cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Critical information for the study of ecodynamics and socio-natural systems: Rescuing endangered heritage and data from Arctic Alaskan Coastal sites

Abstract Archaeological sites are recognized as sources of data about past cultures. Their value as information sources about past environmental conditions and processes, as well as socio-natural systems is described, emphasizing benefits for disciplines beyond archaeology. Just as new techniques are expanding what we can learn from them, the sites and their preserved data are in imminent danger of destruction. This problem is extremely acute in the Arctic, although by no means limited to that region. Research at sites in the Utqiaġvik, Alaska area, primarily Walakpa, demonstrate the issues and provide experiences that may be helpful to others dealing with similar situations. Suggestions are offered for actions to ameliorate the accelerating loss of data.
Feasibility of retrofitting existing miter-type lock gates with discontinuous contact blocks

ABSTRACTThe US inland navigation system facilitates the transportation of billions of dollars of goods annually, with lock gates being a major component of the system. Miter-type gates are the most...
Synchronous Multifocal Necrotizing Fasciitis: A Case Report.

CASE An immunocompetent 43-year-old man was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis of his forearm. Despite receiving appropriate treatment, his clinical condition continued to deteriorate. Further evaluation revealed subsequent proliferation of the infection to multiple noncontiguous areas of the body consistent with a rare condition known as synchronous multifocal necrotizing fasciitis. Prompt identification, followed by serial debridements of all affected areas, ultimately saved the patient's life. CONCLUSION This unusual multifocal presentation of necrotizing fasciitis can produce diagnostic uncertainty and delay life-saving treatment. Early recognition, followed by prompt treatment, is paramount for reducing morbidity and mortality associated with this devastating infection.
From Exclusivity to Concurrence

Introduction 1052 I. The Analytics of Concurrence, and Some Examples ...... 1057 A. Definitions 1057 B. Contemporary Examples 1057 C. Conceptual Clarifications 1061 1. Three Analytical Tools 1061 a. Same-Effect Versus Same-Source Concurrence 1061 i. Definition 1061 ii. Judicial and Scholarly Reliance on the Distinction 1062 iii. Reexamining the Reasons for the Distinction 1064 b. Nonidenticality 1069 c. Imperfect Overlap 1070 2. Concurrence’s Relation to Three Familiar Constitutional Principles 1071 a. Checks and Balances 1071 b. Expressio Unius est Exclusio Alterius 1071 c. Enumerated Powers 1073 D. The Pacificus-Helvidius Debates 1073 II. The Historical Trajectory from Exclusivity to Concurrence 1076 A. Original Jurisdiction of the Various Federal Courts: The Road from Marbury to Ames 1077
Diminished cortical response to risk and loss during risky decision making in alcohol use disorder.

Abstract Background Risky decision-making is an important facet of addiction. Individuals with alcohol dependence show abnormalities in gambling and other risk-taking tasks. In one such measure, the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), participants sequentially choose to pump a virtual balloon to increase potential reward while the risk of explosion increases, or to cash-out and take earnings. In a prior study, alcohol-dependent participants differed from controls in brain activation during decision-making on the BART, but the relationship between risk/reward magnitude and brain activation was not studied, nor were participants compared to controls. Here we compared the degree to which risk and magnitude of reward influenced brain activation in alcohol-dependent participants vs. controls during decision-making on the BART. Methods Thirty-two participants (16 alcohol-dependent, 16 control; 5 females/group) performed the BART during fMRI. A parametric analysis tested for a relationship between risk/reward magnitude and activation in rDLPFC and bilateral striatum regions of interest when participants chose to take risk or to cash out. An exploratory whole-brain voxel-wise analysis of mean activation during pumping, cash-out, and explosion events was also conducted. Results Compared with controls, alcohol-dependent participants displayed less modulation of activation in the rDLPFC when taking risk. Exploratory analyses found that alcohol-dependent participants showed less activation than controls during explosions in a cluster including the insula. No differences were seen in striatal activation. Conclusions Insensitivity of the rDLPFC to risk and of the insula to loss may contribute to decision-making deficits in alcohol dependence.
Linear stability analysis of flashing instability based on the homogeneous equilibrium model

