cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The thermal degradation of polystyrene nanocomposite

Nanocomposite formation brings about an enhancement of many properties for a polymer, including enhanced fire retardancy. This study was carried out to determine if the presence of clay causes changes in the degradation pathway of polystyrene. In the case of virgin PS, the degradation pathway is chain scission followed by β-scission (depolymerization), producing styrene monomer, dimer and trimer, through an intra-chain reaction. As the clay loading is increased, the evolved products produced through inter-chain reactions become significant. Due to the barrier effect of the clay layers, the radicals have more opportunity to undergo radical transfer, producing tertiary radicals, and then radical recombination reactions, producing head-to-head structures, and hydrogen abstraction from the condensed phase also occurs. In the presence of clay, the color of solid residues darkens as the clay content increases. It is thought that this color change is caused by the formation of conjugated double bonds in the presence of clay.
Grounded and Indigenous Theories and the Politics of Pragmatism

Grounded theory (GT): the writing is direct, and immediate, subversive, no big words. To wit: The grounded theorist thinks abstractly, critically, flexibly … Theory is the basis for social action. (Strauss and Corbin 1998:7, 9–11) The special emphasis is on how to develop theory through qualitative analysis, through codes, memos, sequences, theoretical sampling, comparative analysis, and diagrams (Strauss 1987:iii). I call here for a dialog between grounded, critical, pragmatic, and indigenous theories of social structure. I seek a form of sociological theorizing and practice that advances the goals of justice and equity. I locate my arguments in a decolonizing, post-colonial, performance space that draws inspiration from the just ended Decade of Indigenous Peoples (Denzin and Lincoln 2008). I begin with GT, arguably the most influential model of theory construction used by qualitative researchers in the social sciences today (Charmaz 2005).
The Goals and Research of the BioEnergy Sciences Center (BESC): Developing Cost-effective and Sustainable Means of Producing Biofuels by Overcoming Biomass Recalcitrance

The mission of BioEnergy Sciences Center is to understand and overcome the recalcitrance of biomass to conversion by modifying plant cell walls with improved biocatalysts. The papers in this volume are from the plant transformation and the biomass characterization areas, and showcase the multidisciplinary and multi-institutional nature of the center.
Iron transformations during combustion of Pittsburgh no. 8 coal

Abstract The chemical speciation of iron in combustion-derived ash is an important factor in determining the likelihood of ash deposit formation and buildup. In this study, the transformation of iron were examined in ash produced by the combustion of a beneficiated Pittsburgh no. 8 bituminous coal under a range of oxygen concentration ranging from 0% to 100% O2 in a drop tube furnace. The speciation of iron was found to be strongly dependent upon ash particle size, with the lowest fraction of glassy state iron found in the largest ash particles. Both the fraction of iron in a glassy state and the ratio of Fe+++(glass)/Fe++(glass) increased with increasing O2 concentration in the furnace. For the submicron ash particles, about 10% of the iron is formed by direct disintegration of pyrite and pyrrhotite during combustion. Most of the iron is however, present as Fe+++(glass), which results from the vaporization, recondensation, and coagulation of iron and silicates. For ash particles with size between 1 and 9 microns, most of the ash derives from mineral coalescence within the reacting char, with additional contribution from extraneous minerals. The fraction of glassy iron in those particles is high because of the high contact probability between iron melt and silicates. For the coarsest ash particles with size greater than 9 microns, extraneous pyrite is changed into hematite, and iron in the core of the char is changed into a glassy state.
Sample noise with circular surface coils

Presented is a straightforward derivation of the effective sample resistance presented to the input amplifier of a nuclear magnetic resonance imager when flat circular surface coils are used to image lossy media. The resistance may be used to determine sample noise following the method of Hoult and Lauterbur.
Tipping the Proteome with Gene-Based Vaccines: Weighing in on the Role of Nanomaterials

Since the first generation of DNA vaccines was introduced in 1988, remarkable improvements have been made to improve their efficacy and immunogenicity. Although human clinical trials have shown that delivery of DNA vaccines is well tolerated and safe, the potency of these vaccines in humans is somewhat less than optimal. The development of a gene-based vaccine that was effective enough to be approved for clinical use in humans would be one of, if not the most important, advance in vaccines to date. This paper highlights the literature relating to gene-based vaccines, specifically DNA vaccines, and suggests possible approaches to boost their performance. In addition, we explore the idea that combining RNA and nanomaterials may hold the key to successful gene-based vaccines for prevention and treatment of disease.
Treatment of Severe Edema in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome with Diuretics Alone — A Prospective Study

