cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Exploratory Diagnostic Model for Ordinal Responses with Binary Attributes: Identifiability and Estimation.

Diagnostic models (DMs) provide researchers and practitioners with tools to classify respondents into substantively relevant classes. DMs are widely applied to binary response data; however, binary response models are not applicable to the wealth of ordinal data collected by educational, psychological, and behavioral researchers. Prior research developed confirmatory ordinal DMs that require expert knowledge to specify the underlying structure. This paper introduces an exploratory DM for ordinal data. In particular, we present an exploratory ordinal DM, which uses a cumulative probit link along with Bayesian variable selection techniques to uncover the latent structure. Furthermore, we discuss new identifiability conditions for structured multinomial mixture models with binary attributes. We provide evidence of accurate parameter recovery in a Monte Carlo simulation study across moderate to large sample sizes. We apply the model to twelve items from the public-use, Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998–1999 approaches to learning and self-description questionnaire and report evidence to support a three-attribute solution with eight classes to describe the latent structure underlying the teacher and parent ratings. In short, the developed methodology contributes to the development of ordinal DMs and broadens their applicability to address theoretical and substantive issues more generally across the social sciences.
Partial Information: The Greeks

Applying the Equation 6.1 argument to PE(S, t), along with the boundary condition \(P_E(S, T) = \max (E-S, 0)\), makes it reasonable to expect that $$\displaystyle P_E(S, t) = Ee^{-r(T-t)}\times [\mathrm{modifying terms}] - S\times [\mathrm{modifying terms}]. $$ This the case. The actual PE(S, t) solution follows immediately from our powerful friend the Put–Call Parity Equation.
Closing the Loop of Satellite Soil Moisture Estimation via Scale Invariance of Hydrologic Simulations

Surface soil moisture plays a crucial role on the terrestrial water, energy, and carbon cycles. Characterizing its variability in space and time is critical to increase our capability to forecast extreme weather events, manage water resources, and optimize agricultural practices. Global estimates of surface soil moisture are provided by satellite sensors, but at coarse spatial resolutions. Here, we show that the resolution of satellite soil moisture products can be increased to scales representative of ground measurements by reproducing the scale invariance properties of soil moisture derived from hydrologic simulations at hyperresolutions of less than 100 m. Specifically, we find that surface soil moisture is scale invariant over regimes extending from a satellite footprint to 100 m. We use this evidence to calibrate a statistical downscaling algorithm that reproduces the scale invariance properties of soil moisture and test the approach against 1-km aircraft remote sensing products and through comparisons of downscaled satellite products to ground observations. We demonstrate that hyperresolution hydrologic models can close the loop of satellite soil moisture downscaling for local applications such as agricultural irrigation, flood event prediction, and drought and fire management.
Why Can’t We See It?

The relevance of a patient’s experience of physical punishment in childhood may be obscured and difficult to acknowledge for both patient and analyst. This paper illustrates my own struggle with th...
Genetic Variability in Molecular Responses to Chemical Exposure

Individuals differ in their response to environmental exposures. In the following, we describe examples and paradigms of studying heritable differences in response to exposure—commonly known as “gene–environment interaction” or “ecogenetics”—and their relation to disease etiology and susceptibility. Our discussion is framed in three parts. In the first, we describe replicated examples of studies that have typified the field, single genetic variant, and exposure associations to disease. Second, we describe how studies have scaled up search for interaction using genome-wide measurement modalities, bioinformatics, and model organisms. Finally, we discuss a more comprehensive representation of chemical exposures as the “envirome” and how we may use the envirome to examine interplay between genetics and the environment.
Differential exosome miRNA expression in oral cancer stem cells

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) secrete exosomes into the surrounding extracellular environment to promote the horizontal transfer of bioactive molecules including microRNA (miRNA). The primary objective of this study was to explore potential differences in miRNA content between OSCC and OSCC stem cells. The OSCC cell lines SCC4, SCC15, SCC25 and CAL27 were used in these studies. The corresponding OSCC stem cells that demonstrated phenotypic adhesion independent tumor spheres (AiTS) were manually isolated. All cells were cultured in DMEM containing 10% exosome-free fetal bovine serum. Exosomes were isolated using Total Exosome Isolation reagent (Invitrogen) and RNA was purified using Total Exosome RNA isolation kit (Invitrogen). Exosome miRNA content was evaluated using miRNA Advanced Taqman Assays for miR-21, − 155, − 133, − 34, − 31, − 32, and − 365. The fold change of miRNA content was calculated using the comparative CT (ΔΔCT) method using miR-16 as an endogenous control. After successful cell cultures were established, AiTS (cancer stem cells) were manually separated and confirmed using CD133 and Sox-2 biomarkers. Exosomes and extracellular vesicles were successfully isolated from all cell lines and AiTS isolates for miRNA screening. All isolates exhibited miR-16 expression (positive control), but none contained mir-31, − 32, or 133a. Differential expression of miR-21, miR-34 and miR-155 were observed with patterns observed among the cancer cell lines which were distinct from the corresponding AiTS isolates. Exosomes isolated from these different OSCC stem cell populations displayed nearly consistent downregulation/loss of miR-21 and miR-34 suggesting the possibility of a unique miRNA profile characteristic of oral cancer stem cells. These findings highlight the need to investigate the comprehensive functions of miR-21 and miR-34 in tumor progression and continued research to refine a miRNA profile that could aid in distinguishing tumors with poor prognosis.
Evaluation of Tablet-Based Tests of Visual Acuity and Contrast Sensitivity in Older Adults.