Abstract Flashing instability is a two-phase flow instability widely reported in low-pressure natural circulation that induces undesirable flow oscillations with large magnitudes challenging the operation of facilities. The current study performs linear stability analysis on the flashing instability using a homogenous equilibrium model developed for a typical natural circulation configuration. Physical simplifications are performed, and the governing equations are analytically solved lumping the dynamics of the flow into the evolution of the inlet flow rate governed by a linear ordinary integro-differential equation. Similarity groups governing the dynamics is extracted from the non-dimensionalization. Static stability of the flow is checked based on the classic criterion of the excursive instability, which confirms negligible potential of the static instability and proves the dynamic nature of the flashing instability. The Laplace transformation is performed providing the characteristic function governing the dynamic stability, and the D-partition method is implemented producing the stability boundaries. Through reviewing the characteristic function, a simplified model is obtained around the stability boundary with the low exit flow quality, revealing three dominant feedback effects. For conditions with a short two-phase region near the top of the chimney, the flashing is found to introduce a strong delayed feedback between the gravitational driving force and the inlet flow rate, which essentially triggers the instability under favorable oscillation frequencies properly shifting the phase differences. The extracted dominant dynamics explains the parametric effect on the stability, and analytically predicts a proportional relation between oscillation period and the fluid residence time in the hot leg. The modeling and analysis in the current study supplements the analytical basis for understanding the flashing instability and provides valuable reference for further analytical studies.
Remote moisture quantification of concrete using SAR images and the K-R-I transform

Moisture content in Portland cement concrete structures is commonly associated with many durability problems (e.g., steel corrosion) and can be used in structural health monitoring and nondestructive evaluation/testing (NDE/T) of concrete structures. While several intrusive techniques are available for quantifying moisture content inside concrete structures, it is a challenging task to estimate the moisture content of concrete in the field without using embedded moisture sensors. In this paper, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging as a nonintrusive technique and the K-R-I (curvature-area-amplitude) transform are applied to concrete panel specimens made of two water-to-cement (w/c) ratios (w/c = 0.4 and 0.5) for moisture determination. Concrete panel specimens with dimensions of 0.3 m-by-0.3 m-by-0.05 m were manufactured and conditioned in a laboratory environment by air-drying for three months. Its time-dependent moisture variation was simultaneously monitored by a 10.5- GHz center frequency SAR imaging sensor inside an anechoic chamber. Quantitative analysis of SAR images was carried out by using the K-R-I transform to understand the simultaneous change of SAR amplitude and distribution (contour shape) at different moisture contents. It was found that SAR amplitude and its distribution increase with the increase of moisture content inside concrete panel specimens. Spatial distribution of SAR amplitudes can be used to indicate subsurface moisture distribution inside concrete. The area-amplitude (R-I) curve of SAR images can be used to quantify the relationship between moisture content and its distribution.
Quality of life in dental hygienists using complementary alternative medicine approaches for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

OBJECTIVES The use of conventional treatment for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) reduces the prevalence of pain, but with popularity of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for treatment, it is important to explore their use and impact on dental hygienists (DHs) quality of life (QoL). METHODS A cross-sectional survey research design was used with a non-probability sample of dental hygienists (n = 85) with WRMSDs who used CAM therapies. The WHOQOL-BREF was used to assess quality of life and compared with CAM use and frequency. Analysis included descriptive, t-tests, correlation and chi-square tests of independence. RESULTS The most commonly used CAM types were massage (81%) and chiropractic manipulation (67%) with 66% of respondents using two or more CAM therapies. Participants using five or less different CAMs (n = 46), compared with those using more than five CAM types (n = 35, M = 2.3, SD = 1.5), t (79) = 2.7, p = 0.01, had a higher average number of years before they noticed their WRMSD (M = 3.3, SD = 1.9). Participants reporting use of a higher number of CAM types also had lower QoL physical health domain scores (rho = -0.2, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Dental hygienists used a variety of CAM approaches to manage WRMSDs and had a lower QoL across all domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environment) than the normative mean. More research is needed to explore the use of CAM approaches, such as yoga, for prevention and management of WRMSDs to improve QoL.
A Taxonomy of Spatial-Temporal Data Visualization

Spatial-temporal data visualization is an important sub-field of data visualization. Many spatial-temporal data visualization techniques have been developed and published. Although there are several surveys on this subject, some are based on a task-centric or data-centric framework. Some surveys focus on the temporal data visualization for a particular type of spatial data visualization, such as a map or space-time cube. In this paper, we present a new taxonomy and interactive survey of spatial-temporal data visualization. Based on our taxonomy, a wide variety of spatial-temporal data visualization techniques can be described by a small set of visualization elements. This is the first step towards creating a grammar for spatial-temporal visualization.
A highly programmable sensor network interface with multiple sensor readout circuits

This paper presents a Universal Micro-Sensor Interface (UMSI) chip that significantly expands the capability of previously reported generic interface circuits. It implements a new power-conservative network-capable sensor bus, integrates programmable readout circuits for multiple signal modes, and includes a standard interface for application-specific peripherals. Up to 255 UMSI chips can be connected in a microsystem and each UMSI can interface with up to 8 capacitive, resistive, and/or voltage output devices. Fabricated in 0.5 /spl mu/m CMOS process with a 2.22mm /spl times/ 2.22mm die size, the chip dissipates from 40 /spl mu/W to 13.5mW (depending on configuration) from a 3 V power supply. It supports several power management features and enables a new class of highly adaptive battery-powered microsystems capable of automatic reconfiguration in the field.
Trajectory and spray control planning on unknown 3D surfaces for industrial spray painting robot

