.
Preferential emission of pions in asymmetric nucleus-nucleus collisions

Pion production in Ne on Pb collisions at a beam energy of 800 MeV/nucleon is studied by solving a coupled set of transport equations for the phase-space distribution functions of nucleons, deltas, and pions. The experimentally observed preferential emission of pions away from the interaction zone towards the projectile side in the transverse direction is found to be due to the stronger pion absorption by the heavier target spectator. A model calculation of the pion transverse momentum distribution in the reaction plane agrees with that of the experimental data. The existence of a collective How signature among the final-state baryons of relativistic heavy-ion collisions at beam energies around I GeV/nucleon has been firmly established by the in-plane transverse momentum analysis [l]. Due to the small mass of pions compared to that of baryons, it has been pointed out that the pions might serve as a good probe of any hydrodynamical Row [2]. Moreover, as pions are mainly corning from the decay of b resonances in the relativistic heavy-ion collisions, the remnant of the collective flow carried by 6 resonances might be seen in the final-state pions. Looking for Aow signatures among pions, several groups [2 — 4] have studied the transverse momentum distribution in the reaction plane for pions (average transverse momentum in the reaction plane (p ) versus rapidity y). One of the most striking results from the DIOGENE Collaboration [2] is that the in-plane transverse momentum of pions is always positive even for backward rapidities, for the asymmetric (Ne or Ar)+(Nb or Pb) systems. However, the intranuclear-cascade model predicts values compatible with zero over the whole range of rapidity [2]. The quantum-molecular-dynamics model calculation of the pion transverse momentum distribution [5] indicates that the introduction of the mean field describes some of the experimental effect, but the model predicts less asymmetry than observed experimentally. Therefore, the question whether the experimentally observed preferential emission of pions away from the interaction zone towards the projectile side in the asymmetric nucleusnucleus collisions is due to the collective Bow of pions or due to the shadowing effect of the heavier target spectator has not been resolved. In this article we report on the results of a study using I a hadronic transport model [6— 8]. The preferential emission of pions toward the projectile side in the transverse direction in the reaction Ne+Pb at a beam energy of 800 MeV/nucleon is found to be due to the stronger absorption of pions by the heavier target spectator. The calculated transverse momentum distribution of pions in the reaction plane agrees with that of the experimental data. The calculations were performed by numerically solving a coupled set of transport equations for the phasespace distribution functions of nucleons, deltas, and pions. The transport equation for the particular state b of the baryon (nucleon and delta) reads [7,8] dfb(xp) + V„fb (xp) V„U(x ) V fb— (xp)
Multi-objective Genetic Topological Optimization for Design of Blast Resistant Composites

Composites make it possible to produce materials with properties that are unattainable with single phase materials. This paper examines the use of multi-objective genetic topological optimization to design blast resistant composites. The fundamental problem of the design of a two-layer composite plate that is subjected to blast is considered using the finite element method. Two materials are used to form the microstructure of each layer. The microstructure and thickness of each layer is optimized for the two-layer plate to minimize the weight and stress-to-strength ratio. A set of optimal blast resistant composite microstructures that meet design requirements is demonstrated.
Surface electrical failure in the presence of contaminants: The inclined-plane liquid-contaminant test

Electrical failure of the surface of insulating materials can occur in several ways. These include: 1. Air breakdown (flashover) which transfers to the adjacent insulation surface. 2. Thermal degradation of the surface (from arc interruption nearby, etc.) which temporarily or permanently damages the surface so that electrical failure occurs. 3. Partial volume breakdown, particularly of alminates, just beneath the surface which produces thermal or other degradation so that final failure ultimately occurs on the surface. 4. Surface degradation from electrical corona starting initially in limited surface areas exposed to voltage gradients high enough to produce localized air breakdown. 5. Progressive failure across the surface resulting from tiny arcs (scintillation) caused by conducting, or partially conducting, surface contamination.
White blood cell left shift in a neonate: a case of mistaken identity.