Background and objective: Severe edema in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) may be associated with volume contraction (VC) or volume expansion (VE). Usually, severe edema in children is treated with intravenous (IV) albumin and diuretics, which is appropriate for VC patients. However, in VE patients, this can precipitate fluid overload. The objective of this study was to evaluate treatment of severe edema in NS with diuretics alone. Design, setting, participants, & measurements: Thirty NS patients with severe edema were enrolled in this prospective study in two phases. VC was diagnosed based on fractional excretion of sodium (FeNa) <1%. VC patients received IV albumin and furosemide. VE patients received IV furosemide and oral spironolactone. On the basis of phase 1 observations, FeNa <0.2% identified VC in 20 phase 2 patients. Results: All phase 1 patients had FeNa <1%. Phase 1 patients when reanalyzed based on a FeNa cutoff of 0.2%; it was noted that VC patients had higher BUN, BUN/creatinine ratio, urine osmolality, and lower FeNa and urine sodium compared with VE patients. Similar results were observed in phase 2. VC patients had significantly higher renin, aldosterone, and antidiuretic hormone levels. In phase 2, 11 VE patients received diuretics alone and 9 VC patients received albumin and furosemide. There was no difference in hospital stay and weight loss in VC and VE groups after treatment. Conclusions: FeNa is useful in distinguishing VC versus VE in NS children with severe edema. The use of diuretics alone in VE patients is safe and effective.
Primary Prevention of Asthma: Age and Sex Influence Sensitivity to Allergen-Induced Airway Inflammation and Contribute to Asthma Heterogeneity in Guinea Pigs

Background: Limiting allergen exposure in the sensitization phase has been proposed as a means of primary prevention of asthma, but its effectiveness is debated. Hypothesis: Primary prevention of asthma is more effective in limiting asthma symptoms in young guinea pigs compared with adults, whether males or females. Methods: The following experimental groups were used: young/young, sensitized and challenged before sexual maturity; young/adult, sensitized young and challenged after sexual maturity; adult/adult, sensitized and challenged after sexual maturity. Males and females were sensitized intraperitoneally with varying doses of ovalbumin (OVA) and challenged intratracheally with a constant OVA dose. Cellular infiltration into lung and lavage fluid as well as airway hyperresponsiveness to intravenous methacholine was determined 24 h later. Results: In unsensitized animals, density of resident inflammatory cells as well as baseline pulmonary function differed with age and sex. Maximum OVA-induced eosinophilia in females occurred at a lower sensitizing dose of OVA than in males, and the slopes of the dose-response relationship differed significantly between sexes. Young females had more pronounced increases in eosinophils compared with some adult treatment groups. The concentrations of OVA-specific antibodies were not directly related to differences in cellular infiltration. Airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine challenge was observed in all treatment groups. Conclusion: Young animals require major reductions in allergen exposure compared with adults to effectively limit airway inflammation in primary prevention. Heterogeneity of asthma symptoms seen with age and sex suggests that primary prevention by limiting allergen exposure or treatment with anti-inflammatory or bronchodilator drugs may be more effective strategies for specific age and gender populations.
Analysis of LTPP Profile Data for Jointed Concrete Pavement Sections

Incremental changes to a pavement-surface profile have long been considered a primary measure of pavement performance. As a result, the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program of the Strategic Highway Research Program has allocated considerable resources for collecting accurate profile data on all general pavement studies (GPS) sites annually. As of June 1995, the profiles of the rigid pavement sites had been measured an average of four times, with many sites having been measured seven times. The data are collected and processed in the field, generating several statistical measures of pavement profile for each wheelpath, including the international roughness index (IRI), present serviceability index (PSI), slope variance, and root-mean-square vertical acceleration (RMSVA) at selected wavelengths. The focus of this analysis is on the primary profile statistic, the IRI. The profile data were downloaded from the National Inventory Management System (NIMS) and extensively analyzed using selected statist...
Why manifold substantivalism is probably not a consequence of classical mechanics

Abstract This paper develops and defends three related forms of relationism about spacetime against attacks by contemporary substantivalists. It clarifies Newton's globes argument to show that it does not bear on relations that fail to determine geodesic motions, since the inertial effects on which Newton relies are not simply correlated with affine structure, but must be understood in dynamical terms. It develops remarks by Sklar and van Fraassen into relational versions of Newtonian mechanics, and argues that Earman does not show them to trivialize the debate.
Malrotation—an unexpected finding at laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a video case report

A 38-year-old woman with a long history of severe besity and a body mass index of 48 kg/m elected to undergo LRYGB. She had a medical history of pulmonary embolism and laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis. She did not undergo any preoperative abdominal radiological studies, and no mention had been made of abnormalities at her laparoscopic cholecystectomy. After placement of the umbilical camera trocar, the initial inspection of the abdominal cavity revealed what appeared to be a mobile cecum and easily visualized appendix (see video). On retrospect, this should have alerted us to the possibility of midgut malrotation. Additional trocars were placed (Fig. 1), and the gastric pouch was created. The omentum was then grasped in an attempt to elevate the omentum and transverse colon cephalad. At first, it was thought that adhesions were tethering the transverse colon, but we then realized that the entire
Seasonal variation of morphine physical dependence.

