cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A theoretical and experimental study of aluminum alloy 6061-SiC metal matrix composite to identify the operative mechanism for accelerated aging

Abstract Accelerated aging in metal matrix composites (MMCs) can be attributed to an increased dislocation density in the vicinity of the reinforcements or to the matrix residual stress field near reinforcements. Both mechanisms aid the diffusion of solute atoms, thereby leading to more rapid precipatation. In this work, the precipitation behavior of aluminum 6061 alloy reinforced with 10 vol.% SiC whiskers of variable aspect ratio was studied experimentally. The results were compared with the precipitation behavior of a control aluminum alloy 6061 in the unstrained and plastically strained conditions. It was found that the strained control alloy, with approximately the same expended plastic work as the composite, showed a similar β′ precipitation rate and activation energy as the composite. On the contrary, the unstrained alloy had a much higher activation energy for precipitation. A theoretical model was developed to predict the rate of precipitation in the residual stress field of the matrix. This rate was compared with the rate of precipitation on a regular edge dislocation array. It was found that, for realistic values of fiber radii and dislocation densities (about 0.25–1 μm and 1013–1014m−2 respectively), both mechanisms give comparable precipitation rates. However, solute atoms flowing towards the matrix-fiber interface under the influence of the residual stress field on encountering matrix dislocations are trapped, thereby lowering the activation energy to that of precipitation on dislocations. It was concluded that, for MMCs with large fibers and high dislocation densities, dislocation generation is the principal contibutor to accelerated aging while, in MMCs with small fibers and low dislocation densities, the residual stress mechanism predominates. For intermediate fiber radii and dislocation densities, both mechanisms could be important although, in real MMCs, dislocations seem to play the dominant role.
Symptom reduction in depressed outpatients treated with amitriptyline or maprotiline: Repeated measurement analysis

Abstract Preliminary open-labeled studies 1 had characterized maprotiline (Ludiomil ® ) as a tetracyclic antidepressant that enhanced both mood and drive, reduced the symptoms of agitation and retardation, and had a fast onset of action. These effects might appear in patients as an increased interest in the environment and decreased apathy during the initial weeks of treatment. To test this observation, maprotiline was compared to amitriptyline hydrochloride (Elavil ® ), a conventional tricyclic, in a 4-week double-blind clinical trial with outpatient depressives. No difference between these two compounds in timing of response, efficacy, or side effects was shown after 1 week of treatment or at the completion of the trial, 2 when utilizing a standard analysis of covariance. Using a repeated measurement analysis, we then examined the differences in rates of change between the drugs. Since the repeated measurement analysis uses the total period of observation instead of discrete points in time, it may be more sensitive to detecting those differences that were hypothesized prior to initiating the study. This paper will demonstrate the use of repeated measurement analysis to compare rates, pattern, and timing of symptom change between maprotiline and amitriptyline over the 4 weeks of treatment.
The glass transition of polymer crystals

Abstract The statement: “A solid is a condensed phase at a temperature below its glass transition”, is an operational definition. It leads to the corollary that for crystals to be solid, they must be below their glass transition. In this paper evidence for the usefulness of this definition is presented. It is based on the measurement of the glass transition of crystals in the presence of melting and crystallization. The experimental tool is temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry, TMDSC, which enables the measurement of heat capacity in the presence of irreversible latent heat of melting and crystallization. Not only is the expected change of the heat capacity during the first-order phase transition identified, but it was also discovered that in some flexible polymer crystals the glass transition of the crystal can occur at a lower temperature than the order/disorder process without a change in crystal structure. Typical examples for such behavior are seen in poly(oxyethylene), poly(oxytetramethylene), aliphatic nylons, and most likely also in polyesters, polyurethanes, and polymers with other functional groups, separated by longer CH2-sequences. Such order/disorder transitions above the vitrification to a solid are well-known for the mesophases described as liquid crystals, plastic crystals, and condis crystals of small and large molecules, attesting for the universality of the operational definition.
Assessment of spatial and temporal soil moisture variability using Geographic Information System techniques

The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate soil moisture variability under different land cover conditions and (2) to explore the effectiveness of geographic information system (GIS) technology in assessing the spatial and temporal soil moisture variability. The research was conducted on four 60 by 50 meter plots located on bare smooth soil, bare rough soil, mixed vegetation, and grass. From each plot, 5 cm depth soil samples were taken on a 10 by 10 meter grid at three different dates. Soil samples were oven dried to obtain the gravimetric soil moisture content. This study showed that GIS technology can be a valuable tool in accurately representing and examining the spatial and temporal variability of soil moisture under different soil cover conditions. Visual inspection of the 3-dimensional (3-D) representation of the soil moisture data showed notable variations within each plot among the different fields, and over time. Mean comparison was performed using the T-test to statistically evaluate and confirm the significance of these differences. Because the soil moisture measurements were taken on a relatively small area and within short time periods, although notably different, the spatial and temporal moisture variability was not statistically significant.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An investigation of water dynamics in binary mixtures of water and dimethyl sulfoxide.

