cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Shear-free spherically symmetric perfect fluid solutions with conformal symmetry

In 1987, Dyer, McVittie and Oattes determined the general relativistic field equations for a shear-free perfect fluid with spherical symmetry and a conformal Killing vector in thet-r plane, which depend on an arbitrary constantm. Two particular solutions of these equations were given recently by Maharaj, Leach and Maartens, as well as a partial solution thought to be valid for almost allm. In this paper, this solution is completed for four values ofm, and it is shown that it cannot be completed for any others by currently available techniques; however, a new solution of a different form, but also depending on a Weierstrass elliptic function, is found for a further value ofm. None of these metrics are conformally flat; one of them has a constant expansion rate.
Third Wave Shiʻism: Sayyid ‘Arif Husain al-Husaini and the Islamic Revolution in Pakistan

This paper seeks to illuminate the intellectual impact of the Iranian Revolution of 1979 among Pakistani Shiʻas by focusing on Sayyid ʻArif Husain al-Husaini, the dominating Shiʻi leader of the 1980s. In particular, I am interested in exploring how al-Husaini adapted hallmark themes of the Iranian revolutionary message, such as Muslim unity or political leadership of the religious scholars (ʻulama), to the specific circumstances of Pakistan. Crucial for such processes of translation was not only pressure from the Pakistani state but rather internal challenges and divisions among the Shiʻi community. While al-Husaini could draw on a strong, indigenous tradition of political mobilisation, his revolutionary ʻthird waveʼ of Shiʻi thought sat uncomfortably between Lucknow-educated traditionalists and Najaf-trained reformers who shied away from getting entangled in these novel forms of politics. By drawing on biographical accounts and al-Husaini's speeches in Urdu, I trace how his revolutionary rhetoric had to accommodate thorny local issues such as sectarianism, South Asian mourning traditions or the lack of an established Shiʻi clerical hierarchy in Pakistan.
Low-Input Agriculture: Trends, Goals, and Prospects for Input Use

Low-input agriculture (LIA) has reemerged as an issue of the day. It was last a topical issue during the 1970s energy crisis, when the focus was on reducing our reliance on petroleumbased inputs (Klepper et al.). LIA's current popularity is similarly motivated but supported by growing evidence of environmental and health risks from agrichemicals. The drop in commodity prices and farm equity value which occurred between 1981-87 has rekindled interest in developing cost-reducing technologies. Accumulated evidence on groundwater quality effects of nitrogen fertilizer and pesticides (Nielsen and Lee) has triggered numerous state and federal proposals and administrative actions with respect to agrichemicals and the environment. Concerns about costs of production and environmental effects are formalized in a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) statement which supports research and education on "alternative farming systems that decrease or optimize the use of purchased inputs and that can increase net cash returns . . . through decreased costs of production (and) may effectively improve the competitive position of the farmer and decrease the potential for adverse environmental impacts" (USDA). We question whether widespread employment of systems that concurrently meet these multiple objectives can occur under existing technology, farm policy, and economic conditions. Our argument rests on two basic assumptions: profit maximization is a strong motivation for production decisions, and externality issues are the driving force for public ncouragement of intervention to selectively reduce purchased input use. We hypothesize that current "high" demand for agrichemicals coincides with profit-maximizing levels of input use. To the extent that empirical evidence supports this hypothesis, the real debate involves the forms of intervention available to internalize externalities.
Nucleotide extraction and quantitation from tomato roots by high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract The chromatographic separation and quantitation of nucleotides in tomato root tips are seriously impaired by the presence of phenols, which greatly increase in the absence of boron. However, when polyvinylpolypyrolidone is added to the 6% trichloroacetic acid homogenizing solution and the mixture is shaken on ice for 30 min, there is a decrease in phenol concentration such that nucleotides can be separated and quantified on anion-exchange Partisil SAX10 columns after neutralization with freon—amine. This treatment extends column life to more than 70 analyses per cartridge. Such a technique is unique in that it can be used with less than 500 mg of root tip tissue and allows quantitation of plant nucleotides in the picomol range.
Learning by Doing Versus Learning by Viewing: Three Experimental Comparisons of Learner-Generated Versus Author-Provided Graphic Organizers

Do students learn more deeply from a passage when they attempt to construct their own graphic organizers (i.e., learning by doing) than when graphic organizers are provided (i.e., learning by viewing)? In 3 experiments, learners were tested on retention and transfer after reading a passage with authorprovided graphic organizers or when asked to construct graphic organizers. In Experiment 1 (highest complexity), there were 27 author-provided graphic organizers or margin space for constructing graphic organizers. In Experiment 2 (intermediate complexity), there were 18 author-provided graphic organizers or 18 corresponding graphic organizer templates. In Experiment 3 (lowest complexity), there were 10 author-provided graphic organizers or 10 corresponding graphic organizer templates. On transfer, the effect size favored the author-provided group (Experiment 1: d 0.24, ns; Experiment 2: d 0.43, p .05; Experiment 3: d 0.84, p .01). On retention, there were no significant differences. These results are consistent with cognitive load theory, which posits that excessive activity can create extraneous cognitive load, disrupting generative processing. These results are not consistent with activity theory, which posits that students learn by doing.
Noninvasive Measurement of Physiological Signals on a Modified Home Bathroom Scale