Automated 3D path and spray control planning of industrial painting robots for unknown target surfaces is desired to meet demands on the production system. In this thesis, an image acquisition and laser range scanning based method has been developed. The system utilizes the XY projection of the boundaries of the target surface to generate the gun trajectory’s X and Y coordinates as well as the spray control. Z coordinates and gun direction, distance, and speed are generated based on the point cloud from the target that is acquired by the laser scanner. A simulation methodology was also developed which is capable of calculating the paint thickness across the target surface. Results have shown that the generated path could perform a full coverage on the target surface, while keeping the paint material waste at the minimum. Excellent paint thickness control could be achieved on 2D and straight line sweep surfaces, while a satisfactory thickness is obtained on other 3D arbitrary surfaces. Relationships among thickness, spray deposition profile, sampling roughness and geometric features of the target surfaces have been discussed to make this method more applicable in industry.
Automatically Learning User Needs from Online Reviews for New Product Design

The traditional product design process begins with the identification of user needs (Ulrich and Eppinger 2008). Traditional methods for needs identification include focus groups, surveys, interviews, and anthropological studies. In this paper, we propose to augment traditional methods for identifying user needs by automatically analyzing user-generated online product reviews. Specifically, we present a supervised, machine learning approach for sentential-level adaptive text extraction and mining. Based upon a set of 9700+ digital camera product reviews gathered in January 2008, we evaluate the approach in three ways. First, we report precision and recall using n-fold cross-validation on labeled data. Second, we compare the recall of automated learning with respect to traditional measures for identifying users and their respective needs. Third, we use multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) to visualize the competitive landscape by mapping existing products in terms of the user needs that they address.
Topical diclofenac treatment for post-incisional neuropathic pain

Dear Editor, Neuropathic incisional pain is difficult to treat effectively and is probably mechanistically due to microneuroma formation and sensitization at the site of the incision. First-line pharmacological treatments for neuropathic pain include selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants calcium channel α2δ-subunit ligands (gabapentin and pregabalin), and topical lidocaine. The role of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in treating neuropathic pain is unclear. Application of topical NSAIDs in the peripheral tissue is demonstrated to be efficacious in the treatment of acute and chronic nociceptive pain. NSAIDs may decrease inflammation of the peripheral nerves and the supporting structures that can cause neuropathic pain. Even so, NSAIDs are excluded from most treatment guidelines for any role in treating neuropathic pain, although a significant number of patients with neuropathic pain receive prescriptions for NSAIDs. We report a case of headaches and incisional pain treated with topical NSAID. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of incisional pain treated with topical diclofenac plus dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). A 46-year-old gentleman with …
A fast constant modulus algorithm for blind equalization

The constant modulus (CM) criterion coupled with a gradient search helps in the design of fractionally spaced equalizers. Effective implementation of CM algorithm requires proper choice of the scale factor /spl mu/ called the step size and initialization of equalizer coefficients. Experience reveals that these two determine the convergence rate and final misadjustment. Recently Brown et al. proposed a computationally efficient algorithm, which is a signed error version of CMA. This paper proposes yet another variation of the same and reports faster convergence. The idea is to use variable step size, which increases the convergence rate.
Transparent and superhydrophobic Ta 2 O 5 nanostructured thin films

Transparent Ta2O5 nanostructured thin films have been fabricated using a multi-step anodization process. Obtained by a combination of the nanostructured surface and the deposition of the hydrophobic CFx coating, the transparent films can be made highly water repellent or superhydrophobic useful for self-cleaning and anti-fogging optical coatings. Contact angle measurements and optical transmittance curves of the nanostructured films are in good agreement with theoretical calculations.
Response of tilted coil antennas in eccentric boreholes

Well-logging tools employing tilted coil antennas have been proposed to provide azimuthal sensitivity in borehole problems. This is particularly useful in instances such as deviated drilling for oilfield exploration. During the well-logging process however, the logging tool is often not perfectly aligned with the borehole due to mechanical vibrations and/or gravitational pull effects. This leads to an eccentric borehole problem. We extend a pseudo-analytical formulation originally developed for point sources (Lovell, J.R. and Chew, W.C., IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., vol.25. no.6, p.850-8, 1987) and later to loop sources (Hagiwara, T. et al., SPE Annual Technical Conf. and Exhibition, 2003) in concentric boreholes, to study the response of logging tools employing tilted coil antennas in eccentric boreholes. This formulation is useful as a tool to assess, for example, the impact of the eccentricity on the geo-steering capabilities of well-logging directional resistivity tools (DRT) used in oilfield exploration. The results show very good agreement against brute-force 3D FDTD simulations.
"Spinner" cephalopods: defects of statocyst suprastructures in an invertebrate analogue of the vestibular apparatus