The motion of water molecules in mixtures of water and d6-dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has been explored through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using the SPC/E water model (J. Chem. Phys. 1987, 91, 6269) and the P2 DMSO model (J. Chem. Phys. 1993, 98, 8160). We evaluate the self-intermediate scattering functions, FS(Q,t), which are related by a Fourier transform to the incoherent structure factors, S(Q,ω), measured in quasielastic neutron scattering (QNS) experiments. We compare our results to recent QNS experiments on these mixtures reported by Bordallo et al. (J. Chem. Phys. 2004, 121, 12457). In addition to comparing the MD data to the experimental signals, which correspond to a convolution of S(Q,ω) with a resolution function, we examine the rotational and translational components of FS(Q,t) and investigate to what extent simulation results for the single-molecule dynamics follow the dynamical models that are used in the analysis of the experimental data. We find that the agreement between the exper...
Spectroscopic measurements for atmospheric nitrogen and helium arcs

Abstract Thermal conditions in the asymptotic region of atmospheric nitrogen and helium arcs are determined spectroscopically and calculated using an equilibrium flow model. The equilibrium model is shown to be ill-suited for both gases. The helium arc is characterized by a high degree of thermochemical nonequilibrium, and significant thermochemical and excitation nonequilibrium effects characterize the nitrogen arc.
Mental health care use in relation to depressive symptoms among pregnant women in the USA

We examined mental health care use in relation to depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) ≥ 10) among a nationally representative sample of pregnant women using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2012. Logistic regression models estimated crude and adjusted odds ratios for mental health care use in the past year in relation to depressive symptoms. While 8.2 % (95 % CI 4.6-11.8) of pregnant women were depressed, only 12 % (95 % CI 1.8-22.1) of these women reported mental health care use in the past year.
Poison Pill Securities: Shareholder Wealth and Insider Trading

Existing empirical studies on poison pill securities have examined their overall effect on shareholder wealth. This paper segregates the wealth-increasing poison pills from the value-reducing ones by examining the pattern of insider trading activity prior to the pill adoption announcement. Our results show that pill adoptions that are preceded by net insider purchases are associated with significant stock price increases. This finding is consistent with the proposition that corporate insiders buy their own securities because they do not view the adoption of poison pills as an antitakeover strategy, but rather one that enables the board of directors to extract a greater share of the economic gains from the bidder. Our findings also indicate that firms with net insider sales prior to pill adoption announcement experience generally negative but insignificant changes in value. Finally, firms with no insider trading or with an equal number of insider purchases and sales register marginally significant negative returns.
Population Change and Regional Development in China: Insights Based on the 2000 Census

The People's Republic of China conducted its fifth population census in November 2000. This paper draws from that census and recent data to examine national and regional demographic changes in China over the past two decades. Nationally, the impact of fertility decline on rates of population growth, age composition, and household size is investigated. Regional population trends include the rising population share of the eastern region as a result of population growth due to migration and in response to the widening economic gap between coastal and interior China. Demographic differentials between the eastern region and the rest of China (i.e., in proportion of working-age population, household size, sex ratio, and levels of urbanization and educational attainment) suggest that migration is playing an increasingly important role in shaping regional population distribution and that the acceleration of uneven regional development poses a major challenge to policy makers. Journal of Economic Literature, Class...
Regulation of oocyte donation to women over the age of 50: A question of reproductive choice

As in most situations involving medial ethics, we believe that it is best to individualize. Categorical exclusions or rules preclude the possibility of individual histories or details which may be sufficiently compelling to overrule the rationale used to establish the rules in the first place. We believe that no medical therapy should be categorically denied to any subgroup of the population based on age alone, including oocyte donation. Individuals should be able to seek assistance and have available to them the full spectrum of medical knowledge and technology. As with any new form of therapy, the exact risks or long-term consequences remain unknown. Accordingly, this method should be applied only under carefully controlled protocols, preferably approved by local institutional review boards. Only in this manner can we hope to collect data which will eventually lead to a better understanding of the efficacy and clinical utility of this treatment. The establishment of reasonable guidelines, not absolute rules, regarding any form of medical therapy including oocyte donation should be based on scientific knowledge, not politics.
Contextual integration: a framework for presenting social, legal, and ethical content across the computer security and information assurance curriculum