A commercial bathroom scale with both handlebar and footpad electrodes was modified to enable measurement of four physiological signals: the ballistocardiogram (BCG), electrocardiogram (ECG), lower body impedance plethysmogram (IPG), and lower body electromyogram (EMG). The BCG, which describes the reaction of the body to cardiac ejection of blood, was measured using the strain gauges in the scale. The ECG was detected using handlebar electrodes with a two-electrode amplifier. For the lower body IPG, the two electrodes under the subject's toes were driven with an ac current stimulus, and the resulting differential voltage across the heels was measured and demodulated synchronously with the source. The voltage signal from the same two footpad electrodes under the heels was passed through a passive low-pass filter network into another amplifier, and the output was the lower body EMG signal. The signals were measured from nine healthy subjects, and the average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) while the subjects were standing still was estimated for the four signals as follows: BCG, 7.6 dB; ECG, 15.8 dB; IPG, 10.7 dB. During periods of motion, the decrease in SNR for the BCG signal was found to be correlated to the increase in rms power for the lower body EMG (r = 0.89, p <; 0.01). The EMG could, thus, be used to flag noise-corrupted segments of the BCG, increasing the measurement robustness. This setup could be used for monitoring the cardiovascular health of patients at home.
Delayed bupropion cardiotoxicity associated with elevated serum concentrations of bupropion but not hydroxybupropion.

AbstractContext. Bupropion overdose commonly causes generalized seizures and central nervous system depression. Less commonly, cardiotoxicity has been reported. The toxicity of the parent drug compared to its active metabolite hydroxybupropion is uncertain. Case details. A 31-year-old man presented to the emergency department with altered mental status after an intentional overdose of bupropion. Three hours after admission he developed status epilepticus requiring intubation, and 13 h after admission he developed marked widening of the QRS complex and prolongation of the QTc interval. Serial serum bupropion levels peaked with the onset of cardiotoxicity (334 ng/mL) and fell into the therapeutic range within 24 h, which coincided with normalization of his ECG intervals. Levels of the metabolite hydroxybupropion peaked later (4302 ng/mL) and remained elevated even after neurological and cardiotoxic symptoms resolved. Discussion. Cardiotoxicity appears to be caused primarily by bupropion rather than its acti...
Principles of Tissue Engineering With Nonthermal Irreversible Electroporation

Nonthermal irreversible electroporation (NTIRE) is an emerging tissue ablation modality that may be ideally suited in developing a decellularized tissue graft. NTIRE utilizes short electric pulses that produce nanoscale defects in the cell membrane lipid bilayer. The electric parameters can be chosen in such a way that Joule heating to the tissue is minimized and cell death occurs solely due to loss in cell homeostasis. By coupling NTIRE with the body's response, the cells can be selectively ablated and removed, leaving behind a tissue scaffold. Here, we introduce two different methods for developing a decellularized arterial scaffold. The first uses an electrode clamp that is applied to the outside of a rodent carotid artery and the second applies an endovascular minimally invasive approach to apply electric fields from the inner surface of the blood vessels. Both methods are first modeled using a transient finite element analysis of electric and thermal fields to ensure that the electric parameters used in this study will result in minimal thermal damage. Experimental work demonstrates that both techniques result in not only a decellularized arterial construct but an endothelial regrowth is evident along the lumen 7 days after treatment, indicating that the extracellular matrix was not damaged by electric and thermal fields and is still able to support cell growth.
On the color sequence fuzzy automata of eye detection

Eye detection has been a hot research domain of computer vision and pattern recognition for decades. Furthermore, skin-color based recognition systems are getting more and more attention. In this study, the authors newly proposed recognition system based on the line color sequence in the rough eye regions. The algorithm of line color sequence not only focuses on the identification of color types, but also engages in the determining the spatial relationships of sequence of colors. With the fuzzy automata support, the lower mathematical computation is the advantage of our proposed method.
Has large-scale named-entity network analysis been resting on a flawed assumption?