Individuals of seven species of coleoid cephalopods (three species of octopus, three of squid, and one of cuttlefish), that were cultured and reared in laboratory aquarium systems, had a behavioral defect at hatching which was characterized by an inability to control orientation while swimming. These defective animals were designated as "spinners." An examination of statocysts from individuals of five of the affected species revealed abnormalities of the neuro-epithelial suprastructures: absence or malformation of the statolith of the gravity receptor system and absence of the cupulae of the angular acceleration receptor systems. The sensory epithelia did not differ from those of normal animals, nor did the synaptic structures and relationships, when examined both with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The abnormalities were compared with congenital defects of the neuropeithelial suprastructures of the vestibular apparatus (especially in mammals). The defects observed in statocysts of spinner animals are thought to be the result of environmental causes, such as the temperature or chemistry of the seawater in the transportation vessels or rearing systems, rather than genetic causes.
Evidence for similarities between cyclodiene type insecticides and picrotoxinin in their action mechanisms

Abstract Evidence has been obtained to indicate that cyclodiene‐type insecticides, e.g., heptachlor epoxide and γ‐BHC, mimic the action of picrotoxinin. These insecticides inhibit the GABA (gamma‐aminobutyric acid)‐stimulated chloride uptake in the coxal muscle of the American cockroach, and directly compete against [3H]a‐dihydropierotoxinin for binding in the rat brain synaptosomes. Moreover, several cyclodiene‐resistant insect strains are also resistant to picrotoxinin. This cross‐resistance is specific to picrotoxinin and does not extend to other neuroexcitants. These insecticides, like picrotoxinin, cause central nerve excitation by stimulating transmitter release. Similarity in molecular structures also has been pointed out. These results indicate that some of the nerve excitation symptoms that insecticides cause are likely due to their interaction with picrotoxinin receptor.
Efficient edge detection and object segmentation using Gabor filters

Gabor filter is a widely used feature extraction method, especially in image texture analysis. The selection of optimal filter parameters is usually problematic and unclear. This study analyzes the filter design essentials and proposes two different methods to segment the Gabor filtered multi-channel images. The first method integrates Gabor filters with labeling algorithm for edge detection and object segmentation. The second method uses the K-means clustering with simulated annealing for image segmentation of a stack of Gabor filtered multi-channel images. Various experiments with real images demonstrate the effectiveness of these approaches.
Critical span analysis of overhead conductors

Those factors that influence the location and number of critical spans are identified. Sensitivity parameters are introduced and used to show how the critical span is influenced by weather conditions, conductor properties and conductor current. The weather conditions along the route of the line are shown to be the dominant factors which affect the conductor temperature and ultimately the number and location of critical spans. The weather data were used in a computer program to predict real-time conductor temperature, and the span temperatures at the five locations. In addition, a statistical analysis of the temperature data was used to determine the location of a critical span under various weather conditions. Temperature data collected at the test span, weather data from the five sites, and the results of the sensitivity analysis all confirm the difficulties in locating critical spans, particularly when they are governed to a large degree by local weather conditions that are highly variable and practically impossible to predict. >
Three‐dimensional imaging of large compressive deformations in elastomeric foams

Specimens of silica-reinforced polysiloxane foam pads were three-dimensionally imaged during axial compressive loading to densification. The foams' behavior was highly nonlinear and showed the three characteristic regions of linear elastic, elastic buckling, and densification. A finite-element technique, based upon conversion of the image voxels to finite elements, was used to calculate the mechanical properties of the foams. The results were compared with conventional mechanical testing and theory. The finite-element calculations were in excellent agreement with experimental stress–strain data over the entire range of compressive loading. Theoretical models, on the other hand, overestimated the stiffness of the foam above the elastic buckling stress by not correctly predicting the abruptness of the transition from elastic buckling to densification. Three-dimensional analysis of the deformed microstructures indicated that there was a critical foam density beyond which the cell morphology suddenly changed from open-celled to closed-celled and that this “phase”-like transition was responsible for the abrupt increase in stiffness near densification. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1746–1755, 2001
MRI Versus Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) in Newly Diagnosed Ductal Cell Carcinoma-in-situ: A Prospective Head-to-Head Trial

Background Mammography remains the standard imaging technique for the diagnosis of ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS). Functional breast imaging, including breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has known limitations in evaluating DCIS. To date, there are limited data on the utility of breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) in DCIS. We sought to prospectively compare the sensitivity of BSGI to MRI in newly diagnosed DCIS patients.
Do Academic and Social Goals Predict Planned Alcohol Use Among College-Bound High School Graduates?

