cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology of Herbal Products. Melanie Johns Cupp, ed. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press, 2000, 325 pp., $89.50. ISBN 0-89603-791-6.

Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology of Herbal Products is the third volume in the Forensic Science and Medicine series published by Humana Press. The title captures the goal of the book, which was to provide “an objective review of the available information on the pharmacology and toxicology of commonly used herbs”. This goal was met to a certain degree, but it often was lost in peripheral information that reduced the focus and impact of the book. The book is subdivided into three parts. Part I is a brief but well-organized synopsis of some of the regulatory issues surrounding the manufacture and use of herbal products. Important aspects such as product variability are clearly outlined, and appropriate cautions and concerns are raised. Part II is composed of a series of “monographs” written about a set of 28 medicinal plants. The list was reportedly chosen because these are “the herbs that are most often encountered”. It is difficult to …
Statistical Mediation Analysis

Hypotheses regarding how an independent variable affects a dependent variable via a mediating variable are widespread in both basic and applied psychology. This chapter focuses on statistical and design methods to investigate mediation relations rather than the substantive importance of mediation that is described elsewhere (MacKinnon, 2008). The chapter starts with detailed information on the single mediator model including covariance between estimates, measures of effect size, hypothesis testing, confidence limit estimation, and Bayesian methods. Causal inference approaches for mediation are described. Comprehensive mediation models are then discussed including models that accommodate both moderator and mediator variables, multiple mediators, multilevel models, and models that incorporate longitudinal relations among variables. We acknowledge that the identification of mediating variables can be a challenging process requiring a variety of information in addition to statistical analysis such as replication and experimental studies. Although the identification of mediating variables is a challenging task, many new statistical and methodological tools have been developed to help researchers. Keywords: data analysis; mediating variables; mediation analysis; statistics
Analysis of Fired-Heater Fouling in a Refinery Coking Unit

Delayed Coking is a principal thermal cracking process utilized by petroleum refineries to decrease residual output. Fired heater performance is critical to coker unit profitability. Adversely affecting heater performance, coke deposits inside heater tubes must be removed periodically (decoked). There are three main methods of decoking fired heaters: online spalling, steam-air decoke, and pigging. For each decoking technique, the most widely-used procedures are described. Also, the merits and drawbacks of each method are discussed. A survey of industry decoking practice has been attempted as part of this study. Fire-side tube metal temperature (TMT) and heater inlet pressure (PIN ) are the critical parameters used to analyze heater tube fouling. However, changes in flow rate, density, process temperature, and steam injection can cause a pass to have higher TMT or PIN than one with greater fouling. This study suggests approximation of coke deposit thickness to obtain a parameter normalized against changes in process variables. When used in conjunction with TMT and PIN , such a parameter can help in evaluating decoke effectiveness and identify the pass with least economically efficient operation. Economic analysis of fired-heater fouling considers direct costs and opportunity costs. Direct costs, such as plant utilities, fuel, in-house manpower, and outside contractor expense are assessed for each decoking method. This study also evaluates opportunity costs associated with reduction of throughput during decoking procedures. An example economic case is presented to illustrate the potential benefit of using estimated coke deposit thickness to schedule decokes.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
ADULT YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS FACE IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AT THE NEST

Abstract Vigilance is especially important in colonial socially monogamous birds during the nesting season as nest materials, offspring, and mates are vulnerable to theft, depredation, and extra-pair copulations, respectively. We found that when both members of a mated pair of Yellow-crowned Night-herons (Nyctanassa violacea) were at the nest they faced in opposite directions in 73% of observations, which was significantly more often than would be expected by chance (P < 0.0001, χ21 = 33.3). This behavior may improve vigilance against intruders from all directions. When an extra-pair conspecific was present at the nest of a mated pair, members of the pair were significantly more likely to orient in the same direction towards the conspecific rather than face opposite directions. In 95% of all cases in which an extra-pair conspecific was present, at least one member of the mated pair faced it, indicating that extra-pair conspecifics are perceived as threats by nesting pairs.
Elastin-like polypeptides: Biomedical applications of tunable biopolymers

Artificial repetitive polypeptides have grown in popularity as a bioinspired alternative to synthetic polymers. The genetically encoded synthesis, monodispersity, potential lack of toxicity, and biocompatibility are attractive features of these biopolymers for biological applications. Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are one such class of biopolymers that are of particular interest because of their "smart"-stimuli responsive-properties. Herein, we discuss the genetically encoded design and recombinant synthesis of ELPs that enable precise control of their physicochemical properties and which have led to a wide range of biomedical applications of these biopolymers in the last decade.
Optical characterization of nanoporous AAO sensor substrate

Nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) has been investigated as an ideal and cost-effective chemical and biosensing platform. In this paper, we report the optical properties of periodic 100 micron thick nanoporous anodic alumina membranes with uniform and high density cylindrical pores penetrating the entire thickness of the substrate, ranging in size from 18 nm to 150 nm in diameter and pore periods from 44 nm to 243 nm. The surface geometry of the top and bottom surface of each membrane is studied using atomic force microscopy. The optical properties including transmittance, reflectance, and absorbance spectra on both sides of each substrate are studied and found to be symmetrical. It is observed that, as the pore size increases, the peak resonance intensity in transmittance decreases and in absorbance increases. The effects of the pore sizes on the optical properties of the bare nanoporous membranes and the benefit of using arrays of nanohole arrays with varying hole size and periodicity as a chemical sensing platform is also discussed. To characterize the optical sensing technique, transmittance and reflectance measurements of various concentrations of a standard chemical adsorbed on the bare nanoporous substrates are investigated. The preliminary results presented here show variation in transmittance and reflectance spectra with the concentration of the chemical used or the amount of the material adsorbed on the surface of the substrate.
The Byronic Berlioz: Harold en Italie and Beyond

Abstract This reexamination of the issue of Byronism in the works of Berlioz begins by exploring previously overlooked connections between Berlioz's Harold en Italie and Byron's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. Byron's technique of Romantic irony is shown to be operative on many levels in Berlioz's symphony, especially as a tool for the projection of an image of the self in an autobiographical work. Berlioz's fascination with aspects of Byron's personality and literary technique also resulted in artistic parallels that permeate many other of his works that have never previously been identified as “Byronic”; especially noteworthy in this regard is the possible modeling of the end of Berlioz's La Damnation de Faust on Byron's Manfred, both of them works that deal autobiographically with the subject of guilt.
CQC modal combination rule for high‐frequency modes

The CQC rule for modal combination is extended to include the quasi-static contribution of truncated modes and the effects of input narrow-bandedness and cut-off frequency. A simple measure of the error in approximating a high-frequency modal response by its quasi-static contribution is derived. The extended rule is applicable to structures with high-frequency modes and to seismic inputs which may not be regarded as wide band. Numerical examples demonstrate the significance of input bandwidth and cut-off frequency on modal cross-correlation coefficients, and on the error resulting from truncation of high-freqeuncy modes.
Human Reactions to the Nazi Concentration Camps: A Summing Up

With the passing of time, it becomes increasingly unlikely that major studies of concentration camp survivors will appear. Nearly forty years have gone by since the camps were liberated. Most survivors have died, and their children are approaching middle age. This paper provides a brief summary of the available data. Beginning with an account of the events leading to the Holocaust, it goes on to summarize the major types of psychological defenses employed by the prisoners, and also describes the group or social activity in the camps. The long lasting psychological, psychiatric, and medical consequences of internment are then reviewed. The paper concludes with a discussion of studies of the children of survivors.
Numerical simulations of transient-stage Ostwald ripening and coalescence in two dimensions

Abstract A new numerical method for tracking interface motion in microstructures is described and used to simulate two-dimensional, transient-stage Ostwald ripening at high volume fractions of coarsening phase. Two limiting kinetic regimes are explicitly simulated, namely diffusion-controlled mass transport and surface-attachment/detachment-limited kinetics (SALK). The simulations indicate important qualitative and quantitative differences between these two mechanisms at high volume fractions. These differences include: (1) The persistence of coalescence events under SALK that are completely absent under diffusion control; and (2) stable circular shapes for isolated domains under SALK; under diffusion control, the morphology of an isolated domain is dependent on its nearby surroundings, as reported by other investigators. Spatial correlations amongst the coarsening domains are also investigated using two-point correlation functions and medium polarization functions.
Interactions of (-)-ilimaquinone with methylation enzymes: implications for vesicular-mediated secretion.

Background The marine sponge metabolite (−)-ilimaquinone has antimicrobial, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory and antimitotic activities, inhibits the cytotoxicity of ricin and diptheria toxin, and selectively fragments the Golgi apparatus. The range of activities demonstrated by this natural product provides a unique opportunity for studying these cellular processes. Results Affinity chromatography experiments show that (−)-ilimaquinone interacts with enzymes of the activated methyl cycle: S -adenosylmethionine synthetase, S -adenosylhomocysteinase and methyl transferases. Known inhibitors of these enzymes were found to block vesicle-mediated secretion in a manner similar to (−)-ilimaquinone. Moreover, the antisecretory effects of (−)-ilimaquinone and inhibitors of methylation chemistry, but not brefeldin A, could be reversed in the presence of the cellular methylating agent S -adenosylmethionine. Of the enzymes examined in the activated methyl cycle, S -adenosylhomocysteinase was specifically inhibited by (−)-ilimaquinone. Consistent with these observations, (−)-ilimaquinone was shown to obstruct new methylation events in adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary cells. Conclusions (−)-Ilimaquinone inhibits cellular methylations through its interactions with S -adenosylhomocysteinase. Furthermore, these studies indicate that the inhibition of secretion by ilimaquinone is the result of the natural product's antimethylation activity. It is likely that the ability to fragment the Golgi apparatus, as well as other activities, are also related to ilimaquinone's influence on methylation chemistry.
Premixed Digestion Salts for Kjeldahl Determination of Total Nitrogen in Selected Forest Soils

