cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Latent structure of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Exploratory and higher order confirmatory factor analyses.

A series of factor analyses evaluated the dimensionality of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Over 2,200 Vietnam theater and era veterans were divided into th...
Effects of PH3 Contaminant on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Performance and Related Anode Surface Temperature Measurements

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are being extensively researched for clean power generation from coal-derived syngas. Some of the contaminants in syngas such as phosphine (PH3) may interact with the SOFC anode material, and degrade its electrochemical performance and material properties. In this paper, a modified Sagnac interferometry method is utilized to monitor the anode surface transient temperature as a function of applied current densities under hydrogen and simulated coal syngas. Moreover, the poisoning effects of PH3 contaminant on the SOFCs performance are investigated in dry and moist conditions. The experimental results indicate that the Ni-cermet-based SOFC anode is more susceptible to degradation due to PH3 in the presence of steam than under dry conditions. These experiments are valuable for the validation and the development of SOFC electrochemical models, and understanding the anode-contaminant interaction.
Does the revolving door swing both ways? The value of political connections to US firms

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the value of corporate political connections resulting from the revolving door of employment between political office and the for-profit corporation. The authors test whether there is value to firms from political connections provided by the appointment of former politicians to corporate boards or management teams. The authors also test to see if passage through the door in the other direction, from the corporate world to public office, generates value for firms. Do firms whose former employees gain public office earn excess returns following their appointment or election to these positions? Design/methodology/approach – The methodology used in this study focusses on an empirical analysis of the political connections of US firms over the sample period 1996-2011. The analysis emphasizes the wealth effects associated with the announcement of hiring former politicians to corporate boards or the gaining of political office by former corporate employees. Findin...
Successful Elimination of Significant Arrhythmia Burden with Flecainide in an Adolescent with Long QT Syndrome Type 3

Congenital Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a cardiac channelopathy, which leads to prolongation of the QT interval. This prolongation can lead to ventricular tachyarrhythmias, syncope, and sudden cardiac death. There are various types of LQTS associated with the mutations, which affect the genes coding the ion channels in the myocardial cells. Because of the differences in the ion channel physiology, clinical presentation of the subtypes can show significant differences. The most common types of LQTS are LQT1, LQT2, and LQT3. In LQT1 and LQT2, mutations are in the genes encoding Potassium channels (KCNQ1 and KCNH2 genes). These two subtypes show sensitivity to adrenergic stimuli. In LQT1, episodes are usually exercise-triggered, and in LQT2, episodes are more likely to be related to sudden arousal and emotional stress. Therefore treatment of LQT1 and LQT2 is mainly based on antiadrenergic therapy. LQT3 on the other hand, is a result of a mutation of SCN5A gene, which encodes the Sodium channels. In this type, patients are sensitive to vagal stimuli and episodes tend to occur at rest. Therefore, treatment choices between different subtypes of LQTS vary. In this case report, we report a patient with congenital LQT3 (Y1795C mutation) presenting with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) storm. Patient's arrhythmia burden was eliminated following successful treatment with flecainide.
Positive Behavior Supports: Can Schools Reshape Disciplinary Practices?

This literature review examines the use of school-based positive behavior support (PBS), an alternative to traditional disciplinary practices that includes databased decision making and team collaboration. First, the role of archival data in planning intervention priorities is examined. Next, efficacy research focusing on the three types of PBS is evaluated: schoolwide (universal), specific setting, and individual student levels. Overall, findings were positive across all types of PBS, validating implementation of these research-based practices. This review concludes with a discussion of directions for future research and implications for practice.
Reversal Agent and Linker Variants of Reversed Chloroquines: Activities against Plasmodium falciparum

We have shown that “reversed chloroquine molecules” constructed from chloroquine-like and resistance “reversal-agent”-like cores can be powerful drugs against malaria (J. Med. Chem. 2006, 49, 5623−5625). Several reversed chloroquines are now presented that probe parameters governing the activities against chloroquine-resistant and chloroquine-sensitive malaria strains. The design is tolerant to linker and reversal agent changes, but a piperazinyl group adjacent to the quinoline, at least for the group of compounds studied here, may be detrimental.
Comments on: 'Curvature Mode Shape-based Damage Assessment of Carbon/Epoxy Composite Beams'

The primary motivation for the article sprouts from the article by Lestari et al. [Lestari, W., Qiao, P. and Hanagud, S, 2007. ‘‘Curvature Mode Shape-based Damage Assesment of Carbon/Epoxy Composite Beams,’’ Journal of Intelligent Material System and Structures, 18:189—208], published in a previous issue of this journal. The article although very useful and informative, as it conducts a wide array of experiments on different types of damages for a beam, has some discrepancies in the solution to the perturbed ordinary differential equation. The inconsistency manifests itself as a higher order effect. A possible solution to the equations is presented. Also, in this article the process is extended and the change in mass is taken into account along with change of stiffness. Only stiffness change is modeled in the original article.
Engaging Student Teachers' Hearts and Minds in the Struggle to Address (Il)literacy in Content Area Classrooms.