The assumption that a name uniquely identifies an entity introduces two types of errors: splitting treats one entity as two or more (because of name variants); lumping treats multiple entities as if they were one (because of shared names). Here we investigate the extent to which splitting and lumping affect commonly-used measures of large-scale named-entity networks within two disambiguated bibliographic datasets: one for co-author names in biomedicine (PubMed, 2003–2007); the other for co-inventor names in U.S. patents (USPTO, 2003–2007). In both cases, we find that splitting has relatively little effect, whereas lumping has a dramatic effect on network measures. For example, in the biomedical co-authorship network, lumping (based on last name and both initials) drives several measures down: the global clustering coefficient by a factor of 4 (from 0.265 to 0.066); degree assortativity by a factor of ∼13 (from 0.763 to 0.06); and average shortest path by a factor of 1.3 (from 5.9 to 4.5). These results can be explained in part by the fact that lumping artificially creates many intransitive relationships and high-degree vertices. This effect of lumping is much less dramatic but persists with measures that give less weight to high-degree vertices, such as the mean local clustering coefficient and log-based degree assortativity. Furthermore, the log-log distribution of collaborator counts follows a much straighter line (power law) with splitting and lumping errors than without, particularly at the low and the high counts. This suggests that part of the power law often observed for collaborator counts in science and technology reflects an artifact: name ambiguity.
Reinvestigation of the Isotope Effects for the Claisen and Aromatic Claisen Rearrangements: The Nature of the Claisen Transition States

The aliphatic Claisen rearrangement of allyl vinyl ether and the aromatic Claisen rearrangement of allyl phenyl ether are investigated in a combined experimental and calculational study. Theoretically predicted kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) at all levels disagree with about half of the literature experimental heavy-atom isotope effects. New experimental 13C and 2H isotope effects were determined by multisite NMR methodology at natural abundance, and 17O isotope effects were determined by novel NMR methodology. These new experimental isotope effects are inconsistent with the literature values and agree well the high-level predicted KIEs, suggesting that the prior theory/experiment disagreement results from inaccuracy in the experimental KIEs. A one-dimensional tunneling correction is found to improve kinetic isotope effect predictions in a number of reactions and is found to be sufficient to provide differences between predicted and experimental heavy-atom isotope effects on the order of the experimental ...
Cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the transverse atlantal ligament: A Caucasian case report operated on and literature analysis

Summary One case of cervical myelopathy associated to ossification of transverse atlantal ligament (OTAL) and C1 posterior arch hypoplasia in a Caucasian adult female is reported. A 53-year-old female affected by cervical myelopathy was treated with C1 laminectomy and posterior arthrodesis. CT scan demonstrated that the distance between ossification of the ligament and anterior cortex of the posterior arch of atlas was 6,2 mm leading to consistent space reduction for spinal cord at this level. Patient underwent spinal cord decompression and fixation with C1 poliaxial screws in lateral masses and two bilateral crossing C2 laminar screws with an improvement of neurological functions at 4-years follow-up. The association between OTAL and C1 hypoplasia was reported in very few cases. The treatment with C1 laminectomy without fusion is reported in medical literature with good clinical outcome. Our patient obtained a neurological improvement at midterm follow-up with spinal cord decompression and fusion.
Free energy lower bound for a three-dimensional Ising model

Abstract A lower bound for the free energy of a three-dimensional, nearest-neighbor interacting Ising model is given. In two dimensions it reduces to the correct result.
From regular expressions to nested words: unifying languages and query execution for relational and XML sequences

There is growing interest in query language extensions for pattern matching over event streams and stored database sequences, due to the many important applications that such extensions make possible. The push for such extensions has led DBMS vendors and DSMS venture companies to propose Kleene-closure extensions of SQL standards, building on seminal research that demonstrated the effectiveness and amenability to efficient implementation of such constructs. These extensions, however powerful, suffer from limitations that severely impair their effectiveness in many real-world applications. To overcome these problems, we have designed the K*SQL language and system, based on our investigation of the nested words, which are recent models that generalize both words and trees.K*SQL extends the existing relational sequence languages, and also enables applications from other domains such as genomics, software analysis, and XML processing. At the same time, K*SQL remains extremely efficient, using our powerful optimizations for pattern search over nested words. Furthermore, we show that other sequence languages and XPath can be automatically translated into K*SQL, allowing for K*SQL to be also used as a high-performance query execution back-end for those languages. Therefore, K*SQL is a unifying SQL-based engine for sequence and XML queries, which provides novel optimization techniques for both.
Approximate distance fields with non-vanishing gradients

For a given set of points S, a Euclidean distance field is defined by associating with every point p of Euclidean space Ed a value that is equal to the Euclidean distance from p to S. Such distance fields have numerous computational applications, but are expensive to compute and may not be sufficiently smooth for some applications. Instead, popular implicit modeling techniques rely on various approximate fields constructed in a piecewise manner. All such constructions lead to sacrifices in distance properties that have not been properly studied or characterized. We show that the quality of an approximate distance field may be characterized locally near the boundary by its order of normalization and can be studied in terms of the field derivatives. The approach allows systematic quantitative assessment and comparison of various construction methods. In particular, we provide detailed analysis of several popular field construction methods that rely on set decompositions and R-functions, as well as identify the key factors affecting the quality of the constructed fields.
Operant conditioning of tonic firing patterns from precentral neurons in monkey neocortex