Purpose: Recent innovations in mobile technology for the measurement of vision present a valuable opportunity to measure visual function in non-clinical settings, such as in the home and in field-b...
Overview of Reviews Using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) as a Measure of Trial Intervention Reporting Quality.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the quality of descriptions of interventions in health care research reports, based on a synthesis of reviews that used the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) to rate the completeness and quality of intervention reporting. Design Overview of published reviews. In a systematic search of the literature, 56 review articles were retrieved that had evaluated 3454 primary studies (index articles) using all or most of the 12 TIDieR items, applied to experimental treatment only or treatment and comparator both, separately. If available, percentages “reported completely” were extracted based on the index article, the index article supplemented by related information, and these 2 supplemented by e-mailing the author. Information on the review’s methodology was also extracted. Setting Not applicable. Participants Not applicable. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Percentage of primary studies receiving “adequately reported” ratings on each of the 12 TIDieR items. Results While for treatment arms TIDieR items 1 (name of treatment) and 2 (why of treatment) are generally judged to be reported adequately, the percentage is between 25% and 75% for most other items and is as low as 10% for item 10 (modifications). Comparators are reported even more poorly. Use of additional publications on a trial increased percentages “reported adequately” marginally; e-mailing resulted in significant increases in completeness of reporting. Rehabilitation trials were reported better than nonrehabilitation trials for some TIDieR items and worse for others. Conclusions Reporting on the interventions and comparators of trials is substandard. More extensive use of supplemental digital content and of versions of TIDieR customized for specific domains of research may improve the situation.
Linear Instability of Shock-Dominated Laminar Hypersonic Separated Flows

The self-excited spanwise homogeneous perturbations arising in shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction (SWBLI) system formed in a hypersonic flow of molecular nitrogen over a double wedge are investigated using the kinetic Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. The flow has transitional Knudsen and unit Reynolds numbers of 3.4 \(\times \,10^{-3}\) and 5.2 \(\times 10^{5}\) m\(^{-1}\), respectively. Strong thermal nonequilibrium exists downstream of the Mach 7.2 detached (bow) shock generated due to the upper wedge surface. A linear instability mechanism is expected to make the pre-computed 2-D base flow potentially unstable under spanwise perturbations. The specific intent is to assess the growth rates of unstable modes, the wavelength, location, and origin of spanwise periodic flow structures, and the characteristic frequencies present in this interaction.
Law and Sentiment in International Politics: Ethics, Emotions, and the Evolution of the Laws of War

Drawing on recent research in moral psychology and neuroscience, this book argues that universal moral beliefs and emotions shaped the evolution of the laws of war, and in particular laws that protect civilians. It argues that civilian protection norms are not just a figment of the modern West, but that these norms were embryonic in earlier societies and civilizations, including Ancient China, early Islam, and medieval Europe. However, despite their ubiquity, this book argues that civilian protection rules are inherently fragile, and that their fragility lies not just in failures of compliance, but also in how moral emotions shaped the design of the law. The same beliefs and emotions that lead people to judge that it is wrong to intentionally target civilians can paradoxically constitute the basis for excusing states for incidental civilian casualties, or collateral damage. To make the laws of war work better for civilians, this book argues that we need to change how we think about the ethics of killing in war.
Predictors of Early Readmissions in Hospitalized Patients With Gastroparesis: A Nationwide Analysis.

Background/aims Gastroparesis is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that frequently presents with symptoms that are difficult to manage, necessitating frequent hospitalizations. We sought to determine the predictors of early readmission due to gastroparesis based on etiology. Methods We identified all adults discharged with a principal diagnosis of gastroparesis after hospitalization from the 2014 Nationwide Readmission Database. We compared etiology wise (diabetes, post-surgical, and idiopathic) early readmission. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors of 30-day readmission. Results A total of 12 689 patients were identified, 30.7% diabetic, 2.6% post-surgical, and 66.7% were idiopathic. Patients with diabetic gastroparesis were more likely to be readmitted within 30 days than idiopathic (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.94) and post-surgical gastroparesis (aOR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.34-0.98). Pyloroplasty was associated with less likelihood of 30-day readmission (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.20-0.97). In addition, male gender (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02-1.37), modified Elixhauser comorbidity score ≥ 3 (aOR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.18-1.61), chronic pain syndrome (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.11-1.78), younger (18-64 years) age (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.34-2.00), need for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy/jejunostomy tube (aOR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.21-3.52), and need for total parenteral nutrition (aOR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.24-2.35) were associated with increased risk of 30-day readmission. Conclusion s One in 5 patients was readmitted with gastroparesis within 30 days. In the diabetic group, diabetes-related complications contributed to readmissions than gastroparesis. Pyloroplasty is associated with reduced early hospital readmission. Prospective studies are needed for validation of these results.
A novel isotope dilution UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for the quantification of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol in Caco-2 cell transport and receiving buffers