Abstract The characteristics of morphine physical dependence in ground squirrels ( Citellus lateralis ) were examined during each of the four annual seasons. The results showed that this rodent hibernator exhibits a strong and characteristic naloxone-precipitated abstinence syndrome during its non-hibernation state, irrespective of the season. Although qualitatively unchanged throughout the year, the abstinence syndrome showed clear quantitative seasonal differences. These differences were evident in terms of both the number of occurences of particular signs and the percentage of the morphine-dependent population exhibiting them.
Chemokines as pain mediators and modulators

Purpose of reviewChemokines are central to the innate immune response following tissue damage, injury and some diseases. The function of chemokines in nervous system autoimmune diseases has been long recognized. There is also growing evidence that disease-associated or injury-induced functional expr
Inhibition of collagenase activity by extracts of bovine ocular tissues.

Bovine eyes were dissected and separate pools of lens, lens capsule, cornea and vitreous were extracted in guanidine, subjected to ultrafiltration, and examined for their effects on collagenolytic activity. Although lens extract was not inhibitory, the cornea and vitreous both contained Inhibitors of collagenase. More inhibition was present in the filtrate of the vitreous than in the retentate, whereas the total amount of inhibition in the cornea was distributed almost equally between the two fractions. The inhibition observed was dose dependent. The partially purified inhibitors from cornea and vitreous blocked the activity of human skin and tadpole back skin collagenases, but they failed to inhibit the bacterial (Clostridium histolyticum) collagenase. The inhibitor was stable to heating to 60 for 30 minutes and to trypsinization.
Axial Transport Effects on Natural Convection Inside of an Open-Ended Annulus

The present work centers around a numerical three-dimensional transient investigation of the effects of axial convection on flow and temperature fields inside an open-ended annulus. The transient behavior of the flow field through the formation of a three-dimensional flow field and its subsequent effect on the temperature distribution at different axial locations within the annulus were analyzed by both finite difference and finite element methods. The results show that the axial convection has a distinctly different influence on the temperature and velocity fields. It is found that in the midportion of the annulus a two-dimensional assumption with respect to the temperature distribution can lead to satisfactory results for Ra < 10,000. However, such an assumption is improper with respect to the flow field. Furthermore, it is shown that generally the errors for a two-dimensional assumption in the midportion of the annulus are less at earlier times (t < 50 {delta}t) during the transient development of the flow and temperature fields.
STRUCTURAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE PHOTOSYSTEM I AND PHOTOSYSTEM II CHLOROPHYLL a/b AND a/c LIGHT‐HARVESTING APOPROTEINS OF PLANTS AND ALGAE

Polyclonal antibodies against four different apoproteins of either the chlorophyll (Ch1) a/b light-harvesting antenna of photosystem I or II, or a chlorophyll-protein complex homologous to CP26 from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, crossreact with 11-13 thylakoid proteins of Chlamydomonas, Euglena gracilis and higher plants. The number of antigenically-related proteins correlates with the quantity of light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein complex (LHC) gene types that have been sequenced in higher plants
Variation among circumsporozoite protein genes from rodent malarias

We investigated the effect of long term passage of parasites in naive animals on the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) gene of Plasmodium yoelii. The CSP gene sequence was determined from a non-lethal cloned line of P. yoelii and compared to the CSP gene sequence from a lethal strain of P. yoelii. The two parasite lines were originally derived from the same isolate, but were separated 17 years ago followed by continued passage. The sequence of the CSP gene and its surroundings from the non-lethal line remains identical to that from the lethal isolate except for a deletion within the repeated central domain. This result contrasts with the results obtained by sequencing a number of clones from different geographical field isolates of Plasmodium falciparum where there appears to be rapid accumulation of sense mutations within putative functional domains. These observations are consistent with the suggestion that strong biological pressure in a field environment results in selection of parasite types on the basis of different CSP gene sequences.
The adaptive nature of the formation of lysine decarboxylase in Escherichia coli B

Abstract It has been conclusively established that the l -lysine decarboxylase of Escherichia coli B is formed adaptively in certain media containing l -lysine. Selection of a small fraction of the population during growth of a culture cannot be responsible for appearance of the enzyme. This conclusion is based on the appearance and disappearance of the enzyme in one and one and a half generations, respectively, and on decarboxylase formation in nonmultiplying cells. The latter observation depends upon a new approach, the use of sulfur mustard which blocks cell division but permits the formation of the adaptive enzyme. Treatment of cells with the ghosts of bacteriophage prevents adaptation to l -lysine. In the case of this enzyme, as has been reported for others, infection of the cells with bacteriophage also blocks the enzyme formation.
Combustion Characterization of Fluorinated Polymers

