cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Why integration is key for dental office technology

ABSTRACT Background Information technology, or IT, devices and applications for dental practice have multiplied tremendously during the last two decades. While many of these innovations can bring significant benefits to clinical practice, integrating them into a smooth working environment is a significant challenge. Methods The author reviewed the level of integration of different IT-related products for dental practice and analyzed the consequences for work flow and ergonomics. He identified practical examples for different levels of integration among dental technology products. Results The integration of hardware devices and software applications in the dental care environment leaves much to be desired. Practitioners are engaged in a constant struggle to keep their “technology parks” working smoothly. Four levels of integration exist: hardware-hardware, hardware-software, software-software and task-oriented information integration. While there are many examples for the successful integration of hardware devices, products tend to be less integrated in other areas. Task-oriented information integration is a vision that, in general, has not been realized. Conclusions Integration is crucial to the efficient and effective functioning of the dental office. However, practitioners cannot do much when industry does not integrate its products sufficiently. The industry, therefore, should adopt user-centered design principles, and its designers should work together to improve the integration of products from different vendors.
Light-Induced Effects in a-Si:H Films Fabricated by Intense Light-Flash Assisted Plasma CVD, and Its Application to the Stabilisation of a-Si:H Solar Cells

We describe a new technique for the deposition of a-Si:H, in which the growing film surface is periodically irradiated with high-intensity xenon light pulses. The films show high stability of the photoconductivity under illumination, but also exhibit a high dark conductivity, so that the photosensitivity is reduced. Infrared and Raman scattering measurements indicate little difference in the Si-H and Si-Si bonding structures compared to reference films; however, there is a large increase in the sub-bandgap absorption in addition to a shift of the Fermi level, implying some subtle modification of the film growth process caused by the irradiation. Results on the preparation and stability testing of solar cells fabricated using this technique are also described.
Surface Roughness and Bond Strength of Adhesives

Abstract The degree of roughness of a metallic adherend is frequently a design option for an adhesive joint. But which direction should be taken for optimum joint strength? Should the surface be polished or macroscopically roughened, or is roughening inconsequential? In practice, roughening is generally recommended, but upon what basis is this recommendation made and for which adherends and adhesives is it valid?
The Speciation and Morphology of Chromium Oxide Nanoparticles in a Diffusion Flame

The impact of combustion conditions on the formation of chromium oxide aerosol has been studied in a hydrogen diffusion flame seeded with Cr(CO)6 vapor. Specifically, the effects of the precursor concentration, the flame temperature and the flame residence time on properties of the postflame chromium oxide aerosol were investigated. Each of these flame parameters was found to affect the particle size distribution and/or particle morphology. These effects were partially associated with the fact that the chromium speciation in the final flame products was sensitive to the precursor concentration and the flame temperature. The flame residence time was found to affect the crystallinity of the Cr(III) particles in the postflame chromium oxide aerosol. Conversion of Cr(III) particles to Cr(VI) in the high temperature zone of the flame was proposed to explain changes in the particle size distribution, composition, and morphology. The proposed mechanism was able to explain the experimental findings satisfactorily.
The Consecutive Meaning of EΦ' Ω in Romans 5.12*

The passage Romans 5.12–21 has long been a crux interpretum, and especially v. 12 in that passage.
Putative tumor suppressor RASSF1 interactive protein and cell death inducer C19ORF5 is a DNA binding protein

C19ORF5 is a homologue of microtubule-associated protein MAP1B that interacts with natural paclitaxel-like microtubule stabilizer and candidate tumor suppressor RASSF1A. Although normally distributed throughout the cytosol, C19ORF5 specifically associates with microtubules stabilized by paclitaxel or RASSF1A. At sufficiently high concentrations, C19ORF5 causes mitochondrial aggregation and genome destruction (MAGD). The accumulation on hyperstabilized microtubules coupled to MAGD has been proposed to mediate tumor suppression by the taxoid drug family and RASSF1A. Here, we show that the C-terminus of C19ORF5 (C19ORF5C) interacts with mitochondria-associated DNA binding protein, LRPPRC, in liver cells. Like LRPPRC, C19ORF5 also binds DNA with an affinity and specificity sufficient to be of utility in DNA affinity chromatography to purify homogeneous recombinant C19ORF5C from bacterial extracts. Homogeneous C19ORF5 exhibited no intrinsic DNase activity. Deletion mutagenesis indicated that C19ORF5 selectively binds double stranded DNA through its microtubule binding domain. These results suggest C19ORF5 as a DNA binding protein similar to microtubule-associated proteins tau and MAP2.
A simple model illustrating the balancing forces of lung and chest wall recoil.