Abstract Estimates of total soil nitrogen by a standard Kjeldahl procedure and a modified procedure employing packets of premixed digestion salts were closely correlated (r2 = 0.983). The modified procedure appears to be as reliable as the standard method for determining total nitrogen in southern alluvial forest soils.
Sphingolipid content of human adipose tissue: Relationship to adiponectin and insulin resistance

Ceramides (Cer) are implicated in obesity-associated skeletal muscle and perhaps adipocyte insulin resistance. We examined whether the sphingolipid content of human subcutaneous adipose tissue and plasma varies by obesity and sex as well as the relationship between ceramide content and metabolic indices. Abdominal subcutaneous adipose biopsies were performed on 12 lean adults (males = 6), 12 obese adults (males = 6) for measurement of sphingolipid content and activity of the main ceramide metabolism enzymes. Blood was sampled for glucose, insulin (to calculate homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA(IR))) adiponectin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations. Compared to lean controls, total ceramide content (pg/adipocyte) was increased by 31% (P < 0.05) and 34% (P < 0.05) in obese females and males, respectively. In adipocytes from obese adults sphingosine, sphinganine, sphingosine-1-phosphate, C14-Cer, C16-Cer, and C24-Cer were all increased. C18:1-Cer was increased in obese males and C24:1-Cer in obese females. For women only, there was a negative correlation between C16-Cer ceramide and plasma adiponectin (r = -0.77, P = 0.003) and a positive correlation between total ceramide content and HOMA(IR) (r = 0.74, P = 0.006). For men only there were significant (at least P < 0.05), positive correlations between adipocyte Cer-containing saturated fatty acid and plasma IL-6 concentration. We conclude that the sexual dimorphism in adipose tissue behavior in humans extends to adipose tissue sphingolipid content its association with adiponectin, IL-6 and insulin resistance.
A Maximum-Likelihood Decoding Algorithm of LT Codes with a Small Fraction of Dense Rows

We design a new form of the Maximum Likelihood Decoding Algorithm (MLDA) in [1] for LT codes [3] with a small fraction of dense rows. In particular, we design degree distributions using the Robust Soliton Distribution (RSD) for the proposed MLDA based decoding of LT codes. We also estimate the computational complexity of the proposed LT based MLDA. Simulation results, which show the viability of the proposed MLDA decoding of LT codes, are also presented.
Hepatitis B virus and HIV coinfection: relationship of different serological patterns to survival and liver disease.

Objectives Eighty per cent of HIV-positive patients show evidence of past or current infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). The impact of chronic HBV infection or the presence of isolated HBV core antibody on survival in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has not been well studied. Methods This retrospective analysis included patients from the HIV Atlanta Veterans Affairs Cohort Study (HAVACS). This cohort comprises 2818 HIV-positive patients followed since 1982. For this analysis, 1685 patients with available HBV serologies were included, based on laboratory records available since 1992. Adjusted survival analyses were performed for patients showing any of four serological patterns for HBV: (1) surface antigen positive (chronic HBV infection), (2) isolated core antibody, (3) surface antibody with or without core antibody (resolved/vaccinated) and (4) no HBV markers (negative group). Risk factors for liver disease were identified. Results A trend was seen for a lower survival rate from AIDS to death in the chronic HBV infection group compared with the negative group [hazard ratio (HR) 1.43; P=0.118]. The only independent predictor of lower survival rate was hepatitis C virus positivity (HR 1.62; P=0.008). Protective factors were use of HAART (HR 0.40; P=0.0003), use of lamivudine (HR 0.36; P<0.0001) and use of tenofovir (HR 0.23; P<0.0001). Survival from HIV diagnosis to death was not different among the HBV groups. Isolated core antibody patients did not have a lower survival rate compared with those with resolved HBV infection. Patients with chronic HBV infection were 3.5 times more likely to have liver disease than those with no HBV infection (P<0.02). Conclusions There is a trend towards a lower survival rate in patients with HIV and chronic HBV infection, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The presence of isolated core antibody was not associated with a lower survival rate.
Intercalation pathway in many-particle LiFePO4 electrode revealed by nanoscale state-of-charge mapping.