The present paper presents some preliminary data fr om Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the thermal decomposition and combustion of highly fluorinated polymers. Two different compounds have been evaluated using resistive heating ignition to study the impact of different temperatures and c ombustion atmospheres. The tests indicate that the two compounds produce significant ly different concentrations of hydrofluoric acid when combusted and that lower temperature or fuel-rich conditions may lead to an increase in this concentration.
The Peak Concentration Hypothesis: A Urea Kinetic Approach to Comparing the Adequacy of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) and Hemodialysis

The KT/V urea index (K, clearance; T, treatment time; V, volume of urea distribution) has become an established index of hemodialysis (HD) adequacy, values of KT/V less than 0.8 being associated with overt uremic toxicity. For the typical continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) regimen of 4 X 2 L exchanges/day, the equivalent KT/V approximately 0.6. Paradoxically, overt uremic toxicity is not commonly observed in CAPD patients with this typical therapy prescription. Application of the urea kinetic model demonstrates that HD and CAPD have the same time-averaged urea concentration at the same KT/V. However, as HD is an intermittent therapy, the urea concentration in HD exceeds the time-averaged concentration for about half the hours in the week. If uremic toxicity is related to the peak rather than the time-averaged urea concentration, a higher KT/V would be required in HD to achieve a peak concentration at or below the steady-state CAPD concentration. This peak concentration hypothesis predicts, based on the results of the National Cooperative Dialysis Study, that underdialysis with CAPD would occur at KT/V less than 0.4 for a protein intake of 1.1 gm/kg/day.
Modeling the patriarchal factor in juvenile delinquency: Is there room for peers, church, and television?

This article attempts to extend power-control theory by (a) explicitly accounting for the ideological component of patriarchy and (b) examining the influences of extrafamilial socialization agents—peer groups, the church, and television—on the development of patriarchal sex-role attitudes, taste for risk, and delinquent activity. Data generated by a study of high school seniors from three Canadian cities were used for the study. There were substantial gender differences among matriarchal, egalitarian, and patriarchal family types in regard to parental relational and instrumental control, but these differences were not in directions suggested by power-control theory. In a similar vein, the data did not support the argument that the analytic focus must extend beyond the nuclear family and its socialization methods to properly account for the development of patriarchal sex-role attitudes.
The Perceptions of Success Inventory for Beginning Teachers: Measuring its psychometric properties

Abstract This study investigated the construction and evaluation of an instrument called the Perceptions of Success Inventory for Beginning Teachers (PSI-BT) intended to measure factors documented in research that contribute to beginning teachers’ perceptions of success. The PSI-BT was found to assess the following factors using exploratory factor analysis: (1) Administrative Support, (2) Classroom Climate, (3) Mentor Support, (4) Colleague and Instructional Resource Support, (5) Commitment, and (6) Assignment and Workload. Internal reliability, content validity, and concurrent validity were also measured in the validation process. Our findings suggest that the PSI-BT provides a reliable and valid instrument that can provide schools with valuable feedback to ensure the success of their beginning teachers.
Optimal control of under-actuated systems with application to Lie groups

In this paper we study a class of optimal control problems known as the /spl tau/-elastic variational problem for second order, under-actuated systems. After introducing and stating the problem, we derive the necessary optimality conditions using two approaches. The first approach is purely variational where the resulting necessary conditions are represented by a single fourth order differential equation. In the second approach, we use the Lagrange multiplier technique. In this case, the necessary conditions are represented by a set of four first order differential equations. We show that the two results are equivalent. Finally, we further specialize the result for the compact semi-simple Lie group case and use SO(3) as an example. We also make some remarks on the SE(3) case, which is the subject of current research.
Principles of Immunapheresis and Specific Elimination of Plasma Components

In summary the therapeutic use of affinity chromatography, the immunapheresis with LDL-Therasorb columns, Baxter, has been shown to be a safe, specific and efficacious extracorporeal treatment. Following GMP rules LDL-Therasorb is produced in a constant quality. Beyond the treatment of hypercholesterolemia the versatility of antibodies opens this technology to the treatment of other diseases.
The effects of aging on the fatigue life of lead free solders