We present a full-term male infant who presented with tachypnea and an increased band count on his complete blood count (CBC) with an immature to total neutrophil (I:T) ratio of 0.6 raising suspicion of early onset sepsis. A blood culture was drawn and he was started on appropriate antibiotics. The patient's clinical condition rapidly improved; however, the white cell count ‘left shift’ persisted. When a detailed family history was obtained, it was discovered that the father, paternal uncle and the grandfather had been diagnosed with Pelger-Huet anomaly (PHA). As the urine, blood and CSF cultures were all negative in this now well-appearing infant, the left shift on the CBC was believed to be due to inheritance of the PHA. We present this case to emphasize that even in this age of sophisticated laboratory evaluation, a good clinical history, including family history, and clinical evaluation, are essential for accurate diagnosis.
Geographic region, weather, pilot age, and air carrier crashes: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Information about risk factors of aviation crashes is crucial for developing effective intervention programs. Previous studies assessing factors associated with crash risk were conducted primarily in general aviation, air taxis, and commuter air carriers. METHODS: A matched case-control design was used to examine the associations of geographic region, basic weather condition, and pilot age with the risk of air carrier (14 CFR Part 121) crash involvement. Cases (N = 373) were air carrier crashes involving aircraft made by Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, and Airbus recorded in the National Transportation Safety Board's aviation crash database during 1983 through 2002, and controls (N = 746) were air carrier incidents involving aircraft of the same three makes selected at random from the Federal Aviation Administration's aviation incident database. Each case was matched with two controls on the calendar year when the index crash occurred. Conditional logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: With adjustment for basic weather condition, pilot age, and total flight time, the risk of air carrier crashes in Alaska was more than three times the risk for other regions ladjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35-7.49]. Instrument meteorological conditions were associated with an increased risk for air carrier crashes involving pilot error (adjusted OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.15-4.44) and a decreased risk for air carrier crashes without pilot error (adjusted OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37-0.96). Neither pilot age nor total flight time were significantly associated with the risk of air carrier crashes. CONCLUSIONS: The excess risk of air carrier crashes in Alaska and the effect of adverse weather on pilot-error crashes underscore the importance of environmental hazards in flight safety. Language: en
Identification of low and high frequency ranges for heart rate variability and blood pressure variability analyses using pharmacological autonomic blockade with atropine and propranolol in swine.

Abstract Understanding autonomic nervous system functioning, which mediates behavioral and physiological responses to stress, offers great potential for assessing farm animal stress and welfare. Evaluation of heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure variability (BPV), using time and frequency domain analyses may provide a sensitive and reliable measure of affective states and stress-mediated changes in sympathetic and parasympathetic tones. The aim of this research was to define low (LF) and high frequency (HF) power spectral ranges using pharmacological autonomic blockade, and to examine HRV and BPV parameter changes in response to atropine and propranolol in swine. Ten, 13-week old, barrows ( n = 6) and gilts ( n = 4) underwent surgery to place an intra-cardiac electrode and a blood pressure catheter attached to a biotelemetric transmitter; pigs had a 3-week recovery period prior to data collection. Each pig was subjected to administration of 4 intravenous (i.v.) drug treatments: a control treatment, 3 mL of saline, and 3 blockade treatments; 0.1 mg/kg of atropine, 1.0 mg/kg of propranolol, and .1 mg/kg of atropine together with 1.0 mg/kg of propranolol. All treatments were delivered by injection in the jugular vein with a minimum of 48 h between individual treatments. Behavior, ECG and blood pressure data were recorded continuously for a total of 1 h, from 30 min pre-injection to 30 min post-injection. For data analyses, two 512-beat intervals were selected for each treatment while the pig was lying and inactive. The first interval was selected from the pre-injection period (baseline), and the second was selected between 10 and 30 min post-injection. Time and frequency domain (power spectral density) analyses were performed on each data interval. Subsequent, LF and HF bands from the power spectral densities were defined based on general linear and regression analyses. The HRV and BPV were computed with a covariate (baseline) factorial analysis of treatment by sex interaction, and day of injection, with mixed models and Tukey's post-hoc tests. The best-fit range for LF was 0.0–0.09 Hz, and HF was 0.09–2.0 Hz ( r 2 : 0.41 and 0.43, respectively). Propranolol and saline injections led to a greater overall total power and overall higher inter-beat interval, HF and LF power. Atropine led to a dominant sympathovagal balance of the cardiac activity in pigs. In addition, atropine led to an increase in LF power of both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in gilts suggesting vagal tone mediation of BPV. The understanding of autonomic regulation of HRV and BPV in domestic swine facilitates our ability to detect and quantify stress responses, and broadens its application in assessing farm animal welfare.
Tradition without social learning: scent-mark-based communal roost formation in a Neotropical harvestman ( Prionostemma sp.)