A difficult concept for students to understand is how the recoil forces of the lung and recoil forces of the chest wall balance each other to determine the relaxation pressure-volume relationship of the lung and chest wall system. At most lung volumes, the recoil of the lung is inwardly directed,
Computer simulation of the directional displacement of rod-shaped, arc-shaped, and circular objects in an array of obstacles, representing a simple model for the gel electrophoresis of small DNA

The gel electrophoresis of DNA of identical length but various static conformations was simulated using a two-dimensional model of the movement of rod-shaped, arc-shaped, and circular objects through random arrays of disk-shaped obstacles. At low obstacle density, the displacement rate of these objects decreases from the rod-shaped to the circular to the arc-shaped objects. At high obstacle densities, the displacement rate of circular objects approaches zero. The alignment of the arc-shaped objects along the axis of the directional movement of the objects were retarded in their movement by collisions with the obstacles; the number of collisions of the former, in view of their greater ability to align, was less than that of the latter. Circular objects were exclusively retarded by collisions, while the arc-shaped objects exhibited an additional retarding mechanism, viz. the suspension ("hanging") on the obstacles. When the rigid objects were made flexible, their displacement increased. The increase was most pronounced with the circular objects, allowing them to penetrate at obstacle densities from which the rigid objects were excluded.
Photoluminescence of vapor and solution grown ZnTe single crystals

Abstract ZnTe single crystals grown by horizontal physical vapor transport (PVT) and by vertical traveling heater method (THM) from a Te solution were characterized by photoluminescence (PL) at 10.6 K and by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Copper was identified by PL as a major impurity existing in both crystals, forming a substitutional acceptor, Cu Zn . The THM ZnTe crystals were found to contain more Cu impurity than the PVT ZnTe crystals. The formation of Cu Zn -V Te complexes and the effects of annealing, oxygen contamination and intentional Cu doping were also studied. Finally, the surface morphology analyzed by AFM was correlated to the PL results.
A 1.2 Gb/s recursive polyphase cascaded integrator-comb prefilter for high speed digital decimation filters in 0.18-μm CMOS

Recursive polyphase cascaded integrator-comb (CIC) prefilters are proposed to greatly increase the speed of digital decimation so as to address demands of high speed sigma-delta ADCs that over-sample at several GHz. The recursive computations in the new method avoid the substantial area/complexity increases in traditional polyphase decomposition implementations. Clock rate improvements by factors of 2 or 4 can be achieved, in comparison to those of traditional CIC filters. Implemented in a 0.18-μm CMOS process, a decimate-by-16 prefilter achieves a 1.2 Gb/s clock rate in the slow corner after post-route extraction, while occupying 0.08 mm2 area.
Quasiparticle interference in an iron-based superconductor

We develop a model for the effect of a magnetic field on quasiparticle interference in an iron-based superconductor. Recently, scanning tunneling experiments have been performed on Fe(Se,Te) to determine the relative sign of the superconducting gap from the magnetic-field dependence of quasiparticle scattering amplitudes. Using a simple two-band BCS model, we study three different cases of scattering in a spin-split spectrum. The dominant effect of a magnetic field in iron-based superconductors is caused by the Pauli limiting of conduction electrons. Thereby time-reversal odd scattering is induced which enhances the sign-preserving and depresses the sign-reversing peaks in the quasiparticle interference patterns.
Systemic and barrier contraceptives for the dermatologist: a review.

This review focuses on the contraceptive knowledge of dermatologists in the United States of America. It explains that dermatologists administer systematic agents such as thalidomide isotretinoin and acetretin methotrexate and other immunosuppressives tetracycline derivatives and antifungal agents which have mild moderate or severe teratogenic potential and that it is imperative for dermatologists to know what contraceptive options are available for patients.
Combining high‐order accuracy with non‐oscillatory methods through monotonicity preservation

We have extended the usual notions used in high-resolution methods. Rather than applying a single principle such as monotonicity or essentially non-oscillatory stencil selection, we hybridize multiple principles applying them where they are most effective. We define methods that blend high-order accuracy with essentially non-oscillatory methods when monotonicity conditions are violated. The methods can be defined with a number of variants leading to results with differing properties. We also focus on the impact of the selection of the high-order accurate stencil on the overall method. Published in 2005 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A productive example of industry and academic cooperation.

Submitted for publication May 19, 2009 Accepted for publication May 20, 2009 From the Francis Weld Peabody Society, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Ronald Arky, Charles S. Davidson Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Francis Weld Peabody Society, Harvard Medical School, 260 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115. Email: ron_arky@hms.harvard.edu. Published as a Rapid Electronic Article in Press at http://www. endocrine practice.org on June 2, 2009. DOI: 10.4158/EP09144.CO © 2009 AACE. James Howard Means had no reservations—he readily accepted the small gift from Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr, a scion of the St. Louis chemical manufacturing company, a faithful Harvard alumnus who served on the board of overseers at the college and a friend of Fuller Albright, a colleague of Means who was at that time chair of medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital. The modest gift of $5000 was to establish a laboratory for the detection of iodine levels in the blood, a much needed facility to complement Ward 4, the hospital’s clinical research unit. With the availability of that laboratory, the story of iodine deficiency was reaffirmed and the consequences of thyroid dysfunction, goiter, and mental retardation were amplified. Two young investigators, John B. Stanbury and Sidney H. Ingbar, were on the scene at the time of the Mallinckrodt gift—both had their careers affected and both played direct roles in the global affront on iodine deficiency. Stanbury was a founding member and first chair of the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders and traveled extensively to iodize food and water. Ingbar did likewise. Both are responsible for the worldwide decline in goiter. While most of us recognize Stanbury and Ingbar as renowned editors, teachers, and mentors and superb researchers, their contributions to world health, stimulated by a token gift, reveal that a small donation, even if it smacks of conflict, goes a long way.
The Association Between Adiposity and Breast Cancer Recurrence and Survival: A Review of the Recent Literature