Actively pursuing important goals predicts positive affect and well-being (Emmons, 1986, J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 51: 1058-1068; Emmons and King, 1988, J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 54: 1040-1048; Salmela-Aro and Nurmi, 1997, J. Adult Dev. 4: 179-188). College-bound high school graduates (n = 943) completed the ULTRA Orientation Survey prior to college. Planned alcohol use differed by gender, fraternity/sorority participation, and Honors membership. Students who appraised academic goals as more important and less difficult/stressful planned to consume less alcohol in their 1st year of college. Greater importance and lower difficulty/stressfulness of social goals predicted more planned drinking. Relationships of personal goals with drinking remained after controlling for group differences, and academic and social goal importance predicted plans to drink after controlling for alcohol use during high school senior year. The discussion focuses on the impact of goal appraisals on risk behavior, niche selection during the transition to college, and implications for the prevention of heavy drinking. Language: en
Programmable calculator as timer, storer, and decision maker in psychology experiments

This paper describes how a portable programmable calculator can be used to time behavior, to store time values from successive trials, and to perform criterial calculations on a trial-by-trial basis. A specific application for visual habituation studies in infants is described and an exemplary program, currently in use, is listed.
Single-center experience with the Arrow-Trerotola Percutaneous Thrombectomy Device in the management of thrombosed native dialysis fistulas.

PURPOSE The present study sought to evaluate the performance of the Arrow-Trerotola Percutaneous Thrombolytic Device (PTD) in the treatment of native fistula thrombosis in a U.S. hemodialysis population. Specifically, the technical success, clinical success, complication rate and type, primary and secondary patency rates, effect of adjunctive thrombolytic therapy, and any variables that affected outcomes of procedures in which this device was used were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-two patients with 44 thrombosed native fistulas (17 radiocephalic, 10 brachiocephalic, 10 transposed or superficialized, five graft/fistula hybrids, and two leg fistulas) were treated with 62 mechanical thrombolysis procedures with use of the PTD. All patients had large clot burden. The device type was recorded in 43 procedures: standard ( n = 21), over-the-wire (OTW; n = 19), or both ( n = 3). No device was used in two cases because of inability to cross the anastomosis. Adjunctive therapies ( n = 18) included the use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA; n = 16) and deployment of the AngioJet device with ( n = 1) or without tPA ( n = 1). Stents were inserted in four procedures. Outcome variables included technical and clinical success, complications, and primary and secondary patency. Cox proportional-hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed. RESULTS The technical success rate was 87% (54 of 62) and the clinical success rate was 79% (49 of 62). Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in all but two procedures. Complications occurred in 13% of procedures ( n = 8); three resulted in technical failure. The primary patency rates were 38% at 6 months and 18% at 12 months; secondary patency rates were 74% and 69%, respectively. Outcomes were not affected by adjunctive techniques, fistula type, age of fistula, device type (ie, OTW vs standard), or patient sex. Secondary patency was superior when no residual clot or stenosis was present ( P = .003). CONCLUSIONS The PTD is effective for percutaneous treatment of thrombosed hemodialysis fistulas, with good shortand long-term outcomes in a U.S. population. Within the limitations of a retrospective study with a small sample size, use of an adjunctive thrombolytic agent did not appear to improve results compared with the use of the device alone.
Survival and reproductive success of black ducks fed methyl mercury

Abstract A diet containing 3 ppm mercury was fed to black ducks ( Anas rubripes ) for periods of 28 weeks during two consecutive breeding seasons. Clutch size, egg production, number of eggs incubated, hatchability and survival of ducklings were lower during both years in hens fed mercury. Reduced hatchability and poor duckling survival were the most harmful effects. During 2 years, 13 pairs of breeders fed mercury produced only 16 ducklings that survived 1 week compared with 73 ducklings from 13 pairs of controls. Mercury residues in eggs, embryos and ducklings averaged about 30% lower during the second breeding season compared with first year results. Third eggs laid by treated hens contained a mean of 6·14 and 3·86 ppm mercury during the first and second years. Whole embryos that failed to hatch contained means of 9·62 and 6·08 ppm mercury during the first and second years. Brains of dead ducklings contained between 3·25 and 6·98 ppm mercury and exhibited lesions characteristic of mercury poisoning. Relative tissue mercury levels for treated adult breeders were: feathers > liver > kidney > breast muscle > brain. Mercury levels in males and females did not differ.
Studies on the Etiology of Human Breast Disease. I. Urinary Excretion of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, Estrogens and 17-Ketosteroids in Adolescent Mastitis of Males1