Although research supports the importance and impact of using reading strategies in content area classrooms to improve students' comprehension, many secondary teachers do not use this knowledge to improve the delivery of content. This article describes a themed literature circle curriculum developed as part of a reading course for content area credential candidates. Literature circles were used to enhance these preservice teachers' understanding about the connections between literacy and social justice. Using qualitative methods, the author explored changes in participants' mental models about literacy. Participants reported new understandings and new commitment to integrating literacy into their content classes.
Prehistoric Domestication of Animals: Effects on Bone Structure

Analytical techniques more usually applied in mineralogy have revealed consistent structural differences between the bones of wild and domestic animals from archeological deposits.
Improving Bandwidth Efficiency and fairness in cloud computing

Bandwidth is a key resource in cloud networks. Every tenant wants to be assigned the bandwidth which is proportional to the price they have paid. At the cloud vender side, the link bandwidth utilization could be enhanced to support more clients. In this paper, we show that the traditional PS-N (Proportional Sharing at Network level) bandwidth allocation algorithm cannot achieve the network proportionality fairness when the network is over-subscribed. PPSN (Persistence Proportional Sharing at Network level) is proposed to solve the unfairness issue. However, the bandwidth utilization of both algorithms is not good enough to meet venders' demands. BEPPS-N (Bandwidth Efficiency Persistence Proportional Sharing at Network level) is thus proposed to enhance the bandwidth utilization by assigning more bandwidth to the communication pairs that are not passing through bottleneck links, and at the same time, keep proportionality fairness per different tenant. Finally, simulations and performance analysis have been conducted to substantiate the viability of our proposed approach.
Low Temperature and H2 Selective Catalysts for Ethanol Steam Reforming

Supported Rh catalysts have been developed for selective H2 production at low temperatures. Ethanol dehydration is favorable over either acidic or basic supports such as γ-Al2O3 and MgAl2O4, while ethanol dehydrogenation is more favorable over neutral supports. CeO2–ZrO2-supported Rh catalysts were found to be especially effective for hydrogen production. We focused on a support prepared by a co-precipitation method having composition Ce0.8Zr0.2O2. A 2%Rh/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 catalyst, prepared via impregnation without pre-calcination of support, exhibited the highest H2 yield at 450 °C among various supported Rh catalysts evaluated in this study. This may be due to both the strong interaction between Rh and Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 and the high oxygen transfer rate favoring reforming of acetaldehyde instead of methane production.
An irreplaceable safety culture

Intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians are sources of errors and of resilience. When they learn how to juggle many competing goals, remain vigilant, and tell safety stories--all in the context of changing technologies and demand--they can create safe settings of care. Other strategies (eg, using computerized tools and implementing safety procedures) are important, but alone they are not sufficient. An ICU needs a safety culture that is rooted in a committed leadership, the acknowledgment that error is inevitable, a reporting system, and continuous learning. The all too common norm, "no harm no foul," is an obstacle. ICU leaders can use a campaign strategy to spread the safety practices that sustain a safety culture. They should attend to the political, marketing, and military aspects of such campaigns and recognize that people's time and attention are limited and built projects from existing ongoing pilots. Pilots can compete for people's attention; it has pull when it exemplifies a moral idea, simplifies work, and gives the health care professional more control and feedback. Under these conditions, the campaign will release individuals' passions and add energy and insight to the campaign itself.
MR Diffusion Tensor Imaging: A Window into White Matter Integrity of the Working Brain

As Norman Geschwind asserted in 1965, syndromes resulting from white matter lesions could produce deficits in higher-order functions and “disconnexion” or the interruption of connection between gray matter regions could be as disruptive as trauma to those regions per se. The advent of in vivo diffusion tensor imaging, which allows quantitative characterization of white matter fiber integrity in health and disease, has served to strengthen Geschwind’s proposal. Here we present an overview of the principles of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and its contribution to progress in our current understanding of normal and pathological brain function.
Evaluation of the square root function on microprocessors

The software requirements for real time applications of microprocessors have received little attention from the scientific community, Efficient algorithms for the evaluation of special functions for such purposes are needed, however, The aim of this paper is to report on initial efforts to develop software for evaluation of the square root function in microprocessors utilizing fixed point computation. Numerical results of the performance of these algorithms are described for both eight and sixteen bit precision machines.
Effect of the nature and amount of dietary energy on lipid composition of rat gingival tissue