Solder joints in electronic assemblies are typically subjected to thermal cycling, either in actual application or in accelerated life testing used for qualification. Mismatches in the thermal expansion coefficients of the assembly materials leads to the solder joints being subjected to cyclic (positive/negative) mechanical strains and stresses. This cyclic loading leads to thermomechanical fatigue damage that involves damage accumulation, crack initiation, crack propagation, and failure. While the effects of isothermal aging on solder constitutive behavior (stress-strain and creep) have been examined in some detail, there have been few prior studies on the effects of aging on solder failure and fatigue behavior. Aging leads to both grain and phase coarsening, and can cause recrystallization at Sn grain boundaries. Such changes are closely tied to the damage that occurs during cyclic mechanical loading. In this investigation, we have examined the effects of aging on the cyclic stress-strain and fatigue behaviors of lead free solders. Solder test specimens (SAC105 and SAC305) have been prepared and subjected to cyclic stress/strain loading at different aging conditions. Both uniaxial specimens subjected to cyclic tension/compression and Iosipescu lap shear samples subjected to cyclic positive/negative shear have been studied. A four-parameter hyperbolic tangent empirical model has been used to fit the entire cyclic stress-strain curve and the hysteresis loop size (area) was calculated using definite integration for a given strain limit. This area represents the energy dissipated per cycle, which is correlated to the damage accumulation in the joint. Samples were subjected to cyclic loading over a particular strain range until fatigue failure occurred, and then various popular empirical failure criteria such as the Coffin-Manson model and the Morrow model have been used to estimate the fatigue life. Fatigue failure was defined to occur when there was a 50% peak load drop during mechanical cycling. Prior to testing, the specimens were aged (preconditioned) at 125 C for various aging times, and then the samples were subjected to cyclic loading at room temperature (25 C). It has been observed that prior aging dramatically decreases the mechanical fatigue life. It was also found that degradations in the fatigue/failure behavior of the lead free solders with aging are highly accelerated for lower silver content alloys (e.g., SAC105). Comparisons have been made between the fatigue lives under both uniaxial tension/compression and shear loadings, and good agreement was found. A microstructural adaptive fatigue model including aging effects has been proposed, and shown to accurately predict the measured fatigue data for all aging conditions.
Androgen-deprivation Therapy and Cardiovascular Harm: Let's Not Throw Out the Baby with the Bathwater

The controversy about the possible role of androgendeprivation therapy (ADT) in cardiovascular harm was ignited in 2006 with the publication of a large observational US Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)–Medicare analysis by Keating et al. suggesting that ADT use in the form of a gonodotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist was associated with a 44% increased risk of diabetes, a 16% increased risk of coronary heart disease, an 11% increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI), and a 16% increased risk of sudden cardiac death inmenwith prostate cancer (PCa) [1]. It is interesting to note that apart from the diabetes risk, this excess cardiovascular event risk was not seen with orchiectomy, suggesting that this effect may have been specific to GnRH agonists rather than simply a low testosterone level. This study and others, including a pooled reanalysis of two randomized trials that suggested that ADT was associated with a shorter time to MI in men >65 yr [2], led to a 2010 joint statement by US medical societies representing cardiology, oncology, urology, and radiation oncology asserting that ‘‘it is reasonable, on the basis of the above data, to state that theremay be a relation between ADT and cardiovascular events and death’’ [3]. Later in 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a safety warning requiring GnRH agonist labeling to disclose an ‘‘increased risk of diabetes and certain cardiovascular diseases (heart attack, sudden cardiac death, stroke) in men receiving these medications for the treatment of prostate cancer’’ [4]. In this issue of European Urology, Jespersen and colleagues present evidence from a large Danish observational study with results that strongly support what was seen in the US SEER–Medicare series [5]. Specifically, among 31 571 patients with PCa, GnRH agonist use was associated
Designing gene libraries from protein profiles for combinatorial protein experiments

Protein combinatorial libraries provide new ways to probe the determinants of folding and to discover novel proteins. Such libraries are often constructed by expressing an ensemble of partially random gene sequences. Given the intractably large number of possible sequences, some limitation on diversity must be imposed. A non-uniform distribution of nucleotides can be used to reduce the number of possible sequences and encode peptide sequences having a predetermined set of amino acid probabilities at each residue position, i.e., the amino acid sequence profile. Such profiles can be determined by inspection, multiple sequence alignment or physically-based computational methods. Here we present a computational method that takes as input a desired sequence profile and calculates the individual nucleotide probabilities among partially random genes. The calculated gene library can be readily used in the context of standard DNA synthesis to generate a protein library with essentially the desired profile. The fidelity between the desired profile and the calculated one coded by these partially random genes is quantitatively evaluated using the linear correlation coefficient and a relative entropy, each of which provides a measure of profile agreement at each position of the sequence. On average, this method of identifying such codon frequencies performs as well or better than other methods with regard to fidelity to the original profile. Importantly, the method presented here provides much better yields of complete sequences that do not contain stop codons, a feature that is particularly important when all or large fractions of a gene are subject to combinatorial mutation.
Chemosensitivity and mechanosensitivity of nociceptors from incised rat hindpaw skin.