The computer security and information assurance (CSIA) curriculum framework introduced in this paper presents technical computer security issues in terms of their social, legal, and ethical context. This approach to CSIA education fosters ethical reasoning by connecting skills and knowledge of technical and contextual content to real world situations; applying ethical reasoning when assessing CSIA problems and potential CSIA solutions in multiple settings; and framing the ethical dilemmas or competing value systems which are intrinsically a part of implementing CSIA technologies. Initial implementation of this integrative framework occurred at Marymount University in an introductory graduate-level computer security course, which is the first in a series of courses based on this model. Preliminary results from that pilot course are presented with a list of the resulting challenges that will be addressed in subsequent course offerings.
Partitioning Gas Tracer Tests for Measurement of Water in Municipal Solid Waste

Abstract A key component in the operation of almost all bioreactor landfills is the addition of water to maintain optimal moisture conditions. To determine how much water is needed and where to add it, in situ methods are required to measure water within solid waste. Existing technologies often result in measurements of unknown accuracy, because of the variability of solid waste materials and time-dependent changes in packing density, both of which influence most measurement methods. To overcome these problems, a new technology recently developed by hydrologists for measuring water in the vadose zone—the partitioning gas tracer test—was tested. In this technology, the transport behavior of two gas tracers within solid waste is used to measure the fraction of the void space filled with water. One tracer is conservative and does not react with solids or liquids, while a second tracer partitions into the water and is separated from the conservative tracer during transport. This technology was tested in four ...
Configurational and conformational analysis of chiral molecules using IR and VCD spectroscopies: spiropentylcarboxylic acid methyl ester and spiropentyl acetate.

The chiral monosubstituted derivatives of spiropentane, spiropentylcarboxylic acid methyl ester, 1, and spiropentyl acetate, 2, have been synthesized in optically active form. Configurational and conformational analysis of 1 and 2 has been carried out using infrared (IR) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopies. Analysis of the experimental IR and VCD spectra has been carried out using ab initio density functional theory (DFT). For both 1 and 2, DFT predicts two populated conformations. Comparison to experiment of the conformationally averaged IR and VCD spectra of 1 and 2, predicted using DFT, provides unequivocal evidence of the predicted conformations and yields the absolute configurations R(−)/S(+) for 1 and R(+)/S(−) for 2. These absolute configurations are consistent with the R(−)/S(+) absolute configuration of spiropentylcarboxylic acid, assigned previously via X-ray crystallography of its α-phenylethylammonium salt.
The prolonged influence of subsequent context on spoken word recognition

Connine, Blasko, and Hall (Journal of Memory and Language 30:234–250, 1991) suggested that within a 1-second temporal window, subsequent biasing information can influence the identification of a previously spoken word. Four experiments further explored this hypothesis. Our participants heard sentences in which an ambiguous target word was followed less than or more than a second later by a word biased in favor of either the target word or another word. Overall, the effects of the contextual biases on responding, measured using phonemic restoration and phoneme identification, were almost as large after 1 second as before 1 second. The implications of these results for defining the window of contextual effects are discussed.
Measurement of Michel parameters at CLEO

Using data from the CLEO II detector at CESR, we have measured the Michel parameters ρ, η, ξ, ξδ and hντ. Assuming lepton (e − μ) universality, we find ρeμ = 0.735±0.013±0.008 and ηeμ = −0.015±0.061±0.065, where the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic. An independent analysis utilizes spin correlations to measure the asymmetry parameters. The PRELIMINARY results are ξeμ = 1.007±0.040, (ξδ)eμ = 0.745±0.026, and |hντ = 0.995 ± 0.010, where the errors are statistical only. Each of these measurements has precision comparable to or better than the corresponding world average.
Structure and properties of liquid carbon disulphide near extended surfaces

A molecular dynamics simulation of liquid carbon disulphide between two extended surfaces separated by a few molecular diameters is performed using the potential function proposed recently. Variations of the molecular geometry and intramolecular vibrational spectra are studied for the first time. Detailed descriptions of local solvent friction, various time dependent correlation functions and dielectric properties for different regions of the liquid are presented. The approach can be applied not only to surface science and thin film technology but also to solution dynamics involving a macromolecular solute or a stiff cage effect.
The effects of prototype-based biases on leadership appraisals: A test of leadership categorization theory.

Leadership categorization theory suggests that leaders who display characteristics and abilities that match observers' schematic conception of an effective leader will be more favorably evaluated t...
Identification of proteins encoded by variant surface glycoprotein expression site-associated genes in Trypanosoma brucei.

The variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes of Trypanosoma brucei may be transcribed from several distinct telomeric expression sites (ESs). The mechanism responsible for regulating potential expression sites is unknown. Two members of a pleomorphic family of expression site associated genes (ESAGs) have been cloned and sequenced. By examination of the DNA sequences we inferred that ESAGs encode amphiphilic glycoproteins. Fragments of two ESAGs were inserted into the Escherichia coli expression vectors pATH and pEX. Antisera to the resulting anthranilate synthetase ESAG protein (ESAGP) fusion protein immune precipitated a 46 kDa glycoprotein from detergent extracts of T. brucei. In the presence of tunicamycin, the size of the immuneprecipitated protein was reduced to 36 kDa, corresponding to the molecular weight predicted by the ESAG sequence. The 36 kDa and 46 kDa proteins were absent from procyclic culture forms of T. brucei.
Meta-analysis of mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia and subsequent cardiac events in patients with coronary artery disease.

Mental stress–induced myocardial ischemia (MSIMI) has been associated with adverse prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), but whether this is a uniform finding across different studies has not been described. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies examining the association between MSIMI and adverse outcome events in patients with stable CAD. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases for English language prospective studies of patients with CAD who underwent standardized mental stress testing to determine presence of MSIMI and were followed up for subsequent cardiac events or total mortality. Our outcomes of interest were CAD recurrence, CAD mortality, or total mortality. A summary effect estimate was derived using a fixed-effects meta-analysis model. Only 5 studies, each with a sample size of 2 = 0.0%, p = 0.98). In conclusion, although few selected studies have examined the association between MSIMI and adverse events in patients with CAD, all existing investigations point to approximately a doubling of risk. Whether this increased risk is generalizable to the CAD population at large and varies in patient subgroups warrant further investigation.
Calculation of free-free Gaunt factors for 1 keV electrons in a 1 keV normal density Ce plasma

Abstract We compare numerical results for free-free Gaunt factors in a hot dense cesium plasma, obtained in the average atom approximation either with a simple approximate analytic potential or with the finite temperature Thomas-Fermi model. We obtain results (for the spectrum of radiation from a 1 keV electron incident on a cesium ion in a 1 keV plasma) from an exact numerical calculation in partial waves of the relativistic electron Bremsstrahlung cross section treated as a single electron transition within these potentials. Comparison shows that Born approximation results in the same potentials fail by large factors, especially at the soft photon end of the spectrum.
Racial differences in skeletal calcium retention in adolescent girls with varied controlled calcium intakes.

Background: Higher bone mass in blacks than in whites has been related to greater calcium utilization efficiency. Dietary calcium requirements for maximal skeletal calcium accretion during puberty may differ between the races. Objective: This study compared the relation between calcium intake and calcium retention in black and white adolescent girls. Design: A range of controlled calcium intakes (760-1981 mg Ca/d) were used in 3-wk controlled balance studies. Some subjects were studied more than once; a total of 182 observations from 55 black girls and 66 white girls were analyzed. Results: Blacks had 185 ± 32 mg/d greater mean skeletal calcium retention than did whites (P < 0.0001) at all calcium intakes as a result of significantly greater net calcium absorption (P < 0.001) and lower calcium excretion (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Dietary calcium requirements did not differ with race. Higher calcium retention at all calcium intakes during adolescence may underlie the higher bone mineral content of adult blacks than of adult whites.
The Econometrics of the Hodrick-Prescott Filter

The Hodrick-Prescott (HP) filter is a commonly used tool in macroeconomics used to extract a trend component from a time series. In this paper, we derive a new representation of the transformation of the data that is implied by the HP filter. This representation highlights that the HP filter is a symmetric weighted average plus a number of adjustments that are important near the beginning and end of the sample. The representation allows us to carry out a rigorous analysis of properties of the HP filter without using the ARMA-based approximation that has been used previously in the literature. Using this new representation, we characterize the large T behavior of the HP filter and find conditions under which it is asymptotically equivalent to a symmetric weighted average with weights independent of sample size. We also find that the cyclical component of the HP filter possesses weak dependence properties when the HP filter is applied to a stationary mixing process, a linear deterministic trend process, or a process with a unit root. This provides the first formal justification of the use of the HP filter as a tool to achieve weak dependence in a time series. In addition, a large smoothing parameter approximation to the HP filter is derived, and using this approximation, we find an alternative justification for the procedure given in Ravn and Uhlig (2002) for adjusting the smoothing parameter for the data frequency.
The effect of particle concentration on the rheology of polydimethylsiloxane filled with fumed silica