Abstract This report presents a single neuron operant conditioning paradigm which allows the quantification of operant control between neurons and monkeys. The operant task is for the monkey to change firing patterns of the neuron from phasic to tonic. In 60 neurons conditioned after the protocol had been standardized the following results were obtained. (1) For a fixed interspike interval target range, the time off target may be considered error, and this may be used as a parameter with which to judge operant neuronal control. (2) The degree to which the monkey could control a neuron was not correlative with the neuron's initial firing rate, firing rate variance, or pattern. (3) Neurons coactivated by distal arm muscle groups were, as a group, more highly controlled in comparison to neurons coactivated by proximal muscle groups. (4) Pyramidal tract neurons, as a group, appear more accurately controlled than non-pyramidal tract neurons. (5) The role of proprioception in response acquisition is discussed.
The Indonesian Homo erectus Brain Endocasts Revisited

ABSTRACT New brain endocast reconstructions of Homo erectus discoveries from Indonesia since 1963 (H. erectus VI, 1963; VII, 1965; VIII, 1969) have been made and their volumes determined. In addition, older discoveries (H. erectus I, 1891; 11, 1937; IV, 1937-38) have been reendocast and reconstructed, and have yielded volumes considerably different from those previously published. This is particularly so in the case of Dubois’s original discovery, which yields a volume of 940 ml rather than the widely quoted volume of 750 ml. In addition, a number of morphological observations regarding hemispheric asymmetries (petalias) are provided, which sug- gest a condition similar to modern Homo sapiens. Since 1971, this author has had the oppor- tunity to endocast and provide reconstruc- tions of the Indonesian Homo erectus cranial fragments discovered since 1963 (Jacob, 1966, 1973; Sartono, 1968, 1971). While some preli- minary volumetric determinations have been published elsewhere (Holloway,
Finite element techniques for convective-diffusive transport in porous media

Abstract Operator-splitting techniques are applied to convective-diffusive transport problems in porous media. The convection is treated by applying a modified method of characteristics to time-step along the characteristics of the convective part of the flow. The nonsymmetry in the spatial operator is addressed via a Petrov-Galerkin method which uses a test function to achieve stability through a balancing of the remaining convection, the diffusion, and any possible reaction terms. The use of time-stepping along characteristics allows the use of large time-steps in a stable but accurate fashion. If local phenomena are important, self-adaptive local grid refinement techniques can be coupled with the operator splitting.
An analysis of a management information system: 'IBM in Morocco'

I worked for IBM France in Casablanca, Morocco. Most of the aspects of a large corporation existed but on a smaller scale, so that I was not isolated in one specific area but gained an overview of the entire system functioning.
The identification and significance of hypoxanthine in dialyzable transfer factor.

Abstract The composition of dialyzable transfer factor has been studied. A fraction that had previously been shown to contain the property of transferring delayed hypersensitivity to immunodeficient patients was found to contain hypoxanthine. Removal of hypoxanthine from whole transfer factor by digestion with xanthine oxidase did not impair the ability of the transfer factor to passively sensitize rhesus monkeys. Moreover, studies with pure hypoxanthine indicated that it was not responsible for certain antigen-independent activities in transfer factor such as chemotaxis or cyclic nucleotide accumulation. Digestion of whole transfer factor with xanthine oxidase did not affect its chemotactic activity, but did reduce its effect on cyclic nucleotide accumulation.
Shell Model in a First Principles Approach

We develop and apply an ab-initio approach to nuclear structure. Starting with the NN interaction, that fits two-body scattering and bound state data, and adding a theoretical NNN potential, we evaluate nuclear properties in a no-core approach. For presently feasible no-core model spaces, we evaluate an effective Hamiltonian in a cluster approach which is guaranteed to provide exact answers for sufficiently large model spaces and/or sufficiently large clusters. A number of recent applications are surveyed including an initial application to exotic multiquark systems.
Propagating buckles in long confined cylindrical shells