Background We have demonstrated a decrease in pH in the incisional wound environment, suggesting a possible contribution of low pH to postsurgical pain. In this study, we characterized the acid-responsiveness of nociceptors innervating the plantar aspect of the rat hindpaw 1 day after plantar incision and compared this to plantar skin from unincised control rats.
The Counterintuitive Psychological Benefits of Intergenerational Discrepancies in Family Prioritization for Jamaican Adolescent-Parent Dyads

The current study tests a prediction of Relational Discrepancy Theory (RDT; i.e., emotional distress will not accompany discrepancies in hierarchical relationships) for family obligations discrepancies among adolescent–parent dyads in Jamaica, a moderately collectivistic and hierarchical society. Ninety-five dyads reported psychological adjustment and discrepancies in family prioritization (i.e., value priority placed on family vs. other life domains). Results supported RDT and replicated recent work with Caribbean immigrants in Europe. Unlike findings in individualistic and egalitarian societies, discrepancies were not an emotional liability for Jamaican adolescents but were associated with fewer depressive symptoms and higher life satisfaction. Furthermore, Jamaican parents benefitted psychologically when adolescents prioritized family highly but may have been unaware of the emotional risks to their teenagers of matching parental expectations.
The Association of Reading Disability, Behavioral Disorders, and Language Impairment among Second-grade Children

Children with language impairment (LI) have been shown to be at risk for reading disability (RD) and behavior disorder (BD). Previous research has not determined the specific pattern of these conditions associated with LI. This study sought to determine if the behavior disorder and reading problems represented different outcomes or if these conditions occurred together when found with LI. A group of 581 second-grade children, including 164 children with LI, were examined for spoken language, reading, and behavior disorder. The data for each of these areas were examined as dimensional traits and as clinical categorical traits. Reading and spoken language were found to be strongly correlated (r = .68); RD was found in 52 % of the children with LI and in only 9 % of the controls. Scores of parent ratings for BD were also significantly correlated with spoken language scores (r = .29). Clinical levels of BD were found in 29% of the children with LI and 19% of the controls. An examination of the co-occurrence of clinical levels of BD, RD, and LI showed BD in children with LI to be conditioned by the child's reading status. The data indicated that whereas RD was directly associated with BD, the association of LI with BD required the mediation of RD.
Cocreating Value in Teaching and Learning Centers

In addition to addressing the history of and rationale for the teaching and learning center (TLC) as a means of achieving lasting professional development of the faculty, Schumann, Peters, and Olsen introduce the concept of cocreating value that not only facilitates the success of the TLC but also has the potential to permeate the educational fiber of the entire college or university.
Overview of diagnostics and instrumentation for National Synchrotron Light Source II

National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), a new state-of-the-art third-generation light source under construction at Brookhaven National Laboratory is expected to have extremely small emittance and extraordinary beam stability. The mechanical requirements for beam diagnostics and instrumentation are exceptionally challenging. Here we present an overview of the mechanical aspects of some NSLS-II diagnostics as well as the performance levels of some systems currently under development.
Understanding CIO Role Effectiveness: The Antecedents and Consequents

This research-in-progress paper describes the development of a research model exploring the antecedents and consequents of CIO role effectiveness. Specifically, we argue that CIO managerial discretion (the latitude of actions available to CIOs), CIO capability (business knowledge, IT knowledge, political savvy, and communication skill), and CIO/CEO shared understanding of IT role in the organization are important antecedents of CIO role effectiveness. In addition, we posit that an effective CIO will increase the contribution of IS function to the firm in terms of strategic, operational and financial impacts. The paper also outlines a proposed CIO/CEO matched-pair field survey method to test the research model
Protocols for the Optimal Design of Multi-Functional Cellular Structures: From Hypersonics to Micro-Architected Materials

Cellular materials with periodic architectures have been extensively investigated over the past decade for their potential to provide multifunctional solutions for a variety of applications, including lightweight thermo-structural panels, blast resistant structures, and high-authority morphing components. Stiffer and stronger than stochastic foams, periodic cellular materials lend themselves well to geometry optimization, enabling a high degree of tailorability and superior performance benefits. This article reviews a commonly established optimal design protocol, extensively adopted at the macro-scale for both single and multifunctional structures. Two prototypical examples are discussed: the design of strong and lightweight sandwich beams subject to mechanical loads and the combined material/geometry optimization of actively cooled combustors for hypersonic vehicles. With this body of literature in mind, we present a motivation for the development of micro-architected materials, namely periodic multiscale cellular materials with overall macroscopic dimensions yet with features (such as the unit cell or subunit cell constituents) at the micro- or nano-scale. We review a suite of viable manufacturing approaches and discuss the need for advanced experimental tools, numerical models, and optimization strategies. In analyzing challenges and opportunities, we conclude that the technology is approaching maturity for the development of micro-architected materials with unprecedented combinations of properties (e.g., specific stiffness and strength), with tremendous potential impact on a number of fields.
Particle filter based prognosis study for predicting remaining useful life of steam generator tubing

Steam Generator (SG) tubes are used to transfer heat from the primary side to pressurized steam on the secondary side in a nuclear power plant. Eddy current inspection of SG tubes is performed periodically and the data is analyzed to detect and characterize a variety of flaw categories in different locations of the SG tube geometry. This paper uses the data analysis results to estimate remaining useful life (RUL) of SG tubes in the nuclear reactor. Knowledge of RUL will ensure corrective action before the occurrence of tube leakage which may lead to an accident. A Monte Carlo based recursive algorithm known as particle filter is used to predict the RUL of the steam generator tubes. The uncertainty involved in prediction of remaining useful life of tubes using particle filter algorithm is controlled by an RUL correction loop based on an auto-regressive algorithm. The technique is applied to actual eddy current inspection data of steam generator tubing acquired at successive intervals to calculate RUL. The predicted RUL is compared to the actual failure time of the tube to show the efficacy of the technique.
Vibrationally excited hydroxyl tagging velocimetry.