Most models of habitat selection assume that individual animals choose and either reuse or abandon sites based on a constant reassessment of site quality. When survivalisafunctionofthepresenceofconspecifics,however, the benefits of returning to traditional sites may override resource assessment. Many animals form roosting aggrega- tions at what appear to be traditional sites. At our study site in Nicaragua, the harvestman Prionostemma sp. forms diurnal roosting aggregations on a small subset of the available spiny palm trees. With respect to physical characteristics and microclimate, the spiny palms used by the harvestmen resembled a random sample of those available, yet the same subset of trees was used in two different years (2001, 2003). This suggests that the location of aggregation sites is traditional, not a product of habitat limitation. Individual harvestmen were not faithful to particular roost sites, however, which raises the question of how the tradition could be maintained over time. In this paper, we present evidence, derived from a series of small-scale field experi- ments, that the harvestmen mark roosting sites chemically and enter marked sites preferentially when searching for places to roost. We also show that the harvestmen are sensitive to changes in site quality (the presence of spines) but will continue to use degraded traditional sites when no intact spiny palms are nearby. This system provides an example of how animal traditions could be maintained over multiple generations without learning. Site-labeling can be viewed as an external form of social memory.
Brain Cannabinoid CB2 Receptors Modulate Cocaine’s Actions in Mice

The presence and function of cannabinoid CB(2) receptors in the brain have been the subjects of much debate. We found that systemic, intranasal or intra-accumbens local administration of JWH133, a selective CB(2) receptor agonist, dose-dependently inhibited intravenous cocaine self-administration, cocaine-enhanced locomotion, and cocaine-enhanced accumbens extracellular dopamine in wild-type and CB(1) receptor knockout (CB(1)(-/-), also known as Cnr1(-/-)) mice, but not in CB(2)(-/-) (Cnr2(-/-)) mice. This inhibition was mimicked by GW405833, another CB(2) receptor agonist with a different chemical structure, and was blocked by AM630, a selective CB(2) receptor antagonist. Intra-accumbens administration of JWH133 alone dose-dependently decreased, whereas intra-accumbens administration of AM630 elevated, extracellular dopamine and locomotion in wild-type and CB(1)(-/-) mice, but not in CB(2)(-/-) mice. Intra-accumbens administration of AM630 also blocked the reduction in cocaine self-administration and extracellular dopamine produced by systemic administration of JWH133. These findings suggest that brain CB(2) receptors modulate cocaine's rewarding and locomotor-stimulating effects, likely by a dopamine-dependent mechanism.
Computer simulation of growth of duplex structures

Abstract The geometry of hinterland-dipping duplex structures, produced by deformation over several successive ramp faults, can be explored using composite kinematic and mechanical models which were developed to describe the deformation in the vicinity of an isolated ramp. The composite kinematic model permits the relationships between ramp height, angle, spacing, and displacement to be calculated. A special case of hinterland-dipping duplex structures, approximately flat-topped structures, require a specific amount of displacement that depends on ramp angle, height, and spacing. The requirement is very sensitive to final ramp spacing, and relatively insensitive to displacement.
Comparison of Plasmapheresis and Intravenous Immunoglobulin as Maintenance Therapies for Juvenile Myasthenia Gravis