Abstract In many practical engineering applications, relatively stiff, long, circular cavities are lined with more compliant liner shells. Pressure applied through the porous walls of the confining medium can cause buckling of the shells. Such buckling is usually local in nature and occurs at a section with the biggest geometric imperfection. The paper presents experimental evidence which demonstrates that, once such a shell has been locally dented, a buckle which propagates within the confines of the cavity can be initiated. Such a buckle has the potential of completely collapsing the liner. The lowest pressure at which this buckle will propagate is established experimentally through a parametric study of the problem. The phenomenon is found to be physically similar to the propagating buckle problem which can develop in offshore pipelines. A difference is that in the case of the confined shell, the instability is shown to have a strong geometric dependence and, as a result, it can be developed in the case of thin elastic as well as elasto-plastic shells.
Entraining Signals Initiate Behavioral Circadian Rhythmicity in Larval Zebrafish

The authors show that a circadian clock that regulates locomotor activity in larval zebrafish develops gradually over the first 4 days of life and that exposure to entraining signals late in embryonic development is necessary for initiation of robust behavioral rhythmicity. When zebrafish larvae were transferred from a light-dark (LD) cycle to constant darkness (DD) on the third or fourth day postfertilization, the locomotor activity of almost all fish was rhythmic on days 5 to 9 postfertilization, with peak activity occurring during the subjective day. Rhythm amplitude was higher after four LD cycles than after three LD cycles. When embryos were transferred from LD to DD on the second day postfertilization, only about half of the animals later displayed statistically significant activity rhythms. These rhythms were noisier and of lower amplitude, but phased normally. When zebrafish were raised in DD beginning at 14 h postfertilization, only 22% of them expressed significant circadian rhythmicity as larvae. These rhythms were of low amplitude and phase-locked to the time of handling on the third day rather than to the maternal LD cycle. These results show that behavioral rhythmicity in zebrafish is regulated by a pacemaking system that is sensitive to light by the second day of embryogenesis but continues to develop into the fourth day. This pacemaking system requires environmental signals to initiate or synchronize circadian rhythmicity.
Stripping Voltammetry of Barium Ion in the Presence of Lead

The use of differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) with a glassy carbon/mercury film electrode for the simultaneous detection of barium and lead is observed. The use of various electrolytes in partially aqueous or fully aqueous solution gives a reproducible capacitance peak for Ba and a stripping peak for Pb. These results are accomplished under acidic conditions (pH 2 to 4). A response is obtained for each metal down to 100 ng.
Chemokine CXCL8 promotes HIV-1 replication in human monocyte-derived macrophages and primary microglia via nuclear factor-κB pathway.

Background Chemokine CXCL8 is an important neutrophil chemoattractant implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders. Cytokine/chemokine imbalance, with an increase in proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α within the central nervous system, is a hallmark of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection. We previously reported that HIV-1 infection is linked to upregulation of CXCL8 in brain tissues and human astrocytes. Chemokines play crucial roles in trafficking of leukocytes and trafficking of HIV-1-infected across the blood-brain barrier play an important role in HIV-1 central nervous system disease. In the post-antiretroviral therapy era, low level of productive replication of HIV-1 in brain is a critical component of neuropathogenesis regulation. The present study investigated the effect of CXCL8 on productive infection of HIV-1 in human monocytes-derived macrophages (MDM) and primary human microglia. Results Human MDM and microglia were infected with the blood or brain derived HIV-1 isolates, HIV-1ADA or HIV-1JRFL. Treatment with CXCL8 significantly upregulated HIV-1p24 levels in supernatants of both HIV-1-infected MDM as well as microglia. In addition, the formation of 2-long terminal repeat (LTR) circles, a measure of viral genome integration, was significantly higher in CXCL8-treated, HIV-1-infected MDM and microglia. Transient transfection of U937 cells with HIV-1 LTR luciferase reporter construct resulted in increased promoter activity when treated with CXCL8. Moreover, increased nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB was seen in HIV-1-infected MDM following CXCL8 treatment. Blocking CXCL8 receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 abrogated the CXCL8-mediated enhanced HIV-1 replication. Conclusion Our results show that CXCL8 mediates productive infection of HIV-1 in MDM and microglia via receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. These results demonstrate that CXCL8 exerts its downstream effects by increasing translocation of nuclear factor-κB into the nucleus, thereby promoting HIV-1 LTR activity.
Template Matching as a Strategy for Assessment of and Intervention for Preschool Students with Disabilities

A template-matching strategy was used to develop an intervention for facilitating the transition between preschool and kindergarten for preschoolers with disabilities. Three classes of preschool students who would be entering kindergarten the following year participated: an Intervention group, an Assessment Only group, and a Control group. The study was conducted in two phases: In Phase 1, templates were developed to evaluate the differences between instructional environments in the sending preschool classes and the receiving kindergarten classes. The design of these templates was based on direct observations of the preschool and kindergarten classes using the Eco-Behavioral System for Complex Assessments of Preschool Environments (ESCAPE) and the Assessment Code/Checklist for Evaluating Survival Skills (ACCESS). Ecobehavioral variables were then graphed for each class. In Phase 2, an intervention focusing on some of the major differences found between the environments was designed in collaboration with t...
The Applicability of Modern Methods of Earthquake Location

