cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modelling of ultraviolet light inactivation kinetics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, Clostridium difficile spores and murine norovirus on fomite surfaces.

Aims Quantitative data on the doses needed to inactivate micro-organisms on fomites are not available for ultraviolet applications. The goal of this study was to determine the doses of UV light needed to reduce bacteria and murine norovirus (MNV) on hard surface fomites through experimentation and to identify appropriate models for predicting targeted levels of reduction. Methods and results Stainless steel and Formica laminate coupons were selected as they are common surfaces found in healthcare settings. Test organisms included methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), Clostridium difficile and MNV. The fomites were inoculated with 105 -107 bacteria or virus and exposed to a range of UV doses. The order of resistance to UV irradiation was virus, bacterial spore and vegetative cell. The best fitting inactivation curves suggested nonlinear responses to increasing doses after a 3-4 log reduction in the test organisms. The average UV doses required for a 3 log reduction in the C. difficile, MRSA and VRE were 16 000, 6164 and 11 228 (mJ-s cm-2 ) for stainless steel, respectively, and 16 000, 11 727 and 12 441 (mJ-s cm-2 ) for Formica laminate, respectively. Conclusions Higher UV light doses are required to inactivate bacteria and viruses on hard surfaces than in suspension. Greater doses are needed to inactivate bacterial spores and MNV compared to vegetative bacteria. Significance and impact of the study Quantitative data and models on UV light doses needed to inactivate bacteria and MNV on hard surfaces are now available. The generalizable results of this study can be used to estimate required UV dosages to achieve targeted levels of inactivation based on estimated levels of contamination or to support quantitative microbial risk assessments.
On-Line Current Instrumentation Channel Error Correction Within Merging Units Using Constraint WLS Dynamic State Estimation Method

This paper presents an on-line current instrumentation channel error correction method. The physically-based high fidelity model of entire current instrumentation channel is developed, which consists of the current transformer (CT), the instrumentation cable, and the burden resistor. The constraint dynamic state estimation (DSE) is constructed to estimate the CT primary current, which can be directly reported in merging units (MU) as sample by sample outputs. Extensive test cases demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can accurately reconstruct the CT primary current in different saturation scenarios.
Akron Crane Works: The Insourcing Proposal

The Tower and Lattice division of Akron Crane Works is considering investing in a small machine shop in order to insource production of a wide range of small parts. The purpose is to lower costs and also reduce lead times. Analyst Peter Tang plans to model this decision by treating the vendor prices as savings and comparing those savings to the cost of internal manufacturing, acknowledging the needed up-front investments. Tang's supervisor, Tanya Garina, sets the stage for a lively discussion of economic value drivers by expressing initial disdain for the proposal, which, when analyzed, turns out to generate a great deal of value. Excerpt UVA-F-1839 Rev. Jan. 22, 2020 Akron Crane Works: The Insourcing Proposal In November 2017, Peter Tang sat down to prepare the economic analysis of a proposal to insource production of certain parts currently purchased by the Tower and Lattice (TAL) division of Akron Crane Works (ACW), a world leader in heavy lifting machinery. The primary motivations for the proposal were rising costs due to vendor price increases and long vendor lead times. The fabrication technologies for the parts targeted by the proposal were not complex. The TAL division believed internal production would cost less and that, with increased control of production, the division could reduce lead times. To achieve these gains would require a significant investment in new equipment and a modest increase in working capital. ACW was a respected manufacturer of heavy lifting machinery for the construction industry. In particular, ACW designed and manufactured equipment serving two heavy lifting needs: the large site-installed cranes used primarily in the construction of buildings and the mobile cranes used for hoisting and placing heavy manufactured items such as generators and bridge girders. These two sectors were served by the TAL and the Hydraulics and Platforms divisions, respectively. Insourcing Proposal . . .
Development as an Evolutionary Economic Process

This chapter describes how economic development is viewed from the perspective of modern evolutionary economics. It lays out the basic conceptual view of economic activity and economic change provided by evolutionary economic theory, the central role played by technologies and their evolution in economic dynamics, and the key role of institutions in forging the evolutionary processes at work. At the same time, institutions themselves evolve. A central argument is that an adequate economic framework for analyzing long run economic change must recognize the rich set of institutions involved—not just firms, households, and markets, but also a wide range of private not-for profit and public organizations and structures—and also that the varied roles of government cannot be understood simply as responses to “market failure”. The proposition is developed that the key driving forces involved in development are the co-evolution of technologies and institutions.
Bilateral abducens nerve palsy due to septic thrombophlebitis.