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common and second deadliest malignancy among American women. Many factors contribute to BC prognosis, but a key modifiable lifestyle factor is body weight. In this review, we update the reader on the association between adiposity and poor BC outcomes. We summarize the findings from studies that show obesity to be a risk factor for BC recurrence and reduced survival, including research that shows that treatment with aromatase inhibitors in hormone-receptor positive BC survivors who are obese may not be as effective as for normal-weight women. In addition, we summarize the findings from studies that show that obesity-induced changes in glucose metabolism, type-2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome contribute to negative outcomes in BC survivors. Given the evidence, there is a critical need to determine whether weight loss can improve outcomes in BC survivors.
A new species of the genus Megapomponia Boulard (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from southern Vietnam, with a revised key to the species of Megapomponia

A new cicada species, Megapomponia macilenta Lee, sp. nov., is described from Thu Dau Mot, southern Vietnam. Information on geographic distributions of and a revised key to the species of the genus Megapomponia Boulard are provided.
Applying Antisense Technology

: Progress in the development of antisense drugs over the last decade has led to the approval of the first such drug—Vitravene® for AIDS-related CMV retinitis—and the development of a large number of antisense drugs in clinical trials. Antisense drugs are now being studied in Phase 3 trials for patients with cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Other antisense drugs are in development for rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory conditions, and hepatitis C. Still other antisense drugs are entering clinical trials for treatment of metabolic conditions such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia. These latter applications provide the potential for target effects to be more directly measured in the clinic. Improved antisense chemistry, which will enhance the feasibility of subcutaneous and oral administration of antisense drugs and offer the potential of less frequent dosing, is expected to further expand the opportunities for antisense drug development.
Complex Partial Seizure Provocation by Vasovagal Syncope: Video‐EEG and Intracranial Electrode Documentation

Vasovagal syncope precipitating an epileptic seizure has only rarely been described. A patient with known intractable complex partial seizures being evaluated for a left anterior temporal lobectomy experienced a typical seizure with mesial temporal onset precipitated by an observed vasovagal episode. This is the first report of a partial epileptic seizure precipitated by vasovagal syncope and the first example of an epileptic seizure induced by syncope in an adult. Video and intracranial depth electrode and subdural grid recordings documented the event.
An effective and efficient algorithm for high-dimensional outlier detection

The outlier detection problem has important applications in the field of fraud detection, network robustness analysis, and intrusion detection. Most such applications are most important for high-dimensional domains in which the data can contain hundreds of dimensions. Many recent algorithms have been proposed for outlier detection that use several concepts of proximity in order to find the outliers based on their relationship to the other points in the data. However, in high-dimensional space, the data are sparse and concepts using the notion of proximity fail to retain their effectiveness. In fact, the sparsity of high-dimensional data can be understood in a different way so as to imply that every point is an equally good outlier from the perspective of distance-based definitions. Consequently, for high-dimensional data, the notion of finding meaningful outliers becomes substantially more complex and nonobvious. In this paper, we discuss new techniques for outlier detection that find the outliers by studying the behavior of projections from the data set.
Wide bandgap semiconductor transistors for microwave power amplifiers

Explores the RF power performance of microwave amplifiers fabricated from wide bandgap semiconductor transistors and demonstrates that microwave power amplifiers fabricated from 4H-SiC and AlGaN/GaN transistors offer superior RF power performance, particularly at elevated temperatures. Theoretical models predict room temperature RF output power on the order of 4-6 W/mm and 10-12 W/mm, with power-added efficiency (PAE) approaching the ideal values for class A and B operation, available from 4H-SiC MESFETs and AlGaN/GaN HFETs, respectively. All calculations were thoroughly calibrated against dc and RF experimental data. The simulations indicate operation at elevated temperature at least up to 5000/spl deg/C is possible. The RF output power capability of these devices compares very favorably with the 1 W/mm available from GaAs MESFETs. The wide bandgap semiconductor devices will find application in power amplifiers for base station transmitters for wireless telephone systems, HDTV transmitters, power modules for phased-array radars, and other applications. The devices are particularly attractive for applications that require operation at elevated temperature.
If You Build Them, Commuters Will Use Them: Association Between Bicycle Facilities and Bicycle Commuting