The intercalation pathway of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) in the positive electrode of a lithium-ion battery was probed at the ∼40 nm length scale using oxidation-state-sensitive X-ray microscopy. Combined with morphological observations of the same exact locations using transmission electron microscopy, we quantified the local state-of-charge of approximately 450 individual LFP particles over nearly the entire thickness of the porous electrode. With the electrode charged to 50% state-of-charge in 0.5 h, we observed that the overwhelming majority of particles were either almost completely delithiated or lithiated. Specifically, only ∼2% of individual particles were at an intermediate state-of-charge. From this small fraction of particles that were actively undergoing delithiation, we conclude that the time needed to charge a particle is ∼1/50 the time needed to charge the entire particle ensemble. Surprisingly, we observed a very weak correlation between the sequence of delithiation and the particle size,...
Peripheral nerve sheath tumors of the paranasal sinuses

Only 4% of peripheral nerve sheath tumors of the head and neck occur in the paranasal sinuses. The most commonly involved sinus is the maxillary antrum and the most common histologic type is benign schwannoma. Two new cases of schwannoma occurring in the sphenoid and maxillary sinuses are reported. The clinical pathologic, and radiographic features of these lesions are reviewed.
Mediation of adenylyl cyclase sensitization by PTX-insensitive GαoA, Gαi1, Gαi2 or Gαi3

Chronic activation of mu-opioid receptors, which couple to pertussis toxin-sensitive Gαi/o proteins to inhibit adenylyl cyclase (AC), leads to a compensatory sensitization of AC. Pertussis toxin-insensitive mutations of Gαi/o subtypes, in which the pertussis toxin-sensitive cysteine is mutated to isoleucine (G), were used to determine whether each of the Gαi/o subtypes is able to mediate sensitization of AC. G, G, G or G were individually transiently transfected into C6 glioma cells stably expressing the mu-opioid receptor, or transiently co-expressed with the mu-opioid receptor into human embryonic kidney (HEK)293T cells. Cells were treated with pertussis toxin to uncouple endogenous Gαi/o proteins, followed by acute or chronic treatment with the mu-opioid agonist, [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO). Each Gαi/o subtype mediated acute DAMGO inhibition of AC and DAMGO-induced sensitization of AC. The potency for DAMGO to stimulate sensitization was independent of the Gαi/o subtype, but the level of sensitization was increased in clones expressing higher levels of Gαi/o subunits. Sensitization of AC mediated by a component of fetal bovine serum, which was also dependent on the level of functional Gαi/o subunits in the cell, was observed. This serum-mediated sensitization partially masked mu-opioid-mediated sensitization when expressed as percentage overshoot due to an apparent increase in AC activity.
Remote sensing of snow thaw at the pan-Arctic scale using the SeaWinds scatterometer

Abstract Remotely sensed estimates of snow thaw offer the potential of more complete spatial coverage across remote, undersampled areas such as the terrestrial Arctic drainage basin. We compared the timing of spring thaw determined from approximately 25 km resolution daily radar backscatter data with observed daily river discharge time series and model simulated snow water content data for 52 basins (5000–10,000 km 2 ) across Canada and Alaska for the spring of 2000. Algorithms for identifying critical thaw transitions were applied to daily backscatter time series from the SeaWinds scatterometer aboard NASA QuikSCAT, the observed discharge data, and model snow water from the pan-Arctic Water Balance Model (PWBM). Radar-derived thaw shows general agreement with discharge increases (Mean Absolute Difference, MAD=21 days, r =0.45), with better agreement (16 days) in basins with moderate-high runoff due to snow thaw. Even better agreement is noted when comparing the scatterometer-derived primary thaw timing with model simulated snow water increase (MAD=14 days, r =0.75). Good correspondence is found across higher latitude basins in western Canada and Alaska, while the largest discrepancies appear at the driest watersheds with lower snow and daily discharge amounts. Extending this analysis to the entire pan-Arctic drainage basin, we compared scatterometer-derived date of the primary (maximum) thaw with the timing of simulated snow water increases from the PWBM. Good agreement is found across much of the pan-Arctic; discrepancies for over half of the analyzed grid cells are less than one week. MADs are 11.7 days for the Arctic basin in Eurasian and 15.1 days across North America. Mean biases are low; 2.1 and −3.1 days for Eurasia and North America, respectively. Stronger backscatter response (high signal-low noise) is noted with higher seasonal snow accumulation, low to moderate tree cover and low topographic complexity. Although our results show inconsistent performance along coastal regions and warmer southerly parts of the study domain, active radar instruments such as SeaWinds offer the potential for monitoring high-latitude snow thaw at spatial scales appropriate for pan-Arctic applications in near real time. Applications include hydrological model verification, analysis of lags between snow thaw and river response, and determination of large-scale snow extent.
Revisioning a School Administrator Preparation Program: A North Carolina Case Study.