A routine, selective and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validat...
The Value of Research

Attempts to examine patterns of child sexual abuse internationally has been limited for many reasons. Outside of the US, Canada and England, few countries have research on child sexual abuse published in scholarly-refereed venues, and regardless of source, comparability is difficult with respect to methods and measurement. This reflects in part the lesser status of children and females as well as a resistance in societies globally (even those who have conducted research) to acknowledge the problem of child sexual abuse, instead relying on myths to continue denial such as “child sexual abuse doesn’t happen here” or “only disturbed strangers do that.” This is unfortunate, as information on child sexual abuse allows for the possibility of acknowledging the problem in society which in turn is necessary if victims are to be assisted and child sexual abuse to be prevented in the future.
Overcoming the Low Driving Force in Forming Depolymerizable Polymers through Monomer Isomerization

While depolymerizable polymers have been intensely pursued as a potential solution to address the challenges in polymer sustainability, most depolymerization systems are characterized by a low driving force in polymerization, which poses difficulties for accessing diverse functionalities and architectures of polymers. Here, we address this challenge by using a cyclooctene-based depolymerization system, in which the cis -to- trans alkene isomerization significantly increases the ring strain energy to enable living ring-opening metathesis polymerization at monomer concentrations ≥ 0.025 M. An additional trans -cyclobutane fused at the 5,6-position of the cyclooctene reduces the ring strain energy of cyclooctene, enabling the corresponding polymers to depolymerize into the cis -cyclooctene monomers. The use of excess triphenylphosphine was found to be essential to suppress secondary metathesis and depolymerization. The high-driving-force living polymerization of the trans -cyclobutane fused trans -cyclooctene system holds promise for developing chemically recyclable polymers of a wide variety of polymer architectures.
Speech Computations of the Human Superior Temporal Gyrus.

Human speech perception results from neural computations that transform external acoustic speech signals into internal representations of words. The superior temporal gyrus (STG) contains the nonpr...
A Workshop on the Social Science Research Network (SSRN)

This is a PDF file of 'A Workshop on the Social Science Research Network' slides from a presentation for the School of Business faculty at Kentucky State University, October 31, 2005, Frankfort, KY. The purpose of this SSRN Workshop is to provide faculty, librarians, and graduate students an initial overview of the basic services and features of the SSRN e-Library. The SSRN Workshop covers four main issues: 1) What is the Social Science Research Network? 2) What are the basic features and services offered by SSRN? (Search, Sign On, Submit, Subscribe) 3) What are important tips and aspects of SSRN to consider? 4) What are the different contacts for customer service assistance from the SSRN Virtual Team? Note: SSRN is experimenting with enabling the distribution of different types of files: slides, spreadsheets, video, etc. This is an upload of a pdf file of an SSRN Workshop PowerPoint slides. We are interested in our users desires to distribute files that go beyond word processing text files. You can communicate with me on these issues via my email address below. We invite you to submit your own presentation slides.
A.C. polarographic analysis of organic pharmaceuticals using aprotic organic solvents

Abstract Very little work has been done in which aprotic organic solvents have been employed for organic pharmaceutical analysis using electrochemical methods. Despite a number of natural advantages associated with aprotic solvents, the vast majority of electroanalytical assay procedures for organic pharmaceuticals use protic aqueous or alcoholic media. The present work compares a.c. polarographic data on the alkaloids colchicine and reserpine resulting from use of aprotic organic and aqueous electrolytes. The analytical results overwhelmingly favor the use of the organic solvents employed. Tablet assays are developed for both compounds. Acetonitrile with 0.01 M tetraethylammonium perfluoroborate is the recommended electrolyte. Sensitivities are more than sufficient for single tablet assays.
The Role of Fluoroquinolones in Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The management of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) has reached a new level in the era of antibiotic resistance and human immunodeficiency virus infection. To date, no single antimicrobial is capable of eradicating the commonly encountered STD pathogens including Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Treponema pallidum. Among the marketed fluoroquinolones, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, lomefloxacin, and enoxacin all provide excellent in vitro activity (MIC90 < 0.06 micrograms/ml) and excellent in vivo efficacy against N. gonorrhoeae, including multiply resistant isolates (penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae and chromosomally mediated resistant N. gonorrhoeae). Ofloxacin is the only fluoroquinolone approved by the Food and Drug Administration for chlamydial infection. All of the quinolones lack reliable in vitro activity against Ureaplasma urealyticum, a cause of nongonococcal urethritis. Although limited data suggest the usefulness of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease, these drugs cannot currently be recommended for single-agent therapy. Haemophilus ducreyi infections, however, can be managed effectively with the fluoroquinolones. Although their role continues to evolve, this class of drugs cannot be used equally to treat all STDs, and notably, no quinolone to date inhibits T. pallidum.
Performance of meteor burst communication system using several protocols