1. The effect of the nature and amount of dietary energy on the lipid composition of rat gingival tissue was studied. Male weanling rats were given one of three iso-energetic diets: high-carbohydrate, high-protein and extremely high-protein, or a fourth high-fat diet, for 49 d. 2. The high-carbohydrate, extremely high-protein and high-fat diets caused significant increases in the gingival levels of total lipids compared with the normal-protein diet. These increases in total lipids were due primarily to increases in the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol esters. There were no significant differences in the fatty acid compositions of either non-polar or polar lipids among rats given the high-carbohydrate diet and those given the high-protein diet. 3. A comparison of the fatty acid composition of lipids of rats given the extremely high-protein diet and the other two iso-energetic diets revealed that the proportion of palmitic acid was higher and the proportion of oleic acid was lower in animals given the extremely high-protein diet than in animals given the other two diets. Compared with the three iso-energetic low-fat diets, the high-fat diet caused decreases in the proportion of palmitic and palmitoleic acids and increases in the proportion of linoleic, arachidonic and docosapentaenoic acids in total fatty acids of both non-polar and polar lipids. It should be noted that the high-fat diet contained a high proportion of linoleic acid and it is expected that this diet would raise the 18:2 fatty acid content of the lipids and also would raise the 20:4 and 22:5 levels as 18:2 is an essential fatty acid and will, with its metabolites, be directly incorporated into tissue lipids.
Colchicine and hormone secretion.

Summary Micromolar concentrations of colchicine, vinblastine or podophyllotoxin stimulate steroid secretion by Y-1 adrenal tumor cells in culture to an extent that equals a maximal ACTH response. This is in marked contrast to thyroid secretion, which is inhibited at these concentrations, and to TSH secretion by pituitary glands or amylase secretion by parotid glands, which are not affected.
Genome-wide fine-scale recombination rate variation in Drosophila melanogaster.

Estimating fine-scale recombination maps of Drosophila from population genomic data is a challenging problem, in particular because of the high background recombination rate. In this paper, a new computational method is developed to address this challenge. Through an extensive simulation study, it is demonstrated that the method allows more accurate inference, and exhibits greater robustness to the effects of natural selection and noise, compared to a well-used previous method developed for studying fine-scale recombination rate variation in the human genome. As an application, a genome-wide analysis of genetic variation data is performed for two Drosophila melanogaster populations, one from North America (Raleigh, USA) and the other from Africa (Gikongoro, Rwanda). It is shown that fine-scale recombination rate variation is widespread throughout the D. melanogaster genome, across all chromosomes and in both populations. At the fine-scale, a conservative, systematic search for evidence of recombination hotspots suggests the existence of a handful of putative hotspots each with at least a tenfold increase in intensity over the background rate. A wavelet analysis is carried out to compare the estimated recombination maps in the two populations and to quantify the extent to which recombination rates are conserved. In general, similarity is observed at very broad scales, but substantial differences are seen at fine scales. The average recombination rate of the X chromosome appears to be higher than that of the autosomes in both populations, and this pattern is much more pronounced in the African population than the North American population. The correlation between various genomic features—including recombination rates, diversity, divergence, GC content, gene content, and sequence quality—is examined using the wavelet analysis, and it is shown that the most notable difference between D. melanogaster and humans is in the correlation between recombination and diversity.
An internal doping method for the preparation of transparent hybrid xerogels containing nano-sized iron particles

Sol-gel copolymerization of iron tricarbonyl-2-(triisopropoxysilyl)-1,3-butadiene with 1,6-bistriethoxysilylhexane and 1,4-bistriethoxysilylbenzene followed by drying produced bridged polysilsesquioxane xerogels. These porous, transparent hybrid materials containing the iron metal precursor were irradiated (UV) and heated under vacuum resulting in the deposition of nano-sized iron particles doped in the xerogels. EDAX and electron diffraction techniques were used to characterize the iron phases. The TEM images of these doped xerogels provided additional information regarding the domain size of the iron phase.
Weighted empiricals and the product-limit estimator in the multiplicative hazard and time transfer regression model

Abstract In a model that combines the usual multiplicative hazard regression model and the accelerated life model or its log transform, weighted empirical processes are used to define estimators of the underlying hazard and survival functions with a specified multiplicative factor in the hazard rate. The covariates as well as the weights are allowed to be time-dependent. The weak convergence of the estimators are obtained. These estimators can be used to define and analyze parametric estimators in the multiplicative hazard model, the censored regression or the accelerated life model.
Alzheimer's disease: insolubility of partially purified paired helical filaments in sodium dodecyl sulfate and urea