Abstract Purpose To report a case of septic thrombophlebitis producing bilateral abducens nerve palsy. Observation A 65 year-old woman with recent sinus surgery experienced the onset of horizontal diplopia during treatment for bacteremia. Computer tomography of head and a neck ultrasonography showed right internal jugular vein occlusion. Ophthalmology examination was consistent with bilateral abducens nerve palsy. She was treated with systemic antibiotics and antiplatelet therapy with resolution of the internal jugular vein occlusion. The diplopia improved over a six-months. Conclusion and importance Our patient had Lemierre syndrome with an unusual presentation. The patient was treated for septic thrombophlebitis with a resolution of her ocular symptoms.
Molecular dynamics free energy simulations of ATP:Mg2+ and ADP:Mg2+ using the polarisable force field AMOEBA

ATPases and GTPases are two important classes of protein that play critical roles in energy transduction, cellular signalling, gene regulation and catalysis. These proteins use cofactors such as nu...
Initial Evaluation, Resuscitation, and Acute Management

One of the main roles of the sports medicine physician is the management of acute trauma from sports. Whether it is a benign or more serious life-threatening injury, the sports medicine physician needs to be able to rapidly evaluate and triage these athletic-related injuries. The sports medicine physician should be familiar with standard Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols, specifically the primary and secondary surveys. Frequent reassessment of vital signs and a heightened suspicion for life-/limb-threatening injuries will help the sideline sports medicine physician manage the acutely injured athlete. Incorporating the use of portable ultrasound can improve the sports medicine physician’s ability to diagnose life-threatening conditions as well as musculoskeletal injuries. It is imperative that the sideline sports medicine physician work collaboratively with onsite emergency medicine services (EMS) crews to facilitate transport of the injured athlete to the nearest appropriate hospital.
Acupuncture based on nourishing spleen and kidney and dredging the governor vessel for motor function and ADL in children with spastic cerebral palsy

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of acupuncture based on nourishing spleen and kidney and dre-dging the governor vessel (GV) combined with rehabilitation and simple rehabilitation for children with spastic cere-bral palsy. METHODS One hundred and twenty patients were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each one. Physicotherapeutics and hand function training were used in the control group for 3 sessions with 20 d at the interval, 20 times as one session, once a day. Based on the treatment of the control group, acupuncture of nourishing spleen and kidney and dredging GV was applied in the observation group for 3 sessions with 20 d at the interval, 10 times as one session, once every other day. The acupoints were Baihui (GV 20), Fengfu (GV 16), Shenzhu (GV 12), Zhiyang (GV 9), Jinsuo (GV 8), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Mingmen (GV 4), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). Gross motor function measure (GMFM), Peabody developmental fine motor scale and activities of daily living (ADL) scale were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS After treatment, the scores of GMFM and Peabody fine motor were apparently improved compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05), with better results in the observation group (both P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 76.7% (46/60), which was obviously better than 65.0% (39/60) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture based on nourishing spleen and kidney and dredging the governor vessel, as an assisted method for children with spastic cerebral palsy, can effectively improve gross and fine moter functions and activities of daily living.
Energy Management Through Footstep Selection For Bipedal Robots

This work proposes a method of footstep placement that controls system energy to enable a dynamically-safe walking behavior. Contrasting many other works that treat rough terrain as a series of disturbances that need to be mitigated with control, we provide some insight into how energy-targeted foot placement is enough to allow a passive system to transit over rough terrain. This work explores the underlying complexities of one of the simplest walking models, the inverted pendulum, which, in its various forms, is the skeleton behind all bipedal robots, from Asimo to Atlas. Troubling all of these humanoids is the foot placement problem, especially when the terrain is not flat. This work uses analysis of the system energy to divide the feasible stepping area into regions that would either enable dynamic walking or cause a fall. Second we subdivide the walking region into sectors that promote the accumulation or dissipation of energy, stimulating or inhibiting future steps. Third, we introduce a method of global energy management using a moving reference point over rough terrain. We present results on how these concepts can be used to prevent falls, accumulate energy to cross gaps, and even enable a passive system to walk uphill.
Hannah Arendt: as aparências do estranhamento

Os tempos em que vivemos sao perversos em diversos sentidos, nao somente, mas tambem nao menos importante, politicamente. Em 2016 nos elegemos um presidente cuja aparicao em publico e avara, destrutiva, enganadora, predatoria e incoerente. Seria dificil imaginar Balzac ou Dickens desenvolvendo um personagem ficcional mais auto absorvido do que esse fanfarrao que nao hesita em intitular-se “realmente esperto”. Nao foi Trump sozinho que visualizou a si mesmo presidindo sobre – literalmente, sentado diante – mais de 300 milhoes de americanos? De acordo com ele, isso o qualifica “nao como esperto, mas como genial”. Mas quais sao as possibilidades, podemos nos perguntar, dessa picada vulgar nos despertar, nos o povo, dessa narcolepsia politica na qual temos sonhado durante os ultimos 50 anos?
Pressure-Induced Changes in Astrocyte GFAP, Actin, and Nuclear Morphology in Mouse Optic Nerve