Conventional wisdom suggests that if bicycle pathways are provided, people will use them. This assertion is based on a combination of anecdotes, a few case studies, and mostly wishful thinking. Until now, there have been no cross-sectional studies of the association between bicycle pathway supply and commuting by bicycle that control for a variety of factors. Cross-sectional analysis, controlling for a variety of extraneous factors, can help to attribute differences in bicycle commuting to the overall supply of pathways. Cross-sectional data are applied here to 18 U.S. cities to help fill this gap in research. After considering such factors as weather, terrain, and number of college students, a positive association was found between miles of bicycle pathways per 100,000 residents and the percentage of commuters using bicycles. It is speculated that one problem with shifting the mode of commuting away from automobiles may simply be an inadequate supply of bicycle facilities. Although this work is the first of its kind, more systematic research is needed to confirm its findings.
Automation Planning and Organizational Change: A Functional Model for Developing a Systems Plan

Automation represents one of the greatest changes a library can undergo. An automation plan must not only produce an optimum system, but prepare the staff, institution and clientele for far‐reaching change. This change can be accommodated by a functional model consisting of three phases: 1) organization and overview, 2) project expansion, and 3) project consolidation and preparationof the system plan. An educational program is the centerpiece of the process.
Zinc modulates the innate immune response in vivo to polymicrobial sepsis through regulation of NF-κB

Zinc is an essential element that facilitates coordination of immune activation during the host response to infection. We recently reported that zinc deficiency increases systemic inflammation, vital organ damage, and mortality in a small animal model of sepsis. To investigate potential mechanisms that cause these phenomena, we used the same animal model and observed that zinc deficiency increases bacterial burden and enhances NF-κB activity in vital organs including the lung. We conducted further studies in the lung to determine the overall impact of zinc deficiency. At the molecular level, NF-κB p65 DNA-binding activity was enhanced by zinc deficiency in response to polymicrobial sepsis. Furthermore, expression of the NF-κB-targeted genes IL-1β, TNFα, ICAM-1, and the acute phase response gene SAA1/2 were elevated by zinc deficiency. Unexpectedly, the amount of NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein was increased in the lung including alveolar epithelia of zinc-deficient mice. These events occurred with a significant and concomitant increase in caspase-3 activity within 24 h of sepsis onset in zinc-deficient mice relative to control group. Short-term zinc supplementation reversed these effects. Reconstitution of zinc deficiency in lung epithelial cultures resulted in similar findings in response to TNFα. Taken together, zinc deficiency systemically enhances the spread of infection and NF-κB activation in vivo in response to polymicrobial sepsis, leading to enhanced inflammation, lung injury, and, as reported previously, mortality. Zinc supplementation immediately before initiation of sepsis reversed these effects thereby supporting the plausibility of future studies that explore zinc supplementation strategies to prevent sepsis-mediated morbidity and mortality.
Acute Toxicity of water‐borne dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) to Fundulus heteroclitus (L.)

Acute (120h) toxicity of the water-borne carcinogen, dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) to adult Fundulus heteroclitus (L.) at 20°C and 20.2%0 salinity in natural seawater was determined. The LC-50 values were 8300 mg/1 at 24 h, 5500 mg/1 at 48 h, 4700 mg/1 at 72 h, 3300 mg/1 at 96 h and 2700 mg/1 at 120 h. Gross lesions consisted of peritoneal and cephalic ecchymoses. Microscopic lesions included necrosis and sloughing of the gastrointestinal mucosa, haemorrhage and necrosis of the liver, and necrosis of taste buds, with severity and incidence being a function of DMN concentration. Acute pathological effects of DMN on Fundulus heteroclitus conformed closely to those reported in other species exposed to this compound by respiratory, oral or parenteral route. DMN concentrations used in this experiment greatly exceeded those expected to be found under natural conditions, and this report is intended both to improve our understanding of DMN-induced pathology in marine fishes and to provide further evidence of the consistency of acute lesions induced by DMN, regardless of test organism or mode of exposure.
Comparison of extracellular and net glucose oxidation measured isotopically and by indirect calorimetry during high and low glucose turnover

To determine the extent to which glucose oxidation measured by indirect calorimetry reflects glucose oxidation measured isotopically, subjects were studied during a 6-h hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (1 mU.kg-1.min-1) and during infusion of saline. (6-{sup 14}C)glucose was infused on both occasions. Breath was collected for determination of the specific activity of carbon dioxide, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production. Glucose turnover during hyperinsulinemia was approximately eightfold higher than during saline infusion. During the final 1.5 h of the hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp, oxidation measured isotopically remained slightly but consistently lower (P less than 0.05) than that measured by indirect calorimetry (13.8 +/- 1.1 vs 16.5 +/- 1.7 mumol.kg-1.min-1, respectively). In contrast, during the saline infusion, glucose oxidation measured isotopically did not differ from that measured by indirect calorimetry (8.3 +/- 0.6 vs 7.2 +/- 2.8 mumol.kg-1.min-1, respectively). We conclude that although net glucose oxidation measured isotopically was slightly lower than that measured by indirect calorimetry, both techniques provide similar estimates of glucose oxidation over a wide range of glucose disposal.
PROBLEMS IN THE DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS

In the situation where drugs are uncommonly used. and events are rare, case reports have utility in elucidating cause and effect relationships. In other situations, however, case reports can reflect coincidence, or bias, rather than cause and effect. In addition, even when valid, they provide no data as to incidence. In the situation where drugs are commonly used, and when events are also common, case reports have little or no utility, and the use of algorithms may simply serve to reinforce preexkting biases. Only rigorous epidemiologic research can document either adversity or safety.
Omega-3 fatty acids for breast cancer prevention and survivorship

Women with evidence of high intake ratios of the marine omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) relative to the omega-6 arachidonic acid have been found to have a reduced risk of breast cancer compared with those with low ratios in some but not all case–control and cohort studies. If increasing EPA and DHA relative to arachidonic acid is effective in reducing breast cancer risk, likely mechanisms include reduction in proinflammatory lipid derivatives, inhibition of nuclear factor-κB-induced cytokine production, and decreased growth factor receptor signaling as a result of alteration in membrane lipid rafts. Primary prevention trials with either risk biomarkers or cancer incidence as endpoints are underway but final results of these trials are currently unavailable. EPA and DHA supplementation is also being explored in an effort to help prevent or alleviate common problems after a breast cancer diagnosis, including cardiac and cognitive dysfunction and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The insulin-sensitizing and anabolic properties of EPA and DHA also suggest supplementation studies to determine whether these omega-3 fatty acids might reduce chemotherapy-associated loss of muscle mass and weight gain. We will briefly review relevant omega-3 fatty acid metabolism, and early investigations in breast cancer prevention and survivorship.
Response of a Strand to Axial and Torsional Displacements

Taking advantage of geometric considerations the authors give explicit expressions for the determination of axial force, bending and twisting moments in the helical wires, and for the axial force and twisting moment in the core of a 7-wire strand subjected to axial and torsional displacements. The equations given are linear, could be similarly developed for strands of any number of wires or for strands subjected to large displacements, and should be found practical by designers. Measurements on oversize epoxy models of the strand show good correlation with the theory and support the observation that axial load has no effect on the effective torsional rigidity of the strand. Results of experimental strain analyses on steel strands and on models of strands, as well as other theoretical studies on helices and strands, will be published in other papers.
Computer controlled research on bargaining and coalition formation

Described in this paper is a research paradigm, written as a set of computer programs, to conduct on-line bargaining and coalition formation experiments within the characteristic function game framework. The structure of the paradigm is outlined, an example is presented and discussed, and further extensions of the program are briefly discussed.
Numbers That Count Exploring Special Education and Paraprofessional Service Delivery in Inclusion-Oriented Schools

This study explores key indicators of special education service delivery based on responses from 92 special educators and 36 administrators in 19 Vermont schools. Special educators reported on their work, the work of paraprofessionals they supervised, and 103 students with disabilities who were receiving one-to-one paraprofessional supports within general education classes. Findings indicate that (a) many special educators have large caseloads, (b) there are substantially more paraprofessionals than special educators, and (c) more than half of all special education paraprofessionals are assigned to students with disabilities one-to-one. Combined, these factors indicate that schools employed models of service delivery for students with disabilities that are substantially supported by paraprofessionals, thus raising concerns about students' access to a free, appropriate public education.
Quality Assurance in Social Work Education: A Comparison of Outcome Assessments across the Continuum.

Abstract Although assessing program outcomes has become increasingly important in higher education, no systematic research has been undertaken to determine the outcome measurement systems used across the entire continuum of social work education. This study, based on a 1992 survey of more than 150 baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral social work education programs, is the first to provide substantive data about the types of assessment systems in place at all three levels. It describes the frequency of use of various systems, makes comparisons across the levels of education, and discusses the implications for social work education at each level.
The Labor Market and the American High School Girl 1890–1928

Girls far outnumbered boys in American high schools at the turn of the century. Despite the fact that women on average spent far fewer years than men in the paid labor force, we argue that a high school education was a better investment for girls than for boys. This was because formal education offered the only opportunity for girls to obtain job-related skills, whereas it was but one of many such opportunities for boys.
Observation of precursorlike behavior of femtosecond pulses in a dye with a strong absorption band

Recent interest in Sommerfeld-Brillouin optical precursors has brought attention to the possibility of optical precursor observation in bulk matter. We investigate the possible formation of optical precursors in an organic dye solution with a sharp absorption band and anomalous dispersion at a wavelength of approximately 800 nm. We explore this regime experimentally with sub-10-fs pulses with a central wavelength of approximately 800 nm from a Ti : sapphire oscillator. The pulses are passed through a thin layer of the dye solution and characterized by interferometric autocorrelation. The obtained autocorrelation traces are compared with simulations, and we observe important dispersion effects on the shape of the propagated pulses, including precursorlike behavior in their time evolution.
Respirable silica dust exposure of sandblasters and associated workers in steel fabrication yards.