A method is described for the partial purification of the paired helical filaments that accumulate progressively in human neurons in Alzheimer's disease (senile dementia). Paired helical filaments have unusual solubility characteristics, including insolubility in sodium dodecyl sulfate, urea, reducing agent, and guanidine, which prevent analysis of their molecular composition by gel electrophoresis. The paired helical filaments appear to contain covalent bonds other than disulfide, which cross-link individual filaments into a rigid intracellular polymer. Thus, paired helical filaments appear to represent an example in neurons of an insoluble cross-linked protein. Covalently cross-linked protein polymers occur in lens senile cataracts and in terminally differentiated skin keratinocytes, suggesting that there may be a common mechanism for remodeling some structural proteins during cell aging.
Robust economic models

Abstract Economic models are robust to the degree to which an analysis of their comparative statics can be made without a full quantification of the model's embodied interrelationships. This paper surveys the use of signed directed graphs in conducting nonquantitative comparative static analyses. The graph-theoretic techniques are extended to enable the use of additional, but not fully quantitative, information in signing the inverse Jacobian matrix and assessing stability.
Numerical analysis of vectorial wave propagation in waveguides with arbitrary refractive index profiles

Abstract We demonstrate an efficient numerical method for calculating transverse electric (TE) or transverse magnetic (TM) modal properties in a waveguide with an arbitrary refractive index distribution. We approximate a planar waveguide cross-section by a finite number of thin dielectric layers and use 2 × 2 transfer matrices to relate adjacent layers. Using a back-propagation method that is simple and computationally efficient, we solve for the vectorial field across the multi-layered waveguide and plot the mode profile. There is rapid convergence to a high-accuracy solution. We also obtain the number of guided modes and the propagation constant of each mode.
Uncertainty, Salient Stakes, and the Causes of Conventional Arms Races

Arms races are costly and inefficient; therefore, standard causal explanations, based on threat perception, are inadequate, as states should prefer to resolve disagreements prior to the onset of these inefficient competitions. Building on recent research, arms races are alternatively conceptualized as a product of uncertainty, used to reveal information. Expectations are derived regarding when arms races should be most likely, allowing for one of the first systematic, quantitative tests of the causes of arms races. Empirical tests support theoretical expectations that arms races are most likely in contexts where there are salient competitive stakes and high levels of uncertainty, such as territorial rivalries or the early tenure of new leaders. The theoretical logic and empirical tests not only produce insights into why states participate in costly and inefficient arms races but also hint at a better understanding of the long puzzling relationship between arms races and war.
TEM imaging of unstained DNA nanostructures using suspended graphene

We demonstrate a method for imaging unstained DNA nanostructures with transmission electron microscopy via suspended graphene supports. Central to the technique is a sacrificial silicon membrane beneath the graphene that provides mechanical support during aqueous sample deposition but is then eliminated in a final step using a XeF2 dry etch.
Springtime distributions and variability of biogenic particulate matter in Gulf Stream warm-core ring 82B and surrounding N.W. Atlantic waters

Abstract Distributions of particulate matter, chlorophyll and other physical/bio-optical properties were investigated during April–May 1982 in warm-core ring (WCR) 82B and surrounding Shelf, Slope, Gulf Stream and Sargasso Sea waters. Biogenic particles present in the core waters of WCR 82B were strongly influenced by the day-to-day variation in air-sea heat flux. Particles grew/accumulated in surface waters during periods of transient stratification/quiescence and were removed from the euphotic zone as deep as 400 m during periods of strong heat loss and deep convective mixing. This process enriched ring core waters below the euphotic zone compared to all other waters sampled. Outside of ring-core waters, stratification was already permanently established and surface concentrations of particles/chlorophyll increased radially outward to maximum values in entrainment zone waters at the ring periphery. Slightly lower concentrations were observed in the Slope Water and Shelf Water. Comparisons of chlorophyll and beam attenuation coefficient data suggested that the beam attenuation coefficient reflects bulk distributions of particulate mass and not pigment biomass, consistent with earlier studies. Profiles of SPM and chlorophyll at a Gulf Stream station showed subduction of high (650 μg kg−1) concentrations of biogenic particles produced at the surface near the Gulf Stream/Slope Water front. Such subduction events may have significant impact on the oxygen budget of the N. Atlantic thermocline.
Complexity of the transcriptional network controlling secondary wall biosynthesis