A dolescent or puberty mastitis in the male is akin to that normally seen at the onset of breast development in young girls. In the male it usually appears between the 12th and 16th year. It is characterised by the presence of a well defined, freely movable discoid or round palpable mass of breast tissue, closely associated with the areola. The mass may vary in sise from less than 1 centimeter to 5, but as a rule is 2 to 3 centimeters. The overlying areola and nipple may be enlarged. Tenderness is not uncommon and may be the first and only sign noted by the patient. The process is usually unilateral at the onset, but may affect both breasts simultaneously or successively. Adolescent mastitis must be distinguished from gynecomastia in which the size, contour and elements approach that of the normal adult female breast; and from enlargement of the breast due entirely to adipose tissue such as is seen frequently in adiposo-genital dystrophy and in eunuchs.
Is Oral l-Acyl-Carnitine an Effective Therapy for Hepatic Encephalopathy? Review of the Literature

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with advanced chronic liver disease. Current therapies are associated with inconvenient side-effects, high cost, and incomplete efficacy. The quanternary ammonium compound L-acyl-carnitine has been suggested as a potent, low-cost, and safe alternative therapy for patients with cirrhosis and HE. A systematic review of the literature assessing the use of carnitine in the treatment of HE identified three high-quality human trials for review. Analysis of the selected carnitine trials compared to currently accepted therapies suggests that L-acyl-carnitine is promising as a safe and effective treatment for HE, and further trials of this drug are warranted.
Digital Panel Assembly Methodologies and Applications for Compliant Sheet Components

This paper presents digital panel assembly (DPA) methodologies and applications for sheet component assembly in automotive body manufacturing processes. Core to DPA is the customized finite element analysis formulas we have developed, which simulates assembly processes and predicts assembly dimensions by taking into consideration the panel compliances. Two key analysis types of the DPA are presented, the deterministic analysis and variation analysis. We present a methodology to utilize the quadratic form of Taylor series expansion to approximate the assembly dimensions efficiently in variation simulation, and discuss its pros and cons versus the traditional Monte Carlo method under different modeling conditions. For either the deterministic or variation analysis, linear models (without contact, efficient but less accurate), and nonlinear models (with contact, less efficient but accurate) can be established. It is shown that the linear models are only valid when panels do not penetrate, and that the nonlinear models should generally be used for accurate assembly dimension prediction. Based on the DPA methodologies, a software tool called Elastic Assembly Variation Simulation (EAVS) is presented, followed by application case studies. The confidence intervals for variation analysis are also discussed.
“Reap What You Sow!” How the Michigan State Grange and Its Grange Visitor Gave Rural Women an Opportunity to Realize Their Truest Selves

ABSTRACT The Grange Visitor, the official newspaper of the Michigan State Grange from 1875–1896, was a way to nurture, sustain, and enrich the Grange community. The first “Ladies' Department” column appeared in May 1877. This was a forum in which women were encouraged to explore what it meant to be rural, what it meant to be a woman, and, most uniquely, what it meant to be a rural woman–which was greater and more complex than a mere sum of its constituent parts. This study examines these explorations for the period 1877–81, looking for recurring themes that might serve as both a reflection of and a window into the thoughts and feelings of Michigan women Grangers and thus, by extrapolation, rural (Michigan) women more generally.
Support for aging policy: Self-interest, social justice, and political symbols

Abstract This article explores and evaluates theoretical assumptions implied by the familiar hypothesis that anti-elderly scapegoating rhetoric is producing attitude change with respect to citizen support for aging policy. An explanation—the self-interest model—that is consistent with both this hypothesis and existing attitude theory is presented. It is contrasted with a second hypothesis emphasizing the role played by symbolic political attitudes in the formation of citizen policy positions. Survey data from the state of Kansas indicate no support for either the self-interest explanation of aging policy attitudes or for the hypothesized impact of anti-elderly rhetoric.
Representation of Fourier Integral Operators Using Shearlets

Traditional methods of time-frequency and multiscale analysis, such as wavelets and Gabor frames, have been successfully employed for representing most classes of pseudodifferential operators. However, these methods are not equally effective in dealing with Fourier Integral Operators in general. In this article, we show that the shearlets, recently introduced by the authors and their collaborators, provide very efficient representations for a large class of Fourier Integral Operators. The shearlets are an affine-like system of well-localized waveforms at various scales, locations and orientations, which are particularly efficient in representing anisotropic functions. Using this approach, we prove that the matrix representation of a Fourier Integral Operator with respect to a Parseval frame of shearlets is sparse and well-organized. This fact recovers a similar result recently obtained by Candes and Demanet using curvelets, which illustrates the benefits of directional multiscale representations (such as curvelets and shearlets) in the study of those functions and operators where traditional multiscale methods are unable to provide the appropriate geometric analysis in the phase space.
Volume expander program for the hospital blood bank.