An increase in incidence of silicosis has been noticed among sandblasters and associated workers in Louisiana since 1950. The duration of exposure to silica dust before death among sandblasters was observed to be much shorter than in other silicosis-producing industries. To study the dusty conditions, personal exposure of workers to respirable silica dust of high free silica content was determined in two steel fabrication yards. MSA Gravimetric Respirable Dust Samplers were used for dust sampling. Determination of free silica was carried out either by colorimetric or x-ray diffraction techniques. The majority of sandblasters, in spite of wearing various respiratory protective hoods, were exposed to excessive levels of respirable silica dust several times greater than the threshold limit value. Other workers in the yards who performed a variety of jobs and who did not wear any respiratory protective devices were also exposed to excessive levels of silica dust.
The Influence of Computer‐based Model's Race and Gender on Female Students' Attitudes and Beliefs Towards Engineering

Background This study explored the use of interface agents, anthropomorphic, 3D-animated computer characters that provide teaching or mentoring within a computer-based learning environment, to encourage young Black and White women to pursue careers in engineering. Purpose (Hypothesis) We hypothesized that computer-based models that matched young women in terms of their race and gender would be the most effective in positively influencing their interest, self-efficacy, and stereotypes about engineering. Design/Method Eighty African American undergraduate female students in Experiment 1, and 39 White undergraduate female students in Experiment 2 interacted with a computer-based agent that provided a narrative designed to encourage them to pursue engineering careers. The study employed a 2 × 2 between subjects factorial design (agent gender: male vs. female and agent race: Black vs. White). Results Across both studies we found that race and gender influenced the effectiveness of the agent for several key outcome measures. Computer-based agents who matched the participants with respect to race and gender tended to be the most effective in improving the women's responses to engineering-related fields. Nevertheless, the White male agent was actually significantly more influential than the White female agent for female Black participants. Conclusions Personalizing interface agent characteristics to match the target population can increase the effectiveness of a persuasive message to encourage young women to pursue engineering. Such an approach may contribute to the growth and inclusiveness of fields such as engineering.
Fast Chirplet Transform With FPGA-Based Implementation

This letter presents a fast chirplet transform (FCT) algorithm, a computationally efficient method, for decomposing highly convoluted signals into a linear expansion of chirplets. The FCT algorithm successively estimates the chirplet parameters in order to represent a broad range of chirplet shapes, including the broadband, narrowband, symmetric, skewed, nondispersive, or dispersive. These parameters have significant physical interpretations for radar, sonar, seismic, and ultrasonic applications. For the real-time application and embedded implementation of the FCT algorithm, an FPGA-based hardware/software co-design is developed on Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGA development platform. Based on the balance among the system constraints, cost, and the efficiency of estimations, the performance of different algorithm implementation schemes have been explored. The developed system-on-chip successfully exhibits robustness in the chirplet transform of experimental signals. The FCT algorithm addresses a broad range of applications including velocity measurement, target detection, deconvolution, object classification, data compression, and pattern recognition.
Deregulation of Hippo kinase signalling in Human hepatic malignancies

Background/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CC) and hepatoblastoma (HB) are the main hepatic malignancies with limited treatment options and high mortality. Recent studies have implicated Hippo Kinase pathway in cancer development but detailed analysis of Hippo Kinase signaling in human hepatic malignancies, especially CC and HB, is lacking.
Radiocarbon evidence for a possible abyssal front near 3.1 km in the glacial equatorial Pacific Ocean

Abstract We investigate the radiocarbon ventilation age in deep equatorial Pacific sediment cores using the difference in conventional 14C age between coexisting benthic and planktonic foraminifera, and integrate those results with similar data from around the North Pacific Ocean in a reconstruction for the last glaciation (15 to 25 conventional 14C ka). Most new data from both the Equatorial Pacific and the Emperor Seamounts in the northwestern Pacific come from maxima in abundance of benthic taxa because this strategy reduces the effect of bioturbation. Although there remains considerable scatter in the ventilation age estimates, on average, ventilation ages in the Equatorial Pacific were significantly greater below 3.2 km ( ∼ 3080 ± 1125 yrs , n = 15 ) than in the depth interval 1.9 to 3.0 km ( ∼ 1610 ± 250 yrs , n = 12 ). When compared to the average modern seawater Δ C 14 profile for the North Pacific, the Equatorial Pacific glacial data suggest an abyssal front located somewhere between 3.0 and 3.2 km modern water depth. Above that depth, the data may indicate slightly better ventilation than today, and below that depth, glacial Equatorial Pacific data appear to be as old as last glacial maximum (LGM) deep water ages reported for the deep southern Atlantic. This suggests that a glacial reservoir of aged waters extended throughout the circumpolar Southern Ocean and into the Equatorial Pacific. Renewed ventilation of such a large volume of aged (and, by corollary, carbon-rich) water would help to account for the rise in atmospheric pCO2 and the fall in Δ C 14 as the glaciation drew to a close.
Do the media demonstrate correct inhaler technique in children