This article provides a descriptive case study of the process used at one of North Carolina’s public universities to respond to a state-mandated revisioning directive for educational leadership preparation programs. The case provides an overview of the state educational leadership policy context, discussion of state and local support offered, examination of circumstances that facilitated or hindered program redesign and implementation, discussion of the faculty revisioning process, comparison of pre- and post-redesign program features, and the relationship of the redesigned program to recommended educational leadership preparation program guidelines.
HIV diagnosis and sexual risk behavior intentions among couple VCT clients in Ethiopia

This research examines whether members of HIV affected couples are more likely to change their abstinence and condom intentions than members of HIV- couples during couple voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). A total of 1260 couple VCT clients in Ethiopia were asked about their sexual risk behavior intentions for the next two months after pre-test and post-test counseling. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine whether the couple's HIV status was associated with changed intentions to abstain or use condoms between pre-test and post-test. Individuals belonging to male HIV+ serodiscordant couples (aRRR = 7.98, p < 0.001), female HIV+ serodiscordant couples (aRRR = 5.85, p < 0.001), and HIV+ concordant couples (aRRR = 3.12, p = 0.05) were more likely to have increased their intentions to abstain or use condoms in the next two months than individuals in HIV- concordant relationships. The couple's HIV status was not associated with decreased intentions to abstain or use condoms in the next two months. Counseling for all HIV affected couples should include practical information on obtaining and using condoms. This includes HIV affected couples who intend to abstain from sex, whether for a short or long period of time, so that they are prepared to have protected sex if their intentions change.
Motion of an Elastic Rod With External Coulomb Friction

The effect of external friction on an elastic rod is considered for the case of a sudden application of force to one end. The interesting result obtained is that the maximum distance which the wave propagates down the rod is independent of the material properties land depends only on the applied force at the end and on the friction force.
Controlled release formulations of alachlor based on calcium alginate

Abstract Granular controlled release formulations of alachlor were prepared from sodium alginate-kaolin-linseed oil-herbicide slurries dropped onto calcium chloride to form spherical beads which were air-dried and evaluated for release rates in a static water extraction. These formulations gave considerably slower release of alachlor than a commercial formulation and/or the alginate formulation without oil. Factors affecting the rate of release included aging of the dried formulation and the ratio of oil/herbicide in the formulation. The size of the beads had no appreciable effect on the rate of release and several oils, including canola, corn, olive, safflower, peanut, soybean, and sunflower gave similar release rates to linseed oil formulations for alachlor. The use of lignin in combination with alginate also produced a granular formulation with reduced release rates.
Fits to X-ray, radio, and TeV data for the eastern rim of SN 1006

We performed a joint fit to radio, recent Chandra X-ray, and γ-ray data for the supernova remnant SN 1006 using models of synchrotron and inverse-Compton emission. The results are used to determine the magnetic field strength and the properties of the electron spectrum for the eastern rim of the remnant.
A Generic Centerline Velocity Decay Curve for Initially Turbulent Axisymmetric Jets

Recently the authors introduced a length scale which effectively collapsed the near field centerline development of velocity and mass fraction for variable density axisymmetric jets whose initial conditions correspond to those of fully developed turbulent pipe flow. The new length scale incorporated the initial mass, momentum, and turbulence intensity per unit area to capture the Reynolds number dependence of near field development for the velocity and scalar distributions observed in low Reynolds number turbulent jets. We extend the analysis for a constant density jet to the intermediate and self-similar far fields further downstream using a dynamic length scale based on the local centerline turbulence intensity. The normalized mean velocity distributions of an air jet collapse over the entire flow distance investigated when the axial distance is normalized by the proposed length scale, thus scaling the virtual origin shift and effectively incorporating the Reynolds number dependence
Effects of oestradiol-17β or 17α-methyltestosterone administration on gonadal differentiation of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède)

Monosex populations can be a valuable management tool in culture of larger size largemouth bass (>400 g). In this study, we investigated the effective mode and duration of oestrogen and androgen administrations to produce monosex largemouth bass populations. The experiment consisted of nine treatments. In oral administration groups, we fed 40-day-old fry either 200 mg of an oestradiol-17β (E2) kg−1 diet or 60 mg of a 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) kg−1 diet for 30, 45 or 60 days. In bath treatments, we immersed fry in a 1 mg MT L−1 solution for 5 h a day on three or six occasions. For control treatment, we fed fry an ethanol-treated diet for 45 days. The frequency of females in the control group was 53.1%. Oral administration of E2 at all durations resulted in slight increases in the frequency of females (59.8–70.5%). Both modes of androgen administration at all durations were ineffective in altering phenotypic sex. The experimental results of our study indicated that male differentiation passed the point of being completely and functionally influenced by exogenous oestrogens, while female differentiation had already taken place and was no longer responsive to exogenous androgens in 40-day-old (33.5 mm) largemouth bass fry.
Ultra high energy density nanocomposite capacitors using surface-functionalized BaTiO 3 nanowires and PVDF-TrFE-CFE