Purpose To conduct quantitative analysis of astrocytic glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), actin and nuclei distribution in mouse optic nerve (ON) and investigate changes in the measured features after 3 days of ocular hypertension (OHT). Method Serial cross-sections of 3-day microbead-induced OHT and control ONs were fluorescently labelled and imaged using confocal microscope. Eighteen structural features were measured from the acquired images, including GFAP coverage, actin area fraction, process thickness, and aspect ratio of cell nucleus. The measured features were analyzed for variations with axial locations along ON and radial zones transverse to ON, as well as for the correlations with degree of intraocular pressure (IOP) change. Results The most significant changes in structural features after 3-day OHT occurred in the unmyelinated ON region (R1), and the changes were greater with greater IOP elevation. Although the GFAP, actin, axonal, and ON areas all increased in 3-day OHT ONs in R1 (P ≤ 0.004 for all), the area fraction of GFAP actually decreased (P = 0.02), the actin area fraction was stable and individual axon compartments were unchanged in size. Within R1, the number of nuclear clusters increased (P < 0.001), but the mean size of nuclear clusters was smaller (P = 0.02) and the clusters became rounder (P < 0.001). In all cross-sections of control ONs, astrocytic processes were thickest in the rim zone compared with the central and peripheral zones (P ≤ 0.002 for both), whereas the overall process width in R1 decreased after 3 days of OHT (P < 0.001). Conclusions The changes in structure elucidated IOP-generated alterations that underlie astrocyte mechanotranslational responses relevant to glaucoma.
Updates in the Definition, Diagnostic Work Up, and Therapeutic Strategies for MINOCA

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is found in up to 6% of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome. These patients represent a group with unique pathophysiology and treatment needs. This review summarizes recent advancement in the understanding of the causes and diagnostic work up of patients presenting with MINOCA. Historically the importance of MINOCA has been under-recognized, and the condition was considered a more benign form of acute coronary syndrome. More recently consensus documents from major cardiac societies have highlighted the unique aspects of MINOCA in terms of etiology, diagnosis, and management. Central to this is the understanding that MINOCA should be considered a working diagnosis and prompt detailed investigation into the underlying pathophysiological cause and, where available, the institution of guideline-based medical therapies. The diagnosis of MINOCA is increasingly being recognized as important both because it identifies a group of patients who differ clinically from those with obstructive coronary artery disease and because it necessitates further diagnostic work up. MINOCA is associated with excess morbidity and mortality, and there is a paucity of data to guide treatment strategies in this heterogeneous group of patients. Further work allows more accurate understanding of risks and optimal management in this population.
Optimization based Integrated Adaptive Control Architecture for Grid Connected Inverter (GCI)

This paper presents an optimization-based integrated control architecture for grid-connected inverters (GCIs). The overall objective is to augment existing inverter controllers to improve the quality and performance of GCIs during changing dynamics from DERs or grid. Using an energy decomposition methodology from measurements, the proposed architecture, first, develop high frequency and low-frequency energy signals. Then a dynamic control gain is designed based on an optimization methodology that minimizes error dynamics. The optimization function derived in this work considers both the state energy and controller effect. Then, an integrated control architecture that augments the device-level controller is designed. Coordination between controllers is based on the frequency decomposition of the energy function. The proposed framework was validated via simulation on a power grid model with GCIs. The results prove that the proposed architecture can provide improved control performance during variable operating conditions.
Critical moments in student learning on international advanced pharmacy practice experiences.

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this study was to evaluate self-perceived critical moments that were transformative to learning in students who participated in an international advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE). Methods Twenty-two pharmacy students from Purdue University College of Pharmacy, the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy who went on an international APPE participated in a one-hour focus group evaluating self-perceived critical moments that impacted their learning. Focus groups were coded using a conventional content analysis approach and went through a two-cycle open coding process to identify major themes according to country income classification. Results Twenty-two students participated in the focus groups with 18% going to a high-income country (HIC) and 82% going to a low-to-middle income country (LMIC) location. Major themes identified within HIC locations included witnessing an innovative patient care technique and experiencing interprofessional healthcare team dynamics. Major themes identified within LMIC locations included engaging in a sensitive patient interaction, experiencing healthcare system barriers, going out of their comfort zone, and making a difference. Conclusions International APPEs in both HIC and LMICs provided students with disorienting experiences that facilitated transformative learning and led to changes in their perspectives on patient care and pharmacy practice. While critical moments were different across country income locations, both provided valuable experiences that could be translated into local context.
Hope levels across adolescence and the transition to high school: Associations with school stress and achievement.