Poor inhaler technique is common in children with asthma. It has been estimated that at least 50% of patients do not use their inhalers properly.1 This is associated with asthma instability, an increase in hospital attendances and a reduced quality of life.2 The media can encourage safe health practices but can also have negative effects on health behaviour.3 We wished to determine how frequently correct inhaler technique in children is shown in the media in the UK. We …
'And to Dust You Shall Return': The Jewish Approach to Funerals and Burial

Jewish law is very concerned with the way to properly conduct a funeral. Funeral directors have an obligation to ensure that the cost of the funeral is not prohibitive since ostentatious funerals are prohibited in Jewish law. They are also not permitted to use deception to find ways to increase the cost of the funeral. There are special rules in the Torah that specifically address taking advantage of widows and orphans and thus funeral directors have to be especially careful in their business dealings. Various rules regarding respect for the dead are also discussed.
Digital and analog chemical evolution.

Living matter is the most elaborate, elegant, and complex hierarchical material known and is consequently the natural target for an ever-expanding scientific and technological effort to unlock and deconvolute its marvelous forms and functions. Our current understanding suggests that biological materials are derived from a bottom-up process, a spontaneous emergence of molecular networks in the course of chemical evolution. Polymer cooperation, so beautifully manifested in the ribosome, appeared in these dynamic networks, and the special physicochemical properties of the nucleic and amino acid polymers made possible the critical threshold for the emergence of extant cellular life.These properties include the precise and geometrically discrete hydrogen bonding patterns that dominate the complementary interactions of nucleic acid base-pairing that guide replication and ensure replication fidelity. In contrast, complex and highly context-dependent sets of intra- and intermolecular interactions guide protein fo...
MicroRNA expression and function in prostate cancer: a review of current knowledge and opportunities for discovery

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are well-conserved noncoding RNAs that broadly regulate gene expression through posttranscriptional silencing of coding genes. Dysregulated miRNA expression in prostate and other cancers implicates their role in cancer biology. Moreover, functional studies provide support for the contribution of miRNAs to several key pathways in cancer initiation and progression. Comparative analyses of miRNA gene expression between malignant and nonmalignant prostate tissues, healthy controls and prostate cancer (PCa) patients, as well as less aggressive versus more aggressive disease indicate that miRNAs may be future diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers in tumor tissue, blood, or urine. Further, miRNAs may be future therapeutics or therapeutic targets. In this review, we examine the miRNAs most commonly observed to be de-regulated in PCa gene expression analyses and review the potential contribution of these miRNAs to important pathways in PCa initiation and progression.
“The Glory of God Is Intelligence”: Exploring the Foundations of Latter-day Saint Religious Education

AbstractIn recent years the educational programs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) have received praise for their role in the high rates of religiosity and denominational retention among their youth. This study offers a historical summary of the efforts of LDS to develop the most effective methods of engaging their youth in religious education. It tracks the development of LDS religious education from its origins in the United States, to its efforts on the global stage. Ultimately, LDS educators adopted a flexible approach utilizing volunteer teachers to meet the needs of this growing global faith.
Determination of the Gyromagnetic Ratio of the Proton γP

We report a new value for the low field gyromagnetic ratio of the proton, γ p ’ . Since AMCO-4, when we last gave a value of γ p ’ [1], we have developed some new techniques [2,3,4] which are primarily responsible for the present reduced uncertainty. Although some further refinements in the experiment are still expected, we feel that the present improved value should be reported because of its impact on the adjusted values of the constants, especially on the fine structure constant [5,6].
Improvement in Harris Hip Score after cementless total hip arthroplasty in young active adults with secondary hip arthritis- A short-term follow-up result.