High energy density capacitors are critically important in advanced electronic devices and electric power systems due to their reduced weight, size and cost to meet desired applications. Nanocomposites hold strong potential for increased performance, however, the energy density of most nanocomposites is still low compared to commercial capacitors and neat polymers. Here, high energy density nanocomposite capacitors are fabricated using surface-functionalized high aspect ratio barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanowires (NWs) in a poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE-CFE)) matrix. These nanocomposites have 63.5% higher dielectric permittivity compared to previous nanocomposites with BaTiO3 nanoparticles and also have high breakdown strength. At a 17.5% volume fraction, the nanocomposites show more than 145.3% increase in energy density above that of the pure P(VDF-TrFE- CFE) polymer (10.48 J/cm3 compared to 7.21 J/cm3). This value is significant and exceeds those reported for the conventional polymer-ceramic composites; it is also more than two times larger than high performance commercial materials. The findings of this research could lead to broad interest due to the potential for fabricating next generation energy storage devices.
Furthering the understanding of parent-child relationships: A nursing scholarship review series. part 4: Parent-child relationships at risk

Purpose The purpose of this integrative review is to synthesize nursing scholarship on parent-child relationships considered fragile because of parent/child’s chronic condition or occurrence within a risky context.
Toxicology of tetraethylene glycol Di-N-heptanoate.

ABSTRACTTetraethylene Glycol-Dl-N-Heptanoate (TEGDH), a chemical added to polymers to improve Flexibility, has a very low acute toxicity Following both oral administration and inhalation in rats. The oral LD50 is 25 g/kg in Females and greater than 25 g/kg in males. Its approximate lethal concentration For a 4-hr. inhalation exposure is 14.2 mg/L with no mortalities occurring at 13.7 mg/L. The chemical produces mild to moderate irritation on rabbit skin, is not an eye irritant in the rabbit, and is not a sensitizer in the guinea pig. Repeated exposures by the oral route (28 consecutive doses oF 1 g/kg) or by inhalation (6 hr/day, 5 days/week For 4 weeks at 1 mg/L) Failed to produce any significant adverse response in rats. The material appears to have very low toxicity both when given orally or by inhalation and when the treatment is either acute (single dose) or subchronic (4 weeks).
Controversial issues in an environmental science course: how do students respond?

This qualitative study described non-science majors’ responses to environmental case studies and news events embedded in an introductory level environmental science course. A phenomenological approach was used for this descriptive emergent design study. Sixty-six participants were enrolled in a 12-week course, structured to reflect science education reform principals, at a liberal arts college. Examples of environmental issues included the CHEERS pesticide study on children; use of depleted uranium in military conflicts; a homeowner’s plastic lawn; and local cases of environmental racism. According to the emergent model, a controversial issue must have an element of injustice to affect a student’s moral code or value system, thus, provoking feelings of cognitive dissonance. An environmental issue may be deemed controversial if the injustice exhibits elements of inequality, absence of freedom, or intentional affliction or abuse. To reduce the dissonance, some students sought participation in environmentally-friendly practices beyond the classroom.
A softerware monitor for shared-memory multiprocessor computers

ANIX is a multiprocessor operating system to be used in the backbone Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switches. In ANIX, memory contention by processes running on different CPUs is managed with a protocol called WWWH (when to sleep, who to sleep, where to sleep, and how to sleep). Tools are needed to test, debug, and tune the system running WWWH. This paper describes the experience and practice in design of SHMON, a performance tool that monitors the dynamic behavior of the running system.
SOME REFLECTIONS ON “GOOD” AND “BAD” LANGUAGE TEACHING BEHAVIORS

In an experiment conducted recently at the Stanford Center for Research and Development in Teaching, the frequency of selected classroom behaviors of 17 French teachers was observed and correlated with measures of achievement in French on the part of their students. The frequency of some behaviors (e.g. use of Free Response drills; use of visual aids) correlated positively with student achievement. Behaviors showing no significant correlation with achievement included frequency of Repetition drills, Substitution drills. Other behaviors measured (including the use of Dialogue drills or Translation drills) showed significant negative correlations with student achievement. The conclusion is advanced, however, that most teaching behaviors cannot be classified as intrinsically “good” or “bad,” but that the relationship between the frequency of the use of a teaching behavior and student achievement is represented by a curve within which there are ranges of frequency with positive and negative correlations with achievement. A highly complex relation between the overall method, alternatively available teaching behaviors and student characteristics determines whether the frequency with which a teaching behavior is used falls within the positive or negative ranges.
Climate change and environmental pollution: Physical and biological interactions

Climatic change projected over the next century may occur in an environment already affected by other stress, including UV-B enhancement, air pollution and increasing nutrient fluxes. Focusing on particular ecosystems, temperate zone forests, freshwater lakes, and estuaries, we have examined the interactions among these several environmental problems. An important chemical outcome of atmospheric change is the increase in oxidant levels throughout the lower atmosphere and the hydrosphere. These oxidants are phytotoxic and contribute directly and indirectly, along with other stresses on ecosystems, to the acceleration of the S, N and C cycles. These changes may lead to the net transfer of nutrients from land to coastal ocean with accompanying forest decline and coastal eutrophication. Some shifts already may be under way locally, but the synergistic nature of the stresses threatens to accelerate these processes over the next few decades. In addition to any direct consequences of climatic change, the aggravation of existing environmental problems is an important indirect consequence.
Flow Stress Determination for Metals at Forging Rates and Temperatures