The effects of particle concentration on the shear-rate-dependent viscosity, stress relaxation, and stress growth function were investigated for various molecular weight polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fluids filled with colloidal fumed silica. Shear-rate-dependent stress relaxation was observed for all dispersions, and a significant stress growth overshoot was observed when the PDMS molecular weight was just greater than the entanglement molecular weight. The rate of stress—relaxation and the type of stress growth are primarily determined by the previous shear rate history and the PDMS molecular weight, while particle concentration only affects the quantitative details of the filled fluid's rheology. The observed effects of particle concentration are consistent with a molecular deformation process, where the silica particles interact via the entanglements of the polymer adsorbed on the surface of the fumed silica.
Buck Integrated Forward Converter

An integrated converter is a synthesized converter based on the overall system integration, which is simplified by the system objective and can implement the system functions similar to the discrete converters. An integrated converter consists of converter sets; each converter set has a special function defined by the designer. A family of DC/DC buck based integrated rectifier with two active switches can be derived by the integration concept. In this paper, buck + forward integrated converter is proposed and fully explained. Five different operating modes, formulation, waveforms, output/input voltage ratio characteristics, small-signal models, transfer function, simulation results, and experimental verification are presented in detail
Battery-Aware TDMA Scheduling Schemes for Wireless Sensor Networks

One of the critical problems for the wireless sensor networks is how to prolong the battery lifespan of the wireless sensor nodes. We proposed the cross-layer based battery-aware time division multiple access (TDMA) scheduling schemes for wireless sensor networks, which aim at maximizing the battery capacity utilization of wireless sensor nodes while satisfying the delay quality of service (QoS) requirements. Our proposed schemes take into account the joint effect of electrochemical properties of the battery, time-varying wireless fading channels, and packet queuing management. We develop a Markov chain model to analyze the performance of our proposed schemes. Based on the analytical model, we identify the tradeoff between the battery lifespan and the packet transmission delay. The analytical and simulation results show that our proposed schemes can significantly increase the battery lifespan of sensor nodes at the expense of acceptable increase of packet transmission delay.
Molecular relationships among varieties of the Tilletia fusca (T. bromi) complex and related species

Twenty-six isolates representing six morphologically similar taxa of Tilletia occurring in the western U.S.A. were compared using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) of the 5·8 s rDNA and flanking ITS regions. Two distinct clusters were separated in the dendrogram based on the RAPD analysis. One cluster contained isolates of T. controversa, Apera interrupta-infecting isolates of a potentially new species of Tilletia , and isolates of the Bromus -infecting varieties bromi-tectorum and guyotiana of the T. fusca (= T. bromi ) complex. The second cluster contained Vulpia -infecting isolates of T. fusca var. fusca . The separation of the Bromus -infecting varieties from the Vulpia -infecting variety of T. fusca was supported by distinct restriction digest phenotypes. The RAPD analysis was more sensitive than the RFLP analysis, and allowed separation of the Bromus -infecting varieties bromi-tectorum and guyotiana corresponding to host specificity shown in previous studies. The presence of genetically distinct populations of T. fusca var. fusca occurring on V. microstachys and V. octoflora is indicated by RAPD and RFLP analyses. Species status of T. togwatii , a bunt infecting Poa reflexa that was previously removed from the T. fusca complex, is also supported by RAPD and RFLP analyses.
Feature Adaptation Based on Gaussian Posteriors

In this paper we consider the use of non-linear methods for feature adaptation to reduce the mismatch between test and training conditions. The non-linearity is introduced by using the posteriors of a set of Gaussians to (softly) partition the observation space for feature adaptation. The modeling framework used is based on the fMPE models (D. Povey et al., 2005) applied to FMLLR matrices directly. However, the parameters are estimated to maximize the likelihood of the test data. We observe a relative gain of 14% on top of FMLLR, which was a 42% relative gain over the baseline
Synergism of Polymyxin and Sulfonamides in L-forms of Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis

Abstract Earlier workers suggested that synergism of polymyxin and sulfonamides occurred because sulfonamides produced changes in the cell wall which permitted the more ready access of polymyxin. We tested this hypothesis by using L-forms, which lack cell wall. The demonstration that synergism of polymyxin and sulfonamides occurs in L-forms of Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus suggested that the synergism is a result of some mechanism other than alterations of the cell wall.
Using item response theory to enrich and expand the PROMIS pediatric self report banks