Secondary walls in the form of wood and fibers are the most abundant biomass produced by vascular plants, and are important raw materials for many industrial uses. Understanding how secondary walls are constructed is of significance in basic plant biology and also has far-reaching implications in genetic engineering of plant biomass better suited for various end uses, such as biofuel production. Secondary walls are composed of three major biopolymers, i.e., cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin, the biosynthesis of which requires the coordinated transcriptional regulation of all their biosynthesis genes. Genomic and molecular studies have identified a number of transcription factors, whose expression is associated with secondary wall biosynthesis. We comprehensively review how these secondary wall-associated transcription factors function together to turn on the secondary wall biosynthetic program, which leads to secondary wall deposition in vascular plants. The transcriptional network regulating secondary wall biosynthesis employs a multi-leveled feed-forward loop regulatory structure, in which the top-level secondary wall NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) master switches activate the second-level MYB master switches and they together induce the expression of downstream transcription factors and secondary wall biosynthesis genes. Secondary wall NAC master switches and secondary wall MYB master switches bind to and activate the SNBE (secondary wall NAC binding element) and SMRE (secondary wall MYB-responsive element) sites, respectively, in their target gene promoters. Further investigation of what and how developmental signals trigger the transcriptional network to regulate secondary wall biosynthesis and how different secondary wall-associated transcription factors function cooperatively in activating secondary wall biosynthetic pathways will lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the transcriptional control of secondary wall biosynthesis.
Active Breathing Coordinator reduces radiation dose to the heart and preserves local control in patients with left breast cancer: Report of a prospective trial

Abstract Purpose Incidental radiation dose to the heart and lung during breast radiation therapy (RT) has been associated with an increased risk of cardiopulmonary morbidity. We conducted a prospective trial to determine if RT with the Active Breathing Coordinator (ABC) can reduce the mean heart dose (MHD) by ≥20% and dose to the lung. Methods and materials Patients with stages 0-III left breast cancer (LBC) were enrolled and underwent simulation with both free breathing (FB) and ABC for comparison of dosimetry. ABC was used during the patient's RT course if the MHD was reduced by ≥5%. The median prescription dose was 50.4Gy plus a boost in 77 patients (90%). The primary endpoint was the magnitude of MHD reduction when comparing ABC to FB. Secondary endpoints included dose reduction to the heart and lung, procedural success rate, and adverse events. Results A total of 112 patients with LBC were enrolled from 2002 to 2011 and 86 eligible patients underwent both FB and ABC simulation. Ultimately, 81 patients received RT using ABC, corresponding to 72% procedural success. The primary endpoint was achieved as use of ABC reduced MHD by 20% or greater in 88% of patients ( P Conclusions ABC was well tolerated and significantly reduced MHD while preserving local control. Use of the ABC device during RT should be considered to reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease in populations at risk.
The Role of Practicality in the Choice of Instructor Rating Methods

Behavioral Expectation Scales (BES) were compared to summated and trait-oriented scales as measures of teaching performance. The scales were developed in a college setting; the ratees were college professors and their raters were college students. Both the psychometric properties and the practicality criterion were examined. Overall, the psychometric evidence suggests that the summated format is slightly superior. When the issue of practicality is examined in terms of the raters’ perceptions of which method is easiest, most difficult, most defensible, and most accurate, the summated scale is definitely superior. Surprisingly, even the students who participated in the development of the BES format preferred the summated form. Given the inconclusive psychometric evidence reported in the literature, and until better tests are formulated, it appears that the deciding factor will ultimately depend on what we believe is the neglected criterion of practicality.
A gross study of the compartmentalized stomach of two new‐world camelids, the llama and guanaco

The llama and guanaco stomach consisted of three compartments. A transverse pillar divided the large, first compartment into cranial and caudal sacs. Both sacs contained recessed glandular saccules. The saccules in the caudal sac were everted during the gastric contraction cycle. The non-recessed surfaces of this compartment were covered by stratified squamous epithelium. The first compartment communicated on the right with a smaller, reniform second compartment. Except on the lesser curvature, this compartment contained deep cells which were lined by a papillated glandular mucosa. The ventricular groove, defined by a single muscular lip, coursed along the cranial sac of the first compartment, over the lesser curvature of the second compartment, and terminated at the tubular passage to the third compartment. The initial four-fifths of the elongate third compartment contained mucigenous glands like those found in the saccules and cells of the first and second compartment Proper gastric glands and pyloric glands were confined to the terminal one-fifth of the third compartment. Attempts to homologize the compartments of the camelid stomach with those of the Pecora or so-called advanced ruminants were unsuccessful. The results of this study and concurrent physiologic investigations indicated that the processes of ruminant digestion can operate within wide anatomic boundaries, and that the camelid stomach with its extensive glandular mucosa is adapted for greater digestive efficiency than the advanced ruminant stomach.
Polymers with improved flammability characteristics. II. Phenolphthalein related copolycarbonates

Analysis of phenolphthalein and bisphenol-A copolycarbonates reveals a linear correlation between oxygen index (OI) and char yield (Y): OI = 0.34Y + 19.6, which can be compared with the empirical equation QI = 0.4Y + 17.5 proposed by D. W. Van Krevelen for other polymers. Analysis also suggests that no chemical interction occurs between the two comonomers during pyrolysis, which leads neither to enhanced char yield nor to enhanced oxygen index. Each copolymer component contributes to the char yield and oxygen index on an additive basis. Study of 4,5,6,7-tetrabromophenolphthalein and phenolphthalein copolycarbonates shows that some enhancement of char yield does occur and that the lower the char yield, the higher the oxygen index, which is an indication of the predominance of a vapor-phase bromine effect over that related to char. Study of 4,5,6,7-tetrabromophenolphthalein and bis-phenol-A copolycarbonates is interpreted on the basis of two factors—the char effect that prevails over the vapor phase radical scavenging effect at lower bromine content and the reverse order at higher bromine content.
Comparison of Total Nutrient Admixture Stability Using Two Intravenous Fat Emulsions, Soyacal and Intralipid 20%