Objective To determine the improvement in Harris Hip Score after non-cemented total hip replacement in younger patients with secondary hip joint arthritis. Methods The quasi-experimental study was conducted at Unit I, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, and comprised patients diagnosed clinically and radiologically as secondary hip joint arthritis from September 2009 to December 2014. Harris Hip Score was calculated pre-operatively. All patients were operated by the same surgical team. One dose of second-generation intravenous cephalosporin after test dose was given at induction of anaesthesia followed by 3 times daily postoperatively along with aminoglycosides twice daily for three days followed by oral quinolones for 2 weeks. Patients were followed up for 6 months. The improvement in hip score was classified as poor, fair, good and excellent. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS 11.5. Results Of the 65 patients in the study, 43(66%) were male and 22(34%) were females. Right hip was involved in 40(62%) patients and 25(38%) had pathology in the left hip. Overall mean age of male and female patients was 35.69±5.55 years and 35.72±5.95 years respectively. Harris Hip score improved over 6 months from poor to fair. Conclusions The use of non-cemented total hip arthroplasty conferred a significant improvement in function in young patients with arthritis of the hip joint.
Existence and Uniqueness of Solutions

In Chapter 6 we have repeatedly postponed an investigation of the existence and uniqueness of the current chains and voltage chains describing the performance of a resistive network, but subject to the restrictions imposed by Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Current and Voltage Laws. In the first part of this Chapter we finally consider such matters. These results lead naturally into an investigation of network variables, which concludes the Chapter.
ASEE Safe Zone Workshops and Virtual Community of Practice to Promote LGBTQ Equality in Engineering

Even though recent years have seen significant advances in LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) equality in the U.S. through legislation and social acceptance, research shows that LGBTQ students and faculty on college campuses still experience exclusion and discrimination. This paper describes a transformative project that links diversity research with a faculty development initiative to promote LGBTQ equality in engineering. The aims of the project are to (1) identify aspects of engineering culture that present barriers to LGBTQ equality, (2) build knowledge and skills to disrupt discrimination and promote LGBTQ equality in engineering departments on college campuses and (3) to identify best practices for promoting LGBTQ equality in engineering. Safe Zone Workshops create a visible network of LGBTQ-affirming faculty who contribute to creating a positive and inclusive climate in engineering departments. A Virtual Community of Practice (VCP) works together to support individual members to take action to advance LGBTQ equality in their departments. Over 270 engineering educators have attended the 20 Safe Zone Workshops offered at the ASEE Annual Conference in the last two years. Evaluation results indicate that the content of the Safe Zone Workshops has been appropriately tailored to an audience of engineering educators, and that there is a clear call to expand the workshops and nurture the conversation about LGBTQ inclusion in engineering. Online technology is being used to create a scalable and sustainable model for sharing knowledge, tools and resources to promote LGBTQ inclusion in environments that are traditionally difficult to penetrate. Using a twotiered, train-the-trainer structure, two experts trained a cohort of twenty leaders to facilitate online and face-to-face Safe Zone Workshops and lead a Virtual Community of Practice for engineering faculty. The workshops and VCP are being launched in early 2016. This project uses a transformative, cyclical mixed-method research model to provide a basis for social change. The transformative research generates new knowledge of engineering culture through surveys of engineering deans, faculty and students as well as ethnographic participant observations during Safe Zone training sessions with engineering faculty. The cyclical aspect of the project plan integrates this new knowledge into another level of Safe Zone training sessions that address engineering culture more specifically.
Manufacturing Technologies for Piezoelectric Transducers

Abstract: This chapter deals with ultrasonic transducers used underwater, such as Langenvin types and cymbals. Ultrasonic washers, ultrasonic microphones and sonars for short-distance remote control, underwater detection, fish finding, and non-destructive testers are typical applications. Ultrasonic scanning detectors are useful in medical electronics for clinical applications ranging from diagnosis to therapy and surgery.
THE PRICE HISTORY OF ENGLISH AGRICULTURE, 1209–1914

The paper constructs an annual price series for English net agricultural output in the years 1209–1914 using 26 component series: wheat, barley, oats, rye, peas, beans, potatoes, hops, straw, mustard seed, saffron, hay, beef, mutton, pork, bacon, tallow, eggs, milk, cheese, butter, wool, firewood, timber, cider, and honey. I also construct sub-series for arable, pasture and wood products. The main innovation is in using a consistent method to form series from existing published sources. But fresh archival data is also incorporated. The implications of the movements of these series for agrarian history are explored.
Diseños para el otro 90%. El diseño humanitario y las representaciones del uso de tecnologías en el sur global

En estrecha relacion con la promocion de la innovacion social, el movimiento denominado “diseno humanitario” busca atender los problemas de poblaciones en situacion de pobreza, a partir de procesos de diseno que consideran los entornos de sus usuarios. Este articulo problematiza este tipo de diseno, abordando la exposicion Design for the other 90% ―la cual recorrio varias ciudades de Estados Unidos entre 2007 y 2009―, desde los vinculos del diseno humanitario con enfoques de mercado que reconocen en la pobreza un nicho creciente para la economia. A traves del analisis de esta exposicion, se explorara la forma en que la naturaleza, la tecnologia y los cuerpos son representados para legitimar narrativas sobre produccion y consumo de tecnologia en el sur global. A su vez, se reflexionara acerca de la manera como dicha exhibicion apela a estilos de vida en Estados Unidos, articulados a formas de consumo y comprensiones especificas sobre la ayuda humanitaria.