The primary objective was to enhance the content coverage of some of the pediatric self-report item banks for ages 8-17 years from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®), and extend the range of precise measurement to higher levels of physical functioning. Data from 1,419 pediatric patients with cancer, chronic kidney disease, obesity, rehabilitation needs, rheumatic disease, and sickle cell disease were combined with item responses from the original standardization sample of 3,048 children to calibrate new items for the pediatric PROMIS Anger, Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Pain Interference, Fatigue, and physical functioning Upper Extremity and Mobility scales. Simultaneous or concurrent calibration using the graded item response theory model placed all of the items on the same scale. Twenty-two of 28 potential new items were added across the seven scales. A recommended short form was proposed for the Anger scale, and the recommended short forms for the Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms scales were revised. Unfortunately, we were not particularly successful at extending the range of measurement for the physical functioning banks. The present study expanded PROMIS pediatric item banks to add new content and to increase the range of measurement. Using item response theory, the banks were revised and expanded without changing the underlying scale of measurement. For Anger, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms, we successfully added new content that may render those banks more robust and flexible.
Transcending breast cancer: making meaning from diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose:This qualitative approach study describes the experience of self-transcendence in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.Method:Fourteen women participated from a larger sample of women in a support group project. Each woman was interviewed three times over an 8-month period. Audiotaped transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological techniques.Findings:Loss of a personal perception of good health and fear of dying from cancer forced women to reach both inside and outside of themselves for support and information. Bonding with other women with breast cancer led to further expansion of self-boundaries that brought comfort, a desire to modify life priorities, and enhanced appreciation of supportive others and of life itself. Over time, clarification and modification of values and behaviors assisted women to create meaning from their experiences.Implications:Nurse referrals to support groups or other resources (such as cancer advocacy organizations) where women interact with similar oth...
Pediatric surgery workforce: supply and demand.

Introduction: Recent studies report a shortage of pediatric surgeons in the United States. We surveyed members of the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) to estimate current workforce and demand and to provide data for workforce planning. Methods: We conducted a survey of 849 APSA members to provide workforce data on their communities as follows: the number of active, retired, or inactive APSA surgeons; non-APSA fellowship graduates; surgeons without accredited fellowship training; and the estimated demand for additional pediatric surgeons. Internet search engines identified surgeons and practices offering pediatric surgical services. The US Census Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) defined service areas with populations of 100,000 or more. Results: Of 137 MSAs with APSA members in practice, we obtained data from 113 (83%), with 247 (29%) of 849 surgeons responding. We estimate that the current pediatric surgical workforce consists of 1150 surgeons, with APSA members in active practice (60%) forming the single largest group, followed by general surgeons (21%). The percentage of active APSA surgeons was greater than the percentage of general surgeons in the 50 largest MSAs (76% vs 2%, respectively), whereas the opposite was observed in the smaller MSA ranked more than 51 in population (37% vs 46%, respectively). American Pediatric Surgical Association respondents estimated a national demand for 280 additional pediatric surgeons. Active APSA surgeons plan to delay retirement (8% of respondents) because it would leave their group or community shorthanded; 2% reported that retirement would leave the community without a pediatric surgeon. Discussion: Workforce shortage in pediatric surgery is a problem of number and distribution. Incentives to direct trainees to underserved areas are needed. General surgeons provide pediatric services in many communities. Surgical training should include additional training in pediatric surgery.
Least square solutions of energy based acoustic source localization problems

In this study we compare the performance of five leastsquare based methods for the localization of a target using intensity measurements of randomly placed acoustic sensors. Specifically, we propose a novel quadratic-term elimination (QE) method that gives a closed form least square solution and empirically yields the highest localization accuracy. Applications of this method to the localization and tracking of moving vehicles in a wireless sensor field experiment showed promising results.
Fatal pulmonary embolism update: 10 years of autopsy experience at an academic medical center

ObjectiveTo investigate the rate of death caused by pulmonary embolism (PE) and the antemortem performance in diagnosis and treatment of PE.DesignA systematic search of cases involving fatal PE via PowerPath® (Sunquest) followed by chart review.SettingAn academic medical centre located in San Diego, United States of America.ParticipantsPostmortem cases with pathological findings of PE.Main outcome measuresAfter data collection and collation, the data were subject to analysis.ResultsFrom 2002 to 2012, PE was identified as the mechanism of death in 108 of 982 cases (11%, 95% CI 9.01–12.99%) at an institution with an average autopsy rate of 30% ± 0.07%. Excluding cases where care was withheld (by advance directive) or unavailable, 29 of 108 were eligible for antemortem treatment for PE. In 31% (nine of 29) of these cases the diagnosis of PE was considered antemortem. Only three of 29 were given thrombolytics despite only one case being contraindicated.ConclusionThe rate of PE-related death is consistent with...
Abuse, Feelings, and Health Behaviors in a Student Population