We compare traditional methods of seismic event location, based on phase pick data and analysis of events one-at-a-time, with a modern method based on cross-correlation measurements and joint analysis of numerous events. In application to four different regions representing different types of seismicity and monitored with networks of different station density, we present preliminary results indicating what fraction of seismic events may be amenable to analysis with modern methods. The latter can supply locations ten to a hundred times more precise than traditional methods. Since good locations of seismic sources are needed as the starting point for so many user communities, and potentially can be provided due to current improvements in easily-accessible computational capability, we advocate wide-scale application of modern methods in the routine production of bulletins of seismicity. This effort requires access to waveform archives from well-calibrated stations that have long operated at the same location.
Coaxial tip piezoresistive scanning probes with sub-nanometer vertical displacement resolution

We present the design and fabrication of an improved probe for scanning gate microscopy (SGM). Like our previously reported design, the new probe integrates a coaxial tip to produce highly localized electric fields and a piezoresistor to self-sense tip deflection. However, the new design achieves a vertical displacement resolution of 3.7 A in a 10 kHz bandwidth, enabling the study of both topography and electron organization of semiconductor nanostructures with sub-nanometer features. The design is based on a numerical optimizer for force-sensing piezoresistive cantilevers, which we have extended for SGM.
The severity of kettle burns and the dangers of the dangling cord

Kettle scalds are a major cause of paediatric burn injury. Whilst preventative measures have been advocated for years, the incidence of this type of injury is increasing. Information is lacking regarding severity and mechanism of injury. We prospectively analysed all paediatric scald injuries that warranted referral to a tertiary burn centre to quantify severity, outcome, look into how these burns occurred with a view to providing information for preventative strategies and audited the safety features of 19 top selling kettles. A total of 119 kettle burns were included in the study. Mean age at time of injury was 2 years 1 month (5 months to 12 years). Mean TBSA was 11.8% (2-30) and 62% sustained TBSA >10%. Mean length of stay was 10.4 (1-120) days and a surgical procedure was required in 62% of all kettle scalds. Grafting was undertaken in 52% of patients. Mean number of surgical procedures was 1.7 (median 1, range 1-9). Pulling the kettle cord was the main mechanism of injury (74% vs. 37%). "Cord-pullers" were also significantly younger (mean 20 months vs. 51 months, p<0.05) and underwent significantly more grafting in "cosmetically sensitive" areas (69% vs. 23%, p<0.05). 4 cases of inhalational injury occurred as a result of pulling the kettle cord. Mean kettle cord length was 66 cm (range 45-80) with only 30% employing a coil tidy feature. In view of these findings we discuss current legislative policy on kettle cord length and report on the current safety of today's kettles. Areas for future prevention are discussed.
A systematic procedure for the design of adaptive partial state feedback position tracking controllers for electric machines

This paper demonstrates the design of adaptive partial state feedback controllers for the permanent magnet stepper (PMS). The approach taken is to use the general design technique presented by Kanellakopoulos et al. to first design an adaptive output-feedback controller for the mechanical subsystem of the PMS motor, which due to the similarities between the motors will be valid for many motor types. In the second design step a commutation strategy and the corresponding voltage control inputs are designed to ensure that the desired torque is delivered to the mechanical subsystem. The result is an adaptive, partial state feedback controller for each motor type that achieves position tracking while compensating for parametric uncertainty throughout the entire electromechanical system. The proposed controllers operate from measurement of rotor position and stator winding currents only. A global asymptotic position tracking error result is obtained through a Lyapunov-type stability analysis. The design is fully detailed for the PMS motor controller. Experimental results are provided for each motor type to validate the position tracking performance of the proposed controllers.
Integrated microelectronic device for label-free nucleic acid amplification and detection

We present an integrated microelectronic device for amplification and label-free detection of nucleic acids. Amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is achieved with on-chip metal resistive heaters, temperature sensors, and microfluidic valves. We demonstrate a rapid thermocycling with rates of up to 50 °C s−1 and a PCR product yield equivalent to that of a bench-top system. Amplicons within the PCR product are detected by their intrinsic charge with a silicon field-effect sensor. Similar to existing optical approaches with intercalators such as SYBR Green, our sensing approach can directly detect standard double-stranded PCR product, while in contrast, our sensor does not require labeling reagents. By combining amplification and detection on the same device, we show that the presence or absence of a particular DNA sequence can be determined by converting the analog surface potential output of the field-effect sensor to a simple digital true/false readout.
Acquisition of initial mental graphemic representations by children at risk for literacy development