Abstract Introduction Feeling hopeful is an important condition for adolescents’ health, well-being, and educational success and attainment, yet limited research has examined hope at different ages throughout adolescence. Information regarding hope levels across grade could help educators know when to capitalize on goal-setting behaviors, and when to intervene should hope levels be low. Additionally, hope could help with the middle to high school transition because it presents opportunities and challenges, including school-related stress, as students adjust to new environments and expectations. Methods To investigate hope levels across adolescence, inter- and intra-personal analyses examined hope levels across grade-level in two cohorts of southwestern U.S. students (n = 1,018, 6th-10th grade students, 47% female, 55% White/45% non-White, (predominately Latinx)). The study used online self-report surveys to collect data. Next, longitudinal regression analyses across one year investigated relations of school stress and hope, and hope and achievement across the transition to high school. Results Students in both cohorts reported relatively stable hope levels from 6th to 10th grade, except for large decreases in hope during 8th grade, which recovered during 9th grade. For longitudinal analyses across the high school transition, student stress about school performance primarily influenced 8th graders who had relatively low hope. Eighth grade hope predicted 9th grade academic achievement. Conclusion Findings regarding hope across adolescence show that hope is similar across grade, except for a large decrease in hope that may occur before the transition to high school. Longitudinal analyses showed that school performance stress may contribute to this decrease but may also assist in hope recovery after the transition. Findings support educational practices and policies that target student hope before the high school transition to potentially buffer student stress and promote high school achievement.
Captivates: A Smart Eyeglass Platform for Across-Context Physiological Measurement

We present Captivates, an open-source smartglasses system designed for long-term, in-the-wild psychophysiological monitoring at scale. Captivates integrate many underutilized physiological sensors in a streamlined package, including temple and nose temperature measurement, blink detection, head motion tracking, activity classification, 3D localization, and head pose estimation. Captivates were designed with an emphasis on: (1) manufacturing and scalability, so we can easily support large scale user studies for ourselves and offer the platform as a generalized tool for ambulatory psychophysiology research; (2) robustness and battery life, so long-term studies result in trustworthy data individual's entire day in natural environments without supervision or recharge; and (3) aesthetics and comfort, so people can wear them in their normal daily contexts without self-consciousness or changes in behavior. Captivates are intended to enable large scale data collection without altering user behavior. We validate that our sensors capture useful data robustly for a small set of beta testers. We also show that our additional effort on aesthetics was imperative to meet our goals; namely, earlier versions of our prototype make people uncomfortable to interact naturally in public, and our additional design and miniaturization effort has made a significant impact in preserving natural behavior. There is tremendous promise in translating psychophysiological laboratory techniques into real-world insight. Captivates serve as an open-source bridge to this end. Paired with an accurate underlying model, Captivates will be able to quantify the long-term psychological impact of our design decisions and provide real-time feedback for technologists interested in actuating a cognitively adaptive, user-aligned future.
Aryl Transfer Strategies Mediated by Photoinduced Electron Transfer.

Radical aryl migrations are powerful techniques to forge new bonds in aromatic compounds. The growing popularity of photoredox catalysis has led to an influx of novel strategies to initiate and control aryl migration starting from widely available radical precursors. This review encapsulates progress in radical aryl migration enabled by photochemical methods-particularly photoredox catalysis-since 2015. Special attention is paid to descriptions of scope, mechanism, and synthetic applications of each method.
Sociological and Ecological Factors

Understanding how child maltreatment evolves—whether it is characterized by violent confrontations between parent and child, inattention to a child’s needs for adequate nutrition or supervision, chronic emotional belittlement and/or withdrawal of affection, or some combination of these—is inherently a task of integration. Knowledge from developmental psychology about what children need for healthy psychological development, knowledge from clinical psychology about the origins and manifestations of child and/or adult psychopathology, knowledge from family disciplines about the dynamics that underlie day-to-day family functioning and crisis situations, and knowledge from sociology about social and economic forces that foster or undermine the well-being of the family, each make a vital contribution to our understanding of both normal and dysfunctional parenting. Thus, the study of parental care and its effects on child development is, or should be, by its very nature interdisciplinary in its perspective. Without integrating these complementary sources of information, we are left with an incomplete portrait of parenting—its origins, its expression, and its impact on subsequent generations of children and parents. Indeed, nowhere is this more apparent than in the case of child maltreatment.
From EEG to Neurofeedback

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a brief history of the field of neurofeedback. The roots of modern neurofeedback and the related field of quantified electroencephalogram EEG or quantitative EEG (QEEG) can be traced back to Berger, who recorded the first human EEG. In 1989, Peniston and Kulkosky listed some of the uses of use of an alpha-theta protocol. Their treatment combined some preliminary relaxation and hand temperature training with later neurofeedback-induced theta-state or twilight state goal imagery to reduce alcohol addiction. The MCMI (Millon Multiaxial Inventory) results showed the treatment clients improving significantly on 13 scales as opposed to only two significant improvements and a significant increase in compulsivity for the alcoholic controls. The treatment group also showed significant improvement on the Beck Depression Inventory and improvement on seven of the 16PF (16 Personality Factor) scores, whereas the conventional treatment alcoholic group showed a decline on almost all of the 16 categories.
Unsupervised classification using associative memory