A new molecular-based velocity method is developed for high-temperature flame gases based on the hydroxyl tagging velocimetry (HTV) technique. In vibrationally excited HTV (VE-HTV), two photons from a KrF laser (248 nm) dissociate H2O into a tag line of vibrationally excited OH (v=1). The excited state OH tag is selectively detected in a background of naturally occurring ground state OH (v=0). In atmospheric pressure laboratory burners, the OH (v=1) tag persists for 5–10 μs, allowing single-shot velocity measurements along a 2 cm line under lean, stoichiometric, and rich flame conditions with temperatures reaching 2300 K. Mean velocity measurements are demonstrated in a lean (ϕ=0.78) premixed H2/air turbulent flame (Re=26,550) laboratory flame. The VE-HTV method is best suited to measure high-speed velocities in hot combustion environments in the presence of background OH.
Prognostics & artificial neural network applications in patient healthcare

The ability to predict patient health condition and possible complications that develop during their hospital stay can improve patient safety, quality of care, reduce medical costs and save lives. Prognostics methods using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) promise to deliver new insight into managing patient health complications more effectively. This paper examines the feasibility of training ANN to predict cases of Deep Vein Thrombosis/Pulmonary Embolism (DVT/PE), a condition that causes severe medical problems and even death. The process and results of using ANN models to predict (DVT/PE) are discussed. Future areas of research where ANN models can be used as a prognostics tool to more effectively predict patient health conditions are discussed.
Exploring Adjectival Modification in Biomedical Discourse Across Two Genres

Objectives: To explore the phenomenon of adjectival modification in biomedical discourse across two genres: the biomedical literature and patient records. Methods: Adjectival modifiers are removed from phrases extracted from two corpora (three million noun phrases extracted from MEDLINE, on the one hand, and clinical notes from the Mayo Clinic, on the other). The original phrases, the adjectives extracted, and the resulting demodified phrases are compared across the two corpora after normalization. Quantitative comparisons (frequency of occurrence) are performed on the whole domain. Qualitative comparisons are performed on the two subdomains (disorders and procedures). Results: Although the average number of adjectives per phrase is equivalent in the two corpora (1.4), there are more adjective types in MAYO than in MEDLINE for disorders and procedures. For disorder phrases, the 38% of adjective types common to the two corpora account for 85% of the occurrences. The predominance of adjectives in one corpus is analyzed. Discussion: Potential applications of this approach are discussed, namely terminology acquisition, information retrieval, and genre characterization.
New Medicaid Rules Will Impact Estate Planning for Long-Term Health Care

On February 8, 2006, the President signed into law the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 1 . The Act is designed to cut the federal budget deficit. Among other provisions, the Act contains fundamental changes to the Medicaid eligibility rules and longterm care coverage. The new rules will impact significantly estate plans where preservation of family business assets is a major objective 2 . That is a common estate planning objective for farm and ranch families.
Ecology and Environmental Justice: Understanding Disturbance Using Ecological Theory

The different cultures of social equity and ecological science can be bridged by an enhanced understanding of the occurrence of environmental hazards and benefits. Knowledge about ecological disturbance improves understanding of how socio-ecological systems respond to the events that disrupt the structure of systems and the flows of resources within them. It is important to recognize that not all instances of a kind of event, such as fire or flood, will be equally disruptive. In part this is because there are many ecological modifiers, such as biological structure of an ecosystem, topography, and the specific weather and other conditions in place before and during an event, that affect individual events. Furthermore, the human, institutional, and infrastructural capitals available in different locations operate along with biophysical factors that modify disturbance and the response to it. Biophysical response to disturbance is motivated by successional capacity, the resource base of the site, and the neighboring landscape context. Environmental injustices are remarkably persistent due to biophysical patterns of these modifying factors in space. Ecological theory embodies the understanding of disturbance patterns through time and space, lays out the assumptions about the structure of affected systems, and extends the knowledge base beyond the memory of people who must plan for and react to environmental disturbances and stresses.
Long-Term Effects of Pine Tip Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Control, Vegetation Control, and Fertilization on Growth and Yield of Loblolly Pine, Pinus taeda L.