The safe clinical use and physical stability of a total nutrient admixture (TNA) system containing a soybean oil emulsion (Intralipid) has been reported. A study was conducted to compare the physical stability of four admixtures which were divided into two groups based upon the ratios (1:1:1 and 2:1:1) of amino acids (8.5%), dextrose (70%), and fat emulsion (20%). The fat component in each group contained either a new soy bean fat emulsion, Soyacal, or Intralipid. The quantities of all electrolytes, trace elements and vitamin additives were the same. All solutions were stored at 4 degrees C for 28 days and then held at ambient temperature for 5 days for a total 33-day study period. Each admixture was serially analyzed on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33. Examination of gross visual appearance and determinations of pH were performed. Osmolality was measured by means of freezing point depression (Advanced Digimatic Osmometer, Advanced Instruments, Inc., Needham Heights, MA). A Brookhaven particle analyzer was used to measure lipid particle size and particle size distribution. Electron and light microscopy were used to verify maximum particle size and distribution on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 29. The type of lipid emulsion used did not affect the pH or osmolality of the admixtures. Admixtures prepared with the 2:1:1 ratio had slightly higher pH (0.07) and lower osmolality (350 mOsm/kg). The range of mean diameters for the admixtures prepared with Soyacal and Intralipid were 0.283 to 0.310 micron and 0.314 to 0.351 micron, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Real-Time Simulations of Electrical Machine Drives with Hardware-in-the-Loop

This paper presents a fully digital, real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulator on PC-cluster, of electric systems and drives for research and education purpose. This simulator was developed with the aim of meeting the transient simulation needs of electromechanical drives and electric systems while solving the limitations of traditional realtime simulators. This simulator has two main subsystems software and hardware subsystem. The two subsystems were coordinated to achieve the real time simulation. The software subsystem includes Matlab toolbox and a C++ compiler. The hardware subsystem includes FPGA data acquisition card, the control board, the sensors, and the desired motor to be controlled. The use of a real-time simulator to achieve hardware- in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation allows rapid prototyping, motors testing, mechanical load emulation, and control strategies evaluation. . Several simulations with different motors were conducted using this system. The simulation results are outlined and discussed.
Thermomechanical and thermogravimetric analyses of systematic series of polyimides

Twelve polyimides which differ systematically in chemical structure were investigated in nitrogen through the temperature range −190° rlhar2; 500°C by torsional braid analysis. The degradative regions were also examined in nitrogen by thermogravimetric analysis. Relationships between chemical structure/thermal history, processibility, thermomechanical behavior, and weight loss are discussed. A logical thermal program for converting the precursor polyamic acid solutions to solid polyimides was developed. High-temperature, thermally induced chemical reactions could be regulated so as to preferentially freeze out longer-range relaxations and extend the glass state behavior to well above its original load-limiting Tg. Materials made from more flexible molecules had lower glass transitions, softened more through the Tg, and had simpler damping spectra and lower thermal stability than materials made from more rigid molecules. A commercially available polyimide film and polyimide-forming varnish of undisclosed structures were examined by torsional pendulum and torsional braid analyses, respectively. The thermomechanical spectra of the film and cured varnish were similar to the spectra of one structural type of polyimide.
Megacolon in Cats: The Role of Colectomy

In cats, clinical signs of constipation usually respond to laxatives, fecal softeners, enemas, and dietary management. Uncommonly, constipation is chronic and is associated with a marked increase in the diameter of the colon. When megacolon is present, constipation responds poorly to medical therapy. Without surgical treatment, megacolon may become an intolerable problem, with euthanasia of the cat as the probable outcome. Subtotal colectomy is now established as a satisfactory treatment for idiopathic megacolon in cats. Recently, removal of the colon has been used successfully to treat chronic constipation and megacolon associated with mechanical obstruction of the pelvic canal caused by stenosis from malunion of pelvic fractures. Colectomy has minimal long-term effects on enteric function in cats.
Aspergillosis in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: Risk factors, prophylaxis, and treatment