In this paper, we present unsupervised classification using the Lyapunov Associative Memory (LYAM) system. This associative memory encodes the classification results as its equilibrium states. The system is modeled with only a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. An example is given for signal sorting application.
Externally modulated optical analog links for microwave applications

Summary form only given, as follows. Fiber-optic analog links using external modulators are useful for microwave applications. They can transmit microwave signals over distances up to several kilometers with low loss and negligible dispersion. With the addition of a few more components, these links can be used in phased array antennas to steer the beam and to provide broadband adaptive nulling. The author has demonstrated point-to-point links at frequencies up to 22 GHz. An overview is given of the important factors in link design, with emphasis on the electro-optic modulator which is a key component in these systems. Current research trends and status of commercially available devices are also be reviewed. >
Akaike's Criterion

Akaike's criterion is a an overall goodness-of-fit index used in regression and structural equation modeling that seeks a balance between model fit and model complexity. Despite its firm theoretical foundation and strong intuitive appeal Akaike's criterion has little empirical support to justify its use in practice. Keywords: confirmatory factor analysis; cross-validation; goodness-of-fit; structural equation modeling
Controlling mechanisms in gasification of pulverized coal

Controlling mechanisms in the fuel-rich reaction of pulverized coal with oxygen at atmospheric pressure were investigated through analysis of experimental data and by comparison with predictions of a comprehensive model. Gasification data were obtained for four coal types at various oxygen-steam-coal ratios and effects of coal feed rate, particle size and flame type (premixed, diffusion) were also determined. The results show that coal particle heat-up and devolatilization occur very rapidly ( 200 ms) through surface reaction with CO2 and H2O, and possibly O2 at the onset. This general reaction process varies little among the coal types examined. The surface reactions are controlled in high-temperature regions through oxidizer diffusion to the char surface; however, as the gasifier temperature declines through heat loss and endothermic reaction, heterogeneous char-oxidizer reaction near the particle external surface becomes more important, giving rise to some dependence on coal type.
Large and ultrafast nonlinear absorption of an air/gold plasmonic waveguide

We investigate theoretically and experimentally the nonlinear propagation of surface plasmons on an air/gold interface which reveals large and ultrafast (∼100 fs) self-induced absorption. The experiment enables a direct measurement of the third-order nonlinear susceptibility.
Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is a classic example of a genetic disorder of hemoglobin structure and function. The mutation from glu to lys at the β 6 position of the hemoglobin molecule (Hb S) results in the formation of Hb S aggregates (polymerization) under conditions of reduced oxygen tension. Polymerization of Hb S leads to the cellular deformation known as erythrocyte sickling. The clinical manifestations of this disease are unique, because they combine those of a chronic hemolytic anemia with those of an acute and chronic vaso-occlusion. The erythrocyte membrane is an important factor in both the premature demise of the circulating sickle erythrocytes and the plugging of capillaries and small blood vessels, resulting from the interaction of sickle erythrocytes with vascular endothelium. One of the distinguishing features of sickle cell disease is the presence of erythrocyte dehydration. Erythrocyte dehydration plays an important role in cell sickling, since the polymerization tendency of Hb S is greatly enhanced when the cellular Hb S concentration is increased.
The Case for Exotic Baryon-Baryon States

Three main points are presented. 1) Current theoretical prejudices are presented for why dibaryon states are interesting, and why they should be expected. 2) A review is given of some of the unsettled experimental issues which have emerged during this conference concerning dibaryons. 3) Phenomenological issues are raised which are critical to understanding whether dibaryon states are observable in the medium energy NN system.
New Approaches for Monitoring CTL Activity in Clinical Trials

We have developed a modification of the ELISPOT assay that measures Granzyme B (GrB) release from cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). The GrB ELISPOT assay is a superior alternative to the 51Cr-release assay since it is significantly more sensitive and provides an estimation of cytotoxic effector cell frequency. Additionally, unlike the IFN-γ ELISPOT assay, the GrB ELISPOT directly measures the release of a cytolytic protein. We report that the GrB ELISPOT can be utilized to measure ex vivo antigen-specific cytotoxicity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cancer patients vaccinated with a peptide-based cancer vaccine. We compare the reactivity of patients’ PBMCs in the GrB ELISPOT, with reactivity in the tetramer, IFN-γ ELISPOT and chromium (51Cr)-release assays. Differences in immune response over all assays tested were found between patients, and four response patterns were observed. Reactivity in the GrB ELISPOT was more closely associated with cytotoxicity in the 51Cr-release assay than the tetramer or IFN-γ gLISPOT assays. We also optimized the GrB ELISPOT assay to directly measure immune responses against autologous primary tumor cells in vaccinated cancer patients. A perforin ELISPOT assay was also adapted to evaluate peptide-stimulated reactivity of PMBCs from vaccinated melanoma patients. Modifications of the ELISPOT assay described in this chapter allow a more comprehensive evaluation of low-frequency tumor-specific CTLs and their specific effector functions and can provide a valuable insight into immune responses in cancer vaccine trials.
Ellipsometric study of undersaturated critical adsorption.