We examined the acquisition of initial mental graphemic representations (MGRs) by 46 kindergarten children (mean age = 5 years, 9 months) at risk for literacy development because of low socioeconomic status. Using a storybook context, we exposed children to novel nonwords that varied in their phonotactic and orthotactic probabilities and then assessed the children's development of initial MGRs through spelling and reading recognition tasks. The children developed some initial MGRs but less than past reports of children from middle socioeconomic status backgrounds. Children with more advanced word recognition abilities developed more initial MGRs than their peers with less advanced word recognition skills. Like previous reports, the words' linguistic properties affected initial MGR acquisition and MGR acquisition ability predicted reading and spelling achievement above other known predictors. The results speak to the importance of increasing the print and orthographic knowledge of children at-risk for adequate literacy development.
Identifying Gifted and Talented Students in an Alternative Learning Center.

This study determined the percentage of students enrolled in a high school alternative learning center who were potentially gifted and talented. Alternative learning centers are designed for disrup...
Effect of nucleatipn profile on particle-size distribution

Nucleation transients are important features in the reactive generation of monodisperse colloids from solution. Many previous theoretical investigations, both analytical and numerical, have addressed the roles of colloid aggregation or of direct growth from solution. Few have addressed the role of nucleation transients on the size distribution. The population balance model was used to study the effect of nucleation transients on an aggregating colloidal dispersion. (To simplify the problem, growth was neglected.) The focus was on whether, under the action of aggregation alone, extended and divided nucleation periods in some cases can lead to a very narrow particle-size distribution. Our results support previous treatments (Look et al, 1990; Bogush and Zukoski, 1991b) suggesting this is the case. Our general approach also offers additional insights, such as strategies to manipulate the nucleation transients to independently tune the average particle size and the variance of the distribution.
Size Exclusion HPLC Detection of Small- size Impurities as a Complementary Means for Quality Analysis of Extracellular Vesicles

For extracellular vesicle research, whether for biomarker discoveries or therapeutic applications, it is critical to have high-quality samples. Both microscopy and NanoSight Tracking Analysis (NTA) for size distribution have been used to detect large vesicles. However, there is currently no well-established method that is convenient for routine quality analysis of small-size impurities in vesicle samples. In this paper we report a convenient method, called 'size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography' (SE-HPLC), alongside NTA and Microscopy analysis to guide and qualify the isolation and processing of vesicles. First, the SE-HPLC analysis was used to detect impurities of small-size proteins during the ultra-centrifugation process of vesicle isolation; it was then employed to test the changes of vesicles under different pH conditions or integrity after storage. As SE-HPLC is generally accessible in most institutions, it could be used as a routine means to assist researchers in examining the integrity and quality of extracellular vesicles along with other techniques either during isolation/preparation or for further engineering and storage.
Private Property, Government Requisition and the Constitution, 1914-1927

"Private Property, Government Requisition and the Constitution, 1914-1927" ranges widely over different types of property, including aerodromes, ships, hotels, pubs, alcoholic drinks and foodstuffs, the history of whose requisition by the wartime state is carefully documented. It shows how the state, in this as in many areas, was forced to act by immediate pressures, often improvising rights over areas of life previously outside the power of government; by doing so it documents a key stage in the growth of centralised power in modern Britain.
On the limitations of the variance-time test for inference of long-range dependence

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the limitations of the variance-time (VT) test as a statistical tool for inferring long-range dependence (LRD) in network traffic. Since the early Bellcore studies, LRD has been in the center of a continuous debate within the teletraffic community. The controversy is typically focused on the utility of LRD models to predict the performance at network buffers. Our work here is not meant to advocate one modeling approach over another, but to point out (experimentally and theoretically) to the caveats in using the VT test as a tool for detecting LRD. We do that by deriving simple analytical expressions for the slope of the aggregated variance in three autocorrelated traffic models: M/G//spl infin/ process (short-range dependent (SRD) but non-Markovian), the discrete autoregressive of order one model (SRD Markovian), and the fractional ARIMA process (LRD). Our main result is that the VT test often indicates, falsely, the existence of an LRD structure (i.e., H>0.5) in synthetically generated traces from the two SRD models. The bias in the VT test, however, diminishes monotonically with the length of the trace. We provide some guidelines on selecting the minimum trace length so that the bias is negligible.
T-lymphocyte activation in adult-onset idiopathic hypoparathyroidism