This article discusses newer antifungal agents, recent randomized controlled trials, and the 2008 guidelines for treatment of aspergillosis in reference to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Strategies such as reduced-intensity conditioning and agents such as infliximab shed new light on aspergillosis risk. The association between Toll-like receptor polymorphisms and aspergillosis is an exciting development. Posaconazole was evaluated in two randomized prophylaxis trials, and a large, randomized trial established voriconazole’s therapeutic superiority to amphotericin. However, many questions remain regarding which patients benefit most from prophylaxis; resistance to newer antifungals; and combination, salvage, and immunomodulatory therapies. Current therapies and strategies have improved the outlook of HSCT recipients with invasive aspergillosis. Future directions include increasingly sophisticated risk stratification, clinical testing of combination therapies, and adjunctive immunomodulatory therapies.
Positive and negative effects of political disaffection on the less experienced voter

A survey of less experienced eligible voters tests relationships among cynicism toward the political system, negativism toward campaigns, apathy toward political participation, third‐person perceptions for political polling and advertising, voting efficacy and voting intentions. Cynicism and negativity are positively associated with third‐person perceptions, which is related to greater voting efficacy and voting intent. Cynicism has both negative and positive associations with voting efficacy. Apathy is related to reduced voting efficacy, with efficacy positively associated with voting intentions. It is concluded that some negative feelings about politics serve to heighten, rather than dampen, young voters’ intent to participate in the elective process. It appears that the voters who believe they can see through the lies they believe they are being told by politicians via the media are more apt to think their participation can make a difference.
Properties of fully polarized liquid 3He

Abstract An “induced” interaction model for the fully polarized phase of liquid 3 He is presented. Some properties of this system are discussed and predictions made. The effective mass, m ∗ m , is found to drop dramatically to ≈ 0.8, giving rise to interesting effects.
Is heart rate an indicator of imprinted preferences and affect

Different tests for “imprinted” preferences may produce discordant results. To resolve this enigma, measurements of changes in heart rate were recorded in the presence of the familiar imprinted and an unfamiliar object. The character of the changes in cardiac activity varied in an apparently haphazard fashion, nor did constraints on locomotion alter this picture. It is not known whether these considerable and seemingly spontaneous changes in cardiac activity are common to the young of all birds, or unique to ducklings. The underlying causes and their biological significance may pose a problem of greater importance than the presumed (and still unproven) relation between imprinting, heart rate, and affect.
Investigation of the Adsorption Characteristics of Antimony, Cadmium, and Lead by Nano- and Microparticle Titania

The utilization of nanotechnology is expected to rise greatly within the next decade. The increasing ubiquity of nanotechnology, coupled with the fact that the toxicity of a nanomaterial is partially dependent on its adsorbed components, emphasizes the general importance, and environmental significance, of nanomaterial adsorption studies. Using nanoparticle titania (and microparticle titania for comparison), a series of adsorption experiments were performed. The antimony, lead, and cadmium adsorption capacity of nanoparticle titania was compared to that of microparticle titania. During a typical adsorption experiment, a known amount of nanomaterial was shaken with a solution containing a known concentration of antimony, lead, and cadmium. Following an equilibration period, the solutions were filtered, centrifuged, and analyzed using either inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), or inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The effect of light and adsorption on antimony speciation was also investigated by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in conjunction with ICP-MS. Adsorption experiments indicate that nanoparticle titania has a higher adsorption affinity for antimony, cadmium, and lead species when compared to microparticle titania. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm plots were created, and it was determined that both isotherms provided a good fit for the data. Results of the antimony speciation studies indicate that Sb(III) was oxidized to Sb(V) and adsorbed by microparticle titania; Sb(III) oxidation cannot be confirmed when nanoparticle titania is used as the adsorbent, as complete antimony adsorption always occurred at the concentrations studied. The presence of ambient light had only a small effect on adsorption and oxidation; antimony adsorption by microparticle titania was more complete in the absence of light.
Cross Talk between NOTCH Signaling and Biomechanics in Human Aortic Valve Disease Pathogenesis

Aortic valve disease is a burgeoning public health problem associated with significant mortality. Loss of function mutations in NOTCH1 cause bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and calcific aortic valve disease. Because calcific nodules manifest on the fibrosa side of the cusp in low fluidic oscillatory shear stress (OSS), elucidating pathogenesis requires approaches that consider both molecular and mechanical factors. Therefore, we examined the relationship between NOTCH loss of function (LOF) and biomechanical indices in healthy and diseased human aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs). An orbital shaker system was used to apply cyclic OSS, which mimics the cardiac cycle and hemodynamics experienced by AVICs in vivo. NOTCH LOF blocked OSS-induced cell alignment in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), whereas AVICs did not align when subjected to OSS under any conditions. In healthy AVICs, OSS resulted in decreased elastin (ELN) and α-SMA (ACTA2). NOTCH LOF was associated with similar changes, but in diseased AVICs, NOTCH LOF combined with OSS was associated with increased α-SMA expression. Interestingly, AVICs showed relatively higher expression of NOTCH2 compared to NOTCH1. Biomechanical interactions between endothelial and interstitial cells involve complex NOTCH signaling that contributes to matrix homeostasis in health and disorganization in disease.
SU-FF-T-218: Skin Dose Due to a Supporting Pad in Prone Breast Treatments