This paper analyzes the performance of a communication system operating over Meteor-Burst (MB) channel, in terms of protocols that are used. Four protocols are considered; first, second, broadcasting, and Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) protocols. The message to be transmitted is packetized. The performance measure of the system is; probability of successful message completion, waiting time, and throughput. Closed form expressions for probability of successful completion of a message are derived for first and second protocols. Numerical results based on this analysis are provided, it was found that the most important parameter affecting the performance of Meteor Burst is bit rate.
Devi: The Great Goddess

DEVI: THE GREAT GODDESS. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (Smithsonian Institution) March 28- September 6,1999.
La corrupción y el control de la corrupción como impedimentos para la competitividad económica

El bien documentado argumento de que un riguroso control de la corrupcion puede reducir tanto el desempeno de los organismos publicos como la competitividad publica ha conducido a la nocion de que es necesario tolerar “cierta” corrupcion en beneficio del desarrollo economico y el desempeno gubernamental. Si bien el argumento es sostenible, la idea que considera tolerables ciertos niveles de corrupcion constituye un malentendido. ?De que manera, entonces, enfocar la proteccion de la integridad publica sin sacrificar los intereses publicos y privados? Este analisis considera, primero, los costos de la corrupcion que podria denominarse “util” o “necesaria”; segundo, los costos de un control estricto de la corrupcion; tercero, el particular sindrome de corrupcion al que se enfrenta Mexico, con sus implicaciones para una politica de integridad y, cuarto, la forma en que las redes publicas de integridad pueden reducir los costos de la corrupcion para la competitividad y evitar, asimismo, los de un excesivo control de aquella
A gas‐solid reaction with nonuniform distribution of solid reactant

A pore-pellet model is used to analyze experimental data for SO2 removal using CuO impregnated on alumina as a sorbent. The effect of structural changes in the active solid (CuO) is included in the analysis and found to be important. The changes are characterized by three parameters: the ratio of solid product (CuSO4) molal volume to solid reactant (CuO) molal volume, the weight fraction of active solid, and the radial distribution of the active solid within the pellet. The calculated kinetic constants are independent of CuO weight fraction and can be used for pellets with different CuO weight fractions. For the data set used in this work, it is shown that some degree of nonuniformity in the CuO distribution within the alumina matrix is needed in order to obtain a good fit of the data by the model.
Constructing Meaning: The Role of Affordances and Grammatical Constructions in Sentence Comprehension

Abstract The Indexical Hypothesis describes how sentences become meaningful through grounding their interpretation in action. We develop support for the hypothesis by examining how people understand innovative denominal verbs, that is, verbs made from nouns and first encountered by participants within the experiment (e.g., to crutch). Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrated that different syntactic constructions provide scenes or goals that influence the meaning created for the innovative verbs. Experiment 3 used reading time to demonstrate that people also consider possible interactions with the objects underlying the verbs (i.e., the affordances of the objects) when creating meaning. Experiment 4 used a property verification procedure to demonstrate that the affordances derived from the objects depend on the situation-specific actions needed to complete the goal specified by the syntactic construction. Thus the evidence supports a specific type of interaction between syntax and semantics that leads to understanding: The syntax specifies a general scene, and the affordances of objects are used to specify the scene in detail sufficient to take action.
Gene frequencies of alcohol dehydrogenase2 and aldehyde dehydrogenase2 in Northwest Coast Amerindians

The frequencies of the alleles encoding isozymes of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase were low in Northwest Coast Amerindians compared to Chinese subjects.
Mouse hepatitis virus infection of the central nervous system: chemokine-mediated regulation of host defense and disease.