In this study, the uniform compression test is used to determine the flow stress of 403 stainless steel, Waspaloy, Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo, Inconel 718, Ti-8Mo-8V-2Fe-3Al, and, AISI 4340 at various forging temperatures. The ring-compression test is used to determine the flow stress of 6061 aluminum, Ti-7Al-4Mo, 403 stainless steel, Waspaloy, 17-7 PH stainless steel, Ti-6Al-4V, Inconel 718, Ti-8Al-1Mo-V, 7075 aluminum, and Udimet 700 alloy at forging temperatures. All the tests were conducted, at practical deformation rates encountered in forging, on an instrumented high-speed forging press. For the same material and at similar temperature and deformation-rate conditions, the data obtained from the uniform-compression and ring-compression tests were compared. It was found that the results obtained with rings 3-in. O.D., 1.5-in. ID and 1 in. high were practically identical to those obtained from the isothermal uniform-compression tests conducted with samples 1-in. dia and 1.5 in. high.
Transient and Steady-State Force Enhancement in the Drosophila Jump Muscle

The increase of isometric force after active lengthening, termed force enhancement (FE), is a well-accepted characteristic of skeletal muscle that has been demonstrated in both whole muscle [1,3] and single-fiber preparations [1,2]. The amount of FE increases with increasing amplitudes of stretch, yet no clear correlation between FE and the rate stretch has been demonstrated [2]. Although this behavior has been observed experimentally for over 70 years, its underlying mechanism(s) remain unknown. Furthermore, most studies of FE have been limited to steady-state (FESS) observations [1–3], whereas clues to the underlying mechanism(s) may very well exist in the transient force recovery period following an active stretch, as seen in another history-dependent phenomenon, force depression [4].Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Hot spot and temperature analysis of shocked hydrocarbon polymer foams using molecular dynamics simulation

Hydrocarbon polymers, foams and nanocomposites are increasingly being subjected to extreme environments. Molecular scale modeling of these materials offers insight into failure mechanisms and complex response. Prior classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the principal shock Hugoniot for two hydrocarbon polymers, polyethylene (PE) and poly (4-methyl-1-pentene) (PMP) have shown good agreement with density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experiments conducted at Sandia National Laboratories. We extended these results to include low-density polymer foams using nonequilibrium MD techniques and found good quantitative agreement with experiment. Here, we have measured the local temperature during void collapse to investigate the formation of hot spots and their relationship to polymer dissociation in foams.
The long and the short of Wnt signaling in C. elegans

The simplicity of C. elegans makes it an outstanding system to study the role of Wnt signaling in development. Many asymmetric cell divisions in C. elegans require the Wnt/beta-catenin asymmetry pathway. Recent studies confirm that SYS-1 is a structurally and functionally divergent beta-catenin, and implicate lipids and retrograde trafficking in maintenance of WRM-1/beta-catenin asymmetry. Wnts also regulate short-range events such as spindle rotation and gastrulation, and a PCP-like pathway regulates asymmetric divisions. Long-range, cell non-autonomous Wnt signals regulate vulval induction. Both short-range and long-range Wnt signal s are regulated by recycling of MIG-14/Wntless via the retromer complex. These studies indicate that C. elegans continues to be useful for identifying new, conserved mechanisms underlying Wnt signaling in metazoans.
Borrowed Fatherland: Nationalism and Language Purism in Fichte's Addresses to the German Nation

(1997). Borrowed Fatherland: Nationalism and Language Purism in Fichte's Addresses to the German Nation. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 72, No. 4, pp. 303-315.
The effect of ground level absorption on the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere

Abstract The emission of an air pollutant species from a point or line source has been studied analytically for a case in which the pollutant may be absorbed or desorbed at ground level. The solution of the mass conservation equation leads to expressions which describe the concentrations downstream from the emission source. The ground level concentrations are presented in the form of dimensionless plots. Typical numerical values for the parameters in the equations were used to show that the concentration profiles over water in the vicinity of the emission source would be appreciably affected only for very soluble gases, such as SO 2 , NH 3 and HCl.
Production of H atoms in solid H2 by RF discharge

Hydrogen atoms have been produced by RF discharge at the surface of an H2 crystal and studied by ESR techniques. The mean concentration at 4.2 K was estimated to be 1015 atoms per cm3 for about 14 h of source pulsing. This atom concentration was shown to be stable for long times. The results suggest that diffusion of atoms into the interior of the solid takes place very rapidly.
A Chemoreceptor That Detects Molecular Carbon Dioxide