A program for processing type-specific plasma obtained from normal hospital blood bank supplies is described. Plasma is stored in sterile plastic bags with a dextrose concentrate for six months at 32 C. to inactivate the virus of homologous serum jaundice. Before release for clinical use, it is cultured to establish sterility. The history of a successful seven-year program at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital is recorded.
The direction of growth of the surface of a crystal in contact with its melt

Abstract A new experimental technique is described for studying the relationship between the direction of growth of a crystal surface and the meniscus at the solid-liquid-vapor junction. An important application of the technique is to determine the required conditions, as given by the angle O 0 between the meniscus and the growth axis, for crystal growth with a uniform cross-section. The experiment involves the analysis of radially frozen zones in thin wafers which are held in a horizontal plane. The method is applied to single crystal silicon wafers, and gives O 0 = 11 ± 1° for the melt growth of silicon; preliminary results for germanium give O 0 ⋍ 8°. Observations taken under conditions of decreasing or increasing crystal dimension in silicon are in conflict with the existing theories. The accuracy of the present experiments is deemed to exceed that of techniques for measuring O 0 by direct observation. Several modifications and improvements in the experimental and analytical procedures are proposed.
Non-linear increase in GLP-1 levels in response to DPP-IV inhibition in healthy adult subjects

Aim: Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors represent a new promising therapeutic intervention for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of DPP-IV inhibition by PF-00734200, a potent competitive DPP-IV inhibitor, on the dynamics of DPP-IV activity and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) kinetics in healthy adult subjects. Methods: This was a prospective randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled, ascending, single, oral dose study conducted at a clinical research centre. Twenty-seven healthy adult subjects were randomized to receive placebo or PF-00734200 with doses ranging from 0.3 to 300 mg (n = 9 per dose group). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic end points (DPP-IV activity and GLP-1) were measured prior to, and various times after, dosing. Results: PF-00734200 was well tolerated in all subjects. Pharmacokinetics (PK) data indicate that the drug was rapidly absorbed and declined in a biphasic fashion. Mean maximum concentration and area under concentration curve appeared to increase with doses proportionally. DPP-IV inhibition increased with PF-00734200 concentrations, which can be described by an Emax model with EC50 approximately being 14 ng/ml. DPP-IV inhibition led to greater GLP-1 level accumulation compared with placebo. Plasma GLP-1 levels stimulated by meals were augmented by DPP-IV inhibition. However, the increase in GLP-1 with DPP-IV inhibition was non-linear and maximized at 10 mg, a dose which resulted in about 75% weighted average DPP-IV inhibition over 24 h and a 2.3-fold increase in GLP-1 over placebo. Moreover, even with near complete inhibition of DPP-IV for over 24 h at the highest PF-00734200 dose levels, the GLP-1 levels actually declined during the night compared with postdinner levels. Conclusion: DPP-IV inhibition by PF-00734200 resulted in a non-linear increase in plasma GLP-1 level, suggesting GLP-1 levels may be limited by meal stimulus or by production capacity. In addition, GLP-1 level declined even during maximal DPP-IV inhibition, suggesting that there may be additional pathways of GLP-1 elimination other than DPP-IV enzymatic breakdown.
Implications of the FDA statement on transvaginal placement of mesh: the aftermath.

The release of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety communication on the use of transvaginal mesh (TVM) for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) has resulted in changes in the pelvic reconstruction community. This monograph reviews the implications of the FDA statements over the last 18–24 months. Recent findings show that there have been significant developments in the areas of regulatory mandates, media and medico-legal activity, and statements from surgical societies. In summary, well-publicized communications from the FDA and major medical organizations are defining a change in the use of TVM for POP.
Using pressure to decrease the pain of intramuscular injections

The purpose of this study was to determine if applying pressure to the site for 10 sec prior to an intramuscular injection would reduce injection pain, an approach suggested by anecdotal observation and the gate control theory. The subjects were 93 patients who had dorsogluteal intramuscular injections of immune globulin at a county health department. Forty-eight received the pressure treatment and 45 received a standard injection in which no pressure was applied. Mean pain intensity on a 100-mm visual analogue scale, adjusted for differences in injection volume, was 13.6 mm for the experimental group and 21.5 mm for the control group (P = 0.03). The findings suggest that simple manual pressure applied to the site is a useful technique to decrease injection pain.
The family's adaptation to childhood leukemia