Infection of the central nervous system (CNS) of susceptible mice with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), a positive-strand RNA virus that is a member of the Coronaviridae family, reproducibly results in an acute encephalomyelitis followed by a demyelinating disease similar to the human demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS). MHV infection triggers a robust cell-mediated response in which both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are essential in controlling viral replication and spread. However, viral clearance is incomplete and viral RNA and protein can persist within white matter tracts, areas of viral persistence are often associated with demyelinating lesions, and recent studies have indicated an important role for both T cells and macrophages in contributing to myelin destruction. The molecular mechanisms governing leukocyte trafficking and accumulation within the CNS of MHV-infected mice are just now being understood and recent studies indicate that chemokines and chemokine receptors have an important role in th...
Regulation of Dietary Supplements in the United States of America

AbstractThe importance of dietary supplements regulation in the United States of America becomes clear when the prevalence of this form of therapy is recognized. One of the most important pieces of legislature affecting dietary supplement manufacturing and distribution is the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. The Act and its amendments have provided definitions and guidelines to dietary supplement industry and public. These laws address Labeling and Claims, Good Manufacturing Practices, Adverse Event Reporting mechanisms and a number of other areas. The legislation is still undergoing changes. It is believed that strict implementation of the regulations and educating of health care professionals and patients will help dietary supplement field become safer and better understood.
Timing of middle Paleozoic (Acadian) metamorphism in the southern Appalachians: K-Ar studies in the Talladega belt, Alabama

The Talladega belt of Alabama and Georgia is located at the southernmost exposed part of the southern Appalachian orogen and is one of the westernmost metamorphic terranes in this part of the orogen. The presence of the Lower Devonian Jemison Chert of the Talladega Group provides a maximum age for the timing of greenschist facies metamorphism and penetrative slaty cleavage formation in this terrane. Six slate collected form upper Precambrian( )-Lower Cambrian, and Silurian( )-Devonian rocks of the Talladega belt have an average K-Ar age of 399 {plus minus} 17 Ma. This age is interpreted to be the approximate time of regional greenschist facies metamorphism. The timing of metamorphism in the Talladega belt is similar to the age of the Acadian orogeny in the Maritime and northern Appalachians. Unlike the accreted nature of the Acadian terranes in the northern Appalachians, the Talladega belt appears to have been part of the early to middle Paleozoic cratonic margin of North America. The results of this study indicate that Acadian dynamothermal events extended into parts of the Laurentian margin in the southern Appalachians. Paleozoic igneous activity in the southern Appalachians was less extensive compared with the voluminous Acadian plutonism of the northern Appalachians;more » however, synkinematic to postkinematic Devonian plutons are present in the central and western parts of the orogen.« less
Preeclampsia and sleep-disordered breathing: A case-control study

Abstract Objective To determine whether sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is more prevalent among women with preeclampsia than among normotensive controls. Study design Preeclamptic patients admitted to the hospital for observation and normotensive, gestational age matched controls hospitalized for obstetrical indications other than preeclampsia were recruited for an overnight sleep evaluation. Watch-PAT100, a validated wrist-mounted, ambulatory device designed to diagnose SDB, was used to complete all sleep studies. Results Twenty preeclamptic patients and 20 controls were recruited. Preeclamptic subjects had a higher mean BMI (32.6 ± 9.5 vs. 24.5 ± 3.5, P = 0.001). Preeclamptic subjects had higher mean respiratory disturbance (RDI, mean difference 4.9 events/hour of sleep), apnea hypopnea (AHI, mean difference 5.7 events/hour of sleep) and oxygen desaturation (ODI, mean difference 4.5 events/hour of sleep) indices, however these differences did not reach statistical significance. Preeclamptic subjects were more likely to have more severe forms of SDB compared to controls (ODI ⩾ 5, 20% vs. 0%, p = .047). Conclusion Compared to normotensive controls, preeclamptic subjects experience more SDB events and a greater degree of nocturnal hypoxemia. Further research is needed to determine if SDB, independent of BMI, is a significant contributing factor to the risk of developing preeclampsia.
Growth curve studies of the suckling mouse cataract agent in individual compartments of the eye.

SummaryThe suckling mouse cataract agent (SMCA) consistently causes cataracts, retinitis, and posterior uveitis in intracerebrally inoculated suckling mice. Sequential studies were performed of the level of virus infection in several compartments of eyes dissected at regular intervals following inoculation. The time of appearance of infection in the lens, retina, and posterior uveal tissues was closely correlated with the time of onset of pathologic changes. Peak levels of infection coincided with maximum inflammation in the retina and uvea. The decline of infection in these tissues was also correlated with the resolution of inflammation. However, virus content of the lens declined at a time when lens disease continued to progress. The incidence of eye infection detected by viral studies was identical to that observed by clinical and histopathological studies. The SMCA system appears to provide a useful model for the study of intraocular infection.
Fracture Behavior of Polyurethane Foams