Animals from diverse phyla possess neurons that are activated by the product of aerobic respiration, CO2. It has long been thought that such neurons primarily detect the CO2 metabolites protons and bicarbonate. We have determined the chemical tuning of isolated CO2 chemosensory BAG neurons of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that BAG neurons are principally tuned to detect molecular CO2, although they can be activated by acid stimuli. One component of the BAG transduction pathway, the receptor-type guanylate cyclase GCY-9, suffices to confer cellular sensitivity to both molecular CO2 and acid, indicating that it is a bifunctional chemoreceptor. We speculate that in other animals, receptors similarly capable of detecting molecular CO2 might mediate effects of CO2 on neural circuits and behavior.
Transillumination of the Oral Cavity with Use of Fiber Optics

Fiber optics applied to transillumination of teeth and other oral structures is a useful technic for detection of caries, calculus, and soft tissue lesions. It permits a cold, high-intensity light source to be used anywhere in the oral cavity with ease and flexibility. It often shows the degree of undermined carious tooth structure more accurately than the usual bitewing radiograph, and may aid in diagnosis of periapical and periodontal abscesses before bony destruction has occurred or swelling is apparent.
Does perceptual adaptation to telestereoscopically enhanced depth depend on the recalibration of binocular disparity

Apparent depth is significantly reduced after viewing a rotating three-dimensional form through a system of mirrors which enhances binocular disparity by optically increasing the separation between the eyes. The change in depth perception has previously been interpreted in terms of the adaptive recalibration of binocular disparity by kinetic sources of depth information. The present experiments showed that the same result is still obtained when either disparity or kinetic depth is absent during the exposure interval. The depth aftereffect failed to occur, however, when artificial pupils were used during binocular observation of the rotating form through the mirrors. These results demonstrate that the conflict between disparity and kinetic depth is neither necessary nor sufficient to produce the adaptive change in depth perception. A close association between depth and distance aftereffects was consistently found, suggesting that both types of perceptual change derive from the same underlying process. The accommodation system was implicated by the fact that the perceptual aftereffects were present following monocular exposure, but were absent under the artificial pupil exposure condition.
Image and modality control issues in the objective evaluation of manipulation techniques for digital chest images

An extension to the contrast-enhancement algorithm Adaptive Histogram Equalization (AHE) has been developed at our institution for use on digital chest images. Our algorithm, Artifact- Suppressed Adaptive Histogram Equalization (ASAHE), has been targeted for ultimate use on high-resolution radiological workstations. Recent modifications to the algorithm suggested that it would make nodules more easily detectable than the standard processing available with the computed radiography system at our disposal. We designed and carried out a carefully controlled observer experiment, detailed in this article, that used phantoms and simulated nodules to verify our hypothesis. The results showed that the ASAHE algorithm did produce a significant improvement in nodule detection.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An interpretation for probabilistic relaxation

Abstract Probabilistic relaxation has been the basis of one of the popular cooperative processing mechanisms used in image analysis. It has been a mechanism whose theory has not been well understood. In this paper, some general conditional independence conditions are stated which give probabilistic relaxation the interpretation that each iteration computes the conditional probability of each local label given a new context which is the context of the previous iteration enlarged by one neighborhood width. This interpretation implies that relaxation iterations must only continue until the conditional independence assumptions no longer hold, or until the entire context is taken into account, whichever comes first.
It is as it does: genital form and function in sex reassignment surgery.

Surgeons who perform sex reassignment surgeries (SRS) define their goals and evaluate their outcomes in terms of two kinds of results: aesthetic and functional. Since the neogenitals fashioned through sex reassignment surgeries do not enable reproductive function, surgeons must determine what the function of the genitals is or ought to be. A review of surgical literature demonstrates that questions of what constitute genital form and function, while putatively answered in the operating room, are not answerable in the discourses of clinical evaluation used to define them. When the genitals—the word itself derived from the Latin genitas meaning to beget—are not reproductive, the question of their function shifts away from the biological and into other registers: pleasure, intimacy, sociality. As condensed sites of meaning and meaning-making around which selves, affects, resources, anxieties and futures are organized, the genitals signify in excess of the categories of “aesthetic” and “function” that surgeons use to assess them. Not reducible to either aesthetics or function, but constitutive of them both, this excess appears in surgical texts in the form of imagined futures of social and sexual engagement and demonstrates a powerful means by which properly sexed bodies are created.
Electron Mobility and Luminescence Efficiency in Cadmium Sulfide

The mobility of the photoelectrons produced in cadmium sulfide by pulsed ultraviolet and x-ray excitation has been determined through measurements of the incident radiation, the luminescence radiation, and the initial rates of rise and decay of the photocurrent. The mobility value as well as the efficiencies of the excitation and radiative recombination processes for the two types of excitation are obtained directly from these measurements by means of a general analysis which is independent of the details of the photoelectric mechanism. The following approximate numerical results are obtained: The electron mobility is 30 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/voltsec. Two percent of the conduction electrons radiate red light quanta upon recombining. Each 0.5A x-ray quantum produces about 2000 conduction electrons.