• Behavioral sequelae of child abuse are frequently cited, but there are few studies that examine the strength of association between behavioral effect and abuse for children in a nonclinical setting. Seven hundred twelve junior high school students (mean age, 13.5 years) were surveyed for self-report of personal experience with abuse, certain health behaviors, and self-esteem. Physical and/or sexual abuse was reported by 18.3% of students. Both types of abuse were associated with the following behaviors: running away; considering hurting oneself; suicide attempts; and the use of drugs, pot (marijuana), cigarettes, and laxatives. No clinically significant relationships were found between abuse and report of anger, sadness, or self-esteem. These data suggested that some feelings and behaviors were common among all adolescents sampled, while others were more common among abused adolescents. Recognition of strong associations should help direct clinical management. The results of this study confirm findings from some previous reports and indicate the need for further studies of children who are not in a clinical setting. ( AJDC 1988;142:326-330)
Phytoestrogens in the environment, I: Occurrence and exposure effects on fathead minnows

Naturally occurring phytoestrogens may mimic biogenic estrogens and modulate endocrine action in vertebrates. Little is known, however, about their temporal and spatial variability in the environment and the biological effects associated with exposures. The present study assessed the environmental presence of phytoestrogens in human-impacted and relatively pristine areas. The response in larval and sexually mature fathead minnows to environmentally relevant concentrations of 3 common phytoestrogens (genistein, daidzein, and formononetin), both singly and in mixture, was also quantified. Phytoestrogens were only present in the human-impacted surface waters. When detected, mean concentrations were low (± standard deviation) in an urban lake: 1.4 ± 0.5 ng/L, 1.6 ± 0.7 ng/L, and 1.1 ± 0.2 ng/L for genistein, daidzein, and formononetin, respectively, and in treated wastewater effluent: 1.6 ± 0.4 ng/L, 1.8 ± 1.3 ng/L, and 2.0 ng/L. Biochanin A was detected twice, whereas zearalenone and coumestrol were never detected. No clear temporal trends of aqueous phytoestrogen concentration were evident. Larval survival was significantly reduced in genistein, formononetin, and mixture treatments, whereas adult male fish only exhibited subtle changes to their anatomy, physiology, and behavior. Daidzein-exposed adult females produced greater quantities of eggs. The present study indicates that genistein, daidzein, and formononetin are likely attenuated rapidly and are unlikely to cause widespread ecological harm in the absence of other stressors.
Religiosity, Religious Participation, and Negative Prison Behaviors

An impressive research literature has emerged that identifies linkages between religion and a wide range of attitudes, behaviors, and life events. One of the recurrent themes in this literature is that religion may operate as a force both for reducing antisocial behaviors and for increasing prosocial behaviors. We build upon this research by examining survey data of inmates at a large southeastern prison facility to determine whether religiosity can reduce the odds of frequent inmate arguing and fighting. Overall, our results indicate that religiosity directly reduces the likelihood of arguing and indirectly reduces the likelihood of fighting. We conclude that the efficacy of religiosity and religious programs for individuals in prison rests on whether they can promote basic prosocial behaviors.
Laser light-scattering measurements of particle concentration in a turbulent jet

A laser light-scattering technique has been used to study the relative particle concentration field in a round turbulent air jet. Measurements were made in the far field of a smoke-marked turbulent jet exhausting into a secondary air stream. Radial distributions of mean particle concentration, concentration fluctuation intensity and intermittency were measured at several streamwise locations. Concentration fluctuation power spectra and the micro- and integral scales of the concentration fluctuations were measured on the jet axis. The effects of ambiguity noise and noise due to optical path attenuation on the performance of the laser light-scattering system are discussed.
The cohn felt plug: An effective HeartMate II® reimplantation technique

We report the first documented case of HeartMate II® left ventricular assist device (LVAD) reimplantation following Cohn Teflon felt plug repair of the initial left ventricular apical cannulation site. This case highlights the current limitations of the predictability of myocardial recovery while describing an effective technique for possible future LVAD reimplantation. (J Card Surg 2012;27:122–124)
An Interacting-item scale construction package