At the liquid-vapor surface of a critical AB binary liquid mixture, if the surface energies ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{A}\ensuremath{\ll}{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{B},$ then component A completely saturates the surface and one is in the regime of strong critical adsorption where the local volume fraction at the surface is solely a function of $z/\ensuremath{\xi}$ where \ensuremath{\xi} is the bulk correlation length and z is the depth into the liquid. If, however, ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{A}\ensuremath{\approx}{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{B}$ then the surface composition is a sensitive function of the surface energy difference $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\sigma}={\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{A}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{B}$ and the surface is ``undersaturated.'' We study this undersaturated critical adsorption regime using a homologous series of critical binary liquid mixtures. Component B (methyl formate) is fixed, while component A is varied from n-undecane to n-tetradecane. With increasing carbon chain length \ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\sigma} changes systematically from a negative to a positive value. We find that the experimental results, in both the one- and two-phase regions, are well described by a universal surface scaling function $G(z/\ensuremath{\xi},{\mathbf{h}}_{1}{t}^{\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{1}}),$ where ${\mathbf{h}}_{1}\ensuremath{\sim}\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\sigma},$ $t=|{T}_{c}\ensuremath{-}T|{/T}_{c}$ is the reduced temperature relative to the critical temperature ${(T}_{c}),$ and ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{1}$ is a universal surface critical exponent. These results are in conformity with theoretical predictions.
Myofibromatosis: imaging characteristics

Background: Infantile myofibromatosis is the most common fibrous tumor of infancy. It can involve the skin, muscle, bone, and viscera. This uncommon entity is subdivided into solitary and multicentric forms, with or without visceral involvement. Objective: To describe the imaging characteristics of extracranial myofibromatosis. Materials and methods: Six infants, aged 1 day–1 week, were evaluated by imaging. All six patients had evaluation of one of the masses by US; four patients had CT evaluation of at least one of the masses; and five patients had evaluation by MRI. Results: The US appearance of the myofibromas included a mass with a purely anechoic center with a thick wall, a mass with a partially anechoic center, and a mass without anechoic components. On enhanced CT, the masses had lower or similar attenuation compared to adjacent muscle, with some masses exhibiting peripheral enhancement. The MR appearance consisted of low signal on T1-weighted imaging. On T2-weighted imaging, two had low signal of the center and the other three had high signal. All masses showed peripheral enhancement after gadolinium administration. Conclusions: Myofibromas have variable appearance on US, with a mass with an anechoic center being the most common feature. On CT, the mass can exhibit peripheral enhancement, calcifications, and erosion of adjacent bone. The MR appearance consisted of low signal on T1-weighted imaging and high or low signal of the center on T2-weighted imaging. All masses showed peripheral enhancement after gadolinium administration.
The learning curve for radiofrequency ablation of tachyarrhythmias in pediatric patients

Abstract The results of radiofrequency ablation for treatment of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias have been reported to improve with increasing experience; however, the precise nature of the learning curve in children is unknown. From November 1990 to October 1993, 1,546 consecutive procedures from the Pediatric Radiofrequency Ablation Registry were categorized into deciles based on number of prior pediatric procedures at the submitting institution. Negative exponential models were tested for strength of relation between volume of prior experience and 4 measures of outcome: success rate, complication rate, fluoroscopy time, and procedure time. Negative exponential curves described the experience-outcome relations well (r = 0.81 to 0.97). Learning rates were most rapid for successful ablation of left free wall accessory pathways, and slowest for right free wall pathway ablation. These models suggest that, given enough experience, procedural success rates >90% (regardless of pathway location) and fluoroscopy and procedure times averaging
Transformation kinetics of U/10 wt % Pu/10 wt %Fz alloy

Abstract Time-temperature-transformation characteristics of the alloy U/10wt %Pu/10wt %Fz were determined. The variation of phase-sensitive properties with heat treatment was used to follow the transformation. Changes in the metallographic structure, hardness, length, and elastic modulus were followed during transformation anneals at temperatures between 400 and 550 °C. The transformation was found to proceed within one minute from the start of annealing and to end after about 30 min at 450 °C. A discussion of the transformation kinetics of similar alloys is included.
Estimating the Mean Trace Length of Rock Discontinuities

Rock discontinuities appear as traces on exposures such as natural outcrops or tunnel walls. Discontinuity size which has important effects on rock mass behavior is related to trace length.
Effects of cross-sectional partitioning on active noise control in round ducts.