ABSTRACT Due to their high energy absorption capabilities, polyurethane (PU) foams have been widely used in many applications. The mechanical behavior of Polyurethane (PU) foams has been attracting the attention from engineers and researchers. But most of work was to study the compressive behavior of PU foams. Very little knowledge is available about the fracture behavior of the PU foams. In this paper, single edge notch bend (SENB) tests are conducted to study the mode-I fracture behavior of a rigid closed cell PU foam, PMDI 20, with a nominal density of 20 pcf (320 kg/m 3 ). The stress intensity factor K IC is calculated from the loading curves. The displacement and strain field around the crack tip is obtained using digital image correlation (DIC) technique. INTRODUCTION Polyurethane (PU) foam can absorb energy by undergoing a large amount of compressive deformation. It has been widely used in packaging and cushioning to protect sensitive objectives. However, they have a tensile failure strain of a few percent or even less than one percent. In our previous uniaxial compression tests, it has been shown that both tensile and compressive strains are developed inside the foam specimens due to the inhomogeneous deformation of the foam specimens during compression and that there is large tensile strain concentration at the interface of foam specimen and the protected object. The tensile deformation causes the failure of the foam specimen by the propagation of the crack [1]. Therefore, it is very important to study the fracture behavior of the foam specimens in order to effectively protect sensitive objects. Most rigid polymer foams are linear-elastic in tension. The fracture failure can thus be treated by the concept of linear-elastic fracture mechanisms [2]. The efforts of determining the fracture toughness of foam materials can be traced back to more than three decades ago. Fowlkes
Estrogen receptor translocation and ornithine aminotransferase induction by estradiol in rat kidney.

Abstract Injection of a hyperphysiological dose of 17β-estradiol to the rat elicits a translocation of the cytoplasmic estrogen receptor in the kidney. This is followed, a few hours later, by an increase in the rate of ornithine aminotransferase synthesis. This increase, in turn, causes the enzyme activity to rise also a few hours later. Growth of rat kidney tumor MK3 has delayed the induction of ornithine aminotransterase by 17β-estradiol in the host kidney. However, the enzyme is not inducible in several normal tissues where the activity is high and where concentrations of estrogen receptor greatly exceed that in rat kidney. These observations suggest certain possible mechanisms of the inductive process.
Amyloid, Hyperactivity, and Metabolism: Theoretical Comment on Vloeberghs et al. (2008)

Recent data suggest that amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice consume excess calories relative to nontransgenic mice, yet they weigh less. Potential explanations include increased locomotor activity or increased basal metabolism. Mechanisms that might underlie the latter explanation include transmembrane pores produced by assemblies of A beta modifying proton or ion gradients across membranes. Alzheimer's disease also results in weight loss. If amyloid were found to induce a hypermetabolic state, this would suggest an alternative mechanism for the pathology found in the disease and provide opportunities for therapeutic strategies not yet considered.
Importance of global harmonization in product environmental regulations and standards

Certain regions of the world have successfully implemented harmonized product compliance regulations, such as the European Free Trade Association and the Customs Union. Some product types or focus areas have moved to a more harmonized compliance approach and, with this, the regulations and standards are easier to enforce, simpler for consumers to understand, and more efficient for manufacturers to implement. The uniformity of harmonized regulations results in a less burdensome administrative efforts, fewer labeling requirements, and streamlined conformity assessments. However, the majority of jurisdictions worldwide have not successfully harmonized their requirements and often regulate the same product or component with different requirements. This paper will provide examples of both harmonized and non-harmonized regulations, and the resultant benefits or drawbacks for the consumer, public, economic operators, and government authorities. It will review issues faced by the regulated industry when required to implement non-harmonized regulations, and the effect it has on the products. The paper will provide some suggestions for harmonization of regulations and recommendations for an approach that minimizes administrative burden for both the regulated and regulators, while still allowing environmental standards and regulations to accomplish their intended purpose. Harmonized standards and regulations are effectively and quickly implemented, while maintaining focus on reducing risks and limiting exposures and hazards.
Cardiovascular collapse associated with oral terbutaline tocolytic therapy.

{3-Mimetic agents are widely used for the inhibition of preterm labor because of their effects on the uterine myometrium. However, many additional effects can be seen in other organ systems which change both biophysical and biochemical parameters. Potentially, the most significant are the development of marked hypokalemia and pulmonary edema with or without the concomitant use of steroids. Subsequent to an adequate dosage of {3-mimetic agents, either terbutaline or ritodrine, maternal tachycardia usually occurs. Normally, the tachycardia that follows the use of these drugs is not considered to be pathologic or lifethreatening. We now report a case of supraventricular tachycardia with cardiovascular decompensation in a patient who was being treated for preterm labor with oral terbutaline.
Longitudinal Vehicle Dynamics Scaling and Implementation on a HIL Setup

This paper presents the application of Buckingham’s π theorem to scale the powertrain of a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) by deriving non dimensional ratios called π parameters. A Hardware In the Loop (HIL) setup is constructed and the resulting longitudinal dynamics of the scaled vehicle are validated against those of a full scale vehicle model. This is performed with the ultimate goal of testing cooperative collision avoidance algorithms on a testbed comprising a number of these scaled vehicles. This paper is based on “Development of a scaled vehicle with Longitudinal dynamics of a HMMWV for ITS testbed”, by Verma, R., Domitilla Del Vecchio, and Hosam K. Fathy which appeared in IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, February 2008 and is being reprinted with permission from IEEE.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Rapid Thermal Annealing of Low Temperature Silicon Dioxide Films