Abstract Studies were conducted in Georgia and North Carolina to determine the long-term growth impact of pine tip moth, Rhyacionia spp., attacks on loblolly pines which had been treated with different combinations of insecticides for tip moth control, herbicides for control of competing vegetation, and fertilizer. Height, diameter, and volume responses were significantly greater for tip moth and weed control at age 5, both in Georgia and North Carolina. There was no evidence of a positive response to fertilizer. The largest responses were due to tip moth control, which was the only treatment that retained a significant response through the termination of the study at age 15 in Georgia and age 20 in North Carolina. Stand volumes continued to increase on the tip moth control plots throughout the study with average gains of 3.1 m3/ha/yr (43.8 ft3/acre/yr) at the Georgia site at age 15 and 3.2 m3/ha/yr (45.8 ft3/acre/yr) at age 20 at the North Carolina site. Trees receiving tip moth control also had signific...
Reservoir competence of the meadow vole (Rodentia: Cricetidae) for the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi

The reservoir competence of the meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus Ord, for the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt & Brenner was established on Patience Island, RI. Meadow voles were collected from 5 locations throughout Rhode Island. At 4 of the field sites, M. pennsylvanicus represented only 4.0% ( n = 141) of the animals captured. However, on Patience Island, M. pennsylvanicus was the sole small mammal collected ( n = 48). Of the larval Ixodes scapularis Say obtained from the meadow voles on Patience Island, 62% ( n = 78) was infected with B. burgdorferi . Meadow voles from all 5 locations were successfully infected with B. burgdorferi in the laboratory and were capable of passing the infection to xenodiagnostic I. scapularis larvae for 9 wk. We concluded that M. pennsylvanicus was physiologically capable of maintaining B. burgdorferi infection. However, in locations where Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque) is abundant, the role of M. pennsylvanicus as a primary reservoir for B. burgdorferi was reduced.
Investigation and Application on Gas-Drive Development in Ultra-low Permeability Reservoirs*

To select a proper displacement medium with the purpose of developing ultra-low permeability reservoirs both effectively and economically, three kinds of gases, including CO2, NG and N2, are studied through physical modeling and numerical simulation under the specified reservoir conditions. The results indicate that the oil recovery through water injection is relatively low in ultra-low permeability reservoirs, where the water breaks through early and the water cut rises rapidly. Gas injection can enhance the production, of which the gas-drive efficiency depends on the injection pressure and the gas itself. CO2 is proved to be the best one after comprehensive consideration of the recovery speed, the overall recovery efficiency and the time needed for gas to break through. The pressure of CO2 injection in the field experiments is lower, compared with that of water-drive. The injectivity index of CO2 is 7.2 times as high as that of water, and the oil production of the test well group increases by about 4 t/d.
Electrochemical Aspects of Corrosion-Control Coatings

Abstract Corrosion of metals is an electrochemical process and is affected by moisture content, the chemical environment, and the electrochemical state of the metal. How the properties of a coating or coating system affect the above parameters governs the effectiveness of the coating in suppressing corrosion. Fundamental electrochemical aspects of corrosion are discussed, as well how coating properties (i.e., barrier characteristics and electrical resistivity, chemical and electrochemical) affect the corrosion behavior of the substrate metal. Barrier protection, corrosion inhibition, and cathodic protection as they relate to coatings are discussed.
Notes on Sudanese Women’s Activism, Movements, and Leadership

This chapter analyzes Sudanese women’s political organizations and mobilizations as well as leadership issues within a frame that interprets recent political strategies in the North African movements as creative and innovative. The chapter demonstrates the variety of women’s mobilizations, the variety of their tools and strategies, as well as the nature, quality, and constraints on their leadership. These organizations represent the secular left, cultural nationalists/religionists (including the Islamist women of the National Islamic Front), non-governmental organizations, and the grassroots and anarchistic/collectivist activists of various ideologies and agendas. Among the last group, the chapter includes youth movements and organizations such as Girifna (“We are fed up”) that bridge youth, collective, and grassroots movements.
Analysis of Point-To-Point Delay in an Operational Backbone

In this chapter, we perform a detailed analysis of point-to-point packet delay in an operational tier-1 network. The point-to-point delay is the time between a packet entering a router in one PoP (an ingress point) and its leaving a router in another PoP (an egress point). It measures the one-way delay experienced by packets from an ingress point to an egress point across a carrier network and provides the most basic information regarding the delay performance of the carrier network. Using packet traces captured in the operational network, we obtain precise pointto- point packet delay measurements and analyze the various factors affecting them. Through a simple, step-by-step, systematic methodology and careful data analysis, we identify the major network factors that contribute to point-to-point packet delay and characterize their effect on the network delay performance. Our findings are: 1) delay distributions vary greatly in shape, depending on the path and link utilization; 2) after constant factors dependent only on the path and packet size are removed, the 99th percentile variable delay remains under 1 ms over several hops and under link utilization below 90% on a bottleneck; 3) a very small number of packets experience very large delay in short bursts.