The SAS® macroprogram and associated subprograms described here provide a new approach to scale construction that reflects interacting items through cross-product scores. Jannarone and Roberts (1984) described a method for binary tests that generates cross-product items in order to increase reliability. The method is unique in that it allows for the identification of potentially useful, nonadditive information, without the use of an external criterion. The SAS macroprogram COMBINE and its associated subprograms perform the necessary steps and evaluate the resulting augmented scale. COMBINE can be used with any set of binary-coded items in order to develop augmented scales. It can also be used with graded response (e.g., Likert) items if they are first dichotomized so that interesting, nonadditive behavior may be uncovered. However, the method may incorrectly identify appropriate cross-product items if the item~ in questio.n have either very high or low passing proportions. For this reason, caution should be used when examining binary items that have unusual frequency distributions. Method. The method involves an exploratory and a confirmatory stage. In the exploratory stage, the program first conducts an ANOVA for each pair of binary (passfail) items in an n-item test. For each test, the criterion variable is the subject's number-correct score on the remaining n-2 items, and each subject is placed in one of four cells based on scores for the two items. A 2 X 2 factorial ANOV A then yields two item main effects and an interaction effect. For each item pair, COMBINE attempts to fill each cell in the factorial design with a prespecified equal number of subjects. However, when there are too few responses to fill the cells, the analysis is based on the largest possible equal number of subjects i~ each cell. The approach is formally identical to regressI~g an individual's total score, minus the scores of the two Items being evaluated, on each of the item scores as well as their cross-product (Jannarone & Roberts, 1984). After all ANOVAs are performed at the user-specified critical level, the number of interactive pairs is accessed. If the number of interactive pairs exceeds expected chance levels, the analysis continues. The macroprogram then creates binary cross-product items for each of the most interactive item pairs, not to exceed n/2, generating and subsequently executing the
Pathology of the Central and Peripheral Nervous System

Not too long ago, neuropathology was a subspecialty based mostly in academic centers, not anymore. With the advent of MRI, brain lesions are discovered early in their development, and the need for diagnostic biopsies has increased exponentially. On the other hand, the aging of the world populations makes familiarization with neurodegenerative diseases imperative.
Assessing Pain in the ED Including the Use of Pain Scales (Such as OSBD, FLACC, VRS, NRS, CRS, and Oucher)

Pain is a common presenting complaint in pediatric emergency departments (EDs). In 2001 the Joint Commission for Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) set standards for pain assessment and management that have become important quality indicators. These Joint Commission standards led EDs to treat pain as a “fifth vital sign” to be measured and addressed. JCAHO left the details of pain assessment metrics to the facilities, thus no single scale has been recommended as the standard of care in pediatrics. Self-reported pain severity scales are considered ideal, but young and cognitively impaired children are unable to effectively use these tools. Other observational scales have been developed to reliably measure pain in these populations. Debate about the value of pain metrics persists in the medical literature despite the near-universal institutionalization of pain measurement in US EDs.
A Curious Sequence of Signs

(1957). A Curious Sequence of Signs. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 64, No. 5, pp. 317-322.
Dynamic Portfolio Adjustment and Capital Controls: A Euler Equation Approach

We present a multiasset dynamic portfolio balance model that is based on the maximization of an intertemporal utility function in consumption when investors operate under uncertainty, quadratic adjustment costs, and capital market regulations. We estimate the model's structural parameters on quarterly portfolio data of the German private sector. Asset demand is insensitive to return changes, although the coefficients are significant. Adjustment costs are low but highly significant, giving rise to moderate lags of adjustment. Still, existing capital controls and adjustment costs cannot explain the currently observed "home bias" in the portfolio. Overall, our results imply a strong rejection of the portfolio model.
Conformational dynamics at the inner gate of KcsA during activation.

The potassium channel KcsA offers a unique opportunity to explicitly study the dynamics of the moving parts of ion channels, yet our understanding of the extent and dynamic behavior of the physiologically relevant structural changes at the inner gate in KcsA remains incomplete. Here, we use electron paramagnetic resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular dynamics simulations to characterize the extent of pH-dependent conformational changes of the inner gate in lipid bilayers or detergent micelles. Our results show that under physiological conditions the inner gate experiences a maximal diagonal opening of ∼24 A with the largest degree of dynamics near the pKa of activation (pH ∼3.9). These results extend the observation that the C-terminus is necessary to limit the extent of opening and imply that the inner gate regulates the extent of conformational change at the zone of allosteric coupling and at the selectivity filter.
Morphological changes in rats fed navy beans.

SummaryAn experimental diet of raw navy beans produced changes in rats which included: growth inhibition, reduced food consumption, pancreatic acinar atrophy, fatty metamorphosis of the liver, thyroid follicular atrophy, and hyperkeratosis of the esophagus and skin. Significant morphological changes were not observed in the organs of rats fed an autoclaved navy bean diet.