Purpose: To quantify the skin dose on the medial side of the breast due to the use of a foam pad to support the patient in the prone treatment position. Method and Materials: A phantom was constructed to measure the skin dose with a parallel‐plate chamber. The chamber side of the phantom faced medially so that it faced the pad. The phantom was then treated repeatedly with the pad at various distances from the phantom. A buildup experiment was also performed on the phantom without the pad and with the pad set at 2.5cm away from the surface of the chamber. Performance was assessed by measuring the skin dose as a function of distance and as a percentage of the target dose. It was also assessed by the buildup region created by the pad to the one without a pad present. Results: Examination of the skin dose versus the distance to the pad revealed a dependence on distance. This can result in the total dose increasing as much as 50%. The pad when positioned 2.5cm from the breast adds a bolus to the breast of about 3mm on the medial side of the breast. Conclusion: This project revealed that skin dose increases through the use of the supportive pad. The experiment however is a worst‐case scenario. A normal treatment would have reduced skin dose due to the use of multiple beam angles. In the future, skin dose has to be considered for prone treatments with a support pad. Conflict of Interest: Funded in part by TomoTherapy, Inc.
Hostel emergency medicine in Iran

There are few practitioners that can boast holidays where their technical skills, knowledge or patience have not been tried in some shape or form. I hold the perverse view that those few foolish enough to tick ‘Dr.’ on hotel check-in forms or airline log-ins are wanton prisoners of their profession. This opinion, held with almost messianic fervor, leaves me loathe to admit my true occupation to virtually any stranger encountered after leaving my front door: a time designated as the actual beginning of one's holiday. My cynicism views fellow passengers and those around me as potential hypochondriacs on the prowl for listenership. The prospect of spending a long-haul flight listening without contradicting or indeed feigning a smidgen of interest in perceived or actual physical or mental pathology (‘they just don't know what's wrong with me’) seems an invasion of my well-earned withdrawal. Degurufication is to be revered and enjoyed. Thus, it is with some reticent shame that I give this account as a ‘photographer with a passing interest in first aid’. The setting is the beautiful Iranian city of Esfahan. As a major hub of the silk route, the location boasts a rich history. Architecturally, it is renowned for its majestic mosques comprising complex mosaics of aquamarine blues and turquoises, elegant wooden columns hewn of cedar wood and marble, and arrays of avenues punctuated by picturesque water fountains. The enormous dome of the Imam Mosque is a sight to behold: thin rays of light filter through holes in a keystone to shine upon the inner facing of a copula decorated with stars and arabesques. The tranquility here outside of prayer time is moving. With decidedly little access to cash (trade embargos restrict overseas credit card transactions and Iranian Bank ATMs are not linked to overseas operators), this ill-prepared and ill-researched …
Recovering resolution and reducing noise in basis images via optimization methods using physical models

This work addresses an optimization approach to sensor fusion and applies the technique to magnetic resonance image (MRI) restoration. Several images are related using a physical model (spin equation) to corresponding basis images. The basis images (proton density and two nuclear relaxation times) are determined from the MRI data and subsequently used to obtain excellent restorations. The method also has been applied to image restoration problems in other domains. All images are modeled as Markov random fields (MRF). Four maximum a posteriori (MAP) restorations are presented. The `product' and `sum' forms for basis (signal) and spatial correlations are discussed, compared, and evaluated for various situations and features. A novel method of global optimization necessary for the nonlinear techniques is also introduced. This approach to sensor fusion, using global optimization, MRF models, and Bayesian techniques, has been generalized and applied to other problem domains, such as the restoration of multiple-modality laser range and luminance signals.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Motivating Behavioral Persistence: The Self-As-Doer Construct

Why do some people persist in goal pursuit, even in the face of boredom or setbacks, whereas others quickly give up their goals? In this research, the authors introduce a new motivational construct, the “self-as-doer,” to explore this question. Studies 1 and 2 found longitudinal evidence that those who more strongly endorse doer statements regarding their goals (i.e., exerciser, dieter, runner) show greater behavioral persistence and attainment regarding such goals, even controlling for other relevant constructs such as expectancy, self-concordance, commitment, and neuroticism. Study 3 used priming to make the self-as-doer momentarily accessible, finding an interaction such that those who read The Little Engine That Could (vs. Curious George) and wrote an essay applying the story's message to themselves (vs. others) showed the greatest persistence in physically demanding tasks. Implications for sustained motivation of all kinds are discussed.