This paper discusses the local atomic structure in silicon dioxide films formed by the oxidation of silicon in dry oxygen in a temperature range between 850 and 1150°C. The films grown at 850°C were subjected to rapid thermal annealing (RTA)at temperatures between 800 and 1200°C and for periods of time ranging from 1 to 100 seconds. The local atomic structure has been studied via infrared (IR) spectroscopy and ellipsometry. We discuss the temperature dependence (with respect to both oxidation temperature, and annealing temperature [and time]) of the frequency, v, and linewidth, δv, of the Si-O-Si bond stretching vibration, and the index of refraction, n, at 632.8 nm. We make comparisons with silicon dioxidefilms deposited by remote plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RPECVD) at temperatures between 100 and 400C and subjected to high temperature annealing (850 to 1050°C). We find that the variations in v, δv and n with growth, deposition and annealing can be understood in terms of systematic variations in the magnitude of the bond angle, 2e, at the oxygen atom bonding sites.
The Value of the Smear Method for Plant Cytology

The smear method of plant cytology as described by Taylor, presented difficulties in obtaining an adequate stain with the iron-alum haematoxylin combination. The writer has largely avoided those difficulties by curtailing the times of mordanting and of staining. The smear method has been applied by the writer in the study of microsporogenesis in the monocotyledonous genera Tradescantia and Rhoeo and in the dicotyledonous genus Podophyllum. Due to the rapidity with which permanent preparations can be completed by the smear method, there is presented a valuable means for securing a more critical evaluation of the available preservatives.
Differentiation between peptides containing acetylated or tri‐methylated lysines by mass spectrometry: An application for determining lysine 9 acetylation and methylation of histone H3

Histone acetylation and methylation play a critical role in transcription and gene regulation. Identification of sites of lysine acetylation and methylation in histones or other proteins by mass spectrometry (MS) is of increasing interest. In this paper, we report the use of MS to differentiate between peptides containing acetylated or tri-methylated lysines. High accuracy matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight MS gives better than five parts per million measurement accuracy, which is sufficient to verify acetylation and/or methylation. Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to assign modification sites and to differentiate acetylation from methylation. Typically, an immonium ion at m/z 98 corresponds to a mono-methylated lysine and an immonium ion at m/z 126 corresponds to an acetylated lysine. The neutral loss ion (MH+-59) is unique for a tri-methylated lysine. For a peptide with two or more modification sites of acetylation or tri-methylation or one site containing partial acetylation and tri-methylation, the a2-, b2-type ion is the characteristic index for an acetylated lysine whereas the b2-59 ion is indicative of a tri-methylated lysine in the N-terminus. The y-type ions and y-59 ions are charateristic of an acetylated lysine and a tri-methylated lysine at the C-terminus, respectively. We demonstrated that a lysine in a peptide modified by methylation or acetylation can be differentiated by MS using our method. Even if more then one lysine is present in a peptide and different modifications of this amino acid occur, they can be distinguished. This method was successful for the determination of the acetylation and methylation status of lysine 9 of histone H3 in chicken erythrocytes and human HeLa cell lines.
Velocity measurements by vibrational tagging and fluorescent probing of oxygen

We report the development of a new method of instantaneously measuring three-dimensional velocity profiles and structure in air and oxygen. No seeding of particles, molecules, or atomic species is required. The method combines Raman excitation and laser-induced electronic fluorescence to generate a time-gated image of the moving oxygen molecules.
FEMvrml: An interactive virtual environment for visualization of finite element simulation results

Finite element simulations produce information that is proportional to the size of the numerical model. For large models, the data produced is voluminous and can therefore be challenging to deal with and interpret. This paper discusses the use of virtual reality to manage this information and presents FEMvrml, an interactive virtual environment within which users can interact with and explore the simulation results. The structure and methodology behind FEMvrml and the algorithms employed are described along with application examples that show the effectiveness and capabilities of the system.
Wide range compliance of flattened three-point bend round bars based on slice synthesis method: Case (1) with straight-through crack, case (2) with chevron-notch crack

The derived compliance data is listed for the case of the through cracked specimen, and for the case of the chevron notch cracked specimen, for which the initial chevron notch length is a geometric parameter, as the span/diameter
Analyzing the Determinants of Group Identity among Alevis in Turkey: A National Survey Study

This study systematically explores the factors that affect collective identity associations within the Alevi community in Turkey by employing the social identity approach and examining survey data collected through fieldwork. The results show that Kurdish Alevis express lower levels of attachment to their religious identity as compared to Turkish Alevis. The results also indicate that personal experiences of discrimination tend to increase one's prioritization of Alevi identity. Last, no significant differences are observed regarding group identity between Alevis who reside in urban areas and those who live in rural areas.
Mathematical programming for Multi-Vehicle Motion Planning problems