Abstract purpose: Patients with adult-onset idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (AOIH) often have antibodies against the parathyroid glands and other tissues, suggestive of immune activation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether T-cell activation is also a component of the endocrine disease. patients and methods: We identified eight patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism diagnosed after the age of 30 years at two tertiary care centers and evaluated peripheral blood lymphocyte subset phenotype frequencies using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Control subjects were 13 patients with Graves' disease (five thyrotoxic and eight euthyroid) and 110 healthy volunteers. In two of the patients with AOIH, we also determined the mitogenic response to parathyroid cell membranes in peripheral lymphocytes. results: Patients with AOIH had higher than normal frequencies of the following phenotypes (p conclusions: Generalized T-cell activation represents a novel feature associated with AOIH. Although we could not demonstrate parathyroid-specific lymphocyte clonal expansion, these data are suggestive of a generalized immune disturbance possibly related to autoimmunity, in which one of the manifestations is hypoparathyroidism.
Reduced susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus to vancomycin - a review of current knowledge

Antibiotic options for patients with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections are severely limited. Unfortunately, infections with S. aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin and teicoplanin have been recently reported for the first time. Commonly used laboratory methods for determining antibiotic susceptibility may be inadequate for detecting reduced susceptibility to vancomycin. Even though no confirmed cases have yet been detected in Australia, a high index of suspicion must be maintained for the occurrence of such organisms. Strategies for prevention of the spread of S. aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin should be prepared by Australian hospitals prior to their first cases being identified. This article outlines the background to this developing issue and discusses laboratory methods and findings, with some current recommendations for diagnostic laboratories.
Teamwork attitude, interest, and self-efficacy: Their implications for teaching teamwork skills to engineering students

The complex and multidisciplinary nature of today's engineering problems demands that new graduates excel in not only technical knowledge but also teamwork skills. In fact, the lack of effective teamwork has been identified among the most important factors contributing to the high failure rate of complex engineering projects. In this paper, we focus on engineering students' attitudes toward teamwork, their self-efficacy and interest in teamwork knowledge, skills, and abilities. Self-efficacy in a domain is an important construct that can predict whether or not someone is willing to undertake a challenge in that domain. Research suggests that the sufficient level of self-efficacy can encourage personal growth and skill development. The relevant research also points out that interest is a construct that can predict students' professional development in a domain. For example, as someone becomes an expert in a domain, his/her interest in the domain becomes individual, which means there is a long-term personal connection resulting in further exploration of the domain. In this paper, we postulate that the development of students in teamwork knowledge, skills and abilities can be tracked by the progress in their teamwork interest. In addition, we argue that interest development should be measured as a part of the assessment efforts to evaluate the professional skills development of students. We have developed and validated an instrument to measure teamwork efficacy and interest. The instrument was used to collect data in a geographically distributed university. The collected data were analyzed to identify the factors affecting students' attitudes toward interest and self-efficacy in teamwork as well as their relationships. The preliminary results indicated that students had a high level of self-efficacy and a low level of interest, which makes it challenging to improve students' teamwork skills.
Asymptotic behavior of 2D black holes

Abstract We consider solutions of the field equations for the large N dilaton gravity model in 1 + 1 dimensions of Callan, Giddings, Harvey, and Strominger (CGHS). We find time dependent solutions in the weak coupling region with finite mass and vanishing flux, as well as solutions which lie entirely in the Liouville region.
Research into drawing and building

This paper introduces two case studies of the role of representation and specifically drawing in the process of designing buildings. These case studies are Notre Dame du Haut at Ronchamp by Le Corbusier and All Saints Church in Brockhampton, England by William Lethaby. The described investigations are preliminary case studies whose goal is to establish a methodology for a larger body of research concerning the use and role of drawing in architectural practice and theory in different moments in time. This research will lead to examining nature of architectural representation and its influence on the current condition of architectural thought and practice.
Osteocyte hypoxia: a novel mechanotransduction pathway.

Bone is a unique tissue in which to examine mechanotransduction due to its essential role in weight bearing. Within bone, the osteocyte is an ideal cellular mechanotransducer candidate. Because ost...
Waste Water Reclamation for Golf Course Irrigation

The Sanitary Engineering Research Laboratory of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, has completed a three year study of waste water reclamation and utilization. While the investigation embraced the feasibility of reusing waste waters for recreational, agricultural, and industrial purposes, as well as ground water recharge, it was the first of these which appeared to hold early promise. This paper, then, discusses the general considerations for reuse of reclaimed waste water for golf course irrigation, and cites a number of installations where successful use of reclaimed waters is being accomplished.
A Response to Nicholas F. Skinner's “the Hess, ET AL. Study of Pupillary Activity in Heterosexual and Homosexual Males: A Re-Evaluation”:

Specific aspects of the original study, its replicability and the soundness of the methodology in appreciating individual differences are commented on.
Blood chemistry and parietal eye of Anolis carolinensis.

Summary and ConclusionsIn the present experiments on Anolis carolinensis, no significant quantitative alteration, which could be attributed solely to the complete ablation of the parietal eye, was found in the organic components of the blood which were studied. If the parietal eye influences physiological processes at certain times, it probably must do so by means of a secretion produced by the sensory cells themselves.