This baseline study obtained data measuring the specific effects of the stress of childhood leukemia on family life and on the lives of individual family members. Mothers, fathers, siblings, and patients were included in the data collection. Specific variables measured were marital adjustment, anxiety level, dynamics of family interaction, and the school behavior of patients and siblings. The data were collected at designated intervals over a one year period beginning at the time of diagnosis. In addition, the data were utilized to speculate on those families that appeared to be at risk for the development of long-term psychosocial problems secondary to, or aggravated by the illness. Results indicated that patterns of coping for families, as well as for individual family members, were relatively constant over time. Families with predominantly stable relationships and adequate support within the family unit were able to maintain their usual quality of life over an extended period of time despite the onset of acute stress. However, families with pre-existing problems prior to diagnosis for the most part experienced increased deterioration in family life and had difficulty coping. Results of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test, the Moos Family Environment Scale, the MMPI, and school data supporting these conclusions are given.
Connection between Simple Models and Quantum Chemical Models for Electron-Transfer Tunneling Matrix Element Calculations: A Dyson's Equations-Based Approach

Pathwaylike models for electron transfer (ET) are based on simple Hamiltonians that are tuned to provide the proper wave function distance decay and sign alternation of the wave function with every bond. This alternation plays a vital role on interference effects among different tubes. To verify the validity of these models and to obtain “quantitative effective” parameters (at extended Huckel level) to use in pathwaylike Hamiltonians, a series of calculations (exact and approximate) has been performed for several ideal chainlike bridges. Particular emphasis is given to the dependence on the tunneling energy, length of interaction among orbitals, side groups, boundary effects, and nonorthogonality of the orbital basis. We also show how the ET rate along a single physical pathway is determined by competition among several ET decay modes.
Insulin receptors in developing rat liver: Acquisition of down regulation in the immediate postnatal period

Abstract Alterations in the high and low affinity insulin receptor concentrations in developing rat liver were investigated. The number of high affinity receptors in partially purified plasma membranes from fetal rats increased from Days 19 through 22 of gestation, with no further increase in binding during the postnatal period. Fetuses of diabetic rats had approximately three times as many high affinity insulin receptors as age-matched fetuses of normal rats; however, by 1 day after birth the receptor number decreased to the normal level. Neither the number of low affinity receptors nor the affinity of insulin binding to high or low affinity receptors changed during development or between offspring of normal and diabetic rats. These changes in the number of high affinity hepatic insulin receptors from prenatal animals did not correlate with the concentration of plasma insulin. When suckling pups were rendered diabetic the changes in the number of high affinity insulin receptors correlated with alterations in plasma insulin concentrations. The number of high affinity sites/microgram DNA in hepatocytes from Day 18 fetal rats was not altered when cells were cultured for 48 h in medium containing 0, 250, or 5000 μU/ml of added insulin. When cultured hepatocytes derived from 1-day-old and adult rats were maintained in medium with added insulin concentrations of 250 or 5000 μU/ml the number of high affinity receptors/microgram DNA decreased as compared to the number of high affinity receptors in hepatocytes cultured in medium with no added insulin. This decrease in receptor number was accompanied by an increase in the affinity of insulin binding to its high affinity receptors. The data show that (i) only the high affinity insulin receptor number increases in rat liver during the prenatal period, (ii) fetuses of diabetic rats show a greater increase in high affinity receptors than do fetuses of normal animals, and (iii) the phenomenon of down regulation for high affinity insulin receptors is not observed in fetal rat liver, but is acquired in the immediate postnatal period.
Iron homeostasis and oxidative stress in idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: a case-control study

Lung injury caused by both inhaled dusts and infectious agents depends on increased availability of iron and metal-catalyzed oxidative stress. Because inhaled particles, such as silica, and certain infections can cause secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), we tested the hypothesis that idiopathic PAP is associated with an altered iron homeostasis in the human lung. Healthy volunteers (n = 20) and patients with idiopathic PAP (n = 20) underwent bronchoalveolar lavage and measurements were made of total protein, iron, tranferrin, transferrin receptor, lactoferrin, and ferritin. Histochemical staining for iron and ferritin was done in the cell pellets from control subjects and PAP patients, and in lung specimens of patients without cardiopulmonary disease and with PAP. Lavage concentrations of urate, glutathione, and ascorbate were also measured as indices of oxidative stress. Lavage concentrations of iron, transferrin, transferrin receptor, lactoferrin, and ferritin were significantly elevated in PAP patients relative to healthy volunteers. The cells of PAP patients had accumulated significant iron and ferritin, as well as considerable amounts of extracellular ferritin. Immunohistochemistry for ferritin in lung tissue revealed comparable amounts of this metal-storage protein in the lower respiratory tract of PAP patients both intracellularly and extracellularly. Lavage concentrations of ascorbate, glutathione, and urate were significantly lower in the lavage fluid of the PAP patients. Iron homeostasis is altered in the lungs of patients with idiopathic PAP, as large amounts of catalytically-active iron and low molecular weight anti-oxidant depletion are present. These findings suggest a metal-catalyzed oxidative stress in the maintenance of this disease.