Active noise control (ANC) is particularly useful in hard-walled ducts where plane waves propagate. Higher order mode waves are much more difficult to control. Basic acoustic principles dictate that the cut-on frequency at which higher order modes will first begin to eclipse simple plane waves in a duct will be determined by the cross-sectional diameter of the duct. The lowest frequency for higher order modes will increase as duct diameter decreases. Therefore, the range of frequencies where plane waves dominate will be greater, and effective control using ANC will be better as duct diameter decreases. The result is that somewhat higher frequencies can be controlled with ANC for smaller diameters. If smaller diameters have broader frequency ranges that can be controlled with ANC, perhaps one could extend the frequency range for a large cross section by partitioning it into smaller cross sections using axial vane splitters. This hypothesis was tested by two methods of cross-sectional partitioning. Partitio...
Susceptibility of the two-dimensional electron gas: Diamagnetic spikes and gaps in the density of states

In a strong magnetic field, ${\mathrm{Br}}_{2}$-graphite intercalation compounds behave as nearly ideal two-dimensional (2D) hole gases, with nonoverlapping Landau levels, leading to large diamagnetic spikes in the susceptibility. These spikes are broadened by sample inhomogeneities, corresponding to \ensuremath{\sim}0.4% density fluctuations. As a byproduct of the analysis, some general features of the 2D susceptibility are clarified.
Towards segmentation of the thymus in fat and water parametric MR images

The thymus, an organ responsible for the development, selection, and maintenance of the peripheral T-cell population, is an important regulator of the immune system. Despite its physiological significance, it has received little attention in the medical image analysis literature. In practice, the anatomical location and variable shape of this gland pose challenges both in the image acquisition and analysis processes. We present an automated method for segmenting the thymus from water and fat parametric MR images that permits further analysis of volumetrics and tissue characterization. We compute fat ratio and water ratio parametric images and introduce the use of a stochastic edge detector that is embedded in a geometric variational segmentation model. Validation experiments of the proposed algorithm against manual delineations of the thymus indicate the applicability of our approach.
Visual field defects in cats with neonatal or adult immunological loss of retinal ganglion cells.

Behavioral perimetry methods were used to assess the monocular visual fields of 12 cats that had received intraocular injections of antibodies against large (α/Y) retinal ganglion cells. The antibodies produced defects in head and eye orientation responses to stimuli presented in the nasal visual field of the treated eye; responses to stimuli in the temporal visual hemifield were normal. Similar results were seen in cats that received antibody injections at 4 weeks of age or as adults. In the context of previous results, these findings suggest that a loss of Y cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus is sufficient to reduce geniculocortical function for head and eye orientation to visual stimuli in the nasal visual field.
Texture mapping 3D models of indoor environments with noisy camera poses

Automated 3D modeling of building interiors is used in applications such as virtual reality and environment mapping. Texturing these models allows for photo-realistic visualizations of the data collected by such modeling systems. While data acquisition times for mobile mapping systems are considerably shorter than for static ones, their recovered camera poses often suffer from inaccuracies, resulting in visible discontinuities when successive images are projected onto a surface for texturing. We present a method for texture mapping models of indoor environments that starts by selecting images whose camera poses are well-aligned in two dimensions. We then align images to geometry as well as to each other, producing visually consistent textures even in the presence of inaccurate surface geometry and noisy camera poses. Images are then composited into a final texture mosaic and projected onto surface geometry for visualization. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated on a number of different indoor environments.
Agricultural household models : extensions, applications, and policy

This book presents the basic model of an agricultural household that underlies most of the case studies undertaken so far. The model assumes that households are price-takers and is therefore recursive. The decisions modeled include those affecting production and the demand for inputs and those affecting consumption and the supply of labor. Comparative results on selected elasticities are presented for a number of economies. The empirical significance of the approach is demonstrated in a comparison of models that treat production and consumption decisions separately and those in which the decisionmaking process is recursive. The book summarizes the implications of agricultural pricing policy for the welfare of farm households, marketed surplus, the demand for nonagricultural goods and services, the rural labor market, budget revenues, and foreign exchange earnings. In addition, it is shown that the basic model can be extended in order to explore the effects of government policy on crop composition, nutritional status, health, saving, and investment and to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the effects on budget revenues and foreign exchange earnings. Methodological topics, primarily the data requirements of the basic model and its extensions, along with aggregation, market interaction, uncertainty, and market imperfections are discussed. The most important methodological issues - the question of the recursive property of these models - is also discussed.
An Assessment of the Interlaminar Stress Problem in Laminated Composites