Importance Juvenile myasthenia gravis (MG) is a relatively rare autoimmune disorder. The comparative efficacy of plasmapheresis (PLEX) vs immunoglobulin as maintenance therapy is unclear for this childhood disease. Objective To determine whether PLEX or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is more effective as maintenance therapy in this disease. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective analysis over a 33-year period involved 54 children and adolescents with juvenile MG at a specialized neuromuscular clinic and electromyography laboratory at a tertiary care academic pediatric hospital. Interventions Plasmapheresis and IVIG. Main Outcomes and Measures Response to treatment was measured by both improvement in objective physical examination findings and the patients’ reported improvement in symptoms and functional abilities. Results Subjective and objective outcomes correlated well. Both PLEX and IVIG had high response rates. Of the 27 patients with generalized juvenile MG receiving PLEX, IVIG, or both treatments, 7 of 7 patients treated with PLEX alone responded, 5 of 10 patients treated with IVIG alone responded, and 9 of 10 patients who received both responded. There was a significant difference in response rates between patients who received PLEX vs IVIG ( P = .04). The youngest age at which PLEX was initiated via peripheral venous access was 9 years, while the youngest child who received IVIG was 9 months old. Thymectomy was performed in 17 children, of whom 11 experienced significant postoperative improvement. Conclusions and Relevance This study provides class III evidence that PLEX and IVIG both have high response rates as maintenance therapies and are reasonable therapeutic options for juvenile MG. Plasmapheresis may have a more consistent response rate than IVIG in this setting. These findings will provide some guidance regarding the approach to therapy for juvenile MG, especially as the results differ somewhat from those of studies focusing on adult MG.
The effect of defoliation intensity and history on photosynthesis, growth and carbon reserves of two conifers with contrasting leaf lifespans and growth habits

The effects of partial defoliation on photosynthesis, whole-seedling carbon allocation, partitioning and growth were studied for two species with contrasting foliar traits. Field-grown seedlings of deciduous Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis) and evergreen red pine (Pinus resinosa) were defoliated by hand in early summer for 2 consecutive years. In the first year (1990), seedlings were defoliated by removing the distal 0, 25, 50 or 75% of each needle. In the second year (1991), seedlings were defoliated either 0 or 50%, regardless of previous defoliation treatments. Defoliation had little effect on photosynthesis and starch concentration in whole seedlings of either species in the first year. In the second year, photosynthesis increased in both species in response to the 1991 defoliation treatment, and in red pine also increased in response to the 1990 defoliation treatment. Further, in 1991 both larch and pine had decreased whole-seedling total non-structural carbohydrate concentrations in all seedlings that were defoliated at least once over the 2-yr period. This decrease was noted mostly in the starch component of the non-structural carbohydrates, and was similar in both species. In 1991, biomass was similarly decreased in both species in response to 1991 defoliation. Both species showed overcompensation in total and component biomass in seedlings defoliated by 25% in 1990. Overall, the results do not support the widely held belief that evergreen trees are substantially more affected than deciduous trees by defoliation.
A reverse-phase HPLC and fluorescence detection method for measurement of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) in Planaria.

Abstract Introduction: Planaria have proven to be a good model system in which to investigate mammalian behaviors and responses to drugs. We have recently studied the response of planarians to dopaminergic ligands and to the effects of cocaine and opioids. To correlate behavior (specifically, drug withdrawal) with neurotransmitter levels, we developed a method to quantify 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) in planarians. Methods: Following the homogenization of planarians in aqueous solvent (perchloric acid, l -cystine, and Na2EDTA) and centrifugation of supernatant (14,000×g at 4 °C for 20 min), 5-HT was measured using HPLC (aqueous citric acid buffer mobile phase; 5-μm C18 column with fluorescence detection, 280/340 nm). Nω-methyl-5-HT was used as an internal standard (IS). Results: 5-HT was rapidly extracted and conveniently measured from the planarians. The detection limit of the procedure (0.35 ng) was below the amount of 5-HT in one animal. Discussion: The ability to measure neurotransmitter levels provides a methodological opportunity to correlate behavior with biochemical changes in planarians and to extend behavioral observations to intracellular transmitter and second messenger transduction pathways.
Influence of serotonin on the radiation sensitivity of lactate dehydrogenase.

Die Veranderungen in der Strahlenempfindlichkeit von Milchsauredehydrogenase durch Serotonin, gebraucht als Serotonin-Kreatinin-Sulfat, wurden spektralphotometrisch untersucht. Die Bestrahlungsdosen variierten zwischen 0–9 · 105 R. Die Serotonin-Konzentrationen variierten zwischen 0–1,23 mM. Die D37-Dosis fur eine Serotonin-Konzentration von 246μM ist ca. 34mal grosser als fur die Kontrollen. Der Schutzeffekt kann durch eine Komplexbildung zwischen Serotonin und den Metallionen, die im Enzym-Molekul vorhanden sind, erklart werden.