Real world Multi-Vehicle Motion Planning (MVMP) problems require the optimization of suitable performance measures under an array of complex and challenging constraints involving kinematics, dynamics, communication connectivity, target tracking, and collision avoidance. The general MVMP problem can thus be formulated as a mathematical program (MP). In this paper we present a mathematical programming (MP) framework that captures the salient features of the general MVMP problem. To demonstrate the use of this framework for the formulation and solution of MVMP problems, we examine in detail four representative works and summarize several other related works. As MP solution algorithms and associated numerical solvers continue to develop, we anticipate that MP solution techniques will be applied to an increasing number of MVMP problems and that the framework and formulations presented in this paper may serve as a guide for future MVMP research.
Mapping a Mendelian Form of Intracranial Aneurysm to 1p34.3-p36.13

The identification of pathways that underlie common disease has been greatly impacted by the study of rare families that segregate single genes with large effect. Intracranial aneurysm is a common neurological problem; the rupture of these aneurysms constitutes a frequently catastrophic neurologic event. The pathogenesis of these aneurysms is largely unknown, although genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a role. Previous genomewide studies in affected relative pairs have suggested linkage to several loci, but underlying genes have not been identified. We have identified a large kindred that segregates nonsyndromic intracranial aneurysm as a dominant trait with high penetrance. Genomewide analysis of linkage was performed using a two-stage approach: an analysis of ∼10,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the 6 living affected subjects, followed by the genotyping of simple tandem repeats across resulting candidate intervals in all 23 kindred members. Analysis revealed significant linkage to a single locus, with a LOD score of 4.2 at 1p34.3-p36.13 under a dominant model with high penetrance. These findings identify a Mendelian form of intracranial aneurysm and map the location of the underlying disease locus.
Mid-infrared laser-absorption diagnostic for vapor-phase fuel mole fraction and liquid fuel film thickness

A novel two-wavelength mid-infrared laser-absorption diagnostic has been developed for simultaneous measurements of vapor-phase fuel mole fraction and liquid fuel film thickness. The diagnostic was demonstrated for time-resolved measurements of n-dodecane liquid films in the absence and presence of n-decane vapor at 25°C and 1 atm. Laser wavelengths were selected from FTIR measurements of the C–H stretching band of vapor n-decane and liquid n-dodecane near 3.4 μm (3000 cm−1). n-Dodecane film thicknesses <20 μm were accurately measured in the absence of vapor, and simultaneous measurements of n-dodecane liquid film thickness and n-decane vapor mole fraction (300 ppm) were measured with <10% uncertainty for film thicknesses <10 μm. A potential application of the measurement technique is to provide accurate values of vapor mole fraction in combustion environments where strong absorption by liquid fuel or oil films on windows make conventional direct absorption measurements of the gas problematic.
Multiphase Modeling of Geologic Carbon Sequestration in Saline Aquifers

Geologic carbon sequestration (GCS) is being considered as a climate change mitigation option in many future energy scenarios. Mathematical modeling is routinely used to predict subsurface CO2 and resident brine migration for the design of injection operations, to demonstrate the permanence of CO2 storage, and to show that other subsurface resources will not be degraded. Many processes impact the migration of CO2 and brine, including multiphase flow dynamics, geochemistry, and geomechanics, along with the spatial distribution of parameters such as porosity and permeability. In this article, we review a set of multiphase modeling approaches with different levels of conceptual complexity that have been used to model GCS. Model complexity ranges from coupled multiprocess models to simplified vertical equilibrium (VE) models and macroscopic invasion percolation models. The goal of this article is to give a framework of conceptual model complexity, and to show the types of modeling approaches that have been used to address specific GCS questions. Application of the modeling approaches is shown using five ongoing or proposed CO2 injection sites. For the selected sites, the majority of GCS models follow a simplified multiphase approach, especially for questions related to injection and local-scale heterogeneity. Coupled multiprocess models are only applied in one case where geomechanics have a strong impact on the flow. Owing to their computational efficiency, VE models tend to be applied at large scales. A macroscopic invasion percolation approach was used to predict the CO2 migration at one site to examine details of CO2 migration under the caprock.
Power-delay energy comparison of bipolar and IGFET digital devices and circuits

Previous analysis shows the IGFET to be dynamically equivalent to a bipolar transistor operating with a base series capacitance equal to the IGFET gate capacitance. This equivalence illuminates the physical reasons for disadvantageous power-delay energy characteristics compared to bipolar devices, devices which operate with Boltzmann barrier principles and thus seem to most closely approach the fundamental power-delay thermal limit. Means for reducing IGFET disadvantages are discussed.