A review and assessment of the interlaminar delamination problem com mon to layered composite materials is presented. The work covers calcula tion of interlaminar stresses from a homogeneous and microstructural material viewpoint as well as background information on the singularity problem. The observation of edge delamination and experimental efforts are discussed together with recent fracture mechanics studies. The conclu sions provides an assessment of the problem and suggestions for future investigation.
Why Humanistic Teacher Education Still Matters

The debate concerning who teachers are and what they are supposed to do continues with similar fervor as 100 years ago. In today's political climate, there is a resurgence in essentialism (a focus on traditional instruction and teacher-led curricula). As our nation's teachers face the demands of accountability standards imposed by recent legislation, it is critical to examine the teaching domains that are overlooked and underemphasized within this framework. The authors review literature on humanistic teacher education. Then, the authors discuss humanistic teacher education dispositions and provide brief examples of how they have incorporated them in their work in teacher preparation.
Effects of static vs. tidal hydrology on pollutant transformation in wetland sediments

This work addressed effects of hydrology on biogeochemical processes relevant to pollutant chemical transformation in wetland sediments. Microcosms were designed to impose three hydrologic conditions on salt marsh sediments: (i) drained-oxidized redox potenial (Eh); (ii) flooded-reduced Eh and, (iii) diurnal tide-oscillating Eh. The test chemicals were N- and/or S-heterocycles (NSHs) including quinoxaline (1,4-benzodiazine), 2-methylquinoxaline(2-methyl-1,4-benzodiazine), 2,3-dimethylquinoxalinen (2,3-dimethyl-1,4-benzodiazine), phenazine (2,3,5,6-dibenzo-1,4-diazine), acridine (2,3,5,6-dibenzopyridine), dibenzothiophene (2,3,5-dibenzothiophene), phenothiazine (dibenzo-1,4-thiazine), and phenanthridine (2,3-benzoisoquinoline). Biogeochemical processes reflected the hydrologic conditions in ways analogous to field settings, e.g., Eh characteristics were drastically different: static (flooded and drained) systems had reduced (mu = -428 mV +/- 57) and oxidized (mu = +73 mV +/- 32) values, respectively, with no evidence of periodic variation while the tidal systems exhibited regularly oscillating Eh (amplitudes 40-250 mV). Sediment trace gases also corresponded to the Eh, with the major species detected being CO2 and H2O (drained, tidal) vs. CO2 + H2O + sulfides + methane (flooded). The NSH transformation rates were different in each hydrologic regime and decreased as follows: tidal > or = drained >> flooded. These results indicated that there were subtle differences in NSH processing in drained and tidal systems, but both of these systems transformed NSHs faster and to lower levels than flooded sediments. These data suggest that in situ remediation options that preserve wetland integrity and tidal hydrology can be as or more effective than static conditions that obtain in approaches such as impoundment and excavation-upland placement.
Dynamics of the biradical mediating vinylcyclopropane–cyclopentene rearrangement

A previous direct dynamics trajectory study of the thermal vinylcyclopropane–cyclopentene rearrangement [C. Doubleday, J. Phys. Chem. A, 2001, 105, 6333], based on an AM1-SRP potential energy surface (PES), is extended to study details of the intramolecular and unimolecular dynamics in the biradical region of the PES. The branching ratio of the 4 diastereomeric products and the time dependence of their formation depend on the transition state at which the trajectories are initialized and its vibrational temperature or mode specific excitation. For the small amount of reaction occurring after ∼600 fs, there is considerable stereorandomness in the product yield, which contrasts with the short-time nonstatistical and mode specific reaction. Varying the initial amount of energy in reaction coordinate translation has only a minor effect on the biradical lifetime, but may have an appreciable effect on the relative product yield. Changing the rotational temperature has a negligible effect on the reaction dynamics. This study illustrates the utility of the quasiclassical trajectory method for studying short-time unimolecular dynamics and the importance of including zero-point energy motion in the trajectory initial conditions.
Fundamental Research Needs in Combined Water and Thermal Management Within a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stack Under Normal and Cold-Start Conditions

Each fuel cell component of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) used in automotive application operates most effectively (from performance and durability standpoints) within specific ranges of water content and temperature. The water and heat transport processes are coupled and present a challenge in providing the right balance over the entire range of operating conditions. Another important related aspect is CO poisoning of the electrocatalyst, which adversely affects the fuel cell performance. Freezing and cold-start present additional challenges for automotive PEMFCs. A critical review of the recent developments on these topics is presented in this paper. The study covers both the microscopic and macroscopic aspects of the transport within membrane, catalyst layers, gas diffusion layers, and gas channels, and an overview of the current PEMFC cooling technology. After discussing the current status, suggestions for future work on the above topics are presented.